Bleeding Edge Interviews

Mark Zonder of A-Z talks about the new album, his goals for the band, and his concept of the ultimate professional musician.Pre-order the new album: https://www.metalblade.com/a-z/Bleeding Edge Merch: https://my-store-1073983-2.creator-spring.comFacebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show Blue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.social And now Tiktok: bleeding_edge_progThe Expanse - All-Prog Radio! Available on Live365 and Tune-In Radio!Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Jacob Roberge is a new rising star in the world of prog with his acclaimed debut album, The Passage. I chat with him about his influences and inspirations and learn some surprising things about him!Buy the album: https://www.jacob-roberge.com/en/musiqueBleeding Edge Merch: https://my-store-1073983-2.creator-spring.comFacebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show Blue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.social And now Tiktok: bleeding_edge_progThe Expanse - All-Prog Radio! Available on Live365 and Tune-In Radio!Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Fast rising experimental metal stars Benthos will have their sophomore effort out very soon. Gabriele Papagni (guitar) and Alessandro Tagliani (drums) spent some time chatting with me about what makes them unique!Pre-order the album: https://benthos-band.com/Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show Blue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.social And now Tiktok: bleeding_edge_progThe Expanse - All-Prog Radio! Available on Live365 and now also Tune-In Radio!Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

You've gotten my review, now hear all about The Uncertainty Principle from Mark Gatland and Malcolm Galloway of Hats Off Gentlemen, It's Adequate!Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show Blue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.social The Expanse - All-Prog Radio! Available on Live365 and now also Tune-In Radio!Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Well, the absence of interviews didn't last long! Jason Bieler joins me to talk about the latest project from him and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra: The Escapologist!Pre-Order The Escapologist here: JasonBieler.com or here: https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/album/the-escapologist-pre-orderFacebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showBlue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.socialThe Expanse - All-Prog Radio! Available on Live365 and now also Tune-In Radio!Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

You know my album picks, now find out which songs I thought were the best in prog rock in 2024! You might be surprised! Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show Blue Sky: @bleeding-edge-show.bsky.social Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g https://youtu.be/cgumVYHOoQQ

The much-delayed Top 10 Prog Albums of 2024 list! What will be The Album of the Year? Which albums made this list and who was left off?

Chatting with the prolific Tim Bowness about his latest album, Power Dry, and how a confluence of circumstances and ideas contributed to his most sonically diverse album yet!Power Dry (and other stuff) available here: Search - tim bowness (burningshed.com)Facebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

Talking with founding member, keyboardist, vocalist and writer Jem Godfrey of Frost* about their newest album, Life in the Wires, which represents them taking part in what he considers to be a rite of passage for progressive rock bands.

When it comes to dedication, few people can compare to Brian J. Heaton, who has assembled arguably the most complete touring history of any recording artist with his new book: Roads to Madness: A Touring History of Queensrÿche (1981-1997). If you're a fan of Queensrÿche, or just a lover of classic progressive rock and metal, this is a story you'll be interested in hearing.Buy the Book: https://roadstomadness.comFacebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

This time around I talk with one of the giants in the Progosphere, the one and only Jordan Rudess, whose new album entitled Permission to Fly drops September 6, which features Jordan taking a band approach to a solo album. Jordan Rudess (https://www.jordanrudess.com/) Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

Talking with Jon Courtney, multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Pure Reason Revolution about the personal struggles and loss that fueled his inspiration for the band's latest album, Coming Up To Consciousness. Pure Reason Revolution (purereasonrevolutionofficial.com)Facebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365:The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

My continuing discovery of progressive rock artists I seem to have overlooked has led me to Barock Project, who just released their latest album, Time Voyager. Here's my conversation with members Eric Ombelli (drums) & Marco Mazzuoccolo (guitar). Purchase Time Voyager heret: https://www.barockproject.net/ Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

For this episode I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Hans Lundin of legendary Swedish prog band, Kaipa, a man whose musical career spans six decades! Learn about his creative process, hear a bit of his amazing history in the Progosphere, and get some insights into the creation of the band's 15th album, Sommargryningsljus!Purchase Sommargryningsljus:Facebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

Talking to another fast-rising new star in the world of progressive rock/metal. Benjamin Almö Thorsell is the driving force behind ALMO and their debut album, Reconciliation.Purchase Reconciliation here: https://almomusic.bandcamp.com/album/reconciliationFacebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

I love talking to people who made their visions into reality, and Title of Trion Project did exactly that with the band's debut, Messenger's Quest! This is my conversation with him about the story behind it! Purchase Messenger's Quest here: https://tritonproject.bandcamp.com/album/messengers-quest-2 Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

My conversation with keyboard virtuoso and founding member of Lebanese prog rock/metal band Turbulence about their hot new album, Binary Dream! Purchase Binary Dream here (US): Turbulence - Binary Dream - CD – Frontiers Music Srl (frontiers-us.shop)Facebook: BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

Sitting down with rising stars Dan Smith and Anthony Puliafico of Professor Caffeine & The Insecurities to talk about their first full-length album and what goes into their unique sound. Professor Caffeine & The Insecurities: https://professorcaffeineandtheinsecurities.bandcamp.com/album/professor-caffeine-the-insecurities Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675

Robert Berry of SiX by SiX joins me to talk about the band's latest release and upcoming tour dates!

This time I welcome Andy Tillison of The Tangent as my special guest for the 50th Episode of Bleeding Edge Interviews! He chatted with me about To Follow Polaris, the 13th studio album from The Tangent, and a very unusual album in itself!

James Lascelles returns to Bleeding Edge to talk about Wheel's forthcoming album, Charismatic Leaders as well as their upcoming tour! https://wheelband.net/ https://wheelband.lnk.to/CharismaticLeaders Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Talking with Marco Minneman, virtuoso drummer of The Aristocrats, about their latest release, Duck, which is new territory for them as they have created a rarity: an instrumental concept album!The Aristocrats: https://the-aristocrats-band.com/ Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Live365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Having just released one of the hottest albums of this new year with Mannequin, KYROS are already generating Album of the Year buzz for their unique blend of prog and 80's synth pop! A fun, thoughtful and multi-faceted group, they are just as unique as their music! https://www.kyrosmusic.com/band Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Bleeding Edge Interviews on YouTube: @BleedingEdgeProgLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

They don't come busier or more talented than guitarist, songwriter, and producer than the man they call "Bumblefoot!" Ron Thal has been so busy, he has TWO bands coming out with albums this year! We chat about those and how he keeps a level head in the wild world of modern music.

Launching my year-long celebration of 50 Years of Rush, whose debut album was released in 1974! Joining me is Rush Fan Extraordinaire, Preston Elliott of WMMR's Preston & Steve!Facebook: @BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeYoutube: @BleedingEdgeProgLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Alberto Bravin is the new vocalist for Big Big Train. Find out how he was recruited and what it's been like integrating into the venerable band as they created their latest album, The Likes Of Us. Big Big Train Official Website: https://www.bigbigtrain.com/Facebook: @BleedingEdgeShowInstagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_showX/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___EdgeYoutube: @BleedingEdgeProgLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9gHide

Over the course of his solo career, Steve Hackett has influenced guitar players the world over and produced a wide and varied catalog of wonderful music. Now, he's about to release his 30th solo album, The Circus and the Nightwhale. I was fortunate enough to get to chat with him about the new album and the concept from which it grew. Facebook: @BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Youtube: @BleedingEdgeProgLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

With this being my final year-end list for 2023, I present to you my Top 10 EPIC Progressive Rock/Metal songs of the year!

With such a great year for progressive rock, it was really difficult for me to get the list of my favorite songs down to 10 or even 20! So, here are my 27 favorite songs of 2023 PLUS The Prog Song Of The Year!

2023 has been an amazing year for progressive rock and that make it incredibly difficult to narrow down this list to just 20 awesome albums! Here's the final half of mine, covering #10-1. Who will I choose as the Top Prog Album of 2023? Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: @bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: @Bleeding___Edge Bleeding Edge Youtube: @BleedingEdgeProgLive365: The Expanse - https://live365.com/station/The-Expanse-a09675 Bleeding Edge Theme: Paul Zotter - https://youtube.com/channel/UCrp4NSgpc3oKGRdYcAQZCkA?si=AmiXIYn8sOToQr9g

Caligula's Horse will be releasing their latest album soon and starting their long-delayed first US headlining tour shortly after. Co-founder and guitarist Sam Vallen had a long conversation with me about the new album, the tour, C-Horse's creative processes and the complexities of track sequencing!

For the first time ever, I'm sharing my Top 20 Prog Albums of the Year for 2023! No interview for this episode. Just my thoughts on the first half (#11-20) of the twenty albums that rocked me most this year. (Taken from the @BleedingEdgeProg YouTube channel!)

If you've heard Mark Tremonti on his Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra Album and you love Christmas music, then his latest album, Christmas Classics New & Old will be right up your alley! Mark and I sat down to talk about his inspirations and goals in creating a new Christmas album.

It's been eight years since Earthside's debut album blew listeners' minds, and now they seem set to do it all over again with their latest release, Let the Truth Speak. Once again, they bring their patented brand of cinematic prog rock/metal along with a bevy of guest vocalists to delight fans. Jamie Van Dyck spent some time talking to me about their goals and the process of creating their latest album,

Cody Lee Ford, guitarist par excellence, joins me once again to talk about Soen's newest album, Memorial, his playing style and influences, and their recent and upcoming tours.

Ross Jennings joined me once again to talk all about Haken's upcoming first "Evening With..." Tour as well as the latest album from D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings. Lots of exciting things happening for Ross these days as he becomes one of the most ubiquitous artists in the modern prog scene!

Tim Starace & Billy Alexander return to Bleeding Edge Interviews to tell us all about Bubba Bash 2024, the star-studded tribute concert for Neil Peart that benefits Cedar-Sinai Hospitals work to find treatment and a cure for glioblastoma cancer. Learn about the show and how you can support the cause!

There are few names as big as that of Neal Morse in the world of progressive rock. Among the many projects he's participated in over the past two, the trio of D'Virgilio, Morse and Jennings is the most unique in that it takes him out of his established genre and allows him to make folk-tinged rock in the vein of Crosby, Stills and Nash.He was kind enough to chat with me about their upcoming second album, Sophomore, due out November 10.

Pattern-Seeking Animals have been an impressively productive band since their formation five years ago, having already released three albums, with their fourth, Spooky Action at a Distance due out October 27. Drummer and founding member Jimmy Keegan chatted with me about the new album, the potential for a tour and the parts of working with P-SA that he loves best!

The act of discovery is one of the best parts of what I do, and The Mommyheads are another of those discoveries 35 years in the making. Guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Adam Elk of The Mommyheads talked with me about the band's long odyssey, recent prolific output, and the benefits of working under the radar. I do my best to get them above the radar. https://mommyheads.bandcamp.com/ Bleeding Edge socials: Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: Bleeding___Edge (that's THREE underscores! ) Live365: The Expanse - For ALL The Prog! No Boundaries!

I've been very lucky to speak with a number of rising stars in recent months, and Nospūn have been one of the biggest of 2023, so far. Phil Rich (vocals) and Cole Millward (bass) joined me to talk about their debut, Opus, which is living up to its title and garnering them comparisons to prog metal titans Dream Theater and Haken.

2023 has been an amazing year for prog in all forms, but especially in the number of amazing debuts that have been released.  One of the best of them so far has belonged to The Anchoret, who brought out their special blend of rock, metal and jazz in the form of their amazing debut, It All Began With Loneliness.  Ed Levitsky, the mastermind behind the band, sat down to talk with me about the genesis of the band and the album, as well as his new software!

Long-time Neal Morse Band bassist Randy George joins me to talk about the band's latest live collection, An Evening of Innocence and Danger: Live in Hamburg, as well as his own upcoming studio album, Beyond Words.

Take two guys who share a lifelong bond through music, mix in a love of literature, and then add a bit of technology to help out, and you have Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate.  Join me for an extended conversation with Mark Gatland and Malcolm Galloway about the origins of the band, their love of science fiction, their upcoming new album and benefit show, and how modern technology helps to make it all possible.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love discovering new artists and new music.  It's one of the reasons I am so drawn to the progressive rock/metal world.  And it's always a joy to have the opportunity to get to know artists early in their career, so you can see the star rise.  Stellar Circuits is one of those band whose star is on the rise, as they launch their major-label debut with Nuclear Blast, entitled "Sight to Sound."  They've already attracted attention from prolific producer Jamie King and seem set for lots of future success.  This is my conversation with founding members Ben Beddick and Jesse Olsen.

It's easy to spend a lot of time admiring the artists and performers up on stage.  How often have you thought about the people behind the scenes helping to make all of that magic happen smoothly?  Rikk Feulner has been a tour manager for four decades, working with icons in the music industry during that time, and currently working as the tour manager for the Dreamsonic tour, featuring Dream Theater, Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders.  Rikk is also the author of a new book that recounts some of the most memorable experiences of his long career by telling the true stories through the story of a fictional band.  Trust me when I say...these are eye-opening stories.

Is it possible for somone to be born with Prog already in their DNA?  Or perhaps it's only a genre that one can develop an inclination towards as part of their environment.  Vocalist/guitarist Simon Bergseth of rising stars AVKRVST joined me to ponder this nature vs nurture question.  Actually, no, we didn't ponder that concept, but we did talk about the development of AVKRVST's debut album, The Approbation, and how it has its roots in a lifelong friendship.  I also learned that good things can happen in a cabin in the woods, despite what all the horror movies would have us believe.

When you talk about the top drummers in rock music, and especially prog rock/metal, Mike Mangini's name is absolutely certain to come up.  When you're part of arguably the biggest prog band in the world, you come with a loads of skill and credentials.  And when the biggest prog band in the world announces a new tour with top level artists like Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders, it's a VERY big deal.  Mike spent some time talking with me about his approach to drumming, touring, and he drops a few hints about what we can expect to see in these very exciting shows.

So, Diana Studenberg and Moonhead of Trope joined me, so we could geek out over 80's music, music production perfectionism, the underrated dangers of donkeys, and what their lives have been like since Eleutheromania was released. Oh, yeah... we also talked about their upcoming PROGGIER sophmore effort, due for release in September!  It was fun!

When you've reached the point of celebrating your 20th anniversary in any business, you quite likely will take stock of what you've accomplished. And you may also look forward to what you still want to achieve.  Mariusz Duda and his band mates in Riverside have a lot they want to say about the future of the band in ID.Entity, their latest album and the first since the band hit the 2-decade mark.  I got to talk with Mariusz about the inspiration behind the album and what he hoped to express with the band's newest collection.

Jason Bieler took the prog world by storm in 2021 with Songs for the Apocalypse and now he's back with Postcards from the Asylum, his latest collection of unique, genre-bending, star-studded songs. He's been releasing tracks at a trickle over the past 18 months, and now the new album is finally coming out!  Will there be a tour? Listen to this, the 20th Episode of Bleeding Edge Interviews, and find out!