Progressive Rock – Wonderbox Metal

Dawnwalker – The Between (Review)

This is the seventh album from UK progressive metal/rock band Dawnwalker.

Dawnwalker are one of those rare bands that genuinely do attempt something different with each release. 2022’s murky, hallucinogenic House of Sand was a massive hit for me, and I loved it. 2024’s follow up The Unknowing was ultimately less to my taste, with its classic prog rock stylings, but still enjoyable nonetheless. So, with that in mind, what does The Between have to offer? Continue reading “Dawnwalker – The Between (Review)”

An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)

This is the third album from Swedish atmospheric death metal band An Abstract Illusion.

Now here’s a very highly anticipated album. The Sleeping City is An Abstract Illusion’s follow up to their highly acclaimed 2022 album Woe, which was so good it made it onto my year end list. Yes, expectations are high for this record, but there’s also trepidation too – how can An Abstract Illusion possibly meet the high standards they have now set for themselves? Continue reading “An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)”

Heathe – Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom (Review)

This is the second album from Heathe, a post-metal/rock band from Denmark.

Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom is the 64-minute follow up to 2019’s On the Tombstones; the Symbols Engraved. Heathe have developed their sound on this new record, expanding widely into multifaceted waters that take in a broad set of influences. I’ve tagged this above as post-metal/rock, but it’s not really – at least not in any traditional sense. They are simply the closest broad terms relevant. There’s certainly very little in the way of metal on this record, for example. Heathe exist in a niche world, where a lot of recognisable materials have been mangled into something quite atypical. Continue reading “Heathe – Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom (Review)”

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)”

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)”

Killjoy – Dream and Violence (Review)

This is the debut album from Belgian heavy rock band Killjoy.

Killjoy have an engaging sound that embraces a few different influences and fuses them into a very engaging form of modern rock. Across 34 minutes, elements of electronica, screamo, progressive rock, punk, and post-metal are all swallowed up and spat out in the form of seven charismatic tracks that hit the spot. Continue reading “Killjoy – Dream and Violence (Review)”

We Lost the Sea – A Single Flower (Review)

This is the fifth album from Australian post-rock band We Lost the Sea.

A Single Flower contains 70 minutes of expressive instrumental post-rock. It’s a huge work, culminating in a 27-minute finale that’s an entire world unto itself. We Lost the Sea weave deep emotion into the very fibre of A Single Flower, providing the listener with an experience to remember. Continue reading “We Lost the Sea – A Single Flower (Review)”

Hiroe – Wield (Review)

This is the debut album from Hiroe, a post-rock/post-metal band from the US.

Wield is a 48-minute instrumental album that combines elements of doom, progressive rock, post-metal, and shoegaze into a compelling post-rock framework. Hiroe are skilled worldbuilders, and their debut album is a strong one. Continue reading “Hiroe – Wield (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)”

Ceresian Valot – Uumen (Review)

This is the debut band from Ceresian Valot, an rock band from Finland.

Brought to us by ex-members of Ghost Brigade, Uumen contains 44 minutes of a hybrid alternative/progressive/post-metal/rock style that is engaging and evocative. Continue reading “Ceresian Valot – Uumen (Review)”