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ERIK NORLANDER - INTO THE SUNSET
Los Angeles Progressive Rock Maestro Rides Solo With "Into the
Sunset"
(4 April 2000, Los
Angeles, California) After producing a long run of several
highly successful releases for Lana Lane and Rocket Scientists,
progressive rock master keyboardist / composer Erik Norlander now takes
his turn in the limelight with his new solo album INTO THE SUNSET. With
a stellar lineup of musicians and vocalists, Norlander pushed his
production and arrangement skills to their maximum intensity in order
to create a symphonic masterpiece that will resound in the halls of
progressive rock history throughout the 21st Century.
INTO THE SUNSET is a dramatic heavy symphonic rock effort featuring a
five piece band made up of some of the best instrumentalists on the
rock scene today. The album features Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue
Murder, Whitesnake) on fretless bass, Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon,
Vengeance) on guitar Greg Ellis (Shark Island, Vas) on drums and
Cameron Stone (Poe) on cello. Norlander himself contributes additional
guitar, bass guitar and percussion tracks in addition to his now
familiar renown keyboard and synthesizer soundscapes.
INTO THE SUNSET also features a lineup of world - class guest vocalists
that includes Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Lana Lane and Edward Reekers
(Kayak). These first - call singers provide the necessarily strong
vocal contrast to Norlander's powerful instrumental arrangements and
fiery solos. While there are certainly many instrumental fireworks, the
INTO THE SUNSET vocals are definitely out in front which creates a
majestically balanced sound.
The INTO THE SUNSET production is a sharp contrast to Norlander's 1997
instrumental keyboard album THRESHOLD. In addition to the strong vocal
presence on INTO THE SUNSET (which even includes an acapella piece sung
by Norlander's wife Lana Lane), Norlander also employed Cameron Stone's
cello to great effect which adds a passionate orchestral feel to the
music. The rhythm section of Tony Franklin and Greg Ellis drives INTO
THE SUNSET with intensity and ferocity while still maintaining the
necessary high level of symphonic precision.
Why the apparent change in style? Norlander replies "Because of the
heavy guitar and strong guest vocalists, INTO THE SUNSET is quite
different from my past work sonically. But it remains very consistent
musically and from a composition viewpoint. The chord choices and
voicings, the solo style, even the lyrical content is right in line
with my past work with Lana Lane and with Rocket Scientists."
INTO THE SUNSET clearly reflects Norlander's recent influences of the
new wave of Northern European - style symphonic rock artists such as
Symphony X and Luca Turilli. These new influences mix well with
Norlander's love of classic prog artists such as ELP, Rush, Yes, Jethro
Tull, Pink Floyd and Procol Harum. And certainly Norlander's work with
symphonic rock diva Lana Lane over the last few years has contributed
in no small part to his current stylistic evolution as well. "There is
a strong musical movement going on right now and a lot of really
fanastic albums are being created by new artists" says Norlander. "I
don't know if you call it 'Progressive Metal' or 'Symphonic Rock' or
something else, but it is a fantastic sound and it is definitely the
new stage in progressive rock evolution. While 70's prog rock merged
early electronic music with folk music and straight rock n' roll, it
seems that this new progressive movement combines all of these classic
70's influences with 80's heavy metal to create something entirely new
again. It's a fabulous time, and I'm proud to be a part of this
movement."
Erik Norlander recently contributed powerful keyboard tracks to two the
new Ayreon concept albums THE UNIVERSAL MIGRATOR PART ONE: THE DREAM
SEQUENCER and PART TWO: FLIGHT OF THE MIGRATOR. In addition, Norlander
produced, co-wrote and performed on the new Lana Lane SECRETS OF
ASTROLOGY album. Norlander's band, Rocket Scientists, released their
third studio release in late 1999 entitled OBLIVION DAYS which was also
produced and co-written by Norlander. A busy man and a dedicated
artist, Erik Norlander delivers a work of symphonic majesty with INTO
THE SUNSET. In an ocean of great new releases, this is one ship you
cannot miss! Be sure to experience this progressive rock masterpiece
and prepare to be swept away ... INTO THE SUNSET!
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