This is the eleventh album from US experimental band Kayo Dot.
The tag experimental is frequently not a very useful one, but then Kayo Dot aren’t a band that invite easy categorisation. Every Rock, Every Half-Truth under Reason contains 66 minutes of music, and a range of styles and influences have gone into its creation. Continue reading “Kayo Dot – Every Rock, Every Half-Truth under Reason (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)”
This is the debut album from international progressive rock band Oblivion Protocol.
The Fall of the Shires is an interesting record in that it’s a sequel to Threshold’s 2017’s album Legends of the Shires, born from a desire by Oblivion Protocol founder/vocalist/keyboardist Richard West, (also keyboardist in Threshold), to continue that album’s themes and worldbuilding. Continue reading “Oblivion Protocol – The Fall of the Shires (Review)”
Twisted Illusion are a progressive rock band from the UK and this is their second album.
This is a sprawling, ambitious piece of work. At almost 100 minutes in length, this is a double album full of progressive delights and lesser-travelled journeys. Continue reading “Twisted Illusion – Insight to the Mind of a Million Faces (Review)”
This is the latest EP from Slug Comparison, a one-man Canadian progressive rock band.
Slug Comparison’s self-titled debut album, was a very enjoyable and well-realised 41 minutes of modern rock. It reminded me of a mix of elements of bands like Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Steven Wilson, and Sunna. Continue reading “Slug Comparison – IIa (Review)”
Effa Lente is a one-man Irish project that plays Instrumental Progressive Rock. This is his first release.
Apparently inspired by watching a Quentin Tarantino film, this is noticeably cinematic music that has a lot of different moods and themes throughout its 45 minute playing time
Did I mention that it’s just one 45 minute track? Well it is.
Various moods, emotions and feelings play out during this extended playing time and the impression is very much one of a Progressive Rock film score.
It’s as if Steven Wilson, Anathema, Opeth, Queen, King Crimson, Glorie and The Monroe Transfer all got together to score a film. It’s a very impressive listen that manages to fully engage and hold the attention despite not having any vocals to act as a focal point.
The music jumps around all over the place in a seemingly natural way, rather akin to how the different scenes in a film move from one to the next. It never seems jarring and almost has a narrative feel to it as different themes are taken, explored and then left until we meet up with them again at a later point for either a resolution or a cliffhanger.
70s moods and contemporary Rock sounds merge together in a cinematic melange that is very impressive. Considering this is the brains behind the outfit’s first attempt at doing something of this nature it’s a huge success.
Not just a listen, but an experience.
Wonderbox Metal 