UNITOPIA: To Release Highly Anticipated New CD 'Covered Mirror'

Much to the excitement of progressive rock fans around the globe, legendary Australian prog ensemble […]

By Zarto

• October 2, 2012

Much to the excitement of progressive rock fans around the globe, legendary Australian prog ensemble Unitopia is releasing a new CD of cover songs titled 'Covered Mirror' on October 31, 2012. The most well-known and respected progressive rock band to emerge from Down Under, Unitopia is back with a ground breaking, powerful new release!

"Making a covers album is always a challenge," confesses lead vocalist Mark Trueack, "and reproducing classic songs and making them ours was always going to be difficult.We spent a great deal of time coming up with ideas and we are very proud of the results. We wanted to take the listener on a journey or experience, if you like. We fused together progressive, pop and rock music into one smooth sound."

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Unitopia endeavours to draw from the heart and soul of the listener thought provoking topics such as environmental awareness, political and social upheaval and the hectic pace of life and human relationships in a positive and uplifting light. Using progressive themes as a framework, Unitopia's music includes elements of world, classical, jazz, heavy rock and groove. Mark Trueack (composer/lead vocals/producer), Sean Timms (composer/keyboards/backing vocals/producer) and Matt Williams (guitars/backing vocals/producer) form the nucleus of the band. To complete the line-up, they chose the combined drum/percussion batteries of David Hopgood and Tim Irrgang, Craig Kelly on bass and Daniel Burgess (sax/clarinet/flute/piccolo/didgeridoo).

Unitopia released their first album 'More Than A Dream' in 2007 on the Canadian label Unicorn Digital. The band signed a three-album deal with InsideOut Music in Germany in 2008; the only Australian band to have signed with the label to this day. Unitopia's second album 'The Garden', released that year, established the band as one of the premier progressive rock acts in the world. With the release of their critically acclaimed third CD 'Artificial' and a subsequent successful tour of Europe in 2010, the critics were unanimous. "Unitopia has been one of the best live acts on the Progressive Rock scene in the last few years!"

The band's performance at the Boerderij, Zoetermeer in the Netherlands during the 2010 European tour was filmed and recorded. A subsequent live CD and DVD 'One Night In Europe' were released in 2011, successfully capturing the excitement of Unitopia in concert. Adding another dimension to Unitopia's conceptuality, renowned artist Ed Unitsky was brought into the fold, touted as the "fourth Unitopian". Says Mark in a recent interview with Prognaut, "We found each other on the net. He liked our sound so we started the process of getting to know his art, before engaging in his work."

And now Unitopia has taken their music to another level with their new CD of cover songs. "Both Sean and I chose songs that we both liked and wanted to give them our Midas touch," says Mark. "We wanted to bring these songs together, by bridging nice musical segways."

Tracks include:

1. Signs of Life (Prelude) Sean Timms
2. Calling Occupants (Klaatu)
3. Easter (Marillion)
4. Man of Colours (Icehouse)
5. Genesis Medley (Genesis)
The Silent Sun
Suppers Ready
Dancing with the Moonlit knight
Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Carpet Crawlers
6. Rain Song (Led Zeppelin)
7. Even in the Quietest Moments (Supertramp)
8. Can We Still be Friends (Todd Rundgren)
9. Speaking The Truth (Dan Burgess/Matt Williams)
10.Everybody's Gotta learn Sometime (Korgies)
11.Yes Medley (Yes)
And You and I
Awaken
Close to the Edge
Soon
Onward
South Side of the Sky
Owner of a lonely Heart
12.To one in Paradise (Alan Parsons)