"As soon as it was announced (and fans finished pinching themselves to make sure they weren’t dreaming), Liquid Tension Experiment 3 became perhaps the most heavily anticipated progressive metal album of 2021. After all, it’s been over twenty years since the instrumental quartet—bassist Tony Levin, keyboardist Jordan Rudess, drummer Mike Portnoy, and guitarist John Petrucci—released their last studio collection; despite all of the great stuff that they’ve done (separately or together) over the years, devotees still clamored for a proper follow-up to 99's LTE 2.

The result is a sequence that, if not outright better than its predecessors, certainly ranks alongside them and meets any expectations admirers might have. Liquid Tension Experiment 3 is a remarkable return for one of progressive metal’s greatest instrumental troupes. It delivers exactly what band enthusiasts expect—no more and no less—with eight pieces that constitute some of the most dauntingly intricate, endearingly colorful, and/or calmly melodic passages the foursome have ever penned." JB-MI

"The album is recorded by engineer James “Jimmy T” Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci) and he delivers once again. Portnoy’s drums have never sounded better. Petrucci’s signature sound is unmistakable. Levin’s work on the bass and Chapman stick are as clear and rich (no pun intended) as ever. Rudess’s endless variety of sounds and effects are timely and smooth. Master mixing Jedi, Rich Mouser (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, Neal Morse Band), delivers his usual clear, pristine, dynamic, and powerful style which makes this a great listening experience to the most seasoned audiophile. There is breath, width, clarity, and precision which really raises this album to a new level. Every instrument is perfectly grooved in their sound spectrum which delivers a top notch sound experience in every variety of style LTE3 brings." VJG-TPR



Essential Track: "Unsurprisingly, the album wastes no time dishing out some intimidatingly complex aggression via the appropriately named “Hypersonic.” Its opening moments alone offer a tirade of speedily synchronized rhythms and riffs whose dizzying ascensions and descensions would seem like self-parody if they weren’t done so damn masterfully. (Of course, Rudess’ trademark quirky timbres come into play, too.) As usual, its nonstop abrasiveness distinguishes it a bit from the more dynamic and fanciful instrumentals of the members’ myriad other projects." JB-MI



Read the full reviews on Metal Injection and The Prog Report.

Listen and watch the videos on YouTube and buy the CD from Inside Out Music or wherever fine Prog Music is sold .

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Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series

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2021-05-20
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to December 2nd

2021-05-21
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to December 1st

2021-05-23
The Musical Box : A Genesis Extravaganza Vol. II at The Wilbur Theatre - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to November 30th

2021-09-10
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Cabot Theatre - Beverly, MA at 07:00 PM
TBD

2021-09-11
THE MACHINE performs Pink Floyd at The Flying Monkey - Plymouth, NH at 07:30 PM
$34

2021-10-04
Todd Rundgren – The Individualist, A True Star at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$90

2021-10-05
Todd Rundgren – The Individualist, A True Star at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$90

2021-10-16
THE MACHINE performs Pink Floyd at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$50

2021-10-22
The Machine performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $40

2021-10-23
The Machine performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $40

2021-10-29
Mary Fahl (of October Project) at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
$30 - $35

2021-11-28
The Wizards of Winter at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 07:00 PM
$40 - $55

2021-12-11
Kansas - Point of Know Return at Lowell Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA at 08:00 PM
$49 - $299 (VIP)

2021-12-15
Genesis The Last Domino? Tour at TD Garden - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
TBD

2022-02-05
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$45 - $60

2022-02-06
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$49.50 - $104.50 (VIP)

All Events ...>>

Nick D’Virgilio - Invisible Sweetwater Studios Theater Stage On-Demand Live Performance Event May 14th - 4 PM EST

Drummer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, ex-Spock’s Beard, ex-Tears For Fears) released his second solo album “Invisible” last year, a star-studded album praised by fans and critics alike, which featured musical contributions from Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Paul Gilbert (Mr Big, Racer X), Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings / Steve Hackett), Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and several other special guests.

Today D’Virgilio is announcing his first official streaming event, a full live performance of “Invisible” from the Sweetwater Studios theater stage happening on Friday May 14th 2021 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Accompanied by a full band – comprised by Don Carr and Pete Lock on guitar, Andy Rice on bass, Jacob Dupre on keys, Ryan Holquist on drums, Isak West on tenor sax and background vocals, Adam Griswold on baritone sax and Nick’s own daughter Sophia D’Virgilio on background vocals – the charm and finesse of “Invisible” will be brought to life, its uplifting music paired with first-class video work produced by Christian Rios.

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2021-05-08: Billy Cobham- (On Spectrum, Crosswinds and more!) on SOAL Night Live
For Episode #87 Billy Cobham dropped back by to discuss his solo works and compositions. This is part 2 of a 2 part chat with Billy. He discusses the dissolving of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and how it freed him up to write a

2021-05-08: Kayak - Out Of This World review
For many, a strong memory from the mid-70s is that of listening to the title track of Kayak’s third album Royal Bed Bouncer on transistors late at night on the newly refloated Radio Caroline, and especially its Dutch counterp

2021-05-08: Peter Hammill - In Translation review
As tour dates fade further away into a still uncertain future, Peter Hammill, like other artists whose live work has been put on hold, has busied himself in the studio. Recorded between March and December 2020, In Translation

2021-05-07: MMR presents A Gardening Club new album "The Time Trilogy"
It's Release Day and Bandcamp Friday! * PRE-ORDER SPECIAL * Pre-order A Gardening Club Project's new album The Time Trilogy with three bonus tracks and receive the digital album NOW! https://thegardeningclub.bandcamp.com. Lim

2021-05-07: ProgPhonic 54 – Featuring: BEND THE FUTURE (Without Notice) and Live Interview with Can Yildirim
Featuring Music of BEND THE FUTURE (Without Notice) and Interview with Can Yildirim. https://podcasts.progrock.com/.../progphonic-54.../ With your host Richard Reyes - Plus all the Prog You Love. On Progrock.com and ITUNES

2021-05-07: The Moody Blues’ John Lodge New Single “The Sun Will Shine” OUT NOW!
John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has released a new digital single entitled “The Sun Will Shine”. Out now! In John’s own words: “On

2021-05-07: Styx Announce New Album, ‘Crash of the Crown’
After several months of teasers, including some secretive Morse code messages, Styx have announced their upcoming 17th studio album, Crash of the Crown. Styx will release the new album on June 18. It will be available on clea

2021-05-07: Listen to Styx’s New Single, ‘Crash of the Crown’
Styx have released a new single called “Crash of the Crown,” the title track off their upcoming album. “Crash of the Crown” previews Styx's 17th studio LP in characteristically epic fashion, combining dizzying keyboards, flui

2021-05-07: Big Big Train release video for title track of new album Common Ground
Prog rockers Big Big Train have released a new video for the title track of their upcoming album Common Ground. The band will release the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019's Grand Tour will be released through the band's Eng

2021-05-07: Phil Manzanera hooks up with Tim Finn for series of new EPs
Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera has teamed up with Split Enz and Crowded House singer songwriter Tim Fizz for a series of new EPs. The first, Caught By The Heart, is released on June 12, and you can watch a video for the

2021-05-06: Frost* - Day and Age (Album Review)
Maybe it’s global warming at play but things seem to be heating up for Frost*. Over fifteen years, three albums and one EP into their career, the stars seem aligned for the band to deliver their best album yet in this day and

2021-05-06: Underrated Styx: The Most Overlooked Song From Each Album on UCR
Few bands in rock history have such a carefully written and precisely arranged catalog of songs as Styx. The Chicago-based group blends rock, pop and prog elements into a seamless whole that maintains a remarkably high standa

2021-05-06: Dream Theater to launch Ytsejam Records catalogue with live Images & Words set
Dream Theater have announced that they will be reissuing their Ytse Jam Recordings in a new collaboration with label InsideOut Music entitled the Lost Not Forgotten Archives. The first brand new release in the reinvigorated a

2021-05-05: The Band Wagon USA adds hard to get releases for sale
We are super excited to announce the addition of a few new artists at our little shop - Steven Rothery, Rick Armstrong - Music Page, and Mike Gusway's Four Block Empire. For all of you Americans and Canadians who have been un

2021-05-05: In the Prog Seat: Favorite Canadian Progressive Rock Bands
S: Canadian Prog Bands Not Called Rush... Pete Pardo's Tuesday night show over at the Sea Of Tranquility offered up this cool subject that got me, Rick and Rand thinking about all the prog bands up that way. So we each offere

2021-05-05: Great history article: Remembering Bill Graham & The Fillmore East
The Story of the Fillmore East begins here... Located at the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street was a venue that opened in 1925 as a vaudeville theater. Over the years, it took on various names and in the 19

2021-05-05: Understanding The Mars Volta - The Early Years
The Mars Volta is one of the most mind boggling bands that i’ve ever listened to. The modern prog-rock band from El Paso, Texas has its roots in previous bands like the short lived dub band De Facto and the post-hardcore band

2021-05-05: Pink Floyd’s Touring Museum Exhibit to Hit U.S This Year
Pink Floyd's official touring exhibition, Their Mortal Remains, will set up shop in the U.S for the first time this summer. Four years after its debut at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the exhibit will open at the

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