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Jolly - The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part 2)
| Prog for djentelmen |
07.03.2013
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Who are these incredible Jolly people with such a Jolly name supporting Riverside on a tour kicking off in 2 days? And what is this brand new Jolly album that just saw the light of day? That is one awesome album, I tell you, that got crowd funded with such love by the fans when the band got dealt the business end of the hurricane Sandy. A funding that now also sees the band coming over to Europe to tour with none other than the mighty Riverside. You miss them this March, I'm having a feeling you'll regret it for a while. I have made my travel arrangements. Have you?
Just listen to the new song "Dust Nation Bleak".
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Karcius - The First Day
Karcius is a heavy sided fusion done just right. Now with vocals. They are absolutely great at what they do. Beautiful captivating music, no show-offs, The First Day is packed with good stuff.
Just listen to "The First Day" on their homepage.
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Kong - Merchants Of Air
I wonder why I haven't heard of Kong before as this mostly instrumental outfit apparently goes back a while. The music of Kong blends influences from electronica and industrial with prog metal. Some of it packs a punch. Oh, those riffs and those rhythms!
Listen to the whole album on their Bandcamp page. If you're looking for a recommendation, take "Astral Calls."
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Ancestors - In Dreams And Time
I don't delve deep into either stoner or doom. But albums such as this make the occasional forays so much more worthwhile. Doomy atmosphere with a drive of a stoner rock is how I like it to be served. This is no less than a stellar release.
Just listen to "On The Wind" here.
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The Machine - Calmer Than You Are
| Stoner / Psychedelic |
15.08.2012
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It's stoner. It's got rolling guitars to rock your socks off. It's tripping. The Machine are second only to an out of body experience.
Need more convincing? Try the teaser here or better yet the full 12 minute track off the album here.
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Frequency Drift - Laid To Rest
This will have been the most beautiful prog album you have heard so far this year. Outstanding and beautiful female vocals, haunting melodies, harps, violins, flutes, and theatrical - nay, cinematic - delivery. Frequency Drift have some stunning song writing and arrangement skills. Now, excuse me, I have to go see them live. Adieu!
Check the first track here!
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Headspace - I Am Anonymous
| Prog rock / metal |
15.06.2012
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This album is pretty huge. For starters it features Wakeman legacy, Adam Wakeman on keyboards to be precise - it's in the family. More to the point, though, the vocals are provided by Damian Wilson, one of the most talented singers in the genre. And that matters! I Am Anonymous is complex, technical, multifaceted, deep lyrically, and perfectly executed. A solid prog meal with a djenty aftertaste. This is simply one of the best prog albums released so far this year.
For album preview head here! Read review ››
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Galahad - Battle Scars
I don't know whether you proggers noticed or not but veteran British neo-prog scene delivered a set of strong albums last year. Pendragon, Pallas, Arena - just to set you straight what I'm thinking of. So, here's more from UK - Galahad. A bit too focused on keyboards, some ups and downs, at times a bit annoying but overall enjoyable stuff that's been spinning more than I initially thought possible. I can't put my finger on it but there's something there that keeps me returning for yet another go.
Preview here!
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Beyond The Bridge - The Old Man And The Spirit
A proper recommendation of conceptual prog rock/metal is in order. A début album years in the making, beautiful and technically complex melodies, orchestrations, male and female vocals, often layered and following different leads, excellent musicianship - this is Beyond The Bridge. If you want a reference, bit of Haken's Visions might give you some footing you seek, though, don't build your expectations on that.
Hear a sample here, or a full track "The Apparition" at the homepage here. Read review ››
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Thee Orakle - Smooth Comforts False
| Gothic / Death / Touch of Avantgarde |
27.03.2012
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You like female fronted gothic metal but don't want to look like a pussy? You kind of like death metal but, then again, you kind of don't? You like some experimentation in your music but want it to remain within sensible boundaries? A bit of saxophone sounds hip to you? How about a couple of jazz interludes? If it's all yes, then this might be an album for you.
Hear a sample here!Read review ››
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Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind) The Crafty Ape
| Prog / Post / Experimental rock |
13.02.2012
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Metal Storm Awards is so last year. So, for those of you who balance on the bleeding edge of new releases, here's a suggestion to keep you on track and in check. The great stuff that is Crippled Black Phoenix is back with a new album. From depressing post rockish experimental atmosphere to Floydy tunes, they have it and they own it. So, you take your time to enjoy it.
Try it out!
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Jolly - The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part 1)
Something you probably haven't stumbled across but deserves your very much in demand attention. I mean, how can you ignore an album with a title like that? Fact is, you can't. This record is backed by an actual scientific research. True story. Sometimes a bit djenty (ain't that a hot potato nowadays?), featuring cool soundscapes, often including bad ass riffs - this Jolly album is overall a beautifully structured record. If it ain't going to make you happy, it should at least make you feel good.
Taste it here!Read review ››
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Giant Squid - Cenotes
A gem of a band you might have overlooked in the past. Excellent song-writing, beautiful and haunting melodies supplied by the cello, varying songs, a bit doomy, a bit proggy - this here is a great post metal blend to accompany you as we near the longest night of the year. Yes, it's a short release, and yes, it does lose some edge towards the end. Still worth your time, though.
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Pure Reason Revolution - The Dark Third
| Prog rock/metal |
20.11.2011
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In a couple of days Pure Reason Revolution will embark on their very final tour consisting of just six dates in UK. As a parting gift, their brilliant début album The Dark Third will be played in its entirety for the first time ever. So, this is a fitting moment to step 5 years into the past and revisit this beautiful progressive masterpiece that has found its way into my playlist more times than I could possibly count. This is an album that I've probably enjoyed the most from the past decade. Read review ››
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