Old Rock City Orchestra “Back to Earth”

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: M.P. & Records - MPRCD071
Format: CD
Release date: April 30, 2015
Tracklist: 
1- When you pick an apple from the tree 4:14
2- Feelin' alive 4:08
3- Rain on a sunny day 2:09
4- Mr Shadow 3:45
5- Melissa 2:54
6- Lady Viper 2:38
7- My love 3:01
8- Tonight tomorrow and forever 3:02
9- Why life 3:52
10- Back to Earth 9:17

Line-up: 
Cinzia Catalucci - Vocals, keyboards
Raffaele Spanetta - Guitars, vocals
Giacomo Cocchiara - Bass, backing vocals
Mike Capriolo - Drums, percussion

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming
Back to Earth

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Hibernal "After the Winter"

Country: Australia
Genre(s):  Instrumental Post Rock/Metal
Format: digital, CD
Release date: April 30 , 2015
Tracklist: 

1. After the Winter
2. Homecoming
3. The Time Has Come
4. All That's Been Lost 
5. Worn 
6. A View of the World 
7. Displacement Part I 
8. Displacement Part II 
9. The Silent Earth 
10. Pathways 
11. Beginnings

Line-up: 
Mark Healy - Instruments
   With
Rowan Salt - Bass
Brad Everett - Voice as Brant
Faleena Hopkins - Voice as Arsha

Description/Reviews: 

A man who transfers his thoughts and memories to a synthetic body in order to survive an apocalypse seeks to return to his human form.

Media/Samples 
After the Winter

Links:

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North Star "Transcendence"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: CD
Release date: April 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Shaman Everywhere (4:32)
2. The Red Road (3:48)
3. Why Go So Soon - 1st Movement (3:44)
4. 2nd Movement (2:46)
5. 3rd Movement (2:11)
6. Threads Of Light (3:40)
7. September Song (3:30)
8. Le Baton Rouge (4:53)
9. One Door (5:18)
10. Darkness Of Light (3:55)
11. Transcendence (4:39)
12. I'm Not Ready To Be Grateful (1:07)
13. Canon (2:28)
14. Final Word (11:02)

Line-up: 
Dave Johnson - guitar
Glenn Leonard - piano, marimba
Kevin Leonard - keyboards, piano, thumb piano, flugelhorn, bass guitar
Joe Newman - vocals, bass, trumpet, keyboards, piano, guitar, sitar

Description/Reviews: 

Transcendence is not a normal North Star album, and bandleader/keyboardist Kevin Leonard says it is their final album. Drummer Glenn Leonard passed away in 2013. His brother Kevin says this final recording is a tribute to Glenn and, as such, contains no drums (nor drum machines). In contrast to North Star’s previous work, Transcendence is “much more subdued, sprinkled with a few lighthearted moments to celebrate our past, although it still retains the North Star stamp maintaining connections to the band’s origins.” The band’s two major influences have been Genesis and ELP. The ELP influence is absent on Transcendence, and what you have is in the vein of pastoral or dreamy Genesis and (occasionally) Gentle Giant, reminiscent of their drum-less tracks or passages, as well as music that is more modern and uniquely North Star. Singer Joe Newnam has some Peter Gabriel quality to his voice (if less polished), which reinforces the Genesis comparison.  (kinesiscd.com)

Media/Samples 
Shaman Everywhere
Darkness of Light

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Ailing Sun "Men Among Runis"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 30, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Smell Of Prey 07:58
2. In Good Faith 07:22
3. Woe Is Me 06:32
4. Paradigm 12:12
5. Staring At The Sun 07:29
6. Fisheye Love 07:25

Line-up: 
Marian Klein - rhythm guitar, vocals
Moritz Punke - lead guitar, backing vocals
Falko Behrens - bass guitar
Rico Scharlau - drums, percussion

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Pharaoh Overlord "Circle"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Instrumental Electronica, Krautrock
Label: Ektro Records
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date:April 30, 2015 (CD),  June 12, 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist: 

1. Eläin rientää kotiin - 06:05  
2. Tarkennus - 06:07  
3. Verbi - 05:26  
4. Villaa - 08:02  
5. Raide 2 - 05:38  
6. Ystävinä ja pariskuntina - 05:27

Line-up: 
Julius Jääskeläinen (Circle)
Pekka Jääskeläinen (Circle)
Jussi Lehtisalo (Circle)
Tomi Leppänen (Circle)
Janne Westerlund (Circle)

Description/Reviews: 

Circle, and their not-all-that-different-really side-project band Pharaoh Overlord have now simultaneously released albums with the titles "Circle" and "Pharaoh Overlord", no, not self-titled albums, the Circle one is called Pharaoh Overlord and the Pharaoh Overlord one is called Circle. And they have very similar art/graphics. Yep. That's what they do for laffs up in Finland, although knowing Jussi, he probably has some very serious, meaningful reason behind this scheme, but the explanation would be impossible to understand. It makes a circle or something. Regardless, what we've got here are TWO NEW Circle and/or Pharaoh Overlord albums, however you slice it, and that's a good thing! Of course, they just showed up yesterday, the day before our list, but we already have spun these a bunch of times and know we will spin them lots more, so sure let's make 'em both Records Of The Week! 

On Pharaoh Overlord's Circle, they indeed do their best Circle impression - not so hard since the band consists ENTIRELY of members of Circle after all (the lineups on these two albums are identical except that vocalist/keyboardist Mika Ratto only appears on the Circle one, which also has a guest horn player). And while PO were originally conceived as the heavier, "stoner rock" alter ego of Circle, here they evince a lighter touch than what Circle do on their parallel Pharaoh Overlord album, less heavy, less dark, instead being delightfully upbeat and sunny sounding, but of course with lots of the usual rhythmic urgency, gently directed. The all-instrumental music is layered with lots of pretty synth sizzle, almost giving it a 'new wave' vibe, uplifting and sprightly, even. We like the bloop bloop lava lamp sound going on throughout track two, "Tarkennus", and the first track, "Elain Rientaa Kotiin", features a melodic synth flourish that sure reminds us a lot of Stereolab... as of course does the similarly Neu! derived motorik beat. "Villaa", track 4, really blurs the lines between the typically krauty pulse of Circle and loop-based dance music. And so it goes. Providing a blissful rhythmic workout overall, this is a great Circle/Pharaoh Overlord/whatevertheywannacallthemselves album that we'll for sure be returning to on days when we need a sweet, lively, Circular pick me up. Recommended, as is the other one by the other band. (aquariusrecords.org)

Media/Samples 
Elain rientaa kotiin 
Raide 2

Links:
Web page (Circle)
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Proggnosis

Goblin "Four Of A Kind"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Symphonic
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date: April 30, 2015 (CD), May 31, 2015 (Vinyl)
Tracklist: 

1. Uneven Times - 07:29
2. In The Name Of Goblin - 04:45
3. Mousse Roll - 05:04
4. Bon Ton - 04:35
5. Kingdom - 05:34
6. Dark Blue(s)- 05:02
7. Love & Hate -  05:27
8. 008 - 05:21

Line-up: 

Maurizio Guarini - keyboards, Hammond and Cembalo (7)
Fabio Pignatelli - bass, keyboards
Massimo Morante - guitars, bouzouki (3)
Agostino Marangolo - drums, keyboards (4)
   With
Aidan Zammit - keyboards (4)
Antonio Marangolo - sax solo (1)

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Circle "Pharaoh Overlord"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Psychedelic
Label: Ektro Records
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date:April 30, 2015 (CD),  June 12, 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist: 

1. Koitto - 11:33
2. Kavelen Luiden Paalla - 10:50
3. Aavasaksa - 06:47
4. Aldebaran - 06:37
5. Madonna of Viggiano - 07:06

Line-up: 
Julius Jääskeläinen – guitar
Pekka Jääskeläinen – guitar
Jussi Lehtisalo – bass, vocals
Mika Rättö – keyboards, vocals
Tomi Leppänen – drums
Janne Westerlund – guitar, vocals
   With
Juho Viljanen – horns

Description/Reviews: 

Circle, and their not-all-that-different-really side-project band Pharaoh Overlord have now simultaneously released albums with the titles "Circle" and "Pharaoh Overlord", no, not self-titled albums, the Circle one is called Pharaoh Overlord and the Pharaoh Overlord one is called Circle. And they have very similar art/graphics. Yep. That's what they do for laffs up in Finland, although knowing Jussi, he probably has some very serious, meaningful reason behind this scheme, but the explanation would be impossible to understand. It makes a circle or something. Regardless, what we've got here are TWO NEW Circle and/or Pharaoh Overlord albums, however you slice it, and that's a good thing! Of course, they just showed up yesterday, the day before our list, but we already have spun these a bunch of times and know we will spin them lots more, so sure let's make 'em both Records Of The Week!
The Circle album is quite, well, it's pretty much redundant and superfluous to say in a review of a Circle album that the music is "mesmeric" but goshdarnit, this is indeed mesmerizing. They don't try to sound especially like Pharaoh Overlord, by the way, whatever that would entail, not of course that they don't, either. Instead, the quick takeaway here would be that this is "the Circle album with horns". (Oh, wait, there's a PO album called Horn, maybe that's the weird connection, hmmm??) Anyway, the horns are the big X-factor here, tooting along syncopatedly and cyclically Circle-like. A little jazzy, certainly proggy, those horns, along with the wordless vocal choirs, make us think of Magma and other '70s large-ensemble prog symphonics. We're also put in mind of some suspenseful '60s/'70s film soundtracks, like David Shire's The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three just a bit. It gets intense, with stabs of distorted guitar chords to further intensify the mood. Meanwhile, the vocals, which include some impressive caveman freakout screams, are also crucial, and hark back to the early days of Circle, when they did the monk-chanting thing in their own made up language (a la Magma as well) on albums like Zopalki.
Ultimately, it's really gorgeous and, again, super mesmeric, these tracks all of course built around endless repetitive grooves, simple (deceptively so, we're sure) and effective in the usual Circle style. And the only reason one track ever ends, it seems, is that another one needs to begin. And we wouldn't have it any other way. This Circle consists of circles within circles to spin the mind around. Wow, nice. Recommended, as is the other one by the other band. (https://www.aquariusrecords.org)

Media/Samples 
Koitto
Kavelen luiden paalla

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Zone Six "Love Monster"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Space Rock
Label: Sulatron Records (CD), Deep Distance Records (vinyl)
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date: April 2015 (CD), August 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist: 
1. Love Monster (14:53)
2. The Insight (8:21)
3. Acidic (7:29)
4. Cosmogyral (15:17)

Line-up: 
Komet Lulu (Electric Moon) - bass
Dave Schmidt (Sula Bassana, Electric Moon) - drums
Rainer Neeff - guitar
Martin Schorn - synths

Description/Reviews: 

The title track opens the proceedings with Komet Lulu's bass laying the foundation of a rhythm that does not waver an inch throughout, the bass and the drums keeping almost metronomic time. The guitar of Neeff soon makes itself heard and straightaway you can tell that you are in for a fest of acid jamming of the highest order. The synths don't get left out, they add some wonderful washes of spacey sound that give the track some real texture. As the track progresses Neeff really lets loose with his instrument...rich in distortion at times with layers of reverb and wah wah. It is with tracks such as this that the organic symbiosis of a seasoned group of musicians can be heard .....each instrument seems to feed off each other and as one takes a breath there is another to step up. The track rattles along with Neeff's guitar making shapes ...sometimes fluid, flowing shapes, sometimes stabbing, staccato shapes but the level of intensity never drops below 'freakout' . It really is a monumental track......whilst writing this I listened to it several times on the turn and every time there was something new to pick out - a trace of a middle eastern melody here, some kosmische keyboards there ....but from the initial bass notes to the concluding crescendo this is sublime psychedelic music played by four heads who know how to fry your synapses. 

 Read the full review at dayzofpurpleandorange.blogspot.co.uk

Media/Samples 
Love Monster
Acidic
Cosmogyral

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Inner Prospekt "The Gene Machine"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Electronica, Progressive Rock
Format: digital
Release date: April 29, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Human Drone 10:10
2. Everlasting 09:54
3. Mekanodonte 06:41
4. Three Steps Ahead 06:40
5. Bodies 07:23
6. A Red World 06:39

Line-up: 
Alessandro Di Benedetti (Mad Crayon) - everything

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Cover art by Anastasia Sichkarenko
despairlegion.deviantart.com
www.behance.net/AnastasiaSichkarenko

Karmaflow: The Rock Opera Videogame - The Original Soundtrack

Country: Netherlands
Genre(s): Soundtrack, Progressive Symphonic Metal/Rock Opera
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 29, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Karmaflow Main Theme 01:22
2. The Essence of Grief 01:20
3. The Muse and the Conductor 05:26
4. The Essence of Despair 01:57
5. The Guide 06:10
6. The Essence of Jealousy 01:17
7. The Bird Goddess 02:36
8. The Twins 05:31
9. The Essence of Greed 01:19
10. The Heart 06:13
11. The Creator and the Destroyer 08:20
12. The Sacrifice 03:10

Line-up: 
Charlotte Wessels (Delain) - vocals as The Narrator
Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) - vocals as The Muse/The Banshee
Marc Hudson (Dragonforce) - vocals  as The Conductor
Mark Jansen (Epica, MaYaN) - vocals as The Guide
Lindsay Schoolcraft (Cradle of Filth) - vocals as The Shaman
Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania) - vocals as The Bird Goddess
Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) - vocals  as The Sun Brother
Elise Ryd (Amaranthe) - vocals as The Moon Sister
Henning Basse (MaYaN, Rage) - vocals as The Hero
Daniël de Jongh (Textures) - vocals as The Heart
Simone Simons (Epica) - vocals  as The Destroyer
Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) - vocals as The Creator
Lisette van den Berg (Scarlet Stories) - vocals as The Data Chamber
Bas Dolmans (ex-Xystus) - vocals

Ivo van Dijk - music, drums, arrangement (4, 9), guitars (9, 12), bass (12)
Colin van der Lei -  music (6), arrangement (1, 3, 6)
Than van Nispen tot Pannerden - music (4), arrangement (2, 4, 5, 12)
Douwe Medema - arrangement (7, 8)
Stan Koch - arrangement (10, 11)
Bart Delissen - additional arrangement (10)
Coen Janssen (Epica) - piano(3)
Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation) - guitars (10)
Ivo Severijns (Powerplay) - bass (3)
Sander Gommans (HDK) - guitars (7, 8)
Bob Wijtsma (Blaze of Darkness) - guitars (3, 11)
Luuk van Gerven (After Forever) - bass (5, 11)
Hein Willekens - guitars (5)
Johan van Stratum - bass (7, 8)
Jan Biljsma - bass (10)
Metropole Orkest Conducted by Jan Stulen & Jules Buckley

Description/Reviews: 

Karmaflow - The Original Soundtrack Album is the physical album of a collection of the best music from Karmaflow: The Rock Opera Videogame with a exclusive 24 page art booklet. Karmaflow: The Rock Opera Videogame is the world’s first rock opera videogame.
In Karmaflow, the game’s story is presented entirely in the form of a rock opera, sung by some of the world’s most talented rock voices. Karmaflow tells the story of the Karmakeeper, and his journey through several worlds. Each world is protected by a Guardian. These Guardians are burdened by a heavy conflict, which rages in each world. The Karmakeeper learns what happened in each world by hearing each Guardian out, but also listening to their counterparts. In the end, he decides what happens to the world and its inhabitants.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Hildegard "Hildegard"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Art Rock, Jazz
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 28, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. A - Z (4:03)
2. Sally Brown (3:59)
3. Siren Song (5:13)
4. Karma (4:16)
5. Cabin 72 (6:20)
6. Austria (3:36)
7. Isolation (4:58)
8. The Witness (4:12)
9. Quetzal (3:40)
10. Vanishing Hue (5:43)

Line-up: 
Cliff Hines - Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Synthesizer, String Arrangements
Sasha Masakowski - Vocals, Synthesizer
Max Zemanovic - Drums, Percussion
John Maestas - Guitar, Synthesizer
Max Moran - Bass
Andrew McGowan - Piano, E-Piano, Organ
   With
Ciel Rouge - Drum Programming (Track 1)
Joe Shirley - Synth, Drum Programming (Tracks 2,5)
Lulu Reeks, Susan Miller Boldissar - Strings (Tracks 2,4,6,7)
Oliver Bonie, Emily Fredrickson, Stephen Lands - Horns (Tracks 2,7)
Nicholas Solnick - Percussion (Tracks 1,3)
Paul Thibodeaux - Percussion (Track 7)
Martin Masakowski - Acoustic Bass (Tracks 2,4,6,7)

Description/Reviews: 

Clearly, Cliff is making a distinction between Sasha's cool articulation (reminiscent of Suzanne Vega) and his own occasionally-distorted guitar histrionics. This combination works for the most part, although during songs like the opening and lively A – Z and the otherwise engaging The Witness I found the improvised shredding an unwelcome distraction. Songs like Austria and the aforementioned The Witness also feature some rather dated voice effects which again I could have happily lived without.
Elsewhere however the sound produced has a very classy feel thanks to the thoughtful arrangements and the sharp musicianship from all concerned. Whilst Hildegard could never be accused of being out-and-out prog, songs like the deceptively titled Karma with its edgy guitar riff, XTC-style time signature and apocalyptic finale have the right ingredients to keep aficionados interested.

 Read the full review by Geoff Feakes at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
3 tracks

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Meaxic "Synergy" EP

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Metal/Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 28, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Attitude
2. Iruka
3. On Instinct
4. Down
5. Crazy

Line-up: 
Jeet Suresh Paul - Vocals, Guitar
Sudeip Ghosh - Guitar
Nick Johnson - Bass
Cobz - Drums

Media/Samples 
Stream

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Tornatil "Crawling in the Aquarium"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Label:  BlueFreya
Format: digital
Release date: April 28, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Lamp Post - 5:49
2. Crawl - 4:31
3. Rock Pile - 7:17
4. Nameless - 8:37
5. Travel O' City - 6:00
6. Terre Noire - 5:56
7. Aquarium - 6:50
8. Sad Panda - 9:39
9. Convergence at the Wheel (Bonus Track) - 8:16

Line-up: 
S Lee Baysinger - Vocals
Eric Confer - Keyboards, Guitars
Daron Olson - Bass Guitar
Richard Baysinger - Guitars, Drums, Piano, Fretless Bass

Media/Samples 
Crawl

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FM "Transformation"

Country: Canada
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Esoteric Antenna
Format: CD
Release date: April 27, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Brave New Worlds
2. Cosmic Blue
3. Re-Boot, Reawaken
4. Children Of Eve
5. Safe And Sound
6. Tour Of Duty
7. The Love Bomb (Universal Love)
8. Value Change For Survival
9. Heaven On Earth

Line-up: 
Cameron Hawkins - bass, keyboards
Paul DeLong (Kim Mitchell, Roger Hodgson) - drums
Edward Bernard (Druckfarben) - viola, mandolin
Aaron Solomon - violin

Description/Reviews: 

With its roots firmly planted in late Seventies progressive rock – complex rhythms, driving bass lines, soaring melodies – the music on Transformation is symphonic in scope with not one, but two violinists on board.
Following on from the recent successful re-releases of their first four albums, including the landmark recording "Black Noise” (from 1978), "Transformation” sees FM continue their ‘thinking man’s exploration’ of progressive musical ideas, innovative arrangements and provocative lyrical themes.

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Arena "The Unquiet Sky"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: CD
Release date: April 27, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. The Demon Strikes
2. How Did it Come to This?
3. The Bishop of Lufford
4. Oblivious to the Night
5. No Chance Encounter
6. Markings on a Parchment
7. The Unquiet Sky
8. What Happened Before
9. Time Runs Out
10. Returning the Curse
11. Unexpected Dawn
12. Traveller Beware

Line-up: 
Clive Nolan - Keyboards
Mick Pointer - Drums
John Mitchell - Guitars
Kylan Amos - Bass
Paul Manzi - Vocals

Media/Samples
The Demon Strikes

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Heights "Phantasia On The High Processions Of Sun, Moon And Countless Stars Above"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Metal/Rock
Label: Basick Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 27, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Universes Forming
2. Solar (Bringer Of Chaos), Lunar (Bringer Of Light)
3. Aeolus
4. Time Dilation
5. New Star
6. Centrifuge
7. Perseids
8. Heliograph
9. Astronomer Royal
10. Ballad Of The Space Time Continuum
11. On The Wings Of Astral Projection
12. Everlasting

Line-up: 
Al Heslop
John Hopkin
Jamie Postones

Description/Reviews: 

Heights’ facility with prog rock’s core components (odd time signatures, stacked-like-Jenga-blocks polyrhythms, none-more-syncopated riffs and melodies, the delicate balance of flamboyance and deeper meaning, etc) has been well documented over the course of previous releases Salvation and Trepidation, From Sea to Sky, and Trick of the Light. Throw in classical, jazz, and fusion influences, and you have the full Heights picture. Understatement of the day ahead: Phantasia… is a bit complicated.
This album is a serious beast, one solid hour of music crammed full of data, the long-player equivalent of a .zip file. Only three of its 12 tracks run under five minutes, and all of them comprise hopscotch-style rhythmic structures and waves of angular, anxiety-ridden notes. This is the kind of album you could only hope to understand with the aid of a transcription book and a lot of patience – but you need neither the ability to read little black dots nor a full understanding of precisely what’s happening at any given moment to get enjoyment or satisfaction from Phantasia.

 Read the full review at themusicalmeltingpot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (2 tracks)

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Handwrist "Random by Design"

Country: Portugal
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Fusion
Format: digital
Release date: April 26, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. into the grey and pink 03:55
2. why can't we write like normal people? 06:41
3. change agent 08:25
4. anti-social smoker 04:43
5. pb, no j 05:14
6. random by design 10:52
7. coming together 03:31
8. can of worms 11:08
9. afternoon delight tonight 05:08

Line-up: 
Rui Botelho Rodrigues - everything

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

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Naxatras "Naxatras"

Country: Greece
Genre(s): Psychedelic
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 26, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. I Am The Beyonder (10:34)
2. Sun Is Burning (5:17)
3. Space Tunnel (6:05)
4. Shiva's Dance (7:34)
5. Downer (6:17)
6. Waves (7:15)
7. The West (7:06)
8. Ent (9:48)

Line-up: 
John Delias - guitar
Kostas Harizanis - drums
John Vagenas - bass, vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Repsel "From Dawn To Dusk"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 25, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Pandora 05:29
2. I'll Erase One Everyday 06:21
3. Make Up 03:23
4. Everything Has Changed 07:32
5. Break into Pieces 04:28
6. From Dawn to Dusk 06:16
7. Two Minds 03:59

Line-up: 
Marta Iacoponi : voice, violin
Giorgio Napoleone : guitars
Francesco Proietti : synth, piano
Lorenzo Cantarini : guitars (1-6)
Alessandro Maffei : guitars (7), acoustic guitars (1-6)
Alessandro Presti : bass (1-6)
Roberto Battilocchi : bass (7)
Daniele Michelacci : drums
    With:
Giacomo Anselmi : solo guitar (6)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ligeia Mare "Amplifier"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Avant Prog, Experimental
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 25, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Entry (2:38)
2. Bend (3:59)
3. Come Home (4:35)
4. The Lost Tapes (3:08)
5. Leggy Mare (1:03)
6. Green Circles (2:54)
7. Floater (4:45)
8. Filter Sweep (4:35)
9. Quickstep (9:21)
10. Standby (4:56)
11. Botanica (4:45)
12. Under Dead Elms (5:46)
13. Evening Light (7:36)

Line-up: 
Farrell Lowe - guitar, piano, percussion
Dave Willey - accordion, bass, guitar, hurdy gurdy, keyboards
Elaine Di Falco - keyboards, vocals
Ron Miles - cornet
Mark Harris - sax, flute, percussion
Raoul Rossiter - drums, percussion

Description/Reviews: 

Here it's last Ligeia Mare full album release. A project from Colorado, and one of my favorite in the art of combining many musical languages into a new and always morphing shape. With this work they are closer to jazz improvisation, but with an high level of abstraction due to the mix of tonality and atonality, sudden changes into music development, and usual electronics presence. It's enough to listen to Lost Tapes, a masterpiece in that sense, to have a concrete idea of what I mean. A piece where, some of you, will recognize echos of 70's american and european jazz experimentation, but in the same time will be dazed and confused by the morphing into a smoky and dreaming musical landscape. More traditional, but very enjoyable jazz rock in Floater, with a certain cinematic attitude (crime- jazz-movies), while the absolute anarchy "reigns" in Filter sweep; and concrete music in the first part of Botanica, before to fade towards a melancholic trumpet melody, that joins a Spanish acoustic guitar and sensual female voice. The release ends with Under Dead Elms where musicians pay their tribute to Miles Davis, and Evening Light, a more traditional dark jazz ballad. Actually a work I mainly recommend to jazz-improvisation followers, but so beautiful, that every listener with wide range of interest into advangarde music, can enjoy it. (Review by Ra Sonologyst)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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LVTVM "ADAM"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock, Psychedelic, Stoner
Label: Cave Canem DIY/Lizard records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 25, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Session I 03:52
2. Twalking 07:15
3. The Dreamer 06:14
4. Internal Disease 02:21
5. Tremorz 05:55
6. Gnosis 04:21
7. Hybris 05:13
8. Fthonos Theon 07:26
9. Nemesis 03:22

Line-up: 
Carlo Bellucci - Bass
Isacco Bellini - Bass
Mike Marchionni - Synth
Alessandro Marchionni - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

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Sulphat' Ketamine "Giant Runk"

Country: France
Genre(s): Multigenre (Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Blues, Rock'n'Roll)
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 25 , 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Black Stuff (11:24)
2. Stop the Grind (4:16)
3. Alrightotherapy (6:39)
4. Jackass Boogie (5:32)
5. Blue Marine's Blues (6:00)
6. The Strange (2:35)
7. Birth of the Runk (7:41)

Line-up: 
Alexis Potapenko : Guitar, Lead vocals, Theremin
Sebastien Gramond : Bass guitar, Additional keyboards, Backing vocals
Clement Curaudeau : Drums
   With
Rita Pradinas : Lead vocal on "Alrightotherapy"

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Bandcamp

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The Hirsch Effekt "Holon : Agnosie"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Extreme Progressive Metal/Rock
Label: Long Branch Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Simurgh 03:09
2. Jayus 02:47
3. Agnosie 07:11
4. [Chelicera] 00:35
5. Bezoar 06:34
6. Tombeau 06:34
7. Emphysema 05:02
8. [Defaetist] 01:04
9. Fixum 06:16
10. Athesie 05:19
11. [Tischje] 01:39
12. Dysgeusie 03:09
13. Cotard 09:11

Line-up: 
Nils Wittrock - Guitars, vocals
Ilja John Lappin - Bass, vocals
Moritz Schmidt - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

If technicality is your bag, then get a load of these guys. Seriously! Jayus is a complicated well thought out jumble of ups and downs. It’s good, really good in fact, and with its complexity it has to be. There is a fine line with music like this, somehow a combination of bands like Protest the Hero, Placebo and Periphery and only the truly elite can get this right, otherwise it can sound pants. The Hirsch Effekt have no qualms with breaking convention. I mean who really cares if all the chords they play are in key with each other, I know I don’t.
Vocally, there is a healthy mix of aggression and softer tones that come from the singers mouth. This is a fantastic skill to have. With this sort of music every member needs to be the best at what they do and yes they are very good. The overall album quality is professional sounding.

 Read the full review by Daniel Gregory at manchester.rocks

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Lis Er Stille "Empirical Ghost"

Country: Denmark
Genre(s):  Post Rock
Format: digital, vinyl
Release date: April 24, 2015 (digital) June 26, 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist: 
1. Caspules (6:59)
2. Gold Future (5:29)
3. Hymn To The Past (1:12)
4. Wall Mark (3:53)
5. This Wonderful You (6:30)
6. Zenith (12:07)
7. Hymn To The Sorrow Squad (1:48)
8. Harlequin's Tale (6:56)
9. Precognition (6:42)
10. Hymn To The Echo (1:22)

Line-up: 
Martin Byrialsen - Vocals, Keyboards
Asbjørn Helboe - Bass
Tue Schmidt Rasmussen - Guitars
Jon Gotlev - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Circuline “Return”

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Inner Nova
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Return
2. Nebulae
3. Stereotypes
4. Soleil Noir 
5. One Wish 
6. Imperfect
7. Fallout Shelter
8. Silence Revealed

Line-up: 
Andrew Colyer – keyboards, vocals
Bill Shannon – lead guitars, vocals
Billy Spillane – lead vocals
Darin Brannon – drums, percussion
Natalie Brown – lead vocals
   With
Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact) - bass
Randy McStine(Lo­Fi Resistance) - vocals (1)
Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius) - electric violin

Description/Reviews: 

Expect a lot of great guitar and keyboard riffs. Okay, so where does “ordo ab chao”[out of chaos comes order] come into it? Track one ‘ the title track, ‘Return’ doesn’t give you much of a clue as it’s a straightforward melody with some great hooks in it, and one I think a number of radio stations will add this one to their playlists for high rotation. It’s a good song to start off with and imagine it works well performed on stage. Track two ‘Nebulae’ is where “ordo ab chao” seriously starts earning its money with an interesting dissonant beginning by Andrew on keys which we soon find out in this relatively short instrumental, out of random chaos we get order. In fact, most of the following tracks have a similar disjointed beginning that turns inside itself into something melodic throughout the rest of each piece. As you’ll see below, I asked Andrew about their writing and how they came about balancing the consonant and dissonant elements within most of these tracks.So in a nutshell – this is a very tight and solid debut album which you’ll soon discover has so much going on within it. Not a second wasted and yet, not rushed or too busy. I think it’s too early to pigeon-hole them just yet. Certainly there are jazz fusion elements in some of these pieces but not enough to point them in that direction for certain. Vocals are very strong as is the bass playing, and you’re in for a treat right at the end with a high-energy violin solo, shades of Kansas to these ears. I like that they’ve evenly spread the vocal tracks with the instrumental pieces showcasing what a fine bunch of musicians each of them are.

 Paul Watson at progarchy.com

Media/Samples 
7 tracks

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Cryptex "Madeleine Effect"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Folk Rock
Label: CMM / Saol
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 
01. The Knowledge of Being 4:23
02. Ribbon Tied Swing 4:07
03. When the Flood Begins 3:24
04. Romper Stomper 1:45
05. Stroking Leather 4:00
06. Release My Body 4:40
07. Madame De Salm 3:59
08. Orange Blossom City Girl 3:45
09. Melvins Coolercoup 6:25
10. A Quarter Dozen in Ounces 4:23
11. New York Foxy 4:48
12. Anthem of Glory 4:43

Line-up: 
Simon Moskon - lead vocals, keys, bass, string, brass and choir arrangements
Marc Andrejkovits - guitars, backing vocals, accordion on „Stroking Leather“
  With
Kristof Hinz - drums & percussions
Martin Schnella - mandolin on „Melvins Coolercoup“
Anca Graterol, Andy Longolius, Simone Jackson - the ladies on „New York Foxy“

Media/Samples 
Samples
Preview

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Dark Quarterer "Ithaca"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Metal On Metal Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. The Path of Life
2. Night Song
3. Mind Torture
4. Escape
5. Nostalgia
6. Rage of Gods
7. Last Fight

Line-up: 
Gianni Nepi
Paolo Ninci
Francesco Sozzi
Francesco Longhi

Description/Reviews: 

Their style could be best described as an amalgam of '80s epic heavy metal with '70s progressive rock, and some elements of doom. Masterful musicianship and songwriting is a guarantee with this band, and this shows in the instantly memorable songs that reveal more sublime details with every spin of the album. Their music is very warm, full of various emotions and moods, much thanks to the impressive vocal use, ranging from mystical and fragile sounding sotto voce, through more eccentric singing and falsettos, to full-on powerful metal delivery. Lyrically, it's a concept album inspired by the poem "Ithaca" by Constantine P. Cavafy, in which Odysseus' travel back home from the Trojan War is seen as a metaphor for life, where the goal is not important, but the journey itself. And the album itself is a fascinating journey through sound and words. Spellbinding, unconventional, quirky... A unique and monumental work of art which could be also described with just one word: EPIC.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp ( 2 tracks)

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Vivid Illusion "Circumnavigation | A"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Atmospheric Post Metal
Format: digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Comfort 00:52
2. Liquid Walker 08:28
3. Plans 03:57
4. Faint Existence 07:56
5. A Rift 06:48
6. Arrival 06:46

Line-up: 
Anthony Taboada - Guitars, Pedals
Maxwell Molander - Lead guitars
Connor McCullough - Rhythm guitars
Mike Gardell - Bass
Jackson Firlik - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

Starting off with a track that lives up to its title, ‘Comfort’ sets the foundation for the whole record really well, but gives only a vague idea of what to expect.  Following up is ‘Liquid Walker’, starting off with dreamy landscapes, and then breaking into an explosive section of some sort of ambi-sludge.  With great lyrics, beautiful theatrics and sludgy hooks, this song is the total package.
The rest of the record edges on Alcest/Isis worship along with sludgy riffs. While it hints at post-metal at times, the songs tend to get heavier as the album progresses. The fourth track ‘Faint Existence’ clearly marks the start of heavier passages with growls.

 Read the full review by Nehal Shastri at itdjents.com

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Entransient "Entransient"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, AOR
Format: digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Promises End 06:05
2. Fell Into Place 04:28
3. Silk Tongue 04:42
4. The Horizon 05:32
5. The Lost Ones (Part 1) 05:19
6. The Lost Ones (Part 2) 04:47
7. Absent Hope 03:59
8. Entransient 04:19
9. Take What's Left 04:39

Line-up: 
Scott Martin – Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar
Nick Hagen – Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Ryan Cunningham – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Matt Schrauben – Bass, Upright Bass
Jeremy Hyde – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

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In Each Hand a Cutlass "The Kraken"

Country: Singapore
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock/Metal, Post Rock/Metal
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. The Deep - 03:53
2. Overture - 07:25
3. Satori 101 - 05:48
4. Combing Through The Waves - 01:16
5. Seagull 1751 - 09:00
6. The Kraken Pt. 1: Manifest - 06:47
7. The Kraken Pt. 2: Melee - 06:39
8. The Kraken: An Intermission - 00:54
9. The Kraken Pt. 3: Monument - 05:52
10. Heracleion - 06:28
11. All Or Nothing - 01:18
12. Ouroboros - 08:57

Line-up: 
Daniel Sassoon – Guitars
Amanda Ling – Keyboards & programming
Nelson Tan – Bass
Sujin Thomas – Guitars
Jordan Cheng – Drums & percussion
   With
Josh Wei – violins on tracks 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9
Hsiao Shan Loh – cello on track 12
Altered Statesmen – dubstep on track 11

Description/Reviews: 

The Kraken is a 12 tracks gargantuan journey through the fusion of post-rock soundscapes, classical music undertones, and an enviable knack of progressiveness. The mightiest of them all, namely the title track which is separated into 3 parts, and clocks in nearly at 20 minutes in length. Even what seems to be such a flawless formula that can be all that alluring, has been dealt with a stronger enemy. Yes, a taste of it’s own medicine. Time.

 Read the full review by Stephen Lua at offkey.sg

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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OH. "Synemotion"

Country: Greece
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Format: vinyl, digital
Release date: April 24, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Run Away (3:05)
2. Rumpus (3:18)
3. Subterfuge (3:54)
4. Elegy (4:01)
5. Deception (3:51)
6. Reception (4:21)
7. World of Warcraft (3:43)
8. Beckoning (3:33)
9. Synemotion (3:55)
10. Synemotion (Instrumental) (3:54)

Line-up: 
OH. (aka Olivia Hadjiioannou)  – guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals

Media/Samples 
Run Away/Synemotion

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Fortyminusone "Out Of Entropy"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 22, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Entropy (3:16)
2. Blue Houses (5:03)
3. In Between (3:31)
4. End Of The Road (5:17)
5. Not There (5:10)
6. Bluest Skies (3:09)
7. A Mystery (3:25)
8. The Invitation (3:36)
9. Pushed Then Shoved (5:18)
10. The Rain (5:19)
11. All Things New (2:09)
12. Freedom (4:37)

Total time 49:50

Line-up: 
Heather Gustafson Hunt: Vocals, Clapping
Craig R. Hunt: Guitars, Vocals , Electric Sitar, Tambourines, Vibraslap, Clapping
Todd Keating: Bass, Electric Organ, Background Vocals
Aaron York: Drums
   With
Eden String Quartet:
Violin: Megan Goff
Cello: Leah Sweeney
Viola: Therese Miller

Description/Reviews: 

Out of Entropy is a 12 track album, containing Progressive, Alternate, Pop, Rock and instrumentals,songs. This is fortyminusone's forth full length Album and they continue to mature and progress with their unique brand of hook-filled rock.

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Tony MacAlpine "Concrete Gardens"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Metal/Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 21, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Exhibitionist Blvd. - 4:28

2. The King’s Rhapsody - 4:45

3. Man In A Metal Cage - 4:20

4. Poison Cookies - 5:06

5. Epic - 5:00

6. Napoleon’s Puppet - 5:13

7. Sierra Morena - 4:52

8. Square Circles - 5:12

9. Red Giant - 5:10

10. Confessions of a Medieval Monument - 5:43

11. Concrete Gardens - 5:03

12. Maiden’s Wish - 4:19

Line-up: 
Tony MacAlpine – Guitar, Keyboards, Bass
   With
Aquiles Priester​ – Drums
Pete Griffin – Bass on 1, 4, 6, 7, 8
Jeff Loomis​ – Guitar solo on 8
Lucky Islam – Bass on 9
Sean Delson – Bass on 11

Media/Samples 
Concrete Gardens

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Celebrity Sex Scandal "Integral"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Avant-Garde Progressive Rock/Metal, Jazz-Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 21, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Introgalactic - 0:31
2. Intergalactic Love Song - 3:47
3. Trapped By the Speed of Light - 4:13
4. In Passing - 5:56
5. Drowning With My Friends - 5:29
6. Christmyth - 4:40
7. Crawl - 4:37
8. The Bastard Sons of Forgotten Moons - 5:16
9. 5 O'Clock - 5:27
10. Lost Inside You - 4:54

Line-up: 
Justin Osburn - Vocals
Greg Combs - Guitar
Danny Nigro - Bass
John Katastrofe - Drums
Mike Chia - Trombone
Laith Fisk - Trumpet
Jeff Siegel - Keyboard

Media/Samples 
Stream

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