After several years of rehearsals and concerts, Sebastiano Benatti, Tommaso Mangione and Alex Stucchi (ex Antares) decided to set up the prog/alternative project  Dropshard.

Based in Milan, Italy they recorded 2 demo sessions DS1 and DSII and evolved through several line-up changes before taking to the road to debut songs from their ‘suite’ of music called Anywhere But Home. Following a fantastic response from audiences which found the band in the finals of many Italian unsigned band events they were spotted by the UK’s Sonic Vista Music and recording of the debut album began.

Following a storming performance at EXPROG 2010 the band have been featured on the seminal European Perspective Progressive Rock Radio show and are appearing at Electric Garden the north west UK’s first progressive rock festival in May 2011 along with fellow Italians The Watch and UK’s The Tangent. The debut album recorded at Frequenze Studios in Monza is an ambitious but ultimately triumphant concept album comprising the ‘Anywhere But Home Suite’ and the bonus track Freedom Supermarket.

Taking inspiration from early Genesis and contemporary prog metal bands such as Riverside, Dropshard have honed an absolutely stunning piece of work which drifts from Choral harmonies through to blistering chunks of powerful but complex metal riffs using interesting time signatures and high levels of technical proficiency.

The album is a story of life and social framework exploring the idea that what we are searching for maybe just under our noses. Available on February 15^th, 2011 as a retail CD and also digital download, the album is a statement of intention from a nation which respects progressive rock music as the most valid medium of creative expression.

http://www.dropshard.net" rel="nofollow - Dropshard Website