THE FLOWER KINGS Launch Banks Of Eden Album Trailer; Tracklisting Revealed
May 15, 2012, 12 years ago
Prog rockers THE FLOWER KINGS are gearing up for the June 19th release of their new album, the first sign of life from the group in five years. With the band's recent return to the active prog scene, band leader Roine Stolt promises that in addition to their forthcoming album, Banks Of Eden, fans can expect touring in both Europe, America and Asia in the near future.
The Flower Kings began work on Banks Of Eden in December 2011, with an updated version of the band showcasing the classic lineup of Stolt, Tomas Bodin, Jonas Reingold and Hasse Froberg, and new German prodigy drummer Felix Lehrmann.
The Flower Kings emerged as one of the brightest beacons of the early 90s prog scene. They quickly became one of the genre's leading new icons together with PORCUPINE TREE, SPOCK'S BEARD and DREAM THEATER. Stolt is also a member of the prog supergroup TRANSATLANTIC.
Banks Of Eden was recorded with the band playing live in one room in a studio in January 2012, a recording much like in the old days of classic prog, before computers hit the market. The album was recorded with original 60s and 70s recording equipment, for a true warm analogue vintage sound.
"We aimed for the classic big warm vinyl-sound of old records by Queen, Genesis, Zeppelin or Deep Purple," says Stolt.
The tracklisting is below, with four bonus tracks included:
'Numbers'
'For The Love Of Gold'
'Pandemonium'
'For Those About To Drown '
'Rising The Imperial'
'Fireghosts' (Bonus Track)
'Going Up' (Bonus Track)
'Illuminati' (Bonus Track)
'Lo Lines' (Bonus Track)
Extra Material:
Interview with the band in the studio - video feature
Release dates:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, June 15th
UK, Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, rest of Europe: Monday, June 18th
North America, Spain, Italy: Tuesday, June 19th
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, June 20th
Australia, New Zealand: Friday, June 22nd
The music contains most of the trademarks that put The Flower Kings at the top of modern prog. The themeof the album is the struggle between a world in constant motion and in addictive consumption, and on the other side, finding a place and a little time where our souls find rest and peace. The album opener is a 26 minute centrepiece that displays a few new harder and more angular sides of the band.
As a first preview for Banks of Eden, the band have released the official album trailer: