Progressive metal – Page 3

Esoterica – Ether Metal (Review)

This is the fifth album by UK progressive metal band Esoterica.

Ether Metal contains 48 minutes of contemporary, electronically enriched progressive metal/rock. The first time I came across Esoterica was at this year’s Mangata Festival – although I didn’t catch them live, they seemed like a band I wouldn’t mind checking out. My tolerance for this sort of music is quite low though compared to other styles, as most bands playing it I find are just bland and bad. So, do Esoterica have what it takes to be worth listening to? Continue reading “Esoterica – Ether Metal (Review)”

Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)

This is the fourth album from US metallic hardcore band Turian.

Blood Quantum Blues contains 38 minutes of music that mixes together punk, metal, and hardcore, with electronics and progressive elements thrown in for extra flavour and texture. Turian have produced an album that rages and snarls, but does so with skill and ability. Continue reading “Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)”

Grayceon – Then the Darkness (Review)

Grayceon are a progressive metal band from the US and this is their sixth album.

With a striking album cover and containing a member of the fantastic Brume, (also ex-Ludicra), how could I let this one pass me by? Containing a colossal 82 minutes of music, Grayceon are not without ambition, but thankfully have the skill and talent to pull off an endeavour such as Then the Darkness. Continue reading “Grayceon – Then the Darkness (Review)”

Hemelbestormer – The Radiant Veil (Review)

Hemelbestormer are a post-metal band from Belgium and this is their fourth album.

I rate Hemelbestormer highly, and you should too. 2016’s Aether, 2018’s A Ring of Blue Light, and 2021’s Collide & Merge are all massive slabs of instrumental post-metal/doom, and I heartily recommend them. The Radiant Veil is cut from the same cloth, providing the refined listener with 66 minutes of expressive and atmospheric music to explore. Continue reading “Hemelbestormer – The Radiant Veil (Review)”

Sheev – Ate’s Alchemist (Review)

This is the second album from German progressive metal band Sheev.

Ate’s Alchemist contains 50 minutes of music, and showcases Sheev’s personable brand of progressive metal. Taking in influences from grunge and stoner metal, Sheev fuse these into progressive metal creations that impress. Continue reading “Sheev – Ate’s Alchemist (Review)”

Abigail Williams – A Void Within Existence (Review)

This is the sixth album from US black metal band Abigail Williams.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of bands such as Aborted, Changeling, Chrome Waves, Fear Factory, The Faceless, Lord Mantis, Nachtmystium, Vale of Pnath, and Wolvhammer, a lot of experience and skills has gone into A Void Within Existence. In fact, due to the members, I’m amazed I’ve never listened to Abigail Williams prior to this new album. I’ve heard the name many times, but this is my first exposure to their brand of black metal. Continue reading “Abigail Williams – A Void Within Existence (Review)”

The Lucidia Project – The Twilight Affliction (Review)

This is the latest EP from The Lucidia Project, a metal band from the US.

The Lucidia Project play a mix of symphonic metal, progressive rock, and melodic death metal. At 32 minutes in duration, is The Twilight Affliction an EP or an album? Reader, you decide. It’s labelled as an EP though, so we’ll go with that. Continue reading “The Lucidia Project – The Twilight Affliction (Review)”

AVKRVST – Waving at the Sky (Review)

AVKRVST are a Norwegian progressive rock/metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2023’s The Approbation, AVKRVST have now returned with the 45-minute Waving at the Sky. The band have taken the sound that their debut album embraced and individualised it further, making for a confident step forward, and an enjoyable record to boot. Continue reading “AVKRVST – Waving at the Sky (Review)”

Outergods – Dethroned & Devoured (Review)

This is the second album from UK extreme metallers Outergods.

Outergods play a hybrid style that mixes black, death, and grind influences into a 45-minute record of brutal intensity. The band’s Bandcamp page recommends this for At The Gates, Anaal Nathrakh, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, and Strapping Young Lad, which should give you a good starting point for Dethroned & Devoured. Continue reading “Outergods – Dethroned & Devoured (Review)”

Agabas – Hard Anger (Review)

This is the third album by Norwegian mathcore band Agabas.

How could you not see a band described in the promo blurb as a “brutal heavy deathjazz metal/mathcore quintet” and not want to check them out? Although, I note in the band pics there’s six people, so no idea what that’s about. Regardless, Hard Anger is a 36-minute melting pot of ideas and influences, so strap in tight and get ready for mayhem. Continue reading “Agabas – Hard Anger (Review)”