William Kopecky | Select Discography

Snarling Adjective Convention: Bluewolf Bloodwalk
(2008, Unicorn Digital)

SAC's music is sinister avant-garde funk prog, kind of like 70's era Miles Davis meets Shub Niggurath. The line-up is my brother Joe on guitars; Dan Maske from Far Corner on keys, trumpet, flute, percussion and primal vocalizations; Roger Ebner from Yeti Rain on sax, wind synth, and creepy breathing; Craig Walkner from Far Corner on drums, and me on basses. The lovely Sophie Kopecky even does some spoken word performances en francais. It's quite a dark, edgy, and groovy experience. Definitely not recommended for the musically timid.

Flyin' Ryan Brothers: Totality
(2008, Ryanetics Records)

I love this record! It's one of my favorite CD's I've played on because of the beautiful melodies, the clear and warm production, and the overall good vibe that comes through when one listens to the Ryan Bros! They've got a very cool style, and they give me lots of space to do my thing, bless 'em. The CD also features the talents of drummer John Mrozek, with whom I've played on CD's by Truth Squad and C4.

Par Lindh Project: Live in Poland (DVD+CD)
(2008, Metal Mind)

The Live in Poland DVD was filmed at the beautiful Wyspianski Theater in Poland in November of 2007. The set is entirely instrumental and features a nice mix of classic as well as new PLP material (it's even got a bass solo on it!). The concert looks great, with some excellent lighting and camera work. Metal Mind is also offering the concert in a deluxe DVD+CD package.

Yeti Rain: Nest of Storms
(2008, Crimsonic)

Nest of Storms has a wilder, darker sound than Yeti Rain's debut CD Discarnate, which was more consistent in its tones and atmospheres. The new CD is more angular, moody, and experimental and features screaming sax, haunted wind synth, and tortured bass. I really love recording Yeti Rain music. It's devilishly fun to make.

Michael Angelo Batio: Performance (DVD)
(2007, M.A.C.E.)

This is a DVD showcasing Michael's devastating technique. Although I don't appear in the video, some of the backing music is from Michael's Hands Without Shadows CD which features me on bass.

Glass: Live at Progman Cometh
(2007, Musea)

KOPECKY played the Progman Cometh festival in Seattle in 2002, but before our set my brother Paul and I were asked to perform as special guests on one track in Glass's performance. Appearing on the same track is the late, great sax player Elton Dean. The disc also features guest performances by Hugh Hopper, David Sinclair, etc.

Anja: Leaving the Alley of Dead Trees
(2007, Crimsonic Label)

I played fretless bass on three tracks on this one, which is Anja's debut. The music is less complicated than what I usually do, but I think that's cool. I also dig that a lot of her music is filled with a distinctly Scandinavian melancholy. (Check out "O I Wish.") Par Lindh co-produced and played keyboards on the disc.

Dimension X: Implications of a Genetic Defense
(2007, Unicorn Digital, 2007)

I'm not sure if I should include this in my discography since I didn't actually play an instrument on it. Instead, I had a small speaking part in the role of a police officer who gets poisoned! My character's partner was Mark Kreuger, who hosts the Planet Prog radio show. (Believe me, the irony of casting Mark & I as cops is not lost on me!) The boys in DX sound very impressive on this heavy-prog concept album.

Dan Maske: Progressive Rock Keyboard
(2007, Hal Leonard)

This session was a real scream to do. The music CD accompanies Dan Maske's book. Each track was written in the style of a famous prog band, all of which were (and are) some of my favorite groups: Yes, Rush, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, and even Univers Zero. My favorite part of the recording was dialing up a convincing Chris Squire tone. I actually used a pick (something I'm usually pretty bad at), and tried to channel the spirit of the mighty Squire. To think to that I actually got paid to imitate Chris Squire and Geddy Lee...I'm swooning at the thought. The music also features Craig (drums) and Angela (cello) from Far Corner as well as Sean Gill (guitarist from the prog-metal band StrangeLand) who plays a mean Fragile-era Steve Howe.

Far Corner: Endangered
(2007, Cuneiform)

As much as I like Far Corner's debut CD, I must admit that our latest release Endangered blows it away in terms of production, performance and composition. For those of you who liked our first record, worry not: the band still retains its dark, edgy, and insanely complex song structures that put us on the "chamber prog" map, but now all our experience playing together makes for a more cohesive and energetic sound. We've also expanded the instrumentation a bit: in addition to cello, Angela's playing violin and bamboo flute; Dan is playing trumpet and melodica in addition to keyboards; and I'm playing wind drum in addition to bass.

Yeti Rain: Discarnate
(2006, Unicorn Digital)

Yeti Rain is a dark ambient duo that consists of Roger Ebner on wind synth and me on fretless bass. The entire CD was spontaneously composed and as such is one of my favorites because it yields surprises to me even after multiple listens. The music is otherworldly, dreamy, and often disturbing. Discarnate is probably best experienced on headphones in a dark room as a soundtrack to a fever dream.

Kopecky Blood
(2006, Unicorn Digital)

Blood is Kopecky's latest release and it's undoubtedly our best. We chose to not use any keyboards or sitar this time around and just concentrate on what we do best: guitar, bass, and drums. The compositions are what one would expect from Kopecky--dark, complex, and alternating between violence and beauty--but the production quality is higher than anything we've done before. This was released on Canada's Unicorn Digital label.

Various Artists: Unicorn Digital: Progression in Balance Vol. II
(2006, Unicorn Digital)

The Parallel Mind track "The Guardian" from our CD Colossus ADEA is featured on this very cool compilation from the Unicorn Digital label.

The Flyin' Ryan Brothers: Blue Marble
(2005, Ryanetics Records)

This is an eclectic and captivating new CD released by my good friends Jimmy and Johnny Ryan. It features the killer, twin-lead guitar attack one expects from them, but this disc finds them exploring world music (Arabic, Indian, Celtic, Americana) fusion as well. In addition to fretless and fretted basses, I played sitar and tanpura. I'm very pleased with how this disc turned out; everything from the mix to the extreme melodicism is impressive. This was one of the most fun CD's I've had the pleasure to play on, and that good energy comes through on Blue Marble.

Michael Angelo Batio: Hands Without Shadows
(2005, M.A.C.E. Music)

While touring Asia, Michael was given the nickname "Hands Without Shadows" by his fans. He's earned this name for good reason: he's probably the fastest, cleanest shred guitarist on the planet, and his virtuosic playing has never been so frighteningly good as on his new instrumental CD. I play 6-string bass on all but one track which features special guest star bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio, Yngwie). Also on the CD is drum monster Bobby Rock (Gary Hoey, Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent), guitarist Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alterbridge), Metal Method founder Doug Marks, and several more highly talented musicians. The music is a mix of covers of rock guitar hero classics and some smoking new originals.

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Various Artists: Cuneiform Records: Promo 3
(2005, Cuneiform Records)

This new compilation features the bass-driven track "Outside" from Far Corner's self-titled debut CD. You can get a copy by picking up the new issue of Expose magazine or by visiting the Cuneiform website.

Various Artists: Wishbone Ish: 35th Anniversay Tribute
(2005, Wishbone Ash Productions)

It was a pleasure to cover the classic Wishbone Ash track "Blowin' Free" with the Flyin' Ryan Brothers for this special Wishbone Ash tribute CD. The disc includes several groups (including some that feature members of Ash) covering the gems that made Wishbone Ash legends. We dug our version so much we decided to put it on the forthcoming FRB CD Blue Marble!

Silence The Freak: Relations
(2005, Silence the Freak Productions)

If you like your rock hard and very heavy, then check out Silence the Freak's debut CD. This thing crushes. I don't play any bass on this, but I play sitar on the moody intro track.

Various Artists: Loud Enough to Get Your Sound
(2005, WMSE Productions)

WMSE is an award-winning indie radio station in Milwaukee that airs all kinds of underground music. This disc is a compilation of bands who performed live on WMSE in 2004. Included is a track from Far Corner's on-air performance, originally broadcast on the Planet Prog program. The song we contributed, "Tracking," is one of my favorites to play live. It features an extended percussion solo by Craig Walkner.

Parallel Mind: Colossus ADEA
(2005, Unicorn Digital)

Colossus ADEA is the debut CD by Parallel Mind, an instrumental prog fusion trio (bass/keys/drums) that has similarities to Rush, Yes, and Planet X. The music is hard-hitting yet still very melodic. This release represents two years of hard work, and we're happy to release it on Canada's Unicorn Digital label. The CD features several guests, ranging from an Indian classical vocalist to a full choir, and players on cello, violin, guitar, and mandolin.

Various Artists: Guitars At An Exhibition, Volume 2
(2004, distribution by Guitar 9 Records)

Here's a compilation CD that features seventeen killer up-and-coming guitarists. I played bass on two tracks: "Trick Bag" from Truth Squad's Superkiller CD and "Stevie Dan" from the Flyin' Ryan Brothers' latest disc Legacy.

Michael Angelo Batio: Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity, part 2
(2004, M.A.C.E. Music)

This is a new compilation of Michael�s 3rd and 4th solo CD�s, remastered and repackaged onto one CD. Every track that I played on in the original Lucid Intervals is on the new disc.

Far Corner: Far Corner
(2004, Cuneiform Records)

Far Corner is an intense mix of modern classical and progressive rock. This was one of the most challenging records I've done, and it's definitely a challenging experience for the listener (I mean that in a good way!). The music is complex and unforgiving, by turns dark, brooding, haunting, headbanging, and even a bit zany. It's recommended to fans of Univers Zero, early ELP, Present, Alamaailman Vasarat, and King Crimson.

Kopecky: Sunset Gun
(2003, Musea Records)

Sunset Gun was released on one of the world�s largest progressive rock labels, France�s Musea Records. It�s a real joy to be able to make music with my brothers, and I think that feeling comes through loud and clear on Sunset Gun. This one was mastered by Trevor Sadler, who has worked with such luminaries as Nine Inch Nails and Rush. As on previous Kopecky CD�s, I play basses, sitar, and keyboards.

Truth Squad: Superkiller
(2003, Ryanetics Records)

This CD is the brain child of Jimmy Ryan, who is one-half of the Flyin� Ryan Brothers. In addition to laying down some ripping guitar and vocals, Jimmy wrote all the material. The songs are an earthy, blistering blues-based rock style that reminds me of a mix of Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, Rush, and Wishbone Ash, but with modern tone. Appearing on drums is my long-time rhythm-section partner-in-crime Johnny Mrozek (we played together on the Legacy and Call to Arms CD�s), and I play basses, sitar, and keyboards. This is a fun disc that�s full of surprises.

THE BOLLENBERG EXPERIENCE: If Only Stones Could Speak
(2002, Musea Records)

In a certain sense, this album is a dream come true for me because it features the great keyboardist Rick Wakeman from Yes, and since Yes have always been godlike figures to me, it was cool indeed for me to have played bass on a disc with him. The record also features the amazing Jordan Rudess (from Dream Theater), who plays some incredible keyboard solos. Also of note is that Par Lindh (yet another great keyboardist) plays on the album--but in the capacity of drummer in addition to keyboardist! Most of this (including my bass parts) was recorded in Uppsala, Sweden but was written by Belgian vocalist John �BoBo� Bollenberg as a concept album about his history-rich hometown, Bruges.

The Flyin' Ryan Brothers: Legacy
(2002, M.A.C.E. Music)

The Flyin' Ryan Brothers are two incredibly gifted guitarists from the Chicago area. Not only are they very talented, but they are two of the nicest guys I�ve ever known. I played fretted and fretless bass on seven tracks, and it was a real blast to do so. The CD actually made it onto the preliminary ballot for the 2003 Grammy Awards! Wow. The Ryan Bros are known for their stunning double-lead guitar slinging, and this disc shows them at their best.

Par Lindh Project: Live in Iceland
(2002, Crimsonic Label)

Off to the land of fire and ice! This is my first recording as bassist for the Swedish-based Par Lindh Project. This concert was recorded in Reykjavik on November 10, 2001 by Icelandic Public Radio. It was a pleasure to play in Iceland, one of the most strangely beautiful places I've seen. I used mostly fretless bass, but I played the 6 on a few tracks. Most of the compositions on this CD are live versions of material from PLP's Veni Vidi Vici CD. The concert, interestingly, was recorded in the same university that Bjork used to attend. Live in Iceland was released on the Crimsonic Label, Par's record company.

Kopecky: Orion
(2001, M.A.C.E. Music )

My brothers and I recorded this live CD at Orion Sound Studios in Baltimore as part of their Progressive Rock Showcase series. This is a dark, smoky, and very intimate concert recording that consists mostly of material from our first two CD�s. It also has a live version of a track ("Temptation's Screaming-Ground") which would later appear on our 2003 release Sunset Gun. I played my Axtra fretless bass on all but one track, where I used my 6-string Warwick. A beautifully cool footnote about this CD is that it's recorded in the city where Edgar Allan Poe is buried, a fact I found truly inspirational. Oddly enough, we recorded it on April Fool's Day (4-1-00 to be exact), which is also our parents' anniversary!

C4 (featuring Michael Angelo): Call to Arms
(2001, M.A.C.E. Music)

Call To Arms is a well-played collection of commercial hard rock songs that Michael primarily wrote or co-wrote in the late 80's with his bands Holland and Nitro. I used my 6-string Warwick bass throughout the entire recording. The tunes are catchy and the musicianship is excellent, but it's dangerously (deliciously?) 80's!

Michael Angelo: Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity
(2000, M.A.C.E. Music)

This is the first recording I made with monster guitar virtuoso Michael Angelo. There are few people in the world who can match him for speed and clarity. I play bass (my 4-string fretted Axtra) on four tracks on this CD. Except for one track, the record is all-instrumental. It�s got very catchy melodies and roaring guitar work. Recommended to fans of shred guitar. Michael released this on hisM.A.C.E. Music label.

Cyclops: Sampler 4
(2000, Cyclops Records)

This is a sampler from Cyclops that includes the track "Bartholomew's Kite" from KOPECKY's Serpentine Kaleidoscope CD.

Kopecky: Serpentine Kaleidoscope
(2000, Cyclops Records)

Our follow-up CD was released worldwide by the British label Cyclops Records. It�s a pretty dark and dangerous listen. The sound quality, composition, and musicianship on this disc made a huge leap forward from our debut. I think my brothers both played beautifully, and I'm happy with the way my fretless sound turned out. In addition to bass, I played sitar and keyboards, and I also did the paintings for the cover and booklet artwork.

Kopecky: Kopecky
(1999, Mellow Records)

This was Kopecky's debut CD. The first pressing was released in Europe by Italy's Mellow Records. A few months after that we self-released it in the States. This CD really helped define the Kopecky sound: heavy, dreamy, complex, middle-eastern flavored instrumental progressive rock. On this album I played fretless bass, sitar and keyboards.