MusicFreaks

Tag: Prog rock

  • Stick Men Revisit King Crimson’s ‘THRAK’ Era

    More than three decades after King Crimson’s THRAK helped ignite a new wave of progressive rock, two of the musicians who defined that groundbreaking album are back, ready to dive headfirst into its DNA. The legendary trio Stick Men—featuring veterans Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto alongside composer and multi-instrumentalist Markus Reuter—is preparing to release their first new work in over ten years, Let’s THRAK Again, on September 4.

    Let’s THRAK Again is not merely a retrospective; it’s a profound reimagining of the sonic philosophy that fueled one of the band’s heaviest and most adventurous periods. It stands as a Robert Fripp-approved homage to the masterpiece of 1995, moving beyond simple covers into a deep exploration of textural chaos and controlled brilliance.

    The project is structured as two distinct listening experiences: “Reel One,” mixed by Stefano Castagna, and “Reel Two,” masterfully produced by bassist Fabio Trentini. These dual mixes offer contrasting sonic perspectives and alternate track sequences, allowing listeners to engage with the music’s architecture rather than just its surface notes.

    The band explains that they didn’t just write twelve new compositions; they designed an entirely new sonic vocabulary for them. This obsessive attention to detail is perfectly suited to the source material, paying tribute to the heavy, mechanical impact of the original THRAK era while pushing boundaries into stranger and heavier realms.

    The personnel driving this monumental effort alone read like a dream lineup for any prog rock devotee. Tony Levin, whose career spans giants like Peter Gabriel and Pink Floyd, remains among the most influential bassists of the modern age. Pat Mastelotto helped usher King Crimson into its industrial-leaning late-’90s phase with his pioneering hybrid acoustic-electronic percussion approach. Completing the trio is Markus Reuter, who has spent years developing his singular language on the self-designed eight-string Touch Guitar, acting as both composer and sonic architect for the group.

    The result is a deeply immersive journey that rewards listeners who seek to understand the underlying structure of sound. For those who appreciate musical complexity built on raw energy, Let’s THRAK Again offers an experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is sonically explosive.

    Credit: Spin

  • Six hospitalised following Angine de Poitrine set at Montreal Jazz Festival

    The stage lights were blinding, the energy electric, and the crowd at the Montreal Jazz Festival was absolutely massive. Angine de Poitrine delivered a performance that wasn’t just music; it was a spectacle, drawing one of the largest audiences the festival has ever witnessed.

    This historic night, which unfolded on Saturday, June 27th, brought an unprecedented level of energy and attendance to the TD Stage at Place des Festivals. Officials noted that this turnout dwarfed previous events, marking a milestone in the festival’s history—a scale rarely seen since legendary performances like Stevie Wonder’s appearance in 2009.

    The sheer volume of people attending the show led to an unexpected challenge. Paramedics were called in to assess multiple incidents resulting from the massive crowd. In total, ten people were assessed during the event; six later required transport to the hospital, while four others were seen by medical teams and opted not to be transported.

    The incidents involved a mix of issues, including falls, traumatic injuries, and cases of intoxication among some of the attendees. While the situation required coordinated effort from emergency services, officials remained reassuring that no one was in immediate life-threatening danger.

    Festival management celebrated the magnitude of the event. General manager Maurin Aux remarked on the show as a “historic night,” highlighting how Angine de Poitrine‘s presence generated an energy unlike anything they had experienced before.

    The duo, composed of Klek de Poitrine and Khn de Poitrine, have carved out a unique niche in the music world. They captivate audiences with elaborate polka-dot costumes and papier-mâché masks, marrying microtonal guitar, complex drumming, and influences spanning prog rock to punk.

    Their popularity has exploded, fueled by releases like their second album, ‘Vol. II,’ which cemented their status as one of the most sought-after acts of 2026. Their impact extends beyond the stage; they have attracted major celebrity fans, including Dave Grohl.

    As the demand for Angine de Poitrine continues to soar, the band is gearing up for an extensive international tour. They are set to return to the UK later this year with appearances at venues like End Of The Road and Manchester Psych Fest, followed by dates across Europe, ensuring their unique sound continues to resonate far beyond Montreal.

    Credit: NME

  • Angine de Poitrine Make UK TV Debut, Impress Shania Twain With Khn’s Hair

    Jools Holland’s latest broadcast offered a delightful musical feast, bringing three unique Canadian icons to the stage for an evening of shared artistry and unforgettable performances. The show transformed into a cozy hub where genre boundaries dissolved as music from diverse corners of the world converged.

    The evening featured a stellar showcase of prog-rock sensibilities with Angine de Poitrine, a captivating duo who made their much-anticipated UK television debut. They graced the stage by delivering tracks like Sarniezz and Fabienk, pulling directly from their recent album Vol. II, released earlier this spring.

    Adding a touch of timeless country charm to the mix was Shania Twain. She promoted her upcoming album Little Miss Twain, slated for release on July 24th, with heartfelt renditions that spanned classic country and enduring pop. Twain shared her spotlight by performing a beloved cover of Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, alongside a rendition of You’re Still The One.

    Jools Holland provided the perfect backdrop for this musical journey, accompanying both acts on the piano, weaving the disparate sounds into a cohesive and warm tapestry. The evening was less about competition and more about celebration—a true testament to the interconnectedness of global music talent.

    Credit: Stereogum