German record label startup Generation Prog Records is proud to announce the first two members of its band roster: The international prog fusion project Relocator and the Nürnberg-based prog metal quintet Effloresce. From jazz fusion to death metal -- the stylistic diversity between the two bands is a perfect example of the modern prog approach the new label wants to showcase.

The first Generation Prog Records release will be the upcoming Effloresce album Coma Ghosts, scheduled for February 10. Label founder Michael Schetter comments: "It’s both a pleasure and an honor to be working with Effloresce on this album. I’ve been following the band's career from the very start and it makes me proud to hear them finally unleash their potential with this amazing CD."

Effloresce combine an exciting blend of influences -- ranging from the atmospheric death metal stylings of Opeth to the melodic playfulness of Dream Theater, but with female vocals and even a sprinkling of flute -- into a style entirely their own. The new album’s songs, carefully crafted over the past two years, greatly profit from the epic sound courtesy of metal legend Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Opeth, and many more), who mixed and mastered the project.

The band had this to say: "The last couple of months were extremely intense and exciting, and being signed to a label created by a talented and capable guy like Michael now tops it all. We cannot wait to show our thirst for action and our gratitude. We think that Generation Prog Records is the perfect home for us, it just feels very natural." Effloresce will celebrate their new CD's release on February 10 with a concert at the Nürnberg venue MUZclub, performing the full album live in sequence.

Samples from Coma Ghosts are available on YouTube

Label mates Relocator turned quite a few heads when their self-titled 2010 debut featured former Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian throughout. The album was praised by critics all over the world and nominated for “best debut album” at the Progawards. The project has since taken to the stage, playing two 2011 gigs with a multinational live band. Guitarist and principal composer Stefan Artwin is currently working on material for the as yet untitled second Relocator album.

The Generation Prog brand first gained international attention with the eponymous 2011 festival. Organized by label founder Michael Schetter, the event saw both Effloresce and Relocator sharing the stage with some of the finest artists in modern prog: Andromeda, Subsignal, Jaken and Exivious. The festival drew an international audience from as far away as the UK, Sweden, Italy and the Eastern-most corner of Slovakia. It entailed a barrage of fan requests and band applications for a possible 2012 edition of the festival. The new label extends the Generation Prog brand to provide a home and promotional support for artists operating in the modern progressive music scene.

Generation Prog @ Facebook | Relocator @ Facebook | Effloresce @ Facebook

[Source: Generation Prog Records]