Unitopia to reunite and release new album

[LeFrog]

From their FB page:

September 25th will celebrate 25 years of the beginning of Unitopia.
Watch this space for more news, including new Web site, brand new album and first major song since 2008, new members, Steve Unruh and John Greenwood....and More

[Splicer]

I rather liked the singer of Southern Empire better.

[LeFrog]

I rather liked the singer of Southern Empire better.

Really? He's a great singer and showman but on all the Southern Empire songs that were also released by UPF, I'll take Mark Trueack's interpretations over his. To me Trueack has that little extra something.

[Top Cat]

I have to agree, I'll take Mark's vocals over Danny's. Danny's voice to me is pitchy, it goes off pitch with certain words or pronunciation.
I just listened to How Long by Southern Empire with Danny on vocals, and United Progressive Fraternity with Mark singing the same song(Intersections), and for me I prefer Intersections over How Long.
But, we're all different and what appeals to anyone is what is important.
I've always loved Mark's vocals and his lyrics and I think Sean Timms is a fantastic composer.
If Mark isn't involved, I'm not interested.

Is Mark going to be involved with the new album?

[LeFrog]

Is Mark going to be involved with the new album?

Definitely. Unitopia is based on the Timms Trueack partnership. All the other members have changed I think but I'll bet it won't have much impact.

[Top Cat]

Definitely. Unitopia is based on the Timms Trueack partnership. All the other members have changed I think but I'll bet it won't have much impact.

That's great news.
I was able to pick up the 3CD Remastered The Garden from ProgRock last year https://essentials.progrock.com/prod...3-cd-digipack/
And also Unitopia Live in Europe DVD...what a great show.

[aith01]

When I glanced at the thread title, I thought it said "Utopia" and I got really excited because I thought it meant Todd, Kasim, Willie, and Roger were all getting back together.

I liked Unitopia though, so this is still interesting news.

[Rufus]

The Garden is a great album. Wish they'd release it as my copy is now a bit worn

[LeFrog]

The Garden is a great album. Wish they'd release it as my copy is now a bit worn

They actually reissued it on CD and vinyl last year or thereabouts if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure it's still available.

[Top Cat]

The Garden is a great album. Wish they'd release it as my copy is now a bit worn

I bought the remaster version last year from progrock.com, they bought the rights for the Unitopia stuff from Sony.
I can highly recommend it.
The owner of Progrock.com is a member here on PE.
You can purchase it here:https://essentials.progrock.com/prod...3-cd-digipack/
I can also highly recommend Unitopia Live in Europe DVD (NTSC) wherever you can find it online.

They actually reissued it on CD and vinyl last year or thereabouts if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure it's still available.

See above comment.

[LeFrog]

I bought the remaster version last year from progrock.com, they bought the rights for the Unitopia stuff from Sony.
I can highly recommend it.
The owner of Progrock.com is a member here on PE.
You can purchase it here:https://essentials.progrock.com/prod...3-cd-digipack/
I can also highly recommend Unitopia Live in Europe DVD (NTSC) wherever you can find it online.


See above comment.

Yes I remembered you had mentioned it. I was just unsure about exactly when that reissue was released.

[ThomasKDye]

From their FB page:

September 25th will celebrate 25 years of the beginning of Unitopia.
Watch this space for more news, including new Web site, brand new album and first major song since 2008, new members, Steve Unruh and John Greenwood....and More

Steve Unruh's involvement sounds VERY promising.

I really enjoyed The Garden but for some reason Artificial seemed a bit of a dip in quality. "Nothing Lasts Forever" was fine but I just found myself bored as the album went on.

Still, The Garden was brilliance all the way through and it's a double album, so it all balances out!

[LeFrog]

There is some great stuff on The Garden but it's a bit bloated with filler, mostly on the second disc IMO. There are also a few very saccharine moments which I'm uncomfortable with.
I find Artificial a perfect, more compact synthesis of their capabilities. As a concept album, the way the last track wraps it all together by recapitulating previous themes is excellent.

[Rufus]

I bought the remaster version last year from progrock.com, they bought the rights for the Unitopia stuff from Sony.
I can highly recommend it.
The owner of Progrock.com is a member here on PE.
You can purchase it here:https://essentials.progrock.com/prod...3-cd-digipack/
I can also highly recommend Unitopia Live in Europe DVD (NTSC) wherever you can find it online.


See above comment.

Cheers, I'll go over to Progrock.com and buy it! The Garden & the covers album are the only ones I own. Is anything else at least as good as The Garden?

[LeFrog]

The Garden & the covers album are the only ones I own. Is anything else at least as good as The Garden?

Artificial is also a must own if you like those two.

[Scott Bails]

Always up for some good news.

[gearHed289]

This should be good. I actually met and became aware of both Truey and Danny on the same night about 3 years ago. Very different singers, and I like them both a lot. There's supposed to be a new Southern Empire album coming along soon as well.

[LeFrog]

There's supposed to be a new Southern Empire album coming along soon as well.

...and a new Damanek. Sean Timms is a busy man!

[ScottAM]

Cheers, I'll go over to Progrock.com and buy it! The Garden & the covers album are the only ones I own. Is anything else at least as good as The Garden?

I really enjoyed More Than A Dream, too. There's some excellent songs on there.

[mon40]

Thanks Rufus for the purchase.

I just wanted to mention here that in case you didn't see. Chester Thompson and Alfonso Johnson have joined the band. As their new label I have heard some of the album and I would say the Unitopia fans won't be disappointed. It is a little heavier so maybe that might put so people off. My only contribution to this album is to convince them to leave the F-Bomb in. Well it's in for now, nothing is final until it's final.......We are not on a timeline but I am sort of thinking Nov for a release of download and CD and June 2023 for vinyl as the queue is 11 months out right now. I love to chat so any questions contact me anywhere.

[Scott Bails]

Excellent. Thanks for the update!

[flatliner]

Can’t wait! I have all the others and they are fantastic!

[loshammeros]

Good news indeed-if I only had some Bunderberg to celebrate

[interbellum]

Johnson isn't able to tour this year, his replacement is DON SCHIFF!
https://www.donschiff.com/don-on-unitopia-tour-2023/

[Top Cat]

any update on the new Unitopia album? I checked the shop on the Progrock page, but no news there.