(61:15; Visions of Morpheus) Canadian band Visions of Morpheus are out with the album "Lost Within", and progressive metal is the style explored on this production. Initially you will perceive this as more of a traditional heavy metal album however, alternating between the infectious riff patterns that define good, old fashioned heavy metal and the more energetic and driving bass, guitar and drum patterns that is such a feature in power metal. But with the keyboard arrangements and the use of organ and keyboards drawing in a progressive metal element. As the album moves onward the songs themselves start to become more intricate as well however, and while the heavy metal and power metal aspects are retained somewhat it is the more expressive progressive metal elements that gradually takes over the spirit of this album, so to speak. This is accessible and classic era progressive metal though, so expect a focus on mood, atmosphere and melody over boundary breaking ...

(31:29; Flower Power Records) UK artist Black Market Karma released the album "Friends in Noise" at the start of 2023, and this is an album that might be of interest also for fans of progressive rock. As with the previous album by this artist it is 60s inspired psychedelic rock that is the foundation for this album, and in this case probably closer than the previous one in terms of the connections and associations with power pop too. The tone may be a bit darker, the arrangements a bit weightier and the psychedelic elements more prominent, but there are similarities here for sure. Again we get a fair degree of variation here, from the more gentle and innocent sounds of 'The Sky Was All Diseased' to the hazier landscapes of 'Heady Ideas', while a song like the concluding 'Ageing Boy' would have been a perfect fit on most album by US artist Jeremy Morris. An album that merits the attention of fans of retro-oriented psychedelic rock. Olav ...

(53:12; Flower Power Records) UK artist Black Market Karma released the album "Aped Flair and Hijacked Ideas" back in 2022, and this is a production that might be of interest also for fans of progressive rock. In this case we have an album with 60s psychedelic rock used as the foundation, more often than not the poppier and more joyful variety of this venerable tradition, with relaxed and borderline sleepy vocals and songs that at times probably approach the power pop territories too. While light toned and elegant guitar displays and romantic plucked guitar solo runs is the norm, with feedback seasoned and reverberating guitar effects in liberal use, some of the songs also gains a darker and more haunting undercurrent by way of guitar riff that have more of a garage rock feel to them. In addition some rhythm details and the overall mood in some of the songs adds a little bit of a 90s indie pop flair to some of the songs. But first and foremost this is an album t...

(35:15; Magic Door Record Label) US band Elk City are out with the album "Undertow", and I suspect that progressive rock is the best manner in which to define this production, albeit art rock strikes me as perhaps a better general description. This due to the song structures as such being more straight forward affairs, and the progressive elements tend to revolve around details in the arrangements themselves. The band play around with a number of different styles and traditions here, with Americana and dream pop being just as prominent as indie pop. Most songs will feature various degrees of psychedelic rock impulses, at times seguing over to or replaced with post-rock style textured instrument layers, and with a little bit of a noise rock influx here and there too. We also get a few songs that makes good use of orchestral details, and various kinds of sounds and unusual instrument details is an important part of the landscapes explored. With clean, controlled a...

(40:14; Abandoned Humanity) German band Abandoned Humanity are out with the album "Against All Odds", and progressive metal is the style explored on this production. It is an extreme variety of the form we get here, with distorted gruff vocals sharing the singer role alongside clean and controlled as well as clean and more powerful and emotional vocals, and with high paced and high intensity passages being a recurring element in most songs. We also get a number of parts with a more challenging and technical display being in focus, several side steps into more of a classic era progressive metal expression and also quite a few more atmospheric laden interludes of a more powerful as well as mild and gentle nature and orientation. With a little bit of a groove metal and power metal seasoning applied when natural and logical. An album to seek out by those who tend to enjoy a more accessible and dynamic variety of extreme progressive metal. Olav "Progmessor"...

(48:33; NRT-Records) German band R.T.P. are out with the album "Cycle of Twentythree. Psychotropic", and progressive rock is probably how I would define the landscapes explored on this production. To be more precise I'd say that at least in terms of structure, there is a distinct art pop feel to this creation, with the songs typically ebbing and flowing between a small handful of different orientations that feature changes and alterations in pace, drive and intensity. Various instances of electronic pop as well as a bit of soul and funk tends to cover the calmer passages of a song, and they will typically be offset by sections with a more defined electronic or electronic vibe as well as passages sporting more of a classic or contemporary hard rock expression. With the majority of the songs also to a lesser or greater extent also featuring a liberal array of futuristic sounds and effects. With forays into more atmospheric laden progressive rock territories on...

(48:59; Ex'Cess Records) Track list: 1. Your New World Order 5:13 2. When You Go for the Rich 4:54 3. I Can Do It 5:09 4. Love Your Life 7:34 5. A Space in Time 6:20 6. Wonderful Time 4:17 7. I Leave It All Behind 6:07 8. A Light Song 4:23 9. Big Cigars 5:02 Line-up: Lars Boutrup - vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass Michael Miller - drums, percussion, keyboards with: Kasper Damgaard - guitars Juruda Bendtsen - backing vocals Prolusion. Danish band Sonic Tool Box revolves around the talents of Lars Boutrup and Michael Miller, musicians that have a history of working together that started out back in the 1980s. This is their current project, one that was instigated back in 2013 and with two studio albums out so far. "A Space in Time" is the most recent of these, and was released through Danish label Ex'Cess Records back in 2017. Analysis. While this is an album where at least a part of the marketing have been done towards the progressive rock environment, presumably due t...

(42:28; Turtle Down Music) Track list: 1. Loud Shoes 3:37 2. Not If But When 2:20 3. The Admiral 3:08 4. The Professor 6:09 5. On Your Left 4:06 6. The Choirboy 5:40 7. Coltrane Supermarket 4:22 8. The Whistler 3:44 9. The Gospel Lady 4:57 10. Osaka Garden 4:35 Line-up: Ethan Sellers - vocals, keyboards, guitars Pat Buzby - drums Nathan Britsch - bass Chris Greene - saxophones Aaron Weistrop - guitars Jeff Yang - violin Nick Photinos - cello with: Aron Topielski - bass Jennifer Reddick - flutes Michael Maccaferri - clarinets Johnny Showtime Janowiak - trombone Eric Koppa - saxophone Micah Frazier - trumpet Diana Lawrence - vocals Jennifer Justice - vocals Lillie Sellers - spoken words Prolusion. US band Tautologic started out back towards the end of the 1990s, and launched their debut album and a following EP just after the millennium. For multiple reasons the band went quiet as a recording unit for a decade or so following that, but in 2018 they reappeared with a new studio album and ...

(59:11; Split Difference Records) Track list: 1. Please Don't Hurt Us 3:06 2. Sin of Forgiveness 5:04 3. Seller 3:50 4. Give 'n' Take 4:06 5. Capitalism 8:24 6. Side Two Load Screen 2:02 7. One of a Different Color 9:54 8. For All Tomorrows 5:51 9. September 9:26 10. Up Above 7:28 Line-up: Ryan Parmenter - vocals, keyboards with: David Dawkins-  guitars Matthew Parmenter - violin Prolusion. US artist Ryan Parmenter used to be a member of the band Eyestrings back in the day, and while that band has been long disbanded, I suspect that this is where the majority of progressive rock fans will head when they desire to place Ryan Parmenter inside of a context. The fact of the matter is that he has been more productive as a solo artist. As of 2023 he has four solo albums to his name, the first of which appeared back in 1995. "One of a Different Color" is his fourth and most recent solo production, and was released through the Split Difference label back at the start of 2...

(52:35; Timezone Records) Track list: 1. Deadend Mind 11:40 2. Canary in a Cathouse 11:05 3. Black Dog 5:48 4. Suburban Wasteland Blues 4:04 5. Heads in Beds 11:52 6. Through the Gates 4:06 7. Moongarden 4:00 Line-up: Hagen Bretschneider - bass Lennart Hüper - guitars Nico Walser - various instruments, sounds, effects Prolusion. German band Electric Mud have been a presence of the German music scene for a decade or thereabouts at this point, and from 2015 and onward they have released new material at a fairly steady pace with their 6th and most recent production "Lost Places" appearing in 2022. Their third album "The Deconstruction Of Light" dates back to 2018, and was released through German label Timezone Records. Analysis. Electric Mud, at least as they appear on this album from 2018, is a band that really doesn't fit neither neatly or naturally into any of the more conventional subsets inside of the progressive rock universe, nor do they adhere to any of the...

(44:34; Sproingg) Track list: 1. Sugarwax Nailface 4:42 2. And the Mountain Rat Saw God 6:16 3. Homunculous Funkulous 4:32 4. No Place for Children 6:06 5. Krummfutter 3:03 6. Mückmucke 7:15 7. Alligator Peak 4:20 8. The Aliens Have Landed, and I'm One of Them 8:20 Line-up: Prudi Bruschgo - guitars Erik Feder - drums, percussion Johannes Korn - Chapman stick, violin Prolusion. German band Sproingg are closing in on a decade as an active band unit, and as of 2023 they have three studio albums to their name. Their debut album "Sproingg" dates back to 2017, and was self released by the band. Analysis. It is a more challenging variety of progressive rock that is the focus for the landscapes explored on this instrumental album. Rather than sticking to the more well known, accessible and popular varieties of progressive rock this is a band that focus on challenging perceptions, conventions and boundaries. Quirky and off kilter instrument sounds and patterns is the norm rather t...

(68:13; Hadal Sherpa) Track list: 1. Nautilus Part 1 7:52 2. Nautilus Part 2 7:57 3. Chafa Azeno 9:07 4. Ikaros 7:49 5. Heracleion 11:14 6. Marracech 7:24 7. Abyss 9:30 8. Black Elk 7:20 Line-up: Vesa Pasanen - guitars, bouzouki, keyboards, percussion Sauli Marila - bass, cello Matti Elsinen - keyboards Ville Kainulainen - guitars Ilja Juutilanen - drums, percussion with: Pi Kiviharju - flute Arttu Muhonen - percussion Olli Rautiainen - trumpet Prolusion. Finnish band Hadal Sherpa started out back in 2013, and from what I can see the band has been an active unit also in their local live scene also in their earlier days, in addition to preparing and developing their own material. In the summer of 2017 they released their debut album "Hadal Sherpa", which is the sole album released by the band as of 2023. Analysis. This is a band that in my view at least looks in two related but also fairly different directions in terms of the progressive rock traditions they desire to explore....

(65:00; Ars Nova) Spanish band Ars Nova released the album "Abrazando Las Sombras" at the start of 2023, and progressive metal is probably the best manner in which to define the landscapes explored on this production. Like with the earlier albums from this band, this is an accessible and melodic variety of the form, where flowing instrument runs and distinct melodies and harmonies are dominant aspects of the material. Most of the songs blend elements from power metal and progressive metal too, although on this most recent album the dividing line between one and the other is a little more blurred. This is primarily due to the rhythm department, where the band appears to very deliberately explore the use of more elaborate power metal style rhythms that use fills and additional pattern details to create what comes across as borderline broken rhythm patterns, which does create a very distinct feel and mood when executed. We do get sections that adhere more closely t...

(63:00; RockCD Records) Spanish band Ars Nova released the album "Sombra y Luz" back in 2018, and progressive metal is possibly the best manner in which to define the style explored on this production. It is a distinctly accessible variety of the form we get here, where the guitar impact is toned down while melodies and harmonies have more of a dominant position, with the raspier lead vocals adding a bit of grit and contrast alongside an occasionally gnarlier guitar sound. The songs will typically ebb and flow between different levels of pace and intensity, with more complex elements in terms of riff constructions, arrangements as well as the overall structure of the songs all adding a progressive dimension to the landscapes explored. That being said, a mainstay element throughout are more energetic passages that have more of a purebred power metal expression, and one might describe this as a bit of a half and half experience in that specific context. An album ...

(57:32; Ars Nova) Spanish band Ars Nova released the album "Ars Nova" back in 2009, and this is a production that might be of interest also for fans of progressive metal. The dominating style explored on this album is what I'd describe as a classic variety of power metal, with a more careful and tasteful variety of galloping riffs and rhythms that by and large are delivered with flowing melody lines and a softer mode of delivery. At times bordering melodic rock and hard rock. The songs will often ebb back and forth between melodic power metal and melodic metal, with tasteful flowing and floating guitar and keyboard solo runs and harmony overlays. Some aspects of progressive metal do find their way into the arrangements here too, with some riff constructions that have a more elaborate nature and some subtly majestic keyboard and guitar combinations that fans of classic era progressive metal probably will find familiar sounding. An album to seek out by those ...

(37:27; Spiritual Beast) Japanese band Seventh Son are out with the album "Edge Of Insanity", and this is a production that might be of interest also for a progressive metal interested audience. I suspect that the best classification for this production as far as style and tradition is concerned will be power metal, as tight and galloping riff and rhythm constructions is a vital and defining aspect of the majority of the songs here. While not always dominating parts of the individual songs, these parts are the energizing components that elevate the individual experiences up to a higher level of interest. The band also have a liberal array of more atmospheric sections, at times bordering melodic rock, explored and executed in a manner with similar traits to what a band like Queensryche did back in the day. On some of the songs we do get some additional dramatic flair too, and in these moments I'd say that we have a little bit of a Queen influx in terms of log...

(29:57; Etched Horizon) US band Etched Horizon are out with the album "Endlessly Levitating in Azure Wonder", and this is a production that might be of interest also for a progressive metal interested audience. This is a band that operate with extreme metal as the foundation for their excursions, with gravelly distorted vocals catering for the vocals and dark, disruptive guitar riffs heading the charge in the instrument department. A defining aspect of the compositions are quirky, off kilter and unusual riff patterns being a regular feature, and frequently with unusual and atonal qualities as well as a bit of a chaotic display of the kind that comes with some avant sensibilities. The use of more atmospheric laden keyboard sounds and orchestral inspired textures is a part of the totality too, as well as side steps into gentler and less metal-flavored passages and even a little bit of what sounds like post-punk inspired arrangements here and there. A production to...

(40:45; Prypiat) French band Prypiat are out with the album "A Lifeless World", and this is a production that might be of interest also for fans of progressive metal. It is a variety of extreme metal we get here, with deep set distorted vocals as a mainstay element and musical landscapes that tend to revolve around more dramatic characteristics. Booming djent style explosions is a dominant aspect of the greater majority of the songs, with rhythm support to match, with some offsets in the intensity department along the way and some deviations into less impact-oriented territories. From a progressive metal point of view the liberal inclusion of atmospheric laden elements and occasional side steps into calmer atmospheric landscapes will be a matter of stronger interest I gather, and the sometime addition of quirky and challenging instrument details perhaps even more so. A production to seek out if a marriage between djent and extreme metal sounds generally interest...

(52:33; Choclat Frog) German band cHoclat FRoG are out with the album "On Detour to Shortcut", and progressive rock is the style explored on this production. This is quite the creative and expressive venture into the progressive rock universe, and one of the common denominators are recurring passages that align fairly close to what you might describe as hard progressive rock. This isn't a band that stick close to this arguable foundation though, but instead they stretch out from it into landscapes that are both psychedelic and cosmic for starters. More atonal and atmospheric laden passages are numerous too, and more often than not these come with unusual properties to a lesser or greater extent. Side steps into a myriad of more whimsical landscapes is something of a defining aspect of the compositions too, and those fond of quirky instrument details, unusual sounds and notes and sequences with more of an avant-oriented expression will find plenty to enjoy he...

(16:45; Apollon Records) Norwegian band MesaVerde are out with the EP "Live 2023", and progressive rock is probably the best manner in which to define the music explored on this live EP. This is more of an art pop creation than a progressive rock one as such, with the three opening cuts all featuring elements and tendencies that draw in impulses from synth pop, new wave and arguably also dream pop. The inclusion of rock elements, more elaborate and quirky keyboard details or a more expressive rhythm foundation provides the more progressive elements of this mix, but while these are vital elements the band never lets go of theior pop music sensibilities either. This EP concludes with a stripped down acoustic affair that adds a few minutes of the singer/songwriter tradition to this experience, and while an appropriate manner to conclude this EP it is also a bit of the odd one out on this production. An EP to investigate for those who enjoy progressive music with st...

(48:09; Komie) Track list: 1. Cirrus Flow 3:32 2. Driftwood 4:05 3. Breathe You In 3:18 4. Rush 3:55 5. Eyes of Innocence 3:29 6. Power Surge 3:24 7. Afterglow 3:44 8. Inhumanly Possible 3:54 9. Moonstruck 3:40 10. Pieces of Me 3:50 11. Aurora Dawning 3:55 12. Skyburst 3:48 13. Aeon Shift 3:35 Line-up: Komie - all instruments Prolusion. US artist Komie has a background as a professional songwriter that have created songs for a number of different ventures and projects over the years. A few years back he wanted to create something for himself and to indulge in his own passions, and the result of this creative process was the album "Afterglow", which was self released back in the summer of 2018. Analysis. This is one of those albums that is difficult to exactly place inside of a specific niche of the progressive rock universe, but if I had to choose somewhere to categorize this album it would be inside of the neo-progressive tradition. Not because it is a good or perfect fit th...

(42:24; Zelleey Moon) Track list: 1. Main Moon Man 5:17 2. English Pride 9:18 3. Four Walls 1:35 4. Killing the Dream 4:53 5. Where the Wind Blows 9:55 6. Poison in My Tea 3:54 7. So Many Words 7:32 Line-up: Pat Molesworth - vocals, piano, keyboards, organ Jim Kelleher - guitars, bass Aled Peter Lloyd - drums with: Steve Picking - bass Sarah Mau - cello, violin Katherine Sparks - flute Meg Prickett - vocals Prolusion. UK band Zeelley Moon is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Pat Molesworth, and under the Zeelley Moon moniker he has created and released two studio albums so far. "The Author and the Dreamer" is the most recent of these, and was self-released in the fall of 2023. Analysis. It is a distinctly compelling and accessible variety of progressive rock we get with this band. The main focus revolves around compositions that are gentle and careful in approach and execution, where it is the subtle nuances rather than the more dramatic contrasts or instrument vi...

(13:57; Inverse Records) Finland based artist Rioghan are out with the EP "Covers III", where three songs by other artists have been given an alternative take. The opening 'Toxic' is transformed into a more exotic sounding metal tune in this guise, and while not as progressive as Marillion's classic take on the song (nor as aggressive as Trollfest's version) I think this version should sit well with a progressive music interested audience. Second track 'Sweet Death' is a song that is unknown to me, but a song that sounds achingly familiar nonetheless. And this blend of dark post-punk and progressive metal is quite alluring in its own right, a dark song with lots of nerve, tension and dripping with atmosphere. The concluding ballad 'Lethean' is pulled from the back catalogue of the band Katatonia, and wraps up this EP in a soft, elegant and suitably charming manner. And while 'Sweet Death' is a song that strikes me as a gra...

(39:20; Unmothered) US band Unmothered are out with the album "Corridors", and this is a production that might be of interest also to fans of progressive metal. It is a dark and often booming variety of metal we get here, with a little bit of a foundation in stoner rock and stoner metal as far as patterns and groove is concerned. The vocals are more dark and distorted however, adding an extreme metal aspect to the proceedings, and many of the songs also feature quirky and off kilter tone and riff movements as well as post metal elements that both adds a progressive touch to the proceedings. At regular intervals we also get ambient, cinematic or atmospheric laden interludes, placed as standalone tracks but often connected to the song preceding or proceeding it. That we also get occasional side steps into doom metal and atmospheric laden metal probably merits a mention too. A production to seek out by those who think that a blend of stoner rock and post metal is ...

(52:26: Masters of Art) Track list: 1. Electric Brindisi 2:08 2. Baron Aquarium 2:05 3. Your Powerful Wink Posture 2:06 4. The Leeds Esprit of ‘Alabaster’ Eddy Holm 2:03 5. Mr. McKilowatts Dances High 2:01 6. Respect the Sevenfold Wavenumber 2:09 7. Methyl Will Sooth a Tungsten Bowstring 2:07 8. Wilful Polyphony With Woody Wine Viscosity 2:00 9. Mr. McKilowatts Dances Low 2:13 10. Bop for Beer with Token Precision 2:11 11. Let Malraux Brandish his Pudding 2:02 12. A Snappish Concerto, Chuckwalla 2:07 13. An Alien-Filled, Cassius Tornado 2:03 14. Mr. McKilowatts Dances Fast 2:02 15. The Gray Town of the Fifteenth Dogfish 2:15 16. A Round, Cast, Shining Thing 2:00 17. Orchestral Spud Electron, Milord 2:00 18. Mr. McKilowatts Dances Slow 2:26 19. A Frankfurter Blush Continuo 2:09 20. The Texas Chrome Thieves 2:08 21. Torpor was on the Breeze 2:01 22. Coppery, Volleyball Combustion 2:02 23. Mr McKilowatts Dances a Long, Long Time Ago 2:03 24. An Evensong Trilobite 2:09 25. Knockety-Knock, ...