Another update from the studio - 6th June 2010

Hi everyone,

I realise there's been a bit of a lack of updates lately (unless you're keeping an eye on the twitter or facebook updates, and if you aren't then you should!), but that just means there's a lot of work going on and not enough hours in the day!

I'm currently still mixing the new album as I write this (literally, I have it playing back this very second) but I just wanted to check in and let you guys know that it's all still progressing well. I really can't wait for you to hear it, I'm already proud as hell with it and it's not even finished yet!

Right now I've mixed 6 songs out of 10 (track listing and song titles will be announced soon) which totals to about 51 minutes mixed so far. There's a good blend of prog, metal, rock, chilled out stuff, classical etc etc. on this album, so it's not an easy task to mix it all, but it's going well and I'm feeling very confident about it.

But anyway, I hope you guys all have a great day and keep rocking, I know I will.

Rich Hinks

Studio update about the new album - 15th May 2010

Hi everyone,

Rich here with an update from the studio about the new album.

I have finished recording all the guitars, bass, drums and keyboards myself and right now I'm working on instrumental mixes of the album which I can then lay the vocals on and mix them into. I have to say, I'm extremely pleased so far, these songs are sounding like everything I had hoped for and then some! From the laid back parts, to the proggy crazy parts, to the headbanging parts, it's all sounding great!

I've managed to get some pretty crushing guitar tones for the heavy parts and some really nice and pretty tones for cleans through the Line 6 POD XT and Peavy Revalver as well. For the guitars on this album I've actually used a mixture of the Ibanez Universe (as featured on the last Aeon Zen album "A Mind's Portrait") and my lovely new Caparison Dellinger 7 SE. The bass is actually DI'd into IK Multimedia's fantastic Ampeg SVX amp simulator plugin, so that's sounding great too, lots of low end while still retaining all the clarity, just like you would expect from any Ampeg amp. The drums are sounding as good and powerful as ever through the Roland TD-20KX, the dynamics on that kit are outstanding!

I actually now have all the vocal tracks back from the singers to go on the album, Michael Eriksen (Circus Maximus), Jem Godfrey (Frost), Andi Kravljaca (Silent Call), Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), Jonny Tatum (Eumeria) have all contributed their amazing voices to this album, as well as the tracks that I'm singing myself. So once I've done these instrumental mixes and got everything sounding nice and consistent there, I will get to work on making these vocals as awesome as they can possibly be.

So everything is starting to take a very definite shape. I'm very excited and I can't wait for you all to hear this!

I hope to start putting up some "making-of the album" videos on youtube soon, so be sure to keep your eyes open for them.

Also, there is a brand new Aeon Zen track, entitled Visions (with Andi Kravljaca on vocals) off the new album "The Face of the Unknown", being featured on the cover CD of the upcoming issue of Classic Rock Presents Prog Magazine (Prog 8), so be sure to pick up a copy for the first chance to hear this new, never before heard track.

In the mean time, take a listen to this album preview:


So it's back to work now for me... Rock on and I'll talk to you all again very soon!

Rich Hinks

New Aeon Zen Album Details Released!-22nd Apr 2010

Time Divide Records Ltd. are delighted to announce:

Aeon Zen will be releasing a second album (as a follow up to the critically acclaimed debut "A Mind's Portrait") entitled "The Face of the Unknown" later this year in 2010 (release date to be announced)



Rich Hinks, who wrote music and lyrics, also recorded and played the guitars, bass, keyboards and drums as well as singing vocals for three tracks on the "The Face of the Unknown" album, is pleased to announce that this second Aeon Zen album features guest vocals from:
Andi Kravljaca (Silent Call, ex-Seventh Wonder), Michael Eriksen (Circus Maximus), Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and Jonny Tatum (Eumeria). The album also features a guest guitar solo from Matt Shepherd and a guest keyboard solo from Cristian Van Schuerbeck.

The artwork for the album is created by Mattias Norén and the album is produced, mixed and mastered by Rich Hinks.

Tracklisting and release date information to follow.

We believe this album is a fantastic follow up to an already acclaimed debut album and feel that this will make for an amazing listening experience.

For initial soundclips of the album please see the video trailer link below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3A9mBECjqA


Visit Aeon Zen online at:
www.aeonzen.com

Debut Live Show Announced - 22nd February 2010

Aeon Zen are pleased to announce the first show of Aeon Zen Live on 9th April at the Luminaire in London, UK.

The Classic Rock Society presents:
   AEON ZEN
+ Jebo
+ Emerald Sky

For more information visit http://www.theluminaire.co.uk/live-music/2010/April/1177/AEON%20ZEN
To book tickets visit http://www.wegottickets.com/event/72647 

New track now online

The new single edit of Time Divine (featuring Andi Kravljaca of Silent Call on vocals and a guitar solo by Matt Shepherd') to promote the upcoming shows of the Aeon Zen Live Band, is now online and available to listen to right here on this website our myspace (www.myspace.com/aeonzen) as well as our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/Aeon-Zen/29279276270?ref=ts).

You can buy the single now at (click the links below):
iTunes
CDBaby

Aeon Zen Win Album of the Year - 1st February 2010

Aeon Zen's album A Mind's Portrait has been awarded Album of the Year by seaoftranquilityorg, beating the likes of Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and Riverside to the top spot. A big thank you to seaoftranquility and to everyone who voted!
Visit http://www.seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=1472 to see for yourself.

First look at the new album - 24th January 2010

Further details on the album will be released soon, stay tuned!

Live Band & Gigs Annoucement - 17th Dec 2009

Progression Mag Feature - 13th December 2009

 Aeon Zen are to be featured in the next issue of Progression Magazine. See http://progressionmagazine.com/ for more details.

Prog-Résiste Review - 27th October 2009

A review of Aeon Zen's "A Mind's Portrait" is featured in the upcoming issue number 58 of Belgian magazine Prog-Résiste, so any of you French speakers out there be sure to pick up a copy and check it out!

Album reviews - 4th October 2009

Several more glowing reviews of Aeon Zen's "A Mind's Portrait" have been published in magazines worldwide including Classic Rock Presents Prog (rating: n/a - Issue 10), Progression Magazine (rating: 15/16 - Issue 57) and iO Pages (rating: n/a - Issue June 2009)

Interview with Rich Hinks - 22nd September 2009

An interview with Rich Hinks from Aeon Zen about the making of A Mind's Portrait, Aeon Zen Live, the second Aeon Zen album and more is now online!

Read the interview online at:
http://www.stormbringer.at/interviews.php?id=536&lang=en

Rich Hinks on BluePointRadio - 17th September 2009

There is an interview with Rich of Aeon Zen on the Progressive X show on Blue Point Radio (http://www.bluepointradio.de).

Containing talk about the album A Mind's Portrait and how it was all put together, Aeon Zen live, a second album and more...

Tune in on Saturday at 19:00 UK time to listen to the show!

Band News - 31st July 2009

Following great reviews of the album "A Mind's Portrait", Rich Hinks of Aeon Zen has received confirmation from Time Divide Records Ltd for continued writing and recording for the second Aeon Zen album. This follows the departure of Lloyd Musto, who played drums on the first album. Mattias Norén will be doing the artwork.