Phideaux Xavier return with Orion

A powerful document of the American progressive rock project’s ten-piece lineup, capturing the band in concert during the Snowtorch era

Following his return with AutoMoto Animus in 2026, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Phideaux Xavier revisits a pivotal moment in his musical history with Orion, an expansive archival live album arriving on November 11, 2026, via Bloodfish. Available digitally in high resolution, on 2CD and as a 3LP set, the release captures Phideaux and his ten-piece band performing at Orion Studios in Baltimore in October 2011.

Recorded by Mike Potter on October 1, 2011, Orion documents one of a handful of concerts performed in support of Snowtorch, bringing the elaborate compositions of that album together with material from Doomsday Afternoon and Number Seven. The result is a two-hour live journey through the distinctive musical world of Phideaux Xavier.

An early taste of the album is already available with “Tempest Of Mutiny (Live at Orion)”, offering listeners a first glimpse of the energy and atmosphere captured on this remarkable live recording.

Listen to “Tempest Of Mutiny (Live at Orion)” here: https://phideaux.bandcamp.com/track/tempest-of-mutiny-live-at-orion

JOIN PHIDEAUX XAVIER FOR THE ORION LISTENING PARTY ON NOVEMBER 8

Ahead of the album’s official release, Phideaux Xavier invites fans to join him for a special Orion Listening Party on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM UTC via Bandcamp.

The event will offer listeners the opportunity to experience the album together from beginning to end, with Phideaux himself joining the chat to discuss the concert, the making of the album, the songs, the band, and anything else that comes up along the way.

“Come listen to Orion with me!” Phideaux invites fans. “We’ll play the album together from beginning to end, and I’ll be there in the chat to talk about the concert, the making of the album, the songs, the band, and whatever else comes up.”

Join the Orion Listening Party: https://phideaux.bandcamp.com/merch/orion-listening-party

Reflecting on the experience, Phideaux Xavier recalls the time spent preparing at Orion Studios, where the band had the rare opportunity to rehearse and refine its sound over several days rather than relying on the brief soundchecks typical of festival performances. Welcomed by studio owner Mike Potter, the musicians were able to become familiar with the room and allow the music to develop naturally within the space.

For Phideaux, the recording captures a particularly special period: the years following Snowtorch, when the project’s ten-piece lineup came together for occasional festival appearances and watched the music evolve beyond its original studio arrangements.

Although some vocal passages were replaced during the production process to address the challenges of recording in an intimate room, the aim was never to alter the performance, but to present it as it was intended to be heard. The result is a carefully crafted document of a live musical experience, balancing precision with the spontaneity and atmosphere of the original event.

“I hope you hear both the precision and the spirit of that night at Orion Studios,” Phideaux shares, describing the release as a glimpse of his music “as it was becoming something new.”

A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose discography spans more than two decades, Phideaux Xavier has developed a distinctive approach to progressive rock, drawing on the adventurous spirit of artists such as Jethro Tull, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Van der Graaf Generator and early Genesis.

Among the milestones in his catalogue, The Great Leap (2006) introduced the first instalment of a trilogy exploring life in a dystopian, ecologically disintegrating world, followed by the acclaimed Doomsday Afternoon (2007), Number Seven (2010) and Snowtorch (2011). After Infernal (2018), Phideaux returned in 2026 with AutoMoto Animus, marking a new chapter in his creative journey.

Looking ahead, Phideaux Xavier is also set to perform at the 2Days 1 Prog Festival in Veruno, Italy, in 2027, giving fans another opportunity to experience his distinctive progressive rock universe live.

Pre-order via Progrock.com's Essentials: https://essentials.progrock.com/product/phideaux-orion