Zombi "2020"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Electronica, Space Rock, Progressive Rock
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: July 17, 2020
Tracklist: 
1. Breakthrough & Conquer
2. Earthscraper
3. No Damage
4. XYZT
5. Fifth Point of the Pentangle
6. Family Man
7. Mountain Ranges
8. First Flower
9. Thoughtforms

Line-up: 
Steve Moore - synthesizers, guitars, bass
A.E. Paterra - drums

Description/Reviews: 

From the pulse-pounding, dramatic opener "Breakthrough & Conquer", to the melodic bass whirls found in "XYZT", 2020 proves to be ZOMBI's most riff-intensive album. At first a soundtrack of driving musical euphoria, 2020 takes a sharp turn into uncharted waters - "Earthscraper" is reminiscent of a space where sounds of sludge and doomlike-riff crushers dominate the soundscapes. Synthwave and neon crescendos are furloughed in favor of Blue Oyster Cult inspired progressive epics. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Obscura "Diluvium"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: July 13, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Clandestine Stars
2. Emergent Evolution
3. Diluvium
4. Mortification of the Vulgar Sun
5. Ethereal Skies
6. Convergence
7. Ekpyrosis
8. The Seventh Aeon
9. The Conjuration
10. An Epilogue to Infinity
11. A Last Farewell (Bonus Track)

Line-up: 
Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals
Sebastian Lanser - drums
Linus Klausenitzer - bass
Tom Geldschläger - guitars

Description/Reviews: 

Germany’s progressive death metal masters Obscura complete their long-running, four-album conceptual circle with the release of Diluvium (defined as a great oceanic flood), their most evocative, diverse and vibrant release to date. Diluvium is a stunning achievement for the illustrious quartet and a landmark release for progressive metal as a whole. Complete with all the band's signature elements plus groundbreaking polyrhythms, dramatic songwriting, and jaw-dropping virtuosity, Obscura raise the bar once again with an album that will go down in the annals of metal history as one of the most astonishing performances the genre has to offer.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Arcadea "Arcadea"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal, Electronica
Label:  Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: June 16, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Army Of Electrons (3:43)
2. Gas Giant (3:20)
3. Rings Of Saturn (3:05)
4. Neptune Moons (3:35)
5. Infinite End (3:28)
6. Electromagnetic (3:18)
7. Motion Of Planets (2:35)
8. The Pull Of Invisible Strings (4:18)
9. Through The Eye Of Pisces (4:29)
10. Worlds Can Go On (0:40)
11. Magnificent Facade (6:36)

Total Time 39:07

Line-up: 
Core Atoms - Keyboards, Vocals
Raheem Amlani - Keyboards, Vocals
Brann Dailor (Mastodon) - Drums, Vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Arcadea "Arcadea"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal, Electronica
Label:  Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: June 16, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Army Of Electrons (3:43)
2. Gas Giant (3:20)
3. Rings Of Saturn (3:05)
4. Neptune Moons (3:35)
5. Infinite End (3:28)
6. Electromagnetic (3:18)
7. Motion Of Planets (2:35)
8. The Pull Of Invisible Strings (4:18)
9. Through The Eye Of Pisces (4:29)
10. Worlds Can Go On (0:40)
11. Magnificent Facade (6:36)

Total Time 39:07

Line-up: 
Core Atoms - Keyboards, Vocals
Raheem Amlani - Keyboards, Vocals
Brann Dailor (Mastodon) - Drums, Vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Brain Tentacles "Brain Tentacles"

Country: USA
Genre(s):  Progressive Avant-Garde Jazz Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 30, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Kingda Ka
2. Fruitcake
3. Cosmic Warriors Girth Curse
4. Hand Of God
5. Gassed
6. The Spoiler
7. Death Rules
8. The Sadist 03:00
9. Fata Morgana
10. Peace In War
11. Palantine

Line-up: 
Bruce Lamont (Yakuza, Bloodiest, etc) - horns, voice, electric piano, synth
Dave Witte (Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste, etc) - drums
Aaron Dallison (Keelhaul) - bass, voice, synth
   With
Eugene Robinson - vocals

Description/Reviews: 

The self-titled debut album from mind-melting metallic jazz trio Brain Tentacles is a journey in improvised and structured experimental sound from three venerable scene veterans. Brain Tentacles sees the threepiece weaving their way through twisted, seizure-inducing compositions that call to mind the insanity of John Zorn's storied project Naked City and Mike Patton's most erratic experiments. Brain Tentacles are masters of tension: the album moves unpredictably from mathy chaos to ponderous, juddering grooves that warp time in their wake, darting from one extreme to the other via insane rhythms and truly progressive, expansive songwriting. Occasional vocals (including a guest appearance from Oxbow's Eugene Robinson) lend an even sharper edge to the album, which is sure to blow away fans of instrumental and vocal-driven music alike. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Obscura "Akróasis"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Progressive Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: February 5, 2016
Tracklist: 
01. Sermon Of The Seven Suns
02. The Monist
03. Akróasis
04. Ten Sepiroth
05. Ode To The Sun
06. Fractal Dimension
07. Perpetual Infinity
08. Weltseele
09. On The Origin Of Primal Expression [bonus]
10. Melos [deluxe vinyl bonus]

Line-up: 
Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals
Sebastian Lanser - drums
Linus Klausenitzer - bass
Tom Geldschläger - guitars
   With
Maria Bullok - vocals (5)
Monika Bullok - vocals (5)
Matthias Preisinger - viola, violin (8)
Philipp Rohmer - double bass (8)
Jupp Wegener - cello (8)

Description/Reviews: 

To be quite honest, it is the best album that Obscura have done to date. It continues the upward trajectory that they have been on and somehow improves upon what they did on “Omnivium.” The songs are still heavy but they are even more complex, yet playing itself is more melodic than ever as well. 

Read the full review by Rob Pociluk at progressivemusicplanet.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp  (2 tracks)

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Zombi "Shape Shift"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental, Electronica, Krautrock, Space Rock
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, digital, cassette, vinyl
Release date: October 16, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Pillars of the Dawn 
2. Total Breakthrough
3. Mission Creep 
4. Interstellar Package
5. Diffraction Zone
6. Toroidal Vortices
7. Shadow Hand 
8. Metaverse
9. Siberia II

Line-up: 
Steve Moore
A.E. Paterra

Description/Reviews: 

Darker, heavier and more dynamic than their more recent works, Shape Shift sees the duo in "live band" mode, a fitting return to their roots after their successful North American tour with the legendary Goblin in 2013 and a triumphant headlining appearance at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in April, 2015. Whether you’re an adventurous listener or die-hard fan, delving into the latest chapter of ZOMBI’s expansive and ever-progressive oeuvre will never disappoint.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (3 tracks)

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Ecstatic Vision "Sonic Praise"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Space Rock
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date:  June 29, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Journey (5:11)
2. Astral Plane (12:38)
3. Don't Kill The Vibe (5:00)
4. Sonic Praise (5:24)
5. Cross The Divide (9:43)

Line-up: 
Doug Sabolik - guitars, vocals
Michael Field Connor - bass
Jordan Crouse - drums, percussion
Muffinman - percussion

Description/Reviews: 

Aesthetics aside, Sabolick and co. play really driving space rock. With an energy that fans of Clutch will appreciate, the music barrels forward and upward, often using repetitive riffs in a manner befitting the nature of stoners alike. Each track really feels like it’s own unique beast, regardless of the repetitive nature of a lot of the guitar and bass riffs. Not afraid to draw back and let the psychedelic sounds take over, each refrain is worth it’s weight in gold when a big, rolling riff comes back around. Ecstatic Vision fill these eclectic moments with ethnic percussion and rhythms befitting those instruments, finding time to throw in some other wordly sax soloing too. “Astral Plane” and “Cross The Divide”, the longest of the five tracks, are given the chance to spread their metaphysical wings and take flight, thanks to these prolonged sections of noodling. This might lose the attention of some, as for all of it’s glory, their is very little maneuvering in terms of tempo. Along side the minimalist nature of the rhythm section, it would be quite easy to lose track of what is going on.

 Read the full review by Matt MacLennan at heavyblogisheavy.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives

Goblin Rebirth "Goblin Rebirth"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: June 26, 2015 (GER/Benelux/FIN), June 29, 2015 (UK/EU/World), June 30, 2015 (NA)
Tracklist: 

1. ReqRequiem For X 04:16
2. Back In 74 04:23
3. Book Of Skulls 06:07
4. Mysterium 04:24
5. Evil In The Machine 06:17
6. Forest 06:26
7. Dark Bolero 04:48
8. Rebirth 07:36

Line-up: 

Fabio Pignatelli (Goblin) - Bass
Agostino Marangolo (Goblin) - Drums
Aidan Zammit - Keyboards
Danilo Cherni - Keyboards
Giacomo Anselmi - Guitars

Description/Reviews: 

Goblin Rebirth is the new band featuring the rhythm section from the original Goblin, Fabio Pignatelli and Agostino Marangolo!  Goblin Rebirth mix the classic horror soundtrack sounds of their former band with a chillingly exciting drive that will thrill prog-heads and score-fiends alike.  Goblin Rebirth is an instantly classic album that tells the tale of an imaginary film about the birth of an evil dwarf-like monster that sits confidently next to the classic Goblin scores like 'Suspiria', 'Profondo Rosso' and 'Tenebre'.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Minsk "The Crash & the Draw"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Sludge, Post Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: April 3, 2015 (GER/BEN/FIN), April 6, 2015 (ROW), April 7, 2015 (USA)
Tracklist: 

1. To The Initiate 12:42
2. Within And Without 07:57
3. Onward Procession I. These Longest Of Days 05:53
4. Onward Procession II. The Soil Calls 06:19
5. Onward Procession III. The Blue Hour 04:42
6. Onward Procession IV. Return, The Heir 04:11
7. Conjunction 04:53
8. The Way Is Through 09:23
9. To You There Is No End 02:48
10. To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure 06:22
11. When The Walls Fell 10:26

Line-up: 
Aaron Austin
Christopher Bennett
Zachary Livingston
Timothy Mead
Kevin Rendleman

Description/Reviews: 

While most of their contemporaries push sludge into a more psychedelic, experimental realm, Minsk have chosen to keep things heavy as a really heavy thing on The Crash  & The Draw. There are still recognizable -post elements all over the album, but this is, first and foremost, heavy metal. The opening track, "To the Initiate," immediately dispels any doubt that the band had lost their step or mellowed in any way as the ambient keyboards that open the track are quickly swept aside in favor of a wall of pummeling guitars. There are a handful of gentler tracks to be found, such as "Onward Procession III: The Blue Hour" and "To You There Is No End," but even in its quiet moments, there's an undercurrent of simmering rage to The Crash & The Draw. The atmosphere is so oppressive, in fact, that even the post-rock elements sound forlorn rather than uplifting or pastoral.

 Read the full review by Shayne Mathis at metalinjection.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Broughton's Rules "Anechoic Horizon"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental, Post Rock
Label: Relapse Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: November 11, 2014
Tracklist: 

1. Reversers 03:50
2. Gothics 07:46
3. Insanity Dance 06:32
4. Anechoic Horizon 12:21
5. The Fields Of None 07:22
6. New Weather 01:35
7. Shadows and Light 05:17
8. Umbra 05:29

Line-up: 
Ben Matthews (Blunderbuss)
Jeff Ellsworth (Don Caballero, Blunderbuss)
Bill Baxter
Gene Doyle

Description/Reviews: 

Galloping in like in like Captain Bravestar on his mechanical steed, ‘Reverers’ picks your curiosity from the word go. The maelström of jagged riffs and stampeding drum loops grabs you by the hand, and starts you on your journey. Initially, it lacks the same grandeur as you would find with say, God Is An Astronaut or Caspian, but what it brings instead is an overwhelming primal heaviness. Towards the end of ‘Gothics’ it’s almost as if the band mimic beating ones chest, as repetitive musical rage acts like prehistoric man preparing for a hunt.

 Read the full review by Ryan Lee Spearman at metalmouth.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
Progarchives

Pyrrhon "The Mother Of Virtues"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: Tech/Extreme, Progressive Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Release date: April 1, 2014
Tracklist: 
1. The Oracle of Nassau (1:26)
2. White Flag (9:42)
3. Sleeper Agent (4:05)
4. Balkanized (4:47)
5. Eternity In a Breath (8:17)
6. Implant Fever (4:34)
7. Invisible Injury (6:55)
8. The Parasite in Winter (4:18)
9. The Mother of Virtues (10:36)

Line-up: 
Dylan DiLella - Guitar
Doug Moore - Vocals
Erik Malave - Bass
Alex Cohen - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook
ProgArchives