(July 21, 2023) – Progressive rock band The Contortionist release their recent live box set, Retrospective: Live from Atlanta, today on all digital service providers. This definitive collection features 31 tracks of live audio recordings from the band’s 2021 live-stream performances. The 3 live streamed performances cover every facet of the band’s career, including a full album performance of the critically acclaimed full-length Clairvoyant as well as an entire set focused on the band’s heavier catalog.
About the release, guitarist Cameron Maynard, says, “When we initially conceived this project, our objective was to give something to our fans amidst the inability to physically perform to a live audience. As it turns out, we were so happy with the end result that we thought it would only be appropriate to release in a more tangible way.”
Keyboardist Eric Guenther, adds, “This is the best representation of The Contortionist to date, and to us, the recording that defines the identity of this band and how we sounded in the first 10+ years.”
Earlier this year, the band released the collection as a limited edition, physical box set and released two videos taken from the live-stream performances, for tracks “Clairvoyant,” and “Geocentric Confusion.” Watch them below.
The Contortionist Release New, Limited Edition Box Set Today
PROGRESSIVE ROCK BAND THE CONTORTIONIST RELEASE LIMITED EDITION, NEW BOX SET
RETROSPECTIVE: LIVE FROM ATLANTA
TODAY VIA MNRK HEAVY
Live-stream videos for
“Geocentric Confusion” and “Clairvoyant” out now
Progressive rock band The Contortionist release a new box set, Retrospective: Live from Atlanta, today. The box set boasts three double LPs comprised of recordings from the band’s 2021 live-stream performances. The 3 live streamed performances cover every facet of the band’s career, including a full album performance of the critically acclaimed full-length Clairvoyant, as well as an entire set focused on the band’s heavier catalog.
Featuring over 30 tracks, the impressive package is a limited-edition set, with only 1500 copies available worldwide. It comes housed in a 12x12x2 embossed box and features translucent acetate overlay alternate covers for each of the three live stream sets. Each live stream set comes pressed on 12” 180g double vinyl in a beautiful gatefold package. Fans can purchase the box set here.
Guitarist Cameron Maynard says, “When we initially conceived this project, our objective was to give something to our fans amidst the inability to physically perform to a live audience. As it turns out, we were so happy with the end result that we thought it would only be appropriate to release in a more tangible way. We have always wanted to release a box set like this, and after seeing some original ideas for the art, we knew it had to be done.”
Keyboardist Eric Guenther adds, “Although the motivation for this project was born out of uncertainty and cancellations, the opportunity to perform and create the definitive musical artifact for this band’s history became a silver lining. To me, this is years of work finally realized, and thanks to our fans’ response, we were able to make this project timeless with a proper release. This is the best representation of The Contortionist to date, and to us, the recording that defines the identity of this band and how we sounded in the first 10+ years. Thanks to our fans for making this band real. Also, we can’t wait to share what we have been working on.”
THE CONTORTIONIST ANNOUNCES CLAIRVOYANT
A FULL ALBUM PERFORMANCE
TAKING PLACE ON MAY 15, TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
FIND TICKETS & VIP PACKAGES HERE
April 20, 2021 - The Contortionist, the champions of progressive rock, announced their virtual performance experience, Clairvoyant - A Full Album Performance, taking place on May 15th. The band’s latest full-length album, Clairvoyant, was originally released in 2017 to critical acclaim and marked their highest charting effort to date. Since releasing their 2019 EP, Our Bones, The Contortionist has been quietly working in the background, until recently when they headlined eOne Heavy’s virtual concert earlier this spring. On May 15th, the band’s performance of Clairvoyant in its entirety will air at 7pm ET and be available to view on-demand for 48 hours afterwards. Tickets are on sale now alongside a very limited number of VIP tickets that include a pre-show hang with the band via Zoom. Find tickets and VIP here.
Speaking on the upcoming event, vocalist Michael Lessard commented:
"I can't explain how thrilled we are as a band to be able to stream this live performance of our album 'Clairvoyant.' This set is the first time in the band's history playing one of our records in its entirety, and we're all beyond excited for everyone to experience it!"
The Contortionist is fearless in their musical expression, creating progressive rock that is anchored in the heavy sounds that first drew the individual players to the stage, yet unmoored by convention or expectation. On the band’s fourth full-length, Clairvoyant, their distinctive fingerprints remain, even as their atmospheric flourishes broaden to encompass ever-richer textures and mine the beauty of simplicity. The 2017 release reunited the band with producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me), and took the best elements of The Contortionist’s past and reshaped them as the band followed their individual creative muses toward the future. The breakout album was praised by fans and critics alike, noted as a milestone in broadening the horizons of heavy music. Metal Injection praised Clairvoyant for its “impactful, ambitious, and unified” sound, likening the band’s creative and stylistic evolution to that of Opeth and TesseracT. In an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 review, MetalSucks called it “a perfect album” and rightfully declared, “The Contortionist have thrust themselves into the conversation for being one of metal’s all-time greats.”
MICHAEL LESSARD DEBUTS "USE THE REST" MUSIC VIDEO
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HIS SOLO DEBUT
AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING / DOWNLOAD NOW
June 12, 2020 -- The Contortionist frontman Michael Lessard has released a new single and music video today titled "Use The Rest," his first solo debut. The music video, directed by Lessard himself, is an emotional ride through a dynamic dreamscape that doesn't exactly end where it begins. "I'm beyond excited to announce the release of my debut song to the world!" says Lessard. "I've worked very hard to make a song and video that I thought would be the best representation of what is to come."
When asked about the possibility of new music, Michael states, "'Use The Rest' is the first of many singles/videos to be released. I've been lucky enough to team up with Good Fight Music, who have allowed me to build on the idea of creating standalone pieces of music and video for now. I look forward to sharing more music very soon!"
"Use The Rest" by Michael Lessard is available today on all streaming platforms via Good Fight Music.