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Artist News: Dream Theater/LTE News

Posted on Tuesday, February 17 @ 02:27:30 UTC by nightowl

Dream Theater and their offshoots are making news this month, starting with this most recent item about "Progressive Nation 2009" tour dates.

Dream Theater's "Progressive Nation 2009" To Tour North America In July/Aug With Special Guests Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish

New York progressive metal veterans Dream Theater will take their "Progressive Nation" tour back on the road for its second incarnation with a run through America and Canada in July/Aug 2009.

In addition to a headlining set by Dream Theater, this year's package will feature the outstanding musicianship of Zappa Plays Zappa as well as two incredibly talented imports from Sweden: Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish.

"Progressive Nation" was created by Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and its successful inaugural run in 2008 also featured Opeth, Between The Buried And Me and Three.



Portnoy once again hand-picked all of the bands for the 2009 bill based on their diversity and musicality. He comments: "This year's lineup is so exciting for me. Every band is bringing something very unique to the package to create an incredibly well rounded musical experience. I am just as excited to be watching all the bands from the side of the stage as I am to be performing with mine in the center of it!"

Fresh on the heels of his Grammy win, Dweezil Zappa is pleased to announce his plans to join forces with Dream Theater as part of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour: "It's no secret that I started Zappa Plays Zappa with the intention to diversify and expand the audience for my father's music. I figured I'd probably have to do it one concert at a time. Playing with Dream Theater on the Progressive Nation tour is a great way to accomplish that goal. Music fans who are seeking something to challenge their senses should definitely consider attending this great bill."

Portnoy adds, "It is an absolute honor for me to have Zappa Plays Zappa on board. Frank Zappa is one of my all-time biggest heroes and his music practically invented the term 'progressive'. Dweezil is doing an amazing job carrying on the tradition of his father's daring spirit and like his dad, has surrounded himself with a band of jaw-dropping, incredible musicians."

Sweden's Pain Of Salvation will bring their unique brand of cutting-edge progressive metal to PN09. Vocalist/Guitarist Daniel Gildenlow comments: "We are truly very happy to be part of the PN09 tour, and to be back in the States again and bring all the sweat and flesh to our music and our well deserving American fans. We feel honored to have been asked."

Gildenlow also joked, "Actually, Mike has been on our backs now for two years in what we believe to be a personal campaign, bordering on harassment, to make us come over. So when he asked us about PN09, it was a joy to finally be able to say yes. And if Mike didn't give up on us, then hopefully America hasn't either." [Because of the US's "travel" policies (at least under Bush), Gildenlow refused to come to the US again until they changed... (the story in a nutshell) -ed.]

Vocalist/Keyboardist Rikard Sj?blom of Beardfish is equally excited: "When we read on a website that Mike Portnoy had our album Sleeping In Traffic Part 1 among his favorite releases of 2007, we just couldn't believe it and we were really happy about it! And now we once again gasp for air since we've been asked to join Progressive Nation 2009 together with Dream Theater (one of the biggest bands in this genre today!), Pain Of Salvation (hey, fellow Swedes!!!) and Zappa Plays Zappa (being a HUGE Zappa fan myself, I think this is really cool!). Since we've only played the US once before we simply can't wait to come over and rock out!"

Progressive Nation will be the first North American tour for Dream Theater in support of their newest Roadrunner Records release which is slated for a June 2009 release.

For more information, including dates to be announced soon, visit:

www.progressivenation2009.com (coming soon)
www.dreamtheater.net www.myspace.com/dreamtheater.

Yes, indeedy, you heard that last bit correct (above the links): new CD from Dream Theater.

It was announced by Dream Theater's label, Roadrunner Records that "Prog Metal veterans Dream Theater are currently wrapping up work on their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the as-yet untitled album - their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's Systematic Chaos - in October of last year.

"Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again producing the CD, while engineer Paul Northfield will mix the record. Roadrunner plans to release the album in early summer upon which the band will immediately embark on a world tour to support it."

Lastly, though it was really the first of the three news announcements, we have an item about the Liquid Tension Experiment and it's offshoot, Liquid Trio Experiment. "2009 will see Ytsejam Records branch out with releases by select Dream Theater side projects on their new Lazy Tomato Entertainment label.

"Coming this Spring will be the long awaited live CD and DVD releases by Liquid Tension Experiment.

"But to whet your appetite until those titles are ready to go, we will launch Ytsejam's side-project offspring with the release of the Liquid Trio Experiment 2 - When The Keyboard Breaks: Live In Chicago CD.

"This is the infamous "jamarathon" which took place at LTE's June 25th 2008 show in Chicago when Jordan Rudess' keyboard broke down. Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci and Tony Levin proceeded to play and improvise almost 1 hour of insane musical madness to a stunned audience.

This was an unbelievably unique evening that can now be shared for those not fortunate enough to have been in attendance that very special night."

You can order this CD from this link to Ytsejam Records.

[Source: Dream Theater website]

Posted in Band News (tours, comings/goings, etc)

Associated Topics

Album Release News