These reissues will include the enhanced edition of the band’s first EP Mad Hatters (2006) as well as debut full length album Discordant Dreams (2007) and Wintercoast (2009), will contain rare and previously unreleased live bonus tracks recorded at 2010’s High Voltage Festival, as well as additional never-seen-before artwork from guitarist Adam Hodgson.

The band have also lined up the following live dates:

March

Fri. 30: York Duchess (with Heather Findlay and Chris Johnson)

Sat. 31: Kingston Peel (with Haken)

April

Sun. 1: Bristol Tunnels (with Shadow Of The Sun)

Find out more at www.touchstonemusic.co.uk

Last year Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic were creeping up on Porcupine Tree’s immense popularity. This year we’ve seen the return of heavyweights Yes, Peter Gabriel, Van der Graaf Generator, Jon Anderson and Kate Bush, alongside impressive new material from Steven Wilson, Dream Theater, Touchstone and Opeth, bookended by the bumper Pink Floyd reissues EMI/Superball’s Prog Rocks! campaign. But what have been your highlights?

Summer’s End, Fused, Cambridge Rocks and High Voltage once again delivered live thrills as Anathema, Pallas, Mogwai, Radiohead, Nightwish, Primus, Magenta, Mastodon, Symphony X and more gave us cause to raid our proggy piggy banks.

And we’ve not even started on the wealth of newer talent such as Lost In Thought, Von Hertzen Brothers, Phaedra, TesseracT, Wobbler, Cranium Pie, Matt Stevens and Sanguine Hum jostling for our attention.

Ready to ballot? Have a look at the categories listed below, stick your choices on an email with Readers’ Poll in the subject field, and email your entries to: voteprog@futurenet.co.uk.

If snail mail really is your thing, then simply scribble down your entries on the form below and send it to: Readers’ Poll, Classic Rock Presents Prog, 2 Balcombe Street, London, NW1 6NW.

The choice is yours. Get voting…

CATEGORIES

BEST BAND

BEST ALBUM

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

BEST MALE VOCALIST

BEST GUITARIST

BEST BASSIST

BEST KEYBOARD PLAYER

BEST DRUMMER

BEST REISSUE

BEST DVD

BEST EVENT

NON-EVENT

BEST VENUE

BEST NEW/UNSIGNED BAND

PROG HEARTTHROB 2011

PROG ICON 2011

Prog 21 takes readers on a trip into the progressive underground scene that grew up in the Ladbroke Grove area of London in the late 60s and continues to this day. Dave Brock, Lemmy, Nik Tuner, Doug Smith, Michael Moorcock and Stacia all contribute as we look at how the scene spread from the ‘Wind through bands like The Pink Fairies, Here & Now and Ozric Tentacles in today’s music scene.

Elsewhere there are brand new interviews with Peter Hammill, Can discussing the 40^th Anniversary of their legendary Tago Mago album, Arena, Nightwish, Cynic, The Devil’s Blood, The Pineapple Thief, Haken, Dec Burke, The Resonance Association, Tim Bowness and features a free CD featuring Opeth, Touchstone, Haken, White Willow, Airbag, Matt Stevens and many more.

Prog 21 is available from all good newsagents, or from here.

The digital version for iPad is available at  http://goo.gl/TLY22 (UK) or  http://goo.gl/RMw3s (US).

Also in this issue:

Prog Rocks! – Launching the EMI megacampaign of reissues from Charisma, Harvest, Superball and InsideOut, and featuring Ian Anderson, Steve Hackett, Dave Brock, Ray Shulman, Mark Kelly and Roine Stolt, as they face-off in the first of a three-part roundtable debate

“I learnt loads from King Crimson.” – Steven Wilson on the making of new album Grace For Drowning

“Talent’s got nothing to do with success!” says Peter Gabriel, as he prepares for his back catalogue’s orchestral reworking

“I jumped in the deep end.” – Radiohead’s Philip Selway on making his own music his own way.

“We could write a book about the goings-on in Magenta. It’s like prog school!” How the newly trimmed-back trio got where they are today…

“I love music full stop. I don’t build barriers.” – Bill Nelson on Be-Bop Deluxe and his 20-album release schedule in just one year!

“We never thought this would last!” – Mastodon come of age.

“I’d go for anything with a wizard on!” – Comedian Bill Bailey revels in his prog record hoard.

Plus: Anathema, 3, Pineapple Thief, Arch/Matheos, Don Airey, Steve Hackett, Touchstone, Pain Of Salvation, Muse, TesseracT, Lunatic Soul and a bumper free Prog Rocks! 16-track CD…

Find us in your nearest trustworthy newsagent, or order a copy here.

Words: Malcolm Dome

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the Hit And Run album, Girlschool have re-recorded it for the Wacken label. Now titled Hit And Run Revisited, there’s little doubt they’ve done a fine job. And studio technology being so much better in 2011, the whole thing has a more powerful sound. But, you know what? The original is still better. They’ve even changed the silly banter in Yeah Right. Sure, it wouldn’t now make sense to have a mum laying down the law for her daughters, but the new dialogue lacks the daft panto humour of the 81 version.

White Wizzard don’t appear to have much luck with vocalists. No sooner had Wyatt Anderson returned for Flying Tigers (Earache) than he’s quit the band again. However, he certainly enhances the new album. In fact, this is White Wizzard stepping up a notch or two. The songs have a confident stride, and the clear NWOBHM influences of yore are slightly downplayed now, in favour of a more modern metal strut. Let’s hope the loss of Anderson can be overcome.

Touchstone have been one of those British prog bands standing on the edge of something special for a while. Well, they’ve got a lot closer with The City Sleeps (SPV/Steamhammer). Vocalist Kim Seviour has never sounded better; she radiates personality, while around her the band veer across the spectrum, from an almost heavy sound to something more introspective. This does showcase Touchstone’s strengths.

Now, Opeth have long been regarded as one of the very best at balancing metal and progressive tendencies, sometimes favouring one or the other. But Heritage (Roadrunner) is unquestionably an album where they jump full into the latter camp. This is measured musical alchemy, with each song shining thrillingly with momentous ideas. Whether Opeth have now taken a firm and irreversible decision to leave their overt heaviness behind remains to be seen. But there’s no denying Heritage is pure class.

What the thrash world now needs is one of the younger bands to step forward and lead the pack into a new era. There are plenty of candidates, but Evile might just have taken a march or two on everyone with Five Serpent’s Teeth (Earache). One hesitates to compare it to Master Of Puppets (that would be something to live up to), but like the latter, this album has diversity without diluting its metal commitment. It’s thrash with a brain, and that could be what takes Evile into the big time.

Leslie West is a master guitarist who’s regarded as a hero and inspiration by many of his peers. Which is why he can call on so many to guest on an album like Unusual Suspects (Mascot). The list is remarkable, taking in Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa and Steve Lukather. But why this could easily have ended up as a widdle fest, what ultimately matters, as it should, are the songs. This is a great collection that allows West to show off not only his pure guitar chemistry, but also that unmistakable voice. It’s one of his best albums in years, and not just because of the guests lined up to salute him.

Finally, to a band who’ve rediscovered themselves. The portents for Anthrax and new album Worship Music (Nuclear Blast) didn’t appear too promising, Having recorded the whole thing with vocalist Dan Nelson, they then had to totally rethink it when he was replaced by Joey Belladonna. But it’s worked. Belladonna has never sounded so tough and unyielding, while he still retains that essential melodic quality. And the album comes across as having the spirit of Among The Living but also boasting the physicality of The Sound Of White Noise. A new era beckons for Anthrax, who prove here they don’t have to rely on the 80s to be regarded as one of the Big Four of thrash.

The album, The City Sleeps, is out in October and is the band’s first since signing to SPV/Steamhammer. The same month Touchstone play the following shows, with support from Heather Findlay and Chris Johnston:

Thu. 13: Poole Mr Kyps

Fri. 14: London Borderline

Sat. 15: Newcastle Riverside

Sun. 16: Bilston Robin 2

Find out more at www.touchstonemusic.co.uk

Kaboom! The latest issue of Classic Rock Presents Prog gets inside 1971, the year that prog rock broke. Interviews with Jon Anderson, Roy Harper, Gentle Giant, Caravan, ELP and more profile the birth of prog, as Fish, Steve Hogarth, Peter Nicholls, Nick Barrett, Brian Devoil, John Mitchell and Steven Wilson describe how their young lives were shaped by the sights and sounds that came out of this year, and how it changed music forever as they carried the torch on. To cap it all, we’ve collated your votes in our 1971 Readers’ Top Ten. Is your favourite in there? Grab a copy now and find out… 

Also in the issue:

Jon Anderson on ABWH – the band that said no to Yes! 

John Wetton returns – healthier, happier and ready to spread his wings. 

Jakszyk, Fripp & Collins – what the Schizoid men did next. 

Kate Bush stars as our maverick – through the eyes of brother John Carder Bush. 

Devin Townsend – the mad professor of prog metal gets experimental. 

Plus: Symphony X, Mogwai, Caravan, …Trail Of Dead, King’s X, Blackfield, Marillion, Yes, Arbouretum, UK, Nektar, Moon Duo, Michael Giles, Blood Ceremony, Touchstone, Roger Waters, Comus, Amorphis, Neal Morse, Wobbler – and, of course, Rick Wakeman’s regular Caped Crusades column. 

There’s always the free CD too featuring 11 artists from Solstice to Graveyard with an EXCLUSIVE Jon Anderson track on as well. 

If you can’t get to a newsagent, find Prog here. 

It really is the dawning of a new era.

It has a lavishly illustrated Rush spectacular celebrating their current Time Machine tour that features an exclusive in-depth chat with sticksman/lyricist Neil Peart – his first rock magazine interview in five years – plus Geddy Lee on the evolution of the band, the Time Machine set-up and 30 years of Moving Pictures.

Also in this issue:

* On the road with Fairport Convention and the story of Babbacombe Lee.

* Here come The Nice: Keith Emerson and Lee Jackson pop into Prog HQ

* Judy Dyble: Fairport and Robert Fripp’s original muse tells us her extraordinary story – and all about her new album and anthology

* Cumbria’s finest, It Bites, on their new live DVD and the concept album in the pipeline

* In the run-up to his arena shows, ex-Supertramp star Roger Hodgson reveals all in his feud with Rick Davies

* Plus! We explore Roy Harper’s Stormcock as our Masterwork, Pentangle maestro John Renbourn as our Maverick, and cram in new bands Phaedra, Konchordat, Rose Kemp and Arcane Roots.

* Want more? How about Adrian Belew, Presto Ballet, Mastodon, Wolverine, Beardfish, Peter Gabriel, ELP, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Van der Graaf, Pendragon, Marillion, Radiohead, Haken and Touchstone?

Of course we mustn’t forget our regular FREE Prognosis CD, this issue featuring 11 tracks from Twelfth Night, Liam Davison, John Young, Talanas, Aethenor and more, and for UK and subscription customers* we are proud to include an exclusive bonus CD, Starcrazy – An Introduction To Judy Dyble, a seven-track sampler from the folk-prog songstress’ singular catalogue, including two outstanding new tracks.

Phew, what a scorcher.

*this CD will not be available to customers outside of the UK for contractual reasons.

WHERE:Sheffield Corporation

WHEN: Tuesday, March 1

Sponsored by Classic Rock Presents Prog, this tour features three of the currently fastest rising stars among the young UK progressive bands: Touchstone, Jurojin and Enochian Theory.

Says Touchstone singer Kim Seviour: “These bands are all changing prog’s direction, but keeping the ethos”.

“We’ve had a lot of fans asking when we’re going to play up there,” adds Touchstone keyboard player Rob Cottingham of the chance this tour gives the band going to the north of England and into Scotland. “So it’s fantastic that we’re finally going to be able to do it. Playing Sheffield again is going to bring back a lot of memories. We did one of our first shows there, supporting Arena.”

“It’s a really cool line-up,” says Jurojn guitarist Nc Rizzi. “Even though we’ve all got some common ground in prog, we each take that in a completely different direction.”

“This tour is a challenge,” adds Enochian theory singer/guitarist/keyboard player Ben Harris Hayes. “But hopefully we’ll win over some new fans”

After Sheffield, the tour continues to:

Wed. 2: Glasgow Classic Grand

Thu. 3: Manchester Moho Live

Fri. 4: Bristol Tunnels

Sat. 5: London Islington O2 Academy

Find out more:

Touchstone: www.myspace.com/touchstonemusicuk

Jurojin: www.myspace.com/jurojin

Enochian Theory: www.enochiantheory.co.uk

1. Van Halen come over to the UK and play at a major festival.
2. Mike Portnoy returns to Dream Theater, although not before they release an album with a different drummer.
3. Saint Jude, Virginmarys and Touchstone head a British global rock assault, as we once again lead the world.
4. Ritchie Blackmore decides to put Rainbow back on the road, with Joe Lynn Turner as vocalist.
5. There’s talk of Slash and Axl settling their differences, but no reunion of the classic Guns N’ Roses line-up
6. Sales of rock and metal albums go up, as other genres continue to suffer.
7. Slade get back together one last time, and do a farewell show.
8. Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield get together for a one-off studio project.
9. The Rolling Stones announce their 50^th anniversary tour.
10. Jimmy Page finally returns to action with a solo album. Or at least thinks about doing one.