GEP are really happy to be working with t (aka Thomas Thielen) on his new album ‘Solipsystemology'

‘The best movie you’ll hear this year!’ - Rolling Stone.
‘The mastermind of avant-garde pop’ - Musikexpress.

Described by Germany’s ‘Eclipsed’ magazine as ‘One of the 10 most important musicians of recent years’, multi-instrumentalist t is, for the first time ever, taking to the road to present his latest album ‘Solipsystemology’, including an appearance at the prestigious Night of the Prog festival in Lorelei. The live band includes guitarist Jan Steiger, drummer Thomas Nußbaum, bassist Yenz Strutz and keyboard player Dominik Hüttermann.

Thomas Thielen: “’Solipsystemology’ is the third layer to the fractal narration that started with (first album) ‘Fragmentropy’ where a postmodern Pygmalion fails to write his dream into life. Second album ‘Epistrophobia’ asks why this writing failed. Now ‘Solipsystemology’ explores the motives that made him write - and its’ consequences. It’s a breath-taking puzzle full of clues to follow: in the music, the lyrics, the artwork, and even the acoustics at play.”

‘Solipsystemology’ – is due for release late March 2019.

't' tour dates confirmed so far:
• March 22, Zentrum Altenberg, Oberhausen
• April 4, Das Rind, Rüsselsheim
• July 20, Night of the Prog Festival, Loreley
• August 30, Droehnschuppen, Gladbeck
• September 26, Meisenfrei, Bremen
• September 28, Bergkeller, Reichenbach
• October 4, Die Wabe, Berlin
• November 9, Parkvilla, Alphen
• November 22, Chez Heinz, Hannover
• November 23, Tuchfabrik, Trier

 

New album early 2019

GEP are really pleased to announce we’ll be working with United Progressive Fraternity (UPF) to release their next venture ‘Planetary Overload’.

Fronted by Mark Trueack (Unitopia) and Steve Unruh (Resistor), UPF is a global collective of international artists, musicians, arrangers and producers who are ‘passionately committed to empowering change in the world by leading an artistic & musical movement dedicated to sustainable environmental practices’.

Mark Trueack: “Our planet is not happy in so many ways; our climate is constantly changing, religious intolerance leads to conflict, bloodshed, and outright war in an already unstable social system. If projects like ours can make a difference and if we can involve our friends and other lovers of music then we will have a better world.”

‘Planetary Overload: Loss’ is the first release of a two part project. This first part features a host of artists and guest appearances including Steve Hackett, Jerry Marotta, Nick Magnus, Hasse Fröberg, Michel St-Père and many others, plus new artwork by Ed Unitsky and a bonus CD of ‘surreal mixes’ by Chris Lebled.

The album is also endorsed by an impressive list of scientists and corporations including: Dr. James E. Hansen (Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions Program, Columbia University); Dr. Cary Fowler (Founder of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault & Senior Advisor, the Crop Trust); Willy Kwong (Executive Director of The Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong & Plastic Oceans Limited Hong Kong – Sir David Attenborough interview); Claire Luby and Jack Kloppenburg (Open Source Seed Initiative); Silver Donald Cameron (The Green Interview).

Dr. James E. Hansen (Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions Program, Columbia University) – guest narrator: “UPF brings a much needed message to the people of the world… I stand wholeheartedly by their commitment to raise the awareness of as many people as possible to take corrective action and innovate fastidious planning to mitigate the runaway effects of Climate Change”.

Steve Hackett – acoustic guitars: “The idea of loss and hope is vital as a driving force behind this CD. Whilst there is so much carnage and violence in today’s world, awareness is growing at a fast rate and indeed hope is reflected by all our sentiments and actions. Music can lead the way, with a message of love over hatred and the need to care for both the planet and all its’ inhabitants. I am proud to be a part of this project”.

For interviews and more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

‘Ever’ the hugely popular IQ album that saw the return of Peter Nicholls to the fold in the early nineties is now 25 years young! To mark this occasion GEP are releasing a special ‘definitive’ 3 disc edition of the album with a 2018 remix by Mike Holmes. 

Presented in a 4 panel digipak format with a 40 page booklet, the package includes extra material on the first disc, along with newly recorded live versions of the whole album on disc 2. Disc 3 (DVD) contains a surround sound mix of the studio album plus a surround mix of the live material, along with over 2 hours of ‘further listening’ files comprising album demos, studio outtakes rehearsal tapes and unused ideas. All in all disc 3 contains nearly 4 hours of music. 

The 40 page booklet is packed with lots of contemporary photos, stories and memories from the time and features contributions from all the band members of 1992. 

‘Ever 2018 Remix - 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition’ is due for release on the 5th October 2018 

Track listing: 

Disc 1 (CD): 

The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Out of Nowhere, Further Away, Leap of Faith, Came Down. Extra tracks: Came Down – The Solos that got away, Lost in Paradise.

Disc 2 (CD): 

Recorded live at the Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany, 10 February 2018): Intro/The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Leap of Faith, Came Down, Further Away, Out of Nowhere. 

Disc 3 (DVD): 

Ever 2018 Remix 5.1 Surround Sound Mix 

Ever Live at the Colos-Saal 5.1 Surround Sound Mix 

Album Demos: The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Unholy Cow (Out of Nowhere, Further Away Intro, Further Away Complete, Leap of Faith, Came Down. 

Studio Outtakes: Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Out of Nowhere, Further Away, Leap of Faith, Came Down. 

Unused Ideas: Waltzy Song, Echo Song, The Blues Riff, Bassy Track, Guitar Thing, Quiety Demo, Some Chordage, Monks. 

Rehearsals: The Darkest Hour (Pt. 2) , Fading Senses - Jamming The Riff, Fading Senses #2, Unholy Cow (Developed) , Further Away - Jamming The Riff, Further Away - Arrangement, Came Down - Different Intro, Sad Chords. 

 

Following their critically acclaimed first album ‘On Track’, Damanek are set to  release their second album ‘In Flight’ on the GEP label on the 5th October 2018.

‘In Flight’ is another a genre-defying collection of sophisticated songs that again manage to combine impressive technical proficiency with catchy hooks and vast soundscapes. Sean Timms’ sleek production adds to the overall sense of quality and class on this impressive second album. The new album has been described as “Dark and Dense, Intense and Immense!” and includes the new 3 part epic ‘Big Eastern’ taking the listener on an emotive journey from East to West: from the poorest rural lands of China to the West Coast of the USA.

Track listing:

• Ragusa
• Skyboat
• The Crawler
• Moon-Catcher (Heaven Song Pt.2)
• The Crossing
• Big Eastern Pt 1 – Cruel Skies
• Big Eastern Pt 2 – The Shaking Earth
• Big Eastern Pt 3 – A Life In Chinatown

Damanek are: Guy Manning: (The Tangent) vocals, keyboards, guitars; percussion; bass; Dan Mash: (‘Maschine’) bass; Marek Arnold: (‘Toxic Smile’/’Seven Steps to the Green Door’) saxes & seaboard; and Sean Timms: (‘Southern Empire’/’Unitopia’) keyboards; guitar; backing vocals & additional programming.

The recording of ‘In Flight’ is completed by a stellar list of guest musicians including: Brody Thomas Green – drums; Antonio Vittozzi – guitars; Luke Machin  – guitars; Tzan Nico – electric guitar; Raf Azaria – violin; DavidB – backing vocals; Kevin Currie – backing vocals; Julie King – backing vocals;The Gospo Collective and Jones Commentary Choir.

 

Following the success of the eponymously titled first album in 2016 GEP are very happy to announce the release of the second Southern Empire album 'CIVILISATION’ on 20th July.

Sean Timms: "It's always exciting to release a new album and this one is particularly special as it marks the first time a band member (apart from myself) has written one of the songs. Album opener 'Goliath's Moon' has been written by our guitarist Cam Blokland and it's a smash!

There's also a re-worked, extended version of a song I wrote with Mark Trueack for the abandoned Unitopia album titled 'Crossroads', a piece I worked on with Steve Unruh from Samurai of Prog called 'Innocence & Fortune' and another 'epic'... 'Cries For the Lonely' which drummer Brody Green had a huge hand in creating, as did all of the guys. This is truly a band effort and we can't wait for you all to hear it!!!"

The band are set to tour internationally in the autumn to support their new album.

17th November: Pwllheli HRH Prog, UK
21st November: Reichenbach Bergkeller, Germany
22nd November: Verviers Spirit Of 66, Belgium
24th November: Zoetermeer De Boerderi, Netherlands
27th November: The Victoria, Swindon, UK
28th November: Southampton The Joiners, UK
29th November: Bilston The Robin 2, UK 
30th November: London Boston Music Room, UK
1st December: Maltby Classic Rock Society, UK

Based in Australia, Southern Empire were formed by Sean Timms following the dissolution of his previous band Unitopia. Influenced by the likes of Dream Theater, IQ, Transatlantic, Karnivool and Steven Wilson, Southern Empire bring a harder, more edgy sound to their music whilst displaying a knack for catchy songs and great melodic hooks.

Southern Empire are:

Sean Timms - Keyboards/Vocals/Saxophone
Danny Lopresto - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Cam Blokland - Guitar/Vocals
Brody Green - Drums/Vocals
Jez Martin - Bass/Vocals

PRE-ORDER THE NEW CD NOW: GEP online shop