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Artist News: Mystery News

Posted on Saturday, October 15 @ 19:08:37 UTC by nightowl

Mystery news? What could it be? Well, actually it's news about Mystery, the Canadian band that includes Yes vocalist Benoit David. But is there a mystery with Mystery? Well, yes, because recently drummer Steve Gagné departed from the band, just as the band were prepping to record a new album. His depature was "in order to concentrate and persue a new personal career and challenge," note the band (or Unicorn Digital, their label).

"Steve joined Mystery in 1997 during the recording of the Destiny album, it was not long before he became a friend and a major force behind Mystery and over the years his strength and profesionalism has taught us to be better musicians and artists in the most humble way.

"It is with great regret that we have to inform you that Steve will not be part of the new album, but at the same time we are very excited and happy for him and his new ventures and we wish him all the best. Music is a long road and our paths will certainly cross again."

So, like... who's the new drummer? you ask. Was there months and months of secret auditions filmed for a DVD release? Well, I don't know that; their process will remain a mystery until they reveal it. But it's no mystery who sat behind the kit for the recording of Mystery's new album: "All drums tracks have been recorded at Chemical Sound in Toronto, Ontario with well known progressive rock drummer Nick D’Virgilio.

"Nick D'Virgilio is an American drummer and multi-instrumentalist musician, often referred to as NDV, best known as a member of the progressive rock band Spock's Beard. He was also one of two drummers chosen to replace Phil Collins in Genesis on the Calling All Stations album. He has also done session work with many artists including Tears for Fears and Big Big Train." But ya'll should know his c.v. by now, right? What you probably didn't know, the press release from UD provides: "Benoit David is currently at illusion studio with Michel St-Pere to record all vocal tracks before Benoit returns with Yes at the end of October for their up coming European tour.

"[Plus g]reat bassist and long time Mystery friend Antoine Farard (Spaced Out), who just released his first solo album Solus Operandi, will be recording bass for the new Mystery album in his London studio in October."

Let's clear up some more mysteries, shall we: "The new album with the working title The World Is A Game will be mixed in November and ready for release early 2012.

"Once again produced by Michel St-Pere, the follow up to the best selling Unicorn Digital release of all time, One Among The Living (2010) will be released early 2012."

What else is new (or newish) at Unicorn Digital? Well, take a poke at these:

Jelly Fiche - Symbiose (UNCR-5075): Quebec progressive rock band Jelly Fiche released their second album on August 10, 2011 in France. For this occasion, the band played a much anticipated performance at the Crescendo Festival on August 18. The release of the Symbiose album was also celebrated at l’alizé in Montreal on the September 13, 2011. With their first album Tout Ce Que J'ai Révé, Jelly Fiche is considered one of the best new French progressive rock bands.

With their new concept album Symbiose, Jelly Fiche returns this time with a heavier sound and the band proves once more that they can create their own and unique musical universe.

Mixed by Don Murnaghan (Arcade Fire) with mastering by Gary Tanin (Daryl Stuermer, Roger Powell) released on the Unicorn Digital Label.

Direction - Va (UNCR-5074): Quebec progressive rock band Direction is back with their 6th and 7th release, presented as a double album (third one on the Unicorn Digital label). Va tells the story of Alex’s journey. This 2 CD progressive rock opera features 23 actors who take the listeners right into the heart of the story. The French Canadian band Direction delivers with Va yet another great progressive rock double CD.


As alluded to above, Antoine Fafard (Spaced Out) - Solus Operandi (UNCR-5076): Unicorn Digital is proud to announce the release of the album Solus Operandi, the first solo release by Spaced Out's Antoine Fafard. The record features 17 tracks totaling 75 minutes of original instrumental music featuring Fafard on fretless bass and classical guitar.

The record also features many collaborators including Magella Cormier, Jerry De Villier Jr, Tom Quayle, Martin Maheux as well as drum legend Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Mike Stern).

Still to come from Unicorn Digital: ARZ, an American progressive rock band who has signed with the label for the release of their album Turn Of The Tide (UNCR-5077 November 2011).

ARZ is the name of the two-man progressive rock group from Portland, Oregon, and the two men in this band are guitarist/singer Steve Adams and drummer Merrill Hale. ARZ had previously been Adams’s one-man instrumental tour de force (back then, Steve played all the guitars, the bass guitar, and programmed drums in addition to his evocative vocals). On their upcoming album Turn Of The Tide, new pieces such as “Hope And Glory” revive the passion of vintage Emerson, Lake and Palmer, while other tracks such as “To The Better Man” and “Birth Of A Hero” present Adams as a very effective singer, drawing from influences such as Rush and Jethro Tull.

And there's, shhh, Secret Society of Starfish, who Unicorn Records whispers that also have recently signed and will release Dark Reflections From The Waters Edge (UNCR-5078) in November.

Oh, let's just blurt it out: Secret Society of Starfish are sea creatures from... no sorry, that's not right. They're a progressive rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have been described as Tool meets Porcupine Tree and their intricate music ranges from hard-driving to complex to ethereal instrumentals. Signed to Canadian indie label Unicorn Records, SSOS has performed with prog icons Yes, hard rockers King's X and many prog, metal and rock acts around the Midwest.

SSOS is composed of veteran musicians from Milwaukee area prog-rock groups. The band features vocals by Pablo Sepulveda Jr., D.R. Burkowitz on bass, Chris Vincent on drums, guitarist Joe Kopecky and Jeffrey Konkol on keyboards. ['bout time Joe got some notice; brother William is hoggin' the limelight... (just kidding) - ed.]

[Source: Unicorn Digital (facts), the twisted mind of the editor (all the...ahem...humour)]

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

Associated Topics

Album Release News