District 97 just signed to premier prog rock label Laser’s Edge.

Ken Golden, President of Laser’s Edge Group, announces the addition of Chicago’s District 97 to the Laser’s Edge label. The label will release the band’s debut album Hybrid Child in Fall 2010.
Featuring 2007 American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt, District 97 mixes adventurous musical prowess with accessible catchy vocal melodies. The band features exceptional musicians including Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Katinka Kleijn.
District 97 was formed in the Fall of 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn. The foursome from Chicago honed a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension Experiment inspired Instrumental Rock before deciding to add the right vocalist. They found their vocalist in Hunt, a 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. With a look, sound and stage presence comparable to a young Ann Wilson from Heart, Hunt's dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction. After attending a show and being highly impressed, Kleijn joined the band. She was followed shortly thereafter by one of Chicago's finest young guitarists, Jim Tashjian. With this new lineup of peerless musicianship in place, District 97 began wowing crowds and establishing a devoted fanbase through packed shows at legendary Chicago venues such as House of Blues, Schubas and Martyrs'.


Ken Golden, President of Laser’s Edge Group, announces the addition of historic German Progressive Rock band Eloy to the Laser’s Edge label

Laser’s Edge Records will exclusively release Visionary in North America, the band’s first studio album in over 10 years, on January 12, 2010. Visionary celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Eloy, Germany’s most successful and prized progressive rock group.

Eloy was formed in 1969 by Hanover guitarist Frank Bornemann. The band has released numerous albums but are best known for 1977’s Ocean, which remains its best selling album. Although Eloy have not been active as a band since 1998, the demand for their music is still remarkable. Their work has had a significant impact on the history of rock, and many a journalist, as well as numerous fans, consider them to be one of the best progressive rock bands ever.

The band’s music continues to be rediscovered. It fascinates and touches many fans with its emotional, complex symphonic rock-music with atmospheric sound creations, pulsating rhythms and massive guitars, combined with lyrics which escape irrelevance, performed in a way to transport the listener to another world.

The strong feedback from all parts of the world eventually reached the musicians themselves. It encouraged Bornemann, lead singer, guitarist and producer of ELOY, to bring the band together again for a 40th anniversary reunion. After a break of eleven years, they have launched the new album Visionary, which recaptures the spirit of the early years.

We have been following the career of keyboardist Martijn Westerholt dating back to his days as an original member of Within Temptation as well as his current band Delain's first album "Lucidity". Through a licensing agreement with Roadrunner NL, we are honored to present the North American release of Delain's sophomore release "April Rain". Street date is June 30, 2009 and will arrive in a digipak with an exclusive bonus track. At some point in the future we hope/expect to bring Delain over here for live performances.

Its been a long time coming but The Aurora Project's "Shadow Border" is set for release on May 5, 2009. In early 2008, the band signed with The Laser's Edge for the release of their second album. Unfortunately vocalist Dennis Binnekade developed a bad throat infection that delayed the completion of the album. Thankfully Dennis recuperated fully and came through with an amazing performance. We apologize to TAP's fans for the delay but we think you will find the results to your satisfaction and then some.

Sensory Records has announced the signing of Norwegian progressive metal upstarts LEPROUS. The group's debut album, "Tall Poppy Syndrome", was recorded and mixed by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge Studio and The Abyss in Pärlby, Sweden during August 2008 and is scheduled for release in April.

Hailing from the town of Notodden — home to such metal luminaries as EMPEROR, ZYKLON, IHSAHN and PECCATUM — LEPROUS formed in 2001 and features within its ranks Einar Solberg (synth/vocals; touring member of EMPEROR), Tor Oddmund Suhrke (guitar), Halvor Strand (bass), Øystein Landsverk (guitar) and Tobias Ørnes Andersen (drums). With an eclectic list of influences ranging from KING CRIMSON, TOOL, MASSIVE ATTACK and PECCATUM to DEVIL DOLL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, MR. BUNGLE and Chopin, and ages ranging from just 18 to 23 years, the young quintet has already made itself visible on the Norwegian prog and metal scenes as two-time finalists in the prestigious Norwegian Rock Championship.

Prior to "Tall Poppy Syndrome", LEPROUS recorded two demos, "Silent Waters" (2004) and "Aeolia" (2006). The recordings received very good feedback from the Norwegian metal press and local fans. The band subsequently received a 20,000 NOK scholarship from the organization "Lions" to fund its latest recording.

Of particular note: LEPROUS is currently working as legendary EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn's session band, supporting Swedish progressive death metal juggernaut OPETH on March 10 in Oslo.

Sensory is proud to announce the signing and forthcoming release of a new rising star on the Greek progressive metal scene – Persona Non Grata.

Greece has always had some of the most fervent metal fans in the world. Although the main interest has been so called “true metal” bands in the style of Manowar and Iron Maiden, progressive metal started to take hold of the country in the 90s. Bands such as Dream Theater and Fates Warning routinely perform in Athens and both have released live CDs and DVDs from their Greek performances. Greek bands such as Fragile Vastness and Sensory’s own Wastefall have generated a buzz world wide and the scene continues to expand. Persona Non Grata will surely continue this tradition of great progressive metal.

Persona Non Grata’s formation began in 2003 when John Ioannidis (keyboards) invited Chris Gatsos (guitars) to join his group Fatal Error. It didn’t’ take long for John and Chris to realize that they had to move on to progressive metal music which was a mix of rock that John loved to play and heavy metal that Chris grew up with. In order to achieve this they had to change the band’s line up. During this period they focused on writing the music which would be the material for their first CD “Shade In The Light”.
It was 2 years later when vocalist, Bill Axiotis, joined the PnG group and they started recording this album. They asked session musicians Akis Gavalas (drums) and Chris Vogiatzis (Bass) to help record the album. When the sessions were over they felt a synergy with the three members of the band and came on board permanently, completing the lineup of Persona Non Grata.

Sensory has announced the upcoming release of Dutch progressive metal band XYSTUS' third album, "Equilibrio". Due on September 30, this rock opera was recorded with a 60-piece orchestra and a 30 member choir, and includes guest performances from Simone Simons of EPICA and George Osthoek of ORPHANAGE. With an influx of gothic, progressive and traditional heavy metal influences melding with this dramatic orchestration, fans of EPICA, AYREON and KAMELOT should keep both eyes peeled for this release to strike.

XYSTUS is a Dutch progressive metal band formed in 1999 by drummer Ivo Van Dijk and guitarist/vocalist Bas Dolmans. They enlisted bassist Mark Brekelmans and second guitarist Bob Witsma. Through the course of releasing two albums — 2004's "Receiving Tomorrow" and 2006's "Surreal" — the band built up a buzz and fanbase in The Netherlands. The band supported KAMELOT and made numerous festival appearances. In December 2005, XYSTUS went on a European tour in support of EPICA. The band had even greater ambitions and in 2006 they contacted the Utrechtsch Studenten Concert — the oldest symphony orchestra in The Netherlands. The resulting two-year collaboration resulted in the rock opera "Equilibrio". Conceived as both an actual stage production and studio recording, "Equilibrio" was performed to four sold-out audiences in July 2008 — over 4,000 people witnessed the opera.

Sensory will release the studio recording of "Equilibrio", which features key scenes from the opera. In addition to the 60-piece US Concert orchestra and 30-member choir, XYSTUS enlisted vocal performances from Simone Simons (EPICA), George Osthoek (ORPHANAGE, DELAIN) and Dutch theater veterans Michelle Splietelhof and John Vooijs.

The story of "Equilibrio" revolves around a wanderer named Diegu (Bas Dolmans) who finds himself caught between the forces of good and evil the power mad ruler Primos (John Vooijs) and the altruistic rebel Avelin (Michelle Splietelhof). Primos makes a pact with Death (George Osthoek) take over the world. After unsuccessful efforts by Diegu to mediate between Avelin and Primos, the latter ends up with complete power and the world is thrown out of balance. Diegu is summoned by the godess Lady Sophia (Simone Simons). She watches over Earth and entrusts Diegu with the job reuniting Primos and Avelin in order to restore the balance between good and evil again.

Sensory Records is proud to announce the signing of New Jersey's up-and-coming prog metal all-stars Suspyre. Formed in 2001, these talented, young musicians have discovered an energetic and gifted way of combining progressive rock and symphonic metal with classical and jazz fusion. The bands' new album When Time Fades... will be released September 30, 2008.

"We are all very excited about signing to Sensory Records" says Gregg Rossetti, guitarist and founder/composer of Suspyre. "The high-caliber musicians on this label have inspired our band to become what it is and we are now proud to be a part of their family."
October 2005 marked the release of the band's first full-length album, The Silvery Image. Response to the album was so positive that the band was signed to Nightmare Records and followed up with the release of their next album, A Great Divide, in March 2007. The album hit the top 2007 prog metal album charts on websites such as USA Progressive Music, ProgPalaceRadio.com, and Beyond Ear Candy.

To further their goal to develop and perfect their fusion of varied musical inspirations and influences, Suspyre has recorded a third album, When Time Fades... This album is a groovier piece of art with a bit more metallic crunch, and even more variety in the song styles, including an acoustic piece. No one can accuse this band of being formulaic in their composing. When Time Fades... has set the bar even higher than the band's previous albums, not only in music creation but also in the artwork done by Gustavo Sazes (Firewind, Dark Empire, Mystic Prophecy) , and featured guest artists that include drummer Charlie Zeleny (Behold...the Arctopus, Blotted Science, Jordan Rudess), and female vocalist Trisha O'Keefe (Amaran's Plight).

Ken Golden, Director of Operations for The Laser’s Edge, announces the addition of Dutch Progressive Rock band Kingfisher Sky to the label.

Laser’s Edge Records will release the band’s debut Hallway of Dreams throughout North America on March 25, 2008.

“As a fan of Within Temptation, I've been following the activities of former members,” says Golden. “When I discovered Ivar DeGraaf had created a new project I was anxious to hear it. When I heard Kingfisher Sky's unique and innovative sound, I was anxious to sign them!”

Drummer Ivar DeGraaf formed Kingfisher Sky after leaving Within Temptation. With diverse influences such as Clannad, Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel and Porcupine Tree, the writing resulted in a style that isn’t easy to categorize. In one moment the music is dreamy and atmospheric, then heavy and brutal the next.

Featuring classically trained vocalist Judith Rijnveld, the band also includes ex-Orphanage bassist Eric Hoogenboorn, guitarists Daan Janzine and Edo van Der Kolk and keyboardist George Van Offen.

The Laser's Edge is distributed in North America through Big Daddy Distribution, Fusion III (Canada), Century Media, The End Records, Manic Distribution, and Nightmare Records.

For further information, go to www.lasersedgegroup.com or www.kingfishersky.com

Ken Golden, Laser's Edge Director of Operations, announces the signing of the British progressive rock band Magenta for the exclusive North American release of their fourth studio album, titled Metamorphosis.

The Laser's Edge will release Metamorphosis on May 6, 2008.

"I've been a fan of the band since their debut," says Golden. "We've had quite a bit of success offering the band's releases through our retail website. When I was approached by the band to collaborate on the release of Metamorphosis, it felt like fait accompli. I'm honored to be working with the band."

Without abandoning the sense of melody and dynamics that remain the Magenta trademark, Metamorphosis sees the band taking a darker, more intense path with powerful, sometimes disturbing subject matter.

"I think this album is going to surprise a lot of people," says keyboardist Rob Reed "It will challenge many people's preconceptions of what Magenta are, and what we are capable of musically. Most of it was written on guitar, so some of the material is heavier than before, whilst retaining most of the elements of the Magenta sound."

The album also marks the band's return to long-form pieces of music, with two 20 minute-plus songs, and a new, richer sound with the addition of strings. "Watch out for some brilliant performances on the record." Reed says. "Christina Booth's vocals are just astonishing, Tim Robinson delivers a virtuoso performance on drums and Chris Fry has pushed the bar even higher than usual with some amazing lead guitar. I have no doubt that this is, by far, our finest album to date."

Magenta was formed in 2001, quickly capturing the attention of progressive rock fans around the world with a sound influenced by the icons of the past. Over the years the band has performed at virtually every major progressive rock festival in the world including gigs at Rosfest, BajaProg, and Nearfest. Year after year, the band has received awards from various progressive rock publications. In 2007, the band won two awards from the esteemed British Classic Rock Society including Best Band and Best Female Singer.

The Laser's Edge is distributed in North America through Big Daddy Distribution, Fusion III (Canada), Century Media, The End Records, Manic Distribution, and Nightmare Records.

For further information, please contact Lori Hehr
at 360-325-6044 or LHPR@runbox.com
http://www.pr4music.com