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Friday, February 28, 2014

But a Thought "...But A Thought"


Country: Multinational
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Release dateFebruary 28, 2014
Tracklist
1. Damocles (06:44)
2. Dragon Farm (07:57)
3. Dualipsism (08:06)
4. Ex (07:29)
5. Outronaught (11:58)

Line-up
Ayaka Hayashi  - Vocals
Royi Yaakoby - Guitars
Dan  - Bass
Austin Burcham - Drums

Description/Reviews
Four players from different parts of the world get together to create music that is metal based, but spreads out into other genres of music like latin, latin jazz, jazz, ambience and a few more. The lyrics go from deep philosophical into the sicknesses of the mind and questions of life. Some of influences are Between the buried and me, Paco de Lucia, Squarepusher, Vinnie Colaiuta and many more...

Media/Samples 
Dualipsism

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Skyliner "Outsiders"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Power Metal
LabelLimb Music
Release dateFebruary 28, 2014
Tracklist
1. Signals 02:56
2. Symphony In Black 07:07
3. Undying Wings 06:34
4. Forever Young 07:55
5. Aria Of The Waters 08:26
6. The Human Residue 07:36
7. Dawn Of The Dead 07:20
8. The Alchemist 06:57
9. Worlds Of Conflict 21:01

Line-up
Ben 'The Ben' Brenner - Drums, Percussion
Jake Becker - Vocals, Guitar
Nathaniel Curtis - Bass, Backing Vocals
Ashley Flynn - Keyboards

Description/Reviews
Although Skyliner describe themselves as heavy/power metal (with a progressive mind's eye at the centre) the music on Outsiders has much more to do with power metal than it does heavy metal, although those elements are certainly still semi-prominent, and I feel that their branding downplays just how progressive their music actually is. ... Outsiders is a lot more complex than a typical power metal release. I'd go as far to call at least parts of the album technical power metal. That's not a term you hear put about very often, if at all, the way technical death or technical thrash are, but Skyliner certainly have their moments where such a term pops into my head.
 Read the full review at metaltube.freeforums.org

Media/Samples 
The Alchemist / The Human Residue

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Proggnosis

Thorns of Creation "Continuum"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Death Metal
Release dateFebruary 28, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Exodus 02:28
  2. Promethei Planum 07:26
  3. Apex Race 05:04
  4. Necrogenesis 06:40
  5. The Morning War 04:19
  6. Consigned to Oblivion 09:27
  7. Dreadnought 05:35
  8. Paragon 03:43
Line-up
Brandon Burton - Lead Vocals
Matt Hallman - Guitar
Johnny Burroughs - Guitar/Backing Vocals
   With
Damon Self, Brandon Self, and Forest Baer - vocals on "Consigned To Oblivion"

Description/Reviews
Kinetic, Melodic, Progressive Death Metal blending elements from all over the Metal spectrum.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ixthuluh "Some Chimeras"


Country: Austria
Sub GenreKrautrock
Release dateFebruary 2014
Tracklist
  1. Das Ist Es - 2:15
  2. Soft Velvet - 6:58
  3. Boring Sunday - 8:19
  4. Well-Disposed Lindworm - 9:28
  5. Chamberrock Part 1 - 8:28
  6. Superpsych - 17:49
Line-up
Dita Lasser: guitars, bass (6),  vocals
James Geiblinger: bass (1, 2, 3)
Max Wedl: sax, flute, percussion
Mud Shurko: bass (4, 5), drums

Description/Reviews
These songs were recorded in1977/1978, mixed and refurbished in 2014, reaching so a obvious better sound quality.

Links:
Web page (free download)
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Shylmagoghnar "Emergence"


Country: Netherlands
Sub GenreProgressive/Atmospheric Black Metal
Release dateFebruary 28, 2014
Tracklist
  1. I Am the Abyss 08:50
  2. Emergence 06:27
  3. Edin in Ashes 06:19
  4. This World Shall Fall 03:28
  5. Squandered Paradise 04:24
  6. Eternal Forest 04:22
  7. The Cosmic Tide 06:37
  8. A New Dawn 06:37
  9. The Sun No Longer 04:26
Line-up
Nimblkorg: Guitars, Bass, Drums, Synths, Vocals on Emergence
Skirge: Vocals, Synths on The Sun No Longer

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Superdrama "The Promise"


Country: Germany
Sub GenreSymphonic
LabelProgressive Promotion Records
Release date: February 2014
Tracklist
1. Chance of a Lifetime (05:19)
2. Evening the Odds (06:45)
3. Turn the Stone (10:51)
4. In Love for a Day (06:41)
5. Beyond the Edge (09:15)
6. Healing Earth (05:58)
7. The Promise (11:44)

Line-up
Robert Stein-Holzheim (Ex-Scaramouche) - Drums
Robert Gozon (Argos) - Vocals, Keyboards
Thomas Klarmann (Argos, Yacobs) - Bass, Flute
Michael Hahn - Guitars
Thilo Brauß - Organ & Additional Keyboards

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming

Links:
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Seasons of Time "Closed Doors to Open Plains"


Country:  Germany
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
LabelProgressive Promotion Records
Release date: February 2014
Tracklist
01. An Overture in my Head
02. Expectations I
03. Someone
04. Bite the Bullet
05. Closing Doors
06. Burning Bridges I
07. Fuzz & Buzz
08. A Step Ahead Behind
09. The Station at the Border of the Mind
10. Expectations II
11. You’re Not Needed Anymore
12. There are Times
13. Ignorance
14. Expectations III
15. Burning Bridges II
16. Wide Open Plains

Line-up
Dirk Berger: Bass, Keyboards and additional Guitars and Vocals
Malte Twarloh (K-ly Bell): Vocals,  Guitars and additional Keyboards
Florian Wenzel: Guitars
Marco Grühn: Drums
   With
Kelly Bell (K-ly-Bell): Additional Voice
Pete Harrison: Horns on Track 12

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Rocket Miner "Elegy"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental, Post Rock
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Gold 05:00
  2. And They Can Never Truly Die 04:10
  3. Captures (This Day) 05:57
  4. War Room 04:02
  5. Jejune 03:48
  6. Memories Are All We Have Left 06:07
  7. Catalyst 06:54
  8. Ember 06:09
  9. Bemoan 07:27
Line-up
Chip Wortel - guitar, keys
Larry Hryn - guitar
Chris Ruffolo - guitar
Chris Stewart - bass
Matt Biancardi - drums

Description/Reviews
Elegy is an album full of contrasts, a work that tightly represents the immense strength of a kind of post-rock that is not tied down to a narrative or to the mechanics of loud and quiet. As its title indicates, it flows like verse, drawing the listener into the moment, creating emotionally charged set-pieces that do not last too long for fear of losing focus. As if it was a minimalist or ambient album, every distortion counts, every little shift in volume drives the music wildly into different states of dramatic sentiment. This is a lament born from a passion for life, a dirge woven from sunlight, a torrential meditation in which the limits of living are played out as uplifting melodies brimming with delay, an echo that appears to remain forever at the same time it appears to dissipate ephemerally.
Read the full review by David Murrieta at acloserlisten.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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The Kindred "Life in Lucidity"


Country: Canada
Sub GenreProgressive Rock/Metal
LabelSumerian Records
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
1. Wolvish
2. Heritage
3. Everbound
4. An Evolution of Thought
5. Decades
6. Millennia
7. A Grand Debate
8. Seekers & Servants
9. Dreambender
10. Like A Long Life

Line-up
David Journeaux - Vocals
Matt Young - Keyboards
Ben Davis - Guitar
Steve Rennie - Guitar
Eric Stone - Bass

Description/Reviews
There seems to be a lot of "this band is boring" from the progressive fans, as well as a lot of "this band tries too hard to be complex/progressive/deep" from the prog-hesistant music listeners. The Kindred (formerly Today I Caught the Plague) seem to have found themselves politely hovering right in what can be thought of as "no man's land" in World War I trench warfare, relatively seamless and original style of progressive music that is as accessible as it is complex and abstract. The Kindred are a group who have undergone a drastic stylistic change along with the change of their name, dropping nearly all metalcore influence for a more progressive metal/rock vibe, and have used this new style to create a very complex and perplexedly deep album and has more than enough accessibility and catch to latch on to.
Read the full review at sputnikmusic.com

Media/Samples 
Entire album online

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Van Gelder "The Vow"


Country: Netherlands
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Rock/Metal
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Keep the faith (6.09)
  2. Passion (8.03)
  3. The Vow (6.10)
  4. The Prophecy (6.47)
  5. A Thousand Years (1.37)
  6. Avalanche (6.34)
  7. Illusion (7.02)
  8. Lost (4.07)
Line-up
Van Gelder - all instruments

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Mother of Millions "Human"


Country: Greece
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
LabelTurkey Vulture Records
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Orientation (5:13)
  2. Propaganda Techniques (5:30)
  3. The Parallel (4:51)
  4. Ignition (2:05)
  5. Evolving (3:19)
  6. Evolved (2:20)
  7. Fire (3:33)
  8. Loss (4:18)
  9. Running (2:06)
  10. Human (6:59)
Line-up
George Prokopiou - vocals
Kostas Konstantinidis - guitars
Panos Priftis - bass
Makis Tsamkosoglou - keyboards, samples
George Boukaouris - drums, percussions

Description/Reviews
The sound the band has created is hard to pigeonhole. It's certainly metallic and definitely progressive. Yet it doesn't sound like your average ProgMetal band... The 'Prog' categorisation is delivered through an ever-changing palette of time signatures, dynamics and pace. Despite their (relative) brevity, almost ever song has a mix of light and shade. Mother of Millions has an innate ability to write songs that shift in an instant, from almost extreme metal to whimsical folk. Some excellent use is made of ProgRock motifs, acoustic passages as well as traditional Mediterranean folk styles. A much more aggressive version of early Pain of Salvation could be one comparison. Sophisticated is the word. 
 Read the full review by Andy Read at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
3 tracks

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Not Otherwise Specified "Projective Instruments"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Rock/Metal
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
1. Harvest Soul - 9:48
2. Hold On - 4:04
3. Failing - 11:25
4. Sorbet - 2:41
5. Racing Shadows - 23:35
    i. The Starting Line
    ii. Pitfalls
    iii. I'm the Man
    iv. Fine Dead Song
    v. Again
6. Caveat - 3:57
7. Signal To Noise (bonus track) - 8:10

Line-up
Craig Kerley
   With
Rodrigo San Martin - Guitar Solos on Falling, Fine Dead Song, Travels and Again
Fernando Refay - Keyboard Solos on Falling and The Starting Line
Jason Rowland - Guitar Solos on Harvest Soul

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
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ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Spoke of Shadows "Spoke of Shadows"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Rock
LabelFirepool Records
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
01. Dominion
02. Images
03. One Day
04. Harbinger
05. Lost One
06. Pain Map
07. Persona
08. Splendid Sisters
09. Tilting at Windmills
10. Accord
11. Dichotomy
12. Drama of Display

Line-up
Bill Bachman (Neal Morse, Michael Harris) - drums
Mark Cook  (Herd of Instinct) - Warr guitar, ADG fretless bass, guitar, and keyboards
    With
Joe Blair - guitar
Gayle Ellett (Djam Karet, Fernwood, Ukab Maerd) - rhodes and mellotron
Bob Fisher (Herd of Instinct) - flute
Michael Harris (Thought Chamber, solo artist) - guitar
Jeff Plant (Alex Acuna, Conundrum, Thought Chamber)  - fretless bass
Tony Rohrbough (Byzantine) - guitar
Dave Streett (Herd of Instinct) - Warr guitar
Shannon Wickline (Charlie Daniels Band) - piano

Description/Reviews
Spoke of Shadows was born when Mark was finishing the mixes of the latest Herd of Instinct release “Conjure”. After completing two Herd of Instinct's CDs in two years he wanted to focus on writing music that was moodier and had more dynamics than what Herd of Instinct usually create.  He began recording pieces by layering Warr guitars, an 8 string fretless bass, drums, guitars, and keyboards.  After 6 tracks were written the project took another turn when a friend introduced Mark to Bill Bachman.  Mark stripped away his percussion parts and gave the tracks to Bill with only one direction “play what you normally would not be allowed to play in other bands”.   The goal was to create a hybrid progressive music that covers a wide range of moods and styles. No rules! After finishing the majority of the writing they began looking for collaborators to help add some sonic variation to the music.  The approach was to find players from diverse backgrounds to help create a unique vocabulary that takes the listener on a sonic journey.  All of the guests magically fell into place on the recording and added immense depth to the tracks.

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming
Dominion
Tilting at Windmills
One Day

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Deva "Murther"


Country: Italy
Sub GenreProgressive Gothic Metal
LabelRNC Music
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
01. Can I Be Saved 4:38
02. Come To Me 5:00
03. Is This What We Really Are 1:07
04. Delirium 4:21
05. Decadence 5:47
06. What Have I Become 4:41
07. Awareness Suddenly 1:44
08. Lady Of Time 4:58
09. My Sweetest Pain 4:28
10. Something Beautiful 0:52
11. Confession 5:56
12. Remembrance 2:13
13. Lullaby 2:49
14. Dust And Shadows 6:49
15. Lilith 7:17

Line-up
Thomas D'Alba  - Drums
Federico "Friedrik" Salerno - Guitars, Piano, Vocals
Beatrice Palumbo - Vocals (soprano), Viola
Davide Barbieri - Keyboards, Vocals (backing)

Description/Reviews
Simply amazing sophomore album by Deva, a very classical music influenced melodic band fronted by the beautiful voice of classically trained soprano, Beatrice Palumbo.( progmetalzone.com )

Media/Samples 
Teaser

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Djam Karet "Regenerator 3017"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Fusion
Label HC PRoductions
Release date: February 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Prince of the Inland Empire - 5:35
  2. Living in the Future Past - 4:50
  3. Desert Varnish - 7:18
  4. Wind Pillow - 4:39
  5. Lost Dreams - 3:49
  6. Empty House - 6:07
  7. On the Edge of the Moon - 8:37
Line-up
Gayle Ellett: guitar, keyboards
Mike Henderson: guitar
Henry Osborne: bass
Mike Murray: guitar
Chuck Oken, jr.: drums


Velva Room "U"


Country: Mexico
Sub GenrePsychedelic
Release dateFebruary 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Hyperactive Tony 05:00
  2. Birds 06:04
  3. Into The Wild 03:55
  4. Waves 04:00
  5. Cowboy 05:16
  6. Aqua Bleu 03:33
  7. Sci-Fi 03:56
  8. Secret Prayer 10:44
  9. Chaos 06:05
Line-up
Anton Cerda - Guitar, Bass, Piano & Vocals
Vicco - Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Nathalia Romo de Vivar - Drums & Backing Vocals
Oby - Bass, Guitar, Piano & Keyboards
   With
Apache O' Raspi - Vocals (Track 4: Waves)
Yalissa Cruz - Cello
Ernesto Cano - Violin
Santiago Cumplido - Horns, Choir & Backing Vocals (Track 1: Hyperactive Tony), Additional Orchestration (Track 4: Waves)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Progarchives

Monday, February 24, 2014

Khepri "Ascension"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProgressive Oriental Metal
Release dateFebruary 24, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Tendrils of Fire - 03:22
  2. Bloodlines - 04:25
  3. Sultan - 04:03
  4. Shadow Faded - 03:01
  5. Paradise - 02:43
  6. Ascension - 04:56
  7. Orochi - 03:14
  8. Titan - 02:25
  9. Shackled Spirit - 03:10
  10. Shattered Dreams - 02:40
  11. Nomad - 03:58
  12. Ruin - 03:19
Line-up
Khepri - all instruments and vocals

Description/Reviews
Dark, powerful metal guitars meet vibrant percussion from the Middle East. Oriental Metal both inspiring and uplifting through its intricate melodies and brooding tone.
Media/Samples 
Tendrils of Fire
Ascension
Paradise

Links:
Web page
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Proggnosis

OSV "7"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Metal, Fusion
Release date: February 24, 2014
Tracklist
  1. After the Calm - 4:06
  2. Outer Realm - 5:09
  3. Reflections Past - 5:01
  4. Elevation - 4:27
  5. Under the Sun - 4:58
  6. Sorrow's End - 3:44
  7. Day of Atonement - 4:54
  8. Relative Obscurity - 6:35
  9. Heliocentric - 3:41
  10. Worlds Away - 6:21
Line-up
Marcel Coenen - Guitar
Mathieu Fiset - Keys
Steve Sexton - Bass
Gary Oppert - Drums
    With:
Jonas Tamas -  Guitar

Description/Reviews
OSV is back with album 7 of their unique blend of Progressive Rock, Fusion and Melodic Metal that should really appeal to fans of Dream Theater, Steve Via, Steve Morse and Joe Satriani.

Media/Samples 
Sampler

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Proggnosis

Shades of Black "Ocean"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Metal
Release dateFebruary 24, 2014
Tracklist
  1. The Scorpion King 04:04
  2. The Habitual 02:54
  3. To Colossus 04:51
  4. Samurai Sunrise 02:26
  5. The Secret Council 05:57
  6. Impending Circumstances 06:49
  7. Face of the Skies 05:07
  8. The Sacred Union 08:18
  9. Brohemoth 04:54
  10. Ocean 08:58
Line-up
Matt Zuleger - Guitar, Programming

Description/Reviews
Technical. Djent. Arabic. Epic. Heavy. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links:
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ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Midwich Youth Club "From The City To The Country"


Country: UK
Sub Genre: Instrumental, Psychedelic, Electronica
LabelSoft Bodies Records (cassette and download)
Release dateFebruary 24, 2014
Tracklist
  1. From the City to the Country - 18:51
  2. From the Country to the Sea - 20:42
Line-up
Allan R Murphy - all instruments

Description/Reviews
The album would be of interest to fans of prog rock, Belbury Poly/Ghostbox records, Moon Wiring Club, vintage soundtracks, Krautrock and psychedelia.

Media/Samples 
From the City to the Country: Part 2
From the City to the Country: Part 4

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Morbus Chron "Sweven"


Country: Sweden
Sub GenreProgressive Death Metal
LabelCentury Media
Release date: February 24, 2014
Tracklist
01. Berceuse (03:18)
02. Chains (04:49)
03. Towards A Dark Sky (07:49)
04. Aurora In The Offing (05:01)
05. It Stretches In The Hollow (05:10)
06. Ripening Life (06:46)
07. The Perennial Link (05:16)
08. Solace (02:14)
09. Beyond Life's Sealed Abode (05:41)
10. Terminus (06:38)

Line-up
Dag Landin - Bass
Adam Lindmark - Drums
Robert Andersson - Guitars, Vocals
Edvin Aftonfalk - Lead Guitar

Description/Reviews
... it's safe to say that it might possibly be the best death metal record to come out of Sweden since Entombed got tired of playing death metal. The aptly titled Sweven is nothing short of a total success on all fronts. The entire history of death metal, all the way back to before rock even existed, is a part of Sweven in some strange way. It's almost impossible to find any semblance of the band we knew as Morbus Chron unless you take into account the basic elements that have defined their sound until this point. Those nasty, shrieking vox that were at the forefront of A Saunter Through the Shroud are here in perfect form, the undertones of the swampy sewer metal courtesy of Autopsy are still vaguely present, and most of all the charming adversarial attitude showcased since the band’s inception in 2007 is still alive and well. The only thing that's different this time around is that Sweven sounds like nothing the metal world has really ever heard before.
 Read the full review at sputnikmusic.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Allomerus "Clowns In Charge"


Country: Australia
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Release dateFebruary 22, 2014
Tracklist
1. Clowns In Charge (5:19)
2. War and Peace (9:34)
3. Stomp (4:07)
4. Tim (6:55)
5. Blue (5:49)
6. Clowns In Charge II (0:46)
7. The Greatest Show On Earth (10:02)

Line-up
John Wegner - Guitar, Synths, Bass and Vocals
Paul Wegner - Drums and Percussion

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links:
Web page
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ProgArchives

Shokran "Supreme Truth"


Country: Russia
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Release dateFebruary 22, 2014
Tracklist
1. Interlude 01:47
2. Pray The Martyr 03:00
3. Ghost Ruins 02:36
4. Memories 02:39
5. Charon 02:28
6. Collapses 03:31
7. Original Sin 02:45
8. Crotalus 02:36
9. The Right To Sorrow 02:45
10. In Theatre Of Illusions 02:21
11. Supreme Truth 02:49
12. Sands Of Time 04:06
13. Punishment 03:10
14. Dark Desert 03:05
15. The New Battalions 02:24

Line-up
Dmitry Demyanenko - Guitar
Aleksandr Burlakov - Guitar
Serezha Raev - Vocals
Michael Isaev - Drums
Rodion Shevchenko - Bass

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Phase Shift "Lack of Silence"


Country: Germany
Sub GenreProgressive Metal, Stoner
Release dateFebruary 22, 2014
Tracklist
  1. A Reqiuem 2.0 04:26
  2. Ready for Takeoff 04:49 
  3. Oxyakoia 04:34 
  4. Mutual Consent 07:37 
  5. T.A.K.I.T.W. 05:00 
  6. Castles 05:18 
  7. Maelstrom 05:44 
  8. Stand and Shout 06:32 
Line-up
Frank Kürten - Vocals, Bass
Dominik Schenke - Guitar
Andreas Bella - Guitar
Jari Töppich - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Saturday, February 22, 2014

About Tess "Shining"


Country: Japan
Sub Genre: Instrumental Math Rock
LabelVirgin Babylon Records
Release dateFebruary 22, 2014
Tracklist
1. Shine
2. Prism
3. Atom
4. Void
5. Seer
6. Flam
7. Prayer
8. Mirror
9. Dazzling
10. Eyes

Line-up
Tetsuro - drums
Dko - drums
Kazuya - guitar
Takuto - guitar
Kanz - bass
Miya-Ken - bass

Description/Reviews
About Tess is an instrumental band consisted of two drummers, two bassists and two guitarists. Their music involves interminably repeated riff and rhythms overlapping each other, and they place uncalculated components in apposition with constructed parts. You will feel, rather than watch or listen to, their lives that present fast and furious transit from silence to rumble.

Media/Samples 
Shine
Prism

Links:
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ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Friday, February 21, 2014

Wishbone Ash "Blue Horizon"


Country: UK
Sub GenreHard Rock, Progressive Rock
Release date: February 21, 2014
Tracklist
1. Take It Back
2. Deep Blues
3. Strange (How Things Come back Around)
4. Being One
5. Way Down South
6. Tally Ho!
7. Mary Jane
8. American Century
9. Blue Horizon
10. All There Is To Say

Line-up
Andy Powell - guitar, lead vocals
Muddy Manninen - guitar, vocals
Bob Skeat - bass, vocals
Joseph Crabtree - drums & percussion

Vanden Plas "Chronicles Of The Immortals, Pt. I: Netherworld"


Country: Germany
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
LabelFrontiers Records
Release dateFebruary 21, 2014 (Europe), February 24, 2014 (North America)
Tracklist
  1. Vision 1ne
  2. Vision 2wo * The Black Knight *
  3. Vision 3hree * Godmaker *
  4. Vision 4our * Misery Affection Preluse *
  5. Vision 5ive * A Ghosts Requiem *
  6. Vision 6ix * New Vampyre *
  7. Vision 7ven * The King And The Children Of Lost World *
  8. Vision 8ight * Misery Affection *
  9. Vision 9ine * Soul Alliance *
  10. Vision 10n * Inside *
Line-up
Andy Kuntz - vocals
Stephan Lill - guitars
Günter Werno - keyboards
Torsten Reichert - bass
Andreas Lill - drums

Vanishing Point "Distant Is The Sun"


Country: Australia
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
LabelAFM Records
Release dateFebruary 21, 2014 (EU), February 18, 2014 (US)
Tracklist
  1. Beyond Redemption’ (Intro)
  2. King Of Empty Promises
  3. Distant Is The Sun
  4. When Truth Lies
  5. Circle Of Fire
  6. Let The River Run
  7. Denied Deliverance
  8. Story Of Misery
  9. Era Zero
  10. Pillars Of Sand
  11. As December Fades
  12. Handful Of Hope
  13. Walls Of Silence
  14. April (Instrumental)
Line-up
Silvio Massaro - Vocals
Chris Porcianko - Guitar
James Maier - Guitar
Simon Best - Bass
Christian Nativo - Drums

Electric Litany "Enduring Days You Will Overcome"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
LabelInner Ear Records
Release dateFebruary 21, 2014
Tracklist

  1. Intro 02:25
  2. Silence 03:43
  3. Hold Fast To Dreams 03:43
  4. The Soul Remembers Everything 03:03
  5. Vanish 04:25
  6. Name 05:48
  7. Enduring Days You Will Overcome 07:39
  8. In The Morning 04:36
  9. Feather Of Ecstasy 04:18
  10. Empty Sea 03:41
  11. You Make Me Feel 05:05
  12. Farewell (To Setting Flowers) 03:37

Line-up
Alexandros Miaris : Guitars, piano, synths, cello, voices
Richard Simic : Drums, percussion,
Alex Deligiannidis : Bass
Benjamin Prince : Keys

Description/Reviews
"Enduring Days You Will Overcome" is the fruit of a difficult and stagnant era. However, confirming every word of its title, it’s proof that the conscious perseverance of creation is the solution to overcome the problems and move forward. The album rises from the ashes of a lo-fi world, maintaining the lyricism and the characteristic "haunting" atmosphere of Electric Litany. Drawing inspiration from Beat poetry, new wave, Byzantine music and solid guitars that form a feeling of dark romanticism. Melancholic odes to the perseverance of the human spirit in face of tragedy.   

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp
Empty Sea

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Wicked Walz "Perseverance"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Power Metal
Release dateFebruary 21, 2014
Tracklist
01. Ssi 03:17
02. Lifemare 06:16
03. A Heart That Can't Bleed 06:12
04. Man Made Faith 04:32
05. Charm City 08:27
06. Pieces 01:32
07. Dream Again 05:36
08. So Cold (Personal Hell) 06:31
09. The Battle Within 07:35
10. The Darkness 07:17
11. Hated By Others 05:57
12. My Last Wish 05:55

Line-up
Jason Rushing - Vocals
Micah Nicholson - Guitars
Jamie Summersell - Guitars
Mike Wyatt - Bass
Jeff Quiggle - Keyboards
   With
Casey Grillo (Kamelot) - Drums

Media/Samples 
Dream Again
Lifemare

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A Sense of Gravity "Travial"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive/Technical/Death/Jazz Metal
Release dateFebruary 21, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Wraith 06:38
  2. Stormborn 04:02
  3. Breakthrough 03:16
  4. Answers Lost 04:42
  5. Trichotillomania 07:03
  6. Harbinger 04:59
  7. Above the Horizon 03:35
  8. Ration Reality 05:10
  9. Weaving Memories 04:18
  10. Spectre 08:58
Line-up
C.J. Jenkins - vocals
David McDaniel - guitar
Brendon Williams - guitar, choir vocals, additional keyboard
Brandon Morris - keyboard, guitar
Chance Unterseher - bass
Peter Breene - drums

Description/Reviews
While some people nowadays will be automatically (and dare I say shallowly) turned off at the prospect of anything even slightly Meshuggah-influenced, A Sense of Gravity are up there with Textures or early Hacride in achieving success with polyrhythmic-driven prog metal.  The progressive groove metal elements combined with the more fusion-oriented and new-age schools of melodic death metal, in tandem with the straight prog metal incorporations, make Travail one of the best newcomer records of the year so far, if not one of the best 2014 has yet produced, period.
Read the full review at nocleansinging.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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The Experiment No. Q "The Experiment No. Q"


Country: Multinational
Sub GenreProgressive Rock/Metal
LabelAenima Recordings
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014
Tracklist
01. Enter Number Q (0.57)
02. To The Wise And Understanding Reader (5.02)
03. Unpainted Leaves (6.00)
04. Romantiquesque (4.40)
05. The Dream Of The Whales (4.50)
06. The Ship And The Poet (4.35)
07. The Black Horizon Of The Monodist (5.13)
08. Labyrinths (5.28)
09. The Testament Of Cremer (9.56)
10. Il Comandante (5.20) Bonus Track

Line-up
Kevin Zwierzchaczewski (Lord Byron) - vocals
Linnéa Vikström (Therion) - vocals
Nalle Påhlsson (Therion) - bass, vocals
Johan Koleberg  (Therion) - drums
Teddy Möller (Loch Vostok) - guitars
Jimmy Mattsson (Loch Vostok) - bass
Andrea Palazzo (Osanna, Frank Mc Comb) - guitars
Emanuel Victor (Wanderer’s Nights, Doble D) - guitars
Sabrina Rivagli (SB II) - bass
Marco Rivagli (Divina, MAMAGARI) - drums
Mattia Garimanno (Il Castello di Atlante) - drums
Marco Signore (Heavenshine) - keyboards
   With
Jacopo Garimanno - guitars
Fabio Privitera - vocals
Annette Bettin - violin
Dino Eldrisio Pelissero - traverse flute

Description/Reviews
 The Experiment No.Q is a music project written and directed by Paolo Vallerga (No.Q).
An Experiment with different professional musicians from all parts of the world, with different styles, different music background and personality. The Experiment No.Q is a complicate attempt to mix different creative worlds; an alchemical experiment with musicians who have never played together, having just one point in common: No.Q. All the songs and lyrics were written by Paolo Vallerga (with the help in some parts of Roberto Grassi, Emanuel Victor and Stefano Arecco)

Media/Samples 
Labyrinths

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Proggnosis

Backhand "Through The Turbulence"


Country: Venezuela
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014
Tracklist
  1. IntrospeKtion 11:12
  2. Hold the Light (feat. Phil Naro) 06:21
  3. Spider Riff 06:31
  4. The Big Red Wall (feat. Phil Naro) 07:23
  5. Hardwood 05:30
  6. A Million People Crying Pt. 1 (feat. Phil Naro) 04:15
  7. A Million People Crying Pt. 2 (feat. Phil Naro) 05:33
  8. Tears from the Sea 05:58
  9. Crime Story (feat. Phil Naro) 07:06
  10. Wonderful Peace 06:32
  11. Roller Coaster 03:30
  12. Me, Myself and I (feat. Phil Naro) 06:06
Line-up
Pablo Mendoza: Guitars
Adolfo Herrera: Drums
Adrian Van Woerkom: Keyboards
Oscar Fanega: Bass
   With
Phil Naro: Vocals

Description/Reviews
4 Giants from Venezuelan music scene and a great singer from USA /Canada merge their talents and passion for music into an exceptional eclectic prog rock band that delivers all the power and subtleness needed for a sure success. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

The Cosmic Dead "EasterFaust"


Country: UK
Sub GenrePsychedelic,  Krautrock
LabelSound of Cobra (vinyl), Paradigms Recordings (CD)
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014 (vinyl)
Tracklist
1. EasterFaust-part 1
2. EasterFaust-part 2

Line-up
Omar Aborida - Bass
Lewis Cook - Synths
Julian Dicken - Drums
James T McKay - Guitar
Güürly Shoastmann - Vibe & Spirituality

Description/Reviews
Since 2010, The Cosmic Dead have been exploring the outer reaches of Krautrock, doom and psychedelia, tasting the extremes of sound and fusing them into a single, all-enveloping web of stratospheric riffing, otherworldly ambience and kosmische textures that has spread itself across countless shows throughout all Europe
“For anyone who hasn’t yet stood before the Dead and their live homage to the cosmos, expect religious devotion to synthesised dreamworlds, subsonic grooves, guitaristic splendour and the vast, hypnotic sounds of Hawkwind and Popol Vuh eternally jamming in the Möbius strip of time and space”
Remember that satanic drug thing you didn't understand? Forget about it! Here comes the new breed and it's a fierce and fiery force! A creeping barrage of sound that embodies the spirit of heavy psychedelic freak-outs from the Godz and Hawkind to early Monster Magnet („25... Tab“-era) and Acid Mother's Temple to set you afire. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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ProgArchives

N.Tesla "Lux Manifesto"


Country: Russia
Sub GenrePost Metal, Ambient, Sludge
LabelLost Memories Records
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014
Tracklist
1.Ør-vænn 02:15
2.North. Spring. Aurora 06:19
3.Lux Manifesto 06:49
4.Determination Of Giants 04:57
5.Characters Drawn In Taupe 04:27
6.Megalodon 02:17
7.Here Speak Only The Birds 05:57

Line-up
Dima - vox
Leo - guitar
Dima - guitar
Yura - drums
Nicky - samples

Description/Reviews
N.Tesla is a Russian Post-Metal band who have just released their stunning debut album – Lux Manifesto, which blends elements of ambient vibes, post-hardcore and crushing sludge metal riffs for one pulsating ride.
This is not your most straight-forward Post-Metal album as N.Tesla don't play by the rules. They add a strangely hypnotic feel to their music. It's very different to the likes of Isis, The Ocean and Neurosis and that is a very good thing indeed. As the band develop their own sound over the album's 34 minute running time.
 Read the full review by Steve Howe at thesludgelord.blogspot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Darkyra Black "Dragon Tears"


Country: Australia
Sub GenreProgressive Gothic Metal/Rock
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014
Tracklist
1. Madoka’s Lament
2. Lullaby Of Death
3. Eyes Wide Shut
4. Japanese Frankenstein
5. Slither
6. Before I Wither
7. Cold Cold Stone
8. Never Know
9. Tears By Candlelight
10. Kiss Of The Dragon
11. Dragon Tears
12. Dragon Tears Story

Line-up
Darkyra Black - Vocals
Paul Jupe - Guitars
Fabinho Jablonski - Keyboards
Betovani Dinelli - Bass, Guitars (solos on “Never Know”)
Colin Haynes - Bass (on “Never Know” & additional parts of “Tears by Candlelight”)
Garry King - Drums
   With
Thiago Trinsi (Seraphim) - Guitar on “Kiss of the Dragon”
George Boussounis - Keyboards, Samples & Arrangements
Michael Porfyris - Cello
Ilias Sdoukos - Viola
Laertis Kokolanis - Violin
Dimitris Barbagalas - Acoustic Guitar on “Eyes Wide Shut” & “Never Know”

Description/Reviews
It is a concept album that tells a dark and gothic tale about a geisha: love, loss, lust, betrayal, and revenge are all characters in this story, which converges to a tragic end. The music is a blend of Symphonic Metal, Gothic Metal, Epic Metal and Progressive Rock with elements of traditional pentatonic music, a dramatic score-music feeling, and an original touch of Japanese-influenced music. The instrumental background is the perfect vehicle for Darkyra to showcase the attributes of her unique voice: mesmerizing power, burning passion, and outstanding singing ability; recalling female singers of the magnitude. “Dragon Tears” has eleven tracks. The album is fantastic, and must be listened several times to allow total assimilation of the music that it contains, such is the richness of the arrangements. It opens with “Madoka's Lament” (5:24) – an emotionally strong lullaby that introduces Darkyra’s amazing voice and delicate sounds of Japanese music, assuring that this band has a differential, and dragging the listener into the story. On “Lullaby of Death” (5:08) Darkyra continues to enchant us with a Medea-kind of voice, luring us into the dark lairs of “Eyes Wide Shut” (5:02) – a song that begins creepy with somber pianos, but arises to a bombastic Epic-Metal later, having a great guitar solo. “Japanese Frankenstein” (4:37) sounds like a Japanese Anime soundtrack, descending to the Gothic vaults where hides the dramatic “Slither” (6:40), which has strings and icy pianos, recalling “Sirenia”, “Artrosis”, and “Evanescence”. “Before I Wither” (4:37) is a piano ballad that mixes Japanese music with Romantic references, and has an awesome “Dreams of Sanity” style; while “Cold Cold Stone” (6:33) begins modern, groovy, and techno, but gradually grows to a Symphonic Metal of epic proportions. The last four tracks of the album represent the climax of the story. “Never Know” (8:56) has amazing Symphonic beginning, theatrical vocals, eerie moments reminiscent of “Nox Arcana”, and bombastic orchestrations like “Lacrimosa”; “Tears By Candlelight” (3:35) is a straightforward and swinging Metal song on which Darkyra puts a spell on you with malignant tongue, and later brakes the enchantment with soaring vocals like “Tarja”; and “Kiss of the Dragon” (5:52) & “Dragon Tears” (12:51) are masterpieces in the style of “Dreams of Sanity”, “Nightwish”, “Edenbridge”, and “Syrens Call”. If “Kiss…” is marked by an intro with pianos & violins, the demolition guitar riffs, the martial drumming, and an overall aggressiveness; “Dragon…” is fast-galloping, and after 6 minutes of awesome Epic-Metal, brings a narrative sequence that promises a sequel.  (Marcelo Trotta at progressiverockbr.com

Media/Samples 
Tears By Candlelight

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Nadja "Queller"


Country: Canada
Sub GenreAmbient Post Metal
LabelEssence Music
Release dateFebruary 20, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Dark Circles 09:35
  2. Mouths 10:42
  3. Lidérc 10:11
  4. Quell 09:58
Line-up
Aidan Baker - guitars, drum machine, vocals, synth
Leah Buckareff - bass, vocals

Description/Reviews
A long-existing companionship between two Canadian musicians has led to many works. I am not familiar with this huge back catalogue but did come across this awesome four-song album named. I was sold on the first listen. This is slow-tempo, progressive, ambient metal meant to be listened to during the night hours. So reserve one of this weekend's nights - preferably with your headphones on and without being disturbed and get the full feeling.
(André de Boer at weekendprog.blogspot.fr)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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