The Samurai of Prog dates back to 2009 when Marco Bernard, an Italian bassist and producer based in Finland, founded the multinational progressive rock ensemble. Initially conceived as a project for the Finnish Progressive Association Colossus’s tribute boxed-sets curated by Marco, the band took its definitive shape shortly after its debut performance in Tuonen Tytär II in 2008. The pivotal moment came when Marco enlisted the talents of Finnish drummer and producer Kimmo Pörsti to contribute to an Italian Marillion-tribute recording. Subsequently, American violinist, vocalist, and composer Steve Unruh joined the ensemble, solidifying its permanent lineup as a Finnish-Italian-US project.
Collaborating on various tracks proved immensely rewarding, prompting Marco to propose the idea of creating a full album. While Steve (Resistor) and Kimmo (Paidarion) had been composing for their respective bands and solo projects, The Samurai of Prog’s initial albums primarily featured covers. However, original compositions were present from the outset, with notable contributions like Kimmo’s “The Promise” and David Myers’ “Before The Lamia” on the album Undercover in 2011.
Steve’s composition “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” for “The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft” marked a significant shift towards original music, as did Kimmo’s “Sweet Iphigenia,” which catalyzed the band’s transition away from covers. This shift towards performing unreleased or original music culminated in the album The Imperial Hotel in 2014, a milestone for the band on various fronts.
While maintaining a consistent core lineup throughout their albums, The Samurai of Prog has welcomed numerous guest artists whose contributions have been integral to each record’s success. Notably, keyboardists such as Octavio Stampalia (Argentina), Linus Kåse (Sweden), and Eduardo Garcia Salueña (Spain) have provided exceptional compositions, enriching the band’s repertoire.
In recent years, Steve’s commitments to other projects have led to his reduced involvement in The Samurai of Prog, transitioning from a full-time member to a periodic guest artist. However, the band, led by Marco and Kimmo, continues to evolve with the involvement of long-time collaborators such as Italian keyboardist, composer, and producer Marco Grieco, ensuring its continued growth and vibrancy within the progressive music scene.
In February 2024, The Samurai of Prog released A Quiet Town. The concept of this album revolves around a quaint town in the southern United States, where Sundays are sacrosanct and soap factories hum with prosperity. This tranquil facade is shattered by the chilling discovery of a young woman’s lifeless body in the church confessional. As the town reels from the shock, a childhood friend turned detective follows the trail, unearthing long-buried secrets and unexpected betrayals. Through the magnificent music of a progressive rock concept album, the mystery deepens, drawing listeners into a web of deceit and intrigue. Eventually, the sinister truth behind the town’s serene exterior is exposed, revealing the malevolent force lurking within.
To catch up with its extensive collection of albums, The Samurai of Prog have released a series of boxed set compilations titled Omnibus that bring together the various stages of the band.
Early on, The Samurai of Prog established an ongoing partnership with gifted Belarusian graphic designer and illustrator, Ed Unitsky, who designed the fantasy-style covers, booklets, and overall packaging of the various concept albums.
Throughout their remarkable musical journey, The Samurai of Prog have remained committed to their core ethos: crafting high-quality music infused with emotion and authenticity. This dedication to their unique sound and approach, coined as “Samuraization,” underscores their commitment to human creativity amidst technological advancements.
Discography:
Undercover (Musea, 2011)
Secrets Of Disguise (Musea, 2013)
The Imperial Hotel (Seacrest Oy, 2014)
Lost And Found (Seacrest Oy, 2016)
On We Sail (Seacrest Oy, 2017)
Archiviarum (Seacrest Oy, 2018)
Toki No Kaze (Seacrest Oy, 2019)
The Demise Of The Third King’s Empire (Seacrest Oy, 2020)
Beyond The Wardrobe (Seacrest Oy, 2020)
The Lady And The Lion (And Other Grimm Tales I) (Seacrest Oy, 2021)
The White Snake (And Other Grimm Tales II) (Seacrest Oy, 2021)
The Spaghetti Epic 4 (Seacrest Oy, 2022)
The Samurai Of Prog Featuring Marco Grieco – Anthem To The Phoenix Star (Seacrest Oy, 2022)
The Samurai Of Prog Featuring Oliviero Lacagnina – The Man In The Iron Mask (Seacrest Oy, 2023)
The Samurai Of Prog Featuring Marco Grieco – A Quiet Town (Seacrest Oy, 2024)
Boxed Set Compilations
Omnibus – The Early Years (Seacrest Oy, 2018)
Omnibus 2 – The Middle Years (Seacrest Oy, 2021)
Omnibus 3 (Seacrest Oy, 2024)