35 Tapes "Veil on Life"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Symphonic
Label: Apollon Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: April 30, 2026
Tracklist

1. Hallway – (6:43) 

2. Waters – (5:14) 

3. Brisé Volé – (7:41) 

4. Borrowed Time – (6:24) 

5. Clueless – (6:07) 

6. Cities – (8:23) 

Total Time 40:32

Credits

Jarle Wangen: bass, guitars, vocals

Morten Lund: guitars, keyboards, vocals (producer)

Jo Wang: keyboards, Therevox

Andreas Eriksen: keyboards, percussion

Kai Lundewall: drums, vocals

Frank Lewis: live sound, recording engineer, guitar amps, circuit wizard

Description/Reviews:

It’s a sixtrack record that pushes the band into a more powerful, riff-driven register while preserving their signature analogue warmth and modern clarity. 

Where Fabric of Time played as a slow-burning homage to 1970s symphonic rock with a contemporary touch, Veil on Life feels current and assertive. The lyrics address memory, identity and time, each in their own way. For example, Hallway builds up a meditative distance that nudges the listener into relaxation, whilst Waters takes the listener on an evolutionary journey. Brisé Volé encourages self-scrutiny, whereas Clueless is restless and yearning, and Cities explores urban longing. Instrumentally the band still leans on Mellotron, Therevox and vintage synths. But this recording is driven by energetic electric guitars and shimmering 12-string acoustics, all backed by a warm 70s-style bass and firm rhythms that add texture and weight while preserving the band’s atmospheric songcraft.

Fans of 35 Tapes restrained cinematic prog will recognise the band’s typical warm, spacious mixes, while being introduced to new forceful soundscapes. Veil on Life balances the band’s tasteful restraint with boosted emotional confidence, delivered with discipline rather than excess.

Media/Samples
Hallway

Bandcamp

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Christopher Har V "Cold Mercy"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Metal
Format: digital
Release date: September 26, 2025
Tracklist

1. Lost (8:58) 

2. Horizons (6:53) 

3. Amnesia En Masse (8:05) 

4. White Heart (8:24) 

5. Weighing Evils (6:54) 

6. The Call To Violence (10:25) 

7. Finding Home (7:57) 

8. Cold Mercy (9:08) 

Total Time 66:44

Credits

All music Composed, Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Christopher Harvey.

All Guitars and Keyboards performed by Christopher Harvey.

Drums and Bass and Sound Effects programmed by Christopher Harvey.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
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Rob Harrison "Overflow"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Ragged Ocean Records
Format: CD,digital
Release date: May 1, 2026
Tracklist

1. Tributaries (9:36) 

2. Mariposa Falls (5:37) 

3. Bioluminescence (4:22) 

4. Upstream (3:26) 

5. Downstream (3:29) 

6. Pools Of Glass (4:42) 

7. Azure Veins (4:51) 

8. Delirium (8:12) 

Total Time 44:15

Credits

Rob Harrison: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Saxophones, Flutes, Recorders, Synths, SFX, the blowing of the bottles and the slapping of the waters

    With

Eliseo Salverri: Drums

Julia from Who Knows Sound: Violin (6)

Rhodri Davies: Harp (1)

Giordano Maselli: Glockenspiel (1)

Oso G: Xylophone (1)

All songs written and composed by Rob Harrison

Mixed by Rob Harrison

Mastered by Stephen Kerrison

Artwork and animations by Rob Harrison

Description/Reviews:

Eight tracks of innovative prog form a loose concept album exploring the wild and unpredictable nature of water alongside the absurdity of the human spirit. We follow the waterways of the river as it makes its way down the mountainsides of a lost mysterious island in the middle of the ocean.

With unusual instrumentation (water percussion and glass bottles) and ambitious arrangements (Upstream and Downstream being the reverse of one another), Rob pushes the limits of his imagination in an attempt to achieve something greater than the sum of its parts.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Green Carnation "A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: Season of Mist
Format: CD, digital,vinyl
Release date: April 3, 2026
Tracklist

1. Sanguis (9:05)

2. Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold (4:04)

3. Sweet to the Point of Bitter (5:58)

4. I Am Time (5:39)

5. Fire in Ice (7:03)

6. Lunar Tale (5:25)

Full runtime: 37:16

Credits

Kjetil Nordhus — Vocals

Stein Roger Sordal — Bass, Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Keyboards, Lead Vocals (2)

Bjørn Harstad — Lead Guitars, Effects

Endre Kirkesola — Keyboards, Synthesizers, Organs, Effects, Backing Vocals (6)

Jonathan Alejandro Perez — Drums

   With:

Ingrid Ose — Flute (6)

Recording, Mixing & Mastering at DUB Studio

Producers — Endre Kirkesola, Stein Roger Sordal, Kjetil Nordhus

Sound Engineers — Endre Kirkesola, Bjørn Harstad

Mixing Engineers — Endre Kirkesola, Bjørn Harstad

Mastering Engineer — Lawrence Mackrory

Cover Artist: Niklas Sundin

Description/Reviews:

If Green Carnation set sail from a familiar place of melancholy on The Shores of Melancholia, then Sanguis finds the band far out at sea, fighting to stay afloat against the storm that’s raging in their minds. Whereas Part I only scratched at the surface, the epic title track that opens Part II vows to forgive and forget old bloodied wounds. Over the course of nine minutes, cresting cleans and swells of organ from long-time producer and newest member Endre Kirkesola try and wash away the familial wreckage — only for a traumatic childhood memory to come flooding back during the song’s doomy coda.

The heaviness that launched Green Carnation during Part I of A Dark Poem has aged like a fine wine on Sanguis. “Sweet to the Point of Bitter” balances meaty riffs with a pleasing melody and underlying notes of resentment. “You will acknowledge I was broken / Before you came around”. With a guitar solo that winds like the winds of change, “I Am Time” demands immediate recognition. 

But while “Fire In Ice” stokes the political flames viewed from The Shores of Melancholia with pounding windchills of double bass, Part II reveals Green Carnation at their most raw and vulnerable. 

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Sanguis (Blood Ties)

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Only Human "Planned Obsolescence"

Country: Denmark
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Season of Mist
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: March 27, 2026
Tracklist

1. Drift (4:44)

2. The Sun and the Moon (3:54)

3. Steep Descent (5:56)

4. Death Cult (3:40)

5. Techno Fascist (6:01)

6. Automata (6:12)

7. Aspire (4:22)

8. Breach (5:41)

Full runtime: 40:32

Credits

Patrick Grønbæch Christensen- Vocals

Martin Hastrup - Guitars

JaCK Kijne - Guitars

Andreas Pröll - Drums

Guillaume Blanjean - Bass

Produced by Patrick Grønbæch Christensen

Recording, Mixing and Mastering  by Patrick Grønbæch Christensen at Only Human Studio

Vinyl Mastering by Brett Caldas-Lima 

Cover Art by Guillaume Blanjean

Description/Reviews:

This was an outstanding Progressive album, and in many ways, it might point towards where the genre is headed for the future. The band has some serious chops, but they don’t overtake the sound, which is heavily focused on an emotional impact. It kept moving forward…branching out, exploring, uncovering rocks that used to be a permanent part of the scene, and each transition was completely smooth. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Read the full review by Dave "That Metal Guy" Campbell at metal-temple.com

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Helikon "Against The Algorithm"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Sorry Mom!
Format: digital
Release date: March 20, 2026
Tracklist

1. The Unseen Threat (4:54) 

2. Vault Of Time (2:29) 

3. Lose Control (4:25) 

4. The Mentalist (3:33) 

5. Deception War (3:14) 

6. Visisonor (3:07) 

7. Star's End (4:41) 

8. The King (5:41) 

9. The Broken Crown (2:17) 

10. Throne (4:16) 

11. Unreflected (2:22) 

12. Conversion's Pain (6:54) 

Total Time 47:53

Credits

Giacomo "Jack" Merigo - Vocals

Davide Piazza - Lead Guitar

Gaetano Avanzato - Rhythm Guitar

Edoardo Scanzi - Drums

   With

Luca Alghisi - Bass

Media/Samples
Streams

Links:
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Assignment "With The End Comes Silence"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: March 20, 2026
Tracklist

1. Fallen (5:59) 

2. Nothing To Say (5:02) 

3. Beyond Recognition (6:37) 

4. Those Words (5:29) 

5. The Tower (7:36) 

6. Selling My Soul (6:12) 

7. Call For Heaven (6:02) 

8. Angel Of Berlin (5:11) 

9. With The End Comes Silence (8:52) 

10. The Curtain Falls (6:02) 

Total Time 63:02 

Credits

Diego Valdez – vocals

Goran Panić – guitars

Heiko Spaarmann – bass

Michael Kolar – drums

   With

Thomas Vikström - backing vocals

Marco Ahrens - lead guitars (1, 3, 8, 9)

Simone Mularoni (DGM) - lead guitar (10)

Produced by Assignment 

Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio

Description/Reviews:

With The End Comes Silence showcases ASSIGNMENT’s refined songwriting approach, focusing on tighter structures and elevated production quality, while maintaining the diverse influences that have shaped their sound over the years - from power and thrash to progressive metal and hard rock.

ASSIGNMENT’s new album With The End Comes Silence stands as their most focused and immersive work to date - a cinematic, emotional, and thought-provoking metal experience that reflects the state of a world in turmoil while celebrating the enduring spirit of the genre.

Media/Samples
Fallen
Nothing To Say
Angel of Berlin

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Bruce Soord "Ghosts In The Park"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Art Rock
Label: Kscope  
Format: CD,digital,vinyl,Blu-Ray
Release date: May 15, 2026
Tracklist

1. Concepcion (1:25) 

2. Meet Me On The Downs (3:05) 

3. Pillars (3:10) 

4. You Made A Promise (2:56) 

5. Our Predicament (3:43) 

6. Day Of Wrath (4:21) 

7. Stared Down (4:33) 

8. Kept Me Thinking (6:34) 

9. Ghosts In The Park (12:52) 

Total Time 42:39

Credits
Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief) - vocals, all instruments 
   With
Jon Sykes (The Pineapple Thief) - bass (8) 
Mastered by Steve Kitch

Description/Reviews:

Acoustic guitar sits at the centre of the record, often captured in raw, first-take performances recorded directly in hotel rooms before being carefully integrated with studio recordings. This tension between fragility and control defines the album’s sound. Tracks such as “Concepción,” “Meet Me On The Downs,” and the title piece were conceived in specific places - Chile, Hamburg, Oberhausen - each location leaving a subtle imprint on the music. Parks, harbours, and anonymous rooms become recurring settings where past and present coexist, intersected by fleeting moments of clarity amongst the disorder.

Media/Samples
Trailer

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Mietzke "The Tales Of Sheherazade"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Instrumental Symphonic
Format: digital
Release date: March 15, 2026
Tracklist

1. Sindbad (8:43) 

2. The Ebony Horse (6:38) 

3. Aladin (8:19) 

4. Queen Of The Serpents (6:24) 

5. The Fall Of Labtayt (5:37) 

6. The Pyramids (6:54) 

7. A Drop Of Honey (5:03) 

8. Angel Of Death (4:58) 

9. The Lovers (3:45) 

10. Ali Baba (6:35) 

11. Sheherazade (7:43) 

Total Time 70:39

Credits

Ottfried Mietzke (Breeze) - All Instruments 

   Except

Hansi Arnold (Breeze) - Drums (5,8)

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Peel, Palmer, Tausig & Gould "Synesthesia"

Country: UK/USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock
Label: Fruits de Mer Records
Format: vinyl 
Release date: March 2026
Tracklist

1. Coral Correlation (9:48) 

2. Superpurpleshine (9:47) 

3. The Ochre Cobra (9:38) 

4. The Turquoise Shards Of Atlantis (9:37) 

Total Time 38:50

Credits
Icarus Peel - guitar 
Steve Palmer - bass
Jay Tausig - drums
Rob Gould - keyboards

Description/Reviews:

Synesthesia is an instrumental project shaped by shared intuition, long conversations, and a fascination with sound as colour. Conceived over dinner by Icarus Peel and Steve Palmer, the idea quickly settled on four extended pieces, each built through an exchange of musical sketches passed back and forth over time.

Palmer’s spacious compositions were met by Peel’s guitar responses, the material gradually evolving through careful listening and refinement. Jay Tausig was drawn in to provide fluid, understated drums, while Rob Gould added additional keyboards with a light, precise touch. The result is a set of vocal-free pieces that lean into atmosphere, tone, and momentum rather than songcraft.

The music nods toward 1970s progressive and psychedelic traditions, evoking an era of immersive, side-long listening without leaning on pastiche. References drift between kosmische electronics, Canterbury looseness, and electric guitar flourishes, unified by a sense of colour and texture guiding every decision.

Synesthesia rewards focused listening: four carefully balanced movements that feel timeless, reflective, and quietly expansive, inviting the listener to sit back, tune in, and let the colours emerge.

Media/Samples
Ochre Cobra (excerpt)
Superpurpleshine (excerpt)

Links:
Facebook (Icarus Peel)