Progressive metal – Page 17

Conjurer – Páthos (Review)

This is the second album from UK sludge/post-metallers Conjurer.

This much-anticipated lab of heaviness is the 53-minute follow up to 2018’s punishing Mire.

A contemporary blend of sludge and post-metal, with elements of doom, hardcore, and progressive metal, Páthos takes the sound that Mire did so well and pushes it further, expanding on its core heaviness with a greater range of textures and emotions. It’s like a vicious nest of crushing riffs has been smashed together with a multifaceted collection of rich soundscapes, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Continue reading “Conjurer – Páthos (Review)”

Spiralist – Eternal Recurrence (Review)

This is the second album from Spiralist, a solo post-metal act from Portugal.

Eternal Recurrence is an interesting album that’s hard to easily pin down when it comes to genre. Post-metal is probably the most obvious tag, but then there’s also a blackened aspect to parts of it. It has a pretty blatant progressive side too, sometimes, very 70s sci-fi in feel. There are also elements of doom and industrial that can be heard in places. I’m going to stick to the post-metal appellation and be done with it, but just know that the artist behind Spiralist cares not for producing easily categorised music. Continue reading “Spiralist – Eternal Recurrence (Review)”

Kardashev – Liminal Rite (Review)

This is the second album from US extreme metal band Kardashev.

Kardashev have an unusual sound that consists of a mixture of shoegaze and deathcore, to which elements of black, progressive, atmospheric, and post-metal have been added. This is then all rolled into an atypical contemporary package that lasts 60 minutes. Post-deathcore, maybe? Either that, or deathgaze, as the band style themselves.

Continue reading “Kardashev – Liminal Rite (Review)”

Helioss – Contre ma Lumière (Review)

This is the fifth album from French progressive black/death metallers.

Helioss play a hybrid style of black and death metal that has progressive influences and symphonic aspects. Across 62 minutes Contre ma Lumière delivers a multifaceted album of atmosphere, aggression, and majestic grandeur. Continue reading “Helioss – Contre ma Lumière (Review)”

Astronoid – Radiant Bloom (Review)

This is the third album from US post-metal band Astronoid.

Combining post-rock, shoegaze, ambient, and progressive metal into a compelling and contemporary post-metal framework. Radiant Bloom is a 46-minute journey through mysterious cosmic realms, where unusual and awe-inspiring sights and plentiful. Continue reading “Astronoid – Radiant Bloom (Review)”

Druids – Shadow Work (Review)

This is the fourth album from progressive/stoner metal band Druids.

After very much enjoying 2016’s Cycles of Mobeum, 2017’s Spirit Compass, and 2019’s Monument, I knew I wanted to check out Shadow Work as soon as it saw the light of day. Continue reading “Druids – Shadow Work (Review)”

OU – One (Review)

This is the debut album from Chinese progressive rock band OU.

OU have a very striking and unusual sound. Dynamic, vibrant, and atypical, One is an album made for those looking for something a bit different from their music. Continue reading “OU – One (Review)”

Monuments – In Stasis (Review)

Monuments are a progressive metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.

Monuments play modern progressive metal with melody and hooks. In Stasis boasts 50 minutes of well-written material to soak up. Monuments have been one of those bands that I’ve heard many good things about over the years, but it’s only now that I’m Continue reading “Monuments – In Stasis (Review)”

Imminent Sonic Destruction – The Sun Will Always Set (Review)

This is the third album from Imminent Sonic Destruction, a progressive metal band from the US.

The Sun Will Always Set contains 52 minutes of expressive progressive metal. It’s an album that might not be what you think it is as it wears many hats across its playing time. Continue reading “Imminent Sonic Destruction – The Sun Will Always Set (Review)”

Epitaphe – II (Review)

Epitaphe are a French progressive death/doom band and this is their second album.

Featuring three near-20-minute songs bookended by a 3-minute intro and outro, II is a mammoth 63-minute offering from this enticing entity. For a simplistic starting point, think of a mix of bands such as Opeth, Nile, and Pink Floyd, and then realise that Epitaphe have even more to offer than this would lead you to believe. Continue reading “Epitaphe – II (Review)”