Loading

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Aronora "Escapology"


Country: Australia/UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 30, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Vote 1: Anything Else
  2. Fake Escape
  3. Disengage
  4. Set To Fail
  5. Drifting Into Insecure
  6. One Day We'll Go
  7. This Is Anywhere
  8. An Hour A Lifetime, A Decade An Instant
  9. Set To Fail (Single Edit)
Line-up
Ben Cameron - Vocals, Guitars & Keyboards
Chris Cameron - Drums & Percussion
Ben Croxford - Bass
Netanel Koles - Guitars
   With
Asha Henfry - Flute
Greg Sher - Clarinet
Oscar Neyland - Double Bass

Description/Reviews
Escapology is a series of intertwined pieces with an underlying observation of some of the many forms of escape the human mind may need or desire in its lifetime. 

Media/Samples 
Set To Fail (Single Edit)

Links:
Web Page
Facebook

Postcards From Arkham "ÆØN5"


Country: Czechia
Genre(s)Atmospheric Post Rock/Metal, Progressive Rock/Metal
LabelMetalGate
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 30, 2015
Tracklist
1. Imagination Filled Balloon (5:19)
2. Aeon Echoes (3:29)
3. Thousand Years For Us (3:33)
4. Overthrown (3:22)
5. Elevate (4:20)
6. Pays Des Merveilles (4:21)
7. Woods Of Liberation (5:19)
8. One World Is Not Enough (4:51)

Total time 34:34

Line-up
Marek Frodys Pytlik
Lenka Machová

Description/Reviews
Postcards From Arkham, post-rock atmospheric songs inspirated by Howard Phillips Lovecraft's stories takes you to the melancholic and gloomy world.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Digression Assassins "Merkaba"


Country: Sweden
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
Formatvinyl, digital
Release dateSeptember 30, 2015
Tracklist
1. The Traveller (10:27)
2. Canopus (7:55)
3. Eclipse (2:49)
4. Cast For A Minimum Life (6:02)
5. She Married Madness (3:03)
6. Earth Is Dead (6:38)

Total Time 36:54

Line-up
Andrés Breuer Torres - Drums
Zoran Bronco - Guitar
David Catala - Vocals & Guitar
Alex Teklemariam - Bass

Description/Reviews
Digression Assassins are a prog metal band in the truest definition. They are a mathematician’s dream too. Each song has sections that can either transition politely, like on the epic opening track “The Traveller,” which has basically three parts to it. But even then the band are willing to jump from a standard verse to an odd chorus which gets the listener’s attention.
 Read the full review by Rob Pociluk at progressivemusicplanet.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives

The Tirith "Tales From The Tower"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 30, 2015
Tracklist
01. Farewell Fair Laurien
02. Gin Lil
03. Laurelae
04. Home From The Sea
05. The Daughter Of The Water
06. The Quest
07. Gazing At Stars
08. The Tower
09. Song Of All Ages
10. Pioneers Of The Outer Arm
11. Lost

Line-up
Tim Cox – guitars including nylon guitar, keyboards and programming
Richard Cory – vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, and pedals
Carl Nightingale – drums
   With
Paul Williams – drums (1, 5, 7, 8)

Description/Reviews
What it is is very good guitar-centered melodic rock. I'm not kidding about that description. Tim Cox's guitar work is abundant, vibrant and superb throughout this album. His style is rather straight forward: clean, smooth, classic guitar lines, and he doesn't sound like David Gilmour. Well, sometimes, infrequently. I dig Cox's moves and, if you love lead guitar, you will love this album.
As for the "prog" angle, there's nothing overly technical about the song composition. Rather, every song is large on melody and harmony; the riffs can be brisk, even heavy at times. Cory handles the vocals and has a clean melodic style. His harmonies easily fit and expand with each song and, like Cox, he doesn't necessarily sound like any particular prog singer. 
 Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

The Raven Charter "Reset"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Alternative Progressive Rock
LabelDo For It Records
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 29, 2015
Tracklist
1. Reset (4:07)
2. No Direction (4:56)
3. Borrowed Time (2:54)
4. We Know You Will (5:07)
5. Defunkt (5:47)
6. When I'm Under (3:37)
7. Bad Guys (5:33)
8. Scream (3:07)
9. Mask (4:32)
10. Freela Deela (3:32)
11. Bottoms Up (3:31)
12. The Antagonist (3:44)
13. Edge (5:52)
14. See This Through (3:21)

Total time 59:40

Line-up
Garrett Bond - Vocals
Brandon Bond - Guitars, Vocals
Daniel Baskind - Guitars, Vocals
Anthony Sosa - Bass, Vocals
Erik Stolpe - Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Brian Christie - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bad Guys
Borrowed Time

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Piezo "Nova"


Country: Canada
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 29, 2015
Tracklist
1. Trumpets (2:43)
2. Lunar Child (5:41)
3. The World Without Us? (4:26)
4. A Defining Day (4:18)
5. Stars Do Lie (7:46)
6. Dreaming Now (5:59)
7. Black Nova (4:02)
8. Never Mind The Other's Dream (6:50)
9. Behold, Orion (7:37)
10. Angry Eyes (3:29)
11. Doors To Nova (2:09)
12. Comet Of Grace (4:19)
13. The Soil (4:40)
14. Lights Out (3:16)

Total time 67:15

Line-up
Julien Watine: Vocals, acoustic & electric guitars
Patrick Fillion: Electric & acoustic guitars
Jonathan Hamel: Bass guitars
François Warnet: Acoustic & electric pianos, organ, synthesizers & back vocals
Gabriel Larivière: Drums & percussions
with:
Margaux Sauvé: Violins & viola
Cindy Gagné: Trumpets, trombone & saxophone arrangements
Marie-Pier Gagné: Cello
Dominique Denis-Bérubé: Additional vocals
Antoine Baril: Programming & additional instruments

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra "Earthlift"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Rock, Fusion
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 29, 2015
Tracklist
1. Forward Motion (Part 2) (1:47)
2. You Do That (2:05)
3. Fish Of A Feather (5:57)
4. When The Levee Breaks (5:13)
5. Earth Lift (5:46)
6. Swara Kakali (6:08)
7. Picker Waddle (2:25)
8. The Demented Waltz (5:26)
9. Poison (4:49)
10. Minion (Part 2) (5:44)
11. Honky Bumblebee (5:46)

Total time 51:06

Line-up
Lisi Wright - Violin, Vocals
Dan Neale - Guitar, Vocals
John Wright - Bass, Vocals
Alec Tackmann - Drums, Percussion

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Poire "Atlantis"


Country: Spain
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 29, 2015
Tracklist
1. Nautilus (4:51)
2. Fu Manchu (4:50)
3. Neptune (4:56)
4. Cold Water (7:58)
5. Love On Fire (4:12)
6. R.E.B (Richard Evelyn Byrd) (7:09)
7. Valhalla (12:39)
8. Wake Up (3:10)

Total time 49:45

Line-up
Pere Miralles - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Alex Miralles - Bass, Keyboards
Aleix Burgues - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Monday, September 28, 2015

Songs Of The Exile (S.O.T.E.) "Chosen"


CountryNetherlands
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelMusea
FormatCD, digital
Release date: September 2015
Tracklist
1. Lucid Dream (6:22)
2. Heed the Call (5:03)
3. The One (11:13)
4. Sacrificial Lamb (6:12)
5. Heirs of the Earth (5:27)
6. The Final Gain (5:27)
7. Perfect Strike (5:07)
8. Lament - Double Standard (9:17)
9. Heed the Call Revisited (5:58)
10. Sort the Mess (6:01)
11. Power and Glory (9:22)

Total time 75:29

Line-up
Gerton Leijdekker: guitars, sequences, organ, vocals, fake taiko
Peter H. Boer: bass, stick, pedals, vocals, cello
Menno de Vries: drums
      With:
Bas Ijff: vocals
Mark Smit: vocals
Sabine van der Loes: vocals
Carla van der Spek: vocals
Anne-Marie Leijdekker: vocals
Esther Ladiges: vocals
Wangerooger Schippratz: vocals
Ruben Margarita: violin
Benjamin Hamburger: violin
Ruben Sanderse: viola
Frank Rutgers: cello
Irma Vos: violin, viola
Karin Bakker: violin, viola
Linde Faber: cello
Ilse Vet: trumpet
Martijn Verhagen: French horn
Siurd Bartstra: trombone
Lieuwe de Jong: tuba
Jeroen van Veldhuizen: oboe
Eva Jansen: bassoon
Tom Rutgers: timpani, snares, chimes, fake quiro

Media/Samples 
Lucid Dream 
Heed the Call

Links:
Web page 
Facebook 
Progarchives 
Proggnosis 

Byosso "Lost My Way"


Country: Japan
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Metal
Formatdigital
Release dateSeptember 28, 2015
Tracklist
1. Part 1 - Opening (1:26)
2. Part.2 - Confusion (4:40)
3. Part.3 - Loss Of Control (8:53)
4. Part.4 - Series Of Failure (4:36)
5. Part.5 - Grim Task (4:50)
6. Part.6 - False Love (5:11)
7. Part.7 - Labyrinth (11:14)
8. Part.8 - The Last Time (19:21)

Total time 60:11

Line-up
Byosso - all instruments

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)


Edera "Mindquake"


Country: Italy
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
Formatdigital
Release date: September 28, 2015
Tracklist
1. Addiction (7:24)
2. Back (6:41)
3. Dampness (3:33)
4. Steps (7:06)
5. Sweat (4:24)
6. The Key (7:58)
7. Tremblin (5:14)
8. Vertical (6:28)

Total time 48:48

Line-up
Valerio Valentini - Vocals
Matteo Catarisano - Keyboards
Andrea Ungaro - Guitars
Alex Ferraris - Bass
Ryan Castana - Guitars
Matteo Ungaro - Drums

Media/Samples 
Stream

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Alexius September feat. Marco Minnemann "Life Of Dante"


Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Metal
Format: digital, CD
Release date: September 28, 2015 (digital), October 8, 2015 (CD)

Tracklist
1. The Exile (7:07)
2. Remembering Florence (4:21)
3. In A Dark Wood (5:02)
4. Vergilius (5:05)
5. The Mountain Of Souls (5:23)
6. Beatrice (4:35)
7. Paradiso (9:44)

Total time 41:17

Line-up
Alexius September : Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Marco Minnemann : Drums (1, 3, 5, 7)

Media/Samples 
In a Dark Wood
Sampler

Links:
Web page

Quiet Child "The Ever Present Shadow"


Country: Australia
Genre(s)Progressive Rock/Metal
Formatdigital
Release dateSeptember 27, 2015
Tracklist
1. The First Step (2:46)
2. A Good Plan (5:09)
3. Worry (10:08)
4. Cloth And Chloroform (6:22)
5. Calm Versus Chaos (7:36)
6. Hobbled (9:07)

Total time 41:08

Line-up
Peter Spiker

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Jay Tausig "Infinity"


Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Space Rock
Formatdigital
Release dateSeptember 27, 2015
Tracklist
1. Infinity - 47:58

Line-up
Jay Tausig - All Instruments

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Proggnosis

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Midnight Mangoes "Double Crown"


Country: Canada
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 26, 2015
Tracklist
1. Double Crown I - Song Of Set (3:19)
2. The Juniper Tree (4:47)
3. Monuments To Gods (5:09)
4. The Sleep Of Endymion (3:40)
5. Double Crown II - Night Winds (5:17)
6. Beneath The Southern Cross (2:17)
7. Samba Di Vivaldi (2:12)
8. Anansi Eyes (5:51)
9. Double Crown III - Stormbringer (6:57)
10. Black Bird Bridge (6:45)
11. Habaytak (10:00)

Total time 56:14

Line-up
Ingrid Cheung - flute, vocals
Greg Valou - guitar, hang, percussion
Sally Zori - drums, percussion
Chris McKnight - bass

Description/Reviews
The scintillating Canadian world fusion progressive rock quartet Midnight Mangoes tremendously ‘captivated and gravitated’ my ear rock centres to their extremely vivid music character and creative imaginations. I was hearing excitedly grooving and pulsating music galaxies of art rock, ace jazz fusion displays, radiating arabic music skies, progressive rock thunders as well as music glows heard for calypso, pop rock and soulful rhythm n’ blues charm. (forksterocks.net)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

None Other "Than The Common Plague"


Country: Greece
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 26, 2015 (digital)
Tracklist
1. The Beast Is Yet To Come (2:11)
2. Lie To Me (1:30)
3. Bearer (4:45)
4. Seven Months (4:46)
5. Torpor Serving (4:51)
6. I, Replicator (5:40)
7. 'n Hand Vol Vere (7:57)
8. Nausea (5:20)
9. Dread In The Water (4:11)
10. Rieux (4:32)
11. No Decorum (6:56)

Total time 52:39

Line-up
Sofia Nassiou - Vocals (1)
Melina Kyritsi - Vocals (3)
Theodore Papadimitriou - Cellos (4, 11)
Ioannis Viliotis - Bouzouki (6)
Spyros Charmanis - Everything else

Description/Reviews
Than The Common Plague' is a concept album, the third by Spyros Charmanis, first under the moniker 'None Other', paired with a 30-page novel revolving around disease, treatment and the inherent isolation towards 'the light at the end of the tunnel' - whatever that is to anyone.
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links (Spyros Charmanis):
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Echolapse "Deadlights"


Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Format: CD, digital
Release date: September 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Overlooked (8:14)
2. A Place To Hide (6:49)
3. Regression (7:34)
4. Indignation (6:06)
5. In Sickness (9:19)
6. In Stillness (1:29)
7. Deadlights (7:42)
8. Breathe (7:45)
9. Our Absolution (7:30)

Total time 62:28

Line-up
Derek Marsh - Vocals, Guitars
Michael Adamik - Guitars
David Deutsch - Bass, Keyboards

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

John Hackett "Another Life"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelEsoteric Antenna
FormatCD
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Another Life (4:01) 
2. Look Up (3:45) 
3. Poison Town (3:36) 
4. White Lines (5:08) 
5. Life In Reverse (3:19) 
6. Burnt Down Trees (2:56) 
7. Satellite (3:31) 
8. Forest (4:43) 
9. Magazine (4:39) 
10. Rain (3:12) 
11. Actors (3:42) 
12. Another Day, Another Night (4:10) 
13. Poison Town Reprise (2:08) 

Total time 48:50
Line-up
John Hackett
   With
Steve Hackett - lead guitar
Nick Magnus - keyboards, drums, programming
Anthony Phillips - guitar

Media/Samples
Promo

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Proggnosis

Penrose Stairs "Divided By Light"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Pulse (3:33)
2. Transience (8:10)
3. City Of Light (5:58)
4. Shapeshifter (7:55)
5. Eye Of Providence (5:55)
6. Hypnagog (7:04)
7. Illumination (5:48)
8. Hall Of Shadows (11:14)
9. Judas (3:43)

Total time 59:20

Line-up
Nick Ledesma - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Joe Ledesma - Guitars
James Daley - Bass, Moog Synthesizers
Nick Polich - Drums, Percussion

Description/Reviews
Divided by Light is an eclectic but accessible combination of everything the band loves about music of the last 50 years and beyond. It is not meant to be an easy or casual listening experience, but one of depth that rewards engagement and patience on behalf of the listener. Based around a progressive rock sound but featuring a diverse array of influences, Divided by Light deals with the dark corners of the collective human consciousness. It is a piece of music that is aware of the fact that we humans are now connected constantly by technology and yet more isolated from each other than ever before. It is a psychedelic thrill ride through a dystopian nightmare that might just be a little too close to the reality that we are currently living in. Anyone looking for the next auto-tuned, over-processed, illuminati-sponsored piece of musical candy to digest should stay far away, for this simply isn’t your music. But for those who are looking for a little bit of proof that people are still making thoughtful, artistic rock music that takes listeners on a journey capable of both entertaining and enlightening, Divided By Light may be just the thing they need.

Media/Samples 
Samples

Links:
Web page (album streaming)
Facebook

Dungen "Allas Sak"


Country: Sweden
Genre(s)Progressive Rock, Psychedelic
LabelMexican Summer
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Allas Sak (3:29)
2. Sista Festen (2:25)
3. Sista Gasten (2:40)
4. Franks Kaktus (5:39)
5. En Gang Om Aret (4:32)
6. Akt Dit (3:01)
7. En Dag Pa Sjon (4:13)
8. Flickor Och Pojkar (3:10)
9. Ljus In I Min Panna (3:56)
10. Sova (8:33)

Line-up
Gustav Ejstes
Reine Fiske
Johan Holmegard
Mattias Gustavsson

Description/Reviews
Allas Sak picks up where Dungen’s previous album left off, but somehow it sounds bolder and livelier, feistier yet more focused. The four of them jam with greater purpose and principle on songs like the otherworldly instrumental “Franks Kaktus” and the stately “En Gång Om Året,” while the prismatic “Flickor Och Pojkar” and closer “Sova” reveal subtle nuances in the band’s arrangements. Listening becomes an especially galvanizing experience, heady and enlightening. If psychedelic music has often been associated with drug use, for Dungen music itself is the drug: the most effective vehicle for transcendence.
Allas Sak is about everyday matters: family, friends, the fine texture of life. Common but never mundane, these subjects anchor the music in the here and now, while the music lends a certain grandeur to ordinary moments. 
Media/Samples 
Åkt Dit

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Crazy Juggler’s Prog Orchestra "Planet Euphoria – Part 1”


Country: Switzerland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Utopia Records
Format: CD
Release date: September 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Euphoria (1:18) 
2. Through The Keyhole Into Paradise (2:25) 
3. The End Of The World - Pt. 9 (3:19) 
4. Kingdom Of Mythrodia (14:22) 
5. Equilibrium (4:53) 
6. The End Of The World - Pt. 8 (2:40) 
7. Ballad Of The Golden Fairy (4:07) 
8. Arachnophobia (6:36) 
9. The End Of The World - Pt. 7 (4:46) 
10. Beatmaster Joe's Fabulous Show (1:09) 
11. The End Of The World - Pt. 6 (2:30) 
12. Bumblebee Queen Song - Part Five (4:44) 
13. From The Crazy Juggler's Prog Orchestra (3:21) 
14. The Hullabaloo Waltz (2:36) 
15. The End Of The World - Pt. 5 (1:56) 
16. On The Spaceship Radio (5:07) 
17. Anywhere Into The Nowhere (3:43) 
18. The End Of The World - Pt. 4 (7:13) 
19. Apocalypse (3:01) 

Total Time: 79:48

Line-up
Neo Smith - Guitars, Keyboards, Lead Vocals 
Beatmaster Joe - Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone, B-Vocals 
Stairway Dancer - Musical Box, B-Vocals, Harmonica 
Daniel Kalbermatter - Bass 
Tony Rocks - Percussion (10) 
Daniel Ittig - Piano (7, 8)

Media/Samples 
Ballad Of The Golden Fairy

Links:
Facebook

Hillward "Flies In Amber Stones"


Country: Canada
Genre(s)Progressive Rock / Metal
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Flies In Amber Stones (4:37)
2. Alive (5:18)
3. One Goodbye (3:48)
4. The Missing Link (5:02)
5. Entropy (2:12)
6. When It All Comes True (6:50)
7. Quiescence (4:54)
8. Quantify The Abstract (3:43)
9. Walls Of Apathy (5:09)
10. The End Of Logic (6:02)

Total time 47:35

Line-up
David Lizotte (Southern Cross) - Vocals, Guitars, Synths
Jean-François Boudreault (Southern Cross) - Bass
Antoine Guertin (Southern Cross) - Drums, Synths
    With
Olivier Perrier (Southern Cross, Warning Sign) - Guitar solos (1, 2)
Melanie Gagné (Muted Screams) - Vocals (9)

Description/Reviews
...Hillward, a side project of the members of Southern Cross.  ... There are, however, some key differences between these two projects.  While Southern Cross had evolved from metal to progressive metal, complete with warped time signatures, harsh and clean vox, and some chugging guitars, Hillward is a different beast.  They take more from Porcupine Tree and OSI than from Dream Theater or Symphony X.  Indeed, their official description is “heavy prog” instead of “progressive metal”.  Gone are the harsh vox and chugging, and in comes a focus on melody, soul, and, dare I say, serenity.
 Read the full review at theprogmind.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

The Home Guard "Nature versus Nurture versus Nietzsche"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Pistols at Dawn - 13:58
2. Life Goes On - 10:42
3. Divide and Rule - 10:47
4. Somewhere Out There - 12:59

Line-up
Dan: Vocals, guitar, percussion
Chris: Guitar, bass, keyboards

Description/Reviews
Nature versus Nurture versus Nietzsche is an album equally influenced by symphonic prog and indie rock, suitable for fans of Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd every bit as much as for fans of Muse, Blur and The Smiths. Grandiose yet accessible, unconventional while also familiar, it’s a collection of four separate mini-operas, each one having its own multiple movements, but all sharing a lyrical storyline that runs throughout. Despite having such a gloriously pretentious side to it, there also exists a sense of fun and immediacy not often found in the genre.
Pistols at Dawn
After a slow atmospheric build-up reminiscent of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, the track erupts into a playful yet powerful Jethro Tull-style riff. At various points you'll notice improbable nods to Ravel’s Boléro, Abba’s Dancing Queen, and the works of Wendy Carlos, all combining to set the tone of eccentricity that follows.
Life Goes On
A booming church organ intro is followed by an acoustic folk verse and a reggae-inspired chorus – but that’s not as bizarre as the piece gets. Around the three-minute mark, things take a darker turn and the track descends into a journey of Mellotron string quartets and electronica, all before rebounding back into a bright and breezy Madness-style close.
Divide and Rule
The rocker of the album, but with Indian instrumentation and an upbeat dancey section in the middle and at the end. Just about as commercially accessible as a 10-and-a-half minute song with a faux Eastern feel could possibly be, but still in keeping with what’s gone before.
Somewhere Out There
A prog power ballad that sounds not unlike Rick Wakeman gatecrashing a Queen recording session in the court of the Crimson King. Going through blues, classical, and funk rock sections, this album-closing epic provides Nature versus Nurture versus Nietzsche with the satisfying climax it deserves.
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

5R6 "Islands"


Country: Ukraine
Genre(s)Progressive Rock/Metal, Alternative, Stoner, Grunge
LabelRobustfellow Prods. (Ukraine), Voron Nest (Japan)
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. The Ledge (2:07)
2. Potion (7:30)
3. This River (5:28)
4. TV Snow (5:00)
5. Gasping for Breath (7:52)
6. The City of X (7:25)
7. Islands (8:18)

Line-up
Igor Zubko - lead vocals, guitars
Kirill Brenner - guitars
Eugene Zinchenko - bass
Dmitryi Zinchenko - vocals, drums

Media/Samples 
This River

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives

Caspian "Dust and Disquiet"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Post Rock
LabelTriple Crown Records (US, ROW), Big Scary Monsters (EU/UK), Hobbledehoy Record Co (Australia/NZ)
Formatdigital, CD, vinyl
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Separation No. 2 (3:08)
2. Ríoseco (7:52)
3. Arcs of Command (8:48)
4. Echo and Abyss (5:44)
5. Run Dry (4:35)
6. Equal Night (1:56)
7. Sad Heart of Mine (4:27)
8. Darkfield (6:36)
9. Aeternum Vale (2:08)
10. Dust and Disquiet (11:25)

Total Time 56:39

Line-up
Philip Jamieson - guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
Calvin Joss - guitar
Joe Vickers - drums
Erin Burke-Moran - guitar
Jonny Ashburn - guitar
Jani Zubkovs - bass guitar

Description/Reviews
Simply by being able to declare that Dust and Disquiet is not Waking Season is a feat in itself. Because now we get head-banging, straightforward numbers like “Arcs of Command” nestled next to prog-metal, singing-is-included epics like “Echo and Abyss.” There are no more rules in a genre that is typically known for them. Case in point, “Run Dry” is basically an orchestral folk song, not just featuring vocals, but dominated by them. These guys have been hiding some damn good voices from us, and “Run Dry” shows the exhaustion of grief with lyrics like, “So weep til you drown / Or until you run dry.” Maybe the original point of post-rock was finding ways to express the nearly impossible, but on Dust and Disquiet Caspian have given a beautiful voice to instrumental music. 
 Read the full review by Blake Solomon at absolutepunk.net

Media/Samples 
Arcs Of Command
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Mantric "Sin"


Country: Norway
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
LabelLoyal Blood Records
FormatCD, digital, vinyl
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
  1. FaithFaker - 5:16
  2. On The Horizon - 6:58
  3. Give Me Eyes - 5:07
  4. Arrogance Vs. Anxiety - 5:27
  5. Die Old - 3:21
  6. Maranatha - 5:01
  7. Anhedoniac - 5:49
  8. In The Shadow Of My Soul - 4:19
  9. Black Eyes - 3:48
Line-up
Tor Glidje (ex-Extol) - Guitars, Vocals, Percussion and Synth
Ole Sveen (ex-Extol) - Vocals, Drums, Guitars and Synth
John Mjaaland (ex-Extol) - Bass, Vocoder and Synth
   With
Anders Salomon Lidal - Moog and Synth

Description/Reviews
Mid-tempo progressive metal with some atmospheric black metal influences, ethereal clean vocals and the occasional muted shriek. 
 Read the full review by Noyan Tokgozoglu at heavyblogisheavy.com

Media/Samples 
Faithfaker
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Sound Struggle "Rise"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Metal, Jazz, Funk, Fusion
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Strongth (6:58)
2. The Disease (6:30)
3. Perpetual Motion (6:23)
4. Rotating Door (8:50)
5. Rise (7:03)
6. Tempest (5:04)
7. Close Your Eyes (6:04)
8. Suspended (8:49)
9. Pretzel (7:03)
10. 649 (5:21)

Total Time 68:05

Line-up
Cameron Rasmussen - Guitar, Vocals
Adam Rafowitz - Guitar
Joey Izzo - Keys
Michael Bozdeck - Tenor Sax/EWI
Joe Calderone - Bass
Matthieu Danesin - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Yuka & Chronoship "The 3rd Planetary Chronicles"


Country: Japan
Genre(s)Symphonic
LabelOmp Company
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015 (EU), October 28, 2015 (Japan)
Tracklist
1. Birth of the Earth - Collision (1:28)
2. Stone Age (8:26)
3. Galileo I - And Yet It Moves (E Pur Si Muove) (2:52)
4. Galileo II - Copernican Theory (5:52)
5. Birth of the Earth - Merger (1:20)
6. Age of Steam (8:07)
- I. Pastoral Garden
- II. Machine City
7. Wright Flyer 1903 (7:50)
8. On the Radio (2:18)
9. Birth of the Earth - Magma Ocean (1:26)
10. E = c♯m (4:36)
11. I am Thee (Awakening of Cloneroid) (6:55)
12. Birth of the Earth - Embryonic Planet (8:17)

Line-up
Yuka Funakoshi - Vocals, Keyboard, Piano
Takashi Miyazawa - Guitar
Shun Taguchi - Bass, Vocals
Ikko Tanaka - Drums

Description/Reviews
The album is centered around the themes of technological and scientific revolutions of Earth, the third planet from the sun. 
Media/Samples 
Trailer

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Kimmo Pohjonen "Sensitive Skin"


Country: Finland
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelOctopus, Svart Records (vinyl)
FormatCD, digital, vinyl
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015 (CD, Finland), October 9, 2015 (USA), October 30, 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist
1. Cyclon (4:14)
2. Lamina (4:28)
3. Sulo (5:09)
4. Anemone (4:45)
5. Emissio (6:16)
6. Atomi (4:47)
7. Serenity (5:39)
8. Ramsoo (6:09)
9. Sensitive Skin (5:18)

Total time 46:45

Line-up
Kimmo Pohjonen – accordion, samples, vocals

   With
Sami Kuoppamäki – drums 
(1, 3, 6)
Timo Kämäräinen – guitar 
(1, 3, 6), savonbouzouki 
(1), vocals (6)
Tuomas Norvio – electronics (1-5, 7, 8)
Samuli Kosminen - 
electronics (1), drums (2, 4, 7), percussion (2, 4, 5, 7)
Arto Järvelä – nyckelharpa
  
(1, 3, 6)
Paul Malmström - modular synthesizer
 (1)
Inka and Saana Pohjonen – vocals (1, 2, 4-7)
Ismo Alanko - vocals, guitar (8)
Lauri Porra - bass (8)
Jukka Eskola – trumpet (2)
James Spectrum – 808 bass (2), tubular bells and aether modulator (3), knifonium (5), synthesizer (6)
Tomi Leppänen – drums (5)
Ville Riippa – percussions (6), synthesizer (8)
Ilpo Laspas – omniwerk (9)
Joona Ruusula – boy soprano/ Cantores Minores (9)
Kronos Quartet (4, 5, 7):
David Harrington – violin
John Sherba – violin
Hank Dutt – viola
Sunny Yang – cello

Media/Samples 
Cyclon

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Lava Engine "In Bloom"


Country: Sweden
Genre(s)Progressive Rock/Metal
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Home (5:50)
2. All Here In Bloom (9:08)
3. The Commander (7:28)
4. God: Speed (5:41)
5. And Silence Rules (6:24)
6. Movement (5:06)
7. Elegant Machinery (3:50)
8. Juggernaut (7:51)
9. Gold Dust (17:53)

Total time 69:11

Line-up
Magnus Florin - Vocals, Guitars
Ronnie Jaldemark - Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Simon Dahlstrom - Bass
Mick Nordstrom - Drums, Vocals

Media/Samples 
Home
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Lion Shepherd "Hiraeth"


Country: Poland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, World Music
Label: MJM Music PL, Glassville Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 25, 2015 (Poland), November 20, 2015 (World)
Tracklist
1. Fly On (4:55)
2. Lights Out (5:14)
3. Brave New World (3:39)
4. Musix Box Ballerina (4:59)
5. I'm open (4:39)
6. Past in Mirror (4:44)
7. Wander (3:58)
8. Infidel Act Of Love (5:10)
9. Smell Of War (4:16)
10. Strongest Breed (4:35)

Line-up
Kamil Haidar - vocals
Mateusz Owczarek - guitars, oud
   With
Wojciech Rucinski - bass
Slawek Berny - drums, percussion
Jahiar Azim Irani - santur
Rasm Al Mashan - vocals
Radosław Kordowski - hammond
Samuel Owczarek

Description/Reviews
An eclectic mix of ethnic fused rock, Hiraeth delivers a range of tracks that take in progressive rock, trance, blues, metal and several Eastern and world music influences. Think Orphaned Land but throw in Klone, Messenger, and even Depeche Mode, all with an Iranian twist, courtesy of guest musicians Rasm Al Mashan and Jahair Azim Irani amongst others.
Highlights include the controlled aggression of Brave New World and Smell Of War, the excitement and promise of opener Fly On, and two of my favourite tracks, the Eastern sounds of Music Box Ballerina and Lights Out. Haidar's vocals are superb, whilst the acoustic and electric guitar work of Owczarek provides exactly the right shade of light and shade for each song. The percussion of Slawek Berny and the subtle bass work of Wojciech Rucinski provide a foundation which truly allows the album to develop, captivating and transporting the listener far away. (musipediaofmetal.blogspot.com)

Media/Samples 
Stream
Fly On
Lights Out 
Wander

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Dark Buddha Rising "Inversum"


Country: Finland
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Space Rock
LabelNeurot Recordings
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: September 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. E S O (24:05)
2. E X O (23:25)

Total Time: 47:30

Line-up
V. Ajomo - guitars, vocals
V. Vatanen - guitars, vocals
J. Saarivuori - keyboards
P. Rämänen - bass, percussion
J. Rämänen - drums
   With
J. Vanhanen, M. Neumann - vocals

Description/Reviews
‘E S O’ opens in relative clam before building into a swirling mass of noise, which sounds like some rip in the space/time continuum as just opened and all manner of evil beings are flying through. It isn’t helped by the “vocals”, which swoop and soar at you like abandoned souls of the doomed. This is space rock when things go wrong and you bump into those really nasty aliens, the ones that play with your mind.
‘E X O’ is a more sedated affair for its opening ten minutes and you could be forgiven for thinking that the band are going to stay on a much steadier path this time. Evoking dramatic feelings, its repetitive riff builds as the cymbals crash and the bass rumbles in the background. It’s not long before it all goes awry again though and as the winds of change start to howl through the bass rumble, you can sense the foreboding as the band decide where they will head next. It’s a tremendous feat and one can only imagine how they hash up this stuff in the studio.
 Read the full review by Martyn Coppack at echoesanddust.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives 

Wucan "Sow The Wind"


Country: Germany
Genre(s)Retro Prog, Hard Rock, Stoner
LabelMetalizer Records, MiG Music
FormatCD, digital, vinyl
Release dateSeptember 25, 2015
Tracklist
1. Father Storm (3:57)
2. Owl Eyes (5:50)
3. Looking In The Past (5:42)
4. Face In The Kraut (4:15)
5. King Korea (7:03)
6. Wandersmann (15:45)

Total time 42:32

Line-up
Francis Tobolsky - Vocals, Flute, Guitar, Theremin
Tim - Guitar
Patrik - Bass
Leo Vaessen - Drums

Description/Reviews
Opening track "Father Storm" busts out of the traps like an express train, guitar and flute riffing in unison over a backdrop of solid drum and bass and bringing to mind memories of Jethro Tull classic "Locomotive's Breath" well that is until you hear the sublime bluesy tones of Francis on vocals. Powerful and blessed with a tone somewhere between Blues Pills Elin Larsson and Royal Thunder's Miny Parsonz, she infuses the song with a bluesy grit that shatters any further Tull comparisons that may be made.
 Read the full review by Frazer Jones at stonerking1.blogspot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Below A Silent Sky "Corrosion"


Country: Germany
Genre(s): Instrumental Post Progressive Metal/Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: September 24, 2015
Tracklist
1. The Withering (8:58)
2. Sulfur (7:47)
3. The Flood I Ambiguity (3:32)
4. The Flood II Closure (6:16)
5. Adrift (6:49)
6. Asperatus (8:09)

Total time 41:31

Line-up
Heinz Goetze - drums
Robin Ritter - guitar
Diego Walch - bass
Christian Schneiderwind - guitar

Description/Reviews
Corrosion is the debut album from German post-progressive metal band Below A Silent Sky.
This is Cult of Luna/Isis-inspired post-metal that has been combined with a bit of prog metal to create individualistic songs that are sharp, nasty and boiling with heated darkness.
Caustic, bold riffs provide a brutally simple focal point to the apocalyptic music. The band are here to sow darkness darkness. Their music is a dense, somewhat claustrophobic affair, ripe with urban decay and full of disturbed interest for the observer to become upset by.
Varied and nuanced, there are a lot of good ideas on display throughout these six songs, and Below A Silent Sky make the most of the playing time by filling the album with bleak sounds that captivate and enthral.(progstravaganza.com)
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page

Goad "The Silent Moonchild"


Country: Italy
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelBlack Widow Records
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateSeptember 24, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Except Hate - 5:23
  2. For You - 6:40
  3. Here with Me - 7:36
  4. Clay Masks - 6:28
  5. The Silent Moonchild (The Song) - 4:28
  6. The Silent Moonchild (Instrumental) - 2:44
  7. Fading Under a Large Hat - 3:31
  8. Ballad in Moonlight - 3:28
  9. The Book of Time - 4:10
  10. The Silent Moonchild (The End) - 7:57
  11. Moonchild Sunrise - 3:44
Line-up
Maurilio Rossi - vocals, bass, keyboards, nylon guitar
Gianni Rossi - Gibson guitar
Paolo Carniani - drums
Roberto Masini - violin
Alessandro Bruno - flute, violin, slide guitar
   With
Frank Diddi - flute, violin guitar
Filippo Trentastasi - drums
Freddy Delirio - Moog solo (4)

Media/Samples 
For you, a river in flood
Clay masks
Fading under a large hat
The silent moonchild (The End)

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Nan Madol "Feathered Serpent"


Country: Norway
Genre(s)Progressive Hard Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateSeptember 24, 2015
Tracklist
1. Guide (6:46)
2. Tidal Waves (6:52)
3. Golden Age (6:05)
4. Conquistador (5:04)
5. Feathered Serpent (13:43)
6. Aishani (4:11)
7. Sundown (6:54)
8. Kingdom Caves (4:27)

Total time 54:02

Line-up
Kolbjørn Enge - drum, vocals
Kristian Ring - guitars
Pål Isdahl Solberg - bass
Cristoffer Iversen - guitars

Description/Reviews
With a singing drummer, two guitarists and a bass player, the progressive hard rock band Nan Madol from Tønsberg, Norway, produces both a hard hitting and tender melodic soundscape.
On September 24th, Nan Madol released their first full length album with their own distinct musical identity, drawing inspiration from bands such as Tool and Mastodon.

Media/Samples 
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook