July 15th, 2010 : Beyond The Labyrinth releases video clip for "Oceans Apart" single
Synopsis : Boy Meets Girl - But how deep is the water ?
.. for a special song, Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) dreamed up a special approach...
When trying to visualise "Oceans Apart", a powerfull classic rock ballad, it quickly became obvious that the storyline was right there, in the lyrics of the song.
Working out the storyboard for the video clip, it started to lead a life on its own..
So, instead of preparing to put it on video, the storyboard was laid out in a comic book format.
The A-Ha experience ?
.. and that's where people say "Aha, like in the A-Ha video clip" ? .. The answer being "No, not really, actually more like in the Prince - Sign O' The Times" video" - but please read on ...
Most images used in the comic book are based on pictures by (BTL singer) Jo De Boeck, an accomplished photographer. After the layout of the book was ready, 2 things happened :
- The comic book was sent of to the printer to be printed in 2 copies (1 original, 1 backup copy) to be used in a live action shot.
- The images, text bubbles etc were exported to seperate files for the compositing in Final Cut.
The action (person reading comic book) happens in real time underneath the text bubbles, it was artifically aged with a special "old movie" filter to give an effect of timelessness, as timeless as the song's subject and the music. On top of that, straight from the computer's hard disk, came the seperate comic strips, treated with a soft focus filter for that "dreamy" effect.
The result is a great looking, original video clip with appeal to a large audience.
**
The clip can be found on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbhYJWQ2ANE or on the band's facebook site.
(Local music TV station) TMF already accepted its submission the same day it was put on Youtube - more TV stations to follow !
June 30th, 2010 - Beyond The Labyrinth announce new drum player Michel Lodder
Beyond The Labyrinth would like to welcome Michel Lodder (o.a. Helluray) as the new team member on drums.
Michel started playing drums and percussion at a very young age and at age 17 studied at Drum school Cleuver (headed by Focus drum player Hans Cleuver).
Later learned some more double bass drum skills from master drummer Ernst Van Ee (Helloise, Ayreon). He has a very versatile approach, from straightforward to proggy jazz rock and is nowadays also active as a drum teacher.
His influences are quite diverse, but when he stated (a.o.) Greg Bisonette and Mike Portnoy, we knew that we were in for a treat.
We would like to wish his predecessor, John Van Tongelen, lots of success in his further career as a musician. Even with John having given his notice beginning of the year, he still took up his duties and responsibilities, playing all gigs until someone new was found, recording the takes for the "Oceans Apart/Where Kindred Spirits Meet" single.
You can hear Michel perform with Helluray on his myspace site : www.myspace.com/michellodder
John Van Tongelen (r) handing over the drum sticks to Michel Lodder (l) after Beyond The Labyrinth's gig at the Krasjelrock Festival.
May 12th 2010 - Classic Melodic Rock Band Beyond The Labyrinth releases 3rd single "Oceans Apart" for upcoming album "Chapter III-Stories" !
Beyond The Labyrinth ("BTL", Classic Melodic Rock, BE) has always been a band out of the ordinary. For their upcoming 3rd album "Chapter III - Stories", the band decided to approach it from a "Work In Progress" point of view, releasing new songs single by single through iTunes and as limited editions hard copies, only finalising it the album after all the singles have been released.
In this "Work In Progress" approach, BTL now releases a 3rd single "Ocean Apart", a powerful ballad written by singer Jo De Boeck and guitar player Geert Fieuw. The second song on the single, "Where Kindred Spirits Meet" is a mid tempo Hard Rock anthem.
Previously released singles under this approach are "Saturation Point/Hypersensitive" (September 2009) and "Hidden Agenda/Stories Waiting To Be Told" (December 2009)
*
January 23rd 2010 - Sleeve for Chapter III - Stories is revealed
December 20th 2009 - Hidden Agenda single now available through iTunes !
Click here to access to Beyond The Labyrinth’s iTunes store
December 6th 2009 - Hidden Agenda single and video clip now available as download and limited edition gatefold single from Beyond The Labyrinth store !
Hidden Agenda, the new Beyond The Labyrinth single, can now be bought and ordered through our secure store. The single contains 2 songs "Hidden Agenda" and "Stories Waiting To Be Told"
The spectacular video clip to "Hidden Agenda" can be viewed on Youtube
October 12th 2009 - Beyond The Labyrinth announces 2nd single "Hidden Agenda" for next album "Chapter III-Stories"
On December 1st, Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) will release their new single "Hidden Agenda".
This will be the 2nd single to their 3rd album "Chapter III-Stories". As a B-side, the band has chosen "Stories Waiting To Be Told".
The single will be available as a download only, from the BTL store on the official BTL web site (1) and also through the established download services like iTunes. The version on the official website will include downloadable artwork and lyrics. The band will officially present this new single on the November 28th gig at Rock Café De Rebel - Lier.
As with the previous and scheduled singles for "Chapter III - Stories", this single will also be available in a limited edition gatefold hardcopy version.
**
When meeting in real life with someone you collaborate with, one often faces the question "what's the catch ?" Unclear, even opaque motives can raise a doubt about our co-player's sincerity, on what is really driving him or her. And that's when we sometimes want to speak our mind out loud....
Fans has been asking about the whereabouts of "Hidden Agenda", title song of the unreleased 2007 EP.
The fate of the song had been unclear ever since Geert, unhappy with the way things were going, disbanded the 2007 BTL line up and decided to shelve all recordings. The scheduled "Hidden Agenda" EP didn't contain much new material - "Hidden Agenda" was the only new song, and even then, Geert wasn't too happy with the way it had been worked out and how the original chorus had been modified - too much compromises.
The song itself was played live once more at the "Castles in the Sand" presentation, soliciting new questions about its release. At that time, Beyond The Labyrinth promised to include it for the 3rd album. Working on the song revealed that the 2007 takes can only be seen as a blueprint version, a demo.
For this new recording, the lyrics, keyboard arrangement and overall song approach have been reworked (except for the Spice Girls joke that we found too cool and left in) ... Any resemblance to real persons is, off course, purely coincidental ;o))
**
Everybody's got a story to tell - or to hide, sometimes ..
Stories about love lost, about trying to build up a new life, carrying along an unescapable past, about making the same mistake over and over again ... or beyond...
Sometimes, the story is obvious, sometimes it is deeply buried inside the person carrying it along, only to be revealed in small segments and ad libitum, in the wee hours when we lose our harness and show our frailness ...
Sometimes, you don't even have to dig, other times digging is useless, but you know ... somehow, there's a story waiting to be told ...
everybody's got a story to tell - what is yours ?
**
"Chapter III - Stories" - A Work In Progress
For the 3rd Beyond The Labyrinth album, "Chapter III - Stories", BTL have chosen a whole different approach.
Beyond The Labyrinth have decided to treat "Chapter III" as a Work In Progress - releasing the music onto the internet as the songs are finished, only regrouping the tracks onto a CD once there is enough material.
We believe that this approach will encourage the true followers and supporters of the band to help BTL survive the current difficult times where the music industry is suffering. Where others fail or give up, Beyond The Labyrinth is determined to continue delivering quality melodic rock with a rough edge.
links :
(1) http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com
(2) http://www.facebook.com/Beyond.The.Labyrinth
(3) http://www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth
September 21st, 2009 - Thank You !
OMG ! What a ride it has been lately ...
Beyond The Labyrinth released the "Saturation Point" single through our store on September 1st ... and then .. suddenly .. it all took off !
First came the gig supporting the mighty, the legendary Uriah Heep in Trix (Hof Ter Loo/Antwerp) on September 5th. It came as a surprise, we were only asked days prior to the gig but John survived his baptism in fire ... and we convinced hundreds of heepsters !!!
After the "Castles in the Sand" release, some reviewers dared to ask "Who is still waiting for this kind of music ?".
The Answer : Hundreds of Thousands of Classic Rock Lovers all over the World !
Some great reviews have already been published, a.o. in Mindview Online nbr 164 and Rock Tribune.
A great report behind the scenes can be found here
"Saturation Point" became available through iTunes on september 11th
The next weekend was a real rock'n'roll one :
On Saturday September 12th, BTL played on the Heales Festival (Life Aid Against Aging) in Ninove
(fan video by Nick on Youtube)
and on Sunday September 13th at the famous Raismesfest in France
(review on Music In Belgium Site, en français)
(Pictures and review, en français)
On September 18th, we presented the Saturation Point video clip at the Miss Metal 2010 Election.
It was released on Youtube on September 21st
**
"Saturation Point" is now available through :
The Beyond The Labyrinth store as a download
The Beyond The Labyrinth store as a limited edition gatefold sleeve
iTunes as a download
See the video
***
August 30th, 2009 - Beyond The Labyrinth announce limited editions of upcoming singles for new album "Chapter III-stories"
Beyond The Labyrinth announce limited edition hard copy series of upcoming singles for "Chapter III-Stories"
Each (very limited) edition
- Manufactured gatefold numbered sleeve
- 4 page booklet
- Certificate of Authenticity
- printed cdr with music, in a paper sleeve inside the gatefold sleeve
The promo copies sent out to radios and media will have no Certificate of Authenticity and no numbering but will have the same packaging. They will be labeled "promo"
Beyond The Labyrinth plans to release 5 singles prior to the release of the new "Chapter III - Stories" album. The limited edition gatefold editions of the singles are sure to become collector's items, while at the same time providing the band with funding for promotional and working budget for the recordings and pressing of the CD.
*Collect them all and receive "Chapter III-Stories" for only 5 Euro ! *
Beyond The Labyrinth will offer fans collecting all 5 limited edition singles a sensational rebate when the new album comes out : these fans will receive : their name in the cd booklet, and the possibility to order the complete album for only 5 Euro !
To be eligible for the "Album for 5 Euro" action, you need to :
- purchase a limited gatefold edition of each single (price per single will be 5 Euro each) through the Beyond The Labyrinth store or through the Beyond The Labyrinth merchandising stand at concerts
- and , if not all bought through the Beyond The Labyrinth store, provide us with proof of ownership of all 5 (numbered, not promo copies) singles at the moment of ordering the full cd at 5 Euro. Method of proof will be communicated at moment of ordering.
Beyond The Labyrinth will provide you with a time slot to order the album before it goes to the CD plant, to make sure your name gets in the booklet as a BTL superfan owning all 5 limited editions of the singles !
Reserve your copies of these future collectibles via mail : chapteriii (at) beyond-the-labyrinth.com !
***
"Chapter III-Stories" from Beyond The Labyrinth is built upon a new "Work In Progress" concept, where the band releases its music as it gets recorded, and only releases it onto a cd when finished.
***
The single "Saturation Point" will become available
both as
- a download (both songs + PDF 4 page booklet) (September 1st) : 2,5 Euro
and
- as a limited edition (numbered gatefold sleeve, certificate of of authenticity, printed 4-page booklet and audio on printed CDR) (September 8th) : 5 Euro
from the Beyond The Labyrinth secure store on Beyond The Labyrinth's official site : http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com.
The songs will also be available separately through iTunes and other selected online stores
www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com
www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth
www.facebook.com/beyond.the.labyrinth
August 23rd : New Beyond The Labyrinth Organizer's Toolkit
Together with the release of the new single "Saturation Point", Beyond The Labyrinth will update the organizer's toolkit for the band to reflect the changes the band has undergone since the previous one came out end of October 2008
The Beyond The Labyrinth organizers' toolkit first saw the light of day in 2005, together with the release of "Signs", and featured a CD with music, technical rider, bio, artwork (logo's, sleeves, print-your-own-concert-posters etc ) and background info. It received lots of compliments from organizers saying that it was a good idea to regroup all necessary information in one spot.
One might ask himself why a band would continue to spend (lots of) money on promotional stuff to give away while there are so many sources that you can consult for listening to the music, watching the videos and obtaining information, like our official web site http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com and our myspace site http://www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth.
However, sometimes one needs portability and something tangible.
That is why Beyond The Labyrinth will continue to deliver the music of the toolkit, the video clips, the artwork and technical rider on tangible media : cd + dvd + printed matter + additional download links.
To obtain a Beyond The Labyrinth organizer's toolkit, please contact the band through their official mail address : bookings@beyond-the-labyrinth.com.
Conditions :
- real opportunity for Beyond The Labyrinth to play a worthwhile concert
- contact person is the Decision Maker or Key Influencer for an event, venue, festival
*******
And what if you're not an organizer but a fan that wants to grab a copy of this exclusive package ? Easy ...
If you want to get hold of an exclusive Organizer's toolkit, you can win one : put the band in contact with someone you know that is an organizer of an event (this person has to be the decision taker or key influencer) and that they don't know yet ... .
If BTL lands the gig you'll receive a personalized version of our Organizer's toolkit as well !
The toolkit will be assembled during the month of September and Beyond The Labyrinth will start sending out copies as of October 2009.
August 3rd 2009 - Beyond The Labyrinth announce first single to 3rd album
On september 1st, Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) will release their new single "Saturation Point". This will be the first single to their 3rd album "Chapter III-Stories". As a B-side, the band has chosen "Hypersensitive".
The single will be available as a download only, from the BTL store on (1) the official BTL web site (1) and also through the established download services like iTunes. The version on the official website will include downloadable artwork and lyrics. The band will officially present this new single on september 12th (2) (Life Aid Against Aging Festival, Ninove) and on september 13th 2009 (3) (Raismes Fest 2009)
*
"Saturation Point" - The Facebook story
Like most people nowadays, Beyond The Labyrinth and guitar player Geert Fieuw are on Facebook nowadays - finding back old friends and acquaintances. This way, Geert reconnected with Fabienne De Lel, who used to be the singer in a band called "Saturation Point' together with Geert 2 decades ago. She asked Geert if he could find back the old demo recordings they did and burn them onto CDR because she had lost the tape.
When transferring the DAT tape into the computer prior to burning it, Beyond The Labyrinth singer Jo De Boeck heard the song "Saturation Point" and said "I want to record that one". (Former BTL drum player) Bruno Goedhuys also listened to the song and concurred, pursuing Geert to start working on a new arrangement to fit Beyond The Labyrinth's sound and approach. Saturation Point - the band was built around the Roxette concept and sound very much like "half-of-Abba-try-to-go-hard rock"....
(BTL Bass Player) Gerry Verstreken worked out the rest of the arrangement, heading it into a total different direction from the original one...
"Saturation Point" will be the first release featuring Beyond The Labyrinth's new drum player John Van Tongelen. All keyboards have been played by Geert Fieuw.
*
"Hypersensitive" - The "chat" story
"Hypersensitive" originates from a chat session Geert had with a colleague. The discussion went about the new age view to hypersensitivity, indigo parents and how the crystal children from these indigo parents are often considered the new "Lamb Of God". Add to that the association of a greedy, decaying civilization and the song lyrics were born. As an absolute contrast to the lyrical subject, the song itself is dark, heavy and aggressive. The use of electro influences and the word "spite" in the lyrics are a direct wink to fellow band (4) "Doncker" (featuring former BTL drum player Bruno Goedhuys)
"Hypersensitive" features a guest participation by award winning keyboard player Lisa LaRue. Beyond The Labyrinth have already worked together with Lisa for her upcoming 2K9 album, (a.o.) recording a new version of Beyond The Labyrinth's "For Eternity"
*
"Chapter III - Stories" - A Work In Progress
For the 3rd Beyond The Labyrinth album, "Chapter III - Stories", BTL have chosen a whole different approach.
Beyond The Labyrinth have decided to treat "Chapter III" as a Work In Progress - releasing the music onto the internet as the songs are finished, only regrouping the tracks onto a CD once there is enough material.
Beyond The Labyrinth has always been a mix of studio project/live band but, like most regular bands, would follow a classic cycle of songwriting-demoing-recording-rehearsing-releasing-playing concerts and promoting the album.
This work cycle forces any band to operate in time blocks, create a lot of anticipation on how the new album is going to sound like and squeeze all promotional efforts into a limited time frame, creating periods where the band would not be able to perform and promote at all.
With the big jukebox iTunes and the whole internet have become, bands are being judged on single songs, on favorites --call it instant gratification-, as opposed to on entire albums.
"Castles in the Sand", the band's 2nd album was a concept album meant to be listened to at once, while the songs would hold up by themselves as well. "Chapter III - Stories" will be more like a a book with short stories that can be read by themselves, over and over again.
This concept is not new, neither unique : Fellow musician Lisa LaRue uses the same approach for the new 2K9 album that will be released by Christmas 2009.
We believe that this approach will encourage the true followers and supporters of the band to help BTL survive the current difficult times where the music industry is suffering. Where others fail or give up, Beyond The Labyrinth is determined to continue delivering quality melodic rock with a rough edge.
link :
(1) www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com
(2) http://heales.org/english/
(3) http://www.raismesfest.fr/
(5) http://www.myspace.com/lisalarueproject2k9
www.facebook.com/Beyond.The.Labyrinth
www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth
July 30th - A Great Event for Jo and Heather
Beyond The Labyrinth is happy to announce the wedding, on July 30th, of (BTL singer) Jo De Boeck and his princess Heather Lynn Burke - you may know her under her myspace name of "Chicago Habit" . Heather had already come over from the U.S. to Belgium in the month of December last year, but this time, she's staying for good ! Please join us to congratulate them and wish them a great, life-lasting marriage with lots of happiness and good times (and music too) !!
July 7th 2009 - "Goodbye Bru, Hello John"
Due to the release of their first and long-awaited album Bruno Goedhuys has taken the decision to focus on his main band Doncker only and to step back from his activities with Beyond The Labyrinth.
His place behind the drum kit will be taken by John "Drumazoid" Van Tongelen, who also plays for Belgian metal band Epycenter as well as for rock band Bassman.
We wish Bruno & our brothers from Doncker, aka 'Team Green', all the best with their upcoming album, a lot of fun on the road and to Bru :
thanks a lot for everything M8 - you ROCK !!!! (Gonna miss that 32" kick too ...)
Currently Beyond The Labyrinth is working hard in the rehearsal room to prepare a kick ass live show, and we can assure you John knows how to hit the skins and kick that bass drum ;o)
Visit out our myspace and web site regularly for some more exciting news - SOON !!!
Please give John a very warm welcome at Life Aid Against Aging Festival in Ninove, Raismes Fest & at the Mindview Metal Convention in Beveren !!!!!!
We can't wait to rock the stage big time !!!!!
To keep up with tradition, John is also endorsed by Amedia Cymbals and Balbex Sticks.
Gerry and Geert are now also endorsed by Rotosound strings.
Thanks for all the support and see you soon on the road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beyond The Labyrinth
(all web sites will be updated in the coming days to reflect these changes)
links :
Official Beyond The Labyrinth site : http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com
Beyond The Labyrinth on myspace : http://www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth
Beyond The Labyrinth on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-The-Labyrinth/98368840712
John Van Tongelen on myspace : http:/www.myspace.com/drumazoid
Doncker on myspace : http://www.myspace.com/doncker
Balbex Sticks, Amedia Cymbals : http://www.patsticks.nl
Rotosound Strings : http://www.rotosound.nl
June 21st 2009
Well, we've started to work on some new recordings and demos - just wanted you to know ..
May 23rd 2009
Beyond The Labyrinth and (keyboard player) Danny Focke have agreed to stop their collaboration, effective immediately.
This will not affect any of the confirmed concerts, and Beyond The Labyrinth continue to book new concerts, and release more great music : we are already working on new songs for our next album .
We wish Danny all the best in his future bands or projects and thank him for all the Beyond The Labyrinth years and his dedication
and commitment !!!!
Hope to see you all go crazy with us in on the June 12 and 13 gigs in Opwijk & Diest !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 15th 2009
"If you ever wondered how Beyond The Labyrinth's music would sound like if someone else played and re-arranged a Beyond The Labyrinth song ...here is the answer ...
On the "Castles in the Sand" album, the keyboard parts for this song were played by me, but the end result of these new recordings are really stunning - what a gifted, visionary keyboard player, with help from some truly brilliant world class musicians can come up is beyond my wildest dreams.
Jo and me wrote "For Eternity" together back in 2004, it was featured on the demo 2004-2005, on the "Castles in the Sand" album (the acoustic version) and (in the electric version) as a B-side to the "Pure Sabotage" single ... but when I heard this, my jaw dropped : what a fantastic version ! Hats off to Lisa and Team-2K9 !!!"
-
-Geert Fieuw, Beyond The Labyrinth
*****
** Lisa's official statement **
The first single from the Lisa LaRue Project 2K9 virtual album entitled “World Class” will be available May 15, 2009. Side A, the featured single, is “For Eternity,” an original written by Jo De Boeck and Geert Fieuw of the Belgian group, “Beyond the Labyrinth.” The original version of the song by “Beyond the Labyrinth” appears on BTL’s current CD, “Castles in the Sand.”
Musical staff on “For Eternity” are: Jo De Boeck and John Payne (of “Asia featuring JP” and “GPS") vocals, Steve Adams (ARZ) guitars, Gerry Verstreken (Beyond the Labyrinth), bass, Lisa LaRue, keyboards, Svetlan Raket (The Par Lindh Project and Timecode Alpha),drums, and additional keyboard by Geert Fieuw.
Side B of the virtual single is “Two A.M.” an original Lisa LaRue composition with Lisa on keyboards, Steve Adams on guitars and John Payne, vocals.
The virtual album will be available through LaRue’s website with a dedicated ‘page’ serving as the album cover. Each single release will consist of 2 tracks, similar to the vinyl 45’s of days past. Labeled as “Side A” will be a featured track, along with a “Side B.” Each ‘single’ will have it’s own subpage with liner notes, credits, etc. Individual tracks will also be available through http://www.mindawn.com , the progressive rock source online. Previews will also be available on the Project 2K9 MySpace.
The first single release, featuring “For Eternity” will be available in mid-May, 2009. A limited edition CD with all tracks and complete artwork will be available for Christmas 2009 from Mindawn.
March 15th 2009
A lot of gigs have been added, as well as 2 videos : one to the current single "Pure Sabotage", and one to the previous single "Time To Fly". More gigs have been added, and will start promotion on the "Incommunicado Fest" that we will be organizing ourselves
February 15th 2009
The "Pure Sabotage" single has been released on iTunes
January 15th 2009
Distribution for "Castles in the Sand" through Yelowhammer/Suburban (Benelux) and Musea (FR) !
This means that you can order the album from any store in the Benelux if it isn't on stock, and in over 120 countries throught the Musa Web Site
November 30th 2008
Beyond The Labyrinth is proud to announce the release of their second studio album, “Castles in the Sand”, containing 12 songs and 53’45” music.
It is available as a limited-edition digipak and through iTunes
A first single “Time To Fly” has been issued to the radio stations. Please support the band by voting it into National Radio (Studio Brussel/De Afrekening) !
You can listen to the single and a medley of all the songs of “Castles in the Sand” on the band’s myspace : www.myspace.com/beyondthelabyrinth
Release scheme :
Nov 20th : “Signs” reissue on iTunes
Nov 30th : “Castles in the Sand” on CD/digipak (through the own Incommunicado label)
Dec 8th : “Time To Fly” release on iTunes
Dec 27th : “Castles in the Sand” on iTunes
The new album will be presented on Nov 30th @ the Spirit of 66/Verviers
