(Power/Progressive Metal) Rick Plester - Дискография (1998-2010), (Black Symphony + Solo Album) MP3, 320 kbps

01 - Never
02 - Breathe
03 - End of Your Life
04 - Are You Crying
05 - The Poor / The Edge
06 - The Wind
07 - Listen
08 - Period of Mourning
09 - The Black Symphony

01 - Tears Of Blood Part 1
02 - It Remains A Mystery
03 - Take Me Down
04 - I Am Hate
05 - Death
06 - Burned
07 - Over And Over
08 - Tears Of Blood Part 2
09 - Forgive Me
10 - Left In Confusion
11 - Into The Dark
12 - Black Symphony Part 2

Bonus Disc
01 - Behind Blue Eyes
02 - Smoke On The Water
03 - Zero The Hero
04 - Deliverynce

01 - In Our World
02 - Lies
03 - Blind Faith
04 - Fallin'
05 - Reaching
06 - Symptom of the Unfortunate
07 - Free Me
08 - The Storm
09 - The Rain
10 - Revenge
11 - Pete's Kaos
12 - You Will
13 - Engine Room
14 - Rebirth
15 - Storm Rain

01 - Leave Me Alone
02 - Shine
03 - Running
04 - Never Satisfied
05 - Sweet Guitar Intro
06 - Ahead Of The Sunrise
07 - Down
08 - Dance
09 - Mortal Sun
10 - Angels
11 - I Wish
12 - Good Woman
13 - Roll The Stone Away

Эту техничную металлическую команду в 1993 году основал канадский гитарист Рик Плестер. Кроме любви к музыке у этого парня также был большой интерес к спорту – ведь он являлся профессиональным хоккеистом и играл в лигах «IHL», «RHI», «WCHL». Плестера даже приглашали в свой состав такие команды как «Pittsburgh Penguins» и «Anaheim Mighty Ducks». Однако вернемся к его проекту «Black symphony». В первоначальный состав группы также вошли бывший фронтмен «Riot» Ретт Форрестер, ударник Тим Уотерсон и бас-гитарист Эр Джей Киллинджер из «Relish». Подобно множеству других команд конфигурация «Black symphony» не отличалась стабильностью.

Из всех приходивших и уходивших музыкантов больше всех не повезло Форрестеру: спустя шесть месяцев после его ухода из группы Ретт был найден убитым. Ко времени записи дебютного альбома состав выглядел следующим образом: Рик Плестер (гитара), Майк Пейрс (вокал), Робби Беннетт (бас-гитара), Роберт Васисек (клавишные) и Джефф Мартин (ударные).

Последний был известен многим поклонникам рока как участник «Badlands», «Racer X» и «Surgical steel». Спустя неделю по окончании сессий «Believe» Беннетта сменил экс-участник «Forte» Рев Джонс. Диск был выпущен в 1996-м году лейблом «Nuela». Однако фирма выпустила его самовольно без согласия самих музыкантов, поэтому официальной датой релиза стал апрель 1998-го, когда «Believe» был издан германским лейблом «Rising sun». Раскрутка пластинки началась с Европы, где «Black symphony» выступили на фестивалях «Dynamo» и «Bang your head».

Затем группу пригласили разогревать «Dio», что привлекло к «Черной симфонии» внимание многих металхедов. На фоне этого альбом хорошо продавался и вскоре его тираж превысил 50000 экземпляров. Читатели журнала «Rock hard» избрали «Black symphony» лучшей «неподписанной» (без контракта) группой 1998 года, а сам диск занял 24-ю позицию в чартах этого издания.

Популярность команды еще сильнее подскочила, когда ее пригласили на телевидение заполнять паузы в хоккейных матчах национальной лиги. Благодаря этому с творчеством коллектива смогли познакомиться более 70 миллионов телезрителей Северной Америки и других континентов. Кроме этого группа интенсивно выступала в Европе и Америке, деля концертные площадки с «Pantera», «Rammstein», «Death», «Sevendust» и другими знаменитостями и собирая порой до 100000 зрителей. Несмотря на успех, флуктуации в «Black symphony» продолжались. Когда Мартин ушел в «UFO» Плестер сильно обновил состав команды, пригласив на роль фронтмена Рика Пламондона (экс-«Menace», «Skitzotic»), на клавишные - Маттиаса Берстрома, а за ударные посадив Пита Холмса из «Black N’Blue».

В такой конфигурации и был записан второй лонгплей, «Tears of blood». Пластинка поступила в продажу в феврале 2002-го, а ее первое издание было дополнено бонусным диском с каверами «Who», «Deep purple», «Queensryche» и «Black Sabbath».
http://ololo.fm/artist/biography/Black+Symphony

01 - Breezes Of Season
02 - Marching Into The Oblivion
03 - Inner Sensation
04 - Soothing The Illusion
05 - Entwined Within
06 - The Quest
07 - Angel Of Desire
08 - Battling The Beast
09 - Burning In The Fire
10 – Broken

Дебютная сольная работа хоккеиста и музыканта, основателя группы Black Symphony, Rick Plester, получила название от второго трека Marching Into The Oblivion.
В записи этого инструментального детища, ему помогли бвшие участники группы Black Symphony: на ударных - Pete Holmes, басс гитара - R.J. Killinger.
Слушая Marching Into The Oblivion, сразу представляется лысый худощавый гитарист в черных, солнцезащитных очках.
Рик человек многих талантов и показывает свое мастерство как писатель, продюсер и аранжировщик.
Готова на 100% новая работа под одноименным названием RP. Все музыкальные партии и вокал исплняет одни человек (угадайте из трех раз о ком речь). Работа получилась восхитительная (возможно я немного переувеличиваю)
Однако в начале 2016 года Рик хочет пригласить, как он выражается, лучших музыкантов
«I made a version I played all the instruments but I will redo with some of
the best musicians in the biz.»
После записи и выпуска нового альбома, нас ждет переиздание всех четырех альбомов выпущенных раннее с Black Symphony
Можно только пожелать творческих успехов талантливому человеку.

After reading Rick Plester's ad in the guest-book in the German "Rock Hard"-homepage, I still remembered their excellent debut-album "The Black Symphony" and their exciting gig at the German "Bang Your Head"-festival in Tübingen 1998. But after then, we didn't hear anything about them anymore (too bad that no one noticed that, me too). Two years of complete silence! It is more than about time to check out what's going on with the guys over the years. Workaholic Rick Plester, one of the underestimated guitar players and a very nice guy, too, took the time to tell us more...

Okay, Rick, what exactly happened within the band after the European Tour with DIO and NARNIA? You received extremely good reviews on your debut-album, playing at the Dynamo and the "Bang Your Head"-festival and touring Europe in September/October 1998. After then we didn't hear and see anything about THE BLACK SYMPHONY anymore. I guess it would be highly interesting to hear pretty detailed what had been going on since these days ?
Band

After the tour I had some problems with the label (Rising Sun) so I froze all operations. During which time I did a personal evaluation of everything. Although the tour was a success and great reviews (thank you), I was not satisfied that we were giving the fans the best show they could see. We were on the right track, but needed to beef up certain areas. I want to turn this into something very special. I made some changes to strengthen our team. First thing the label, 2nd a superstar-vocalist and the highest energy-drummer I can find.
Myself, with the support of Rev and Mattias, have a vision, which has now become the vision of all five of us and we will do what it takes to make that vision materialize. We are very sorry for such delays, they couldn't be avoided, we are still working out our differences with the old label (Rising Sun) but it will be resolved very soon.
During the past year I auditioned many, many vocalists, built my own studio and wrote and recorded the new record "Tears Of Blood". Now we are about to start rehearsals for tours we will do over the next year. We will put together a show which we can build on. I hope we can headline soon, so we can give a wild package of entertainment, that's hard to complete as a support.
We'll have to work hard for that so that we can headline sooner. Until then we'll make do with what we can.
Rick Plester

After hearing your amazing new songs, which can be found on your homepage, I think the new members, especially Ric Plamondon, did an excellent job. How and when did you find this fantastic new vocalist and what's happened with Mike Pierce who's a great vocalist, too?

First of all I think Mike Pierce is a great person and a great friend, I miss him, but I was looking for that vocalist that could help move us to another level. Mike was very good but we think Ric is one of the best vocalists we have ever had the pleasure to listen to, I think he will become a superstar like Robert Plant, Dio, Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell etc.
Ric Plamondon Ric was brought to me from a friend who found out that I was looking for a singer. (Chad Clark, Jeff Scott Soto's drummer). He suggested some real big name singers to me that he knew personally he thought would be interested. Then he said that he knew this no-name guy named Ric, he's the best of them all, if your interested in a no-name guy. I said even better. So I called Ric, he came to my studio. In walks this freak with hair down past his hips, grabs the mic and blew my fuckin' head off "WOW"
I went to see him live in his band to see how he was live as a front man. After he controlled the crowd like a wizard I asked him to join, he did. That was just over a year ago.

…and what's happened with Jeff Martin (drums) and Robert Vasicek (keys)?

Jeff is playing with Paul Gilbert again. Jeff was good but is older (family) and didn't want to tour as much as we do, we will play in a shit hole and we've played for 100,000, we don't care, we want to make fans every night or at least 250-300 dates a year.
Robert and I are best friends. I am mixing a record for him with Scott Henderson and Curt Coventin. Mattias has been in the band for over 3 years, he was one of Robert's students, ahhh, the young Swedish boy has turned into a monster. The DIO-tour gave him a lot of confidence, the girls just love him and Ric.
Mattias Burström

So could you please tell us a bit more about the actual recordings for "Tears Of Blood"?

As on the debut I wrote and produced it, but on "Tears Of Blood" I also mixed, engineered and mastered it. Rev did all the art, he's really good at that kind of thing.

What do you think are the major differences between "The Black Symphony" and "Tears Of Blood"?

The production is way better, having your own studio is the only way to get a million $ sounding product with out spending a million, if you know what you doing presumably. The vocals are better, we're all better. I think there are some really good songs on both records but the new one is a lot stronger as a whole, I hope every record is better than the last.
Rev Jones

I would like to get a little bit more into the lyrics from "Tears Of Blood". What are they about in general?

Simply it's a concept revolving around religion and how different religious beliefs can create war, anger, murder, confusion when we all are not on the same page our beliefs and government opinions can cause hatred towards others. This record may make you confused, it's supposed to, aren't most of us when it comes to religion? These are not my beliefs, it's just a point of view from both good and evil to create awareness.

When can we expect the new album, at least the European release?

If everything is worked out soon with the old label and who ever we decide is the new label, most likely in November.

Are you still on Rising Sun Records? What can you say about the promotion given by Rising Sun? Do you consider it adequate?

No, I will never do another record for Rising Sun, we will change the name of the band first. It's so hard to tell for sure if they did a good promotion when you live so far away, I think ok, but other labels and people tell me that if more money was put into the promotion we would have been really huge by now.

What are your favourite points about the new album?
Greg Calkins

A strong overall cohesiveness of instruments and vibe. It really grows on you after four or five listens.

Do you know, how much did the first CD worldwide?

No clue. In Europe I only got the 1st statement, after that I never got another accounting statement or anything. There was so much bootlegging and imports everywhere, #3 on the Japanese import charts, a ton into South America and the USA, which prevented us from getting a real deal. We sold 30,000 on our own, so somewhere between 50-75,000 world wide, I would guess. I hope to have a good promotion and do 250,000 this time and keep building.

Who came up with the band-name THE BLACK SYMPHONY and what is it based on?

I did when before I formed the band. I thought about the music I write and it's dark and symphonic, maybe industrial, so that's what came to mind.

Musically, how would you classify yourselves?

It's all Rock'n'Roll, but that's tough... heavy, musical, melodic, simple, complex, dark, high energy.

What was the band's most memorable moment?

Playing on TV for 250 million people on this sports-program in America which is viewed world-wide.

Did you enjoy the tour with Ronnie James Dio and NARNIA? Did you get along with each other?

I loved it, had a great time, can't wait to tour again. Both bands were really cool, Dio is a nice guy and a great teacher, his advice helped me make the changes I did. He really cares about the music and his fans, so do I, that's why I made the changes I did, I want every fan to leave thinking we were the best band they've ever seen.
Rick Plester

At long last I would like to give you some key-words and I would like to ask you, if you could answer them with short statements. - Bill Clinton

In a year Bill who?

Extra-terrestrial life

most definitely somewhere, somehow, someway, well figure it out.

Born in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada with a population of 15,000 people, Rick Plester, like most young Canadian boys first love was hockey. At the age of four years old, Rick and his family moved to Calgary and he loved country singer Johnny Cash and by elementary school he was exposed to The Beatles and the Rolling Stones by his teacher and soccer coach, Mr. Davis whose open mindedness led Plester to the school radio station and later on community radio. Plester found hockey here in the mid west and as an up and coming goal keeper at the age of 16 played with the Williams Lake Mustangs with a goal to be in the NHL. After being an MVP and an All Star starter Plester tried out for every team ,but always got the wrong answers ”too young or too short”.

Originally his interest in music led him to the drums, Plester started a band and his dad didn’t even mind the noise. In his last year at school in Grade 9, he started to play the guitar and in six months, while still in Junior High, he was excelling in his playing. Plester found that by playing guitar it was keeping him focused as he continued to pursue his hockey career.

While in the Juinor A, his coach, who was tough on the team and taught them discipline told Rick’s dad “I don’t like his style but he stops the puck” Plester remembers the coach as a role model, teaching them discipline, leadership, work ethics while putting the fear of god into the team. At night Plester would turn to his guitar to keep his sanity but admits he may not have learned these skills on his own. Plester kept on with hockey-guitar-school and practiced 8 – 10 hours a day during off season.

He joined a band and with his hockey hair didn’t quite fit in but went to ‘not so good, to the best” and won Guitar Wars Canada and also won L.A. Guitar Wars. While touring with bands, he would meet up with hockey buddies in almost every city and would keep in shape until training camp rolled around. Before Plester’s music career took off, he still played Pro Hockey in the IHL-ECL minor leagues as a goalie with games and gigs often overlapping until at 24 years of age with no free agents and a series of hockey injuries and a 3rd knee operation he finally called it quits and hung up the skates. This was a loss to the league but to his music fans it was a blessing.

Plester has also written music for ABC, NBC, ESPN, FOX, FOR SPORTS. and the NHL. He started his band International recording artists “Black Symphony” with Peter Holmes on Drums , Reverend Jones on bass( Fuel ,Michael Schenker) ,Robert Vasicek on Keys and Randal Reeman on Vocals after moving to L.A. in 1994. Plester was also the guitarist in WWIII and filled in briefly with friends Kottak.

Plester is also a producer and has been involved in 110 records to date, including The Scorpions; James Kottak, Michael Schenker, George Lynch, and many others major acts. Plester’s great chops and inspirational vision in songwriting helped him create his own style of rock music. Plester has been working on his debut instrumental record, along with two high budget videos. The release is scheduled in the fall of this year while also producing over 100 records.

Plester’s amazing guitar style caught the eye of Dean Guitars and he soon received an endorsement from the guitar company supporting hard rock playing.

For more on Rick Plester...

A genius he has been called, and after gracing the ears with this progressive work of art it's no secret why. This is an instrumental display of colossal proportions featuring Pete Holmes of former Geffen greats Black 'N Blue on drums and R.J. Killnger on bass. Rick Plester is from Toronto, and his talent oozes its brilliance all over this self titled debut solo outing.

His choice of musicians is outstanding, but he is clearly in charge of every last arrangement. Plester is a man of many talents and shows an array of them here as the writer/producer and arranger of this progfest of sheer menacing beauty.
Track by Track Review
Breezes Of Season

This is a nice way to open things, with some keyboard chords to set things up while Pete Holmes establishes a monster underlying groove.Plester's guitar playing is complex and full of various changes which immediately strike the listener as widely diverse. This is so well suited for its well descriptive title and keeps that vibe throughout.
Marching Into The Oblivion
A fat intro leads into a stuttering before the guitar and drums attack with a vicious bite. Plester gets a tad funky and one is clearly reminded of Joe Satriani but not before the originality sets in and some spiffy keyboard work is added. Lots of guitar/keyboard interplay spices things up and it's Plester's master display of virtuosity that allows him to take the track in any direction he wants whilst never losing sight of a thing.
Inner Sensation
Things go straight into a frenzy here with wild licks before a melodic display of interplay is placed in and out of the arrangement. Things slow down to a bluesy mid section that winds up a speed fest that would make anyone's head spin. “Complex” would be a mild way of putting this.
Soothing The Illusion
An almost deceiving intro lulls the listener before a bombastic blow of guitar work takes over and goes through more changes. It then shows down again, and this sort of back and forth is heard throughout this track. Big grooves and subtle melodies collide during the rocking roller coaster ride. Keyboard and drums play a big part in this cleverly arranged track. I detect meaning as they go through what sounds like a healing process after much pain is felt. This is quite an emotional number.
Entwined Within
Alright, now it gets way over the top on this track with Pete Holmes and R.J Killinger holding a gigantic groove together while Plester’s guitar does some of the craziest things I've ever heard. This carries an almost scary vibe. “Entwined Within” is one of the highlights of the disc for sure, and it is featured in the first of two high budget videos shot for this CD. There is simply no mistaking the level of talent at this point. Plester shows why he is revered by critics as a master instrumentalist.
The Quest
It only gets more complex here with Plester sounding as if he has one hand on the keyboard and two on the guitar. Pete Holmes lays down some thunder, as well, and the fun is maintained throughout this explosive track.
Angel Of Desire
Plester never loses a step to keep a tight thread going and this one continues to remind the ears of that. The concept is kept in tact and serves with much confidence and delight. A very descriptive title once again helps one keep the pieces together. This is simply a mind melter of a track with a soft and beautiful ending.
Battling The Beast
Yet another healing vibe is delivered here and one is taken on a soothing trip of intensity and wonder. This track would make any singer beg for a part, and I could easily imagine someone like James Hetfield of Metallica singing over this in the same way he does for them. Pete Holmes keeps the groove cracking once again here, and I feel that overall this CD easily features one of his best performances in the studio to date.
Burning In The Fire
Once again Plester makes great use of titling his tracks and one can easily imagine doing exactly that here, “Burning In The Fire.” With lightning quick guitar runs and solid fills this proves to be another highlight. Crazy meets subtlety half way here for one of the defining prog moments.
Broken
Searing intro guitar lines set up a spooky feeling that takes the disc out with a melancholy vibe that is just so easy on the ears that it begs for more. All that’s left to do once it's over is pop the CD back in and do it over again. A captivating hook helps make this yet another highlight.The whole thing is like one big attack on the senses, but don’t lose sight of its healing powers. A statement is made here and we're reminded how lucky we all are to be alive.