Advent News

Latest News

Advent is extremely proud to welcome Troy Chappell, our fantastic new bass player, to the Advent family!
New album update: The group is actively working to finish three new major works at this point. Other material has also been written, however we don't want to divulge too many specifics ahead of time. If all goes well, we hope to have the new CD finished in 2011.

Please extend a warm welcome to Joe D'Andrea, our old friend and fabulous new drummer (who also doubles on voilin and sings beautifully)!

Ben and Drew decide to leave the band in the early part of the year, both on the very best of terms. (We wish them all the best of luck with future pursuits.)

After finishing the band's first series concerts with a very well-received set at the inaugural MARPROG festival in Connecticut, Advent decides to take time off from live performance in order to concentrate on developing new material for the group's third CD.

Advent continues working on several new pieces for the band's upcoming third album, while also concentrating on expanding/refining its live repertoire.
The group begins actively searching out a few choice venues in the northeastern USA for a new round of performances later in the year, as well as a small number of festival opportunities for 2009. Please stay tuned for further details.

The group finishes recording an all-original piece for the Colossus/Musea Inferno project. Please keep an eye/ear out for "Canto XXVI (The Evil Counselors)" when the four-CD package is released later in the year.
Advent begins to focus on composing new material for the band's next CD.

Jill Hughes publishes a very nice interview with the group on her USA Progressive Music website.

Joined by long-time friend (and one of Alan's favorite Stick players) Steve Hahn, Advent's second New Jersey Proghouse gig turns out to be another very special occasion. Thanks to "Vinnie the Video Guy" Mineo, a nice YouTube clip is available. Steven Sinski also took some beautiful photos, which he kindly published here.

Advent enjoys a tremendously successful live debut at the New Jersey Proghouse on the 19th (sharing the bill with our friends in Pinnacle). The band's deepest gratitude is extended to Jim Robinson, Ray Loboda, and the entire Proghouse "Staph" for making it such a special evening! A copy of the first published review has been added here. (Thanks so much, Bony!) Additionally, Jill Hughes from USA Progressive Music published a review of the entire concert here.
Jill has also selected Advent for June's "Band Spotlight" feature on her wonderful site. (Thanks very much for all the support, Jill!)

Barry Cleveland publishes a very positive review of Cantus Firmus in the March (2007) issue of Guitar Player magazine—on page 66, in the "Rants & Raves" section. (Thanks a lot, Barry!)
Koldo Barroso from Intuitive Music posts a very nice interview with Advent, focusing on the group's influences and recommendations. Although currently displayed on the main page, the permanent link for the feature is http://www.intuitivemusic.com/advent-hints-recommends. Koldo hosts one of the most interesting music-related sites on the Internet, so please be sure to browse through the "Music Chronicles" archives while you're there. (Much appreciated, Koldo!)

Advent would like extend a very warm welcome to our newest member, bassist Benjamin Rose!

Advent proudly welcomes new guitarist Greg Katona into the fold! A very accomplished and versatile player (as well as instructor), Greg performs regularly with his top-notch Genesis-tribute band, Foxtrot. Seeing Greg perform even the most difficult Steve Hackett work with accuracy and ease is a genuine pleasure—and we look very forward to integrating his beautiful guitar work into Advent's repertoire.
Please visit Advent's MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/adventmusicnet. Along with additional music samples (including the complete pair of opening tracks from Cantus Firmus), there are links to over 170 friends—many of whom produce their own fantastic progressive music as well.

The "Reviews" page has been updated to include initial Cantus Firmus reviews/feedback.

Recording and mixing of Cantus Firmus, Advent's forthcoming second album, is now fully complete. Grammy-Award winning engineer Bob Katz has already mastered the album and everything is really sounding spectacular. In addition, accomplished artist/illustrator (and fellow progressive-music aficionado) Michael Phipps has submitted breathtaking cover art and the entire package is now off for printing/replication. Assuming all goes well, the album is still set for official release by the end of February.

The official Advent webiste has been launched at http://www.adventmusic.net/. In addition to providing updated information across the board, a dedicated "MP3 Samples" page was added, featuring five clips from the band's upcoming (second) CD, Cantus Firmus.

Good friend and incredible bassist Shunji Saegusa, probably best known in the progressive-rock community for his stellar live and studio work with KENSO, very kindly donated his talents in the form of recording bass on the 18-minute "Ramblin' Sailor"—a piece that will form the musical centerpiece of band's upcoming Cantus Firmus album. The group was floored by Shunji's exceptional performance and is very pleased to have it featured, and playing an integral role, on what is undoubtedly the most ambitious composition in Advent's 16-year history.

Shunji Saegusa with the band
Shunji · Alan · Henry · Mark

The Best of the Whalers (two-CD Procol Harum tribute package) is released, featuring Advent's interpretation of "Robert's Box"—along with Advent original "Alison Waits" (from the debut Advent CD).
Advent's debut CD sells out.

The band records a new version of Henry's "Segue #4" for ESPN Classic, who features the song in the "teaser" at the beginning of a Flyers vs. Capitals game from 1988.