James LaBrie, known internationally as the vocalist for progressive metal icons & Grammy-winners Dream Theater, embarks on uncharted waters with his fourth solo album, titled ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’, out now!
To celebrate the release, they have launched a special 30min look at the making of the album, and you can watch that now here.
Watch the recently released video for ‘Am I Right’ here.
The climax of the song features the gorgeous voice of Theresa Thomason, famous to Dream Theater fans for her participation on ‘The Spirit Carries On’ from the bands lauded ‘Scenes From A Memory’ concept album.
Jimmy Kay and Allan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to Dream Theater singer James LaBrie who is releasing his new solo album ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey‘ on May 20, 2022 via InsideOut Music. Watch the full interview below.
When asked about the significance of the title on the new album “The significance of the title is the human condition, so a lot of my lyrics are dealing with what it means to grow up, to exist and to operate as a human being. I have always said we are a fascinating entity. The construction of us, the complexity of us, it is a beautiful creation. But at the same time why I brought in Shade of Grey because there always seems to be a certain level of sadness that we always carry around with us. To know that we don’t know what happens when the lights go out is something that we contend with and everyone on this planet thinks about from time to time. So I wanted to talk about that, the ups and downs, the challenges, the victories, the tribulations and all that .”
When asked if he will tour with his solo band “I’m hoping to take this incredible line up out on the road next May. Promoters are already ringing my bell and we are talking about trying to get out and do some live shows in May of 2023. Dream Theater can be out at least a year from now, so I am finding out from management if there is going to be a window of opportunity in May 2023 so that I can get out and do two three weeks, maybe in Europe. Then find out when the next window is and maybe do three weeks in North America, in select cities. What they are trying to schedule for me in Europe right now for next May is that they want to put me in Cathedrals, Churches and small castles. I told them I want it to be intimate so I said 500 people, maybe 1000 at the most and so that it is just going to be a really exclusive experience for the fans and to retain that acoustic notion that we have been doing since the beginning of this album. “
When asked about the Dream Theater winning a Grammy “That was ridiculous, I guess a third time is a charm. The fact that we won was an amazing feeling, we were all just absolutely thrilled.”
James LaBrie, known internationally as the vocalist for progressive metal icons & Grammy-winners Dream Theater, embarks on uncharted waters with his fourth solo album, titled ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’, out on May 20th, 2022. Today sees the launch of the album’s second single, “Give & Take”, and you can watch the Wayne Joyner-produced video here.
James comments: “This track is a take on the coercive manipulation between the corporate elite and the proletariat class. An atmospheric soundscape with beautiful feel and scope.”
James LaBrie, known internationally as the vocalist for progressive metal icons Dream Theater, embarks on uncharted waters with his fourth solo album, titled ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’, out on May 20th, 2022. Watch the Wayne Joyner-produced video for the album’s first single and opening track, “Devil In Drag” HERE
‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’ will be released as a Limited CD Digipak, 180g LP + CD & as Digital Album, with artwork by Thomas Ewerhard.
James LaBrie (singer of legendary Dream Theater) will appear as special guest on the new EVERGREY album!
One of several high points on “Escape Of The Phoenix”, both lyrically and musically, is “The Beholder” featuring Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie singing a duet with Englund. As a fan of the band, and crediting Dream Theater & LaBrie as playing a key role in his development as a musician, Englund felt the song would benefit from the addition of LaBrie’s performance. It was a sentiment shared by all of Evergrey’s members, and the collaboration came together with a simple e-mail.
Englund: “I just wrote to James and told him about the idea for the song, and that it would be great to have him on it. He really liked the song and agreed to do it.“
On top of that EVERGREY and their booking agency Decibel Touring announced a tour coming up in 2021. Throughout October and November ’21 the band will tour Europe with special guest Witherfall and second support Dust In Mind. 29 dates in 8 countries are on the schedule.
The band states: “We are really happy to announce a tour of Europe next fall and let’s all hope that the world is in a better place by that time so we get to see all you lovely people again”
Recharging Europe Tour 2021: 08.10.2021 (DE) OBERHAUSEN – Resonanzwerk 09.10.2021 (GB) LONDON – 229 venue 10.10.2021 (GB) NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms 11.10.2021 (GB) BRISTOL – The Fleece 12.10.2021 (GB) MANCHESTER – Academy 3 13.10.2021 (GB) NEWCASTLE – St Dom’s Social Club 14.10.2021 (GB) GLASGOW – Cathouse 15.10.2021 (IE) DUBLIN – Voodoo Lounge 16.10.2021 (GB) BIRMINGHAM – The Asylum 2 17.10.2021 (NL) LEIDEN – Gebr. De Nobel 19.10.2021 (DE) STUTTGART – Im Wizemann Club 20.10.2021 (DE) HAMBURG – Bahnhof Pauli 21.10.2021 (DE) BERLIN – Columbia Theater 22.10.2021 (NL) EINDHOVEN – Dynamo 23.10.2021 (BE) VOSSELAAR – Biebob 24.10.2021 (DE) MANNHEIM – 7er Club 25.10.2021 (DE) NÜRNBERG – Hirsch 26.10.2021 (DE) LINDAU – Club Vaudeville 27.10.2021 (DE) MUNICH – Backstage Halle 29.10.2021 (DE) ASCHAFFENBURG – Colos-Saal 30.10.2021 (DE) ANDERNACH – Live Club 31.10.2021 (CH) LUZERN – Schüür 01.11.2021 (FR) COLMAR – Le Grillen 02.11.2021 (FR) LYON CCO – Villeurbanne 03.11.2021 (ES) BARCELONA- Boveda 04.11.2021 (ES) MADRID – Shoko 05.11.2021 (ES) PAMPLONA – Totem 06.11.2021 (FR) TOULOUSE – L’Usine 07.11.2021 (FR) PARIS – Petit Bain
Jordan Rudess’ new solo album ‘Wired for Madness’ will be released 19th April 2019 via Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group. The album is featuring with Marco Minnemann, James LaBrie, Vinnie Moore, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa & John Petrucci.
Watch the lyric video for ‘Wired for Madness Pt 1.3 – Lost Control’ here:
‘Wired for Madness’ bursts and flows forth with all of the drama, technique and melodicism that have become his musical hallmarks, the album also features the keyboard wizard handling many of the vocals. Renowned guests include drummer Marco Minnemann, Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie, guitarists Vinnie Moore, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa and John Petrucci. There are appearances by notable players including drummers Rod Morgenstein and Elijah Wood among others.
He dispels any notion that it’s a concept album. “It is not a concept album, however the title track, does have a story that I was envisioning while writing it. The idea was about a guy who wanted to go about a transformational process involving becoming partially computerized and robotic. His functionality as a human was noticeably diminishing and he takes advantage of a modern medical procedure to “upgrade ‘and extend his physical and mental capabilities. Through the course (or curse) of this process he becomes more and more separated from the outside “normal” world, allowing the computer front end to take over much of his day to day tasks and decisions. This leaves his mind free to travel between madness and spiritual enlightenment. After an angel visited him, the listener is left wondering whether he is experiencing true enlightenment or if he is moving out of the physical world to the next dimension.”
“There’s even some blues!” Says Rudess, “’Just Can’t Win’ is a dirty blues song! The Dream Theater guys call me Blues Man because, at 8AM, after sleeping on the tour bus, I sound like a reincarnation of an old blues man soul. I called in Joe Bonamassa and a full brass section to help make this song really happen. For my prog fans, this is Jordan Rudess in an alternate universe!”
Jordan Rudess has been the full-time keyboardist with Dream Theater, since the recording of 1999’s ‘Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory’. Beyond Dream Theater, he has released a number of acclaimed solo works and has also blazed a trail in helping to evolve the art and science of keyboard controllers. He created the successful App development company Wizdom Music, which has developed award-winning apps including; MorphWiz, which won the first ever Billboard award for Best Music Creation App. Wizdom Music has also built apps for Intel, Microsoft and RIM.
Rudess just keeps absorbing and processing what happens around him into new music and ideas. “I live to be creative. Give me my space and freedom to do my music and I’ll be like an antenna to the thoughts and feelings around me. Of course I get inspired by other music I hear. Could be anything from wild Electronica, like Richard Devine or Aphex Twin to classical music like a beautiful Chopin Nocturne.”
It all started with a curious mind and a furious set of little hands. He has gone to change the world of music in many wondrous ways, and his latest solo release is the next dynamic chapter in a book that’s still being written.
Tracklist
1. Wired for Madness – Part 1
2. Wired for Madness – Part 2
3. Off the Ground
4. Drop Twist
5. Perpetual Shine
6. Just Can’t Win
7. Just for Today
8. Why I Dream
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 