I get more of a Yes vibe this time, too. Not a bad thing.

I've been listening to "The Weirding" since yesterday for the first time. I guess what I dig so far, is that they are aping mid 70s Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd...so deliberately it borders on plagiarism at times. That's ok with me, cause I have such a strong affection for especially that era of Yes and Genesis. However...from what I've heard so far, they're really not offering anything from themselves. Little edge or their own sound. And will there ever be strong vocalists like Peter Gabriel or Jon Anderson ever again? There is just so much mediocre to average singers, including hear. Ok range, but little or no uniqueness. I'm going to keep listening, mostly cause of the keyboards.

AOL is streaming the entire album.

http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/spinner#/11

Too much Yes and Genesis.

Not enough Pink Floyd.

I'm kind of thinking the new one has a bit more of a "bite" to it. A more metal sound than what you got from YES or Genesis.

I agree that they're largely "aping" (I prefer homage) those 70's bands of lore, but I'm completely alright with it, as prog is one of my favorite musical genres. All of those original 70's guys are still alive, but they won't be for much longer; at least if you want to see any sort of original incarnation. YES has even replaced Jon Anderson at this point because he apparently can't deliver it live consistently anymore. So I'm glad there are bands coming up that are playing authentic (imo) prog. Besides seeing Astra, who are probably pretty hungry and serious, play in a club will cost like 1/10th of seeing YES or Roger Waters largely go through the motions in a theater/arena.

Astra and the last 2 Hypnos 69 albums have reaffirmed my faith that prog is alive and well.

Listening to EYE's Center of the Sun right now, too. Awesome.

Sounds like I need to check these guys out.

The Eclectic Measure (2007) and Legacy (2010) are fantastic. Elektrohasch, so you know it's stellar.

I have no problem with that. 70's prog rock has never developed fully because most of it was destroyed in the 80's. A lot of those bands remained very underrated up until now when there are more and more bands continuing where those guys left off. Prog rock is a music of superior quality and it got undeservedly forgotten. Give these new bands time and I bet they will evolve and get better and better with each album. If you ask me "The Weirding" also has a bit of Black Sabbath vibe to it which it makes very interesting...a sabbath/floyd/genesis mixture...while the new one is more of a king crimson/yes combination...at least to my ears. :)

Been listening to this one a ton....good stuff and I think I prefer this new one as a whole more than The Weirding, though its still too early to know.

The last Hypno 69 album was my intro to them and a total grower. Downloaded it, almost deleted it, and now glad I didn't as I still listen to it a lot. Just listened to it yesterday as a matter of fact. Still need to listen to that prior album.

This is definitely an evolution from "The Weirding".
There's enough common ground to make it comfortable and enough new stuff to really make me want dig a little deeper.
I'm really starting to fall in love with this album.
As with the first one the Arik Roper artwork is awesome.
It's also nice to put faces and names with the musicians.
Really nice total package.
The "Yes" comparison is not entirely off the mark.

Getting it soon :)

I basically ignored Astra initially, based on the little pieces of songs I heard. Not too into keyboards, seemed to mellow for my tastes. Thanks to whoever brought the new album up. I listened to some better clips and it's great.
I went to the local store owned by the Earthless guys and bought the Weirding the other night. When I went in a band was setting up to play in the store and a dj was playing records. As I grabbed the Weirding the keyboard dude from the band got really excited and asked if he could take a picture of the dj (who was also the store employee) ringing it up. He told me they were good friends of his and the drummer was here. Then he went outside to tell the drummer someone was buying his album. So anyway, long stupid story, but I bought it and totally dig it. I also bought the new one Black Chord but wanted to listen to the first one first. Glad I did. Cool shit for sure. Thanks again for the recommend.

surprised no one mentioned kc until now. sounds like some serious worship at the red altar going on with the usual suspects.

+1

I'm generally quite unimpressed by "new" progressive bands... And Astra just blew my mind. Not because of originality, to be honest, but because they do perfectly what they do. We need more "revivalist" progressive bands like this, IMO.

This is out on vinyl now. North American folks that need a copy and want to save some cash can pre-order one from my shop. They'll officially be in stock next week and I'll be shipping them the day they arrive.

Astra is playing with Ancestors at Bar Pink in San Diego, May 26th.
http://www.facebook.com/events/421515861196980/

The splatter vinyl edition of this looks/plays great.

Holy shit, a band I actually care about. And just in time for summer. *be's excited*

Not much of a PROG guy (something tells me it would have helped to have older siblings) but between the EYE record and these guys I see that I'm really going to have to start investigating 70's progessive music.

This slays. Might like it better than The Weirding. Astra rules, your favorite band drools, etc.

Yeah, it kicks ass. Been awhile since I've spun it though. I need to remedy that soon. I wish they would tour the west coast at least, being San Diego guys.

doubt I'll make this, but thought I'd still post it.

That's a little late notice to be commuting from Portland, Oregon to.

JK. I saw that earlier this week. It is a pisser that those guys and Fatso Jetson don't really announce their gigs until like a week before they actually happen.