Present "this is NOT the end"

Country: Belgium
Genre(s): Avant Prog
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 29, 2024
Tracklist

1. Contre (7:53)

2. this is NOT the end / Part 2 (25:19)

3. this Is NOT the end / Part 1 (12:11)

Credits

Roger Trigaux (Univers Zero) – keyboard, vocal, composition

François Mignot – guitar

Pierre Chevalier – piano, keyboards, vocal

Dave Kerman (5UU's, U Totem) – percussion

Keith Macksoud – bass

Kurt Budé – sax, clarinet, bass clarinet

Liesbeth Lambrecht – violin

Udi Koomran – sound

Recorded by Udi Koomran at Studio Simonnes, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Belgium.

Violins recorded by David Minjauw at Studio Simonnes, Rhode-Saint-Genese, Belgium.

Pianos recorded at Raphaël Terlinden's home studio, Brussels, Belgium.

Mixed and mastered by Udi Koomran and Pierre Chevalier, at the Pergola, Holon, Israel.

Description/Reviews:

Present's music is a striking blend of heavy rock with classical and zeuhl influences. The compositions, all penned by Trigaux, utilize repetition, complex counterpoint, intricate interplay between the instruments, rapidly shifting time signatures, and a strong instrumental attack. The final result is blindingly precise works of syncopated instruments, all seemingly coming from different angles but ultimately working together as a cohesive whole.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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For All We Know "By Design Or By Disaster"

Country: Multinational
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: Construction Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: March 22, 2024
Tracklist

1. Forced To Be Free (5:18) 

2. Lifeline (5:50) 

3. This Hell We Know (6:23) 

4. The Future That Came Too Soon (7:05) 

5. All We Did Was Hide (4:36) 

6. Hush (2:14) 

7. Remind Me To Forget You (5:34) 

8. Flaws (7:39) 

9. Guide Me In Getting Lost (4:36) 

10. Ghosts Of Summer's Past (4:30) 

11. Goodbye (4:21) 

Total Time 58:06 

Credits

Wudstik (Ayreon) - Vocals/Screams

Léo Margarit (Pain of Salvation) - Drums, Backing vocals

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation) - Bass, Backing vocals

Marco Kuypers - Piano

Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation, Anneke van Giersbergen) - Guitars, Backing vocals & additional keys/programming

Description/Reviews:

Compared to the first two albums, 'By Design Or By Disaster' takes the listener to even more extremes, from beautiful atmospheric strings to pounding rhythms and guitars. However, Jolie continued to search for melodies and harmonies that one might not immediately expect. The music still does not conform to conventional norms. For the attentive listener, there are once again some 'easter eggs' hidden; melodies from previous albums that have found their way onto this new record but in a different form. This makes the first two albums, together with this record, a kind of triptych. The same applies to the artwork.

'By Design Or By Disaster' is not a concept album, but there is certainly a common thread in terms of the lyrics. They revolve around the journey of a young man navigating through life, building and losing relationships along the way, such as with his parents, loved ones, and later, his children. It's as if he is constantly looking in the mirror. Hence the three characters on the album cover; it's the same person but in different phases of his life. The two adults are blindfolded by the blue ribbons, symbolizing our preconceptions and the obscuration of vision. Because, whether we like it or not, we can get stuck in how we (think we) are. On the other hand, the baby is still free from judgment and completely open to life. For now…

Media/Samples

The Future That Came To Soon

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Clan Aldo Pinelli "Nordiska Vatten"

Country: Argentina
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock
Label: Lizard Records (CD)
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 22, 2024 (CD), March 28, 2024 (digital)
Tracklist

1. Volando con el Dragón (3:24) 

2. Nordic Waters (14:48) 

3. Eolofonía (2:08) 

4. Juegos de Azar, Partes 1, 2, 3, 4 y 5 (6:01) 

5. Estudio 6 (1:32) 

6. Báltico (New Mix) (3:42) 

7. Una Voz Ritual (5:20) 

8. To Open (1:33) 

9. Medarp Alilui (6:38) 

Total Time 45:06 

Credits

Aldo Pinelli (Habitat): guitars, bass, keyboards

   With

Paula Dolcera: flute, cello

Silvia Pratolongo: percussion

Roberto Sambrizzi (Habitat): drums

Carlos Bignani : additional keyboards

All songs written by Aldo Pinelli

Produced by Lizard Records and Aldo Pinelli.

Music composed in my artistic residency at VICC (Visby International Center for Composers) in Sweden. In addition, the album contains other compositions previously created in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Recorded at VICC (Visby, Sweden) and Melania Studio (Buenos Aires, Argentina) by AP (+ some drums and cello recorded at La Naranja Studio by Lapo Gessaghi and flute recorded at 2.21 Studio by Ale Belmonte)

Editing, Mixing and Mastering at Melania by AP

Cover image by Oscar Bitz (1993)

Design by Roberto Menecón

Track 4 (parts 3, 4 and 5) originally published on Superposed Shrouds and Tapestries, 2009

Track 6 originally released on Rainy Season, 2012.

Description/Reviews:

The Nordic landscape becomes a source of inspiration for ethnic features and other more electric progressive rock moments, including orchestral sections.

Entirely instrumental this album differs from Aldo's previous works by less Medieval and Celtic influences and thus less use of flute. Here Aldo prefers new age-progressive sounds for which he finds affinities with the more imaginative Mike Oldfield.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp 

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Yobrepus "Rhizome Revolution - Part 1"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Progressive Rock Opera
Label: Apollon Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: March 22, 2024
Tracklist

1. Stay Cool (5:08) 

2. The Enabler (9:01) 

3. Protozoa (2:13) 

4. Holy Motors (5:59) 

5. Firestorm (7:37) 

6. Jupiter (4:42) 

Total Time 34:40

Credits

Mats Jørgen Sivertsen – vocals, keys, guitars and loops

Vegard Weyergang Vartdal – vocals, bass, guitar, synth and saxophone

Øyvind Rognerud – guitar, synth and rhodes

Paal Urdal – drums

Madeleine Ossum - First violins 

Lotte Hellstrøm Hestad - Second violins 

Heidi Johnstad Arnesen - Violas 

Ingeborg Skomedal Torvanger - Cellos  

Kjetil Jerve - Piano (5)

Jon Arild Stieng - Guitar solo (6)

Leon Muraglia - Additional synths, loops and guitars

All songs written and produced by Mats Jørgen Sivertsen.

Recorded by Nick Terry at Black Valley Studios in Oslo, May 2022, except strings and piano, which were recorded by Jørgen Smådal Larsen at Studio Paradiso in Oslo, March 2023.

Mixed by Nick Terry and mastered by Morten Lund.

Cover illustrations by Ted Parsons and sleeve design by Aktuba Ink.

Description/Reviews:

Through the two albums, listeners are presented with fragments of personal stories, in no apparent order, each offering distinct perspectives on the revolutionary events. In this first part, a group of rebels prepare for violence while the rich and powerful get ready to up-load their consciousness to the cloud. Later, murderous AI drones roam the streets and a high ranking official gets tried for a genocide. And still someone finds room to sing a song about love? 

While the moods are less melancholy than they were on Mycelium Days, the stylistic range is still as wide as ever. Genre-wise the albums traverse everything from aggressive alt-rock, to wistful folk, 60s-inspired prog and dark, 90s-tinged electronica.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Updates

'Recent updates' page has been (and will be) updated for 2024.

'2023' page has been updated until September.

Lucifer Was "En Fix Ferdig Mann"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Retro Prog, Hard Rock
Label: Apollon Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: March 15, 2024
Tracklist

1. Frå Fyrste Dag (4:54) 

2. Ein Fix Ferdig Mann (3:09) 

3. Krig I Opne Landskap (6:05) 

4. Ei Gåte (5:13) 

5. Når Natta Kjem Og Tek Meg (2:48) 

6. Eg Vil Ha Det Eg Vil Ha (3:09) 

7. Snømann I Sol (6:18) 

8. Aftenbøn Til Dauden (5:28) 

9. Kunsten å Gjere Ingenting (6:33) 

Total Time 43:37

Credits

Jon Ruder - Vocals

Thore Engen - Guitar

Andreas Sjo Engen (Pymlico) - Guitar, backing vocals

Arne Martinussen - Organ, piano

Bjørn Malmåsen - Bass

Arild Brøter - Drums

Plus various guest musicians including a choir

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Marcin Pajak "In The Space"

Country: Poland/UK
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 15, 2024
Tracklist

1. No More Time (5:06) 

2. Building The Rocket (4:33) 

3. Liftoff (4:02) 

4. Gravity (6:42) 

5. Space Travel (10:38) 

6. Emptiness (4:40) 

7. Kuiper Belt (5:35) 

8. Thick Clouds (6:57) 

9. Towards The Unknown (4:27) 

10. Last Chance (6:12) 

11. New Beginning (5:04) 

Total Time 63:56

Credits

Marcin Pajak - Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Piotr Sitkowski - Keyboards and Synthesizers

Wiktor Świerczek - Saxophone

Tomasz Zawadzki - Bass

Nicholas Schlesinger - Drums

Recorded and engineered by Marcin Pajak

Mixed and mastered by Magda and Robert Srzedniccy, Seracos Studio

Cover by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz in N Station Studio

Description/Reviews:

The album that consists of eleven tracks in progressive rock style will take us for over one-hour journey into space where the main character constructs the spaceship and goes for a long, exhausting journey to find the new home for all the humanity. From the opening to the very end, every song on the album tells a single, unbreakable story, complete with all the highs and lows the main character experienced.

Media/Samples
Liftoff

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Full Earth "Cloud Sculptors"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Instrumental Psychedelic,Stoner,Progressive Rock
Label: Stickman Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: March 15, 2024
Tracklist

1. Full Earth Pt I: Emanation (21:05) 

2. Cloud Sculptors (20:04) 

3. Weltgeist (6:07) 

4. The Collective Unconscious (18:36) 

5. Echo Tears (5:35) 

6. Full Earth Pt II: Disintegration (13:45) 

Total Time 85:12

Credits

Øystein Aadland - farfisa organ, yamaha yc30 organ, mellotron, synthesizer

Ask Vatn Strøm - guitars

Simen Wie - electric bass, additional guitar

Eskild Myrvoll - additional guitar, korg MS-20 synthesizer, noise

Ingvald Vassbø - drums, yamaha yc30 organ

   With

Henriette Eilertsen - flute (2)

All music composed by Ingvald Vassbø

The album was recorded by Dag Erik Johansen in Athletic Studio, Halden. Weltgeist and Echo Tears was recorded by Ingvald and Øystein as well as additional overdubs by Eskild, Ask and Ingvald at Christian Krohgs gate 2, Oslo.

Mastered by Christian Obermayer at Strype Audio.

Artwork by Sunniva Hårstad

Description/Reviews:

With a deep connection and love for minimalist music, especially that of Terry Riley’s organ works, heavy stoner rock ala Sleep, High on Fire and Elder and the electronic avant-garde, the Full Earth-sphere circles in on fuzzed out riffs, sonic experimentalism and noise music.

Cloud Sculptors, which is a kind of abstract, mythological and psychedelic account, consists of six thoroughly composed and extensively produced tracks. Four of them are long-form, instrumental, fuzz-heavy and sludgy compositions stretching towards the 20-minute mark. Echo Tears and Weltgeist are two shorter organ compositions inspired by James Ferraro, Onehotrix Point Nevers and Györgi Ligeti's genius contributions to musical history.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Mark Wingfield feat. Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, Tony Levin, Percy Jones "The Gathering"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: MoonJune Records
Format: CD, digital,vinyl
Release date: March 15, 2024
Tracklist

1. The Corkscrew Tower (5:09) 

2. Stormlight (7:30) 

3. Apparition In The Vaults (5:46) 

4. A Fleeting Glance (6:27) 

5. Pursued In The Snow (8:56) 

6. The Lost Room (8:33) 

7. The Listening Trees (6:54) 

8. Journey Home (9:43) 

9. Together We Rise (6:09) 

10. Cinnamon Bird (7:41) 

Total Time 72:48

Credits

Mark Wingfield - guitar, soundscapes (all tracks)

Gary Husband - synth & piano (all tracks), drums (1, 5, 6)

Asaf Sirkis - drums (all tracks)

Tony Levin - electric upright bass (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Percy Jones - fretless bass guitar (2, 4, 9, 10)

All songs composed by Mark Wingfield

Recorded by Jesus Rovira at La Casa Murada, Spain

Tony Levin's parts recorded in Kingston NY and Percy Jones' parts were recorded in NYC at their home studios.

Mixed and mastered by Mark Wingfield at Heron Island Studio, UK

Produced by Mark Wingfield.

Executive producer Leonardo Pavkovic

Cover image by The Trio.

Graphic layout by René von Grünig.

Description/Reviews:

The result is a seamless blend of compositions and collective improvisation that roves way beyond the usual generic categorisations making the album hard to pin down as either jazz or rock. Perhaps that’s as it should be for a sound that hovers somewhere between these and other more diverse stylistic influences.

Read more by Sid Smith at bandcamp

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Notio "Worldview"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Inverse Records
Format: CD,digital
Release date: March 8, 2024
Tracklist

1. Propagation Process

2. Solipsism

3. Curtain of Ignorance

4. The Need to Fear

5. Absurd

6. A Ladder to Nowhere

7. Temporary Pain

8. Inevitable Outcome

9. Vis Major

10. The End Is Beautiful

Credits
Albert Olli - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums

Album cover by Petri Lampela 

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Pasi Löfgrén

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Cloud People "Simulacra"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock, Electronica
Label: Apollon Records
Format: vinyl,digital
Release date: March 1, 2024
Tracklist

1. Simulation (3:30) 

2. Chemtrails (5:46) 

3. Area 91 (5:22) 

4. Hollow Moon (6:57) 

5. Project Blue Beam (4:48) 

6. Pandora’s Hoax (8:06) 

7. Element 115 (4:31) 

8. Cover Up (4:47) 

Total Time 43:47

Credits

Andreas Sørensen Hauge - Bass synth, electric bass

Benjamin Mekki Widerøe - Saxophone, keys

Filip Mekki - Keys

Fredrik Mekki Widerøe - Drums, guitar, keys

Morten Olsen - Guitar, baritone guitar, keys

   With

Amalie Holt Kleive - Vocals (3)

Njål Paulsberg - Producer

DJ Teebee - Master

Description/Reviews:

Since its conception, the band’s mission has been to experiment and to find a new sound and musical expression - fusing the energy and improvisational nature of the jazz and rock bands we love with the tight, understated elegance of electronic music. Cloud People is inspired by everything from Bonobo, Kaytranada and Todd Terje to Motorpsycho and Pantera.

Simulacra is the result of this - dynamic and varied, full of rhythmic motifs, melancholic melodies and euphoric climaxes. 

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Area 91

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Notion Blue "Out Of Exile"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Format: digital
Release date: March 1, 2024
Tracklist

1. In The Silence (6:27) 

2. Adventurers (5:02) 

3. Children Of Earth (7:32) 

4. King Of The Locusts (4:03) 

5. Come Back To Me (5:33) 

6. Out Of Exile (9:10) 

7. Harbinger (3:15) 

8. Under The Sun (5:23) 

9. Children Of Heaven (7:22) 

Total Time 53:47

Credits

Luke Chase - vocals, guitars, bass

Max Barbi - vocals, synth, keys

Gabe Chase - vocals, drums, percussion

Written & performed by Notion Blue.

Produced & Mixed by Luke Chase.

Cover Art by Rose LaFleur.

Description/Reviews:

"Out Of Exile" is a 9-song concept album that explores themes & events from the Biblical Old Testament. Musically, Notion Blue drew inspiration from a variety of influences for this album, from Peter Gabriel to Tool. Lyrically, the themes explored draw plenty of modern parallels such as injustice, oppression, and seasons of uncertainty, all culminating in a hopeful & uplifting finale. 

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
King of the Locusts

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Metro Society "The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal
Format: digital
Release date: March 1, 2024
Tracklist

1. London 1898 - 2:59

2. City Streets - 7:34

3. Lost Souls - 6:29

4. Pieces of the Past - 9:25

5. Society - 6:37

6. Underground - 5:33

7. Inferno - 7:23

Album Length: 46:02

Credits

Chris Mangold - Guitars/Keys

Ian Ringler (Magnitude 9 / Psyco Drama) - Bass Guitar / 12 String Bass

Will Mangold - Drums

George Margaritopoulos (Wardrum) - Vocals

All songs written by: Chris Mangold, Ian Ringler, Will Mangold

Produced by: Chris Mangold, Ian Ringler, Will Mangold

Mixed and mastered by: Rob Murray and Kyle from Wilderfox Studio, Vermont

Album artwork by: Harley Velasquez at Infinity NucleartStudio

Description/Reviews:

"The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898" revolves around a gripping story penned by Chris Mangold and Ian Ringler, exploring the thin line between the thirst for knowledge and the addictions of obsession. Set against the backdrop of London in 1898, the Victorian age draws to a close, but the horrors of Jack the Ripper's murders continue to cast a grim shadow over the city.

Media/Samples
City Streets

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