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| Feature: Panic Room | ||||
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With the eclectic box of delights of debut album, Visionary Position, released in 2008, Panic Room quickly built a reputation as a powerful and subtle group of performers. With their roots in proto-celtic prog band, Karnataka (4 of the band were members of the original award-winning line-up), Panic Room is a very different beast with a much harder edge and a spontaneous and improvisational quality that makes their live performances such compelling events. Strong, melodic songwriting wedded to a desire to reinvent the music in the live arena saw them pick up the award for 'Best New Band' at the CRS Awards in January 2009, presented by ex-Genesis guitarist, Steve Hackett. Their blend of folk, electronic, pop, jazz and progressive influences in a rock band setting has enthralled audiences and their restless desire to move forward, explore new musical territory and above all write great songs has proved a refreshing change in a largely nostalgia driven musical scene.
Panic Room
owe their success and sound in no small measure to the sheer magnetism
of singer, Anne-Marie Helder's voice. Her amazing range and sensitivity
are spell-binding, from the breathy floating vocal of songs like 'Moon
on the Water' and 'Sunshine' to the Plant meets Morissette powerhouse of
Panic Room's funky electronic rock take on Led Zeppelin's 'No Quarter'
which has been a highlight of their live shows. She is that rare
creature ... a truly individual singer. 'Elektra City' from the band's first album was the opening track on the covermount CD free with the 1st issue of the new national magazine, 'Classic Rock presents Prog' in April 2009 which also featured a great review of the band's 1st London gig.
A profile of
the band appeared in Issue 2 and since then Panic Room have been
regularly featured in the magazine, with a three page interview
appearing in the March issue and the title track 'Satellite' appearing
on the covermount CD free with the May issue. From the prog-metal of 'Dark Star' to the blissed-out summery shimmer of the Zero 7/Bacharach inflected 'Sunshine', the new album sees the band showing no sign of reining in their eclectic approach to song-writing and playing. A much rockier album than 'Visionary Position', the band's enjoyment and enthusiasm for playing are evident on album opener 'Freedom to Breathe' and continue to shine throughout. Title track 'Satellite' is one of the best things they've yet written - a slow-burning cosmic ride that takes almost as long as Stairway to Heaven does to reach it's 1st chorus, but with a payoff this gorgeous, it's worth the wait. While the standard edition of the album is available from Amazon and all good retailers a special extended edition is available from the band's website and at gigs.
The special
edition features an extended art lyric booklet and a bonus EP entitled
'Little Satellite' with 4 additional tracks recorded at the 'Satellite'
sessions, including funky live favourite 'Sandstorms'. ...the ever impressive Anne-Marie Helder' commands the stage an absolute star... Jerry Ewing, Prog a wide ranging sense of expression and some really luscious tunes... Rock N Reel an essential purchase Classic Rock
September 2010 Tour Dates
9th (Thurs)
- O2 ABC 2, Glasgow - 0844 477 2000
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