Silly String II takes what its predecessor did well, and expands on it. The opening track, “Hand of the Giant”, gives the listener a good idea of what to expect from a Travis Orbin solo album. While technically challenging, the song is enjoyable to listen to. The highlight, other than the drums, is that Cameron McLellan’s (ex-Protest the Hero) bass is audible throughout this album and gives the record something that many modern albums seem to be lacking. The bass lines groove and the synthesizers add an unexpected layer to the music. The track also incorporates some jazzy elements, going so far as to include a trumpet which also appears a few more times on the album, along with saxophone, trombone, and theremin.Read the full review by Jacob Marcheschi at itdjents.com
Flora is the first album from the paraguayan band Agharta. Classic prog rock, funk and psychedelic rock are some of the styles explored in the album. A distinctive sound is present on each track, heavy riffs in "Cordero", sweet melodies in "Distinto" and funky sounds in Flora.Media/Samples
Turns out Knife the Glitter (the band’s debut and final album) sheds all semblance to the collectives early metalcore leanings, instead aiming for a highly complex, jazzy, progressive sound. If you yearn for a comparison, think of a more crazed, metallic version of ConstruKction of Light-era instrumental King Crimson with some Dillinger Escape Plan added to the mix and you won’t be far off.Read the full review at angrymetalguy.com
Inspired by the inhospitable beauty and extensive geography of Chile, source of inspiration for so many poets throughout history, "Flowing Sceneries" showcases a balanced yet solid, multilayered blend of modern and classic influences, ranging from straightforward rock to dynamic jazz/fusion elements, through songs with storytelling-like constructions.Media/Samples
Musically, In Error stands as just an exciting and ambitious record. While deeply rooted in the style of today’s progressive metal, with the inclusion of new members, The Frame Defect chose to include a wide range of eclectic influences stemming from each member’s own musical taste. As a result, while built on a sturdy foundation of progressive metal, songs like “Residue” and “Hyperbole” embrace pop elements, while the riff-driven “Monophobic” takes from classic rock, and “On Love” feels reminiscent of the tango.Read the full review by Gerrod Harris at canadianbeats.ca
What do you get when you combine traveling around the globe and songwriting? When you put together progressive rock and acoustic folk, with a slight hint of pop? And what would happen if you would do this without the pressure of record labels, completely ignoring the fact that we divided this world into boxes and thus you can move freely whatever way you want to? Then you’ll get ‘a silent sound’.
‘Compass’ consists of 12 songs which tell the story of the journey of a man, traveling to fulfil his fathers’ last wish. To return to the place he once was born. On this journey he doesn’t only see the different surroundings and the beautiful nature, but he soon gets to know cities and all of her temptations, new people, cultures and all that the world has got to offer. Both positive and negative. ‘Compass’ is not only about the journey, which is possibly based on true events, but evenmore about discovering, about love, experiencing, accepting, deception and relief.Media/Samples
"GEMINI" is an instrumental metal album which collects 13 songs composed and/or arranged by MISTHERIA in the metal, neo-classical, prog-metal genres.
An unreleased studio album by Dr. Aftershave (ex Missus Beastly), in the same style as the late Missus Beastly. During their latter period, Missus Beastly renamed themselves to Dr. Aftershave for about one year, after the title of their third LP. Their style, however, didn’t change: mostly instrumental jazz-rock, also called fusion. They had planned from the very beginning to record some songs for an LP, which they did in the Stuttgart Zuckerfabrik sound studio from August 19 to 22, 1980. Initially, the sound studio itself wanted to release the album, but this plan failed. The negotiations with Mood Records didn’t lead to anything as well. The recordings were thus parked in the drawer for 37 years, kept safe by Marlon Klein. It’s due to him that they have been preserved in good order and condition till this day. The CD at hand is thus the first release; an LP edition is planned for the future, but that may take some time.Media/Samples
Musically, Day Six stick to their tried and true formula of intricate, yet melodic and easily accessible, compositions that draw upon and blend many genres. The larger wrapper is heavier progressive rock. Most every song has passages with heavy brisk riffage with thick bottom end that will remind you of progressive metal. In between Day Six enjoys playing with mixtures of basic melodic rock, jazz, pop, and symphonic notes.Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com
As Follows returns with their third full-length album, &cet. Pulling from a diverse pool of influences, this album will appeal to fans of melodic prog rock in the style of Rush, Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd.Media/Samples
Poland’s Pinn Dropp fit nicely into the modern prog realm that has been created and grown by bands like Riverside, Kingcrow, Anubis Gate and many others. So while Pinn Dropp aren’t necessary doing anything ground breaking, they do sound as good as many of these contemporaries.Read the full review by Rob at progressivemusicplanet.com
