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Crimson Glory: Chasing the Hydra (2026) [mini-review]

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US band Crimson Glory released the album "Chasing the Hydra" back in the spring of 2026 through Canadian label Bravewords Records, and this is a production that will be of interest to fans of progressive rock and progressive metal. Back in the day this was a band that sought out the same kind of audience as Queensryche, and when they return now in 2026 that is a matter it is easy to hear. As of 2026 Crimson Glory is a bit more focused on the power metal and heavy metal side of matters though, but reference points and certain similarities with classic day Queensryche, Fates Warning and Dream Theater is a part of the picture here alongside details that may point in the direction of bands like Iron Maiden and Helstar. With skilled songwriting and high quality 80s style metal vocals being very much present throughout. An album to seek out if classic era progressive metal combined with heavy metal and power metal from the mid to late 80s is music you tend to enjoy.  https://theoff...
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Inquinamentum: Abyssal (2026) [mini-review]

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UK band Inquinamentum are out with the album "Abyssal", and in my view at least this is a production that may well fall inside of the progressive metal definition. In this case it is the extreme variety of the form that is the expression and tradition of choice, with twisted, aggressive vocals placed down in the mix and a liberal amount of high pace and high intensity parts with a bit more of a primitive sound that are recurring elements. But we also get a succession of gentler, delicate and careful interludes along the way, as well as more elegant, majestic and distinctly melodic forays into the extreme metal tradition. Just as important are multiple ventures into a more atmospheric laden slower paced and mess intense expression, here as well as elsewhere making use of textured post-rock style motifs to create and establish mood, atmosphere and melody. An album to seek out by those who enjoy extreme metal bands with a liberal inclusion of progressive metal and post-rock styl...
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Souls Of Diotima: Arcade (2026) [mini-review]

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Italian band Souls Of Diotima are out with the album "Arcade", and this is a production that might be of interest also for a progressive metal interested audience. A more modern variety of alternative metal is the default approach here though, and explored in a myriad of different manners. Electronic metal with a more clinical sound and futuristic sounding intent is just as prevalent here as compositions that add in elements from dub and possibly even trip hop and EDM. Groove metal oriented passages and majestic, sweeping synthesizer and keyboard arrangements exist side by side with elegant, majestic and more advanced constructions with a nod in the direction of progressive metal, seasoned with a little bit of an extreme metal flourish here and a side step into djent-aligned territories there. If you enjoy production inside of the metal universe that are sprawling across multiple and varied expressions and traditions, and that touch base with progressive metal elements along ...
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Stricken: From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens (2026) [mini-review]

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  US band Stricken are out with the album "From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens" through US label Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, and metal is the style explored on this production. It is a take on this tradition that is experimental in scope and arguably comes with a bit of a progressive spirit too. While traces of extreme metal comes in the shape of tight, uptempo runs and arguably the aggressive raspy vocals too, is is a more atmospheric laden variety of slower paced doom metal that dominated the long compositions here. Mighty and majestic slower paced riff and riff constructions, complete with melodic resonances and subtler harmony inclusions. Gentler interludes and occasional chaotic side steps does appear along the way, and multiple subtle as well as more overt alterations in pace and intensity is a recurring element throughout. An album that might be of interest to those who enjoy extreme progressive metal, and otherwise I'd suggest fans of Trip...
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Gates Of Kiev: Gates Of Kiev (2026) [mini-review]

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Dutch band Gates Of Kiev are out with the album "Gates Of Kiev" through US label Laser's Edge, and good, old progressive rock is the style explored on this production. With an emphasis on old, as this is quite the retro-oriented affair. Early 70s is where I'd place the sounds we are presented to here. We get gliding, elegant landscapes in a similar vein to classic era Camel, but also psychedelic drenched, more chaotic parts closer in line with early Pink Floyd. But there is a harder edge at play here too, with the band appearing to make use of impulses from the likes of Deep Purple as well As Uriah Heep here too. Most prominent in driving, energetic passages where the organ is prominent, bot also with some more expressive exploits of the kind more common with the former of these two as well as in a band like ELP. This adds up to be quite the charming vintage sounding affair, and those who know and love their early 70s progressive rock as well as the more art-flavored ...
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Electric Valley: Echo (2026) [mini-review]

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Spain based band Electric Valley are out with the album "Echo" through US label Small Stone Records, and this is a production that might be of interest also for a progressive rock interested audience. The foundation of this band is 70's hard rock though, with gritty vocals, a tight bass and a dominant guitar being the order of the day. Referencing both the blues based hard rock bands as well as touching base with both Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin on occasion. What makes this album a bit more interesting is the liberal use of psychedelic rock elements throughout. From delicate cosmic resonances to floating and expressive psychedelic guitar solo runs of the kind that wouldn't have been out of place in a vintage oriented space rock band. With the echoing, resonating gentle and otherworldly Zeppelinesque landscapes explored on title track 'Echo' as the icing on the cake in that respect. An album to seek out by those who enjoy bands exploring 70s era hard rock wi...
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Out5ide - 2026 - Crashed Cars

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(52:34; M&O Music) Track list: 1. Wooden Bridge Part 1 1:26 2. Wooden Bridge Part 2 5:58 3. Crashed Car Melody 5:24 4. Forgotten 4:15 5. Seal 5:48 6. Schizo Part 1 4:49 7. The Thing 5:57 8. Point of View 4:32 9. Schizo Part 2 4:17 10. Sophie 5:02 11. Wooden Bridge Part 3 5:06 Line-up: Olivier Sapte - drums Olivier Schaal - keyboards, piano, synthetizers Philippe Rau - guitars, vocals Laurent Hantz - vocals, guitars, trumpet, synthetizers Mathieu Heise - bass Prolusion. French band Out5ide have a history that goes way back to 1996, and in their initial run they released three studio albums, and hooked up with legendary French label Musea Records along the way too. The band started their second phase of life back in 2016, switching from the band name Outside to Out5ide at that point, and a further three studio albums have appeared since then. "Crashed Cars" is the most recent of these, and was released in the fall of 2026 through French label M&O Records. Analysis. Whil...
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