Amplifier are regarded as one of the brightest and most ambitious prog bands on the scene.

The Manchester trio are about to release their most challenging album to date - The Octopus on January 31 through their own label, AmpCorp. A double CD (also to be available as a triple vinyl LP), this has taken three years to finish. It’s already been compared to anything by Pink Floyd, Rush or Queensryche and has a deep-seated concept, as the band explain:

“It’s the idea of something controlling you. Something closer to you than your skin but you’re not even aware of it.

“We want this record to develop a mythology way beyond ‘the third album by Amplifier’. We want it to grow over the years to the point where it is just The Octopus. And we are like the ghosts in the machine.

“We have a commitment to excellence. That’s what Amplifier is – everything to the best of our abilities.”

Now you can get a feel for the bravery and inspiration of the album by downloading the song The Wave FOR FREE HERE.В 

Since forming in 1998 Sel Balamir (guitar/vocals), Neil Mahony (bass) and Matt Brobin (drums) have released two albums – 2004’s self-titled debut and Insider two years later.

Tangra interview SEL BALAMIR 2006.