United Mutations

ROBERT DAVIDSON'S ICONIC PICTURE OF FRANK ZAPPA

2026-06-08T01:32:20.946-07:00

Andrew Greenaway posted some excellent news on https://www.zappanews.co.uk/.
Kickstarter coming soon to help Wild Dog Film finish this documentary about Robert Davidson and his iconic photo of Frank Zappa

https://www.wilddogworld.com/zappa-and-me-the-image-that-created-an-icon/

K² - BOOK OF THE DEAD

2026-06-07T23:24:46.484-07:00

K²: Book Of The Dead
(2004, cd, --, progrock records)

American progressive rock band K² got founded by Ken Jaquesss in 2001 in Los Angeles.
The band released two albums and two DVDs.

Their first album, "Book Of The Dead", featured Allan Holdsworth on the guitar !

Prog rock with an Allan Holdsworth lead guitar fusion injection...

I stumbled upon the below YouTube video by accident and ordered the CD right away.
Awesome.

DIVINE HAND ORCHESTRA - ARIA 51 (PICTURE DISC)

2026-06-07T22:34:08.796-07:00

Divine Hand Orchestra: Aria 51
(2024, lp picture disc, USA, private release / label51recordings)

Led by Mano Divina Giannone on Theremins and on Tesla Coils, the eleven-piece Divine Hand Orchestra also features Dave Hartl on accordion and organ (who released an album with Frank Zappa tunes in 2019).

“Aria 51” was the ensemble’s fist release.

Subtitled “Songs From The 20th Century Voiced With Singing Electricity” the album offered classical pieces as well as pop songs.
The first piece on the album was FZ’s ‘Peaches En Regalia’.

Made available as a digital / download release on Bandcamp, the album also got issued on CD, on 5 color confetti vinyl LP, and (as I only recently learned) even on picture disc LP.

Here's a promising concert fragment. It's from a while ago already, but as the ensemble is preparing a Zappa tribute album at this very moment, this might be one of the pieces...

UNIT WAIL - PETROCHEMICALS CORP.

2026-06-07T09:12:46.507-07:00

Unit Wail: Petrochemicals Corp.
(2026, cd, France, soleil mutant 65)

After 7 years, French rock band Unit Wail is back with a new album.
"Petrochemical Corp." is a conceptual album with song titles focusing heavily on the ecological, social, and physical impacts of the petroleum industry.

"Petrochemicals Corp." still maintains strong Zeuhl ties, but the band expands their sound into much heavier and darker musical territory. While their early albums were firmly rooted in Magma-inspired Zeuhl and avant-prog, this fifth release heavily incorporates dystopian atmospheres.

Recommended listening !

Petrochemicals Corp. by Unit Wail

-- info: Danny Mathys

PILI COÏT ET LES EXOCRINES

2026-06-07T08:59:03.317-07:00

For their latest project, Pili Coït uses King Solomon's "Song Of Songs" as an inspiration.
The duo got expanded and the sound got more complex.

Experimental and fascinating.

AYRON

2026-06-07T03:18:12.131-07:00

In September 2025, Tilburg, the Netherlands, was transformed into Ayreon City as six spectacular shows took over the 013 venue. All 15,000 tickets were snapped up within minutes, with fans travelling from an astonishing 71 countries to witness the latest Ayreon live experience.

For one unforgettable week, Tilburg lived and breathed Ayreon. On stage, the setlist spanned three decades of Ayreon history—from beloved fan favourites to songs never performed live before —and featured highlights from Arjen Lucassen’s many side projects, woven seamlessly into the experience.

Ayreon’s 30th-anniversary celebration in Tilburg was a unique moment—etched forever into the hearts and minds of those who experienced it live. Now, the wider world will finally have the chance to step into the Ayreon Universe and experience the magic from the comfort of your own home.

The event marked 30 years since the release of Ayreon’s debut album, The Final Experiment (1995). This massive, state-of-the-art production involved over 100 cast and crew members, featuring a one-of-a-kind stage design, stunning visuals, and spectacular special effects that elevated the show beyond a concert into a true theatrical happening.

30th Anniversary - An Amazing Flight Through Time by Ayreon

PANZERBALLETT TOUR 2026

2026-06-07T02:58:41.843-07:00

And they'll even play in Belgium !!

JOE LOVANO - PARAMOUNT QUARTET

2026-06-07T02:54:44.073-07:00

Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet
(2026, cd, --, ecm)

The Joe Lovano Paramount Quartet featured Joe Lovano (sax), Julian Lage (guitar), Asante Santi Debriano (bass) and Will Calhoun (drums).

Released on ECM Records, the album showcases Joe Lovano's warm saxophone melodies with Julian Lage’s crystalline guitar work.
Add Asante Santi Debriano’s bass lines and Will Calhoun’s polyrhythmic fills and you get seven beautiful pieces of music.

Contemporary jazz.

-- info: Danny Mathys

ZAPPA '66 Vol. 1

2026-06-07T01:04:30.604-07:00

The latest Frank Zappa album, "Zappa '66 Vol. 1" has also been released in Japan.
Even available in Europe.
And as it happens, so is the recent "Whisky A Go Go" set.

PURBAYAN CHATTERJEE & MARK LETTIERI - FEATHERED CREATURES

2026-06-07T00:19:33.084-07:00

Purbayan Chatterjee & Mark Lettieri: Feathered Creatures
(2026, download / streaming, --, digital music platforms)

Over the nine expansive tracks on "Feathered Creatures", celebrated sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee and genre-bending jazz guitarist Mark Lettieri chart a path through myriad subgenres of music – IDM’s skittering breakbeat tension, progressive rock’s epic, flowing sweep, and the entrancing lushness of Indian classical music – making for a true sonic journey that’s remarkable in its effortlessness. Chatterjee and Lettieri make boldness sound easy on "Feathered Creatures", and as a result their work sounds like two interlocking pieces of one brilliant puzzle.

The bones of "Feathered Creatures" were already being excavated by Chatterjee, as he’d been hard at work on some of the music featured on the record before meeting Lettieri near the end of 2023. The pair first came in contact as jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy’s tour schedule rolled through India, which resulted in Chatterjee sitting in for a performance or two. “He played a couple songs with us and I was totally blown away by his skill,” Lettieri recalls. “I’d never really heard sitar played like an electric guitar. I immediately cornered him in the green room and was like, ‘You got to show me how you do that.’”

I've only heard a couple of tracks YouTube, but this sounds excellent.

INTIGE TALUURE - BANANAFISHING

2026-06-06T23:48:42.395-07:00

14 paintings, 36" x 36";
Each cut into 9 12" squares;
Which totals to 126 unique album covers.

Here's one of the larger paintings, also depicting 9 album covers :

Intige Taluure: Bananafishing
(2026, lp + bonus cd, Belgium, bananafishin’ records 015)

The driving force behind Intige Taluure is two persons: Jean-Marie Mievis and Kim Duchateau.
Their music is unpredictable (to say the least) and "Bananafishing" is no exception.

From ethereal scenes to eclectic pieces, "Bananafishing" presents 5 tracks. The title track has to be played at 45 rmp and takes up the entire side A. The four remaining songs on side B are at 33 rpm

Theatrical. Experimental.
Songs but also spoken word sections.
A variety of guest vocalists.
Diverse instrumentation and an organ / synth sound that makes me think of The Residents.

This is an amazing record.

NEW ALBUM BY STICK MEN

2026-06-06T13:16:26.466-07:00

A message from Stick Men

Stick Men Returns: Let's THRAK Again
The 10-year wait is over. Pre-orders begin today.

Let's THRAK Again (REEL ONE) by Stick Men

Today is June 5th, and we are opening pre-orders for the first full-length Stick Men album in ten years: "Let's THRAK Again". But before we talk about the music, we need to celebrate something monumental. Tomorrow, June 6th, is Tony Levin's 80th birthday.

Tony has spent decades anchoring some of the most iconic rhythm sections in music history, but Stick Men is his personal vehicle, his main band, his passion project, and a creative home where he completely shines on the Chapman Stick. There is no better way to honour Tony's incredible legacy and his entry into his eighth decade than by helping this music step completely out of the shadows.

Here is how we can celebrate Tony together:
When tomorrow hits, flood social media with your birthday wishes. Let's make some noise for him! When you post your congratulations, use the hashtag #LetsTHRAKAgain and share the link to our new website, stickmenband.com. Tell the world that Tony is turning 80 and celebrating by dropping a massive, boundary-pushing new record with his own band. Let’s get this trending for him.

The Evolution of the Trio

Now in our 16th year in this formation, the band has grown immensely.
Let's THRAK Again lives deeply within the spiritual world where King Crimson compositions dwell, even pulling in specific motivic elements from the classic THRAK album. We describe it as instrumental chamber music, but the chamber is enormous, loud, dark, and experimental. We purposely designed and arranged these pieces to be performed live as a raw trio, without leaning heavily on electronic safety nets. It is intricate, beautiful, and in your face.

"Repeated listening will be absolutely necessary to fully grasp everything happening beneath the surface."

The Tale of Two Reels

We aren't just releasing one version of this album. We are releasing two entirely distinct experiences mixed by two different Italian masters: Reel One (mixed by Stefano Castagna) and Reel Two (mixed by Fabio Trentini).
These aren't just slightly tweaked audio files. They feature completely different mixes and entirely different track orders. Let each reel wash over you as its own separate journey. The shifting track sequences and sonic architectures allow an entirely different emotional landscape to unfold.

THE FURIOUS BONGOS - BROWN MOSES (DEDICATED TO IKE WILLIS)

2026-06-06T07:23:42.174-07:00

200 MOTELS PREVIEW

2026-06-06T07:09:56.340-07:00

Later this month, "200 Motels" will be performed in Geneva, Switzerland.

Here's a short preview:

MIKAEL NORSTEDT - CHRISTIAN BJERRING - FREDRIK ERIKSSON - FILIP FJELLSTRÖM - OH IN THE SKY

2026-06-06T07:06:32.925-07:00

Mikael Norstedt: vocals, bass
Christian Bjerring: guitar, mixing
Fredrik Eriksson: keys
Filip Fjellström: drums

DWEEZIL ZAPPA - - - LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

2026-06-06T07:01:35.428-07:00

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - ROAD GAMES

2026-06-06T06:59:11.247-07:00

Allan Holdsworth: Road Games
(2003, cd ep, --, gmma)

Jazz fusion guitar great Allan Holdsworth released “Road Games” in 1983 (!!). The album featured Chad Wackerman on drums and mentioned Frank Zappa and Mark Pinske in the Thank You section.
You can read more about that here:
https://threadoflunacy.blogspot.com/2017/08/16-road-games-1982.html

The EP got re-released on CD in 2003 with slightly altered artwork and still carrying the same names in the Thank You section, but also with liner notes by Eddie Jobson who said:

Frank Zappa described him as “the most interesting guitarist on the planet” – most musicians would agree.
and
It was my privilege to introduce Zappa to the playing of Holdsworth.

Here's a live version of the title track:

Allan Holdsworth: Guitar
Jimmy Johnson: Bass
Chad Wackerman: Drums
Paul Williams: Vocals

In the meantime, Steve Vai has been involved in championing unreleased Allan Holdsworth live material, including the restored "Complete Yoshi's Shows" !

NEW ALBUM BY EVANESCENCE

2026-06-05T23:54:50.740-07:00

The new Evanescence album is called "Sanctuary".
Here's 'Beautiful Lie':

NEW PRINCE ALBUM ANNOUNCED

2026-06-05T11:14:31.202-07:00

"Timeless" is a brand-new 10 track compilation featuring rare and unreleased studio recordings from Prince's legendary vault.

NOLAN COOK'S NIFNAR PROJECT JUST RELEASED ITS FIRST SINGLE

2026-06-05T10:51:47.957-07:00

Nolan Cook ;whom you remember as the guitar player for The Residents, has a new project: NIFNAR.

NIFNAR just released 'I'll Give You One Day To Remember'.

Recommended listening !

I'll Give You One Day to Remember by Nifnar

NEW ALBUM BY ZU

2026-06-04T23:08:16.888-07:00

Zu has a new album out, "Ferrum Sidereum".
2 LP and/or CD.
Out on the House Of Mythology record label.

NEW FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM ANNOUNCED

2026-06-04T09:30:44.406-07:00

L.A. 1984

On the Homespun label.
To be released in July.

NEW MUSIC BY EIDON

2026-06-03T23:52:47.973-07:00

'Tawi & Nakht'
by Eidon

Tawi & Nakht by Eidon

TU-NER - - - NEW ALBUM AND TOUR DATES

2026-06-03T23:40:02.321-07:00

Tu-Ner: Rendezvous Rodeo
(2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Tu-Ner is

Trey Gunn - 10-String Warr Guitar
Markus Reuter - Touch Guitars T8
Pat Mastelotto - Drums and Percussion

And they have just announced the release of their third album, "Rendezvous Rodeo".
Due out on July 31, but we can already enjoy some music through Bandcamp.
Eventually, the album will also be released on CD !

Masters of improvised music, Tu-Ner also reworked King Crimson tunes for "Rendezvous Rodeo".

Hogtied and Slightly Slack (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 4:20
The ConstruKCtion of Light (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) – 5:50
Firepower Coda (Fripp, Gunn, Sylvian) – 4:35
Cusp (Reuter, Levin, Mastelotto) – 4:53
The Mechanical Bride Wore Static (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 4:54
Kuma (Gunn) – 5:21
Absinthe and A Cracker (Gunn, Mastelotto) – 8:27
Paper Halo Rodeo (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 7:26
Unconditional (Reuter) – 12:10
Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part 4 (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) – 12:09
Level 5 (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) - 7:19

Rendezvous Rodeo by Tu-Ner

Upcoming concerts :

07/28/2026 - Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
07/29/2026 - Woodstock, NY @ The Colony
07/30/2026 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
08/09/2026 - Hudson Falls, NY @ Strand Theater
08/10/2026 - Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
08/11/2026 - Annville, PA @ The Allen Theatre
08/12/2026 - Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery

MEN & VOLTS - SUMMER 1984

2026-06-03T23:23:42.664-07:00

Men & Volts: Summer 1984
(2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp) – 2026 06 04

David Greenberger adds:
Most of these recordings, when finished, were slated to be part of the band's planned fourth album, "Boomtown". Unissued at the time, it was finally released as part of the "Honeymoon Luggage" box set in 2016. A few of the songs were re-recorded for what ultimately did become the band's fourth album, "The Mule".

Summer 1984 by Men & Volts