NOTP 2023 – Friday, 14 July: ABEL GANZ confirmed!

Abel Ganz is a Scottish band with a long history – with origins going back to the neo-progressive rock revival of early 1980s, influenced by 1970s prog rock bands like Genesis and Yes. After many personnel changes through this period [and losing their lead singer to fellow Scottish band Pallas] the band called it a day in early 1990s.
Several years later, the band reformed with a new line up including long-term drummer and producer Denis Smith. After the very successful comeback album Shooting Albatross the band again underwent changes when original founding members retired from the band.

At this stage in their career Abel Ganz decided a fresh approach was needed and they completely reinvented their sound to include elements of Scottish folk and Celtic influences. The resulting self-titled 2014 ABEL GANZ album was a great success for the band with many magazines & critics declaring it the band’s best album so far.

The Life of The Honey Bee, And Other Moments of Clarity was the eagerly and long-awaited new album from Scottish prog maestros Abel Ganz and came out in 2020. A concept album comprising of six thematically linked pieces exploring our relationship with memory and loss. The liminal space between a fading ‘what was’ and an anticipated ‘what is to come’.

The album recalls the hazy technicolour of long remembered summers and the sepia of a love forgotten. A place where we blur the boundaries of returning and renewal. The lyrics chart the course through recollection to premonition. These words are both deeply personal and universal, hope for what is next and a lament for what we have lost.
The new album has taken six years to realise and follows on from the self-titled 2014 opus Abel Ganz.
The influences on the new album continue in a similar vein – further developing their eclectic mix of folk, rock, metal and Celtic styles. The album’s trajectory shifts between crunching guitars, subtle acoustic instruments, strings, soaring Hammond and emotive grand piano all connected by lyrical storytelling and timeless vocals and harmonies.
Produced by Denis Smith, mixed by the legendary Simon Vinestock [Texas, Blur, Robert Plant, Simple Minds] and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo [White Willow / Opium Cartel] the album also includes a beautiful guest performance from multi-award-winning, former ‘Scots Singer of the Year’, and acclaimed solo artist Emily Smith.

The Live-Band:

Denis Smith: Drums
Stephen Donnelly: Bass Guitar
Dawid Zielinski: Guitars
Mick Mcfarlane: Vocals, Guitars
Alan Hearton: Keyboards

ABEL GANZ Links
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Bandcamp

ABEL GANZ will perform on Friday, 14 July 2023 at the Night Of The Prog Festival! The line-up for Friday is now complete!

Tickets for the Night Of The Prog Festival 2023 are available in the WiV Ticket Shop!

Listen to One Small Soul from their most recent album: