Trewa "Many Meetings on a Blithe Journey"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Prog Folk
Label: Mentalchemy
Release date: May 1, 2012
Tracklist: 
01. La Danse De Finistere (ft. Rakish Paddy)
02. Matty Groves
03. Hops
04. Once I Had A Sweetheart
05. Jade Fountain
06. Harimannersturm
07. John Barleycorn
08. Hom Selvadic
09. Blithe Our Journey
10. The Enchantment And The Moon
11. Aelfgifu's Heritage
12. Wedding Dress
13. The Chorus

Line-up: 
- Luca Briccola (Guitars, Bass, Percussion, Flutes, Vocals, Keyboards & Orchestration)
- Marco Carenzio (Vocals, Harp & Acoustic Guitars)
- Filippo Pedretto (Violin & Backing Vocals)
- Mirko Soncini (Drum & Backing Vocals)
- Joseph Galvan (Bass)
- Serena Bossi (Vocals)

Guests:
- Melissa Milani (Pipe on "Home Selvadic")
- Pauline Fazzioli(Harp on "La Dance De Finistere" & "Harimannersturm")
- Rossana Monico (Harp on "Matty Groves", "Once I Had A Sweetheart" & "Blithe Our Journey")
- Veronica Marelli (Cello on "Enchantment And The Moon")
- Alberico Giussani (Violin on "Enchantment And The Moon")
- Auro Perego (Violin on "Enchantment And The Moon")

Description/Reviews: 

Old medieval folk songs rearranged in a progressive rock style.
Luca Briccola's other band is Mogador.

Media/Samples 
6 songs online

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Kettlespider "Avadante"

Country: Australia
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Metal/Rock
Release date: April 30, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Introduction (0.37)
2. Discovery (4.38)
3. Avadante (4.52)
4. Comatose (5.55)
5. Revelations (6.32)
6. New Eyes (1.36)
7. Reflections (8.46)

Line-up: 
- Colin Andrews / bass guitar
- Scott Ashburn / guitars
- Haris Boyd-Gerny / guitars
- Geoffrey Fyfe / keyboards
- Simon Wood / drums and percussion

Description/Reviews: 

While a wholly instrumental album, we learn from the short opening track, ‘Introduction’, that Avadante charts the journey of a man confined to a comatose state. Of course, this is not new thematic material for a metal or progressive band to explore. What is unique, however, is that rather than weaving a dark tale of loss and despair, Kettlespider have created an album that is not only quite uplifting, but is also emotionally sophisticated and devoid of the melodrama that often undermines the impact of lighter progressive rock and metal. 

Read the whole review at heavyblogisheavy.com 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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iamthemorning "~"

Country: Russia
Sub Genre:  Symphonic, Chamber, Neo-Classical
Release date: April 27, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. ~ (Intermission I) (2:48)
2. Inside (4:15)
3. Burn (4:39)
4. Circles (3:18)
5. ~ (Intermission II) (0:51)
6. Weather Changing (3:04)
7. ~ (Intermission III) (0:48)
8. Scotland (3:52)
9. Touching II (4:03)
10. ~ (Intermission IV) (0:47)
11. Monsters (3:58)
12. Serenade (2:27)
13. ~ (Intermission V) (0:55)
14. Would This Be (4:20)
15. ~ (Intermission VI) (1:46)
16. I.B.Too (11:41)

Line-up: 
- Marjana Syomkina / vocals
- Gleb Kolyadin / piano
- Diakov/ violin
- Filipp Buin / viola
- Alina Shilova/ cello
- Maxim Rudenko/ bass
- Mikhail Istratov / drums
- Evgeniy Abzalov / guitars

Description/Reviews: 

Russian based outfit iamthemorning describe themselves as ... a neo-classical vocal indie band... that ...combine non-typical but easily perceived vocal parts of progressive rock with a distinctly classical musical approach. All band members have a higher education in classical music and are still studying this craft as of 2012.

 The songs are well written, and it has a great mellow quality that is lacking in a lot of new music these days. I love the very effective use of piano as the main instrument: very little (if any) synthesizer to be found. The female vocals are very well done, and not distracting at all from the music. My favorite track is probably the more upbeat "burn", but all of the "intermissions" are right behind.Overall a great listen. -  Apollo2112 (progarchives.com)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

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ProgArchives

Ping "The Hurricane Spoof"

Country: Norway
Subgenre: Prog-pop, Eclectic
Record Label: Brown Lagoon Records
Release date: April 27, 2012
Tracklist:

1. Ave Pingus
2. Surfing Microwav
3. Surfing Microwaves
4. Chocolate Tower
5. Sunblock
6. Lame and Lumber
7. Lily
8. The Pervert and the Virgin
9. Not Another Nutcase
10. The Hurricane Spoof

Description/Reviews:     Inspiration from unequal artists like Zappa, Melvins, Fred Frith, Ween, dEUS, Tom Waits and Wilco can be hear through the album, combining elements from 60s roots to modern metal and electronica.

Read DPRP review

Media/Samples:
Ave Pingus
Surfing Microwaves

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Bryan Scary "Daffy's Elixir"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Prog-pop
Label: Paper Garden Records
Release date: Аpril 24, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. The Wicked Frontier 03:45
2. Ziegfield Station 03:53
3. Cable Through Your Heart 05:07
4. The Silver Lake Mining Company 04:30
5. Diamonds! 05:41
6. Ballroom Kid 04:01
7. You Might Be Caught In Tarantella 03:45
8. The Tale Of Opal Dawn 03:12
9. Faintess Moody: Outlaw 04:40
10. Another Ace In The Hole 01:51
11. Red Baron (Of Arizona) 07:36
12. Owe Mister O 04:12
13. Day-Glo Waterfalls 04:29
14. Quicksilver Daisy Day 05:14
15. Data Mountain 07:58

Line-up: 
Bryan Scary, Graham Norwood, Paul Amorese, David Ostrem, Mike Acreman, Bryan Smith, Rick Snell, Giulio Carmassi, Ward White, Ali Blake, Victoria Liedtke

Description/Reviews: 

Bryan Scary tells fantastic tales. His art-pop songs may paint him as a schizophrenic musical oddball, but the eccentricities are hardly frivolous. They stem from a carefully tailored vision, an ambitious and well-honed mutation of the rock and roll storytelling tradition. 

The completed "Daffy's Elixir" is an epic double album featuring cons, quacks, cow-gal robots, spurned lovers, villains and bandits, all set in the Old West. Euro-centric art-pop meets Spaghetti-Westernisms and old-timey yarn spinning, a unique stew congealed by Scary’s most ambitious musical arrangements yet. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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These Curious Thoughts "Building Mountains From The Ground"

Country: USA/UK
Sub Genre: Psychedelic, Alternative, Prog-pop
Label: Viaduct Records
Release date: April 1, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. I’ve Got God on the Phone
2. Uncivilized Society
3. Dark Star
4. Building Mountains from the Ground
5. Nothing Is Supernatural
6. The Illusionist
7. Arctic Heart Attack
8. A World of Dirty Water
9. Days After
10. I’m a Simple Man
11. I’m Not Insane
12. Charles Darwin
13. Animals
14. Get Along
15. When God Was a Boy

Line-up: 
Sean Dunlop - Vocals, All instruments
Jamie Radford - Bass

Description/Reviews: 

It combines progressive rock and psychedelia (the most prominent elements) with occasional hints of things as far reaching as punk rock. However you slice it, though, this is stronger than the previous one and  a real winner.

Read the whole review by G. W. Hill at musicstreetjournal.com 

Also read a review at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
Three songs online

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Proggnosis

House of Not "On The Madness Of Crowds"

Country: Canada
Sub Genre: Space Rock, AOR
Release date: March 31, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Meeting The Piper 03:20
2. Running With The Crowd 03:56
3. Wishing Well 03:48
4. Fastlane Fraulein 03:34
5. Hope 03:54
6. Ode To Easter Island - Piper 02:09
7. Un Ile La Lune La Mer 02:03
8. Was It As Good For You? 03:43
9. The Death Of Silk 01:55
10. A Beautiful Lie 02:19
11. A Secret Told - Piper 02:10
12. Man Of Faith 05:14
13. Seven Long Years 03:21
14. Key Of G 06:50
15. 1000 Buddhas - Piper 03:32
16. Once 03:16
17. Ded Fred 03:45
18. Schadenfreude 05:03
19. Song Seems Sung 01:34

Line-up: 

- Brian Erikson - Vocals, keyboards, orchestral samples
- Ken (Smog) O'Gorman - All electric and acoustic guitars, electric sitar (3),
mando guitar(12), bass (13), moog (3,4,18)
- Lou Roppoli - rhythm guitar (4,18) solo, (18)
- A.Nexter + - Words and Music

Guests:
- Dee Brown - Vocals (2,3,4,5,8,9,13)
- Eric Stever - Guest solo guitar (4) guitar fx (1,6,11,15)
- Omar Ales - Organ (5,8) Backing vocals (4,5)
- Garth Blake - Bass, Fretless Bass (3,10,12)
- David Harvey - Drums (2,3,12)
- Stan Miczek - Bass (2,4,5,8,9,14,18)
- Troy Feener - Drums (4,5,8,9,14,18)
- Dave Neill - Drums (17)
- Rob Kennedy - lap steel (14)
- Chris Cigolea - Trumpet (4,8)
- Mark Camilleri - Piano (2)
- Ray Caldwell - Uilleann pipes (1,6,11,16)
- Jim Bish - Flute (3,12)

Description/Reviews: 

While the album is unique enough to have its own identity, in a somewhat intangible way, it feels similar to Pink Floyd's The Wall in overall structure. Opener "Meeting the Piper" is an atmospheric, slow introduction that feels like a mixture between Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and Led Zeppelin's "In the Light." "Running with the Crowd" is a catchy, funky prog track in the vein of Umphrey's Mcgee. Its riffs and melodies are instantly addicting. "Wishing Well" is a dynamic rocker highlighted by fierce flute playing and majestic harmonies.

 Read the whole review by Jordan Blum at seaoftranquility.org

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Proggnosis

King Friday "Let The Song Begin"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock, AOR
Label: Melodic Revolution Records
Release date: March 26, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Let the Song Begin
2. Down to You
3. Anything Goes
4. Take a Walk
5. Still The World
6. Fly Away
7. Waves of Mercy
8. Mesmerization Eclipse
9. Do Ride
Bonus Track
10. Black & Blue

Lineup: 
Phil Naro - Lead and Backing Vocals
Joe Macre - Bass guitars, Acoustic and Electric guitars and Backing Vocals
Vinnie De Paul - Piano, Hammond B3, Synthesizers, Mellotron, Accordion and Backing Vocals
Joey D'Amico - Drums and Backing Vocals
Corey Marbut - Electric Guitars

     With Oliver Wakeman, Andy Timmons, Carl Roa, B. E. Taylor, Jim Griffiths, Rick Witkowski, Bobby Hird, Zach Davis, Ashton Hart, Carey Ziegler, Anthony Rankin, David Kowalski, Don Schloss, Dino Giovannone and Robert "Chic" DiCiccio.

 Description/Reviews: 

A Commercial Progressive Rock band featuring Phil Naro (Druckfarben) Lead Vocals, Joe Macre basses, Joey D'Amico drums, and Vince DePaul (Crack The Sky) keyboards. Plus, guitarist Corey Marbut and Oliver Wakeman
King Friday follows the classic rock style of bands like Yes, King Crimson, early Genesis, Gentle Giant, Strawbs and The Beatles

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Reverbnation

Joost Vergoossen "Breaking The Cycle"

Country:  Netherlands
Sub Genre: Instrumental Jazz-Rock/Fusion
Label: Heartselling
Release date: March 1, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. High Rollers
2. Chasin' The Demon
3. Blue Light
4. Stress Factor 9
5. Shine
6. Got It?
7. Stuck In A Moment
8. The Hard Way
9. Brother And Sister
10. My Girl
11. Breaking The Cycle
12. Dedicated To Pim Koopman

Line-up: 
Joost Vergoossen-guitars
Sjoerd Rutten-drums
Jan van Olffen-bass
Werner van Gool-keys
Ton Scherpenzeel-Hammond solo

Description/Reviews: 

Joost Vergoossen is best known for his membership in Kayak and Het Goede Doel.

Media/Samples 
Breaking The Cycle
Stress Factor 9

Links:
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Proggnosis

Notturno Concertante "Canzone allo specchio"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Symphonic, Neo-Prog
Label: Radici Music Records RMR- 402
Release date: February, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Ahmed l'ambulante (6:16)
2. Young Man Gone West (3:45)
3. Come il vento (4:34)
4. Le anime belle (6.07)
5. On Growing Older (2:12)
6. The Price Of Experience (4:43)
7. Lei vede rosso (6:57)
8. La Milonga di Milingo (3:44)
9. Canzone allo specchio (4:29)
10. Ark En Ciel (1:55)

Line-up: 
- Lucio Lazzaruolo / classical guitar, keyboards
- Raffaele Villanova / guitars, vocals
- Giuseppe Relmi / lead vocals
- Carmine Marra / sax, clarinet, whistles
- Carmine Meluccio / violin
- Gabriele Moscaritolo / accordion
- Antonio D'Alessio / bass
- Giuseppe D'Alessio / bass
- Simone Pizza / drums

Guest musicians:
- Raffaele Tiseo / violin (1, 2)
- Umberto Spiniello / drums (7)
- Massimo De Feo / cello (5)
- Heidi Intingaro / backing vocals

Description/Reviews: 

Notturno Concertante is the embodiment of those original Italian prog rock pioneers. With a name derived from a piece by 19th Century composer Carulli, their presentation is grandiose, symphonic, operatic, and a fine example of that convergence of progressive and ethnic music.

Read the whole review at prognaut.com/ 

Media/Samples 
entire album online at band's web page

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