Assignment "With The End Comes Silence"

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

1. Fallen (5:59) 

2. Nothing To Say (5:02) 

3. Beyond Recognition (6:37) 

4. Those Words (5:29) 

5. The Tower (7:36) 

6. Selling My Soul (6:12) 

7. Call For Heaven (6:02) 

8. Angel Of Berlin (5:11) 

9. With The End Comes Silence (8:52) 

10. The Curtain Falls (6:02) 

Total Time 63:02 

Credits

Diego Valdez – vocals

Goran Panić – guitars

Heiko Spaarmann – bass

Michael Kolar – drums

   With

Thomas Vikström - backing vocals

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

Simone Mularoni (DGM) - lead guitar (10)

Produced by Assignment 

Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio

Description/Reviews:

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

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

Media/Samples
Fallen
Nothing To Say
Angel of Berlin

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Immortal Guardian "Unite and Conquer"

Country: Multinational
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: M-Theory Audio (NA), Massacre Records (EU), WARD Records (Asia)
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: October 27, 2023 (NA,Asia), December 1, 2023 (EU)
Tracklist

1. Ozona (4:43) 

2. Echoes (4:49) 

3. Roots Run Deep (5:20) 

4. Perfect Person (4:06) 

5. Divided We Fall (6:16) 

6. Lost In The Darkness (4:37) 

7. Southern Rain (3:57) 

8. Unite And Conquer (6:03) 

9. Un Dia A La Vez (2:39) 

10. Rise Of The Phoenix (5:51) 

Total Time 48:21

Credits

Gabriel Guardian - guitars, keyboards

Carlos Zema - vocals

Justin Piedimonte - drums

Joshua Lopez - bass

    With
Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear, Gamma Ray) - vocals (3)
Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist, Sicksense) - vocals (6)

Mixed by Joshua Lopez at Widowmaker Studios

Description/Reviews:

US band Immortal Guardian are out with the album "Unite and Conquer", and progressive metal is the style explored on this production. Or to be more precise, this is a band that have mastered the art of combining progressive metal and power metal in just about an equal measure. Energetic surges into power metal landscapes is a recurring element throughout here, explored in longer sections as well as used as energetic impact moments. The progressive metal aesthetics are most commonly used by way of quirky and challenging instrument movements of a challenging and virtuous nature, but the band also makes good use of the more atmospheric laden aspects of the progressive metal tradition alongside occasional dips into more majestic builds and a little bit of theatrical flair. If done right this is a combination that works really well, and that is very much the case for this latest studio album by Immortal Guardian. Energy and virtuosity flavored with atmospheric laden tendencies is what we get here, and if you tend to enjoy bands that mix power metal and progressive metal in a controlled and tasteful manner then you should be the perfect audience for this production. (Olav Martin Bjornsen at progressor.net's facebook)

Also read the review at theprogressivesubway.com

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Assignment "Reflections"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: August 21, 2020
Tracklist: 
1. Trilogia Balkanica (3:38)
2. Mercyful Angel (4:43)
3. Obsession (6:01)
4. Corporate Men (5:57)
5. Reflections (5:02)
6. Submission (5:32)
7. Timeline (5:29)
8. Endlessly (6:36)
9. Unknown Hero (7:14)
10. Silent Nation (8:21)

Total Time 58:33

Line-up: 
Diego Valdez – Vocals
Goran Panić – Guitars
Heiko Spaarmann – Bass
Gert Sprick – Keyboards
Michael Kolar – Drums
    With:
Marco Ahrens - Guitars (2,10)
Inés Vera-Ortíz - Vocals (5)

Description/Reviews: 

Musically, Assignment strays little from past recordings, playing aggressive progressive power metal. Between the sharp riffage, roaring rhythm section, and Valdez' assertive, often raging, vocals, some Assignment songs can be distilled to three adjectives: fast, heavy, and intense. You'll certainly hear this with Mercyful Angel, Obsession, or Submission, by example. But Assignment can also mix things up. A song like Unknown Hero turns more upon progressive metal rather than racing power metal, and also offers some fine piano moments and symphonic synths. 

Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com

Media/Samples 
Stream & buy
Mercyful Angel
Obsession

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Ivanhoe "Blood And Gold"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 20, 2020
Tracklist: 
1. Midnight Bite (4:03)
2. Broken Mirror (3:51)
3. Fe Infinita (2:14)
4. Blood And Gold (5:30)
5. Martyrium (4:51)
6. If I Never Sing Another Song (3:55)
7. Solace (4:11)
8. Shadow Play (4:44)
9. Perfect Tragedy (5:14)

Total Time 38:33

Line-up: 
Alexander Koch - Vocals
Lars Vögtle - Guitar
Giovanni "Gio" Soulas - Bass
Richie Seibel - Keyboard
Bernd Heining - Drums

Media/Samples 
Midnight Bite

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Ivory Tower "Stronger"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: August 23, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. The Offer (6:10)
2. Loser (5:08)
3. End Transmission (5:57)
4. Money (5:17)
5. In Me (6:11)
6. Slave (6:26)
7. Strong (6:08)
8. Flight Of The Dragon (2:29)
9. Life Will Fade (5:20)
10. Passing (7:44)
11. The Wolves You've Let In (7:05)
12. One Day (12:22)

Total Time 76:17

Line-up: 
Dirk Meyer - Vocals
Sven Böge - Guitars
Thorsten Thrunke - Drums
Björn Bombach - Bass
Frank Fasold - Keyboard

Media/Samples 
Stream & buy
Loser
End Transmission

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Assignment "Closing The Circle"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: July 22, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Evolution (6:12)
2. Closing The Circle (4:55)
3. Presence Of Death (4:48)
4. Genetic Slavery (5:53)
5. Crimson Poison (4:28)
6. Chemical Healing (4:32)
7. Variaxis (4:47)
8. Taste For Sin (5:24)
9. Entering The Universe (9:38)
10. Between Parallel Worlds (10:40)

Total time 61:17

Line-up: 
Diego Valdez - Vocals
Goran Panic - Guitars
Heiko Spaarmann - Bass
Gert Sprick - Keyboards
Sven Pollkotter - Drums
   With
Iván Iñiguez - Guitars

Description/Reviews: 

What hasn't changed for Assignment is their exploration of melodic and progressive power metal. Yet this is not overly complex stuff. The usual suspects occur with tempo and time signature changes, and particular instruments offering representative solo parts. The band's goal is not to confuse you or leave you perplexed, but to demonstrate some creativity and entertain. The glue that holds everything together is Assignment's inherent commitment to melody and groove which allows the arrangements to be both intriguing and accessible.

Read the full review by at dangerdog.com

Media/Samples 
Evolution
Genetic Slavery (Closing The Circle) 
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Asylum Pyre "Spirited Away"

Country: France
Genre(s): Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD
Release date: October 23, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Second Shadow (4:19)
2. The Silence Of Dreams (4:21)
3. Only Your Soul (3:53)
4. Unplug My Brain (3:58)
5. In Hayao's Arms (0:50)
6. Spirited Away (3:49)
7. The White Room (4:59)
8. Soulburst (7:48)
9. At My Door (4:12)
10. Shivers (4:12)
11. Instants In Time (4:24)
12. Remembering/Fly (3:17)

Total Time 50:02

Line-up: 
Chaos Heidi - Vocals
Johann Cadot - Guitars, Vocals
Armendar - Keyboards
Vincent Kreyder - Drums
    With:
Didier Chesneau - Guitars
Christophe Babin - Bass

Description/Reviews: 

The third studio album from French melodic metal act Asylum Pyre contains 13 tracks of diverse riffs, dual female clean vocals and male growls, and a sense of cyber/dance oriented grooves at times. Artists like Nightwish and Within Temptation come up, as well as the uniqueness of Pain of Salvation, on cuts like "Unplug My Brain", the straight forward gothic-oriented title cut, and 7:48 epic, soul-stirring ballad "Soulburst".
Guitarist Cadot Johann has killer chops that coupled with smart verse matching keeps Asylum Pyre very diverse and heavy enough to appeal to more than the conventional gothic contingency. Chaos Heidi as a singer comes from more of a theatrical background, she can unleash interesting screams but has solid capabilities in harmonizing and resonance that make "At My Door" and "Second Shadow" sultry, enchanting, and addictive. The keyboard tone throughout straddles the 80's synth/ video game revolution and happier nature that may be typical of the bigger bands of their sub-genre.
A marked improvement from 2012's "Fifty Years Later", the rhythm section gets a chance to shine even on "The Silence of Dreams" - you can really tell the band members have mutual respect and admiration for putting the arrangements and individual songs top of mind. Asylum Pyre may not be for everyone because of their left of center approach, but those willing to invest the time and energy into deeper headphone sessions with "Spirited Away" will come away very pleased. (Matt Coe at eternal-terror.com)

Media/Samples 
Only Your Soul

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Ivanhoe "7 Days"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: October 16, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Alert (2:30)
2. Light Up The Darkness (4:06)
3. No Sorrow (4:14)
4. See The Truth (3:55)
5. Overrun (4:10)
6. Innocent (3:44)
7. 7 Days (8:12)
8. Dancing With A Ghost (5:40)
9. The Great Admit (5:35)
10. Last Warning (4:19)
11. Left Behind (7:05)
12. Whipping The Flies (3:50)

Total time 57:20

Line-up: 
Alexander Koch - Vocals
Chuck Schuler - Guitar
Giovanni "Gio" Soulas - Bass
Richie Seibel - Keyboard
Rob Kudlek - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

If anything remains the same, it's their progressive metal. On one hand, it's generally technical with it's measure of tempo and time signature geekery. On the other hand, this approach seems to torch the presence of melody and harmony. It's not that either are not there; they're merely burdened and fraught with weight. This comes from Ivanhoe working work with large, deep and sharp (not a contradicition) riffs, lingering piano and synths, and a dark bottom end. These things are then wrapped up in these thick and dense, somber and melancholy, arrangements.

 Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com

Media/Samples 
Overrun

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Vanish "Come To Wither"

Country: Germany
Sub Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: October 24, 2014
Tracklist: 
1. Come to Wither 01:38
2. Great Collapse 05:46
3. Bless the Buried Child 04:17
4. Renewal 05:56
5. This Is How We Die 04:33
6. Curtain Call 09:17
7. Silence 05:16
8. Hollow 06:05
9. Hope Shall Rise 05:49
10. Reboot 05:27
11. The Grand Design 07:11

Line-up: 
Ralf Nopper - Drums
Thomas Rösch - Rhythm Guitars
Bastian Rose - Vocals, Piano, Keyboards
Philipp Schönle - Lead Guitars
Daniele Dei Giudici - Bass
   With
 Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) on  "The Grand Design"

Description/Reviews: 

Upon initial listens to the record, I felt a lot of similar qualities to current Symphony X if taken through a Brainstorm meets Superior band template. The guitarists Thomas Rösch and Philipp Schönle like to end many of their riffs with little squeals and modern nuances, and the keyboard work has a flair for the dramatic - while vocalist /keyboardist Bastian Rose has a multi-layered voice that is very similar in tone, attitude, and strength as Russell Allen. Where I think Vanish differs from the Americans is their penchant for more straightforward parts in the majority of their songwriting, and less neo-classical arpeggio runs- but that's not to say they can't dazzle in their musical chemistry. Check out "Renewal" and the 9 minute tension filled "Curtain Call" for some superior guitar/ keyboard/ bass/ drum fusion and point/ counterpoint elements.

 Read the full review by Matt Coe at eternal-terror.com

Media/Samples 
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Veni Domine "Light"

Country: Sweden
Sub Genre: Progressive Doom Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Release date: May 23, 2014
Tracklist: 

1. In Memoriam (11:55)
2. Farewell (06:20)
3. Hope (08:14)
4. Where the Story Ends (08:06)
5. Preludium (01:38)
6. Last Silence Before Eternity (07:05)
7. The Hour of Darkness (07:53)
8. Waiting (06:52)
9. Oh Great City 2014 (09:32)

Line-up: 
Fredrik Sjöholm - Vocals
Torbjörn Weinesjö - Guitars
Klas Petterson - Bass
Thomas Weinesjö - Drums
Olov Andersson - Keyboard

Description/Reviews

Instead of going all out with their metal, Veni Domine anno 2014 are more reflective and atmospheric, over wide swathes of the album reducing the heaviness at times dramatically compared to previous efforts, to the point that some of the more progressive “outbursts” almost seem as foreign objects within the dense atmosphere of “In Memoriam”, for example, which has this calm emotional intensity that belies the piano and cello used. This is not to say that the Swedes have gone softie on us, “Farewell”, for example, offers us a mix of prog and doom (at somewhat reduced heaviness once more), with Ohlsson sounding like Khan sometimes on this one, which works very well with the character of the song.

Read the full review by Alex Melzer at metal-observer.com

Media/Samples 
In Memoriam

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Rustfield "Kingdom of rust"

Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Release date: December 6, 2013
Tracklist: 

1. Among the fields of rust - 07:12
2. Waxhopes - 07:52
3. Losing time - 03:40
4. Love moan - 06:04
5. Burning the air - 04:03
6. Sacrifice - 04:26
7. Social contract - 04:47
8. The secret garden - 04:54
9. Run with me - 03:56
10. Out of the blue - 09:07
11. High waters - 11:11

Line-up: 
Andrea Rampa: vocals, keyboards & synths.
Davide Ronfetto: guitar, bass on tracks 3 and 8, vocals, programming.
Alessandro Spagnuolo: bass, contrabass on tracks 4 and 9.
Luca Spagnuolo: guitar solo on track 2, lead guitar on track 8, clean guitar on track 1 and track 6, classic guitar on track 4.
    With
Federica De Boni: vocals on track 2.
John Macaluso (Symphony X): drums & percussions on tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11.
Douglas R. Docker (Docker’s Guild): synth solos on tracks 2 and 5, Hammond organ solo on track 11, piano on track 4.
Max Gordiani: drums & percussions on tracks 1, 3, 8, and 9

Description/Reviews: 

Their music angle is melodic progressive rock, often with a metal edge, but also involving ambient and electronic sounds. That metal perspective hits you square in the ears at the start with Among the Fields of Rust, with some big riffage and Rampa sounding a bit raging at times. But that's only for the first two-thirds. It breaks down with some eccentric electronica, and Rampa becoming more gentle. I don't want to say that this motif is characteristic of the entire album, but it does give you a taste of the twists.

 Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com

Media/Samples 
Waxhopes

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Ivanhoe "Systematrix"

Country: Germany
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Release date: May 24, 2013
Tracklist: 
01. Systematrix - 05:10
02. Human Letargo - 06:12
03. Tin Cans Liberty - 04:13
04. War of the Centuries - 04:32
05. Madhouse - 05:02
06. Learning Path - 06:20
07. Walldancer - 04:03
08. Seduction - 03:04
09. Resolution - 02:53
10. Late Recognition - 05:50

Line-up: 
Mischa Mang - Vocals
Chuck Schuler - Guitar
Giovanni "Gio" Soulas - Bass
Richie Seibel - Keyboard
Mathias Biehl - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

Now we arrive to their sixth studio record, the futuristic titled "Systematrix"- and the quintet appear to straddle the lines of maintaining their progressive metal style while venturing into elements of the modern scene in the hopes of appealing to the broadest market possible.  Stylistically, "Systematrix" appears to be more understated in its progressive elements, using a veritable color palate of softer dynamics and subtler time signature shifts to get the listener to engage in more of a cerebral manner.
Mischa's melodies are equally provocative, entwining all facets of beauty, energy, and anger a la classic Geoff Tate in songs like the guitar/keyboard harmony laced "Tin Cans Liberty" and bouncy "Walldancer". "Madhouse" features some opening keyboard soloing from Richie Seibel that is more in line with 70's acts like UFO or Toto than most neo-classically oriented players, while the three part closer "The Symbiotic Predator" goes all over the map musically and features some of the heavier, engaging interplay moments between all five that showcase their obvious training and experience within the genre. As a bonus for those who purchase the Digipak, you'll receive two exclusives including an updated version of "Symbols of Time"- originally appearing back in 1995 as the title cut from their second album (lasercd.com).

Media/Samples 
Walldancer
Samples

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives
Proggnosis

Dante "November Red"

Country: Germany
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Release date: January 25, 2013
Tracklist: 
1. Birds of Passage 10:03
2. The Lone and Level Sands 06:39
3. Beautifully Broken 04:33
4. The Day That Bled 11:54
5. Shores of Time 07:48
6. Allan 07:29
7. November Red 12:41

Line-up: 
Alexander Göhs (Vocals)
Markus Maichel (Keyboards / Piano)
Markus Berger (Guitar/ Bass)
Christian Eichlinger (Drums / Orchestration)
Markus A.Bader (Guitar)

Description/Reviews: 

German band, mixing melodic progmetal with traditional & modern progrock

Media/Samples 
The Lone And Level Sands

Links:
Web page
Facebook
ProgArchives