Angel Ontalva "Mundo Flotante"

Country: Spain
Sub Genre: Instrumental jazz-avant-rock
Label: OctoberXart
Release date: December 31, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Sopla viento del este 04:36
2. Bounkam rêverie 04:08
3. Leilya 04:00
4. Una para lars 03:57
5. Suite sendas de ofir - en ruta 01:39
6. Suite sendas de ofir - white bird 06:21
7. Suite sendas de ofir - sendas de ofir 04:44
8. Suite sendas de ofir - oricalco 02:32
9. Suite sendas de ofir - oricalco coda 02:28
10. Aurelia quiere saber 02:23
11. Sunda stream 02:42
12. Aguas del bagradas 04:18

Line-up: 
Ángel Ontalva - guitar, Turkish flute on 9
Víctor Rodríguez - keyboards, melódica on 10
Amanda Pazos Cosse - bass
Fran Mangas - sax
Toni Mangas - drums
Pablo Ortega - cello on 4
Salib - vocal on 3

Description/Reviews: 

First solo album by the guitarist of October Equus.Instrumental jazz-avant-rock that runs through soundscapes with echoes of African, Arab and Oriental. Chamber music intricate compositions alternate with collective improvisations weaving a sound tapestry overwhelming of colourful and shades.

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Lamanaïf "L'uomo infinito"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Modern Prog, Progressive Metal
Label: Lizard Records
Release date: December, 2012
Tracklist: 
1) L'ipnotico salto
2) Rane
3) (In) Stabile
4) Magnolia
5) L'Uomo Infinito
6) H.E.N (Hic et Nunc)
7) Girotondo
8) Puzzle!
9) Insonne (Pavor Nocturnus)
10) Un amore chirurgico
11) L'amami
12) I/O

Line-up: 
Esteban Vidoz - vocals
Matteo Florian - bass
Simone Bianco - guitar
Simone Sossai - drums

Description/Reviews: 

A blend of new-prog close to Mars Volta, but with an original blend of music and theater  (Mars Volta meet Devil Doll and Fiaba, in heavy-prog way, some dark atmospheres but not gothic). A talented rollercoaster of high tensions, rhythms and melodies, with the charismatic vocalist Esteban Vidoz as the first protagonist of a thrilling nightmare. 

Media/Samples 
4 tracks at band's web page

Links:

Web page
Facebook

Joe Black "The Miner's Tale"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock
Release date: December 28, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Side By Side 6:48
2. Spider Fear 6:28
3. The Miner's Tale 8:49
4. Duet 3:59
5. Colors of Mind 16:59
6. When Gods Were Dreaming On 7:47

Line-up: 
Joe Black - Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards and Piano, Backing Vocals
Luca Saja - Drums
Marco Santini - Vocals
Alessandro Di Nardo - Backing Vocals
Roberto Chiostergi - solo on "Spider Fear"

Description/Reviews: 

First album of this italian artist who has been influenced since he was young from the music of the best progressive bands of history. He proposes to his listener a total abandon to the sonorities of the classic progressive rock in modern terms.

Media/Samples 
Entire album online

Links:
Facebook

Sideways "Fear of Living"

Country: Netherlands
Sub Genre: Neo-Prog, Symphonic
Release date: December 26, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Broken Scales 5:03
2. The Gift (for Nynke) 5:02
3. Forgotten 9:11
4. A New Hope 6:58
5. One Wish 7:01
6. Rebirth 7:31

Line-up: 
Alex Visser – vocals
Berry Hoogeveen - drums
Corné Gietman - bass
Gerwin Gabry – guitar
Jurriaan Visser - keys

Description/Reviews: 

Sideways have made their third album "Fear of Living", a rock Symfo album in the style of the late seventies.

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

Links:
Web page
Proggnosis

Lyonite "Disguised in Darkness"

Country: Netherlands
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Release date: December 24, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Liberty 05:36
2. Mythical Interlude 01:08  instrumental
3. Pride 05:53
4. My Disguise 05:34
5. Tenfold The Threshold 04:50
6. Celestial Interlude 01:16  instrumental
7. Forgiveness 04:14
8. Soundless Motions 06:21
9. Darkness Ends

Line-up: 
Mathijs Westra - Drums
Maikel Pang Atjok - Keyboards
Ale Strooisma - Bass
Claudia Edwards van Muijen - Vocals
Wolf van Weezel - Guitar

Description/Reviews: 

Actually, from the beginning sounds of the album all clear where the band wants to score. It's symphonic heavy metal bands such as Nightwish, Delain and Sonata Arctica. Many bombastic orchestral arrangements with strong aggressive riffs and female vocals.

Media/Samples 
My Disguise

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Rafael Pacha "From the Oblivion"

Country: Spain
Sub Genre: Art Rock, Prog Folk
Release date: December 23, 2012 (digital)
Tracklist: 
1. The Absence of Presence 02:18
2. Eppur si muove 04:52
3. The Presence of Absence (Feat. Manoel Macía) 05:00
4. Butterfly (Irish Trad.) 04:53
5. St. Martin's Lane 04:41
6. Schoringder's cat 04:44
7. Little furry animals 05:36
8. Those places 03:49
9. Spirals 03:50
10. Her left hand 04:52
11. We do it, do we? 05:39
12. From the Oblivion 04:58

Line-up: 
Rafael Pacha - all instruments

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Yagull "films"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental, Acoustic, Chamber, Soundtrack
Label: Zozemusic
Release date: December 22, 2012
Tracklist: 
  1. Dark 4:11
  2. Los Pajaros 3:06
  3. East 4:02
  4. T Feel 2:47
  5. Summerdreamer 3:22
  6. Pulse 2:47
  7. Sound of M 2:16
  8. River 3:14
  9. White Room 4:52
10. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 4:05
11. April 3:28
12. Yagull 3:49
13. Mosquita 4:07
14. Distance 6:03
15. Dark (Reprise) 3:51

Line-up: 
Sasha Markovic (guitars, bass, percussion, and keyboards)
Lori Reddy (flute)
Eylon Tushiner (sax)
Sonia Choi (cello)
Josh Margolis (drums on 15)

Description/Reviews: 

The music on the record is cinematic, theme based, and features twelve original pieces by Markovic, as well as two unique versions of old classics - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath) and White Room (Cream).

Actually, Markovic blends chamber classicalism with ECM mellifluity with the gentler prog strains of bygone days (Flairck, early Focus, Third Ear Band and Popul Vuh in reflective postures, Gandalf and J.P. Boffo on an overcast day, etc.) and then, those qualities firmly in place, the sensitivities of an Egberto Gismonti or a mellifluous Morricone.  (Read the whole review by Mark S. Tucker)

Aslo read review by  Matt Di Giordano at progulator.com

Media/Samples 
3 tracks at reverbnation
White Room

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Pravda "The Clarity of Chaos"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal, Jazz Rock/Fusion
Label: Sonus West Records
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Second Hand 13:56
2. Colors of the Moon 9:12
3. Fall Across the Sky 9:19
4. Chaos & Clarity 12:30
5. A Hint of Grey 8:05
6. A Brief Awakening 19:03

Line-up: 
John Redfield - Guitars, Vocals and Basses
Dave Thomas - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
K.C. Thomsen - Synths, Piano, Hammond and Vocals

Description/Reviews: 

Pravda' s sound combines the best of Old & New Progressive Rock with tinges of Jazz and Classical influences baked with Heavy Metal drive and stomp mixed with the looser Jam band influences. The fourth CD titled "The Clarity of Chaos" is the most ambitious Pravda CD to date. A lyrical and musical thematic concept album about our short time here on planet Earth.

Media/Samples 
Colors of the Moon

Links:
Web page
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Jon Durant & Colin Edwin "Burnt Belief"

Country: Multinational
Sub Genre: Instrumental Post Rock, Ambient
Label: Alchemy Records
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Altitude (6.32)
2. Impossible Senses (6.08)
3. Prism (5.17)
4. Bathasar's Key (7.53)
5. Uncoiled (12.27)
6. Semazen (4.25)
7. The Weight of Gravity (8.47)
8. Arcing Towards Morning (7.51)

Line-up: 
Colin Edwin - Fretless Bass, Double Bass, Electronics, Rhythm Programming
Jon Durant - Guitars (Cloud, Electric, 12 String, Synth,) Pianos (Acoustic, Prepared, Electric)
with
Jerry Leake - Percussion (Tablas, Dumbek, Frame Drum, Riq, Asst Metals) (2,3,4,5,6,7)
Geoff Leigh - Flute (4)

Description/Reviews: 

A progressive instrumental collaboration between bass player Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree, Metallic Taste of Blood, Ex-Wise Heads) and guitarist/composer Jon Durant. Perhaps best described as a post-rock concept album, "Burnt Belief" draws from ethnic, ambient and electronic elements to create a cohesive and emotional album, inspired by a fundamental, universal question.

Timed to coincide with the end of the Mayan calendar (and the end of the world, as many have since prophesied), the album considers the polarization between religion and science, while highlighting the dissonance between belief and reality. Burnt Belief deals with issues of intellect, fundamentalism and fanaticism, set to an ambient and progressive aural landscape.

Blending electronic rhythms and acoustic elements, the musicians wove soundscapes from unique sources - synth, 12-string and cloud guitar textures, melodic fretless bass, prepared piano and Middle Eastern hand percussion - along with searing lead guitars, to tell a series of instrumental stories. Burnt Belief takes the listener on an immersive journey, with repeated listens revealing new layers and tones to the depth of the subject. While the album is intended to be a complete experience, the centerpiece comes with the dual attack of "Balthazar's Key" and "Uncoiled," just over 20 minutes of compelling sounds that, according to Durant, "kick enough booty to make anyone sit up and take notice".

The title of the album was inspired by Edwin's reading of social psychologist Leon Festinger's When Prophecy Fails, an account of a doomsday UFO cult in the 1950s. According to Edwin, "It got me thinking, what are all beliefs really about and where do they come from"? - a question that Durant had also been interested in for some time.

Media/Samples 
Trailer

Links:
Colin Edwin's blog
Facebook
Jon Durant
Proggnosis

Lovanova "Cabinova"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Jazz Rock/Fusion
Label: Brand X Records
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Turbotrash 3:16
2. Coyote 3:34
3. Pach & Pendulum 3:09
4. Tourniquet 5:02
5. Temptation 3:18
6. Sofa Day 3:17
7. Hash It Out 3:43
8. Stupified 2:33

Line-up: 
Evil Kneevers - Hammond Organ, Synthesizers
Sean Williamson - Guitar
Joey Carini - Bass Guitar, Moog
Dave Schoepke - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

Rooted around the legendary B3, you'd expect Lovanova to be an organ soul jazz group or maybe an ELP-style prog band. Is it? Yes and yes, plus more.

Lovanova’s third album stretches the boundries of instrumental musical compositions, twisting lounge, jazz, prog, experimental, funk, and rock into a swirling, driving and danceable  experience. Beginning with the epic, bombastic “Turbotrash,” and spaghetti Western twang of “Coyote,” all the way to the erie, atmospheric “Tourniquet” and hard rock driven “Hash it Out,” the album is a roller coaster of dynamic and diverse music meant to be listened
to as a whole.

Media/Samples 
Pach & Pendulum
Coyote

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Minds of Infinity "Minds of Infinity"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Space Rock, Electronica, Psychedelic
Label: self-released
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
  1. First Human 6:18
  2. The Strophariad Premiea 6:48
  3. The Encounter 8:03
  4. You Call? 5:33
  5. Honer 8:30
  6. The Unfolding Self 7:05
  7. Back to the Ground 6:05

Line-up: 
Luke Utzman and Michael Swanson

Description/Reviews: 

A psychedelic and fun mixture of electronic, downtempo, and world music. Mostly instrumental and is the CD launching our open ended exploration and journey into the powers of the mind.

Media/Samples 
Entire album online

The National Orchestra of the United Kingdom of Goats "Vaaya and the Sea"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Art Rock, Progressive Metal, Post Rock
Label: Self-released
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. The Unyielding Summons (3:15)
2. Chains (8:09)
3. The White City (5:09)
4. A Memorial to the Descent (1:38)
5. Black Citadel: Sanctuary (3:50)
6. Black Citadel: Empire (3:35)
7. Vaaya and the Sea (10:14)
8. Evening Choir (6:59)

Line-up: 
The Admiral - guitars, vocals
The Coachman - bass, background vocals
The Seer - drums
The Insane - electronics

Description/Reviews: 

I don't often use the phrase "sonic landscape" when describing music, but when it comes to the unwieldily titled The National Orchestra of the United Kingdom of Goats, known as UKoG by fans, there is no other description that I can safely write, as the group are truly painters of epic sonic landscapes... 

It's really quite puzzling that this symphonic band haven't broken the big time yet. Their style of music is so unique and yet natural that it seems to play itself. The word 'epic' is thrown about far too much these days, but to take a glimpse at its original and true meaning, you only need to snap up this album and see for yourself. 

 Read the full review by Basil Francis at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (Free Download)

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives

Padre "From Faraway Island"

Country: Poland
Sub Genre: Art Rock
Label: Lynx Music
Release date: December 21, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. From Faraway Island
2. Red Rain
3. Dancing Prayer
4. I Have Been Blind
5. Drowsys Town
6. Frantic Day
7. Last Words
8. Eight

Line-up: 
Grzegorz Fieber - drums
Julia Stolpe - backing vocal
Marek Smełkowski - vocal
Maciej Tomczyk - acoustic guitars , bass
Krzysztof Lepiarczyk - keyboards

Description/Reviews: 

A debut album from the new project of  Krzysztof Lepiarczyk (Loonypark)

Media/Samples 
From Faraway Island
Red Rain

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Brickfall "Regret"

Country: Norway
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Self-released 
Release date: December 20, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. As We Whisper 5:29
2. Two White Roses 4:44
3. Disbelief 5:47
4. Regret 7:50
5. Time to Heal 5:53
6. Hunt You 5:48
7. Heart of Stone 5:39
8. My Own 8:44

Line-up: 
Krister Ellingsen
Hogne Anker Dahl
Jørgen Rykkje
Tommy Johannesen
Rune Johannesen

Description/Reviews: 

Progressive rock/metal where keyboards and heavy guitar riffs meet in a way you have never heard before. The songs contains heavy riffs, calm parts and clean and melodic vocals. Among many influneces Pain of Salvation, Symphony X, Evergrey, Toto are worth mentioning. 

Media/Samples 
entire album online

Links:
Facebook

The Curator "Inside the Whale"

Country: UK
Sub Genre: Art Rock, Classical
Label: Cromerzone
Release date: December 20, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Inside The Whale (20.38)
2. Snakes And Ladders (7.43)
3. The Warmth Of My Pillow (3.48)
4. Courtiers (5.42)
5. First One Home (4.40)

Line-up: 

Alistair Murphy: Keyboards, Guitars and Vocals

Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, XTC, Mister Mister) : Drums and Percussion
Steve Bingham (No-Man): Violins, Violas & Conductor of Ely Sinfonia
Mark Fletcher (Judy Dyble, Terry Stamp): Bass
Diana Hare (Terry Stamp): Vocals
Phil Toms : Orchestral Arrangements
Jeremy Salmon : Guitar
Brenda Stewart : Viola
Lucy Mitchell: Cello
Harry Fletcher : Guitar
Janet Brook : Oboe
Andy Heard : French Horn
The Ely Sinfonia

Description/Reviews: 

By day, a mild Norfolk museum curator and by night a be-caped purveyor of sophisticated excess, Alistair Murphy's second solo album finds the eccentric keeper of antiquities in fully-fledged Orchestral Rock mode.

Consisting of one twenty minute side-long spanning epic and four shorter pieces, the album revels in its non-digital-era arrangements and 1970s influenced sense of scale.

Orchestrated by Phil Toms and featuring the Ely Sinfonia conducted by Steve Bingham, Inside The Whale also includes the ever-versatile Pat Mastelotto on drums.

Developing further the musical and lyrical themes that marked his quirky debut Sometime Soon, Inside The Whale evokes singer-songwriter, Progressive and 20th Century Classical styles.

A modern man adrift in the modern world using modern technology to make a traditional statement of grand intent, The Curator is a fascinating anachronism; not quite of this time or any other.

Media/Samples 
First One Home
Entire album online

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Infinite Spectrum "Misguided"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Self-released
Release date: December 20, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. Overture 04:18
2. Betrayed 02:19
3. She 04:34
4. The Pact 06:53
5. More Than He Bargained For 05:57
6. Day and Night 18:09
7. Ghost of The Past/Abducted 04:15
8. The Truth 07:32
9. Man of Darkness 10:14
10. The Challenge 14:48

Line-up: 
Will Severin - Vocals
Alex Raykin - Guitars & Backup Vocals
Alex Repetti - Bass Guitar
Greg Schwab - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

Misguided is a concept album you see.  A rock opera, even.  A story of love, revenge, redemption, and other such things told from four perspectives.
The album kicks off in true prog form with an overture, aptly titled Overture.  It's a good overture.  Sets up the album themes, but more importantly, it's a solid track in its own right, alternating between mournful viola and energetic rock sections.

Read the full review by Avery Campbell at gazoinks.blogspot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives

Antony Kalugin’s Kinematics Orchestra "AKKO 1"

Country: Ukraine
Sub Genre: New Age, Prog Related
Label: Caerllysi Music
Release date: December 20, 2012
Tracklist: 
01. Sunrise
02. Quantum Fiction
03. Mirage
04. Purple Picture
05. Kinematography
06. In the Wake of Argonaut
07. Sky Flore
08. Quantum Motion
09. Fluttering Shadows
10. Fantazion
11. Eve
12. Sky Corpuscle
13. Moonrise
14. Ringlet

Line-up: 
- Antony Kalugin: keys, programming, vox
- Max Velichko: guitars
- Misha Sidorenko: alto sax
- Jacky Cat: violin, vox

Description/Reviews: 

AKKO is Kalugin’s vehicle for a more relaxing style of instrumental music than his other projects. If everything that uses a lot of electronic keyboards and samples, leisurely tempos, and not a lot of rock drums is new age, then this is new age-y. But it does feature quite a bit of electric guitar, and it does have low-key drums/percussion. The problem with the new age genre is that musicianship has often been lacking, and many of the artists lacked a rock background or experience in a band that might have given their music more depth. That’s not the case with Kalugin, so AKKO is more relaxed than his other work but never insipid, perfect for when the mood calls for something mellow that can still be listened to with full concentration. (kinesis)

Media/Samples 
3 tracks at band's web page

Links:
Web page

Vandroya "One"

Country: Brazil
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal, Power Metal
Label: Spiritual Beast/Inner Wound Recordings
Release date: December 19, 2012 (Japan), January 18, 2013 (Europe and North America)
Tracklist: 
01. All Becomes One
02. The Last Free Land
03. In Oblivion For Eternity
04. Within Shadows
05. Anthem (For The Sun)
06. Why Should We Say Goodbye?
07. The Tide Change
08. When Heaven Decides To Call
09. This World Of Yours
10. Solar Night

Line-up: 
Daísa Munhoz (Vocals)
Marco Lambert (Guitars)
Rodolfo Pagotto (Guitars)
Giovanni Perlati (Bass)
Otávio Nuñez (Drums)

Description/Reviews: 

This release from Brazilian band Vandroya will not just appeal to fans of power metal but also progressive metal bands like Adagio and Symphony X . ...
While track seven "Change The Tide" does include male vocals, the first thing I noticed was that Vandroya have a female vocalist Daisa Munhoz (Soulspell) and she has a very appealing voice and a range that suits their vibrant kind of metal music... Vandroya switch from those more straightforward power metal speed blasters like "The Last Free Land" to the more technical of metal numbers such as "No Oblivion For Eternity" and "Anthem (For The Sun)" where you can hear inspiration from other heavy progressive bands.

 Read the full review by Scott Jessup at seaoftranquility.org

Media/Samples 
Why Should We Say Goodbye

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Yleclipse “Songs From The Crackling Atanor”

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Neo-Prog
Label: Mellow Records(MMP 528)
Release date: December 18, 2012
Tracklist:
1 Convivium Mithrae
2 Gentle breeze
3 Dreams are foam
4 A jinnee be freed
5 Springtime fiery delirium
6 Growling warty beast
7 Nadir voices

Line-up: Alessio Guerriero (guitar & vocals, for the first time also on keyboards, on one song),
Andrea Picciau (piano and keyboards),
Andrea Iddas (bass guitar),
Federico Bacco (drums & percussion).

 Description/Reviews: 

After the acclaimed “Trails of Ambergris”, the Yleclipse have released in late Autumn 2012 a new studio cd titled “Songs from the crackling Atanor”. The first 3 albums by the band, were a sort of chemical trilogy, whether “Trails” was an attempt to throw light on a obscure chapter of history from the “Napoleonic Wars” period. “Songs from the crackling Atanor” instead represents a “political breakthrough” for the Yleclipse themes. Topics such as the outrageous preponderance of financial speculation over real economy, the mere illusion of consumerism, and the eventual and unavoidable crisis of a life-style based on ever-growing globalization, conceived after WWII, are the issues dealt in this work. Moreover, the “Atanor” image is reminiscent of an allegorical language still often used in the band’s lyrics. Finding the clues through the lines is up to the listener… Seven tracks, including one instrumental acoustic piece, for over 60 minutes of music, the usual but moderate use of sound effects, are contained in this work by the band, featuring the same line-up since a long time.

Media/Samples 
A jinnee be freed
Gentle Breeze
Convivium Mithrae
Dreams are foam

Links:
Band's site
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Majestic "V.O.Z."

Country: USA
Sub Genres: Symphonic/Neo-prog
Label: Self-released
Release date: December 17, 2012
Tracklist: 
CD I
 1. In Memory of .
 2. VOZ I - New World
 3. VOZ II - Crossing Meridian
 4. VOZ III - Approaching Storm
 5. VOZ IV - Milestone
 6. VOZ V - Whispers
 7. VOZ VI - Freefall
 8. VOZ VII - Darkened Worlds
 9. VOZ VIII - Rise to the Surface
 10. VOZ IX - Skies Clear
 11. VOZ X - Voyage Ends
 CD II
 1. Zosimos Sleeps
 2. Becoming
 3. Spirits Dwell
 4. Around the Sun
 5. Hyperbole
 6. Becoming (Reprise)
 7. Red Skies

Line-up: 
- Jeff Hamel - Guitars, Keyboards
- Mike Kosacek - Drums, Percussion
- David Cagle, Tara Morgan, Chris Hodges, Celine Derval - Vocals

Description/Reviews: 

Over two years in the making, Majestic has unleashed their greatest masterpiece, V.O.Z. This new double CD is more ambitious than any of our previous CDs to date. Produced by Jeff Hamel, Jeff features a brand new lineup of fantastic artists on V.O.Z. Handling vocals for the new CD are David Cagle, Tara Morgan, Chris Hodges, and Celine Derval. These incredibly talented vocalists bring a very outstanding dynamic performance to V.O.Z, which heightens the already dramatic compositions Majestic is well-known for. Handling drums and percussion, Jeff is joined by master drummer Mike Kosacek. Mike’s killer chops, and technical ability to improvise, made him the perfect fit for this CD. The artwork for the new album is handled by none other than the surrealist artistic wizard, Vladimir Moldavsky. Some of you may know Vladimir’s work with the Proximal Distance project. As in Majestic tradition, we always try to out do the previous releases. The album V.O.Z. is no exception. With new talent, better songwriting, and more focus on production, we think we set the bar pretty high! Majestic fans will not be disappointed! Let the voyage begin….

Media/Samples 
Sampler
Entire album at progstreaming.com

Links:
Band's site
Progarchives
Facebook
Proggnosis

Zerothehero "Nowhere"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Instrumental Psychedelic, Space Rock, Soundtrack
Release date: December 17, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. March On Mars - 07:47
2. Lotus - 03:51
3. Flood - 04:57
4. A Deep Breath - 04:21
5. Raindrops - 04:42
6. Electric Sheep - 06:08
7. Last Bus Home - 02:38
8. Shelter - 05:50
9. Peace 04:17

Line-up: 
Carlo Barreca - all instruments
Stefano Firpo - drums on track 1

Description/Reviews: 

A second solo album by Carlo Barreca, bass player from Fungus, Flutes on Aries project and bass player on Hostsonaten

Media/Samples 
Free bandcamp download

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Ivan Mihaljevic and Side Effects "Counterclockwise"

Country: Croatia
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Release date: December 17, 2012 (digital)
Tracklist: 
1. Too Much Is Not Enough (0:33)
2. Build Your Destiny (4:43)
3. What Is Underneath (4:44)
4. Driving Force (8:37)
5. Gilded Cage (3:25)
6. Gift of Life (6:41)
7. Time Travel (3:21)
8. Eclipse (12:14)
9. I Am (3:47)

Line-up: 
- Ivan Mihaljevic / vocals, guitars
- Marko Karacic / bass, vocals
- Alen Frljak / drums, vocals

Description/Reviews: 

Counterclockwise is a concept album which comments on the current state of mind and consciousness of our society and the world. It talks about many situations and feelings people might encounter through their lives. It talks about despondency, about people who disappoint you in ways you'd never expect from them, about dealing with a death of a close friend, about greed and about people dealing with severe depression, but it also shows the light at the end of the tunnel.
The album sound focuses on the band as a trio and makes you feel like the band is playing in your living room in front of you.

Media/Samples 
Live at youtube

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives

HellHaven "Beyond The Frontier"

Country: Poland
Sub Genre: Art Rock, Progressive Metal
Label: Legacy Records
Release date: December 16, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Beyond The Frontier Part 1 (5:25)
2. Hestitation (9:04)
3. Traum Of Mr Twain Part 1 (5:44)
4. Traum Of Mr Twain Part 2 (7:12)
5. About Reading And Writing (6:40)
6. Perikarion (7:36)
7. Paper Swan (7:15)
8. Beyond The Frontier Part 2 (4:00)

Line-up: 
Sebastian Najder - vocals
Jakub Węgrzyn - guitars, synth
Maciej Dunin-Borkowski - guitars
Marcin Jaśkowiec - bass
Konrad Wójtowicz - drums
    Guest:
Agnieszka Reiner, Kacper Szpyrka - violins in “Perikarion”

Description/Reviews: 

"It will be more than 50 minutes of music on the border of progressive rock, art rock and melodic metal." So HellHaven announced their album. The musicians approached the subject very modestly because one can hear a lot more here.
The band's music combines the best of the noblest varieties of rock and metal. There also are  thought out art-rock construction and attention to detail with beautiful batches of keys, metal accelerations with rapid guitars and a truly psychedelic madness. A very important part of this jigsaw are the vocals and it is going to be very much of them. Though there are mostly pure emotional parts, there is also no shortage of extreme interpretations such as various sorts of screams, growls or demonic laughter.

Media/Samples 
Paper Swan
About Reading and Writing
Beyond The Frontier Part Two

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Alhandal "Rotta"

Country: Spain
Sub Genre: Prog Folk, Art Rock
Label: Mox Records
Release date: December 15, 2012
Tracklist: 
CD1
01-  Céfiro
02-  Lettera I
03-  Memorandum
04-  El velo rasgado
05-  Iris
06-  Géminis Alpha
07-  Frenesí
08-  Innuendo
09-  Danae
10-  La rueca de Aracne

CD2
01-  Lettera II
02-  La senda de Baal
03-  La danza de la Falcata
04-  Orionis
05-  Llanuras abisales
06-  El vórtice
07-  Géminis Omega
08-  La morada de Siddhartha
09-  Sit Tibi Terra Levis
10-  Lettera III

Line-up: 
Yiyi Vega – Vocals and choirs
Fran Benítez – Guitars
Hugo Martín: Piano and keybords
Francisco G. Nieto: Bass
Carlos Nuñez: Drums
Jon Zagalaz: Guitars, choirs and programming

Description/Reviews: 

A conceptual work, a trip through the life of the protagonist Jacob, a young man with cerebral palsy who with the help of a doctor eventually surpasses, reaching success and glory, but will end suffering an identity crisis that will turn his life into a nightmare. "Rotta" is an album of difficult classification in which Alhandal approach a variety of topics full of nuances and textures, creating an album full of feelings and emotions, and with great technical quality they  move nimbly between such styles as progressive rock, typical Andalusian rock, heavy metal, electronic databases, and even with a distinct pop flavour in some songs, all running perfectly framed within the story and the concept of "Rotta".

Media/Samples 
Samples

Links:
Web page
Facebook

UTU "Songs in Flesh Minor"

Country: Finland
Sub Genre: Prog Folk, Post-Rock, Ambient
Label: self-released
Release date: December 15, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. Sailor 4:12
2. Catch 4:48
3. Calm Way 3:44
4. Hammer 6:10
5. Enough 3:49
6. Today 4:50
7. I Try 4:02
8. 2nd Handfull 5:47
9. Won't Be Disguised 5:36

Line-up: 
Petra Poutanen - laulu, kantele
Teemu Kiiskilä - guitars, electronics
Iida Savolainen - viola
Tatu Kekkonen - accordion, glockenspiel, percussion, electronics
Margit Urantowka - piano, melodica
Aku-Pekka A. Niemi - drums, percussion, electronics
Tony Sikström - bass

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Chris Rudolf "Chris Rudolf"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock
Release date: December 15, 2012
Tracklist: 
1. Strange New World 7:20
2. Fate's Pendulum 6:54
3. Where Volcanoes Rise 7:05
4. When Heaven Comes 7:31
5. Taxman 5:17
6. Jefferson Dreams 9:25

Line-up: 
Chris Rudolf: Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
Steve Lauer: Drums and percussion

Description/Reviews: 

Chris Rudolf is a member of the progressive rock band Timelight. His musical interests and influences are wide encompassing many genres of rock, jazz, classical, and various ethnic musics.  He composes, records and performs music in the progressive rock genre. The styles of today's modern progressive metal bands and the retro groups representing glory days of progressive rock in the 1970's are a part of Chris' musical conception. At the same time, his approach to music, composition and performance in the progressive rock genre is as likely to be inspired by French impressionist pianists as it is by acoustic fingerstyle guitarists and even the explorations of jazz improvisers. 

Media/Samples 
Samples at artist's web page

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Morph "Sintrinity"

Country: Sweden
Sub Genre: Alternative, Progressive Rock
Label: Progress Records
Release date: December 14, 2012
Tracklist : 
01. A Breath Away
02. At The Crossroads
03. Reaching For You
04. Wake Up
05. The Final Bow
06. It Feels Like The End
07. The Journal

Line-up: 
Richard Sandström: Drums
Attila Bokor: Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards

Description/Reviews: 

Progressive Alternate Rock of highest value with really good vocals, intelligent and emotional song writing as well as interesting arrangements, odd bar meter drumming and some positive unexpected twists and turns. The concept album tells a story about three persons and how their lifes intertwine.

Also read the reviews by Rogson or by Tonny Larsen at progplanet.com

Media/Samples 
At The Crossroads
It Feels Like The End (free download)

Links:
Facebook

December People "Unauthorized. Holiday Classics"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Magna Carta Records
Release date: December, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. White Christmas - 3:13
2. Angels We Have Heard On High - 4:31
3. Silent Night - 4:36
4. Santa's Rockin' It Up - 2:24
5. All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - 3:42
6. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - 4:38
7. Frosty the Snowman - 4:09
8. Let It Snow - 3:39
9. Winter Wonderland - 3:14
10. Deck the Halls - 4:36

Line-up: 
Robert Berry - Bass & Vocal
Gary Pihl - Guitar & Vocals
David Medd - Keyboards & Vocals
Mike Vanderhule - Drums & Percussion
Jack Foster - Guitars & Vocals

Description/Reviews: 

They perform beloved, well known Christmas tunes in a Classic Rock format.

Links:
Web page
Proggnosis

Electric Hannibal "A Big Night"

Country: France
Sub Genre: Jazz Rock/Fusion
Label: System D Prod
Release date: December, 2012
Tracklist: 
  1. Into the Wild 7:28
  2. A Big Night 6:32
  3. An Old Seventies Song 6:06
  4. Valse au dessus d'un nid de coucou 5:07
  5. Late 0:22
  6. Je voudrais pas 4:31
  7. Midnight 0:25
  8. Le chameau et l éléphant 7:07
  9. Aquaplanning 5:25
10. Dawn 0:14
11. The Big Night 4:38
12. Une dernière valse ? 3:49
13. Awaking in the Dark 2:12
14. Morning 0:29

Line-up: 
Alexandre Cauchon - guitar
Frédéric Tarral - drums
Hatim Benmeziane - contrabass
Arnaud Lalue - keyboards
     guests:
Sarah Holtrop - vocals
Thomas de Pourquery - saxophone

Description/Reviews: 

Born from the gathering of four musicians that grew up with the likes of Pink Floyd, John Coltrane, Radio Head, Massada, Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Henri Texier, E.S.T., Michel Portal..., the band explores music at the crossroads of jazz and Progressive rock. Each of the composition gathers many musical influences in melodious and explosive music

Media/Samples 

 Links:
Web page
Facebook

Argos "Cruel Symmetry"

Country: Germany
Sub Genre: Canterbury, Neo-Prog
Label: Progressive Promotion Records (PPR CD 010)
Release date: December, 2012
Tracklist: 
1.Cruel Symmetry (20:45)
2. Paper Ship Dreams (4:32)
3. Chance Encounters (4:24)
4. Possessions (6:05)
5. The Story of Flying Robert  (4:29)
6. Caught within the Light  7:06)
7. Open Book (7:44)

Line-up: 
Rico Florczak - guitars
Ulf Jacobs - drums, vocals
Robert Gozon - vocals, keyboards
Thomas Klarmann - bass, flute, keybords, vocals

Description/Reviews: 

Cruel Symmetry is dominated by nearly 21-minute title track, which takes the listener on a journey through the different stages of perception. These are musically imaginative and varied in scene: melodic-anthemic elements and psychedelic-inspired excursions are represented as well as rhythmically intricate passages and acoustic embossed parts. In the other six songs, the band shows that it has a very unique sense of catchy melodies and jazzy harmonies. While in pieces like Possessions and Open Book thoughtful lyrics and melancholic sounds dominate, there are also, as in the two previous albums, again the typical lightness and irony of the famous Canterbury bands like Caravan and Hatfield and the North. These influences are clearly evident on songs like Paper Ship Dreams and The Story of Flying Robert, sung by Thomas Klarmann.

Media/Samples 
Trailer
entire album at progstreaming.com

Links:
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Searching for Reason "Inward"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Metal
Label: Within The Mind Records
Release date:  December 14, 2012 (Digital), January 4, 2013 (Physical)
Tracklist: 
1. Its Beauty is a Cruel Deception 06:11
2. My Heart, My Head (They Both want me Dead) 06:07
3. The Disappearing Man 04:41
4. Hombre sin Tierra 06:11
5. Tangled Abstract Fallacy 05:46
6. Mal de Muchos, Consuelo de Tontos 06:13
7. You Didn't Fail 06:11
8. Will I Remember? 02:08

Line-up: 
Ricardo Racines - Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards
Daniel Racines - Bass
Morris Sevada - Guitars, Saxophone
Andy Luffey - Drums, Percussion

Description/Reviews: 

The album mixes elements of Metal, Rock, Latin Music with Progressive and Ambient tendencies.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Karfagen "Aleatorica"

Country: Ukraine
Sub Genre: Symphonic
Label: Caerllysi Music
Release date: December 14, 2012
Tracklist:

1.    Karfagen - Aleatorica    (5:38)
2.    Mad Gods of Destiny    (8:23)
3.    Shadoof    (1:37)
4.    D'ale    (2:55)
5.    Gnome in a Bathroom    (2:29)
6.    Solar Cydes    (5:58)
7.    Transaleatorica    (1:29)
8.    Mystic Castles    (9:36)
9.    Radio Beam    (0:16)
10.   Whirlabout    (5:43)
11.   Sweetmeat    (2:15)
12.   A Day Without Rain    (7:44)
13.   Amazing Ananda    (2:09)
14.   Aleatorica (Back to the Alea)    (5:46)

Description/Reviews: 

As ever his albums never play safe musically whilst still retaining everything that is his trademark, ALEATORICA is a new studio KARFAGEN album that will further enrich KARFAGEN into the hearts of all lovers of prog/art rock. Just like “Symphony” the last album, this music has been on the back burner waiting for the flame to light the fire and for Antony to enter into the final recording process, that flame was this summer’s European concerts and festivals undertaken by the band. The reaction of the fans to KARFAGEN live challenged Antony, as always, to travel that extra distance musically looking for the very best for its followers.

Media/Samples
Several tracks online at band's web page

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Lobate Scarp "Time and Space"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock, Rock opera, Space Rock
Release date: December 12, 2012
Tracklist: 

1. Time and Space - 15:14
2. Jacob's Ladder - 4:39
3. Beginning of Us - 6:23
4. The Contradiction - 6:50
5. Save My Soul - 8:44
6. Moment - 5:49
7. The Mirror - 7:37

Line-up: 
Adam Sears- Lead Vocals, Keyboard
Dustin Prince- Drums
Andy Catt- Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Taurus Pedal, Vocals
Nate "The Fish" Olmos- Guitar, Vocals
Adrienne Woods- Cello, Electric Cello, Vocals
Hoyt Binder- Guitar

Guests:
 30+ person classical choir
 Alex Acuña (Weather Report) - percussion

Description/Reviews: 

It took 5 years and over 50 musicians to make this progressive space-opera rock extravaganza. This special recording will be of interest to progressive rock and modern rock fans alike. Somewhere between Pink Floyd, Queen, Yes, and Nine Inch Nails, Lobate Scarp's unique Progressive Space-Opera Rock music will surely take you on a musical journey you won't forget.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Proggnosis