CD/DVD Releases: Lion Music Celebrates 300th Release!
"Ok where has the time gone?
"Today [April 15] Lion Music celebrates its 300th release with new offering from Lars Eric Mattsson in Aurora Borealis hitting the stores right now.
"We'd like to take some to thank everything that has helped to make Lion Music what it is today. Over the years we have worked with a lot of cool musicians and hopefully introduced a number to a greater audience worldwide.
"We've met a number of really nice people. Many of whom have all helped us reach this landmark release in these difficult times for the music industry without asking for anything in return, driven purely by a love of music. You people are the real stars and without you the progressive metal scene would be dead.
"Yes we are in a 'difficult' time for the music industry. Our opinion on the current issues faced by music piracy has been well publicised, as have those of a number of our roster, but we are determined to see it through. So we'd like to give an extra special 'thank you' to anyone that has bought one of our releases or promoted us on various music forums and social networks worldwide.
"300 releases in and we still have a hunger for more.
"Thank YOU.
The Lion Music Team."
Out today - order at www.lionmusic.com/cd/auroraborealis.htm
This new wholly instrumental 12 track release takes a fresh approach to the blend of guitar and orchestra for a musical experience as uplifting as seeing the wonder of the northern lights, from which the album gets its title. Whilst the combination of orchestra and guitar may have been done before by amongst others one of Mattsson’s influences Uli Jon Roth; Aurora Borealis takes the range of sound and expressions further that what has been heard before and places as much emphasis on each tracks backing as with its guitar work. The result is a highly captivating and listenable experience. Lush in textures and timbres, Aurora Borealis comes across at times like a film score; sometimes fast and exotic whilst at others sweet and luxurious. Many moods are covered and all of which see Mattsson deliver impassioned guitar work in his own inimitable style.
Aurora Borealis in the artist's own words.
"Rising": "Perhaps one of the more 'ordinary' pieces, specially composed as an introduction with the purpose of delivering a high energy positive kick start. This is probably the most straight ahead rock piece of the album."
"Bounce": "Heavily influenced by J S Bach's 'Brandenburg Concertos' this piece's main theme is performed by the strings and woodwinds only in an interplay where the drums/bass/guitar section respond through a few different themes. I used the Stratocaster on this song."
"Cold Water Spirit": "This song is dedicated to all the people who have drowned in cold water after ship accidents caused by bad weather, war, etc. After seeing a film I started thinking about how terrible this must feel and that became the inspiration to this song. On of my favorites for sure, I think there is a certain feel in here that is very special."
"Forward Thinking": "A simple pulsating groove and a haunting violin melody that could be done in a million of ways but very easy to get lost in. I did a few different versions of this one including a full metal version before I decided that less was more… I think this piece could fit very well as soundtrack to the right movie."
"Revolutionary Star": "This was also done a few times in different versions before I decided on the final arrangement. This is one of the more complicated pieces with some odd meter riffs and some challenging arpeggios that spice up the harmony of main theme which I guess is quite fusion/prog influenced. I used the Valley Arts on this one."
"The Heart": "Just some stings, brass, a flute and guitar and a melody I am very proud of. I played the Stratocaster on this one and it was actually the first piece that was completed. I think the title says it all."
"Eternal Cycles": "A typical neoclassical piece in the style of my early works ('The Exciter,' etc) with some updated ideas.
"Clear Skies": "A simple major key theme in a number of variations spiced up with some two handed tapping I haven’t used in years, A real trip down memory lane. Here is another example of a piece I reworked a couple of times before deciding that less was more, originally I had intended to use drums and bass all the way from the beginning but I think I found a more varied arrangement this way. This is actually a quite simple piece but that done not make it less good?"
"Planetary Strength": "The overture of prog metal meets symphonic rock. This is probably the most challenging pieces of Aurora Borealis, most of this is in 7/8 with some elements in 2/4 and 3/4 and includes some interesting harmonies and what I think is a very cool metal guitar riff and some more 2 handed finger tapping and a lot of call and response between various themes."
"Parisienne Etude": Just a solo nylon acoustic guitar piece."
"Midnight Sun": "I think this is the piece that I put down the most time with, rearranging changing, moving stuff back and forth: I used the Valley Arts on this one and there is quite a lot of 2 handed tapping here too. A lot of different influences have been melted into this piece…"
"Starfall": "The final piece bringing you the final peace. Just like 'The Heart': no drums, no bass, just the orchestra and my guitar. It feels very pure and simple, I love this one."
[Source: Lion Music]
