Porcupine Tree - Roadrunner Records Australia

Porcupine Tree is unquestionably one of the most difficult-to-categorize and innovative bands working today. The music is breathtaking, ranging from psychedelic trip-hop to progressive metal, and a compendium of other sounds and genres in between. The band is fronted by Steven Wilson, who is well-known for his work producing other artists, from Swedish progressive death metal group Opeth, to Norwegian chanteuse Anja Garbarek. He also has several other projects, including No-Man, Bass Communion, and the highly acclaimed collaboration with Israeli musician Aviv Geffen, Blackfield. Porcupine Tree was founded as a self-indulgent creative outlet for Wilson, and the first major release was ‘On the Sunday of Life...’ in 1992, an album of psychedelia and studio experiments which bears little relation to the band's current sound. From here, Wilson expanded the sound, creating the progressive rock/ambient trance fusion on the 30-minute long single “Voyage 34.” One of the only constants in Porcupine Tree’s music is how it continues to evolve and confront the expectations of the band's fans from album to album. In late 1993, the solo project became a band, as Colin Edwin (bass), Chris Maitland (drums), and Richard Barbieri (keyboards) were recruited to enable Porcupine Tree to perform live. Richard had previously been a member of one of the most experimental 80's bands, Japan. The first real band album recorded was ‘Signify’ in 1996, which was followed by ‘Stupid Dream’ (1999), a breakthrough album which saw the band move into a more song-orientated direction. ‘Lightbulb Sun’ continued along that song-oriented tack, but, never content to rest on their laurels, Porcupine Tree changed course again for their next release, shuffling their lineup for the first (and to date, only) time. Chris Maitland departed and was replaced by Gavin Harrison in 2002, as the band signed a new international recording deal with Lava/Atlantic Records. Since then, two major label album releases, ‘In Absentia’ and ‘Deadwing,’ have augmented the band's renown. Heavier than previous releases, the albums have found favor with older fans and introduced Porcupine Tree to a whole new audience. The band also firmly established itself as being on the cutting edge in the audiophile/surround world: in 2004 and 2005, In Absentia and Deadwing were respectively released as 5.1 DVD-Audio editions by DTS Entertainment, and each won the Surround Music Award for Best Surround Mix in 2004 and 2005 respectively. In late 2005, Porcupine Tree re-signed to Atlantic Records for the US, but moved to the highly successful independent rock label Roadrunner for Europe. In September, 2006, Porcupine Tree released its first DVD, the live “Arriving Somewhere...,” filmed in Chicago during the Deadwing world tour. The DVD was critically acclaimed for both its visual quality, as well as the 5.1 mix: reviewing the DVD, Sound and Vision magazine concluded, “When it comes to surround sound, Porcupine Tree is in a league by itself.” In December 2006, recording commenced on the band’s ninth studio album. The album, Fear of a Blank Planet, is the band’s most ambitious and cohesive work to date. Much of it was debuted last November to enthusiastic fan response on Porcupine Tree’s sold-out U.S. and European tours in support of the release of “Arriving Somewhere….” The album title is a reference to the lyrical content of the song-cycle on the album: a 21st century cocktail of MTV, sex, prescription drugs, video games, the internet, terminal boredom, and subsequent escape. In April, 2007, the band will embark on a six-month world tour in support of “Fear of a Blank Planet,” one that will include Europe, the US, Japan, and Australia. The new album will be performed in its entirety, and the show will feature the films and projections by the band’s long-time visualist Lasse Hoile. 17/06/2009 - Porcupine Tree - behind the scenes video Get a sneak peak into the making of 'The Incident', Porcupine Tree's new album being released on September 18. Everyone here at Roadrunner is extremely ... 17/06/2009 - Porcupine Tree announce new album and title Grammy-nominated UK recording artist Porcupine Tree have confirmed the title of their tenth studio album: The Incident. The captivating new record is set to be ... 16/12/2008 - Joey Jordison on front cover of Drumscene this week! The new Drumscene Magazine is out tommorow (16th December) and features Joey Jordison from Slipknot on the front cover. As if this wasn't enough of ... 14/06/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE & OPETH - Rock Quiz Video! Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt conducted quizzes with our UK branch! Check them out below! 30/05/2008 - Asylum TV - Porcupine Tree and Atreyu interviews airing! If you want to see these awesome interviews with Porcupine Tree and Atreyu, then turn the idiot box onto Channel 31 next Tuesday (3rd June) @ ... 30/05/2008 - Check out this Porcupine Tree fans framed signed poster! Good friend of Roadrunner and mad Porcupine Tree fan Ian sent us in a picture of his newly framed and signed Porcupine Tree poster 23/05/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE - Fan Questions Answered! Without further ado I announce the authors of the 3 questions asked to Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree a few weeks back.The 09/05/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE - 5 signed album winners announced 9/10/08 During the Porcupine Tree show in Melbourne, the Roadrunner Street Team collected names and email addresses of people who wanted a chance to win 1 ... 09/05/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE - Steven Wilson interview in Melbourne 9/10/08 We caught up with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree at his hotel while he was in Melbourne and had an awesome chat about everything, from ... 01/04/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE - Win free concert tickets! Porcupine Tree fans listen up. If you missed out on your chance to get tickets to see them while they're on their Australia Tour (i ... 22/03/2008 - AUSTRALIA - ASK PORCUPINE TREE A QUESTION! All you Porcupine Tree fans out there, this article is for you!We're giving you all the chance to ask Porcupine Tree any question you like ... 08/03/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE - Heads up on ticket availability Porcupine Tree fans listen up! I've recieved word that tickets to the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne shows are selling fast and nearly sold out. As ... 12/02/2008 - PORCUPINE TREE A Logical Progression During the recording sessions for ‘Fear Of A Blank Planet’ Porcupine Tree cut an additional selection of tracks that have now seen an official release. ... 22/01/2008 - The UK Press loves ROADRUNNER KERRANG! – Readers Poll 2007#1 Best New Band – Madina Lake#2 Hero 15/12/2007 - Francis Burns unveils his TOP 10 FOR 2007 1. Machine Head: The Blackening 2. Black Sabbath: The Dio Years 3. Porcupine Tree: Fear of a Blank Planet 4. Arch Enemy: Rise of the ... 09/12/2007 - Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists What have members of various Roadrunner bands been listening to during 2007? Check out a selection of Top ... 07/11/2007 - DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy talks top 10 DT drummer Mike Portnoy offers up his top 10 albums of all time!!! Q: Your age: Mike: 40 Q: Your all-time favorite record and why? ... 07/11/2007 - DREAM THEATER's James LaBrie talks top 10 DT vocalist James LaBrie offers up his top 10 albums of all time!!! Here’s a Q & A conducted with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie ... 07/11/2007 - PORCUPINE TREE by Mikael Akerfeldt What does Opeth mainman Mikael Akerfeldt think of Porcupine Tree? Take a look at these videos to discover what it is he finds so magical ... 07/11/2007 - The OPETH / PORCUPINE TREE Project Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt will team up for a project with Porcupine Tree’s Steve Wilson. "We've been talking about this literally since the day we met," ... 17/06/2009Porcupine Tree - behind the scenes video Get a sneak peak into the making of 'The Incident', Porcupine Tree's new album being released on September 18. Everyone here at Roadrunner is extremely ... 16/12/2008Joey Jordison on front cover of Drumscene this week! The new Drumscene Magazine is out tommorow (16th December) and features Joey Jordison from Slipknot on the front cover. As if this wasn't enough of ... 23/05/2008PORCUPINE TREE - Fan Questions Answered! Without further ado I announce the authors of the 3 questions asked to Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree a few weeks back.The 14/06/2008PORCUPINE TREE & OPETH - Rock Quiz Video! Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt conducted quizzes with our UK branch! Check them out below! 09/05/2008PORCUPINE TREE - Steven Wilson interview in Melbourne 9/10/08 We caught up with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree at his hotel while he was in Melbourne and had an awesome chat about everything, from ... 17/06/2009Porcupine Tree announce new album and title Grammy-nominated UK recording artist Porcupine Tree have confirmed the title of their tenth studio album: The Incident. The captivating new record is set to be ... 07/11/2007The OPETH / PORCUPINE TREE Project Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt will team up for a project with Porcupine Tree’s Steve Wilson. "We've been talking about this literally since the day we met," ... 30/05/2008Check out this Porcupine Tree fans framed signed poster! Good friend of Roadrunner and mad Porcupine Tree fan Ian sent us in a picture of his newly framed and signed Porcupine Tree poster 09/12/2007Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists What have members of various Roadrunner bands been listening to during 2007? Check out a selection of Top ... 07/11/2007DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy talks top 10 DT drummer Mike Portnoy offers up his top 10 albums of all time!!! Q: Your age: Mike: 40 Q: Your all-time favorite record and why? ... 07/11/2007DREAM THEATER's James LaBrie talks top 10 DT vocalist James LaBrie offers up his top 10 albums of all time!!! Here’s a Q & A conducted with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie ... 07/11/2007PORCUPINE TREE by Mikael Akerfeldt What does Opeth mainman Mikael Akerfeldt think of Porcupine Tree? Take a look at these videos to discover what it is he finds so magical ... 07/11/2007Roadrunner sign DREAM THEATER Now THIS is BIG news! ROADRUNNER RECORDS is proud to announce the signing of progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater. A new studio album, 'Systematic Chaos' ... 07/11/2007PORCUPINE TREE sign to Roadrunner Records Opeth fans will be well aware of Porcupine Tree even if only through Mikael Akerfeldt's praises of the band… A press release reads: Porcupine Tree ... 07/11/2007Listen to PORCUPINE TREE Now! Heard Opeth's Mikael raving about them, but never heard them? Call yourself a diehard Opeth fan? Here's your chance to broaden your horizons! 08/03/2008PORCUPINE TREE - Heads up on ticket availability Porcupine Tree fans listen up! I've recieved word that tickets to the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne shows are selling fast and nearly sold out. As ... 09/05/2008PORCUPINE TREE - 5 signed album winners announced 9/10/08 During the Porcupine Tree show in Melbourne, the Roadrunner Street Team collected names and email addresses of people who wanted a chance to win 1 ... 30/05/2008Asylum TV - Porcupine Tree and Atreyu interviews airing! If you want to see these awesome interviews with Porcupine Tree and Atreyu, then turn the idiot box onto Channel 31 next Tuesday (3rd June) @ ... 01/04/2008PORCUPINE TREE - Win free concert tickets! Porcupine Tree fans listen up. If you missed out on your chance to get tickets to see them while they're on their Australia Tour (i ... 22/03/2008AUSTRALIA - ASK PORCUPINE TREE A QUESTION! All you Porcupine Tree fans out there, this article is for you!We're giving you all the chance to ask Porcupine Tree any question you like ... Fear Of A Blank Planet Fear Of A Blank Planet