Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik "Hugsjá"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Prog Folk, World Music
Label: By Norse Music  BNM009
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: April 20, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Hugsjá (4:35)
2. WulthuR (4:16)
3. Ni Døtre av Hav (6:02)
4. Ni Mødre av Sol (5:55)
5. Fornjot (4:41)
6. Nattseglar (7:06)
7. Nytt Land (7:48)
8. Nordvegen (3:41)
9. Utsyn (5:23)
10. Oska (7:29)
11. Um Heilage Fjell (5:26)

Total Time 62:22

Line-up: 
Einar Selvik (Wardruna): Lead vocals, Kravik-lyre, Taglharpa, goat-horn, Bronze-lure, flute and percussion
Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved): Guitars and electronics
   With
Silje Solberg: Hardanger-fiddle and backing vocals
Iver Sandøy: Drums, percussion and backing vocals
Håkon Vinje: Backing vocals
Anna Lisa Lekven, Laila Moberg, Marianne Evensen Østrem, Lisa Nøttseter, Lise Renee Aase, Kristine Bjånesøy Tikkanen, Linda Nytræ, Leif Østrem, Brede Lærum, Jan Helge Kordts, Jan-Ove Hansen, Richard Myhre Gåssand and Stine Kobbeltvedt: Choir under management of Stine Kobbeltvedt (4, 11)

Description/Reviews: 

Like the first album “Skuggsjá,” “Hugsjá” is steeped in the same Norwegian folk with arrangements and instrumentation that are unique to their homeland. The one major difference for me is that “Hugsjá” feels more upbeat and has a better set of songs overall....“Skuggsjá” was more folk and more traditional sounding overall whereas “Hugsjá” puts the rock back into folk rock and prog rock. 

Read the full review by Rob at progressivemusicplanet.com

Also read the review by Christopher Harding at distortedsoundmag.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik "Hugsjá"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Prog Folk, World Music
Label: By Norse Music  BNM009
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: April 20, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Hugsjá (4:35)
2. WulthuR (4:16)
3. Ni Døtre av Hav (6:02)
4. Ni Mødre av Sol (5:55)
5. Fornjot (4:41)
6. Nattseglar (7:06)
7. Nytt Land (7:48)
8. Nordvegen (3:41)
9. Utsyn (5:23)
10. Oska (7:29)
11. Um Heilage Fjell (5:26)

Total Time 62:22

Line-up: 
Einar Selvik (Wardruna): Lead vocals, Kravik-lyre, Taglharpa, goat-horn, Bronze-lure, flute and percussion
Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved): Guitars and electronics
   With
Silje Solberg: Hardanger-fiddle and backing vocals
Iver Sandøy: Drums, percussion and backing vocals
Håkon Vinje: Backing vocals
Anna Lisa Lekven, Laila Moberg, Marianne Evensen Østrem, Lisa Nøttseter, Lise Renee Aase, Kristine Bjånesøy Tikkanen, Linda Nytræ, Leif Østrem, Brede Lærum, Jan Helge Kordts, Jan-Ove Hansen, Richard Myhre Gåssand and Stine Kobbeltvedt: Choir under management of Stine Kobbeltvedt (4, 11)

Description/Reviews: 

Like the first album “Skuggsjá,” “Hugsjá” is steeped in the same Norwegian folk with arrangements and instrumentation that are unique to their homeland. The one major difference for me is that “Hugsjá” feels more upbeat and has a better set of songs overall....“Skuggsjá” was more folk and more traditional sounding overall whereas “Hugsjá” puts the rock back into folk rock and prog rock. 

Read the full review by Rob at progressivemusicplanet.com

Also read the review by Christopher Harding at distortedsoundmag.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Lunar Cape "Lunar Folk Tales"/ Мыс Луны "Лунные Народные Сказки" (instrumental version)

Country: Russia
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, Folk, World Music, Ethnic
Label: ArtBeat Music ‎– AB-CD-01-2018-128
Format: CD, digital
Release date: January 1, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. History Of The Moon (2:43)
2. Nymph Syrinx Amidst The Stars (5:37)
3. Doughball's Travels (3:56)
4. Old Man Srawley And Wood Goblin (5:10)
5. Blacksmith (2:55)
6. Who Brought The Berries? (6:15)
7. Greedy Cousin Leprechaun (4:29)
8. What The Peacock Is Silent About (Oriental) (7:34)

Total Time 38:39

Line-up: 
Olga Scotland – flute, recorders, tin whistle, mandolin, spring drum, sound effects, VSTi
Andrey Shashkov – bass guitar, basso recorder, vocals
Roman Smirnov – guitars, washboard old school custom, vocals
    With:
Paul Bulak – keyboards (3)
Grigory Shelehov – drums (3, 7)
Alexander Koval – drums (4, 8)
Shahid Rashid – vocals (8)

Description/Reviews: 

In January 2018 the russian music label ArtBeat Music  launched the release of the second album by the “Lunar Cape” instrumental band  – “Lunar Folk Tales”. The album will contain three versions – instrumental, Russian-language and English-language. Currently the band introduces its first part – instrumental.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Lunar Cape "Lunar Folk Tales"/ Мыс Луны "Лунные Народные Сказки" (instrumental version)

Country: Russia
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, Folk, World Music, Ethnic
Label: ArtBeat Music ‎– AB-CD-01-2018-128
Format: CD, digital
Release date: January 1, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. History Of The Moon (2:43)
2. Nymph Syrinx Amidst The Stars (5:37)
3. Doughball's Travels (3:56)
4. Old Man Srawley And Wood Goblin (5:10)
5. Blacksmith (2:55)
6. Who Brought The Berries? (6:15)
7. Greedy Cousin Leprechaun (4:29)
8. What The Peacock Is Silent About (Oriental) (7:34)

Total Time 38:39

Line-up: 
Olga Scotland – flute, recorders, tin whistle, mandolin, spring drum, sound effects, VSTi
Andrey Shashkov – bass guitar, basso recorder, vocals
Roman Smirnov – guitars, washboard old school custom, vocals
    With:
Paul Bulak – keyboards (3)
Grigory Shelehov – drums (3, 7)
Alexander Koval – drums (4, 8)
Shahid Rashid – vocals (8)

Description/Reviews: 

In January 2018 the russian music label ArtBeat Music  launched the release of the second album by the “Lunar Cape” instrumental band  – “Lunar Folk Tales”. The album will contain three versions – instrumental, Russian-language and English-language. Currently the band introduces its first part – instrumental.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Dam Kat "Alawn"

Country: France
Genre(s): Progressive Rock/Metal, Folk, World Music
Format: CD, digital
Release date: December 6, 2017 (digital), January 3, 2018 (CD)
Tracklist: 
1. Courage And Sorrow (7:08)
2. Devil Inside Me (6:20)
3. Feel Free (5:46)
4. I Write A Poem (6:31)
5. Try To Love - Part I (5:36)
6. Try To Love - Part II (4:44)
7. Who Are These Gods ? (6:02)
8. I Believe (5:45)

Total Time 47:52

Line-up: 
Dam Kat (Children in Paradise) - all instruments, vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook

Echo Us "To Wake a Dream in Moving Water"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Prog Folk, World Music, New Age
Label: Absolute Probability Recordings
Format: CD, digital
Release date: November 29, 2017 (USA), December 6, 2017 (Europe)
Tracklist: 
1. Awakening Current (7:42)
2. Aeriel (Satre Dance) (4:40)
3. Begin to Remember V1 (4:55)
4. Begin to Remember V2 (6:11)
5. May Morning Dew (4:17)
6. From the Highlands (15:27)
7. Doina (5:25)
8.To Wake a Dream in Moving Water (14:59)

Total ime 62:16

Line-up: 
Ethan Matthews - Guitars, Vocals, Hammered Dulcimer, Glockenspiel, Bodhran, Spoons, Synthesizers, Sound Programming
Teri Untalan - Viola (3,6,8), Violin (3)
Chris Smith - Flute (3,6), Piccolo Flute (3), Contrabass Flute (1)

Description/Reviews: 

Although Celtic influenced and comprised of a number of re-workings of Irish folk tunes and Breton aires, the album is still in large part new and original Echo Us music that fits right in the Echo Us ‘canon’. “Wake” is a natural progression from  “A Priori Memoriae”, which was released to critical acclaim in Europe in 2014.

Media/Samples 
Stream
Begin to Remember

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Anubis Spire "Between The Two Eternities"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock, World Music
Label: Eleventh House Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: January 11, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Antahkarana (4:23)
2. Everything Is Temporary (1:23)
3. Between The Two Eternities (7:38)
4. Zep Tepi (6:20)
5. As Though We Had Wings (4:27)
6. Dvapara (5:38)
7. The Releasing Tree (4:21)
8. The Legacy (8:47)
9. It's A Brand New Day (4:31)
10. The Eternal Return (5:29)
11. Grief Is A House That Disappears (6:22)
12. Bonus Track (Doctor Memory Z.T. Remix) (6:22)

Total time 65:41

Line-up: 
Bill MacKechnie - guitars
David James Sweet - keyboards
Tim Costley - bass
Fred DeRuvo - drums
Marlon Kempmann - various instruments
Jim Rustemeyer - electronics
Kerrin Johansen - various instruments and voices

Media/Samples 
Stream

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

Lion Shepherd "Hiraeth"

Country: Poland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, World Music
Label: MJM Music PL, Glassville Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 25, 2015 (Poland), November 20, 2015 (World)
Tracklist: 
1. Fly On (4:55)
2. Lights Out (5:14)
3. Brave New World (3:39)
4. Musix Box Ballerina (4:59)
5. I'm open (4:39)
6. Past in Mirror (4:44)
7. Wander (3:58)
8. Infidel Act Of Love (5:10)
9. Smell Of War (4:16)
10. Strongest Breed (4:35)

Line-up: 
Kamil Haidar - vocals
Mateusz Owczarek - guitars, oud
   With
Wojciech Rucinski - bass
Slawek Berny - drums, percussion
Jahiar Azim Irani - santur
Rasm Al Mashan - vocals
Radosław Kordowski - hammond
Samuel Owczarek

Description/Reviews: 

An eclectic mix of ethnic fused rock, Hiraeth delivers a range of tracks that take in progressive rock, trance, blues, metal and several Eastern and world music influences. Think Orphaned Land but throw in Klone, Messenger, and even Depeche Mode, all with an Iranian twist, courtesy of guest musicians Rasm Al Mashan and Jahair Azim Irani amongst others.
Highlights include the controlled aggression of Brave New World and Smell Of War, the excitement and promise of opener Fly On, and two of my favourite tracks, the Eastern sounds of Music Box Ballerina and Lights Out. Haidar's vocals are superb, whilst the acoustic and electric guitar work of Owczarek provides exactly the right shade of light and shade for each song. The percussion of Slawek Berny and the subtle bass work of Wojciech Rucinski provide a foundation which truly allows the album to develop, captivating and transporting the listener far away. (musipediaofmetal.blogspot.com)

Media/Samples 
Stream
Fly On
Lights Out 
Wander

Links:
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