Loading

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Smallman "Envision"


Country: Bulgaria
Sub GenreProgressive Alternative/Ambient Folk Metal
Release dateMay 31, 2014
Tracklist

1. The Bond 
2. Vision 
3. Parvom Parvom 
4. New Day 
5. Dreaming Piece 
6. Vazpelo E Pile
7. Prayer

Line-up
Cvetan Hadzhiyski - vocals, bagpipes, wooden pipes 
Ivan Todorov - guitars 
Stefan Penev - bass 
Andon Trapkov - bass


Description/Reviews
Drawing inspirations from the Bulgarian folklore, the four-piece's sound is a fusion of anything from ambient and post-rock music to sludge/progressive rock. All that, with a scent of the uniqueness of the sounds of the Balkan region.
 Read the full review by at stereofox.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:

Web page
Facebook

TNNE (The No Name Experience) "The Clock That Went Backwards"


Country: Luxembourg
Sub GenreNeo-Prog
LabelProgressive Promotion Records
Release date: May 31, 2014
Tracklist
  1. My Inner Clock
  2. Clairvoyance
  3. About Angels And Devils
  4. Looking Back And Forward
  5. The Clock That Went Backwards
  6. Circles Of Life
  7. Welcome To My New World
  8. The Snow
  9. Cirles Of Life (edit)
Line-up
Alex Rukavina (No Name) - Keyboards
Patrick Kiefer (ex-No Name) - Vocals
Michel Volkmann - Guitars
Gilles Wagner - Drums
Claude Zeimes - Bass
   With
Fred Hormain - Saxophone

Description/Reviews
TNNE (The No Name Experience) is a new project of former No Namers: keyboarder Alex Rukavina and singer Patrick Kiefer.

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming
Teaser

Links:
Facebook

Fred Brum "Transcendence"


Country: Portugal
Sub GenreInstrumental Progressive Metal
Release dateMay 31, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Serenity(Prologue) - 0:59
  2. Stranded - 5:10
  3. Katana - 5:08
  4. Wanderer - 5:20
  5. Transcendence - 5:10
  6. Machina - 5:04
  7. Frozen Soul - 4:20
  8. Ryujin - 5:24
  9. Roland's Last Stand - 5:44
  10. Eclipse - 5:38
  11. Hrough the Mists (Epilogue) - 2:15
Line-up
Fred Brum - all instruments
   With
Per Nilsson - lead on Wanderer 
Francesco Filigoi - lead on Frozen Soul
Kevin Talley - drums on Transcendence, Machina and Eclipse
Rich Psonak - drums on Stranded 

Everlasting Arms "Songs From The Father"


Country: USA
Sub GenreSymphonic
Release dateMay 2014
Tracklist
  1. This Is The Day 2:52 
  2. Children Of Tomorrow 2:59 
  3. Sing Hallelujah 4:23 
  4. Pray For The Children 4:59 
  5. Hunger 2:35 
  6. I Love You More 2:26 
  7. Beyond Thorns 2:43 
  8. Rising From The Ashes 4:38 
  9. Rocky Cross 4:53 
  10. Resurrection Day 3:30 
  11. Weep Not For The Child 3:06 
  12. Lamb Of God 3:20 
  13. Giving Tree 1:49 
  14. I'm A Light 7:00 
  15. For All The Love 3:39 
Line-up
James A. Martin -  lead vocals
Meredith Martin -  lead & background vocals
Kirsten Jerlin -  lead & background vocals
Edward Jerlin - instruments, vocals

Description/Reviews
Piano-driven melodic symphonic progressive Christian rock, with a powerful multi-layered choir-like vocal sound & a positive message.
Links:
Web page
Facebook


Fang Chia "Where would you that we gather?"


Country: USA
Sub GenreJazz-Rock
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Going in Some Little Way / Chinese Room 05:19
  2. Dystopia Spud 02:30
  3. Fresh Fruit 04:31
  4. God's Plaid Shades 02:38
  5. The Thick Syrup of Adventure 06:48
  6. Start to See 09:34
  7. SCHSTR PKWY 03:57
  8. Nearly No 05:01
  9. Not Before the Feast 17:58
  10. Witch's Ice 20:27
Line-up
Kevin Shintaku
Coby Tamayo
Matt Price
Kyle Durkee
    With:
Micaela Cooley
Julie Campbell
Nate Dybevik
Jeff Brahe

Description/Reviews
Fang Chia is an experimental jazz-rock group from Tacoma, WA. The band’s members musical background is rooted in grit and improvisation. The band’s mission statement has always been to blur the lines between genres and balance complexity with simplicity.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Timothée Le Net Quartet "Timothée Le Net Quartet"


Country: France
Sub Genre: Instrumental, Acoustic, Chamber, Fusion
Release date: May 2014
Tracklist
1 - Quai De Versailles
2 - Les Perles d'Anosy
3 - Mue Imaginable
4 - La Poule Rousse
5 - Procession
6 - Rouge Piment
7 - Si Et Seulement Si
8 - Famuli Tuorum
9 - Rideaux Lunaires
10 - Aléa I
11 - Danses De Travers I
12 - Danses De Travers II
13 - Danses De Travers III
14 - Aléa II
15 - Le Vieux Chêne

Line-up
Timothée Le Net: accordeon
Pierre Droual : violin
Martin Chapron : guitar, bouzouki
Yann Le Bozec : contrebass
   With
Tony Hymas : piano

Media/Samples 
Samples

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Rising Core "Rise"


Country: Spain
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Sanctuary 01:46
  2. Stay with us 06:16
  3. Tied Hands 04:36
  4. When you smile 04:57
  5. Something that we lost 04:10
  6. Feel the wind 04:32
  7. Do you remember...? 03:54
  8. Scream 04:57
  9. Time 04:24
  10. Pain inside 05:59
Line-up
Veronica Galindo: Vocals and flutes
Juan Martin "jg6": Guitars
Nestor Morente: Drums
Dani Campos: Keyboards
Marc Ricos: Bass

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Hazardeur "Rational Gaze"


Country: Switzerland
Sub GenreProgressive Death Metal
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
1. Unity of Opposites 05:02
2. Destined to Deceive 05:46
3. Hidden Masks 04:18
4. Manipulating the Unconscious 07:13
5. Massive Interception 06:20
6. Collapsing Under the Weight of Existence 06:03
7. Voices of the Devious 04:41
8. The (In)Human Condition 04:56
9. The Sixth Great Wave 05:27
10. Conceived in Iniquity 06:26
11. God of Our Times 05:29

Line-up
Ben N. - Drums, Guitars, Bass, Fretless Bass, Vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Friday, May 30, 2014

Fire! Orchestra "Enter"


Country: Sweden
Sub Genre: Jazz-Rock, Avant Prog, Fusion
LabelRune Grammofon
Release date: May 30, 2014
Tracklist
01. Enter! Part One (19:26)
02. Enter! Part Two (32:12)

Line-up
Mariam Wallentin – voice
Sofia Jernberg – voice
Simon Ohlsson - voice
Goran Kajfes - trumpet
Niklas Barnö – trumpet
Magnus Broo – trumpet
Emil Strandberg - trumpet
Mats Äleklint – trombone
Per Åke Holmlander – tuba
Anna Högberg – alto sax
Mats Gustafsson – tenor sax, conducting
Elin Larsson – tenor sax
Fredrik Ljungkvist – barytone sax, clarinet
Martin Küchen – barytone sax
Christer Bothén – bass clarinet , guimbri
Jonas Kullhammar – bass sax
Andreas Söderström – guitar , lap steel
Sören Runolf – guitar
David Stackenäs – guitar
Martin Hederos – fender rhodes, organ
Sten Sandell – piano, electronics och voice
Joachim Nordwall – electronics
Johan Berthling – electric bass
Joel Grip – bass
Dan Berglund - bass
Andreas Werliin – drums
Johan Holmegard – drums
Raymond Strid – drums

Description/Reviews
Fire! originated as the trio of Swedish improv masters Mats Gusfasson (sax), Johan Berthling (bass) and Andreas Werliin (drums). None of them are what you could call jazz purists; they all play in many different groups and contexts, including The Thing (Gustafsson), experimental folk-electronica outfit Tape (Berthling), and skewed pop unit Wildbirds And Peacedrums (Werliin). Around 2011 the idea sprang up to expand a massive orchestra around the core trio, featuring the cream of Scandinavian jazz, improvisation and avant rock players and vocalists. After playing rare shows a handful of times a year, culminating with a number of ecstatic Scandinavian shows this January, this incredible mass ensemble took one day off to record their first studio recording in Gothenburg. Following last year’s live debut ”Exit”, ”Enter” might surprise with its slow, treacly funk dynamics, running through a kaleidoscope of moods, rhythms, textures and dynamics. Muscular rock rhythms flesh out texts written by singer Mariam Wallentin, inspired by legendary free jazz saxophonist Joe McPhee, and sung in soured blues moans by the Orchestra’s three-headed vocal team of Wallentin, Ethiopian born Sofie Jernberg and Silverbullit´s Simon Ohlsson. Recalling the righteous big band jazz of the late 60s by figures such as Charlie Haden, Sun Ra, Mike Westbrook and Chris McGregor, there are also echoes of Matana Roberts’s recent jazz tapestries and the steamy psych-funk of Brightblack Morning Light. Part Two opens on a groove ripped from The Beatles’ psychedelic classic ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. Using collective riffing at its finest, this is an epic suite that undergoes constant scene-shifts between relentlessly building rhythms, rising in emotional intensity as the furnace is stoked.
Media/Samples
Trailer
Part four

Links:
Web Page
Facebook
ProgArchives

Absoluuttinen Nollapiste "Pisara ja Lammas 2"


Country: Finland
Sub GenreProg Related, Rock Opera
LabelDiu Dau Records
Release date: May 30, 2014
Tracklist
1. Äidin varoitus (3:52)
2. Taverna (9:12)
3. Sovinto (2:04)
4. Lammas matkustaa (4:25)
5. Heinäsirkka (6:29)
6. Saapuminen planeetalle (3:14)
7. Muodonmuutos heikentää (3:07)
8. Kirves tummuu (5:49)
9. Synnytys (5:35)
10. Paljastuminen (6:34)
11. Loppusoitto (1:19)

Line-up
Tommi Liimatta - vocals (the narrator)
Aki Lääkkölä - guitar, keyboards
Aake Otsala - bass, synths
Tomi Krutsin - drums, percussion
Erkki Seppänen - vocals (the sheep)
Paula Vesala - vocals (the woman)
Olavi Uusivirta - vocals (the shepherd)
Milla Palovaara - vocals (mother)
Teemu Eskelinen, Heidi Heino, Niina Into, Mikko Kuivalainen, Jaakko Kulomaa, Tommi Liimatta, Kirsi Marttinen, Matilda Otsala, Tiina Riippa, Johanna Risku - choir

Description/Reviews
The Droplet and The Ram 2 (orig. Pisara ja lammas 2) is the second part of a conceptual double album by the Finnish progressive rock band Absolute Zero (orig. Absoluuttinen Nollapiste). This chronologically proceeding science fiction epic takes place in the near future. A droplet of pure evil is sent onwards from Planet Benign. It sweeps across the universe towards Earth and then...
Media/Samples 
Sovinto
Saapuminen planeetalle

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis


Spiral "Our Final Days on Bellicus Prime"


Country: USA
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Space Rock
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
  1. The Ballad of Bellicus Prime
  2. Photographs
  3. Our Final Days on Bellicus Prime
  4. Time Beast
  5. One Way Trip to Solasoma
Line-up
Aaron Frale – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Chris Boat – Vocals, Bass, Keyboard, Rhythm Guitar
Chris Walker – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
Bill Hatfield – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
   With
Felecia Karas – Violin on “Photographs”
Senda Shallow – Backing and Lead Vocals on “One Way Trip to Solasoma”

Description/Review
Our Final Days on Bellicus Prime appears to be a sort of science fiction concept album although it is hard to tie the story together. The opening track, The Ballad of Bellicus Prime, conjures up images of Porcupine Tree or More era Pink Floyd. A delicately picked guitar mates with ethereal keyboards to set the stage for distant, breathy vocals. It reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's Cirrus Minor and that's not a bad place to start. 
Read the full review by Rick Collins at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Nathan Jon Tillett "Nomad"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
1.Celestine 07:20
2.No time like today 04:52
3.Change something 03:52
4.Doin' alright 06:48
5.Center of my world 04:15
6.Nomad 07:13
7.Let it go 06:33
8.Starfields 07:54
9.All seeing eye 06:05
10.Still don't know 05:14
11.No more, but so 04:41
12.Release 05:09

Line-up
Nathan Jon Tillett

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (Free Download )

Links:
Facebook

Jason Rubenstein "New Metal From Old Boxes"


Country: USA
Sub GenreInstrumental Progressive Rock
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
  1. The Contemplation Of The Cosmologer 03:38
  2. Calculation and Walkaway 04:11
  3. The Set Up 03:51
  4. The Blow Off 06:16
  5. Unspeakable Highways 03:24
  6. A Burden Of Secrets 07:56
  7. The Snowflake Defines The Weather 03:18
  8. Frankenstein On The Red Line 03:31
  9. The Steppes of Sighs Part 1 02:51
  10. The Steppes of Sighs Part 2 03:50
  11. New Metal From Old Boxes 06:39
  12. The Barbarian 04:56
Line-up
Jason Rubenstein

Description/Reviews
“New Metal From Old Boxes” is a return to his progressive-rock roots with a loud, heavy, energetic and modern suite of instrumentals that evoke King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Nine Inch Nails, and classical music. “New Metal From Old Boxes” features classic, loud rock production and a movie-like tension-filled soundtrack vibe. The music is heavy, cinematic, relentless. There is not one ballad or slow-moving track on the 12-song album. Even the breakdowns are heavy, like moments of Steely Dan with King Crimson’s terrifying rhythm section. 
 Also read the review at unsoundamerica.wordpress.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links:
Web page
Facebook


Watered "Some Are Born Into the Endless Night"


Country: Germany
Sub GenreInstrumental Post Rock/Metal, Ambient
LabelAentitainment
Release date: May 2014
Tracklist
01 - Keratokonus (10:33)
02 - Cellar Door (9:40)
03 - Ambiguity Part I: The Blur (2:29)
04 - Ambiguity Part II: The Depth (7:55)
05 - Sidereal Time 47988 (7:16)
06 - Vanitas (8:11)

Line-up
Sebastian - Guitars
Fabian - Drums
Ingo - Guitars
Alfred - Bass

Media/Samples 
Keratokonus

Links:
Facebook

Anubis "Hitchhiking to Byzantium"


Country: Australia
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
LabelBird's Robe Records
Release dateMay 30, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Fadeout (2:40)
  2. A King with no Crown (4:37)
  3. Dead Trees (6:38)
  4. Hitchhiking to Byzantium (9:44)
  5. Blood is Thicker than Common Sense (9:27)
  6. Tightening of the Screws (6:51)
  7. Partitionists (7:43)
  8. Crimson Stained Romance (6:58)
  9. A Room with a View (15:51)
  10. Silent Wandering Ghosts (7:13)
Line-up
Robert James Moulding - Vocals, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Percussion, Additional keyboards
David Eaton - Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Douglas Skene - Guitars and Vocals
Dean Bennison - Guitars, Slide and Vocals
Steven Eaton - Drums and Vocals
Martyn Cook - Saxophone, Flute and Trumpets
Anthony Stewart - Bass and Vocals
   With
Rebecca Bennison - Vocals
Katrina Shaw - Vocals
Sarah Schols - Vocals

Description/Reviews
This third album, 'Hitchhiking to Byzantium' is the first Anubis album not to have a plot or narrative. It's more of a thematic work, based on modern life. "It's about growing older and trying to do better at things", says guitarist Dean Bennison, "and about the excuses we make for ourselves, all the crutches and braces that we find for ourselves along the way, and how good and bad they are for us". "It's perhaps a little more esoteric than the last two albums", say guitarist Douglas Skene, "although I think at core they all touch upon the same theme - which is what is and isn't important to people in their lives". "You do still get the sense that it's someone" says drummer Steven Eaton, "Someone who is on a journey. And the hope is that when they get there, they're happy with what they've found".

Whilst it doesn't have the narrative cinematic approach, Hitchhiking to Byzantium does have an emotional punch quite unlike anything before on an Anubis record. "Whilst we hid all our very real emotions behind conceits before - haunted workhouses and lost friends - this record is about the things that happen every day" says David. "I feel that there's more of us in there - the hurdles that life throws at us and the only way to feel true inner peace - by examining the love around you. It's certainly an introspective record - but it's real life. It's about you, it's about me, it's about all of us. Hitchhiking to Byzantium. That journey is life." 

Media/Samples 
A King with no Crown

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Performart "The art of falling in and out the circle of time"


Country: Italy
Sub GenreJazz-Rock
LabelElectromantic Music
Release date: May 2014
Tracklist
1. 432 Hz – The Circle
2. 68, Tripoli
3. Astroferratura ( Storpiatura Astrale Del Lastroferro)
4. Gioconda Folk Bottle
5. Radiomiles
6. Reverse Future
7. Simultaneous Trip
8. My Dark Side
9. Magnesio
10. Clouds Energy
11. Alice Interference Line
12. Grand Funk O’Sole

Line-up
Andrea Guariso: Guitars, Loops, Percussion, Effects
Claudio Nicola: Bass, Loops, Effects

Description/Reviews
Jazz-Rock, the meeting of the 2 basic cultures of jazz and rock has been on of the most exciting adventurous style that we have had in last century. Turin Jazz Rock School has become known all over the world for it unicity and originality- Jazz-Rock has been and it's a musical style that's been really open to overcome musical boundaries everywhere, lead only by courage, fantasy and imagination. So we have "Performart" a new incredible duo formed by guitarist Andrea Guariso and double bass player Claudio Nicola. Their music is so free and open that's really hard to describe, as every song moves in different and peculiar directions lead by improvisation and guiding lines by the producer Bepep Crovella.

Media/Samples 
Clouds Energy

Links:
Facebook

Mursic "Spawned from a Nightmare"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Release date May 29, 2014
Tracklist
1. Spawned From A Nightmare (6:03)
2. Shock The Monster (4:37)
3. Nova (4:28)
4. Down Came The Sky (6:37)
5. Black Forest (4:04)
6. Elves On X (5:09)
7. Bella Aurora (2:51)
8. Lost In A Dream (5:44)
9. The Twisted Spire (6:35)
10. Dreamer (1:17)

Line-up
Anthony Montemarano - Lead and Backup Vocals, Piano and Synthesizers
Brian Rumsey - Drums, Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Montemarano - Keys, Backing Vocals
Reece Miller - Accordion
Andre Beller - Contra Bass, Viola, Violin

Description/Reviews
A nonstop symphonic alt-metal ride from start to finish that displays a remarkable amount of instrumental craftsmanship. "Spawned from a Nightmare" is a concept album that takes a listener on a strange and dark journey through the collective imaginations of the band members of Mursic itself. Four years in the making, this debut is one of the few records I've ever heard that comes without flaws. It is haunting, well conceived, and destined for the gravitational pull of the larger stages that surely await this band.
"Nightmare" is reminiscent of Zakk Wylde - era Oz, King Crimson, Rob Zombie, and the Doors. Yep - those Doors. "Nova" is a clearly a salute to the L.A. rocker's vaudeville-ish "Alabama Song." On vocals and keys, Mursic founder Tony Montemarano approaches the range of Cedric Bixler-Zavala but with the intelligent conviction of Faith No More's Mike Patton. With Brian Rumsey on guitar, bassist Ezra Broderson, and Clay Hackett on drums and percussion, Mursic is the kind of band that crosses the prog rock divide and makes it possible to love both Yes and Rush at the same time.

- by Dave Good 
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Iluvatar “From the Silence”


Country: USA
Sub GenreNeo-Prog
Label10T Records
Release dateMay 29, 2014 (digital), June 10, 2014 (CD, retail street date - July 15, 2014)
Tracklist
  1. From The Silence - 0:53
  2. Open The Door - 4:49
  3. Resolution - 7:03
  4. Le Ungaire Moo-Moo - 3:29
  5. Across The Coals - 7:56
  6. The Storm - 4:01
  7. Favorite Son - 4:15
  8. Between - 7:01
  9. The Silence! - 6:22
  10. Older Now - 3:19
  11. Until - 6:02
Line-up
Glenn McLaughlin - vocals, percussion
Dennis Mullin - guitars
Jim Rezek - keyboards
Dean Morekas - bass, bass pedals, backing vocals
Chris Mack - drums, percussion

Widek "Outside The Universe"


Country: Poland
Sub GenreProgressive Metal/Rock, Post Rock
Release dateMay 29, 2014
Tracklist
01. The Space Between Us
02. Above The Sky
03. Spiral
04. Galaxy
05. Aries (feat. Gru)
06. Stargaze
07. Orion
08. Cosmic Ocean (feat. Tomas Raclavsky)
09. ION
10. Saturn (feat. Sithu Aye)
11. Celestial
12. Falling Universe (feat. Gru)
13. The Last Day on Earth
14. Ursa Major (feat. Gru)
15. Enter Through The Sun (feat. Matthieu Romarin & Gru)
16. The Astronaut

Line-up
Widek – all instruments
   With
Gru – vocals
Tomas Raclavsky – vocals
Matthieu Romarin – vocals
Sithu Aye - vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives

Emphatica "Winterscape"


Country: Italy
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Formatdigital
Release dateMay 29, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Inscape 01:22 
  2. Storm Seeker 06:06 
  3. Insomniac 07:03 
  4. Avalanche - Lost in Memories part II 09:24 
  5. Midscape 01:21 
  6. Snow Prints 05:14 
  7. Winterscape 06:12 
  8. Echoes from the Universe 06:02 
  9. Aurora Borealis 11:44 
  10. Outscape 02:12
Line-up
Gerardo Sciacca

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Thursday, May 29, 2014

PoiL "BrossaKlitt"


Country: France
Sub GenreAvant Prog
LabelDur Et Doux/AltrOck
Release dateMay  2014
Tracklist
1. Fionosphère -  10:41
2. Brossaklit -  4:15
3. Patachou -   9:42
4. Mao -  3:21
5. Goddog -   6:58
6. Pikiwa -  14:18
7. La Balade des Minouchoux -  5:38

Line-up
Antoine Arnera : keyboards, vocals
Boris Cassone : bass, guitar, vocals
Guilhem Meier : drums, vocals

moe. "No Guts, No Glory"


Country: USA
Sub GenreJamband, Progressive Rock
LabelSugar Hill Records
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
01 Annihilation Blues 4:20
02 White Lighting Tupentine 4:42
03 This I Know 4:26
04 Same Old Story 4:24
05 Silver Sun 9:41
06 Calyphornya 5:12
07 Little Miss Cup Half Empty 5:19
08 Blond Hair And Blue Eyes 5:00
09 Do Or Die 3:51
10 The Pines And The Apple Trees 3:52
11 Billy Goat 9:39
12 Hey O 3:22 (Deluxe Edition)
13 Mar De Ma 3:12 (Deluxe Edition)
14 Runaway Overlude 5:28 (Deluxe Edition)

Line-up
Vinnie Amico
Rob Derhak
Chuck Garvey
Jim Loughlin
Al Schnier

Description/Reviews
No Guts, No Glory turned out to be an accurate representation of a live moe. experience.
Driving bass lines, progressive structures, experimental improvisation and crafty songwriting make the album equally familiar and intriguing. “Annihilation Blues” sounds exactly as you'd expect from the name. Led by a strong and steady bass line, this bluesy track is a bit uncharacteristic of moe., but they pull it off as if they have been a blues-rock band the whole time. “White Lightning Turpentine” features a quick, finger-pickin’ acoustic guitar line against slow, legato slide electric and a relaxed drum beat. Here we begin to see the original acoustic influence on the album. The tune changes gears about half way through to some more driving, heavy rock chords, topped off with a raunchy slide electric guitar solo.
 Read the full review by Randy Harris at gratefulmusic.com

Media/Samples 
Billy Goat

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

MorPheuSz "Tantalizing Thoughts at the Dawn of Dreams"


Country: Netherlands
Sub GenreElectronica, Ambient
LabelGroove Unlimited
Release date: May 28, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Psychedelic Poetry - 11:54
  2. TantalizingThoughts - 13:55
  3. Arousing Imaginary Vortex - 7:33
  4. Oriental Insomnia - 18:03
  5. Dawn of Dreams Chapter Two - 15:43
Line-up
Ron Boots - Synthesizers
Frank Dorittke - Guitars
Eric van der Heijden - Synthesizers
Harold van der Heijden - Drums

Description/Reviews
Morpheusz is the amalgamy of 4 wonderfull musicans. Frank`s wonderful guitar plays a bigger role this time then on Chapter I, it`s Electronic Rock mixed with the fantastic sequencing of Ron, the Harmony`s of Eric. The powerful drumming of Harold makes Morpheusz unique in its power and sound.

Media/Samples 
Teaser

Links:
Facebook
Proggnosis

Watter "This World"


Sub Genre: Instrumental Post Rock, Psychedelic
LabelTemporary Residence
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Rustic Fog - 7:02
  2. Lord I Want More - 2:14
  3. Small Business - 13:32
  4. Bloody Monday - 4:22
  5. Seawater - 12:50
  6. This World - 6:44
  7. Digital Camo (Bonus Track) - 6:21
Line-up
Zak Riles (Grails) - Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Tyler Trotter (California Guitar Trio) - Keyboards, Effects, Drum Machine, Lap Steel Guitar
Britt Walford (Slint, Evergreen) - Drums
   With
Rachel Grimes (Rachel's)
Todd Cook(For Carnation, Dead Child, Four Fifty Six ) - Bass (5)
Tony Levin (King Crimson) - Bass (3)

Description/Reviews
Fans of post rock, prog rock and, more importantly, of amazing instrumental music will be delighted with This World, the album that signs the début of Watter, a super trio composed by Britt Walford of Slint, Zak Riles of Grails and the multi-instrumentalist Tyler Trotter... This World is an album which, from the opening 'Rustic Fog', draws you into a world made of burnt guitar, swelling atmosphere and strange vibes.
 Read the full review by Daniela Patrizi at echoesanddust.com

Media/Samples 
Rustic Fog

Links:
Facebook

Mats/Morgan "Schack Tati"


Country: Sweden
Sub GenreJazz-Rock, Fusion
LabelCuneiform Records
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
1. Rubber Sky
2. Walk Here
3. The Swedes
4. Mr. Piccand
5. Rappel
6. Dracul of Nancy
7. Tati Bake 2
8. DJ Fetisov
9. Vinyls & Pusherman
10. The Curse Of Knowledge
11. Russian Tourists Not In Line
12. Schack Tati

Line-up
Jimmy Ägren
Morgan Ägren
Robert Elovsson
Mats Oberg
Tommy Tordsson

Description/Reviews
Swedish duo Mats/Morgan create their own sphere in the transcontinental music scene, a zone wherein progressive rock, jazz-rock fusion, experimental rock, electronica, and progressive pop overlap and intertwine.
Media/Samples 
Rubber Sky

Links:
Web page (Morgan Ägren)
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Richard Pinhas & Oren Ambarchi "Tikkun"


Country: France/Australia
Sub GenreExperimental, Electronica
LabelCuneiform Records
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
1. Washington, D.C. - T4V1
2. Tokyo - T4V2
3. San Francisco - T2V2

Line-up
Oren Ambarchi-guitar, loops
Richard Pinhas-guitar, synth guitar, effects
Joe Talia-drums, effects
Masami Akita (Merzbow)-loops, noise, effects
Duncan Pinhas-sequences, effects, noise
Eric Borelva-additional drums

Description/Reviews
Richard Pinhas, the founder of 70s progressive legends Heldon, is one of the most uncompromising artists on the international rock scene, having remained constantly innovative and true to his personal artistic vision for 40 years.
Oren Ambarchi is a guitarist, drummer and sound-artist who has recorded with Sunn O))), Keiji Haino and Jim O'Rourke.
The music on 'Tikkun' comes across as a very tasty cross between the heavy synth-driven beats of classic Heldon and the much more noisier aspects of Pinhas' work over the last decade.

Media/Samples 
Washington D.C. - T4V1 (excerpt)

Links:
Web page (Richard Pinhas)
Web page (Oren Ambarchi)
Facebook  (Richard Pinhas)
ProgArchives  (Richard Pinhas)
Proggnosis  (Richard Pinhas)

Instrumentality "Astronyms"


Country: USA
Sub GenreInstrumental, Progressive Rock, Fusion
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist

  1. Neptune, The Pale Nimbus - 7:16
  2. Uranus, The Messenger - 4:45
  3. Saturn, The Deceiver - 9:26
  4. Jupiter, The Shattered Host 12:52
  5. Mars, The Scarlet Veil - 7:07
  6. Earth, The Beholder - 6:26
  7. Venus, The Mistress - 2:27
  8. Mercury, The Furnace - 5:00

Line-up
Graham Bunce

Description/Reviews
Solo project of Graham Bunce. Mixes elements of hip-hop, jazz, metal and IDM. This album is a reimagining of Gustav Holst's The Planets. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (Free Download)

Links:
Proggnosis

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Mora-Tau "Electronic"


Country: Japan
Sub GenreElectronica, Ambient
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
1.Jardin Imaginaire (25:50)
2.Decline (6:18)
3.Old House (7:49)
4.Black Lake (7:26)
5.The Garden (13:42)

Line-up
Takenori Iwasaki

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
ProgArchives

Proud Peasant "The Flight"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Progressive Rock
Label: Basement Avatar Records
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
1. The Prisoner - 12:28
   a)    The Illusion I (The Chamber)
   b)    The Dream
   c)    The Fairy Forest
   d)    The Illusion II (Keys To The Kingdom)
2. Awakenings - 19:33
   a)    The Avatar
   b)    Starchild
   c)    Ice Castles
   d)    Salamandrina
   e)    The Dancing Bear
   f)    Ascension
   g)    The Jester King
3. The Precipice - 13:20
   a)    The Gauntlet
   b)    Threnody For the Forlorn
   c)    Entr’acte
   d)    Stardock
   e)    The Illusion III (Hypnogogia)
   f)    The Agathokakalogical Chasm The Prisoner

Line-up
Jay Allen - Keyboards, Piano
David Hobizal - Drums
Xander Rapstine - Guitars, Mandolin, Ukulele, Melodica, Glockenspiel, Percussion
Kyle Robarge - Bass
   With
Brian Butz - Tuba
Roy Coon - Clarinet
Phil Davidson - Violin
Kullen Fuchs - Trumpet
Jeff Halliburton - Timpani
Chico Jones - Percussion
Melanie Morgan - Flute
Chris Pickens - French Horn
Tony Rogers - Cello
Shauna Satrom - Trombone
Brian Kremer, Jamie Moellenhoff, Greg Smith - Vocal Soloists
The Proud Peasant Choir: Angus Barrs, Charlie Campbell, Jennie George, Chico Jones, Xander Rapstine, Susan Rossi, Joy Smith

Description/Reviews
The opening track of the trio on offer on Flight is, “The Prisoner” (12:28) and it starts with an exquisite acoustic guitar passage heralding the track in, before other instruments join in. There is a thudding drumbeat and then around the 1:30 minute mark the sound starts to really build. Superb guitar and keyboards carry the song along when an electric guitar meanders in and out before the sound gets stripped back to the drums and acoustic guitar. More insistent drumming then heralds in the next part of the track, with synths and a stunning electric guitar playing in a dreamlike manner. The sound builds again with the other instruments appearing, and then around 5 minutes, there is a gentle synth and mandolin passage as the song continues to flow effortlessly. An almost pastoral sound has built up before a more insistent synth lends a hand. Around the 7 minute mark, the track changes completely with the introduction of some of the brass instruments, backed by some “military” style drumming and a passage of plucked violin leads into a plaintive trumpet theme. This scenario calls to mind the sort of Mexican scrublands epitomized in those classic Clint Eastwood westerns. There is then a return, behind the trumpet theme, of the earlier themes as the track moves on its way towards its 12:28 minute finale. “The Prisoner” is an excellent starting track which leads onto track 2, “Awakenings,” with the sort of voices heard in a mythical tale. As the track fades, the last thing that is heard is “I now present you with the Keys to the Kingdom.”
 Read the full review by Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson at progrockmusictalk.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Richard Pinhas & Yoshida Tatsuya "Welcome In The Void"


Country: France/Japan
Sub Genre: Instrumental Avant Prog
LabelCuneiform Records
Release dateMay 27, 2014
Tracklist
1. Part One - Intro (04:15)
2. Part Two - Core Trax  (63:56)

Line-up
Richard Pinhas - stereo loop guitar,  loop stereo guitar
Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, Koenji Hyakkei, Korekyojinn) - drums, percussion

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page (Richard Pinhas)
Web page (Yoshida Tatsuya)
Facebook  (Richard Pinhas)
Facebook (Yoshida Tatsuya)
Progarchives  (Richard Pinhas)
Progarchives (Yoshida Tatsuya)
Proggnosis  

Aquaserge "A l'amitié"


Country: France
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Pop
LabelChambre 404
Release dateMay 26, 2014
Tracklist
1. A l'amitié
2. Serge singe
3. For bob
4. Sillage 1&2
5. Sillage 3
6. Je viens
7. Travelling
8. Preparation
9. Je viens (reprise)
10. Ceci

Line-up
Julien Barbagallo - drums
Julien Gasc - vocals, keys
Manon Glibert - clarinet, bass clarinet
Benjamin Glibert - guitars, bass
Audrey Ginestet - bass

Monday, May 26, 2014

Hi​-​Fiction Science "Curious Yellow"


Country: UK
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Prog Folk
LabelEsoteric Antenna
Release dateMay 26, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Digitalis
  2. Circles in Halftone
  3. Magpies (Against the Sun)
  4. Vapour
  5. Curious Yellow
  6. Komorebi
  7. 1000 Years
  8. Fragmenting Sons
  9. Squaretaker
Line-up
Maria Charles - Vocals
Jeff Green - Bass
James McKeown - Guitar
Matt Rich - Keyboards
Aidan Searle - Drums, Percussion

Description/Reviews
Did you sometimes wonder if music reviews take themselves a bit too seriously? Perhaps they would be better if they were a bit more objective? What if they were written in the manner of a scientific paper? Perhaps then they might be a little more convincing. Instrumental conducted just such an experiment on Curious Yellow by Hi Fiction Science. This is what we found. ...  
Curious Yellow is broken down into nine constituent parts, each of which explore one or more elements of folksong, assured melodic progression, strong rhythmic bases and deoxyribonucleic acid-rock. A particular strength of the Hi-Fiction Science research group is their experience and expertise in subtle rhythmic variation. In many ways their efforts have great dance potential that may yet influence future directions in progressive music. One need only think of their spectacular achievements for the FdM organisation with King Midas in Reverse to remind ourselves how well they refine raw energy.
Read the full review by Michael S. Clark at instrumentali.com

Media/Samples 
Magpies
Sampler

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Christian Muenzner "Beyond The Wall Of Sleep"


Country: Germany
Sub Genre: Instrumental Technical Progressive Metal, Fusion
Release dateMay 26, 2014
Tracklist
01. Shadow Over Innsmouth 05:02
02. Mountain Of Madness 05:01
03. Beyond The Wall Of Sleep 07:44
04. The Pit And The Pendulum 03:17
05. Evil Spell (The Book Of Belial) 05:17
06. The Witch Of Endor 03:16
07. The Talisman 04:23
08. Nightlife 04:33
09. The Green Traveller 03:30
10. Demon's Gate 04:03
11. Veil Of The Soul 05:09

Line-up
Christian Muenzner: Guitars
   With
Jimmy Pitts: Keyboards
Hannes Grossmann: Drums
Linus Klausenitzer: Bass
Terry Syrek: Guitar solo (Track 2)
Danny Tunker: Guitar solo (Track 1)

Description/Reviews
Christian Muenzner's shredding style look like the one that really fit my ear. He got metal enough riffs, quite spectacular metal actually. He is technically killer, so when the need to listen a full speed licks, there is also exist. His choice of scale also interesting, not an usual one at least. Then there is awesome composition to combine all of them. The general feel of this 2nd solo album still fit really well on his first one. "Beyond The Wall Of Sleep" has all aspect mentioned above. His style is not as djent , as complicated as Jeff Loomis or Stephen Forte. Yet, also not as "easy listening" as ,ehem, John Petrucci casually doing. Balance is the word.
 Read the full review by at metalharem.blogspot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

King Fish Crow "The Mercy Tree"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Release dateMay 25, 2014
Tracklist
  1. Skull & Bones 04:07
  2. Spring Creek 04:29
  3. Migrating Birds 05:35
  4. Like a Stone 03:50
  5. Wilting Rose 04:08
  6. Cold, Black Water 05:22
  7. Annie's Piano 04:21
Line-up
Liz Murphy - keys, vocals
James Annala - percussion, melodica
J.P. Murphy - vocals, guitar
Corey B. Joth - synthesizer

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook