Arena Line Up Change
Arena: “It is with sadness that we will be parting ways with singer Paul Manzi. He has been with us for ten years, three studio albums and a lot of touring, but these commitments, particularly the touring, were becoming a strain on his time and availability, so it was mutually agreed that it was the right time for Paul to move on. We wish him luck with his musical endeavours, and he we always welcome to join us on stage in the future.”
The new Arena vocalist was announced shortly after in the following statement:
Arena: “We have great pleasure in welcoming Damian Wilson to the new Arena line up. Most people will already know him as a fantastic singer, and there is no doubt he will bring something special and original to the band.
We have known Damian for about 25 years, and the idea of him singing for Arena has, in fact, been a possibility in the past, but circumstances did not allow that to happen at the time. However, since Paul has now decided to move on, it would seem that we have come full circle, and the time is now right! Recording will start soon for the new album 'The Theory of Molecular Inheritance' with Damian on vocals, but the release has been delayed due to the restrictions of the Corona Virus.”
"Song of the Wildlands" Recording Has Begun!
Having completed the writing of the new project at the beginning of the year, Clive has now proceeded to the recording phase. Due to the Covid 19 lockdown, the chorus parts, sung in Anglo-Saxon, are being recorded at homes and delivered for editing via Internet.
Clive has already announced the names of the four solo singers taking part in the project. These are Christina Booth, Gemma Ashley, Natalie Barnett and Ryan Morgan. The chorus has also gathered some well-known progressive names. Details will be revealed soon!
Clive: ‘The Wildland Warriors’ is the name I gave to all the lovely people who have been helping me make my new album, ‘Song of the Wildlands’ (code named ‘The Viking Project’). The project will eventually be released by the Norwegian Crime Records and We Låve Rock Music.
I thought, as we got hit with this unsettling new way of life, that this album would end up on ice for an unknown amount of time. Then, I put a call out online to anyone who was ready, willing and able to record their vocals.
I wanted to start building the chorus parts of this album, which in many ways are the most important element. My aim was to build up maybe a choir of about 100 voices. Well, thanks to each my ‘Wildland Warrior’ providing me with multiple tracks, I have (in some songs) about 140 voices singing in Anglo-Saxon (translated by our splendid medieval guru, Christopher Monk)! And there are still more to come!
I thought I might offer you a taste of the terrific work these guys are doing. With help from director Neil Monaghan, we have collected many of them together for this little video clip.
Many thanks to the wonderful ‘Warriors’ who took part in recording the vocals for “Dragon Fire”.
Watch the "Dragon Fire" Teaser HERE
Clive's Book Published!
Clive has published his first book! “This Is Not The Zombie Apocalypse!” is a detailed and humorous account of the first half of Pendragon “Love Over Fear” tour, cancelled halfway through due to the growing threat from the Covid 19 spreading throughout the world. Clive exposes the secrets of the rock band’s life on the tour bus. A highly entertaining writing from the multitalented musician.
Clive: “I’m very happy to announce the release of my first book! It’s called ‘This Is Not The Zombie Apocalypse’, and it is now available through Amazon. The book is the account of the few first days of the Pendragon tour, before it got cancelled… If nothing else, you can find out everything about The Case of the Kidnapped Frog!” 😉
The book has right away gathered numerous positive reviews from the readers. To quote just a few:
Roger Kelly: "You don’t have to be a progger to enjoy this. Clive Nolan is as talented
writer as he a pianist and creator of wonderful music. This is his account of life on
the road with top prog rock band Pendragon, as they venture around Europe wondering what next is in store for them as COVID-19 threatens to curtail all enjoyment on the planet. It’s funny and it’s sad. And also a great ‘whodunnit’ story as one of the band crew is kidnapped! Read it. You’ll love it."
Ron Milsom: "If you want to experience the real world behind the glamour of showbiz,
you can do no better than read this book by the legendary Clive Nolan. An interesting
account of rock band Pendragon's abbreviated world tour during our current crisis.
Interesting, entertaining, informative and funny!"
You can purchase the book via Amazon HERE
Clive’s New Project “Song of the Wildlands”!
Clive: “I'm excited to announce that I have now completed the writing for the upcoming work that has been running under the name of 'The Viking Project'.
'Song of the Wildlands' will be a secular oratorio (to use a classical term), featuring orchestra, 100 voice choir, four solo singers, rock band and a plethora of what I like to call 'Viking Instruments'. I hope that this work will appeal to prog fans, classical fans, folk fans and many more.
This is not like anything I have written before. I was so inspired by this project that I was writing in a positive fever in any spare time I could find over the last couple of months, so despite my intention to embark on this at the start of the new year, the composition is already in the bag! This is, nevertheless, a big undertaking, and the plan is to record it during next year.
More information will follow... now I just need to find 100 voices!”
Pendragon "The First 40 Years" Book and CD Set!
After selling out of the first run of a special collectors’ edition commemorative 40th year anniversary Book and CD pack in a record time, the second pressing can now be pre-ordered from the Merch Desk!
Pendragon: “It’s taken two years to collate, re-record, mix, find the pics, get new artwork (and a hundred other things). So, here is what you get:
Approximately 11inch square (just slightly smaller than a vinyl sleeve) this 32 page hard back book is truly a celebration of Pendragon from 1978 to the current day. Cover artwork from Simon Williams (The World/Window of Life/Masquerade Overture etc.) incorporating images throughout the history of the band in his very own recognisable style, inside there is 32 glossy pages of photo memories throughout the years and a few words from Nick, Peter, Clive and Vinnie and of course 5 CDs.
The discs are: “Live at London” 3 discs from last November’s sold out 40th Anniversary show at 229 The Venue. The London show featured a return to the Pendragon drum stool for Nigel Harris to perform some of the early songs plus some saxophone from original and co-founding member Julian Baker. When mixing the live discs Karl Groom (Thin Ice Studio) said that this is one of the best recorded live gig atmospheres he’s ever heard, and we think you’ll agree that’s it’s really very special indeed.
Plus: 2 completely re-mixed (not just re-mastered!) versions of “The World” & “Men Who Climb Mountains”, which more or less “bookends” the career of the band. Both re-mixes will feature re-recorded drums from current drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco as well as updated and additional keyboards on “The World” recording.”