Affector is a progressive rock/metal band founded by German guitar player Daniel Fries and Dutch drummer Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse/Dilemma/Kayak). Bass player Mike LePond (Symphony X) and vocalist Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard/Enchant/Thought Chamber) – both from the States joined them when they started working on the debute CD Harmagedon. On this CD they are joined by four special guests on keyboards: Alex Argento, Neal Morse (Transatlantic/Flying Colors), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Derek Sherinian (PlanetX/Black Country communion). Also featured on the album is the Polish orchestra Sinfonietta Consonus.
“Harmagedon” was mixed and mastered at The Mouse House in Los Angeles by Rich Mouser (Spock’s Beard/Transatlantic/Neal Morse), and has been released via InsideOutMusic on May 21st, 2012 in Europe and May 22nd, 2012 in North America.
This concept album fuses a dark, apocalyptic scenery with themes of hope and light and features heavy riffs and lightning fast solos, but also has softer and more fragile moments, where the soulful singing of Ted Leonard opens a wide spectrum of vocal harmonies. Citing broad musical influences and diverse inspirations between prog and classic as well as modern rock acts, AFFECTOR is like an open marriage between progressive rock/metal and orchestral minimalism, destined to appeal to everyone into bands ranging from Dream Theater, A.C.T., Symphony X, Darkwater to Queen or Rush.
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www.insideoutmusic.com