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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Glass Hammer "The Breaking Of The World"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Symphonic
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 31, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Mythopoeia
  2. Third Floor
  3. Babylon
  4. A Bird When it Sneezes
  5. Sand
  6. Bandwagon
  7. Haunted
  8. North Wind
  9. Nothing, Everything
Line-up
Steve Babb - bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Fred Schendel - keyboards, guitars, backing vocals
Kamran Alan Shikoh - guitars
Aaron Raulston - drums
Susie Bogdanowicz - vocals
Carl Groves (Salem Hill) - vocals
   With
 Steve Unruh (Resistor) - violin, flute
Michele Lynn - vocals

Description/Reviews
Just when you thought the greatest and most venerable American prog band could get “none more prog,” along comes THE BREAKING OF THE WORLD, the best work of Glass Hammer’s career and, in some related fashion, their most progressive album thus far. This is not just album number fifteen in a list of fifteen sequential studio albums. Of course, there’s no such thing—and never has been—as “just another Glass Hammer album.” Each is a treasure, in and of itself. At the risk of sounding somewhat bizarre, I must write that THE BREAKING OF THE WORLD is so progressive, that it probably goes beyond progressive rock. It’s not genre-less, but it is probably genre-creating or, at the very least, genre transformational.
 Read the full review by bradbirzer at progarchy.com

Media/Samples 
Trailer

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Cyrax "Pictures"


Country: Italy
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
LabelBakerteam Records
FormatCD
Release date March 31, 2015
Tracklist
1. Cyrax (5:05)
2. The 7th Seal (5:59)
3. Cockroach (3:43)
4. These Greenvalleys (4:11)
5. Oedipus Rex (4:06)
6. Shine Through Darkness pt. I (7:22)
7. Shine Through Darkness pt. II (3:36)
8. Shine Through Darkness pt. III (3:39)
9. Phunkrax (2:55) (bonus)

Line-up
Marco Cantoni - Lead Vocals
Filippo Ferrari - Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Paolo Musazzi - Lead and Rhythm Guitar/Synth Programming
Cesare Ferrari - Bass Guitar
Lorenzo Beltrami - Drums
Larsen Premoli - Keyboards
Gianmarco Giuseppe Andreoli - Violin
Giacomo Molteni - Cello
Evelyn Iuliano - Lead and Backing Vocals
Viola Barinotti - Backing Vocals
Antonio Pecere - Backing Vocals
Claudia Pinzello - Backing Vocals
Cristina Paschina - Backing Vocals

Description/Reviews
While the "heavy metal" is apparent, it's not the first thing you might notice in Cyrax's musical equation. Notable is the extensive and varied use of keyboards, from quirky and innovative synths to the significant piano presence. Both can be found in the song Cyrax, which expresses the band's raison d'etre. However, the keyboard solo in the first half sounds like ducks farting underwater. The piano often adds a subtle even delicate nuance to a largely heavier number as in the later third of Shine Through Darkness Part I. Then at the start of Part II, the synths turn to the sound of harpsichord. If you're piano and synth fan, Larsen Premoli will give you a large and entertaining lesson in their creative use.
A second thing of interest is the large use of classical music elements in nearly every song. I'm not talking about the huge use of keys to create some bombastic symphonic canvas (like Rhapsody of Fire, for instance). Cyrax uses both violin and cello, along with some choral vocals and piano, to steal lines traditional classical music.
 Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com

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Godspeed You! Black Emperor "Asunder, Sweet And Other Distress"


Country: Canada
Genre(s): Instrumental Experimental Post Rock
LabelConstellation
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 31, 2015
Tracklist
1. Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light!'
2. Lambs' Breath
3. Asunder, Sweet
4. Piss Crowns Are Trebled

Line-up
Thierry Amar: Bass and contrebasse
David Bryant: Electric guitar, portasound, organs and drones
Aidan Girt: Drums
Timothy Herzog: Drums and drones
Efrim Manuel Menuck: Electric guitar
Michael Moya: Electric guitar
Mauro Pezzente: Electric bass
Sophie Trudeau: Violins and drones

Description/Reviews
Known to fans and through live show recordings by the sobriquet "Behemoth", GYBE has gradually distilled this new work down to a fastidious and uncompromising essence in the studio, with the swing-time swagger of the opening unison riff in "Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light!'" giving way to increasing microtonal divergences and an exhilarating immersion in the harmonic power of massed amplified instruments, before collapsing into some of the most visceral and unalloyed noise/drone the band has yet committed to tape on "Lambs' Breath" and "’Asunder, Sweet'”. The album closes with "Piss Crowns Are Trebled", a classic 14-minute piece of vintage Godspeed, where ascending and descending guitar and violin melodies intertwine over gut-rattling distorted bass in 3/4 time, segueing into a pummeling four-on-the-floor series of sparkling, soaring crescendos  

Media/Samples 
Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light! (excerpt)

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Section IV "Superhuman"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Symphonic, Neo-Prog
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 31, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Superhuman 12:45
  2. Out of the Dark 07:46
  3. In Danger 08:01
  4. Inside 04:19
  5. So Far Away 07:05
  6. IDWTSTWT 04:10
  7. Guiding Light 04:02
  8. Take You Down 06:34
  9. Exile 16:27
Line-up
Sam Linay - Vocals
Robben Harrop - Guitar
Richard Lockett - Keys
Nicko J. Ruddock - Bass
Stuart Robertson - Drums

Description/Reviews
With the aim to make progressive music accesible to the masses and not content to follow any musical trends , Section IV fuse melodic hooks, rich soundscapes and musical dexterity to create music t hat defies genres. The five experienced musicians that make up Section V are no strangers to stage and studio, and are renowned for their ability to recreate their studio sound live, from the bone crunching riffs of ‘Take you down’ & ‘ IDWTSTWT’ through the subtle nuances and emotion of ‘Inside’ & ‘ Out of the dark’ to the epic, soaring melodies and grandeur of ‘Exile’. 
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Moonstriker "Chronos"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
Formatdigital
Release dateMarch 31, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Zephyr - 1:18
  2. Contact - 4:44
  3. Helios - 4:20
  4. Hollow Tree - 3:41
  5. Ansible - 3:44
  6. Ellipses - 3:29
  7. Iota - 4:00
  8. Vega - 4:30
  9. Atlas - 3:09
  10. Arcturus - 4:14
  11. Azure - 2:36
  12. Polaris - 4:35
  13. Light Cycles - 4:22
Line-up
Joel DeMartino - Vocals
Ethan Sharp - Guitar
Cody Bolt - Bass
Colin Tevis - Drums

Description/Reviews
A harmonious blend of various styles and genres unite to define MoonStriker as something familiar yet new to the ear. MoonStriker is a four piece power house fueled by their shared desire to push the limits of their creativity while still remaining relevant. MoonStriker delivers their music with pure passion and honesty, creating a live experience you cannot help but be drawn into. 
Media/Samples 
Contact
Ellipses

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Special Providence "Essence Of Change"


Country: Hungary
Genre(s): Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion, Progressive Metal
LabelGEP
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 30, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Awaiting the Semicentennial Tidal Wave 04:18
  2. Surprise Me 05:36
  3. Kiss from a Glacier 04:39
  4. Northern Lights 03:56
  5. Atlas of You 04:21
  6. I.R.P. (Interstellar Robotic Pilgrim) 04:22
  7. Darkness 03:43
  8. Gas Giants 07:03
  9. Testing the Empathy 06:06
Line-up
Zsolt Kaltenecker: keyboards
Márton Kertész: guitar
Attila Fehérvári: bass
Adam Markó: drums
   With
David Maxim Micic: guest solo (8)
Zoltán Cséry: keyboards (9)

Description/Reviews
“Essence of Change” is an intriguing mix of prog, jazz- rock and metal
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp
Northern Lights

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Monday, March 30, 2015

Fields "Contrasts - From Urban Roar to Country Peace"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelEsoteric Antenna
FormatCD
Release date March 30, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Let Her Sleep
  2. Wedding Bells
  3. Someone To Trust
  4. Wonder Why
  5. Music Was Their Game
  6. The Old Canal
  7. Put Out To Grass
  8. Storm
  9. Set Yourself Free (bonus track)
  10. The River  (bonus track)
  11. Spring (bonus track)
Line-up
Graham Field - organ
Frank Farrell (Supertramp) - vocals and lead guitar
Andy McCullock (King Crimson) - drums

Description/Reviews
This album recorded in 1972 was perplexingly shelved by CBS Records and remained consigned to the vaults for over forty years. The original master tapes of this fine album were recently located and have been re-mastered as "Contrasts – From Urban Roar to Country Peace” with the full involvement of Graham Field. Now Esoteric Recordings presents the album for the first time with this release.
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Atrium "Elements"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Instrumental Progressive Metal, Djent
Formatdigital
Release dateMarch 30, 2015
Tracklist
1. Liquid Crystals (feat. Jonathan M.) (2:51)
2. Ecosphere (5:48)
3. Convolution (5:45)
4. Onyx (3:14)
5. Final Goodbye/Cloudscapes (feat. Jonathan M.) (7:35)
6. Spirals (4:38)
7. Regenesis (5:49)
8. Transference (5:05)
9. Shards (4:37)
10. Figments (7:45)

Line-up
Vincent R. Ochoa
   With
Jonathan M.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (Free Download)

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Steve Hackett "Wolflight"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelInsideOut
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 30, 2015 (EU) April 7, 2015 (US)
Tracklist
  1. Out of the Body
  2. Wolflight
  3. Love Song to a Vampire
  4. The Wheel's Turning
  5. Corycian Fire
  6. Earthshine
  7. Loving Sea
  8. Black Thunder
  9. Dust and Dreams
  10. Heart Song
Line-up
Steve Hackett: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Arabian lute and twelve string, lead vocals
    With:
Roger King:  keyboards & programming
Gary O'Toole:  drums
Rob Townsend:  sax, duduk
Nick Beggs:  bass & stick
Amanda Lehmann:  harmony vocals
Malik Mansurov:  tar
Sara Kovaks:  didgeridoo
Chris Squire:  bass (3)
Hugo Dagenhardt:  drums (9)

Description/Reviews
The ten tracks take the listener through a journey in space and time looking at the different faces of the endless fight for freedom. Wandering between parallel universes, Hackett explores contemporary and ancient cultures, from Greece (Corycian Fire) to the Far East (Wolflight), the USA and Martin Luther King (Black Thunder), but also his very own childhood memories (The Wheel's Turning) and the unresolved drama of domestic violence (Love Song to a Vampire).
Media/Samples 
Trailer
Wolflight
The Wheel’s Turning

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Davy O'List "Second Thoughts"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelLong Lunch Music
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 30, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Second Thoughts (8;55)
  2. To The Stars (4:07)
  3. The Emperor (8:21)
  4. Touchwood (6:23)
  5. Bonnie K (3:35)
  6. Halfway To Heaven (14:31)
Line-up
Davy O’List (Roxy Music, The Nice) - guitar, organ, synthesiser, trumpet, special effects, vocals
Andy Tillison (The Tangent, Parallel or 90 Degrees) - keyboards
Paul Brown - bass guitar
David Wagstaffe - drums

Description/Reviews
The title track echoes Davy's work with The Nice. It opens with an organ passage that would be at home on The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack. Davy's vocal is functional rather than fancy and not unlike Lee Jackson in style. Andy Tillison's keyboards play-off Davy's guitar, while the rhythm section energetically drives things along. It is an exciting introduction to what is to come. To The Stars opens with bits of guitar, organ and a half-spoken vocal. It soon becomes a sparring match between Tillison's keyboard and Davy's growling and crying guitar.
The Emperor opens with a repeated piano and guitar riff and soon develops into an up-tempo number, with plenty of interplay between guitar and keyboards. Tillison and O'List are both first-rate soloists, who never overplay. Touchwood begins with chorded guitar and a hint of a jazzy feel. Davy's vocal, and the song's repetitive chorus are simple yet effective. Bonnie K is a guitar-driven remake from The Nice's catalogue. It has a bit of an R&B feel to it, which perhaps gives a hint of what the Nice might've become had Davy been in charge.
Halfway To Heaven closes out the album in grand style. It is a 14:31 tour de force, showcasing the band at its proggy best. It opens with Davy singing to modest keyboard backing, only to take flight into a lovely updating of the best elements of late 60s/early 70s psych and prog. The vocal and lyrics are appropriately trippy as the music draws you happily inward. This is an ambitious piece of music but the band is definitely up to the task.
 Read the full review by Rick Collins at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
Second Thoughts 

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Tuliterä "Tulikaste"


Country: Finland
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Space Metal
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 30, 2015
Tracklist
1. Percolator (4:56)
2. Alpha Blade (7:22)
3. Jagat (4:07)
4. Firedew (8:04)
5. Cetus (2:42)
6. Voidborn (8:49)
7. Star Rodeo (4:18)
8. All-Seeing Deliriu

Line-up
Vesa Partti - guitars, synths, programming, add. bass
Hannu Willman - guitar, synths in 'Alpha Blade' & 'Jagat'
Tommi Tolonen - bass
Tommi Nissinen - drums, synths in 'Firedew'
    With
J. Helenius - synths, loops in 'Menticide'
Jaire - sitar, e-tampura in 'Voidborn'

Description/Reviews
Some of the tracks have been released before on the band's two EP's but these are new versions and edited down a bit... A new track "Percolator" starts off the album in a rather atmospheric mode with trance-inducing programmed stuff, space sounds and beautiful guitar. It does get heavier towards the end, though... A great intro that builds up the excitement! "Alpha Blade" must be one of the oldest TT tracks the band still plays live, and it sure makes the crowd wild every time! This piece really rocks through space and time and has rather progressive parts as well. "Jagat" is another track from the 2008 Alpha EP and it's also fast and energetic, but not that complex. This makes you bang your head! "Firedew" is a new track that begins in a tranquil, somehow Twin Peaks inspired mood, but soon they add the metal guitars and drums, and then things get more progressive and adventurous. There are some great melodies in this one, and in the end everything cools down again.
 Read the full review at psychotropiczone.blogspot.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Cranium Pie "Mechanisms Part Two"


Country: UK
Genre(s)Psychedelic
LabelFruits de Mer Records
FormatCD, vinyl
Release dateMarch 30, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Black bird of death
  2. Masterace
  3. Prophelactus
  4. Here we are together
  5. The magus
  6. What did you said
  7. Light the candle
  8. The lost song
  9. Glimpses into the 11th
  10. And so it unfolded
  11. Black tree
  12. Intermission trails
  13. The wrong sun
  14. After the marth
  15. It's happening now
  16. Neverending endings
Line-up
Tim Bray - vocals and drums
Rob Appleton - keys, vocals, bass
Dan Herra - guitars
Julian Smith - vocals and drums
Steve Meadows - bass

Description/Reviews
...titles mean little here as the whole is like a tour de force of Prog-Psych-Kosmiche Rock circa 1969-73. Follow along as I stream of conscious describe this 4 sided experience and you’ll get a flavor for what Mechanisms Part 2 is about…
Side 1 starts off with an intense narrative segment that’s like a cross between Arthur Brown and the early Brainticket albums. This segues into a bouncy jazzy Kosmiche and orchestrated jam with swirling effects and haunting backing vocals, and a lead vocal that sounds like Frank Zappa. Additional treats include Jazz propelled Space Rock and soulful Psychedelic Prog-Blues with impassioned vocals and guitar leads.  
 Read the full review by Jerry Kranitz at aural-innovations.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (3 tracks)

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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Sumilan "En Transit"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 28, 2015
Tracklist
  1. World Is Getting Closer 06:18
  2. Escape Plan 06:14
  3. Break It Off 07:29
  4. Ain't Missing You 04:58
  5. Uncalled For 07:56
  6. All We Know 06:58
  7. Falling Below 05:34
  8. Know My Name 06:07
  9. Broken Toes 07:25
Line-up
Sam Whitfield - Drums
Harris Culley - Guitar, Vocals
Mark Dykes - Bass, Vocals
JT Toro - Guitar
Alex Stokes - Keyboards, Vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ghost Rhythms "Madeleine"


Country: France
Genre(s)Jazz Rock, Fusion, Avant Prog
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 28, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Another Bridge - 2:57
  2. I Did Not - 8:01
  3. Tree Ashes - 5:29
  4. Carlotta Valdes - 15:52
  5. Apparition #2 - 5:33
  6. Falaise - 2:04
  7. Free Fall - 4:28
  8. Apparition #1 - 7:01
  9. Phalènes - 1:34
  10. L'alphée - 4:50
  11. Apparition #3 - 7:30
  12. Aleph - 12:36
  13. Relief - 5:30
  14. Ravin - 1:42
  15. Disparition - 3:31
  16. I Did - 7:44
  17. Mary Rose - 0:22
  18. Apparition #4 - 6:26
  19. A Bridge - 8:32
  20. Vie D'emilie Sagée - 5:51
  21. Pour Toi (Mais Tu N'écoutais Pas) - 3:41
  22. La Circulaire - 7:08
Line-up
Guillaume Aventurin: guitar
Sarah Baroux: vocals
Maxime Berton: soprano saxophone, flute (2, 22), bass clarinet
Julien Bigorgne: flute
Julien Blanchard: upright bass
Sonia Bricout: vocals
Alexis Collin: accordion
Xavier Gélard: drums, guitar, vocals
Grégory Kosovski: bass
Morgan Lowenstein: percussions
Nadia Mejri-Chappelle: cello
Camille Petit: keyboards, vocals
Régis Pons: trumpet
David Rousselet: tenor saxophone
Maxime Thiébaut: soprano, alto and baritone saxophones
Virginie Boulignat: violin

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Sylvium "Waiting for the Noise"


Country: Netherlands
Genre(s)Progressive Rock
LabelFREIA Music
FormatCD
Release dateMarch 28, 2015
Tracklist
1: Quietus
2: Signal to Noise
3: Fade In/Out
   Part I: Revelation
   Part II: Confrontation
   Part III: Reconciliation
4: Altered State
5: Headlong
6: Fragile
7: Coda ( For a Dream )

Line-up
Ben van Gastel
Gijs Koopman
Richard de Geest
Antal Nusselder
Fred den Hartog

Media/Samples 
Trailer

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Pantommind "Searchung For Eternity"


Country: Bulgaria
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
LabelSpectastral Records
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 27, 2015
Tracklist
01. Not For Me
02. Moon Horizons
03. Walk On
04. Lost Lullaby
05. Angel
06. Hypnophobia (instrumental)
07. Down To The End
08. Tell Me
09. Searching For Eternity
10. Heart (outro)
11. Lost (Beautiful Life) – bonus track

Line-up
Pete Christ - bass, guitars, keyboards
Tony Ivan - lead & backing vocals
Ross - lead & rhythm guitars
Drago - drums
SunnyX - keyboards
   With
Jiip Randam - guitar
Mike Andersson

Media/Samples 
Promo

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Friday, March 27, 2015

Huminoita "All Is Two"


Country: Finland
Genre(s)Psychedelic, Post Rock
LabelLuova Records
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 27 , 2015
Tracklist
1. The Sheriff
2. Hymn 23
3. Goliath
4. The Pilgrim
5. King of Hearts
6. Hymn 24

Line-up
Ville Mäkäräinen - guitar, flute, vocals, synth
Timo Keränen  - guitar, percussion
Ville Mäkinen - bass
Jonne Ketola - drums
Matti Salo - saxophone, keyboards, vocals, synths
   With
Laura Lehtola - voice (1, 4, 6)
Oula Karppinen - saxophone, trumpet & sopramino (5)

Description/Reviews
The album is yet another proof of the overlapping nature of genres. All is Two mixes rock, metal and even jazz and finds new musical dimensions with each layer. The band does not twiddle. Its music has always been about wide strokes - the drums, the bass and the electric guitars build momentum, and the wind instruments and the chanting vocals raise the songs to their eloquent zeniths. 
Media/Samples 
Stream
The Pilgrim
Hymn 23

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Merry go Round "Merry go Round"


Country: Italy
Genre(s)Psychedelic, Retro Prog, Hard Rock
LabelBlack Widow Records
FormatCD, vinyl
Release date: March 2015
Tracklist
1. Dora's Dreams  5:17
2. After  6:00
3. Autumn's Days 4:18
4. Poison Ivy 4:13
5. Free Ride 4:13
6. Changeling 5:34
7. To Die Of Fear 5:00
8. Indian Rope Man  3:23
9. In Search Of Lost Time 4:40
10. Mesmerized Worlds 5:39
11. Friday The 13th 3:27 (CD Bonus track)

Line-up
Martina Vivaldi: Vocals
Renzo Belli: Electric Guitar
Sandro Vitolo: Electric Guitar
Michele Profeti (ex-Standarte): Hammond Organ, Mellotron, Moog
Stefano Gabbani (ex-Standarte): Bass Guitar
Sandro Maccheroni: Drums

Description/Reviews
The band was founded as Storks in 1985. Their music was Psychedelic Progressive with wild rhythm & blues touches. In 1990 Michele Profeti and Stefano Gabbani joined Daniele Caputo forming legendary Psych-Prog Mellotron dominated group Standarte.
In 2012 all members got back together again with the addition of a second guitar player Sandro Vitolo and a new explosive female singer Martina Vivaldi…a sort of Janis Joplin meets Lynda Hoyle… Thus Merry go Round was born. Vintage keyboards lead their fascinating sound, electric guitars duel on a psycho-blues rhythm, their music will capture you dipping in a real 70s Psych-Prog atmosphere.
Media/Samples 
Dora's Dreams
Indian Rope Man 

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Crossing the Rubicon "Ascension"


Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock/Metal
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 27, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Levitation 07:56
  2. Afterglows (of the Largest Explosions in the Universe) 04:54
  3. And He Built A Crooked House... 05:19
  4. It's Biodigital Jazz, man 04:01
  5. Chrysanthemum 05:15
  6. AnthropoScene 09:07
Line-up
Alejandro Licano
   With
Tomáš Raclavský (Modern Day Babylon)
Spencer Barnett (Under the Combine)
Jonathan Carpenter (ex- The Contortionist)
Paul Ozz (Paul Ozz)
Mark Hawkins (Devolved/Robots Pulling Levers)
Chris Catharsis (SoulCycle)
Aldi Ojeda (Jazz Cuyabeno)
Alfonso Fullbore Williams (Harmonikk Abyss)
Chris Aldridge (National Headcase)
Mathias Ulrick
Allen Patrick (ex Mental Floss)
Nikhil Singh (Shavasva)
Madison Jones (Parallax)
Eric Webber
Josh Norris (ex-Ride To Ruin)
Keigo Yoshida (The Blue Prison)
Andrey Sazonov (Amogh Symphony/Halcyan)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Loszeal "Ideal World"


Country: Japan
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
LabelBlack-listed records
FormatCD, digital
Release date: March 27, 2015
Tracklist
1.Invitation - 2:13
2.懶惰、断絶 (Randa.Danzetsu) - 7:51
3.Repeat Itself - 6:08
4.Adaptation:uoitatdap V - 5:03
5.天長地久 (Tenchochikyu) - 5:47
6.Freak Outsider - 5:38
7.Ideal World Part.1 - 5:20
8.Ideal World Part.2 - 5:36

Line-up
Mami Hachiya - Vocals
Ryosuke Yamada - Guitars, Voice
Takuma Hongo - Bass, Chapman stick, Voice
Kazuko Takebayashi - Chorus

Media/Samples 
Freak Outsider
Trailer

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Nightwish "Endless Forms Most Beautiful"


Country: Finland
Genre(s): Symphonic Progressive Metal
LabelNuclear Blast
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 27/30/31, 2015 (EU/UK/USA)
Tracklist
  1. Shudder Before the Beautiful - 6:29
  2. Weak Fantasy - 5:23
  3. Élan - 4:45
  4. Yours Is an Empty Hope - 5:34
  5. Our Decades in the Sun - 6:37
  6. My Walden - 4:38
  7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful - 5:07
  8. Edema Ruh - 5:15
  9. Alpenglow - 4:45
  10. The Eyes of Sharbat Gula - 6:03
  11. The Greatest Show on Earth - 24:00
Line-up
Floor Jansen (After Forever, Ayreon, Star One) - vocals
Tuomas Holopainen - keyboards, piano
Emppu Vuorinen - guitars
Marco Hietala - bass, vocals
Troy Donockley (Iona) - uilleann pipes, tin whistle, backing vocals
   With:
Kai Hahto (Wintersun, Swallow the Sun, Trees of Eternity) - drums, percussion
Richard Dawkins - narration
Pip Williams - orchestral arrangements and conducting
Metro Voices - choir

Media/Samples 
Elan

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Tenors Of Kalma "Electric Willow"


Country: Finland
Genre(s)Fusion, Jazz-Rock/Pop, Krautrock
LabelYellowbird
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 27, 2015
Tracklist
01. Can We Yes! (05:45)
02. Blind (07:30)
03. Go-Go-Go (03:11)
04. 100 UFOa Suomesta (01:08)
05. Ininaa (04:31)
06. Miettelis (05:41)
07. Gilgames (05:20)
08. The Missing Page 1964 (07:37)
09. Sakura (06:17)
10. The Hymn to the Sun God (04:47)

Line-up
Joonas Riippa - Drums
Kalle Kalima - Guitar, Vocals
Jimi Tenor - Vocals, Keyboards, Saxophone, Flute

Media/Samples 
Blind
Stream

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OSV "The Cover Of Light"


Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Metal, Fusion
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 26 , 2015
Tracklist
01. The Fall
02. Day Break
03. Lost In Eden
04. Rising Tides
05. Covenant Keeper
06. Insights
07. Broken Chains
08. Eyes On High
09. Kings And Kingdoms
10. Giver Of Faith
11. Come To Pass
12. Every Breath You Take
13. No Quarter
14. Comfortably Numb

Line-up
Gary Oppert : drums
Steve Sexton: bass
   With
Marcel Coenen: guitars
Mathieu Fiset: keyboards
Jonas Tamas: guitar on tracks 2, 4, 11, 14
Sergey Boykov: keyboards on tracks 2, 5, 7, 8
Thomas Brown: keyboards on track 10
Brandon Vaughn: guitar on track 2, 11 and keyboards on track 11

Description/Reviews
"The Cover Of Light" is a collection of 11 bombastic original instrumental compositions that should appeal to aficionados of technical prog/metal fusion in the vein of Dream Theater, Planet X, Joe Satriani, Symphony X, Yngwie Malmsteen, Liquid Tension Experiment, Alan Holdsworth, and Derek Sherinan.
 Read the full review by Joseph Shingler at prognaut.com

Media/Samples 
Promo

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Jakub Zytecki "Wishful Lotus Proof"


Country: Poland
Genre(s)Progressive Metal, Fusion
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 26, 2015 (digital)
Tracklist
01 Yes - 01:56
02 Satya's Diary - 08:38
03 Cold - 05:02
04 Nullity Rooted - 04:01
05 Fall Of Logic - 05:10
06 Majin - 05:12
07 Eywa O.F.F. - 04:21
08 Run! - 03:53
09 Eternal Fact Of Water - 08:18
10 Avifors Day - 04:35
11 The Sea's Only Gifts Are Harsh Blows - 06:04
12 Yellow - 08:20

Line-up
Jakub Zytecki (Disperse) - Guitars, Programming
   With
David Maxim Micic (9)
Rafal "Rasta" Piotrowski (6)
Plini (8)
Misha Mansoor (4)
Piotr Gibner (2)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

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Awake the Sun "The Barren Sleep"


Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Doom Metal
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 26, 2015
Tracklist
1. Awake (1:34)
2. No Sun (5:26)
3. Snow Stained Heart (6:38)
4. The Whitering (7:38)
5. Distant Calling (5:00)
6. Empire (4:58)
7. Hours (6:48)
8. Redemption (6:53)

Total time 44:55

Line-up
Nicola Mel - Voice
Giuliano Marzola - Guitars & programming
Brasilian Brass  - Guitars
Cristian Luise - Drums
Francesco Gargan - Bass
Leonardo Castellani - Keyboards

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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039 "Amalgama"


Country: Italy
Genre(s)Progressive Metal
LabelBitterpill Music
Formatdigital
Release dateMarch 26, 2015
Tracklist
  1. The Dark Passenger - 1:15
  2. Dexter - 5:43
  3. What's Left - 5:18
  4. Out of Time, Pt. 1 - 5:26
  5. Away from the Sun - 4:50
  6. Mother - 4:44
  7. Blood - 6:04
  8. Coma - 4:38
  9. Amalgama - 5:44
  10. Flowing Away - 1:58
  11. Disclosure - 2:47
Line-up
Ruggero Ascione - Guitars
Daniele Carozzi - Bass Guitar
Bruno D'Aleo - Vocals
Emanuele Rossi - Drums
Marco Zanibelli - Keyboards
   With
Silvia Elisa Muratori - Vocals (5)

Media/Samples 
Trailer
Stream

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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

End of the Dream "All I Am"


Country: Netherlands
Genre(s)Progressive Symphonic Metal
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 24, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Follow The Angels (6:18)
  2. Away (5:29)
  3. Colder (3:54)
  4. Shadow's Embrace (7:43)
  5. Collide (4:38)
  6. All I Am (4:16)
  7. Through the Dark (4:53)
  8. Dark Reflection (9:36)
  9. Gone (3:23)
Line-up
Armen Shamelian - guitars, keyboards
Robin van Ekeren - guitars
Micky Huijsmans - vocals
Pieter Driesen - drums
Tim van den Hooven - bass

Description/Reviews
Follow the Angels starts this journey through the scary moonless forest with a good balance of the usual shredding guitar chords mixed with orchestral keys and high church choir sounds. Ok then, Nightwish does come to mind, but then this is in the same ball park. Micky Huijsmans' vocal style is a combination of a sweet ballad style combined with a longing that sits on top of the musical bravado. It keeps to the main tempo and never attempts to follow any of the many crochets within the bars. I really like that and it imbues a relaxed sensation amongst the cocophony.
Best track Shadow's Embrace is the most technical and enjoyable here. It's Dream Theater without any keyboard solos but that lead guitar plaing more than makes up for that.
 Read the full review by Andrew Halley at dprp.net

Media/Samples 
Collide\Away

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Lamp of the Universe "The Inner Light of Revelation"


Country: New Zealand
Genre(s)Psychedelic, Space Rock, Prog Folk
Labelclostridium records (vinyl)
FormatCD, digital, vinyl
Release dateMarch 24, 2015 (CD, digital) May 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist
  1. Trance of the Pharaohs - 05:44
  2. God of One - 08:51
  3. The Guiding Light - 03:58
  4. Levitation - 06:35
  5. Utopian Seed - 07:56
  6. Ancient Path - 05:39
  7. Beyond the Horizon - 03:07
  8. Celestial Forms - 08:44
Line-up
Craig Williamson - everything

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Pulsar "Alive"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Instrumental Progressive Metal
Formatdigital
Release dateMarch 24, 2015
Tracklist
  1. Ties That Bind 02:43
  2. Miracle 03:51
  3. Vivo 03:02
  4. Sunbeam 04:33
  5. Search, Ponder, And Stray 06:32
  6. Prophecy 05:37
  7. Ms. Direct 01:46
  8. Skumps 03:29
  9. Bad Form 04:38
  10. Cynic 04:14
  11. Brass Tacks 05:17
  12. Reality 05:26
  13. Vivere 04:35
Line-up
Davey Lyon

Description/Reviews
Debut from this very ambitious solo artist. Over the top, crazy-ass tech metal but done with a real sense of humor at times to keep it a lot of fun. Great for fans of Scale The Summit, Behold The Arctopus or really anyone who loves non-stop tech metal insanity! (progmetalzone.com)
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ayyuka "Sömestr"


Country: Turkey
Genre(s)Instrumental Psychedelic
Label Shalgam Records
Formatdigital, vinyl
Release dateMarch 24, 2015 (digital)
Tracklist
1. Sömestr (8:30)
2. Tek Teker (6:38)
3. Geceleri Zor Uyurum (3:00)
4. Gabor (3:19)
5. Gün 1B (7:10)
6. Guaruja (2:30)
7. Ayrton Senna (9:15)
8. Bu Bi Rüya Olmalı (2:52)

Line-up
Özgür Yılmaz
Ahmet Kul
Altan Sebüktekin
Alican Tezer
   With
Güney Güvel: Percussion
Orlando Julius: Saxophone (1, 5)

Description/Reviews
Sömestr is Ayyuka’s third studio album, the sound  moves between psychedelic rock, afro rhythms  and much else besides. The album was made by the  improvising recording sessions that they recorded at their studio. 

Media/Samples 
Stream

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John Orr Franklin "The Ghost of Houdini"


Country: USA
Genre(s)AOR, Art Rock
FormatCD, digital
Release dateMarch 24, 2015
Tracklist
  1. The Oak Tree - 05:59
  2. I'll Try - 04:09
  3. It Goes On - 03:32
  4. Words Disguise - 04:37
  5. Lessons Learned - 03:13
  6. Seasons Change - 03:08
  7. The Ghost of Houdini - 05:39
  8. Life of the Spirit - 03:46
  9. Always Around - 03:39
  10. Carry On - 04:23
Line-up
John Orr Franklin - all instruments and vocals

Description/Reviews
March 24, 2015 marks the 141st birthday of Harry Houdini.
An album that deals largely with strength of the spirit. Featuring the song “The Oak Tree” which is lyrically based on a poem by Johnny Ray Ryder of the same name. The album’s title track features actual audio recorded at a Houdini séance as well as one of the only known recordings of the actual voice of Harry Houdini. Ten songs based on the acknowledgment of the spirit world and the importance it bears on the world of here and now. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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The Myrrors "Arena Negra"


Country: USA
Genre(s)Psychedelic, Krautrock
LabelBeyond Beyond is Beyond
FormatCD, digital, cassette, vinyl
Release dateMarch 24, 2015
Tracklist
1. Arena Negra (11:55)
2. Juanito Laguna Duerme Con Los Grillos (04:05)
3. Dome House Music (04:37)
4. The Forward Path: Emergence/Distant, Traveller/Permanent Revolution (20:42)

Line-up
Nik Rayne
Grant Beyschau
Cody Schwartz
Connor Gallaher
Miguel Urbina

Description/Reviews
Yet with the release of “Arena Negra” – the band’s first release for Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records – there are signs that the mystery has been solved. Put another way, there may have never been a mystery to solve in the first place. As the forty-two minute journey unfolds, it becomes abundantly clear that The Myrrors are simply one of the most compelling bands on the planet at the moment, whether their records are arriving three times a year, or only every three years.
The Myrrors sound is one of urgency, but urgency not beholden to velocity. From the twelve-minute “Arena Negra” title track that opens the album (by slowly slithering out of the ground and into the air), to the twenty-minute inhumanly heavy album closer, “The Forward Path,” it’s immediately apparent that the band has captured completely the sound of shackles being shed. “Arena Negra” comes on strong, as clearly, evenly and undeniably as the very light that enters your eyes, fueled by a heroic dose of Bardo Pond-esque levels of elevation and amplification.
 Read the full review by Ryan Muldoon at revoltoftheapes.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (3 tracks)
Stream

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The Gentle Storm "The Diary"


Country: Netherlands
Genre(s)Progressive Metal / Acoustic Progressive Rock
LabelInsideOut
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 23, 2015
Tracklist
CD 1: The Gentle Version
  1. Endless Sea - 5:59
  2. Heart of Amsterdam - 6:36
  3. The Greatest Love - 4:08
  4. Shores of India - 6:40
  5. Cape of Storms - 5:28
  6. The Moment - 6:08
  7. The Storm - 5:55
  8. Eyes of Michiel - 3:56
  9. Brightest Light - 4:46
  10. New Horizons - 5:24
  11. Epilogue: The Final Entry - 2:02
CD 2: The Storm Version
  1. Endless Sea - 5:53
  2. Heart of Amsterdam - 6:37
  3. The Greatest Love - 3:57
  4. Shores of India - 6:24
  5. Cape of Storms - 5:32
  6. The Moment - 6:10
  7. The Storm - 5:58
  8. Eyes of Michiel - 4:00
  9. Brightest Light - 4:54
  10. New Horizons - 5:25
  11. Epilogue: The Final Entry - 2:03
Line-up
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, Guilt Machine): guitars, keyboards
Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering, Ayreon, Devin Townsend) : lead vocals
    With:
Ed Warby  (Ayreon):  drums
Rob Snijders (Ayreon, Anneke van Giersbergen):  percussion
Johan van Stratum (Stream Of Passion):  bass
Joost van den Broek (Ayreon, Star One, After Forever, Sun Caged):  piano
Timo Somers (Delain):  guitar solo
Ben Mathot (Ayreon, Guilt Machine):  violin
Hinse Mutter:  double bass
Maaike Peterse (Ayreon, Kingfisher Sky):  cello
Jenneke de Jonge:  French horn
Jeroen Goossens (Ayreon, Flairck):  wind instruments
Epic Rock Choir:  choir

Description/Reviews
The Gentle Storm double album is an epic production of Ayreon proportions, divided into two parts as a full-on metal assault (CD1) and lighter folk arrangements (CD2). It also heralds Anneke's return to the realms of heavy guitars and soaring vocals reminiscent of The Gathering's breakthrough album, Mandylion.

Media/Samples 
Endless Sea (Storm version)
Endless Sea (Gentle version)

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Barren Earth "On Lonely Towers"


Country: Finland
Genre(s)Progressive Melodic Death Metal
LabelCentury Media
FormatCD, vinyl, digital
Release dateMarch 23, 2015 (EU), March 30, 2015 (US)
Tracklist
1. From The Depths Of Spring (1:25)
2. Howl (5:40)
3. Frozen Processions (4:52)
4. A Shapeless Derelict (7:33)
5. Set Alight (7:27)
6. On Lonely Towers (11:52)
7. Chaos The Songs Within (7:45)
8. Sirens Of Oblivion (7:02)
9. The Vault (11:07)

Line-up
Jón Aldárá - vocals
Janne Perttilä - guitars
Sami Yli-Sirniö - guitars
Kasper Mårtenson - keyboards
Oppu Laine - basses
Marko Tarvonen - drums

Description/Reviews
Barren Earth‘s sound ca 2015 is a great combination of what reminds me of Elegy era Amorphis, with a touch of Opeth-y death riffery (which has begun to take more of a back seat compared to the earlier material), and mixed in with a healthy dose of doom that puts the overall tone of this record close to The Devil’s Resolve.
 Read the full review at angrymetalguy.com

Media/Samples 
Set Alight
Stream

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