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Saturday, June 22, 2024

Oceans of Slumber "Where Gods Fear to Speak"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Season of Mist
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 13, 2024
Tracklist
1. Where Gods Fear to Speak (6:25) 
2. Run From the Light (5:15)
3. Don't Come Back From Hell Empty Handed (8:28)
4. Wish (3:53)
5. Poem of Ecstasy (6:33)
6. The Given Dream (3:36)
7. I Will Break the Pride of Your Will (5:27)
8. Prayer (5:03)
9. The Impermanence of Fate (6:20)
10. Wicked Game (5:26)

Credits
Cammie Beverly - Vocals
Dobber Beverly - Drums, Piano
Semir Ozerkan - Bass
Chris Jones - Guitar
Chris Kritikos - Guitar, Synth

Recorded at Audiovision Studios in Bogotá, Columbia
Produced and engineered by Joel Hamilton
Mixed by Joel Hamilton at Studio G in Brooklyn, New York
Additional engineering by Chris Kritikos
Assistant engineering by Justin Termotto
Assistant engineering at Audiovision by Deyra Castillo and David Dueñas Piña
Mastering by Maor Appelbaum
Artwork by Giannis Nakos - Remedy Art Design

Description/Reviews:
Where Gods Fear To Speak is a multi-faceted entry into Oceans Of Slumber’s burgeoning legacy. Many of the melodic and textural elements that made Starlight & Ash such a revelation are still present, but scabrous brutality and complex, cultured arrangements are back with a vengeance. With Cammie’s astonishing vocal blend of vulnerability and abominable power, these songs are the best possible showcase for a band on an unerring mission to win the world over.
A colossus in both conception and execution, Where Gods Fear To Speak eschews the usual modern metal sounds in favor of an overwhelming, wall-of-sound production. As songs like the thunderous title track and the grim and sprawling "Don’t Come Back From Hell Empty Handed" cast their meandering, malevolent spells, every instrument leaps out with laser-like clarity, and the vast, emotional heft underpinning Dobber and Cammie’s lyrics is brought rivetingly to the fore. Meanwhile, standout gems like "The Given Dream" and "Poem of Ecstasy" showcase Oceans Of Slumber’s still-evolving core sound, with soaring melodies and jaw-dropping dynamics that casually blur the boundary between the accessible and the avant-garde, while basking in the brooding glow of Cammie’s unique voice. Produced in collaboration with esteemed studio guru Joel Hamilton at Audovision Studios in Bogota, it emerges as a self-evident labor of love for all of those involved.
From the doom-laden opening chords of "Where  Gods Fear To Speak" – released as the album’s first preview single, and revealing Cammie’s feral death growls for the first time – to the dying, desolate embers of grand finale "Impermanence Of Fate", the new Oceans Of Slumber album is simply the most immersive and fascinating piece of work the band have made. As added intrigue, guest stars Mikael Stanne of Swedish melo-death legends Dark Tranquillity, and Moonspell’s iconic frontman Fernando Ribeiro lend their vocal talents to "Run From The Light" and "Prayer" respectively. Steeped in the oppressive atmospheres of doom, death and gothic metal, but rendered using a spinning kaleidoscope of progressive musical shades, Where The Gods Fear To Speak idly defies categorization, while strenuously redefining the artistic formula that Oceans Of Slumber have spent so many years refining. Meanwhile, these songs paint such vivid pictures that it comes as little surprise that Where Gods Fear to Speak is a certified concept work, with a cinematic streak a mile wide.
Media/Samples
Where Gods Fear To Speak
Poem of Ecstasy
Streams

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Focus "Focus 12"

Country: Netherlands
Genre(s)Symphonic
LabelSpirit of Unicorn Music
FormatCD, digital, vinyl 
Release date: July 5, 2024
Tracklist
01. Fjord Focus (4:24)
02. Focus 13 (5:09)
03. Bela (4:08)
04. Meta Indefinita (4:36)
05. All Aboard (4:31)
06. Born To Be You (1:48)
07. Nura (3:57)
08. Bowie (3:24)
09. Positano (3:28)
10. Gaia (4:16)

Total Time – 39:40

Credits
Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute
Pierre Van Der Linden -  drums
Menno Gootjes - guitars
Udo Pannekeet - bass

Produced by Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes at Wisseloord Studios and Wedgeview Studios, Netherlands
Artwork by Roger Dean

Description/Reviews:
...there’s no confusion about the music, which channels the band’s classic 1970s sound – 10 powerful and melodic instrumentals packed full of electric guitar pyrotechnics, swelling Hammond organ, nimble piano and trademark flute. Sadly, there is no yodelling but, on the plus side, band founder Thijs van Leer has refrained from indulging in the groaning vocals that marred one of the tracks on the previous album.

Read the full review by  Kevan Furbank at theprogressiveaspect.net

Media/Samples
Fjord Focus

Links:

Friday, June 14, 2024

Dice "Landing In Area 3-0"

Country: Germany
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelGalileo Music
FormatCD, digital
Release date: June 14, 2024 (digital), July 19, 2024 (CD)
Tracklist
1. Sand On The Shore (11:47) 
2. All That We Lost (9:11) 
3. Landing On The Earth (10:52) 
4. Never Ending Last Song Of The World (8:23) 
5. The Dawn Rises Today (13:34) 
6. New Area In A Different Zone (5:51) 

Total Time 59:38

Credits
Christian Nóvé - vocals, keyboards, bass
Ramona Nóvé - background vocals
Peter Viertel - guitars
Tom Tomson - drums

Links:
Web page
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

IZZ "Collapse the Wave"

Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release date: June 11, 2024
Tracklist
1. We Are the 3rd
2. So Many Voices
3. Brace for Impact
4. Deep Inside
5. Collapse the Wave
6. Sometimes Sublime
7. There's Hope! 
8. Brethren
9. Not About Me
10. Soak Up the Sunlight
11. And We Will Go

Credits
Paul Bremner: Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Brian Coralian: Electronic & Acoustic Drums and Percussion
Greg DiMiceli: Acoustic Drums and Percussion
John Galgano: Bass Guitar, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Tom Galgano: Keyboards, Vocals
Laura Meade: Vocals

Description/Reviews:
"Collapse the Wave'' marks a significant evolution in IZZ’s musical journey, melding intricate rhythms and complex harmonies to craft a narrative both compelling and transformative. The album, produced by IZZ keyboardist and vocalist Tom Galgano, features a collection of eleven tracks that challenge conventional perceptions and invite listeners to explore beyond the boundaries of traditional rock.
John Galgano, co-founder and bassist of IZZ, describes the album as "a sonic exploration of the self and the universe." He adds, "We tried to weave together each of our musical influences with philosophical, spiritual, and scientific ideas to create an album that explores both personal and universal themes."
"Collapse the Wave" is not just an auditory experience; it’s a journey through the self and the cosmos, making for a listening experience that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining and fun.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Kingcrow "Hopium"

Country: Italy
Genre(s)Progressive Rock/Metal
LabelSeason Of Mist
FormatCD, digital, vinyl
Release date: August 23, 2024
Tracklist
1. Kintsugi (3:53)
2. Glitch (3:56)
3. Parallel Lines (6:46)
4. New Moon Harvest (3:30)
5. Losing Game (5:28)
6. White Rabbit's Hole (6:55)
7. Night Drive (5:48)
8. Vicious Circle (4:21)
9. Hopium (8:24)
10. Come Through (Bonus Track) (4:21)

Total runtime: 53:27

Credits
Diego Marchesi - Vocals
Diego Cafolla - Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì - Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra - Drums, Percussions
   With
Vikram Shankar - Piano solo on "Hopium"

Produced by Diego Cafolla & Thundra Cafolla
Recorded by Diego Cafolla at Sound Under Pressure (Rome, Italy)
Mixed by Giampiero Ulacco at Holofram Studios (Francavilla al Mare, Italy)
Mastered by Marco Vannucci at Spitfire Mastering Studio (Italy)
Cover Art by Devilnax

Description/Reviews:
KINGCROW emerges once more from Italy's progressive rock forge with a legacy etched in eclectic sounds and emotional narrative. Their evolution is meticulously woven progressive rock, alternative ambiance, and metal, transcending mere genre labels.
With ‘Hopium’, KINGCROW delivers a poignant album that fuses profound introspection with the raw vitality of rock. Lyrics that dwell in existential quandaries meet melodies that pulse with life, encapsulating the band's journey through trials and resilience. This collection of aural stories is wrapped in musical precision that only KINGCROW can muster, an intricate escapade for the senses. ‘Hopium’ marks a zenith in KINGCROW's story, a manifesto of passion and a defiant stride into the auditory unknown.

Media/Samples
Stream & buy
Kintsugi

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Kick The Giant "Presence"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: Inverse Records
Format: CD,digital
Release date: July 5, 2024
Tracklist
1. Presence 
2. Statement
3. Out Of Time
4. Overture
5. Damned Or Divine
6. Stop Signs
7. Distant Memories
8. Mountain Of Nothing

Credits
Tony Hentilä - Guitar & Vocals
Oskar Ketola - Keyboards & Vocals
Lauri Aho - Bass & Backing Vocals
Emilio Jones - Drums, Percussions & Backing Vocals

Mixed by Santtu Lehtiniemi
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck
Album cover by Olli Hyvärinen 

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Out of Time

Links:
Facebook
Proggnosis

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Auro Control "The Harp"

Country: Brazil
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Rockshots Records
Format: CD,digital
Release date: May 31, 2024
Tracklist
1. Aurum Regium (1:30) 
2. Feel The Fire (4:21) 
3. Not Alone (4:50) 
4. Rise Of The Phoenix (5:14) 
5. The Harp (4:56) 
6. Afterglow (5:28) 
7. Head Up High (5:29) 
8. Conception (5:15) 
9. Runner (4:40) 
10. Breaking Silence (7:27) 

Total Time 49:10

Credits
Lucas de Ouro - Vocals
Lucas Barnery - Guitars
Diego Pires - Guitars
Thiago Baumgarten - Bass
Davi Britto - Drums
    With
Jeff Scott Soto (3)
Aquiles Priester (W.A.S.P., Angra) (4)
Aiace (5)
Felipe Andreoli (Angra) (5)
Thiago Bianchi (Noturnall, Shaman) (10)      

Produced by Thiago Bianchi
Recorded at Estúdio Fusão in São Paulo


Description/Reviews:
"The Harp" is an ambitious album, uniting the greatness of Power Metal with the depth of Prog Metal and the richness of percussion from Bahia-Brazil, resulting in a unique and surprising sound. 
The album is full of songs showcasing their main influences and delivering energizing anthems with messages that encourage introspection and reflection. As the album unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey through the subjectivity of the human soul, with moments of power and complexity interspersed with Brazilian percussion and Northeastern rhythms.
​The lyrics draw inspiration from dark moments and overcoming difficulties, serving as reflections and invitations to find one's spotlight in life. Metaphors of battling loneliness and transformation resonate throughout, emphasizing the importance of willpower and courage.
​For fans of bands like Angra, Stratovarius, Helloween, Symphony X, and Dream Theater, "The Harp" offers a refreshing and mature debut album that combines technical prowess with beautiful melodies and melodic ideas. It's a compelling fusion of Power Metal classics and the rhythmic traditions of northeastern Brazil, marking Auro Control as a band to watch in the metal scene.
Media/Samples
Streams

Links:
Web page
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