(51:48; Karisma Records [2025 Edition] ) Here we have the fifth in the Karisma Records remaster and reissue series of White Willow albums. Originally released in 2006, this  was their attempt to break out from the established 70s prog rock sound and pursue something more up to date. They chose to work with an outside producer, Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT, Pagan's Mind, Circus Maximus), and decided they wanted to take influences from City Boy, surely one of the most under-rated bands around, who managed to capture pop rock, hard rock and prog in some incredible releases. Not only did White Willow have a new singer in Trude Eidtang, but the band had cut down in size from eight to six, so while the rest had all played on the previous release, they had also departed ways with cellist Sigrun Eng and second guitarist Johannes Saebøe. There were also no strings, and the only additional people credited outside the band this time is producer Hansen (vocal arrangements) and engineer Brynjar...

(29:27; Acid Dragon) Track list: 1. Teryayu Vremya 4:06 2. Come Tomorrow 3:52 3. I Don't Resign 2:22 4. Trance Aviation Pilots 3:52 5. Luchshe By 3:33 6. Just a Dream 3:26 7. Look at the Sky 2:50 8. L'Amour 5:26 Line-up: Yuri Smolnikov - vocals, guitars Evgeniy Gorelov - keyboards Mike Solo - guitars Misha Brovarnik - bass Irina Yunakovskaya - cello Jim Moto - drums Prolusion. I do not know all that much about Russian band Romislokus, but I understand they were an active creative unit some 20 years ago with a succession of albums released over the span of a few years. Recently I got one of these into my possession: An album called "Lyon's Message", which was attached to an edition of the French progressive rock magazine Acid Dragon back in 2003. Analysis. While the Acid Dragon magazine is a progressive rock speciality publication, I do find that the band Romislokus may not be on top of the lists for bands to promote within that setting. While they certainly have t...

(57:04; Glass Castle Recordings) Track list: 1. Certainty 7:01 2. Everything Changed 4:09 3. The Ultraviolet Catastrophe 2:55 4. Copenhagen 5:15 5. Cause and Effect (But Not Necessarily in That Order) 5:58 6. The Uncertainty Principle 8:43 7. Inside the Atom 6:54 8. The Think Tank 3:57 9. One Word That Means the World (Arkhipov) 4:22 10. Between Two Worlds 4:17 11. Living with Uncertainty 3:33 Line-up: Malcolm Galloway - vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, programming Mark Gatland - bass, Chapman Stick, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers with: Kathryn Thomas - flute, vocals Ethan Galloway - vocals Prolusion. UK band Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate has been releasing new material at a steady pace ever since their debut album "Invisible" appeared back in 2012, and along the way this venture has also doubled in it's core size from being a one man studio venture with guest musicians involved to having a stable core of two studio musicians. As well as a few more peopl...

(48:58; Soniq Theater) Track list: 1. Explorer 4:24 2. Distant Planet 4:49 3. Supersaurus 7:50 4. Tasty Latin Bird 4:35 5. The Akasha Chronicles parts 1, 2 & 3 11:47 6. The Akasha Chronicles parts 4 & 5 6:50 7. The Akasha Chronicles parts 6 & 7 8:43 Line-up: Alfred Mueller - all instruments Prolusion. German project Soniq Theater is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Alfred Mueller, and for the last three decades or thereabouts he has released solo slums under this moniker at a pace of almost one album per calendar year. "Explorer" is the 15th album to see the light of day under the Soniq Theater name, and was self released at the start of 2025. Analysis. The albums released by Mueller under this project name always come with some strengths and some weaknesses to them. Mueller has a very good ear for creating and exploring compelling moods and atmospheres, and over time has developed an expertise in the creation of instrumental escapades that tend to ap...

(76:00; Marek Arnold) The 2023 full-length debut from Marek Arnold contained not only the songs from the first two EPs, but the complete “Berlin 2049” suite plus a few songs from his time with Toxic Smile. Although Marek is a keyboard player (and saxophonist) he somehow always knows what is required from guitar for a song to sound really good and works hard to ensure the songs are crafted and arranged in a manner which ensures they get their time to shine. The only other keyboard player I can think of who has this ability is Derek Sherinian, and I had to smile when I realised, he provides a solo on one of the songs. This may be a full-blown project as opposed to a band, with numerous performers (I think around 50 but I lost count) but somehow this always feels like a band. Marek has long been in demand in multiple bands, and this clearly demonstrates his skill not only in composing but the way he arranges the music so there is continuity even though there are multiple players involved....

(78:00; Marek Arnold) Arguably I am reviewing these to releases the wrong way around, as this collection was released after the debut album, but given this contains the EP which started this project off I feel it is the right way for me. As may be gained from the title, this is a collection of three EPs (plus lots of other material) from keyboard player/saxophonist Marek Arnold who is widely known for his time with bands such as Toxic Smile, Cyril, Seven Steps To The Green Door and Damanek. He has always reminded me of Martin Orford in that not only is he a wonderful composer and keyboard player but is also a master of a very different instrument indeed. The concept behind this was when Uwe Treitinger, organizer of the established Artrock Festival Reichenbach/Vogtland had the idea for a “hymn” for the festival and asked Marek to provide it. He wrote the song, “Stay”, played keyboards and saxophone and asked many of his friends to get involved, with lead vocals provided by Melanie Mau. ...