Coming off of the success of the band Mythologic and busy with the re-release of the Leger de Main material, Brett and Melissa Rodler have still found time to collaborate with one of the finest shred guitarists the area has to offer in Sonny Lombardozzi (www.doubleguitar.com). This project was designed to fuse Sonny's heavy metal shred approach to songwriting with Melissa's strong lyrical and melodic sense to form something very new and unique sounding. The band has written three songs so far and progress is being made to take them into the studio to demo the material. The rhythm section is anything but conventional. An ace bass player named Adam has a penchant for high register tapping and finger numbing patterns and Brett Rodler, who's involvement can only mean one thing,...complexity! However, the musicianship will never outshine the compositions and it is the goal of all involved to write compelling and emotional music first and foremost. While no time line has been set for the completion of this project, Sonny would like to get the band in the studio and out on the road ASAP so expect progress to be swift. More news coming soon.
Fuelled by the positive response to the debut CD, Standing in Stillness, Mythologic has entered the pre-production stages to a few new songs and the recording sessions are set to begin soon for the initial batch of material. The first two tracks intended for the sophomore effort were written by guitarist Steve Matusik and feature a more adventureous harmonic vocabulary while keeping the arrangements fairly concise. The plan, as much as you can have one, is to explore the more melodic elements present in Steve's writing style as well as continue to spotlight Melissa Rodler's tremendous vocal talents,...essentially really bring to the forefront those elements of Mythologic most prog fans seemed to enjoy most. By the sounds of the first two tracks everything is going as planned. Future updates as writing progreses.
While Mythologic won't be performing at this year's Prog Power fest in Atlanta, each and every attendee will be able to take the band with them when they leave! Prog Power offers a wealth of opportunities for bands and fans to connect. First there is the official event program which is included in the price of a ticket. But there's nothing like giving prog fans the chance to check out a song from your band's latest CD right? Well, the organizers at Prog Power IV know this and they produce a sampler CD exclusively for each fest. It is open to all bands wishing to reach a prog-metal audience and Mythologic sure fits that bill. Their song "Battled Beliefs" will be included and hopefully the sold out show will help introduce more fans to Mythologic's unique sound. If you are looking to pick up a copy of the full length CD by Mythologic, Standing in Stillness at the fest, most of the vendors should have a copy on hand for you. Many thanks to the folks at Metal Ages Media for the opportunity!
Most bands are usually not too eager to head back into the studio only months after an album release but Chris and Brett Rodler are so charged up about the debut CD that their enthusiasm is fueling intense and exciting writing sessions for the follow-up to "Standing in Stillness". Three songs have already been started and are being demoed. Brett is getting more involved in the production of the sessions and has requested that the new material be heavier, faster and more complex than that found on the first CD. So far his wished have been granted! At least by Chris. Not one to be left out, Steve Matusik has also begun to write and has several song ideas in varios stages of completion. With all the inspiration flowing in the Myth camp these days, perhaps a new CD in 2004 is not out of the question. Check back here often for updates and studio notes from Mythologic.
Look for an in-depth Q&A to be published in the coming months at ytsejam.com. Mythologic guitarist / bassist Chris Rodler sat down with ytsejam.com writer Jedd Bedouin to offer candid answers to some really thoughtful questions. Find out if Pennsylvania is becoming a prog-rock hotbed. Do female fronted prog-rock bands have an advantage? Is Mythologic a one-take live band in the studio? And, are Chris and Brett Rodler really the same person? Log onto ytsejam.com soon for all the answers and more.
Also in the works is an interview with the Dutch prog-rock publication IO Pages. This magazine has published 46 issues in it's 7th year reporting on the prog-rock scene. Having the opportunity to appear in the pages of this leading 'zine is quite an honor and Chris looks forward to answering all the questions Wilco Barg can come up with. This interview will focus more on the PMM label and will likely include info on all aspects and releases on PMM.
PMM wants to thank Jedd and John at ytsejam.com and Wilco and the staff at IO Pages for the opportunity to be included in their excellent 'zines.
Mythologic has been busy promoting their debut CD to 'zines and distributors but now radio airplay is starting to pick up as well. First in line is a local show that airs on WRKT 100.9 FM called Homegrown 101. Always a sucker for a female fronted band, host Sammy Stone has aired "Truth Undiscovered" a few times since the disc's release in June.
Next, Shawn at Seismic Radio based in Florida has added a few cuts to his recent shows as well. Check back soon for details on a future live chat with Mythologic and Shawn at Seismic Radio.
Mythologic, who are set to release their first CD in Fall of 2003, are putting the finishing touches on the tracking for the debut CD. Mythologic play a complex form of progressive hard rock and combines the members of Leger de Main with Steve Matusik, the guitarist / songwriter of Andeavor. As you'd expect, elements of both bands are prominent but the soaring, melodic vocals of Melissa Rodler are of special note here. It has been more than five years since Melissa has written lyrics or vocal lines for a project so it is a very welcome return. Her style remains true to her original vision but with a more mature and refined sound. Her contributions are certainly a highlight and it is good to hear her in action again.
Mixing is set to begin this summer and the tentative release is for fall of 2003.