Inside Mastodon’s Next Revolution
The anticipation of getting to play Once More ‘Round The Sun – Mastodon’s sixth full-length album – has finally overcome drummer Brann Dailor. He…
prog
Hellbound’s Progressive Nation at Sea Awards 2014
In February 2014, Adam Wills and Laura Wiebe flew to Miami, embarked on a cruise ship, and indulged in four days’ worth of live progressive rock…
Truckfighters – Universe
By Gruesome Greg This Swedish trio is one of the hardest-working bands in stoner rock. Though it’s taken a little while longer than expected…
Revelation – Inner Harbor
A new album is always a welcome sight from this longstanding Maryland doom trio
Threshold – March Of Progress
March Of Progress has much to offer and it’s a solid Threshold album by any standard. However, for me it simply lacks the punch and the energy of Critical Mass, Subsurface and Dead Reckoning. A little more spice wouldn’t hurt on the next Threshold album.
Ancestors – In Dreams and Time
While their debut album was all over the place—in a bad way—Ancestors have a delivered a much more focused effort this time around that’s worthy of a few spins. Recommended for fans of Neurosis, Isis and the like; just don’t expect to hear much that those bands haven’t done before
Riverside – Memories In My Head
Prog, neo-prog, art rock, apples, oranges… you can take your labels and pick them apart on your own time. Let’s just enjoy this classy excursion from Riverside for now.
Opeth–Heritage
As it’s still unforeseen where Opeth are heading to next, Heritage stands out as an eccentric anomaly in their catalogue. But this doesn’t diminish the quality of the album one bit. Heritage is a fantastic album, although it’s not without its flaws. However, those flaws have nothing to do with Opeth’s decision to become preoccupied with prog. They are simply slight musical missteps, and who hasn’t stumbled when finding a new path?
Arch/Matheos—Sympathetic Resonance
Sympathetic Resonance might only contain six new tracks, but every one of them is superb. I know I’m not the first one to say this, but if you were contemplating investing in some progressive metal and you were reaching for the new Dream Theater release—stop right now. Arch/Matheos is infinitely more creative and a hell of a lot more satisfying. Who knows what will become of the band, but I sincerely hope that they record again because Sympathetic Resonance is an outstanding success on every level.
Zombi – Escape Velocity
Escape Velocity features a stripped-down Zombi—just synths and drums pulsating to a driving beat. It feels more urban and Germanic; at times like a sinister Kraftwerk. Zombi come across as cool masters of technology now; instead of mad lab techs trying to keep a roomful of aging machines alive and in synch. On Escape Velocity, the machines have learned how to run themselves.