Happy New Year everybody!

2010 was a great year for Mastermind because we finally saw the release of the long awaited Insomnia album by Lion Music. As is customary at the end of the year, critics, DJ’s, etc compile their “best of the year” lists. We are pleased to know Insomnia made at least a few of these lists! Music critic Chris Latta, who wrote a very nice review at suite101.com, included Insomnia in his Top 10 Favorite Albums of 2010 saying…

“Mastermind’s newest album is dramatically different when compared to their prog metal past. While the band does occasionally show off some technicality, the songwriting on this album is much more accessible and has a really modern feel thanks to the vocals of Tracy McShane. In a perfect world, this album would be a massive hit and one can only hope that the band will build up some momentum with this release.”

Yes, we can only hope!! Thanks Chris. Also, Delicious Agony Radio’s “Rickter Scale” show hosted by Rick Dashiell lists Insomnia track “Desire” in his Top 40 of the Year… nice! Thanks Rick. So we are pleased to know at least a few people are enjoying the album. If you visit the reviews page here on this site you will see there are quite a few others that seem to appreciate the album as well. Thank you all! Now if only the rest of the world would catch on.

If you haven’t heard the album yet we encourage you to go have a listen.

Otherwise, we are still hoping to get Mastermind live off the ground sometime this year if possible, and news about other projects such as The Berends Brothers Band can be found on guitarist Bill Berends newly updated website; billberends.com

Best wishes to all for the new year… here’s to more music on 2011!

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An impressionistic music video by Krype Malisque for “Night Flier”, an instrumental track on the new Insomia album… a marvelous interpretation! Very cool. Thanks Krype, nice work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LFGh9_Q_7Q (stop by and give it a thumbs up!)

Then check out this thoughtful new Mastermind Insomnia review at suite101.com. Very nice.

And finally, for those who haven’t picked up a copy of the new album (yet), head on over to our youtube page for a preview (let the playlist run – and maybe subscribe while you’re there too – more videos to come). Then come on back and stop by the Mastermind store to grab a copy (or three, it just might make a nice Christmas present for someone!). Thanks!

Enjoy.. and spread the word!

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At recent Berends Bros gigs we’ve been known to whip out a few old Mastermind tunes…

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

We could easily do a whole show of this material if we thought there was enough interest, so let us know. For more Berends Bros Band bluesy rock videos visit youtube.com/billberends

We hope to be rehearsing for some Insomnia shows in the near future.

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Now the Insomnia album has been out for six months, a lot of nice reviews have come in. We’re very pleased by the latest from Exposé Magazine, one of the original prog-rock magazines printed on real paper… “this is Mastermind’s best album to date. – Peter Thelen” Very cool! Thank you Peter. More review links can be found on our review page and thanks also to the many journalists & critics who have taken the time to write a thoughtful review.

Also, many thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy (something special in this day and age)! We know for a fact Peter actually purchased his copy for this wonderful review, and we suspect (have been told) some of the less than kind reviews are based on Lion Music not giving out free CD’s for review – only digital downloads – which really annoys some reviewers accustomed to getting free stuff (and quite often reselling it ebay). Hey, it’s a digital age.

In any case, we thank you all for listening and for those who haven’t purchased their CD yet please visit our online store to get yours. Reviewers interested in obtaining a digital copy for review, please contact promo@lionmusic.com. Thanks!

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Greetings folks! Some updates from the Berends/Mastermind camp…

First off, a reminder The Berends Bros Band is playing at The Country Lakes Pub (NJ) Sat. July 31, we hope to see some locals there. This is a 3 set gig so we’re playing a wide variety of material. At the last Berends Bros gig we played some old Mastermind trio material, but quite honestly, it tends to clear room of average folk… so if enough Mastermind enthusiasts show up we could whip some out. Otherwise lots of vintage rock with plenty of new material added to the set list.

Sat. July 31, 2010 – Country Lakes Pub – Browns Mills, NJ
558 Lakehurst Road, Browns Mills, NJ – 9pm to 1am, 3 sets, 21+, no cover
For map link visit – http://tinyurl.com/bbgigs

There are some new BB/MM interviews posted talking about music, Mastermind & more. These may give you some insight into what is going on and what is coming in the future. For links visit http://billberends.blogspot.com/

In MASTERMIND news, the INSOMNIA album has been fairly well received with lots of nice reviews (and a few clunkers-can’t please everyone). We hope you have purchased your copy! Visit http://mastermindband.com/store to order. Also available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and CDBaby.com

We have reached out to some of our prog rock contacts to inquire about possible Mastermind live shows, but the responses have been slow in coming. If you would like to see future Mastermind shows, reach out to some of these festivals and promoters and let them know you would like to see Mastermind live!

A technical update: our website “mastermindband.com” will be changing hosts in the coming weeks, so if the site goes missing or domain mail bounces, never fear, it will reappear. In the interim use “mastermindband@yahoo.com” to get in touch and bookmark http://billberends.com for news, links & updates. Thanks.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and we hope to see you soon!

Bill c/o Berends Bros & Mastermind

ps: more new music is on the way.

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We’ve added a few more albums to our page at bandcamp.com for your listening pleasure. These early albums are getting harder to find on CD, so we hope to make the music more readily available to anyone who is interested. You can stream full albums online (free) and purchase downloads in any format (mp3, ACC, ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless) for one low price.

Go have a listen! mastermind.bandcamp.com

All album downloads include printable PDF covers.

* all titles are also available at http://mindawn.com/artists/mastermind – please note that Mindawn and Bandcamp are the ONLY authorized sites to download these back catalog titles.

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Found this clip from Insomnia cruising youtube. We hope you enjoy it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1kjkXHP9Yc

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“Broken” has won The EKR Listeners Poll for the favourite EKR A-List track for the week commencing 08/03/2010″ — www.ekr.net (UK)  Excellent… we’re number one! (poll link)

Also a new interview with Bill Berends online at Virtuosity One (UK)

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Insomnia track “Broken” added to steady rotation playlist in the UK –European Klassik Rock

Nice. To quote the Dutch Progressive Rock Page… “It could easily become a major hit!”

We think so!

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

“Mastermind has accomplished what few bands can – a diverse album with an array of influence from blues to metal to prog and back again. Each track here stands by itself, however this album should be listened to in one sitting. The flow of music and the impressive composition are amazing; one listen and you are hooked.” — Unstoppable Force (USA)

Get your copy today!

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