This is an instrumental only EP and is a mixture of ambient, alternative rock, prog rock with a pinch of metal.Media/Samples
... an extremely intricate and dynamic rhythmic texture, the result of years of study, evolution and practice of the musical instrument, combined with chamber music scores that make Erik's work seem much easier than it actually is. Jazz-rock, avant-garde and classical music merge here in a sonic brew that, for attitude and originality, recalls the most courageous experiments released by the ECM label. A modern symphony, constantly vibrant and tense, which could perfectly fit also as a soundtrack for a film with a 'Hitchcockian' flavor.Media/Samples
The album consists of two long suites, both divided into different movements: a 34-minute title-track, and the shortest 15-minute "Iskallt Mörkt Vatten", in which Erik plays all the percussion and electric bass, accompanied by bows, brass, clarinet, flute, celesta, harp and bassoon. An incredible and uneasy experience even for the most daring 'prog connoisseurs', destined to leave a mark!
White Manna‘s sixth album, Ape on Sunday, immediately enters the kosmiche foray with its seven-minute opening title-track. Also the longest inclusion (immediate points) at 7:10, it is immersive and exploratory in kind, a sweeping space rock mover that captures the attention and doesn’t so much hold it as toss it back and forth between hands, reshaping and kneading consciousness like so much stiff dough that’s been sitting around for too long.Read the full review at theobelisk.net
A head-rush tempest of swirling psychedelia, heavy rock crunch, prog virtuosity and jazz experimentation, Red Kite is the debut release by the Norwegian jazz-rock power quartet of the same name. The electrifying supergroup features members of some of Norway’s best-known prog outfits, including Elephant9, Shining, Bushman’s Revenge and Grand General. Four incredible musicians navigating complex prog-jazz structures with a risk-taking jazz spirit and a brain-rattling hard rock intensity. (beyondrock.nl)Media/Samples
‘Pale Season’ melds a haunted mix of alt, progressive and post-Rock, neo-gothic Metal, doom and subtle psychedelia into an assured set of hook-strewn songs that find peace in the depths of inner turmoil.Media/Samples
Complexity is a brain inside of the heart of this genre, whether one calls it fusion, prog, math, or jazz, as it certainly defies any conventional heading; it is exciting and challenging music that doesn’t lose itself to the complexity. The instruments seem to tumble about and always fall on their feet. This allows the winds and keys to bloat, swell, and flex at any given moment. The album has a constant rhythm and current of arpeggios that allow whatever instrument rises to the fore to shine.Media/Samples
Cuts fall at various places along the psych-folk continuum, with “Discordant Angels” hive-mind vocals lifting folk-traditional picking into a higher realm; it sounds a bit like Pentangle’s jazz-folk hybrid, a lot more like Feathers’ dreamiest cuts. “Water Bearing One” tends more towards trap-door-through-reality psych a la Bardo Pond. It is slow and hazed out, the clarity of piano runs dropping into the mix like bright coins submerged in cough syrup.Read the full review by Jennifer Kelly at dustedmagazine.tumblr.com
Musically, the six songs on Dark Tide Rising cover a huge amount of ground. From opener, Scheherazade, a metallic bombast set in an exotic landscape, the band emphatically states their difference to the musical norm, stubbornly refuse to fit into any specific musical pigeonhole.Media/Samples
This Winter Machine are developing into fine exponents of a pleasing brand of great rock songs with an eye for memorable melodies and hooks. They wear their influences proudly on their musical sleeves, but they do not slavishly copy other bands and are not afraid to meld together unusual mixtures of styles, such as Symmetry And Light. This Winter Machine do not do ‘avant garde’ or experimental music (which is fine for other bands!), they focus on writing and performing high quality crafting catchy melodic rock songs (which is no mean feat). Whilst they are not breaking new musical frontiers (a rare occurrence for any artists in reality) they are very skilled in expressing their musical and lyrical ideas with flair and imagination.
If you are not familiar with Jolly, they play a style of music that is difficult to pigeonhole. They obviously have trappings from alternative rock, such as the heavily distorted guitars, but you can also hear hefty pop sensibilities, such as the well-crafted choruses and bright melodies. You can also hear influences from various other genres, such film scores, R&B, and progressive metal. So, while you will hear lush keyboard melodies mixed with technical drums, the band never takes themselves too seriously. They kinda do their own thing, and they are all the better for it. Jolly simply has their own sound. In fact, they seem like one of those bands that just doesn’t have much influence from prog at all, and they don’t really seem to like that label. Of course, that is what all the cool prog guys are doing nowadays.Read the full review by Jason Spencer at theprogmind.com
The music here is progressive metal, but isn’t bombastic or overwhelmingly technical. It almost feels like the band accidentally made an album that falls into that subgenre, honestly. The music is poetic, illustrious, and ponderous. You’ll hear soothing nature sounds, delicate piano interludes, and cinematic atmospheres. You will also hear fantastic grooves, catchy choruses, and that x-factor of inspiration that is difficult to describe.Read the full review by Jason Spencer at theprogmind.com
Spiral Orchestra, led by composer/guitarist Thomas Chaillan, is an orchestral rock ensemble dedicated to large-scale works in a sci-fi/fantasy theme. Their debut, Atlas Ark, is an ambitious concept album relating the thousand-year odyssey of a generation ship on its mission to settle the galaxy and save humanity from itself. Recorded with a cast of 20 exceptional musicians, Spiral Orchestra’s debut is an organic work of sophisticated compositions, high end production, and extraordinary musical performance.Media/Samples
Drawing its inspiration from diverse influences such as classical, rock, metal, jazz and Hollywood soundtracks, Atlas Ark is a 21st century progressive rock symphony, taking the listener on an epic musical journey from orchestral overture to 20-minute finale.
