Artist : SayWeCanFly

Album : Secondhand Heartbreak

Release Date : 06-05-2022

Added : 27-05-2022

The Canadian 'Braden Barrie' who is completely independent begins to make a good reputation internationally in the song and, after a career start with a first album 'Heaven Is Hell' in 2013, 4 other albums followed, 'Between The Rose' in 2015, 'Blessed Are Those' in 2016, 'Beautiful Mess' in 2018 and 'Nosebleed (Unmasked)' in 2020. He also released an album of songs of Christmas in 2021, 'Cup of Cheer' and 2022 sees the release of his first live recorded during various public performances during his last tour. He offers us a kind of best off with songs from all of his albums and we embark on the universe of the entire singer who touches us with his singing filled with emotion while being just accompanied by his acoustic guitar which puts even more forward the talent of this artist in these refined atmospheres keeping only the substance of the music. In short, this live is a good way to discover 'Braden Barrie' who has succeeded in this bet of distributing his albums himself through channels parallel to record companies and who, thanks to social networks, is now followed by several hundred thousand of fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Braden Barrie (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Voiciano

Album : Everflow

Release Date : 25-06-2014

Added : 31-12-2014


Artist : Battle Beast

Album : Unholy Savior

Release Date : 09-01-2015

Added : 09-01-2015

Known in the early parts of 'Nigthwish', we can't say that the Finnish group 'Beatle Beast' is doing in the dantelle... His latest album (the third) is no exception to the rule but is probably the most varied in the atmosphere (the ballad 'Sea of Dreams' after a 'Madness' very speed, ' Touch in the Night' completely shifted compared to the rest). If you like the metal a bit pompous and who moved with a singer who does not (Janne Bjorkroth), without a doubt, go listen to this album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Kabanen (Vocal / Guitars), Eero Sipilä (Vocal / Bass), Janne Björkroth (Vocal / Keybords), Juuso Soinio (Guitars), Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Pyry Vikki (Drums)


Artist : Beardfish

Album : +4626-COMFORTZONE

Release Date : 12-01-2015

Added : 12-01-2015

Already 12 years 'Beardfish', Swedish group, makes us share his musical world influenced by artists of the 70s prog. ' + 4626 systems ' is no exception to the rule: the compositions always varied, alternating between a rock removed and much quieter passages. Music is always also worked and 'Beardfish' continues to refuse to be stored in a box by continuing to clear new musical spaces. For all those who appreciate progressive music with regular winks to the legendary bands of the seventies...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Zackrisson (Guitars), Magnus Östgren (Drums), Rikard Sjöblom (Vocal / Keybords), Robert Hansen (Bass)


Artist : Against Myself

Album : Odyssey to Reflexion

Release Date : 19-01-2015

Added : 19-01-2015


Artist : Elvellon

Album : Spellbound

Release Date : 30-01-2015

Added : 30-01-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Nele Messerschmidt (Vocal) Pascal Pannen (Keybords) Maddin Kluners (Drums) Gilbert Gelsdorf (Guitar) Philip A. Kohout (Bass)


Artist : Beyond The Black

Album : Songs of Love and Death

Release Date : 13-02-2015

Added : 13-02-2015

In the family, Within Temptation, I would like the cousins... 'Beyond the Black', began his career in 2014 in the courtyard of the grand at Wacken. A disc in early 2015, which looks like a box with tubes: everything is there, catchy melodies, a singer in the tradition of the Sharon den Adel or Simone Simons, the epic of this kind of music, the catchy guitar riffs and obviously essential to all symphonic metal band walks... Of course, if you are fan of Within Temptation and others, or if you want to discover simply symphonic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jennifer Haben (Lead Vocals) - Nils Lesser (Lead Gitarre) - Christopher Hummels (Rhythmus Gitarre / Backup Vocals) - Tobias Derer (Drums) - Erwin Schmidt (Bass) - Michael Hauser (Keyboards)


Artist : Karnataka

Album : Secrets Of Angels

Release Date : 03-03-2015

Added : 03-03-2015

After a superb "The Gathering Light," Karnataka comes back 5 years later with "Secret Of Angels". Hayley Griffiths replaces Lisa Fury in the same style to the singing, Cagri Tozluoglu is the new keyboardist and Jimmy Pallagrosi the new drummer. This album consists of eight songs, always in a very melodic and symphonic Progressive Rock. Note a very epic last title in 20 minutes with the title of the album where Karnataka reveals all the extent of his talent and we present a varied and very well built work. If you navigate between Mostly Autumn and Within Temptation, this album is for you.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Cagri Tozluoglu (Keybords), Enrico Pinna (Vocal / Guitars), Hayley Griffiths (Vocal), Ian Jones (Guitars / Bass / Keybords), Jimmy Pallagrosi (Drums), Clive Howard (Guest / Violin), Rachel Van Der Tang (Guest / Bagpipe), Seana Davey (Guest / Harp), Troy Donockley (Guest / Flute, Bagpipe)


Artist : Anthropia

Album : Non-Euclidean Spaces

Release Date : 15-03-2015

Added : 15-03-2015

A french group that invites Arjen Lucassen. Rare enough to be interested in this album. "Non-Euclidean Spaces" is a concept album inspired by the myth of Cthulhu, written by the novelist Howard Phillips Lovecraft (early 19th century). Cthulhu is a creature of fiction some sort of gigantic humanoid Monster. This creature is trying to restore its former dominance over humanity. A program for this album which tamed look after look like any good progressive rock/metal album. Therefore, if you are of those who appreciate music by taking your time and fairly sophisticated progressive rock/metal does not put you off, it's for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Damien Rainaud (Drums), Hugues Lefebvre (Vocal / Guitars), Julien Negro (Bass), Nathalie Olmi (Vocal), Yann Mouhad (Guitars), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitars / Guest), Edu Falaschi (Vocal / Guest), Laurent Tardy (Guest / Piano), Pascal Allaigre (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Corpo-Mente

Album : Corpo-Mente

Release Date : 24-03-2015

Added : 24-03-2015

'Corpo-lie' is the new project of Gautier Serre with Laure Le Prunenec and it is also the name of the album. First of all, for all those who do not like the melancholy and nostalgia in the music, don't linger; because this climate that predominates throughout the album. The melodies are bewitching and Laure voice, which can bring a special purity or the contrary to harden his voice in the passages of intense power, reinforces this sense of nostalgia see brings an almost dramatic. After a few listens, we say that 'Corpo-lie' is really unclassifiable and carries us away in an almost mystical trip well away from the beaten track; and, my God, that feels good once in a while!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Laure Le Prunenec (Vocal), Gautier Serre (Guitar), Nils Cheville (Guitar), Antony Miranda (Bass), Vincent Beaufort (Drums).


Artist : Damnation Angels

Album : The Valiant Fire

Release Date : 27-03-2015

Added : 27-03-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Will Graney (Guitar), John Graney (Orchestration, Vocal, Drums), Nic Southwood (Bass), Ignacio Rodriguez (Vocal).


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : Better Than Home

Release Date : 03-04-2015

Added : 03-04-2015

I admit, I didn't know Beth Art before listening to his latest album 'Better Than Home'. Original American, his last solo album reveals the sensitivity of this complete artist (vocals and piano). The 11 titles to highlight its grain of single voice on compositions mixing blues, jazz and rock. A kind of 'fragile force' apparent throughout the album. So, for all those looking for sincerity in interpreting, close your eyes and let yourself be transported... 
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal / Keybords / Piano)


Artist : A Life Divided

Album : Human

Release Date : 10-04-2015

Added : 10-04-2015

A Life Divided is a group founded in 2002 German who now has a good reputation in Germany but not so known beyond the Rhine. With 'Human', their latest album, 'A Life Divided' distills a rock/metal effective with well-established melodies and choruses that easily enter you the head all complemented by electronic arrangements. Overall reminds me of the Tears For Fears and Depeche Mode for reference of the 1980s but with a bigger sound. A group to listen to if you like big rock sound very catchy and tap your foot while listening to music.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Damköhler (Guitars / Keybords / Programmations), Jürgen Plangger (Vocal), Korl Fuhrmann (Drums), Mike Hofstätter (Guitars), Toby Egger (Bass), Tony Berger (Guitars)


Artist : Arena

Album : The Unquiet Sky

Release Date : 27-04-2015

Added : 27-04-2015

After 20 years of existence, Arena, progressive rock band, released their 8th album, 'Unquiet Sky', based on a horror story written by M.R. James transposed to cinema in the 1950s under the name 'the night of the demon'. Arena, with this album, revives a progressive rock energetic and accessible alternating instrumental parts worked and the Sung parts that are biased to Paul Manzi (beautiful voice demonstration on the latest title 'Traveller Beware'). For my part, Arena sign here one of his most successful albums and returns to his first albums music. For all those who love or want to discover the melodic progressive rock.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Clive Nolan (Vocal / Keybords), John Mitchell (Vocal / Guitars), Kylan Amos (Bass), Mick Pointer (Drums), Paul Manzi (Vocal)


Artist : Cain's Offering

Album : Stormcrow

Release Date : 29-04-2015

Added : 29-04-2015

'Stormcrow' is the 2nd album of 'Cain's Offering', a group founded in 2009 by Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius and composed also by 2 former members of Sonata Arctica. Inevitably, as you can imagine, it moves and 'Stormcrow' is an album full of speed metal while remaining very melodic. But also, there are more conventional titles like 'A Night To Forget,' who, with his tempo, marked, we stomp from the introduction, or the ballad 'Too Tired To Run' symphonic wish or even 'I AmLegion' which reminds to a soundtrack of film. Inevitably, speed metal fans will find it too soft and more metal fans will find it too speed! For my part, it is the strength of this album to mix several genres...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jani Hurula (Drums), Jani Liimatainen (Guitars), Jens Johansson (Keybords), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Timo Kotipelto (Vocal)


Artist : Dark Sarah

Album : Behind the Black Veil

Release Date : 12-05-2015

Added : 12-05-2015

After having recorded 4 albums with Amberian Dawn, Heidi Parviainen decided to stand on its own feet and to create his own project with the sweet name of 'Dark Sarah'. Obviously, this album reveals a different Heidi certainly darker than the image that we had her in Amberian Dawn but which nevertheless presents various facets of his talents. Each of the 14 titles brings a different touch, but always in a very special atmosphere and very theatrical which make me think of certain interpretations of Tarja. Note a set of renowned guests of the metal scene (like the former singer of 'Xandria', Manuela Kraller or Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) very well integrated in various duets.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Parviainen (Vocal), Tim Tronckoe (Guitar), Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Sami Salonen (Guitar), Thomas Tunkkari (Drums), Rude Rothstén (Bass).


Artist : Edge Of Paradise

Album : Immortal Waltz

Release Date : 22-05-2015

Added : 22-05-2015

When asked the question to Margarita Monet, singer of the Group American 'Edge Of Paradise', to define the band's music, she replies: epic and Carnival. Epic for big sound and Carnival for the unexpected. It is indeed a good summary of their latest album 'Immortal Waltz': a heavy metal sound with a bit of theatricality. Effective compositions enough agreed, between good pieces fit in and quieter titles. But of all this, what is remembered, it's the voice completely outside of Margarita which can be ultra powerful all by being very expressive which amplifies the epic side and theatrical of the songs.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Bates (Guitars), John Chominsky (Drums), Margarita Monet (Vocal), Nick Ericson (Bass)


Artist : Coda

Album : Ciclos

Release Date : 18-06-2015

Added : 18-06-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Salvador "Xava 'Aguilar (chant), Antonio 'Tonio' Ruiz (Guitar), Jésus "Chucho" Esquivel (Drums), Allan Perez (Bass), David Melchor (Clavier).


Artist : Estrella

Album : We Will Go On

Release Date : 22-06-2015

Added : 22-06-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Paul Gunn (Vocal), Luke Gunn (Guitar), Nathan Thomas Gunn (Bass), Leo McPherson (Drums)


Artist : Chaos Magic

Album : Chaos Magic

Release Date : 03-07-2015

Added : 03-07-2015

Another new project for Timo Tolkki. With Caterina Nix on vocals (Chilean in origin), 'Chaos Magic' is the latest addition to this former member of Stratovarius. As usual, he continues his merry way without worrying about criticism; and Yes, as it had been stored in small Power Metal box, still expected it in this register. But nay, at least that we can say, 'Chaos Magic' is not really metal but more a symphonic pop/rock album pretty epic in some places (in the good sense of the word) highlighting the magnificent voice of Caterina Nix (quite similar to that of Sharon den Adel). Sure, melodies are enough agreed, and if you are looking very sharp guitars riffs, flee this album. However, if like me, you like the artists to multi - faceted, so test this new Timo Tolkki.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Caterina Nix (Vocal), Jami Huovinen (Drums), Timo Tolkki (Guitars / Bass / Keybords)


Artist : Feridea

Album : Into a Dawn

Release Date : 10-07-2015

Added : 10-07-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Katra Solopuro (Vocal), Henrik Airaksinen (Keybords), Aleksander Viitanen (Guitar), Heidi Lahtinen (Violin), Jukka Ahlström (Drums)


Artist : Jono

Album : Silence

Release Date : 21-07-2015

Added : 21-07-2015

Take a small dose of Queen, add him a bit of Supertramp and a pair of tweezers to Electric Light Orchestra, and you're going to get 'Jono' group Swedes who released his 2nd album (the singer Johan Norrby having released in 2006 a first solo album). Compositions removed with melodies that immediately fit into the head, embellished with ballads of great lyricism, this is the menu of this new album. We find the theatricality of a Freddy Mercury (obviously not in the same record of singing), the piano of a Rick Davies... 'Jono' is actually a machine for tubes with the added bonus of great musicians: it's the kind of album that gives a sin to hell and that requires no effort of listening, just press the play button, the music making the rest...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johan Norrby (lead vocals & keyboards), Johan Carlgren (keyboards & backing vocals), Stefan Helleblad (guitars & backing vocals), Nicka Hellenberg (drums & percussion), Janne Henriksson (bass & backing vocals)


Artist : Bon Jovi

Album : Burning Bridges

Release Date : 21-08-2015

Added : 21-08-2015

To tell you, Bon Jovi was not a group that I used to listen to in the 1980s. In 2014, Bon Jovi decided to break with its historical record, 'Burning Bridges' is the last album that will be recorded with Mercury and is largely composed of titles written for previous albums but never came out. It is also the first album released after the departure of their guitarist Richie Sambora. Then, for my part, I discovered a Bon Jovi quite intimate and especially outside of standard clichés that in it is his trademark. Normal, since these compositions that have never been integrated into previous albums did not return to the style formatted and requested by the record label. Then, inevitably, I don't think that historical fans will love as Bon Jovi shows a whole other side of her talent... Rotating or end of an era, we know a little more in 2016, with the release of the new album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Bryan (Keybords / Backing Vocals), Hugh McDonald (Bass), Jon Bon Jovi (Vocal / Guitars), Tico Torres (Drums), John Shanks (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Emerald Mind

Album : Civilization

Release Date : 28-08-2015

Added : 28-08-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Alexey Vaulin - music composer, guitars, keyboards programming, lyric Svetlana Vysotskaya - vocals, lyric


Artist : Elferya

Album : Eden's Fall

Release Date : 10-09-2015

Added : 10-09-2015

Elferya is a Switzerland group who released a first album in 2012.' Eden's Fall' is their second album. In the meantime the band changed singer and now is Melody Dylem, who officiates in a register much more direct than the previous singer Claire - Lyse Von Dach and brought new life to the group. This album does not revolutionize the genre of symphonic metal but the compositions, overall, are quite varied: in addition to the classic titles easy to access and to the first listener come directly with the head (With all my love, Elferya, Cruel Night or Metal Night), it should be noted other titles out of the classic pattern: both parties instrumental 'Eden's Fall' and 'Across the Earth' The beautiful ballad 'Close Your Eyes' and 'The Dreamcatcher' in a lively tempo, 'Alone With You' in a more folk register. For fans of symphonic metal, a group to discover.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Melody Dylem (Vocal), Mathilde Sonney (Violin), Valery Veings (Guitar), Thibaut Jehanno (Bass), Samuel Python (Drums), Lionel Blanc (Keybords).


Artist : Blackmore's Night

Album : All Our Yesterdays

Release Date : 18-09-2015

Added : 18-09-2015

There are more albums released by Blackmore's Night, group led by Ritchie Blackmore (and yes the legendary guitarist of Deep Purple in the 1970s) and Candice Night his wife. Folk and Celtic atmosphere are waiting... Candice Night always has a clear and crystalline voice that suits perfectly to this kind of music. And Ritchie in this... playing old, mandolin and electric guitar, he adds his talent with solos as he knows so well do... Note also on this album of covers including Mike Oldfield's 'Moonlight Shadow' or 'I Got You Babe' of 'Sonny and Cher' brings a different perspective on those songs, full of delicacy and lightness so specific to this group. For all those who love folk and the cosy atmosphere, let yourself go on a journey to another time... For the record (as what the boxes is persistent even after 30 years), Blackmore's Night is still often chronic in Metal sites...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Bard David of Larchmont (Keybords), Candice Night (Vocal / Bagpipe), Earl Grey Of Chimay (Guitars / Bass), Lady Lynn (Vocal / Flute), Ritchie Blackmore (Guitars / Mandolin, Hurdy Gurdy), Troubadour Of Aberdeen (Drums)


Artist : David Gilmour

Album : Rattle That Lock

Release Date : 18-09-2015

Added : 18-09-2015

David Gilmour, no more introduction to the origin of the band Pink Floyd. His new album 'Rattle That Lock' is for me a nice surprise at the end of the year 2015. First of all, just a single note on the first piece 5 am to trigger the little shiver running through me since almost 40 years listening to the Fender of the master. Turn on the title 'SNCF' written to make a hit that isn't my cup of tea. Stop us rather on 'Faces and Stone', a title gently and again this little thrill but this time related to the atmosphere of the melancholic ritornello of the machine the past. Another strong title, 'The Girl In The Yellow Dress' with its jazzy atmosphere that brings a completely shifted. And as his last title ('And Then') and then, in the end? the answer is definitely Yes for this latest installment.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Gilmour (Vocal / Guitars), Louise Marshall (Vocal), Mica Paris (Vocal)


Artist : Comedy of Errors

Album : Spirit

Release Date : 20-10-2015

Added : 20-10-2015

'Comedy of Errors', group rescued from the 80s (they had already released 2 albums), and after 2 other albums in the years 2010, was released a new album entitled 'Spirit' sort of Concept Album based on the human spirit. Navigating in a relatively calm and crystal clear world made of different colors. The compositions if always keep coming by the way, without no white between securities and, listening in listen, the magic happens. The vocal harmonies throughout different titles, are particularly beautiful and often alternate with rich and symphonic instrumental passages. To quote a few artists close, we can see influences from 'Pallas', 'Pendragon' or' Arena' here and there. In conclusion, a very homogenous album which like excellent wine, gets better with time.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Levick (Drums), Jim Johnston (Keybords / Choirs), Joe Cairney (Vocal), John Fitzgerald (Choirs), Mark Spalding (Guitars / Bass / Choirs), Sam Mcculloch (Guitars)


Artist : Amberian Dawn

Album : Innuendo

Release Date : 23-10-2015

Added : 23-10-2015

Amberian Dawn is a Finnish band (and yes even one!) filed in Metal Symphony formed in 2006 which started his career in the first parts of Epica. Their latest album 'Innuendo' (and already the sixth) is probably the more melodic, more festive and more varied. Always quite symphonic, we see appear in their melodies of the influences of pop music of the 80s with including Abba (listen Knock Knock Who's there). Often compared to the tenors of power metal (ha, label when you hold us!), I found for myself that Amberian dawn has found his path which makes a group quite apart because even the quick compositions, there are various and varied influences without closer power metal.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Päivi Virkkunen - Capri (Vocal), Emil Pohjalainen (Guitars), Joonas Pykälä-aho (Drums), Jukka Hoffren (Bass), Tuomas Seppälä (Guitars / Keybords)


Artist : Electric Light Orchestra

Album : Alone in the Universe

Release Date : 13-11-2015

Added : 13-11-2015

And Yes, you're not dreaming, Jeff Lynne released a new album in 2015 (the last 'Zoom' dated back to 2001). Income to the scene in 2014 after producer all years (he produced the Free as a Bird and Real Love of the Beatles Anthology coffers in 1995), he then recorded a new album where he plays almost all the instruments. And you tell me the result: it's clear entry on 'When I Was a Boy', it is in the world of John Lynne and meet in a machine to lift time listening to 1983's ' Secret Of Messages' or 'Balance Of Power' in 1986, and Yes, it of already 30 years old but without a ride and what feels good! For those who loved ELO in the 1980s or for children who want to discover a mythical group. When the music has no age!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Lynne


Artist : Phantasma

Album : The Deviant Hearts

Release Date : 20-11-2015

Added : 20-11-2015

When several members of various groups of the metal scene meet to create a new musical project. 'Phantasma' is the new project created by the singer of 'Serenity', 'Georg Neuhauser', and the singer guitarist 'Olivier Philipps' of Everon' accompanied by 'Charlotte Wessels' singer of the group 'Delain'. Other guests are also involved in the project ('loe Lowery' of the 'Trans Siberian Orchestra', 'Tom Englund' of Evergrey' or even 'Dennis Schünke' 'Van Canto'). And in the end... The baby 'The Deviant Hearts' has a few 'Serenitesque' and 'Delainesque' influences but is above all a great success; These different artists shows once more that the mixture is often source of creation. In any case, I agree completely...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Oliver Philipps (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Randy George (Bass / Guest), Chloe Lowery (Vocal / Guest), Dennis Schunke (Vocal / Guest), Jason Gianni (Drums / Guest), Tom Buchberger (Guitars / Guest), Tom S. Englund (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Coronatus

Album : Raben Im Herz

Release Date : 04-12-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Kurth (Baterie), Carmen R. Lorch (Vocal), Anny Maleyes (Vocal), Olivèr (Guitar), Dennis Schwachhofer (Keybords), Susanne Bachmann (Bass), Ally Storch (Violin)


Artist : Triddana

Album : The Power & the Will

Release Date : 11-12-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Juan José Fornés (Guitar), Diego Rodríguez (Bass), Ranz : (Drums), Pablo Allen (Bagpipe)


Artist : Find Me

Album : Dark Angel

Release Date : 04-12-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Flores (Keybords / Drums), Philip Lindstrand (Guitars / Bass), Robbie La Blanc (Vocal), Sören Kronqvist (Keybords), Angelica Rylin (Vocal / Guest), Christopher Vetter (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Arabs In Aspic

Album : Victim of Your Father's Agony

Release Date : 10-08-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Jostein Smeby (Guitar, Vocal), Stig Jørgensen (Organ, Vocal), Erik Paulsen (Bass, Vocal), Eskil Nyhus (Drums)


Artist : Harmony

Album : Remembrance

Release Date : 22-05-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Enbert - Drums Markus Sigfridsson - Guitars Daniel Heiman - Vocals John Svensson - Keyboards Raphael Dafras - Bass


Artist : Imperia

Album : Tears of Silence

Release Date : 20-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Imperia' album at the end of year 2015 a new 'Tears Of Silence', four years after 'Secret Passion'. While remaining in a style quite metal, each title brings a different touch makes the album is quite varied ('Crossroads' with its Oriental influence, 'Away' a ballad incorporating electric guitar and violin intertwined, 'Friheten Vil Seire' or 'The Vikingsong' with folk sounds, 'Spirit Chase', very symphonic with a finale of beauty). Certainly, there is more agreed on the melodic level titles but this is quickly forgotten because Helena Iren Michaelsen voice fits perfectly in the different compositions, alternate power and sweetness and transmits to us all her emotions (the last 4 songs, 'Innocent Child', 'Wings of Hope', 'We ll be free' and especially 'Broken Hearts'). In conclusion, if you like to mix power and sensitivity...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gerry Verstreken (Bass), Helena Iren Michaelsen (Vocal), Jan Yrlund (Guitars), Steve Wolz (Drums)


Artist : Intelligent Music Project III

Album : Touching The Divine

Release Date : 02-10-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Smart Music Project' was born in the head of 'Milen Vrabevski', producer Bulgarian and composer in his time lost (pretty important my faith since we're already at version III). And he invites celebrities to record. Not bad the new version: Simon Phillips (Toto, Mike Oldfield...), John Payne (Asia, GPS), Joseph Williams (Toto), Nathan East (Toto, but also Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton and Elton John), Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, among others). And then, you might say, what happens? For my part, I like listening to (happily) some artists of the 70s/80s; memories intermixed, between Asia, Toto, Alan Parsons Project, Elton John or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young while remaining very melodic and even sometimes very kitsch (and Yes like the 80s!). For those nostalgic of a time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Phillips (Drums), John Payne (Vocal), Joseph Williams (Vocal), Milen Vrabevski (Keybords / Composing, Production), Nathan East (Bass), Tim Pierce (Guitars)


Artist : Johnny Lima

Album : Unplug 'n Play

Release Date : 01-12-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Filed under a label of melodic metal, with including his latest album 'My Revolution' released in 2014 and hailed by the critics as a great success with compositions making think 'Def Leppard', here that Johnny Lima comes out in this end of 2015 an acoustic album completely opposite of 'My Revolution'. Much more intimate, most of the songs are limited to the guitar/voice and sometimes supported by very light percussion and keyboards to bind all. 'Def Leppard' is far away, and we think about artists like 'Cat Stevens' or 'Neil Young' with a slight grain of voices 'Bruce Springsteen' in some places. Melodies that looks to have already heard hundreds of times and who fly the first listen. A good gift for the end of year 2015 thanks to this great artist to multi faceted...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Lima (Guitar et Vocal)


Artist : Kamelot

Album : Haven

Release Date : 29-04-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

A new album with a new singer, and after the success of 'Silverthorn', 'Kamelot' released her 11th album. To be honest, it wasn't a group to which I held previously. We're still in the metal to symphonic trend but with a much more worked melodic line. The epic side is also the part, Tommy Karevic, on vocals, contributing a lot. Note the appearance of Charlotte Wessels, Delain group, on the beautiful ballad 'Under Grey Skies' in duo with Tommy Karevic (decidedly you see everywhere in 2015: listen to 'Phantasma'!), but the icing on the cake, it's the 'Deluxe' edition which presents 2 acoustic versions ('End Of Innocence' or 'Veil of Elysium' for me very successful) and also 3 (real) orchestral versions that bring a completely different vision of the original titles. Of course I wish I had all the titles in orchestral versions but the other 8 titles are content to be instrumental versions only. In conclusion, I really liked this last 'Kamelot' both in the original titles as the acoustic and orchestral versions.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Casey Grillo (Drums), Oliver Palotai (Keybords), Sean Tibbetts (Bass), Thomas Youngblood (Guitars), Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Alissa White-Gluz (Vocal / Guest), Charlotte Wessels (Vocal / Guest), Troy Donockley (Guest / Uilleann Pipes)


Artist : Khymera

Album : The Grand Design

Release Date : 04-12-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

We can't say that the complete change of line-up had a very significant impact on 'Khymera'; Indeed, it is always the same style that predominates with a very melodic Hard Rock that makes you forget all your problems during the time of a song. Each title is built way classic verse/chorus with as often in this style of melodies that fit you into the head of instantaneously. 'Khymera' is a real machine tubes, it is astonishing that they are not more known. As you have understood, to listen to in the moments where one is a little less well than to the usual; Besides, this disc replaces all the anti depressants and should be reimbursed by the social security!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Ragno (Keybords), Dennis Ward (Vocal / Bass), Felix Bohnke (Drums), Jim Rybkost (Keybords / Piano), Michael Klein (Guitars)


Artist : Kingcrow

Album : Eidos

Release Date : 23-06-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Eidos' is already the 6th 'Kingcrow' album, but not very well known Italian group of a certain quality. We're in the progressive style of bands like 'Threshold' or 'Dream Theater'. At 'Kingcrow', everything is out which translates into rhythmic and melodic variations quite abrupt, and this, while keeping a global homogeneity in the compositions. There is the principle of all progressive music with compositions in drawers that make us travel through a title. It is clear, it's the kind of album that is tamed, listen after listen, but it is often the case for this kind of music... and then we can without. For me, an album without false notes and that's why I don't put no title forward so all is homogeneous.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Cristian Della Polla (Keybords), Diego Cafolla (Guitars), Diego Marchesi (Vocal), Francesco D'errico (Bass), Ivan Nastasi (Guitars), Thundra Cafolla (Drums)


Artist : Last Autumn's Dream

Album : Level Eleven

Release Date : 27-02-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

In the series of tubes galore machines, I would 'Last Autumn's Dream'. 'Level Eleven' is as its name suggests the 11th album from this Swedish band. And he is no exception to the rule: easy melodies of access, the flights of keyboards and guitars with the ever-present chorus in the background. You cannot say that a title is lower that another such compositions hang from the first listen. Anyway, it should be noted that some titles are more rock, like 'Kiss Me' which begins the album with his pace and his riffs to straighten over a hard-rocker, or ' Go Go Go - Get ready for the show' who sends heavy. The rest remaining much more tart but with a crazy charm. And always the ballads very successful as 'Fight the World', 'Made Of Stone' or 'PLZ'. In summary, the tubes 'Last Autumn's Dream' machine still works perfectly!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jamie Borger (Drums), Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal / Keybords), Nalle Pählsson (Bass), Peter Söderström (Guitars)


Artist : Leah

Album : Kings & Queens

Release Date : 03-02-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

After an introduction of Gregorian chant on the beginning of the title 'Arcadia', a deluge of guitar riffs and then a singing softly, these first few seconds could summarize this last album 'Kings & Queens' style 'Leah' (first name also of the singer). It's still metal but also, and this is where you can see an evolution, many more passages in a style very air; This highlights all the more 'Leah' singing and his sweet and melodious voice. And for nothing to spoil it is surrounded by musicians of borrowed talent from 2 groups of the metal scene: Timo Somers (Delain), Sander Zoer (Delain) and Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian). In any case, with this new album, 'Leah' stood out singer groups to develop his own style and mix different genres. In Conclusion, to listen if one is both amateur Symphony but not refractory metal to more calm and asked parties.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Leah McHenry (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Sander Zoer (Drums), Barend Courbois (Bass)


Artist : Leaves' Eyes

Album : King of Kings

Release Date : 11-09-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Leaves's Eyes' for those who would not, is the Group of Liv Kristine (who also has a solo career in parallel but in another registry) and Alexander Krull (formerly 'Atrocity'). The register of 'Leaves's Eyes' borrows paths based on Norwegian mythology and mixes on the one hand, a metal training with the growls to Alexander Krull and on the other hand, a Celtic folk, supported by the voice of 'Liv Kristine'. To tell the truth you, I don't like growls absolutely not in music, but in this case, Alexander integrates them wisely in piecing them vocals of Liv always by touch which gives an even more marked in the compositions already momentum very rhythmic (and having seen them in concert, it realizes still more in a live environment). Note a guest on 'Edge of Steel' in the person of 'Simone Simons' (Epica), which makes it a very successful title in the merger of the voice of the 2 singers. In conclusion, 'Leaves's Eyes' continues its merry way in the universe of a catchy and effective Celtic metal. Discover if you don't mind mixing metal with Celtic music.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Krull (Vocal / Keybords), Joris Nijenhuis (Drums), Liv Kristine (Vocal), Pete Streit (Guitars), Thorsten Bauer (Guitars)


Artist : Luca Turilli's Rhapsody

Album : Prometheus - Symphonia Ignis Divinus

Release Date : 19-06-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

I must confess that 'Rhapsody Of Fire' has never been my cup of tea (tastes and colors...). But the curiosity in doing so, I never close the door. Listening to the first title of the latest album 'Prometheus - Symphonia Ignis Villa' of 'Luca Turilli's Rhapsody' (taken by Luca Turilli as 'Rhapsody Of Fire'), it made me want to go further. And I'm out... almost 70 minutes after... to the last title with a desire to return to the first. I discovered a sort of rock/metal opera in a theatrical desire and epic universe and especially of so many acts there is title: indeed, each composition sets a different scene. navigating between choruses of opera, metal enough speed, of symphonic music, film music has great show and even Oriental moods. A not so brought universe set to be rub; and the result: well, mayonnaise takes by I don't know what Alchemy and in fact an album completely apart and necessarily unclassifiable (clever one who can find him a box). So, for those who don't like to mix genres, go your way, for others for which the mixture of all of these genres is an asset, go listen to this album. PS: it is I found the box in which put: speedo sympho filmo metalo epic melodic opera trend!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Conti (Vocal), Alex Landenburg (Drums), Dominique Leurquin (Guitars), Luca Turilli (Guitars / Keybords), Patrice Guers (Bass), Dan Lucas (Guest / Choirs), Emilie Ragni (Vocal / Guest / Soprano), Matthias Stockinger (Guest / Choirs), Ralf Scheepers (Guest / Choirs)


Artist : Luciferian Light Orchestra

Album : Luciferian Light Orchestra

Release Date : 30-04-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

The leader of the 'Band', 'Christofer Johnsson' (under composition of a rock opera that is slow to get out), launching a new project responding to the sweet name of 'Luciferian Light Orchestra'. So why not use the name 'Therion'? Christopher says that these songs are in fact former titles composed the basis for 'Therion' but who have never depicted on no album because he felt that they looked too different 'Therion' style. For me, listening to the album, we recognize Christofer leg (of course in a style may be less lyrical) and reveals even more this man Orchestra multifaceted. For those who know of the 'Band' discography, you will not be surprised 'Luciferian Light Orchestra' compositions, because once again, 'Therion', although we want to stick the label of Gothic metal, is primarily an unclassifiable band. So, if you want to enter the world of Christofer Johnsson', try this new project...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson et Mina Karadzic (Vocal), Le reste non dévoilé par Christofer.


Artist : Mystery

Album : Delusion Rain

Release Date : 01-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Mystery' group Quebec fate are 6th album titled 'Delusion Rain'. Progressive rock distilled by this group is a true invitation to travel in a calm and melodic world. Throughout the compositions (number of 6, including 3 beyond 10 minutes), we are entering a world where one indulges in reverie. The title 'The Willow Tree' more than 19 minutes, reminds some 'Pink Floyd' compositions where one is surprising to let our mind wander in different melodic estates and finally surrendering completely to the music to the last note... For those seeking the progressive music relaxing and easy to access, press right on the play button and close your eyes... 'Delusion Rain' will do the rest...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Benoit Dupuis (Keybords), François Fournier (Bass), Jean Pageau (Vocal), Jean. Sébastien Goyette (Drums), Michel St-père (Guitars), Sylvain Moineau (Guitars), Antoine Michaud (Guitars / Guest), Sylvain Descoteaux (Guest / Piano)


Artist : Flying Colors

Album : Second Flight: Live At The Z7

Release Date : 13-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

A live, why not to discover new artists. as usually, in this case, the Group presents a full range of these compositions, and often the best. 'Flying Colors' released a live CD and DVD, shot at the Z7 in Pratteln, near Basel (great room like know to the Swiss). When I have told you that this group is composed of personalities as well known as 'Steve Morse' (this is the ' little guy who has replaced 'Ritchie Blackmore' within 'Deep Purple'), 'Neal Morse' ('Spock's Beard' and 'Transatlantic'), 'Mike Portnoy' ('Dream Theater' and 'Transatlantic' among others), 'Dave Larue' (bassist who accompanied a lot of people to name a 'Joe Satriani') you will understand that there is a bunch of musicians. To this I would add the singer (and guitarist) Casey McPherson who was able to integrate into the Group and bring its own personality. Difficult to define a style for this group so the compositions are varied. In the end, a little less than 2 hours of concert and a delight for the ears. Note that the DVD brings another dimension, the dialogues have been cut in the CD. Then listen to this live and if you like, go buy the DVD. you will not be disappointed...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Morse (Guitar), Casey McPherson (Vocal, Guitar), Neal Morse (Keybords), Dave LaRue (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums)


Artist : Walter Trout

Album : Battle Scars

Release Date : 23-10-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

When the music has no age or mode... and we could miss out on this album... 'Walter Trout' is simply a miracle and we can say thank you to his family and his fans who have allowed for it to be a successful liver transplant. He returned with a 'Battle Scares' title that speaks volumes about what he lived and which of course, is a testimony of his battle against death as if he had made a therapy by the words. Titles that range from an acoustic blues tormented as 'Hell to Pay' a blues rock removed as 'Fly Away', through the typical blues and its 3 basic as agreements 'Cold, Cold Ground', all the feelings are and it is absolutely not possible to remain indifferent in front of so much generosity and sincerity... Simply the resurrection album and as he puts it, "now I'm incredibly happy and grateful to life." To parody 'Rainbow', 'Long Live Blues', Mister Walter!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Walter Trout (Vocal / Guitars), Johnny Griparic (Bass), Michael Leasure (Drums), Sammy Avila (Keybords)


Artist : The Gentle Storm

Album : The Diary

Release Date : 23-03-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

What's new at 'Arjen Lucassen'... well, is no longer a project near and 2015 sees the new baby of the maestro with the name of 'The Gentle Storm'. This new project sees 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' to join 'Arjen' for a double album (she had already participated in 2 albums of Ayreon'). 'The Diary' (in the sense of log book) tells the writings of a sailor with his wife during a maritime mission. Story ends tragically because his wife, during his absence, will the world their son before he fell ill and died before the return of her husband. To narrate this story in music, 'Arjen' has not one but two albums of the same titles, one presenting a version of 'Gentle' (which might be called acoustic) and other 'Storm' (more epic and symphonic). We feel in the two versions of securities made to measure for 'Anneke' that make us travel between singing limpid and delicate in quieter versions and which presents a different face much more lyrical in the parts more removed. In his usual 'Arjen' gratifies arrangements very rich and uses different classical instruments to achieve its ends. For those accustomed to the sound of Arjen metal', forget because this new project presents us with a 'Arjen' much more intimate completely in phase with this story conveying many emotions. In summary, still a very great success for this man orchestra which hit once again in spot-on...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Vocal / Guitars), Jeroen Goossens (instruments à vent), Ed Warby (Drums), Rob Snijders (Percussions), Johan van Stratum (Bass), Ben Mathot (Violin), Maaike Peters (Cello), Joost van den Broek (Piano), Hinse Mutter (Bass), Jenneke de Jonge (cor d’harmonie), Jack Pisters (Sitar), TimoSomers (Guitar)…


Artist : Magic Pie

Album : King For A Day

Release Date : 25-05-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

To tell you, I have not hooked on to this new installment of 'Magic Pie'. It is arriving at the last title, the magic began to operate. A composition of more than 27 minutes to multi-faceted as we like in progressive music. It starts as a film music who follows monte crescendo, part instrumental slightly jazzy catchy. Then you dive into a universe of mi 'Jethro Tull' mi 'ELO' sung out straight from the seventies. Then the atmosphere calms and based on acoustic guitar we enter a universe think of 'Genesis' with the melodic theme. In the middle of the title, this is a new game that takes the most powerful relay mixing electric guitar and organ hammond with a passage almost jazz, it reminds me of the Deep Purple (even the voice is and the side Jazz of Jon Lord). There are then the main theme then again this atmosphere very prog doing thinking a little of the Styx and in some places. We then enter the last 5 minutes for a final from a just whispered song then the final theme ending on a high mixing vocals and electric guitar. The 27 minutes as a letter in the mail with a taste of return...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Eirik Hanssen (Vocal / Guitars), Eirikur Hauksson (Vocal / Guitars), Erling Henanger (Keybords), Jan Torkild Johannessen (Drums), Kim Stenberg (Guitars), Lars Petter Holstad (Bass)


Artist : Praying Mantis

Album : Legacy

Release Date : 21-08-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

A group of the 70s/80s which still produces an album in 2015, it is quite rare to be stressed. 'Praying Mantis' although virtually unknown to the general public continues its merry way and after 42 years of loyal service released a new album named 'Legacy'. Not of great upheaval but still this energy to play catchy melodies without taking the lead. It's kinda a living memory of 40 years of music: we think 'Uriah Heep', 'Asia' or 'Foreigner'... Decidedly, the praying mantis has not aged a bit and continues to accompany us with his catchy melodies immediately assimilated. For those who do not like too tame albums by multiple look, to consume without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Burgess (Guitars), Benjy Reid (Drums), Chris Troy (Bass), Hans In’t Zandt (Drums), Tino Troy (Guitars)


Artist : Tarja

Album : ‘Luna Park Ride’ + ‘Ave Maria – en Plein Air’

Release Date : 11-09-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

It always makes me laugh to read the chronicles concerned in Tarja (you know the first singer of the group Nightwish). Unclassifiable since she is divided between a career as an lyrical soprano and another as a metal singer... inevitably, metalheads are less sensitive to 'Ave Maria'. As far as I'm concerned, it shows a complete artist who is above all free to choose. This year 2015 sees precisely two completely different albums see the light of day: a live retracing his metal career 'Luna Park Ride' and an opus 'Ave Maria - en Plein Air'... Consequently, a big gap and that's why I I was happy to put these two albums in the same playlist, the release date of September 11 being that of the last opus ('Ave Maria en Plein Air'), the other being released in May 2015. For those who want discover this UFO of the international musical landscape, and so as not to pollute you with necessarily subjective opinions... simply press play to form your own opinion...

Line Up / Musicians

Luna Park Ride : Tarja Turunen (Vocal / Piano), Alex Scholpp (Guitars), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Julian Barrett (Guitars), Max Lilja (Cello), Mike Terrana (Drums), Toni Turunen (Keybords)


Artist : Riverside

Album : Love, Fear and the Time Machine

Release Date : 04-09-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Mariusz Duda (Vocal / Guitars / Bass), Michal Lapaj (Keybords), Piotr Grudzinski (Guitars), Piotr Kozieradzki (Drums)


Artist : Seven Reizh

Album : La Barque Ailée

Release Date : 01-10-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Astrid Aubron (Vocal / Vocal Anglais), Bagad Des Abers De Plabennec (Bagpipes,...), Bernard Le Dréau (Saxophone Ténor, Clarinette), Bleunwenn Mével (Vocal / Vocal Breton), Claude Mignon (Guitars / Keybords), Conservatoire De Brest Dirigé Par Cécile Le Métaye (Choirs), Cyril Bonneau (Duduk), David Tench (Piano), Erwan Le Gallic (Bagpipe Écossaise), Farid Aït Siameur (Vocal / Vocal Kabyle), François Pernel (Harp Celtique), Gérard Le Dortz ((conception Graphique, Narration, ...)), Gurvan Mével (Drums), Gwendal Mével (Flute Traversière), Gwenhaël Mével (Bombarde, Tin Et Low Whistle), Jonathan Dour (Violin), Loïc Bléjean (Uilleann Pipes), Marcel Aubé (Violin Chinois), Mathilde Chevrel (Cello), Michel Hoffman (Hautbois), Mihai Trestian (Cymbalum), Olivier Carole (Bass), Olivier Salmon (Guitars), Philippe Durand (Cor), Régis Huiban (Accordion), Ronan Hilaireau (Piano), Sébastien Charlier (Harmonica), Shane Lestideau (Violin), Stefanie Théobald (Vocal / Vocal Français Et Vocalises), Thierry Runarvot (Bass)


Artist : Sirenia

Album : The Seventh Life Path

Release Date : 08-05-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

After a previous album which had disappointed me ('Perils Of The Deep Blue'), 'Sirenia' released a new album 'The Seventh Life Path' in 2015. It is always a very epic atmosphere with symphonic compositions abducted and supported by powerful guitars, precarious choirs, and clear 'Ailyn' song which alternates with (a bit too far for my taste) grows of 'Morten Veland'. Melodic line, we found a little the first albums and, even if some titles still enough agreed, the different changes of rhythm and style in some compositions bring a welcome breath of avoiding the repetition. These include for example 'Once My Light', 'Earendel', or 'Contemptuous Quietus'. For only 2 titles, 'Elixir' for its side super catchy and the Ballad of the album 'Drama Queen' (coupled with a Spanish version), which puts forward the sensitivity of Ailyn' and reminds the beautiful ballad 'The Enigma Of Life'. In summary, for those who like powerful symphonic metal.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Erik Soltvedt (Guitars), Jonathan A. Perez (Drums), Morten Veland (Vocal / Guitars), Pilar "Ailyn" Giménez García (Vocal)


Artist : Threshold

Album : European Journey

Release Date : 13-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'For The Journey' was one of my favorites of the year 2014; in the year 2015 ' Threshold' released a double live album ' kind of best of all their compositions. The titles are taken from all of their albums in a fairly uniform way. 'Slipstream' and 'The Hours' (2 old songs) set the scene at a concert almost 2 hours. A good heavy sound, a catchy rhythm, a singer (Damian Wilson) who don't have household not and titles rediscovered live and take a whole other dimension. Definitely, 'Threshold' is made for the stage. After a concert at 100 miles an hour, compositions like 'Unforgiven', 'Coda' or ' Lost in Your Memory' (beautiful) shows the range of this group. And then, we can't not talk about the longest title of the concert 'The Box', a composition, which for me was worth it only the purchase of their latest album (and yet the rest was also very good). A title that gives you goose bumps of entry with some first Sung and accompanied on the piano; as a result a part where there are all the ingredients of a progressive rock/metal and makes us navigate between power and melancholy so naturally, and then, the theme of the beginning which is and which is growing with new this creeps that keeps you. Thank you gentlemen for these unique moments...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal), Johanne James (Drums), Karl Groom (Guitars), Pete Morten (Guitars), Richard West (Keybords), Steve Anderson (Bass)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Wolflight

Release Date : 27-03-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

A great guitarist of the past 40 years is back with a new album 'Wolflight'. I wouldn't count the albums of this key figure in the so-called progressive music and which has not, in my view the solo career he deserves. And yes 'Steve Hackett' tireless is back for our greatest pleasure. A new album where he appropriates all styles of music. We start on a symphonic composition that could have been written for a movie. Therefore, all kinds of styles intermingled, which make us do a world tour melodic with guitar playing (whether classic or electric) still imbued with the same sensitivity. Once again, nothing to throw away. Still a good time for all fans of 'Mr. Steve'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitars, Vocal), Gary O'Toole (Drums), Nick Beggs (Bass / Stick), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Duduk), Roger King (Keybords), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal / Guest), Chris Squire (Bass / Guest), Hugo Dagenhardt (Drums / Guest), Sara Kovak (Guest / Didgeridoo)


Artist : Stratovarius

Album : Eternal

Release Date : 11-09-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Jens Johansson (Keybords), Lauri Porra (Bass), Matias Kupiainen (Guitars), Rolf Pilve (Drums), Timo Kotipelto (Vocal)


Artist : Sylvan

Album : Home

Release Date : 20-02-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

I warn you, if you're looking for something to cheer you up, go no further. This last 'Sylvan' album, 'Home' is quite dark in the texts and music. But dark does not necessarily mean that he shouldn't stop on this latest installment. On the contrary, if it gives off a certain emotion and melancholy, this may even become a source of pleasure. It's a bit the impression that has been given to me by this 'Home'. There is the signature of 'Sylvan', progressive music and beautiful trippy melodies. The emotion is palpable from the beginning to the end, and you catch yourself turn into gold digger by finding one after the other all the nuggets contained in each composition. So, if you are not resistant to this kind of music, sit comfortably the headphones on and enjoy these 80 minutes of music that are available to you.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Glühmann (Vocal), Matthias Harder (Drums), Sebastian Harnack (Bass), Volker Söhl (Keybords), Annika Stolze (Guest / Cello (1,3,4,7,12)), Frederike Hön (Guest / Hautbois (1,5)), Jonathan Beck (Guitars / Guest), Katja Flintsch (Guest / Violin (1,2,5,8,9,11,12)), Otfried Beck (Guest / Hautbois (11))


Artist : Symphonic Destiny

Album : The Fountain of Eternal Life

Release Date : 04-09-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Symphonic Destiny, a new kid in the landscape of the symphonic metal singer. So tell me, if they're there, it's that I liked. In fact, to tell the truth, I'm still mixed but considering it's their first real album, I already find a maturity that can make a large group of the metal scene. It's true that they are not changing the kind but they do it with great professionalism. A symphonic entry with multi-choeurs, direct compositions where 'Timea Santa' shows a certain brio in genre, a river more than 15 minutes epic wish composition, a few ballads to decorate the whole, symphonic metal ingredients are. We think of course Nightwish or Within Temptation, and necessarily, we say that there is still some way to go if they want to really stand out. As you may have guessed, a group to discover and make you to your own opinion.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Timea Santa (Vocal), Norbert Gobor (Keybords), Attila Toth (Guitar), Jozsef Bacso (Bass), Attila Nemeth (Drums)


Artist : Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Album : Letters From The Labyrinth

Release Date : 13-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

Oh, my God, the requiem of Mozart massacred bar a bunch of crazy! It is true that ' Paul O 'Neill' and 'Jon Oliva' of the group 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' is not necessarily in the politically correct; one of their objectives is relatively simple: go to classic tunes and modernizing them (the word is weak) sometimes at big guitar riffs... Then, it can to confuse more than one although I must admit that it is well done. And at no time is the plagiarism full because they always manage to bring their grain of salt. The last album 'Letters From The Labyrinth' is no exception to the rule: Mozart, Beethoven, Borodin and Mussorgsky, among others, go to the Trans-siberienne Pan '. But there are also some occasions or compositions of 'Paul o' Neill' and 'Jon Oliva' (Savatage) which are sung by various guests including, 'Not The Same', a ballad tremendously played by Kayla Reeves. In summary, an album starting in all directions that necessarily will confuse a lot of people around its diversity but which can be is finally a simple lesson of unity because first of all, I am convinced that Jon and Paul respect all forms of music. The evidence, what's different between 'Lullaby Night' (one of the preludes of Bach revisited) and 'Forget About The Blame' (taken over rock ballad of Johnny Green) so is that both make me goosebumps. No matter the bottle, provided there drunkenness!
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Al Pitrelli (Guitars), Andrew Ross (Vocal), Angus Clark (Guitars), April Berry (Vocal), Asha Mevlana (Violin), Autumn Guzzardi (Vocal), Ava Davis (Vocal), Bart Shatto (Vocal), Bryan Hicks (Narration), Chloe Lowery (Vocal), Chris Caffery (Guitars), Dave Z (Bass), Derek Wieland (Keybords), Dustin Brayley (Vocal), Gabriela Guncikova (Vocal), Georgia Napolitano (Vocal), Jane Mangini (Keybords), Jeff Plate (Drums), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Jodi Katz (Vocal), Joel Hoekstra (Guitars), John Brink (Vocal), John O. Reilly (Drums), Johnny Lee Middleton (Bass), Kayla Reeves (Vocal), Lisa Lavie (Vocal), Lzzy Hale (Vocal / Guitars), Mee Eun Kim (Keybords), Natalya Rose Piette (Vocal), Nathan James (Vocal), Paul O'neill (Vocal / Guitars), Phillip Brandon (Narration), Rob Evan (Vocal), Robin Borneman (Vocal), Roddy Chong (Violin), Russell Allen (Vocal), Vitalij Kuprij (Keybords)


Artist : Vanden Plas

Album : Chronicles of the Immortals: Netherworld II

Release Date : 06-11-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

A year after the release of the first part of 'Chronicles Of The Immortals' - Netherworld, subsequently released in the end of 2015. Both written for a rock opera (in collaboration with the German author of science fiction 'Wolfgang Hohlbein'), they are inspired by the great 'Chronicle of the Immortals' saga of 7 volumes where the author presents his version of the myth of the vampire. And then, in music, is at the height of this colossal work? In any case, 'Vanden Plas' gives the means by exploring the various facets of the progressive music in general: titles to multiple drawers, atmospheres and break that alternate parties calm and others much more removed from the Symphonic passages at will... Then, Opera metal or rock, no matter... For me simply a major work of the group where all actors are that one to put themselves at the service of 'Music'.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Lill (Drums), Andy Kuntz (Vocal), Günter Werno (Keybords), Stephan Lill (Guitars), Torsten Reichert (Bass)


Artist : Xandria

Album : Fire & Ashes

Release Date : 31-07-2015

Added : 31-12-2015

'Xandria' recalls to our good memory in 2015. Just a year after the release of 'Sacrificium', 'Fire & Ashes', a mini album of 7 titles was born. After several changes of singers, 'Dianne Van Giersbergen' (apparently unrelated with Annecke) continues an officer within the group in a soprano register. In the continuity of 'Sacrificium', this album presents 3 new titles, including a ballad 'In Remembrance', which puts forward all the sensibility of Dianne. 2 times of old albums ('Ravenheart' and ' Now & Forever') and 2 times other artists (the well-known 'Meat Loaf' interpreted in a very epic way's ' I'd Do Anything For Love' and 'Don't Say A World' 'Sonata Arctica') complete this EP. For those who like groups like 'Nightwish' or 'Epica' (more light can be)...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dianne van Giersbergen (Vocal) , Marco Heubaum (Guitar et Clavier), Philip Restemeier (Guitar), Steven Wussow (Bass), Gerit Lamm (Drums)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : The Bonding

Release Date : 02-07-2013

Added : 31-12-2015

Line Up / Musicians

Frederik Sebastian (Guitars / guitare classique), Lanvall (Guitars / Bass / Keybords / mandoline, bouzouki), Max Pointner (Drums), Sabine Edelsbacher (Vocal / Keybords)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Sunrise In Eden

Release Date : 25-09-2000

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Arcana

Release Date : 22-10-2001

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Aphelion

Release Date : 01-01-2003

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Shine

Release Date : 01-01-2004

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : The Grand Design

Release Date : 19-05-2006

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : MyEarthDream

Release Date : 25-04-2008

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Solitaire

Release Date : 30-06-2010

Added : 31-12-2015


Artist : Profuna Ocean

Album : In Vacuum

Release Date : 09-01-2016

Added : 25-01-2016

'Profuna Ocean', Dutch band, released their second album 'In Vacuum' in this early 2016. Progressive influences the 'Threshold' or 'The Pineapple Thief', they exude enough agreed music that does not renew the kind but brings spontaneity and freshness that seduced at the first listen. We can also highlight a quality recording and production of a very good standard. 3 compositions exceed 10 minutes and require several listenings to appropriate them as they are made of several parts is covering each other in a quite natural way. After the last title, you say you had a very good time, but strangely, I could not put forward some titles so all is homogeneous and one has the impression when listening to this album down the course of a river constantly tossed between powerful and calm waters. For those who love arise while listening to the prog mixing different genres, test this new Profuna Ocean
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Fred den Hartog (Drums), Raoul Potters (Vocal, Guitar), Arjan Visser (Bass, Guiare), René Visser (Keybords), Nancy Bijland (Choirs)


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : The Astonishing

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 04-02-2016

How to miss this 'The Astonishing' in this early 2016 so this album is dense and rich with all the influences that one dream to find progressive all combined styles in the music. The story plunges us into a science fiction universe where 8 characters in 2 rival camps compete ('Great Northern Empire of the Americas' and 'Ravenskill Rebel Militia'); But let us make mistake, although we are in a fantasy world and futuristic, it is indeed our humanity that is pointed at and the Group denounces the gap between the rich and the poor that is a little bit more every day. In this world, the music is now created by machines in the sweet name of Nomacs (NOise MAChine) which prevents any artistic creation, thus avoiding any form of hand power. But in the middle of all this, a message of hope brought by 'Gabriel', who will attempt to reintroduce the music in these dehumanized people. A program that challenges us simply the freedom to create. 34 titles for a period of more than 2 hours, 'Dream Theater' plunges us into a progressive atmosphere to symphonic trend which is likely to confuse to some. Definitely unclassifiable, this group which we had recently brought in a metal style enough trash, chose a style much more melodic and easy access for this album which for my part fits perfectly in the story. Of course, as usual with this kind of work, isn't ready to consume and it takes several listenings to appreciate it at its fair value. 'The Astonishing' is not only for me an album of the group but also is designed to make it a timeless work to the level of a 'The Wall': listen to this ' Brother, Can you hear me?', do you not shadow of Roger Waters in this title with all its grandiose and theatrical dimension... So if 2 h 10 listening does not reject you, embark for this 'Empire of North America' and his 'Ravenskill' village in full rebellion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

James Labrie (Vocal), John Myung (Bass), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), Mike Mangini (Drums)


Artist : Imperial Age

Album : Warrior Race

Release Date : 05-02-2016

Added : 10-02-2016

After seeing them at the Z7 in Pratteln in concert opening for Therion, I found that these Russians already had good potential for a young group. They have just released the final version of 'Warrior Race', a previous version light from 2014. It's still very traditional in approach and quickly assimilated, because they are very influenced by their Russian culture. We have the impression of hearing here and there the choirs of the Red Army but mesmerized version. In addition, the voices of "Alexandra Sidorova', although it still has to evolve in his singing technique, brings freshness and spontaneity. Note a live song album of 14 minutes late which sums up the capabilities of this group. So for those who like the epic metal with easy access songs, this album is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander "Aor" Osipov (Keybords, Vocal), Jane "Corn" Odintsova (Keybords, Vocal), Alexandra Sidorova (Vocal), Dmitry "Dok" Rukhadze (Bass), Dmitry Kovalev (Drums), Alexander Strelnikov (Guitar), Igor "Kiv" Korolev (Guitar)


Artist : Serenity

Album : Codex Atlanticus

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 10-02-2016

To 'Georg Neuhauser' the singer of 'Serenity', no rest in the different projects that close to his heart; just after the release of 'Phantasma' in 2015, here it is again that the tip of his nose with an album of 'Serenity'. The last album "War of Ages" dated from 2013; first of all, that's for sure, 'Serenity' continues to make the 'Serenity'. After the instrumental classical intro, we enter the heart of the matter with 2 titles enough speed (a topic which also is inspired by the life of 'Leonardo da Vinci' hence the title 'Codex Atlanticus'). The titles that follow bring another dimension to the album with a symphonic atmosphere that we had not necessarily used to hear before in 'Serenity'. And what of the beautiful ballad 'My Final Chapter' to which it is difficult to remain insensitive (with in addition an orchestral version late in the album still more purified which I find even better). The melodic aspect is always present on each title, 'Fate Of' light with its haunting refrain, 'The Perfect Woman' with its very melancholic melody. Note also 2 bonuses that are widely at the height of the rest, beautiful ballads 'Forgive Me' and 'Sail' (may be my favorite of the album song). Anyway, a good year 2016 for this new album and if you are fan of the troop to Goerg, go for it...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Cris Hermsdörfer (Vocal / Guitars), Fabio D'amore (Vocal / Bass), Andreas Schipflinger (Drums)


Artist : Mantra Vega

Album : The Illusion’s Reckoning

Release Date : 10-02-2016

Added : 14-02-2016

'Vega Mantra' is a new group created by 'Heather Findlay' (former singer of Mostly fall) and 'Dave Kerzner' (keyboards on the Sound of contact). A host of guests from quite different backgrounds complement the duo for an album in a very conventional progressive record. Very varied compositions which highlight the voice of 'Heather' who fits perfectly with the different atmospheres very acoustic. The group claims in its influences from artists like 'Peter Gabriel', 'Fleetwood Mac', 'Kate Bush'. It is actually pretty tinted seventies / eighties but with a fairly modern sound. So, if you like the above groups, will discover this brand new Mantra Vega.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Heather Findlay (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions). Dave Kerzner (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Chris Johnson (Guitar Rythmique), Stuart Fletcher (Bass), Alex Cromarty (Drums), Dave Kilminster (Guitar) + Guests.


Artist : David Bowie

Album : Blackstar

Release Date : 09-01-2016

Added : 20-02-2016

You have already probably read hundreds of reviews on the last 'Bowie', and I hesitated to add it to my list of albums 2016. And then, after several listenings, I cracked... Simply, because it has plunged for a moment in his unique world of alien to music and her whole world from the end of the 1970s rose to the surface. So, just try to forget the 'Bowie' to ' let's dance' and enjoy this ultimate offering of 'Mr David', which takes us into his last trip with this perpetual search of sounds and atmospheres has against foot of modes... A star who goes but that will long continue to shine... Farewell the artist...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Bowie (Vocal / Guitars), Ben Monder (Guitars), Donny Mccaslin (Saxophone / Flute), James Murphy (Percussions), Jason Lindner (Keybords), Mark Guiliana (Drums / Percussions), Tim Lefebvre (Bass), Tony Visconti (Arrangements De Cordes)


Artist : Nordic Union

Album : Nordic Union

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 20-02-2016

Another new project in the field of Metal in this early 2016. 'Ronnie Atkins' (Pretty Maids) and 'Erik Mårtensson' (Eclipse) raise us on their train 'Nordic Union' that makes you travel at a heavy pace by linking together the powerful compositions but also by adding a few more pop/rock songs. They are not revolutionizing the genre but the melodic line is always present. It's effective, well done and very accessible; to parody Goldman, ' songs for the feet'. So, if you're looking for at this time of the ready to listen, take your ticket to the 'Nordic Union' travel...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Guitars / Bass / Keybords), Ronnie Atkins (Vocal), Magnus Ulfstedt (Bass), Fredrik Folkare (Guitars / Guest), Magnus Henriksson (Guitars / Guest), Thomas Larsson (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Elton John

Album : Wonderful Crazy Night

Release Date : 06-02-2016

Added : 20-02-2016

Even one who continues his merry way; 33rd album studio and 50 years, it is clear that this latest installment accents the back to basics with compositions bluesy / jazzy and tinted country in some places. At the age of 68, 'Elton' always brings us his joy of life and we feel a real happiness through his songs. Back to basics obliges, we find historical musicians of the singer, 'Nigel Olsson' on drums and 'Davey Johnstone' on guitar. A moment of pure relaxation without headaches and if you have a little bit of blues, listen as Mister Elton and yours will disappear...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Elton John (Vocal, Piano), Nigel Olsson (Drums), Davey Johnstone (Guitar)


Artist : Inglorious

Album : Inglorious

Release Date : 19-02-2016

Added : 21-02-2016

'David Coverdale,' fate of this body ('Nathan James')! in 2016, I admit that a group that takes back us to the best years of the hard rock of the 1970s, this may annoy some. But when it's done in this way, we can only praise the performance of this young group that also claims his seventies influences. We will start with a bang with 'Until I Die' (with an intro to the 'Highway Star' in concert) and 'Breakaway' then see you hear a good old Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple with 2 titles all in nuances with a bass line where you discover that your foot tape measure alone. The rest is of the same ilk, alternating hard rock and other securities more blues. A small incarpade with the title 'Inglorious' in Oriental influences in the sauce and then metal to tell us as they do other thing, an acoustic ballad 'Wake' where 'Nathan' puts forward any of his vocal powers. So if you're a fan of Deep Purple, Aerosmith or Zeppelin of the first hour, take the train and I'll bet that you will not descend before the last station...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Zäta Eriksson (Guitar), Colin Parkinson (Bass), Nathan James (Vocal), Phil Beaver (Drums), Wil Taylor (Guitar)


Artist : Empledeed

Album : Byob

Release Date : 10-01-2016

Added : 21-02-2016

'Ampledeed' released her second album 'Byob' in this early 2016. Training American composed a trio and several guests, they present a very original music based on compositions is jazzy full of dissonances or is much more melodic and this by nesting these two styles constantly. Reminds me a bit the first titles of 'Renaissance' in the approach. Take for example the first title 'Triple Cancer Moon', one is immersed in a very convoluted atmosphere that can be confusing to some and ends by a much more melodic part. The title of 'My Plane', after an introduction enough prog 70, chained a part song to the 'Beatles' way then it is then plunged until the end in changes of pace in the manner of 'King Crimson'. Certainly, it will take certainly several listenings to extract all the subtleties and tame, but it's certainly what makes the wealth of 'Byob'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Goldich (Vocal / Keybords), Luis Flores (Guitars / Cuatro / Choirs), Max Taylor (Vocal / Keybords) + Guests


Artist : Sebas Honing

Album : The Big Shift

Release Date : 14-01-2016

Added : 21-02-2016

Difficult to define 'Sabas hone' music, one man band that continues to release albums on the margins of his band 'Equisa'. Mix of pop, rock and metal, all of the 15 titles has its own personality and makes us discover each time a new facet of the artist. Therefore not be resistant to different kind to adhere. For example 'Full 180' very stained speed metal succeeds 'Hometown' a very pop song with a melodic chorus wish. Overall, the metal parts are can be less present but can be noted on some compositions of the melodic and rhythmic changes that are not reminiscent of the major progressive groups. So, I'll let make you your own opinion on 'The Big Shift' without doubt the most successful album of Sabas...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sebas Honing (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Petra Honing (Vocal, Choirs), Christiaan Bruin (Drums, Choirs), Tessa Struijs (Choirs)


Artist : Rossometile

Album : Alchemica

Release Date : 21-12-2015

Added : 21-02-2016

It was only in February 2016 I just discovered not only the album 'Rossometile' but just the group that comes from Italy and who has already released his first album in 2004. To say the least to say, they do not have the buzz, and they deserve to be more known (maybe because they sing in ialien?) … 'Alchemica' 16 titles strong, is a very successful album in a very Mediterranean symphonic metal, with influences from their Italian culture and eyeing a few times to the clichés that one can have that kind of music. But overall is very homogeneous even if 'Marialisa Pergolesi' still has the margin of progression in its singing. So, if you want to discover a maybe future 'Within Temptation' Italian, 'Alchemica' is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marialisa Pergolesi (Vocal), Gennaro Balletta (Drums), Pasquale Murino (Bass), Rosario Reina (Guitar).


Artist : Grand Slam

Album : A new Dawn

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 23-02-2016

There are more groups from the North of Europe which produce Hard melodic Rock albums. 'Grand Slam' is one of the latest family. Hits galore, very effective melodies, solos of guitar at the small onions and keyboards to bind at all, that is the menu of this album 'A new Dawn'. Certainly, it does not revolutionize the genre but it's so well done and makes you a sin of hell... For those who love the melodic hard rock ready to eat, do not hesitate and go listen to these Swedish...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Sinner (Vocal), Andy Swaniz (Drums), Henrik Hansson (Bass), Daniel Grönberg Svensson (Keybords), Andreas Gullstrand (Guitar)


Artist : The Mute Gods

Album : Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me

Release Date : 22-01-2016

Added : 23-02-2016

Another new project for the year 2016. When you take the cream of progressive music musicians entering another play with Steven Wilson and Steve Hackett, it's hard not to listen to. Well, to tell you the truth, I put several listenings to enter this 'Do Nothing Till Your Hear From Me' so moods are varied and very rich... but is it really a surprise considering the liabilities of these 3 musicians. The compositions are indeed very accomplished and mix of atmospheres very trippy (for example 'Strange Relationship') but also securities more removed (like this ' Your Dark Ideas' very rhythmic and pretty crazy). By the way, the theme is a criticism of our civilization where some people deliver messages on behalf of a God while those that you should listen to are often reduced to silence; In any case, and fortunately for us, 'The dumb gods', them, can sing and play their music... So, if you want, do you your own opinion.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Beggs (Vocal / Bass / Chapman Stick), Roger King (Keybords), Marco Minnemann (Drums)


Artist : Myrath

Album : Legacy

Release Date : 19-02-2016

Added : 25-02-2016

Imagine prog metal but tinged with Eastern influences. In this early 2016, 'Myrath' Tunisian group released their 4th album 'Legacy'. After the 'All is One' d "Orphaned Land' which is one of my favorite albums of recent years, 'Legacy' is quite comparable and can still be at the top because it takes us in a complete fusion between a rock/metal Western and Oriental influences. all this was tangled for the best and difficult to find a title underneath the rest so the compositions are rich and hang from the first listen. in the end, this album shows again, no offense to some, that creation is so much richer when she is multicultural and when we put together the best of each whatever it is... Then, if, by the time running, music could be used to collect a 'tad' more, it would be the icing on the cake (Turkish delight or chocolate éclair, let you choose but I'll take the 2!) …
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Zaher Zorgati (Vocal), Elyes Bouchoucha (Keybords), Malek Ben Arbia (Guitars), Anis Jouini (Bass), Morgan Berthet (Drums)


Artist : Turin Brakes

Album : Lost Property

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 27-02-2016

As to the accustomed, a sound very English, this is what we propose 'Turin Brakes' in his new album 'Lost Property'. Already the seventh album but the pop/folk melodies still continue to touch us all. It's simple and direct and the two voices of 'Olly Knights' and 'Gale Paridjanian' complement always as much. Everything is sweetness and emotion, nothing like to relax without thinking about anything and just let go to listen. So, if you are looking for an album to listen quietly after a hard day, you are on the good playlist...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Olly Knights (Guitar, Vocal), Gale Paridjanian (Guitar, Vocal), Rob Allum (Drums), Eddie Myer (Bass).


Artist : Black Aces

Album : Shot In The Dark

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 27-02-2016

Unlike some present albums in the beginning of the year, the 'Black Aces' do not in lace and these Australians of origin, work directly on the tracks of the band to 'Angus'... Singing pushed back, guitars saturated excessively, bass lines and very binary battery is to be mistaken. It is clear, it is no surprise and there seems to have already listened to these songs played 100 times by their elders but we really feel that they live their music at bottom by swinging the heavy full of energy and power. Then, for the unconditional d "AC/DC ' (but not only),"let there be rock "...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tyler (Guitar - lead, Vocal), Alex (Bass), Pete (Drums), Jazz (Guitar – rythmique)


Artist : Interphases

Album : Skydancing

Release Date : 06-02-2016

Added : 27-02-2016

The least we can say is that Interphases', German group, does not have the buzz on the internet. The group already almost 6 years old and hard to find a column on their latest album 'Skydancing'. And yet, in a progressive very pop/rock style, they offer us 9 varied compositions ranging from a style very hovering ('Rome Before The War' or 'In My Town') in a rock very eighties ('Pale Driver'); It is certainly very classical singing isn't always at the height, and the melodies with beautiful solos of guitar (In My Town) affect. Note, an instrumental track (not necessarily the one I hold) with a nod to the 'Shadows' ('Raindance'). For me, a group in the making that has the capabilities offer us even more... only the future will tell...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Fioravant, Johannes Rühle, Jürgen Raab


Artist : Simo

Album : Let Love Show The Way

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 28-02-2016

"We have all something of Tennessee": these, they fell into it when they were very young, since they are from Nashville! Well, it's mind-blowing and a lot of prestigious references of the 70s in the field of the blues/rock come to mind when listening to their latest album 'Let Love Show The Way'. We feel an ability to improvise as it had rarely heard since the end of the seventies with a guitarist ('Jd Simo') ready to go to the quarter turn; It reminds me a bit 'Alvin Lee' with his solos of legend. So live, what it can give? and well, just ask and it is for this reason that I added a YouTube link in some cases and for this group, it is self-evident... because there are necessarily made up for it...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jd Simo (Vocal / Guitars), Adam Abrashoff (Drums), Elad Shapiro (Bass)


Artist : Cotton Salamander

Album : The Pale And Crescent Moon

Release Date : 15-02-2016

Added : 28-02-2016

Yet a group that is pretty discreet on the internet. 'Cotton Salamander' is the 'Martin Randle' project, a home Orchestra to him alone (he sings vocals, plays guitar, bass, keyboards and program percussion), to which he added several guests. 'The Pale And Crescent Moon' is a concept album about relationships that humans have with death and all its resulting issues; 10 compositions are in a style very 'Floydien'; Besides the title of the album is just a nod to 'Dark Side Of The Moon'; for example, the instrumental track 'Raimbows End' is very inspired by the psychedelic atmosphere of the seventies. Note, the use of the Bouzouki in 'Never Let You out' that gives a hint of the exotic. So, if you like atmospheres plush with 'Gilmour' guitar solos, embark on this Crescent of pale moon...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Randle (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Programmation Percusions) + Guests


Artist : Persona

Album : Elusive Reflections

Release Date : 12-02-2016

Added : 28-02-2016

Here, a few days apart, the Tunisia is very prolific and gratifies us of 2 outputs album (see also the last 'Myrath')... Although Spotify makes us believe that this is not the first album (it is sometimes the case when several artists with the same name), 'Elusive Reflections' is the first album of the group 'Persona' and for a start, there already seem to hear a mature group. In a metal that don't borrow trouble of symphonic influences, they bring a touch of Oriental but very soft (I can be loved a little more because at first listen, the fact that they are Tunisian does not jump to the ear). The melodies are immediately assimilated and singing of 'Jelena' (which she is Serbian) fits perfectly in 10 compositions. Note the 'Melik Melek Khelifa' guitarist distills worthy of the greatest guitar solos in the genre. For fans of symphonic metal singer...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jelena Dobric (Vocal), Melik Melek Khelifa (Guitar Lead), Yosri Ouada (Guitar Rythmique), Youssef Aouadi (Drums), Walid Bessadok (Keybords), Nesrine Mahbouli (Bass)


Artist : Theander Expression

Album : Wonderful Anticipation

Release Date : 26-02-2016

Added : 13-03-2016

Again, it is the Sweden who said of the CRA in this early 2016 to honor in the field. 'Theander Expression' is the project of Andrée Theander' who released her second album 'Wonderful Anticipation'. The one man band, that plays almost all the instruments, but who also sings on a few tracks, distills a rock very melodic and easy access in the manner of 'Foo', 'Niva' or 'Last Autumn's Dreams'. Although 'Theander Expression' classified in AOR referring to the melodic hard rock of the 1980s, 11 titles shared between an effective rock with refrains that fit you into the head instantly ('You Always Ran Away', ' Factoids & Fallacies, 'Never Surrender' or 'On My Own') and ballads full of emotion ('Wonderful Anticipation', 'IntoThe Valley', 'The Loner', 'Someday' or 'State Of Flow'). In summary, if you like good melodic rock, this 'Wonderful Anticipation' is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andrée Theander (tous les instruments) + Guests


Artist : Magnum

Album : Sacred Blood Divine Lies

Release Date : 26-02-2016

Added : 14-03-2016

38-year career that commands respect! More when after this time, 'Magnum' continues to get out us of the albums still enchanting our ears (already damaged with such music lol), can not be that impressed. Of course, the voice of 'Bob Catley' (68 years anyway!) is more what it was but it still sends as much. This new album 'Sacred Blood Divine Lees' is no exception to the rule and 10 titles remain very varied mix of hard rock and quieter titles but always with a sense of catchy melody. And if he had retained only one title, I would say 'Quiet Rapsody' that starts with a slick of keyboards and then explodes in a frantic rhythm: If your head will not shake and your foot remains immobile, then, certainly, it can't be done for you. For the other, go listen to this new 'Magnum'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Al Barrow (Bass), Bob Catley (Vocal), Harry James (Drums), Mark Stanway (Keybords), Tony Clarkin (Guitars)


Artist : Projection

Album : Realitivity

Release Date : 20-12-2015

Added : 20-03-2016

Very difficult to find information on the net for this new group 'Projection' of Dutch origin. A facebook page is (already well filled for 1 year) where they define themselves as being a melodic and symphonic rock band. Their first album 'Realitivity' is actually very melodic and more varied because it is not compartmentalized to a style of music. After a very trippy short introduction, we got a rock tube with a relentless chorus (here reminds me of the BOF of the bronzed 3 'Baila Moreno'); then, the next title makes you think to progressive rock at the 'Arena'. Other titles are 'Pendragon' or 'RPWL'. The end of 'Overload' makes a nod to the famous 'Comfortably Numb' to 'Pink Floyd'. Finally, a lot of different influences, but in the end, 'Projection' offers a very homogeneous and very enjoyable to listen to album. Their motto sums up this group who seeks his inspiration in his musical experience: ' there is no training for life, it is life itself that is '... For those who want to discover a new group between rock and pop influenced by the greats of the progressive music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jurgen ten Have (Bass, Vocal), Frank van Eerden (Guitar, Vocal), Richard Immink (Drums, Vocal), Peter Pampiermole (Keybords, Vocal).


Artist : Oceans Of Slumber

Album : Winter

Release Date : 04-03-2016

Added : 20-03-2016

The 'Metal progressive' label is sometimes used because it is unclear how to classify an artist. And well, the least we can say is that "Oceans Of Slumbers', with his latest album 'Winter', mixes different styles and influences. You admit between classical piano piece and title of Death metal, it can be confusing to some... On the side of death, the first 2 titles, there are growls but who are not necessarily continuous and which alternate with the very air singing of 'Cammie' in a good balance (not necessarily my cup of tea on certain passages). And then there are also titles very staggered like this 'Nights In White Satin' of the 'Blues Moodies' bringing more power than the original version or these securities 'Lullaby', 'Laid To Rest' or 'Good Life' which are very short acoustic musical interludes; When to 'Suffer the last bridge', sounds like a song to the 'Pretenders' (the voice of 'Cammie' is quite similar to that of 'Chrissie Hynde'). There are even the right end of the album to a piano composition that would not detonate in an album classic (the drummer is also pianist). To retain a title I'd say '... This Road', which sums up the group with an alternation between sweet and powerful parts while keeping a very melodic line. So if you like the big gaps and that work with progressive music and death metal does not reject you, 'Winter' is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anthony Contreras (Guitars), Cammie Gilbert (Vocal), Dobber Beverly (Drums), Keegan Kelly (Bass), Sean Gary (Guitars), Uaeb Yelsaeb (Keybords)


Artist : Wisdom

Album : Rise Of The Wise

Release Date : 26-02-2016

Added : 20-03-2016

What I don't like in the style of 'Power Metal' (usually a band with a drummer who takes it out on his battery) is that too often, all titles are similar and it has quickly stuffed head... So why I liked this 'Rise Of The Wise' of 'Wisdom' Hungarian group? well, precisely because there is no than Speed with double bass drum... Of course, after the introduction instrumental traditional ('Over The Wall'), it starts with a bang with 'Raven's Night' and there are other titles of the same ilk, but all these titles (they are only 3 Finally) are accompanied by other titles like this acoustic ballad 'Believe In Me', or even the very melodic and catchy as 'My Heart Is Alive' 'Hunting The Night' 'Through The Fire', 'Secret Life' or 'Rise Of The Wise'. In conclusion, an album for those who like the powerful and catchy titles epic embellished chorus...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gabor Nagy (Vocal), Gabor Kovacs (Guitar), Anton Kabanen Guitar), Mate Molnar (Bass), Tamas Toth (Drums)


Artist : Alux Nahual

Album : Sueños De Jade

Release Date : 11-02-2016

Added : 26-03-2016

'Alux Nahual' is already a former group that returns to the front of the stage. The Guatemala native, this group has reformed in 2011 and after an album in 2012, they result in the year 2016 a new album 'Sueños de Jade'. Strong supporters of peace in Central America, they offer a pretty festive rock with of course the lyrics in Spanish. They define their music as symphonic rock and we feel that beyond of their South American culture, there are also influences in the progressive music of the 1980s. It navigates between removed titles like 'Macondos', '1.9 Ank', 'Fuera!' or 'The Mantana Ruge' and other soft enough with melodies that affect like 'Mi Primera Luz', 'El Leon' or 'Camino para ago'. In summary, if you want to get out of well marked trails of English rock, test 'Alux Nahual' and his latest album 'Sueños de Jade'.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Álvaro Aguilar (Guitar acoustique, Keybords, Vocal), Ranferí Aguilar (Guitar électrique, Vocal), Plubius Aguilar (Bass), Paulo Alvarado (Cello), Óscar Conde (Flute, Saxophone, Guitar électrique, Keybords), Vinicio Molina (Baterie).


Artist : Big Boy Bloater & The Limits

Album : Luxuty Hobo

Release Date : 26-02-2016

Added : 26-03-2016

Need to change ideas or just simply want to tap your foot and listen good blues/rock without taking the lead... and well I have what need you: it's called 'Big Boy Bloater' and has just released his latest album 'Luxury Hobo'. It swings throughout the album with very catchy melodies. Of course, the gentleman does not revolutionize much but finally is not sure what he was asked. With his voice of old bluesman and a sin to hell, made us a good time listening to 'Luxury Hobo'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Big Boy Bloater (Vocal / Guitars), Dan Edwards (Keybords), Matt Cowley (Drums), Steven Oats (Bass)


Artist : Last Autumn's Dream

Album : Paintings

Release Date : 05-03-2016

Added : 27-03-2016

As a metronome, 'Last Autumn's Dream' continues its merry way in the world of FM rock out at regular intervals an album (that is, all the years!). 'Paintings' is the latest addition to the family. What is crazy with this group, is that at each output, we say that someday, they'll run out of steam and then... we can see that it is always the same level; direct and effective melodies with this little feeling that they have always been part of your life. The choruses are always as catchy. If I had to pick 2 songs of the 2016 Edition, I'd say 'Out Of Love' for its chorus and ' Take It on the Run' for its nostalgic side and his guitar solo all in emotion. So if you do not know 'Last Autumn's Dream', 'Paintings' is typical of that produce this group. For others who have already tasted and liked, no surprise, you'll like this 'Paintings'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jamie Borger (Drums), Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal / Keybords), Nalle Pählsson (Bass), Peter Söderström (Guitars)


Artist : Sage's Recital

Album : The Winter Symphony

Release Date : 15-02-2016

Added : 27-03-2016

I warn you right now, the least we can say it's that music produced by 'Wise's Recital' is not something we are used to hear on the air. How say, at some point, looks like the result of a cross of 'Vivaldi' and 'Van Halen'... So, sure, it may shock some. To tell you, it took me quite some time to get into this album and this finally is the title track of the album that convinced me. Title to drawers of 20 minutes, it starts as of the 'Pendragon' in a fairly light atmosphere and you go up to a deluge of guitar before the entrance of the song of 'John West' then a progressive rock/metal part enough melodic or invites solos of guitar based on melodies classic. Follows a passage in melancholy and then we chained again on a deluge of guitar/vocals interspersed with the main theme. The last part begins with an air of classical guitar very muffled and you end up in an epic atmosphere blending guitar/chorus until the end. So if you want to discover a group outside the trails, test this 'winter Symphony'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Niels Vejlyt (Guitar, Orchestrations), John West (Vocal et chœurs), Jakob Vand (Drums).


Artist : Van Canto

Album : Voices Of Fire

Release Date : 11-03-2016

Added : 27-03-2016

'Van Canto' is a special case in the field of metal; German group, they are known for their to capella song with a line of battery. They began by doing covers of classic metal 'Wishmaster' of 'Nightwish' among other things, they come back with a new album 'Voices Of Fire'. no major change, always lots of voices/choruses in epic ambience to perfection. We're in a world imagined by the author 'Christoph Hardebusch' and his 'trolls' novel where the world of darkness (necessarily villains) fight against the Queen Elena (necessarily nice). The great strength of Van Canto is to make us believe that they play different instruments while only their voices are used (except for the battery of course). On this album, it's still stunning. So listen and made you your own opinion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Schunke, Inga Scharf, Stefan Schmidt, Ross Thompson, Jan Moritz, Bastian Emig (Drums)


Artist : Virtual Symmetry

Album : Message From Eternity

Release Date : 29-02-2016

Added : 27-03-2016

Group Italian formed in 2009, it is only in 2016 that 'Virtual Symmetry' released his first album 'Message From Eternity'. Not easy to label them so their influences are varied. Navigating between the metal, rock and pop. It even has the right to an intro to the 'Jean-Michel Jarre' and one before the last piece which is simply amazing on the piano, you say the variety of what they present to us. But the centerpiece of the album is the title of 23 minutes 'Messages Of Eternity', which brings together all facets of their talent and makes us travel between muffled atmosphere filled with emotion, gone to the 'Pink Floyd' with air guitar solos, Sung parts melodic and of course, like all epic like this play, taking a final instrumental that you brought this characteristic little thrill. In summary, if you want to discover a new group of progressive current...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Valerio Æsir Villa (Guitar), Mark Bravi (Keybords), Alessandro Poppale (Bass), Davide Perpignano (Drums)


Artist : Shai Barush

Album : Listen ToThe Sky

Release Date : 12-02-2016

Added : 23-04-2016

'Shai Baruch' is an Israeli guitarist who played with the greats of the metal scene. In 2016, he released his first solo album 'Listen to the sky'. Without being confined to one style of music, Shai presents 12 varied tracks mixing acoustic and electric guitar. We travel between Rock, Blues, Metal, Jazz and even classical (he had a classic guitar training). His influences: they range roughly from Paco de Lucia to Steve Vai, it said the extent of the snowman! Difficult to retain that one piece, because each title has its own universe, and he knows perfectly juxtapose passages with a lot of tension and other relaxation while (he was certainly influenced by Flamenco guitarists). Icing on the cake, it gratifies us of guitar to the Frisian solos while giving the impression that everything flows naturally ('Icarus' or 'The Way out', 2 instrumental tracks in 2 completely different styles are the perfect illustration). In conclusion, as you may have guessed, if you like the mix of genres and guitar solos orders, do not hesitate, go listen to this album of 'Shai Barush'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Shai Baruch (Guitar, Vocal), Nir Baruch (Drums), Barak Aharon (Drums), Or Lubianiker (Bass), Amit R. Sadras (Bass), Nataly Oryon (Vocal), Chino Ace (Vocal), Yochai Davidoff (Vocal)


Artist : Blackdraft

Album : Recipe Of Pain

Release Date : 11-03-2016

Added : 23-04-2016

Small young energetic Germans 'Blackdraft' come released their first album 'Recipe Of bread'. In a somewhat softer register, reminds me the first time I heard a song of 'Pat Benatar' (it's not us getting any younger!); a singer who does not, a pace removed, big sound (it's certainly nothing to do with the 1970s), a guitarist who knits, and you have the recipe for a great time of rock. All titles are dynamites bars... If he had retained a title, I'd say 'Boots' with its frenzied pace that turns you into zebulon time of the song, the title that raises your heart rate of a few beats per minute... So, for those who love good powerful rock and energetic, this new group is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Julia D. Vallenius (Vocal), Jan Friederich (Drums), Karsten Vallenius (Guitar, Growls), Tomasz ‘Tomek’ Kolonko (Bass)


Artist : Chris Antblad

Album : Age Of Concord : On The Radio

Release Date : 19-02-2016

Added : 23-04-2016

Released only in digital version, after ' Age of Concord: Soldier Of Fortune' (which is completely unnoticed in 2015), 'Chris Antblad' was released in the year 2016, a sequel under the name ' Age of Concord: it the Radio'; the recipe is always the same but continues to fly. The catchy melodies in an air style where guitars and keyboards come with the beautiful voice of Chris he adapts according to title to locate, it can remind certain, the style of 'Chris de Burgh' for the softer songs or 'Brian Adams' for more rock titles. If I had to pick a few titles include 'On The Radio' and 'Looking For the Reason' for their haunting chorus, 'Ode To The Mute Panther' for his side a little more rock, 'If You Would' for its very melancholic style. In conclusion, this album is made for lovers of soft and melodic rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Blues Of Desperation

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 23-04-2016

Sure, I'm not going to make you discover 'Joe Bonamassa', but it is clear that his opus go out with impressive frequency and that for the moment, Joe continues to delight us album after album. 'Blues of Desperation' continues in this way with a style can be more direct and uncluttered which not only pleasantly back to the sources of the blues/rock but also avoiding can be retold them in outings also loved ones. Throughout the 11 tracks, we have right to securities removed like the introduction 'This Train' or ' You Left... (a bit long as title!) ', blues/rock to the percussive rhythm as 'Mountain Climbing' or 'Remote Lonesome Train', or more classic blues with 'No. Good Place For The Lonely', 'Livin' Easy' and a last track 'What I ve Known For A Very Long Time' much more subdued but that reminds us of the great masters of the blues of sixties/seventies. So, no surprise, for fans of Joe, it's all good; for others who don't know yet 'Joe Bonamassa', you have here a condensed version of what he does so well: playing and singing Blues...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal / Guitars), Anton Fig (Drums), Greg Morrow (Drums), Jade Mcrae (Choirs), Juanita Tippins (Choirs), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs), Mark Douthit (Saxophone), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Paulie Cerra (Saxophone), Reese Wynans (Keybords)


Artist : BlackRain

Album : Released

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 24-04-2016

And Yes, 'Blackrain', these are some small French who already released their 5th studio album and it is only with this album 'Released' I discovered them. In any case, on the internet, they do not go unnoticed and there are more reviews on their latest album. For my part, beyond the quality of the compositions, it is simply the variety of their music, which I appreciated. It starts very rock with 'Back In Town' and 'Mind Control', 2 very effective songs; but throughout the album, each title its own personality; 'Run Tiger Run', with its refrain that enter us directly into the head, 'Puppet On A String' more festive and a melody that recalls 'Elton John', 'Eat Your Alive' and his mood shifted circus, 'Home' great mid tempo song that takes back us in the seventies, 'For you Love' recovery 'Yardbirds' to rock sauce, 'Bland o Black' and its introduction Piano/voice in the manner of 'Skyfall' 'Electric Blue' with his seventies in the way 'Rubettes' choruses, and even a last song 'One Last Prayer' which the chorus reminds of 'Supertramp'. In the end, 'Blackrain' makes us spend a great moment of music... Then, you who are eclectic in your musical tastes, this album is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Frank F (Drums), MatH (Bass), Max 2 (Guitars), Swan (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : From Stone And Steel

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 27-04-2016

In the meantime their next album to be released end of may 2016, 'Big Big Train' was released only in digital (on Spotify) 9 songs that have served basic DVD stone and Steel (the video is the teaser for the DVD). This recording was done in the 'Real World' studio in 2014 'live' and contains songs from their albums. It's a good way to discover this group of progressive music that can be described as classic in the manner of groups such as 'Genesis' or 'Marillion'. Note 'The Underfall yard', taken from the self-titled album released in 2009, almost 23 minutes to multiple drawers title sums up well alone the style of 'Big Big Train'. Also, a beautiful version purified 'Wind Distorted pioneers'. For fans of progressive rock in the tradition of the big names in this style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Nick D’Virgilio (Drums), Dave Gregory (Guitar), David Longdon (Vocal, Flute, Keybords, Guitar), Danny Manners (Keybords), Andy Poole (Guitar, Bass), Greg Spawton (Bass), Rikard Sjoblom (Guitar), Rachel Hall (Violin).


Artist : Fab Box

Album : 2

Release Date : 07-12-2015

Added : 27-04-2016

After a first album in 2009, 'Fab Box' duo made up of 'Massimo Bozzi' and 'Fabrizio Ugolini' Italian returns in 2015 with a new album called simply '2'; first of all, it's the least we could ask Italians, all songs are very melodic. side style, navigating between rock, pop, folk and even country in a fairly quiet record. Several names of the pop/rock scene of the 80/90 come to mind to listen 45 minutes: 'Alan Parsons Project' ('Unconditionnal'), 'Eagles' ('Two') or 'Brian Adams' ('Down To You'). For lovers of sweet and melodic rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Fabrizio Ugolini (Vocal / Guitars), Massimo Bozzi (Vocal / Guitars), Matteo Moretti (Bass), Matteo Pantaleoni (Drums)


Artist : Black Stone Cherry

Album : Kentucky

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 28-04-2016

I warn you at the outset, 'Black Stone Cherry' Americans a good hard rock supported by a sound very heavy; Certainly, they are not changing much but listening to each song, your foot goes to the beat alone and I don't know why, distorted riffs automatically raise you the sound. A few titles stand out allowing finally make an album quite varied: 'Ride along' with his rather melancholic, 'War', recovery of Edwin Star' that they appropriate to their sauce, and 'The Rambler', sound piece that there is no doubt about their American origin. This is the Deluxe version of the album that you can listen on Spotify with 2 bonus tracks. In conclusion, if you like good rock muscular and energetic...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Wells (Guitars), Chris Robertson (Vocal / Guitars), John Fred Young (Drums), Jon Lawhon (Bass)


Artist : Malady

Album : Malady

Release Date : 13-11-2015

Added : 28-04-2016

It is still in a Nordic country, in this case Finland, that a new group was born. 'Malady', a first album of the very name of... 'Malady'. We're full foot in a music progressive seventies very intimate and hushed in the manner of 'King Crimson' for example. Only 6 titles but with 4 that exceed 7 minutes. We will easily enter their psychedelic universe with 'Kantaa Taakan Maa' or Hammond organ and guitar in hovering his answer and eventually join. The title track 'Aarnivalkea' sums up their style, between flights of instruments and very quiet passages. Need, a moment of relaxation? well, ask yourself a moment and discover this 'Malady' album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Babak Issabeigloo (Vocal / Guitars), Jonni Tanskanen (Bass), Juuso Jylhänlehto (Drums), Tony Björkman (Guitars), Ville Rohiola (Keybords)


Artist : The Syn

Album : Trustworks

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 29-04-2016

In the year 2016, 'The Syn' recalls to our good memory; 7 years after their previous album Big Sky', this is their last 'Trustworks' baby who just to see the day. Our English continue their merry way in the world of progressive rock; Remember that this group has even emerged in the 1960s. Their universe to the 'Yes' makes us travel in another time and with the song 'Trustworks', I like listening to a mix between the first 'Pink Floyd' and 'Sting' (in some records I found that the voice of 'Stephen Nardelli' approach). The 9 compositions are very melodic and the title 'Seventh Day Of Seven' more than 14 minutes reminds us of the best hours of the progressive with these different parties and a final we can more blue flower (but what feels good!). So, if you are fan of travel in time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johan Westerlund (Bass), Mikael Israelsson (Drums), Petter Sandström (Guitars), Pontus Åkesson (Guitars), Sebastian Åkesson (Keybords), Simon Åkesson (Keybords), Stephen Nardelli (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : Wigelius

Album : Tabula Rasa

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 29-04-2016

'Tabula Rasa' is the second album of the group 'Wigelius'; and guess what these Swedes, and many rock so-called AOR, like a lot of groups in the Nordic countries. To locate, their influences range from 'Foo' to 'Def Leppard'. The recipe is simple: very melodic rock songs that immediately enter you the head. You have little chance to hear on the French airwaves, although the 12 tracks are cut for radio: about 4 minutes long, which hang at first listen. It swings from beginning to end and it's hard to find a song underneath the rest. Then, in the case of a little bit of slack, and to parody a famous chocolate bar brand, 'leaves a dose of 'Wigelius' and it'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anders Wigelius (Vocal / Keybords), Erik Wigelius (Drums), Jake Svensson (Guitars), Patrik Janson (Bass)


Artist : When Day Descends

Album : Embers

Release Date : 08-07-2015

Added : 30-04-2016

Found at random my listening on Spotify, I did not yet know 'When Days downstairs'; Group Australian atmospheric progressive metal taken by 'Dave Caswell' to the guitar and 'Linton Tuleja' on drums, they released a new album 'Embers' in 2015. We could quote in reference a group as 'Anathema' but their particularity, in addition of being only instrumental with a few choirs, is that they mix passages of atmospheric metal and more traditional passages (piano or classical guitar) where the metal seems far away which makes this very varied album. If he had retained a title, I would say 'We' re Coming Back for You (Part 1)', which displays the 2 aspects of this group with a first part everything smoothly (with a part piano/vocals) and a final rising in power. In conclusion, I would say, metal, very little but atmospheric, much... and so one album to listen quietly at night before going to sleep...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Caswell –Guitar), Linton Tuleja (Drums)


Artist : Zakk Wylde

Album : Book Of Shadows II

Release Date : 08-04-2016

Added : 30-04-2016

The case of 'Zakk Wylde' (of American origin) deserves that you look a little on the snowman. Founder of the 'Black Metal Society' group, specializing in album art quite funny because based on heads of dead and that distills a very heavy but nevertheless melodic, metal here is that the guy decided in 1996 to release a first album entitled 'Book Of Shadows': 2 worlds between this album and the 'Zakk' look, like what, still a good lesson against prejudice at the con... loan blues folk and rock southerner, a very intimate and melancholic acoustic marvel. So, 'Zakk' has decided in the year 2016 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'Book Of Shadows' out and well, 'Book Of Shadows 2'. Even more intimate, he flirts with the great sixties and on some titles, we feel back some ten years back when we were listening to 'Bob Dylan'. The only complaint I have is that this version 2 is probably less diverse than its predecessor. But hey, as often in the remakes to the movies, we want more still more... In conclusion, if you like these pop/rock/folk atmospheres as so well know Americans do, you will not be disappointed of this 'book of shadows 2'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Zakk Wylde (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Jeff Fabbs (Drums), John DeServio (Bass)


Artist : Lita Ford

Album : Time Capsule

Release Date : 14-04-2016

Added : 30-04-2016

This 'Time Capsule' is a good way for children to discover 'Lita Ford'; In a style hard rock, singer and guitarist of the 1980s, she was part of the group 'The Runaways' but also made a solo career with the key not far from a dozen albums. In the year 2016, she released closets of old unreleased recordings of the 80/90. Time travel, the compositions back us in the hard rock atmosphere of those years whose only claim was swinging good direct and energetic rock. But 'Lisa Ford', but also ballads such as these beautiful 'War Of The Angels', 'King Of the Wild One' and this 'Jimmy Hendrix' recovery, 'Little Wing'. It's also weird that some titles have not seen the day earlier. Well, better late than never...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Lita Ford (Vocal / Guitars), Billy Sheehan (Bass / Guest), Chris Holmes (Guitars / Guest), Dave Navarro (Guest / Mandolin), Gene Simmons (Bass / Guest), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal / Guest), Rick Nielsen (Guest / Choirs), Robin Zander (Guest / Choirs), Rodger Carter (Drums / Guest)


Artist : Maglev

Album : Overwrite The Sin

Release Date : 28-03-2016

Added : 01-05-2016

'Joost Maglev' one-man band original Dutch who played with several groups (whose Equisa - see chronic on 'Sebas hone') was released in the year 2016 his first album named just simply 'Maglev'. Progressive influence, all the songs are more than 8 minutes and take us into the maze of her imagination: we go from melancholy to euphoria in an atmosphere still very melodic. In a different musical, we're not far from the eccentricities of some songs from 'Queen' and the title 'Judith' is a good example. And finally, 'Joost' offers us a very good time to prog off the beaten...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Joost Maglev (Vocal, Guitae, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Sebas Honing (Guitar), Robby Valentine (Piano), Myrthe van de Weetering (Violin), Scarlet Penta Official (Vocal), Emmy van Gemert (Vocal) vocals


Artist : Layla Zoe

Album : Breaking Free

Release Date : 26-02-2016

Added : 01-05-2016

One thing is sure, we can't remain insensitive to the sublime voice of 'Layla Zoe'; Canadian original, has nothing to envy to the great of the blues. Already 10 years since his first album; 2016 saw the release of the sixth installment 'Breaking Free'. 11 titles in total who put forward the range of his talent. Whatever the style of song, there are always the impression that everything flows from source and that every moment is filled with obvious authenticity. She alternates the energetic registers ('Backsage Queen, 'Breaking Free' or 'Run Away') and other melancholy that gives you the thrill ("Highway of Tears', 'Sweet Love' or 'He Loves Me'). And icing on the cake, she is accompanied by talented musicians who put themselves completely at his service. In conclusion, if you like authentic blues, go listen to this new album of 'Layla Zoe'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal), Gregor Sonnenberg (Bass / Keybords), Hardy Fischötter (Drums), Jan Laacks (Guitars / Keybords / Drums), Sonny Landreth (Guest / Slide)


Artist : Autumnal Blossom

Album : Spellbound

Release Date : 24-03-2016

Added : 02-05-2016

'Speelbound' is very melodic, it took me several listenings to appreciate this new opus of Autumnal Blossom', Bill singer and flutist 'Pia Darmstaedter'; One is immersed in a very progressive style and in a hushed atmosphere where violin, cello and flute to accompany the magnificent voice of 'Pia'. Titles are very varied and moving from a rather dark atmosphere (for example ' Because I could not stop for Death') to catchy melodies (for example ' Memories Of The Child'). 'Grey Masses' is a title high while with a final emotion rising in power. 'Ravenous', title cut into 2, with an introduction to the 'Pink Floyd' in a slick synth then part singing pop/rock which in fact also a title very likeable. The final title 'Paradise' for more than 8 minutes, sums up all the facets that can present 'Autumnal Blossom'. In the end, this very intimate 'Spellbound', is a true invitation to travel...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Pia Darmstaedter (Vocal, flûtes, claviers), Philipp Jaehne (Keybords), Jochen Bauer ( Guitars), Frank Willi Schmidt (Bass), Olaf Gramlich (Cor Anglais), Christoph Czech (Drums), Mark Beers (Double Bass), Maria Karch (Violin), Valeria La Giudice – (Cello)


Artist : Cirrha Niva

Album : Out Of The Freakshow

Release Date : 14-04-2016

Added : 03-05-2016

Almost 20 years ago that 'Cirrha Niva' exists and 'Out Of The Freakshow' is only the 3rd studio album by the Dutch. Officiating in a melodic progressive metal, the last born of the strong group of 8 titles ranging from 4 minutes to about 12 minutes, plunges us into a world quite close to groups such as 'Dream Theater'. They claim at the beginning of the first title: "ladies and gentlemen. Brothers and sisters. Geeks and Goons. In the world of the strange, we proudly present the greatest congregation of human oddities "... A program! Certainly, I did adhere to all securities but overall 'Cirrha Niva' offers us atmospheres in a progressive style which blend metal and rock including multiple fractures. Listen to the last song 'Just Another Legacy' progressive rock by excellence: made up of several parts, navigating between different atmosphere to finish with a final very epic that is growing. For me, 'Cirrha Niva' is part of the groups to become in the world of the prog...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Legrand (Vocal), Rob Willemse (Guitar), Carlo Heefer (Guitar), Michel Steenbekkers (Bass), Robert Van Kooij (Drums et Percussions)


Artist : Toseland

Album : Cradle The Rage

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 05-05-2016

'Toseland' his second album 'Cradle The Rage'; same recipe as the first: the good hard-rock direct and energetic without frills. Sure, they are not revolutionizing the genre but do their job on ultra classic melodies. It riffs from beginning to end with a few small breaks (including 'Fingers Burned'). It is a journey in time, and we meet in the ' 80s, when the groups of that time were that swing with as the only ambition of moving you in all directions to the beat of the music... So if you like this rock purified from another time, 'Toseland' is made for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

James Toseland (Vocal / Keybords), Ed Bramford (Guitars), Joe Yoshida (Drums), Roger Davis (Bass), Zurab Melua (Guitars)


Artist : Stardancer

Album : Welcome To My World

Release Date : 20-04-2016

Added : 05-05-2016

From the outset, with the title 'Welcome to My World', 'Stardancer' give you a rhythm to the 'Rolling Stones'. This American band is full foot in rock music of the 1970s but also offer other facets with this 'She's in love with Joan Jett' nod to the singer and her song ' I Love Rock 'n ' Roll', very 90s with its rock melody alternative. 'Stardancer' is also ' The Weed don't lie', a very soft ballad or very eighties pop song ' Annie' or 'Before I die' title folk by excellence. So, as you will understand, without bringing much of staff, out of this disc with the impression of listening to a summary of what rock pop music has produced over the last 40 years. A kind of patchwork of genres but which in the end makes this 'Welcome to my world' a very endearing album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Black (Guitars), Jason Lollio (Bass), Jerome Day (Drums), Rachel Williams (Vocal), Robert Star (Vocal), Tosha Owens (Vocal), Wally Filipiak (Guitars)


Artist : Tiles

Album : Prentending 2 Run

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 05-05-2016

'Tiles' is a group of 20-odd years of existence-American and who was labeled in a progressive rock/metal register; but 'Tiles' is much more than that and his latest album 'Pretending 2 Run' is again to show. Hard 2 CD (21 titles), this latest installment explores different styles and in view of the range of guests from different walks of life, we can say that 'Tiles' is unique; Therefore, if you tackle this latest installment, need you certainly several listenings to appreciate at its true value. It can even be confuse certain to pass a title like 'Taken By Surprise' that explores a jazzy hard rock (if it exists!) to 'Refugium' a classic chorus you spin goosebumps. In summary, if you don't like the mix of different genres, then go your way; otherwise, if you are open to different style of music juxtaposed as a patchwork, 'Prentending 2 Run' waiting to be tame...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Herin (Guitars), Jeff Whittle (Bass), Mark Evans (Drums), Paul Rarick (Vocal), Adam Holzman (Guitars / Guest), Colin Edwin (Bass / Guest), Hugh Syme (Keybords / Guest), Ian Anderson (Vocal / Guest), Joe Deninzon (Guest / Violin), Keith Kaminski (Guest / Saxophone), Kim Mitchell (Guitars / Guest), Max Portnoy (Drums / Guest), Mike Stern (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Santana

Album : IV

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 05-05-2016

You resume the musicians from the beginning of the adventure, you call your 'IV' album to + 1 on the 'III' 1971 album, smells like stale to me, no? well, this group is called Santana, it's worth may be listening. After 'Yambú', a start in the 'Santana' style with its swaying rhythm and its latino song, it starts strong with 2 titles that put you in the mood and the first solos of Carlos who did that Trademark. It is certain, with 16 titles (for 75 minutes), I did not necessarily adhere to all securities but it is clear that we feel a real joy to play together again. And when you listen to the legendary guitar on 'Dreams', we can't help but think of a certain 'Europa' some 40 years earlier... So sure, we find the spirit of the beginning, and just for that, thank you Mr 'Carlos' for this reunion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Carlos Santana (Vocal / Guitars), Benny Rietveld (Bass), Gregg Rolie (Vocal / Keybords), Karl Perazzo (Percussions), Michael Carabello (Percussions), Michael Shrieve (Drums), Neal Schon (Guitars), Ronald Isley (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Nemesea

Album : Uprise

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 08-05-2016

In the great Dutch symphonic metal bands with singer family, here's 'Nemesea', which come released their 5th album 'Uprise'. But, unlike their illustrious compatriot 'Within Temptation', the path taken by 'Nemesea' is more akin to groups such as 'Evanescence' with a mixture of guitar/keyboards in a more electro style and therefore cut out for a broad audience: fans of the metal will certainly not find their account. Titles are very melodic with refrains always very effective at the first listen ('Twilight', 'Forever' or 'Can't Believe It') and they do not forget the beautiful ballads like 'Let It Burn', 'Bones' or 'Light In the Sky'. Icing on the cake, 3 4 bonus tracks are acoustic (beautiful) and are taken from previous albums, thing rare enough to point that out. In conclusion, if you like the singer groups in a register electro/rock, to consume without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Hj (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Manda Ophuis (Vocal), Sonny Onderwater (Bass / Keybords)


Artist : Aperco

Album : The Battle

Release Date : 21-03-2016

Added : 08-05-2016

'Aperco' is a new original Israeli group that just released its first album 'The Battle'; very influenced by progressive bands of the 1970s, several names come to mind while listening to the 10 tracks of this album: 'Jethro Tull' or ' Camel ('Focused'), 'Pink Floyd' ('Another Day to Live', 'Dissonant Sound Within') or even BJH ('A call for Submission'). 2 beautiful songs more than 11 minutes each, 'The Battle' and 'Awaken' make us travel in the progressive world of the seventies where successive moods varied with passages that have nothing to envy to the great ones of this style of music. So, for fans of the precursors of the progressive music, 'The Battle' is a journey through time you will not regret...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Maizel (Guitars et voix), Yuval Raz (Bass), Dor Adar (Drums), Tal Maizel ( Keybords)


Artist : Josh & Co. Limited

Album : Transylvania, Part 1 –The Count Demands It

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 14-05-2016

This project is simply the fruit of 'Bryan Josh', founder of 'Mostly Autumn' progressive rok group English. With several guests (including 'Troy Donockley' of 'Nightwish'), it tells us the story of a journey to the land of vampires (a program!). Difficult to classify, it starts with a song great enough blues (The Back Lane), then a tone Oriental theme takes the relay and the beautiful voice of Olivia Sparnenn-josh'; We then gears with a rock ballad that transports us literally with his retold part ('Far Away'). Then, next to the sharp guitar riffs in a melody that fits this story ('The Castle Of 1000 Dead'). Josh puts all his musical culture and its influences in the service of this story makes it a very diverse album. For all those who love the concepts with strange story albums in a mosaic of musical styles...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Josh (Vocal, Guitar), Olivia Sparnenn-Josh (Vocal), Alex Cromarty (Drums - Guest), Anna Phoebe (Violin - Guest), Marc Atkinson (Vocal, Guitar - Guest), (Percussions - Guest), Troy Donockley (Uilleann Pipes - Guest)


Artist : Höstsanaten

Album : Symphony #1: Cupid & Psyche

Release Date : 07-04-2016

Added : 14-05-2016

Usually, the only instrumental groups attract me more than that. In the case, the last born of 'Hostsanaten' (Italian of origin), has all the ingredients of a Symphony of modern times because on the one hand, we follow a thread into a mythological story and on the other hand it is a mix of musical styles incorporating all the instruments of a Symphony Orchestra as well as electric instruments. The result is quite surprising, and mix music classical, jazz and rock. The themes are varied and the influences are very diverse ranging from the famous romantic composers has modern classical composers such as Stavinsky. So, if you like the mixture of genres, and that classical music does not put you off, this album is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Scherani (Keybords), Fabio Zuffanti (Bass, Guitar) + Guests : Paolo "Paolo" Tixi (Drums, et Percussions), Laura Marsano (Guitar), Daniele Sollo (Bass), Joanne Roan (Flute), Luca Tarantino (Hautbois), Sofia Bartolini (Basson), Marco Callegari (Trumpet), Alberto Repetto (Cor), Federico Curotto (Trombone), Maurizio Zofrea (Saxophone Tenor), Formus String Quartet: Sylvia Trabucco (Premier Violin), Alessandra Dalla Barba (Second Violin), Ilaria Bruzzone (Viola), Chiara Alberti(Cello)


Artist : Graham Nash

Album : This Path Tonight

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 14-05-2016

When we are part of the legend of the American folk, at age 74, it no longer has much to prove. Crosby Stills Nash & Young seem us far away, but 'Graham Nash' continues its merry way and to always delight us as much. This new album 'This Path Tonight' is can be an outlet linked to his current problems: his falling out with 'Crosby' and his divorce. As per usual, we travel in a universe of calm as he knows so well do where one goes to the essence of the music. And if he had retained a song, I'd say 'Yet', beautiful Ballad of great tenderness. So, if you have a moment, listen to this 'This Path Tonight' and let yourself go in this spellbinding trip...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Nash (Vocal, Guitar), Shane Fontayne (Guitar, Choirs), Jennifer Condos (Bass), Todd Caldwell (Organ), Patrick Warren (Piano), Jay Bellerose (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Kristoffer Gildenlöw

Album : The Rain

Release Date : 07-04-2016

Added : 14-05-2016

I warn you now, this album is not to listen to in a moment of blues. 'The Rain' revolves around Alzheimer's disease (the rain is considered to be the disease) which makes an album in emotion and introspection. 16 titles are all very restraint and used instruments, piano or strings further increase this feeling of melancholy. Side style, despite the different influences in the area of progressive rock of Kristoffer (it has long been the bassist of 'Bread Of Salvation'), it's still very classic approach but I would almost have given the topic. Each theme and music go together perfectly and we feel throughout the album always contained inner tension without ever actually explode which gives an impression of being constantly on the razor's edge. In short, an admirable taste album and tamed over tapping...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Vocal / Guitars / Bass / Keybords / Percussions, Piano), Anne Bakker (Violin, Viola), Fredrik Hermansson (Keybords), Lars Erik Asp (Drums / Percussions), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Paul Coenradie (Guitars)


Artist : Purson

Album : Desire’s Magic Theatre

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 14-05-2016

Seeing their picture on the Internet, I told myself I didn't know straight out of the 1960s hippie group! And no, 'Purson', group English, released his first album in 2013. And listening to this album, 'Desire's Magic Theater', my first impression reappears in the first steps. It's the psychedelic straight out of the years mentioned above with a great theatricality. Besides, 'Cunningham' singer (who in parenthesis has a magnificent voice) doesn't hide not by declaring that 'Purson' book here what she sees as his 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Without going so far, have a great time listening to this album that has a real soul and makes us travel back in time. So for fans of that time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

George Hudson (Guitars), Justin Smith (Bass), Raphael Mura (Drums), Rosalie Cunningham (Vocal / Guitars), Samuel Robinson (Keybords)


Artist : Long Distance Calling

Album : Trips

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 15-05-2016

'Trips' is already the fifth baby of 'Long Distance Calling', group German who has always had an instrumental rock/metal label. They had already begun to incorporate a little bit of singing in the previous albums, but this latest installment, sees the appearance of the singing on half of the titles. We're in a close atmosphere atmospheric rock as 'Anathema' groups or "Radiohead' with a small incursion on some songs in a rock much more catchy ('Lines' for example). 'TRIPS' is a journey in time and space literally since each title is related to this theme. When music, continues this time travel because they bring a mix of styles drawn in the progressive rock/metal band of the past 40 years. 'Long Distance Calling' album so, in the year 2016, varied and very successful which will certainly be appreciated of all lovers of progressive rock/metal in general.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

David Jordan (Guitars), Florian Füntmann (Guitars), Jan Hoffmann (Bass), Janosch Rathmer (Drums), Martin 'marsen' Fischer (Keybords), Petter Carlsen (Vocal)


Artist : End of the Dream

Album : All I Am

Release Date : 24-03-2015

Added : 16-05-2016

'End Of The Dream', Dutch origin, released their first album less than a year ago and following their concert at the Z7 in Pratteln (Switzerland), I have found that for a young group, they had everything to make a name in the field of symphonic metal. First of all, the 'Micky Huijsmans' singer is in every sense of the word: not only, she gives the impression of having already last she several years of stage and has a great ease with the public; In addition, she has the voice of choice for this type of powerful music for parties supported and touching in the quieter parts. Then, 'Armen Shamelian', in addition to being the songwriter of the group, has a feeling to get out of the solos of guitar worthy of the greats of this style (5'30 'Shadow's Embrace'). In conclusion, as you may have guessed, a new symphonic metal band was born in the hope that this is just 'The Beginning Of The Dream'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Micky Huijsmans (Vocal) , Armen Shamelian (Guitar Lead, Keybords), Robin van Ekeren (Guitar), Tim van den Hooven (Bass), Pim Geraets (Drums)


Artist : Huis

Album : Neither In Heaven

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 16-05-2016

From time to time, sometimes you are attracted in the first place the artwork to a CD, what triggers you want to listen to it without any idea of what it contains. Well, for this Neither In Heaven, it's exactly what happened to me: I did not know this group which was founded in 2010 and coming from Montreal. Well, with this latest installment 'Doors', I found myself in a very familiar universe, close to groups that I like as 'Pendragon', 'Arena' or even 'RPWL' and I came out with a big heart. 'Private' sends us heavy and hard to find one title below the others so this album is dense in atmospheres and styles. Special mention to the guitarist ' Michel St-father ' (member of 'Mystery' see 'Delusion Rain' in my albums 2015), including the feeling of his solos triggers the same little shiver than some larger like 'David Gilmour'. Note that the last title nearly 12 minutes is made of 2 parts, first about 9 minutes (a pure jewel of prog in 2 under parts with a final crescendo) then about 30 seconds after a hidden part at the piano taking up the theme of the first part that closes the album in a sublime way with a decrescendo to the last note in a slick of synth and a famous words of 'Sacha Guitry' on 'Mozart': ' after 'Camera' silence is still the 'camera'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Maz (Keybords), Michel Joncas (Bass / Taurus Bass Pedal), Michel St-père (Guitars), Sylvain Descôteaux (Vocal / Keybords), William Régnier (Drums), Benoit Dupuis (Keybords / Guest), Gerben Klazinga (Keybords / Guest), Johanne Laplante (Guest / Flute), Nathan Vanheuverzwijn (Guest / Piano)


Artist : Blood Ceremony

Album : Lord Of Misrule

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 17-05-2016

A straight sleeve out of a dusty attic, sound emanating from a machine to go back in time (and Yes, even the sound is classic!), here's basically what 'Blood Ceremony' is dating his latest album 'Lord Of Misrule' in 2016. It smells good 60s/70s and if he gets out in 33 rounds, it would certainly belongs in one of the first 'Jethro Tull' and a good old 'Zeppelin'! Nothing very revolutionary but the only ambition is to have a good time listening to 9 titles. There is even at the end of the last track 'Things Present, Things Past' to a fade down 2 times, as a certain 'Helter Skelter' of the 'Beatles' 40 years ago already... Therefore, for the nostalgic of a time that less than twenty years can not know...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alia O'Brien (Vocal / Keybords / Flute), Lucas Gadke (Bass), Michael Carrillo (Drums), Sean Kennedy (Guitars)


Artist : Gallows Pole

Album : Doors Of Perception

Release Date : 13-04-2016

Added : 20-05-2016

'Gallows Pole' is a very discreet group on the internet and it's not easy to find information on them. I stumbled by chance on this 'Doors Of Perception', and I must say that the variety of titles won me over. It goes from a rock to the 'Bruce Springsteen' (the 'Alois Martin Binder' singer in a sometimes intonations) to a hard rock melodic and powerful that is reminiscent of certain groups of the 1970s. 2 small interludes instrumental 'Watching The Sun Go Down' and ' A Rainbow juice for me' is perfectly intercalate between the different titles giving a vent to the album. The last title more than 9 minutes 'Doors Of Perception' is more akin to progressive rock with an alternation between quiet acoustic parts and other more rock and more powerful. In summary, just a good album in the tradition of the rock of the seventies...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alois Martin Binder (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Günther Steiner (Keybords), Andy Wagner (Drums), Harald Prikasky (Guitar), Harry "El" Fischer (Guitar)


Artist : Wild Rose

Album : 4

Release Date : 06-05-2016

Added : 21-05-2016

'Wild Rose', tagged AOR group whose members are from Greece, released a new album of the very original name of '4' (it is obviously their 4th album). In the tide of the groups of this type (see the albums of 'Last Autumn's Dreams', 'Khymera', 'Wigelius', 'Theander Expression',...), they come not necessarily stand out for their originality, but is not primarily what is expected of them: the goal is to release an album with catchy melodies that are fly at first listen. Well, mission completed for 'Wild Rose' that aligns the effective titles with unstoppable refrains. In short, a good time to look with the latest addition to this very discreet group on the Web...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Rock (Guitar, Choirs), George Bitzios (Vocal), Dirty Haris (Keybords), John Bitzios (Guitar, Choirs), Dimos Thomaidis (Drums), Panos Barkoutsos (Bass)


Artist : Scott Matthews

Album : Crazy Ivan

Release Date : 24-12-2015

Added : 21-05-2016

A site that does not work, not easy to find facebook page (he has a lot of musicians also namesake which he who sings folk), the least we can say is that 'Scott Matthews' Toronto made the buzz on the internet and if we let the music come to us, we have no chance to listen to this Crazy Ivan. and yet, it's an album that is endearing in a progressive pop/rock record with multiple influences. On some songs, reminds me of some songs d 'Arena' ('Exchange The Curse' or 'The Sultans' Wish'). The whole album is very melodic and cannot remain insensitive to 'Crazy Ivan' or 'One More Time', 2 songs filled with emotion and melancholy. In summary, an artist unknown to discover...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Scott Matthews (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Guests : Paul Shilton (Piano), Dale Anne Brendon (Drums), Tim Smythe (Guitar), David Barrett (Guitar)


Artist : Rikard Sjöblom

Album : The Unbendable Sleep

Release Date : 10-02-2016

Added : 22-05-2016

'Rikard Sjoblom' is part of 'Beardfish' and now 'Big Big Train', groups of progressive rock that have already a few albums to the meter. Occasionally (about every 10 years!), he released a solo album where he plays all the instruments and 'The Unbendable Sleep' is the 2nd solo album. 8 compositions (ranging from less than 2 minutes over 11 minutes) are extremely varied and we feel that Rikard is pleased to present all facets of his talent and especially that he control perfectly its subject which makes this The Unbendable Sleep a very mature album. The title 'Under Northern Skies' sums up the atmosphere with 2 completely different parts: a first, enough pop and light then giving way to second part very psychedelic. In summary, a very eclectic album, for lovers of titles to drawers so characteristic of progressive rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Rikard Sjöblom (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Bass) + Guests = Robert Hansen (Bass), Petter Diamant (Drums), Rasmus Diamant (Bass)


Artist : Southern Empire

Album : Southern Empire

Release Date : 18-03-2016

Added : 22-05-2016

All warn you immediately, if you love songs formatted for the radio that do not exceed 4 minutes, this isn't even worth a listen to this album. 2 titles of more than 11 minutes, 1 more than 28 minutes, and over an hour of music for only 5 titles, this is what awaits you with this 'Southern Empire'. ' Sean Timms ', former Member but also composer of Unitopia', one of the leading bands of the 2000s in the field of progressive music, continues its path with this new project, which smells good progressive rock in all its glory with extension securities that incorporate all sorts of moods, rhythms and styles ('The Bridge That Binds', the longest title is made of ten separate parts). Sure, it's the kind of album that takes a few listens to tame it completely but for lovers of this kind of music, you will not be disappointed because we are not bored with musical diversity that gives us 'Sean' throughout this 'Southern Empire'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sean Timms (Vocal / Keybords / Saxophone), Brody Green (Vocal / Drums), Cam Blokland (Vocal / Guitars), Danny Lopresto (Vocal / Guitars), Jez Martin (Vocal / Bass), Adam Page (Guest / Saxophone)


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Statu

Release Date : 27-09-1968

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Spare Parts

Release Date : 01-09-1969

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon

Release Date : 01-08-1970

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Dog of Two Head

Release Date : 01-11-1971

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Piledriver

Release Date : 15-12-1972

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Hello

Release Date : 28-09-1973

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Quo

Release Date : 03-05-1974

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : On The Level

Release Date : 21-02-1975

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Blue For You

Release Date : 01-03-1976

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Live !

Release Date : 01-03-1977

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Rockin' All Over the World

Release Date : 01-11-1977

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : If You Can't Stand the Heat

Release Date : 01-11-1978

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Whatever You Want

Release Date : 01-10-1979

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Just Supposin'

Release Date : 17-10-1980

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Never Too Late

Release Date : 13-03-1981

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : 1+9+8+2

Release Date : 01-04-1982

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Live At The N.E.C.

Release Date : 01-01-1982

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Ain't Complaining

Release Date : 13-06-1988

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Perfect Remedy

Release Date : 17-11-1989

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Rock 'til You Drop

Release Date : 23-09-1991

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Live Alive Quo

Release Date : 01-11-1992

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Thirsty Work

Release Date : 03-09-1994

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Don't Stop

Release Date : 05-02-1996

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Under the Influence

Release Date : 31-03-1999

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Famous in the Last Century

Release Date : 05-04-2000

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Heavy Traffic

Release Date : 01-09-2002

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Riffs

Release Date : 23-12-2003

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : In Search of the Fourth Chord

Release Date : 14-09-2007

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Quid Pro Quo

Release Date : 27-05-2011

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Bula Quo!

Release Date : 10-06-2013

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : The Frantic Four Reunion 2013

Release Date : 16-06-2013

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Aquostic (Stripped Bare)

Release Date : 17-10-2014

Added : 23-05-2016


Artist : Nothing

Album : Tired Of Tomorrow

Release Date : 13-05-2016

Added : 25-05-2016

'Tired Of Tomorrow' isn't at first glance a very happy album. First of all, the title is not what we can call a huge optimism; then the music of 'Nothing' is quite dark in a fairly atmospheric style. It must be said that 'Nothing' is not helped and that the Group has gone through a difficult period in recent years. But (there is always a but), despite this darkness apparent, I don't know by what miracle, let ship title after title by a kind of 'positive melancholy' in this universe which get a palpable sensitivity. The melodies are beautiful and touching and, of course, without comparing musical styles, some air reminds me of 'Barclay James Harvest' ('Nineteen Ninety Heaven' makes me think of 'Nova lepidoptera' of 'XII'). In summary, if you enter the world of 'Nothing', 'Tired Of Tomorrow' is an intense album essentially based on emotion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Brandon Setta (Guitars), Domenic Palermo (Vocal / Guitars), Kyle Kimball (Drums), Nick Basstt (Bass)


Artist : Punky Meadows

Album : Fallen Angel

Release Date : 20-05-2016

Added : 25-05-2016

Out of we don't know to where, 'Punky Meadows', who was a member of the group 'Angel' in the 1970s, released roughly 35 years after the separation of Angel', his first solo album, with this 'Fallen Angel'! Album cover could not be cheesy but the 15 tracks on the album (actually 14 because the first is a short intro of a minute) are in the tradition of the rock bands of the 1980s, IE direct, catchy and obviously very melodic with ubiquitous choirs. Each chorus fit you in the head at first listen and your foot want to the beat. If you like rock who just pretend to have a good time, this 'Fallen Angel' is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Punky Meadows (Guitars), Felix Robinson (Bass), Bob Pantella (Drums), Chandler Mogel (Vocal), Charlie Cav (Keybords), Danny "the Farrow" Anniello (Guitars)


Artist : The Id

Album : A Deserter’s Tale

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 27-05-2016

Deal with a serious subject as part of the music that is supposed to entertain us, is this the best way to get a message across? And well, when it's done as 'The Id', cosmopolitan group based in Montreal, did the question even more. 'A Deserter's Tale' tells the story of the execution of deserters from the 306 British company during the 1st World War. The great strength of 'The Id' is to be able to transcribe this tragedy in an album recounting the facts. It is obvious, to soak up every moment, should not just stop at the musical aspect, because we cannot dissociate each song she says (see the page on the site of 'The Id', < a href = "http://www.theid.xyz/#! a-deserters-tale/ijmwf" > 'A Deserter's Tale - The Backstory' < /a > is very well done). Finally, it's like a movie but without images and it is can be even better insofar as mandatory you you invent and, after the last note, you stay a moment dazed like in the movies where the complete end of the credits expected to compose herself. In conclusion, an album of 'The Final Cut' ('Roger Waters') level which makes a poignant live longer and intense work to listen to...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Pepper (Keybords, Vocal), Peter Albrektsen (Keybords, Guitar), Mark Murdock (Battterie), Peter Rodel (Keybords), Barbara Neill (Choirs), Guest : Jim Neil (Guitar)


Artist : Real Illusion

Album : Impheria

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 28-05-2016

'Real Illusion', Italians of origin, released their first album 'Impheria' in the year 2016. Apart from a website and a facebook group page, it's no shoving not a lot on the Web. Yet, this 'Impheria' is a first album endearing in a style between rock and progressive rock of the 1980s with a sense very developed of the melody. We're going to a very classic atmosphere with a 'Wandering' or 'Another Day', Another Stone a securities more direct as 'Real Illusion' or 'Burnig' or 'Out Of My Life' (the beginning may remember some intro of 'Deep Purple'). The last title 'Impheria' more than 10 minutes is more akin to progressive rock with its different parts which can make think of bands like 'Styx'. In summary, a very easy album of access with which we spend a very good time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Manuel Fabi (Vocal), Luca Pegoraro (Guitar), Stefano Negro (Keybords), Marco Beso (Drums), Luigi Di Carlo (Bass)


Artist : Edu Falaschi

Album : Moonlight

Release Date : 20-05-2016

Added : 28-05-2016

What I like above all in music, is when an artist surprises us and that it takes the opposite of what the public expects. It is often evidence of complete freedom without compromise related to a contract any with a record label. 'Edu Falaschi' who has been the Member of 'Angra' and 'Almah' metal bands, released an album acoustic piano/strings where he revisits 9 titles of these 2 groups. One is obviously in another world and it transforms each title for a walk and for example brings his influences Brazilian 'Breathe' or a more classic atmosphere on 'Angel And Demons' or 'Spread You Wings' with certain passages in the piano very close of the classical or jazz music. The other highlight is the voice of Edu' that after several operations of the throat perfectly fits this hushed atmosphere. As you may have guessed, the d metal fans "Angra' will find it difficult to navigate. for others, it is an opportunity to listen to another side of an artist who made the beautiful days of a major group of the 2000s metal scene...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal), João Frederico Sciotti (Guest / Flute, Saxophone), Sandami (Guest / Percussions), Tiago Mineiro (Guest / Piano)


Artist : Buffalo Summer

Album : Second Sun

Release Date : 20-05-2016

Added : 28-05-2016

You want a group that sends the good rock/hard rock released straight from the 70s/80s. Well, I've got what it takes: 'Buffalo Summer' his second album 'Second Sun' with 12 titles that give a hell sin. They are not revolutionizing the genre while each title is incredibly effective; We can't stop swinging throughout the album and all the tracks are at the same level without any downtime. If he had retained a title, I'd say 'Make You Mine': on this title, if you do not have the head shaking to the rhythm of the riffs, it is that the album is not for you, otherwise, for others, go listen to this 'Second Sun'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jonny Williams (Guitar), Andrew Hunt (Vocal), Darren King (Bass), Gareth Hunt (Drums)


Artist : Starlight Brigade

Album : Destination Eternity

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 28-05-2016

2016 saw the release of the 3rd album from 'Starlight Brigade', band Swedes who officiates in a pop/rock style quite atmospheric. The influences are diverse and there are artists of the 70s/80s as 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'The Alan Parsons Project' but also the younger groups such as 'Marillion' or 'Arena'. All titles are very easy to access, and there already seems to know his songs so they are classic (in the good sense of the term). Although the album is 63 minutes, 15 titles listen without any feeling of boredom, each song bringing its own personality which makes the whole remains quite varied. In summary, an album that is eaten in the quiet...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anders Nilsson (Guitar, Keybords, Compositeur et Producteur), Peter Hjalmarsson: (Vocal, Saxophone), Peter Sundell (Vocal), Micael Lilja (Vocal), Anders Landin(Guitar), Lene Johansson (Choirs), Karin Hallström (Choirs), Jerry Grimaldi (Bass), Håkan Sandberg (Drums)


Artist : Friends Of The Family

Album : Time

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 29-05-2016

'Friends Of The Family' is a group formed Dutch of ten musicians who released their second album 'Time'. It is a mix of Pop, Rock and Folk very accessible and varied enough. Each title contains influences from the past 40 years of progressive music and classic instruments used, saxophone, flute, banjo and even mandolin can highlight all of the compositions. We feel a great maturity of composition and there is not really low time. The title 'Written By Writing' about 10 minutes, even if it is built around the same musical phases plays on the atmospheres: folk and light at first, then more rock to relax with a very psychedelic party where the saxo to great and who eventually growing to finish on a high note. In short, an album to eat calmly after a rough day...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gijs Ballering (Vocal, Guitar), Ramón van Gammeren (Banjo, Vocal, Mandolin), Koen Krommenhoek (Guitar), Alex Vergna (Flute, Mandolin, Vocal), Arthur Moret: (Keybords, Vocal), Pascal Konings (Bass, Vocal), Camiel Koch (Guitar, Vocal, Harmonica), Tijs Kulker (Drums), Tijs Van De Poll (Saxophone), Sebastiaan Openhaart (Violin, Organ, Percussions)


Artist : Iamthemorning

Album : Lighthouse

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 29-05-2016

'Iamthemorning' is a little apart in the field of music. 'Gleb Kolyadin', pianist and singer 'Marjana Semkina', are both classical artists; they usually surround themselves with a large number of guests out albums by mixing classical influences, contemporary and progressive music. For this kind of album it is no middle ground where one could say: Yes it's not bad! Either we love, or there goes his way, because lies a lot more at the level of the felt at the level of just listening ("tastes and colors... » !!). So, without telling, test and you'll know pretty fast if it's for you. And, if this is the case, need you to definitely several listenings to tame it but you will see in the end that this album is an amazing musical journey from the first to the last note...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gleb Kolyadin (Piano), Marjana Semkina (Vocal / Choirs) + Guests : Aleksander Bogdanovich (Viola), Aleksandra Svidunovich (Violin), Alexander Kuznetcov (Bass), Anastasia Razumets (Violin), Andres Izmailov (Harp), Colin Edwin (Bass), Evan Carson (Percussions), Evgenia Ignatova (Cello), Gavin Harrison (Drums), Ksenia Ivanova (Viola), Mariusz Duda (Vocal), Mikhail Ignatov (Cello), Oksana Stepanova (Bombarde), Pereznovy Choir (Choirs), Philipp Saulin ( Violin), Roman Erofeev (Clarinette), Sergey Korolkov (Trumpet), Tatiana Kuvaitseva (Violin), Tatiana Rezetdinova (Flute), Vlad Avy (Guitars), Zhuldyz Bukina (Violin)


Artist : Almah

Album : Within The Last Eleven Lines

Release Date : 13-03-2015

Added : 01-06-2016

Lately, I have introduced the latest addition to 'Edu Falaschi' (which is the origin of the 'Almah' group) and suddenly I heard the best of 'Almah' released in 2015 that I had not yet listened to, the last albums of the group who have not left me an unforgettable. And well, this 'Within the Last Eleven Lines' contains the titles the most melodic that produced the 'Almah' group; It's speed metal and powerful with some symphonic touches. But not only that, there are also calmer songs like 'Breathe' or 'Warm Wind'. In addition, 2 titles completely staggered with covers in 'Pegasus Fantasy' and 'Moonlight Serenade' audio. Overall, an album varied with good titles chosen in 4 albums by the band...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal, Keybordss, Guitar Acoustic), Marcelo Barbosa (Guitar), Raphael Dafras (Bass), Diogo Mafra (Guitar), Pedro Tinello (Drums)


Artist : Telergy

Album : Hypatia

Release Date : 19-06-2015

Added : 02-06-2016

'Hypathia' is an album that was released in June 2015 and I discovered only today ' hui. 'Robert McClung' which composed the music of 'Telergy', in addition to being a man Orchestra, is surrounded by a host of distinguished guests to record his albums. 'Hypatia' is the third concept album tells the story of Hypatia of Alexandria, great mathematician, astronomer, philosopher and teacher who met a tragic end. Each title, being only instrumental, is interspersed by a short narration in order to understand the story line. The whole is very symphonic in different style from classical to hard rock combining here and there of traditional music; in view of the impressive number of guests, 'Robert McClung' has at its disposal all the classic or electric instruments that he desires to enrich his compositions which makes Hypatia' album varied with atmospheres very various. For all lovers of album instrumental concepts...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Robert McCLUNG (Guitars, Bass, Violin, Viole, Mandolin, Piano, Organ, Keybords, Flute, Balalaika, Ukulele, Sitar, Guitar Lap Steel, Bodhran, Percussions, Voice) + Guests : Chris CAFFERY (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) / Durga McBROOM-HUDSON (Pink Floyd, Blue Pearl) – Hypathia / Bryan HICKS (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) – Theon / Corey GLOVER (Living Colour) – Synesius / Blake CARPENTER (The Minstrel's Ghost, Corvus Stone) – Cyril / Peter KELLEY - Peter le Lecteur / Almus KENTER - Le Professeur / Chris BONITO – Drums, Percussions / Kyle WYBRANOWSKI – Drums, Percussions / Mike LEPOND (Symphony X, Silent Assassins) – Bass / Oliver HOLZWARTH (Rhapsody of Fire, Blind Guardian) – Bass / Kristen MILLER – Cello / Adam NUNES – Cello / Tim NUNES – Violin, Cello / David RAGSDALE (Kansas) – Violin / Anna PHOEBE (Jethro Tull, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) – Violin / Scott PAGE (Pink Floyd, Toto, Supertramp) – Saxophone / Parker LUNDGREN (Queensryche) – Guitar / Chris CAFFERY (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) – Guitar / Angus CLARK (Kitaro, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) – Guitar / Connor WYBRANOWSKI - Guitar / Oliver WAKEMAN (Yes) – Keybords / Oliver PALOTAI (Kamelot) – Keybords / Mattan KLEIN - Flute / Scott PAGE – Saxophone / Jaimee JOROFF – Harp / Jennifer LANTER - Cor français / John HALLORAN - Clarinette Barbara LAFITTE – Hautbois / Mac RITCHEY (Esthema) – Luth / Mike DOLAN, Tim CLARK, Gary WHEATON - voix d’émeutiers / Laura SANSCARTIER - Soprano / Tamara McSHEA – Soprano / Stephanie SLABON – Soprano / Angeliki THEOHARRIS – Mezzo / Joshua COLLIER – Tenor


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Folklore

Release Date : 27-05-2016

Added : 11-06-2016

The release of an album of 'Big Big Tain' is still awaited by fans of progressive rock. After a magnificent 'From Stone And Steel', which revisited the titles of some of their compositions, here's the new album 'Folklore' which sees the day. No surprise, all titles are very worked and found all the ingredients to make an album reference in the progressive field: construction with multiple drawers that make each party brings its stone to the building and the variety of the instruments used (electric and classical) makes that enrich all. As so often in this case, several taps are needed to soak up this very dense album. In short, a quality album that will delight all lovers of progressive rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Poole (Bass, Keybords), Danny Manners (Bass), Dave Gregory (Guitar), David Longdon (Vocal, Keybords), Greg Spawton (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums).


Artist : Shotgun Revolution

Album : All This Could Be Yours

Release Date : 27-05-2016

Added : 11-06-2016

'Shotgun Revolution' is a Danish band who officiates in a hard rock energetic and powerful. 'All This Could Be Yours' is the third album and from the outset, it starts with a bang with 'Don' t Stop That Grind' and his relentless rhythm that may itchy feet to your head. Aside from an end of a little quieter album with 'Suzie' and the 'River Of Dreams' ballad, titles strung together on a train to hell. The introduction of 'All This Could Be Yours' remember 'Round And Round' of 'Status Quo'. The melodies are very effective and return immediately to the head. In summary, if you like the good riffs powerful and supported, you will pass a good time listening to this All This Could Be Yours...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ditlev Ulriksen (Vocal), Kasper Lund (Drums), Martin Frank (Guitars), Michael "tex" Venneberg (Bass)


Artist : Blue Mammoth

Album : Stories Of A King

Release Date : 25-04-2016

Added : 11-06-2016

I discovered 'Blue Mammoth' and listening to their latest album 'Stories Of The King', I find myself in a released atmosphere straight from the 1970s with influences as varied as 'Genesis', 'Sting', 'Jethro Tull', 'Renaissance' or even 'DeepPurple'. As you see, it's quite a wide range and each title has its own originality, but this does not at all keep a good homogeneity; Andrew Micheli, the composer, pretty much sums up the music of 'Blue Mammoth' when he says: "I explore everything what me please in music: energy and adrenaline of hard rock and the colors and the lyricism of classical music. And indeed, despite the different influences, 'Blue Mammoth' imposes his trademark on this album. For all good progressive music fan...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andre Micheli (Vocal, Keybords), Julian Quilodran (Bass, Cello, Flute, Vocal), Thiago Meyer (Drums, Percussions, Vocal), Cesar Aires (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Emphasis

Album : Revival

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 16-06-2016

'Emphasis' is an Estonian group who released his first album (although Spotify has with other opus completely unrelated). At first, with an opera singer, think we're going to hear a clone of 'Nightwish' with its first 'Tarja' singer; certainly 'Anna Ganina' evolves in the same register as its illustrious predecessor, but the compositions of Emphasis' mix different styles and moods that do not follow traditional patterns. ' On The Wings Of Freedom' nests symphonic parts and others more staggered with changes of pace and a dissonant song which makes it a very original title. 'Running Man' is a Métis title that interweaves influences Eastern and Western in a remarkable way. When 'Death Itself' or 'Every Time', they are more traditional but Anna song brings a special emotion. In summary, a group in the making with an undeniable talent to make a name and leave his mark in this style of music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Ganina (Vocal), Pavel Korotaev (Guitar), Maxim Spiridonov (Guitae), Katya Gritskova (Bass) Stas Lint (Drums)


Artist : Withem

Album : The Unforgiving Road

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 17-06-2016

Withem is a Norwegian tagged progressive Metal band who released their second album 'The Unforgiving Road'. The style is very melodic and titles are varied with alternations of removed passages and other quieter. For example, 'Riven' begins with a ballad where the song is accompanied at the piano and then suddenly a rock party punctuated with in the background a spoken voice that place then a guitar solo to introduce the main theme enough pop/rock with a haunting chorus where Ole song knows how to be gentle or more rock the title ending as it began at the piano with the theme of departure and an end in decrescendo. Overall, we have to do to a festive rock style (some titles a little more muscular where Ole force her voice do not justify my taste their label); In short, if you like the metal progressive, not sure that you adhere to this group, however, for fans of melodic rock, 'The Unforgiving Road' is probably to discover...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Nordeng Røe (Drums), Miguel Pereira (Bass), Ole Aleksander Wagenius (Vocal), Oyvind V Larsen (Guitars)


Artist : Airbag

Album : Disconnected

Release Date : 10-06-2016

Added : 18-06-2016

It is certain, 'Disconnected' isn't necessarily the most varied album of Airbag' but nothing that to hear the atmosphere of the first 'Killer' title, can only refer to their illustrious predecessor 'Pink Floyd' and a certain 'Animals' (to be mistaken on the end of the title). The guitar solos, take us decades back and that's all a time that rises to the surface. Some will say it's old news but I prefer just to look at the glass half full and to say that finally, we spend a great time listening to 'Disconnected' allowing themselves to be carried away by this positive characteristic spleen of Airbag'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anders Hovdan (Bass), Asle Tostrup (Vocal / Keybords), Bjørn Riis (Guitars / Bass / Keybords / Choirs), Henrik Fossum (Drums)


Artist : Volbeat

Album : Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 18-06-2016

Powerful titles and melodic lines that we have heard repeatedly but in a more pop record, that is, what 'Volbeat' group Danish, we propose with this 'Seal the Deal & Let's's Boogie'. A good example is 'Black Rose' which makes me think of the 'Beach Boys' or 'Rubettes' with these ubiquitous choirs that reflected the period of recklessness of the 60s/70s. The only difference is that 'Volbeat' adds guitar riffs and a modern sound. So it's a combination of genres and it is likely that some critics will be hard, but for my part, I find that this wind of recklessness made a very foolish! And finally, in short, an album which is probably not intended in the first hour of 'Volbeat' fans but to a much wider audience. so, best to check, is to press the play button...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Poulsen (Vocal / Guitars), Rob Caggiano (Guitars), Jon Larsen (Drums), Kaspar Boye Larsen (Bass)


Artist : Violet Janine

Album : Between Red And Blue

Release Date : 25-05-2016

Added : 18-06-2016

'Violet Janine', funny name for this new group: in fact it is just a play on words related to the 'Janine Nyman' singer's first name and the title of the album 'Between Red And Blue' (to follow!). Well, it smells good melodic rock/hard rock and the voice of 'Janine' fly immediately and is not unlike on some titles 'Bonnie Tyler' voice with a slightly frayed voice grain. Titles are divided between effective rocks with a lot of pace ('Devil On Me', 'Shut Up' or 'Better This Than Nothing') and ballads full of emotion ('Everyday's a Fight', 'Story Of Your Life' or the Duet with 'Tony Martin', 'So Much More'). By the way, I didn't tell you: they are Swedish... one of the largest global providers of this kind of music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Janine Nyman (Vocal), Daniel Palmqvist (Guitar), Tony Jonsson (Guitar), Bass Blyberg (Bass), Ian Brunnberg (Drums)


Artist : Crystal Palace

Album : Dawn And Eternity

Release Date : 10-06-2016

Added : 20-06-2016

It was only in 2016 I discovered this group which already has to his credit a dozen albums and that just came out 'Dawn And Eternity' (better late than never...). From the beginning, we are plunged into a progressive atmosphere with a sequence of different styles of guitar solos very air ('Yogi Lang' of the group 'RPWL' has recorded and mixed the album): 'Confess Your Crime' and 'Lord Step' are two titles that have nothing to envy major groups of prog. Everything is working so that each note hangs the listener and we let ourselves be carried according to multiple climates that are linked together over the different titles. Each composition brings a lot of discoveries and emotion for one who knows penetrate every corner of the world of 'Crystal Palace'. In short, an album that will not only please any enthusiast of progressive rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Yentz (Bass, Vocals), Nils Conrad (Guitars), Tom Ronney (Drums), Frank Köhler (Keybords).


Artist : Hopes Of Freedom

Album : Burning Skyfall

Release Date : 27-03-2016

Added : 22-06-2016

And Yes, crowing, 'Hopes Of Freedom' is a French group who released their second album 'Burning Skyfall'. In the tradition of groups like 'Rhapsody', they operate in a speed metal. Certainly there are securities which give the dizzy and where the double pedal give heart to joy, but unlike other groups where the rhythm predominates, the ever-present melody which prevails; the title 'In Agony' is cut into three parts, some speed at startup then a second much more quiet to finish as she started making it a very successful title. If I had to pick only one title, 'Blood Adiction' with a ultra classic but very effective melody and one part instrumental with a great guitar solo. And finally, this 'Burning Skyfall' may be intended for a wider audience than just Speed Metal fans...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Lucas Lambert (Vocal / Guitars), Thibault Hennart (Guitars), Loris Brix (Bass), Clément L'heryenat (Drums)


Artist : Blacklands

Album : Peaceful Shores

Release Date : 31-05-2016

Added : 23-06-2016

I discovered 'Blacklands' with the release of their second album 'Peaceful Shores'. From the first listen, one is struck by the variety of titles: it begins with 'Still Bleeding', from metal to the 'Leave's Eyes' (a wise exchange between the clear voice of Tanja and growls of Thomas). It then connects with a melody to the Stones ('Alone Again') on a rock rhythm. The next title, after an introduction to the piano, takes us for a walk in the 'Fleetwood Mac'. I could quote all securities so they are different from each other. Note even when one last title more than 16 minutes to make blush best progressive rock bands. As you may have guessed, if you like groups with a strong style, go your way because you will be completely confused. On the other hand, if you like the diversity of the compositions in the music, this 'Peaceful Shores' is right for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tanja Magolei-Schüpper (Vocal), Michael Stockschläger (Guitar), Manfred Reinecke (Keybords), Oliver Müller (Bass), Thomas Kelleners (Baerie)


Artist : Silent Elegy

Album : Gone With The Wind

Release Date : 21-05-2016

Added : 25-06-2016

A fake 'Made In China' to 'Xandria', 'Epica', 'Nightwish', 'Tarja', 'Delain', 'Edenbridge' and so on... Except that the only real thing in there is that 'Silent Elegy' is a Chinese group. And not easy to guess so the style is close to the groups mentioned above. First of all, in symphonic Metal singer family, I would like the singer: I have! Gabrielle has a voice to make jealous in the profession: classical training, she is capable of adapting his voice to any title and has the little something extra which affects (it is not by chance that I have quoted 'Tarja', listen to 'Redemption' at 1 min 55 or 'Never Gone' where it deploys all his vocal range). Then all the compositions are cut for this style with very effective and epic melodies to perfection and for a young group, they are a surprising maturity even if they have not yet completely developed their own style that will allow I hope to see them take off in the fairly closed world that is the 'Metal Symphony'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gabrielle Li (Vocal), Qiwei Wang (Keybords), Liu (Bass), Lei Zhenxiao (Drums), Shen Yun (Guitar)


Artist : Radiohead

Album : A Moon Shaped Pool

Release Date : 08-05-2016

Added : 25-06-2016

The extra land of progressive rock back with a 9th album 'A Moon Shaped Pool' and continue to remain on the sidelines of what can be described as classic. With 'Radiohead', is not worth trying to hang on to his bearings, but it takes rather a soul of avid Explorer of new musical experience. ' Moon Shaped Pool' is no exception to the rule and it takes a few listens to get into this new universe, intimate and melancholic always on the edge of the break with the image of a man advancing slowly not after steps on his wire. And, finally, out of this album a little dizzy as after a dream where the return to reality is difficult to. For my part, this new 'Radiohead' brings the emotion a little lost in the previous musical experiences...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Colin Greenwood (Bass), Ed O'Brien (Vocal / Guitars), Jonny Greenwood (Guitars / Keybords), Phil Selway (Drums), Thom Yorke (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords)


Artist : Anthony D’Amato

Album : Cold Snap

Release Date : 17-06-2016

Added : 25-06-2016

In the tradition of the 1970s American folk pop songs, 'Anthony D'Amato' already released her 5th album named 'Cold Snap'. Compositions where we embarked on the side of Nashville in a quiet acoustic atmosphere for some titles ('If You are going to Build A Wall', 'A Kick In The Theeth' or 'Once' reminding 'Neil Young') and others more removed ('Blue Blooded', 'Rain On A Strange Roof' reminding 'Bruce Springsteen' or 'Cold Snap') and this is in a style still very melodic. 'Anthony D'Amato' makes us pass a festive and friendly moment and if you like the American folk, and well, let you go by this 'Cold Snap', you will not be disappointed...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anthony D'amato (Vocal / Guitars / Bass / Keybords / Mandolin, Harmonica), Conor Oberst (Vocal / Guest), Dan Auerbach (Guitars / Guest), Mike Mogis (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Ayreon

Album : The Theater Equation

Release Date : 17-06-2016

Added : 25-06-2016

'The Theater Equation', before being a filmed concert is an extraordinary human adventure where all the artists have responded present at 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen'. and we can say that there are beautiful people! The ambition to climb 'The Human Equation' for a few performances was a crazy challenge. In the end, it's the kind of show that can only be appreciated at its true value by watching the video because this brings a special dimension and makes it a unique show. So do you an idea by listening to passages on Spotify but better still, if you are fan of Lucassen, is to buy the DVD or Blue Ray. Note the edition 'Histoires' including Blue Ray, DVD and CD with an absolutely sumptuous book...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marcel Coenen (Guitars), Mike Mills (Vocal / ( Rage / Father)), Anita Van Der Hoeven (Vocal / ( Mom)), Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal / ( Fear)), Ben Mathot (Violin), Devon Graves (Vocal / ( Agony)), Ed Warby (Drums), Epic Rock Choir (Choirs), Eric Clayton (Vocal / ( Reason)), Erik Van Ittersum (Keybords), Freek Gielen (Guitars), Heather Findlay (Vocal / ( Love)), Irene Jansen (Vocal / ( Passion)), James Labrie (Vocal / ( Me)), Jermain Van Der Bogt (Vocal / ( Best Friend)), Jeroen Goossens (Flute, Instruments À Vent), Johan Van Stratum (Bass), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Magnus Ekwall (Vocal / ( Pride)), Marcela Bovio (Vocal / ( Wife)), Nienke Verboom (Vocal / ( Nurse)), Peter Moltmaker (Vocal / ( Doctor)), Ruben Wijga (Keybords)


Artist : Dawn Of Destiny

Album : To Hell

Release Date : 02-10-2015

Added : 26-06-2016

'Dawn Of Destiny' is a German group that operates in a Metal melodic to the 'Axxis' style. 'To Hell' was released end of 2015 and has gone somewhat unnoticed on the canvas. The Group has an undeniable talent for effective compositions that fit you into the head instantly. In addition, overall remains quite varied between titles fit in ('Fire', 'To Hell' or 'Scream') or other catchy but more calm ('From Paradise' with its parts of violin, 'Only The Ocean Knows', or 'Life'). They do not forget melancholic ballads ('Hateful Heart', 'Destroy My World' or 'Forgive'). In the end, the 13 compositions varied which reviront fans of melodic rock/metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jeanette Scherff (Vocal), Jens Faber (Bass, Piano, Choirs, Growls), Dirk Raczkiewicz (Keybords), Philipp Bock (Drums), Felix Rodermund (Guitar)


Artist : Melted Space

Album : The Great Lie

Release Date : 16-10-2015

Added : 26-06-2016

'Melted Space' is the 'Stone the Pope' Metal Opera project that end 2015 released his 3rd album filled with prestigious guests (see the list below) and with in more participation of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague. It is clear that the result is the level of the casting. The compositions are varied between speed metal parts, heavy and atmospheric and other epic and symphonic. These 2 styles mingle, intertwine and therefore enjoy this mixture to adhere completely as this type of album with a thread requires several listenings to enter completely into the story. Precisely, the history of all: "are children looking for their mother, who turns out to be the Queen of the fairies.» She is dying and she needs them to survive. They meet so the protagonists who will either decide to help them or stop them from going to the end of their journey." And for this, 'Stone the Pope' does appeal to a multitude of characters out of different mythologies. Anyway, in summary, for all fans of Operas at the Metal sauce...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Pierre Le Pape (Keybords / Arrangements), Adrian Martinot (Guitars / Guest), Adrien Grousset (Guitars / Guest), Ailyn Giménez Garcia (Vocal / Guest), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitars / Keybords / Guest / Dulcimer), Arno Strobl (Vocal / Guest), Attila Csihar (Vocal / Guest), Brice Guillon (Bass / Guest), Christine Rhoades (Vocal / Guest), Clémentine Delauney (Vocal / Guest), David Vincent (Vocal / Guest), Guillaume Bideau (Vocal / Guest), Kobi Farhi (Vocal / Guest), Lucie Blatrier (Vocal / Guest), Manuel Munoz (Vocal / Guest), Mariangela Demurtas (Vocal / Guest), Michael Saccoman (Drums / Guest), Mikael Stanne (Vocal / Guest), Niklas Kvarforth (Vocal / Guest), Sylvain Coudret (Guitars / Guest), The City Of Prague (Guest / Orchestre Philarmonique), Virgine Goncalves (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Since Ever

Album : Isolation

Release Date : 02-10-2015

Added : 04-07-2016

It's still a Swedish group that I discovered but which has already pointed the tip of his nose in late 2015 and who officiates in a symphonic metal to the 'Within Temptation'. And for a debut as 'Silent Elegy' (which I already presented), everything is already very professional: side compositions, they are varied with the choruses coming you immediately in mind; recording and production, everything is very neat and nothing is left to chance. It starts with the usual small intro in this kind of group that immediately makes the mouth water. Following 'Alive', a title that sets the scene with a powerful chorus. Another facet follows with 'Heaven' where Linda reveals a more intimate side. The suite is the same barrel with powerful titles and other alternating calmer. 2 beautiful titles close album: first of all, a ballad 'The Ending' all in crescendo that will give you goosebumps and then the title for more than 10 minutes ' insulation: Epilogue', epic as everything good fan of symphonic style like. In summary, the palette of symphonic metal: a good way to discover such for non followers of this kind and for fans of this style of music, to taste without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Linda Lundberg (Vocal), Niklas Johansson (Guitar), Andreas Bohlin (Keybords), Isac Danielsson Bass), Olle Holst Ussing (Drums)


Artist : A.C.T.

Album : Trifles And Pandemonium

Release Date : 17-06-2016

Added : 06-07-2016

What better than to discover a group with a Best Of? In addition, when the group called A.C.T., you can expect something pretty special. Actually, this isn't a simple compilation of different studio albums: first, the choice of securities was made by a vote of fans and then, the Group has reinterpreted these live tracks to also release a DVD (see trailer). And it's a treat from start to finish; unclassifiable, A.C.T. evolves in a festive progressive rock that mixes classic parts and other more elaborate but, as in the world of the circus, we always navigates between tragic and comic which gives a particular emotion (the last album 'Circus Pandemonium' is well represented with 5 titles). In summary, for those who don't know not 'A.C.T.', 'Trifles And Pandemonium' is a good way to discover this Swedish very endearing group...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jerry Sahlin (Keybords, Vocal), Ola Andersson (Guitar, Vocal), Peter Asp (Bass, Keybords), Herman Saming (Vocal), Thomas Lejon (Drums)


Artist : Dylem

Album : Dylem

Release Date : 29-01-2016

Added : 09-07-2016

'Dylem' is a new group of Switzerland led by 'Melody Dylem' (also a singer of Eleferya') and 'Donovan' who just released their first album. We are plunged into a melodic rock that draws its influences from bands like Within Temptation or Evanescence. After an instrumental opening, we discover the voice with 'Walk Away' the voice of Melody which can be crystal clear in the soft parts and which is getting stronger in the more removed parts. The suite is in the image of this first title with a mid tempo pace and alternating between power ('My Story', 'Rain of Crisal' or even 'Dilemna' with a final) beautiful and softness ('For Always', 'Sors of my nights' or even 'Past my past'). Note that 3 of the 9 titles are in French. In summary, a group in the making gives us a melancholic rock: discover...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Melody Dylem (Vocal), Donovan (Keybords), Alain Hornung (Drums), Nicolas Concu (Bass), Matt Grillet (Guitar)


Artist : Ashton Shepherd

Album : Out Of My Pocket

Release Date : 14-06-2016

Added : 17-08-2016

In the family 'Dolly Parton', I would like the little girl... I have! 'Ashton Shepherd' who just released her second album, 'Out of my pocket' in 2016. In line with its predecessor, it takes us in his boat that smells good country ballads: everything is together to have a good time. each title brings its own atmosphere, either light or melancholy as know so well do the interpreters of this style; 'Ashton' lives his music and knows how to communicate his emotions; In summary, a good time of country which is likely beyond the fans of this genre, audience a relatively wide...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ashton Shepherd (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Steven Wilson

Album : 4 1/2

Release Date : 22-01-2016

Added : 18-08-2016

It no longer has the British 'Steven Wilson', multi-instrumentist and emblematic character of the scene progressive (Porcupine Tree, Bladckfield); 2016 sees the release of his album ' 4' 1/2; no surprise, 'Steven' continues to do what he does so well: a progressive rock in the tradition of the seventies but without excess: only 6 titles with 2 songs bordering on 10 minutes including a jewel of prog with the last title ' Don't Hate Me' which takes us into a labyrinth of sounds and different atmospheres: sometimes jazzy, sometimes psychedelic It is shipped in a peaceful and relaxing trip. In summary, of the 'Steven Wilson' varied pure juice with an album which will delight all fans of this kind of music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal / Guitars), Adam Holzman (Keybords), Chad Wackerman (Drums), Craig Blundell (Drums), Dave Kilminster (Guitars), Guthrie Govan (Guitars), Marco Minnemann (Drums), Nick Beggs (Bass), Ninet Tayeb (Vocal), Steven Wilson (Vocal / Guitars), Theo Travis (Flute, Saxophone)


Artist : Martina Edoff

Album : Unity

Release Date : 16-10-2015

Added : 19-08-2016

Between 'Tina Turner' and 'Bonnie Tyler', 'Martina Edoff' released her second album 'Unity' there are already almost a year but and I discovered only today; the menu: songs very direct and easy to own as if they had always been part of your musical universe. It does not revolutionize the genre but we did have a good time between titles removed as 'The World Has Gone Mad' or 'Come Alive' and other quieter as 'Spirit Of The Light' or 'Moment Of True'; Note that 'Jona Jee', 'H.E.A.T.' keyboard participated in this project and it is the whole of the musicians of the Group accompanying; In summary, in continuity with the great rock voices of the eighties, an artist to discover...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Martina Edoff (Vocal), Eric Rivers (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keybords), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Crash (Drums)


Artist : Fallen Arise

Album : Adeline

Release Date : 31-10-2015

Added : 20-08-2016

'Fallen Arise', of Greek origin, released her second album 'Adeline' in October 2015. We can't say that heroin 'Adeline', has been lucky in his short life: murdered at the age of 18, it is his story that is told throughout 13 titles. In a symphonic style, after a retold introduction that sets the scene, it is shipped in this epic story with a first title 'The Curse Of Adeline', where guitar and chorus riffs intertwine; the style changes with the title 'We' re Becoming Gods, much more symphonic with a refrain that enters you the head instantly; the suite is in the image of these first 2 songs, mixing parties symphonic 'Nightwish' and passages more removed. For symphonic metal fans who like to mix the guitar riffs with much quieter passages, definitely a group to know...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Spyla (Vocal), Gus (Keybords), Frangiskos (Guitar), Rudy R. Rallis (Bass), Thanos (Drums)


Artist : Embassy Of Silence

Album : Verisimilitude

Release Date : 28-08-2015

Added : 21-08-2016

'Embassy Of Silence' that comes right of Finland, took out there are already nearly a year her second album 'Verisimilitude'. is to start very rock with a first song 'Shame, Spin & Click' but then we discover other facets of this group: 'Thimble', more quiet and intimate title doing more thinking about 'Shade' but with a final crescendo. and then, subsequently, with 'Absurdoscope' flirts with a style decidedly more metal; 'Flamer' and its catchy chorus, tube in power for radio; with 'Moths', a 'Flamenco' modern and electric atmosphere takes us in a dance in ritornello form. Anyway, as you may have guessed, if you love the variety with a modern sound, there are chances that you adopt this latest installment of Embassy Of Silence'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ines Lukkanen (Vocal), Tero Kalliomäki (Guitar Lead), Jarno Suodenjoki (Guitar Rythmique), Samu Lahtinen (Bass), Make Lievonen (Drums)


Artist : Johanna Kurkela

Album : Ingrid

Release Date : 11-09-2015

Added : 22-08-2016

Already the 6 th album for 'Johanna Kurkela', Finnish singer (she sang on the concept album 'Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge' of 'Tuomas Holopainen' but also participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007) and, despite a large number of plays on Spotify, it is not necessarily known to the public: with 'Johanna', we'll meet immersed in an intimate universe filled delicacy and emotion; all arrangements are made to highlight his voice; so much more than all lyrics are in Finnish which accentuates this feeling of authenticity. We're having a good time listening to these 11 tracks that divide between soulful ballads and songs more popisants. In summary, an album very melodic while emotion to taste without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Kurkela (Vocal, Violin, Piano)


Artist : 3rdegree

Album : Ones & Zeros: Volume 1

Release Date : 18-08-2015

Added : 23-08-2016

Yet a group in the field of the progressive who does not pay the Chronicle. Already more than 20 years '3rdegree', American Group, exist and after a long period during which they have released nothing (between 1996 and 2008), after 2 albums in 2008 and 2012, they come out in 2015 ' Ones & Zeros: Volume 1': a wallet worthy of a work of art contemporary, is behind this new album... first of all, it's the kind of album that takes a few listens to appreciate all , because it is really a comprehensive work with a thread that is offered to us. It is taken in a world of science fiction with a reflection on the limits of the technology. The style is progressive and you navigate between groups such as 'Yes' or 'Genesis' and latest, reminds me of a little albums to themes of Arjen Lucassen'. In summary, ' Ones & Zeros: Volume 1' is an album that is tamed listen after listen and '3rdegree' released here a worthy of the greatest progressive music album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Nobel (Drums), Eric Pseja (Vocal / Guitars), George Dobbs (Vocal / Keybords), Pat Kliesch (Vocal / Guitars), Robert James Pashman (Vocal / Guitars / Bass / Keybords), Kevin Cummings (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Stonerider

Album : Hologram

Release Date : 24-04-2016

Added : 24-08-2016

According to some very harsh criticism on the canvas, 'Stonerider' would be a clone of 'Pink Floyd'. It is clear, if you listen only to the intro to 'The Chains', we meet some forty years before in a certain 'Shine On Your Crazy Diamonds'. But, fortunately, 'Hologram' has other assets that makes an album very enjoyable to listen to; very psychedelic, with a variety titles, a sound of the seventies where saturated guitar, hammond organ and vocals dubbed chorus follow one another. Then, to wring the neck of some grumpy who cannot see that the glass is half empty, an album that could be composed by 'Pink Floyd' except that this isn't the 'Pink Floyd' but of 'Stonerider'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jason Krutzky (Vocal / Drums), John Pratt (Bass), Matt Tanner (Vocal / Guitars), Noah Pine (Keybords)


Artist : Bun E. Carlos

Album : Greetings From Bunezuela!

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 25-08-2016

With 'Do Something Real', we start flying solo album of 'Cheap Trick' drummer 'Bun E. Carlos' (one of her titles already in the 1990s solo). Shortly after the last 'Cheap Trick' (still a disc to listen to 2016), 'Greeting From Benezuela' is a set of titles of times (among other things, 'Armenia City In The Sky' of the 'Who', 'Idea' of the 'Bee Gees', 'Tell Me' the 'Stones', or even a resumption of the cactus completely crazy 'Jacques Dutronc') with all something in common: it's catchy and festive of the beginning to the end. Many guests are grafted to the different titles (include 'Xeno' singer first of 'Cheap Trick', or even 'Robert Pollard' of 'Guided By Voices'); In short, a good time to spend with these 13 tracks that return us about 40 years back...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Bun E. Carlos (Drums), Alejandro Escovido (Vocal / Guest), Alex Dezen (Vocal / Guest), Dave Pirner (Vocal / Guest), Hanson (Vocal / Guest), John Stirratt (Vocal / Guitars / Bass / Guest), Nicholas Tremulis (Vocal / Guest), Rick Rizzo (Vocal / Guitars / Guest), Robert Pollard (Vocal / Guest), Xeno (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : The Total Experience Live In Liverpool

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 26-08-2016

How to miss such a monument of the progressive music of the last 40 years; 2016 sees 'Steve Hackett' (for the youngest, it's simply the first guitarist of Genesis in the 1970s) released a new album in the form of CD and DVD in concert in Liverpool. And what an album! First of all, with its 23 titles it's in big 2.5 hours of music; then, Steve revisits all of her career including the beginning with 'Genesis' with some renowned guests (n Sylvan, Roine Stolt, Roger King, Gary O'Toole or Rob Towsend). The first CD includes titles from all of his solo career, and the second focuses on titles of 'Genesis'. A pure delight for fans of progressive music and certainly a DVD in addition to have in his ideal 'dvdteque'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Vocal / Guitars), Gary O'Toole (Vocal / Drums), Nad Sylvan (Vocal / Tambourine), Rob Townsend (Vocal / Keybords / Saxophone, Percussions), Roger King (Keybords), Roine Stolt (Guitars / Bass), John Hackett (Guest / Flute), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal / Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Black Desert

Album : The Road Is Open

Release Date : 11-03-2015

Added : 27-08-2016

In the great family of the metal bands to singer, here's 'Black Desert', group Spanish who released his 2nd album 'The Road Is Open' (not easy with such a name to find information on the web!). Apart from 'Red Hour' that is enough speed (with its refrain in a 'Nightwish' style, the singer with the same range as 'Floor Jensen'), overall is pretty mid tempo with a style that mixes to classical symphonic metal some Oriental influences on some titles ('Devils', 'The Road Is Open' or Seduced By The Sand'). On 'Dreams Of Glycerin,' closer 'Scorpions' ballads with a big bass and 'Isabel Bermejo Sáinz' singer reveals full extent of his talent. '64 Bones' adds growls well integrated with the song. The album ends with a short instrumental ballad to classical guitar and zither which illustrates the influences of 'Black Desert'. In short, a group of more than quality in the world of symphonic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Isabel Bermejo Sáinz (Vocal), Ángel Agüera Hernán (Guitar), Claudio Navo (Guitar), Filippo Giumento (Bass), Pablo Binda (Drums), LuisMa Hernandez (Keybords).


Artist : Leecher

Album : Sightless

Release Date : 17-06-2016

Added : 28-08-2016

After a very epic introduction, 'Damnation', makes us discover the Symphonic style of 'Leecher' which has the distinction of being a metal band composed exclusively of cellists, accompanied by an orchestra. The following titles are still in the same registry and presumably obviously groups like 'Apocalyptica' but in a much more melodic and much less black, like the voice of Anett leads a certain lightness to all what more akin them to 'Delain' or 'Epica'. In summary, an atypical group and become in the family always increasingly large symphonic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Horváth Anett - Ének (Vocal), Szijártó Ági (Cello), Nagy Ádám (Cello), Tamási Dávid (Drums), Libisch Ábel (Cello)


Artist : Orpheum

Album : Darkness and Decay

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 29-08-2016

First listen of this album 'Darkness And Decay' of the group 'Orpheus' English, difficult to define a style so the titles are varied in their content; What is certain, is that the sound is decidedly metal but with melodic lines more classics that will intercalate with the parts more removed. 'Porcelain Doll', title for more than 10 minutes, is a typical example: navigating between guitar riffs and melodic parts on keyboards. Note the last title 'Vivere Momento', beautiful ballad, declined 3 stakeholders all also from the other: one where the singer 'Erin Johnson' puts forward his talent, a second classic with a cello with the central theme and the third incorporating a choir accompanied by a classical organ. In short, a lot of mixtures of style that makes an album not easy to enjoy from the first listen but that like good wine, gets better time and successive eavesdropping aves...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Erin Johnson (Vocal), Fin Thomson (Guitar), Mars Martin (Keybords, Choirs), Andy Thomson (Drums), Phillipe Dutra (Bass).


Artist : StarCrystal

Album : Follow Me

Release Date : 18-12-2015

Added : 30-08-2016

After 'Martina Edoff,' here is 'Star Crystal', Ukrainian group very discreet on the web (I couldn't find the name of the musicians on the Web), that released end of 2015 'Follow Me'; We are in the same style with a voice and near melodies of 'Bonnie Tyler'; 'Star Crystal' sends good rock that makes you tap your feet and most of the songs have choruses who enter the head instantly. It is also entitled to essential ballads in this kind of album with the 'Miracle' and 'Destiny' titles as well as one mid tempo 'Love Song' which gives the album a ventilation. In summary, a good album from rock to salsa seventies with a modern sound and the endearing voice of 'Susanna Radimovskaya'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Susanna Radimovskaya (Vocal),…


Artist : Thy Shade

Album : The Last Goodbye

Release Date : 17-06-2016

Added : 31-08-2016

From the introduction, we say that 'Thy Shade', group American in Denver is not in what the radio strikes us all day long. The first title 'Change' reinforces this idea with a pace enough speed and a lyrical song of choirs. Then 'The Last Goodbye' on a very Classic theme and a swaying rhythm puts forward the 'Diana Shade' soprano singing. The suite is quite similar and continues to marry classical melodies and ubiquitous choirs in a metal or rock interpretation. 'Diana' made us a vocal demonstration in 'Adagio', which is another that a very free adaptation of the adagio from Albinoni and the next title, still very speed could go out of a 'Lucas Turilli' album. It therefore has a great capacity to agree to spend the cock to the donkey to enjoy this latest installment of 'Thy Shade' but it's probably what makes it great wealth; some titles make me think 'Therion'; so, you who do not like to mix genres, go your way, for others, if classic to rock/metal sauce does not put you off, this 'The Last Goodbye' is worth a visit...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Diana Shade (Vocal), David Quicho (Guitar),…


Artist : Souls Of Diotima

Album : The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis

Release Date : 10-06-2016

Added : 01-09-2016

The legends related to the Atlantis have always been a source of inspiration for groups of rock and symphonic metal. 'Souls Of Diotima' not escaped not the rule and the Italians released their third album on this theme; most of the titles are introduced by an interlude that is completely integrated into the following; It's obviously very epic and we embarked on a journey that alternates between titles removed very melodic and other quieter; 'Souls Of Diotima' has this gift, for one who is a fan of this kind of concept album, to captivate the listener from the beginning to the end thanks to the variety of titles and breakups of style and rhythm inside of each song. In summary, for epic fans of concept albums, but in the past very accessible for all those who want to discover this music style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Claudia Barsi (Vocal), Giorgio Pinna (Drums), Gianmaria Puledda (Guitar), Antonio Doro (Bass, Vocal), Antonio Fiori (Guitar).


Artist : Colliding Parallels

Album : A Matter Of Perspective

Release Date : 12-05-2016

Added : 02-09-2016

In a progressive metal style, 'Colliding Parallels' released his album 'A Matter Of Perspective'. Not necessarily akin to start as often in this style, it took me several listenings to enter their universe; securities last between 5 and 8 minutes for the longer more and each presents a construction several drawers that can unnerve some attached to the patterns classic verse/chorus. By example, the first title track of the album offers a 6-minute, 6 distinct parts with different rhythms and moods. In summary, this last 'Colliding Parallels', a great richness of compositions is probably more reserved to an informed public and follower of progressive metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Denis (Guitar) Antoine Létourneau (Drums, Keyboards, Mixing and Mastering) Benoît Roberge Vallières (Vocals, Bass and Keyboards)


Artist : Absentia

Album : Black & White

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 03-09-2016

'Absentia', Spanish group is not a group to speak easy to describe. They just released their first album 'Black & White'. I wouldn't give them a style: after a first part very gradual, the first title rout with a catchy part which could suggest to a generic TV then the rhythm is suddenly broken with a sung part. The theme of the second title is nothing else than an extract from 'Swan Lake' to 'Tchaikovsky' with a rise to power very rock then a very epic quieter end. 'Wind Of Sorrow', which begins with a mysterious atmosphere then a refrain that fit you in the head before engaging on the topic of 'Dies Irae' of the requiem of Mozart (If Yes, you read that right) and finally back to the theme of departure and all in 6 minutes. We could take each title one after the other to describe an atmosphere or a different style from the rest. But this mix is always done very nice without never shocking way and frankly, we never get bored. In summary, a tour de force to gather as much of styles and atmospheres on a single Patty and one of my favorites 2016; necessarily intended for lovers of multi-faceted artists because we're far away from the uniformity of some...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

María Barragán (Vocal); Daniel Villanueva (Drums), Antonio Mesa (Guitar, Choirs), Carlos Rivero (Guitar), Rafael Molina (Keybords), Luigi Toribio (Bass)


Artist : Mercury Falling

Album : Introspection

Release Date : 13-05-2016

Added : 04-09-2016

'Mercury Falling' is a melodic metal band that has just released its third album 'Introspection' in 2016. It sends heavy but remaining very melodic. They do not forget ballads like this beautiful 'All Things Fall Apart'. But mostly what attracted me these are the 5 latest headlines 'Introspection' which each a facet of the Group: the first short and quite theatrical where Michael, the singer reveals all his talent and then some classic metal with a catchy melody and then it connects on a short quiet title starting on the piano then amount to power for the next title very speed that ends in decrescendo in a slick piano and voice this for Finally on a beautiful ballad. In summary, a group of melodic metal, which is likely to break away from the mass of the artists of this style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Galmarini (Keybords), Tobias Galmarini(Guitar), Michael Pabst (Vocal), Maicel Panitz (Drums), Paul Viertel (Bass)


Artist : Sixx:A.M.

Album : Prayers For The Damned

Release Date : 29-04-2016

Added : 05-09-2016

A 'Sixx:A.M.' can hide another. After 'Modern Vintage' which was lighter, here's 'Prayers For The Damned,' which returns with a heavier sound for suitable them metal with big riffs. Very homogeneous and without too many digressions in the titles, it's incredibly effective; to not hold as some titles, I would say: 'You Have Come To The Right Place' for its heady refrain and its pace of hell, 'Prayers For The Damned', mid tempo, which should make sparks in concert, 'Better Man' for the Ballad of the album (of beauty) and especially 'Can't Stop' that made me immediately think of 'Queen', title to blow air all a stage! In short, 'Prayers For The Damned' is a great album to discover one of the leading bands of metal of the 2010s and riffs that ruffle...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dj Ashba (Guitars), James Michael (Vocal / Guitars), Nikki Sixx (Bass)


Artist : Rob Morratti

Album : Transcendent

Release Date : 09-06-2016

Added : 06-09-2016

Rob Moratti, Canadian singer, after not bad have been around (2 discs in the 1990s, and then with 'Van Groove' and then replacing 'Michael Sadler' of 'Saga' in the 2000s), fate in 2016 'transcend' debut solo album in 2011 and a tribute to 'Journey' last year. The style is resolutely melodic in the AOR genre (originally the term referred to rock songs cut for radio). It's still very classic but the great strength of Rob is out 12 titles very melodic and accessible from the first listen. And for nothing to spoil, he has the voice that fits perfectly with this style. In summary, if you like to consume in the moment of melodic rock, this 'transcend' is for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Moratti (Vocal), Reb Beach (Guitar), Tony Franklin (Bass), Christian Wolff (Guitar, Keybords), Fredrik Bergh (Keybords), Brian Doerner (Drums).


Artist : Trick Or Treat

Album : Rabbit's Hill Pt. 2

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 07-09-2016

' Trick or Treat', Italian of Speed Metal band has released the second part of the adventures of rabbits looking for a new world after the destruction of their. The first part had not left me an unforgettable but Italians have evolved and presents a much more powerful album with more variety in the different titles. Of course, there are the hit as 'Inle' (The Black Rabbit Of Death)' or 'They Must Die'. But we also have right to much quieter titles ('Together Again', 'Never Say Goodbye' or 'Last Breath') and also melodies punctuated as 'Cloudrider' or 'The Great Escape' very melodic with powerful choruses, but also 'Elfrara' or 'United', less speed and more elaborate; Finally, The Showdown, title for more than 10 minutes, take one epic and sums up this latest installment with different tempo change. In summary, this part 2 of the story of our rabbits is a good vintage and probably the album more varied of 'Trick Or Treat'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Conti (Vocal), Guido Benedetti (Guitar), Luca Venturelli (Guitar), Leone Villani Conti (Bass), Luca Setti (Drums)


Artist : Wolverine

Album : Machina Viva

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 08-09-2016

With 'Wolverine', who released his fifth album 'Machina Viva' and despite a start more near death metal, we're full foot in the world of progressive rock/metal to atmospheric trend: the first title, 'Bedlam Overture', takes us for nearly 15 minutes in their melodic universe with multiple drawers. The suite is on the same pattern, with an elaborate construction even in the titles of the most refined as 'Pile Of Ash' or 'Sheds'; almost all the compositions are more than 6 minutes but never weary, as 'Wolverine' mix of quiet passages and other more powerful and removed. In short, if you like bands like 'Anathema' or 'Riverside', this 'Machina Viva' is for you; for others, an opportunity to discover a new group in the progressive field (a Board, do not stop at first listen, because is the kind of album that requires several listenings to start to tame)...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Jonsson (Guitars), Marcus Losbjer (Drums), Per Henriksson (Keybords), Stefan Zell (Vocal), Thomas Jansson (Bass)


Artist : Q5

Album : New World Order

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 09-09-2016

'Q5' recalls to our good memory; 31 years after their last album (it's already dated and fans of the time have some white hair and more!), they re-form and released in the year 2016 a new album 'New World Order'; How to say, 'Q5' is somewhat a cross between ' AC/DC' and 'Saxon' and, as you can imagine, it's mind-blowing from start to the end. a certain 'Jean-Jacques' wrote ' the feet' album; and with 'Q5' is also for the feet but at the same time for the fingers, head and all the rest: titles punctuated with big guitar riffs, here's what awaits you as apart from a slightly quieter title, 'A Warrior's Song', next is powerful and devilish titles. And finally, they say them even in their first title: 'We Came Here To Rock': a program...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Evan Sheeley (Bass), Jeffrey McCormack (Drums), Rick Pierce (Guitar), Jonathan Scott K. (Vocal), Dennis Turner (Guitar)


Artist : Silverlane

Album : Off Course

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 10-09-2016

Contrary to what makes us believe the web (including Spotify), 'Off Course' is the first album by 'Silverlane', Dutch group (the other 2 discs are to the credit of their namesake Germans). For a debut album, it's very professional and they distill us of rhythmic and melodic songs in a light hard rock (rock fm or aor). Very accessible, it resembles certain groups of the 1980s, such as 'Foreigner' or 'Asia' with a modern sound and one has the impression that his songs are part of our life. As so often in this style, they do not forget the ballads ('Pretend', 'Take Me With Me' very tinted heighties). We have even the right to a 'Blackout' (written 'Black Out') very light certainly in wink to 'Scorpions'. In summary, a new group of very accessible and for lovers of hard not too muscular rock of the 80s, it's a treat...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Grefhorst (Guitar, Vocal), Marq van Mazijk (Vocal, Keybords), Pascal Steneker (Drums), Rolf Vermeer (Bass)


Artist : Circuline

Album : Counterpoint

Release Date : 05-05-2016

Added : 11-09-2016

'Flures' is maybe one of the groups that best represents what is progressive music. Their latest album 'Counterpoint' is a summary of what this style can offer: the compositions sought, built into several parts and usually with very rich instrumental. It is obvious that this isn't the ' to consume on the spot' but ask the replay several times some titles to get the essential as we flirt often with 10 minutes. 'Hollow', title of some 11 minutes, is a typical example: there are 5 parts that they same alternate quiet part and others more abducted. In short, for fans of progressive music, an album that could be part of the perfect disco, for others, a way to discover a style well often alongside the general public...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andrew Colyer (Keybords, Vocal), Billy Spillane (Vocal, Guitar), Darin Brannon (Drums), Natalie Brown (Vocal), Paul Ranieri (Bass)


Artist : Tarja

Album : The Shadow Self

Release Date : 05-08-2016

Added : 11-09-2016

'The Shadow Self' was highly anticipated after the release of 'The Brightest Void' which was only scraps of the last album and throughout my taste was not the level of what 'Tarja' used to offer us. Well, listening to this album, I am reassured and that 'The Shadow Self' contains nuggets: first of all, this beautiful first title 'Innocence' which combines metal and classic with a mix of 2 styles in the title where the piano encrusted in the metal part. With 'Demons In You', we then find the 'Tarja' pushed a lot more metal in a rhythm of hell and always with a sense of melody. 'Love To Hate' then associates of the soft parts and other more powerful in a beautiful mid-tempo title where the strings lead a binder at all. 'The Living End' is a ballad where one finds all the emotion that was known in the previous games. With 'Diva', it is shipped in an atmosphere of merry-go-round that accentuates this side perpetual ritornello. Note the last tire that does not actually 13 minutes but which is cut into 2 a first title (a little less than 8 minutes) and then a final hidden metal about 2 minutes. Finally, apart from the 2 titles 'No Bitter End' or 'Eagle Eye' who were on 'The Brightest Void' and who were more happening everywhere and formatted to switch on the radio (and it is not a pejorative), finally found the most which makes an artist completely apart... Thank you Mrs Tarja...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal / Keybords), Alex Scholpp (Guitars), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Julian Barrett (Guitars / Bass), Kevin Chown (Bass), Max Lilja (Cello), Peter Barrett (Bass), Alissa White-Gluz (Vocal / Guest), Bart Hendrickson (Keybords / Guest), Fernando Scarcella (Drums / Guest), Guillermo De Medio (Keybords / Guest), Luis Conte (Drums / Guest), Mervi Myllyoja (Guest / Violin), Mike Coolen (Drums / Guest), Mike Terrana (Drums / Guest), Nicolas Polo (Drums / Guest), Toni Turunen (Vocal / Guest), Torsten Stenzel (Keybords / Guest)


Artist : Sedate Illusion

Album : Glass Delusion

Release Date : 13-05-2016

Added : 11-09-2016

'Sedated Illusion' is a Greek native of Corfu group that I discovered with their 5th album 'Glass Delusion'. They do not have the buzz on the Internet and apart from their site on facebook, the Chronicles are not rushing. They are a quite elaborate progressive rock/metal style that can ask successive listenings to appreciate this latest installment in the right measure. First of all is not quite rock, nor entirely metal but always alternating between the two. Then the titles are all pretty long with complex constructions with frequent changes of tempo and atmosphere that can be confusing to some regulars than linearity in the music. For example 'Escaping From...' (the shorter title) starts quietly with a piano, then gradually to power monte for the chorus then again part hushed with the piano accompanied by an organ; follows a very asked sung part then a solo guitar in the 'Pink Floyd'; then begins the last part to join once the central theme and all in 6 minutes. When 'Glass Delusion', more than 10 minutes, it is a melting pot of moods and they mix bouzouki and electric instruments. The Sung part, a kind of plaintive appeal is beautiful and the instrumental mixes Western and Eastern influences well reflecting their Greek origin. In summary, a favorite for this multi-faceted group which, to my taste, should be much more known...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Vangelis Kakarougkas (Keybords, Vocal), Anastasios Kibizis (Guitar), Vagelis Glavinas (Bass), Antreas Alamanos (Drums)


Artist : Culver Kingz

Album : This Time

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 12-09-2016

'Michael Thompson' and 'Billy Trudel' are best known in the world of the international variety because they worked for an impressive list of artists, and that's why that album comes out only in 2016 while they could get him out from their first meeting in 1983. Better late than never and 'This Time' is an album necessarily very eighties in styles very different but the guiding principle is the lightness. Do not look for a very advanced musical composition, but this album is simply to have a good time with these 11 tracks: navigating between 'Billy Joël', 'Rod Stewart', 'Phil Collins' or the 'Bee Gees'. In short, this opus is made for those nostalgic for the international variety of the 80s...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Thompson (Tous les instruments), Billy Trudel (Vocal)


Artist : Graal

Album : Chapter IV

Release Date : 04-05-2015

Added : 13-09-2016

Yet a group Italian, 'Holy Grail' that already more than a year released her fourth album in 2015 under the name of 'Chapter IV'. The influences are diverse, but although the first title is thinking about 'Cat Sevens', thereafter, the group that comes to mind would be rather 'Deep Purple' (the lead singer has the intonation of 'Glenn Hughes' and securities share between vocals and guitar solos in the background of course the 'Hammond' organ). The whole is very professional and all the tracks are of a very good standard: our Italians have mastered their topic thoroughly; Note an instrumental track 'The Day That Never End' beautiful from beginning to the end with all the panoply of instrumental flights and changes of pace. They do not forget quieter titles with 'Goodbye' and 'A Poetry For A Silent Man' which goes back some 35 years ago with titles like 'Soldier Of Fortune' of 'Deep Purple'. In short, 'Holy Grail' is a good hard rock band in the seventies sauce that will delight fans but beyond which is quite accessible to those who would like to find out what style that eventually is timeless...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Francesco Zagarese (Guitar), Danilo Petrelli (Keybords), Michele Raspanti (Bass), Alex Giuliani (Drums), Andrea Ciccomartino (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Lateral Blast

Album : La Luna Nel Pozzo

Release Date : 13-05-2016

Added : 14-09-2016

The Italians certainly have a very free way to behave on the road but can not remove it is music, they always had the undeniable melody. 'Lateral Blast' is the example type with their 2nd album 'La Luna Nel Pozzo': we find this southern atmosphere enhanced by the Italians singing (that don't necessarily have the same effect if they had sung in English). But, the great strength of 'Lateral Blast' is to incorporate electric instruments to popular compositions which allows them to navigate between folk and rock and never tired. In the same genre, we could compare to 'Blackmore's Night' and there is good chance that if you are fan of the band to 'Ritchie' and that you are not allergic to the melodies sweet transalpine friends, you'll love this 'La Luna Nel Pozzo'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Leonardo Angelucci (Vocal, Guitar Electrique), Rosa Zumpano (Flute, Vocal), Antonello D'Angeli (Guitar Acoustic), Matteo Troiani (Bass), Tommaso Guerrieri (Drums, Percussions), Alessandro Ippoliti (Keybords, Keytar)


Artist : Cheap Trick

Album : Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello

Release Date : 01-04-2016

Added : 15-09-2016

No it's not an April fool: our crazy Americans of 'Cheap Trick' well released April 1 their 17th album after starting sounds retired in the 2010s. The roads recently separated with their drummer 'Bun E. Carlos' (see Chronicle of his solo album), my 33 tours 'In Color' is already far... but the guideline of his last 40 years not so much changed; It's always energetic with titles go in quite short and very melodic without taking the lead (their goal is only to move those of their fans). In conclusion, as say often the youngest speaking of an older still healthy: "I wish I had his fishing at his age. And well, gentlemen, just for that, hats...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Zander (Vocal), Rick Nielsen (Guitar), Tom Petersson (Bass), Daxx Nielsen (Drums)


Artist : Outlasted

Album : Into The Night

Release Date : 15-07-2016

Added : 16-09-2016

In the year 2016, yet a group that points the tip of his nose in the area of melodic rock. 'Outlasted', originating in Norway, released their first album 'Into the Night'. For beginners, it is already very successful in compositions in the interpretation as well. Of course, in this kind of opus, the search of melodic easy to listen cut for radio: and well, 'Outlasted' exactly meets these criteria: tubes as if it rained, 3 minutes titles that fit immediately into the head. In short, 'Outlasted' is a potential with a group with which it will take in the coming years in the field of FM rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aleksander Schjølberg (Bass), Glenn Wikran (Vocal), Odd-børge Hansen (Keybords / Piano), Rune Erling Pedersen (Drums), Terje Fløyli (Guitars), Kjetil Andreassen (Guitars / Guest), Lasse Ingebrigtsen (Guest / Choirs), Rickard Johannesson (Bass / Guest), Ronny Wikmark (Keybords / Guest), Rune Bryn (Drums / Guest)


Artist : Freedom To Glide

Album : Fall

Release Date : 01-07-2016

Added : 17-09-2016

To give you, 'Andy Nixon' and 'Pete Riley' played together in a group of tribute to 'Pink Floyd'. Therefore, it is undeniable that this influence comes out in their compositions. They have just released their 2nd album 'Fall' and as 'RPWL' who got were also close style of 'Floyd' at the start and who then found their own way, 'Freedom To Glide' seems to follow the same path with this 'Fall'. We feel less the influence of their elders than in 'Rain' their debut and we flirt with some other more progressive style while remaining a bit psychedelic. For me the song to remember: 'Enigma', which is a beautiful ballad with solos in his 'Gilmourien'. In short, 2016 sees 'Freedom To Glide' actually take off and will delight certainly all followers of progressive pop/rock with some great guitar solos...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Nixon (Vocal / Guitars), Pete Riley (Keybords)


Artist : Ivory

Album : Southern Cross

Release Date : 22-07-2016

Added : 17-09-2016

'Ivory' comes out 'Southern Cross', first part of the trilogy dedicated to the 'Terra Nova' 'Robert Scott' expedition to the south pole. With this tragic subject, no wonder that Belarusians are changing in an epic and symphonic metal. The compositions are varied and they mix different styles throughout the 10 tracks. 'Vanitas Vanitatum' is a piece enough speed and heavy; the title of 'Ulysses' ('Uliss' Russian Version) is also quite fast but more removed; When in 'Passing Days' ('Dni Idut'), with its chorus very leading, is more classic and moves away from the metal. They forget either the quieter titles with this beautiful ballad 'February' ('Grand') where sweat Russian influences. In addition, they offer 2 versions of 'Southern Cross', one in English and the other in Russian, which is the one I preferred (it is this last that I put in link Spotify) because, inevitably, strengthens the Russian atmosphere which can be theatrical in the powerful titles but also very melancholy in the quieter parts...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dmitry Chernyshevski (Keybords), Dmitry Pasiukevich (Drums), Kirill Movshuk (Guitars), Nikita Shestitko (Guitars), Sergei Butovsky (Vocal), Stanislav Siuzev (Bass)


Artist : Vivaldi Metal Project

Album : The Four Seasons

Release Date : 22-07-2016

Added : 18-09-2016

'Vivaldi' four seasons in metal version, this is a strange idea. Well, 'Vivaldi Metal Project' is a project born in the head of the composer and producer 'Mistheria': not less than 130 musicians participated (an orchestra, a String Quartet and a vocal ensemble) to this pharaonic adventure. All of the various movements has been transcribed and then arranged to get this version which may bother some (I already see scream scandal); for my part, I am always remained open to this kind of transcription from a day of 1981, where I discovered the 'Difficult To Cure' of 'Rainbow' with a certain Ritchie Blackmore on guitar (the Ode to joy in Beethoven's 9th Symphony). In the case of 'Vivaldi Metal Project', choirs and the added words make a very epic album giving a new light to the original work which to me, is not unpleasant at all. But without a doubt, there will be no middle ground for this album: either stick or hate; for my part, I liked and I tell myself that if the waiting music had this version, minutes wait we would appear much shorter...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Mistheria (Keybords / Keytar), Alberto Rigoni (Bass), Anna Portalupi (Bass / Guest), Atma Anur (Drums / Guest), Chris Caffery (Guitars / Guest), Dani Löble (Drums / Guest), Dirk Verbeuren (Drums / Guest), Edu Falaschi (Vocal / Guest), Fabio Lione (Vocal / Guest), John Macaluso (Drums / Guest), Marco Sfogli (Guitars / Guest), Mark Boals (Vocal / Guest), Mark Cross (Drums / Guest), Mark Wood (Guest / Violin), Martijn Peters (Drums / Guest), Mike LePond (Bass / Guest), Rob Rock (Vocal / Guest), Rolf Pilve (Drums / Guest), Ruben Israel (Drums / Guest), Ruud Jolie (Guitars / Guest), Sean Tibbetts (Bass / Guest), Steve Di Giorgio (Bass / Guest), Victor Smolski (Guitars / Guest), Vitalij Kuprij (Keybords / Guest)


Artist : Powerwolf

Album : The Metal Mass – Live

Release Date : 29-07-2016

Added : 18-09-2016

Not necessarily a big fan of 'Powerwolf' on the studio albums, I must admit that their last live 'The Metal Mass' is a success and discover these beasts of power metal scenes inspired by religious songs but, as you will understand, adapting them to their sauce; and what sauce, it moves from beginning to end with an impressive live atmosphere and a completely built-in audience to their cause that includes all the choruses and participates at bottom. Certainly, one could criticize a lack of variety in titles but this is precisely what makes the strength of a live like this: very catchy songs that make hymns in concert. And, although you would think that they make a mockery the religion, they say themselves: "we are not Christians, we are not all believers but if Christians or any religious person read our words, they would be not offended. It is important to us. ». So sure, fans will be conquered and for those who do not know these priests of power metal, this mass in live you will discover their world...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Attila Dorn (Vocal), Matthew Greywolf (Guitar), Charles Greywolf (Bass), Falk Maria Schlegel (Keybords, Organ), Roel van Helden (Drums).


Artist : Children In Paradise

Album : Morrigan

Release Date : 22-02-2016

Added : 19-09-2016

'Children In Paradise' is a group of French that evolves in a progressive rock record and who has just released his second album 'Morrigan'; Britons, they are inspired by Celtic texts and this latest installment takes US on the Irish railways to meet the goddess 'Morrigan'. Musically, we embarked in a set of ballads where the voice of 'Dam Kat' brings the atmospheric side that feels strange but nice to float a few meters from the ground. But, you don't get tired because singing is interspersed of melodic flights where the guitar solos are much more rock; the first title 'Alone' is the perfect example with a captivating and beginning that is gradually getting stronger with the arrival of the guitar. In summary, 'Children In Paradise' has gained its letters of nobility in the progressive field and can only be welcomed as they are French (cocorico!) …
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kathy Millot "Dam Kat" (Vocal), Fred Moreau (Drums), Gwalc'hmei (Guitars), Loïc Bléjean (Uillean Pipes, Low Whistle), Stéphane Rama (Bass), John Kenny (Guest / Carnyx)


Artist : Hristo Manolov, Atriell

Album : Tale Of The Dragon Claw

Release Date : 12-08-2016

Added : 20-09-2016

Atriell is a project of the Bulgarian symphonic metal made up 'Hristo Manolov' and based on some great stories. We're full foot in an epic world where you meet dragons and warriors and where we spend blithely of love to hate in a few seconds. 'Norra Morrel', opera singer lends his voice (in Russian) in this Tale Of The Dragon Claw. The style is obviously very symphonic with strings and choirs from the introduction that make think of a fantastic film music. The suite is in the image of this first part, a mixture of classic themes but the side metal wins never and obviously love the lyrical style to join. For fans of this kind of concept but also for those who would like to discover what you get by mixing electric guitars and lyrical vocals...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Hristo Manolov, Norra Morrel (Vocal), Ivailo Vocalov (Guitar / Bass), Antonia Malcheva (Violin).


Artist : David Cross Band

Album : Sign Of The Crow

Release Date : 05-08-2016

Added : 20-09-2016






For older folks who have known the first groups of progressive music (I mean a time only the under 20 years old...), 'David Cross' should tell them something because it is the violinist who was part of 'Crimson King' in the 1970s. After forty years to play with adults, he released several albums under the name 'David Cross Band'; 'Sign Of The Crow' is the latest. It is certain, not easy to get into this universe that mixes jazz, pop, rock and a hint of metal. It is a real melting pot of all of these styles and it is really after a long look that gained the very substance. 'Sign Of The Crow' title over 7 minutes takes us on a train to hell where the instruments take the lion's share. 'The Pool' completely in contrast is a ballad full of emotion with a very simple introduction to the song but very intense. In short, as you may have guessed, if you rather listen once, this album certainly is not for you. However you who take the time to soak up the music and who love diversity, then, you will adopt without a doubt this Sign Of The Crow...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Craig Blundell (Drums), David Cross (Violin), Jinian Wilde (Vocal), Mick Paul (Bass), Paul Clark (Guitars)


Artist : Bliss In The Abyss

Album : The Grace Of My Demons

Release Date : 09-08-2016

Added : 21-09-2016

Not easy to find information about this new Swedish band who released their debut album 'The Grace Of My Demons'; the style is partly metal, but they have the ability to make the pranks to the progressive or in more classic rock. 'Burlesque' is a good example, it starts as a piece of symphonic metal and then comes a more rock sung part (a bit like knows do 'Tarja'); then we got a quieter passage with a guitar solo very air to finish as it had begun. 'Tales Of Time' and 'Dance Of The Moon' eyeing to folk metal with very catchy melodies. 'The Grace Of My Demons' or 'The Book Of Silence' are enough rock titles or fit enough psychedelic guitar solos. In summary, 'Bliss In The Abyss' is a new group already very professional with a capacity of varying styles and who is likely to make waves in the future...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Maria Storck (Vocal), Manu Savu, (Guitar), Eugen Salceanu (Keybords), Uffe Tillman (Drums), Hampus J Pettersson (Bass)


Artist : Ancient Myth

Album : Aberration: “Au”

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 22-09-2016

'Ancient Myth' is already in his 4th album and our friends in the land of the rising sun are already pretty known in the small world of symphonic metal Western (they will play Belgium in the Metal Femal Voices Festival in October). Of course, internet side and Spotify is not excitement but we can say what we want, the Japanese really have a gift to make copies to be mistaken. It's really well done and found all the ingredients of this style: a base metal with all the classic electric instruments accompanied by a Symphony Orchestra. In addition, they bring super effective melodies ('Mortal Heaven', 'Afterglow', ' Aerial Memories: True', 'Canis' or 'Raven Neamhain Sight' to name just 5). They also enjoy with ballads full of emotion like 'Prayer To The Icy Moon', 'LINK', or the interlude instrumental 'In Vitro'. For the record, I purposely put the link to the Japanese version, where the 'Michal' singer is certainly more comfortable (the existing English version also). In conclusion, 'Ancient Myth' is to know for any fan of symphonic metal and really has nothing to do with a pale counterfeit which makes also a group for a much wider audience looking for new talent to discover...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Puzzy (Keybords), PePe (Drums), Izo (Guitar), Michal (Vocal), Naoki (Bass)


Artist : Circle Unbroken

Album : Vincere

Release Date : 22-04-2016

Added : 23-09-2016

Certainly, right now, come out a host of new groups in the field of symphonic metal singer. 'Circle Unbroken', originating from Belgium, have just released their first album 'Vincere'. Early in the game, it makes me think the style of the Norwegians of Imperia', especially the second title very air 'Black Fire' or the third 'Odyssey'. All the songs hang from the first listen and we regret almost a little too short on some. The whole is very consistent and the 40 minutes to listen to with pleasure. 'The Call', 'Insomnia' and 'Lost City' are 3 beautiful ballads that highlight the voice filled with emotion 'Mariek' even if in some places she still room for improvement in the accuracy of his singing. In short, even for me a crush for 2016, for a recent group that offers us an album very led mixing beautiful powerful melodies and beautiful ballads: 'Unbroken Circle', could fast enough to appeal to a wide enough audience as has done a group as 'Within Temptation'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marieke Bresseleers (Vocal), Franky De Mangelaere (Keybords), Rutger Meert (Bass), Marty Bonnetain (Drums), Matthias "Matths" Jacobs (Guitar), Kevin De Brauwer (Guitar)


Artist : Canterra

Album : First Escape

Release Date : 19-02-2016

Added : 24-09-2016

'Canterra' is a German band that has just released his first album 'First Escape' in 2016. First of all, Korinna' singer has some similarities with 'Tarja' and compositions similar to those of their illustrious predecessor. It begins with two titles very melodic and quick, 'Child Of Destiny' and 'Hurt'. The well-placed growls are reminiscent in some titles to the 'Leave's eyes' ('The Hunt' for example). They forget either the ballads where 'Korinna' shows all the range of his talent ('Heart', 'My Agony', or 'Der Erbe ointment' last title). In summary, all titles are very effective and very homogeneous album: this 'first escape' our friends 'Canterra' is a nice surprise for the year 2016 and it will certainly rely on them in the years to come...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Korinna König (Vocal), Hendrik Zantop (Guitar), Hannes Otto (Guitar), Tom Steudel (Bass), Max Krüger (Drums)


Artist : Moulettes

Album : Preternatural

Release Date : 27-05-2016

Added : 25-09-2016

'Moulettes' is an unclassifiable band and Canadians evolve in a style between jazz, folk and rock. They mix classic and electric instruments (cello, oboe and autoharp). 'Preternatural' is their fourth album and their biggest strength is to bring compositions coming out of the box full of freshness and lightness and fed by the vocal harmonies of 'Hannah', 'Ruth' and 'Raevennan'. We have a very good time to listen to the 11 titles without ever getting bored because all the melodies out of the ordinary and hang the listener. In summary, 'Moulettes' is a separate group out of the modes and the time to advise all those who are fond discover new talent coming out of uniformity we strikes us all day long on the air...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Hannah Miller (Cello, Cant, Guitar, Keybords), Raevennan Husbandes (Guitar, Vocal, Percussion), Ruth Skipper (Basson, Vocal), Jim Mortimore (Bass, Moog, Guitar, Vocal), Ollie Austin (Drums, Guitar, Vocal, Keybords)


Artist : Heart

Album : Beautiful Broken

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 25-09-2016

The Wilson Sisters have now 40 years of career and 2016 sees out 'Beautiful Broken' an album so most of the songs are reinterpretations of old songs. It is tinged eighties and Ann always has the same feeling in the voice. It starts with 'Beautiful Broken', a very quick title in a hard-rock style, but the suite is much quieter with a ballad like 'Two' that reminds me a bit ' Stevie Nicks 'Fleetwood Mac'. 'Sweet Darlin', 'I Jump' are more like 'Elton John'. 'Johnny Moon' is a title in a record more hushed and psychedelic; 'Heaven' is a ballad with a magnificent aerial introduction very stained seventies. With 'City Burning', it's more rock with a rhythm to the Stones. In short, easily assimilable universal titles, here's the menu of this latest installment of the 2 sisters. Enjoy without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ann Wilson (Vocal / Guitars / Bass / Keybords), Ben Smith (Drums), Chris Joyner (Keybords), Craig Bartock (Guitars), Dan Rothchild (Bass), Nancy Wilson (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), James Hetfield (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Orphaned Land - Amaseffer

Album : Kna’an

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 25-09-2016

For those who know 'Orphaned Land', forget the first oriento-metal albums: for this album on order of a certain ' Walter Wayers, a German theatre director (like what, despite the currents today, he remains open to other cultures people and it's good), 'Kobi Farhi' enlists 'Amaseffer' drummer 'Erez Yohanan' services and composed an oriental opera on the story of Abraham. Broad topic that Kobi and Erez have put music in a big way with an album very melancholic throughout and offering nuggets as only know do composers borrowing from different cultures: the first 'Naked', 'The Burning Garden', 'A tree Without Fruit No.' or 'Prisoners Of The Past' are beautiful ballads. On the second title 'Naked', we find ourselves more in the atmosphere of Orphaned Land' but always without aggression and electric instruments are there only for the poignant passages. In conclusion, our pair of Orphaned Land' and of 'Amaseffer' released an album away from their field of choice and necessarily ' Kna 'year' has nothing to do with a metal album: with compositions coming from inside, they were able to be entirely at the service of their subject.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Chen Balbus (Guitars), Erez Yohanan (Drums), Idan Amsalem (Guitars), Matan Shmuely (Drums), Uri Zelha (Bass)


Artist : Wonderonce

Album : Freedom Odyssey

Release Date : 30-05-2016

Added : 26-09-2016

See presentation 'Twilight Force' ('Heroes Of Mighty Magic')
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Liss Eventide (Vocal), Drakon Nahr (Vocal), Andrea Montalbetti (Vocal, Drums), German de Sotomayor (Guitar), Paola Rouge (Cello), Nel Löse (Bass)


Artist : Twilight Force

Album : Heroes Of Mighty Magic

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 26-09-2016

In the family of power symphonic metal, this is not 1 but 3 new albums at once and for the same price! First a group Italo-Peruvian-Switzerland 'Wonderonce', who released his first album 'Freedom Odyssey', then the Swedes 'Twilight Force' with a 2nd album 'Heroes Of Mighty Magic' and then 'Winterstorm' Germans with a 4th album 'Cube Of Infinity'. I've grouped them as they take us all 3 in epic and fantastic worlds with a great fanfare orchestras and choirs. 'Wonderonce' highlights the voices with a variety of titles ranging from the ballad ('Final Aurora') to securities much more speed and powerful ('Valley II - Frozen Fire Dragon') through pieces highlighting the very theatrical side of this group ('BabaYaga'). For 'Twilight Force', it is less varied but it sends the titles very speed and powerful with very agreed melodies, some of which could be taken out of Disney movies (if, if!) and always full of bombastic choirs. When 'Winterstorm', one remains in an epic registry but certainly less compared to the other 2. The melodies are also very accessible and the titles are relatively varied with very catchy songs like 'Effects Of Being', 'Through The Storm' or 'Frozen Awakening'. In summary, 3 albums for more fans of this genre but also 3 groups each with its own personality and for those who do not know such a range of so-called power symphonic metal: are you doing your opinion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chrileon (Vocal), Lynd (Guitar), Lute Born (Bass), Blackwald (Keybords, Piano, Violin), De'Azsh (Drums), Aerendir (Guitar)


Artist : Winterstorm

Album : Cube Of Infinity

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 26-09-2016

See presentation 'Twilight Force' ('Heroes Of Mighty Magic')
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Schirmer (Vocal), Jonas (Drums), Michael Liewald (Guitars), Peter Cerveny (Bass), Tobi (Guitars)


Artist : The Apocalypse Blues Revue

Album : The Apocalypse Blues Revue

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 27-09-2016

It's rare currently have outputs album in the field of blues rock and Americans 'The Apocalypse Blues Revue' released their debut in the year 2016. It is clear, there is war of innovation and we find the ternary tempo of this style on the majority of the titles and the 3 basic chords. Moving from a removed title 'Evil Is As Devil Does' where your fingers start snapping all alone in a very slow 'Junkie Hell' blues that makes you swing you nonchalantly. 'Devil Plays A Strat' makes me think of Pink Floyd's 'Money' immediately ' (like what, they were also the blues...). The rest is in the image of the first titles, still very classic and finally, without being very original, it is very well done and more importantly, what it's good for our 'esgourdes' to listen to from time to time this style of timeless music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Brian Carpenter (Bass), Rafer John (Vocal), Shannon Larkin (Drums), Tony Rombola (Guitars)


Artist : Delain

Album : Moonbathers

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 28-09-2016

The band to 'Charlotte Wessels' after making us wait with a very light aperitif EP early 2016 released his 5th album 'Moonbathers'. They had already proved with their album previous 'The Human Contradiction' that they were back in the Court of the great family of symphonic metal and this 'Moonbathers' confirms that the quality is again the appointment. A new was added to the combo in the person of 'Merel Bechtold' guitarist and singer incidentally. It starts flying with 'Hands Of Gold', which may be strong in concert. We then discover 'The Glory And The Scum' alternating between mid tempo verses and chorus more powerful trademark of the combo. The suite is in the image of the beginning between tubes powerful and quieter titles: 'Chrysalis - The Last Breath', beautiful ballad, is a title that puts you goose bumps. Note in the deluxe version of the live tracks but especially 2 orchestral versions of 'The Glory And The Scum' and 'Hands Of Gold', giving a whole different perception of these securities. In summary, for the fans, no surprise, it's all good 'Delain' and we can't wait to see them in concert (for me it will be end of October at the Z7). For others who prefer groups like 'Nightwish' or 'Within Temptation', you will certainly love this 'Moonbathers'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Merel Bechtold (Guitar, Vocal), Martijn Westerholt (Keybords), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (Bass), Sander Zoer (Drums)


Artist : Cruzh

Album : Cruzh

Release Date : 26-08-2016

Added : 29-09-2016

It's still the Sweden that arrives with a new melodic rock band. 'Cruzh' just released their self-titled debut album. In the series of groups of this kind ('Grand Slam', Last Autumn's Dream', 'Jono', or Violet Janine and I certainly forget!), 'Cruzh' surf the same wave with galore-like tubes immediately. It is effective and are perfect examples of the titles 'Hard To Get' or 'Set Me Free': a rhythmic removed, guitar riffs defeating the measure and choirs to the 'Rubettes'. The end of the album, a ballad more than 7 minutes ended in a big way this 'Cruzh'. In short, an album to put between the ears and consume on the spot without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Andersson (Keybords, Vocal), Anton Joensson (Guitar, Vocal), Dennis Butabi Borg (Bass, Vocal), Louisian Boltner (Drums, Guest), Erik Wiss (Piano)


Artist : Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Album : Strange Hobby

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 30-09-2016

Why in 2016, talk of the album 'Strange Hobby' released by 'Arjen Lucassen' in 1996 so 20 years ago. Quite simply, because a new version including 4 new titles just released the first version being exhausted. For those who do not know Arjen is a composer in the field progressive metal/rock with in may nearly a dozen projects to his credit, the latest being 'The Gentle Storm' released in 2015 (present in the 2015 albums). But for 'Strange Hobby', he takes back us for a moment in the 1960s with covers of the time, but this obviously to its sauce. It goes from the 'Arnold Layne' 'Sid Barrett' to 'Ruby Tuesday' of the 'Stones' through 'Ice In The Sun' of 'Status Quo'. The most is that it's not only pale copies but he brings his vision to each piece with new arrangements but without ever damaging the psychedelic atmosphere of those years (even the kaleidoscope of the artwork must be original!). It's very well made and we rediscover titles buried in a corner of our memory. In summary, for those who have experienced over the years, this 'Strange Hobby' is a real rejuvenation treatment...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Anthony Lucassen


Artist : Yossi Sassi Band

Album : Roots And Roads

Release Date : 25-05-2016

Added : 01-10-2016

'Yossi Sassi' is the former guitarist of Orphaned Land' and released his third solo album 'Roots And Roads'. First of all, it is a talented guitarist and plays all the traditional both electric guitars. Then, as in his previous band, he likes mix different styles: necessarily, its roots are Israeli but it incorporates other styles such as rock, metal, pop and even a hint of jazz in his compositions. The 12 tracks are a mixture of many influences and they share between instrumental tracks and songs sung. To quote a title, I'd say 'Winter' where one cannot define predominant influence so they are multiple. Therefore, if you like to mix different cultures and styles for a moment, this 'Roots And Roads' is certainly an album to listen to...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Yossi Sassi (Vocal, toutes les Guitars), Or Lubianiker (Bass), Shay Ifrah (Drums), Ben Azar (Guitar, Sapir Fox (Vocal), Roei Fridman (Percussions)


Artist : Nosound

Album : Scintilla

Release Date : 02-09-2016

Added : 01-10-2016

Nosound is an Italian group that already has a dozen years of existence and they have just released their 5th studio album 'Scintilla'. In their case, no doubt, they are recognizable and atmospheric rock style fits them like a glove. All titles are very quiet with a song without a lot of shade but that perfectly stick to their style. It is certain, the lack of variety and the spleen cleared can to annoy some but, it's hard to explain, even if melancholy is present throughout the album, I don't have that feeling of repetition over the securities as if I was hypnotized and shipped in a dream where one has the impression of floating a few meters from the ground. The most glaring example is 'In Celebration Of Life' that revolves around the same phrase for more than 5 minutes, but with a very subtle crescendo that envelops us and never tired. In summary, as you may have guessed, he must love the trippy music to join and if this is the case, this 'Scintilla' is right for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Luci (Bass, Keybords), Giancarlo Erra (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Giulio Caneponi (Drums), Marco Berni (Vocal, Keybords), Paolo Vigliarolo (Guitar), Andrea Chimenti (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Suicide By Tigers

Album : Suicide By Tigers

Release Date : 02-09-2016

Added : 02-10-2016

It's still a Nordic country, in this case the Sweden, which are from members of the group 'Suicide By Tigers'; Listening to this self-titled debut album, a lot of big names in the hard rock of the 1970s come to mind, the first being 'Led Zeppelin' but there are also 'Deep Purple' or 'Thin Lizzy'. So we sailed between direct securities and that swing ('Death On Your Trail', ' Pack Of Wolves or 'True Believers') and other more calm flirting with the blues ('Beautiful Nights', 'Vicious Malicious' or 'Fox In A Hole'). In summary, 'Suicide By Tigers' is a new very professional group which will certainly appeal to fans of hard rock of the seventies but which could also reach a much wider audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Johan Helgesson (Drums), Nils Lindström (Vocal), Peter Broch (Bass), Petter Rudnert (Guitars)


Artist : Damian Wilson

Album : Built For Fighting

Release Date : 09-09-2016

Added : 04-10-2016

Cel was some time that 'Damian Wilson', the lead singer of the band 'Threshold' had not released an album, taken by all other projects in which he participated. Well, it's made with this new album, 'Built For Fighting', where he presents a whole different side of what one knows. We're far from progressive metal's 'Threshold' (I presented Live in 2015); throughout the 12 tracks, we enter a universe pop-very melodic rock with this unique voice that captivates the listener as the sparse style puts it even more forward. Contrary to the title of the album who would think that one to do muscular songs, apart from a few very rhythmic titles (including 'Thrill Me', 'Sex & Vanilla' or 'All I Need'), Damian us offers to enter a door melancholic world by his voice, and there, it's Nuggets on Nuggets: 'Fire' with a piano voice exchange and this crescendo/decrescendo where the strings will invite give you goosebumps. 'Impossible' or 'Somebody', being more romantic a 'Elton John' register. We can also quote 'What Have We done' or 'Written In Anger' 2 beautiful songs to the 'Cat Stevens'. The album ends on 2 great ballads 'I Won' t Blame Life' and 'Battlelines'. This is, as you may have guessed, nothing to throw in this 'Built For Fighting' and another face 'Damian Wilson' emotion while: for me, the mark of adults able to move regardless of the style used with an impression of ease...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal / Guitars), Adam Wakeman (Keybords / Guest), Bill Shanley (Guitars / Guest), Brian Willoughby (Guitars / Guest), Lee Pomeroy (Bass / Guest)


Artist : Yael Naim

Album : Older + Older (Revisited)

Release Date : 08-01-2016

Added : 06-10-2016

And Yes, I guess I won't discover 'Yael Naim' a lot of people! and me who rather used to listen to artists that the majority do not know, I admit that this 'Older' (2015) and 'Older (Revisited)' (2016) are the first albums that I listen to and this without knowing that she was the author of 'New Soul', title that has circled the planet (and it was can be better because ultimately this has not influenced me). Just after ' Damien Wilson, I could not so well to fall because we are in the same register of emotion as the new version brings a look any on this album with the same title with several versions. Navigating between light pop ('I walk until', 'Make A Child', 'She Said'), blues ('Dream In My Head'), folk ('She Said'), soul ('Trapped', 'Take Me Down') and same gospel ('Walk Walk') with a sense of ease. 'Coward' is a bomb and if you do not find your version (5 in any of the 2 opus, there is something for everyone!), then go your way; In short, forget a moment 'New Soul' time, and ask you to listen to these 2 opus full of emotion and sincerity...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Yael Naim


Artist : Dark Suns

Album : Everchild

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 07-10-2016

'Dark Suns' released his 5th album 'Everchild' and it is clear that the style of the band has evolved significantly to a progressive rock with the addition of brass which makes them from time to time flirting with jazzy tendencies. For my part, this change has been very positive because there are complex compositions with changes of style and pace who bring a variety throughout the album. It remains very oriented Progressive Rock soaring and melancholy and 11 titles are all between 5 and 10 minutes makes that altogether they are over 80 minutes in the program. To cite only a title I would last "Yes, Anastasia" a cover of 'Tori Amos' that they appropriate and that is a good example of the style of the group. Also note the cover which is a contemporary picture. In summary, 'Dark Suns' has probably lost a few fans of the first hour but certainly to attract others: and finally, would not simply this, so-called freedom?
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ekkehard Meister (Keybords), Jacob Müller (Bass), Maik Knappe (Guitars), Nico Knappe (Vocal / Drums), Torsten Wenzel (Guitars)


Artist : Vish Maria

Album : Vish Maria

Release Date : 27-04-2016

Added : 08-10-2016

Even warn you right now, the Brazilians 'Vish Maria' are not in a classical group, strictly speaking. We could see in them a little crazy group who operate in a psychedelic style with a very light atmosphere and always with a good humor. They released their first eponymous album and listening to the first title 'Vish Maria', I immediately thought of the 'Rita Mitsouko' for the quirky side. The second title 'Tridmensional' brought me back some 40 years back with a certain 'Santana' and its rhythmic briefly. And as it's title in title, we're going from one surprise. Finally, it's a range very varied styles that we this young group already offers very professional musically. In short, do not love the consistency to penetrate their universe and for those who are tempted by the adventure 'Vish Maria', put aside your prejudices and let you just go by this Brazilian wave very refreshing...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Mac'Arthur (Organ, Piano, Keybords, Vocal), Kellen Lomazzi (Vocal),Yan Ferreira (Guitars), Diego Silvestre (Bass, Vocal), Paulera (Drums)


Artist : Oricalkos

Album : Aniemigenal

Release Date : 03-03-2016

Added : 08-10-2016

Not easy to find information about these Guatemalans d "Oricalkos'; their facebook page presents them as a group of progressive Metal and the first listen to their debut album 'Aniemigenal', it's not that obvious as they navigate between several styles: the first title in 9 minutes, although only instrumental, is fairly representative with at least 6 different parts that follow one another and making a very good title and never tired. We feel different influences which undeniably that of 'Pink Floyd'. The second strong title is 'Pandemia' complex in construction with a base pretty heavy interspersed more atmospheric part with the introduction of a cello (that I wish a bit longer) then the heavy theme of departure that comes up and then a break which introduced the final acoustic where the cello reappears. Is not of the ' to consume on the spot' although, even if in some places we regret a little too long, 'Oricalkos' already has strong potential as soon as their debut and it a safe bet that it will count on them in the coming years...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Bosche (Guitar), Rodrigo Luengas (Bass), Carlos Hahmann (Keybords), Darvin Cabrera (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Cosmograf

Album : The Unreasonable Silence

Release Date : 13-06-2016

Added : 09-10-2016

For Robin Armstrong, the albums concepts, it's really his thing; After releasing 'The Man Left In The Space' (a man who finds himself alone in space), 'Capacitor' (what traces leave us on Earth after our death), here is 'The Unreasonable Silence', which tells us the story of a man who, disappointed by his life full of setbacks, invents a story where he is kidnapped by aliens (where the cover). We're so trained in his world of madness where it is no longer possible to separate the real fiction. For this new project, Robin is surrounded by prestigious guests from progressive international makes the result is actually a great mix of many influences. To accentuate the atmosphere supernatural, he used vocal samples that give us the impression to actually be immersed in a science fiction movie. At the level of the compositions, the theme is necessarily conducive to a progressive style atmospheric and psychedelic; all the titles develop this spirit where the tension is palpable at every second, whether through the song of Robin or instrumental with a tormented writing parts and intense as would have certainly done 'Roger Waters' in another style. In conclusion, a concept album of very high level that will certainly listen to and listen to a good number of times to get all the details and who, for fans of albums progressive concepts, will certainly be part of the list of albums of the perfect disco...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Andrew Whelbig (Guest / Voice), Dave Meros (Bass / Guest), David Thompson (Guest / Voice), Katharine Thompson (Guest / Voice), Linnea Sage (Guest / Voice), Martin Hutchinson (Guest / Voice), Martin Paine (Guest / Voice), Nick Beggs (Bass / Guest), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums / Guest), Rachael Hawnt (Vocal / Guest), Rhiannon Owens (Guest / Voice), Steve Wilson (Guest / Voice)


Artist : Paradigm Shift

Album : Becoming Aware

Release Date : 10-06-2016

Added : 10-10-2016

Another new project that was created in the year 2016. 'Paradigm Shift' (not very original since there are already quite a few artists who bear this name) have just released their first album 'Becoming Aware'. Input, we get a 15 minute piece that sets the scene and takes us into a progressive rock style with multi drawers. The suite is even barrel with 'An Easy Life' then 2 small interludes 'The Void' (the quiet piano ballad) and 'The Shift' (instrumental track to l "Emerson Lake And Palmer') allow you to go back to the end of the album with 'Masquerade' title epic and more removed and 'Reunification' title lighter and melodic. In fact, they are English and the topic is a message to the people to make them aware different systems that take control of their lives, a topic that is could not be more topical in England at the moment; In summary, a new very affordable group upsetting not the kind but that will probably allow those who are not familiar with the progressive rock to get an idea of this style of music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Krendel (Guitar), Reuben Ben Revens (Vocal, Keybords), Puru Kaushik (Bass), Bryson Demath (Drums)


Artist : Oak

Album : Lighthouse

Release Date : 10-06-2016

Added : 11-10-2016

With this reissue of ' Lighthouse 'Norwegians of Oak', it is an opportunity to discover this band evolving into a pop/rock style occasionally flirting with metal. After a very atmospheric 'Prelude' introduction, it is entitled to a first title 'Home' very pop and removed with a theme that immediately enters you the head. Then comes 'Perceiving Red', a ballad where the voice of Simen is very soft and fits perfectly in this atmosphere similar to what could be 'Airbag' or 'Anathema'. 'Munich' is a beautiful song where the chorus is more powerful with an end in crescendo that begins at the piano which then come add electric instruments to finish in a few piano notes. The title track is probably 'The Sea', which starts with a piano/voice part then leaves room for a quiet acoustic guitar for an instrumental part and an end which is growing. In summary, 'Oak', in atmospheric style, is a controlling group perfectly the nuances where followers of progressive music should hang as their compositions are very accessible...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Simen Valldal Johannessen (Piano, Vocal), Sigbjørn Reiakvam (Drums), Øystein Sootholtet (Bass), Ole Michael Bjørndal (Guitar).


Artist : Dadotratto

Album : Dichiarazione d'inesistenza

Release Date : 04-04-2016

Added : 12-10-2016

Our Switzerland friends (Italian side) side of 'Dadotratto' just released their 2nd album 'Inesistenza Erklärung': their style is obviously very close to their roots and we find melodies to 'Zucchero' but more powerful because guitars distill big riffs on securities removed. Entry, 'emergenza Stato' plant décor with a powerful introduction then a chorus to the typical Italian. The suite is in the image of this first song with sunny power tubes: 'Scatto Mato', 'Vuoto di power', 'Euforia' or 'Man'. It is also entitled to quieter titles as 'Una sola frase', 'Key' or 'Epilogo' always in the same style as know so well do the Italians. In short, if you like the chorus sweet transalpine friends with good riffs of electric guitar, you will probably love this latest installment of 'Dadotratto'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Michele "Daiv" Pucci (Drums), Donat Walder (Guitar), Matteo Pelli (Guitarre), Giacomo Longhi (Bass), Domenico Agostino (Vocal)


Artist : Loonypark

Album : Perpetual

Release Date : 20-06-2016

Added : 13-10-2016

From Krakow, the Polish 'Loonypark' pay the Chronicle because they are already in their fourth album with 'Perpetual'. With enough classical compositions in the verse/chorus pattern, they evolve in a progressive style between pop and rock with enough varied atmospheres: in 'Train Of Life', the piano takes a fairly important and contributes to the jazzy atmosphere. in 'Face In The Mirror' the strings bring a certain melancholy and 'Don't Say A Word' built-in keyboards that strengthens the atmospheric side. 'New beginning' and 'December' are 2 beautiful ballads, fairly simple in approach but which are fly and Sabina's deep voice fits perfectly into this type of song. In short, this latest installment of 'Perpetual' is certainly the most successful of the 4 albums making 'Loonypark' a mature group within the progressive scene and very accessible style is to recommend to a wide enough audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sabina Godula- Zając (Vocal), Krzysztof Lepiarczyk (Keybords), Piotr Grodecki (Guitar, Contrabasse, Banjo), Piotr Lipka (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums), Sylwia Majka Maya (Violin)


Artist : Elephants Of Scotland

Album : The Perfect Map

Release Date : 09-06-2016

Added : 14-10-2016

'Elephants Of Scotland' is a group of progressive music with various influences and include a wide range of known groups who come to mind listening to their third album, 'The Perfect Map'. The introduction of 'a-' Dipped Orphans And The Wizard's Teapot reminds to the Emerson lake And Palmer' and the part sung in the 'Genesis'. 'Counting On The Ghost' eyeing to 'Pendragon' and 'One By Sea' with the voices of Megan takes us into the atmosphere of 'Renaissance'. When the title track, 'The Perfect Map' reminds me of 'Barclay James Harvest'. In summary, a melting pot of musical inspirations that makes this 'Perfect Map', a very successful and especially dense to tame album listen after listen...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Rabin (Clavirs, Vocal), John Whyte (Guitar, Vocal), Dan MacDonald (Bass), Ornan McLean (Drums, Percussions), Megan Beaucage (Vocal), Gary Kuo –Violin), Joe Netzel (Darbouka)


Artist : Continuum

Album : Speculative Thoughts

Release Date : 29-05-2016

Added : 15-10-2016

'Continuum' is not a name that is easy to wear because there are a lot of bands namesake on the internet (and necessarily Spotify a little tangle brushes!). These 'Continuum' here who just released their 3rd album 'Speculative Thoughts' (after 'Lifeless Ocean' and 'From the Depths') are French and evolve in a Metal progressive style not necessarily very accessible as the compositions are fairly complex out of traditional patterns with breaks of pace and style that can to divert some. 'Observation of the Aleph Point' is a typical example: a first in nearly 5 minutes where style is decidedly punchy then end with a vocal a cappella close to sacred to complete songs in a prog to the 'Krimson King' atmosphere. In an obviously completely different style, reminds me to the theatricality of Angel ', 'Nicolas De Renty' evolving a bit in the same register as 'Christian Décamps'. To conclude, 'Continuum', with his very ambitious last album, not dark never in ease and as often in this case, is certainly intended for an audience of aficionados of progressive metal; the great variety that makes his wealth will probably not reach a much wider audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Nicolas De Renty (Vocal), Anthony Malaussena (Guitars), Xavier Boscher (Guitar), Alexandre Ardisson (Bass), Guillaume Morero (Drums)


Artist : Dave Kerzner

Album : New World (Live)

Release Date : 13-09-2016

Added : 16-10-2016

2016 saw the release of the 'New World' live, which had been praised by all progressive music criticism when the studio album was released in 2014; It gives me the opportunity to come back on this album of 'Dave Kerzner' who has worked with the biggest of the progressive scene and has already 2 projects to are active ('Sound Of Contact' and 'Mantra Vega' which I presented the latest album 'The Illusions's Reckoning' beginning 2016). The atmosphere is necessarily very 'Floydienne' with titles like 'Stranded', 'Into The Sun', 'Solitude', 'Ocean Of Stars', 'New World' or even 'Redemption' title more than 16 minutes. And, in the wake of this live, 'Dave' also released an EP with 4 tracks including 2 new 'Paranoia' which was to be on 'New World' and 'The Field' 'Mantra Vega' in instrumental song. 2 live tracks 'Secret' and 'Recurring Dream' of the deluxe edition of 'New World' round off this EP. Therefore, if you want to discover a talented artist who gives to the taste of the day the progressive style of the 70s/80s, you have a choice between these 2 albums and if you want more, you should know that there will be a second CD with other securities and the Live will be released also end 2016 on DVD...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Kerzner Vocal, Keybords, Guitar acoustique), Fernando Perdomo (Guitar, Choirs), Durga McBroom (Vocal), Lorelei McBroom (Vocal), Randy McStine (Bass, Guitar), Matt Dorsey (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Stuart Fletcher (Bass), Alex Cromarty (Drums), Derek Cintron (Drums)


Artist : Dave Kerzner

Album : Paranoia

Release Date : 20-09-2016

Added : 16-10-2016

See presentation 'New World (Live)'. .
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Kerzner (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar, Drums), Fernando Perdomo (Guitar, Bass), Matt Dorsey (Bass, Vocal), Stuart Fletcher (Bass), Alex Cromarty (Drums), Derek Cintron (Drums)


Artist : The Dear Hunter

Album : Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional

Release Date : 16-09-2016

Added : 17-10-2016

'Dear Hunter' out the 5th part of their story in 6 acts, dedicated to the life of the hero in the eponymous name of the group. The new album is course in the continuity of another in a progressive style very elaborate style bringing multiple influences but very well integrated which makes a work apart and where all the titles are unique. To cite only 3 titles subsequently, we pass a cheerful enough rock and crazy ('The Revival') to a melancholy ballad that could come out of a 'Final Cut' ('Melpomene') then the next title flirts with jazz and a 50's atmosphere ('Mr. Usher'). In the end of the 15 titles very homogeneous in time, you come out and say there is still here a work of quality as few groups know out in progressive music and we wonder why 'The Dear Hunter' is so little known to the general public. In summary, this is still a gem that comes to join the first acts and which will certainly make all essential work of the progressive music of the beginning of the 21st century...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Casey Crescenzo (Vocal / Guitars), Maxwell Tousseau (Keybords), Nick Crescenzo (Drums), Nick Sollecito (Bass), Robert Parr (Guitars)


Artist : Palace

Album : Master Of The Universe

Release Date : 02-08-2016

Added : 18-10-2016

Beware, a Swedish group may hide many others; 'Palace' is a new band from the North who released his 1st album 'Master Of The Universe' (a program!). As you can imagine, the style is rock melodic 80s and 11 titles, even if it is very classic and they are reinventing not much, do us have a good time thanks to unstoppable melodies to the similar refrains instantly. To mention only a few titles, 'Part Of Me' for his mid-tempo rhythm very eighties, 'Path To Light' for its heady refrain and the obligatory ballad in this kind of album 'Rules Of The game'. In summary, 'Master Of The Universe' is built for the melodic rock genre fans and for others, a very accessible rock album and to consume on the spot...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marcus Johansson (Drums), Michael Palace (Vocal / Guitars), Rick Digorio (Guitars), Soufian Ma'aoui (Bass)


Artist : Temperance

Album : The Earth Embraces Us All

Release Date : 16-09-2016

Added : 19-10-2016

'Temperance' is an Italian group who released their third album and I was not too hung up on the first 2 albums for a lack of originality that did not allow them stand out tenors in the symphonic metal singer. But it is clear that this 'The Earth Abrazos Us All' is more mature with a greater variety of titles. Entry, the first title 'A Thousand Places' incorporates several atmospheres: an introduction of 2 minutes where part powerful, part acoustic then strings that come bring the Symphonic key; follows the 3 minutes sung with a very melodic chorus that shows a great complicity between the song of Chiara and Marco. The end brings a side 'Jethro Tull' that completely breaks with previous energy. Another novelty, a title more than 12 minutes where we discover a condensed evolution of acoustic parts alternating Group (piano and vocals) and electric with an undeniable sense of melody. It even has the right to a mixture of power metal and jazz in 'Advice From A Caterpillar' like what, everything is possible in music... In summary, 'Temperance' has evolved (to my taste in a good way) and thereby becomes a band to follow in the coming years if they continue in this way; 'Nightwish' fans should enjoy and for those who would like to discover this music style, that 'The Earth Abrazos Us All' is a very accessible album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Giulio Capone (Keybords / Drums), Luca Negro (Bass), Marco Pastorino (Guitars), Sandro Capone (Guitars)


Artist : Tabula Rasa

Album : Crimson

Release Date : 27-04-2016

Added : 20-10-2016

After their self-titled debut, 'Tabula Rasa' Americans have just released their 2nd album 'Crimson'. A strong influence of the 1970s prog groups, one can for example recognize 'Renaissance' or well obviously 'King Crimson'. Only 7 titles in all but the last, 'Crimson' made him all alone almost 21 minutes, what make you a broad idea of the maturity of this young group capable of we Captivate during that time with a composition to multi drawers where parties instrumental and Sung occur and where one walks of discovery. In short, 'Tabula Rasa' is an endearing group that makes music progressive for followers or no groups of years 70/80...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Mica Tenenbaum (Vocal, Keybords), Matthew Lewin (Guitar), Dylan McCue (Guitar), Edu Zighelboim (Bass), Nick Villamizar (Drums)


Artist : Marillion

Album : F*** Everyone And Run (FEAR)

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 21-10-2016

A new album of 'Marillion' is always an event in the world of progressive rock. The 'Hogarth' band continues its merry way and fate in 2016, no less, her 19th studio album. To be honest, this isn't a group that I follow all these years and I have not hooked immediately to ' F * Everyone And Run (FEAR)'; and then, successive tapping me little by little into this new opus as when you discover every beautiful corner of a region in which you had a paid attention the first time because you had not taken the time to stop. 3 parts more than 15 minutes shared they same into several parts constitute the frame of ' F * Everyone And Run (FEAR)' and enable 'Marillion' to deploy all their creativity in total freedom by the time running to where the majors needed standard compositions to get into radio with a foot shoes, showing a total artistic independence of the group. Side atmosphere, you feel all through emotional tension on the wire that makes me think a little about what knew transmit 'David Bowie' (listen to his latest album released early 2016). In conclusion, last album is like good wine: it improves listening in listen but it necessarily needed to fully appreciate this work and makes you want to dive back into the discography of this iconic band...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Mosley (Drums), Mark Kelly (Keybords), Pete Trewavas (Bass), Steve Hogarth (Vocal), Steve Rothery (Guitars)


Artist : Almah

Album : E.V.O.

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 22-10-2016

'Edu Falaschi' continues on its way without worrying too much to retain its audience and after having revisited in acoustics of the titles "Angra" and d "Almah' ('Moonlight'), 'E.V.O.' out a quite different style from previous albums. Overall, of course, the base is metal and this latest installment is certainly the more melodic than Edu' has ever composed. But, one that would give a specific style: 'Age Of Aquarius' after an acoustic introduction (accompanied by bird song!) takes us into a rhythm dynamic and removed. With 'Speranza' closer than a group as 'Asia' in a pop/rock style. 'The brotherhood' is a beautiful ballad that could have been written by 'Billy Joël'. As for 'Higher', it is very close to groups such as 'Last Autumn's Dream'. We're in a more rock record with 'Bellosguardo' that is reminiscent of some of the songs of 'Brian Adams'. In summary, a subtle mix of different styles in a very homogeneous and very positive opus. By the way, we find a theme dear to 'Edu': in our humanity always too materialistic and current to his loss, he dreams to think a general return to the wisdom of the awakening of consciences (age of Aquarius); In summary, this album is much more accessible than the previous ones and 'Edu Falaschi', even if he might lose some fans of the first hour, has all chances to win others and expand its audience anisi...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Diogo Mafra (Guitars), Marcelo Barbosa (Guitars), Pedro Tinello (Drums), Raphael Dafras (Bass)


Artist : Cry Of Dawn

Album : Cry Of Dawn

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 23-10-2016

Still a Swedish group that points the tip of his nose to the end of 2016. 'Cry Of Dawn' created by 'Göran Edman' which has a good number of projects to its credit in the rock FM, just released its self-titled debut album with very melodic songs as the Swedes know very well to do. Of course, as so often in this case, no discovery major but simply the very melodic and very accessible titles with the choruses still very catchy. We are totally in the register of the best groups of the 1980s and this isn't the 'Building Towers' ballad that will contradict me with an air of 'Bee Gees' (with the chorus!). In short, this 'Cry Of Dawn' is an album intended for a wide audience to spend a nice time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Göran Edman (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Keybords / Drums), Michael Palace (Guitars / Bass), Sören Kronqvist (Keybords)


Artist : Kansas

Album : The Prelude Implicit

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 24-10-2016

I will not introduce 'Kansas' big world but this last album expected more brings back me in another era more so than their name evokes the 1970s more and that their production had stopped in 2000 after a few albums in the 1990s, where they were to my taste too followed fashion and lost their original musical richness. The 33 rpm 'Point Of Know Return' spent a thousand times on the turntable with a 'Dust In The Wind' full of cracking is far away but as soon as the first songs, get in a trip back in time: the violin and the piano often present, the sense of melody, rhythm changes, the arrangements of the seventies, and even if 'Ronnie Platt' replaces 'Steve Walsh' a tone of voice, very near this do not deceive us on the 'Kansas' trademark. Oh, we got a real album of the group who finds his soul of yesteryear. So for fans of the first hour, nothing but happiness for others, a style out of the modes and the time which has not aged a bit...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Billy Greer (Vocal / Bass), David Manion (Keybords), David Ragsdale (Vocal / Violin), Phil Ehart (Drums), Rich Williams (Guitars), Ronnie Platt (Vocal / Keybords), Zak Rizvi


Artist : Vangelis

Album : Rosetta

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 25-10-2016

'Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou' should tell you. It is simply the real name of the person that everyone knows under the name of 'Vangelis', one of the pioneers of electronic music. Composer of Soundtracks of films and having released nearly 40 albums for 45 years, 2016 sees the release of 'Rosetta', he composed to musically accompany the scientific mission of the European Space Agency, who managed to put a probe on a Comet for the first time in history. Necessarily, for this topic, the style is very cosmic and space is boarded in a calm and peaceful atmosphere with an impression of weightlessness transcribed very well in all of the titles. In short, if you're angry a day where nothing is happened as intended, 'Rosetta' is to replace all of the painkillers and spend a nice time very far from the real world...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-


Artist : The Fringe

Album : The Fringe

Release Date : 12-08-2016

Added : 26-10-2016

When 3 artists of the progressive scene themselves for a new project, it's always interesting to see the new baby. In this case 'Randy McStine' ('Lo - Fi Resistance'), 'Nick of Virgilio' ('Spock's Beard', 'Big Big Train') and 'Jonas Reingold' ('The Flower Kings, Karmakanic') have created 'The Fringe' and released the eponymous album. The style is of course progressive but we can say that they do not limit with multiple influences. 'You' remember the syncopated rhythms of a certain group 'Police' with a little Jazzy. 'Opening Day' is a more conventional title a little to the 'Big Big Train'. Next, 'A Second Or Two' takes us on a pace South American 'Santana' (even the small 'Carlos' guitar solo there is!). 'Flare', beautiful title nearly 10 minutes, is a condensed version of the talent of each musician with a pop/rock introduction and part instrumental jazz to finish with the theme of departure this being very well nested. The second lighthouse 'To Steal Yours' title is more psychedelic with a magnificent final guitar solo to the 'Pink Floyd'. In short, this 'The Fringe' is a very good progressive album accessible by many and who more enjoys an impeccable production with a balance perfect between the voices and instruments...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Randy McStine (Vocal, Guitar), Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal, Drums), Jonas Reingold (Bass, Vocal)


Artist : Infinite Spectrum

Album : Haunter Of The Dark

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 27-10-2016

'Inifinite Spectrum' is an American class progressive metal music group but their 2nd album 'Haunter Of The Dark' mix pop/rock and metal to can in equal doses. The theme is based on the fantastic new of the same name by writer 'Howard Phillips Lovecraft,' which tells the story of a young man fascinated by the occult and attracted to a church feared by the population as being haunted. After a shoot, 'Federall Hill' is a very melodic and symphonic title where the flute takes a side folk. 'The Calling' a rock and powerful with a special atmosphere supported by a Hammond organ. Follows the cornerstone of opus, 'The Church' of more than 18 minutes (which would be my taste deserved to be less long) which is a slow crescendo with tempo changes and a palpable emotion. ' 2:12 PM' is also a long 10 minutes title nesting several parts with a very melodic theme. 'The Stranger Things I ve Learned' and 'All That We see' are 2 beautiful ballads making me think 'Threshold'. In the end, 'Haunter Of The Dark' and 'Fear' are the only 2 titles that we can classify metal and yet not necessarily on the length. In summary, 'Infinite Spectrum' offers us an album varying styles requiring a few listens to absorb and which is intended for lovers of progressive music combining pop, rock and metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Will Severin (Vocal), Alex Raykin (Guitar), Alex Repetti (Bass), Greg Schwab (Drums), Katie Pachnos (Keybords, Hape)


Artist : First Signal

Album : One Step Over The Line

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 28-10-2016

After six years of absence, the Canadians 'First Signal' released their 2nd album 'One Step Over The Line'. In style melodic Rock in the tradition of the bands from the 80s, everything is done to have a good time with 11 titles easy to assimilate; the song of 'Harry Hess' fits perfectly and the choirs reinforce this nostalgic atmosphere of a few years back. Certainly, do not look for elaborate compositions, everything is done to go directly to the goal: verses preparing a chorus which trick like a schoolboy you in your head all day. In summary, this 'One Step Over The Line', not revolutionize the genre, fulfills perfectly its function we supply and 48 minutes of musical relaxation will appreciate certainly after a good day's work as when we sit in front of the TV and say: 'tonight, I'm not the head, watching something relaxing'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Harry Hess (Vocal, Choirs), Michael Palace (Guitar, Bass), Daniel Flores (Drums, Keybords), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Choirs), Nigel Bailey (Choirs), Rolf Pilotti (Choirs), Angelica Rylin (Choirs), Fransesco Marras (Guitar), Darren James Smith (Choirs)


Artist : Tessellated Shapes

Album : In Different Frames

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 29-10-2016

Tessellated Shapes, new German group, is very discreet on the internet with his debut album 'In Different Frames' and yet, they're bringing their own style made of different genres and rhythms into long compositions ('In Different Frames' contains only 5 titles for a period of more than 60 minutes). They mix pop, rock, metal and jazz and is the perfect illustration of the title 'Movments Outside The Windows' more than 20 minutes: a main theme Sung interspersed with different instrumental parts that are all different from each other. 'Tessellations Part I', the shortest just over 4 minutes title is cut into 2 parts: a quick game combining jazzy theme played powerfully then one part air to the 'Pink Floyd' (some may recognize the theme of 'Confortably Numb') and a very air guitar solo where 'Daniel Düring' reveals his feeling. In summary, 'In Different Frames', with these long titles, is more intended for an informed public loving the mix of styles but is also accessible to the greatest number...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Bracht (Bass), Daniel Düring (Guitar), Sabrina Lupp (Vocal), Till Minte (Drums)


Artist : Elephant Plaza

Album : Momentum

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 29-10-2016

'Elephant Plaza' is a trained Norwegian group, among others, by former members of 'Magic Pie'. In 2016, they released their first album 'Momentum' and their pedigrees, no surprise, given it's very melodic progressive rock influenced by 'Floyds' and in the same register as training as 'Private', 'Stonerider' or even 'Arena'. 14 titles to keep coming without printing length and the last title 'Momentum' is divided into 5 parts, roughly 20 minutes where they offer us a condensed version of their virtuosity alternating parties muscular and others more air. 'Elephant Plaza' is still a good surprise of the year 2016 where one sees quite bloom new talent in the field of progressive music and 'Momentum' will delight all fans of the genre but also might well appeal to a wider audience.
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gilbert Marshall (Guitars Electrique et Acoustic, Keybords, Vocal), Kim Christiansen (Guitars Electrique et Acoustic, Choirs), John Kamphaug (Bass, Choirs), Olav Rygg (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), John Petter Sæterdal (Keybords, Choirs), Jan-Fredrik Heier (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Astrakhan

Album : Adrenaline Kiss

Release Date : 03-06-2016

Added : 30-10-2016

The Swedes of Astrakhan' began with their first album in 2013 ('Retrospective') and 2016 saw the release of a new album 'Adrenaline Kiss'. These are various members of other groups such as 'Pain gold Salvation' and 'Evergrey' among others. We are therefore in a register between rock and hard rock with different mixtures of styles (we are close from time to time even influences oriantale on 'Adrenaline Kiss' or 'Gravity') but with a melodic research and securities with the longest lasts 7 minutes which makes pretty accessible compositions even if it takes a few listens to appropriating the 9 titles. For more, in the person of Alex Lycke' (singer of the productions 'Jésus Christ SuperStar' or 'Hair'), we has a size, giving themselves body and soul and knowing modulate his voice between the powerful passages and more quiet (beautiful on 'Ballad of Rhodes' where you feel real emotion). Anyway, this 'adrenaline kiss' is worth a visit and will delight all lovers of progressive music because it's an album that unfolds gradually and that gets better over the look...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Lycke (Vocal), Jörgen Schelander (Keybords), Marcus Jidell (Guitars), Martin Larsson (Drums), Per Schelander (Bass)


Artist : Aaron Lewis

Album : Sinner

Release Date : 16-09-2016

Added : 30-10-2016

'Sinner' is the second solo album by 'Aaron Lewis' who officiates in 'Staind', very energetic metal American band. Well no, it's not metal I will but simply present a very good album of country music where 'Aaron' wonders. So forget the grawl and wear the cowboy boots the time to listen to the 11 titles well obviously recorded in Nashville (Tenesse). It's good flower authentic with melodies giving us the impression of have always known them. Navigating between compositions rhythmic ballads touching as 'Whiskey And You', 'Mama' or even 'Sunday Every Saturday Night' and 'That Ain t Country', 'Northern Redneck' or even 'Story Of My Life'. In summary, an album is authentic in the great tradition of country artists, to consume without moderation...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Lewis (Vocal / Guitars), Willie Nelson (Vocal / Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Winter Calling

Album : Faces

Release Date : 05-08-2016

Added : 31-10-2016

Originally from Florida, 'Winter Calling' is a group created in 2013 and they are already in their 2nd album with 'Faces' in a register where they sail between rock and metal. The first track, 'Disorder' is a title at the slow tempo very melodic with a trippy introduction then a sung part where we discover the characteristic eraillee voice of 'Charlie Huhn' and a lot of feeling of 'Bryan Bassett' first solo. 'Not Like You', a bit faster, is from the same barrel with a great chorus and ends on an acoustic guitar part. 'The Tower', with a muscular demarrge, relaxes the mid to end up in crescendo. The rest is in the image of these first titles, a facility for alternate powerful parties and others much more calm all this nesting is perfectly. Note, the beautiful ballad 'A Different True' and the last title 'My Own Way', more than 8 minutes in a very classic symphonic progressive registry, and an end mixing piano and acoustic guitar, the theme of departure: the circle is complete. In summary, 'Winter Calling' will certainly be a band to follow in the future and if the 2 words 'Progressive Metal' scare you (they are tagged in this way), you'll see no doubt that Word sticks everything is simply here because, in our lower world, it is essential to stick tags everywhere...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Hodges, Ian Medhurst, Wayne Hoefle, Tim Gilbreath


Artist : Foghat

Album : Under The Influence

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 01-11-2016

Seeing the release date of Under Influence', I just told myself: 'they put anything on the Internet. And then, it is clear that 'Foghat' doing well their 16th or 17th studio album (I know even more). 'Tight Shoes' listened in loop just to wear of the vinyl is a distant memory but by discovering the first title 'Under The Influence', Oh, I'm there, with 40 years younger (and a little less muscle pain). It swings and the head and feet start beating all the only measure. So, let's forget the whingers who will say it's old news: and well, old news like that, I want good everyday! Note, a cover of the famous 'Slow Ride' with a much more powerful than the original version. In short, the cinquantenaires, this album is a real facelift which you is not expensive, just to press 'play' (it was like this in cassette tape recorders) and simply enjoy this simple moment of happiness to effective and timeless music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Basstt (Guitar), Charlie Huhn (Vocal), Craig Macgregor (Bass), Roger Earl (Drums), Dana Fuchs (Vocal - invité)


Artist : Hartmann

Album : Shadows And Silhouettes

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 02-11-2016

'Oliver Hartmann' who participated in different projects released his 4th solo album 'Shadows And Silhouettes' in this end of 2016. We're in a close rock record of artists such as 'Brian Adams'. 'Irresistible' starts the album with a side folk/rock that reminds me of 'The Hooters'. The next title, 'High And You' is very classic and particularly melodic rock. With 'Glow' and the voice of Oliver erraillee, certain passages make me think 'Bruce Springsteen'. The suite is in the image of these first titles, titles pop/rock very accessible to the eighties sauce where optimism was rigour and melancholy ballads like the beautiful 'Last Goodbye'. In summary, if it does not reinvent much, 'Oliver Hartmann', moves away from its usual Metal register and a very good album of pop/rock for a very wide audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Hartmann (Vocal, Guitar), Armin Donderer (Bass), Mario Reck (Guitar), Markus Kullmann (Drums)


Artist : Soul Seller

Album : Matter Of Faith

Release Date : 16-09-2016

Added : 03-11-2016

'Soul Seller' is an Italian group who released his first album in 2011 and that 5 years after and a few line up changes, offers us a 2nd album 'Matter Of Faith'. Tagged hard rock, it is rather a powerful rock waiting for you to listen to the 12 tracks cut for radio as 'Given To Live', 'Memories', or even 'Get Away From The Light'. Everything is done for a good moment of listening with immediately-like melodies and catchy refrains. 'Soul Seller' is a well-oiled machine that will surely delight all lovers of good rock melodies and riffs of guitar...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Concas (Vocal), Dave Zublena (Guitar, Choirs), Cris Audisio (Guitar, Choirs), Mirko "Mike" Zublena (Bass), Italo Graziana (Drums, Vocal), Simone Morandotti (Keybords)


Artist : Bullettrain

Album : What You Fear The Most

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 04-11-2016

Yet Sweden who offers us a new album with 'Bulletrain' and their new album 'What You Fear The Most'. Entry, it swings with a 'Memory Lane' very classic but devilishly effective and a great catchy chorus. The title 'Love Lies' is of the same material, and you can't help but shake his head on his pace. It calms a bit on 'Can't Get Away' slower but still very energetic. It repaired with a 'Fight With Me' (a little too much speed for me) to engage on a We Salute You, beautiful mid-tempo title and a chorus to go a whole day in the head. The rest, always very melodic, is always the same level until the last title 'Far Away'. Anyway, as you will understand, 'Bulletrain' persist and sign and this 'What You Fear The Most' is for a fan of powerful melodic metal audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sebbe (Vocal), Matt (Guitar), Robin (Guitar), Jonas (Drums), Niklas (Bass)


Artist : Edensong

Album : Years In The Garden Of Years

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 05-11-2016

'Edensong' is a group of native progressive music of New York. 'In The Garden Of Years Years' is only their 2nd album in 15 years of existence. It's not easy to penetrate their universe and the influences are diverse: for this album, the compositions are a collaborative work of the whole group and it navigates between rock and symphonic styles, atonal and melodic music, acoustic and electric instruments. The lengthy compositions (10 titles are between 5 minutes and 9 minutes), are very elaborate and contain several parts where the flute and strings are given some to heart joy. Some passages are reminiscent of 'Jethro Tull' in a less melodic style because the flute brings here and there always very well controlled dissonance. In conclusion, Years In The Garden Of Years is a success story but will probably intended for an informed public and will ask you several listenings to penetrate every corner of every title...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Barry Seroff (Flute), James Byron Schoen (Vocal / Guitars), Stefan Paolini (Keybords), Td Towers (Bass), Tony Waldman (Drums / Percussions)


Artist : Opeth

Album : Sorceress

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 06-11-2016

We can't say that the course of Opeth', conducted by 'Mikael Akerfeld' uniform. Generally, to each album release, we wonder what will fall on us. Overall, the style is more progressive with a psychedelic same tendency in some places. This 12th album of the Swedish continues in this vein, and it is obviously quite listening to integrate all the variety of the 13 titles (altogether 16 with 3 live of older albums). 'Persephone' starts the album in the sweetness with a theme of classical guitar. We re-gear directly on a muscular title 'Sorceress', with an instrumental ending in a very progressive style. Follows 'The Wild Flowers', a tempo marked with a theme of mixing western and Eastern influences can an acoustic instrumental part while delicacy or the voice takes a phrase of the main theme to finish powerfully as the title to started. 'Will O Wisp he', acoustic ballad, makes you think groups of the 1970s, such as 'Kansas' or 'Jethro Tull', as you can see, he must love the big gaps to appreciate this new Opeth album ' which may seem difficult to access but which for my part unfolds slowly and gradually becomes obvious: the sign of maturity and limitless talent that takes us out of daily consistency because 'Sorceress' is everything except that...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Akerfeld (Vocal / Guitars), Fredrik Åkesson (Guitars), Joakim Svalberg (Keybords), Martin Axenrot (Drums), Martin Mendez (Bass)


Artist : Epica

Album : The Holographic Principle

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 07-11-2016

The release of an album from Epica' is always a very moment awaited by followers of symphonic metal. Well, the least we can say, is that 'The Holographic Principle' put dishes in the large. First of all, a theme as their imagination knows concoct us; in our evolving technological world, virtual reality does not take precedence over the real reality. On the music front, it is even more symphonic and powerful than previous games and 'The Holographic Principle' gives off a force until then unparalleled. After the classical instrumental introduction where choirs are already very present, 'Edge Of The Blade' and 'A Phantasmic Parade' set the scene with a great side and approximates 'Therion'. The following titles are from the same barrel and it takes 7th title to have a ballad 'Once Upon A Nightmare'. 'Simone Simons', is always in the best shape as well in powerful titles than in quieter. Certainly, 'Epica' remains for an informed public because (throat singing) growls of 'Mark Jensen' can some drout. However, if you want to discover this group, listen to 'Beyond The Matrix' which is the most accessible and representative of the album title. It should be noted that Spotify gratifies us deluxe edition where the last 5 tracks present a whole other side of the Group: 3 acoustic ballads, 1 acoustic version of Immortal Melancholy' and one crazy 'The Funky Algorihm'. In conclusion, with this latest installment, 'Epica' did ever so well carried its name: it's as if you were at a fireworks and you were offered on grand finale finale...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons (Vocal), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Isaac Delahaye (Guitars), Mark Jansen (Guitars), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Ariën Van Weesenbeek (Drums)


Artist : The Radio Sun

Album : Outside Looking In

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 08-11-2016

Once is not custom, is not from Sweden but from Australia that are from the members of the group 'The Radio Sun', countries that had accustomed us rather to powerful rock to 'AC/DC'. Well, no, with this third album 'Outside Looking In', our Australians continue in the tradition of previous games and we offer a very melodic as rock can do these groups recently on this site in 2016, namely, 'Cry Of Dawn', 'Palace' or even 'Cruzh'. Everything is done to have a good time with titles between 3 and 4 minutes and melodies that hang on the first listen. In short, a good album from melodic to rock between all ears...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Wignall (Drums), Jason Old (Vocal / Keybords), Robbie Erdmanis (Bass), Stevie Janevski (Guitars)


Artist : Karmakanic

Album : DOT

Release Date : 22-07-2016

Added : 09-11-2016

New Sweden to honor but in progressive music in the great tradition of the groups of the 1970s, 'Karmakanic' just released their 5th album 'DOT' and if you like the classic titles Verse/Chorus not too long and well, go your way: the first title, fresco of close to 25 minutes has a plethora of parties that necessarily require an attention of listening to all. But the result is there: where some groups would have annoyed us on length, 'Karmakanic' managed this tour de force of Captivate us throughout the title without tire; the different parts are linked together in a natural way and the juxtaposition of different styles is so well that you can spend from one rock to a jazzy part without really noticing, the whole presenting an admirable consistency. And finally, after listening to the last song which is none other than part 2 of the opening title and closed the album of magnificent way, we say that it would not shocked at all to have all a single title. In summary, 'DOT' is an album that requires out of our world where everything goes too fast and to ask for a moment to appreciate all its richness; for my part, it comes to join the ideal nightclub of all lovers of progressive style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Göran Edman (Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Krister Jonsson (Guitar), Lalle Larsson (Keybords, Choirs), Morgan Ågren (Drums), Nils Erikson (Vocal), Alex Reingold (Guest, Vocal), Andy Bartosh (Guest, Guitars), Andy Tillison (Guest, Organ Hammond), Christine Lenk (Guest, Vocal), Norah Reingold (Guest, Vocal), Ray Aichinger (Guest, Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : Mirrormaze

Album : Break The Horizon

Release Date : 07-07-2016

Added : 10-11-2016

'Mirrormaze' is a progressive metal band that I discovered and who has just released his second album 'Break The Horizon' mi 2016. First listen (certainly not enough focused on what I was listening to), I had not hung. And then a new listening allowed me to actually discover it last very rich and varied album with fractures of style of pace throughout the titles. And then, the last title 'Crystal' in three parts totalling about 30 minutes sums up only the talent of this young group with complex compositions in drawers where one navigates between metal and rock without any troubles and a real overall consistency. In short, even if they are intended for a small audience, 'Mirrormaze' we demonstrate that progressive metal, when presented with the same virtuosity, is a real treat for the ears...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Davide Penna (Guitars), Davide Penna (Vocal), Fabio Nasuelli (Drums), Juan Manuel Savoini (Bass), Samuele Lanfranchini (Keybords)


Artist : Sonata Arctica

Album : The Ninth Hour

Release Date : 07-10-2016

Added : 11-11-2016

'Sonata Arctica' is a metal band which is already in his 9th album, but who had a certainly less productive run since the mid-2000s. This album is for me a real revival at the level of inspiration. 'The Ninth Hour', much more melodic and diverse than these predecessors, with 12 titles, got hooked me from the first listen. Entry, 'Closer To year Animal' and 'Life' are energetic without being too speed with variations in pace as the Group had used us in their first games. With 'Fairytale', one of the titles the more speed from the album, the chorus fit you directly in the head. Then we got a beautiful 'We Are What We are' ballad and it can't be that remember the titles like 'Tallulah' (2001) or 'Letter To Dana' (1999). The suite is in the image of the beginning, inspired more or less powerful melodies with a symphonic side much more present. In conclusion, with this 'The Nith Hour', 'Sonata Arctica' gratifies album accessible to a larger number than the previous ones and marks a beneficial return to sources...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Elias Viljanen (Guitars), Henrik Klingenberg (Keybords), Pasi Kauppinen (Bass), Tommy Portimo (Drums), Tony Kakko (Vocal / Keybords)


Artist : Fractal Mirror

Album : Slow Burn 1

Release Date : 18-03-2016

Added : 12-11-2016

The Dutch of 'Fractal Mirror' we released their 3rd album 'Slow Burn 1' in 2016. A progressive rock style, they take us into their world of calm and privacy. It starts with 'Prelude', which sets the stage for the album: a short walk a little to the 'Roxy Music' or more recently 'Blackfield'; Next 'Miracle' and 'Numbers' with their tinted melodies seventies. The following titles are in the image of the beginning of this album: sometimes shades of melancholy, sometimes psychedelic but always in a peaceful atmosphere where the 'Leo Koperdraat' voice, deep and still in detention, fits perfectly. As you may have guessed, this 'Slow Burn 1' is an album to listen in the quiet and accessible not just to progressive music lovers...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ed Van Haagen (Bass, Keybords, Programmation), Leo Koperdraat (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Frank L. Urbaniak Drums, Percussions), + Guests : Brett Kull (Guitar, Choirs), Don Fast (Guitar), Charlotte Koperdraat (Choirs), Patrick Farrell (Choirs), Kenny Bissett (Bass), Jason Himmelberger (Choirs), Peter Swart (Guitar), Leopold Blu Sky (Bass)


Artist : Eilera

Album : Face Your Demons

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 13-11-2016

'Eilera', singer, guitarist and author composieur French, accompanied by talented musicians, released his 4th studio album and it was with this album that I discover it. We are in a classical register between rock and metal with melodic compositions which highlight his voice that can move closer to singers of the metal as ' Sharon den Adel ('Within Temptation') or Simone Simons ('Epica'). The comparison stops there, because even if we got on some guitar riffs, overall is a lot less metal than the groups mentioned and one closer to Anette Olzon (real) style' which was not really in its place with 'Nightwish' (listen to his latest album 'Shine'). In summary, 'Eilera' continues her snowman path and that she has the ability with this Face Your Demons to touch a public age, getting out a 'tad' trails open him certainly not the doors of French radio, and that's a shame...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aurélie Potin Suau ' Eilera' (Vocal), Jan Sormo (Bass), Lauri Salomaa (Keybords), Roni Seppänen (Guitars), Toni Paananen (Drums)


Artist : Iron Mask

Album : Diabolica

Release Date : 21-09-2016

Added : 14-11-2016

With the Belgians of Iron Mask', no surprise, is the symphonic power that awaits you. It's true in all but this 'Diabolica' goes beyond stereotypes, because from the first listen, it fits easily in the titles, which on the one hand are quite different from each other and on the other hand bring each their dose of unstoppable melody. It is certain, if the big guitar riffs as well as singers thoroughly pushing their voices aren't your cup of tea, go your way. For others, test by listening to nothing as the first title I' Don't Forget, I don't Forgive': If you're insensitive to the chorus and guitar solo, well, stay in there. Otherwise, you have a great chance to love everything. Note, the latest title 'Cursed In The Devil's Mill', about 14 minutes, which is a good summary of what 'Iron Mask' propose us throughout 'Diabolica' with rhythms and moods changes where 'Dushan Petrossi' guitar solos reminds me of the game to a certain Eddie Van Halen. To conclude, this latest installment is a complete success and will certainly be for fans of melodic metal to include prominently in their disco...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Diego Valdez (Vocal), Dushan Petrossi (Guitars), Ramy Ali (Drums), Vassili Moltchanov (Bass)


Artist : Hardline

Album : Human Nature

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 15-11-2016

'Hardline' is not to strictly speaking a very prolific group because in fifteen years of existence, they come out their 5th album 'Human Nature'. Their style is marked by an influential hard rock of the 1970s with a more powerful sound. All titles are a condensed version of what groups such as 'Deep Purple', 'Foreigner' or 'Uriah Heep' we could produce in those years there. The first 2 agreements of the ballad 'Human Nature' make me think of Aerosmith's 'Dream On' '. Everything is done to have a good time with ultra effective melodies that make us the foot for the more rhythmic cuts tapper and beautiful ballads like 'Take Your Home'. In short, 'Human Nature' is to consume without moderation for all lovers of classic hard rock and beyond, is accessible to as many...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Francesco Jovino (Drums), Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Josh Ramos (Guitars)


Artist : Existance

Album : Breaking The Rock

Release Date : 15-10-2016

Added : 16-11-2016

In hard rock continues: after ' Hardline ', it's the turn of existence', French, released his 2nd album 'Breaking The Rock' group. The style is more metal than existence ' and it is closer to groups such as 'Saxon' for the titles the most heavy. It is super classic but very effective with a perfect balance between the Sung parts and solos of guitar where 'Anthony' and 'Julian' are given some to heart joy and show a nice partnership. There is no dead time and all the pieces are linked in a very fast pace until the last title track of the album. In short, 'Existence' is a group who would not mismatched in the 1980s and this 'Breaking The Rock', to parody a famous candy bar pub, ' it's Dynamite! …
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Antoine Poiret (Guitars), Julian Izard (Vocal / Guitars), Julien Robilliard (Bass), Nicolas Martineau (Drums)


Artist : Tyketto

Album : Reach

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 17-11-2016

For those who do not know 'Tyketto', it's a group that formed in the early 1990s with his 'Danny Vaughn' singer and that overrated in rock at the time with groups such as 'Def Leppard', 'Whitesnake' or 'Bon Jovi'. After many years of absence, during which 'Danny Vaughn' has released solo albums, 'Tyketto' then reformed in 2012 with the release of 'Dig In Deep' and 2016 sees the release of 'Reach'. And, no surprise, we find the style starts with a very melodic rock and effective super eighties tinted securities. It navigates between titles mid-tempo as 'Reach' or 'Circle The Wagons', others more rhythmic as 'The Fatest Man Alive', 'Kick Like A Mule' or 'Big Money' and others still, much quieter as 'Letting Go' or 'Scream'. To conclude, without revolutionizing anything, 'Tyketto' done as they say a 'good job' and released an album to consume on the spot which will probably allow you to spend a lovely time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Vaughn (Vocal), Chris Childs (Bass), Chris Green (Guitars), Ged Rylands (Keybords), Michael Clayton (Drums)


Artist : Kee Marcello

Album : Scaling Up

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 18-11-2016

'Kee Marcello' was for the younger end of the ' 80s, Member of the group 'Europe' (after 'The Final Countdown'). This talented guitarist continues since a solo carriee and has just released a new album 'Scaling Up' in 2016. Of course, all remains influenced by these rock hard sources but each title is a melodic gem with refrains to measure and is decorated with a guitar solo as Kee's secrecy. Note 2 titles of the period ' Europe ', 'Wild Child' and 'Don' t Know How To Love No More' who had never been out and which have been re-recorded and rearranged for this album. To conclude, here is what Kee said at the release of his last album: "the whole idea of 'Scaling Up' has been to use music from my past as a canvas to paint a picture of what I am now and where I stretch in the future as guitarise, singer and composer. I think I found the right balance between the past and the present, and it is interpreted by the best group of musicians with whom I have ever had the honor to play!" …
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kee Marcello (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Darby Todd (Drums), Ken Sandin (Bass), Mattias Eklundh (Guitars / Guest), Michele Luppi (Keybords / Guest)


Artist : Marcela Bovio

Album : Unprecedented

Release Date : 23-09-2016

Added : 19-11-2016

After a decade of existence, the 'Stream Of Passion' Group decided to end his adventure and his 'Marcela Bovio' singer took the opportunity to release a solo album in acoustic simply accompanied by a String Quartet, 'The Dudok Quartet'. We already knew his sublime voice within 'Stream Of Passion' but this 'Unprecedented' highlights of course still more his talent as these are titles that she composed and are therefore infuences in his native Mexico. Must of course to completely surrender to this album to remove the richness and the beauty, the marriage between the strings and the voice bringing very often this little thrill so significant an emotion in its pure State (his lyrical voice is a rare on 'Stars' intensity). In conclusion, we can only welcome this bold choice of Marcela, who takes the risk of cutting fans 'Stream Of Passion' but also to a wider audience, but which will certainly delight all lovers looking for musical discoveries...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marcela Bovio (Vocal), Le Dudok Quartet : Judith Van Driel (Violin), Marleen Wester (Violin), Lotte de Vries (Viola), David Faber (Cello)


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : Fire On The Floor

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 20-11-2016

'Beth Hart', I had discovered in 2015 with 'Better Than Home', just released in 2016 new album 'Fire On The Floor'. Unlike 'Beter Than Home' which was relatively nostalgic, this latest installment is clearly more positive. Entry, with 'Jazz Man', you find yourself snapping in rhythm. The second title, 'Gangster Love', even if one finds a more wistful mid-tempo, the voice is there and gives you emotions as few artists do. Following 'Coca Cola' a kind of casual blues where his voice works wonders and the title of 'Let's Get Together' is very pop to eighties fashion. The suite is made up of the same barrel, a mix of pop style, blues, rock, jazz, gospel, and so on. In short, with this 'Fire On The Floor', 'Beth Hart' still shows an evolution and confirms, if need be, that his talent is still intact and continue to touch us always as much by his voice and his compositions prints of real emotion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords / Drums / Piano), Brian Allen (Bass), Dean Parks (Guitars), Ivan Neville (Keybords), Jim Cox (Keybords), Michael Landau (Guitars), Rick Marotta (Drums), Waddy Wachtel (Guitars)


Artist : Pretenders

Album : Alone

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 21-11-2016

Born in the 50s, 'Chissie Hynde', has always been the emblem of the rocker free and committed since the 1970s rock bands with a singer who played more electric guitar were not legion. And Yes, like what rock it preserves, she just celebrated his 65th birthday and fate under the name of his group 'Pretenders', a new album, 'Alone'. First, entry, with the title track, it is the characteristic voice that is yours in memory and you returns some thirty five years back and 'Precious' running in a loop on the microphone family. It's a little less off while the magic is still there: securities short and simple in the best tradition of a live rock, without artifice, but cursed effective. It is also entitled to securities more quiet which are also part of his trademark as this beautiful 'Let's Get Lost' or 'Death Is Not Enough'. In summary, 'Alone' takes back a few years back and allow children to discover a voice of rock legend...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chrissie Hynde (Vocal, Guitar), Dave Roe (Bass), Dan Auerbach (Vocal / Guitars), Kenny Vaughan (Guitars), Leon Michels (Keybords), Richard Swift (Drums), Russ Pahl (Pedal Steel)


Artist : C.T.P.

Album : Now & Then

Release Date : 07-10-2016

Added : 22-11-2016

Prior to this album, I had never heard of 'Christian Tolle', guitarist and journalist German who invited musicians met throughout his career to get out 'Now & Then'. Therefore, it is a very diverse album mixing hard rock, blues rock, melodic rock, ballads and even a title instrumental rock jazz. We're having a good time listening to this melting pot of styles, where 6 different singers share the different titles. If he had retained a few titles, I'd say 'Magic Pudding' for its rhythm, 'The Real Thing' for its melody, 'Changed' for its removed. In short, this Now & Then will no doubt delight a wide enough audience used to mix hard rock and melodic rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Tolle (Guitar, Bass) + Guests : Michael Voss (Vocal), John Cuijpers (Vocal), John Parr (Vocal), Rick Riso (Vocal), Philip Bardowell (Vocal), David Reece (Vocal), Chuck Wright (Bass), Doug Aldrich (Guitar), Guido Lehmann (Mandolin), Harold Van Gestel (Choirs), Lauren Scheff (Bass), Michael Landau (Guitar), Morris Adriaens (Guitar), Pit Hupperten (Choirs), Raymond Herveille (Drums), Stephan Scheuss (Choirs), Steve Lukather (Guitar), Tim Pierce (Guitar)


Artist : TCP

Album : Temporal Chaos

Release Date : 12-07-2016

Added : 23-11-2016

Still a progressive rock band I discovered in 2016. 'TCP' ('for Temporal Chaos Project') is an American group that has just released his third album 'Temporal Chaos'. For the followers of progressive music anymore, certainly several listenings to discover entirely this latest installment so please it's dense and rich as the 8 titles, 4 are between 9 minutes and 12 minutes; first listen simply enabled me to realize a multitude of influences drawn, here and there, both in ancient formations in more recent groups and that all these blends are so wise that it shows a world of 'TCP'. Just by listening to the 'Forest Of Lovelies' title I could quote in bulk, 'Genesis', 'Pink Floyd', 'Alan Parson Project', 'IQ', 'Marillion' or even 'Pendragon'. The introduction of Impetus' makes me think of 'Arena' and 'Paul Manzi' singing, central singing to children is a marvel and the final worthy of the greatest progressive compositions. There is really nothing to throw and throughout the titles, it is balanced between parts of an incredible emotional force and other fabulous creativity. In short, this 'Temporal Chaos' is an example type of album in the purest tradition of the progressive music of the last 40 years and can be a gateway that is accessible to those who would discover this style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Henry Tarnecky (Vocal, Keybords), Blake Tobias (Bass, Keybords), Jack Wright (Guitar, Drums), Glenn Arpino (Keybords)


Artist : Love De Vice

Album : Pills

Release Date : 24-06-2016

Added : 24-11-2016

The poles 'Love of Vice' in 2016 their 3rd album and it is still a group that I discovered with this 'Pills'. Entry, with 'No Escape', is modern and efficient the Muse rock and angry guitars riffs. But, to each title, we discover another facet of the Group: 'Ritual' is a much darker mid-tempo title that use strings that enhance this atmosphere of blackness. With 'Best Of World', meet in a melancholic acoustic ballad accompanied by a rhythm to the 'Phil Collins'. The next title, 'Afraid' is more rock with the main phrase repeated throughout the title which always ask the same question to which a response is pending but that never comes. 'Pills', is again an acoustic title very successful alternating between the violin and the very sensitive voice of 'Kasia Granecka'. There is even the end of the album to the Blues with 'Nobody Owns Me'. Anyway, as you will understand, even if they are not changing much, do not love the consistency to join this 'Pills' that offers a range of different styles...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Andrzej "Messi" Archanowicz (Guitar), Tomasz "Kudel" Kudelski (Drums), Robert "R.i.P." Pelka (Bass), Krzysztof "Krzychu" Slaby (Keybords), Pawel "Ozzie" Granecki (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Evership

Album : Evership

Release Date : 01-07-2016

Added : 25-11-2016

Although they are from Nashville, 'Evership' is a progressive rock band in the tradition of the groups of the 1970s. 6 titles in all and 5 which are more than 9 minutes to almost 14 minutes, here's what awaits you with this self-titled album of the group which is the first baby of 'Shane Atkinson' who never stopped composing since the 1990s and which declares to have material for at least 4 albums. His influences are varied: fine artists from the progressive rock of the 1970s to classical composers and opera through big names like 'Chick Corea' or 'Al Di Meola' music. And the result is a magnificent melting pot progressive melodic, rich and dense as well on the thing on the voice plan plan and need you to definitely several listenings to draw the very substance. In the end, 'Evership' is still a gradual discovery of the year 2016, which will delight fans of this style and I hope even beyond...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Shane Atkinson (Vocal, Keybords, Drums), Beau West (Vocal), + Guests : James Atkinson (Guitar), Rob Higginbotham (Guitar), Jaymi Millard (Bass), Nicelle Priebe (Violin), Mike Priebe (Choirs), Brandon Vestal (Guitar), Dan Smalley (Guitar)


Artist : Peter Hanmer

Album : Wide Open Spaces

Release Date : 16-06-2016

Added : 26-11-2016

How to say, 'Peter Hanmer' is a little crossing instrumental between 'Pink Floyd', 'Alan Parson Project', 'Santana' and even 'Deep Purple' because it has fallen into the pot of progressive rock when he was small so we get closer to these groups. Originally from South Africa, it comes out 'Wide Open Spaces', a set of instrumental tracks where one navigates between acoustic guitar and electric guitar in a natural way and there seems to know already every melody because it reminds us of one of the above groups; It is obvious even on 'Distant Horizon - Pt2' where we meet, some 40 years ago in 'Dogs' to 'Floyds'. In summary, a good melodic instrumental disc that will delight not only any music fan progressive of the 1980s but also accessible to a much wider audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Hanmer (Guitar, Keybords), Larry Rose (Drums, Percusions), Dave Sharp (Organ Hammond, Bass, Piano, Saxophone)


Artist : Afforested

Album : Frithu

Release Date : 01-07-2016

Added : 27-11-2016

'Afforested' is a group created by 2 brothers original English, Alex and Jonathan Betts; they just released their 2nd album and are very discreet on the canvas because it is very difficult to find information on this latest installment 'Frithu' who does not pay the Chronicle. The style is folk and they mix acoustic and electric instruments. Their influences include bands like 'Jethro Tull' or 'Renaissance' with a well anchored in the 70s/80s. It does not revolutionize the genre, but having a good time listening to the 12 titles that were inspired by medieval stories featuring the characters living in the forest. In short, 'Frithu' should be welcomed by any fan of traditional folk...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jonathan Betts (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, mandolin), Alex Betts (Keybords, Drums, Flute)


Artist : Blind Ego

Album : Liquid

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 27-11-2016

Blind Ego is the solo project of 'Kalle Wallner', German guitarist who officiates in the 'RPWL' group. He released a new album 'Liquid' and for the occasion he invited musicians and talented progressive international singers. We are plunged entry in a rock atmosphere with alternating between acoustic and electric parts. In some places, we can if to prevent reference to RPWL (like the intro of 'Tears And Laughter'), but overall, we discover with this album a melodic style that its own with rock and powerful titles occasionally flirting with hard rock. Note the last title, 'Speak The Truth', beautiful ballad which closed the album in an admirable way. In summary, this 'Liquid' is a very good vintage and, even if it requires several listenings to discover every nook and cranny, remains accessible to a broad audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kalle Wallner (Guitar) + Guests : Aaron Brooks (Vocal), Arno Menses(Vocal), Erik Ez Blomkvist (Vocal), Heiko Jung (Bass), Michael Schwager (Drums), Ralf Schwager (Bass), Sebastian Harnack (Bass)


Artist : Visionatica

Album : Force Of Luna

Release Date : 20-05-2016

Added : 28-11-2016

Listening to 'Force Of Luna' of 'Visionatica', we have first believe that it is only their first album and then we say that a band like 'Within Temptation' could get out this kind of album as 'Tamara' registry is very close to the 'Sharon Den Adel'. After the introduction instrumental to use for this type of groups (with choruses galore), one starts sped away with a 'Swamp Of The World' that camp décor and already the resemblance with their elders is obvious. We feel a real potential in this young group who collects melodic and effective securities with an impression of naturalness and ease. In short, our 'Visionatica' Germans may hard talking to them in the years to come and fans of symphonic Metal to rally to their cause...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tamara Avodem (Vocal), Michael (Bass), Gerhard (Drums), Manuel (Guitar)


Artist : Dare

Album : Sacred Ground

Release Date : 15-07-2016

Added : 29-11-2016

'Dare' is a group who released his first album in 1988 and who is the 'Darren Wharton' project, the former keyboardist of 'Thin Lizzy'. Well some 28 years after the first album, 'Sacred Ground' was born in 2016 and found guitarist of origin 'Vinny Burns' who has worked in the meantime in other formations, among other 'Asia'. The 11 titles are real melodic gems and the style remains firmly anchored in the 1980s with influences from the groups of that time as 'Foreigner'. The duo found Darren/Vinnny works perfectly and we feel a deep emotion in some compositions such as 'Every Time You Say Good Bye' or 'All Our Brass Was Gold' that reminds me of melancholy by some 'Bruce Springsteen' titles. In short, our 'Dare' English out far modes, an album out of time which will delight fans but which should, hopefully, introduce them to a wide audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Darren Wharton (Vocal / Keybords), Vinny Burns (Guitars), Kevin Whitehead (Drums), Marc Roberts (Keybords), Nigel Clutterbuck (Bass), Paris Wharton (Guitars / Guest)


Artist : Metalwings

Album : Fallen Angel In The Hell

Release Date : 12-05-2016

Added : 30-11-2016

'Metalwings' is a group coming from Bulgaria and 2016 sees the release of their first EP. This new formation was created by a soprano 'Stela Atanasova' also violinist and keyboardist; they evolve in a symphonic style, making them closer to the leaders of this type with very melodic compositions where the piano and violin bring a classic touch and fit perfectly with electric guitars. Finally, 'Metalwings' is located on the border of groups such as 'Within Temptation' for melodies, 'Band' to the vocal similarity and 'Lyriel' for the side Folk brought by the violin and one can think that they should get a good place in the years to come among the references of the kind...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Stela Atanasova (Vocal, Violin, Keybords), Grigor Kostadinov (Guitar), Krastyo Jordanov (Guitar, Vocal, Flute), Konstantin Uzunov (Bass), Angel Kitanov (Keybords), Blackie (Drums)


Artist : Theatre Des Vampires

Album : Candyland

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 01-12-2016

We know the Italians 'Theatre of the Vampires' for their rock side black enough where usually the themes don't come out of the world 'bears'. With this 'Candyland', this is the story of this business of Pennsylvania who hid the adults and children with severe mental disorders and who was described as "hell on Earth". Not easy to address topics of this type but the 'Theatre of the Vampires' style is there ready very well. We discover a very diverse album and filled with good surprises like this resulting resurrection Mary, this captivating 'Delusional Denial', 'Candyland' pointing out the heavy side of this universe and this magnificent 'Pierrot Lunar' who can only touch the listener by its lencinente melody. Overall, this album is a great consistency but definitely intended for an informed public and request many listen to penetrate this very special world...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sonya Scarlet (Vocal), Giorgio Ferrante (Guitar, Choirs), Zimon Lijoi (Bass, Choirs), Fabian Varesi (Keybords, Choirs), Gabriel Valerio (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Eric Johnson

Album : EJ

Release Date : 07-10-2016

Added : 02-12-2016

'Eric Johnson' will soon celebrate his 40-year career, and he continues his merry way away from the hype. He just released a new album in the simple name of initials 'EJ' which is the image of the bare content up to the point of music. No frills, he traded his Stratocaster for an acoustic guitar with a trip in a clear and intimate world. Navigate between ballads, a theme Spanish, folk and even jazz with palpable emotion interpretation that affects us. In summary, this 'EJ' is a soothing album and is recommended to all public seeking above all the authenticity in the music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Johnson (Vocal / Guitars) + Guests : Chris Maresh (Bass), Doyle Dykes, John Hagen (Cello), Molly Emerman (Violin), Roscoe Beck (Bass), Tommy Taylor (Drums), Wayne Salzmann (Drums)


Artist : Cécile Corbel

Album : Vagabonde

Release Date : 06-10-2016

Added : 03-12-2016

'Cécile Corbel', singer and harpist, has already released 5 studio albums and Soundtracks of films (including the last ' land of bears') in a little more than 10 years of career. 'Wanderer' is the 6th studio album by the Breton where she continues to make us travel in the folk world. For this opus, it pushes the limits of its simple Britain to ship guests such as the sénagalais 'Faada Freddy' with the title 'The girl with no name', wonderful mix of cultures for this 'Celtic-Senegalese' style, with a total and beautiful of 2 nesting influences. Of course, the voice of Cecilia is always filled with emotions and lulls us throughout the 13 tracks. To conclude, well beyond its roots, 'Céline Corbel' offers with this 'vagabond' of compositions outside the time and borders, a sort of universal album that should delight a wide enough audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Cécile Corbel (Vocal / Harp), Anne-sophie Gole (Accordion, Flute), Antoine Solmiac (Violin), Benoit Volant (Violin), Camille Philippe (Guitars / Mandolin), Christophe Piot (Drums), Cyril Maurin (Guitars / Banjo), Cyrille Bonneau (Flute), Ewen Henderson (Fiddle), Gary Innes (Accordion), Julien Grattard (Cello), Mark Scobbie (Drums), Pierre Cadoret (Flute), Ross Saunders (Bass), Ryan Murphy (Flute), Simon Caby (Guitars / Drums / Harmonium), Faada Freddy (Vocal / Guest), Gabriel Yacoub (Vocal / Guest), Les Moorings (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : The Catfish

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 04-12-2016

'Ted Horowitz' won't necessarily much but 'Popa Chubby' certainly a lot more. Now with twenty years of career and the same number of studio album, he always comes back with a new album 'The Catfish' in the great tradition of blues rock. But, this The Catfish, even if we remain in the classic pattern of 3 basic chords, it's also the pranks in the world of funk with 'Going Downtown' or 'Good Thing', with 'Bye Bye Love' reggae or Jazz with 'Wes Is More' or bass works wonders. We also got a 'Motörhead Saved My Life' frenzied where Popa tells us how the music of 'Mothoread' pulled him from his native Brooklyn or this air blues 'Gilmour' in tribute to the 'Charlie Hebdo' attack that will give you goosebumps. In short, everything is good in this 'The Catfish' and it is recommend to those looking for authentic in our world so formatted...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Popa Chubby (Vocal, Guitar), Francesco Beccaro (Bass), Chris Reddan (Drums), Richie Monica (Drums), Dave Keyes (Keybords), Tipina Horowitz (Trumpet)


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Aquostic II – That’s A Fact

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 05-12-2016

Pending the restoration of Rick, who has been the victim of a heart attack in June 2016, 'Status Quo' released a second album of acoustic titles from their nearly 50-year career. We are rediscovering all these anthems repeatedly listened to them in a new light because they are not taken as what and for example 'Roll Over Lay Down' brings a rhythmic swaying cutting with the tempo boogie of origin; with 'Dear John' and his accompaniment on the accordion, we're far from the 1982 version. We also discover titles like 'One For The Road' or 'One Of Everything' appearing on any studio album. "Lover OF The Human Race' shows also an another 'Status Quo', namely to beautiful ballads that have too often been cleared before the Group standards, fans finding them too"sweet. " In the end, if you knew that a 'Status Quo' with 'In The Army Now' (by the way, one of the titles that I like the least), try this 'Aquostic II' to discover another facet of this group amblematique in 50 years...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Francis Rossi (Guitar, Vocal), Rick Parfitt (Guitar, Vocal), Andrew Bown (Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Piano, Vocal), John 'Rhino' Edwards (Bass, Guitar, Vocal), Leon Cave (Drums, Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : RPWL

Album : Plays Pink Floyd’s ‘The Man and the Journey’

Release Date : 28-10-2016

Added : 06-12-2016

When we talk about 'Pink Floyd', we often have to do 2 types of fans: those who prefer the first part of career and those who began to know with 'The Wall'. For my part, I appreciate each period with necessarily a preference for early because they were precursors and it helped develop what is called the psychedelic and beyond progressive music. It is this first period that is put in the spotlight by the German 'RPWL' group that interprets 'The Man and The Journey' of 1969 where securities of the beginning of the career of the 'Floyd' but under different names to make them stick to the 2 concepts: the day of an ordinary man ('The Man') and a theme around the trip ('The Journey'). Must of course recover in the context of these years and thinking at the time, they were alien figure: rediscovered tracks from Ummagumma' or 'More' but also the pieces very forward on their time as 'Work', 'Doing It' or 'Sleep' (taking part of ' Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' from the album 'A Saucerful of Secrets') who flirt with contemporary music. 'The Man' ends with the monumental 'Nightmare' who is none other than 'Cymbaline' from the album 'More' follow-up to a short cover of 'Grantchester Meadows"from Ummagumma' already using the ticking of the clock as a tempo. When the second part, it starts with 'The Beginning', whose original title was 'Green Is The Color' and the following 2 titles 'Vocals By Creatures of the Deep' for 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' and 'The Narrow Way' ('David Gilmour' composition) are also on 'Ummagumma'. Then comes the 'Pink Jungle' which comes from the period 'Syd Barrett' ('The Piper at the Gates of Dawn') with her cries of animals. Following 'The Labyrinths of Auximenes', together sound effects built around the same Light sentence of manual and 'Behold the Temple of' piece highlighting the rooms of reverberation of the guitar in the background keyboards. The final 'The End Of The Beginning' is the second part of 'A Saucerful of Secrets' of Ummagumma' with the theme that rises in crescendo to end with the accompaniment to the song originally from 'Gilmour'. In summary, 'RPWL' makes us rediscover a work not very known but nevertheless major 'Floyds' which thanks to their creativity and their experimental compositions have been the pioneer and still constitute an inexhaustible source of inspiration even now for many artists...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Karlheinz Wallner (Guitars), Marc Turiaux (Drums), Markus Jehle (Keybords), Werner Taus (Bass),


Artist : Lazuli

Album : Nos Ames Saoules

Release Date : 25-01-2016

Added : 07-12-2016

'Lazuli' is a French group who released his 6th album 'Our souls drink' early 2016. With this latest installment, there was still an evolution in the compositions which are more controlled and sought after. Influences are multiple but overall, their universe is progressive with a very modern sound, sometimes tinged with electro. As well, the second 'Kiss Kool' effect is undoubtedly the poetry of their texts that brings an atmosphere except that reminds me of the atmosphere of some songs of Angel '. Entry, 'the time is at rage' is a strong title with a magnificent crescendo and a powerful text to the attacks of January 2015. Examples include 'The Mar of the past,' which tells the current rise of extremism. In short, nothing to throw in this latest installment: our compatriots 'Lazuli' continue their merry way far away from the media turmoil and this is a pity because if they were recognized at the height of their talent, they would certainly be headlining of the French artists (one can always dream!) …
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Claude Leonetti (Léode), Dominique Leonetti (Vocal / Guitars / Mandolin), Gédéric Byar (Guitars), Romain Thorel (Keybords / Cor), Vincent Barnabol (Drums / Percussions, Marimbas)


Artist : Gustavo Santhiago

Album : Animam

Release Date : 26-05-2016

Added : 08-12-2016

'Gustavo Santhiago' is a Brazilian composer who was 17 years old and who just released his first instrumental album, started already 5 years, in which he plays the keyboard, bass and flute. Listening to the different titles, one is immersed in a progressive style of the 1970s very melodic and very accessible. The different titles reveal an innocence and a spontaneity and although everything seems to flow naturally, we feel an exceptional work on the instrumental level. If he had retained a title, I'd say 'Animam (Part 2)' that mixes classic games with including this wonderful introduction to the classic organ and other more rock a bit by the 'Alan Parson Project' or even very close to 'Pink Floyd'. In summary, this young Brazilian has everything to amaze us and certainly do talk about him in the near future because one feels at home a great ability to compose...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Gustavo Santhiago (Keybords, Organ, Flute, Bass), Felipe Salvego (Guitar), Ricardo Santhiago (Guitar), Ilan Milnet (Bass), Giovanni Lenty (Drums), Gabriel Costa (Drums)


Artist : Artist Proof

Album : AP1

Release Date : 08-07-2016

Added : 09-12-2016

'Artist Proof' is an Australian Group that just released his first album 'AP1' and they do not have the buzz on the internet with a facebook site but very difficult to find a worthy of the name column. First of all, we got a beautiful cover and they define themselves as artists who created an evocatif rock, inspired by the graphic arts. Ensuie, listening, is somewhat a mixture of 'Queen' and his theatrical, for melancholy ' David Bowie' and 'Pink Floyd' for certain instrumental parts. The style is so between pop and rock with a sense of melody in a very epic atmosphere. They draw their inspiration from traditional groups while developing their own universe that make a group apart in the world of pop/rock music. In conclusion, 'Artist Proof' with this first album 'AP1' makes us spend a very nice time and it a safe bet that they are likely to talk about them in the years to come...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Pattenden (Guitar), Andrew Schapper (Keybords), Daniel East (Guitar), Chris Rourke (Bass)


Artist : Motis

Album : Sur Les Chemins (Live)

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 10-12-2016

Our French 'Motis' who have already a few hours of flights, come out in the year 2016, a live 'On the road'. It is the opportunity to discover this group out of batus trails and that offers us a catchy folk and mix diverse influences from progressive music of the last 40 years. At the level of the texts, we think of groups as 'Angel' or 'Lazuli' and the Hammond organ instrumental level brings a retro that necessarily takes back us a few decades back with groups like 'Génésis' or 'Yes'. All titles are taken from the album 'Josquin Messonier' and having a good time listening to all these titles, poetic, melodic and very accessible. In short, 'Motis' continue to entertain us outside the modes and uniformity that x-rays bombard us daily...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuel Tissot (Vocal, electric Bouzouki électrique, Mellotron, Organ Hammond), Tony Carvalho (Drums, Choirs), Martial Baudoin (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Skiltron

Album : Legacy Of Blood

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 11-12-2016

And Yes, let it be said, our friends from 'Skiltron' are not Scots but many Argentines. No change of major style for this latest installment 'Legacy Of Blood', there are always things to do in a very catchy folk metal; in other words, it's a 'Tri Yann' in metal mode. For my part, it's in titles not too speed that I prefer them like for example 'Commited To The Call' or 'The Taste Of Victory' who all have a very strong pace on which you can you keep the beat. In summary, although this album remains quite agreed, 'Skiltron' continues its momentum with songs that will be certainly well received by fans at concerts...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Martin McManus (Vocal), Emilio Souto (Vocal, Guitar), Ignacio Lopez (Bass), Matias Pena (Drums), Pereg Ar Bagol (Bagpipe)


Artist : Kyros

Album : Vox Humana

Release Date : 05-11-2016

Added : 12-12-2016

'Kyros' (formerly 'Synaesthesia') is a group of English who saw the day in 2012 and who released his 2nd album 'Vox Humana'. To locate them, in the world of progressive music, they mix influences from the 1980s like 'Genesis' or 'Depeche Mode' by incorporating other styles of newer groups like 'Muse' or 'Porpucine Tree' to cite only a few references. For this latest installment is not 1 but 2 CD representing 16 titles and 80 minutes of music concept and a reflection on our world with its technological evolutions which are not always favourable to the man. The result: an album very varied with multiple ingredients that can to divert some preferring compliance but which is a major asset for any fan of 'Prog', because in the end, this melting pot of influences allows 'Kyros' to create their own universe. And as so often in this case, 'Vox Humana' unfolds listen after listen and adds to the already large list of must-see new 2016 in the field of the progressive music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Warne (Vocal, Keybords), Joey Frevola (Guitare), Sam Higgings (Vocal, Guitar), Peter Episcopo (Vocal, Bass), Robin Johnson (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Doracor

Album : Passioni Postmoderne di un Musicista

Release Date : 29-07-2016

Added : 13-12-2016

With 'Doracor', Italian group led by 'Corrado Sardella' who already has 20 of existence and who released a double album concept in 2016, we're full foot in the progressive scene of the 70s very far from media agitation and unfortunately little Chronicle by the specialized press. As usual, 'Corrado Sardella' surrounds many musicians to interpret his compositions with multiple drawers which are necessarily intended for an informed public and require many listen to penetrate every nook and cranny. The theme revolves around the life after death and experiences built on previous existences. The listener therefore embarked on a trip where different styles and rhythms occur throughout the album. If you want to get an idea, listen to the ultimate title 'A new sole' atmospheric mixing, jazz, symphonic and rock epic. In short, even if it will probably intended for a very small audience, this new installment of 'Doracor' is worth the detour and shows that creativity still exists if we make the effort to get...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Corrado Sardella (Keybords),Red Canzian (Bass), Kostas Milonas (Drums), Roberto Tiranti (Vocal), Alessandro Corvaglia (Vocal), Riccardo Mastantuono (Guitar, Volon), Maurizio Testani (Bass), Patrizio Destriere (Saxophone), Milton Damia (Vocal, Guitar), Jacky Man (Bass), Mike Wilbury (Guitar), Andrea Pavoni (Keybords), Mario Barletta (Trumpet), Nicola Di Già (Guitar), Mimmo Picco (Guitar), Ian Beabout (Flute traversière)


Artist : Night Falls

Album : Embrace The Journey

Release Date : 25-09-2016

Added : 14-12-2016

Again a new group who, after 2 EP, released their first album 'Embrace The Journey'. The poles 'As Night Falls' work in a symphonic power metal with singer and surf on the current wave of training as 'Within Temptation' for the 'Ancient Bards' or symphonic side for the side Power. While the compositions are fairly agreed and Anna has still some effort to master her singing but 'As Night Falls' is not without asset to evolve in this style with titles like 'Eternal Dance' and its refrain, which is expected to fly in concert, 'Lost In Words' mid-tempo with a very successful of keyboards and guitars integration or even 'Beyond The Hatred' for his symphonic side at will. In summary, 'As Night Falls' released a good album and we hope that the trial will be transformed in the near future and they will find their own personality to make a name in the great family of the Symphonic Metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Achtelik (Vocal), Paweł Dylewski (Guitar), Darek Markiewicz (Drums), Lukasz Siwy (Keybords), Paweł Siruga (Bass)


Artist : Flight Of Fire

Album : Path Of The Phoenix

Release Date : 01-10-2016

Added : 15-12-2016

'Flight Of Fire' is an American Group made up of 4 women who just released their 3rd album which is more like an EP because it totals only 26 minutes of music for 7 titles. Despite this short album, they submit a range of their different styles with first 2 titles very rock 'Ten Thousand Voices' and 'Rockstar Life' to 'Halestorm', then 'My Last Gamble' sauce an Acoustic Blues fast enough, then back with 2 songs catchy 'One More Ship' and 'Better Off Without You,' that reminds me of some standards of the 1970s. 'In Spite Of You', it's an acoustic ballad with a wonderful exchange between the voice of Maverick and choirs. The last song 'Daughters Of Venus' and very melodic and flirts with hard rock. In short, if you like energetic but nonetheless classic rock 'Flight Of Fire' is right for you...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Maverick (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Tanya Venom (Guitar, Choirs), Tia Mayhem (Bass, Choirs), Kat Dukeshire (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Tri Yann

Album : La Belle Enchantée

Release Date : 15-04-2016

Added : 16-12-2016

With this pouch where beauty was dressed because of censorship on the platforms of download (no, no, this is not a joke!), 'The beautiful Enchanted' is the last album of 'Tri Yann' that will soon celebrate their 45 years of career and who continue their merry way without flinching away from the media tumult. With this latest installment, we find the charm of Celtic songs on previous albums such as 'Le Pélegrin' or 'Abyss' was known. The theme of this album turn around of the tales and legends of Britain. As per usual, we have different styles and rhythms: securities removed as 'Far Away From Skye', beautiful ballads like 'ankou, the libertine, and the mark' or 'the bayadere and the King' where the warm voice of 'Jean-Paul Corbineau' as ever, touches of ritornellos (round of Loudéac) with a very modern as him very resulting in 'The good fam in the courti'. And as always when everything ends with a song that never leaves you, it can't be insensitive to 'The beautiful Enchanted' with the participation of the Bagad of Saint-Nazaire. In summary, what can I say to see once again that 'Tri Yann' done part full of our life and finally the 33 laps of 'discovery or ignorance' 1976 running loop on turntables disks has not aged a bit and the 'three John' continue always 40 years after to always delight us as much...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Chocun (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar Acoustic, Mandolin, Banjo, Dulcimer), Jean-Paul Corbineau (Vocal, Ghœurs, Guitar Acoustic), Jean-Louis Jossic (Vocal, Choirs, Cromorne, Bombarde, Chalemie, Psaltérion), Gérard Goron (Choirs, Drums, Percussions, Mandoloncelle, Dulcimer, Guitar Electrique), Jean-Luc Chevalier (Guitars acoustique, Electrique, Bass), Konan Mevel (Bagpipe, Veuze, Northumbrian Pipes, Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistle, Midi-pipes), Freddy Bourgeois (Piano, Keybords, Choirs), Christophe Peloil (Violin, Viola, Bass, Tin Whistle, Choirs)


Artist : Fractal Cypher

Album : The Human Paradox

Release Date : 16-09-2016

Added : 17-12-2016

'Fractal Cypher' is a Canadian band that was only 2 years old and that his second album 'The Human Paradox'. It took me several listenings to penetrate their universe because on most of the titles that are usually quite long, they offer us a progressive metal very produced with breaks that make you go for example to a series of growls in a very classic and very melodic guitar solo through a passage where the double pedal is loose to finish with some applicable piano (for example, ' Lost'). Therefore, like the very different atmospheres which are juxtaposed to join this 'Human Paradox'. Finally, the more conventional pieces are 2 ballads 'Shinning A While' and 'Awakening', which offer a welcome airing at all. In conclusion, with 'The Human Paradox', 'Fractal Cypher' mix of the very accessible with much sought-after parts but, as so often in this case, will be without doubt an album that like good wine will improve with time...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Ludovick Daoust (Keybords), Simon Lavoie (Vocal), Steven Cope (Drums), Tommy Fradette (Bass), Vincent Bruneau (Guitars)


Artist : Deep Sun

Album : Race Against Time

Release Date : 22-09-2016

Added : 18-12-2016

With this 'Race Against Time' we leave in the direction of the Swiss origin of the 'Deep Sun' group. Entry, I had the impression of hearing on some tiutres a clone of 'Leave's Eyes' symphonic metal band: first a Soprano in the person of 'Deborah Lavagnolo' take the group a little bit like a 'Liv Kristin' and then we got removed as 'Good Old Times' compositions where male voices give reply to Deborah. 'Deep Sun' is also known to vary the records: 'Nostalgia' and 'Whispering Screams' are 2 ballads where Deborah shows us a different side while delicacy. Note 'of the Königs Krieger' title of nearly 8 minutes which makes us travel in epic style in the manner of major groups of this kind. In summary, 'Deep Sun' album already a very successful where there is nothing to throw and even, so for now, they draw from diverse influences here and there and must forge their own personality, they have everything to become a great band in Metal Symphony...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Debora Lavagnolo (Vocal), Eros Di Prisco (Guitars), Angelo Salerno (Bass), Pascal Töngi (Guitars), Tobias Brutschi (Drums), Tom Hiebaum (Keybords)


Artist : Sirenia

Album : Dim Days Of Dolor

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 19-12-2016

With this new album, exit the Spain with the singer 'Aylin Gimenez' and Hello France with 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' who officiates already for quite some time as a backing singer and who is a mezzo-soprano of eclectic lyrical training. And well, this time she takes the position in the 'Sirenia' group that released its 8th studio 'Dim Days Of Dolor' album in the end of 2016. It starts strong with a 'Goddess Of The Sea' very epic, filled with choirs and no disrespect to Aylin, we say that with Emmanuelle, 'Sirenia' does not lose to the Exchange. Overall, the titles are much more melodic and accessible than those of previous games and we note that growls are not systematic but are well led as for example with 'The 12th Hour' where the interweaving of the lyrical voice of Emmanuelle and the Growling gives a nice overall effect. In short, new compositions, a new singer, and even if 'Dim Days Of Dolor' brings no major new features, 'Sirenia' made a comeback in the small world of symphonic metal and delight certainly fans of this style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuelle Zolzan (Vocal), Jan Erik Soltvedt (Guitars), Jonathan A. Perez (Drums), Morten Veland (Vocal / Guitars), Joakim Næss (Vocal / Guest)


Artist : Freedom Call

Album : Master Of Light

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 20-12-2016

The same day as 'Sirenia', 'Freedom Call' also released a new album 'Master Of Light'. In their usual, they are not in the lace and should not seek an any message in their music but simply catchy compositions without fuss and good child (their latest video above is here to prove it). And the machine to hymns to sing and move while a stadium is to go from the first 2 songs with 'Metal Is For Everyone' and 'Hammer Of The Gods'. Because, while some grumpy people say it's a cinch, you can remove the fact out of memorable choruses that stuck you in your head thanks precisely to this simplicity. Then, in the autumn period when bad weather sets in, if you feel a little depressed, this 'Masters Of Light' is the best of remedies and replace all antidepressants; Besides, should suggest to the social security administration. to put it in the list of reimbursed drugs...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Bay (Vocal / Guitars / Keybords), Ilker Ersin (Bass), Lars Rettkowitz (Guitars), Ramy Ali (Drums)


Artist : Sting

Album : 57Th & 9TH

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 21-12-2016

As they say on TV, no transition after 'Freedom Call', here is the key to any 'Sting' that after a wonderful album of classical music from baroque songs 'Songs From The Labyrinth' (2006), another with among others of the hymns 'If On A Winter's Night' (2009) and a tribute to the shipyards 'Newcastle', 'The Last Ship' (2013) which will be the subject of a musical Here it is in 2016 with a new album that comes out just the day before his tribute concert at the 'Bataclan'. Entry, with 'I can't Stop Thinking About You', it feels go back some 40 years ago with a certain group 'Police' and 'Message In The Bottle' running loop on our decks. '50,000' is a moving tribute to the stars of the rock disappeared too early. With the following titles, found his leg of the 1990s like these pop ballads 'Down, Down, Down' or 'One Fine Day' and its ecological message. And then, 'Sting' is also hot news and the peaceful fighter who denounces with as only weapons his words: 'If You can't Love Me' with his crescendo that grabs us and his message simply filled with good sense: "If you don't love me that way, then you must leave me." and then, 'Inshallah', recounting the drama of migrants, title stripped of great intensity where it borrows a quarter tone of circumstance in the chorus; the album ends with 'Empty Chair' title poignant on the memory after death and, initially, inspired by the journalist 'James Foley' execution. In summary, we find a wide range of 40 years of diverse influences and the 'Sting' engaged and sensitive that makes an artist citizen of the world witness of our time with this latest installment of the very successful...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sting (Vocal, Bass), Dominic Miller (Guitar), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums) + Guests : Diego Navaira (the Last Bandoleros), Jerry Fuentes (the Last Bandoleros), Josh Freese (Drums), Lyle Workman (Guitar)


Artist : Xiphea

Album : Once Upon A Time

Release Date : 27-10-2016

Added : 22-12-2016

A rhyme to child, a door that squeaks and go for nearly 45 minutes of symphonic metal on this last album 'Once Upon A Time' of the German 'Xiphea' group which is in her 2nd studio album but which does not have too much noise on the Web: aside from the Sabine, hard to find singer who plays what between Neil Bence and René. And yet, after a first listen, we realize the potential of the group, which draws all of the compositions on the fairytale in general and more particulieement of Xiphea (their page on this tale here). The image of the title 'Cinderella' (Cinderella), their compositions are quite varied and incorporate different ingredients as often in this style of music: powerful riffs guitars, breaks in rhythmic, symphonic parts using wind instruments, growls pretty well dosed, choirs and the voice of Sabine who fits perfectly into this mix. In summary, an already mature group who offers us a very rich and album which is yet for months a good surprise for the year 2016...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine (Vocal), Rene Chlebnitschek (Bass), Szlucska Bence Tamas (Drums), Neil Mac Miles (Guitar, Growls, Choirs)


Artist : Veludo

Album : Penetrando Por Todo Caminho Sem Fraquejar

Release Date : 01-08-2016

Added : 23-12-2016

'Veludo' is a Brazilian Group inspired by the progressive music with a very wide range and who were released in August 2016 'Italian Por Todo Caminho Sem Fraquejar'. Only 5 titles for 57 minutes, and apart from one ":: Profunco', all the compositiolns are flirting around 10 minutes or more. Their Latino roots are present but their influences go beyond and are multiple: of course there is the 'Santana' here and there, but we can also hear groups of the 1970s like 'Jethro Tull', the 'Doors', the 'Beatles', and even 'Deep Purple' at their beginning. In short, a happy melting pot of a tradition of music that will delight all fans of these years there...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Nelsinho Laranjeiras (Bass, Vocal, Guitar), Pulinho Muylaert (Guitar), Flavia Cavaca (Vocal), Miguel Pedra (Vocal), Daniel Sili (Drums), Antonio Giffoni (Keybords), Diogo Sili (Guitar), Sérgio Conforti (Drums), Divaldo Foguete (Percussions), Ronaldo Scampa (Flute)


Artist : Cairo

Album : Say

Release Date : 03-10-2016

Added : 24-12-2016

'Rob Cottingham' is a keyboardist who has served among other things in the progressive rock band 'Touchstone' and who comes to create a new project with 'Cairo'. With a voice of women in the person of 'Rachel Hill' ('Nanburn') and a modern electronic sound, 'Say' is decidedly progressive and is divided into 2 parts: a pretty first removed up to 'Nothing To Prove' with titles like 'Wiped Out' or 'Say' and then a second where we discover a little quieter as 'Katrina' titles 'Karnataka' or 'Back From the Wilderness' and his magnificent final. In summary, 'Rob Cotingham' shows us with the first baby, even though he still has a good margin of progress, have already a huge potential that will delight any fan of progressive rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Cottingham (Vocal / Keybords), Rachel Hill (Vocal), Graham Brown (Drums), James Hards (Vocal), Paul Stocker (Bass)


Artist : Seti

Album : Bold Travels

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 25-12-2016

Direction the Chile with 'Seti' that I just found out then that they released their first album in 2005 and 'Bold Travels' is only their 3rd studio album. For this new opus, we have right to participation of the cream of progressive rock: 'Steve Rothery' ('Marillion'), 'Damian Wilson' ('Threshold') and ' Clive Nolan ('Arena', 'Pendragon'). 9 titles for 60 minutes of music in the purest tradition of the progressive, 'Bold Travels' rock makes us travel from the 1970s until our days with well of course references to the cies groups above. In summary, this last album 'Seti', even if they are not revolutionizing the genre, should appeal to any enthusiast of progressive rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Claudio Momberg (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Gabriel Hidalgo (Guitar), Jaime Scalpello (Vocal), Jose Luis Ramos (Bass), Juan Ricardo Weiler (Drums), Paula Vilches (Vocal) + Guests : Clive Nolan (Keybords), Damian Wilson (Vocal), Steve Rothery (Guitars)


Artist : Dark Sarah

Album : The Puzzle

Release Date : 18-11-2016

Added : 26-12-2016

Just a year and a half after 'Behind The Black Veil' (see here), 'The Puzzle' continuous we narrating the history of 'Sarah' where we find her on an island in the middle of the ocean between life and death. After a brief instrumental introduction very epic, 'Breath', 'Island In The Mist' plant décor with a title in the same style as the last album. 'Little Man' is then a title more theatrical, a little to the 'Nightwish'. Note, 3 guests on the latest titles 'Charlotte Vessels' ('Delain'), 'Jp Leppaluoto', Finnish of different groups of metal singer and 'Manuela Kraller' (ex Xandria). 'Dance With The Dragon', with a tango rhythm, is a title where the duo ' JP/Heidi' works great. In short, for those who enjoyed the previous episode, 'Sarah (return)', unsurprisingly, continues in the same metal symphonic, epic and thetral that will delight all fans of 'Within Temptation' and 'Nightwish' together...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Parviainen (Vocal), Erkka Korhonen (Guitars), Rude Rothstén (Bass), Sami-petri Salonen (Guitars), Thomas Tunkkari (Drums) + Guests : Charlotte Wessels (Vocal ), Jp Leppäluoto (Vocal), Manuela Kraller (Vocal)


Artist : Bolero

Album : Juliet

Release Date : 07-08-2016

Added : 27-12-2016

'Juliet' is a rock opera of the Italian 'Bolero' group to the classic sauce, i.e. with singers lyric and composed of 15 titles in three languages (English, Italian and latin) and a prologue in Italian. Of course, it's the story of the famous lovers of Verona and wind instruments are put forward throughout history. Often closer to classical composers of the romantic period (' più in there dei sogni', 'Intermezzo', 'Ave Maria' or ' Qualcosa di you ') but also to modern musical comedy titles ('Sangue e lacrime', 'Away From You', 'Senza più respiro' or 'Farewell my love'). 'You take my soul' is even a title that mixes modern first part to finish in classic and 'Domini miserere nobis', 'Intermezzo' or 'Eternal Pain' make me even think of 'Therion' with some guitar riffs. In conclusion, not entirely classical but not either completely rock 'Juliet' is an opera that will delight all those who like to mix several styles of music and who love the melodies of musicals...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Antonio Bruno (Vocal, Guitar), Rocco Palazzo (Keybords), Maurilio Mimmi (Bass), Paolo Colazzo (Drums), Maddalena Palazzo (Vocal, Soprano) + Valerio Toma, Daniela Aloisi, Paola Barone, Alessandra Maglie, Joele Micelli, Veronica Schifano (Violins), Fernando Toma, Andrea Caputo, Armando Ciardo, Cristian Musio (Violas), Eleonora Fullone, Gabriele Musio (Cellos), Maria Luisa Lattante, Marta Nigro (Choirs, Sopranos), Angela Zingarelli, Tiziana Muraglia (Choirs, Mezzo-Soprano), Francesco Tafuri, Giuseppe Tafuri (Choirs, Ténors), Giorgio Schipa (Choirs, Bariton)


Artist : Imminent Sonic Destruction

Album : Triumphia

Release Date : 02-09-2016

Added : 28-12-2016

Imminent Sonic destruction-Americans ' already 8 years old and it is with their 2nd album 'Triumpha' that I discovered them. They say make the 'Super progressive Metal' and listening to the first title 'The Cashing Waves', the dominant metal is not flagrande because, after a lengthy instrumental introduction where atmospheric ambience gives way to a classic theme supported by riffs guitar but also by keyboards to bind all the Sung part begins quietly ends in crescendo of grandiose way. The last title 'Arborous Calm' more than 22 minutes is a very epic fresco where you can see different influences that range from 'Pink Floyd' from the 1960s to the last Dream Theater in 'Yes', 'Genesis' or 'Ayreon' with changes of style and pace. In short, this 'Triumphia' is a dense album of progressive music which, like any album of this kind, asks a few listens and probably will remain reserved to a limited audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Pat Deleon (Drums), Pete Hopersberger (Keybords, Vocal), Bryan Paxton (Bass), Tony Piccoli (Vocal, Guitar), Scott Thompson (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Edge Of Reality

Album : Vicious Circle

Release Date : 30-08-2016

Added : 29-12-2016

'Vicious Circle' is the latest addition to the 'Edge Of Reality' group and after the first listen, as weird as it may sound, I had a feeling of having failed to adhere but a small voice I used to say: "you must have missed something because this album is the bomb! And actually, this latest installment is so dense and rich in various styles one needs time to penetrate every corner. Anything goes: pop, rock, folk, metal, jazz, symphonic music and I certainly forget. Therefore, if you don't like too much mix genres, look not further. But, you who love the variety of styles in more tamed these different titles for more than 80 minutes of music in total. and, maybe in the end, you won't stay indifferent to this patchwork of atmospheres that, I can't say why, placed end-to-end, in no way harms the General harmony of the album. In short, my little voice had not deceived me and this 'Vicious Circle', certainly reserved for an informed public, is for me a major progressive work of this year 2016...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Joey Frevola (Guitars, Keybords), Branndon Center (Drums), Jesse Brock (Vocal), Jesse Peck (Guitar), Nick Mills (Bass) + Guests : Ruben Vasquez Amos (Vocal), Daniel Garces (Vocal), Joel Schutte (Vocal), Emmanuel Echem (Tompette), Johnathan Carberry (Piano, Keybords), Megan Rasmussen (Vocal), Carolina Rodriguez (Vocal), Cole Thannisch (Vocal), Ollie Johnson (Organ), Chloe and Jaden Griggs (Voice d’enfants)


Artist : Lucifer’s Friend

Album : Too Late to Hate

Release Date : 28-10-2016

Added : 30-12-2016

Listening to this Too Late to Hate, I had the impression of listening to at certain times of the 'Huriah Heep'. And well, normal because the singer is none other than 'John Lawton' who has served a few years with 'Huriah Heep' in the 1970s. But 'Lucifer's Friend', it is also a group that has released a dozen albums in the seventies and which reformed in 2015 and after a compilation album a real studio in 2016. 'Too Late to Hate' is filled with very melodic catchy titles where all the ingredients are there for a good time. Navigating between rhythmic titles where the guitar riffs give heart to Joy ('Demolition Man', 'I Will Be There' or 'Sea Of Promises') and other more calm ('When Children Cry', 'This Time' or 'Tears'). In short, a good album accessible to the greatest number and which remind some good memories to the fifties who listened to groups such as 'Hurriah Heep' in the 1970s...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Hesslein (Guitar), Dieter Horns (Bass), John Lawton (Vocal), Jogi Wichmann (Keybords), Stephan Eggert (Drums)


Artist : Richard Palmer-James

Album : Takeaway

Release Date : 07-10-2016

Added : 31-12-2016

' Richard Palmer-James' you certainly not say much, but the guitarist, author-composieur worked in groups like 'Supertramp' or 'Krimson King' a few decades ago. In 2016, it comes out first solo album 'Takeaway' filled in 'Dire Straits' country-rock melodies (here, there's 'Mark Knopfler' in his voice soft and hushed). We're going to ballads like 'Baker's Dozen', 'Takeaway' or the beautiful 'Saving You From Drowning' has the catchy country-rock as 'A Very Bad Girl', 'Dance For Me' or 'So We Meet Again' by the way by the Blues with 'Guano Blues'. In summary, a melancholic album full of good surprises accessible to the greatest number to enjoy in peace after a hard day's work...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Palmer-James (Vocal, Guitar), Evert Van Der Wal (Drums, Guitar), Alex Klier (Bass), Theo Degler (Piano, Accordion), Peter Bischof (Choirs), Friederike Sipp (Choirs)


Artist : X-Panda

Album : Reflections

Release Date : 10-10-2016

Added : 01-01-2017

'X Panda' comes to Estonia and out hotel 2nd album 'Reflections' studio. They define themselves as symphonic progressive metal and recorded this album with the Orchestra of Tallinn. It starts with 'The Game', title very classic metal and melodic chorus. We completely change style with 'Denial' over 12 minutes that we booked into a symphonic universe where the Orchestra earned the lion's share of interspersed vocal parts of 'Tamar Nugis' and ends with a beautiful guitar solo. We continue in this patchwork 'Hit And Run' which is a mixture of metal and electro. Back to the Symphony with 'Slavs Of Lies' and 'Rise Up To Fly,' that reminds me a little of 'Simple Minds' vocal level. With 'On The Way' settles a jazz/rock throughout this instrumental track atmosphere. But the centerpiece of the album is 'Reflections' in 2 parts which leaves room back to the Orchestra for a complex symphonic fresco somewhat in the manner of 'Dream Theater'. Finally, the 'Reflections', its variety, although he requires several listenings, and a very pleasant to listen to album and will delight certainly fans of orchestral progressive metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Kaarel Tamra (Keybords), Risto Virkhausen (Guitar), Karl-Juhan "Juki" Laanesaar (Drums), Tamar Nugis (Vocal), Roland Jairus (Bass)


Artist : Alex Carpani

Album : So Close. So Far.

Release Date : 04-03-2016

Added : 02-01-2017

With 'Alex Carpani' who early 2016 released his 4th album ' SoClose. SoFar.' under his name, one is immersed in a very accessible progressive universe with a recurring theme in our time: the 'virtual' communication kills real communication and isolated individuals but the human being has the capacity him to change everything. His influences well obviously many, 'Genesis' or 'Alan Parson Project' for older groups such as 'IQ' or 'RPWL' for the most recent. 10 compositions are varied and melodic with catchy titles like 'I Tried And Tried', 'Man On The Wire' or 'Next Time' which makes me think of 'RPWL' and other quieter as 'Stay With Me', 'One Face One Lie' or 'The Last Sign' which closed the album in an admirable way. In short, 'Alex Carpani' gratifies us a new album very enjoyable to listen to and which beyond progressive rock fans will appeal to a much wider audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Carpani (Keybords, Vocal), Ettore Salati (Guitars), Joe Sal (Vocal, Guitar), Giambattista Giorgi (Bass), Martino Malacrida (Drums)


Artist : Minotaurus

Album : Insolubilis

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 03-01-2017

Already nearly 20 years of existence and the Germans 'Minotaurus' group released their 5th studio album. They are tagged folk metal and we tell stories related to mythology. Entry, it has embarked on to access very easy melodies that remind me on certain passages 'Therion'. Voice level 'Oliver Klump' and 'Clarissa Hobeck' share the song in a complementary way, the guitar solos are simple but very effective and the classical instruments, flute or harp reinforces the folk. Note that the last track 'Insolbilis' more than 8 minutes in fact consists of 2 parts, a first in English and a second hidden 5 minutes in German. In summary, 'Insolubilis' is a good melodic folk metal album that has the capacie to reach a broad audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Reiner Zumkeller (Guitar, Choirs), Marcus Finger (Bass), Oliver Klump (Vocal), Clarissa Hobeck (Vocal), Daniela Schneider (Flute, Harp, Basson), Jürgen Hermann (Guitar), Andreas Finger (Drums)


Artist : SayWeCanFly

Album : Blessed Are Those

Release Date : 04-11-2016

Added : 04-01-2017

'SayWeCanFly' is the 'Branden Barrie', unknown artist in France from the Canada and who was known across the channel through You tube. He got out in 2016 'Blessed Are Those' and it is with this album that I discovered. His universe is acoustic vocals/guitar and the first title starts with a music box melody that gives way to a melancholic piano/strings part. Following the title track of the album which takes us into the atmospheric world strengthened by the reverb effect. 'I didn't Know' is a more classical singing at the 'Cat Stevens' guitar composition. Following is the picture of these first 3 titles, compositions stripped and filled with emotion that makes an endearing album that will certainly be appreciated by fans of acoustic pop of 'Blessed Are Those'...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Braden Barrie (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Stream Of Passion

Album : Memento

Release Date : 25-11-2016

Added : 05-01-2017

2005 saw out 'Embrace The Storm'; After 11 years of existence, 4 studio albums, 'Stream Of Passion' bows and released a latest DVD 'Memento'; having followed them throughout this period (a few memorable concerts at the 'z7' near Basel), this latest installment of course takes a particular turn. 17 titles are drawn from the whole of their career alternating between securities metal as 'Monster', 'A war Of Our Own', 'Collide', 'Lost' or even the very melodic 'The Endless Night' and other more calm which to have their trademark as 'In The End', When You Hurt Me The Most', ' Don't Let Go', 'Open Your Eyes', or 'Nostalgia' that picked you up this little thrill so characteristic. Throughout the concert, 'Marcella Bovio' gives us the best of itself and on the set, on the resumption of 'Radiohead', 'Street Sprit' or 'This Endless Night', it offers us some singers classic worthy of the largest vocalizations. Also, note a 'Sonata Arctica' recovery, I Have A Right that the Group appropriates admirably. In conclusion, this DVD is a nice parting gift for all the fans who were not able to (like me) see them one last time in concert and can be for others the opportunity to know a group that began under the leadership of 'Arjen Lucassen' and which marked the world of symphonic metal for a decade...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marcela Bovio (Vocal, Violin), Johan van Stratum (Bass), Eric Hazebroek (Guitar), Jeffrey Revet (Keybords, Piano), Martijn Peters (Drums), Stephan Schultz (Guitar)


Artist : Burning Point

Album : The Blaze

Release Date : 25-11-2016

Added : 06-01-2017

The Finns 'Burning Point' with 'The Blaze' already released their 7th studio album and since 2014, they have incorporated a singer 'Nitte Valo' which had already sang on the previous album 'Burning Point' but which was only covers of old songs and which could be likened to singers like 'Doro'. 'Master Them All' and 'Time Has Come' set the scene with 2 titles speeds and melodic in the purest tradition of the power metal groups. 'My Spirit', 'The Lie' or even 'Lost In Your Thoughts' show another side of the band with mid-tempo tracks that cut with the removed pieces. The title 'Chaos Rising' comes out also the scheme classic power metal with rhythmic breaks and Oriental influences that make it a unique title. 'Metal Queen' is nothing more than a cover of 'Lee Aaron' beautifully closed the album. In conclusion, ' Burning' with 'Nitte Valo' diversifies and a very varied album that will delight all fans of rock, had rock and metal fans...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jarkko Väisänen (Keybords), Jussi Ontero (Drums), Nitte Valo (Vocal), Pekka Kolivuori (Guitars), Pete Ahonen (Guitars), Sam Nyman (Bass)


Artist : Diabulus In Musica

Album : Dirge For The Archons

Release Date : 18-11-2016

Added : 07-01-2017

After 'Argia' released in 2014 and which had shown real progress of 'Fear In Musica' (not to be confused with 'Diabolus In Musica', which is a group of classical medieval music), 'Dirge For The Archons' still marks an evolution that allows them to me make a leap to the same level as groups like 'Epica' and 'Therion'. First of all, it is a concept album about an ancient civilization with the recurring theme of the struggle between good and evil, the people 'Archons' representing evil (for short). Musically, they have put the dishes in large, since the very short introduction, we are plunged into an epic universe with an orchestration and grandiose choirs. With 'Marble Embrace', we enter the heart of the topic with a title containing ingredients of symphonic metal: the lyrical song of Zuberoa supported by powerful guitars with epic choirs wish riffs. With 'Invisible', the syle is more quiet and more symphonic with a very melodic chorus. The suite is at the same level, nothing to throw, each title bringing its own atmosphere that makes this latest installment very varied and very entertaining. It should be noted that Spotify offers the version with 2 live tracks from the first album including the very epic 'St Michael's Nightmare'. Anyway, as you may have guessed and although the Symphonic Metal is too often reserved for a certain audience, 'Diabolus In Musica' is now changing in the big leagues and this 'Dirge For The Archons' is probably my favorite 2016 of this style of music...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Zuberoa Aznárez (Vocal), Gorka Elso (Keybords), Alexey Kolygin (Guitar), David Carrica (Drums), Odei Ochoa (Bass)


Artist : Batalion d’Amour

Album : Fenix

Release Date : 04-11-2016

Added : 08-01-2017

'Batalion d'amour' is a group of Polish which was founded more than 25 years ago and out her 6th studio album, 'Fenix' which is actually the first game to take advantage of global dissemination. The style is rock with a touch of metal from time to time and easy access from the first listen; 11 titles shared between catchy as 'Bez Nas' melodies, 'Między Slowami' yes 'Ktos Calkiem Obcy' and other more calm and melancholy as 'Charlotte', 'Zawróceni' or even the magnificent 'The Lost Diary' very bare putting forward the voice rich and sensual 'Karolina Andrzejewska' in duo with 'John Porter'. Also note that this title is the only one to be sung in English, all others being in Polish. In summary, even if they are not revolutionizing the genre, 'Fenix' is an album pleasant to listen to and accessible to as many...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Karolina Andrzejewska (Vocal), Piotr Grzesik (Bass, Choirs), Robert Kolud (Guitar), Mariusz “Pajdo” Pająk (Baterrie), Mirosław Zając (Keybords)


Artist : Anvision

Album : New World

Release Date : 28-10-2016

Added : 08-01-2017

A Polish group may hide another: after 'Batalion d'amour', 'Anvision' is also a group of Polish founded in 2007. they just released their 2nd album 'New World'. They officiate in a registry accessible enough melodic metal, alternating powerful titles like 'Private Paradise' or 'I m Gone Away' and other quieter as 'Season Of the Witches' or the beautiful ballad 'Gift Of Fate'. With 'Around The Corner', they offer us a composition with breaks of tempo and style that make a title varied and catchy. When to 'Lights out, Dark Comes', for more than 15 minutes it represents the centerpiece of the album and navigating in a progressive style with a multitude of nooks where you get lost and requires several listenings to the tour (there is even a small piece of the 'Moonlight' of 'Beethoven' to 7'30). In short, 'Anvision' comes out a very diverse album that should appeal to lovers of metal looking for the variety of titles and moods...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marek “MarQus” Ostrowski (Vocal), Grzegorz “Greg” Ziolek (Guitar), Waldemar “Valdi” Rozanski (Keybords), Karol “Karaluz” Wadowski (Bass), Marcin “Larz” Duchnik (Drums)


Artist : Touchstone

Album : Lights From The Sky EP

Release Date : 28-11-2016

Added : 09-01-2017

New Line Up for 'Touchstone', who released an EP 'Lights From The Sky' with a new singer 'Aggie Figurska' and a new 'Liam Holme' keyboardist. The result is in continuity with the previous opus: a very melodic progressive rock dominated by the Adam guitar riffs and supported by the keyboards of Liam. Aggie shows the extent of his talent and his very successful integration into the group. Only 3 titles (the 4th being a cover from 'Lights From The Sky' in Polish version) for this EP, but we feel a real potential with catchy melodies that make me think of some places to 'Karnataka'. And, if they can stabilize this training, we can wish them to this essay in the future with a true studio album...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Aggie Figurska (Vocal), Adam Hodgson (Guitar), Henry William Rogers (Drums), Liam Holmes (Keybords), Paul 'moo' Moorghen (Bass)


Artist : Enigmatic Infinity

Album : Sentenced To Solitude

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 10-01-2017

'Enigmatic Infinity' is the Hungarian 'Tombor Nándor' who released his first album 'Sentenced To Solitude' and who has been classically trained. So much to tell you, his universe is made of multiple influences as well the world of progressive metal than in the classical world, which makes this very dense album but necessarily requires a few listens to penetrate every nook and cranny. Accompanied by 'Horváth Máté' singing, Tombor presents 6 compositions that take us on a very progressive journey where the scenery is constantly changing and where the music tells of herself by the elements that compose. Finally, with this Sentenced To Solitude, necessarily intended for an informed public, 2 'active listening' words make sense...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Tombor Nándor (tous les instruments), Horváth Máté (Vocal)


Artist : Degrees Of Truth

Album : The Reins Of Life

Release Date : 27-10-2016

Added : 11-01-2017

'Degrees Of Truth' is a new Italian of symphonic Metal group who released their debut album 'The kidneys Of Life'. After the short instrumental introduction of use in this style of music, 'Finite infinity' starts very calmly with the warm voice of 'Claudia Nora parks' a little in the same register as 'Päivi Virkkunen - Capri' of Amberian Dawn' then follows a fairly soft and melodic metal part. 'Kidneys Of Life' is a continuation of the first title in the same style with an alternation between powerful parties and other quieter. The suite is similar always in a symphonic registry where keyboards bring a binder to all. Note 'Subtle Borderline' instrumental track combining classical and electric instruments. In summary, 'Degrees Of Truth' released an album very mature and very dense and certainly will in the future the ability to get a good place in the family of symphonic melodic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Matteo Clark (Bass), Graziano Franchetti (Guitar), Claudia Nora Pezzotta (Vocal), Luca Ravezzani (Drums), Gianluca Parnisari (Keybords)


Artist : Infinitus Mortus

Album : Transmutationis

Release Date : 31-10-2016

Added : 12-01-2017

We continue with 'Infinitus Mortus' on the net 'Metal Symphony' label and who already released their 3rd album with 'Transmutationis'. The first title, 'The Planet Of Sorrows, PT. 1' is a quiet piano/synth, well away from the Metal introduction. Part 2 of this title which follows makes us discover a facet of fairly soft metal mixing guitars and keyboards with fairly present choirs, all being very melodic. 'Dreams Deferred' is a title that mix styles and rhythms from the psychedelic in a soft metal passing by the crazy rock. With Into The Void', we are more in a pop/folk register and the latest title 'Unhappily Ever After' closed the album with a piano/voice ballad. In summary, although Infinitus Mortus' are tagged Metal, this component is that light and it is very difficult to recommend it to fans of a specific style due to the variety of their compositions...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steve/Stoki (Drums, Keybords, Programmation), Vincent Meehan (Guitar, Vocal), Mariana Santiago (Vocal), Bill Buckley (Guitar), Al Cavallo (Bass)


Artist : Overcrown

Album : Higher

Release Date : 31-10-2016

Added : 13-01-2017

'Overcrown' is an Italian group who has already 10 years of existence and that the tip of his nose without noise in this end of 2016 with a debut album 'Higher'; Indeed, not possible to find a chronic on the canvas of this album and only their acebook page tells us a little more. In a symphonic metal with singer registry, we are close to groups such as 'Adrana' with all the ingredients of this style of music: a singer in a lyrical, of melodies easy access register, guitars riffs supported by layers of keyboards and the use of classical instruments with strings for orchestral and epic side. 'Frozen' is the perfect example with a mid-tempo title and an orchestral part in the title. Finally, 'Overcrown' is one more name that adds to the already large family of symphonic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Giulia Morgana Penzo (Vocal), Aleksandar Djeric (Guitar), Fabio Affili (Guitar), Elia Dalla Pola (Bass, Programmation), Dusan Djeric (Drums, Programmation)


Artist : Slania

Album : Proof Of Existence

Release Date : 15-10-2016

Added : 14-01-2017

By the end of 2016, there is an impressive output of new albums of metal bands singer and this is still a debut with the Argentinian 'Creativity' group. Their influences are many and their style mixes melodic, symphonic, progressive and Gothic metal. All of the titles is relatively accessible for example 'Dark Horizon' or 'Self Sabotage' with very catchy refrains. 'Silence' makes me think of 'Within Temptation' and although Florencia still has a good margin of progression, its register comes from 'Sharon Den Adel'. In short, this first album shows that 'Creativity' already offers a good potential for a place in this style of music and should appeal to all lovers of symphonic metal...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Florencia Sategna (Vocal), Walter González (Bass, Vocal), Gonzalo Kobalenko (Guitar), Sebastián Guerrero (Keybords), Fernando Romeo Ortíz (Drums)


Artist : Trobar De Morte

Album : Ouroboros

Release Date : 29-07-2016

Added : 15-01-2017

'Trobar of dead' is a Spanish group that has almost 20 years of existence and, I confess, it's 6th album 'Ouroboros' studio that I discovered them. They evolve in a folk style with reference to mythology (Ouroboros is a snake that eats its own tail and at the same time, which symbolizes the ideas of movement, continuity, self-fertilization and, accordingly, of eternal return (wikipedia) It is transported in a folk universe alternating melodic title ('Idun', 'While The Field Is Green' or even 'Destiny') and others more introspective ('Summoning The Gods', 'Dream Vision' or even 'Yggfrasil'). The 'Lady dead' captivating voice gives a mystical side to some compositions such as these 3 beautiful songs 'Vision Dream', 'The Voice Of The Eternity' and 'Ouroboros'. In conclusion, this latest installment of 'Trobar of dead', outside the box, is a trip especially exotic and full of emotion...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Lady Morte (Vocal, Flute), Hurdy Gurdy (Keybords, Compositeur), Armande (Percussions, Bass), Daimoniel (Guitar), Sined Zulim (Percussions Orientales), Üri Bokskog (Flutes, Bagpipes, Choirs), Asenath (Violin, Choirs)


Artist : Rani Chatoorgoon

Album : Samsara

Release Date : 09-10-2016

Added : 16-01-2017

'Rani Chatoorgoon' is a Canadian singer, whose parents are immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago. But his influences are deeper and are related to Hindu culture and after several singles, she has just released their first album 'Samsara'. It makes us travel in a progressive style between the East and the West with very melodic songs and which hang from the first listen. In addition, his voice clear and air strengthens the impression of lightness and traditional instruments bring a change that breaks with consistency in the radio strikes us all day long. Songs like 'The Gray', 'Lonely Witness', 'Unbearable' or 'Breathe' are the perfect illustration. Other much more classic titles even flirt with the metal as this 'Let Me Go' where Rani shares vocals with 'Valerio comments'. In summary, 'Rani Chatoorgoon', with 'Samsara' album a varied, accessible to a general public and shows once again that music is much richer when it is multi-cultural...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Rani Chatoorgoon (Vocal, Guitar Acoustic, Harmonium), Gerry Mosby (Bass), Rudd Jolie (Guitar), Paul Delong (Drums), Koen Herfst (Drums), Valerio Recenti (Vocal), Claudio Vena (Violin, Viola), Sandip Banerjee (Sitar - Santoor - Tabla - Dholak - Bansuri - Sarod - Sarangi), Lawrence Gowan (Piano), Ken Basman (Guitar Classique), Bob Stern (Compositeur)


Artist : Marco Schnabl

Album : Marco Schnabl

Release Date : 15-07-2016

Added : 17-01-2017

'Marco Schnabl' is an Italian songwriter who crisscrosses the globe by boat and who landed the time released his first album. Between electric and acoustic guitars, Marco is affected among other things by the formations of the 70s/80s and his songs are in the image of what it is: a free and sincere artist who lives his life according to his desires of the moment. His universe is fairly soft and uncluttered and most of the songs are very melodic and melancholic ballads where he goes to the essence of the music. His song full of emotion makes me think a bit to 'Roger Waters' and his air guitar playing reminds me of 'David Gilmour' (listen to the introduction of the beautiful song 'The Song That No One Will Sing'). In short, 'Marco Schnabl' is an original artist and authentic outside consistency that one undergoes all day...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Schnabl (Vocal, Guitars), Fabio Ambrosini (Keybords), Fabrizio Papa (Guitars), Lorenzo Guarino (Drums), Pierpaolo Meuli (Bass)


Artist : Starfish64

Album : An Altered State Of Joy

Release Date : 28-10-2016

Added : 18-01-2017

'Starfish64' is a German who has already almost 10 years of existence and who released his 5th album 'Year Altered State Of Joy'. They officiate in atmospheric rock style which is Dieter Hoffmann, the cornerstone of the group, which is not only the composer of the group but also sings, plays the guitar and keyboard. The centerpiece is the first title 'Altered States' more than 23 minutes, cut in 4 parts, that makes us take off in a calm and hovering trip where everything flows naturally. the melodies make me think of course bands like 'Pink Floyd' but also have the sweetness of some songs from 'Barclay James Harvest', but in a more progressive contemporary. Therefore, you who are looking for a way to escape, 'Year Altered State Of Joy' is the best invitation to travel and will allow you to ship to a place "where all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and pleasure"...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Dieter Hoffmann (Vocal, Keybords, Guitars), Henrik Kropp (Drums), Dominik Suhl (Guitars, Keybords) + Guests : Martin Hering-Pownall (Bass), Manuel Kassühlke (Piano), Christian Leuenberg (Bass), Kass Moody (Bass ) ,Submaureen (Vocal), Jan Thiede (Guitar, Flute), Christian Wahl (Trumpet)


Artist : Crystall Ball

Album : Déjà-Voodoo

Release Date : 02-09-2016

Added : 19-01-2017

And 9 for 'Crystal Ball', who continue to regularly releasing albums since 15 years with hymns metal that charm while remaining on the margins of the general public. 'Already Voodoo' is no exception to the rule and input, we take full ears with a 'already-Voodoo' and its refrain that keeps you a whole day. Certainly, everything is very classic and 'Steven Mageney' does not necessarily shine by her singing but the titles to follow one behind the other on a train to hell with 3 vents brought by 'Home Again', 'Without A Net' and the last ballad 'To Be With You Once More'. For some titles, I'd say, 'Reaching Out' for its rhythmic mid-tempo, 'To Freedom And Progress' her later sold widely influences Western and Oriental or even 'Time And Tide' for its melody me Recalling 'Summer Sun' of 'Texas'. In short, with this latest installment, even if they bring no new 'Crystall Ball' continues its merry way and will delight no doubt any fan of this style...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Mageney (Vocal), Scott Leach (Guitar), Marcel Sardella (Drums), Tony "T.C." Castell (Guitar), Cris Stone (Bass)


Artist : Lee Aaron

Album : Fire And Gasoline

Release Date : 25-03-2016

Added : 20-01-2017

After an interruption of more than 10 years, 'Lee Aaron' back in 2016 with a new album Fire And Gasoline, the 12th of his career. In the tradition of a direct and effective rock, 11 titles are very accessible and bring us back some 30 years ago with compositions in the style of artists such as 'Pretenders' or 'Lita Ford' but with modern sounds. We go from rhythmic rocks such as 'Tom Boy', 'Want to Be' or 'Bad Boyfriend' quieter compositions has flirting with either pop or even the blues like 'Bitterswet', '50 Miles' or 'If You don't Love Me Anymore'. She does not forget ballads with 'Nothing Says Everything' and 'Find The Love'. In summary, this 'Fire And Gasoline' marks the return of the rock star who after touching to jazz in the early 2000s, returns with an album accessible to a wide audience loving the pop and rock...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Aaron (Vocal, Guitar), Sean Kelly (Guitar), Dave Reimer (Bass), Joh, Cody (Drums)


Artist : Eternal Idol

Album : The Unrevealed Secret

Release Date : 02-12-2016

Added : 21-01-2017

Following the departure of 'Fabio Lione' of 'Rhapsody Of Fire', here it is with a new project 'Eternal Idol' and 'The Unrevealed Secret' debut. 'Giorgia Colleluori' reinforces the vocal range and style is a mix of symphonic Metal and Heavy Metal. Nothing really new in the compositions of guitarist 'Nick Savio' with similar titles quickly: entry, 'Evil Tears' plant décor with a catchy rhythm and a classic but catchy chorus. Then there is 'Another Night Come', much more symphonic with an introduction to the keyboards then singing alternated between Fabio and Giorgia resembling 'Nightwish' early compositions. The rest is image BSEF permeirs securities, a mixture of 2 relatively accessible styles and, even if they have not yet developed their own personality, the Italians of Eternal Idol' should appeal to a wide enough metal audience...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Fabio Lione (Vocal), Giorgia Colleluori (Vocal), Andrea Buratto (Bass), Camillo Colleluori (Drums), Nick Savio (Guitars / Keybords)


Artist : Sound Storm

Album : Vertigo

Release Date : 02-12-2016

Added : 22-01-2017

'Vertigo' is the third studio album of the Italians to 'Sound Storm' that tell us the story of Gabriel, Mariel and Alice in the island of 'Vertigo' (more details on the story (< a href = 'http://www.powerofsoundstorm.com/' > here < /a >).) This tale is composed of 10 titles in an epic symphonic metal style where electric guitars and classical instruments intertwine to offer us very rich and varied compositions. After the instrumental introduction of use, 'The Dragonfly' is a title very theatrical where several atmospheres follow one another as in a classical piece: an introduction mid-tempo heavy and full of tension, and then a quick game where 'Fabio Privitera' shows us all her talent of actor/singer; as a result a part where choirs introduce an epic instrumental part and back to the fast main theme to finish with female choirs a cappella. The suite is at the same level and feels behind all the titles very important work of writing to each party to make a dense and very coherent set. In summary, with this 'Vertigo', 'Sound Storm' is still a cap and, beyond a simple album of epic metal, we offers a captivating musical fresco which holds us spellbound throughout history and will certainly be appreciated by any amateur symphonic...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Fabio Privitera (Vocal), Alessandro Bissa (Drums), Elena Crolle (Keybords, Piano), Massimiliano Flak (Bass), Sascha Blackice (Guitar), Valerio Sbriglione (Guitar)


Artist : Jonas Lindberg

Album : Pathfinder

Release Date : 15-09-2016

Added : 23-01-2017

Swedish 'Jonas Lindberg' released his first studio album with his band 'The Other Side'. Influences are multiple and include among other artists as varied as 'Genesis', 'Sting' or 'Pink Floyd' but also 'IQ' or 'Spock's Beard' for latest references. 8 titles between 5 and 9 minutes all offer undeniable melodic quality and alternate vocal and instrumental very homogeneous parts. Despite the length of certain securities and changes of rhythms and styles characteristic of progressive rock, this album is very accessible from the first listen close the schema classic Verse/Chorus without leave in convoluted compositions. In short, this 'Pathfinder' has all the ingredients to make a great album of progressive rock varied and accessible to as many...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Lindberg (Bass, Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Jonas Sundqvist (Vocal), Jonathan Lundberg (Drums), Calle Stålenbring (Guitar), Michael Ottosson (Keybords), Nicklas Thelin (Guitar), Jenny Sandgren (Choirs), Maria Olsson (Percussions)


Artist : Nth Ascension

Album : In Fine Initium

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 24-01-2017

The English of 4Nth Ascension' 6 years old and they come out the rest of their first 'In Fine Initium' album. With 'Kingdom Keys', entry, it's a title more than 15 minutes waiting for you in a progressive and melodic style alternating Alan song that reminds me of Arena's 'Paul Manzi' universe ' and symphonic instrumental parts. The title 'End Of Days' more than 11 minutes is more muscular and flirts with the hard rock and always this 'Arena' resemblance to the side very theatrical. 'The Cage', is a fresco of more than 17 minutes in the purest tradition of progressive music. Finally, the Clanaan suite with parts 4, 5 and 6 is part of a progressive style close to some compositions of 'Pink Floyd'. In short, 'In Fine Initium', although filled with great melodies, without probably reserved for lovers of progressive music loving long musical developments...
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Alan ‘Spud’ Taylor (Vocal), Craig Walker (Drums), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Gavin Walker (Bass), Martin Walker (Guitars)


Artist : Faun

Album : Midgard

Release Date : 19-08-2016

Added : 25-01-2017

The Germans 'Faun' released their 9th album studio 'Midgard' devoted entirely to Nordic mythology in 2016. Already nearly 20 years and they continue to evolve in a Celtic folk with use of ancient instruments such as the Celtic harp or bagpipes (they define their style as being the 'paganfolk'). With this latest installment 'Midgard', the 15 compositions sung in German make us travel in a universe filled with melancholy melodic Celtic where traditional instruments reinforce this folk atmosphere. In summary, if you are fan of 'Tri Yann' and Sung German language doesn't bother you, you will certainly adopt this latest installment of 'Faun'...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver S. Tyr (Vocal, Bouzouki Irlandais, Nyckelharpa, Mandocèle, Harp Celtique, Saz, Tar, Guitar, Lutes), Fiona Rüggeberg (Vocal, Cornemmuse, Flute, Violin, Recorder, Fujara, Seljefloit, Harmonium, Chalumeaux & Pommer), Katja Moslehner (Vocal, Percussions), Stephan Groth (Vocal, Hurdy-Gurdy, Cistern, Whistles), Rüdiger Maul (Darabouka, Davul, Bendir, Tamborello, Riq, Berimbao & other percussion instruments), Niel Mitra (Computer Sampler & Synthesizer)


Artist : Neil Young

Album : Peace Trail

Release Date : 02-12-2016

Added : 26-01-2017

There are artists who force respect : 71 years old, and after releasing 36 studio albums, 'Neil Young' continues with the same message of peace that he has been shouting for decades. 'Peace Trail' does not deviate from the rule and rather than present the different titles that are all in the image of what he has always done, I prefer to let him speak and quote the words of the eponymous title : "The world is full of changes. Sometimes all these changes make me sad But I have to plant them seeds, till something new is growing " and ends with " I think I'll hit the Peace Trail because something new is growing ... "

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Guitar), Jim Kelter (Drums), Paul Bushnell (Bass), Bushnell & Micah Nelson (Vocal)


Artist : microClocks

Album : Soon Before Sundown

Release Date : 18-11-2016

Added : 27-01-2017

The Germans 'microCloks' released their 3rd album with 'Soon before Sundown'. Not easy to find a specific style because it navigates between pop, rock and hard rock with an addition of electro sound. the compositions, often keeping a schema classic verse/chorus, are melodic and energetic and hang from the first listen and each brings his own universe title that makes the whole very varied: 'Love's End' is a title mixing western and Eastern influences. 'The Edge' brings a change of tempo welcome between the verses and the chorus. 'Here I am' and 'Nothing But A Tought' are 2 beautiful ballads and the album ends with the most aggressive title with 'Raptor'. In summary, with a range of different atmospheres and compositions varied all remaining fairly conventional, 'Soon Before Sundown' is likely to appeal to a broad audience…
-Translated by Microsoft translator-

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Stieber (Drums), JT (Vocal), Marc Dorman (Guitars), Stevie Jay (Keybords)


Artist : Montage

Album : Metamorphosis

Release Date : 25-11-2016

Added : 28-01-2017

Formed in 2011, the Finns of 'Montage' released their 2nd album 'Metamorphosis', containing 9 tracks of classic melodic rock. From the beginning, 'Age Of Innocence' sets the scene with a verse/chorus catchy composition that hangs from the first listen. The suite brings some songs more developed as 'Metamorphosis', 'Black Magic', 'Haunted' or 'Invisible World' with its changes of rhythms and a research on instrumental parts closer to the progressive universe. About 'Death Valley', guitar riffs are more present while keeping a very classic chorus and the album ends with 'Carved In Stone', a pop style quirky title. In summary, 'Metamorphosis' is a subtle mix of progressive and melodic rock in a relatively timeless style that makes it accessible to a general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Jukka Parkas (Keybords / Choirs), Kim Etelävuori (Drums / Choirs), Roni Seppänen (Guitars / Choirs), Taneli Tulkki (Bass / Choirs), Vesa Paavonen (Vocal)


Artist : Dreamtale

Album : Seventhian… Memories Of Time

Release Date : 09-12-2016

Added : 29-01-2017

With this last baby of 'Dreamtale' Finns, it's not one but two albums with 'Seventhian' and then 'Memories Of Time', which is solely re-recordings of some songs of their 4 albums (for those who missed the first episodes). Following route of power metal groups as 'Stratovarius', 'Rhapsopdy' or 'Freedom Call', already 15 existence years and, album after album, do not look for any music search but only for simple, powerful and fast titles where the double pedal has a great time and where the refrains are all melodic hymns that remain in the head to spoil all day long ! In short, 'Dreamtale' continues to do some 'Dreamtale' and will appeal certainly all fans of this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Erkki Seppänen (Vocal), Rami Keränen (Guitar), Seppo Kolehmainen (Guitar), Akseli Kaasalainen (Keybords), Janne Juutinen (Drums), Heikki Ahonen (Bass)


Artist : Beastö Blancö

Album : Beastö Blancö

Release Date : 25-11-2016

Added : 30-01-2017

Children are what they are made. 'Chuck Garric', Alice Cooper's bassist for ages relased a second album with his band 'Beastö Blancö' in which operates 'Calico Cooper', singer and daughter of ‘Alice Cooper'. From the first title 'Buried Angels', it starts with a bang and we take earful with a catchy chorus and a simple solo guitar but so effective wich recall the hard rock’s beautiful hours of the seventies. Without reinventing the wheel, everything is done to balance energetic and rhythmic titles with powerful and heavy riffs. 'Grind' or 'Death Rattle' remind me a little tempos of some 'ZZ Top' songs. Include also a cover of Alice Cooper' with the title 'Feed My Frankenstein' which is close enough to the original. In conclusion, an album certainly not for everyone but it should appeal to hard rock fans who like energic music...

Line Up / Musicians

Chuck Garric (Vocal, Guitar), Chris Latham (Guitar), Jan LeGrow (Bass), Tim Husung (Drums), Calico Cooper (Vocal)


Artist : Christine Ott

Album : Tabu

Release Date : 16-12-2016

Added : 31-01-2017

After 'Beastö Blancö', this is a big gap as I like them and only guided by the chance of my listening, here's 'Christine Ott' with 2 albums in 2016, 'Only Silence Remains' and 'Tabu'. This Jack-of-all-trades has a classical Piano interesting training and was interested in the first electronic musical instrument (from already 1928 !), the ‘Martenot waves’, true to life to an organ and that has been used in contemporary music by composers such as 'Olivier Messian' (See Wikipedia). By her career, 'Christine Ott' is an music’s extraterrestrial since she has worked with artists as varied as 'Yann Tiersen' or 'Radiohead' to name only 2 (See Wikipedia). The first album 'Only Silence Remains' is related to the ‘24 hours in the life of a woman' show and it goes against current trends. Her universe transports us to a nostalgic and aerial world where everything is sensation and feeling outside all space-time repository. With 'Tabu', original band of the film of the same name, the piano is the central instrument and we continue our trip over parts sometimes light, sometimes dark where the despoliation allows her to go to the heart of the music’s quintessence. In summary, although that this music called experimental and elitist may be limited to a small audience, 'Christine Ott' has at least due to his career, the opportunity to discover her world to a general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Christine Ott (Piano, Ondes Martenot, Percussions), Torsten Böttcher (Hang)


Artist : Christine Ott

Album : Only Silence Remains

Release Date : 20-05-2016

Added : 31-01-2017

Line Up / Musicians

Christine Ott : (Ondes Martenot, Piano, tubes harmoniques, harmonium d'inde, percussions, Jupiter8, timbales, tubular bells), Justine Charlet (Clavecin), Jerome Fohrer (Bass), Anil Eraslan (Cello), Olivier Maurel (Vibraphone), Francesco Rees (Drums), Casey Brown (Voice)


Artist : Elane

Album : More Stars

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 01-02-2017

'Elane' is a German group and, 5 years after the 'Arcane' album, released a 5 track EP which should serve as an appetizer for the upcoming release of ‘Arcane II'. They offer quiet and melodic progressive style with for example the acoustic version of 'Every Page A Heartbreak' ballad where the duo 'Joran' 'Skaldir' works great. 'My Life' which was left out of the previous album also is a melancholy ballad in a blues atmosphere. The last title, despite the electronic percussions, is a fairly standard catchy title where traditional instruments reinforce the folk side. In short, despite a very short duration, 'More Stars' allows to wait the fans for the release of the next album and will allow to discover this engaging and accessible group to a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Joran Elane (Vocal), Skaldir (Guitar, Vocal), Nico (Keybords, Programmation), Simon (Violin, Viola, Cello)


Artist : Light And Shade

Album : The Essence Of Everything

Release Date : 18-11-2016

Added : 02-02-2017

'Light and Shade' is a group of metal, who just released his first album 'The Essence Of Everything'. Difficult to give them a specific style so titles follow but are not alike ! After a short introduction, close to a Lullaby, 'Drown Of Absurdity' is a title far and speed where Adrienne and Marco show the extent of their vocal abilities. Follows, 'Spirit Of Anne', which is a classic but always very speed title. With 'You Are' which is tinged folk, we're close to the 'Nightwish' melodies. Lifestyle changes with 'Light And Shade' and 'Lionhearted', much quieter and melodic The album ends with 'The Essence Of Everything' that mixes symphonic and progressive metal filled with style breaks and beat. In short, 'The Essence Of Everything', with various titles, is intended for a metal audience open to a relatively wide range, from compositions soft to heavy titles strengthened by grunt (or growl) passing by classical symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrienne Cowan (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Guitar, Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Alex Landenburg (Drums)


Artist : JeanJeanne

Album : JeanJeanne

Release Date : 15-10-2016

Added : 03-02-2017

'JeanJeanne' is the meeting of 'Cristine Merienne' singer and 2 harpists ' Alice Soria-Cadoret' and 'Robertle Cadoret'. This short debut album (we would have liked a little more) shows us their universe, between pop, rock and blues with texts in French and one title in German. The compositions are sought at both lyrics and music level with a very successful integration of electric harps bringing a light side. You can see multiple influences from the French’s chanson and rock bands of the 1970s due to the sound, but they bring a new wind through an atmosphere mixing sweetness and aggressiveness with this flair to combine tensions and relaxations. In summary, this 'JeanJeanne' is a very good surprise for 2016 out of the uniformity of the French song and all we can hope to our ‘Brestois’ is to meet the public they merit...

Line Up / Musicians

Cristine Merienne (Vocal), Alice Soria-Cadoret (Harp électrique), Nikolaz Cadoret (Harp électrique), Yvon Molard (Drums)


Artist : Fatal Fusion

Album : Total Absence

Release Date : 25-11-2016

Added : 04-02-2017

The Norwegians of 'Fatal Fusion' return with a third album 'Total Absence' following the lead of the 2 first records. They operate in a progressive style with strong influence for groups of the 70s and leave an important role to the melody. Past the introduction 'The Gates of Ishtar' that could be the soundtrack of a mainstream film, 'Shadow Of The King' continues in an oriental style where the guitar riffs mark the tempo in a very epic atmosphere. With 'Forgotten One', we are involved on a 70s title with a 'Kansas' taste. Finally, the 2 latest titles 'Endless Ocean Blues' and 'Total Absence', offer us nearly 30 minutes of progressive oscillating between 'Floydien' and 'Genesisien' influences. In conclusion, for all fans of progressive music of the 1970s, this 'Total Absence' should certainly take its place in the perfect music collections...

Line Up / Musicians

Audun Engebetsen (Drums), Erlend Engebretsen (Keybords), Knut Erik Grøntvedt (Vocal), Lasse Lie (Bass), Stig Selnes (Guitars)


Artist : Dizzy Mizz Lizzy

Album : Forward In Reverse

Release Date : 13-04-2016

Added : 05-02-2017

After 20 years of absence, the Danes of 'Dizzy Mizz Lizzy' are back with a new album 'Forward In Reverse'. The style is an energetic melodic rock based on a pretty basic rhythm where the bass leads the game and which hangs from the first listening, for example with the first title 'Phlying Pharaoh', which is an instrumental track. Then comes 'Forward In Reverse' which makes us discover the energetic singing of Tim who assimilate perfectly in the rhythmic thinking some hard rock groups of the 70s/80s. 'Terrified in Paradise' and 'Brainless' continues in the same way very melodic and Tim that nicely follow closely his singing to his guitar playing. Other calmer titles such as 'Something So familiar', the acoustic interlude 'Frey' or the beautiful 'Say It To Me Anyway' which closed the album allow a welcome aeration to the album. Finally, we flirt with progressive metal with the instrumental 'Mindgasm' built in sandwich with a quiet part sung between the 2 strong parties. In short, this 'Forward In Reverse' marks the revival of a group who had made his fame in the 90 years and is to recommend to any melodic hard-rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Nielsen (Bass), Søren Friis (Drums), Tim Christensen (Vocal / Guitars / Mellotron), Rune Olesen (Guest)


Artist : Darrel Treece-Birch

Album : No More Time

Release Date : 19-08-2016

Added : 06-02-2017

A few days ago, I presented 'Nth Ascension' (here) and 'Darrell Treece-Birch' is simply the keyboarder of the band. His latest solo album 'No More Time' is close to 'Nth Ascension' with more marked influences by artists of the 1970s in a more psychedelic atmosphere. After the narrated introduction, the instrumental track 'Riding the Waves' makes me think of a subtle blend of Uriah Heep' and 'Pink Floyd'. If we gloss over the singing, the next ballad 'Hold On' is closer to compositions of ‘Elton John'. The follow up is consistent with the beginning, quiet and airy titles like 'Twilight', 'Mother (Olive's Song)', 'The River Dream', 'Music Of the Spheres' or through 'Music of the Spheres'. In summary, with 'No More Time', 'Darrell Treece-Birch' signs an album very accessible to enjoy with headphones in a quiet and intended for all lovers of melodic and atmospheric progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords, Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Drums) + Guests : Phil Brown (Guitar), Steve Grocott (Guitar), Karen Fell (Vocal), Dan Mitchell (Guitar), John Power (Bass, Guitar, Violin), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Alan Taylor (Vocal, Guitar), Gavin Walker (Bass), Martin Walker (Guitar)


Artist : Daniel Gazzoli Project

Album : Night Hunter

Release Date : 02-12-2016

Added : 07-02-2017

'Daniel Gazzoli Project' is the last baby of 'Daniel Gazzoli' guitarist and composer who has just released his first album 'Night Hunter'. Without revolutionizing anything, it offers 9 very melodic songs in a rock style of the 1980s with very successful vocal arrangements and guitars sections. It starts with the title track 'Night Hunter' that sets us in the mood for entire opus; 'Liar', with its chorus enters in you head immediately and 'Self Destruction Blues' with its rhythmic makes you swing at the rate of the guitar riffs. Return to the calm with the beautiful ballad ' Prayer For year Angel' to finish with 2 titles full of energy 'Don' t Leave Me Alone' and 'The Beat Of My Heart'. To conclude, 'Night Hunter' is a very good melodic hard rock album very accessible and catchy at the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Gazzoli (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Leonardo F. Guillan (Vocal), Luke Ferraresi (Drums), Luca Zannoni (Keybords), Nicholas Guerzoni (Choirs)


Artist : Seeking Raven

Album : The Ending Collage

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 08-02-2017

'Seeking Raven' is the 'János Krusenbaum' project who has released in 2016 his 2nd album 'The Ending Collage'. His influences are many and you can see different artists from the progressive scene of the past 30 years but it brings its own personality to the whole and each title offers a different atmosphere which makes this album very varied and very pleasant to listen to. Vocal and instrumental arrangements are complex and particularly worked, but by contrast with some artists where several listenings are required, 'The Ending Collage' captures the attention of the listener quickly enough without any boredom. In short, if you love variety and mix genres doesn't bother you, there is a great chance that you adopt this latest record of 'János Krusenbaum'...

Line Up / Musicians

János Krusenbaum (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Jens Sieloff (Bass), Réka Krusenbaum (Flute, Pipeau), Alina Krüger (Vocal), Georg Krusenbaum (Guitar, Bodhran), Patrick Gros (Choirs), Max Krüger (Choirs)


Artist : Nocturnia

Album : Tierra de Cobardes

Release Date : 01-11-2016

Added : 09-02-2017

Already 12 years of existence and 4 studio albums to their credit, the 'Nocturnia' Spaniards released 'Tierra de Cobardes' and the least on can say is that quality of their compositions is inversely proportional to their popularity on the internet. Of course, we are in a quite confidential style because they evolve in a fast and energetic metal and they sing in Spanish, which is necessarily an inhibiting to find an internationally recognition. Nevertheless, and, as a famous French singer would say, their songs are "made for feet." 'Sin Olvidar Quién' or 'Alzó Los Punos' are 2 energetic and melodic jewels that immediately enter you the head. 'Ultima Esperanza', a more symphonic title, the ballad 'Hate the Noche Sin Ti' with his full sensitivity crescendo (they are not Espanols for nothing!) or the last title 'Para Siempre' more accessible to a wide audience make varied album. In conclusion, 'Nocturnia', with the 'Tierra de Cobardes' strike hard and have all the ingredients to appeal to a wide audience loving the melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Symon (Vocal), Roberto Moreno (Guitar), Salvador González (Guitar), César Arroyo (Bass, Choirs), Jose Gómez-Selles (Keybords), Jose Roldán (Batteríe)


Artist : Karmamoi

Album : Silence Between Sounds

Release Date : 30-10-2016

Added : 10-02-2017

Back in a progressive range with Italians of 'Karmanmoi' who released their 3rd album 'Silence Between Sounds'. The style is atmospheric and to give influences, I would mention artists as varied as 'Renaissance', 'Shade' or 'Porcupine Tree'. From the outset, 'Silence Between Sounds' is a title for more 10 minutes that takes us into a quiet world that mixes rock and jazzy moods. 'Sirio' incorporates several parts making it a varied and typical progressive music title. With 'Tuesday' you escape you in a very aerial and melodic ballad. The album ends with 'Canis majoris', multi-faceted title that sums up the whole. In short, with 'Silence Between Sounds', 'Karmamoi' released a very successful progressive music album that should appeal to all lovers of atmospheres mixing quiet and intense moments...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Cefali (Bass), Alex Massari (Guitars), Daniele Giovannoni (Keybords, Drums) +Guests : Fabi O Tempesta (Guitars), Hellena (Vocal), Irene Morelli (Vocal), Lara Bagnati (Flute), Luca Uggias (Piano), Maria Rodriguez Reina (Cello), Sara Rinaldi (Vocal), Serena Ciacci (Vocal)


Artist : Magnum

Album : The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads

Release Date : 07-01-2017

Added : 11-02-2017

Yes, already almost 40 years of career and nearly 20 albums, the 'Magnum's’ English released an album of ballads and usually, when the band is good, the ballad is good !! Like 'Scorpions' ballads, even if you don't know the group, it is likely that you will have the feeling to have already heard some titles starting with 'The Valley Of Tears', 'A Face In The Crowd' or even the more recent 'Your Dreams Won' t Die' (2016). Some songs have been re-recorded for this opportunity and the live 'When The World Come Down' serving as an anthem for the group closes the album in a nice way. In short, if you want to discover the 'metal’s' quiet side of 'Magnum', this compilation is perfect for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Al Barrow (Bass), Bob Catley (Vocal), Harry James (Drums), Mark Stanway (Keybords), Tony Clarkin (Guitars)


Artist : Pain Of Salvation

Album : In The Passing Light Of Day

Release Date : 13-01-2017

Added : 12-02-2017

With 'Pain Of Salvation', we are accustomed to large deviations between calm and storm where you drop from devasting riffs to a whispered passage but always on the razor's edge. Based on his painful experience that early cost his life, 'Daniel Gildenlöw' 'In The Passing Light Of Day' described us the different stages of his illness. About compositions, you will need certainly a several listenings to completely penetrate the Daniel’s tortured universe but we feel fairly quickly a great emotional intensity emerging from each title that makes us penetrate to the depths of intimacy and we say to ourselves that, ultimately, it is probably its painful ordeal that enabled him to go deep inside himself to compose an intense and overwhelming work. In short, with this 'In The Passing Light Of Day' coming out in the beginning of this year, we already account a 2017 major record outside the modes and styles that feels more than it listens to, at the same level as 'Blackstar', last album of the late 'David Bowie' released just one year before...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Gildenlöw (Vocal / Guitars), Daniel Karlsson (Keybords), Gustaf Hielm (Bass), Léo Margarit (Drums), Ragnar Zolberg (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : Firewind

Album : Immortals

Release Date : 17-01-2017

Added : 13-02-2017

In early 2017, the Greeks of 'Firewind' come back to our mind and release a new album 'Immortals' in line with the previous albums. On the menu, great heavy power metal beat with a concept album on 'Salamis' and 'Thermopyles', the famous battles of antiquity. Overall, no major novelty in style with speed, melodic and powerful songs that catch from the first listening and Gus G. who continues to offer us solos with always the same dexterity and the same feeling. Note that they know how to vary the pleasures with 'Lady Of 1000 Sorrows', the ballad of the album or 'Rise From The Ashes' a classic title that mixes energetic and calm parts. In short, with this latest record, even if it remains a distinct style, 'Firewind' should continue to enchant all power metal fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Henning Bass (Vocal), Bob Katsionis (Keybords), Jo Nunez (Drums), Kostas Karamitroudis "Gus G." (Guitars), Petros Christo (Bass)


Artist : The Aurora Project

Album : World Of Grey

Release Date : 12-12-2016

Added : 14-02-2017

I discovered in this beginning of 2017 The Dutch of ‘The Aurora Project’ who released end of 2016 their 4th album 'World Of Grey'. From the first listening it is a familiar sound and a lot of progressive’s groups come to mind to describe their influences : 'Pendragon', 'Arena', 'Pallas', or even 'Marillion' or 'Saga' and of course 'Pink Floyd'. This latest opus is a concept album about the manipulation of humans by some strength with the organization of resistance by a small number (the trailer of the album on Youtube is perfect). About music, we find a very classic progressive side and we could make a witness album of this style over the 40 last years for an audience who would like to discover this kind of music. In addition, the sensitivity of the voice of 'Dennis Binnekade' brings a great feature and reminds me of 'Alan Reed' of 'Pallas', the kind of singers who live their music. In short, it is for me an album without weak point that should delight all lovers of progressive and enough accessible to recommend it to anyone who wants to discover this type of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Remco vd Berg (Guitar, Choirs), Dennis Binnekade (Vocal), Joris Bol (Drums), Mox 'Marcel' Guyt (Keybords), Rob Krijgsman (Bass)


Artist : Beyond The Black

Album : Lost In Forever

Release Date : 13-01-2017

Added : 15-02-2017

After a promising debut in 2015 (here), 'Beyond The Black' Germans hit again very hard in this beginning 2017 with 'Lost In Forever'. The hit machine is here and with the digital version that offers Spotify, it’s 17 titles for about 75 minutes of pure happiness (against 13 tracks in the CD version). Impossible to promote only a few titles because there is absolutely nothing to throw away. All the ingredients are there for an album of symphonic metal which looks like 'Within Temptation' : easy to remember melodies, a singer at ease both on energetic and powerful compositions and melancholy ballads, alternating energetic and calm titles well dosed, choirs to strengthen the Symphonic side, guitars riffs and solos that put you floating in a little cloud. In addition, despite the large number of titles, there is no weariness and the digital version that offers 5 more titles contains some melodic gems like 'Dim The Spotlight' or 'Rage Before The Storm'. In conclusion, with this 'Lost In Forever', 'Beyond The Black' is earning its place in the sun and could quickly become international symphonic metal spearhead with a very accessible style that should reach the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Hermsdörfer (Guitars), Jennifer Haben (Vocal), Jonas Roßner (Keybords), Kai Tschierschky (Drums), Stefan Herkenhoff (Bass), Tobias Lodes (Guitars)


Artist : Last Autumn’s Dream

Album : In Disguise

Release Date : 23-01-2017

Added : 16-02-2017

The 'Last Autumn's Dream' Swedes decided in this early 2017 to take a small break to release a covers record with obviously a choice of melodic and rhythmic songs. For this, they have casted the net far and wide both in styles and over time not necessarily in their usual registry because we found for example 'Wig Wam Bam' by 'Mike Chapman', 'Slow Down' by 'John Miles' or 'When I Kissed The Teacher' by Abba'. Here is the full list with the composers and authors: 1. If Love Should Go : Slamer/Walsh 2. Jet Airliner : P. Pen 3. Working For The Weekend : M. Frenette/P. Dean 4. Wig Wam Bam : M. Chapman/N. Chinn 5. Slow Down : Miles/Marshall 6. Need A Little Loving : Slamer/Ward 7. I´ll Bring The Whole World To Your Door : Meadows, DiMino, Leonetti 8. Just One More Time : B. Macleod/D. Mills 9. When I Kissed The Teacher : B. Ulvaeus/B. Andersson 10. All The Way : G. Simmons 11. Hey You : C. Turner/R. Bachman/R. Bachman In short, a happy list of songs on their own style that will surely delight a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Peter Pac Soderstrom (Guitar), Jamie Borger (Drums, Choirs), Nalle Pahlsson (Bass, Vocal, Choirs), Ulf Wahlberg (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Anthology

Album : Angel’s Revenge

Release Date : 15-01-2017

Added : 17-02-2017

Once again, It’s a new discovery : 'Anthology' is a Slovak group that just released his 2nd album 'Angel's Revenge'. They operate in a power symphonic style with a singer and they put forward a powerful and epic style. They are not revolutionizing this genre but have already an impressive maturity with for example the latter title 'Labyrinth of Evil' that mixes different atmospheres which set up it a captivating title. In addition, they have the sense of melody that attracts from the first listen like for example 'Devoted Soul', comparable to 'Nightwish', which after the usual instrumental introduction, starts the album in a very energetic way. In summary, for a group that is self-produced, 'Anthology' is a nice surprise in the power symphonic metal registry for this early 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Raylyn Shayde (Vocal), Majo Gonda (Guitar), Miro Grman (Guitar), Peter Pleva (Drums), Martin Solárik (Keybords)


Artist : Dead Of Night

Album : The Dead Shall Rise Again

Release Date : 22-04-2016

Added : 18-02-2017

I want to come back to an album released early 2016 by the British of 'Dead Of Night' which is strangely the remastered version of the previous album of 2015 'The Dead Shall Rise', which at the time had certainly been scrapped. Their style is a mix of rock and symphonic melodic metal with a new 'Briony Featon' singer who has an absolute voice quality and who controls from end-to-end her subject a well on dynamic titles as 'Touched By The Hand Of God' that on more calm titles as the beautiful ballad 'Never Liked It'. In short, 'Dead Of Night' is a group with great potential that is to recommend to all fans of melodic and symphonic rock and who merit certainly to meet a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Briony Featon (Vocal), Carl Eden (Drums), Dan Roberts (Guitar), Isabel Eden (Keybords), Jason Peacock (Bass)


Artist : Charetta

Album : Fate Strikes Twice

Release Date : 23-12-2016

Added : 19-02-2017

A first album in 2009 and nothing since and it’s only end of 2016 that the Americans of 'Charetta' group released their new album. A heavy rock/metal sound with a singer in the person of Angelina Del Carmen', short and catchy titles from the first listening, here's the menu of this 'Fate Strikes Twice'. It navigates between titles rhythmed like 'I m Not Your Bitch' and his swing from hell, mid-tempo melodic titles as 'Distraction' but also beautiful ballads like 'Not Made Of Stone'. In summary, if you like 'Doro', 'Halestorm', you will be certainly delighted by this 'Fate Strikes Twice'...

Line Up / Musicians

Angelina Del Carmen (Vocal), Pablo LaFrossia (Guitar), Chris Fullam (Guitar), Rich Mollo (Bass), Adonis Sanchez (Drums)


Artist : Evereal

Album : Evereal

Release Date : 12-01-2017

Added : 20-02-2017

'Evereal' is a Canadian group which was formed in 2011 and which has just released his first album 'Evereal'. Their style is an energic rock/metal with some symphonic components. The titles are fairly short and melodic to be accessible from the first listening and their influences come from groups as 'Evanescence' or 'Delain'. They incorporate also calmer titles as the 'Sinful' ballad and the below youtube video is nothing more than a beautiful cover of the 'Hallelujah' of 'Leonard Cohen' and 'Stephanie Neufeld' singer, although she has still a room for improvement in her vocals, already shows good vocal capacities. In short, 'Evereal' is a group that has a good potential and we have a good time listening to this first record which will certainly be appreciated by every lover of rock/metal with a female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Stephanie Neufeld (Vocal), Stephen Roberts (Guitar), David Bevis (Keybords), Gord Esau (Bass), Rob Queen (Drums)


Artist : The Dark Side Of Venus

Album : Power to Victims

Release Date : 10-12-2016

Added : 21-02-2017

'The Dark Side Of Venus' is an atypical project created by the classical pianist 'Licia Missori'; 'Power To Victims' has been released end of 2016 and the least that we can say is that, at first listening, you can’t remain indifferent to this music because each title brings a different style and feeling and it’s impossible to classify them in a category. We are transported between rock, pop, jazz and classic in a feeling where everything flows naturally with an alternating between light titles and other darker while remaining very accessible. In summary, far away from the uniformity of our prefabricated world, 'Power to Victims' is a real breath of fresh air and if you're looking for a little originality, you will certainly love this patchwork of styles...

Line Up / Musicians

Francesca Elayne Naccarelli (Vocal), Licia Missori (Keybords), Alessandro Lopane (Guitar), Yuri Colafigli (Bass), Daniele Saulle (Drums)


Artist : Xandria

Album : Theater Of Dimensions

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 22-02-2017

After the appetizer end of 2015 (here), 'Xandria' releases a damns good album in this beginning of 2017 with 'Theater Of Dimension', which was awaited by all fans. More than 70 minutes with 5 acoustic bonus in the deluxe edition, here is the full program where ’Xandria’ has put every effort to offer us an album closer than a metal opera with all the ingredients of the epic symphonic metal and an awesome lyrical work. The novelty is that there is not only one 'Xandria' style but each title brings an unique atmosphere while keeping a good homogeneity on the whole. 'Dianne van Giersbergen' is at the top of his form and rises to the rank of 'Tarja'. I won't mention some titles because it would be necessary to detail all of them (the Chronicle already longer than usual would take too long); just for people who don't know the group, the title 'Theater Of Dimensions' and his extreme theatrical side is a good condensed of the album. In conclusion, with 'Theater Of Dimensions', 'Xandria' crosses a new important step and moves seamlessly at the same level as groups like 'Nightwish' or 'Epica'; It is obviously recommended to all fans of Symphonic Metal and even if this style of music is quite confidential (especially in France), it can be a gateway to this style of music to many more...

Line Up / Musicians

Philip Restemeier (Guitar), Marco Heubaum (Guitar), Dianne van Giersbergen (Vocal), Steven Wussow (Bass), Gerit Lamm (Drums)


Artist : Jim Jidhed

Album : Push On Through

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 23-02-2017

'Jim Jidhed' is none other than the lead singer of Swedish AOR 'Alien' and in this beginning 2017, he releases a 3rd album with 'Push On Through'. No surprise, we're in line with ‘Alien' with very accessible titles for a wide enough audience and melodic lines that hook you from the first listen. The record remains varied and between energic titles as 'Glorious', 'One Breathe' or even 'Love Was Waiting', we have also 3 ballads 'Waiting For Summer', 'Too Many Words' and the beautiful and very refined last title 'It Is What It Is'. In short, this ‘Push On Through’ has all to have a good time and shows once again that the Swedish melodic capabilities. For the greatest number, to listen without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Jidhed (Vocal), Ken SANDIN (Bass), Michael Palace (Guitar), Philip Lindstrand (Guitar), Daniel Flores (Drums)


Artist : Crystal Breed

Album : Barriers

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 24-02-2017

'Barriers' is the second album of the Germans of 'Crystal Breed' who evolve in a progressive style mixing rock, metal and jazz. The whole is very rich, and the compositions are relatively complex which requires several listenings to penetrate smallest nooks. 'The Brain Train' takes us in breaks of rhythms where we find some influences from groups of progressive metal as 'Porpucine Tree' with choirs which look like 'Queen'. The following title is much more classic and takes us into a progressive rock close to ‘Spock's Beard. Then comes 'Liar To Yourself' which is more symphonic and the next title, 'Dying Stars' is a ballad which melodic influences of 'Queen' emerges. So, it’s a patchwork of styles, moods and rhythms that 'Crystal Breed' offers us with this latest album that should appeal to any fan of progressive music in the broad sense of the term…

Line Up / Musicians

Niklas Turmann (Vocal, Guitar), Corvin Bahn (Vocal, Keybords), Thorsten Harnitz (Drums, Vocal), Nico Deppisch (Bass)


Artist : Archangelica

Album : Tomorrows Starts Today

Release Date : 29-09-2016

Added : 25-02-2017

Still another group that doesn’t provoke buzz : 'Archangelica' is a Polish group which released his 2nd album 'Tomorrows Starts Today' in 2016. It is close to atmospheric progressive rock bands in the great tradition of this style as 'Anathema' and the short introduction immediately reminds 'Pink Floyd'. 'Yazidls Song' makes us discover the singer 'Patrycja Mizerska' and her delicate and captivating voice in a title that combines rock and metal. Subsequently, it’s much more atmospheric with for example the very melodic 'A Trip To Mars' with its superb finale, the beautiful ballad 'Sirens On White Shore' or 'Enter My Garden' and his aerial atmosphere that become stronger to end as it began. With the last instrumental title 'Tomorrow Start Today - Valley Behind The Door', it could have been composed by 'David Gilmour' because you can feel the feeling of 'Floyds's guitarist. In short, if you like calm rock, there is a good chance that you adopt this ‘Tomorrows Starts Today’...

Line Up / Musicians

Maciej Engel (Guitar), Robert Kubajek (Drums), Patrycja Mizerska (Vocal), Asia Przybysz (Bass), Mariusz Jasiak (Guitar)


Artist : Morrighans

Album : The Three Circles Of Death

Release Date : 20-01-2017

Added : 26-02-2017

Line Up / Musicians

Fanny Thibert (Vocal, Keybords), Laurent Wilb (Guitar), Georges-Marc Lavarenne (Guitar), Richard Mantovani (Bass), Hervé Gambonnet (Drums), Séverine Demmer (Keybords)


Artist : Pride Of Lions

Album : Fearless

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 27-02-2017

'Pride Of Lions', already 15 years of existence, is back with a new album 'Fearless'. No surprise, with the former songwriter of 'Survivor' in the 80s in the person of 'Jim Peterik', these are a hit’s succession of eighties rock/hard-rock. The album is divided between energic titles like 'All I See Is You!', 'In Cartoon' or even 'The Silence Says It All', other mid-tempo as 'The Tell', 'Silent Music' or even 'The Light In Your Eyes' and finally beautiful ballads like 'Everlasting Love' or even 'Unmasking The Mystery' with a constant : the innate talent of the melody which enters immediately in your head and very affordable titles. In short, this last ‘Pride Of Lions’ is an album accessible to a wide audience loving beautiful melodies as we usually had 30 years ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Peterik (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Toby Hitchcock (Vocal), Ed Breckenfield (Drums), Klem Hayes (Bass), Mike Aquino (Guitars)


Artist : Eris Pluvia

Album : Different Earths

Release Date : 31-10-2016

Added : 28-02-2017

I discover the Italians of Eris Pluvia' with their latest album 'Different Earths' and however it is a group which had already released an album in 1991 and 'Different Earths' is their third record (if you want more detail, read the very good review on profilgprog here). They evolve in a symphonic and atmospheric progressive style that makes you travel in climates close to bands as 'Pink Floyd', 'Genesis' or 'Camel'. To hold a title, I would say 'Heroes Of The Dark Star,' composition of more than 10 minutes in the tradition of progressive with multi-parts which slot together. In summary, even if the Italians of Eris Pluvia' don’t revolutionize this type of music, 'Different Earths' is a very pleasant album to listen and relax after a hard day's work and it will certainly be appreciated of any aerial and calm progressive music lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Cavatorti (Guitar), Marco Forella (Bass, Piano, Guitar Acoustic, Keybords, Drums, Percussions), Roberta Piras (Flute), Roberto Minniti (Vocal)


Artist : Catfish

Album : Dohyô

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 01-03-2017

'Catfish' is the project of two French 'Amandine Guinchard' and 'Damien Felix' who have released their 2nd album 'Dohuö'. Apart from the fashions and from the little conformism of the French song, they explore ways from rock to blues. At first listening, it seems to be direct and simple but it hides an important writing and arrangement work with a geat variety in the different compositions : 'Landmarks' is a catchy rock title, 'Rebirth' or 'The Feaher' make me think of the tempos of 'Pretenders' with the ‘Amandine’s voice which is close to the vocal register of ‘Chrissie Hynde’, 'The Three' is a ballad with a wonderful exchange between the voice and the guitar, and about 'Lost And Found' blues, we feel a full merger between the 2 artists. In short, if you are a little tired of being manipulated by the media that always sell us all day the same type of music, point your ears to this French duo which shows that the hexagon produces regularly new talents, but it needs to go looking at them...

Line Up / Musicians

Amandine (Vocal, Bass, Keybords, Percussions), Damien (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal, Harmonica, Percussions)


Artist : Forest Field

Album : Lonely Desert

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 02-03-2017

As they define themselves, 'Forest Field' is not a group but is an international project created by 'Peter Cox' and 'Phil Vincent' and 'Lonely Desert' is their new baby. Their style is close to a melodic, ambient and progressive rock. Actually, It is a set of influences of 70s/80s rock bands that emerged of the 10 titles that all have a different atmosphere. Moving from a melodic rock close to 'Uriah Heep' ('Valley Of bread') to a enough simple instrumental composition with a step up for the entire title ('Coriolis'); the next song ' Doomed in the Desert 'is a ballad where the end reminds me the atmospheres of ‘Eagles'. With 'Alienation', it's a rock melody close to 'UFO'. In short, with 'Lonely Desert', you are back where we were 40 years ago into a tasty mix of styles and genres that will surely delight fans of rock of this period...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Cox (Tous les instruments), Phil Vincent (Vocal)


Artist : Itzamna

Album : Chascade

Release Date : 14-10-2016

Added : 03-03-2017

After a first listening, I never imagined that 'Otzamna' could be a French group because we find a lot of influences with genres from pop to metal including rock, jazz and classical. For a debut album, it goes in all directions and you have to love the big gaps to penetrate their universe. An example with the last 2 titles : 'Red Dragon' is a title close to progressive metal and it’s followed by 'Dies Viniet' which we emabark in a religious Gregorian song followed by a part which remind me an 'Enio Morricone' western music. This 'Chascade' (French word game between ‘Chat’ and ‘Cascade’) is so far from uniformity of French radio, and even if it can disturb some people who will be lost by too much heterogeneity, it feels good to say there we are still pioneers artists that offer originality...

Line Up / Musicians

Armand Jourdain (Bass), Benjamin Vidal (Piano), Samuel Dolbeau (Guitar), Adrien Gretter (Drums), Clément Belio (Guitar)


Artist : Ann My Guard

Album : Ourania

Release Date : 13-01-2017

Added : 04-03-2017

'Ann My Guard' is a Hungarian project created by 'Eszter Anna Baumann' who is not only the singer but also the bassist. After 1st album in 2014, 'Ourania' is the second album of the group who officiates between rock and metal. The whole is rhythmed and melodic with successful titles. After a short a cappella introduction, 'Asteria' sets the scene with an energetic rock title where you feel Eszter like a fish to water. Following share between energetic titles like 'Callisto' or 'Obsedian Tears' and other more heavy as 'Breathe The Sun' or 'Hekate' interspersed by 2 instrumental commas 'Io' and 'Snake'. In conclusion, without bringing any novelty, the Hungarians of 'Ann My Guard' do as we say their job and we're having a very good time listening to Ourania' which is to recommend to a wide rock audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Benjamin Bárkányi (Guitars), Eszter Anna Baumann (Vocal / Bass), Krisztián Varga (Guitars), Norbert Tobola (Drums)


Artist : Lipshok

Album : To Haunt a Quiet Realm

Release Date : 31-10-2016

Added : 05-03-2017

'Lipshok' is an American band with a female singer which evolves in a rock/metal style. On their facebook, they say that they are influenced by the great names of symphonic metal but singer Debbi evolves in a rock record classic and finally the style is closer to melodic rock bands. They are lucky to be supported by metal guitarist 'Glen Avelais' (formerly 'Forbidden') with sumptuous solo guitars for example in 'Crawl Back Home'. The 10 titles share between energetic titles as 'Bad Place', 'Cawl Back Home', or even 'Through It All', others more mid-tempo as 'A Soul That Dreams', 'The Unwinding' or even 'More Of You' and finally ballads such as 'Wanderer' or the instrumental title track 'To Haunt a Quiet Realm'. In summary, we spend a very good time listening to this last 'Lipshok' that should appeal to all rock fans who appreciate groups from 'Karnataka' to 'Halestorm'...

Line Up / Musicians

Debbi Douglas “Scarlett Dark“ (Vocal, Keybords), Phil Jameson (Bass), Joe Londeree (Drums), Glen Avelais (Guitar)


Artist : Black Paisley

Album : Late Bloomer

Release Date : 31-01-2017

Added : 06-03-2017

If I say 'Sweden', you say: 'Rock melodic'; well, it’s still a Swedes group which unveils us its first record and which makes us in an eighties rock with 9 tracks that could have certainly claim in this period to become hits. Here we have it all : good riffs of guitars, direct melodies with refrains to spoil a whole day, ubiquitous choirs and a singer in the person of 'Stefan Blomqvist' with a voice filled by a real feeling close to the late 'Joe Cocker'. In short, nothing to dislike in this 'Late Bloomer' that should appeal to the entire generation of the 70s/80s and certainly beyond because this music has not really age...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Blomqvist (Vocal, Guitar), Ulf Hedin (Guitar, Choirs), Robert Wirensjö (Keybords, Choirs), Jan Emanuelsson (Bass), Robert Karaszi (Drums)


Artist : Greywind

Album : Afterthoughts

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 07-03-2017

'Greywind' is the project of 2 Irish brother and sister 'Paul O 'Sullivan' and 'Steph O' Sullivan' who released their first album 'Afterthoughts' beginning of 2017. With a beautiful artwork, they reveal to us their universe between rock and metal shared between the lightness of the voice of Steph and the heavy and powerful Paul’s guitars. The rhythms are quite slow and it emerges a certain melancholy as in 'The Lake', one of the more melodic songs. Certainly, we would have welcomed a little more variety, but for a first album, we already feels a good potential for this duo to reach a broad audience. In summary, 'Greywind' is a charming duo who succeeded with a lot of perseverance to make their dream a reality for the pleasure of our ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Paul O'Sullivan (Guitar), Steph O'Sullivan (Vocal)


Artist : Scorching Winter

Album : Victim

Release Date : 30-10-2016

Added : 08-03-2017

After a promising first EP in 2015, the Australians of 'Scorching Winter' released end of 2016 their first album 'Victim'. It is a concept album about the history of a violated girl who is saved by a demon who passes his powers to take revenge. From music side, 'Scorching Winter' evolves into a symphonic metal with a female singer. The first title 'The Six Headed Beast' sets the scene with an energetic rhythm where we discover the sweet voice of Tina and a magnificent quiet final piano/voice. Following 'On Hands and Knees' which is a typical ballad of metal bands. With 'From The Ashes' it’s the hit single of the album and its refrain that fit you in your head. In summary, 'Scorching Winter' achieve a faultless first album that should delight all fans of metal symphonic like 'Nightwish' or 'Delain'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tina Papadimitriou (Vocal), Rafael Katigbak (Guitar), Natalie Bellio (Keybords), Glenn Treasure (Bass), Nick James (Drums)


Artist : Quasar H7

Album : Nanodroids

Release Date : 08-11-2016

Added : 09-03-2017

Funny name for a funny group, the Italian of 'Quasar H7' have just released their first album 'Nanodroids'. Difficult to define style because they juxtapose different types of music: it goes from progressive rock to jazz through classic. The album shares between instrumental tracks and others where 'Eleonora Moro' operates in a vocal register close to ‘Annie Aslam' of 'Renaissance'. The first title, 'Nanodroids' is a good example of this patchwork of styles: a first part that flirts with metal progressive then incorporates jazz fusion. Then we reach a classic part which begins with piano as central instrument and escalates and turns into epic atmosphere with choirs and then goes back to the starting theme for a very jazzy end. In short, to enter in the world of 'Quasar H7', it is better to be open to a set of different styles and if this is the case, there are chances that you love this 'Nonodroids'...

Line Up / Musicians

Eleonora Moro (Vocal), Luigi Rinaldi (Guitar), Francesco Cipullo (Piano, Keybords), Michele Milano (Drums), Francesco Coia (Bass)


Artist : Simone Cozzetto

Album : Wide Eyes

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 10-03-2017

Still an Italian artist that I discover with 'Simone Cozzetto' who released 'Wide Eyes' end 2016 and went completely unnoticed on the web. His universe is a progressive rock of the seventies with very classic melodic compositions. For this album, he’s surrounded by very good artists such as the former Europe guitarist 'Kee Marcello' or whether the singer 'Franck Marino'. For a good overview of the album, the first title 'Awakening' sums up the atmosphere of this record : an introduction combining electric and acoustic instruments, and then a guitar solo close to 'Pink Floyd' and the melancholic sung part close to ballads of Huriah Heep'. In summary, if you like the melodic pop/rock with an easy access, 'Wide Eyes' is an album that should please you...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Cozzetto (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Piano, Choirs), + Guests : Kee Marcello (Guitar), Titta Tani (Vocal), Frank Marino (Vocal, Choirs), Daniele Chiantese (Drums), Giorgia Zaccagni (Choirs), Sara Tiburzi (Violin), William Stravato (Guitar)


Artist : Blackfield

Album : V

Release Date : 10-02-2017

Added : 11-03-2017

The 5th chapter of the 'Blackfield' project was expected by all fans after 'Blackfield IV' in 2013. This 'V' is in continuation of the previous albums but certainly less dark than the first album. We are always in a progressive style and navigating between pop and rock. Note that ‘Alan Parsons' in person joined the 'Steven' and 'Aviv' duo to bring an aerial side to some compositions as for example 'How Was Your Ride ?' who transpire the English’s atmospheres. Overall, we navigate in beautiful melodies with a more pronounced melancholic effect and we feel that the founding duo run as well as ever. In short, with this 5th album, 'Blackfield' should delight all fans of the group and if you like pop/rock with warm and intimate atmosphere, there is a chance that you adopt 'V'...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitars), Aviv Geffen (Vocal, Guitars,Keybords), Eran Mitelman (Keybords, Piano), Tomer Z (Drums) + Guest : Alan Parsons (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords)


Artist : Knight Area

Album : Heaven And Beyond

Release Date : 10-02-2017

Added : 12-03-2017

The same day as 'Blackfield', the Netherlands of 'Knight Area' release their 6th studio album and what an album !! For my part, 'Heaven And Beyond' could be MY 2017 progressive and symphonic music record. From the first listen, an amazing emotion emerges from the 11 titles, and strangely, even if we remain in classical melodic schemes, we're carried away in different atmospheres which give the impression that everything flows naturally and I could quote a lot of passages that made me this little shiver so characteristic of an intense listening pleasure. To do a parallel, I find the sensations that give some songs of 'Queen'. And then comes the last title, 'Memories' that ends the album in a wonderful way and makes you definitely recognize, if you still doubt, that the musical Graal exists. Certainly, this is as subjective because this is my perception and therefore the best way to make your own opinion, you who like groups such as 'Arena', 'Pallas', 'Dream Theater' or 'Pink Floyd', is to go to listen to this last Knight Area...

Line Up / Musicians

Gerben Klazinga (Keybords), Mark Bogert (Guitars), Mark Smit (Vocal, Keybords), Peter Vink (Bass), Pieter Van Hoorn (Drums)


Artist : Oknos

Album : Old World

Release Date : 13-01-2017

Added : 13-03-2017

'Oknos' is a new German symphonic metal band who just released their first studio album. After a brief instrumental introduction usual for this kind of group, we discover a melodic symphonic metal close to ‘Within Temptation’ which allow us to discover the Anna singing comparable to the 'Simone Simons' register. Some titles stand out from the whole as, for example, the Oriental 'Old World', the hit power 'Falling', the refreshing 'Ghost Script' with its choirs and sharp guitar riffs, 'Fire' which starts in ballad then continue on a dynamic part and finally the last title for over 8 minutes 'Requiem' which is an end in several epic parties. In short, with this first album 'Old World', 'Oknos' make a faultless and, even if the compositions are without surprise, this new group should delight all fans of symphonic metal with a female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna (Vocal), Johannes (Guitar), Benjamin (Guitar), Arne (Bass), Sebastian (Drums), Philipp (Keybords, Bagpipe)


Artist : The Heather Findlay Band

Album : I Am Snow

Release Date : 09-12-2016

Added : 14-03-2017

After a long period with 'Mostly Autumn', 'Heather Findlay' decided in 2010 to leave the band to focus on his family. But the singer and guitarist is back with her projects and after 'Mantra Vega' beginning 2016 (see here), she released 'I Am Snow' end 2016 under the name of 'The Heather Findlay Band' which is an album of covers among other things 'Mostly Autumn'. The whole is folk with a choice of acoustic songs that takes us in a quiet and peaceful world where flute, piano, harp, or even acoustic guitar accompanies the crystalline voice of 'Heather'. In short, a good time of acoustic ballads to enjoy in a quiet place with your headphones on...

Line Up / Musicians

Heather Findlay (Vocal, Guitar, Bodhran, Low Whistle, Percussions), Angela Gordon (Flute, Vocal, Piano), Stuart Fletcher (Bass), Sarah Dean (Harp, Vocal, Organ, Keybords), Henry Rogers (Drums, Cajon, Piano, Keybords), Martin Ledger (Guitar, Mandolin), Isaaac McInnis (Guitar)


Artist : Akoma

Album : Revangels

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 15-03-2017

A single with a special guest in the person of 'Liv Kristine' (You Tube clip below), 'Akoma' is a Danish group of symphonic metal who has just released its first studio album after 2 EP in 2009 and 2012. Of course, it looks like 'Leave's Eyes' because Tanya officiates in the same register as Liv but the style remains more classic without addition of growls and if they don’t revolutionize this kind of music, the Symphonic side is highlighted as 'Hands Of Greed' with its very epic introduction and ubiquitous choirs. In summary, the Danes of Akoma' released a good first album and have capabilities, if they develop their own style, to succeed into the closed world of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Tanya Bell (Vocal), Morten H. Bell (Guitar), Stefan Nielsen (Bass), Andreas Pedersen (Guitar), Rune Frisch (Drums)


Artist : Sweet Mary Jane

Album : Winter In Paradise

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 16-03-2017

One again, it’s Sweden in the spotlight with a new melodic rock band (known as AOR) who are surfing on the wave of 'Foreigner', 'Last Autumn's Dreams' or 'Pride Of Lions' (see last review here). Generally, in this style, the recipe is well-oiled with melodies that attract from the first listening and this is the case of this first album 'Winter In Paradise'. The majority of the titles is very energetic but are interspersed with few quieter songs like 'Miracle', 'Angel Of Mine' or 'Keep the Fire Burning'. In short, as you will have understood, 'Sweet Mary Jane' broadens the family of melodic rock with an album to consume on-trade to the greatest delight of fans of this music genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Olsson (Bass), Andreas Sparby (Drums), Per-olof Asberg (Guitars), Tomas Berggren (Vocal), Tomas Nässlin (Guitars / Keybords)


Artist : ScaRveD

Album : Lodestone

Release Date : 15-01-2017

Added : 17-03-2017

Direction Belgium with 'ScaRveD' who have been created in 2012 and released beginning 2017 a 2nd studio album and it's with this 'Lodstone' that I discovered them. They offer us a classic and energetic hard rock with a female singer who goes to the essential, and all titles are eye-catching with effective great guitar solos. 'Naughtly Reflexes' sets the scene with a rhythm which reminds some groups of the 1970s like 'Led Zeppelin' or 'Deep Purple' with a modern sound. Of course, there is the Ballad of use with 'Heart Of Rock & Roll' which shows us that 'ScaRved' can have quieter titles. In summary, even if they are not reinventing the wheel, 'Lodestone' is a pleasant to listen album and will be certainly welcomed by fans of the gold era of hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Luc Van Dessel (Guitar), Caro ScaRveD (Vocal), Wim Wouters (Bass), Geert Mariën (Drums)


Artist : Thunder

Album : Rit It Up

Release Date : 10-02-2017

Added : 18-03-2017

I admit, when I heard them for the first time, I didn't known that 'Thunder' had almost 30 years of career and it is only with this latest album 'Rit It Up' that I discover them (frankly, I don't know how I could miss them during this long time !). An introduction close to the ‘Rolling Stones’ with 'No. One Gest out Alive', an atmosphere of the English rock of the seventies with ubiquitous guitars, a singer who gives all, that is the menu of this latest album. But 'Thunder' is not just only this : they also have a gift for ballads like 'Right From The Start' or 'Heartbreak Hurricane' but also for bluesy titles like this beautiful 'In Another Life' very basic but with a tempo that works beautifully. In summary, it is certain I don't think I’m going to introduce 'Thunder' to many people, but this 'Rit It Up' is a summary of 40 years of rock music and could only give the desire to listen to all their albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Matthews (Guitars / Keybords), Chris Childs (Bass), Danny Bowes (Vocal), Harry James (Drums), Luke Morley (Guitars)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : The Great Momentum

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 19-03-2017

After a sumptuous 'The Bonding' in 2013 and a new 'Voiciano' project in 2014, 'Edenbridge' and its 'Lanvall' leader released a new album early 2017 'The Great Momentum'. We found all the ingredients of the previous albums with this gift for melodies that stuck you in your head in a symphonic metal genre with a Philharmonic Orchestra, which unlike the other groups of this style is put forward and is often the central part of the compositions. Sabine vocals always brings this softness in contrast with the guitar riffs. And then the icing on the cake (and what icing !) as 'Lanvall' do so well (see band presentation Here) : the title 'The Greatest Git Of All' over more than 12 minutes that transports you into a hymn to life with a lot of choirs and a melody that will give you goose bumps. If you want to discover this music style, nothing like listen quietly with headphones this wonderful title. Note the rerun of the beautiful ballad 'Until The End Of Time' which appeared on 'Voiciano'. In short, with 'The Great Momentum', the Austrians of Edenbridge', even if they are limited to a certain audience and it’s a shame, continue their way with an album in the tradition of previous for the great delight of all fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Lanvall (Guitar, Bass, Keybords,Dulcimer, Bouzouki), Sabine Edelsbacher (Vocal), Dominik Sebastian (Guitars), Johannes Jungreithmeier (Drums) + Guests : Erik Martensson (Vocal), The Junge Philharmonie Freistadt Orchestra


Artist : Battle Beast

Album : Bringer Of Pain

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 20-03-2017

With this latest album 'Bringer Of Pain', the Finns of 'Battle Beast' continue to distill their energetic Heavy Metal with their 'Noora' female singer always at the top of his form. All titles are very efficacious and rapidly available with catchy choruses. But the little extra with this group is that this album doesn’t present the same style of titles : 'King For The Day' of its construction is fairly pop with a heavy sound, 'Lost In War' is a haunting mid-tempo, 'Beyond The Burning Skies' or 'Bastard Son Of Odin' is looking to symphonic metal and remind me of some of the songs of 'Nightwish' , with 'Dancing With The Beast' we meet up in the 1980s in the middle of 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Far From Heaven' is a beautiful ballad where 'Noora' shows that she is not only a Metal singer but she has also a real sensitivity in the voice. In summary, 'Battle Beast', with this 'Bringer Of Pain', released a pretty varied album that, even if it has to disorient some purist fans, should appeal to a metal audience that give priority to diversity...

Line Up / Musicians

Eero Sipilä (Vocal / Bass), Janne Björkroth (Vocal / Keybords), Joona Björkroth (Vocal / Guitars), Juuso Soinio (Guitars), Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Pyry Vikki (Drums)


Artist : Razzmattazz

Album : Diggin’ for Gold

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 21-03-2017

Between ' AC/DC' and 'ZZ Top', the 'Razzmattazz' Germans released their 3rd studio album with 'Diggin' for Gold'. As you can imagine, it moves from beginning to end with good energetic titles full of guitars riffs. It starts with the dynamic 'Diggin' For Gold' which reminds me some introductions of 'Status Quo' and then angry riffs like ‘AC/DC'. The suite is on the same vein that this first title, a rhythm that itchy your feet and head and which attract at first listening. Certainly, no major new features with this last 'Razzmattazz', but, for those who have listened metal bands of the 1980s, just a good time to spend enjoying the communicative energy...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Schaupp (Vocal, Guitar), Bad Mike Bösinger (Drums), Tommy Wiegand (Bass), Wolle Heieck (Guitar)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : Together Till The End

Release Date : 13-01-2017

Added : 22-03-2017

Again, it’s a new group that I discovered from my chance listening but the Germans ' Mono Inc. ' have already a successful career since their first album in 2003, and 'Together Till The End' is already their 9th album and, proportionally speaking, some songs remind me 'Texas' ('Boatman' has an air of 'Summer Sun' in its construction). Their style is a heavy rock with a lively rhythm and simple and catchy choruses like the first 3 titles. Also, we can note 'The Tide', which presents another side of the group, a very successful a capella folk ballad, the last title 'Eden (Reprise)', which is an epic instrumental cover of the first song’s theme and the recovery of 'Gary More', 'Out In The Fields' that they resume brilliantly. In short, Mono Inc. is an accessible group with melodic compositions which should reach a broad public fan of rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal), Manuel Antoni (Bass, Vocal), Carl Fornia (Guitar, Vocal), Katha Mia (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Mauricio Ibáñez

Album : Shades Of Light & Darkness

Release Date : 01-09-2016

Added : 23-03-2017

Direction Chile for an artist who has just released his first album 'Shades Of Light & Darkness’. 'Mauricio Ibáñez' composed, arranged and interpreted all the 12 titles; His influences are multiple and include the last 40 years of progressive pop/rock music and I could name some formations like 'Pink Floyd' and more recently 'Blackfield'. He mixes energetic titles like 'Cloud Zero' (we feel ‘Steven Wilson’ in this composition) or the instrumental 'Nebula' close to metal and other much more atmospheric like the magnificent 'Something Beautiful' very aerial full of delicacy or even the psychedelic 'Ocean Drop' where he embeds few digressions flirting with jazz. In summary, for a 1st album, 'Mauricio Ibáñez' gave us a demonstration of his talent already very mature which has a good chance to delight all fans of progressive pop/rock music...

Line Up / Musicians

Mauricio Ibáñez (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : The Missing Piece

Album : Dream Rider

Release Date : 17-01-2017

Added : 24-03-2017

Dutch of 'The Missing Piece' have already almost 10 years of existence but have only released their first album in 2017. 'Dream Rider' is a sort of a tribute to a member of the group, 'Bernard Brons' died in 2016. With the first title 'Closed Doors', it starts in a style of the border between progressive and symphonic rock and the little extra that you notice immediately is the voice of 'Nanna Burger' in a deep and warm registry that brings a special emotion to all songs. In regard to instrumental side, nothing to throw out with a imbrication between keyboards and guitars that roll out us the red carpet with an impression of ease, demonstrating the talents of musicians. In summary, this 'Dream Rider', through very easy access, can be a gateway to all who want to discover the progressive rock and will certainly be received by all lovers of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Nanne Tiggelman (Drums), Rob Brons (Keybords), René van Dalen (Guitar), Adri Sleijster (Bass), Nanna Burger (Vocal), Dennis Beenhakker (Vocal)


Artist : Art X

Album : The Redemption Of Cain

Release Date : 28-10-2016

Added : 25-03-2017

With this new project 'Art - X' and a first album 'The Redemption Of Cain' inspired by the bible which tells the adventures of Cain, 'Gabriele Bernasconi', lead singer of progressive metal band 'Mirrormaze' (see last review here) has invited different well-known singers of the metal scene. The great strength of this album is a significant variety of atmospheres that help to tell the story with the sung parts interpreted with passion by all artists. For example, 'Lilith' (which encouraged Cain to kill Abel) is a title that alternates very quiet parts and other close to the death which transcribed enough well the different atmospheres of the episode. Note that the last title is not available on Spotify and I added in the You Tube video. In short, this 'The Redemption Of Cain', due to the story that is told, can’t be satisfied with a simple listening without diving into the related biblical saga (see Wikepedia Cain) and for this reason it is recommended to all metal fans who enjoy concept albums asking for an effort to assimilate it...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriele Bernasconi (Vocal) + Guests : Oliver Palotai (Keybords), Amanda Sommerville (Vocal), Andre Matos (Vocal), Blaze Bayley (Vocal), Giuseppe Orlando (Drums), Luca Princiotta (Guitars), Lucia Amelia Emmanueli (Vocal), Roberto Tiranti (Vocal), Selina Iussich (Vocal), Steve Di Giorgio (Bass), Tim Aymar (Vocal), Zak Stevens (Vocal)


Artist : Overland

Album : Contagious

Release Date : 21-10-2016

Added : 26-03-2017

Melodic rock bands have been blooming for some time and it’s not 1, but 4 albums that I propose you with the English of ‘Overland' who released their 4th album end of 2016 'Contagious', and then the Swedes of ‘Age Of Reflections' with their new baby 'In The Heat Of The Night', 'Bryan Cole' with 'Sands Of Time' and a lot of covers of other artists, and finally 'Tokyo Motor Fist' which is a new group with artists of different horizons who released their first album. All 4 produce accessible and digestible titles with usually classic verse/chorus structure. Alternating rhythmic titles as "Edge Of The Universe' for 'Overland', 'Blame It In My Heart' for 'Age Of Reflections', 'Pride Of Lions' resumed 'Turn To Me' for 'Bryan Cole' or even 'Love Me Insane' for 'Tokyo Motor Fist' with melodic ballads like 'Define Your Love' for 'Overland', 'Always' to 'Age Of Reflections', 'I ll Be There For You' for 'Bryan Cole' or even 'Don't Let Me Go' for 'Tokyo Motor Fist'. In short, these 4 albums will be certainly welcomed by all rock melodic amateur, fans of bands in line with 'Foreigner', 'Def Leppard' or more recently 'Last Autumn's Dream'...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal), Lars Chriss (Drums), Tommy Denander (Guitars, Keybords), Tony Franklin (Bass) + Guests : Jem Davis (Keybords), Mark Stanway (Keybords), Paul Farrington (Keybords)


Artist : Age Of Reflections

Album : In The Heat Of The Night

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 26-03-2017

Review Here

Line Up / Musicians

Carl Berglund (Guitars / Keybords), Jan Skärmin (Bass), Jonas Nordqvist (Guitars), Lars Nygren (Vocal), Michael Sjöö (Drums)


Artist : Bryan Cole

Album : Sands Of Time

Release Date : 09-12-2016

Added : 26-03-2017

Review Here

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Cole (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Mike Brignardello (Bass)


Artist : Tokyo Motor Fist

Album : Tokyo Motor First

Release Date : 27-02-2017

Added : 26-03-2017

Review Here

Line Up / Musicians

Ted Poley (Danger Danger), Steve Brown (TRIXTER), Greg Smith (Ted Nugent, Rainbow, Alice Cooper), et Chuck Burgi (Arc-en-ciel, Blue Oyster Cult , Joe Lynn Turner) Ted Poley (Vocal), Steve Brown (Guitar, Vocal), Greg Smith (Bass), Chuck Burgi (Drums)


Artist : The Mutes Gods

Album : Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 27-03-2017

'Nick Beggs' has been busy since the release of the first album of 'The Mutes Gods' just a little year over because this is his worthy successor which emerges end of February, ‘Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth' named. As always, it’s an acerbic criticism of the man of the 21st century with all the classic subjects of society, but the difference is that everything is denounced in the first degree with hope shrank away to nothing. Consequently, the musical atmosphere is necessarily darker and it’s a mixture of rock and progressive metal that awaits you throughout the 12 titles. In addition, each composition brings a fresh wind with original melodies that make 'The Mutes Gods' a group well apart and, as often in this case, several listenings are required to get you, little by little, into this unique world. In conclusion, 'Nick Beggs' set the bar very high with this new album which, for my part, has the great strength to contrast the texts that offer us a reflection on our real world while music takes us on the same time, in an unreal world...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Minnemann (Drums), Nick Beggs (Vocal / Bass / Chapman Stick), Roger King (Keybords)


Artist : Stefanie

Album : Stefanie

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 28-03-2017

A young and beautiful American girl, author and singer, 'Stefanie Johnson' released her first album 'Stefanie'. Unlike the current wave which overwhelm us every day on the radio of electronic insipid female singers, 'Stefanie', with a voice of classic rock, choose a different route, surrounding herself with talented musicians and a producer 'Brian J. Anthony' who is also a musician and who had been able to arrange compositions to get a sound mixing rock pop and folk. Musically, it's very melodic and all the 11 titles alternate a rhythmic rock like 'All I Know', 'Master Of Disguise' or 'Stranger', other more pop like 'Everything You Need', 'One Life' or 'The Second Time Around' and finally beautiful ballads like 'Word Man', 'Hello Love', 'We Will Fight' or even 'The Song I Was Meant To Write' where 'Stefanie' reveals all her sensitivity. In short, with this self-titled debut album and very melodic compositions, ‘Stefanie Johnson’, even if she doesn’t revolutionize the genre, is a very nice surprise in this beginning of 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefanie Johnson (Vocal), Brian J. Anthony (Guiae, Bass, Drums, Keybords), Paul Franceschini (Guitar) + Guests : Paul Crook (Guitar), Ken Dubman (Guitar), Charlie Calv (Keybords), Hasan Smith, Tonya Price, Shekinah Glory Kee (Choirs)


Artist : Horisont

Album : About Time

Release Date : 03-02-2017

Added : 29-03-2017

Back in the past, it's a little that the Swedes of 'Horisont' did do in their latest album 'About Time' at all levels, theme and music. From the concept point of view, the listener is brought into a time machine to try to find a place where it feels good to live in our world which became precisely unlivable. From music side, we meet up in the golden age of rock hard, where we mix 'Thin Lizzy' with this characteristic guitar solo in 'Without Warning' or 'Night Line' and its rhythmic, 'Uriah Heep' with 'Electrical', or 'Status Quo' with the beginning of 'Night Line' or 'Point Of No Return'. Note that the first title, 'The Hive' is a cover of 'Richard Harris' dating back to 1969. In short, as you will have understood, this 'About Time' is a journey through time from every point of view and for this is to recommend to all lovers of a time ‘that people under 20 (No 30) years old can’t know'...

Line Up / Musicians

Axel Söderberg (Vocal), Charlie Van Loo (Guitars), Magnus Delborg (Bass), Pontus Jordan (Drums), David (Guitars)


Artist : Tim Bowness

Album : Lost in the Ghost Light

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 30-03-2017

'Tim Bownes' surrounded himself by a host of musicians from the progressive scene to interpret his latest album 'Lost in the Ghost Light'. As usual, we navigate in an rich atmospheric and progressive rock with a flawless production. 'Worlds Of Yesterday' opens the dance with an immediate tangible emotion that reminds me a little of 'David Bowie'. 'Moonshot Manchild' continues in this registry with a title close to 9 minutes where everything is delicacy and sensitivity. 'Kill the bread That's Killing You' is much more rock with energetic percussion that contrast with the rest. The suite is closer to the 2 first titles where we found more atmospheric and introspective compositions. In summary, this ' Lost in the Ghost Light' is still a 'Tim Bowness' a great vintage to taste without moderation and that can serve as a good relaxing after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Bowness (Vocal, Keybords, Choirs), Andrew Booker (Drums), Bruce Soord (Guitars, Choirs), Colin Edwin (Bass), Hux Nettermalm (Drums), Stephen Bennett (Guitars, Keybords) + Guests : Andrew Keeling (Flute, Guitar), Charlotte Dowding (Violin), David Rhodes (Guitar), Ian Anderson (Flute), Kit Watkins (Flute, Waterphone), Pete Smith (Bass), Steve Bingham (Violin)


Artist : Laura Marling

Album : Semper Femina

Release Date : 17-03-2017

Added : 31-03-2017

The Englishwoman 'Laura Marling', at 27 years old and already 5 albums to her credit, just released 'Semper Femina' in this beginning of 2017. She offers us intimate compositions on the status of women in our time. The whole is very stripped and her voice is the central instrument accompanied, depending of title, by an acoustic or electric guitar, a jazzy bass and violins as in 'The Valley' where she recorded a second voice that gives a particular relief. With 'Wild Fire', it's a pure swing where she highlights all her sensitivity. I could quote all songs because each has its own personality with always this feeling of being in a dream, floating on a cloud and amazed by Laura’s gift to tell stories. In summary, with this 'Semper Femina', 'Laura Marling' goes to the essence of the music for the enjoyment of the listener and confirms her talent of songwriter and performer...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Marling (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Bare Infinity

Album : The Butterfly Raiser

Release Date : 03-03-2017

Added : 01-04-2017

'Bare Infinity' is a Greek band of symphonic metal which already has close to 8 years of existence. After a first album in 2009 and a change of line-up in 2014 with a new Italian female singer 'Ida Elena DeRazza', 2017 sees the release of 'The Butterfly Raiser'. From the start, 'Race Of Destiny' sets the scene with a refrain close to 'Delain', 'Ida' vocals approaching the register of 'Charlotte Wessels' in slightly deeper. With 'Artemis' or 'The Buterfly Raiser' we are closer to 'Nightwish' with melodies like Finns use to write. And about 'In Desertis', it's an epic speed title with an oriental atmosphere. With 'Sands Of Time', they incorporate their Greek musical culture and 'Orions Light' is a title that must be a hit with a very lively rhythm and a very catchy refrain. In summary, 'Bare Infinity' release a very good album influenced by the flagship groups of symphonic metal by adding their personal touch and 'The Butterfly Raiser' will certainly be very appreciated by all fans of this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Ida Elena DeRazza (Vocal), Thomas Papadopoulos (Guitar), Steve Davis (Guitar), Simos Lantides (Drums), Nick Laskos (Bass)


Artist : Ignea

Album : The Sign Of Faith

Release Date : 16-02-2017

Added : 02-04-2017

After Greece, iit is up to the Ukrainian of 'Ignea', a new metal band, which was born in 2015 and released their first album 'The Sign Of Faith'. What amazes me at first is the mix of oriental influences and of powerful and energetic metal surounded with an epic and symphonic metal. The tone is set with 'Seytanu Akbar', which lure away words spoken by the jihadists ('Allah Akbar' for 'God is great') to better denounce their atrocities. On the music side, it's a heavy and rhythmed metal with an alternating between the clear voice of 'Helle' and the growls of 'Evgeny'. In addition, some titles offer catchy and lively melodies like 'Alexandria', 'Jahi' or 'Last Chosen By You'. We can also note calm and very successful titles like 'Theater Of Denial' or 'How I Hate the Night' which give a welcome breath to the whole. In short, 'Ignea' is a new band full of talent that enriches the metal family by bringing in a very beautiful way a particular middle eastern touch as some groups like 'Myrath' or 'Orphaned Land' well know to do (see latest review Here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Helle Bogdanova (Vocal), Evgeny Zhytnyuk (Keybords, Vocal), Xander Kamyshin (Bass), Dmitriy Vinnichenko (Guitar), Ivan Kholmogorov (Drums)


Artist : Ravenscry

Album : The Invisible

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 03-04-2017

'Ravenscry' is an Italian band founded in 2008 with a style between rock and metal; they release their 3rd studio album 'The Invisible'. It is the story of the journey of a young bookkeeper who grew up in an orphanage and who, using a book, tries to regain its origins. More information about the beautiful artwork and the story is available Here . From music side, 'Ravenscry' focussed on their history and we navigate between several styles and atmospheres : with the first 4 titles, it begins with the instrumental 'The Entanglement' which starts with piano and some notes of guitar to increase power for a rhythmed part in a progressive metal style. 'Whispered Intro' is then a lullaby where we discover the delicate vocals of 'Giulia'; Then, we return to more classical metal with 'Hypermnesia' and its heady refrain ; then comes 'Coral (As Seen By Others)' which takes up a part of the previous theme with a much more rock style embellished with a crazy guitar solo. The sequel is the image of this beginning, the music sticking to the story interspersed with short passages introducing the following title. In short, 'The Invisible' is a very successful concept album and could be compared to what 'Arjen Lucassen' made with 'Ayreon' and therefore certainly intended for a warned public of metal opera...

Line Up / Musicians

Giulia Stefani (Vocal), Paul Raimondi (Guitar), Mauro Paganelli (Guitar), Andrea "Fagio" Fagiuoli (Bass), Simon Carminati (Drums)


Artist : Talvienkeli

Album : Hybris

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 04-04-2017

A new group of the symphonic metal scene and morever French was born in 2012 in the city of 'Lyon'. After their first EP in 2014, they released their first studio album 'Hybris' in 2017. Their influences are evidently based on the great name of the style but, unlike some groups that make only pale copies, they bring an additional richness of composition that does not stop with the classic verse/chorus schema and tha's why you need several listening for domesticate the entire record. From the first title 'Degeneration: Hybris, Pt2' (don't ask me why part 2 is before part 1), we embark in a very successful title for more than 7 minutes that has elements of both progressive metal and symphonic metal. We discover 'Camille Borelly' who has a very good technique of singing and that, in some points, reminds me 'Tarja' and her theatrical side. In short, 'Hybris' is a very good surprise 2017 which shows that in France, there are groups able to compete with the great bands of the symphonic metal and, icing on the cake, can bring an personal touch...

Line Up / Musicians

Camille Borrelly (Vocal), Pierre Cordier (Keybords), Pierre Besançon (Guitar), Laëtitia Bertrand (Bass), Paul Sordet (Drums)


Artist : The Murder Of My Sweet

Album : Echoes of the Aftermath

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 05-04-2017

The Swedes of 'The Murder Of My Sweet', led by 'Daniel Flores' release a fourth album with 'Echoes of the Aftermath'. They officiate between rock and metal with catchy melodies and an emphasis of the symphonic aspect with very present strings. 'Sleeping Giant' is the perfect example: an energetic and melodic title where 'Angelica Rylin', on vocals, is in her element. Of course, we could blame a lack of originality but it is finally very successful and each title is a potential hit very accessible. In summary, The Murder Of My Sweet ' is a bit of a cross between 'Abba', for the sweet side of the melodies and 'Delain' for the muscular side of the rhythms supported by some guitar riffs...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Flores (Vocal, Keybords, Drums), Angelica Rylin (Vocal), Christopher Vetter (Guitars), Patrik Janson (Bass)


Artist : Zuberoa Aznarez

Album : Beyond The Threshold

Release Date : 10-02-2017

Added : 06-04-2017

If I tell you that 'Zuberoa Aznarez' is the singer of 'Diabulus in Musica' (see last chronicle Here ), you'll definitely hardly believe that it's the same person who just released his first solo album' Beyond The Threshold '. We are very far from raging riffs of guitars and the 11 tracks are interpretations of folk or Celtic songs. In fact, 'Zuberoa' is very eclectic and, thanks to her lyric singer background, she participates in various projects such as the 'Elfenthal' ensemble (see Here) or as jazz singer in a pub. With this last born record, the listener is taken to an aerial and soothing world where the instruments are acoustic (flute, piano played by 'Gorka Elso', celtic harp, ...). In short, if you want to make a break, this 'Beyond The Threshold' is perfect to get out of the daily bustle and let yourself be carried away by the gentle voice of Zuberoa ...

Line Up / Musicians

Zuberoa Aznarez (Vocal, Flute, Harp Celtique, Guitar, Djembe), Gorka Elso (Piano), Daniel Zoco (Violin), Paula Moriones (Cello), Adrián Vallejo (Guitar), Olalla Moriones (Bass)


Artist : Walk In Darkness

Album : In the Shadows of Things

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 07-04-2017

It's still Italy that take centre-stage with 'Walk In Darkness', created in 2015 and who released their first album in 2017. Not easy to put them in a precise box because they mix several styles and atmospheres between rock And metal. The first track 'Heavy Wings Of Destiny', after a soft introduction with a piano, takes us into a Gothic atmosphere with growls on the border of the dark which reminds me a little 'Tristania'. Different style for 'Last Siren' much more symphonic close to melodic rock. About 'Chance Of The Storm', the guitar riffs come back but we alternate rythmed parts and other calmer ones where 'Nicoletta Rosellini' shows us that she can adapt to the atmosphere of each title. Noe that the last title 'Alexandria', a duet with 'Magdalena Lee', with its slight Oriental influences clses the album beautifully. In short, the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness', for a first album, appear already very mature and offer us a set of varied titles which should please all amateurs of rock/metal privileging the diversity...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini (Vocal), Arcanus (Drums), Monk Key (Bass), Flaming Jack (Guitar), Tio Frank (Keybords), Shaman (Guitar)+ Guests : Emiliano Pasquinelli (Vocal), Magdalena Lee (Vocal)


Artist : Paul Menel & The Essentials

Album : Spare Parts From Broken Hearts

Release Date : 14-02-2017

Added : 08-04-2017

After a short time with 'IQ' in the 90s and two solo albums, 'Paul Menel' released a new album under the name 'Paul Menel & The Essentials' where surrounded by ' Steve Swift', 'Tim Churchman' and different guests, he gives us a refreshing 'Spare Parts From Broken Hearts'. Difficult to find a precise style and it makes me feel to watch 50 years of pop/rock with atmospheres quite distant from each other. In the end, we don't get bore listening to the 14 tracks which are all very melodic, endowed with an fautless production and always this vocal talent that 'Paul Menel' has to adapt to all styles (we can note the cover of 'IQ', 'Common Ground', completely revisited by Paul and this magnificent last track 'Happy Face' filled with an atmosphere close to 'Freddy Mercury '). In short, this 'Spare Parts From Broken Hearts' should be well received by all lovers of progressive rock and even, thanks to accessible titles, by a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Paul Menel (Vocal / Guitars), Steve Swift (Bass), Tim Churchman (Drums) +Guests : Gav Monaghan (Guitar,Keybords), Julianne Bourne (Violin, Viola), Vix Vox (Choirs), Emma Skip (Choirs), Kaytee de Wolfe (Choirs), Jake Henry (Clavier, Choirs), Dave Adams (Accordion, Keybords), Sam Rogers (Saxophone), Bryan Corbett (Trumpet), Andy Sapic (Saxophone, Clarinette)


Artist : Talesien

Album : Talesien

Release Date : 02-12-2016

Added : 09-04-2017

'Talesien' is a Spanish band that has already 15 years of existence and who released at the end of 2016 its fourth studio album. This is on this occasion that I discover them with the album simply titled 'Talesien'. Musically, their style is a mix of progressive metal that brings a certain originality and melodic metal that makes their compositions accessible. For example 'Lazarus' is a mixture of progressive instrumental parts and others sung with a chorus as only the Hispanics know how to do. In short, even if with the use of the Spanish language, they take the risk to loose a certain audience, 'Talesien' strongly claim their background which gives this last album a perfect homogeneity and should please all amateurs of metal open to various influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Javier García (Vocal), Juan Carlos Cotelo (Guitar), Nano Vikendi (Guitar), M.A. Justo “Macaco” (Bass), Iñigo Uribe (Keybords), Anxo Silveira (Drums)


Artist : Unruly Child

Album : Can’t Go Home

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 10-04-2017

he Americans of 'Unruly Child', after an absence of several years, come back with a new album 'Can not Go Home'. We are always in the great tradition of American melodic rock in the line of groups like 'Eagles' or 'Toto'. Everything is made to spend a good time easy going with these 11 titles that can be consumed without moderation. To mention only two titles, I would say the 'Someday Somehow' or the beautiful ballad 'She Can not Go Home'. In short, 'Unruly Child', even if they do not revolutionize this style, continue their little way with this new album accessible to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Gowdy (Guitars), Guy Allison (Keybords), Jay Schellen (Drums), Larry Antonino (Bass), Marcie Michelle Free (Vocal)


Artist : IT

Album : We're All In This Together

Release Date : 01-03-2017

Added : 11-04-2017

There are records that mark you more than others and the latest of the English of 'IT', 'We're All in This Together' is part of them because music becomes an artistic expression to convey a powerful message. The 'Jackson's band has not released a recording for 7 years but it was truly worth it to wait. The concept is a critique of our society on specific points (corruption of governments, despair of having lost everything, consumer's society, etc ...) with the positive conclusion of the title : 'We're All in This Together' which simply says that it's up to each of us to take charge of ourselves to change things. On the music side, we are in the tradition of great progressive music groups like 'Pink Floyd' where everything is put at the service of the message delivered, sometimes raging ('Power'), sometimes desperate ('Born Into Debt') sometimes alternating quiet and tormented parts ('The Path of Least Resistance'). In short, as often in this case, several listenings are necessary to absorb this concept album which will certainly be well received by a warned audience of progressive not just focusing at music...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Jackson (Vocal / Guitars), Andy Rowberry (Guitars), James Hawkins (Bass), Ryan Mccaffrey (Keybords), Will Chism (Drums)


Artist : The Manhattan Project

Album : Engineering Chaos

Release Date : 09-12-2016

Added : 12-04-2017

If you like music that is accessible, keep moving and run, because 'Engineering Chaos', which is the first album of the Greek band of 'The Manhattan Project', equests a special attention to penetrate this instrumental universe shared between speed progressive metal and epic cinematographic metal spliced with a dose of traditional Greek influence. The typical example is 'X-10' shared between raging riffs and orchestral parts with strings and choirs. Same observation with 'Nuclear Sun', where metal electric instruments and traditional instruments are mixed in a very well oriented oriental atmosphere. With 'Metanoia', it's a short title with an atonal construction that gives us a perfect image of chaos. The album ends with the majestic 'Day One: Trinity' where 'Yannis Papadopoulos' lends its voice and which sums up very well this record. In conclusion, 'The Manhattan Project' is a band with rich and worked compositions but will certainly be limited to a limited audience of progressive metal lovers open to mix of styles...

Line Up / Musicians

George Constantine Kratsas Guitar), Leonidas Diamadopoulos (Keybords), Antonis Karpanos (Bass), Nikitas Mandolas (Drums), Tasos Seremetis (Oud)


Artist : Retrospective

Album : Re:Search

Release Date : 10-02-2017

Added : 13-04-2017

The Polish of 'Retrospective' after 4 years of absence, release a new album 'Re: Search'. In the tradition of a progressive rock between atmospheric and metal, they deliver us varied compositions where the bass leads the dance on most of the tracks: from the entrance, 'Rest Another Time' sets the scene with a dynamic rhythm. The first part of 'Right Away' is close to some songs of ‘Anathema' and the second part to band’s melodies like 'Arena'. With the end of 'Look In the Mirror', it's obviously the swaying rhythm (slower) of the 'Pink Floyd's song 'One Of These Days' with the same guitar effects. We are back again with 'Pink Floyd' in the last track 'The Wisest Man on Earth', but with the psychedelic 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun'. In summary, this 'Re: Search' is a melting pot of different influences drawn from several decades of rock with a modern sound and, thanks to accessible titles, should delight a large audience of rock ...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Szczepaniak (Guitar), Beata Lagoda (Vocal, Keybords), Jakub Roszak (Vocal), Lukasz Marszalek (Bass), Maciej Klimek (Guitar), Robert Kusik (Drums)


Artist : Entrance

Album : Book Of Changes

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 14-04-2017

'Guy Blakeslee' with his band 'Entrance' has just released a new album and this is with 'Book Of Changes' that I discover. Listening to some of these previous albums, we say that the artistic direction has completely changed to refocus on compositions going to the essence of music and conveying a particular emotion. Whatever the style, modern or retro, we feel that he has put in each song all his personality, which brings, by these times when uniformity prevails over originality, a sort of authenticity as some artists 'Bob Dylan' or 'David Bowie' were able to do in their time. In short, 'Guy Blakeslee', with this very expressive 'Book Of Changes', turns to new musical horizons for the happiness of the greatest number ...

Line Up / Musicians

Guy Blakeslee (Guitar, Vocal), Paz Lenchantin (Bass, Vocal), Derek James (Drums), Frank Lenz (Percussions), Jessica Tonder (Vocal), Lael Neale (Vocal)


Artist : Lost In Grey

Album : The Grey Realms

Release Date : 03-03-2017

Added : 15-04-2017

Deconcerting and Grandiose !! This is these 2 words that best describe what I felt when I first heard 'The Gray Realms', the first album by the Finnish of 'Lost In Grey'. They define themselves as playing metal theater and this definition is finally quite good. First, they tell the story of Lillian, a woman who tries to escape the cruelty of the world by taking refuge in a paradise, the 'grey kingdoms'. About music, it is a mix of metal and epic choirs with multi-drawer titles with frequent changes in tempo and atmosphere. At the vocal level, we ear more a story in several acts in which each protagonist is as much actor as singer. As often in this case, each title requires several listening to impregnate the whole and asks to be open to completely different genres even opposite because we navigate between lyrical opera and extreme metal. In short, 'Lost In Grey', with 'The Grey Realms', already show an undeniable talent even if this first album will probably be reserved to a restricted audience privileging diversity and loving the great musical gaps ...

Several interesting links in you tube from the different aspects of the album :
Interview #1
Interview #2
Interview #3
Interview #4

Line Up / Musicians

Aapo Lindberg (Bass), Anne Lill (Vocal), Emily Leone (Vocal / Violin), Harri Koskela (Vocal / Keybords), Joonas Pykälä-aho (Drums), Miika Haavisto (Guitars)


Artist : Signum Regis

Album : Decennium Primum

Release Date : 17-03-2017

Added : 16-04-2017

The Slovaks of 'Signum Regis' continue to regularly release albums from 2008 approximately every 2 years and 'Decennium Primum' is their 5th record. No particular musical research but good power metal with hymns being a dime a dozen and with awesome guitar solos. Do not place undue reliance on the short introduction 'Decennium Primum' starting with an acoustic guitar and a classic air. 'Unfold The Mystery' then sets the scene for more than 40 minutes of melodies to led in song a whole stadium. Only 'Kingdom Of Light' pauses with other titles with its calmer rhythm. In short, the 2017 cuvee of 'Signum Regis' is a great vintage of power metal and fans of the genre will certainly be overwhelmed by this last album of the Slovaks....

Line Up / Musicians

Filip Koluš (Guitars), Ján Tupý (Keybords), Jaro Jancula (Drums), Mayo Petranin (Vocal), Ronnie König (Bass)


Artist : Brother Firetribe

Album : Sunbound

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 17-04-2017

If you liked 'Survivor' in the 80s with their interplanetary hits that accompanied the adventures of 'Rocky', look seriously at this 4th studio album of the Finns of 'Brother Firetribe' led by former members of Nightwish (‘Emppu Vuorinen') and 'Leverage' ('Pekka Ansio Heino’). Everything brings us 30 years back with melodies that you quickly enter your head like 'Help Is On The Way', 'Give Me Tonight' or the ballad 'Shok'. Without revolutionizing the melodic rock, they align hits and each track could be a single of the eighties that reminds us of the golden age of 'Asia', 'Toto' or 'Foreigner'. In summary, there is nothing to throw away in this last album of 'Brother Firetribe' and this 'Sunbound' is to recommend to a large public loving the good melodic rock ...

Line Up / Musicians

Emppu Vuorinen (Guitars), Hannes Pirilä (Drums), Jason Flinck (Bass), Pekka Ansio Heino (Vocal), Tomppa Nikulainen (Keybords)


Artist : Edu Falaschi

Album : Ballads

Release Date : 17-03-2017

Added : 18-04-2017

After the release of 'Moonlight' in 2016 (See Here), 'Edu Falaschi' recidivates with ballads written since about 25 years with his two groups of metal : 'Angra' then 'Almah'. There is certain that all fans of the first hour won’t connect because the first 15 titles are obviously the calmest ones but they are an integral part of the history of the two bands and highlight the talent of Edu melodist and ballad’s composer, but this facet has never been recognized by the general public. So if you liked tracks like 'Dream On' by Aerosmith', 'Still Loving You' by 'Scorpions' or more recently 'Somewhere' by ‘Evanescence’, you should enjoy this 'Ballads' by Edu Falaschi…

Title list and origin : Band (Album - Year) :
01 - Bleeding Heart – Angra (Rebirth - 2001)
02 - Warm Wind – Almah (Unfold - 2013)
03 - Wishing Well – Angra (Temple Of Shadows - 2004)
04 - Forgotten Land - Almah (Almah - 2006)
05 - Heroes of Sand - Angra (Rebirth- 2001)
06 - Primitive Chaos – Almah (Almah - 2006)
07 - Lease of Life – Angra (Aqua - 2010)
08 – Breathe – Almah (Almah - 2006)
09 - Almah – Almah (Almah - 2006)
10 - Breaking Ties – Angra (Consurgens - 2006)
11 – Farewell – Almah (Unfold -2013)
12 - Late Night in 85' – Almah (Motion - 2011)
13 - All I Am – Almah (Fragile Equality – 2008)
14 - Shade of My Soul – Almah (Fragile Equality - 2008)
15 - When and Why – Almah (Motion - 2011)
16 - As Sweet as Your Smile (Demo)

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar)


Artist : Joanne Shaw Taylor

Album : Wild

Release Date : 30-09-2016

Added : 19-04-2017

I come back to the 'Wild' album by ‘Joanne Shaw Taylor’, which was released by the end of 2016 and is already the 6th studio album of the young artist. It is with this last opus that I discovered her we have to admit that she resurrects a blues/rock of the seventies by handing it up-to-date with a modern sound and brings this necessary talent to transmit the particular style’s emotion. We embark in this 'Wild' between energetic tracks like 'Dyin' to Know 'which reminds me of 'Moon Martin' and others where all her sensitivity is palpable like this formidable 'Wild Is The Wind' or this magnificent cover of 'Summertime’ (The ‘Jealousy’ video below give me personally the goose bumps). ‘Joe Bonamassa’ did not make a mistake because he embarked her on his 2016’s roadshow. In short, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor', should have fall into the cauldron of Blues/Rock when she was young and offers us with 'Wild' an album full of timeless nuggets that will surely delight a large audience loving artists capable of transmitting emotion ...

Line Up / Musicians

Joanne Shaw Taylor (Vocal, Guitar),


Artist : Jupiter Falls

Album : Faces In The Sand

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 20-04-2017

The English of 'Jupiter Falls' have just released their second studio album 'Faces In The Sand' after 'Revolution' in 2015. They perform in a fairly classic melodic hard rock style and the first 'Welcome To My World' starts with a heavy sound supported by the cracked voice of 'James Hart'. 'Nothing To Me' is then a powerful hit that recalls bands like 'U.F.O.', 'Saxon' or even 'Scorpions' with a sumptuous solo guitar. The continuation is the image of the beginning, accessible compositions where the guitar makes up the lion's share. We can also note calmer titles with the use of acoustic guitars that contrasts with the rest like 'Call Me' or 'See You On The Other Side' and ballads to swing an entire stadium like 'Follow You' or the last title of more than 9 minutes 'Faces In TheSand Pt 1'. In short, if 'Jupiter Falls' had composed this genre of titles in the '70s and' 80s, they would certainly have been in the front row of hard rock bands and therefore 'Faces In The Sand' should fulfill all Fans of hard rock in general ...

Line Up / Musicians

James Hart (Vocal), Zachari Daniels (Guitar), Deano Silk (Guitar), Dan Clark (Bass), Luke Hatfield (Drums)


Artist : Julian Sas

Album : Feelin’ Alive

Release Date : 13-03-2017

Added : 21-04-2017

A live to discover or to rediscover an artist is certainly a good way to reveal talent in pure form. With 'Julian Sas', this is exactly what reflects this 'Feelin' Alive' album in which there is nothing to throw away. Raised in the 70's with artists like 'Alvin Lee' or 'Rory Gallagher', he continues in the tradition of an successful blues rock with the ability to convey to the public a particular feeling, first of all thanks to his voice ('Alvin Lee', comes out of this body !!) and to his spontaneous guitar solos continuously reinvented. You can’t remain indifferent in front of a 'Fear Of Feeling' which personally give me goose bumps. In short, with this 'Feelin 'Alive', there can’t be more beautiful title because these 2 words sum up beautifully this album: an impressive feeling and a magic moment of exchange with the public. Hats off, Mister Sas ...

Line Up / Musicians

Julian Sas (Vocal, Guitar), Rob Heijne (Drums), Roland Bakker (Keybords), Fotis Anagnostou (Bass)


Artist : Claire-Lyse Von Dach

Album : Moonlight

Release Date : 18-02-2017

Added : 22-04-2017

Another singer from the metal scene who released a solo album in early 2017. 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' was the singer of ‘Elferya' until 2014, when she was replaced by 'Melody Dylem’ herself, has just left the group at the end of 2016. But let's go back to the Swiss who, far away from the guitar riffs of ‘Elferya' proposes us as author, composer and performer, 'Moonlight' with melodies close to the classical in acoustic, Claire-Lyse singing and accompanying herself on the piano and supported on certain titles by strings, a harp, a flute, a guitar and light percussions. The album consists of 11 tracks for an aerianr trip into a calm and serene universe to savor in a quiet place headphones on the ears. In short, like many metal singers (Edenbridge's 'Voiciano' project Here or the 'Marcela Bovio' solo album Here, or that of 'Zuberoa Aznarez', the ‘Diabolus In Musica’ female singer Here and of course 'Tarja', which released an album dedicated to the different 'Ave Maria' in 2015 Here) , 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' reveals a facet that we didn’t know yet and 'Moonlight', although it will doubtless remain limited to a certain audience, will surely delight all lovers of female lyrical voices ...

Line Up / Musicians

Claire-Lyse Von Dach (Piano, Vocal), Fanny Balsetro (Cello), Julie Campiche (Harp), Antoine Thouvenin (Violin), Nicole Ansperger, Matthieu Bopp et Matthieu Favre (flûtes et whistles), Sébastien Aegerter (Percussions).


Artist : Aeverium

Album : Time

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 23-04-2017

With the deluxe version of 'Time', The Germans of ‘Aeverium' offer 2 albums in 1 : the 10 titles of the standard album and 8 other titles interpreted in acoustic. To tell you everything, on first listening, it was this second part what I most enjoyed. Their style is a melodic metal with 2 singers, 'Aeva Maurelle' (Belle) and 'Marcel' Chubby 'Römer' (The Beast) who are very complementary. The first title clearly demonstrates this duality, and we jump in board in an energetic and varied title between the Marcel’s growls and the aerial voice of Aeva. 'Time', with its original introduction is a very melodic title in the line of bands like 'Delain' (Aeva is close to the vocal register of 'Charlotte Wessels') or 'Serenity'. The continuation of the metal part is in the image of these 2 first titles with also 2 beautiful ballads, 'Home' and the magnificent 'My Farewell'. With the 8 following acoustic tracks, 'Aeverium' has worked especially on the arrangements which give them a completely different dimension and bring a completely different vision compared to the originals. In short, with this 2nd album 'Time', 'Aeverium' confirms that they are a group which as a good chance in the future to take a place of choice among the melodic and symphonic metal bands...

Line Up / Musicians

Aeva Maurelle (Vocal), Marcel "Chubby" Römer (Vocal), Michael Karius (Guitar), Lars Dannenberg (Bass), Andreas Delvos (Keybords), Bodo Stricker (Drums)


Artist : The Vicious Head Society

Album : Abject Tomorrow

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 24-04-2017

'Vicious Thead Society' is the project of 'Graham Keane' surrounded by various artists of the metal scene who releases after a long gestation 'Abject Tomorrow'. We travel in a patchwork of styles and overall, we can talk off progressive metal because, first of all, it is a concept album and, then, all the compositions are very rich and worked and break out of the traditional verse/chorus scheme. The theme is well described by Graham himself : “The story is based in a dystopian future in which all humans are required to have emotion inhibiting implants implanted from birth. One man's implant fails and it chronicles his journey of discovery and reconnection with his humanity" and he adds “The more and more I write, it became a strange biographical narration of my own confidence struggle with putting music into the world". As usual in this case, it takes several listening to begin to absorb the 8 titles and especially the last of more than 18 minutes and split into 6 parts but it is often these albums that pass to posterity. To draw a parallel with another artist, I would say that ‘Abject Tomorrow' approaches Arjen Lucassen's concept albums with certainly a wider variety of styles. In short, 'Abject Tomorrow' should be recommended to all progressive rock/metal fans who are looking for music that carries a message and emotions and not necessarily easily accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Keane (Guitar), + Guests : Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Kevin Talley (Drums), Wilmer Waarbroek (Vocal), Pat Byrne (Bass), Klemen Markelj (Drums)


Artist : Eclipse

Album : Monumentum

Release Date : 25-03-2017

Added : 25-04-2017

It is still the Swedish school which excels with 'Eclipse' and which blows you away with this new album 'Monumentum' and it could not be otherwise with a title like this one !! The recipe is well-established and we got an earful for 11 energetic and melodic titles and refrains with very catchy chorus at first listening. Everything is there to spend a good time without getting carried away, as in the golden age of the 80s melodic hard rock with a band like 'Def Leppard'. In short, as you will have understood, even if 'Eclipse' doesn’t renew very much, 'Momumentum' is an album with a total of 11 effective titles of ... well, 11, quite difficult to do better...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Vocal / Guitars), Magnus Henriksson (Guitars), Magnus Ulfstedt (Bass), Philip Crusner (Drums)


Artist : The Id

Album : The Masque

Release Date : 04-12-2016

Added : 26-04-2017

'The Id' is an international progressive rock band that had been one of my favorites 2016 record with 'A Deserter's Tale' (see Here ). With 'The Masque', we are embedded on a story of terrorists who want to annihilate the planet with a biological weapon that turns men into zombies (see presentation Here). The songs tell the different episodes of this the downward spiral of humanity and as usual 'The Id' put music in the service of the narrative in a symphonic progressive rock style close to groups like 'Genesis', 'IQ' or 'Pendragon'. Therefore, we have to look at the whole and not listen to specific titles if we want to fully absorb this concept album. In conclusion, even though 'The Masque' is not for me as strong as 'The Deserter's Tale' (it is of course completely subjective), it should be a delight for all Progressive rock fans who are being raised to the baby bottles of the great groups of the 70s and loving that music tells a story like a film ...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Pepper (Keybords, Vocal), Peter Albrektsen (Keybords, Guitar), Peter Rodel (Keybords), Mark Murdock (Drums, Choirs), Barbara Neill (Choirs) + Guests : Preston Murdock (Guitar), Jim Neill (Guitar), Anna Nagasawa (Keybords)


Artist : Beyond The Labyrinth

Album : The Art Of Resilience

Release Date : 17-03-2017

Added : 27-04-2017

I will take you in Belgium, with the 4th album of 'Beyond The Labyrinth', 'The Art of Resilience', a 12-track series between pop, rock and metal with a plethora of international guests. No fewer than a dozen of different singers, highly talented guitarists, and a group of strings, here is the menu that 'Geert Fieuw' prepared for us for a result exceeding all hope. Each song has its own style and is a little worked melodic jewel that highlights each singer. The big names in progressive music come to mind: 'Threshold', 'Pendragon', 'Arena', 'IQ' or 'Pallas' and I certainly forget many others. In short, this 'The Art Of Resilience' is a very accessible album and could be a front door for many people in the fairly closed world of progressive music…

Line Up / Musicians

Geert Fieuw (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Sjoerd Bruyneel (Keybords, Choirs), Dominic Heynderickx (Bass), Michel Lodder (Drums,Percussions) + Guests : Josey Hindrix (Vocal), Philippe “Wizz” Beauprez (Vocal), Geert Annys (Guitar), Erwin Suetens (Guitae), Oliver Wright (Vocal), Tara Lynch (Guitar), Colin Flynn (Vocal), Nox String Quartet (Cordes), Geoffrey "DJ Kenzo" Tarallo (Vocal), Tony Carlino (Vocal), Chitral ‘Chity’ Somopala (Vocal), David Reed Watson (Vocal), Bob Goo (Bass), Tommi Manninen (Drums), Elena Fieuw (Choirs), Filip 'Flype' Lemmens (Vocal), Dushan Petrossi (Guitar), John Ferreira (Vocal), Brian Copp (Guitar)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : The Night Siren

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 28-04-2017

2017 sees the release of a new album by Sir ‘Steve Hackett’, ‘The Nigh Siren’. We can’t talk about a solo album so much he has surrounded himself of musicians and singers of diverse horizons of the international scene. At the first listen, it gives the impression of going around the world in a little less than one hour with multiple and varied influences supported most often by instruments typical of each country. We go from a 'Behind The Smoke' mixing the East and the West, to 'El Nino', a patchwork between a classical orchestra, a tribe and a rock band (and it's not me who says but Steve himself in a wonderful Amarok interview Here). I could quote all the titles so much they are rich and remarkably interpreted. In conclusion, it is another proof that music has something of noble by being multi-cultural and that it’s an immense vector of gathering all around the world, in areas where politics remains a source of division...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Vocal, Guitar, Oud, Charango, Sitar, Harmonica), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal), Benedict Fenner (Keybords), Dick Driver (Bass), Ferenc Kovács (Trumpet), Gary O'Toole (Drums), Jo Hackett (Vocal), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Flute, Flageolet, Duduk, Quena, Clarinette Bass), Roger King (Keybords), Sara Kovács (Didgeridoo), + Guests : Christine Townsend (Violin, Viola), Gulli Briem (Drums, Percussions), John Hackett (Flute), Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Leslie-Miriam Bennett (Keybords), Malik Mansurov (Tar), Mira Awad (Vocal), Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums), Troy Donockley (Bagpipe Irlandaise)


Artist : Matmatah

Album : Plates Coutures

Release Date : 03-03-2017

Added : 29-04-2017

After a separation in 2008 and a decade of existence, 2017 saw the rebirth of the French band of 'Matmatah' with a new album 'Plates Coutures'. I only knew this group by 'Lambé An Dro' and the album 'Antaology' released in 2015 is a good way to get an idea of 'Matmatah' because it contains 40 titles of the first period. With 'Plates Coutures', they come back completely bolstered and there is a major evolution in lyrics with much stronger messages relating some of the contemporary recurring themes using provocation to better encourage revolt; 'Here we are' is the perfect example with the definitive sentence, 'And now our host enters the terminal phase' which can only react and launch an awareness so that precisely 'We are not yet', the final message being that everyone has the capacities to be the actor of his destiny. At the musical level, the compositions serve the lyrics and benefit from an exceptional production. In short 'Plates Coutures' is a very strong album that brings the group out of its comfort zone for our greatest pleasure and which makes it one of the major groups of the French rock scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Benoît Fournier (Drums), Emmanuel Baroux (Guitars), Eric Digaire (Vocal / Bass), Tristan Nihouarn (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : V2

Album : Showdown

Release Date : 01-12-2016

Added : 30-04-2017

'V2' is a Dutch band that released 2 albums in the 90s and then nothing since. 2016 saw the release of a new album 'Showdown' that did not drive the buzz on the internet and that I discovered belatedly. First of all, it is the colorful artwork that attracted me and then, on first listen, we are taken to a melodic and varied rock/metal progressive that reminds me some bands like 'Sylvan' ('Hunt In Packs', 'Revelation Day') or 'Porcupine Tree' ('Judas Figure', 'Fist And Hand'). Note the latest instrumental title 'Sundance' which is a reinterpretation of a title of the 90s with 'Floyd’s influences. In conclusion, with this new album 'Showdown', 'V2' rises from its ashes and offers compositions that should please all lovers of progressive rock in general...

Line Up / Musicians

Marti van Gulik (Bass), Ernst Honingman (Vocal), Robert Voogt (Guitar), Bert Ettema (Guitae), Marti van Gulik (Drums), Robert Vogt (Percussions)


Artist : Xavier Boscher

Album : Géométrie Intime

Release Date : 23-10-2016

Added : 01-05-2017

I go back for a 2016 released with 'Xavier Boscher', an French author, composer, singer and multi-instrumentist who has behind him an impressive work with several solo albums but also projects in different bands such as 'Nebuleyes’, 'Twins' or 'Magnific Sense' (look at its website which is very well done). He describes himself as doing pop-prog-metal and yes, the 8 titles take us between soft melody where the piano is the main instrument ('Metronome Céleste' or the beginning of 'Pentagramme') to titles supported by guitar riffs guitare (‘Le corps des femmes’ ou ‘Les voyageurs du temps’) through rich and worked compositions alternating calm and more sustained parts with changes of rhythms always well brought ('Géométrie Intime' ou 'Quinacridone'). In short, Géométrie Intime’ is one more stone to the already 'Xavier Bosher' busy career and is an accessible album to discover this artist who should deserve to be recognized by a greater number…

Line Up / Musicians

Xavier Boscher (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Benjamin Masson (Guitar), Nyounaï Sauneg (Choirs), Thomas Leroy (Guitar Solo)


Artist : The Silent Wedding

Album : Enigma Eternal

Release Date : 10-03-2017

Added : 02-05-2017

Still Greece to honor with 'The Silent Wedding' which, after a first EP in 2008 and a first LP in 2013, have just released their 2nd studio album 'Enigma Eternal'. Their style is a melodic metal on the boundary of symphonic where the violence of the guitar riffs is supported by keyboards to link and soften the whole. From the beginning, 'Shadows & Dust' is a title that sums up this record with an energetic rhythm and a catchy chorus accompanied by a piano. Some titles bring breaks of style like 'Under The Veil Of Gray' where we are close to progressive metal and we can also note the magnificent ballad 'Loneliness' which cuts the opus in 2. In short, 'The Silent Wedding' release a very good album of melodic metal that should please all lovers of the genre…

Line Up / Musicians

Marios Karanastasis (Vocal), Jim Katsaros (Guitar), Johnny Thermos (Keybords), Tom K. Wood (Bass), Renos Lialioutis (Drums)


Artist : Thomas Zaruba

Album : Slow Down

Release Date : 27-11-2016

Added : 03-05-2017

An appearance at the very good French show of 'Frédéric Lopez', '1000 and a life', this is how I discovered 'Thomas Zaruba' and his path gives me the desire to immerse myself in his album 'Slow Down', released at the end of 2016. From the first listen, I was caught by a palpable emotion at every moment with this strange contradiction of an immense listening pleasure with this small so characteristic thrill and at the same time an embarrassment of taking a look so deeply into the intimacy of the artist so successfully he knew how to be exposed naked to retain only the essential and to make of each second an intense moment. And when we listen to 'Thomas' telling the genesis of this recording that was released in the middle of the night in one take, one thinks that it could not be otherwise. In short, whatever the style, genre and interpretation, you who are looking for a way to escape, this' Slow Down' is a true 'Invitation au voyage' where ‘tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, luxe, calme et volupté’. Thank you Mr. Zaruba for this beautiful gift...

Line Up / Musicians

Thomas Zaruba (Piano)


Artist : Axxis

Album : Retrolution

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 04-05-2017

No transition, after 'Thomas Zaruba', here 'Axxis' and their joyful new album 'Retrolution' (for Retro + Revolution). After the double 'Kingdom of the Night' in 2014 and 'We Are the World', which is still in my head, 'Retrolution' takes us again for a series of melodic and rhythmic hits. From the first tittle 'Burn! Burn! Burn!', we can say that 'Axxis' is always 'Axxis' with effective tracks that make you move to the rhythm of guitar riffs. Certainly, there is no much news but it is not necessarily what is expected of them because finally the goal is to spend a good time listening to these 13 tracks and on this side, the contract has been fulfilled. In conclusion, 'Axxis' after nearly 30 years of existence, continue their path, to the great delight of fans of hard rock melody of the 80s…

Line Up / Musicians

Bernhard Weiss (Vocal), Dirk Brand (Drums), Harry Oellers (Keybords), Rob Schomaker (Bass), Stefan Weber (Guitars)


Artist : Mostly Autumn

Album : Sight Of Day

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 05-05-2017

Already 11 albums released and more than 20 years of existence, 'Mostly Autumn' are releasing in this beginning of 2017 their 12th opus, 'Sight Of Day' thanks to the participative financing. For that length of time, they have made a name in the world of progressive rock but they never affected a large international audience remaining confined to England. Let's hope that 'Sight Of Day' can change the game because we are holding an high quality album : first of all, the eponymous title of more than 14 minutes built in 3 parts that embarks you in their universe pop/rock with a very melodic first part in crescendo where the aerial voice of ‘Olivia Sparnenn' is perfect. It follows 3 instrumental minutes which begins with a piano where the guitar joins for the continuation in a solo full of feeling and emotion. Change of style with the final part where we find Olivia and Bryan duo supported by an acoustic guitar and a melody close to 'Karnataka' finishing in a magnificent way. The continuation maintains the same high level with rich and varied compositions always very melodic which are shared between the duo Olivia/Bryan which brings a special emotion and sumptuous and aerial guitar solos. In short, with 'Sight Of Day', 'Mostly Autumn' released undoubtedly their best album that makes me, one of the leading groups of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Josh (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Olivia Sparnenn (Vocal, Keybords, Tambourine), Ian Jennings (Keybords, Organ), Alex Cromerty (Drums), Andy Smith (Bass), Angela Gordon (Flute), Chris Johnson (Guitar, Keybords, Tambourine, Choirs) + Guests : Anna Phoebe (Violin), Troy Donockley (Uilleann Pipes, Flute)


Artist : Soup

Album : Remedies

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 06-05-2017

The Norwegians of 'Soup' have just released their 5th album 'Remedies' and remain very discreet on the web. 5 tracks for a little more than 40 minutes of music, we find the ingredients of the previous opus with an atmospheric rock that takes you into an universe filled with delicacy and emotion. 'Going Somewhere' sets the scene with a title close to 'Anathema' which rises in crescendo and ends with a few piano notes. 'The Boy And The Snow' continues with a delicate start which gradually rises to fall with the sung part almost whispered and then, one more, we flew an intense part and again a break with the final part which begins with an 'Pinkfloyd' instrumental part (It reminds me a bit of the atmosphere of ‘Echoes') that prepares the final climb. In short, with this 'Remedies', 'Soup' continue outside of all modes to offer us atmospheric music that will certainly delight all fans of this genre but that should also reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Erlend Aastad Viken (Vocal, Keybords), Espen Berge (Percussions), Jan Tore Megård (Bass), Ørjan Saur (Guitar)


Artist : Carptree

Album : Emerger

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 07-05-2017

We are still in the Nordic countries with the Swedes of 'Carptree' who are close to bands like 'Marillion', 'Arena' or 'Genesis' with the characteristic voice of 'Niclas Flinck'. Already 7 long years since 'Nymf' released in 2010 and it is only in this early 2017 that their new album 'Emerger' sees the day. With this last record they take us into a universe similar to previous recordings : complex, melodic and powerful progressive rock that oscillates between quiet passages and other more symphonic ones where keyboards are omnipresent and where tempo changes bring a variety in compositions. 8 tracks for almost 55 minutes, 'Emerger' is tamed listening after listening and we discover little by little all the wealth and quality of arrangements and production. In summary, 'Carptree' is back on the progressive stage in early 2017 with an accessible album that beyond fans can be a gateway to all those who would like to discover progressive rock…

Line Up / Musicians

Niclas Flinck (Vocal), Carl Westholm (Guitars, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : No Future Orchestra = Ulf Edelönn (Guitar), Stefan Fandén (Bass, Bouzouki), Jesper Skarin (Drums), Cia Backman (Choirs), Öivin Tronstad (Choirs)


Artist : Elane

Album : Arcane 2

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 08-05-2017

After 'Arcane' in 2011 which was inspired by the fantastic novels of 'Kai Meyer', the Germans of ‘Elane' released in 2017 the version 2, 'Arcane 2' which is the continuity of the first album. The 14 tracks are in a very accessible melodic folk register and you could compare their style to the group of 'Candice Night' and 'Richie Blackmore', 'Blackmore's Night'. Led by singer and flautist ‘Joran Elane’, they take us on a folk/pop journey with multiples influences between East ('Sabatea's Song', 'Magic Carpet Ride') and Occident ('Breath Of Gold', 'More Stars Shine on Earth '). The accompaniment of keyboards and strings brings a sweetness to the ensemble and the last title of more than 12 minutes 'Nugua's Journey' supported by classical instruments ends the album with a large symphonic fresco. In short, the remake of ‘Arcane'is advisable to all lovers of pop/folk who like the felted atmospheres filled with delicacy...

Line Up / Musicians

Joran Elane (Vocal, Flute), Skaldir (Guitar, Bass, Drums), Nico (Keybords), Simon (Violin, Viola, Cello)


Artist : Bonfire

Album : Byte The Bullet

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 09-05-2017

After several decades of hard rock and about fifteen albums, here is in 2017 a new album of the Germans of 'Bonfire' always led by their guitarist 'Hans Ziller', I named 'Byte The Bullet'. All the tracks smell fine the Heavy style of the 80s with all the ingredients that go with : good melodies supported by a heavy rhythm, a singer who spares no effort, guitar solos close to 'Ritchie Blackmore' (there are some who must turn over in their graves listening to 'InstruMetal'). Add to that very successful ballads with 'Lonely Nights' and 'Without You' (they have nothing to envy to 'Scorpions'), a cover on their own crazy way with 'Locomotive Breath' by 'Jethro Tull', you have a very good record for all fans of Hard Rock and certainly beyond because when the music is good, it comes out of fashions and has no age...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Ziller (Guitar), Alexx Stahl (Vocal), Frank Pane (Guitar), Ronnie Parkes (Bass), Tim Breideband (Drums)


Artist : Vandroya

Album : Beyond The Human Mind

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 10-05-2017

'Vandraya' is a Brazilian heavy metal group who release their 2nd studio album 'Beyond The Human Mind' which shows an evolution in the path taken by the band. We find powerful and fast titles that we already known in them as 'The Path Of The Endless Fall', 'I'm Alive' or 'You Know Know My Name' but we discover other facets : 'Columns Of Illusion' suggests an introduction of symphonic metal groups, 'Maya' brings a progressive side with rhythm changes, 'Last Breath' and 'If I Forgive Myself' are two beautiful melodic ballads and the last eponymous title of the album of more than 10 minutes presents several atmospheres where we can find progressive parts more elaborate. In summary, with 'Beyond The Human Mind', the Brazilians of 'Vandroya', although there are chances that they remain limited for a certain audience, become more diversified to offer us a good metal album...

Line Up / Musicians

Daísa Munhoz (Vocal), Giovanni Perlati (Bass), Marco Lambert (Guitars), Otávio Nuñez (Drums), Rodolfo Pagotto (Guitars)


Artist : Honeymoon Suite

Album : Hands Up (EP)

Release Date : 17-03-2017

Added : 11-05-2017

'Honeymoon Suite' is a Canadian band who have been very popular in the 80s and 90s and continues to release few albums because the last one dated back to 2008. 'Hands Up' which comes out in 2017 is rather an EP because it contains only 7 tracks plus 2 live and has been financed with the participative financing on 'Pledgemusic'. Their AOR pop/rock style is very melodic, as we could hear with some bands of the 80s like 'Eagles' or 'Foreigner'. Certainly, they do not revolutionize the genre but with this 'Hands Up', we can only welcome that they have always this faculty to compose simple but catchy titles from the first listening for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Dee (Vocal, Guitar), Derry Grehan (Guitar, Vocal), Garry Lalonde (Bass, Vocal), Dave Betts (Drums), Peter Nunn (Keybords), Leah Marlene Grehan (Choirs)


Artist : Bader Nana

Album : Devolver

Release Date : 17-04-2017

Added : 12-05-2017

'Bader Nana' is a Lebanese author, composer, multi-instrumentist and producer who lives in Kuwait and who has already 2 studio records. 2017 sees the release of his new album 'Devolver' and it is on this point that I discover him. On this last album, the style is a progressive rock, always very melodic with magnificent arrangements that could suggest some of the tenors of the genre like 'Big Big Train', 'Arena' or even 'Dream Theater'. Nothing to throw in this ‘Devolver’ and what to say about this last title of more than 22 minutes with many influences and which offers us a journey without ever tired, each moment always bringing something special. In short, this 'Devolver' is for me the discovery of a talented artist who is put at the service of music and convey all the passion and emotion that we expect in this style ...

Line Up / Musicians

Bader Nana (Tous les instruments, Vocal), Ramzi Ramman (Guitar, Vocal), Omar Afuni (Vocal)


Artist : Magic Pie

Album : The Suffering Joy

Release Date : 19-12-2016

Added : 13-05-2017

In reality, the album 'The Suffering Joy' has been released in 2011 and as the label of 'Magic Pie' decided to reissue it at the end of 2016 and I did not know it, I discovered it on this occasion. It is a concept album that tells the life of a man from birth until his death. I was literally caught by the main title 'A Life's Work', cut in 4 parts, which take us in very varied progressive styles : the short introduction is atmospheric and we follow on a powerful instrumental title which can make think to 'Dream Theater'. The 3rd act is much quieter and acoustic which made me think of the atmosphere of 'Mother' of 'Pink Floyd'; The 4th chapter which is the masterpiece of more than 17 minutes mix different ambiences that move us from a progressive metal with instrumental parts integrating electric guitars and keyboards to calmer parts passing by the main theme sung and its catchy melody and its vocal harmonies that intensify the epic side. The continuation is a progressive rock always varied but more classic and obviously we think of some progressive’s bands of the 70/80. In conclusion, 'The Suffering Joy' is a catchy album that, like good wine, improves over the course of time and listening and that will inevitably remain dedicated for a warned audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Eirik Hanssen (Vocal, Guitar), Eirikur Hauksson (Vocal, Guitar), Gilbert Marshall (Vocal, Keybords), Jan Torkild Johannessen (Drums), Kim Stenberg (Guitar), Lars Petter Holstad (Bass), Mary Bentsen (Vocal)


Artist : Beneath My Sins

Album : Valkyries Of Modern Times

Release Date : 04-03-2017

Added : 14-05-2017

'Beneath My Sins' is a French band of symphonic metal and if you want to discover this genre, with their first studio album 'Valkyries Of Modern Times', they have all the ingredients of this style of music : heavy metal with guitars and drums Including symphonic elements from classical music and arrangements using symphonic orchestra (for the richest) or simply using sound samples imitating an orchestra for all instrumental part; for the vocal register, it is generally a female singer who evolves between a lyrical and classic register to which choirs are joined. With this first opus, 'Beneath My Sins' offers epic and symphonic tracks like the instrumental 'Spread Your Wings', the ballad 'Broken Pieces' and the last track 'Longing Is Still Alive'. There are also more tracks like 'From The Flames' with beautiful tempo breaks and welcome addition of choruses, the refreshing 'Loosing You Again' or the catchy 'The Beauty in the Witch'. With 'Dreams Shall Be Lived' and 'Fly Raven Fly', they add a pinch of folk that brings a variety to the whole. In short, 'Beneath My Sins', for a first album, enter by the front door of symphonic metal with a lyric singer and 'Valkyries Of Modern Times' should delight all lovers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Emma Elvaston (Vocal), Clement Botz (Guitar), Boris Devon (Drums), Pascal Clifford (Bass)


Artist : Cast

Album : Power And Outcome

Release Date : 10-03-2017

Added : 15-05-2017

'Cast', a Mexican ensemble who already have 20 albums to their credit (see on their website) and it is with this last album ‘Power And Outcome' that I discover them because it is their first record presented on Spotify. They evolve in a rich and varied progressive rock that draws their influences in some artists of the 70s like 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' or 'Genesis'. 10 compositions for 70 minutes, here is the menu of this last opus which begins by 'Rules Of The Desert' which is certainly not the most accessible title but which pretty well sums up the style of the group with a rather complex orchestration that mixes the instruments electric to the strings and to the piano. The two tracks 'Power And Outcome' and 'Details, Circles Spin' are more accessible and classic with a symphonic side. The following is the image of this beginning, an alternation of sought-after titles and simpler ones that make this album very varied but requires a few listening to penetrate each nook. In short, 'Power And Outcome', is a 40 years condensed of progressive rock and, although it’s a little too complex to discover this style of music, should please all the fans of the genre…

Line Up / Musicians

Bobby Vidales (Vocal), Alfonso Vidales (Keybords), Antonio Bringas (Drums), Carlos Humaran (Bass), Claudio Cordero (Guitar)


Artist : Midnight Sorrow

Album : Pick A Tale

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 16-05-2017

France is not necessarily a reference regarding symphonic metal, but after 'Beneath My Sins' (see chronicle Here), it is up to a new French group, 'Midnight Sorrow' to release their first studio album, 'Pick A Tale'. With 'Glorious', we think immediately of the leading bands of the genre and notably 'Leave's Eyes' with an alternation between Maureen's aerial chant and the growls of Samuel. With 'Between Sun And Moon', we are close to 'Nightwish' with a Celtic side, a lively rhythm and choirs very present. The follow-up maintains the same level with arrangements always worked and varied compositions in their structure like 'Treasure Of Your Life' of more than 11 minutes where they flirt with the progressive music. They do not neglect either calmer titles and the second part of the album contains 3 with the title in 2 times 'At First', 'Phase' and the last title 'A Last Ceremony' and, although 'Maureen Morvan' still has a margin of progression in her singing in the powerful parts, she already shows all her talent in these titles where she brings a particular emotion. In short, 'Midnight Sorrow' hits hard with 'Pick A Tale' and should make a good place in the fairly closed world of symphonic metal, that's all that we wish for them...

Line Up / Musicians

Maureen Morvan (Vocal), Nicolas Mickaël (Keybords), Samuel Stammbach (Guitars), Stéphane Perrier (Drums), William Simon (Bass)


Artist : Eye 2 Eye

Album : The Light Bearer

Release Date : 22-03-2017

Added : 17-05-2017

'Eye 2 Eye' is still a French band that I discover with their 4th album 'The Light Bearer' and who officiate in a progressive rock with seventies flavors. From the beginning, the eponymous title of more than 10 minutes takes us in a melancholic and very melodic atmosphere with several drawers that fit perfectly. The influences are many and obviously, the guitar playing reminds one of 'David Gilmour' and 'Michel Cerroni', their new singer, brings a soul to the compositions that reminds me the artists poise who participate to the different sagas of ‘Arjen Lusassen's', proportionally speaking, because the style remains pop/rock. Note also guests with 'Audrey Ruquet' singer and a string quartet for the very successful title 'Home'. In the end, nothing to throw in the 8 tracks and I cannot stop myself quoting the last track 'Crossing The Mirror' with a final that takes us back to the late 70's with a certain 'Comfortably Numb'. In short, this 'The Light Bearer' is still a very good surprise for this 2017 year and, though it might not please to some people, ‘Eye 2 Eye’ shows that French artists can compete without complex with the great bands of international progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Philippe Benabes (Keybords), Didier Pegues (Keybords, Drums), Bruno Pegues (Guitar), Etienne Damin (Bass), Michel Cerroni (Vocal) + Guests : Audrey Ruquet (Vocal, Choirs), Chloé Lecoq (Viola), Kelly Mezino (Vocal, Choirs), Marie Delaunay (Violin), Marie Hortense Carlach (Choirs), Mathieu Lecoq (Cello), Natasha Morley (Choirs), Sophie Guille Des Buttes (Violin)


Artist : Cellar Noise

Album : Alight

Release Date : 11-02-2017

Added : 18-05-2017

'Cellar Noise' is an Italian band led by 2 brothers who release their first studio album 'Alight'. They take us into a symphonic and progressive universe of the 70s where they incorporate elements of classical music (listen to the final of 'Temple'). The first instrumental track, 'Dive With Me', mixes electric instruments with acoustic instruments, piano, and cello. In the sung compositions, 'Francesco Lovari' brings a softness that sticks perfectly to the style. In short, apart from the short title 'Blackfriars' quite dynamic, with this first opus, 'Cellar Noise' give us a great time in a world of sweetness and serenity and if you are looking for an album to listen quietly after a good day of work, you should adopt 'Alight', accessible to a fairly large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Bersan (Drums), Loris Bersan (Bass), Niccolò Gallani (Keybords), Francesco Lovari (Vocal, Percussions), Alessandro Palmisano (Guitar)


Artist : Alan Reed

Album : Honey on the Razor’s Edge

Release Date : 08-04-2017

Added : 19-05-2017

I often play the live 'Blinding Darkness' of 2003 of 'Pallas' band which remains for me one of the best concert of the 2000 years in the progressive music. One of the reasons is, of course, the singing performance of ‘Alan Reed', who knows how to transmit an emotion at every moment always on the razor’s edge (listen on Spotify' Blood And Roses'). In fact, this razor’s edge, can be found in the title of his second album 'Honey on the Razor's Edge'. The style is lighter than the epic atmosphere of 'Pallas' and with a myriad of famous guests, he proposes 8 titles marrying the modernity with influences drawn from the progressive music of the last 40 years while always keeping catchy melody lines. Beyond the song always on top of Alan who always knows how to transmit an emotion, he is supported by excellent musicians who have put all their talent to his service and integrate themselves perfectly to magnify the whole. In short, 'Alan Reed', with this 'Honey on the Razor's Edge', offers a modern album that should reach a large audience and go beyond the frontiers of the specific progressive music public...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Reed (Vocal, Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Percussions), Mike Stobbie (Keybords), Scott Higham (Drums) + Guests : Christina Booth (Vocal), Claude Leonetti (Leode), Jeff Green (Guitar), Laetitia Chaudemanche (Vocal), Monique Van Der Kolk (Vocal), Steve Hackett (Harmonica)


Artist : Dool

Album : Here Now, There Then

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 20-05-2017

With the Dutch of 'Dool' and their first studio album 'Here Now, There Then', we could say after the first listen that they embarked us in a heavy and dark rock that is usually called 'doom'. But like groups practising this style, even if the atmosphere remains heavy on certain compositions, the ensemble is relatively varied and melodic : 'Vantablack' which opens the album is typical of doom style but the following title 'Golden Serpents' contrast with the rest with its catchy rhythmic. 'Ryanne Van Dorst', on vocals, brings a rock style with an original register with a great capacity to adapt as on the excellent 'Words On Paper' and its heady refrain (in the good sense of the word). With 'In Her Darknest Hour', even if we come back to a heavy rhythm, the melody and the song make it a catchy title. My favorite song goes to 'Oweynagat' which quickly becomes a progressive marvel with its final crescendo. In short, with 'Here Now, There Then', we must stop at the first listen if we want to hang because this opus takes some time to be tame and to discover every nook and cranny...

Line Up / Musicians

Job Van De Zande (Bass), Micha Haring (Drums), Nick Polak (Guitars), Reinier Vermeulen (Guitars), Ryanne Van Dorst (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : Laura Cox Band

Album : Hard Blues Shot

Release Date : 10-03-2017

Added : 21-05-2017

You want great rock beat, no need to go to the Kangourou’s country, we have all this at home, and yes, without leaving France !! she calls 'Laura Cox' and with her band named planly ‘Laura Cox Band’, she released her first studio album 'Hard Blues Shot'. The eponymous title sets the stage with saturated guitars and a frenzied rhythm. On some tracks, we are close to the boogies-blues from the 'Status Quo' or 'ZZ top' that only few bands have managed to match, for example, 'Too Nice for Rock'n'Roll' or the magnificent 'Morning Road'. The quieter titles are not forgotten with the magnificent 'Goog Ol' Days' and the last acoustic title sung in English and French. 'Barefoot In The Countryside' also shows that she knows how to adapt to all styles to enchant us with country music. In conclusion, 'Laura Cox' and his band show us that we can make good rock in France and that, if they do not yield to the song of sirens of the major majors who will impose their choices and if they fight to keep their artistic independence, promise beautiful days for all lovers of an authentic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Cox (Vocal, Guitars), Antonin Guerin (Drums), François C. Delacoudre (Bass), Mathieu Albiac (Guitar)


Artist : Aldaria

Album : Land of Light

Release Date : 25-03-2017

Added : 22-05-2017

Multiple artists from the international metal scene, a concept album on the discovery of a manuscript in the Babylon’s city describing an unknown world named 'Aldaria' where are the guardians of light, here is, in a few words the latest project of the Norwegian guitarist 'Frode Hovd'. On the music side, it's a power metal with a good dose of epic. After a usual instrumental introduction, 'Another Life' embarks us on the adventure with a first typical title of the melodic power metal close to ‘Avantasia'. The sequel is divided into powerful compositions such as 'Guardians Of The Lights', 'Lost In The Darkness Below' or 'From The Ashes' and beautiful ballads like 'Sands Of Time' or 'Trails Of Tears'. The last title 'Land Of Light' of nearly 12 minutes closes this saga with an epic composition and a refrain that left on you. In short, with 'Aldaria', 'Frode Hovd' makes a great spread to offer us a grandiose saga supported by the big names of the metal which should please a warned public and amateur of an epic and powerful metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Frode Hovd (Guitars) + Guests : Mistheria (Keybords), Andreas Nergård (Keybords, Drums), Bernt Fjellestad (Vocal), Christer Harøy (Guitar), David Åkesson (Vocal), Eskild Kløften (Guitar), Fabio Lione (Vocal), Filip Andel (Bass), Filip Koluš (Guitar), Gabriels (Keybords), Jimmy Hedlund (Guitar), Jonas Heidgert (Vocal), Kenneth Skarsvaag (Bass), Konstantin Naumenko (Vocal), Kristoffer Göbel (Vocal), Marit Minniva Børresen (Vocal), Mathias Blad (Vocal), Mayo Petranin (Vocal), Mike LePond (Bass), Mina Giannopoulou (Vocal), Pellek (Vocal), Peter Crowley (Keybords), Peter Danielsen (Keybords), Rayner Harøy (Bass), Rick Altzi (Vocal), Rob Lundgren (Vocal), Robert Myrhaug (Drums), Roland Grapow (Guitar), Ronnie König (Bass), Sigfried Samer (Vocal), Todd Michael Hall (Vocal), Tommy Reinxeed (Vocal), Uli Kusch (Drums), Vasilis Georgiou (Vocal), Yannis Papadopoulos (Vocal)


Artist : Encircled

Album : The Monkey Jamboree

Release Date : 20-01-2017

Added : 23-05-2017

'The Monkey Jamboree' is the first album of the English band 'Encircled' that appears in Spotify, but it’s already their third record; they evolve in a progressive seventies rock mixing atmospheric, pop and rock. The eponymous first title makes us penetrate this opus by a muffled atmosphere with the voice sprung of 'Mark Busby Burrows'; Then follows 'Alphabetically Possible' which is lighter with its entailing and marked tempo. With 'Complexity', we return to a more intimate atmosphere that reminds me of the tormented world of 'David Bowie'. Again, new style change with 'Stereochrome' and its eighties rhythmic between 'Police' and 'Alan Parsons Project'. The following is the image of this beginning and the last title 'Chasing The Ghost' of more than 16 minutes, summarizes well the whole because it contains all the ingredients that 'Encircled' incorporates in its compositions and all ends in a few notes of piano and flute. In summary, with 'The Monkey Jamboree', 'Encircled' releases a very good album of progressive pop/rock to listen calmly with a helmet to escape for a moment of this world that is moving too fast...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Busby Burrows (Vocal, Guitar), Gareth Evans (Guitar), Scott Evans (Bass, Keybords), Stuart Picken (Drums), Kym Hart (Flute, Choirs)


Artist : Ayreon

Album : The Source

Release Date : 18-04-2017

Added : 24-05-2017

After 'The Theory of Everything' in 2013, and under his project 'Ayreon' which continues to tell us stories of science fiction, here is the latest born of ‘Arjen Lucassen's’ family, I named 'The Source' a double album where, as usual, the Dutchman puts once again his address book filled with artists from the international metal scene. Since the first title of more than 12 minutes, "The Day That The World Breaks Down", we recognize the personal style of the unmatched composer's with all the ingredients that made him famous : a mix of styles from 40 years of Progressive rock and metal in the service of the story interpreted by the troop of talented artists embarked in the adventure. I could cite all the titles so each brings its own style and a different atmosphere compared to others. So, it is certain, to appreciate, you have to like diversity between folk, pop, rock and metal and as always with 'Arjen', you can appropriate these 88 minutes of this saga only after listening several times because it’s important to take the work as a whole. In summary, 'The Source' is added to the collection of essential albums to possess in his ideal set of albums when you are a fan of progressive’s rock and metal and when you are open to mixing genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitars, Bass, Mandolin, Keybords), Marcel Coenen (Guitars), Floor Jansen (Vocal), Guthrie Govan (Guitars), Hansi Kürsch (Vocal), James Labrie (Vocal), Mark Kelly (Keybords), Michael Eriksen (Vocal), Michael Mills (Vocal), Nils K. Rue (Vocal), Paul Gilbert (Guitars), Russell Allen (Vocal), Simone Simons (Vocal), Tobias Sammet (Vocal), Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Tommy Rogers (Vocal), Zaher Zorgati (Vocal), Jeroen Goossens (Flute), Ben Mathot (Violin), Ed Warby (Drums), Guthrie Govan (Guitar), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Joost van den Broek (Piano), Will Shaw (Vocal)


Artist : Imelda May

Album : Life Love Flesh Blood

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 25-05-2017

Change of look, change of music style, the Irish 'Imelda May', who became known singing rockabilly, has just released a new album 'Life Love Flesh Blood' and asserts herself in an intimate universe drawing her influences in blues, country, jazz, pop and rock in a particularly successful mix. We sail between soft melodies like 'Call Me', 'Human' or 'How Bad Can a Good Girl Be', Blues with the beautiful 'Black Tears' where 'Jeff Beck' in person makes this title a real duet with Imelda or the sensual 'When It's My Time', Pop with the refreshing 'Should not Been You' or the swaying 'Flesh And Blood', Rock with 'Game Changer' or 'The Longing' and an Imelda that shows us a more bitter musical register and finally a Country sound to which she adds a real swing with 'Sixth Sense'. In short, 'Imelda May' offers us a very mature album full of surprises, accessible to a large audience and proves that with 'Life Love Flesh Blood', she turned another corner for our greatest pleasure…

Line Up / Musicians

Imelda May (Vocal), T Bone Burnett (Guitar), Marc Ribot (Guitars, Ukulélé), Jay Bellerose (Drums), Patrick Warren (Keybords), Zachary Dawes (Bass), Dennis Crouch (Bass), Darrell Leonard, Carl Wheeler (Organ) + Guests : Jeff Beck (Guitars), Jools Holland (Piano)


Artist : Treat

Album : The Road More or Less Traveled (Live)

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 26-05-2017

After a reformation in 2005, the Swedes of 'Treat' have only released 2 albums since this date and 'The Road More or Less Traveled' is an opportunity to discover this group of melodic metal live, a DVD accompanying the CD. We find most of the band's main titles and melodies like Swedish bands do so well. In addition, the live brings a spontaneous interpretation that makes the titles very effective with a powerful rhythmic, catchy guitar riffs and a singer who does its utmost. And to illustrate this, listen to 'Roar' and its chorus designed to sing a whole stadium. In short, listening to this live, we risk having for some fans an increase of decibels in their living room and for others, it is an opportunity to discover the kind of groups that takes its full dimension in concert...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Ernlund (Vocal), Anders Wikstrom (Vocal, Guitars), Jamie Borger (Drums), Patrick Applegren (Keybords), Pontus Egberg (Vocal, Bass)


Artist : Brian May, Kerry Ellis

Album : Golden Days

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 27-05-2017

When a legendary rock guitarist 'Brian May' joins a musical comedy artist, 'Kerry Ellis', it may seem incongruous, but after a successful debut album 'Anthem' in 2012, the duo comes back with 'Golden Days', in a mix of tracks written either by ‘Brian May’ or by the duo and covers that take us back several decades. After 4 unreleased songs in a style between pop and rock, we sail between a beautiful interpretation of the famous 'Amazing Grace', the acoustic ballad 'One Voice' by 'Ruth Moody', the popular songs ‘If I loved You' and 'Born Free' or a very successful version of 'Parisienne Walkways' from 'Gary More' and 'Phil Lynott', including also 'I Who Have Nothing' from 1961 (cover by an impressive number of artists including 'Status Quo' in 1966) or 'Story of a Heart' by 'Abba' and ended with 'Can not Help Falling In Love' popularized by Elvis Presley in the early 1960s. In short, ‘Brian May’ and 'Kerry Ellis' take us on a journey through time and, even if they do not bring any novelty, with this 'Golden Days', their talents make us spend a great time...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian May (Guitars), Kerry Ellis (Vocal)


Artist : Axel Rudi Pell

Album : The Ballads V

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 28-05-2017

German hard rock bands have always excelled in ballads. But there, with 'Axel Rudi Pell', it releases albums of ballads more than he can shake a stick at because this last opus, which is already the fifth in the series, is simply called 'The Ballads V' and regroups songs of 6 years ago, with the sumptuous 'Lived Our Lives Before' and other recent ones such as 'On The Edge Of Our Time', including also few bonuses, a duet with 'Bonnie Tyler' with 'Love's Holding On ', a 'Neil Young’ cover 'Hey Hey My My’ and a lovely 'Mistreated’ live of ‘Deep Purple' that feels good the' 70s and a particular 'Ritchie Blackmore'. He shows that beyond the years of career and his just under 20 albums, he continues to do what he always liked to do : play good melodic hard rock for the pleasure of his fans and, with this album of ballads, certainly for a larger public in the same way that other groups like 'Scorpions' did...

Line Up / Musicians

Axel Rudi Pell (Guitars), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Volker Krawczak (Bass) + Guest : Bonnie Tyler (Vocal)


Artist : Sheryl Crow

Album : Be Myself

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 29-05-2017

With this 10th album 'Be Myself', the American singer 'Sheryl Crow', better known on the American continent than in Europe, signs a return to origins with more direct compositions and where we can find a particular authenticity. It's a mix of pop, blues, folk and rock in the great tradition of 70s and 80s artists such as 'Bob Dylan', 'Elton John' Or 'Fleetwood Mac'. We feel a real desire to touch the public and each title hangs from the first notes like the magnificent 'Heartbeat Away' with its catchy rhythmic where it’s not possible to prevent your foot to mark the beat. In short, 'Sheryl Crow' shows that the expression 'the leopard cannot change its spots' is verified with this last album, and it’s for our great pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Sheryl Crow (Bass, Guitar, Piano), Jeff Trott (Bass, Guitar, Moog, Organ, Sitare, Choirs), Doyle Bramhall II (Choirs), Gary Clark Jr. (Guitar), Mark Douthit (Saxophone), Fred Eltringham (Drums, Percussions), Audley Freed (Guitar), Toby Gad (Bass, Moog), Josh Grange (Flute, Guitar, Piano), Barry Green (Trombone), Robert Kearns (Bass), The McCrary Sisters (Choirs), Adam Minkoff (Keybords), Doug Moffet (Saxophone), Steve Patrick (Trumpet), Andrew Petroff (Percussion), Rick Purcell, David Rossi, Tim Smith (Choirs)


Artist : La Fabbrica delle nuvole

Album : La Fabbrica delle nuvole

Release Date : 15-01-2017

Added : 30-05-2017

'A cloud factory' created by Italian-born 'Livio Rabito', who is releasing his first solo album with this theme. He takes us in his intimate world with delicate and introspective compositions he wrote little by little from 2013 to 2016. To accompany his different titles, he surrounded himself with musician’s friends playing multiple instruments that give the reply to his sweet voice. His influences are a mixture of progressive international psychedelic music and songs by Italian artists like 'Dimartino' or 'Colaspece'. In summary, 'La Fabbrica delle nuvole' is a trip in a delicate and poetic world to enjoy on headphones in a quiet place and intended for a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Livio Rabito (Vocal, Choirs, Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Peppe Burrafato (Drums), Vincent Migliorisi (Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Xylophone, Percussion), Enrico Giurdanella: (Guitar, Sitar, Banjo), Jascha Parisi (Cello), Salvo Randazzo (Violin), Andrea Dipasquale (Trombone), Andrea Savasta (Trumpet), Giuseppe Distefano (Accordion), Davide Ragusa (Flute), Riccardo Gerbino (Tabla, Djembe)


Artist : Crazy Lixx

Album : Ruff Justice

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 31-05-2017

A few days apart, the melodic hard-rock style albums release follow one another in the footsteps of the 80’s era bands like 'Def Leppard' or 'Europe'. The Swedish school has always been prolific in this genre but, there, you have 3 Swedish bands for the price of one !! First, 'Crazy Lixx's release their 5th album 'Ruff Justice'. Then come 'Bai Bang' with their 8th album named 'Rock Of Life' (Here ). Finally, for 'Art Of Nation', they release their second studio album with 'Liberation' (Here). To this, we have to add also the Canadians of ‘Harem Scarem' who for their part, are already at their 14th album (Here ). All these groups are in the purest tradition of melodic hard rock with a powerful sound, saturated guitars and omnipresent choirs. Without reinventing the wheel, each title is very efficient and can be assimilated immediately. In short, thanks to these different groups, you, who are a fan of melodic hard-rock style of the eighties, you are spoiled for choice to run the time machine and have a great time...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Rexon (Vocal), Chrisse Olsson (Guitars), Jens Lundgren (Guitars), Jens Sjoholm (Bass), Joél Cirera (Drums)


Artist : Bai Bang

Album : Rock Of Life

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 01-06-2017

See presenting Here

Line Up / Musicians

Diddi Kastenholt (Vocal), Filip Wilhelmsson (Guitars), Christoffer Svensson (Bass), Oskar Wennberg (Drums)


Artist : Art Of Nation

Album : Liberation

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 02-06-2017

See presenting Here

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Carl Tudén (Drums), Carl-Johan Gustafsson (Guitars), Christoffer Borg (Guitars), Rebecka Tholerus (Bass)


Artist : Harem Scarem

Album : United

Release Date : 12-05-2017

Added : 03-06-2017

See presenting Here

Line Up / Musicians

Harry Hess (Vocal, Guitars), Pete Lesperance (Guitars), Stan Miczek (Bass), Creighton Doane (Drums)


Artist : Procol Harum

Album : Novum

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 04-06-2017

When Spotify introduced 'Novum' from 'Procol Harum' in the latest news in 2017, I first thought of a mistake. And then, I had to go to the obvious. This band, which I considered to be already old in the late 70's and which released the 'A Wither Shade of Pale' interplanetary tube just 50 years ago, have just released their 12th studio album; For the occasion, the survivor of the original group 'Gary Brooker' called 'Pete Brown' in for the texts, known for collaborating with 'Cream' (it does not rejuvenate us either !!). And finally, the magic always operates with Gary's intact voice as time had no effect on him. We sail in a universe of songs between 'Bob Dylan', 'Neil Young' and 'Joe Cocker', the progressive side being less present from what was known. The sense of melody is always there with titles like 'Last Chance Motel', 'Soldier', 'The Only One' or 'Sunday Morning' that would have made the tubes at the time and sing to our ears as if they had already been heard hundreds of times. In summary, 'Novum' is still an incredible album of 'Procol Harum' which continues to defy time and fashions to delight us 50 years after their first big tube...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Brooker (Vocal, Piano), Geoff Whitehorn (Guitars), Josh Phillips (Keybords), Matt Pegg (Bass), Geoff Dunn (Drums)


Artist : End Of The Dream

Album : Until You Break

Release Date : 11-05-2017

Added : 05-06-2017

After a very promising debut in 2015 (see Here ), here is our Dutch 'End Of The Dream' band who do it all over again with a second opus that confirms the potential of the group. Indeed, listening to the first titles, we are at the level of the metal symphonic tenors with a more powerful sound, the singer 'Micky Huiijsmans' who is always at the top and a production that has evolved compared to the first album. 'Until You Break' opens the stage with a melody that recalls some 'Within Temptation' titles. The result is a reflection of this first title, catchy melodies which quickly addict you and enter your head. A small break with the beautiful ballad 'I Am Nothing', then a second part of album where we find titles always symphonic but at the limit of the progressive like for example 'Defile' or 'Your Poison' showing the capacity of the Micky’s register who knows how to adapt her voice according to the atmosphere and where we feel an important instrumental work bringing a variety inside the compositions. We can notice the magnificent last title 'The Light' mixing soft and powerful parts and finishing on a piano part influenced by the great classic and romantic composer 'Frédéric Chopin'. In short, with the 1st opus 'All I Am', I was hoping it would be 'The Beginning Of The Dream' : well, it is confirmed with this second opus, we moved on to the next phase: 'The Continuation Of The Dream'...

Line Up / Musicians

Micky Huiijsmans (Vocal), Armen Shamelian (Guitar, Keybords), Robin van Ekeren (Guitar), Pim Geraets (Drums), Tim van den Hooven (Bass)


Artist : Lonely Robot

Album : The Big Dream

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 06-06-2017

When 'John Mitchell' (amongst other things, guitarist of ‘Arena’ for twenty years which was one of my 2015 favorites albums Here) releases a new project, he catches the attention in the web on progressive music sites. He released In 2015 'Come Home' and 2017 saw the launch of 'The Big Dream'. Like always, the theme revolves around science fiction and his astronaut continues to discover other worlds. Accompanied by his companions 'Nick Beggs' (bassist of 'Steve Hackett' and 'Steve Wilson'), Graig Blundel (Drummer of 'Steve Wilson') and a few other guests, he offers us an almost hour of progressive rock from a variety of sought titles like 'Awakenings', 'Sigma' or 'Everglow', with successive atmospheres and guitar’s solos of which he alone has the secret, to more intimate compositions like ‘In Floral Green’, ‘The Devine Art Of Being’ or ‘Hello World Goodbye’ (there is 'Peter Gabriel' inside !!). We can note also a very successful cosmic instrumental saga of 8 minutes and the two acoustics tracks 'In Floral Green' and 'The Art Of Being'. In summary, 'John Mitchell' confirms with 'The Big Dream' that he continues to evolve in the best of the bunch of progressive rock by offering us a flawless album which will certainly be well received by all fans of the genre but which should also, thanks to very accessible titles, reach a fairly wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mitchell (Vocal, Guitars, Bass,Keybords), Nick Beggs (Bass), Graig Blundell (Drums) + Guests : Kim Seviour (Vocal), Lian Holmes (Keybords), Steve Vantsis (Bass)


Artist : Asfalto

Album : Cronicas de un Tiempo Raro

Release Date : 03-02-2017

Added : 07-06-2017

We are now in Spain, with 'Alsfalto', which is a progressive pop/rock band that have already been around for 45 years and have released 'Cronicas de un Tiempo Raro', their 12th studio album. Their style mixes influences drawn from their descent and others in the progressive currents of the last 40 years with committed texts (political corruption, emigration, unemployment, etc…). We switch from energetic rock titles with guitar riffs like 'Lluvia de Abril', 'Paradoja' or 'Cronicas de un Tiempo Raro' to softer titles where their Hispanic sources are more present like 'Nani Albox', 'Treinta años Después' or '15 rosas negras' via pop titles such as 'Melani', 'Déjalo ser' or 'La Bestia'. In short, even if they don’t have an international fame, 'Asfalto' show that it is possible to do good progressive music by singing in his native language and 'Cronicas de un Tiempo Raro' is a record with a lot of very good surprises for all fans of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Julio Castejón (Vocal, Guitarre, Choirs), Paul Castejon (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Arturo García (Drums, Champ), Nacho de Lucas (Keybords), Pablo Ruiz (Bass), Johan Cheka (Choirs) + Guest : John Helliwel (Saxophone, Supertramp)


Artist : Kant Freud Kafka

Album : Onirico

Release Date : 20-04-2017

Added : 08-06-2017

Funny name for a musical project : ‘Kant Feud Kafka’ !! Don’t worry, the music has no connection with philosophy but is simply the result of a joke between friends. This project is the fruit of 'Javi Herrera', author/composer who releases his second album 'Onirico' and makes us travel in a progressive symphonic world where a large number of styles and instruments coexist. Therefore, you must love the diversity to adhere and several listenings are necessary to penetrate the universe of Javi. For example, 'És Quan Dormo that hello Veig Clar' of more than 10 minutes begins with religious vocals with contemporary paces accompanied by an organ; It follows a part beginning with guitar riffs in a progressive style of the seventies and then the rhythm accelerates for an instrumental part where the guitar leaves a place to a keyboards solo; The following transition brings us back to a style that reminds me of the 'Renaissance' band (the song reminds me of ‘Annie Haslam's special voice) and where the violin then reinforces the symphonic and romantic side to finally give way to a last sung part which ends in some piano notes. To summarize, 'Onirico' is an excellent album to discover gradually to appropriate little by little all the nooks and crannies and intended for a public open to a mix of different styles and atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Javi Herrera (Drums, Vocal), Cecilia Burguera (Violin), Mónica Cruzata (Viola), Queralt Garcia (Cello), German Fafian (Guitar), Daniel Fernandez Campos (Bass), Alia Herrera (Vocal), Andrea Herrera (Claquettes), Mandharu (Crotales, Carillon), Rafael Pacha (Tympanon, Guitar, Mandolin, Bouzouki), Pol Sanchez (Guitarre, Mandole), Dick Them (Bass), Guillem Vilar (Hautbois, Cor Anglais)


Artist : Lambert

Album : Sweet Apocalypse

Release Date : 12-05-2017

Added : 09-06-2017

The pianist 'Lambert' continues to cultivate the mystery and it is always behind his mask that he releases his 4th album 'Sweet Apocalypse'. This new opus continues in the line of the previous by taking us into an aerial world close to the dream where the compositions are short, each contains a different atmosphere and excites a certain emotion thanks to his piano’s play that looks like 'Erik Satie' composer style which he mixes more modern influences and some percussion. But there is somewhere in 'Lambert' this little extra that sets him apart and makes him an unique artist of our time. In summary, 'Sweet Apocalypse' is an intimate album that comes out of the current fashions and which, like artists like 'Thomas Zaruba' ('see Here ) or' Christine Ott'(see Here), is to be tasted calmly with the helmet to escape in a world where one loses all reference of space and time...

Line Up / Musicians

Lambert (Piano)


Artist : Epic Mind

Album : Through The Labyrinth

Release Date : 03-03-2017

Added : 10-06-2017

2017 sees the release of the first album of the Dutch of 'Epic Mind', new group in the sphere of the progressive metal. 'Through The Labyrinth' has more than an hour of music with elaborate titles, with very different atmospheres and styles. And generally in this case, it takes several listening to enter the universe of the group : the title 'Perfect Ware Machine' of more than 20 minutes is an epic saga alternating energetic melodic parts and calmer ones with several changes of tempo. From style point of view, the title is influenced by bands as diverse as 'Pink Floyd' (The Introduction), 'Dream Theater' (The first very epic part), 'Ayreon' (the middle with a marked theatrical side), 'Symphony X' (the second part for the power of the riffs) and 'Pain Of Salvation' (the melodic final in crescendo). In summary, with 'Through The Labryrinth', 'Epic Mind' is releasing a very good album, and although it will probably remain limited to a discerning audience open to a diversity of genres, is one of the 2017 very good surprises in the category of new progressive music artists...

Line Up / Musicians

Leon Vonk (Vocal), Jari Stoppelenburg (Bass), Folkert Van Blom (Drums, Piano), Raoul Van Oosten (Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Cyril Mokaiesh

Album : Clôture

Release Date : 20-01-2017

Added : 11-06-2017

It’s already the 4th album of the Frenchman 'Cyril Mokaiesh' and he’s only beginning to be known in the hexagon. Certainly, he must embarrass some people and he’s not politically correct enough !! The web in this case allows this kind of artist to express himself and this for our greatest pleasure. 'Clôture' is a strong album in words and Cyril continues to engage with for example this first title 'The law of the market' in duet with 'Bernard Lavilliers' where he denounces our capitalist society and always this talent to transmit the message by words that reach the target every time (like this magnificent: 'At Liddl, the pack of beers has suicidal impulses'). And, not to fall completely into denunciation, he knows how to modulate his talk by proposing other lighter texts like 'Houleux', '32 rue Buffaut 'or 'Une vie' where he knows how to convey an emotion in melancholy texts. We can also note the last spoken title 'Closing', a real disturbing poetic jewel that he describes himself as 'a mini testament that has nothing to bequeath' with a magnificent musical theme in crescendo that accompanies the words and which all grab you. In summary, 'Cyril Mokaiesh' is part of this generation of artists like 'Tagada Jones', 'Matmatah’ (see Here) or 'Lazuli' (see Here) who live their music without concession and who prove to us that it is possible to leave the preformatted system of major companies to deliver a sincere and committed message...


Artist : Archimède

Album : Méhari

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 12-06-2017

Like 'Cyril Mokaiesh', the 2 brothers of Archimedes' release their 4th album with 'Mehari'. Compared to Cyril, change of style and speech, they offer us a refreshing album with melodies accessible immediately. Texts mix different themes more or less minor with this ability to handle words to either denounce or entertain us. Some songs are engaged as’Je singe le Monkey' criticizing our society which must always follow standards and fashions or 'Toujours plus con', beautiful text and its obvious conclusion: 'and we call evolution, the art of becoming ever more fool’. Other Songs are lighter as 'Fils de' or 'Le braleur parfait' with texts that fly and recall artists like 'Renaud' (in another era !) or 'Jacques Dutronc'. They also practice self-mockery with this magnificent 'Accroche toi'. In summary, to take one of their songs, we must thank 'Gérard Boisnard' who is ultimately the main responsible, because without him we would not have the happiness to listen to this 'Mehari'...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicolas Boisnard (Vocal, Tambourine, Harmonica), Frédéric Boisnard (Vocal, Guitar), Daniel Marsala (Guitar), Fred Jimenez (Bass), Olivier Ferrarin (Drums)


Artist : Sideburn

Album : #Eight

Release Date : 05-05-2017

Added : 13-06-2017

It is only with this '#Eight', which as its name indicates is the 8th album of the Swiss of 'Sideburn', that I discover them but they already have many flight hours on the clock. With this last opus, we have rendezvous in the land of the Kangaroos and a certain 'AC/DC' which hovers over all the titles. Do not look for any novelty but let yourself go to listen without hassle those different songs that hang from the first listen. They have this little extra to handling the melodies that you get into your head immediately and swinging super effective tempos that as someone said are made 'for the feet'. To rest, we also have the right to slower titles with for example 'Get You Ride On' or 'Driving on the Main Line'. In short, as you will have understood, this '#Eight' is to put in the hands of lovers of good hard-rock melodic and can be enjoy without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Roland Pierrehumbert (Vocal, Harmonica), Lawrence Lina (Guitars), Lionel Blanc (Drums), Mike Ruffart (Guitars), Nick Thornton (Bass)


Artist : Superscream

Album : The Engines Cries

Release Date : 05-05-2017

Added : 14-06-2017

'Superscream' is a French band that released a first album 'Some Strange Heavy Sound' in 2011, a set of progressive metal compositions mixing influences as diverse as classical, oriental, South American, world music and I certainly forget other. It was necessary to be well hooked and especially open to a mixture of genres to join. With this second album 'The Engines Cries', even if it stays in a very elaborate and varied progressive metal, the composer 'Phil Vermont' has moderated his intention by bringing a more melodic and classical aspect like this first title 'Evil Cream' who is eyeing groups like 'Dream Theater' or the beautiful mid-tempo 'You Necklace Of Bites'. But the diversity is still there and shows the full extent of this band with tracks like 'The Engine Cries' which starts in oriental arpeggios to move towards a melody supported by the voice of 'Eric Pariche' which reminds me of 'Ian Gillan' then the title continues on a typical tempo of progressive metal to finish on an amazing guitar solo. We could cite all the titles because they all have their own identity. In summary, 'The Engines Cries', although it will undoubtedly be reserved for a certain audience, is an album which improves progressively listening after listening and which should find a good place in the ideal disco of all amateurs of progressive metal open to a fairly broad mix of genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vermont (Guitars), Eric Pariche (Vocal), Daniel Sminiac (Guitars), Martin Mabire (Drums), Stéphane Lescarbotte (Bass)


Artist : Snakecharmer

Album : Second Skin

Release Date : 12-05-2017

Added : 15-06-2017

2 former 'Whitesnake' have created 'Snakecharmer' in 2011 and released their second album 'Second Skin' in 2017, bringing us to the great tradition of 70s rock bands blending rock and blues. Meanwhile, 'Micky Moody' left the ship and has been replaced by 'Simon McBride' on guitar. The 11 tracks are all pretty classical, but our 'Snakecharmer' guys have that little extra to swing mid-tempo melodic compositions that immediately hang and plunge us back into the seventies with that feeling of always being part of our lives. In short, even if they do not revolutionize much, we spend a very great time listening to this last opus, and if you are fans of English rock bands of the 70/80, you can hurry blindfolded listen to this 'Second Skin’...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Ousey (Vocal), Laurie Wisefield (Guitars), Simon Mcbride (Guitars), Neil Murray (Bass), Harry James (Drums), Adam Wakeman (Keybords)


Artist : Nad Sylvan

Album : The Bride Said No

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 16-06-2017

'Nad Sylvan' continues his little journey and in addition to singing for 'Steve Hackett' releases the continuation of his saga with his hero 'Vampirate' always in search of great love. For the second opus in his story, he called on a plethora of prominent guests from the progressive stage including Steve Hackett. Some songs remind me of 'Genesis' band ('The Quatermaster' for example) but the compositions are rather varied and Nad is not limited to this style but explores other tracks like the melancholy 'When the Music Dies' but also the modernity with 'The White Crown', romanticism with 'What Have You Done' and his magnificent final guitar solo (Thank you Mr Hackett) and especially the last 'The Bride Said No' song of more than 12 minutes and its atmosphere between rock and classic. In summary, 'The Bride Said No' is still an album to be tame slowly to take out all the substantial core and although some titles are very accessible, will probably be limited to a certain public because the variety that makes it a very high quality album, can discourage some...

Line Up / Musicians

Nad Sylvan (Vocal) + Guests : Doane Perry (Drums), Guthrie Govan (Guitar), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums), Roine Stolt (Guitar), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Tony Levin (Bass)


Artist : Mastercastle

Album : Wine Of Heaven

Release Date : 19-05-2017

Added : 17-06-2017

Between rock and metal, the Italians of 'Mastercastle' are already releasing their 6th album since their creation in 2008. The female singer 'Giorgia Guelglio' always leads the dance and the 9 tracks are divided between dynamic compositions like 'Drink Of Me', ‘Space of Variations' or 'Hot As Blood' and other quieter like 'Wine Of Heaven' or the beautiful ballad 'Black Tree's Black'. Also we can note 2 covers, a rework of the cartoon 'Castle in the Sky' and its melancholy theme with electric guitar without distorting the original theme and ‘Making Love’ from 'Yngwie Malmsteen', which 'Giorgia Guelglio' beautifully appropriates. In short, with this 'Wine of Heaven', 'Mastercastle' offers us a good album with very melodic titles, assimilable quickly and, although it’s close to metal, should please a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Giorgia Gueglio (Vocal), Alessandro Bissa (Drums), Pier Gonella (Guitar), Steve Vawamas (Bass)


Artist : Galahad

Album : Quiet Storms

Release Date : 15-05-2017

Added : 18-06-2017

'Quiet Storms' is the 9th studio album of the English of 'Galahad' who propose to us the reinterpretation of some of their titles in a very refined atmosphere. For those who do not know them, they were formed in 1985, starting with covers of the great progressive bands of the 70s and their first album has been released in 1991. It was with the concept album 'Year Zero' in 2002 that they become an inescapable band of progressive music. 'Quiet Storms' is made up of covers that appear under another face and that we rediscovers in a calm and introspective atmosphere. For the occasion, they appealed to artists of the progressive stage such as 'Chistina Booth' from 'Magenta' for the magnificent 'Termination'. Please note 2 covers from other artists with 'Mein Herz Brennt' from the 'Rammstein' metal band and 'Marz' from 'John Grant'. In short, 'Quiet Storms' is a very successful acoustic walk inside the repertory of the group and should please a wide audience loving the felted and stripped atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Stuart Nicholson (Vocal), Dean Baker (Keybords), Roy Keyworth (Guitar), Spencer Luckmann (Drums), Tim Ashton (Bass) + Guests : Christina Booth (Vocal), Karl Groom (Guitar, Keybords), Louise Curtis (Violin), Sarah Bolter (Flute, Clarinette, Saxophone)


Artist : Anathema

Album : The Optimist

Release Date : 09-06-2017

Added : 19-06-2017

Anathema’s album release is ever an event in the sphere of atmospheric rock. 'The Optimist' is the latest album of the English which is a continuation of the album 'A Fine Day To Exit' of 2001. We find the aerial and melancholic atmospheres with constructions out from the conventions, often repeated themes and crescendos which have made their trademark such as the eponymous title that begins in a few piano notes and the theme that rises in power to finally fall back as it had begun. And previous albums that I found too monotonous, this new opus brings a greater variety between each composition. As often, do not stop at the first listen because 'The Optimist' is revealed little by little and requires to linger to tame it. In short, 'Anathema' confirms their potential and even if they remain limited to a certain warned audience, can be a gateway to those who would like to discover this kind of progressive music that is called 'atmospheric rock'...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Douglas (Vocal), Vincent Cavanagh (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Danny Cavanagh (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Jamie Cavanagh (Bass), Daniel Cardoso (Drums), John Douglas (Percussions)


Artist : Light Freedom Revival

Album : Eterniverse Deja Vu

Release Date : 07-03-2017

Added : 20-06-2017

'Light Freedom Revival' is the project of the Canadian 'John Vehadija' and I confess that I discovered it with this first studio album 'Eterniverse Deja vu'. At first listening, we are taken in a very accessible universe between 'Electric Light Orchestra', 'Beach Boys' and 'Barclay James Harvest'. With his 13 compositions, we embark for an hour of melodic and refreshing pop interpreted by progressive rock artists with 'Billy Sherwood' and 'Oliver Wakeman' from 'Yes' band and' Eric Gillette from 'Neal Morse Band'. Certainly some will point out the lack of variety but, let us not deny ourselves this pleasure and, from time to time, it is nice to be carried by songs to 'eat-in’. In short, 'Eterniverse Déjà vu' is an endearing album accessible to a large public loving melodic pop...

Line Up / Musicians

John Vehadija (Vocal, Guitar), Billy Sherwood (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Eric Gillette (Guitar), Marisa Frantz (Choirs), Oliver Wakeman (Keybords)


Artist : Golden Caves

Album : Collision

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 21-06-2017

'Golden Caves' is a new Dutch band and, after an EP in 2016, have just released their first studio album 'Collision'. They mix different progressive styles, going from the atmospheric to the symphonic through metal, which makes it a special band with a certain novelty. Moreover, they are led by the very aerial and captivating voice of 'Romy Ouwerkerk' who knows how to adapt to the style as for example in the beautiful ballad 'My Demons Hunt' where she deploys all her sensuality but also in 'Keep Running' , a symphonic rock title where she unveils powerful and controlled vocals. In short, 'Golden Caves' is part of this new generation which renews the progressive genre to make it more modern and more accessible and which should be welcomed by a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Ouwehand (Guitar), Romy Ouwerkerk (Vocal), Erik Stein (Drums, Percussions), Elise Polman (Keybords), Tim Wensink (Bass)


Artist : The Ryszard Kramarski Project

Album : Music Inspired By The Little Prince

Release Date : 27-03-2017

Added : 22-06-2017

With his words 'I need to draw a sheep' (see Here), 'Cyril Mokaiesh' was certainly heard by 'Ryszard Kramarski' who just released a first solo album on the theme of 'The Little Prince'. Ryszard is known from the progressive scene because he participated in several projects with, among others, the 'Millenium' band whose last opus dates from 2014. 8 titles in total divided into 2 parts 'Somewhere in the universe' and 'Somewhere on the Earth', we find the main episodes of the 'Saint-Exupery' story. On the music side, we are in a register between atmospheric rock and symphonic rock and we could compare style to a meeting between 'Pink-Floyd' for instrumental parts and groups like 'Karnataka' (see Last Album) or 'Mostly-Autumn' (see Last Album) for the vocal parts. For his project Ryszard has surrounded himself with artists from the progressive Polish scene, including Karolina Leszko, who recalls the singers of the above-mentioned groups 'Hayley Griffiths' or 'Olivia Sparnenn'. To summarize, for this first solo album that was expected for years, 'Ryszard Kramarski' hits hard and offers us a jewel of progressive melodic rock which should be enthroned in very good place in the perfact music collection of any amateur of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums), Paweł Pyzik (Bass), Karolina Leszko (Vocal)


Artist : Heylel

Album : Shades of Time

Release Date : 04-04-2017

Added : 23-06-2017

'Heylel' is a Portuguese band that already have about fifteen years of existence but it's only their 2nd studio album that they release in 2017. Not easy to find a style because they mix quite distant styles like hard-rock, atmospheric and symphonic. Take the eponymous title of the album, everything begins with guitar riffs then the tempo calms down to make way for a sung part and this alternation continues throughout the title that reminds groups like 'Porcupine Tree'. 'Fallen Angel' is a ballad that begins in a style of American musical comedy to which electric guitars are invited and always this alternation to the intense final mixing the voice of ‘Ana Batista' to guitar riffs. 'You Should Have Known By You' is a melancholic acoustic ballad with violin and acoustic guitar. There, follows 'Ghosts' much more symphonic and a catchy melody and guitar solo close to 'Pink-Floyd'. In short, 'Heylel' release a varied album in styles but which will certainly be reserved for a public loving the musical wide gaps...

Line Up / Musicians

Ana Batista (Vocal), Narciso Monteiro (Guitar, Keybords), Ricardo Teixeira (Drums), João Amorim (Bass), Ana Clérigo (Violin) + Guests : Kristoffer Gildenlow (Vocal), Ky Fifer (Vocal), Erik Laan (Vocal), Francisca Ribeiro (Vocal)


Artist : Artificial Language

Album : The Observer

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 24-06-2017

Tagged Progressive Metal, 'Artificial Language' is a band of Americans who release their first album 'The Observer'. So, progressive metal or not ? It is not obvious with the short first title 'Observer' whose piano introduction reminds me of 'Supertramp' and then a part sung of 'Blackfield'. The title 'The Grand Sceptic' is certainly more energetic but combines classical themes with progressive rock with a piano always present preceding the final crescendo. The continuation is close to the beginning, classical themes such as 'Unself Portrait', 'Fortune Teller' or 'The Silver Cord', which are comparable to symphonic music sprinkled with various influences. We can note the last title 'Turn Of The Pictures' of more than 8 minutes (while all others remain around 3 minutes) which sums up the whole. In conclusion, as you will have understood, I did not find much metal in it and, for a first opus, even if the compositions still lack diversity, 'Artificial Language' show us their potential and should appeal to a symphonic rock audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Shay Lewis (Vocal), Victor Corral (Guitar), Charlie Robbins (Guitar), Joshua Riojas (Bass), Jonathon Simpson (Keybords), Jeron Schapanksy (Drums)


Artist : Cotton Belly’s

Album : Cotton Belly’s Live Session, Vol 1

Release Date : 11-05-2017

Added : 25-06-2017

Over a decade of existence and 3 studio albums, 2017 sees the release of 'Cotton Belly's Live Session, Vol 1' an EP recorded in studio in live condition. The French of ‘Cotton Belly's’ continue to offer us a good blues rock by playing again some of their titles and a cover of 'Stevie Wonders', 'Supertition'. We're in a timeless blues rock style where you can ‘t help swinging and stamping your feet to beat time listening for 'Three Times' or 'Greatness' or slap your fingers on the languorous 'Reason'. In short, this short EP (awaiting a more substantial album) confirms the talent of this young band which continues to offer us timeless music for the greatest pleasure of a public adept of this music finding its roots nearly 100 Years before in the American continent...

Line Up / Musicians

Yann Malek (Vocal, Guitar), Jérôme Perraut (Guitar), Christophe Etienne (Bass), Aurélie Simenel (Drums)


Artist : Saris

Album : Ghosts Of Yesterday

Release Date : 11-04-2017

Added : 26-06-2017

'Saris' is a quite old German band, originally formed in 1981, but they have suffered several formations and 2017 sees the release of their 4th album 'Ghosts Of Yesterday'. Their style is close to bands like 'Pendragon', 'Knight Area', 'Saga' or 'Dream Theater' with a know-how for melodic compositions. We are in an accessible progressive rock register with classic constructions as shown in titles like ‘Masquerade’, ‘Shadow Of War’ or ‘Autumn Sky’ with a perfect balance between the instrumental parts where the keyboards respond to guitars and sung parts shared between 'Henrik Wager' and 'Anja Günther' who form a very captivating duo with elaborate vocal arrangements. In short, with 'Ghosts Of Yesterday', the Germans of 'Saris' who have always been discrete in the progressive sphere develop capacity to reach a wider audience because they offer us an album very accessible and affordable from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Derk Akkermann (Guitar, Keybords), Henrik Wager (Vocal), Anja Günther (Vocal), Lutz Günther (Bass, Choirs), Jens Beckmann (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Vicinity

Album : Reccurence

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 27-06-2017

If you like short titles and classical couplet/refrain musical constructions, go ahead, because the second studio album of 'Vicinity' from Norway has only 6 titles, the shortest of which is 5 minutes and the longest is close to 22 minutes. Their style resembles a progressive melodic metal with relatively complex compositions that share power and softness and which require to not stop at the first listening. The main title of the opus is undoubtedly 'The Long Goodbye' which in a more epic style bring you on more than 22 minutes in various atmospheres and styles and approaching groups like 'Threshold' or 'Dream Theater'. In summary, this last album of 'Vicinity' is a condensed of the best of progressive metal and is to advise all lovers of this style that is to say a warned audience loving the long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Kim-Marius H. Olsen (Guitar), Alexander K. Lykke (Vocal), Frode Lillevold (Drums), Pierre-Nicolai Hesjevoll Schmidt-Melbye (Bass), Ivar Andreas Nyland (Keybords)


Artist : Grombira

Album : Grombira

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 28-06-2017

'Grombira' is an oriental band that mixes their influences with jazz, rock and psychedelic musi. From the first title, 'Pürreé', we are immersed in this oriental atmosphere to which they gradually incorporate different genres that are grafted to the central theme. With 'Carpe Noctem' we are taken in a hypnotic atmosphere where the sitar leads the dance. With 'Caravan', the two Oriental and Hispanic cultures complement each other and for those who doubt it, this title proves to us the profound intertwining of its two cultures (visit the Mosque of Cordoba and you will understand). In short, 'Grombira', with this singular approach of incorporating distinct cultures into their roots, contrary to certain oriental groups which do the opposite, show us once again the richness of music when it is multicultural. I had forgotten, do not be surprised to see their facebook in German, they are based in 'Würzburg' in Germany...

Line Up / Musicians

Ralph Nebl (Saz, Oud, Sitar, Vocal), Fred Feser Lampe (Drums), Tommi Neubauer (Bass)


Artist : Celebration

Album : Wounded Healer

Release Date : 02-06-2017

Added : 30-06-2017

With this last album 'Wounded Healer', very clever one who will to put 'Celebration' in a precise case so it is full of compositions all different from each other. We sail in atmospheres with modern sounds and we could call their music psychedelic pop where everything is place in the service of the melody. The singing of 'Katrina Ford' reinforces the aerial and nonchalant side that emerges from each title. On the instrumental side, they have been able to integrate various instruments which, thanks to subtle arrangements, concur in giving originality to each track. In short, 'Wounded Healer' is an unclassifiable record that feels more than it listens to and wakes up our senses by letting our mind wander through the titles as when visiting a painting exhibition and that we appropriate each painting one after the other leaving free course to his imagination...

Line Up / Musicians

Sean Antanaitis (Guitar, Keybords), David Bergander (Drums), Katrina Ford (Vocal), Walker Teret, Tommy Rouse, Tony Drummond


Artist : Cheap Trick

Album : We’re are All Alright!

Release Date : 16-06-2017

Added : 01-07-2017

Just a year after 'Bang, Zoom, Crazy ... Hello' (see Here ), our nearly 70s of 'Cheap Trick' come back with an 18th album 'We're are All Alright! '. We wonder what substances they use, because listening to the first 4 titles, it is hard to believe that our thress guys Robin, Rick and Tom total together just 200 years !! Even if some titles are covers of old titles never recorded, we still enjoy as always of this furious rhythmic of this hard rock which drew its sources in the seventies with always this same enthusiasm of interpretation. Some less energetic compositions like 'Floating Down', 'She's Alright' or the cover of 'The Move', 'Blackbery Way' as a bonus in the Deluxe version allow a few welcome breaks. In short, to take back their album title, definitely yes, gentlemen, 'You’re All Alright!'...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Zander (Vocal, Guitar), Rick Nielsen (Guitar, Choirs), Daxx Nielsen (Drums), Tom Petersson (Bass)


Artist : Styx

Album : The Mission

Release Date : 17-06-2017

Added : 05-07-2017

Bands of the 70s have still good days ahead because after 'Cheap Trick' it is the turn of 'Styx' to release their 16th album 12 years after 'Big Bang Theory' which was an album of covers. 'The Mission' is therefore a new album with new compositions on the theme of a mission on Mars in 2033. And on the music side, we find the band that we knew a few decades ago with melodic and accessible titles with on addition a fairly impressive variety of styles : from a very catchy 'Gone Gone Gone' to a 'Hundred Million Miles For Now' with choirs close to 'Crosby Still Nash And Young' and 'Radio Silence' refrain where the vocal harmonies are very worked or ‘Khedive’ and its classical piano theme. In short, nothing to throw in this last album which is a very good surprise for a band that we did not expect anymore and that set us back for a moment into a savant mixture of seventies pop, rock and hard-rock for our greatest pleasure ...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Shaw (Vocal, Guitars), James Young (Vocal, Guitars), Chuck Panozzo (Bass, Choirs), Lawrence Gowan (Vocal, Keybords), Ricky Phillips (Guitars, Bass, Choirs), Todd Sucherman (Drums)


Artist : Roger Waters

Album : Is This The Life We Really Want ?

Release Date : 02-06-2017

Added : 09-07-2017

This new album of 'Roger Waters' was expected by not only progressive rock fans but by a much wider audience because of the international reputation of the Englishman. So, you should already find all sorts of chronicles on the internet and therefore I will be brief on this 'Is This The Life We Really Want ?'. It is clear, ‘Waters’ continues to do some ‘made in Waters’ and, beyond the rebellious that he has always been in his words, we find at the level of music the whole universe that we had discovered with 'Animals' in 1977 and then in 1979 with 'The Wall' and even more obvious in 1983 with 'The Final Cut' and later with his solo albums. The only regret we could have is that he does not bring real novelties on a musical side but, let us not deny ourselves, it’s so nice to hear again this whole and lucid artist on our today’s world, with his direct words, which he throws at us in order to better challenge us and make us reflect, as for example in 'Broken Bones' this criticism of our post-war generation: We could have been free, But we chose to adhere to abundance’...

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Waters (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Gus Seyffert (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Holly Proctor (Vocal), Jessica Wolfe (Vocal), Joey Waronker (Drums), Jonathon Wilson (Guitar, Keybords), Lee Padroni (Keybords), Nigel Godrich (Guitar, Keybords), Roger Manning (Keybords)


Artist : One Desire

Album : One Desire

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 11-07-2017

In the style known as ‘AOR’ or ‘Rock FM’, a new Scandinavian band is born with 'One Desire', project of the drummer 'Ossi Sivula'. From the beginning, 'Hurt' is a powerful hit with a typical title to make you move to the rhythm of music, a melody that immediately enters your head, choirs close to 'Def Leppard' and an efficient guitar solo. So, we navigate between energetic titles such as 'Buried Alive' or 'Straight Through the Heart' and calmer ones such as 'Fallin Apart' or 'This Is Where The Heart Breaks Begins' or 'Do You Beleive' with pop accents. In short, if you like the melodic hard rock of the 80s, there is nothing to throw in this first opus of 'One Desire' with all the ingredients of a very good and accessible album of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

André Linman (Vocal), Jimmy Westerlund (Guitars), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Ossi Sivula (Drums), Dani Strömbäck (Keybords)


Artist : Seraphic

Album : Journey to Illumination

Release Date : 23-05-2017

Added : 28-07-2017

'Seraphic' is a symphonic metal band from Australia that has just released their first studio album with 'Journey to Illumination'. Led by the singer 'Sam Wolstenholme', which has a soprano tessitura and already shows a certain ease, they offer us 9 very classical melodic titles where piano plays an important role and reinforces the symphonic side. Apart from a short instrumental ballad 'The Road Less Traveled', the compositions mix energetic and calmer parts as in the magnificent 'The Silent Apocalypse' or 'The Tide Of Life' showing the full potential of the band. In short, even if they do not bring major novelties in a style where bands flourish on every street corner, 'Journey to Illumination' is a 2017 good surprise and should please all fans of symphonic metal loving bands Like 'Within Temptation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Sam Wolstenholme (Vocal, Keybords), Erwin Febrianto (Guitar), Raouf Araji (Guitar), Michael Bates (Bass), Daniel Langdon (Drums)


Artist : Barock Project

Album : Detachment

Release Date : 19-03-2017

Added : 14-08-2017

'Barock Project' is the project of an Italian band that have just released their 5th album 'Detachment', the first one has been issued in 2007. They take us into a progressive rock, quite subtle with a wide variety, bringing their transalpine personal touch. The compositions (13 for a duration of more than 70 minutes) are very elaborate and, here and there, we feel the influences of the major groups of the seventies like 'Genesis', 'Emerson Lake and Palmer' or 'Jethro Tull' or newer artists like 'Marillion' or 'Steven Wilson'. The arrangements are very finely-honed and the addition of the flute or strings brings a festive atmosphere with for example the hopping 'Happy to See You'. To summarize, 'Barock Project' release a very good album of progressive music where we find influences of major groups of this style and which should please all lovers of beautiful and accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Zabbini (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Marco Mazzuoccolo (Guitar), Francesco Caliendo (Bass), Eric Ombelli (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Alex Mari (Choirs), Ludovica Zanasi (Choirs), Peter Jones (Vocal)


Artist : Evanescence

Album : Lost Whispers

Release Date : 17-02-2017

Added : 15-08-2017

'Lost Whispers' is not a new album of Evanesence' but a set of compositions that come from B-sides of different singles, some of which already appeared on the deluxe version of the album ‘Evanescence' of 2011. The majority of the 11 tracks presents us the soft side of this symphonic metal band with superb ballads like 'Even In Death', 'Missing', 'Breathe no More' or 'The Last Song I'm Waiting on You' where Amy shows us that she can bring a particular emotion in this kind of composition. The other tracks are more classical of a group of symphonic metal and we can note the mid tempo 'A New Way To Bleed' which fits well into this album. In conclusion, 'Lost Whispers', even if it may disappoint some fans accustomed to saturated guitars shows another facet of the band that we already knew with their first hit 'My Immortal' dating from 2003...

Line Up / Musicians

Amy Lee (Vocal, Keybords, Harp), Tim McCord (Bass), Will Hunt (Drums), Troy McLawhorn (Guitar), Jen Majura (Guitar)


Artist : Corciolli

Album : Ilusia

Release Date : 19-05-2017

Added : 16-08-2017

The latest album 'Ilusia' from the Brazilian 'Corciolli' is a little improbable encounter between 'Jean-Michel Jarre' and 'Pink Floyd'. The keyboardist takes us on an instrumental journey to which he has added electric or acoustic guitars samples that reinforce the psychedelic side. We are therefore immersed in a progressive universe where magic operates because it has been able to transcribe the feeling of the guitar game as for example with 'The Misery of Fear and the Battle Against the Immortal Dream' where one could recognize the game of a certain 'Carlos Santana'. In short, 'Ilusia' is an album to listen calmly on headphones and let go according to the 8 very accessible compositions to a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Corciolli (Keybords) + Invites : Ramon Montagner (Drums), Mauricio Oliveira (Bass)


Artist : Siiilk

Album : Endless Mystery

Release Date : 24-05-2017

Added : 17-08-2017

'Siiilk' is a French band from Lyon who release their 2nd studio album with 'Endless Mystery'. Their style is closed to a progressive, calm, melancholic rock, mixing electric and acoustic instruments. As influence, they could be placed between 'Barclay James Harvest' and the beginning of 'Pink Floyd'. They embark us in a universe made of subtle melodies where vocal and instrumental parts fit perfectly to make travel our minds according to the titles reminiscent of certain currents of the seventies which explored new musical paths incorporating sounds of different countries using traditional instruments. In summary, 'Endless Memory' is a progressive music album that should appeal to an audience open to quiet and peaceful atmospheres and enjoying the mix of sounds...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Pick (Vocal, Guitar acoustique), Gilbert Gandil (Guitar, Keybords), Jacques Roman (Keybords, Piano, Mellotrons), Catherine Pick (Vocal, Piano, Harmonium indien), Attilio Terlizzi (Drums), Guillaume Antonicelli (Bass) + Guests : Roland Richard (Clarinette), Belhole Mushtaq (Tablas)


Artist : Mindmaze

Album : Resolve

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 18-08-2017

Back to metal with the Americans of 'Mindmaze' who have just released their 3rd album 'Resolve'. Led by the singer 'Sarah Teets', they offer powerful compositions alternating fast sections with others more posed approaching the progressive. The typical example is 'One More Moment' which alternates energetic and calmer parts with the use of piano and strings and a drawing in several drawers. With 'Release', it's a fairly classic ballad that rises and the last track 'The path to Perseverance' is progressive in its construction with multiple melodic changes that makes for me the best track. In short, this ‘Mindmaze’ last opus requires some listening to penetrate all its nooks and is advisable to all lovers of powerful metal loving progressive constructions ...

Line Up / Musicians

Sarah Teets (Vocal), Jeff Teets (Guitar, Keybords), Mark " Truk" Bennett (Drums), Rich Pasqualone (Bass)


Artist : That Rock Guy

Album : Nothin’ To Lose

Release Date : 30-06-2017

Added : 19-08-2017

'That Rock Guy' is the project of the Australian 'Adam Barclay', singer and multi-instrumentist who has just released 'Nothin' To Lose '. From the beginning, it smells good the 80s with an energetic and powerful rock, accessible and very melodic a bit close to 'Def Leppard'. The songs follow each other and each could have made a hit a few decades ago like 'Through The Night' and its chorus to make sing a stadium and a super efficient guitar solo. Small break with the beautiful ballad 'Never Gonna Say Goodbye' and then it continues for an album’s end just like the first part. Nothing to dislike in this opus which, although it does not revolutionize very much, makes us spend a very good time and should please all the fans of powerful and energetic rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Barclay (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests.


Artist : Phase II Phase

Album : Face It

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 20-08-2017

'Phase II Phase' is a Spanish band that was created in 2010 and released its 2nd album with 'Face It'. In an AOR or FM rock style, they offer very accessible titles mixing keyboards and guitars. The constructions are fairly classical verse/chorus with a talent for catchy melodies. If it were necessary to retain a title, I would say 'Future' for his refrain, recalling the eighties, and immediately assimilable. Note also guitar solos, although short but remarkable as in 'Feel the Heat' or in 'Greed'. In summary, 'Phase II Phase', with 'Face It' show that in Spain one can make good rock FM and that it is not an exclusivity of the Scandinavian countries for the delight of the amateurs of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Zalo López (Vocal, Guitar), Alfredo Clemente (Guitar), Jorge Gómez (Keybords), Stelian Cotet (Drums), Jóse L. Gallera (Bass)


Artist : My Own Ghost

Album : Life on Standby

Release Date : 07-04-2017

Added : 22-08-2017

'My Own Ghost' is a Luxembourg band created in 2013, led by the singer 'Julie Rodesch' and which have accompanied 'Tarja' early 2017 on some concerts of her European tour. Side style, it is a mix of rock and metal with a touch of electronic sounds. The first title of their last album 'Life on Standby' reminds me a bit of 'Delain' because Julie's voice is like 'Charlotte Wessels'. Other songs are more rock, like 'Everytime I Break' and others between pop, rock and metal formatted for radio like 'Alive', '10 Weeks of Summer 'or' If I Stay '. In short, this last album of 'My Own Ghost' is a good surprise for 2017 with various and catchy modern titles that should please a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Julie Rodesch (Vocal), Fred Brever (Guitar), David Soppelsa (Guitar), Joe May (Bass), Michael Stein (Drums)


Artist : Psychanoia

Album : Unreal Seas

Release Date : 17-04-2017

Added : 23-08-2017

The last album 'Unreal Seas' of the French of 'Psychanoia' starts with 'Deep Purple' influences. But, it would be reductive to limit them to this style because they have many other ropes to their bow. Indeed, we navigate between progressive rock and metal and the 8 titles show a real variety. For example, the mid - tempo 'This Between' slice with the first track with 'Wilsonian' influences and 'The Shadow in Me' is more a direct hard rock, with 'Thin Roads to Nowhere' and its beautiful melody, acoustic atmosphere gives a welcome aeration and 'Find to Way' reminds me of 'Arena'. In summary, the variety of this 'Unreal Seas' is double edged : a richness in the compositions that make it a must of rock/metal progressive and one of my favorites 2017 album but that will inevitably remain intended for a more restricted audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Ivan Jacquin (Vocal, Keybords), Olivier Gaudet (Guitar), Thierry Charlet (Drums), Jean-Philippe Ciman (Bass)


Artist : Cydemind

Album : Erosion

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 25-08-2017

With the Canadians of 'Cydemind', I take you in an apart instrumental universe with the encounter between a violin and electric guitars. Indeed, formed by classical musicians, they have just released their first album 'Erosion'. Finally, we sail in progressive rock/metal where the violin brings a rather contemporary side as in the titles 'What Remains' or 'Tree of Tales'. 'Derecho' is a title with several drawers where one succeeds melancholy and energy with from time to time the violin playing reminding 'Kansas'. With 'Stream Capture' we return to a more classical melody with sounds similar of some Russian composers. Finally, with the 27 minutes of Erosion ', we travel in an epic fresco with multiple surprises. In short, 'Cydemind' is an unclassifiable group with a wide open-mindedness surpassing the musical conventions and this 'Erosion' should please an informed public open to a mixture of musical genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Olivier Allard (Violin), Camille Delage (Keybords), Kevin Paquet (Guitar), Nico Damoulianos (Bass), Alexandre Dagenais (Drums)


Artist : Kobra And The Lotus

Album : Prevail I

Release Date : 12-05-2017

Added : 26-08-2017

'Kobra And The Lotus' is a Canadian Heavy Metal band formed by singer 'Kobra Paige' and is already releasing their 4th album 'Prevail 1' in 2017. The first track 'Gotham' takes us on a typical piece of metal a bit between 'Dio' and 'Delain', with an efficient chorus. Same ambience for the sequel with 'TriggerPulse 'then' You Don’t Know' which flirts more with the symphonic. The beautiful ballad 'Light Me Up' allows a small break in mid-album and the mid-tempo 'Manifest Destiny's prepares a powerful and energetic opus end with 'Victim' until the last title 'Prevail' and its very exciting rhythmic. Note the instrumental 'Check the Phyrg' which highlights the talent of the musicians with crazy solos. In short, fans of big saturated riffs and beautiful female singers with a powerful voice, 'Prevail I' is an album that is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Kobra Paige (Vocal), Jasio Kulakowski (Guitar), Brad Kennedy (Bass), Marcus Lee - -Drums)


Artist : Coastland Ride

Album : Distance

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 28-08-2017

We leave the guitaressaturated riffs for the 'Coastland Ride' Swedish third album 'Distance'. Their universe is close to bands like 'Asia' or 'Foreigner' certainly softer and they remind me of some songs like 'Chris De Burgh'. We sail between lively melodic compositions like 'Winds', 'Dead for Steven Days' or 'Higher Ground' and other calm still very melodic ones like 'Savior', 'Love is on your Mind' or 'Eye of The Storm'. They also offer beautiful syrupy ballads like 'Here in My Heart' or 'Spotlight Sun'. In short, with 'Distance', 'Coastland Ride' come out an album of good melodic rock very homogeneous which should make the happiness of a relatively wide audience because all songs are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Markus Nordenberg (Vocal), Anders Rybank (Keybords, Guitar, Bass, Drums), Mikael Bohlin (Keybords, Guitar)


Artist : Danny Bryant

Album : Big (Live)

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 29-08-2017

It is often in live that we discover the whole dimension of an artist. In the world of blues/rock, 'Danny Bryant' has just released 'Big' with songs recorded during his tour in early 2017 and taken from most in his last 3 albums but also covers such as this magnificent 'Groaning The Blues', a slow blues where the feeling of his voice and his guitar are wonders. In addition to the classic rhythm section guitar, bass and drums, it has surrounded himself with 4 brass instruments that fit perfectly into the 13 tracks. The guitar solos are always of an exceptional level as in 'Blood Money' or in the cover 'As the Years Go Passing By' which personally gives me goose bumps. In short, quality blues as only a few artists know how to transmit, this 'Big' should please all lovers of this timeless style...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bryant (Guitar, Vocal), Alex Phillips (Bass), Dave Raeburn (Drums) + Guests : Stevie Watts (Keybords), Marc Raner (Guitar), Lauren Young (Saxophone Viola), Mark Wilkinson (Saxophone Tenor), David Maddison (Trumpet), Alex Maddison (Trombone)


Artist : Coco Montoya

Album : Hard Truth

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 31-08-2017

2017 sees the release of the 9th solo album of 'Coco Montoya', bluesman and magicians of the 6 strings. The title 'Hard Truth' includes the lyrics of 'Willie Sinon', 'Blues is truth' and Coco makes it a great demonstration with a set of covers from different horizons. We switch through a lot of energetic titles such as 'Before The Bullet Fly','Lost in the Bottle' or 'I Want To Shout About It' where his guitar gets biting, or very swing tempos like 'I'll Find Someone Who Will’ , ‘Hard as Hell’ or the funky 'Truth Be Told', or of course languorous blues where he excels like 'Old Habits Are Hard To Break', 'Devil Do not Sleep' or the beautiful ‘A Man Go From Here?’ filled of a lot of feeling. In short, as you will have understood, this 'Hard Truth' is still a remarkable album of an artist with a palpable sensitivity that can only please the fans of good blues and certainly a largest audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Coco Montoya (Vocal, Guitar), Mike Finnigan (Keybords), Billy Watts (Guitar), Johnny Lee Schell (Guitar), Bob Glaub (Bass), Tony Braunagel (Drums), Lee Roy Parnell (Guitar)


Artist : Arbouretum

Album : Song of the Rose

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 01-09-2017

With 'Arbouretum', we immerse ourselves in a universe close to the psychedelic with a 70s ambiance but where strangely we always feel a contrast between slow melodies and a heavy and powerful rhythmic led by guitar riffs. Their last album 'Song Of The Rose' does not deviate from the rule because they embark us in slow and heavy compositions like the title of the album or 'Call Upon The Fire'. But other lighter titles are also present on this opus such as 'Comanche Moon', the very psychedelic 'Absolution Song' or 'Dirt Trails' that reminds some bands of the '70s like 'Jefferson Airplay'. If I had to retain a title, I would say 'Woke Up on the Move' for his beautiful folk melody and his power rise. In short, with this 'Song Of The Rose', the Americans of 'Arbouretum' release a good varied album which should delight a public loving a psychedelic rock at the same time ample and sweet...

Line Up / Musicians

David Heumann (Vocal, Huitare), Corey Allender (Bass), Brian Carey (Drums), Matthew Pierce (Keybords)


Artist : Tara Jane O’Neil

Album : Tara Jane O’Neil

Release Date : 21-04-2017

Added : 02-09-2017

An acoustic guitar, an intimate voice and a few arrangements, here is the universe of 'Tara Jane O'Neil' who has just released a new eponymous album and it’s already her 8th solo album. Short and stripped songs to listen calmly to release pressure, here is the menu of this last opus where she cradles us with a few notes and where she goes to the essential with her sweet voice to affect us. In short, this last album is for all sensitive ears to a simple and intimist music without any frills that makes you share the intimacy of a simply, true and sincere artist...

Line Up / Musicians

Tara Jane O’neil (Vocal, Guitar) + The Ecstatic Tambourinee Orchestra


Artist : Pristine

Album : Ninja

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 03-09-2017

'Nuclear Beast' label is not really known for producing rock artists, but here, they found a Norwegian band that is already on its 4th album with 'Ninja'. Led by singer 'Heidi Solhein', they offer varied compositions with a mixture of rock, blues, pop and hard rock with influences of the sixties. From the first 4 tracks, you start with 'You Are The One', a very swing rock, then 'Sophia', a little more catch-out lively, followed by the blues 'The Perfect Crime' and 'The Rebel Song' which brings us back a few decades back with ‘Led Zeppelin' band. Apart from exceptional musicians, the great plus of this group is undoubtedly the voice of Heidi who can leave no one indifferent whether it is on titles where power is required or on others quieter where she knows how to transmit all the necessary emotion. To convince you, listen to 'Ocean', the most stripped-down title of the album where she puts her voice on a keyboard layer. In short, 'Ninja' is a superb album which should please a whole audience with its references in the 60s and 70s with on top of that an interpreter who lives his music profoundly...

Line Up / Musicians

Åsmund Wilter Eriksson (Bass), Benjamin Mørk (Keybords, Hammond), Espen Elverum Jakobsen (Guitar), Heidi Solheim (Vocal), Kim Karlsen (Drums)


Artist : Mark Eitzel

Album : Hey Mr Ferryman

Release Date : 27-01-2017

Added : 04-09-2017

'Mark Eitzel' is an author composer and the lead of the ‘American Music Club’ and has also released an important number of solo albums but is not known in Europe. His world is close to pop with intimate songs and his last album 'Hey Mr Ferryman' was released in early 2017. Entry, with 'The Last Ten Years', is a classic melodic title recounting his bad inclinations for the alcohol. The sequel is more hushed with more melancholy songs like 'An Answer' or 'The Road' and this sensitivity always palpable. In summary, 'Hey Mr Ferryman' is a touching album that describes just the uncompromising reality of this whole and talented artist who leads his boat as he sees fit without worrying about the fashions and trends dictated by the music industry, and this to our best delight...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Eitzel


Artist : Amarok

Album : Hunt

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 05-09-2017

Polish groups are often the generators of a rich and complex progressive rock that needs to be tamed before appropriating it. 'Amarok', which is the project of 'Michal Wojtas', is the perfect example. He released in 2017 'Hunt', a new album filled with beautiful surprises in which he invited artists of the Progressive scene. Michel melee electric and acoustic instruments and all this is integrated in rhythmic mixing drums and electro. The result is unique and the atmosphere is hovering rather close to some compositions of 'Riverside' or 'Steven Wilson'. The traditional instruments reinforce this aspect as in the hypnotic 'Two Sides'. In short, on the frontier of experimental music, this new opus of ‘Amarok’ transports us into an unreal universe not necessarily accessible and therefore, it is a shame, will be reserved for a limited audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Michał Wojtas (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions, Drums Electronique,…) + Guests : Paweł Kowalski (Baterie), Marta Wojtas (Wave-drum), Colin Bass (Vocal), Mariusz Duda (Vocal), Michał Ściwiarski (Keybords), Konrad Pajek (Choirs), John England (Voice), Sebastian Wielądek (Duduk)


Artist : Lion Shepherd

Album : Heat

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 06-09-2017

Still Poland is honored with the band 'Lion Shepherd' which has just released its 2nd album 'Heat'. It is not simple to put them in a box because their different members are influenced by different cultures between East and West. The result is quite surprising because we could qualify their music of progressive rock ethnic. The 10 titles that describe all the current problems around Syria, have quite classical structures and the first title, 'On the Road Again' and 'Heat' remind me of some titles of 'Sting', the Kamil’s voice being close from the English’s. The rhythms and oriental sounds bring a real variety as in the ballad 'Dreams On' or in the tormented 'Fail'. In short, 'Heat' is a very good surprise 2017 and should please a public loving a progressive rock accessible, varied and open to different cultures...

Line Up / Musicians

Kamil Haidar (Vocal), Mateusz Owczarek (Guitar, Oud), Łukasz Belcyr (Guitar), Maciej Magnuski (Bass), Tomasz Mądzielewski (Drums)


Artist : Gentle Knife

Album : Clock Unwound – Gentle Knife II

Release Date : 15-06-2017

Added : 07-09-2017

'Gentle Knife' is a 11-member Norwegian band that released their 2nd album 'Clock Unwood', a concept album on the passing time. Given the instrumental richness (in addition to the classical electric instruments, they add flute, wood, trumpet and saxophone), their style is rich and close to a progressive sophisticated with relatively long titles with multiple drawers. After an introduction mixing piano and trumpet in a soft and contemporary melody, the eponymous title of nearly 16 minutes debuts with guitar riffs in a swinging rhythmic and we are immersed in typical progressive rock with multiple rebonds suggesting 'Marillion’ and sometimes ‘Jethro Tull’ . The continuation is close to the beginning, musically high-level titles oscillating between 7 and 10 minutes. In summary, this 'Clock Unwood' is intended for lovers of progressive rock loving long developments requiring several listenings to appreciate them at their true value...

Line Up / Musicians

Astraea Anta (Flute, Saxophones, Bois), Pål (Paul) Bjørseth (Trumpet, Keybords, Choirs), Thomas Hylland Eriksen (Saxophone, Clarinette), Odd Grønvold (Bass), Veronika Hørven Jensen (Vocal), Håkon Kavli (Vocal, Guitar), Eivind Lorentzen (Guitar, Keybords), Charlotte Valstad Nielsen (Saxophone), Over Christian Owe (Guitar), Ole Martin Svendsen (Drums), Brian M.Talgo (Mellotron)


Artist : Citizen Cain Stewart Bell

Album : The Antechamber of Being, Pt. 2: Stories from the Antechamber

Release Date : 27-02-2017

Added : 08-09-2017

Let's tell you now what it's about, the second part of Stewart Bell's 'The Antichamber Of Being' trilogy requires an important musical opening because it mixes progressive rock with sounds from contemporary music. It’s the the same singers as for part 1 who officiate on this new album. The 4 first parts are certainly the most difficult to tame, the 4 following compositions much more affordable are closer to a rich and complex progressive rock that is reminiscent of certain sounds of 'Genesis'. In short, this last opus of 'Stewart Bell' is intended for a warned audience loving the long titles requiring several listening to draw all the quintessential essence...

Line Up / Musicians

Stewart Bell (Tous les instruments, Vocal), Phil Allen (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Simone Rossetti (Vocal), Arjen Lucassen (Vocal), Mhairi Bekah Comrie (Vocal)


Artist : The Music Therapy Experiment

Album : Genus Equus

Release Date : 01-05-2017

Added : 09-09-2017

We change completely of music genre with 'The Music Therapy Experiment' which is composed of 2 multi-instrumentists who propose us a mix of rock, blues, classical and jazz between progressive rock and swing jazz in an elaborate style giving way to some improvisation. It's time for more than an hour of music, with firstly, the short and energetic introduction 'Akhal-Teke' and then the long title 'Deep Space Crossover' of almost 12 minutes which takes us in an atmosphere between psychedelic and jazzy a bit like an improvisation to the 'Santana'. Note in this title the reference to the ode to joy of the 9th symphony of 'Beethoven'. The next step make us travel in different atmospheres with, for example, 'Arbitrary Confidence', close to 'Mike Oldfield', the classic blues 'Running on Bordeline', the felted and jazzy 'Apology' and the energetic 'Copper Globlins' mixing rock and jazz. In short, there is something for everyone, and therefore 'Genus Equus' is a rich and varied album, but nevertheless accessible and intended for a public loving the long instrumental titles and being open to different musical genres...

Line Up / Musicians

John Kline (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Mark Christianson (Drums, Bass, Keybords)


Artist : Viana

Album : Viana

Release Date : 24-03-2017

Added : 10-09-2017

'Stefano Viana' is an Italian guitarist who releases his first eponymous album and evolves in a melodic hard-rock with classical verse/chorus compositions drawing inspiration from the eighties. From the beginning, ‘Straight Between Our Hearts’ opens the record with an energetic title and a chorus that hangs from the first listening. The following is a reflection of this first title: a melodic line immediately assimilable, a singer (in the person of ‘Allessandro Del Vecchio' well known to participate in several projects of melodic rock bands) that perfectly sticks to this style, ubiquitous choirs, effective guitar solos. Stefano also does not forget the beautiful ballads with 'Follow The Dawn' and 'That Place Is You'. In short, even though some people regret a lack of variety, we spend a very good time listening to this first 'Stefano Viana's opus which should please a wide audience loving accessible melodic hard rock and catchy choruses...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefano Viana (Guitars), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Vocal), Alessandro Mori (Drums), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Francesco Marras (Guitars), Pasquale India (Keybords), Gabriele Gozzi (Choirs)


Artist : Cellar Darling

Album : This Is The Sound

Release Date : 30-06-2017

Added : 11-09-2017

'Cellar Darling' is composed from 3 former members of the Swiss metal band 'Eluveitie' and they created this new project in 2016; 2017 sees the release of their first album 'This Is The Sound'. Their style is based on metal which they incorporate rock and folk touch. Other musicians are invited on the album to bring this side folk with a violin, an Irish bagpipe and a flute playing by the female singer 'Anne Murphy'. Everything begins with the 3 titles 'Avalanche', 'Black Moon' 'And 'Challenge' that remind me of 'Lyriel' with its folk side. The following is a bit a cross between 'Nightwish' and 'Within Temptation' and this ability to alternate powerful and calmer parts like 'The Hermit', 'Six Days', ‘Rebels' or 'Hedonia' where the folk side mixes with melodies more classical. To summarize, 'Cellar Darling' release a promising first album and are able to extricate themselves from metal bands with female singers by bringing their own personality...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Murphy (Vocal), Merlin Sutter (Drums), Ivo Henzi (Guitar, Bass) + Guests : Shir-Ran Yinon (Violin), Brendan Wade (Bagpipe), Fredy Schnyder (Piano)


Artist : Jimi Anderson Group

Album : Longtime Comin’

Release Date : 24-02-2017

Added : 12-09-2017

'Jimi Anderson', after an already busy career (but I confess that I only discover it now), has just released his first album 'Longtime Comin'. His style is a classic rock influenced by the bands of the '80s. The first track 'Same Old Song' is a pretty classic catchy rock, then 'Let's Get Serious' sets the tone with a powerful hard rock. With 'Spread It All Around', we come back to a pop / rock always very catchy and 'Feel Like Letting Go' is a title close to ‘Foreigner’. Follows the beautiful ballad 'Better That Way' very eighties. In short, 'Jimi Anderson', although it doesn’t revolutionize much, offers compositions between pop, rock and hard rock very catchy and accessible with an impression of already heard as they were already part of our life...

Line Up / Musicians

Jimi Anderson (Vocal), Greame Duffin (Guitar), Sandy Jones (Guitar, Bass, Drums)


Artist : Nell

Album : Not That Sleek

Release Date : 12-05-2017

Added : 13-09-2017

'Nell' is a French composer / songwriter who sings and plays guitar. She has just released her first album 'Not That Sleek' with titles in English. Her universe is between pop, rock and blues and with her companion 'Arnaud Stefanelli', she proposes 10 titles in acoustics where her voice can adapt to different genres. She is bouncy on tracks like 'I Forgot to Be Pretty', powerful on 'Gloria', melancholic on 'Teenage Dreams', provides feeling on the blues 'Perfect Liar', sweet on 'Our Reality'. Then, the whole is characterized as being minimalist in the arrangements and the instrumentation to allow to highlight her voice. In short, in the landscape of French singers often very tasteless, it feels good to discover authentic talents who live their passion whole-heartedly for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Nell (Vocal, Guitar), Arnaud Stefanelli (Guitar)


Artist : Blonde Amer

Album : Tout ce délire

Release Date : 05-05-2017

Added : 14-09-2017

'Blonde Amer' is a French band that already has ‘some hours of flying’ since their first album released in 1993. After almost 10 years of absence, they have just released a new album 'Tout ce délire'. The two brothers 'Santelli' do it all over again with the same recipe that made them known : an energetic and authentic rock close to the French band 'Téléphone' very accessible by a wide audience. From the outset, 'Sorry I do not have faith' puts us in the bath with a catchy melody. The sequel is divided between energic titles as 'Who will remember us' or 'Take me away', and others with a calmer tempo like 'Nothing serious in itself' or 'No other friend than you' . They also flirt with blues-rock with the magnificent 'The wind is rising' and even hard rock with the powerful 'All this delirium' on which we have a irresistible desire to tap your foot. In short, 'Blonde Amer' are back on the front of the French Rock stage and even if they do not bring major novelties, they continue their little journey by making good rock for our great pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Jérôme Santelli (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Bernard Santelli (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Alain De Campos (Drums), Johan Dalgaard (Keybords), Yann Malek (Harmonica), Joenice Jamison (Choirs)


Artist : Layla Zoe

Album : Songs from the Road

Release Date : 21-07-2017

Added : 15-09-2017

'Layla Zoe' that I chronicled last year (Here), has just released a live 'Songs from the Road'. And in this case, it’s in this kind of recordings that authentic artists like Layla take their full scale. Almost 70 minutes of concert for the CD (there is also a DVD), each title is a great moment to live so much she possesses this power to transmit a palpable emotion to the public. To retain only 2 tracks, it would certainly be the 2 longest titles : first, 'Never Met a Men Like You' with its swaying rhythmic and Layla which makes us spend a great moment in duet with his guitarist; then the magnificent 'Highway of Tears' that gives us the goose bumps as much in Jan's guitar playing as Layla's voice. In short, there are albums that mark and 'Songs from the Road' is part of them, and the denomination of 'live' takes on all its significance from this kind of recordings, because beyond music, Is simply a part of life that 'Layla Zoe' provides us with this album...

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal), Jan Laacks (Guitar, Choirs), Christoph Hübner (Bass, Choirs), Claus Schulte (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Mr. Big

Album : Defying Gravity

Release Date : 21-07-2017

Added : 16-09-2017

'Mr Big' is an American band which has existed for nearly thirty years, but has experienced a separation during the 2000s and then a reformation in 2011. Since then, it's the third band's album with 'Defying Gravity' which has been released in 2017. Well, despite the hours of flight, from the first title, we find the energetic rock of the ‘Mister Big’ with this magnificent 'Open Your Eyes' which reminds us of the hours of glory of a rock / hard -rock direct and efficient. The following shows that they also know how to vary the subject with the semi-acoustic title 'Damn I'm in Love Again' and pop titles 'Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)', 'Forever and Back' or the very melodic ‘She’s All Coming Back to Me Now’. And if it were necessary to retain only one title, I'd say 'Everybody Needs a Little Trouble' which is the proof (if you suspect it) that 'Mr Big' always know how to tap our foot and to move our head in. In short, once again, with this 'Defying Gravity', the French expression 'it is in the old pots that we make the best soup' has never been more relevant than now...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Martin (Vocal), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Paul Gilbert (Guitar), Pat Torpey (Drums) + Guests : Matt Starr (Drums)


Artist : The Night Flight Orchestra

Album : Amber Galactic

Release Date : 19-05-2017

Added : 17-09-2017

You are looking for lively and accessible pop/rock music that comes straight out of the 70's/80's. Look no further, here is the latest album 'Amber Galactic' from the Swedish band 'The Night Flight Orchestra'. It begins with the energetic 'Midnight Fear' on the boundary between rock and hard rock, and then arrives the hopping 'Star Of Rio' which leaves its place to the no less effective 'Gemini'. The sequel continues with the same quality and the titles follow one after the other with unstoppable melodies which immediately enter your head and which make us navigate between 'Supertramp', 'Toto', 'Foreigner', 'Bee Gees' and Many other artists of the 70s. For the anecdote, the members of 'The Night Flight Orchestra' are all from a extreme metal band, like what... In summary, there are unpretentious albums that are just here to give us pleasure to listen to light titles of another time and this 'Amber Galactic' is part of it...

Line Up / Musicians

Björn Strid (Vocal), Sharlee D' Angelo (Bass), David Andersson (Guitar), Richard Larsson (Keybords), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums)


Artist : Machines Dream

Album : Black Science

Release Date : 12-06-2017

Added : 17-09-2017

The Canadians of 'Dream Machines' band evolve into a rather dark progressive rock and have just released a new concept album, 'Black Science', that speaks about the harmfulness of technology in our humanity. To tell you all, I did not hang right away, due to certain length and musical phrases repeated too many times for my taste and it is after few listenings that I achieved to enter in their universe which is very close of some compositions of 'Roger Water' as for example 'The Cannons Cry' or 'Heavy Water' that remind me of the atmosphere of 'The Wall'. The masterpiece of the album is 'Weimar', for more than 10 minutes long, which takes us into a progressive fresco with all the ingredients that we expect in this style: a construction in different drawers, a melodic weaving which is declined under different forms, a good balance between sung and instrumental parts and icing on the cake, a wonderful interpretation and production (like the rest of the album). In the end, we have a great time listening to 'Black Science' and even if we say that this so talented band would be able to do even better, this album should please all progressive rock fans hand-reared of the ‘Floyd’...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian Holmes (claviers), Craig West (Vocal, Bass), Jake Rendell (Guitar), Ken Coulter (Drums), Rob Coleman (Guitar) + Guests : Josh Norling (Saxophone), Jakub Olejnik (Vocal)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : The Second Brightest Star

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 18-09-2017

One train can hide another (it was easy). Indeed, 'Big Big Train', after 'Folklore' released in 2016 (See Here) and ‘Grimspound’ beginning of 2017, July 2017 sees the release of ‘The second Brightest Star' which is composed of 8 new titles and 2 long titles ‘Brookland's Sequence' and 'London Plane Sequence' from different 'Folklore' and 'Grimspound' tracks. The new compositions are in the logical sequence of the previous albums and we navigate in progressive rock, sometimes symphonic with 'The Second Brightest Star', sometimes folk with 'Haymaking', sometimes psychedelic with 'Skylon', sometimes American comedy of the Fifties’ with 'The Passing Widow' and sometimes jazzy with 'The Leaden Stour'. In short, with 'The Second Brightest Star', the tone is more melancholic and it's a new invitation to travel that offers 'Big Big Train' to all their fans and lovers of creative and varied progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

David Longdon (Vocal, Flute, Guitar, Mandolin, Percussions, Choirs), Andy Poole (Keybords, Guitar, Mandolin, Choirs), Danny Manners (Keybords, Bass), Dave Gregory (Guitar), Greg Spawton (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums), Rachel Hall (Violin, Viola, Cello, Choirs), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitar, Keybords, Accordion, Choirs)+ Guests : Judy Dyble (Vocal)


Artist : Asfalto

Album : Sold Out

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 19-09-2017

After the release of their latest album (see Here), The Spanish of ‘Asfalto' released a live 'Sold Out' in the form of a double album for nearly 2 hours of concert and this to celebrate their 45 years of scene. For the occasion, they have invited several friends including John Helliwell (Supertramp) and other Spanish artists of the progressive scene and perform 23 tracks from their impressive discography without forgetting the 'School' of 'Supertramp'. It is a good way to discover this group very well known in Spain but that did not have an international career they deserved due probably to the fact that they sing in Spanish. In short, 'Asfalto' is a band that makes good varied progressive rock 'Sold Out' is a good way to discover them...

Line Up / Musicians

Julio Castejón (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Keybords), Paul Castejón (Piano, Guitar, Flute,…), Nacho de Lucas (Keybords), Arturo Garcia (Drums, Vocal), Pablo Ruiz (Bass)


Artist : Cosmograf

Album : The Hay-Man Dreams

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 20-09-2017

'Cosmograf' is a progressive rock project by the multi-instrumentist Englishman 'Robin Armstrong', whose I had chronicled the album 'The Unreasonable Silence' released in 2016 (see Here) and has just released 'The Heay-Man Dreams' which is his 6th LP. Always faithful to himself, he tells us a new story of a laborer who dies prematurely leaving a family behind him. His widow, in his memory, builds a scarecrow that lets itself scattered across time and who to comfort himself begins to dream. Considering the theme, the compositions are therefore more melancholic and develop a calmer rock thinking evidently of 'Pink Floyd' in their first period with for example the first title 'Thetered and Bound' and its introduction made of a monotone sound with keyboards that prepares the arrival of a slow and dark melody that envelops you little by little to not let you go. The sequel is the image of this first title and therefore requires to completely surrender oneself to music to take full advantage of all the titles which are all of a rare intensity. In summary, 'The Hay-Man Dreams' is more than a suite of compositions but a story to tame through listening and should please all lovers of progressive rock that privilege the feeling to listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal, Guitars, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : David Allan (Voice), Kyle Fenton (Drums), Matt Stevens (Guitar), Rachael Hawnt (Vocal)


Artist : The Oho

Album : Shakespeares and Waterfalls

Release Date : 14-04-2017

Added : 21-09-2017

'The Oho' is a new band of Finns who have just released their first album 'Shakespeares and Waterfalls'. Their style is between pop and rock with very melodic compositions with influences from artists of the 70s and 80s. The first track 'The World Stopped Turning' embark us in a soft rhythm with a Celtic background. With 'All my Life', it's energetic rock and always accessible from the first listening. Follows the hit of the album 'Lazy Afternoon' with its mid-tempo in a pop style and with 'Wizards Tale' and 'Simply' Cause I Love You ', those are 2 ballads, certainly classical but great. In short, 'The Oho' release a good first album relatively varied with titles formatted for radio and destined to a very wide audience : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Lappe Holopainen (Vocal, Guitar), Reeo Tiiainen (Guitar, Choirs), Pete Sirkiä (Bass), Rale Tiiainen (Drums), Juho Pääkkönen (Keybords)


Artist : John Mellencamp

Album : Sad Clowns & Hillbillies

Release Date : 28-04-2017

Added : 22-09-2017

In the great tradition of American country rock singers, 'John Mellencamp' (also known as 'John Cougar' for the oldest) continues to release albums and 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies' is his 23rd album. For this occasion, he sings in duet with 'Carlen Carter' who made his first parts in the last 2 years. The album contains new songs but also new interpretations of old songs and 'Mobile Blue' and 'Early Bird Cafe' are 2 covers of songs of the 70s. We are therefore immersed in the universe of John between folk, blues, country, pop and rock with this talent to convey an authenticity in songs where he continues to be the chronicler of the little people. In short, 'John Mellecamp' continues his journey to perpetuate this musical tradition in the style of a 'Bob Dylan', who does not care about the fashions and the record industry, and 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies' makes us share a moment out of time with simple songs that we appropriate from the first listen and which should please to a wide public loving the American folk...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mellencamp (Vocal, Cheours, Guitar), Carlene Carter (Vocal, Choirs), Andy York (Guitar), Mike Wanchic (Guitar), John Gunnell (Bass), Dane Clark (Drums), Miriam Sturm (Violin), Troye Kinnett (Keybords)


Artist : Angelwings

Album : The Edge Of Innocence

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 23-09-2017

'Angelwings' is a new Spanish group of symphonic metal which was formed in Gibraltar initially by playing covers of 'Nightwish' and which has just released its first album 'The Edge Of Innocence'. Surfing on the wave of bands like 'Within Temptation' ('Divi Cano' is in the same register as 'Sharon den Adel'), they offer us more than 50 minutes of beautiful powerful compositions alternating energetic titles and others calmer with a very good production and arrangements for a first record. From the first title 'Wonderland', everything is implemented to join immediately and Divi shows us that she has everything to perform in this style. The eponymous title of more than 8 minutes is very epic shows us that they also know to offer melancholy and powerful titles at the same time. To summarize, 'Angelwings' is added to the already long list of symphonic metal bands with singer but should, if they continue in this way, make themselves a good place because this first opus is really promising...

Line Up / Musicians

Divi Cano (Vocal), Glenn Cano (Keybords), Paul Cano (Guitar), Darren Fa (Bass), Mark Brooks (Drums)


Artist : Liquid Wolf

Album : Second Wind Part 2

Release Date : 17-06-2017

Added : 24-09-2017

'Liquid Worlf' is a Finnish progressive music band which has already released 2 albums, the last of which is 'Second Wind Part 1' from 2016. Then, 'Second Wind Part 2' is the sequel which takes us in a world mixing acoustic and electric instruments and where the instrumental parts take precedence over the sung parts in multipart compositions. The first track, 'Time, running', offers a light introduction with the use of a carillon, then an acoustic guitar invites oneself to accompany the short part sung; the second part of the title introduces electric instruments and drums for an end with a 'Pink-Floydien' electric guitar solo. The following tracks are closed of this first track, mixing powerful parts and other calm always in an atmospheric style where guitar solos, saxophone, flute and clarinet reinforce the aerial side. In short, 'Liquid Wold', with 'Second Wind Part 2' come out a varied album of progressive music not necessarily accessible from the first listen and which should therefore be reserved for an informed public, lovers of flying atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Sami Sarhamaa (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Samu Wuori (Bass), Teijo Tikkanen (Vocal, Keybords), Sami Kuoppamäki (Drums), Pepa Päivinen (Saxophone, flûtes, Clarinette), Pekka Nyman (Percussions, Carillon)


Artist : Awaken Solace

Album : Mythandriel

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 25-09-2017

The Australians of ‘Awaken Solace' had released a first album in 2012 and 2017 sees the release of 'Mythandriel'. In a symphonic and orchestral metal style, they entertain with great ceremony to offer us a saga written by the singer 'Maree Nipperess' which takes us in a village of 'Mythandiel' which is promised to disappear because its inhabitants can no longer give life. But a child can change everything and defeat the Lord of Darkness. So everything is here for more than 70 minutes of epic music and it is indeed the case : 13 titles where choirs as grandiloquent as each other, follow one another with the highlight 17 minutes 'End of an Age' . Beyond the music, it is a real film that unfolds and allows you to imagine the images yourself. In summary, this latest album of ‘Awaken Solace' is an extraordinary album concept that mixes symphonic and orchestral metal and which should delight all fans of this genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Maree Nipperess (Vocal), Robert Russell (Keybords), Elspeth Johnson (Guitar), Matt James (Bass, Choirs), Rodrigo Prazeres (Drums)


Artist : Elegy Of Madness

Album : New Era

Release Date : 16-06-2017

Added : 26-09-2017

We do not change the style but we return to Europe with the Italians of 'Elegy Of Madness' which after a first album in 2013 'Brave Dreams' have released a second opus 'New Era'. 12 fairly standard lengths titles between 4 and 5 minutes offer us a melodic symphonic metal with a front-women 'Anja Irullo' in a lyrical and classical register and who, although she still has to refine its voice, proposes good interpretations, for example on 'Lunacy' and its refrain which easily enter in your head or 'New Era', very catchy and accessible from the first listen. They also offer calmer moments with the beautiful ballads 'Memories River' and 'Reset' or an orchestral title filled with choirs that could be used as film music with 'Day Zero'. In short, although it does not revolutionize the genre, 'Elegy Of Madness' is a band that should please all amateurs of symphonic metal with singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Anja Irullo (Vocal), Tony Tomasicchio (Guitar, Choirs), Luca Basile (Keybords, Violin), Larry Ozen (Bass), Francesco Caputo (Drums)


Artist : In This Moment

Album : Ritual

Release Date : 21-07-2017

Added : 27-09-2017

The Americans of 'In This Moment' are known for playing a metal with a dark trend, but their latest album 'Ritual', even if it is mainly based on primary and powerful rhythms with electronic sounds reworked in the mix, has also other assets that make it a varied and accessible opus with melodic compositions. After the instrumental introduction, we first have 'Oh Lord' which is a well-anchored mid-tempo that swings in a dark atmosphere and then follows 'Black Wedding' much more hopping and very rock . 'Joan Of Arc' is a title where it’s not possible to not kick your foot and with 'Witching Hour', you feel like you're back in '80s with 'Depeche Mode'. We can note also, and it is rather surprising, the cover of 'In The Air Tonight' of 'Phil Collins' that they resume beautifully. In short, this new opus of the Americans of 'In This Moment' shows an evolution in their music to offer us more refined compositions that go to the essential and which should please a large audience navigating between rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Maria Brink (Vocal), Chris Howorth (Guitar), Travis Johnson (Bass), Randy Weitzel (Guitar)


Artist : Tigersclaw

Album : Princess of the Dark

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 28-09-2017

'Tigersclaw' is composed of a Russian opera female singer and 2 German musicians who release their first album 'Princess In The Dark'. They evolve between rock and metal with a symphonic style but their peculiarity is that, unlike groups of this kind who prefer energetic compositions, they put forward more titles with slow tempos. From the beginning, we are conquered by the vocal of Elena which shows all its talent and who reminds me of 'Liv Kristine' especially on 'Cherokee' and obviously to 'Tarja' for his diction on certain ballads where his classical training is obvious (to tell you everything, she is a soloist in the Russian Chamber Orchestra 'Gradsky Hall' - see Here), Although the ensemble remains very classical and similar to bands like 'Within Temptation', 'Xandria' or 'Leave's Eyes', the songs are all very melodic and very accessible. The only downside that I would say is that I found that the recording is a little flat and deserved more attention given the quality of the compositions. In summary, for the fans of 'Tarja', 'Liv Kristine' and sisters who love equally power of the metal and ballads, this 'Princess of the Dark' is For you and can also be a gateway for all those who would like to discover this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Elena Minina (Vocal), Alexander Baier (Tous les instruments), Ralf Neumann (Drums)


Artist : Ten

Album : Gothica

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 29-09-2017

I confess, when I listened to 'Gothica' of 'Ten', I did not know this English band that exists for more than 20 years and releases its 13th album in 2017. Their style is close to a sophisticated rock and accessible to an audience unfamiliar with big guitar riffs. Indeed, after the first song 'The Grail', which is powerful and very hard-rocky 80s, it’s a mix of rock songs such as 'Jekyll And Hyde' or 'La Luna Dra-Cu-La' Such and ballads as 'Travelers' or 'Paragon'. We can even see some 'Queen’s’ influences with for example the magnificent last title 'Into Darkness' that certainly would not have denied the late 'Freddy Mercury'. In short, for all lovers of the eighties and beyond, this 'Gothica' is a very pleasant album to listen and to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Gary Hughes (Vocal, Guitars, Bass), Max Yates (Drums), Steve Grocott (Guitar), Steve Mckenna (Bass), + Guest : Karen Fell (Choirs)


Artist : All 41

Album : World’s Best Hope

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 30-09-2017

You get good artists from various FM rock bands (obviously, they are Americans), classical and melodic songs, a flawless production and here is the result : the birth of a new band 'All 41' which has just released 'World's Best Hope'. 11 compositions that could have all been hits in the ‘Foreigner’ years, here is the menu of this first opus with catchy titles like 'After the Rain' or 'Show Me The Way' and others quieter like 'Mother Don’t Cry' or 'Do not Surrender'. Sure, it’s very classical but it is difficult to find a flaw in this album that scrolls one after one catchy and immediately accessible melodies. In short, 'All 41' releases an album to eat-in without effort by simply enjoying listening to music very easy to access...

Line Up / Musicians

Terry Brock (Vocal), Robert Berry (Bass, Vocal), Gary Pihl (Guitar), Matt Starr (Drums)


Artist : Mystery

Album : Second Home

Release Date : 01-08-2017

Added : 01-10-2017

With this CD/DVD of 'Mystery', there is no longer any doubt, our Quebeckers are now in the heart of the great progressive rock and can largely compete with artists like 'Pendragon' or 'Arena'. Almost 2h30 of concerts, 15 tracks from 5 to 20 minutes, here is the content of this live which takes 5 of the 6 titles of the last album 'Delusion Rain' (see Here). I could cite all the songs one by one so each brings its share of emotion and that the interpretation is always perfect in all the instrumental and vocal compartments. To get an idea, the video promo (below) is a good way to become impregnate with this live and to realize the density of this album (it's already more than 17 minutes !!). To make short, this 'Second Home' is simply another album to be added to the ideal record collection of any progressive rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Michel St-père (Guitar), Jean Pageau (Vocal, Flute), Sylvain Moineau (Guitar), Benoit Dupuis (Keybords), François Fournier (Bass), Jean. Sébastien Goyette (Drums)


Artist : Alice Cooper

Album : Paranormal

Release Date : 28-07-2017

Added : 02-10-2017

It’s still almost a 70-year-old who returns to the front of the stage in the person of 'Alice Cooper' with the new album 'Paranormal'. We say to ourselves that this guy is an extraterrestrial so much he made excesses during his long career but, it is clear, he is still here almost 50 years later with a splendid return to the sources of the seventies and a simple, energetic and powerful rock. The opus is composed in three parts: 10 new songs that remind us of a 'time that the under 20 can’t know' with in premium the psychedelic 'The Sound Of A' at the end of this first agitated part, then 2 compositions with the original band (less obviously the guitarist 'Glen Buxton' who died) flirting with the sixties that look like energetic 'Beach Boys' and finally 6 live classics recorded in 2016. In short, with this 'Paranormal', we find a legendary artist always with the same quality and energy and just for that : Respect, Mr. Cooper...

Line Up / Musicians

Alice Cooper (Vocal), Chuck Garric (Bass), Glen Sobel (Drums), Nita Strauss (Guitar), Ryan Roxie (Guitar), Tommy Henriksen (Guitar) + Guests : Billy Gibbons (Guitar), Dennis Dunaway (Bass), Larry Mullen Jr. (Drums), Michael Bruce (Guitar), Neal Smith (Drums), Roger Glover (Bass)


Artist : Steven Wilson

Album : To The Bone

Release Date : 18-08-2017

Added : 03-10-2017

For 2 years, ‘Steven Wilson' has not been idle because, first, he released a solo album 'Hand Can not Erase' in 2015 and an EP '4½’ in 2016 (see Here) and second with his ‘Blackfield’ project, the magnificent 'Blackfield V' (see Here). 2017 sees the release of his fifth studio album 'To The Bone' and we wonder with as much production, how he manages to always offer us the same level of quality in his compositions. Unlike previous albums, most of the titles in this new opus are much more accessible and will certainly help to introduce Steven to a wider audience. I can already hear some fans criticizing titles like 'Permanating' saying that it is far from the 'Steven Wilson' that we know, more introspective. For my part, I think that it is in diversity that we see the quality of an artist (we must not forget that he is one of the main actors of the ‘Porcupine Tree’ group) and accessibility doesn’t mean at all non-quality. With 'To The Bone', we navigate in a diverse and melodic universe between pop and rock with very well constructed compositions and always this talent for arrangements that turns a traditional song into a gem. With titles like 'Pariah', 'The Same As Before Asylum' or the magnificent 'Song Of I', Steven shows that it rises to the same level that a ‘David Bowie’ with finally a very similar route of musical pioneer. In summary, 'To The Bone' is simply a kind of homage to pop and rock music of our last 40 years shaped by the talent of Steven Wilson' to make it something unique, the kind of timeless work that marks...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Adam Holzman (Keybords), Craig Blundell (Drums) + Guests : David Kollar (Guitars), Jeremy Stacey (Drums), Mark Feltham (Harmonica), Ninet Tayeb (Vocal), Pete Eckford (Percussion), Sophie Hunger (Vocal)


Artist : The Nights

Album : The Nights

Release Date : 04-08-2017

Added : 04-10-2017

'The Nights' is a Finnish band that was born in 2015 and released its first album under the band's name. The style is dynamic between hard-rock and AOR rock with compositions highlighting beautiful melodies with effective chorus that will not let you go. From the beginning, the first 3 titles are real well-built melodic jewelry. The atmosphere is calmer with the ballad 'I Will Never Stop Loving You', and it starts again with 'In a Blink of an Eye' and 'Hold On'. With 'Elegy (You Should Be Here)', we hold the longest title and we find all the band’s ingredients together. The end of the album is divided between 2 energetic titles and 2 mid-tempo always with the same quality of compositions. In short, with this first opus, 'The Nights' enter through the great door of melodic rock and offer us 11 accessible titles which should please a wide audience loving catchy melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Sami Hyde (Vocal), Ilkka Wirtanen (Guitar), Jan-Erik Iivari (Drums, Percussions), Harri Kokkonen (Bass)


Artist : Anthriel

Album : Transcendence

Release Date : 15-06-2017

Added : 05-10-2017

After 'Liquid Wolf', it is still Finns in the spotlight but this time with a style mixing progressive and melodic metal, I named 'Anthriel' and their 2nd opus 'Transcendence' they released 7 years after 'The Pathway'. From the beginning, this is not obvious because 'The Calling' is a very quiet 'Wilsonian' title with an acoustic guitar. Then it’s necessary to wait for the 2nd title to get into the heart of the subject with 'Under Burning Skies' and the electric guitars that go on track and Simo’s lyrics suddenly shows a lot more aggressive for a very energetic title. With 'Oath Of Darkness', more than 11 minutes, the progressive side points ‘the tip of his nose’ with breaks of rhythms and atmospheres. But the flagship title of the album is, without contest, the last title of nearly 20 minutes 'Fallen Souls' which embarks us in a fresco with multi-drawings and multi-ambiances. In short, with 'Transcendence', 'Anthriel' demonstrates all their talent and this album should please a metal audience who loves powerful metal with progressive constructions...

Line Up / Musicians

Timo Niemistö (Guitar), Antti Hakulinen (Keybords), Antti Horttana (Bass), Henrikki Markkula (Drums), Simo Silvan (Vocal)


Artist : Exit Eden

Album : Rhapsodies in Black

Release Date : 04-08-2017

Added : 06-10-2017

If you are looking to discover the symphonic metal to one of your kinfolks, I have what you need. 4 female singers of the metal stage have set up a project called 'Exit Eden' with the aim of cover hits from the international variety scene in the style of metal. We navigate from 'Depeche Mode' to 'Rihanna' via 'Bonnie Tyler' and 'Lady Gaga' which gives you the extent of the covers. In the end, we could be suspected, the 4 singers have a great time and agree well together to offer 11 titles full of energy where the guitar riffs bring power and fullness as on 'A Question of Time' from ' Depeche Mode' which completely transforms this composition into a metal hymn. In short, this is the kind of album that does not leave indifferent and will certainly generate considerable commentaries. For my part, this album has the merit of bringing together two worlds, that are not so far away, because, in the end, as Balzac said, ‘the bottle does not matter as much as the drunkenness’....

Here is the list of titles with their original artists:
01. Question Of Time (Depeche Mode)
02. Unfaithful (Rihanna)
03. Incomplete (Backstreet Boys)
04. Impossible (Shontelle)
05. Frozen (Madonna)
06. Heaven (Bryan Adams)
07. Firework (Katy Perry)
08. Skyfall (Adele)
09. Total Eclipse Of The Heart (Bonnie Tyler)
10. Paparazzi (Lady Gaga)
11. Fade To Grey (Visage)

Line Up / Musicians

Amanda Somerville (Vocal), Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Marina La Torraca (Vocal), Anna Brunner (Vocal)


Artist : Excalion

Album : Dream Alive

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 07-10-2017

It took 7 years for the Finns of ‘Excalion' to release their new album 'Dream Alive'. Changing singer and guitarist, they come back with the recipe that made them known in the past : melodic metal with an important use of keyboards that are put on the same level as guitars and choruses in refrains. 'Divergent Falling' which starts the album is the perfect example, with a melody that quickly enters your head. The 5 following compositions alternate quick titles and others slower that we could qualify as AOR like 'Marching Masquerade' or 'Release The Time'. The second part of the album is more varied with first, two beautiful ballads that follow each other with 'Deadwater Bay' and 'The Firmament', then 'Man Alive' which is an energetic and classic but also very effective title and finally 'Living Daylights' where we flirt with the AOR again. Finally, 'Portrait on the Wall' of more than 11 minutes closes the album very beautifully with an incursion into the progressive and its main theme that never leaves you. In summary, 'Excalion' is releasing a new varied opus which should please a public open to a wide range of titles ranging from AOR to power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcus Lång (Vocal), Jarmo Myllyvirta (Keyboards), Aleksi Hirvonen (Guitar), Henri Pirkkalainen (Drums), Onni Hirvonen (Bass)


Artist : Avatarium

Album : Hurricanes and Halos

Release Date : 26-05-2017

Added : 08-10-2017

The Swedes of Avatarium' have been known in a style of ‘Doom’ metal (slow tempos, a heavy sound that gives an impression of blackness), but their last album is away because 'Hurricanes and Halos' would rather to bring closer to progressive rock/hard-rock from the 60's/70's with a very vintage sound that is brought by the 'Rickard Nilson' Hammond organ recalling the glorious hours of bands like 'Deep Purple' and the improvisations of the late ‘John Lord’ but also by the sound of the guitar of 'Marcus Jidell'. In addition, ‘Jennie-Ann Smith's vocals fit perfectly into this style with the same feeling that singers such as 'Ian Gillan' possess. But, we could also quote some artists like 'Huriah Heep' with for example 'The Sky at the Bottom of the Sea' and its energetic rhythmic. To retain only one title, I would say 'Medusa Child' which mixes genres and for its crescendo final on the same repeating melodic pattern that reminds me 'I Want You' from the 'Beatles' (yes, it's almost 50 years old !!). In short, 'Avatarium' show us that they know how to renew themselves and offer us a very successful return in the past which should please all lovers with a certain time when we discovered hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennie-Ann Smith (Vocal), Marcus Jidell (Guitar), Lars Sköld (Drums), Mats Rydström (Bass), Rickard Nilsson (Keybords)


Artist : World Trade

Album : Unify

Release Date : 04-08-2017

Added : 09-10-2017

Another new discovery for me with the Americans of 'World Trade' that already exist for an important number of years because their first 2 albums date from 1989 and 1995 and 'Unify' issues more than 20 years after the last one. They officiate in a progressive rock in the line of groups like 'Yes' or 'Toto'. Entry, 'The New Norm' takes us in a light atmosphere with choirs that make it a very accessible title. The suite remains very aerial with compositions elaborated tinted eighties but nevertheless classic in their structure with always the search for beautiful vocal harmonies. In summary, this 'Unify' is made for all the fans of a progressive rock born a few decades ago and popularized by groups like 'Yes' or 'Genesis'...

Line Up / Musicians

Billy Sherwood (Vocal / Bass), Bruce Gowdy (Guitars), Guy Allison (Keybords), Mark T. Williams (Drums)


Artist : Leprous

Album : Malina

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 10-10-2017

The case of the 'Leprous' is quite strange because we wonder if they do not deliberately muddy the waters with each album release which necessarily disrupts the fans who are accustomed to a style and who do not understand (they are tagged Metal Progressive). For me, it is a proof of total artistic freedom and 'Malina' contains nuggets which are revealed little by little through listening. 'Bonneville' opens the dance with a felted atmosphere that becomes more marked around a fast rhythmic part and then ends up exploding on the end with the very particular vocals of 'Einar Solberg' using his head voice. 'Stuck' is more classic with an eye-catching melody and the title 'From The Flame' gives a certain emotion with an impressive work of 'Baard Kolstad' on drums, which, with the Einar songing, are only one. The tempo calms down with the ballad 'Leashes' and its addictive refrain. With 'Malina', it is another facet more stripped that we will also find on the last 2 tracks 'The Weight Of Disaster' and 'The Last Milestone' and is certainly the hardest to own, but ultimately the one that most marked me, because it puts even more emphasis the singular voice of Einar which transmits an emotion always on the edge. In summary, with 'Malina', 'Leprous' may be cut off from a certain audience, but for me, release their the most successful and the most creative album provided take time to tame it...

Line Up / Musicians

Tor Oddmund Suhrke (Guitar), Einar Solberg (Vocal, Keybords), Baard Kolstad (Drums), Robin Ognedal (Guitar), Simen Børven (Bass)


Artist : Seven Spires

Album : Solveig

Release Date : 04-08-2017

Added : 11-10-2017

The Americans of 'Seven Spiers' started in 2013 and after a first EP in 2014, have just released their first studio album. They describe themselves as 'Theatrical Metal' and it's pretty well seen because their compositions borrow a little bit from different genres of metal, specifically, melodic, gothic, symphonic, power and even death with an extraordany talent for theatrical stage such as the magnificent 'Cabaret of Dreams' where female singer 'Adrienne Cowan' is alternately languorous and unbridled. After the instrumental introduction of rigor in this kind of opus ('The Siren'), the title 'Encounter' introduces some choruses close to 'Epica'. Thereafter, each composition brings a different view on the band with energetic titles like 'Choices', epic as 'Closure', sweet as '100 Days', fast as 'Stay', extreme with 'The Paradox' and so on. Special mention for Adrienne who owns all the palettes of female metal singers which allows her to adapt to the style of each title. To sum up, where some bands slow down and are not able to renew themselves, 'Seven Spiers' brings a new wind on metal and this 'Solveig' very varied, although it will probably remain reserved for an amateur audience of diversity, is one of the very good surprises 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrienne Cowan (Vocal), Chris Dovas (Drums), Jack Kosto (Guitars), Peter Albert De Reyna (Bass)


Artist : Cats In Space

Album : Scarecrow

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 12-10-2017

'Cats In Space' (What a funny name !!) is a little bit all the 70s/80s bands of the international scene together, starting with 'Electric Light Orchestra' but also 'Supertramp', 'Styx' , 'The Alan Parsons Project', 'Asia', and even why not the 'Beatles' (I have no more idea but you will certainly find others). Indeed, the second album of our English 'Scarerow' has just been released and, it’s the least that we can say, the 10 titles would certainly have made envious in the 70/80 (Thank you Mr Hart). And when I will tell you that the singer is none other than 'Paul Manzi' who also performs in the group 'Arena' but not quite in the same style (see Here ), everything is assembled to have 45 minutes of good music and more, accessible and melodic as you could wish. What is good in this kind of musical output is that we are certain that all these artists are there just to have fun and at the same time to transmit this pleasure to the public because there’s no need to tell you that is very far from current patterns and trends (see the funny video above). In short, this 'Scarecrow' has only the name because it would not scare a lot of people and it’s the reverse which is going to happen : simply have a good time listening to these 10 compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Greg Hart (Guitar), Paul Manzi (Vocal), Andy Stewart (Keybords), Dean Howard (Guitar), Jeff Brown (Bass), Steevi Bacon (Drums)


Artist : Lionheart

Album : Second Nature

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 13-10-2017

For sure, 'Lionheart' told me something but impossible to find an music air in my memory and by searching on internet, it was these English who had released 33 years ago 'Hot Tonight' (maybe you remember with the video above). Since a lot of water has gone under the bridge, 'Def Leppard' and many others have passed by, but 'Denis Stratton' (among others is an ex-Iron Maiden) has decided to bring it back with almost the original line-up, 'Clive Edwards' (drums) and 'Lee Small' (vocals) did not form part of the initial adventure. Reformed in 2016, they naturally released an album in 2017, named 'Second Nature'. Well, a bit like 'Mr Big' (see Here). They offer us 12 fabulous titles (the first being a short instrumental introduction) with big sound, melodies that hang you immediately, super effective guitar solos, and necessarily choruses everywhere. 2 beautiful ballads with the instrumental 'On Our Way' and 'Every Boy InTown' come to soften the ensemble and, you can also note the beautiful cover of 'Chris De Burgh's’, ‘Do not Pay the Ferryman'. In summary, the English of 'Lionheart' sign a major comeback with a 'Second Nature' intended for all fans of this time and well beyond and which is to enjoy without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Stratton (Guitar), Lee Small (Vocal), Clive Edwards (Drums), Rocky Newton (Bass), Steve Mann (Guitar)


Artist : Riverdogs

Album : California

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 14-10-2017

Another old band that comes back as a reminder with 'Riverdogs' which returns after a few years with a 4th album 'California' and an original line-up. Given the past of each member ('Vivian Campbell' made the good days of 'Def Leppard'), we could have expected hard-rock but apart from 1 or 2 energetic titles, this revolves around an entertaining rock with a few incursions into hard rock. The first track 'American Dream' sets the tone with good energy but closer to AOR. With 'Something Inside', we're closer to blues and 'Golden Glow' has a pop side. The following is similar of this beginning, a mixture of styles making ‘California’ a diversified opus. In summary, 'Riverdogs', certainly are not there where they were expected but this 'California' has very good assets to please a relatively wide audience and fans of the rock and hard rock bands of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Lamothe (Vocal, Guitar), Nick Brophy (Vocal, Bass), Vivian Campbell (Guitar), Marc Danzeisen (Drums)


Artist : Ulrich Ellison

Album : Dreaming in the House of Blues

Release Date : 01-07-2017

Added : 15-10-2017

'Ulrich Ellison' who emigrated to the United States in 2007 is releasing his 5th album 'Dreaming in the House of Blues' with his band 'Ulrich Ellison and Tribe'. His universe is close to a classic blues rock with a talent for simple and effective melodies. This last album contains 18 titles, lasting almost 80 minutes, where we move from a nonchalant blues with 'I Had a Dream' and his magnificent final guitar solo to 'Rollin' and Tumblin ', where Ulrich's cracked voice lends itself well to the style of the song, via 'Wallflower' where he flirts with the hard-rock close to 'Led-Zeppelin'. In short, we could situate Ulrich between 'Joe Bonamassa' and 'Alvin Lee' and this last album contains a large palette of styles for all amateurs sailing between blues, rock and classical hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Ulrich Ellison Guitar, Vocal), Sabine Ellison (Bass, Vocal), Joel Duhon (Drums), Vocal), Cole El-Saleh (Keybords, Vocal), Jan Flemming (Accordeon, Keybords)


Artist : Eloy

Album : The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt 1

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 16-10-2017

The Germans of ‘Eloy’, who had released nearly twenty albums between 1980 and 2000 and who were recognized as a major progressive rock band in their country, have just released their 2nd album 'The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt 1' in nearly 20 years after 'Visionary' in 2009. For the occasion, 'Franck Bornemann' decided to tell the story of' ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ in several parts and this last opus is the first part of this saga. Indeed, we are immersed in a rock opera where the music is only there to accompany the different episodes. Therefore, you have to take the story in its entirety without trying to describe title by title. Fromstyle side, we could mention groups like 'Pink-Floyd' or 'Renaissance' with a central use of keyboards. For the role of 'Jeanne d’Arc', Franck has called for the German-British 'Alice Merton' female singer who released a first EP in 2017. In summary, with this first part of the story of 'Jeanne d’Arc' , the Germans of ‘Eloy' make us travel in time with an epic fresco that will certainly be well received by all lovers of rock opera...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Bornemann (Vocal, Guitar), Hannes Folberth (Keybords), Michael Gerlach (Keybords), Klaus-Peter Matziol (Bass), Bodo Schopf (Drums) + invite : Alice Merton (Vocal)


Artist : Masheen Messiah

Album : For the Light Unseen

Release Date : 17-06-2017

Added : 17-10-2017

If you listen to 'Masheen Messiah' for the first time and if I tell you that they are from the land of the rising sun, you will have a hard time believing it so much that their music is inspired by the progressive rock of the 70s; and yet, this is the case, aside from the drummer 'Mark Murdock' who is American, they are all Japanese. With this debut album 'For The Light Unseen' released in June 2017, we feel that they have been influenced by the great bands of the origin of progressive rock like 'Genesis' or 'Kansas' but also we find in their style other more modern groups such as 'Pallas' or 'Arena'. In the longest compositions, they mix hard-rock parts and much more soft in others, as in the flagship title of the album 'Learning to Fly' of more than 13 minutes with a talent for catchy melodies. In short, with this first studio album 'Made In Japan', 'Masheen Messiah' show us that we can make accessible progressive rock outside the occident and that 'For the Light Unseen' should please a large audience amateur of this style born in the years 60/70...

Line Up / Musicians

Yoshihide "Kame" Akiyama (Vocal, Keybords), Tatsuo "Michael" Inoue (Guitar, Vocal), Mark Murdock (Drums, Vocal), Mutsumi "Gonzales" Tanamua (Vocal), Yasushi "Yasai" Tsuruma (Bass, Vocal)


Artist : Ethos

Album : Shade and Soil

Release Date : 20-06-2017

Added : 18-10-2017

'Ethos' is a group of Americans who have just released their second studio album 'Shade and Soil' which mixes different styles from classical to metal. It is therefore necessary to be well hung and to love especially the large gaps to penetrate their universe. The example is 'The Archetype Suite' which is composed of 3 tracks : the first title 'Strange Atlas' is classic with the use of a piano, a violin and an acoustic guitar for a melancholic atmosphere. With the second part, 'the Lonely King', electric instruments enter the track for a complex title in its construction that could be placed between rock and metal and has a constantly changing of tempo which makes it less accessible (for me, it is certainly one of the most successful tracks on the album). The third part of this trilogy 'Apotheosis' brings us back to a calmer atmosphere with again the use of acoustic instruments that mix with the electric instruments for a climb crescendo which falls back to a final exploding again and the voice of Austen that becomes aggressive. To sum up, 'Ethos' releases a sophisticated and innovative album which must be tame listening after listening and which will inevitably be intended to an informed public who enjoys at the same time different styles very distant from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Austen Earp (Vocal, Piano, Guitar), Kuyper Cummings (Guitar, Vocal), Nick Riggs (Bass, Vocal), Tribb Robison (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Victim Of Illusion

Album : Invisible Light

Release Date : 20-06-2017

Added : 19-10-2017

'Victim Of Illusion' is an Italian band created in 2010 in Turin which has just released its 2nd studio album with 'Invisible Light'. They claim themselves band influences like 'Porcupine Tree', 'Opeth' or 'Riverside' and it is actually quite fair when listening to the first titles of this opus. We are in a register between rock and metal with slow structures and some titles can make think of the group of 'Steven Wilson', 'Blackfield' as the magnificent 'Let Me In The Dark' with a very calm sequence that completely envelops you. Even if the style remains rather posed, some compositions can bring, here and there, the power of the metal as for example 'Escape from Reality' which can dissuade some due to a heavy side. In short, ‘Invisible Light’ is an album that requires some time to integrate the 8 titles and is advisable to a public navigating between progressive rock and metal and loving compositions based on tempos both slow and intense...

Line Up / Musicians

Piero Giaccone (Guitar, Keybords), Paolo Gurlino (Vocal), Luca Imerito (Bass)


Artist : Pendelirium

Album : Atlas

Release Date : 01-07-2017

Added : 20-10-2017

With 'Pendelirium', the music is made in family because it is siblings that form this atypical group; with 'Atlas', they offer a variety of styles and atmospheres ranging from folk to rock. The first song 'Dawn', entirely instrumental, takes us into a festive atmosphere close to 'Santana' while the next track 'Fear the Quiet Ones' is more between 'Suzanne Vega' and 'Fleetwood Mac' (Katrine has a little the register of 'Stevie Nicks'). Past 'Smell Of The Flowers' that is a kind of lullaby where the same musical phrase is repeated, which makes it a hypnotic title, 'Cold' is a calm and melodious song where Katrine shows that she knows how to emit a certain emotion. But, with 'The Audition', it's a title of almost 33 minutes (yes, you read that right, it accounts alone more than half of the total duration) with, of course, many nooks and crannies that put us back into the progressive rock of the 70s where take turns very different styles and tempos. In short, the Norwegians of 'Pendelirium', even if they do not bring major novelties, release an attractive album that should please all fans of progressive rock loving additionally long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristian Amlie (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Katrine Amlie (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Petter Amlie (Drums), “Steve” of StudioPros (Drums)


Artist : Midnight Oil

Album : Chiko Locallo (B-sides & Rarities)

Release Date : 26-06-2017

Added : 21-10-2017

Due to the reformation of the band in 2016, 'Midnight Oil' has released 2 boxes including one containing titles never edited and faces B of 45 rpm (it was like that in time, we did not speak of single because the vinyl records had necessarily 2 faces !!). 'Diesel And Dust', with its 'Bed Are Burning' anthology that defended (already at this time) the aborigines of Australia, is far away (see the video above) but this release will perhaps allow some to discover this emblematic group of the 80s that with its leader 'Peter Garrett' were committed to ecological and anti-nuclear causes. Of course, this is not necessarily the best of 'Midnight Oil' but we find again this very particular style with its charismatic singer producing a powerful rock, authentic and deep. To summarize, this 'Chiko Locallo' is the witness of an era and may allow some to discover this legendary group by listening to its different albums (for my part, 'Diesel And Dust' and 'Blue Sky Mining' are the 2 albums to listen)...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Garrett (Vocal), Rob Hirst (Drums, Vocal), Martin Rotsey (Guitar), Jim Moginie (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Bones Hillman (Bass, Vocal), Andrew James (Bass), Peter Gifford (Bass, Vocal)


Artist : Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Album : Lay It On Down

Release Date : 21-07-2017

Added : 22-10-2017

Already more than twenty years of career and 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' has released its 7th studio album 'Lay It On Down'. In the great tradition of blues-rock, he concocted 10 tracks (the 11th is a magnificent cover of 'Lay It On Down') where he alternates traditional rock ('Baby Got Gone', 'Ride Of Your Life' ), blues ('She's $$$', 'Hard Lesson Learned'), pop ('Diamonds & Gold'), and country ballads (‘Let It On Down’, 'Louisiana Rain'). And, of course, Kenny continues to enchant us with his guitar solos close to 'Stevie Ray Vaughan' ('Down For Love') and with this gift he has to accompany the sung part with some guitar notes here and there ('Nothing But The Night'). Certainly, some will say that it is conventional and the he doesn’t bring anything new but, as it feels good to hear this kind of unpretentious music, just to make us spend great time to swing to the rhythm of the titles. In summary, 'Lay It On Down' is a set of timeless nuggets interpreted by a gifted of guitar with an exceptional feeling...

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Vocal, Guitars), Jim Mcgorman (Keybords), Kevin Mccormick (Bass), Chris Layton (Drums), Noah Hunt (Vocal)


Artist : Karibow

Album : From Here to the Impossible

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 23-10-2017

After 'Holophinium' in 2016, 'Oliver Rüsing' with his band 'Karibow' returns with a new concept album in 2017 'From Here to the Impossible' describing the different stages of a man's life. About the style, we are fully in a progressive rock influenced by artists like 'Marillion' or 'Saga'. For this new opus, in addition to the usual line up, Oliver has called on different guests like 'Jim Gilmour' of 'Saga'. What strikes at fist is the dynamic of 'Here' with an introduction where the battery takes a preponderant place in a jerky rhythmic which makes it an original title. With 'My Time of Your Life', it's more a classic song with a chorus that immediately enter your head just as some titles of 'Saga'. The sequel takes us on a sought-after progressive rock, while maintaining a certain melodic structure with sumptuous guitar solos and where each instrument plays an important role as this magnificent saxophone passage in 'Never Last'. In short, with 'From Here to the Impossible', 'Karibow' is releasing an album that certainly isn’t stepping down once but which in the end appears to be a formidable concept album to be added to the ideal records collection of any lover of rock progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Rüsing (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Gerald Nahrgang (Drums), Jörg Eschrig (Guitar, Mandolin), Mark Trueack (Vocal), Thomas Wischt (Bass) + Guests :  Daniel Lopresto (Vocal), Jim Gilmour (Keybords), Marek Arnold (Keybords, Saxophone), Monique Van Der Kolk (Vocal), Sean Timms (Keybords)


Artist : This Is The Kit

Album : Moonshine Freeze

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 24-10-2017

‘This Is The Kit' is an English band led by female singer and guitarist 'Kate Stables' and has just released its 4th album 'Moonshine Freeze'. The style is purified between pop and folk with the addition of strings, brass, banjo and beautiful vocal harmonies. But purified does not mean simple because each title brings a special atmosphere that goes to the essential and that is sometimes calm, sometimes poetic or sometimes melancholic. Take 'Easy on the Thieves', a song where the banjo is the only instrument that accompanies the soft voice of Kate which suddenly takes a special place and thanks to the addition of choruses here and there makes it a very successful title. The ensemble is quite similar, the instrumental and vocal arrangements seeming simple at first listening to finally prove to be a guiding principle of each composition. In short, this 'Moonshine Freeze' is an album to listen in a quiet place with headphones on the ears and it should please any lover of peaceful and refined musical atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Kate Stables (Vocal, Banjo, Guitar), Jesse D Vernon (Bass, Guitar, Violin), Jamie Whitby-Coles (Drums), Rozi Plain (Vocal, Guitar), Neil Smith (Guitar), Philip Sirop (Percussions)


Artist : Manchester Orchestra

Album : A Black Mile To The Surface

Release Date : 28-07-2017

Added : 25-10-2017

The Americans of 'Manchester Orchestra' come back with a new album 'A Black Mile To The Surface' and each release sees an evolution in the style of the group which is defined as an alternative rock band. With the first track 'The Maze', it's a gliding atmosphere that awaits you and the title 'The Gold' is between pop and rock with a melody close to 'Simon and Garfunkel' but with worked arrangements like a progressive group. The sequel is divided into acoustic titles ('The Alien', 'The Part') and more energetic compositions ('The Moth', 'The Wolf') but always in a certain restraint. To sum up, even if some will have trouble with Andy Hull's nasal voice, we must be admitted that with 'A Black Mile To The Surface', 'Manchester Orchestra' release their most successful album in regard to melodies and arrangements which should be possible for them to reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

 Andy Hull (Guitar, Vocal), Robert McDowell (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Andy Prince (Bass), Tim Very (Drums)


Artist : Seconds Before Landing

Album : Now That I have Your Attention

Release Date : 21-06-2017

Added : 26-10-2017

With the Americans of 'Seconds Before Landing', you enter a world apart from conventional music. The 'John Crispino' project could be classified between progressive rock with influences from the 1970s like 'Pink Floyd' and experimental music based on the mixing of different electronic effects with trafficked voices delivering relatively dark messages . The title of entry '4 AM' is relatively opressing and the atmosphere could be compared to the tormented world of 'Roger Waters'. The album also contains more conventional titles like 'Head Down Low' which reminds me of the atmosphere of some songs of 'Vangelis' and the ballad 'Come Back to Me' where the saxophone brings a nonchalant side. It is therefore not easy to enter this opus so much we change register from one title to another. In short, 'Now That I Have Your Attention' is a rich and elaborate record, off the beaten path, which requires an effort of listening to penetrate all the corners what necessarily destined it to a restricted audience...

Line Up / Musicians

John Crispino (Drums, Percussions, Vocal, Mellotron), Eric Maldonado (Guitar), Steve Schuffert (Guitarz), J.D. Garrison (Bass), Jamie Peck (Saxophone, Flute, Piano), Rick Witkowski (Guitar, Mandolin), Vanessa Campagna (Vocal), Carrie Jackson (Vocal)


Artist : Soul Enema

Album : Of Clans and Clones and Clowns

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 27-10-2017

'Soul Enema' is an Israeli band that is tagged progressive metal and has just released its 2nd studio album. For the occasion they have called upon prestigious guests of the progressive stage as 'Arjen Lucassen' or 'Yossi Sassi'. Not evident to find a lot of metal but what is certain is that they mix a lot of styles that go from pop to metal through jazz, symphonic, rock and psychedelic with obviously multiple influences in introducing acoustic instruments such as Sitare, Violon or Flute. Led by the beautiful voice of 'Noa Gruman' (not to mention the register, she reminds me of 'Annie Aslam' in her tone), they deliver us titles all different each other, passing from an ‘Oman Ra' mixing Orient and Occident to the progressive 'Cannabalissimo Ltd.'. With 'Spymania', it's a light and melodic title that flirts with the seventies jazz-rock. The continuation is very varied until the magnificent ballad 'Eternam Child' and the beautiful guitar solo of Arjen. In short, this 'Clans and Clones and Clowns', by its diversity, is an unclassifiable album and if you look for something special apart from any convention mixing 40 years of progressive music, this album should please you...

Line Up / Musicians

Noa Gruman (Vocal), Yoel Genin (Guitar), Michael Rosenfeld (Bass, Sitare, Violin), Dor Levin (Drums), Constantin Glantz (Keybords)


Artist : Subterranean Masquerade

Album : Vagabond

Release Date : 01-09-2017

Added : 28-10-2017

'Subterrannean Masquerade' is a band that boasts progressive metal influences but also jazz, progressive rock and 'Vagabond' is its 3rd studia album. Listening to them, and even though they are based in the United States, we immediately hear Oriental influences and this is normal because the majority of the members are Israelis. We can help but draw a parallel with 'Orphaned Land' ('Kobi Fahri' has participated in their previous album) and besides, the introduction of 'As You Are' reminds me of ' Let the Truce Be Known' from their cousins (from ‘All Is One’). Nevertheless, their style is closer to rock and progressive metal while keeping an anchor in their roots and using different acoustic instruments. For example, 'Ways' is a title that begins quite classically with a first part sung like a progressive rock band can do and then follows a passage to the accordion that begins like a musette waltz to which they add a theme of Jewish music and then the tone hardens to become more powerful on the end. We can note the remarkable cover of 'Space Odity' by ‘David Bowie’. In summary, 'Vagabond' is a total success because it mixes different styles while remaining very accessible and shows again that the blend of cultures often produces very beautiful surprises...

Line Up / Musicians

 Eliran Wizeman (Vocal), Kjetil Nordhus (Vocal), Tomer Pink (Guitar), Or Shalev (Guitar), Shai Yallin (Keybords), Golan Farhi (Bass), Matan Shmuely (Drums)


Artist : Drifting Sun

Album : Twilight

Release Date : 01-09-2017

Added : 29-10-2017

The English of ‘Drifting Sun’ have already been around for 25 years of existence but after a long break between 1998 and 2014, they did it all over again and 'Twilight' is their 3rd album in 3 years. A concept album on the ambivalence between light and darkness declined for every occasion. From the first notes of 'Twilight', we are immersed in a classical progressive universe in the manner of groups like 'Arena' or 'IQ' where the keyboards take a preponderant place and where one is embarked in a composition with multiple rebounds. The ensemble is close to this first title, developing a progressive rock accessible and melodic with sophisticated arrangements. To sum up, 'Drifting Sun', even if they do not bring anything new to the progressive music mill, release a very good album on quiet and peaceful tempos that should please all fans of bands like among others, ‘Mostly Autumn’ (see Here), Huis (see Here) ou ‘Karnataka’ (see Here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Falconer (Vocal), Mathieu Spaeter (Guitar), Pat Sanders (Keybords), Manu Michael (Bass), Will Jones (Drums)


Artist : Discipline

Album : Captives of the Wine Dark Sea

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 30-10-2017

The Americans of 'Discipline' that emerged in the 80's, come back with a new album 'Cap-tives of the Wine Dark Sea' that feels nice the 60's and 70's and reminds us of the origins of rock in all these forms. The 'Body Yearns', more than 9 minutes long, is a title that includes several parts and is typical of the compositions of 'Van Der Graaf Generator' (which have issued a new album 'Do Not Disturb' in 2016). The title 'Life Imitates Art' brings me back to about the same time with the refrain that reminds me of 'The Walrus' of the 'Beatles'; 'Love Songs' could be a cover of these and 'Here There is No Soul' is a bit of a 'Rolling Stones' atmosphere. But the flagship title is unquestionably 'Burn The Fire Up-on The Rocks' which starts in a 'Santana' ambiance to continue with a psychedelic part close to 'Pink Floyd' (‘Ummagumma’s era) and then a part sung close to 'King Crimson' to finish in crescendo in an alternation of remarkable guitar solos. In short, this 'Captives of the Wine Dark Sea' is an excellent album for any nostalgic of a revived progressive rock and for others a good way to discover a style that is at the origin of a lot of current musical currents...

Line Up / Musicians

Matthew Parmenter (Vocal, Keybords, Violin, Guitar), Chris Herin (Guitar), Mathew Kennedy (Bass), Paul Dzendzel (Drums)


Artist : Scardust

Album : Sands Of Time

Release Date : 27-08-2017

Added : 31-10-2017

The Israeli female singer 'Noa Cruman' is very busy because after participating in the project 'Soul Enema' (see Here), is in the adventure with the latest album of 'Scardust '. We feel that, with 'Sands Of Time', the group wanted to mix several styles of metal : the act 1 of 'Sands Of Time', 'Overture', takes us, first, in a classical introduction with strings, then the drums rears his head accompanied by a children's choir and comes the turn of guitar riffs mix with violins and then, return of the chorale that accompanies a guitar solo to finish with the power of the metal sustained by a choir, this time with more mature voices. We are fully in a kind of complex and rich mix of progressive and symphonic metal supported by classical instruments and that requires several listenings to penetrate all the corners of each title. In conclusion, with 'Sands Of Time', they could be compared to 'Epica', but as the latter has compositions accessible to a large number of symphonic metal fans, ‘Scardust’ will be limited to a certain public also loving progressive style...

Line Up / Musicians

Noa Gruman (Vocal), Yadin Moyal (Guitar), Yanai Avnet (Bass), Yoav Steel Weinberg (Drums), Alex Nicola (Keybords)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Live At Carnegie Hall – An Acoustic Evening

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 01-11-2017

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Tina Guo (Cello, Erhu), Reese Wynans (Piano), Anton Fig (Drums), Hossam Ramzy (Percussions), Eric Bazilian (Mandolin, hurdy-gurdy, Saxophone, Guitar, Vocal), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs), Juanita Tippins (Choirs), Gary Pinto (Choirs)


Artist : Lazarus Taxon

Album : The Dragonfly Effect

Release Date : 20-07-2017

Added : 02-11-2017

'Lazarus Taxon' is a new Brazilian progressive rock band created in 2014 and which has just released its first studio album, 'The Dragonfly Effect'. First of all, the first impression is an impressive quality for a first opus, either in relation to the production, the album jacket, the videos linked to the album (see above) or the search the theme for an album concept (what is the role of humanity in the destruction of our planet. How can we live in a world where all natural resources are deleted ?). On the music side, we are in a rather quiet progressive rock with obvious influences of 'Pink Floyd' and different progressive groups of the past 30 years. For example, 'The World Is a Strange Place to Live' is a very representative title of the influence of 'Pink Floyd'. In summary, 'The Dragonfly Effect', although 'Lazarus Taxon' does not bring major novelties to the progressive sphere, is a pleasant album to listen to and which should please all lovers of progressive concept albums loving calm and aerial atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Paulo Ghizzi (Vocal, Piano, Keybords), Paulo Almeida (Guitar, Vocal), Gus Duarte (Bass, Vocal), Sandro Muniz (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Divinity Compromised

Album : Terminal

Release Date : 28-08-2017

Added : 03-11-2017

'Divinity Compromised' is an American Progressive Metal band created in 2009 that has just released its 2nd studio album 'Terminal'. From the beginning, the album's eponymous title brings you into powerful metal where everything is put in place to send heavy music while keeping an accessible melodic fabric and the next title, 'Shelter in Place', equally powerful, adds an additional epic and theatrical dimension. With 'My Escape', it is the first slow track of the album that starts calmly and then rises in crescendo to finish as it began. The continuation continues in this diversity alternating passages with a big sound and others much calmer with catchy melodies like 'The Last Refugee' or the last title 'Saving Grace' which is my favorite title of this opus. In short, a zest of progressive, a large dose of melodies, 'Terminal' is an accessible album that should please all lovers of a powerful and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Bunk (Bass), Ben Johnson (Guitar, Keybords), Lothar Keller (Vocal), Mike Mousel (Drums), Jeff Treadwell (Guitar)


Artist : Kim Seviour

Album : Recovery Is Learning

Release Date : 28-07-2017

Added : 04-11-2017

'Kim Seviour' is not unknown to the progressive scene since she was the singer of the group 'Touchstone' from 2009 to 2015. 2017 sees the release of her first studio album 'Recovery Is Learning' and for the occasion she called an experienced atists of progressive rock, in the person of 'John Mitchell' who is the guitarist, among others, of ‘Arena' (see Here) and ‘Lonely Robot’ (see Here). She embarks us in melodic and peaceful compositions with her soft voice that reminds me of 'Hayley Griffiths' who is the female singer of 'Karnataka' (it is obvious in the beautiful ballad 'Fabergé'). Although the title’s majority are based on slow tempos, she’s able also to accelerates the rhythm, for example, with 'The Dive'. With 'Where She Sleeps' she shows all her talent for an intimate song where the piano is the only instrument that accompanies her. In short, with 'Recovery Is Learning', 'Kim Seviour' offers us an album full of beautiful surprises that should please all progressive rock lovers who like bands like 'Karnataka' or 'Mostly Autumn'...

Line Up / Musicians

Kim Seviour (Vocal), John Mitchell (Guitar, Bass, Piano, Keybords), Graham Brown (Drums), Liam Holmes (Keybords)


Artist : Anubis

Album : The Second Hand

Release Date : 23-05-2017

Added : 05-11-2017

In the kangaroo’s land, we are used to powerful hard rock but there are also other artists like 'Anubis' who perpetuate a calm and aerial progressive rock in the footsteps of 'Pink-Floyd'. 'The Second Hand' is their 4th studio album that tells the story of a businessman who falls into a coma after a stroke and who is paralyzed and his only activity in the hospital is to reflect on his professional life. The proposed theme is therefore a criticism of our society or some have as only objective in life to accumulate money. We are therefore immersed in a universe where each title is followed with dialogues and sound effects in relation to the theme. Musically, we are very close to 'Pink Floyd' from the first two titles : 'The Second Hand' with its alternating between calm and aerial parts and 'Fool' s Good' and its changing rhythmic and which in some places reminds certain tempos of ‘Animals'. In summary, although 'The Second Hand' remains very classic in the approach, the Australians of ‘Anubis' pursue their journey and continue to give us very good moments listening to this last album which should to please an audience having grown up with the ‘Floyds’...

Line Up / Musicians

David Eaton (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Robert James Moulding (Vocal, Guitars, Percussions), Anthony Stewart (Vocal, Bass), Dean Bennison (Vocal, Guitars), Douglas Skene (Vocal, Guitars, Sitar), Steven Eaton (Vocal, Drums, Glockenspiel)


Artist : Threshold

Album : Legends of the Shires

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 06-11-2017

Sometimes, by listening to a new album from one of your favorite bands, it triggers the 'wahouh' effect, increased by multiple little thrills, and then, you may be saying that you are not impartial because you had a positive a priori. Well, with the last 'Threshold', 'Legend of the Shires', over the 1 hour and 22 minutes of listening, that's what I felt. And then, never mind, when we love something, we say it !! 'For The Journey' in 2014 and ‘Europen Journey’ released end of 2015 (see Ici) had already made a very good impression, but with this last opus, it is even more impressive and I find it simply brilliant. From style side, we could compare 'Threshold' to 'Dream Theater' (see their last album Here) because they mix different genres between rock and progressive metal and for me, the pupil has exceeded the master. I will not describe each title because this chronic would be too long because of the density of each composition but I will simply say that everything is implemented to provide us a progressive metal accessible and melodic with a powerful and modern sound. In summary, the fans of the band will be satisfied and beyond, 'Legends of the Shires' is a good way to discover a progressive genre, refined and inspired while staying very catchy...

Line Up / Musicians

Glynn Morgan (Vocal), Richard West (Keybords), Karl Groom (Guitar), Steve Anderson (Bass), Johanne James (Drums)


Artist : Walter Trout

Album : We’re All In This Together

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 07-11-2017

You like classical rock based on the 3 basic chords and an effective binary rhythm : well, I have what you need, the last album of 'Walter Trout' which after he moved us to tears with his last record (see Here) found a second wind after his illness and has used his address book (and what book !! see below) to offer us duets with renowned artists from the blues/rock sphere. In my last review, I had wished him a 'Long Live Blues' and we can say that with this new album 'We're All In This Together', it's even beyond all expectations : everything is being made to spend a festive moment with 14 simple and immediately catchy compositions that make you stamp your feet. Certainly, some ghastly spirit kill-joys will find that these new compositions do not bring real novelties but we can’t stay stone-faced with 'Mr. Davis' or 'Crash And Burn' to name only 2. In short, this last album is a bit the 'Walter Trout's come back to life (already 66 years old) that he celebrates with a group of friends and that, at the same time, he shares with his audience, for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Walter Trout (Vocal / Guitars), Johnny Griparic (Bass), Michael Leasure (Drums), Sammy Avila (Keybords) + Guests : John Mayall, Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Sonny Landreth, Joe Louis Walker, Warren Haynes, Randy Bachman, Charlie Musselwhite, Edgar Winter, Eric Gales, Mike Zito, Robben Ford, John Nemeth, Jon Trout.


Artist : Professor Tip Top

Album : Life Is No Matter

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 08-11-2017

'Professor Tip Top' are 4 Norwegians who released their first opus in 2012 and 'Life Is No Matter' is their 4th studio album. We could situate their universe between 'Pink Floyd' and 'Barclay James Harvest', that is to say that they navigate between progressive rock and psychedelic with a sense of melody and a highlight of the keyboards on which the electric guitars come to graft. After the psychedelic 'Entrophy' which sets the scene with its layers of keyboards lined of electronic sound close to 'Jean-Michel Jarre', 'Pieta Europa' is a calm and melodic composition with arpeggios on the guitar reminding me of 'BJH' period 'Eyes Of The Universe'. The continuation is similar to this 2nd title, always very aerial and peaceful with guitar solos close to 'Gilmour' and certainly in the 70s, this album would have made a success. In short, this 'Life Is No Matter' brings us back a few decades and should please all the progressive fans of these days but also all who like a calm and aerian pop...

Line Up / Musicians

Svein Magnar Hansen (Vocal), Sam Fossbakk (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Stein Høgseth (Bass), Charles Wise (Drums) + Guests : David Sundby: (Drums), Mette Mathiesen (Drums), Sonja Otto (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Eluveitie

Album : Evocation II – Pantheon

Release Date : 18-08-2017

Added : 09-11-2017

With our Swiss friends of ‘Eluveitie', it’s not easy to follow because with their almost complete line-up change in 2016 (with the female singer 'Anna Murphy' who left to base a new group with former members of ‘Eluveitie' See Here )to which we can add a double hat 'Celtic Acoustics' and 'Celtic Metal', we don’t know what is going to fall on our head. We said to ourselves that ‘Evocation I’ must have a sequel, because otherwise to have numbered 1 !! Well, it's 2017 that sees the release of the 2nd released of this Folk saga. For all the fans (which are necessarily divided into 2 categories), it is therefore the soft and acoustic side of the group and therefore, those who waited for an opus in the style of 'Origins', it’s over. So, we sail in the universe of 'Tri Yann' both in the compositions and in the interpretation (perhaps even more soft, to prove this go to see the guitar solo of the extraterrestrial ‘Jean- Luc Chevalier' on the 'Jument de Michao' Ici at 2mn) with very festive melodies like 'Epona' , 'Nantosuelta', 'Lvgvs', 'Grannos', 'Ogmios' (on the Breton 'Tri Martolod' traditional air) or 'Taranis'. Short instrumental titles are intercalated and each title is a homage to a divinity. We can also greet the warm and deep song of 'Fabienne Erni' who has been integrated successfully in this new line-up as for example in the magnificent 'Artio'. In summary, with this 'Evocation II - Pantheon', 'Eluvietie' offers us an great quality and very varied album which should reach a relatively wide audience loving Celtic Folk...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Wolf (Guitar), Matteo Sisti (Flute Irlandaise, Bagpipe, Mandole), Nicole Ansperger (Violin), Alain Ackermann (Drums), Chrigel Glanzmann (Vocal, Flute Irlandaise, Mandole, Bagpipe, Bodhran), Fabienne Erni (Vocal, Harp Celtique, Mandole), Kay Brem (Bass), Michalina Malisz (Hurdy Gurdy), Rafael Salzmann (Guitar)


Artist : Kari Rueslåtten

Album : Silence Is The Only Sound

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 10-11-2017

The soprano 'Kari Rueslåtten', who was at the origin of the doom metal trend in the 1990s and was the inspiration for renowned symphonic metal bands as 'Nightwish', after a long break in the 2000s, returned to the scene for a few years and released a new studio album 'Silence Is The Only Sound'. Her music is characterized by a melancholy, typical of the Nordic countries and his soft and crystalline voice reinforces this intimate and fragile atmosphere that touches the listener as in the magnificent 'Silence Is The Only Sound', a very stripped title where she fills the whole space. All the tracks are very accessible with very beautiful melodies composed by 'Jostein Ansnes' which hang from the first listen. In summary, with this last album, Kari continues to enchant us with its magnificent Norwegian songs and 'Silence Is The Only Sound' is an excellent album, intended for the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Kari Rueslåtten (Vocal), Jostein Ansnes (Guitar), Richard Turvey (Piano, Keybords), Steve Pilgrim (Drums), Martyn Campbell (Bass), Øyvind Engen (Cello)


Artist : Neil Young

Album : Hitchhiker

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 11-11-2017

When I was listening to 'Pocahontas', I thought that this title was telling me something, and then I came out of my old LP and I came across this short live anthology of 'Neil Young', 'Rust Never Sleeps' (with the band 'Crazy Horse') where 'Sail Away' stood in the right place and 'Sedan Delivery' was the hard of the time. With 'Hitchhiker', 'Neil Young' continues to store his attic where he finds nuggets, some of which have never been released in studio albums and others have been re-recorded later (as' Hitchhiker’ in 'Le Noise'), but reinterpreting them in their original acoustic version accompanied only by his guitar and his harmonica. Plus, fans can listen to 2 magnificent unreleased, 'Hawaii' and 'Give Me Strength' that send us back a few decades. To sum up, even if we knew some of them, all these songs sound very special, because for me, even if Neil has subsequently added various arrangements in his songs, nothing can be as strong as these refined versions which reveal all the real authenticity of this great artist...

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica)


Artist : Andrew Chapman a.k.a. JoJo

Album : Well, It’s About Time !

Release Date : 18-08-2017

Added : 12-11-2017

A band of buddies which reform after 45 years for the pleasure of playing together and playing good blues rock that they didn’t have too much opportunity to do in the 70s and which, icing in the cake, record an album, that perks up your ears. 'Well, It's About Time!' Contains 13 classic blues rock compositions all very different from each other. The original title 'That's the Day of Had Today' opens the stage with a melody that immediately hangs in the great 70's blues rock tradition; It follows 'Face Of Love', more rock in a country spirit and 'Still Got a Message' brings a soul side. We return to the country with the beautiful ballad 'You've Got a Lover' and 'The Fit & The Feel' looks like some of the 'Beatles' songs with its marked rhythm. In short, this album of ‘Andrew Chapman' plunges us back a few decades with tracks that smell the authenticity of these periods when the blues rock took off...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrew Chapman (Vocal), Terry Wilson (Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Tony Braunagel (Drums), Willie Ornelas (Drums), Jim Christie (Drums), John Bundrick (Keybords), Jeff Paris (Keybords), Billy Watts (Guitar), James Pennebaker (Guitar), Teresa James (Keybords, Choirs), Shake Russell (Choirs)


Artist : Johnny Oskam

Album : In My Shadow

Release Date : 14-03-2017

Added : 13-11-2017

After 'Andrew Chapman', I return to the new album of a young artist, 'Johnny Oskam', released in early 2017, 'In My Shadow'. In the footsteps of rock artists of the 60s and 70s as varied as 'Led Zeppelin' or 'Jimi Hendrix', he perpetuates a style of music between blues, rock and hard rock with an excellent feeling both in his singing and in his guitar playing. With 'Badlands', between rock and hard rock, the influence of 'Led Zep' is evident, then comes 'Deep In My Bones' which is more in line with bands like 'Doors'. With 'Turn The Key', it's a much newer hard-rock style with a search for vocal harmonies and 'Hold Your Tongue' is a more primary title with a tempo that makes you kick your foot. In short, 'Johnny Oskam', when only 22 years old, has already an impressive palette of different styles which allows him to offer us a very varied album which should please all amateurs sailing between blues, rock and hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Oskam (Vocal, Guitar), Katin Burns (Drums), Marc Encebo (Bass), Kyle Schafer (Keybords)


Artist : Karen Lovely

Album : Fish Outta Water

Release Date : 17-06-2017

Added : 14-11-2017

'Karen Lovely' is best known in the United States for having been nominated several times at the Blues Music Awards. In 2017, she released her fourth studio album 'Fish Outta Water' with an impressive number of guests. His style is 100% blues with original compositions where the soul of his voice is wonderful. From the beginning, we are immersed in the late 50s with the eponymous title of the album which reminds me the atmosphere of ‘Fever’ by 'Peggy Lee' which made the tour of the world where we can’t to prevent finger snaps. With 'Under In The Midnight Sun', we continue in this sixties blues style with a classical but effective melody. The continuation is in the image of this beginning with compositions that give the impression of being familiar and Karen shows us in each interpretation this feeling in her voice which makes her a great lady of blues. In short, 'Karen Lovely' continues to delight us and this 'Fish Outta Water' should not only please all lovers of good blues but also to a wider audience because all the titles are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Karen Lovely (Vocal), Rick Holmstrom (Guitar), Doug Pettibone (Guitar), Taras Prodaniuk (Bass), Matt Tecu (Drums), Al Bonhomme (Guitar, Mandolin), Ben Rice (Guitar), Eamon Ryland (Guitar), Skip Edwards (Organ Hammond), Phil Parlapiano (Organ Hammond, Piano), Sasha Smith (Wurlitzer, Piano), DJ Bonebrake (Marimba), Alan Mark Lightner (Drums, Congas), Dave Ralicke (Saxophone), Eric Gorfain (Violin), Richard Dodd (Cello), Eric Corne (Choirs, Harmonica, Guitar)


Artist : RPWL

Album : A New Dawn (Live)

Release Date : 14-07-2017

Added : 15-11-2017

After the live 'RPWL - Plays Pink Floyd's' The Man and the Journey' in 2016 (see Here), 'RPWL' releases a DVD and a CD which is a real show recorded at the end of 2015 and whose compositions are taken from their last 2 albums' Beyond Man And Time' and 'Wanted' except for the last song that I consider to be their hymn 'A Hole In The Sky' and which was in their first album of 2000. Indeed, we can speak of show because the German formation made appeal to fifty performing artists for an out-of-the-ordinary staging with stage set and costumes from eras. It is true that 'Yogi Lang' was already familiar with that because of the different roadshows like 'Beyond Man And Time' where he wore several different costumes during the show. On the music side, all the fans of 'RPWL' will not be disappointed and the usual line-up is reinforced by choruses with 3 singers which accentuates the resemblance with what has been done by 'David Gilmour' since the 90s. We are plunged into the atmosphere of this group which has made a reputation by making covers of 'Pink-Floyd' but which knew during the last ten years to develop its own style even if they are close in the instrumental parts of the ‘Floydien's psychedelic atmosphere with the sumptuous guitar solos of 'Karlheinz Wallner'. In short, Spotify offers us the sound of 'A New Dawn' to give us an idea of what lies ahead, but if you are a fan of 'RPWL' or even for those who would like to discover this band, the DVD image is essential to come in completely in this unique musical show...

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Karlheinz Wallner (Guitars), Marc Turiaux (Drums), Markus Jehle (Keybords), Werner Taus (Bass) + Guests


Artist : Mausoleum Gate

Album : Into a Dark Divinity

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 16-11-2017

'Mausolueum Gate' is a Finnish band created in the late 2000s and has just released a 2nd studio album 'Into a Dark Divinity'. It begins with 'Condemned to Darkness' and with this title, it feels like being a few decades back with the pioneers of hard rock and the first long compositions like 'Deep Purple' where the hammond organs and MiniMoog had great time. 'V.-P Varpula' reminds me of 'Ian Anderson' in 'Too Old to Rock' N 'Roll: Too Young to Die' and with 'Apophis', the song is serious and theatrical, which accentuates the heavy atmosphere of the first part to finish in an acceleration where 'V.-P Varpula' also knows how to show power in the highs. The highlight of the album is the last track 'Into a Dark Divinity', more than 10 minutes long with a long melodic crescendo where electric instruments take precedence little by little over acoustic instruments to finish calmly with some acoustic guitar notes. In short, with this new album, 'Mausoleum Fate' revives a style that should please all rock and hard rock fans of the 70's...

Line Up / Musicians

Count L.f. (Guitar), Kasperi Puranen (Guitar), Oscar Razanez (Drums), V.-p Varpula (Vocal), Wicked Ischanius (Bass)


Artist : Tom Doncourt

Album : House in the Woods

Release Date : 28-07-2017

Added : 17-11-2017

'Tom Doncourt' is an American keyboardist who releases his third album 'House in the Woods' and has participated in several projects including the 'Cathedral' band which is known for making a progressive rock of the 70s with the use of instruments electronics such as the Mellotron which allows using a keyboard to play sounds of magnetic tapes. With this last opus, we have to be open to music close to experimental one where Tom makes us travel through sounds mixing classical and contemporary sides with multi-cultural influences. The female singer 'Kristin Slipp' brings an airy and hypnotic side that accentuates this feeling of being in weightlessness listening to the 11 tracks that take a while to penetrate this particular universe. In short, 'Tom Doncourt' continues as a pioneer of new sound spaces to offer us compositions out of the ordinary and which will certainly be limited to a warned public...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Doncourt (Keybords), Kristin Slipp (Vocal), Mattias Olsson (Drums), Chuck Bernklau (Bass), Rudy Perrone (Guitar)


Artist : Pi Mezon

Album : A Lone

Release Date : 07-07-2017

Added : 18-11-2017

It's still a Finnish band that released their first album 'A Lone'. It is not easy to label them because 'Pi Mezon' mixes quite different progressive styles that range from pop to metal via psychedelic or rock. The first track 'Echo Images' is a very atmospheric and melancholic song. It follows 'The Puppet', more rock with a rhythm well marked by percussion and a very melodic chorus. With 'One of the Others', past the raging introduction with riffs of guitars, the sequel is in a much more pop style with a magnificent guitar solo and then the piano that takes over until the end in a layer of keyboards. The continuation is as varied as this beginning with beautiful melodies and a good alternation between the sung parts where 'Jarkko Maula' adapts its voice to the style of the title and rich and worked instrumental parts. We can note the last 2 tracks that make one for more than 12 minutes which perfectly summarize the album. In short, 'Pi Mezon' is a very good surprise 2017 and this 'A Lone' should please all progressive music fans loving diversity...

Line Up / Musicians

Ilja Koslonen (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Jarkko Maula (Vocal), Sami Ratilainen (Drums) + Guests : Henri Norppa (Piano), Peetu Makkonen (Flute, Saxophone), Petri Tarvainen (Choirs)


Artist : Medea

Album : Northern Light

Release Date : 01-09-2017

Added : 19-11-2017

Like 'Arjen Lucassen', 'Henry Meeuws', also a Dutchman, writes progressive and symphonic rock operas and, with 'Northern Light', it’s his third album under the name of 'Medea'. In parallel, he also participates in the project 'Casual Silence' as a keyboard player. The new opera rock narrate an old religious tale of Lapland about eternal life (see Here). So, he called on various artists from the rock scene and each character is interpreted by a singer. From style side, it's classical and very accessible progressive rock : past the epic and symphonic instrumental introduction 'Aurora Overture', 'The Oldest Lake' is an acoustic ballad and 'Wise Mans Invitation' takes us into an atmosphere of 'Dream Theater' or classical piano and violin instruments rub electric guitar. Overall, all the songs are very melodic with a staging similar to a theater where actors interact as in 'Souls of a Kind' and its beautiful vocal harmonies. In short, with this last album, 'Henry Meeuws' offers us a rock opera full of beautiful and accessible melodies interpreted by high-quality singers and 'Northern Light' should please all lovers of a progressive rock accessible and loving concept albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Henry Meeuws (Guitar, Keybords, Piano) + Guests : Igor Koopmans (Drums), Frank de Groot (Bass), Ernst Le Cocq d'Armandville (Vocal : Tristan), Joss Mennen (Vocal : Vegard), John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers (Vocal : Dr. Crottet), Sandra Peeters (Vocal : Marylin), Rob Laarhoven (Vocal : Mr. Hallgrim), Medea Children Choir (Choirs : Childsoldiers), Josien Obers (Choirs)


Artist : Rian

Album : Out of the Darkness

Release Date : 28-07-2017

Added : 20-11-2017

Decidedly, the Nordic countries do not stop to make us discover new bands because it is now the Swedes of 'Rian' who have just released their first album 'Out of the Darkness'. Like 'The Nights' (see Here) or 'One Desire' (see Here), they offer us 50 minutes of good melodic hard with catchy titles that you immediately enter the head. To do this, they called on Daniel Flores, who is well known in the profession as a drummer (last band 'The Murder of My Sweet'), sound engineer and producer. Everything is done to have a good time listening to titles like 'Out of the Darkness', 'In a Dream' or 'Time of your Life' that reminds the hard-rock of the 80s between 'Toto' and 'Def Leppard'. In short, even if they do not bring real news, the Swedes of 'Rian' release a first album that should delight all fans of melodic hard and this 'Out of the Darkness' is to eat-in and without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Andermyr (Vocal, Guitars), Jan Johansson (Drums), Jonas Melin (Bass)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Maschere – A Night at the Theater (Live)

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 21-11-2017

'Temperance' is an Italian symphonic metal band which has already released 3 studio albums and which became known by making among other things first parts of 'NIghtwish' or 'Epica'. Surfing on the wave made by their elders, they release in 2017 a live recorded in a theater, the 'Teatro Sociale' of Alba in Italy. For the occasion, they used a chorus and a set of strings to reinforce the epic side of their compositions which already have initially a transalpine melodic touch. With this double CD, it's the 20 tracks of the concert that follow one another in a very fast pace with musicians in great shape and we can point the remarkable performance of the singer’s duo 'Chiara Tricarico' and 'Marco Pastorini' because few groups of symphonic metal can boast of such complicity. It is impossible to cite all titles, but honestly, there is no time out and in addition, they offer us, as in our old concerts of yesteryear, a drum solo and a title where the bassist have a great time ('Bass Solo'). In short, this live that also exists on DVD version is a very successful album where 'Temperance' control their subject from start to finish and 'Mashere' should please all symphonic metal fans loving groups like 'Epica' or 'Delain'...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Marco Pastorini Guitar, Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums)


Artist : Darusso

Album : Alternativa

Release Date : 01-09-2017

Added : 22-11-2017

'Anton Darusso' also known for his participation in power metal band 'Wings Of Destiny', has just released his 2nd studio album. In 'Alternativa', there is no question of power metal but rather of melodic rock which in some tracks could be compared to 'Brian Adams' because, although the beginning of the album presents powerful titles, the second part shows also calm compositions like 'Crash and Burn', 'Memories of You' or the beautiful 'Sorry' where he shares the vocals with 'Xenia'. In summary, with 'Alternativa', 'Darusso' releases a very varied album with very titles accessible in the great tradition of the rock of the 80's...

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Darusso (Vocal, Keybords), Marco Castro (Guitar, Keybords, Drums), Esau Silva (Bass), Sasha Stone (Guitar) + Guests : Xenia (Vocal), Maf e Tulá (Vocal)


Artist : Martina Edoff

Album : We Will Align

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 23-11-2017

After 'Unity' released in 2015 (see Here), the Swede 'Martina Edoff' has just released her 3rd studio album 'We Will Align' by continuing to offer us good hard-rock with simple and effective compositions that hang you from the first listen. For this last album, she called on hard-rock artists, such as 'Jona Tee' (H.E.A.T.) who took care of the production and co-wrote some titles. His voice is always there, powerful in the energetic compositions and warm in the calmest. We can also note a very beautiful work of vocal harmonies and she has been able to surround herself with talented musicians who roll out the red carpet. And if I had to retain only one title, I would say, 'Tuth Came Knocking' with a catchy rhythmic; if it does not make you kick your foot, it’s because you are not made for this album, if not, for others, go to listen to this last opus 'We Will Align' by 'Martina Edoff'...

Line Up / Musicians

Martina Edoff (Vocal), Stefan Bergström (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keyboards, Guitar), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Björn Höglund (Drums), Dave Dalone (Guitar)


Artist : Kaipa

Album : Children Of The Sounds

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 24-11-2017

'Kaipa' is a band of the 70s that experienced a long separation until 2002 when they reformed to release about 1 album every 2 years and 'Children Of The Sounds' is the 13th studio album of the Swedes. They continue to offer us progressive between folk and rock always very melodic in the line of bands like 'Yes' or 'Kansas'. 'Hans Lundin' is the survivor of the initial formation and has surrounded himself with artists who officiate in other groups like 'Morgan Ågren' and 'Jonas Reingold' of 'Karmakanic' (see Here). Beware, for those who are allergic to the long developments, you can zap this opus because the 5 titles offer us almost one hour of music. With 'Childen Of The Sounds', the style is always faithful to what they have been able to do in the past, that is that they sail in a conventional progressive universe and I already hear some criticize this lack of risk-taking. For my part, I prefer to see the glass half full because, there is one thing that can’t be blamed, it is precisely to completely master their subject and many groups would like to have this level of quality. In short, with this last album, 'Kaipa' still offer us a very good album which should please all lovers of progressive rock of the 70s loving long compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Lundin (Keybords, Choirs), Aleena Gibson (Vocal), Patrik Lundström (Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Morgan Ågren (Drums), Per Nilsson (Guitars) + Guest : Elin Rubinsztein (Violin)


Artist : H.E.A.T.

Album : Into The Great Unknown

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 25-11-2017

Timing coincidence, after the last album of 'Martina Edoff', it is the turn of the Swedish of 'H.E.A.T.' to release the same day 'Into The Great Unknown'. The first track 'Bastard Of Energy' augurs an opus in an energetic hard-rock style but the following reveals other faces of this group: 'Redefined' remains in a rock register but the use of keyboards makes it more soft and 'Shit City' with its heady refrain and its mid-tempo makes us swing to the rhythm of drums to make it a festive song. With 'Eye of the Storm', it is an ideal powerful ballad 'We Rule' reminds me of the theatrical style of 'Queen'; about the eponymous title of the album, it offers more than 7 minutes between rock and powerful hard rock with a rhythm and a refrain in the same way that 'Def Leppard'. In short, with 'Into The Great Unknown', 'H.E.A.T.' offers a varied album for all lovers open to styles from pop to hard-rock and liking accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Grönwall (Vocal), Dave Dalone (Guitar), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Jona Tee (Keybords), Crash (Drums)


Artist : Whitewater

Album : Universal Medium

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 26-11-2017

'Whitewater' is a band of 2 English that I did not know and that has just appeared under Spotify with their latest album 'Universal Medium' which is the 4th studio recording. Their style is based on ubiquitous keyboards in an atmospheric atmosphere and could be placed between 'Pink-Floyd' and 'Anathema'. 'Light of Day' sets the tone with an aerial sound based on the alternation of 2 notes which make it a fairly linear title. 'The Soldier and the Poet' continues in the same style and 'Second Fade Away' is composed of 2 tracks, introduces an acoustic guitar for part 1 and an electric guitar for the 2nd part. With 'Filtered Haze', we are closed to an experimental instrumental composition of more than 9 minutes and the highlight of the album is the last track 'Moon Pull' of 13 minutes which summarizes well with this casual atmosphere from beginning to end. To sum up, this 'Universal Medium' is particularly intended for audiences who appreciate atmospheric music developing long titles with slow atmospheres but can, why not, be used as relaxation music after a good day of work by an audience wider...

Line Up / Musicians

Stuart Stephens (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Paul Powell (Drums) + Guests : Mike Kershaw (Vocal), Clare Stephens (Choirs)


Artist : Orestea

Album : Elements

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 27-11-2017

Between rock and metal, 'Orestea' is an English band that has just released its first studio album 'Elements'. 10 compositions for 39 minutes, each title is therefore formatted for radio with durations between 3 and 4 minutes. We navigate between energetic titles where the electro parts quickly give way to a powerful sound and others much calmer as the 2 ballads 'Gateway' and 'Burning Bridges'. In general, the melodies are catchy and 'Lisa Avon' has a register that allows her to modulate her voice as in 'Elements' where she alternates power and softness. In short, with this first album, 'Orestea' already shows us that they completely master their subject and 'Elements' offers us a modern and powerful rock sound which should please a public amateur of energetic and melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lisa Avon (Vocal), Lloyd Wilson (Guitar), Mike Quinn (Bass), Johno Madgwick (Guitar), Will Crozier (Drums)


Artist : Persona

Album : Metamorphosis

Release Date : 15-09-2017

Added : 28-11-2017

'Metamorphosis' is the 2nd contribution of the Tunisian of symphonic metal band 'Persona' whose I chronicled their first album (see Here). With this last opus, they have greatly hardened their style and this 'Metamorphosis' begins with the singer 'Jelena Dobric' whose extreme voice rubs more and more her sung voice. For example, in 'The Omen of Dawnfall', the band mixes melancholic melodic parts with others much more aggressive. In general, the compositions are more accomplished and more studied with ruptures of rhythm and style that make them much less accessible than those of the first opus but which in return make them richer and therefore require several listens to tame them. It is therefore necessary to love great deviations, for example in 'Prologue' where the baroque introduction with a harpsichord gives way to guttural singing and all this is in the first 30 seconds. To summarize, with this 2nd album, 'Persona' tooks with the risk of cutting itself of a certain public but this 'Metamorphosis' definitively shows all the ambition of this group which knew how to forge its own identity of style leaving its comfort zone...

Line Up / Musicians

Jelena Dobric (Vocal), Melik Melek Khelifa (Guitar), Yosri Ouada (Guitar), Youssef Aouadi (Drums), Walid Bessadok (Keybords), Nesrine Mahbouli (Bass)


Artist : The Longing

Album : Tales of Torment

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 29-11-2017

'The Longing' is an American band that has just released its 2nd studio album 'Tales of Torment' around tales seen from the side of the evil witches and twisted villain, what a whole program !! About the style, not easy to put them in a specific case because they mix beautiful melodies with the power of metal. It is the female singer 'Laura Bradley' who is at the origin of this band and who is also the composer. From the first tracks, the tone is given by the guitar riffs but the songs parts are much more soft and melodic as for example 'Melting Down' and its classic and catchy chorus from the first listen which makes it easy to access. We can note the strong cover of "Bob Dylan", "Make Your Feel My Love" and the ‘Ave Maria’ of ‘Shubert' which has been electrified for the occasion and where Laura reveals all his talent in a classic registry. In short, with this 2nd album, the Americans of 'The Longing' offer us melodic and accessible compositions that should reach a broad audience fan of symphonic rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Bradley (Vocal, Piano), Michael Wallace (Bass), Tom Plumb (Drums), John Huldt (Guitar), Sean Maier (Guitar)


Artist : Lilly Hiatt

Album : Trinity Lane

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 30-11-2017

'Lilly Hiatt' is a singer-songwriter-interpreter who returned to 'Nashville' in a place called 'Trinity Lane' and simply called her last album of the same name because it was there that she isolated herself to write all the compositions. Like a 'Bob Dylan' or a 'Neil Young', she simply describes her life with all the episodes that reappear, such as' Imposter ', which tells of the difficulty her father had for raise her after her mother's suicide when she was one year old. The writing of this album was for her a kind of therapy to cure her old demons. About style, we sail between rock, blues and country with inevitably, considering the subject matter, a special emotion that transpires from each title and which carries you away in case you enter in her universe. In some places, she makes me think of some compositions of 'Fleetwood Mac' like in 'Records' or 'Rotterdam'. In short, with 'Trinity Lane', 'Lilly Hiatt' has bared all and offers us her most authentic album that goes beyond music to make it simply a poignant testimony on her life...

Line Up / Musicians

Lilly Hiatt (Vocal, Guitar), John Condit (Guitar), Robert Hudson (Bass), Allen Jones (Drums) + Guests : Michael Trent (Choirs, Keybords, Guitar, Harp, mandoline), Shovels & Rope (Choirs), Andy Dixon (Lap Steel), Josh Kaler (Pedal Steel)


Artist : Dan Reed

Album : Confessions

Release Date : 15-09-2017

Added : 01-12-2017

'Dan Reed' is a multi-instrumentist English who releases his fourth studio album 'Confessions' and who for the occasion has sung and played all the instruments with some appearances of other artists for guitar parts. With this last opus, unlike the rock style of his band 'Dan Reed Network', he takes us into a quiet universe, I quote : “In a time when we are more and more divided over political, economic, environmental and social issues it was important to try and write new songs that are calming in complicated times, songs about that which unites us, inspires us, and brings us comfort in this world”. We are therefore in a gentle and melancholy style between 'Chris de Burgh' and 'Chris Rea'. In short, although it does not bring a great variety in his titles, this 'Confessions' is an album to enjoy comfortably for a small relaxation session...

Line Up / Musicians

Dan Reed (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Geoff Tyson (Guitar), Martin Tidmarsh (Guitar), Rob Daiker (Guitar)


Artist : Airbound

Album : Airbound

Release Date : 15-09-2017

Added : 02-12-2017

Back in AOR style or melodic hard-rock with 'Airbound' which is an Italian band which releases its eponymous first album of the name of the group. As often in this kind of opus, the recipe is well established to offer titles to ‘eat-in’ that hang you from the first listen. We chain energetic songs like 'Have a Good Time', 'The Sun Tomorrow' or 'She's A Girl', some more pop like 'You Live and You Learn', 'Do not Fade Away' or 'Seven Seas' and finally powerful ballads like ‘Till The End', ‘Zhaneta' or 'Wasted World'. To sum up, 'Airbound' has all the ingredients to offer us a good album of AOR and should please all lovers of good melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Tomás Borgogna Ugarteburu (Vocal), Lorenzo "Fudo" Foddai (Guitar, Choirs), Angelo "NgL" Sasso (Bass, Choirs), Alessandro Broggi (Keybords, Piano, Choirs), Riccardo "DrumBeater" Zappa (Drums)


Artist : Black Country Communion

Album : BCCIV

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 03-12-2017

Come back of nowhere, the duo 'Glenn Hughes' and 'Joe Bonamassa' start again with a fourth album 'BCCIV'. And the least we can say is that these two are dynamite! Let’s start for 1 hour of good hard rock of the 70s with a very heavy sound that fills your ears and that feels good. First of all, Glenn, at 65 years old, is doing very well and sings as if he had 20 years old and for the nostalgic, listen 'The Cove' which makes us go back to a certain 'Made In Europe' with 'Mistreated'. About Joe, if you remain indifferent to the different guitar solos (listen to 'Awake'), it is that you are definitely not made for this kind of music. We can only be admiring by so much ardor and in front of this always intact determination to play together and put their guts on the table every second as if their life depended on it. And when we think that these 10 tracks were composed by our two aliens in a fortnight and recorded in a week, we think that is perhaps the key to this magic potion. In short, to make short, as said a certain 'JJG', 'When Music is Good'...

Line Up / Musicians

Glenn Hughes (Vocal, Bass), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Jason Bonham (Drums), Joe Bonamassa (Vocal / Guitars)


Artist : Boulevard

Album : Boulevard IV – Luminescence

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 04-12-2017

'Boulevard' is a Canadian band that had a first period of activity in the 80s with 2 albums and then, after a separation in the early 90s, they just found themselves more than 20 years later to taking a second turn in 2015 and 'Luminescence' was released in 2017. Their style is a melodic rock of the 80's with influences from artists ranging from 'Toto' to 'Chris de Burgh'. We jump from the ballad 'Confirmation' to the catchy 'Slippin Away', where the guitarist of 'Bryan Adams', 'Keith Scott' was invited for the occasion. In summary, if you like a melodic rock and accessible from the eighties, this 'Luminescence' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

David Forbes (Vocal), Dave Corman (Guitar), Andrew Johns (Keybords), Mark Holden (Saxophone), Thom Christiansen (Bass), Randall Stoll (Drums) + Guests : Al Vermue (Guitar), Keith Bennett (Harmonica), Keith Scott (Guitar)


Artist : Roadcase Royale

Album : First Things First

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 05-12-2017

Born a while ago with the meeting of singer and guitarist 'Nancy Wilson' (among others member with her sister Ann of 'Heart) and the singer 'Liv Warfield' (former member of 'New Power Generation' of 'Prince'), 'Roadcase Royale' is a new band that has released its debut album 'First Things First'. This first baby is doing very well and mixes for the best the influences of the two artists who evolved in two different musical worlds. The result is surprising and above all, very original : we sail between soul, pop, blues and rock with 2 covers of 'Heart', 'Even It Up' and 'These Dreams' which find a new youth, a cover of 'Clin Hay' , 'Hold On To My Hand' completely revisited and new compositions. In short, 'Roadcase Royale' shows, once again, that the mix of genres is always generating novelties and this 'First Things First' should please an audience open to different influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Liv Warfield (Vocal), Nancy Wilson (Guitar, Vocal), Ryan Waters (Guitar), Ben Smith (Drums), Chris Joyner (Keybords), Dan Rothchild (Bass)


Artist : Scherer, Batten

Album : Battlezone

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 06-12-2017

The singer 'Marc Sherrer' who has participated in the latest project of 'Jim Peterik' (among others the founder of 'Survivor') and 'Jennifer Batten' who was the guitarist of 'Jeff Beck' and 'Michael Jackson', released together 'Battlezone'. The album, whose compositions have all been written by ‘Jim Peterik’, is divided into two parts, a first with energetic rock titles like 'Crazy Love' and 'Rough Diamond' and a second with calmer melodic titles like 'Cuts Deep' or 'The Harder I Try'. The duo 'Scherer/Batten' works perfectly with a nice complicity and the game of Jennifer reminds me of a certain 'Eddie Van Halen' in 'Battlezone'. In short, if you like a melodic rock easy to access (for those who know 'Survivor'), played by talented artists, you will certainly adopt this 'Battlezone'...

Line Up / Musicians

Marc Scherer (Vocal), Jennifer Batten (Guitars), Barb Unger (Keybords), Bill Champlin (Guitars, Keybords), Bill Syniar (Bass), Chris Neville (Keybords), Christian Cullen (Keybords), Dave Carl (Guitar), Jim Peterik (Guitar, Keybords), Klem Hayes (Bass), Mike Aquino (Guitar), Mindi Abair (Saxophone)


Artist : David Gilmour

Album : Live At Pompei

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 07-12-2017

'Gilmour' is back in Pompei 45 years after the debut of 'Pink-Floyd' where a film had been shot in 1971 (it gives me an idea...). For the occasion, more than 2000 cinemas presented in preview this live (I must say ampute of some titles for 1h30 of concert) which allowed the fans who had not been part of the 5000 spectators of Pompei to discover this live on big screen with a sound in dolby surround which has helped from my side to increase the intensity of small thrills by listening to all these legendary titles. As you have already read all sorts of chronicles on the web (there are even some who gave their opinion before the release of the live !!), I would simply say that 'Gilmour' is always 'Gilmour', the quiet force of rock progressive over the last 50 years that continues to surround the best musicians and singers (most musicians have sung on at least one song) to offer us magical moments that over time become all timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

David Gilmour (Vocal, Guitars, Cymbales), Guy Pratt (Vocal / Bass), João Mello (Guitars, Keybords, Saxophone, Clarinette), Greg Phillinganes (Vocal, Keybords), Chester Kamen (Guitars, Harmonica), Chuck Leavell (Vocal, Keybords, Accordion), Bryan Chambers (Vocal, Choirs), Kevin McAlea (Keybords), Lucita Jules (Choirs), Steve DiStanislao (Drums, Aeoliphone)


Artist : Pink Floyd

Album : The Early Years 1972 OBFUSC/ATION

Release Date : 11-11-2016

Added : 08-12-2017

The 'Live At Pompei' by 'Gilmour' brought me some memories and, as 2016 saw the release of an enormous compilation of 'Pink-Floyd' frim their first part of career 'The Early Years 1965-1972' it gave me the idea to return to volume 6 which for the anecdote was originally planned to be the album 'Obsurred By Clouds' but which by mistake had been replaced by the 'Live At Pompei' of 1971. At this time, 'Pink Floyd' had just released his two albums, which I still consider to be two bombs in the history of music, first of all 'Atom Heart Mother' from 1970 (you know, with the cow on the cover) and then 'Meddle' from 1971 that I discovered a few years later and which was one of my first musical shock. A young film director, 'Adrian Maben' then proposes to them to film them live but without public in the arenas of Pompei. Even if certain titles, due to technical and timing problems, will be shot in Paris with scenery, the chosen titles of the time (partly from 'Ummagumma') and the atmosphere of the atmosphere of the empty arenas that bring us back 2000 years back blend to give something timeless that goes far beyond music. Indeed, these years have allowed the ‘Floyds’ to present two different faces and the error on the CD 'OBFUSC/ATION' allows us to make these two facets obvious by putting them side by side : first of all a conventional approach with the first part 'Obscured by Clouds' and his compositions influenced by other artists of the time such as the' Beatles' which sets the stage for the psychedelic style with titles like 'Burning Bridges' or' Wot's ... Uh The Deal' or 'Free Four'; then, a perpetual search for new sounds with this 'Live At Pompei' by experimenting and taming their new electric instruments which gave titles like 'Careful With That Ax' of 'Rogers Waters', 'Saucerful of Secrets' or the unavoidable 'Meddle' of about 25 minutes or the anecdotal 'Mademoidelle Nobs', which features the dog of 'David Gilmour' (also under the name of the dog, 'Seamus' in the album 'Meddle'). And here, we say to ourselves that the next album could only feed on these two orientations and you know what happened : the release in 1973 of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' which is for me the climax of this group and which will become the global success that we know. To conclude, this 'OBFUSC/ATION' is the testimony of this era when this band of friends was far from the star-system and had as its sole objective to seek new musical paths that they found to become precursors and open the way of what is now called the progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

David Gilmour (Guitar, Vocal), Roger Waters (Bass, Vocal), Richard Wright (Keybords, Vocal), Nick Mason (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : UFO

Album : The Salentino Cuts

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 09-12-2017

After more than twenty studio albums, it is still a band of the 70s that returns to the front of the stage with 'UFO' and its last album 'The Salentino Cuts'. Certainly, from the original band, there is only the singer 'Phil Mogg' and the drummer 'Andy Parker' but the sound is still intact. After a very good opus studio in 2015 'A Conspiracy Of Stars', our English chose to release a cover album with a set of compositions from the late 60s to the 90s (see list below). We go from 'Heartful Of Soul' of 'The Yardbirds' to 'River Of Deceit' of 'Mad Season' with a 'slight' transformation of all these titles to make them a little more powerful ! In short, with 'The Salentino Cuts', 'UFO' shows that there is no age to make good hard rock direct and authentic...

Heartful Of Soul (The Yardbirds - 1968)
Break On Through (The Doors – 1967)
River Of Deceit (Mad Season - 1995)
The Pusher (Steppenwolf – 1968)
Paper In Fire (John Mellencamp - 1987)
Rock Candy (Montrose - 1973)
Mississippi Queen (Mountain - 1970)
Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers - 1971)
Honey Bee (Tom Petty – 1994)
Too Rolling Stoned (Robin Trower - 1974)
Just Got Paid (ZZ Top – 1972)
It's My Life (The Animals – 1965)

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Mogg (Vocal), Andy Parker (Drums), Paul Raymond (Guitars, Keybords), Rob De Luca (Bass), Vinnie Moore (Guitars)


Artist : Bent Knee

Album : Land Animal

Release Date : 23-06-2017

Added : 10-12-2017

With the Americans of 'Bent Knee', we enter a world apart that is difficult to describe as they still offer us a new album 'Land Animal' outside of any musical classical landmark. First of all, as is often the case for this kind of artists, the first listens reveal only partially the richness of this opus and it requires to imbibe it to be able to tame it completely. From the beginning, with 'Terror Bird', the voice of 'Courtney Swain' is connected to this atmosphere that brings an unexpected side with her register which is out of the ordinary but which is very appropriate to these shifted melodies and rhythm and intensity breaks throughout the title. The compositions could be described as contemporary because their constructions often come out of classical patterns by mixing styles to create each time something original. In short, with 'Land Animal', 'Bent Knee' turn a corner that propel them forward of a renewing progressive scene but that will probably remain limited to an advised public...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Levin (Guitars), Chris Baum (Violin), Courtney Swain (Vocal, Keybords), Gavin Wallace-ailsworth (Drums), Jessica Kion (Bass), Vince Welch (Keybords)


Artist : Newman

Album : Aerial

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 11-12-2017

'Newman' is the project of the Englishman multi-instrumentist 'Steve Newman' who already has 10 albums under his credit and more than 20 years at the service of a melodic hard called AOR. Fans will not be surprised because the style of the last album 'Aerial' continues in the same line as the previous albums : melodic titles between 4 and 5 minutes with choruses that enter immediately in your head. 'Steve Newman' has the voice that fits perfectly to his compositions and the arrangements between guitar, keyboards and drums are always very accomplished. If I had to retain only a few titles, I would say 'High Tonight' for his catchy rhythmic and 'Vertigo' for his heady refrain. In short, this 'Aerial', even if it does not bring real news, is a very accessible album and enjoyable to listen to what should be intended for a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Newman (Vocal, Guitars, Bass, Keybords), Rob McEwen (Drums)


Artist : Debbie Ray

Album : Slave to the System

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 12-12-2017

After a lot of adventures in their careers, the Swedes of 'Debbie Ray' decided to re-form in 2014 with consequence this studio album 'Slave to the System' released in 2017. Entering with 'American Nightmare', the scene is set with an energetic, heavy and very direct sound without in line with of bands of hard rock of the 80s. The bit exra they have s that they know how to vary the styles with less sweet-talk as by example 'Too Late To Pray' or 'Made to Cry' and their catchy melodies. Despite a basic setting up, guitar, bass, drums, vocal and instrumental arrangements are very successful. In summary, if you like good hard-rock melodic, you can go with your eyes closed, this 'Slave to the System' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Reine Heyer (Vocal, Guitar), Andreas Heleander (Guitar), Håkan Strind (Drums)


Artist : Moonscape

Album : Entity

Release Date : 02-10-2017

Added : 13-12-2017

'Moonscape' is the project of the Norwegian 'Havard Lunde' who has just released under this name a first album 'Entity' surrounded by a dozen guests from the metal scene including three different singers. The style is progressive melodic which offers a large palette of different styles and alternation in the vocal parts between clear vocals and guttural vocals typical of the death metal, which can discourage some. The 9 parts of ‘Entity' are in fact a single piece because they are all linked which requires to listen to the whole opus. It is a concept album which tells the story of a man who no longer dares to face the world around him. Clinging to himself for shelter, he must suddenly face a demon of his past, hidden in his subconscious. The atmosphere is therefore quite dark with highly elaborate instrumental parts and the guitar parts are also shared between 7 guests which necessarily gives an impressive variety of different games. In summary, 'Entity' is not recommended for all ears but for those who privilege the diversity of genres within the metal, will undoubtedly be satisfied by this concept album...

Line Up / Musicians

Havard Lunde (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions, Vocal) + Guests : Jim Brunaud (Vocal), Matthew Brown (Vocal), Kent Are Sommerseth (Vocal), Davis Russel (Piano), Leviathan (Guitar), Andreas Jonsson (Guitar), Diego Palma (Keybords), Simen Adnoy (Guitar), Jon Hunt (Keybords), John Kienan (Guitar), Alex Campbell (Guitar), Noah Watts (Guitar), Sean Winter (Saxophone Tenor), Justin Hombach (Guitar)


Artist : Coburg

Album : The Enchantress

Release Date : 06-10-2017

Added : 14-12-2017

An English symphonic metal band led by a supermodel and actress who was already known in the musical world as 'Jet Noir', it’s not common : well, this band is called 'Coburg' of the name of this beautiful female singer who took in the adventure members of 'Naked Lunch' and 'Jet Noir' and who have just released their first album 'The Enchantress'. The base is powerful and melodic with saturated guitars but they also modulate the metal side by the addition of modern electro sounds and the mixture of the two will undoubtedly allow them to open to a large enough audience especially as the majority titles have standard lengths. Overall, they develop mysterious and theatrical atmospheres with titles like 'A Cold Days in Hell' or 'The Hall of Ghosts' or 'The Enchantress' and we could compare some melodies to the atmospheres created by some titles of 'Tarja' (Of course, I do not speak of the vocal technique which is completely different). In short, even if the purists of the symphonic metal will probably criticize the addition of electronics, this 'The Enchantress' is for me a very good surprise 2017 and 'Coburg' already shows that they master their subject completely what should make them know by a relatively wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Anastasia Coburg (Vocal, Guitar), Tony Mayo (Vocal, Percussions), Dean Baker (Keybords, Choirs), Mark Spencer (Bass, Choirs), Sarah Sanford (Guitar, Choirs), Pietro Coburg (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Raven Tide

Album : Novarize

Release Date : 27-09-2017

Added : 15-12-2017

Formed in 2009 by the meeting of the female singer 'Carlotta Cimeli' and the guitarist 'Claudio Biancalani' and, after a first album in 2011 ("Echoes Of Wonder") which went completely unnoticed and 2 nominations at the ‘Hollywood Music In Media Awards’, the Italians from 'Raven Tide' are releasing in 2017 'Novarize'. From style side, they are tagged symphonic metal but, apart from a few energetic parts, the compositions tend towards melodic symphonic rock, easy to access with the highlighting of keyboards that often take over the power of guitars. The titles are quite varied and we navigate between fast and energetic titles like 'Rise Up' or 'Real', others quieter with for example 'Blue', 'Breakeven' or the acoustic 'Abyss'. 'Shiver' is completely instrumental and presents another facet of the group with a progressive approach. In summary, with this 'Novarize', the Italians 'Raven Tide' released an accessible and varied symphonic rock album that should reach a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Carlotta "Cheryl" Cimeli (Vocal), Claudio "Shark" Biancalani (Guitar), Federico "Fred" Urso (Bass), Marco "Mark" De Curtis (Drums)


Artist : Edguy

Album : Monuments

Release Date : 12-07-2017

Added : 16-12-2017

After nearly 25 years of existence, the Germans of ‘Edguy' have always go on in their own way and despite the success that we know with ‘Avantasia', 'Tobias Sammet' has always remained faithful to his first group. 2017 sees the release of the compilation 'Monuments', and what a monument indeed, because it contains 5 new titles, 22 titles of their studio albums and a new title never published, for 2 hours 30 of music in total. We navigate between heavy, power and speed metal with hymns typical of this group to make sing stadiums like 'The Piper Never Dies', 'King Of Fools' or 'Tears of the Mandrake' and so on. In short, even if the choice of titles remains very subjective and complicated with such a discography, this' Monuments' is a good way for fans to rediscover all ‘Edguy' albums and for others, perhaps, to discover a major group of the metal scene of the last 25 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Sammet (Vocal, Bass, Clavier), Dirk Sauer (Guitars), Felix Bohnke (Drums), Jens Ludwig (Guitars), Tobias Exxel (Bass)


Artist : Jinetes Negros

Album : Definitiva Mente

Release Date : 30-08-2017

Added : 17-12-2017

let's go now in Argentina with the progressive rock band 'Jinetes Nogros', which is already 20 years old and has just released its 6th studio album. 'Definitiva Mente' is a concept album with the rider 'Black Rider' that accompanies all the albums of the group and continues his various interior journeys. These are 14 tracks for more than an hour of music that are available to us and we travel in very varied atmospheres, between progressive melodic typical of the 70s as in 'El Túnel Del Destino', acoustic ballads like 'Las Puertas de the Voluntad ', progressive more elaborate with' Dos Caras' close to ELP (Emerson Lake & Palmer), symphonic where the piano, the saxophone and the accordion invite themselves to the magnificent 'El Cuerpo de la Augustia', jazzy with 'Laberinto del Deseo', or flirting with blues in 'Molino de Locura' and finally energetic and symphonic hard-rock with 'El Altar del Tiempo'. In short, with this latest album, 'Jinetes Negros' unveil all their facets and this 'Definitiva Mente' should be well received by a public fan, above all, the diversity in progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Ricardo Penney, (Drums, Choirs), Marcelo Ezcurra (Vocal, Guitar), Octavio Stampalia (Keybords, Choirs), Pablo Robotti (Guitar), Hipólito Courvoisier (Bass, Vocal) + Guests : Christian Colaizzo (Drums), Marcelo Vaccaro (Bass), Guido Stampalia (Bass), Gabriel di Mario (Saxophone), Maxi Trusso (Vocal), Charly Moreno (Vocal), Lucas Pagano (Vocal), Miguel Zabaleta (Vocal)


Artist : Chrysilia

Album : Et in Arcadia Ego

Release Date : 12-10-2017

Added : 18-12-2017

'Chrysilia' is a Greek band that has just released its first studio album 'Et in Arcadia Ego' which tells the history of one of the regions of Greece, Arcadia. The influences are many and we navigate between folk, rock and melodic symphonic metal where the female singer 'Chryso' evolves in a register close to 'Simone Simons'. The comparison with 'Epica' stops there because the compositions are much more symphonic and the metal component is very limited. For example, 'The Menalon Trail' has folk intonations for a catchy title, 'Desparate Wings' is a beautiful quiet ballad where 'Chryso' demonstrates all her talent. Note the eponymous of the album, an instrumental track that takes us into a historical fresco where violins, choirs and keyboards make it a very epic piece. In summary, this first album of 'Chrysilia', although the group uses classical electric instruments, is closer to bands like 'Blackmore's Night' (see Here) and is intended for a large audience loving beautiful melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Chryso (Vocal), Jim Ramses (Bass), John Matzakos (Keybords), Odysseas (Violin, Viole), Panos Geo (Drums), Teo Ross (Guitars)


Artist : Stan Bush

Album : Change the World

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 19-12-2017

'Stan Bush' has been known for thirty years to make a melodic rock very accessible and this latest album 'Change the World' does not change the situation with the same recipe he continues to use for our greatest pleasure. In spite of some already known tracks including the inevitable 'The Touch', Stan always shows this talent to compose titles which immediately enter your head and which do not leave you any more like the eponym title of the album or 'Born to Win' and their addictive refrain. The ballads in which he also excels are not forgotten with 'The Story of Love' or 'The Othe Side of Love'. In short, even if some say that 'Stan Bush' do not renew, this latest album has the merit of giving us a great time listening to these catchy melodies and if you like artists like 'Chris de Burgh' you will be delighted by this 'Change the World'...

Line Up / Musicians

Stan Bush (Vocal), Lance Morisson (Bass), Matt Laug (Drums), Rocket Richotte (Guitar), Holger Fath (Guitar), Dirk Nagel (Keybords)


Artist : Gráinne Duffy

Album : Where I Belong

Release Date : 17-09-2017

Added : 20-12-2017

With the latest album 'Where I Belong' from Ireland 'Grainne Duffy', we embark on a world of acoustic songs between 'Fleetwood Mac' and 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' (see here). Singer, Guitarist and Composer of talent, she offers us real little melodic jewelry between blues and country and her voice can’t leave indifferent because she knows how to transmit an emotion at every moment. From the first listening, we are caught by these titles that give you the impression of having always been part of your life. Note that the last composition is only instrumental and it reveals her talent as a guitarist and 'Canyon Road' is close to the progressive and to some titles of the 'Floyds'. In summary, 'Gainne Duffy' is a true and authentic artist who releases a magnificent acoustic album that should appeal to all fans who navigate between blues, country and rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Gráinne Duffy (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Ten Years After

Album : A Sting in the Tale

Release Date : 09-01-2017

Added : 21-12-2017

It's only in October 2017 that Spotify put online the last 'Ten Years Ater', 'A Sting in the Tale' which was released at the beginning of the year for the 50 years of the band. Severe criticisms on this album shows that some have not yet digested the break with the late 'Alvin Lee'. Certainly, for me, there is a before and after 'Alvin Lee' (which incidentally took place in 2003 and not at the death of the guitarist in 2013 and they have already released 2 albums since). Of course, these two periods can never be compared under the pretext that the group has kept its name and we could quote many examples in this case : so why 'Ten Years After' would have been the exception and should have changed its name ! Let's try instead to ignore all of this and let's focus on music. This 'A Sting in the Tale' contains melodic nuggets between blues and rock that makes you feel better and immediately triggers the need to tap your foot or shake your head like in 'Land Of The Vandals', 'Iron Horse' or 'Suranne Suranne', others quieter and melancholy like 'Up To Smoke', 'Stone Alone' or 'Diamond Girl'. In short, with this 'A Sting in the Tale', we should rather rejoice in the longevity of this group with 3 members over 70 years, still releases albums of this quality : hats off, gentlemen...

Line Up / Musicians

Ric Lee (Drums), Chick Churchill (Keybords), Marcus Bonfanti (Guitar, Vocal), Colin Hodgkinson (Bass)


Artist : Inner Core

Album : Soultaker

Release Date : 17-10-2017

Added : 22-12-2017

'Inner Core' is a German band that has just released their first album 'Soultaker'. With the arrival of the female singer 'Anna Rogg' and the violinist 'Francesca Schenk', the musical direction goes towards symphonic metal. At the beginning, 'Soultaker', of 8 minutes, takes us in a catchy rhythm where Anna already shows that she has all the vocal qualities for this kind of title and where Massimo demonstrates his talent of guitarist. The sequel is the same level with dynamic and melodic titles like 'Sweet Addiction', 'Blame' or 'Monsters', other mid-tempo like 'Snowstorm', 'Crucified' or 'Ghost Dust' and others finally much quieter like the ballad 'KeepThe Distance'. Also note the magnificent last title 'Into Eternity' which mixes power and softness and which summarizes perfectly this first opus. In short, even if 'Inner Core' is only at the beginning, this first album is a faultless and already demonstrates an ability to take a good place between 'Within Temptation', 'Delain' and confreres...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Rogg (Vocal), Artur Schall (Keybords, Vocal), Massimo Giardiello (Guitar), Richi Echeverria (Bass), Francesca Schenk (Violin), Stefan Zimmerling (Drums)


Artist : Phil Lanzon

Album : If You Think I’m Crazy!

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 23-12-2017

'Phil Lanzon' is simply the keyboardist of ‘Huriah Heep' since the 80s. With this first solo album 'If You Think I'm Crazy!', he embarks us for almost one hour of melodic progressive rock with obvious influences of leading groups of the progressive, like 'Genesis' for the older ones or 'Pendragon' to quote a more recent group. To implement this album, in addition to his talent as a keyboardist, he called progressive artists with 'John Mitchell' (among others 'Arena'), 'Andy Makin' and 'Andy Caine' to diversify the sung parts and a classical orchestra to enrich the symphonic side of the compositions. The titles are varied and we go from 'I Saw Two Englands' where 'Sarah Jory' accentuates the folk side with the pedal steel to a 'Lover's Highway' and its 'Kansas' side through the energetic 'The Bells' close to 'Deep Purple' or 'Carolin' where we are closer to an 'Elton John'. In short, with 'If You Think I'm Crazy!', 'Phil Lanzon' makes us travel in 40 years of heteroclite rock very accessible which should appeal to a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Lanzon (Keybords, Vocal), Craig Blundell (Guitar), Laurence Cottle (Bass), John Mitchell (Guitar, Vocal), James Graydon (Guitar), Sarah Jory (Banjo, Pedal steel) Joe Atkins (Trumpet, Piccolo), Andy Makin (Vocal), Andy Caine (Vocal), London Telefilmonic Orchestra


Artist : Silhouette

Album : The World Is Flat and Other Alternative Facts

Release Date : 02-10-2017

Added : 24-12-2017

The Dutch of 'Silhouette' are back with a new concept album about the superficial world in which we live. Always in a progressive style inherited from a mix of genres of the last 40 years, they offer us 6 titles including 'Symphony for a Perfect Moment' which is composed of 5 subparts and which in total is approaching 18 minutes. The music of 'Silhouette' is characterized by the highlighting of keyboards and the addition of classical instruments that strengthen the symphonic side. Although melodically, this opus remains very accessible, it requires several plays to discover the richness of each composition : the flagship title can’t be cut into pieces but must be taken in its entirety. We can note the last title, 'Turn It Off', in a calm atmosphere, which closes the album in a very beautiful way. In summary, with this latest opus, 'Silhouette', even if they do not bring real news in the genre, release a quality album that should make happy all lovers of progressive music amateurs of mix between classical and electric instruments...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian De Graeve (Vocal, Guitar), Daniël Van Der Weijde (Guitar), Erik Laan (Vocal, Keybords), Jurjen Bergsma (Vocal, Bass), Rob Van Nieuwenhuijzen (Drums) + Guests : Vocalal van den Dungen (Flute), Petruschka Schaafsma (Hautbois), Sophie Zaaijer (Violin), Ger Otten (Cor), Joke Laan Morsch (Vocal), MarYo (Choirs)


Artist : Tarja

Album : From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)

Release Date : 17-11-2017

Added : 24-12-2017

An album of Christmas sung 'Tarja' is not a scoop because she had already accustomed us to this kind of prowess but the title of the latest album 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)' suggests that we are far away from the traditional French 'Petit Papa Noël'. First of all, the different photos are quite dark (this does not detract from the fact that they are real works of art) and then, by watching the first video unveiled on the internet of 'O come, o come Emmanuel', we think that we are far cry from the traditional version (it is a Christian religious song of the 12th century). Indeed, the album is aptly named and the great strength of 'Tarja', is to embark us on dark interpretations of traditional Christmas compositions like the beautiful 'Deck The Hall' completely revisited with its disturbing atmosphere and she manage to give to 'My Beautiful Tree' a mysterious atmosphere. In short, as usual, 'Tarja' upsets habits and takes the opposite of the standard by offering us a novel new album that inevitably can not leave indifferent: the conformist will certainly not like but all those who are open to new musical experiences should join: personally, I am part of these and I take this opportunity to wish you a 'Merry Christmas'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal)


Artist : Wobbler

Album : From Silence to Somewhere

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 25-12-2017

Lovers of 70/80 progressive music but also of long titles, here is the latest record of the Norwegians 'Wobbler', I named 'From Silence to Somewhere' which contains 4 titles for 46 minutes of music. From the beginning, with the eponymous title of the album, we are taken in a maze of nooks and crannies for 20 minutes during which quiet and unbridled passages are linked together and we can’t help but think to some songs of 'Emerson Lake & Palmer'. It is obvious that in front of all this musical creativity, it takes a certain time to tame the whole because each title is revealed little by little. In summary, this 'From Silence to Somewhere' is an extremely rich and complex album that will inevitably be intended for an informed public, fan of progressive music of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Prestmo (Vocal, Guitar, Glockenspiel, Percussion), Geir Marius Bergom Halleland (Guitar), Kristian Karl Hultgren (Bass, Clarinette), Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Keybords), Martin Nordrum Kneppen (Drums)


Artist : Supersonic Blues Machine

Album : Californisoul

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 25-12-2017

The American trio of 'Supersonic Blues Machine' come back with a second album where they again appealed to blues/rock scene artists (and not least) they had already invited on their first opus. With 'Californisoul', for those looking for something new, it missed, because we are (not possible to be more) in the great tradition of blues/rock of the 70s with its basic structure that makes you feel good and warms you by these times a little cold. 'I Am Done Missing You' sets the tone with a reggae background and then we navigate between an energetic 'Somebody Fool's' where your feet play the metronomes, a refreshing 'L.O.V.E.' with its happy choruses, the very' ZZ Top' 'Broken Heart' and its effective rhythm, the jerk 'The One' close to 'Santana' and a 'Hard Times' where 'Steve Lukather' makes you climb to the ceiling with his guitar (same with Walter Trout’ in ‘What’s Wrong’) or 'Cry' which transports you with its poignant feeling, and we could quote all titles because it’s impossible to find one below the others. In short, if you are a fan of authentic blues/rock of the 70s, this 'Californisoul' can only fill you with joy and beyond, is a very accessible album to enjoy without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Aronoff (Drums), Fabrizio Grossi (Bass), Lance Lopez (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Billy F. Gibbons, Steve Lukather, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, Walter Trout


Artist : Millenium

Album : 44 Minutes

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 26-12-2017

Poles are beginning to be known on the progressive rock scene with bands like 'Riverside' or 'Satellite' and 'Millenium' is one of the outsiders who deliver music of quality but have never pass the stage to be known at the international level. With this last album '44 Minutes', they take us to a theme related to the death of loved ones, in this case parents with all that is related to the loss of a loved one (see Here). Therefore, it’s a very melancholic atmosphere that propose us 'Millenium' in the tradition of progressive rock formations with obvious influences of 'David Gilmour' like the magnificent 'Are We Lost?' Where the atmosphere is very close to the new songs of the Englishman with female choruses and the sound of the saxophone that reinforce the emotion of this title. Note the last title 'Ending Title' is dedicated to their singer 'Lukasz Gall' who decided to leave the group for other projects but who does not close the door to continue writing for the band. In short, this last album of the Poles of 'Millenium' is very endearing, full of sensitivity and should appeal to all fans of melancholic prog but which, thanks to very melodic titles, makes it a very accessible album for a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Lukasz Gall (Vocal), Piotr Plonka (Guitar), Ryszard Kramarski (Guitar, Keybords), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Guitar, Bass), Dariusz Rybka (Saxophone), Grzegorz Bauer (Drums) + Guests : Karolina Leszko (Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Unreal City Prog Band

Album : Frammenti notturni

Release Date : 11-09-2017

Added : 26-12-2017

'Unreal City Prog Band' is an Italian progressive rock band that has just released its 3rd studio album 'Frammenti notturni'. 'Emanuele Tasconi', who is the composer of the group, is influenced by the major prog formations of the 70s but also draws his inspiration from the Italian musical culture. With the first title, 'La grande festa in Mashera', of more than 13 minutes, we are immersed in a multi-faceted construction where we go from an introduction close to 'ELP' with breaks in rhythms to a piano part in the style of 'Satie' introducing a quiet and very transalpine sung part which gains momentum with the entrance of the electric instruments and which unfolds its melancholic melody until the final break that brings us back to an 'ELP' atmosphere with ubiquitous keyboards and multiple arrangements. The other compositions are quite similar and make us travel in environments where keyboards are the common thread and where the classic Italian romantic aspect is frequently present. In summary, with this 'Frammenti notturni', the Italians of 'Unreal City Prog Band' continue to offer quality compositions in a classic progressive style but, because of their long durations, may be limited to a warned audience without being able to reach a wider audience, and that's a shame...

Line Up / Musicians

Emanuele Tarasconi (Vocal, Piano, Keybords, Mellotron, Clavinet, Guitar, Theremin), Francesca Zanetta (Guiare, Mellotron), Dario Pessina (Bass, Choirs), Marco Garbin (Drums) + Guests : Matteo Bertani (Violin), Camilla Pozzi (Choirs)


Artist : Dave Kerzner

Album : Static

Release Date : 01-10-2017

Added : 27-12-2017

After the success of the first album 'New World' (see Here), the new album of 'Dave Kerzner' was awaited by a whole public fervent of progressive rock in the movement of the 'Floyds'. Dave presents 'Static' as a progressive rock opera that deals with interferences in our daily lives with a lot of things that are brakes for our happiness. As usual, he has surrounded himself with prestigious artists of the progressive scene who belong to formations such as among others, 'Mostly Autumn' (Alex Cromarty), 'Porcupine Tree' (Colin Edwin), 'Vega' (Stuart Fletcher), 'David Gilmour' (the Durga and Lorelei Mcbroom singers). With this last opus, I had the impression of getting up in a carousel where I saw scrolling during 1 hour and a quarter a large part of my musical influences, starting of course by the 'Pink-Floyd', as for example In 'Hypocrites' and the allusion to 'Astronomy Domine'. But many other formations come to mind and I would quote : the 'Beatles', 'Electric Light Orchestra', 'Steven Wilson', 'David Gilmour' and so on. In short, 'Dave Kerzner' continues his way away from the media and still offers us an album of a very high quality that should join for progressive fans the ideal music collection...

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Kerzner (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords) + Guests : Alex Cromarty (Drums), Billy Sherwood (Bass), Colin Edwin (Bass), Derek Cintron (Drums), Durga Mcbroom (Vocal), Fernando Perdomo (Guitars, Bass, Drums), Lorelei Mcbroom (Vocal), Matt Dorsey (Bass), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums), Randy Mcstine (Guitars, Bass), Ruti Celli (Cello), Stuart Fletcher (Bass)


Artist : Sons Of Apollo

Album : Psychotic Symphony

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 27-12-2017

The 2 ex 'Dream Theater', 'David Sherinian' and 'Mike Portnoy' who already have busy schedules have managed to find time to create a new project 'Sons Of Apollo' and this for the best. How to say, with this first opus 'Psychotic Symphony', I have the feeling to listen to the child of 'Dream Theater' and 'Deep Purple', era of 'Made In Japan' and 'Made In Europe', that is to say that they mix a good 70s hard-rock with his guitar solos and unbridled keyboards and progressive rock/metal with his usual breaks of rhythms ('Mike Portnoy' is of course the centerpiece of the rhythm section). The first title 'God of the Sun' very oriental is the perfect illustration with an introduction where keyboards fill the space to start on a pulsating rhythm reminiscent of the best hours of 'Rainbow', then break of rhythm for continue on a slow part that rises to power to explode on a frenetic instrumental part a little like 'ELP' and finally the central theme that returns for the final. In summary, 'Sons Of Apollo' is for me a very good surprise at the end of 2017 because our two ex 'Dream Theater' show that they have this talent to mix genres but, suddenly, this album risk to please only a certain audience because it requires to adhere at the same time to classic hard-rock and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Mike Portnoy (Drums), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar)


Artist : King King

Album : Exile & Grace

Release Date : 13-10-2017

Added : 28-12-2017

With their multiple awards at the British Blues Awards for their previous album, 'King King' released a new album 'Exile & Grace' and it is with this album that I discover them. Their style is a classic blues/rock with melodies that immediately go into your head and formatted for the radio. Basically, their influences range from 'Joe Bonamassa' (for the rhythm of 'Heed The Warning') to 'AC/DC' (for the guitar riffs of 'Tear It All Up') which leaves you a lot of others artists between !! Therefore, we find a kind of patchwork of 50 years of rock tinged with blues with a modern sound and a talent to capture the auditor from the first listen. In short, with this latest opus, even if they bring nothing new to the mill of rock, the English of 'King King' offer us compositions to consume without moderation and 'Exile & Grace' is intended for a large public loving rock in general...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Nimmo (Vocal, Guitar), Bob Fridzema (Keybords), Lindsay Coulson (Bass), Wayne Proctor (Drums)


Artist : Arabs In Aspic

Album : Syndenes Magi

Release Date : 06-10-2017

Added : 28-12-2017

For this new opus 'Syndenes Magi', the Norwegians of ‘Arabs In Aspic' have chosen to offer us 3 long titles for a total of 42 minutes which is a first ever in their discography because, although they evolve in a progressive style very close to first formations of this kind, had used to more standard titles in their lengths. In addition, they return to a song in Norwegian they had already used here and there in their previous albums and this can disconcert some so attached to the language of ‘Shakespeare’ but which finally gives a certain originality to the compositions. In any case, we are immersed in a progressive music of the 60s/70s with all the ingredients : apart from the classical instruments of rock, guitar, bass, drums, we regain keyboards that form the basis of music and which are also used in all sorts of shapes in the instrumental parts. In short, with this 'Syndenes Magi', although it will probably be reserved for an audience of warned, 'Arabs In Aspic' bring us back with talent 50 years back to offer us an album worthy of the greatest formations that have been at the origin of this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Jostein Smeby (Vocal, Guitar), Stig Jørgensen (Vocal, Keybords), Erik Paulsen (Vocal, Bass), Eskil Nyhus (Drums) + Guests : Alessandro Elide (Percussions), Halvor Viken Holand (Violin)


Artist : Sass Jordan

Album : Racine Revisited

Release Date : 15-09-2017

Added : 29-12-2017

Canadian singer 'Sass Jordan' has decided to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her album 'Racine', which made her known to a wide public in 1992. 'Racine Revisited' is a good way for those who do not know her to discover her. From the first titles, we are hooked by his powerful voice with a hoarse tone that is close to ‘Bonnie Tyler’ or ‘Tina Turner’. And then, when we listen to the compositions of this album, we say to ourselves that it contains rock nuggets that some will call classic but I prefer to use the word timeless. We navigate between energetic titles like 'If You're Gonna Love Me', 'Do What You Want' or 'Where There's a Will' where the guitar riffs have been rejuvenated, and others quieter like 'You Don' 'Have to Remind Me', 'Windin' Me Up, ‘Cry Baby’ or the beautiful ‘I Want To Believe' where Sass's voice still touch so much. In summary, 'Sass Jordan' shows that rock, when it is done in this way, does not care about fashion and that, after 25 years, 'Racine' has not taken a single wrinkle...

Line Up / Musicians

Sass Jordan (Vocal), Rudy Sarzo (Bass), Brent Fitz (Drums), Chris Caddell (Guitar), Derek Sharp (Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Delain

Album : A Decade of Delain – Live at Paradiso

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 29-12-2017

In the style of ‘Epica' who had celebrated their 10 years of career in 2013 with the release of the fabulous DVD 'Retrospect', 'Delain' recorded at the end of 2016 'Live At Paradiso' for the same anniversary. And like their colleagues, they didn’t do things by halves because, with a lot of guests, they offer us nearly 2 hours of concert and to have seen them at z7 Pratteln end 2017 (beautiful little room near Basel), I can tell you that every concert is a feast and that they do not pretend and give themselves 200% from the first to the last second and know to do to transmit this happiness to the public (I will have a long time in memory the spontaneous ovation of the public during several minutes in the middle of the concert). With this sumptuous DVD/Blu-ray, we are going back this decade from 'The Gathering', 'Pristine' (poignant in live) or 'April Rain' to the latest titles of 'Moonbathers' released in 2016. In short, this DVD/Blu-ray is a very nice gift for all fans and beyond, Spotify offers us live audio for all those who would like to discover this great symphonic metal band but, it is clear that to really appreciate this type recording, nothing replaces the DVD or a live performance...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Martijn Westerholt (Keybords), Timo Somers (Guitar), Merel Bechtold (Guitar), Otto "The Baron" Schimmelpenninck (Bass), Ruben Israel (Drums) + Guests : Alissa White-Gluz (Vocal), Burton C. Bell (Vocal), Elianne Anemaat (Vocal), George Oosthoek (Vocal), Guus Eikens (Guitar), Liv Kristine (Vocal), Marko Hietala (Vocal), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Sander Zoer (Drums)


Artist : Daydream XI

Album : The Circus of the Tattered and Torn

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 30-12-2017

Direction Brazil for a progressive metal band, 'Daydream XI' which released in 2017 its second album. This album is a rather dark concept album, I quote the description on Bandcamp : « The concept is a metaphor to express that we are drawn to each other more by our weaknesses and our flaws than our strengths and virtues. It's portrayed through a journey, where Phillip, the Circus master, takes his new apprentice, Circe, across the various acts of this Circus. Each song represents a feeling or aspect of human life, channeled by the storyline of each character ». About the music, the ensemble is powerful, melodic and, above all, highly studied, making it an opus that is difficult to tame and it takes several listenings to penetrate these compositions with complex arrangements in both the vocal and instrumental parts. In summary, with this 2nd album, 'Daydream XI' released a rich and dense album that should appeal to all fans of progressive and melodic metal loving bands like 'Dream Theater' or 'Pain Of Salvation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tiago Masseti (Vocal, Guitar), Marcelo Pereira (Guitar), Bruno Giordano (Drums)


Artist : Fizbers

Album : First Mind

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 30-12-2017

3 young Poles, 17, recorded their first studio album 'First Mind'. They evolve in a classic progressive rock and for their age, we can already feel a certain maturity with melodic compositions and accessible from the first listening. After, a short instrumental introduction 'Flight', 'Factory', of more than 7 minutes reveals a style close to the psychedelic of the 70s and makes me think of some titles 'Floyd'. In some titles like 'Lady with No Real Name', we are more in the 80s/90s with influences of rock bands like 'U2' by the melodic side. The following shows us quieter titles like 'Normality', 'First Mind', 'Not Enough Trust' or 'Death', where they mix acoustic and electric instruments with quality arrangements. In short, even if on some titles, the melodic lines are still lacking variety (let's not forget that they are only 17 years old), this 'First Mind' is an album more than promising and we can only wish them the best for their career continuation...

Line Up / Musicians

Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal, Bass), Szymon Kubala (Guitar), Dominik Pawlus (Drums, Percussions, Keybords)


Artist : Angel Nation

Album : Aeon

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 31-12-2017

It is still a Finnish band that offers us a new album in a symphonic metal style. 'Angel Nation', led by 'Elina Siirala' (who is now the singer of 'Leave's Eyes' to replace 'Liv Kristine'), released their second studio album 'Aeon' (the first album 'Tears Of Lust' had been released under the name of 'Eenkelination' which was the Finnish translation of the new name). With 'Burn The Witch', they set the scene with a super-effective song and a chorus that immediately enters in the head like bands as 'Delain' or 'Nightwish'. With 'Wonder Who You Are', the introduction reminds me of '500 Letters' of 'Tarja' and 'Elina Sjirala' who has a classical background, shows us in 'Music Plays' that she has all the assets to rise to the level of her illustrious compatriot. In addition, the female singer is accompanied by talented musicians and we can also note an irreproachable production. In summary, 'Angel Nation' already shows all the great qualities of a symphonic metal band and 'Aeon' is a very nice surprise 2017 for all fans of this style of music and we can only wish them the best for the future hoping that ‘Elina' should not choose between 'Leave's Eyes' and 'Angel Nation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Elina Siirala (Vocal, Keybords), Julia (Bass), Ben. (Drums), Shadow (Guitar) + Guests : Jukka Pelkonen (Vocal)


Artist : Robin Beck

Album : Love Is Coming

Release Date : 13-10-2017

Added : 31-12-2017

'Robin Beck' has nearly 40 years of career and 'Love Is Coming' is her 11th studio album. In a melodic rock style, she offers us 12 tracks, which are all potentially hits with some very catchy melodies. We navigate between rhythmic and powerful titles like 'Island', 'On The Bright Side', 'Love Is Coming' or the very rock 'Girl Like Me' and others quieter like 'In These Eyes', 'On to Something' or the very classic but nevertheless beautiful 'If You Only Know' where she knows how to transmit some emotion in the manner of 'Bonnie Tyler'. In short, although some will find it too commercial, the vocal performance of 'Robin Beck' is always of quality and 'Love Is Coming' is a very accessible album, to be consumed without moderation, and which will certainly be well received by all fans of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Beck (Vocal), Clif Magness (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Jeff Batter (Keybords), James Christian (Bass), Tommy Denander (Guitar)


Artist : Sleeping Romance

Album : Alba

Release Date : 03-11-2017

Added : 01-01-2018

After 'Angel Nation', it is the turn of the Italian band 'Sleeping Romance' to release their 2nd studio album with 'Alba'. All of these new bands are surfing on the wave of major symphonic metal bands of the early 2000s, such as 'Within Temptation' or 'Delain'. The recipe is well established : a female singer able of adapting to the powerful style of the genre ('Lost In My Eyes') but who is also comfortable in the alternations between energy and softness ('Touch The Sun'), sharpened riffs of guitars, keyboards to bind everything and finally a bass and percussion that reinforce the impression of power. In this specific case, 'Frederica Lanna' officiates in the register of the frontwoman 'Sharon dan Adel' of 'Within Temptation'. All titles are accessible and melodic lines are easily assimilated. In summary, 'Sleeping Romance' is added to the already long list of new symphonic metal bands but, just like 'Angel Nation', offers us a quality album not only in composition but also in production and 'Alba' should delight all lovers of this genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Federica Lanna (Vocal), Federico Truzzi (Guitar), Francesco Zanarelli (Drums), Lorenzo Costi (Bass), Nichola Bonavoglia (Guitar)


Artist : Amberian Dawn

Album : Darkness of Eternity

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 01-01-2018

Already the 8th album for the Finns of ‘Amberian Dawn' who continue to enchant us with their refreshing compositions close to the 'Abba' style (but with a little piece of metal !). I already liked their previous album (see Here) and 'Darkness of Eternity' continues in the same vein with energetic and effective titles starting with 'Abbaesque' influences with the hopping 'Sky Is Falling' or 'Maybe', but they also offer less pop titles like 'Dragonflies' or 'Abyss' and of course beautiful ballads with 'Breathe Again' or 'Symphony Nr. 1, Part 2 - Darkness Of Eternity'. Until the last title 'Anyone', the tone remains jovial and friendly. In short, with this latest opus of Amberian Dawn ', do not look for any musical complexity but rather let yourself be carried by the various titles that for my part make me feel good and if you're open to the pop of the 80s but also to the power of the metal, you must adopt this 'Darkness of Eternity'...

Line Up / Musicians

Päivi Virkkunen - Capri (Vocal), Tuomas Seppälä (Guitar, Keybords), Emil Pohjalainen (Guitar), Jukka Hoffren (Bass), Joonas Pykälä-aho (Drums)


Artist : Metalite

Album : Heroes In Time

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 02-01-2018

Decidedly, it’s impossible to stop the Nordic countries in the production of new talents in melodic metal style, and it’s Sweden which is in the spotlight with 'Metalite', a new band that has just released its first album 'Heroes In Time'. From the beginning, 'Afterlife' sends an energetic rhythm with a foolproof chorus that immediately enter in your head and 'Purpose Of Life' emphasize on the same way. The following is the image of these first 2 titles and what is surprising is the absence of keyboard player while the programming part is quite present throughout the titles but with a very electronic sound, which does not is not necessarily the best taste for this kind of music. In summary, 'Metalite' released a promising first album as well at the melodic level but also in the production but, if we can give them some advice, it’s to find quickly a good keyboardist that will undoubtedly allow them to compete with the main bands of melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Emma Bensing (Vocal), Edwin Premberg (Guitar), Lea Larsson (Drums), Robert Majd (Bass), Robert Örnesved (Guitars) + Guests : Fraser Edwards (Guitar), Jakob Svensson (Guitar)


Artist : Evanescence

Album : Synthesis

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 02-01-2018

For first fans who were used to energetic compositions, after 'Lost Whispers' who already had relatively soft titles of the band (see Here), with this latest album, 'Amy Lee' decided to revisit some songs from the Evanescence repertoire in a symphonic way with a few electro touche. Of course, this interpretation brings a completely different lighting with a melancholic touch starting with 'Never Go Back' which takes a completely different face. 2 new titles were composed for the occasion, first of all 'Hi-Lo', imbued with a certain romanticism accentuated by the strings of the orchestra and then 'Imperfection' which is the composition containing the most of electro and which talks about a pretty black theme about people close to depressive and suicidal and I quote Amy which is It's a plea to fight for your life, to stay’. In short, as you will understand, 'Amy Lee', with 'Synthesis', shows another face of Evanescence' but in the end, it is not the style that is important but what the music vehicle to touch the public and in this case, 'Synthesis' is for me a total success ...


Below, the playlist with the original songs:

Line Up / Musicians

Amy Lee (Piano, Vocal), Tim McCord (Bass, Keybords), Will Hunt (Drums), Troy McLawhorn (Guitar), Jen Majura (Guitar, Théramine), David Campbell (Orchestration)


Artist : Kauan

Album : Kaiho

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 03-01-2018

'Kuan' is a group founded in 2005 by the Ukrainian 'Anton Belov' and 'Alexander Borovykh' and which releases its 7th studio album with 'Kaiho'. We are far away from the beginnings that flirted with black metal and this last opus consists entirely of atmospheric titles in an airy and melancholy atmosphere with the use of keyboards that fill the entire space and a violin that reinforces the impression of fullness. Oddly, all compositions have been written by folk singer 'Marja Mattlar' in Finnish. In summary, 'Kaiho' is an album that should please all fans of atmospheric music in the manner of the direction that also decided to take 'Anathema' (see their latest album Here) and this is the kind of music that can replace all the anti-depressants of the earth...

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Belov (Vocal), Alex Vynogradoff (Bass, Choirs), Alina Belova (Keybords, Choirs), Anatoly Gavrylov (Violin), Anton Skrynnik (Drums)


Artist : Serenity

Album : Lionheart

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 03-01-2018

You want very epic symphonic metal with a story that clings to the music. Well, I have what you need : the last album 'Lionheart' of the Austrians 'Serenity' tells the epic of the King of England 'Richard the Lionheart'. To do this, all compositions are perfectly suited to this kind of theme because everything has been done to offer us a symphonic and melodic metal atmosphere with catchy titles from the first listening and refrains to sing a whole stadium. After, the symphonic instrumental introduction 'Deus Lo Vult', 'United' sets the scene and we already have a first hit in concert and, knowing the charisma of 'Georg', I see him very well singing the audience to unison on the 'hohoho' of the end of the title. The sequel is the image of this beginning, with compositions all very accessible that we integrate immediately and this until the beautiful last title 'The Final Crusade' where 'Georg' has appealed to the young female singer 'Federica Lanna' and, for my part, I would have liked her to intervene a little more because the merger of the voices of 'Federica' and 'Georg' is simply sublime. In short, this last album 'Lionheart' is a total success and if I had described their previous album of good vintage 2016 (see Here), the 2017 vintage is still a cut above...

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Chris “Cris Tian” Hermsdörfer (Guitar, Choirs), Fabio D'Amore (Bass, Vocal), Andreas Schipflinger (Drums, Vocal, Choirs) + Guests : Jan Vacik (Vocal, Choirs), Katja Moslenher (Vocal), Federica Lanna (Vocal), Franz-Joseph Hause (Choirs), Bob Katsionis (Guitar)


Artist : John Hackett Band

Album : We Are Not Alone

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 04-01-2018

In the family 'Hackett', I would like the little brother... I have !! John, who has long been in the shadow of his brother, has just released with the 'John Hackett Band' a first album 'We Are Not Alone' which includes 2 CDs with a studio recording and a live for total more than 2 hours of music. Musically, we are in progressive rock and the influences go from 'Genesis' to 'Santana' ('Nick Fletcher' reminds me a little the guitar game of 'Carlos Santana') through 'Alan Parsons Project' and obviously 'Jethro Tull' (John is also flutist) with a gift for melodic compositions and relatively accessible. The live part takes up most of the tracks from his solo album 'Another Life' and some tracks from 'We Are Not Alone'. In summary, 'We Are Not Alone' is a very good progressive album in the great tradition of great bands of the 70s/80s and 'John Hackett' shows that Steve is not the only one of the family to have talent...

Line Up / Musicians

John Hackett (Guitar, Keybords, Flute, Vocal), Nick Fletcher (Guitar), Jeremy Richardson (Bass, Vocal), Duncan Parsons (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Enzo and the Glory Ensemble

Album : In The Name of the Son

Release Date : 29-09-2017

Added : 04-01-2018

The case of ‘Enzo and the Glory Ensemble' is quite strange. This project is the baby of ‘Enzo Donnarumma' who is Italian and who had in mind to compose biblical metal operas and after 'In The Name of the Father' in 2015, now, he is attacking to 'In The Name of the Son' in 2017 (guess what will be the third album ...). To try to understand this new album, you must know that Enzo is influenced by an impressive number of musical currents that go from classical music to extreme metal, including blues, rock and many other styles, that he is graduated in classical guitar and passionate about Christian theology. With that, what’s look like this album in which he invited a host of guests from the metal scene. Well, it does not look like anything conventional : you have to be open to diametrically opposed styles to join and, an advice, do not try to cling on to any musical references because you have to take this opus as something completely apart; each title is unique and we can feel an impressive work in the writing and the arrangements. In summary, with 'In The Name of the Son', 'Enzo Donnarumma' releases a rich and complex album that will inevitably be limited to an informed public open to styles that are not usually used to mix...

Line Up / Musicians

Enzo Donnarumma (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Gary Wehrkamp (Guitar), Alessandro Battini (Keybords), Amulyn (Vocal), Brian Ashland (Vocal), David Brown (Keybords), Derek Corzine (Guitar), Giacomo Manfredi (Bass), Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Mark Zonder (Drums), Marty Friedman (Guitar), Nicholas Leptos (Vocal), Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Tina Gagliotta


Artist : The Adekaem

Album : Sound Coloring

Release Date : 22-09-2017

Added : 05-01-2018

'The Adekaem' is a Polish band that releases their second studio album 'Sound Coloring'.They mix classic rock, neo-progressive and psychedelic with multiple influences like 'Pink-Floyd', 'Barclay James Harvest' or to take newer bands 'RPWL' (listen to 'White') or 'Mostly Autumn'. 6 titles in total, each bearing the name of a color and which are all very melodic and accessible despite a construction in several drawers as for example 'Green Part I, II, III', the highlight title of more than 12 minutes, which is the typical example of the progressive rock of the 70s. In summary, Poland shows once again that it is a prolific country in good progressive rock and the music of 'The Adekeam' should appeal to all lovers of this style but could also reach a wider audience because 'Sound Coloring' is a very affordable album...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrzej Bielas Keybords), Krzysztof Wala (Guitar) + Guests : Tomasz Holewa (Drums), Roman Kańtoch (Vocal), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass)


Artist : Robert Plant

Album : Carry Fire

Release Date : 13-10-2017

Added : 05-01-2018

'Robert Plant', 69 years old, is back with a new album 'Carry Fire'. He is of course known to have been the singer of 'Led Zeppelin' until the separation in 1980 but his career has not stopped there because he has released a dozen of studio albums since and has always tried to get rid of the label that stuck to his skin by trying other musical directions and this latest opus still shows that he is a unique artist in the international rock scene. Nevertheless, the swaying rhythms of 'Led Zep' are still very present as for example with 'The May Queen' where it is precisely this typical tempo which embarks us for this first title containing multiple influences. We navigate in a melting pot of styles that he mixes within each title and we can hear for example appear oriental sounds in 'Carry Fire', more rock in 'New World ...', rockabilly in 'Bones of Saints' and psychedelic in the cover 'Bluebirds Over The Mountains'. In short, well surrounded by his group 'Sensational Space Shifters', 'Robert Plant' continues to offer us compositions out of the ordinary and shows once again that there is no age to make good music...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Plant (Vocal), Billy Fuller (Bass, Drums), Dave Smith (Drums), John Baggott (Keybords, Choirs), Juldeh Camara (Choirs), Justin Adams (Guitar, Choirs), Liam 'skin' Tyson (Guitar, Banjo, Choirs) + Guests : Chrissie Hynde (Vocal), Redi Hasa (Cello), Seth Lakeman (Violin, Viola)


Artist : Premiata Forneria Marconi

Album : Emotional Tattoos

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 06-01-2018

The Italians of 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' ('PFM') released their first album in 1972 and after having tested several styles including 'Da Mozart a Celebration' which took some composition of Mozart to adapt them to rock, returned to the progressive rock of their beginning with 'Emotional Tattoos'. First of all, it is not 1 CD but 2 with exactly the same titles interpreted for the 1st in English and the 2nd in Italian: so, it's up to you to find the record you prefer. From the beginning, with 'We're Not an Island', we have the impression to embark in a time machine and find yourself few decades back with a certain 'Genesis' because the singing of 'Franz Di Cioccio' reminds me of his colleague also drummer 'Phip Collins'. But it would be too simplistic to compare them only to this group because this latest opus is varied and mix of various influences ranging from pop to rock with compositions always very melodic as Italians know how to do so well. In summary, 'PFM', after already more than 40 years of good and loyal services, continue their way without worrying about fashions and 'Emotional Tattoos' renews with progressive music and should therefore please all lovers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Bravin (Keybords), Alessandro Scaglione (Keybords), Franz Di Cioccio (Vocal / Drums), Lucio Fabbri (Violin), Marco Sfogli (Guitars), Patrick Djivas (Bass), Roberto Gualdi (Drums)


Artist : Almanac

Album : Kingslayer

Release Date : 24-11-2017

Added : 06-01-2018

Germans of ‘Almanac’, which 'is the project of the former guitarist 'Victor Smolski' of 'Rage', have just released their second album 'Kingslayer'. After 'Serenity' and 'Lionheart' a few weeks before (see Here), it is still a theme around some kings and in this case the different regicides of History (for example the murder of ‘Henri IV' with 'Regicide'). Without surprise, it's a symphonic power metal style with energetic and melodic compositions that do not things by half. The plus is that 'Victor Smolki' surrounded himself with 3 complementary singers which allowed him to complicate the vocal arrangements of the compositions even if I find that 'Jeannette Marchewka' does not have an important place as she could have. In summary, with 'Kingslayer' and even if they do not revolutionize the symphonic power metal, 'Almanac' released a very good album that should appeal to all fans of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Victor Smolski (Guitar), Andy B. Franck (Vocal), David Readman (Vocal), Jeannette Marchewka (Vocal), Tim Rashid (Bass), Athanasios “Zacky” Tsoukas (Drums)


Artist : Trust

Album : Hellfest 2017 - Au nom de la rage tour (live)

Release Date : 03-11-2017

Added : 07-01-2018

For the nostalgic of the 80s, the French group 'Trust' has released its live Hellfest 2017. The first 3 albums ‘L’élite’, ‘Répression’ et ‘Marche ou Crève’ are far away : at that time, 'Trust' served as an extra-terrestrial in the French musical landscape because we discovered that we could do, and do well, hard rock in France and they helped to democratize this style and they arrived to make 'Antisocial' a French standard !! Certainly, the years have passed but 'Bernie' keeps this revolt voice, guitar riffs are still intact and despite a very (too) short show and a questionable choice of titles (not easy to place in a short time all nuggets of the first 3 albums), this live has the merit of making us come back to those years when we danced screaming on ‘Préfabriqués’, ‘Palace’ and of course ‘Antisocial’. In short, even if some will always find fault, we must tell ourselves that 'Trust' has 40 years old and one thing we can’t remove is that it’s always punchy, even with these few more years...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Bonvoisin (Vocal), Christian Dupuy (Drums), David Jacob (Bass), Ismaila "Iso" Diop (Guitars), Norbert "Nono" Krief (Guitars)


Artist : Kansas

Album : Leftoverture Live & Beyond

Release Date : 03-11-2017

Added : 07-01-2018

After 'Trust', but not quite in the same style, it's 'Kansas' which celebrating the 40th anniversary, with the two unforgettable albums 'Loftoveture' from 1976 followed by 'Point Of Know Return' from 1977, and this by releasing a sumptuous live featuring 19 compositions of their impressive repertoire. At the time, America discovered the progressive rock coming from Europe and among others, "Kansas" and "Styx" were the 2 key bands of this period on the other side of the Atlantic. After an ups and downs period in the 2000s with permanent line-up changes that allowed them to continue to turn during this period, the group came out with 'The Prelude Implicit' in 2016, which reconnected to the first period (see Here) and 2017 sees the release of this anthology live. The album is divided into 2 parts, a first part sweeping the various opus of the group and a second taking up the set of 'Loftoverture' and ending with 'Portrait' of 'Point Of Know Return'. On the interpretation side, everything is in place and the recording is of high quality and although some will regret 'Steve Walsh', for my part, 'Ronnie Platt' has managed to integrate perfectly into this new line up. In short, this 40 years live is a success for this legendary band and should appeal to all fans of the first hour but also may allow to make known 'Kansas' to a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Ehart (Drums), Rich Williams (Guitar), Ronnie Platt (Vocal, Keybords), Billy Greer (Vocal, Bass), David Manion (Keybords), David Ragsdale (Vocal, Violin), Zak Rizvi (Guitar)


Artist : Karfagen

Album : Messages from Afar : First Contact

Release Date : 22-11-2017

Added : 08-01-2018

'Karfagen' is one of the projects of Ukrénian 'Antony Kalugin' who is already at his tenth studio recording with 'Messages from Afar : First Contact'. This is a nearly complete instrumental concept album divided into 2 parts, the second should be released in 2018 under the name of 'Sunchild' , the Antony's other project, and the theme is a tribute to the progressive rock of the late 20th century with obviously nods to the biggest bands of this period like 'Pink-Floyd', 'Genesis' or 'ELP'. We navigate in the middle of melodic compositions where keyboards take a prominent place and make you think of the sounds of the 70s/80s. Note that the last title 'Constant Flow', more than 15 minutes, is a good summary of this album: it is composed in different drawers where 'Anotony Kalugin' lets wander his overflowing imagination. In summary, with this new album, it is still a very good album that propose us 'Antony Kalugin' with his project 'Karfagen' and we await the following with impatience...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Percussions), Max Velychko (Guitar), Kostya Shepelenko (Drums), Oleg Prokhorov (Bass), Olha Rostovska (Vocal), Michail Sidorenko (Saxophone)


Artist : Dante Fox

Album : Six String Revolver

Release Date : 24-11-2017

Added : 08-01-2018

After 'Sass Jordan' who decided to revisit 'Racine' (see Here), here are the English of 'Dante Fox' who renovate their first 2 albums released in the late 90s with the re-recording of 10 tracks (plus an acoustic of 'All That I Need' ). This 'Six String Revolver' is a good way to discover this band that has become known with melodic rock compositions and is not known to a wide public. The re-recording brings a better sound quality and 'Sue Willetts-Manford' shows that she has matured during all these years and that she knows how to push her voice in energetic titles (eg 'Under The City Lights' or 'Remember My Name') but also to be sensual about ballads (eg 'A Matter Of Time' or the acoustic version of 'All that I Need'). In summary, this 'Six String Revolver' takes us 20 years back to the great era of melodic rock and 'Six String Revolver' contains 10 accessible and melodic compositions and to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Sue Willetts-Manford (Vocal), Tim Manford (Guitar), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Alan Mills (Bass)


Artist : Secret Rule

Album : The Key To The World

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 09-01-2018

'Secret Rule' is an Italian group of symphonic metal formed in 2014 and released its third studio album at the end of 2017. For this album, 'Henrik Klingenberg' by 'Sonata Arctica' is in the party and the singer 'Angela Di Vincenzo' has really progressed in his vocal technique. Side compositions, after the very short instrumental introduction, most are powerful, energetic and accessible with durations between 3 and 5 minutes and refrains that fit you easily in the head and it is only in the 10th title that the rhythm goes down with the beautiful ballad 'No More'. In summary, even if they do not bring real news to the genre, 'The Key To The World' is a good album that all fans of symphonic metal should appreciate and perhaps, through accessible titles, can also reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Angela Di Vincenzo (Vocal), Andy Menario (Guitar), Henrik Klingenberg (Keybords), Michele Raspanti (Bass), Nicola Corrente (Drums) + Guests : Henning Bass (Vocal), Ailyn (Vocal)


Artist : Kerygmatic Project

Album : Chronicles from Imaginary Places

Release Date : 13-10-2017

Added : 09-01-2018

After ‘Secret Rule’, it's still Italians but in a progressive style of the 70s that have just released their 5th album and I donly iscovered them with 'Chronicles from Imaginary Places'. 'Kerygmatic Project' is a project created in 1996 by the 3 artists who still form the current line-up. From the beginning, we find ourselves in the mood of bands like 'Genesis' or 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' and newer 'Pendragon' or 'Marillion' but their influences go beyond this traditional rock because they mix pop, rock, classical and even jazz as can be seen in the first title 'The Time Machine' of almost 12 minutes. Note that the song of 'Samuele Tadini' fits perfectly with the different compositions and reminds me of the intonations of 'Sting'. In short, 'Kerygmatic Project' is a band with multiple qualities and, despite using the language of 'Shakespeare', could certainly be more known because their compositions are accessible and should appeal to all lovers of a traditional progressive rock but could also reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Campagnolo (Keybords, Piano, Organ), Danilo Nobili (Drums), Samuele Tadini (Bass)


Artist : Overcoming

Album : Crisis

Release Date : 13-10-2017

Added : 10-01-2018

'Overcoming' is an Argentinian group that performs between progressive metal and symphonic and after an EP in 2013, they released their first studio album 'Crisis'. Strangely, the beginning of the opus focuses on progressive compositions and therefore a little less easy to access but with a great richness whereas from 'Fuera de Foco', it is the symphonic side that takes over with titles much less metal and more melodic like the ballad 'Out Of Place' or 'Aquí. Ahora!' that highlight their Hispanic influence (‘Out Of Place’ being the only composition sung in English). The culmination is of course the last title of more than 18 minutes which is a great epic fresco which mixes symphonic and progressive with multiple twists. In summary, 'Overcoming' is a very original band that is out of the ordinary, mixing rock and symphonic metal with a touch of progressive but however accessible, and if you are open to all of these genres and you don’t mind singing in Spanish, you should appreciate this 'Crisis'...

Line Up / Musicians

Sebastián Luna (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords), Juan Di Bernardo (Guitar), Gastón Quiroga (Bass), Leonardo Loza (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Xanthochroid

Album : Of Erthe And Axen : Act I + Act II

Release Date : 17-10-2017

Added : 10-01-2018

Take progressive influences in all styles of music from folk to metal, add a good dose of classical music ranging from romanticism to lyrical through symphonic, sprinkling all with black metal with extreme voices and regular use of the double pedal, here is a preview of the great saga of the Americans of 'Xanthochroid', 'Of Erthe And Axen' that the group decided to release in 2 times, part 1 in August 2017 and part 2 in October 2017. You have to be open to styles apart from each other to enter in these 90 minutes of music and it is obvious that these two games can’t be digested in a single listening but ask to tame them little by little. The concept is of course at the height of the music : after the world has fallen into chaos, an island, emerges from the waves, becomes the cradle of a new empire 'Axen' and the 2 new episodes tell us a story where love, jealousy, magic, war and deception are mixed. Everything is thought of for an ambitious project and the result is up to expectations because the whole has been done with great professionalism in terms of compositions, history, artworks, interpretation and production. In summary, these two concepts albums are a total success but will necessarily be reserved for an informed audience open to a mix of styles that are rarely associated...

Line Up / Musicians

Sam Meador (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Matthew Earl (Drums, Vocal), Brent Vallefuoco (Guitar), Ali Meador (Vocal)


Artist : Single Celled Organism

Album : Splinter in the Eye

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 11-01-2018






Between progressive and neo-prog, 'Single Celled Organism' is the project of the composer and multi-instrumentist 'Jen Lueck' and 'Splinter in the Eye' is his first baby which is a concept album based on a scientific experiment difficult to summarize in a few words (for more details, see the story Here). Musically, the influences are many and we can cite progressive groups of the 70s as 'Genesis' or 'Pink-Floyd' but also artists of the new generation as the projects of 'Steven Wilson' ('Blackfield' or 'Porcupine Tree') or 'Anathema' for the atmospheric side. We navigate in compositions with multiple twists but nevertheless accessible because 'Jens Lueck' has an undeniable talent of melodist and all the titles flow naturally. To note, the magnificent song of 'Isgaard' in the 3 central titles which add an aerian side to the peaceful and sensitive atmosphere of the whole. In short, this new project 'Single Celled Organism' is a very good surprise 2017 and, if you like atmospheric progressive atmospheres telling a story, this ‘Splinter in the Eye’ is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Jens Lueck (Drums, Keybords, Vocal, Bass), Isgaard (Vocal), Jan Petersen (Guitar), Ingo Salzmann (Guitar), Dieter Koch (Guitar), Volker Kuinke (Flute), Katja Flintsch (Violin, Viola), Annika Stolze (Cello)


Artist : Aldo Tagliapietra

Album : Invisibili realta

Release Date : 27-10-2017

Added : 11-01-2018

73 years old, 'Aldo Tagliapietra', after around twenty albums with the Italian band 'Le Orme' and several solo albums, continues his journey by offering us a new album 'Invisibili realta'. The voice still intact, it embarks us for 9 compositions where his influences of the 70s are present but where he mixes melodies drawn from his roots as in 'Siamo del Cielo' with a very transalpine chorus and in the middle of the title an incursion in the progressive world. Well surrounded by a group of young artists, everything is done to offer us various and quality arrangements as in the magnificent 'Radici' and its oriental sounds with the use of sitar and duduk which reinforces the exotic atmosphere. In summary, 'Aldo Tagliapietra' is a bit like the 'Neil Young' Italian (see his latest album Here) because this 'Invisibili realta' is full of simple things in life. make it an authentic album and touching the image of its author...

Line Up / Musicians

Aldo Tagliapietra (Vocal, Guitar, Sitar), Matteo Ballarin (Guitar), Andrea De Nardi (Piano, Hammond organ, Minimoog), Andrea Ghion (Bass), Manuel Smaniotto (Drums, Percussions), Mauro Martello (Duduk)


Artist : Jono

Album : Life

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 12-01-2018






It was one of my favorites for 2015 with their 2nd album 'Silence' (see Here) and the Swedes from 'Jono' come back with a new album called simply 'Life'. Everything is still done to offer us nearly 1 hour of energetic and refreshing melodies with always the same names that come to mind : 'Queen' and 'Supertramp' mixed for the best. 'Johan Norrby' is still in top of his form and his singing always contributes to this theatrical atmosphere as in the magnificent 'Downside' where he modulates his voice between powerful and quieter part and where the final crescendo with the piano interweaving played by 'Johan Carlgren' is masterful. I could cite all the titles because it is very difficult to find one less good than the others and from the first listening the magic operates because we are embarked in these melodies which give the impression that they have always been part of our life. In summary, 'Life' is once again an album to consume without moderation and merit to make known 'Jono' to a very wide audience because everything is implemented to make it one of the albums of the year 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Johan Norrby (Vocal), Janne Henriksson (Bass), Stefan Helleblad (Guitar), Johan Carlgren (Keybords), Leo Olsson (Guitars), Nicka Hellenberg (Drums)


Artist : Raintimes

Album : Raintimes

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 12-01-2018

'Raintimes' is a new project bringing together several musicians from different bands who release a first album of melodic rock under the name of the band. The record company 'Frontiers Records' was not wrong and we embarked for 50 minutes of effective and easy to access compositions. Between energetic tracks with addictive choruses and percussive guitar solos like 'Make My Day' or 'Do not ever give up' or still 'Just a Little Bit More' and quieter ones like the beautiful ballad 'Swan' or 'Empy Days' or still 'I See the Light', everything is done to spend a great time with inevitably here and there fragrances of homecoming, a few decades back to the golden age of melodic hard-rock. In short, if you like the AOR or rock FM, go for listen this album, you will certainly not be disappointed and for others, 'Raintimes' is an album accessible to a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Shotton (Vocal), Sven Larsson (Guitar), Andrea Gipponi (Bass), Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (Keybords), Iván González (Guitar), Pierpaolo "zorro" Monti (Drums)


Artist : Welcome Inside The Brain

Album : Celebrate The Depression

Release Date : 01-11-2017

Added : 13-01-2018

'Welcome Inside The Brain' is a German band that, after an EP in 2015, releases its first studio album 'Celebrate The Depression'. In the beginning, with the eponymous title of the band’s name, we are immersed in 60/70 keyboards sounds and the first name that comes to mind is the 'Who'. And then, this title ends with sonic wanderings that could fit perfectly into a 'A Saucerful of Secrets' of the 'Floyds'. The set of titles seem to come out of another era where we discovered the psychedelic but this album enjoys an irreproachable quality in terms of recording and production. Special mention for the last title 'Tears Of The Past', where we are entitled to a sumptuous guitar solo, something that we lose more and more with this damn commercial dominance which dictates the length of the titles to be able to by played in radio. In summary, with 'Celebrate The Depression', we see a lot of reference from the 60s / 70s when the progressive music took off and this album is intended primarily for all fans of this era but can allow others to discover this kind of music because all titles are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Mühlenberg (Vocal), Georg Spieß (Guitar), Johann Fritsche (Keybords), Paul Lapp (Bass), Hans Otto (Drums)


Artist : Von Hertzen Brothers

Album : War Is Over

Release Date : 03-11-2017

Added : 13-01-2018

I did not know 'Von Hertzen Brothers' and yet, 'War Is Over' is already the 7th album of the Finns. Formed by 3 brothers, they officiate in a rock between progressive and symphonic with various influences and they have a talent for very accessible melodic compositions. From the beginning, with 'War Is Over', we enter their multi-faceted universe where they alternate different rhythms and moods with a talent to keep us in suspense until the last note and for my part, I have been very surprised after this listening to discover that it lasted more than 12 minutes. The following shows the same qualities with at the same time this immediate catch but also a variety of influences that makes each title is different. Also, we can note that they did an important work for arrangements and vocal harmonies (the 3 brothers sing) which accentuates the pleasure of listening. In summary, the Finns of 'Von Hertzen Brothers' released a very good album varied, catchy and inspired that should reach a wide enough audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonne Von Hertzen (Vocal, Bass), Kie Von Hertzen (Vocal, Guitar), Mikko Von Hertzen (Vocal, Guitar), Sami Kuoppamäki (Drums)


Artist : Looking-Glass Lantern

Album : Candlelight and Empire

Release Date : 06-11-2017

Added : 14-01-2018

'Looking-Glass Lantern' (or LGL for short) is the project of 'Graham Dunnington', which brings together all the caps of author, composer, multi-instrumentist and singer. He released at the end of 2017 his third album 'Candlelight and Empire' which tells the life of a rich English family in the Victorian era with the analysis of each personality that revolves around ranging from the maid to the hostess. On the music side, Graham embarks us for one hour and a quarter of progressive rock between 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Genesis' and 'Yes' with melodic compositions. And for those who love long titles, you'll be thrilled with the 30 minutes of 'An Evening Soiree' (yes, you read it well) where Graham takes us on a maze of different atmospheres that must obviously be taken as a whole. In summary, 'Candlelight and Empire' is a sort of a typic 70s progressive rock album with all the ingredients together and if you're a fan of the bands listed above, there are chances that you adopt this last baby of 'LGL'...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Dunnington (All Instruments, Vocal)


Artist : Electric Light Orchestra

Album : Jeff Lynne’s ELO – Wembley or Bust

Release Date : 17-11-2017

Added : 14-01-2018

After a new album in 2015 with 'Alone In The Universe' (see Here), 'Jeff Lynne' has been busy with 'Electric Light Orchestra' as he embarked on a world tour in 2016 and 2017 with a stint at the Wembley stadium which gave the opportunity to release this' Wembley or Bust’. 40 years after the charity concert given in 1978 in the same stadium, 'ELO' are coming back for a concert where they have scrolled their most popular titles from the oldest ones like '10538 Overture' from 1971 or 'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle' of 1973 or the unmissable 'Roll Over Beethoven' from 1973 to the last one 'When I was a Boy' passing by all these timeless hymns like 'Xanadu', 'Don’t Bring Me Down' or 'Mr Blue Sky'. In short, this 'Wembley or Bust' is a good way to revisit all these legendary titles of a group that knew in the 70s to bring a symphonic side to rock with the addition of classical instruments and make a unique band that continues to enchant us almost 50 years after...


List of titles with their original album :
1. Standin' In The Rain = Out of the Blue (1977)
2. Evil Woman = Face the Music (1975)
3. All Over The World = Xanadu (1980)
4. Showdown = On the Third Day (1973)
5. Livin' Thing = A New World Record (1976)
6. Do Ya = A New World Record (1976)
7. When I Was A Boy = Alone In The Universe (2015)
8. Handle With Care = Cover of ‘Traveling Wilburys' band (Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty).
9. Last Train to London = Discovery (1979)
10. Xanadu = Xanadu (1980)
11. Rockaria! = A New World Record (1976)
12. Can't Get It Out Of My Head = Eldorado (1974)
13. 10538 Overture = Electric Light Orchestra (1971)
14. Twilight = Time (1981)
15. Ma-Ma-Ma Belle = On The Third Day (1973)
16. Shine A Little Love = Discovery (1979)
17. Wild West Hero = Out of the Blue (1977)
18. Sweet Talkin' Woman = Out of the Blue (1977)
19. Telephone Line = A New World Record (1976)
20. Turn To Stone = Out of the Blue (1977)
21. Don't Bring Me Down = Discovery (1979)
22. Mr. Blue Sky = Out of the Blue (1977)
23. Roll Over Beethoven = ELO 2 (1973)

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Lynne (Vocal, Bass, Cello, Keybords, Drums), Richard Tandy (Keybords, Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Milton McDonald (Guitar, Choirs), Mike Stevens (Guitar, Choirs), Iain Hornal (Guitar, Choirs), Lee Pomeroy (Bass), Marcus Byrne (Keybords), Bernie Smith (Keybords), Donavan Hepburn (Drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (Choirs), Rosie Langley (Violin), Amy Langley (Cello), Jess Cox (Cello), Jo Webb (Keybords)


Artist : Starsoup

Album : Castles of Sand

Release Date : 20-11-2017

Added : 15-01-2018

'Starsoup' is a Russian progressive metal band that released its second studio album 'Castles of Sand' at the end of 2017. Their first album 'Bazaar Of Wonders' of 2013 was very promising and they already showed us a quality of compositions that were very varied with multiple influences. With 'Castles of Sand', we continue in this direction with a mix of genres from the first 4 tracks: 'The Catcher in the Lie' opens the ball with a heavy sound and some extreme voices, 'Into the Woods' continues in another direction with pop sounds, 'Brother's Plea' returns in a more energetic style with some oriental inspirations and 'You World Is Dead' starts on a ballad and continues on a rock/folk melody. The rest continues in this musical bloom where we continue to travel in the heterogeneous universe of ‘Alexey Markov' delicately finishing with the ballad 'Moon on the Shore' (we are very far from metal). In short, 'Starsoup' is tagged in progressive metal but this 'Castles of Sand' is above all a delightful mix of different sound universes and is intended for all lovers of progressive music open to a mix of genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexey Markov (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Andrew Gryaznov (Keybords), Alexander Vetkhov (Drums)


Artist : Comedy Of Errors

Album : House Of The Mind

Release Date : 26-06-2017

Added : 15-01-2018

I'm coming back to the last album of 'Comedy Of Errors' which was released in June 2017 but appeared on Spotify quite tardily. Their last album 'Spririt' was already one of the very good surprises of 2015 (see Here) and 'House Of The Mind' continues in this same way with these influences of neo-progressive groups. After the very rhythmic 'Tachyon', the first long track 'House of the Mind' embarks us in a prog atmosphere of the seventies with a 'Hammond' sounding organ and the construction alternates sung and instrumental parts with breaks between energetic parts and others quieter. The second flagship title is undoubtedly 'Song of Wandering Jacobus' which lasts more than 13 minutes and which runs a crescendo with its slow tempo to finish in a few notes of keyboards linked to the main theme. In summary, 'Comedy Of Errors' continues to release quality albums and this 'House Of Mind', even if it requires several plays, is relatively accessible and should appeal to all neo-progressive fans who like groups like 'Arena', 'IQ' or 'Pendragon'...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Cairney (Vocal), Sam Mcculloch (Guitar), Mark Spalding (Guitar), Jim Johnston (Keybords, Choirs), John Fitzgerald (Bass, Choirs), Bruce Levick (Drums)


Artist : Staring Into Nothing

Album : Power

Release Date : 20-11-2017

Added : 16-01-2018

'Staring Into Nothing' is a new progressive American rock band that released its first studio album in late 2017 and has already prepared the 2nd album. We feel with 'Puritans' hovering influences of the 80s with a certain 'Supertramp' and the following scrolls little melodic jewels that show all the talent of this young band that offers catchy compositions from the first listen. The progressive side is not present on the first 5 titles which have a relatively classical verse/chorus construction but appears from 'Information Crime' which offers several facets and then we are entitled to 'Towers', the corner stone of the album of more than 18 minutes that embarks us in a sound maze with this ability to keep our attention awake throughout the title (it reminds me of the atmosphere of 'Karnataka' with the title 'Secrets of Angels' - See Here). In summary, with this first album, the Americans of 'Staring Into Nothing' hit a big blow because there is really something for everyone and whether you are a progressive rock fan or simply fans of good melodic rock, you will certainly conquered by this 'Power' which is for me one of the most beautiful surprises of the end of 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Rogers (Keybords, Vocal), Savannah Rogers (Guitar, Vocal), Kurt Barabas (Bass, Guitar) + Guests : David Levita (Guitar), Matt Chamberlain (Drums), Jamie Muhoberac (Keybords), Pop Levi & Andrea Meli (Choirs), Sherwood Scott Kingsbury (Guitar)


Artist : Lucifer Was

Album : Morning Star

Release Date : 24-11-2017

Added : 16-01-2018

'Lucifer Was' is a Norwegian group that draws its influences from the rock/hard rock of the 70s but who forged their own identity in the 2000s. Strangely, they exist since the 70's but their first studio album has been released in 1997 and 'Morning Star' is their 7th opus. Like formations like 'Jethro Tull', they add classical instruments like the Flute ('Tube Music') or the Harpsichord ('Sunday Morning Griever'). We travel between rhythmic compositions like 'As it Comes', 'A Forest Of Zaqqum Trees' or 'Tube Music' that make you think of 'Deep Purple' or 'Huriah Heep' and other more rock/folk like 'Cold' Up Here In The North' or 'Sea Of Sleep' in the line of 'Jethro Tull'. We can note the last title 'Pure' of more than 15 minutes which closes the album of beautiful way with a progressive epic fresco with all the ingredients which they put in the preceding titles. In short, with 'Morning Star', 'Lucifer Was' takes us a few decades back and this last opus should appeal to all fans of this time but should also reach a wide audience because everything is done to offer us catchy and melodic compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Ruder (Vocal), Thore Engen (Guitar, Choirs), Dag Stenseng (Flute, Choirs), Anders Sevaldson (Flute), Einar Bruu (Bass), Kai Frilseth (Drums), Arild Brøter (Drums), Andreas Sjo Engen (Guitar, Choirs), Arne Martinussen (Organ, Piano, Mellotron, Clavecin)


Artist : Armed Cloud

Album : Master Device & Slave Machines

Release Date : 27-11-2017

Added : 17-01-2018

'Armed Cloud' is a Dutch progressive metal band that released its second studio album 'Master Device & Slave Machines'. The composer 'Wouter van der Veen' is influenced by the progressive current with bands like 'Dream Theater' as well as by more classical rock/metal bands : the compositions are characterized by energetic guitar riffs and a rhythmic section drums/bass that plays an important role both in the fast tempos ('Save Youself') than the slowest ones ('The Cack'). In general, the songs are melodic and therefore catchy at first listen but also varied : the ballad 'Mirror Mirage' is a welcome break but the two titles that stand out are 'Warhead' 8 minutes with its heavy and theatrical atmosphere and 'Dancing Spirit' which with its 10 minutes contains several atmospheres and makes a title between rock and metal, mixing symphonic and progressive. In summary, with 'Master Device & Slave Machines', the Dutchmen of Armed Cloud' have all the assets to make them a beautiful place within the sphere of the progressive metal and show that the progressive style is not only reserved for an informed public...

Line Up / Musicians

Wouter van der Veen (Guitars, Choirs), Boris Suvee (Bass), Remco van der Veen (Keybords, Choirs), Daan Dekker (Vocal), Rico Noijen (Drums)


Artist : The Dark Element

Album : The Dark Element

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 18-01-2018

Listening to 'My Sweet Mystery', I said to myself, "Hey, 'Nightwish' has reinsteded 'Anette Olzon' !!” so much this title would have had its place in 'Imaginerium' or 'Dark Passion Play'. Well, no, 'The Dark Element' is a new band led by 'Anette Olzon' and the guitarist, keyboardist and composer for the band 'Jani Liimatainen' well known by metal fans (ex 'Sonata Arctica' among others). For this new project, Anette, after releasing a pop/rock album with 'Shine' in 2014, returns to the metal and with Jani, offer us an album with 11 catchy and melodic songs that are characterized by a powerful sound between rock and metal where keyboards and guitars are put at the same level and where Anette finally finds its place with energetic titles like 'Last Good Day' or 'Here's To You' but also beautiful ballads with 'Someone You Used To Know' or 'Heaven of Your Heart '. In summary, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'The Dark Element' is more in a style of 'Within Temptation' which may displease some metal lovers because this first album is primarily intended for a relatively broad public which like commercial symphonic rock/metal because all titles are accessible from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Jani Liimatainen (Guitar, Keybords), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Jani “Hurtsi” Hurula (Drums)


Artist : Coronatus

Album : Secrets of Nature

Release Date : 08-12-2017

Added : 18-01-2018

'Secrets of Nature' is already the 8th studio album of the Germans of 'Coronatus' which are almost 20 years of existence. First of all, they finally decided to open up internationally because after 6 recordings in Latin and the last 'Raben im Herz' in German, even if some titles are still in the language of Goethe, the English appears but we are also entitled to a song in Swedish. Then, it's the first time they present a concept album and the theme is related to questions about nature. On the musical level, Mats called on vocals, in addition to 'Carmen Lorch' who already officiated on the previous albums, to 3 other artists to densify and diversify the vocal section resulting in a great leap forward and we could compare the whole to what 'Christofer Johnson' can do with 'Therion' (listen to ‘Dance of the Satyr’). We can also note that all compositions are doubled by the instrumental version. In summary, this 'Secrets of Nature' is probably the album of maturity for 'Coronatus' that offer us compositons of very high quality which, although not necessarily intended for a general public, are accessible and should please all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Kurth (Drums), Carmen Lorch (Vocal), Mareike Makosch (Vocal), Gaby Koss (Vocal), Teddy Möhrke (Vocal), Markus Stock (Bass, Guitar), Kristina Jülich (Violin)


Artist : Anna Fiori

Album : In Ohtli Tonalli

Release Date : 09-12-2017

Added : 19-01-2018

After 'The Dark Element' and 'Coronatus', the end of the year 2017 sees symphonic metal albums follow each other and it is the turn of ‘Anna Fiori' to release a new album 'In Ohtli Tonalli'. Originally from Mexico, Anna released a debut album in 2013 and participated in the Espagno-Swiss 'Edenwar' band, which released a first LP in 2015. After the instrumental introduction of use in this style, 'Fuegro Negro' makes us discover the song in Spanish of Anna which evolves in the same register as 'Sharon den Adel' and this title reminds me some compositions of 'Within Temptation'. With 'El Ritual', it is an energetic, melodic and symphonic title with orchestra and ominpresent choir that catch from the first listening. The following brings some variety to the album with the two beautiful ballads 'Yollotzin' and 'La Promesa', then 'Mitclan' and especially 'Inhumano' aptly summarizing the album, mixing the epic symphonic with gothic style and some gutural voices that can recall 'Epica'. In summary, 'In Ohtli Tonalli' is a very good surprise for this end 2017 and this last opus of ‘Anna Fiori' should enchant of metal fans gravitating between symphonic and gothic...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Fiori (Vocal), Arturo Ferrante (Keybords), Ignacio Fontán Blanch (Drums), Juan Carrizo (Guitar), Markov (Guitar), Voltan Acat (Bass) + invités : Etell Meléndez, Fernando Obregón, Jorge Salmay, Federico Suárez, Ekchuah Muluc, Jacob Cohen, Arianna Dheva, Nitza Oremort, Vhiridiana Rentería, Cheves Miranda, Felipe Navarro, Iván Rodgon


Artist : Mytology

Album : Nemesis

Release Date : 02-12-2017

Added : 19-01-2018

'Mytology' is a new French band that has just released their first album 'Nemesis' and that shows that we can do something else in the hexagon than what we are poured all day long on the airwaves. Certainly, you will certainly not have the opportunity to discover the story of the goddess of discord 'Nemesis' on the radio (and that's a shame because some titles would be right) but past the first listen, we say that we really want to go back and that this opus already has all the qualities to succeed in the sphere of symphonic metal. From the epic instrumental introduction 'Premonitions' with imposing choruses to the last 10-minute 'Farewell' song that mixes power and symphonic, nothing has been left to chance, and on every level, compositions, arrangements, interpretation or production, everything is there to have a good time. In summary, we can only congratulate the Aixois of 'Mytology' who, if they continue in this way, should open the doors to be part of major groups of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

François Brey(Keybords), Thomas Pacyga (Bass), Tess Aguilar (Vocal), Nicolas Ortega (Drums), Cyril Murano (Guitar)


Artist : Defecto

Album : Nemesis

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 20-01-2018

A 'Nemesis' can hide another because after the French of 'Mytology', it is the Danish band 'Defecto' who released his second studio album at the end of 2017 under the same name. But apart from the fact that they are both in a metal style, the comparison stops there, because 'Defecto' offers heavy metal with big guitar riffs and a singer, 'Niklas Sonne' who has a powerful voice for energetic titles like 'Savage' or 'Ode To The Damned' but who also knows how to modulate his song with slow tempos like 'The Sacrificed' or the latest track 'Ascend To Heaven' which is for me the most successful title of the record. In short, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'Defecto' released a varied album that should appeal to a warned audience and amateur of heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicklas Sonne (Vocal, Guitar), Frederik Moeller (Guitar), Thomas Bartholin (Bass), Lars Jensen (Drums)


Artist : Shakra

Album : Snakes & Ladders

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 20-01-2018

The Swiss 'Shakra' are beginning to be well known in the hard rock scene and 2017 sees the release of their eleventh album in twenty years. The recipe is always the same with energetic compositions and refrains that immediately get into your head. 'Marc Fox', the early singer who had returned to the previous album 'High Noon', makes me think to 'Brian Adams' but in more hard rock, the guitar solos of 'Thom Blunier', although enough classic, are always very effective. I could name all the titles because they are all the same level, but I prefer to talk about the ballad 'Open Water' and the catchy 'The End of Days' and say that it is not only the Germans of 'Scorpions' who know how to make titles to make sing stadiums (see the Shakra ballads below playlist). In short, with 'Snakes & Ladders', although some regret the lack of risk-taking, 'Shakra' continue to do what they have always done so well : simply made 'Shakra' to the delight of fans ...


Line Up / Musicians

Mark Fox (Vocal), Dominik Pfister (Bass), Roger Tanner (Drums), Thom Blunier (Guitar), Thomas Muster (Guitar)


Artist : Riccardo Romano Land

Album : B612

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 21-01-2018

'B612' is a rock opera inspired by the book 'The Little Prince' by ‘Antoine de Saint-Exupéry' and the title of course refers to the asteroid from which the Little Prince is originated. So, the compositions retrace the various episodes of the work of the French writer. We follow the hero of the story and its different encounters with, amon others, the fox, the snake or the airman. 'B612' is the first solo project of the Italian 'Riccardo Land', keyboardist of different bands ('RanestRane', 'Steve Rothery Band'). Musically, to stick to the story, Riccardo took his inspiration in a melodic progressive and neo-progressive rock and the artists who come to mind are 'Peter Gabriel', 'Genesis' or more recent 'Professor Tip Top' ( see Here) or 'Dave Kerzner' (see Here). Therefore, everything is done to slip into the wonderful story with tailor-made melodies to follow the different encounters of the Little Prince. Note that 'Riccardo' kept some of the lyrics in French for the Fox interpreted by 'Sonia Bertin' while the rest is in English. In summary, 'B612' is added to the good surprises 2017 and 'Riccardo Romano' has managed this challenge to put in music 'The Little Prince' without ever distorting the original story but on the contrary by adding a musical dimension filled with sensivity and delicacy...

Line Up / Musicians

Riccardo Romano (Vocal, Keybords, Harp Celtique, Harmonium, Guitar, Bass), Andrea Bassato (Violin), Lorenzo Feliciati (Bass), Dave Foster (Guitar), Luca Grimieri (Guitar), Maurizio Meo (Bass), Daniele Pomo (Drums), Massimo Pomo (Guitar), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Sonia Bertin (Vocal), Steve Hogarth (Vocal), Martin Jakubski (Vocal), Jennifer Rothery (Vocal)


Artist : Lee Abraham

Album : Colours

Release Date : 27-11-2017

Added : 22-01-2018

'Colors' is the 7th studio album of the multi-instrumentist 'Lee Abraham' who has become known in the neo-progressive sphere and his latest opus 'The Season Turn' was well received by the trade press. With 'Colors', he turns to a melodic rock with influences of formations like 'Toto', 'Asia' or 'Foreigner' as for example the first eponymous title of the album with a classical couplet/chorus and its beautiful guitar solo. To record this album, he called on a group of guests, including several singers of the progressive scene who come to bring their personal touch and diversify the whole. Note the latest composition 'The Mirror Falls' of more than 14 minutes that sums up well the album and despite its length, mix classic AOR and some incursions in a neo-prog style in the middle of the title. In summary, with 'Colors' with an impeccable production, 'Lee Abraham', surrounded by artists of quality, offers a very good album of melodic rock accessible to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Abraham (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Dec Burke (Vocal, Choirs), Marc Atkinson (Choirs), Steve Overland (Vocal), Robin Armstrong (Vocal), Simon Godfrey (Vocal), Gary Chandler (Vocal), Christopher Harrison (Choirs), Rob Arnold (Piano, Hammond), Alistair Begg (Bass), Gerald Mulligan (Drums)


Artist : Cheap Trick

Album : Christmas Christmas

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 23-01-2018

I come back on the last album of 'Cheap Trick' that they released in October 2017 and which plunges us back into the Christmas period. 'Tarja' gave us a wonderful album (see Here) but this 'Christmas Christmas' from 'Cheap Trick', as you might expect, is not quite the same kind. They offer us 12 good-natured titles including 3 of their compositions (the refreshing 'Merry Christmas Darlings', the lullaby 'Our Father Of Life' and the energetic 'Christmas Christmas') but also covers of different artists that go from 'I Wish It could be Christmas Today' of the '70s from the 'Wizzard' band to 'Sweet Night, Holy Night' of the 19th century that we hear more often at midnight mass through 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Today' a little more muscular than the original sung by 'Julian Casablancas'. Note that strangely, their single 'I Want You For Christmas' which was a cover of their hit ‘I Want You To Want Me’ with other lyrics is not on this album. In short, this 'Christmas, Christmas' is just pretending to give us a good time thanks to these artists who over the years, have always kept this desire to write and the pleasure of playing together as says so well 'Tom Petersson' : “It just seems very natural for us – I can’t really explain it. People will ask for advice and I just don’t have any. We love recording and writing together, and we always search for that perfect record you can never achieve, so I guess that might be one of those things that keeps us going. There’s always room for improvement and change.”...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Zander (Vocal), Rick Nielsen (Guitar, Choirs), Tom Petersson (Bass), Daxx Nielsen (Drums)


Artist : Opera Magna

Album : Directo En Fireworks Estudios

Release Date : 24-12-2017

Added : 24-01-2018

'Opera Magna' is a Spanish band that has about twenty years of existence but that has released 2 studio and 2 EP albums and evolves in a 'Speed Metal' style as bands like 'Rhapsody' or 'Derdian'. 'Directo En Fireworks Estudios' which was released at the end of 2017 is, in fact, a 'best of' their first albums but it has the particularity to contain only studio live recordings done throughout 2017 and posted on ‘You Tube’. Of the 13 titles, 9 are from the 2 EPs of 2014 and 2015, the first 3 from the album 'El Último Caballero' from 2006 and the last title from the album 'Poe' from 2010. This is the video ‘You Tube’ of 'El Último Caballero' that I propose to you because it summarizes well this group which can pass from a fast rhythm to parts much quieter with a line always very melodic and obvious influences in their Espanique culture. In short, 'Directo En Fireworks Estudios' is a great gift for all fans of the group and a way for others to get an idea of what is called the 'Speed Metal'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jose Vte. Broseta (Vocal), Adrià Romero (Drums), Enrique Mompó (Guitar), Javier Nula (Guitar), Alejandro Penella (Bass), Rubén Casas (Keybords) + Guest : Teresa Broseta (Vocal)


Artist : CyLeW

Album : Mot3L

Release Date : 13-12-2017

Added : 25-01-2018

'Cylew' is the name of the female singer and guitarist of the band who just released its 3rd studio album 'Mot3L' and we feel a real evolution compared to the latest opus 'Black Lace Prophecy' with a research for a more authentic sound that go to the basics of rock. At first, I wound up in the atmosphere of the late '70s with artists like 'Pretenders' or 'Pat Benatar' and the voice of 'Lady Cylew' reminds me of certain intonations of 'Chrissie Hynde' (listen to the stripped 'Outer Spaces', it’s blatant). We navigate between energetic songs with choruses that immediately get into your head and make you stomp your feet like 'Take It All', 'Jupiter's Crash' or 'Save Me' and other quieter and more acoustic compositions like beautiful 'Outer Spaces' already mentioned above, the subtle 'Save Me' or the beautiful ballad 'Immaculate'. In addition, the whole benefits from a very good production and the arrangements are also of quality. In summary, 'Mot3L' is still a nice surprise of the end of 2017 and, for my part, 'CyleW' has reached a certain maturity and is moving in the right direction towards an authentic rock containing all the ingredients to make them known to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Lady Cylew (Vocal, Guitar), Arnaud Bascuñana (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Kriss Kilong (Drums)


Artist : Serious Black

Album : First Light

Release Date : 22-12-2017

Added : 26-01-2018

'Serious Black' is an international group of artists from metal scene created in 2015 who already have 3 albums to their credit, the last one dating from August 2017 and who have just released an acoustic album with 9 titles drawn mostly in their 2 first opus. This is the light side of this group that we find on this album and as you can imagine, we are far from the original versions and titles are very plain and simple to make unrecognizable versions; apart from 'I Show You My Heart' which already appeared in acoustics on 'MirrorWorld' (but not on the version of Spotify), all other titles have been reinterpreted. In short, 'Serious Black', with 'First Light' shows a completely different facet of the group just as attractive as the Power Metal one we knew...

Line Up / Musicians

Urban breed (Vocal), Bob Katsionis (Guitar), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Mario Lochert (Bass), Jan Vacik (Keybords), Alex Holzwarth (Drums)


Artist : Sea Goat

Album : Tata

Release Date : 24-11-2017

Added : 27-01-2018

The case of the Germans of 'Sea Goat' is quite strange : imagine a group founded in the 70s who released his first album 45 years later !! Indeed, after a few years of existence until 1982, they decided to continue the adventure in 2007 with result the release of 'Tata' 10 years after (name of the Hungarian city where the group has reformed). They are part of the great tradition of '70s bands between 'King Krimson' and 'Barclay James Harvest' and we embark for one little hour of melancholy progressive rock with 10 melodic and refined compositions to savor quietly. We can also note the last title 'Lachrimae' with the participation of the soprano 'Sandra Hartmann' in a final completely staggered from the rest. In summary, 'Tata', although one of the founders of 'Seat Goat', 'Torsten Hartmann' is behind the metal label 'Massacre Records', is a summary of peaceful progressive 70s with a current sound and an irreproachable production...

Line Up / Musicians

Matthias ‘Matze‘ Wolfgarten (Keybords, Mellotron, Piano, Organ), Klaus Schulz (Guitar, Cello, Keybords, Cithare), Torsten Hartmann (Vocal, Guitar), Thomas Götz (Drums, Percursions, Guitar) + Guests : Walter Bauer (Guitar), Harald Englert (Choirs), Sandra Hartmann (Vocal), Gisela Daebel (Flute), Andreas Pennekamp (Bass), Michael "Blacky" Schwarz (Bass)


Artist : Cotton Salamander

Album : Light-Years Away

Release Date : 01-11-2017

Added : 28-01-2018

'Cotton Salamander' is the project of multi-instrumentist, author and songwriter 'Martin Randle' who has released his second solo album with 'Light-Years Away'. He mixes different styles and offers us 9 tracks ranging from progressive rock to classic rock passing by pop and folk with influences from 70s artists. For example, the first composition 'Alien Obduction' can be described as progressive rock, then comes '72 Times Round the Sun' reminding some psychedelic atmospheres of' Pink-Floyd 'and the next track 'Celebrities!' is a classic rock in the style of the 'Rolling Stones'. So, we navigate in a patchwork of genres and 'Martin Randle' has this little extra to compose melodic and accessible songs. In summary, 'Light-Years Away' is a very enjoyable album to listen to and filled with inspirations from 50 years of rock and pop...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Randle (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Percussions, Keybords, Mandolin, Harmonica, Tin Whistle) + Guests : Richard Smith (Guitar), Peter Day (Bass), Paul Janowski (Bass) and Sally Randle (Bass), M George Dear (Guitar, Choirs), Sally Randle (Tin Whistle, Choirs), Terry Dear (Choirs), Martin & Finn Fletcher (Choirs), Peter Day (Choirs), Cliff Hunt (Choirs), Peter Buttigieg (Bouzouki)


Artist : Oglin

Album : Leeches and Lowly Worms

Release Date : 08-12-2017

Added : 29-01-2018

'Oglin' is a group of Swedes who, after 2 EP (not available on Spotify) have released their first studio album with 'Leeches and Lowly Worms' but who do not make the buzz on the Internet because except very restricted site and facebook, not easy to find information on this new formation. A simple text in a post presents the album: “'Leeches and Lowly Worms' is a concept album. It tells the story of Charlotte, a fragile soul lost in the world. Through eleven songs we follow Charlotte as she works in an office, is hospitalized, escapes, is lost again and finally comes home.” From a musical point of view, they evolve in a varied progressive style with catchy melodies and their influences are drawn in the 70s: 'Back to the Hearth' reminds me of some compositions of 'Pink-Floyd' and the magnificent 'Mother' and 'Charlotte' makes me think of the atmospheres of 'David Bowie' (the voice of ‘Ogge Sjölin' plays a major role on this). In summary, this first album Oglin 'is still a very good surprise 2017 and is recommended not only to all fans of progressive rock but also to all those who love the beautiful melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Ogge Sjölin (Bass, Vocal), Seth Kapadia (Guitar), David Thurfjell (Keybords), Johan Thurfjell (Drums)


Artist : Greg Lake

Album : Live in Piacenza

Release Date : 08-12-2017

Added : 30-01-2018

2016 was a dark year for progressive rock fans of the 70s because, after the suicide of 'Keith Emerson' in March 2016, it was the turn of 'Greg Lake' to leave us in December 2016 as they had been planned to meet up somewhere in the beyond. Therefore, 'Live in Piazenza', is a gift for all the fans who can hear again the ‘Greg’ warm voice and filled with emotion in a live in Italy recorded in 2012 with very varied titles mixing artists like the 'Beatles', 'Elvis Presley', 'Johny Kid & The Pirates' and of course his two bands 'ELP' and 'Kink Crimson'. It is certain, after his death, certain titles take a particular dimension like 'It's the life' from ‘Works’ album of 1977 or the magnificent 'Lucky Man' that he shares with his Italian friends, the former singer of ‘PFM’, 'Annie Barbazza' (see last album of the group left at the end of 2017 Here), 'Bernardo Lanzett' from the 70's 'Acqua Fragile' band and 'Aldo Tagliapietra' from the iconic Italian group 'El Orme', which has just released a solo album (Here). In short, with 'Live in Piacenza', 'Greg Lake' gives us a little hello from the stars sharing this moment of emotion and allows us to hear all these timeless songs that followed us throughout our lives...

Line Up / Musicians

Greg Lake (Guitar, Vocal), Annie Barbazza, April Laragy Stein, Cassidie Smith, John Akers, John Michael Engard, Katie Andrianos, Mary Ellen Hayden, Rob La Vaque, Terry Hand-Smith, Bernardo Lanzett, Aldo Taliapietra (Choirs), André Cholmondeley (Guitar, Choirs), John Michael Engard (Guitar, Choirs), Max Repetti (Keybords), April Laragy Stein (Accordion)


Artist : Anubis Gate

Album : Covered in Black

Release Date : 06-10-2017

Added : 31-01-2018

'Covered in Black' is the seventh studio album of the Danish of ‘Anubis Gate' who is a progressive metal band and this last baby is not necessarily accessible at first listen because their compositions are complex and dense with rhythm and intensity breaks and melodic lines are less marked than in their previous opus. In addition, with the theme addressed related to the dark side of life and human nature, they have naturally densified their sound. Let's take for example about the first title 'Psychtopia' : it starts in an explosion of heavy riffs with a song sung in total rupture and then back again the devastating riffs. Past the powerful chorus, a new break with a very quiet classical part classical with a piano and the title ends as it began. The suite embarks us in oriental sounds with 'The New Delhi Assassination' and 'Operation Cairo', the central part of the album with the triptych 'Black', 'Blacker' and 'Blackest' is typical of a progressive metal with multi-faceted, and we even have, at the end of the title 'From Afar', a glance to 'The Wall' of the 'Floyds'. In summary, 'Covered in Black' is a dense and varied album of very high quality which takes all its dimension listening after listening and which should join the ideal collection of any amateur of elaborate progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Henrik Fevre (Vocal, Bass), Kim Olesen (Guitar, Keybords), Michael Bodin (Guitar), Morten Sørensen (Drums)


Artist : Blood Red Soul

Album : Symphony of a Memory

Release Date : 26-12-2017

Added : 01-02-2018

Line Up / Musicians

Ellie Kamphuis (Vocal), James Sutcliffe (Drums), Achim Schreiner (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords + Guests : Fiona Creaby (Vocal), Micki Richter (Guitar), Leisl Heath (Bass), Clare Butterfield-Elsey (Vocal), Elmas (Vocal)


Artist : Magnolia

Album : Con Fuoco

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 02-02-2018

'Magnolia' is an Italian progressive rock band that is releasing its second studio album 'Con Fuocco' with a theme relating to the resistances to different oppressive regimes. The first eponymous title of the album is instrumental with a vocal accompaniment that shows all the talent of the singer 'Chiara Gironi'. The sequel plunges us into a melodic and energetic progressive atmosphere with for example 'Revolta' which tells the revolts against the capitalist system of finance, then with 'La Città Della Notte', which recounts the meeting of the G8 of Genoa, the ambiance is more oppressive and this title reminds me of the 'I Want You' atmosphere of the 'Beatles' with the repetition of the main theme that accentuates the sense of urgency. The talent of this group is to make music part of the central theme and only the last title cut into 3 parts is away from the revolted compositions of the beginning of the album, embarking us for 13 minutes of very intense atmospheric and aerian ambiances filled with sensitivity in the manner of groups like 'Karnataka' Here) or 'Mostly Autumn' (see Here). In summary, 'Magnolia' is a group of talented artists and, even if they do not have the international recognition they deserve to have, they release a beautiful album very accessible to add to the ideal collection of any progressive rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Gironi (Vocal), Donatella Valeri (Piano, Keybords), Simone Papale (Bass), Claudio Carpenelli (Drums), Bruno Tifi (Guitar), Alessandro di Cori (Guitar)


Artist : Fragile

Album : Without a Fight

Release Date : 17-11-2017

Added : 03-02-2018

'Fragile' is a duo from Bordeaux (France) who has just released his first studio album 'Without a Fight'. At first listen, we navigate in a patchwork of styles, where we go from 'Sixty Nine', a crescendo instrumental introduction like 'Pink-Floyd' to 'Either You and Me' or 'Without a FightYou Die', powerful and at the same time melancholy, then change of scenery with the very short ‘Un par Un’ first title in French preceding ‘Je cours’ which reminds me of Matmatah (see their latest album Here).The sequel is like this beginning, a mixture of French song and neo-prog where each composition has its own identity. A little crush for ‘Revoir un Printemps’ with its 2 parts, first melancholy to finish in a frantic tempo as to better press the urgency to stop, in our world that is always faster, to refocus on essential things. The icing on the cake, the production is very neat and the artwork of the cover is beautiful which makes it very difficult or impossible to find a weak point. In summary, 'Fragile' strike a blow for this first opus and offers us 13 titles of incredible intensity and sensitivity : there are 2 types of music, that of commercial channels that we just hear and the one you listen to and that grabs you by the guts and this 'Without a Fight' is obviously part of this 2nd category; to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

David Dupuy (Vocal, Piano, Drums), Mathieu Pittet (Bass, Guitar)


Artist : Gods Of Silence

Album : Neverland

Release Date : 08-09-2017

Added : 04-02-2018

Direction for Switzerland with 'Gods Of Silence' which released their first studio album 'Neverland' almost five months ago. They are part of the melodic power metal scene and can be compared to formations like 'Serenity' or 'Stratovarius'. Past the instrumental introduction 'Gods Of Silence', 'Army of Liars' is an energetic, powerful and melodic title with a chorus that should do a good sensation in live, the next title 'Against The Wall' is a fairly classic mid-tempo with a 'hohoho' in the chorus to make the public sing and with 'Neverland', the double pedal makes its appearance and it is still a catchy and melodic chorus that awaits you. We continue on the same rhythm and 'Full Moon' and 'The Poenix' put little more forward keyboards. In short, even if 'Gods of Silence' do not offer a wide variety of titles, this 'Neverland' should appeal to all fans of melodic power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Gilbi Meléndez (Vocal), Sammy Lasagni (Guitar), Bruno Berger (Keybords), Daniel Pfister (Bass), Philipp Eichenberger (Drums)


Artist : Avenged Sevenfold

Album : The Stage

Release Date : 22-12-2017

Added : 05-02-2018

I'm not going to discover 'Avenged Sevenfold' to metal fans and more, the album 'The Stage' was released in 2016, but 2017 sees the release of a Deluxe version including 11 additional titles breaking down into 1 new title, 6 covers and 4 live recordings for a total of 2 hours and 10 minutes. This is the eponymous title of the album with its fantastic video (see above) that I did not know that made me want to listen to all and I was completely won over by the variety of the compositions. So, I will go over the original titles of 2016 (my favorite 'The Stage' above and of course the progressive fresco 'Exist' and his ironic conclusion on the humans of the astrophysicist 'Neil de Grasse Tyson': "Perhaps we've never been visited by aliens because they have looked upon earth and decided there's no sign of intelligent life."). and therefore, what about these 11 new titles ? The new title 'Dose' was planned as the 2nd part of the ballad 'Roman Sky' and about the covers, the least we can say is that it is diverse and varied because we go from 'As Tears go by' from 'Marianne Faithfull' to 'Which You Were Here' from the 'Floyds' passing by the ‘Andalusian suite’ of ‘Ernesto Lecuana' and 'God Only Knows' from ‘The Beach Boys’ and of course all these titles are revisited at the 'Avenged Sevenfold' sauce. Abouyt the 4 public recordings, these are 4 tracks from 'The Stage'. In summary, this Deluxe edition of 'The Stage', which already contained a wide variety of titles may confuse some but, for my part, I adhere completely to this kind of approach because, in the end, 'Avenged Sevenfold' still shows once again that creativity is not born of nothing but, on the contrary, of all musical experiences of each artist and the album 'The Stage' was already the perfect illustration...

The Covers of the album :
Retrovertigo (Mr. Bungle)
Malagueña Salerosa (’Ernesto Lecuana’)
Runaway (‘Del Shannon’ with Warren Fitzgerald)
As Tears Go By (‘Marianne Faithfull’, ‘The Rolling Stones’)
Wish You Were Here (‘Pink Floyd’)
God Only Knows (‘The Beach Boys’)

Line Up / Musicians

Matthew Charles Sanders (Vocal), Zachary James Baker (Guitar, Choirs), Jonathan Lewis Seward (Bass, Choirs), Brian Elwin Haner (Guitar, Choirs), Brooks Wackerman (Drums)


Artist : Nightingale

Album : Rock Hard Live

Release Date : 11-01-2018

Added : 06-02-2018

After already 8 studio album and more than 20 years of existence, the Swedes of 'Nightingale' had not yet released live recordings. So, it's done with 'Rock Hard Live' which has only 9 tracks (accoding to me, a little short for a live) but we find the biggest classics of the band starting with 'Nightfall Overture' of the first album 'The Breathing Shadow' but also 'Chasing the Storm A way' from the last album 'Retribution' released in 2014 and which showed an inflection of the compositions to go towards a rock/metal more commercial and more accessible to a wide audience. In short, this 'Rock Hard Live' has the merit of offering us what 'Nightingale' can do on stage and should satisfied all fans of the group...

Line Up / Musicians

Dan Swanö (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Dag Swanö (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Erik Oskarsson (Bass), Tom Björn (Drums)


Artist : Nine Skies

Album : Return Home

Release Date : 30-11-2017

Added : 07-02-2018

'Nine Skies' is a French progressive rock band that released its first studio album 'Return Home' at the end of 2017, which is a concept album about life in a big city of different characters, seen by an outside observer who points out absurdities of our present world. On the music side, we are embarked for 55 minutes of beautiful melodies in a variety of soft and subtle atmospheres, starting with 'Return Home' reminiscent of bands such as 'Pendragon' or 'Marillion'. The following 'Season of Greed' is a peaceful ballad introducing an acoustic guitar and a flute. With ‘The Blind Widower', it consists of 3 parts with an incursion into jazz-rock where the piano and saxophone play a beautiful duet and then a part between East and West where the acoustic guitar and the flute takes over which leaves room for a more classical last sung part. With 'Roses Never Hatch' and its multi-faceted and beautiful melodic lines, we return to a much more conventional progressive. The only regret I would have is the use of fade out because some titles could still take a few steps and offer us a real end. In summary, 'Nine Skies' shows yet again that France has good surprises in the field of progressive rock and this 'Return Home' should be well received by the whole progressive sphere but, because of its accessibility, could also reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Freddy Scott (Vocal), Alexandre Boussacre (Vocal), David Darnaud (Guitar), Eric Bouillette (Guitar, Piano), Alexandre Lamia (Guitars, Keybords), Bernard Hery (Bass), Anne Claire Rallo (Keybords), Laurent Benhamou (Saxophone), Fab Galia (Drums)


Artist : Kayak

Album : Seventeen

Release Date : 12-01-2018

Added : 08-02-2018

This is still a group of the 70s, which after more than 15 years of inactivity in the 80s/90s, rose from the ashes and released several albums without really reaching a large audience. In early 2018, the Dutch of 'Kayak' released a new studio album after the release in 2014 of 'Cleopatra The Crown Of Isis'. From the original formation, only 'Ton Scherpenze' remains and the style takes us back to a progressive melodic and symphonic rock with obvious 'Queenest' influences. The album is separated between quite short titles all very catchy and 3 long titles to remind us that they are above all a progressive group of the 70s. The key composition for me is 'La Peregrina' which takes us into a labyrinth of atmospheres without any weak moment where everything is linked so naturally between strong and calm parts and which capture the listener from the first to the last note. Among the other compositions, 'Falling' is probably the most reminiscent of the timeless melodies of 'Queen' and some melodies also remind the Swedes of Jono less powerful (see their last album Here). In short, the Dutch of 'Kayak' show that once again the proverb that says that it is in the old pots that we make the best soups has never been so relevant and this 'Seventeen' will be, without a doubt, one of the major progressive rock albums of the year 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Ton Scherpenzeel (Keybords), Bart Schwertmann (Vocal), Collin Leijenaar (Drums), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Bass), Marcel Singor (Guitar) + Guest : Andy Latimer (Guitar)


Artist : Leaves' Eyes

Album : Sign Of The Dragonhead

Release Date : 12-01-2018

Added : 09-02-2018

'Sign Of The Dragonhead' is really the first ‘Leave 'Eyes' studio album with their new singer 'Elina Siirala' after the departure of 'Liv Kristine' in 2016 ('Fire In The North' was the first EP with Elina but with only a new title). So, we looked forward to this new album, especially since Liv was at the origin of the creation of the German formation. The album opens on the eponymous title of the album which reassures us on the continuity of the group in the way opened with Liv because Elina officiates in the same register and shows that she became perfectly integrated in the band; the 'made in Leave' Eyes' is always present with these catchy songs as 'Across The Sea' or 'Jomsborg' which will certainly make fury in concert and other more mid-tempo like 'Like a Mountain' or the already known 'Fires in the North'. Alexander has taken over the group, but, to my great satisfaction, continues to sprinkle without doing too much, his growls that respond to the song of Elina. Even the 2 bonus tracks 'Beowulf' and 'Winter Nights' are not below the rest. In summary, 'Leave' Eyes', even if some will regret the departure of 'Liv Kristine', continues its way in a dynamic metal mixing folk and symphonic and this 'Sign Of The Drangonhead' is for me one of the good suprises of this beginning of year 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Krull (Vocal, Keybords), Elina Siirala (Vocal), Pete Streit (Guitars), Thorsten Bauer (Guitars), Joris Nijenhuis (Drums)


Artist : Audrey Horne

Album : Blackout

Release Date : 12-01-2018

Added : 10-02-2018

After a very good 'Pure Heavy' in 2014, the Norwegians 'Audrey Horne' come back with a new album 'Blackout'. Always in the same style, they offer us 10 tracks of melodic hard-rock (plus 2 bonuses) starting with an energetic 'This is War' whose beginning reminds me of 'I Was Made For Loving You' of 'Kiss'. Follow 'Audrevolution' and 'Blackout' with the same rhythmic which are both very effective. The title 'This One' reminds me of the boogie-rock rhythm of 'Status Quo', with 'California', it calms slightly while keeping this tempo that can not stop you from stomping and the magnificent 'Rose' Alley' has that little taste of a certain 'Thin Lizzy' even in the guitar solo. Note that the 2nd bonus 'The End' is a ballad that nicely closed the opus. In short, with this 'Blackout', even if they do not revolutionize the genre, the Norwegians of ‘Audrey Horne' still release an energetic and catchy album and shows once again that they are one of the leading bands of hard-rock melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Torkjell Rød (Vocal), Arve Isdal (Guitar), Thomas Tofthagen (Guitar), Espen Lien (Bass), Kjetil Greve (Drums)


Artist : Terra Atlantica

Album : A City Once Divine

Release Date : 17-11-2017

Added : 11-02-2018

Altantide has always been a source of inspiration for metal bands such as the symphonic metal formation 'Visions Of Atlantis'. Nico and Tristan were also interested in nautical legends and it is natural that they named their group 'Terra Atlantica'. 'A City Once Divine' is thus the first studio album of the Germans who evolve in a power metal with obvious influences of groups like 'Derdian', 'Ancient Bards' or' Dreamtale' (voir Here) to name just three. After instrumental introduction 'Whispering Waves' that augurs some epic, 'Atlantica' sets the scene with its fast tempo and imposing choruses. The sequel is in the same spirit, simple but catchy melodies from the first listening and energetic rhythms interspersed with 2 less inflamed titles, 'To The Bottom Of The Sea' and the ballad 'Shadows Of Tomorrow'. We can also note the last title 'When Walls Will Fall' of 10 minutes alternating powerful and fast parts and others quieter. In summary, with 'A City Once Divine', 'Terra Atlantica' released a first album effective and well interpreted that should appeal to all fans of power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Nico Hauschildt (Drums, Choirs), Tristan Harders (Vocal, Guitar), Mike Terman (Guitar, Choirs), Karim Djemai (Bass)


Artist : Tinsley Ellis

Album : Winning Hand

Release Date : 12-01-2018

Added : 12-02-2018

'Tinsley Ellis', after 30 years of career, returns for a 17th studio album with 'Winning Hand'. Always in the great tradition of blues/rock in the manner of an 'Eric Clapton' or a 'Jeff Beck', it offers us nine original titles that could all have been standards in the 60s/70s so that the 10th title which is a cover of 'Dixie Lullaby' by 'Leon Russel' fits perfectly into the whole. Between energetic compositions like 'Sound Of a Broken Man', 'Nothin But Fine', 'Kiss The World' or 'Satisfied' and melancholic blues that exude a wonderful feeling like 'Gambin' Man', 'Autumn Run' or the beautiful 'Saving Grace' that gives you the thrill, the voice and the guitar game of Ellis make wonders. In short, with this 'Winning Hand', 'Tinsley Ellis' continues to perpetuate in the best way that it is this great tradition of blues/rock which was at the origin of many musical currents...

Line Up / Musicians

Tinsley Ellis (Guitar, Vocal), Kevin McKendree (Guitar), Steve Mackey (Bass), Lynn Williams (Drums), Kevin McKendree (Piano, Keybords)


Artist : Fiction Syxx

Album : Tall Dark Secrets

Release Date : 25-08-2017

Added : 13-02-2018

I come back to the new project 'Fiction Syxx' of American artists who released their first album 'Tall Dark Secrets' in August 2017. Surrounded by a great deal of guests, they offer us 11 compositions between melodic rock and hard rock influenced by bands of the 70s between 'Toto', 'Foreigner' and 'Deep Purple'. Input, 'Given Sight' sets the tone with a catchy melody and a catchy rhythmic then 'Play On Words' show that they are able to vary their style for a quieter title but still successful. The suite alternates energetic tracks like 'Welcome to My Nightmare' or 'Demon in My Window' and ballads like 'Where We belong' or 'Spirits Collide'. In short, even if they do not bring real novelties, 'Fiction Syxx' release an album of qualiy thanks to experienced artists and catchy compositions from the first listening and 'Tall Dark Secrets' should please all fans who navigate between rock and melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Jk Northrup (Vocal, Guitar), Mark Allen Lanoue (Vocal, Guitar), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Rory Faciane (Drums), Tony Franklin (Bass) + Guests : Jimi Bell (Guitar), David Cagle (Choirs), Bill Leverty (Guitar), Christian Wentz (Guitar), Andy Lee (Guitar), Karl Cochran (Choirs), Carl Sentence (Vocal), Richard Kendrick (Choirs), Lee Small (Vocal), Steve Brown (Guitar), Thorsten Koehne (Guitar)


Artist : Magnum

Album : Lost on the Road to Eternity

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 14-02-2018

Back with a new album in early 2018, 'Magnum' continues to release albums about every 2 years, the last album dating from 2016 (see Here) with between time the release of an album of ballads in 2017 (see Here). With 'Lost on the Road to Eternity', they celebrate their 40th year of career and continue to offer us with the same energy good accessible and melodic hard-rock that does not leave you title after title. As usual, they make us navigate in varied compositions between energetic and powerful tempo like 'Peaches and Cream', 'Welcome to the Cosmic Cabaret' or 'Lost on the Road to Eternity' and the superb duet between 'Bob Catley 'and' Tobias Sammet 'but also know how to vary the pleasures with more airy compositions like the magnificent 'Storm Baby', the refresher 'Without Love' or the beautiful ballad 'Glory To Ashes' without forgetting the last title 'King of the World' which tends towards progressive with its various drawers. In short, 'Magnum' has always accustomed us to quality albums both in terms of composition, interpretation and production, and this 'Lost on the Road to Eternity' is no exception to the rule and is to be consumed without moderation for all lovers of good melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Al Barrow (Bass, Choirs), Tony Clarkin (Guitar), Gary "Harry" James (Drums), Bob Catley (Vocal), Lee Morris (Drums) +Guest : Tobias Sammet (Vocal)


Artist : Perfect Beings

Album : Vier

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 15-02-2018

Not easy to present 'Perfect Beings' which is a progressive music band but is very difficult to put in a specific box. This is the kind of artists that bothers some and admire others and you can certainly find completely opposite reviews on the internet. With this band, we are immersed in a profusion of juxtaposed styles without really logical continuation. We must be well motivated and especially tame little by little this 3rd studio album 'Vier' which has 4 main parts each of them is divided into several titles for a total of one hour and a quarter of music. From the first title 'Guedra - A new Pyramid', we go from a jazzy atmosphere to pop with very original vocal harmonies. With the 2nd title of 'Guedra', after a magnificent crescendo the title ends in a calm and serene atmosphere. 'Patience' then takes us into an atmosphere of the 60s / 70s that we could compare at the beginning of the progressive with the titles of 'Master Of Rock' of 'Pink Floyd' where the English began to mix with classical song new sounds. With the last part of 'Guedra', the voice of 'Ryan Hurtgen' and the volutes of the Saxophone 'Brett McDonald' make us travel in a serene atmosphere with always this 'Floydian' influence. Change of scenery for the second part 'The Golden Arc' which flirts with contemporary music with references to artists like 'Ravel' or 'Stravinsky' to which they add their more conventional progressive personal touch. I could cite all titles so each brings something original and makes us travel in an atmosphere different from the others. In summary, this 3rd album of 'Perfect Beings' of great musical richsness, is a patchwork of styles that requires a lot of listening to visit every nook and which is full of various inspirations and, for this reason, it is likely to remain reserved for an audience of warned public open to musical genres quite distant from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryan Hurtgen (Vocal, Piano), Johannes Luley (Guitar), Jesse Nason (Keybords), Sean Reinert (Drums), Jason Lobell (Bass), Brett McDonald (Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : Sterling Ball, John Ferraro, Jim Cox

Album : The Mutual Admiration Society

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 16-02-2018

'The Mutual Admiration Society' is a group of friends who have taken legends guitarists with them to play with them from the 60's. Advertising hit for the new collaboration between 'Mascot Label Group' and 'Favored Nations', the label founded by 'Steve Vai' or real meeting of friends in love with guitars, no matter because ultimately the most important is the result. We are back in compositions based on the 3 basic chords of rock that were interpreted by different artists between the 30s and 70s (I admit that I knew only a few) and our famous guitarists put them back to the taste of the day simply for the pleasure of playing together. Note that the title 'Disney Medley' on which plays 'John Petrucci' has not been authorized and is not available on Spotify. In summary, although some will find the choice of titles quite strange, this 'The Mutual Admiration Society' is easily listened to and at least has the merit of highlighting the electric guitar played by world-renowned artists...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Cox (Keybords), John Ferraro (Drums), Sterling Ball (Guitar) + Guests : Albert Lee (Guitar), Jay Graydon (Guitar), John Petrucci (Guitar), Steve Lukather (Guitar), Steve Morse (Guitar), Steve Vai (Guitar)


Artist : Marygold

Album : One Light Year

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 17-02-2018

I come back to the album 'One Light Year' of the Italians of 'Marygold' that they have already released about 4 months ago. I admit, I did not know this band and yet they appear prominently on Spotify between groups that I enjoy autres ‘Cellar Noise’ (see Here), 'The Adekaem' (see Here), 'Looking-Glass Lantern' (see Here). We find the progressive style of the groups I just mentioned and from the first title 'Ants in the Sand', we feel influences from major groups such as 'Genesis', 'Marillion' or 'Pink Floyd'. Each title develops a story with several parts in a rich and worked style where keyboards play an important role and 'Spherax H2O' of more than 12 minutes is the perfect illustration : we are embarked on a captivating, varied and dense sound labyrinth which keeps us in suspense from first to last note. We can also note this gift for very beautiful melodies as in the melancholic ballad 'Travel Notes on Brittany'. In short, 'Marygold' is a group of quality in the great tradition of the formations mentioned above and this 'One Light Year' should be added to the ideal collection of any amateur of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Guido Cavalleri (Vocal, Flute), Massimo Basaglia (Guitar), Marco Pasquetto (Drums), Stefano Bigarelli (Keybords), Marco Adami (Bass)


Artist : Hadeon

Album : Sunrise

Release Date : 12-01-2018

Added : 18-02-2018

Not easy to find information about the Italians of ‘Hadeon’ who just released their first album at the end of 2017 and which was added on Spotify early 2018. And yet, this 'Sunrise' is filled with good surprises for progressive music lovers between rock and metal. It starts with the energetic 'Thought' n 'Sparks' and its breaks of rhythms that we could compare to some compositions of 'Pain Of Salvation' (see their latest album Here). Then, comes the melodic 'Chaotic Picture' alternating powerful and quieter parts that approaches the style of 'Threshold' (see their latest album Here). The following is the image of these first two compositions, characteristic of a rich and varied progressive metal : constructions in drawers, breaks between calm and energetic parts, catchy melodic passages. And if we had to remember only one title, I would say 'Sunrise' of more than 10 minutes which perfectly sums up the album with all the ingredients mentioned above and a magnificent finale. In short, this first album 'Sunrise' is a very good surprise for this early 2018 and we can only wish the Italians of ‘Hadeon’ that they quickly meet the success they deserve...

Line Up / Musicians

Federico Driutti (Vocal, Keybords), Alessandro Floreani (Guitar), Fabio Flumiani (Guitar), Gianluca Caroli (Bass), Lorenzo Blasutti (Drums) + Guests : Maurizio Lavarone, Simone Morettin, Raffaello Indri


Artist : Neil Young, Promise of the Real

Album : The Visitor

Release Date : 01-12-2017

Added : 19-02-2018

The prolific Canadian who released just 4 months ago 'The Hitchicker' (see Here), once again, put on his panoply of activist and releases with the band 'Promise of the Real', with which he had already recorded 'The Monsanto Years' in 2015, a new album 'The Visitor' which contains, among other things, a song response to the 'Trump' campaign slogan, 'Make America Great Again'. Since the critics have already been on the net and all or most of everything has been said on this album, I'll just talk about the group 'Promise of the Real', led by the 'Nelson' brothers who are the sons of the country singer 'Willie Nelson' well known in the United States : they allow ‘Neil Young' to vary the moods and bring for example an 'electrification' in 'Already Great' or 'Stand Tall' to bring a more rock sound, to flirt with the musical comedy with 'Chidren of Destiny' or to get into a catchy dance with 'Carnival'. In short, 72 years old and 'Neil Young' knows how to surround himself with talented artists to tirelessly continue his pilgrim way 'citizen of the earth' in order to denounce with his words and simply his common sense all the absurdities of men...

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Harmonic, Whistle), Lukas Nelson (Guitar, Vocal, Mandolin, Organ), Micah Nelson (Guitar, Vocal, Piano, Organ), Anthony LoGerfo (Drums), Corey McCormick (Bass, Vocal), Tato Melgar (Percussions)


Artist : Bendik Brænne

Album : The last great country swindle

Release Date : 01-09-2017

Added : 20-02-2018

'Bendik Brænne' is a Norwegian multi-instrumentist, author and composer who released his third studio album 'The last great country swindle' at the end of 2017. For this opus, he surrounded himself with several Norwegian musicians but also with Canadian 'Daniel Romano', who is an artist of country. His style takes us back to the 60s and 70s with the sound of the Hammond organ and even in the album cover, it feels like a few decades back (there is even the mention 'stereo' that we saw on the 33 and 45 rpm at this time). From the beginning, he transforms the energetic 'Runaway' of 'Del Shannon' from the early '60s (also well known to the French for the cover of 'Dave') into a peaceful ballad and the sequel is divided between vintage pop and blues like 'Aint' nobony like me', 'Quick-loving hearts' or 'Worries me' and more composed titles like 'Summerfield', 'I'll be gone tomorrow' or 'Close to the ground' which reminds me of some melodies of ‘Elton John'. In summary, this 'The last great country swindle' is a journey back in time and should appeal to all fans of the atmospheres of the 60s/70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Bendik Braenne (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone), Daniel Romano (Guitar, Drums, Choirs, Keybords), David Wallumrød (Organ Hammong, Piano), Martin Windstad (Percussions), Amund Maarud (Guitar), Kjetil Johan Jakobsen (Drums, Choirs), Lars Erik Larsen (Bass, Choirs), Eivind Solheim (Trumpet), Sindre Blostrupmoen (Trumpet), Ellen Sunde (Choirs)


Artist : Alwaid

Album : The Machine And The Beast

Release Date : 13-05-2017

Added : 21-02-2018

Between symphonic metal, melodic and gothic, 'Alwaid' is a French band that released its second studio album 'The Machine And The Beast' almost a year ago but I only discovered it now. It's a concept album, I quote : "This second album offers a look at the evolution of civilization. It evokes the extraction of the bestial side of the human being and his stubbornness to want to control the machine, the very one that will cause his loss. ". On the music side, we are in sync with the theme and from the first title 'Amphisbeana', we are embarked on a powerful, epic and theatrical composition where Marie shows all her vocal range and where, at the rhythm section, Dan' impresses with his mastery in rhythmic breaks. The next 4 tracks are in the same style with melodic researched lines not necessarily accessible from the first listening and, for my part, I would have liked a little less use of the double pedal but this is completely subjective. In fact, it’s the last 4 titles that bring diversity to the whole that have attracted me the most : first ‘Sang Noir', which alternates powerful parts and others much quieter where the choruses reinforce the epic side. Follow the power ballad, 'So The Song Went (Silent O'Moyle'), which reminds me of certain atmospheres of 'Therion' with its calm and heavy melody. With 'Idle Riddles And Rhymes', it's the most accessible composition in a classical symphonic style, quite far from the first tracks with a melody that no longer leaves you and the album ends quietly with the beautiful ballad 'Fractalized' which is very different from the rest. In summary, with 'The Machine And The Beast', 'Alwaid' show us that they have reached a certain maturity and offer us a varied and intense album that should appeal to all lovers of metal sailing between symphonic and gothic...

Line Up / Musicians

Marie Perrier (Vocal), Max Renard (Guitar, Choirs), Alexandre Wyndaele (Guitar), Simon Lamarcq (Bass), Dan' (Drums)


Artist : Music Without Borders

Album : Ferd

Release Date : 17-11-2017

Added : 22-02-2018

I came across 'Music Without Borders' thanks to the very good Belgian 'Music In Belgium' website which presents a great variety of artists (see Here) . Far away from pop, rock, blues or metal music, to put it simply, everything started from a research project that aimed to open Norwegian folk songs to artists from around the world by allowing them to integrate their culture in the Norwegian tradition. Since the musical process has followed all kinds of steps and for those who would be interested in more details, all information about this project is available Here and the list of artists is available Here. In short, the result is an album of exceptional richness mixing sounds and cultures that it is not common to hear together and is recommended to all fans of folk music open to a musical melting pot...


Artist : Broken Witt Rebels

Album : Broken Witt Rebels

Release Date : 24-11-2017

Added : 23-02-2018

'Broken Witt Rebels' is a young English band that has just released their first studio album with the name of the group and who plays between blues, rock and hard rock with influences marked by artists of the 70s and a sound typical of groups English. From the beginning, 'Loose Change' sets the scene with an energetic rhythmic between 'Led-Zeppelin' and 'Aerosmith'. With 'Georgia Pine', it's a quieter title still in the same style and 'Shake me Down' sends a swaying blues rock rhythmic with a powerful sound on a melody that sounds familiar to us. The following is in the same style and recalls a time when hard-rock took flight and was integrated with rock and blues.They also vary moods with the ballad 'Getaway Man' or the most popisant 'Wait For You'. In summary, 'Broken Witt Rebels' released a first album of great quality that should be well received by a large public bottle-fed of the major rock/hard-rock formations of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Core (Vocal, Guitar), Luke Davis (Vocal, Bass), James Tranter (Vocal, Guitar), James Dudley (Drums)


Artist : Master Sword

Album : Shadow and Steel

Release Date : 02-01-2018

Added : 24-02-2018

Metal bands often refer to novels or mythology to compose concept albums and in the case of Americans of 'Master Sword', it is the video game of 'Nintendo', 'The legend of Zelda' which inspired and released in early 2018, their first studio album 'Shadow and Steel' (for experts, 'Mastersword' is among others the name of Link's sword). The music of the game is transformed in a style mixing melodic metal, symphonic and progressive. With the first 2 titles 'Behind the Mirror' or 'Let Me Show You the Night' (video above), we discover the energetic side of the compositions with the singer 'Lily Hoy' in a very powerful rock register and a solo of unchained guitar of 'Corey Garst'. With 'Tower of Stone', the mood is calm for a more symphonic title and its epic atmosphere enhanced by the addition of choruses and 'Beneath the Skin' is much more progressive in the approach because composed of several parts with breaks moods. In summary, beyond the concept of the album, 'Master Sword' released a very good album mixing several genres that should be welcomed by all fans of metal loving bands with female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Lily Hoy (Vocal), Matt Farkas (Keybords, Guitar), Corey Garst (Guitar), Shawn Staub (Bass), Andy Stark (Drums)


Artist : Spiral Key

Album : An Error of Judgement

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 25-02-2018

'Spiral Key' is a band created in 2013 by two English, the singer and guitarist 'David McCabe' and the bassist 'Ken Wynne' and who have just released their 2nd studio album 'An Error of Judgment'. It is with this opus that I discovered them and the first listening has already left me a great impression by making me think of bands that I like as 'Threshold' (see their latest album Here), 'Pallas' or 'Arena' (see their latest album Here). Then, listening after listening, we discover all the wealth of compositions that mix progressive metal and rock. At the beginning, with 'Reason Revolution' it’s a title with breaks between power and relaxation reminiscent of bands like 'Dream Theater' (see their latest album Here),'Porcupine Tree' or 'Pain of Salvation'(see their latest album Here). The following titles are of the same style and alternate calm and energetic parts with melodies that catch you immediately and we find influences from all the groups mentioned above. And then, there is 'Possessive', which is worth the purchase of this album by itself : with its 9 minutes in length, it starts with classical influences and an introduction close to 'Jean-Sebastien Bach', then comes a symphonic and melodic intense sung part that gives you goose bumps; the second part of the title explores other horizons by mixing the classical sounds of the beginning and the progressive to finish in beauty on a melody at the 'Dream Theater' where the singing of 'David McCabe' alternates with superb guitar solos. In summary, in early 2018, the English of 'Spiral Key' offers us a real gem between rock and progressive metal and 'An Error of Judgment' is already one of the major progressive albums of this year...

Line Up / Musicians

David McCabe (Vocal, Guitar), Ken Wynne (Bass), Chris Allan (Drums) + Guests : Miguel Espinoza (Vocal), John Mitchell (Guitar), Dan Carter (Guitar)


Artist : Barry Weinberg

Album : Samsarana

Release Date : 25-01-2018

Added : 26-02-2018

'Barry Weinberg' is an American of South Florida who produces albums and has decided to create his own project 'Samsarana' that brings together a diversity of styles from rock to metal passing by pop, folk and blues. So, we navigate in different musical atmospheres and after the short instrumental introduction 'Conception', 'Creation' takes us into a very 'Floydien' title, then 'Welcome to my World' is a short, very sparse acoustic song and 'The Vicious Circle' continues with an acoustic title close to 'BJH'. The sequel alternates energetic tracks like 'Taking It All', 'Come out and Play' or 'You Cannot Burn the Fire' and quieter ones like 'A Passage of Time', 'Perception' or 'The Way' and his voice adapts to the different atmospheres of the album like in the crescendo of 'Endless Sea'. In summary, this first baby of 'Bary Wienberg' is an album of large variety but nevertheless very accessible and 'Samsarana' should appeal to all fans open to different styles ranging from pop to metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Barry Weinberg (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Glenn Welman (Drums)


Artist : Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa

Album : Black Coffee

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 27-02-2018

'Beth Hart' (see her latest album Here ) and 'Joe Bonamassa' (see his latest live album Here), who had already recorded duet albums, 'Do not Explain' from 2011, 'Seesaw' in 2013 and 'Live In Amsterdam' in 2014, to put it back in early 2018 to release 'Black Coffee' which had been waiting for several weeks by all the fans of the 2 artists. Inspired by the blues repertoire with compositions made famous by, among others, 'Ray Charles', 'Etta James', 'Steve Marriot', 'Ella Fitzgerald' or 'Peggy Lee', they offer the best of themselves, Beth by her voice which never ceases to move us as much on the energetic titles as on the ballads and Joe by his feeling to send us solis of guitar which is the only one to have the secret ('Lullaby of the Leaves' is the perfect illustration of this beautiful complicity). In addition, they know how to surround themselves with talented artists who gravitate with the greatest of the blues and the producer is none other than 'Kevin Shirley' who worked with formations like 'Dream Theater' or 'Aerosmith'. Their secret is certainly, as Beth says, in the way of recording: "Currently, there are all these layers of recording and then it's time for you to sing and it's like you're not doing any more music. There's nothing like being able to sit there and see Joe, see the drums, see the bass, see Kevin. I can feel the vibrations, it changes everything. ". In short, 'Black Coffee' is still a wonderful album of these two authentic artists who in 5 days, have recorded 10 original and timeless covers and this for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet, Trombonne), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Paulie Cerra (Saxophone), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Rob Mcnelley (Guitar), Ron Dziubla (Saxophone), Anton Fig (Drums) + Guests : Jade Macrae (Choirs), Juanita Tippins (Choirs), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs)


Artist : Orphaned Land

Album : Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 28-02-2018

After releasing 'Kna'an' with their Amaseffer friends in 2016 (see Here), we waited impatiently for the little brother of the magnificent 'All Is One' that had, at the time, made me discover 'Orphaned Land' and the pacifist crusade by the music of his leader 'Kobi Fari' represented by the very strong symbol of the interweaving of religious symbols, Christian cross, Muslim crescent and Star of David. Since then, after 2 beautiful concerts at z7 in Pratteln near Basel, I discovered this 'Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs' and I must say that the group has gained further momentum and height in his compositions. First of all, what I liked from amble, the mixture of different influences is even more intertwined and for example, with 'All Kowing Eye' we do not know if the East is more present than the West or conversely because it is finally a perfect alchemy that makes it a sort of universal song. Then, by the theme inspired by the philosophical concept of Plato's cave, 'Kobi Farhi' takes the opportunity to revive his pilgrim's habit of music to shout out loud based on the history of the messiahs or the writings of great visionary writers (see the interview Kobi MusicWaves website Here). Finally, because ‘Orphaned Land’ has evolved into more progressive compositions like 'Chains Fall to Gavity' which, with its 9 minutes, gives us goosebumps and takes us into a crescendo where different atmospheres follow each other with a sumptuous bonus guitar solo of 'Steve Hackett' (see his latest album where ‘Kobi Farhi‘ sang on one of the tracks Here). In summary, 'Orphaned Land' continues its commitment to gather by the music by offering us at the beginning of 2018 his most successful album hoping that the strong message delivered allows some to get out of 'their cave' to give up all their narrow prejudices and realize that altruism develops also in the exchange and knowledge of other cultures...

Line Up / Musicians

Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Chen Balbus (Guitar), Idan Amsalem (Guitar), Matan Shmuely (Drums), Uri Zelha (Bass) + Guests : Hansi Kürsch (Vocal), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Tomas Lindberg (Vocal)


Artist : Turin Brakes

Album : Invisible Storm

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 01-03-2018

After 'Lost Property' released in 2016 (see Here), the English of 'Turin Brakes' release in 2018 'Invisible Storm' which is their 8th studio album. They continue to offer us very accessible pop and folk compositions in the great tradition of English pop artists. Wether it is refreshing titles like 'Would You Be Mine', 'Wait', 'Lost In The Woods' or 'Everything All at Once' which can recall artists like 'Simon And Garfunkel' because of the complicity between 'Olly Knights' and 'Gale Paridjanian', but also other more melancholic like ‘Deap Sea Diver', 'Invisible Storm', 'Tomorrow' or 'Smoke and Mirrors' which reminds me of the atmospheres of 'Fleetwook Mac', everything has been done to have a good time. In short, even if they do not revolutionize pop, 'Turin Brakes' release an likeable and accessible album that should therefore be intended for a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Olly Knights (Guitar, Vocal), Gale Paridjanian (Guitar, Vocal), Rob Allum (Drums), Eddie Myer (Bass)


Artist : Ammunition

Album : Ammunition

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 02-03-2018

'Ammunition' is a Norwegian group of melodic hard rock which was created in 2013 and released its second studio album bearing the name of the group and which had already released a very promising 'Shangaied' in 2014. Consisting of artists of the metal scene that have gravitated in key bands of the genre such as 'Eclipse', 'Circus Maximus' or 'King Diamond', they offer us energetic and melodic compositions and from the first titles, we are put in the tempo with 'Time', 'Freedom Finder', 'Gung Ho' or 'Virtual Reality Boy' which reminds me of 'Axxis' (see their last album Here)and if one of these titles does not make you stomp, no need to go further. For others, the following is in the same style and they know how to vary atmospheres with 2 titles that allow ourselves a little time off, 'Eye for an Eye' and the ballad 'Miss Summertime'. In short, this last album of ‘Ammunition' is filled with compositions qually effective and if you are fond of powerful and melodic hard-rock, go for listen this last baby of the Norwegians...

Line Up / Musicians

Åge Sten Nilsen (Vocal), Erik Mårtensson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Jon Pettersen (Guitar), Lasse Finbråthen (Keybords), Magnus Ulfstedt (Drums), Victor Cito Borge (Bass)


Artist : Imperial Age

Album : The Legacy of Atlantis

Release Date : 31-01-2018

Added : 03-03-2018

After 'Warrior Race' in 2016 (see Here ), the Russians of ‘Imperial Age' release their new album 'The Lagacy of Atlantis' and take advantage of it to make a European tour with 'Therion'. More and more in the style of their older brother (in the eponymous title of the album, it is obvious), they offer us a symphonic metal, melodic and accessible with an evolution in the vocal arrangements which accentuates the atmosphere epic : Firstly, the album was recorded with the collaboration of artists from different groups including 'Nalle Pahlsson', 'Thomas Vikstrom' and 'Christian Vidal' all 3 of 'Therion'; Then, 'Alexander' and 'Jane' left the keyboards to devote themselves completely to singing, 'Anna' is the little news that completes the vocal section, the choruses were reinforced with 7 other artists which considerably densifies the ensemble and we can not help but refer to the great tradition of classical Russian choirs. In summary, with 'The Legacy of Atlantis', 'Imperial Age' continue their path in an accessible style that should please all amateurs of choirs and gravitating between symphonic and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander "aor" Osipov (Vocal), Jane "corn" Odintsova (Vocal), Anna "Kiara" Moiseeva (Vocal) + Guests = Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass, Guitar), Christian Vidal (Guitar), Sergey Lazar (Guitar), Andrey Ischenko (Drums), Taras Yasenkov (Choirs), Lyudmila Mikhailova (Choirs), Nikita Mikhailov (Choirs), Ekaterina Shamina (Choirs), Mikhail Yurkus (Choirs), Dmitriy Volkov (Choirs), Natalia Romanova (Choirs)


Artist : Steve Walsh

Album : Black Butterfly

Release Date : 10-11-2017

Added : 04-03-2018

I come back to the 'Steve Walsh's new album, 'Black Butterfly', which he released at the end of 2017 at about the same time as the last' Kansas '(see Here). The former singer of 'Kansas' continues a solo career and this last baby is his third album since the early 2000s and for the occasion he invited the singer 'Jerome Mazza' who is at the origin of the céation du group 'Pinnacle Point'. For those who thought to find the style of 'Kansas' in this album, it's partly missed because 'Black Butterfly' is more tinted AOR or rock FM with titles like 'The Piper', 'Dear Kolinda' or 'Hell or Hih Water' which are very accessible with melodies that immediately enter your head. One can also note some more rock titles like 'Born in Fire' or 'Billy Carbone Is Dead', the beautiful ballad 'Now Until Forever' and the mid-tempo 'Mercy on me'. In short, this 'Black Butterfly' is a varied and very accessible album that should appeal to a broad public that like rock FM or AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Walsh (Vocal, Piano), Tommy Denander (Guitars, Keybords), Brian Anthony (Bass), Jerome Mazza (Vocal), Peter Yttergren (Drums), Steve Overland (Choirs)


Artist : P.A.L.

Album : Prime

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 05-03-2018

It is still a Nordic country, in this case Sweden with 'P.A.L.' (the 3 first letter of the trio Petterson, Anersson and Ljunggren), which is in the spotlight with a first album 'Prime'. In fact, first album but these three, had already known each other for a long time and ended up offering us 11 very accessible melodic rock compositions with catchy choruses from the first listening in a radio format because most do not exceed 4 minutes. From the start with 'Head or Tails', we embark on a typical 80s melodic rock song with a catchy chorus and short but effective guitar solo. With 'Carry On', it's a mid-tempo that makes you headbang and 'Hiding Away from Love' is more classic and reminiscent of bands like 'Toto'. The obligatory ballad in this kind of album is present with the beautiful composition 'What We Could Have Been' and the album ends with 'One Step Away' with the chorus that will not leave you more. In short, even if you have the impression of having heard thousands of times these melodies, 'Prime' is a very good album of melodic rock and should appeal to all fans of the great bands in this type of music of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Ljunggren (Guitar), Peter Andersson (Bass), Peo Pettersson (Vocal), Mauritz Petersson (Drums)


Artist : Sisare

Album : Leaving the Land

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 06-03-2018

The Finns of 'Sisare' released their first album in 2013 and I discovered them with their second album 'Leaving the Land' released in early 2018. Not easy to find information about this band and their style tends towards an atmospheric and progressive rock where their influences come from the bands of the 70s with titles between 6 and 7 minutes and 'Severi Peura' alternates parts sung with beautiful guitar solos or with the first title 'Escape' where succeed several atmospheres very typical of the progressive. The following titles are in the same pattern with melancholic melodies that flow peacefully and arrangements always very elaborate. In summary, 'Leaving the Land' is a very good album of atmospheric progressive music that is accessible and which is to calmly listen with headphones on the ears to discover every nook and cranny...

Line Up / Musicians

Severi Peura (Guitar, Vocal), Hermanni Piltti (Bass), Timo Lehtonen (Guitar), Rauli Elenius (Drums)


Artist : Devoid

Album : Cup of Tears

Release Date : 20-10-2017

Added : 07-03-2018

'Devoid' is the new project of the French guitarist 'Shad Mae' who also officiates in the band 'Shadyon' and who has managed the challenge of bringing together famous guitarists of the international metal scene to release 'Cup of Tears' few months ago. They offer us 12 heavy metal hits full of good energy with abundant riffs and an exceptional vocal performance by 'Carsten Schulz'. For those who know 'Shadyon', we are in the same style but some compositions are more direct and powerful such as 'Otherworld', 'Agony' or 'Collective Heart'. We also find more elaborate titles with developments mixing progressive with symphonic as in 'The Clock Is Ticking', 'Killing Hands', 'Religion' or in the very melodic 'Colors Fade to Gray'. Also note the final instrumental 'Hollow Point' and its sumptuous guitar solo that beautifully closed the album. In short, with this new project, 'Shad Mae' shows that we can compete in France with main international heavy metal bands and this 'Cup of Tears' should appeal to all metal lovers navigating between melodic, progressive and symphonic...

Line Up / Musicians

Shad Mae (Guitar), Carsten Lizard Schulz (Vocal), Jorris Guilbaud (Keybords), Ben Toquet (Bass), Ben Wanders (Drums) + Guests : Daniel Palmqvist (Guitar), Henrik Danhage (Guitar), Magnus Karlsson (Guitar), Mattias Ia Eklundh (Guitar)


Artist : Moonparticle

Album : Hurricane Esmeralda

Release Date : 20-01-2018

Added : 08-03-2018

'Niko Tsonev' is none other than the former guitarist of 'Steven Wilson' and he launched a new project 'Moonparticle' and for the occasion, he surrounded himself with renowned artists such as the pianist jazz 'Adam Holzman', who worked with 'Miles Davis', but also progressive artists such as the Saxophonist and flutist 'Theo Travis' who officiated among others in 'Soft Machine' and 'The Tangent'. In view of this melting-pot of artists, we imagined that the result was to give something special: indeed, 'Hurricane Esmeralda' takes us into a labyrinth of moods and styles and it takes several listenings to domesticate this album of exceptional richness. We go from the swirling 'Hurricane Esmeralda' between pop and jazz with a memorable first solo to 'Helium I' calmer and melancholy reminding me of the moods of the '70s group' Focus'. The acoustic short 'Helium II' follows, then 'Winter Mountain' is a Latin rhythmic song alternating the sweet song of 'Grog Lisee' and Niko's guitar solos close to ‘Santana’. With 'White Light', it’s a change of scenery, we return to a more energetic instrumental track with a much quieter central part to finish in a magnificent crescendo. The sequel is still full of surprises with the beautiful rock ballad 'The Strength of a Thousand Year Rose' or the very 'Floydian' 'Reverend Mum'. In summary, this new project 'Moonparticle' is a marvelous mix of different musical genres performed by talented artists and, if the diversity of genres is an asset for you, go quickly listen to this 'Hurricane Esmeralda'...

Line Up / Musicians

Niko Tsonev (Guitar), Adam Holzman (Piano), Theo Travis (Saxophone, Flute), Craig Blundell (Drums), Samy Bishai (Violin), Grog Lisee (Vocal)


Artist : Hamnesia

Album : Metamorphosis

Release Date : 28-01-2018

Added : 09-03-2018

'Metamorphosis' is the first studio album of the Italian of 'Hamnesia' born in 2015 from the meeting of singer 'Livia Montalesi' and guitarist 'Lorenzo Diana'. « it’s a concept album which wants to be a journey into the human mind through fears and uncertainties that paralyze it, but that at the same time give us an opportunity to overcome them and change ourselves, precisely through a metamorphosis ». First of all, musically speaking, all compositions are very melodic which makes them easy to access; then, from style point of view, it's varied because we go from to progressive metal through rock progressive where the guitars are at the same level as the keyboards and they add classical instruments like violin or flute. The two main titles of the album are 'Metamorphosis' and 'Noctudormos', each more than 10 minutes, which take the listener into a sound labryrinth where they mix different moods and atmospheres. In summary, with 'Metamorphosis', the Italians of ‘Hamnesia', even if they still have to adjust some vocal and instrumental imperfections, released a promising album, melodic and accessible that should reach a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Livia Montalesi (Vocal, Violin), Lorenzo Diana (Guitar), Giovanni Tarantino (Drums), Andrea Manno (Bass), Matteo Bartolo (Keybords)


Artist : Inventions

Album : Curiosity

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 10-03-2018

'Christiaan Bruin' is a German composer and multi-instrumentist living in an apart universe where he draws his influences from different styles ranging from progressive rock to symphonic rock through to classical and contemporary music. First, he released 5 albums under the name 'Chris' available under Spotify (see Here) and then created an original project in 2015, 'The Black Codex' which sent subscribers a composition every week during one whole year. Then he participated in several projects including the progressive rock group 'Sky Architect' of which he is one of the co-founders but also 'Nine Stones Close', 'Mayra Orchestra' and 'Adeia'. It is therefore an eclectic artist touching all that continues with the project 'Inventions' dating from 2017 to offer us compositions this time related to videos (see his site Here). 'Curiosity' is the sequel to 'Meta' and the style explores new musical horizons with rather soft titles that make us travel in a kind of cozy cocoon where the voice of Christiaan, in some places simply whispered, reinforces this impression of sweetness which makes 'Curiosity' something quite original mixing electronic pop and classical music. In short, if you want to escape in a hushed and aerian atmosphere, this last baby 'Curiosity' of the very talented 'Christiaan Bruin' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Christiaan Bruin (Tous les instruments, Vocal), Anne Bakker (Vocal), Madeleine Brozek (Violin), Maartje Dekker (Vocal), Ruben van Kruisum (Cello), Adrian Jones (Guitar)


Artist : Into The Great Divide

Album : Into The Great Divide

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 11-03-2018

'Into The Great Divide' is an Instrumental project by 'Zack Zalon' in which 'Mike Mangini', the drummer of 'Dream Theater', participated. It's a concept album which, even if there is no sung part, contains a narrative for each title recited by 'Larry Davis' which allows to follow the story imagined by 'Zack Zalon'. The theme is influenced by the stories of 'Joseph Campbell' on the 'Heroes with a Thousand Faces', which describes the journey of the hero with severall steps which begins in an ordinary world to enter little by little in unusual worlds where he is confronted to different proofs sheets. The music is therefore the support to tell the different episodes of the hero's journey and the mix of elaborate metal and progressive rock while remaining accessible with a good diversity from one title to another : each composition brings its atmosphere that can to be energetic, powerful, melodic, symphonic and catchy at the same time and the rhythmic work that 'Mike Mangini' instill at every moment impresses and shows all his talent of drummer. In short, this 'Into The Great Divide' is an album that should appeal to all lovers of instrumental compositions sailing between rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Zack Zalon (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Mike Mangini (Drums), Brendon Cassidy (Orchestral Arrangements), Larry Davis (Narration)


Artist : Rausch

Album : Book II

Release Date : 02-02-2018

Added : 12-03-2018

After a first album almost 10 years ago, the Americans of 'Rausch' return to the front of the progressive stage with 'Book II'. Conducted by 'Doug Rausch' who has a classical training of pianist and who has invited for the occasion 3 artists from groups known from the progressive scene, 'Mark Zonder' from 'Fates Warning', 'Ryo Okumoto' from 'Spock's Beard' and 'Brendt Allman' from 'Shadow Gallery', they embark us for an hour of varied compositions where influences go from symphonic to metal through pop, rock and jazz with a talent for beautiful melodies accessible from the first listen as for example 'Greener Grass' which makes me think of a mix between 'Electric Light Orchestra' and 'Queen'. With 'Drain' of more than 10 minutes, the beginning is a crescendo that starts in a nostalgic way with the piano then the acoustic guitar takes over to give way to the electric instruments that slowly unfold a beautiful melody with a guitar solo filled by a good feeling, the final part replaying a second crescendo in an intense symphonic atmosphere to end calmly with the sweet voice of 'Doug' accompanied by some acoustic guitar chords. The sequel brings a progressive side more marked for 'Irked' and its jazzy central part sandwiched between 2 other pop parts and with 'The End', we embark in a psychedelic atmosphere of the 70s, then 'Speechless' is the metal title of the album while 'Slow Suite: II Isolation' which follows is a magnificent ballad piano/voice which closed very softly the album. In summary, with 'Book II', the Americans of 'Rausch' released a melodic album that mixes different styles and which is therefore rcommended to a public loving the diversity of genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Doug Rausch (Vocal, Piano), Gary Wehrkamp (Guitar), Joe Fine (Bass), Chris Ruffini (Drums) + invités : Mark Zonder (Drums), Ryo Okumoto (Keybords), Brendt Allman (Guitar)


Artist : Secret Illusion

Album : Awake before the Dawn

Release Date : 01-02-2018

Added : 13-03-2018

After the release of 'Change of Time' in 2014, the Greeks of 'Secret Illusion' released a third album 'Awake before the Dawn'. With this latest opus, they embark us for nearly an hour of melodic metal mixing power, epic and progressive with the particularity of using electronic sounds in some places. After the short instrumental introduction 'Curtain Falls' and its classical melody, 'Neverland' starts with a first energetic title and catchy chorus that stays in your head all day long. 'Fall of Human Kind' is similar and with 'Sailing the Open Sea', it’s a little quieter but the melodic lines are still there and we go once again with 'Hope is Lost' with its rhythm of hell. A short break with 'Falling', a ballad that starts with a text on the music and a melody typical of power ballad but it’s in the last 2 titles that the progressive components appear which allows to vary the style with firstly the epic 'Eerie' which alternate energetic atmospheres and quieter ones. The last eponymous title of the album of more than 9 minutes slowly unfolds its powerful melody with a welcome break in the middle of the title finishes in some chords of keyboards. In summary, this last album of 'Secret Illusion' offers us two faces, one of power metal classic and another, for me the most interesting of melodic metal with progressive hints and 'Awake before the Dawn' is recommended for fans of groups like 'Rhapsody In Fire' or 'Ancient Bards' to name just two...

Line Up / Musicians

Evmenios Poulias (Keybords), Filippos Papakyriakou (Guitar), Vasilis Axiotis (Vocal)


Artist : Eynomia

Album : Break Free

Release Date : 26-01-2018

Added : 14-03-2018

'Eymonia' is a new project by experienced American metal artists who have just released their first album, 'Break Free'. Led by the singer 'Phyllis Rutter', they evolve in a symphonic metal style with compositions easy to access and claim European groups like 'Within Temptation' or 'Delain'. From the beginning, with 'Cleansing', the tone is given for an easily accessible melody with keyboards at the same level as the guitars and we discover the singing of 'Phyllis Rutter' in a classic rock/metal register that can be compared to that of 'Sabine Edelsbacher' from ‘Edenbridge'(see their latest album Here) even though her range is a bit deep. The compositions are divided between catchy melodies such as 'Cleansing', 'Someday Maybe' or the energetic 'Take a look' and others lighter like 'Till We Meet Again', 'Break Free' or the beautiful ballad 'Through Your Eyes'. In summary, even if they do not revolutionize the genre and are added to the already long list of metal bands singers, 'Eynomia' offers us a very good album between symphonic rock and metal that should please all fans of bands with female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Phyllis Rutter (Vocal), Mike LePond (Bass), Chris Bickley (Guitar), Jimmy Pitts (Keybords), Gaetano Nicolosi (Drums)


Artist : Peter Karp

Album : Blue Flame

Release Date : 02-02-2018

Added : 15-03-2018

'Peter Karp' is a well-known bluesman, singer and guitarist in the United States and has just released 'Blue Flame' which is already his 9th album. Having played alongside artists such as 'Willie Dixon', 'John Lee Hooker' or 'Don Henley', he is part of the great tradition of an authentic blues/rock and for the occasion he invited others musicians like 'Mick Taylor', guitarist of the 'Rolling Stones' in the first period or 'Kim Wilson' who plays harmonica on 'Rolling on a Log' and 'Loose Ends'. The title of the opus is a good vision of the content because 'Blue Flame' comes from a conversation of 'Peter Karp' with 'Willie Dixon' who told him : “When it’s honest and real it burns hot, like a blue flame.”. We navigate between blues and rock with energetic compositions like 'Train O' Mine', 'Loose Ends', the very traditional 'The Arson's March' and 'The Nietzsche Lounge' or 'Treat Me Right' where you can’t stop snapping fingers, and others with a good feeling like 'The Turning Point', the sensual blues 'You know' or 'Valentine's Day' and its beautiful slide guitar accompaniment through songs where the diction is get closer to 'Bob Dylan' like 'From Where I Sand' or the ballad 'Round and Around'. In short, with 'Blue Flame', even if most titles are not recent, 'Peter Karp' offers us a very good album of authentic blues/rock for the delight of all fans of this timeless style...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Karp (Guitar, Piano, Vocal), Mike Catapano (Drums), Niles Terrat (Bass) + Guests : Mick Taylor (Guitar), Todd Wolfe (Guitar), Paul Carbonara (Guitar), Dennis Gruenling, Dave Keyes (Keybords), Kim Wilson (Harmonica)


Artist : Prayer

Album : Silent Soldiers

Release Date : 18-01-2018

Added : 16-03-2018

Imagine the meeting of 'Saga' and 'Thin Lizzy', the result could be exactly what the Finns of 'Prayer' propose us with no new album 'Silent Soldiers'. In fact, they have already released 2 albums, 'Wrong Adress' in 2005 and 'Danger In The Dark' in 2012 that do not appear on Spotify. We are between melodic rock and hard-rock with the presence of keyboards at the same level as guitars and a good variety of compositions that can not tire the listener, the opus containing 15 titles for nearly 1 hour and 10 minutes of music. All titles have a radio format except 'Mystery Island' of more than 14 minutes which offers a progressive approach with breaks of rhythms and moods. In short, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'Prayer' released a very good album influenced by big melodic rock bands from the 70s to the present day and with accessible titles that should appeal to a wide enough audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Jukka Ihme (Guitar), Mike Pohjola (Keybords), Tapani Tikkanen (Vocal, Guitar, Drums, Choirs), Tom Pohjola (Bass), Ville Hanhisuanto (Drums)


Artist : Weend‘ô

Album : Time of Awakening

Release Date : 09-02-2018

Added : 17-03-2018

'Weend'ô' is a French band created in 2008 by the guitarist 'Térence Nguyen Van' and the female singer and keyboardist 'Laetitia Chaudemanche' and have just released their second studio album 'Time of Awakening'. Their style mixes different influences between atmospheric rock and neo progressive rock with a talent for long melodic compositions that take you into a musical labyrinth mixing the power of electric instruments and the sensitivity of Laetitia's vocals that reminds me of singers like 'Olivia Sparnenn' from 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album Here) or 'Chiara Gironi’ from the Italian band 'Magnolia' (see their latest album Here) or 'Hayley Griffiths' from 'Karnataka' (see their latest album Here). The album is composed of 3 tracks for 39 minutes with the first eponymous composition of the album composed of 3 parts for more than 20 minutes which is a delight and that makes us travel in different atmospheres and tempos without ever tiring. In 'Elea', they invited 'Alan Reed' (see his latest album Here) to put his voice at the beginning of the title and it's a composition with a magnificent crescendo and a ‘Floydien’ solo at the end of the first part. In summary, 'Time of Awakening' is a very good surprise for this beginning of 2018 and 'Weend'ô' shows us once again that France has talents that can compete with major international neo progressive rock bands...

Line Up / Musicians

Laetitia Chaudemanche (Vocal, Keybords), Térence Nguyen Van (Guitar), Maxime Rami (Bass), Nathanaël Buis (Drums), + Guests : Alan Reed (Vocal), Jérémie (Vocal)


Artist : REXORIA

Album : Queen of Light

Release Date : 19-01-2018

Added : 18-03-2018

It's still in the direction of the North that we are going with 'REXORIA' which is a Swedish band created in 2016 and evolving between melodic and symphonic metal with a female singer 'Frida Ohlin' that we could compare to what can do 'Doro'. All compositions are readily available and they have a talent for classic melodic lines but terribly effective. After the short instrumental introduction where Frida lays her voice to accentuate the atmosphere of a strange world, 'Stranded' opens the ball with a catchy first melody and then 'Queen of Light' does it again with her chorus that gets you into your head immediately. With 'Voice of Heaven', they bring a metal folk side for an entailing title and 'Way to Die' is classic metal but always catchy from the first listening. A short break with the beautiful ballad 'Song by the Angels' and it starts again for an end of opus in the image of the beginning and titles as melodic as each other. In summary, the Swedes of 'REXORIA' already show with this first album a certain maturity and 'VQueen of Light' should appeal to all lovers sailing between melodic and metal symphonic...

Line Up / Musicians

Frida Ohlin (Vocal, Keybords), Jonas Gustavsson (Bass), Cristofer Svensson (Guitar), Martin Gustavsson (Drums)


Artist : Visions of Atlantis

Album : The Deep & the Dark

Release Date : 16-02-2018

Added : 19-03-2018

After a few years with Serenity (see their latest album Here) and the project 'Exit Eden' in 2017 (see Here), the French women 'Clementine Delauney' who started singing with 'Visions Of Atlantis' at the end of 2013 with a first EP' Old Routes - New Waters' has really grown these last two years and this last album of 'Visions of Atlantis' confirms all her talent. Is this the stabilization of line up (they have experience many changes) or just what is called maturity, but this 'The Deep & the Dark' is certainly the most accomplished album of 'Visions of Atlantis’. First of all, all compositions are accessible from the first listening and most have refrains that enter your head immediately without letting go. Then, the Clémentine/Siegfried duo works perfectly as in 'Return to Lemuria' or 'Ritual Night' but I would have liked that their voice mix a little more for example in the ballad 'The Last Home' as Clementine was able to do it on stage with 'Georg Neuhauser' of 'Serenity' singing 'Fairytales'. There are multiple influences of symphonic metal such as an introduction close to 'Nightwish' on the eponymous title of the album but what struck me the most is the connection with the compositions of 'Lanvall' ('Edenbridge see their latest album Here) and it's obvious on 'Dead Reckoning' or in ‘The Grand Illusion’. In summary, with 'The Deep & the Dark', 'Visions of Atlantis' strengthen their place in the leading group of symphonic metal bands and this last album should be well received by all fans of this style of music but also thanks to its accessible side, could reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Siegfried Samer (Vocal), Christian Douscha (Guitar), Herbert Glos (Bass), Thomas Caser (Drums)


Artist : Dream Ocean

Album : Lost Love Symphony

Release Date : 22-02-2018

Added : 20-03-2018

After 'Visions of Atlantis', it is still symphonic metal with 'Dream Ocean' which is a new Turkish band based in Germany since 2017 and created in 2009 by mezzo-soprano 'Basak Ylva' and guitarist 'Oz Khan'. They have just released their first studio album 'Lost Love Symphony' and for the occasion, they called on artists of the metal scene as among others the guitarist 'Mark Jansen' of ‘Epica'. After the instrumental introduction 'Inception' and its grandiose and epic orchestration, 'Beyond The Greed' is a rather classic, powerful title that attract from the first listen and looks to bands like 'Within Temptation' or 'Epica'. Follows 'Hain' in the same vein and the following title 'Everstorm' is very melodic in a less metal style but still symphonic. They also know how to vary the moods with quieter titles like the beautiful 'Divine Light', 'The Last Dance' or 'Song to the Aurora' where 'Basak Ylva' shows all her talent as a lyrical singer. But the title track of the album is 'Island of Dream' of almost 10 minutes which is the symphonic and epic par excellence with its different parts. For me, the small regret is that they do not bring influence of their homeland and this little extra could certainly make the compositions more original. In short, 'Dream Ocean', even if they add to the (already) long list of symphonic metal bands with a female singer, is certainly a group to follow in the future because they are not very numerous to release a first album of this quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Basak Ylva (Vocal), Oz Khan (Guitar), Borna Matosic (Guitar), Sebastian Heuckmann (Bass), Sebastian Plück (Keybords), Nils Kessen (Drums)


Artist : Damian Wilson, Adam Wakeman

Album : The Sun Will Dance in Its Twilight Hour

Release Date : 16-02-2018

Added : 21-03-2018

'Damian Wilson' already has a full-fledged solo career because in addition to these different solo albums (see his latest Here), he has collaborated with various progressive stage artists such as the band of progressive metal 'Threshold' (see the latest live Here) or as 'Arjen Lucassen' where it appears in the live 'Ayreon Universe' which comes out at the end of March 2018. With his latest album , 'The Sun Will Dance in Its Twilight Hour', this multi-faceted artist offers us with 'Adam Wakeman' 10 compositions far from 'Threshold' or 'Ayreon' in the great tradition of acoustic singers like 'Cat Stevens' (Listen to 'Laugh In Time', it doesn’t remind you a certain song ?) and unlike duets like 'Simon & Garfunkel', they alternate singing in the different titles. They take us into their universe full of authenticity with melodies very easy to access and filled with emotion conveyed by these two great artists. In short, if you like the acoustic song and quiet and sensitive atmospheres, this latest album 'Damian Wilson' and 'Adam Wakeman' is undoubtedly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal, Guitar), Adam Wakeman (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Percussions), Tony Woodland (Cello), Hayley Sanderson (Choirs), Andy Dunlop (Guitar), Ash Soan (Drums)


Artist : Dry River

Album : 2038

Release Date : 02-02-2018

Added : 22-03-2018

The Spanish of 'Dry River' began their career with covers of 'Queen' and 'Dream Theater' and in 2011 they released their first album 'El Circo de la Tierra'. '2038' is their third studio album. Difficult to put them in a very specific box because they mix different styles that go from pop to hard-rock through jazz, rock and classical music to which they add their Hispanic influences here and there. The 10 compositions are therefore a journey in moods and atmospheres all different from each other and therefore you have to be open to a wide range of styles to commit but they are also very melodic which makes the whole very accessible. The typical example is 'Peàn' which, with its more than 10 minutes, mixes classical instruments like strings with the power of electric instruments and has broken rhythms, making it a typical progressive song. In summary, with this new album, 'Dry River', even singing in Spanish is certainly a brake to be known internationally (and that's a shame), released an excellent varied and dense album with this talent to mix very different styles from each other, while maintaining a nice homogeneity and '2038' should appeal to an audience open to a wide range of musical genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Ángel Belinchón (Vocal), Carlos Álvarez (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Matías Orero – Guitar, Choirs), David Mascaró (Bass, Choirs), Martí Bellmunt (Keybords, Choirs), Pedro Corral (Drums)


Artist : Dukes of the Orient

Album : Dukes of the Orient

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 23-03-2018

Listening to the first 2 titles 'Brother in Arms' and 'Strange Days' from 'Dukes of the Orient’, I thought I'd be back almost 20 years with a certain album 'Aura' from ‘Asia' and it’s not surprising since it is simply 'John Payne', singer and multi-instrumentist of the band 'Asia' from 1991 to 2006 who releases with his friend 'Erik Norlander' ('Rocket Scientists') the long awaited album by fans and is none other than the continuation of the band 'Asia Featuring' renamed 'Dukes of the Orient' to pay tribute to the original singer 'John Wetton' who died of cancer in 2017. We are therefore sailing in a melodic progressive rock which reminds of course 'Asia' but also the major formations of this style of the 80s/90s as 'Toto', 'Alan Parsons Project' or 'Yes'. And if it were necessary to retain only one title, it would certainly be the long final composition 'Give Another Reason', typical of the progressive between acoustic and electric where we let ourselves be carried by the different influences and especially by the magnificent interventions of classical guitar with Spanish accents. In short, with 'Dukes of the Orient', 'John Payne' and 'Erik Norlander' put us a few years back to our delight and, if you are fans of ‘Asia' or, simply if you like progressive and melodic rock from the 80/90, this 'Dukes of the Orient' is certainly for you...

Line Up / Musicians

John Payne (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Erik Norlander (Keybords) + Guests : Bruce Bouillet (Guitar), Guthrie Govan (Guitar), Jay Schellen (Drums), Jeff Kollman (Guitar), Molly Rogers (Cordes), Moni Scaria (Guitar)


Artist : Danielle Nicole

Album : Cry No More

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 24-03-2018

Originally from 'Kansas City', which gave rise to a lot of blues artists, 'Danielle Nicolle' is a singer, bassist and songwriter who began her career with the family band 'Trampled Under Foot' with several releases of albums (spotify link Here) including 'Badlands' with which they won the best album title contemporary at Blues Music Awards in 2014 and Danielle the best bassist award. In 2015, the first album 'Wolf Den' released under her new stage name 'Danielle Nicole' and 'Cry No More' is her second studio album. His style is obviously rooted in the tradition of blues but declined in all its forms: it starts with 'Crawl' which is a very effective blues-rock then 'I'm Going Home' takes us in a lively title tinged with gospel and in 'Hot Spell', R&B title of 'Bill Withers', the voice of 'Danielle' is wonderful. In 'Cry No More', the couplet reminds me of Eagles' 'Westcoast' style, then, 'Bobby' is a beautiful acoustic song in the style of 'Neil Young' and in the title of Alicia Keys', 'How Come U Do not Call You Anymore', Danielle shows all her sensuality. In addition, for the occasion, she surrounded herself with artists of the blues scene with among others 'Walter Trout' with whom she made a superb voice/guitar duo on 'Burnin' For You'. In summary, 'Danielle Nicole' confirms all her talent by releasing a very good album full of authenticity and emotion, and 'Cry No More' should appeal to a large audience of all lovers of music rooted in the blues...

Line Up / Musicians

Danielle Schenebelen (Vocal, Bass), Tony Braunagel (Drums), Nick Schnebelen (Guitar), Luther Dickinson (Guitar), Kelly Finnigan (Keybords), Mike Finnigan (Keybords), Kudisn Kai (Choirs), Sonny Landreth (Guitar), Maxanne Lewis (Choirs), Brandon Miller (Guitar), Mike "Shinetop" Sedovic (Keybords), Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Guitar), Johnny Lee Schell (Guitar), Walter Trout (Guitar), Monster Mike Welch (Guitar), Kudisan Kai (Choirs)


Artist : Reversal Symmetry

Album : Jekyll and Hyde

Release Date : 05-02-2018

Added : 25-03-2018

'Reversal Symmetry' is a new Italian band whose members are from the band 'Layra' and who have just released their first album 'Jekyll and Hyde' which is a rock opera about the famous story of the Scottish writer 'Robert Louis Stevenson’. So, we are immersed in the history and the album is divided into two parts, the first being the 'white' side which represents the good side of 'Jekyll' and the second ‘Mr Hyde’, the doctor’s dark side. Musically, it's typical progressive with titles (with the exception of 2) between 6 and 11 minutes which consequently take the time to tell the episodes of the novel and we find all the ingredients of a progressive rock opera: at first, the characters in the novel are all held by different singers and we can note that Italians mixed classic registers ('Moreno Sangermano' in the role of the doctor Jekkill) and lyrical (‘Alessio Quaresima Escobar' in the role of 'Butler Poole') which allows original duets as in 'Eternal Void'. Then, the arrangements are very varied and the titles alternate power and serenity with musical lines always very melodic which makes each title accessible but requires several listenings to well soak up the whole. From influences point of view, we find the major groups of the 70s/80s of progressive music and for example, the last title of the first part 'Henry's Choice' reminds me of the 'Floydien' atmosphere of Animals' with the use of the reverb to give more relief to the theater style. In short, with 'Jekyll and Hyde', the Italians 'Reversal Symmetry' released a very good rock opera that should take its full dimension on stage and this double album should appeal to all lovers of progressive rock loving diversity and should make part of the major releases of the year 2018 in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Moreno Sangermano (Vocal), Fabio Vitale (Guitar), Matteo Ferretti (Keybords), Graziano Sessa (Bass), Davide Miccinilli (Drums), Steve Sangermano (Vocal), Guido Gori Giorgi (Vocal), Alessio Quaresima Escobar (Vocal)


Artist : After The Fall

Album : Early Light

Release Date : 14-02-2018

Added : 26-03-2018

'After The Fall' is an American group that had its debut in the 80's and just released 'Early Light' which is really its 7th album (Spotify mixing other albums from other artists under their name but their 3 opus present on Spotify are 'The Living Drum' from 2001, 'Knowledge' from 2006 and 'Before ...' from 2010). Their style is influenced by the main progressive rock bands of the '70s with raids into jazz, and the first names that come to my mind are 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' and 'Yes'. Except one title, their compositions are long or even very long (more than 18 minutes for 'Early Light') and it takes several listening to enter their universe. The retro-prog side is accentuated by the use of keyboards close to 'ELP' as for example in 'Promotheus' and the instrumental parts often take precedence over the sung parts but they also offer us titles where 'Mark Benson' shows all his singing talents, such as the very melodic 'The Weaver Watcher and the Cutter' or the very short song 'Infinity 4' and the last track 'Light in the Night' sums up very well the album with its typically progressive construction and its multiple drawers. In short, the Americans of 'After The Fall' release a very good progressive rock album to tame listening after listening and 'Early Light' should appeal to all fans of progressive rock of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Benson (Vocal, Guitar), Ken Archer (Keybords), Marc Dupuis (Drums), Rich Kornacki (Drums), Jim Rosati (Bass), Jon Quinn


Artist : Last Autumn’s Dream

Album : Fourteen

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 27-03-2018

After their break in 2017 with a cover album 'In Disguise' (see Here),), I told myself in early 2018 that they had not released anything so we were used to the new album very early in the year. Well, it's done with this new album with a very searched name because 'Fourteen' is their ...... 14th album. As you would expect, it's always in the same style : very accessible compositions from the first listening and whose melodic lines enter your head to never leave you. 'Last Autumn's Dream' continues to do ‘Made in Last Autumn's Dream' music and critics who find that they do not renew themselves, I would answer them that it is not what is expected of them and that we can count on the fingers of one hand bands that release with this constancy so many effective titles. Note that the essential ballad in this kind of album ('Love Again') is beautiful and that the Swedish have amply now the material to bring us a full album that could look like the playlist I prepared for you Here. In short, 'Fourteen' is the continuity of previous 'Last Autumn's Dream' releases which continue to offer good melodic hard-rock that should appeal to a relatively large audience...

Last Autumn’s Dream power ballads playlist

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Nalle Pählsson (Bass), Peter Söderström (Guitar), Ulf Wahlberg (Keybords), Jamie Borger (Drums)


Artist : Walk In Darkness

Album : Welcome to the New World

Release Date : 17-02-2018

Added : 28-03-2018

'Walk In Darkness' is an Italian band that released its first studio album 'In The Shadows of Things' in 2017 (voir Here) and was cataloged in Gothic metal. 'Welcome to the New World' is their second opus and one of their characteristics is that the only one to discover her face is the singer 'Nicoletta Rosellini', the rest of the group wearing monk’s habit whose hood hides their faces (see the cover). 'Welcome to the New World' sees an evolution towards a more symphonic style that mixes power and harmony : the first two titles are the perfect illustration with first, 'Crossing the Final Gate', a powerful composition with an original contrast between Emiliano Pasquinelli's grawls and the 'Nicoletta Rosellini' aerial voice that can recall the style of 'Sharon Den Adel' from 'Within Temptation' but in a more low register, and then 'Sailing Far Away' which is a beautiful ballad accompanied by the violin of 'Gabriele Boschi' reinforcing the romantic side. The sequel is the image of this beginning with titles always very melodic and accessible alternating energetic parts and others much quieter. In summary, with this second album, the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness' are more mature and offers us 8 beautiful compositions between rock and symphonic metal that should please to all fans of bands like 'Within Temptation', 'Epica' or 'Delain' to name only the most popular ones...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini Vocal), Arcanus (Drums), Monk Key (Bass), Flaming Jack (Guitar), Tio Frank (Keybords), Shaman (Guitar) + Guests : Emiliano Pasquinelli (Vocal), Gabriele Boschi (Violin)


Artist : Burn

Album : Ice Age

Release Date : 28-02-2018

Added : 30-03-2018

'Burn' is a British hard rock band that has been around for many years since their debut album dates back to the '80s and 'Ice Age' is only their 4th album, the last 'Global Warning' already dating back to 2007. The trio Barney, Marc and Phil are still there, but for this last opus, the singer 'Steve Newman' joined the group and 'Chris Green' who is also a member of 'Tyketto' (see their latest album Here) is the new lead guitar of the band. At first, with 'Irontown', the stage is set with powerful and melodic hard-rock where you can’t prevent yourself to headbang. 'Jealousy', even if the introduction could make one think of a quieter title, is in the same style with a catchy chorus. But they also know how to vary their style and the second part of the album presents less powerful titles such as 'The Girl Who Wanted Everything' shared between acoustic and electric, then 'Live Again' with its rhythm close to 'Status Quo' and 'Wasteland', beautiful piano/voice ballad that follows. In summary, after a long period without any release, the English of 'Burn' return to the front of the stage and this 'Ice Age' should appeal to all lovers of hard-rock melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Barney Stackhouse (Keybords), Marc Stackhouse (Bass), Phil Hammond (Guitar), Steve Newman (Vocal), Chris Green (Guitar)


Artist : Ange

Album : Heureux !

Release Date : 02-03-2018

Added : 01-04-2018

We no longer present this monument of progressive French rock which, more than 45 years ago, by its words and its music, showed in the hexagon, the way of a new style style, progressive rock. My 33 rpm ‘Le Cimetière des Arlequins’ which made me known ‘Ange’ through 'Jacques Brel' and had the effect of an electroshock like the other records of this périod like 'The Dark Side of the Moon' of the 'Floyds', is far but finally so close yet, because etched in my memory. 'Happy' is therefore the new ‘Ange’s’ offering, whose theme is linked to a quotation from 'Jacques Prévert' : "And if we try to be happy, only to set an example ? ". So, inevitably, with such a material, 'Christian Décamps' went back to work to offer us titles as he has the secret with texts denouncing this world where we always want more and where he shares by his simple words but finally so strong his philosophy of life as in 'Heureux !': "like a fish in the water, with almost nothing, we have almost everything...". All is said. And then, and then ... there is this title of more than 17 minutes, 'Nancy-jupiter swimming - Odyssey 14'00' where we find all the extravagance so jubilant with this gift to put the music to the service a whimsical story and where we can’t help havin a smile after this sentence : "I will fulfill what no one has ever done, Nancy-Jupiter swimming...". In short, the band of 'Christian Décamps' continues its trip away from the media agitation to make 'Heureux !' all its fans, and this is not the last album that can say the opposite...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Décamps (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Benoît Cazzulini (Drums), Hassan Hajdi (Vocal, Guitar), Thierry Sidhoum (Vocal, Bass), Tristan Décamps (Vocal, Keybords)


Artist : Twilight Fields

Album : Our Time Is Now

Release Date : 15-02-2018

Added : 03-04-2018

'Twilight Fields' is a project led by Canadian 'Allister Thompson' and has just released his 3rd studio album 'Our Time Is Now'. It takes us into a mixture of psychedelic and atmospheric as evidenced by the 2 first titles 'When I Saw You' and 'Tell You' whose melancholic moods are reinforced by an aerian singing to serve the theme that deals with the importance of loving others in an increasingly chaotic world. With 'Waiting', we find ourselves some 50 years back with a very 'Floydien' title period 60s and we find the same atmosphere with the recovery of Moody-Blues 'I Know You're out There Somewhere'. The sequel takes us on a journey to more intimate compositions such as acoustic ballads 'Saturday Morning', 'My Mother', 'Another Life' or 'For Those Who Had Loved in Wartime. In summary, 'Twilight Fields' is recommended for all lovers of psychedelic and atmospheric music and this 'Our Time Is Now' has to be enjoy in a quiet place the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Allister Thompson


Artist : The Dame

Album : Losing Sight of What You Want

Release Date : 16-02-2018

Added : 05-04-2018

'The Dame' is a new project of a Dutch band led by the female singer and guitarist 'Marian van Charante' who have just released their first studio album 'Losing Sight of What You Want' and who define themselves as the sexy version of progressive rock (see their website which tells the story of this first opus Here). The style is actually neo progressive and they are getting closer to bands like 'Mostly Autumn' with long titles ranging from 5 minutes to 19 minutes; Marian has a deep and sensual voice that fits perfectly into the melodic lines of compositions and each title tells a story where different atmospheres alternate as in the last title 'Conviniently Distant' which contains everything you want to find in a title progressive: a succession of change of rhythm and singing parts alternating with long instrumental parts. In summary, the Dutch of 'The Lady' released a very promising first album and 'Losing Sight of What You Want' is to advise a public loving neo-progressive rock with female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Marian van Charante (Vocal, Guitar), Stephen de Ruijter (Guitar), Michel Krempel (Bass), Thijs de Ruijter (Keybords), Ruben Meibergen (Drums)


Artist : Thomas Konder

Album : Labyrinth

Release Date : 20-02-2018

Added : 07-04-2018

'Thomas Konder' is a German author and multi-instrumentist who releases his first studio recording which is a concept album about the theme of the labyrinth presented as a metaphor of life that confronts us with difficulties and challenges that make us take decisions to move forward and achieve our goals. At the musical level, Thomas is influenced by the big rock bands of the 70s whether in the field of progressive like 'Yes', 'Alan Parsons Project' or ‘ELP' but also more classical formations like 'Supertramp' or 'Styx’. After a short instrumental introduction, 'Labyrinth' opens the ball with 'Roger Hodgson' keyboards and a beautiful melody that takes us back 40 years. The sequel continues to make us travel between melancholy compositions like 'Only the Wind Knows', 'Solitary Road' or 'Morning Sun' and other energetic ones like 'Puzzle' or 'Firedance' but the main composition is the last title 'A Step a Day' of nearly 11 minutes that takes us to a real musical 'labyrinth' with multiple twists typical of the progressive. In conclusion, 'Labyrinth' is a wonderful journey that takes us a few decades back and this first album of 'Thomas Konder' should appeal to a large audience who was cradled by the great big rock bands of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Thomas Konder (Keybords, Drums, Vocal) + Guests : Tobias Schmitz (Keybords, Piano), Niklas (Vocal), Frank Rohles (Guitar), Jan Malburg (Guitar), Marc Papeghin (Cor), Mike Kempf (Saxophone), Markus Jutz (Clarinette), Miriam Cartarius (Violin)


Artist : entropia

Album : Invisible

Release Date : 22-02-2018

Added : 08-04-2018

'entropia' is a Spanish group of 4 artists who started their adventure in 2014 and have just released their first studio album 'Invisible'. Their style is a mixture of psychedelic and doom with influences from the 70s as the first title 'El Hombre Plantaba Flores in the Luna' which is very 'Floydien' ('Meddle' period). The beautiful cover shows a jellyfish that floats above a set of houses where it is believed to guess factory chimneys and it is exactly this impression of weightlessness that indwells throughout the listening of this opus. Most compositions, except for 'Arua' and 'Vacuo', are built on a slow tempo where alternating quiet and powerful parts as in 'Odisea', 'Invisible' or 'Sinestesia' which still reminds 'Pink Floyd'. In summary, even if the Spanish of ‘entropia' doesn’t make the buzz on the web, this first album is very promising and if you like calm and aerian atmospheres in the psychedelic tradition, 'Invisible' is made for you ...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Bellido (Vocal, Keybords), Roberto Nieves (Guitar), Lasto (Bass), Andoni Penela (Drums)


Artist : New Horizons

Album : Inner Dislocation

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 10-04-2018

We go to Italy with the first studio album 'Inner Dislocation' from the band 'New Horizons', born in 2013 and evolving in a rather sought after progressive metal and they love artists with obviously in mind 'Dream Theater' and 'Symphony X', references in this style. After the very short and quiet introduction 'Introspective', 'Inner Dislocation' is a powerful and symphonic instrumental piece with very present keyboards. Next is 'Where Is The End', where we discover their progressive style, where the piano mixes with electric instruments, bringing classical influences and where we discover the voice of ‘Oscar Nini’ who reminds me of a certain 'Glynn Morgan' from the band 'Threshold' (see their latest album Ici ). The atmosphere is calmer with 'Born in the Future' which is a pretty classic ballad in its construction. The progressive side comes back quickly with the following titles and 'Evolution' is an instrumental little gem of 8 minutes built in different drawers but at the same time offers a nice overall homogeneity. The end of the album is the same style, first 'Borderlands' with an epic first part mixing classic and progressive then a second part extending the first with tasty mixes of styles like for example this very jazzy sung part. Then, 'The Trail of Shadows' closed the album beautifully and certainly was not put there by chance because his chorus is still present in your head after the last note and remind me the atmosphere of the live ‘live ‘The Blinding Darkness’ from ‘Pallas’ dating back from 2003. In short, even if 'Inner Dislocation' requires several plays to discover all the nooks and will certainly be limited to a warning public, 'New Horizons' release a first album of great quality that already rivals the big names of the progressive scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Giacomo Jack Froli (Guitar), Nicola Giannini (Guitar), Luca Guidi (Keybords), Claudio Froli (Bass), Federico Viviani (Drums), Oscar Nini (Vocal)


Artist : Fractal Mirror

Album : Close to Vapour

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 12-04-2018

'Fractal Mirror' is a band formed in 2013 by the Dutch 'Leo Koperdraat' and the American 'Frank Urbaniak' and 'Close to Vapor' and their 4th studio album. At the first listening, I had the impression to find myself in a recording of 'Blackfield' with for example 'White Sounds' which would have had all its place in the last opus 'Blackfield - V' of 'Steven Wilson' and et ‘Aviv Geffen’ (see Here). So we embarked for almost an hour of neo-progressive with catchy melodies in soft and relaxed atmospheres influenced by the formations of the 60s/70s with obviously in mind the 'Beatles': for example, 'Silver' is very tinted Sixties pop, 'Tabula Rasa' can recall some tracks from 'Barclay James Harvest' and the last track 'The Ever Rain' brings us back to 'Blackfield' again. In short, with 'Close to Vapour', 'Fractal Mirror' released a quality album that should appeal to a wide audience loving reachable melodic pop and mild and aerian atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Leo Koperdraat (Vocal, Guitar, Melltron, Keybords), Frank Urbaniak (Drumss, Percussions), + Guests : Brett Kull (Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Percussions, Vocal), Ed van Haagen (Keybords), Tom Doncourt (Keybords)


Artist : Sleep in Heads

Album : On the Air

Release Date : 01-03-2018

Added : 14-04-2018

It’s the female singer 'Sonia Sleepyhead' who gave its name to this new Ukrainian group 'Sleep in Heads' created in 2015 and evolving between rock and atmospheric metal with influences of groups like 'Anathema' or 'Porcupine Tree'. Listening to the first title 'Pacifying', we are plunged between strength and softness, strength being brought by the heavy rhythmic base of the electric instruments and the softness by, on the one hand, Sonya's aerial voice and on the other hand the violin from Natalia that gives an impression of weightlessness. Follows 'Vagrant' which, after a progressive introduction, embarks us for a beautiful melody close to 'Karnataka' and on this title Sonya has something of 'Hayley Griffiths'. The sequel is the image of this beginning, typically progressive with alternations between power and softness but also rhythmic breaks in which Sonya knows perfectly integrate her song. In summary, this first album of the Ukrainians of 'Sleep in Heads' is very promising and 'On the Air' should please all those who love progressive and the atmospheric music...

Line Up / Musicians

Sonya Sleepyhead (Vocal), Serj Thorzhevskyi (Guitar), Roman (Drums), Fann Manerny (Bass), Natalia Dzizinska (Violin)


Artist : Chris Bay

Album : Chasing the Sun

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 16-04-2018

'Chris Bay' is none other than the founder and lead guitarist of the power metal band 'Freedom Call' but this first solo album is not really a remake of his main band because this 'Chasing the Sun' is quite far from the latest record 'Master of Light' (see Here). The only common point is at the level of melodies that are memorable in both cases but we could qualify the style of a meeting between the 'Buggles' (you know this group who released 'Video Killed The Star Radio' at the end 70s) and the 'Rubettes' also officiating at the same time. So, we embark for 40 minutes of catchy melodies where keyboards and choirs are ominpresent such as 'Flying Hearts', 'Radio Starlight', 'Move On' or 'Light My Fire' which reminds me of the friendly atmosphere side of 'Status Quo' in 'Twenty Wild Horses'. He does not forget the mandatory ballads with 'Where Waters Flow in Heaven' or 'Love Will Never Die'. In short, even if we are far from the power metal, this first solo album has the merit of showing us another facet of 'Chris Bay' that certainly will not please all these fans but is likely to touch more people because 'Chasing the Sun' is primarily intended for the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Bay (Vocal, Guitar), Ramy Ali (Drums) + Guest : Sonja Höllering (Vocal)


Artist : Lance Lopez

Album : Tell The Truth

Release Date : 02-03-2018

Added : 18-04-2018

I introduced you a while ago the last album of the trio 'Supersonic Blues Machine' (see Here) and it's only a little over 2 months after that the guitarist and singer of the band 'Lance Lopez' released 'Tell The Truth' which is already his 7th solo album. In line with the previous 'Handmade Music', he offers us 11 tracks in the great tradition of blues-rock that feel good authenticity in the manner of a 'Joe Bonamassa' or a 'Walter Trout' and he knows surround himself with artists with whom we feel a real joy to play together. At first, with 'Never Came Easy To Me', the tone is given with a catchy title where the harmonica gives the replica to the guitar and where you can not help but move your head in rhythm. With 'Down To One Bar' and 'High Life', guitar riffs become rougher and release communicative energy. Follow 'Cash My Check' and its swaying rhythmic reminiscent of the great rock bands of the 60s/70s with the 'Stones' in mind. The following alternates titles as energetic and others more calm and melancholy songs such as the magnificent 'Raise Some Hell' and 'Blue Moon Rising'. In summary, 'Tell The Ruth' is a superb album of blues-rock that is tasted without moderation and should appeal to all fans of this authentic music perpetuated for over 50 years by 'true' artists which 'Lance Lopez' is part of...

Line Up / Musicians

Lance Lopez (Vocal, Guitar), Wes Jeans (Vocal, Guitar), Aris Pouncey (Bass), Landis Chisenhall (Drums), Eric Scortia (Keybords)


Artist : Reach

Album : The Great Divine

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 19-04-2018

'Reach' is a Swedish band (yes again one !!) which has just released its second studio album 'The Geat Divine' and which evolves between rock and hard-rock melodic. After the short instrumental introduction 'Intro', let’s go for 40 minutes of catchy titles with 'Into Tomorrow' which kick off in an energetic and effective atmosphere. Follow the eponymous title of the album that insist in the same style with its rhythmic balance for a title that should make a fury in concert. 'Live or Die' is also an energetic title and with 'Nightmare', it's a heavy and throbbing mid-tempo with a very effective chorus. The sequel is the same style with titles always so energetic but also more ‘popisant’ titles like 'One Life' or 'Running On Empty' without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'River Deep'. In short, with 'The Great Divine', the Swedes of 'Reach' released a varied album that should appeal to a public sailing between rock and hard-rock melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Ludvig Turner (Vocal, Guitar), Marcus Johansson (Drums), Soufian Ma´Aoui (Bass)


Artist : Grand Design

Album : Viva La Paradise

Release Date : 12-03-2018

Added : 21-04-2018

One Swedish band can hide another and it is the turn of 'Grand Design' to release their 4th album 'Viva La Paradise', with a change of line up because 'Joakim Jonsson' now officiates on drums and 'Stefan Westerlund on bass. The recipe has not changed : good melodic heavy metal with catchy melodies and a striking resemblance to 'Def Leppard'. We can not say the opposite with this new opus because the first 2 titles' Face It 'and' Rawk'n Roll Hysteria' (a nod to their Here ?), we think they could have been featured in an album of the British band in the 80's. So, let’s go on board for 45 minutes titles as catchy as each other with refrains that immediately enter in your head. In short, the Swedes of 'Grand Design' continue their journey by offering us another album to listen without moderation and if you were a fan of 'Def Leppard' in the 80s/90s, go to listen to 'Viva La Paradise'...

Line Up / Musicians

Pelle Saether (Vocal), Janne Stark (Guitar), Dennis Vestman (Guitar), Stefan Westerlund (Bass), Joakim Jonsson (Drums), Perra Johansson (Drums), Fredrik Samuelsen (Choirs), Joakim Söllvander (Choirs), Martin Englund (Choirs)


Artist : Les Hurlements d’Léo

Album : Luna de Papel

Release Date : 16-03-2018

Added : 22-04-2018

It's still a French band playing its music for twenty years now and just released its 8th studio album with 'Luna de Papel' if we do not count collaborations with other formations (like the 'Barback Organs') and the live ones. 'Les Hurlements d'Léo', since it's about them, after a tribute of nearly 2 years to 'Mano Solo' with various guest artists and a live released in 2015, have gone back on the roads of the hexagon introduce their new baby. From the beginning, with 'Luna de Papel', it's a little melodic jewel with custom lyrics and this atmosphere that transports you and you make this little thrill so characteristic because they have the gift of mixing the sound of rock electric instruments with the nostalgia brought by the brass, the strings and the accordion. Then we take in full face 'Cumbia' with its catchy rhythmic denouncing the cross of our time (well, we would get closer to the last 'Ange' with 'Heureux !' Here). And it continues with 'L’appétit' which continue in the same style with a furious rock. We could cite all the titles so everyone brings his lot of emotion as in 'La Liste' where the oud and the accordion mix together as to better show the universality of the music. And then, there is ‘Les autres' who made me go back a few decades back with the same intensity that had been my first meeting with ‘Ces gens là' because I found the same emotion that could have been transmit 'Jacques Brel'. In short, as you will understand and although all this is necessarily very subjective, 'Luna de Papel' is for me to rank in the rare albums that makes you feel better and which are part of the great tradition of French song...

Line Up / Musicians

Laulo (Guitar, Vocal), Bayrem (Guitar, Vocal), Pépito (Trumpet, Vocal), Jojo (Accordion, Trombone, Guitar), Vince (Violin, Saxophone, Vocal), Juju (Saxophone, Guitar, Vocal), David (Drums), Fred (Bass)


Artist : Melted Space

Album : Darkening Light

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 24-04-2018

After ‘Les Hurlements d’Léo’ but not quite in the same style, here is another French who released his new project, I named, 'Pierre Le Pape', with his new metal opera 'Darkening Light'. For this, Pierre is surrounded himself by several singers of the metal scene as 'Clementine Delauney' ('Visions of Atlantis' see their latest album Here) or 'Ailyn Giménez Garcia' (former singer' of ‘Sirenia') and even an artist of the classical opera scene in the person of 'Catherine Trottmann' with icing on the cake the participation of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. In short, beautiful people for this opera which is placed under the sign of a powerful metal between symphonic and gothic with a theme related to the creation of the world and the rejection of the Gods by Humans. So, each singer has a role related to the concept as the Earth for 'Ailyn Giménez Garcia' or the Fire for 'Black Messiah'. Given this theme, the compositions are necessarily quite dark and are reinforced by rhythmic where the double pedal is present and where the extreme voices intervene regularly but it is necessary to emphasize an impressive work at the level of the orchestration and arrangements allowing a beautiful overall coherence. In summary, 'Pierre Le Pape' is still releasing a grandiose album that should take all its dimension on a live and 'Darkening Light' is recommended to all fans of metal in all its diversity because this opera borrows a little to all the styles of this kind of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Pierre Le Pape (Vocal, Keybords), Adrian Martinot (Guitar), Brice Guillon (Bass), Mike Saccoman (Drums) + Guests : Ailyn Giménez Garcia (Vocal), Black Messiah (Vocal), Catherine Trottmann (Vocal), Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Gildas Le Pape (Guitar), Guillaume Bideau (Vocal), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Lucie Blatrier (Vocal), Mikael Stanne (Vocal), Øyvind Hægeland (Vocal), Sakis Tolis (Vocal), Silje Wergeland (Vocal)


Artist : Kingfisher Sky

Album : Technicoloured Eyes

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 26-04-2018

'Technicoloured Eyes' is the 4th studio album of the Dutch of 'Kingfisher Sky' which was formed in 2001 by the meeting of the ex-drummer of 'Within Temptation', 'Ivar de Graaf' and the female singer 'Judith Rijnveld'. Their style is a mixture of rock and metal between progressive and symphonic that can remind their compatriots of 'Stream Of Passion' especially as 'Judith Rijnveld' in some registers approaches the vocal of 'Marcela Bovio' (see his last solo album Here). In addition, Judith records all voices such as the magnificent 'Golden Thrones' which gives the impression of hearing a beautiful voice duet. The 11 titles are varied and we navigate between refine compositions like the beautiful ballad 'Stop The Silence' and other more muscular flirting with metal like 'Next in Line' through the catchy 'Walk With Brothers' between pop and rock or the melancholy 'Dream Behond a Dream' which closes the album beautifully without forgetting this tasty mix between the classic aerial register of Judith's and the powerful progressive style in 'Next In Line'. In summary, 'Technicoloured Eyes' is an album that, because of its diversity, requires several listenings to tame it but which ultimately proves to be certainly the most resulted recording of 'Kingficher Sky'...

Line Up / Musicians

Judith Rijnveld (Vocal), Ivar de Graaf (Drums), Edo van de Kolk (Guitar), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Nick Verschoor (Bass), Erik van Ittersum (Keybords)


Artist : W.E.T.

Album : Earthrage

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 28-04-2018

'WET' are the initials of the respective groups of the 3 artists who are at the origin of this formation: Robert Säll (the "W" of WORK OF ART), Erik Mårtensson (the "E" of ECLIPSE) and Jeff Scott Soto (the "T" of TALISMAN) and "Earthage" is their 3rd studio album. In addition, they are involved in many other projects such as, among others, Jeff who participated in the last metal opera of the French 'Pierre Le Pape' (see Here), Erik who just released a new album with his band 'Ammunition' (see Here) and Robert who produced the latest 'FM' (chronic to come). So, does quantity rhyme with quality ? As soon as you listen to the first track, 'Watch the Fire', you are reassured because it starts with a full of energy typical of an AOR title with a catchy chorus that stays in your head for a whole day. 'Burn' and 'Kings on Thunder Road' continue in this register with always this talent for effective melodies. Short break with a first ballad 'Elegantly Wasted' then it starts again with the following 3 tracks and again a welcome break with the classic but no less beautiful 2nd ballad 'Heart is on the Line' before ending with 3 titles the same level as the whole. In short, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'W.E.T.' show once more that the Nordic countries have something extra to offer us high-quality melodic hard-rock albums that are to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Säll (Keybords), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Erik Mårtensson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Magnus Henriksson (Guitar), Robban Bäck (Drums) + Guest : Thomas Larsson (Guitar)


Artist : Kino

Album : Radio Voltaire

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 29-04-2018

'Kino' is a progressive rock band that released an album in 2005 and nothing since, but it must be said that its members are already busy in their respective projects : the guitarist 'John Mitchell' is a member of ‘Arena' (which the new album is due out in late May) and 'Frost *', the bassist 'Pete Trewavas' is a member of 'Marillion' and 'Transatlantic' and 'Craig Blundell' is a member of 'Frost *' and also the drummer of' Steven Wilson '. 2018 sees the release of 'Radio Voltaire' to the delight of all fans of groups mentioned above. Indeed, it starts with a great title eponymous of the album and its progressive influences close to 'Steven Wilson' and a first guitar solo where we remember all the feeling of 'John Mitchell'. With 'The Dead Club', the rhythm is more rock with the newcomer 'John Becker' who shows all his talent to the keyboards. The following shows us beautiful ballads like 'Idlewind', 'Temple Tudor', 'Keep The Faith' or the short 'Warmth Of The Sun' (I feel like I hear 'RPWL') interspersed with more punchy titles like 'I Do not Know Why' or 'I Will not Break So Easily Any More' (there's some ‘Genesis' influences in this title) or 'Out of Time'. In summary, although some, given the quality of the artists of this formation, will probably regret the lack of risk-taking, 'Radio Voltaire' is a quality album in the tradition of big progressive rock bands to savor and tame quietly listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Pete Trewavas (Vocal, Bass), John Beck (Keybords), John Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar), Craig Blundell (Drums)


Artist : Ayreon

Album : Ayreon Universe (Live)

Release Date : 30-03-2018

Added : 01-05-2018

The 3 concerts of ‘Ayreon' of September 2017 that had made the buzz on the progressive planet and many envious because only 9000 people were able to participate in the event, are finally available on CD and especially on DVD and Blue-Ray for to transcribe this exceptional event with the participation Mr 'Arjen Lucassen' in person. Indeed, after 'The Source' released in 2017 (see Here), this 'Ayreon Universe' is a digest of the best compositions of the Arjen’s 'Ayreon' project and for this opportunity, he didn’t do things by half because 16 singers of the metal scene have participated in these lives which we can quote those who have always followed him as among others 'Floor Jansen' ('Nightwish'), ‘Russell Allen’ ('Symphony X'), 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' ('The Gentle Storm' and now 'Vuur') and of course 'Marcela Bovio' who was the singer of 'Stream Of Passion', metal band created by Arjen in 2005 and which was dissolved at the end of 2016 (see their latest live Here). In short, all these highquality artists interpret 2 hours of tubes from the 10 albums of ‘Ayreon' with a profusion of pyrotechnic effects and light effects and a giant screen on which videos specially designed for the event were shot. In addition, the original vocal and instrumental arrangements have been revised which gives a new life to all these titles that are anchored in our memory. In summary, this live is much more than a best of Ayreon and It is obvious that with such a show, the soundtrack is not enough and it is necessary to have the DVD or Blu-Ray to restore the full extent of this project because 'Ayreon Universe (Live)' must be part of the ideal video library for all fans of progressive rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Lucassen (Guitar), Johan Van Stratum (Bass), Marcel Coenen (Guitar), Ferry Duijsens (Guitar), Joost Van Den Broek (Keybords), Ben Mathot (Violin), Jeroen Goossens (Flute), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Floor Jansen (Vocal), Russell Allen (Vocal), Damian Wilson (Vocal), Hansi Kürsch (Vocal), Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Marko Hietala (Vocal), Jonas Renkse (Vocal), Mike Mills (Vocal), Anneke Van Giersbergen (Vocal), Marcela Bovio (Vocal), Irene Jansen (Vocal), Robert Soeterboek (Vocal), Edward Reekers (Vocal), Jan Van Feggelen (Vocal), Magali Luyten (Vocal), Lisette Marije (Vocal)


Artist : FM

Album : Atomic Generation

Release Date : 30-03-2018

Added : 02-05-2018

'FM' is a band, as its name suggests of rock FM which had a first period of activity in the years 80/90 at the same time as 'Def Leppard' then, after nearly 15 years of inactivity, was reformed in 2010 and 'Atomic Generation' is the 6th album of this new period. We are still in melodic hard-rock influenced by the 80s and the first title 'Black Magic' is the perfect illustration with an energetic but very effective chorus that should be resumed in chorus by the public. Follows, 'Too Much of a Good Thing' that contrasts with the first title because much more typical AOR see Westcoast that would be closer to 'Foreigner'. Throughout the album, we navigate between 2 waters with energetic titles like 'In It for the Money', 'Stronger' (there is' Deep Purple 'inside) or' Make the Best of What You Got 'but also other compositions between pop and rock like 'Killed By Love' and its classic but very effective chorus just like 'Golden Days' (close to the ‘Bee Gees’or 'Playing Trick on Me' that makes me think more of the Latin rhythm of 'Santana' (until the guitar solo). Finally, the obligatory ballads are present with 'Do You Love Me Enough' and 'Love is the Law' which beautifully closes the album. In short, as you will have understood, with this latest album, the English of 'FM' released a melodic album and very accessible mixing different genres that should reach a wide audience that likes bands of the 80s as varied as 'Deep Purple', 'Foreigner' or 'Santana’...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal, Guitar), Jim Kirkpatrick (Guitar), Merv Goldsworthy (Bass), Pete Jupp (Drums), Jem Davis (Keybords)


Artist : Blackberry Smoke

Album : Find a Light

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 04-05-2018

'Blackberry Smoke' is an American band that is already fifteen years old and is releasing its 6th album 'Find a Light'. In the Southern rock movement influenced by country music, they continue to perpetuate this music which originated in the late 50s and popularized by bands like 'The Allman Brothers Band' in the 60s and 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' in the 70s. So we find the typical style with energetic rock compositions like 'Flesh and Bone', 'Run Away from It All', 'The Crooked Kind', 'Best Seat in the House' or 'Nobody Gives a Damn' that all catch on first listen but also quieter titles still in the same tradition as 'Medicate My Mind', 'I've Got His Song', 'Seems So Far', 'Till The Weels Fall Off' or 'Let me down Easy' that allow to vary the moods. Note the title 'I'Il Keep Rambin' which beautifully assembles a fast rhythm and a gospel accompaniment and the last and beautiful song 'Mother Mountain' that could have appeared on an album of 'Crosby, Still, Nash & Young' in the 70s with the contribution of the chorus of the band 'The Wood Brothers'. In short, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'Find a Light' is filled with good authentic compositions and finally very timeless and this latest album of 'Blackberry Smoke' is recommended for all those who love southern-rock or west-coast rock which are 2 Americain rock styles pretty close...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Starr (Vocal, Guitar), Richard Turner (Bass, Vocal), Brit Turner (Drums), Paul Jackson (Guitar, Vocal), Brandon Still (Keybords) + Guests : Robert Randolph (Guitar), Amanda Shires (Vocal, Violin), The Wood Brothers (Vocal)


Artist : Kamelot

Album : The Shadow Theory

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 05-05-2018

Three years after 'Haven', which celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first album, 'Kamelot' released a new album 'The Shadow Theory' which is a concept album which tells how in a future world the power has got its hands on citizens to better control them and the goal of some is to find this key that allows them to resume their destiny in hand (any resemblance to an existing world ... !!). This theme is tailor-made for the symphonic power style of the band and about music side, we are in continuity with previous albums with a symphonic aspect put forward thanks to the omni-present orchestration and they particularly worked the melodies that catch you from the first listening as in the beautiful refrain of 'Burns To Embrace' resumed on the final by a chorus of children. In addition, the diversity of titles allows to vary the moods between the powerful and energetic titles and other quieter as the beautiful ballad 'In Twilight Hours', the mid-tempo 'Static' or 'Stories Unheard' which mixes softness and power and the last title 'The Proud and the Broken' sums up the entire album: a catchy melody and alternating powerful and quiet parts. In short, 'The Shadow Theory' confirms that 'Kamelot' continues to offer us more and more successful albums and this last album should appeal to all fans but also reach an audience of metal lovers whether power, melodic or symphonic as did 'Serenity' in its last album (see Here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Thomas Youngblood (Guitar), Oliver Palotai (Keybords), Sean Tibbetts (Bass), Johan "Jo" Nunez (Drums)


Artist : Whyzdom

Album : As Time Turns to Dust

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 06-05-2018

After 'Symphony for a Hopeless God' released in 2015, 'As Time Turns to Dust' is the 4th album of the French of 'Whyzdom'. Like its predecessor, the symphonic style with a large reinforcement of choruses programmed by 'Vynce Leff' accompany the excellent 'Marie Rouyer' which takes all her dimension on this last opus. In the beginning, with 'Armor of Dust', a majestic orchestral introduction filled with choruses precedes a powerful composition where the arrangements appear even more sought after than before. And to hammer home, the next title 'Armaggedon', makes me even more impressive and the chorus is reminiscent to that of 'Shudder Before The Beautiful' of 'Nightwish'. Follow 'Fly Away' which repeat this story with all that we want to find in symphonic metal : grandiose choirs, powerful parts alternating with other quieter in which the female singer adapts his technique of singing, guitars spilling incisive riffs and a rhythm section that knows how to adjust the good accompaniment. These 3 first titles are so dense that 'The Page' comes at the right moment to recover from our emotions with a composition that begins quietly but which increases in crescendo towards an imposing final. The sequel is the image of the beginning with compositions still as attractive that should all be mentioned and the density of each title requires necessarily several listenings to tame the whole. In summary, as you will have understood, even if this kind of album will probably remain reserved for an informed public, 'As Time Turns to Dust' is to add to the ideal collection of any lover of symphonic metal with female singer and 'Whyzdom' shows us that they are now at the same level as all the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Marie Rouyer (Vocal), Vynce Leff (Guitar), Regis Morin (Guitar), Marc Ruhlmann (Clavier), Tristan Demurger (Bass), Nico Chaumeaux (Drums)


Artist : Auri

Album : Auri

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 07-05-2018

Guess what 'Troy Donockley' and 'Tuomas Holopainen' are doing when they are not with 'Nightwish': they are putting together a new project with Finnish female singer 'Johanna Kukela' (who is Tuomas's wife) but in a style that, the least we can say, is quite far from their main group. We are far from the symphonic metal of 'Nightwish' and we would get closer to progressive bands like 'Karnataka' or 'Mostly Autumn' because Johanna has the same strengths as 'Hayley Griffiths' or 'Olivia Sparnenn', a christaline and aerial voice which accords perfectly with the planing and delicate compositions of this opus. To this, we can add that Tuomas has an ability to compose accessible songs with a palpable sensitivity and with inevitably influences of his native Finland which brings this Celtic side full of positive serenity. 'Auri' contains nuggets of emotion starting with 'I Hope Your World Is Kind' with Johanna who takes you by the hand to carry you on a little cloud where you feel good; 'Skeleton Tree' continues the journey with a beautiful mix of East and West and 'Desert Flower' is a ballad where the duo 'Johanna'/'Troy' works perfectly. As for 'Night 13', it's a great crescendo of intense emotion that is even stronger with the associated video clip (see above). The following continues to make us travel and we go from one landscape to another completely different from the previous one to finish in Ireland with 'Them Thar Chanterelles' and its final festive crescendo that could very well be part of the famous dance show 'Lord Of The Dance'. In summary, our Finnish trio of ‘Auri' takes us on a beautiful journey full of good surprises and this album open to a general audience is to be enjoyed in a quiet place to relax from the daily commotion...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Kurkela (Vocal, Violin), Tuomas Holopainen (Keybords, Choirs), Troy Donockley (Guitar, Bouzouki, Uilleann pipes, Low whistles, Aerophone, Bodhran, Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Aresea

Album : Retrospection

Release Date : 22-02-2018

Added : 08-05-2018

'Aresea' is a new Italian symphonic metal group that is inspired by Greek mythology and the Sicilian origins of its members. 'Fabio Gallo' is the composer also orchestrating and producing and 'Chiara Di Mare' (under her real name 'Kyrah Aylin') is the female singer who is the author of the lyrics. 'Retrospection' is their first album which is actually an EP with 6 tracks that already allow to realize the quality of this new project. From the first title, 'Enlightning Lullaby', the symphonic side prevails largely on the metal side because although we are entitled to a few guitar riffs, the whole is quite light and we get closer to bands like 'Eynomia' (see Here), 'Blood Red Soul' (see Here) or 'Chrysilia' (see Here) to name just three that released albums few time ago. All compositions are accessible at first listen and the melodic and unambiguous vocal parts put forward the aerian song of 'Chiara Di Mare' and the ballad 'Beyond The End Of Time' is a good example. In summary, with 'Retrospection', the Italians of ‘Aresea’ released a promising first EP that should appeal to all lovers of symphonic metal with a female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Di Mare - Kyrah Aylin (Vocal), Fabio Gallo (All Instruments) + Guests : Salvatore Di Giorgio (Guitar), Ferdinando Beneventano (Guitar), Marco Bongiovanni (Drums)


Artist : Last Days of Eden

Album : Chrysalis

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 09-05-2018

While listening to the first title of the 3rd album 'Chrysalis' of the Spaniards of 'Last Days of Eden', I told myself that they did a cover of a 'Nightwish' song that I did not know. Well, no, 'Forevermore' is an original composition and the band has again changed its musical orientation to start again on metal mixing symphonic and celtic and for this reason, the resemblance is striking with their colleagues 'Finns'. Indeed, with the latest opus 'Traxel Mör' (see Here), they had offered us a wonderful album full of serenity sung in Spanish far from metal. I must say that I'm quite fond of this kind of turnaround because this ability to vary styles generally shows great musical quality. It is indeed the case with this last album which scrolls foolprrof melodies which hangs on the first listening like 'Wanderer' and its catchy folk side, 'The Storyteller' with its chorus which you enter immediately in the head or 'Aedea's Daughter' of almost 10 minutes which shows all the talent of 'Lady Ani' in different registers and which presents a very symphonic aspect because we sails between band like 'Edenbridge' and 'Therion'. In short, this last album of the Spaniards of 'Last Days of Eden' is a no-fault that should appeal to all fans of the genre but it is also the kind of album that can allow some people to discover this style of music because 'Chrysalis' offers symphonic metal very accessible to the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Lady Ani (Vocal), Dani G. (Guitar, Vocal), Adrián Huelga (Bass), Leo Duarte (Drums), Juan Gómez (Keybords), Sara Ember (Violin), Andrea Joglar (Bagpipe)


Artist : Afterlife Symphony

Album : Lympha

Release Date : 30-03-2018

Added : 10-05-2018

The Italians from Afterlife Symphony, who toured with 'Delain', 'Serenity' and 'Temperance', released their third studio album 'Lympha' less than two years after 'Moment Between Lives' which had been well received by the symphonic and progressive metal spheres. With this latest opus, the compositions have expanded and their style is primarily based on the elaborate progressive metal and, even if titles as a whole do not exceed 5 minutes, several plays are necessary to tame some titles as 'Oroboro' and its breaks of rhythms, 'Mantra' and its melodic lines between East and West or 'Enemy' which mixes electric guitars and strings, the symphonic side being brought, on the one hand, by the singing of ‘Anna Giusto' which is well put forward and, on the other hand, by the addition here and there of sampled classical instruments as in the first title 'Artemisia'. Note the last eponymous title of the album of 10 minutes, which is built in 3 distinct parts : to begin, a progressive metal like the previous titles, then a break for an instrumental part in a very classical style and then an acoustic finale where Anna demonstrates that she is also very comfortable in quieter atmospheres as is the case on the court but very beautiful 'Cremesi'. In summary, the Italians of ‘Afterlife Symphony' released a quality album and assert more and more their progressive style and, even if the melodic lines are not necessarily accessible from the first listening, this 'Lympha' should please everyone who gravitates between progressive and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Giusto (Vocal), Stefano Tiso (Keybords, Piano), Eddy Talpo (Guitar), Nicolas Menarbin (Bass), Antonio Gobbato (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Dead Of Night

Album : The Evolving Science of Self

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 11-05-2018

It is with 'The Evolving Science of Self' that the English of 'Dead Of Night' who had already self-produced 3 albums since 2015 (See Here) will perhaps be better known because they have finally found a record label. Their style is between rock and symphonic metal with a female singer 'Briony Featon' which evolves in a classical register and they have the peculiarity to use electronic sounds with a highlight of the keyboards because the electric guitar is only there for the part rhythmic. This last opus is a concept album on the theme of science that often shares humans by its good and bad aspects. About music, all tracks are melodic, catchy at first listen and are shared between epic compositions like 'Here Come the Metal Men' or 'Invasion', others more classical where the symphonic side is less marked as 'Serephim', 'For I Am Music', 'When the Nightingale Sings' or the highly electronic 'The Six Steps' and finally other quieter ones such as the mid-tempo 'One for the Moon' or the ballads 'Set the Night on Fire' and 'I Will'. In summary, like the last title 'Onward', 'Dead of Night' released a very accessible album where finally symphonic rock prevails over metal and, therefore, should be intended for a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Briony Featon (Vocal), Carl Eden (Keybords), Dan Roberts (Guitar), Jason Peacock (Bass), Mark Commons (Drums)


Artist : Jonathan Wilson

Album : Rare Birds

Release Date : 02-03-2018

Added : 12-05-2018

One Wilson can hide another: indeed, the American 'Jonathan Wilson' does not often release solo records but it must be said that he is busy between the compositions for different artists, the production of other artists as 'Father John Misty' (latest album 'Pure Comedy' here) and Roger Waters' tour as a guitarist. This 'Rare Birds' is a bit like what it represents, that is to say 50 years of music between pop and rock because and the least we can say is that this album is filled with very varied and beautiful accessible melodies. For proof, I will take the first two titles, first 'Trafalguar Square' which plunges us back to the 60s and the psychedelic period in England then we continue with the very calm 'Me' which is stained neo-prog and who would have very well could appear in an album of his namesake 'Steven Wilson' (see the last album of 'Blackfied' Here). The influences are multiple and we could quote in bulk 'The Beatles', ‘Jethro Tull', 'Pink-Floyd' or 'Peter Gabriel' that make all the compositions are intended for the general public. In addition, there is a real work to offer us arrangements drawn from the wealth of synthesizers but it is also for me the other side of the coin because the result is necessarily very electronic and, given the quality of compositions, the fact of having used real instruments would certainly have brought more depth to the whole but this is necessarily only subjective. In summary, 'Rare Birds' is a dense and rich album that makes us make a beautiful journey through in several decades of pop music and 'Jonathan Wilson's latest album should reach a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonathan Wilson (Vocal, All Instruments) + Inviés : Lucius (Choirs), Josh Tillman (Choirs), Lana Del Rey (Choirs)


Artist : Red Sun Rising

Album : THREAD

Release Date : 30-03-2018

Added : 13-05-2018

'Red Sun Rising' is an American band that already has 3 albums under its belt and has just released the 4th 'THREAD'. Their style is a mix of several genres starting with powerful rock to which they add a bit of heavy metal (in the line of grunge groups of the 90s with 'Nirvana') but also a pinch of pop but also a few drops of stoner and all this is well mixed to give 11 melodic and varied compositions relatively accessible from the first listening. We navigate between energetic and powerful titles like 'Left for Dead', 'Deatchwish', 'Clarity' or 'Veins' and others less speed but just as powerful as 'Stealing Life', 'El Lazo', 'Benny Two Dogs' or 'Rose'. In short, even if they do not bring real novelties, 'THREAD' is a pleasant album to listen to and should appeal to all those who appreciate the good powerful and melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Protich (Vocal, Guitar), Ricky Miller (Vocal, Bass), Ryan Williams (Guitar), Tyler Valendza (Guitar), Pat Gerasia (Drums)


Artist : Delusion Squared

Album : Anthropocene

Release Date : 07-04-2018

Added : 14-05-2018

'Delusion Squared' is a French band that releases its 4th studio album with 'Anthropocene' whose theme is related to the search for solutions to adapt to the very important changes of our present and future times. As far as the style is concerned, the band evolves in an atmospheric and melodic progressive rock with influences from the great formations of this 70's style, with obviously the ‘Floyds’ in first. This last album also sees a change of line up because 'Lorraine Young' who was the singer of the band is not there any more and it is thus 'Steven Francis' who takes the place and his voice integrates perfectly in the style of this opus. 11 tracks between 5 and 7 minutes for more than an hour of music in total, this is the program and from the outset, with 'Devolution', it is an atmospheric composition that hangs from the first listening through a construction that slowly unfolds its aerian melody. Follows 'An Ominous Way Down' splendid semi-acoustic title that continues in this cozy atmosphere and the next song 'Necessery Evil' reminds me of the sweetness of certain titles of 'Barclay James Harvest'. The following is in the image of these first 3 titles, a succession of beautiful melodies that allow you to escape in a delicate and calm universe as in 'To This Day', 'The Promised Land' or 'The Great Leap' with small incursions in more energetic and electric titles but just as much melodic like 'Walls and Protection', 'Under Control' or 'Original Sin' and all this ends in a very refined isntrumental composition that magnificently closes the album. In short, as you will understand, the French 'Delusion Squared' release an album filled with beautiful compositions that should appeal to all those who are fans of progressive atmospheric pop/rock and for me, this 'Anthropocene' comes add to the ideal collection in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Francis (Guitar, Vocal, Drums), Emmanuel de Saint Méen (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Emilie De Neef (Flute, Choirs)


Artist : Monkey to the Moon

Album : How Funny Is It ?!

Release Date : 15-02-2018

Added : 15-05-2018

'Monkey to the Moon' is a new French band that has released their first studio album 'How Funny Is It ?!' after several EPs. They have stabilized their line up in 2016 and 2018 sees the consecration of several years of work. Their style is between pop and rock and they are influenced by large groups of progressive and listening to the first titles, we already feel a maturity in the way of writing and interpreting. First, with 'The Mugger Roved Around Your Room', we are immersed in an accessible neo-prog style where we find the atmospheres of artists such as 'Anathema', 'Blackfield' or 'Airbag'. Follow 'Talking Disorders', an intense, sensational title that reminds me of artists such as 'David Bowie' or 'Alan Reed' (see his latest album Here). The sequel takes us into different atmospheres like 'This Warlock Called Love' which is tinged pop of the sixties then the refine electronic sounds of 'More' bring us again to the neo-prog close to 'Steven Wilson' and the magnificent ballad in a tempo of waltz 'Sorrowful Waltz' shows a palpable emotion with its admirable final crescendo. We could cite all the titles so each brings his own atmosphere and we captivate from the first to the last note. In summary, you will have understood with the references cited above, this first album 'How Funny Is It?!' is already a very good surprise 2018 and the French of 'Monkey to the Moon' deserve to make them known not only in the hexagon but also beyond our borders...

Line Up / Musicians

Clément Barbier (Vocal, Guitar), Quentin Bourgeois (Bass), Martin Mabire (Drums), Léonard Bance-Hazé (Guitar), Valentin Barbier (Keybords, Percussions)


Artist : Temposognato

Album : Le storie fuggite

Release Date : 24-03-2018

Added : 16-05-2018

'Temposognato' is an Italian band composed of Antonio and Francesco Sparapano who have always been immersed in the musical world and who had already released an album in 2015 (except that in Spotify the 2 albums are separated into 2 different groups - see here) and 2018 sees the release of a new album 'The Fuggite Storie'. The songs tell stories of artists and their process to achieve artistic creation. Musically, they mix influences drawn from their Italian roots with very transalpine melodies and progressive music from the 70s. From the first title, 'The Fuggian Storie', we are immersed in a very poignant composition and the use of Italian language further strengthens the emerge emotion. The set of compositions is built on this scheme with the sensation of something authentic that takes you on a journey, alternating the sung parts with the poignant voice of Antonio and the progressive instrumental parts like the guitar solos in the end of the titles 'Più delle parole' or '1976 Quando siera giovani' (there are 'Floyds' inside). In short, with 'The Fuggian Storie', 'Temposognato' released an album of great quality mixing the tradition of the Italian song and progressive rock and this last opus is filled with elegance and refinement ideal to relax after a hard working day...

Line Up / Musicians

Antonio Sparapano (Vocal, Guitar), Francesco Sparapano (Vocal, Piano, Keybords) + Guests : Gabriele Bruce Sparapano (Drums), Marco Sparapano (Guitar)


Artist : Lyria

Album : Immersion

Release Date : 11-04-2018

Added : 17-05-2018

Four years after 'Quatasis' which was well received in the symphonic metal world, the Brazilians of 'Lyria' released a second studio album 'Immersion' thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. Founded by singer and songwriter 'Aline Happ', they evolve in a style whose melodic lines are quite close to known bands like 'Within Temptation' or ‘Imperia (see here) or others less unknown like 'Blood Red Soul' (see here) or 'Sleeping Romance' (see here) can do. From the beginning, 'Follow the Music' is a powerful and epic title accessible thanks to its easy-to-memorize chorus, then, 'Get What You Want' continues in this direction with some extreme voices reminiscent of some tracks of 'Leave's Eyes' and with 'Let Me Be Me', the rhythm slows down for a powerful mid-tempo and a still melodic chorus. The sequel is the image of this beginning with powerful and melodic compositions interspersed with a power ballad 'Last Forever' and the album ends with the beautiful semi-acoustic ballad 'Run to You'. In summary, even if they have not succeded yet to forge their own style while they probably have the capacity, 'Lyria' released a quality album which should please all fans of the groups mentioned above and, thanks to accessible compositions, 'Immersion’ is also a good way to discover symphonic metal for all those who do not know this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Aline Happ (Vocal), Thiago Zig (Bass), Rod Wolf (Guitar), Thiago Mateu (Drums)


Artist : Bonfire

Album : Temple of Lies

Release Date : 13-04-2018

Added : 18-05-2018

After an excellent 'Byte The Bullet' in 2017 (see Here) and the tour that followed, the Germans of 'Bonfire' come back with a new album in 2018, 'Temple of Lies'. We say that with such close outings, the risk is to fade especially in this style of music because you must constantly hang the fan with catchy compositions. Well, the least we can say is that this new album perfectly fulfills its purpose and, for my part, is perhaps still above the previous one. After a short instrumental introduction 'In The Beginning', it's about 45 minutes of good and melodic hard rock if I do not count the 19 minutes of the last title 'Friedensreich II - The Return Of The Zünsler Into The T.O.L.’ which is more a great patchwork of sound mixing words and music that is humorous but is not necessarily of the best taste. 'Temple Of Lies' opens the ball with a hell rhythmic and a chorus that will make a fury in concert and if you do not move your whole body on this title is that you are not made for this music because the rest is of the same order, even if some titles are closer to a hard rock more AOR like 'On the Wings of an Angel' or are more mid-tempo while keeping the same power as 'Feed The Fire' (Like The Bonfire)’. The power ballade is not forgotten with 'Comin' Home' which is covered in acoustic at the end of the album and if you are followers of these compositions, know that 'Bonfire’ had made a sumptuous album in 2009 of all their ballads available on Spotify (see Here). In summary, 'Bonfire' continues to perpetuate beautiful hard-rock melodic for over 30 years : 'Temple of Lies' is still there to prove it and, for all fans of this style, this last album is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Ziller (Guitar, Choirs), Alexx Stahl (Vocal), Ronnie Parkes (Bass, Choirs), Frank Pane (Guitar, Choirs), Tim Breideband (Drums)


Artist : Frequency Drift

Album : Letters to Maro

Release Date : 13-04-2018

Added : 19-05-2018

The German group 'Frequency Drift' continues to release a new album nearly every year and 'Letters to Maro' is their 8th studio recording released under the indie label ‘Gentle Art of Music’ ceated by 'Kalle Wallner' and 'Yogi Lang' (RPWL). Led by the multi-instrumentist and composer 'Andreas Hack', this new album includes a new female singer 'Irini Alexia' who is also the author and the various titles which tell through letters, the story of a man who go back to where he grew up with all the memories that come to the surface. The atmosphere is melancholic and emotional, while maintaining a certain lightness and Irini's airy and gliding voice lends very well to this general atmosphere. The style is close to a progressive rock of the 70s where one finds influences of formations like 'Renaissance' ('Izanami' or 'Escalator') or 'Mike Oldfield' ('Dear Maro' or 'Who's Master') with a mix of modernism and the addition here and there of electronic sounds. Of course, as often in this case, it is necessary to appropriate each title and it is after being impregnated with each detail that we can discover all the richness of these compositions which alternate tension and relaxation brimming with emotion. In summary, this 'Letters to Maro' is an album of great quality and sensitivity brought in part by the beautiful voice of Irina and it's quite the style of music to take the time to listen to the headphones in a quiet place to fully enjoy this melancholy journey...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Hack (Keybords, Guitar), Irini Alexia (Vocal), Nerissa Schwarz (Harp, Mellotron), Wolfgang Ostermann (Drums) + Guests : Michael Bauer (Guitar), Marco Geipel (Bass)


Artist : Therion

Album : Beloved Antichrist

Release Date : 09-02-2018

Added : 20-05-2018

Usually, Americans are quite fond of the word 'Awesome' and they use it in every way, and yet this is the word that comes first to my mind with the release of this gigantic work by Sweden's 'Christopher Johnson' : Awesome, Spectacular, Monumental, Fantastic, Grand, Unique and we could add some more adjectives because, we can always try to search, there is no work equivalent to this day for this metal opera. Hovewer, we waited impatiently : I remember a concert at the z7 near Basel in October 2012 where Christopher began to talk about his opera that he had already begun for a long time. Revenues in January 2016 in the same place, we even had the right to some exracts to 'take the temperature' with the fans. And now, it was worth the wait because the dream became reality in early February 2018, the precious digibook containing the 3 CDs is finally available and for several months, listening after listening, the 46 compositions are incremented little by little in my head because it took all this time to digest this impressive work. Impossible to describe this opera succinctly as I usually do for a classic album and this 'Beloved Antichrist' requires much more. As this work is something very special and may confuse some (even many), and to avoid a chronic too long to read, it is first necessary to adhere to 2 kinds of music in the margins of the general public: the metal with the power of its guitar riffs and the opera but in the classic sense of the term, hat is to say the operatic art that tells a story interpreted by singers with fixed vocal registers (Soprano, Mezzo soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass). Well, I have already lost more than half of the readers and when I told you that these two styles coexist and so it is precisely this alchemy that makes a work completely apart, I have certainly lost a good part of those who stay. You are still here ? we continue.

The original theme:
To start, as in any opera, you need a story with intrigue and twists : on this side, you are served with a rather free adaptation of the essay of the Russian philosopher 'Vladimir Soloviev' from the end of nineteenth century entitled 'Short story about the Antichrist' which is available in French Here. By Antichrist, we designate a person or a group of people who try to replace Jesus Christ and this figure appears in different places in the texts of the different religions which origin comes from the notion of "anti-messiah" present in the Judaism. Soloviev's essay on this subject tells how a man sees himself receiving the spirit of the Antichrist and how, in a world plunged in chaos, repels the invasion of the Chinese and the Japanese, the Europeans being occupied by the wars with the Muslims. In a few years, the Antichrist imposes, thanks to his army that no other army can conquer, the peace on a world level then regulates the hunger in the world by rebalancing the profits and by imposing on the rich to give to the poorest. But by tackling the thorny problem of the unification of religions, he appoints a Pope, called the antipope who must help him in his project but meets a fierce opposition from the 3 representatives of Christianity; moreover, the Jews, learning that he is not circumcised, try to confront him, but the earth opens and engulfs the Antichrist, the antipope and all his army. It is then that the 3 religions attend the return of Christ on earth: it is the glorious return. In summary, the idea of 'Solovyev' was a critique of religions that each put forward their values without concern for the essential that faith in Christ represents.

The adaptation of 'Christofer Johnsson':
The original theme is just a starting point for the metal opera because the story was modernized to happen in the future in 2046 when a massive solar storm destroys all electrical installations depriving the world of electricity and plunging the inhabitants into a period of epidemics and famine where only a few groups manage to survive. It is finally in the old continent, Europe, that the inhabitants, thanks to the cooperation of the Men, end up again developing and being at a level of technology of the beginning of the 19th century. The Christian religion that had disappeared is gaining momentum and becoming an important link in society. The setting is set to start the story of the Antichrist, his name 'Seth Thanos' who thinks he is a second messiah. But to make it an opera, it was obvious that the story of 'Soloviev' did not put enough characters on stage and 'Christofer' therefore invented a whole set of characters and added female roles to allow first of all to have a balance between the different voices as for a classical opera but also to densify the story allowing him to cut out the 3 acts in small episodes representing the different titles.

The roles:
With the very free adaptation of Chistopher, there are 25 different roles that are interpreted by 15 singers and singers accompanied by a choir. The main roles are of course held by the artists who have always followed the adventure of Therion with 'Thomas Vikström' as the ‘Antechrist'. In the original version, the opponent of the ‘Antichrist’ was an old man who did not have a very important role and Christofer thus invented a new character in the person of 'Johanna Orsini' held by the Soprano 'Chiara Malvestiti' who represents the fanatical side of the religion while her sister 'Helena' interpreted by 'Lori Lewis' is a religious of heart which represents the calm side. In the other main roles, 'Sophia' is the mother of Johanna and Helen who is a widow and who is on the eve of death, 'Appolonius' is a character with magical powers and who is determined to join the new master of the world, 'Agnes' is a Russian who approaches the Catholic religion becomes an ally of 'Johanna' and in his fight against the forces of evil and 'Mare', conceived during the flight of his parents from Corsica to Sardinia (hence its name) is also close to 'Johanna' and 'Agnes'. The following list describes all the roles, their interpreters, and their range:

The Antichrist - Seth Thanos = Thomas Vikström (Tenor)
Johanna = Chiara Malvestiti (Soprano)
Helena = Lori Lewis (Soprano)
Agnes = Ulrika Skarby (Mezzo)
Mare = Lydia Kjellberg (Soprano)
Sophia = Melissa Verlak (Soprano)
Appolonius = Markus Jupiter (Bariton)
Pope Pete II = Samuel Jarreick (Bariton)
Pauli Professor = Linus Flogell (Tenor Bariton)
Satan = Erik Rosenius (Bass)
President of USE = Kaj Hagstrand (Tenor)
President's wife = Matilda Wahlund (Mezzo)
Messenger = Karin Fjellander (Soprano)
Angel = Karin Fjellander (Soprano)
Priest = Mikael Schmidberger (Bass)
Demon = Mikael Schmidberger (Bass)
Lydia = Matilda Wahlund (Mezzo)
Female vote = Matilda Wahlund (Mezzo)
Male vote = Samuel Jarreick (Bariton)
Serving Male = Mikael Schmidberger (Bass)
Congress woman = Linnea Vikström (Soprano)
Congress woman = Linnea Vikström (Soprano)
Antichrist Soldier = Kaj Hagstrand (Tenor)
3 Demons = Mikael Schmidberger (Bass) / Samuel Jarreick (Bariton) / Linus Flogell (Tenor Bariton)

And the music in all this:
First of all, at the risk of repeating myself, it is a gigantic work and consequently, the compositions are to the measure of the whole opera. I already hear some criticize and say that it is not enough metal in some places or that it is too much I do not know what in other places. To this I will answer that it is obvious for an opera to have a music that adapts to the different episodes of history because the whole is inseparable: would extreme metal be welcome in 'Through Dust, Through Rain' which is a scene between Helena and her mother Sophia who is on her death bed !! and on the contrary, what would we say if we had a requiem at the arrival of Appolon while it requires something grandiose !! and in these two examples, Chistopher found the right melodies and arrangements to accompany the lyrics : in 'Through Dust, Through Rain' which follows the powerful and epic start with impressive choirs, the melancholic melody where the sweet voice of 'Melissa Verlak' ('Sophia') is accompanied by some piano chords could very well have been written for a classical opera at the time of Mozart. Similarly, 'The Arrival of Appolonius' begins in a peaceful atmosphere where the messenger comes to announce the arrival of Appolon then we attend a crescendo due to the spread of the news to let burst a majestic finale with a large backing of choirs. These are only 2 examples among many others, but you will understand that the great strength (see the genius) of 'Christofer Johnsson' reside in this ability to have not only composed a partition as fair as possible according to the episode narrated but also to be seeking his inspiration in the classical music he 'metalized' when it was necessary and this to pass all the feelings of each character because history makes us cross all kinds of emotional states . So, certainly, 46 compositions of this quality, it may seem heavy to swallow in one go and do not we risk getting lost in such a profusion of episodes? Certainly, in our contemporary world where everything is going so fast, it is certainly something difficult to integrate but if you do not want to miss this opera, I can only give you one piece of advice: stop and take the time to discover this opera by taming each corner and nook and do not force you to listen to it in one go.

Summary:
Given the ambition of the project, 'Beloved Antichrist' is difficult to summarize in a few words but for those who would have difficulty integrating all of this titanic work, I would simply say that it is also necessary to look at the time it took to design it and that it makes no sense to compare it to an album release but it must be taken as something unique and the only comparisons that could be made would be with other classical opera works such as 'The Trojans' of 'Berlioz' or 'William Tell' of 'Rossini' which both fringe 4 hours. And finally, whether we like it or not, we can only hail 'Christopher Johnsson' for having managed this crazy bet and for having the tenacity to make this project a reality : Hats off, the artist !!

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar), Christian Vidal (Guitar), Nalle Phalsson (Bass), Thomas Johan Koleberg (Drums), Sami Karppinen (Drums), Peter Ljung (Piano, Hammond), Micke Nord (Guitar), Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Lori Lewis (Vocal), Chiara Malvestiti (Vocal), Marcus Jupither (Vocal), Erik Rosenius (Vocal), Melissa Ferlaak (Vocal), Ulrika Skarby (Vocal), Lydia Kjellberg (Vocal), Samuel Jarrick (Vocal), Linus Flogell (Vocal), Kaj Hagstrand (Vocal), Matilda Wahlund (Vocal), Karin Fjellander (Vocal), Mickael Schmidberger (Vocal), Linnea Vikström (Vocal), Taras Yasenkov (Chef de chœur), Anastasia Dreyer (Choirs), Anna Belova (Choirs), Ekaterina Shamina (Choirs), Lyudmila Mikhailova (Choirs), Maria Chekrkchieva (Choirs), Anastasia Polyanina (Choirs), Darya Mikhailova (Choirs), Ksenia Krasikova Mikhail Nor (Choirs), Danil Jurilov (Choirs), Artemy Menshikov (Choirs), Nikita Mikhailov (Choirs), Gleb Kardasevich (Choirs), Dimitry Volkov (Choirs), Mikhail Yurkus (Choirs), Grigory Pyankov (Choirs)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Of Jupiter and Moons

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 23-05-2018

After 'The Earth Embraces Us All' in 2016 (see Here), a live in 2017 'Mashere - A Night at the Theater' in 2017 (see Here) and after a change of line up which saw the departure of 'Chiara Tricarico' and the arrival of 2 new singers, 'Alessia Scolletti' and 'Michele Guaitoli', 2018, sees the release of the new Italian album of 'Temperance', 'Of Jupiter and Moons'. They always propose us symphonic metal and this last opus is focused on compositions accessible from the first listening with melodies easily assimilated like the first title 'The Last Hope in a World of Hopes' which looks like a mixture between 'Nightwish' and 'Within Temptation'. With 'Broken Promises', we continue in the same style and the chorus highlights remarkably the duet Alessia/ Michele which is really a plus in this kind of compositions. Follows 'Of Jupiter and Moons', a very 'Nightwishien' title then the rhythm is calmer with the beautiful mid-tempo 'Everything I Am' and it starts again with the energetic 'We are free'. We have to wait for the end of the album for the ballad 'Empires and Men' and the last track of more than 7 minutes summarizes the whole with all the ingredients that make it a very good symphonic and epic title. In summary, even if this new album is a little more public oriented compared to the previous one, the Italians of 'Temperance' released a quality album which shows an evolution thanks to their new vocal duo and which places them in the leading group of symphonic metal bands...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessia Scolletti (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Vocal, Guitar), Luca Negro (Bass), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums)


Artist : Stagma

Album : Stagma

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 24-05-2018

'Stagma' is a new melodic metal project that was created by 'Alexandre Santos' ('Scar For Life') and debauched for the occasion artists of the metal scene with the lead singer of 'Scar For Life', 'Rob Mancini'. Aside from the introduction 'Genesis' and the final 'To Be Continued' that have been synthesized by 'Jeroen Tel', the whole is filled with energetic and powerful compositions that have the sole purpose of making you move on the rhythm of the music : 'Pokerface' opens the ball with an effective rhythm and a melody that never leaves you, and the titles that follow 'Rocket Machine', 'Faces In The Mirror' and 'Promise Me' continue in the same style. The instrumental 'Gates of Valhalla' in the middle of the album allows you to breathe a little, then it's gone again with 'Bounty Hunter' or 'Sister Sister'. In short, even if 'Stagma' does not bring real novelties to the mill of melodic metal, this first opus is filled with good heavy and powerful energy and should appeal to all fans of melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Mancini (Vocal), Alexandre Santos (Guitar), Neil Fraser (Guitar), Joe Petro (Bass), Vinny Appice (Drums), Patrick Johansson (Drums) + Guests : Simon Wright (Drums), Jeroen Tel (Synthétiseur)


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : Front and Center (Live from New-York)

Release Date : 13-04-2018

Added : 25-05-2018

'Beth Hart' is still in the limelight because after 2 albums in 2015 and 2016 (see Here and Here) and the duet aec 'Joe Bonamassa', 'Black Coffee' in 2018 (see Here), she released a live CD and DVD, 'Front and Center' (the last 'Live At Paradiso' already dating from 2005). And for the occasion, it is in a Club of 'New York' that she chose to record this new concert and in this intimate place, the atmosphere lends itself very well to quiet compositions and apart a few energetic and powerful titles like 'Delicious Surprise' or ‘Fat Man’, she has adapted her set-list with titles that fits a lot more with the place where she once again shows us all her authenticity and sensitivity in her different registers whether they are Blues ('Baddest Blues'), Soul ('Let's Get Together'), Jazz ('Jazz Man') or simply stripped ('St. Teresa' or 'Tell Her You Belong To Me'). In summary, for those who still doubted, this latest album 'Front and Center' is still proof that 'Beth Hart' is an entire artist made for the stage where she takes its full dimension, a kind of 2nd house so...

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal, Piano, Guitar, Bass), Bob Marinelli (Bass), Bill Ransom (Drums), Jon Nichols (Guitar, Choirs) + Guest : Sonny Landreth (Guitar)


Artist : Human Song

Album : Blue Spaces

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 26-05-2018

Being Bisontin original, it's a shame but it's Spotify that made me discover 'Human Song' with this first album 'Blue Spaces' which was released in April 2018 and which includes all the compositions since their beginning: the single 'This Is Not a Song for War', the capture of their live at the ‘Gouffre de Poudrey’ (which is a vast and deep underground chamber near Besançon) and new studio compositions (some are taken from the live). Even if they call their style 'post-alternative rock', listening to the live (see the video that render very well the ambience), the atmosphere gives me the impression to return a few decades back with the 'Pink-Floyd' debut (especially in the rhythm part) with this search for new sounds to do something unique. Reading their background (for example Jane has a classical lyric training and one of the drummers comes from the metal scene), we obviously feel multiple influences that mix and the result is a planing and atmospheric music where the sweet voice of Jane brings a hypnotic and airy side. It is certain, this originality is not inevitably accessible immediately and requires some listening to tame their universe but, in the end, this first album 'Blue Spaces' of the French of 'Human Song' is quite bluffing and is a beautiful escape moment to enjoy quietly the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Jane Lake (Vocal, Piano), Mathew Corner (Bass), Thibault Vançon (Multi-Instrumenaliste), Matthieu Barthélemy Lienhard (Drums), Theo Seemann (Drums)


Artist : Moonshine Blast

Album : Reality Fear

Release Date : 20-03-2018

Added : 27-05-2018

After 'Human Song', it is still a French band that is in the spotlight with 'Moonshine Blast' which releases its first studio album 'Reality Fear'. The style is a progressive rock influenced by the big groups of the genre and of entry, with 'Mars', the ambience is close to bands like 'Marillion' or ‘Arena' with melodic lines which catch on immediately; follows 'We Want This World to Be Better', which continues in the momentum of the first title, then, with 'Golden Road', the rhythm is calmer for a still melodic title with a beautiful guitar solo and 'Cutting the Roppe', of more than 9 minutes, is shared between a quiet part and a part more energetic which makes it a typical progressive title. The sequel is like the beginning with the very 'Floydian' The Gate of Dawn' but there are also more classic titles like the hopping 'You Don’t See Me' or the powerful 'Dusty Lady' or the refreshing 'Leaving the Way Home' to finally return to the progressive and embark on the latest composition 'Eartquake' with breaks in rhythm that make us go from a hovering atmosphere to an energetic chorus. In summary, the Frenchs of 'Moonshine Blast' release with 'Reality Fear' a quality album full of good surprises and already show an undeniable maturity to offer us good progressive rock accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicolas Duke (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Gabin Rock (Guitar, Vocal), Renaud Lyabastre (Bass), Thomas Zecchinon (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Metalwings

Album : For All Beyond

Release Date : 19-04-2018

Added : 28-05-2018

'Metalwings' is a Bulgarian band founded by the classical singer 'Stela Atanasova' in 2010 with the idea of combining elements of classical music with melodic metal. After a first EP in 2016 'Fallen Angel in the Hell' (see here) which already gave a good overview of the symphonic style of the group, 2018 sees the release of the first album 'For All Beyond' which contains 8 original titles, the 2 titles 'Fallen Angel in the Hell' and' Immortal Metal Wings' already appearing on the EP. From the beginning, the epic 'End of War' where Stela already get noticed by her beautiful singing technique begins with a classic part on which are added little by little the electric instruments. Following 'Secret Town' which is very melodic and which catch on the first listening then, 'Immortal Motal Wings' is in the same style and we could locate the influences between 'Amberian Dawn' and 'Nightwish' through 'Within Temptation'. With 'When We Pray', this is the first ballad involving the flute and where Stela shows a beautiful sensitivity in her singing. The following series of songs are as melodic as each other; we can note the 2nd acoustic ballad 'Tujni Serza' sung by Stela in his native language whose accents of Bulgarian language bring a particular emotion and the beautiful orchestral version of 'For All Beyond'. Finally, the Bulgarians 'Metalwings' emenés by an exceptional singer (certainly this little more of the Slavic soul), come out with 'For All Beyond' an album of great quality and very promising that will undoubtedly allow them to compete with major groups of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Stela Atanasova (Vocal, Violin, Keybords), Grigor Kostadinov (Guitar), Krastyo Jordanov (Guitar, Flute, Choirs), Milen Mavrov (Bass), Angel Kitanov (Keybords), Blackie (Drums)


Artist : Issa

Album : Run with the Pack

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 29-05-2018

'Issa Oversveen' released her 5th studio album and for the occasion she called on 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' ('Voodoo Circle', 'Silent Force') for the compositions and the production and the Italian embarked on the adventure some compatriots of the metal scene to complete the line-up. And the least we can say is that this collaboration works perfectly because there is nothing to throw in the 11 titles of the album and the motto is given to offer us 45 minutes of good hard-rock melodic catchy. From the first titles, 'Am I Losing You' and 'Run with the Pack', the rhythm is given with 2 powerful and energetic compositions. The sequel sees a beautiful duet with the American 'Deen Castronovo' (among others 'Journey' and 'Ozzy Osbourne'), the more classic 'How Long' mid-tempo and the melodic power ballad 'The Sound of Yesterday'. The 2nd part of the album is quieter with 3 nice ballads 'Talk to Your Heart', 'Bittersweet' and 'Everything to Me' and 'Irreplaceable' more tinted AOR without forgetting the acoustic cover of 'Talk to Your Heart'. In short, even if 'Run with the Pack' does not revolutionize the genre, the Norwegian 'Issa Oversveen' released a quality album with very accessible titles that therefore destined for a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Issa Oversveen (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Simone Mularoni (Guitar), Andrea ToWer Torricini (Bass), Marco Di Salvia (Drums) + Guest : Deen Castronovo (Vocal)


Artist : Black Stone Cherry

Album : Family Tree

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 30-05-2018

And that’s 7 for the Americans of 'Black Stone Cherry' : after 'Kentucky' in 2016 (see Here) and an EP ('Black To Blues') in 2017 where they returned to their blues roots, 2018 sees the release of 'Family Tree'. We do not change a team that wins and this new album continues to deliver good hard rock with influences from bands like 'ZZ Top' (listen to 'Burnin' it's obvious!). From the beginning, with titles like 'Bad Habit' and his magnificent guitar solo in a change of tempo or 'New Kinda Feelin' and his rhythm that can only make you stomp, the tone is given and 'My Last Breath 'arrives just right for a short break and enjoy the ever-poignant voice of' Chris Robertson '. The sequel is the image of the beginning with for example 'Dancin' in the Rain 'which sees the participation of' Warren Haynes' as to better assert their roots rooted in the blues / rock of the 70s or 'You Got The Blues' and his heavy riffs. Note the 2 titles 'Is not Nobody' and tribute to 'James Brown' that add a soulful side to the ensemble and the title track of the album that closes the album well with his slide guitar solo. In summary, 'Black Stone Cherry' continue their own way by delivering us a quality 'Family Tree' in the tradition of American blues / hard-rock artists of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Robertson (Vocal), Ben Wells (Guitar, Vocal), Jon Lawhon (Bass, Vocal), John Fred Young (Drums, Keybords) + Guest : Warren Haynes (Guitar)


Artist : Kobra And The Lotus

Album : Prevail II

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 31-05-2018

After 'Prevail I' released in 2017 (see here), the Canadians of 'Kobra And The Lotus' come out in 2018 the logical continuation 'Prevail II'. The band 'Kobra Paige' is back with 11 tracks in line with their previous album. Between symphonic metal and heavy metal, 'Losing My Humanity' opens the ball with an East/West mix; follow 'Let Me Love You' which starts in a train of hell and then softens with the sung part to make a rather classic metal title. 'Ribe' is a short acoustic instrumental break to recover us from the 2 first tracks and the following scrolls 'My Immortal' in a more symphonic register, 'Human Empire' which is a remake of the first title 'Losing My Humanity' (to my taste too close with similar melodic lines), the very melodic 'Heartache' and the energetic 'Modern Day Hero' with an easy-to-remember chorus. Note a quieter album ending with the power ballad 'White Water', the metallic cover of 'The Chain' of 'Fleetwood-Mac' (see link to the original album 'Rumors' from 1977 here) and an acoustic version of 'Let Me Love' which gives a completely different lighting to this title. In summary, the Canadians of 'Kobra And The Lotus' continue in the thrust of 'Prevail I', and this last album should please a public sailing between symphonic metal, melodic and heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Kobra Paige (Vocal), Jasio Kulakowski (Guitar), Ronny Gutierrez (Guitar), Brad Kennedy (Bass), Marcus Lee (Drums)


Artist : Trust

Album : Dans le même sang

Release Date : 30-03-2018

Added : 01-06-2018

After the live at the Helfest released late 2017 (see Here), our Frenchs of 'Trust' who after 40 years of career (and in this style of music, it doesn’t be so current !!), released a new album ‘Dans le même sang’. After all the setbacks that the group has known in the last 20 years, the least we can say is that this return is a real success and that we find (finally!), The 'Bernie' and 'Nono' that we knew in another life (and yes with a little less osteoarthritis !!), that is to say a return to the source of an authentic hard-rock as it says so well 'Norbert Krief' in the video above: " c’est du Trust brut de pomme !! ". For the beginning, with 'Ni Dieu, ni maître', we find all the energy that we knew with the rebellious voice of 'Bernie' and the big sound with the incisive guitar riffs of 'Nono' without speaking texts always also caustic. It goes on with 'Democrassie' and its boogie / rock tempo in the 'Status Quo' that immediately makes you move your head and kick your foot. The following scrolls nuggets like the powerful ‘Fils de pute, tête de liste’ where politicians take it full on the head, ‘L’exterminateur’ whose introduction is reminiscent of 'Antisocial', 'Christique' which in a register more rock is a critic of religions or 'F-Haine' with guitar riffs are close to the 'Sex Pistols'. Also note 2 quirky titles compared to the known universe of 'Trust', first of all the cover of ‘Edith Piaf', ‘Jm’en fous pas mal’ where, for those who doubted, shows the sensitive side of 'Bernie' (it looks like 'Bénabar' !!) and 'Caliente' that mixes beautifully South American influences and hard-rock. And, when I told you that the 13 titles were recorded in three days, we certainly have the recipe for authenticity that emerges from this new album and shows this pleasure to play together. In summary, this ‘Dans le même sang’ marks the great return of 'Trust' and, for those who had a little quickly buried the group, we find, 40 years later, 'Bernie' and 'Nono' with the same protest rage of the first days, and just for that, gentlemen, hats down !!

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Bonvoisin (Vocal), Norbert “Nono” Krief (Guitar), Ismaila “Izo” Diop (Guitar), David Jacob (Bass), Christian Dupuy (Drums)


Artist : Emphasis

Album : Soul Transfer

Release Date : 21-04-2018

Added : 02-06-2018

'Emphasis' is an Estonian band which, after a first LP in 2016, released its 2nd studio recording 'Soul Transfer'. It is a concept album where it is a question of transferring the human soul in a digital environment to became eternal. On the music side, it's not easy to give them a specific genre because they mix music styles as varied as progressive metal, classical music, jazz and contemporary sounds. After the introduction of electronic sound effects 'Loading', 'My Demon Friend Ver.1101' is a good example of this diversity with a mixture of classical acoustics, electronic sounds, progressive metal and symphonic style brought by the voice of ‘Anna Ganina'. The next title 'Jester' adds a Jazzy side with saxophone and trumpet intervention. The suite alternates short instruments such as 'Immersion Therapy' all in acoustic, the percussion’s piece 'Voices In The City' or 'Scrap of Cousciousness' with the use of strings in a classical melody with more complex compositions like 'Resonate', 'Electric God' or 'Redemption Song' which requires several listenings to tame them. We come back to a classic register mixed with contemporary sonorities for 'the Metphisics of Love' which reminds me of the atmosphere of the last album of 'Marcela Bovio' (see here) because Anna has the same intonations that the Mexican singer, then 'Leviathans' the longest title of the album, is getting close to the patchwork of styles of the beginning of the album like 'Hotel for the Lonely Ghost' and the album ends on a short title from piano chords close to contemporary sounds. In summary, 'Soul Transfer' is a quality album with highly sought-after compositions that, because of its diversity, tame little by little, listening after listening and should therefore be reserved for an informed public open to styles as well heteroclite than jazz, progressive metal or contemporary music...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Ganina (Vocal), Pavel Korotaev (Guitar), Maxim Spiridonov (Guitar), Katya Gritskova (Bass), Stas Lint (Drums), Vsevolod Tselepis (Keybords) + Guests : Raul Sööt (Saxophone), Allan Järve (Trumpet), Alexander Smirnov (Cello), Julia Mets (Violin), Oleg Lyutskevich (Guitar)


Artist : JPL

Album : Retrospections, Vol. III

Release Date : 31-03-2018

Added : 03-06-2018

The French 'Jean Pierre Louveton' continues to rummage into his drawers to offer us old compositions and this time it is the 90s that are in the spotlight with this 'Retrospections, Vol. III.’. As usual, with 'JPL', not easy to put in a box because you navigate between progressive music that is pop, rock or metal, French song and very eclectic instrumental music. For proof, with the first title ‘Un doigt sur la gachette’, we embark in a western close to 'Sergio Leone' (we even have the chorus) with a 2nd part much more classic jazz/rock to finish on the theme of departure. The sequel is a mix of French pop rock like comme ‘Une étrange Idée’, ‘Des Illusions’, ‘Sur les pentes glissantes de la folie’, ‘Absent’ ou ‘Comête’ but we are also entitled to titles in other styles like 'Luvmoons' and its very funky rhythm, the energetic instrumental 'No Speed Limit' and finally the very progressive ‘Mes Heures Sombres’ which makes me think of 'Lazuli' (see here). In summary, 'JPL' with this latest opus, continues to offer us quality recordings and confirms that he is a complete and essential artist of the progressive French landscape; if you liked previous episodes, you should definitely join this third volume of 'Retrospections'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Pierre Louveton (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Jean Baptiste Itier (Drums)


Artist : Lazuli

Album : Saison 8

Release Date : 10-03-2018

Added : 04-06-2018

I quoted 'Lazuli' in my last review and it is therefore natural that I speak about the last album 'Season 8' of the French who released 'Nos Ames Saoûles' in 2016 (see here). A broadcast on 'France Inter' in early May and a European tour in 2018, we start to talk about them and for having participated to the concert in z7 near Basel early April (great concert !), I can tell you that the French groups do not run the streets in this place. This last opus is in line with the previous one with new compositions where we immediately recognize the style of the group with the voice of 'Dominique Leonetti' who continues to embark us in his poetic texts and this so personal musical atmosphere with the accompaniment with the ‘Leode’ of 'Claude Leonetti' (an instrument he invented and whose name is simply the contraction of the beginning of his name and the end of his first name). From the beginning, with ‘J’attends un printemps’, a melancholy invades us and we let ourselves be carried away by a crescendo of which they have the secret. Follows in the same style, ‘Un Linceul de brume’ and its beautiful final instrumental melody then, ‘Mes Amis, mes frères’, the title certainly the most rock alternating softness and energy leaves room for ‘Les côtes’ with its very strong message to denounce this humanitarian disaster of the migrants who continue to die at sea. The following is the image of this beginning with this particular style alternating tension and relaxation that is in a sense this trademark 'Made In Lazuli'. In summary, the ‘Gardois’ of 'Lazuli' continue to release quality albums and show once again with 'Season 8' that they are a major formation of the French progressive landscape...

Line Up / Musicians

Claude Léonetti (Léode, Choirs), Gédéric Byar (Guitar), Dominique Léonetti (Vocal, Guitar, Mandolin), Romain Thorel (Keybords, French horn, Choirs), Vincent Barnavol (Drums, Percussions, Choirs)


Artist : Perfect Plan

Album : All Rise

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 05-06-2018

‘Perfect Plan' is a Swedish band (one more!) which formed in 2014 and which after a first single 'In And Out Of Love', released his first studio album 'All Rise'. In the tradition of melodic rock bands or AOR like their compatriots 'Last Autumn's Dreams', 'Treat' or 'Eclipse', they offer us 11 titles, each as melodic as the others. So, we navigate between energetic titles like 'Bad City Woman', 'Stone Cold Lover' or the very catchy 'What Can I do' that has a look of ‘Huriah Heep', others more mid-tempo like 'In and out of Love', 'Too Far Gone' or 'Too Late'. In the end, the Swedes of 'Perfect Plan' release a quality album, very accessible and for all fans of melodic rock, 'All Rise' is to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Kent Hilli (Vocal), Rolf Nordström (Guitar, Choirs), P-O Sedin (Bass, Choirs), Leif Ehlin (Keybords, Choirs), Fredrik Forsberg (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Shadowlight

Album : Stars Above the City

Release Date : 18-04-2018

Added : 06-06-2018

'Shadowlight' is an English progressive rock band that released an album in 2012 ('Twilight Canvas') and nothing until 2018 with this new album 'Stars Above the City'. It starts with the short 'Adreline Bomb' which after an introduction of some sound effects poured incisive guitar riffs for a very energetic title and then, without transition, 'Gravity' continues in a fairly steady pace for a melodic title with a first sung part that precedes an instrumental part with a beautiful guitar solo and after a short break, the finale is more classical and alternates instrumental and sung parts. With the following tracks 'Summerfade' and 'Dusseldorf', the style is more progressive and is reminiscent of bands like 'Blackfield' (see their latest album here) or 'Sylvan' (last album on Spotify here). The suite is of the same level with beautiful melodies that are accessible from the first listening and with rich and worked arrangements, each member of the group bringing his stone to the building for a great overall result. The last title 'Undending', with its 12 minutes and its construction in 3 parts is a good summary of the progressive style of the group that develops sought ambiances while remaining very accessible. In summary, the English of 'Shadowlight' come back in force with this new album which is a 2018 good surprise and, if you like accessible progressive rock, 'Stars Above the City' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

James Hodkinson (Guitar, Vocal), Mark Wilson (Piano, Keybords, Vocal), Ed Williamson-Brown (Bass), Carl Cole (Drums)


Artist : Arena

Album : Double Vision

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 07-06-2018

The English of ‘Arena', after a sumptuous 'The Unquiet Sky' in 2015 (see here) have just released a new album 'Double Vision' at the end of May 2018 coinciding with the 20 years of their album 'The Visitor'. A boon for fans as the group takes over the entirety of this iconic album during its 2018 tour and we also discover two titles of 'Double Vision'. This last opus is in the tradition of the previous one with the only difference that it presents only 7 titles but with a masterful final title (we will come back to it). Regarding the first 6 titles, we find the particular style 'Made In Arena', inspired progressive rock where the melodic research is omni-present which makes them very accessible, all this being sublimated by the marvelous guitar solos of 'John Mitchell' and by the voice of 'Paul Manzi' (and I can tell you that in concert, these two have triggered quite a few times this little thrill so characteristic!). And then, there is this last title 'The Legend of Elijah Shade' of more than 22 minutes which embarks us in a maze of atmospheres where each member of the group brings its stone to the building to make it a typical title of the Progressive. In summary, with 'Double Vision', the English of 'Arena' continue album after album to enchant us with accessible compositions of high quality and confirm their position in the leading pack of international progressive rock bands...

Line Up / Musicians

Clive Nolan (Clavier), Paul Manzi (Vocal), John Mitchell (Guitar), Mick Pointer (Drums), John Jowitt (Bass)


Artist : CrossFire

Album : Drifting Ashore

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 09-06-2018

Listening to 'Drifting Ashore', we could easily believe that ‘Allison Mareek' and 'Etienne Prieuret' are both Americans because they master this particular style between blues, folk and rock of artists of the country of uncle Sam (and this is not the cover of 'Masters of War' of 'Bob Dylan' which can say the opposite). In fact, the duo is from Paris and they started their adventure at the Caveau des oubliettes when Allison was looking for a guitarist in 2014 to accompany him. From the start, with 'Hard as They Try', we discover the beautiful warm and sensual voice of Allison for a semi-acoustic title typical of the blues and with the tracks following 'Buffalo' and 'Feathers', the tone is more folk and the duo shows a nice complicity in the fusion of their two voices. With 'Damages Goods - I Will not Settle For', they embark us on an energetic title much more rock and we return to a much quieter atmosphere with 'The Things We Should'nt Say' where the duo also knows how to sublimate in melancholy. We stay in this mood with 'Song for the Fisherman', 'Drifting Ashore' or the poignant 'Empty Minds & Prayers' and 'Colors' is lighter and reminiscent of the style of 'Joan Beaz'. In summary, 'Crossfire' is a very endearing duo that releases a quality album and 'Drifting Ashore' is recommended to all fans of American blues and folk...

Line Up / Musicians

Allison Mareek (Guitar, Vocal), Etienne Prieuret (Guitar, Vocal), Jeff Ludovicus (Drums), Thomas d'Arbigny (Bass), Nils De Caster (Violin, Mandolin), Julien Grattard (Cello), Benoit Martin (Clarinette)


Artist : Ostura

Album : The Room

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 10-06-2018

I did not know the Lebanese Ostura 'who had already released a first studio recording in 2012 and I discovered them with this 2nd opus 'The Room' which I quote 'Elia Monsef' « The Room tells the story of a social recluse girl who takes refuge in an empty room. Through her imagination the room becomes a world of her creation where she is God. Once the creations gain awareness, comes the conflict between the creator and the created and the internal struggle between the girl and her broken mind ». Not easy to describe briefly 'The Room' so much this album is dense on all levels. First of all, if I had to give a musical style to locate them, I would say that it is progressive metal but it is obviously very reductive because they draw their influences far beyond because they mix styles as different as classical music, film music, progressive music and symphonic music, all finely balanced between oriental and western sounds. For this reason, it is very difficult on the whole to refer to a specific group because each title alternates different moods and rhythms. For example, just in the single title 'Escape', I could cite influences from 'Stream Of Passion' (the introduction), from ‘Epica' (the voice of 'Youmna' on the first sung part reminiscent of 'Simone Simons'), from ‘Avantasia' (the epic central part and the song of ‘Elia Moussef ') and ‘Ayreon' (on the instrumental parts and the very melodic final). Then, 'Ostura' did not do things in half because they called on a prestigious ensemble of guests as varied as ‘Arjen Lucassen' (not surprising knowing that he had launched 'Stream Of Passion'), the eclectic 'Thomas Lang' in the rhythm section, but also to add classical instruments, violinists, a cellist, a flutist and an oudist, and to top it off, the intervention of the orchestra of the Prague city (often used by metal artists) and the Lebanese film ensemble. To this, we can add a flawless production of 'Jens Bogren' who works with a multitude of groups (among others 'Orphaned Land', 'Angra' or 'Symphony X'). We could cite all the titles because each brings their own story but, for short, I'll talk about the title 'Duality' of more 12 minutes which is a good summary of the album : an introduction with strings and percussion that precedes a rhythmic part where the flute is put forward and after some oriental sounds, a first melodic metal part sung masterfully by 'Elia Monsef' who alternates power and relaxation with the voice of 'Youmna Jreissati' which is added in the chorus, then an acceleration of the title for an instrumental part guitar/keyboards where choruses are grafted. The sequel still holds us good surprises with a complete rupture that embarks us in the singing a capella of Youmna in a palpable emotion that precedes a final starting calmly with an acoustic guitar that gives way to a magnificent guitar solo and then the whole unleashes into a grandiose finale with a lot of choruses to finish calmly in some piano chord : it's really a magical title that transports you and has given me goosebumps on a number of occasions. Certainly, such a density can not be digested at once and 'The Room' requires a lot of listenings to discover every nook and cranny and also requires some musical openness. In summary, as you will understand, 'Ostura' is for me an exceptional album and without going too far, one of the major releases of 2018 which should improve as the good wine listen after listen (generally sign of a high quality) and if you are a lover of progressive metal that mixes different styles, this album is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Elia Monsef (Vocal), Danny Bou-Maroun (Keybords), Youmna Jreissati (Vocal), Alain Ibrahim (Guitar), Alex Abi Chaker (Drums) + Guests : Dan Veall (Bass), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitar), Michael Mills (Vocal), Thomas Lang (Drums), Marco Sfogli (Guitar), Ozgur Abbak (Guitar), Yamane Al Hage (Violin), Jokine Solban (Violin), Nobuko Miyazaki (Flute), Mohannad Nassar (Oud), Roger Smith (Cello), Prague City Orchestra, Lebanese film ensemble


Artist : Shadygrove

Album : In The Heart of Scarlet Wood

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 11-06-2018

With the debut album 'In The Heart of Scarlet Wood' from the Italians 'Shadygrove' we leave for a journey whose influences are drawn from folk bands like the formation of 'Candice Night' and 'Ritchie Blackmore', ' Blackmore's Night' (see here). Led by 'Lisy Stefanoni' who is the singer of the metal band 'Evenoire', 'Shadygrove' embarks us for 47 minutes of beautiful happy and harmonious melodies that the violinist 'Fabio Lethien Polo' calls « Celtic, ethnic and acoustic folk ». All titles are very accessible and we can quote the beautiful catchy melodies such as 'Scarlet Wood', 'My Silver Seal', 'The Port of Lisbon' or 'This Is The Night' but also more melancholic compositions where the sweet and warm Lisy's vocals are perfect for such titles as in 'Eve of Love', 'Cydonia' or 'Northern Lights'. We can note also that the set can also be compared to what 'Arjen Lucassen' has done in the 'Gentle' version of 'The Gentle Storms' (see here ). In summary, even though the members of 'Shadygrove' are from metal bands like 'Elvenking', 'Sound Storm' and 'Evenoire', we are far from saturated guitar riffs and 'In The Heart of Scarlet Wood' shows another beautiful facet of these artists for the great pleasure of fans of acoustic folk...

Line Up / Musicians

Lisy Stefanoni (Vocal, Flute), Fabio Lethien Polo (Violin), Matteo Antoni (Guitar), Davide Papa (Bass), Elena Crolle (Keybords), Simone Morettin (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Bullet

Album : Dust to Gold

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 12-06-2018

With 'Dust to Gold', Swedish 'Bullet' releases their 6th album since 2006 and they continue to offer us regular energstic and effective heavy metal. This latest opus is no exception to the rule and for those who do not know the band, 'Bullet' could be a cross between 'Saxon' and 'AC/DC'. Both say that they live their music thoroughly and that their compositions are always so direct and speed like 'Speed and Attack', 'Screams in the Night' or 'Hollow Grounds' and titles that are a little less are just as energetic with heavy and rhythmic riffs like 'Is not Enough', 'Highway Love' (a nod to their elders by replacing 'Hell' with 'Love' ?) or 'Forever Rise'. For the anecdote, the cover of the album pays homage to their old Volvo bus that they used for the tours (the Bullet Bus) and that they replaced by a bus more modern which broke down what he forced them to cancel 2 dates, like what !! In short, even if they do not bring novelties to the mill of heavy metal, this last album shows that the Swedes of 'Bullet' continue to live their music with passion and that if you are fans of the heavy metal of the 80s, this 'Dust to Gold' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Hell Hofer (Vocal), Hampus Klang (Guitar), Alex Lyrbo (Guitar), Gustav Hector (Bass), Gustav Hjortsjö (Drums)


Artist : StoneLake

Album : Thunder And Rain

Release Date : 25-04-2018

Added : 13-06-2018

'StoneLake' is a Swedish melodic rock band whose members have known each other for over 30 years but who started releasing albums in 2006 and 'Thunder And Rain' is their 7th album. They offer us 11 tracks including a cover of 'Jennifer Lopez' in a classic style referring to groups of the 80s as 'Toto', 'Asia' or 'Foreigner' and to quote newer groups 'WET' (see here), 'Prayer' (see here) or 'FM' (see here). The set is very accessible and we navigate between rhythmic and melodic titles like 'Thunder And Rain', 'Hold On To You', 'Sent From Heaven' or 'Where You Are Running' interspersed with 2 ballads 'Dreams' and the powerful 'Only Shadows'. In short, even if they do not bring real novelties, 'Thunder And Rain' is a very good album of melodic rock and should appeal to all those who love the bands mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Grundström (Vocal, Choirs), Jan Åkesson (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Lasse Jison Johansson (Bass), Jens Westberg (Drums)


Artist : Tomorrow’s Eve

Album : Mirror of Creation III - Project Ikaros

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 14-06-2018

'Tomorrow's Eve' is a German group made up of artists from the metal scene who has not released an album for 10 years and this last album is the end of the trilogy of 'Mirror of Creation' whose first part already dates from 2003, based on Edgar Poe's poem 'A dream in a dream' which describes life as a dream of which we are the spectators with all the interpretations that can be done around this poem. To set this theme to music, they offer us 11 tracks in a style that mixes classic metal influences with sophisticated progressive metal with a large number of rhythm changes, alternating between powerful and much quieter parts, and multiple arrangements both instrumental and vocal. As often in this case, the compositions are not necessarily accessible at the first listen even if most titles contain catchy melodic lines and for example in 'Morpheus', the chorus is reminiscent of the musical lines of 'Threshold' (see last album here). In summary, the Germans 'Tomorrow's Eve' release an album of incredible richness and, even if it may remain destined to an informed public, this end of trilogy should appeal to all those who loves a complex and sought progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin LeMar (Vocal), Rainer Reason (Guitar), Oliver Schwickert (Keybords), Mike LePond (Bass), John Macaluso (Drums)


Artist : Pinski

Album : Sound the Alarm

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 15-06-2018

'Pinski' is a new band brought to us by the 'Gentle Art Of Music' label (producing quality artists like 'Frequency Drift' (see their latest album here). Led by the singer and guitarist 'Insa Reichwein', they are not easy to classify because we sail between energetic hard-rock and folk/rock much wiser with an electric acoustic mix. The first part of the album is powerful and punchy with the 3 tracks 'Ugly Side', 'Sound The Alarm' and 'III', 'Butterfly' being the only acoustic composition calmer then, the following alternates tracks between pop and rock like 'Humanity' or 'Letter of Regret', more rock like 'Fire' and others between pop and folk, where acoustics take over the electric ones like 'Society', the beautiful ballad 'Staying Alive' and the acoustic 'Light Calling' which closed the opus beautifully. In all this variety, 'Insa Reichwein' has an exceptional voice that can be powerful in energetic titles but also emotional in quiet moments like 'Red Sun' where she alternates between the two registers. In addition, the artists who accompany her are also full of talent and contribute largely to make this 'Sound the Alarm' an album of a very high quality. In short, this new band 'Pinski' is a very good surprise 2018 and if you are open to various melodic styles between pop, folk, rock and hard-rock, this opus is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Insa Reichwein (Vocal, Guitar), Stephan Schöpe (Drums), Ian Alexander Griffiths (Guitar, Choirs), Chris Streidt (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Foreigner

Album : Foreigner with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (Live)

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 17-06-2018

We no longer present 'Foreigner', this iconic melodic rock band created in the '70s by' Mick Jones 'and' Ian Mc Donald 'and very active in the' 80s. 2018 sees the release of the 2017 Lucerne concert which celebrated the 40-year career of the group. For this event, they appealed to a classical orchestra and a choir that necessarily give a new symphonic dimension to the ensemble. After a classical orchestral and vocal introduction where 'Mozart' is mixed with 'Dvorjak', we find the hits that made them known and that were rearranged to integrate classical instruments and the choir as in the grandiose 'Juke Box Hero' which has been lengthened to make more than 11 minutes and where the balance is perfect between the symphonic and electrical parts. The final title 'I Want to Know What Love Is' obviously gives the goose bumps when the public resumes, at the request of 'Kelly Hansen', this chorus that was engraved in our heads there are more than 30 years. Note also the release of the DVD with 3 titles in addition to 'Head Games', 'The Flame Still Burns' and 'Hot Blooded'. In short, this live is a very nice gift for all the fans of the group and beyond should make known this group to the youngest because the music of 'Foreigner' is accessible to the greatest world...

Line Up / Musicians

Mick Jones (Guitar), Kelly Hansen (Vocal), Jeff Pilson (Bass, Vocal), Tom Gimbel (Guitar, Saxophone, Vocal), Michael Bluestein (Keybords), Bruce Watson (Guitar), Chris Frazier (Drums)


Artist : Master Men

Album : From the Moon

Release Date : 18-02-2018

Added : 18-06-2018

'Master Men' is a Polish band that released their first album in 2015 ('Through The Window' here) but which were old compositions of the 90s. This new opus 'From the Moon' contains new tracks that are influenced by the rock of the 70s where the keyboards mix with the riffs of the guitars and where one can see, here and there, some keys of progressive. With the first eponymous title of the album, the atmosphere is close to a psychedelic rather dark and then, 'Fires' mixes energetic parts and other quieter where the guitar solos are very aerial. The continuation is like the beginning with classical constructions and rather slow and accessible melodic lines that can be melancholic as in 'Orphan', more rock as in 'Snakes and Ladders' or atmospheric in 'Fate'. In summary, even if one can not yet highlight a style of their own and they certainly have the potential to evolve, the Poles of 'Master Men' release a good album accessible and melodic and 'From the Moon' should please everyone who navigates between atmospheric, stoner and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Olaf Migus (Vocal), Zbigniew Pajda (Guitar), Damian Nowak (Keybords), Stanisław Sapun (Bass), Maciej Habdas (Drums)


Artist : HeKz

Album : Invicta

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 19-06-2018

It is with 'Invicta' that I discover the English of 'HeKz' who already have 2 studio albums to their credit ('Tabula Rasa' here and 'Caerus' here). Like ‘Tomorrow's Eve’ (see here), they offer us a progressive metal of incredible variety and richness that draws its inspiration from a multitude of formations and from several generations of artists ranging from 'Queen' to 'Dream Theater'. First of all, after a first listen, we can not really say what style prevails so much they touch everything; of course, the first part of the album is metal oriented but after the title ‘Ultimatum', it's not so obvious anymore, because the mix of sounds and rhythms make even powerful and fast parts never aggressive. It should take one by one each title but I will limit myself to limit this chronicle to talk about the longest title of the album 'The Devil's Coin' which gathers all the atmospheres in one title: first, a powerful introduction which precedes the epic theme and very melodic to arrive at a first quiet part sung which gradually increases with the arrival of the electric instruments and then falls for an instrumental part reminiscent of the beginning of the progressive metal and which stretches exploring nooks and crannies; a few chords of bass and the following explodes in a fast and complex part where mixes keyboards and guitar and where the rhythm section plays a preponderant role and which ends in a heady sung part which leaves its place after a susurrée pause of the title to a final grandiose taking up the starting theme. It is certain that such a density can not tame in a single listening and that it is the kind of album which one must be appropriated little by little all especially since the richness of the arrangements (among others beautiful harmonies vocals) makes that you always discover new details. In summary, the English of 'HeKz' certainly release one of the albums of the year in progressive metal but 'Invicta' should not be limited only to the audience of this style but also touch the people open to a mix of genres in progressive music in general ...

for those who would be interested, this link gives more information on the theme of the album.

Line Up / Musicians

Matt Young (Vocal, Bass), Al Beveridge (Guitar, Choirs), Tom Smith (Guitars, Choirs), James Messenger (Keybords), Kirk Brandham (Drums)


Artist : Anyone’s Daughter

Album : Living In The future

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 20-06-2018

'Anyone's Daughter' is a band that was created in the '70s by' Uwe Karpa 'and' Matthias Ulmer 'and has become known by playing covers of' Deep Purple '(their name is one of the songs of the English group). Rather active in the 70's / 80's when they released several albums, they then experienced several changes of line up and periods of inactivity. In 2015, 'Uwe Karpa' left the ship leaving 'Matthias Ulmer' as sole master on board. 2018 sees the release under the name 'Anyone's Daughter' of a new album that can be seen as a new beginning because the style is far enough with the progressive rock they had developed in the past. We could place this new opus between pop, folk and rock with accessible and fairly standard compositions between 'Elton John', 'Billy Joel' and ‘Cat Stevens’. We navigate in a general public register between acoustic and semi-acoustic where the melodic lines are harmonious. In summary, the Germans of Anyone's Daughter ', even if the evolution of their style can not be compared to what they did in the past, released a good album accessible to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Matthias Ulmer (Clavier, Piano, Vocal), John Vooijs (Vocal), Uwe Metzler (Guitar) + Guests : Peter Kumpf (Drums), Patrick "Paco" Müller (Bass), Leo Schmidthals (Bass), Mick Jackson (Vocal), Heinz Rudolf Kunze (Vocal), Dani Suara (Vocal), Tayfun Ünlü (Vocal), André Carswell (Vocal)


Artist : No Hot Ashes

Album : No Hot Ashes

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 21-06-2018

'No Hot Ashes' is an Irish band which started his adventure in the 80s and which, at the time, had composed an album that have never been released. A reformation in 2013 has revived the group which finally more than 30 years later, released his first album under the name 'No Hot Ashes'. We are necessarily in a style of the 80s with influences from rock bands like 'Foreigner' (see their latest live here), 'Uriah Heep' or 'Toto'. The compositions are all very accessible and we navigate between energetic titles like 'Come Alive', 'Good To Look Back' or 'Jonny Redhead', others more AOR as 'Satisfied', 'Over Again' or 'Souls' and the 'Boulders' ballad typical of this era, the album ending with a beautiful acoustic song 'I Will' with country accents. In short, as the saying goes, "It's never too late to do it right," 'No Hot Ashes' is a good 80's melodic rock album and if you like the bands mentioned above, you should not be disappointed...

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Irvine (Guitar), Nial Diver (Guitar), Paul Boyd (Bass), Steve Strange (Drums), Tommy Dickson (Keybords), Eamon Nancarrow (Vocal)


Artist : Station

Album : More Than The Moon

Release Date : 13-04-2018

Added : 22-06-2018

After 'No Hot Ashes', here are the Americans of 'Station' who evolve in the same style as the Irish and who released a first album in 2015. 'More Than The Moon' is their 2nd opus and they offer us 12 compositions accessible that refer to the rock and hard-rock melodic era of the 80s. To retain only a few titles, I will quote 'More Than The Moon' for his catchy chorus that immediately goes into your head, 'I Will not Break Your Heart' for his guitar riffs reminiscent of 'Asia', the typical rock FM ballad 'Lie to You' and the beautiful acoustic finale 'Walking Away'. In summary, 'Station', even if they do not bring real news, released a good album of melodic rock and 'More Than The Moon' should appeal to all those who love groups of this style of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Patrick Kearney (Vocal), Chris Lane (Guitar), Emi Asta (Bass), Tony Baptist (Drums)


Artist : White Chameleon

Album : Asymmetric Man

Release Date : 25-04-2018

Added : 23-06-2018

'White Chameleon' is a progressive rock band from Spain that has released 2 LPs in 2013 and 2015 (not appearing on Spotify) and it is with 'Asymmetric Man' that just released that I discover them. Their style is very influenced by the different progressive currents, from the 70s bands like 'Pink Floyd' or 'Camel', to more recent ones like 'Marillion' or 'Pendragon'. From the beginning, with 'The Eye of Tassili', we discover a rather theatrical progressive atmosphere reinforced by the characteristic voice of 'Jordi Mela' and with instrumental parts very close to the 'Floyds'. The next 2 tracks, 'Laetoli' and 'Codex Giga' of nearly 10 minutes each, take us into multi-drawer compositions with breaks in rhythm and intensity. The sequel is the image of this beginning with the instrumental 'Scipio', the epic and grandiose 'Asymmetric Man', the psychedelic 'Remembering London' with a guitar sound close to 'Gilmour' and the opus ends on the 12 minutes of 'The Scultures' which begins with more incisive guitar riffs and where we navigate between power and softness for a typical progressive title. Also note the original cover created by 'Mateo Lara' whose making is available icihere). In summary, the Spaniards of 'White Chameleon' release a quality album with all the ingredients that we want to find in progressive rock but nevertheless accessible by the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Jordi Mela (Vocal, Keybords), Juan Antonio Ponce (Guitar), Josep Romero (Bass), Israel Garrido (Drums)


Artist : Pamela Moore

Album : Behind The Veil

Release Date : 01-05-2018

Added : 24-06-2018

'Pamela Moore' who was known as one of the performers of 'Queensryche' metal opera in the late '80s also released solo albums and 'Behind The Veil' is her third album. For this, she surrounded herself with talented artists of the metal scene with among others 'Rudy Sarzo on bass ('Quiet Rot', 'Ozzy Ozbourne') and 'Casey Grillo' on drums (‘Kamelot', 'Queensryche'). In a rather dark and nostalgic atmosphere (the album was made just after the death of her mother and was somehow an outlet for this painful ordeal), she offers us 10 different titles, starting with the powerful 'Rise' and his catchy chorus then 'Sickness' and 'Beneath the Woodoo Marsh' take over for 2 black titles where she shows all her vocal talent. With 'My Eternal' and 'Slow Burn', it is an alternation between tension and relaxation where Pamela shows a true authenticity in her interpretation. The second part of the album takes us into a powerful and crazy 'Wi Fi Zombies', a mid-tempo trainer 'These Scars', a beautiful acoustic ballad 'Just Breathe' and a magnificent power ballad 'Run' to close the album. In summary, with 'Behind The Veil', 'Pamela Moore' releases an original and very emotional album that should appeal to all fans of a heavy metal combining power and authenticity...

Line Up / Musicians

Pamela Moore (Vocal), Rudy Sarzo (Bass), Casey Grillo (Drums), Michael Posch (Guitar), Eglise Craig (Guitar) + Guests : Ralph Sheepers, Randy Piper, Elliot Anders


Artist : La Bottega del Tempo a Vapore

Album : Viaggi InVersi

Release Date : 28-04-2018

Added : 26-06-2018

The Italians from 'La Bottega del Tempo a Vapore' (not easy to wear a name that means the workshop of steam time) have just released their 2nd studio album 'Viaggi InVersi'. Their style is a mixture of progressive rock and metal with fairly standard titles in the length except 'Dama di spade' which is more than 25 minutes. After the short instrumental introduction that mixes sound effects and some keyboard notes, 'Goccia di Tenebra' takes us into a rather untidy metal piece with accessible melodic lines and where the keyboards lead the dance which can recall the 'Dream Theater' style. Follows 'Urla e derdonami' who abandons the progressive side for an energetic title with a classical asser verse / chorus structure. With the following 2 tracks of 'Tempo Inverso', they integrate electro sounds in the first part which alternates quiet acoustic and powerful electric sections and the second part is a crescendo where the beginning is punctuated by the narration of ‘Alfredo Martinelli' and which continues with a very 'Floydien' guitar solo to fall back and end with some acoustic guitar chords. But the cornerstone of the album is 'Dama di spade' which embarks us for a typical progressive title where we take pleasure to get lost in the different nooks and crannies of different parts in a patchwork of styles. In the end, 'La Bottega del Tempo a Vapore' shows once more that the progressive is doind well in Italy and 'Viaggi InVersi' should appeal to all those who love traditional progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Zeoli (Guitar), Angelo Santo (Vocal), Gabriele Beatrice (Drums), Giuseppe Sarno: Keyboards (Keybords), Luca Iorio (Bass), Alfredo Martinelli (storyteller)


Artist : anasazi

Album : Ask the Dust

Release Date : 23-04-2018

Added : 28-06-2018

'Anasazi' is a French band that is already fifteen years old and has already released 4 LPs, and only the last one of 2014, '1000 Yard Stare' appears on Spotify. The Grenoblois led by 'Mathieu Madani' come back in 2018 with a 5th album 'Ask the Dust'. Their style can be compared to the mix of 2 projects of 'Steven Wilson', 'Porcupine Tree' (last period for the metal side) and 'Blackfield' (for the soft side) with also multiple influences in the pop and rock of the early 70s. From the beginning, with 'Staring at the Sun', neo-progressive fans will find themselves on familiar ground with a little nod to some chords of the 'I Want You' from The Beatles. Follows the melodic 'Miles Away' with its powerful chorus then 'Feeling Nothing' embarks us in a succession of breaks of rhythm and 'Drift Away' presents 2 distinct facets with a calm first part then a crescendo led by powerfull guitar riffs. The sequel always refers to this mix of progressive and classic pop/rock as in the magnificent 'Still I Can not Hide' with a classic first part verse chorus and a second part that takes us back a few decades in some titles of the first period of the 'Floyds' . In summary, with this latest album, the Grenoblois of 'anasazi' continue to forge their own identity in the progressive French landscape and confirms all their potential: if you are fond of an accessible progressive style, this 'Ask fthe Dust' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Mathieu Madani (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Christophe Blanc-Tailleur (Bass), Bruno Saget (Guitar), Anthony Barruel (Drums) + Guests : Julie Barruel (Choirs)


Artist : Shadow Merchant

Album : Tomorrow

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 29-06-2018

'Shadow Merchant' was born from the meeting of 'Sean Reiter' and 'Paul McGinnis' in 2007, all 2 radiologists, who had a common passion for progressive rock. A debut album 'The Tunnel' was released in 2014 and after line-up changes with the departure of co-founder 'Paul McGinnis' replaced on drums by 'David Lee', 2018 sees the release of 'Tomorrow'. From the beginning, with 'Invisible Energy', we are immersed in an energetic progressive rock where the guitar is in front and the Hammond organ coming here and there brought a vintage touch. With 'The Begining of the End', we discover all the talent of the new vocalist 'Yvonne Blackwell' on a title removed and in a powerful register. The atmosphere is quieter on 'Everything' and the duo between Howard and Yvonne works perfectly. The style reminds me of 'Karnataka' especially since Yvonne is in the same register as Hayley Griffiths'. 'A New Life' continues in this melodious style and 'Stars' of more than 10 minutes takes us into a progressive title made of several drawers (my favorite). Following we still have great surprises with the instrumental 'Valkyrie' very unbridled, then 'Moving Standing Still' brings us back to a more conventional rock style while the short 'Summer' is a very nice ballad. In short, this new album from the Americans of 'Shadow Merchant' is a nice surprise 2018 and 'Tomorrow' should please a public loving accessible progressive rock bands like 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Karnataka'...

Line Up / Musicians

Sean Reiter (Guitar), Howard Whitman (Vocal, Bass), Yvonne Blackwell (Vocal, Percussions), Michael LaBuono (Keybords), David Lee (Drums)


Artist : Finally George

Album : Life Is a Killer

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 30-06-2018

'Finally George' (his real name 'Georg Hahn') is a German sound engineer who has set up a project of which he is the composer, producer and performer. I quote, "I have always been inspired by progressive bands such as Genesis, Blackfield and Supertramp. Unlike them, however, I focus more on emotions". And indeed, its influences are many and range from the pop of the 70s where we could cite groups like the 'Beatles' or 'Barclay James Harvest' to more recent neo-progressive formations like 'Blackfield' or 'RPWL’. The atmosphere is overall quite affecting with slow tempos where beautiful catchy and inspired melodies, sublimated by an irreproachable production, slowly unfold their history. All titles deserve to be described but for short, I will talk about two central titles, first of all the melancholic 'Remember Me' that can recall certain moods of 'RPWL' and the ballad 'I'll Be there' which mixes pop influences of the seventies and the progressive with its final solo 'Gilmourien' simple but giving off a real émtion. In summary, 'Finally George' was right to pass on the other side of the window of the studio to offer us a sumptuous 'Life Is a Killer' which is a real achievement is that should appeal to all who love a subtle mixture between pop and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Finally George (Vocal, Guitars, Bass, Keybords), Todd Sucherman (Drums, Percussions), Erlend Krauser (Guitar), John Engehausen (Guitar), Ralf Bittermann (Guitar), Erlend Krauser (Guitar), Fiete Felsch (Flute), Matthias Pogoda (Piano), Detlef Bösche (Hammond)


Artist : Loreena McKennitt

Album : Lost Souls

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 01-07-2018

After more than 10 years without releasing an album of original songs, fans of 'Loreena McKennit' were eagerly awaiting 'Lost Souls', which was finally released in 2018. Known for its Celtic repertoire, which has toured the world. this new album comes out, as she says "out of his quest of the Celtic history" and she embarks us with its magic voice in a magnificent patchwork of sounds mixing different cultures. Even if the melodic lines remain fairly classical, she invited artists playing different "traditional" instruments which gives an exotic touch to the ensemble, and the theme that revolves around the "lost souls", reinforces this melancholy atmosphere as in the poignant 'Breaking of the Sword' honoring Canadian soldiers who fell in France during the First World War. In the end, 'Lost Souls' is a condensate of emotions sublimated by the harmonious and soothing voice of Loreena who continues to delight his audience as much after more than thirty years of career...

Line Up / Musicians

Loreena McKennitt (Vocal, Piano, Keybords, Accordion, Harp), Brian Hughes (Guitar, Bouzouki, Keybords), Caroline Lavelle (Cello), Hugh Marsh (Violin), Dudley Phillips (Bass) + Guests : Robert Brian (Drums), Tal Bergman (Drums), Hossam Ramsey (Percussions), Graham Hargrove (Percussions), Rick Lazar (Percussions), Nigel Eaton (Hurdy Gurdy), Panos Dimitrakopoulos (Kanoun), Sokratis Sinopoulos (Lyra), Haig Yazdjian (Oud), Ana Alcaide (Nyckelharpa), Daniel Casares (Guitars), Miguel Ortiz Ruvira (Percussions)


Artist : 3rdegree

Album : Ones & Zeros: Vol. 0

Release Date : 30-04-2018

Added : 03-07-2018

The Americans of '3rdegree' had released the first part of 'Ones & Zeros' in 2015 (see here) and we were waiting for volume 2 one day or the other and 2018 sees the next sequel to this saga around new technologies but in the reverse order since it bears the number 0 for certainly support the notion of decadence due to digital. The style of this new album is in continuity with the previous one, a progressive rock which draws its influences in a mixture of genres that go chronologically from the pop of the 60s / 70s to the neo-prog of the years 2010. The beautiful vocal harmonies are always present and integrate beautifully in refined and melodic compositions. And how to miss the flagship title of the album 'Click Away!' of more than 15 minutes and that embarks us in a sort of timeless musical journey that mixes the 'Beatles' and 'Steven Wilson' and is a criticism of excessive computerization. In summary, this' Ones & Zeros: Vol. 0 'comes to add to the excellent first part and, even if the whole remains intended for an informed public, is a dense and rich work which should take a good place in the discotheque of any amateur of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Patrick Kliesch (Guitar, Choirs), George Dobbs (Vocal, Keybords), Robert James Pashman (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Eric Pseja (Guitar, Choirs), Bryan Zeigler (Guitar, Choirs), Rob Durham (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : Delusional

Release Date : 08-03-2018

Added : 04-07-2018

'Rick Miller' is a Canadian multi-instrumentist and composer who is already at his 14th album with 'Delusional'. With this latest opus, it takes us into a serial-killer story and because of that, he made music stick to this theme to make the overall atmosphere worrying, see at some places scary. The style is progressive in the construction with 2 major tracks of more than 10 minutes where there is a succession of atmospheres sometimes psychedelic sometimes rock mixing sound effects and electronic sounds: for example 'Serial Killer' starts in a very calm way in a classical melody accompanied by strings and after some worrying voice mixes, drums starts a linear tempo supported by keyboards and some guitar riffs. Then we return to a very psychedelic part close to the 'Floyds' beginning with a few layers of keyboards, alternating vocals and electric guitar and which stretches slowly to finish in some acoustic guitar chords accompanied by a cello repeating the final theme. In summary, 'Rick Miller' offers us a new quality album that perfectly marries the theme with the music and if you are attracted by atmospheric progressive rock, you should definitely like 'Delusional'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Sarah Young (Flute), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Violin, Guitar), Mateusz Swoboda (Cello)


Artist : The Aaron Clift Experiment

Album : If All Goes Wrong

Release Date : 04-05-2018

Added : 05-07-2018

'The Aaron Clift Experiment' is the project of the Texan 'Aaron Clift' who with his group and multiple guests released a 3rd album 'If All Goes Wrong'. The compositions are extremely varied and mix some classical rock, symphonic and psychedelic in a progressive style. 'Faith' sets the scene in an energetic rock and classic 'Rolling Stones', then with 'Last Crash', the rhythm section is very dynamic with a very melodic chorus and an admirable guitar solo. Follows 'Absent Lovers' which contrasts with the first 2 titles and which takes us into a symphonic and progressive composition with several drawers that can recall formations of the 70s as 'Renaissance' or 'Jethro-Tull'. The following continues in this variety with 'Better off Before' tinted 'Beatles', 'Castle in the Sky' which reminds me of the sound of' Focus', 'Savage in a Fancy Suit' tinted 'Jethro-Tull' in the period 'Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die!' (The flute in less), the beautiful 'Dream Within a Dream' which can make you think of some neo-prog compositions by 'Steven Wilson' and finally the melancholic and melodic 'If All Goes Wrong' which beautifully closes the album. In short, with this latest opus of 'The Aaron Clift Experiment', you travel in a patchwork of genres and in several decades of pop/rock and this 'If All Goes Wrong' should please all those who love diversity in the progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Clift (Vocal, claviers), Devin North (Bass, Guitar, Bass), Tim Smith (Drums) + Guests : Dave North (Guitar), Van Wilks (Guitar), Derek Halfmann (Guitar), Dave Sebree (Guitar), Fred Springer (Guitar), Arielle (Guitar, Choirs), Kevin Chin (Guitar), Jon Blangero (Mellotron), Milo Hehmsoth (Piano), Charles Anderson (Violin), Lana Dziekonski (Viola), Ellie Prager (Cello)


Artist : Praying Mantis

Album : Gravity

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 06-07-2018

One more for the Englishs 'Praying Mantis' who continue to release albums, the last 'Legacy' dating from 2015 (see here). 'Gravity' is therefore their 11th studio album and the band, which had not stopped seeing line up changes before 2013, has stabilized. The style is generally less energetic than in 'Legacy' but 'John Cuijpers' has found its place in singing and the vocal harmonies are still as neat. Except the first title 'Keep It Alive' which is in a hard-rock style and the powerfull 'Ghosts of the Past', we're sailing in an FM rock and in a 'Toto' or 'Asia' ambiance : 'Mantis Anthem' is the typical example with its mid-tempo which will certainly remind you of the atmosphere of the eighties. In the end, even if fans of previous albums will certainly find that this last opus lacks punch, 'Praying Mantis' offers us with 'Gravity' a quality album with accessible and melodic compositions that should fill all the lovers of a hard -rock melodic that was born at the end of the 70's...

Line Up / Musicians

Tino Troy (Guitar, Choirs), Chris Troy (Bass, Choirs), Andy Burgess (Guitar, Choirs), John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers (Vocal), Hans In’t Zandt (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Vega

Album : Only Human

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 07-07-2018

At the rate of an album every 2 years, the English of 'Vega' continue quietly their merry way and have just released their 5th studio recording in the tradition of the previous ones, that is to say a melodic hard-rock with influences of formations of the 80s like 'Def Leppard' or 'Journey'. It starts strong with 2 tracks that make you feel good, 'Let's Have Fun Tonight' and 'Worth Dying For'. Everything is done to give you nearly an hour of accessible and melodic songs that immediately enter your mind. Even the slightly less energetic titles like 'Come Back Again' embark us in a melody that can not stop you from moving your head. And as its the case in this kind of album, the power ballad is not forgotten with 'Turning Pages'. In summary, even if they do not revolutionize anything, 'Vega' in the manner of 'Last Autumn's Dream', still release a quality album filled with very accessible compositions and if you are fans of the groups mentioned above, 'Only Human' should be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Workman (Vocal), Tom Martin (Guitar), Hutch (Drums), James Martin (Keybords), Marcus Thurston (Guitar), MyKey Kew (Guitar)


Artist : Lords Of Black

Album : Icons of the New Days

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 09-07-2018

If you like big sound with very sharp guitar riffs and a singer with a powerful voice that give everything of himslelf, I have what you need: the 3rd album of the Spaniards of 'Lords Of Black', 'Icons of the New Days'. In the Spotify version we are entitled to the digipack version which contains in addition to 12 titles, 6 bonuses including 4 covers and 2 tracks discarded from the last album for a total of one hour and 45 minutes ! it starts on top with 'World Gone Mad' very heavy then an 'Icons of the New Days' with a lot of work in the rhythm section. The following is the image of this beginning, with for example the very melodic 'Forevemore' or 'King's Reborn' which reminds me a little of the style of 'Saxon'. But the flagship title of the album is undoubtedly the last (before the 6 bonuses), 'All I Have Left' of more than 11 minutes where the Spaniards show a more progressive facet with a magnificent composition alternating moments calm and powerful, breaks of rhythms and instrumental and sung parts ending in a grandiose way. Also we can note very successfull covers of 'Queen' ('Innuendo'), 'Anthrax' ('Only'), 'Bruce Dickinson' ('Rears of the Dragon') and 'Journey' (Edge Of Blade '), the 2 more titles 'The Maker And The Storm' and 'When Nothing Was Wrong' being from titles not released on the previous album. In summary, this third installment of the Spaniards 'Lords Of Black' shows that they are now in the lead pack of heavy metal formations and this 'Icons of the New Days' is recommended for all lovers of powerful metal and melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Tony Hernando (Guitar), Andy C. (Drums), Dani Criado (Bass)


Artist : Hartmann

Album : Hands on the Wheel

Release Date : 18-05-2018

Added : 11-07-2018

After 'Shadows And Silhouettes' in 2016 (see here), 'Oliver Hartmann' returns with a 5th studio album 'Hands on the Wheel'. With this latest album, the style is more rock than the previous one: from the beginning, with 'Do not Want Back Down', it's melodic hard-rock, powerful and effective even if it does not bring real novelty. Then 'You Best Excuse' and 'Cold as Stone' are in the same style, and the single of the album 'Simple Man' in duo with 'Eric Martin' of 'Mr Big' takes us in a very successful folk/rock register where we can not help but stamp our feet in measure. The sequel alternates energetic titles like 'Last Planes Out' or 'The Harder They Come' and quieter ones like the beautiful ballad 'Soulmates' or 'I Remember' plus rock FM. The album ends with a power ballade 'The Sky is Falling' very seventies and especially the magnificent 'Heart of Gold' in acoustic where Oliver shows all his vocal talent In summary, 'Oliver Hartmann' is still releasing a very successful, accessible and melodic album between rock and hard rock in the great tradition of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Hartmann (Vocal, Guitar), Mario Reck (Guitar), Armin Donderer (Bass), Markus Kullmann (Drums) + Guests : Eric Martin (Vocal), Jimmy Kresic (Keybords), Karolina Galbavà (Cello), Irena Morisakovà


Artist : Rick Parfitt

Album : Over and Out

Release Date : 23-03-2018

Added : 13-07-2018

There are artists who mark you forever because you followed them from your earliest childhood and they ended up being part of your life: for me, 'Rick Parfitt' is one of the first on this list. All 'Status Quo' fans will be able to tell you, introductory riffs of ‘Caroline’ have always had something magical and gave me goose bumps at the beginning of each concert: Rick and his telecaster, we could not remain indifferent to so much generosity on stage with this happiness that it transmitted to the public throughout each performance. Yes, Rick, despite all his excesses, went away too early on Christmas Eve 2016 but he left us this album 'Over and Out' which was almost finished and should due out in 2017 and thanks to his group of friends has just been born. Obviously, we would have preferred him to be there to present his first solo opus but fate has decided otherwise. We find Rick with of course his boogie rock side but what we know less is that he also composed songs much less rock with a talent for accessible melodies like 'Living on an Island' (here) or 'It's Christmas Time' (here) to name only 2. This album is therefore the image of what he was, first with boogie-rock songs like 'Lonesome Road', 'Fight for Every Heartbreak', 'Everybody Knows How to Fly' or 'Halloween' which he co-wrote in 1985 for a Solo album that never came out and appeared on the B-side of 'Status Quo', 'Who Gets the Love'. But, this album also contains beautiful compositions like 'Over and Out' which has a strange resonance after his death especially since it is perhaps the song of the album where his voice is the most fragile, in the sense filled with emotion. We find this soft side with the melodic 'When I Was Fallin' in Love', in the beautiful ballad 'Without You' or in the melodic 'Long Distance Love' or the catchy rockabilly 'Lock Myself Away'. In the end, 'Over and Out' is of course charged with a certain emotion but is a very beautiful album reflecting the entire musical landscape of this artist who has played and was able to transmit to his audience for more than 50 years this so positive energy...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Parfitt (Vocal, Guitar), Rick Parfitt Jnr (Percussions, Choirs), John "Rhino" Edwards (Bass), Alex Toff (Drums), Brian May (Guitar), Jo Webb (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Shannon Harris (Keybords, Piano), Tim Oliver (Keybords), Dave Marks (Bass), Eike Freese (Percussions, Choirs), Ivan Hussey (Cello, Violin), Chris Wolstenholme (Bass, Choirs), Alan Lancaster (Choirs), Wayne Morris (Guitar), Bob Young (Harmonica), Katie Kissoon (Choirs), Stevie Lange (Choirs), Vikki Brown (Choirs), Jeff Rich (Drums), Bias Boshell (Keybords), Pip Williams (Guitar), Martin Ditcham (Percussions)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : British Blues Explosion Live

Release Date : 18-05-2018

Added : 15-07-2018

'Joe Banamassa' continues to release albums at regular intervals, and after 'Black Coffee' with 'Beth Hart' early 2018 (see Here) and the magnificent live at Carnegie Hall (see Here), it's still a live that was released in May 2018, 'British Blues Explosion Live'. For this concert recorded at the Old Royal Naval College Greenwich on July 7, 2016, he pays tribute to artists who have always been influenced throughout his career, including 'Eric Clapton', 'Jeff Beck', 'Jimmy' Page 'and John Mayall'. I quote Joe : 'If there had not been some British musicians in the 1960s, Blues might never have exploded in rock music as we know it today'. We therefore find standards of the artists mentioned above and this concert atmosphere that makes these songs so authentic interpreted in a masterful way by Joe but also by the musicians who accompany him. So, in the end, there is not much to say, simply press the play button and turn up the sound to fully enjoy these timeless titles ...

Tracks list:
= Beck's Bolero / Rice Pudding = written by 'Jimmy Page' for the 'Jeff Beck's album 'Truth' / written by Beck, Hopkins, Wood and Newman for the second studio album of 'Jeff Beck' and the first with the 'Jeff Beck Group'.
= Mainline Florida = written by 'George Terry' for the ‘Eric Clapton’s album ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’.
= Boogie with Stu = written by 'Led Zeppelin', 'Ian' Stu "Stewart 'and' Mrs. Valens' for the album 'Physical Graffiti'.
= Let Me Love You Baby = written by 'Jeffrey Rod' for the first 'Jeff Beck's album 'Truth'.
= Plynth (Water Down The Drain) = written by 'Rod Stewart', 'Nicky Hopkins' and 'Ronnie Wood' for the 'Jeff Beck's album 'Beck-Ola'.
= Spanish Boots = written by 'Jeff Beck', 'Rod Stewart' and 'Ronnie Wood' for the 'Jeff Beck's album 'Beck-Ola'.
= Double Crossing Time = written by 'John Mayall' for 'Blues Breakers', the second studio album of 'John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers', with 'Eric Clapton'.
= Motherless Children = Originally a traditional blues folk song from 'Blind Willie Johnson', recorded by 'Eric Clapton' for his album '461 Ocean Boulevard'.
= SWALBR = written by 'Pete Brown' and 'Jack Bruce' for the second ‘Cream’ studio album 'Disraeli Gears.
= Tea for one / I Can not quit you baby = written by 'Robert Plant' and 'Jimmy Page' for the 7th studi album of 'Led Zeppelin', 'Presence' / written by 'Willie Dixon', recorded by 'Otis Rush' and re-recorded by 'Led Zeppelin' for their first studio album, 'Led Zeppelin'.
= Little Girl = written by 'John Mayall' for 'Blues Breakers', the second studio album of 'John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers' with 'Eric Clapton'.
= Pretending = written by 'Jerry Lynn Williams' for Eric Clapton's album 'Journeyman'.
= Black Winter / Django = inspired by 'White Summer' ('Yardbirds') originally written and performed by 'Jimmy Page' / based on the song ‘Vous et Moi’ originally interpreted by Jjango Reinhardt' and written by 'Robert Bosmans' and 'Etienne Lefebvre'.
= How Many More Times = written and performed by 'Led Zeppelin' for their first studio album, 'Led Zeppelin'.

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Anton Fig (Drums), Russ Irwin (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Midnattsol

Album : The Aftermath

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 16-07-2018

The Norwegian group of gothic metal 'Midnattsol' had not released an album since 2011 and fans were looking forward to this 4th studio recording 'The Aftermath'. After the eviction of 'Liv Kristine' from 'Leaves Eyes' (see their latest album here), 'Carmen Elise Espenæs' invited her sister to participate in this new album and the least we can say is that their 2 voices work perfectly because Liv is not only a punctual guest but sings on all the compositions. Overall, the atmosphere of 'The Aftermath' is melancholy and the style is between folk and metal with 3 compositions in Norwegians that reinforce the traditional side. Note the medieval Swedish ballad 'Herr Mannelig' often taken over by metal or folk formations as had done 'Haggard' on the album 'Eppur si Muove' (voir here). In summary, even if Norwegians of ‘Midnattsol' have never played in the court of the metal great bands, they show that they have passed a course with this latest album that is revealed listening after listening and 'The Aftermath' should delight all those which gravitate between folk and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Carmen Elise Espenæs (Vocal), Liv Kristine Espenæs (Vocal), Alex Kautz (Guitar), Daniel Fischer (Keybords), Stephan Adolph (Guitar)


Artist : Karibow

Album : The Unchosen

Release Date : 31-01-2018

Added : 17-07-2018

I come back to an album released early 2018 'The Unchosen' of 'Karibow' and which appeared quite late on Spotify. 'Karibow' is the work of 'Oliver Rüsing' who for the anniversary of the 20 years of this project, came out the compositions he had not placed in the previous 4 opus except 'Plutonian' which appeared in 'Holophinium' '2016 but has been rearranged in acoustic version. So, we find again the neo-progressive style of previous albums and what is certain is that these compositions are the same level as those of these last records and it would have been a shame that the public does not benefit. As is often the case in this musical genre where the construction of titles is quite complex and mixing vocals and instrumental with changes of pace and atmosphere, it takes several listenings to tame 'The Unchosen' with each time additional discoveries, but the result shows all the quality of this artist who has a gift to make us travel in a varied and melodic progressive. In summary, 'The Unchosen' is a very nice surprise 2018 and 'Oliver Rüsing' shows once again that his project 'Karibow' is at the level of major formations of neo-progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Rüsing (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Marek Arnold (Piano)


Artist : Space Elevator

Album : II

Release Date : 26-05-2018

Added : 18-07-2018

After a first album in 2014, the English 'Space Elevator' led by the duo 'The Duchess' and 'David Young' return to the front of the pop / rock scene with a second album simply titled 'II'. With 'Space Elevator', we embark on a mix of pop / rock in the great tradition of bands of the 80s with a variety of titles that mix several styles: we go from a fast and powerful 'Take the Pain' to a hopping 'Talk Talk', then, with 'World of Possibilities' we come back in the variety of the 80s with a catchy chorus. Follows the ballad 'The One That Got Away', also tagged 80s, and 'Crazies' with its swaying rhythm and then the cover of the first album 'Let me Fly' with its 2 parts, calm at the start and accelerating in the middle of the title for a very melodic chorus. With 'All This Time', it's a symphonic rock like bands like 'Karnataka' especially since in this song, the voice of 'The Duchess' is very close to that of 'Hayley Griffiths'. The following scrolls titles very accessible and the album ends with the magnificent 'Queen for a Day', a kind of tribute to the English group and totally in the style of a 'We Are the Champions'. In short, the English of 'Space Elevator' released a very good album varied, melodic and very accessible that should reach a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

The Duchess (Vocal), David Young (Guitar), Brian Greene (Drums, Percussions), Chas Maguire (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Spiral Skies

Album : Blues for a Dying Planet

Release Date : 19-05-2018

Added : 19-07-2018

'Spiral Skies' is a Swedish band that released an EP in 2015 and 'Blues for a Dying Planet' is their first studio album. Their style is quite special and is a mix of doom and hard-rock with a sound of the 70s (which recalls the first albums of 'Status Quo') in fairly short titles. After a dark introduction where the organ reinforces the worrisome side, 'Awakening' is an energetic and catchy title with guitar sounds close to 'Uriah Heep'. 'Dark Side of the Cross' continues in this direction and 'Frida Eurenius' shows all her singing talent. The rhythm calms down with 'The Wizard's Ball', which rolls out its throbbing mid-tempo with an original mix of heavy sounds of riffs and the Frida’s powerful vocal. The sequel continues to mix hard-rock 60/70, psychedelic and doom metal metal. In summary, with 'Blues for a Dying Planet', the Swedes' of 'Spiral Skies' embarks us for a journey back in time, at the time when appeared the hard-rock with the first saturated guitars...

Line Up / Musicians

Frida Eurenius (Vocal), Daniel Bäckman (Clavier, Drums), Dan Svanljung (Guitar, Organ, Mellotron), Jonas Lyander (Guitar, Choirs), Eric Sandberg (Bass) + Guests : Andreas Sandberg (Keybords), Rickard Uttermalm (Organ, Choirs), Asser Hakkala (Choirs)


Artist : TumbleTown

Album : Never Too Late

Release Date : 18-05-2018

Added : 20-07-2018

'TumbleTown' is the project of 3 Dutchmen who already have a few years of flying in the progressive sphere. After their first opus 'Done With the Coldness' in 2013, 2018 sees the release of 'Never Too Late'. After a short instrumental introduction reminiscent of the big names of neo-progressive, 'One Giants Stage' reveals their style which is a kind of melting pot between formations of the seventies as 'Jethro Tull' ('Han Uil' has a bit the same tessiture as 'Ian Anderson'), 'Genesis' or 'Pink-Floyd' and more contemporary artists like 'Steven Wilson', 'Mystery' or 'RPWL'. Overall, the atmosphere is melancholic with slow tempos and the melodic lines are accessible but as often in this genre, some compositions are more complex like 'Transatlantic' or 'Do Not Leave Me Now' and require several listening while others, like the very melodious 'If I Should Meet You' or 'All Because of Me' are much more classic in the construction. In summary, the Dutch of 'TumbleTown' release an album of great quality and if you are a fan of progressive through the ages, then, this 'Never Too Late' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Han Uil (Vocal, Guitar), Aldo Adema (Guitar, Bass), Erik Laan (Piano, Hammond, Keybords, Choirs) + Invite : Arjan Laan (Drums)


Artist : Crystal Palace

Album : Scattered Shards

Release Date : 06-04-2018

Added : 22-07-2018

'Crystal Palace' is a German band born in the 90's and which released their 8th album 'Scattered Shards'. They evolve in a neo-progressive rock in the line of groups like 'Arena' (see here), 'Pendragon' or 'RPWL' (see here). The theme refers to the Greek myth of Pandora and the box in which all the evils of humanity were locked up: men are often dependent on their daily lives as if they were locked in a box (the first title 'Inside The Box ') with the intention of trying to escape (the last title' Outside The Box '). We are thus immersed in a neo-progressive style between rock and atmospheric with rhythm and atmosphere breaks where electric and acoustic instruments cohabit beautifully as in the eponym track of the album that begins smoothly and contains a double crescendo with a powerful final supported by guitar riffs. We can also note a use of electronic sounds in keyboards (including 'Inside Your Dreams' and 'Sici') that fit perfectly because they are only there to accompany the whole and strengthen the aerian side. In summary, 'Scattered Shards' is a dense and varied album that necessarily requires repeated listenings to enjoy and with this latest album, the Germans of 'Crystal Palace' show that they have acquired a level of maturity that puts them in same plan as the current major groups of neo-progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Yentz Strurz (Vocal / Bass), Nils Conrad (Guitars), Frank Köhler (Keybords), Tom Ronney (Drums)


Artist : Arca Progjet

Album : Arca Progjet

Release Date : 18-05-2018

Added : 24-07-2018

'Arca Progjet' is a new progressive Italian rock band that was born from the idea of drummer 'Alex Jorio' and his best friend and bassist 'Gregorio Verdun' and which materialized with the release of a first studio album. Their style is very accessible and melodic lines are well-influenced by the Italian song especially since the lyrics are in their native language which reinforces all the more this atmosphere transalpine. You can read on the web that they have pasted a hard-rock label (maybe because their label 'Jolly Rogers Records' produces artists in this style) but on first listen, excluding 'Pozzanghere di cielo', which in some places is more rock, the whole is rather a mixture of melodic pop and rock, sprinkled here and there with progressive style. If I had to find references, we are in atmospheres close to 'JethroTull' or for the Italian side, of course 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' (see here). In short, this first baby of 'Arca Progjet' is a great success and, if you like a pop/rock style easy to access and you also like the singing in Italian, this album is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Gregorio Verdun (Bass), Alex Jorio (Drums), Sergio Toya (Vocal), Carlo Maccaferri (Guitar), Filippo Dagasso (Keybords) + Guests : Mauro Pagani (Flute, Cello), Arturo Vitale (Saxophone), Gigi Venegoni (Guitar)


Artist : Elvellon

Album : Until Dawn

Release Date : 01-06-2018

Added : 26-07-2018

After a promising debut EP in 2015, we were eagerly awaiting the release of a first studio album of the Germans of Elvellon 'and it's done with this first LP 'Until Dawn'. After an introduction in the form of a crescendo where 'Nele Messerschmidt' already shows all his vocal skills, we find ourselves in known ground with 'Oraculum' which is a typical symphonic metal title with a melodic line that enter immadiatly into your head. The following make scrolls down hits one after the other and the whole is reminiscent of 'Nightwish' period 'Tarja' and we can cite as an example the titles 'Silence from the Deep' or the beautiful power ballad 'Fallen into a Dream'. This similarity is due, on the one hand, to the singing of Nele who masters totally the juxtaposition of the classical and lyric singing but also to the highlighting of the keyboards which bring the symphonic character. The only regret we could bring is the fact that on the 12 tracks of the album only 8 are new, the others appearing already in 2015 on EP 'Spellbound' but, on the other hand, it will allow those who discover them with this first opus to have an overview of their production. In short, the Germans of ‘Elvellon' released a very good and accessible symphonic metal album which, even if it brings us back a few years, still provides as much listening pleasure and this 'Until Dawn' should delight all fans of bands like 'Nightwish' (see here), 'Xandria' (see here), 'Beyond The Black' (see here) or 'Delain' (see here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Nele Messerschmidt (Vocal), Gilbert Gelsdorf (Guitar), Phil Kohout (Bass), Pascal Pannen (Keybords), Martin Klüners (Drums) + Guests : Ron Koprivica (Violin), Gogo Gassi (Vocal), Gilbert Gelsdorf (Guitar), Martin Klüners (Percussions)


Artist : Sunstorm

Album : The Road to Hell

Release Date : 08-06-2018

Added : 28-07-2018

2 years after 'Edge Of Tomorrow', the iconic American singer 'Joe Lynn Turner' (‘Fandango', 'Deep Purple', 'Rainbow' and many solo albums), released a new album 'The Road To Hell'. No surprise for this new album, we are in line with precedents and we embarked for 45 minutes of good melodic hard-rock with compositions that are immediately accessible and that gives you this irresistible urge to move your head and stomp. Normal, because it is simply 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who has not only composed the majority of titles and who is a reference in this style of music but he is also at the controls for production and mixing. In short, even if this project of 'Joe Lynn Turner' does not bring real novelties to melodic hard-rock, this road to hell is a quality album which, thanks to the still intact voice of 'Joe Lynn Turner' and the qualities of ’Alessandro DelVecchio', we go back a few decades when we had fun listening to 'Deep Purple' or 'Rainbow'...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Lynn Turner (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hammond, Keybords, Choirs), Simone Mularoni (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Edo Sala (Drums)


Artist : Imperium

Album : Beyond the Stars

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 30-07-2018

'Imperium' is the project of the Finnish 'Mika Brushane' who is multi-instrumentist and has been a drummer for different artists since the 80s. After having released a first album in 2016 with 'Dreamhunter', 2018 sees the release of 'Beyond the Stars' in which he invited experienced artists from the AOR scene. Mika is not Finnish for nothing because the Nordic countries have always been prolific in this style of music and the least we can say is that the result is beyond all hope because all titles are true little melodic jewels beginning with the first and eponymous title of the album that goes into your head immediately without letting go and that would have created a sensation in the 80s. The various singers bring diversity in the different registers and, even if the melodies are necessarily reminiscent of the many bands of the 80s melodic rock like 'Asia', 'Magnum', 'Foreigner' or 'Toto', it is difficult to find a title below the others. In short, as you will understand, this 'Beyond the Stars' is filled with beautiful melodies that beyond fans of melodic rock of the 80s, is an album accessible to a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Mika Brushane (Drums, Bass, Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Dennis Ward (Vocal, Choirs), Rob Lundgren (Vocal, Choirs), Markku Kuikka (Vocal), Antti Railio (Vocal), Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Samuli Federley (Guitar), Toni Huovinen (Guitar), Susanna Eronen (Choirs), Sini Heinilä (Choirs)


Artist : Tyranny Of Hours

Album : Darkling

Release Date : 15-06-2018

Added : 31-07-2018

The Americans of 'Tyranny Of Hours' have already released a first album in 2013 and it is with 'Darkling' released in June 2018 that I discovers them. They evolve in a symphonic metal tinted of progressive and from the first composition 'River of Stones', I can not help but draw a parallel with 'Edenbridge' (see their latest album here) because the singer 'Michelle Mattair' is in the register of 'Sabine Edelsbacher' and the construction of the titles makes me think of what 'Lanvall' does, that is to say a powerful introduction where the guitar riffs fill all the space to introduce a quieter sung part. The following 'Oceandead' is in the same style and 'Waited' with its changing tempo brings a touch of progressive. The continuation is in continuity of the first titles and one can emphasize, beyond the beautiful vocal of Michelle, the talent of all the members of the group, as for example in the rhythm section or in the guitars solos. In summary, the Americans of 'Tyranny Of Hours', even if they can still progress to offer us even more varied compositions (they have the potential), released a good symphonic metal album that should appeal to all fans of this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Don Graham (Guitar, Keybords), Michelle Mattair (Vocal), Matt Galligan (Guitar, Bass), Alex McDonald (Drums)


Artist : Don Airey

Album : One of a Kind

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 01-08-2018

Decidedly, after 'Joe Lynn Turner' and his last album of the project 'Sunstorm' (see here), here is another young 70-year-old boy in the person of 'Don Airey' (he has been the keyboardist of 'Deep Purple' since 2002 when 'John Lord' left the band) who releases a new album 'One of a Kind'. For the occasion, Don has called on the singer of 'Nazareth', 'Carl Sentence' and the compositions smell the good hard-rock of the 70s in which the keyboardist gives all his heart. From the first title 'Respect', we are in a "Purpulienne" atmosphere that makes us go back to a certain 'Deep Purple In Rock', just like the following title 'All out of Line' which is a powerful mid-tempo, and with 'One of a Kind', we stay in the same period but in a melodic rock style and that's also the case with 'Running Free'. Follows 'Every Time I See Your Face' which is the first calm composition of the album to which we can add the power ballad 'Want You So Bad' and the instrumental 'Remember to Call' very typical of the seventies. In addition, icing on the cake, the last 4 titles are live covers of 'Deep Purple' ('Pictures of Home'), of 'Rainbow' ('Since You've Been Gone' and 'I Surrender') and of 'Gary Moore' with the classic but very effective 'Still Got The Blues'. In summary, this 'One of a Kind' is a bit of a return to the roots and the band at 'Don Airey' offers us a very good classic hard-rock album but definitely timeless that should please all fans who have savored in the 70s artists like 'Deep Purple' or 'Gary Moore'...

Line Up / Musicians

Don Airey (Keybords), Carl Sentance (Vocal), Simon McBride (Guitar), Laurence Cottle (Bass), Jon Finnigan (Drums)


Artist : Syrinx Call

Album : The Moon on a Stick

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 03-08-2018

'Syrinx Call' is the project of the German 'Volker Kuinke' who after a first opus 'Wind in the Wood' in 2015 released his second album 'The Moon on a Stick'; for this, he has surrounded himself with a group of talented artists with among others the composer and multi-instrumentist 'Jens Lueck' and the singer 'Isgaard' (see their latest collaboration here). Volker is a emeritus flautist and puts forward his instrument in a set of very varied compositions which mix various styles between symphonic, pop, folk and rock and which make us travel in a patchwork of different sonorities. Overall the atmosphere is calm and serene as for example in 'Sunday Mood', 'The Moon on a Stick' or in 'In a Daze' where 'Isgaard' enchants us with its soft and aerian song, but some compositions which involve electric instruments bring us into a rock tinged with progressive as in 'Traces in my Mind', where the guitar and the flute offers a magnificent contrast. And if I had to remember a few titles, I would say on the one hand 'Breathe In' which reminds me of the most beautiful compositions of 'Mostly Autumn' (see here) and the very 'Floydian' 'The Man in the Spotlight' which closes the album admirably. In summary, 'Volker Kuinke' takes us with his flute in a soothing trip to enjoy calmly and if you like aerian progressive atmospheres, 'The Moon on a Stick' should please you...

Line Up / Musicians

Volker Kuinke (Flute), Jens Lueck (Keybords, Piano, Drums, Choirs), Doris Packbiers (Vocal, Choirs), Juergen Osuchowski (Guitar), Joachim Schlueter (Guitar), Jan Peterson (Guitar), Isgaard (Vocal), Katja Flintsch (Violin, Viola), Annika Stolze (Cello), Monika Lewis (Vocal), Iain Lewis (Vocal)


Artist : Spock’s Beard

Album : Noise Floor

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 05-08-2018

It’s already the number 13 for the Americans of 'Spock's Beard' who are already for long years a reference in the sphere of progressive rock and this last album 'Noise Floor' sees the drummer 'Nick D'Virgilio' come back home (definitely "That is the question"). To be honest (and this is only my opinion), I was not able to easily get into the last installment of 2015 'The Oblivion Particle' while 'Noise Floor', even if it still requires several listenings, seems easier to access with a melodic research more present while keeping the stamp "progressive unbridled" typical of the group. So we embarked for nearly an hour and 10 minutes rich and dense multi-drawer compositions where each member of the group brings his stone to the building to captivate the listener from beginning to end as in the magnificent 'Beginnings' with its progressive part sandwiched between the two sung parts whose melody will enter in your head definitively. Note that after the first 8 main titles are added 4 shorter titles and the first 3 are much more classic in the construction which can be a good way for those who do not know the group to get an idea on their style. In summary, with 'Noise Floor', the Americans of 'Spock's Beard' continue their path by offering us as usual a new album of quality that will certainly delight the historical fans but, by more melodic lines could touch a plus general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Ted Leonard (Vocal), Alan Morse (Guitar), Dave Meros (Bass), Ryo Okumoto (Keybords), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums)


Artist : RanestRane

Album : A Space Odyssey, Final Part : Starchild

Release Date : 03-07-2018

Added : 07-08-2018

'RanestRane' is an Italian band that exists for more than 10 years and has the particularity of setting to music the movies of famous directors, including 'Stanley Kubrick'. Their latest album 'Starchild' is the latest installment of 'A Space Odyssey' and they embarked on the adventure 'Steve Rothery' and 'Steve Hogarth' of 'Marillion'. We have to say that the group’s members have already a few hours of flight because they all collaborated with recognized artists of the international progressive scene (among others 'Riccardo Romano' invited all this beautiful world in his last album 'B612’ inspired by 'Antoine de Saint-Exupery's novel here). From the first title 'Insieme delle Cose', we are immersed in a progressive atmosphere with a beautiful melody as Italians know so well do and where everything fits very naturally between the sung parts and instrumental parts. Then follows the short 'Do You Read Me Hal' which takes up dialogue of the film and where we can not help but draw a parallel with the sounds of 'One Of These Days' of the 'Floyds'. The following continues in this progressive but nevertheless very accessible atmosphere with culminating point 'Sargate' of more than 15 minutes (the start of which reminds me of certain music of film of 'Eric Serra' composer) which takes us in a delicious maze where alternate quiet and more energetic parts always very melodic. In short, 'Starchild' closes very beautifully the last part of the trilogy of the ‘A Space Odyssey' and if you like a progressive which mixes Italian roots with 'Floydian' influences, this last album of 'RanestRane' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniele Pomo (Vocal, Drums), Massimo Pomo (Guitar), Riccardo Romano (Keybords), Maurizio Meo (Bass) + Guests : Steve Rothary (Guitar), Steve Hogarth (Vocal)


Artist : Crossing Eternity

Album : The Rising World

Release Date : 15-06-2018

Added : 09-08-2018

'Crossing Eternity' is a new band created in 2017 by the guitarist 'Manu Savu' which has just released a year after its first studio album 'The Rising World'. Their style starts from a base of metal to which they add atmospheres that can be power, symphonic or folk with references to the hard-rock music of the 70s/80s but also some newer groups, I think in particular to 'Avantasia' for the theatrical side or 'Stratovarius' for the heavy side. Overall, the 13 compositions are melodic and accessible and are divided between catchy titles like the very rhythmic 'Ghost of a Storm', 'Kingdom Come', 'Spirit of the Forest' or 'Winter Poem' and others slower but equally as powerful as 'High Above the Crown', 'Embrace Your Voices' or 'Angels Cry, Raimbows Hide' and its very melodic chorus. In summary, this first album of 'Crossing Eternity', already shows a very good potential and has all the assets to succeed into the sphere of heavy and power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Berti Barbera (Vocal, Percussions), Manu Savu (Guitar), Uffe Tilman (Drums), Johann Hentz (Bass)


Artist : The Sea Within

Album : The Sea Within

Release Date : 22-06-2018

Added : 11-08-2018

'The Sea Within' is a new project of artists who come from different backgrounds ranging from jazz to metal to pop and rock. The formations in which they participate or have participated are so numerous that I will only mention a few that show the diversity of genres: 'The Flower Kings', 'Pain Of Salvation', 'Renaissance' or 'Steven Wilson’. But to be a success, all these talents taken separately are not enough to make a good album because it necessarily requires an alchemy allowing everyone to give the best to make the whole unique. And there, the success is total, so much we attend a fusion between the different styles with sequences being done naturally. Certainly, this is the kind of music that, first of all, requires to adhere to different progressive styles of the last 50 years, and then, must be tame little by little to discover, listening after listening, all the nooks and crannies in which group wants to take you. The typical example is 'Broken Cord' which throughout its 14 minutes is a labyrinth of sounds that requires surrender completely to the music to enjoy every moment. Also note that the melodies are catchy and the vocal harmonies are very worked and this even in the last 4 titles that are presented as bonuses but are of the same level as the rest. In summary, as you will understand, 'The Sea Within' is the kind of album that improves with the time and will be hard to be appreciated at the first listen: for my part, it is a wonderful patchwork of progressive influences of the last 50 years and is to add to the ideal discotheque of any amateur of progressive through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Gildenlöw (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Bass), Marco Minnemann (Drums), Roine Stolt (Guitar), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Tom Brislin (Keybords), + Guests : Casey McPherson (Vocal), Jon Anderson (Vocal), Jordan Rudess (Piano), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : TNT

Album : XIII

Release Date : 08-06-2018

Added : 13-08-2018

At first listening to this album 'TNT', I told myself that the Norwegians had released an album of the 80s which had certainly move to the hatch as it is currently a little fashionable. Well no, this 'XIII' is the thirteenth album of this band that began its career forty years ago. The 12 tracks are a journey back in time that could represent a summary of what we could do in the '80s, whether in melodic rock ('We're Gonna Make It', 'Tears In My Eyes'), commercial hard-rock ('Not Feeling Anything', 'Catch a Wave'), funk ('It's Electric'), international variety ('Were You Belong', 'Can not Breathe Anymore') or Hard FM ('Get Ready for Some Hard Rock') with always this intact talent for very accessible melodies. In short, with this last album 'XIII', the Norwegians of 'TNT' move away from hard-rock that had made them known early in their careers and this album is more to be advisable to a general public who went through the 80s and loved the different commercial styles that emanated from this period whether in pop, rock, hard-rock or variety styles...

Line Up / Musicians

Baol Bardot Bulsara (Vocal), Ronni Le Tekro (Guitar), Diesel Dahl (Drums), Ove Husemoen (Bass)


Artist : Strangefish

Album : The Spotlight Effect

Release Date : 18-06-2018

Added : 15-08-2018

'Strangefish' is an English progressive rock band that has not released an album since the very good 'Fortune Telling' of 2006 (see here) and 2018 sees the release of 'The Spotlight Effect' whose theme is a critique of the media world that analyzes all our actions to make us buy more and more. After 'Death Of Common Sense' which starts the album acoustically, 'Progress In Reverse' takes us into a progressive piece of over 8 minutes that could be a mix of 'Genesis' and 'Marillion' and where the keyboards are put forward and where the vocal harmonies are remarkable. Following the excellent 'Iconacon' and its changes of pace and atmosphere, then the ambiance is calmer for the beautiful ballad 'Summer Slips Away' where the vocal duo Steve / Jo works perfectly. But the key composition of the album is without contest 'Delicate' of nearly 18 minutes which embarks us for a very nice trip in a progressive style of the 70s in the manner of 'Genesis' where the different vocal and instrumental parts follow one another in a very natural way and ending with a memorable melody sung by 'Jo Whittaker' who shows all his singing talent in solo. The journey continues with the next title 'Spotlight Effect' of nearly 10 minutes which contains a largely instrumental sectional section between 2 calm and melodic sung parts. In summary, the English of 'Strangefish' return after more than 10 years of absence on the front of the progressive stage and this 'The Spotlight Effect' should appeal to all lovers of progressive loving long compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Taylor (Vocal), Jo Whittaker (Vocal), Bob (Guitar), Paul O'Neill (Keybords), Carl Howard (Bass), Dave Whittaker (Drums)


Artist : Trillium

Album : Tectonic

Release Date : 08-06-2018

Added : 17-08-2018

'Amanda Somerville' is far from unknown in the world of symphonic metal because in addition to solo albums, she has participated in various projects including the rock opera of 'Aina' and worked with many formations including lately 'Exit Eden' (see chronic here). 'Trillium' is the project she shares with her husband 'Sander Gommans', German guitarist and bassist and they had already released a first album 'Alloy' in 2011. It starts with a melodic and energetic 'Time to Shine' accessible from the first listening and a chorus that gets into your head immediately. All is in the image of this first title, classic constructions couple / chorus of 4 minutes always very effective and this little more with the song of Amanda who is as much comfortable on enegetic titles as 'Stand Up' or 'Hit Me' as much as on ballads like 'Noctura' or 'Eternal Spring' and who has an impressive vocal range. In summary, with her project 'Trillium', 'Amanda Somerville' released a very good album between symphonic and melodic metal that should be well received by all fans of bands like 'Kobra And The Lotus' (see here), 'Metalwings' (see here), 'Temperance' (see here) or 'Lyria’ (see here) to name only bands that have released albums recently in 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Amanda Somerville (Vocal), Sander Gommans (Guitar, Bass), Andre Borgman (Drums), Erik van Ittersum (Keybords), Mark Burnash (Bass), Paul Owsinski (Guitar)


Artist : Eleine

Album : Until the End

Release Date : 23-02-2018

Added : 19-08-2018

'Eleine' is a Swedish band that already exists for seven years, and after a first LP in 2015 under the band's name, they released few months ago a second studio album 'Until the End'. Although they are tagged in gothic metal, a first listening shows a symphonic side very present on the majority of the compositions and the growls of ‘Rikard Ekberg’ bring an accompaniment to the beautiful voice of Madeleine as in 'Sanity'. But most of the songs feature extremely elaborate orchestral and vocal arrangements that can make you think of a mix between 'Within Temptation' and 'Epica' as in 'Story Untold', 'Until the End' or 'From the Grave'. And, as often in this style, the ballad is not forgotten with 'Please' which can recall 'Amy Lee' and some titles of ‘Evanescence'. In summary, this 2nd album of the Swedes of ‘Eleine', even if they take a way already drawn by the main groups of the genre, is a good surprise 2018 and 'Until the End' should please all lovers of symphonic metal with a female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Madeleine "Eleine" Liljestam (Vocal), Rikard Ekberg (Guitar, Vocal), Ludwig Dante (Guitar), David Eriksson (Drums), Andreas Mårtensson (Bass), Sebastian Berglund (Keybords)


Artist : Cyrcus Flyght

Album : The Clueless Caravan

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 21-08-2018

'Cyrcus Flight' is a German band who self-produced its first album 'The Clueless Caravan' in 2017 and which fortunately has been spotted by the label 'Freya' which has now been distributed for a few months. Their style is difficult to define because they mix progressive with a mix of influences drawn from jazz, rock and hard-rock with a search for catchy melodic lines from the first listen. In addition, the singer 'Izzy d'Ambrosio' has a beautiful voice and knows how to adapt to different styles, sometimes powerful in energetic titles like 'At the End of All Time' or 'Finger on the Trigger', sometimes sensual in the quieter compositions as in the 9 minutes of Endless Fall 'which goes from a symphonic atmosphere to a jazzy atmosphere and ends with beautiful Izzy aerial vocalizations. Note the last title (before the bonuses) which is a very instrumental 'Floydien' which closes the album on a progressive note. In summary, the Germans of 'Cyrcus Flight' released a very good album accessible and varied that should touch a public loving the diversity of genres because if you like mix symphonic, jazzy, or hard-rock, all sprinkled with progressive, this 'The Clueless Caravan' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Izzy D'Ambrosio (Vocal), Uwe Fleischhauer (Guitar), Andreas Bönecke (Bass), Kai-Uwe Broek (Drums), Olaf Gersch (Keybords)


Artist : starfish64

Album : The Future in Reverse

Release Date : 09-06-2018

Added : 23-08-2018

After a beautiful 'An Altered State Of Joy' released in 2016 (see here), the band of 'Dieter Hoffmann' continues in its momentum to offer us a new album 'The Future in Reverse'. We find again the atmosphere that was present on the previous album, that is to say an atmospheric progressive rock that unwinds its melancholy melodies and planing as in 'Tomorrow In Dark Water' which embarks us on a small cloud and whose chorus makes think of certain themes of 'Barclay James Harvest'. For this new album, Dieter offers us two long titles that each have 3 parts with first 'Determination' and its throbbing tempo interspersed in part 2 by an electronic interlude close to 'Jean-Michel Jarre' music, and then, 'Charting an Abyss' with its 18 minutes is a good summary of this latest opus with 3 parts that are one and that immerse us in a cocoon where we surrender completely to different melodic lines. In short, with this new album, the Germans of 'starfish64' still release a quality album and this 'The Future in Reverse' should be a reference for all fans of atmospheric progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Dieter Hoffmann (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Henrik Kropp (Drums), Martin Hering-Pownall (Bass, Guitar, Vocal), Dominik Suhl (Guitar, Keybords, Mandolin) + Guests : Simon Triebel (Guitar, Keybords), Kass Moody (Bass), Julie Pownall (Vocal), Jan Thiede (Guitar)


Artist : Amberfield

Album : Said

Release Date : 15-06-2018

Added : 25-08-2018

'Amberfield' is a new German band that releases its first studio album 'Said'. Not easy to associate with a particular style because they bring their own identity starting with the female singer 'Hannah Witt' who in the soft parts makes me think of 'Stevie Nicks' but who has the ability to adapt in the parties more energetic to ramp up. Overall, their style is atmospheric with juxtapositions between quiet parties and other powerful as in the first title 'Steady Break'. If it were necessary to retain only a few titles, I would say 'Red and White' not necessarily the most accessible but certainly the most varied with a master finale guitar solo and a beautiful melancholy interpretation of Hannah, 'Arcadiac' for its more accessible melodic lines and 'Can not Care Less' which is a succession of tensions and relaxation very successful and which ends in a few keyboard chords accompanied by percussion. In summary, this first album 'Said' of the Germans of ‘Amberfield' is a good surprise of 2018 and is in a modern style combining neo-progressive and atmospheric ...

Line Up / Musicians

Hannah Witt (Vocal), Sebastian Schleicher (Guitar, Choirs), Karsten Mroszczok (Keybords, Choirs), Natalie Dröge (Bass), Dennis Degen (Drums)


Artist : The Night Flight Orchestra

Album : Sometimes the World Ain’t Enough

Release Date : 28-06-2018

Added : 26-08-2018

After a superb 'Amber Galactic' (see here), the Swedes of 'The Night Flight Orchestra’ release just one year later, a new studio album called 'Sometimes the World Ain' t Enough '. Unsurprisingly, they surf on the wave of their previous album to re-embark in the 80s with accessible compositions to the greatest number. 'This Time' sets the scene with a energetic rhythm that could be a cross between 'Deep Purple' and 'ELO' then the following tracks unfold all the sound of the tubes of the eighties with the beginning of electronic sounds and kitch chorus as in 'Turn To Miami' or in the funky 'Paralyzed' or in the AOR 'Sometimes The World is not Enough' or the very melodic 'Lovers In The Rain' whose chorus may get into your head without letting go. But it would be reductive to limit this opus to these features because an important number of formations come to mind like 'Asia', 'Toto', 'BJH' or 'Alan Parsons Project' and we feel a real talent to reproduce in original compositions the best of the eighties. We can also note the last title of more than 9 minutes which can be a good summary of the album with a kind of patchwork of the groups mentioned above and which brings a touch of progressive in the construction. In summary, this new Swedish album from 'The Night Flight Orchestra' continues in the path traced by the previous one and is therefore to be recommended to all fans and lovers of melodic rock rooted in the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Björn Strid (Vocal), Sharlee D' Angelo (Bass), David Andersson (Guitar), Richard Larsson (Keybords), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums), Sebastian Forslund (Guitar)


Artist : Sinestress

Album : Miedo

Release Date : 20-05-2018

Added : 27-08-2018

'Sinestress' is a Spanish band that has just released its third studio album 'Miedo' and whose first album dates back to 2011. Their style is between rock and melodic hard-rock with the particularity of singing in their native language. First, with 'Grito en el Silencio', we are immersed in a melodic title with a catchy rhythmic on which we can not help but stomp one’s foot. With 'Exiliado del Mundo', on the painful subject of the refugees, 'Juan Carlos Garciá' shows all his talent as a rebellious singer, as the Spaniards know so well. The following alternates energetic compositions such as 'Huye conmigo', 'Miedo' or 'Lejos de todos' and other more melancholic such as 'Guerra sin cartel', 'Lluvia' or 'Me ensoñaste a andar'. The ballad is not forgotten with 'Solo Queda Luchar' which calmly finishes the album with 'Juan Carlos Garciá' who this time touches us by his voice filled with emotion especially since his native language is very suitable to this style of composition. In short, the Spaniards of 'Sinestress' release a new album of quality and if on the one hand you like the Spanish language sung and on the other hand any form of melodic rock, there is a good chance that you adopt this 'Miedo'...

Line Up / Musicians

Juan Carlos García "Chimo" (Vocal), Miguel Ángel Gala "Miki" (Keybords, Choirs), Francisco José Salgado "Kiko" (Guitar, Choirs), Alejandro Penedo "Alex" (Guitar), José Castilla (Bass), Diego Belmonte (Drums)


Artist : Aeternitas

Album : Tales of the Grotesque

Release Date : 29-06-2018

Added : 28-08-2018

'Aeternitas' is a German symphonic metal band that has already been around for 20 years and has released 4 lp: 'Tales of the Grotesque' is their 5th studio album. Like the previous opus 'House Of Usher', the theme is related to poems by ‘Edgar Allan Poe' which is definitely a source of inspiration for a lot of metal bands. For this latest opus the former female singer 'Alma Mathar' has been replaced by 'Julia Marou' but the style is still in continuity with their previous opus, that is to say, a classical and effective symphonic metal with a heavy sound and imposing orchestrations reminiscent of the Dutch of ‘Epica'. The highlight is the melodic lines that are all catchy from the first listening whether it is in the epic mid-tempo 'The Tell-Tale Heart', the energetic 'The Raven', the hopping 'A Case of Revenge' which should be able to blow up a whole public or 'Dream in a Dream' whose chorus does not let you go. To this, we must also note three titles to bring some variety to the whole : first the classic but very beautiful ballad 'Eldorado', then the mighty rock 'The Bells' which moves away from the symphonic metal and finally the bluesy 'Annabel Lee' where the duet Julia / Oliver offers us a nice complicity. In summary, this new album of the Germans of ‘Aeternitas' still shows an evolution and will certainly allow them to compete with the major formations of the genre because 'Tales of the Grotesque' will certainly be very well received by all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Julia Marou (Vocal), Oliver Bandmann (Vocal), Alexander Hunzinger (Guitae), Anja Hunzinger (Keybords), Daniel T. Lentz (Guitar), Rick Corbett (Bass), Frank Mölk (Drums)


Artist : Cayne

Album : Beyond the Scars

Release Date : 29-06-2018

Added : 30-08-2018

'Cayne' is the project created by the two founding members of 'Lacuna Coil', 'Claudio Leo' and 'Raffaele Zagaria' in the late 90s and after the death of Claudio in 2013 just before the release of their previous opus 'Cayne', the group come back 5 years later with a new album 'Beyond the Scars'. Their style mixes gothic metal, doom and hard-rock with the use of a violin that mixes with electric guitars and is present on most compositions. 'No Answers from the Sky' starts the album with a powerful mid-tempo and heavy guitar riffs and then 'Torn Apart' accelerated the rythm with a catchy chorus and a short but beautiful violin solo and the following title 'Blessed by the Night ' with its fast tempo is more classic in the construction but very catchy. The atmosphere calms down while remaining powerful with the power ballad 'One More Chance' to better restart with 'Celebration of the Wicked' which is certainly one of the most accessible titles of the album like the ballad that follows 'The Asylum of Broken Hope'. The sequel is like this first part with accessible melodic compositions where the violin shares the different solis with the electric guitar. In summary, the Italians of 'Cayne' release a varied album that mixes different styles and moods that should appeal to a large audience navigating between hard-rock melodic and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Giordano Adornato (Vocal), Giovanni Lanfranchi (Violo, Keybords), Diego Minach (Guitar), Andrea Bacchio (Bass), Giovanni Tani (Drums)


Artist : Nils Patrik Johansson

Album : Evil Deluxe

Release Date : 25-05-2018

Added : 31-08-2018

You're looking for epic heavy metal with catchy melodies and sung in chorus by an entire audience : I have what you need with the first studio album of the singer of ‘Astral Doors', 'Nils Patrik Johansson'. After an introduction worthy of a horror movie, the metal efficient tube machine is launched for almost an hour of music with the title track of the album that delivers the first melody that you immediately enter the head then 'Estonia' drives the point home with an air with Slavic influences and imposing choruses while the following title 'Gasoline' is more classic in a power metal style that looks like certain titles of 'Scorpions' especially a the voice of 'Nils Patrik Johansson' is close to that of 'Klaus Meine'. The sequel continues in this epic atmosphere with the mid tempo 'How the West Was Won', the speed 'September Black', the heavy 'Kings and Queens' or the catchy 'Dark Evolution', the album ending on the offbeat 'A Waltz for Paris' which on a waltz tempo involves a piano and an accordion. In summary, this first solo album 'Evil Delixe' by 'Nils Patrik Johansson', even if it does not bring real news, is a bit of a summary of the career of this singer with his different formations and should therefore be well received by all lovers of heavy metal in general...

Line Up / Musicians

Nils Patrick Johansson (Vocal), Lars Chriss (Guitar), Fredrik Johansson (Drums), Andy Loos (Bass)


Artist : Elevation Falls

Album : What Will Be

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 01-09-2018

'Elevation Falls' is an Irish band that was created by the talented singer 'Hazel Jade' in 2012 and after an EP in 2015, they released their first studio album 'What Will Be'. Originally from the same homeland as the 'Thin Lizzy' band of the '70s, they rely on the support of 'Phil Lynott's mother, but despite some titles like 'Souls Burning' and especially 'Armies Rising' where we find these so familiar tempos and the guitar game of their elders, it would be very reductive to limit them to a pale copy of 'Thin Lizzy' because their opus offers a wide variety of styles. First of all, with titles like 'Vultures', 'Never Be Me' or 'Burn', we embark on modern hard-rock, then, with 'Zombie' and 'Stand Down', they are compositions all in rupture of rhythm and power and finally, they offer us beautiful ballads with 'Dream of Me', 'Cheating Woman', 'Take Me Back' and the magnificent last eponymous title of the album. And in any case, Hazel offers us an interpretation always fair and authentic that it is in the energetic titles where it shows all its vocal power but also in the quieter titles where its voice releases a real emotion. In summary, the Irish 'Elevation Falls' released a first album of quality offering a nice variety between energy and softness and, thanks to accessible compositions, 'What Will Be' is recommended to a large public navigating between rock and hard- rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Hazel Jade (Vocal, Piano, Guitar), Chris 'Crispy' Young (Guitar, Choirs), Darragh Shields (Guitar, Choirs), Gabriel Grecco (Bass, Choirs), Alex Sanchez de Orduña (Drums)


Artist : Tara Lynch

Album : Evil Enough

Release Date : 13-04-2018

Added : 03-09-2018

'Tara Lynch' is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who participated in the adventure of the last album of the Belge band 'Beyond the Labyrinth' in 2017 (see here) and who decided to release with famous artists of the metal scene a first album under the name 'Evil Enough'. For those who know the style of this American woman, it embarks unsurprisingly for 42 minutes of melodic heavy metal that give pride to sumptuous guitar solos because the album contains four instrumentals ('Exit the Warrior', 'Gui- Tara Rises', 'Enigmatic' and 'Feckless Lock') in which Tara shows all her talents of guitarist. On the other 6 titles, 'Tara' shares the singing with 'Mark Boals' and if we had to remember only a few compositions, I would quote the beautiful ballad 'KringeWorthy' where the singer shows her soft side and 'Banished from my Kingdom' which is a powerful mid-tempo with, in both cases, melodic lines that immediately go into your head. In summary, this first baby of 'Tara Lynch' is a very good album in the great tradition of the metal of the 80s and if you are a fan of authentic and timeless metal that highlights the electric guitar solos, this 'Evil Enough' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Tara Lynch (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Vinny Appice (Drums), Mark Boals (Vocal, Choirs), Bjorn Englen (Bass), Tony MacAlpine (Keybords), Glen Sobel (Drums), Phil Soussan (Bass), Brent Woods (Choirs, Keybords)


Artist : Follow The Cipher

Album : Follow the Cipher

Release Date : 11-05-2018

Added : 04-09-2018

Listening to the first title 'Enter the Cipher' of the Sweden's of 'Follow The Cipher', I ended up with 'Nightwish', 7 years earlier and the release of ‘Imagenerium'. So, does this new band that releases its first album is a remake of the Finns and that 'Nuclear Best' has sniffed the good business deal ? Not so sure, because, after this first title follows 'Valkerya' highlighting keyboards and flirting with power metal and where the singer 'Linda Toni Grahn' demonstrates all his vocal talent in a fast title, then with 'My Soldiers', we embarks for a power ballad that would approach formations like 'Within Temptation'. With 'Winterfall', it is a metal tube in power, certainly commercial, but very catchy whereas 'Titan's Fall' is a symphonic metal anthem with a chorus to make sing a whole public. The continuation continues in this way with varied compositions and melodic lines accessible from the first listening as 'The Rising', 'I Revive' or 'Carolus Rex'. In summary, even if the Swedes of 'Follow the Cipher' are influenced by major melodic or symphonic metal formations, this first album already shows a great maturity in the variety of their production which is without contest a pledge of quality and that can only be promising for the following of their career...

Line Up / Musicians

Linda Toni Grahn (Vocal), Ken Kängström (Guitar), Karl Löfgren (Drums), Viktor Carlsson (Guitar, Vocal), Jonas Asplind (Bass)


Artist : Sunchild

Album : Messages from Afar : The Division and Illusion of Time

Release Date : 02-07-2018

Added : 06-09-2018

'Sunchild' is one of the projects of the Ukrénian 'Antony Kalugin' who had already released under the name 'Karfagen' the first part of 'Messages from Afar' (see here). After a first listening, the progressive atmosphere of the 70s is closer to the previous opus of 'Karfagen' than the discography of 'Sunchild' because Antony continues to explore the paths of progressive melodic music that we have known some forty years ago. For starters, the very happy 'Searching Diamonds' borrows on the end the 'Supertramp' keyboards from the 'Brother Where You Bound' era, then the 8 minutes of 'Grail and Time' takes us back to the 'Floyds' atmosphere. 'while '60 degree to the 70s' continues to go back in time with a vintage atmosphere of the 60s / 70s brought by the jazzy sound of the organ. The next 3 tracks are atmospheric and 'Mystery Train' makes me think of the 'Focus' moods of the first period alos that the other 2 tracks come back to the 'Floyds' music. But the main piece of the album is without contest 'Victory Voyager' which with 20 minutes makes it a reference for any amateur of progressive music with its construction in multi-drawers where there is always something going on and where we like get lost in nooks and crannies. The album ends in the beautiful instrumental 'Father' in an airy and melancholic atmosphere. In short, this second part of 'Messages from Afar' by ‘Antony Kalugin' is a reference in progressive music and for my part comes undoubtedly add to the ideal collection of any amateur progressive rock through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Vocal, Keybords), Max Velychko (Guitar), Kostya Shepelenko (Drums, Percussions), Oleg Prokhorov (Bass), Victoriia Osmachko (Vocal), Nikita Osmachko (Vocal), Olga Vodolazhska (Vocal), Olha Rostovska (Vocal, Keybords)


Artist : Morrighans

Album : A Blood Stained Piano

Release Date : 29-06-2018

Added : 07-09-2018

'Morrighans' is a French progressive rock band that I discovered in early 2017 with the promising 'The Three Circles Of Death' (see here) and 2018 sees the release of their second album, 'A Blood Stained Piano', which is a journey through time of a piano stained with blood and each song tells an episode of his "life". We find again the progressive and atmospheric style of the first album and after a short instrumental introduction to the piano (theme requires), 'A Winter Theater' begins the story in a slow tempo where guitar riffs accompany the sweet voice of Fanny. Follows 'Ordo Templi Orientis', the longest title of the opus which continues in this soft and melancholy atmosphere where melodic lines are very accessible, then 'The Longest Autumn' takes over with an atmosphere that reminds me of certain titles of 'Renaissance'. The following brings a certain variety with the beautiful semi acoustic ballad 'A Drink with Hemingway', the energetic 'Lost You There' or the mid tempo 'Requiem' sung in French in the style of the progressive French scene in the image of groups like 'Lazuli'. In summary, with this second album, 'Morrighans' confirm their potential and show that it’s possible to do in France good music inspired by current music such as progressive rock or atmospheric rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Fanny Thibert (Vocal, Keybords), Laurent Wilb (Guitar), Richard Mantovani (Bass), Hervé Gambonnet (Drums)


Artist : Kissin’ Dynamite

Album : Ecstasy

Release Date : 06-07-2018

Added : 08-09-2018

The Germans of 'Kissin' Dynamite' celebrated their 10 years of existence in 2017 and 2018 sees the release of their 6th album and the least we can say is that, despite the rhythm of an LP every 2 years, the quality does not decrease and this 'Ecstasy' is maybe a step above the previous ones. Style wise, it's a mix of hard-rock and metal with a talent for melodies that catch you on first listen and each title could be a single in power. So, we embark for 55 minutes of positive energy with refrains that will be easily sung in chorus during concerts, all these titles being interspersed with breaks welcome with the two beautiful ballads 'Still Around' and 'Heart of Stone'. Note the participation of ‘Anna Brunner’ (see her project 'Exit Eden' with 3 other symphonic metal female singers here). In short, with this new album, the Germans of 'Kissin' Dynamite' continue to deliver a very catchy melodic hard-rock and this 'Ecstasy' is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Johannes « Hannes » Braun (Vocal), Ande Braun (Guitar), Jim Müller (Guitar), Andi Schnitzer (Drums), Steffen Haile (Bass) + Guest : Anna Brunner (Vocal)


Artist : Hollowscene

Album : Hollowscene

Release Date : 02-06-2018

Added : 10-09-2018

'Hollowscene' is an Italian band that was created more than 25 years ago, and after an EP 'The Burial' in 2015 under the band name 'Banaau', they released their first studio album in 2018 under the new name of the group and they are inspired by literature with a first part that refers to the tragedy 'Coriolanus' of 'William Shakespeare' while the last 2 titles are first of all with 'The Worm' an evocation of the poem 'The Conqueror Worm’ by 'Edgar Allan Poe' and then 'The Moon Is Down' a cover of the group 'Gentle Giant's' which dates from 1971. About style, it is a mix of progressive and neo-progressive, that is-to say that we go from the 70s to the present day with a fairly strong symphonic component that makes the whole epic and to quote influences, we are between 'Genesis' and 'Marillion'. As often in this kind of music, and given the instrumental richness that is brought by 2 guitars, 2 keyboards and a flute played by 'Demetra Fogazza', the whole requires several plays to appreciate its fair value each composition. In summary, 'Hollowscene' is a very good progressive symphonic album that should satisfy all fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrea Massimo (Vocal, Guitar), Walter Kesten (Guitar), Lino Cicala (Keybords), Andrea Zani (Keybords), Demetra Fogazza (Flute), Tony Alemanno (Bass), Matteo Paparazzo (Drums)


Artist : The Loudest Silence

Album : Aesthetic Illusion

Release Date : 07-07-2018

Added : 12-09-2018

After 'Follow The Cipher' (see here), here's another new symphonic metal band with the Bosnians (not common in this style !!) from 'The Loudest Silence' which release their first album 'Aesthetic Illusion'. After the instrumental introduction of use for this style of music, 'Redemption' borrows paths known to fans of symphonic metal because we seem to hear a mix of different compositions of ‘Epica' especially as the voice of 'Taida Nazraić' is very close to that of 'Simone Simons'. The following embarks us in compositions with all the ingredients of a classic and accessible metal that are close to formations like 'Within Temptation'. Note the appearance of 'Mark Jensen' ('Epica') on the composition of almost 12 minutes 'Gallery Of Wonders' which is the most varied title of the album with several parts intertwined between power and calm and which shows all the potential of the group. In summary, although the Bosniaks of 'The Loudnest Silence' are surfing the wave of major symphonic metal bands without much distinction, 'Aesthetic Illusion' is a first album of quality and we can only wish them to find their own personality in the future albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Taida Nazraić (Vocal), Denijal Ćatović (Keybords), Mirza Ćorić (Guitar), Džemal Bijedić (Bass), Damir Sinanović "Bumbar" (Drums)


Artist : Hangover Paradise

Album : Out of Sight

Release Date : 30-06-2018

Added : 13-09-2018

'Out of Sight' is the second Dutch album of 'Hangover Paradise' which they released at the end of 2017 and which appeared only few weeks ago in Spotify. Their style is largely inspired by the great formations of progressive and neo-progressive and the closest band that comes to my mind while listening to the first compositions is 'Arena' (see their latest album here) but we could also quote 'Saga' in 'Not Worried' for example or ‘Pink-Floyd’ in the last title ‘Flowers in the Rain’. From the start, with 'Who do you think you are', we are immersed in a very melodic song with the song of 'Henk Brugge' which makes me think a little about the interpretation of 'Paul Manzi' ('Arena') but in less theatrical and with beautiful instrumental passages with the trio 'Peter Zwerus' and 'Henk Zwerus' on keyboards and 'Richard Saimima' on guitar. All the compositions are accessible from the first listening thanks especially to very beautiful melodic lines but each one has its own personality which makes that this album is varied and also balanced between the parts sung and instrumental. In summary, 'Hangover Paradise' show that with this 2nd album, they rise up, without any doubt, at the level of the major progressive formations and, for me, this 'Out of Sight' joins the discotheque ideal for any amateur of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Henk Brugge (Vocal), Peter Zwerus (Keybords), Henk Zwerus (Keybords), Daniel Brans (Drums), Richard Saimima (Guitar), Cynthio Ooms (Bass), MacDrikus (Choirs)


Artist : Annie Barbazza, Max Repetti

Album : Moonchild

Release Date : 18-05-2018

Added : 14-09-2018

Sometimes, there are albums that go beyond the music because they are loaded with emotion and nostalgia related to your past and for me, this 'Moonchild' is put at the top of the pile. Initially, it was a project of 'Greg Lake' with the goal of revisiting legendary titles of his 2 different bands, 'King Crimson' and 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', and Greg had to sing the various titles (you can hear him on the live 'Live in Piacenza' released in late 2017 - see here). Fate and illness decided otherwise and he asked his friend and singer 'Annie Barbazza' to take his place. All these titles take a particular turn because on the one hand, it is a wonderful tribute to the talented artist that has been 'Greg Lake' throughout his career and on the other hand, the reinterpretation of all these compositions in a very refined way to get the most out of the 'substantive marrow' further increases the emotion that provides the listening to this album. But the best people to talk about it is Greg who in 2016, a little before his death, said : «Annie and Max have recorded a tribute so wonderful and touching to the music I made during my lifetime. Max's arrangements are absolutely superb! What a magical touch he has and Annie's voice is at once beautiful, courageous and sincere. It's a very moving experience for me to hear them play these songs with so much passion ». In conclusion, what else can I say, except to press on the play button and simply enjoy the talent of these 2 artists who have done a wonderful tribute to this endearing artist who was 'Greg Lake'...

List of titles:
01. In The Court of the Crimson King - 21st Century Schizoid Man (1969 – King Crismon - In The Court of the Crimson King)
02. Trilogy - The Endless Enigma part II (1972 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Trilogy)
03. Moonchild (1969 – King Crismon - In The Court of the Crimson King)
04. The Stones Of Years (1971– Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus) - Take A Pebble (1970 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
05. C’est La Vie (1977 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Works I)
06. Battlefield (1971 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus) – Epitaph (1969 – King Crismon - In The Court of the Crimson King)
07. Karn Evil 9 1st impression, part 2 (1973– Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Brain Salad Surgery)
08. Memories Of An Officer And A Gentleman (1978 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Love Beach)
09. In The Wake Of Poseidon (1970 – King Crismon - In The Wake Of Poseidon)
10. Lucky Man (1970 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
11. The Sage / The Great Gates Of Kiev ((1971 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Pictures at an Exhibition)

Line Up / Musicians

Annie Barbazza (Vocal), Max Repetti (Piano, Arrangements)


Artist : Mystery

Album : Lies and Butterflies

Release Date : 14-07-2018

Added : 15-09-2018

After a wonderful 'Delusion Rain' in 2015 (see here) and a fantastic live 'Second Home' in 2017 (see here), the band 'Michel St-père' is back with a new album 'Lies and Butterflies' which is already their 8th studio album. To cut short any wait, this last opus is for me of the same emotional level that had procured me 'Delusion Rain' and from the beginning, 'Looking for Something Else' embarks us for 17 minutes in a pure jewel of epic progressive, symphonic and of a magnitude that should give goose bumps in live in the manner of a 'Shine On You Crazy Diamonds'. Then, 'Come to Me', who marries beautifully acoustically and electrically, then 'How Do You Feel?' Takes us by the hand to bring us on a small cloud with a little melodic gem and a 'Jean Pageau' at the top of his art. With 'Something to Believe In', it's a wonderful blend of progressive and more classic rock with a melancholic melody that is a kind of mix between the melodic lines of ‘Elton John’ and ‘Queen' and, 'Dare to Dream' continue in this way with a beautiful aerial solo of 'Michel St-Père' and a passage full of serenity brought by the flute of 'Jean Pageau'. 'Where Dreams Come Alive' juxtaposes an energetic first part where 'François Fournier' on bass shows all his talent and a second slower one which ends with a new masterful guitar solo by Michel. Finally, the album ends in beauty with a new long piece progressive and epic with 'Chrysalis' which takes us on a journey again for 15 minutes and alternating melancholic passages and other more energetic. In short, as you will have understood, it is still a faultless for the Quebecois of 'Mystery' which continue, album after album, to enchant us and this 'Lies and Butterflies' comes to be added to the beautiful collection of the indispensable opus of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Michel St-père (Guitar), Jean Pageau (Vocal, Flute), Antoine Michaud (Keybords), Sylvain Moineau (Guitar), François Fournier (Bass), Jean. Sébastien Goyette (Drums)


Artist : Silver Lining

Album : Heart and Mind Alike

Release Date : 08-06-2018

Added : 16-09-2018

More than 100 000 plays in a few months in Spotify for a group that has only a thousand subscribers on its Facebook site and whose reviews are hard to find on the web, here are the Norwegians of 'Silver Lining' who started by making coverings of 'Gillian Welch' (see here) and who released their 1st album 'Heart and Mind Alike' with original songs. Their style is part of the great tradition of folk song with acoustic instruments and a 'Pedal Steel Guitar' widely used in American music. We sail in very refined country-style tracks with beautiful vocal harmonies thanks to the two singers 'Live Miranda Solberg' and 'Stine Andreassen'; on some titles like 'I Can not Shake It' or 'She Will not Realize', it's 'Halvor Falck Johansen' and her warm voice that fills the whole space a bit like 'Bob Dylan' knew so well how to do it. Note the similarity with their compatriots 'Darlin West' who also released a new album in 2018 and that you can listen here. In summary, the Norwegians of 'Silver Lining' offers us a very nice album with accessible compositions that should reach a very large audience loving the traditional folk and country song ...

Line Up / Musicians

Halvor Falck Johansen (Vocal, Guitar), Live Miranda Solberg (Vocal), Stine Andreassen (Vocal), Bjørnar Ekse Brandseth (Guitar, Dobro, Pedal Steel Guitar), Erland Dahlen (Drums)


Artist : Tangekanic

Album : Hotel Can’t Afford It

Release Date : 27-04-2018

Added : 18-09-2018

I'm coming back to an album already released for several months. 'Tangekanic', no it's not a new band but simply a group of artists from two current formations : 'Karmakanic' and 'The Tangent'. 'Can not Afford It' is a live album with titles from 2 the bands including the beautiful 'God, The Universe & Everything Else Nobody Cares About' from the latest album 'Dot' (see here). But, beyond the progressive titles played by the group at the 'New Jersey Proghouse' in October 2017, there is this song that was written during the tour by 'Andy Tillison' to respond in music to the attacks during three concerts: at the ‘Manchester Arena’ in England, at the ‘Bataclan’ in Paris and at the ‘Harvest Festival’ in Las Vegas. The title is cut in 2 by a silence of 30 seconds and the video in you-tube above, which is illustrated by photos sent by the fans of 'The Tangent' is of great emotional force. In short, a beautiful live for all fans of 'The Tangent' and 'Karmakanic'...


List of titles:
01. A Spark In The Aether [The Tangent]
02. Doctor Livingstone (I Presume) [The Tangent]
03. God, The Universe & Everything Else Nobody Cares About [Karmakanic]
04. Sanctuary In Music [Tangekanic]
05. Two Rope Swings [The Tangent]
06. Steer By The Stars [Karmakanic]

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Reingold (Bass), Andy Tillison (Keybords, Vocal), Luke Machin (Guitar, Choirs), Steve Roberts (Drums), Goran Edman (Vocal)


Artist : Rita Coolidge

Album : Safe in the Arms of Time

Release Date : 04-05-2018

Added : 19-09-2018

The American singer 'Rita Coolidge' has already a few decades of profession and we do not count anymore her solo albums since the eponym album of her name of 1971. What we know maybe less, it is that she has worked with artists like 'Eric Clapton', 'Joe Cocker' and even 'Roger Waters' while participating in 'Amused to Death' of 1992. 2018 sees the release of a new album 'Safe in the Arms of Time' which returns to the music of her roots, I quote Rita : « The idea was making an album that had the same appeal of my early records to make a roots record about my own roots. Going back to Sunset Sound was taking a journey into the past; there was a memory down every hallway. Returning to the studio fulfilled her resolve that the new album must resonate with an honesty of those early records. We aren’t using any tricks: no auto-tuning, every single note you hear on this record is in real time ». And that's exactly what comes out of listening to these songs : authentic American blues country accents with this beautiful voice of Rita that conveys a real emotion. In short, with 'Safe in the Arms of Time', 'Rita Coolidge' releases an excellent album for all fans of blues and country in the greatest tradition of American artists of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Rita Coolidge (Vocal), Dave Grissom (Guitar), Bob Glaub (Bass), John “J.T.” Thomas (Keybords), Brian MacLeod (Drums)


Artist : The Paradox Twin

Album : The Importance of Mr Bedlam

Release Date : 29-06-2018

Added : 20-09-2018

Reading that it was 'John Mitchell' ('Arena', 'Frost *', 'Kino', 'Lonely Robot') that produced 'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' (see his last releases here and here), I thought that, knowing this artist, this first album of the English of 'The Paradox Twin' deserved a little listening. And indeed, I was not disappointed : this project of 'Danny Sorrell' who is the author and composer of the band takes us into the well-known neo-progressive universe and we feel influences from bands like 'Pink- Floyd', 'Arena', 'Porpucine Tree' or 'Blackfield'. The theme of this first opus, Danny explains, is related to « conspiracy theories and the idea that humans on Earth are controlled by extra-terrestrial beings ». Overall, the style mixes progressive and atmospheric with beautiful melodies that take place peacefully and successions of tension and relaxation as in the eponym title of the album which, after a first crescendo, pauses to leave in a quieter instrumental part and the final goes up a notch to finish with a very nice guitar solo. We can also mention 'Cycles' which deploys a kind of 'quiet force' full of serenity which is the qualifier that I would use globally for the album or 'Moonblood' in which the voice of Danny marries very well with this a disturbing atmosphere that expresses the theme very well and, moreover, the guests 'Kim Savior', on vocals, and 'John Mitchell', on guitar, bring their stone to the building to make it a typical progressive song. In summary, for a first album, the Englishs of 'The Paradox Twin' set the bar already very high and this 'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' is still a very nice surprise 2018 for all lovers of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Sorrell (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Leland Freeman (Guitar), Diane Fox (Bass), Rob McGregor (Drums) + invites : Kim Saviour (Vocal), John Michell (Guitar)


Artist : Stevie McLaughlin

Album : Toy Empires

Release Date : 20-04-2018

Added : 21-09-2018

The Irish guitar 'Stevie McLaughin' who officiates in the group 'Sandstone' (see the album 'Tides Of Opinion' which dates from 2006 and which has just been remastered here) and 'IronHeart' released a first solo studio album, that is to say that he not only ensures the guitar and singing but also plays all the instruments and is the author/composer, mixed the album and even imagined the cover. 'Between Life & Death' sets the scene in a melodic hard-rock style with an energetic rhythm that makes you stomp your feet and a great demonstration on guitar and vocals. Strangely placed in 2nd position, 'Shadows Alone' is a beautiful power ballad that shows a completely different face of this complete artist in a quieter register and with 'Apocrypha' of nearly 8 minutes, Stevie takes us in a progressive mood cut into several parts. The following is varied and alternates melodic metal as the catchy 'Immortal Rose' and progressive metal as 'Prophetic Skies' and the 2nd ballad 'Depletion' allows a break before the last 2 titles including 'Memories of Eden' more than 10 minutes closing the album in a very beautiful way (this title is not available on Spotify for now). In summary, this first solo album of 'Stevie McLaughin' confirms all his talents as a guitarist but also, what we knew a little less, those of complete artist because this 'Toy Empires' is an excellent album that should appeal to all those who navigate between hard-rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Stevie McLaughlin (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums)


Artist : Guild Of Ages

Album : Rise

Release Date : 29-06-2018

Added : 23-09-2018

'Guild Of Ages' is an American band some of whose members started their career in the 80s with 'Caught In The Act' and changed their name in the late 90s to 'Guild Of Ages' and released 3 albums until 2002; then, they separated for more than 10 years and this is the scene that made them reform in 2014 and 2018 sees the release of their 4th studio album 'Rise' with always the same line-up. 2 short instrumental tracks ('Intro' and the last track 'Outro') frame 10 tracks in the tradition of a melodic rock of the 80's; 'Deep in Heaven' and 'Around the Sun' which brings us back to the spent with beautiful choruses and catchy melodies accessible from the first listening. The following scrolls an energetic 'Addicted', the beautiful et effective ballad 'Every Road Leads Me Home', the melodic 'All Fall Down', a 'Loves Rules All' which contrasts with the rest with its sought-after choruses and instrumentation, and finally, the second ballad of the album 'Heart Collide' in a 'Westcoast' style. In summary, even if they do not bring real novelties, 'Guild Of Ages' released a good and accessible melodic rock album for fans of this style and the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Martinez Jr (Vocal, Guitar), Anthony Trujillo (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), James Lostetter (Bass), Steve Stuntz (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Projection

Album : Perspectives

Release Date : 17-07-2018

Added : 25-09-2018

'Projection' is a Dutch band that I discovered with their first album in 2015 (see here) and that made me a strong impression. 2018 sees the release of an EP of thirty minutes with 3 tracks. They confirm with this EP their multiple influences between symphonic rock and progressive rock especially as on this EP, they have concocted us a typical composition of the progressive more than 15 minutes where succeed very different moods between parts sung and instrumental all by remaining very accessible. In short, this EP, albeit a bit short, allows them to wait patiently before the release, we hope, of an upcoming album because the quality is always there...

Line Up / Musicians

Herman Wiggers (Vocal), Jurgen ten Have (Bass, Choirs), Frank van Eerden (Guitar, Choirs), Richard Immink (Drums, Choirs), Peter Pampiermole (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Southern Empire

Album : Civilisation

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 26-09-2018

The band of 'Sean Timms', which had released in 2016 an excellent first album (see here) continues its momentum with a no less excellent 'Civilization'. This new opus has only 4 titles and we could say before listening that they made an EP like the Dutch of 'Projection' (see here), but, in the end, the whole exceeds the hour of listening with a title of 19 minutes and the cornerstone of the album 'The Crossroads' nearly 30 minutes, the other 2 titles finally appear very short with all the same their 10 minutes each !! So, we embark on progressive and symphonic epics that must of course be appropriated by force of listenings like any composition of this kind because the nooks and crannies are numerous with tempos and ambiances very different from each other. And the great strength of the Australians is to captivate the listener from beginning to end because, even in the flagship title of the album, 'The Crossroads', there is always something going on wether it’s on vocal or instrumental plan and it's good to lose voluntarily in this cultural patchwork between Orient and Occident. In summary, with this 2nd album 'Civilization', the Australians of 'Southern Empire' confirm in a very beautiful way the quality of their production which will nonetheless remain destined for an informed public loving progressive music with long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Cam Blokland (Guitar, Choirs), Brody Green (Drums), Danny Lopresto (Vocal, Guitar), Jez Martin (Bass), Sean Timms (Keybords, Choirs, Saxophone)) + Guests : Marek Arnold (Saxophone), James Capatch (Saxophone, Flute), Steve Unruh -Violin, Flute)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Merchants of Light

Release Date : 27-07-2018

Added : 27-09-2018

The Englishmen of 'Big Big Train' who are perhaps the most prolific artists currently in the field of progressive rock continue to release fairly close albums and 2018 sees the release of a Live 'Merchants of Light' in which the majority of the titles are taken from their 3 last studio opus, 'Folklore' of 2016 (see here), 'Grimspound' of 2017 (see here) and the last of 2017 'The Second Brightest Star' (see here). Recorded at three Prog Award shows at London's Cadogan Hall in 2017, they give us 2 hours and a quarter of concert with an excellent live performance from all the musicians and with a 'David Longdon' in a great shape in this live atmosphere that brings even more warmth into these carefully crafted compositions and where each artist brings his stone to the building for a wonderful result filled with sensitivity and emotion like in the great title 'Swan Hunter' where it's not possible to remain indifferent. In summary, this excellent live Big Big Train is a good way to discover this band that is now a must for all progressive rock fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Poole (Keybords, Guitar, Mandolin, Choirs), Danny Manners (Keybords, Bass), Dave Gregory (Guitar), David Longdon (Vocal, Flute, Guitar, Mandolin, Percussions, Choirs), Greg Spawton (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums), Rachel Hall (Violin, Viola, Cello, Choirs), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitar, Keybords, Accordion, Choirs)


Artist : Tarja

Album : Act II (Live)

Release Date : 27-07-2018

Added : 28-09-2018

After the release in late 2017 of a 'From Spirit and Gosts' far from metal (see here), for 'Tarja’s fans who could not participate in one of the many concerts of the 'The Shadow Shows' tours of 2016 and 2017, and as she had done in 2012 for 'Act I', so here is his successor 'Act II' which in the form of a beautiful DVD and 2 CDs transcribed on one hand, the show at the studio 'Metropolis' in London which had been programmed before the release in 2016 of 'The Shadows Self' (see here) for a few privileged and secondly, the concert at the theater 'Della Luna' in Milan at the end of 2016 (the double CD presenting only the second). Throughout the concert, we find this characteristic and unique blend of this multi-faceted singer between metal energy and more intimate moments, such as the magnificent acoustic medley that brings together 'Until Silence', 'the Reign', 'Mystique Voyage' , 'House of Wax' and 'I Walk Alone'. Also note that even if the last 2 albums are widely represented, another medley allows the fans of the first hour to find the atmosphere time 'Nightwish'. In summary, this complete artist and, without forgetting of course, the talented artists who accompany her, demonstrate once again that their stage performances are always incredible and if you like the CD, you will probably be even more impressed by the DVD that presents sets with 2 completely different configurations...

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja (Vocal, Keybords), Kevin Chown (Bass), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Max Lilja (Cello), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Timm Schreiner (Drums)


Artist : Marillion

Album : All One Tonight (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)

Release Date : 27-07-2018

Added : 30-09-2018

In this summer 2018, the live bloom one after the other and, after 'Big Big Train' (see here) and 'Tarja' (see here), it is the turn of the Englishs of 'Marillion' to release their concert given in October 2017 at the legendary 'Royal Albert Hall' and to make happy for those who at the time could not have a place because the tickets had been sold in a few minutes. The two-and-a-half hours of the concert are divided into two parts: first of all, the cover of the whole of the last album 'FEAR' (see here), then, a dozen titles constituting a kind of best of since the early years of 'Steve Hogarth' as a singer after the departure of 'Fish'. And as always in this kind of concert, the CD already makes it possible to get a good idea of the atmosphere and the exchange between the public and the artists but it is clear that the video brings another dimension to immerse itself completely in this show because the music and the visual show form an indissociable whole. In summary, the latter live very impressive in all respects in this mythical place will probably be one of the flagship albums of the career of 'Marillion' and, beyond the fans who will undoubtedly be impressed, 'All One Tonight' is a good way for others to discover this iconic group that was born at the end of the 70s and remains since 4à years one of the major formations in progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hogarth (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar, Percussion), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Mark Kelley (Keybords, Choirs), Pete Trewavas (Bass, Choirs), Ian Mosley (Drums) + Guests : Margaret Hermant (Violin), Maia Frankowski (Violin), Nicole Miller (Viola), Annemie Osborne (Cello), Sam Morris (Cor d’harmonie), Emma Halnan (Flute)


Artist : Derdian

Album : DNA

Release Date : 25-07-2018

Added : 02-10-2018

'Derdian' is an Italian power metal band whose first studio album dates from 2005 and has just released its 7th studio album 'DNA'. Generally, the band of 'Enrico Pistolese' doesn’t do things by halfand and offers us melodic and symphonic hymns in a furious rhythm like bands like 'Rhapsody of Fire' where the rhythm section is unleashed from the beginning to the end. After a classic and short instrumental close to the 'Richard Clayderman' French, let’s go with a vitamin 'DNA' that picks up the melody of the intro and is quite similar to what they've done in the past. The following title 'False Flag Operation' is already much more varied with changes of tempo and oriental influences then with 'Never Born', we return in an epic style with a magnificent exchange between the guitar of Enrico and the keyboards of Marco. Follows, 'Hail To The Masters' which with its marked tempo, makes it a title that should be sung in concert by the entire audience and reminds me of the atmosphere of 'Farewell' from ‘Avantasia' but more rhythmic. Incondestably, it is after 'Red and White' that the band releases the most successful titles with a magnificent 'Elohim' in an improbable mix of power metal and jazz very successful, then 'Fire From The Dust' is then a theatrical and catchy title with ubiquitous choirs, and finally 'Nothing Will Remain' (sung again in Italian at the end of the album), 'Destiny Never Awaits' and 'Part Of The World' offer an effective mix between classical music and power metal . In summary, even if they do not bring real news, the Italians of 'Derdian' continue their way with a power metal they master on the fingertips, and it is not with this latest album 'DNA' that we’ll can say the opposite...

Line Up / Musicians

Ivan Giannini (Vocal), Enrico Pistolese (Guitar, Choirs), Marco Garau (Keybords), Dario Radaelli (Guitar), Salvatore Giordano (Drums), Marco Banfi (Bass)


Artist : Epica

Album : Epica vs. Attack on Titan Songs

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 04-10-2018

After the very good 'The Hollographic Principle' in 2016 (see here) and the EP 'The Solar System' in 2017, the Dutch of ‘Epica' released a new EP inspired by manga 'Attack of the Titans' which was already released in Japan in 2017, and which includes 4 titles and their instrumental versions. Composed and written by 'Revo' of the Japanese group 'Sound Horizon' in a symphonic style, the set has been rehabilitated in metal and English for 'Epica'. Then, we find the particular style of the band with grandiose choruses and an imposing orchestration especially in 'Dedicate Your Heart' and the ballad 'If Inside These Walls Was a House' could very well be out of a Disney production. In short, with this EP, the Dutch show that they try to vary the projects and it will certainly be beneficial for the future and will undoubtedly allow them to renew in the future to bring real news...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons (Vocal), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Isaac Delahaye (Guitars), Mark Jansen (Guitar), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Ariën Van Weesenbeek (Drums)


Artist : Powerwolf

Album : The Sacrament of Sin

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 06-10-2018

After the Italians of 'Derdian' (see here), it's the turn of the Germans of 'Powerwolf' to release a new album 'The Sacrament of Sin' which is part of the continuity of their production, that is to say, easy access power metal with melodies to make stadiums sing. We therefore embark on 11 titles all very effective especially because the tempos are generally less rapid than those we knew but more marked which gives even more this irresisitble desire to stomp in measure. In addition, they offer us a beautiful power ballad 'When The Wild Wolves Are Gone' while they did not get used us to this kind of title. Note that the deluxe version (which is in Spotify except the last title 'Ira Sancti' of ‘Eluevetie’ that you can listen on you tube here) contains a second CD entitled 'Communio Lupatum' which is a set of covers of their compositions interpreted by other groups with among others 'Epica', 'Battle Beast' or 'Kissin 'Dynamite' which constitutes an excellent idea to revisit some hits of the Germans. In summary, 'Powerwolf' continues to make some 'Powerwolf' with so much energy and it is not with this last album that we’ll can say the opposite but, on the other hand, they do it so well that it would be a shame to sulk our pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Attila Dorn (Vocal), Matthew Greywolf (Guitar), Charles Greywolf (Guitar), Falk Maria Schlegel (Keybords), Roel van Helden (Drums)


Artist : Anamor

Album : Za Witrażem

Release Date : 07-08-2018

Added : 07-10-2018

'Anamor' is a Polish band who released their 2nd album 'Za Witrażem' but the peculiarity is that their first album dates from 2003, 15 years ago, during which time they shared the scene with 'Abraxas' and 'Quidam'. Their style is infuenced by the neo-progressive currents of the years 1990/2000 and they evolve between symphonic and atmospheric rock with solos of aerial guitars which could be a mixture of 'Santana' and 'Pink-Floyd' and with a talented singer, 'Marta Glowacka' who evolves in her native language and who can recall artists like 'Hayley Griffiths' from 'Karnataka' (see here) or 'Olivia Sparnenn' from 'Mostly Autumn' (see here) or the French 'Laetitia Chaudemanche' from 'Weend'o' (see here). The 9 compositions are all accessible from the first listening with beautiful melodic lines between melancholy and planing atmosphere and there is a perfect balance between sung and instrumental parts as in the last 'Za Witrażem' which is a good example of the atmosphere that emanates the group. In summary, the Polishs of ‘Anamor' come back with a quality album that should appeal to all those who love a melodic and aerian progressive rock to calmly listen with headphones...

Line Up / Musicians

Marta Glowacka (Vocal), Roman Kusy (Bass), Jurek Misiak (Drums), Maciej Karczewski (Keybords), Marcin Ozimek (Keybords), Marek Misiak (Guitar)


Artist : Clif Magness

Album : Lucky Dog

Release Date : 13-07-2018

Added : 09-10-2018

'Cliff Magness' is not necessarily a very well known name in the rock world because he worked more often for other artists as a composer or producer and this 'Lucky Dog' is actually only his second studio album under his name after 'Solo' in 1994. And the least we can say is that these 11 compositions offer a fairly wide range of melodic rock of the last 40 years. 'Is not No Way' starts off the album in a hard-rock style that releases a good positive energy and then, with 'Do not Look Now', we return to a very melodic AOR 80/90 style that we appreciate from the first listen. Follows the much quieter ballad, 'Unbroken', which could have been written by the 'Gibb' brothers in the blooming years of the 'Bee Gees' and, 'Nobody but You' sounds like 'BJH', 'Ring Of Changes' period. In short, 'Clif Magness' shows that he is a talented songwriter and they offer us beautiful melodies that are varied, timeless and accessible, which intends this 'Lucky Dog' to a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Clif Magness (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Evan Magness (Guitar), Josh Freese (Drums), Robin Beck (Vocal)


Artist : Nitrate

Album : Real World

Release Date : 06-08-2018

Added : 10-10-2018

We are more and more witnessing the birth of bands influenced by the melodic rock bands of the 80s / 90s with 'Foreigner', 'Europe' or 'Def Leppard' in mind. After 'Guild of Ages' (see here), it's the turn of 'Nitrate', led by guitarist 'Nick Hogg' to release a first album 'Real World'. And the result is remarkable because the 11 compositions hang from the first listening and, alternately, each chorus enters your head to never let you go. In addition, the set is quite varied and alternates energetic titles like 'Crazy', 'Insane' or 'Real World', others more mid-tempo like 'Waiting on You', 'Only You' or 'Dangerous' and 2 beautiful ballads 'Attraction' and 'Breathe'. So, if you are an amateur of rock melodic influenced by the 80s, 'Real World' is to be enjoyed without moderation and we are already announced his little brother for 2019...

Line Up / Musicians

Joss Mennen (Vocal, Choirs), Nick Hogg (Guitar, Keybords), Rob Wylde (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Pete Newdeck (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Argos

Album : Unidentified Dying Objects

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 12-10-2018

'Argos' is a German band whose first album 'Argos' dates from 2009 and 'Unidentified Dying Objects' is their 5th album. They draw their influences from the progressive music of the 60s and 70s, blending jazz rock, pop and progressive rock, and they have known for the last 10 years how to forge their own style because one could quote very heterogeneous references like 'Jethro Tull ', the 'Beatles', 'Focus' or 'David Bowie'. The first title 'The Hunter's Last Sand' is the perfect illustration with 7 very varied minutes alternating instrumental passages where guitar, keyboards and flute share the space, and parts sung with refined vocal harmonies. Follows 'Parade of Unpainted Dreams' tinted ‘Beatles’, then 'Beneath the Valley of Sleep' flirts with jazz rock as 'The Days of Perky Pat' and 'Shockeaded Peter', we return to the pop of 1960s, while the quasi-instrumental ‘Still Fighting Gravity’ takes us back to the progressive bands of the 60s. But the major title of the album is without contest 'When the Tides Comes In' which with its 7 parts, embarks us for almost 19 minutes in a progressive journey where it is good to get lost in the many nooks and crannies and where the electric and classical instruments offer very nice exchanges. In summary, over the years, the Germans of ‘Argos' continue to enchant us with this style so personal and, even if they risk being limited to an informed public, 'Unidentified Dying Objects', anchored in the 70s, is still an album of great quality and is recommended to all fans of a varied and imaginative progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Thilo Brauss (Keybords, Melodica, Violin), Thomas Klarmann (Bass, Flute, Clavier, Guitar, Vocal), Robert Gozon (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Ulf Jacobs (Drums, Vocal), Enrico Florczak (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Andy Tillison (Keybords), Linus Kåse ‘Saxophone), Marek Arnold (Clarinette, Saxophone), Johannes Steinbronn (Trumpet)


Artist : Amanda Shires

Album : To the Sunset

Release Date : 03-08-2018

Added : 14-10-2018

'Amanda Shires' is an American singer and violinist married to guitarist and singer 'Jason Isbell' who has collaborated with various American bands such as 'Texas Playboys' or 'Thrift Store Cowboys' and officiates in her husband's group 'Jason Isbell and the 400 unit'. Her first studio album dates from 2005 and 'To The Sunset' is her 5th album. Her style mixes country, pop and rock and this last album contains 9 new songs that presents several facets of this artist: first, at the beginning of the album, a classic side with songs like the very melodic 'Parking Lot Pirouhette' in a psychedelic style, the cover of 'Swimmer' from 2010 where we feel the country influence or 'Leave It Alone' which reminds me of the style of 'Fleetwood Mac' in the 80s or still the popisant 'Charms'. The other side is led by titles like 'Eve's Daughter' or 'Take on the Dark' where electric guitars are more present in a more rock style while keeping country roots. In short, 'Amanda Shires' offers us a varied, accessible album mixing different styles while continuing to draw her influences in the American song, and 'To the Sunset' should appeal to a large public sailing between pop, rock and country...

Line Up / Musicians

Amanda Shires (Vocal, Violin), Jason Isbell (Guitar), Peter Levin (Keybords), Jerry Pentecost (Drums), Dave Cobb (Bass)


Artist : Destinia

Album : Metal Souls

Release Date : 13-07-2018

Added : 16-10-2018

We leave for Japan with guitarist 'Nozumu Wakai' who is very popular in his country in the metal sphere and who has just released a third studio album 'Metal Souls' to certainly open the borders and make known worldwide and the least what we can say is that he puts the means at the level of the line up by inviting 'Marco Mendoza' ('Thin Lizzy' and 'Whitesnake') on bass, 'Tommy Aldridge' (among others ‘Ozzy Osbourne’, 'Whitesnake' and 'Thin Lizzy') on drums and the Chilean 'Ronnie Romero' ('Rainbow', 'Lords of Black') on vocals. In addition, he concocted small jewelry melodic as catchy as each other and listening to 'Metal Souls', 'The End of Love' or 'Metamorphosis', I found myself a few decades in back with the beginning of hard rock and heavy metal but with a more powerful and energetic modern sound which could be the cross between a 'Scorpions' (for the voice of Ronnie) and a 'Saxon' (for the very heavy sound) . In short, even if 'Destinia' is not going to revolutionize the metal planet, we have a great time listening to 'Metal Souls' which should delight all fans of hard-rock and heavy metal bottle-fed to the major groups of the 70s and 80...

Line Up / Musicians

Nozomu Wakai (Guitar), Marco Mendoza (Bass), Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Tommy Aldridge (Drums)


Artist : Septon

Album : Cradle of Deception

Release Date : 06-07-2018

Added : 18-10-2018

'Septon' is a new symphonic and progressive metal band whose members are Colombian (which goes to show that this style has no borders) and who have just released their first album 'Cradle of Deception'. Led by their guitarist 'Leonardo Utria', their name 'Septon' has been taken from pre-Columbian art and represents the union between divinity and human. The symphonic component is brought by the singer 'Angie Bula' and the progressive side by a complex rhythm section with regular breaks of tempo. Strangely, after listening to the 10 tracks, I feel like I hear a mix of different bands that are dear to me : 'Renaissance' for certain melodic lines such as in 'Omen Whispers', 'Amberian Dawn' (see their latest album here) for the metal aspect and sustained tempo as in 'The North Remember' and 'Edenbridge' (see their latest album here) for the ruptures between the instrumental and sung parts as for example in 'Hellish Dome'. In all cases, what is certain is that even if the above references are on my own personal responsibility, they already have a very personal style and for a first album, they already show a beautiful maturity in their compositions. In summary, if you are fans of a variety of metal that goes from symphonic to progressive, you will probably not be disappointed by 'Cradle of Deception' and we should hear about 'Septon' in the metal sphere in the years to come...

Line Up / Musicians

Angie Bula (Vocal), Leonardo Utria (Guitar), Dave Arango (Bass), Augusto Garavito (Keybords), Juan C. Bertel (Drums)


Artist : Van Canto

Album : Trust in Rust

Release Date : 10-08-2018

Added : 20-10-2018

The Germans of 'Van Canto' who have the peculiarity of being the only metal band a Capella and who celebrated their 10 years of existence in 2016, release their 7th album 'Trust in Rust'. Composed of a female singer, 5 male singers and a drummer, the particularity of the deluxe version of this latest opus it hat it’s a double album where they reiterate what they had done with 'Dawn Of The Brave' in a CD bonus with a first classic album compared to what they are used to doing and a second where they sing titles in orchestral version which gives a much more symphonic vision of their production. In the first part, we navigate between energetic titles like 'Back in the Lead', 'Melody' or 'Ride the Sky' which is a cover of ‘Halloween' with guest singer 'Kai Hansen' and other posed ones that are for me those where their mixed voices offer the greatest diversity like in 'Javelin', 'Trust in Rust' or 'Neverland'. Note also a very successful cover 'Hells Bells' of ‘AC/DC' where you can not help but stomp and with a beautiful reproduction of the sound of the electric guitar, we would believe it !! In the second CD, the instrumental versions break with the titles of the first part and bring an epic component and each cover could be a soundtrack of film music; for my part, I find that these versions put even more emphasis on the vocal quality of these artists. In summary, with 'Trust in Rust', 'Van Canto' are now at the top of their art and, even if they remain apart in the musical musical landscape of metal, this last album is a total success and should certainly further increase the number of their fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Inga Scharf (Vocal), Hagen Hirschmann (Vocal), Ross Thompson (Vocal), Stefan Schmidt (Vocal), Ingo Sterzinger (Vocal), Jan Moritz (Vocal), Bastian Emig (Drums) + invité : Kai Hansen (Vocal)


Artist : Brides of Lucifer

Album : Brides of Lucifer

Release Date : 28-06-2018

Added : 22-10-2018

After 'Van Canto', here is 'Brides of Lucifer', a project initiated by 'Steven Kolacny' who is at the head of the Belgian rock choir 'Scala & Kolacny Brothers' (see here), the guitarist 'Koen Buyse' and 'Ives Mergaerts'. Their goal was to cover titles from different metal bands (see list below), with a female choir in a spectacular staging. The result is very original because it mixes powerful guitar riffs of the metal with the very airy choir singing and this marriage works perfectly. In some titles, we find the atmosphere of 'Therion' (see the extraordinary project of 'Christofer Johnsson', 'Beloved Antichrist' here) as in 'Warriors Of The World' of 'Manovar' or 'Paintkiller' of 'Judas Priest'. In summary, even if we are far away from the original versions and groups fans listed below will certainly don’t like, this fusion of power and serenity brings an metal offbeat approach accessible for a wider audience as did the 4 metal women singers in the project 'Exit Eden' (see here)...

Titles list :
Liste des titres :
1. Burn in Hell (Twisted Sister)
2. Walk (Pantera)
3. Warriors of the World (Manowar)
4. Chop Suey! (System of a Down)
5. Painkiller (Judas Priest)
6. Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden)
7. Roots Bloody Roots (Sepultura)
8. O Father O Satan O Sun! (Behemoth)
9. Holy Diver (Dio)
10. South of Heaven (Slayer)
11. Futility (Scala & Kolacny Brothers)
12. Halo (Machinehead)
13. White Moon (Scala & Kolacny Brothers)

Line Up / Musicians

Scala & Kolacny Brothers (Vocal), Koen Buyse (Guitar), Yannick De Pauw (Guitar), Joeri Van De Schoot (Bass), Stephan Noens (Drums)


Artist : Halestorm

Album : Vicious

Release Date : 27-07-2018

Added : 24-10-2018

The Americans of ‘Halestorm' led by their singer and guitarist 'Lzzy Hale' who have made a name in the world of hard-rock for the last ten years release their 4th studio album 'Vicious'. From the beginning, with 'Black Vultures', 'Skulls' and 'Unconfortable' the tone is given with a heavy, authentic sound and a catchy rhythm that transmits the energy of this formation. The suite continues to scroll songs always as direct with melodic lines accessible from the first listening while varying styles with for example the mid-tempo 'Do Not Disturb' and its tempo that can only make you headbang or the beautiful mix between acoustic and electric 'Conflicted' or 'Killing Ourselves To Live' with its chorus that is permanently left on you or the beautiful ballad 'Heartof Novocaine' where Lzzy shows all his vocal talent in a very refined atmosphere. In summary, with 'Vicious', the Americans Halestorm' released a remarkable album that goes to the basics to return to a sound close to the live, a bit like artists like 'Lita Ford' (see here), 'Lee Aaron' (see here), 'Tara Lynch (see here) or the French 'Laura Cox' (see here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Lzzy Hale (Vocal, Guitar), Arejay (Drums), Josh Storm (Bass, Choirs), Joe Storm (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Galasphere 347

Album : Galasphere 347

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 26-10-2018

'Galasphere 347' is a new project initiated by well-known progressive artists like 'Stephen Benett' who works in the experimental rock band 'Henry Fool' with 'Tim Bowness' (see here) or as 'Mattias Olsson' who was a member of the progressive rock band 'Änglagård' or like 'Jacob Holm-lupo' and 'Ketil Vestrum Einarsen' who are members of 'White Willow' (see here). The eponymous album of the group name presents 3 long titles between 10 and 15 minutes that bring us back in the 70s and recalls the long compositions of 'Yes' as in the first title 'The Voice of Beauty Drowned' between symphonic and psychedelic where the instrumental parts are numerous with, among other things, a beautiful aerian passage where the flute of 'Vestrum Einarsen' fills the entire space. The two other titles with multiple drawers make us travel in a patchwork of different atmospheres where the keyboards offer a beautiful sonor pallet and, as often in the case of long development, several plays are necessary to fully tame and enjoy the whole. In summary, this very good album of 'Galashere 347' brings us in a delicious way a few decades back, at the time when this style flourished and where the vinyls made us discover all these groups that have become references in the progressive style...

Line Up / Musicians

Stephen Bennett (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Jacob Holm-lupo (Guitar, Bass), Ketil Vestrum Einarsen (Keybords, Flute), Mattias Olsson (Guitar, Keybords, Drums) + Guest : Akaba (Choirs)


Artist : Manticore

Album : Next Steps : Flight 19

Release Date : 20-07-2018

Added : 28-10-2018

After 'Galasphere 347', 'Manticore' is a Swedish progressive rock band that released the album 'Time to Fly' in the '90s. So it's 25 years later that 'Next Steps: Flight 19' comes out, which includes 6 tracks including only 3 original tracks and 3 covers (the last 3): 'Beginnings' opens the ball in an instrumental way in a symphonic atmosphere where follow the sounds of the progressive 70s that can recall some titles of the Dutchs of 'Focus'. Follows 'The Answer' which also brings us back to the same time and could be a mix of 'Yes' and 'Kansas', then, 'Flight 19' slowly rolls out its beautiful melody and brings us back to artists like 'Genesis' or 'BJH'. For the 3 covers, this is 'Release', 'Release' from 'Yes' from 1978, 'Cold Is The Night' from 'John Wetton' from 1980 and 'I Believe in Father Chistmas' from 'ELP'. In summary, even if 'Next Steps: Flight 19' is a bit short and has only 3 original tracks, the Swedes of 'Manticore' plunge us back a few decades back in a very beautifully way and we can hope they won't wait 25 new years for the next album...

Line Up / Musicians

Göran Holmberg (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Ulf Holmberg (Guitar, Keybords), Jon-Terje Sundberg (Guitar, Choirs), Per Östling (Drums)


Artist : 3.2

Album : The Rules Have Changed

Release Date : 10-08-2018

Added : 30-10-2018

Not knowing the story of 'Robert Berry', listening to this album, I thought that the trio 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' was again among us for the best so much we found this special atmosphere of this legendary band. But the reality is quite different because the story of this album is not banal because it begins in 1987, year in which the multi-instrumentist ‘Robert Berry’ meets 'Keith Emerson' to release the album 'To The Power of Three' under the project name '3'. A second album was to follow but it will never come out and it's more than 25 years after Robert recontact Keith to propose a new project. We know the sequel, the suicide of Keith in 2016 but, nevertheless, Robert continues his project to record all the parts already worked between the 2 artists including the keyboards by resurrecting on a very beautifully way the sound so characteristic of Keith but also ensures the vocal section in total harmony with the ‘ELP’ atmosphere. The result is quite surprising and takes us a few decades back with inevitably a bit of nostalgia listening to all these titles that could all have been part of ‘ELP's discography. In summary, we can thank 'Robert Berry' to have gone to the end of his project with this magnificent 'The Rules Have Changed' which is a very nice tribute to the wonderful artist that was 'Keith Emerson'...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Berry (Keybords, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Composing, Arrangements), Keith Emerson (Composing, Arrangements)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : Welcome to Hell

Release Date : 27-07-2018

Added : 02-11-2018

After 'Together Till The End' in 2017 (see here), the Germans of ‘Mono Inc.’ release a new album in the form of a double CD which presents two versions of their new compositions, the first ‘electrified' and another refined and classic as could be done in another style 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' with 'The Gentle Storm' (see here). The themes of the group are still quite dark and 'Welcome to Hell' tells the story of the Black Death in Hamburg which caused suffering, death and destruction. In contrary, on the music side, there are songs with catchy rhythms and melodies that give you a great form for a whole day and an irresistible urge to clap your hands. After 'The Heart of the Raven' which calmly begins the album where we refind the deep voice of 'Martin Engler', with the following 2 tracks 'Welcome to Hell' and 'Long Live Death', 'Mono Inc' puts on the way his tube machine and offer us 2 melodic compositions which should be taken in heart in live. Follow the ballad 'Risk at All' with its chorus which reminding me 'RPWL' and the title 'Breathe in, Breathe Out' (see here), then with ‘Flies’ and 'Under a Coal Black Sun', these are 2 mid-tempos always very melodic and accessible from the first listening. The rest of the album offers other nuggets that catch you immediately like the beautiful ballad 'A Vagabond' s Life 'or the last title' When the Raven Dies Tonight 'and each could have been the subject of a single. In addition, the classical acoustic versions of the 2nd CD are not mere classical covers; Indeed, the titles have a completely different face because they have been stripped to keep only the essential : 'Martin Engler' is only accompanied by a piano, strings and an acoustic guitar. The atmosphere that emerges is very intimate and endearing which puts even more emphasis on the theme of the album. In summary, the Germans of 'Mono Inc.' released not one but 2 albums of great quality and 'Welcome to Hell' will no doubt welcomed by all fans of the group but could also reach a much wider audience through to very accessible compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal), Manuel Antoni (Bass, Vocal), Carl Fornia (Guitar, Vocal), Katha Mia (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : The Radio Sun

Album : Beautiful Strange

Release Date : 24-08-2018

Added : 03-11-2018

'Beautiful Stange' is already the 5th album of the Australians of 'The Radio Sun' since their first album 'Wrong Things Right' of 2014 and I reviewed this band in 2016 at the release of the album 'Outside Looking In' (see here). A bit like the prolific 'Last Autumn's Dream' with a cadence of one album per year (see here), 'The Radio Sun' have also chose this rhythm and this last album is no exception to the rule with melodic rock compositions all very effective that catch you at first listen and whose vocal harmonies are always at the top : after the first 3 energetic 'Hold on Tight', 'Believe In Me' and 'Should Have Listened to My Heart', the mid-tempo 'As Long as You Want Me' allows a break to start again with an 'Out of This World' and its catchy chorus, then the 2nd Part of the album also brings its share of melodic nuggets like 'Have You Got What It Takes' or 'Beautiful Secret' to end up with a hopping 'Stand Tall United'. In summary, if you like melodic rock (or AOR or rock FM) with saturated guitars and remarkable choruses, this latest album 'Beautiful Strange' from 'The Radio Sun' is for you and is to be consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

son Old (Vocal), Stevie Janevski (Guitar, Choirs), Gilbert Annese (Drums, Choirs), Anthony Wong (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : The Pineapple Thief

Album : Dissolution

Release Date : 31-08-2018

Added : 04-11-2018

'The Pineapple Thief' has become a staple of the global progressive scene and 'Dissolution' adds to the long list of the band’s albums. Strangely, certainly by listening too fast, I had not managed to fully enter the last opus of 2016 'Your Wilderness' (like what, I'll certainly get back to it) because this 'Dissolution' is a fantastic album with a topical theme on the human who despite all communication technologies isolates himself and gradually loses the link with others. After the beautiful introduction 'Not Naming Any Names' very refined, 'Try as I Might' is an accessible title whose chorus can be reminiscent of 'Steven Wilson' (see his latest album here). Following 'Threatening War' with verses and chorus alternating delicacy and energy, then 'Uncovering Your Tracks' takes us into its disturbing atmosphere and 'Far Below' returns to a more conventional style. But the title track of the album is 'White Mist' which with its 11 minutes embarks us into a typical composition of the progressive with its different parts, a masterful rhythm section assured by 'Gavin Harrison' and its alternations between quiet passages and powerful. In summary, the English of 'The Pineapple Thief' show that they have become one of the major groups of the progressive scene and 'Dissolution' should undoubtedly be well received by all fans of the band but also by any amateur of modern progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Soord (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Jon Sykes (Bass), Steve Kitch (Keybords), Gavin Harrison (Drums) + Guest : David Torn (Guitar)


Artist : Beyond The Black

Album : Heart of the Hurricane

Release Date : 31-08-2018

Added : 06-11-2018

Only 4 years ago 'Beyond The Black' was created but the Germans are already part of the major symphonic metal bands and their first 2 albums including 'Lost In Forever' released in early 2017 already confirmed their full potential (see here) and they asserted themselves as a direct competitor to 'Within Temptation', 'Jennifer Haben' having a bit of the same tessitura as 'Sharan Den Adel'. 2018 sees the release of a new opus 'Heart of the Hurricane' and it starts strong with 'Hysteria' which sets the tone in a energetic rhythm and a first addictive refrain that will not let you go. Follow 'Heart of the Hurricane' which had already been the subject of a single and which has all the ingredients of symphonic metal. The first break is brought by 'Through the Mirror', between ballad and mid-tempo which puts forward the beautiful voice of 'Jennifer Haben' then, a second single 'Million Lightyears' offers us a second chorus that should be welcomed in live. The sequel continues to showcase potential hits with epic 'Song for the Godless' which is certainly the title which is the more reminiscent of 'Within Temptation' or the symphonic 'Beneath a Blackened Sky' and its grandiose choruses that can recall 'Epica' or the magnificent power ballad 'My God Is Dead' where the growls of 'Chris Hermsdörfer' bring a counterpoint to the sweetness of the singing of 'Jenneifer Haben' which transmits a real emotion, just like in 'Breeze' where we are far from metal and whose orchestral arrangements and male choruses are magnificent. In summary, this last album dense and varied should be welcomed by all fans of symphonic metal and beyond because 'Beyond The Black', because of the accessibility of all their titles, represent the soft side of this style which should allow them to reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennifer Haben (Vocal), Stefan Herkenhoff (Bass), Chris Hermsdörfer (Guitar, Choirs), Tobias Lodes (Guitar, Choirs), Jonas Roßner (Keybords, Choirs), Kai Tschierschky (Drums)


Artist : Kingcrow

Album : The Persistence

Release Date : 07-09-2018

Added : 07-11-2018

After 'Eidos' released in 2018 (see here), the Italians of 'Kingcrow' released in early September a new album 'The Persistence'. We find the style of the previous opus with imaginative and refined progressive metal with rhythm and intensity breaks requiring usually several plays to enter their universe. These characteristics, we find them from the first two tracks 'Drenched' and 'Closer' then ‘Everything Goes' brings a more atmospheric style as the melodic 'Folding Paper Dreams' which can recall some titles of ‘Anathema'. The following shows us this progressive and atmospheric mix with for example 'Every Broken Piece of Me' or 'Devil's Got A Picture' between tensions and relaxation but also the magnificent crescendo of 'Night's Descending' where 'Daniel Gildenlöw' (see last album of 'Pain of Salvation' here) lends his voice masterfully and that is for me the highlight of the album, which ends with the moving 'Perfectly Imperfect'. In summary, the Italians of 'Kingcrow' follow closely the path of 'Pain of Salvation' and as often in progressive, 'The Persistence' is an album that like the good wine improves with time but, on the down side, (and it’s a pity) risk of being intended for an informed public...

Line Up / Musicians

Diego Marchesi (Vocal), Diego Cafolla (Guitar, Choirs), Ivan Nastasi (Guitar, Choirs), Thundra Cafolla (Drums), Cristian Della Polla (Keybords), Riccardo Nifosì (Bass) + Guest : Daniel Gildenlöw (Vocal)


Artist : Trobar de Morte

Album : Witchcraft

Release Date : 22-08-2018

Added : 09-11-2018

After 'Ouroboros' released in 2016 (see here) with which I discovered the Spanishs of 'Trobar de Morte', 2018 sees the release of the 7th studio album 'Witchcraft' which is inscribed in the continuity of previous albums. We find the captivating and soothing folk atmosphere that we knew with compositions accessible from the first listening with which we embark in a medieval time where the vocal harmonies are particularly worked notably thanks to 'Lady Morte' which has a beautiful soft voice and bewitching. The singer is also the author / composer of the band and she draws her influences from the Hispanic tradition which gives off this particular atmosphere of a subtle fusion between Orient and Occident. In summary, if you are an amateur of medieval folk or more generally if you seek to escape in a relaxing and exotic musical journey, this latest album 'Trobar de Morte' is certainly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Lady Morte (Vocal, Flute, Hurdy Gurdy, Keybords), Moonvic (Bass, Percussions), Daimoniel (Guitar), Sined Zulim (Percussions), Üri Bokskog (Flute, Bagpipe, Choirs)


Artist : Airrace

Album : Untold Stories

Release Date : 10-08-2018

Added : 11-11-2018

After a first period of activity from 1983 to 1986 during which the Englishs of ‘Airrace' made the first parts in the tours of 'Def Leppard' and 'Queen', it is more than 20 years later in 2009 that the group goes back on stage to reform and start a new career with a 'Back to the Start' album whose title was a kind of nod to their brief passage in the 80s. A decade has passed and it's the turn of 'Untold Stories' to see the light of day. From the start, with 'Running out of Time', we are immersed in the 80s with a melodic rock close to 'Toto' that grabs your attention from the first chords, then, 'Innocent' slightly hardens the tone while keeping these roots AOR and 'Eyes Like Ice' continues in this way with a melodic title and a catchy chorus. With 'Different but the Same', the English flirt with a hard rock close to 'Deep Purple' first period as 'New Skin' and its marked rhythm. The quieter titles are not forgotten with the beautiful ballad 'Lost' which makes me think of a westcoast style and 'Love is Love' which is more a classic rock close to 'Foreigner', the album ending in 2 catchy melodic jewelry 'Come With Us' and 'Here It Comes'. In summary, even if they will not revolutionize melodic rock, the Englishs of ‘Airrace' released a quality album with 11 very accessible titles that should appeal to all rock and hard rock fans of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Payne (Vocal), Laurie Mansworth (Guitar), Rocky Newton (Bass), Dhani Mansworth (Drums), Linda Kelsey Foster (Keybords)


Artist : Vault of Acanthus

Album : Life, Light and Darkness

Release Date : 12-09-2018

Added : 13-11-2018

We go in Greece with 'Vault of Acanthus' which is a group formed in 2011 and which released a first EP in 2013. 2018 sees the release of their first LP 'Life, Light and Darkness' : their style is between rock and metal with symphonic and progressive components, beautiful and accessible melodic lines and compositions lasting between 6 and 10 minutes. 'Thread of Fate' starts the album in a symphonic atmosphere where the keyboards and the guitar are at the same level and where some growls come to join the singing of 'Aggeliki Antoniadi', this first title being perhaps the most tagged metal. Indeed, follows 'A Constant End' which despite a tempo marked by chords saturated of guitar is a beautiful and very sensual blues even in the guitar solo. The chorus of 'The Hope Inside Me' makes me think of some songs from one of my favorite bands, 'Edenbridge' (see their latest album here) as well as the 'This Face' ballad. The last title 'Life, Light, and Darkness' is a composition that offers a progressive approach with breaks of rhythms and several nested parts and which has a wonderful finale. In summary, the Greeks of 'Vault of Acanthus' release a quality album with beautiful melodic compositions where the symphonic atmosphere coexists beautifully with the saturated guitar riffs and 'Life, Light and Darkness' is for me one of the most good surprises 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Aggeliki Antoniadi (Vocal), John Simaiopoulos (Guitar), Thanos Kokkalis (Drums), Kostas Stathopoulos (Bass), George Georgousopoulos (Keybords)


Artist : Echoes of Giants

Album : The Way to Us

Release Date : 30-08-2018

Added : 15-11-2018

'Echoes of Giants' is an American band that released their first album in 2013 and just released the 2nd 'The Way to Us'. Their style is influenced by the progressive and alternative currents of the last 40 years and they develop a refined and delicate atmosphere where acoustic and electric coexist in compositions where the instrumental parts are numerous. The album has 15 different tracks globally accessible and if we had to remember only a few titles, I would say the acoustic 'Close the Door' with a beautiful vocal duet between 'Joey Myers' and 'Theese Weber' then, 'Escape' which can recall the melodic lines and the constructions of 'Mostly Autumn' (see here) and finally 'Find Myself Today' which reminds me of the atmospheres of 'Phil Collins' with some percussions encrusted in an aerian melody. In summary, the Americans of 'Echoes of Giants' released a quality album between progressive pop and rock filled with beautiful melodies to quietly enjoy the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Kaufmann (Bass), Tracy Thomas (Keybords, Drums, Marimba, Percussions), Wes Bolton (Guitar, Echoplex, Percussions) + Guests : Joey Myers (Vocal), Theese Weber (Vocal)


Artist : Uriah Heep

Album : Living the Dream

Release Date : 14-09-2018

Added : 17-11-2018

Listening to the first tracks of Uriah Heep 's latest album,' Living the Dream ', the time machine switched on by itself and took me back a few decades back to a time when' Firefly ' was constantly rotating on my turntable until wear out the last furrow and where I discovered a hard-rock with authentic artists who played their music thoroughly. Indeed, with a few more years, the original passion is still there with titles that catch you from the first chords like the energetic 'Grazed by Heaven' and its addictive refrain or 'Living the Dream' with its variations of tempo or again 'Take Away My Soul' where and 'Phil Lanzon' and 'Mick Box' send us two masterful solos. But the English of ‘Uriah Heep' also have severall string to their bow because they know how to vary the pleasures by proposing for example the long development' Rocks in the Road 'with all the ingredients that made their fame between breaking rhythm and parts instrumental reminiscent of the progressive of the first era; the ballads are also present with 'Waters Flowin' or 'Dreams of Yesteryear' which closes the album beautifully. In short, with 'Living the Dream', the English Uriah Heep 'show that after nearly 50 years, they continue to offer good hard-rock direct and authentic without taking a single wrinkle and this for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Shaw (Vocal), Dave Rimmer (Bass, Choirs), Mick Box (Guitar, Choirs), Phil Lanzon (Keybords, Choirs), Russell Gilbrook (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Renaissance

Album : A Symphonic Journey

Release Date : 14-09-2018

Added : 19-11-2018

Nearly fifty years after his formation, the group 'Renaissance' led by his singer 'Annie Haslam' released a live album with the accompaniment of a chamber orchestra. In the '70s, 'Renaissance' stood out fairly quickly from other progressive rock formations by offering a mix of classical and progressive rock with a debut album 'Renaissance' released in 1969 around the same time as the first 'ELP', their styles being very close at the beginning of their career. Of course, this mix was conducive to the use of classical instruments but 'Renaissance' had never collaborated with an orchestra and it is now done with this magnificent 'A Symphonic Journey' (also available in DVD) which is proposed to us with a subtle mix between the different periods of the band: 'Prologue' starts the album for the nostalgic of the first hour (of which I am part) with the still intact vocals of Annie Haslam 'and this so characteristic voice. Following 'Trip to the Fair' from 1975 ('Scheherazade and Other Stories' album), then 'Carpet of the Sun' and 'The Harbor' still from the first period ('Ashes Are Burning' album from 1973). With the following 2 tracks, we make a leap forward with the last album represented by 'Grandine il vento' and 'Symphony of Light' to return after with 'Kalynda' ('Azure d'Or' of 1979) and 'Island' of their first album, the end of the concert ending with the band's three must-sees, first 'Mother Russia' from 'Turn of the Cards' from 1974, then 'Song of all Seasons' from 'A Song for all Seasons' by 1978 and finally the title track of the album 'Ashes Are Burning' from 1973. In summary, although some may regret the absence of other iconic titles such as 'Kings & Queens', 'Can You Understand?' Or still 'Ocean Gypsy' (and I could names others but it was necessary to choose !!), this live 'A Symphonic Journey' is a wonderful journey into the musical world of 'Renaissance' which, almost fifty years ago, was one of the bands that were at the origin of symphonic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Annie Haslam (Vocal, Percussions), Rave Tesar (Piano), Tom Brislin (Keybords), Mark Lambert (Guitar), Frank Pagano (Drums, Percussions), Leo Traversa (Bass)


Artist : Dark Sarah

Album : The Golden Moth

Release Date : 21-09-2018

Added : 21-11-2018

For those who have missed the previous episodes (see here and here), 'Sarah' (played by 'Heidi Parviainen') continues his journey to offer us the last part of the trilogy of 'The Chronicles' and this time it is in the upper world where the heroine must face the test allowing her to reach the Gods to this higher world that she managed to reach in the previous episode ('The Puzzle'). There, she meets a 'Dragon' (played by 'JP Leppäluoto' already present in 'The puzzle') who becomes his companion for this last trip (see the story on the official website here ). On the music side, we find this mix of symphonic metal and original epic and theatrical fantasy film that perfectly fits the concept of the album with melodic lines close to animated films and an important work of vocal harmonies. We can note that there are 3 distinguished guests with 'Marko Hietala' from 'Nightwish', 'Zuberoa Aznárez' from 'Diabolus In Musica' and 'Netta Skog', ex. 'Ensiferum' playing respectively 'Whitebeard', 'Iron Mask' and 'The Fortuneteller'. In short, this last part 'The Golden Moth' closes very beautifully the story of 'Sarah' and is a perfect example of the concept album which succeeds the fusion between the history and the music; if the meeting between the metal epic and theatrical symphonic and fancy film music does not displease you, go and listen to the whole trilogy; for my part, I hope that 'Heidi Parviainen' will be able to stage her story to make it a complete show, as Arjen Anthony Lucassen does so well, for example with his latest show (see here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Parviainen (Vocal), JP Leppäluoto (Vocal), Sami-Petri Salonen (Guitar), Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Rude Rothstén (Bass), Thomas Tunkkari (Drums) + invités : Marko Hietala (Vocal), Zuberoa Aznárez (chant), Netta Skog (Vocal)


Artist : Gioeli – Castronovo

Album : Set the World in Fire

Release Date : 13-07-2018

Added : 23-11-2018

After collaborating in the group 'Hardline' for the album 'Double Eclipse' of 1992 (see here), the two artists 'Johnny Gioeli' and 'Deen Castronovo' meet up 25 years later to release together a first album 'Set the World in Fire' in the great tradition of a melodic rock of the 90s and this under the leadership of 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' well known in the hard-rock sphere. The set is very accessible from the first listening with a good variety from one title to another: from the first 3 tracks, we go from the energetic 'Set the World in Fire' to a very typical 80's FM rock 'Through' then, 'Who I Am' is in a much quieter style between mid-tempo and ballad. The following is the image of this beginning: alternating between catchy and quieter titles with beautiful melodic lines that you immediately enter the head with for example the beautiful ballad 'It's all About You' and his solo of guitar filled of feeling or 'Need You Know' with a chorus that plunges you into the melodic rock of the 80s and reminds me of the rhythms of 'The Alan Parsons Project' or the beautiful 'Mother' that would certainly have made a hit in a other time. Finally, much more melodic rock than hard-rock, this new rapprochement between the 2 Italians is a total success and 'Set the World in Fire' should be very well received by a large audience who appreciates the soft side of melodic hard-rock 80s/90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Deen Castronovo (Vocal, Drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs), Mario Percudani (Guitar), Nick Mazzucconi (Bass)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Redemption

Release Date : 21-09-2018

Added : 25-11-2018

This is another album for 'Joe Bonamassa' who released a few months ago the live 'British Blues Explosion Live' (see here) and this time it's a studio album that he composed entirely. With each release of Joe’s album, given the frequency, it is always the same question that arises: the repetition of album releases is not likely to have consequences on the quality? and, after listening to each album, it's always the same answer that one has, namely that it's still at the top and maybe even more in this album where he has been looking for at least 5 decades blues/rock/hard-rock/jazz/pop/ country influences to give us nuggets that give an impression of timeless so he has this talent to offer us titles that have something of universal. We sail between 70's hard-rock with 'Evil Mama' or 'Molly O', 60s rock with 'King Bee Shakedown', country/rock with 'Deep In The Blues Again' or 'The Ghost of Macon Jones' , blues/rock with 'Self-inflicted Wounds' or 'Just' cos You Can Do not Mean You Should' who smell good the '70s and recall some titles of 'Deep Purple' or jazzy with 'Pick Up The Pieces' not to mention the eponymous title of the album which must certainly remind some 'Led Zeppelin' or classics like 'I've Got Some Mind Over What Matters' and 'Love Is A Gamble' that we could spend hours with always the same pleasure or 'Stronger Now In Broken Places' where Joe puts himself naked for a title filled with emotion. In short, what more to say than to press the play button to refuel good feeling in this wonderful patchwork of style that Joe and all the musicians around him master to perfection...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Guitar, Vocal), Anton Fig (Drums), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet), Paulie Cerra (Trumpet), Kenny Greenberg (Guitar), Doug Lancio.(Guitar) + Guests : Reese Wynans (Keybords), Gary Pinto (Choirs), Jade Mcrae (Choirs), Jamey Johnson (Vocal), Jim Moginie, Juanita Tippins (Choirs), Kate Ston (Handpan), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs)


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Down Down & Dignified at the Royal Albert Hall

Release Date : 17-08-2018

Added : 27-11-2018

After the 2 'Aquostic' (see here) and at the same time as the release of the concert at 'Wacken' (see here ), 'Status Quo ', now without 'Rick Parfitt' (see his album here), replaced by 'Richie Malone', back to an acoustic album where they invited other artists to share the stage with them. While the 'Wacken' concert is quite standard with the electric power that we know, 'Down Down & Dignified at the Royal Albert Hall' goes even further in reinterpreting titles than the 2 'Aquostic' because each song has been rearranged especially with the use of an accordion to bring out the blues and folk side which gives another view of the standards of the 'Quo' and allows above all to hear songs that we are not used to hear in a classic set. We can quote for example 'Break the Rules' from 1974 (' album 'Quo') and its catchy rhythms, 'Rock'n'Roll' or 'All The Reasons' ballads on which 'Hannah Acor' lends her voice or the 2 tracks that bring us back to the 'Hello' era of 1973, 'A reason for Living' and 'Claudie' or 'Do not Drive My Car' far from the original version in a spirit blues / jazz. In short, even if historical fans of electric and powerful boogie-rock will certainly prefer the 'Wacken's live, this acoustic set as had already done the 2 'Aquostic' can show another facet 'Quo' just as endearing and the only regret I have is that they did not release a video in this so emblematic place...

Line Up / Musicians

Francis Rossi (Vocal, Guitar), Richie Malone (Vocal, Guitar), Rhino Edwards (Bass), Leon Cave (Drums), Andrew Bown (Keybords, Harmonica) + Guests : Chloe Gardner (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), Geraint Watkins (Accordion, Piano), Hannah Acor (Vocal, Violin, Percussions), Paul Hirsh (Keybords), Rolf Oehmichen (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Dynazty

Album : Firesign

Release Date : 28-09-2018

Added : 29-11-2018

It is only with their sixth album that I discover the Swedes of 'Dynazty' who began their career in 2007 and who release in 2018 'Firesign'. Their style is a melodic metal where guitar riffs coexist with keyboards as can 'Nightwish' can do (listen to 'In The Arms of the Devil', it's obvious on the chorus we feel like we hear a 'Storytime' overheated). At the beginning, with 'Breathe with Me', we are in the general mood of the album: a sustained rhythm, a refrain that immediately comes into your head and a singer with a powerful voice accompanied by choruses. Some tracks have a slower tempo while keeping accessible melody lines like 'My Darkest Hour' or 'Let Me Dream Forever' or the last track 'The Light Inside The Tunnel'. Note that the singer 'Nils Molin' also officiates for 'Amaranthe' in their latest album 'Helix' (see here). In summary, between symphonic and melodic metal, the 'Dynazty' release a quality album without real low time and 'Firesign' should appeal to all those who love an efficient metal and easy to access...

Line Up / Musicians

Nils Molin (Vocal), Love Magnusson (Guitar), George Egg (Drums), Mikael Lavér (Guitar), Jonathan Olsson (Bass)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : Prime Cuts

Release Date : 28-09-2018

Added : 01-12-2018

After a wonderful 'The Catfish' in 2016 (see here) and 'Two Dogs' released in 2017 (see here), it's a best of 'Popa Chubby' with pieces chosen from his already long discography. We sail between authentic blues like 'Angel on my Shoudler' of 1995 or the magnificent 'San Catri' of 1994 or 'Grown Man Cries Blues' of 2007, blues mixing rapp with 'Love is Beatdown' of 2004, rockabilly with 'Caffeine and Nicotine' from 1996 and covers with 'Hey Joe' by 'Jimmy Hendrix', 'Hallulujah' by 'Leaonard Cohen' or the 'Godfather' theme that he transformed into a The 'Shadows’ rock' . In short, this 'Prime Cuts' which is also available with 9 unreleased tracks in addition (not on Spotify) is a good range of the variety of styles of this authentic artist who lives his music at 200 percent and is a good way for those who do not know him to discover his universe...

Line Up / Musicians

Popa Chubby (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : MaYan

Album : Dhyana

Release Date : 21-09-2018

Added : 03-12-2018

I am not particularly attracted to extreme metal and I much prefer the clear vocals to the growls, but it must be said that with the last album 'Dyana' of the band 'MaYan', 'Mark Jansen' ('Epica') has put every effort and thanks to crowdfunding, was able to set up a distribution that many groups of metal would envy (among others 'Marcela Bovio' ex 'Stream of Passion' see here and in a classical style his first solo album here) with icing on the cake the participation of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra , customary to collaborate with the international metal scene. The result is quite surprising because you really need to take the opus as a set especially since, as usual, Mark has developed a concept album that this time looks at a philosophical topic : is it, contrary to what 'Descartes' said, 'Cogito ergo sum' (I think so I am), the thoughts that turn in our head that we identify with would not be harmful to find happiness and would be disconnected from what we are, turning us into an observer of our thinking ? In terms of music, 'Dhyana' is an album with a remarkable density and with an impressive work of orchestration and vocal harmonies in a very epic and symphonic style and obviously on some titles, the resemblance is striking with ' Epica '(for example' Rebirth from Despair 'or' The Power Process ') but we could also mention certain melodic lines of 'Therion' as in 'The Illusory Self' with the vocal of 'Laura Macri' which is close to 'Lorie Lewis' (see the extraordinary metal opera of 'Christopher Johnsson' here). But the richness of this album is also in the variety of titles because, only in the first 4, we go from a grandiose and symphonic 'The Rhythm of Freedom' to 'Tornado of Thoughts' where we find ourselves in in an oriental atmosphere then the epic 'Saints Do not Die' borrows from the classical music world while 'Dyana' is a stripped ballad where 'Laura Macrì' and 'Marcela Bovio' form a magnificent duet. We can also note a second part in an instrumental version that highlights the importance of the philharmonic orchestra and thank you for 'Mark Jensen' to have held good while his record company offered him to do without. In summary, although 'Dyana' will no doubt remain for a averting public who are fans of symphonic metal and extreme metal, this latest installment of 'MaYan' under the leadership of 'Mark Jansen' is a total success and will remain probably one of the best 2018 albums in this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Macrì (Vocal), Marcela Bovio (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal), George Oosthoek (Vocal), Henning Bass (Vocal), Adam Denlinge (Vocal), Frank Schiphorst (Guitar), Merel Bechtold (Guitar), Jack Driessen (Keybords), Roel Käller (Bass), Ariën van Weesenbeek (Drums), Orchestre Philarmonique de Prague


Artist : Axxis

Album : Monster Hero

Release Date : 05-10-2018

Added : 05-12-2018

It's been 30 years since Axxis' offers us good authentic hard-rock and 2018 sees the release of their 16th studio album (see their latest album here). As usual, they have concocted compositions with choruses that immediately turn in your head starting with the first title 'Monster Hero' which sets the tone with its energetic rhythm. On the ray of good surprises, we find melodic lines that we had on previous albums with for example 'Love Is Gonna Get You Killed', 'Firebird' or 'We are the Seven' and if your foot does not start to beat the music on 'Rock is my Religion' or 'All I Want is Rock', then go your way and for the others, this last album 'Monster Hero 'Germans Axxis is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernhard Weiss (Vocal), Harry Oellers (Keybords),Stefan Weber (Guitar), Rob Schomaker (Bass), Dirk Brand (Drums)


Artist : Lord of the Lost

Album : Thornstar + 10 Thorns

Release Date : 03-08-2018

Added : 07-12-2018

After 'Mono Inc.' (see here), I come back to their compatriots 'Lord of the Lost' who released not an album but 2 with first of all, 'Thornstar’ which is a concept album telling the story of an ancient civilization, the 'Pangaeians' (released in August) and '10 Thorns' (released in October) which includes 10 titles in acoustic of 'Thornstar '. As often in this kind of album, the packaging is very worked but in this case, they even went so far as to write a pdf file available in several languages which describes in a very detailed way the history of this European people who has lived 10,000 years ago and we can only hail this effort that is not commonplace and that allows to immerse in history here). At the musical level, 'Thornstar' is very dense since it brings together 20 compositions for almost an hour and thirty minutes and we can find a mix of metal genres ranging from gothic to melodic through industrial, symphonic, extreme and even a rather improbable mix between metal and electro (yes, yes, it exists, listen 'Abracadabra' !!). So you have to be quite open minded and love all this diversity to join 'Thornstar' especially since the length requires repeated listenings to get to assimilate the whole. And then, there is this second album which gives a very different face to the original titles and allows to hear the warm voice of 'Chris Harms' accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. In summary, even if this last album is of a great density and risks being limited to the public of warned because not necessarily accessible to the first listening, the Germans of 'Lord of the Lost' under the leadership of ' Chris Harms' released an album of a very high quality that it is at the level of the theme but also at the level of the musical contents and show once more that they know, of album after album, vary the styles without being repeated proof a fabulous talent...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Harms (Vocal, Guitar, Cello), Class Grenayde (Bass), Gared Dirge (Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Niklas Kahl (Drums), Pi Stoffers (Guitar)


Artist : Xiphea

Album : Everland

Release Date : 06-10-2018

Added : 09-12-2018

After 'Once Upon a Time' in 2016 that made me discover 'Xiphea' (see here), 2018 sees the release of a new album 'Everland' and the Germans are pursuing to tell fairytales between East and West in the continuity of previous albums, offering us accessible symphonic metal with a lineup that has evolved since the last opus, 'Rene' on the bass being replaced by 'Franck', 'Thomas' on the drums being replaced by 'Daniel' and 'Michael' newcomer as 2nd guitar. From the begining with 'Ice Blood Cave', the tone is given with an instrumental introduction that plunges us into a mysterious atmosphere that gives way to an energetic title where the melodious voice of 'Sabine' can remind some singers of the symphonic metal scene starting with 'Sharon den Adel' from 'Within Temptation'. Follow 'Hook' in the same style of power metal and then, 'Genie' takes us into the tales of ' the Arabian Nights' with a melody that attract immediately. The following is at the image of this beginning with titles whose refrains enter directly into your head as those of 'Rumpelstiltskin' or 'From The Otherworld' or 'Palace of the Dragon Queen'. In summary, the Germans of 'Xiphea' show that with 'Everland', they have reached a certain maturity and even if their style does not yet allow them to stand out from the many groups of the same musical genre (they certainly have capacity), this last album is very pleasant to listen to and should undoubtedly appeal to all fans of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine (Vocal), Neil (Guitar, Growls), Daniel (Drums), Michael (Guitar), Frank (Bass)


Artist : Ann My Guard

Album : Moira

Release Date : 11-10-2018

Added : 11-12-2018

It is in Hungary that we go with the band 'Ann My Guard' which is at its 3rd studio album with 'Moira' after 'Ourania' that I cronicled here. While ‘Ourania’ was more optimistic (see 'Asteria'), with 'Moira' (which means destiny in Greek), we dive into a much darker atmosphere with inspirations in the themes of death, the other world and the afterlife. Musically, the singer and bassist 'Eszter Anna Baumann' has concocted 10 compositions in a mix of styles and it is very difficult to put them in a specific box: first, after a very (too) short introduction vocal 'The Descent', the titles 'Sacred I' and 'Montain II' are powerful with a heavy sound between heavy metal and melodic metal and, with 'Elijah', we are close enough to bands like 'Delain' with a catchy rhythmic and a refrain that will not let you go. There, follow compositions that move away from the powerful sound with the first acoustic ballad 'Roseblood', telling the fight of Eszter against endometriosis, then 'Mëtéra' which embarks us in a mysterious atmosphere and air where the vocal harmonies bring a feeling of weightlessness. With 'Echo' we return to a heavier sound for a ballad that alternates power and appeasement. After an energetic 'The Day I Die', we return to a very beautiful acoustic track with 'The Raven' in a folk atmosphere and the album ends with the melancholic 'Morpheus' which tells the painful loss of a loved one (in this case the father of Eszter) who beautifully closes the album. In summary, between strength and melancholy, this last Hungarian album of 'Ann My Guard' is a total success and shows the maturity reached in this 3rd opus which offers us a beautiful variety of styles and should appeal to a public who likes to mix metal with quieter atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Eszter Anna Baumann (Vocal, Bass, Flute), Krisztián Varga (Guitar), Benjamin Bárkányi (Guitar), Norbert Tobola (Drums)


Artist : Black Paisley

Album : Perennials

Release Date : 27-09-2018

Added : 13-12-2018

If you realize that the good rock and hard rock of the 80s is missing you, here are the Swedes from 'Black Paisley' who release their second album 'Perennials' after 'Late Bloomer' in 2017 (see here). Each track would have been a hit a few decades ago and we're sailing between pop, rock and hard-rock with catchy melodies either in the most energetic tracks or in the ballads: 'I Want Your Soul' opens the album in a heavy style and a catchy first refrain, then, 'Day by Day' is more AOR and the 3rd title, it is a ballad ('Sometimes') that smells good the 70s / 80 with a refrain that we can’t stop humming. The suite alternates these different atmospheres and we can quote 'Step Back' typical of the swaying rhythm of the 70s, the happy 'Alone' which reminds me of the atmosphere of 'The River' of 'Bruce Springsteen' or the beautiful ballad 'Stronger' which is close to the melodies of Elton John'. In summary, this second album of 'Black Paisley', even if they do not bring real news, is a wonderful summary of the best from the 70/80 and 'Perennials' should appeal to all fans of this period...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Blomqvist (Vocal, Guitar), Ulf Hedin (Guitar, Choirs), Jan Emanuelsson (Bass), Robert Wirensjö (Keybords Choirs), Mikael Kerslow (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Riverside

Album : Wasteland

Release Date : 28-09-2018

Added : 15-12-2018

2016 was a black year for the Polishs with the death of their guitarist 'Piotr Grudziński' and it was not clear at that time what would be the future of the group. 2 years passed and after the release of 'Eye of the Soundscape' which was a double album of instrumental tracks illustrating the experimental side of the group and out of step with what 'Riverside' used to offer us but which was a tribute to the memory of Piotr (see here), 2018 sees the release of a new album 'Wasteland' which sees 'Riverside' return to a more clean style that was known in the first opus of the group, one of the reasons being certainly the need to mourn after Piotr's death. At first, we cannot do more stripped than 'The Day After' with 'Mariusz Dudo' which gives us goosebumps and serves as an introduction to 'Acid Rain', a title between rock and progressive metal that is d an exceptional emotional level alternating rage and serenity. With the following titles, the musical level remains at its peak with 'Vale of Tears' and with the ballad 'Guardian Angel' in which we are caught by the melancholy that emerges and 'Lament' continues in this register by adding a alternation even more marked between powerful parts and acoustic parts and a final that involves ropes in a remarkable emotional intensity. The second part of the album brings us back to progressive rock with the long instrumental 'The Struggle of Survival' and then, the 'River Down Below' which still takes us on a small cloud with a 'Floydian' solo of great beauty and then, the almost instrumental eponym of the title track rock / folk that mixes ambiances as far as film music to the 'Enio Morricone' and more classic progressive rock (pure happiness !!) to end with 'The Night Before’ which responds to the introduction for a last very strong title which gives you one last goose bumps. In summary, 'Wasteland' is certainly one of the most intense albums of 'Riverside' and if we refer to their discography, we find ourselves in the style of a 'Second Life Syndrome' which is for me the must of the group; I'm sure that Piotr who looks at them from the beyond is very proud of his friends because this kind of album is to put away in the box of essential albums which are good for the soul and at the end of the year will certainly be for me on the podium of the albums of 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Mariusz Duda (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Piotr Kozieradzki (Drums), Michał Łapaj (Keybords)


Artist : SayWeCanFly

Album : Beautiful Mess

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 17-12-2018

'Braden Barrie' is an independent Canadian songwriter and singer who began his career about 10 years ago and uses social media to promote his music and made his name in North America by going to meet people to share his passion for the song. For his latest album 'Beautiful Mess', he uses crowdfunding (see here). In terms of music, this last album is part of the great tradition of popular song with rather short songs, melodic and accessible from the first listen. Apart from 3 semi-acoustic popisants titles 'Daisy Dew', 'Honey' and 'Here's My Heart', the other compositions are stripped and keep only the essential of the music. Each title contains a lot of melancholy and emotion with an accompaniment of some piano notes or some guitar chords embellished with electronic sounds that bring an air side. In summary, far from the commercial circuits, 'Braden Barrie' continues its way and this 'Beautifull Mess' (which is very well named), is a new success in the career of this atypical artist and endearing...

Line Up / Musicians

Braden Barrie (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Emily James (Vocal), Nyke Van Wyk (Cordes), Julie Elven (Vocal)


Artist : Carptree

Album : Subimago

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 19-12-2018

'Carptree' did not get used to that because we had waited ‘Merger’ for 7 years (see here) and less than a year and a half later, by the end of 2018, its successor 'Subimago' is born and the Swedes offer us a new album with 8 compositions that seem to me more accessible from those of ‘Emerger' which I had put a logo for informed public while I tagged this latest opus in 'Accessible' while remaining in a progressive style dense and rich. 'Welcome' greets us by slowly unfolding its mysterious atmosphere reinforced by the use of keyboards supporting the hypnotic singing of 'Nickla Flinck' and an alternation between tension and relaxation as the band knows so well how to do it. With the beautiful 'By Your Own Device', I have the impression to hear the 'Genesis' of the period 'Duke' certainly due on the one hand to the singing but also to the sound of the keyboards and 'World Without Mind' which first swaying rhythmic structure gently prepares the rise of a magnificent second melodic part with a big work in the choirs. The following shows that the group can also be subjugated in a stripped style, 'Instead of Life' being of great emotional power and I could quote all the titles because it is very difficult to find a timeout in these compositions where the highlights follow each other one after the other. In summary, even if 'Subimago' is perhaps a little more accessible than these predecessors and could be a good gateway to all those who would like to discover a modern and sought-after progressive, it is also an album that gets better listening after listening, which for me is the sign without contest of great quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Carl Westholm (Keybords, Bass, Guitar, Theremin, Percussions), Nicklas Flinck (Vocal) + Guests : Ulf Edelönn (Guitar), Stefan Fandén (Bass, Guitar, Bouzouki, Keybords), Jesper Skarin (Drums, Percussions), Cia Backman (Choirs), Öivin Tronstad (Choirs)


Artist : Oak

Album : False Memory Archive

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 21-12-2018

'Oak' is a Norwegian group that releases a new album 'False Memory Archive' (see their album 'Lighthouse' here) and for the occasion, they invited their compatriot of the group 'Airbag', 'Bjorn Riis' (see the latest album here). On the style side, they are part of a progressive atmospheric wave with beautiful melodic lines that make their compositions accessible and we can not help but refer to groups like 'Kingcrow' (see here), 'The Paradox Twin' (see here) or 'Sunchild' (see here) to mention only bands that I recently reviewed. So we navigate in a peaceful universe where the warm and deep voice of 'Simen Valldal Johannessen' brings a melancholy side as in the magnificent 'Intermezzo' and 'The Lights' which make only one title and where 'Debussy' invites itself in the introduction with the famous 'Clair de Lune' and which let slowly roll out the 10 minutes in the form of two successive crescendos that leave room for a calm and peaceful end. In the shelf of my favourite songs of this album, I could add, 'Lost Causes' and its masterly final, 'Transparent Eyes' more classic but with a very accessible melody and finally the last title 'Psalm 51' filled with a palpable emotion . In summary, this 2nd Norwegian album of 'Oak' is a very good surprise 2018 and if you like a progressive mixing melancholy and serenity, put yourself in a quiet place and enjoy quietly this beautiful 'False Memory Archive'...

Line Up / Musicians

Simen Valldal Johannessen (Vocal, Keybords), Sigbjørn Reiakvam (Guitars / Bass / Keybords / Banjo), Øystein Sootholtet (Keybords / Drums / Percussions) + Guests : Ole Michael Bjørndal (Guitar), Bjorn Riis (Guitar), Stephan Hvinden (Guitar), Steinar Refsdal (Saxophone)


Artist : Sirenia

Album : Arcane Astral Aeons

Release Date : 26-10-2018

Added : 23-12-2018

After 'Dim Days Of Dolor' in 2016 which had marked an evolution in the career of 'Sirenia' (see here) by its more melodic character than its predecessors, here is' Arcane Astral Aeons released in October 2018 which fits more and more in a flamboyant symphonic metal where 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' consolidates her place thanks to vocal qualities which allow it to adapt to all the styles but where also one finds the growls of 'Morten Veland' which had practically disappeared on the previous opus. It starts strong with 'In Styx Embrace' in a debauchery of symphonic power where the choruses intertwine with the Morten’s growls in a very balanced way and where Emmanuelle offers a first perfect interpretation. The 2 tracks that follow are for me the 2 hits of the album with memorable refrains that will certainly be concert titles and which show the soft symphonic side of the band with 'Into The Night' and the more gothic face with 'Love Like Cyanide. The following shows a great variety because a lot of different formations come to mind: the first part of 'Desire' makes me think of 'Xandria' (see their latest album here ), 'Asphyxia' to 'Delain' (see their latest album here), 'Queen of Lies' to the rhythmic of 'Leaves' Eyes (see their latest album here) and with an introduction worthy of 'Tarja' (see his latest live album here) and 'Aerodyne' to 'Within Temptation'. We can also note that they also bring a certain out of phase with for example in the second part of 'Desire' or in 'Nos Heures Sombres' where we feel that Emmanuelle brings his influences of the French song : 'Nos heures Sombres' could very well have been a French variety song that they would have metallized as 'Therion' did in 'Les Fleurs du Mal’ (see here). In summary, 'Sirenia' released a new album full of good surprises that show their ability to offer us a nice palette of symphonic metal and 'Arcane Astral Aeons' is for me, certainly the most successful album of the band...

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuelle Zoldan (Vocal), Morten Veland (Bass, Vocal), Jan Erik Soltvedt (Guitar), Nils Courbaron (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Yannis Papadopoulos, (Vocal), Østen V. Bergøy (Vocal), Emilie Bernou (Choirs), Damien Surian (Choirs), Mathieu Landry (Choirs), Stéphanie Valentin (Violin)


Artist : Evership

Album : Evership II

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 24-12-2018

After a first quality album released in 2016 (see here), the Americans of Evership' release 'Evership II' in the continuity of the first album with 5 titles including 4 between 8 and 10 minutes and a masterful final title of more than 28 minutes. The composer 'Shane Atkinson' always demonstrates this ability to captivate us in long progressive developments where it is good to get lost and where something is always happening. Take the example of the opening title 'The Serious Room' which is certainly the title that includes the most linear rhythm and which could weary but the different successions sung and instrumental can be always held spellbound. The following 3 tracks continue to embark us each in its own way in the progressive universe of the group with this proliferation of inspirations of the progressive rock of the 70s but the most important title is obviously 'Isle of the Broken Tree' which, with its 6 parts, offers us a patchwork of atmospheres beginning with an epic and symphonic introduction that introduces a first quiet acoustic part that highlights the harmonious voice of 'Beau West' to unleash at 7.30 in a melody that can recall 'Queen' and 'It's Beautiful Day'. Then it changes of mood with 3 minutes of a fairly classic hard rock and a beautiful instrumental passage where keyboards and guitars respond to finally soften and return to a typical progressive partl where 'Beau West' also shows that he knows how to force his singing. The sequel takes us with the piano of 'Shane Atkinson' in a second bare acoustic part unfolded slowly its beautiful melody to regain power in a rhythmic part that prepares an epic finale that goes out little by little. In summary, the Americans of Evership confirm all the good that was thought of them with the first opus and this 2nd part with its long developments is an example of what we can do best in progressive rock in the great tradition of the 70s which is, for me, an album to add to the ideal collection in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Beau West (Vocal), Shane Atkinson (Keybords, Drums, Percussions, Vocal), James Atkinson (Guitar), John Rose (Guitar), Ben Young (Bass) + Guests : Joel Grumblatt (Drums), Jesse Hardin (Guitar), Mike Priebe (Choirs), Amelia West (Choirs), The Charles Heimermann Chorale, Allison Cowan, Asa Graham Hartley, Nicelle Priebe, Gracie Staggenborg, Emily Walsh


Artist : Lifestream

Album : Diary

Release Date : 27-09-2018

Added : 25-12-2018

Contrary to what Spotify might have us believe, 'Diary' is the first Italian album of 'Lifestream' which evolves in a progressive rock influenced by several decades of artists and they are particularly part of the progressive Italian tradition with talent so characteristic to offer beautiful melodic lines easy to access as did and continue to do 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' (see their latest album here). So, we embark in compositions with multiple twists where alternating strength and delicacy as in 'Discoveries' where powerful guitar riffs coexist with the delicacy of the piano. And it’s impossible to miss out on 'Over the Rippling Waters', of more than 15 minutes and built in several drawers with a rhythm that hangs from the first chords and which embarks us for a wonderful journey alternating different atmospheres and which holds the listener throughout the title. In summary, this first album of the Italians 'Lifestream' and still a nice surprise 2018 in the field of progressive rock and 'Diary' is a real gateway for all those who would like to discover through accessible compositions the progressive style...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Vuolato (Guitar), Andrea Franceschini (Keybords), Andrea Cornuti (Bass), Paolo Tempesti (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Albion

Album : You’ll Be Mine

Release Date : 18-10-2018

Added : 26-12-2018

'Albion' is a Polish group that has more than twenty years o existence and evolves in a neo-progressive style. Since their last album (see here), with the departure of singer 'Katarzyna Sobkowicz-malec' and keyboards 'Krzysztof Malec', 'Jerzy Antczak' appealed to former members of the group, the singer 'Anna Batko' and the bassist 'Pawel Konieczny'. Despite this change of line up, 'Albion' continues in this characteristic style because Anna, who is in the same register as Katarzyna, has a clear and captivating singing that makes me think of 'Olivia Sparnenn' (see the last album of 'Mostly Autumn' here), this being obvious in the beginning of 'Lullaby'. With the leaving of ‘Krzysztof Malec', 'Jerzy Antczak' took obviously more space with his guitar playing which is highlighted and we find his beautiful solos' Gilmourien' which gives this atmospheric style where it emerges a certain melancholy. At the beginning, with 'Calt It a Sin', the listener has a condensed of the talent of this formation in 3 minutes with a very calm first part alternating Anna's aerial voice and Jerzy's acoustic guitar playing, then in the last minute, an explosion of power with electric instruments which come on the scene. We are therefore navigating in an atmospheric universe that slowly rises in tension to finally fall back as in the very beautiful title track of the album. In summary, with this latest album, the Polishs of ‘Albion' return very beautifully on the front of the neo-progressive scene and 'You'll Be Mine' is recommended for those who love the progressive with an atmospheric tendency...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Batko (Vocal), Jerzy Antczak (Guitar, Keybords), Pawel Konieczny (Bass), Rafal Paszcz (Drums)


Artist : Black Strat Band

Album : Absence

Release Date : 26-09-2018

Added : 27-12-2018

It's with this second album 'Absence' that I discovered 'Black Strat Band', a Greek band from Corfu that has been around for 20 years and whose first album was released in 2016. Listening first titles, I found myself in the universe where I feel good and who accompanied me since my childhood: first, I have the impression on the instrumental parts to listen to the Floyds, then, the melodic lines are very accessible and recall the big bands of the 70's like 'Barclay James Harvest' and finally, the titles structures make that we have for example 'Personal Demons' and 'Dead End' which only make one and which together develop a progressive structure: it is still a nod to the Floyds in 'Dead End', it seems to have a mix of 'Welcome to the Machine' and 'Comfortably Numb' but without any plagiarism because the result is quite different and It is certainly no coincidence that the Greeks called themselves 'Black Strat Band' which is the legendary guitar of 'David Gilmour' (see Live at Pompei' here). It’s Impossible to find a title below the others and past the last notes of 'Rough Times', we only want to press the play button again. In summary, this 2nd album of the Greeks is a wonderful journey in the 70s with a modern sound and, even if the time has passed, we say that this style has no age and we can only thank 'Black Strat Band' for this beautiful gift at the end of 2018...

Line Up / Musicians

Nikos Sellas (Guitar,Vocal), Kostas Soueref (Drums, Vocal) , Alex Sotirianos (Keybords, Vocal), Vasilis Koskinas (Bass) + Guests : Alex Soueref (Vocal), Kleomenis Evangellopoulos (Choirs)


Artist : Leah

Album : The Quest

Release Date : 05-10-2018

Added : 29-12-2018

Compared to the last album 'Kings & Queens' that I had appreciated (see here), with this latest opus 'The Quest', the line-up has evolved again and it is 'Chen Balbus' ('Orphaned Land') and 'Troy Donockley' ('Nightwish') who support their colleagues of 'Delain' and 'Blind Guardian'. Given this prestigious cast, one might expect a symphonic metal close to the bands whose musicians are from, but 'Leah McHenry', who lives in the province of British Columbia in Canada, is more influenced by Celtic roots and even if riffs of electric guitars are there and brings power, the result could be called symphonic folk metal with as typical example the eponymous title of the album with a first chorus that does enter easily in your head. The following scrolls beautiful melodic compositions with first of all titles close to the symphonic metal as the energetic and powerful 'Edge of Your Sword', the beautiful mid-tempo 'Lion Arises' where Leah shows all his vocal talent or 'Heir', more classic, or the beautiful power ballad 'Labyrinth', and then others mixing metal and folk like 'Ruins of Illusion' or 'Oblivion' whose melodic lines recall Celtic sounds, the accompaniment of instruments like the flute of Troy reinforcing this mood. Also worthy of note is a beautiful stripped reinterpretation of the Irish traditional song 'The Water Is Wide' that 'Gilles Servat' adapted into Breton ('Divent an Dour') and that 'Tri Yann' released in 2004 on the 'Marine' album and that Bretons often play live (see here). In summary, 'Leah McHenry' continues to enchant us with this unique style that she knew how to create by mixing symphonic metal and Celtic influences and 'The Quest' is probably intended not only for fans of symphonic metal but also for a much wider audience which is amateur of accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Leah McHenry (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Sander Zoer (Drums), Barend Courbois (Bass), Troy Donockley (Bagpipe, Flute), Chen Balbus (Guitar, Saz, Oud)


Artist : Nordic Union

Album : Second Coming

Release Date : 09-11-2018

Added : 31-12-2018

After a first album album in 2016 (see here), the Scandinavians of 'Nordic Union', led by the talented and prolific Swede 'Erik Martensson' who already participates in a lot of adventures of the melodic metal scene ('Eclipse', 'Ammunition', 'WET') and the singer of 'Pretty Maids', 'Ronnie Atkins', release a second studio album 'Second Coming'. And like the previous album, between rock and hard-rock melodic, it's still a faultless with a succession of hits that take you fishing for a whole day with memorable choruses that never leave you (The two singles 'Because of Us' and 'Walk Me Through the Fire' have certainly been drawn from the short straw!). I could disribe this opus title by title but, for short, I'll give you the example of 3 tracks that follow each other in the middle of the album: first, with 'Rock's Still Rolling', if you do not type with your foot on the chorus, it's because this opus is not for you; then with the mid-tempo 'Breathtaking', it's my head that takes over to beat the measure and finally, the power ballad 'Die Together' has something that multiple formations of the same style could envy. In summary, this 2nd album 'Nordic Union' is still a very nice surprise in late 2018 and if you like a hard-rock melodic and accessible, you can go with your eyes closed and consume this 'Second Coming' without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Ronnie Atkins (Vocal), Magnus Ulfstedt (Drums)


Artist : Ten

Album : Illuminati

Release Date : 09-11-2018

Added : 01-01-2019

I had discovered 'Ten' with their latest album 'Gothica' (see here) and it was only a year later that its successor 'Illuminati' has been released. There is obviously a continuity with the style of 'Gothica' with a mix of rock and hard rock and melodic lines that catch at the first listening. From the first title 'Be As You Are Forever', after a beautiful instrumental introduction, it's a first energetic title with a very effective first refrain. With 'Shield Wall', the rhythm and the melody remind me of the Austrians of 'Serenity' (see their latest album here) and 'The Esoteric Ocean' is more AOR and is getting closer to bands like 'Foreigner' (see their latest live album here). The suite offers compositions that move more towards symphonic melodic rock, with for example, the beautiful ballad 'Rosetta Stone' whose chorus is reminiscent of the melodic lines of 'Mono Inc.' (see their latest album here) or the bright 'Heaven And The Holier-Than-Thou' close to the pop/rock of the 70s or the magnificent last title and very ‘Queenest’ 'Of Battles Lost and Won'. In summary, the Englishs of 'Ten' released a melodic rock album of great quality and accessible to a wide audience and if you like the international rock of the 80s, 'Illuminati' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Hughes (Vocal), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Steve Grocott (Guitar), John Halliwell (Guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Steve McKenna (Bass), Max Yates (Drums)


Artist : Fractal Cypher

Album : Prelude to an Impending Outcome

Release Date : 08-11-2018

Added : 02-01-2019

Their latest album 'The Human Paradox' was a nice surprise 2016 in progressive metal (see here) and 2018 sees the release of an EP with 4 titles and we feel an evolution in the Canadians of 'Fractal Cypher' that evolve to more melodic progressive and therefore necessarily more accessible starting with the first title 'Coming Back to Life' which can remember some progressive rock bands and especially their compatriots 'Mystery' (see their latest album here). The second title changes of register with a short jazzy introduction that turns into a hard-rock with an energetic rhythm that calms down in the middle of the title to start in an instrumental part with a rather unbridled tempo and 2 guitar/keyboards masterly solos to finish with the sung theme of the beginning. With 'From the Above and the Stars', the style is similar to the previous opus with a juxtaposition of different parts but with a background melodic theme that serves as a common thread for the whole, and the last title 'Red Lady' with a first symphonic and melodic part, hardens in a progressive metal style with a sudden break for a jazzy party that prepares the final returning to the starting theme. In summary, the Canadians of 'Fractal Cypher' confirm this talent to embark on sought-after compositions but which remain accessible thanks to beautiful melodic lines and 'Prelude to an Impending Outcome' is recommended for all those who love the blend between progressive rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Lavoie (Vocal), Ludovick Daoust (Piano, Keybords), Steven Cope (Drums), Tommy Fradette (Bass), Vincent Bruneau (Guitar)


Artist : Seventh Wonder

Album : Tiara

Release Date : 12-10-2018

Added : 04-01-2019

'Tommy Karevik' is busy at the moment with his 2 projects because after the release in early 2018 of the album 'The Shadow Theory' with 'Kamelot' (see here), here’s 'Tiara', the 5th album of 'Seventh Wonder' which was released at the end of 2018. The fans certainly looked forward to this album, especially since the last album 'The Great Escape' was from 2010 had scored the spirits in the world of progressive metal with its eponymous title of thirty minutes. 'Tiara' is a continuation of the style that we knew, namely between rock and progressive metal with accessible melodic lines that can fit fairly easily into each composition. For example, after the short instrumental introduction 'The Arrival', 'The Every Ones' has a very effective chorus and a single instrumental part just before the final rehearsal that makes it a fairly conventional title. The compositions are quite varied and we go from an energetic 'Dream Machines' to the very melodic 'Against the Grain' rather far from the metal and then, 'The Truth' is a ballad that allows to hear the beautiful voice of 'Jenny Karevik' whois the sister of Tommy. Of course we must mention the 3 central compositions 'Farewell' which show an epic face approaching a progressive more symphonic as can be done recently 'Dream Theater' and whose atmosphere is much quieter with first of all the very melodic 'Tiara's Song', then the ballad 'Goodnight' which can recall some melodic lines of 'Queen' and finally the second ballad even more melancholy 'Beyond Today' where 'Tommy Karevik' shows that he also knows how to transmit beautiful emotions and whose song reminds me of 'Georg Neuhauser', the singer of 'Serenity' (see their latest album here). In summary, although 'Seventh Wonder' is tagged progressive metal, it would be reductive to limit them only to that because, 'Tiara' is an album mixing beautifully a set of styles ranging from symphonic rock to progressive metal and which, moreover, has very accessible melodies, which should destine it to a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Blomqvist (Bass), Johan Liefvendahl (Guitar), Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Andreas Söderin (Keybords), Stefan Norgren (Drums)


Artist : Damanek

Album : In Flight

Release Date : 05-10-2018

Added : 05-01-2019

It’s with the second album 'In Flight' that I discovered 'Damanek' which was created by the multi-instrumentist 'Guy Manning' known to have participated in various projects in the field of progressive with 'The Tangent' and 'The United Progressive Fraternity '. From the first listening, we are immersed in a patchwork of different atmospheres that succeed one after another with the feeling of discovering in each composition a new universe that we tame little by little Let's take the example of the first title 'Ragusa': In 5 minutes, we go from an instrumental introduction with a 'Floydienne' electric guitar to a first part sung atmospheric then a rhythmic close to 'A Kind of Magic' of 'Queen' starts for 2 minutes during which a second part of singing followed by a piano's solo with Spanish intonations and finally a rythm rupture for, again, a short 'Floydien' guitar solo that leaves room for the 'Queenest' rhythmic where 'Guy Manning' is accompanied by choirs in a final where the electric guitar invites itself to accompany the choir. The following titles, all have a different personality that make the listener travel: 'Skyboat' could be the meeting between 'Santana' and 'Jethro Tull' (whom do you think when you hear the song ?), ‘The Crawler' is more accessible with 2 parts, one pop, the other jazzy and it is the clarinet that creates the link between these two styles. But the highlight of the album is the last title shared in 3 parts of almost 30 minutes which is a comparison between life in China and America and where we are embarked on an epic built in multiple drawers that each have their own melodic lines and musical colors. In summary, this second album of 'Damanek' is a rich and dense album that unfolds gradually, listenings after listenings, and finally is an album of great creativity : to recommend to all those who love a progressive refined while remaining accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Guy Manning (Vocal, Keybords, Bouzouki, Guitar, Mandolin, Choirs, Bass, Percussions), Dan Mash (Bass), Marek Arnold (Saxophone, Clarinette), Sean Timms (Keybords, Banjo) + Guests : Raf Azaria (Violin), DavidB (Choirs), Kevin Currie (Choirs), Brody Thomas Green (Drums), Julie King (Choirs), Luke Machin (Guitar), Tzan Niko (Guitar), Antonio Vittozzi (Guitar), The Gospo Collective et Jones Commentary Choir


Artist : NeversiN

Album : The Outside In

Release Date : 05-10-2018

Added : 06-01-2019

'NeversiN' is an Italian band that releases its 3rd studio album 'The Outside In'. Their style mixes rock, hard-rock and progressive with compositions that are influenced by the big rock bands of the last 40 years. After the instrumental introduction 'When Darkness Fall ...', the first compositions are fairly classic with a conventional couplet/chorus construction and we navigate between energetic rock tracks like 'A Storm Is Coming', 'Rage, Pt. 2' or 'Life Preserved ' wich is a little reminiscent of 'U2', and ballads like 'Rain' or 'Evenstar', the whole with melodic lines that catch on first listen. In contrast, the last four compositions are only one ('Symphony of Light') and show a slightly more progressive side of the band with a construction of a symphony with its 4 movements where each party brings its atmosphere while keeping an immediate accessibility, the last movement of 8 minutes closing in a very beautiful way the album. In summary, the Italians 'NeversiN' released a good album tinted of melodic rock progressive and therefore, 'The Outside In' is more advisable to all fans of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Moro (Vocal, Guitar), Skench (Guitar, Choirs), Sgana (Guitar), Albertino (Drums), Hurt (Bass)


Artist : D Project

Album : Find your Sun

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 07-01-2019

Quebec counts a lot of groups of progressives (see 'Mystery' and their last album ici ) and 'D Project', led by his leader 'Stéphane Desbiens' is part of these formations born in the 2000s who have been nourished by diverse and varied influences of the last forty years and who have collaborated with big names of progressive since the beginning of their career. With this fifth album, the list of guests is still long and the compositions of 'Find Your Sun' contain a multitude of different atmospheres assembled by a goldsmith that is 'Stéphane Desbiens' to make something unique that tame slowly during repeatedly listening. And strangely, the longest title borders the 9 minutes while each title gives the impression to cross multiple musical landscapes : as an example, the first title 'The End' of 6 minutes begins with layers of keyboards on which is superimposed a guitar 'Gilmourienne' and is followed by an instrumental part with voices on the music that hardens for a progressive metal section, and, in the middle of the title, there is a total break for an acoustic part close to 'Cat Stevens' to finish with the power of the first progressive metal sequence. With 'Crude Reality', I have the impression of hearing a cross between 'Pendragon' and 'Pink-Floyd', then 'Tell Me' is a more melancholic title with a magnificent acceleration on the end and a magnificent solo of violin played by 'Isabelle Cormier' and, with 'The Sting', we find ourselves in an atmosphere with 'Floydienne' influences mixing periods pre and post 'Roger Waters' with the sound of the Cor of the French 'Romain Thorel' at the end of the title (see the latest album of 'Lazuli' here). The following scrolls the confusing 'Life to Spare', which begins conventionally with a pop / rock style but is embellished in the second part by beautiful instrumental disgressions on the main theme, the ballad 'Be Kind', sung by 'Peter Falconer' (see the last album of 'Drifiting Sun' here) has this note in the guitar solo at 3.30 which makes us climb to the ceiling, and then 'Find Your Sun' which managed to put 3 end-to-end very distinct sections in less than 4 minutes and the last title ‘Be Free’, composed by 'Philippe Desbiens', son of Séphane, closes beautifully this opus with its beautiful melody and the admirable central guitar solo. In short, after the magnificent 'Damanek' chonique a few days ago (see here), the Canadians of 'D Project' release an album at the end of this year 2018 that has to be added to the ideal discotheque of any progressive music fan...

Line Up / Musicians

Stéphane Desbiens (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Jean Gosselin (Drums), Isabelle Cormier (Violin, Keybords, Vocal), Philippe Desbiens (Bass, Guitar) + Guests : Peter Falconer (Vocal), Fred Schendel (Keybords), Romain Thorel (Keybords), Marie Noelle Harvey (Violin), Laura Laberge (Cello), Sylvain Laberge (Flute), Nathalie Gobeil (Basson), Daniel Simon (Saxophone), Chorale de Saguenay (Choirs)


Artist : ProgAtom

Album : Spiral

Release Date : 12-10-2018

Added : 08-01-2019

'ProgAtom' is a Norwegian group that releases its second studio album 'Spiral' and they have the peculiarity of singing in their native language which may seem a little rough to some. Their influences are marked by the beginning of the progressive in the late 60s with sounds that can be found in formations like 'Focus', 'Yes', 'King Crimson', 'Genesis' or 'Procol Harum' with the use of Hammond organ, Mellotron and with melodies typical of this era that may seem outdated now but have rocked a lot of people in the 60s and 70s. 'Åpent Hav' opens the ball with beautiful choir effects and a melody that takes us back a few decades; Following 'Å Være' and its atmospheric ambience then, 'Tidstyv' recalls the chorus of 'BJH', first period, and 'Vakker Og Skjøret' mix classic music and epic rock; with 'Sirkel', it's an instrumental track reminiscent of 'Focus' then 'Homo Digitalis', more than 10 minutes, puts side by side atmospheres that can be found in the beginning of the progressive and finally, the title 'Den' neste veg' cradles us with its honeyed melody that ends with a simple but very effective guitar solo lasting 3 minutes. In summary, as you understood, Norwegians 'ProgAtom' draw their inspiration from the origins of progressive rock and 'Spiral' is intended for all those who would like to go back in time, at the time where progressive rock was born inspired by different musical currents of the time as diverse as pop, blues, rock, classical or jazz...

Line Up / Musicians

Arild Sveum (Keybords), Mattis Sørum (Guitar), Rune Ulen (Drums), Åsmund Mjelva (Bass), Tore Christer Storlid (Vocal) + Guest : Ingebjørg Barstad (Choirs)


Artist : Eleside

Album : Battle of Choices

Release Date : 01-11-2018

Added : 09-01-2019

'Eleside' is a new symphonic metal band that was created in 2017 and released its first studio album 'Battles of Choices'. Originally from Italy, the transalpine combo offers 9 compositions whose duration varies between 3 and 4 minutes for a total of 35 minutes. First, with 'I Heard a Sweet Melody', the style is close to the Germans of 'Xiphea' (see their latest album here) with a melody that begins with a lullaby for child. With 'Looking in the Stars', even if the guitar riffs are always present, we move away from the metal and the composition makes us swing to the rhythm of a waltz 3 times. The following scrolls the very melodic 'Like a Feather in the Snow' and his unexpected break with a harpsichord in the middle of the title, 'Battle of Choices' reminiscent of the first albums of 'Coronatus' (see their latest album here), the epic 'The Reverse Portrait' with an introduction borrowing from the 'Radetzky March' of 'Johann Strauss' and the hopping 'Angels Vampire' enhanced by keyboards bringing an ominous side, the album ending with 'Truths and Misunderstandings' with its magnificent tonality changes that shows the singing talent of 'Corinne Di Marco' and the beautiful melodic mid-tempo 'Rebirth'. In summary, the Italians of Eleside' already shows with this first album a beautiful maturity and this 'Battle of Choices' should be well received by a public privileging the symphonic and melodic side to the power of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Corinne Di Marco (Vocal), Frank Dicorcia (Guitar), Ariel (Bass), Leonard Klavier (Keybords), Gianluca Dicorcia (Drums)


Artist : Cecile Monique

Album : Genesis

Release Date : 02-11-2018

Added : 10-01-2019

It was in 2011 that Canadian 'Cecile Monique' released her first EP and 2018 saw the release of her first studio album 'Genesis'. First of all, it's not so common, but the singer is also an autor, composer and producer, and started to make herself known in Europe during her participation in Wacken to represent Canada in 2013 and was in 2016 in the world's top 5 of the young artists contest at the M'era Luna Festival in Germany. As usually in this style, the album begins with an instrumental track 'Overture (Sicut Erat)' which features classical opera choruses and is also found in mid-album 'Interlude (In Principio)' and last title 'Finale (Nunc And Semper)' identical titles that remind that Cecile is primarily a classical singer. This reference to classical music is found from the outset with 'Genesis' which is enhanced by choruses throughout the title and whose style is more like very accessible symphonic rock, the metal side being set back, which is, of course, reminiscent of 'Within Temptation'. The following titles maintain this style with, for example 'Heat', in which Cecile shows us all her talent as a classical singer, or with 'Another Life', in which the resemblance is striking with 'Sharon den Adel' even in the phrasing. We can also note beautiful encounters between Orient and Occident with titles like 'Break' or 'Alibi' in which Cecile brings beautiful vocal modulations always accompanied by sumptuous choirs and we can’t miss the beautiful ballad 'Ashes', at the end of the album, which is filled with emotion. In summary, with this first album, 'Cecile Monique' takes us in a very beautiful way in his world made of a mix of classical opera and symphonic rock, and 'Genesis' is made to reach a wide audience through compositions very accessible ...

Line Up / Musicians

Cecile Monique (Vocal), Sammy Duke (Guitar), Dan Corrigan (Bass), Robert Crowder (Drums)


Artist : Kalidia

Album : The Frozen Throne

Release Date : 23-11-2018

Added : 11-01-2019

After the Italians of ‘Eleside' (see here), it's the turn of their compatriots' Kalidia' to release a new album 'The Frozen Throne' which is their second studio album. They fit between power metal and symphonic with obvious influences from major formations of these styles. 'Frozen Throne' opens the bal with an energetic rhythm, an aggressive bass and a melody that enters into your head immediately, then 'Circle's Spell' whose introduction takes us to the Orient, is a more classical symphonic metal. Then follow the 'Black Sails' coach who is strongly inspired by 'Storm The Sorrow' by ‘Epica', then with 'Orpheus', after a quiet introduction, we find a fairly classic power metal and, 'To the Darkness I Belong' is still a catchy and effective hymn. The second part of the album is the image of the beginning, and we can note the power ballad 'Midnight's Chant' which allows a welcome break. In summary, 'The Frozen Throne' is a good melodic and symphonic power metal album for fans of this style, and Italians, thanks to accessible melodic lines, have certainly the ability to evolve now to forge their own personality to get out of the mass of groups of this kind of music and to target a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini (Vocal), Federico Paolini (Guitar), Roberto Donati (Bass), Dario Gozzi (Drums)


Artist : Anneke Van Giersbergen

Album : Symphonized

Release Date : 16-11-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

The third live is the one from 'Anneke van Giersgergen', who has been busy for ten years after leaving 'The Gathering' with various projects including, among others, 'Agua de Annique', ' Vuur' and the magnificent project of Arjen Anthony Lucassen', 'The Gentle Storm' (see here), and who gave 2 concerts with the 'Residentie Orkest The Hague' which gave rise to the release of 'Symphonized'. She presents us with a kind of 'Best of' of her career with an impressive work at the orchestral level which gives a completely different vision of the original titles. The set is of a rare intensity and it even attacks classic music by interpreting for example this magnificent 'When I Am Laid in Earth' by Henry Purcell 'and we can not remain indifferent to this palpable emotion that she knows how to transmit to the public. In short, 'Synphonized' is a concert that goes well beyond a simple album and shows that beyond the metal label that we can stick to her, 'Anneke van Giersbergen' is above all a complete artist that knows to adapt to any style of music and all that can be summed up in one word: the talent...

Line Up / Musicians

Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Residentie Orkest The Hague


Artist : Lacuna Coil

Album : The 119 Show – Live In London

Release Date : 09-11-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

The second concert is the one given by the symphonic metal band 'Lacuna Coil' to the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London for their 20-year career. And a birthday, it must be celabrated and, in this case, they made a special effort to offer us more than 2 hours of concert or more precisely of spectacle in a debauch of sound and luminous power (some scenic artists being integrated in the show) with titles that take their full dimension on stage and where 'Cristina Scabbia' and 'Andrea Ferro' give their all and show a perfect complicity. The composition of the set list scrolls through the various powerful hits of the band like 'Our Truth', 'Swamped', 'Nothing Stands in Our Way' or 'Blood, Tears, Dust' but also shows the soft side of the band with compositions such as 'One Cold Way', 'Comalies' or 'Wide Awake' ballads but also melodic tracks such as 'End of Time', 'I Like It', 'When A Dead Man Walks' and 'Heaven's a Lie' which we can add their cover of 'Depeche Mode', 'Enjoy The Silence'. In summary, more than a concert, 'The 119 Show' is a real show that takes all its dimension with the Blue Ray or the DVD and 'Lacuna Coil' for the 20 years of existence offer a very nice gift to all their fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Cristina Scabbia (Vocal), Andrea Ferro (Vocal), Diego Cavallotti (Guitar), Marco Coti Zelati (Bass), Ryan Folden (Drums)


Artist : Steven Wilson

Album : Home Invasion : In Concert At The Royal Albert Hall

Release Date : 02-11-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

The end of the year 2018 saw the release of several concerts that I decided to regroup because they are all unique moments in public with different styles that I wanted quite far apart from each other; in order, do not see any preference because they are for me, all indispendables, texts are simply written by release date:

First of all, this concert is devoted to an artist who became essential of the international progressive scene, I named, 'Steven Wilson' who released a DVD, Blue Ray of the 3rd concert in March 2018 in the emblematic 'Royal Albert Hall' of London and who offers us nearly 2:30 which allows to share these unique moments to all the fans who could not see him in concert in his last tour following the release of 'To The Bone' (see here). Steven's already well-filled career allows him not only to browse his last own album with titles like 'Pariah' where 'Ninet Tayeb' brings his magnificent song but also the magnificent 'Song Of I' which gives me thrills with each listening, but also to revisit old titles like for example the whole 'Home Evasion / Regret #9' of ‘Hand. Cannot. Erase.’ of 2015 which is the typical example of the inventive artist who is 'Steven Wilson' in field of progressive music. Of course, the 'Porcupine Tree' period is not forgotten with 'The Creator Has A Mastertape' or 'Arriving Somewhere but Not Here'. In summary, it is still a faultless for this emblematic artist who is a pioneer of contemporary music and this concert is to add to the ideal collection for all lovers of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitar), Adam Holzman (Keybords) , Alex Hutchings (Guiare, Choirs), Craig Blundell (Drums), Nick Beggs (Bass), Ninet Tayeb (Vocal)


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Release Date : 30-11-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

With the 4th concert, we do not change of place because it is still the 'Royal Albert Hall' of London which has experienced another magical moment with the concert of 'Beth Hart' in May 2018 after the release of the live in New York (see here ). For the occasion, Beth offers us 23 titles of her long career by browsing the different albums starting with the most recents, 'Fire on The Floor' of 2016 (see here), 'Better Than Home' of 2015, 'Bang Bang Boom Boom' from 2012, and also older albums like 'Immortal' from 1996, 'Leave The Light On' from 2003 or 'My California' from 2010 whose poignant titles 'Sister Heroine', 'Take It Easy On Me' and the title track are extracted, and also titles she shares with 'Joe Bonamassa' as 'Saved' (from the latest Black Coffee' here), 'For My Friends', 'Close to My Fire' or 'Your Heart Is As Black As Night'. And as usual, Beth mixes energy and emotion in a pure state in a set of an incredible intensity, in a complete communion with his audience that has probably taken a big slap that night. To conclude, just listen to the last song 'Caught Out In The Rain' and if you like whole artists, you can not be sensitive to so much generosity and emotion...

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal, Piano, Guitar, Bass), Jon Nichols (Guitar, Choirs), Bill Ransom (Drums, Percussions), Bob Marinelli (Bass)


Artist : Gotthard

Album : Defrosted 2 (Live)

Release Date : 07-12-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

The 5th concert is about the Swiss group of 'Gotthard', which has taken an important place in the hard-rock sphere for nearly 30 years and have released after the 'Defrosted' of 1997, a 'Defrosted 2'. Recorded during the last 'Defrosted Unplugged Tour 2018' tour, this nearly 2 hours live shows, once again, with this new acoustic set, the melodic talent of this band with compositions that have become hymns for fans. The last album 'Miss Me' of 2017 is well represented with entry 'Miss Me' which opens the ball and which shows a warm version with beautiful female choruses, the ballads 'Beautiful' and 'Why' and the mid- tempo 'Stay With Me', which are obviously suitable for this acoustic exercise, and finally, the joyful 'Tequila Symphony N ° 5' with its nod to the 5th symphonic of 'Beethoven' which is embellished naturally for the occasion of strings and a magnificent piano solo. The other highlights are numerous with the beautiful ballads of the band like 'Heaven', 'C'est la vie' or 'One Life One Soul' but also catchy compositions like 'Bang', 'Feel What I Feel' in which public joins in for a sing-along, the 'Hush' cover of 'Joe South' popularized by 'Deep Purple', or 'Right On', 'Sister Moon', 'Lift It Up'. Note 2 unpublished at the end of the album, first recording acoustic studio 'Bye Bye Caroline' with the nod to 'Caroline' of the 'Quo' written with 'Francis Rossi' (who also made acoustic set here) and the wonderful ballad 'What I would not give' of great intensity. In short, 'Defrosted 2' is a live show that shows an other face of 'Gotthard' and contains all that one looks for in a concert : a communicative energy and a great bath of emotion and finally does not it would not be called simply ‘c’est la vie’...

Line Up / Musicians

Nic Maeder (Vocal), Leo Leoni (Guitar), Freddy Scherer (Guitar), Marc Lynn (Bass), Hena Habegger (Drums)


Artist : Evanescence

Album : Synthesis Live

Release Date : 14-12-2018

Added : 12-01-2019

Finally, with the last concert, it is the Americans of Evanescence who released 'Synthetis Live' which is completely in the direction taken by 'Amy Lee' with the last album 'Synthesis' (see here) and, therefore, will certainly continue to fuel the harsh criticism of its original audience. This live sees' Amy Lee 'surrounded by a symphony orchestra offer us 16 titles that are mostly Evanescence' songs, some of which were already present in the studio album, to which are added a very free adaptation but very strong of 'Lacrimosa' attributed to 'Mozart' but of which he had written only the first measures. Some titles have been paired: the first title starts with some piano notes and some strings ('Ouverture') and we continue with 'Never Go Back' which starts quietly but then alternates beautifully tension and relaxation, then, the calm interlude 'Unraveling' introduces a tormented 'Imaginary' of great strength sublimated by the power of the orchestral instruments and finally the instrumental and stripped 'The In-Between' is a magnificent introduction to 'Imperfection' of 'Synthessis' 'which marked the opening of Evanescence' to electro sounds. In summary, with this live, 'Amy Lee' transforms into a beautiful show its studio version of 'Synthesis' and, although some will regret the original metal style and sometimes, we feel some vocal imperfections that are quickly forgiven, 'Synthesis Live' and its often minimalist accompaniment allows to draw the very essence of the original compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Amy Lee (Vocal), Tim McCord (Guitar), Troy McLawhorn (Guitar), Will Hunt (Drums, Percussions), Jen Majura (Guitar, Choirs), Dave Eggar (Cello)


Artist : Midnite City

Album : There Goes the Neighbourhood

Release Date : 19-10-2018

Added : 13-01-2019

'Midnite City' is an English band that I discovered with their 2nd album 'There goes the Neighborhood' and which evolves between melodic rock and hard-rock with influences of groups of the 80s. With 'Here Comes the Party', let’s go for a powerful and effective title whose melody attract immediately, then 'Give Me Love' adds more with a refrain where the choirs have a great time. With 'You Do not Understand Me', the rhythm is calmer for a mid-tempo but it is still melodic and what is following continues to scroll songs as catchy as each other with a break at the end of the album with the ballad 'Heaven's Falling' simple but still effective and the album ends without weakening with 'Until the End' which is aptly named because it has the chorus that you have in mind for a day. In short, as they say, the English of 'Midnite City' are doing the job to offer us simple but effective compositions full of good energy and, even if they will not revolutionize the hard-rock melodic, this 'There Goes the Neighborhood' is made for all those who love the hard-rock melodic 80s and is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Wylde (Vocal), Pete Newdeck (Drums, Choirs), Miles Meakin (Guitar), Shawn Charvette (Keybords, Choirs), Josh 'Tabbie' Williams (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Salva

Album : Off The Deep End

Release Date : 25-10-2018

Added : 14-01-2019

'Salva' is a Swedish band that has already been around 15 years of existence and has just released its 5th studio album 'Off The Deep End'. Difficult to give them a specific style because they draw their inspiration from the rock and hard-rock currents of the 70s by adding progressive and symphonic components. With the first title 'King of Nothing', it is a fresco of more than 10 minutes that embarks us on an epic journey but whose construction is quite classic. With 'Clarity I', the hard-rock style of the 70's is very marked and we can refer to bands like 'Deep Purple' or 'Uriah Heep' while the title 'Skyclad' is an atmospheric ballad, then, 'Clarity II' is melodic rock and 'The Ghost of Fives' is a mix between an 'Floydian' atmospheric mood and a playful rock / folk vibe. The following titlez scrolls a 'Clarity III' mixing blues and jazz then with 'Under the Fear', we return to a hard rock seventies and, then, 'Clarity IV' is a second semi acoustic ballad that can be reminiscent of westcoast and gets closer to the moods of 'Eagles', the album ending in another register by 'Brickshort' which embarks us in a magnificent epic melody mixing the classic with symphonic rock and could be compared to 'Therion' (see their latest album here) for these classical choruses accompanied by electric instruments (listen to the chorus at 4.15). In short, the Swedes of 'Salva' offers us a very interesting patchwork and especially accessible and this 'Off The Deep End' should be very suitable for all those who love the mix of genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Per Malmberg (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords, Accordeon, Mandolin, Percussions), Fredrik Lindqvist (Bass), Johan Lindqvist (Keybords), Lasse Bomin (Drums, Percussions), Stefan Gavik (Guitar)


Artist : Rani Chatoorgoon

Album : Chaotic Wonder

Release Date : 01-11-2018

Added : 15-01-2019

After the release of 'Samsara' (see here), the Canadian 'Rani Chatoorgoon' releases an EP 'Chaotic Wonder' (which is still 41 minutes with an edit version of ‘Hello' and a remastered remake of 'Nightshade' !). As usual, she has called on artists of the metal scene and for this opus they are, among others, the guitarist 'Ferry Duijsens' and the bassist 'Johan Van Stratum' of the group 'Vuur' who participate in the adventure. As much to warn you, although it is 'Joost Van Den Broek' who is in charge of the orechestrations and who worked with a lot of symphonic metal bands and, although saturated guitar riffs are present here and there, the style of 'Chaotic Wonder' is in the lineage of the previous album with a powerful symphonic rock tinged with Indian culture and if you are energetic metal fans, you will be disappointed. Each title is accessible from the first listening and takes us on a journey between East and West on tempo-tempos favorable to the dream that is maintained by the aerial voice of Rani and the oriental instruments played by 'Sandip Banerjee'. In summary, with 'Chaotic Wonder', 'Rani Chatoorgoon' continues to enchant us with its influences that she draws between East and West and demonstrates once again that the novelty is often the fruit of blends between different cultures...

Line Up / Musicians

Rani Chatoorgoon (Vocal, Harmonium), Sandip Banerjee (Sitare, Santoor, Tabla, Dholak, Thavil, Sarod, Sarangi, Khol, Pakhawaj, Punjabi Dhol), Ferry Duijsens (Guitar), Johan Van Stratum (Bass), Koen Herfst (Drums), Ruud Jolie (Guitar), Sandip Banerjee (Percussions), Joost Van Den Broek (Orchestrations, Programmation)


Artist : Dilemma

Album : Random Acts of Liberation

Release Date : 02-11-2018

Added : 16-01-2019

'Dilemna' is a band from the 90s who had reformed in 2012 for a concert and just released a new album 'Random Acts of Liberation'. At the origin of this new album, they had a singer 'Danny Butler' who was replaced by 'Dec Burke'. Their style is quite eclectic because they mix various influences and so we must take the time to discover this opus little by little to tame it especially since they offer us 1 hour and 12 minutes of listening in 14 tracks. The length of the titles is very variable and goes from 2 to 12 minutes with classic construction for the shorter ones and progressive aspects more present for the titles which exceed the 5 minutes. On the music side, they offer us catchy melodic lines with components alternating tension and relaxation like in 'Amsterdam (This City)', 'Openly', 'Play With Sand' or the flagship title and very epic 'The Inner Darkness' more than 12 minutes with its majestic end which is the typical example of this alternation. The quieter moments are also present with 'Aether', 'Intervals' or 'Wonder' while short tracks like the 'Dear Brian' acoustic or the 'Spiral II' instrumental allow aeration to the ensemble. In summary, between pop, rock and metal with progressive tendencies, 'Random Acts of Liberation' is a dense and rich album as well on the length but also by a mixture of the genres but is above all very accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines and should please a broad enough public open to a very affordable progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Dec Burke (Vocal, Guitar), Paul Crezee (Guitar), Collin Leijenaar (Drums), Erik van der Vlis (Bass), Robin Z (Keybords) + Guests : Frank van Essen (Violin), Jessica Koomen (Choirs), Nando Eweg (Keybords), Paul Sutman (Vocal), Piet Hein Appelo (Guitar), Rich Mouser (Guitar), Zeph Daw (Vocal)


Artist : Seventh Dimension

Album : The Corrupted Lullaby

Release Date : 01-11-2018

Added : 17-01-2019

It is still a Swedish band that is in the spotlight with 'Seventh Dimension' but not in the field of melodic rock but between symphonic and progressive rock and metal with this magnificent double album 'The Corrupted Lullaby' of over 2 hours which is their 3rd studio album telling the story of 'The Dreamer' who lives with 'The Lily' but who is still in love with 'The Rose' disappeared in a road accident fifteen years ago (the story is detailed on the group site here). The music is therefore at the service of this story and the different compositions alternate powerful parts and other quieter and changes of tempos which is typical of the progressive and necessarily requires time to penetrate each corner and to tame each title. The melodic lines are relatively accessible with a nice balance between the guitar and the keyboards and we can note a certain diversity in the atmospheres that follow each other, each title having its own personality to allow to pass the different emotions that they convey as the joy, sadness or despair. In summary, this latest Swedish album of 'Seventh Dimension' is of an impressive richness and density and necessarily requires multiple listenings to draw all the quintessence and, consequently, will be undoubtedly intended for a public aware magnet long progressive developments with different ambiances far apart from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Delle Fave (Guitar, Choirs, Voice), Nico Lauritsen (Vocal), Rikard Wallström (Bass, Choirs), Erik Bauer (Keybords), Marcus Thorén (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Linda Lundberg (Vocal, Voice, Choirs), Manos Petropouleas (Voice), Alex Hummingson (Voice), Tom Ryan (Voice), Taran Wilmore (Voice), Ethan Todhunter (Voice), Hampus Nilsson (Voice)


Artist : Marcela Bovio

Album : Through Your Eyes

Release Date : 07-12-2018

Added : 18-01-2019

After a wonderful 'Unprecedented' in 2016 (see here), 'Marcela Bovio' who is still busy between her different projects (including the participation in the last album of 'Mayan' here), released at the end of 2018 a new solo album in the continuity of 'Unprecedented' with 11 titles written by the artist drawing on the stories she has collected during the self-financing campaign of the album among her fans. Far from metal, she defines this album as 'melancholy chamber music' as the members of the symphonic metal group of 'Edenbridge', 'Lanvall' and 'Sabine Edelsbacher' had done with 'Voiciano' (see here). From the first title 'The Edge of the World', the magic is there and her voice knows how to be melancholic and then grow to fall back on the end. In the majority of the compositions, she plays between different feelings that she knows how to transmit to us and the musicians who accompany her on piano, violin and cello know how to be one with her as in 'Magic Powers' with her changes of tempo that gives all its dimension to this title. Also note that she shares the title 'Here To Say' with her sister Diana for a beautiful duet. In summary, 'Through Your Eyes' shows once again the complete artist that is 'Marcela Bovio' and, whatever the genre, music can do only good when transmitting such beautiful emotions...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcela Bovio (Vocal), Diana Bovio (Vocal), Cello (David Faber), Erik van Ittersum (Piano), Ben Mathot (Violin)


Artist : Gabriel Iwasaki

Album : The Journey Continues

Release Date : 06-11-2018

Added : 19-01-2019

Peru is not generally cited as a provider of progressive music but, 'Gabriel Iwasaki', who has just received his diploma in music composition, is a Peruvian and, listening to 'The Journey Continues', the style is closer to rock or hard-rock formations with symphonic and progressive components. After a short instrumental introduction 'The Journey Continues' (in reference to his debut album 'The Journey of Life') that could be found in symphonic metal abums, 'Into Darkness' is an energetic composition where keyboards cohabit with guitar riffs and melodic lines are catchy, then, 'Out from the Light' and 'I Want You' continue in this register. But the sequel takes us to other horizons with firstly the instrumental 'Giza' which mix different influences and shows the talent of this young Peruvian in a multi-cultural title and the end of the album makes us travel in much quieter compositions that immediately capture the audience with 'Former Life', 'Afraid to Stat Again', 'A Place In My Heart' or the magnificent 'From Father to Son', the last title 'The Fake Reflection, Pt 1' returning to a progressive style that can sum up beautifully the whole. Note the covers in Spanish of 'I Want You' ('Te Quiero Aqui') and 'From Father to Son' ('De Padro a Hijo'), the Spanish language bringing, for my part, more strength. In summary, 'Gabriel Iwasaki', very discreet on the web, is a composer of great talent who released a very promising album that should appeal to those who like to mix hard-rock progressive powerful but also more classical symphonic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriel Iwasaki (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Gustavo “Lucifer” Michael (Vocal), Wilmer Pachas (Guitar), Gabriel León (Bass), Miguel Galdos (Drums)


Artist : The Windmill

Album : Tribus

Release Date : 15-11-2018

Added : 20-01-2019

'The Windmill' is a Novégien group that has already released 2 studio albums and it is with the 3rd album 'Tribus' released last November that I discover them. They are part of a progressive style of the 70s with references from bands of this period as 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Jethro Tull' or 'Barclay James Harvest' but also more recent formations like 'Arena' or 'Mostly Autumn'. Lovers of long titles will be thrilled because this opus contains only 5 titles and the first, 'The Tree', takes us to an epic composition of almost 24 minutes where it is good to get lost in the nooks and crannies and where we feel multiple influences, starting with a first instrumental part where the flute brings a very aerial atmosphere which continues with a rhythm where the bass leads the dance and where the keyboards accompany in an atmospheric atmosphere; then, the very sensual and relaxing sung part with a nice intervention of the saxophone precedes a jazzy episode and it continues in a beautiful symphonic progressive part more classical which is punctuated by an hispanisant guitar accompanied by a very 'Jethrotuliènne' flute which prepares a majestic final with a first part sung close to 'Barclay James Harvest' which finally gives way to an instrumental ending beginning with some piano notes to rise in intensity to fall back and finish calmly. Note a third title much more energetic looking towards 'Deep Purple' of the first period that allows to vary the mood just before 'Make Me Feel' which returns to the symphonic progressive with a magnificent final guitar solo and the final title 'Play With Fire' beautifully closes the album in a pop / folk atmosphere in the manner of 'Mike Oldfield'. Furthever, the recording is of excellent quality and it is normal because, it is 'Karl Groom' of 'Threshold' who has mixed and mastered the whole and who produced many progressive rock and metal bands. In summary, this latest Norwegian album from 'The Widmill' is a summary of an accessible and quality progressive drawing its inspiration in the 70s, and 'Tribus' is recommended for all fans of progressive but can also touch a wider audience who wants to discover this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Robert Viita (Keybords, Vocal), Erik Borgen (Guitar, Vocal), Stig André Clason (Guitar), Morten Clason (Saxophone, Flute, Guitar, Vocal, Keybords), Arnfinn Isaksen (Bass), Sam Arne Nøland (Drums)


Artist : Aeneas

Album : Paradox

Release Date : 19-11-2018

Added : 21-01-2019

Listening to the first title 'Awake' of the second album 'Paradox' of the Germans of ‘Aeneas', I found that they had a style that can be found in the Swedishs of 'Jono' (see their latest album here) and they define themselves as doing epic rock, which is also the label we could stick to 'Jono'. Indeed, the first 4 tracks, in a standard format between 3 and 5 minutes, are powerful and energetic and captive from the first listening with beautiful melodic lines supported by keyboards that maintain the symphonic side as in 'Unleshed' which is perfect example of a magnificent alchemy between a powerful and symphonic rock. With 'Brother', they offer us a break with a nice acoustic ballad, then 'Gravity' brings us back to the epic and symphonic rock of the beginning but, without a doubt, it’s the last title 'The Aeneid', of more than 18 minutes, which is the cornerstone of this album by offering us a composition worthy of the greatest progressive rock bands where we are embarked on a patchwork of moods and beautiful alternations between powerful and quiet parts and where it always happens something until the grand finale that can recall the atmosphere of 'The Astonishing' of 'Dream Theater' (see here). In summary, even if the Germans of Aeneas' do not make the buzz on the web, this album is for me one of the very beautiful surprises of the end of the 2018 year and if you are fans of rock mixing symphonic and progressive, I can only advise you to listen to 'Paradox'...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernhard Huber (Vocal), Ben Eifert (Guitar, Keybords), Maxx Hertweck (Drums), Giuseppe Puzzo (Bass)


Artist : Joe Bailey

Album : A Price to Pay

Release Date : 19-11-2018

Added : 23-01-2019

'Joe Bailey' is a multi-instrumentalist who does not make the buzz on the internet and releases a new studio album with 'A Price to Pay' and 3 more albums are also available on Spotify (see here ). In addition to playing all the instruments, he is also the one who composes and mixes his albums and he tries to make himself known by intervening on radios specialized in progressive music. In a rather varied rock style, he takes us into different atmospheres starting with 'Immaculate Conception', whose introduction with classical choruses can recall 'Era', and which then unfolds beautiful melodic lines where Joe shows us that he can vary its vocal tone by alternating a bass and warm register and its natural register. With 'Consumed', the tone is more rock and more powerful with electronic effects then, with 'Bithmark', we return to a symphonic rock with electronic effects of voice and 'Salute, Smile, Say Goodbye' is a composition that, after a calm introduction, explodes in a wild rock with a beautiful instrumental passage in crescendo preparing the final. The rest continues with titles whose melodic lines are accessible from the first listening by keeping a variety between each composition with as a highlight 'Dim the Lights' and his refrain that remains in your head and which summarizes his universe. In summary, although 'Joe Bailey' does not yet have a great renown (which is a pity), it offers us with this latest album quality compositions very enjoyable to listen to and, if you like an accessible progressive rock, you should appreciate 'A Price to Pay' as well as all of his production available on Spotify...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bailey (Guitar, Bass, Vocal, Keybords)


Artist : Dan Reed Network

Album : Origins

Release Date : 23-11-2018

Added : 25-01-2019

After their reformation in 2013, the Americans of 'Dan Reed Network' was relaunched by the release in 2016 of the album 'Fight Another Day' (see here ) and the end of 2018 has seen the release of the new album 'Origins' which is, as its name suggests, is partially a return to the origins since on the 8 tracks, 4 are old titles taken for the occasion ('Ritual' and 'Forgot to Make Her Mine' from 1988,'Rainbow Child' from 1989 and 'Let it Go' from 1991). So, we refind this mix of funk and rock that was their trademark but the 4 unpublished are more in a style between pop and rock with melodic lines that immediately attract like the beautiful mid-tempo 'Fade to Light' with his catchy chorus or the training 'Shameless' very 80s. In short, although this last album is a kind of EP because it is only 38 minutes with only 4 originals, 'Origins' is a accessible melodic pop/rock album and should satisfy all the fans of the Americans and may allow some to discover this group that had not necessarily had a great celebrity in the 80s/90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Dan Reed (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Brion James (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Melvin Brannon II (Bass, Choirs), Rob Daiker (Keybords, Choirs), Dan Pred (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Coma Rossi

Album : Coma Rossi

Release Date : 20-12-2018

Added : 27-01-2019

As its name does not indicate and that makes them think that they come from Italy, 'Coma Rossi' is in fact a formation born in India in 2014 in Bangalore. Their style mixes progressive and atmospheric rock with some influences that they go to seek in their culture on certain melodic lines as for example in the title of introduction 'Mirage' where the intonations mix East and West and where they alternate changes of rhythm and powerful parts and others quieter. This album contains 8 titles that are all relatively long, ranging from 6 minutes to almost 14 minutes and each title develops a peaceful and serene atmosphere: 'Transmission' is the fastest title and we embark on a lively atmosphere with a beautiful solo guitar in the second half of the title, the instrumental 'Jomolungma is Far Away' is more psychedelic with its haunting rhythm and modulations of guitar sounds that crescendo up to powerful riffs, then, 'Yellow Escape' takes us in an atmospheric 'Floydian' style while 'Dream' is aptly named because we let ourselves be lulled by the slow tempo that makes us travel in several successive soundscapes. The continuation continues in this rather enchanting style with 'Stillborn' where the sweetness of the piano side the power of the guitars and, after 'Turn Back Time' which reminds me of some constructions of 'U2', 'Lost' closes the album with a title whose beautiful melody of the sung part remains long in mind and where the second instrumental part is very beautiful. In summary, between progressive and atmospheric, 'Coma Rossi' is a group that releases an album that is a great surprise 2018 and should appeal to a public loving a relaxing progressive rock to listen to and should appeal to a public loving a relaxing progressive rock to listen to peacefully, the headphones on their ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Borah (Vocal), Udayan Kashalikar (Bass, Vocal), Juby Thomas (Keybords), Gaurav Govilkar (Guitar), Anupam Panda (Drums)


Artist : Last Union

Album : Twelve

Release Date : 21-12-2018

Added : 29-01-2019

When we read the line up of this group, we can say that there are some beautiful people with names well known in the world of progressive metal since it is 'James LaBrie', the singer of 'Dream Theater', 'Mike LePond', the bassist of 'Symphony X' and 'Uli Kusch', the drummer of different bands including 'Symfonia' and 'Masterplan'. Founded by the singer 'Elisa Scarpeccio', 'Last Union' is an Italian band that has already been around for ten years but this 'Twelve' album that came out at the end of 2018 is the same to the one already released at the end of 2016 under the name 'Most Beautiful Day' (not available on Spotify) and which at the time certainly did not have the expected impact. Of course, with this line up of renown, 'Last Union' was tagged straight away in progressive metal but, in my opinion, a little too fast because, apart from 'Taken' which brings some progressive elements with changes of tempos and ambiance, the majority of titles offers a classic build with verse/refrain and with a rather standard length between 3 and 4 minutes and the Italians are more like a formation of melodic metal with very effective titles and accessible at first listen : I could speak about all titles because each song coumd be a single but I will simply quote 'The Best Of Magic' with its addictive melody that will make more than one people jump in concert and of course 'Taken' (the long version) where the duo 'Scarpeccio/Labrie' works perfectly. In summary, the Italians of 'Last Union', well helped by renowned artists, released an album of high quality that should appeal to a wide audience of followers of a metal melodic and accessible : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Elisa Scarpeccio (Vocal), Cristiano Tiberi (Guitar), Mike LePond (Bass), Uli Kusch (Drums) + Guest : James Labrie (Vocal)


Artist : Presto Ballet

Album : The Days Between

Release Date : 14-12-2018

Added : 30-01-2019

When we look at the list of artists that the Americans of 'Presto Ballet' appreciate on their facebook site, it's about the same names that came to my mind while listening to their latest album 'The Days Between' as for example 'Kansas’, ‘Genesis’, ‘Yes’, ‘Emerson Lake & Palmer’, ‘Supertramp’ or ‘BJH’. For example, with 'Tip of the Hat', the introduction is reminiscent of 'Kansas', then the first sung part is accompanied by a piano and takes us back to 'Supertramp' and finally the central instrumental part gets closer to the keyboards sounds from 'Keih Emerson'. But, contrary to what some might think, the mixture of these references is not laid end to end but keeps a real coherence bringing an own identity especially since they also bring more modern neo-progressive influences as in the last title 'I Am Wire' et all compositions have beautiful melodic lines which makes the whole very accessible. In summary, this last album of the Americans of 'Presto Ballet' confirms the talent of this group and 'The Days Between' is to advise to all amateurs of the golden age of the progressive and for my part, makes me want to visit in more detail all of their discography already well filled with already 4 other albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Kurdt Vanderhoof (Guitar), Chuck Campbell (Vocal), Kerry Shacklett (Keybords, Choirs), Bobby Ferkovich (Bass, Choirs), Charlie Lorme (Drums)


Artist : New Nektar

Album : Megalomania

Release Date : 08-12-2018

Added : 31-01-2019

'Nektar' is a German progressive rock band that has already gone through several periods with first 8 albums between the years 1971 and 1980, when the band broke up for the first time to be relaunched by its guitarist and founding member 'Roye Albrighton' in 1999, to release 3 albums between 2002 and 2008, lots of live albums and some remasterizations of their old albums. Unfortunately, in 2016, 'Roye Albrighton' dies as a result of his long illness which will end the group. And yet, the end of the year 2018 saw the release of 'Megalomania' as the band 'New Nektar' relaunched a second time by the keyboardist 'Klaus Henatsch who had joined the group during the second period. The result is obviously in the continuity of the progressive rock inherited from the 70s with long titles integrating several parts as the first two titles' Bad Angel 'and' Megalomania 'but the second part of the album starting with the short acoustic 'Intermezzo I', moves away from the progressive with more classical and accessible compositions but which have very beautiful melodic lines like 'Where Do We Go To' or 'Smiling Face' that we can situate between pop and rock and which can remember artists like 'Barclay James Harvest'. In summary, this new album of 'Nektar' is a good surprise for all fans of the group and allows to relaunch them especially since 'Megalomania' mixes progressive and more classic rock that should appeal to a wide enough public lovers of the great 70s rock bands...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Hoffmeister (Guitar, Vocal), Klaus Henatsch (Keybords, Vocal), Tom Fry (Bass, Vocal), Che Albrighton (Drums) + Guests : Helen Landzettel (Violin, Choirs), Sandra Kawka (Choirs), Bärbel Craven (Choirs)


Artist : Progeland

Album : Harmony Of The Universe

Release Date : 07-12-2018

Added : 02-02-2019

After the return of 'Nektar' (see here ), here is another progressive rock band, 'Progeland', which released their first album in 2014 and so, here is their 2nd opus 'Harmony of The Universe'. Much like 'Nektar', they mix classic rock components by being influenced by 70s/80s bands with progressive and neo-progressive parts. One of the strong points is undoubtedly the singing of 'Tomi Murtomäki' which has a particular tessitura with a warm and theatrical voice that can recall at times the tenor of 'Therion', 'Thomas Vikström' which is quite obvious on 'Make Me Real Again' or 'Lost' especially as the melody is closer to the symphonic side of the compositions of 'Christofer Johnsson' (see the metal opera here). The melodic lines are very accessible and recall on certain titles the Englishs of 'Uriah Heep' with sounds of the 70s with the Hammond organ as in 'Out Of The Point Of No Return' and its rhythmic close to what we could do the English but also influences that can make you think of 'Jethro Tull' as in 'Gamblin With Time' between rock and folk. In summary, the Finns of 'Progeland' confirm this talent for beautiful melodic compositions mixing classical rock, progressive 70s and symphonic rock and this 2nd album 'Harmony Of The Universe' should please all those who like to mix different styles of rock through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Petri Lindström (Bass), Tomi Murtomäki (Vocal), Matias Kangasniemi (Guitar), Juha Kaski (Keybords), Pasi Manninen (Drums)


Artist : John Mellencamp

Album : Other People’s Stuff

Release Date : 07-12-2018

Added : 04-02-2019

After a very nice 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies' (see here), 'John Mellencamp' releases a new album 'Other People's Stuff' which is a kind of best of with titles taken over old albums but mostly American classics (see list below). We find the song 'Eyes on the Prize' which was sung in public at the White House in 2010 on the occasion of the music celebration of the civil rights movement (see video above) and which is certainly a message considering present political currents in the USA but also old titles that John had already played on his previous albums like 'To The River' which is one of his compositions of 1993, or 'Dark As A Dungeon' on the lives of minors' Merle Davis', or 'Wreck of the Old 97' on the 1903 railway disaster in Virginia that has become a country classic. In summary, with 'Other People's Stuff', 'John Mellecamp' has put together a sort of compilation of timeless titles he has recorded throughout his long career and which are all part of the history of American music, and this, for our greatest pleasure ...


Titles list :
To the River : John Mellecamp (1993)
Gambling Bar Room Blues : Jimmie Rodgers (1932)
Teardrops Will Fall : Dicky Doo and the Don'ts (1958)
In My Time of Dying : Blind Willie Johnson (1827)
Mobile Blue : Mickey Newbury (1971)
Eyes on the Prize : Reproduced from the traditional folk song ‘Keep Your Hands on the Plough’
Dark As A Durgeon : Merle Travis (1946)
Stones in My Passway : Robert Johnson (1937)
Wreck of the Old 97 : assigned to G. B. Grayson et Henry Whitter (1924)
I Don't Know Why I Love You : Stevie Wonder (1968)

Line Up / Musicians

John Mellencamp (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar)


Artist : Orion Dust

Album : Legacy

Release Date : 14-12-2018

Added : 06-02-2019

Progressive artists can be divided into 2 categories: those who are influenced by the main mainstreams of the last 50 years without bringing real novelty and those who, in addition to having influences drew here and there, mix them to get something personal and necessarily innovative : for me, the French of ‘Orion Dust' are to rank in this 2nd category because their second album 'Legacy' is a treat for the progressive fan who is looking for something original in music (see on their site the concept and lyrics in French here). To be honest, I had discovered quite late their first album 'Duality' released in 2016 and I had spent some time to enter their universe but I must say that 'Legacy' gave me more pleasure because it appears to me even more rich and innovative. It is certain, it is not the kind of album which is offered immediately but requires a few listenings to tame it. From the first 2 titles that are only one, we cross with "Norroway Song" several musical landscapes starting with an introduction that mixes bass vocals and some acoustic guitar chords that takes us to distant lands in a total change of scenery, then, an organic rhythmic on which the guitar and the sing of 'Cécile Kaszowski' accompanied by choruses in a sort of incantation accompanies us in the continuation of the journey; 'The Stream' takes over in a much more classical style and can recall bands like 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here), Cecile having a tessitura close to ‘Olivia Sparnenn'. The journey continues with 'The Unrising Sun' in a mysterious atmosphere with an addictive rhythm section and beautiful tensions and relaxation between rock and metal that ends with a soaring of guitar riffs worthy of the greatest 'Porcupine Tree' then, 'Mirèio 'takes us into magnificent breaks in rhythms between urgency and appeasement feelings. Total break with 'The Awekening' which begins with a monastic song and continues on a section very 'Gilmouriene' to explode in a second part with a beautiful intervention sung (see shouted) Cécile to finish in some acoustic guitar chord. The text 'Prelude' (rather perched by the way, but in the style of the album) serves as an introduction to the instrumental 'CXXVI' which is for me the must of the album with a masterful crescendo where intervene a mixture of female choruses and male voices which are a kind of mix between the 'Floyds' of the 'Ummagumma' period and the much less well-known French band 'Art Zoyd' that you can listen to here (by the way, is it a coincidence between the cover of 'Duality' and that of 'Berlin' of ‘Art Zoyd' ?), the title ending in apotheosis on a masterful guitar solo accompanied by choruses: grandiose !! And after that, the sweetness of 'Snegourochka' is not too much to recover from our emotions. In summary, as you will understand, 'Legacy' is for me one of the essential albums of the year 2018 and show that the French of ‘Orion Dust' have reached a maturity that allows them to tackle any style and to compete with renowned artists who brought novelty into the music such as 'Steven Wilson' with his multiple projects...

Line Up / Musicians

Cécile Kaszowski (Vocal), Anthony Barbier (Guitar), Andrieux Marion (Keybords), Fabien Bouron (Guitar), Lea Fernandez (Drums), Sylvain Gherardi (Bass)


Artist : Karma

Album : Illusions

Release Date : 20-12-2018

Added : 07-02-2019

'Karma' is a Greek band that is about twenty years old and had 2 periods : a first between 1998 and 2013 where they released 2 albums that were in a pop/rock style (see their website here) and a 2nd since 2013 where they decided to change their sound and evolve towards a progressive and symphonic metal. The end of 2018 saw the release of 'Illusions' with, as a guest the bassist 'Mike Lepond' of 'Symphony X' who took part in the title 'Red Lion' (do not trust the impressive list of Spotify under name 'Karma', because 'Illusions' is the only album of the Greeks in their 2nd period). And what a treat !! After a first listen, we say to ourselves that we are at the level of the main groups of progressive and symphonic metal together because they have this particularity to gather these 2 styles for the best and they are not a lot to know how to do it. The album begins with 'Path Of Light (Prophecy I)' typical of a symphonic metal accessible and punctuated by flamboyant choirs, then, 'Red Lion' embarks us in a short energetic and melodic title that offers us the first mix between progressive and symphonic. Following my first heart stroke, 'Ode to Foreign Lands', of exceptional richness, mixing influences as varied as traditional song, pop/rock influences of the 80s with a rigged voice and symphonic rock with a remarkable fluidity between all these styles that makes the great strength of this title. 'Bullying Scars' is my second favorite of the album because it has great emotional strength with a progressive metal part surrounded by 2 beautiful melancholic parts and I can not help but when I listen to this title of thinking 'The Box' of 'Threshold' (see here). I could go on describing all the titles, but for short, I would simply say that the suite continues to offer us rich and varied compositions in which various influences mix with always a remarkable homogeneity (just an example with the jazzy part at the end of ‘Nation In Chains’). Note the cover of 'Master of Puppets' from 'Metallica' that they have 'symphonized' which gives it a more grandiose side that did not have the original. In summary, the Greeks of 'Karma' bring a little gem of metal mixing progressive and symphonic and, even if 'Illusions' requires several successive listenings to discover every nook (sign of great wealth), this album is essential for all those who love all the big progressive metal formations...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Manolaraki (Vocal), Vasilis Drakontaidis (Keybords), Stathis Lianos (Guitar), Stefanos Koutsouropoulos (Bass), Tasos Morfopoulos (Drums) + Guests : Mike Lepond (Bass), Panayiotis Konstantinidis (Vocal), Simeon Karayiannis


Artist : Octavarium

Album : Dystopia

Release Date : 21-12-2018

Added : 08-02-2019

With the project 'Octavarium' Swedish 'Mattias Ohlsson', the work of musical chronicler is slightly complex because, since its creation in October 2017, Mattias has already released 4 albums with icing on the cake, a double opus 'The Road' this which gives an impressive output frequency of one album every 3 months for more than 5 hours of listening !! (All albums are now available on Spotify). For my part, it was with the penultimate album 'Out of Time' released in August 2018 that I had discovered it and since then, a new opus has been available on Spotify at the end of 2018 and few months have been necessary to digest all this production. First of all, with such a project name, we should be in a well-known style, flirting with progressive metal influenced by large groups with, of course, first 'Dream Theater'. And, after a first listen, we are bathed in a patchwork of progressive influences with a rock component that seems to me more marked than the metal component. To be brief and not to inflict you all discography that must be discovered little by little, I will talk only about the last album 'Dystopia' which is a good summary of the whole and which seems to me even richer than the previous ones. First, the 10 tracks are linked to become one and we must wait until the end of 'Running Free' to have a little blank with 'Dystopia', the first 4 constituting a composition of more than 20 minutes in a very symphonic atmosphere where the central theme is used in each part in the same tone but with variations of rhythm and intensity. With 'Dystopia', it's a second part that starts to go to the end of the album for more than 50 minutes of listening and the whole brings a greater variety with more breaks between quiet parties and others more energetic as in the title 'Dystopia' which can recall 'Threshold' but we also find more 'Floydian' and therefore more atmospheric parts as in the magnificent 'Whispers on the Wind' with this magnificent guitar solo ( 4 minutes anyway !!) who grow in intensity to decrease on the end, the album ending on the 16 minutes of 'World Reborn' with a typic progressive rock title. In summary, with this discography already filled in a few months, the Swede 'Mattias Ohlsson' impresses us as much on the quantity as the quality because each album marks an evolution and 'Dystopia' is a step above the previous ones : for all amateurs and lovers of progressive rock, don’t wait too late to discover this new talent because it could well be that, given the very fast frequency of album releases, a new album arrives in the coming months...

Line Up / Musicians

Mattias Ohlsson (tous les instruments), Eric Gillette (Keybords, Guitar)


Artist : Palace

Album : Binary Music

Release Date : 07-12-2018

Added : 09-02-2019

Already more than 2 years since the first album of the Swedish 'Michael Palace' has been released (see here) and after 2 busy years with different projects such as 'Code Red' in 2017 (see here) or 'First Signal’ (see the chronic here) or 'Cry Of Dawn' (see here) in which the drummer and keyboardist 'Daniel Flores' was present, it is quite natural to find the 2 artists together for the last 'Palace', 'Binary Music'. First, with the first titles, we refind the familiar world of melodic rock of the 80s with catchy melodies resumed in chorus and keyboards on the same level as guitars. But, the peculiarity of this album is that it also brings a variety of titles out of the guideline of the album: first, 'Queen of the Prom' embarks us for a title between the 'Beatles' and 'Queen' which does good and boost you for a whole day; then the beautiful ballad 'Who's Counting Time' which is classic but very effective allows a well-deserved break before the energetic 'Julia' with its introduction close to 'Supertramp' and an addictive refrain, and with the last title 'To Have and to Hold', we are back to melodic rock like ‘Toto' and a melody that never leaves you. In summary, this new album 'Michael Palace' with his accomplice 'Daniel Flores' is a very good album of melodic rock accessible to a wide audience and 'Binay Music' shows once again all the melodic talent of the Swede...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Palace (Vocal, Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Harmonica, Saxophone), Daniel Flores (Drums) + invité : Oscar Bromvall (Guitar)


Artist : Arrayan Path

Album : Archegonoi

Release Date : 30-11-2018

Added : 10-02-2019

'Arrayan Path' is a Cypriot power metal band that has just released its 7th recording studio 'Archegonoi' which is a double concept album and obviously, given their origins, they deal with Greek mythology and talk about their ancestors (Archegonoi, in Greek ΑΡΧΕΓΟΝΟΙ, means 'The old born'). Lasting 83 minutes, it is an epic fresco and the style is in tune with the concept, mixing power metal, progressive and symphonic metal and traditionalized metalized music, the epic and powerful side getting closer to a group like 'Therion'. Given the density of the album, you must of course tame it little by little and it would be too long to inflict you some title by title because everyone has his own personality and deserves that we dwell on it. Therefore, I will tell you about those who have impressed me the most: first, 'Weaving the Web of Destiny' is filled with Slavic influences with a majestic chorus which makes it certainly one of the most epic titles of the album and the singing of 'Nicholas Leptos' contributes a lot. 'Sins of Pandora', with its oriental influences merges beautifully metal energy and Arabian sounds while 'The World of Menelaus', which is undoubtedly my favorite title, embarks us between traditional music and guitar riffs power. In the 2nd CD, 'Blood of the Sphynx' has beautiful rhythmic breaks and a beautiful central instrumental part that breaks with the powerful atmosphere. As for 'Where The Hydra Hides', we come back to an epic and theatrical title embellished here and there with traditional instruments and 'King of Argos' is the only power ballad of the album but with a very effective melody and beautiful choirs, the album ending with the long title 'Thermopylae 480 BC' which closes in a grandiose way this epic story. In short, this latest album of the Cypriots of ‘Arrayan Path' is a grandiose metal fresco captivating from beginning to end and, even though 'Archegonoi' requires several listenings to fully realize the richness of all its titles and to appreciate them at their true value, it is for me a major album of metal of the year 2018 which should, like the good wine, to improve again with the time...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicholas Leptos (Vocal), Socrates Leptos (Guitar), Christoforos Gavriel (Guitar), Miguel Trapezaris (Bass) + invités : Mark Zonder (Drums), George Kallis (Keybords)


Artist : Seven Thorns

Album : Symphony of Shadows

Release Date : 14-12-2018

Added : 12-02-2019

After 'Arrayan Path', we go to the Nordic countries and in this case Denmark with the 3rd album of 'Seven Thorns'. Their style is mainly power metal that they mix with melodic and symphonic metal but in a style much more direct and less epic than ‘Arayan Path'. We could mention as groups such as 'Rhapsody Of Fire' or 'Stratovarius' for the most recent, but also for the instrumental virtuoso side and to take a reference from before the 2000s, 'Rainbow' with masterful guitar solos. It starts in the fast lane with the first 3 tracks that unfold furious rhythms and where the double pedal is often present but we can also note breaks with for example the use of the harpsichord that brings a baroque shift in the middle of this debauchery of electric power. With 'Beneath a Crescent Moon', it is a muscular journey in an oriental tale with sounds that can recall 'Orphaned Land' and where traditional instruments mingle with electric instruments. The following continues in this energy metal with very effective melodic lines and the album ends with the double title 'Shadows Prelude' and 'Symphony of Shadows' containing welcome breaks between the powerful and fast parts. In summary, the Danes of 'Seven Thorns' continue their momentum with power metal very effective but nevertheless affordable thanks to accessible melodic lines and 'Symphony of Shadows' and is recommended to all fans of power metal who love dynamic metal accompanied by the double pedal...

Line Up / Musicians

Björn Asking (Vocal), Gabriel Tuxen (Guitar), Asger W. Nielsen (Keybords), Mads Mølbæk (Bass), Lars Borup (Drums)


Artist : Karibow

Album : MOnuMENTO

Release Date : 15-11-2018

Added : 14-02-2019

I come back to the last 'Karibow' I was looking forward to in Spotify because 'Monumento' has been out for several months already (see the last 2 columns here and here). As usual, the German 'Oliver Rüsing' has concocted a concept album of nearly 2 hours with all that we dream to have in a neo- refined progressive album and icing on the cake, the list of guests are impressive with among others 'Hayley Griffiths' (ex Karnataka) and 'Michel St-Père' ('Mystery' see their latest album ici ). From the first eponymous title of the album of nearly 12 minutes, we refind the world of the German in a style that can recall the rock bands of the 80s in a mixture of rock and funk and 'MOnuMENTO' makes me think of 'Shout' of 'Tears For Fears' but the resemblance stops at certain melodic lines because it is first and foremost a progressive title with different nested parts and changes of atmosphere. 'The Raining Silence' is more classic with an energetic rhythm interspersed with quieter parts where the mix of different singing is beautiful. Follows 'District of Dignity' calmer at the beginning, which is gaining momentum on the end and where we find the beautiful voice of 'Hayley Griffiths' (after its eviction of 'Karnataka', she should return with a new project - see the first video available on you tube here). The following offers 'The Flood' which begins in a cozy atmosphere and develops its beautiful melody alternating powerful and quieter parts, the end of the first CD continues in this neo-progressive atmosphere that unfolds accessible melodic lines and transitions between intense moments and others much calmer as in 'Seeker of Dawn' and its beautiful final crescendo. The 2nd part of this 'MOnuMENTO' is separated into 2 big titles, first 'A Fairy Tale' of 26 minutes then 'Crusader' of 20 minutes which are in a more classic style and which for example in 'Touching the Bordeline' reminds me 'Arena' (see their latest album here) but also the atmospheres of 'Sting' in 'Keeper of Fairy Blood'. In summary, with this last album and as it did with the previous ones, 'Oliver Rüsing' offers us a dense album which one must discover little by little to get all the richness and 'MOneMENTO' is of course destined to all those who love the progressive rock of the last 20 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Rüsing (Vocal, Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Bass, Keybords, Piano), Simone Stiers (Vocal, Choirs), Hayley Griffiths (Vocal, Choirs), Joe Cairney (Vocal, Choirs), Nic Koray (Vocal, Choirs), John Young (Keybords), Antony Kalugin (Keybords), Guido Seifert (Keybords), Michel St-Père (Guitar), Roland Körner (Harmonica)


Artist : Riven Earth

Album : Project One

Release Date : 14-12-2018

Added : 16-02-2019

'Riven Earth' is a German band that releases its first studio album 'Project One' but if you look at you tube, they have a channel created by 'Gunter Schlünkes' which shows most of the videos from this album (see here) and have been created since 2016. Listening to the first track 'Darkness', the atmosphere reminds me of the progressive ‘Arena’ band (see their latest album here ) with this mysterious atmosphere throughout the title and beautiful instrumental parts. By cons, the title 'Stop' that follows is much more in a 70/80 rock and can recall groups like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Asia' and it is this trend that appears with the following titles : 'Til the Last Curtain Falls' has a little air of 'Huriah Heep' with a 2-tone guitar solo, while 'History Has Taught Them Nothing' looks like some 'BJH', period of times 'Ring Of Changes' and 'Boat People' is a long melancholic title (theme requires) that unfolds its beautiful melody alternating sung parts and ‘Floydian’ guitar solos. The suite continues to refer to the 70s with the instrumental 'Thoughts of the Past' (indeed it must remind some memories for some and for me, it makes me think of 'Europa' of 'Santana') or 'Out of the Blue' energetic who flirts with the hard-rock of the time but also alternates quieter passages, the album ending on 'Mad Man Moon' which could be a cross between 'Elton John' and 'Al Stewart'. In summary, 'Riven Earth' is a project that makes us go back to the 70s very beautifully and 'Project One' is therefore advisable to all those who loved the big rock bands of the 70/80 but also to a public much wider because all the compositions of the Germans are accessible from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Günter Schlünkes (Guitar, Bass), Wolfgang Beckers (Keybords), Uli Krücken (Vocal)


Artist : Iamthemorning

Album : Ocean Sounds

Release Date : 18-10-2018

Added : 18-02-2019

I discovered 'Iamthemorning' with the album 'Lighthouse' (see here ) and we refind our two artists 'Marjana Semkina' and 'Gleb Kolyadin' with a new album released in October 2018 where they take titles of their previous albums but it is above all a CD accompanied by a Blue Ray which allows to immerse ourselves in their sessions of recording on the island of Giske where we can realize of the proximity to Norwegian nature which certainly contributed to the success of this recording. We thus witness a complete fusion between images and music that are one and that embark us on a journey of reverie, melancholy and emotion with always this talent intact to alternate tension and relaxation as in 'Inside' and its magnificent crescendo or in 'Touching II' which starts very calmly and explodes in the 2nd part to fall back and finish on some piano notes. It should also be noted this alchemy between the different artists where everyone brings his contribution and this, to serve 'Marjana Semkina' who always brings as much expression and emotion. In summary, the Russians of 'Iamthemorning' could not find a better environment for these compositions and the idea of the film is a very nice gift for all fans but should also reach a public loving a music between progressive and classic that allows to escape in a refined and subtle universe...

Line Up / Musicians

Marjana Semkina (Vocal), Gleb Kolyadin (Piano, Keybords) + Guests : Karl James Pestka (Violin), Guillaume Lagravière (Cello), Joshua Ryan Franklin (Bass), Evan Carson (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Tucana

Album : Legacy

Release Date : 20-12-2018

Added : 20-02-2019

'Tucana' is a group of Swedes who began their career almost thirty years ago but who actually started recording in 2012 a first album under the name of the group after their reformation in 2008. The end of 2018 saw the release of their second album 'Legacy' with compositions written throughout their career. They define themselves as making progressive baroque metal and listening to the first tracks of this new album, I found the style of 'Aeneas' band that I had reviewed in January 2019 (see their album here) and of course the style of their compatriots 'Jono' (see their album here). First, the singer 'Niklas Birgersson' evolves in an expressive register that is in perfect harmony with the melodic compositions giving off an epic and theatrical atmosphere and then, the use of keyboards and strings bring this baroque atmosphere that the group claims. To name just a few, I'll talk about 'Hills of Variance' typical of an epic progressive title with different parts that follow each other, then, about ‘Eternal Rhyme', which is the typical example of this side symphonic and theatrical where the piano mixes with electric instruments, about the beautiful ballad 'Searching The Flame' which allows to do a pause, and about 'Wounded Heart' which allows the meeting of metal and classical music and about finally 'Blind' or 'Promise of a New World' which this time mix oriental influences with classical. We can also note this beautiful cover that fits well in this mix between classicism and modernity. In summary, the Swedes of 'Tucana' release a quality album that fits in a metal melodic, symphonic and theatrical in the same trend as 'Jono' and if you liked their compatriots, you should be seduced by 'Legacy'...

Line Up / Musicians

Niklas Birgersson (Vocal), Mickael Larsson (Guitar, Bass), Jonas Nitz (Keybords), Jari Katila (Drums)


Artist : Slug Comparison

Album : When You Were Living Here

Release Date : 16-01-2019

Added : 22-02-2019

'Slug Comparison' is the project of 'Doug Harrison' who is also the guitarist of the Canadian band 'Fen' (see here) who evolves in a progressive rock/metal style. When you first listen to this first album 'When You Were Living Here', it is difficult to find a specific style because it is a mix of different influences between pop, rock and hard-rock with fairly standard compositions, between 3 and 5 minutes : 'Exactly What You Do' starts the album with an energetic rock, then 'Hyperslump' is a catchy title and light close to a pop of the 90s. Suit 'Let Some Light' which is semi acoustic and whose melodic lines are accessible and 'Fine With It' is the first ballad where Doug shows us all his singing talent. The sequel continues to flirt with beautiful melodies between pop and rock like the slow ballad 'When You Were Living Here' full of emotion or 'So Ya Got a Great Guitar' which is unbridled rock, or the latest song 'One More Step' with melodic lines, his catchy tempo and his beautiful rhythm section. In summary, 'When You Were Living Here' is a varied album mixing different styles with accessible compositions but also more sought-after passages and 'Slug Comparison' should please all those who navigate between songs, pop and rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Doug Harrison (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Randall Stoll (Drums), Mike Young (Bass), Sam Levin (Guitar, Choirs), Jeff Caron (Bass), Rod Senft (Drums), Scott Young (Bass), Jeremy Tardif (Choirs), Tatyana Dobrowolski (Choirs), Scott Archibald (Choirs), Nando Polesol (Choirs), Bonnie and Shauna (Choirs)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : At The Edge Of Light

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 24-02-2019

For all music enthusiast, it always has this quest to discover the album that provides intense happiness and remains forever etched in his memory. For my part, after the magnificent 'The Night Siren' in 2017 (see here), the latest 'Steve Hackett', 'At The Edge Of Light' went straight into my essential collection from the first listen. We refind throughout the album, this magician of harmony who continues, at 68 years old, of exploring and mixing, for the best, various influences to make something unique that we could just call 'World Music' and this by inviting artists who bring a real authenticity with their traditional instruments. In the first 2 minutes of 'Fallen Walls and Pedestals', we embark on an exotic musical landscape with already some magic notes of Steve's guitar. Without transition, 'Beats In Our Time' which follows is very 'Gilmourian' on the beginning and unfolds a melody with a kind of quiet force : we continue the journey in this atmosphere filled with serenity that accelerates on the end with a rythmic section of bass used as a support for a new masterful guitar solo. Then with 'Under the Eyes of the Sun', it is, I quote Steve, 'a celebration of the wonder and majesty of the bright, towering rocks of desert wilderness' with a dismal central part where the instruments traditional 'Duduk' and 'DidgeriDoo' reinforce this dark atmosphere to image the passage of the sun in the shade to return to the light and continue on the starting theme and finish in a very contemporary wave of ropes. As for the 'Undeground Railroad', I continue to quote Steve, it 'beautifully express the heartfelt pain of those who suffered slavery in America's Deep South' with beautiful breaks in rhythms and alternations between tensions and relaxation to end in a joyful singing influenced by gospel. We change of decor with 'Those Golden Wings' which is a tribute to Steve's wife 'Jo' and which starts with an air worthy of the greatest romantic classics, which is built in several parts each transmitting their share of emotion and which, musically, is certainly the title that most intertwines classical music and progressive rock. With 'Shadow and Flame', the journey continues in India with typical sounds, traditional and electric instruments cohabiting for the best for an amazing blend of tradition and modernity while 'Hungry Years' changes completely with a title influenced by the 60's with beautiful vocal harmonies by Steve and ‘Amanda Lehmann’. The album ends with 3 rather different style titles but they are one, first of all, 'Descent' with its rhythmic, reminiscent of the 'Bolero' of 'Ravel' but much darker because, according to Steve, 'takes us on a powerful descent into the darkest of places where we meet our deepest fears and nightmarehe’; follows the deeply tormented and symphonic instrumental 'Conflict', on which Steve offers a virtuoso accompaniment to the guitar, and the last composition 'Peace' brings us back to the light with a 'Queenest' melody and ends the album with a magnificent positive message of hope. Note that we should mention all the people who participated in this album because Steve also has the talent to surround himself with renowned artists of the progressive scene but also artists bringing their culture and this greatly contributes to the success of this album. In summary, I would simply say that with this new album of 'Steve Hackett', I have reached this musical grail to which any music lover aspires and, even if all this remains very subjective, I also wish all those who are like me, perpetual searchers of musical nuggets, the same happiness, even if it is not for this album precisely...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar), Durga McBroom (Vocal), Lorelei McBroom (Vocal), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums), Simon Phillips (Drums), Sheema Mukherjee (Sitare), Gulli Briem (Drums, Percussions), Malik Mansurov (Tar), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Paul Stillwell (Didgeridoo), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Clarinette, Duduk), John Hackett (Flute), Gary O’Toole (Drums), Roger King (Keybords), Ben Fenner (Keybords), Dick Driver (Bass), Christine Townsend (Violin, Viola)


Artist : Ancient Bards

Album : Origine (The Black Crystal Sword Saga, Pt. 2)

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 25-02-2019

Their last album 'A New Dawn Ending' already dates from 2014 and the Italians of ‘Ancient Bards' took more than 4 years to release its successor 'Origine' which is the following of their saga started with ‘The Alliance of the Kings’ in 2010. In spite of all this time, the recipe is still well-honed with symphonic power metal telling stories drawn from legends in an epic, powerful and melodic style. But the great strength of the Italians is that, unlike certain groups of the genre that use and abuse a little too much of the double pedal which can lead to saturation, the latter opus, brings a certain variety inside the compositions with structures more sought after and with variations in the rhythm section that are welcome. Even the fastest titles like 'Impious Dystopia' or 'Titanism' have slower parts with the use of grandiose choruses. We can also note titles mixing power and romantic like 'Fantasy's Wings', 'Aureum Legacy' or 'Oscurità' and, of course, they do not forget the ballads with 'Light' placed at the end of the first part of album. But the highlight of the album is of course the last title of almost 15 minutes 'The Great Divide' which is an epic fresco where the Italians deploy all their expertise and put all the ingredients of a flamboyant symphonic power metal as they have done in the past with 'A New Dawn Ending' or 'Hope Dies Last'. In summary, with 'Origine', 'Ancient Bards' still offers us a flawless album that puts them back on the front of the stage and should appeal to all those who are fans of epic and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sara Squadrani (Vocal), Daniele Mazza (Keybords), Claudio Pietronik (Guitar), Martino Garattoni (Bass), Federico Gatti (Drums), Simone Bertozzi (Guitar)


Artist : Inglorious

Album : Ride to Nowhere

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 26-02-2019

After 'Inglorous' in 2016 (see here) and 'II' in 2017 (see here), the English of ‘Inglorious' released a third album 'Ride To Nowhere'. They continue in the way they had traced in 2016 and 2017 : energetic hard rock of the 80s where we always recognize 'Deep Purple' or 'Whitesnake' (The voice of 'Nathan James' contributes a lot). So it's still moving so much, the songs are all accessible and effective from the first listening and we navigate between energetic compositions like 'Where Are You Now?', 'Freak Show' or 'Time to Go' (the introduction has something of 'Black In Black' from ‘AC/DC') but also other more mid-tempo like 'Never Alone', 'Liar' or 'I Do not Know' where you can not help but move your head in rhythm, not forgetting the two power ballads 'I Do not Know You' and 'Glory Days' which has something of 'Soldiers of Fortune' from 'Deep Purple'). In short, this third chapter of the English of ‘Inglorious' is in the continuation of the first two and if you are a fan of a good 70s hard rock with a modern sound, you should be served...

Line Up / Musicians

Nathan James (Vocal), Andreas Eriksson (Guitar), Drew Lowe (Guitar), Colin Parkinson (Bass), Phil Beaver (Drums)


Artist : Secret Rule

Album : The 7 Endless

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 27-02-2019

After 'The Key To The World' released at the end of 2017, the Italians of 'Secret Rule' released their 4th studio album 'The 7 Endless' in early 2019. Always in a fairly classic symphonic metal, they surf on the wave of tenors of the genre like 'Within Temptation', 'Beyond The Black', 'Delain' or 'Xandria' with compositions with accessible melodic lines from the first listening. From album to album, the level of the compositions approaches more and more of the groups mentioned above with a progression also at the level of the production. 'The 7 Endless' refers to the fantastic graphic novel 'The Sandman' by 'Neil Gaiman' and we navigate in the world of the British writer and draftsman. On the music side, it's a catchy symphonic metal and from the begining 'The Endless', with its introduction choruses, is a reminiscent of 'Xandria', then 'Birth' is a faster title while 'Dream' is more classic and reminds of some title of 'Within Temptation'. The following scrolls catchy melodies as in 'Alone' or in 'Hidden into a Dream' or in ‘Destruction’ and we have to wait until the end of the album to have calmer compositions with first 'Delirium' which starts slowly and which accelerates on the end and then the last title 'The Awakening' for the only ballad of the opus. In short, the Italians 'Secret Rule' is a very pleasant album to listen to and 'The 7 Endless' is recommended to all fans of symphonic metal and groups mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Angela Di Vincenzo (Vocal), Andy Menario (Guitar), Michele Raspanti (Bass), Nicola Corrente (Drums) + Guests : Andrea Ciccomartino (Vocal), Christian Ice (Keybords), Gabrielle Chiararo (Narration), Marco Roberto Capelli


Artist : Viana

Album : Forever Free

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 28-02-2019

After a first album under the name 'Viana' (see

Line Up / Musicians

Stefano Viana (Guitar), Bryan Cole (Vocal), Terry Broke (Choirs), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Adam Ernst (Drums), Francesco Marras (Guitare), Pasquale India (Keybords), + Guest : John Roth (Guitar)


Artist : Dark Moor

Album : Origins

Release Date : 16-01-2019

Added : 01-03-2019

With 'Dark Moor', we do not really know what to expect at each album release and the last, 'Project X', released in 2015, was not very well received by all critics because it saw the Spaniards take a new musical direction that was not to everyone's taste but which, for my part, even if I had not completely adhered, showed this quality to challenge themselves. With 'Origins', we go again in another direction with a folk component which we weren’t accustomed. From the first title, with 'Birth of the Sun', it starts in a happy atmosphere with a catchy melody that puts you right in the bath, then, 'The Specters Dance' is more classic but keeps this folk component in the instrumental parts. 'Crossing Through Your Heart' that follows is a hit with its chorus that enter in your head and with 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' which is the cover of the traditional song Scottish, we return to folk music with the use of a bouzouki. Change of scene with 'In The Middle of the Night' which begins as a title of 'Rainbow' but whose melody flirts with the international variety of the 80s then 'And for Ever' is the first ballad in a celtic style. The rest continues in this pathwork of genres with beautiful melodies and additions of folk components, the whole all remaining far from the power metal tag that the band had and it is not the very beautiful last acoustic ballad 'Green Lullaby' that will Say the opposite. In summary, the Spaniards of 'Dark Moor' surprise us once again with this new album very endearing which sees appearing a folk components with accessible compositions mixing song, pop, folk, rock and hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Alfred Romero (Vocal), Enrik Garcia (Guitar), Dani Fernández (Bass), Roberto Cappa (Drums) + Guests : Pablo Sancha (Piano), Luigi Stefanini (Hammond), Mara Boston (Choirs), Marcos Campos (Bagpipe), Patricia Alcocer (Violin), Xosé Liz (Bouzouki, Requinta), Alfonso G. Blanco (Guitar)


Artist : Gathering Of Kings

Album : First Mission

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 02-03-2019

'Gathering Of Kings' is a project of the Swedish 'Ron Dalghreen' to release an 80s influenced rock album with a set of prestigious guests with among others 'Erik Martensson' who gravitates in many groups (see here or here or here), 'Nalle Påhlsson' the bassist of 'Therion' and 'Treat' (see the last album of 'Therion' here) or 'Björn Strid' the singer of 'The Night Flight Orchestra' (see here). With this superteam and compositions of the talented 'Victor Olsson' (Saffire) except 'The Runaway' which is a reprise of the brothers 'Gibb' interpreted in the 80s by the band 'Carola', it is a uninterrupted sequel of melodic hits which alternate rock and hard-rock melodic, AOR and power ballads. To name just a few, I'll mention the catchy 'Love Will Stay Alive' for its catchy chorus, the mid-tempo 'Endless Paradise' melodic, the magnificent power ballad 'Passing Rain' reminiscent of the best of 'Scorpions' 'or a' Long Way From Home 'that takes me back some 30 years back to the golden age of the AOR with, admittedly, a certain nostalgia so much it's well done. In short, needless to add something, this first mission of the Swede 'Ron Dalghreen' is perfectly fulfilled and for all lovers of melodic rock of the 80s, you can go with your eyes closed because 'First Mission' is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Victor Olsson (Guitar, Keybords), Alexander Frisborg (Vocal), Apollo Papathanasio (Vocal), Björn Strid (Vocal), Chris Laney (Keybords), Efraim Larsson (Drums), Erik Martensson (Guitar), Erik Wiss (Keybords), Henrik Sethsson (Choirs), Jens Westin (Vocal, Guitar), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums), Martin Sweet (Guitar), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Richard Larsson (Keybords), Rick Altzi (Vocal), Robban Bäck (Drums), Stefan Helleblad (Guitar), Tobias Jansson (Vocal)


Artist : Damian Wilson/Adam Wakeman

Album : Stripped

Release Date : 11-01-2019

Added : 03-03-2019

They had already feast us with 'The Sun Will Dance in Its Twilight Hour' released just a year ago (see here) and now for our greatest pleasure they come back back with a new album 'Stripped' that they recorded after their acoustic tour 2018 in this live atmosphere they had just experienced. In addition to their respective compositions, they take up emblematic titles with, among others, a 'Life on Mars' of 'David Bowie' to give us goose pimples, as much for what it reminds us (I speak for people over fifty years) but also by this stripped-down interpretation that brings us back to the heart of the matter of this composition. We refind also 2 compositions already present on the previous opus 'Laugh In Time' and 'The Sun Will Dance in its Twilight Hour' in another interpretation. The parallel with artists like 'Cat Stevens' that I had already mentioned in the previous review is always present certainly due to the tessitura of Damian who in addition to having an exceptional voice is a wonderful storyteller. The whole is filled with a palpable emotion with titles like 'Disciple' or the magnificent 'Soldier' and the mixing of their two voices is a treat in 'Seek for Adventure' (already present on 'Weir Keeper's Tale' just like 'People Come And Go'). In summary, this 'Stripped' is in continuity with the previous opus, and Damian and Adam continue to embark us in this hushed atmosphere filled with emotion which is certainly the best antidepressant for those who want to decompress from the everyday life stress...

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal, Guitar), Adam Wakeman (Vocal, Guitar, Piano)


Artist : Lost In Grey

Album : The Waste Land

Release Date : 11-01-2019

Added : 04-03-2019

After 'The Grey Realms' in 2017 that had struck me (see here), I was looking forward to the release of his little brother 'The Waste Land' which came out early 2019. And I was not disappointed because, listening after listening, we find this concept where music is inseparable from the story with the 3 characters, Patrick, Lillian and Odessa still held respectively by 'Harri Koskela', 'Anne Lill' and 'Emily Leone' (see the presentation of the theme made by Anne here) and for the occasion, they invited several artists that you can discover in the you tube video here). As I already mentioned, 'Lost In Grey' has created a unique style and is intended for a metal audience that is open to a variety of genres as each title has its own atmosphere and they have this talent to shake up habits : first of all, from the start, we could expect in this kind of album to a symphonic instrumental introduction but, on the contrary, they choose an energetic title 'The Waste Land' which sets the scene in a very effective way with already a beautiful vocal level demonstration. It is with following title 'Expectations' where 'Nele Messerschmidt' intervenes in a masterful way (see the last album of 'Elvellon' here), that we have the most this fusion between classical music with the use of a piano and strings and the power of metal giving a emotional force brought by this contrast between strength and serenity. Follows 'Unohdukseen Katoaa' which is sung in Finnish and in which emerges a grandiose atmosphere which is reinforced by imposing choruses and a remarkable vocal work, then the beautiful ballad '1992' adds some emotion with a melody that is in tune with the theme of losing a loved one. The sequel takes us into a very melodic and catchy 'Far Beyond and Further' which deals with the greed of humans that makes us run to our ruin but who is fundamentally optimistic and hopeful in the ability of the human being to know evolve towards more wisdom, then, 'Wolves Among Men' takes us into a strange and theatrical atmosphere that still highlights the beautiful complicity between the different vocal parts. Finally, 'Prelude for Emptiness' which is a semi-instrumental title filled with serenity with magnificent choruses serves as an introduction to the last title of more than 12 minutes 'Drifting in the Universe' , the master piece of the album, which embarks us in an epic saga with all the ingredients that we have found before and with a grand final that rises to power to fall back and then regains some power with a heady final melody to finish quietly with some piano notes. If you want more details on each title, Harri and Anne recorded three videos to present them here, here and here. In summary, the Finns of 'Lost In Grey' continue in their creative process that merges music and history into a unique work and if you like to mix rather distant genres such as symphonic and metal as could be has been done by groups like 'Therion' (see here) or 'Mayan' (see here), you'll be probably captivated by 'The Waste Land'...

Line Up / Musicians

Anne Lill (Vocal), Harri Koskela (Vocal, Keybords), Aapo Lindberg (Bass), Emily Leone (Vocal, Violin), Miika Haavisto (Guitar), Waltteri Väyrynen (Drums) + Guest : Nele Messerschmidt (Vocal), Andi Kravjlaca (Vocal), Timo Haikonen (Guitar), Lasse Nyman (Guitar), Tero Kalliomäki (Lyra)


Artist : Walter Trout

Album : Survivor Blues

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 06-03-2019

After a wonderful 'We're All In This Together' in 2017 (see here), 'Walter Trout' returns with his three friends and two guests including the former Doors guitarist 'Robby Krieger' releasing a new album 'Survivor Blues' where he choiced12 tracks that are not necessarily some standards but which sweat all an authentic blues and this obviously with a master's touch because, when it's not his guitar that transports us, it is his voice that affect us : from the beginning, we find ourselves on a small cloud with 'Me, My Guitar And the Blues' which, just with the few words of its title, sums up well the universe of 'Walter Trout' and who embarks us from the first chords. It would be necessary to quote all the titles but it’s useless to heap up even morebecause the best is still to press the play button and to be carried by this good blues which is at the origin of many styles of modern music. In summary, with this latest album, 'Walter Trout' and his companions show us once again that despite all the health problems they have all gone through (hence the name 'Survivor Blues'), they always have the fishing to offer us these magical and timeless moments ...

Title List :
Me, My Guitar And the Blues : Jimmy Dawkins (Jimmy Dawkins / Rick Miller)
Be Careful How You Vote : Sunnyland Slime (Albert Luandrew / Sunnyland Slim)
Woman Don't Lie : Luther "Snakeboy" Johnson
Sadie : Theodore Taylor
Please Love Me : B.B. King (Jules Bihari / B.B. King / Riley King / Jules Taub)
Natures Disappearin : John Mayall
Red Sun : Joel Poluck
Something Inside Of Me : Luther Barns (Elmore James / James Sehorn)
It Takes Time : Otis Rush
Out of Bad Luck : Magic Sam (Al Benson / Samuel Maghett)
Going Down to the River : Mississippi Fred Mcdowell.
God’s Word : J.B. Lenoir

Line Up / Musicians

Walter Trout (Vocal, Guitar), Sammy Avila (Hammond, Choirs), Johnny Griparic (Bass), Michael Leasure (Drums, Choirs) + Guests : Sugaray Rayford (Vocal), Robby Krieger (Guitar)


Artist : Motis

Album : Deglingo

Release Date : 18-01-2019

Added : 08-03-2019

The French of 'Motis', whose first album 'A Chacun Son Graal' is already 20 years old, have just released, in early 2019, a new studio recording 'Deglingo'. In the great tradition of French bands that marry folk and progressive rock with poetic but also militant lyrics, this latest album is no exception to the rule and continues to embark us on these compositions which captive as well for their endearing melodies but also for these simple and straightforward words that so obviously show the problems of which man is the only one responsible and this without ever taking part; ‘La fièvre de l’or’ asks us this simple question: what is the point of this desire to have more and more? With 'Cavale' and 'Peut-être', 'Motis' puts itself in the place of people who suffer in their country from war or oppression and who have only two choices and who try to choose the least worst : to continue to suffer on the spot without knowing when it will stop ('Peut-être') or to try to flee their homeland without any hope to have a better life ('Cavale'). The following offers us a catchy 'Somnambule', a melancholic 'The distance' that encourages us to go to the front of others, a bouncy 'Deglingo' and the magnificent 'Monsieur machine', where 'Emmanuel Tissot' has chosen well are partner of singing, in the person of 'Christian Décamps' because it is the kind of text that could very well have been written by the leader of ‘Ange' (see the album 'Heureux' here), the album ending with an instrumental ‘L’effet overview’ which marries tradition with progressive in a beautiful way. In summary, the Jurassians of 'Motis' continue their merry way by offering endearing tunes and beautiful lyrics that tell the wounds of our world a little ‘délingué’ (like broken in French) and this last album should appeal to all those who love mixing French song, folk and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuel Tissot (Vocal, Bouzouki électrique, Mellotron, Organ Hammond), Tony Carvalho (Drums, Choirs), Martial Baudoin (Bass, Choirs) + Guests : Delphine Tissot (Vocal), Christian Décamps (Vocal)


Artist : Within Temptation

Album : Resist

Release Date : 01-02-2019

Added : 10-03-2019

The new album 'Resist' from 'Within Temptation', whose release was postponed to 1 of February, was eagerly awaited by all the fans, their last album 'Hydra' already dating from 2014, the group having decided to take a well-deserved break after 20 busy years and this break has been beneficial to 'Sharon Den Adel' who released a solo recording 'My Indigo' in 2018 (see here). Although we read here and there that 'Within Temptation' has changed its style to be more pop, by listening to the first track 'The Reckoning', it is absolutely not this qualifier which comes to me first because the power is still there but the style has evolved to a more modern sound clearly highlighting keyboards and electronic sounds, guitar riffs being relegated to the background. The title that follows 'Endless War' continues in this evolution with a melodic line much closer to what we knew and the symphonic aspect, certainly much less marked, still appears by small touch in the form of grandiose choirs as also in 'Supernova'. The set shows us that 'Within Temptation' always has this talent to offer us accessible melodies that immediately enter the mind and that Sharon always has this voice that she can modulate perfectly according to the moods and the choice of titles for their next concerts may be quite complicated because it is difficult to find a title that has no potential to be interpreted in public. In summary, with this last album 'Resist', I will simply say that the Dutch of 'Within Temptation' sign on a certain continuity by looking for new sounds in the air of time which will undoubtedly allow them to on the one hand, to keep their historical fan base and, on the other hand, to win others and why not, popularize an accessible metal so that it becomes recognized by the general public like the ‘AC/DC’ Australians did for the hard-rock in the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Sharon Den Adel (Vocal), Robert Westerholt (Guitar), Martijn Spierenburg (Keybords), Jeroen van Veen (Bass), Ruud Jolie (Guitar), Stefan Helleblad (Guitar), Mike Coolen (Drums) + Guest : Jacoby Shaddix (Vocal), Anders Fridén (Vocal), Jasper Steverlinck (Vocal)


Artist : Opera Magna

Album : Del Amor y otros Demonios

Release Date : 01-02-2019

Added : 12-03-2019

'Del Amor and Tros Demonios - Acto III' is the last act of the trilogy started in 2014 and just released in early February 2019. The 3 acts are now gathered in an album of 1 hour and 20 minutes and the cover is now complete with a merge of the 3 covers of the EPs to make a complete fresco. For those who missed the previous episodes, 'Del Amor y otros Demonios' is a concept album in 3 parts of the Spanishs of ‘Opera Magna' who evolve in symphonic and epic power metal and the theme revolves around the feelings and emotions of human being. The first 2 EPs were marked by a mix of influences from opera as well as film music, all of which was metalized in a powerful and epic style. The third act is therefore the logical continuation and the Spaniards continue in this epic and grandiose atmosphere: the short introduction 'Requiem por un Vivo' brings us back to Mozart's sacred music and is reminiscent of certain passages in the Requiem. 'Mi Reino, El Olvido' that follows, starts like a musicof western with grandiose choruses that give way to a metal part enough speed that can recall the various projects of 'Luca Turilli' (see the album 'Prometheus - Symphonia Ignis Divinus' here). With 'Una Piedra en Dos Mitades', after a 3-minute instrumental introduction reminiscent of big-budget movie music, vocalizations by Spanish soprano 'Marta Barbe' introduce a part where Jose shares the singing with Marta in a tragic operatic atmosphere that offers a grandiose crescendo on the end. Follows 'In Nomine' which returns to a more classical powerful symphonic metal with grandiose choirs on the 2nd part of this last act ends with 'Lo Soñado Y Lo Vivido' of more than 11 minutes which is the culminating point, where 2 parts melancholic piano / voice surrounds 8 minutes which contain all the ingredients of a grandiose power metal that 'Opera Magna' has implemented in this trilogy. In summary, the Spaniards of ‘Opera Magna' confirm that they are the spearheads of a very particular kind quite common in the Mediterranean countries that are Spain and Italy but reserved for an informed public who loves this mixture between the power metal and the classical music and, with the last act of 'Del Amor y otros Demonios', they complete in a very beautiful way this ambitious work which can be now listened to integrally...

Line Up / Musicians

Jose Vte. Broseta (Vocal), Enrique Mompó (Guitar), Adrià Romero (Drums), Javier Nula (Guitar), Alejandro Penella (Bass), Rubén Casas (Keybords) + Guests : Mata Barbe (Vocal), Miguel Ángel Franco (Vocal)


Artist : Karfagen

Album : Echoes From Within Dragon Island

Release Date : 01-02-2019

Added : 14-03-2019

The Ukrainian 'Antony Kalugin' has been busy the last 2 years with the last 'Karibow' (see here) and the two parts of 'Messages from Afar' released under 2 names different projects, 'Karfagen' (see here) and 'Sunchild' (see here). The beginning of the year 2019 saw the release of a new album of 'Karfagen' which lasts an hour and a half and is inspired by the poet 'Robert Louis Stevenson' known for writing 'The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde' and who is the author of many novels and short stories, 'Antony Kalugin' having taken up some of his poems including, among others, 'The Country of Tales' and 'Little Earth'. From the beginning, these are the 3 parts of the master piece of the album, 'Dragon Island Suite', of about 54 minutes (just interspersed with a short title 'My Bed is a Boat') in which we embark on an imaginative and captivating musical journey, and exceptionally rich with all that we can find in progressive rock with the use of different classical instruments and a construction in drawers in which it is good to get lost and where the instrumental parts with multiple influences are numerous The rest of the album is mainly instrumental tracks with 'Flowing Books' which can recall some 'Focus' tracks in their first period, 'Winter Rock' which is an acoustic track full of sweetness, the suite of the 2 'Incantation' which are very varied instrumental titles and which make us travel through an atmospheric musical landscape, a summary of the 'Dragon Island' suite with certain instrumental passages chosen, 'Across the Dark We Steer' which is an orchestral composition, the album ending with the ballad 'Alight Again'. In summary, it is still a rich album that offers 'Antony Kalugin' and 'Echoes From Within Dragon Island' should please all fans of a sought progressive rock which has to be discovered little by little and filled with various and varied influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Percussion, Flute), Max Velychko (Guitar), Oleg Prokhorov (basse), Viktor Sirotin (Drums), Tim Sobolev (Vocal), Olha Rostovska (Vocal), Sergey Obolonkov (Vocal), Sergii Kovalov (Accordion), Roman Gorielov (Guitar), Alexandr Pastuchov (Basson), Maria Baranovska (Violin), Elena Kushiy (Flute), Igor Solovey (Cor Français), Tatiana Kurilko (Cor Anglais), Kostya Shepelenko (Drums), Michail Sidorenko (Saxophone), Georgiy Katunin (Lyra à roue), Olga Vodolazhskaya (Vocal,Guitar)


Artist : Brave

Album : The Calm / The Storm

Release Date : 08-01-2019

Added : 15-03-2019

'Brave' is an American band whose last album 'Monuments' dates back to 2008 and which comes back in the front of the scene with a new album released in early 2019, 'The Calm / The Storm'. Known for mixing rock and progressive metal, their style fits more with this new album in line with bands like 'Karnataka', 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Panic Room' because this last album has a rock component more marked even if the guitar riffs are present and bring some power always in opposition to the sweet voice of 'Michelle Schrotz'. 'I Will Wait' which starts the album is the perfect illustration of this contrast that works perfectly. The following two tracks 'Mystery' and 'A thousand Miles of Sand' continue in this style and the melodic lines can recall the groups mentioned above. The following scrolls the instrumental 'No Gravity' where the violin of 'Suvo Sur' brings a folk side, the energetic 'Summertime' which is more rock, the short and beautiful acoustic ballad 'Bay Song' to return then with 'Race to the End' to a heavier sound where the saturated guitars accompany 'Michelle Schrotz' and the singer of 'While Heaven Wept', 'Rain Irvin' who form a wonderfull duo. The album ends in a light style with the acoustic 'November', a heavier 'Electric Ravens' but alternating serenity and power (the electrical cover of 'Three Ravens' of 2014 here) and the semi-acoustic 'Feel the Rain' which closes the opus beautifully with a last interpretation of 'Michelle Schrotz' charged with emotion. In summary, the return of 'Brave' is a real success and the title 'The Calm / The Storm' summed up very well the album because we navigate between quiet titles and other more powerful but their style is more like a accessible rock without real progressive components and probably intended for a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Kelly (Bass), Matt Kozar (Guitar), Michelle Schrotz (Vocal, Keybords), Scott Loose (Guitar, Ukulele, Keybords), Suvo Sur (Violin, Keybords), Trevor Schrotz (Drums) + Guest : Rain Irving (Vocal)


Artist : Adventure

Album : New Horizons

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 16-03-2019

In twenty years, 'New Horizons' is the fourth Norwegians' album of 'Adventure' which evolve in a rock of the 70s and can recall groups like 'Uriah Heep' for the energetic side but also 'Jethro Tull' for the rock/folk side. Therefore, if you are looking for novelty, go your way because we navigate in sounds and a song that make us go back 40 years. After a short instrumental introduction of very felted keyboards, 'Destiny' sets the tone by embarking us in an energetic rock where we find ourselves in the period of 'Firefly' of Uriah Heep ', then Horizon' of more than 7 minutes shows a more progressive aspect with several parts in a slower tempo. With 'Eirene (Godess of Peace)' we return to the sound of the seventies and it could be a cross between 'Uriah Heep' and 'Jethro Tull' (listen to the flute solo at 4.15), then, 'You Belong' is again a calm composition that reminds me of the beginnings of 'Status Quo' in the late 60s before they evolve to their own style. The continuation continues in this return to the 70s with among others, the short instrumental 'With Tears in their Eyes' which is very vintage, 'Lighthouse' which returns to the progressive alternating quiet parts with other more powerful but also changes of tempo, 'Here to Stay' more classic with 'Elen Cath Hopen' on vocals, 'In Search Of (A New Life)' with a beautiful duet of 'Kjell Myran' and 'Elen Cath Hopen' which reminds me of the beautiful complicity that can have 'Bryan Josh' and 'Olivia Sparnenn' of 'Mostly Autumn', the album ending with the beautiful ballad 'Refugee' still tinged 'Uriah Heep'. In short, as you will understand, the Norwegians of 'Adventure' take us back, in a very beautifully way, from few decades back with beautiful melodies easy to access and 'New Horizons' is therefore recommended to all fans. amateurs of this period who do not necessarily seek novelties at any price in the music...

Line Up / Musicians

Odd-Roar Bakken (Keybords), Terje Flessen (Guitar), Terje Craig(Bass, Vocal), Alf-Helge Lund (Drums, Percussions), Elen Cath Hopen (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Kjell Myran (Vocal)


Artist : Against Myself

Album : Unity

Release Date : 08-02-2019

Added : 18-03-2019

'Against Myself' is a Spanish symphonic metal band that has already released 2 albums which the latest 'Odyssey to Reflexion' dates from 2015 and 2019 to see the release of a new studio recording 'Unity' which shows a great evolution and which allows to compete with the tenors of the genre like 'Xandria' (see here), 'Beyond The Black' (see here), 'Sirenia’ (see here) or 'Diabolus In Musica' to quote compatriots (see here). Indeed, 'Unity', of 65 minutes, is of a great richness with orchestrations and instrumental arrangements highlighting an impressive work. First, with the instrumental introduction quite common in this kind of album, we are seduced by the fact that the Spaniards have made a full-fledged composition (which is not always the case in the symphonic metal ) that sets the scene in an epic and grandiose atmosphere and is a real introduction to the following title 'Unity' which begins quietly and explodes at about 1 minute for a first melodic title very catchy where all the ingredients of a epic symphonic metal are there. After this powerful and energetic start, 'Hero's Soul' continues in this way all traced with a new title which will certainly be taken again in concert, then 'Over The Clouds' brings with its 7 minutes a progressive component with its ruptures of tempo and intensity while remaining epic thanks to always grandiose choruses. The following continues in this style with 'Demons', 'The Wanderer' and 'Kill to Live' with their unbridled rhythmic sections interspersed with the beautiful ballad 'Crystal Tower' for a welcome break. But the major title of the album is without contest 'Oniros' which is a progressive fresco at the same time epic and melancholic of more than 15 minutes with breaks of intensity and atmosphere and with its magnificent final which passes from a power grandiose to a last minute completely stripped down with some piano chords and a few hints of ‘Irene Villegas'. In summary, with 'Unity', the Spaniards of 'Against Myself' return in a very nice way on the front of the symphonic metal scene and this last album should appeal to all those who are fans of this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Carlos Alcalde (Keybords), Irene Villegas (Vocal), Raúl Plaza (Bass), Charly Carretón (Drums), Sergio Culebras (Guitar) + invité : Diego Teksuo (Vocal)


Artist : Razzmattazz

Album : Hallelujah

Release Date : 08-02-2019

Added : 20-03-2019

Listening to the first title 'A Gun for Hire' from the last album 'Hallelujah' from the Germans 'Razzmattazz', my foot started to beat on my own and I found myself a few decades back with a hard rock sound well known. In fact, you take a good dose of ‘AC/DC' and a bit of 'Status Quo' and you get 'Razzmattazz' with unadorned titles that smell like real hard rock and are played with crazy energy. Everything is therefore implemented to spend a good time with 10 compositions that knock your socks off and make you headbang from the first chords and with their guitar riffs go to the basics of hard-rock. In short, 'Razzmattazz' released an album for all hard-rock fans of the 80s and 'Hallelujah' is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Ucik (Bass), Tom Schaupp (Vocal, Guitar), Ulf S. Gokeler (Drums), Wolle Heieck (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Vangelis

Album : Nocturne

Release Date : 25-01-2019

Added : 21-03-2019

As we say, no transition, after the chronicle of the last 'Razzmattazz' very close to ‘AC/DC’, here is a slightly different artist who already has a few decades of career behind him, I named 'Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou', known to the general public by his stage name 'Vangelis' and who released a new album 'Nocturne' at 75 yars old after 'Rosetta' which dates from 2016 (see here). This album is a bit particular because he decided to revisit on the piano and keyboards some emblematic compositions of his long career and this in a intimate atmosphere but also by adding 11 novel titles. And it must be said that the magic operates from the first title because beyond the nostalgia that caused me many shivers in known titles as 'Love Theme' taken from 'Blade Runner' or ‘La petite fille et la mer’ tiré de ‘l’Apocalypse des Animaux’ or 'Main Theme' taken from 'Chariots of Fire' or the famous 'Conquest of the Paradise' from the film of the same name, we recognize the footprint of this outstanding composer in all the unpublished compositions that embark us on a sweet journey of intimacy, poetry, the feeling of being out of time and which must all recall some memories to all those who have loved 'Vangelis' in the previous decades. In short, these nocturnal walks are highly emotional and this refined and intimate interpretation lends itself very well to the atmosphere of this sensitive artist who has accompanied us for many years with all these musics that have all something timeless and eternal...

Line Up / Musicians

Vangelis / Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou (Piano, Keybords) + Guest : Irina Valentinova-Karpouchina (Piano)


Artist : Benjamin Simpson

Album : Broken Figurines

Release Date : 29-01-2019

Added : 22-03-2019

Apart from a short presentation on the very good site 'New Prog Releases', the latest album of 'Benjamin Simpson', 'Broken Figurines' do not make the buzz on the web but this young American has already released 2 solo albums and 'Broken Figurines' is the latest in date. Also note that he has also a project with the band 'Mother Fore' (see here). At the first chords, even if the production is still to improve, I found myself in a well known atmosphere with very strong references to 'Roger Waters' in the period 'The Wall' and 'The Final Cut' and after in his solo albums. The eponymous title of the album consists of 3 parts, firstly a reference to the rhythm of ‘One Of These Days’ mixed with 'Waterian' melodic lines, then the second part takes up the theme in a intimist way, with piano accompaniment, in the manner of the melodic lines of 'Vera' in 'The Wall' and finally, with the last part, the theme comes back and it’s mixed with a sampled speech which obviously recalls the political attacks of Roger and in general, Benjamin commits himself in the same way as his model. The rest of the album brings us back to this parallel with for example 'Society of Playing Cards' and a double singing or 'Flower Sequence' with this phrasing on the acoustic guitar inherited from the great tradition of the American song or 'Condemmed’ and this so characteristic voice screamed. In summary, with 'Broken Figurines', it's impossible not to refer to the iconic 'Roger Waters' : 'Benjamin Simpson' shows his whole attachment to the American artist and, given these early compositions, he has largely the capacity to evolve to not stay in the shadow of the master but to find his own way to forge his own style...

Line Up / Musicians

Benjamin Simpson (Tous les instruments, Vocal) + Guests : Lucas Adcock (Guitar), Henry Rose (Bass), Ben Keating (Drums)


Artist : Cosmic Rain

Album : Seekers

Release Date : 30-01-2019

Added : 23-03-2019

'Cosmic Rain' is a Swiss group which, after a first EP in 2017 'Utopia', released a studio album, 'Seekers', on the beginning of 2019. Their style draws its influences in several decades of progressive and mix rock, hard rock and metal. The short instrumental 'Cadiz Ouverture' serves as an introduction to 'Sils-Maria' which embeds us in a typically progressive title with different tempos and an alternation of tensions and relaxation, the title ending with a magnificent guitar solo. 'Dimensional Gate' continues in this register with accessible melodic lines and a new guitar finale worthy of 'Steve Hackett' (see his last album here). Follow 'The Power That Be' and 'The Marmor Cliffs' which are more classic titles in the structure but we return to the progressive with 'The Journey and its Tones' of 10 minutes, which mix different ambiances very far from each other with, firstly, a first acoustic part with beautiful melodic lines, then, change of scenery, with a short heavy and powerful section accompanied by grawls, and it is then a new break that brings us back to a much quieter part where the arpeggios of guitar accompany the singing of 'Laurent Nigg' in a mid-tempo which accelerates and takes power on the end of the title to fall back with some chords sung. In summary, the Swiss of 'Cosmic Rain' released a very good first album mixing different styles and 'Seekers' should appeal to all those looking for diversity in progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Laurent Nigg (Vocal, Guitar), Arnaud Bosch (Keybords), Willem Jochems (Drums), Marc Joray (Bass)


Artist : Avantasia

Album : Moonglow

Release Date : 15-02-2019

Added : 25-03-2019

Being used to the z7 concert hall near Basel, I never had a hard time finding places for different artists that I saw for some years, but here, the arrival of Avantasia 'scheduled with 2 dates in April 2019 already showed since more than one month the mention 'ausverkauft' (sold out) for the 2 dates, something we are not used to seeing in this beautiful room in Pratteln in Switzerland. Fortunately for me, a third concert was added after the first 2 because, after a 'Ghostlights' that had made a lot of noise in the metal sphere 3 years ago, 'Tobias Sammet' has again hit hard with his new album 'Moonglow' and if we read the comments on the past 3 years, we think that for an artist who had no taste for music, it has been largely arranged since ! As usual, it is a host of prestigious guests who participate in this album in which Tobias tells his own life and this constant pressure not to meet the expectations of the public. We are reassured for this pressure because, from the first title, 'Ghost in the Moon' embarks us in an epic fresco of almost 10 minutes with beautiful melodic lines and many changes of atmosphere where something is always happening and proves once again that 'Tobias Sammet' is an outstanding composer who always offers us great richness in vocal and instrumental arrangements. For short, despite a duration of an hour and ten minutes, all titles follow without any weariness and each brings its own personality and the various guest singers participate greatly because Tobias always has this talent of choose the right voices according to the type of composition, for example in the beautiful eponymous title of the album where, 'Candice Night' that we usually hear in another style (see the last album from 'Blackmore's Night' here), brings her beautiful aerial voice. Also noteworthy in this diversity of genres, the 'Maniac' cover of the 'Flashdance' musical comedy of the '80s, which has been slightly metalised and where 'Eric Martin' of the band 'Mr. Big' (see their latest album here) performs a great vocal performance. In summary, this new 'Avantasia' which is already the 8th (if we count one for the two parts of 'The Metal Opera'), is still a very nice surprise for the beginning of 2019 and shows all the talent of 'Tobias Sammet' to compose a clever mix of metal styles that go from power to melodic through speed, progressive and symphonic, all this to make something unique...

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Sammet (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Sascha Paeth (Guitar, Bass), Michael Rodenberg (Keybords, Piano), Felix Bohnke (Drums) + Guests : Ronnie Atkins (Vocal), Bob Catley (Vocal), Candice Night (Vocal), Eric Martin (Vocal), Geoff Tate (Vocal), Hansi Kürsch (Vocal), Jorn Lande (Vocal), Michael Kiske (Vocal), Mille Petrozza (Vocal)


Artist : Beast In Black

Album : From Hell with Love

Release Date : 09-02-2019

Added : 26-03-2019

'Beast In Black' is a project of the Finnish 'Anton Kabanen' who, after his leaving from 'Battle Beast', who he was the founder, has created this new band with the singer 'Yannis Papadopoulos' who brings a real plus to the band because it has such a wide register that one has the impression that he could appropriate all the styles. How to say, 'Beast In Black' is sort of a kind of hybrid creature that is a cross between the variety of the 80s brought by the use of synthesizers and the power metal brought by the riffs saturated with guitars. Listening to the begening of some titles, such as 'From Hell With Love', 'Sweet True Lies' or 'Die By the Blade', we are very far from the metal but a few seconds later, the power of the guitars is there to remind us that 'Beast In Black' is there to deliver us energetic compositions 'for feet', as the French artist 'Goldman' would say. As an example, the first 3 compositions set the scene with melodies that take you away and get into your head immediately. The rest continues in this style and I come back on 'Die By the Blade' which starts from a disco base which has been accelerated and 'metalized' and whose result is quite surprising. Of course, they also offer us a well-deserved break with the ballad 'Oceandeep' where 'Yannis Papadopoulos' also shows that he knows how to use his voice of head and this of beautiful way. We can note also 2 covers at the end of the album, 'Killed by Death' from 'Motorhead' and 'No Easy Way Out' from the soundtrack of 'Rocky IV' ('Robert Tepper'), both transformed to taste of the day. In summary, 'From Hell with Love', is an album filled with hits to consume without moderation and if you are a fan of metal and that the fact of metalizing melodies of international variety does not put you off, go ahead listen this last album of ' Beast In Black '...

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Kabanen (Vocal, Guitar), Yannis Papadopoulos (Vocal), Kasperi Heikkinen (Guitar), Mate Molnar (Bass), Atte Palokangas (Drums)


Artist : Dooren

Album : The Darkest Days

Release Date : 28-01-2019

Added : 28-03-2019

While 'Within Temptation’ with their latest album have tried new sounds (see here), some continue in the way that the Dutch had traced in the early 2000s and 'Dooren', a newly created Brazilian group, is one of them. Composed of the female singer and lyricist 'Ludmila Reis' and 'Celo Oliveira' who is the orchestra man because he composes, plays all the instruments and has also done the mixing, 'The Darkest Days' is their first studio album. After a first listen, not obvious that the metal tag is the most appropriate because we navigate between rock and symphonic metal and the metal side is brought only by the saturation of guitars but the rhythm is in the majority made by mid-tempo and some titles are clearly symphonic rock, see atmospheric, like 'Hideplace', 'Mistake', 'No Man's Land' or 'The Darkest Days'. The compositions like 'Drifting Away', 'Mirror Image', 'Pieces' or 'Masquarade' could be the soft side of bands like 'Delain' or 'Xandria', the most energetic title being 'Rise and Fall'. Overall, they have a talent for beautiful melodic lines and 'Ludmila Reis' brings a real emotion in the ballads 'Hyperbolic' and 'A New Sand' which are remarkable. In summary, the Brazilians of 'Dooren' are coming out with an album that could be described as light, airy symphonic metal and filled with accessible melodies, which should appeal to a relatively broad audience who would like to try out the metal by coming in by the very soft side of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Ludmila Reis (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Delain / Visions Of Atlantis

Album : Hunter’s Moon / The Deep & The Dark - Live

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 30-03-2019

With this chronicle I gathered 2 albums of symphonic metal that were released the same day, first of all the new 'Delain', 'Hunter's Moon' which includes 4 new titles and 10 live tracks recorded during the last tour 'The Dance Macabre Tour' (see their latest studio album here), and the latest live album of' Visions Of Atlantis', 'The Deep & The Dark - Live', (see their latest studio album here) which is the concert given at the last tour of 'Symphonic Metal Nights'. For me, these two bands have this same overflowing and communicative energy on stage and each concert is a real communion with the public.

Regarding 'Hunter's Moon' of 'Delain', before returning to the studio for the recording of the 6th studio album and to make us wait, they offer us 4 new titles with first a magnificent 'Masters of Destiny' which is pure 'Delain' with breaks between powerful symphonic parts and others quieter and 'Charlotte Wessels' offers a high-end vocal prestation. The other 3 tracks are a energetic 'Hunter's Moon' where 'Timo Somers' brings growls we not used to hear in the past with 'Delain', then the short 'This Silence Is Mine' which is very rich at the instrumental level and finally 'At Kills' which moves away from the symphonic for a more solid title with again growls and a rhythmic close to the industrial metal. The sequel is a best of live tracks with the last 2 albums best represented and shows all the mastery in concert with an irreproachable sound and the intervention of 'Marko Hietala' of 'Nightwish' on several titles allows beautiful duets with ' Charlotte Wessels' (see also their beautiful live to celebrate their 10 year career here).

Regarding the live of 'Visions of Atlantis', it is taken almost from the entire last album (except 'Prayer to the Lost', which I regret his absence from the live but we console ourselves with the magnificent 'The Last Home' and an even more touching performance in public of 'Clémentine Delauney' than in the studio album, the French having really taken the place she deserves for many years to become one of the best symphonic metal female singers). With these new compositions, the short set of 48 minutes shows all the dynamism that can deploy this band in concert with accessible powerful and fast titles as the first one, the eponymous title of the last album that puts you right in the bath. This tour was also a bit special considering the passage of witness between the singer 'Siegfried Samer' who was integrated in the group since 2013 and who goes to new adventures with 'Dragonfly' (see their latest album here), and the newcomer, the Italian 'Michele Guaitoli' who is no stranger since he is still one of the members of the Italian group 'Temperance' (see their latest album ). Without making any comparison, I will simply say that the new duet in singing works as well as the old one and this live makes it possible to realize it better since the 2 singers sing each one part of the set.

In summary, these two albums are two condensed of positive energy and show how these two formations have the talent to transmit it to their audience and are made for the stage, and if you like this style, I strongly advise you to go see them in concert, nothing can replace the live atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Delain :
Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Martijn Westerholt (Keybords), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (Bass), Joey Marin de Boer (Drums), Timo Somers (Guitar), Merel Bechtold (Guitar)

https://www.facebook.com/delainmusic

Visions Of Atlantis :
Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Siegfried Samer (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Christian Douscha (Guitar), Herbert Glos (Bass), Thomas Caser (Drums)

https://www.facebook.com/visionsofatlantisofficial/


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : Distance Over Time

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 01-04-2019

3 years after the fabulous 'The Astonishing' (see review here) which stimulated much attention from the mucial reviewer, the Americans of 'Dream Theater' released a new album 'Distance Over Time' bringing their studio discography to 14 in thirty years which is a good average given the richness of each new album. At the first listening, I naturally tried to compare it to its predecessor which makes no sense because each album of 'Dream Theater' must be taken as something unique and this 'Distance Over Time' is simply a continuation in this melting pot of influences transformed into Progressive Music. Indeed, for this album, it is appropriate to take each title individually and not in a set as for a concept album because there is not really a common frame: 'Unthetered Angel' is a driving title with a construction filled with tempo breaks which already highlight 'Mike Mangini' in the rhythm section. 'Paralyzed' that follows is a mid-tempo slowly unfolding its melody in a rather heavy atmosphere and 'Fall Into The Light' is one of my favorite songs with a calm melodic part of the band a little like the style of 'Lanvall' from 'Edenbridge' which is sandwiched between two more powerful ones with a beautiful keyboard solo at the end of the title reminiscent of the golden age of hard rock in the 70s. With 'Barstool Warrior', it's is the typical example that shows the expanded influences of 'Dream Theater' because the calm and serene melody with melodic lines is reminiscent of 70/80 rock bands. With 'Room 137', a change of style with a catchy rhythmic that juxts a heavy mid-tempo part containing a nod to 'I'm The Walrus' of the 'Beatles' and in 'S2N', it's a mix of hard-rock with the bass that leads the dance and progressive passages where keyboards and guitar offer us beautiful solos. The end of the album scrolls a 'At Wit's End' with drawers and beautiful melodic passages, the beautiful ballad 'Out Of Reach' which gradually grows to fall on the end and finally, 'Pale Blue Dot' which is an epic piece of over 8 minutes that makes me say definitely that we can not limit' Dream Theater 'to a progressive metal tag, so they take us in multiple styles up to an instrumental section at the beginning of the 2nd part that flirts with contemporary music, and finally, 'Viper King' much more classic that brings us back to a hard rock close to 'Deep Purple'. In short, as you will understand, 'Distance Over Time' is still an album of great richness that is revealed slowly, listening after listening, and which shows all the creativity of this out of the ordinary group that surprises us with each release and which makes 'Dream Theater' one of the pretender for the podium of the leaders of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

James LaBrie (Vocal), John Petrucci (Guitar), John Myung (Bass), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), Mike Mangini (Drums)


Artist : Rhapsody Of Fire

Album : The Eighth Mountain

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 03-04-2019

Difficult to navigate in all evolutions between the group of 'Luca Turilli' and 'Fabio Lione' and that of Alex Staropoli ', especially since 2018 which saw the original reformation of the band 'Rhapsody' for the '20 Anniversary Farewell Tour 'World. In short, the keyboard player 'Alex Staropoli' is since 2011 the leader of 'Rhopsody Of Fire' and the line up now consists of the new drummer 'Manu Lotter' and new singer 'Giacomo Voli' and Alessandro Sala 'on bass and 'Roby De Micheli' on guitar (the latter 2 being already present on the album 'Into The Legend' of 2016). But, in any case, the historical fans of all groups containing 'Rhapsody' will certainly be delighted of this last album because the only thing that has not moved, is this so particular style of an epic symphonic power metal born in the 90s. Indeed, we can not be wrong, we are in 'Rhapsody' pure juice with fast and powerful songs with great reinforcements of choirs and melodies that enter into your head without letting you go, all this with the two new artists who quickly integrated, on the one hand 'Giacomo Voli’ who has a powerful voice who knows adapt perfectly to each composition and secondly, 'Manu Lotter' which ensures the rhythm section in a beautiful way. Between all this ardor and to allow welcome breaks, the Italians offer us quieter titles with first a melodic 'White Wizard', nevertheless quite fast but without the double pedal, 'Warrior Heart' with its medieval intonations, the epic and symphonic saga 'March Against The Tyrant' which alternates moods with an acoustic guitar that looks like a 'Stairway to Even' then a rise to power and a final that falls as it started, and for finish the ballad 'The Wind, The Rain, The Moon' which also shows that 'Giacomo Voli' is very comfortable also in restraint and knows how to transmit emotion. The album ends with a new epic saga, 'Tales Of A Hero's Fate', which sums up the album very well and where we find at the end of the title the inimitable narrator 'Christopher Lee' who had already participated in the past to several albums of 'Rhapsody'. In short, the Italians of 'Rhapsody Of Fire' come back to the front of the stage with the same passion and, even if they still use the same old good recipes, deliver what they have always done best : this new album 'The Eighth Mountain' should fullfill all the fans historical and beyond all fans of a power metal fast, epic and symphonic...

Line Up / Musicians

Giacomo Voli (Vocal), Alex Staropoli (Keybords), Roby De Micheli (Guitar), Alessandro Sala (Bass), Manu Lotter (Drums)


Artist : Imperia

Album : Flames of Eternity

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 05-04-2019

Four years is the cruising speed of Imperia album releases because, after 'Tears Of Silence' in 2015 (see here), 'Flames of Eternity' is the fifth album since 2004. The band of the front woman 'Helena Iren Michaelsen' continues to offer us melodic and refined symphonic metal mixing power and serenity which is their trademark from the beginning. From the first title, 'The Scarred Soul', the fans are not disoriented with this mid-tempo mixing electric instruments and orchestra and which varies in intensity between the verses and the chorus. With 'Fear Is an Illusion' and 'Unspoken Words', the rhythm accelerates to offer on the one hand growls responding to the song of Helena', and on the other hand, a melody which immediately returns you in the head and that should be well welcomed in concert. The following alternates energy and melancholy, with the rise of the slow tempo of 'Book Of Love' where Helena shows once again at the end of the title all her talents as a soprano, then, the fast 'Blinded' that certainly would not been disavow by 'Tarja', the beautiful melancholy ballad 'Invisible Tears' with very beautiful arrangements that can recall the atmosphere of 'Spirit Chase' or 'Broken Wings' from previous albums, 'Otherside' mixing power and melancholy enhanced by a magnificent solo of violin, the beautiful 'Beauty Within' with folk intonations and a beautiful duet of Helena with the singer 'Oliver Philipps' of Everon' who had participated in the project 'Phantasma' (see here), the album ending with the energetic 'My Guardian Angel', 'The Ocean' with oriental intonations, the very s tripped and beautiful piano/voice ballad 'A Crying Heart', as 'Lanvall' and 'Sabine Edelsbacher' had done in the 'Voiciano' project (see here) and an equally neat cover of 'Mother' from the album 'A Woman Diary Chapter 1' from Helena's second project 'Angel' (see here). In summary, 'Flames of Eternity' confirms all the talent of this group that knows how to vary the atmosphere between power and serenity and which represents for me the accessible side of a melodic and elegant symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Helena Iren Michaelsen (Vocal), Jan Örkki Yrlund (Guitar), Gerry Verstreken (Bass), Steve Wolz (Drums)


Artist : Professor Tip Top

Album : Hybrid Hymns

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 07-04-2019

After a very good 'Life Is No Matter' in 2017 (see here), we find again the Norwegians of 'Professor Tip Top' with a new album 'Hybrid Hymns'. As in the previous opus, they bring us back to this so particular style between psychedelic and progressive rock of the 70s with always the same references that come to mind, 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Pink Floyd' or 'Alan Parsons Project' and some incursions in electronic music in very short titles as in the two 'Black Holes' and 'Light Generator' or the hypnotic 'The Dogs Are Coming' very Floydien with its heady melody. But most titles are ballads full of serenity like 'An Akward Choice', 'Machine Emotions' or 'Turing Machines' that give us the impression of listening to an album of 'BJH'. With 'Data Mining' which is still very quiet, we have the right to a jazzy part at mid-title, the instrumental 'Passion' looks like 'Focus' first period and 'The Final Night' returns one last times to these seventy influences. In summary, the Norwegians 'Professor Tip Top' continue their merry way by offering us a new quality album still influenced by the psychedelic rock of the 70s and if you like the groups mentioned above or if you need a well-deserved break, 'Hybrid Hymns' is made for you and is a harmless anti-depressant to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Svein Magnar Hansen (Vocal), Sam Fossbakk (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Stein Høgseth (Bass), Charles Wise (Drums)


Artist : Mostly Autumn

Album : White Rainbow

Release Date : 01-03-2019

Added : 09-04-2019

'Sight Of Day' was for me one of the musts of the 2017 year (see here) and the end of 2018 saw the release of the new album of 'Mostly Autumn', 'White Rainbow' but it's only on March 1st that the first CD is finally available on streaming platforms. This last album has a particular resonance because, after the disappearance of his companion 'Liam Davison' (listen to his solo album of 2011 here), 'Bryan Josh' decided him to pay tribute with compositions of extraordinary emotional strength and from the first listening, I was completely caught by these melancholic melodies that triggered me repeatedly this thrill so characteristic and despite the duration of about 1 hour and 20 minutes, when the last chords of 'Young' arrive, we only want to press the play button again. 'Procession' starts the album with Irish bagpipe (Uillean Pipes) from the guest of honor 'Troy Donockley' and is a slow funeral procession to introduce the long title 'Viking Funeral' and its different parts that alternate melancholy and rage to better transmit these two feelings to us during the loss of a loved one and who has a very 'Floydian' final of great strength. The ballad 'Burn' follows with the appearance of ‘Olivia Sparnenn' who, from the first chords, carries us on a small cloud and continues to enchant us with the following title 'Run for the Sun' whose guitar solo final increases the slider of emotion one more step and the next title 'Western Skies' continues in this emotional highlight by adding a more progressive aspect to the second part of the title. The following scrolls the very melodic 'Into the Stars', 'Up' with its progressive structure, 'The Undertow' which is the only title written by 'Chris Johnson' and the short and stripped 'Gone', but the main piece is, of course, the eponymous title of the album of almost 20 minutes which alone is worth the purchase of this CD and which contains all the ingredients of an intense progressive mixing various influences with among others a first part very 'Floydien'. On the ray of magical moments, I could quote the first chorus of 'Olivia Sparnenn' at 9.40' which takes over from 'Bryan Josh' and which gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it : just Beautiful. After this intense moment, the last title 'Young' pays a last tribute but this time starting in a very bare way to keep only the substantive marrow of the music and ends this opus in the most beautiful way. In summary, as you will understand, 'White Rainbow' is much more than a simple album because, beyond the simple listening, it is necessary above all to feel it in the deepest of oneself and, if it is your case, you will have the wonderful surprise to live moments of a beautiful emotional intensity...

Line Up / Musicians

Olivia Sparnenn (Vocal, Percussions), Bryan Josh (Vocal, Guitar), Iain Jennings (Keybords, Hammond), Chris Johnson (Guitar, Vocal), Andy Smith (Bass), Angela Gordon (Flute, Keybords, Vocal), Henry Rogers (Drums) + Guest : Troy Donockley (Flute, Uillean Pipes)


Artist : Tim Bowness

Album : Flowers At The Scene

Release Date : 01-03-2019

Added : 10-04-2019

The releases of 'Tim Bowness' follow each other and after the very good 'Lost in the Ghost Light' in 2017 (see here), it's the turn of' Flowers At The Scene to take shape. He continues to offer us a style between pop and rock and this last album contains compositions less accessible than the previous one and it took me several listenings to draw all the richness, perhaps due to deeper melodies and sonorities more contemporary. As usual, he has invited an impressive number of artists from different backgrounds with a certain 'Steven Wilson' (see his latest live here) who participates to 'It's The World' which is well in the style of English. In general, the atmosphere is close to Tim's and Steven’s 'No-Man' project (see the album ‘Schoolyard Ghosts’ here) with rather melancholy titles but where classical instruments are not only accompaniments but fully integrate and bring the atmosphere of the title, as with the strings in 'The Train That Pulled Away' with the feeling of finding the tempo of the rails when on a train or the atmospheric 'Borderline', where the trumpet accentuates this sensation of weightlessness, or still 'Ghostlike', with this tension accentuated by the heavy and repeated rhythm section. In summary, 'Tim Bownes' invites us, with this latest album, to a beautiful journey filled with emotion and great musical richness, mixing several styles between art-rock and atmospheric and 'Flowers At The Scene' is recommended to all those who favor a calm and melancholy style...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Bowness (Vocal) + Guests : Peter Hammill (Vocal, Guitar), Andy Partridge (Guitar), Brian Hulse (Guitar, Keybords), James Matheos (Guitar), Kevin Godley (Vocal), Ian Dixon (Trumpet), Aleksei Saks (Trumpet), Colin Edwin (Bass), David K Jones (Bass), Tom Atherton (Drums), Dylan Howe (Drums), Charles Grimsdale (Drums), David Longdon (Flute, Choirs), Steven Wilson (Keybords), Alistair Murphy (Arrangements), Fran Broady (Violin)


Artist : Cats In Space

Album : Day Trip to Narnia

Release Date : 01-03-2019

Added : 11-04-2019

After 'Scarecrow' in 2017 (see here), ‘Cats In Space’ come back to earth in 2019 to offer us a new album 'Day Trip to Narnia' : they continue to give us a happy and bubbly 70/80 rock with ubiquitous choruses and the references to the groups mentioned in my previous review are still part of the trip but we could add some like the wacky side of 'Cheap Trick' with the short 'She Talks Too Much' or 'Queen' with the beautiful melody of 'Tragic Alter Ego' or the 'Beach Boys' with 'Silver and Gold' and its very seventies choruses or' Elton John 'with the beautiful ballad' Chasing Diamonds'. The second part of the album is the story of 'Johnny Rocket' in 7 episodes which is a little in the same register as the musical 'Starmania' of 'Luc Plamandon' and 'Michel Berger' of the late 70s (is the name of 'Johnny Rocket' not an allusion to 'Johnny Rockfort' of 'Starmania' ?). In any case, everything was written to reflect the 70s with a 'Thunder In The Night' reminiscent of the 'Bee Gees' with 'Saturday Night Fever', which brought together rock and the fashion style of this time, the disco. In short, with this latest album, the 'Cats In Space' make us travel back in time and this 'Day Trip to Narmia' with very accessible and varied melodies should reach a wide audience who loves the period of the seventies...

Line Up / Musicians

Paul Manzi (Vocal), Greg Hart (Guitar, Choirs), Steevi Bacon (Drums, Choirs), Dean Howard (Guitar, Choirs), Jeff Brown (Bass, Choirs), Andy Stewart (Keybords)


Artist : Anubis

Album : Lights Of Change (Live In Europe 2018)

Release Date : 01-02-2019

Added : 12-04-2019

after the very good 'The Second Hand' in 2017 (see here) and 'Different Sories' (see here) which was covers of their titles in acoustics and which had been registered to be able to finance their 2018 tour, the Australians of ‘Anubis' celebrate their 10 years of existence with a double live album which is precisely a summary of their European tour 2018 with a first recorded part at the 'Loreley Amphitheater' in Germany (see video above), and a second at a small club in Holland where they took over their entire album that had made them known internationally 'A Tower of Silence' . We find throughout these two hours and a quarter of concerts a best of their discography in this progressive atmosphere, melodic and atmospheric with an impressive live sound that makes the 2nd recording quite close to the original studio. In short, 'Lights Of Change' is a nice gift for all fans and beyond, a good way for those who do not know 'Anubis' to discover them in a sample of what they have produced so far...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert James Moulding (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), David Eaton (Keybords, Bass, Vocal), Douglas Skene (Guitar, Vocal), Dean Bennison (Guitar, Vocal), Anthony Stewart (Bass, Vocal), Steve Eaton (Drums)


Artist : Opus Aeterna

Album : Ad Vitam Aeternam

Release Date : 04-03-2019

Added : 14-04-2019

'Opus Aeterna' is the project of a Frenchman living in Mexico City who mixes classical music with electric instruments and drums. Although he talks about metal, we are far from saturated guitar riffs and the melodic lines are essentially influenced by baroque and classical music with ubiquitous choruses and if we made a parallel with certain compositions of 'Christopher Johnson' from the 'Therion' who also mixes classic and metal (see his latest titanic work 'Below Antechrist' here), one could say he's the soft side of 'Therion'. Each title could be a reference to classical musicians but, it seemed to me that only the 'Ave Maria' was that of 'Gounod' and that the other compositions are original. We thus navigate through classical melodies where classical instruments and choruses predominate as in 'In Saecula Saeculorum' or 'Funereal Concerto' with an entirely classical first part and which sees the electric instruments appear quite late in each title. Globally, the ensemble is very accessible with mostly slow tempos where the choirs accompany the melody. In short, if you like mixing classical choruses with electric instruments and groups like 'Therion' are familiar to you, you should adopt 'Ad Vitam Aeternam' which should be soon followed by a new album for the summer will call 'Peccata Mundi'...

Line Up / Musicians

Flow (Tous les instruments)


Artist : The Room

Album : Caught by the Machine

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 16-04-2019

'The Room' is a rock band founded in 2010 that has just released its third album 'Caught by the Machine'. At the first listening, we find group influences like 'Saga', 'Marillion' or 'Arena' with a less developed progressive side because the compositions have rather classical couplet/chorus structures but globally, the whole is accessible thanks to melodic lines easily assimilated as in the energetic 'Bodies on the Road' or in 'Broken' that brings us back to the 80s or with 'Just Walk Away' which starts in mid-tempo and accelerates on the end of the title. However, some tracks come out of this scheme with 'The Golden Ones' and the ballad 'Vanished' and their instrumental part in the middle of the title, then 'Drowning in Sound', which takes us on for almost 9 minutes in a theatrical atmosphere. theatrical enough where there are changes of tempo and intensity and sees the singer 'Kim Seviour' of the group 'Touchstone' make a brief appearance and finally, 'It's not my Home' with a first part with a nice swaying rhythmic and then a rise in power with magnificent alternations between sung and instrumental parts. In summary, 'The Room' releases a quality rock album with accessible melodies and 'Caught by the Machine' is recommended for a public loving melodic rock with some incursions into the progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Wilson (Vocal), Steve Anderson (Guitar), Eric Bouillette (Guitar, Violin), Mark Dixon (Keybords), Chris York (Drums), Andy Rowe (Bass) + Guests : Kim Seviour (Vocal), John Mitchell (Choirs)


Artist : Elitania

Album : INRI

Release Date : 28-02-2019

Added : 18-04-2019

We go to the homeland of 'Marcela Bovio' (see his latest solo album here), Mexico with the symphonic metal band 'Elitania' which has just released its 2nd studio album 'INRI' after a very noticeable 'Templos de Cristal' in 2015. 2018 saw a major change of line up with the arrival of new singers, mezzo-soprano 'Katherine Lara' and tenor 'Marco Muñoz' and new instrumentalists' Edgar Torres' and 'Victor Hernandez' on guitars and 'Sergio Cruz' on bass, the rest of the group being composed of the original 3 members, the composer and baritone 'Cristobal Aguilar Basulto', the soprano 'Yesenia Jacobo' and the drummer 'Kevin Molina'. They continue to offer us a symphonic and epic metal with a variety in singing brought by their four registers that they use either in lyrical or in clear vocals and with instrumental arrangements mixing classical sounds brought by the keyboards and the power of the metal brought by the riffs of electric guitars. With 12 tracks for a total of 83 minutes of listening, after the instrumental introduction, usual in this style, which can be reminiscent of the composer 'Dvorjak', titles, all as melodic as each other, scroll : 'Promoteo' opens the ball with a first lyrical performance and we already make a first parallel with 'Therion' (see their latest album here); 'Aztlán' adds a layer and this time, the grandiose melody makes me think more of the Russians of ‘Imperial Age’ (see their latest album here) and the mid-tempo 'Anhata' continue in this style with beautiful choirs in the slow part while 'Cuando la Noche Abraza and Cielo' brings us back to a melodic symphonic close to 'Nightwish'. Follows the catchy 'Más allá de las estrellas' which precedes the magnificent ballad 'Samsara' which has nothing to envy to the most beautiful ballads of 'Therion' and which has a majestic chorus and powerful which give you goose bumps. The following scrolls 'Venus' which is certainly the most extreme title of the album with grawls and with a masterly rhythm section, then 'Las estrellas no brillarán jamas' which is close to a grandiose symphonic power metal with a progressive construction in several parts and which precedes the 2nd ballad 'Adiós' with a first part where piano and strings accompany a majestic lyric song, and which takes power in the continuation of the title. And it is already after 55 minutes of intense listening that we discover the dish of resistance of the album, the two parts of 'In Memorium' of about 29 minutes and which show the epic and progressive side of this group and his composer 'Cristobal Aguilar Basulto' who embark us for a saga, with first part 1, which could be described as mini metal opera, then the second which is more turned, at first, towards an epic power metal alternating growls and lyrical singing and which settles down for a more quiet part accompanied by the instruments of the orchestra and with a real opera final. In summary, although ‘INRI' will be intended certainly for a informing audience loving symphonic metal mixing classical lyric singing and the power of electric instruments, the Mexicans of ‘Elitania' have still climbed a stair and confirm with this latest album which has an extraordinary density and richness, that they are now at the same levels as the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Yesenia Jacobo (Vocal), Kat Lara (Vocal), Cristobal Aguilar Basulto (Vocal), Marco Muñoz (Vocal), Victor Hernandez (Guitar, Grawls), Edgar Torres (Guitar), Sergio Cruz (Bass), Kevin Molina (Drums)


Artist : Rhys Marsh

Album : October After All

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 20-04-2019

The Englishman 'Rhys Marsch' continues his solo career by releasing his 3rd album 'October After All'. He marries the melancholy song with some progressive touches and multiple influences ranging from jazz, to more contemporary sounds to pop through the ages. Listening to the first track 'River' puts us in the general mood of the album with an effective melody and a fairly conventional structure verse/chorus and 'Long Way Back' that follows brings a jazzy side with the interventions of a saxophone and of a trumpet. 'Golden Lullaby' continues in this airy and delicate style and 'Ride The New Wave' pursues in this direction but varies in intensity due to bring to the forefront of keyboards layers. The suite offers the semi-acoustic ballad 'The Butterflies', 'Let It Be Known!' bringing a heavier sound with beautiful vocal harmonies, 'One Hundred Memories' returning to a refined atmosphere with its slow tempo, then 'The Summer Days' is cheerful at first part and darker in the middle of the title while '22' we brings back to a melancholy melody where we find again the trumpet that accentuates the atmospheric aspect, the album ending with the 7 minutes of '(It Will Be) October After All' which slowly unfolds an air melody embellished on the end by a languishing saxophone. In summary, if you like quiet and melancholic moods with slow tempos, this latest album 'Rhys March' is for you and is to listento in a quietly place to unwind from an exhausting day...

Line Up / Musicians

Rhys Marsh (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + Guests : Arve Henriksen (Trumpet), Kåre Kolve (Saxophone), Rohey (Choirs), Silje Leirvik (Choirs), Anders Bjermeland (Choirs), Tim Bowness (Choirs)


Artist : Mortanius

Album : Till Death Do Us Part

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 22-04-2019

'Mortanius' is a duet composed by singer and guitarist 'Lucas Flocco' and bassist 'Jesse Shaw' who started their career in 2013 and have just released 'Till Death Do Us Part' which is their first long studio album, several EP having emerged previously. They define themselves as doing progressive power metal and one could add neoclassical influences with the use of keyboards with classical organ or harpsichord sounds. Another peculiarity is the singing of 'Lucas Flocco' which is recognizable between a thousand and has a voice quite acute and nasal which may be disconcerting for some but, for my part, even if it does not fit into the boxes of a classical song, has this difference that he exploits thoroughly and which finally agrees well with the style. 'Facing the Truth' opens the album with the shortest title and sets the scene with an energetic title that offers a first melody that enters into your head immediately. But it is in the following 3 tracks that one realizes that 'Mortanius' is also a progressive metal formation with 'Disengage', which starts in a calm way and remembers sonorities of 'Therion' and which alternates fast tempos where the double pedal is used and others much more quiet as in the middle of the title where we are entitled to a long instrumental passage long and melodic with the highlighting of keyboards and a nice guitar solo . 'Jaded' continues in this direction with the singing of 'Jonas Heidgert' in addition to 'Lucas Flocco' but the main piece of the album is 'Till Death Do Us Part' of more than 18 minutes which is an epic saga in several parts which starts calmly in a relatively classical atmosphere and which proposes changes of rhythm and power and melodic lines always very accessible bringing us quite often to neoclassical and this without any weariness throughout the title. The last more anecdotal title is a cover of 'Wham' also showing the attachment to a more pop style that they have slightly 'metalized'. In summary, 'Till Death Do Us Part' is an album which has to be tamed listening after listening and which finally shows great richness in the arrangements and beautiful instrumental parts: to advise all fans of an accessible progressive power metal who like the long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Lucas Flocco (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Jesse Shaw (Bass) + Guests : Ollie Bernstein (Guitar), AJ Larsen (Guitar), Leo Figaro (Vocal), Jonas Heidgert (Vocal)


Artist : The Claypool Lennon Delirium

Album : South of Reality

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 24-04-2019

'The Claypool Lennon Delirium' was born a few years ago from the association of 'Sean Lennon' (son of 'John Lennon' and 'Yoko Ono') and 'Leslie Edward Claypool' while they were playing together with their respective bands 'The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger' for Sean and 'Primus' for 'The'. From this collaboration, a first album was released in 2016, 'Monolith of Phobos' (see here), which already showed strong influences from early psychedelic and progressive formations 70's with references to the early period of 'Pink-Floyd' with 'Syd Barrett' and 2017 confirmed this tendency to pay tribute to this golden period of psychedelic with the release of an EP 'Lime & Limpid Green' (see here) with covers of 'Pink Floyd', 'The Who' and 'King Krimson'; 2019 sees the release of a new studio album, 'South of Reality' which continues in this style but adding references to the period of the sixties with obviously nods to the 'Beatles': from the first title' Little Fishes', they mix a light pop with psychedelic intonations with a very successful fusion between these two styles, then 'Blood and Rockets' continue in this way with a song alternating wonderfully a hopping tempo and a slower one that brings us back to the 'Abbey Road' period of the 'Beatles' with references to 'Sun King'. The following is the image of these first 2 titles often with the crazy side of this era of liberation of morals with psychedelic arrangements that take us a few decades back. To this, as the 'Beatles' did, they add influences from other cultures with 'Cricket Chronicles Revisited' where we go on a journey between India and the East. In summary, this collaboration between the two Americans embarks us in the time machine to destination of the 60s / 70s and 'South of Reality' is recommended not only to all lovers of psychedelic but also to an audience much wider because all these compositions are not only very accessible but have also a wonderfully delirious side which, for my part, I adhere completely...

Line Up / Musicians

Sean Lennon Leslie (Vocal, Guitar), « Les » Edward Claypool (Vocal, Bass) + Guests : Paulo Baldi (Drums)


Artist : John Mayall

Album : Nobody Told Me

Release Date : 22-02-2019

Added : 25-04-2019

After 'Walter Trout' in early 2019 and his 'Survivor Blues' (see here), it's still a monument of music that has just released a new album 'Nobody Told Me', I named 'John Mayall' who at 85 years old continues to enchant us with always the same generosity and the same desire to transmit this always intact passion of blues. For this XXth album to not deceived me, I will not try to recount all his albums), he surrounded himself with talented artists of the six-string with among others 'Joe Bonamassa' (see his latest album 'Redemption' here) and her faithful guitarist 'Carolyn Wonderland' (see her latest album here). Not surprisingly, we are embarked on compositions that smell an authentic blues with titles that make you move to the rhythm of music and this from the beginning with for example 'What Have I Done Wrong' where we are already on a small cloud between the song of a young man of 20 years of John (with 65 years of experience !) and the feeling of 'Joe Bonamassa' which gives us the thrill from the first notes of the guitar solo . The whole is a mix of energetic tracks like 'That's What Love Will Make You Do' or 'Like It Like You Do', others more mid-tempo like 'Delta Hurricane' or 'It's so Tough' and others even more calm and sensual like 'Evil and Here to Stay', 'Distant Lonesome Train' or 'Nobody Told Me'. No need to add, place to music and as they say: 'enjoy'!

Line Up / Musicians

John Mayall (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica), Billy Watts (Guitar), Greg Rzab (Bass), Jay Davenport (Drums) + Guests : Alex Lifeson (Guitar), Carolyn Wonderland (Guitar), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Larry Mccray (Guitar), Little Stevie Van Zandt (Guitar), Todd Rundgren (Guitar)


Artist : Mike Tramp

Album : Stray from the Flock

Release Date : 01-03-2019

Added : 26-04-2019

It's been more than 20 years since the Danish 'Mike Tramp' started a solo career in parallel with his participation in 'White Lion' whose last album 'Return to the Pride' already dates from 2008 and his last studio album of 2017 (see here). Mixing song and rock, he continues the tradition of this style as did artists like 'Bryan Adams', 'John Mellecamp', 'Elton John' or 'Bruce Springsteen' and it is this latter name that comes to my mind when listening to 'Dead and Ride', the ballad 'Homesick' or 'Live It Out' that have melodies terribly effective and immediately catch and are well in the style of the American. But beyond this aspect, it also delivers us a more dense title 'End of War' of more than 8 minutes which alternates several tempos and which comes out of a classic construction and which brings a slight progressive side. In summary, 'Mike Tramp' offers us an 11th album very enjoyable to listen to and continues to maintain the style of rock artists of the 80s, I quote: « I am a torchbearer of my musical heroes. The seed they planted in me keeps growing and I keep going on and on »...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Tramp (Vocal, Guitar), Morten Buchholz (Keybords), Søren Andersen (Guitar), Dane Jesper Haugaard (Bass), Morten Hellborn (Drums)


Artist : Bryan Adams

Album : Shine A Light

Release Date : 01-03-2019

Added : 27-04-2019

At the same time as 'Mike Tramp' (see here), Canadian 'Bryan Adams' is releasing a new album 'Shine A Light', the latest 'Get Up' dating back to 2015 (see here). For over 40 years, this is the 14th recording studio and this latest opus contains 12 songs for a short duration of 35 minutes. As he accustomed us in the past, this offering contains energetic nuggets that catch you at the first listening with effective melodic lines where you can’t help to move your head to the rhythm of the music, and this, from the first title of the album, then, with the fast 'Part Friday Night Part Sunday Morning' country-style, or 'Driving Under the Influence Of Love' and his boogie rock tempo reminiscent of 'Status Quo' or 'All Or Nothing' and his guitar riff reminiscent of 'AC / DC' or the very sixties of 'No Time From Love' or 'I Could Get Used To This' and his chorus to sing loudly. He also knows how to change atmospheres with quieter titles such as the beautiful ballads 'Talk To Me' and 'Whiskey In The Jar' or mid-tempos 'That's How Strong Our Love Is' mid-tempo where he shares the singing with 'Jennifer Lopez' and 'Do not Look Back' with its melancholic side. In short, the singer and guitarist with the hoarse voice that accompanied us for several decades returns on the eve of his 60 years in a way to the essence of a rock, catchy and authentic, and offers us a quality album, effective and very accessible : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Adams (Vocal, Guitar), Johan Carlsson (Bass, Guitar, Piano), Mickey Curry (Drums), Keith Scott (Guitar), Josh Freeze (Drums), Jim Valalnce (Keybords), Phil Thornalley (Bass) + Guest : Jennifer Lopez (Vocal)


Artist : Joanne Shaw Taylor

Album : Reckless Heart

Release Date : 15-03-2019

Added : 28-04-2019

After the beautiful 'Wild' in late 2016 (see here), 2019 sees the American 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' release a new album 'Reckless Heart'. With this latest opus, she continues in the path of the previous one and she invested herself in writing almost all 11 titles. So we find this authentic blues-rock, declined in all its forms, with always this voice that transmits a real emotion as in the compositions that smell a sensual blues-rock like the title track of the album or 'I've Only Lonely' or 'I've Been Loving You Too Long'. 'Reckless Heart' is certainly more optimistic with energetic titles and this since the introduction with 'In the Mood' where Joanne is having a great time with a guitar solo with accents much more rock than blues. With compositions like the energetic 'Bad Love' and her masterful guitar solo, 'Creepin' and reminiscence of 70s hard rock bands, or 'All My Love' with her catchy guitar playing, she shows the extent of his talent and the acoustic titles 'Break My Heart Anyway' and especially the last very nude 'Jake's Boogie' in a very contemporary blues, acoustic guitar / voice, confirms that she has this gift to be able to adapt to any style. In summary, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' released a new album even more varied than the previous ones and, even if she stays faithful to its blues roots, demonstrates in the best way that it has the ability to tackle all styles like a certain 'Joe Bonamassa' has already showed many times...

Line Up / Musicians

Joanne Shaw Taylor (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Joost Maglev

Album : Alter Ego

Release Date : 08-03-2019

Added : 30-04-2019

After a first LP in 2016 that marked me (see here), the Dutchman 'Joost Maglev' puts it back with a set of guests, some of whom are well known in the business world. Progressive rock starting with 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' (see the latest live of ‘Ayreon’ here) but also 'Mark Bogert' from the band 'Knight Area' (see their latest album here) or 'Annie Haslam' from the band 'Renaissance' (see their latest live album here), 'Sebas Honing' still part of of adventure (see his album here). It took me several listenings to tame the different titles because, even if some are more accessible than others, they all bring references to a multitude of artists and currents all this being mixed to make something of unique. From the beginning, 'Marie Doesburg' accompanies us with 'Lucid' in an airy atmosphere like 'Vangelis' had done, then, without real transition, 'Angel' takes over for an energetic rock with keyboards reminiscent of the band 'Saga' and choruses reminiscent of 'Styx', then 'Corpus Christi', after a powerful and fast introduction, calm down for a slow tempo that unfolds a catchy melody, and then the sequel sees various accelerations and fallouts follow until a few quick measurements for a rather abrupt end. The following title 'Ever After' changes again with a magnificent ballad where 'Annie Haslam' brings his aerial voice in addition to Joost's singing and is gaining momentum for an instrumental part with a beautiful guitar solo and with a line melodic repeated until the end, the fade out (which I generally do not appreciate), being in this case well used. With 'Judith Episode II', which is one of the most accessible titles, I have the impression to hear melodic lines that could be a cross between 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' and 'Queen'. A new change of style with 'Alter Ego' that brings us back to a marriage between the 'Beatles' and 'Electric Light Orchestra', then, 'Burning Girl' embarks us in progressive metal with tensions and relaxation throughout the title which makes it one of the highlights of the album. Without transition, 'Demon' makes us return to serenity with a power ballad that starts very calmly and offers a crescendo until a sudden break for a final with some piano notes and sound effects, the album ending as he started, with 'Dreams' and the heavenly voice of 'Marie Doesburg' in a symphonic atmosphere. In summary, this last album of 'Joost Maglev', composed of a patchwork of different genres, is finally of an exceptional richness if you take time to tame it listening after listening and 'Alter Ego' should please to all fans of progressive music loving mixing genres and eras...

Line Up / Musicians

Joost Maglev (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + invités : Mark Bogert (Guitar), David Clarkson (Drums), Valensia Clarkson (Instruments, Choirs), Ben Craven (Guitar), Marie Doesburg (Vocal), Annie Haslam (Vocal), Sebas Honing (Guitar), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitar), Stefan Maas (Drums), Joop de Rooij (Piano), Faried Verheul (Guitar)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Across The Sea

Release Date : 13-03-2019

Added : 02-05-2019

'Fleesh' is a Brazilian duo formed in 2013 and who have just released their 3rd studio album 'Across The Sea' and who in addition to that has also recorded two albums of covers, one of 'Rush' (see here) and the other one, of 'Marillion' (see here) and they do not stop there because you can see other videos on their site as beautiful as the others (see here with among others, 'The Final Cut' of 'Pink Floyd' that gives goosebumps). So I discover them with this latest opus, and this is the first concept album of the duo that deals with the different stages of depression, I quote the group: “Lots of people around us have been struggling with it and we see a lot of people that don't quite understand what's going on, they think it's not a big deal... So, we wanted to show how these people feel. To do this, we had several conversations with people we know to understand how they feel, we did a lot of research and read a lot of stories. So this album is entirely based on real facts”. On the musical level, after listening to 'Across The Sea', I found the entire universe of formations that I particularly like 'Mostly Autumn', or 'Karnataka' to name just two. First, 'Gabby Vessoni' gives us a beautiful vocal performance and her voice is reminiscent of singers like 'Hayley Griffiths' (ex 'Karnataka' see here) or 'Olivia Sparnenn' from 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here) or even less well-known but who also have a real talent, like 'Marta Glowacka' from the band ‘Anamor' (see here) or 'Laetitia Chaudemanche' from the band 'Weend'ô' (see here ). Then, the compositions of 'Celo Oliveira' refer to different influences of progressive music through the ages, and, the result is a peaceful and sensitive rock that flows quietly and brings a real serenity to the listener because, beyond Gabby's masterful voice, that conveys all the feelings and transmits a beautiful emotion, the instrumental parts are also in this continuity with beautiful guitar solos in a very 'Gilmourian' style. In summary, this 3rd Brazilian studio recording of 'Fleesh' is a very nice trip in a calm and serene progressive atmosphere and if you like the groups they like as 'Pink-Floyd' or 'Marillion' but also more like 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Mystery' (see their latest album ici ), you should be seduced by 'Across The Sea'...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : RPWL

Album : Tales From Outer Spaces

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 04-05-2019

It's been almost 5 years since the Germans of 'RPWL' had not recorded a studio album, 'Wanted', which was the sequel to 'Beyond Man and Time', being their last opus in 2014 (see ici) and 2019 sees the release of 'Tales from Outer Spaces' which was eagerly awaited by all fans of the band and is inspired by science fiction and tells stories of extra -terrestres. Known in their debut to make covers of 'Pink-Floyd' ('Cymbaline' being still played in concert and they recorded in 2016 'The Man and The Journey' - see here ), their first studio album 'God Has Failed' which contained the magnificent 'Hole In The Sky' has already almost 20 years and listening to the first title of the latest opus, 'A New World', there is no doubtfully, we recognize the particular style of the group, with a slow tempo and an air melody, the singing of 'Yogi Lang' bringing this quiet force well known to fans and instrumental passages are always dotted with beautiful 'Gilmouriens' guitare solos. Following 'Welcome To The Freak Show' which continues in this planing atmosphere and 'Light of the World', with its melody that you immediately enter the head to never leave you brings a symphonic side with the use of keyboards imitating strings , simple but very effective solos transporting us on a small cloud. The sequel is like those first titles with 'Not Our Place to Be' which sees the participation of 'Guy Pratt', the bassist of 'David Gilmour', 'What I Really Need' and its similarities with 'Roses' , then with 'Give Birth to the Sun' which continues in this atmospheric atmosphere with a long, central multi-drawer instrumental part, and the album ending with the ballad 'Far Away from Home' which once again demonstrates this talent for touching melodies as they have done in the past with such titles as 'Crazy Lane', 'Farewell' or 'Breathe in, Breathe out'. In summary, the Germans of 'RPWL' continue to do some made in 'RPWL' and, despite the parallel that we all do with 'Pink-Floyd', have forged their own style over the years and, 'Tales From Outer Spaces' only reinforces the fact that they are an unavoidable group in progressive, melodic and atmospheric music...

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Karlheinz Wallner (Guitar), Markus Jehle (Keybords), Werner Taus (Bass), Marc Turiaux (Drums) + Guests : Guy Pratt (Bass), Torsten Weber (Guitar), Manni Müller (Drums), Bine Heller (Choirs), Carmen Tannich Wallner (Percussions)


Artist : Battle Beast

Album : No More Hollywood Endings

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 06-05-2019

After 'Beast In Black' with their new album 'From Hell with Love' (see here), it's the turn of 'Battle Beast' to release a new studio recording 'No More Hollywood Endings'. On one side, you have a singer with a particular tessitura, 'Yannis Papadopoulos' ('Beast In Black') and on the other the singer 'Noora Louhimo' who has nothing to envy to the figures of prow of the female singers of metal, but in any case, we will not be able to remove this common point : the two Finnish formations have the talent to offer us melodic compositions which attract you from the first listening with a keyboards on the same level than guitar riffs. As for 'Battle Beast', with 'No More Hollywood Endings', it's a series of hits that go by one after the other: 'Unbroken' opens the ball with a first energetic title with a heady chorus, then 'No More Hollywood Endings' and 'Eden' are two melodic jewels that give you a great form. The sequel does not weaken with the very eighties 'Unfairy Tales', then 'Endless Summer' also brings us a few decades back with a 'Tina Turner' side, and, we can say that until then, all the titles could be singles but the second half of the album continues in this way with 'Piece of Me' and 'I Wish', the first title demonstrating the talent of Noora in a powerful and furious song and the second, a power ballad that also confirms that she also knows how to soften her voice to make beautiful pass emotions. Note that this is the version with 2 bonuses that is available in Spotify with a 2nd ballad 'Bent and Broken' and My Last Dream 'which are at the same level as the rest. In short, even if the Finns of 'Battle Beast' do not revolutionize the metal, 'No More Hollywood Endings' is filled with little melodic jewels that are to be enjoyed without moderation and should appeal to all those who love a melodic metal and accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Pyry Vikki (Drums), Joona Björkroth (Guitar, Vocal), Juuso Soinio (Guitar), Eero Sipilä (Bass, Vocal), Janne Björkroth (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : MoodMan

Album : Man of the New Age

Release Date : 28-02-2019

Added : 08-05-2019

After 'Benjamin Simpson' and his album 'Broken Figurines' (see here), here's a Polish artist 'Witold Rolnik' who releases his first studio album 'Man of the New Age' and which is a concept album that addresses topics related to life in the 21st century and this desire that we all have to live better in our current world. If I mentioned 'Benjamin Simpson', it's because these two artists have one thing in common : they are influenced by the progressive rock of the '70s and by listening to the first eponymous title of the album of 'Witold Rolnik', I found myself in a world familiar with this atmospheric ambiance that envelops you in a delicate way and quietly unfolds a beautiful melody with alternating tensions and relaxation with of course the name of 'Roger Waters' that comes immediately to mind and who brings back to the compositions of the American. The whole is a series of melancholy compositions but above enough optimistic in this atmospheric atmosphere where the music is there to serve the lyrics as in 'I'm Stuck Here' and this feeling of being stuck in the routine of the daily life is very well rendered by a haunting and repetitive melody but grows on the end to image a possible freedom. In summary, the Polish 'Witold Rolnik' releases a promising first album that already shows all his compositional talents, and, as I said for 'Benjamin Simpson', certainly has all the abilities to forge his own name and evolve to not to get stuck with this label of too much 'Waterian' influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Witold Rolnik (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Keybords) + Guests : Paweł Korbacz, Jan Mazurek, Paweł Pełczyński, Sergiusz Suporn, Karolina Supron, Hania Sztachańska, Aleksandra Maćkowiak, Katarzyna Nowak, Joanna Stach, Jakub Frydrych, Bartek Kucz, Stanisław Supron


Artist : Appearance Of Nothing

Album : In Times of Darkness

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 10-05-2019

'Appearance Of Nothing' is a Swiss progressive metal band that releases its 4th studio album 'In Time of Darkness'. The two founders 'Omar Cuna' and 'Marc Petralito' are still there but it's now 'Manuel Meinen' and 'Albert Ibrahimaj' who officiate on guitar and 'Ronnie Wolf' on drums. With this opus, they offer us a progressive metal not necessarily accessible at first listen but overall very melodic: 'Inside These Walls' is a very good introduction and shows all the talent of this progressive aspect with a rhythm section that ensures regular tempo changes and we can already note the presence, accompanying the clear singing, of 'Christian Älvestam' growls which will be present throughout the titles but still appropriately. Follows 'The Black Sea' which starts calmly with an acoustic guitar and the cello of 'Tina Guo' (who had made a remarkable performance with 'Joe Bonamassa' - see here), then who develops a first part rising in power until a rupture for a calm section then it is again a brutal rupture for a second powerful section where one finds some growls and the final offers a beautiful melody embellished with a remarkable guitar solo. With 'Storm', it is an alternation between heavy jerky riffs and a melody line that immediately enters into your head and highlights the singer 'Anna Murphy', ex 'Eluveitie', and who has recently founded a new group 'Cellar Darling '(see here), then,' Erase ', after a long introductory crescendo, develops a powerful theme with changes in tempos and intensity. The second part of the album features a powerful 'Deception' which is softened on the finale by a new heady melody, the powerful mid-tempo 'Disaster (Sweetest Enemy)' which sees the participation of singer 'Devon Graves', then 'Lost' which brings electronic sounds and sees the return of Anna for a new duet with Omar and the album ends on the 9 minutes of 'The Huntress' with a fast and powerful central part with growls and solos of keyboards and guitar that surrounds two beautiful melodic quieter parts and which ends in decrescendo on a repetitive theme. In summary, the Swisses of 'Appearance Of Nothing' release a very good album presenting all the ingredients of a progressive metal imaginative, varied and melodic, and as often enough in this style of music, 'In Times of Darkness' requires repeated listenings to tame it completely...

Line Up / Musicians

Omar Cuna (Vocal, Bass), Marc Petralito (Piano, Keybords), Ronnie Wolf (Drums), Manuel Meinen (Guitar), Albert Ibrahimaj (Guitar) + Guests : Anna Murphy (Vocal, Choirs), Tina Guo (Cello), Christian Älvestam (Growls), Devon Graves (Vocal)


Artist : Lion Shepherd

Album : III

Release Date : 29-03-2019

Added : 12-05-2019

I discovered 'Lion Sheppherd' with their 2nd album (see here) and 2019 sees the release of a new album that simply bears the name of 'III'. In the line of 'Heat', they embark us again for a journey in their progressive universe made of a patchwork of influences that we must gently tame listening after listening : 'Uninvited' starts the album with ethnic singings and unfolds an atmospheric mood that begins quietly and that grows and strength on the end of the title then falls back to finish with some piano notes. With 'Good Old Days', it's a slow but powerful track that brings back psychedelic influences of the' 60s / 70s and 'What Went Wrong', in an aerian ambiance, reminds me of some rhythmic sections and melodic lines of 'Sting' (once again, listening to the singing of 'Kamil', I have the feeling to hear the English) and 'Vulnerable' continues in this calm and serene atmosphere with a hardening close to progressive metal on the 2nd part of the title, fully instrumental. Follow 'World on Fire' which mixes oriental and electronic sounds and offers alternating between calm and powerful parts, then change of scenery with 'Fallen Tree' which is a semi acoustic title with a throbbing rhythm and a beautiful vocal performance of Kamil. The end of the album offers us a surprising 'Toxic' with an alternation between a latino rhythm and a psychedelic tempo with a very 'Floydian' final solo, then, 'The Kids Are Not All Right' brings us back to rock influences of seventies with an introduction highlighting the strings of the Atom String Quartet 'and finally, the melancholic' Nobody 'and the ballad' May You All Live in Fascinating Times' and its changes of intensity close the album in a very beautiful way . In short, the Poles of 'Lion Shepherd' continue in the way they began to trace with their previous recordings, combining progressive rock, atmospheric and traditional sounds, mixing acoustic and electric and 'III' is an album of quality that reveals itself, little by little, listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Kamil Haidar (Vocal), Mateusz Owczarek (Guitar, Oud, Bouzouki), Maciek Golyzniak (Drums) + invités : Atom String Quartet (Cordes), Robert Szydlo (basse), Lukasz Damrych (Keybords)


Artist : Avalanch

Album : The Secret

Release Date : 29-03-2019

Added : 14-05-2019

'Avalanch' is a heavy metal band created in the '90s by the Spanish guitarist 'Alberto Rionda' and which had a first period when they were mostly popular in Spain. Their last album 'Malefic Time Apocalypse' dates already from 2011 and it is with new artists that 'Alberto Rionda' has relaunched 'Avalanch' with among others, 'Israel Ramos', from the band 'Amadeus' which now officiates as a singer but also the American 'Mike Terrana' known to have been the drummer of an impressive number of artists including 'Tarja' (they released together 'Beauty & the Beat' here) . This new album has been released in 2 versions, one in English ('The Secret') and the other in Spanish ('El Secreto' - see here) and we can say that with this new line up, the result is a total success with a succession of powerful and melodic titles that catch you immediately. From the beginning, 'The Oracle' and 'Demiurgus' are two energetic tracks with melodic lines quickly assimilated, then, we believe with 'Caduceus' to have the first ballad of the album with a piano/voice introduction but the tone hardens at the end of the first minute and we embarked for a new powerful composition with changes of pace bringing a slight progressive touch. The following is the image of these first titles with a break brought by the semi-acoustic 'Old Soul' whose theme is none other than the adagio of the Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra and which is transformed into a magnificent power ballad. In summary, the Spaniards of ‘Avalanch', with this new line up, released a very good metal album, melodic and accessible and, this in 2 versions, which will undoubtedly allow them to open to a wider and international audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Israel Ramos (Vocal), Alberto Rionda (Guitar), Mike Terrana (Drums), Jorge Salán (Guitar), Manuel Ramil (Keybords), Dirk Schlächter (Bass)


Artist : 'Ain

Album : Flor d’Elixir

Release Date : 05-03-2019

Added : 15-05-2019

After the very good album of ‘Elitania' (see here), Mexico is still on the front of the symphonic metal scene with ''Ain' (do not forget the apostrophe before Ain which is a latinization of 'ayin meaning the eye) which is a duet consisting of mezzo-soprano 'Elena Garnes' and keyboardist 'Francisco Velasco' to which have been added several guests (see below). Although already close to 9 years of existence, 'Flor d'Elixir' is their first studio album and at the first listening, we are embarked on a symphonic style both powerful and melodic with Elena's lyric singing which can reminds 'Tarja' and in 'Time's Embrace' the choirs of the 'Panthea Choir Ensamble' bring an original encounter between metal and classical (Be Careful, in Spotify, there is a reversal between 'Black Lake' and 'Time's Embrace'). Several compositions have oriental melodic influences like 'Nacre Moonlight' or 'Adonia', others are more classic like mid-tempo 'Those Lost Things' and the melodic 'Winterheart', 'Black Lake' and 'Sleeping Alone', others are calmer as the power ballade 'Nieve Negra' or the magnificent 'Lake Black II' in Piano / Voice acoustics but the title track of the album is without contest 'Oracle' which is an epic saga closely of 15 minutes in the style of what 'Christofer Johnsson' can do with 'Therion' and which sums up the album by itself with a mix of classic and metal. Note that the Spotify version offers us two additional titles, the power ballad 'Vigourus Spring' and the magnificient 'Hidden' completely out of step with the rest because it is a sensual and stripped piano/voice between blues and jazz in which Elena shows all her talent with her clear voice. In summary, ''Ain' is a very promising new project mixing different styles of metal and 'Flor d'Elixir' can be recommended for all lovers of symphonic metal who like formations like 'Therion' or 'Epica'...

Line Up / Musicians

Elena Garnes (Vocal), Francisco Velasco (Piano, Keybords) + Guests : Nishad George (Guitar), Christophe Godin (Guitar), Paco Oso Morales (Bass), Koen Herfst (Drums), Ana María Pimentel Arámbula (Vocal), Romina Guardino (Choirs), Panthea Choir Ensemble (Choirs), Felipe A. Souza (Guitar)


Artist : Roman Rouzine

Album : Humans

Release Date : 15-03-2019

Added : 16-05-2019

'Roman Rouzine' is an emeritus guitarist who, after 'Genesis of Delirium' in 2014 (see here) releases a new album 'Humans'. He continues to be influenced by neoclassical currents by mixing electric guitar with orchestral music with a sensitivity that is undoubtedly linked to his Slavic origins. All his opus are fully instrumental and his great strength is to highlight the electric guitar that replaces the singing because he has this gift to make it 'sing' and to convey all kinds of feelings. The result is quite bluffing because it embeds us in titles that all transpire a palpable emotion and this, of entry with the first 3 compositions 'Drama', 'Aura' and 'Mad Circus' which transport us on a small cloud with solos where he perfectly masters his art, the technique of guitar being totally at the service of the interpretation to transmit to the listener a pleasure of listening which, for my part, often brought me this little thrill so characteristic (The central part of 'Aura' reminds me of a certain 'Ritchie Blackmore' in 'Mistreated' from the live 'Live in Europe' in 1976). With 'Lacrimosa', he uses the theme of 'Mozart' in the introduction to revisit the excerpt of the 'Requiem', then, 'Pulse' is more joyful with an alternation between Western and Eastern influences, then, with 'ATO', we return to a dark subject, the war in Ukraine orchestrated by the Russians which is of a formidable emotional force just like 'Disgrace' with its slow tempo where his guitar does wonders, the album ending with 'Hidden Faces' with its beautiful alternation between tension and relaxation, 'Reminiscence' which brings us back to orchestral music with grandiose choirs and finally 'Rebirth' which concludes the album on a more optimistic note. In summary, 'Roman Rouzine' releases a quality instrumental album with this gift to give a real soul to his guitar, and, 'Humans' is recommended to all those who love mixing melodic metal and classical music...

Line Up / Musicians

Roman Rouzine (Guitar), Elvis Slonina (Bass), Jyhell (Guitar), Laura Nicogossian (Piano), Quentin Regnault (Drums)


Artist : Crea

Album : Dwarves & Penguins

Release Date : 29-03-2019

Added : 18-05-2019

'Crea' is a Swedish progressive rock band that I discover only now but which has already thirty years of existence. They are influenced by the progressive currents of the last fifty years and we can here and there to do some parallels with formations like 'Marillion' or 'Pink Floyd', their sounds take us a few decades back with keyboards that are put forward. The short instrumental that debuted the album, 'The March of the Penguins' (rhythmic images very well the title), already shows keyboards sounds close to 'ELP' sonorities, then, change of style, with 'Some of Us' which takes us to a calm title in which 'Peter Gren' brings a nice serenity thanks to his singing that perfectly matches the atmosphere but also has a gift to pass emotions with his guitar in a very beautiful ‘Floydian’ solo at the end of the title. The following titles scroll 'Shattered Vision' and 'Second Thoughts' that make me think of the atmospheres of 'Saga', 'Millenium' is a beautiful melodic ballad without real progressive component, then, with 'The March of the Dwarves' which is an instrumental title, we return to a progressive style made of several parts with a rhythmic frame that once again expresses very well a march, and finally, 'Walk into Bright Lights' and 'Barbarossa' which close the album and which are the longest titles, embark us on neo-progressive with the same references between 'Marillion' and 'Saga'. In summary, the Swedes from 'Crea' are releasing a quality album with some progressive components and 'Dwarves & Penguins' is to be recommended to all those who appreciate the formations of the 70s/80s like 'Pink-Floyd' or 'Genesis’ and those of the 80s/90s like 'Saga' or 'Marillion'...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Gren (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Anders Karlsson (Keybords), Nicke Bjerke (Bass), Sonny Johansson (Drums), Tomas B (Keybords) + Guest : Roland Vocalra (Choirs)


Artist : Francis Rossi, Hannah Rickard

Album : We Talk Too Much

Release Date : 15-03-2019

Added : 19-05-2019

After the 2 'Aquostic' released in 2014 (see here) and in 2016 (see here) with the late 'Rick Parfitt' ( see his album here) and the acoustic at the 'Royal Albert Hall' in 2018 (see here), 'Francis Rossi', at the dawn of his 70 years, released a new album with 'Hannah Richard' who was already part of the projects 'Aquostic'. Listening to this new album, I found the soft side of 'Status Quo' which has accompanied me for several decades and even if the general public knows more the energetic boogie/rock of 'Status Quo', we know less titles (dear to 'Francis Rossi') which have 'this festive side that is good for the soul' and which, for me, have been part of the discography of the group since the 70s as well as standards : from the first title 'I'll Take You Home', the introduction brings me back without a certain nostalgia to the 'Cross That Bridge' of 1988 (see here) with of course the country side who replaced the boogie/rock style but in both cases is still festive. With 'But I Just Said Goodbye', I find the melodic lines of 'Fine Fine Fine' already from the album 'Quo' of 1974 (see here) and 'Waiting for Jesus' is the typical example of songs like 'Marguerita Time' of 1983 (see here) or 'Invitation' of 1986 (see here) or 'Going Down For The First Time' of 1989 (see here). In all the compositions, we feel this happiness and this complicity to play together to offer us simple but effective and catchy melodies from the first listening and which give you the desire to sing in unison. In summary, 'Hannah Rickard' and 'Francis Rossi' give us a great time with this country style that has similarities to 'Status Quo' melodies and, therefore, 'We Talk Too Much', beyond the important fan base of 'Quo', is intended for a large audience who loves festive songs that all have something timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Hannah Richard (Vocal, Violin), Francis Rossi (Vocal, Guitar), Clark Coslett-Hughes (Bass), Gary Twigg (Bass), Leon Cave (Drums), Paul Hirsch (Keybords), Richard Cottle (Keybords), Henry Senior Jr (Guitar), Joe Harvey-Whyte (Guitar)


Artist : Bonnie Tyler

Album : Between the Earth and the Stars

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 21-05-2019

'Francis Rossi' is a very busy man right now, because, just after 'We Talk Too Much' with 'Hannah Rickard' (see here), he participated in the new album of an iconic 1970s/80s singer, 'Bonnie Tyler', who is back on the international stage (her latest album 'Rocks & Honey', already released in 2013) and who is taking the opportunity to celebrate her 50-year of career. For this last opus, she offers us 3 duets with longtime friends, 'Rod Stewart', 'Cliff Richard' and so 'Francis Rossi' and she is also surrounded by many other artists (see the complete list below). We find the scratchy voice that has accompanied us for several decades with titles that have been around the world and the 14 new tracks are in the style of the British with attractive melodies from the first listen, in styles that range from international variety to rock : the opus is divided between energetic titles like the very rhythmic 'Slow Walk', the boogie/rock 'Someone's Rockin' Your Heart' written by 'Francis Rossi' and 'Bob Young', the duet with 'Rod Stewart', 'Battle of the Sexes', the other duet with 'Cliff Richard', 'Taking Control' or 'Do not Push Your Luck', but also quieter titles such as mid-tempo 'Hold On' who is in the style of the 80s and beautiful ballads in which she excels as 'Seven Waves Away' written by the 'Gibb' family, or the stripped piano/voice 'Older', or the title track of the album or 'To the Moon and Back '. In summary, 'Bonnie Tyler' celebrates her 50-year career with an album that offers melodic and very accessible songs, and 'Between the Earth and the Stars' brings us back to the 80s style with a mix of pop, rock, soul and international variety...

Line Up / Musicians

Bonnie Tyler (Vocal), Francis Rossi (Vocal, Guitar), Cliff Richard (Vocal), Rod Stewart (Vocal), Miriam Stockley (Choirs), Kevin Dunne (Bass), Bob Jenkins (Drums), Bob Huff (Guitar), Ray Russell (Guitar), Matt Prior (Guitar), David Mackay (Keybords, Bass, Choirs), Richard Cottle (Percussions, Keybords, Saxophone), Miriam Grey (Choirs), Claire McInerney (Saxophone), Laurence Cottle (Bass, Trombone), Leon Cave (Drums), Paul Hirsh (Keybords), Geoff Whitehorn (Guitar, Nichol Thomson (Trombone), Adam Linsley (Trumpet), Tom Walsh (Trumpet), Brian Cadd (Choirs), Daz Shields (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Ian Lynn (Bass), Ian Stuart-Lynn (Piano, Keybords), Lorraine Crosby (Choirs), Stuart Emerson (Choirs), Amy Wadge (Choirs), Claudio Corona (Organ), Tom E Morrison (Bass, Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Solarus

Album : Darkest Days

Release Date : 12-04-2019

Added : 23-05-2019

'Solarus' is a symphonic metal band of Canadians that have just released their second studio album, 'Darkest Days', the first opus 'Reunion' dated from 2017 (see here). From the first listen, we find influences of the leaders of this style and the singer 'Sarah Dee' has all the qualities with a powerful voice in the energetic compositions but also in the quieter titles and she shows them to us from the first titles : after the instrumental opening title, the first 2 tracks 'My Darkest Days' and 'Limbo' put us in the bath with catchy melodic lines and powerful guitar riffs; then, something rare enough to emphasize, a first piano ballad/voice arrives in 4th position with a beautiful performance of Sarah who demonstrates that she knows, while keeping a powerful voice, transmit emotion in this song. Follows 'Arrival', close enough to 'Limbo', then 'Dear Savior' is a power ballad reminiscent of the melodic lines of 'Within Temptation' and besides, I feel like I hear 'Sharon den Adel' in the chorus, 'Embers in the Rain' and 'My World' then take us back to a powerful and rhythmic metal while keeping effective melodic lines just like the 'Requiem for the Fallen (Pt. II) ', the album ending with a wonderful ballad 'The Final Hour' and by a last energetic and fast title 'In Memoriam (Immortal)'. In summary, the Canadians of 'Solarus' released a good symphonic metal album, and we hope that in the near future, that they will build their own personality to open to a larger audience because this second opus 'Darkest Days' shows that they have all the qualities and capabilities to achieve this...

Line Up / Musicians

Sarah Dee (Vocal), Lucas McArthur (Guitar), Nich Longe (Drums, Percussions), Mark Feeney (Bass)


Artist : Julian Sas

Album : Stand Your Ground

Release Date : 05-04-2019

Added : 25-05-2019

Like many blues artists right now (see 'John Mayall' here or 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' here or 'Walter Trout' here), the Dutchman 'Julian Sas' is releasing a new album which is a return to the sources of the blues and which has been recorded in a very short time to keep this energy which characterizes lives. And, as Julian himself says, these new titles came naturally during jam sessions and this time it's the music that has come to us without a long process of composition. And, this is totally confirmed from the first title 'Runnin' for the Money' which is a critical of the power of money and a first tempo that makes us swing to the rhythm of the music and this gift of Julian to imbricate his voice with his guitar. So we sail through authentic blues with first some catchy titles like 'Stand Your Ground', 'Get on Up' or the blues/rock 'These 18 Wheels' with these sounds of the Hammond organ which takes us few decades back, but also with melodic and sensual jewels that convey a real emotion like 'Do not Let Me Down' and this cry of the heart, 'Anything' that captivates us all in this long air title and which is reminiscent of the guitar feeling of 'Mark Knopfler', or the classic but incredibly effective 'Howlin Wind'. In summary, 'Julian Sas' joins this band of artists who do good by offering us a classic but authentic blues and 'Stand Your Ground' is still an album to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Julien Sas (Vocal, Guitar), Roland Bakker (Keybords), Fotis Anagnostou (Bass), Lars-Erik van Elzakker (Drums)


Artist : Elessär

Album : Kósmos

Release Date : 28-03-2019

Added : 27-05-2019

'Elessär' is an Argentinean symphonic metal band that is already a dozen years old and which released its second studio album 'Kósmos', which in Greek is a harmonious order and I quote the group on their bancamp page : "This harmony or order is nothing more than an extrapolation of our experienced inner states from which we interpret the world and open ourselves up to it. Therefore, it’s up to us to decide whether to live aligned with our current state in which we can conceive the world as an orderly whole, or, on the contrary, as a complete chaos dominated by our Ego". It is with this album that I discover them and, first of all, they did not do things halfway because it’s about 65 minutes of symphonic metal with incursions in the progressive and power which is offered to us : from the first title 'Ultimate Escape', we embark on a powerful and energetic title with an important role of keyboards and with the singing of 'Alejandra Barro' who has nothing to envy to the best female singers of the genre and which offers a real instrumental part in the middle of the title with keyboards and guitar that send each other the ball. Follows 'Impetus' which, after an acoustic introduction, is fast and powerful in a first part with a memorable chorus and which turns into a grand mid-tempo on the end with great reinforcement of keyboards and which shows that the group also knows how to vary the moods inside a composition. The same goes for the following 2 tracks, first with the symphonic instrumental 'Introducing the Majestic' and then 'Afraid', which is a powerful remake of the catchy theme, which offers a beautiful central part with an Argentine tango that totally blends into the whole title. The sequel shows us that they are also very comfortable in softer compositions with firstly the beautiful ballads 'Eternity' and 'Inside' then 'Truth' which embarks us in a power ballad with a classical melody but a formidable efficiency, the album ending with a new melodic jewel 'Inside The Kósmos' where 'Alejandra Barro' enchants us one last time. The other more energetic compositions of the second part of the album are also remarkable with the eponymous title of the album and its catchy melody reminiscent of 'Nightwish', then 'The Way' which begins in an electro-metal mix and which undergoes beautiful changes of tempos and which makes it one of the most varied titles, then, 'Be Still' which mixes symphonic and progressive metal with several nested parts. In short, the Argentineans from 'Elessär' have reached a maturity that will certainly allow them to play in the major league with rich and varied compositions and this last album 'Kósmos' should make happy among fans of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Alejandra Barro (Vocal), Howen Rava (Guitar), Joshua Rava (Drums), Rafael Uribe (Bass), Sebastián Barrio Martín (Keybords)


Artist : Eris Pluvia

Album : Tales from Another Times

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 29-05-2019

We go to Italy with the band 'Eris Pluvia' which has not a very important production activity since its first album in 1991, because it was necessary to wait 2010 for a second album 'Third Eye Light' and 'Tales from Another Times' is their 4th studio album after 'Different Earths' that I reviewed in 2016 (see here ). We find this peaceful atmosphere and air brought by the flute of 'Roberta Piras' from the first instrumental track 'When Love Dies' then, 'Lost in the Sands' continues in this atmosphere that can recall groups of progressive 70s / 80s and for my part, the melodic lines remind me of 'Barclay James Harvest'. The title that follows, 'The song of Jeanne' is the longest title of the album and embarks us for a quiet and serene progressive saga of more than 17 minutes with, first of all, a first part where 'Roberto Minniti' shares the singing with 'Ludovica Strizoli' and ends with a 'Floydien' guitar solo, then begins a very refined second part with some keyboards that are gradually joined by the flute of 'Roberta Piras', an acoustic guitar and then the song of Ludovica, the suite moving towards an atmosphere between pop and folk to finish with an instrumental decrescendo with keyboards, guitar and flute. 'The Call of Cthulu', the 2nd long title, continues in this progressive style bringing a heavier atmosphere, and the instrumental 'Last Train to Atlana' takes us back to an aerial flute/acoustic guitar ballad , and finally, the final title 'The Hum', which is the 3rd long title with more than 14 minutes, is certainly the most progressive and the most varied with several changes of tempo and intensity, always keeping this atmosphere light and serene. In summary, the Italians of 'Eris Pluvia' come back with a very good album by embarking us on their world very influenced by the 70s and 'Tales from Another Times' is advisable to all those who love the formations of that time like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Renaissance' (see their last live here), or the psychedelic side of ‘Pink Floyd’...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Cavatorti (Guitar), Marco Forella (Bass, Piano, Keybords, Drums), Roberta Piras (Flute), Roberto Minniti (Vocal) + Guest : Ludovica Strizoli (Vocal)


Artist : The Treatment

Album : Power Crazy

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 31-05-2019

If you're looking for some authentic hard-rock that comes straight from the '70s/'80s, I've got what you need with the latest 'Power Crazy' album from the English of 'The Treatment' which could be a cross between 'AC / DC', 'Status Quo' and 'ZZ Top'. From the start, 'Let's Get Dirty' puts us in the bath with a mid-tempo where 'Tom Rampton' recalls a certain 'Bon Scott', then 'Rising Power' continues in this way in a rhythm of hell that gives you the desire to stomp, the title that follows 'On the Money' always with the same energy and reminds the rhythm of 'ZZ Top'. And it continues with a 'Bite Back' that would not be denied by our friends of the Kangaroos’s country, then, the first well-deserved break comes with 'Luck Of The Draw' which could be a mix of 'The Jack' of AC / DC 'and AB Blues' from 'Status Quo'. The sequel is like this album debut with compositions as energetic as each other and always with the same irresistible urge to headbang and stomp until the last title 'Falling Down' which has nothing to envy to 'Down Down' or 'Caroline' of 'Status Quo'. In summary, 'The Treatment' offers us with these 12 compositions a concentrate of dynamite and 'Power Crazy' is recommended to all those who are hard-rock fans of the 70s / 80s and who are fond of the groups mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Rampton (Vocal), Tagore Grey (Guitar), Tao Grey (Guitar), Dhani Mansworth (Drums), Rick 'Swoggle' Newman (Bass)


Artist : Inhepsie

Album : Onirique

Release Date : 22-03-2019

Added : 02-06-2019

'Inhepsie' is a French band formed already 18 years ago by 'Cathy Bontant' and 'Jean Suire' and who define themselves as making atmospheric metal. They have just released a new album 'Onirique' and it is with this last recording studio which is their 4th album that I discover them. From the first listening, I think it would be reductive to limit them to atmospheric metal because they mix with French song, melodic and symphonic styles, the writings of the lyrics in the ‘language of Molière’ in the form of poems bringing an offbeat side, often melancholic but very endearing. First, after the short instrumental introduction 'Intro', 'Ode a la nuit’ opens the ball with a powerful and melodic symphonic section that precedes the clear and aerial singing of 'Cathy Bontant' and it is precisely this subtle alchemy that makes the particularity of ‘Inhepsie'. Follows 'The other reality' which reminds me of what 'Therion' has done in 'Les Fleurs Du Mal' by 'metallizing' French songs, then 'Est-ce Important' is a melancholic composition that combines beautiful way the serenity of the piano and the power of guitar riffs that are also found in 'L’instant égaré' or 'Onirique'. We will also note titles like 'L'indifférence' built in 2 parts which brings a slight progressive aspect, the mid-tempo ' Oublier qui je suis' flirting with symphonic metal as 'Funambule', the album ending with 'Regrets' with one last memorable melody. In summary, while many metal formations try to copy the tenors of the genre, the French of ‘Inhepsie' show us very beautifully that they have forged their own style that could be called 'poetic metal' and this last album 'Onirique' is recommended to all those who love a refined metal combining power and serenity...

Line Up / Musicians

Cathy Bontant (Vocal, Keybords), Jean Suire (Guitar), Adrien Rougé (Guitar), Daniella Coulon (Bass), Dany Ladrat (Drums)


Artist : Starquake

Album : Time Space Matter

Release Date : 29-03-2019

Added : 04-06-2019

You are looking for a return in the '70s with a sample of the best in rock and hard rock of the day: here is 'Starquake', which is the project of the German 'Mikey Wenzel' who released a second studio album 'Time Space Matter' after 'Time That Matter' in 2015 (see here). The first title sets the tone with an introduction where the Hammond organ recalls 'Deep Purple' and continues in an atmosphere mixing influences of 'Uriah Heep' for the energetic side and 'Styx' for the central instrumental part. With 'Goddammaddog', the folk atmosphere of the introduction gives way to an energetic melody with a chorus that goes into your head without letting go, then 'Jack' continues in this way with always the same references. Next are 4 tracks, 'Matona Mia Cara', which takes us on a short, offbeat break in a church song, 'Time - It's Always Now', which goes back to unbridled hard-rock, 'Space - Lost Souls', second title quirky. in an atmospheric atmosphere, then 'Matter - And The Giant was gentle' gathering various influences with a theme close to 'Jethro Tull'. But the main title of the album is without contest 'A Never Give Up Suite', lasting 17 minutes and embarking us for a saga of the seventies with all kinds of influences as diverse as 'Deep Purple', 'Uriah Heep', 'Bruce Springsteen', 'Focus', 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' or 'Pink Floyd' and even a few incursion into Jazz. In summary, with this latest album of his project 'Starquake', 'Mikey Wenzel' offers a patchwork of references to the 70s and 'Time Space Matter' is recommended to all those who love major rock and hard-rock bands of the seventies...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikey Wenzel (Vocal) + Guests : Jan "Donkey" van Meerendonk (Drums), Alex Kugler Guitar), Andi Pernpeintner (Hammond)


Artist : Loonypark

Album : Deep Space Eight

Release Date : 17-04-2019

Added : 06-06-2019

After 'Perpetual' in 2016 (see here), the Polish group 'Loonypark' releases a new album 'Deep Space Eight' with a new female singer 'Magda Grodecka' who replaces 'Sabina Godula-Zając'. They continue to offer us a delicate and refined progressive rock with melodies close to bands like 'Mostly Autumn' (see here), the Brazilians of 'Fleesh' (see here) or 'Brave' (see here ) to name just three in my latest reviews. 'We Do not Wanna Die' starts the album with a first touching performance of Magda who has a powerful voice while remaining light and airy and that fits perfectly with the mid-tempos and beautiful melodies which are often melancholic. Follows the ballad 'The Space Between Us' with beautiful melodic lines then, 'Time Lines' accelerates the pace at the beginning of the title and then returns to an atmospheric ambiance on the second part with a very nice guitar solo and ends as he had begun. The following scrolls a new ballad 'Believe', 'Little Girl' reminiscent of the melodic lines of 'Karnataka', 'Are We Alone' which hardens the tone in a more removed tempo and some guitar riffs, the album is ending with the longest titles on the album, first of all 'Afraid of Tomorrow' which slowly unfolds its beautiful melody in an airy atmosphere and then 'Odyssey' which alternates several atmospheres between melancholy and lightness. In summary, the Poles of 'Loonypark' release a quality 5th album that reflects their trademark with beautiful accessible melodies and 'Deep Space Eight' should be appreciated by lovers of a peaceful and airy progressive rock that are fans of the formations mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Krzysztof Lepiarczyk (Keybords), Piotr Lipka (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums), Magda Grodecka (Vocal), Piotr Grodecki (Guitar)


Artist : Pristine

Album : Road Back to Ruin

Release Date : 19-04-2019

Added : 08-06-2019

After 'Ninja' in 2017 (see here), the Norwegians of 'Pristine' come back with a new studio album 'Road Back to Ruin' and continue in the way they had traced with the latest opus. We find influences of the 70s between blues, rock and hard-rock starting with an energetic 'Sinnerman' with a central keyboard solo very 'Purplulien' and the confirmation that ‘Heidi Solheim' is still at the top with her voice. The eponymous title of the album that follows takes us back to the beginning of 'Led Zeppelin' with a slow tempo and a very heavy sound where Heidi still shows the best just like in 'Bluebird' with its swaying rhythm and then 'Landslide' is a blues/rock that the 'Stones' wouldn’t have denied. The first break is brought by the beautiful ballad 'Aurora Skies' quite bare where Heidi embarks us on a small cloud, then the energetic side restarts again with 'Pioneer' which is a classic hard-rock but so effective and has a memorable chorus. The following scrolls the powerful 'Blind Spot' and its tormented rhythm, 'The Sober' which sends us back to an effective 70s hard-rock, then, the very sensual blues, 'Cause and Effect', where Heidi demonstrates once again that she can also compete with the best blues singers, 'Your Song' and its country style and finish a super-vitamin 'Dead End' and on the Spotify version a live version of 'Ghost Chase' from the album 'Ninja' which allows to realize the live quality of this band. In summary, the Norwegians of 'Pristine', led by 'Heidi Solheim' who once again demonstrates that she can tackle all repertoires, release an excellent album that takes us back a few decades back with an irreproachable modern sound and 'Road Back to Ruin' is a summary of different styles of the seventies that should appeal to all those who love this period but is also accessible to a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Solheim (Vocal), Espen Elverum Jakobsen (Guitar), Anders Oskal (Keybords), Åsmund Wilter Kildal Eriksson (Bass), Kim Karlsen (Drums)


Artist : Aaron Lewis

Album : State I’m In

Release Date : 12-04-2019

Added : 10-06-2019

'Aaron Lewis' persists and signs in his new country life because after 'Sinner' in 2016 (see here), here is his little brother 'State I'm In' which came out early April. He embarks us for 10 compositions of country which only him holds the secret of and which include this little extra that make all melodies out of time. Listening to 'Reconsider' or 'It Keeps On Workin' or 'God And Guns', we have the impression to have already heard them somewhere and even if the texts are quite black, all titles have some something authentic that brings us back to the roots of this style deeply rooted in American culture. In short, 'Aaron Lewis' continues his way in the country track he began to draw with 'Town Line' in 2011 and 'State I'm In' is an album for all the fans of this traditional style and timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Lewis (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Wyatt Beard (Choirs), Ron Block (Guitar), Jim "Moose" Brown (Keybords), Pat Buchanan (Guitar), Buddy Cannon (Choirs), Melonie Cannon (Choirs), Sidney Cox (Choirs), Suzanne Cox (Choirs), Tony Creasman (Drums), Paul Franklin (Guitar), Vince Gill (Guitar), Kevin Grantt (Bass), Ben Haggard (Guitar), Ben Isaacs (Choirs), Sonya Isaacs (Choirs), Jamey Johnson (Choirs), Ben Kitterman (Dobro), Alison Krauss (Choirs), Brent Mason (Guitar), Danny Parks (Guitar), Mickey Raphael (Harmonica), Michael Rojas (Hammond, Piano), Bobby Terry (Guitar), Dan Tyminski (Guitar, Mandolin, Choirs)


Artist : Lonely Robot

Album : Under Stars

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 12-06-2019

Between all his projects and his participation as a guest on various albums of progressive rock formations (search 'John Mitchell' in myprogmusic), 'John Mitchell' is busy and 2019 sees the release of the last part of the trilogy of the adventures of the space man, 'Under Stars' whose first 2 episodes were from 2015 ('Please Come Home' - see here ) and 2017 ('The Big Dream' - see the review here). We find again the style of the previous opus, starting with the instrumental 'Terminal Earth' which sets the scene quietly in an atmospheric way, then, 'Ancient Ascendant' is typical of a refined progressive that alternates serenity and power a little in style Arena '. With 'Icarus', we are close to the Germans of 'RPWL' with a memorable chorus (see their latest album here ), and then, the eponymous song of the album makes me think to the atmospheres of 'Phil Collins' in his solo albums of the 80s and John gratifies us in this title of a great guitar solo. Follows 'Authorship Of Our Lives' which continues in this delicate style with reverberations in the vocals that accentuate the atmospheric side as 'The Signal' with keyboards that make the cosmic aspect very well. As for 'The Only Time I Do not Belong Is Now', we return to a quiet atmosphere close to 'RPWL' with keyboards very present and the following titles continue in this direction with the melodic 'How Bright Is the Sun? 'which is very close to' Reach for the Sun 'from the album' The Rpwl Experience 'of the Germans (see here), the album ending with the short instrumental 'Inside the Machine' with again a very 'Floydian' solo then 'An Ending' which closes the trilogy with a purified and melancholic title. In summary, with this latest album from 'Lonely Robot', 'John Mitchell' continues to offer us an accessible, refined and melodic progressive, and like the first two parts of this trilogy, 'Under Stars' should fill all fans of progressive and beyond, is likely to reach a wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Craig Blundell (Drums), Nick Beggs (Bass), Liam Holmes (Keybords)


Artist : Hardline

Album : Life

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 13-06-2019

After 'Human Nature' in 2016 (see here), the Italo-Americans of 'Hardline' come back with a new album simply called 'Life' and confirms that they are a major formation of melodic hard-rock. The trio 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', 'Johnny Gioeli' and 'Anna Portalupi' are still there but they welcome a new guitarist 'Mario Percudani' who is often remarked in many ways in many titles and a new drummer 'Marco Di Salvia which ensures a rhythm section always very effective. The opus consists of 12 tracks with from one side good melodic hard-rock that immediately enters into your head: impossible to stay marble listening to 'Take a Chance', 'Helio's Sun', 'Hold on to Right ',' Story of My Life 'or' Chamaleon '. And then, they also have the talent to give us beautiful, quieter titles like the power ballad 'Page of Your Life' which must certainly remind some of those of 'Scorpions' or the other ballad 'My Love' where the singing of 'Johnny Gioeli' fills the whole space. We can also note, on the one hand, the cover of 'Who Wants to Live Forever' of 'Queen' in which 'Johnny Gioeli' does not try to copy 'Freddy Mercury' but appropriates it himself totally while keeping the force emotional of the original, and secondly, the last title 'My Friend' which embarks us one last time but this time in an acoustic atmosphere full of sensitivity. In summary, between energy and emotion, there is nothing to throw in this last album of 'Hardline' and 'Life' is advisable to all fans of an accessible melodic hard rock and is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs), Mario Percudani (Guitar), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Marco Di Salvia (Drums)


Artist : Leverage

Album : Determinus

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 15-06-2019

'Leverage' is a Finnish band that mixes different genres between hard rock and metal and had a first career in the early 2000s to 2009 with 3 albums (2 are available in Spotify - see here and here), which reappears after ten years with a new album 'Determinus', a new singer 'Kimmo Blom' and a new guitarist 'Mikko Salovaara', both having taken the crucial role within the formation. At the first listening of this last opus, many names of formations of rock or hard-rock of the last forty years came to my mind because the whole is varied and makes us travel in a patchwork of influences: 'Burn Love Burn' starts the album with an energetic and melodic title that has several parts with several changes of tempo and melodic lines which brings a progressive side to the title, then, with 'Wind of Morrigan' we embark for a catchy composition that mixes Celtic influences and rock close to 'Kansas'. Follow 'Tiger', heavier but still catchy and melodic reminiscent of the style of 'Survivor' in the 80s, then the ballad 'Red Moon over Sonora' allows a break that brings us back to the intonations of 'Kansas'. As for the epic and theatrical 'Mephistocrates', it offers us an instrumental section worthy of the name with a masterful guitar solo and 'Afterworld's Disciple' returns to the style of 'Tiger' and the power ballad 'When We Were Young' (and yes for the over 50 !), brings us back to the 80s and recalls the best compositions that slowly caused the arms to move in the air from one side to another, of an entire audience. The sequel offers the powerful 'Heaven's No Place For Us' and its little mid-title acoustic pause that precedes a magnificent 'Blackmorian' guitar solo, the catchy 'Hand of God' whose instrumental part alternates beautifully with acoustic guitar and electric, then the album ends with 'Rollerball' looking like 'Deep Purple' and, 'Troy', which one last time, embarks us into a memorable melody. In summary, the Finns of 'Leverage' return to the front of the hard-rock scene by offering us an excellent album at once varied, accessible and especially very melodic and 'Determinus' should appeal to a large public who sails between rock and hard-rock whether they be FM, symphonic or melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Kimmo Blom (Vocal), Tuomas Heikkinen (Guitar), Mikko Salovaara (Guitar), Sami Norrbacka (Bass), Marko Niskala (Keybords), Valtteri Revonkorpi (Drums)


Artist : Qantice

Album : The Anastoria

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 17-06-2019

Five long years that fans of the 'Qantice' French band were waiting for a new record and it is done with 'The Anostoria' released at the end of April. And it was worth the wait because this last album is once again a total success; we already knew their universe well thanks to the first two opus (listen on Spotify The Cosmocinesy and The Phantonauts) and on this side we are not surprised that they are transporting us back to a futuristic world. On the musical side, they are unclassifiable and we could invent a new term, like power metal cinémato-symphonico-theatrical-classico ... (and so on) because, for the life of me, I do not see other formations that look like them. In 'The Anostaria', each composition has an originality that makes it unique and has a high instrumental and vocal richness while remaining very accessible. After the very cinematic introduction 'Gone Astray' led by classical instruments on which is added few notes of electric guitar, 'Once Upon A Sun' is an energetic and fast title which puts us directly in the bath with a first memorable chorus, then 'Without a Hero' continues in this all traced way with beautiful vocal harmonies and alternation between fast parts and other quieter. With 'Petrified Manor' and its slower tempo, the mix of guitar riffs and strings works wonders and 'Rivers Can not Fly' leaves again for a new and joyful title where 'Alexandra Laya' gives us 'a masterful accompaniment to the violin. A break is brought by 'Cosmic Sway' which is much softer and in which the flute brings an air side then 'Little Knight's Oath' mix metal, folk and fantasy film music and 'Fractal Universe' embarks us for a new melody where the Italian tenor 'Riccardo Cecci' forms a beautiful duet with 'David Åkesson'. With 'Krooner' and 'Mad Clowns', these are two catchy titles that make us travel in a swing atmosphere for the first and a mix between musical comedy and circus for the second and 'Timeline Tragedy', of over 9 minutes and built in several parts, is a bit of a summary of all these atmospheres that 'Qantice' mix for the best for this result so original and it is with the epic instrumental 'Farewell at the Edge of the World' that the album ends . In summary, this third album of the French 'Qantice' is a very good surprise 2019 and confirms that they are a group apart within the metal sphere and that they bring each time this unique style made of a patchwork of different genres, but the other side of the coin, is that they risk to be restricted at an informed public and that’s a shame...

Line Up / Musicians

David Åkesson (Vocal, Choirs, Trumpet), Tony Beaufils (Guitar, Banjo, Bouzouki, Keybords), Alexandra Laya (Violin), Christine Lanusse (Bass), Aurélien Joucla (Drums) + invités : Riccardo Cecchi (Vocal), Dimitri Halby (Flute), John Lang (Bagpipe), Justine Descamps (Hautbois), Arnaud Condé (Flute, Basson), Kevin Codfert (Piano), Tomaz Boucherifi-Kadiou (Bombarde)


Artist : tRKproject (The Ryszard Kramarski Project )

Album : Mr Scrooge

Release Date : 17-04-2019

Added : 19-06-2019

The Polish 'Ryszard Kramarski' is not a stranger to progressive rock fans because he is the founder of 'Millenium' whose last 2 releases date from 2017 with the album '44 Minutes ' (see my review here) and 2018 for the EP 'MMXVIII' (see here) but also has a solo project 'The Ryszard Kramarski Project' and it's in this context that 'Mr Scrooge' comes out, 2 other albums have already been released in 2017 'Music Inspired By The Little Prince' (see my review here) and 2018 'Sounds from the Past' (see here). In this project also appears 'Grzegorz Fieber', the drummer of 'Loonypark' (see their latest album released recently here). This last opus is inspired by the Christmas tale 'A Christmas Carol' by 'Charles Dickens' and the different compositions go through the story of Ebenezer Scrooge'. On the musical level, we find the style that we knew on the other albums, namely, a melancholic and melodic progressive rock with references of groups like of course 'Millenium' or 'Loonypark' but also 'Mostly Autumn' (see here) or 'Karnataka' (see here) or 'Fleesh' that I recently discovered (see here). 'Karolina Leszko' continues to enchant us with her soft and subtle voice that goes perfectly with the harmonious compositions as for example in 'My Old Friend' where her vocals on the last part are a real pleasure (if you like her voice, she just released a piano voice album in Polish here) and the guitar solos of 'Marcin Kruczek' are still masterful in a very 'Gilmourian' style, 'Ryszard Kramarski' allowing it to express himself in instrumental parts worthy of the name as in the first part of 'First Spirit'. I could quote all titles but it would be a long review because there is no title below another, then, enough talk, the best is to press the play button and get carried away by these beautiful melodies. In short, this last album filled with emotion, melancholy and refinement of the solo project of 'Ryszard Kramarski' is still a total success and 'Mr Scrooge' is to be recommended to all those who privilege in progressive rock the side soft and melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Grzegorz Fieber (BAtteire, Percussions), Karolina Leszko (Vocal), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass)


Artist : Protean Circus

Album : Rhymes in the Voice of River

Release Date : 10-04-2019

Added : 21-06-2019

'Protean Circus' is an Italian band that was born in 2016 and released their first album 'Rhymes in the Voice of River' which is inspired by Breton legends but at first listen, we find different influences between rock and hard- rock with symphonic and progressive components and they are part of the tradition of Italian bands like 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' (see their latest album here) but also are influenced by the main bands of progressive music of the 70’s. From the first title 'Ancient Rhymes', we are embarked in almost 8 minutes of progressive music, cut into several parts with breaks of rhythms and melodic lines. Follows 'The Vision', which starts in acoustics and unfolds a beautiful melody with a memorable chorus like 'Whisper' which is a semi-acoustic ballad. With 'Wild Waves', the pace is accelerating and the guitar game makes me think of the first 'Dire Straits', then, 'Deception is Revealed' is in a hard-rock in the style of the 70s with a beautiful instrumental part very unbridled in the second part mixing jazz, rock and hard-rock. The following makes us return to a calm atmosphere with 'Imprisoned' which grows in power on the end, then, 'Alone' is much more progressive in the approach with first a rhythmic with breaks of tempos and a crescendo at the end of the title and which becomes again calmly and which takes again the theme of departure on the end. The progressive aspect is also present in 'The Land of Fortress' which despite its rather short duration is built in several parts and alternates moods folk and rock and finishes on an instrumental part whith beautifull keyboards and guitar solos, then, 'The End of the King' is an energetic and catchy title flirting once again with hard-rock but the main title of the album is without context the final 'A Mild Immortal Nymph of River' which summarizes well the album and who embarks us for a progressive and symphonic saga of more than 12 minutes with several interlocking parts and a masterful final solo, in short, the title which includes all the ingredients that every amateur of progressive researches and which gives an irresistible desire to repress the play button when the last note sounds. In summary, the Italians of 'Protean Circus' release a first album varied and full of good surprises, which should make them known fairly quickly in the progressive sphere because 'Rhymes in the Voice of River' is to advise to all lovers of a progressive and accessible rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniele Imperioli (Vocal), Marco Cutini (Guitar), Lorenzo Zanelli (Guitar), Andrea Piacentini (Keybords), Simone Todini (Bass), Luca Cutini (Drums)


Artist : Myrath

Album : Shehili

Release Date : 03-05-2019

Added : 23-06-2019

In 2016, 'Lagacy' was for me a good surprise (see the column here) and 2019 sees the Tunisians of 'Myrath' who evolve with among others 'Orphaned Land' (see their latest album here) in an oriental metal style, release a new studio album, 'Shehili'. After a first listen, this last opus continues in the way that they had begun to trace with 'Legacy', an accessible melodico-symphonic metal, effective and catchy with certainly a mixture even better dosed between East and West and which brings even more this festive side that gives you an irresistible desire to move in the rhythm of the music especially as the rhythm section provided by Morgan Berthet is always very appropriate. In addition, 'Shehili' incorporates arrangements of great richness at the instrumental and vocal level and we can note the participation of the Tunisian National Orchestra which allows to further flesh out the compositions. After the short introduction 'Asl' that embarkes us in their oriental universe, these are 5 titles all as catchy as the others that parade with refrains that immediately enter in your head : impossible not to stomp or move the head to the rhythm of music listening to titles like 'Born to Survive', 'Dance' or 'Wicked Dice'. The first rhythmic break comes with the very endearing mid-tempo 'Lili Twil' which is a cover from the Moroccan group, 'Megri Brothers' and the good idea was to keep the lyrics in Arabic for the verses and to translate the chorus into English which will undoubtedly allow to involve a wider public during the concerts. After a 'Holding Back' that embarks us for a remarkable mix between East and West, the second break is brought by the magnificent power ballad 'Stardust' filled with emotion, then, 'Mersal' is a unique but formidable meeting between the metal of 'Myrath' and the tradition of Arabic music brought by the emblematic singer 'Lotfi Bouchnak' and without transition, with 'Darkness Arise', we return to a more hard-rock title with influences of the 70s and the album ends with the eponymous title of the album 'Shehili' which takes us one last time in this oriental universe with yet another memorable refrain. In summary, with this latest album, the Tunisians of 'Myrath' show that they have made further progress and that they have become an unavoidable group of an accessible melodic metal mixing East and West and this 'Shehili', although means the warm wind coming from the desert, should breathe a fresh and festive air all over the planet of metal and is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Zaher Zorgati (Vocal), Malek Ben Arbia (Guitar), Anis Jouini (Bass), Elyes Bouchoucha (Keybords), Morgan Berthet (Drums) + Guests : Pierre Danel (Guitar), Samir Sghaier (Choirs), Mohammed Lassoued (Choirs), Skander Ben Abid (Clarinette), Kevin Codfert (Piano, Guitar), Bechir Gharbi, Hamza Obda, Mohamed Gharbi, Riadh Ben Amor (Violins), Orchestre National Tunisien


Artist : Alan Parsons

Album : The Secret

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 25-06-2019

It was about fifteen years ago that 'Alan Parsons' had not released a solo album and his activity was more oriented in the production with for example one of the latest in 2017, his collaboration with 'Steven Wilson' for the last 'Blackfield' (see here). 'The Secret' is a bit like the album that historical fans always hoped to see released and after his past electronic experiments that did not really conquer the crowds, there is no doubt, any amateur of 'Alan Parsons Project' in the 70/80, will recognize the style of the English because this opus is resolutely turned to its original group. First, it's a concept album whose theme revolves around magic and, from the begining, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', which is the cover of the symphonic piece 'Paul Dukas' and which has been democratized by the film from Disney 'Fantasia', plunges us into this fantastic universe of illusions. Then, it is with 'Miracle' that we find the melodies that accompanied us in the 70s and 80s, for example in 'Eyes in the Skies' to quote the best-known album, and 'As Lights Fall', after a short orchestral introduction, continues in this characteristic style with this rhythmic which is the hallmark of Alan Parsons'. With 'One Note Symphony', it's the other facet of the compositions of the English that is put forward, the meeting between the symphonic and the pop and which was especially present on an album like 'The Turn Of A Friendly Card’. The following continues to offer songs accessible at first listen as the romantic 'Sometimes' and beautiful ballads 'Soiree Fantastique', 'Years of Glory' or 'I Cant Get There From Here' which brings us back to the atmospheres of 'Since the last Goodbye' from the album 'Ammonia Avenue' of 1984, but also 'Fly to Me' which, with its vocal arrangements and the singing of 'Mark Mikel' brings us back a few years before with the 'Beatles' or still, 'Requiem' which is very jazzy and brings a real diversity to the whole. In summary, with 'The Secret', 'Alan Parsons' returns to his first project and offers us an album filled with beautiful compositions that will undoubtedly delight historical fans but which can also reach a large audience through very accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Parsons (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords)+ Guests : Ian Bairnson (Guitare), Andy Ellis (Keybords), Angelo Pizzaro (Piano), Carl Sorensen (Drums), Dan Tracey (Guitar, Keybords), Danny Thompson (Drums), Guy Erez, Jake Shimabukuro (Ukulélé), Jared Mahone (Vocal), Jason Mraz (Vocal), Jeff Kollmann (Guitar), Jeff Peterson (Bass), Jordan Huffman (Vocal), Lou Gramm (Vocal), Mark Mikel (Vocal), Michael Fitzpatrick (Cello), Nathan East (Bass), Oscar Utterström (Trombone), Pat Caddick (Piano), Pj Olsson (Vocal), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Todd Cooper (Vocal, Saxophone), Tom Brooks (Keybords, Piano), Tony Rosacci (Guitar), Vinnie Ciesielski (Trumpet), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums)


Artist : Misth

Album : Fallen from Grace

Release Date : 04-05-2019

Added : 27-06-2019

'Misth' is a Swedish progressive rock/metal band that released their first album ’Rise of a New Day’ in 2013 (see here) and 'Fallen from Grace' composed of 2 CDs is their last studio recording. Led by their singer 'Maria Rådsten' who has a real talent to adapt to each composition with a powerful voice that she can modulate to convey emotion when necessary (she was in the 90s one of singers of the Swedish pop band 'One More Time'), They propose us with this opus nearly 1h30 of an accessible progressive with influences as well in metal as in rock. 'The Impossible Dream' begins the album and sums up the style of this formation: first of all, the progressive aspect is brought by different parts which interlock, then the breaks of rhythm are frequent and we go from a sequence energetic with powerful guitar riffs to a definitely quieter chorus with a memorable melody; on the other hand, the sung parts give way to real instrumental parts where guitar and keyboards are put forward. The compositions alternate power with for example 'Moving On' which transports us between East and West or 'Fools of Innocence' and its saturated riffs of guitar, and calmer atmospheres like the mid-tempo 'Silent Night' and its magnificent crescendo where Maria shows the full extent of her vocal palette or 'Future Calling' which is reminiscent of some compositions of 'Karnataka' (see here) or 'Leave Me Alone' 'and its effective melodic lines. But overall, the progressive side is often put forward with longer titles like 'Masquerade' of nearly 12 minutes that embeds us in different moods between power and serenity but also with 'Will not Let You Down' and its refrain who immediately hooks you and his guitar solo 'Gilmourien' or 'Wishing You Well' which closes the album and mixes beautifully different styles and makes us travel between swing, rock and hard-rock. In summary, the Swedes of 'Misth' release a double album of quality between rock and progressive metal with accessible melodic lines, a singer always at the top and a very neat production...

Line Up / Musicians

Maria Rådsten (Vocal), Jörgen Schelander (Keybords), Martin Larsson (Drums), Håkan Granat (Guitar), Olle Bodén (Bass), Fredrik Glimbrand (Guitar)


Artist : The Skys

Album : Automatic Minds

Release Date : 19-04-2019

Added : 05-07-2019

'The Skys' is a Luthuanian rock band that has already over 20 years of existence with only 4 album releases and 'Automatic Minds' is their 5th studio recording. With each release, they surround themselves with artists of the progressive scene and one can quote the guitarist 'Snowy White' who shot with 'Pink Floyd' in the 70s (and 'Roger Waters' often appealed to him during several decades) and 'Rob Townsend', who is the saxophonist of 'Steve Hacket' (see the album 'At The Edge Of Light' from early 2019 here). They evolve in a melodic rock tinted with progressive where 'Jonas Čiurlionis' and 'Božena Buinicka' provide a remarkable vocal duo as in the melancholic 'Singing Tree' and can recall the complicity between 'Olivia Sparnenn 'and' Bryan Josh 'of' Mostly Autumn '(see their latest album here). 'Get Rid of This' opens the album with melodic lines close to the 'Floyds', then, the eponymous title of the album continues in this way with a title that is much more progressive with changes of tempos and style and especially a Hispanic section where 'Glenn Sharp' intervenes beautifully. Follows the epic and energetic 'The Guardian of the Water Tower' which softens in the 2nd part, then, 'Templar's Last Stand' with his keyboard solo in the style of 'John Lord' takes us back to the '70s and' Love of Life 'is a beautiful ballad interspersed with a more unbridled instrumental part. As for 'Dry Water', we embark on a disturbing atmosphere between East and West where the guest 'Durga Mc Broom' gives us beautiful vocalises. Finally, 'Dead End' is a bit of a summary of what the Luthuanians have offered us so far with a typical progressive song that alternates the sung and instrumental parts with tempo breaks and the album ends with the short 'Communication' a little more all-purpose. In summary, the Lithuanians of 'The Skys' released an album full of catchy and varied titles that should appeal to an amateur audience of progressive rock melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Čiurlionis (Vocal, Guitar), Božena Buinicka (Keybords, Vocal), Justinas Tamaševičius (Bass), Ilja Molodcov (Drums) + Guests : Snowy White (Guitar), Neil Taylor (Guitar), Glenn Sharp (Guitar), Durga McBroom (Choirs), India Carney (Choirs), Justin Klunk (Saxophone), Rob Townsend (Saxophone)


Artist : Galaad

Album : Frat3R

Release Date : 15-05-2019

Added : 14-08-2019

Already nearly 25 years since the Swiss of the progressive rock band 'Galaad' had not released an album and fans of the 90s are now happy with this unexpected new album 'Frat3R'. We find again this particular atmosphere of a French progressive perpetrated since the 70s by 'Ange' (see their latest album 'Heureux' here) with this subtle mix between the strength of the lyrics of 'Pierre-Yves Theurillat' and the powerful rock melodies that hang immediately and where guitars and keyboards offer us majestic instrumental sections. From the beginning, with 'La machine', all the ingredients are there to embark on a small cloud between tension and relaxation with a first fusion between the guitar of 'Sébastien Froidevaux' and the singing of 'PYT'. After the short instrumental 'Moloch' which highlights the keyboards of 'Gianni Giardello', 'Kim' brings us back to a melody close to 'Decamps' ones, with the voice of 'PYT' which gets closer to that of the ‘Franc-Comtois’. With 'Stone', we hold the major title of the album which with its 9 minutes unfolds in a fabulous crescendo its slow melody. The following scrolls the energetic 'Justice' then the rhythm 'Thank you (puR)', 'Encore' and its first part powerful and fast serving as very good support for a new sharp criticism of our society, the album ending by 'Frater' with his last strong message. In summary, he Swiss of 'Galaad' come back beautifully more than 20 years after 'Vae Victis' on the front of the stage and 'Frat3R' should, beyond the historical fans, reach a public loving progressive rock Francophone...

Line Up / Musicians

Pierre-Yves "PyT" Theurillat (Vocal), Sébastien Froidevaux (Guitar), Gianni Giardiello (Keybords), Laurent Petermann (Drums), Gérard Zuber (Bass)


Artist : Huis

Album : Abandoned

Release Date : 07-05-2019

Added : 16-08-2019

I discovered 'Huis' with the album 'Neither in Heaven' released in 2016 (see here) and 2019 sees the release of a new studio album 'Abandoned'. So we find again the two fellow Quebecers, 'Michel Joncas', at the origin of the group and 'Michel Saint-Père' also a member of the group 'Mystery' (see here) with 9 titles in the continuity of the previous album, that is to say a melodic and refined progressive rock which oscillates between aerial and energetic atmospheres with lengths of compositions often around 10 minutes and beyond. The title track of the album starts beautifully with a melodic crescendo that sounds like 'Arena' (see here), then 'The Giant Awakens' speeds up the tempo with keyboards close to 'Supertramp' and, with 'Caducee' we hold the first long song that unfolds a catchy melody and then continues on a quieter second part. The next title 'Stolen' of almost 12 minutes takes us on a typical composition of an inventive progressive with all the ingredients that any fan of this style looks for, alternations between energetic and quieter parts and real instrumental sections. he following continues in this way with first the short instrumental 'Solilude', very 'Floydian', then, 'Chasing Morning Glory' embarks us for a saga interspersed with two faster parts with a grandiose finale, the instrumental ' Haunting Days' with an introduction to the 'Saga' precedes an epic part with a magnificent fusion of keyboards and guitar and a great final in the form of a decrescendo on the piano with some vocalizations. The album ends with, first of all, the beautiful walk 'We Are Not Alone' with its melody which remains engraved in our head, then 'Oude Kerk III' which one last time, shows us all the talent of this group for progressive long titles. In summary, with this latest album, the Quebecois 'Huis' confirm that they have become a key group of the international progressive scene and 'Abandoned' should be high in the list of the best progressive rock albums of the 2019 year...

Line Up / Musicians

Michel Joncas (Bass, Taurus Bass Pedal), Michel St-père (Guitar), Johnny Maz (Keybords), Sylvain Descôteaux (Vocal, Keybords), William Régnier (Drums) + invités : Éloïse Joncas (Vocal), Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Jean Pageau (Flute), Serge Locat (Piano)


Artist : Crazy Lixx

Album : Forever Wild

Release Date : 17-05-2019

Added : 18-08-2019

After a very good 'Ruff Justice' in 2017 (see here), the Swedes of 'Crazy Lixx' continue their way with a new album 'Forever Wild' which is already their 6th studio recording. Not surprisingly, they have concocted 10 pure jewels of good melodic hard-rock where we can not help but draw parallels with a certain 'Def Leppard' as in 'Silent Thunder' or 'Ticked' or in 'Terminal Velocity' thanks to choirs very close to those of the British. In the middle of all these energetic titles, some breaks are welcome with the mid-tempo 'Eagle' or the walk 'Love Do not Live Here Anymore' which could be envious in the formations known in this style. In short, as you have understood, if you are a fan of hard-rock 80s, this 'Forever Wild' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Rexon (Vocal), Chrisse Olsson (Guitar), Jens Lundgren (Guitar), Joél Cirera (Drums), Jens Sjöholm (Bass)


Artist : Avandra

Album : Descender

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 20-08-2019

I take you away to 'Puerto Rico' for Avandra's second album, 'Descender', which flirts with a progressive and melodic progressive metal with already a surprising maturity and an ability to tackle with joy to this style not necessarily accessible at first. From the first two titles, which are one for a total of more than 12 minutes, we have already the full extent of the talent of these Puerto Ricans who embark us in their melodic world with tempo changes and successions between powerful parts and others quieter, the piano being often used. Overall, several plays are needed as with 'The Narrowing of Meaning' where several parts follow each other with many changes of tempo. The title track of the album is unquestionably 'Adder's Bite' which with more than 13 minutes shows several faces with first acoustic part with Spanish influences, then continues in the fifth minute with raging riffs of electric guitar until a final that returns to a quieter atmosphere. The last title 'QE', much more atmospheric, demonstrates the ability they have to tackle all kinds of styles. In summary, The Puerto Ricans of 'Avandra' offer us a progressive metal to tame little by little and 'Descender' should please everyone who loves a varied and sought after progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Ayala Cruz (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Luis Javier Rivera Guilbot (Guitar), Adrián Arroyo Schuck (Drums), Gabriel Rodríguez Martinez (Bass)+ Guests : Christopher De Léon Jones (Guitar), Richard Henshall (Guitar), Israel Romero Pérez (Guitar), Kevin Moore (Keybords), Daniel Schwartz (Percussions)


Artist : Zonder Wehrkamp

Album : If It’s Real

Release Date : 24-05-2019

Added : 22-08-2019

When 'Gary Werkhamp' (member of 'Shadow Gallery' - see here)) and 'Mark Zonder' (former member of 'Fates Warning' – see here -and who participated in multiple projects) released together a studio album, we say that the result should be a progressive metal close to bands like 'Threshold' (see their latest album here) or ‘Dream Theater (see their latest album here). But 'If It's Real' is far away from this style and the 10 tracks it contains are more reminiscent of pop / rock artists of the 80s and we are more between 'Toto' and 'Elton John' than close to bands cited above. Indeed, from the first title, 'I Can not Believe', the chorus takes us a few decades back with 'Alan Parsons Project', then 'If It's Real' and I'd Do Anything', with their slow tempo, continue in this style with 'Gilmourian' guitar tones. With 'Last Place', we are close to the style of ‘Elton John’ and 'Two Years' which follows is certainly the most rock composition of the album. The sequel is like the begining of the album with melodic titles that catch at the first listening like 'Too Late' and 'It's Not the End' which brings us again to 'Elton John' (listen to the chorus that takes some bars of 'Rocket Man'). In summary, 'Gary Werkhamp' and 'Mark Zonder' surprise us with beautiful melodic compositions and very accessible and 'If It's Real' is intended for a general public loving the pop/rock style of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Wehrkamp (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Mark Zonder (Drums)


Artist : Nth Ascension

Album : Stranger Than Fiction

Release Date : 31-05-2019

Added : 24-08-2019

After 'In Fine Initium' in 2016 (see here) which allowed me to discover 'Nth Ascension', 2019 sees the release of a new album, 'Stranger Than Fiction' who is the 4th of the English. In the continuity of 'In Fine Initium', we find the neo progressive style that we knew with always the same influences, 'Arena', 'Marillion' or 'Saga'. 'The Opening' opens the opus in an airy atmosphere with a first half where the keyboards of 'Darrel Treece-Birch' (see his album here) occupy all the space and then a second half where the guitar of 'Martin Walker' come on stage and continues in this psychedelic atmosphere. With the next two tracks, the progressive side is less present, with 'True Identity' first, which offers us a rather classic energetic rock and then with 'Fire in the Sky' where we feel influences from 'Marillion'. The neo-progressive aspect returns with 'Reconciled' which with more than 10 minutes has breaks of tempos and intensity and which has a final with a memorable melody where the singing of 'Michael Alan Taylor' is close to that of 'Paul Manzi' from 'Arena' (see their latest album here). The following 3 tracks are the continuation of the 'Clanan' story imagined by 'Darrel Treece-Birch' in the 2014 'Ascension of Kings' and for the occasion, we are entitled to 24 minutes of pure bliss with first, 'The Gathering', which unfolds its slow and powerful melody and which can make think of the atmosphere of 'Sorrow' of the 'Floyds', then 'Journey's End' embarks us in a progressive piece of more than 15 minutes which will certainly fill all lovers of long progressive developments, and finally, the very short and acoustic 'Lament' where 'Martin Walker' shows all his talent as a guitarist. And it is after more than 50 minutes of listening that the centerpiece of the album 'Sound to Light' of nearly 20 minutes is offered to us with once again all the ingredients of a progressive rich and inventive. In short, the English of 'Nth Ascension' confirm with talent that they have their place in the best neo-progressive formations and, 'Stranger Than Fiction' will, without a doubt, be welcomed by all progressive fans who like tame the albums little by little...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Alan Taylor (Vocal), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Martin Walker (Guitar), Craig Walker (Drums), Gavin Walker (Bass)


Artist : First Signal

Album : Line of Fire

Release Date : 17-05-2019

Added : 26-08-2019

After the release of 'Binary Music' from 'Palace' at the end of 2018 (see here), 'Daniel Flores' and 'Michael Palace' with the 'First Signal' project (see here) originally created by Canadian singer 'Harry Hess' (see his latest album with 'Harem Scarem' here ) and 'Dennis Ward', release a new album 'Line of Fire'. No major surprise, they offer us 11 titles of AOR (also called Rock FM), all as melodic as each other and that grab one's attention from the first listen. We sail through compositions between 3 and 4 minutes influenced by the melodic rock of the 80s with memorable choruses with for example 'A Million Miles' which can recall 'Asia' or the ballad 'Last of my Broken Heart' with tunes from 'Brian Adams' or 'Need You Know' and 'The End of the World' which both have a chorus that gives the impression of knowing them from forever. In summary, 'First of Signal', even if they do not revolutionize the genre, release an album to be enjoyed without moderation and 'Line of Fire' is to be advised to a broad audience amateur of melodic rock influenced by the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Harry Hess (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Keybords, Drums), Michael Palace (Guitar), Johan Niemann (Bass), Darren Smith (Choirs)


Artist : Michael Thompson Band

Album : Love & Beyond

Release Date : 26-04-2019

Added : 28-08-2019

'Michael Thompson' is an artist who has participated in numerous projects and worked with prestigious artists on the international scene (Allmusic's page describes all the albums in which he has participated here) and therefore has only released a few albums under the project 'Michael Thompson Band', 'How Long' in 1989 and 'Futur Past' in 2012 (see here). 2019 sees the release of a new album 'Love & Beyond' which contains 11 titles interspersed with 7 small interludes of guitar where the American shows all his feeling of guitarist by carrying us each time on a small cloud. For this last opus, he is surrounded by renowned musicians and singers: we find for singing 'Mark Spiro', 'Larry King', the singer of 'Soleil Moon' with whom he had released the album 'On The Way To Everything! 'In 2012 (see here) and 'Larry Antonino' the bassist of 'Unruly Child' (see here and a new album just released in 2019). From the title 'Love & Behond', we embark on melodic rock that immediately catch us and that brings us back to an AOR or Westcoast rock of the 80's with the talent of 'Michael Thompson' to always offer us very effective guitar solos like for example in 'Passengers', 'Supersonic' or 'Love Was Never Blind' and its look of 'Pretty Woman' by 'Van Halen', or in the beautiful mid-tempo tinted 'Eagles', 'Flying Without Wings'. In summary, this 'Love & Beyond' from 'Michael Thompson Band' is an album filled with beautiful surprises representing the classy and refined side of melodic rock which makes it accessible to a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Thompson (Guitar), Mark Spiro (Vocal), Larry King (Vocal), Guy Allison (Keybords), Larry Antonino (Vocal, Bass), Sergio Gonzalez (Drums), Tim Pedersen (Drums)


Artist : Floating Worlds

Album : Battleship Oceania

Release Date : 17-05-2019

Added : 30-08-2019

We go to Greece with 'Floating Worlds', which releases their third album with another sea-related theme, and 'Battleship Oceania' tells the story of the 'Oceania' battleship and crew who turned into a ghost ship after a mission which proved fatal. Between symphonic, progressive and power metal, they make us live the different adventures of Oceania 'where they adapt the style to the episode but overall the whole is epic, powerful and melodic with keyboards often at the same level as the guitars. The instrumental 'Oceania' sets the scene with sound effects in a maritime atmosphere giving way to energetic guitar riffs where keyboards and sampled choirs are superimposed. With 'Sailing in History', the ambiance softens with a first part singing / piano which gradually takes more power until exploding in the 2nd part with impressive male choruses. With 'New Mission', we are taken in a heavy heady title where we can’t help but stomp, then, 'The Empire of the Media', after a rather offbeat introduction recalling the disco rhythm of the 80s , starts in power with a heady melody that will be repeated throughout the title. 'The Curse' then embarks us into a sinister atmosphere with tempo breaks and 'Retribution' is a classic heavy and epic title. The second part of the album, we offer 'The Last Goodbye', very theatrical with sumptuous choruses, the melancholy 'Divine Love' with two beautiful female singings, one lyrical and the other classical, then 'Eternal Sleep' of 11 minutes, much more progressive in the approach with changes of intensity and tempos, slowly rolls a melody that remains in your head and the album ends beautifully with the instrumental and melancholy 'Island and Dreams' in a serene atmosphere far from guitar riffs. In short, the Greeks of 'Floating Worlds' have released a very good concept album, where they really put the music at the service of history, which is destined for all those who like to vary the styles because 'Battleship Oceania' mixes symphonic, heavy and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Soti (Vocal), Andreas V. (Guitar, Choirs), Sophia Assarioti (Guitar, Keybords), Michalis Papadopoulos (Bass), Nikitas Mandolas (Drums)


Artist : Lureaway

Album : Unchained and Soaring

Release Date : 11-05-2019

Added : 01-09-2019

'Lureway' is symphonic metal group from Lithuanie that has already released an EP in 2016 and recorded their first studio album 'Unchained and Soaring' featuring the entire EP with 5 new tracks (plus an acoustic cover of 'Ode to Infinity'). The band is conducted by the mezzo-soprano 'Jevgenija Korkina' and the ensemble can be reminiscent of formations like 'Coronatus' (see their latest album here) or 'Ain' (see their latest album here) or 'Dark Sarah' (see their latest album here) and of course Jevgenija's vocals have similarities with that of 'Tarja' (new album to come end of August 2019). Overall, the compositions are melodic in a classical symphonic metal style and this from the first titles 'Aflame', 'Ode to Infinity' and 'Savior' which are all three energetic and very accessible with very effective choruses. With 'In Bed With the Beast', the aggressive tempo of guitar riffs is reminiscent of certain compositions by 'Christopher Johnson' (see the latest 'Therion' album here) and 'Unattainable Fortress' highlights keyboards with classical organ sounds and offers a welcome break in the middle of the title with a pure piano/voice part. The sweetness is also appropriate with the ballad 'Feeling of Peace' where Jevgenija delivers us a magnificent performance. The end of the album offers us, after a quiet introduction, an impetuous 'Imperium And Voluntas', then the two melodic mid-tempo 'Dryads' and 'Hope' and the conclusion of the album takes us to a very nice version acoustic of 'Ode to Infinity' where the beautiful singer captivates us one last time. In summary, even if 'Lureaway' do not necessarily stand out from the big names of the genre, they offer us an album filled with good surprises and 'Unchained and Soaring' will certainly fill all lovers and fans of symphonic metal with a lyrical female singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Antonio (Guitar), Konstantin Minin (Guitar), Jevgenija Korkina (Vocal), Ivan Korkin (Drums), Liza Nabatova (Keybords), Oskars (Bass)


Artist : Degrees of Truth

Album : Time Travel Artifact

Release Date : 06-06-2019

Added : 03-09-2019

After a very promising 'The Reins Of Life' which was the first Italian album of 'Degrees of Truth' (here), 2019 sees the release of 'Time Travel Artifact' with a change of guitarist since 'Andrea Boccarusso' takes the place of 'Graziano Franchetti' and allows the group to add a male voice, 'Samuele Di Nardo' replacing 'Matteo Clark' on bass. At first listen, this last opus, appears more varied and the symphonic metal tag tends towards a progressive between rock and metal: the short introduction 'Ark' puts forward the vocal duo Claudia / Andrea in a serene atmosphere reminding the melodic lines of 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' in his project 'The Gentle Storm' (here), then, 'The Remedy' offers us an energetic title between symphonic and progressive where keyboards take an important place, 'The Void Within' continuing in this way with a very nice melodic plot and a beautiful alternation between power and softness. The central part of the album consists of a 4-part title, 'Dream', which begins with flamenco influences and the use of classical guitars and offers a real instrumental sequence in the second part of the title, then 'Long Way, Silk 'embarks us first in an exotic atmosphere then is mixed with more classical sounds with a memorable melody in an energetic tempo. The 3rd part is undoubtedly the master piece of this set with 'Lithos' and its 14 minutes that takes us into a melodic and inventive progressive saga with a chorus that remains engraved in your memory, 'Claudia Nora Pezzotta' giving us a wonderful performance and finally, 'The Post War Solace' which is a walk including an energetic and unbridled central instrumental part closes the tetralogy in a very beautiful way. The end of the album offers us a new ballad, 'Love Me, Protect Me', then 'Proximate' returns to an atmosphere close to the beginning of the album with 'The Remedy' and 'Time Travel Artifact' ends the opus with an introduction consisting of electronic effects that give way to a last melodic and energetic title with a beautiful alternation between sung and instrumental parts that summarizes well the whole. In summary, the Italians of 'Degrees of Truth' released a quality album in which they knew how to forge their own personality by mixing symphonic and progressive and 'Time Travel Artifact' is intended for a public loving the mix of rock and symphonic metal in compositions to discover little by little, listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Claudia Nora Pezzotta (Vocal), Gianluca Parnisari (Keybords), Luca Ravezzani (Drums), Samuele Di Nardo (Bass), Andrea 'Boma' Boccarusso (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : United Progressive Fraternity

Album : Planetary Overload Part 1 : Loss

Release Date : 19-04-2019

Added : 05-09-2019

'United Progressive Fraternity' is an Australian band created by the ‘Unitopia’ singer with part of his former band, the keyboardist 'Sean Timms' having created, on his side, the 'Southern Empire' new project (see here). 'Planetary Overload Part 1: Loss' is their second album and they are already announcing the second album for the end of 2019, beginning of 2020, which will be titled 'Hope'. As the titles suggest, these 2 concept albums focus on the problems caused by global growth (Part 1 'Loss') and the solutions available to us to ensure our survival (Part 2 'Hope'). You can find all the information on their website here thanks to a very well done page where each artist who participated in the album wrote a message and as in the first album, the guest list is long and prestigious (see below). So we find a research and inventive progressive and given the impressive line-up, the influences are many and we can talk, as in the case of 'Steve Hackett' (he offers us the solos of acoustic guitar in the title 'Seeds of Life '- see his wonderful last album here) from 'Music of the World' with many elaborate vocal and instrumental arrangements. And I am unable to give a specific style to this album because each composition takes us into his own universe: from the first titles, after the instrumental introduction 'Loss Anthem' with beautiful choirs and already the use of various classical instruments, we go from the very jazzy 'When Happens Now', to the 'Cruel Times' balad which develops a magnificent piano solo with contemporary sounds, then with 'What Are We Doind To Ourselves', we find ourselves in an atmosphere of African percussions and the title that follows 'Stop Time' is stuffed with funky energy. And of course, how to miss out on 'Seeds for Life' of almost 20 minutes that takes us into an inventive progressive multi-drawer saga with sumptuous arrangements. In summary, with this first opus of 'Planetary Overload', 'United Progressive Fraternity' which is aptly named, offer us a sumptuous album that is revealed listening after listening and draws influences from around the globe which should please to all those who love diversity in the progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Trueack (Vocal), Christophe Lebled (Keybords), Matthew Atherton (Guitars, Keybords, Choirs), Joe Toscano (Drums, Choirs), Steve Unruh (Vocal, Guitars, Violin, Flute), Cornel Wilczek (Guitar, Keybords), Daniel Mash (Bass), Marek Arnold (Saxophone), Mark Franco (Bass, Choirs) + Guests : Claire Vezina (Choirs), Jon Davison (Choirs), Nick Magnus (Keybords), Jesus Gancedo Garcia (Drums), Guillermo Cides (Chapman Stick), Grace Bawden (Vocal, Choirs), Charlie Cawood (Oud / Bouzouki / Dulcimer), Clive Hodson (Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Hautbois), Alex Grata (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Colin Edwin (Bass), Phill Sokha (Drums), George Perdikis (Guitar), Matt Williams (Guitar), Little Brodie Byrne (Voice), Ghost Girls (Voice), David Hopgood (Drums), Michel St-père (Guitar), Angelo Racz (Keybords), Michelle Young (Vocal), Hasse Fröberg (Vocal), Lisa Wetton (Drums, Choirs), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Raf Azaria (Guitar, Keybords), Jerry Marotta (Drums), Angus Keay (Guitar), Hans Jorg Schmitz (Drums), Brendon Darby (Trumpet), Valentin Halembakov (Guitar), Marc Papeghin (Cor) + Narrateurs : Alanna Mitchell, David Suzuki, Dr. Cary Fowler, Dr. James E. Hansen, Dr. Jane Goodall, James Lovelock, Mark Maslin, Satish Kumar, Sir David Attenborough


Artist : Timo Tolkki’s Avalon

Album : Return to Eden

Release Date : 14-06-2019

Added : 07-09-2019

'Timo Tolkki' is a renowned guitarist of the metal scene and after a very long time with 'Stratovarius', he has participated in several projects including 'Chaos Magic' with 'Caterina Nix' (see here) which releases a new album the same day (next review). With his project 'Timo Tolkki's Avalon', June 2019 saw the release of 'Return to Eden'. Knowing the melodic talent of Timo, fans of melodic metal are filled. First of all, 'Return to Eden' offers us prestigious guests with 'Anneke Van Giersbergen', which gravitates in a lot of metal projects including 'Ayreon' (see the latest album here) and who has released a beautiful live (see here), the Italian 'Mariangela Demurtas' from 'Tristania' band, 'Todd Michael Hall' from the group 'Riot V', 'Zachary Stevens' from the groups 'Savatage' and 'Circle II Circle' and finally 'Eduard Hovinga' from 'Elegy' band. After the short instrumental introduction 'Enlighten', we embarked for melodic metal in all styles : the fast and powerful 'Promises' starts with a double pedal that pours all its heart and Todd who is like a fish in water, then, 'Return to Eden' continues in this direction but not so speed with a classic melodic line but terribly effective, and with 'Hear My Call' sees Anneke's appearance in a very beautiful interpretation and a composition close to 'Within Temptation' (first period) which catch immediately attention. The following is the image of this beginning with melodies accessible at first listen with the welcome ballad break 'Godsend' and a magnificent interpretation of Mariangela. In summary, thanks to a line-up of talented musicians and renowned singers, 'Timo Tolkki' releases a beautiful and very accessible album of melodic metal and, even if some will blame him for a certain ease (it is certainly also that makes it successful), 'Return to Eden' should fill all fans of melodic metal effective...

Line Up / Musicians

Timo Tolkki (Guitars, Bass, Keybords), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Santtu Lehtiniemi: Guitar, Andrea Buratto (Bass), Antonio Agate (Keybords, Piano), Giulio Capone (Keybords, Drums, Piano), Jami Huovinen (Drums) + Guests : Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Mariangela Demurtas (Vocal), Eduard Hovinga (Vocal), Todd Michael Hall (Vocal), Zachary Stevens (Vocal)


Artist : Chaos Magic

Album : Furyborn

Release Date : 14-06-2019

Added : 09-09-2019

At the same time as the release of the album 'Timo Tolkki' (see here), and after his first album with the same 'Timo Tolkki' in 2015 (see here), 'Caterina Nix' released a new studio recording, 'Furyborn', and called for the occasion a new artist, in the person of the Chilean compatriot 'Nasson', the other musicians being also new embedded in the project 'Chaos Magic'. She thus offers us 11 compositions in a powerful symphonic metal with a certain modernity in the arrangements showing here and there some strands of electronics which is not without reminding the last 'Within Temptation' (see here). In addition, she has appealed, to expand the vocal section, to artists of the metal scene with the ex singer of 'Sirenia', 'Ailyn Gimenez' (see their latest album here), singer 'Tom Englund' of 'Evergrey' and the well-known 'Ronnie Romero' of 'Lords of the Black' and who was recalled by 'Ritchie Blackmore' for the return of 'Rainbow' (see here). The whole mixes in a good balance of powerful and energetic titles like 'You Will Breathe Again' and its catchy rhythm, the heavy mid-tempo 'Furyborn', 'Like Never Before' which can recall certain rhythms of 'Delain' or even the classic but very effective 'Throw Me to the Wolves' and 'I'm Your Cancer' that should move a public in live, and titles that bring aeration in all this power as the beautiful balad 'Beware of Silent Waters' or the melodic 'Bravely Beautiful' or the magnificent acoustic 'I'd Give It All' or 'My Afflication' and its slow tempo. In short, with 'Furyborn', 'Caterina Nix' continues its merry way with a new album offering all the qualities to be well received by a public adept of accessible symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Caterina Nix (Vocal), Nasson (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Piano), Hermaunt Folatre (Bass), Carlos Hernandez (Drums), Franco Lama (Programmation) + Guests : Tom Englund (Vocal), Mistheria (Keybords), Ailyn Gimenez (Vocal), Ronnie Romero (Vocal)


Artist : Cosmograf

Album : Mind over Depth

Release Date : 12-06-2019

Added : 11-09-2019

Already 2 review written on 'Cosmograf' since the end of 2016 (see here and here) and this is the 3rd album that 'Robin Armstrong' releases in less than 3 years, that is to say the frequency of release of his albums, and, after 'the man who invents a story of kidnapping by aliens' in 2016 and 'The plowman's wife who in his memory builds a scarecrow who lets himself go to daydream' in 2017, the latter opus 'Mind over Depth' is not strictly speaking a concept album that tells a story but rather a reflection on the man who is locked in his bubble by causing all kinds of thoughts that can be beneficial but also harmful by making him lose ground with reality. As usual, the compositions are quite long and take us into a universe where keyboards play an important role with occasional electronic effects, but, theme requires, we navigate between tensions and relaxation and we can locate the style between rock and progressive metal. In addition, Robin's singing sticks quite well to the theme with a voice that gives the impression of coming out of the interior (with a reverb that occasionally accentuates this feeling), sometimes filled with anxiety, sometimes more serene, and spoken voices add to this introspective atmosphere as in the first title 'A Million Choices'. 'Godspeed', which follows is a magnificent crescendo where the introduction is calm and peaceful, and which gradually grows to be more and more tormented and which falls on the end. The continuation continues in this atmosphere of tumultuous interiorization with instrumental and vocal arrangements that fit perfectly to the general atmosphere of the album as in 'Sharks' which is certainly the composition where we cross the most different feelings and, finally, 'Goodbye to all Illusions' which is the most rhythmic title that falls in the last 2 minutes as if he needed to leave this tormented interior. In summary, this last album of 'Robin Armstrong' is certainly less accessible than these predecessors but is probably also the one that goes even further in the progressive approach and, therefore, should appeal to all those who appreciate rock and the progressive metal that unfolds listening after listening ...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Colin Edwin (Bass), Kyle Fenton (Drums)


Artist : Gloryhammer

Album : Legends from beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex

Release Date : 31-05-2019

Added : 13-09-2019

Adepts of the double pedal, of unrestrained rhythms of the Rhapsody, of intergalactic stories with nuclear weapons and of metal anthems to blackmail an entire stadium, you are at the right place. For the others you can go your way because this chronicle is dedicated to the last album of the English of 'Gloryhammer' which is the continuation of 'Space 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards'. And, unsurprisingly, the 10 tracks distil us a speed and effective power metal with refrains that you enter the head immediately. After the symphonic introduction of rigor in this style, let’s go for a first title 'The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)' which doesn’t do things by half and has a first chorus where 'In Hoots We Trust' is punctuated to be sung in unison in live, then, 'Masters of the Galaxy' drives the point home with a second memorable refrain. The following does not weaken with simple but terribly effective melodies. With 'Power of the Laser Dragon Fire', one wonders how 'Ben Turk', on drums, manages to hold such a fast tempo and 'Gloryhammer' will certainly be the band's new anthem, not for its name, but for its catchy rhythm where you can’t help but move your head rhythmically. But the main title is the last track of over 12 minutes, 'The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny' which is divided into 5 parts and embarks us for a saga of power metal, melodic and symphonic at will with all the ingredients of this style. In short, as you will have understood, the English of 'Gloryhammer' continue to bet on efficiency before the novelty and 'Legends from beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex' is intended for a public of savvy loving a power metal fast and energetic...

Line Up / Musicians

Thomas Winkler (Vocal), Christopher Bowes (Keybords), Paul Templing (Guitar), James Cartwright (Bass), Ben Turk (Drums)


Artist : The Aurora Project

Album : grey_world_live

Release Date : 01-06-2019

Added : 15-09-2019

After 'World Of Gray' end of 2016 (see here), the Dutch of 'The Aurora Project' release a live recording where the 8 tracks of the last album are all played, the rest of the titles from the first 3 albums. But the peculiarity is to reinterpret them in semi-acoustic, which allows to immerse in a more muffled atmosphere that is very conducive to all these titles where the atmospheric side is quite present. We can also note an irreproachable production with an impeccable sound which gives a real pleasure of listening and 'Dennis Binnekade' offers us a magnificent performance to the song. In summary, this Dutch live from 'The Aurora Project' is a good way to discover or rediscover this group that has already celebrated its 20th anniversary and continues to perpetrate a progressive rock in the great tradition of the major formations of years 70/80 and this for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Binnekade (Vocal), Marcel van den Berg (Guitar, Vocal), Joris Bol (Drums), Marcel 'Mox' Guijt (Keybords), Rob Krijgsman (Bass, Guitar)


Artist : Freedom To Glide

Album : SEED

Release Date : 30-05-2019

Added : 17-09-2019

It’s with this last part 'SEED' of the trilogy devoted to a century of world wars that I discover the English of 'Freedom To Glide' and the first 2 albums 'Rain' and 'Fall' are available on spotify here. 'Freedom To Glide' is composed of the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Andy Nixon' and keyboardist 'Pete Riley' who played for many years together in a band in tribute to 'Pink-Floyd', 'Dark Side of the Wall' and we obviously feel 'Floydian' influences in their compositions but, even if they borrow from different formations of progressive or neo-progressive of the 80s / 90s, they knew how to forge a particular style in a soft and peaceful atmosphere with beautiful melodies that accompany you throughout the 13 tracks. The first four titles are one : the intimate piano / voice 'Seed' serves as a sweet introduction to the melodic 'Hoding On' which follows on 'No Turning Back' which can be reminiscent of certain acoustics of 'RPWL' (see their latest album here) and after some train sounds, 'Understone of War' takes us into its symphonic atmosphere with a more electric rise to power on the end and that can recall some 'Floyds' rhythms in 'Animals'. In the ray of my favourite songs, I will remember, 'The Space Between the Lines' which, in a refined piano / voice atmosphere, takes us in its haunting melodic lines with a magnificent powerful central part (and his solo very 'Gilmourien') which falls in some piano notes on the end of the title, then 'When That Day Comes' and 'Broken Road' which summarize well this style filled with lightness and harmony of the two English. In summary, this last album of 'Freedom To Glide' is a total success that makes you want to immerse yourself in the other 2 parts and 'SEED' is recommended to a public loving soft and airy progressive and neo progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Nixon (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Bouzouki, Keybords), Pete Riley (Piano, Keybords) + Gueste : Louise Wilson (Vocal)


Artist : Dayslived

Album : Flectar

Release Date : 19-04-2019

Added : 19-09-2019

'Daylived' is an Italian band formed in 2010 by 'Marco Allemandi' and 'Gaetano Pira' and, after a debut album 'The Blackmouse' in 2015, released a few months ago a new studio recording 'Flectar'. At first listen, not easy to find a particular style because they mix rock and metal in styles that range from symphonic to progressive through the melodic. Led by their singer 'Monik Fennelles' which has a specific enough tessitura, far enough from the standard of the singers of this style, they propose us 11 varied titles because they share between powerful and catchy titles like 'Another Start' or 'Along Your Miles', others with a more progressive approach like 'Triora' or 'Their Violent Game' with changes of tempo, others who tend to pop/rock like 'Touching the Clouds' and its electronic sounds or 'Dark Exile', not forgetting the two power ballads 'My Angel Said' and the magnificent 'Behind my Skin' and the two instrumental interludes 'Flectar' and 'Non Frangar'. The album ends with the flagship title 'Mater Musica' of 10 minutes, which is a good summary of this patchwork of styles and offers us a wonderful chorus that stay a long time in our memory. In summary, 'Dayslived' released an excellent album with many faces that must be tamed little by little and finally shows great wealth, which should appeal to all fans of a varied progressive and offering different facets...

Line Up / Musicians

Monik Fennelles (Vocal), Marco Allemandi (Guitar), Thor Jorgen (Bass), Matteo Sabetta (Keybords), Gaetano Pira (Drums)


Artist : Summer Breeze Project

Album : Neon

Release Date : 01-05-2019

Added : 21-09-2019

'Summer Breeze Project' is a Dutch formation that is 10 years old (the title 'Neon' corresponding to the chemical element number 10) and just released for this occasion a new studio recording. Their influences are marked by the progressive rock of the last forty years with the use of the Hammond organ and, from the first title 'Hollow' (which is a cover of a composition of 2012), I have the impression of hear a merger between 'The Who' and 'Marillion'. Follows 'Leaving Earth' continues in this direction with a melodic and catchy composition, then, 'Travel Light' has an energetic side close to 'Huriah Heep' and 'Broken Water' offers us a ballad classic enough but very effective with a beautiful central part piano / voice and a simple guitar solo but which releases a real emotion. The end of the album scrolls 'Mantra' and its melody lines close to 'Astronomy Domine' of the 'Floyds' with a alternation between quiet parties with the use of the Hammond and others more energetic, then, 'Sleep' is a more atmospheric title with a rather disturbing atmosphere, and the album ends on the 8.30 minutes of 'The Crossing' which is a typical piece of progressive with a succession of different sections with tempo changes. In summary, the Dutch of 'Summer Breeze Project' come back after 7 long years of absence with a very good album of progressive rock and 'Neon' is intended for a rather broad public not only adept of progressive, because all the compositions are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Gert Bruins (Vocal, Guitar), Gordon van Pelt (Guitar, Theremin, Violin), Rene Troostheiden (Drums), Fons Panneman (Keybords, Piano, Hammond, Choirs), Rich Huybens (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Nitrate

Album : Open Wide

Release Date : 21-06-2019

Added : 23-09-2019

After 'Real World' in 2018 (see here) and some line-up changes ('Philip Lindstrand' now replaces 'Joss Mennen' and 'Marcus Thurston' is the new lead guitarist), the English of 'Nitrate' released a new album 'Open Wide'. No surprise compared to the first opus, I could make a copy past of the first chronicle : 11 tracks, some good and accessible melodic rock, influences that come straight from the 80s, ubiquitous choirs, in short, everything is implemented to have a good time without the fuss to listen to the catchy titles and this from the first title 'You Want It, You Got It' with a simple but super effective chorus and what it follows scrolls titles as melodic than each others until the only ballad of the album 'In The Night', the album ending with a last melodic gem 'Waiting On You' with obviously the chorus that encrusts in our heads. In summary, while continuing to surf the good melodic rock of the 80s, the English 'Nitrate' continue to offer effective and accessible compositions and 'Open Wide' is to be consumed without moderation and should appeal not only to rock fans melodic but also to a much wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Philip Lindstrand (Vocal, Choirs), Marcus Thurston (Guitar), Rob Wylde (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Nick Hogg (Bass, Keybords), Pete Newdeck (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : The Tirith

Album : A Leap into the Dark

Release Date : 14-06-2019

Added : 25-09-2019

'The Tirith' is an English band that has a long history since they were already active in 1970 without having released any album and they reformed in 2010 with a first album in 2015 'Tales from the Tower' with compositions written more than 40 years ago that smelled of progressive rock of that time but with modern sounds and arrangements. 'A Leap into the Dark' is therefore their 2nd studio album and from the first title which is actually two compositions merged, the band offers us two facets of progressive styles, the powerful one with 'A Leap into the Dark' which can to think of the 'Threshold' (see their latest album here) and the other more conventional with a progressive rock inherited from the 70s, 'The Autumn Of Our Days'. But the sequel is more like this second part : with 'Malaya', the atmospheric introduction gives way to an acoustic part and the tone hardens for a new section where the electric instruments are more present and 'The Sphinx' continue in this progressive atmosphere that leaves a good place for instrumental parts with the first section sung at 2mn30, then 'No More' offers a beautiful mid-tempo with a memorable chorus and tends to a much lighter style. Follows 'And The Wind Will Come' whose tempo is reminiscent of some tracks of 'Jethro Tull', 'Song For The Forgotten One' is a beautiful semi acoustic ballad, then, 'The Scare' moves away from progressive style for a title which makes us swing to the rhythm of the music, and as for 'The Exile', we continue in a soft style with a beautiful guitar solo last almost 3 minutes. 'The Nosalgia Sequence' is aptly named because we are embarked on a nostalgic 10-minute composition that starts on the piano with a romantic melodic line and which, after a sung first part, is repeated on the electric guitar, to return to a second part of the title to the theme played on the piano that gives way to a psychedelic end of the title in the manner of parts 6 to 9 of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' of the 'Floyds', the album ending not a very beautiful acoustic cover of 'The Autumn Of Our Days'. In summary, this new album of the English of 'The Tirith' makes us travel in a progressive rock that brings us back a few dozen years back and 'A Leap into the Dark' should please to an audience loving progressive style with beautiful melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Cox (Guitar, Keybords), Dick Cory (Bass, Vocal, Guitar), Carl Nightingale (Drums)


Artist : Gandalf’s Fist

Album : The Clockwork Prologue

Release Date : 01-07-2019

Added : 27-09-2019

With its three hours and a quarter in 3 CDs of 'The Clockwork Fable' released in 2016 (see here), I had trouble getting into the world of 'Cogtopolis' (city plunged in darkness for centuries and whose inhabitants sought to find the light of the sun), certainly due to the length of the artwork and perhaps also due to enough long narrated parts (not easy for a Frenchman to follow). 2019 sees the Englishs of 'Gandalf's Fist' release 2 new CDs that do not fit in the sequel to 'The Clokwork Fable' but which contains I quote 'Dean Marsh', 'a musical extension of the previous in the same way of the manufacturers video games that introduce new levels in a game that the public has enjoyed'. For me, 'The Clockwork Prologue' was a good way to get into this story with compositions that appeared to me more accessible and, inevitably, this can only make you want to dive back into the first 3 CDs. The listener is immersed in the story without any pause, the narrated parts alternating with musical compositions in a progressive style and for this last baby, 2 newcomers complete the already long list of the various artists, the singer 'Keri Farish' and keyboardist 'Ben Bell'; regarding 'Keri Farish', she illuminates with her clear and warm voice several compositions where her singing transmits a real emotion like in 'The Clockmaker' or in 'Solar Huntress'. Overall, whatever the style that oscillates between folk, rock and hard-rock, the musical parts have beautiful melodic lines that become accustomed very quickly. And if it were necessary to retain only a few titles, I will first mention the two major titles 'The Lamplighter (Overture)' which with its 15 minutes offer a typical title of a progressive and sought after varied, then of course 'The Clockmaker' which is my crush of the album but also compositions like 'Leader of Men' which in a 70s hard-rock atmosphere has some reminiscent of 'Uriah Heep' or 'Blackening' which is a kind of mixture between 'Deep Purple' and 'Black Sabbath' with a Hammond organ that takes us a few decades back. In short, with 'The Clockwork Prologue', the Englishs of 'Gandalf's Fist' released a double album that will fill once again all those who liked 'The Clockwork Fable' and is intended for a public loving a melodic progressive with various influences and who enjoys following a story with long narratives...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Marsh (Guitar, Mandolin, Keybords, Mandole, Bass, Vocal), Keri Farish (Vocal), Ben Bell (Piano, Hammond, Keybords, Bass Organ, Guitar), Stefan Hepe (Drums, Percussions), Christopher Ewen (Bass), Luke Severn (Tubular Bells, Flute), William Stewart (Violin) + Vocal : Dean Marsh, Luke Severn, Ben Bell, Melissa Hollick + Acteurs : Mark Benton, Tim Munro, Alicia Marsh, Bill Fellows, Paul Kavanagh, Keri Farish, Christopher Ewen, Ben Bell, Rafferty Marsh


Artist : Elusion

Album : Singularity

Release Date : 28-06-2019

Added : 29-09-2019

'Elusion' is a new symphonic metal band that was created by the guitarist 'Domingo Smets' in 2015 and after 2 short EP has just released his first studio album 'Singularity'. At first listen, we can find similarities with 'Epica' (see their latest EP inspired by the manga 'The Attack of the Titans' here) with grandiose choruses and melodic lines close to those of the Dutch but also because 'Evy Verbruggen' who officiates singing can recall 'Simone Simons'. Moreover, something rare enough to emphasize, she is able to go from a clear voice to an extreme voice. The compositions are accessible in the image of the first title 'Choices and Chances' which after a instrumental introduction of 2 minutes which plants a flamboyant decor with omnipresent choirs, offers us a melody mixing Eastern and Western influences supported by imposing symphonic arrangements. The oriental side continues with 'The Tales That Tell Trees', then 'The Strive' is a catchy title with a chorus that immediately enters in the head and as for 'Lovelorn', the duet singing with 'Bjorn Strid' works wonders (see his participation in the 'Gathering of King' project here and the latest 'The Night Flight Orchestra' here). The pause arrives with the ballad 'In Eternity' with remarkable orchestral arrangements and it is perhaps in this register that 'Evy Verbruggen' recalls the most 'Simone Simons'. The rest of the album scrolls 'Reconciliation of Opposites' which plunges us into an oriental atmosphere, 'My War Within' which is very close to the style of 'Epica', then the melodic and energetic 'Crystal Doubts' and finally 'Anamnesis' which sees again Evy share the song with 'Björn Strid' and which ends on a very nice fade between electric and classical instruments, the album ending with the anecdotal remix in electro of 'The Strive'. In summary, even if they do not bring major novelties in this style of music, the Belgians of 'Elusion' released a very nice to listen to first album with a very talented singer and multiple and quality orchestral and vocal arrangements, which should make them known to an amateur audience of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Evy Verbruggen (Vocal), Domingo Smets (Guitar), Kristof De Greef (Bass, Growls), Frederik Van Mieghem (Drums), Stijn Van Peborgh (Guitar) + Guest : Björn Strid (Vocal), Peter Evrard (Vocal), Bert Draelants (Guitar)


Artist : Rob Moratti

Album : Renaissance

Release Date : 21-06-2019

Added : 01-10-2019

After 'Transcendent' in 2016 (see here ), the Canadian 'Rob Moratti' releases a new studio album, 'Renaissance', with some changes of line up, 'Torben Enevoldsen' replacing 'Reb Beach' on guitar and 'Stu Reid' replacing 'Brian Doerner' on drums. We find the AOR style that we knew about the previous album with the impression of having already heard all these melodies in another era because Rob, in addition to his vocal performances, has this talent to compose melodic jewels easy to access from the first listening. From the first title, 'You Are the One', it's a first chorus that enters into your head without letting go, then, 'Let Me Be the One' continues to distil an elegant AOR rock and the ballad 'Best of Me 'can recall melodic lines of the 80's in a style much more pop as could have done artists like 'Chris de Burgh'. I could continue to quote the rest of the album because each title brings a new melody memorable with vocal and instrumental arrangements very neat. In summary, unsurprisingly, 'Rob Moratti' is once again releasing a quality album, continuing to perpetuate an easy-to-access AOR, and which should appeal to a large audience who loves formations like 'Foreigner', 'Journey' or 'Asia'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Moratti (Vocal, Choirs), Torben Enevoldsen (Guitar), Tony Franklin (Bass), Fredrik Bergh (Keybords), Stu Reid (Drums)


Artist : Wheels Of Fire

Album : Begin Again

Release Date : 07-06-2019

Added : 03-10-2019

After the Canadian 'Rob Moratti' (see here), it's the Italians from 'Wheels Of Fire' who have not released an album since 2012 (see here) and coming back to the front of the stage with a new studio recording 'Begin Again'. In a rock / hard-rock melodic style, they offer us 12 effective compositions in the tradition of the 80s and, from the first tracks, we embark on catchy rythms with a 'Scratch the Bitch' and then 'Lift Me Up' continue in this direction with the beautiful voice/guitar duet between 'Davide Barbieri' and 'Stefano Zeni', then 'Tonight Belongs to You' and 'Done for the Day' have two memorable choruses. 'For You', which follows, is the first ballad with melancholic melodic lines as the Italians know so well to do, then, we go again for 'Keep Me Close', an energetic melody with beautiful vocal harmonies, the Italians proposing us 'Heart of Stone', 'You'll Never Be Lonely Again' and 'Another Step in the Dark' which are quieter, in a more AOR spirit. Following 'Call My Name', the second ballad break which is in the same spirit as 'For You', the album ending with the quiet mid-tempo 'Can not Stand It' and a bonus that is none other than eponymous title of the album and which has nothing to envy to the other compositions of the album and has a chorus that should be very effective in concert. In short, if you are a fan of melodic hard rock accessible with memorable choruses, beautiful vocal harmonies and guitar solos well dosed, this album 'Begin Again' Italians 'Wheels Of Fire' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Davide Barbieri (Vocal), Stefano Zeni (Guitar), Marcello Suzzani (Bass), Fabrizio Uccellini (Drums), Federico De Biase (Keybords) + Guests : Gianluca Ferro (Guitar), Ivan Ciccarelli (Percussions), Susanna Pellegrini (Choirs), Maryan (Choirs), Marcello Spera (Choirs), Matteo Liberati (Choirs)


Artist : Neal Morse

Album : Jesus Christ the Exorcist

Release Date : 14-06-2019

Added : 05-10-2019






No need to present 'Neal Morse' to any amateur of progressive music, since the American has participated for thirty years in many projects including the best known are 'Spock's Beard', 'Transatlantic' and 'Flying Colors' (an album should be released soon). This time, he released from his cartoons a rock opera written about ten years ago and was born thanks to his friend and musical director 'Michael Caplan'. Also known for his Christian faith, this time he attacked the life of Jesus in an astonishing 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' which takes us between musical comedy and rock opera, in the atmosphere of the great productions of the 70s, with, of course, The 'Jesus Christ Superstar' of 'Andrew Lloyd Webber's' and 'Tim Rice' which has been long played on Broadway. Given the history, it was necessary to have a cast to the height and, on this side, we are not disappointed since a dozen singers of the international progressive scene are present with leading singers 'Ted Leonard' and 'Nick D'Virgilio' who are respectively part of the bands of 'Spock's Beard' (see their last album here) and 'Big Big Train' (see their last album here) and the instrumental section is also well supplied as strings, wood and brass complete the electric instruments of progressive rock (see list below). On the style side, we find here and there the 'Neal Morse' touch but, very difficult to find a particular style because we jump from the atmosphere of American musicals to muscled hard-rock through pop, rock symphony, blues, folk and jazzy or gospel moods. Indeed, in a hard-rock style we can cite such titles as the energetic 'Get Behind Me Satan' reminiscent of the 70s and 'Huriah Heep', or 'He Must Go to the Cross' that 'Queen' would not have denied or the very progressive 'Gethsemane' in which the powerful parts can recall 'Deep Purple'. For musical comedy side, compositions like 'Jesus' Baptism' and his grandiose choruses or 'Hearts Full of Holes' or 'The Greatest Love of All' are reminiscent of major American musical productions. The compositional strength of 'Neal Morse' was to bring for each composition an atmosphere in adequacy with the subject told a bit like ‘Christofer Johnsson’ did in his opera 'Beloved Antichrist' (see here). Moreover, the instrumentations are of a great richness and always very just and the vocal work is also impressive with multiple choirs which makes that there is never dead time and that one remains glued to the history without any weariness. With that, we must not forget that the American is a talented composer of progressive rock and, in this opera, we fullfill by the frequent changes of atmosphere within the titles themselves as in 'Jesus' Temptation' which in 10 minutes embarks us in a magnificent composition with multiple drawers. Special mention for 'Talon David' who offers us an exceptional voice demonstration in the role of the 'Mary Magdalene' whether she is possessed in 'The Woman of Seven Devils' or when she is at the foot of the cross in' Mary at the Tomb' where her voice is airy and crystalline transmitting all the emotion of the moment. In short, 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' is something that goes far beyond a single album and will certainly be remembered in the same way as 'Tommy' from 'Who' or 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to stay in the same theme and, even if the almost 2 hours require several plays to appropriate the whole and that musical diversity may confuse some, 'Neal Morse' has certainly released the most ambitious recording of his career and, inevitably, in this case, we wait impatiently for him to create a show to the measure of this exceptional work...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Randy George (Bass), Bill Hubauer (Keybords), Amy Pippin (Choirs), April Zachary (Choirs), David Cooper (Trombone), Dominique Caster (Trumpet), Debbie Bressee (Choirs), Eric Gillette (Guitar, Drums), Gabe Klein (Vocal), Gabriel Collins (Saxophone, Flute), Gideon Klein (Vocal, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Cor), Grace Laminack (Viola), Holly Smith (Cor), Jake Livgren (Vocal, Choirs), Jake Tudor (Violin), Julie Harrison (Vocal, Choirs), Mark Pogue (Vocal, Choirs), Matt Smith (Vocal), Michael Jackson (Choirs), Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal), Paul Bielatowicz (Guitar), Rick Florian (Vocal), Steve Patrick (Trumpet),Talon David (Vocal), Ted Leonard (Vocal), Wil Morse (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Santana, Buika

Album : Africa Speaks

Release Date : 07-06-2019

Added : 07-10-2019

With 'Africa Speaks', I take you on a wonderful journey that brings together the best of Africa and South America thanks to two endearing artists that are on the one hand, the Spanish 'Buika' of Equato-Ginean origin (see albums in Spotify here) and on the other hand, the legendary 'Carlos Santana' that it is useless to present (already 3 years that 'Santana IV' is out - see here). The compositions are thus a melting pot of influences that start of course with a mixture of Afro-Latin but which also go beyond, encompassing East and West and that we could call simply 'World Music'. Throughout the album, it is a kind of permanent exchange between the captivating and powerful voice of Buika and the electric guitar so characteristic of Carlos who live their art to the very depths of themselves, and, one every second, there is a spontaneity which gives the impression that each title is an improvisation. And, when we know that it is in about ten days that our two artists have recorded the equivalent of 4 albums, we understand this feeling of freshness and sincerity, but this is also the mark of the great artists because very little of them arrive at this result in the studio. Enough spoken, the best is yet to let yourself be carried away by all these timeless compositions that embark us for an extraordinary journey around the earth gathering all cultures...

Line Up / Musicians

Buika (Vocal), Carlos Santana (Vocal, Guitar), Cindy Blackman Santana (Drums), Laura Mvula (Vocal), Salvador Santana (Keybords), Tommy Anthony (Guitar), Benny Rietveld (Bass), Karl Perazzo (Percussions), David K. Mathews (Keybords), Ray Greene (Trombone, Choirs), Andy Vargas (Choirs)

https://www.facebook.com/BuikaMusic


Artist : Beyond God

Album : All Strings Attached

Release Date : 30-05-2019

Added : 09-10-2019

'Beyond God' is a symphonic metal band founded in 2008 by drummer 'Ferry Guns' with two studio albums 'A Moment Of Black' in 2016 (see here) and 'Dying To Feel Alive' in 2017 (see here). 2019 sees the release of 'All Strings Attached' which has the distinction of being an acoustic album with compositions from the first albums and also containing 3 other titles 'Moving On', 'Feel the Shame' and 'Keep you Alive'. Even if we had already had a glimpse of his vocal qualities in more refined titles like 'Nocturne' or in the beautiful power ballad 'Cursed', we rediscover the singing of 'Meryl Foreman' without the power of electric guitars and from the beginning, with 'When Lightning Strikes', I must say that the magic operates and shows even more the talent of this singer who occupies much more space and can remind in some places 'Marcela Bovio' who also lent to this exercise in the beautiful album 'Through Your Eyes' (see here). 'Moving On' follows in this cozy atmosphere with a beautiful piano/vocals duet, then 'Prince Creep' has been rearranged with a beautiful accompaniment between the 3 acoustic guitars of Peter, Dennis and Winkel. The following is the image of these first titles and even if the version of 'All in All' is quite similar to that of the album 'Dying To Feel Alive' (normal because it was already partly acoustic), the whole conveys a real emotion and shows a very different face of the originals. In summary, the Dutch of 'Beyond God' show that they have more than one string to their bow and 'All Strings Attached' is a very endearing album, of course very far from the metal, and which should touch, beyond of the base of fans, a much wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Meryl Foreman (Vocal), Ferry Guns (Drums, Piano), Peter den Bakker (Guitar), Dennis Winkel (Bass), Ronald Tielen (Guitar)


Artist : Sabaton

Album : The Great War

Release Date : 19-07-2019

Added : 11-10-2019

'Sabaton' is one of the most famous power metal groups in the world and Swedes have always been attracted by the great world conflicts. And for their last outing, they attacked the First World War and symbolically began writing the album on November 11, 2018, the centenary of the 'Great War'. Being history buffs, each release is still the subject of many historical research and this latest opus makes no exception to the rule: you can find videos on the different conflicts on their site here. Musically, concerning 'The Great War', the various compositions, narrating different episodes like the battle of Verdun ('Fields of Verdun') or the story of the German aviator 'Manfred von Richthofen' ('The Baron') take us into the well-known world of 'Sabaton', epic, symphonic and grandiose in a power metal style accessible with melodies that we have the feeling to already know them all but which are so effective that we get caught up in the game : from the beginning, with 'The Future of Warfare', everything is well in place for a first title with a chorus that is anchored in your head and each track that follows continues in this way as for example 'Great War' with impressive choruses showing that Sabaton is not far from some symphonic metal formations and this up to 'The End Of The War To End All Wars', certainly the most grandiose title that precedes a emotional 'In Flanders Fields' which closes the album in an a cappella song that can not leave indifferent as to make a last warm tribute to all the victims of this conflict. In summary, the Swedes of 'Sabaton' continue to do what they know to do best, a flamboyant power metal that further highlights these historical testimonies, contributing in their own way to this duty of memory and this album 'Great War' should be well received by all their fans and even beyond because all titles are accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Rörland (Guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (Drums), Joakim Brodén (Vocal, Keybords), Pär Sundström (Bass), Tommy Johansson (Guitar)


Artist : Symfobia

Album : Smog of Tomorrow

Release Date : 02-03-2019

Added : 13-10-2019

After 'Elusion' that I presented to you a few days ago (see here), 2019 saw the release of a large number of new symphonic metal albums of not part of the major groups. Here is a sample of these releases with several formations and a chronicle per day, during five days, in styles that can remind the tenors of this genre.
First, we go in Slovakia with an opus that was released 6 months ago with 'Smog of Tomorrow' from 'Symfobia' which is the band's second album, the first 'Way Of The Queen' dating back 2015 (see here). From the first title, their universe recalls the melodic lines of 'Epica' and their particularity is to have two singers who offer us beautiful duets throughout the 11 compositions (the last composition 'Človek' being a cover in Slovak from 'From the Ashes'). The set is particularly melodic and accessible from the first listening with a variety between each title and within the compositions themselves that have changes of intensity and tempo quite frequent as in 'Hungry' or 'Bury It' or in 'From Survivor to Creator'. About quieter moments, 'From The Ashes' and 'Flowing Down' have nothing to envy the best ballads of the style and the duo Erika / Simona brings a vocal richness with the addition of very beautiful choirs. In summary, the Slovaks of 'Symfobia' have evolved since their first album and thus confirms all their potential that will undoubtedly allow them to become known to a wider public, a lover of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Erika Strečková (Vocal), Petra Hasarová (Vocal), Viliam Putz (Drums), Milan Sitár (Guitar), Peter Bugár (Bass), František Molnár (Keybords), Peter Varga (Guitar)


Artist : Visionatica

Album : Enigma Fire

Release Date : 12-07-2019

Added : 14-10-2019

As for the 2nd symphonic metal formation, it is the Germans of 'Visionatica' who after a promising first album (see here) released 'Enigma Fire' in July 2019. They offer 9 tracks for a rather short opus of 38 minutes with accessible compositions that borrow from 'Within Temptation', 'Xandria' or 'Lunatica' to name just 3 with melodic lines that enter easily in the head such as 'Roxanna, The Great', 'Fear', or 'Rise from the Ashes' and their highly effective choruses, the latter strongly reminiscent of the first period of 'Within Temptation'. One can also note beautiful oriental influences in 'To the Fallen Roma', the magnificent ballad 'Incomplete' in the register of 'Sharon Del Adel' and the epic 'Secrets of the Ancestors' with his symphonic break in the second part. In summary, close to 'Within Temptation', the Germans of 'Visionatica' released a quality album and, if they manage to stand out in the future of their eldest, have the talent to take a more important place in the sphere symphonic metal ...

Line Up / Musicians

Tamara Amedov (Vocal), Manuel Buhl (Guitar), Tim Zahn (Bass), Gerhard Spanner (Drums)


Artist : Brocelian

Album : Guardians of Brocéliande

Release Date : 19-07-2019

Added : 15-10-2019

'Brocelian' is still a German band that is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is releasing its 2nd studio recording 'Guardians of Brocéliande'. In the same way as their compatriots 'Visionatica', they offer us a short opus of 37 minutes with 10 titles with durations not exceeding 4 minutes. Listening to the first title 'Wrath of Nature', I feel like I hear 'Epica' in a softer register with nevertheless ubiquitous choruses. Despite the presence of saturated guitar riffs, this softer side also appears in a title like 'A Life for You' and we can also see folk influences in 'Guardians of Brocéliande' and 'Fire of My Heart' with a very beautiful vocal duet between 'Susan' and 'Alicja Mroczka'. They are equally at home in faster titles like 'Speed of Light', 'Now It's Time' or 'The Signs' and the two ballads 'My Last Melody' and 'Summer Days' bring welcome breaks. In summary, like 'Visionatica', with this new album 'Guardians of Broceliande', the Germans of 'Brocelian' have all the assets to make a beautiful place in international symphonic metal scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Susan (Vocal), Alex (Guitar), Andi (Drums), Katrin (Violin) + invités : Alicja Mroczka (Vocal), Oliver Tim (Vocal)


Artist : Glasya

Album : Heaven’s Demise

Release Date : 12-07-2019

Added : 16-10-2019

In the sample of groups of symphonic metal with a new album in 2019, here is a new kid with the Portuguese of 'Glasya' who are only two years old and who release their first album 'Heaven's Demise' and already shows us an impressive maturity. From the beginning, with the title track of the album, we discover the singing of the mezzo-soprano 'Eduarda Soeiro' which makes a beautiful vocal demonstration in a title whose rythmic section looks like 'Dark Chest of Wonders' of 'Nightwish, period of 'Tarja'. The resemblance continues with the epic 'Ignis Sanctus' and grandiose choruses with changes of rhythm and power and beautiful instrumental arrangements. The suite offers us the very melodic 'Coronation of Beggar' whose chorus remains inlaid in our head, the orientalisant 'Glasya' which can be reminiscent of 'Therion', a catchy 'Eternal Winter', the beautiful ballad 'Birth of an Angel '. 'The Last Dying Sun' returns to a style close to 'Nightwish' then the epic 'Neverland' is cut into several parts with a beautiful instrumental part, and with 'No Exit from Myself', between ballad and mid-tempo, Eduarda shows one last time all his vocal talent alternating serenity and power, the album ending with the instrumental 'A Thought About You' in an imposing symphonic atmosphere with great percussion reinforcement. In summary, with this first album 'Heaven's Demise', the Portuguese of 'Glasya' show an impressive potential and, thanks to a front-woman who already has all the vocal qualities of the greatest singers of this style and with already well-honed compositions and arrangements of quality, should, if they diversify and go out of the way of the major groups of the style, to be quickly known of the international symphonic metal scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Eduarda Soeiro (Vocal), Davon Van Dave (Keybords), Bruno Prates (Guitar), Hugo Esteves (Guitar), Manuel Pinto (Bass), Bruno Ramos (Drums)


Artist : Astralium

Album : Land of Eternal Dreams

Release Date : 23-08-2019

Added : 17-10-2019

Finally, to close this series of reviews of symphonic metal bands with an album in 2019, here are the Italians of ‘Astralium' who release their first studio recording 'Land of Eternal Dreams'. Originally created by Soprano 'Roberta Pappalardo' and his father, the bassist 'Giuseppe Pappalardo' in 2010, they take the name of 'Astralium' in 2014 and 2017 saw the arrival of a new drummer 'Salvo Grasso'. From the instrumental introduction 'Remembrance', the symphonic aspect with grandiose choruses is highlighted and 'The Journey' takes again the starting theme for a first energetic title where 'Roberta Pappalardo' uses its clear song, then 'Rising Waves from the Ocean' continues in this fast tempo with a catchy melody close to what 'Nightwish' could done in the 2000s and is followed by 'My Life Is My Eternity' which can recall certain melodic lines of 'Serenity' especially since 'Salvo Grasso' intervenes in singing and in which Roberta offers us some orientalizing measures. The following continues in these fiery tempos until the ballad 'Breathe of My Soul' where Roberta demonstrates that she is particularly at ease in quieter moments. The end of the album continues to scroll unstoppable melodies like 'A Dream's Elegy' with its catchy rhythm or the great 'Seven Seas, Seven Winds' very close to what can do 'Epica' but also the calm instrumental 'Ethereal Voices from the Forest' with beautiful vocalises in the second part of the title. In summary, the Italians of 'Astralium' released an excellent first album both in terms of compositions and production and, even if, as in previous symphonic metal chronicles, they do not have still this little more that would bring them out of the mass of groups of this style, 'Land of Eternal Dreams' is recommended for all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Roberta Pappalardo (Vocal, Choirs), Salvo Grasso (Drums, Vocal), Giuseppe Pappalardo (Bass, Choirs), Emanuele Alessandro (Guitar) + Guests : Tommy Johansson, Jo Lombardo, Andrea Martongelli (Guitar), Stefano Calvagno (Vocal), Adam Cook (Vocal), Davide Bruno (Vocal)


Artist : tAKiDA

Album : Sju

Release Date : 07-06-2019

Added : 18-10-2019

The Swedish band 'tAKiDA', which now has been in existence for twenty years, is now one of the world's leading names in accessible melodic rock and their latest album 'Sju' is no exception to the rule, as it contains 10 tracks that are short enough but effective for a total of 37 minutes. 'What About Me? ' sets the tone with a catchy rhythmic and a heady chorus that goes straight into your head and 'How Far I'll Go' and 'Eva' that follow are less energetic but just as melodic. The sequel scrolls through the single 'Master' already released in 2018, the mid-tempo 'The Meaning', then 'Edge' accelerates the tempo with a new heady chorus, and as for 'Untouchable, Pt2' which is a cover of 'Anathema' (see their latest album here), they had the good idea to invite the singer 'Dea Norberg' known to have participated in several Eurovisions, and finally the album ends with the pop 'Final Day' and 'Fading into Life' with still unstoppable choruses and 'In The Wake' much more dynamic. In short, the Swedes of 'tAKiDA' continue to offer us little melodic gems between pop et rock and 'Sju', beyond their already very large fan base is intended for the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Pettersson (Vocal), Tomas Wallin (Guitar), Kristoffer Söderström (Drums), Mattias Larsson (Guitar), Chris Rehn (Bass, Keybords) + Guest : Dea Norberg (Vocal)


Artist : Edison’s Children

Album : The Disturbance Fields

Release Date : 20-07-2019

Added : 19-10-2019

Edison's Children' is a band that was formed in 2008 by Pete Trewavas (bassist of Marillion - see their latest live ici - and of 'Transatlantic') and by 'Eric Blackwood' with already 3 albums plus 1 EP (see here); they evolve in progressive rock in the great tradition of the 70s bands and 'The Disturbance Fields' which was released in July 2019 is in continuity with previous albums. In addition to the 2 founders, the guitarist and bassist Rick Armstrong' who is none other than the son of astronaut 'Neil Armstrong', the drummer 'Henry Rogers', also officiating for Mostly Autumn (see their latest and magnificent album here) as well as Lisa Wetton' the late John Wetton's girlfriend ('King Krimson' and'Asia' among others) were added. Without any breaks, the the whole of 68-minute length, divided into 14 parts, deals with climate change due to the overdevelopment that man is inflicting on the planet. So, we find a progressive style often tending towards atmospheric moods, starting with the very calm opening 'Captain's Ledger' which introduces 'A Random Occurrence' and its aerial keyboards and slow tempo, then, depending on the theme, the music is put at the service of the title as in 'Asphyxation' which is much darker, then, 'The Approaching Front', with its repetitive melody, offers a beautiful crescendo and 'Indigenous' which follows, after a first part spoken, takes up the theme of the previous title. The next 7 tracks, from 'The Surge' to 'Resurgence' are to be taken as a whole because the latter at the end of the title takes up the theme of the first with beautiful melodies in an atmosphere alternating tension and relaxation : for example, 'Into The Dead Calm' is the purest and slowest track but carries within it an impression of heavy tension and we can note 'A Random Disturbance' which brings us back as an echo to 'A Random Occurence'. 'The Confluence', the longest track on the album, is typical of progressive music, which uses the same musical phrase but without any weariness because it has multiple variations that keep the listener's attention all the way along. In summary, with 'The Disturbance Fields', 'Edison's Children' release a quality concept album in a rather classical progressive style that takes on its full dimension by combining music and the message conveyed...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Blackwood (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Flute), Pete Trewavas (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests: Henry Rogers (Drums), Lisa Wetton (Drums), Rick Armstrong (Guitar, Bass)


Artist : Phil Lanzon

Album : 48 Seconds

Release Date : 02-08-2019

Added : 20-10-2019

After the very good 'If You Think I'm Crazy!' In 2017 (see here), keyboardist of 'Uriah Heep' (see their latest album here) 'Phil Lanzon', who has a curriculum vitae long as a month of sundays, released a new album '48 Seconds'. This last opus offers a greater number of guests than the first with for example 'John Mitchell' (in other 'Lonely Robot' - see here - 'Arena' - see here and 'Kino' - see here). As he had already done, he called on the 'London Telefilmonic Orchestra' which bring to the whole rich orchestral arrangements and the listener is embarked on melodic compositions between pop and rock: the orchestral instrumental introduction recalls symphony rock artists of the 70s like 'Alan Parsons' or 'Jeff Lynne', then in the stride 'In The Rain' continues in this classic and accessible melodic rock style. Follows 'Forty Line' which mixes different styles between pop and jazz, then 'Rock N Roll Children' makes us discover the little news 'Miriam Gray' which illuminates the title with a magnificent vocal performance and the melodic lines bring us back, one more time to the 70s and reminds me of the 'Deep Purple' cover of 'Hush' which was a title written by 'Joe South'. The suite continues in this accessible and varied atmosphere with melodies that immediately touch you and that seem so familiar to you as 'Road to London' where 'Phil Lanzon' takes us in a very beautiful folk ballad or as 'You Can Make A Living' , very energetic in the manner of what could do the 'Who' or 'Face to Face' with a beautiful vocal duo Phil/Miriam. And finally, the 9 minutes of '48 Seconds' finish the album in the most beautiful way with a sumptuous composition and an end full of emotion where the choir gives you the goose bumps. In short, as you will understand, 'Phil Lanzon' offers us a wonderful album accessible and varied that can be recommended to all those who love the great symphonic rock artists of the 70s as' Alan Parsons' because ' 48 seconds' is largely at the same level as a 'The Turn Of A Friendly Card' with in addition an irreproachable and modern production...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Lanzon (Keybords, Vocal) + Guests : John Mitchell (Vocal), Andy Makin (Vocal), Richard Cottle (Keybords, Saxophone), Neal Wilkinson (Drums), Adam Goldsmith (Guitar), Mick O'Donohue (Guitar), Miriam Grey (Vocal, Choirs), Phoebe Street (Choirs), Andy Caine (Choirs), Andy Playfoot (Choirs), Tom Walsh (Trumpet), Clare Mcinerney (Saxophone), Neil Sidwell (Trombone), Chris Haigh (Violin), Richard Harwood (Cello), Levine Andrade (Viola), London Telefilmonic Orchestra (Violins, Viola, Cello, Bass)


Artist : Soleil Moon

Album : Warrior

Release Date : 09-08-2019

Added : 21-10-2019

'Soleil Moon' is an American band that has only released 2 albums since 2000 and 'Warrior' is their third album; the singer 'Larry King' is also participating in the project 'Michael Thompson Bands' invited for the occasion (see the last column here). Like the band of Michael, they evolve in a rather calm AOR style between pop and rock in quiet tempos and the 12 titles are all tagged 80s with memorable melodies, rather classical constructions couplet / chorus and 'Larry King' which is in his element with a voice that has lost nothing of its beauty in all these years. Everything is therefore put in place to spend a good time listening to 'Warrior' with a nice variety of titles that follow one another without any weariness and all have a little taste of nostalgia like the beautiful ballad 'Halfway to Nowhere' or 'Nothing Matters' and its chorus that reminds you of a melody already heard. In short, the Americans of 'Soleil Moon' released a very nice album filled with small melodic jewels to enjoy quietly with the headphones and 'Warrior' is to advise to a large public loving the melodic rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Larry King (Vocal, Keybords), Khari Parker (Drums), Chris Siebold (Guitar), Alan Berliant (Bass), John Blasucci (Keybords) + Guest : Michael Thompson (Guitar)


Artist : Unruly Child

Album : Big Blue World

Release Date : 09-08-2019

Added : 22-10-2019

At the same time as thier compatriots 'Soleil Moon' (see here) and after 'Can not Go Home' in 2017 (see here), the Americans of 'Unruly Child' release a new album 'Big Blue World' and continue their AOR adventure in the same spirit as the previous opus. From the first title 'Living In Someone Else's Dream', we are directly in the picture with a first melody that enters you directly in the head, then 'All over the World', even if it is not so direct, continues in this way with a catchy rhythm as well as 'Dirty Little Girl' with its choruses of the 80s. The following is at the image of this beginning with the semi acoustic 'Breaking The Chains', or 'Are These Words Enough', tagged Westcoast, or the melodic 'Will We Give Up Today' or the syrupy ballad 'Beneath A Steady Rain'. In summary, even if 'Big Blue World' is not as direct as the previous album and does not do not reveal itself at first listen, the Americans of 'Unruly Child' released a quality album that should appeal to all those who love a melodic rock that draws its influences in the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcie Michelle Free (Vocal), Bruce Gowdy (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Guy Allison (Keybords, Percussions), Larry Antonino (Bass), Jay Schellen (Drums)


Artist : Freedom Call

Album : M.E.T.A.L.

Release Date : 23-08-2019

Added : 23-10-2019

What's new among the Germans of 'Freedom Call' with already 20 years of ‘Appy Metal' ? Well not much except that their 10th baby came out at the end of August and it wears the sweet name of 'M.E.T.A.L.' and follows 'Master Of Light' released in 2016 (see here). The recipe is well established and like its predecessor, it leaves just before the fall to give us a little boost before the winter season. 11 titles for 43 minutes of power metal catchy and good child with a great help of double pedal starting with the first title '111111 - The Number Of The Angels' with a first chorus to sing loudly, then 'Spirit Of Daedalus' drives the point home before the new anthem 'M.E.T.A.L.' which is added to 'Metal is for Everyone' of the previous opus. With 'The Ace of the Unicorn', you have the right to a kind of hyper vitamin version of 'Enola Gay' then until the last title 'Sole Survivor' which ends the album with a memorable chorus, it is a continuation of unstoppable melodies. In short, the Germans of 'Freedom Call' continue their journey with these compositions with positive energy and always this freshness of the first days and ''M.E.T.A.L .' shows that they always have this desire to have fun while making seriously what they have always done better : some good power metal simple and effective...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Bay (Vocal, Guitar), Lars Rettkowitz (Guitar), Francesco Ferraro (Bass), Timmi Breideband (Drums)


Artist : Nemesea

Album : White Flag

Release Date : 23-08-2019

Added : 24-10-2019

After 'Uprise' in 2016 (see here), the Dutch of 'Nemesea' did not take long to find a new singer after the departure of 'Manda Ophuis' and it's so with 'Sanne Mieloo' that they released this new opus 'White Flag' which is their 5th album since 2004 and in which they continue in the way they had traced in the previous album and, although they still have this symphonic metal label, their style is more like powerful rock with a modern sound where the electronic sounds appear here and there. The 14 titles are quite short between 3 and 4 minutes and share a fairly balanced between energy and serenity. Starting from 'The Storm', we have a small sample of this style that alternates couplets in the restraint and a chorus that explodes in an electric and powerful and 'Kids with Guns' with its beautiful children's choirs and 'White Flag' with its rhythmic similar to 'U2' continue in this way. In this atmosphere between tension and relaxation, we can note the magnificent mid-tempo 'Ratata' and its haunting rhythm and 'Rise' with its striking contrast between calm and energy. Calmer songs diversify the album starting with 'Sarah' who brings a first break, then 'Lions', 'Heavyweight Champion' or 'Let This Be All' with slow tempos offer us nice moments of sweetness. In summary, with this new album turned to a more modern rock sound where keyboards are very present, 'Nemesea' return to the front of the stage with a new singer who has all the vocal qualities for this evolution of style and 'White Flag 'should please a public loving an energic and powerful rock embellished with moments much calmer...

Line Up / Musicians

Sanne Mieloo (Vocal), HJ (Guitar, Vocal), Sonny Onderwater (Bass), Steven Bouma (Drums), Mathijs van Til (Keybords)


Artist : Outlasted

Album : Waiting for Daybreak

Release Date : 09-08-2019

Added : 25-10-2019

I had discovered 'Outlasted' with their first album 'IntoThe Night' in 2016 (see here) and the Norwegians had already made a strong impression for their first album. 2019 sees the release of 'Waiting for Daybreak' which confirms the potential of this young group. They offer us 10 tracks of melodic rock taking us back to the 80s and accessible from the first listen. 'All Because Of You' opens the album with all the ingredients of the AOR, an unstoppable chorus, well-proportioned guitar riffs and ubiquitous choruses, then 'Time Mends A Broken Heart' takes us back some decades with keyboards that remind me of 'Foreigner' (see their last live with orchestra here) and 'She's the One' continues in this effective melodic bath. Until 'Jane's Got a Lover,' which is the last energetic title with its catchy rhythm, everything is done to have a good time but the ballads are not forgotten with 'Lighthouse' which brings us back to groups like 'Foreigner' and who is a model of the genre then the album ends on the melancholy 'After All These Years', to make envious for the tenors of melodic rock. In summary, the Norwegians of 'Outlasted' confirm all the good that I was thought at the release of the first album and' Waiting for Daybreak' which is intended for a general public, would certainly have been at the top of the ranking in the golden years of AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Glenn Wikran (Vocal), Terje Fløyli (Guitar), Odd-Børge Hansen (Piano, Keybords), Aleksander Schjølberg (Bass), Rune Erling Pedersen (Drums)


Artist : Tarja

Album : In The Raw

Release Date : 30-08-2019

Added : 26-10-2019

Already 14 years that 'Tarja' left 'Nightwish' and 12 years that 'My Winter Storm' had been released with the first tube 'I Walk Alone' and, for each new album, we always wonders if it will be same level as the previous one. For me, 'In The Raw' which is 5th studio album (if I only count the symphonic metal albums) is still above the previous ones because, despite having declared that it is heavier than 'The Shadow Self ', shows, for me, even more all facets of this artist apart. Of course, and this from the first two titles, we are embedded in very direct metal with extraordinary energy with 'Dead Promises', which offers us a beautiful duet between the two powerful voices of 'Tarja' and 'Bjorn Strid' with highlight of guitar riffs, then, 'Goodbye Stranger', which is the kind of title that makes a whole public jump up and where the two voices of 'Tarja' and 'Christina Scabia' from 'Lacuna Coil' (see their latest live album here) blend beautifully. With 'Tears in Rain', we are more in the register of melodic hits than the singer could compose in the past with alternations between powerful parts (the rhythm section of 'Timm Schreiner' is a marvel) and others calmer. It is then with 'Railroads' that the symphonic side moving away from the metal is put forward with the use of strings, in the form of a mid-tempo in which 'Tarja' also excels, then' You and I 'which is far from saturated guitar riffs, is a new ballad of an emotional intensity comparable to what she could do in her album 'From Spirits and Ghosts' (see below). With 'The Golden Chamber : Awaken / Loputon Yö / Alchemy' we stay in this epitome of emotion in a soft cinematographic medley that gives us the opportunity to hear him sing in his native language : sublime !! Then, 'Spirit of the Sea' (this is the story of the disappearance of the Argentine submarine "ARA San Juan" in 2017) is still a great moment that takes us in a slow procession with its breaks between power and serenity , then, it is the turn of another master piece of the album, 'Silent Masquarade', which is a new magical duet between 'Tarja' and 'Tommy Karevik', singer of 'Kamelot' (see their latest album here) who has a slow and powerful chorus that hits you in the guts and accelerates to the end and falls back into a quiet piano finale where the voice of 'Thomas Karevik' poses some sentences. After so much emotion, I'm almost disappointed with 'Serene', which appears more classic but which, if it was part of a progressive metal album from another band, would certainly make a remarkable title, and the last composition 'Shadow Play' makes me a great impression with the feeling that 'Tarja' wanted to put a condensed patchwork of styles that she master perfectly in these seven astonishing minutes. In summary, as you will have understood, this last album of 'Tarja' is still for me a total success that shows all the extent of her talent that does not stop at the only symphonic metal and 'In The Raw' should undoubtedly be well received by all her fans and beyond by all lovers of symphonic metal who also appreciate compositions far away of metal style...
Previous myprogmusic reviews of 'Tarja' albums :

2018 - Tarja - Act II (Live)
2017 - From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)
2016 - The Shadow Self
2015 - 'Luna Park Ride' + 'Ave Maria - Outdoors'

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Kevin Chown (Bass), Max Lilja (Cello), Timm Schreiner (Drums)+ Guests : Bjorn Strid (Vocal), Cristina Scabbia (Vocal), Tommy Karevik (Vocal)


Artist : Sheryl Crow

Album : Threads

Release Date : 30-08-2019

Added : 27-10-2019

After 'Be Myself' in 2017 (see here), the American 'Sheryl Crown' releases a new album she announces as the last and for the occasion, an impressive number of guests collaborated on these 17 titles, partly derived from his impressive discography. Of course, the American country artists are well represented with for example 'Emmylou Harris', 'Maren Morris', 'Bonnie Raitt', 'Chris Stapleton', 'Willie Nelson', 'James Taylor' or 'Vince Gill' but also blues singer 'Mavis Staples' or rapper 'Chuck D'. We also find prestigious names like 'Stevie Nicks', singer of 'Fleetwood Mac' ('Prove You Wrong'), or 'Eric Clapton' and 'Sting' in the beautiful ballad 'Beware of Darkness' written by 'Georges Harrisson', or 'Neil Young' in 'Cross Creek Road' or 'Keith Richard' in the song of the 'Rolling Stones' 'The Worst' or 'Joe Walsh' in the song 'Still the Good Old Days' who had written it with Sheryl. But, the title that brings without context the greatest emotion is without context 'Redemption Days' which was taken up by 'Johnny Cash' just before his death and which appears in his post-album 'American VI: Is not No Grave' and that 'Sheryl Crow' resumed by adapting Johnny's voice on Sheryl version. In summary, it’is a great lady of folk/rock music in the great American tradition who bows out, still young (she says 'it will certainly be my last album, even if never say never' ) but who should continue his career by giving concerts, and 'Threads' is the kind of album outside of time which should undoubtedly become an indispensable album of the musical memory folk and rock of the last forty years...

Line Up / Musicians

Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Maren Morris, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Chris Stapleton, Chuck D, Andra Day, Gary Clark Jr., Eric Clapton, Sting, Brandi Carlile, Johnny Cash, Lukas Nelson, Neil Young, Jason Isbell, Keith Richards, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Walsh, St. Vincent, Lucius, Emmylou Harris, James Taylor, Vince Gill


Artist : Visions of Atlantis

Album : Wanderers

Release Date : 30-08-2019

Added : 29-10-2019

In your musical journey, there are artists who mark you more than others because you followed them during their career and for me, 'Clementine Delauney' is part of this list. Former singer of the excellent French band 'Whizdom' (see their last album here), I had discovered her between 2012 and 2015 with the Austrians of 'Serenity' (see their latest album here). At that time, given her vocal talent, she always seemed to me to be behind ‘Georg Neuhauser’. And since 2015, she finally found her place with 'Visions of Atlantis' and her progress was impressive with the album 'The Deep & the Dark' in which she shared the song with 'Siegfried Samer' (see here). A little more than a year passed and a new album 'Wanderers' was released at the end of August 2019, album which saw the passage of witness between 'Siegfried Samer' and the new singer 'Michele Guaitoli' (see the chronicle on the live 'The Deep & The Dark' - Live' here). The result is still above the previous album and Clémentine has made further progress in her singing, Michele adding a very complementary masculine register from that of the Frenchwoman. I won't speak about all titles because every composition should deserves to be quoted but I would simply say that each is a real treat with this overflowing energy that characterizes this band and, as an example, I would take the first title 'Release My Symphony' which represents their powerful, epic, symphonic and melodic style with the incorporation of quieter parts. In the midst of all these energetic compositions, 'Visions of Atlantis' also excels in ballads and the album has three, the power ballad' Nothing Last Forever 'in which the duet Clémentine / Michele is a marvel and two others,' Into The Light 'and' Wanderers' much more stripped and only sung by Clémentine in which she upsets us and raises very high the emotional cursor. In short, by releasing an album the same day as 'Tarja' (see here), the majority of symphonic metal formations would have gone unnoticed but 'Visions of Atlantis' now has all the assets to compete with the biggest and the programming starts to prove it (it's not too early !!) and, although they are still in the first part of the next 'METAL' tour of 'Freedom Call' (see the last album of the Germans here), will finally headlining in 2020 which will finally allow to enjoy a full live...

Line Up / Musicians

Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Christian Douscha (Guitar), Herbert Glos (Bass), Thomas Caser (Drums)


Artist : Magic Pie

Album : Fragments of the 5th Element

Release Date : 30-08-2019

Added : 31-10-2019

After 'King For A Day' in 2015 (see here) and 'The Suffering Joy' in 2017 (see here ), the Norwegians of 'Magic Pie' released a new album 'Fragments of the 5th Element' with always this mix of influences from 40 years of progressive rock and in every composition a lot of names of famous bands come to mind as in a kind of “inventaire à la Prévert” and we can mention in bulk 'Genesis', 'Kansas', 'Beatles', 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', 'Pink-Floyd', 'Marillion' or 'Deep Purple'. First, the first four titles each have their own personality with 'The Man Who Had It All' which, after an energetic introduction, takes us into a style between pop and rock of the 70s with beautiful vocal arrangements. 'P & C' which follows is also tagged 70s with a catchy chorus that serves as a binding for different parts whether they are pop, psychedelic, rock or jazzy and 'Table for Two' moves away from the progressive and has a more traditional approach with a new catchy melody and finally,' Touched by an Angel 'is a beautiful ballad where the guitar of' Kim Stendberg 'accompanies beautifully the slow tempo and offers us a sumptuous solo at the end of the title in the manner of the best bluesman. And then, as in the last opus, the master piece is without context the last title, 'The Hedonist', which as the name suggests, offers us 23 minutes of pleasure by embarking on a patchwork of moments, all as subtle as any other, this kind of progressive composition that requires many listenings to tame it. In summary, the Norwegians of 'Magic Pie' are releasing a new album in the great tradition of progressive rock with always the same quality and the same diverse influences, and therefore, 'Fragments of the 5th Element' is intended for any amateur of progressive music who enjoy not only long developments but also vary styles...

Line Up / Musicians

Kim Stenberg (Guitar), Eirikur Hauksson (Vocal), Erling Henanger (Keybords), Eirik Hanssen (Vocal), Lars Petter Holstad (Bass), Jan T. Johannessen (Drums)


Artist : Sons of Apollo

Album : Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony

Release Date : 30-08-2019

Added : 02-11-2019

In my review on the first album of 'Sons of Apollo' in 2017 (see here), I was pleasantly surprised by the feeling of being brought back a few decades back into a the under 20 years ..., with the extraordinary live albums of 'Deep Purple', 'Made In Japan' and 'Made In Europe' which witnessed a hard rock where everything was possible in concert: with 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony ', my whishes have been filled because it is a bit if we met at that time but with a modern sound because it contains all the ingredients of what any amateur of authenticity looks for in a concert, something out of the ordinary set lists calculated to within a millimeter. and often make the concerts a little too aseptics for my taste. Well, on this side, we are served because everything is together to offer us this kind of moment that is forever etched in your memory because it is simply unique. First of all, the set list is a real killer because, on the one hand, concerts of almost 3 hours, it becomes exceptional and then, as of course, it is not with a studio album that our lads have been able to make a set list as long (they play almost the entirety of the opus), we are entitled to a set of covers that make us go from 'Pink-Floyd' to 'Queen' obviously passing by Dream Theater 'with three titles of 'Falling Into Infinity' from 1997, when 'Mike Portnoy' and 'Derek Sherinian' were both part of the band. And we are served throughout the show with live performances without distorting the originals but each time bringing a personal touch and, even if 'Mike Portnoy' does not offer us a drum solo (but we enjoy all the time of the concert with a rhythm section always exceptional), each artist provides us his solo, starting with 'Billy Sheenan' on the bass which makes a masterful demonstration, then 'Jeff Scott Sotto' resumes the following by igniting the public in the manner a 'Freddy Mercury' in the '80s/' 90s (it's no scoop that Jeff is a fervent admirer of English). Not to be outdone, in the second part of the set, it is then the turn of 'Derek Sherinian' that transforms the Roman Theater of Plovdiv into a hard-rock church and obviously refers to the late 'John Lord' a few decades back and finally, even though he does not like this kind of performance, 'Bumblefoot' closes these solos with a 'slightly' extended introduction of 'And The Craddle Will Rock' which this time brings us back to some ' Eddie Van Halen '(their 2013 concert in Tokyo here). And then, beyond the exceptional performance of each member of the group, we have this feeling every moment of a complete osmosis between them and a great pleasure to play together by transmitting without counting throughout the concert a crazy energy to the public thus transforming a very good concert into an unique moment. To this, it should be added that from 'Labyrinth', it is in the company of the orchestra of the city of 'Plovdiv' that the band continues its set with most covers, and listening to well-known titles like 'Dream On' or 'Confortably Numb' (see the extraordinary you tube video où ‘Bumblefoot’ finishs his solo at the bottom of the steps of the theater here), we embark on a small cloud with of course some shivers so the interpretation is masterful. In summary, as you will understand, this live from 'Sons of Apollo' is more than just a concert and shows, if it still had to be done, that these five artists are made for the stage and this 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony' is tailor-made for the over 50's and reminds us of the special atmosphere of rock and hard-rock concerts of the 70's and 80's, but also to make the youngest ones discover what a real concert with artists who do not calculate and give themselves 200% for their audience; I will simply add that if the CD already give a fabulous impression of the atmosphere of this concert, but it is obvious that adding the image with the DVD or Bluray is essential to make the most of these magical moments because the place with these millenarian vestiges further increase this feeling of being out of time...

The covers :
'That Metal Show Theme' : 'The Metal Show' series from the British channel 'VH1 Classic'
'Just Let Me Breathe' : 'Dream Theater' - 'Falling Into Infinity' (1997)
'The Pink Panthere Theme' : Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther Theme
'Kashmir' : Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975)
'Gates of Babylon' : 'Rainbow' - 'Long Live Rock' n 'Roll' (1978)
'Dream On' : 'Aerosmith' - 'Aerosmith' (1973)
'Diary of a Madman' : 'Ozzy Osbourne' - 'Diary of a Madman' (1981)
'Comfortably Numb' : 'Pink Floyd' -'The Wall '(1979)
'The Show Must Go On' : 'Queen' - 'Innuendo' (1991)
'Hell's Kitchen': 'Dream Theater' - 'Falling Into Infinity' (1997)
‘And The Craddle Will Rock’ : ‘Van Halen’ – ‘Women and Children First’ (1980)

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Scott Sotto (Vocal), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Mike Portnoy (Drums) + Guests : Plovdiv Symphony Orchestra


Artist : Status Quo

Album : Backbone

Release Date : 06-09-2019

Added : 03-11-2019

'Backbone' is the first album under the name 'Status Quo' released after the death of 'Rick Parfitt' at the end of 2016 (see his posthumous album here) and after the nice album of 'Francis Rossi' with 'Hannah Rickard' (see here) and the wacken live and the 'Down Down & Dignified at the Royal Albert Hall (see here), this opus is the 33rd studio album, which is to say the extent of the discography because few groups can boast of such a production. First, we hear here and there critics about the release of an album of 'Quo' without 'Rick Parfitt' : to that, I will answer that life resumes its course (and thankfully) and that it doesn't mean that we will forget Rick; on the contrary, this new album is a real album of the 'Quo' and I imagine that Rick, from where he is, must take good time with titles like 'Cut Me Some Slack' or 'I Wanna Run Away with You' because 'Backbone' is a real album' of the 'Quo' : good boogie-rock that gives you an irresistible urge to move with melodies easy to memorize and hyper effective especially since 'Richie Malone' has managed to keep the style of the legendary rhythm guitar of the 'Quo'. And while these 11 songs were originally written by the Rossi / Young duo and were not intended to be recorded, they finally came into being through improvised sessions among the band members during last tour and we are not surprised that each composition has a communicative enthusiasm because we feel this real pleasure to play together. In summary, this last 'Quo' is an opus that is a continuation of what the English know how do better for more than 5 decades and 'Backbone' should undoubtedly be well received by the many historical fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Francis Rossi (Vocal, Guitar), Andrew Bown (Keybords, Guitar), John « Rhino » Edwards (Bass), Richie Malone (Guitar), Leon Cave (Drums)


Artist : Sonata Arctica

Album : Talvyiö

Release Date : 05-09-2019

Added : 04-11-2019

After 'The Ninth Hour' which was for me a good surprise in 2016 (see here), the Finns of 'Sonata Arctica' released a new album 'Talvyiö' which continue in the way traced by the last opus that is to say a much more melodic and less powerful metal and we feel this inflection throughout the 11 tracks and even if the first composition 'Message from the Sun' has fast and powerful passages , choruses come to soften the whole. With 'Whirliwind', even if the guitar riffs are still present, the style is much closer to melodic rock, especially since the chorus enters quite easily in the head, and 'Cold' moves away from the metal and is a real hit that could be on the top of a top 50 and that confirms us that 'Tony Kakko' still has this talent for melodies that captive immediately. Overall, keyboards take more space compared to guitars and this is confirmed in titles like 'Storm the Armada', 'Who Failes the Most', 'Deamon's Cage' or the melodic jewel 'A Little Less Understanding'. The quieter moments offer two ballads with an aerial 'The Last of the Lambs' and 'The Garden' which closes the album and which takes us in their world of Nordic tales, a little in the atmosphere that could have released 'The Life and Times of Scrooge' of the keyboardist ‘Tuomas Holopainen' from 'Nightwish' (see here). We can also note the energetic and instrumental with Celtic sonorities 'Ismo' s Got Good Reactors' and 'The Raven Still Flies' which also recalls that' Tony Kakko 'also knows how to compose beautiful progressive pieces. In summary, with 'Talvyiö', Finns of 'Sonata Arctica', even if some titles are quite direct and accessible, released a more sought-after album than the previous ones and relatively far from the power of metal with quality compositions that unfold gradually over the course of listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Kakko (Vocal), Elias Viljanen (Guitar), Henrik Klingenberg (Keybords), Pasi Kauppinen (Bass), Tommy Portimo (Drums)


Artist : BlackRain

Album : Dying Breed

Release Date : 13-09-2019

Added : 05-11-2019

After 'Released' in 2016 (see here), the French of 'Blackrain' released a new studio album 'Dying Breed'. Compared to the last opus, they favored much more direct and effective compositions with enormous energy and unstoppable and catchy melodies and this from the first title track of the album and its simple chorus but which should be all the rage in concert and a first solo guitar on the fast lane, then, 'Hellfire' continues on a heavy rhythm with raging guitar riffs just like 'Blast Me Up' in which the title is punctuated with riffs on the style of 'AC/DC'. With 'Nobody Can Change', it's time for a wild rhythm interspersed with a quieter part and 'Like Me' slows the tempo for a rhythm where you can’t help to headbang. And after that we merit a little pause with the simple but very effective ballad 'All Angels Have Gone' before starting again on the 2nd part of the album with titles with the same energy as the beginning of the album and if the rhythmic of the chorus of 'Public Enemy' leaves you cold, it is that definitely you are not made for the effective hard-rock of 'Blackrain'. Note that the Spotify version offers 2 additional titles with the strong cover of Ça Plane Pour Moi’ of 'Plastic Bertrand' well known in France for more than fourty years. In summary, the French of 'Blackrain' return to the fundamentals of a powerful and effective hard rock, and 'Dying Breed' is intended for all those who are fond of a melodic hard rock that has taken off in the 80'...

Line Up / Musicians

Swan (Vocal, Guitar), Max 2 (Guitars), Frank F (Drums), Mat H (Bass)


Artist : This Winter Machine

Album : A Tower of Clocks

Release Date : 24-06-2019

Added : 06-11-2019

Here is a set of progressive rock albums of the year that have been released in the last months, in 8 successive reviews.

First of all, I come back to an album dating from June 2019 about the English from 'This Winter Machine' which had released a very good first studio recording 'The Man Who Never Was' in 2017 (see here), and released their 2nd album 'A Tower of Clocks' which is based on the story of an owl who stores all our feelings in the 'Clock Tower' to keep all this memory intact. So, we are embarked on this story with a first instrumental title 'Herald' (which is the name of the owl) which sets the scene with first a first atmospheric part that prepares the main theme beginner to the electric guitar and which is gaining momentum by accelerating the tempo with a first solo keyboard. With 'Flying', we are immersed in a beautiful melodic ballad and after the short instrumental 'Spiral', 'Symetry and Light' is the first progressive piece sung with several interlocking parts and breaks of tempos and intensities. We find the style of 'Flying' with 'Justified' with melodic lines reminiscent of those of Elton John 'but with a much more progressive approach, the second part containing a very nice guitar solo and' In Amber 'continues in this melodic and purified piano/voice style. The progressive components are then more present on the rest of the album, with, first of all, 'The Hunt' which starts in a worrisome atmosphere then which increases in intensity and accelerates the rhythm to fall back in the last 2 minutes and finish with a heady melody; 'Delta', which follows, alternate intense passages and others much quieter with the use of the piano to accompany the beautiful voice of 'Al Winter', then, 'When We Were Young' is a new ballad this time guitar / voice with a few keyboards the album ending with the longest composition of the album 'Carnivale' which begins in a hurdy-gurdy atmosphere and which consists of several parts taking up all the atmospheres of the album which ends in apotheosis in a very beautiful crescendo and finally falls on some piano notes. In summary, the British of 'This Winter Machine' released a quality album that mixes beautiful ballads with progressive constructions and 'A Tower of Clocks', although it is accessible, nevertheless requires several listenings to take full advantage of every nook...

Line Up / Musicians

Al Winter (Vocal), Mark Numan (Keybords, Choirs), Graham Garbett (Guitar, Choirs), Scott Owens (Guitar, Choirs), Andy Milner (Drums), Pete Priestley (Bass)


Artist : Pattern-Seeking Animals

Album : Pattern-Seeking Animals

Release Date : 05-07-2019

Added : 07-11-2019

The second chronicle of the series devoted to progressive rock is that of the Americans of 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' which is a new project initiated by the keyboardist 'John Boegehold' who has collaborated to the writing of some titles of 'Spock's Beard' since 2003 and for the occasion appealed to members of the group, the singer 'Ted Leonard', the bassist 'Dave Meros' and the former drummer 'Jimmy Keegan'. Of course, we are in a progressive style with 3 titles around 10 minutes but the album also contains shorter titles away from progressive style with 'No One Ever Died and Made Me King' quite close to the AOR, then the melancholic ballads 'The Same Mistakes Again', 'Fall Away' and 'These Are My Things', the latter making me think of the style of the Scottish 'Al Stewart', the ritornello 'We Write the Ghost Stories' with his ternary tempo of a waltz and finally the very accessible 'No Land's Man' with its pop style. Regarding the progressive constructions, 'No Burden Left to Carry' is quite typical of a rich progressive multi-drawer title that must be acquired in several listenings, then 'Orphans Of The Universe' continues in this atmosphere and finally, 'Stars Along The Way' of more than 10 minutes closes the album with a composition more accessible and less convoluted. In summary, this new project 'Pattern-Seeking Animals', although similarities with 'Spock's Beard' are present here and there, appears much more accessible with an alternation of rich and elaborate titles and others much more direct and allows vary styles to be open to a relatively wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

John Boegehold (Keybords), Ted Leonard (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Keegan (Vocal, Drums), Dave Meros (Bass)


Artist : Introitus

Album : Shadows

Release Date : 12-07-2019

Added : 08-11-2019

The third band devoted to progressive rock is' Introitus', a Swedish band that I only discover with their latest album 'Shadows' but which has already been around for 20 years with a first studio recording in 2007 (see here). In 'Introitus', in the 'Bender' family, I would like the father: I have him, it is the composer and keyboardist; I would like the mother: I have her, it is the singer who has, by the way, a magnificent voice; I continue, I would like the son: I have him, it is the drummer and then to complete the family the little last 'Johanna' who participates in the choirs. When I first heard 'Shadows', I found myself in a well-known mix of progressive, symphonic and atmospheric rock, borrowing from bands like 'Pink Floyd', 'RPWL' (see their latest album here) or 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here) but which have their own style filled with melancholy. From the first title, 'Belong', we can feel 'Floydian' influences with a remarkable vocal performance by 'Anna Bender' who fills the space with her warm and deep voice. Follows the eponymous title of the album that reminds me of the melodic lines of 'Karnataka' (see their latest album with 'Hayley Griffiths' here) but which has much more progressive accents with much more instrumental parts. The suite offers us a very airy atmosphere with 'Beyond Fantasy' on which come beautiful vocalizations and piano chords close to 'Vangelis' (see his latest album 'Nocturne' here) with a very beautiful melancholic intervention of an accordion in the middle of the title, then, 'Desperation', which is the longest title of the album, continues in this poignant atmosphere by unfolding a magnificent melody with still here and there the use of the accordion and still a beautiful interpretation of Anna, the instrumental part is also beautiful with a grandiose finale. Finally, after the 'Figures' which alternate parts removed and others calmer, 'My Hero' is a more classic melancholic ballad and the album ends with the instrumental 'Awakening' in which we embark for one last time in a long development with a poignant first part, which is gaining momentum and accelerates the rhythm in the middle of the title with a succession of several sections and which ends calmly with some vocalizations accompanied one last time by the accordion. In short, this last album of the Swedes of 'Introitus' is for me a magnificent discovery and, if you like the serene ambiences in progressive rock, 'Shadows' is certainly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Bender (Keybords), Anna Jobs Bender (Vocal), Mattias Bender (Drums), Dennis Lindkvist (Bass), Pär Helje (Guitar), Linnéa Syrjälä (Vocal, Flute), Johanna Bender (Choirs) + Guests : Martin Jobs (Choirs), Helena Tenstam (Flute)


Artist : Ape Amplitude

Album : Escape Routes

Release Date : 08-08-2019

Added : 09-11-2019

It’s with 'Achim Wierschem' that we continue the series of progressive rock albums 2019 with his project 'Ape Amplitude' because the German participates in a lot of other projects like 'Flaming Bess' (see here), 'Mindmovie' (see here), 'Marquette' (see here) or 'Horizontal Ascension' (see here). With 'Peter Zahn', he released 'Escape Routes' which is a fully instrumental and conceptual opus based on the observation that reality is often stranger than fiction. The title of each composition thus addresses a serious subject with the first title 'A Long and Painful Path', which deals with migrants who are ready to risk their lives in the Mediterranean to escape from their country : musically, divided into 4 parts for a total of about 33 minutes, we are embarked on a rich and sought-after progressive rock, often atmospheric in the style of big bands of the 70's like 'Pink Floyd' or 'Yes' with massive use of keyboards and beautiful 'Gilmourian' guitar solos. Overall, the titles are peaceful and melancholy such as 'Last Exit Suicide', 'Dopeland', 'The Drinker', 'Escape to Women's Shelter' or 'Requiem for a Dying Planet' with tempos unfolding slowly their melody but we can also note more progressive constructions like 'Turning My Back to the City' or 'Virtual Reality' in a rhythm more sustained embellished with electronics. Note the last title 'A Little Light of Hope' which, after all these black enough titles, ends the album on a note of hope with a beautiful melody that grows throughout the title. In summary, this new project by 'Achim Wierschem', although the theme is quite dark, demonstrates all the talent of this composer who offers us endearing tunes and, 'Escape Routes' is an album that should please all those who like long instrumental developments of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Achim Wierschem, Peter Zahn + Guests : Andres Rexach (Guitar), Sebastian Schleicher, Byron Frey, Martin Kuna, Nadja Humeni


Artist : Cirrus Bay

Album : The Art of Vanishing

Release Date : 27-08-2019

Added : 10-11-2019

For this fifth review dedicated to progressive rock, it is still Americans with 'Cirrus Bay' who began their career in the early 2000s and released their sixth studio recording 'The Art of Vanishing'. For those who know the band 'Renaissance' which had a great popularity in the 70/80 (see their latest live here), I find that we find a certain similarity in the melodic lines and 'Tai Shan' is close to the very high register of 'Annie Haslam' and this from the first title 'A Blossom of Hills' reminiscent of the sounds of the 70s. This similarity is confirmed in 'A Garment of Clouds' with a beautiful melody and very beautiful vocalizations, then 'Eden' continues in the same register and recalls the first albums of the English. The album is sprinkled with acoustic or semi-acoustic instruments, firstly with the short guitar solo 'Undiscovered Isle', then 'The North Country' continues in this characteristic style of the 70s with the sounds of keyboards that can recall 'Focus' and also, we can quote 'Sooke Harbor' in which flute and guitar offer beautiful exchanges, but also 'Unexpected Wonder', recalling the first progressive pieces and the very purest 'Lost and Profund'. With 'The Dictator', we embark on a sweet ballad with new beautiful vocalizations then 'The Vanishing Place' is a long title consisting of several parts in a typical style of a progressive leaving much space for the instrumental parts. The album ends with the acoustic 'Falling Leaves' and the beautiful relaxing medley 'Medley For Solo Piano: The Poetic Sea / Solitude / Cascadence' where 'Bill Gillham' shows us all his talent as a pianist. In summary, with 'The Art of Vanishing', the Americans of 'Cirrus Bay' takes us back a few decades back into a peaceful and airy progressive that was popularized at the time by groups like 'Renaissance'...

Line Up / Musicians

Bill Gillham (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Tai Shan (Vocal), Sharra Acle (Choirs), Mark Blasco (Drums, Bass, Saxophone, Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Drifting Sun

Album : Planet Junkie

Release Date : 01-09-2019

Added : 11-11-2019

The sixth chronicle devoted to progressive rock albums is that of English of 'Drifting Sun' which, after fifteen years of absence, came back in 2014 with 'Safe Asylum' in 2016 and 'Twilight' in 2017 (see review here) and release a new album 'Planet Junkie'. For this album, following 'Peter Falconer' health problems, 'Pat Senders' has called on new group singers with 'Marc Atkinson', the singer of 'Riversea', 'Colin Mold' who shot with 'Karnataka' and released 3 solo albums and 'Joshua Corum' from 'Head With Wings' (see here ). Apart from the 2 instrumental titles, the short and clean 'Life' and 'I Will Be King' which highlight 'Pat Senders' first at the piano and then at the Hammond organ, the other 9 titles are shared equitably between the guest singers who interpret 3 each. First of all, 'Peter Falconer' with the first 3 titles including the first 'Within Your Bones' takes us several decades back with references in the big progressive rock band of the 70s/80s like 'Alan Parsons Project' (see her latest album here) and with an instrumental part where 'Sarah Skinner' offers us a wonderful saxophone solo, then, 'Planet Junkie' accelerates the tempo in an energetic composition before 'Missing 'which shows that' Marc Atkinson 'is equally at home in quieter compositions. As for 'Colin Mold', the compositions are all calm and serene with first the ballad 'Night-Time Sorrow', then, 'Stay With Me' continues in this aerian atmosphere and finally 'To Tame a Star' which we embark for more than 8 minutes in a progressive and inventive title cut into several parts with rich instrumental parts. It is with 'Joshua Corum' that the album ends with first of all the very beautiful ballad very stripped piano/voice 'Born of a Dream' embellished by the violin of 'Eric Bouillette', then, 'Diogenes' is rather confusing but reveals itself gradually listening after listening, and finally, 'Everlasting Creed' is a kind of summary of the album with a progressive title of 10 minutes which sees succeed several parts with changes of intensity and tempo and with always remarkable instrumental arrangements. In short, it is still a faultless for the English of 'Drifting Sun' that offers us a quality album, and 'Planet Junkie' should appeal to an audience that loves a varied and accessible progressive rock mixing multiple influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Pat Sanders (Keybords), Mathieu Spaeter (Guitar), Manu Michael (Bass), Will Jones (Drums) + Guests : Marc Atkinson (Vocal), Colin Mold (Vocal), Joshua Corum (Vocal), Eric Bouillette (Cordes), Sarah Skinner (Saxophone), Ben Bell (Organ), Conrad Cheng (Clarinette)


Artist : Atom Works

Album : The Life of Spice

Release Date : 06-09-2019

Added : 12-11-2019

For the seventh chronicle devoted to progressive rock, it is the turn of 'Atom Works' which is a new Finnish band and released a first studio album 'The Life of Spice' recounting the story of a father whose secret is accidentally revealed and whose sons find the temptation too strong and oppose him to try to take undue advantage of the generosity of their father, all this happening in the 1930s in India.
On the music side, they mix progressive rock and metal with multiple influences of the last forty years and rich and complex constructions that require several listenings to penetrate their universe. The introductory title '400th Year' is certainly one of the most accessible with a first part with a guitar solo at 'Gilmour' then a second part much more energetic with a faster tempo and guitar riffs more present, then with the short 'The Life of Spice', we come back a few decades back with progressive groups of the 70s and this title makes me think of the French band 'Ange' (see their latest album here). With 'The Brothers Thirst', after an introduction to oriental flavors, it is a progressive title with a poignant tension and a very theatrical chant of 'Steve Baker', then 'Puppets of the Three' continues in this atmosphere with multiple changes of tempo and intensity and which is built in different parts that fit into each other. The sequel is the image of the begining of the album, because apart from the instrumental short break 'Time in Eyes', everything is done to offer us compositions in which 'Steve Baker' confirms all his talent at singing and whose charisma reminds me of singers like 'Jean Pageau' from 'Mystery' (see their latest album here) or 'Paul Manzi' from 'Arena' (see their last album here) and in which a good place is left to remarkable instrumental sections and this until the last title 'Beyond the Old', more than 14 minutes, which is a good summary of the album with all the ingredients of progressive rock and which has a magnificent final slowly rising in power to fall on the end in a few keyboards and then one last time, and a short part sung part of 'Steve Baker'.

In summary, the Finns of 'Atom Works' already show for a first album an impressive maturity thanks to very good musicians and a very good singer, and 'The Life of Spice' is intended for a progressive rock public who likes the sought compositions with long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Baker (Vocal), Kasper Rosqvist (Guitar), Zsolt Szilagyi (Keybords), Niklas Finnäs (Drums), Mats Ödahl (Bass)


Artist : Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion

Album : Parallel Life

Release Date : 12-09-2019

Added : 13-11-2019

My latest release on progressive rock album releases is about the band of the guitarist of the 'Flower Kings', 'Hasse Fröberg', who with 'Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion' ('HFMC') releases his fourth studio album 'Parallel Life' (he was also involved in the 'Mark Trueack' project, 'Planetary Overload Part 1: Loss' - see here). So we are immersed in a progressive universe and this from the beginning, since they chose to start the album by the master piece divided into 6 parts, 'Parallel Life' : inevitably, the 22 minutes do not integrate themselves immediately and ask you to listen several times but we can emphasize a very nice work on the level of melodic lines that are accessible to the image of the 2nd part 'To Change' or the 3rd 'You and Life'. Overall, we navigate between rock and progressive metal with a beautiful alternation between the sung parts ('Hasse Fröberg' offers us beautiful vocal demonstrations) and between remarkable instrumental parts. The rest of the album continues in this variety of style within the compositions themselves as in 'Sleeping with the Ghost' which starts calmly in a 'Floydian' atmosphere and which accelerates at the first minute and then afterwards alternates quiet and more energetic passages, then 'Time Waits', a little harder to tame for me, continues in this progressive style sought with some technical passages. With 'All Those Faces', we return to a more classic rock similar to 'Alan Parsons Project' for the rhythm part, and 'Rain' is a title that allows a break in the form of a ballad with parts atmospheric. Change of style with 'Friday' that takes us into an energetic track in the style of 70s hard-rock bands and the album ends beautifully with 'Never Alone' with memorable melodic lines and a progressive build that alternates energetic and quieter parts and which has an epic and symphonic masterly ending. In summary, the Swedes of 'HFMC' still release a quality album that draws its influence in forty years of progressive and, even if it requires several listenings to tame it, 'Parallel Life' is still a pleasant surprise in progressive genre for the year 2019 and should undoubtedly be well received by all fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Hasse Fröberg (Guitar, Vocal), Anton Lindsjö (Guitar), Ola Strandberg (Drums), Kjell Haraldsson (Keybords), Thomas Thomsson (Bass)


Artist : Jay Smith

Album : Young Guns

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 14-11-2019

The Swedish multi-instrumentalist 'Jay Smith' has just released his 4th album 'Young Guns'. The turn in his last album 'King of Man' is confirmed with this opus, that is to say, after a period rock/hard-rock, it's a style decidedly country/rock he offers us in the great tradition of America. Everything is done to have a good time with effective and melodic compositions, starting with 'My Everything' and its refrain that goes right into your head, then 'Ten Feet off the Ground' with arrangements reminiscent of western music continues in this direction, and 'Roots' brings a little more rock side while keeping this country atmosphere. The following alternates calmer compositions in the form of beautiful ballads like 'Wild Roses', 'God Damn You', 'Closing Time' which is a beautiful duet with 'Minnah' and others more energetic and always catchy like the beautiful mid-tempo 'Young Guns', 'Lucky Strike' or 'Rocky Ride'. In summary, 'Jay Smith', even if it does not revolutionize the country/rock style, released a quality album with very accessible compositions and with, it should be noted, an irreproachable production : 'Young Guns' should please an audience that loves the country style perpetuated by a large number of American artists...

Line Up / Musicians

Jay Smith (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Kobra And The Lotus

Album : Evolution

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 15-11-2019

After the 2 albums 'Prevail' in 2017 and 2018 (see here and here), the Canadians of 'Kobra And The Lotus' released a new album 'Evolution' in September 2019. Always in a rather direct style, they continue to offer us a powerful and effective metal between melodic and symphonic. Ater a short instrumental introduction often used in symphonic metal, 'Evolution' opens the ball with a first energetic title and 'Burn!' which follows continues in this direct and effective style. With 'We Come Undone', we keep the power of guitar riffs but in a more jerky rhythm that can recall the progressive metal and 'Wounds', more varied, varies the tempos with mid-tempo parts with a nice rhythm section and others more energetic. And if it needed a hit, it's 'Thundersmith' with a chorus that should well welcome in live, then 'Circus' is a mid-tempo with a rhythm marked a bit like 'Joan Jett' with 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll'. The ballad break arrives with the melodic 'Wash Away' and 'Kobra Paige' reminds me in this register to 'Marcella Bovio' at the time of 'Stream Of Passion'. The end of the album returns to a powerful metal with 'Liar', then, with 'Get the F*ck Out of Here' we embark for rhythmic fast and catchy and finally, 'In The End' closes the album with a final title energetic with changes of rhythm in a more symphonic style. In summary, the Canadians of 'Kobra And The Lotus' continue in the path of the previous opus with a powerful metal with accessible melodic lines and, therefore, if you like the 2 'Prevail', you will undoubtedly be conquered by 'Evolution'...

Line Up / Musicians

Kobra Paige (Vocal), Jasio Kulakowski (Guitar, Choirs), Ronny Gutierrez (Guitar), Brad Kennedy (Bass), Marcus Lee (Drums)


Artist : Knight Area

Album : D-Day

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 16-11-2019

After 'Sabaton' who released the 'The Great War' in July 2019 (see here), and in another style of music, the Dutch of 'Knight Area' released an album on the landing of the 2nd World War, named 'D-Day'. 'Heaven And Beyond' was for me one of my favorites albums of 2017 (see here) but this new album is musically quite distant.
First of all, it's a concept album and, therefore, the music had to be in sync with the chosen theme and overall, as each composition relates a fact related to the landing of June 6, 1944, the style is powerful with more saturated guitar riffs, a much more aggressive bass approaching the sounds of metal and an impressive work on keyboards that often bring the dramatic side and this from the first three titles 'New Horizon', 'Overlord' and 'Blood On The Risers'. About 'The Landing', we come back to a poignant symphonic rock that starts quietly and that increase in power quite rapidly and unfolds a catchy melody with a beautiful guitar solo in the 2nd part. Then, with 'Omaha Beach' the emotional intensity is at its height with the remarkable singing of 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' which gives goosebumps repeatedly. We return to a heavier style with 'Rememberance' in a more epic style then, 'When I'll Be With You' is the album title in a very theatrical and melancholy style with a beautiful duet between the pianist 'Robby Valentine' invited for the occasion and 'Jan Willem Ketelaers'. With 'Wings of Time', it's still a powerful composition but in a rather slow tempo giving off a real emotion and a remarkable rhythmic section of 'Pieter van Hoorn' and, 'March to Victory' which starts with the broadcast in English of the German capitulation, is a progressive title with several overlapping parts and a beautiful instrumental part in the end of the title and a very nice solo of keyboards, the album ending with an epic 'Freedom for Everyone' celebrating the freedom found after the war and whose chorus stays in the head the last notes spent.

In summary, with 'D-Day', the Dutch Knight Area are much more than a simple album because the facts relate to the duty of memory and we can not remain insensitive especially since the compositions are sublimated by a magnificent interpretation of the whole group with obviously a special mention to the performance of 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' which transmits a real emotion throughout this album...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Willem Ketelaers (Vocal), Mark Bogert (Guitar), Gerben Klazinga (Keybords), Peter Vink (Bass), Pieter van Hoorn (Drums) + Guest : Robby Valentine (Piano)


Artist : Cellar Noise

Album : Nautilus

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 17-11-2019

After a first album in 2017 (see here), the Italians of 'Cellar Noise' come back with a 2nd studio recording 'Nautilus'. Based on the theme of people who suffer from mental illnesses and try to protect themselves from everyday life, they have taken the image of the nautilus that goes into its shell to better defend itself.
About the music, they have evolved compared to the last album and their style is quite difficult to define because they mix pop, rock and metal with modern progressive constructions. 'Creator' that starts the album mixes powerful parts and others very quiet with fairly frequent tempo breaks that can recall groups like 'Opeth', (who have also released a new album - soon to be coming soon). 'Our Last Dance' begins in a muffled atmosphere then takes scale and accelerates the pace in the middle of the title to decrease to finish as it has begun, the atmosphere being quite heavy throughout the title. As for 'Nautilus', it is a contrasting composition between the theme of depression and the more enthusiastic melodic lines and 'Under My Command' is a magnificent ballad with a beautiful and gentle central instrumental part that intensifies and then falls back in some synthesizer notes. The following scrolls 'Leeches' which comes back to a sought after progressive metal which reminds me of some compositions of 'Porcupine Tree', a new ballad 'Her' with the participation of the singer 'Laura Meade' which brings an air side to this title and a very nice final guitar solo, then, with its 12 minutes, 'Omega' embarks us in a multi-faceted composition that beautifully alternates fast and powerful parts and other very serene in restraint. The album ends with the instrumental short 'Relics' not necessarily essential.

In summary, the Italians of 'Cellar Noise' explore new musical paths in a very beautiful way with the key to a quality album that requires several listenings to be well soak up and 'Nautilus' will undoubtedly be appreciated by a public loving a rich and sought after progressive music with contrasts between power and serenity...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Bersan (Drums), Loris Bersan (Bass, Guitar), Niccolò Gallani (Keybords), Francesco Lovari (Vocal), Alessandro Palmisano (Guitar) + invité : Laura Meade (Vocal)


Artist : Danny Bryant

Album : Means of Escape

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 18-11-2019

After the remarkable 'Big (Live)' in 2017 (see here ), here's for blues/rock fans, the latest album of 'Danny Bryant', 'Means of Escape' which was released in September 2019. He continues to enchant us with compositions of authenticity and admirable sensitivity and the cover of the album is quite significant of this Englishman who fell into the potion of the blues at the age 15 years because the photo shows him wearing his guitar as to better show that it is an integral part of himself. So we embark on a little more than 40 minutes of blues/rock with this fusion between his singing that conveys a real emotion and his saturated guitar game so characteristic and this from the first titles, the mid-tempo 'Tired of Trying', 'Too Far Gone' and his masterly rise or 'Means of Escape' in which he explains that music has always been for him a great way for him to escape. And in the middle of these powerful and energetic titles, Danny also has the gift of carrying us first with the acoustic 'Skin and Bones' in which the emotion is at its height but also with the poignant ballad 'When the River ends'. And the album ends with two remarkable tracks, first of all 'Hurting Time' which is the kind of timeless title that takes you back to the origins of the blues and the instrumental 'Mya' in which one last time, it transports us with his guitar thanks to a slow melody filled with passion.

In short, as you will understand, 'Danny Bryant' at the top of his art, still offers a wonderful album that all lovers of blues/rock will enter their ideal record collection but should also reach a much more public wide because this style became an universal music...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bryant (Vocal, Guitar), Alex Maddison (Trombone), David Maddison (Trumpet, Trombone), Alex Phillips (Bass), Dave Raeburn (Drums), Stevie Watts (Keybords), Mark Wilkinson (Saxophone), Lauren Young (Saxophone)


Artist : Volbeat

Album : Rewind, Replay, Rebound

Release Date : 02-08-2019

Added : 19-11-2019

After 'Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie' in 2016 (see here), I come back to the new recording released a few months ago by the Danes of 'Volbeat', 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound'. They continue to distill us a powerful and melodic rock, simple but effective, the deluxe edition presenting 16 titles with some demos. Each composition is a hit in power that could be in a top 50 including the 2 titles of the second galette (listen to the melodic and effective 'Under the Influence'). They draw their influences in 50 years of different styles : muscular rockabilly with 'Pelvis on Fire', 'Die To Live' or 'Sorry Sack of Bones' but also the rock periods of the 70s and 80s with 'Last Day Under' The Sun', 'Cheapside Sloggers' or 'Parasite' through much more pop melodies like 'Rewind The Exit', 'Maybe I Believe', 'Cloud 9' or 'The Awekening of Bonnie Parker' and songs quieter like 'When We Were Kids' or '7: 24'. In summary, with this last 'Volbeat', everything is together to have a good time with accessible titles and catchy melodies and beyond the important fan base, 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound' should please a wide audience sailing between pop and rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Poulsen (Vocal, Guitar), Jon Larsen (Drums), Kaspar Boye Larsen (Bass), Rob Caggiano (Guitar)


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : War In My Mind

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 20-11-2019

After the wonderful concert at the 'Royal Albert Hall' (see here< / a>) and 3 years after the recording studio 'Fire On The Floor' (see here), 'Beth Hart' released at the end of September a new album 'War In My Mind'. We find this great lady of the blues with 12 new titles all as intense as each other, in all styles that she masters perfectly. First of all, with this overflowing energy that characterizes her, 'Bad Woman Blues' starts the album in a blues/rock atmosphere and then, with 'War in my Mind', it's the other facet of this sincere and tortured artist who offers us a first moment of a rare intensity. And, although some titles are filled with boundless energy like 'Sugar Shack' and its rock'n'roll vibe or the 'Spanish Lullabies' dance or 'Try A little Harder' with jazz/rock sounds, this is the most intimate side which is put forward with titles all of which emit a palpable and deep emotion : how can one remain indifferent to 'Without Words In The Way' and its melancholy atmosphere or 'Let It Grow' and its intense crescendo with magnificent choruses or the very intimate piano/voice 'Sister Dear' where she shares her grief over the loss of her sister or the heart-wrenching 'Rub Me For Luck' that gives you goosebumps throughout the title, the last 2 titles 'Thankful' and 'I Need a Hero' finishing the album in this same emotional intensity. In short, needless to add, with 'War In My Mind', 'Beth hart' has yet taken a step by offering us an even more personal work and going far beyond a simple music album because it's quite naturally the story of her life with all the wounds and joys that she has been through all these years: simply beautiful and upsetting...

myprogmusic reviews about 'Beth Hart'

Chroniques myprogmusic concernant ‘Beth Hart’
Better Than Home (2015)
Fire On The Floor (2016)
Black Coffee (2018)
Front and Center (Live from New-York) (2018)
Live At The Royal Albert Hall (2018)

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal, Keybords, Piano), Chris Chaney (Bass), Jamie Muhoberac (Keybords), Rob Cavallo (Guitar), Tim Pierce (Guitar), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums)


Artist : Opeth

Album : In Cauda Venenum

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 21-11-2019

After 'Sorceress' in 2016 who had made a strong impression (see here), the Swedes of 'Opeth' released a new album 'In Cauda Venenum' in 2 versionsn one in Swedish and the other in English, the original version in their language bringing for me more authenticity. The direction taken in 'Sorceress' is confirmed with an elaborate and rich progressive style that must be tamed with the wire of listenings, each composition bringing its share of ruptures of intensity and changes of melodic lines which is now the trademark of the group.
After the atmospheric instrumental introduction 'Livets Trädgard', we get into a metal full of energy in the first 2 minutes of 'Svekets Prins' then, it is a first break that introduces a very calm first sung part which is resumed in an explosion of power thanks to a heavy rhythm and an epic and atypical melody. Follows 'Hjärtat Vet Vad Handen Gör' in the same vein as 'Svekets Prins' with remarkable instrumental parts and a last semi-acoustic part falling in intensity, and 'Närmast Sörjande', with its influences mixing east and west, unfolds several sections melodic and rhythmic quite different which, for my part, makes it one of the most difficult titles to integrate. Change of scenery with 'Minnets Yta' which is much more accessible and which is an atmospheric track with 'Floydiennes' influences, then, 'Charlatan' embarks us in a composition with breaks of rhythm with a remarkable work of 'Martin Mendez' on the bass and with a completely offbeat final containing children's lyrics and religious songs. As for 'Ingen Sanning Är Allas', even if it has several sections rather different from each other, integrates melodic lines quite accessible and is an affordable gateway for all those who would like to enter the world of music of 'Opeth. With 'Banemannen', we are taken to several musical worlds that merge marvelously to make one of the most endearing tracks of the album, then, 'Kontinuerlig Drift' brings us back to the universe while breaking Opeth ' with the same melodic line that alternates power and serenity, the album ending with 'Allting tar slut' which starts with a contemporary section and whose suite has beautiful melodic lines modulated in a remarkable way.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Opeth' release still a major work completely apart in the progressive musical landscape and which requires multiple listening to take advantage of all her refinements and richness which consequently intends 'In Cauda Venenum' to an informed public...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Åkerfeldt (Vocal, Guitar), Martin Mendez (Bass), Martin Axenrot (Drums), Fredrik Åkesson (Guitar), Joakim Svalberg (Keybords)


Artist : Lee Abraham

Album : Comatose

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 22-11-2019

After 'Colors' in 2017 (see here), 'Lee Abraham', who participates in the 'Galahad' project as a bassist (see my last review here) continues its journey by inviting different artists and 2019 sees the release of his last baby 'Comatose' which tells the story of a victim of a traffic accident who finds himself in a coma and whose we follow the experience while medical teams try to save him. Unlike the last album, the only guest singer is 'Marc Atkinson' who is definitely talked about at the moment (review coming soon of 'Drifting Sun'), this for sure give homogeneity to the whole.
It is with the major progressive piece 'Numb, Pt. 1' that begins the album: a long instrumental introduction very 'Floydienne' sets the scene of the hospital room with the beeps of the apparatus then the title takes flight with different sections alternating tension and relaxation and a first guitar solo to arrive at two-thirds of the title to the sung part interspersed with a very nice guitar solo. The following scrolls much shorter titles with 'Realization', slow and atmospheric and with a beautiful fusion between the acoustic guitar and the vocals of 'Marc Atkinson' and to finish a new guitar solo 'Gilmourien', then, 'Twisted Metal' is based on a sustained rhythm and quite oppressive, then, total change of scenery with 'Ascend the Sky' which is very epic and whose theme of the feeling of ascent at the moment of death is transcended by very beautiful choirs thanks to 'Diane Abraham' and 'Mark Spencer'. With 'The Sun', it's a bucolic semi-acoustic title in which 'Marc Atkinson' makes a very good performance and the melodic lines can make you think of 'Barclay James Harvest', then the second part of 'Numb' takes over the starting theme on the beginning then hardens the tone in the middle of the title with guitar riffs that are more incisive and fast and that join the title 'No Going Back' which continues in this energetic and powerful style. Finally, 'Lee Abraham' lets the listener choose the end of the story with a question mark in the last title 'Awaken?' Which makes it the strongest title emotionally with one last time the beautiful voice of 'Marc Atkinson' and a beautiful Lee guitar solo that accompanies us remarkably to the last note.

In summary, although it is quite far from the previous opus, this new album of 'Lee Abraham' is a total success, undoubtedly the most successful, and 'Comatose' is to add to the ideal disco of all those who love a progressive, inventive, sought after and melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Abraham (Guitar, Choirs), Marc Atkinson (Vocal), Diane Abraham (Choirs), Mark Spencer (Choirs), Rob Arnold (Keybords), Gerald Mulligan (Drums)


Artist : Trust

Album : Fils de Lutte

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 23-11-2019

After 'In the same blood' which was a good surprise in 2018 (see here), a little more than a year later, the Frenchs of 'Trust' come back with a new album 'Son of Fight'. First of all, to all those who have remained glued to 'Antisocial' (it's going to be 40 years next year!), Bernie and Nono have also taken them (the forty years) and you know many French groups of sexagenarians who still send heavy music as they do in titles like ‘Portez vos croix’, ‘Les murs finiront par tomber’ or ‘On va prendre cher’. For my part, the great strength of this album is, first of all, that it presents a variety in the compositions with an authentic sound, the recording having been made as a capture of a live and secondly , that Bernie has not lost his statements with titles like 'Amer Saheb (Massoud l’Afghan)', ‘Ce n’est pas le Corée du Sud’ or ‘Miss univers’ in which he attacks our politicians. Side style, we go from a hard-rock powerful (‘Portez vos croix’, ‘Les murs finiront par tomber’) at mid-tempo blues/rock (‘Delanda’, ‘Tendances’) through boogie/rock close to 'Status-Quo' (‘On va prendre cher’), classic rock classique (‘J’ai cessé de compter’, 'Y'a Pas Le Feu Mais Faut Brûler’) or even muscular rockabilly (‘Le soleil brille pour tous’) without forgetting the rhythmic reggae on ‘Miss univers’.

In short, the French of 'Trust' continue their merry way by diversifying their style while keeping this spirit of protest that is their hallmark and 'Son of Fight' should beyond fans fill all fans of a multi-faceted rock thanks to accessible titles with effective guitar solos...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Bonvoisin (Vocal), Norbert "Nono" Krief (Guitar), Christian Dupuy (Drums), David Jacob (Bass), Ismaila "Iso" Diop (Guitar)


Artist : Barock Project

Album : Seven Seas

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 24-11-2019

I had discovered the Italians 'Barock Project' in 2017 with the release of their album 'Detachment' (see here) and their new recording studio 'Seven Seas' was released in September 2019. 11 tracks for more than an hour of music, it's is the menu of 'Seven Seas' that contains which embarks us for progressive compositions starting with the eponymous title of the album in several parts and a mixture of modern sounds and symphonic elements. First of all, the album contains quite short titles like the 'I Call Your Name', the acoustic 'A Mirror Trick' which has influences of Baroque music, the beautiful ballad 'Chemnitz Girl' or the happy and pop 'I should have Learned to' with a very nice complicity between the singing and the guitar. Then there are three titles with long progressive developments to gradually tame: first, 'Cold Fog' containing beautiful symphonic parts with beautiful passages takes us back to artists like 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' with a lot of sound more modern, then 'Hamburg', which is the longest title with beautiful symphonic sections that can recall certain sounds of 'Kansas' and finally, 'Brain Damage' which is cut in two parts, a first very quiet and a second completely tormented with beautiful passages quite technical. In the radius of my favorites, I will retain the magnificent 'Ashes' with a quiet acoustic introduction and which theme is taken up with the electric instruments and a much more energetic central part and a final resuming the melody of the beginning, but also the last title, 'The Ones' in which we can’t help but think of 'The Great Gig In The Sky' from the 'Floyds', especially since it is the chorist of 'Pink Floyd', 'Durga Mc Broom' invited for the occasion who sings in the second part of the title.

In summary, this new album of the Italians of 'Barock Project' is a nice surprise for 2019 and shows that the group has evolved again towards a progressive researched and inventive which as any album of this quality requires several listenings to well impregnate it...

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Zabbini (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Francesco Caliendo (Bass), Marco Mazzuoccolo (Guitar), Eric Ombelli (Drums), Alex Mari (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Durga Mc Broom (Choirs), Francesco Cinti (Saxophone)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Versions I

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 25-11-2019

I discovered Brazilians 'Gabby Vessoni' and 'Celo Oliveira' in early 2019 thanks to their remarkable album 'Across The Sea' (see here) and I told you at this time they also made wonderful covers of different artists. With 'Versions Part 1', you can now enjoy 30 tracks that have been reinterpreted beautifully while keeping the personality of the original title. There's something for everyone and everyone brings their own lot of emotion thanks to the talents of these two artists, first of all, Gabby's magnificent singing which embeds us in every composition with its soft and airy voice, and then, the mastery of multi-instrumentalist Celo who is perfectly at ease in all musical registers. In short, this album allows you, according to your musical tastes, to retreive great names of rock of the past 50 years interpreted in a masterful way and, for those interested, here is the list of compositions with the original artist and related videos that are all remarkable...


1. Opening Out (Renaissance - A Song for All Seasons - 1978) – video
2. Dark Night Of The Soul (Loreena McKennitt - The Mask and Mirror – 1994) – video
3. Shadow of the Hierophant (Steve Hackett - Voyage of the Acolyte - 1975) – video
4. The Beginning and the End (Anathema - Weather Systems - 2012) – video
5. Your Own Special Way (Genesis - Wind and Wuthering - 1976) - video
6. One Year of Love (Queen - A Kind of Magic - 1986) - video
7. Brother to Brother (Van Zant - Brother to Brother - 1998) - video
8. Heart Of Stone (Cher - Heart Of Stone - 1989) - video
9. Two Coins (City and Colour - The Hurry and the Harm - 2013) – video
10. Wond’ring Aloud (Jethro Tull – Aqualung - 1971) - video
11. The Final Cut (Pink Floyd - The Final Cut – 1983) - video
12. Helpless (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà Vu - 1970) - video
13. Will O The Wisp (Opeth – Sorceress – 2016) - video
14. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (Dream Theater – Awake - 1994) - video
15. Send Me an Angel (Scorpions - Crazy World - 1990) - video
16. Rainbow Demon (Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards - 1972) - video
17. With This Heart (Kansas - The Prelude Implicit - 2016) – chronique - video
18. Book of Saturday (King Crimson - Larks’ Tongues in Aspic - 1973) - video
19. Play to the World (Barclay James Harvest - Eyes of the Universe - 1979) - video
20. Ashes Are Burning (Renaissance - Ashes Are Burning – 1973) - video
21. On The Turning Away (Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason - 1987) - video
22. Lady of Dreams (Kitaro & Jon Anderson – Lady Of Dreams – 1992) - video
23. I Will Remember (Toto – Tambu - 1995) - video
24. Fields Of Gold (Sting - Ten Summoner’s Tales - 1993) - video
25. Silent Lucidity (Queensrÿche - Empire - 1990) - video
26. Starless (King Crimson - The Great Deceiver - 1992) - video
27. Wearing the Inside Out (Pink Floyd - The Division Bell - 1994) - video
28. The Lamia (Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - 1974) - video
29. Toe The Line (GTR – GTR - 1986) - video
30. Ordinary World (Duran Duran - Duran Duran – 1993) - video

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Chasing The Monsoon

Album : No Ordinary World

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 26-11-2019

After the split of 'Karnataka' (see the last album of the group here), 'Hayley Griffith' continues her career with her new band 'The Hayley Griffiths Band' and we are waiting their first album, and as for 'Ian Jones', he has created a new project 'Chasing The Monsoon' with keyboardist and guitarist of 'Karnataka', respectively 'Steve Evans' and 'Ian Simmons' and release a first album 'No Ordinary World'. For the occasion, he also appealed to other artists, first the singer 'Lisa Fury' who was a chorister of 'Karnataka' for 'The Gathering Light', 'Troy Donockley' of the band 'Nightwish' that we no longer present and guitarists, 'Enrico Pinna' (ex : 'Karnataka') and 'Gethin Woolcock'. After a first listen, we obviously feel similarities with 'Karnataka' with this sense of total escape and this from the first instrumental track in a atmospheric 'Floydian' style conducive to travel. With 'Circles of Stone', after still a 'Floydian' introduction, we discover the beautiful voice of 'Lisa Fury' which is soft and restrained and reminds me 'Sade' especially as the general mood of the opus is close to that of the English and 'Dancing in the Afterglow' plunges us even further into this distant universe with a throbbing and tribal rhythm in the first part and magnificent aerial vocalizations in the middle of the title. We remain in an atmosphere of softness with 'Dreams' and beautiful melodic lines close to 'Karnataka' and 'Into The Light' continuing in this direction, then, 'Innocent Child' climbs the emotional slider a few notches with a new magnificent performance of 'Lisa Fury' and a remarkable new guitar 'Gilmourian' solo. The following scrolls 'December Sky' slowly unfolding its sweet melody, the short instrumental 'Lament' with beautiful choirs and the bagpipe of 'Troy Donockley' then the album ends with two long titles, first, the beautiful ballad 'Love Will Find You' in which 'Lisa Fury' excels and, again, with very 'Gilmourian' guitar solos, and secondly, 'No Ordinary World' which, after an atmospheric introduction, ends the journey with a marked rhythm and is certainly the most energetic title of the album.

In short, this new project of 'Ian Jones' is a great success blending progressive and atmospheric rock with accessible melodies and if you like the airspace that can recall 'Pink-Floyd', 'No Ordinary World' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Jones (Bass, Keybords, Guitar), Steve Evans (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Ian Simmons (Guitar) + Guests : Lisa Fury (Vocal), Troy Donockley (Bagpipe Irlandaise), Enrico Pinna (Guitar), Gethin Woolcock (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Kaprekar’s Constant

Album : Depth of Field

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 27-11-2019

'Kaprekar's Constant' is a project bringing together different artists of the progressive scene and created by the two instrumentalists 'Nick Jefferson' and 'Al Nicholson' in 2016 for a first album in 2017 (see here) and I discovered them with this 2nd opus 'Depth of Field' released in September 2019. In a progressive style reminiscent of the big bands of the 70s like 'Genesis', 'Renaissance', 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Jethro Tull' (by the way 'Ian Anderson' lends his voice to the second part of 'Rosherville'), the English offer us 7 tracks with an alternation between long development and shorter compositions but always with very melodic constructions between pop, rock and folk and moreover relatively accessible. The album begins with the first part of 'Rosherville' in a peaceful atmosphere and we discover the vocal duo 'Dorie Jackson' and 'Bill Jefferson' which works perfectly and which brings a serenity to the set especially that instrumental arrangements go in the same direction with for example the use of the flute. The sequel is the image of this first title with for example the 10 minutes of 'Ghost Planes' with a melody reminiscent of artists like 'Al Stewart' or 'The Nightwatchman' which begins in an atmosphere close to 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' and then unrolls a beautiful melody that 'Dorie Jackson' illuminates with her sweet voice. The major piece of the album is without contest 'White Star's Sunrise' which, with its 23 minutes, embark us on a saga with melodic lines all equally remarkable as other in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

In short, the English of 'Kaprekar's Constant' released a second album full of poetry and we offer a progressive rock likeable and accessible that should fill all those who favor the soft side of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Jefferson (Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Al Nicholson (Guitar, Mandolin, Keybords, Piano), Bill Jefferson (Vocal), Dorie Jackson (Vocal), Mike Westergaard (Keybords, Piano, Guitar, Choirs), David Jackson (Saxophone, Flute, Whistles), Mark Walker (Drums) +Guest : Ian Anderson


Artist : Ark Ascent

Album : Downfall

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 28-11-2019

'Ark Ascent' is a new progressive metal band that was originally the 'Jack Kirby' project created in 2011 when he was 19 and with 'Rogue Marechal' on vocals, released their debut album 'Downfall'. The line up is completed by the Italian 'DGM', 'Andrea Arcangeli' on bass, by the drummer 'Michael Brush' who has been with 'Sirenia', (see their latest album here) and the French pianist 'Katia Filipovic'.
Their style mixes rock and progressive metal and this from the first instrumental track 'Arrival' which starts energetically and continues on a calmer rhythm in the middle of the title. With 'Point of no Return', the progressive side is put forward with frequent tempos changes but with always accessible melodic lines and quite present keyboards, then 'Sanctuary' is a rather short title and more direct and 'Darkest Hour' continues in a powerful metal but adds layers of keyboards juxtaposed to catchy guitar riffs. The suite alternates quiet acoustic interludes, 'Farewell' and 'Closer to Heaven' with relatively varied titles, first of all, 'Downfall', more classical in construction and with a chorus that remains in your head, then the beautiful power ballad 'Innocence Lost' brought by the short acoustic 'Ascension', then 'The Aftermath' which makes us go back to the progressive metal with changes of tempos and with a remarkable low rhythm / drum section, the long instrumental part being a highlights of the opus The album ends with the long composition 'The End of Time' which, with these 13 minutes, takes us into an epic mix of progressive rock and metal with all the ingredients we are looking for in this kind of title : a first Powerful mid-tempo part with a heady melodic, then an acceleration of the rhythm for a metal part, then a remarkable instrumental part offering multiple variations and finally a grandiose final resuming the theme and the rhythm of the beginning.

In short, 'Ark Ascent' are releasing their first high-quality album between rock and progressive metal and if you like bands like 'Dream Theater' (see their latest album here), 'Sons of Apollo' (see their latest album here) or 'Threshold' (see their latest album here), you should definitely enjoy 'Downfall'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rogue Marechal (Vocal), Jack Kirby (Guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (Bass), Michael Brush (Drums) + invité : Katia Filipovic (Keybords), Tim Hall (Keybords)


Artist : Eyevory

Album : Aurora

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 29-11-2019

'Eyevory' is a German progressive rock band that has just released its 4th studio album, 'Aurora', if we count the first opus 'The True Bequest' from 2012 which was more an EP. Their style is close to formations like 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here), 'Fleesh' (see their latest album here). ) or the latest project of 'Ian Jones', 'Chasing The Monsoon' (formerly 'Karnataka') to quote a recent album (see here) and their particularity is to have two singers who are also instrumentalists which is a real plus in terms of the vocal section which is much richer.
So we navigate in a melodic universe and this from the first title 'Unrest' in which they mix an energic rhythm section and quieter parts with the intervention of the flute which softens the whole. With 'Limelight', which continues in a catchy tempo, the duet Jana/Kaja works wonderfully well, then, 'Roses' is a melodic mid-tempo that alternates intensity and softness in a rock/folk atmosphere and 'Slowly Falling' is a peaceful ballad with a beautiful guitar solo and still a remarkable Jana/Kaja vocal duo. The following scrolls the catchy 'Forever Endeavor' interspersed with a nice quiet part, the very melodics 'Caught Between the Fires' and 'Follow Me' and their rock/folk atmosphere in the instrumental parts still embellished by the flute and finally 'Soulmates' which begins calmly and which gradually increases. The album ends with the 11 minutes of 'Carry On', a magnificent progressive title in several parts with beautiful melodic lines, remarkable instrumental parts, a still wonderful vocal section and a very beautiful finale (my only regret is the fade final out).

In short, the Germans of 'Eyevory' are releasing a very enjoyable album mixing progressive, melodic and symphonic rock with folk components here and there and 'Aurora' should appeal to all those who love bands like 'Mostly-Autumn', 'Mystery' or 'Karnataka' to name a few...

Line Up / Musicians

Jana Frank (Vocal, Bass), Kaja Fischer (Vocal, Flute, Keybords), David Merz (Guitar), Christian Schmutzer (Drums) + Guest : Liv Marete (Vocal)


Artist : Excalion

Album : Emotions

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 30-11-2019

'Excalion' is a Finnish band that I reviewed in 2017 with the album 'Dream Alive' (see here) and 2019 sees the release of a new recording studio 'Emotions'. With the same line up, this new baby is in continuity with the previous one and the 10 tracks (the version with a bonus presented by Spotify) all have melodies that attract from the first listening in a melodic metal style energetic where we find the keyboards of 'Jarmo Myllyvirta' always ahead from the guitar riffs. Take for example 'The Mercy Racers', it has a very classic chorus but hyper effective, and this is also valid for other titles all as melodic as each other as' Trust', 'Sunshine Path', 'Lost Control 'or' The Golden Horde '. One can also note the mid-tempos 'Solitude' and 'Callsigns' with variations of tempos bringing a touch of progressive and the ballad 'I Left My Heart at Home' which allow to bring a quieter touch.
In short, the Finns of Excalion 'continue in the way they have traced in the previous opuses and, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, 'Emotions' is a nice album to listen to and should please all those love a melodic, energetic and accessible metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcus Lång (Vocal), Jarmo Myllyvirta (Keybords), Aleksi Hirvonen (Guitar), Henri Pirkkalainen (Drums), Onni Hirvonen (Bass)


Artist : IQ

Album : Resistance

Release Date : 27-09-2019

Added : 01-12-2019

In the world of progressive rock, we no longer present the English of IQ 'who are now almost 40 years of scene. After 'The Road of Bones' in 2014 (which was one of my favorites this year), they release their 12th album 'Resistance'. First of all, like its predecessor, it's not a opus but two that are offered to us with a duration of one hour and 48 minutes with two long developments of each about 20 minutes in the second part which was not originally intended to be integrated into the album (we will come back to it).
Concerning the main opus, we get to the heart of the matter with 'A Missile' which has an extraordinary power of striking (normal, you will tell me for a missile !!) with sumptuous arrangements where each instrument brings its contribution and where 'Peter Nicholls' makes a first masterful performance. Without transition, 'Rise' takes over and alternates tension and relaxation with always a big sound in the parts powerful and a tormented atmosphere to a climax, then, change of scenery with the first part of 'Stay Down' which embarks us on a small cloud in a refined atmosphere that gradually takes ampleness to finish in apotheosis. Follow 'Alanpandria' also cut in two with a first atmospheric part conducive for an invitation to travel then a second part which is a sort of epilogue of the first four songs with a masterful rhythm section until the last note. With 'Shallow Bay', the register is lighter and it's a pretty 'Floydian' title with a much more accessible melody and beautiful instrumental parts in which 'Mike Holmes' offers us a wonderful guitar solo, then, 'If Anything' is moving away a little further from the beginning of the opus with its subdued atmosphere with electronic sounds that can make you think of the atmosphere of 'Phil Collins' in the 80s with a rhythmic section in restraint and which ends completly staggered but remarkably with powerful organ chords. And it is with the 15 minutes of 'For Another Lifetime' that the first album ends in a patchwork of atmospheres which make it a formidable progressive piece making succeed a first part in a disturbing atmosphere with an organ of barbarism , then, a second part much more classic but nevertheless majestic with several changes of tempos and intensity and beautiful and rich instrumental passages with accessible melodic lines.
As for the second opus, lovers of long progressive developments, you should be delighted by 'The Great Spirit Way' and 'Fallout' which together total more than forty minutes with all that one wishes to find in titles of this magnitude but which require to linger to draw all the musical richness. In general, the moods generated by these two titles are more in tune with 'IQ' compositions of the 90s, but it can be emphasized that, whatever the style, 'Paul Cook' contributes fully to the success of the ensemble. with a remarkable rhythm section. The other two tracks 'Fire And Security' and 'Perfect Space' are much more classic and accessible and can be a good entry point for those who want to discover this band, the first having 'Floydian' influences and the second eyeing towards groups like 'Arena' or 'Pendragon'.

In short, with these two magnificent albums, the English of 'IQ' still offer us, after all these years, a beautiful work that should take a good place in the discotheque ideal of any amateur of progressive and 'Resistance' is recommended for an informed public who likes to take his time slowly discovering long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Nicholls (Vocal), Neil Durant (Keybords), Mike Holmes (Guitar), Tim Esau (Bass), Paul Cook (Drums)


Artist : Flying Colors

Album : Third Degree

Release Date : 04-10-2019

Added : 02-12-2019

After the magnificent 'Second Flight: Live At The Z7' released in 2015 (see here), 'Flying Colors' which is a formation composed of renowned artists of the progressive rock scene or metal, released a new album 'Third Degree'. With all these talents, they offer us a little over an hour of very varied compositions but nonetheless accessible and, therefore, we must be open to all the styles of our five protagonists who each have their own musical journey that goes from pop to metal to rock and jazz.
For my part, it's certainly what makes this new baby's strength: 'The Loss Inside' opens the ball in a style between rock and hard-rock, quite close to 'Deep Purple' and although that the composition is fairly classic, we are caught by this energetic title without any dead time where each artist brings his stone to the building. Follows 'More' which continues in an energetic but more modern style and which brings a progressive component with its remarkable central instrumental break and then, with 'Cadence', we change of register for a 'Kansas' atmosphere between pop and rock and 'Guardian' proposes us a style marrying melodic rock with progressive : first, the melody of the refrain remains anchored a long time in our head and then, the central part consists of two breaks, the first very 'Floydian' and the second more 'Purpulian'. As for 'Last Train Home', it embarks us for a progressive and epic saga filled with several parts without any weariness, the 10 minutes passing very quickly (we would ask for a little more) and the only regret is this fade out on the final because this remarkable title would have deserved a real final. The sequel will reveal other surprises with, first of all, 'Geronimo' which brings us a few decades back with a style between rock and funk and which could become the 'Permanating' (see the last album of 'Steven Wilson' here) of 'Flying Colors', then with 'You Are Not Alone', it's a surprising but beautiful ballad that could be a mix between 'Elton John' and 'Leonard' Cohen', and finally, 'Love Letter' uses even more time machine because we find ourselves in a pop atmosphere happy and flourished at the time of the 'Beatles'. And to finish in style, 'Crawl' embarks us one last time in a long progressive and symphonic development filled with emotion with an exceptional performance of 'Casey McPherson' and remarkable instrumental sections , each artist integrating perfectly with the ensemble for a perfect alchemy, the final giving to me goose bumps several times.

In short, this new album of 'Flying Colors' is a total success and confirms that these five artists gathered are not only an addition of talents but form a super-group at the top of his art and' Third Degree is an album that will remain for me in the top 5 albums of 2019...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Vocal, Keybords), Casey McPherson (Vocal, Guitar), Dave Larue (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Vocal, Drums), Steve Morse (Guitar)


Artist : Eclipse

Album : Paradigm

Release Date : 11-10-2019

Added : 03-12-2019

After 'Monumentum' in 2017 (see here), the Swedes of Eclipse led by 'Erik Martensson' who is involved in many projects (Nordic Union, WET or Ammunition), have released a new album 'Paradigm' early October 2019. No surprise for this new album is in direct line from precedents, that is to say a powerful melodic hard-rock that captive on first listen and this from the first title, I should say the anthem 'Viva La Victoria' which has the chorus to make jump an entire audience. Follows 'Marry Leigh' which is just as addictive than the first title, then 'Blood Wants Blood' continues in this flood of melodic power then 'Shelter Me' takes a break in the form of a very effective power ballad, and for 'United', the Swedes offer us a title close to the Germans of 'Axxis' (see their latest opus here).. The sequel is like the beginning of album with catchy choruses and we can note the remarkable mid-tempo 'The Masquarade' which is one of the highlights of 'Paradigm', the opus ending with another mid-tempo 'Take Me Home' which is equally remarkable. In short, this last album of the Swedes of 'Eclipse' is still a great success and, even if they do not revolutionize melodic hard-rock style, continue to offer us unstoppable compositions that captive immediately for the pleasure of their fans but also for all those who like an accessible melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Magnus Henricksson (Guitar), Magnus Ulfstedt (Bass), Robban Back (Drums)


Artist : Millenium

Album : THE WEB

Release Date : 15-10-2019

Added : 04-12-2019

After the very good '44 Minutes' in 2017 (see here) and the EP 'MMXVIII' in 2018 (see here), the Polishs of 'Millenium' released a new album 'THE WEB' in October 2019 bringing their discography to fifteen studio recordings in twenty years if we count EP, this is to say the frequency of release of each opus. As they have accustomed us, it's still a concept album about the dangers of the Internet that they consider as a trap in which anyone can fall, I quote: "The dependence on the game, the drugs or the alcohol can and often leads to depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. The cure for this evil is the friendship and love of another person. 'THE WEB' is a story in which each of us can be the main character, fighting for love, peace and happiness! How will this story end? ".
On the music side, despite some changes of line up (the saxophone of 'Dariusz Rybka' has disappeared like the choruses of 'Karolina Leszko'), we are in continuity with the previous albums, that is to say a progressive rock melodic and peaceful that can be described as 'Floydien' and to take a more recent reference, I would quote the Canadians of 'Mystery' (see their latest album here and a last live which just released here). The album is based on the master piece 'THE WEB', in 3 parts, which is interspersed with 5 other compositions between 5 and 8 minutes. We find beautiful melodies that unfold their slow tempo as in 'The Lonely Ship' or 'In The Ocean of the Night' with remarkable 'Gilmourian' guitar solos by 'Piotr Ponka'. The keyboards of 'Ryszard Kramarski' (see his other projects here and here) always bring this binder between the different instruments and constitute the base of 'Millenium'. The album ends with the 3rd installment of 'THE WEB', 'Who Can Bring Them Back To Life', which once again takes us into a melancholy melody with a solo of keyboards and an aerial guitar, the last note passed giving us this irresistible urge to press the play button again. In short, the Poles of 'Millenium' continue to enchant us with their melodic progressive rock and 'THE WEB' is still an album to enjoy quietly the headphones on the ears: the Polish progressive rock is quite rich and if you like trainings like 'tRKproject', 'Loonypark' (see here) or 'Albion' (see here), 'THE WEB' should definitely please you...

Line Up / Musicians

Ukasz gall (Vocal), Piotr Ponka (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Bauer (Drums, Percussions), Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar)


Artist : REXORIA

Album : Ice Breaker

Release Date : 18-10-2019

Added : 05-12-2019

It is still a Swedish band that is in the limelight with 'REXORIA' and their last album 'Ice Breaker' which succeeds 'Queen' of Light' released in 2018 (see here) and which was their first studio recording. Like many Scandinavian groups like 'Eclipse' (voir ici),, 'Nordic Union' (see here) or 'Palace' (see here), 'REXORIA' evolves in a melodic heavy metal with titles not exceeding 5 minutes and accessible immediately. It starts off with 'Velvet Heroes' and 'Fight The Demons' which are two fairly fast tracks, then, 'Endless Night', while remaining powerful, calm the rhythm for a mid-tempo where 'Frida Ohlin' shows all her vocal talent in a slower title, and 'In The Wild' returns to an energetic mood tinged with folk. The continuation continues in this powerful and melodic style with 'Reach for the Heaven of Time' and 'Ice Breaker', then after the short instrumental interlude 'Wind and Rain', it's gone again with 'The Rise of the Phoenix' and 'Brother of Asgaard', and then, the catchy 'The Raging Thunder' continues in the same way just like the fast 'Roaring' with another heady chorus, the album ending more serenely on the power ballad 'Vår Verkliget' where Swedish singer 'Niklas Isfeldt' ('Dream Evil') invited for the occasion performs a remarkable vocal duet with 'Frida Ohlin'.

In summary, the Swedes of 'REXORIA' release an album in the continuity of 'Queen of Light' with compositions accessible at first listen which should destine 'Ice Breaker' to a public loving powerful and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Frida Ohlin (Vocal, Keybords), Jonas Gustavsson (Guitar, Bass), Cristofer Svensson (Guitar), Martin Gustavsson (Drums) + Guest : Niklas Isfeldt


Artist : Birdeatsbaby

Album : The World Conspires

Release Date : 18-10-2019

Added : 06-12-2019

'Birdeatsbaby' is an English band that is now about ten years old and is already releasing its 5th studio album. They also released an album of covers a few months ago (see here ). Originally, they define themselves as doing 'dark progressive' and listening to their first album 'Here She Comes-a-Tumblin', it is not necessarily the qualifier that comes to my mind because this first opus , musically speaking, is closer to a cabaret atmosphere far enough from this 'dark' label. Over the last 10 years, they have evolved by expanding their compositions and the result is quite surprising because they mix quite different genres: it is difficult to find references in other artists because they really have a personality apart which makes all the richness of this last opus brimming with creativity.
From the beginning, the short 'Hold Your Breath' takes us into an universe in which 'Mishkin Fitzgerald' brings a melancholy touch, then, 'Paintkiller', always in a rather slow tempo, hardens the tone with a crescendo that borrows from aggressiveness of metal, then, 'ZeroFortyThree' continues in a theatrical atmosphere with a progressive construction and with changes of rhythm and intensity. With the eponymous title of the album, we have a good example of this variety with a powerful part filled by saturated guitar riffs that frames a very refined part, then, the slow tempo of 'Lady Gray' makes it a hypnotic title that climbs in crescendo, and as for 'How Do I', it is an acoustic title in which 'Mishkin Fitzgerald' offers us a beautiful vocal prestation. The following scrolls different styles with for example 'Esmeralda' between blues and jazz, the symphonic 'Hurricane', 'Ropes' and its cozy atmosphere of cabaret, or this succession of 3 tracks (I love their juxtaposition) with, all of first, a baroque classic from Purcell 'Dido's Lament' in which 'Mishkin Fitzgerald' introduces us to his lyrical register, then the crazy 'Kill No One' close to punk style, and finally 'Bad Blood' which alternates sensual and unbridled atmospheres.

In short, 'The World Conspires' is an album containing an extraordinary richness in the variety of compositions and which therefore unfolds, litle by litle, listenings after listenings, but, other side of the coin, will certainly be destined at an informed public who loves above all the diversity and great discrepancy in music...

Line Up / Musicians

Mishkin Fitzgerald (Vocal, Piano), Hana Maria (Violin, Cello, Vocal), Garry Mitchell (Bass, Guitar), Anna Mylee (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra – Live

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 07-12-2019

'Steve Hackett' does not stop to 'revisit' the compositions of 'Genesis', because after the two 'Genesis Revisited' of 1996 (see here) and of 2012 (see here), the Live at Hammersmith concert in 2013 (see here) and the Live at the Royal Albert Hall concert in 2014 (see here), it's also a concert recorded in October 2018 at the 'Royal Festival Hall' which is released a year later with a symphony orchestra accompanying the formation of Steve. Of course, with the addition of the orchestra, the word revisited really makes sense because the instrumental arrangements are simply sumptuous, always very accurate and we rediscover all these iconic titles in a new light. At first, with the introduction of 'Dance on a Volcano', we are enveloped by the symphonic intensity and this impression does not leave us any more during the concert: 'The Steppes' which is a composition of Steve of 1980 ( album 'Defector') takes on a whole new dimension and we can not help but draw a parallel with the crescendo of the 'Bolero' by 'Maurice Ravel'; As for 'Firth of Fifth' from 1973 ('Selling England By The Pound' album by 'Genesis'), it has reached unprecedented scale and, as for' Shadow Of The Hierophant '(album' Voyage of the Acolyte 'Steve Hackett' released in 1975), for my part, it is in the quieter parts that the magic operates (beautiful performance in the singing of Amanda Lehmann ') and in the long final crescendo which gives me goose bumps at each listening. I could name all the titles and this until the two long developments 'Supper's Ready' and 'The Musical Box' which finish this concert in apotheosis. In short, as you will have understood, beyond the impeccable quality of recording and the remarqable performance of each artist, this concert is a kind of magical journey through time that makes us rediscover compositions legendary that have become timeless and, even if the CDs already offer an extraordinary listening emotion, the image certainly brings a plus (soon Christmas !!) that should further increase the pleasure of listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar, Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Bass, Guitar, Vocal), Gary O'Toole (Drums, Percussions, Vocal), Roger King (Keybords), Rob Townsend (Bass, Keybords, Saxophone, Vocal), Amanda Lehmann (Guitar, Vocal), John Hackett (Flute),The Heart Of England Philharmonic Orchestra (Chef d’Orchestre : Bradley Thachuk)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Dynamind

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 08-12-2019

The beginning of the year 2017 saw the release of the remarkable 'The Great Momentum' (see here) and the last baby of the Austrians of Edenbridge 'is called' Dynamind ' and is their 10th studio album. After 20 years of career in 2018, the recipe is now well established and the training conducted by 'Lanvall' offers us once again compositions in a symphonic metal accessible but unlike 'The Great Momentum', this new opus seems more energetic with a majority of powerful titles where the guitar riffs are still present but with more catchy rhythmic and this from the first titles with, first of all, 'The Memory Hunter' which is significant of the brand of 'Edenbridge factory', then 'Live and Let Go' continues in this way with a chorus also typical of the Austrians which captivates you immediately and 'Where Oceans Collide' continues with a fast and powerful rhythm close to the power metal. The first surprise arrives 'On The Other Side', rather offbeat title of the rest, which embarks us for a very lively Irish with a melody that does not leave you any more, then, you have to wait for 'Tauerngold' to have the power ballade of the album with its heady melody of which only 'Lanvall' has the secret and with 'What Dreams May Come', we return to a more powerful style and with a nice part more posed in the middle of the title. And, as is the custom with 'Lanvall', the long epic title comes with 'The Last of His Kind' and, even though it did not give me as much listening pleasure as' The Great Momentum '- here or 'The Bonding' - here (it must be said that' Lanvall 'had set the bar very high for these compositions ), the 12 minutes remain a real happiness with several overlapping parts alternating calm and power and a melody that remains in your head and a grand symphonic final.

In short, the Austrians of Edenbridge 'released a new album in the continuity of the precedents which should be undoubtedly welcomed by all the fans but also by all the amateurs and amateurs of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine Edelsbacher (Vocal), Lanvall (Guitar, Keybords), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Stefan Gimpl (Bass), Johannes Jungreithmeier (Drums)


Artist : Leprous

Album : Pitfalls

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 09-12-2019

Our U.M.A (Unidentified Musical Artists) of 'Leprous' never cease to surprise us with each release of albums because, after removing all the adjectives that can be added to metal because too restrictive, with the latest opus 'Malina' (see here ), the metal flag was no longer appropriate either because Norwegians are perpetual inventors of new musical landscapes and their latest album 'Pitfalls' is a new and beautiful discovery that blurs a little more tracks.
From the beginning, with 'Below', the inflections that we saw in 'Malina' are confirmed and, from the instrumental point of view, the keyboards are more present, the guitars relegated to the background and the contribution of strings brings a symphonic side, but it is for me the atmosphere of this composition that brings this wonderful palpable tension and this whatever the intensity of the moment until the final with some notes of violin releasing all this tension. 'I Lose Hope' has, at first glance, a fairly classic pop side but for my part, if we go further in the mood of the title, makes me think of the atmospheres of 'David Bowie' in his latest album 'Blackstar' '(see here). The following scrolls a hypnotic 'Observe The Train' that could be tagged modern psychedelic, the throbbing 'By My Throne' with its marked rhythm, 'Alleviate' and its subtle crescendo, 'At The Bottom' and 'Distant Bells' which also show us that Norwegians know how to offer us captivating progressive titles with always a remarkable intensity. With 'Foreigner', considering the emotional strength reached in the beginning of the album, I am almost disappointed with this easier title that would certainly be a hit with other progressive metal bands but 'The Sky Is Red' which Closes the album, is certainly the most difficult title to integrate but also the most tormented with different nested parts and a final in heady crescendo.

In summary, with this new album, the Norwegians of 'Leprous' confirm that they are an apart group and, whatever the artistic direction taken, each album is filled with an overflowing creativity asking to take his time to impregnate and get all the quintessence, and 'Pitfalls', although it will probably remain for an informed audience, is, for me, even more innovative than its predecessor 'Malina'...

Line Up / Musicians

Einar Solberg (Vocal, Keybords), Robin Ognedal (Guitar), Tor Oddmund Suhrke (Guitar), Simen Daniel Børven (Bass), Baard Kolstad (Drums)


Artist : Art Nation

Album : Transition

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 10-12-2019

The melodic hard-rock continues to be well in the north because after the Swedes of Eclipse '(see here), the Norwegians of 'Outlasted' (see here) and the Swedes from 'Palace' (see here), it's the turn of the Swedes from 'Art Nation' to release a new album 'Transition'. This new opus is their 3rd studio recording and, despite a change of line up of three of their members, they continue to offer us an accessible and melodic hard-rock with quite short titles but all very effective. From the first titles 'Fallen Worlds', 'Tick Tock' and 'Firefly', catchy refrains parade in entailing compositions and the two power ballads 'The Cure' and 'Who We Are', well placed, allow to vary the moods. In Short, with a well-honed recipe, the Swedes of 'Art Nation' release a new album filled with compositions to consume without moderation and 'Transition' is intended for a public loving a melodic and accessible hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Sam Söderlindh (Guitar), Mia Moilanen (Guitar), Alexander Lundgren (Drums)


Artist : Magoria

Album : JtR1888

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 11-12-2019

'Mark Bogert' is the guitarist of 'Knight Area' (see their latest album released in September 2019 here) and he has just brought together a whole host of progressive stage artists in his new project 'Magoria' to record a rock opera chronicling the story of serial killer 'Jack the Ripper' in 1888 in the London district of Whitechapel, England (see opera site here). For the package, there are 2 CDs that are proposed to us for more than an hour and thirty cut in 21 titles.

Musically speaking, the style is between rock and progressive metal with symphonic components and we are getting closer to the great productions of 'Arjen Lucassen' with his various projects and of course 'Aeyron' (see his extraordinary last live 'Ayreon Universe' here). Overall, the feelings are shared between disturbing moods and melancholic which stick perfectly to the story : Overall, the feelings are shared between disturbing moods and melancholic which stick perfectly to the story: for example, from the first title 'Whitechapel', in 3 minutes succeed several parts, with first a quiet introduction at the piano with a disturbing cry, then the singing part that grows and ends a minute before the end to make room for aerial vocalises that prepare the long title following 'Legend Of The Serial Killer Scene' which is the first highlight of the album and this process will often be used throughout the opera. It would of course be necessary to make the title as title but for short, the whole is in the image of these first titles with all that one wishes to find in a progressive opera, a wise dosage between the sung and instrumental parts, beautiful melodies that remain in your head, remarkable vocal performances or each singer or singer is at the service of history and a beautiful palette of styles : the majority of compositions are in a metal style like 'Prince Albert Victor 'Eddy'', 'Mary Ann Nichols' with melodic lines quite close to 'Ayreon', 'Abberline' whose theatrical song reminds me of the '70s opera 'Phantom of the Paradise' or the second CD 'Annie Crook' , 'Catherine Eddowes' or 'Mary Jane Kelly'. 'Mark Bogert' also offers rock songs with symphonic components like 'Do not Mention His Name' or 'Queen Victoria' and their catchy melodies, as well as the liberating final title 'Freedom Of London'. We can also note beautiful power ballads like 'More To Life Than This' or 'Day By Day' or the very refined 'Dignified Woman' full of emotion. In addition, symphonic instrumentals such as 'Overture' or 'Last Night in Whitechapel' and the short 'Pub' and its cabaret atmosphere add a greater variety to the ensemble. In short, 'Mark Bogert' has achieved this challenge of putting together a remarkable rock opera, both in terms of the quality of the compositions, but also in the choice of artists and in the production that is irreproachable and 'JtR1888' is at the level of Arjen Lucassen's projects' and can also be compared to the 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' from 'Neal Morse' released a few months ago (see here). Now, I hope that the show given on November 9, 2019 in Mark's hometown, 'Dordrecht' (I do not know if it was a will of 'Mark Bogert' but it was just 131 years to the day after the macabre discovery of the body of the fifth canonical victim 'Mary Jane Kelly'), will have been filmed and a DVD will be released because, the image will be essential to take full advantage of this magnificent rock opera...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Bogert (Guitar), Koen Stam (Keybords), Peter Vink (Bass), Harmen Kieboom (Drums), Cleem Determeijer (Piano), Bart Hennephof (Guitar), Peter Strykes – Inspector Abberline (Vocal), Maria Catharina – Mary Jane Kelly (Vocal), Zora Cock – Story Teller (Vocal), Nadine Pruim – Annie Crook (Vocal), Mirjam van Doorn – Queen Victoria (Vocal), Jan Willem Ketelaers – Prince Albert Victor (Vocal), Rodney Blaze – Jack the Ripper (Vocal), Sonny Pruim – Netley (Vocal), Inge Rijnja – Catherine Eddowes (Vocal)


Artist : Electric Light Orchestra – Jeff Lynne ELO’s

Album : From Out Of Nowhere

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 12-12-2019

More than 70 years old, after 'Alone In The Universe' in 2015 (see here) and a world tour in 2017 with the very nice live at Wembley (see here), multi-instrumentalist 'Jeff Lyne' is releasing a new album 'Jeff Lynne ELO's - From Out Of Nowhere'. Lovers of 'ELO', you will not be disappointed because we find all the world of this English and this intact talent for simple melodic compositions but so effective between melancholy and serenity with a little taste of seventies. Moreover, we can’t be wrong, the spacecraft that appeared in 1977 with 'A New World Record' is still relevant on the covers of his last two albums and from the first title, the eponym one of the album, let's go again for a trip back in time with a first melody and vocal arrangements that brings you back to the legendary albums of the 70s and this impression is confirmed on titles like 'Help Yourself' or as 'Down Came the Rain' reminiscent of the 'Discovery' period or as the 'One More Time' with the rock-like sounds of the sixties or the joyful 'Time of Our Life' or through of the two ballads, first of all 'Goin' Out on Me' with a taste of 50's and then 'Songbird' which closes the album with beautiful melancholic melodic lines. Note that some titles are not recent because Jeff came them out from his cartons, first, 'All My Love' to the tune of wetcoast and the ballad 'Losing You' which has already several years.

In short, 'Jeff Lynne' continues to enchant us with compositions that take us a few decades back and beyond the historical fans, 'From Out Of Nowhere' is intended for the general public and is to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Lynne (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums, Keybords) + Guests : Steve Jay (Percussions), Richard Tandy (Keybords)


Artist : Octavarium

Album : Origin

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 13-12-2019

I warned you in my previous review (see here), an album release of 'Mattias Ohlsson' may hide another one, and, at the end of 2019, the successor to 'Dystopia' is 'Origin' (meanwhile the first album disappeared from Spotify which is a shame). It is still more than an hour of music that offers the Swede and this in the continuity of the previous album with a metal component a little more marked and this from the first title 'Evermore' which embarks us in a progressive saga where alternate energetic passages and others quieter. With 'Fly', the change is radical because it is an atmospheric composition with a slow tempo, then, the instrumental 'Hellraiser' returns to a progressive powerful metal but enough technical. After the short piano / voice acoustic interlude 'Nightmares', 'Dreams' is still an energetic composition with remarkable sections of keyboards and beautiful melodic lines. The end of the album is divided between two long developments: first the 13 minutes of 'The Last Goodbye' take us between progressive rock and metal beginning in a rather calm but dark atmosphere that rises in power in the central part and which ends with a new crescendo on the main theme; then, it's the turn of 'Origin' cut into five titles and totaling more than 23 minutes : each part has a specific atmosphere and the whole is more like progressive rock, the metal side being less present.

In summary, 'Mattias Ohlsson' is still releasing a remarkable album which, like any progressive album, needs to be tamed as the songs are played and 'Origin' is added to the already impressive discography of the Swedish and is intended for a public sailing between progressive rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mattias Ohlsson (tous les instruments)


Artist : Loreena McKennitt

Album : Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 14-12-2019

After 'Lost Souls' in 2018 (see here), the legendary 'Royal Albert Hall' will have had another magical moment in 2019 with the arrival of 'Loreena McKennitt' and the end of this year sees the release of the double CD of this concert. Surrounded by talented musicians, most of whom had participated in 'Lost Souls' but also by invited artists for the occasion like the famous flamenco guitarist 'Daniel Casare', she offers us an hour and a quarter of beautiful melodies between pop and folk in a set list where the last album is well represented with 6 titles, the rest being taken from older albums. So we find this great lady of music with timeless titles like for example 'All Soul Nights' or 'Bonny Portmore' or 'The Old Ways' all 3 taken from 'The Visit' of 1991 or the Irish ballad 'The Star Of The County Down' or the traditionals 'The Bonny Swans' and 'Santiago', but also the beautiful compositions of his latest album 'Spanish Guitars And Night Plazas' with the masterful accompaniment of 'Daniel Casare' or the melancholic 'Lost Souls' that can’t leave indifferent. In short, needless to add, simply press the play button and let yourself be carried by the sweet and aerian voice that continues to enchant us with each album release : 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall' , intended for the general public, is to consume without moderation and I will end up quoting 'Loreena McKennitt' who said, «It was a wonderful experience to perform at Royal Albert Hall, especially with the story you have there. And it was particularly gratifying to invite musicians who have already worked on the album 'Lost Souls' and who can now play in concert with us and share this wonderful moment with us. I am happy that we can preserve this for posterity »...

Line Up / Musicians

Loreena McKennitt (Vocal, Piano, Keybords, Accordion, Harp), Brian Hughes (Guitar, Oud, Bouzouki), Caroline Lavelle (Cello), Hugh Marsh (Violin), Dudley Philips (Bass, Bass), Robert Brian (Drums, Percussions), Hossam Ramzy (Percussions), Daniel Casares (Guitar), Ben Grossman (Vielle à roue, Bodhran, Accordion, Percussions), Ian Harpr (Uilleann Pipe, Bombarde, Clarinette, Flute), Ana Alcaide (Nyckelharpa)


Artist : Vision Divine

Album : When All the Heroes Are Dead

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 15-12-2019

'Vision Divine' is an Italian melodic metal band that released an important number of albums in the 2000s and returns with a new studio recording 7 long years after 'Destination Set to Nowhere' in 2012 (see here). The line-up has evolved with, first of all, a new singer 'Ivan Giannini' who is known to be the singer of 'Derdian' (see here) and who has replaced 'Fabio Lione', then a new drummer in the person of 'Mike Terrana' who has an impressive resume with, among others, a few years with 'Tarja' (see here and ici). In musical terms, no surprise, after the epic and symphonic introduction filled with choruses, we are embarked on melodic power metal with energetic and powerful titles where 'Mike Terrana' impress with a hell rhythm section, and if you only had to remember a few tracks, I'd mention the simple but very effective 'Where I God' melodic, the syrupy power ballade 'While the Sun Is Turning Black', and a name less effective '300' with its catchy chorus. Special mention also for the final ballad 'The Nihil Propaganda' which, although it is quite agreed, shows this little plus that the Italians have to offer us memorable melodies.

In short, 'Vision Divine' continues to offer us good power metal which has become over time an Italian specialty with formations like 'Ancient Bards' (see here), 'Derdian' (see here), 'Mastercastle' (see here) and, of course, like all projecsts of the trio 'Luca Turilli', 'Fabio Lione' and 'Alex Staropoli' (see the latest album of 'Rhapsody of Fire' here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Ivan Giannini (Vocal), Olaf Thorsen (Guitar), Federico Puleri (Guitar), Alessio Lucatti (Keybords), Andrea Tower Torricini (Bass), Mike Terrana (Drums)


Artist : Last Knight

Album : Seven Deadly Sins

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 16-12-2019

'Last Night' is a neo-progressive band led by 'Jose Manuel Medina' and is composed of different artists quite diverse since we find of course progressive names such as 'John Mitchell', who is implicated in an impressive number of projects such as 'Lonely Robot', 'Arena' and 'Kino' or the Saxophonist 'Theo Travis' who officiates with 'Steven Wilson' (see here), but also, we find for example 'Richie Castellano' from the hard-rock group of 'Blue Öyster Cult' and 'other artists like the Spanish classic pianist 'Eduardo G. Saluena'. 'Seven Deadly Sins' is a concept album that explores the seven deadly sins.

With 7 titles and 4 more than 10 minutes, 66 minutes of progressive music are available to us and necessarily require many listenings but the whole remains relatively accessible and this thanks to melodic lines that are easily assimilable. From the beginning, with 'Lust' and its different parts, we embark on a first long development in which several moods follow each other with remarkable instrumental sections such as the introduction in a fairly classical style and which gives way to a sung part which can recall groups of progressive 70s and, as for all the compositions, there is no real timeout which do that there is no feeling of monotony. The symphonic side is present throughout the album with the use of the piano or the acoustic guitar as for example in 'Sloth' which has the tunes of 'Jon & Vangelis' and the atmospheres put forward a feeling of well-being like in the guitar solo final of 'Anger' which has tunes (and sounds) of 'Santana'. As for 'Envy', it's a bit of a return to the beginning of the progressive with its different interlocking parts and its vintage and country atmosphere brought by the flute and which in some places reminds of the symphonic style of the beginnings of 'Barclay James Harvest' and with the final title 'Pride', it's a good summary of the album, with a first 'Floydian' part, then a second part more unbridled mixing classical and progressive music of the seventies and a magnificent finale whose melody remains a long time in the head.

In short, this last album of 'Last Knight' provides a great listening pleasure thanks to a magnificent instrumental richness and remarkable arrangements and 'Seven Deadly Sins' is intended for all those who likes a symphonic progressive and melodic with many references to the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jose Manuel Medina (Vocal, Keybords, Piano), Pablo Lato (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs, Percussions), John Mitchell (Vocal), Richie Castellano (Vocal), Gustavo Lato (Vocal, Guitar, Choirs), Theo Travis (Saxophone, Flute), Eduardo G. Saluena (Keybords, Piano), Cindy L. Spear (Parolier), Nelson Pombal (Guitar), Rafael Pacha (Guitar, Flute), Emilio Gutierrez (Piano, Hammond), Jose Bruno (Drums), Fernando Samalea (Drums), Israel Sanchez (Drums), Angel Ruiz (Steel Pedal), Ana Fernandez (Violin), Ignacio Alonso (Cello)


Artist : Edge Of Paradise

Album : Universe

Release Date : 08-11-2019

Added : 17-12-2019

Created by the American singer 'Margarita Monet' in 2011, 'Edge Of Paradise' is a metal band that has just released its 3rd studio album (see their latest album here) : they evolve in a modern melodic and symphonic metal and that could be compared to the new direction taken by 'Within Temptation' in his new opus (see here) but also to groups closer to an energetic hard rock like 'Halestorm' (see here). Indeed, their style mixes several genres by adding electronic components borrowed from the industrial metal and the result is a powerful and heavy sound with fairly short and rhythmic titles in which we can’t help but stomp.
First, with the first three tracks 'Fire', 'Universe' and 'Alone' we have a good example of typical compositions of the Americans with a fast tempo, hammered guitar riffs and simple but effective melodic lines. With 'Alone', the symphonic component is more marked with changes of tempos while keeping a rather heavy rhythmic base, then it leaves again of more beautiful with 'Hollow' which approaches the beginning of the album with a chanted chorus by the beautiful American. The rest of the album features a catchy 'Perfect Disaster', the melodic 'Stars' and the instrumental final 'Burn the Sun' featuring remarkable guitar solos.

In short, the Americans of 'Edge Of Paradise' deploy a modern metal, accessible and catchy and this last album 'Universe' should please a public loving the mix between different styles of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Margarita Monet (Vocal), Dave Bates (Guitar), David Ruiz (Guitar), Vanya Kapetanovic (Bass), Jimmy Lee (Drums)


Artist : Tales Of Evening

Album : A New Dawn Awaits

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 18-12-2019

'Tales Of Evening' is a Hungarian symphonic metal band that released their 4th studio album 'A New Dawn Awaits'. Led by the singer 'Dudás Ivett', they offer us 14 tracks in the purest tradition of a symphonic metal born in the 90s. 'A New Dawn Awaits' has the distinction of being the first opus of the group with lyrics in English (only the last title 'Jégvilág' is sung in Hungarian) which will undoubtedly allow this talented group to open up to the international.
'Torn Apart' starts off the album with all the ingredients of a classic but very effective symphonic metal with a first melody that immediately catch the attention and a remarkable instrumental section in the second part of the title with a final resuming the starting theme. Follows the hit 'Miracle if Mine' with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Dudás Ivett' which can remind in some places 'Charlotte Wessels' of 'Delain'. The following scrolls titles as catchy as each other with for example 'Shelterless Soul' with folk components, the 'Delainian' 'Delusion' or the beautiful power ballad 'Out of Reach'. The second half of the album is like the beginning, always melodic and accessible to the first listen, and the album ends with two beautiful ballads 'Flower of Frost' and 'Jégvilág' released in 2018.

In summary, the Hungarians of 'Tales Of Evening' release a quality album in a classic symphonic metal which, thanks to the English song should allow them to open up to a larger audience, and 'A New Dawn Awaits' is for an audience that likes bands like 'Delain' (last album here), 'Edenbridge' (last album here) ), 'Visions of Atlantis' (last album here), 'Imperia' (last album here), 'Beyond The Black' ( last album here) or 'Xandria' (last album here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Dudás Ivett (Vocal), Ádám Attila (Keybords), Ribarics Tamás (Guitar), Krisztián Varga (Guitar), Németh Attila (Bass), Pálosi Róbert (Drums)


Artist : Yogi Lang

Album : A Way out of Here

Release Date : 08-11-2019

Added : 19-12-2019

After the release of 'Tales From Outer Spaces' a few months ago with his band 'RPWL' (see here) and a live which was released on November 15th (review to come) , 'Yogi Lang' is releasing a new studio album which has been eagerly awaited by fans since his last album already dates from 2010 (see here). Among the artists accompanying Yogi, only the guitarist 'Karl Wallner' belongs to 'RPWL', but, make no mistake, the influences of 'RPWL' are very real and we find this ‘Floydian’ progressive style by dear to the German, and this from the first title 'Move On' which is the only title of the album that borders on 10 minutes and embarks us for a typical saga of 'RPWL'. With the eponymous title of the album, we move away from the progressive for an accessible and engaging title with a rhythm close to funk, then, the magnificent atmospheric ballad 'Shine On Me' takes us hand to land on a small cloud . 'Do not Confuse Life With A Thought' takes us back to 'RPWL' and 'Love Is All Around' alternates energetic verses and much quieter choruses close to 'Barclay James Harvest', then, 'Freedom of the Day' continues in this cozy atmosphere. As for the instrumental 'Early Morning Light', Yogi returns to his 'Floydian' influences in which the central part brings us back to the rhythm of 'Animals', then the end of the album offers us the ballad 'The Sound of the Ocean' mixing American musical culture and English psychedelic and a melancholic 'I'll Be There For You' that ends this remarkable album smoothly.

In summary, 'Yogi Lang', with a group of talented artists and impeccable production, released a very beautiful album that invites us to dream and travel and, 'A Way out of Here', besides fans of the German and of 'RPWL', should appeal to a wide public who loves the soft side of progressive rock close to 'Pink-Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, claviers), Torsten Weber (Guitar), Stephan Treutter (Drums), Yvo Fischer (Bass), Conny Kreitmeier (Choirs), Bine Heller (Choirs), Kalle Wallner (Guitar), Klaus Reichart (Steel Pedal, Mandolin)


Artist : Mystery

Album : Live in Poznan

Release Date : 15-11-2019

Added : 20-12-2019

After the magnificent 'Lies and Butterflies' in 2018 (see here), the Canadians of 'Mystery' embarked on a world tour in 2019 and for those who could not see them in concert in Europe (for my part I had the chance to see them at the z7 end of October for a wonderful show that will long be engraved in my memory), the concert given to 'Poznam' in April 2019 is now available in 2 CD for a duration of more than 2 hours 30 with a very good place for the last opus since they played the 7 tracks, I would say almost normal, since it contained compositions all as essential as the others. So we are embarked on a very beautiful journey with titles that have become essential in the discography of Canadians as 'Delusion Rain', 'The Willow Tree' or the last one 'Chrysalis'. And what about the performances of each artist who transport you at every second on a small cloud and for short, I will quote you 'Shadow of the Lake' in which 'Jean Pageau' delights us with his vocal performance followed in the 2nd part by a masterful guitar solo from 'Michel St-Père' joined by 'Sylvain Moineau' to give you goosebumps for several minutes.
In short, no need to add something, this 'Live in Pozman' is an exceptional album which should satisfy all fans of 'Mystery' and beyond, for others who do not know them and who are fans of progressive rock delicate and friendly, it is a good way to discover them because they have become over the years an essential band of this style born in the late 60s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Pageau (Vocal, Flute, Keybords), Michel St-Père (Guitar), Sylvain Moineau (Guitar, Choirs), Antoine Michaud (Keybords), François Fournier (Bass, Choirs), Jean-Sébastien Goyette (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : The Pineapple Thief

Album : Hold Our Fire (Live)

Release Date : 15-11-2019

Added : 21-12-2019

After 'Dissolution' in 2018 (see the myprogmusic review here), and after their tour at the end of 2018, the English of 'The Pineapple Thief' released a live 'Hold Our Fire'. For those who missed their previous album, they offer us in this live 8 of the 9 tracks of 'Dissolution' and therefore, to avoid repeating myself, I would simply say that, even if the set list offers us only half of a concert and it's a shame, the atmosphere shows a formation at the top of his art and each member of the group brings his talent for a flawless result as well in the quality of the sound as in the interpretations. Note that the last title '3000 Days' is taken from the album 'Someone Here Is Missing' of 2010 and shows more the fairly technical side of this formation while for my part, this is not the title that I remember first in this album. In short, this live from 'The Pineapple Thief' shows once again that this is the kind of group that takes on its full dimension in concert and 'Hold Your Fire' will undoubtedly be well received by all their fans but also by all lovers of inventive and sought-after progressive rock but nevertheless accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Soord (Vocal, Guitar), George Marios (Guitar), Jon Sykes (Bass), Gavin Harrison (Drums)


Artist : Faun

Album : Märchen & Mythen

Release Date : 15-11-2019

Added : 22-12-2019

The folk group ‘Faun’ released a new album by taking us this time into fairy tales from different countries, I quote ‘Oliver’s Tyr’ : « There was once upon a time a world in which fairy tales formed our reality. Therefore, we want to encourage you to build a memory of the fairy tales from our past, as they perpetuate the world filled with miracles ». We are therefore embarked for an hour on medieval folk in more or less known legends, starting with ‘once upon a time ...’ (‘Es war einmal…) like any tale worthy of the name. Parade the tales of the Grimm brothers like the happy 'Rosenrot' ('Snow White' and 'Red Rose'), the rhythmic 'Sieben Ravens' ('The 7 Ravens'), the calm 'Jorinde' ('Jorinde and Joringel' ) or 'Aschenbrödel' ('Cinderella') inspired by the film 'Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbröd' ('Three hazelnuts for Cinderella') but also other compositions like 'Hagazussa' which pays homage to the healing witch, the melancholic 'Die Weisse Dame' or 'The Lily' from the tale 'The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily' from the German 'Johann Wolfgang von Goethe' and which is the only song sung in English.

In summary, the Germans of 'Faun' continue for our greatest pleasure to offer us quality compositions, both on the vocal and instrumental level but also in the production which is impeccable and 'Märchen & Mythen' is to be advised at all those who love medieval folk but also, provided that singing in German is not an obstacle, to a much wider audience because all the titles are very accessible at the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver’s Tyr (Vocal, Harp Celtique, Bouzouki, Nyckelharpa, Guitar, Mandora), Fiona Rüggeberg (Vocal, Bagpipe, Dombra, Rebab, Oud, Flute, Chalmeux, Pommer), Stephan Groth (Vielle à roue, Cittern, Low Whistles, Vocal), Laura Fella (Vocal, Mandolin, Tambour), Rüdiger Maul (Percussions), Niel Mitra (Keybords)


Artist : The Flower Kings

Album : Waiting For Miracles

Release Date : 08-11-2019

Added : 23-12-2019

There are countless albums of 'The Flower Kings' since the mid-90s and the Swedes have become an essential group by perpetuating a progressive rock with accents of that of the 70s but without ever plagiarizing the great formations of the time and with of course a modern sound. This year end 2019 saw the release of their latest baby, 'Waiting For Miracles' which is a double CD for almost an hour and a half of music. To tell you the truth, I hadn't enter in 'Manifesto Of An Alchemist' released in 2018, but the least we can say is that this 'Waiting For Miracles' turns after a few plays into 'Miracles Took Places' because each composition takes us on a patchwork of different atmospheres filled with creativity and originality, with an extraordinary density in each title.

From the start, after the short instrumental introduction 'House of Cards' in a classical register in which the piano is the central instrument, 'Black Flag' offers us a first long development with the best of a symphonic progressive which get lost in a maze of marvelous vocal and instrumental arrangements with multiple influences, then the two longest titles of nearly 10 minutes 'Miracles for America' and 'Vertigo' prolong this pleasure and each new listening reveals a hidden corner from previous listening. Follows 'The Bridge' which is very well placed to allow us to catch our breath after this intense start and which offers us a calm and refined composition more accessible with a magnificent instrumental section in 2nd part of the title, then, 'Ascending to the Stars' is another highlight that shows us the talent of composer of 'Zach Kamins' in a style mixing classical and contemporary music. The album continues with a more conventional 'Wicked Old Wymphony' (compared to the rest but which is no less remarkable), then 'The Rebel Circus' which brings us back to the album cover and which is entirely instrumental, mixing jazz and rock with a guitar solo worthy of a 'Carlos Santana'. Change of atmosphere with 'Sleep With The Enemy' which is more tormented and filled with an extraordinary tension which makes for me the most intense song of the album, then the first CD ends on a melancholic 'The Crowning Of Greed 'with a memorable melody. Change of atmosphere with 'Sleep With The Enemy' which is more tormented and filled with an extraordinary tension which makes for me the most intense song of the album, then the first CD ends on a melancholic 'The Crowning Of Greed 'with a memorable melody. Regarding the second CD, it begins with a slightly more muscular resumption of the introduction of the first 'House Of Cards' and includes 4 titles certainly less essential than those of the first CD: the psychedelic instrumental 'Spirals' in crescendo and decrescendo which appears more like musical experimentation, a joyful 'Steampunk' with a juxtaposition of different soundscapes then the exotic 'We Were Always There' which precedes the last and short 'Busking At Brobank'

In summary, this 'Waiting For Miracles' is another album to add to the ideal music collection of any amateur and progressive rock fan of the 70s and 80s and shows that the Swedes of 'The Flower King' continue to enchant with quality compositions thanks to a constantly renewed creativity...

Line Up / Musicians

Hasse Fröberg (Vocal, Choirs), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Mirkko Demaio (Drums, Percussions), Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Zach Kamins (Guitars, Keybords) + Guests : John Dellinger (Viola), Michael Stolt (Bass, Choirs), Paul Cartwright (Violin)


Artist : Leah

Album : Ancient Winter

Release Date : 15-11-2019

Added : 24-12-2019

After a remarkable 'The Quest' released a year ago (see here ), it's the turn of 'Ancient Winter' to see the light at the end of 2019. For this new opus, the symphonic metal side which was less present on 'The Quest' has completely disappeared and 'Leah McHenry' offers us 8 compositions in the greatest tradition of Celtic song by surrounding herself with artists playing acoustic instruments and traditional starting with the Englishman 'Troy Donockley' who was already on the adventure in the previous album and who is well known to fans of symphonic metal because he frequently collaborates with 'Nightwish' but also 'Anna Murphy', the ex 'Eluveitie' who created the group 'Cellar Darling' (see here). Inevitably, the compositions are all tinged with traditional Celtic folk with high quality production.

'Light of the World' begins the album in a calm and refined atmosphere in which the soft and beautiful voice of 'Leah' is accompanied by the acoustic instruments, then, the title grows with the electric instruments and the drums to finish in the sweetness as it had started, then 'Light of the World' continues in this serenity and takes us on a journey to the sounds between east and west. With 'Upon Your Destiny', throughout the title in crescendo, 'Leah' offers us a magnificent vocal performance while restrained and filled with serenity, then, 'Redemption' begins with a captivating and intimate part in which 'Leah' is accompanied by the harp and the flute, then, gradually gains momentum and 'The Messenger' which follows, is an invitation to a peaceful journey with remarkable aerial vocalizations. It is with three traditional compositions that the album ends, first of all 'Gaudete' meaning 'Rejoice', which is the introit (Gregorian chant) of the third Sunday of Advent composed in the 16th century and which was modernized for the occasion, then 'Puer Natus' (A child is born) is another Gregorian chant from the 14th century, and finally 'Noël Nouvelet', well known by practicing Catholics to celebrate Christmas which is a popular French song dating from the end of the 15th century.

In summary, this latest album from 'Leah' is a remarkable journey into traditional music and if you like artists like 'Loreena Mc Kennitt' (see her last live here) or 'Rainbow's Night' (see review here), 'Ancient Winter' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Leah McHenry (Vocal), Troy Donockley (Flutes, Bagpipe), Anna Murphy (Vielle à roue), Shir-Ran Yinon (Viola, Violin), Rupert Gillett (Cello), Oliver Philipps (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : The Dark Element

Album : Songs the Night Sings

Release Date : 08-11-2019

Added : 25-12-2019

After the first album of the group just 2 years ago (see here), 'The Dark Element' led by singer 'Anette Olzon' and guitarist 'Jani Liimatainen' do it again with a new studio recording 'Songs the Night Sings' and the impression felt when listening to the first album is confirmed and shows that the Finns continue to offer us an accessible melodic symphonic metal influenced by major formations of the genre like 'Nightwish', 'Within Temptation' or 'Delain'.

From the powerful introduction of 'Not Your Monster', fans of 'Nightwish' will not be disoriented and we say that the album starts off well because this is the typical title that could be placed at the beginning of the concert to involve a whole public. Without transition, the eponymous title of the album bring the same ambiance and, even if the melody eyeing the side of 'Nightwish', we are carried away by all the energy that emerges with a heady melody, then, 'When It All Comes Down' continues in this debauchery of sound power for a title that alternates catchy verses and a mid-tempo chorus of an impressive striking force. With 'Silence Between The Words', the style softens for a dancing title that reminds of the first period of 'Within Temptation' and 'Pills On My Pillow' continues in the wake of 'Within Temptation' but this time in the style of the last album with a much more marked modern rhythm (see here). After all these energetic tracks, the first break arrives with the magnificent power ballad ‘To Whatever End’ in which ‘Anette Olzon’ exudes a beautiful emotion. Then, it restarts again with the powerful and fast 'The Pallbearer Walks Alone' and the amazing 'Get Out Of My Head' which flirts with metallic disco in the second part of the title, then 'If I Had A Heart' shows a more classic side in a register which moves away from metal while remaining very melodic, just like 'You Will Learn' which alternates power and serenity in a melodic rock style and the album ends with a touch of emotion with the beautiful ballad 'I Have to Go' where 'Annette Olzon' touches us one last time with her deep and warm voice.

In summary, the Finns of 'The Dark Element' release a remarkable album and continue on the path they had opened with their first album and 'Songs the Night Sings' is intended for all lovers of metal symphonic and melodic but can also be a gateway for all those who want to discover this style because it is a very accessible album...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Jani Liimatainen (Guitar), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Jani “hurtsi” Hurula (Drums)


Artist : Laura Cox

Album : Burning Bright

Release Date : 08-11-2019

Added : 26-12-2019

After a very promising first album in 2017 (see here), the Frenchwoman ‘Laura Cox’ and her group released a new album ‘Burning Bright’. In the continuity of ‘Hard Blues Shot’, they offer us a powerful and authentic rock by mixing hard-rock, blues and country in 10 tracks all as effective as each other. And besides, rare enough to be emphasized, 'Laura Cox' is touring this end of 2019 in England with her group, like what, as someone said "when the music is good", it is exported and , no less that in the country which is at the origin of a lot of legendary rock bands.
From the start, 'Fire Fire' begins the album in an electric atmosphere with an effective chorus and a first guitar solo in which Laura literally make sing her guitar, then, 'Bad Luck Blues' continues in a style that would not have certainly not denied 'Led Zeppelin'. But what about 'Last Breakdown' which takes us into an introduction to the 'ZZ Top' and which develops an irresistible bues/rock in which it is impossible to remain impassive, then, with 'Looking Upside Down', quieter, it's still good authentic and effective blues/rock. The ballad break comes with 'Just Another Game' in which Laura gives us a performance at the level of the great blues singers and I can't help making a parallel with the guitarist and singer 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' (see here). The sequel scrolls through an astonishing 'Here's to the War' that transpires good blues/rock with its slow swaying tempo, then the next three tracks are real bombs filled with tremendous energy with first of all 'Freaking Out Loud' and its heady chorus, then 'As I Am' with a boogie/rock rhythm in which your feet begin to beat time automatically and with this magnificent change of final tempo which further accelerates the rhythm and which reminds me of 'Forty -Five Hundred Times' from the 'Quo' and finally 'The River' which begins calmly and gradually increases in power for a new memorable chorus. Finally, the album ends with the second ballad of the album 'Letter to the Otherside' which cannot leave you indifferent and which raises the cursor of emotion by a several levels.

In summary, it only took two albums for the French of 'Laura Cox' to explode in broad daylight because 'Burning Bright' is simply fabulous and, I am convinced that they will continue to keep this flame intact in the future because if you followed the videos of 'Laura Cox' from her beginnings on You Tube when she was doing covers, we immediately felt this desire she had in her to share her passion for authentic rock just for fun...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Cox (Vocal, Guitar), Mathieu Albiac (Guitar), François C. Delacoudre (Bass), Antonin Guerin (Drums)


Artist : Infringement

Album : Alienism

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 27-12-2019

'Infringement' is a Norwegian neo-progressive rock band which started in 2015 with a first album in 2017 'Transition' (see here) and has just released a new studio recording 'Alienism' in which the keyboard player 'Bård Thorstensen' joined. This is a concept album in which we enter the minds of the patients of the ‘Gentmire Institute’, at the cutting edge of psychiatric innovation, through the journals of the center's commissioner.

Musically speaking, their style mixes different eras of progressive rock with symphonic components and accessible melodic lines. First of all, for a progressive album, it is quite short and offers us 4 tracks, 3 of which are long developments. The first title ‘Disorder’ deploys a slow melody, the atmosphere which emanates from it being atmospheric with progressive influences of the major formations of the Seventies and the instrumental parts ‘Floydiennes’. 'Triad' which follows and which exceeds 10 minutes, begins in the continuity of the first title but then alternates more intense passages and others quieter and this as well in the parts sung as instrumental and includes a remarkable a capella section, the final bringing a disturbing component with cries reflecting madness to fall back into the last part more calmed. The shortest title ‘Therapy’ is a crescendo that unfolds slowly until a first break and then a final filled of tenseness that is released towards the end. But it is with ‘Delirium’ of more than 16 minutes that we hold the flagship title of the album which develops in a symphonic progressive rock in several parts, a beautiful alternation between vocal and instrumental sections.

In summary, the Norwegians of ‘Infringement’ are releasing an excellent album between progressive and neo-progressive rock which remains accessible thanks to harmonious melodic lines and ‘Alienism’ should reach an audience that likes long progressive developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Andreas Brandal (Vocal), Stig André Clason (Guitar, Vocal), Bård Thorstensen (Keybords), Espen Larsen (Bass), Kristoffer Utby (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Avatarium

Album : The Fire I Long For

Release Date : 22-11-2019

Added : 28-12-2019

After 'Hurricanes and Halos' in 2017 (see here), the Swedes from 'Avatarium' are releasing a new album 'The Fire I Long For'. With the previous opus, the heavy and heavy side of Doom had been withdrawn and, although this new baby contains compositions with slow tempos, we do not feel the darkness and the sad side of this style which often drowns in long repetitive titles. First of all, the duration of the titles is about 5 minutes with an exception for 'Epitaph of Heroes' which borders on 7 minutes and on the other hand, they offer more harmonious melodic lines which transforms this feeling of sadness of the Doom in melancholy. Take for example 'Lay Me Down' which takes us on a beautiful ballad in which 'Hennie-Ann Smith' offers us a magnificent vocal performance (see the video below with an acoustic version) or 'Porcelain Skull', which even if it keeps a certain heaviness, is more catchy thanks to a refrain with heady melodic lines or even' The Fire I Long For 'which can recall the atmospheric side of progressive rock. We can also note 'Shake The Deamon' with its catchy rhythm which contrasts with the rest, 'Epitath of Heroes' which, although we get closer to doom, develops a remarkable disturbing atmosphere and finally the last title 'Stars They Move' which shows that 'Jennie-Ann Smith' can also affect in a beautiful piano/voice acoustic title and it is generally in this kind of refined title that we can realize the talent of an artist.

In summary, although the whole album remains fairly close to doom style, the Americans of 'Avatarium' show that they have a talent for varying atmospheres and for avoiding any monotony which is often the trademark of this style and, for this reason, 'The Fire I Long For' is not only intended for an audience loving the 'Doom' but also to all those who love a melancholic atmospheric metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennie-Ann Smith (Vocal), Marcus Jidell (Guitar), Mats Rydström (Bass), Rickard Nilsson (Keybords), Lars Sköld (Drums)


Artist : Noveria

Album : Aequilibrium

Release Date : 25-10-2019

Added : 29-12-2019

The Italians of 'Noveria' who evolve in a progressive power metal released at the end of October 2019 a 3rd studio recording 'Aequilibrium' and this last opus tells the story of a man who, following an earthquake in Italy, loses all his family and who, faced with this tragedy, tries to rebuild his life. The majority of the compositions deploy an imposing power without any dead time with progressive components and remarkable guitar solos. ‘Waves’ opens the album in a riot of energetic riffs and, even if the keyboards are here and there present, this feeling of power continues throughout the title which also offers us a memorable first refrain. Follows 'The Awakening', always as energetic with an epic side with tempo changes and 'Franck Corigliano' performs a remarkable singing performance, then, 'New Born' offers us a more laid-back rhythm while remaining in a heavy register , just like 'Blind' which unrolls a heavy melody accompanied by sharp guitar riffs. The following continues in this debauchery of power with for example the somber mid-tempo 'The Nightmare', the frantic 'Broken', the catchy 'Collide' or even 'Losing You' which unrolls a relentless melody, in a slow and heavy procession which includes remarkable instrumental parts. Note that it is on a much quieter note that the album ends with the magnificent power ballad ‘Darkest Days’ which could appear in the best metal ballads.

In summary, the Italians of ‘Noveria’ continue on the path they had traced in the previous opus and ‘Aequilibrium’ is intended for an audience loving a powerful and melodic metal with progressive components...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Corigliano (Vocal), Francesco Mattei (Guitar), Julien Spreutels (Keybords), Andrea Arcangeli (Bass), Omar Campitelli (Drums)


Artist : RPWL

Album : Live From Outer Space

Release Date : 15-11-2019

Added : 30-12-2019

At the end of 2019, a large number of live were released, each one as remarkable as the other, and ‘Live From Outer Space’ from the Germans of ‘RPWL’ is part of this long list. After the release of 'Tales From Outer Spaces' in early 2019 (see here), the group led by 'Yogi Lang' (see his last album released recently here) undertook a European tour which passed through my favorite concert hall of the Z7 in Pratteln in Switzerland in April 2019 and the concert which is the subject of this double CD was given in Holland on April 7 at Zoetermeer. The set-list is divided into 2 parts, first of all the last opus and this for our greatest pleasure because it would have been frustrating to have only a few compositions given the quality of 'Tales From Outer Spaces'. Needless to say, for those who appreciated the album, the live atmosphere brings even more authenticity and spontaneity which transforms each composition into a delicious moment filled with palpable emotion at all times : to take an example, I would not have been unhappy that the final solo of 'Light of the World' (the title is already almost 13 minutes) continues for a few more minutes. Regarding the second part of the concert, the magic continues to operate because when the first notes of 'Hole in the Sky' are played, we remain on the cloud on which we were sitting since the beginning of the show and scroll the titles which made the reputation of the Germans like 'Trying to Kiss the Sun', 'Roses' or the cover of 'Pink-Floyd', 'Cymbaline' (which is not nfortunately on the CD), the concert ending with the catchy 'Unchain the Earth' from the 2012 album 'Beyond Man and Time' (see here).

In short, after the live 'Plays Pink Floyd's' The Man and the Journey' in 2016 (see here) and 'A New Dawn' in 2017 (see here), this new concert confirms all the talent of the Germans of 'RPWL' in front of an audience and 'Live From Outer Space' is to be added to the ideal collection for all lovers of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Kalle Wallner (Guitar), Werner Taus (Bass), Markus Jehle (Clavier), Marc Turiaux (Drums)


Artist : Klone

Album : Le Grand Voyage

Release Date : 20-09-2019

Added : 31-12-2019

In an atmospheric rock style, here is the latest album ‘Le Grand Voyage’ from the French of ‘Klone’ which was released a few months ago. 2015 had seen the release of 'Here Comes The Sun' (see here) and 2017 the acoustics 'Unplugged' (see here) : it is therefore to the rhythm of an album every 2 years that 'Klone' continues its way, this new album being a continuation of the previous ones. We are therefore on board for 46 minutes, between rather dark atmospheric and hypnotic atmospheres and this starting with 'Yonder' which peacefully unrolls its melody in an alternation of calm parts and others more powerful with a final crescendo and we can’t prevent making the comparison with certain compositions of 'Anathema' (see here). ‘Bread’ and ‘Sealed’ follow in the wake of ‘Yonder’ and ‘Indelible’, with the addition of the saxophone on the end have a something of ‘Floydian’ style. With 'Keystone', even if the atmospheric side is still present, the more swaying rhythm section and the powerful final brings a variety to the whole and the end of the album gives us a catchy and energetic 'The Great Oblivion', then 'Sad And Slow' with its crescendo which prints an increasingly heavy sound and finally 'Silver Gate' which is a good summary of the opus with a linear melodic line and a slow increase in power which falls back on the final.

In summary, even if some people will regret a certain languor which can generate boredom in the long run but which is linked to this atmospheric style, 'Le Grand Voyage' is a quality album which follows logic of 'Here Comes The Sun' and which should appeal to an audience who likes a peaceful rock and conducive to travel developing slow melodies alternating serenity and power...

Line Up / Musicians

Yann Ligner (Vocal), Aldrick Guadagnino (Guitar), Guillaume Bernard (Guitar), Jonathan Jolly (Bass), Matthieu Metzger (Saxophone, Samples), Morgan Berthet (Drums)


Artist : Coronatus

Album : The Eminence of Nature

Release Date : 28-11-2019

Added : 01-01-2020

'Coronatus' is a German symphonic metal band led by drummer 'Mats Kurth' and the end of 2019 saw the release of a new album 'The Eminence Of Nature' which succeeds 'Secrets of Nature' dating from it just 2 years ago (see here). These 2 years have seen changes in the line-up since the soprano 'Carmen Lorch' has been replaced by 'Katharina G. Mann' and 'Teddy Möhrke' is now the male voice of the group and a new guitarist 'Jörn Langenfeld' made its appearance, the rest of the group remaining unchanged. It is also a concept album following on from the previous opus on nature and the importance of protecting the climate on our earth.
‘No Planet B’ opens the ball with a heady melody and we discover the new soprano ‘Katharina G. Mann’ which offers a remarkable first performance and the whole confirms the richness of the vocal section of the Germans. Then, an energetic 'Midsommar' with folk components brought by the flute, then, 'SOP' highlights a heavy rhythm with the emphasis on saturated guitar riffs with a catchy melody and 'The Wilderness Of The North' continues in an epic style filled with choirs in an astonishing symphonic style. The ballad of the album 'Echo of Souls', well placed in the middle of the album allows to take a break in the middle of all these energetic tracks then, the 2nd half of the album scrolls an energetic 'The Place I Love' , then 'Human Mania' is quite offbeat, mixing symphonic and folk with still a remarkable vocal section alternating female and male registers and 'Set Sail to North' continues in this spirit with a catchy refrain which never leaves you and which should do fury in concert then, '9000 Years Ago' concludes the album with riffs and singing close to 'Therion' (see their latest album here). Note that each title is then accompanied by its instrumental version which does not bring real plus to the album

In summary, between symphonic and folk metal, 'Coronatus' offers us a very good album which improves with listenings and 'The Eminence of Nature' is the first album with lyrics in English in all the titles which will undoubtedly allow the Germans a little more to open up to an international audience of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Kurth (Drums), Mareike Makosch (Vocal), Katharina G. Mann (Vocal), Teddy Möhrke (Vocal), Jörn Langenfeld (Guitar), Kristina Jülich (Violin), Markus Stock (Bass)


Artist : Signum Regis

Album : The Seal of a New World

Release Date : 22-11-2019

Added : 02-01-2020

It's been over 10 years since the Slovaks from 'Signum Regis' released their first eponymous album (see here) and, after ‘Decennium Primum’ in 2017 (see here), the end of 2019 saw the release of their 6th album 'The Seal of a New World'. They evolve in a melodic power metal full of energy to which they add a pinch of progressive.
'Kings of the Underground' starts the album in a surge of power with a rhythm close to'Rhapsody' and a first refrain that enters in your head immediately, then, 'Prisoner's Elegy' continues in this heavy flow but in a tempo less sustained and 'I Always Go All-In' follows suit for an equally energetic composition which includes a remarkable instrumental section in the second part including a magnificent guitar solo. The following appears more varied with, first of all, 'The City of God' which allows you to recover from your emotions with an alternation between power and calm and which still has a refrain which never leaves you, then, 'The Seal of the New World', while remaining heavy, has a nice progressive construction, and 'A Memory' is a title which, even if it keeps a good energy, moves away from metal and still offers us a heady melody and, about 'Phantasmagoria', it continues to distill us a good melodic metal with more present keyboards which allow us to bring a classic component to the whole. The end of the album does not weaken and continues to scroll through compositions all as effective as each other with accessible melodies that never leave you like the refrains from 'Let Freedom Ring', 'Never Surrender' or 'Fly Away'. Also, we can note that the Slovaks also know how to offer us quieter moments with the magnificent power ballad 'Shalom' which would largely have its place in the most beautiful metal ballads.

In summary, the Slovaks of 'Signum Regis' sign a remarkable and very varied album with a talent for effective melodies and 'The Seal of a New World' should appeal to all those who love a powerful power metal and melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Jota Fortinho (Vocal), Filip Koluš (Guitar), Ronnie König (Bass), Ján Tupý (Keybords), Jaroslav Jančula (Drums)


Artist : Terra Nova

Album : Terra Nova Ballads

Release Date : 04-06-2019

Added : 03-01-2020

‘Terra Nova’ is a Dutch band that was formed in the 90s and released 7 albums, the latest 'Raise Your Voice' early in 2019 (see here). They evolve in a melodic rock with influences of the original formations of this style of music like 'Foreigner', 'Journey' or 'Boston' and 2019 saw the release of compilations of the first 6 albums with first 2 albums 'High Lights' (see here ) and 'HighLights 2' (see here) but also a best of of their ballads and if there is an area in which they excel, it is this one because 'Terra Nova Ballads' contains melodic jewels that a good number of melodic rock formations would envy because the 15 compositions deserve to be known. You can find the original album of each title below except 'Till The End' which does not appear on any studio album.

In summary, in the way that the English had done with 'Magnum' (see here), 'Terra Nova' offers us the soft side of their compositions and if you like sweet and melodic ballads, you should adopt this 'Terra Nova Ballads'...


Love of My Life : Livin' It Up (1997)
Summernights : Livin' It Up (1997)
If Dreams Are Forever : Livin' It Up (1997)
Wasting Time : Break Away (1997)
Not Here With Me : Break Away (1997)
Only for You : Break Away (1997)
How : Make My Day (1999)
Here's to You : Make My Day (1999)
Yesterday : Escape (2005)
Heaven Knows : Escape (2005)
You Are the One : Escape (2005)
Those Eyes : Come Alive (2010)
The Final Curtain : Come Alive (2010)
Jenna : Reinvent Yourself (2015)

Line Up / Musicians

Fred Hendrix (Vocal), Ron Hendrix (Keybords), Gesuino Derosas (Guitar), Lars Beuving (Drums)


Artist : CastAway

Album : Before We Drown

Release Date : 22-11-2019

Added : 04-01-2020

'CastAway' is a Slovak band that released their first album in 2006 (see here) and it’s with this 3rd studio recording ‘Before We Drown’ that I discovered them. After a first listen, I did not manage to put them in a particular metal style because this opus contains multiple influences and I needed several listenings (generally it's a good sign) to appreciate it for its fair value. Very varied, each composition brings its own personality and finally, the Slovaks mix rock and progressive metal and the good example is 'Seeing Man' which concentrates in 6 minutes an admirable richness with different nested parts alternating fast and slower tempos and also significant alternations of intensity but with melodic lines always relatively accessible. In this same register we can also cite 'Feed You Lies', 'What Shadows Portray' and 'The Last Days (Before We Drown)' in which it is good to get lost but some compositions have more conventional constructions with less breaks in tempo and intensity like 'In Labyrinths' or 'No One Sees God' or the beautiful ballad 'One Sentence' or the energetic 'Fallen' in a hard-rock atmosphere of the 70s and this mixture is very appreciable because it brings remarkable diversity to the album.

In summary, the Slovaks of 'CastAway' released an excellent album mixing different styles of progressive but which is relatively accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines and, even if they have their own personality, if you like formations like 'Dream Theater' (see their latest album here) or 'Threshold' (see their latest album here), you should probably appreciate 'Before We Drown'...

Line Up / Musicians

Mayo Petranin (Vocal), Peter ‘Petruccio’ Bulík (Guitar), Zoltan Daraban (Bass, Vocal, Guitar), Janko ‘Hraško’ Kovár (Drums), Andrej Kutiš (Keybords, Vocal) + Guests : Paolo Giordano (Voice), Roland Grapow (Guitar), Adam Mičinec (Keybords, Guitar), Stefano Urbani (Vocal)


Artist : Deep Purple

Album : Live In Newcastle 2001

Release Date : 05-07-2019

Added : 05-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

We know the many live shows of 'Deep Purple' including the 2 essentials 'Made In Japan' from 1972 (see here) and the 'Made In Europe' of 1976 (see here) and 2019 saw the release 2 new live shows, one dating from 2001 in Newcastle and the other dating from 2013 in Rome which are globally very complementary because apart from a few common titles, each concert has its own set list. For my part, I would have a preference for that of 2001 because we find more the spontaneity of the 70s with this long title mixing 'Speed King' and 'Good Times' for 17 minutes of unleashed hard-rock and this final sequence which returns to 'Speed King' in a masterful way (between 14 and 15 minutes) and what about the introduction of 'Smoke on the Water' with a little bit of 'Black in Black' from our favorite Kangaroos (magnificent 'Steve Morse'! !). In summary, we still never tire of these live performances by this legendary group which, even after all the line-up changes it has known, continues to perpetuate authentic and effective hard-rock from the 70s...
Deep Purple – Live In Newcastle 2001
Deep Purple – Live In Rome 2013

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Gillan (Vocal), Steve Morse (Guitar), Roger Glover (Bass), Jon Lord (Keybords), Ian Paice (Drums) + Guests : Jimmy Barnes (Vocal), Ian Moss (Guitar)


Artist : Deep Purple

Album : Live In Rome 2013

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 05-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

We know the many live shows of 'Deep Purple' including the 2 essentials 'Made In Japan' from 1972 (see here) and the 'Made In Europe' of 1976 (see here) and 2019 saw the release 2 new live shows, one dating from 2001 in Newcastle and the other dating from 2013 in Rome which are globally very complementary because apart from a few common titles, each concert has its own set list. For my part, I would have a preference for that of 2001 because we find more the spontaneity of the 70s with this long title mixing 'Speed King' and 'Good Times' for 17 minutes of unleashed hard-rock and this final sequence which returns to 'Speed King' in a masterful way (between 14 and 15 minutes) and what about the introduction of 'Smoke on the Water' with a little bit of 'Black in Black' from our favorite Kangaroos (magnificent 'Steve Morse'! !). In summary, we still never tire of these live performances by this legendary group which, even after all the line-up changes it has known, continues to perpetuate authentic and effective hard-rock from the 70s...
Deep Purple – Live In Newcastle 2001
Deep Purple – Live In Rome 2013

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Gillan (Vocal), Steve Morse (Guitar), Roger Glover (Bass), Don Airey (Keybords), Ian Paice (Drums)


Artist : Ange

Album : Escale Heureuse

Release Date : 19-07-2019

Added : 06-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

After the release in 2018 of 'Heureux' (see here) and a tour that followed, it is quite natural that the French of 'Ange' release a public recording with a good place for the last opus since 6 titles are interpreted with the long title 'Nancy-jupiter à la nage (Odyssey 14'00)' and its 17 minutes long but the old titles are not forgotten with for example 'Ballade Pour Une Orgie' from the album well known by historical fans 'Au Delà Du Délire' or 'Capitaine coeur de miel' from of 'Guet-Apens' from 1978 with its extraordinary final crescendo. Needless to add, let’s 'Christian Décamps' talk and invites us into his world and on a journey filled with poetry and enjoyable extravagance: « Welcome to the angelic world where words and notes make love for our more pleasure...»

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Décamps (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Tristan Décamps (Keybords, Voice), Hassan Hajdi (Guitar), Benoît Cazzulini (Drums), Thierry Sidhoum (Bass)


Artist : Yes

Album : Yes 50 Live

Release Date : 02-08-2019

Added : 07-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

The legendary group 'Yes' released a live in August 2019 which was recorded during the American tour at the 'Fillmore Philadelphia' in Philadelphia on July 20 and 21, 2018. They continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary with the participation of historic members like the founding member and keyboard player 'Tony Kaye'. The set list is obviously composed of emblematic titles which punctuate the long career of the group like, among others, 'Starship Trooper' (album 'The Yes Album' of 1971), 'Roundabout' (album 'Fragile' of 1971) or the phenomenal 'Close to the Edge' (album 'Close to the Edge' from 1972) which was part of the hatching of progressive rock at this time with long developments in several parts nested within each other. In short, ‘Yes 50 Live’ is a magnificent live for all fans of ‘Yes’ and to allow the youngest to discover a group that has marked progressive rock for several decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Howe (Guitar, Choirs), Alan White (Drums, Percussions), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Billy Sherwood (Bass, Choirs), Jon Davison (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions) + Guests : Jay Schellen (Drums), Tony Kaye (Keybords), Patrick Moraz (Keybords)


Artist : Skiltron

Album : Live At Wacken 2018

Release Date : 05-08-2019

Added : 08-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

After 'Legacy Of Blood' in 2016 (see here), the Argentinians of 'Skiltron' participated in 2018 at the 'Wacken Open Air' and released in mid-2019 a short but dense album of this concert with 9 tracks full of energy in their particular style of folk metal. The last albums are well represented with a total of 5 titles and we find other titles which made the fame of the group with ‘Bagpipes of War’ and ‘Skiltron’. Therefore, if you like to mix Scottish folk and metal, this live is definitely for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Emilio Souto (Guitar, Vocal), Ignacio Lopez (Bass), Matias Pena (Drums), Pereg Ar Bagol (Bagpipe)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Live at Carioca Progfestival

Release Date : 18-11-2019

Added : 09-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

For those who follow myprogmusic, I already presented the Brazilian group to you twice with their latest album here and a few months ago with their different covers here and it is now the turn of a live to see the light of day with the concert they gave at the 'CaRIOca ProgFestival' in October 2019 and which should soon be the subject of a DVD. Since on the studio albums it is ‘Celo Oliveira’ who plays all the instruments, for this occasion, they called on the bass player ‘Rodrigo Zacconi’ and the drummer ‘Leo Peccatu’. So we find the Brazilians in a cozy and warm atmosphere who offer us almost the entirety of their last album (only 'Across The Sea' is not sung) and some tracks from the previous one (see here) and if you like progressive rock bands like 'Mostly Autumn' (see here), 'Mystery' (see here) or even the last project of the ex 'Karnataka' 'Ian Jones' (see here), you should no doubt be seduced by this magnificent live...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (Guitar), Rodrigo Zacconi (Bass), Leo Peccatu (Drums)


Artist : Marillion

Album : With Friends from the Orchestra

Release Date : 29-11-2019

Added : 10-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

After the magnificent concert given at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2017 and released in 2018 (see here), the English of 'Marillion' released a new album 'With Friends from the Orchestra' which as its name suggests is a re-recording of certain titles from their repertoire but with orchestral instruments and have embarked on a tour with only two dates in France. For the occasion, they called on the string quartet ‘In Praise Of Folly’, the flautist ‘Emma Halnan’ and the corriste ‘Sam Morris’. The result makes us rediscover these reorchestrated titles with the warmth of string instruments which gives another light on all these titles which were chosen from a panel of compositions which were already quite refined at the origin like 'Estonia', 'Beyond You 'or' The Sky Above The Rain '(see list and original album below). Remarkably re-orchestrated, each song takes us on a journey into the world of 'Marillion' with, for my part, favorites for 'Estonia', 'The Sky Above The Rain' and 'Seasons End' which give me more emotion to listen compared to the original. In short, these 9 tracks for 79 minutes of listening (which pass so quickly) is a beautiful gift from ‘Marillion’ for all fans but also for all those who love a rich and refined progressive rock..

Estonia : This Strange Engine (1997)
A Collection : Holidays in Eden (1991)
Fantastic Place : Marbles (2004)
Beyond You : Afraid of Sunlight (1995)
This Strange Engine : This Strange Engine (1997)
The Hollow Man : Brave (1994)
The Sky Above The Rain : Sounds That Can't Be Made (2012)
Seasons End : Seasons End (1989)
Ocean Cloud : Marbles (2004)

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hogarth (Vocal), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Ian Mosley (Drums), Mark Kelly (Keybords), Pete Trewavas (Bass) + Guests : Emma Halnan (Flute), In Praise Of Folly (Quatuor A Cordes), Sam Morris (Cor)


Artist : Myrath

Album : Live in Carthage

Release Date : 29-11-2019

Added : 11-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

I discovered the Tunisians of 'Myrath' quite late with their fourth album 'Lagacy' (see here) in 2016 and since, after having seen them in concert at the z7 in first part of 'Epica' at the end of 2017, I was impressed by this energy on stage that they transmit to the public with this festive metal in which they mix their origins and the tradition of large Western groups of this style. Therefore, what could be better than discovering them in a concert and it's done with ‘Live in Carthage’, what's more, in their country. And it all starts in an electric atmosphere with ‘Born to Survive’ which ignites the public who are necessarily completely behind their cause and who know the words by heart. Titles as catchy as each other parade like 'Dance' from the latest album 'Shehili' (see here), 'Get Your Freedom Back' and its addictive chorus, 'Nobody's Lives' or 'Duat' and their melodic lines which marry so beautifully the east and west (the magic of music !!) or even 'Believer' and its party atmosphere which precedes 'No Holding Back' taken up by all the audience to finish with a memorable 'Beyond the Stars' and its chorus that never leaves you. In short, no need to add more and as I often say, it only remains to press the play button and let yourself be driven by all this communicative jubilation...

Line Up / Musicians

Zaher Zorgati (Vocal), Malek Ben Arbia (Guitar), Elyes Bouchoucha (Keybords), Anis Jouini (Bass), Morgan Berthet (Drums), Kevin Codfert (Piano, Guitar)


Artist : Downes Braide Association

Album : Live In England

Release Date : 29-11-2019

Added : 12-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

'Downes Braide Association' is the meeting between 2 artists, first of all 'Geoff Downes' who was a member of 'Yes' and who is still one of the pillars of 'Asia' (see their latest album here) and 'Chris Braide', composer and producer who has participated in multiple projects. 2019 sees the release of their 4th collaboration with this first public recording 'Live In England' which was given to 'East Sussex's Trading Boundaries' in 2018. In an accessible pop style, they interpret compositions from their different albums including set of the last 'Skyscraper Souls' (see here ) but also classics like 'Video Killed The Radio Star' of 'Bugles' and, last but not least, with the 2 most famous hits of 'Asia', 'Heat of the Moment' and 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes'. So we are embarked on a style influenced by the 80s with melodies that captivate immediately and with the singing of 'Chris Braide' which makes me think in some compositions to 'Al Stewart' especially since the harmonious and delicate atmospheres are close to those of the British (listen to 'Lighthouse'). In short, with this ‘Live In England’, we have a wonderful time with two artists who take us on a journey through their world of delicate and appealing pop...

Line Up / Musicians

Geoff Downes (Keybords), Chris Braide (Vocal), Andy Hodge (Bass), David Colquhoun (Guitar), David Longdon (Vocal, Flute)


Artist : Nightwish

Album : Decades : Live in Buenos Aires

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 13-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

In the domain of symphonic metal, if there's a group that is up in lights, it is 'Nightwish' and, pending the next studio album, this live in 'Buenos Aires' is the third public recording since the arrival of 'Floor Jansen' but its particularity is to offer us many more titles from the 'Tarja' period because on the whole of the concert it is approximately three quarters of the titles which are taken from album going from 1997 ( 'Angels Fall Fist') to 2004 ('Once'). Indeed, from the start of the concert, after the instrumental introduction of 'Swanheart' (we remember the magnificent interpretation of 'Tarja' in Oceanborn), the first 5 tracks are taken respectively from 'Angels Fall First' from 1997 ('Come Cover Me'), 'Oceanborn' from 1998 ('Gethsemane'), 'Over The Hills And Far Away' from 2001 ('10th Man Down'), 'Century Child 'from 2002 (' End Of All Hope ') and' Once 'from 2004 ('Wish I Had An Angel') and it is only with 'Elan' that we enter the 'Floor Jansen' era. The sequel continues to draw on these first albums to the delight of historical fans and only the album ‘Wishmaster’, which is represented by ‘Deep Silent Complete’, was missing to have a sample of the Finn’s first 6 albums. In summary, this new live of 'Nightwish' immerses us for our greatest pleasure in the 'Tarja' era and we can not help making the comparison between the two singers: for my part, I always remember the 'End Of An Era' of 2006 which will undoubtedly remain for me the must of the 'Nightwish' live...

Line Up / Musicians

Floor Jansen (Vocal), Tuomas Holopainen (Keybords), Marko Hietala (Bass, Vocal), Emppu Vuorinen (Guitar), Kai Hathto (Drums), Troy Donockley (Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, Bouzouki, Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Blackberry Smoke

Album : Homecoming : Live in Atlanta

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 14-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

The Americans of 'Blackberry Smoke' whose last album dates from 2018 (see here) released at the end of 2019 a live 'Homecoming: Live in Atlanta' recorded during the annual event 'Brothers And Sisters Holiday Homecoming' which is a charity to support children with cancer. Anyone familiar with 'Blackberry Smoke' will tell you that these guys are made for the stage and that this live is no exception to the rule with compositions that parade all as melodic and catchy as each other in the pure American tradition country-tinged rock. Special mentions for the 14 minutes of 'Sleeping Dogs' where the Americans allow themselves a foray into the repertoire of the 'Beatles' with 'Come Together' but also for 'Ain't Got the Blues' taken up by the public but also other moments filled with emotion like the magnificent 'Ain't Much Left of Me' with the introduction of 'Amazing Grace' or 'Up the Road' filled with melancholy or the cover of 'Space Captain' by 'Eric Clapton' with his famous message 'Learning to live Forever'. In short, ‘Homecoming: Live in Atlanta’ is intended for all those who love southern rock which flourished during the 60s in the South of the United States with groups like ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd’...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Starr (Vocal, Guitar), Brit Turner (Drums), Richard Turner (Bass), Paul Jackson (Guitar, Vocal), Brandon Still (Keybords)


Artist : Praying Mantis

Album : Keep It Alive

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 15-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

It is still a group of the 70s, in this case the English of 'Praying Mantis' who continue their mery way with new studio albums (see their last 2 recordings here and here) and who just released a concert at the end of 2019 with 'Keep It Alive' which was recorded during the 'Frontiers Rock Festival V' in Milan, the April 28, 2018. Already 40 years since the group was formed and their first album 'Time Tells No Lies' recorded in 1981 is far away but they have not lost this energy of sharing a hard-rock catchy with their audience and 'Keep It Alive' is still there to prove it to us. In summary, the English of ‘Praying Mantis’, 40 years after their creation, are part of the groups that continue to be doing well and ‘Keep It Alive’ is intended for an audience loving the melodic hard-rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Tino Troy (Guitar, Vocal), Chris Troy (Bass, Vocal), Andy Burgess (Guitar, Vocal), John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers (Vocal), Hans In’t Zandt (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Heather Findlay

Album : Aces And Eights – a Night in the Saloon Bar (Live)

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 16-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

'Heather Findlay' who was the singer of 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here) and who has since put together different projects with 'Odin Dragonfly' in 2007 with 'Angela Gordon' (see here) or 'Mantra Vega' (see here - project in which she collaborated with 'David Kezner'- see here), 'The Heather Findlay Band' (see here) and who released a new solo album in 2019 (see here), recorded a public album 'Aces And Eights - a Night in the Saloon Bar' in 2017 which was already released a year ago but only appeared on Spotify late in 2019. In an intimate set where she excels, accompanied by her acoustic guitar, she shares the stage with 'Sarah Dean' on harp and choirs and with 'Martin Ledger' on electric guitar and offers us 10 tracks taken from her long career whether with 'Mostly A utumn' ('Unoriginal Sin' and 'Evergreen'), with 'Dragon Fly' ('Magnolia Half Moon', 'Yellow Time'), with 'Mantra Vega' ('Mountain Spring', 'Lake Sunday', 'I've Seen Your Star') or with 'The Heather Findlay Band' with whom she did a cover of 'Bitterness Burnt' from 'Mostly Autumn'. In summary, this concert released late on streaming platforms shows once again this complete artist who enchants us at each album release with her captivating and moving voice and if you like this concert, do like me, listen or listen again also his latest album 'Wild White Horses' to extend this wonderful moment...

Line Up / Musicians

Heather Findlay (Vocal, Guitar, Low Whistle), Sarah Dean (Harp, Choirs), Martin Ledger (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Cheap Trick

Album : Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979

Release Date : 31-12-2019

Added : 17-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

Here is a group still active since they are the Americans of 'Cheap Trick' who since 2016 have released 3 albums with 'Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello' in 2016 , 'We're We're All Alright!' in 2017 and 'Christmas Christmas' also in 2017. This live 'Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979' takes us back exactly 40 years back and for those who knew this era and the 'At Budakan' album released in 1978 (see here), it is a faithful testimony of the atmosphere of these concerts of 'Cheap Trick' with a sound of the end of the seventies and a set which begins on the screams of a delirious public with an extraordinary 'Hello There' taken from 'In Color' from 1979 which is now well worn by repeated listenings on my record player at the time. Note that this concert coincided with the release of 'Dream Police' in 1979 and it is for this reason that 8 of the 9 songs of this album are performed there. In short, just for the atmosphere, this live of 'Cheap Trick' is a very nice gift for the historical fans of the group and, for the others, will allow to discover or rediscover a group not necessarily well known to the general public and who keeps releasing albums with the same energy they had when they started...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Zander (Vocal), Rick Nielsen (Guitar), Tom Petersson (Bass), Bun E. Carlos (Drums)


Artist : Magnum

Album : Live at the Symphony Hall

Release Date : 18-01-2019

Added : 18-01-2020

At the dawn of 2020, 2019 was full of live, so here is the list of myprogmusic chronicles of live in styles very different from each other, ranging from folk to metal through to progressive rock. To this first list, for a fortnight, will be added other live released in 2019 but which had not yet been the subject of chronicle.

It is with 'Live at the Symphony' of 'Magnum' which dates from the beginning of 2019 that I close this list of chronicles of live 2019. The English continue their long career since 'Kingdom Of Madness' which was their first album is already over 40 years old (1978) and 2018 saw the release of 'Lost on the Road Eternity' (see here) and they are releasing their new album today ' The Serpent Rings' (see here). With this concert, the last album 'Lost on the Road Eternity' is well represented ('Peaches and Creams', 'Show Me Your Hands', 'Without Love', 'Lost On The Road To Eternity') but also they drew on their long career for a sample fairly representative of all their albums. We can note the participation of 'Tobias Sammet', the leader of Avantasia 'who often calls on' Bob Catley '(see his latest album here) and who sings on 'Lost On The Road To Eternity'. In summary, this live show of 'Magnum', more than 40 years after their creation, shows that they are still doing very well and that, even if they never reached the notoriety of formations of the 70s like 'Deep Purple 'or' Uriah Heep ', continue to offer us a quality and accessible hard rock to a relatively large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Bob Catley (Vocal), Tony Clarkin (Guitar), Al Barrow (Bass), Rick Benton (Keybords), Lee Morris (Drums) + Guest : Tobias Sammet (Vocal)


Artist : Galahad

Album : Jheronimus (Songs of Earthly Delights)

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 19-01-2020

Do not confuse 'Galahad', the British progressive rock group (see here) with the German formation of the same name which evolves in a folk/rock style and which is influenced by formations of the 70s like 'Jethro Tull' (Spotify also makes the amalgam between the 2 formations). This chronicle concerns the Germans who released in December 2019 a new album ‘Jheronimus (Songs of Earthly Delights)’. For more than an hour of listening, this latest opus offers 15 compositions in an accessible and melodic style, starting with a catchy "Hard Working Man" in which electric instruments mix with acoustic instruments in a medieval atmosphere. The following tracks 'Airy Fairy' and 'Sweetheart' continue in this light and dancing atmosphere and we cannot help but refer to their compatriots from 'Faun' who also released an album at the end of 2019 (see here). There are also some compositions which are more distant from folk and which are closer to formations like 'Mostly Autumn' like for example 'Stay Here', 'Like A Light Rose' or 'The Lady of Corvic' with some progressive components but also other titles refer to 'Jethro Tull' such as 'Antie Ant' or 'Whisper Words' in which the flute recalls that of 'Ian Anderson'. In summary, the Germans of 'Galahad' continue to offer us compositions with beautiful melodic lines accessible at first listen and this latest album 'Jheronimus (Songs of Earthly Delights)' is to be advised to an audience loving a style mixing medieval folk and peaceful rock with some progressive components...

Line Up / Musicians

Tina de Vlinder (Vocal, Violin, Flute), Jekka van de Veer (Vocal, Percussions), Paul Alexander Jost (Vocal, Flute, Mandolin, Guitar), Dieter Horlitz (Guitar), Ralf Veith (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Jens Gronwald (Drums, Percussions), Peter Huntenburg (Bass, Vocal)


2019 : Melodic Rock albums not reviewed


Artist : At Night I Fly

Album : Mirror Maze

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 21-01-2020

‘At Night I Fly’ is a Hungarian progressive metal group which, after a first EP in 2012 which was well received at the time in their country, released their first studio album ‘Mirror Maze’ at the end of 2019. After a first listen, we say that this opus could very well be that of a recognized group of progressive metal because, for a first LP, we feel an impressive maturity with rich and refined compositions presenting a beautiful variety between them and progressive constructions in which something always happens.
First of all, it is a themed album and it is 'Zoltán Bátky' (BZ) who wrote the lyrics and he tells us about the lives of different people faced with the different life choices that can influence them and go away from the original goal : to be yourself. Musically speaking, the short introduction 'Silent ..' serves as the launching pad for the first title 'Gethsamane' which takes us into the progressive universe of Hungarians made up of different parts nested in each other in which it is good to get lost and which alternate power and serenity with beautiful melodic lines and superb instrumental parts. 'The Pit' continues in this inventive universe with changes of tempo and a central part which gets closer to progressive rock with a remarkable guitar solo, then, 'Afterlife', more conventional in construction, offers us a magnificent refrain who never leave you. With 'Shaterred Mirror Bay' which is cut in two parts, it is first of all a heavy mid-tempo interspersed with quieter parts in which we can not help but beat the measure, then spent half the title, the pace accelerates for a masterful instrumental section, then 'Uriel' which was the first title released from the album (see video above), continues in a sought-after progressive metal and we can't help but think of big group of the genre with a thought for 'Sons of Apollo' (see their last live here). The end of the album keeps this level of quality and, apart from the short and intense '… Prayer' which is very beautiful, we hold the two longest tracks of the album with 'Towards the Black Light' and ' Wanted to Be 'and, not to repeat myself, I would simply say that they contain everything that one wishes to find in a rich and inventive progressive metal.

In summary, as you will have understood, the Hungarians of 'At Night I Fly' are releasing an album which will remain for me in the top 5 of progressive metal albums of the year 2019 and, hoping that the Hungarians make themselves known internationally because they deserve it, 'Mirror Maze' should appeal to fans of bands like 'Dream Theater' (last album here), 'Sons Of Apollo' (first album here) or even 'Threshold' (last album here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Zoltán Bátky (Vocal), András Ádám Horváth (Guitar), Gergely Springer (Bass), Gábor Nagygyörgy (Drums) + Guests : Zsolt Kővágó (Keybords), Anita Horvath (Violin), Szilvia Nagy (Violin), Boglarka Tuza (Viola), Daniel Helecz (Cello)


Artist : The Murder of My Sweet

Album : Brave Tin World

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 22-01-2020

The Swede 'Daniel Flores' is a busy artist as they participate in multiple projects such as 'First Signal' (see here), 'Palace' (see here) and he is the leader of 'The Murder of My Sweet', of which here is the latest album 'Brave Tin World' which succeeds 'Echoes of the Aftermath' released in 2017 (see column here). With the same line-up, they continue to offer us melodic compositions between rock and metal in a direct style and easily assimilated and I never understood too much the tag 'cinematic metal' that is sticked to them : for me, as I already wrote it in 2017, they mix accessible melodies of variety with energetic guitar riffs and the titles which characterize them well are the two melodic jewels 'Head of the Snake' and 'Everyone Wins' which mix keyboards and riffs guitar on a simple but effective melody. Overall, the 11 tracks are on this scheme and we can note quieter songs like 'Safe in the Shadows', 'Memento' or even 'Alchemy of Sins' well placed between the more energetic tracks and which all have beautiful melodic lines. In summary, the Swedes of 'The Murder of My Sweet' are releasing an album full of accessible compositions and therefore, 'Brave Tin World' is recommended for a large audience who like mixing effective melodies with the power of guitar riffs...

Line Up / Musicians

Angelica Rylin (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Drums, Keybords), Christopher Vetter (Guitar), Patrik Janson (Bass)


Artist : Edge Of Forever

Album : Native Soul

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 23-01-2020

After 'Daniel Flores' (see here), it's still a convict of melodic rock who is in the spotlight with his project 'Edge Of Forever', I named the singer and keyboardist 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' with this new opus 'Native Soul'. Indeed, the Italian takes part in many projects as a musician with among others 'Hardline' (last album released in 2019 here), 'Sunstorm' (last album released in 2018 here) but also in production with for example the mixing and mastering of the last 'Viana' (see here). We are therefore in the middle of an energetic melodic hard rock that boost your spirit with tracks that get on you from the first listening : after an amazing 'Three Rivers' (I say amazing because we are not used to it to hear a title a capella in this style of music but this short introduction is quite remarkable), let's go for catchy and powerful compositions filled with good guitar riffs and I will quote for example the melodic jewelry 'Promised Land', 'Wash Your Sins Away' or 'Take You Time' which looks like 'Rainbow' but also quieter titles like the remarkable mid-tempo in an AOR style 'Ride with the Wind' or the magnificent balad 'Shine' as the Italians know how to do so well.

In summary, whatever the project, at each album release in which 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' appears, the result is always the same: compositions of simple quality but extremely effective at first listen and therefore , if you like melodic hard rock and full of good energy, 'Native Soul' is probably for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Del Vecchio (Vocal, Keybords), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Marco Di Salvia (Drums)


Artist : Sonus Corona

Album : Time Is Not on Your Side

Release Date : 22-11-2019

Added : 24-01-2020

'Sonus Corona' is another progressive metal band from Finland that I discovered with their second album 'Time Is Not on Your Side' which is the successor of their first baby 'Sonus Corona' released in 2015 (see here). At the first listen, one has the impression of visiting several musical currents which are carried by a metal frame linking everything making it a group apart from the traditional progressive landscape which can, I admit, discourage some because it takes time to penetrate their musical universe.

Indeed, from the first title 'Induction', the introduction to keyboards and piano does not in any way augur for the continuation and it is after a minute and a half that the guitar riffs make their appearance in a classic but very effective progressive construction in which 'Timo Mustonen' makes a remarkable vocal performance. Suit 'Unreal' which can make think of certain titles of 'Dream Theater' in its rhythmic construction and which suddenly takes us in the middle of the title in a jazzy atmosphere for a few chords (I love), then, 'The Refuge' is between progressive and hard rock and the short 'Swing of Sanity' is delightfully jazzy with muscular accompaniment while 'Oblivion', although the sharp riffs are still present, gradually reveals a progressive aspect bordering on pop. The eponymous title of the album is certainly the most conventional of progressive metal with changes of intensity and tempos and a relatively accessible melodic theme and 'Illusions' offers a kind of acoustic intermission before going back to the instrumental 'Moment Of Reckoning' which comes down to inventive and sought-after progressive metal as well as the following two titles 'To the Ground' and 'Fading' which is a little more difficult for me to access. It is with the longest title 'Here' that the album ends by starting with a calm piano / voice first part with a singer who has a beautiful captivating voice (I have not found her name anywhere), then the title is gaining momentum for a progressive part in which singing and instrumental parts alternate with always this foray into jazzy passages and finally, the final sung on the main theme ends in apotheosis and falls again in decrescendo on a few layersof keyboards.

In summary, this second album by the Finns of 'Sonus Corona' is very dense and I had to listen to it several times to penetrate all the nooks and draw all the richness which undoubtedly destines it for a warned public which like a varied progressive metal to tame little by little...

Line Up / Musicians

Ari Lempinen (Guitar, Choirs), Harri Annala (Guitar), Miika Erkkilä (Bass), Rasmus Raassina (Drums), Esa Lempinen (Keybords), Timo Mustonen (Vocal)


Artist : Anna Fiori

Album : De la Tierra (Un Encuentro Semiacustico)

Release Date : 18-12-2019

Added : 25-01-2020

The Mexican ‘Anna Fiori’ already has several symphonic metal albums to her credit and the latest ‘In Ohtli Tonalli’ dates from 2017 (see here). Like her compatriot 'Marcela Bovio' who has already released two albums in acoustic (see here and here ), she has Released in late 2019 an EP of 6 tracks, two of which, 'Fuego Negro' and 'Renacer', are acoustic versions of compositions from these first two albums, the other 4 being new songs. 'Cehualli' begins in a beautiful way with Latino sounds and we can't help making the connection with 'Marcela Bovio' because we feel their common influences on the level of interpretation as in 'De la Tierra' or in the short but intense 'Jamás' in which it should be emphasized that the Spanish language highlights Anna Fiori's sensitivity even more. And what about these reinterpretations of ‘Fuego Negro’ and ‘Renacer’ which completely transform the initial metal versions into compositions filled with emotion.

In summary, this short album (too short for me) shows us that 'Anna Fiori' is comfortable in all registers and that it is often in this kind of acoustic atmosphere, putting even more forward the vocal qualities, that we realize even better the talent of the artists...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Fiori (Vocal), Markov (Guitar), Juan Carrizo (Guitar), Arturo Ferrante (Keybords), Voltan Acat (Bass), Ignacio Fontán Blanch (Drums)


Artist : SL Theory

Album : Cipher

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 26-01-2020

'SL Theroy' is the project of multi-instrumentalist 'Sotiris Lagonikas' who has just released his 4th studio recording 'Cipher' and he has also released a concert with a string orchestra 'Progressively Dark (A Concert For A Group & String Orchestra)' in the form of a double CD which is the only album with 'Cipher' available on Spotify under the name 'SL Theory' (see here), the album 'Progressively Dark' of 2012 having been released under the name of the artist and also available under spotify (see here). In this new album, while he provided all the instruments for the first 3 opus, he only provides the rhythm section and called on artists for vocals, choirs and other instruments.
'Cipher' mixes progressive rock with melodic hard-rock and the first track of more than 13 minutes is the only long development of the album which takes us in a progressive style of the 70s / 80s with many nested parts ones in the others, an important use of keyboards and remarkable vocal sections. The suite is more conventional with titles between 3 and 5 minutes and constructions with progressive components generally less marked and I will cite for example 'Devil's Suites' or 'Table's Turned' which are in the same style as formations of the 70s / 80 like 'Alan Parsons Project' and others, more energetic like 'You Never Happened' or 'Grave Danger' which are more in the style of groups like 'Uriah Heep'. The ballad 'If It Wasn't for You' (which is included in a long version at the end of the album), well placed in the middle of the album, offers a break before going back to powerful tracks like mid-tempo 'Anyone, Anymore' and 'If You Saw Me Dead' between rock and hard-rock with some progressive components and remarkable vocal arrangements or 'Silence and Loneliness' which, on a slow tempo, deploys a melody and a vocal section which can make think to 'Queen', the album ending again with a powerful mid-tempo 'A Song About Nothing' and the short 'Happy', completely quirky from the rest, between funk and soul with great brass reinforcement.

In summary, with 'Cipher', the Greeks of 'SL Theroy' released an album mixing different styles and influences which therefore intends it for an audience open to a set of genres mixing rock, hard-rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sotiris Lagonikas (Drums), Mike Karasoulis (Vocal), Alex Flouros (Guitar), Giannis Nigdelis (Guitar), Manos Gavalas (Keybords), Chris Kollias (Bass), Papadimitriou (Choirs), Anna T. Tarba (Choirs)


Artist : Altesia

Album : Paragon Circus

Release Date : 12-12-2019

Added : 27-01-2020

‘Altesia’ is a French group which has just released their first studio album ‘Paragon Circus’ and which is the project of ‘Clément Darrieu’, author, composer, but also singer and guitarist. Progressive lovers mixing rock and metal and loving bands like 'Dream Theater', 'Threshold', 'Steven Wilson' (and all its projects), 'Opeth' or 'Leprous', you will certainly not be disappointed because 'Altesia' is a bit at the crossroads of all these influences and the fact of citing all these names certainly makes you augur that 'Paragon Circus' does not deliver itself immediately but asks that we dwell on it to discover all the corners, listenings after listening to finally become one of the essential albums of his discography.
The album contains 6 titles for almost an hour of listening, titles which are judiciously placed with 3 long developments alternating with shorter compositions: first of all a short introduction 'Pandora' which makes me think of the atmosphere calm and serene from the introduction of the last 'Threshold' Legend Of The Shires, then, 'Reminiscence' with a multi-drawer construction, takes us for almost 12 minutes in a inventive progressive at the crossroads of different styles that intertwine with each other to form a very homogeneous whole. With 'Amidst The Smoke', the melodic theme holds us throughout the title with beautiful variations and the atmosphere is quite melancholic whether in the sung parts (the use of the head voice is a pure delight and can remind 'Einar Solberg' from 'Leprous') as well as in the instrumental parts with for example the use of Hammond organ tones or a ‘Floydian’ guitar. Follows, 'The Prison Child' which is the 2nd long composition and which is typical of a rich and elaborate progressive metal with beautiful instrumental parts such as this beautiful violin section of 'Thibaut Malon' which literally makes his instrument cry in a Gypsy atmosphere, then, 'Hex Reverse' raises the emotional cursor of a few notches with again the voice of 'Clément Darrieu' which does wonders and which has a remarkable guitar solo in the middle of the title. The album ends with the 3rd long development of almost 18 minutes in which there is always something that happens regardless of the intensity of the passages which alternates sweetness and power and whose melodic lines provide pleasure and emotion quite immediate because they all remain very accessible while being very varied.

In summary, with this first album by Altesia ', the French show an impressive maturity close to the tenors of progressive whether in rock or metal because they mix the two styles to perfection and, as I said at the beginning, 'Paragon Circus' is an album which is gradually tamed and has all the qualities to join the ideal disco of any progressive lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Clément Darrieu (Vocal, Guitar), Yann Ménage (Drums), Alexis Casanova (Guitar, Choirs), Antoine Pirog (Bass), Henri Bordillon (Keybords) + Guests : Julien Deforges (Saxophone), Thibault Malon (Violin), Esteban Sainz (Growls)


Artist : A New Tomorrow

Album : Universe

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 28-01-2020

‘A New Tomorrow’ is an English group which already has 10 years of existence and which had released only EP or singles and, it was at the end of 2019 that their first album ‘Universe’ was released. Influenced by different styles in hard-rock, they offer us 11 varied compositions with accessible melodic lines : from the start, with 'I Wanna Live' and 'A Million Stars', we have two melodic hits whose choruses are immediately engraved in our head, then, 'Golden Sands' is more sought after with a few forays into progressive style and a remarkable instrumental part in the second half of the title. Follows, an energetic 'Ignition' in a classic but very effective hard-rock, then, 'Mother Earth is Calling' is a mid-tempo which alternates powerful passages and others much calmer, just like 'Mountains' and its slow tempo with a heavy sound in the chorus. Change of scenery with the 2 tracks 'Step Into The Wild…' and '… Home' which in fact are one and which develop a calmer atmosphere which increases in strength at the end of '… Home' with tones like 'Led Zeppelin', then, 'Multitude of Nothing' returns to a powerful and direct hard-rock with a formidable rhythm section with multiple twists and turns. The album ends with, first of all, the powerful mid-tempo 'Universe' containing an effective chorus and choruses which bring us back to melodic hard-rock of the 80s, then, with the bonus track 'Heaven' in the same style than its predecessor.

In summary, the English of ‘A New Tomorrow’ are releasing a very good album which offers a beautiful variety of compositions and ‘Universe’ should appeal to an audience who likes accessible melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessio Garavello (Vocal, Guitar), Michael Kew (Guitar, Choirs), Andrea Lonardi (Bass, Choirs), Tim Hall (Drums)


Artist : Mats Karlsson

Album : The Time Optimist

Release Date : 06-12-2019

Added : 29-01-2020

The Swedish 'Mats Karlsson' who is part of the group '220 Volts' released a first studio album' The Time Optimist 'in which he called on artists from the Swedish scene such as the bassist of 'Therion', 'Nalle Påhlsson'. On the menu of this album, compositions between melodic rock and hard-rock very accessible, with 9 titles written by Mats, a co-written with 'Björn Höglund' and a cover of 'Sheryl Crow/John Shanks', 'Real Gone'. We therefore navigate between energetic titles like the joyful 'Bumping Along' and 'Stop The World', the catchy 'A Natural High' with its addictive chorus, the swinging 'Function over Fashion' and of course the cover so successful from 'Real Gone' where 'Jenny Fall' shares the singing with Mats and which has a great groove, and other quieter compositions like 'Megalo Seitina' and its rhythm between rock and reggae or the ballads 'October 28th' and 'Heather' or the mid-tempo bonus track 'The Other Side (Of Love)'.

In summary, this first album of 'Mats Karlsson' is full of compositions accessible from the first listen with melodic lines that are easily memorized which makes 'The Time Optimist' an album intended for a wide public follower of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Karlsson (Guitar, Vocal), Ulf Karlsson (Keybords), Björn Höglund (Drums), Peter Hermansson (Drums), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Mike Ajax (Drums), Lars Ericsson (Bass), Christer Åsell (Vocal), Jenny Fall (Vocal)


Artist : Master Sword

Album : The Final Door

Release Date : 27-12-2019

Added : 30-01-2020

I discovered 'Master Sword' with their first LP in 2018 'Shadow and Steel' and the end of 2019 saw the release of the suite set to music for 'The legend of Zelda', the famous game of 'Nintendo'. We are therefore the continuity of the first opus, in a style mixing power metal, symphonic metal and melodic metal with an accent for epic compositions. After the very short instrumental introduction ‘Footsteps in the Dark’, ‘The Final Door’ starts in a hellish train with a first beautiful vocal performance of ‘Lily Taylor’ who, as we say, blows you away. Without transition, ‘Hero of Time’ adds a layer with a dazzling energy, then ‘Children of Old’, slower than previous compositions, nevertheless remains powerful and contains components of folk metal. The second part of the album scrolls 'Enchantress' with a subtle alternation between powerful parts and others much quieter, then, 'A Bloody History' which in a grandiose and tormented atmosphere adds progressive elements, then, 'Forgotten in Stone' mixing progressive and symphonic metal and alternating different tempos in some places, slow and majestic and in others fast and jerky, and finally, 'The Forsaken Tribe' ends the album in a cheerful atmosphere with oriental sounds that can recall the melodic lines and the fiery of the Tunisians of 'Myrath' (see their live here).
In summary, the Americans of 'Master Sword' continue on the path they had traced with the first opus 'Shadow and Steel' and 'The Final Door' is intended for an audience loving a varied metal that mixes power, symphonic, melodic and progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Lily Taylor (Vocal), Matt Farkas (Keybords, Guitar), Kojo Kamya (Guitar), Shawn Staub (Bass), Andy Stark (Drums)


Artist : East of Lyra

Album : East of Lyra

Release Date : 13-12-2019

Added : 31-01-2020

‘East of Lyra’ is the project of ‘Lee Payne’ who is part of the British heavy metal band ‘Cloven Hoof’ (see here) and who has always had a passion for progressive rock with an admiration for ‘Rush’ and ‘Yes’. This first 'East of Lyra' album is actually the result of a long gestation because 'Lee Payne' had in his luggage progressive rock compositions that he did not find enough metal for 'Cloven Hoof' and it is therefore end of 2019 that 'Eat of Lyra' was born.
It is with 'Siren Song', the longest track, that the album begins by embarking us on an epic saga with a succession of different atmospheres that range from peaceful rock to an energetic hard rock through psychedelic and symphonic with accessible melodic lines. The following is much less progressive but continues in this atmosphere of the seventies : 'Ecology Now' makes me think of 'Barclay James Harvest', then, 'Wings of Freedom' is a catchy title which can recall the pop of the 70s, and 'Shadowlands', after a calm introduction with beautiful choirs, continues in this energetic atmosphere. After the short and epic 'Epilogue', 'Where the Heart Is' is another catchy title with a heady melody and, 'Stand Up' hardens the tone with a simple but effective hard-rock, then, with 'Equinox', we return to rock with some progressive components that can make one think of 'Yes' and the album ends with the beautiful symphonic ballad 'Too Late' and the catchy 'High and Mighty' mixing 70s rock with a modern sound.

In summary, 'East of Lyra' is an album full of good surprises and, even if the progressive aspect remains limited, contains a variety of compositions which should make it suitable for a wide audience loving rock from the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Payne (Bass), Chris Dando (Keybords, Vocal), Ash Baker (Guitar), Ben Fitzharris (Guitar), Mark Bristow (Drums)


Artist : Wilderun

Album : Veil of Imagination

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 01-02-2020

'Veil of Imagination' has been already released several months ago but it took me this period to digest as much wealth and inventiveness because the Americans of 'Wilderun' had released in 2015 'Sleep at the Edge of the Earth' which had already been well received but 'Veil of Imagination' exceeds all expectations for all those who are constantly looking for new musical horizons : indeed, as much to warn you right away, there is no group that looks like them and they draw on a multitude of influences whether in metal or rock and we can occasionally refer to formations like 'Opeth', 'Therion', 'Leprous' or 'MaYan' but also references to classical and contemporary music with epic components.
It is with 'The Unimaginable Zero Summer' and 'O Resolution!' (Which are only one for 21 minutes) that we get to the heart of the matter with from the first minutes, this contrast between a part soft and peaceful, then a rise of power made of choirs and an explosion in an outpouring of power with growls and epic choirs which are followed in the 2nd part of the title by a relaxation of all this tension, first of all, in a part sung by aerial choirs then by 'Evan Anderson Berry' and then, in an instrumental part, with some piano chords preparing an epic finale which ends up falling again in few piano notes and finally strings which gain momentum for prepare the beginning of 'O Resolution!' which takes us on an epic fresco with lots of choirs and growls with an astonishing instrumental final. Without really a break (we have the impression that all the compositions are linked together naturally), it is the turn of 'Sleeping Ambassadors of the Sun' to offer us several alternations between calm parts and other powerful with a symphonic dimension in the final, then 'Scentless Core (Budding)' is a kind of melancholic break which is an introduction to an epic 'Far from Where Dreams Unfurl' which is certainly the most affordable title of the album because it is quite linear and whose melody accompanies us throughout the different parts whether calm or powerful. Follows 'Scentless Core (Fading)' which echoes 'Scentless Core (Budding)' and which rises in power in the 2nd part to finish with an intense instrumental part with a remarkable performance of 'Jon Teachey' in the section rhythmic that serves as a launching pad for the captivating and grandiose 'The Tyranny of Imagination'. The album ends with 'When the Fire and the Rose Were One' which borders on 12 minutes and which takes us one last time in a symphonic saga torn between a calm and serene atmosphere and on the other hand, a surge of power pushed to a veritable paroxysm.

In summary, the Americans of 'Wilderun' release a confusing album but of remarkable emotional force which requires many listenings to extract all its quintessence and 'Veil of Imagination' will undoubtedly be intended for a public of savvy who like to mix styles quite distant that are extreme metal and classical music...

Line Up / Musicians

Evan Anderson Berry (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Dan Müller (Bass, Keybords), Joe Gettler (Guitar), Jon Teachey (Drums), Wayne Ingram (Orchestration) + Guest : Doug James (Voice)


Artist : Nine Skies

Album : Sweethearts Grips

Release Date : 01-11-2019

Added : 02-02-2020

After a very promising first album in 2017 (see here), the French of 'Nine Skies' come back 2 years later with a new studio recording 'Sweethearts Grips' which has been released a few months ago. Surrounded by renowned artists like the keyboardist 'Clive Nolan' (among others 'Arena', 'Pendragon') or the drummer 'Craig Blundell' (among others 'Steven Wilson', 'Lonely Robot', 'Kino'), they tell us the story of a young soldier during the second world war confronted with post-traumatic syndrome. So we embark on more than an hour of sought-after and imaginative progressive rock with a variety between each of the titles which makes it a work to be tamed listening after listening.
After the introduction 'Vestige' which sets the scene with sounds of war and a woman's sobs, we discover the new singer 'Aliénor Favier' who makes a remarkable performance in 'Burn my Brain' which is the first highlight and which unrolls a slow tempo with a beautiful melody in a neo-progressive atmosphere reminiscent of groups like 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Arena', then the calm and acoustic 'Catharsis (Part II)' takes up the atmosphere of 'Catharsis' from first album but in a longer development and with a sung part. Follows 'The Thought Trader' which is certainly one of the most surprising titles with a tormented climate which contains a central atmospheric section 'Floydienne', then 'Alone (Sweetheart Grips Intro)' and 'Sweetheart Grips' constitute the second highlight with everything first the somber and melancholic introduction preparing the long development in several parts with 'Riccardo Romano' which transcends this title by gratifying us with a singing particularly poignant. The second CD begins with 'Somewhere Inside Mankind' with a short vocal part then a long instrumental part which reminds me of 'Pendragon' and in which the saxophone of 'Laurent Benhamou' enchants us at the end of the title in a 'Floydian' atmosphere, then the short 'Fields of Perdition' links an energetic tempo with a calmer central part, and 'Tyrant or Nothing' is an instrumental, semi-acoustic, light and joyful mixing western and oriental tones. We find the singing 'Aliénor Favier' in 'Soldiers of Shame' with melodic lines reminiscent of 'Karnataka', then the instrumentals 'Flowers of Pain' and 'Isolation' close the album with, first of all, an entertaining melody borrowed from classical music and, finally, a melancholic composition, accentuated by the use of strings, and which ends in a worrying atmosphere then with some piano chords.

In summary, the French of 'Nine Skies' released a quality album, typical of a rich and inventive progressive, remaining relatively accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines and, even if the diversity of influences requires some listening to fully enjoy all the richness, 'Sweethearts Grips' is intended for a public follower of progressive rock in the broad sense...

Line Up / Musicians

Aliénor Favier (Vocal), Eric Bouillette (Guitar, Keybords, Piano, Violin, Vocal), David Darnaud (Guitar), Alexandre Lamia (Guitar, Keybords, Piano), Anne-Claire Rallo (Keybords), Bernard Hery (Bass), Fab Galia (Drums), Laurent Benhamou (Saxophone) + Guests : Craig Blundell (Drums), Dave Foster (Guitar), Johnny Marter (Guitar), Clive Nolan (Keybords), Riccardo Romano (Vocal), Pat Sanders (Keybords)


Artist : Karfagen

Album : Birds of Passage

Release Date : 03-01-2020

Added : 03-02-2020

The frequency of release of 'Karfagen' albums is impressive because, after the remarkable 'Echoes From Within Dragon Island' at the beginning of 2019, it is the turn of 'Birds of Passage' see the light of day at the very beginning of 2020. As usual, 'Antony Kalugin' called on many artists from the progressive scene, and alongside electric instruments, we find the violinist 'Maria Baranovska', bassoonist 'Alexandr Pastuchov' and flautist 'Elena Kushniy' and the vocal section is provided, in addition to Antony himself, by 'Olha Rostovska' and 'Tim Sobolev'.
The album contains 5 titles but the first 2 titles which constitute the sequel ‘Birds of Passage’ are two long developments of 22 and 21 minutes respectively, the other 3 titles ranging from 3 to 5 minutes. Like the ‘Dragon Island Suite’, we embark on a journey made of a rich and complex progressive with multiple sections juxtaposed in a beautiful way where each instrument plays its role wonderfully and where everything flows peacefully. The instrumental sections take precedence over the sung parts but this in no way affects the quality of the ensemble because, for my part, I never had a feeling of weariness because, on the one hand, the melodic lines are always pleasant and, on the other hand, the whole offers a beautiful diversity. The rest of the album continues this beautiful and peaceful journey with 'Spring (Birds Delight)', then the instrumental 'Sunrise' continues in this serenity with the highlighting of the flute accompanied by some percussion and finally, 'Birds Short Introduction 'returns to the theme of the sequel and has the effect of giving this irresistible desire to replay the first two titles.

In summary, 'Antony Kalugin' continues to enchant us with long and rich progressive developments offering a peaceful and poetic atmosphere and, if you liked the previous album, you should also like 'Birds of Passage' because it is a continuation of 'Echoes From Within Dragon Island'...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Percussions), Tim Sobolev (Vocal), Olha Rostovska (Vocal), Mathieu Spaeter (Guitar), Aleksandr Pavlov (Guitar), Maria Baranovska (Violin), Alexandr Pastuchov (Basson), Elena Kushniy (Flute), Konstantin Ionenko (Bass), Viktor Syrotin (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Apocalyptica

Album : Cell-O

Release Date : 10-01-2020

Added : 04-02-2020

Early 2020 saw the release of a new Apocalyptica album, ‘Cell-O’. The Finns made themselves known almost 25 years ago with instrumental covers of ‘Metallica’ in a rather surprising way with cellos as their only instruments. Since then, they have evolved to add drums and have called on singers to add a vocal section on certain compositions (see their latest album 'Shadowmaker').
With this last opus, after having made the music for the film 'Aquarela' (see here), they return to their beginning since 'Cell-O' is fully instrumental and from the first title, with 'Ashes of the Modern World', we are immersed in a progressive saga mixing contemporary and metal in multi-drawers which are gradually revealed in a tormented atmosphere but always with a vibrant intensity and which has a grandiose finish. Follows the eponymous title of the album which borders on 10 minutes and which develops melodic lines 'modernized' drawn from classical music while keeping a palpable tension which from time to time relaxes in a much quieter passage like in the final which starts from a few chords to run riot again until the end of the title. The following offers us 'Rise' which is much closer to the classic and which is a masterful crescendo in which the rhythm section gradually gains momentum, then, 'En route to Mayhem' continues in this way in the first part then presents a second part more unbridled with cello sounds close to guitar riffs, and, about 'Call My Name', the scheme is quite similar with an acceleration of the rhythm until the final releasing all the accumulated tension. It is with 'Fire & Ice' that we undoubtedly hold the most fascinating title of the album because it contains several very different parts from each other which refer to opposite styles but which ultimately, form a wonderful chemistry. The end of the album scrolls 'Scream For The Silent' with romantic melodic lines that merge with the energy of the drums and 'cello riffs', 'Catharsis' with its melody that keeps you in suspense all along of the title and finally, 'Beyond The Stars', which closes the album on classic melodic lines and accessible with always the same alternation between calm parts and others much more energetic.

In summary, the Finns of 'Apocalyptica' surprise us with this return to instrumental full of originality mixing for the best the musicality of the strings influenced by classical music and the energy of metal : therefore, 'Cell-O' is an album that requires several listenings to penetrate every nook and cranny which undoubtedly intends it for an informed public who like to mix romanticism of classical music and modernity of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Eicca Toppinen (Cello), Paavo Lötjönen (Cello), Perttu Kivilaakso (Cello), Mikko Sirén (Drums)


Artist : Bad Radiator

Album : Bad Radiator V, BR V

Release Date : 01-01-2020

Added : 05-02-2020

The Swedes are known for having an impressive number of melodic hard-rock formations (among others, 'Art Nation', 'Eclipse' and 'Palace') and it was only with their last album which is the fifth that I discovered 'Bad Radiator', titled, quite simply, 'Bad Radiator V'. They offer us 10 varied and especially melodic compositions, accessible on the first listen, starting with 'Long Away From Home' which sets the tone with a catchy first melody which gives an irresistible urge to move, followed by 'Heart Attack' and 'Coming Home' which continue in the same style, as like 'Kake' and its addictive chorus. The second part of the album contains quieter tracks with the two mid-tempos 'Rock n Roll' and 'King of the Lonely' and the ballad 'Falling Leaves' which allow to vary the moods and 'I Can't Take It Anymore' reminds me of the 'Sorrow' atmosphere from the 'Floyds' in a slightly lighter style.

In short, without revolutionizing melodic hard-rock, the Swedes of ‘Bad Radiator’ offers us an album filled with accessible compositions to be consumed without moderation which destines this number five to a large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Lundgren (Vocal, Keybords), Klas Bergvall (Guitar), Roger Hansson (Battterie), Jan Persson (Bass)


Artist : Brothers of Metal

Album : Emblas Saga

Release Date : 20-01-2020

Added : 06-02-2020

It is still in the northern regions in this case Sweden that I take you but this time with 'Brothers of Metal' who have just released a 2nd studio album 'Emblas Saga' after a first success in 2017 with 'Prophecy of Ragnarök. Seen from the outside, we say that we are in line with power metal groups like 'Powerwolf', 'Gloryhammer' or their compatriots from 'Twilight Force', because they perform dressed as warriors and this is not necessarily false when you start listening to this opus with a narrative suggesting an epic side for what is to follow. But, very quickly, we get caught up in the game because, on the one hand, the melodic lines captivate immediately and, then, they offer us real diversity, each title having its own personality which avoids any feeling of monotony. First of all, we will remember the heady melodies that will certainly be resumed in concert and that we are surprised to whistle, with first of all that of 'One' which never leaves you, or that of the beautiful ballad 'Weaver of Fate' or those of 'Njord' and 'Brothers Unite' with their addictive chorus. Then, the vocal section with three completely different registers forms a rather remarkable mixture and ‘Powersnake’ with its folk side is the perfect example but we can also cite ‘Kaunaz Dagaz’ or ‘To the Skies and Beyond’. And finally, as I said above, the variety of titles and their judicious placement means that you never get bored and in this diversity I will quote my favorite from the album, 'Emblas Saga' which is a real progressive saga where all the ingredients that make the strength of this album are together : a magnificent vocal section, an admirable melody and a considerable epic force throughout the title.

In summary, this second Swedish installment of 'Brothers of Metal' is a real success and 'Emblas Saga' should be intended for a relatively large audience not necessarily a fan of power metal because the whole is very accessible thanks to simple but effective melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Nilsson (Vocal), Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson (Vocal), Ylva Eriksson (Vocal), Dawid Grahn (Guitar), Mikael Fehrm (Guitar), Pähr Nilsson (Guitar), Emil Wärmedal (Bass), Johan Johansson (Drums)


Artist : Magnum

Album : The Serpent Rings

Release Date : 17-01-2020

Added : 07-02-2020

And one more for the English of 'Magnum' who released a new album in early 2020 with 'The Serpent Ring' (see the live released early 2019 here and the album 'Lost on the Road Eternity' released in 2018 here). We find the band to 'Bob Catley' and 'Tony Clarkin' who ensures all the compositions with 11 new titles and with a change of bassist, 'Al Barrow' having given way to 'Dennis Ward' who takes part in many projects (among others some recent chronicles of myprogmusic 'First Signal', 'Imperium' and 'Khymera'). They continue to offer us melodic hard-rock in a 70s style and, from the first title 'Where Are You Eden?', we find the paw of 'Tony Clarkin' with a symphonic component which highlights a first effective melody and we can quote in the same genre, 'Madman or Messiah', 'The Archway of Tears', 'Not Forgiven' or even 'House of Kings' (and its jazzy part in the middle) in which we can not help but tap your foot in rythmn. We can also note the beautiful mid-tempo of the title track of the album with an instrumental section which brings a superb touch of progressive, the magnificent power ballade 'The Great Unknown' and the beautiful melody of the last title 'Crimson On The White Sand'.

In summary, the English of 'Magnum' continue to offer us what they have always done best, good melodic hard-rock with foolproof choruses and if you like this style of the seventies, 'The Serpent Rings' should be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Bob Catley (Vocal), Tony Clarkin (Guitar), Rick Benton (Keybords), Dennis Ward (Bass), Lee Morris (Drums)


Artist : Elfika

Album : Secretum Secretorum

Release Date : 17-01-2020

Added : 08-02-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Elfika' is a French group which was created in the early 2010s by the bassist and the songwriter of the group 'Manu P.' and who has just released their first LP containing 3 tracks from the first EP of 2014 which have been re-recorded and 5 new compositions. They are influenced by the big symphonic metal groups like 'Nightwish' or 'Epica' but it would be simplistic to assimilate them to a pale copy of the tenors of the genre because, although some titles are quite close to the standards of this style, they bring a real diversity in each composition with symphonic constructions dotted here and there with progressive.
After the instrumental introduction 'The Chamber Of Secrets' which already reveals a certain modernity in the orchestration, 'So Human' is a first energetic and melodic title in which we discover the frontwoman 'Laure Ali-Khodja' which offers us a remarkable performance alternating clear and lyrical singing and in which the vocal arrangements at the level of the choirs are admirable, then, with 'Angel', we continue in this register resulting with a new very effective melody and beautiful alternations between powerful parts and others quieter. Follows 'The Other' which begins in serenity with a slow tempo which gradually takes power to finish in an energetic rhythm while 'Broken Wings', on the contrary, starts in a lively tempo then, at around 3 minutes, becomes calm and serene, first with a sung part, then instrumental with a remarkable guitar solo and finally returns to the energetic theme of the beginning. It is with 'Dark Virgin' that we hold the flagship title of the album (and my favorite of the album), of almost 13 minutes which takes us on a symphonic-progressive saga with an introduction in which Laure resumes for a minute the beginning of the 'Ave Maria' of 'Gounod' and which gives way to a magnificent melody which offers us very beautiful choirs and which gives me the impression of hearing a mixture of 'A Fade to Gray' from the group 'Visage' from 1981 for the melody and from 'Spirit Chase' from the symphonic metal band 'Imperia' for the choirs (see here) and which presents beautiful alternations between calm and grandiose parts with a magnificent finish in which 'Laure Ali-Khodja' continues to enchant us. The album ends with two titles which already appeared in the first EP, more conventional but very effective, first of all, the energetic and enticing 'Inferno' then finally, the mid-tempo 'One Day' with a last melody that never leaves you (weird on Spotify the title is not in full, too bad !).

In summary, the French of 'Elfika' released a very good album of symphonic metal without copying the big groups of the genre because they bring their own personality by offering varied and accessible compositions which destines' Secretum Secretorum' to a audience loving symphonic metal with accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Laure Ali-Khodja (Vocal), Manu P. (Bass, Orchestrations) + Guests : Anthony Parker (Guitar), Axel Thomas (Drums)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : The Book of Fire

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 09-02-2020

After 'Welcome to Hell' in 2018 (see here), the Germans of 'Mono Inc.' released early 2020 a new studio recording 'The Book of Fire', which is a concept album on the Inquisition, forbidden magic, heresy, persecution and death (what a program!). We thus find the simple and effective catchy melodies of our four Germans who continue to distill a good-natured rock in opposition with themes always quite black and it is not 'The Book of Fire' which will make us say the opposite: if you don't have an irresistible urge to move to the rhythm of titles like 'The Book of Fire', 'Louder Than Hell', 'Shining Light', 'Run for Your Life' or 'The Gods of Love', it's that you are not made for this kind of music. ‘Katha Mia’ is still a real drumming metronome, the deep vocals of ‘Martin Engler’ are still as striking and the mixing of different voices in the refrains is still as effective. Note also beautiful compositions much quieter like ‘Warriors’ or ‘Nemesis’ but also the final instrumental epic ‘What Have We Done’ in the same vein as what ‘Hanz Zimmer’ could do

In summary, the Germans of 'Mono Inc.' release a new album in the continuity of the previous opus and, even if the compositions remain quite similar to each other, they continue to offer us a catchy rock which is now their trademark...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal), Carl Fornia (Guitar, Vocal), Manuel Antoni (Bass, Vocal), Katha Mia (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Portread

Album : Decayeon

Release Date : 07-01-2020

Added : 10-02-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

Portread’ is an Estonian symphonic metal band which has been created in 2013 and which releases its first studio album ‘Decayeon’. The least we can say is that they do not make the buzz on the internet while their first opus already shows a good maturity and they offer us beautiful varied melodies with a good sharing between energetic titles and others calmer which is not often the case for formations of this style which generally promote energy and power.
The first part of the album presents catchy and powerful titles like 'Welcome to the Human Race' which sets the scene with a powerful mid-tempo and an effective first melody, then, 'God of Robots' takes us in a catchy title in the style of 'Delain' (see here et new album released dew days ago here)) and 'Dark Net Amy' is a new melodic jewel with a refrain which immediately enters the head. Follows 'The Age of Decay' which continues on this path with melodic lines assimilable from the first listen and which give an irresistible desire to move in rhythm and even if 'Mortality' begins like a ballad in the first minute, the tempo then accelerates to offer us a new catchy refrain and a second part of the title coming out of the main theme bringing a touch of progressive. Change of scenery with 'Symbols of Man' which is a magnificent mid-tempo much calmer with a beautiful melody in which 'Anne Arrak' shows all her vocal talent, then 'Born in Secrecy' returns to a catchy and effective symphonic metal like are the first tracks of the album. With 'The End', we begin the last part of the album, much more posed, with a magnificent ballad which is, without question, to add to the best ballads of metal, then the short acoustic 'Not the Time to Die' continues in this calm and serene atmosphere and, 'Saint of Sorrow' is a melodic mid-tempo which accelerates the rhythm on the second part of the title, and finally, 'As the Life Fades' ends the album on a simple but very effective power ballad with a last beautiful vocal demonstration of 'Anne Arrak'.

In summary, Estonia is not necessarily the country that comes to mind when we talk about symphonic metal but we must admit that 'Portread' is a formation that has all the assets to succeed in being know and 'Decayeon' is an album filled with beautiful surprises which alternate energy and serenity in a beautiful way which should appeal to an audience who likes a melodic symphonic metal and formations like 'Xandria', 'Delain', 'Tarja', or 'The Dark Element' for to name only a few of the most notorious...

Line Up / Musicians

Anne Arrak (Vocal), Murx (Guitar), Mel (Drums), Vootele (Keybords), Tõnis (Bass), Ziel (Guitar)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Viridian

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 11-02-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Michele Guaitoli' is a busy singer because between 'Visions of Atlantis' (see their latest album here) and the Italians of 'Temperance', album releases and concerts are multiplying and the last record of the Italians 'Viridian' has just appeared, the previous ‘Of Jupiter and Moons’ dating from 2018 (see here).
From the outset, with 'Mission Impossible' we are in the bath of a symphonic, melodic and catchy metal with a first refrain which immediately enters your head just like that of the following title 'I Am the Fire' and 'Start Another Round' continues in this way; the strong point of the Italians is a vocal section provided with ‘Alessia Scolleti’, ‘Michele Guaitoli’ and guitarist ‘Marco Pastorino’ which reinforces the duo which gives even more force in the choruses. With ‘My Demons Can’t Sleep’, it reminds me of certain melodic lines of ‘Visions Of Atlantis’ and ‘Let It Beat’ is still a melodic gem with a new heady chorus. After so much energy on the first half of the album, comes the mid-tempo 'Scent of Dye' which allows a first break, then, 'The Cult of Mystery' returns to a catchy rhythm and 'Nanook' continues in this energy with some folk influences and a quieter central part with a beautiful children's choir repeating the same melody. 'Gaia' is the second break, this time with a wonderful ride, as the Italians know so well how to do, then the album ends with the short 'Catch The Dream', a capella title close to gospel and quite remarkable, then with 'Lost in the Christmas Dream' which is a Christmas song shifted compared to the rest but which is very festive and which was released as a single at the beginning of December (see video above) like that rock or metal bands have already done (see 'It's Christmas Time' from 'Status Quo' or the album 'Christmas Christmas' of 'Cheap Trick'.

In summary, the Italians of 'Temperance' start well 2020 with this new album which should make some happy people in the world of symphonic metal and certainly beyond because it is filled with catchy melodies and very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessia Scolletti (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal, Piano), Marco Pastorino (Guitar, Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums)


Artist : Revolution Saints

Album : Rise

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 12-02-2020






'Revolution Saints' is a group composed of artists from the melodic hard-rock scene with 'Deen Castronovo' ('Journey', 'Bad English', 'Gioeli - Castronovo') , Doug Aldrich ('Whitesnake', 'Dio') and 'Jack Blades' ('Night Ranger', 'Damn Yankees') who have already released 2 studio albums and the last 'Light In The Dark' dates from 2017 (see < a href='https://open.spotify.com/album/76ZvpauAIomzq1MmNvcjYx?si=5CJ726DyTm-HrQvHKA9WiA'>here); for this new opus 'Rise', they called on 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', which we no longer present (see the last album in which he participated here), for these talents of keyboardist but also for the production and consequently, taking into account the pedigree of the Italian, one suspects the result all the more that with the 3 artists quoted above, one holds the top of the pavement of melodic hard-rock. Therefore, no surprise, this is a sequel of unstoppable melodies which scroll one after the other and which are remarkably effective from the first listening. We navigate between energetic titles like 'When The Heartache Is Gone', 'Rise' or even 'Higher' and others, more AOR like 'Price The Pay', 'Coming Home' or 'Talk to Me' without forgetting the magnificent ballads 'Closer' and 'Eyes of the Child' .

In summary, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, the Americans of 'Revolution Saints' with the guest of mark, Italian 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', release an excellent album of melodic hard-rock, varied and accessible at the first listening and 'Rise' should delight all lovers of this style which has its roots in the early 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Deen Castronovo (Drums, Vocal), Jack Blades (Bass, Vocal), Doug Aldrich (Guitar) + invités : Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Lunakaire (Vocal)


Artist : Antena White Opera

Album : Ouroboros

Release Date : 20-01-2020

Added : 13-02-2020

'Antenna White Opera' is a project created in 2015 by Italians 'Lorenzo Armagno' and 'Davide Piombino' with a first album in 2018 (see here) and 2020 sees the release of a 2nd studio recording 'Ouroboros' and the least we can say is that they do not make the buzz on the web while their album is quite remarkable and they deserve to be known. On the one hand, the compositions of 'Davide Piombino' who is an author, composer, singer and guitarist take us on a rich and inventive progressive mixing rock and metal with a gift for beautiful melodic lines and, on the other hand, they had the good idea to recruit a singer, the Sicilian 'Paola Criscione' who has a voice that fits perfectly into the group's compositions. In addition, the orchestral and arranging work of 'Lorenzo Armagno' is quite remarkable and, even if he doesn't use orchestral instruments, arrives via music production software at a completely stunning result. The album consists of songs sung and others completely instrumental: there are 6 songs sung ('Pile of Boulders', 'Descent', 'Life Expectancy', 'The Great Wall' , 'Infinite Labyrinth' and 'It Ends Like Everything Starts') and the atmospheres are quite varied, with always very nice vocal performances by Paola who has the talent to modulate her voice according to the style, sometimes powerful as in 'Pile of Boulders' and sometimes aerial as in 'Descent', which makes me think of the Brazilians of 'Fleesh' (see the different chronicles of myprogmusic here, here and here). Also note some vocal interventions of Davide, too little for my taste especially when Paola performs the second voice. As for the 3 instrumental tracks ('Obsidian', 'Ouroboros' with a recited passage and 'Carnage'), they develop a sought-after and inventive progressive between rock and metal but we can also note beautiful alternations between sung and instrumental parts in the first 6 titles mentioned above which also make them very beautiful progressive pieces and to illustrate the point, we can cite the longest title of the opus, 'Infinite Labyrinth'.

In summary, the 3 Italians of 'Antena White Opera' released a very promising album which already has all the qualities of progressive music mixing beautiful melodies and remarkable instrumental sections worthy of the best names in the genre which should , I hope, make them known fairly quickly in the progressive sphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Davide Piombino (Guitar), Lorenzo Armagno (Drums), Paola Criscione (Vocal)


Artist : Sons Of Apollo

Album : MMXX

Release Date : 17-01-2020

Added : 14-02-2020

After the remarkable 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony' in 2019 (see here), at the first listen, we are embarked on a progressive metal with heavy guitar riffs and an impressive richness on the instrumental level and remarkable vocal performances of 'Jeff Scott Soto' but how could it be otherwise with this skewer of artists with curiculum vitae as long as a month of Sundays. So for sure, like any progressive album, it takes a few listenings to get into each composition and "MMXX" is, for my part, in the continuity of "Psychotic Symphony".

From the introduction of 'Goodbye Divinity', it starts strong in an epic and powerful atmosphere then, 'Mike Portnoy' starts a rhythm section of which he has the secret for a fairly direct energetic title with 'Jeff Scott Soto' which is at the top of its form and with magnificent instrumental parts. Without transition, 'Wither to Black' continues in this debauchery of power with an effective hard-rock which can recall the 70's and some titles of 'Deep Purple', then, 'Asphyxiation' drives the point home with a syncopated rhythmic which accompanies us throughout the title. ‘Desolate July’ comes just in time for a quieter time with a beautiful melody that pays a poignant tribute to ‘David Z’, the bass player of Adrenaline Mob’, who died in a bus accident. With 'King of Delusion', one of my favorites of the album, the progressive palette of the group is at its peak with remarkable alternations between powerful parts and others quieter and a melody with contemporary sounds developed in all its progressive forms in the instrumental parts (magnificent piano parts from 'Derek Sherinian'). 'Fail to Ascend' is also remarkable in its very effective melodic construction and which joins at this level the first title 'Goodbye Divinity', then, 'Resurrection Day', meanwhile, is in the same vein as 'Wither to Black'. And it is with the 16 minutes of 'New World Today' that the album ends and which perfectly illustrates the music of 'Sons of Apollo', a progressive metal in several drawers with sought after instrumental sections in which we find influences multiple across the ages of progressive.

In summary, the Americans of 'Sons of Apollo' demonstrate that they are one of the flagship groups of an energetic progressive metal and 'MMXX' is the logical continuation of their first album but, taking into account the exceptional artists , I would have probably preferred more nuances inside the compositions which are mostly quite linear and direct if we except the two titles which I put forward in this album, 'King of Delusion' and of course the final saga 'New World Today'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Mike Portnoy (Drums)


Artist : Decarlo

Album : Lightning Strikes Twice

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 15-02-2020

‘Tommy Decarlo’ is none other than the singer and keyboardist of ‘Boston’ a melodic rock band from the 70s who didn’t release tons of albums but had a great reputation in the United States (see here). With his son guitarist and keyboard player, 'Brett Nelson' on bass and 'Dan Hitz' on drums, he offers us with 'Lightning Strikes Twice' a melodic rock album filled with accessible compositions at the first listening with a feeling of coming back to the 80s. with groups like 'Foreigner', 'Journey', 'Asia' and even 'Eagles' because some titles are westcoast typed as the first title of the album 'A Better Day' and its addictive chorus. Whether in energetic compositions like 'Rock'n'Soul', 'Stand Up' or 'Gotta Go', or AOR titles like 'You Are the Fire', 'Give Love a Try', 'There She Goes' or 'I Think I Fell in Love With You' or the 2 beautiful ballads 'Still in Love' and 'The One', we are seduced by these melodic lines which are tamed immediately.

In summary, the Americans of 'Decarlo' are releasing a very good melodic rock album which takes us back a few decades back and therefore, 'Lightning Strikes Twice' is to be recommended to all those who love the melodic rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy DeCarlo (Vocal, Keybords), Tommy DeCarlo Jr (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Dan Hitz (Drums), David Netta (Bass), Payton Velligan (Keybords, Guitar, Bass, Vocal), Christian Sturt (Drums)


Artist : Marko Hietala

Album : Pyre of the Black Heart

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 16-02-2020

‘Marko Hietala’, well known in the field of symphonic metal since he is the bassist of ‘Nightwish’, is releasing an album under his own name ‘Pyre of the Black Heart’. Contrary to the style of 'Nightwish' and even if the electric instruments are de rigueur, the compositions are generally less energetic and the titles which remain powerful like 'Stones' and its intonations close to 'Nightwish' or 'Runner of the Railways' with its strong folk influences or 'Death March of Freedom' or even 'Star, sand and shadow' influenced by the 80s, are relatively far from metal but very pleasant to listen to with accessible melodies. As for the other compositions, they are much more intimate, starting with ‘The Voice Of My Father’ which is the first ballad of the album and which emphasizes father-son relationships. In the same vein, we can note the 3 tracks 'Dead God's Son', 'For You' and 'I Am the Way' with a finale that reminds me of the 'Gilmour' period of 'Pink Floyd' with 'High Hopes' (besides 'Nightwish had taken up this title in concert). And it is also with two ballads, 'I Dream' and 'Truth Shall Set You Free' with a magnificent vocal performance by Marko (we are not used to hearing him in this calm and serene register), that the album ends very nicely.

In summary, with this album, 'Marko Hietala' shows us a completely different face than that of the bassist of 'Nightwish', necessarily freer, which allows him, by going to tap into his influences and his origins, to offer us more intimate compositions which for my part have even more emotional force in his native language (see the Finnish version of 'Pyre of the Black Heart' here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Marko Hietala (Vocal, Bass), Tuomas Wäinölä (Guitar), Vili Ollila (Keybords), Anssi Nykänen (Drums)


Artist : Darktribe

Album : Voici l’homme

Release Date : 17-01-2020

Added : 17-02-2020

It is with their 3rd album 'Here is the man' that I discover the French of 'Darktribe' who already have a decade of existence and a first album released in 2012, (’Mysteceti Victoria’). In a power metal style, they offer us a concept album inspired by the New Testament in the form of 10 very effective compositions with melodic lines that make ‘Here is the man’ a very accessible opus.
After the epic instrumental introduction in use in this kind of album, 'Prism of Memory' gives us a first addictive refrain on a catchy tempo which reminds me of certain metal formations like 'Visions of Atlantis' (see their last album here) or 'Serenity' (chronicle to come from the last album and album released in 2017 here) or even 'Kamelot' (see their last album here), then 'Here is the man' continues on this path with a new melody in which 'Anthony Agnello' alternates beautifully the English and French language in the chorus. With ‘A Silent Curse’, it’s another melodic gem with a beautiful instrumental section in the second part of the title and, ’Faith and Vision’ then ‘Back in Light’ put a layer again with two new simple but terribly effective choruses. The sequel scrolls the powerful mid-tempo 'Under the Three of Life', a catchy 'According to Darkness' with a remarkable guitar solo and a slower and heavier final tempo change in decrescendo, then the power ballade' The Hunger Theory 'which has nothing to envy of the best ballads of the genre, and finally, 'Symbolic Story' which concludes the album with certainly the most energetic composition.

In summary, the French of 'Darktribe' are releasing a power metal album that is pleasant to listen to with effective melodies and 'Here is the man' should appeal to an audience who likes accessible power metal that can be assimilable from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Anthony Agnello (Vocal), Loïc Manuello (Guitar), Bruno Caprani (Bass), Julien Agnello (Drums)


Artist : Elegy of Madness

Album : Invisible World

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 18-02-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After 'New Era' in 2017 (see here), the Italians of 'Elegant of Madness' return with a new album 'Invisible World' and they continue to distill a melodic and easy to access symphonic metal with fairly short titles between 3 and 4 minutes. They have evolved in arrangements with and choirs, 'Anja Irullo' is now much safer in her singing and this in all registers and 'Tony Tomasicchio' now participates in singing here and there with growls which can do think about the style of 'Leaves' Eyes' (see their latest EP here). From the first tracks, we embark on simple but effective melodies in which the guitar riffs are at the same level as the orchestral arrangements made by 'Luca Basile' and the cello of 'Larry Ozen Amati' allows to bring a fundation to the whole. To avoid making title by title, I will quote 'Apnoea' for its chorus that goes straight into your head, the epic 'Aegis of Light' with its changes of tempo and the alternation between the aerial song of Anja and the Tony's growls, 'Kore' for its folkloric side with the use of the flute, 'Fil Rouge' and its electronic effects bringing a certain modernity and the ballad 'Reborn' with a beautiful vocal performance by 'Anja Irullo'.

In summary, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, the Italians of 'Elegant of Madness' released a very good album of symphonic metal with accessible compositions thanks to simple but very effective melodies and 'Invisible World' should therefore appeal to all followers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Anja Irullo (Vocal), Tony Tomasicchio (Guitar, Growls), Marco Monno (Guitar), Luca Basile (Cello, Arrangement Orchestre), Larry Ozen Amati (Bass), Francesco Paolo Caputo (Drums)


Artist : Zio

Album : Flower Torania

Release Date : 25-01-2020

Added : 19-02-2020

'Zio' is the project of drummer 'Jimmy Pallagrosi' (former drummer of 'Karnataka' - see here) who wrote and composed a concept album of progressive rock with prestigious singers who play the 4 characters of the story: we find 'Hayley Griffiths', the former singer of 'Karnataka' who should release an album in 2020 with the 'Hayley Griffiths Band', 'Heather Findlay' the former singer of 'Mostly Autumn' which continues a solo career (see last album here and the last live here),' That Joe Payne 'which was singer of the progressive rock group 'The Enid' and 'Franck Carducci' (see his latest album here). 'Flower Torania' is the story of Alan who has to face trials in three magic realms to be able to recover the Torania flower which will help a little girl names Belbi to smile again beacuse she was condemned to never smile again.
On the music side, it is a progressive opera with quite different atmospheres from each other and this inside the different titles which range from 2 minutes to 8 minutes each. For example, we go from a short melancholic piano/voice introduction ‘Ride Along’ to ‘X-Ray’ which develops a progressive rock alternating calm and energetic passages in which the vocal and instrumental arrangements are sought after and complex. It is in the middle of the opus that we have the 4 longest developments that all come out of the classic progressive schemas with multiple influences between pop, rock and metal and many changes of rhythm within each composition, each bringing great originality but necessarily requiring several listenings to draw fromthem all the richness.

In summary, 'Jimmy Pallagrosi' with talented artists releases an extraordinary progressive opera with multiple juxtaposed influences, which makes it an album quite apart and certainly reserved for an informed public because difficult to tame...

Line Up / Musicians

Jimmy Pallagrosi (Drums), Hayley Griffiths (Vocal), That Joe Payne (Vocal), Heather Findlay (Vocal), Franck Carducci (Vocal), Olivier Castan (Keybords), Lizzie Hayes (Bass), Marc Fascia (Guitar), Richard Henshall (Guitar), Alex Lofocco (Bass), Cagri Tozluoglu (Orchestration), Alfonso Alfano (Accordion)


Artist : Nektar

Album : The Other Side

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 20-02-2020

It is still a legendary group which returns to the front of the scene, I named the English of ‘Nektar’ who started their career more than fifty years ago !! Despite the death of 'Roye Albrighton' in 2016, the 3 other historical members of the debut 'Derek "Mo" Moore', 'Ron Howden' and 'Mick Brockett' (who followed 'Nektar' as lighting manager) decide to continue the adventure with as result a recording gathering new compositions but also compositions which they emerged from their drawers and which had never been completed. Other band members are guitarist 'Ryche Chlanda' who was there in the late 1970s, bass player 'Randy Dembo' who joined 'Nektar' in 2005 and a new young 'Kendall Scott' on keyboards. Also note that former members of 'Nektar', guitarist 'Alex Hoffmeister' and keyboardist 'Klaus Henatsch' released an album under the name 'New Nektar' in 2018 (see here< / a>).
So we embark on a journey through time, and what a journey, because 66 minutes are available to us and 'I'm on fire', which opens the album and which was written by ' Derek "Mo" Moore 'in the late 70s, is a fantastic composition that brings us back to well-known tones from those years and we can hear multiple influences ranging from 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' to the 'Beatles' through 'Deep Purple' all this being mixed in a long progressive development. With 'Skywriter' which was originally in 1978 a song called 'Skypilot' and which had not been recorded, we remain in the influences of the 60s with the 4 boys in the wind and the sounds of organ reminiscent of 'Procol Harum', then, 'Love Is / The Other Side' is the master piece of almost 18 minutes which brings together two titles in a peaceful style with beautiful melodies and remarkable instrumental sections. Follows, 'Drifter' which is made up of several parts, first of all a sung section then a long instrumental section, all bringing us back to the psychedelic style of the 60s and 70s and we cannot help thinking of 'Pink-Floyd' from the late 60's, and 'Devil's Door' (which was played in the mid 70's but never recorded), after a calm introduction to the guitar (which is an old recording of 'Roye Albrighton') is a catchy and rhythmic title. The end of the album scrolls the short instrumental 'The Light Beyond', not necessarily essential, then 'Look Thru Me' which is a nice quiet semi-acoustic ballad and finally, 'Y Cant IB more like U' which brings us back to the time of the beginning of the progressive with a mix between the 'Beatles' in the song part and 'Genesis' for the instrumental part.

In summary, this new album of 'Nektar' marks in a beautiful way the return of the English, faithful to what they did in the 70s, and 'The Other Side' is recommended to all those who love the big groups that participated in the development of progressive rock already fifty years ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Derek "Mo" Moore (Bass, Vocal), Ron Howden (Drums, Vocal), Randy Dembo (Bass, Guitar), Ryche Chlanda (Guitar, Vocal), Kendall Scott (Keybords)


Artist : Michael Thompson Band

Album : High Times – Live In Italy

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 21-02-2020

I presented you 'Michael Thompson Band' with their latest album 'Love & Beyond' and it's the turn of a live to see the light of day, 'High Times - Live In Italy'. At the line up level, we find the artists who participated in 'Love & Beyond', the two members of 'Unruly Child', 'Larry Antonino' on bass and 'Guy Allison' on keyboards (see here) as well as the singer 'Larry King' from 'Soleil Moon' (see here) and the drummer 'Sergio Gonzalez'. The set, of just over an hour, offers 9 tracks that are divided between refined melodic rock influenced by the 70s and 80s and formations like 'Foreigner' (see their last live here ). In addition, this live showcases even more the guitarist talent of 'Michael Thompson' which on most titles offers us magnificent solos (and especially which, for our greatest pleasure are much longer than in studio recordings) as on 'Give Love a Chance' or as in the last three titles, 'Starting Over', 'Wasteland' and 'More Then A Feeling', which are real fireworks. But we can also note remarkable performances of all the artists with a special mention for ‘Larry King’ for singing who shows that it is made for the stage.

In summary, just for the remarkable guitar solos of 'Michael Thompson' and the general atmosphere of the concert, this 'High Times - Live In Italy' is a real listening pleasure and brings us back to the atmosphere of the melodic rock concerts of the 70s and 80s with a modern production because the recording is also of very good quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Thompson (Guitar), Larry King (Vocal), Larry Antonino (Bass, Vocal), Guy Allison (Keybords), Sergio Gonzalez (Drums)


Artist : Serenity

Album : The Last Knight

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 22-02-2020

Just over two years after 'Lionheart' (see review here), we find the Austrians of 'Serenity', led by singer 'Georg Neuhauser' with a new album 'The Last Knight'. The recipe is now well established with an epic and symphonic metal style which was already in the previous opus at its climax and this time, it is the story of the Roman Emperor Maximilian I which is told in 'The Last Knight'.
After the symphonic instrumental introduction with its grandiose choruses containing all the ingredients of a film music of knights to conquer the grail, 'Invictus' sets the scene with a first refrain that never lets you go, then, 'Set The World on Fire' adds a layer with melodic lines which should be taken over by the whole audience in concert. And to drive the point home, ‘Keeper of the Knights’ and ‘Souls and Sins’ continue in this path and send us two new songs with simple but terribly effective melodic lines. Without transition, 'Kingdom My Kingdom Comes', on a title alternating different tempos, brings a certain variety and recalls certain titles of the first opus of ‘Serenity’ and ‘Queen of Avalon’ returns to the epic atmosphere with a new heady refrain. After so much energy, it is with ‘My Farewell’ that the well-deserved break arrives also showing the Austrians' talent for power ballads, admittedly commun, but which nonetheless remains very effective. The last titles return to the style of the beginning of the album, with first 'Down to Hell' and a new refrain which remains anchored, then, the powerful and fast 'Wings of Pride' and 'Call To Arms' with remarkable refrains and a catchy rhythm, and finally, the beautiful resumption in acoustics of 'Souls And Sins' with a beautiful accompaniment on acoustic guitar which completely transforms this title.

In summary, the Austrians of 'Serenity' continue the momentum of 'Lionheart' and 'The Last Knight' contains hymns which will undoubtedly be taken up in concert and which will make happy with their fans but also with an audience loving an epic and symphonic power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Fabio d'Amore (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Christian "Chris" Hermsdörfer (Guitar, Choirs), Andreas Schipflinger (Drums, Choirs) + Guest : Herbie Langhans (Vocal)


Artist : Amberian Dawn

Album : Looking for You

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 23-02-2020

After a refreshing 'Darkness of Eternity' in 2017 (see here), the Finns of 'Amberian Dawn' led by the keyboardist player 'Tuomas Seppälä' release a new album 'Looking for You' which is already the 9th and their label of 'Abba Métal' has never been so appropriate.
Let's start with the compositions which could all have been written in the 70s so the melodies are close to those of the Swedes : 'United' opens the ball with keyboards which constitute the very basis of the melodic lines, the guitars being relegated to the background and in the solos, then, 'Eternal Fire Burning' continues with a catchy rhythm, followed by one of the hits from the album 'Looking for You' and 'Two Blades' with its choruses and melodic lines which seem familiar to us, continues in this well traced path. The other compositions also in the same style are ‘Go for a Ride’ and ‘Butterfly’ which is another melodic jewel and we say that, on this type of light and joyful compositions, the pupil is largely at the level of the master. In the ballad section, ‘Universe’ and the instrumental short ‘Au Revoir’ are also in the fabric of ’ABBA’ and bring us back to those of the Swedes; the only title that stands out is ‘Symphony Nr. 1 Part 3 - Awakening’ which is a symphonic and theatrical title in which the contribution of ‘Fabio Lione’ offers us a beautiful vocal duet with Päivi.

In summary, the Finns of 'Amberian Dawn' continue to claim loud and clear their 'ABBA metal' label and it is not the muscular cover of 'Lay All Your Love on Me' of the Swedes who can say opposite; the similarity does not end there since, if we withdraw the cover of 'ABBA' and the remastered bonus track 'Cherish My Memory' of 2014, out of the 9 remaining tracks of 'Looking for You', 8 are all light and catchy melodic jewelry which brings us back to the Swedish albums which were also well supplied with hits and it is a safe bet that, if they had participated at eurovision in the 70s, they would certainly have done as well as their eldests...

Line Up / Musicians

‘Capri’ Päivi Virkkunen (Vocal), Tuomas Seppälä (Keybords), Emil Pohjalainen (Guitar), Jukka Hoffren (Bass), Joonas Pykälä-aho (Drums) + Guest : Fabio Lione (Vocal)


Artist : Crimson Sun

Album : Fates

Release Date : 24-01-2020

Added : 24-02-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

It is still in the Nordic countries that we go with the Finnish symphonic metal band 'Crimson Sun' which releases its second studio album 'Fates' after a first album already noticed in 2015 'Towards the Light'. It is a fairly short album with 10 tracks between 3 and 4 minutes and their style is influenced by the big names of this style with a majority of energetic and effective titles with catchy choruses with melodic lines that can remind 'Nightwish' ('The Prison'), 'Delain' ('The Best Within', 'Virtual Reality') or 'Within Temptation' ('We Are One'). And who says symphonic metal also says in 90% of the cases presence of a frontwoman, in this case ‘Sini Seppälä’ who shows on all compositions a flawless vocal talent, modulating her voice between the powerful and quieter sections. Overall, the keyboards are on the same level as the guitars and the orchestral and vocal arrangements are always remarkable. And like their elders, they also offer us quieter moments with the mid-tempo 'Overcome' and the last title 'The Last Day o, Earth', which is the longest title, oscillates between power and calm and finishes the album on a magnificent epic and powerful composition.

In summary, the Finns of 'Crimson Sun' release a symphonic metal album with energetic compositions and catchy melodies in the continuity of the first opus and 'Fates' is therefore to be recommended to all fans of this style and even beyond for a public that would like to discover symphonic metal through accessible compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Sini Seppälä (Vocal), Joni Junnila (Guitar), Jukka Jauhiainen (Bass), Antti Rantavuo (Drums), Miikka Hujanen (Keybords)


Artist : Serious Black

Album : Suite 226

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 25-02-2020

I had presented the light side of 'Serious Black' with 'First Light' which was an acoustic album containing compositions from their previous albums (see here) and 2020 saw the release of a new studio recording 'Suite 226'. So we find the Germans with their electric instruments which distill us a melodic power metal starting with an energetic 'Let Me Go' with a remarkable first vocal performance of 'Urban Breed' and a first chorus that never leaves you, then, 'When The Stars Are Right' continues in this power with a energetic rhythmic section. Follows ‘Solitude Etude’ with a new very effective chorus and ‘Fate of All Humanity’ changes its register because it is closer to AOR. As for 'Castiel', after an introduction which could make think of a ballad, the tempo then accelerates for a new catchy title and a new beautiful performance of 'Urban Breed' in a rather high register, and 'Heaven Shall Burn' continues with a more classical title and aggressive guitar riffs, then, 'Way Back Home', on a fast tempo is less powerful and closer to melodic rock, like the following title 'We Still Stand Tall'. The album ends with 'Come Home' which is a magnificent ballad and finally, my favorite of the album, 'Suite 226', which takes us for almost 9 minutes in a title in several parts, alternating energy and appeasement with a last admirable vocal performance by 'Urban Breed'.

In summary, the Germans from 'Serious Black' released a very successful melodic power metal album with compositions offering great diversity and 'Suite 226' is intended to please a fairly large audience who liked a powerful and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Urban Breed (Vocal), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Mario Lochert (Bass), Ramy Ali (Drums)


Artist : A Life Divided

Album : Echoes

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 26-02-2020

The Germans of 'A Life Divided', whose last album 'Human' dates from 2015, released a new album 'Echoes' at the end of January 2020. We are still in New Waves influences of the 80s when electro took off and rock groups like 'Depeche Mode' were at the top of the bill. But, to these influences, they add an undeniable talent for effective and very accessible melodies and this on the whole album : 'Hello Emptiness' which begins is certainly one of the most tormented tracks of the album with a rhythm quite slow but from 'Dry Your Eyes', the chorus and the electronic arrangements take us back a few decades back on a more carefree note and 'Addiced' accelerates the rhythm for a catchy track that we immediately appropriate. The continuation continues in this way with electronic sounds with for example, 'Confronted' which has a little taste of 'Shout' from 'Tears for Fears' released in 1985 or 'Enemy' with its marked tempo typical of the 80s or even' Circles' and its addictive refrain made to be sung in unison by a whole audience.

In summary, this latest album from 'A Life Divided' is made to have a good time to the rhythm of catchy and light compositions with electronic sounds that take us back a few decades and, if you like bands like 'Depeche Mode', 'Duran Duran' or 'Tears for Fears' in the 80s, this album is for you definitely...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Damköhler (Guitar, Keybords, Programmations), Jürgen Plangger (Vocal), Korl Fuhrmann (Drums), Mike Hofstätter (Guitar), Toby Egger (Bass), Tony Berger (Guitar)


Artist : Tinsley Ellis

Album : Ice Cream In Hell

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 28-02-2020

After the very good ‘Winning Hand’ in 2018, ‘Tinsley Ellis’ continues on his way and released a new studio recording ‘Ice Cream In Hell’. We thus find a blues/rock in the purest American tradition with compositions in which the electric guitar of Tinsley takes an important part that it is in the solos which are well supplied but also in accompaniment of song as he knows so remarkably how to do it. Whether in a catchy style like 'Last One To Know' which recalls the late 'Joe Cocker' or the catchy boogie / rock 'Foolin' Yourself ', simple but so effective or even' Sit Tight Mama 'in the style of the King , but also in a much quieter and more intimate style like the classic 'Hole In My Heart' but very emotional or 'Ice Cream In Hell' with funky rhythm or the magnificent title ending the album 'You're Love's Like Heroin 'in which he shows an emotional power to his paroxysm whether in his singing but also in his guitar playing, he entertains us over the entire length of this 'Ice Cream In Hell' and spent the last notes of 'You' re Love's Like Heroin', we only have one desire, it's to press the play button again.
In short, as you will have understood, 'Tinsley Ellis' is one of those blues artists who perpetuate in the best way that it is a style which was at the origin of a lot of genres of music and 'Ice Cream In Hell' is intended not only for fans of authentic blues/rock but also for a large audience who will undoubtedly be touched by so much talent...

Line Up / Musicians

Tinsley Ellis (Guitar, Vocal), Kevin McKendree (Keybords, Guitar), Steve Mackey (Bass), Lynn Williams (Drums, Percussions), Jim Hoke (Saxophone), Quentin Ware (Trumpet)


Artist : Autumn’s Child

Album : Autumn’s Child

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 29-02-2020

I told myself that since 2019, we no longer had at the start of the year the new album of 'Last Autumn's Dream', 'Fourteen' having been released in early 2018 and 'Mikael Erlandsson' having decided to record a solo album 'Capricorn Six' in 2019, here is 2020 which sees the release of the same album… no, I'm told in the headset that despite a fairly similar cover, this is not a 7th solo album but, after the split of 'Last Autumn's Dream', a brand new project under the name of 'Autumn's Child'; well, the Swede has made a new child and the baby is doing well : exit 'Nalle Pählsson', 'Peter Söderström', 'Ulf Wahlberg' and 'Jamie Borger' and hello the new kids with 'Pontus Åkesson' on lead guitar , 'Claes Andreasson' playing acoustic guitar and additional keyboards and the joysticks of this first opus, 'Jona Tee' (HEAT) on keyboards, 'Hired Guns' on bass and 'Robban Bäck' on drums (Eclipse, WET). Given the pedigree of each artist, there is no need to make you languish : we are on the right foot in a melodic rock which has become a Scandinavian specialty with an impressive number of formations which gravitate in this style of music. But we must admit that 'Mikael Erlandsson' has this talent for composing melodic nuggets which are all remarkable both in energetic titles like the catchy 'Glory' with Hispanic intonations or 'Cryin for Love' and his chorus that enter directly into your head or even 'Face the Music' and 'You're Breaking My Heart Again' influenced by the 80s, but also in ballads and the album includes three magnificent 'Victory', 'Sayonare Eyes' and 'Heaven Knows Your Name' and an equally memorable mid-tempo, 'Everytime'.

In summary, it is still a beautiful album that we concocted 'Mikael Erlandsson' which is in the continuity of his old formation 'Last Autumn's Dream' and, therefore, 'Autumn's Child' should please a large audience loving an efficient and accessible melodic rock from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Piano, Guitar), Claes Andreasson (Guitar, Keybords), Pontus Åkesson (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keybords), Robban Bäck (Drums), Hired Guns (Bass)


Artist : Ravenword

Album : Transcendence

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 01-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Ravenword' was formed 13 years ago by keyboardist 'Davide Scuteri' and after a first demo, it followed a long period of inactivity and 2016 saw the reformation of the Italian combo to finally lead to a first studio recording in early 2020 'Transcendence'. This first opus is inspired by the poem 'The Raven' ('The Raven') by Edgar Allen Poe 'who is an author who often returns in the influences of metal groups (see for example 'Aeternitas' and their album 'Tales of the Grotesque' released in 2018). After a first listening, I have the impression to return to the beginning of the symphonic metal at the end of the 90s, with a preponderant use of keyboards, the guitar riffs being relegated to the second plan but while keeping energy and power of this style.
From the first title 'Blue Roses', we discover in a catchy and accessible melody the singing of 'Chiara Tricarico' which is not an unknown since she already has several projects to her credit with among others 'Temperance' (see last albums in which she participated here and here) but also another project ‘Moonlight Haze’ and her register fits perfectly with the group's cheerful style. Follows ‘Life Is Your Hands’ which continues in this way with a new melody immediately assimilated and a nice alternation between sung and instrumental parts, then ‘No More’, with its catchy tempo also offers judicious tempo changes. ‘Lullaby of the Last Petal’, well placed after the fiery ‘No More’ is the first ballad break in which ‘Chiara Tricarico’ shows that she is also very comfortable in calmer moments. With 'Purity', one of my favorites from the album, I have the impression of returning to the melodic lines of the first 'Nightwish', at the end of the 90s, especially since in some parts, Chiara has intonations similar to what 'Tarja' was doing at the time and 'Rain of Stars' which follows is also in this style. The sequel continues to scroll through compositions all as melodic as each other, the catchy 'Queen of Darkness' with very beautiful vocal arrangements, the energetic 'What I Need' with some growls, a new beautiful ballad 'The Swan Song' then 'Dylan' and 'Crismon Lake', both near of 7 minutes, which are undoubtedly the two most sought-after and varied titles in the album and it is with the magnificent mid-tempo 'The Distance' with folk accents and a memorable ballad of almost 8 minutes which brings us back to the begining of 'Nightwish' that the album finishes.

In summary, the Italians of 'Ravenword' released an album of symphonic metal quite remarkable, varied and alternating beautifully energy and serenity, and, even if their style does not necessarily bring anything new to the genre, 'Transcendence' will undoubtedly be very well received by a whole public which follows symphonic metal since its beginnings in the course of the 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Davide Scuteri (Keybords), Cesare Ferrari (Guitar, Bass), Michele Olmi (Drums)


Artist : Moon Reverie

Album : Moon Reverie

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 03-03-2020

'Moon Reverie' is the project of guitarist 'Luca Poma' who is well known and renowned in the world of metal and hard rock for having collaborated with artists like 'Uli Jon Roth' or 'Vinnie Moore' or 'Kee Marcello' (see chronicle here). He therefore released a first album under the name of his project and embarked for the occasion the singer ‘Luca Pozzi’, the keyboard player ‘Nicola Leonesio’ and the drummer ‘Manuel Togni’. The style of the Italian is neo-classical hard rock with multiple influences ranging from power metal to symphonic metal through melodic metal.

These are 12 tracks for over an hour of music available to us and after the short instrumental introduction where we already feel a nice fusion between the keyboards of 'Nicola Leonesio' and the guitar of 'Luca Poma', 'Forgiveness' starts strong with an energetic title in a power metal style dear to the Italians which offers us a first melodic refrain at desired, then, 'I Will Come For You' is a more hard-rock composition which brings us back to the 70s/80s with the keyboards which play an important role and which can make think of formations like 'Deep Purple' or 'Rainbow', and 'Say Forever' changes again register for a much more melodic rock title close to AOR style. After his first 3 tracks quite different from each other, 'Eyes' continues in an energetic hard-rock of the 80s with a remarkable performance on the song of 'Luca Pozzi' who has a powerful voice rather acute which goes perfectly with this genre of composition, then 'In My Heart' is the ballad that any melodic hard-rock group would have liked to compose and 'The Raven' comes back to power metal with a fast tempo and an unleashed guitar solo from 'Luca Poma'. We then find the 'First And Last' which, after the flamenco introduction to the classical guitar, brings us back to powerful and melodic hard-rock from the 80s, then 'On the Edge' continues in this register and we can’t keep from making a parallel with 'Rainbow' especially since the guitar solo of 'Luca Poma' is very close to what 'Ritchie Blackmore' could do at the time. With the ballad 'Far Above', we go back to the 70s with a nice mix between 'Deep Purple' and 'Led Zeppelin' and 'End of Times' is also in this vein with a folk side and melodic lines that could claim, this time, the new 'Ritchie Blackmore' with his companion 'Candice Night' (see here). And then there is this last instrumental track 'Moon Rêverie Suite' which is tailor-made for those nostalgic for keyboards/guitar battles which were one of the hard rock specialties of the 70s with groups like 'Deep Purple' and who puts forward 'Luca Poma' and 'Nicola Leonesio' in a superb melodic title and catchy with classic sounds mixing very beautiful acoustic and electric parts.

In summary, this magnificent album of 'Luca Poma' brings us back with a modern sound a few decades back to the time of the big hard-rock groups with very talented artists and 'Moon Reverie' is to be recommended to all those and those who like to mix metal and melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Poma (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Manuel Togni (Drums), Luca Pozzi (Vocal), Nicola Leonesio (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Leecher

Album : Deviant

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 04-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After 'Sightless' in 2016, the Hungarians of 'Leecher' who evolve in a symphonic metal with cellos and drums as their only instruments like 'Apocalyptica' group (see their latest album here), release a new album ‘Deviant’, but unlike the Finns, they integrate a singer 'Anett Horváth' and their style is much more symphonic with tones close to classical music.

After the short and calm introduction 'Harvester of Calamity' in which 'Anett Horváth' rocks us with his soft voice, 'Infinite Greed' is an energetic first track with remarkable vocal arrangements both in terms of choirs and different voices and the cellos blend wonderfully well on the whole, then, 'One-Second Confusion', whose video is above, takes us on an effective and catchy melody. With the beginning of ‘Rainmaker’, the cellos accentuate the melancholic side, then the title gets bigger and then alternates in a nice way the calm and powerful parts. With the beginning of ‘Rainmaker’, the cellos accentuate the melancholic side, then the title is getting power and then alternates in a nice way the calm and powerful parts. The sequel scrolls 'How Close Is Too Far', in a more classic symphonic metal, 'Messenger of Fear' with its addictive chorus and its catchy rhythm in an epic atmosphere, the beautiful mid-tempo 'Architect of Fear' with a swaying rhythm , the energetic 'Get Over It' with a new heady chorus and 'Cassandra' is a beautiful melancholic ballad, this feeling being reinforced by the playing of cellos. The album ends with my two favorites from the album, first of all 'Lake of Contradiction' which is the title in which cellos bring the most modernity with frequent tempo changes and finally 'Celestial Alignment' which is a bit of a summary of the whole album and certainly the most varied title with very beautiful arrangements either vocally or instrumentally.

In summary, this second album by the Hungarians of 'Leecher' is a total success and their specificity of using only strings makes it a group apart because they bring out a symphonic metal out of the ordinary and 'Deviant' is to be recommended not only to fans of this style but also to an audience who likes the mix of classical music tones and the strength of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Anett Horváth (Vocal), Barabás Bótyik (Cello), Ádám Nagy (Cello), Ábel Libisch (Composings), Dávid Tamási (Drums), Miron Miron Kováts (Cello)


Artist : Bernard Allison

Album : Songs from the Road

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 05-03-2020

We no longer present 'Bernard Allison' to blues-rock fans and the start of 2020 saw the release of a live 'Song from the Road' which is a very good way to get to know this artist who takes his full dimension in concert. In a fairly wide set list which goes from 'Times are Changing' of 1998 ('I Can't Get You out of My Mind') to 'Let It Go' of 2018 which is very well represented ('Night Train', 'Cruisin For A Bluesin', 'Same Ole Feeling', 'Backdoor Man' and 'You're Gonna Need Me'), he takes us for an hour and a quarter in his musical world accompanied by talented musicians and with impeccable production. So these are 13 tracks available to us and apart from the fabulous blues 'Let's Try It Again' of almost 10 minutes and 'You're Gonna Need Me' which are from his father 'Luther Allison', the 11 other titles are all from his compositions : we navigate between funky atmospheres like in 'Night Train' or 'Call Me Momma' or even 'Meet Me Half Way', blues/rock with 'Stay with Me Tonight' or 'I Can't Get You out of My Mind' or 'Feels Kinda Funny', sensual blues with 'You're Gonna Need Me' or 'Let's Try Again' and jazzy atmosphere with 'Cruisin for a Bluesin' : Impossible to remain frozen in front of the simple but very effective 'Something's Wrong' or in the guitar solo of 'Slide Master'. We can also note, in addition to the remarkable performance of 'Bernard Allison' whether on vocals or on guitar, the very beautiful saxophone solos of 'José James' in most titles and to take only one I will quote that of 'Let's Try Again' of almost 2 minutes.

In summary, this live of 'Bernard Allison' is a very beautiful moment of blues declined in all sauces and therefore should undoubtedly please all lovers of blues but is also recommended for all ears because 'Songs from the Road' perpetuates a timeless style which took its roots in the XIX century in the south of the United States...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernard Allison (Guitar, Vocal), George Moyé (Bass), Mario Dawson (Drums), José James (Saxophone, Percussions), Dylan Sulfer (Guitar)


Artist : Sedate Illusion

Album : Ungod Me

Release Date : 01-02-2020

Added : 06-03-2020

I discovered the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' in 2016 with their 5th album 'Glass Delusion' (the first 2 albums are not on Spotify but available on you tube here and here) and, at the time, they had made me a strong impression. 2020 therefore sees the release of ‘Ungod Me’ and they have further evolved from its predecessor by offering us an album with impeccable production worthy of the greatest progressive groups mixing rock and metal. This is a concept album that deals with criticism of religion in the broad sense of which its representatives claim to be above the law and from the outset, with the short spoken introduction, the theme is given.

'Perspective', which opens the album, is one of 4 tracks of more than 8 minutes that takes us on an inventive progressive style alternating power and calm like this beautiful passage in the 3rd minute with religious choirs mixed with electronic sounds in which comes to be grafted a beautiful guitar solo then which gains momentum for a powerful final with an accessible melodic frame in which 'Vangelis Kakarougkas', which has almost shown us his talent as a singer, shows us that of keyboardist. After this first remarkable title, 'Descending' continues on this solid path with a new composition of more than 8 minutes which continues to alternate contrasting atmospheres with melodic lines always accessible and a magnificent final in crescendo in which 'Vangelis Kakarougkas' always repeat the same sentence. Without transition the third title of more than 8 minutes 'Ellipsism' rolls out with always the same energy but then brings quieter passages with an acoustic guitar and the whole makes me think of a mixture between the two groups of 'Steven Wilson', 'Porpcupine Tree' and 'Blackfield' (see last album here). With the powerful 'Forever' that follows, we move away from the progressive and it is certainly the most accessible title of the album with a classic verse/chorus construction and a melody in the chorus that never leaves you, then, 'Rain' is also in this same register with two suberb solos of keyboards and guitar. With 'Reach The Sun', the last track of more than 8 minutes, the slow tempo of the beginning makes one think of 'Blackfield' and it is undoubtedly the most contrasted track with alternations between calm parts and others which explode in a heavy power with then frequent enough rhythm changes to finish on the heavy tempo of the beginning with a beautiful melody taken up in choruses and the last title 'Withered Roses' is a cover of the album '0545' of 2010 which already showed the undeniable talent of this group.

In summary, this last album of the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' confirms all the good point that I thought of them : 'Ungod Me' is a very good surprise for this beginning of 2020 and should reach a whole audience of metal fans of melodic and accessible progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Vangelis Kakarougkas (Keybords, Vocal), Anastasios Kibizis (Guitar), Vangelis Glavinas (Bass), Antreas Alamanos (Drums)


Artist : Delain

Album : Apocalypse & Chill

Release Date : 07-02-2020

Added : 07-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

For a few years now, the Dutch of 'Delain' have become an flagship group of symphonic metal and tours have followed one another with in particular guest 'Marko Hietala' of 'Nightwish' (see my last review of Delain here and Marko's studio album here). The last album 'Moonbathers' already dated from 2016 (see here) and the fans were impatient for this release : so, as not to make you languish, 'Apocalypse & Chill' is for me still a total success of this group which has distilled us for over 10 years now a pleasant symphonic metal with a talent to transform each show into a real party. First of all, this last opus is well filled with 13 tracks for a duration of a little less than an hour and for the begenning, with 'One Second', we are directly in the bath with a made in 'Delain,' powerful and catchy, then 'We Had Everything', with its electronic sounds and a rhythm approaching industrial metal (moreover in the last album 'Art Kills' was close to this style) continues in this joyful atmosphere. Without transition, ‘Chemical Redemption’ gives a adding layer with beautiful vocal arrangements and ‘Burning Bridges’ returns to ‘Delain’ already heard but still as effective. With 'Vengeance', the style flirts with that of 'Within Temptation' with an epic symphonic atmosphere that can be found in 'Legions of the Lost' and then, 'To Live is to Die' alternates energetic passages and others quieter while keeping catchy melodic lines with very beautiful choirs. We are already at the 6th composition of the album without having had any real dead time out and we tell ourselves that each of the titles could be played in concert and the second part of the album is not to be outdone by starting with a enticing 'Let's Dance' that the group has already already tested with happiness in live, then, 'Creatures' wants to be heavier and powerful thanks to a marked mid-tempo but what emerges from this title is for me the magnificent air performance from 'Charlotte Wessels' in opposition to the power of the title. After so much energy, ‘Ghost House Heart’ accompanies us on a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad with a beautiful trio of vocals/piano/violin. I pass on 'Master of Destiny', which was already present on 'Hunter's Moon' and 'Legions of the Lost' already mentioned above and the album ends with a new potential hit 'The Greatest Escape' and an instrumental 'Combustion 'which gives pride of place to the guitarist 'Timo Somers' who shows us all his talent with as a bonus a remarkable 'Floydian' introduction

In summary, as you will have understood, the Dutch of 'Delain' are still releasing an album with no real dead time and demonstrate that they know how to renew themselves by bringing diversity in their compositions by borrowing from different styles of metal and, therefore, with 'Apocalypse & Chill', they should further increase their fans base and become from now an essential group of the metal scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Martijn Westerholt (Keybords), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (Bass), Joey Marin De Boer (Drums)


Artist : Eternal Doubt

Album : Tales of Roland Tebute

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 08-03-2020

'Eternal Doubt' is a new power metal band which comes from Italy and which was born from the ashes of two bands, 'Rising Sundown' and 'Utopy' with a first album called 'Tales of Roland Tebute'. But it would be reductive to limit them to this particular style because, after a first listening, they mix multiple influences going from symphonic metal to melodic rock with an important role of keyboards which form the melodic base.

It is with 'Twilight of the Northern Portal' that the album begins and from the introduction, the keyboards of 'Marco Fanton' set the tone on a catchy melody, the guitars coming in support to bring the power and we discover the singing of 'Marco Perazzolo' who makes a remarkable first performance and 'Luca Pegoraro' and 'Marco Fanton' with a magnificent exchange of guitar/keyboards, then 'Devil's Peak' continues in this melodic and catchy style and offers an epic passage narrated and quieter in the middle of the title and then a new masterful guitar solo. Follow the powerful 'Atomic Ballet' in a theatrical style with a magnificent vocal performance of 'Marco Perazzolo', then 'On My Shoulder' changes of register for a calmer and very melodic composition flirting with AOR and 'Following the North Star' takes us into a lively folk/metal atmosphere on a fast tempo then, with 'Make Me Believe', we have a clever mix between melodic rock and power metal. It’s with ‘Eternal. Doubt, Pt 1 'that the break comes with a magnificent ballad with a folk accent, then the short instrumental 'Reaching the Apocalypse', very cinematographic, serves as an introduction to 'Ourmageddon' worthy of the biggest power metal groups by embarking for a fast and epic melody. Change of scene with the last two titles which are one, with first of all 'Ulysses' Speech' and electronic sounds, a disturbing melody and altered voices serving as an introduction to 'Ode to Life' which end the album with a title that takes you far away from metal style and with a simple but hyper-effective melody that stays in your head.

In summary, the Italians of 'Eternal Doubt' release a very beautiful album, always very melodic and marrying quite different genres which destines it to an audience open to different styles going from rock to metal and integrating all kinds of influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco "Peppo" Perazzolo (Vocal, Choirs), Luca "Luke" Pegoraro (Guitar), Alberto "Manz" Manzardo (Guitar, Choirs), Marco "faent" Fanton (Keybords), Nicola "Berno" Bernardi (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Elia "Elica" Sgaggero (Drums, Percussions, Choirs)


Artist : Diabulus In Musica

Album : Euphonic Entropy

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 10-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

It was already three long years since the Spaniards of 'Diabulus In Musica' had not released an album, 'Dirge For The Archons' dating from 2016 and meanwhile the singer' Zuberoa Aznarez 'having released a solo album 'Beyond The Threshold'. It's done with this sumptuous new studio recording 'Euphonic Entropy' which has seen again an evolution in the compositions : we already knew that the Spaniards had made a good place next to the symphonic metal tenors with great choir reinforcement like 'Epica' or 'Therion' but 'Euphonic Entropy' goes even further than its predecessor with a much larger variety.

After the instrumental introduction 'A Lucid Chaos' which sets the scene in this style of music and with some vocalizations by Zuberoa, 'Race to Equilibrium' takes us on for a powerful and rhythmic first track filled with grandiose choirs and l 'we can not help thinking of 'Epica' especially since at the melodic lines, we are very close to the Dutch and with 'Nuevo Rumbo', the grandiose symphonic style is at its peak with beautiful choirs and, here and there, the growls of 'Gorka Elso'. It is with 'The Misfit's Swing' that we hold the first surprise of the album with a title straight out of the inter-war period and the swing era which was metalized for the occasion and Zuberoa shows (if it still had to be done) that she is comfortable in all styles. We find the style of Epica with 'In Quest Of Sense' and it is with the hit 'Otoi' with its heady melody that the style approaches this time metal-folk with the addition of a flute with Celtic sounds. 'Zuberoa Aznárez' then gives us a great performance in the magnificent ballad 'Blurred Dreams' with magnificent choirs, then 'On the Edge' still comes out of the classical patterns for a style close to industrial metal which corresponds to a current evolution of symphonic metal (see last review of 'Delain' here). With the majestic 'Our Last Gloomy Dance', which is my favorite of the album, classical music and metal come together for an epic and grandiose composition with a melody that is immediately embedded in the head and again a flawless performance in a lyrical register of 'Zuberoa Aznárez'. The end of the album offers us an energetic 'One Step Higher' with electronic sounds and a more classic but very effective refrain close to groups like 'Within Temptation', 'Blind Muse' which returns to the style of 'Epica' and finally , the instrumental 'In The Vortex' which calmly ends the opus in an atmosphere of opera music in which Zuberoa delights us one last time with his deep lyric voice and full of sensitivity.

In summary, the Spanish of 'Diabulus In Musica' are back in force on the front of the symphonic metal scene with an album that will certainly mark the year 2020 in this style and if you like bands like 'Epica' (see here), 'Xandria' (see here), 'Sirenia' (see here) or even 'Imperia' (see here), you should no doubt be seduced by 'Euphonic Entropy'...

Line Up / Musicians

Zuberoa Aznárez (Vocal), Gorka Elso (Keybords), Alexey Kolygin (Guitar), David Carrica (Drums)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : It’s A Mighty Hard Road

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 11-03-2020

After 'The Catfish' in 2016 and 'Prime Cuts' in 2018, the American 'Popa Chubby' (real name 'Ted Horowitz'), for its 30 years of career, releases a new album 'It's A Mighty Hard Road'. As it has accustomed us for a few decades, the 15 tracks do not revolutionize blues/rock but are simply made to have a good time listening to this whole artist who wets the shirt for his audience (literally, watch the video above from 'It's A Mighty Hard Road'). So we sail in energetic blues/rock like in 'It's A Mighty Hard Road' or 'It Ain't Nothin' or in 'I'm The Beast From The East' and its boogie / rock rhythm or in 'Why You Wanna Bite My Bones' close to rockabilly but also in lighter titles like the 'Let Love Free The Day', 'The Best Is Yet To Come' or 'Gordito' and its Latin rhythm like 'Santana' or the jazzy 'Lost Again' and we can note the last two titles which are the only titles which are not from 'Popa Chubby' with first of all the cover 'I'd Rather Be Blind' of 'Leon Russel' and also the very successful cover of 'Kiss' of 'Prince' at the end of the album with a beautiful Harmonica solo.

In summary, one more for 'Popa Chubby' who, even if he has nothing more to prove, continues to delight us with his authentic blues/rock and this 'It's A Mighty Hard Road' with a beautiful variety of titles is recommended for a wide audience because the set is very accessible and to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Ted Horowitz ‘Popa Chubby’ (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica, Keybords, Drums), Brett Bass (Bass), V.d. King (Bass), Dave Keyes (Organ, Piano), Steve Holley (Drums), Don Castagno (Drums)


Artist : Seven Spires

Album : Emerald Seas

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 13-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After a very promising 'Solveig' in 2017, released thanks to crowdfunding (see chronicle myprogmusic here), the Americans of 'Seven Spires' release their second studio recording and the least that the we can say is that the palette presented in 'Emerald Seas' is relatively wide because we navigate in all styles of metal and even some titles flirt with melodic rock or even classical music. And if we add to that that the singer 'Adrienne Cowan', in addition to being a keyboard player, is a bit of a Swiss knife of metal vocal that knows how to adapt to all styles and that the other members of the group are all musicians talented, we keep a group capable of great prowess because this 'Emerald Seas' is worth the detour for all those who love diversity in metal. Note that 'Adrienne Cowan' participated in the last tour of the project 'Avantasia' of 'Tobias Sammet' in 2019 for the release of 'Moonglow' which is generally a good calling card in the metal world because we know that Tobias knows how to surround himself with talented artists.

The album begins with the short 'Igne Defendit' which could be the introduction of a classic opera, but 'Ghost of Dream' which follows, takes up the theme a little more muscular and lets us discover a melody which borrows from Andalusian music with Oriental influences and 'Adrienne Cowan' offers us a register in clear song very wise until the last second which ends with some chords in which Adrienne sends us some very aggressive growls. With 'No Words Exchanged', the arrangements with strings juxtaposed with saturated guitar riffs work perfectly and it is a delicious mixture between a pop melody that they would have metalized and 'Every Crest' continues in a mixture between power metal and symphonic metal with a very expressive melody which recalls the style of American musicals. Without transition, 'Unmapped Darkness' is the melodic hit of the album whose chorus is immediately embedded in your head and, it is in this title that 'Adrienne Cowan' offers us the two vocal facets, first of all a Quite classic clear song and a song based on growls which they know how to dose very well without adding too much, then, 'Succomb' is another melodic gem in a fairly classic symphonic metal. It is with the following four titles that we have the biggest gap of the album with the two magnificent power ballads 'Silvery Moon' and 'Bury Me' which are sandwiched between the epic 'Drower of Worlds' and the energetic 'Fearless' in which Adrienne uses her extreme voice in a style combining symphonic and black metal. The end of the album scrolls through the very short serenade 'With Love from the Other Side' then 'The Trouble with Eternal Life', very contrasted with a very calm introduction, which continues with a frenzied rhythm in a fairly symphonic metal style classical and a new heady melody, then the instrumental 'Emerald Seas' which continues the theme of the previous title and ends the album as it had started in a classical symphonic atmosphere.

In summary, at the same time as the release of the last 'Diabulus In Musica' (see here) and the last 'Delain' (see here), the 2020 year has started beautifuly for symphonic metal and it is not this second album by the Americans of 'Seven Spires' that could say the opposite because 'Emerald Seas' is a total success which should please fans of symphonic metal who like styles as distant as classical music and symphonic black...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrienne Cowan – (Vocal, Keybords), Jack Kosto (Guitar), Peter Albert de Reyna (Bass), Chris Dovas (Drums)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : Belief in the Machine

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 14-03-2020

‘Rick Miller’ with the same artists by his side continues to release albums and, after ‘Delusional’ in 2018, ‘Belief in the Machine’ is his latest baby. So we find the universe of the Canadian with this ‘Floydian’ side and guitar tones approaching ‘David Gilmour’.

In this opus, only two compositions are long developments, first of all 'Correct to the Core' which begins the album and which takes us into a marked rhythm a bit like 'Another Brick in the Wall' and with a good alternation between vocal and instrumental parts and then, 'The Trial' which ends the album in a more psychedelic atmosphere with a central part containing electronic sounds which can recall 'Jean-Michel Jarre' and sung parts with beautiful melodic lines very easy to tame and a remarkable final guitar solo which is very 'Gilmourian'. The other compositions are shorter, between two and five minutes with first of all the 2 parts of 'That Inward Eye' which are very peaceful with the flute which accentuates this angelic side, then the eponymous title of the album takes up the theme precedent for a melancholic semi-acoustic song and 'The Land and the Sea', with its xylophone sounds takes us on a trip to exotic countries. As for 'The Need to Believe', the repetitive melody on the piano gives a feeling of fullness and can recall some very calm titles from 'Barclay James Harvest', then 'Prelude to the Trial' begins in a disturbing way with a cello and a few voices then, we embark on a track which can serve as relaxation music with little by little some notes of an electric guitar which comes to accompany the central theme. Follows 'Binary Breakdown' which also stages a cello, then a violin in a marked rhythm in which are added keyboards and an electric guitar which alternates with strings and ends in a few layers of keyboards and the last instrumental 'Media Gods Including The Awakening', after a psychedelic introduction reminiscent of the 70s, ends in a bucolic way with the soft sound of the flute accompanied by an acoustic guitar.

In summary, 'Rick Miller' continues in atmospheric atmospheres to invite us to travel in a peaceful and serene world and 'Belief in the Machine' is an accessible album which should appeal to all those who are attracted by a calm and restful rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Sarah Young (Flute), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Violin, Guitar), Mateusz Swoboda (Cello)


Artist : Blind Ego

Album : Preaching to the Choir

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 15-03-2020

'Kalle Wallner' is a busy guitarist between 'RPWL' (last album here) and participation in the album of 'Yogi Lang' (see here) and after 'Liquid' released in 2016, the German released a new studio album 'Preaching to the Choir' with his group 'Blind Ego', 2017 having seen the release of a very nice live show (see here). With this formation 'Kalle Wallner' allows himself to get out of the neo-progressive rock of 'RPWL' and although some titles approach it, other compositions are a little more energetic and flirt with what one could call du energetic rock often at the limit of hard-rock.

It is also with the first title 'Massive' that we have a first glimpse of a rock with saturated guitar riffs and a rhythm marked with a first harmonious melody, then, the title track of the album continue in this power and energy with the song 'Scott Balaban' wrapped with electronic effects in the first half and a final which falls back with some spiritual choirs. With 'Burning Alive' we are more in rhythmic rock with choirs which can recall certain sounds of the 80s and 'Line in the Sand', after a muscular introduction, alternates powerful parts and others quieter and can recall certain rhythm of 'RPWL', then, 'Dark Paradise' brings a break in the form of a ballad with a very effective chorus. The rest of the album scrolls through a catchy 'In Exile' which flirts with a peaceful rock type AOR, the mid-tempo 'Heading for The Stars' in crescendo which unfolds a beautiful melody and which is closer to the neo-progressive of 'RPWL' with a nice instrumental part, then, 'Broken Land' continues in this style with a powerful bass line, and, finally, 'The Trial' ends the album in a nice way with a long development of almost 9 minutes which contains different parts, first a calm introduction with a repetitive theme, then, an energetic part with many changes of rhythm and intensity and finally a much quieter instrumental part until the final decrescendo.

In summary, the Germans from 'Blind Ego' continue their journey under the leadership of 'Kalle Wallner' and release a very good album without copying 'RPWL' and 'Preaching to the Choir' is to be advised to a audience loving progressive music with sophisticated arrangements who like to mix rock and hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Kalle Wallner (Guitar), Scott Balaban (Vocal), Julian Kellner (Guitar), Sebastian Harnack (Bass), Michael Christoph (Drums)


Artist : Yes

Album : Live At Glastonbury Festival 2003

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 16-03-2020

We can no longer count the live recordings of the group 'Yes' and 2020 finally sees the streaming release of the 'Live At Glastonbury Festival 2003' which was released on CD about a year ago, 2019 having also seen the release of the live from the 50th anniversary (see here). This set gives us the opportunity to hear 'Jon Anderson' singing again and listen to legendary tracks like 'Siberian Khatru' which started concerts in the 70s or the catchy 'Don't Kill The Whale' or even for amateurs of long progressive developments of the Englishs, a group of titles in the middle of the set with 'South Side Of The Sky', 'And You And I', 'Heart Of The Sunrise' and of course the emblematic 'Awaken' which borders on the twenty minutes with its magnificent vocal arrangements. In short, this new live of ‘Yes’ is of course intended first of all for fans of the first hour but may also be the possibility of discovering this legendary group with a very good production for the early 2000s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Anderson (Vocal, Guitar, Harp), Steve Howe (Vocal, Guitar, Mandolin), Rick Wakeman (Keybords), Chris Squire (Vocal, Bass), Alan White (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Mariana Semkina

Album : Sleepwalking

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 17-03-2020

'Marjana Semkina' (or Mariana) is a Russian singer who was known with 'Iamthemorning', the duet she formed with 'Gleb Kolyadin' (see the two chronicles here and here) and after participating in Gleb's first studio album in 2018 (see here), she released her first solo album in 2020 'Sleepwalking' with prestigious guests from the progressive world since we find the keyboardist of 'Dream Theater', 'Jordan Rudess' on the piano (see the last 'Dream Theater' here), drummer 'Craig Blundell' ('Lonely Robot', 'Steven Wilson', 'Kino' or 'Moonparticle') and the bass player 'Nick Beggs' (also 'Lonely Robot' and 'Steven Wilson' but also 'The Mutes Gods'). But the style is far from the progressive metal of ‘Dream Theater’ since we find the soft and airy voice of the Russian in 11 compositions that she has all written and composed. The set is an invitation to travel and apart from 'Turn Back Time' which is the most rock track and 'Skin', also a little more energetic, these are compositions which allow you to get away from it all in calm and serene and although the texts are relatively dark ('Marjana Semkina' wrote them during a difficult period for her), the whole is of a simple and delicate beauty and we can quote for example the very refined 'Lost at Sea' and 'Still Life'. On the instrumental level, remarkable arrangements involve acoustic instruments such as the piano or the guitar which are often accompanied by the strings of the 'St. Petersburg Orchestra "1703" which bring some melancholy as in 'Dark Matter', 'Am I Sleeping Or Am I Dead', 'Everything Burns' or even in 'Mermaid Song' but which also amplifies the gravity of the title as in 'Ars Longa Vita Brevis', 'Invisible' or even in 'How to Be Alone'.

In summary, 'Mariana Semkina' released a very beautiful album highlighting her captivating and airy voice even more than in her collaboration with 'Gleb Kolyadin' and 'Sleepwalking' is the kind of recording to quietly listen to headphones on your ears to share these poetic, delicate and emotion-filled moments...

Line Up / Musicians

Marjana Semkina (Vocal) + Guests : Craig Blundell (Drums), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), Nick Beggs (Bass), Vlad Avy (Guitar), Grigiory Losenkov (Piano), Svetlana Shumkova (Drums), St.Petersburg Orchestra "1703"


Artist : Waiting From Monday

Album : Waiting For Monday

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 18-03-2020

‘Waiting From Monday’ is a new American melodic rock band created by singer ‘Rudy Cardenas’ and guitarist and singer ‘August Zadra’ who just released their first album under the name of the group. At the first listening, we find ourselves a few decades back in the splendid era of melodic rock where the 'Foreigner', 'Styx', 'Journey' or 'Asia' were at top of the bill and contrary to what do most melodic rock bands by favoring energetic and powerful atmospheres and include only one or two ballads in their albums, the compositions of 'Waiting For Monday' are divided into two parts, on the one hand, catchy compositions and another of ballads since there are five of the eleven titles, the twelfth title being a very nice cover in acoustics from 'Found You Now'. It all starts with the energies of the catchy melodies of 'Until the Dawn' and with the melodic jewel 'End of a Dream', then 'Shattered Lives' and 'Found You Now' are the first two ballads with melodies that immediately enter the head. The sequel alternates these two atmospheres, with the energetic titles 'Right In Front Of You', 'Inside Her Head', 'Make It Better' and 'One More Round', and the ballads 'Must Have Been', 'Love You Forever', 'Pick Your Lies' divided between slow verses and a more catchy refrain.

In summary, the Americans of 'Waiting From Monday' under the leadership of 'Rudy Cardenas' and 'August Zadra' released a remarkable, accessible and varied album which intends it for a large audience loving melodic rock bands 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Rudy Cardenas (Vocal), August Zadra (Guitar, Vocal), Walter Ino (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Eric Baines (Bass), Joe Travers (Drums)


Artist : Psychotic Waltz

Album : The God-Shaped Void

Release Date : 14-02-2020

Added : 19-03-2020

This new album from 'Psychotic Waltz' takes us back to the late 80's when we started hearing progressive metal and the Americans, who started their career around the same time as 'Dream Theater', were part of this wave of precursors that took over the codes of progressive rock to incorporate metal elements. As a result, four albums were released between 1990 and 1996, a year which also saw the group's separation. Reformed in 2010 for concerts, it's almost 24 years after their last album ’Bleeding’ and with the same line up that ‘The God-Shaped Void’ was born.

Overall, even if the average duration of the tracks is around five minutes, the progressive side is limited, often falling into a classic verse / chorus scheme and the Americans decided to favor a heavy sound with compositions with relatively slow tempos. On the other hand, the melodic lines have been particularly worked so that the whole remains accessible and this from the first title 'Devils and Angels' in which the chorus easily enters the head and we can also mention the melodics 'Stranded', 'All the Bad Men', 'The Fallen', 'While the Spiders Spin' or 'Sisters of the Dawn'. We can also note titles 'Back to Black' or 'Pull then String' with more punchy rhythms and closer to modern progressive metal but also the use of acoustic guitar or flute allowing to vary the atmospheres as in 'The Fallen', 'While The Spiders Spin', 'In the Silence' or the quieter title 'Demystified'.

In summary, the Americans of 'Psychotic Waltz' return to the front of the progressive metal scene with a very good album and 'The God-Shaped Void' is intended to please an audience loving an accessible progressive and melodic metal combining sounds of the 90s with modern production...

Line Up / Musicians

Devon Graves (Vocal), Brian McAlpin (Guitar), Dan Rock (Guitar, Keybords), Ward Evans (Bass), Norman Leggio (Drums)


Artist : Operose

Album : Oceans of Starlight

Release Date : 07-02-2020

Added : 20-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After a first album in 2017 (see here), the British ‘Operose’ released a new album ‘Oceans of Starlight’. They evolve in a symphonic metal style and the singer 'Jennifer Coleman' is a mezzo-soprano who uses her lyric singing in all titles that can make think of 'Therion' group (see last album here) because Jennifer can recall 'Lori Lewis' but also 'Heidi Parviainen' from 'Dark Sarah' (see here).

These are 8 tracks for a duration of 44 minutes which are offered to us with a remarkable variety between energy and serenity with from the beginning, a fast and powerful 'Battle Swan' in which the powerful song of 'Jennifer Coleman' works wonders. With 'Oceans of Starlight' which remains in a energetic tempo, the parallel with 'Therion' is quite obvious not only on the vocal level but also in the rhythm and in the melodic lines, then, 'Lost Horizon' offers us a heady melody in an atmosphere still very close to 'Therion' but this time much quieter with a new flawless performance by Jennifer. And it is in an even more symphonic atmosphere that 'Operose' takes its full dimension with' This Life of Mine 'which unrolls a melody borrowed from the classic and which also offers a remarkable rhythmic section shifted and the following scrolls through 'Nothing Left' , a mid-tempo in the melodic lines of the metal opera 'Beloved Antechrist', the short instrumental 'Sleeping Tides' which gives us a break in the form of a concerto for piano with beautiful choirs before going back to the powerful and energetic 'Octavian' much more progressive with different changes of tempo and beautiful alternations between vocal and instrumental parts. It is with the 12 minutes of 'The Actium Suite' that the album ends in beauty with an instrumental based on melodic lines of metallic orchestral music and if you are fans of electric guitars with classic soarings of presto movements, you will be delighted with this composition (metal groups often make this kind of mixture like for example 'The Four Seasons' from the group 'Vivaldi Metal Project').

In summary, the English of 'Operose' released a remarkable album of symphonic metal with a tasty mix between classical music and metal and 'Oceans of Starlight 'is recommended for those who appreciate formations like 'Thérion' for the lyric song and the melodic lines and 'Roman Rouzine' (see here) for the instrumental side...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennifer Coleman (Vocal), Joe McGurk (Guitar), Mike Bridge (Bass), Steve Hauxwell (Drums)


Artist : Rope And Ladder

Album : Rope And Ladder

Release Date : 07-02-2020

Added : 21-03-2020

‘Rope And Ladder’ is a rock opera composed by multi-instrumentalist and singer ‘Jay Clark’ and written by drummer ‘Ryan Dolen’. The theme tells an epic story loaded with intrigue of war, love and betrayal. Overall, those who liked the two last reviews of rock operas, 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' from 'Neal Morse' and the project 'Magoria' de 'Mark Bogert' should also join this album which brings together different styles ranging from symphonic rock to powerful rock with a few forays into the progressive and with melodies that tame quite quickly which makes it a very accessible opus.

After the instrumental 'Overture' which sets the scene with a peaceful and atmospheric symphonic atmosphere, the short 'Lost Cause' gives us a first glimpse of this opera which begins calmly with the beautiful voice of 'Leila Tunnell' and which rises quickly enough in power for a first heady melody on a slow tempo, then, 'Moonlight / Sunrise' takes up almost the same theme on the same tempo with a new crescendo which leads to a part with a powerful bass embellished with harmonious piano arpeggios and a remarkable vocal performance by 'Jay Clark'. With 'Corruption / A Call To Arms', after a calm introduction, the tempo flies away after a minute for a catchy part with an original instrumental section then the style becomes heavier and more powerful at the end, then, 'The Conspiracy' continues on a marked rhythm with a new melody which immediately enters the head and 'The Invasion' continues in this style with a heavier side, just like the short 'Price' which further accentuates the energetic side with a much more aggressive song. The rest of the album continues to offer us beautiful melodies pleasant to listen to and remarkable alternations between serenity and power as in 'Betrayed / Condemned', the album ending beautifully with the longest title, 'Dust' which, while keeping accessible melodic lines adds a few forays into the progressive.

In summary, with this rock opera, the Americans of ‘Rope And Ladder’ offer us a beautiful album, pleasant to listen to and which should appeal to an audience who likes symphonic, melodic rock with a touch of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Jay Clark (Guitar, Bass, Piano, Vocal), Ryan Dolen (Drums) + Guests : Josh Knowles (Violin), Leila Tunnell (Vocal), Russ Robar (Trumpet), Christian Olsen (Organ), Thomas Cadrin (Guitar), Alex Lach, Chris Flaherty, Spencer Holland, Andy O'Laughlin, Nick Thompson, Thomas Cadrin, Ben Curran, Devin Mauch, Jay Clark et Ryan Dolen (Choirs)


Artist : Mangala Vallis

Album : Voices

Release Date : 08-02-2020

Added : 22-03-2020

'Mangala Vallis' is an Italian progressive rock group which has already more than 20 years of existence with three albums to its credit, the last 'Microsolco' already dating from 2012. They evolve in a progressive style with influences drawn from the 70s / 80s and 2020s sees the release of a new album 'Voices'.
The album begins with 'The Center of Life' which deploys a fairly quiet style between pop and rock with fairly present keyboards, beautiful vocal arrangements and a remarkable first guitar solo, then, 'No Reason' continues in this atmosphere which can recall artists of the 70s like 'Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young' in terms of vocal harmonies but with a progressive side and a beautiful instrumental passage in the second part of the title which can bring back to some titles of 'Genesis' in the period of the beginning of the 70s. The album continues with the neo-progressive ballad 'Get it While You Can', mixing 70s influences with modern sounds, 'The Voice Inside' with beautiful melodic lines and remarkable new vocal arrangements, then , 'An End to an End' is a new ballad with beautiful choirs and a heady chorus, and 'Demon' is an energetic mid-tempo which draws on the progressive of the 80s and 9s 0 and we can see here and there influences reminiscent of formations like 'Genesis' or 'Marillion' then 'Sour' ends the album on a melancholic note with a last ballad in which 'Roberto Tiranti' offers us a magnificent full performance of emotion in a beautiful crescendo and with a very beautiful guitar solo.

In summary, the Italians from Mangala Vallis' come back with a quality album in a style between pop and rock tinged with progressive with beautiful vocal arrangements and 'Voices' should appeal to an audience who likes the melodic progressive of the years 70/80...

Line Up / Musicians

Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (Drums), Mirco Consolini (Guitar, Bass, Vocal), Roberto Tiranti (Bass, Vocal), Eugenio Cattini (Guitar), Enzo Cattini (Keybords)


Artist : Layla Zoe

Album : Retrospectives Tour 2019

Release Date : 21-02-2020

Added : 23-03-2020

After the very beautiful live ‘Songs from the Road’ released in 2017, this is still a public recording offered by ‘Layla Zoe’ with ‘Retrospectives Tour 2019’. This time, it's an hour and 45 minutes of happiness with this great artist who proposes to us a completely different set from the previous live, only ‘Backstage Queen’ being performed in the two albums. We thus find this emotional force which she knows how to transmit in these unique moments by starting with a stripped down 'She Didn't Believe' from her last album ’Gemini’ which she shares with 'Krissy Matthews' in a real fusion between his voice and the electric guitar and it is impossible to remain indifferent to so much authenticity and generosity.
The set is divided between energetic compositions like 'Leave You For Good', 'Someday', 'Never Met a Man Like You' or even 'Ghost Train' in which she excels with her communicative energy and her magnificent groove and others quieter which are undoubtedly those in which Layla reveals her soul the most and gives us goosebumps like in 'Don't Wanna Hurt Nobody', 'Black Oil' or the last title 'I Shall Be Released' which ends the concert as it started, in a hushed atmosphere sweating a palpable emotion. But what also emerges from this opus, in addition to the wonderful performance of Layla on the whole concert, is that she never pulls the cover to her and that she leaves great freedom to the artists who accompany with memorable instrumental sections in the majority of tracks, whether it be 'Krissy Matthews' on guitar or 'Paul Jobson' on keyboards.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Retrospectives Tour 2019' is yet another very emotional album which highlights a great lady of the blues as much by her vocals who cannot leave marble even the most insensitive people but also by her generosity to give the place they deserve to his musicians which makes it a magnificent album both vocally as well as instrumental...

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal, Harmonica), Krissy Matthews (Guitar, Choirs), Paul Jobson (Bass, Organ, Choirs), Frank Duindam (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : H.E.A.T

Album : H.E.A.T II

Release Date : 21-02-2020

Added : 24-03-2020

After the excellent 'Into The Great Unknown' released in 2017 and the live 'Live At The Sweden RockFestival' which followed in 2019, the Swedes of 'H.E.A.T' release a new album 'H.E.A.T II ’, with this II which shows the group’s revival since ‘Into The Great Unknown’ and that’s what they’re showing us with this latest opus.
And it starts very strong with 'Rock Your Body' which has the allure of the best of 'Def Leppard' and a rhythm of hell on which your feet begin to beat tempo alone, then 'Dangerous Ground' continues in the same vein, just like the melodic jewel 'Come Clean' which follows, with its unstoppable chorus and 'Victory' is not to be outdone with its incisive guitar riffs and its chanted choirs. With the mid-tempo ‘We Are Gods’, it's your head that can't help but beat time for a heavier composition, then ‘Adrenaline’ with its chorus sung by choirs continue in this way. And it is not the following titles that will weaken the overheated atmosphere of this opus, with 'One By One', 'Heaven Must Have Won An Angel' or 'Under the Gun' and 'Nothing to Say' is the only ballad in all this debauchery of power and positive energy to offer us a calmer moment also very successful.

In summary, if it still had to be proven, Scandinavian melodic hard-rock is doing very well with the 'Eclipse', 'Palace', 'Art Nation', 'Crazy Lixx' or 'Nordic Union' and the Swedes of 'H.E.A.T' adds an excellent album for 2020 which could undoubtedly claim the album of the year in this style, unless another Swedish group is even stronger which is always possible with our friends in Northern Europe...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Grönwall (Vocal), Dave Dalone (Guitars), Jona Tee (Keybords), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Don Crash (Drums)


Artist : Hopescure

Album : Nostalgia, Pt. 1

Release Date : 21-02-2020

Added : 25-03-2020

‘Hopescure’ is a new Franco-Luxembourgish group which was created in 2016 and which has just released their first album ‘Nostalgia, Pt. 1’ which suggests that there will be a sequel. Tagged in progressive metal, it is not this restrictive qualifier that came to me during the first listenings because, apart from some energetic compositions in which the guitar riffs are more saturated, the influences are relatively diverse which makes it for me a progressive album in the broad sense and therefore, it is precisely this creativity and this originality of going to mix different influences to make it something new that has emerged.

The album begins with 'Liar', in a progressive rock style, which takes us on an mix between east and west with a remarkable first vocal performance of 'Andy Abrantes' and a fairly simple but very effective first melody , then 'Hate' hardens the tone for the most energetic title of the album between symphonic metal and industrial metal. Without transition, the next two titles go in a completely different direction, first the short 'Love, Pt. 1' which begins calmly with a piano/voice duo accompanied by a few layers of keyboards then which gains momentum in middle of title to fall back on the end, then, 'Reflection' begins in an atmospheric way and can recall formations like 'Klone' (see here) or 'Infringement' (see here) to cite only recent album releases, but we change the mood after two minutes with saturated guitars which prepare a chorus with beautiful melodic lines in which 'Andy Abrantes' uses its head voice and the suite alternates power and serenity in a remarkable way until the final in crescendo. With 'Transition', we hold an original musical piece, certainly less accessible, in which each artist brings his stone to the building to make it something unique, with multiple changes of melodic lines, tempos and intensity , then 'Pain' returns to a very peaceful atmosphere and unfolds a subtle melody alternating admirable female choirs and the sweet song of 'Andy Abrantes' with a catchy final in which 'Kevin Roy' offers us a very beautiful guitar solo. The end of the album scrolls 'Mislead' in a melodic progressive metal accessible with a beautiful central instrumental part, 'Anger', a title much more difficult to tame but certainly the most sought after and the most imaginative with a rather unbridled structure which is eyeing towards 'Dream Theater', and finally the very short 'Dreaming' which ends the album gently with a beautiful piano/voice duo.

In summary, this first album of 'Hopescure' is a very good surprise in the releases of progressive music 2020, mixing different styles and also accessible and least accessible which makes it an album to recommend to a audience open to different genres between rock and metal and looking for originality in the progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Abrantes (Vocal, Keybords), Kevin Roy (Guitar, Piano), Patrice Diasio (Bass), Alexandre Klein (Drums)


Artist : Drowning Steps

Album : The Echo of a Distant Past

Release Date : 21-02-2020

Added : 26-03-2020

Direction Brazil with the project ‘Drowning Steps’ which was initiated by singer and guitarist ‘Caio Claro’, then joined by keyboardist 'Tiago Pierucci' and who released a new album ‘The Echo of a Distant Past’. The total duration is quite short (38 minutes) with 6 compositions which are divided into 3 long development and 3 shorter titles but this does not in any way tarnish the quality of this opus and they evolve in a calm and delicate progressive atmosphere : to make a comparison, I will quote their compatriots from 'Fleesh' who evolve in a comparable style but also other formations like 'Blackfield' , 'Mostly Autumn', 'Mystery' or the new project 'Chasing The Monsoon'.

The album begins with the short instrumental 'The Source of Imagination' in a church organ atmosphere which quickly turns into a semi-acoustic ballad where layers of aerial keyboards and acoustic guitar rock us on a beautiful melody. Follows 'Gold Through My Eyes', which is my first crush and which is a beautiful progressive piece with a succession of different climates, sometimes melancholic, sometimes more energetic and perfect for an invitation to escape, then, with 'Where is my Life', we embarks on a new light and harmonious semi-acoustic composition which increases in power on the finale with vaporous keyboards on a simple but effective melody. Follows the 2nd long development 'The Inner Silence', starting in a few layers of keyboards and which transforms around 2.30 min into a funk rhythm of the 80s before returning to a slow peaceful tempo which continues on a piano/voice duo resuming some magnitude for an imposing crescendo which finally falls back with a few piano notes then the short guitar/voice acoustic title 'Affected' takes us once again on a small cloud and it is with 'The Echo of a Distant Past', long song of almost 10 minutes, that the album ends in beauty thanks to a typical title of an inventive and sought-after progressive which transports us between melancholy and energy in an atmospheric atmosphere which brings us back in certain parts in the 70s with a nod to 'Pink-Floyd' with melodic lines and tones of 'Wish You Where Here' between 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' and 'Welcome to the Machine'.

In summary, the Brazilians of 'Drowning Steps' are releasing an album of very high quality (which I would have liked a little longer) and 'The Echo of a Distant Past' is to be recommended for the atmospheric style to an audience loving the groups mentioned above but also having bathed in the progressive of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Caio Claro (Vocal, Guitar), Tiago Pierucci (Keybords, Organ, Piano) + Guests : Fabricio Mendonca (Drums), Henrique Oliveira (Guitar), Leonardo Goncalves (Bass), Leo Skinner (Bass), Vinicius Batista (Guitar)


Artist : MOON HALO

Album : Chroma

Release Date : 13-01-2020

Added : 27-03-2020

I come back to the new project 'MOON HALO' whose first album 'Chroma' was already released in early January 2020 because it brings together artists that I particularly like with the singer 'Mark Atkinson' from 'Riversea' and who takes part in different projects like 'Lee Abraham' or 'Drifing Sun', the keyboardist ‘Iain Jennings’ of 'Mostly Autumn', the bassist 'David Clements' also from 'Riversea' and drummer 'Alex Cromarty' who is participating in the 'Mantra Vega' project created by 'Heather Findlay' and also that of 'Dave Kezner'. With this beautiful skewer, we say that we are going to bathe in a calm and serene progressive rock but, despite some titles in the trend of the formations mentioned above, it is not quite the qualifier that came to me in mind listening to 'Chroma' !

With the first two titles 'The Web' and 'Seize the Day', we are not strictly speaking in the moods of 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Riversea' but rather in a return to rock with sounds electronics of the 80s and this is not unpleasant at all because we get caught up in the game with simple but very effective melodic lines and a chorus for 'The Web' which remains anchored in our head and another heady melody for 'Sixteen the Day '. In the same style, we can mention the catchy 'Parachute', 'What's Your Name' with an eighties pop atmosphere, the funky 'Let Me Out', 'Awoken' bringing us back to the international pop of the 80s or even 'Rise Up' with its disco rhythm. In contrast, we find compositions more in tune with the pedigree of the artists of 'MOON HALO', starting with the short atmospheric instrumental 'Chroma', the vintage ballad 'The Veil' with its long final solo which certainly cannot leave indifferent those who knew the 80s, then, 'Somebody Save Us' is also a beautiful ballad much more in the style of 'Riversea' with a 'Gilmourien' guitar solo then 'Seventh Heaven' is, this time, close to melancholy of 'Mostly Autumn' and 'Across the Great Divide' is more progressive in a style close to 'Blackfield' and finally, it is in the serenity of 'Don't Let It End Like This' that the album ends with some (too few) vocalizations by Olivia Sparnenn'.

In summary, it is certain, this new project 'MOON HALO' is intended for an audience open to different styles and offers only a few rare forays into the progressive which should, given the line up, to confuse some but, for me, 'Chroma' is an album like we don't do anymore, of a great freshness and a great spontaneity which were one of the peculiarities of the 80s and, I hope that, despite the different routes of the basic trio, we'll can pretend to the album number 2...

Line Up / Musicians

Marc Atkinson (Vocal), Iain Jennings (Keybords), David Clements (Bass), Alex Cromarty (Drums) + Guests : Martin Ledger (Guitar), Mikey Gibson (Guitar), Anne-Marie Helder (Choirs), Janine Atkinson (Choirs), Tammy Pawson (Choirs), Olivia Sparnenn-Josh (Choirs)


Artist : Neopera

Album : In Momeriam

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 28-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Neopera' is a new symphonic metal project which was created by artists of metal groups in 2011, the bassist 'Dirk Schlächter' of the group 'Avalanch', the guitarist 'Jörn Schubert' of 'Dark Age' and the drummer of 'Dark Age', 'André Schumann', with in 2014 their first album 'Destined Ways'. Their particularity is to have integrated two lyric singers, first of all, the soprano 'Nina Jiers' (which is very close to 'Tarja') and the baritone 'Thorsten Schuck' but with also a singer of Death, 'Mirko Gluschke' and, overall, their style is similar to what 'Therion' can do, the growls being more present than with our Swedish friends.

’In Memoriam’ is not actually a new album but contains two new songs and a second part made up of titles from the first album performed in public and in acoustics. Let's start with the two new titles, first of all 'Euphoria' which begins in a grandiose way and on a fast tempo with the growls of 'Mirko Gluschke', then it is with a melody which immediately enters the head that the lyric singing of Thorsten and Nina makes its appearance, then follows a very beautiful passage, quieter with magnificent choirs and finally, the final regains power with the melodic theme of the beginning. As for ‘Before We Fall’, after a symphonic introduction to ‘Within Temptation’, there are beautiful melodic lines in which the different vocal registers alternate with beautiful duets between the two lyric singers. Regarding the acoustic part, the compositions, all from the first album, highlight the three singers who use their clear or lyrical song for the occasion and we are quite far from the metal of the original opus, the 6 tracks distilling beautiful melodic lines, the accompaniments with a piano and with strings reinforcing this classic side and even if 'Remote' and 'Destined Ways' are a little more energetic, the general mood of the compositions remains quite calm like 'Last Pantomime', 'The Unspeakable' and 'Falling Water'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Neopera' are releasing a very good album which show the two facets of this symphonic metal formation and, while waiting for their next opus, 'In Momeriam' makes us wait and should please to an audience who likes to mix classic and metal and who appreciates lyrical singing...

Line Up / Musicians

Dirk Schlächter (Bass), Jörn Schubert (Guitar), André Schumann (Drums), Thorsten Schuck (Vocal), Nina Jiers (Vocal), Mirko Gluschke (Growls)


Artist : The Night Flight Orchestra

Album : Aeromantic

Release Date : 28-02-2020

Added : 29-03-2020

We are now getting used to the Swedish album release of 'The Night Flight Orchestra' because, after 'Amber Galactic' in 2017 and 'Sometimes the World Ain't Enough' in 2018, here is the new one, 'Aeromantic', which is already the 5th album and which will continue to make people happy with fans of pop, rock, disco (and I forget certainly some) from the 70s and 80s : we don't change a winning team and the recipe that goes with it because the Swedes continue to offer us melodies that we immediately integrate with influences from groups or artists from these decades gone by.

And yet, listening to the first bars of the first track 'Servants of the Air', I told myself that they had slightly hardened the tone and that it flirted more with 'Deep Purple' than with l 'ELO' but this only lasted a few moments because from 'Divinyls', we find the lively AOR style that we knew and 'If Tonight's Our Only Chance' which follows is a bit of a mix between 'ABBA' and 'Alan Parsons Project' while 'This Boy's Last Summer' continues with an introduction close to 'Mamma Mia' and an catchy refrain on a catchy tempo. Follows 'Curves' which could be a mixture between 'Toto' and 'Elton John' and 'Transmissions' and 'Aeromantic' with their disco tones recalls the international variety of the eighties, then, 'Golden Swansdown' returns to the style of 'Elton John' especially since 'Björn Strid' has some intonations of the English as well in 'Taurus' which with its rapid rhythm can recall compositions like 'I'm Still Standing'. The end of the album continues in this way with a catchy 'Carmencita Seven', then after a completely offbeat final with Indian sounds, 'Sister Mercurial' continues without transition with melodic lines between 'ASIA' and 'Toto', then 'Dead Of Winter', after an epic introduction takes us one last time in the 80s with intonations of 'Survivor'.

In summary, no surprise with this new album by the Swedes of 'The Night Flight Orchestra', 'Aeromantic' continue to offer us accessible melodies in a happy and joyful atmosphere straight from the 80s which destines it , like its predecessors, to a very large audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Björn Strid (Vocal), Sharlee D' Angelo (Bass), David Andersson (Guitar), Richard Larsson (Keybords), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums), Sebastian Forslund (Guitar), Anna Brygård (Choirs), Anna-Mia Bonde (Choirs)


Artist : Shakra

Album : Mad World

Release Date : 28-02-2020

Added : 30-03-2020

After ’Snakes & Ladders’ in 2017, the Swiss of melodic hard-rock band ‘Shakra’ continues their journey with a new album ‘Mad World’. Lovers of big sounds and saturated riffs with hellish tempos, you will be served with this last opus because powerful and energetic hits follow one after the other without real dead time.
And it starts a hundred an hour with 'Fireline' (video above) which sends us a rhythmic and powerful first track with a simple but super effective chorus, then, 'Too Much Is Not Enough' drives the point home with fierce riffs and if your whole body does not beat time, you are not made for this style of music. What follows continues in this riot of energy in catchy rhythm with 'A Roll of the Dice', 'Mad World' then 'When He Comes Around' calms the tempo but not the power for a title close to 'AC/DC' and it continues with an energetic 'Thousands Kings' and a rhythmical 'I Still Rock' which cannot leave indifferent. The end of the album is like the beginning, powerful compositions in which the guitars are unleashed and it is necessary to wait for the last title 'New Tomorrow' to have the ballad which closes the album on a calmer note.

In summary, 'Shakra' continues to do 'Shakra' and, even if they don't revolutionize the genre, they offer us again an album full of energy and simple but still very effective compositions which should undoubtedly delight their fans but also an audience who likes a direct and unadorned melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Fox (Vocal), Thom Blunier (Guitar), Thomas Muster (Guitar), Dominik Pfister (Bass), Roger Tanner (Drums)


Artist : Audrey Horne

Album : Waiting for the Night

Release Date : 28-02-2020

Added : 31-03-2020

The concerts are often an opportunity to discover a formation in a particular moment and in the majority of cases, it is a real communication with the public : in the case of the Norwegians of 'Audrey Horne', it is indeed this exchange particular between the artists and the fans who transforms a simple concert into a real party and this last live demonstrates it again with an audience in madness from the beginning to the end taking in choruses all the titles for a set of one hour and twenty minutes.

And from the first track, after the public cheers, it starts strong with 'This Is War' which appears on the last album 'Blackout', then, 'Audrevolution', also taken from 'Blackout', continues this dynamic with a heady refrain and 'Youngblood' insists again in an atmosphere of madness. Besides, the last album 'Blackout' is well represented with 6 interpreted tracks including 'California' and then, there are these tracks which refer us to the guitar tones of 'Thin Lizzy' like 'Blackout' or 'Out of the City' or Audrey Horne's hits with 'Pretty Little Sunshine', 'Redemption Blues' and of course their anthem 'Waiting for the Night' chanted for the whole public, the ballad break not being forgotten with 'Sail Away'.

In short, 'Audrey Horne' released a live album of extraordinary energy, demonstrating that the Norwegians are made for the stage and 'Waiting for the Night' should please not only all fans of the group but also all those who love a melodic hard-rock in an intense and fiery atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Torkjell "Toschie" Rød (Vocal), Arve "Ice Dale" Isdal (Guitar, Choirs), Thomas Tofthagen (Guitar, Choirs), Espen Lien (Bass, Choirs), Kjetil Greve (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Ozzy Osbourne

Album : Ordinary Man

Release Date : 21-02-2020

Added : 01-04-2020

At 71, we no longer expected an album from the 'Prince of Darkness' and yet 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording by 'Ozzy Osbourne', 'Ordinary Man', the last 'Scream' already dating from 2010. In the meantime there has been the reformation of 'Black Sabbath' with the album '13' released in 2013 and which had caused a lot of ink to flow at the time without actually making the unanimously, certainly because the critics expected much more from the English while, if this album had been released by a less known band, they would have been much more forgiving.

In short, the Englishman known for these extravagances as much in his private life as in his musical career, surprises us with this new baby who sees the participation of young rappers 'Post Malone' and 'Travis Scott', guitarist 'Andrew Watt' but also bassist 'Duff McKagan' and guitarist 'Slash' all two of 'Guns N 'Roses', drummer 'Chad Smith' of 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', guitarist 'Tom Morello' and even an appearance of 'Elton John' and suddenly, we tell ourselves that we have a beautiful assorted of intergenerational artists which automatically translates into a variety of compositions while preserving the very particular style of the Englishman. Indeed, from the start with 'Straight To Hell', the characteristic voice is there with an energetic and powerful title in a style reminiscent of 'Black Sabbath', then, in the same vein, we can also cite 'Goodbye', 'Eat Me' and 'Today Is The End' and even if 'Under The Graveyard' and 'All My Life' are lighter, they keep these reminiscences of the seventies. Besides these titles, we find other quieter compositions with for example the magnificent ballad in duet with 'Elton John', 'Ordinary Man' and with a beautiful guitar solo of 'Slash', then 'Scary Little Green Men' with a great guitar performance from 'Tom Morello' or the second ballad 'Holy For Tonight'. Also note the last 2 tracks, first of all the crazy 'It's A Raid' with 'Post Malone', between punk and rock, and 'Take What You Want' (also present in the last album of 'Post Malone'), in which the 2 rappers bring a touch of modernity quite distant from the universe of Ozzy.

In summary, without foreshadowing the future and given Ozzy's current state of health, 'Ordinary Man' could very well be the swan song for this emblematic artist who offers us compositions that characterize him if well and, even if he makes us believe that he is an ordinary person, he will have marked the 50 years of the hard-rock scene with 'Black Sabbath' and quite a few other artists, and will remain for hard-rock fans through the ages, beyond his extravagant escapades, an extraordinary artist...

Line Up / Musicians

Ozzy Osbourne (Vocal), Andrew Watt (Guitar), Duff McKagan (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) + Guests : Elton John (Vocal, Piano), Post Malone (Vocal), Slash (Guitar), Tom Morello (Guitar), Travis Scott (Vocal)


Artist : Grand Design

Album : V

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 02-04-2020

After 'Viva La Paradise' in 2018, The Swedes of 'Grand Design' return with a new album, soberly called 'V' and, as you would expect, they continue to distill us from good melodic hard-rock in the eighties close to 'Def Leppard', 'Pelle Saether' having the particular timbre reminiscent of 'Joe Elliott'.

11 tracks for 46 minutes of listening time, this is the menu of this fifth opus which begins with an energetic 'Right Away' (video above) in an atmosphere always euphoric like their elders, then, 'I Won't Cry Over U Tonite' continues on this dynamic and we could quote all the titles which are linked without any dead time and which offer us all hits in power which could all be the subject of single. To not mention them all, I will give you my favorites that are 'What Are U Waiting For' for its unstoppable melody, 'Gimme The Fire' for its heady refrain or even 'I Dunno Wut to Say' and even if there are no real ballads in this album, we console ourselves with the melodic 'Strandead (Trapped in a Heartbreak Zone)', the mid-tempo 'Walkin' the Wire' and the pop oriented 'Take Me to Yer Heaven' who are a little less energetic while keeping this incomparable melodic force.

In summary, it is still a total success for the Swedes of 'Grand Design' who continue to offer us unstoppable melodies which immediately hits their target and 'V' will undoubtedly be welcomed by all fans and all those who love a melodic and energetic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Pelle Saether (Vocal), Dennis Vestman (Guitar, Choirs), Dan Svanbom (Guitar, Choirs), Stefan Westerlund (Bass), Joakim Jonsson (Drums)


Artist : Lazuli

Album : Le fantastique envol de Dieter Böhm

Release Date : 15-02-2020

Added : 03-04-2020

“This album is dedicated to all those who find the songs we throw into the sea…”: it is with this phrase that 'Dominique Leonetti' introduces the new album of the French of 'Lazuli' which, after 'Nos Ames Saoules' in 2016 and 'Season 8' in 2018, release a concept album 'The fantastic flight of Dieter Böhm' for their baby number 9 which consists of four acts.

First, at the musical level, we find the well-known French universe which is conducive to the blossoming of the texts of 'Dominique Leonetti', sometimes using a slow crescendo or sometimes alternating serenity and power : from the introduction, 'Sol' takes us into this rhythm so specific to the group in a slow procession which gradually takes off to relapse and regain strength on the final. Act I consists of the titles ‘Les Chansons sont des bouteilles à la mer’ and 'Mers lacrymales' in a rather melancholy atmosphere, then Act II starts with 'Dieter Böhm' which presents the hero of the story for slide very slowly towards 'Baume' which begins in a very refined way with a beautiful piano / voice duo and which offers us a refrain in which the voice of 'Dominique Leonetti' transforms to become airy and intense. Act III consists of 'Un visage lunaire' very typical of 'Lazuli' which takes us on an alternating intensity with a magnificent final guitar solo (we ask more !!), then Act IV takes relay for the instrumental 'L’envol', very evocative, which introduces 'L’homme Volant' which is the culmination of this story and which musically, offers us an energetic rhythm and a joyful melody translating the concretization of the project of 'Dieter Böhn'. And it is with 'In the hands of Dieter' that the story ends with a first atmospheric part which brings down all the energy of the previous title with simple but so strong words and a second instrumental part full of energy in which the Léode of 'Claude Leonetti' is unleashed and which falls down to finish on some magic guitar notes.

In summary, I found the bottle thrown into the sea by 'Lazuli', I opened it and I liked this simple story but so rich in emotion because 'The fantastic flight of Dieter Böhm' is quite simply a new highlight in the career of the French and it is absolutely necessary to listen to it as a whole to draw all the substantial marrow from it, listening title to title having no meaning...

Line Up / Musicians

Dominique Leonetti (Vocal, Guitar), Claude Leonetti (Léode), Gédéric Byar (Guitar), Vincent Barnavol (Drums, Percussions), Romain Thorel (Keybords)


Artist : Harem Scarem

Album : Change the World

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 04-04-2020

At the same time as the Swedes of 'Grand Design' (see here), and after 'United' in 2017, the Canadians of 'Harem Scarem' are back with a new album 'Change the World'. And it is true that if we remove all the Scandinavian hard-rock melodic bands, there is not much left in this style and 'Harem Scarem' is one of the exceptions that confirm the rule (there are others like the very good project 'Waiting From Monday' or 'Decarlo' or 'Revolution Saints' to name only albums reviewed since the start of the year), since Canadians have been releasing albums for 30 years now and this last album is already the 15th.

From the outset, there are 4 energetic and catchy compositions available to us with melodies that we immediately tame and that remain etched in our heads and brilliant guitar solos. After this energetic start, 'Mother of Invention' is the first break in the form of a beautiful ballad with a memorable chorus, then, 'No Man's Land' is a mid-tempo always as melodic and quieter, then 'In the Unknown', even if we have the impression of already heard, gives us an irresistible desire to take up the refrain. The rest of the album is on the same level with an over-vitaminized 'Riot in My Head', the 2nd ballad 'No Me Without You' that many melodic rock bands would envy, the catchy 'Fire & Gasoline' and the album ends with 'Swallowed By The Machine' which could very well have been the subject of a single.

In short, melodic hard-rock is doing well and the Canadians of 'Harem Scarem' prove it again with this magnificent 'Change the World' and taking into account the quality of the albums already released since the beginning of the year 2020 in this style, I wouldn't want to be the one to decide which will be album of the year...

Line Up / Musicians

Harry Hess (Vocal, Keybords), Pete Lesperance (Guitar), Mike Vassos (Bass), Creighton Doane (Drums), Darren Smith (Choirs)


Artist : Jonathan Wilson

Album : Dixie Blur

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 05-04-2020

After 'Rare Birds' in 2018 which was a journey into pop tinged with progressive, 'Jonathan Wilson' returns with a new album, 'Dixie Blur', and this complete artist this time offers us compositions mixing his southern and country influences, and given the orientation of the album without any link with the previous one, the two country tracks he had released in 2019, 'So Alive' and 'Skinny Legs', were a glimpse of the atmosphere of the album but do not appear on 'Dixie Blur'.

And yet, he opens the album on three ballads, first of all 'Just For Love' which is a cover of the American psychedelic rock group 'Quicksilver Messenger Service' taken from the album 'Just For Love' released in 1970, then '69 Corvette' which do not really have a country style but, it is from 'New Home' which is also a ballad that the sounds integrate small gradually its country roots. The following scrolls through compositions typical of this American style such as the catchy ‘So Alive’ in which the violin mixes with the guitar, ‘In Heaven Making Love’ or ‘El Camino Real’. But it is in the quieter titles that 'Jonathan Wilson' takes us up the emotional cursor with remarkable titles like 'Oh Girl' and his remarkable psychedelic foray, 'Pirate' with his beautiful crescendo in the middle of the title, 'Enemies' close to the melodic lines of the Boss (see his latest album here), 'Fun for the Masses' which recalls the moods of 'Eagles' or even 'Riding The Blinds' with its acceleration in middle of the title to finish on the slow starting tempo, without forgetting 'Golden Apples' and 'Korean Tea', very classic but so effective.

In summary, this multi-faceted artist had delighted me with 'Rare Birds' and in another style, he offers us beautiful compositions to quietly taste, headphones on the ears, because 'Dixie Blur' brings up to date the great tradition of the American song for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonathan Wilson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Percussions, Mellotron, Vibraphone), Pat Sansone (Guitar, Bass, Mellotron, Choirs, Vibraphone) + Guests : Kenny Vaughan (Guitar), Mark O'Connor (Guitar, Violin), Russ Pahl (Guitar, Pedal Steel), Leslie Stevens (Choirs), Dennis Crouch (Bass, Bass), Jon Radford (Drums, Percussions), Jim Hoke (Saxophone, Harmonica, Flute, Clarinette), Joe Pisapia (Pedal Steel), Drew Erickson (Piano, Hammond)


Artist : Medea

Album : A Fate Symphony

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 06-04-2020

After the 'Nothern Light' in 2017, 'Henry Meeuws' continues on its way with a new rock opera 'A Fate Symphony' which tells the story of 'Lucas' who wants to be treat of his epilepsy and who hangs contact with doctor 'Koháry', a mysterious Hungarian neuroscientist who claims to be able to cure him and make his life normal, but the doctor who is a Protestant has many other intentions, those to eradicate Catholicism. And for this opera, 'Henry Meeuws' did not skimp on the vocal section since it is 9 singers and the group 'Les Vocalettes' who lend their voices to this rock opera (see presentation on the site of 'Medea' here).

Musically speaking, we are always in a progressive style between rock and metal and the parallel with the productions of 'Arjen Lucassen', including 'Ayreon', is obvious (review to come from' Electric Castle Live And Other Tales' and last live 'Ayreon Universe'). 10 tracks for 1 hour of listening, needless to say that this kind of album requires a few repeated listenings and that it is essential to take it as a whole. We navigate between energetic and serene atmospheres and 'Seizures' which starts the album, is not necessarily the most accessible with many changes of tempo and intensity and a beautiful very theatrical performance of 'Bart Schwertmann' then, 'Traces of a Fate Symphony', first of all, unrolls a peaceful melody in the first part then increases in power with a much more progressive second part. 'To Change History' comes back to energetic progressive and 'Regression', much more symphonic, offers us first a melodious song part, then, a beautiful instrumental section with a magnificent guitar solo and, with 'Chest Without Books', progressive instrumental sections are more sought after and alternates beautifully with the parts sung in a lighter atmosphere. 'Hungarian Dance' is nothing more than a cover of Hungarian dance N ° 5 of 'Johannes Brahms' in an extravagant interpretation in which the electric guitar joins otht instruments and 'Blood Countess' is an energetic title with vocal performances remarkable which can make think of certain compositions of 'Ayreon', then, one also finds the influences of Arjen Lucassen in 'Nova Zembla (Third Time's A Charm)' which is for me the major title of the album on the melodic and progressive plans and with significant research in terms of vocal and instrumental arrangements. The energetic 'Orange's Brides' then, offers us a remarkable performance by the vocal group 'The Vocalettes' and it is with the long development 'Murderer Or Martyr', containing all the ingredients for a sought-after and inventive progressive that the opera finishes imposingly.

In summary, this rock opera by 'Henry Meeuws' is a total success which it is necessary to tame listen after listen and, even if the atmosphere is not as grand as the projects of 'Arjen Lucassen', 'A Fate Symphony' is recommended for all those who love the great productions of Ayreon'...

Line Up / Musicians

Henry Meeuws (Guitar, Keybords, Piano) + Guests : Bart Schwertmann (Vocal), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Vocal), Noor van de Voort (Vocal), Bas Dolmans (Vocal), Robbie van Stiphout (Vocal), Sandra Peeters (Vocal), Ernst Le Cocq d'Armandville (Vocal), Joss Mennen (Vocal), Jo de Boeck (Vocal), Josien Obers (Vocal), Babz Verhoeven (Vocal), Inge van Asseldonk (Vocal), Marloes Kooter (Vocal), Igor Koopmans (Drums), Iris Gilsing (Clarinette), Frank de Groot (Bass)


Artist : Khymera

Album : Master of Illusions

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 07-04-2020

After 'The Grand Design' in 2015, the group 'Khymera', led by the American bassist and singer 'Dennis Ward', member of 'Pink Cream 69' and many other bands, released their 5th album 'Master of Illusions'. No surprise, it is in the direct line of the previous opus and this last baby sees the succession of hits of melodic hard-rock starting with 'Walk Away' which sets the tone with a title which transmits a good energy and with a first guitar solo that feels good, just like 'The First Time' which follows in the same style, then 'Master of Illusions' gives us a memorable chorus and the suite scrolls through titles as melodic as each other. When the rhythm calms down, the quality is always there with the mid-tempo 'Paradise' or the ballad 'Father to Son' and its theme filled with emotion or even 'After all this Time' or 'Just Let It Happen' in a more AOR style.

In short, if you liked the melodic hard-rock outings at the start of the year with 'Grand Design', 'Harem Scarem', 'HEAT', 'Waiting From Monday', 'Autumn's Child', 'Decarlo' or 'Revolution Saints', you should no doubt be won over by this latest album from 'Khymera'...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Ward (Vocal, Bass), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Michael Klein (Guitar), Pete Newdeck (Drums)


Artist : Xtasy

Album : Eye of the Storm

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 09-04-2020

Decidedly, 2020 is a prolific year in melodic hard-rock with this time another new album from the Spanish group 'Xtasy' which I discover with their 3rd album 'Eye of the Storm' and which formed in 2011 with the meeting of the singer 'Silvia Idoate' and the guitarist 'Jorge Olloqui'. For this new opus, they called on 'Erik Martensson' who officiates in a lot of melodic hard-rock bands and whom they had crossed during the tours with 'Eclipse' and 'Ammunition' and the Swede co-wroted and also did the mixing and mastering.

And the result is there : catchy and melodic compositions throughout the album with, thing is not custom in this genre, a singer with remarkable vocal talent who has a voice that lends itself well to energetic compositions of the group by starting with an effective 'Die Young', then the catchy 'Play With Fire' takes over with a magnificent refrain, followed by 'Eye of the Storm' which continues with a heady melody. The rest is just like this beginning and I will quote 'Perfect Strangers' with a chorus that goes directly into your head or even the entraining 'Nowhere to Run' and the only criticism that we could make to them, is not to have included quieter titles to vary the moods but we can still quote 'Welcome to My World', 'Crashing Down' and 'Silent Heroes' which are closer to mid-tempo.

In summary, this new album by the Spanishs of 'Xtasy' makes you want to dive into the previous ones because the 11 compositions are all excellent and could all be the subject of single and it is still an album to recommend to an audience that likes melodic rock, catchy and accessible at first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Silvia Idoate (Vocal), Jorge Olloqui (Guitar), Chema Herrero (Guitar), David Clavero (Bass), Gari Irazu (Drums)


Artist : Gotthard

Album : #13

Release Date : 13-03-2020

Added : 11-04-2020

After their live acoustic 'Defrosted 2' released in 2017 and around the same time as their compatriots 'Shakra' (see here) , the Swiss of 'Gotthard' released a new album soberly baptized '# 13' and it is still an opus filled with terribly effective and relatively varied compositions, mixing classic and powerful hard-rock with much less heavy tracks.
It starts strong with an energetic 'Bad News' (which has nothing to do with that of 'Moon Martin') in which our feet accompany the guitar riffs all by themselves, then, 'Every Time I Die' is in the same vein, and as for the catchy 'Missteria' (see video above), it was written in collaboration with 'Francis Rossi' of 'Status Quo' (see their last album here), the Englishman of 'Quo' having already co-written with 'Gotthard', 'Bye Bye Caroline' and with '10000 Faces', we are on board a rhythmic title with again an irresistible desire to beat the tempo and in this style, we can also mention the effective boogie / rock 'Save the Date' or 'No Time to Cry' with its catchy guitar riffs and its heady melody. The Swiss also know how to vary the atmosphere with, on the one hand, rock tracks like 'Another Last Time' or the superb blues/rock 'Man on a Mission' or a more classic 'NoTime To Cry' which takes us back to the 70s or the catchy 'Better Than Love' close to the sounds of 'Un autre monde' of the French band 'Telephone' or the rather surprising 'SOS' cover of ABBA of in a slow tempo and, on the other hand, always remarkable ballads like 'Marry You' or 'I Can Say I'm Sorry', with a nice acoustic recovery of this last title of the album.

In summary, the Swiss of ‘Gotthard’ are releasing a varied album for all tastes and this release 13 should undoubtedly please fans but also lovers of classic and effective hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Nic Maeder (Vocal), Leo Leoni (Guitar), Freddy Scherer (Guitar), Marc Lynn (Bass), Alex Motta (Drums)


Artist : Sari Schorr

Album : Live in Europe

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 13-04-2020

It is with this live in Europe that I discover the American blues / rock singer 'Sari Shorr' who has already recorded 2 albums, 'A Force of Nature' in 2016 with the group 'Engine Room' led by the guitarist of 'Robert Plant', 'Innes Sibun' and 'Never Say Never' in 2018 and who was originally a chorister of 'Popa Chubby' (see his last live here ) and 'Joe Louis Walker' (see his last live here). While listening to this concert, I took a big slap and I placed her directly in the list of the best blues/rock singers with in mind 'Beth Hart' (see her last album here< / a>) or 'Layla Zoe' (see her last live here) or even 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' (last album here), the American showing like all these singers that it’s on stage that they take on their full dimension.

From the start, with 'The New Revolution', we embark on an energetic and direct blues/rock and a first vocal performance which already gives us goosebumps, then with the mid-tempo 'Demolition Man', it is yet another demonstration of this powerful, expressive voice that makes you capsize, with, as I had already said with the last live of 'Layla Zoe', this sense of sharing to highlight her musicians who, in this title, offer us, first with 'Steve Watts' on keyboards, then 'Ash Wilson', on guitar, two remarkable solos. The following continues with compositions from her 2 albums and each title deserves to be mentioned but I will also tell you about her other facet, because she's able to adapt by passing a real emotion in quieter titles like 'Turn the Radio On' or the latest title 'Ready for Love' which wonderfully ends this live.

In summary, this live of 'Sari Schorr' shows a complete and whole artist like the great blues/rock singers mentioned above and, for all those who love this style of music, 'Live in Europe' can only make you want to go see her in concert and taking into account the concert postponements due to the coronavirus, for those who would not yet had their place for the concerts of March 2020 in France, they are all postponed at the end of year (see here)...

Line Up / Musicians

Sari Schorr (Vocal), Mat Beable (Bass, Choirs), Roy Martin (Drums), Martin "Magic" Johnson (Guitar), Steve Wright (Guitar), Ash Wilson (Guitar, Choirs), Steve Watts (Keybords), Bob Fridzema (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Anubis

Album : Homeless

Release Date : 10-03-2020

Added : 14-04-2020

Direction Australia with the latest album 'Homeless' by Anubis' which after 'The Second Hand' in 2017, is their 6th studio recording, 2019 having seen the release of a very nice live show (see here). For this last opus, the style is still there with a rock mixing progressive and neo-progressive with obvious influences of 'Floyds' but, whereas they had accustomed us to long developments ('The Second Hand' containing 4 tracks of more than 7 minutes including 'Page of Stone' of almost 17 minutes), the compositions are this time much shorter, 'Reflective' being the only title exceeding 7 minutes which makes 'Homeless' their shortest album. The theme of ‘Homeless’ revolves around the fairly recurrent theme of modern man who is enclosed in a world full of technology and in which inequalities are becoming more and more important.

It is besides 'Reflective' which begins the album in this characteristic calm and airy style conducive to escape, then, with 'Entitled', the first impression is that the Australians evolve towards neo progressive and this title reminds me of the Germans of 'RPWL' (see their latest album here) who, after a bit the same journey, have forged their own style and 'White Ashes' continue in this way with always this vocal and instrumental quality which is the strength of 'Anubis' with in addition this capacity to offer us beautiful delicate and harmonious melodies which make us climb on a small cloud, the singing of 'Robert James Molding' being no stranger to this. The album continues in this subtle and airy atmosphere with a melancholic 'Home', 'Homeless' which is more removed with multiple tempo changes, 'The Tables Have Turned' which is built around a melody which remains anchored in your tête and the single 'Sirens' which was the subject of a video (see above). And it is in the softness and the serenity, with first of all 'In Shadows' and then 'Gone', in the same spirit but much more symphonic with the addition of strings, that the album ends beautifully.

In summary, although the titles are shorter than usual, ‘Anubis’ offers us a beautiful album while continuing to distill a peaceful neo-progressive rock which is enjoyed quietly after a hard day...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert James Moulding (Vocal, Guitar), David Eaton (Keybords), Steven Eaton (Drums), Douglas Skene (Guitar), Dean Bennison (Guitar), Anthony Stewart (Bass)


Artist : Dizzy Mizz Lizzy

Album : Alter Echo

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 16-04-2020

The Danes of 'Dizzy Mizz Lizzy' had been returned in 2016 with a new album 'Forward In Reverse' and its successor 'Alter Echo' was released in late March 2020, 2017 having seen the release of a live 'Livegasm!'. This new opus marks another evolution because, as much as 'Forward In Reverse' marked a return in a hard-rock direction, 'Alter Echo' is much more turned towards a style mixing rock and stoner with relatively slow tempos and heavier tones. but also, they offer us a suite of 5 titles which add a dose of progressive with a nice variety between each part.

Then, the album is made up of two parts, with, first of all, 5 classic titles: the instrumental 'The Ricochet', which rises slowly in fairly monotone tones serves as an introduction to 'In The Blood' which sets the scene for a heavy rock in a slow tempo with a simple melody but which easily fits in your head, then, 'Boy Doom' continues in this direction but with a more speed tempo and influences with sounds of the 70s. With 'The Middle', change of scenery for a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad rolling out a beautiful melody reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest', the guitar tones also bringing us back a few decades back with 'Led Zeppelin' and 'California Rain' ends the first part on a heavier note. Regarding the second part, 'Amelia', the 5 compositions are one and each brings something different alternating peaceful and vigorous atmospheres with a melodic theme that is kept throughout the title : 'Nothing They Do They Do Nothing' introduces this long development into serenity, the acoustic guitar beautifully accompanying the melancholic singing of 'Tim Christensen', then 'The Path Of Least Existence' hardens the tone and deploys an energetic hard-rock with a catchy melody and 'Lights Out' returns to a calmer climate in the form of a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad which drives to the powerful 'All Saints Are Sinners' which somehow serves as end for the previous title, and we let ourselves be carried away by this addictive chorus which is repeated several times before handing over to the instrumental 'Alter Echo' which ends this series remarkably, the acoustic guitar and strings ensemble bringing an intense emotion in the finale in which come vaporous voices.

In summary, the Danes of 'Dizzy Mizz Lizzy' offer us an original album showing us that they have more than one string to their bow and 'Alter Echo' contains a lot of different ingredients which intends it, beyond the historical fans, for an audience who likes a varied progressive while remaining easy to access thanks to beautiful simple but effective lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Christensen (Guitar, Vocal), Martin Nielsen (Bass), Søren Friis (Drums)


Artist : Dylem

Album : Eye of the Storm

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 18-04-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Mélody Dylem', the Swiss singer from ‘Elfreya’ (see last album here), launched a new project in 2016 with 'Dylem' (see here) and 2020, pending a full album, sees the release of an EP, 'Eye of the Storm' which actually contains four titles (the instrumental 'Storm' serving as an introduction to 'Eye of the Storm'. Despite the very short duration of 20 minutes (normal for an EP), the 4 tracks are remarkable and accessible and should appeal to fans of symphonic metal. They are split between two energetic tracks with 'Eye of the Storm' and 'Can't Take Anymore' in which she invited the American guitarist 'Jennifer Batten' ('Mickael Jackson' and 'Jeff Becke') and two quieter compositions with first of all 'See You', in which Mélody shows all her talent in subdued atmospheres and finally the magnificent 'Far Beyond', much more typical of metal symphonic and which can make think of certain titles of Imperia '(see their last album here) like 'Spirit Chase' or 'Abyssum'.

In summary, this EP of the 'Swiss' of 'Dylem' presents four remarkable titles to make us wait until the release of a new album which I hope will arrive soon enough, and beyond the fans of the group, 'Eye of the Storm' is to be recommended to a fairly large audience which like symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mélody Dylem (Vocal), Valery Veings (Guitar), Donovan (Keybords), Mimmo Pisino (Bass), Olivier Quinche (Drums) + Guests : Jennifer Batten (Guitar), Alain Hornung (Drums), Nicolas Concu (Bass), Matthieu Grillet (Guitar)


Artist : Beneath My Sins

Album : I Decide

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 20-04-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

I discovered the French of ‘Beneath My Sins’ in 2017 with the album ’Valkyries Of Modern Times’ and 2020 sees the release of a new album ‘I Decide’. Now, they have signed with the label 'Pride And Joy Music' which produces a lot of symphonic metal groups which will allow them to make themselves known and moreover, they invited artists from the symphonic metal scene with first of all, the bassist 'Fabio d'Amore' from 'Serenity' who also took care of the production of the album, the Swiss 'Melissa Bonny' (singer of 'Ad Infinitum' who have also just released a new album here), 'Niklas Müller' (drummer from 'Ad Infinitum'), 'Matteo Sisti' ( 'Eluveitie'), 'Michele Guaitoli' ('Temperance' and 'Visions Of Atlantis' ), 'Florent Charlet' ( '6:33'), 'Fabio Lethien Polo' ('Shadygrove' and 'Elvenking') and the Austrian guitarist 'Alrun Lunger' ('Dawn of Dreams').

The orchestral instrumental 'Crossroad' serves as an introduction to 'I Decide' which is one of the first single and which starts the album on an epic note with choirs and a marked rhythm, then, 'Try' we offers a beautiful contrasting duo between the growls of 'Melissa Bonny' and the aerial voice of 'Emma Elvaston', and 'Your Muse' is a more classic composition of symphonic metal alternating different tempos. With 'My Guardian Angel', we are carried away with a catchy rhythm in a folk atmosphere and a remarkable vocal performance by 'Emma Elvaston', and 'What You Feel' comes back to symphonic metal with a beautiful duet between 'Emma Elvaston' and 'Michele Guaitoli' which is reminiscent of the one the Italian provided with 'Clémentine Delaunay' in 'Visions Of Atlantis'. The rest of the album scrolls through an energetic and melodic 'Temptation', 'Despicable' and 'Kick Me Out', more symphonic and alternating powerful passages and others quieter, then, 'Unpredictible', with 'Maeo Sisti' and 'Fabio Lethien Polo' who bring a folk side with their instruments, 'Here With You' ending the album on a melodic note in a more classical symphonic style...

In summary, the French of 'Beneath My Sins' are releasing a quality album which should appeal to all fans of symphonic metal and may also allow others to discover this style because all the compositions have melodic lines that are immediately tamed...

Line Up / Musicians

Emma Elvaston (Vocal), Clément Botz (Guitar, Clarinette), Fabio D’amore (Bass), Leonardo Drago (Drums) + Guests : Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Niklas Müller (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Florent Charlet (Vocal), Fabio Lethien Polo (Violin), Alrun Lunger (Guitar), Matteo Sisti (Flute)


Artist : Myrkur

Album : Folkesange

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 21-04-2020

'Myrkur' is the project of the singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Amalie Bruun' who is known in the world of black metal but who has always been attracted by the folk of the Scandinavian countries, her two previous albums, although metal oriented, already containing influences from its roots. 'Folksange' presents another facet of this Danish artist and contains 12 tracks in the purest folk tradition with the use of traditional instruments and it suffices to compare the album cover with that of 'Maredidt', far apart from each other, but which each represents each the content well.

From the start, with 'Ella' (video above) we embark on a contemplative journey into a world of dreams and serenity and 'Fager som en Ros', which follows, is a catchy traditional Swedish song, then, 'Leaves of Yggdrasil' continues in this airy universe of sweetness just like 'Ramund' with its slightly more marked rhythm. Each title deserves to be cited because they all contain something magical and the whole is sublimated by the magnificent vocal performance of 'Amalie Bruun' which perpetuate the impression of fullness throughout the album.

In short, in these troubled times, 'Myrkur' offers us a real invitation to travel, and this without moving from home and in the most beautiful way that it is, in a world made of sweetness and serenity and 'Folksange', beyond fans of traditional music, should appeal to a relatively large audience because all the titles are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Amalie Bruun (Vocal, Piano, Nyckelharpa, Lyra, Violin, Guitar, Tambourine)


Artist : Allen/Olzon

Album : Worlds Apart

Release Date : 06-03-2020

Added : 23-04-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

The 'Frontiers' label is quite customary due to the fact that it offers associations of artists from the metal scene because after 'Russell Allen' and 'Jorne Lande' who have already released 4 albums ('The Battle (2005)', 'The Revenge (2007)', 'The Showdown (2010)' and 'The Great Design (2014)'), it's the turn of the duo composed of 'Anette Olzon' ('The Dark Element') and 'Russell Allen' ('Symphony X') to release a first studio recording and we also find as for 'Allen/Lande' (except for the album 'The Great Design'), the multi-instrumentalist 'Magnus Karlson' who took care of all the compositions and who occupies a special place in the world of melodic metal ('The Ferrymen', 'Place Vendome' or the duo 'Kiske/Sommerville' and the next album to be released in early May from his ‘Free Fall’ project ).

And after a first listening, we are swept away by a flood of powerful and melodic compositions as the Swede knows how to do so well and the choice of singles was certainly a real headache because each title could pretend to do the promotion of this album. We therefore navigate through energetic compositions between symphonic and melodic metal by varying the intensities : 'Never Die' which opens the album is powerful and grand and reflects the whole album well with remarkable symphonic arrangements, a melody that stays engraved in your head and a beautiful demonstration of Magnus a the guitar. We can also note that the album is divided into 3 parts and the titles are judiciously placed for a global homogeneity : first of all the five compositions in which Anette and Russel form a magnificent vocal duo ('Worlds Apart', 'What If I Live' , 'No Sign of Life', 'My Ennemy' and 'Who's Gonna Stop Me Now'). The strong point of these titles is of course for me the mixture of the two vocal registers with 'What If I Live', 'No Sign of Life' and 'Who's Gonna Stop Me Now' in which the choruses are a pure feast for the ears , the vocal harmonies being perfect. The other titles are therefore divided equally between 'Anette Olzon' and 'Russell Allen' : 'Never Die', 'Lost Soul' and 'Who You Really Are' for Russell and 'I'll Never Leave You', 'On More Chance' and 'Cold Inside' for Anette who in the last 2 titles mentioned, shows all her vocal talent in a calmer register.

In summary, this talented mixed duo 'Anette Olzon'/'Russell Allen' interpreting the melodic and very effective compositions of 'Magnus Karlsson' is a real success and 'Worlds Apart' will undoubtedly be appreciated by an audience navigating between symphonic metal and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Russell Allen (Vocal), Magnus Karlsson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Anders Köllerfors (Drums)


Artist : Forceland

Album : Driven Pace

Release Date : 09-03-2020

Added : 25-04-2020

We are not used to leaving Chile for progressive rock releases but 'Forceland' is a Chilean group created in 2018 by guitarist 'Richard Pilnik' and keyboard player 'Claudio Momberg' and who released their first studio recording 'Driver Pace'. 'Claudio Momberg' is not unknown because he worked with the crème de la crème of international progressive rock and released with his project 'Seti' 3 albums including the last 'Bold Travels' 2016.

12 tracks for almost an hour of listening, it's the menu of 'Driver Pace' which takes us on a multitude of progressive and neo-progressive influences and we feel that these artists have been bathed in this style for decades : the album begins with 'Survival Race' which is one of the most energetic titles and which brings us back between rock and hard-rock to a sort of patchwork of progressive from the 70s, then 'A Tender Species ', introduced by a piano/voice duo, is much calmer and well reflects the style of this formation with a melody that is easily embedded in your head. Despite the fairly short titles, each composition is relatively dense, alternating beautifully the parts sung by 'Alex Valper' which has a fairly high tessitura and instrumental sections always very inventive and sought after with remarkable keyboard solos from 'Claudio Momberg' and guitar solos from 'Richard Pilnik'. Not to make a title by title, I will quote 'Losing Faith' and its simple but very effective melody, 'Inner Enemy' which can recall certain sounds of 'Genesis', 'The Deceiver' and its influences mixing several decades of progressive or yet the last title 'The Path to Uncertainty', more melancholic and which makes think of the atmospheres of 'Marillion'.

In summary, for a first album, the Chileans of 'Forceland' are already showing a good maturity and 'Driven Pace' is full of nice surprises, which makes it suitable for all those who like a melodic progressive rock containing beautiful instrumental sections and which also does not require multiple listenings because all the compositions are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Pilnik (Guitar), Claudio Momberg (Keybords), Alex Valper (Vocal), Patricio Agurto (Drums), Jaime Ahumada (Bass)


Artist : My Arrival

Album : Satur9 & Indigo

Release Date : 27-02-2020

Added : 27-04-2020

'My Arrival' is a new project initiated by former members of 'Sylvium', 'Richard de Geest' and 'Ben van Gastel' who released their first album 'Satur9 & Indigo'. They chose this time to self-produce with their own label but, although they explain their new direction taken musically on their 'Bandcamp' to compose shorter and more accessible titles that in their previous project, which is the case since the major developments have disappeared, we find (for our greatest happiness) the progressive style that we knew with 'Sylvium', that is to say a progressive rock made of calm and serene atmospheres which flow peacefully.

'Satur9 & Indigo' is a concept album on the misdeeds that Man has subjected our Earth to until it becomes unlivable and which, therefore, is forced to go in search of another planet to live on. From the introduction 'Intro (Ending Theme)', the atmospheric climate predominates with a significant use of keyboards, then, with 'Gone', we embark on a rhythmic mid-tempo while keeping this peaceful and 'Pale White Dot' is a little more energetic and reminds me of the Germans of 'RPWL'. Follows 'Strange Machine' which is a magnificent ballad which makes think of the atmospheres of the project 'Blackfield' of 'Steven Wilson' and 'Saturn & Indigo' is in the same style unrolling a slow tempo with beautiful melodic lines. The following continues in this peaceful style with again a similarity with 'RPWL' for 'Null Echo' and 'Come Undone' which continue to offer us a good moment of serenity and the end of the album scrolls through new melodic jewels with 'Full Dark Not Stars', 'Close You Eyes' and finally the instrumental outro 'Home' which cradle us one last time.

In summary, the Dutch from 'My Arrival' continue after 'Sylvium' to offer us a peaceful and relaxing progressive rock that should appeal to an audience who likes bands like 'RPWL', 'Sylvan', 'Cosmograf' or 'Blackfield'...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard de Geest (Vocal), Ben van Gastel (Guitar, Keybords), Fred Boks (Bass, Drums, Keybords)


Artist : SteelCity

Album : Mach II

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 28-04-2020

This last opus scrolls through 11 tracks in the greatest melodic hard-rock tradition of the 80s and this from the first track 'Hearts on Fire' with a remarkable first vocal performance by the new singer 'Roy Cathey' and choirs close to 'Def Leppard', then the energetic and catchy titles follow each other like 'Dead Men' and its refrain which remains engraved in your head or 'Wasted Time' on which we cannot help beating time or even 'Give It Back' and its catchy rhythm. But the Americans also know how to vary the atmospheres with first of all 'Down to One', more AOR, introduced by the short instrumental on the piano 'Prayer for Love' and which recalls formations like 'Foreigner' (see their last live here) and then the mid-tempo 'Still Close to My Heart' with its heady melody.

In summary, 'SteelCity' is added to the already long list of melodic hard-rock bands and, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, release a quality album with effective compositions to be enjoyed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Floros (Guitar), Roy Cathey (Vocal), Jason Cornwell (Bass), BJ Zampa (Drums), Tony Stahl (Keybords)


Artist : Ayreon

Album : Electric Castle Live And Other Tales

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 30-04-2020

As he did for 'Ayreon Universe', 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' did it again with the 20th anniversary of 'Into The Electric Castle' and for the occasion, these are 4 concerts which took place in 2019 in Tilburg and which made a few thousand happy people but which were also the subject (for all the others) of multiple CD, DVD and Blu-Ray versions and which fully transcribe this exceptional live. Needless to say, the cast was at the height of the event with, first of all, 13 singers and especially 7 of the 11 artists who participated in the 1998 album and who resumed their role of the time ('Fish', 'Edwin Balogh', 'Anneke van Giersbergen', 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen', 'Edward Reekers', 'Damian Wilson' and 'George Oosthoek') and then, no less than 11 instrumentalists with the cream of progressive metal international.

So of course, it’s impossible to describe all of the titles because there are intense 2 hours and a half available to us with, in addition to the original version of 'Into The Electric Castle' which is taken over in full, additions from other Arjen productions with 'Shores of India' from the 'The Gentle Storm' project, 'Ashes' from the album 'Fate of a Dreamer' from the project 'Ambeon', 'Out in the Real World' from the album 'Embrace the Storm' from 'Stream of Passion', 'Twisted Coil' from the album 'On this Perfect Day' from the project 'The Guilt Machine', 'Kayleigh' sung by 'Fish' which is a cover of the album 'Misplaced Childhood' from 'Marillion', 'Pink Beatles in a Purple Zeppelin' from the album 'Lost in the New Real' by Arjen and finally 'Songs of the Ocean' from the album 'Space Metal' of the project 'Star One' which concludes in the most beautiful way the concert with all the artists.

In short, enough talk and make space for music, because the best is to enjoy this live as it deserves and, as I usually say in this kind of concert, run to buy the DVD or the blu-ray vecause 'Electric Castle Live And Other Tales' takes on its full dimension with video and allows you to communicate even more with artists (see examples of video on you tube: 'Garden of Emotions', 'Twisted Coil', 'Amazing Flight' and 'The Two Gates')...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitar), Marcel Singor (Guitar), Ferry Duijsens (Guitar), Ed Warby (Drums), Bob Wijtsma (Guitar), Johan van Stratum (Bass), Joost van den Broek (Keybords), Ben Mathot (Violin), Jurriaan Westerveld (Cello), Thijs van Leer (Flute), Robby Valentine (Piano), John de Lancie (Narrateur), Fish (Vocal), Simone Simons (Vocal), Damian Wilson (Vocal), Edwin Balogh (Vocal), Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Vocal), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Vocal), Edward Reekers (Vocal), George Oosthoek (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal), Marcela Bovio (Vocal, Choirs), Dianne van Giersbergen (Choirs), Jan Willem Ketelaers (Choirs), Robert Soeterboek (Vocal), Michael Mills (Vocal), Rutger Hauer - Voight Kampff


Artist : Enzo and the Glory Ensemble

Album : In The Name of the World Spirit

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 02-05-2020

'Enzo Donnarumma' continues its path in the biblical album concept and 'In The Name of the Spirit' is therefore the third part closing the triptych because, after 'In the name of the Father' and 'In the name of the Son', it was only missing ‘In the name of the Holy Spirit' and it's done with this last album well filled because it’s more than 60 minutes music available to us. We are now used to the principle of the Italian who invites artists from the international scene, mixing styles and for 'In The Name of the World Spirit', we can quote the singer 'Kobi Farhi' from 'Orphaned Land', the singer 'Ralf Scheepers' from 'Primal Fear', multi-instrumentalist 'Gary Wehrkamp' and drummer 'Mark Zonder' (see their album here) or the singer 'Nicholas Leptos' of the band 'Arrayan Path' but also the choir 'Weza Meza Choir' from the Congo which expands remarkably the vocal section. In short, beautiful people to interpret this last part which takes us in a style that we could qualify as world music, between classical, rock and metal, the multiple influences of Enzo, between east and west being mixed very subtly with a great talent.

So, of course, as often in this case, it takes several listenings to penetrate all the corners of this dense and rich work which is full of sumptuous moments as much at the vocal level (with this casting, it is not no wonder !!) that on the instrumental level, each artist putting himself at the service of the work. The compositions are divided between energy and serenity and after, the short symphonic instrumental introduction 'Precariousness', 'Nothingness (It's Everyone's Fate)', the tone is given with a playful and melodic title with a nice alternation between vocal and instrumental sections, then 'The Bronze Age', introduced by a flute/acoustic guitar mixture in a country atmosphere, then shows another much more energetic face with a frantic rhythm and grandiose choruses. With 'Try To Put In Pit The Fear', the mixture of influences brings a freshness to this title and I have the impression to hear a cross between 'Johnny Clegg and Savuka', some traditional folk and oriental metal close to 'Orphaned Land', then, 'To Every Chest' completely changes of register with a ballad which could be from an American musical comedy with radiant choirs. Ethnic singings begin the next track 'Just In My Heart The Blame' which quickly hardens the tone with a heady melody and several changes of intensity and tempo and makes it a fairly complex and difficult to tame track and 'I' ll Add More' brings us back to a much quieter cartoon song vibe in the major 'Disney' productions. The following shows us other horizons with, first of all, 'My Pillory', and its orientalizing introduction which quickly turns into a frenzied title close to speed metal like 'Rhapsody', the ballad 'Last Sweep' with its zither begining which offers us a fairly classic but very effective melody, then 'Psalm 13 (Tell Me)', which is certainly the most progressive because it is filled with multiple corners and alternating two fairly distant styles, classic and metal, while mixing east and west. 'Echo' is then a rather short but grandiose title that can recall the great productions of 'Ayreon' (see 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen's last live here), and 'One Reason' is the last energetic track with a plethora of choirs and the album ends in a syrupy atmosphere with' The Silence Speaks For Us' and with a new nod to American musicals with an imposing finale.

In summary, with 'In The Name of the World Spirit', 'Enzo Donnarumma' closes his triptych very beautifully and takes us again into a maze of influences that take time to tame them but which , like any work of this density and variety, takes on its full dimension, little by little, listening after listening, which means it is intended for an informed audience who likes to mix genres that are quite far apart from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Enzo Donnarumma (Vocal) + Guests : Philip Bynoe (Bass), Mark Zonder (Drums), Gary Wehrkamp (Guitar), Francesco Romeggini (Guitar), Derek Corzine (Guitar), David Brown (Keybords), Alessandro Battini (Keybords), Weza Meza Choir (Choirs), Marty Friedman (Vocal), Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Brian Ashland (Vocal), Nicholas Leptos (Vocal), Amulyn Braught Corzine (Vocal), Maria Londino (Vocal), Mr. Jack (Vocal), Claudia Coticelli (Vocal), Clara People (Vocal)


Artist : Lilly Hiatt

Album : Walking Proof

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 04-05-2020

After 'Trinity Lane' released in 2017, the American 'Lilly Hiatt' returns to a more classic style with her new album 'Walking Proof'. 11 songs for a fairly short total duration of 37 minutes, this is the menu of this new opus which takes us into its universe between country and rock in the purest American tradition. As usual, she recounts episodes from her life with for example this portrait of her sister 'Rae' or 'Some Kind of Drug', which she shares with her father and which is the experience she lived for having accompanied his sister on a mission to help the homeless in 'Nashville' but, unlike 'Trinity Lane' which was more a therapy and therefore much more introspective, 'Walking Proof' reflects a pleasure which is reflected in more light titles as 'Little Believer', 'Walking Proof', 'Never Play Guitar' or even 'Move' and the softer compositions are very likeable like 'Rae', 'Candy Lunch', 'Drawl' in which she forms a very beautiful duet with 'Amanda Shires' or 'Scream' which closes the album on a peaceful note as if she had now reached a certain serenity. In short, this last album of ‘Lilly Hiatt’ is filled with beautiful compositions accessible to the first listen and ‘Walking Proof’ is therefore to be advised to the general public and is to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Lilly Hiatt (Vocal, Guitar), John Condt (Guitar), Robert Hudson (Bass, Mandolin), Kate Haldrup (Drums), Travis Goodwin (Keybords), Lincoln Parish (Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Aaron Lee Tasjan (Vocal, Guitar), Amanda Shires (Vocal, Violin), Luke Schneider (Pedal Steel), John Hiatt


Artist : Xiphea

Album : The Cave Of The Golden Rose

Release Date : 19-03-2020

Added : 05-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After 'Once Upon a Time' in 2016 and 'Everland' in 2018, the Germans from 'Xiphea' released an EP which continues in the register of fairy tales, since 'The Cave Of The Golden Rose' is a series of 5 TV movies released in Italy and adapted from the children's story 'Fanta-Ghirò'. So we find in this short opus the symphonic and melodic metal that we knew on previous albums with obvious influences from major bands of the genre.

The album is made up of 5 titles which forms only one by starting, as in all the tales by a : 'Once upon a time ...' which is a recitative which sets the stage of the history which consists of 4 parts : 'The Prophecy' begins with a long title of more than 10 minutes in a symphonic and epic atmosphere with a first instrumental part and, after 2 minutes, starts an energetic and catchy part in a fairly classic symphonic metal with a quieter cut in the middle of the title, the end of the title gaining momentum with some growls of 'Neil Meusel', finely dosed, in opposition to the beautiful clear voice of 'Sabine Meusel'. With part 2, 'A Truth Awakens', we continue in this metalico-symphonic mood modulating the intensities with melodic lines accessible at first listen and which are easily encrusted in our head, the final in decrescendo preparing the following title, 'Show Me Your Fear' which begins in serenity and which takes intensity and alternates calm parts and others much more muscular and it is with the melodic 'The Little Magic' with a heady refrain and a magnificent final with beautiful choirs that the album ends.

In summary, this short album of 'Xiphea' confirms the talent of the Germans and continue in the same way that they had started to trace in their previous albums, what means that 'The Cave Of The Golden Rose' should appeal to all lovers of an accessible and melodic symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine Meusel (Vocal), Neil Meusel (Guitar, Vocal), Frank Curian (Bass), Michael Wolnitza (Guitar), Daniel Herzer (Drums)


Artist : Son Of Man

Album : State Of Dystopia

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 06-05-2020

It is with 'State Of Dystopia' that I discover the Welshmen of 'Son Of Man' who released an eponymous first album of the group's name in 2016 (see here) and who evolve in a fairly classic rock referring to the 70s/80s with a mix of genres that can range from international variety to muscular hard-rock. Note that 'George Jones' and 'Bob Richards' were part of the group 'Man' in the 2000s and that 'George Jones' is the son of the lead guitar of 'Man', 'Micky Jones'.

'Conscience' opens the ball with a catchy title reminiscent of the 70s and rhythms close to 'Led Zeppelin' or 'Deep Purple' with guitar riffs which makes you want to beat time, then , 'Feeding Time' continues in this energetic atmosphere while 'Bring Out The Best In Me' is much quieter and can recall westcoast tones with 'Eagles' choruses. With 'When It Fall Apart', it's a fairly classic blues / rock but super efficient and always very rhythmic, then, 'Auto Devotion' puts forward the guitar riffs close to 'AC/DC' tempos and, without transition, 'One With The Voice' returns to a more peaceful rock reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, just like 'Reign of Yesterday' which follows. The rest of the album scrolls through 'What The Man Said', a good blues/rock simple but very effective with remarkable vocal arrangements, then, 'March With The Drum' which is a song against war that could have been sung by artists from the pop/rock scene of the 60s, a lively 'New Beginning' with its electronic sounds of the seventies and finally 'Too Many Questions' which ends the album with a song with harmonious melodic lines.

In summary, the Welshmen of 'Son Of Man' offer us a remarkable album of classic rock influenced by the great currents of the 60s, 70s and 80s and 'State Of Dystopia' is a bit of a digest of different styles of pop/rock with a modern sound and should appeal to a fairly large audience because all the compositions are accessible at first listening thanks to simple but effective melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

George Jones (Guitar, Vocal), Bob Richards (Drums, Vocal), Glenn Quinn (Guitar, Bass, Vocal), Richie Galloni (Vocal), Marco James (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Wishbone Ash

Album : Coat of Arms

Release Date : 26-02-2020

Added : 08-05-2020

You know the French saying: "The best soups are made in the old jars". Well, that's exactly what I said to myself when I listened to the last ‘Wishbone Ash’. Yes, you heard right, one of the formations which started its career almost fifty years ago already : it's sure, of the initial formation, there remains only 'Andy Powell', who, at 70 years, continues to maintain the tradition , the rest of the band having joined Andy much later ('Mark Abrahams' on the guitar replacing 'Muddy Manninen' in 2017, 'Bob Skeat' on bass being part of the adventure since 1997 and 'Joe Crabtree' at drums since 2007) but we can only salute this 23rd album of the English (the last 'Blue Horizon' dating from 2014) which, in these troubled times, brings us a little freshness of another time with festive and melodic rock compositions that do good.

From the start, with 'We Stand As One', we are already won over by this simple but super effective title which also includes a beautiful instrumental part in the second part of the title, then, with 'Coat of Arms', almost 8 minutes, we have an example of the progressive side of this formation (too little put forward for my taste at the time) which embarks us in a kind of blues/rock presenting different facets with instrumental sections which embroiders around the main theme. With 'Empty Man', the pop and country mix brings a lightness and 'Floreana' and 'It's Only You I See' are ballads like we don't do anymore but which smell good the 70s. As for titles like 'Drive', 'Too coll for AC', 'Back in the Day'or even 'When The Love Is Shared', we find the more rock side of the English with direct and effective compositions. The folk side returns in the ballad ‘Déjà-Vu’, and the album ends with the rhythmic ‘Personal Halloween’ in an atmosphere mixing blues, rock and funk.

In summary, like good wine, 'Wishbone Ash' improves with time and 'Coat of Arms' is, for me, one of the best albums of the English who continue their way without worrying about fashions and continue to do, for our greatest pleasure, what they have always done best : an effective and pleasant rock to listen to...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Powell (Vocal, Guitar), Mark Abrahams (Guitar), Bob Skeat (Bass), Joe Crabtree (Drums)


Artist : Bonfire

Album : Fistful of Fire

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 10-05-2020

With 'Bonfire', the same story has been repeated quite frequently for several years, because, after two good albums, 'Byte The Bullet' in 2017 and 'Temple of Lies' in 2018, it's the turn of 'Fistful of Fire' to see the light of day and when I reread my chronicle of 'Temple of Lies', I said to myself that I could make a copy and paste, just changing the name of the compositions. Indeed, apart from a slight change of line up with 'André Hilgers' which replaces 'Tim Breideband' on the drums, we take the same and start again with an equivalent result : Indeed, apart from a slight change of line up with 'André Hilgers' which replaces 'Tim Breideband' on the drums, we take the same artists and we start again with an equivalent result : good melodic hard-rock with titles that remain anchored in your head and, after the instrumental introduction 'The Joker' which prepares the ground, it begins with a catchy 'Gotta Get Away' with a refrain which will certainly be sung in choir in concert, then, what is follows shows compositions all equally powerful and melodic as the others and apart from the magnificent ballad 'When an Old Man Cries' which is included in an acoustic version at the end of the album and the 2 mid-tempos 'Warrior' and 'Fistful of Fire' a little less energetic and allowing well-deserved breaks, everything is done to offer us over-vitaminized compositions. We can also note the two double titles 'Breaking Out' with its instrumental introduction ‘Fire Etude’ in which ‘Frank Pane’ takes himself for a short time for ‘Eddie Van Halen’ and ‘The Surge’ which serves as a progressive ramp-up to explode in an un unbridled 'Gloryland'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Bonfire' are still releasing (but we are used to it now) an album filled with good energy that should appeal to all those who love a powerful and melodic hard rock always as effective...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexx Stahl (Vocal), Frank Pane (Guitar), Hans Ziller (Guitar), Ronnie Parkes (Bass), André Hilgers (Drums)


Artist : Dynazty

Album : The Dark Delight

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 11-05-2020

They are still Swedes, 'Dynazty' not to mention them, who are releasing a new album of melodic metal after a very good 'Firesign' in 2018, 'The Dark Delight' being their 7th studio recording. They continue in their momentum to offer us a powerful metal and this last opus is a continuation of the previous one with melodic lines that give the impression of already heard and that they 'metalize' with explosive guitar riffs and with a singer 'Nils Molin' who gives it all.

From the very first tracks, we are in the bath with the energetic 'Presence of Mind', 'Paradise of the Architect', 'The Black' and 'From Sound of Silence' whose choruses immediately become embedded in your head, then, 'Hologram' offers a classic but very effective power ballad and the following continues with always effective melodies, 'Heartless Madness', with pop intonations, making me think of the atmospheres of the symphonic metal formation 'Amberian Dawn' (see last album here) and 'Waterfall' with a rhythm and melodic lines close to disco of the 80s. The following keeps this same melodic level with the catchy 'Threading the Needle' and his remarkable guitar solo, 'The Man And The Elements' and his festive folk intonations, 'Apex' with his wild rhythm, 'The Road to Redemption' and 'The Dark Delight' with their intonations mixing east and west and the bonus track, 'The Shoulder Devil', ending the album in an atmosphere of powerful symphonic metal like 'Amaranthe', formation in which 'Nils Molin' is one of the singers.

In summary, the Swedes continue their road and deliver us an album where each composition is a real melodic single and 'The Dark Delight' is to be advised to an audience loving a melodic hard-rock with effective and accessible compositions at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nils Molin (Vocal), Rob Love Magnusson (Guitar), George Egg (Drums), Mikael Lavér (Guitar), Jonathan Olsson (Bass) + invité : Henrik Englund (Vocal)


Artist : Buffalo Summer

Album : Desolation Blue

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 12-05-2020

After 'Second Sun' in 2016 which allowed me to discover the Welsh of ‘Buffalo Summer’, 2020 saw the release of a new album 'Desolation Blue'. So we find this style of the 70s with influences to legendary groups like 'Led Zeppelin' ('The Power & The Greed'), 'Status Quo' ('Hit The Ground Running'), 'Cheap Trick' ('If Walls Could Speak') or 'Deep Purple' ('Untouchable') and we could also mention as a more recent group 'Blackberry Smoke' ('The Mirror', 'Last To Know' or 'The Bitter End') with rock tones mixed with country moods and 'When You Walk Away' and 'Deep Water' tracks that smell good an energetic hard rock (you know, the one you hear before a concert to heat up an entire audience). In a slightly calmer style, we can cite the blues/rock ‘Dark Valentine’, classic but hyper effective or the ballad ‘Pilot Light’ which ends the album quietly.

In summary, this latest ‘Buffalo Summer’ takes us back a few decades back with a varied album and effective compositions that should appeal to all lovers of classic and timeless hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrew Hunt (Vocal), Jonny Williams (Guitar), Darren King (Bass), Gareth Hunt (Drums) + Guests : Peter Buck (Guitar), Kelby Ray Caldwell (Guitar Lap Steel), Emma Bryden (Violin), Barrett Martin (Vibraphone, Percussions, Organ)


Artist : Conception

Album : State of Deception

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 13-05-2020

'Conception' is a Norwegian band which already has thirty years of existence and which released 4 albums in the 90s then returned to the front of the progressive metal scene in 2018 with an EP 'My Dark Symphony' and 2020 sees the release of a short album (about 33 minutes if you don't count' Feather Moves' which is a remastered title of a 2018 single including 3 titles) but which requires repeated listening to extract all the essential marrow.

After the short symphonic instrumental introduction 'in: Deception' which sets the scene in a disturbing atmosphere, 'Of Raven and Pigs' is based on a repetitive riff with a first part sung and an offbeat guitar solo which judiciously integrates into the tempo and a finish where crowd noises accentuate this feeling of flight forward. Then follows 'Waywardly Broken', a mid-tempo that alternates tension and relaxation with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Roy Khan' and a new guitar solo with 'Gilmourian' sounds (the tempo reminds me of 'Sorrow'), then, 'No Rewind' takes us on a fast and dense track because despite its short duration, several parts follow one another making it one of the most striking titles. With 'The Mansion' in which the singer of 'Amaranth', 'Elize Ryd' has been invited for the high parts, it is a magnificent ballad which allows a break and is certainly the most affordable title with a super melodic chorus, and 'By The Blues' comes back to a catchy and energetic composition, then 'Anybody Out There', with its slow and heavy rhythm, is for me, one of the flagship songs of the album which can recall the tempos of 'Leprous' (see their latest album here). It is with, first of all, the energetic 'She Dragoon' with its melody which easily enters your head, and then the resumption of 'Feather Moves' that the album ends on a more calm and melancholic note.

In summary, the Norwegians of ‘Conception’ come back with an album which improves, listening after listening with a real talent to mix different intensities and rhythms and State ‘of Deception’ should appeal to a whole public adept of a progressive metal which is original and sought...

Line Up / Musicians

Roy Khan (Vocal), Tore Østby (Guitar), Ingar Amlien (Bass), Arve Heimdal (Drums) + Guest : Elize Ryd (Vocal)


Artist : Ad Infinitum

Album : Chapter I – Monarchy

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 14-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

Decidedly, the Swiss 'Melissa Bonny' is currently in the spotlight because after her participation in the last album of ' Beneath My Sins' and the release in 2019 of 'Imploder' of the 'Rage of Light ' project, she created a new formation 'Ad Infinitum' and her first studio recording is called' Chapter I: Monarchy' which foreshadows that there will be a sequel and which makes us revise our history lessons with this first part at the time of the monarchy.

Musically, the listener is immersed in a classical symphonic metal with influences of major formations of this style but, even if the sound is much more modern, if you are nostalgic for the melodic lines of 'Within Temptation' of the end of the 90s and of the beginning of the 2000s, you should be delighted by this album with compositions like 'Infected Monarchy', 'See You In Hell', 'Fire And Ice', 'Revenge' or even 'Tell Me Why' which easily embed in your head. The other titles are just as melodic with 'Melissa Bonny' in certain places, alternating her clear song and her extreme voice without adding too much which means that the vocal change remains always judicious : we can quote the energetic 'Marching On Versailles', 'Maleficent' or 'I am The Storm' alternating fiery double pedal and much quieter passages or even the catchy and very 'Delaisian' 'Live Before You Die' or the fast 'Demons'. Note that the end of the album contains two very beautiful acoustics from 'See You In Hell' and 'Tell Me Why', the instrumental of 'Marching On Versailles' and 'See You In Hell' as well as a last title 'This is Halloween' which was released a while ago on you tube for Halloween 2019.

In summary, this new project initiated by 'Melissa Bonny' and endowed with flawless production shows that the Swiss completely masters her subject both in terms of writing and in terms of vocal and Chapter I – Monarch ' is recommended for all those who are fans of a symphonic metal accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Niklas Müller (Drums), Jonas Asplind (Bass), Adrian Theßenvitz (Guitar)


Artist : Fourth Circle

Album : Worlds

Release Date : 13-03-2020

Added : 15-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Fourth Circle' is a French symphonic metal band that I discovered with their latest album 'Worlds' released in April 2020 but which already has almost 10 years of existence with two studio recordings 'Lifetimes' in 2013 and 'Elements' in 2016. With the same line up as for the previous opus, they offer us a symphonic metal in line with the major formations of the genre with names of 'Delain' and 'Within Temptation' that came to my mind because the singer 'Audrey Adornato' has intonations from 'Charlotte Wessels' or 'Sharon den Adel' from time to time.

With 14 compositions for more than an hour of listening, they have added to this opus a 21-minute audio book, judiciously declined in English and French which will certainly delight fans and which tells us about story of the spiritual search of a female character in an indefinite time and space that she discovers throughout history. Each composition is therefore in line with a chapter of the story, providing details in the narration. Musically, the whole is relatively epic and from the instrumental introduction 'Prologue', keyboards with large reinforcements of sampled orchestra instruments are omnipresent and the first titles 'Awake and Lost' and 'Worlds' offer us lines easy to access melodies. The rest is like this beginning, and, even if certain compositions remain in the same schemas (for example the refrain of 'Survive' resembles that of 'Worlds'), the whole is pleasant to listen with for example the energetic 'The Truth' or the powerful and melodic mid-tempo 'Nothing' and quieter breaks like 'Feeling' or the beautiful piano/voice ballad 'Who Am I?' allow to vary the moods and the two tracks that make only one 'Rising Tension' and 'Battle and Forgiveness' end the album on an epic and powerful note with remarkable instrumental arrangements.

In summary, the French of 'Fourth Circle' release an album full of good surprises and 'Worlds' is tailor-made for all fans of symphonic metal who appreciate formations like 'Delain', 'Within Temptation', 'Sirenia' or 'Xandria'...

Line Up / Musicians

Audrey Adornato (Vocal), Julien Blanchet (Drums), Maxime Boriolo (Guitar), Olivier Keller (Keybords), Cédric Noël (Bass)


Artist : Ani Lo Projekt

Album : A Time Called Forever

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 16-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

The Bulgarian singer 'Ani Lozanova' and the drummer 'Konstantin Dinev' started their musical adventure in 2002 with the 'Ani Lozanova Band' and, after the release of two albums in Bulgarian (the last of the singer's name dating from 2009 - see here), the two artists decided that it was time to turn to the international and it is the meeting with the metal singer 'Ian Parry' (see his last album with 'Crystal Tears' here) which allowed this radical change with the key a first album 'Miracle' in 2011 under the name of 'Ani Lo Projekt' in a style mixing hard-rock and symphonic metal. And it was only almost 8 years later that 'A Time Called Forever' was born with the participation of the multi-instrumentalist 'Jens Faber' ( 'Dawn of Destiny' ) who composed all the tracks on the album.

With this opus, we stay in the world of metal, mixing power, symphonic and melodic influences but, it is clear that the compositions were cut for the Bulgarian singer who stands out, unlike the vast majority of singers of this style, with a wide register ranging from a powerful bass to treble always well mastered and which gives this formation its own identity. The majority of the compositions have very accessible melodic lines and this from the first titles' Break My Chains' and 'A Time Called Forever', powerful and energetic in which 'Ani Lozanova' shows from the first notes her remarkable vocal talent, then 'Bleed' offers us an epic and melodic composition with a refrain that immediately sticks in the head and 'End up in Sorrow' is a mid-tempo which shows another facet of the singer with a rhythm close to certain compositions of 'Therion'. The following alternates different styles which makes this opus rich and varied : first of all, energy and power are there with titles like 'The Letter', 'My Misery' or 'Don't Leave' and their sustained rhythms and when the cadence wants to be more peaceful while keeping a certain intensity, titles like 'Cold Death' or 'Feel Inside' show another face with beautiful alternations between powerful parts and others quieter. But there is a register in which this formation also excels, it is the quieter compositions with the magnificent ballads 'Back to You' and 'Fly With Me' in which the duo 'Ani Lozanova'/'Michael Thionville' works wonderfully , and it is with the ballad 'Walk Alone' to be added in the best power ballads that the album ends on a note of emotion.

In summary, 'Ani Lo Projekt' returns to the forefront of the metal scene with a dense album filled with quality compositions that should appeal to a large enough audience of metal loving the symphonic, power or melodic atmospheres of this style, hoping that 'Ani Lozanova' and 'Konstantin Dinev' won't not make us wait too long for the next album and will continue, why not, to work with 'Jens Faber' who really did a remarkable job on this album...

Line Up / Musicians

Ani Lozanova (Vocal), Konstantin Dinev (Drums), Jens Faber (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal) + Guests : Eric Dow (Vocal), Michael Thionville (Vocal), Lachezar Stefanov (Vocal)


Artist : From the Dust Returned

Album : A Seven Days Long Wait

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 17-05-2020

'From the Dust Returned' is an Italian progressive metal group which was formed in 2015 on the initiative of guitarist and singer 'Alex De Angelis' with a first EP 'Homecoming' in 2017 and 2020 sees the release of their first studio recording in the form of an LP of 10 tracks for a total of 48 minutes. I quote their page ’Bancamp’ : « ‘A Seven Days Long Wait’, is a concept album about a journey of purification necessary to be reborn to new life. A seven days long wait to be able to embark on that journey in which all senses and all ties to past life will be lost. Forget everything about yourself to get back to the mother’s womb ».

Musically, they mix rock and progressive metal with forays into other styles and this album requires a few listenings to take advantage of every nook and cranny. After the sweet instrumental introduction 'Where It All Begin' with a piano playing some notes, 'Mother's Womb' welcomes us with an acoustic guitar and keyboard sounds close to 'RPWL' and takes us into sought-after progressive rock with different parts even incorporating a jazzy passage towards the end of the title, then, 'A Narrow Passage' hardens the tone for a title that mixes hard-rock from the 70s and modern sounds with a remarkable vocal performance of 'Alex De Angelis'. Follows the eponymous title of the album which begins in a serene atmosphere then which alternates the tempos and the intensities until an explosion on the end of the title and a final with an unleashed rhythmic section , then, after the short instrumental 'The Herald's Choice', 'Tears' brings us back to progressive rock in a disturbing atmosphere with a first part made up of a succession of strong and weak beats and a second much more energetic part to finish on a rather technical instrumental part with a piano in the style of 'Keith Emerson'. The following gives us the slow repetitive tempo of 'Porcelain Cup' with two ramps up on the whole track, then 'White Noise', which after an atmospheric introduction, deploys an elaborate progressive metal, the album ending, everything first, by the 7 minutes of 'The Undertow' which alternates serenity and energy and which is a good summary of the album, and then by the short instrumental 'The End of the Beginning' which echoes the first instrumental.

In summary, the Italians of 'From the Dust Returned' released an album to discover little by little, listening after listening and which, ultimately, turns out to be of high quality thanks to musicians of great talent and 'A Seven Days Long Wait' is intended for an audience who likes a sought-after progressive mixing different styles...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex De Angelis (Vocal, Guitar), Eddie Vagenius (Drums), Alessandro Finocchiaro (Bass), Emanuele Marchione (Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Imperial Age

Album : Live in Wroclaw

Release Date : 10-04-2020

Added : 18-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

During the confinement period, the Russians from 'Imperial Age' gave a live concert on you tube on April 25, 2020 and they also released an album from the concert given in Wroclaw in March 2018 which contains 6 tracks from their latest album 'The Legacy of Atlantis'. We are therefore immersed in the live atmosphere of a symphonic metal with epic songs sung by the two sopranos 'Jane Odintsova' and 'Anna Moiseeva' and the tenor 'Alexander Osipov' in a grandiose atmosphere as the Russians know to do so well.

The first 5 tracks are all taken from 'The Legacy of Atlantis' with first of all the two grandiose mid-tempos which are 'The Awakening' and 'The Legacy of Atlantis' which start the concert in an imposing and which triggers this characteristic little thrill at the start of the concert. Follows the fast and melodic ‘The Escape’ in the vein of ‘Rhapsody’ then a new mid-tempo ‘The Monastery’ with its chorus taken up in chorus by the three singers and ‘Domini Canes’ continues in this overheated and majestic atmosphere. The rest of the concert returns to older songs, first of all, the energetic 'Death Guard' with its refrain taken up and chanted by the public, then, what I consider their anthem, the magnificent power ballad 'Aryavarta', and finally to end in style an energetic 'Anthem of Valor' and the no less energetic 'And I Shall Find My Home'.

In summary, the Russians of 'Imperial Age' confirm that they take their full dimension in concert and this live, even if it remains short, highlights this grandiose atmosphere that they deploy what should please all their fans but also to all those who love an epic and majestic symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander “Aor” Osipov (Vocal), Jane “Corn” Odintsova (Vocal), Anna “Kiara” Moiseeva (Vocal), Max Talion (Drums), Paul “Vredes” Maryashin (Guitar), Dmitry “Belf” Safronov (Bass)


Artist : Fallen Arise

Album : Enigma

Release Date : 10-04-2020

Added : 19-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

The band 'Fallen Arise' returns to the front of the symphonic metal scene with a new album 'Enigma', after 5 long years of absence because their last studio recording 'Adeline' already dates from 2015. It must be said that the Greeks had, to say the least, some line-up changes and, apart from 'Gus Dibelas' which is at the origin of this training in 2009 , the rest of the group has totally changed and a new singer 'Fiona Creaby' (also member of ’Blood Red Soul’ with two albums released 'Symphony of a Memory' in 2017 and 'River of Melancholia' in 2019) arrived in 2016 as well as a new singer 'Vlasis Katsaounis' on extreme vocals, 'Spyros Vasilakis' now playing on guitar, 'Jason Ioakeim' on bass and 'Marios Karavasilis' on drums.

With this renewed line up, a the first listening, you have the feeling that a certain stability has finally been found and, even if the style has not changed and remains some melodic symphonic metal with fairly classic verses/choruses, we feel that a certain maturity has taken hold and this new album is like what we should expect from more famous bands like 'Xandria' (see their last album here) or 'Leaves' Eyes' (see their latest album here) to name just two that the Grecs have accompanied on their tours. After a grandiose introduction full of choruses as 'Epica' can do, 'Enigma' and 'Reborn' are two energetic and catchy tracks with fairly similar choruses that immediately get stuck in the head and we discover the clear and limpid singing of 'Fiona Creaby' who alternates with the interventions of growls of 'Vlasis Katsaounis' and this opposition works remarkably, then, 'Forsaken', calmer, recalls certain compositions of 'Within Temptation' especially since Fiona can recall the intonations of 'Sharon Den Adel'. The following continues to offer us unstoppable melodies whether with powerfull titles as in 'Embers' or in 'The Storm Inside' with a greater use of growls or in the energetic 'Released' with melodic lines still reminiscent of 'Within Temptation' first period, simple but very effective, or in quieter tracks and the second part of the album contains three with the mid-tempo 'Without Disguise' alternating slow verses with a more powerful chorus, the other mid- tempo 'Forever Winter' and the magnificent ballad 'Horizon' in which 'Fiona Creaby' shows real emotion and recalls the cover of 'Nightwish', 'Walking on the Air' interpreted by 'Tarja'.

In summary, the Greeks of 'Fallen Arise' confirm all the good that we thought of them with their previous album 'Adeline' and, even if the whole is quite similar to what a group like 'Within Temptation' have done in the early 2000s, 'Enigma' should appeal to fans of this style and will allow those who do not know this style to discover it because all the compositions are accessible at first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Fiona Creaby (Vocal), Vlasis Katsaounis (Vocal), Gus Dibelas (Keybords), Spyros Vasilakis (Guitar), Jason Ioakeim (Bass), Marios Karavasilis (Drums)


Artist : Nightwish

Album : Human. :II: Nature

Release Date : 10-04-2020

Added : 20-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

Fans were eagerly awaiting the release of the new 'Nightwish' after 5 long years and the latest record 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful' which had been seen the induction of 'Floor Jansen' as a new singer : it's done with 'Human. : II: Nature’ which should undoubtedly please the large fan base worldwide but which for me shows again and again that the Finns are pioneers and this new album is still the proof because the surprises are numerous. Given the richness and density of this opus, I will not do some title by title, the chronicles being multiple on the net (see the very good chronicle of 'United Rock Nations'), but I will focus it on the centerpiece of 'Nightwish', I named the keyboard player 'Tuomas Holopainen' who realize all of the group's compositions.

As a child, Classically trained, the Finn learned different instruments including the piano and the clarinet and joined a jazz group at 15 as a Saxophonist (by the way, a certain 'Tarja Turunen' was already part of the adventure, we know the rest). At around 17, he turned to metal and integrated various formations in an episodic way like ‘Darkwoods My Betrothed’ (Black metal), ‘Nattvindens Gråt’ (Gothic, Doom) and ‘Sethian’ (Progressive metal). Besides that, from 1996, in parallel with 'Nightwish', he continued to get involved in other projects like that of 'Timo Rautiainen' (Heavy metal) with the album 'Sarvivuori' or with the band 'For My Pain…' with the opus 'Fallen' or even more recently with the project 'Auri', with 'Troy Donockley' and a sublime album, quite distant from metal (see here) or his solo project 'The Life and Times of Scrooge' which is inspired by the author and cartoonist 'Don Rosa' which wrote and drew this story.

This rather heterogeneous course (and I certainly forget some other things) shows the scope of this composer touches on everything who puts all his talent for more than twenty years at the service of 'Nightwish' and, we feel that with this new album 'Human. : II: Nature', the fame of the group no longer being to be done in a very specific style, Tuomas has made the choice to make a kind of patchwork of all his influences and all his course while keeping a frame, if we can say, a 'Nightwishienne' frame, that is to say made of unstoppable melodies and epic atmospheres and here is in three points, what I will retain from this double album :
First of all, the first part which includes 9 tracks takes us into a multitude of sounds, melodic lines and different atmosphere but, for me, the novelty is the very progressive aspect of the compositions of Tuomas, orientation very little taken in the past with 'Nightwish' which undoubtedly risks destabilizing certain early fans but which gives a new dimension to the Finns, adding a string to their bow which justifies comparing them to progressive metal artists with in mind the great productions of the Dutchman 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' (see his last live from 'Ayreon' 'Electric Castle Live And Other Tales' ).
Then, as he had done to highlight 'Tarja Turunen' in the early years of 'Nightswish', Tuomas succeeded in compositions which give a golden place to 'Floor Jansen' in all registers of the Dutch and this from the first title 'Music' and the first bars which highlight a crystal crystalline and light singing in a vocal section certainly not easy to sing and which shows in the chorus of the same title, the vocal power of this artist. I could cite quite a few other examples and to take another, I will mention the finale of 'Shoemaker' which also highlights the lyrical register of Floor in a magical moment filled with a beautiful emotion as suspended in time.
Finally, the second part 'All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The Earth' is a large classical symphonic fresco which reminds us that Tuomas is an outstanding composer and who, far from metal and in these troubled times conducive to reflection, invites us in a magnificent journey to refocus on the essential things that the earth offers us, as if the composer had predicted the current crisis and wanted to make us realize that the most important thing is to take care of our planet before it's too late.

In summary, some will no doubt talk about the symphonic metal album of the year; for my part, I will not be as restrictive because the work of 'Tuomas Holopainen' on this album is impressive and all the interpretations are masterful, which goes far beyond a single style and which places it above the lot as a timeless work , quite simply, some 21st century Music. And I will finish with the last message from ’Ad Astra’, simple but so strong about our Earth that we must preserve at all costs : ‘That's here. That's home. That's us’...

Line Up / Musicians

Floor Jansen (Vocal), Tuomas Holopainen (Keybords), Marko Hietala (Vocal, Bass), Emppu Vuorinen (Guitar), Kai Hahto (Drums), Troy Donockley (Flute, Bagpipe) + invités : The London Session Orchestra, The Metro Voices Choir


Artist : Dool

Album : Summerland

Release Date : 10-04-2020

Added : 21-05-2020

‘Dool’ is a Dutch band that released their first album ’Here Now, There Then’ in 2017 and therefore released their second studio recording ‘Summerland’. Founded by singer and guitarist 'Ryanne van Dorst' who is also known as 'Elle Bandita' (see here), their universe is quite dark and refers to the pagan theme from Viking mythology but curiously, the musical atmospheres, even if the tempos are quite slow, give an impression of fullness which alternates with more intense moments and this atmosphere is similar to formations like the Swedes of 'Avatarium' who released a new opus at the end of 2019 (see here).

At the outset, with 'Sulfur And Starlight' and 'Wol Moon', the tone is set with a mid-tempo in which 'Ryanne van Dorst' reveals a melancholic vocal register which she hardens at certain times and which is particularly well adapted to the style, then, 'God Particle', with a calm orientalizing introduction, unrolls a heavy melody which increases and softens with the sung part and which ends with a beautiful instrumental part. The suite offers us 'Summerland' which is built on a slow tempo and which slightly accelerates the rhythm in the instrumental final in crescendo and falls back with some piano notes, then, 'A Glass Forest' recalls the beginning of the psychedelic in the 60s and 'The Well's Run Dry' accelerates the pace for one of the most energetic songs from the album. With 'Ode to the Future', in a pop style, the swaying tempo makes us stamp our feet, then 'Be Your Sins' continues in this lightness with a refrain which immediately enters the head and 'Dust & Shadow' in a doom sound style with a slow tempo that stretches over 8 minutes, ends the album in a very nice way on a more melancholic note.

In summary, this latest album of 'Dool' demonstrates the undeniable talent of this formation which, even if the dark side that we stick to them is mainly conveyed by the themes addressed, takes us on an original journey that transmits permanently this subtle duality between tension and relaxation, which for me constitutes the great strength of this 'Summerland'...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryanne van Dorst (Vocal, Guitar), Micha Haring (Drums), JB Van Der Wal (Bass), Reinier Vermeulen (Guitar), Nick Polak (Guitar)


Artist : MoonSun

Album : Escapalace

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 22-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'MoonSun' is a German band which was created by singer 'Susanne Scherer' and multi-instrumentalist 'Thomas Kolbin' and who already has two studio recordings to her credit ('Silent Pieces' and 'Inner Clouds') and cover albums (here and here) and it is only with this new album 'Escapalace' that I discover them. I say 'only' because, after taking the time to listen to their previous productions, they were already of a very high quality with first of all 'Silent Pieces' in 2013 which was an original album in acoustics and' Inner Clouds 'in 2015 who saw the duo mature and their approach immediately made me think of the Brazilians of 'Fleesh' (see their latest album here). The comparison stops there because our German duo has always been attracted by symphonic metal and, even if we find in their cover albums quite varied styles including songs from the magnificent film 'Les Choristes' and the 'Hallehuia' from 'Leonard Cohen', also contain 'Nightwish' titles (see their latest album here) and the remarkable covers, among others, of 'Dead Boy's Poem', 'Nemo' or 'Sleeping Sun' but also 'My Immortal' from 'Evanescence' (see their latest album here).

It was then that in 2018, the duo decided to evolve towards symphonic metal with the release of an EP 'Rise And Shin' which saw 'Thomas Kolbin' swap his acoustic guitar for an electric guitar and 'Susanne Scherer' diversify her vocal register and get closer to a certain 'Tarja Turunen' (listen to 'Desire') and which also showed provisions for this style of music. And 2020 therefore sees the release of the first symphonic metal studio album and what an album !! From the first track to the last, each one is a potential single with melodies that immediately enter your head; so as not to make the title title, I will cite my favorites with the catchy 'Wanted and Wild' where everything is done to make us move in rhythm, or the mid-tempo 'Blind' which alternates in a masterful way calm and power and brings to mind the atmospheres of 'Tarja', 'Susanne Scherer' having the same charisma as the Finnish, or the magnificent ballad 'Scars' showing that Susanne knows how to modulate her voice, limpid and crystalline in the verses and powerful in the chorus or the symphonic 'Into The Fire' with its remarkable modulations between intense parts and others more moderate. Note that the duo has put online since 2019, a lot of remarkable videos on their you tube page (see here) and here are some titles form ‘Escapalace' :
- One By One.
- Wanted and Wild.
- Scars.
- Into The Fire.
- To the Sky and Back.
- Deep Within.
- Between the Flags.
- Hearing Your Scream.

In summary, in all of the symphonic metal releases this year, 'MoonSun' is without a doubt the most beautiful discovery for me and, for all lovers of symphonic metal who are fans of 'Tarja', you can go there with your eyes closed, you will not be disappointed...

Line Up / Musicians

Susanne Scherer (Vocal), Thomas Kolbin (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Eternal Wanderers

Album : Homeless Soul

Release Date : 16-04-2020

Added : 23-05-2020

'Eternal Wanderers' is a Russian formation formed by two sisters, Elena and Tatyana Kanevskaya and who already has more than 20 years of career with several albums to its credit and a first period with an electro-acoustic style and 'Floydian' influences from the period 'Ummaguma', and a second period evolving towards progressive rock with 3 studio recordings, 'The Door To A Parallel World' in 2008, 'SoFar and So Near' in 2011 and 'The Mystery Of The Cosmic Sorrow' in 2016. 'Homeless Soul' (see their page on this new opus here) is their 4th progressive rock album and after a first listen, the first feeling that comes out is that they mix two types of progressive : first, a fairly classic progressive rock inherited from the 70s with the singer 'Elena Kanevskaya' who delivers remarkable vocal performances and in these parts, the style makes me Don't think about the British from the ‘Renaissance’ (see their latest album here); then, they also offer us sections (see even whole titles) only instrumental which are in a modern and sought-after progressive style which brings back at certain times to the English of ‘ELP’.

It is with a magnificent vocal performance à capella by 'Elena Kanevskaya' that 'Eternal Wanderers' invites us to start the opus, then 'Eternal Wanderer' unrolls a very beautiful melody and it is in this kind of titles that the parallel with 'Renaissance' is quite obvious. In the same vein we can cite the psychedelic ‘Meteor’ with beautiful instrumental sections or the beautiful ballad ‘I Wanna Give My Life for You’. In parallel with these titles, the Russians offer compositions which alternate sung parts and other more elaborate instrumental which require several listening to integrate all the nooks and crannies : 'Transformations' is the first example with a fairly long first instrumental part , then a short part sung and finally, a final taking up the starting theme, then, 'The Cradle of a Hurricane' is entirely instrumental in 6 parts, sometimes serene, sometimes intense, describing the natural phenomena that are the hurricanes which I quote « are one of these phenomena that has mysticism and power, a cycle of life, born in the illusory calm waters of the ocean ». The rest of the album scrolls the ballad 'Chaos of Reason' which incorporates very beautiful contemporary passages in a psychedelic atmosphere and beautiful vocalizations of Elena in the second part (again this parallel with 'Renaissance'), the second instrumental 'In Search Of The Antiworld', alternating melancholic melodic lines with disturbing atmospheres, then the eponymous title of the album with sound effects and a tormented narration interspersed with sung sections, the album ending in an original way oriental atmosphere with 'Invested with Mystery', a title quite off the beaten track and a last beautiful vocal performance by 'Elena Kanevskaya' accompanied by the sitar of 'Dmitry Shtatnov'.

In summary, the Russians of Eternal Wanderers' release an album of remarkable originality which mixes different styles and which need to be tamed, little by little, over the listening and for this reason, 'Homeless Soul' will certainly limited to an informed public who likes to mix an inventive and sought-after progressive with symphonic and melodic atmospheres embellished with a very beautiful voice...

Line Up / Musicians

Elena Kanevskaya (Vocal, Keybords), Tatyana Kanevskaya (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Dmitry Shtatnov (Bass, Keybords, Citharre, Vocal, Choirs), Sergey Rogulya (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Zhenya Kanevskiy (Voice), Kostya Shtatnov (Voice), Andy Didorenko (Violin)


Artist : Realisea

Album : Mantelpeace

Release Date : 20-04-2020

Added : 24-05-2020

'Realisea' is the project of 'Brian de Graeve', guitarist, singer and songwriter of the Dutch neo-progressive group 'Silhouette' whose latest album 'The World Is Flat and Other Alterative Facts' dates from 2017, and 2020 finally sees the release of the first album under the name 'Realisea' after a long gestation of several years, Brian having created this project with his wife Marjolein in 2011 and in the family 'de Greave', they play music in family because their son 'Geoffrey de Graeve' is a bass player, 'Rob van Nieuwenhuijzen' and 'Christophe Rapenne' who complete the line up, respectively on drums and keyboards. Also note that this project appealed to many quite diverse guests, both at the vocal level and at an instrumental level, such as artists that I particularly like, 'Michel St-Père' and 'Jean Pageau' from 'Mystery' (see their latest album here).

Overall, their style is part of a peaceful and serene rock in the tradition of bands like 'Mostly Autumn', 'Mystery' or in the latest releases like 'MOON HALO' or 'Drowning Steps'. 'Las Vegas Lace' begins the album with the most energetic title and we discover the sweet voice of 'Marjolein de Graeve' with a melody which easily gets stuck in the head, then 'Deep Blue' in a more calm and light register reminds me of the sounds of 'Renaissance' and the 7 minutes of 'Riroda Roads' make it a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad interspersed two-thirds by a part sung by children. With 'Strong Enough', we stay in the atmosphere of the previous title and it is Brian who officiates at singing which allows to vary the vocal section, then, 'Leave Street' unrolls a beautiful melody in which 'Michel Saint Père' poses a beautiful guitar solo at the end of the title and 'Out of this World' is again a beautiful ballad with a very beautiful piano/voice duo on which the vocal arrangements are remarkable. The rest of the album continues with 'Your Part', more fast with a beautiful instrumental part in the second part of the title, more posed, then, 'Circles if Silence' with beautiful melodic lines and a magnificent vocal duo 'Marjolein by Graeve'/'Jean Pageau', and 'This Time' recalls 'Barclay James Harvest' period 'Ring Of Changes'. The album ends beautifully with the soft acoustic 'Liquid Domino' mixing the two beautiful voices of the couple 'de Graeve' and 'Our Stage', the longest and most progressive track on the album which sums up the whole in an atmosphere alternating acoustic and electric passages with an epic finish.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Realisea' are releasing a very beautiful album which can be enjoyed in a calm place, headphones on the ears, and if you like the atmospheres of a peaceful progressive rock, 'Mantelpeace' is without no doubt for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian de Graeve (Vocal, Guitar), Geoffrey de Graeve (Bass), Marjolein de Graeve (Vocal, Flute), Rob van Nieuwenhuijzen (Drums), Christophe Rapenne (Keybords) + Guests : Aldo Adema (Guitar), Rindert Bul (Guitar), Suzan van den Engel (Harp), Duncan de Graeve (Vocal), Mila Kamstra (Violin), Tamara van Coetsveld (Clarinette), Bart Laan (Guitar), Erik Laan (Keybords), Gert Otten (Cor), Jean Pageau (Vocal), Michel St-Père (Guitar), Simon Rogers (Guitar), Jos Uffing (Bass, Vocal), Sophie Zaaijer (Violin)


Artist : Igorrr

Album : Spirituality and Distortion

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 25-05-2020

In the French musical landscape, there is a formation which looks like an extraterrestrial, I named the project 'Igorrr' led by 'Gautier Serre' which upsets musical conventions by mixing styles as distant as the bal musette , black metal, baroque music or even oriental music. 2020 sees the release of a new album 'Spirituality and Distortion' and the least we can say is that our French has not lost his inventiveness and his talent as a composer to offer us once again compositions which for the common mortal would appear like hallucinogenic delirium after a good fricassee of fly agarics. For this new baby, he has surrounded himself with a good number of artists whether they are instrumentalists or singers (see list below)

From the first track 'Downgrade Desert', we embark on an oriental atmosphere with the oud of 'Mehdi Haddab', then, after a minute, change of scenery for heavy and powerful metal which alternates with vocalizations which gradually mingle with the power of metal, then, we pass without transition to 'Nervous Waltz' with its baroque introduction which quickly turns into a waltz of death metal and 'Very Noise' is a kind of crazy sound interlude that you have to listen with the video here. With 'Hollow Tree', the harpsichord of 'Benjamin Bardiaux' meets the lyric singing, all of this wrapped in an unbridled rhythm section then, 'Camel Dancefloor' returns to oriental influences with electronic sounds in a catchy rhythm, then, the violence of an electronic death metal is brought by 'Parpaing' with 'George Fisher' to growls before a 'bal musette' 'Musette Maximum' in which the accordion of 'Pierre Mussi' makes an improbable encounter with an unleashed rhythm section. We could almost speak then of a 'conventional' title with 'Himalaya Massive Ritual' which mixes Asian influences, lyricism and heavy metal because the fusion of genres is quite impressive as in 'Lost in Introspection' in which a more classic melody played by a piano, in some jazzy places, meets the lyric singing for a rather surprising new result. We are not at the end of our surprises, because it is still the meeting between an oriental song, electronic sounds and metal that awaits us with 'Overweight Poesy' and 'Paranoid Bulldozer Italiano' continues but this time with a small passage baroque in the middle of an unleashed rhythm section and it's the first time that I pity a drumset (the title alone is already a whole program, we wonder where Gautier is going to get it all !!) then, the introduction of 'Barocco Satani' makes us change galaxies with the use of ropes in a baroque atmosphere which is short-lived because we are quickly caught up by the patrol 'metal' and we alternate the two genres on the whole title (I would see well this title in video in the same genre as the 2CELLOS with the resumption of 'Thunderstruck' from 'AC/DC'). The end of the album gives us a magnificent 'Polyphonic Rust' with the alternation between the power of the electric instruments and the refinement of the singing which is quite striking, then, 'Kung-Fu Chèvre' (another title quite improbable !! ) which alone contains all the ingredients of a Prévert's inventory to make a crazy title between fluttering accordion, goat bleats, traditional a capella song, impetuous violins and hysterical drums.

In summary, what is certain is that the productions of 'Gautier Serre' cannot leave you indifferent : either you love it because you like originality and this total freedom to grind very distant musical styles and you get carried away by this incomparable result, or you either hate it because these big musical differences are not made for your ears (or you are simply not ready); for my part, even if I listen more generally to 'more conventional' music (and it is not at all derogatory), it is pleasant, from time to time, to be shaken by as much originality and it's the case for 'Spirituality and Distortion' which asked me time to tame it but which ultimately turned out to be a high quality album...

Line Up / Musicians

Gautier Serre (Guitar, Keybords), Erlend Caspersen (Bass), Martyn Clément (Guitar), Sylvain Bouvier (Drums), Laure Le Prunenec (Vocal) + Guests : George Fisher (Vocal), Jasmine Barra (Vocal), Laurent Lunoir (Vocal), Diego Delgadillo (Growls), Matt Lebofsky (Piano), Mehdi Haddab (Oud), Mike Leon (Bass), Pierre Lacasa (Vocal), Timba Harris (Violin), Pierre Mussi (Accordion), Fotini-Asineth Kokkala (Kanoun), Benjamin Bardiaux (Clavecin), Antony Miranda (Sitar, Percussions), Alexandre Peronny (Cello), Nils Cheville (Guitar), Benjamin Violet (Violin)


Artist : Edenya

Album : Silence

Release Date : 02-04-2020

Added : 26-05-2020

'Edenya' is a project which was created by the multi-instrumentalist, author and composer 'Marco' about ten years ago with an EP released in 2017 with a first Cameroonian singer 'Ida Rose' which was replaced after the release of the EP with a new singer 'Elena' and a new singer 'Rémi' which allowed 'Marco' to considerably develop his vocal section and 2020 sees the release of their first LP 'Silence'. Their style is part of a peaceful and melodic progressive rock and we can cite bands like 'Mostly Autumn' (see last album here ) or the new project 'Chasing The Monsoon' from ex 'Karnataka', 'Ian-Jones' or even the Brazilians from 'Fleesh'.

'Silence' contains 8 tracks for 50 minutes of music and for the beginning, with 'The Promise', the introduction made of guitar arpeggios reminds us of the ballads of 'Scorpions' and we discover the beautiful singing of 'Elena', delicate and harmonious, then, after halfway through, the title takes off in a beautiful instrumental section to fall back on the end with the starting theme. Follows 'Sabrina' which continues in this calm and dreamlike atmosphere, then, after the melancholic instrumental 'Broken Love', not necessarily essential for me because always repeating the same musical phrase, 'All They Want' is a melodic jewel and you can't help but think of 'Gabby Vessoni' from 'Fleesh' when you hear Elena's sweet voice filling the whole space. The following offers us the long title 'Will the Demons Win?' Which denounces the terrorist attacks and it is with a ballad and a very beautiful crescendo that 'Marco' decided to treat this subject, then 'Chaos' is the second instrumental , quite linear, with a more rock sound but which keeps a rather slow tempo and with 'Silence', we hold the longest title of the album and certainly the most progressive which takes us on a superb journey in the company of the singing of 'Elena' but which also gives pride of place to instrumental sections with remarkable alternations between energetic parts and others much quieter, then the album ends quietly on an acoustic note with 'Still Alive'.

In summary, with his project 'Edenya', 'Marco' shows us all his talent as an author and a composer in an album filled with airy and delicate atmospheres and 'Silence' should appeal to an audience who likes a progressive melodic and accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco (Guitar, Keybords, Piano), Elena (Vocal, Choirs), Rémi (Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Victoria K

Album : Essentia

Release Date : 24-04-2020

Added : 27-05-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

I'm taking you to the land of kangaroos with the group ‘Victoria K’, named after the singer who created this project in 2016 and who has just released her first album ‘Essentia’. This new combo is still added to the already long list of symphonic metal releases of March and April 2020 (see last chronicles in this style with 'Ad Infinitum', 'Fourth Circle', 'Ani Lo Projekt', 'Imperial Age', 'Fallen Arise', 'MoonSun' and of course the last 'Nightwish'). No surprise, 'Victoria K' is part of a classical symphonic metal and a good number of existing formations come to mind at first listen, but we can still emphasize, because it is not very common in this style (except for projects mounted from scratch like 'Exit Eden'), that the female gender prevails over the male gender for one voice, since, with 'Victoria K .' on the main vocals, 'Sheri Vengeance' on the extreme vocals and 'Julia Mammone' on the electric guitar these are in total 3 female artists for 2 male artists with 'Marty Kawaler' on bass and 'James Davies' on drums.

The album is relatively short (36 minutes) and has 10 titles between 3 and 4 minutes which suggests that we will go the heart of the matter and that's what we discover the first time we listen. It is with a powerful 'Freedom Unchanted' that 'Victoria K' opens the debates with a first mid-tempo title whose melodic lines are easily embedded in the head and which sees 'Sheri Vengeance' accompany with growls the powerful voice of 'Victoria K' and this association is also present on two other titles, 'Forsaken' and 'Matrix', which are not to be outdone on the melodic level. In the same powerful and energetic style, we can cite 'Surreal' with its oriental influences on the end of the title, 'Mist Filled Sky' with an impetuous rhythm section or even 'Lacuna' which was the subject of a single already a year ago and which reminds me of 'Stream of Passion', Dutch formation which unfortunately stopped in 2016, but we can also mention 'The Haunting' for its alternations between parts removed and others quieter and whose melodic lines bring us back to 'Within Temptation' especially that in the treble less supported, 'Victoria K' is more languorous, like can do 'Sharon del Adel'. And when the electric instruments are less vigorous, ‘Victoria K’ offers us beautiful power ballads with ‘Shroud of Solitude’ and ‘Humanity’, showing a soft side with remarkable interpretations.

In summary, we can only salute this new formation which already appears very mature for a first album, thanks to beautiful melodies, a singer with impeccable vocal technique and a remarkable production which destines 'Essentia' to all fans of symphonic metal and if affinities, why not to a wider audience because the whole is relatively accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Victoria K (Vocal), Sheri Vengeance (Vocal), Julia Mammone (Guitar), Marty Kawaler (Bass), James Davies (Drums) + Gueste : Michalina Malisz (Vielle à roue)


Artist : Gabriel

Album : New Life

Release Date : 24-02-2020

Added : 29-05-2020

Reading the guests of the first album 'New Life' from Argentina 'Gabriel Agudo', it is a prestigious sample of artists from the progressive scene who parade with 'Steve Rothery', guitarist of 'Marillion' and leader of the 'Steve Rothery Band' ('Gabriel Agudo' is the singer) and names like 'Dave Kerzner' or 'Clive Nolan' but also classical artists with the conductor 'René Bosc' and the pianist 'Heiner Scob'. The album was already released a few months ago, but gradually revealed itself as and when listening, the 6 titles which compose it each having their own personality (actually 7 but the last one being the long version of the first ‘Free as a Bird’). Overall, the style is an inventive and sought-after progressive rock with long developments and the different projects of the guests mentioned above are a good benchmark for the listener to have a good idea of the atmospheres deployed.

'Free as a Bird' which begins the album is a magnificent, melancholic and introspective title in which Gabriel speaks of his mother who died of Alzheimer's disease and who has a heady refrain which can recall the melodic lines of the well known 'With Without You' from 'U2' in a much slower tempo, then, 'Karmatic' contains everything you want to find in a progressive title : an alternation between different atmospheres, a fair balance between the sung and instrumental parts and a musical research which embarks you on a journey filled with beautiful surprises successively recalling the atmospheres of formations like 'Arena', 'Marillion' or 'Genesis' to name just three and which offers us a magnificent classical piano performance of 'Heiner Scob'. With, 'Angel's Call', I have the impression of listening to 'Mystery', this title offering multiple parts and alternating aerial and intense atmospheres, and the eponymous title of the album re-embarks us for 9 minutes of incredible musical density, starting with a sustained rhythm with the keyboards of 'Clive Nolan' playing cat and mouse with the singing of 'Gabriel Agudo', then having an instrumental part in which keyboards and violins twirl happily and which falls back into the second part of the title in a gentle and serene way, with first the flute and the piano and then the guitar of 'Steve Rothery' which accompany Gabriel's singing to finish on a magnificent decrescendo. After the short piano interlude 'Awakening' by 'Heiner Scob', 'Shining Spark' is a more classic ballad but which, for me, offers the most beautiful vocal performance of 'Gabriel' in this album, filled with emotion at every moment, then, the nearly 18-minute long version of 'Free as a Bird' closes the album in a much more progressive structure in which the instrumental parts take a prominent place with an important place for the violin of 'Hélène Collerette' which increase the emotional cursor thanks to a wonderful interpretation and : simply beautiful.

In summary, 'Gabriel Agudo', well accompanied by a skewer of very good artists, released a first album of remarkable density that requires lingering if we want to get all the richness and, therefore, will be reserved for an audience of progressive music who takes their time to discover a work little by little, listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriel Agudo (Vocal, Guitar), René Bosc (Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Drums), Hélène Collerette (Violin) + Guests : Jan-Vincent Velazco (Drums), Dave Kerzner (Keybords), Heiner Scob (Piano), Fernando Perdomo (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Clive Nolan (Keybords), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Christophe Lebled (Keybords), Sarah Brannens (Voice)


Artist : JPL

Album : Sapiens Chapitre 1/3 : Exordium

Release Date : 02-04-2020

Added : 30-05-2020

'JPL' ('Jean-Pierre Louveton') is well known to French progressive rock public because, after 15 years with 'Nemo' and 9 studio albums, he continues to release albums and only a few are on spotify (including the 'Retrospections', the last release of which dates from 2018 - see here). 2020 therefore sees the release of a new album which is the first chapter of an ambitious work : 'Sapiens' or the history of man and this first section 'Exordium' is divided into 3 parts, 'Erectus' which is the advent of man on earth (the titles ‘Mastodontes’, ‘Homo sapiens’ and ‘Ecce homo’), 'Exitium' which is the period of his domination and then the destruction of his ecosystem (titles ‘A condition’ and ‘Le chaud et le froid’) and 'Exodus' which is the terrible observation that his planet is not viable anymore (the titles 'Planète A' and 'Alpha centuri').

Musically, 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' continues to do 'JPL' and we are therefore immersed in a progressive epic which gives pride of place to the instrumental sections which are always very full and always just as imaginative, and this, starting by ‘Mastodontes’, fully instrumental and whose symphonic introduction does not augur something for the much heavier suite with a welcome lull in the second part and a catchy finish which do of this title a remarkable introduction to the album, then, 'Homo sapiens' tumbles with melodic lines easy to memorize and refers to the French progressive rock groups with in mind 'Ange' (see their last album here) and 'Ecce Homo', fully instrumental, ends the first part of 'Erectus' and starts more calmly to gain momentum to finish with the theme of ‘Mastodontes’ : the circle is complete, man can then begin his disastrous drawing of damaging the planet. 'Exitium' begins with 'A condition', with a text which criticizes the headlong rush of man to conquer every corner of the planet and take power at all costs with a sung first part which leaves place in the second half of the title to a very beautiful guitar solo in crescendo and a short sung section and which has an instrumental finale which accelerates the rhythm, then, 'Le chaud et le froid' which is the longest title of the album contains a remarkable central instrumental part which is sandwiched by a beautiful melody on which Jean-Pierre poses words of acerbic criticism on the misdeeds of man with a remarkable end of title with the participation of a children's choir. And it is with the two titles of 'Exodus' that the album ends : first of all, 'Planète A' which begins with a fairly calm sung part, while continuing to denounce the men who have arrived at a inevitable end, then Jean-Pierre gratifies us with a remarkable guitar solo which is followed by a sung section taking more and more amplitude with organ tones bringing an imposing atmosphere which falls back with a few notes of keyboards; then it is the turn of 'Alpha centuri' which begins energetically with an instrumental section with a solo of keyboards alternating jazzy and rock accents of 'Guillaume Fontaine' and 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' follows with a guitar solo which gives way to the sung part with excessively pessimistic lyrics which proclaim that it is too late to save the earth and with a heady instrumental finale repeating the same musical sentence.

In summary, this first part of the announced trilogy of 'Jean-Pierre Louveteau' is a remarkable introduction which should appeal to any amateur and any progressive amateur who likes the alternation between the sung and instrumental parts and the relatively accessible melodies and we hope that Jean-Pierre will released soon the next chapter, especially if it is of the same quality as 'Exordium'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean-Pierre Louveton (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Jean Baptiste Itier (Drums) + Guests : Florent Ville (Drums), Guillaume Fontaine (Keybords), Marguerite Miallier (Vielle à roue), Stéphanie Vouillot (Piano)


Artist : Into the Open

Album : Destination Eternity

Release Date : 20-03-2020

Added : 31-05-2020

'Into the Open' is a new project created by the duo 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' and 'Sander Heerings' who are progressive artists, Jan evolving with 'Knigh Area' and having participated in several projects ('Ayreon' and 'Magoria') and Sander with 'Wane of Summer' and 'The Dust Connection'. ‘Destination Eternity’ is a concept album I quote their site, « about the journey of a soul to its final destination. Like the painting of the cover “The Source” perfectly symbolizes the disaster at sea and the beautiful song written about it, it also symbolizes live and death and becoming a better soul along that journey ». Indeed, the painting of the cover has been done by ‘Vivi Hoffmanns’ who were inspired by the song 'Estonia' from 'Marillion' featured in their last album ’With Friends from the Orchestra’.

11 tracks for almost an hour of listening, it is the menu of 'Destination Eternity' which takes us on a progressive alternating energy and serenity which makes it a varied opus which is tamed quite easily, the melodic lines being accessible. The short instrumental 'Origins' starts the album in a 'Floydian' way in an atmospheric atmosphere, then 'Birth' is a rhythmic title with a catchy bass and a simple but effective melody and, in the same style, we can also quote 'Back to the Day', 'Eternity' and 'When the Crowd Is Gone'. Alternating with these energetic tracks, 'Destination Eternity' also offers us quieter tracks with the mid-tempo 'Once', quite powerful but with a certain melancholy, the short instrumental 'Nostalgia' which is aptly named, the magnificent ballad 'Purpose' with its melody which settles in your head without leaving it and 'Half Song' which ends the album on a stripped note with a piano/voice duo filled with a palpable emotion. But my two favorites are without context, first of all the longest title of the album 'Judgment Day' which takes us on a masterful progressive title, with a wonderful vocal performance of 'Jan Willem Ketelaers', instrumental sections varied embellished with beautiful keyboards and guitar solos and a magnificent final, more stripped down with remarkable vocalizations, and then, the melodic 'Ride the Wind' with a vocal duo which gives you goosebumps with 'Maria Catharina' which I discover in this title and who participated in the project 'Magoria' and who is the singer of 'Roby Valentine' but who also has videos of covers of 'Edenbridge' on 'You Tube' and we can also note the very beautiful instrumental part with a guitar solo by 'Marcel Coenen' who often takes part in projects 'Ayreon' by Arjen Lucassen '.

In summary, this new project 'Into the Open' is a real success with varied compositions in perfect balance between energy and serenity and 'Destination Eternity' is to be advised to an audience navigating between classic and progressive rock with accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Willem Ketelaers (Vocal), Sander Heerings (Keybords), Robert Spaninks (Drums), Martijn Balsters (Guitar), Frank Strokap (Bass), Ronald Martens (Guitar) + Guests : Maria Catharina (Vocal), Marcel Coenen (Guitar), Kim de Beer (Violin)


Artist : Long Earth

Album : Once Around the Sun

Release Date : 23-03-2020

Added : 02-06-2020

It is with 'Once Around the Sun' that I discover the Scottish formation 'Long Earth' composed of talented artists with a first album 'The Source' released in 2017. Their influences are quite vast and varied and go from the 70s to nowadays in a rock style mixing energietic tracks and others quieter all this being judiciously positioned in the album.

Indeed, the first 5 tracks alternate energy and serenity : first of all 'We Own Tomorrow' takes us back to the 70s with an introduction close to 'Genesis', a fairly marked rhythm and a remarkable instrumental finale , then 'My Suit of Armor' is a beautiful stripped piano/voice and melancholic ballad which introduces the electric instruments and the drums in the last part and 'A Guy from Down the Road' is a long title whose first part is based on an energetic rhythm and a fairly linear bass which can remind some hard-rock bands of the 70s and which offers a second part much more progressive and almost entirely instrumental with a much quieter final and finally, 'What About Love' and 'The Man in the Mirror 'are more conventional pop songs with light and relaxing melodies. The rest of the album offers a set of 4 much more peaceful songs, each representing a season : 'Spring' offers us a light atmosphere which represents the happy awakening of spring and which reminds me of the ballads of 'Barclay James Harvest' , then 'Summer' begins in a progressive style and continues in the same atmosphere as the previous title with the singing of 'Martin Haggarty' and subtle keyboards which go very well with the beautiful calm and soothing melody and which ends with an atmospheric instrumental part after a hot summer day. As for the last two seasons, 'Autumn' begins with a melancholic symphonic part then keeps this feeling in the form of a beautiful calm and serene ballad and finally, 'Winter', the longest title of the album is a perfect summary of the whole but not necessarily in phase with the harshness of winter since it transports us with beautiful melodic lines, in a warm song with limpid and harmonious instrumental passages in a beautiful and soothing journey ending in a gentle decrescendo.

In summary, this new album from the Scots of 'Long Earth' shows all the talent of this formation which succeeds in mixing different styles to release an album very pleasant to listen to and 'Once Around the Sun' should please all those and those who like light and serene atmospheres between pop and rock with some more catchy and energetic compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Haggarty (Vocal), Mike Baxter (Keybords), Gordon Mackie (Bass), Ken Weir (Drums, Percussions, Vocal), Renaldo McKim (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Grandval

Album : Descendu sur Terre

Release Date : 24-04-2020

Added : 03-06-2020

'Grandval' is the project of the multi-instrumentalist, author and composer 'Henri Vaugrand' who released a first album 'A Ciel Ouvert…' 'Grandval' is the project of the multi-instrumentalist, author and composer 'Henri Vaugrand' who released a first album 'A Ciel Ouvert…' in 2016 and which after the sky, gets closer to the earth with 'Descendu sur Terre' and which offers us an imaginative and relatively sought-after progressive rock with texts in French in the great tradition of progressive rock groups and the one that comes to mind first is of course 'Ange' with this words wizard who is ‘Chistian Décamps’. To musically flesh out this new opus, he called on several guitarists including 'Jean-pierre Louveton' who has also just released a new album (see the chronicle here). >
It is with the instrumental 'Exondation' that the album begins in a 'Floydian' atmospheric introduction which accelerates the rhythm in the second part with keyboards and guitars which engage a ping-pong battle between them, then, the long development for almost 10 minutes, 'A new destiny', is representative of progressive French rock with all the ingredients you want to find there, between rich instrumental parts and tailor-made texts. After the comma ‘Puissances de l’infini’, the eponymous title of the album takes us on, first in voluptuous melodic lines with a delicate singing of Henri then accelerates the rhythm and alternates catchy parts and others more calm, and ‘Fractal et systémique’ changes from register for an exotic atmosphere then regains power in a rhythm and a guitar sound close to 'Carlos Santana'. The ballad break is brought with ‘Le chemin à l’envers’ which brings us back to 'Ange' intonations with, for me, one of the most beautiful melodies and one of the most beautiful texts from the album, then ‘Il existe une étoile’ continues the progressive journey in a 10-minute title with multi-drawers honoring 'John Wetton' ('King Crimson', 'Uriah Heep', 'Roxy Music', 'Asia') who died in 2017 ‘La meute est en place’ takes a completely different direction, mixing electronic and atmospheric sounds with tempo changes, then ‘Brûler dans les flammes de l’enfer’ returns to a more classic progressive inherited from the 70s while continuing to criticize 'Donald Trump' and this in a subtle way, without naming him directly. And to finish on a more positive note, it is with ‘La vie, pourtant, la vie’ that the adventure of 'Descendu sur Terre' ends in the form of a new long progressive development at the 'Decamps' sauce with a quiet first part and a much more lively second, the album ending with the cover 'La maison de Men-Tää' of the French progressive group 'Atoll' in which 'John Wetton' made a brief stint in 1981.

In summary, 'Henri Vaugrand' continues its path in its trilogy on the elements of nature and this second part is full of quality compositions that must, as always in this case, be appropriated by successive listenings which makes 'Descendu sur Terre' an album to recommend to all those who love progressive French style...

Line Up / Musicians

Henri Vaugrand (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Olivier Bonneau (Guitar, Keybords, Bass) + Guests : Christophe Chalancon (Guitar), Jean-baptiste Itier (Drums), Jean-pierre Louveton (Guitar, Mellotron), Kevin Serra (Guitar), Raffaele Spanetta (Guitar), Steph Honde (Guitar)


Artist : COMPASS

Album : Our Time on Earth

Release Date : 24-04-2020

Added : 05-06-2020

‘Steve Newman’ is known to have created the A.O.R. project 'NEWMAN' with a last opus just released in March 2020, 'Ignition' and, in 2017, he decided in parallel with' NEWMAN ' to leave in another musical direction and he therefore created a new project 'COMPASS' concretized by a first opus 'Our Time on Earth' which was born at the end of April 2020. He took with him the bassist 'Dave Bartlett' from 'NEWMAN' and 'Ben Green' and 'Toni Malush' complete the line up, respectively to the vocals and drums.

This new project allowed him to get out of the often limited durations of the A.O.R. by particularly expanding his writing with much denser titles with durations ranging from 5 to 10 minutes while retaining this talent for beautiful melodies that can be tamed immediately. 'Skies of Fire', nearly 9 minutes long, begins the album with a catchy title and a nice alternation between energetic sections and other quieter ones which bring a progressive side to the whole thanks in particular to more developed instrumental parts. In the same style, we can cite ‘Caught in a Frame’, ‘Neon’ or ‘Another Life Suicide’ which are a kind of mixture between melodic rock and progressive metal. In the same style, we can cite ‘Caught in a Frame’, ‘Neon’ or ‘Another Life Suicide’ which are a kind of mixture between melodic rock and progressive metal. But, it is with compositions that are the most distant from the A.O.R. that 'Steve Newman' surprises us the most, with, first of all the two parts of 'Our Time on Earth' which, while keeping an accessible melodic side, mix atmospheric and progressive parts, then, with 'The Preacher And The Pigeon Feeder', alternates sweet parts and others more energetic with a magnificent guitar solo in the middle of the title. As for 'A Warning From History', it is undoubtedly the most progressive of the album with remarkable instrumental passages and it is in this composition that we feel most the break in composition of Steve with 'NEWMAN'.

In summary, with this new project, 'Steve Newman' shows us that he has several strings to his bow : we knew his talent for unstoppable melodies in an 'AOR' style and we discover with this opus that it also has this ability to offer us richer and more complex compositions bringing a progressive side while keeping this sense of melody and 'Our Time on Earth' should please a fairly large audience navigating between melodic and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Newman (Guitar, Keybords), Ben Green (Vocal), Dave Bartlett (Bass), Toni Lakush (Drums)


Artist : Lesoir

Album : Mosaic

Release Date : 01-05-2020

Added : 07-06-2020

Holland is a country rich in progressive artists whether in rock or metal and ‘Lesoir’ is now one of those known groups with already 4 albums since 2011 and 2020 sees the release of their 5th studio recording ‘Mosaic’. In a progressive rock mixing different influences, this album is a continuation of the previous ones with compositions offering beautiful melodic lines in fairly quiet rhythms which can remind in some places of formations like 'Mostly Autumn', 'Loonypark' or 'Fleesh' to name only formations with female singers because this formation offers remarkable vocal performances with 'Maartje Meessen' and 'Eleen Bartholomeus'.

The album begins with 'Mosaic' which is fairly representative of the style of this formation, a peaceful mid-tempo which intensifies on the final with a remarkable guitar solo and a first luminous vocal performance by Maartje then, 'Is This It' is more complex with changes in tempos and intensity which make it a title that you have to listen to several times to get all the instrumental and vocal richness. With 'Somebody Like You', the rhythm is more linear but we keep a certain dissonance at the vocal level which is a bit the trademark of 'Lesoir', then, 'The Geese' continues in this direction with a nice alternation between tension and relaxation, and 'Measure of Things' begins with an oriental song which slides gently towards a beautiful ballad which, little by little, gains momentum for a remarkable final much more intense with a magnificent guitar solo while remaining fairly simple. The suite scrolls the instrumental 'Dystopia' which mixes different styles with beautiful atmospheric 'Floydian' sections, the complex 'It's Never Quiet' consisting of several drawers with a majestic final crescendo, the short instrumental 'Mxi' not necessarily essential and finally, the remarkable 'Two Faces' which is almost 8 minutes and which is a good summary of the very personal style of 'Lesoir' with beautiful melodic lines which one quickly appropriates, admirable alternations between powerful part and others much quieter and a last remarkable vocal performance of 'Maartje Meessen'.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Lesoir' continue to enchant us in their very personal progressive universe and 'Mosaic' is an album filled with beautiful compositions which must be appropriated little by little and which should please a fairly large audience loving creative and refined progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Maartje Meessen (Vocal, Keybords, Flute), Ingo Dassen (Guitar), Eleen Bartholomeus (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Ruben Heijnsbroek (Bass), Bob van Heumen (Drums)


Artist : Superthousand

Album : #TRNSIT

Release Date : 24-04-2020

Added : 08-06-2020

‘Superthousand’ is a new German band which released two studio recordings, the EP ‘Universe | Revese’ in 2013 and ‘voyage.’ In 2016 and which has just released a new album ‘#TRNSIT’. They are part of an atmospheric progressive style with obvious influences from formations like ‘Pink-Floyd’ or like their compatriots from ‘RPWL’.

With the very short instrumental 'Silence Reprise' which refers to the last title of their album 'voyage.', 'Silence', we hear directly the references cited above and we feel a major evolution in production with a much more worked sound, 'World on Wire' confirming this feeling with a first composition unrolling a slow and beautiful melody with parts deploying an imposing amplitude of sound. The long development ‘Transit’ continues in this atmospheric atmosphere with a first part fairly agreed melodically, integrating in the second part a beautiful instrumental section close to the ‘Floyds’ and a sung final which returns to a calmer atmosphere. Follow the beautiful ballad 'Albatros' which reminds of 'RPWL', then 'Yet Untilted' is much more energetic thinking outside the box, and finally, 'Safe and Now' concludes this short opus with a 2nd long development which puts forward the singing of 'Dominik Mertens' and a catchy rhythm with remarkable breaks in intensity in the main theme and an imposing ending which ends abruptly.

In summary, the Germans from ‘Superthousand’ are releasing a quality album reminiscent of the big names in atmospheric progressive rock and ‘#TRNSIT’ should appeal to all those who like the references mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Dreier (Keybords, Guitar, Bass), Dominik Mertens (Vocal, Guitar), Markus Missbrandt (Drums, Djembé, Percussions)


Artist : Lunear

Album : Curve.Axis.Symmetry

Release Date : 23-04-2020

Added : 09-06-2020

‘Lunear’ is a French band that released a first album ’Many Miles Away’ in 2018 and I discover them with its successor ‘Curve.Axis.Symmetry’ which has just been released. Their style is between pop and rock with lyrics in English and this last baby is a concept album dedicated, I quote their site, « to a woman who cannot die. First, she thought it was a blessing: the dream of eternal life... But, nothing lasts forever, not even our earth...".

Musically, they offer us delicate and restful atmospheres with magnificent melodies which touch you immediately by mixing progressive influences with pop and to take an example in the progressive world, the style of 'Lunear' is similar what 'Steven Wilson' and 'Aviv Geffen' can do with their 'Blackfield' project. The instrumental 'Lemniscate', which symbolizes infinity, begins the album and serves as an introduction for 'First Death' which offers us a first beautiful melody which can recall the first pop groups of the 60s with in mind the 'Beatles', then 'Same Player. Shoot Again.’ continues in this warm atmosphere with guitars a little more supported and ‘Nothing Left to Do’ deploys harmonious melodic lines which immediately settles in your head. After the melancholy instrumental short 'A Passage of Time', 'The Rise and Fall of Earth', which closes the first part 'Before the Fall', continues in this peaceful and tranquil atmosphere then 'Earth's Population: 1' which foreshadows 'After The Fall' is more catchy with beautiful vocal harmonies and reminds me of 'Barclay James Harvest' while 'Earth End' reverts to a darker style with a slow tempo. The end of the album scrolls 'Adrift' with a slight crescendo in a waltz rhythm which gives us this impression of perpetual dance, the nonchalant 'From Its Sky' which echoes by its melody to 'Nothing Left to Do' but in a more refined version and which offers us a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo in the second half of the title, the ballad 'Forever' which is a bit of a summary of this story with a magnificent soothing melody ending with this strange sensation when we evoke the infinite, and finally, the short acoustic epilogue repeating the words of 'First Death' but in a much more stripped down style.

In summary, the French of 'Lunear' offers us a magnificent concept album with an original theme set to music in a remarkable way : 'Curve.Axis.Symmetry.' is to be enjoyed headphones on your ears and should please to an entire audience navigating between pop and rock and fans of peaceful atmospheres with beautiful melodies accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Sébastien Bournier (Vocal, Drums), Paul J.No (Vocal, Keybords), Jean-Philippe Benadjer (Vocal, Guitar, Bass)


Artist : Axel Rudi Pell

Album : Sign of the Times

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 10-06-2020

Beyond the Axel Rudi Pell fans, melodic metal fans should be happy because we don't count albums anymore and ‘Sign of the Times’ is the last of this long series. After, a fifth compilation of their ballads (see here) and a last album 'Knights Call' in 2018, the Germans come back with an album that the we could qualify as classic with melodies still as effective in a heavy register. We do not change a winning team because it is the same line up which officiates from several albums with always 'Johnny Gioeli' who also continues in parallel his project with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', 'Hardline' with a last album released in 2019 (see here) and who also released an opus with 'Deen Castronovo' (see here).

Not surprisingly, after the short instrumental introduction in which Axel has fun on the guitar, we find our five lads with new unstoppable compositions whether in fast tempos like 'Gunfire', 'Bad Reputation', ' The End of the Line 'or' Waiting for Your Call 'or in powerful but more mid-tempo titles like 'Sign of the Times', 'Wings for Your Call' or 'Into the Fire' and, of course, without forget one of their specialties, beautiful ballads with this time only one but devilishly effective, 'As Blind As A Fool Can Be'. Also note ‘Living in a Dream’ with its reggae rhythm in the introduction which metallizes quickly enough for a new title close to ‘Rainbow’.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Axel Rudi Pell' keep doing 'Axel Rudi Pell' and this for our greatest happiness, reminding us of the great hard rock and metal bands of the years 70 and 80 like 'Deep Purple' which will release a new album very soon...

Line Up / Musicians

Axel Rudi Pell (Guitar), Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Volker Krawczak (Bass), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums)


Artist : Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate

Album : Nostalgia for Infinity

Release Date : 06-05-2020

Added : 12-06-2020

‘Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’ is an English progressive rock band led by the duo ‘Malcom Galloway’/’Mark Gatland’ which was created in 2011 and which released its 5th album ‘Nostalgia For Infinity’. We had already had a sample of this opus with the EP 'Ark' released in 2019 with two titles but it is clear that this new baby is very rich for a duration of almost 70 minutes. ‘Nostalgia For Infinity’ is a concept album including 5 titles dedicated to ‘Redemption Ark’, a science fiction novel of the same name by Alastair Reynolds, which denounces the fragility of our civilization.

'Century Rain' begins the album in a good way with a long development of more than 9 minutes which takes up the title and the theme of the novel of 'Alastair Reynolds' on an imagined alternative from the 2nd world war; musically, I had the impress to listen to 'Jethro Tull' music which one would have embellished with magnificent progressive passages, the flute of 'Kathryn Thomas' being no stranger to this feeling and 'Twin Earth' continues on this path with a new title which gives pride of place to remarkable instrumental sections. Follows 'Ark' which we already knew with the EP and which is one of the centerpieces of the album and which in an atmospheric style between 'Vangelis' and 'Pink-Floyd' connects magnificent melancholic instrumental sections, then 'Nanobotoma' is more classic with a conventional structure in a more rock style while remaining quite soft with beautiful 'Floydian' guitar solos and 'Chasing Neon' is the 2nd title that we already knew, more lively in an atmosphere highlighting electronic sounds bringing us back to the 80s and 90s. With the sequel of the 'Redemption Ark', 'Glitterband' opens the ball with a fairly repetitive musical theme, this feeling being accentuated by the singing marked with' Malcom Galloway, then, 'Conjoiners' returns to a calm, restful and very 'Floydian' atmospheric instrumental and, after the remarkable short 'Scorpio', much more energetic with contemporary tones, 'Inhibitors' is a bit the 'On the Run' from 'Dark Side of the Moon' of the English of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' with electronic sounds of experimental music. We return to more conventional with the eponymous title of the album in which the bass leads the dance in the first part and which softens thanks to the flute in the 2nd half and whose melody remains anchored in the head. The end of the album gives us a new instrumental 'Voyager', still very 'Floydian', a sort of homage to the probe of the same name released from the heliosphere in 2012 and which now derives in the universe, then, 'Sixth Extinction' much more energetic and rhythmical on climate change.

In summary, the English of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' have released an endearing, varied and rich album and, taking into account the allusions I have made to the 'Floyds' throughout this chronicle , 'Nostalgia for Infinity' should undoubtedly please all those who love an inventive and sought-after progressive while remaining very accessible in terms of melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Malcom Galloway (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Mark Gatland (Bass, Keybords, Guitar), Kathryn Thomas (Flute, Vocal)


Artist : Gabriels

Album : Fist Of The Seven Stars Act 3 : Nanto Chaos

Release Date : 30-04-2020

Added : 14-06-2020

'Gabriels' was created by the Italian 'Gabriele Gabriel Crisafulli', keyboardist with a classical training who participated in the adventure 'Aldaria' and who has already released five albums since 2010 the latest being 'Hokuto Brothers', act 2 of 'Fist of the Seven Stars' which is an ambitious project in 5 acts and which, for manga lovers, is the famous saga of 'Kenshiro' which was very successful in Italy thanks to the cartoons 'Ken the warrior'. 'Nanto Chaos' is therefore the 3rd chapter of this long story and to do this, Gabriele invited a large number of singers to interpret all the roles of this saga but also an impressive number of musicians to hold the sections of guitar, keyboards, bass and drums.

From the first two titles, we have a good overview of this varied opus, with on the one hand the energetic 'Three days of life' in a melodic hard-rock style of the 80s, and on the other hand , 'The Mark' which is a beautiful ballad with a refrain which remains engraved in the head. The sequel is like this beginning, accessible at first listen and divided between catchy compositions like ‘Treason Star’ which can be reminiscent of ‘Survivor’ or like ‘Rebirth By Three Days Of Life’, plus A.O.R. with electronic tones, or even like 'Confrontation' with its melodic lines that are integrated from the first listen but also remarkable mid-tempos with 'Fight for her love' and its simple but very effective chorus or 'Secret of Phoenix' and his magnificent solos of keyboards and guitar in the second part of the title or even the powerful 'Pyramid of Dictator' which closes the album. To all these titles, we can add the two other quieter moments 'Dying for your love' and 'Deathnight', two power ballads with for the first, a melody as the Italians know so well to do and the second, more melancholy and which is without a doubt the most moving title on the album.

In summary, 'Gabriele Gabriel Crisafulli' offers us a magnificent third part of his epic saga with varied and nevertheless very accessible compositions with a beautiful distribution at the vocal level and beautiful instrumental passages of keyboards and guitar which makes from 'Nanto Chaos' an album intended for a fairly large audience loving a harmonious metal and accessible to the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriele Gabriel Crisafulli (Keybords, Piano, Vocal) + Guests : Wild Steel “Ken” (Vocal), Jo Lombardo “Rey” (Vocal), Tommy Johansson “Shu” (Vocal), Ivan Drake “Juda” (Vocal), Dario Grillo “Toky” (Vocal), Antonio Pecere “Raoul” (Vocal), Rachel Iron Lungs “Mamiya” (Vocal), David Akesson “Sauzer” (Vocal), Gabriels Soldati (Vocal), Andrew Spane (Guitar), Tommy Johansson (Guitar), Frank Caruso (Guitar), Stefano Filoramo (Guitar), Antonello Giliberto (Guitar), Tommy Vitaly (Guitar), Dario Beretta (Guitar), Angelo Mazzeo (Guitar), Luigi De Blasio (Guitar), Dino Fiorenza (Bass), Beto Vazquez (Bass), Adrian Hansen (Bass), Fabiano Andreacchio (Bass), Alberto Rigoni (Bass), Roberto Giovinazzo (Bass), Mike Vader (Drums), Mattia Stancioiu (Drums), Michele Sanna (Drums), Giovanni Maucieri (Drums), Simone Alberti (Drums), Brantley Rogers (Drums)


Artist : Kristoffer Gildenlöw

Album : Homebound

Release Date : 18-04-2020

Added : 15-06-2020

'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' is the former bassist of the progressive metal band 'Pain Of Salvation' (see their latest album 'In The Passing Light Of Day') and he also participates in the ‘Kayak’ project of which he is the bass player (last opus 'Live 2019' released recently and 'Seventeen' released in 2018) and which already has 2 solo studio recordings to his credit with the magnificent 'The Rain' in 2016 whose theme was Alzheimer's disease. His last baby 'Homebound' is completely acoustic and brings us back to the 80s and can remind some singers of the time like 'Cat Stevens' but also he has this charisma at the vocal and instrumental level which can make think of the atmospheres of the last 'Roger Waters'.

9 songs for a relatively short duration of 35 minutes, it is the menu of 'Homebound' which after the instrumental introduction 'Eternal' which plants a rather dark decor with the Cello of 'Maaike Peterse', starts with a remarkable 'Holy Ground' which highlights Kristoffer's vocal talent with a striking alternation between tension and relaxation, then, 'Like Father Like Son' is much lighter and it is in this kind of compositions and the calm parts that the parallel with 'Cat Stevens' is most blatant. The following continues in this voluptuous atmosphere with 'Infected' and its rhythm section leading the dance, then, 'Snow' takes us on a small cloud with vaporous keyboards and an admirable vocal performance by Kristoffer while restrained and who fills all space in the intense parts, and 'Our Home' comes back to a more playful title which can make one think of 'BJH' and with very beautiful choirs. With 'I Cried Today', with its lighter melody, the vocal arrangements are simply sublime, then the cover of 'Leonard Cohen', 'Chelsea Hotel # 2' is masterful and it is in this title that I find that 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' approaches the ambiances of 'Roger Waters', and it is with 'You Need Not Stay (Away)' with his melancholic accompaniment on the piano that the album ends with a last sublime singing by Kristoffer.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' is releasing a masterful album and in large part due to its vocal performances which takes you into his universe that is always on the knife's edge and if you like atmospheres with constantly this feeling of swaying between tension and relaxation, 'Homebound' is undoubtedly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Vocal, Bass) + Guests : Dirk Bruinenberg (Drums), Jeroen Molenaar (Drums), Fredrik Hermansson (Piano), Marcel Singor (Guitar), Paul Coenradie (Guitar), Jan Willem Ketelaers (Choirs), Erna auf der Haar (Choirs), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Ola Sjönnerby (Cuivre)


Artist : Green Carnation

Album : Leaves of Yesteryear

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 16-06-2020

'Green Carnation' is a Norwegian group between progressive rock and metal founded by 'Terje Vik Schei' (nicknamed 'Tchort') and which had a period of intense activity between 2000 and 2006 with 5 albums, the last 'The Acoustic Verses' being included completly in a beautiful DVD 'A Night Under The Dam' available on you tube. 2016 saw the reformation of the group with and, four years later, the release of a new album ‘Leaves of Yesteryear’.

First of all, it must be said that of the 5 tracks on the album, only 3 are original because 'My Dark Reflections of Life and Death' already appeared on their first album 'Journey To The End Of The Night' and 'Solitude' is a cover of 'Black Sabbath' from the album 'Master of Reality' released in 1971. The three unreleased tracks are therefore, in order, 'Leaves Of Yesteryear' which takes us on a first long development of 8 minutes, and we find all the ingredients for a rich and inventive progressive metal supported by accessible melodic lines from the first listening, then with 'Sentinels' which follows with an introduction which reminds me in a heavier style the atmosphere of 'Innuendo' of 'Queen', we alternate mid-tempo passages and a much more energetic refrain, and finally, 'Hounds' is certainly the most varied with very beautiful melodic lines and a succession of several parts which go from a peaceful rock style to a muscular metal, all these mixes offering a nice coherence to the whole. As for the cover ‘My Dark Reflections of Life and Death’, it was rewritten in another tone and re-recorded but I will not enter into a sterile comparison, each version of this long development gives me the same listening pleasure. Finally, the album ends with a cover of ‘Solitude’ from ‘Black Sabbath’, in a quiet atmosphere, the singing of ‘Kjetil Nordhus’ lending itself very well to the atmosphere created by this title.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Green Carnation' timidly come back with only three unreleased tracks which are nevertheless remarkable which makes 'Leaves of Yesteryear' more of an EP but will allow, beyond the historical fans, to make to know this band to a wider audience and to some to discover or rediscover their discography (like for example this monument 'Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness' which is the only title of the album of 2001, but what title, since it lasts an hour !), and also I hope that they will not make us wait too long their next album...

Line Up / Musicians

Kjetil Nordhus (Vocal), Terje Vik Schei “Tchort” (Guitar), Stein Roger Sordal (Bass), Bjørn Harstad (Guitar), Kenneth Silden (Keybords), Jonathan Alejandro Perez (Drums)


Artist : Infinite Wisdom

Album : The Blue Room

Release Date : 04-05-2020

Added : 17-06-2020

'Infinite Wisdom' is a progressive rock band that started to release albums in 2012 with long developments exceeding 15 minutes with first 'A Word To The Wise' in 2012, then 'Awakening The Senses' in 2014 , and 2020 sees the release of a new album 'The Blue Room' with 9 compositions which all have influences drawn from the last 50 years of rock in general with first of all in the great formations of the 70s and 80s and this in a way varied because we can refer to names like 'Pink Floyd', 'Genesis', 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Uriah-Heep' but also more recent progressive rock bands like 'Arena' or 'Pendragon'.

With the two instrumental 'The Blue Room' that open and close the album, we are in full swing in a peaceful and relaxing 'Floydian' atmosphere then, with 'The Healer', the tone is close to a melodic hard rock of the 70s with keyboard sounds of this era, and 'Autopilot', after an introduction to the very 'Elton John' piano, takes us on melodic lines like 'ELO' (last album 'From Out Of Nowhere') with a melody that already seems to have been heard. The suite continues in compositions with harmonious lines with 'Beautiful Soul' which could be a mixture of 'BJH' and 'Pendragon', then, 'Heartland' is divided between catchy sections and others quieter and a final which is very 'Waterian', and with 'This is England', it's one of my favorites from the album, a remarkable composition of almost 8 minutes which brings us back to the start of the progressive. And it is with compositions as remarkable as the English of 'Infinite Wisdom' offer us for the end of the album : first of all, an energetic 'No Good Will Come Of This' with tones of' Deep Purple ', then, the centerpiece of this opus, 'Born to be King' which takes us on a progressive saga, with oriental intonations and which reminds me at certain places the epic side of 'Therion' in the most powerful parts but which alternates with other much more peaceful sections with always harmonious melodic lines, and finally, the second part of 'The Blue Room', very short (too short for my taste) which concludes this magnificent album in an atmospheric way.

In summary, as you will have understood, even if 'Infinite Wisdom' doesn't do buzz on the web, 'The Blue Room' is by all accounts a remarkable album which takes us for almost an hour in varied and melodic compositions, which makes this opus for a fairly large audience who like a progressive accessible at first listen referring to multiple influences in rock from the last fifty years...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark (Vocal, Keybords), Paul (Guitar), Jon (Bass), Roger (Drums)


Artist : Miracle Flair

Album : Synchronism

Release Date : 03-04-2020

Added : 18-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Miracle Fair' is a German-Swiss symphonic metal band led by a duo, singer 'Nicole Hartmann' and guitarist, author and composer 'Daniel Maurizi' who released a new album, 'Synchronism', in early April, bringing their discography since 2011 to three studio recordings 'Angels Cast Shadows' being the latest, released in 2016. With this last baby, they continue to ride the wave of a symphonic and melodic metal in the style of 'Delain', 'Xandria' and 'Within Temptation' but also other less known bands including the last one that I did a review, 'Victoria K' which refers to all those combos that have released an album since the beginning of 2020.

This is confirmed from the first titles 'The Untold', 'Synchronism' or 'What Remains', the tone is set for powerful and catchy compositions with melodic lines that we very easily appropriate and a clear song of 'Nicole Hartmann' who masters her subject from the first to the last note. The following continues in this style with often fast rhythms and guitar riffs of 'Daniel Maurizi' often in the foreground as in 'Torn Inside', 'Torture Myself' or in 'In Charge' and, apart from 'Lost in the Void 'and' Presence of Death 'which bring a certain variety inside each title with quieter passages and the bonus version of' In Love and Hate 'much lighter compared to the original (a little like 'Amberian Dawn'), the whole, even if all the compositions are of quality, remains substantially on the same scheme and may weary some in the long run.

In summary, this last baby of 'Miracle Fair' is a continuation of the previous ones and offers an energetic, symphonic and melodic metal in line with the major formations of this style and, even if despite each composition shows all the undeniable talent of this band, we can regret a lack of variety which could have been brought by the presence of one or two ballads and by more marked changes in intensity within the titles themselves...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicole Hartmann (Vocal), Daniel Maurizi (Guitar), Diego Rapacchietti (Drums), Emmi Lichtenhahn (Bass), Erik Damköhler (Keybords)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : In The Mist of Time (A Renaissance Tribute)

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 19-06-2020

For regulars of myprogmusic, you probably know that I appreciate the Brazilian group of 'Fleesh' with several chronicles already written for a year already with 'Live at Carioca Progfestival' at the end of 2019 , 'Versions I' in 2019 and 'Across The Sea' in 2019 and on the other hand that the 'Renaissance' band is also very dear to me for several decades (see chronicle of the very beautiful live 'A Symphonic Journey'). So when the duo 'Gabby Vessoni' / 'Celo Oliveira' released an album of 'Renaissance' covers, I'm necessarily fullfilled with this 'In The Mist of Time (A Renaissance Tribute)' which was also richly endowed with 20 tracks for almost 2 hours of listening.

The Brazilians embarked on the long career of the British with to start the start of 'Renaissance' with their first albums and the very beginning with the cover of 'Island' released already 51 years ago and which has not a wrinkle, then all the emblematic titles starting with 'Bound for Infinity' and 'Spare Some Love' from the album 'Prologue' of 1971, then 3 of the 5 compositions from the album 'Ashes Are Burning' with the long developments 'Can You Understand?' and 'Ashes are Burning'. All major albums are represented and we can quote the very beautiful versions of 'Day of the Dreamer', 'Ocean Gypsy', 'Things I Don’t Understand' or 'Trip to the Fair'. And, as usual, it's not pale copies of the originals but Gabby and Celo appropriate the compositions and brilliantly transform all these legendary titles into a version in which 'Gabby Vessoni' has her own vocal personality and moves us deeply as always.

In summary, this album of covers of the Brazilians of 'Fleesh' is a very beautiful tribute to the English of 'Renaissance' and allows us to immerse ourselves in these magnificent compositions which have accompanied us throughout decades between 1970s and 2000s and which should appeal not only to fans of 'Fleesh' and 'Renaissance' but to a large audience who like a sensitive, imaginative and poetry-filled progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Firewind

Album : Firewind

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 20-06-2020

After a very good 'Immotals' in 2017 and a new change of line up because the new singer of the group is now 'Herbie Langhans' (who participated to the 'Avantasia' and 'Ayreon' projects), the 'Greeks' of 'Firewind', led by their guitarist 'Kostas Karamitroudis' (nicknamed 'Gus G.') released a new album under the name of the group, as if 'Gus G.' wanted to return to the essentials of heavy metal of the begining. And after a first listening, it is indeed this feeling which prevails and one could also suspect it due to the absence of keyboard player, the guitar of ‘Gus. G. taking a prominent place.

From the first title, 'Welcome to the Empire', after a remarkable introduction to the guitar of 'Gus G.', the Power machine starts up with an impressive firepower and 'Decour', which follows, is not outdone with 'Herbie Langhans' which provides a great performance in a powerful register and 'Gus G.' which continues to 'knitting' with his guitar. In the same vein we can cite, ‘Break Away’, ‘Perfect Stranger’ or ‘Kill The Pain’. In the same vein we can cite, ‘Break Away’, ‘Perfect Stranger’ or ‘Kill The Pain’. With 'Rising Fire', the tempo is a little slower but it's always the impression of power which prevails and makes me think of the English of 'Saxon', just like the title which follows 'Orbitual Sunrise' with a chorus that reminds me of 'Surrender' of 'Rainbow'. We can also cite the remarkable mid-tempo 'Overdrive' with its heady chorus, the hit 'Space Cowboy' and its introduction close to the Germans of 'Scorpions' and again the ballad 'Longing to Know You' with its classic chorus but so effective to add the best metal ballads.

In summary, this last baby of the Greeks of 'Firewind' is a real dynamite in bar and 'Gus G' gratifies us with powerful and effective compositions which are immediately tamed and returns to the origin of this formation which destines this album to an audience that likes a power metal that goes to the basics...

Line Up / Musicians

Kostas Karamitroudis "Gus G." (Guitar), Herbie Langhans (Vocal), Jo Nunez (Drums), Petros Christo (Bass)


Artist : Gathering of Kings

Album : Discovery

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 21-06-2020

‘Victor Olsson’ put it back just over a year after the heady ‘First Mission’ with a new album, ‘Discovery’. Lovers of 80s melodies that run through your head during all day, you are in the right place because this last baby contains 11 melodic nuggets for... 12 tracks, simply because the 12th track is only a short atmospheric and instrumental introduction. So we find a good part of the small Swedish family who participated in the first chapter some new kids, the singer of 'Nocturnal Rites', 'Jonny Lindkvist', the keyboard player 'Mathias Kihlberg', or the flutist 'Mathias Kihlberg' but we can regret that 'Erik Martensson' is no longer part of the adventure.

After the instrumental introduction 'Starsleeper', let's go for more than 60 minutes of unstoppable melodies which immediately enter your head starting with 'Riders of the Light' and his first guitar solo which puts you in shape for a whole day, then, 'Heaven on the Run' continues on this path with a second guitar solo just as enjoyable. Each title deserves to be cited and I will take a few other examples with 'Highway to Paradise' which brings us back to the 80s with formations like 'Toto' or 'Alan Parsons Project, the magnificent ballad 'The One That Got Away' , the catchy and joyful 'Lorelei' with a new heady chorus or the energetic 'Revelation' that makes you stomp from start to finish.

In summary, no need to draw a picture, we are having a wonderful time listening to this last Swedish album from 'GOK' which confirms to us that this country is magic for this kind of music and 'Discovery' is to be advised to a very large public loving the beautiful melodies that give you energy for a whole day : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Victor Olsson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Alexander Frisborg (Vocal), Apollo Papathanasio (Vocal), Efraim Larsson (Drums), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums), Jonny Lindkvist (Vocal), Rick Altzi (Vocal), Stefan Helleblad (Guitar), Tobias Jansson (Vocal) + Guests : Erik Wiss (Keybords), Henrik Sethsson (Choirs), Joel Selsfors (Keybords), Mathias Kihlberg (Flute), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Ron Dahlgren (Choirs), Theresia Svensson (Choirs)


Artist : Pattern-Seeking Animals

Album : Prehensile Tales

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 22-06-2020

After a first album ‘Pattern-Seeking Animals’ less than a year ago, the Americans of ‘Pattern-Seeking Animals’ released a new album ‘Prehensile Tales’. The members or ex members of 'Spock's Beard' continue their adventure and 'Prehensile Tales' is roughly in the same format as its predecessor, almost an hour of listening, with the difference that it has only 6 tracks , against 9 for the first, but with longer titles which make think that the followers of progressive are going to feast.

At the first listen, it is indeed what we discover with 'Raining Hard In Heaven' which takes us on a first long development with sounds of keyboards typical of the 70s and beautiful instrumental parts which recall the melodic lines of 'Renaissance' (see their latest album here and the remarkable covers of 'Fleesh' here) and 'Here In My Autumn', which follows, is a very melodic composition which borders on 8 minutes with a light and pastoral atmosphere, the addition of the flute reinforcing this feeling. Then come the two shortest tracks of the album with first of all, 'Elegant Vampires', more conventional, which served as video promotion of the album (see above), and which has a melody which s 'installs easily in your head, and then, 'Why Don't We Run' with new simple but very effective melodic lines in Spanish intonations brought by the melody but also by the short instrumental section using a trumpet. It is with 'Lifeboat' that we hold the centerpiece of the album, a long title of more than 17 minutes in multi-drawers typical of a sought-after and inventive progressive that alternates different atmospheres and that captivates the listener from the first to the last note. Then 'Soon But Not Today', of 12 minutes, ends the albumin a new progressive saga with a rhythmic and light first part then a calmer second in an atmosphere of musical comedy and which takes scale for a magnificent finale which can only make one think of a certain group of the 60s et.

In summary, it did not take long for the Americans of 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' to release a remarkable new album in a rich and inventive progressive with magnificent melodic lines and 'Prehensile Tales' is typically the genre of album that should appeal to fans of progressive music through the ages who should add it to their ideal music collection...

Line Up / Musicians

John Boegehold (Keybords), Ted Leonard (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Keegan (Vocal, Drums), Dave Meros (Bass)


Artist : Cryptex

Album : Once Upon a Time

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 23-06-2020

'Cryptex' is a German trio which was formed in 2006 and released two studio recordings, 'Good Morning, How Did You Live?' in 2011 and 'Madeleine Effect' in 2015 and it was with this latest album 'Once Upon a Time' that I discovered them. They have a very personal style and if it had to be defined, I would say that they evolve between rock and metal with symphonic and progressive components, accessible melodic lines, very expressive atmospheres and remarkable vocal arrangements. For my part, I had to listen several times to get into their universe and to reveal all its richness and originality of each composition.

'Once Upon a Time' begins the album with a calm symphonic introduction which quickly gains momentum for a catchy track with remarkable choirs and an atmosphere reminiscent of the expressive side of 'Queen' or a group that I particularly like, 'Jono', then, we find again with 'Because The Reason Is You' this expressive and joyful side with a refrain which is immediately grafted in your head. Darker, 'Bloodmoon' is no less remarkable with a mixture of melodic rock and much heavier parts, then, 'Body Language', with very beautiful vocal arrangements gives the feeling of listening to a pop melody close to the 'Beatles' that we would have metallized in some places, and the mid-tempo 'Two Horned Crown' deploys a new heady melody. The following continues with compositions not exceeding 5 minutes and always with the same feeling of expressive power like in 'Haunted' or 'Reptiles' which mix tempos and intensities but the second part of the album also offers more classic titles, while being all remarkable like 'I Don't Know Why', much lighter in a jazzy style or like the beautiful ballad 'I See It In Your Eyes' close to the style of 'Queen' (with this beautiful whistled end) or even the melancholy instrumental comma 'A Mo(u)rning', the album ending with 'Closer', magnificent for a bonus, which takes us on for a progressive title containing several quite different parts while keeping the same melodic frame.

In summary, the Germans of 'Cryptex' release an album which requires several listenings to tame it well because, due to a very personal style, they jostle us in our musical habits by offering us a progressive coming out of the ordinary which ultimately turns out to be remarkable in all respects and 'Once Upon a Time' is recommended for lovers of rock and progressive metal who like to discover original artists outside the box...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Moskon (Vocal, Keybords, Bass), Marc Andrejkovits (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Andre Jean Henri Mertens (Guitar, Choirs) + Guest : Simon Schroder (Drums)


Artist : Lost Forever

Album : Unbreakable

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 24-06-2020

'Lost Forever' is a Brazilian metal group mixing heavy, power and progressive and which already has more than 20 years of existence with several album releases including the last 'Rising' already dates from 2011, the last released 'Unbreakable' being their 3rd studio recording. From the first listen to the 8 compositions, we feel that they have reached a maturity that allows them to tackle several genres and even mix them while keeping a power metal frame.

And yet, the introduction of the first title 'Let It Go' suggests that the style has softened and it has an impression of AOR but the saturated guitars supported by a powerful sound quickly appear for a energetic title with melodic lines that we quickly appropriate, then 'Uncanny Symmetries' accelerates the tempo and the rhythm section is more energetic in a more agressive style and 'James Gamvao' shows another facet of his powerful singing, much more vigorous. With 'The Red Hour Curse', we are close to an epic progressive metal of 'Sons of Apollo' (see their latest album 'MMXX') in a mid-tempo offering a grandiose atmosphere with a singing that can remind 'Jeff Scott Soto', then it's another change of scenery with 'As One New Day' which is a magnificent inspired and heady power ballad and 'Dead of Winter' comes down to powerful progressive metal with a remarkable rhythm section that leads the dance and a masterful guitar solo. Follows 'Balance In Chaos', an instrumental title of more than 8 minutes (only a spoken passage in the middle of the title) which joins the imaginative style of the Americans of 'Sons of Apollo' with admirable breaks of rhythm and intensity, then the centerpiece of the album 'Another Faith' shows the evolution of this formation which gives us a title of more than 10 minutes with all the ingredients of a rich and inventive progressive metal without dead time, the album ending with 'Of Woe & Wonder' on a note alternating powerful parts and quieter ones brought by the presence of a piano.

In summary, this last Brazilian album of 'Lost Forever' is a very good surprise 2020 which demonstrates the talent of this group for varied and inventive compositions and 'Unbreakable' is to be recommended to all those who love mix progressive metal and power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

James Gamvao (Vocal), Fabbio Nunes (Guitar), Andre De Lemos (Bass), Rene Shulte (Drums)


Artist : Ravenscry

Album : 100

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 25-06-2020

I discovered the Italians of 'Ravenscry' with the album 'The Invisible' released in 2017 and 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording, simply called '100'. For this opus, we find this particular style of the group which borrows from different types if music between rock and metal with a front woman who brings a very personal touch. Note a change of line-up since the guitarist ‘Paul Raimondi’ is replaced by ‘Federico Schiavoni’.

11 compositions, this is the menu of this opus with durations below 5 minutes which suggests a fairly direct style compared to the last concept album. ‘Maybe’ starts with catchy melodic rock and a melody that fits easily in the head and electronic tones accompanying the riffs of electric guitars, then 'Binary' slightly hardens the tone with a heavier title and 'Giulia Stefani' shows all his talent to adapt her singing according to the intensity and 'The Gamer', which follows, approaches a melodic industrial metal and I would dare to make the comparison with the last 'Within Temptation'. Follows 'The Door Inside' which, with its heady melody makes it one of the hits of the album, then, 'The Entertainer' begins in a very calm way with some melancholic piano notes then suddenly takes power for a mid-tempo whose refrain remains engraved in your head. In the second part of the album, the melodic lines are less immediate but we can quote the catchy 'Leader' with a new very effective refrain, the mid-tempo 'Paper Boat' more retained and it is in this genre title that I find that 'Giulia Stefani' transmits the greatest emotion or even 'All My Faces' which can recall the ex band 'Stream of Passion'.

In summary, the Italians of 'Ravenscry' are releasing a quality album, confirming all the potential and originality they had already shown with the previous album with certainly more accessibility and, '100' is to recommend to an audience mixing rock and metal and loving the diversity of styles in these two genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Giulia Stefani (Vocal), Federico Schiavoni (Guitar), Mauro Paganelli (Guitar), Andrea "Fagio" Fagiuoli (Bass), Simon Carminati (Drums)


Artist : Shaft of Steel

Album : Steel Heartbreak

Release Date : 28-02-2020

Added : 26-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

‘Shaft of Steel’ is an English melodic hard rock band created in 2004 and with a first EP in 2014. 2020 sees the release of their first album ‘Steel Heartbreak’.

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Fenning (Vocal), Alex Markham (Guitar, Choirs), Adam Carruthers (Guitar), Dominic Swords (Bass, Choirs), Chris Smurthwaite (Keybords), Michael Levy (Drums)


Artist : Wishing Well

Album : Do or Die

Release Date : 13-03-2020

Added : 26-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

‘Wishing Well ’is a Finnish melodic hard rock band that has already released 2 albums, ’Chasing Rainbows’ in 2016 and ’Rat Race’. 2020 sees the release of their first album ‘Do or Die’.

Line Up / Musicians

Rafael Castillo (Vocal), Anssi Korkiakoski (Guitar), Juha Kivikanto (Drums), Arto Teppo (Keybords), Rick Becker (Bass)


Artist : Arkado

Album : Never Say Never

Release Date : 27-03-2020

Added : 27-06-2020






Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

'Arkado' is a Swedish band that was formed a long time ago in 1983 under the name 'BB2' and which ended up in concert in 2018 which made them want to make an album, 'Never Say Never' released in March 2020. They evolves in an AOR style in the great tradition of Scandinavian groups and in the 80s style with an important use of keyboards which are on the same level as electric guitars.

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Skafar (Drums), Bernt Lundgren (Bass), Mikael Svensson (Keybords), Martin Kirschner (Guitar), Philip Lindstrand (Vocal), Mikey K Nilsson (Guitar)


Artist : The Unity

Album : Pride

Release Date : 17-03-2020

Added : 27-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

'The Unity' is a German melodic hard-rock band which released its 3rd album 'Pride' after 'The Unity' in 2017 and 'Rise' in 2018. Overall, they offer us powerful and energetic compositions with a talent for accessible melodic lines.

Line Up / Musicians

Gianbattista Manenti (Vocal), Henjo Richter (Guitar), Stefan Ellerhorst (Guitar), Sascha Onnen (Keybords), Jogi Sweers (Bass), Michael Ehré (Drums)


Artist : NEWMAN

Album : Ignition

Release Date : 28-03-2020

Added : 28-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

After a very good 'Aerial' in 2017, 'Steve Newman' who has also just released a new album 'Our Time on Earth' with his other project 'COMPASS' and who participated as a singer in the project 'Burn' with the album 'Ice Age' of 2018, released in late March 2020 the last studio recording of 'NEWMAN' which already brings his discography to a dozen albums since the release in 1997 of the eponymous first opus of the project 'NEWMAN'. And we are getting used to it, we find Steve's melodic compositions in a fairly classic AOR style but which demonstrates album after album all the talent of the Englishman who continues to enchant us year after year.

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Newman (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Rob McEwen (Drums) + Guests : Dave Bartlett (Vocal), Mark Thompson-Smith (Vocal)


Artist : Skintrade

Album : The Show Must Go On

Release Date : 17-04-2020

Added : 28-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

We are still heading towards the Scandinavian countries with the Swedes of ‘Skintrade’ which gives us a new opus ‘The Show Must Go On’. This formation had a first period in the 90s with 2 albums 'Skintrade' in 1993 and 'Roach Powder' in 1995. Reformed in 2011, 'The Show Must Go On' is their 4th studio recording of this new period, 2012 having seen the release of 'Past And Present' in 2012 and 'Refuled' in 2014 and ‘Scarred for Life’ in 2015. In this last album, their style is influenced by hard-rock from the 70s with a modern sound and some compositions can make you think of atmospheres of 'Led Zeppelin' ('Chosen Ones', ‘Tower’ or 'Riverof Tears') and they alternate direct and powerful titles and others quieter like 'Show Must Go On' or 'Other Side'.

Line Up / Musicians

Matti Alfonzetti (Vocal, Guitar), Stefan Bergström (Guitar, Choirs), Håkan Calmroth (Bass), Hasse Sjölander (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : DeVicious

Album : Phase Three

Release Date : 08-05-2020

Added : 29-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

It was only 2 years ago that the Germans from 'DeVicious' released their first album 'Never Say Never' and 'Phase Three', as its name suggests, is their third opus because 2019 saw the release of 'Reflections' which shows the impressive frequency of albums released by this group. With a new singer, the Italian ‘Antonio Calanna’, they offer us 12 melodic compositions in a powerful hard-rock style influenced by the 80s shared between energetic ('Firefly', 'Mysterious', ‘Rising from a Thunder’), mid-tempos ('Pouring-Rain', 'Burning Skies'), more AOR atmospheres ('Walk Through Fire', 'Calling My Name') and a nice acoustic ballad 'Bad Timing' piano/voice.

Line Up / Musicians

Antonio Calanna (Vocal), Radivoj Petrovic (Guitar), Alex Frey (Bass), Denis Kunz (Keybords), Lars Nippa (Drums)


Artist : Stoneflower

Album : Finally

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 29-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

The Norwegians of 'StoneFlower' started their career some twenty years ago with a first album 'Crack a Little Smile' in 2003 and returned in 2014 for a second opus 'Destination Anywhere' . Their style is close to a classic AOR with influences from groups like ‘Toto’ or ‘Asia’. Some compositions are energetic like 'Gonna Let You Go' or 'The Devil Never Cries' but most are calm mid-tempos like 'What Can Be Done', 'Calling All Stations', 'Shivering Hands', 'Through the Fire' or 'How Does It Feel' and the ballads are not forgotten with 'Kaylee', close to westcoast genre or the last title 'Fall', which is a magnificent refined piano/voice title with a very beautiful guitar solo.

Line Up / Musicians

John M. Mazaki (Vocal), Svenn Huneide (Bass / Choirs), Tom Sennerud (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Geir Johnny Huneide (Drums) + Guests : Tommy Denander (Guitar), Bjørn Ole Rasch (Keybords), Gunnar Westlie (Guitar), Per Hillestad (Drums)


Artist : Sapphire Eyes

Album : Magic Moments

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 30-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

'Sapphire Eyes' is another Swedish group which has just released their 3rd studio recording 'Magic Moments' after 'Sapphire Eyes' in 2012 and 'Breath Of Eyes' in 2018. This new album is aptly named because we spend magical moments listening to these 11 compositions in an AOR style with unstoppable melodies that immediately get stuck in your head with a magnificent final ballad to add to the best melodic rock ballads. We can also note that the singer 'Annette Oleon' (see her last album here and her last collaboration with ‘Russell Allen’ here) who had already been invited on the previous opus is also part of that one in 'Bring Back The Night'.

Line Up / Musicians

Kimmo Blom (Vocal), Christer Engholm (Bass), Fredrik Eriksson (Drums), Emil Knabe (Guitar), Niclas Olsson (Keybords) + Guests : Anette Olzon (Vocal), Patrik Svärd (Guitar)


Artist : Captain Black Beard

Album : Sonic Forces

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 30-06-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

And we continue with Sweden which offers us with 'Captain Black Beard' a new melodic rock album 'Sonic Forces' which is their 5th studio recording and they have now taken a cruising rhythm of one album every two years, 'It's a Mouthful' dating from 2016 and 'Struck by Lightning' from 2018. 10 tracks all as melodic as each other short enough for 41 minutes total, it is the menu of this album which embarks us in an AOR style recalling the formations of the 80s like 'Survivor', 'Journey' or even 'Foreigner'.

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Holsner (Vocal), Robert Majd (Bass), Christian Ek (Guitar), Vinnie Stromberg (Drums)


Artist : Room Experience

Album : Another Time and Place

Release Date : 20-05-2020

Added : 01-07-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

'Room Experience' is the project of the Italian 'Gianluca Firmo' created in 2014 and including the singer 'David Redman' (among others 'Pink Cream 69',) with a first album in 2015 ('Room Experience'. They deliver us with this new opus, an AOR which takes us back to the 80s and 90s with accessible melodies which gives the impression that they have always been part of our life. For the occasion, they invited some artists of the melodic hard-rock scene including the very famous 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who recently released his last baby from the project 'Edge Of Forever'.

Line Up / Musicians

Gianluca Firmo (Vocal, Keybords), David Readman (Vocal), Steve De Biasi (Guitar), Davide Barbierai (Keybords), Pierpaolo Monti (Drums), Simon Dredo (Bass) + Guests : Sven Larsson (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Iván Gonzalez (Guitar), Lorenzo Foddai (Guitar), Marcello Spera (Choirs), Matteo Serra (Guitar), Stefano Zeni (Guitar)


Artist : Souls of Tide

Album : Black Magic

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 01-07-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

'Souls of Tide' is a Norwegian hard rock band that released their 2nd album 'Black Magic', their first baby 'Join The Circus' from 2016. They evolve in a classic hard-rock that brings us back to the 70s with the pioneers of the genre like ‘Led Zeppelin‘, 'Deep Purple' or 'Uriah-Heep'.

Line Up / Musicians

Vegar Larsen (Vocal), Anders Langberg (Guitar), Ole Kristian Østby (Guitar), Øyvind Strõnen Johannesen (Bass), Tommy Kristiansen (Baterie), Kjetil Banken (Keybords)


Artist : Wild Souls

Album : Queen of My Heart

Release Date : 29-05-2020

Added : 02-07-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

In melodic hard rock, we are not used to listen to bands from the Mediterranean basin but rather from Scandinavian countries; and yet, 'Wild Souls' is indeed a Greek band which is already releasing its 3rd studio album 'Queen of My Heart', the last 'Game of Love' dating from 2016 and which have all assets of the best Swedish or Finnish bands. They offer us a quality album with artists who each bring their stone to the edifice and the result is remarkable because the 12 compositions puts you in shape for a whole day in a classic hard-rock but with a formidable efficiency. As examples, we can cite the powerful melodic hits 'Nothing But Loving You', 'Ready to Rock' or 'Hold Me Tight' but they also have a talent for more AOR titles with ‘Love Ain’t No Lie’, 'Queen Of My Heart' or even 'Street Eagles'.

Line Up / Musicians

George Nikolaou (Vocal), Kostis Tsiligiris (Guitar), Thanos Kalantzopoulos (Guitar), Leyteris Naso (Bassd), Michael Saroglou (Drums)


Artist : Vega

Album : Grit Your Teeth

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 02-07-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard rock albums of the first semester

And we end in beauty with the English of 'Vega' who after 'Only Human' in 2018 and like metronomes, release a new album in 2020, 'Grit Your Teeth'. We find the style of the previous opus with 11 small melodic jewels that take us back to the 80s with this time an energy even closer to ‘Def Leppard’. To consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Workman (Vocal, Guitar), James Martin: Keybords, Marcus Thurston (Guitar), Mikey Kew (Guitar), Tom Martin (Bass), Martin Hutchinson (Drums)


Artist : FM

Album : Synchronized

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 04-07-2020

To continue in melodic hard-rock, after the last ’Vega’, the British of ‘FM’ come back with a new baby ‘Synchronized’ which succeeds the magnificent ‘Atomic Generation’. It's without surprise that we find the melodic jewels they used to offer us in previous albums and all fans of accessible melodic rock from the 80s will once again be delighted by these 12 compositions.

And it starts strong with the eponymous title of the album which embarks us for an unstoppable melody in an FM style recalling all the big names of the 80s, then, 'Superstar' continues in this way in a flirting style with of international variety. With 'Best of Times', we get closer to the Westcoast style and I have the impression of hearing 'Eagles' a few decades ago and this feeling is repeated with the beautiful ballad 'Ghosts of You and I' and 'Angels Cried'. The rest of the album continues to rock us to the rhythm of melodies close to groups like 'Toto', 'Journey' or 'Survivor' like 'Broken' with its radiant choruses or as the catchy 'Change for the Better' or even like the energetic 'Hell or Hight Water' where you can't help but beat time. We can also note the title 'Pray' which begins as a gospel but which quickly turns into a remarkable rhythm and blues out of the general atmodphere of the opus and the album ends with a very good 'Ready for Me' which embark one last time on melodic rock of the 80s.

In summary, the English of 'FM' continues to do what they can do so well, melodies tailor-made for an audience that raised in the baby bottle of elegant and radiant rock from the 80s but also is intended for a fairly large audience because all the compositions are accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal, Guitar), Merv Goldsworthy (Bass), Jem Davis (Keybords), Jim Kirkpatrick (Guitar), Pete Jupp (Drums)


Artist : Caligula’s Horse

Album : Rise Radiant

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 06-07-2020

The Australians of 'Caligula's Horse' have become over the years an essential formation of progressive music as well as combos like 'Leprous' (see their last album here) or 'Pain of Salvation' (see their latest album here) and 'Rise Radiant' is already their 5th album since their first studio recording 'Moments from Ephemeral City' in 2011. After the very good 'In Contact' in 2017, this new opus, which borders on 60 minutes, demonstrates, if it were still necessary, a talent for progressive pieces that we are gradually appropriating and which, finally, thanks to a wealth and overflowing inventiveness, enter the list of albums that will forever remain in your memory with this style that keeps total creative freedom that allows them to evolve over the years.

The album begins with 'The Tempest' and 'Slow Violence' which are typical of a progressive metal alternating power and relaxation without ever being too technical because the melodic lines are easily assimilated, then, the first long development arrives with 'Salt' which evolves towards a less demonstrative progressive but which, for my part, conveys much more emotion and which can make think of 'Leprous' in the musical approach with this feeling of being constantly on the razor's edge, ready to implode. And it is in the direction taken in the title 'Salt' that the other titles will follow with first of all 'Resonate' while retaining which is far from the power of metal but which brings a real breath of fresh air to the album, then 'Oceanrise', even if it presents powerful passages, continues in this atmosphere alternating tensions and relaxation and 'Valkyrie' returns to a more direct style but still as imaginative. Then come the two major titles of the album : first the peaceful 'Autumn' which is a magnificent progressive ballad with atmospheric instrumental parts, then the long development 'The Ascent' of more than 10 minutes which is a bit a summary of these two directions taken in the album and which is at the peak of a metal which is constantly in opposition between overflowing energy and contained tension. The album ends with 2 covers, first, the remarkable 'Don't Give Up' of 'Pater Gabriel' which corresponds well to the direction taken by the group with an interpretation full of restraint and completely revisited, then, 'Message To My Girl' from 'K's Choice' also completely reappropriated.

In summary, this last album still shows an evolution among the Australians of 'Caligula's Horse' who offer us 2 different facets, the one we already knew, with a powerful, inventive and rich progressive metal but also another facet that we knew less, eyeing towards 'Leprous' and much more contained which will make this album, without a doubt, one of the best releases of 2020 in progressive metal and should reach a relatively informed public who likes big gaps in metal because 'Rise Radiant' necessarily requires a lot of listenings to extract all the substantial marrow...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Grey (Vocal), Adrian Goleby (Guitar), Dale Prinsse (Bass), Sam Vallen (Guitar), Josh Griffin (Drums)


Artist : One Desire

Album : Midnight Empire

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 07-07-2020

After the noticed first album 'One Desire' in 2017 thanks to its hit 'Hurt' wich count more than 3,600,000 listenings on Spotify, the Finns of 'One Desire' release a new album called 'Midnight Empire'. Inevitably this puts a lot of pressure but it is clear that this last baby is a condensed of unstoppable melodies to consume without moderation perhaps a notch above its predecessor and the Finns continue to ride the wave of formations of the great Nordic melodic hard-rock family like 'Eclipse', 'HEAT', 'WET'< / a> or 'Nordic Union'.

Of the 10 tracks on the album, there are about… 10 melodic jewels that we immediately appropriate by starting with an energetic 'Shadowman' with a first refrain that tickles your neurons and gives you a hell of a peach for all day, then, 'After You're Gone', more classic, brings us back to the 80s with heady choirs which give a mad desire to accompany them. Useless to make some title to title because I would not repeat the same thing 8 other times and I will simply quote the two quieter compositions in which they also excel, first of all the magnificent 'Through The Fire' which begins in ballad acoustic and which turns into a power ballad for a final acceleration with a remarkable guitar solo, then 'Rio' which also begins in ballad and which unfolds a beautiful melody in a style close to AOR and then 'Only When I Breathe 'which ends the album in peace with a last ballad overflowing with emotion.

In summary, as you will understand, no surprise for lovers of melodic hard-rock, you can go there with your eyes closed and taste this new Finnish baby of 'One Desire' without moderation because it's another melodic bomb which shows that they have, in two albums, taken a major place in the long list of melodic hard-rock bands of the moment (see Melodic hard rock albums rock of the first semester 2020)...

Line Up / Musicians

André Linman (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Westerlund (Vocal, Guitar), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Ossi Sivula (Drums) + Guest : Dani Strömbäck (Keybords)


Artist : Horisont

Album : Sudden Death

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 08-07-2020

Horisont's case is quite difficult for all the chroniclers who want to stick labels at any cost to musical groups, just to put them in boxes. But, for me, that's a piece of luck, I am rather attracted by this kind of artists because generally, it is a sign of a certain talent to be able to navigate between different styles. In addition, the Swedes delight us every time with compositions accessible from the first listen and this new opus 'Sudden Death' is no exception to the rule and continues to take us back in time, a few decades ago.
The previous opus 'About Time' which dates from 2017 was rather focused hard-rock influenced by the tenors of the 70s and for this opus, they rake even wider since 'We start from the 60s until the end of the 80s with, and this is new, some progressive parts. 'Revolution' opens the album in a sixties atmosphere and I have the impression of hearing a fusion between the 'Beatles' and the 'Beach Boys' in the carefree atmosphere of that time, then 'Free Riding' continues in a hard-rock style close to 'Thin Lizzy' but in the middle of the title, leaves in a completely different direction for a rather offbeat instrumental part which brings a progressive side to restart again at the end as it had started. The following continues to offer us accessible melodies from the first listen with the energetic 'Pushin' the Line' and 'Into The Night', the latter eyeing towards 'Manfred Mann's' with 'Blinding By The Night' thanks to vigorous piano chords, then 'Standing Home' is calmer in a 70s rock style and 'Runaway' accelerates the tempo for a heady melody and a simple guitar solo but very efficient. We can also cite the peaceful 'Gråa Dagar' sung in Swedish, the atmospheric with 60s tones 'Breaking The Chain', the classic 'Hold On' with a new chorus reminding me 'Bruce Springsteen', 'Archeopteryx In Flight' which takes us on an 8-minute instrumental built in several parts bringing a progressive side and finally the last title 'White Light' which is typical of the 70s.

In summary, this last Swedish album from 'Horisont' is very pleasant to listen to and takes us back for a moment into the golden age of rock and hard-rock with very accessible compositions which intends it for 'Sudden Death' to a large audience who love the groups that I have been able to cite in this review...

Line Up / Musicians

Axel Söderberg (Vocal), Charlie Van Loo (Guitar), David Kalin (Guitar), Magnus Delborg (Bass), Pontus Jordan (Drums)


Artist : Asgard

Album : Ragnarrøkr

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 09-07-2020

'Asgard' is an Italian formation created at the end of the 80s by the keyboardist 'Alberto Ambrosi' and which released 5 albums in a first period the last 'Drachenblut' dating from 2000, then nothing for 20 years, until this new opus 'Ragnarrøkr'. At first listen, we are struck by a very particular and very personal style not necessarily commun which mixes folk, progressive rock and metal with influences in Germanic culture.

It is a well-stocked opus which is offered to us since it contains 11 compositions for an hour of listening and, from the start, with the short 'Trance-Preparation' we already have a preview of this improbable mixture that ‘Alberto Ambrosi' masters completely with an alternation between folk sung parts and energetic progressive instrumental sections. With 'Rituals', it's a fusion of folk and metal with a melody that quickly tames, the flute and vocal harmonies further amplifying this traditional atmosphere, then, 'The Night of the Wild Boar' is much more progressive and gets closer to formations like 'Arena', the folk side being much less present and 'Visions' of more than 7 minutes, takes us into an epic atmosphere in a maze of varied sections in which it is good to get lost with a metal frame throughout the title. The rest of the album continues to surprise us (for my part, happily) with a short but energetic 'Kali-Yuga', the long progressive development 'Shaman' which is made up of various varied and imaginative parts which makes it the centerpiece of the album, 'Battle' which unfolds a quiet melody supported by a powerful bass in a baroque style and which intensifies at the end, 'DerTod', in a fairly classic but very effective folk sung in German and 'Danse Macabre' continues in this way, the album ending with, first of all, the short but remarkable 'Anrufung' with its beautiful male vocal harmonies supported by a slow tempo of drums in the first part and which accelerates the tempo in a second part and finally the 2nd long development of the album of more than 9 minutes unrolling a slow melody in a powerful and melodic progressive metal.

In summary, after long years of absence, 'Asgard' returns with a remarkable album in a unique style while remaining very accessible which should appeal to an audience who likes mixtures with in this case a imbrication of progressive, metal and folk all supported by easily assimilated melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Ambrosi (Keybords, Flute), Franco Violo (Vocal), Paolo Scandolo (Bass), Andrea Gottoli (Guitar), Kikko Rebeschini (Drums)


Artist : Mike Tramp

Album : Second Time Around

Release Date : 01-05-2020

Added : 11-07-2020

After a very good 'Stray from the Flock' a little more than a year ago, 'Mike Tramp' takes out of his cartons unpublished titles that he had dismissed from his previous opuses and it was worth it that he takes this trouble because listening to this new opus gave me as much happiness as any album from the Dane.

In his own style, always referring to his 80's idols, 'All of my Life' begins an album full of good surprises in a very 'Springsteenien' spirit (see his latest album ’Western Stars’) and 'The Road' which follows, continues in the same direction with a melody which touches immediately, and 'Anymore' brings a very successful first ballad break. With 'Come On', we have another example of a chorus that comes into your head with this 'come on' chanted several times and which can remind 'Bryan Adams' (see his latest album ’Shine A Light’) just like the title that follows 'Between Good and Bad', then, 'Lay Down Your Guns', with its chorus in the form of a repeated refrain that makes you want to accompany loudly the 'lalalalala...' and which can recall certain Breton songs is a magnificent ballad. The end of the album scrolls through an endearing 'Highway' which reverts to the style of 'Bruce Springsteen', the energetic and very effective 'No Tomorrow' and 'Back To You' and to finish smoothly another magnificent acoustic ballad in the great tradition of American song.

In summary, we can thank 'Mike Tramp' for releasing these old compositions, each as remarkable as the other, which makes 'Second Time Around' an album on the same level as all of its previous albums and accessible to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Tramp (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Claus Langeskov (Bass), Jay Boe (Keybords), Morten Hellborn (Drums) + Guests : Lars Rahbek Andresen (Piano), Marcus Nand (Guitar), Søren Andersen (Guitar)


Artist : George Henning

Album : Hillside

Release Date : 05-05-2020

Added : 13-07-2020

I don't usually stop at symphonic albums but in the case of 'Hillside', I was seduced by this unique style which emerges from this work written and composed by 'George Henning' and recorded in 2018 with the 'Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra'. We embark on a sumptuous journey which offers us magnificent melodies in a soothing orchestral atmosphere with vocal accompaniment by George whose voice can recall singers like ‘Cat Stevens’.

14 tracks quite short for a duration of about 50 minutes, here is the menu of this opus which begins with 'The Door' with energetic strings and a first heady melody which never leaves you, then, 'The Seventh String', in a slower tempo, is more melancholic in a pop style close to the 'Beatles' with a simple but very warm guitar solo, the orchestra supporting the whom in a beautiful way. Following the eponymous title of the album, very romantic and 'Smile' adds the tranquility of the piano in an ambience of the ballads of 'Billy Joel'. The rest is like this beginning with beautiful melodies that are encrusted in your head, and I will quote the titles that marked me the most with 'Nemo Skywlakin', 'Magic Bell', 'Secrets' or even 'A Life Devine' and, to make a comparison, the moods are not far from the symphonic version of Arjen Lucassen's, 'The Gentle Storm' project.

In summary, 'George Henning' released a remarkable album out of what we used to hear and somehow reconciles classical music with pop music by mixing them for the better and if you are a fan of symphonic music accompanied by an orchestra and integrating electric guitar and drums, you are at the right place because this 'Hillside' should undoubtedly please you...

Line Up / Musicians

George Hennig (Vocal, Guitar), Olivier Truan (Piano), Christoph Staudenmann (Drums), The Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra, Oleg Kondratenko (Chef d’orchestre)


Artist : Fish On Friday

Album : Black Rain

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 15-07-2020

I've been waiting for this new album from the English for 'Fish On Friday' for a while, whose remarkable last album 'Quiet Life' was from 2017 (and which I unfortunately discovered too late for a chronicle). The band with seasoned artists that are 'Frank Van Bogaert' and 'Nick Beggs' (bass player in various prestigious projects with among others 'The Mute Gods' , 'Steven Wilson', 'Steve Hackett', 'Lonely Robot' or 'Mariana Semkina') therefore released a new album called 'Black Rain'. From the first listen, we tell ourselves that we are holding an album which will undoubtedly be one of the best releases in 2020 in a delicate and refined progressive rock and, the 11 tracks take us on a journey in a progressive landscape influenced by the big names of the genre with in mind, of course, 'Steven Wilson' and his project 'Blackfield' but also other names which are dear to me like the Germans of 'RPWL' or the English of 'Big Big Train'.

From the start, with 'Life in Towns', we are lulled by the magnificent melody that takes us on a small cloud in a soft and melancholic atmosphere with remarkable vocal harmonies, then, with its 8 minutes, 'Murderous Highland Highway' continues in this way with alternations of tempos and intensity with 'Floydian' passages brought by the keyboards and a 'Wilsonian' melody. Follows the eponymous title of the album, shorter, but more energetic with influences of the 80s and it is the name of 'Barclay James Harvest' which comes to my mind, and 'Mad of the World' continues in this pop register with a melody that is instantly tamed. Sweetness is then there with 'Letting Go of You' which highlights the beautiful fragile and emotion-filled voice of 'Lula Beggs' and which offers us a superb final, and as for 'Angel of Mercy', the memorable melody and the atmosphere remind me the atmospheres of 'RPWL' and 'We've Come Undone' speeds up the tempo for a track in which 'Lula Beggs' shares the song with 'Frank Van Bogaert' in a magnificent duet. The end of the album contains four fairly short titles : first of all, the relaxing 'Morphine' which unfolds a relaxing melody, the luminous 'We Choose to be Happy', quite offbeat from the general melancholic atmosphere and which is, somehow, the 'Permanating' of 'Fish On Friday', 'Trapped in Heaven' with popaccents and finally the symphonic 'Diamonds' which closes this magnificent album with a last beautiful vocal performance of 'Frank Van Bogaert' accompanied by 'Lula Beggs'.

In summary, the English of 'Fish On Friday' offers us for this year 2020 a remarkable album which should remain in the memory of all those who love a soothing progressive and 'Black Rain' is to be tasted in a quiet place, the headphones on your ears, to relax from a difficult day...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Van Bogaert (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Nick Beggs (Bass, Chapman Stick, Choirs), Marty Townsend (Guitar, Mandolin), Marcus Weymaere (Drums, Percussion) + Guests : Lula Beggs (Vocal), Théo Travis (Saxophone, Clarinette, Flute), Vocalal Kashala (Choirs), Nina Babet (Choirs)


Artist : Course Of Fate

Album : Mindweaver

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 17-07-2020

After demos and an EP in 2013 (’Cognizance’), the Norwegians of ‘Course Of Fate’ issue after more than 15 years of existence, their first LP 15 ’Mindweaver’. In a progressive metal alternating powerful parts and others quieter, they offer us 8 titles with accessible melodic lines which are tamed from the first listening.

After the short introduction 'There Is Someone Watching' in a heavy atmosphere in which we discover the rather dark singing of 'Eivind Gunnesen', 'The Faceless Men Part 1' sets the scene for an energetic metal with pleasant melodic lines, then, 'Endgame' proposes a progressive style with different intensities and tempos changes between metal and rock and with sections of keyboards bringing an aeration to the whole and 'Utopia' with a calm first part in a 'Floydian' atmosphere, rises little by little in power ends up exploding in the 2nd part of the title with a grandiose finale. The second part of the album scrolls through the short acoustic 'The Walls Are Closing In', the energetic and epic 'Wolves' with magnificent vocal arrangements and beautiful instrumental sections, the superb crescendo ballad 'Drifting Away' which can be reminiscent of the 'Pink-Floyd' of the 'Gilmour' years (listen to the finale and the guitar solo), the album ending with the second part of 'The Faceless Men', the longest title of the album which sums up the style of the Norwegians beautifully, modulating the intensities and tempos with an epic final.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Course of Fate' finally show all the talent that we had glimpsed in 2013 by offering us a progressive metal album at the height of the greatest which, like good wine, improves listening after listening and which is to be advised to an audience loving an imaginative and melodic progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Eivind Gunnesen (Vocal), Kenneth Henriksen (Guitar), Marcus Lorentzen (Guitar), Carl Marius Saugstad (Keybords), Daniel Nygaard (Bass), Per-Morten Bergseth (Drums)


Artist : Lori Lewis

Album : Carmina Romanus

Release Date : 11-05-2020

Added : 19-07-2020

Like many people, I knew the soprano 'Lori Lewis' during the various tours of 'Therion' because she became the unavoidable singer of the Swedish 'Christofer Johnsson' (see the exceptional musical work 'Beloved Antichrist') and, at each concert, she did marvelous performances which always triggered me that little thrill so characteristic of intense pleasure. Therefore, she has always been attached to ‘Therion’ and, for my part, has long deserved to be recognized in her own name as a certain ‘Tarja’. So it's done with this first solo album 'Carmina Romanus' ('Roman songs' in Latin) which does not hit the headlines but which is a first studio recording which will certainly be a milestone in the career of the American and which is influenced by the sun and the planets in our solar system. Of course, 'Christopher Johnsson' is not far away and it was he who served as an intermediary with the composer 'Anton Andryushin', who had already composed all the songs for the album 'A New Day Begins' from his project 'Arcane Symphony' and 'Lori Lewis' put other lyrics on these 10 tracks.

It is with the energetic 'Sol Invictus' with reminiscences 'Therionesque' that the album begins with a first performance by Lori with a clear song and then perfectly mixing the two registers, then, 'Mercury' offers us a first heady melody which remains engraved in our head in a fast tempo, 'Thomas Vikström', singer of 'Therion' coming to flesh out the vocal section. The tone softens with avec 'Venus' which plays a slow melody to the delight of our ears, then ‘Tellus’ continues in melodic lines which are immediately tamed with Lori at the top of her art. The rest is just a succession of unstoppable melodies combining beautifully the energy of saturated guitar riffs and the divine song of Lori, with the powerful 'Mars', the aerial 'Luna', the fast 'Jupiter'or 'Saturn' inspired by classical music, the album ending with, first of all, the catchy 'Uranus' and finally the ultimate 'Neptun' with sumptuous vocalizations by Lori and which after the last note gives only one desire : to press the play button again to start a new listening.

In summary, as you will have understood, even if the compositions had already been written for another project, 'Lori Lewis' shows that they are entirely made for her, but would it not be simply because that she knows how to adapt to all styles and sublimate them. ‘Carmina Romanus’ is of course advised to all fans of ‘Therion’ but goes beyond and will certainly be welcomed by a much wider audience who like to mix a melodic metal with a singing alternating a clear and lyrical register...

Line Up / Musicians

Lori Lewis (Vocal), Anton Andryushin (Keybords), Kirill Romanyuk (Guitar), Dmitry Sletkov (Drums), Alexey Rybakov (Bass) + Guest : Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Anastasia Terekhova (Violin), Kristian Niemann (Guitar)


Artist : Mad Hatter

Album : Pieces of Reality

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 21-07-2020

'Mad Hatter' is a Swedish formation (one more) which has only 3 years of existence and which releases its second album 'Pieces of Reality' after the eponymous album of the group 'Mad Hatter ' dating from 2018. Sweden is much better known for melodic hard rock bands and for changing, 'Mad Hatter' offers us a galloping power metal with catchy tempos recalling references in the style like 'Rhapsody Of Fire' but also other groups like 'Stratovarius'< / a>, 'Firewind' or 'Edguy'. On the inspiration side, it is still ‘Lewis Carroll’ who is in the spotlight with his ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

After the short introduction 'Fever Dreams' which sets a disturbing ambiance, 'Master of the Night' tumbles into a debauchery of power and alternates fast passages and a more sedate refrain with a super effective melody, then 'Queen of Hearts' adds a layer with beautiful male vocal harmonies, an unleashed rhythmic section and 'Petter Hjerpe' who, gives himself thoroughly in a powerful and fairly high pitched register. The following is in the same vein with a catchy ‘Rutledge Asylum’ and the impetuous ‘The Children from the Stars’ in which the double pedal is at the party. After so much energy, the second part of the album gives us compositions in the same style and, even if the title track of the album has a slower tempo, it is nonetheless powerful with an infallible melody , then the energetic 'The Valley' brings pleasant Spanish intonations and with 'Ignite', we come back to the most classic with a masterful guitar solo in the second part. The end of the album makes us scroll, 'Awake' with a melody in the second part which will certainly be taken up in chorus in live, the epic 'Collector of Souls', and finally a last firework with 'I'll Save the World' which closes the album in a galloping atmosphere.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Mad Hatter' release a fairly linear album but with super efficient compositions and 'Pieces of Reality' is intended for all lovers of power and unleashed speed metal with melodies that you integrate instantly...

Line Up / Musicians

Petter Hjerpe (Vocal, Guitar), Dennis Eriksson (Guitar), Magnus Skoog (Bass), Alfred Fridhagen (Drums)


Artist : Marhold

Album : A Homemade World

Release Date : 22-05-2020

Added : 23-07-2020

After 4 EPs since 2008, year of their formation, it was only 12 long years later that the Swiss of 'Marhold' decided to release a first LP of a fairly long format since the opus contains 56 minutes mixing rock and metal in a progressive style with a front woman who, in addition to offering us great vocal performances also plays violin which makes that this album is quite unique in this genre.

All starts with an instrumental title with some piano and violin notes which introduce the musical theme of the first track 'Homemade' which, after a powerful start, gives way to the violin and then to the singing of 'Alexandra Poraszka' in a progressive atmosphere with a title made of several drawers which alternate energetic and calm passages, then, 'Our Mind', which was the subject of a remarkable artistic video (see above) is more classic rock without real progressive component and 'Hymenoptera' deploys a catchy symphonic instrumental in which the violin twirls. In three titles, we already have a fairly extensive panel of this formation and what follows reserves us other surprises with 'Whirls In The Sky' and the instrumental 'Intervention' which are only one title with first , a mixture of rock and progressive hard-rock that reminds of formations like 'Halestorm' with an additional progressive component, then, the instrumental which changes of register by taking over the musical theme but in an exotic atmosphere and where the violin of 'Alexandra Poraszka' enchants us once again. The following continues in this melting pot between rock and metal with a powerful 'Icy Sun' with its heady refrain, the energetic 'Power of Nature' which flirts with industrial metal, 'Break Out' between ballad and mid-tempo, 'Trapped' and its slow tempo in a tormented atmosphere close to doom style, the magnificent ballad 'The Always Spinning Wheel', with a delicate first part, opposite to the previous titles, and which rises slightly in power for a very beautiful final , the album ending with the catchy 'World Crashing Down' with beautiful melodic lines that settle easily in our head.

In summary, this album of the Swiss of 'Marhold' shows all the talent of this formation which knew how to tame quite different styles which makes of 'A Homemade World' a very varied opus which should please a loving public mix rock, hard-rock and metal, all this sprinkled with a pinch of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexandra Poraszka (Vocal, Violin), Marc-Alain Gertsch (Guitar), Sarah Zaugg (Bass), Philip Feller (Drums)


Artist : Outside In

Album : Karmatrain

Release Date : 29-05-2020

Added : 25-07-2020

‘Outside In’ is a new project by artists from a country that doesn’t make the headlines in progressive rock, I named New Zealand, but who released their first admirable studio recording. Led by guitarist 'Jonnie Barnard', this first opus 'Karmatrain' is inspired by the philosophical novel 'Siddhartha' by 'Hermann Hesse' (each title being taken from a chapter of the roman) and 'Outside In' evolve in a calm and peaceful progressive rock mixing atmospheric and psychedelic which can make think of formations like 'Edenya', 'Realisea' or 'My Arrival' to name only albums that I reviewed recently.

The album begins with 'Let Me Go', a slow and calm semi-acoustic title in which we discover the delicate song of 'Mickey Brown' with very beautiful vocal arrangements, then, 'Blue Dragon' continues in this peaceful and restful atmosphere with a memorable chorus and the 2 compositions which follow 'Echos and Stepping Stones' and 'Bridges', more rhythmic, while remaining quite quiet, can recall the atmospheres that 'Sting' can put in some of his compositions. Following 'Morning Warning' which unfolds peacefully to the rhythm of a rhythm section marked with very beautiful melodic lines, then 'The Lake' continues in this lively atmosphere with some more supported guitar riffs and, as for 'The Garden of Light', the very slow tempo with a deep bass makes me think of the moods of the Norwegians of 'Gazpacho' or those of the formation 'Nosound'. The rest of the album continues in this atmosphere with a quiet 'Mushrooms' which offers us beautiful vocal harmonies, then with 'Ferryman' which alternates tensions and relaxation, then the most classic 'Pass on the Flag' with accents of variety international of the 80s reminiscent of 'Sade', the album ending first of all with , 'Om', more energetic while keeping a slow tempo and finally with the 8 minutes of 'I Am Not the One' which sums up well the album with variations of intensity recalling the atmospheres of the British of 'Anathema'.

In summary, New Zealanders from 'Outside In' are releasing a very promising first album which improves with listening and ‘Karmatrain’ is intended for an audience who likes a progressive rock mixing atmospheric and psychedelic...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikey Brown (Vocal), Jonnie Barnard (Guitar), Adam Tobeck (Drums), Elliott Seung Il Park (Bass), Joe Park (Guitar)


Artist : House of Lords

Album : New World – New Eyes

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 27-07-2020

It was more than thirty years since the eponymous first album of the group 'House of Lords' was released, then nothing until 2004, the year that saw the Americans continue their career and this new baby 'New World - New Eyes' which is the 9th opus of this period. Lovers of melodic hard-rock and sumptuous guitar solos, you've come to the right place because everything has been done for effective and accessible compositions to be consumed without moderation.

And, all starts with the eponymous track of the album, an energetic mid-tempo with seventies accents with a remarkable first solo of 'Jimi Bell' in the style of 'Ritchie Blackmore', then, 'Change (What's It Gonna Take)', after a progressive instrumental introduction which recalls that 'Mark Spiro' (well known in the profession for having collaborated with quite a few artists with, among others, 'Kansas', 'Cheap Trick' or 'Mr. Big') wrote most of the tracks, then ramped up in mid-tempo with chorus close to 'Def Leppard' style. It is with 'One More' that things accelerate and the style makes me think of 'Status Quo', then 'Perfectly (You And I)' is the only ballad of the album which brings us back to the 70s, with the added bonus of a solo by 'Jimi Bell' with accents of 'Hotel California' by 'Eagles'. After its first 4 quite remarkable titles, the continuation makes us scroll through unstoppable melodies with first of all the energetic 'The Both of Us', then 'Chemical Rush' in a melodic hard-rock with choirs still reminiscent of 'Def Leppard', 'We're All That We Got' which begins as a ballad but which is a mid-tempo in the tradition of 'Foreigner', a rhythmic 'Better off Broken' in which we can not help but mark the measure, a new mid-tempo '$ 5 Buck Of Gasoline' with its heady chorus, then 'The Chase' which reminds me of the atmosphere of the album 'If You Can't Stand the Heat' of 'Status Quo' from 1978, certainly because of the brass sounds, the album ending nicely with the enticing 'The Summit' which again highlights 'Jimi Bell' with a remarkable guitar solo.

In summary, the Americans of 'House of Lords' continue to take us back a few decades with a melodic hard rock that we immediately appropriate and 'New World - New Eyes' should appeal to every audience who love hard rock from the 70s and 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

James Christian (Vocal, Keybords), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Chris Tristram (Bass), B.J. Zampa (Drums)


Artist : Arabs In Aspic

Album : Madness and Magic

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 29-07-2020

'Arabs In Aspic' is a Norwegian progressive rock band in the great tradition of groups from the 60s and 70s with 'King Crimson' in mind which was created in the late 90s and which is, with 'Madness and Magic', at his 6th studio recording, 2018 having seen the release of a live 'Live at Avantgarden'. They offer us 6 tracks for a fairly short duration of 46 minutes, long developments are generally present in this style of music.

The album opens with the very classic 'I Vow To Thee, My Screen' which unfurls in an atmospheric style a fairly repetitive melody but very pleasant to listen to which takes us back to the 70s with formations like 'Genesis' or 'Barclay James Harvest'. Without transition, it is with the two parts of 'Lullaby For Modern Kids' that we continue with first of all, a very original long progressive development which offers us very beautiful instrumental 'Floydian' passages and beautiful vocal harmonies here and there which are one of the strong points of this group, then, a short 2nd part which is a semi-acoustic with beautiful melodic lines. Change of style with 'High-Tech Parent' which takes us on a light and more rhythmic title which could be a mix between the vocal harmonies of 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' and the ambiences of 'Santana', then the eponymous title of the album begins in a very calm way with arpeggios of guitar and a few layers of keyboards then takes up fullness slightly after 2 minutes for a soothing melody in which the vocals alternate several registers. It is with the masterpiece 'Heaven in Your Eye', of more than 16 minutes, that the album ends with an alternation between sung and instrumental parts which can only recall the years 60/70, the keyboards bringing this delicious vintage side with here and there, oriental tones but which, as often in great inventive and elaborate developments of this kind is not necessarily immediate and therefore requires several listenings to extract all the richness.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Arabs In Aspic' continue to delight us with a progressive rock with sounds in the lineage of the groups of the 60s / 70s and 'Madness and Magic' is recommended to an audience loving the beginning of the progressive and is to be enjoyed quietly the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Jostein Smeby (Guitar, Vocal), Eskil Nyhus (Drums, Cymbales), Stig Jørgensen (Keybords, Vocal), Erik Paulsen (Bass, Vocal), Alessandro G. Elide (Percussions)


Artist : Moonlight Haze

Album : Lunaris

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 31-07-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

In 2019, I missed the release of 'De Rerum Natura', the first album of the Italian group 'Moonlight Haze' and it is therefore with 'Lunaris' that I discovered this combo led by the front woman 'Chiara Tricarico' (who is no stranger since she was the singer of 'Temperance' and who also has another project with the Italian formation 'Ravenword') and drummer and keyboardist 'Giulio Capone' ('Timo Tolkki's Avalon' and also ex 'Temperance' among others), album which comes out just a year after its predecessor, which it shows the capacity of this group to provide us with material to put us between the ears. A first listen shows an undeniable talent for direct and melodic titles which are tamed on the spot in a style mixing power metal and symphonic metal.

With 'Till the End', we are right on foot in a powerful and energetic symphonic metal with influences from formations like 'Delain', 'Visions Of Atlantis' or 'Xandria', then 'The Rabbit of the Moon' continues this momentum with a very 'Nightwishian' catchy melody, and 'Lunaris' drives home the point with a magnificent performance by 'Chiara Tricarico' who pays herself the luxury of recording both vocal registers. After this promising start, 'Under Your Spell' marks a power ballad break with melodic lines that would make people jealous of the profession, and it is left with 'Enigma', mixing symphonic and power with a new heady melody which is sung in Italian, brings, for my part, this warmer side, then 'Wish Upon a Scar' further increases the tempo for a fast track and 'The Dangerous Art Of Overthinking' offers us in an epic and symphonic atmosphere, magnificent variations of intensity and tempos that makes it one of my favorites. We continue with titles always at the same level, first of all a lively 'Without You', then the very beautiful ballad with folk accents 'Of Birth And Death' and finally 'Nameless City' between East and West which takes us on a admirable symphonic fresco in the atmospheres of 'Epica' with grandiose choirs, the album ending with the English version of Enigma'.

In summary, the Italians of 'Moonlight Haze' confirm with this 2nd album, a talent and an admirable potential which should place them rather quickly in the front pack of the formations of symphonic metal and 'Lunaris' can only please to all lovers of symphonic metal of the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Giulio Capone (Drums, Keybords), Marco Falanga (Guitar), Alberto Melinato (Guitar), Alessandro Jacobi (Bass) + Guest : Fabio Polo (Violin)


Artist : Phil Vincent

Album : Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday

Release Date : 10-06-2020

Added : 02-08-2020

For almost 25 years, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and compositor 'Phil Vincent' have been releasing melodic rock albums with impressive frequency as his latest baby 'Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday' is his 22nd album and he has other more parallel projects including 'Tragik', but the American, despite an undeniable talent, has never known real world recognition. And yet, this new opus contains remarkable compositions in a classic melodic rock but very effective.

11 tracks for nearly 50 minutes of listening, here is the menu of this opus which offers us varied compositions which are divided between melodic rock AOR like the first part of 'Loss', 'Hole In My Heart' , 'Pictures', 'Flying High' or even 'Loser in the End' but also direct and effective energetic rock like 'When I'm Gone', 'Voices', 'The Real You', 'Feed Your Anger' or again 'Same Mistake', the album ending with the beautiful ballad 'Loss (part 2) One Day, We'll Meet Again'.

In summary, 'Phil Vincent' continues on its way by offering us a new album in the tradition of the previous ones and 'Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday' should appeal to all those who love melodic hard rock influenced by the major formations of the 70s / 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vincent (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + Guests : Vince O’Regan (Guitar), Gav Cooper (Bass)


Artist : ILLUMISHADE

Album : ECLYPTIC : Wake of Shadows

Release Date : 15-05-2020

Added : 04-08-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

In 3 years, the singer 'Fabienne Erni' has come a long way because, after being integrated into the 'Eluveitie' formation in 2017, the Swiss, who had to develop an end of study project at the music school of Zurich, worked on a concept around her musical interests, musicals and fantasy music and, with the help of her best friend 'Tamara Schön', 'ILLUMISHADE' was born with this debut album 'ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows' released in May 2020 and which is quite remarkable for a first studio recording. 'Jonas Wolf', guitarist of 'Eluveitie', 'Mirjam Schnedl' on keyboards, 'Yannick Urbanczik' on bass and 'Marc Friedrich' on drums complete the line-up and the writing of the lyrics has been entrusted to the Canadian 'Chrisy Berryman'.

First of all, it would be reductive to limit it to an nth symphonic metal project because this opus goes beyond a series of classic titles that can be found in most albums of this style and, through its 13 tracks, we navigate between different atmospheres starting with short instrumentals which are five in number and which, interspersed between the sung compositions, are divided between serenity and energy : first of all, the cinematic 'Passage Through the Clouds' introduces the album, then 'The Farewell Arcades' mixes the strength of guitar riffs with the softness of the strings, and 'Into the Maelstrom' brings an atmospheric side, then the epic 'Beyond the Obsidian Veil' unfolds an energy with abundant instrumental arrangements and finally, 'Glowing Tides' which ends the album calmly with some vocalizes from Fabienne. As for the sung compositions, they are divided more or less equally into 2 categories with first of all powerful and energetic titles with the short mid-tempo 'The Calling Winds' which makes us discover the vocal talent of 'Fabienne Erni' , then, 'Tales of Times' which hardens the tone with a catchy track sprinkled with growls of the singer of Eluveitie', 'Chrigel Glanzmann', who has been invied, and with 'Fabienne Erni's singing which in some places has the intonations of 'Charlotte Wesselz' of 'Delain'. The suite offers us a new energetic title 'Crystal Silence' with yet another memorable melody, then the ballad break arrives with a succession of two masterful titles, first of all the melancholic 'What Have I Become' with its simple melody but quite simply beautiful to add to the best metal ballads then 'Rise' which joins the previous one with another memorable melody. The other compositions are divided between 'Muse of Unknown Forces' which recalls certain atmospheres of 'Within Temptation', a new ballad 'Golden Lands', imbued with a beautiful emotion and finally the single 'World's End' placed at the end of the album with a last addictive melody and a remarkable last performance by 'Fabienne Erni'.

In summary, with this first album and like the Germans of 'MoonSun' , the Swiss of 'ILLUMISHADE', with a young front woman with a vocal talent undeniable, enter directly through the main door of the symphonic metal formations, bringing a little fresh air in this style with a perfect balance between energy and serenity which destines 'ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows' to a fairly large audience who like to navigate between rock and metal, whether melodic or symphonic...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabienne Erni (Vocal), Jonas Wolf (Guitar), Mirjam Schnedl (Keybords), Yannick Urbanczik (Bass), Marc Friedrich (Drums) + Guest : Chrigel Glanzmann (Vocal)


Artist : Jupiter Hollow

Album : Bereavement

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 06-08-2020

With 'Jupiter Hollow', we are fully in the music that I appreciate and it is the typical example that the tags that we want to stick to the artists do not mean much because this second album 'Bereavement 'Canadians' Grant MacKenzie and 'Kenny Parry' take us into a world of great differences by borrowing from different styles of music. You might as well warn you, it took me some time to fully appreciate these 9 compositions which take all their dimensions after sevrall listenings.

With 'L'Eau du Papineau' which begins the album, we are very close to an experimental style that brings us back somewhere in the universe of the beginning of 'Pink-Floyd' with their work on the sounds electronic and the acoustic side that can be found in albums like 'Atom Heart Mother' but with modern sounds, then, 'Scarden Valley' highlights a contemporary style with a very beautiful piano/voice duo before the participation of electric instruments which continue this track in a 'Floydienne' atmosphere and 'The Rosedale' is much more energetic with saturated guitar riffs and a repetitive melodic theme leading to a heady chorus and a remarkable performance of 'Kenny Parry' alternating sweetness and strength in his singing. It is with 'Kipling Forest' that the duo hardens the tone and we certainly have one of the hardest titles to tame but also the most contrasted and the most imaginative with multiple breaks in rhythm and intensity, then, 'The Mill' takes us into rich and inventive progressive metal with an unparalleled sound debauchery that contrasts fabulously with the 2 minutes of the serene atmosphere of the instrumental 'Mandating our Perception'. The album continues with the remarkable long development 'Sawbreaker' in which 'Kenny Parry' alternates clear vocals and growls and whose melodic lines merge between east and west and which one could undoubtedly qualify as modern progressive metal, reminiscent of the 'Porcupine Tree' project of 'Steven Wilson', then, 'Extensive Knowledge' which returns to a more calm atmosphere while keeping this contemporary side in the melodic lines, the acoustic guitar reinforcing this impression of quiet strength. The album ends with 12 minutes of an impressive 'Solar Gift' which explores multiple and varied sound regions with alternations between tension and relaxation with influences from groups like 'Opeth' or 'Pain Of Salvation'.
In summary, with this new album from the Canadians of 'Jupiter Hollow', we embark on an incredible and original journey with compositions that reinvent rock and progressive metal, but, on the flip side, 'Bereavement' risks to be limited to an informed public made up of researchers of new sounds and who like to appropriate an album little by little, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Grant MacKenzie (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Kenny Parry (Vocal, Keybords, Drums)


Artist : The Opium Cartel

Album : Valor

Release Date : 05-06-2020

Added : 08-08-2020

'The Opium Cartel' is the project of multi-instrumentalist 'Jacob Holm Lupo' who is also the frontman of 'White Willow' and who releases his 3rd studio recording after 'Ardor' which already dates from 2013. His style is influenced by a refined pop of the 70s / 80s with some progressive passages which can make think of formations like 'Alan Parsons Project' or 'Jon & Vangelis', the voice of 'Silje Hubeloer', main performer, the rhythms used and the preponderant presence of the keyboards not being foreign to this feeling.

'In The Street' begins the album in a light and quiet atmosphere with a first melody that settles gently in the hollow of your ear and, from this title, we think of 'Jon & Vangelis', then, 'Slow Run' continues in this delicate atmosphere with a slow tempo which unrolls beautiful melodic lines, the soft voice of 'Silje Hubeloer' further reinforcing this feeling of fullness. Despite an introduction in a style quite similar to the previous titles, 'A Question of Re-Entry' takes us on an instrumental track with electronic sounds and voiceovers in the first part then the second part of the title increases in power with a 'Floydian' guitar solo to fall back into a few keyboard notes. With 'Nighwings', it's a return to the electronic sounds of the 80s with the vocals of the very young 'Ina A' who is none other than the daughter of 'Jacob Holm Lupo' and who gives a very nice vocal performance, then we find 'Silje Hubeloer' on vocals in a sweet ballad but also in 'Under Thunder', more rhythmic with a second beautiful instrumental part. The end of the album scrolls' The Curfew Bell 'which still recalls the sweetness of' Jon & Vangelis', 'A Maelstrom of Stars' with a distinguished guest, 'Bjørn Riis' 'from Airbag' (review to come from their last album) which brings a 'Floydian' side to this title and finally the cover of the hard-rock group 'Ratt', 'What's It Gonna Be' which is interpret in a style of the 80s and in an electronic atmosphere at the level of keyboards and rhythm section.

In summary, 'Jacob Holm Lupo' with his project 'The Opium Cartel' releases a new album very pleasant to listen to in a pop style tinged with progressive and embellished with electronic sounds and 'Valor' is recommended to an audience loving electronic sounds that take us back to the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jacob Holm Lupo (Guitar, Keybords, Percussions) + Guests : Silje Hubeloer (Vocal), Ole Ovstedal (Guitar, Bass), Bjorn Riis (Guitar), Lars Fredrik Froislie (Drums), Ina A (Vocal), Leah Marcu (Vocal), Maria Grigoryeva (Violin), Ilia Skinbinsky (Saxophone), Alexander Stenerud (Vocal), Bjørn Riis (Guitar)


Artist : Rubber Tea

Album : Infusion

Release Date : 05-06-2020

Added : 10-08-2020

'Rubber Tea' is a new progressive rock project initiated three years ago by young and talented German musicians and singers and who are influenced by different currents with first of all the formations of the beginning of the progressive like 'King Crimson' ( you can listen to a cover of 'Moonchild' on you tube recorded during the confinement) but also they flesh out their compositions of jazzy ambient with the addition of brass instruments.

The album opens with the longest composition of the album, 'On Misty Mountains / Downstream' divided into two parts, a first sung in which we discover the soft and delicate vocals of 'Vanessa Gross' in a psychedelic atmosphere which can recall the beginnings of 'Barclay James Harvest' then a second instrumental part which is close to the 'Pink-Floyd' of the 'Meddle' and 'Atom Heart Mother' years. It is with 'In Weeping Wates' that the jazzy intonations brought by the vibraphone meet a progressive unrolling a quiet and peacefull melody, then 'The Traitor' continues in this serene atmosphere that one could qualify as progressive jazz and which reminds me in some places the Englishs of 'Renaissance'. The album continues with 'Plastic Dream' always in the sweetness with beautiful instrumental parts of keyboards, then, with 'Storm Glass', we are again full foot in the psychedelic with electronic effects in the vocals and 'The Droubt' returns to influences from the sixties with always the same references, the album ending with the instrumental 'American Dream' which one last time takes us in a 'Floydian' mood.

In summary, the Germans of 'Rubber Tea' show for a first album and very young members an impressive maturity and 'Infusion' is to advise to an audience loving a soft and quiet progressive which refers to the beginning of this style in the 60s/70s..

Line Up / Musicians

Vanessa Gross (Vocal, Saxophone, Flute, Percussions), Lennart Hinz (Keybords, Vocal), Jonas Roustai (Guitar), David Erzmann (Bass), Henri Pink (Drums), Maik Scheling (Guitar) + Guests : Christopher Olesch (Vibraphone), Alex Petratos (Congas, Güiro), Jakob Rubin (Saxophone), Kotenfreak Lasse (Trumpet)


Artist : Paralydium

Album : Worlds Beyond

Release Date : 12-06-2020

Added : 12-08-2020

After 'Mad Hatter', 'Paralydium' is still a new Swedish power metal formation which was created by guitarist 'John Berg' in 2015 and which immediately released a first EP 'The Paralydium Project'. After renaming the band to keep only 'Paralydium', 2020 sees the release of their first studio recording, 'Worlds Beyond' and it should be noted that drummer 'Georg Härnsten Egg' and bassist 'Jonathan Olsson' are also part of the melodic metal formation 'Dynazty'.

A first listen allows us to discover their universe made up of melodies that can be assimilated quite easily while keeping a certain musical research which brings a progressive side to the whole. After the instrumental introduction 'Enter Paralydium' which could be a music of a fantastic film, 'Within The Sphere' opens the debates in an energetic and direct style with a beautiful alternation between the sung parts (very good by the way by 'Mikael Selhin ') and the instrumental parts which bring a hint of progressive metal, then 'Synergy' continues with an introduction highlighting the keyboards of 'Mikael Blanc' and which is one of the two longest tracks of the album with some oriental intonations and Hispanic, the style being resolutely progressive and reminiscent of 'Sons of Apollo' but in a more accessible register. With ‘Finding The Paragon’, we continue in the power of a progressive metal pleasant to listen to with a remarkable guitar solo, then, 'Crystal Of Infinity’, more calm, has a melody that easily enters in your head. After the symphonic break 'Awakening', the leading 'The Source' embarks us on a progressive saga leaving a large place for the instrumental sections, then with 'Into Divinity', we continue to tack in a power metal much more progressive than the first tracks, the album ending with the long development 'Seeker Of The Light' which begins in a calm manner and which gains momentum by constantly changing tempo and intensity under the leadership of a remarkable rhythm section of 'Georg Härnsten Egg '.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Paralydium' are releasing a very pleasant first album to listen to in an accessible and melodic progressive metal which destines 'Worlds Beyond' for a public who loves a power metal leaving a good place for the instrumental parts...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Sehlin (Vocal), John Berg (Guitar), Mikael Blanc (Keybords), Jonathan Olsson (Bass), Georg Härnsten Egg (Drums)


Artist : Dreambleed

Album : We All Bleed Red

Release Date : 17-06-2020

Added : 14-08-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Dreambleed' is a Greek band which was formed in 2009 by singer and keyboardist 'Manolis Papadopoulos' who is also the group's songwriter and songwriter and who released a debut album 'Beautifull Sickness' in 2014 in which 'Mark Jansen' from 'Epica' lent his extreme voice on the track 'Hopeless'. 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording 'We All Bleed Red' and we can see on their facebook that they have been influenced by formations like 'Within Temptation', 'Evanescence' or even 'Epica' which all have a female singer but we can say that Manolis has a talent for melodic compositions and that his vocal performances are all remarkable with that little extra that he has this talent of knowing how to transmit emotions like the female singers of bands mentioned above.

After the instrumental acoustic introduction 'I've Seen Better Days' with some notes of piano, 'Once Upon a Lie' introduces us to a first melodic title between energy and serenity, 'Manolis Papadopoulos' often using his head voice, then, 'We All Bleed Red' brings electronic sounds in more classic melodic lines, a bit as if 'Dreambleed' wanted to mix the 'Within Temptation' of the 2000s and that of the end of the 2010s with a much more sound industrial, which we also find on the following title 'Sonder'. The first break comes with the magnificent power ballad 'Like a Clown', very classic but with a melody that stays in your head, then it's the turn of another remarkable ballad 'Oceans of Tears' with its heady chorus, and the mid-tempo 'Damaged' which follows, returns to more classical symphonic metal which brings us back to the beginning of the 2000s. The suite shows us new hits with first of all the mid-tempo 'Dance Above the Rain' , then, an energetic 'Drama Queen' (which was the subject of a video above recorded during the confinement period), then 'Feel My Scars' with new electronic tones and with a heady new chorus, and finally the third ballad 'Stay With Me' which has nothing to envy to the first two, the album ending with the beautiful acoustic version of 'Oceans of Tears' and the magnificent orchestral version of 'Like a Clown'.
In summary, the Greeks of 'Dreambleed' release a magnificent album, well balanced between powerful and calmer tracks, mixing symphonic metal from the 2000s and from today by the addition of electronic sounds and 'We All Bleed Red 'is recommended for a fairly large audience loving a classical and melodic symphonic metal without any aggressiveness...

Line Up / Musicians

Manolis Papadopoulos (Vocal, Keybords), Kyriakos (Guitar), Mike (Guitar), Ridra (Bass), Marios (Drums)


Artist : Beyond The Black

Album : Hørizøns

Release Date : 19-06-2020

Added : 16-08-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

Seeing the impressive number of reviews on the web regarding the last 'Beyond The Black', we realize how the progress of this group has been dazzling because we have the impression that 'Songs of Love and Death' is already far away but it only dates from 2015 and 2020 already sees the release of the fourth album' Hørizøns', which is to say the frequency of studio recordings by the Germans. And again, they did all that they can on the marketing level because in addition to the video 'Misery' visible above, we have the rights to three other videos 'Wounded Healer' , 'Human' and finally 'Golden Pariah'.

With this new album, everything is still done to offer us a modern and accessible symphonic metal with melodies that are easily embedded in your head, each could have been the subject of a single : it is with the eponymous title that the album begins in an energetic and melodic style which joins the Dutch of 'Within Temptation', then 'Misery' continues with a new hit with a new unstoppable melody and 'Wounded Healer' in a less marked tempo sees the participation of singer 'Elize Ryd' from 'Amaranthe' which makes this title a very beautiful duet with Jennifer (we want more !). The sequel continues to scroll through addictive melodies with the enticing 'Some Kind of Monster', again bringing us back to 'Within Temptation', then, the ballad 'Human' which is still a melodic nugget as the Germans have the secret, and ' Golden Pariahs' adds more modern electronic tones. After 6 tracks without any downtime, we attack the second part of the title album with 'Marching In' which again shows that the duets always bring a plus (as for the formation 'Visions of Atlantis') with in this case the participation of guitarist 'Chris Hermsdörfer', then, with 'You're Not Alone', I already see Jennifer involving the whole audience to make them take up the chorus in chorus. What more can we say, except that the last five compositions are on the same level as the rest with the mid-tempo 'Out of the Ashes', the fast 'Paralyzed' with its choirs which will certainly be chanted in concert, 'Coming Home' which borrows in a beautiful way, a little more rock than metal, the magnificent acoustic ballad 'Surrender' with the participation of the cellist 'Tina Guo' well known to the fans of 'Hanz Zimmer' and who was part of the adventure of the live at the 'Carnagie Hall' by 'Joe Bonamassa', the album ending with the enticing 'Welcome To My Wasteland'.

In summary, The Germans of 'Beyond The Black' are releasing yet another album, each composition of which could be the subject of a single and are now part of the leading group of symphonic metal groups: 'Hørizøns' will certainly participate yet to increase the fan base because all the compositions are very accessible for a large audience beyond metal fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennifer Haben (Vocal), Chris Hermsdörfer (Guitar), Tobias Lodes (Guitar), Stefan Herkenhoff (Bass), Kai Tschierschky (Drums) + Guests : Elize Ryd (Vocal), Tina Guo (Cello)


Artist : Airbag

Album : A Day at the Beach

Release Date : 19-06-2020

Added : 18-08-2020

2016 saw the release of 'Disconnected' which had not hit the headlines but was a continuation of what the Norwegians of 'Airbag' used to produce and, four years later, it was the turn of 'A Day at the Beach' to come out with only 6 titles but 4 of which exceeded 8 minutes.

It is with the 10 minutes of 'Machines and Men' that the album begins with already a nod to the rhythm and the sound effects of a certain 'Welcome to the Machine' from the 'Floyds' released 45 years ago (and yes that does not make us any younger) and whose repetitiveness of the theme is well in relation to that of the machines and the catchy rhythmic much than what we knew from 'Airbag', then, change of atmosphere with the first part of 'A Day at the Beach' which offers us a soaring and relaxing melody to listen to quietly with headphones (especially since the sound is really excellent). Follows 'Into The Unknow' which takes us on board for 10 minutes of atmospheric ambiance with the use of electronic sounds inherited from the 70s and which, after a break made of sound effects, ends with a beautiful 'Floydian' airy melody that rocks our meaning, then, again, change of style with 'Sunsets' which is much more rhythmic and which can recall the 'Blackfield' project of 'Steven Wilson'. The end of the album offers us, first of all the second part of 'A Day at the Beach' which is instrumental and which comes back to a fairly linear atmosphere, made of a soft crescendo to arrive on a 'Gilmourian' guitar solo, then finally 'Megalomaniac' which borders on 10 minutes closes 'A Day at the Beach' on a more melancholy note with a slow tempo which unrolls a new aerial melody then which increases in intensity in the middle of the title keeping the same common thread until a powerful explosion with a rhythm that accelerates to fall back as it had started.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Airbag ', even if they do not revolutionize the genre, continue to offer us atmospheric compositions pleasant to listen to in a quiet place to relax after a hard day's work and 'A Day at the Beach' should undoubtedly appeal, beyond 'Airbag' fans, to an audience loving an aerial style with a predominant use of keyboards...

Line Up / Musicians

Bjørn Riis (Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Asle Tostrup (Vocal, Keybords), Anders Hovdan (Bass), Henrik Fossum (Drums)


Artist : AURIUM

Album : The Second Sun

Release Date : 19-06-2020

Added : 20-08-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

‘AURIUM’ is a Serbian project led by singer ‘Milica Jovaov’ which dates from 2012, 2015 having seen the release of the debut album ’Still Life’. So it was 5 years after this first baby that the Serbs recorded their 2nd opus ‘The Second Sun’. In a symphonic metal style with an important use of orchestral arrangements, they offer us 11 tracks for 46 minutes which can recall the major formations of the genre like 'Delain', 'Within Temptation' or even 'Dark Sarah' (upcoming review of her latest album) but also, for my part, even more projects like 'Therion' or 'Imperial Age' due at fairly slow tempos.

All starts with 'Asylum', powerful in a moderate tempo with a first melody that is immediately tamed, then 'Leaden Skies' with its choirs has a 'Within Temptation' side from the 2000s with 'Milica Jovanov' which uses her clear and high-pitched voice in a beautiful way, and 'Curtain's Fall' sees Milica mixing the two clear and lyrical registers in an always very symphonic style. With 'Dead Landscapes' we are closer to the theatrical side of 'Therion', just like with 'Garbage Eater' but this time because of energetic electric guitar riffs, then, 'Timekeeper' reproduces the same pattern as its predecessor. It is with 'Phasiadinae' that we hold the longest title in several parts with very beautiful vocal arrangements, the operatic style being taken to its climax and reminiscent of the greatness of the Russians of the 'Imperial Age'. We still think of 'Therion', but more in the register of 'Beloved Antechrist' metal opera with 'Nodus Tollens' and 'Reminiscence', with its slow and rhythmic tempo and its backing vocals, returns to the heady melodies of 'Imperial Age' just like the mid-tempo 'The Silent Wake', the album ending with a catchy 'Son of the Morning Star' which flirts more with formations like 'Dark Sarah'.

In summary, the Serbs of AURIUM, continue to offer us a symphonic metal rich in influence with a front woman which is much more convincing in a lyrical song which, for me, makes 'The Second Sun' an album which will be more intended for fans of formations like 'Therion' but will also be able to make happy among all those who like symphonic metal in general...

Line Up / Musicians

Milica Jovanov (Vocal), Pavle Savić (Drums), Siniša Mladenović (Bass, Keybords), Slavoljub Pupić (Guitar)


Artist : Glasswork

Album : Metabolé

Release Date : 19-06-2020

Added : 22-08-2020

'Glasswork' is a Spanish progressive rock formation that has already released 2 albums, 'Knots' in 2015 and 'Fear and Trembling' in 2017, 'Metabolé' being their third studio recording. On the menu, sophisticated and rather calm progressive rock with beautiful melodic lines, the 11 titles being divided between 7 sung compositions between 4 and 7 minutes, 3 short instrumental and a long development which borders on 15 minutes.

'Blackspot' welcomes us in a cozy atmosphere with a catchy first melody, then, 'Tales from the Cave' slightly hardens the subject with a more marked rhythm and a refrain taking us back to the 70s, and, 'The Decision' which follows, brings very beautiful vocal harmonies. After the 2 instrumentals, first of all, the pastoral 'Barbarian Assimimation' with jazzy incursions, then, 'Zeirach' with sound effects that can recall the atmosphere of 'Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast' of the 'Floyds', 'A Song for Grace' is a soft ballad with folk accents, then, 'Solitude' takes us on board for a more sought-after composition with rich harmonics and tones of the beginning of the progressive and which gradually increases in power past half of the title with a magnificent passage with the setting in front from the saxophone of 'Jesús Sánchez'. The suite offers us 'For Everyone and for No One', progressive alternating 'Floydien' passages and other much powerfull ones, the short instrumental ‘Turmoil’ made of sound effects and the energetic 'One Dimensional Man' with oriental intonations and keyboards vintage from the 70s. But the centerpiece is undoubtedly the eponymous title of the album which alone is worth the purchase of this opus and which is a real masterpiece of inventiveness and we can hear influences from various seventies progressive artists like 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', 'Renaissance', 'Yes', 'Pink Floyd' or even 'Deep Purple' but which necessarily requires a few listening to get all the richness.

In summary, the Spaniards of 'Glasswork' are releasing an album of remarkable density with an exceptional final and 'Metabolé' is tailor-made for all those who love an inventive and rich progressive straight out from the 70s ...

Line Up / Musicians

Miguel Angel Rey (Vocal, Drums, Percussions), Fernando Domínguez (Bass, Choirs), Jose Galvez (Guitar), Cezar Rodríguez (Keybords, Flute, Choirs) + Guests : Laura Martinez (Vocal), Jesús Sánchez (Saxophone, Clarinette)


Artist : Kyros

Album : Celexa Dreams

Release Date : 19-06-2020

Added : 24-08-2020

'Kyros' is an English formation led by the young multi-instrumentalist 'Adam Warne' and which premiered in 2012 with a debut album in 2014 under the name 'Synaesthesia' which was also the band's name at the time. After a very good album 'Vox Humana' in 2016, 2020 sees the release of a new opus 'Celexa Dreams' which takes us back to their universe made of multiple influences ranging from the 80s to the present day between rock and progressive metal with developments that must generally be tamed in several plays.

And yet, it is with two very accessible tracks that the album begins, first of all 'In Motion' which plunges us into pop with keyboards with 80s sounds, then 'Rumor' continues in this light style with a kind of mix between the 'Bee Gees' and 'Foreigner'. Without transition, 'In Vantalblack' takes us on for 14 minutes of rich and inventive progressive with a title in multiple drawers in which follow one another accessible sections and others more sought after. After the instrumental interlude 'Ghosts Kids', 'Phosphene' offers a very beautiful melancholy stroll in the vein of 'RPWL', then, 'Technology Killed the Kids III' which echoes the first 2 parts present on the first 2 albums, returns, after an introduction full of sound effects, to a lighter but very progressive atmosphere, and 'Sentry', with keyboards full of electronic effects, unfolds a slow and beautiful melody. The end of the opus offers progressive metal with first, 'Two Frames of Panic' then 'UNO Attack' close to what 'Steven Wilson' could have done with 'Porcupine Tree' and the last track 'Her Song is Mine' ends the album gently with a last stroll quite offbeat from the rest in a symphonic atmosphere close to 'Alan Parsons'.

In summary, the English of 'Kyros' are releasing an album which, even if it contains accessible titles, requires several listenings to fully tame it which intends 'Celexa Dreams' to an audience that likes to vary styles progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Warne (Vocal, Keybords), Robin Johnson (Drums, Percussions), Peter Episcopo (Bass, Vocal), Joey Frevola (Guitar)


Artist : Professor Tip Top

Album : Tomorrow is Delayed

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 26-08-2020

After the Spaniards of 'Glasswork', the month of June has spoiled us with progressive rock album releases because it is the turn of the Norwegians of 'Professor Tip Top' to come out a new album, 'Tomorrow is Delayed', after 'Life Is No Matter' in 2017 and 'Hybrid Hymns' in 2019. Everything is still implemented to offer us a very pleasant progressive rock inherited from the 70s in a psychedelic style.

From the first titles 'Erebus', 'In The Mirror' and 'Under Crystal Stars', we embark on peaceful melodies that can be listened to quietly on headphones, and the suite continues in this register with the beautiful soothing voice of 'Sonja Otto', magnificent performer of melodic lines straight out of the 70s and it's names like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Pink Floyd' that come to mind when listening to songs like 'The Ghost Within', 'Beneath the Silence' or even the progressive development reminiscent of the beginning of the 'Floyds' 'Objet Petit A' and we also have the right to a little more energy with 'Tomorrow is Delayed', the album ending in the sweetness with 'Earth' in which 'Sonjo Otto' cradles us one last time.

In summary, even if they take existing influences without bringing real novelties, the Norwegians of 'Professor Tip Top' are releasing a new album very pleasant to listen to and 'Tomorrow is Delayed' is recommended to a whole audience loving progressive music which is calm and filled with serenity, coming straight from an era which saw this style of music taking off...

Line Up / Musicians

Sonja Otto (Vocal, Keybords), Sam Fossbakk (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Stein Høgseth (Bass), Charles Wise (Drums)


Artist : Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins

Album : Whore of Babylon

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 27-08-2020

Casually, bassist 'Mike Lepond' is already on his third solo album with 'Whore of Babylon', especially as he is on all fronts, first of all being the bassist official of 'Symphony X' since 2000 but also with his other project 'DeadRisen' and if you search for 'Mike Lepond' on myprogmusic, you will see the projects in which he has participated for 3 years (and this is obviously not exhaustive).

Certainly, with this new album, it will not revolutionize the metal but it is precisely what makes the strength of this opus, the fact of concentrating on 10 titles of multiple influences which give the impression of listening a best of metal from the 80s/90s because for the fan of this time (of which I am part), 'Whore of Babylon' is a real feast. So we navigate between power metal with a powerful 'Ides of March' or with a huge 'Tell Tale Heart', speed metal with 'Dracul Son' or with the stunning 'Ironborn' or even melodic metal with folk accents with 'Night of The Long Knives' or with the catchy 'Avalon'. And how to miss 'Power Steel' which would blow up a whole stadium (by the way, hats off to the ensemble performance of Alan 'Tecchio' who knows how to adapt his voice to all styles) and to the opposite of the 'Champion' power ballad break, certainly agreed upon but so effective with this irresistible desire to swing to the rhythm of the chant (also beautiful vocal performance of 'Sarah Teets'), without forgetting the mid-tempo 'Whore of Babylon' which deploys its slow melody in a majestic way.

In summary, as you will understand, this latest baby of 'Mike Lepond' is a real success which should delight all amateurs of metal of the 80s/90s by offering them a concentrate of the best of this time with modern sound and arrangements...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike LePond (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Alan Tecchio (Vocal), Lance Barnewold (Guitar), Rod Rivera (Guitar), Sarah Teets (Flute, Vocal, Choirs), Michael Romeo (Keybords), Mandolin (Drums), Michael Pinnella (Piano, Choirs)


Artist : Nick D’Virgilio

Album : Invisible

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 28-08-2020

When we see the impressive list of guests in the latest album 'Invisible' by drummer 'Nick D'Virgilio' (among others 'Tears for Fears', 'Spock's Beard', 'Big Big Train' or 'Steve Hackett' but also he did part of the adventure of the ‘Cirque du Soleil’ for 5 years), we tell ourselves that we are rubbing shoulders with the cream of global progressive rock. But this last opus is much larger than a set of progressive compositions because Nick mixes different influences in which he has been immersed for several decades which makes 'Invisible' a very accessible album.

After the short instrumental highlighting the instruments of the orchestra in a melancholy atmosphere, the title song of the album 'Invisible' is a magnificent ballad about people we never talk about but who bring as much as the others their stone to the building (what a beautiful coincidence with what we experienced at the beginning of the year), then, 'Turn Your Life Around' is one of the only really progressive titles which alternates instrumental and sung parts with the use of strings which bring us back to the atmospheres of the beginning of 'Electric Light Orchestra'. Without transition, 'I'm Gone' takes us on a funky rhythm with choirs from the time of the 'Bee Gees', then the cover of the rock 'Money (That's All I Want') of 'Barett Strong' which had been sung by the 'Beatles' at the beginning of the 60s is completely revisited with an improbable but magnificent meeting between the musics of the 'Cirque Du soleil' and a group of Gospel. Follows the short and very stripped-down ballad 'Waiting For No One' with a jazzy atmosphere, then we turn up the decibels with a lively 'Snake Oil Salesman' which would not have mismatched in a set list of 'Status Quo' and 'Where's The Passion' brings us back to a much more classic atmosphere with remarkable orchestral arrangements and an atmosphere close to the American variety of the 70s/80s. It's still a big gap as I like them with 'Mercy' which, after an atmospheric introduction, delivers us a powerful progressive metal that would not have denied 'Dream Theater' and, in this register, 'Nick D'Virgilio' shows all his talent in the rhythm section, then, 'Overcome' continues with a colossal instrumental introduction that leads to a calmer but epic track in a 'Queenest' style, and 'In The Bones' mixes rock power and jazz sounds with brass which fills the whole space. The end of the album offers us a rhythmic 'Wrong Place Wrong Time' with electronic effects and a vocal phrasing superimposed on the lead vocals, 'Not My Time To Say Goodbye' in a more progressive register with new brass accompaniment that recall the credits of American series, and finally 'I Know The Way' in a light popisante atmosphere close to the style of 'Elton John'.

In summary, this new solo album by 'Nick D'Virgilio' is a compendium of various influences that mix pop, rock, jazz and metal all this being sprinkled with progressive which destines 'Invisible' to a loving audience above all the diversity of genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal, Drums) + Guests : Beth Cohen (Choirs), Carl Verheyen (Guitar), Jem Godfrey (Keybords), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Jordan Rudess (Keybords, Piano), Kat Bowser (Choirs), Nathan Heironimus (Choirs), Paul Gilbert (Guitar), Randy Mcstine (Guitar), Rick Nielsen (Guitar), Sophia D'virgilio (Choirs), Tony Levin (Bass)


Artist : Molitoth

Album : The Tribunal

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 29-08-2020

'Molitoth' is the project of singer 'Kyle Brandt' of 'A Light Within' who has just released his first studio recording 'The Tribunal'. In a rather dark atmospheric progressive style with slow tempos, he offers us 11 compositions that marry keyboards with heavy guitar riffs, his aim being to focus 'The Tribunal' on meditative music.

After the short instrumental introduction 'Meditation (Transcendental)', 'Confessional Lock' unfolds a heavy and slow melody that can recall the moods of compositions like 'Sorrow' from 'Pink Floyd', then 'Interrogation Frames' takes the relay with an imposing bass which continues in this melancholy register. With 'The Departing', over 9 minutes, the slow and repetitive character brings a majestic side and the melody can recall formations like 'Airbag' or 'RPWL', the final offering very beautiful vocal arrangements and 'Self Reflection' continues in this atmosphere of quiet strength then 'Meditation (Guided)', a short instrumental, opens the second half of the album by introducing 'Verdict Scope' which takes us on a more energetic composition and more difficult to tame. Follows 'Send Me an Angel' which is a cover of the group 'Real Life' in a much more relaxed style and the end of the album scrolls 'Ackowledgement' and its rather linear swaying rhythm, then the third instrumental, in an experimental style, on a fairly monotonous theme with a whispered female voice, and finally 'Incarceration' which closes the album in a 'Floydian' atmosphere.

In summary, 'Kyle Brandt' releases an atmospheric album pleasant to listen to the headphones on the ears and 'The Tribunal' is recommended for an audience loving progressive rock made of calm and tranquil atmospheres conducive to relaxation and meditation...

Line Up / Musicians

Kyle Brandt (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Madelyn Robertson (Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Bryant Bridges Guitar), Taylor Talbott (Guitar), Matt Davis (Drums)


Artist : tRKproject

Album : Kay & Gerda

Release Date : 29-06-2020

Added : 30-08-2020

We left 'Ryszard Kramarski' with the excellent 'Mr Scrooge' released a little over a year ago and it is the turn of 'Kay & Gerda' from see the day. In the meantime a new 'Millenium' album has been released and if you are a fan of subtle and quiet progressive rock, you are in the right place because this new opus is full of poetry and delicacy that resemble to groups like 'Mostly Autumn' or 'Fleesh'.

The album declines in two versions with two different singers, first of all, honor to the ladies, the talented 'Karolina Leszko' who enchants us once again throughout this first part, the second being devolved to sieur 'Dawid Lewandowski', young singer of the group 'Fizbers' who gives a second interpretation just as remarkable as the first, it is up to you to test both and choose the one that you prefer. The album opens with the magnificent 'The Shards Of Glass' which takes us directly onto a small cloud in a delicate and relaxing atmosphere with 'Floydian' keyboard layers and a melody that rocks us and never leaves us, then, 'Gerda's Song' continues in this harmonious atmosphere which, for my part, triggered me on several occasions this small characteristic thrill of an intense happiness with the version of Karolina. As for 'Garden Of Oblivion', it's still a soft and limpid composition reminiscent of 'Mostly Autumn', then, 'The Crow and The Castle', half instrumental adds sublime vocalizations of Karolina and ends on a remarkable solo guitar, and 'Little Robber Girl' is certainly the most energetic track with a very nice passage mixing in a beautiful way the vocals of Karolina and an acoustic guitar. The first part ends with, first of all, a melancholy 'Long Way North' with yet another magnificent catchy melody then with 'Snow Queen Palace' which takes us one last time on a wonderful journey filled with emotion and Karolina, in end of title, hands the baton beautifully to 'Dawid Lewandowski'.

In summary, with this latest album, 'Ryszard Kramarski' continues to enchant us with endearing and delicate melodies that are sublimated by two remarkable performers and 'Kay & Gerda' should undoubtedly appeal to all fans of an harmonious and sensitive progressive in the line of formation like' Mostly Autumn '...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums, Percussions), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Karolina Leszko (Vocal), Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal)


Artist : Black Dime Cabaret

Album : Act I : Nefarious Schemes to Murder Lady Midnight

Release Date : 28-06-2020

Added : 31-08-2020

I'm writing this review knowing already that the Australians' first album of 'Black Dime Cabaret' will be their last because a fairly short post on their facebook, without too much explanation, written by 'Brandom Young', the group's instigator, explains to us that they separate after a year of existence (especially since their album was withdrawn from Spotify but I had the pleasure of listening to it before it was withdrawn and I put the You Tube link on the whole album). But let's not sulk our pleasure because the opus released at the end of June 2020, which was originally to be the first part of a triptych is very original and makes us discover a very particular and very endearing universe made of influences drawn from the world of the circus, the musette ball or even the cabaret, all this in a progressive style. It is a concept album that tells the story of the plague in France at the end of the 19th century.

In a classic atmosphere, the instrumental 'A Plague In France' sets an epic backdrop introducing 'The Clown and the Election' in a melodic progressive that alternates calm passages and more muscular parts in which we discover the delicate singing of 'Dayle Barnett' and the use of brass tones which accentuates the circus atmosphere, then, the eponymous title of the group takes us into a cabaret atmosphere with a bouncy rhythm and 'Autumn', which follows, is a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad, very endearing, with a remarkable contrast between the sounds of fanfare and the acoustic guitar. Follows 'Festival of Witches', its introduction of circus music gives way to a sung part with multiple changes of tempo and a wonderful dynamic close to tango, then, 'Ode to Lady Midnight' enchants us with its alternations between melancholic and cheerful passages, the finale being filled with great emotion. The second part of the album continues in this intoxicating atmosphere with 'The Great Manipulator' mixing a cabaret atmosphere with progressive rock, 'Death Waltz' in an original waltz tempo and a melody which, for me, does not necessarily reflect the title, then, 'Nefarious Schemes', very contrasted title, its strength being to mix feelings that would qualify as joyful melancholy, 'The Lynch Mob' which is undoubtedly the most energetic composition with guitar riffs and always this energy communicative, the album ending, first of all, with the short lullaby 'Sleep, Dear' then, 'Incantations' which can recall certain sounds of 'Renaissance' and which one last time takes us on an imaginative and very original title

In summary, this album from the Australians of 'Black Dime Cabaret' is filled with a real poetry that could be summed up in the atmosphere of clowns, at the same time joyful but often hiding a suffering filled with melancholy which makes these very endearing and original compositions which make 'Nefarious Schemes to Murder Lady Midnight' an opus that goes off the beaten track of traditional progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Dayle Barnett (Vocal, Guitar), Brandon Young (Guitar), Joel Holdsworth (Drums), Cole Catania (Bass), Max Budich (Keybords)


Artist : Void Contact

Album : Form over Dysfunction

Release Date : 27-06-2020

Added : 01-09-2020

'Void Contact' is a band created at the end of the 80s by 'David McHenry' and 'Carter Scott' with two albums released in 1989 ('Age of Antiquity') and in 1991 ('Autonomy') and which after a long separation, met again in 2013 to continue the adventure. Two new opuses were released, 'Many Happy Returns' in 2015 and 'Secrets and Alibis' in 2018 and 'Form over Dysfunction' is therefore their third studio recording. In a pop style inherited from the 60s to the 80s, they offer us 10 compositions that could be a subtle mix between the 'Beatles', the 'Beach Boys', 'Supertramp' or even 'Billy Joël' or 'Chris de Burgh'.

From the start, we navigate through soft and refined pop compositions often semi-acoustic like 'Second Hand Love' and its westcoast atmosphere, 'Holiday' and its reggae rhythm, 'He Made His Bed' close to the sounds from 'Chris de Burgh' or the 'Beatlesian' 'Never Say Fail'. With 'All That She Sees', the use of strings recalls the moods of the orchestral versions of the project, 'The Gentle Storm' by 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen', then, the catchy 'Non-Committal Inspirations' has a heady melody to sing together in chorus and 'Let Me In' takes us into an exotic swaying rhythm, the album ending with 'I Don't Care' with very beautiful choirs reminiscent of the 'Beach Boys', 'Shame on You, Shame on Me' with another heady melody taking us back to the 70s and finally, the beautiful melancholy ballad 'Paralyzed', piano/voice, on which strings are grafted in a beautiful way that can recall the atmospheres of 'Peter Gabriel'.

In summary, this new album from the Americans of 'Void Contact' is very pleasant to listen to and brings us back to a pop of the 70s / 80s and 'Form over Dysfunction' is recommended to the general public because all the compositions are accessible at first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

David McHenry (Vocal, Keybords, Drums, Percussions), Carter Scott (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Mark Horwitz (Accordion, Piano), Daniel Lee (Violin), Studio Pros (Cello), Brittany Bandstra (Clarinette), Ray McHenry (Bass), Ryan West (Guitar), Alfonso (Piano)


Artist : Osta Love

Album : About Time

Release Date : 03-07-2020

Added : 02-09-2020

'Osta Love' is a German project created by a duo, the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Tobias Geberth' and the drummer 'Leon Ackermann'. They released at the beginning of July a new album 'About Time', their previous opus, 'Good Morning Dystopia' dating from 2013 and 'The Isles Of Dogs' from 2015. Classified in progressive, this latest baby explores different styles ranging from pop to energetic rock with melodic lines that are quickly tamed.

The album begins smoothly with 'We Can Do It Again', a very beautiful popist melody close to the 'Beatles', then, 'Oscillating' brings a more progressive component with a more varied rhythm and keyboard sounds which can make think about 'Pink Floyd', and 'Desert Shufle' returns to a harmonious pop with some jazzy incursions. With 'Moth To A Flame', the muscular introduction gives way to a catchy melody in an art rock style close to 'David Bowie', and 'Nights Of Aphelion' is a very beautiful melancholy ballad which is followed by an another ballad, 'The Waters Of The Nils', but this time closer to the psychedelic of the 'Floyds' with 'Gilmourian' guitars sounds and a very nice acoustic instrumental section. Total change of register with 'Amethyst Deceiver' which begins with a funky rhythmic and which continues in an imaginative and very original progressive development in which several quite different parts follow one another by forming a very beautiful whole and which has a remarkable finale for any progressive amateur. The album ends, as it started, very smoothly, with the semi-acoustic 'About Time' and with, one last time, the vocals of 'Tobias Geberth' which gently rock us.

In summary, with this new album from the Germans of 'Osta Love', the 2020 summer still brought us beautiful compositions in a calm and refined progressive style, between pop and rock, and 'About Time' is recommended to an audience navigating between pop and rock and appreciating accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Geberth (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords, Bass), Leon Ackermann (Drums, drums, Percussions)


Artist : Fatal Fusion

Album : Dissonant Minds

Release Date : 10-07-2020

Added : 03-09-2020

Lovers of progressive 70s with long developments that are slowly tamed, listening after listening, you are in the right place with the last album of the Norwegians of 'Fatal Fusion', 'Dissonant Minds', which brings their discography to 4 studio recordings after 'Land of the Sun' in 2010 nominated for the Prog Awards, 'The Ancient Tales' in 2013 and 'Total Absence' in 2016.

Less long than its predecessors, it is nonetheless remarkable with only 4 titles but with 2 long developments which together total more than thirty minutes of listening. With 'Coming Forth by Day', we are embarked on a first very seventies progressive saga with multiple influences and atmospheres, ranging from keyboards close to 'ELP' to a Hispano-oriental acoustic melody, through a sweet melody close to 'BJH' and muscular in some places close to 'Deep Purple' ('Knut Erik Grøntvedt' having a voice of hard-rock bands singers) and with a final whose melodic lines settle permanently in the head and ends with a remarkable fade out leaving 'Knut Erik Grøntvedt' whispering lyrics accompanied by some piano notes. Follows 'Quo Vadimus', which, in less than eight minutes, contains different atmospheres with a rhythm that remains energetic throughout the title and with many changes of tempos, the Hammond organ twirling in the manner of the late 'Jon Lord', then, the ballad break is brought by the instrumental 'Beneath The Syndrom' in the form of a slow procession highlighting layers of keyboards and having an epic and baroque finale with percussions reminiscent of the bolero of 'Ravel'. And that's with the longest title, 'Broken Man pt. 2' (which is the second part of 'Broken Man' appearing in the 'Norwegians' debut album) that the album ends by offering us a new imaginative progressive fresco in several drawers exploring various and varied influences with melodic lines always accessible and with finale which give an irresistible desire, the last note passed, to press the play button again.

In summary, it is still a very beautiful album that the Norwegians of 'Fatal Fusion' offer us with everything that the amateur of long progressive developments likes to find in this kind of music, originality, imagination and beautiful melodic lines that we appropriate, little by little, listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Knut Erik Grøntvedt (Vocal), Erlend Engebretsen (Keybords), Stig Selnes (Guitar), Lasse Lie (Bass), Audun Engebretsen (Drums)


Artist : Tokyo Motor Fist

Album : Lions

Release Date : 10-07-2020

Added : 04-09-2020

After 'Tokyo Motor Fist' dating from 2017, the Americans of 'Tokyo Motor Fist' are releasing a new album, 'Lions' in the continuity of the previous one with everything we want to find in a good melodic hard-rock straight out of the 80s/90s and listening to the first tracks, we actually find ourselves a few decades back with a certain group, 'Def Leppard' and simple but hyper effective melodies embellished superb choirs.

'Lions' therefore brings together all the ingredients to have a good time with heady melodies that never leave you, starting with a 'Youngblood' and its super effective chorus, then the backing vocals of 'Monster In Me' which adds a layer and the energetic 'Around Midnight' continues in this all traced way, just like 'Mean It' which brings us back to the melodies and backing vocals of 'Def Leppard'. The first ballad break arrives with the eponymous title of the album with the participation of the keyboardist 'Dennis Deyoung' from 'Styx' and who has just released a new solo album ’26 East, Vol. 1’ bringing a symphonic side, then, it is left with very good hard-rock, simple but so effective, with 'Decadence on 10th Street', and the rest of the album takes us through the remarkable mid-tempo 'Dream You Heart Out', reminiscent of 'Asia', the melodic AOR 'Blow Your Mind' to make an entire audience sing, a lively 'Sedona' on which we can’t help but stomp to mark the tempo, the luminous 'Look Into Me' with a new heady chorus, the album ending with the melodic jewel 'Winner Takes All' with a last chorus which stays etched in your head.

In summary, without surprise, the Americans of 'Tokyo Motor Fist' are releasing a new album filled with good melodic hard-rock to be consumed without moderation and accessible to a general public adept of this style which has been popularized in the 80s by formations like 'Def Leppard'...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Brown (Vocal, Guitars), Ted Poley (Vocal), Greg Smith (Bass), Chuck Burgi (Drums) + Guests : Dennis Deyoung (Keybords, Choirs), Mark Rivera (Saxophone)


Artist : Alizarin

Album : The Last Semblance

Release Date : 10-07-2020

Added : 05-09-2020

'Alizarin' is the project of the American 'Josh Kay' who released in 2018 a first fully instrumental studio recording and which evolves between rock and progressive metal with jazzy forays with the use of keyboards in all its forms which makes an original group and apart in the progressive musical landscape. With this new opus 'The Last Semblance', 'Josh Kay' adds his voice to all the titles which, to read some reviews, does not please everyone, and it is true that the great strength of this formation is the instrumental side which is still well put forward in 'The Last Semblance'.

8 tracks for nearly an hour of listening, this is the menu of this opus which begins with 'Elegy Simulacra' which borders on 8 minutes and already shows several facets, a fairly classic sung first part, then a jazzy interlude in which comes a 'Gilmourian' guitar. Follows 'Fathom' in a darker style in the form of a mid-tempo with a final highlighting the keyboards of 'Avelino Ramirez', then 'A Wreath of Temperance' opens in a disturbing atmosphere, then, hardens the tone with a more energetic part which contains here and there jazz sounds. Despite a clean acoustic introduction, 'Velvet Margin' exudes the same atmosphere as its predecessor but with more harmonious melodic lines and 'Heirloom' once again emphasizes the keyboards supported by some guitar riffs making it a more energetic track with a rather melodic refrain. With 'Zero Sum', which has a remarkable instrumental section, we are close to a progressive metal elaborated in the manner of formations like 'Porcupine Tree', then, 'Attenuation' is much more symphonic with keyboards that fill the whole space and the guitar which wants to be less energetic with soft arpeggios and it is with the powerful 'Ivory Silo', in a progressive metal with electronic sounds that the album ends by offering us a remarkable last instrumental section.

In summary, even if the melodic lines of 'Alizarin' are not necessarily very immediate, the fact remains that 'The Last Semblance' is a quality album that should appeal to an audience adept of an elaborate progressive that requires a few listening to appreciate it...

Line Up / Musicians

Josh Kay (Guitar, Vocal), Jon Damon (Drums), Terran Fernandez (Bass, Choirs), Avelino Ramirez (Keybords)


Artist : Shining Black

Album : Shining Black

Release Date : 10-07-2020

Added : 06-09-2020

'Shining Black' is a new formation born from the meeting of two seasoned artists of the metal world, the singer 'Mark Boals' ('Yngwie Malmsteen' , 'Royal Hunt', 'Iron Mask', 'Ring Of Fire') and guitarist 'Ölaf Thorsen' ('Labyrinth') who have always wanted to work together and so it's done with this first album of the name of the project. By the way, the rest of the line up is all part of 'Labyrinth', keyboardist 'Oleg Smirnoff', bassist 'Nik Mazzucconi' and drummer 'Matt Peruzzi', but it would be very reductive to limit 'Shining Black' to a pale copy of 'Labryrinth' because this new project is more focused on accessible melodic metal in a moderate style while remaining powerful, the keyboards playing an important role and the guitar riffs often being there to set the tempo.

It is this feeling that dominates from the opening title 'The House Of The Fallen Souls' with a first melody that immediately hooks and with a first beautiful vocal performance of 'Mark Boals' whose style goes perfectly with this kind of compositions. With 'Boogeyman', the tempos accelerates slightly but remains very measured with a new very classical but very effective melody and with a remarkable guitar solo by 'Ölaf Thorsen', then, 'My Life', with a faster tempo, continues in the same atmosphere as its predecessor. The first power ballad break is brought by a remarkable 'A Sad Song' with a quicker central part, then, the eponymous title of the project continues in a melodic mid-tempo reminiscent of the melodic lines of the 80s, just like 'Just Another Day 'which is in the same register with a heady chorus. The end of the album scrolls through unstoppable melodies with an energetic 'Where Are Your Gods', the catchy 'The Caroussel', the second ballad 'The Day We Said Goodbye' just as remarkable as the first and to add to the best metal ballads and finally a classic but nevertheless very effective 'The Fall'.

In summary, even if it does not revolutionize melodic metal, 'Shining Black' is a very pleasant album to listen to and the duo 'Mark Boals' / 'Ölaf Thorsen' offers us a new project which should be good welcomed by all lovers of a classic melodic metal which is born at the end of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Boals (Vocal), Ölaf Thorsen (Guitar), Oleg Smirnoff (Keybords), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Matt Peruzzi (Drums)


Artist : Chris Antblad

Album : Age of Concord III

Release Date : 25-06-2020

Added : 07-09-2020

Always so discreet on the internet because it's not easy to find information on his latest album 'Age of Concord III' (Chris, if you listen to us, a little facebook page, that would be nice !), after 'Age Of Concord: On The Radio' which made me discover it in 2016, 'Chris Antblad' continues to offer us beautiful compositions accessible to the greatest number in a melodic and soft rock style in the lineage of singers like 'Chris De Burgh' or 'Brian Adams'. This new album, in fact, contains a lot of the singles he's released in the last 2 or so years (see his Spotify page).

We are therefore immersed in the melodic universe of the Swedish with melodic nuggets reminiscent of the atmospheres of the 80s/90s which are shared between catchy compositions like 'Unbroken' or 'The Last Day of Summer' in the great AOR tradition American, or the hopping 'Mr. Preacherman' and 'Words' or the pop 'I Played The Piano And She Danced' and 'I Prayed for Rain' but also ballads in which 'Chris Antblad excels like 'Lion' in a Westcoast atmosphere or the magnificent very stripped down titles 'A Painting' or 'Tattoos' or the magnificent 'My Heart's Forever Young' or 'When It Was Only You and Me' with beautiful melodies that give the impression that they have always been part of our life.

In summary, ‘Chris Antblad’ continues his way with timeless compositions that we immediately adopt which destines this third album of ‘Age of Concord’ to the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Antblad (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Dark Sarah

Album : Grim

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 08-09-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

We left 'Heidi Parviainen' in 2018 with the last chapter 'The Golden Moth' of the remarkable trilogy 'The Chronicles' and 2020 sees the release of a new story in the land of fairy tales and we therefore find ourself in this fantastic universe with a new heroine 'Luna' who will have to navigate in a mythical world filled with fantastic creatures with of course, in the role of the villain, 'Mörk', who will give her a hard time. Therefore, if you have followed the previous albums, we find ourselves in the same atmosphere and, musically, it is also the case because everything is done to offer us accessible symphonic metal with melodies that we tame immediately. / br>
And as often in this kind of concept album, the scene is set thanks to the symphonic title 'My Name is Luna' with its orchestral atmosphere of a fantastic world which presents the heroine 'Luna', then, 'The Chosen One' takes us, after an introduction with electronic keyboard sounds (reminiscent of Heidi's former band 'Amberian Dawn') in a catchy title with a heady first melody and energetic riffs of guitar, the singing of Heidi remarkably alternating the clear and lyrical registers. With 'Illuminate', which was the subject of a video here, we continue in this melodic and powerful atmosphere with a catchy chorus that is easily embedded in the head, then , 'Melancholia' (see video above) takes over with fairly quick verses which give way to a mid-tempo chorus with a nice calmer section in the 2nd part of the title. Then follows the beautiful ballad 'Iceheart', with intonations from the land of the rising sun, in which 'Heidi Parviainen' once again shows us her talent in calmer compositions and 'La Folie Verte' takes us on a theatrical title with remarkable symphonic instrumental arrangements and once again a very demonstrative interpretation of Heidi. As for 'The Wolf and the Maiden', it is still a potential hit with a beautiful vocal section brought by the duo 'Parviainen'/'Leppäluoto', then, 'The Hex' adds still a hit to the album with a new fairly classic chorus but so effective that won't never leave you. The end of the album is on the same level and offers us an epic 'All Ears!' (See video here) with a marked rhythm, 'The Devil's Peak' between ballad and mid -tempo, the magnificent 'Mörk' which, with more than 7 minutes, is undoubtedly the most original track of the album, mixing epic and theatrical atmospheres and endowed with beautiful melodic lines, and finally 'The Dark Throne' which closes the opus in a calmer atmosphere with a new beautiful and gentle performance by 'Heidi Parviainen' filled with emotion

In summary, this fourth album of 'Dark Sarah' confirms all the good that we thought of them with their previous offerings and the Finns are now an essential formation of so-called 'Cinematographic' metal, mixing symphonic, melodic , theatrical atmospheres and conveying fantastic stories which makes 'Grim' an opus to recommend not only to fans of symphonic metal but also to a wider audience of metal loving beautiful fairy tales and an accessible metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Parviainen (Vocal), Sami-Petri Salonen (Guitar), Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Rude Rothstén (Bass), Thomas Tunkkari (Drums) + Guests : Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (Vocal), Jasse Jatala (Vocal)


Artist : Kansas

Album : The Absence Of Presence

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 09-09-2020

After the sumptuous live 'Leftoverture Live & Beyond' in 2017 which was a kind of time machine with the best of this formation in the 70s, it's a new album that the Americans of 'Kansas' offer us with 'The Absence Of Presence' which continues to remind us of the 'Kansas' of yesteryear with the melodic violin lines so characteristic of this formation and 'Ronnie Platt' on the vocals which is in the same register as 'Steve Walsh' who released a solo album, 'Black Butterfly' in 2017.

And from the first bars of 'The Absence of Presence', the violin of 'David Ragsdale' gives us a 'Kansas' sound followed by characteristic keyboard sounds and we tell ourselves that we are off to a good start with a long original development that unfolds a quiet mid-tempo with a beautiful harmonious melody reminiscent of the 'Kansas' touch with an irreproachable production, then 'Throwing Mountains' continues on this way all traced with a more rock sound but still in the style so characteristic of the Americans just like the following title 'Jets Overhead' with still melodic lines accompanied by the violin that make us go back to titles of 'Point Of Know Return'. After the instrumental 'Propulsion 1', filled with positive energy and with a great performance in the rhythm section of one of the 2 survivors of the time 'Steve Walsh', I named 'Phil Ehart', 'Memories Down the Line' takes us on a wonderful ballad in a style that could be a mix between early' Kansas' and 'Barclay James Harvest', then, 'Circus of Illusion' is certainly the most progressive track with originals arrangements which certainly make it the most distant title from the band's style, although the violin reminds us that we are in a 'Kansas' album. The rest of the album continues to rock us to the rhythm of timeless melodies fueling this nostalgia for the seventies with first the catchy 'Circus of Illusion' and 'Animals on the Roof' with its delicious chorus, then 'Never' takes us on board. for a magnificent melancholic ballad with a melody which is embedded immediately in your head, the opus ending with 'The Song The River Sang' composed and sung by the keyboardist 'Tom Brislin' with a catchy tempo and a light atmosphere s' moving away from the historical style of 'Kansas' and which has an instrumental finale in crescendo which ends abruptly and which may suggest an upcoming sequel for this album.

In summary, as you will understand, this new 'Kansas' is a total delight that takes us back a few decades, all this with a modern sound and an irreproachable production which destines 'The Absence Of Presence', beyond the imposing base of historical fans to a large audience because all these very accessible melodies have something timeless that goes beyond fashions and different musical trends...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Platt (Vocal, Keybords), David Ragsdale (Guitar, Violin), Billy Greer (Bass), Rich Williams (Guitar), Tom Brislin (Keybords), Zak Rizvi (Guitar), Phil Ehart (Drums)


Artist : Jargon

Album : The Fading Thought

Release Date : 30-05-2020

Added : 10-09-2020

It was with a little delay that I discovered the first solo album of 'John "Jargon" Kosmidis' who is also the leader of the Greek progressive rock group 'Verbal Delirium', because 'The Fading Thought' was already released a few months ago. In a style mixing progressive rock and classical music, the term symphonic rock is well suited to this first baby of the Greek who makes us travel in a world made of orchestral and melodious sounds bathed in beautiful melancholic atmospheres.

From the start, the instrumental 'The Film' sets the tone in a classic atmosphere with only orchestral instruments which unroll a romantic melody, then, 'In Search Of The Invisible Thin Line', after a calm introduction to the piano, introduces the electric instruments always accompanied by the piano and strings in a progressive melodious atmosphere with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Jargon' which has a range that perfectly matches the refined atmosphere of the ensemble. After a new instrumental, the short 'Dance Of The Framed Words', more energetic, the eponymous title of the album, of more than 7 minutes, is a very beautiful symphonic progressive fresco full of sensitivity with several overlapping parts including a central part flirting between rock and jazz, then, a new subdued instrumental 'The Light', close to the atmosphere of the first title 'The Film' precedes a new progressive gem, 'Time Is Running Out', in a vintage atmosphere reminiscent of the beginning of the symphonic progressive with magnificent melodic lines and a 'Guilmourian' guitar solo. The third part of the opus offers us, first of all, 'How Can I' in a disturbing atmosphere with a remarkable vocal performance of 'Jargon' which reminds me of certain atmospheres that 'Alan Reed' gave off with 'Pallas', then, 'The Last Temptation' and 'Window To The World', without transition between the two titles, which embark us for a new admirable progressive development with an uneven tempo which brings all the poetry and the emotion to the whole which undulates between melancholic serenity and energy, always on the razor's edge and certainly with the most expressive vocal interpretation of the opus and a final that give goosebumps : simply dazzling !

In summary, 'Jargon' offers us a first album rich in emotion which, given its richness and its originality and this released emotional force, always between tensions and relaxations, requires some listenings to tame it well. ; "The Fading Thought" is recommended for audiences who like symphonic rock, mixing electric and orchestral instruments with easy-to-access melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Jargon (Vocal, Keybords, Piano), Nikitas Kissonas (Guitar), Leonidas Petropoulos (Bass), Wil Bow (Drums), Kostas Karitzis (Violin), Stelios Papanastasis (Viola), Thodoris Mouzakitis (Violin), Aris Zervas (Cello) + Guest : Lupe (Choirs)


Artist : Guppy Fish

Album : The Fall of Man

Release Date : 13-06-2020

Added : 11-09-2020

It is still in the direction of Greece that we are going with the first LP of 'Guppy Fish' (2014 having seen the release of an EP 'Constant Motion Of Vanity') but in a style quite different from that of 'John "Jargon" Kosmidis', because they offer us imaginative progressive rock that oscillates between tension and relaxation, going from calm moments to others much more energetic and powerful which, for me, gets closer to progressive metal formations like 'Porcupine Tree' or 'Opeth' or even 'Anathema' for the atmospheric side.

'The Fall of Man', after a calm introduction, continues in a heavy atmosphere with heavy guitar riffs and with a slow tempo, the vocals of 'Manos Tzanoudakis' increasing this feeling of heaviness, then,' Easily Played 'accelerates the tempo keeping this impression of powerful atmospheric with alternations in the melodic lines between the beginning, flirting with oriental tones and the powerful end much more melodious with a magnificent guitar solo and 'I Don't Like Your Face', past the atmospheric introduction, is in an energetic progressive rock style with a modern sound but with guitar riffs inherited from the 70s. With 'Exposed', the oriental introduction is beautiful and the continuation offers us a 'Blackfieldian' atmosphere with a heady melody that envelops us thanks to the aerial vocals and with a heavy and powerful final in which is grafted in a beautiful way the electric guitar of 'Kostas Kokkalos', then, 'Still Here', in its first part, is much more direct and less progressive with melodic lines immediately assimilable in a lively tempo led by the piano, but also has, in the 2nd part a remarkable instrumental section much more progressive with a powerful finish. The rest of the album offers us 10 minutes of calm, with first of all 'Neverending Flow', in a calm progressive unrolling a beautiful melody, 'Manos Tzanoudakis' knowing how to soften the vocal section perfectly for this kind of composition, then 'Justify' is a magnificent piano/voice ballad with a slow crescendo which gently brings the electric instruments to the end with some emphasis from the rhythm section to the highlights. It is with the suite 'Above The Sky', that the album ends, with a first part in a rich and sophisticated progressive atmosphere, not necessarily easily tamed at the first listening and mixing rock and metal, then a second part which begins in a calmer way but which alternates different atmospheres throughout the title which makes it a good summary of the opus.

In summary, the Greeks of 'Guppy Fish' offer us a magnificent, rich and imaginative album in a progressive style that requires taking your time to tame it and 'The Fall of Man' is recommended to an informed audience liking formations like 'Porcupine Tree', 'Opeth' or even 'Anathema'...

Line Up / Musicians

Manos Tzanoudakis (Vocal, Piano, Keybords), Kostas Kokkalos (Guitar, Choirs), Xenofon Tsantilas (Bass), Vaggelis Kardamitsis (Drums) + Guest : Kostas Ntokos (Bass)


Artist : Feuerschwanz

Album : Das Elfte Gebot

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 12-09-2020

Direction Germany with the last album of 'Feuerschwanz' which continue to distill us, since their last 2 albums 'Sex is Muss' in 2016 and 'Methämmer' in 2018, a power metal with folk accents and with heady melodies to ignite an entire stadium and it is not their last album 'Das Elfte' which will contradict me because on the 11 original tracks (the last 7 being covers of other metal formations), there are roughly, yes I count, 11 hits that should make you move to the rhythm of the music if you are sensitive to direct and effective melodies that are embedded immediately in your head and if you don't be put off by the German language. Ready for adventure ?

And it started with 'Meister der Minne' with a first heady chorus, then 'Metfest' adds a layer with an addictive catchy melody and without transition, it is the eponymous title of the album which tumbles with its folk tones brought by the violin of 'Stephanie Pracht' and this title reminds me of the well-oiled melodies of their compatriots 'Mono Inc.' who took the step to sing in English to open up to the international market and this energetic atmosphere is found in the following title 'Kampfzwerg' with a new chorus that will put you in shape for a whole day. After all this debauchery of positive energy, 'Im Bauch des Wals' arrives at the right time to rest for a few minutes (and yes, it tiresome to headbang so long past 50 years !) with a melody that we can already see taken up in chorus by all a public (do la-la-la if you don't know German !). No need to describe the following titles to you because it continues in the same way all traced and, it was the risk of such an album, without having repetitions of styles because each composition has its own personality, the only common point being that all have addictive melodies. And it is not over because the Germans then reward us with quite remarkable covers of different formations: 'Ding' from 'Seeed', 'Hier Kommt Alex' from 'Die Toten Hosen', 'Amen & Attack' from 'Powerwolf', 'I See Fire 'by Ed Sheeran', 'Gott Mit Uns' by 'Sabaton', 'Limit' by 'Deichkind', and finally 'Engel' by 'Rammstein'.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, this new album from the Germans of 'Feuerschwanz' will not revolutionize power metal but this is not precisely what we are asking them because few groups are capable to release an album of this quality to make us have a great time listening to all these songs all equally effective from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Hauptmann Feuerschwanz (Vocal), Stephanie Pracht « Johanna von der Vögelweide » (Violin, Vielle à roue), « Sir Lanzeflott » (batterie), Ben Metzner « Prinz R. Hodenherz III » (Guitar), Hans Platz « Hans der Aufrechte » (Guitar), Jarne Hodinsson (Bass)


Artist : Mesmerising

Album : The Clutters Storyteller

Release Date : 06-06-2020

Added : 13-09-2020

We go to Italy with 'Mesmerising' which is the project of 'Davide Moscato' and who already has 2 albums to his active, 'The Golden Dawn of the Tramp' in 2012 and 'Mental Maze' in 2016 and which released a new opus 'The Clutters Storyteller' which he wrote after the death of his mother and to whom he pays tribute. In a melodic progressive style, 'The Clutters Storyteller' takes us back to the 70s with on the one hand the Mellotron and the Hammond of keyboardist 'Giovanni Pastorino' bringing the vintage side and on the other hand the Saxophone and Flute of 'Martin Grice' which brings a felted and airy side.

The first two tracks 'Feel…' and '… My Dream' form only one and welcome us in a quiet and melancholy first composition in the vein of formations like 'BJH' with very beautiful solos by 'Floydian' guitar, the high pitched vocals of 'Davide Moscato' reinforcing this delicate atmosphere, then, 'Ballad of a Creepy Night' is a beautiful mid-tempo to which are added remarkable accompaniments of the saxophone and the flute. We continue in this relaxing atmosphere with very beautiful melodies, first with the light 'Slave Your Shell' in a pop style, then, 'Underground', one of my favorites of the album, which brings a progressive side with remarkable instrumental sections and several changes of tempo throughout the title and a symphonic final in which the flute twirls deliciously, and as for 'Vortex', after a rhythmic part, the tempo mellows for a delicate section and has a finale in which the Saxophone of 'Martin Grice' strangely recalls the end of the first part 'Shine On Crazy Diamond' of the 'Floyds' in slightly faster. With 'False Reality', we let ourselves be lulled by a stripped piano/voice ballad filled with emotion, then, the short 'In a Different Dimension', in a cinematic symphonic style gives way to a new melodic jewel, 'The Man Who's Sleeping' tagged seventies with multiple changes of tempos and a very beautiful instrumental final, the album ending in serenity with the eponymous title of the album, a ballad which rocks us one last time with the sweet voice of 'Davide Moscato', the delicious accompaniment on the flute and very beautiful guitar and keyboards solos with a hidden ending made of sound effects.

In summary, this latest baby of ‘Davide Moscato’, filled with poetry and emotion, is a great success and ‘The Clutters Storyteller’ is recommended to a large audience who like an intimate and quiet progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Davide Moscato (Vocal, Keybords) + Guests : Giovanni Pastorino (Keybords), Martin Grice (Saxophone, Flute), Simone 'Simonetto' Amodeo (Guitar), Fabio Zuffanti (Bass), Paolo Tixi (Drums)


Artist : Falconer

Album : From a Dying Ember

Release Date : 26-06-2020

Added : 14-09-2020

After 20 years of good and loyal service and a very busy discography, the Swedes of 'Falconer' bow out by offering us a last album 'From a Dying Ember' in this characteristic style of a metal fusing melodic, power and folk. On the menu of this opus, 11 new compositions which are not going to revolutionize the metal but which are very pleasant to listen to and which represent the trademark of the Swedes with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate in epic and powerful atmospheres.

The energetic 'Kings and Queen' opens the ball in a melodic mid-tempo which does not prevent 'Karsten Larsson' from throwing us a few sections of double pedal, then, 'Desert Dreams' and' Redeem and Repent' accelerate the pace with two classic but super effective melodies that fans will unfortunately no longer be able to resume in chorus in concert. With 'Bland Sump Och Dy', sung in Swedish, we embark on a sort of ritornello with a more marked folk component and accentuated by the accompaniment of a violin, then, 'Fool's Crusade' returns to a more classical melodic power with a remarkable vocal performance by 'Mathias Blad' which alternates his head and chest voice, and the short instrumental 'Garnets and a Gilded Rose' with traditional folk instruments brings a medieval atmosphere whose melodic lines resemble those of the following title , 'In Regal Attire' but this one is in a much more powerful style. It is with 'Rejoice The Adorned' that serenity settles in a magnificent ballad with a song filled with emotion which further highlights the singing of 'Mathias Blad', then, return to energy with a rapid 'Testify', very characteristic of style of the Swedish, and 'Thrust The Dagger Deep' unrolls a slow tempo with a marked rhythm, an original mix of power and vintage keyboard sounds and a short a capella section but nevertheless remarkable, the album ending with 'Rapture' which one last time enchants us with this mixture of power and folk, the melody remaining anchored in our head, the last note passed.

In summary, this latest Swedish album from 'Falconer' is still filled with good melodies that can be tamed on the spot with a mix between metal and folk quite characteristic of this formation and 'From a Dying Ember', beyond fans who will be delighted by this album but saddened to know that it is the last one, should also be well appreciated by a public loving an easy to access power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mathias Blad (Vocal), Stefan Weinerhall (Guitar, Keybords), Jimmy Hedlund (Guitar), Magnus Linhardt (Bass), Karsten Larsson (Drums)


Artist : Logos

Album : Sadako e le mille gru di carta

Release Date : 01-07-2020

Added : 15-09-2020

For a progressive music lover, the search for the album that he will be able to add to his essential collection is a perpetual quest and there, I must say that with the last album of the Italian group 'Logos', everything is gathered for to offer us a progressive jewel, with first of all, a very strong theme which, icing on the cake, was declined in different artistic forms (see their very beautiful web page here which presents the different facets of the project and explains the story that I let you discover and an excerpt from the awesome upcoming video above) and then, a musical accompaniment which is completely in adequacy with the theme and which touches you in the depths of yourself. So, ready to dive into this story filled with emotion, authenticity and originality?

First of all, these are 6 compositions for more than an hour of music with, as you can imagine, long progressive developments which provoke the intense pleasure of discovering, little by little, all their richness and which will remain etched in your memory forever. 'Origami in SOL' opens the album with a short instrumental that sets an intense symphonic setting with omnipresent keyboards, then 'Paesaggi di insonnia' is the first long composition, over 11 minutes, already showing all the talent of this formation with a labyrinth of influences, sounds and different tempos which is a pure gem of progressive at the end of which we have only one desire, to replay it to soak up it well and which offers us wonderful parts instrumental with keyboards that are the masters on board and with admirable saxophone accompaniments : we are already in 7th heaven with lots of little stars that gravitate around us ! In an album in this style of progressive, we would already be satisfied to have only one title like this, but it is only an appetizer because then comes 'Un lieto inquiertasi', with a first half of the same level that a certain group 'ELP' who were precursors in the 70s, rich and imaginative, then the second half takes us on a symphonic and refined progressive with a singing that arrives rather late and a heady melody that keeps us company until the end, bringing us back to the starting theme : the circle is complete. After these two titles, to rest from these two extraordinary compositions, we embark on a little cloud with a sweet ballad as the Italians know so well how to compose them in a style close to 'BJH' or to 'Procol Harum', and it is another long development which awaits us with 'Zaini di elio' which continues in a mostly instrumental progressive in which there is not the slightest second of boredom and which give a goosebumps in the finale for several minutes. We arrive at the end of the album, to no, I am told in the earpiece, excuse me, there would be yet another title ! not possible after so much quality, we would have the right to yet another composition, of more than 20 minutes I am told; I do not believe it and yet, it is the pure truth, the centerpiece is at the last position of this already so dense opus. The emotion is then at its peak with this serene introduction but so strong given the theme (making me shed a few tears) then, a new fresco develops with some oriental sounds and with a richness and originality in each section that any amateur of progressive music is looking for. Enough talk, the best is still I to let you discover this wonderful ‘Sadako e le mille gru di carta’ by yourself.

In short, for a group that started to make covers of 'Le Ormo' and 'Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso' (not bad as references), the student is now largely at the same level as the teachers and after three quality recordings over the past twenty years, this latter has reached new heights which, as you will have understood, in will certainly make for me the recording of the year in progressive and which should satisfy any lover of this style who likes to take his time to discover a concept album...

Line Up / Musicians

Luca Zerman (Vocal, Keybords), Alessandro Perbellini (Drums), Claudio Antolini (Keybords), Fabio Gaspari (Bass, Mandolin, Vocal) + Guests : Federica Zocatelli (Saxophone), Elisa Montaldo (Vocal), Simone Chiampan (Drums), Massimo Maoli (Guitar)


Artist : Acute Mind

Album : Under The Empty Sky

Release Date : 03-07-2020

Added : 16-09-2020

'Acute Mind' is a Polish formation which had released a first eponymous album of the group in 2010, then nothing at all until this new opus 'Under The Empty Sky' released in early July 2020. Tagged in progressive metal, they have a style approaching one of my favorite groups, 'Threshold' which, although tagged metal, for me, mixes rock and progressive metal which is also the same case for the Poles.

'Shine Of Your Soul' begins the album with an energetic first part and with an unbridled rhythm that alternates with calmer passages then, the second part has a remarkable instrumental section leading to the end, first sung, then ending with a beautiful guitar solo. With 'Clouded Eyes' we are closer to the progressive rock of a group like 'Arena', the guitar riffs being always present but without any aggressiveness and with melodic lines that are tamed very easily. It is with the introduction 'Daddy' that we return to the power of metal but always with these magnificent alternations between tension and relaxation, the small interlude with recordings of vocals leading to a very beautiful 'Floydienne' section, the continuation returning to the original theme and it is in this kind of title that the parallel with 'Threshold' is most appropriate. Without transition, 'Hope from the Heart' there is no longer any question of progressive metal because it is a remarkable ballad in the style of 'RPWL' which rises in crescendo in the second part to start, then the eponymous title of the album, quite short but very catchy, is more direct and unfolds beautiful melodic lines. It's yet another complete change of mood with 'It's Not Me', a composition that begins as a ballad with very beautiful orchestral arrangements of 'Michał Mierzejewski' and with a chorus that never let you go, and the second part, entirely instrumental , accelerates the rhythm and gives us a very nice guitar solo. We come back to a more classic style with 'I Need You' which moves away from the progressive and flirts with quiet pop, then, the rest of the album hardens again with first of all 'The Same Again' in a powerful progressive metal which can recall the style of the new supergroup 'Suns Of Apollo', then 'Kingdom' which tends towards an energetic industrial metal while keeping accessible melodic lines.

In summary, the Poles of Acute Mind 'are back on the front of the stage with a varied progressive album, alternating different styles that destines 'Under The Empty Sky' to a public loving formations like 'Threshold', 'Dream Theater' for the metal side or even 'Arena' for the rock side...

Line Up / Musicians

Marek Majewski (Guitar, Vocal), Arkadiusz Piskorek (Bass, Vocal), Paweł Ciuraj (Guitar), Artur Jasiński (Drums), Piotr Włodarczyk (Keybords) + Guest : Emilia Siepkowska (Violin), Kuba Kotynia (Guitar), Michał Mierzejewski (Orchestration)


Artist : Choruscant

Album : A Christmas Carol

Release Date : 08-07-2020

Added : 17-09-2020

After the Polish 'Ryszard Kramarski' who in 2019 released an album on the tale 'A Christmas Carol' written by 'Charles Dickens' (see here ), it's now Italians from 'Choruscant' to offer us 'A Christmas Carol' which is their first studio recording. Born from the ashes of the formation 'Severed Garden' ('JoeleTurchi' and 'Leo Cornacchia' not part of it at the time), active between 2011 and 2015 which was a progressive project, it's only five years later than the Italians release their first album, after a long gestation, because some texts have already been written during the 'Severed Garden' period. In a theatrical, original and imaginative atmosphere, in 15 compositions which fit into each other with quite different durations between them (small interludes alongside long developments for a total duration of more than 1 hour and 20 minutes ), they tell us the story of 'Mr Scrooge' featuring a symphonic progressive close to musicals with very various influences from major progressive formations from the 70s to the present day.

We are greeted by street noises and the bells of Big Ben (remember 'Clock Strikes Ten' from 'Cheap Trick') which transform quite quickly into a symphonic instrumental introduction which introduces us to this story through an accessible orchestral atmosphere with a first guitar solo which brings the first sung title 'To Begin With', setting the scene for 'A Christmas Carol 'in a very expressive and burlesque way, then, the next composition 'Scrooge', takes up at the beginning this climate and turns into a progressive title with several drawers, mixing styles quite distant from each other (energetic progressive parts alongside atmospheres Christmas), but forming a very coherent whole and, with 'Marley (Seven Years Later)', the theatricality of the title and the incursions between contemporary music and jazz music is certainly harder to approach but make it one of the titles more originals of the album. It is with 'The Ghost of Christmas Past' that we hold the masterpiece of the album, over 22 minutes that take us on a journey into a universe in which multiple different atmospheres and feelings follow one another with multiple influences which makes it a composition of an incredible density which is revealed gradually and obviously requires several plays to appropriate it completely. The following 8 titles, put end to end, have about the same duration as 'The Ghost of Christmas Past', and it is with 'The Ghost of Christmas Present', in a catchy Christmas atmosphere that this sequel begins, leaving the place to 'The Torch' which is a short acoustic guitar/voice interlude, then 'Cratchit's Dwelling' reintroduces a refined and quiet progressive, followed by 'A Christmas Eve' which brings a folk touch with its marked rhythm and the use of violin accentuating an atmosphere close to 'Kansas'. Follows 'Ignorance and Want', slightly more rock, embellished by beautiful sections of electric guitar, the very short and expressive 'Midnight', then 'The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come' hardens the tone in a disturbing atmosphere punctuated by heavy guitar riffs and 'The Death of an Old Man' continue in a theatrical atmosphere unfolding the rest of the story, 'Joele Turchi' continuing to enchant us with his very expressive interpretation. It is with two long developments that the album ends, first of all, 'An Uncertain Future' which follows without transition the previous title by returning to a more serene atmosphere with a first part, a quiet piano/voice, followed by a more energetic symphonic passage, the tone hardening in the second part, and finally, 'The End of It' which closes the story with an introduction in the same folk theme as 'A Christmas Eve', then which unrolls a refined and melodic progressive, while keeping this remarkable demonstrative sense and which has an epic finale with very beautiful melodic lines which remain engraved in your head and recall the musical theme of the beginning.

In summary, the Italians of 'Choruscant' are releasing a quality concept album which offers us a progressive which dares to do things differently and which should appeal to an audience who like concept albums telling a story and who like to tame a progressive musical work , little by little, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Joele Turchi (Vocal), Giorgio Manca (Guitar), Ivan Di Sipio (Keybords), Davide Di Camillo (Bass), Leo Cornacchia (Drums)


Artist : Lonely Robot

Album : Feelings Are Good

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 18-09-2020

Not only, 'John Mitchell' take part in a good number of progressive rock projects (search for his name in mypromusic) but in addition, with 'Lonely Robot' he records albums with an impressive frequency because, after his trilogy with 'Please Come Home' in 2015, 'The Big Dream' in 2017 and 'Under Stars' in 2019, 2020 sees the release of 'Feelings Are Good'. In addition, this new baby is well supplied because he offers us an hour of music and John provides, in addition of singing, almost all the instruments except the rhythm section which is devoted to 'Graig Blundell'.

The eponymous track of the album sets the scene with electronic sounds and 'Into the Lo-Fi' which follows takes us on a light rhythm in a hopping style that can recall the end of the 70s with the formation of 'Sting', 'Police' with obviously a modern sound, then 'Spider' hardens the tone for a more rock track with magnificent changes of intensity and with very original melodic lines which upset traditional patterns. Change of atmosphere with 'Crystalline' which is a magnificent ballad, very sober, which puts us on a little cloud and which is taken up at the end of the album in orchestral version, the classical instruments certainly bringing more heat, then, 'Life Is a Sine Way' continues in this line of a sought-after progressive from the 70s close to 'Genesis', 'Graig Blundell' providing a rhythm section quite close to a certain 'Phil Collins' and has a very 'Floydian' beautiful final. With 'Armor For My Heart', the light and soothing pop rock style lulls us to the rhythm of a very beautiful swaying melody, then 'Suburbia' has a 'Supertramp' side but in much more progressive with an imaginative rhythm section that brings the little more that sublimates this title. The second break is brought by 'Silent Life', filled with emotion thanks to the soft voice of 'John Mitchell' which fills the whole space and thanks to the guitar solo, the title being resumed in orchestral version in the bonuses, then, 'Keeping People As Pets', after an introduction with electronic sounds, is more classic in its structure and less progressive, taking us back to the 90s with effects in the vocals and 'Army Of One' is, for my part, the most addicting track , alternating calm and interior storm very well rendered by the singing of John which transmits all kinds of emotions to us, the album ending with the short clean acoustic 'Grief Is The Price Of Love' with the beautiful and sweet voice of 'John Mitchell' which accompanies us one last time.

In summary, with this new album from the English 'Lonely Robot', 'John Mitchell' continues to offer us imaginative and refined progressive with, icing on the cake, an irreproachable production, which should appeal to all those who liked the first episodes in space and, beyond, all the amateurs of an accessible melodic progressive rock which is tasted even better, quietly, with headphones...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Lian Holmes (Keybords), Steve Vantsis (Bass), Graig Blundell (Drums)


Artist : Pretenders

Album : Hate for Sale

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 19-09-2020

After 'Alone' released in 2016, the group 'Pretenders', always led by the talented 'Chrissie Hynde', who is slowly approaching 70 years (it's not good to mention the age of the ladies, but here we can’t do otherwise for the one who was, for a whole generation of the 80s, the symbol of the sexy rocker and who is worn like a charm 40 short years later!) returns to the forefront with 'Hate for Sale' which continues to enchant us with direct and effective titles and it feels good, these days, to have this type of music to put between our ears, the only objective being to enjoy listening to this style so characteristic of late seventies rock.

For this album the songwriting was done in collaboration between 'Chrissie Hynde' and her guitarist 'James Walbourne' and 'Dan Auerbach', with the production restarting the time machine, at the time of the first two albums and the band of friends, it's true, a little crazy but who had released two jewels at the time with compositions without frills but so timeless. So, for all those who have known this period and still have the 33rpm of the group's eponymous album or 'Learning to Crawl'from1983 but also for all fans of a direct and efficient rock, how to remain unmoved by listening to songs like the energetic 'Hate for Sale' which inevitably makes us force the decibels or 'Turf Accountant Daddy' which, for my part, gives me chills, so much we are close to the beginnings of the group, or 'I Didn' t Know When To Stop', short but incredibly effective with its few harmonica notes, or even 'Didn't Want To Be This Lonely' and its swaying rhythm typical of the late seventies, a bit like the title 'Don't Let Me Wrong' from the album 'Get Close'. And when the rhythm wants to be quieter, if you are insensitive to the mid-tempo 'The Buzz' and its addictive melody or to 'Lightning Man' and its reggae tempo or to the lively 'Maybe Love Is In NYC', this is that you are not cut out for this style of music. So, in that case, listen to the two ballads You Can’t Hurt a Fool ’and Crying In Public’, each with a special vibe but both showcasing Chrissie's sensitive voice. Note that you can also listen on their channel you tube magnificent covers of 'Bob Dylan' with beautiful videos like for example 'Standing In the Doorway'.

In summary, the 'Pretenders' are back for the better and continue their journey by offering us a new album in the great tradition of direct rock from the 80s and 'Hate for Sale' is at advise, not only to historical fans but to a much larger audience, and why not, to introduce to the youngest, this beautiful rocker who at 68 years old, still has incroyable energy that she knows so well how to transmit to her audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Chrissie Hynde (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica), James Walbourne (Guitar), Nick Wilkinson (Bass), Martin Chambers (Drums)


Artist : Pinnacle Point

Album : Symphony of Mind

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 20-09-2020

After 'Kansas' who have just released a new album 'The Absence Of Presence' the same day, it's the turn of the formation 'Pinnacle Point' (created a few years by American keyboardist and singer 'Jerome Mazza' who also released a solo album 'Outlaw Son' in 2018 and Danish guitarist 'Torben Enevoldsen'), to release their second album 'Symphony of Mind', their first opus 'Winds of Change' being released in 2017. I'm talking about 'Kansas' because, it is quite obvious, the influences of the Americans are felt in most of the titles, this being due, on the one hand to the singing of 'Jerome Mazza' which is close to the singing of 'Steve Walsh' (and moreover Jerome was invited to sing with the American on his album solo 'Black Butterfly' ) but also due also by violin accompaniments of 'Valeria Pozharitskaya'.

It is first of all a well-supplied album that ‘Pinnacle Point’ offers us, since we have at our disposal 1 hour and 6 minutes of listening in 12 compositions ranging between 3 to 7 minutes. The instrumental 'Ascent to the Point' launches the album which takes us back to the progressive of the 70s with characteristic keyboard tones and the violin which gives that first impression of being in the known register of 'Kansas' (isn't it a title with a nod to the' Point of Know Return'?), but, it is the singing of' Jerome Mazza 'which further accentuates this resemblance, the melodic lines and the symphonic atmosphere being particularly close also to the Americans one, the progressive side being slightly more pushed, the instrumental passages being a little more developed, then, the leading 'Weight of the World' is much closer to hard rock by keeping this vintage side with eighties choirs. 'Hero' returns to melodic symphonic rock with violin re-appearing of 'Valeria Pozharitskaya' and with 'Jerome Mazza' vocals so close to 'Steve Walsh', then, 'Never Surrender' is more in a classic AOR register close to 'Toto' or 'Asia' and 'In the Wake of Hope' is a kind of mix between beautiful instrumental parts à la 'Kansas' and sung parts of a melodic rock from the 70s close to 'Foreigner'. The second part of the album offers us the beautiful melody of 'Shadows of Peace' in a refined symphonic atmosphere which makes it for me one of the titles closest to 'Kansas' of the 70s, the ballad 'Beyond' which takes us in a quiet and serene journey, filled with emotion, then 'Nothing at All' continues in this melancholy register in the manner of the magnificent 'Nobody's Home' from the album 'Point of Know Return' of 1977 and 'Prodigal' is a little more contrasted between energy, brought by a catchier rhythm in certain places and melancholy, thanks to the accompaniment of the violin, tending towards an imaginative progressive all the more as the melodic lines are more contemporary. And it is with first of all the eponymous title of the album, a magnificent symphonic fresco à la 'Kansas' and then, 'Dangerous', remarkable progressive title alternating softness and energy that the album ends.

In summary, this latest album from 'Pinnacle Point' is in every way remarkable and takes us back to sophisticated and imaginative '70s symphonic and progressive rock with a clear parallel to' Kansas' and 'Symphony of Mind' is recommended for a fairly large audience who like symphonic rock, taking us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Jerome Mazza (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Torben Enevoldsen (Guitar, Keybords), Rich Ayala (Guitar, Choirs), Valeria Pozharitskaya (Violin), Mark Prator (Drums), Takeaki Itoh (Bass), Howard Helm (Keybords), John F Rodgers (Piano, Cordes)


Artist : Haken

Album : Virus

Release Date : 17-07-2020

Added : 21-09-2020

In the field of progressive metal, the English of 'Haken' have forged a good reputation and each new album is always a surprise to discover but, for this new opus, 'Virus', released during this year a little special with everything that we have known with the COVID-19, the title is ultimately only a pure coincidence with the health crisis and takes us back into the world of this band which, release after release, renews a little more the progressive musical landscape by exploring new horizons a bit like 'Leprous', 'Opeth' or 'Pain of Salvation' (new review to come).

The cover, very close to 'Vector' certainly shows that we are in the continuity of the previous recording and it starts strong, with 'Prostheric' which beats up severe from the introduction, then, we are embarked in a captivating atmosphere with a rhythm section of 'Ray Hearne' worthy of a certain 'Mike Portnoy' which prints an always very fluctuating rhythm, following the guitar riffs which gives everything its strength to this title. And after so much energy, the whole of the 2 tracks 'The Strain' / 'Canary Yellow', even if the first remains energetic at the level of the rhythm section, is more affordable at the melodic level and allows a few beneficial moments of recovery in the second part, all this probably being to prepare us kindly for the main course of the album. Indeed, the last 19 minutes are reserved for the suite 'Messiah Complex' which hooks from 'Ovory Tower' with its atmosphere close to 'Leprous' and which has one of the most accessible melodies of the album, then we find with 'A Glutton for Punishment' the 'Haken' which takes us on unbridled sound paths more difficult to tame but of an overflowing imagination, which we find again on the following titles with the short 'Marigold' which, cut in two, explodes in a contemporary surge in the second part and constitutes for me, the same counterpart between melodic and progressive metal that we have known between classical and contemporary music at the end of the second world war, 'The Sect' continuing in this style with a remarkable part sung almost a capella which rubs shoulders with powerful guitar riffs, the rhythm section still playing a preponderant role, often marking all times. The album ends with, first of all, the last chapter of this brilliant sequel, 'Ecobius Rex' with an epic and powerful finale and more accessible melodic lines and finally, the calm and stripped down 'Only Stars' which constitutes a magnificent end while relaxing after all these tensions and which comes at the right time to come back to reality, as if we were coming out of a waking dream.

In summary, this new 'Haken' shows once again all that overflowing imagination, making the English progressive metal pioneers and which will undoubtedly make 'Virus' an essential album in the discography of any lover of this style as were the first albums of 'Dream Theater' or 'Porcupine Tree', but the other side of the coin, which will necessarily be limited to an informed audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Griffiths (Guitar), Ross Jennings (Vocal), Richard Henshall (Guitar), Diego Tejeida (Keybords), Conner Green (Bass), Ray Hearne (Drums)


Artist : Telergy

Album : Black Swallow

Release Date : 23-07-2020

Added : 22-09-2020

I had discovered the 'Telergy' project of 'Robert McClung' with his latest concept album 'Hypathia' and 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording to measure (I should say the excess) of the previous one since if you look at the guests for 'Black Swallow', once again, he surrounded himself with an impressive number of artists from different musical scenes (see below) and whose you have the list on his site with their respective projects here. This new baby, from a long gestation of five years tells the story of a great American hero, 'Eugene Ballard', the first African-American fighter pilot of the First World War and part of the funds raised by the Sales of the album will go to the 'Wounded Warrior Project' which is an association that supports veterans and service members who have been physically injured or have post-traumatic stress.

Musically, given the diversity of the guest artists, 'Robert McClung' has concocted a kind of work for us that goes far beyond a particular style with ten tracks almost all instrumental that contain multiple influences and with an integration of spoken passages between each musical composition to be able to follow the story. The long progressive development 'Georgia' which begins the album takes us on a progressive saga containing all kinds of ambience ranging from country to gospel through rock, hard rock, film music and jazz, all this with very accessible melodic lines and taking into account the diversity of genres, always keeping an overall homogeneity. Impossible to make the title by title so much there would be to say about each one but the great strength of each composition is to mix in a very intelligent way classical music with modern music with a surprising result at each time, the classical instruments and electrics are always used wisely. Of course, the longer titles like 'Infantry', 'Take The Sky' or 'All Blood Runs Reed' are more progressive in the approach with constructions in several drawers which open and reveal themselves one after the other, keeping the listener in suspense from beginning to end. Whether in the instrumental or sung parts accompanied by classical or electric instruments, there are beautiful people and the interpretations often provoke this so characteristic thrill like these choirs in the second part of 'Take to the Sky', very 'Floydiens '(album' Atom Heart Mother ') or this passage from 'Troy Donockley' in 'Infantry' which is followed by a touching part on the violin or this magnificent muffled jazzy atmosphere of 'Marcelle' or even this passage from saxophone in 'Spy' and I could quote quite a few more.

In summary, with this last baby of 'Robert McClung', we are far beyond a simple album release because we can simply speak of a timeless musical work that takes us on a wonderful journey and which shows all the talent of this very complete multi-instrumentalist and composer who brings together several musical worlds for the best and who is a bit of a mix between a 'Hanz Zimmer' and an 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' (new album tocome soon). 'Black Swallow' is therefore recommended for audiences who like to mix styles that we use to put in opposition (but what nonsense !!) such as classical music and rock or metal music because, in this case , it is this mixture of genres that makes it an exceptional work fill with a great richness. Let’s also hope that ‘Robert McClung’ will one day have the offer us his concepts album into a real show as the two artists mentioned above regularly do...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert McClung (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Flute, Violin, Mandolin, Vocal, Percussions) + Guests : Acteurs : Bryan Hicks (William Bullard), Pete Peterson (Eugene Bullard), Champ Hollins (Eugene jeune), Rev. Robert Thompson (Eulogy preacher, Church goer), Nadine Thompson (Church goer), Emmanuel De Saint Méen (Nightclub MC), Jordan Hall (Attacker 1), Tim Clarck (Attacker 2), Durga McBroom (Marie-Madeleine Fourcade), Lorelei McBroom (Choirs), Lara Smiles (Choirs), Emily Lynn (Choirs), Stephanie Slabon (Choirs), Dustin Brayley (Choirs, Radio newscaster), Martyna Halas-Yates (Growls), Chris Bonito (Drums), Todd Sucherman (Drums), Tony Levin (Bass), Michael Manring (Bass), Steve Di Giorgio (Bass), Tony Dickinson (Bass), Mike LePond (Bass), Pete Trewavas (Bass), Dave Meros (Bass), Caith Threefires (Bass), Charles Cormier (Guitar), Vernon Reid (Guitar), Phil Keaggy (Guitar), Gary Wehrkamp (Guitar), Timo Somers (Guitar), Stephan Lill (Guitar), Andy LaRocque (Guitar), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Jeff Rapsis (Piano), Rachel Flowers (Piano), Jeremy Heussi (Keybords, Organ), Vikram Shankar (Keybords), Basil Bunelik (Accordion), Troy Donockley (Bagpipe), Magic Dick (Harmonica), Tina Guo (Cello), Adam Nunes (Cello), Tim Nunes (Violin), David Ragsdale (Violin), Mattan Klein (Flute), John Cardin (Trumpet), Mitchel Bailey (Trombone), Gus Sebring (Cor Anglais), Tracy Crane (Cor Anglais), Chip Brindamour (Tuba), Edie Brindamour (Euphonium), Katrina Veno (Clarinette), Thomas Gimbel (Saxophone ténor), Nils Crusberg (Saxophone alto et ténor), Bryan Campbell (Saxophone bariton)


Artist : Primal Fear

Album : Metal Commando

Release Date : 24-07-2020

Added : 23-09-2020

The Germans of 'Primal Fear' release their 13th album 'Metal Commando' and continue to deliver us a direct and efficient power metal that goes to the essential and it is not with this new opus that we can say the opposite because, at least for the first 10 tracks, metal lovers, don't expect an overflowing originality but rather to have a good time listening to all these tracks which should make you stomp your foot or move your head to the rhythm of the section rhythm of 'Michael Ehré'. Nevertheless, the Germans have a big surprise in store for us with the last title, we'll talk about it again.

Right off the bat, with 'I Am Alive', we go to the heart of the subject with a powerful and direct title, then, 'Along Came the Devil' continue in this way with aggressive guitar riffs and 'Halo' is not in outdone with a frenzied rhythm in which the double pedal is at the party. With the mid-tempo 'Hear Me Calling', this track is cut out for the stage with 'Ralf Scheepers' which is very good in these slower atmospheres, then we start again with 'The Lost & The Forgotten' and its rhythmic to make a whole audience headbang, and, as for 'My Name Is Fear', we continue in this dynamic with a huge sound. 'I Will Be Gone' arrives at the right time to regain its health with the break ballad which is more entirely acoustic, then 'Raise Your Fists' and 'Howl Of The Banshee' continue in this all traced path of the beginning of the album with two powerful and direct titles, the furious 'Afterlife' which follows not being outdone. But, it is then that after all this debauchery of energy, the last track 'Infinity' points the tip of its nose with its thirteen minutes, duration that we would see more in a progressive metal album but the Germans have already composed this kind of title (see ’We Walk Without Fear’). We are therefore embarked on an epic saga which begins calmly and which takes off after two minutes with the same heady melody and which has remarkable instrumental parts that we are not used to having in the more direct titles of the Germans and which has a magnificent finale with a crescendo which begins with church choirs and which gradually increases in power to end with a melody which remains inked in your head, which makes for me the good surprise of 'Metal Commando'.

In summary, this new album from the Germans of 'Primal Fear' continues in the tradition of the previous opus and also offers us an icing on the cake with 'Infinity' leaving the beaten track which destines 'Metal Commando', first of all to the fans of the group but who can reach an audience loving direct and efficient metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Magnus Karlsson (Guitar), Alex Beyrodt (Guitar), Tom Naumann (Guitar), Michael Ehré (Drums), Mat Sinner (Bass, Vocal)


Artist : Swappers Eleven

Album : From a Distance

Release Date : 27-07-2020

Added : 24-09-2020

'Swappers Eleven' is the project of three artists who in 2011 won the final of the annual competition organized by the English 'Marillion' which consists of involving on stage musician fans for accompany them, in this case at the time, keyboardist 'Luiz Alvim', singer 'Alessandro Carmassi' and bassist 'Gary Foalle' and 2020 sees the release of their first studio recording 'From a Distance' which, I must say, for a debut album is to 'exceptional quality and takes us into a searched and sophisticated progressive rock with the icing on the cake, the idea of inviting other artists who have themselves participated in the 'Marillion' competition and integrating them into this first opus which enriches it even more.

These are 8 tracks with 2 long developments of more than 13 minutes each available to us and we start with 'Swappers Eleven' of a little over 5 minutes but which already offers an inventive progressive with three parts nested : we jump from a relatively refined introduction to a powerful section in which the keyboards are put forward, the vocals of 'Alessandro Carmassi' fitting in beautifully in this atmosphere, then to a magnificent final, in a slower tempo with a magnificent guitar solo and a last part sung in decrescendo. Then follows 'Tomorrow', more classic with two remarkable successive solos, first of saxophone and then of guitar, then the long development 'Distance' takes us on a progressive gem, with first an atmospheric introduction and the title takes off after 2 minutes by increasing the tempo for a sung part in which the bass ensures the rhythm section until a break with some piano notes which ensures the junction with the next part, starting with sounds of keyboards clsoe to 'BJH' and with a very nice interaction between drums and saxophone and which becomes more catchy at the end with remarkable keyboard solos which alternate with guitar solos which prepares a final with a heady melody which never leaves you. Follows 'Spectrum' with 'Michelle Aragon' on vocals (is this the same singer who participates in the 'Mystic Euphoria' symphonic metal project ?) But also 'Ian Humphrey', which makes it a very nice trio with 'Alessandro Carmassi' in a composition with a slow tempo and a rather calm atmosphere and with some more muscular instrumental passages, then the short 'New Year's Resolution', more classic, places once more 'Michelle Aragon' in the spotlight, but this time in lead vocals The second long development 'Open Your Eyes' is built in several parts which are juxtaposed with a more prominent place given to vocals and with a new duet in the central part, this time with 'Alessandro Carmassi' and 'Ian Humphrey', the only part instrumental being placed at the end of the title with the duo joining on the final. The album ends, first of all with the short 'First Time', with once again 'Michelle Aragon' but this time without 'Alessandro Carmassi' in a beautiful uncluttered piano/voice ballad in which she certainly recorded the two voices, then, without transition 'Hope Is a Stranger' takes over for the most energetic track of the album with incisive guitar riffs and with a melody that is not necessarily immediate on first listen and finally with a beautiful solo keyboards past half the title and which mellows to prepare a remarkable final with a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo.

In summary, this new project 'Swappers Eleven' is a very good surprise 2020 and we will certainly have to rely on this band in the future if they continue in this direction; 'From a Distance' is recommended for audiences who like major progressive rock groups like 'Marillion', 'Pendragon', or 'Arena'...

Line Up / Musicians

Luiz Alvim (Keybords), Alessandro Carmassi (Vocal), Gary Foalle (Bass) + Guests : Michelle Aragon (Vocal), Ian Humphrey (Vocal), Daniel van der Weijde (Guitar), Darren Newitt (Guitar), Carl Wragg (Guitar), Dave Wruck (Keybords), Will Addicts (Keybords), Rik van Dommelen (Bass), José Luis Ramos (Bass), Neil Lough (Bass), Marcin Sosnowski (Saxophone), Rafael Marcolino (Drums), Enrico Rossetti (Drums), Arild Broter (Drums)


Artist : Lionheart

Album : The Reality of Miracles

Release Date : 31-07-2020

Added : 25-09-2020

The formation 'Lionheart' had returned from which we do not know where 3 years ago with 'Second Nature' which was a very good album and here is our great group of old artists of 80s hard-rock who came back again with a new album 'The Reality of Miracles' which is well supplied because it contains 12 good compositions (if we exclude the short instrumental introduction integrated into the first track) which are pleasant to listen to and bring us back to a melodic hard rock of the 80s in the line of groups like 'Foreigner', 'Journey', 'Magnum' or even 'Asia', that is to say less energetic than the style of the old band 'Iron Maiden' of guitarist 'Dennis Stratton'.

'Salvation' is an atmospheric introduction that prepares the first track 'Thine Is the Kingdom', offering us a first classical melody that is immediately tamed and which takes us back a few decades, then 'High Plains Drifter' brings beautiful vocal harmonies with a guitar solo worthy of the name and with the eponymous title of the album, we are right in a delicious melodic rock of the eighties with a pleasant intoxicating chorus that we could listen to for long minutes . Follows 'Five Tribes' which is more energetic and which still puts forward a solo of 'Steve Mann' and which has exhilarating choirs, and 'Behind the Wall' takes us on a ballad whicj can be added to the best melodic rock ballads, then, 'All I Want Is You' is yet another melodic nugget that takes us back to the 80s. The rest of the album scrolls 'Widows' with a new heady chorus, the orientalizing 'Kingdom of the East', a classic but very effective 'Outlaws of the Western World', the catchy and delicious 'Overdrive' in which our whole body beats time and 'The First Man' with its rhythm in the same vein as 'Survivor' and an irresistible new chorus. And it is with a new ballad 'Still It Rains on Planet Earth (Lacrimosa)' that any melodic rock group would have wanted to write that the album ends and we can already see a whole audience brandishing its lighter as in the years 70/80 (no now it's old-fashioned, his phone with the torch on !!).

In summary, the English of 'Lionheart' are releasing a very nice album with melodic compositions that takes us back to the 80s and 'The Reality of Miracles' is intended for an audience who loves melodic rock and formations of this period like 'Foreigner', 'Journey' or even 'Magnum'...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Stratton (Guitar), Steve Mann (Guitar), Lee Small (Vocal), Rocky Newton (Bass), Clive Edwards (Drums)


Artist : Morse/Portnoy/George

Album : Cov3r To Cov3r

Release Date : 24-07-2020

Added : 26-09-2020

Along with the remastered albums 'Cover to Cover' and 'Cover 2 Cover', Spotify uploaded the latest album from covers of the trio ‘Neal Morse’/’Mike Portnoy’/’Randy George’ at the end of July and it is a beautiful gift to hear these three very complete artists bring various and varied compositions up to date without distorting them. For this 3rd part, we are spoiled with melodies that have accompanied us throughout these last 50 years. On the program, progressive rock with for example 'Yes' (and it's 'Jon Davison' who sings on the track 'No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed') or 'Jethro Tull' and the energetic 'Hymn 43' (note the remix of 'Steven Wilson' from 'Stormwatch' from 1979)or even 'King Crimson' with 'One More Red Nightmare', but also titles that are part of our collective memory like 'Life On Mars' by the late 'David Bowie' (what a magnificent interpretation that gives you goosebumps) or the very famous' Baker Street 'of' Gerry Rafferty 'in which 'Neal Morse' takes us on a masterful guitar solo at the end of the title. In short, what happiness to listen or to listen again to these mythical titles again and if you missed the first 2 episodes, I invite you to to listen to them also because this trio of artists confirms that it has a real talent to be able to tackle to all styles with always very accurate interpretations...

01. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (Yes)
02. Hymn 43 (Jethro Tull)
03. Life On Mars (David Bowie)
04. Baker Street (Gerry Raffetry)
05. It Don't Come Easy (Ringo Starr)
06. Baby Blue (Badfinger)
07. One More Red Nightmare (King Crimson)
08. Black Coffee In Bed (Squeeze)
09. Tempted (Squeeze)
10. Runnin 'Down A Dream (Tom Petty)
11. Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz)

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Randy George (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums) + invité : Jon Davison (Vocal)


Artist : Damnation Angels

Album : Fiber of our Being

Release Date : 31-07-2020

Added : 27-09-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

The 'Damnation Angels' band released their third studio recording after a debut EP, 'Shadow Symphony' in 2010, and the LPs 'Bringer of Light' in 2013 and 'The Valiant Fire' in 2015. Loverss of symphonic metal with a male singer (they are not legion but we immediately think of 'Kamelot' with its charismatic singer 'Tommy Karevik') but also, or lovers quite simply of melodic metal, you are in the right place and this last opus still shows an evolution in the compositions of the group with, from my point of view, a production heavier and a work on the level of melodic lines which make that certain titles are more direct and certainly less symphonic than in 'The Valiant Fire'.

And it is with a lively 'More Than Human' that the opus begins and we discover the new singer 'Ignacio Rodriguez' who from the start does a good performance in this effective melodic composition, then 'Railrunner' who starts in a mid-tempo with beautiful choirs has a more marked symphonic component and several changes of tempos. The eponymous track of the album continues in this momentum, offering us a parallel with 'Kamelot', a powerful introduction, then calmer verses and finally a catchy and addictive chorus, then 'Our Last Night' which begins in ballad, hardens the tone and accelerates the tempo in the chorus and makes it one of the flagship titles of the album with these magnificent alternations of intensity. With 'Rewrite the Future', the symphonic components rub shoulders with the energy of guitar riffs and the original construction, alternating intensities and tempos, make it one of my favorite tracks, then 'Fractured Amygdala' continues on this track with yet another unstoppable melody and 'Greed and Extinction', after a calm introduction takes us into a new energetic title which has beautiful breaks in tempos with once again, a very original rhythm section adapting to each change of climate. And it is with two magnificent tracks that the album ends, first of all the 13 minutes of 'Remnants Of A Dying Star' which is an epic and symphonic fresco with multiple nooks and crannies and remarkable choirs in the style of 'Epica', and then, 'A Sum Of Our Parts' which is the second ballad of the album, this time in a clean piano/voice style in the majority of the title with beautiful arrangements and with a remarkable vocal performance of 'Ignacio Rodriguez' who also shows all his talent by transmitting a beautiful emotion to this magnificent final title.

In summary, the symphonic metal formations are much more numerous with female singers but the English of 'Damnation Angels' also show an undeniable talent in this style with this last album 'Fiber of our Being', filled with beautiful orchestrations and unstoppable melodic lines, which makes it suitable for a fairly large audience of metal loving an epic and melodic symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

William Graney (Guitar), Ignacio « Iggy Rod » Rodriguez (Vocal, Guitar), John Graney (Drums), Nic Southwood (Bass) + Guests : Helen Pawson (Choirs), Bob Young (Choirs)


Artist : Lighthouse Sparrows

Album : The Deep End

Release Date : 01-08-2020

Added : 28-09-2020

'Lighthouse Sparrows' is a new Finnish progressive rock project initiated in 2019 by multi-instrumentalist 'Sami Sarhamaa' who has taken part in numerous recordings since the 1980s and singer and keyboardist 'Olli Huhtanen' and who is releasing his first album just 30 minutes, so between EP and LP. The year 2020 being a bit special with the health crisis that we are experiencing, they still managed to release this first baby which contains 5 small jewels of a refined and relaxing progressive rock that can recall certain atmospheric rock formations of the years 70/80.

It all starts in serenity with 'Gravest Danger' in a quiet atmosphere, the soft voice of 'Olli Huhtanen' agreeing perfectly to this style made of softness and serenity, some guitar riffs gently hardening the tone in the second part of the title, then, after a final in decrescendo with some piano notes, without transition, 'Scales' takes over in the same atmosphere and puts us on a little cloud, rocking us to the rhythm of a sweet melody with a beautiful 'Floydian' guitar solo in the middle of the title. It is also without transition (the first 3 titles follow each other without any pause between) that 'Shallow End' continues in this style with a crescendo at the end of the title, the keyboards having a preponderant place but leaving room for a new aerial guitar solo, then, the instrumental 'Deep End', after a new atmospheric introduction gains momentum in the first part, the bass line ensuring the rhythm of the whole and with a slow down the tempo in a beautiful atmospheric central part. The album ends with a new melodic gem ‘Gravity’ which is reminiscent of some melodic lines from ’RPWL’ .

In summary, this first baby of the Finns 'Lighthouse Sparrows' is very promising and offers us beautiful compositions in a calm and relaxing atmosphere, only a few passages being more energetic which destines 'The Deep End' to a loving audience an atmospheric progressive rock to listen to calmly with headphones...

Line Up / Musicians

Sami Sarhamaa (Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Olli Huhtanen (Vocal, Keybords), Miri Miettinen (Drums), Trio Tingo (Choirs)


Artist : bArtMan

Album : Crisis

Release Date : 03-08-2020

Added : 29-09-2020

German 'Torsten Bartkowiak' has different strings to his bow and music is one of them because he regularly releases albums, the last 'The Way Out' dating from 2019. 2020 sees the release of a new album in streaming for the moment (Coronavirus obliges) and on Torsten site we can read that this last opus was created during the period of confinement which allowed him to offer us 12 titles including 9 compositions and a suite of 3 atmospheric and experimental titles.

First of all, let's take a look at the 'Crisis' sequel and if you're a late of 60s Pink Floyd lover, you're definitely going to be on familiar ground as we are so closer of atmospheres of 'Ummagumma', an essential opus that still makes a reference in experimental music : everything is there to immerse us in these atmospheric ambiance of this era of sound pioneers, the 3rd part being more classic in the structure (besides Tortsen often refers to 'Floyds' with, for example, the album of 'Goodbye Cruel World' whose title reminds us all 'The Wall' and whose cover brings together an old factory and a cow). These three remarkable compositions are sandwiched by other more classic titles, with first of all songs in which Tortsen poses his deep voice, like 'Fraud' which opens the album, in a tormented atmosphere that can be likened to style characteristic of 'Roger Waters' or as 'Apology', 'A New Chance' or even 'Dark Thoughts' which continue in the same vein, then then, four instrumentals which each have a particular texture : first of all the calm 'The Dream' puts forward a piano accompanied by layers of keyboards with a repetitive melody, then, 'Awaken' is more energetic with a strong rhythmic section, while remaining quite linear in construction. As for the last two tracks, first 'New Beginning' is a progressive instrumental which makes successive different tempos on a very accessible melody, then, 'The Last Temptation' closes the album with electronic effects that would not have denied 'Jean- Michel Jarre' while maintaining an atmospheric ambiance.

In summary, even if it does not revolutionize progressive rock, 'Torsten Bartkowiak' continues on his way by offering us a new album (and yes, already the 9th !) very pleasant to listen to and which should appeal to all those who are fans of 'Pink Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Torsten Bartkowiak (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Arctic Rain

Album : The One

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 30-09-2020

Guess which country we're headed for a new melodic hard rock album. You obviously tell me Sweden (too easy my riddle) and after the 'Sapphire Eyes', 'Skintrade', 'Arkado', 'Grand Design', , 'HEAT' or 'Autumn's Child' to name only groups that released albums in 2020, it's all about a new kid, 'Artic Rain', created by a trio, the keyboardist and composer 'Pete Alpenborg' (who is no stranger to the profession as he has composed for an impressive number of bands), guitarist 'Magnus Berglund' and singer 'Tobias Jonsson', to present his first offering 'The One' composed of 11 tracks in a melodic hard-rock style tagged eighties.

We are very quickly conquered by easily assimilable melodies and by a positive energy emanating from each composition, and this, from the first title 'Life of My Life' which exudes a dazzling dynamism and in the same style, we can also cite the powerful hits 'Lost', 'Give Me All Of Your Love' or even 'Lift Me Up' with their addictive choruses, certainly classic but so effective or the magnificent 'Breakout' which puts you in shape for any a day. And when the tempo becomes slower and the keyboards are more present, we are always seduced by these memorable melodies as in 'Friends' or 'Night After Night' or 'The One' or even in 'Madeleine', the beautiful power ballad not being forgotten with 'Free My Mind' (for my part, I would have taken a little second).

In summary, to use the slogan of the SNCF (French rail network), a Swedish hard-rock group can hide another and, each time, we are dazzled by this talent and this mastery they have to bring us back to the 80s with unstoppable melodies and, even if they do not revolutionize the style, we take enormous pleasure to listen to these compositions so effective and this newcomer 'ArcticRain' is now part of them...

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Jonsson (Vocal), Magnus Berglund (Guitar), Pete Alpenborg (Keybords), Gert Daun (Bass), Jonas Jönsson (Drums)


Artist : Deep Purple

Album : Whoosh!

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 01-10-2020

I certainly arrive after a few hundred reviews to talk about the last 'Deep Purple', but too bad, what is it good to listen in 2020 to a new album by this legendary group that I had discovered enough late in the 70s with a certain 'Deep Purple in Rock' and whose 33 rpm (we used to say that at the time) turned to exhaustion on the family turntable all upset to listen to a huge ' Speed King '(which, by the way, is one of the compositions that struck me the most as much as a' Dark Side Of The Moon '), being more used to the symphonies of' Beethoven 'or' Mozart ' but also to 'Stravinsky' and 'Boulez'.

Since you will find all kinds of reviews already released that have presented the album in full and length, I would simply say that 'Whoosh!' will undoubtedly be for me one of the albums that I will remember from there 2020 year because, even if the last album ' inFinite ' of 2017 did not leave me with lasting memories (I should certainly reinject myself a small dose, we never know). But with 'Whoosh!', I find all these characteristic tempos and vintage sounds that rocked us and all this with a modern sound and a positive energy so necessary in these tormented times in which Man should return to the good old principles of yesteryear rather than turning to technology to solve a health crisis. To name just a few titles, how can we not respond at once and this from the introductory title, 'Throw My Bones' or 'Drop the Weapon' with this mix of guitar riffs and keyboards so characteristic and with a rhythmic to start the foot tapping machine or even that swaying tempo of 'No Need to Shout' or 'We're All The Same In The Dark', but 'Deep Purple' is also the encounter with the symphonic with for example 'Nothing At All' or 'Step by Step' which transport us to a hard-rock church (the Church would certainly not have depopulated its ranks if it had evolved towards this style of singing) and also a timeless hard-rock with titles like 'What the What' or 'Dancing in My Sleep'. But what I would like to emphasize in this column is the youthful spirit of this group of friends who have been doing hard rock for over fifty years and even if osteoarthritis is certainly starting to titillate them (don't say no, we say that after fifty years, if we have no pain nowhere, it is because we are dead), they continue their hard-rocker life without having anything more to prove but simply to deliver us the good hard-rock to give us a very pleasant time. And when we do the count (and yes I took out my calculator), few groups can boast of totaling 359 years by adding up the ages of these gentlemen (chronicle written on 11/09/2020 so it could have changed since then, I don't have all the birthdays !) and I remember in the 90s, that reflection (in retrospect, completely silly) that I had had on discovering the replacement of 'Ritchie Blackmore' after the interim of a few months of 'Joe Satriani', 'Steve Morse' : who is this little youngster who comes to replace Ritchie? Well, the young one, he is now 66 years old and has become an essential guitarist in the music scene with his participation in the super group ’Flying Colors’ !!

In short, no need to add more, and I will just say in conclusion two words that Americans are so fond of : Awesome !! and Enjoy !!

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Gillan (Vocal), Steve Morse (Guitar), Don Airey (Keybords), Roger Glover (Bass), Ian Paice (Drums)


Artist : Canterra

Album : Heartmachine

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 02-10-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After a first LP in 2016 which had made a strong impression on me at the time (see here), the Germans of 'Canterra' are releasing a new album between the EP and the LP since it only totals 31 small minutes when their first baby exceeded the listening hour. The line up is always the same, with the exception of 'Mark Cross' who is invited to ensure the rhythm section, 'Max Krüger' having left the group and the singer 'Korinna König' has evolved in her vocals and I had draws a parallel with 'Tarja' in my first review which is no longer relevant because the German chose a clear voice that she masters perfectly and is now closer to singers like 'Sharon Den Adel' or 'Charlotte Wessels'


In summary, even if we expected a slightly more fleshed out album from 'Canterra', The Germans are releasing a very good album which destines 'Heartmachine' to a public who likes direct and melodic symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Korinna König (Vocal), Hendrik Zantop (Guitar), Hannes Otto (Guitar), Tom Steudel Schlagzeug (Bass) + invité : Mark Cross (Drums)


Artist : Dukes of the Orient

Album : Freakshow

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 03-10-2020

After a first eponymous album of the group in 2018 (see here) which had plunged us back into the world of 'Asia', our two friends 'John Payne' and 'Erik Norlander' start again with 'Freakshow' which, for my part, offers a variety of compositions which go far beyond the 'Asia' universe and which take us back a few decades with a melodic progressive rock that is simply good with an evocation for each title of legendary groups that have marked rock history.

And the first title sets the tone, the Dukes of the Orient are back close to 'Genesis' atmosphere with a title that is perhaps not only a nod to their project but, why not also, to the album 'Duke' from 1980 because we are right in the atmosphere of that time, then, 'The Ice is Thin' takes us to a ballad that we imagine very well sung by 'Supertramp' in a 'Breakfast In America', the tempo provided by the piano and the few saxophone passages reinforcing this feeling. With ‘Frakshow’ the intensity rises to gain strength, the rhythm is heavier and I have the impression that I hear a remarkable mix of ‘Emerson, Lake & Palmer’ and ’Ayreon’, the rough voice of 'John Payne' making wonders in this title and the instrumental section in the second part being remarkable between the saxophone and the keyboards solos. Follows' The Monitors' which, after an introduction with electronic sounds, plunges us back into an 'Asian' atmosphere with an immediate melody that makes you want to clap your hands irresistibly to accompany the tempo, then, 'Man of Machine', although it's rather fast, brings a beautiful melancholy thanks to a touching melody and still integrates beautiful instrumental parts of which this magnificent break before the final more energetic. The second part of the album continues with this same quality, first of all with 'The Last Time Traveler' which takes us back to the 80s with a more progressive side and again with a parallel with 'Supertramp' but this time in the period 'Brother Where You Bound' (and its magnificent eponymous title), then, 'A Quest for Knowledge', with its choirs and its pop atmosphere is a bit of an 80s mix between 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Electric Light Orchestra' and the 'Bee Gees' and, with the lively and light 'The Great Brass Steam Engine', fully instrumental, 'Erik Norlander' shows all his keyboarding skills with electronic sounds from the late 70s. The end of the album contains two other gems, with first 'When Ravens Cry' in an imaginative progressive and symphonic rock made of several drawers, then, 'Until Then' concludes the opus with an 8 minutes ballad that drops us on a little cloud, rocking by a beautiful melody, certainly classic but so timeless with a little taste of ‘Sun King’ from the 'Beatles’ in the choirs.

In summary, 'John Payne' and 'Erik Norlander' offer us a second album filled with timeless melodies, all as delicious as each other and 'Freakshow' is intended for an audience who loves a style between pop and rock reminiscent of the major formations of the 70s/80s in this kind of music...

Line Up / Musicians

John Payne (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Erik Norlander (Keybords) + Guests : Frank Klepacki (Drums), Alex Garcia (Guitar), Eric Tewalt (Saxophone)


Artist : Lionville

Album : Magic Is Alive

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 04-10-2020

In this 2020 year, melodic rock is doing well because, after the Swedes of 'Arctic Rain', the same day also released the last baby of the Italians of 'Lionville' who in are on their 4th studio recording. After 'A Word of Fools' in 2017, it's the turn of 'Magic Is Alive' to see the light of day with unstoppable melodies that can remind of the beginnings of this style in the 70s with formations like 'Foreigner', 'Asia', 'Toto' or even 'Journey'. We are therefore immersed from the first title 'Nothing Without You' in pleasant melodic lines which gives the impression of being in a country of acquaintance with the formations mentioned above, then the titles parade one after the other with always the same talent. for melodic nuggets with memorable choruses, and I will simply quote my favorites with the catchy 'Every Little Thing (Leads Back To You)' and 'Living With The Truth' or the magnificent 'Reaching for the Sky' and 'Magic is Alive 'in a style mixing pop and funk, without forgetting the two beautiful ballads 'Finally You're With Me' and 'IntoThe Night' to add to your playlist of the best ballads.

In short, no need to write a long review, if you are fans of an elegant and catchy melodic rock from the first listen reminiscent of the 70s / 80s, this 'Magic Is Alive' is made for you and is therefore to be enjoyed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Säfsund (Vocal, Choirs), Stefano Lionetti (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords), Michele Cusato (Guitar), Fabrizio Caria (Piano, Keybords), Giulio Dagnino (Bass), Martino Malacrida (Drums)


Artist : Black Rose Maze

Album : Black Rose Maze

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 05-10-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

If you are looking for 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' in myprogmusic, you should find quite a few albums in which the Italian has been soaked and 'Black Rose Maze' is a new project in which he has provided the compositions and the production and of course, participated as bassist and keyboardist. This new baby, initiated by 'Frontiers Music' is also based on the Quebec singer 'Rosa Laricchiuta' who participated in 2015 in the show 'La Voix' in her country (the equivalent of 'The Voice' in France) released an EP in 2017 'Free' and toured with 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' in 2018. Unlike this as the album cover might suggest, it is not symphonic metal that 'Black Roze Maze' offers us but a melodic and powerful metal with direct compositions.

From the outset, 'In The Dark' deploys power and boundless energy with muscular guitar riffs and 'Rosa Laricchiuta' offers us a flawless first performance, thoroughly mastering a powerful voice that goes well with wonder with this energetic style, then 'Laws Of Attraction', always very melodic with softer verses offers a very nice duet with the singer of the super group 'Sons Of Apollo', 'Jeff Scott Soto' and 'Let Me Be Me', with an introduction that will certainly remind you of 'I Love Rock' N Roll' from 'Joan Jett' is a potential hit with alternating between calm verses preparing the chorus with this devastating riff that gives you an irresistible desire to headbang. A little lighter and less powerful, 'Free', taken from the EP of the taken from the Quebecer, is nevertheless a very pleasant title with a new accessible melody which allows to bring a certain diversity, just like 'Look At Me Now', also softer which also shows that in this style, 'Rosa Laricchiuta' offers us remarkable vocal performances, then 'Maze' returns to a heavier rock with always this constancy of having verses starting in a soft way and rising in intensity preparing heady and powerful refrains and this is also found on the title that follows 'Let Me free'. With 'Only You', the alternation between powerful parts and other quieter ones highlight a remarkable guitar / voice duo still showing Rosa's adaptability according to the intensity, then, 'Earth Calling' and 'You Can't Stop Me' are two energetic tracks with, for the latter, a fast tempo and memorable melodic lines, and the album ends with a melodic jewel, 'Call Me Now', showing, one last time the extraordinary vocal talent of the Quebecer singer, the only regret for my part, being to not have inserted another title as strong in emotion earlier in the album.

In summary, this first album of 'Black Rose Maze', fed with the heady melodies of an inventive 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' makes us discover 'Rosa Laricchiuta' in a powerful register which suits her perfectly which makes this first eponymous album of the group a nice surprise 2020 which should appeal to a whole audience adept at powerful and melodic in rock and metal styles...

Line Up / Musicians

Rosa Laricchiuta (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Michele Sanna (Drums) + Guests : Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Erika Ceruti (Choirs)


Artist : Ramos

Album : My Many Sides

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 06-10-2020

The Italian label 'Frontiers Music' is not idle at the moment because on August 7th saw the release of 4 albums which have already been the subject of a review on myprogmusic, with 'Artic Rain', 'Dukes of the Orient', 'Lionville' and finally 'Black Rose Maze' and it’s yet another opus, this time from 'Hardline' guitarist, 'Josh Ramos', who also released his first solo album 'My Many Sides' the same day. For the occasion, he invited singers from different backgrounds with other 'Eric Martin' from 'Mr Big', 'Danny Vaughn' from 'Tyketto' or even 'Harry Hess' from 'Harem Scarem'. He offers us 12 varied compositions ranging from syrupy ballads to muscular hard-rock, passing by lighter AOR, all this being judiciously placed to vary the moods, in short, all good melodic music with, of course, the cherry on top of the cake, his masterful guitar solos.

And to start, what better than a little solo by Sieur Josh who from the first notes of 'Today is the Day' drops us a few notes close to 'Eddie Van Halen', the vocal performance that follows from 'Joe Retta' ('Heaven & Earth') not being outdone for this energetic track, then, 'Unbroken' softens the tone for a mid-tempo with its haunting rhythm and the Frenchman 'Terry Ilous' ('XYZ') who looks like ‘David Coverdale’. Follows 'Blameless Blue', sung by 'Danny Vaughn' in AOR rock style with a classic but so effective melody, 'Josh Ramos' spicing it up with a remarkable guitar solo, then 'Immortal' continues in this calm ambience under the form of a ballad which hardens the tone in a few passages, 'Tony Harnell' (ex TNT) showing a full vocal palette depending on the intensity and 'Josh Ramos' still rewarding us with an admirable guitar solo. With 'Same Of Fears', the catchy tempo gives an irresistible urge to swing your head, 'Joe Retta' returning to offer us a remarkable new performance, then, 'Harry Hess' takes over on 'I Have Been Waiting' for a beautiful ballad, with a chorus to make an entire audience ripple, and 'Moving On' continues in a slow but powerful rock reminding me 'More Of That Jazz' from 'Queen'. Follows 'Forefather', a new ballad which offers us a magnificent guitar / voice duo between 'Josh Ramos' / 'Eric Martin' with a syrupy melody but so effective, then the intensity increases again with 'Too Good To Be True' which gives us a good dose of good melodic hard rock from the 80s with again 'Joe Retta' in an Olympic health. The end of the album offers us, first of all, a quiet and relaxing instrumental in which 'Josh Ramos' literally makes his guitar sing, then the fast and direct 'All over Now', more classical but very pleasant to listen to, and finally, 'I'm Only Human' with the late 'Tony Mills', who died in 2019 of cancer and who released a last album in 2019 'Beyond The Law' and who has recorded this magnificent song shortly before his death, whose lyrics obviously take on a whole new dimension.

In summary, 'Josh Ramos' released a remarkable album and thanks on the one hand to his talent as a guitarist but also thanks to the talents of this beautiful range of singers invited for the occasion, 'My Many Sides' should without no doubt to satisfy an audience loving a melodic hard-rock inherited from the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Josh Ramos (Guitar), Tony Morra (Drums), Fabrizio Grossi (Bass) + Guests : Joe Retta (Vocal), Tony Harnell (Vocal), Danny Vaughn (Vocal), John Bisaha (Vocal), Harry Hess (Vocal), Eric Martin (Vocal), Terry Illous (Vocal), Tony Mills (Vocal), Michael T Ross (Piano, Keybords), Alex Alessandroni Jr (Hammond), Eric Ragno (Keybords)


Artist : Lord Of The Lost

Album : Swan Songs III

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 07-10-2020

'Lord Of The Lost' is a German formation which made itself known in a rather dark metal style like their compatriots 'Mono Inc.', their two last album 'Thornstar + 10 Thorns' dating from 2018. For this third part of 'Swan Songs III' (the 2 previous ones dating from 2015 and 2017), they decided to surround themselves with classical musicians, which means that the opus is entirely acoustic. In terms of content, it contains two CDs for a duration of approximately one hour and forty minutes (I withdraw the 4 minutes of the white title '4: 33' in a nod to that of the American composer 'John Cage') : first of all the first CD consists of original titles which were therefore composed with orchestral arrangements, then the second CD includes covers of different titles of the group rearranged for this orchestral version and finally the icing on the cake, a long and remarkable 18-minute epic and symphonic fresco.

Regarding the first album, 'A Splintered Mind' sets the tone with a clean first track that begins calmly with the piano/voice duo, the vocals of 'Chris Harms', with that deep register so characteristic of tuning perfectly in this atmosphere, then the strings are added then accentuating the melancholy side which is in a way the mark of the group, then, 'A One Ton Heart' continues in this quiet atmosphere with a new beautiful melody. Follows 'Dying on the Moon' with the participation of the pop singer, author and composer 'Joy Frost' which brings a welcome diversity on the vocal level, then 'Zunya' offers a composition in three-beat that could be described as a 'melancholy waltz' while 'Unfeel', after the slow introduction, is much more spirited, the strings bringing a certain lightness. The album's sequel scrolls, a dark 'Deathless' with its slow tempo, a heartbreaking 'Agape' filled with emotion, 'Hurt Again' and 'Amber' continuing in that poignant vibe, and that's with the melodic gem 'We Were Young' and its melody that never leaves you, embellished by the magnificent performance of the choir 'Heaven Can Wait Choir' that the first album ends, the last three tracks containing the anecdotal '4:33', the cover of 'Dying on the Moon' without 'Joy Frost' and another cover of 'We Were Young'.
The first 7 tracks of the second CD are therefore covers of old albums with 'Loreley', 'Morgana', 'Black Halo' and 'Cut Me Out' taken from 'Thornstars' from 2018 (which had already been covered in a clean version in '10 Thorns'), 'In Silence' from the album 'Empyrean' from 2016, 'Seven Days Of Anavrin' from the album 'Antagony' from 2011 and 'My Heart Is Black' from the album 'Die Tomorrow' from 2012. And then, to finish in style, 'Letters to Home', with its 18 minutes (it's almost a shame to have put this magnificent title last which comes after almost an hour and a half of music, so I advise you to listen to it alone), offers us an epic showing the trademark of this original formation, in the form of a symphonic work which takes us into a composition in several drawers making us go through all kinds of feelings, alternating the intensities while passing from a refined style piano/voice to the power of orchestra and in which ‘Chris Harms’ gives us an engaging vocal performance from start to finish, adapting to the give off ambiance of every moment.

In summary, this latest album from the Germans of 'Lord Of The Lost' is remarkable in every way and shows a symphonic facet quite far from the power of metal but which brings a whole different vision of the melancholic and melodic compositions which are the trademark of the group and which, even if some early metal fans will not necessarily find their account there, will certainly appeal to another audience adept at classical arrangements and orchestration in modern music...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Harms (Vocal, Cello, Guitar), Bengt Jaeschke (Guitar), Classe Grenayde (Bass), Gared Dirge (Piano), Corvin Bahn (Organ, Clavecin, Celeste), Maline Zickow (Violin), Felicitas Fischbein (Violin), Ida Luzie Phlipp (Viola), Miriam Göbel (Cello), Julia C. Pfänder (Bass), Niklas Kahl (Percussions), Daniel Möhrke (Percussions), Henrik Petschull (Percussions), Joy Frost (Vocal)


Artist : Fortune

Album : The Gun’s Still Smokin’ Live

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 08-10-2020

I admit, I had never heard from the band 'Fortune' until this live 'The Gun's Still Smokin' Live' released in August 2020 which made me want to listen to the previous albums, admittedly few. because the Americans released a single album in the 80s, 'Fortune' and they reunited again in 2016 with a new album 'II' in 2019. In a melodic rock style inherited from the 80s, they offer us a short 50-minute concert with compositions all accessible at first listening and which mixes the two eras.

'Thrill Of It All' opens the album with a first melody which is embedded directly in your head and which takes us back a few decades with groups like 'Asia' or 'Foreigner' and the sounds remind me the Canadians of 'Saga' (certainly because of a huge bass and keyboard sounds) with the difference that these latter brought a progressive component which is absolutely not present in titles of 'Fortune', and this impression is repeated quite often throughout the opus. Follows the mid-tempo 'Don't Say You Love Me' in which 'Richard Fortune' shows off his guitar skills, then 'Bad Blood' continues in that 80s vibe with a bass that makes your whole body vibrate and vintages keyboards in the foreground and 'What A Fool I've Been' is not to be outdone with its 'Supertamp' piano and heady melodic lines. With these few words from 'Larry Green' ('The Song I sung many years ago'), we go back to the 1986 film 'Top Gun' with 'Through The Fire', but brought up to date, with a much more powerful and more modern sound, then 'Deep in The Heart of a heart' and 'The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter' ('Lonely Hunter' from 1986 revisited) send us back to the same era with two heady new melodies. With 'Shelter of The Night', its energetic introduction still makes me think of 'Saga' and its tempo which accelerates brings a classic chorus but so effective that give this impression of having always been part of our life, then, 'Dearborn Station' continues in this atmosphere, giving me this blissful feeling of nostalgia, the album ending with a catchy 'Freedom Road' in which we all want to resume with 'Larry Green' the chorus in choirs

In summary, the Americans of 'Fortune' release a live that reminds the concerts of the 80s where everything comes together to have a good time listening to these timeless songs with melodies that we appropriate immediately and 'The Gun's Still Smokin' Live' is therefore recommended to an audience loving the golden age of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Fortune (Guitar, Vocal), Mick Fortune (Drums), Larry Greene (Vocal), Ricky Rat (Bass, Vocal), Mark Nilan (Keybords)


Artist : Nervosa

Album : Wasteland

Release Date : 10-08-2020

Added : 09-10-2020

'Nervosa' is an English formation which was created in the 2000s but which did not release many albums, a few EPs and a very short opus in 2012 'The Cube Sessions' whose video above presents 3 titles. 2020 sees the release of a second album 'Wasteland', also quite short in a style reminiscent of progressive rock bands like 'Mostly Autumn', 'Comedy of Errors', 'Chasing The Monsoon' or even 'Nine Skies' with influences in the progressive rock from the 70s with 'Pink Floyd' in the lead.

'Chevron' opens the album with a light composition which, thanks to accessible melodic lines, is immediately tamed, the bass offering a beautiful sound depth, then the suite 'The Wasteland' begins with a short calm and quiet part in the 'Floyds' movement with an aerial guitar, the second part emphasizing the vocals of 'Jon Winter' and offering remarkable rhythmic breaks and admirable changes of intensity. With 'Prelude', the sweetness is at the rendezvous in the first part with the singing of 'Jon Winter' in the same register and atmosphere as 'Einar Solberg' of 'Leprous', the tone gradually hardening to become powerful and fall back at the end of the title. Follows 'Countrycore' which highlights the vaporous vocals of the keyboardist 'Bethany Wade' which can recall the intonations of the ex-singer of 'Mostly Autumn' 'Heather Findlay' in a melodious and filled of poetry style, then, it is with the long development of 8 minutes 'Circle of Friends' that the album ends in an atmosphere reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest' and which takes us on a beautiful peaceful and serene journey at the beginning that gradually builds up for a magnificent finale in which 'Bethany Wade' also shows that she has talents as a saxophonist.

In summary, the English of 'Nervosa' are releasing a quality progressive rock album, but to my taste a bit short (we want more) and 'Wasteland' should appeal to an audience who loves a quiet and sensual progressive to enjoy quietly with headphones...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Winter (Vocal, Guitar), Andy Cunningham (Guitar), Bethany Wade (Keybords, Saxophone, Vocal), Matthew Duggan (Bass), Ant Barrett (Drums)


Artist : Kamelot

Album : I Am The Empire - Live From The 013

Release Date : 14-08-2020

Added : 10-10-2020

‘Kamelot’ has now existed for nearly 30 years and is one of the essential formations of symphonic metal at the world level with a past rich in twists which has seen an impressive number of artists of the genre scroll. 2020 saw the release of a Blue Ray/DVD recorded on September 14, 2018 in Tilburg, a city in Holland which has seen a lot of artists from the metal scene including a certain 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' and his production 'Electric Castle Live And Other Tales' in 2019.

Surrounded by a nice range of guest singers (see list below), the 5 artists of 'Kamelot' offer us a dense concert of an hour and three quarters with compositions taken from the entire discography of the band going from a huge 'Forever' from the 2001 album 'Karma' to the last opus 'The Shadow Theory' of 2018 which is well represented, just like the album 'Haven' of 2015, this being normal because it was in a way the album of the consecration for 'Tommy Karevik'. After a gigantic symphonic entry as often in this kind of live, we therefore find unstoppable melodies magnified in this live by a fiery power (we can say it because in addition the light show is not bad either) and we can quote in bulk, the first track 'Phantom Devine' which begins the concert in an overflowing energy with a 'Thomas Karevik' at the top of his form, 'Insomnia' with its heady chorus that all the fans accompany just like in 'End of Innocence', 'My Confession' with its breaks in rhythm and intensity and its melodic lines that never leave you or even the heavy mid-tempo 'March of Mephisto' chanted by all the fans present, the end of the concert gratifying us with a moving 'Burns to Embrace' with a children's choir for the occasion that gives us goosebumps. And when the lights are dimmed, moments of calm are brought by two magnificent ballads, first of all 'Under Gray Skies' with the participation of 'Charlotte Wessels' ('Delain') which forms a remarkable duet with Tommy, then the moment suspended in time 'Here's to the Fall', of a palpable emotion, in which 'Tommy Karevik' also shows all his singing talent in this much quieter style.

In short, as formations like 'Epica' or 'Delain' had done, 'Kamelot' finally released a live worthy of the name with the DVD / Blue Ray version which allows to immortalize with video this atmosphere and this communicative energy that emanates from this type of symphonic metal concert with, in this case, 'Tommy Karevik' as master of ceremonies who gives us an admirable performance from the first to the last title: to be enjoyed without moderation with its home cinema while slightly increasing the sound level...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Thomas Youngblood (Guitar), Oliver Palotai (Keybords), Sean Tibbetts (Bass), Alex Landenburg (Drums) + Guests : Alissa White Gluz (Vocal), Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Elize Ryd (Vocal), Lauren Hart (Vocal), Eklipse (Cello, Violin), Sascha Paeth (Guitar), Eklipse (Violins, Viloncelle)


Artist : Terra Atlantica

Album : Quest into the Sky

Release Date : 14-08-2020

Added : 11-10-2020

The Germans of ‘Terra Atlantica’ who formed in 2014 are releasing their second album Age of Steam ’after a debut album in 2017 ’A City Once Divine’. In the great tradition of often German formations in this style (one can quote 'Feuerschwanz' or the masters of the genre 'Freedom Call'), they continue in their momentum to offer us a straightforward power metal without frills with some classical music influences here and there. And as often in this kind of album, it needs an epic theme and the Germans continue to tell us the story of the submerged city of 'Atlantis' but transposed to the 19th century, with its hero 'Tarion' that we follow in his adventures.

And it all starts with the epic symphonic introduction 'Rebirth 1815' with a lot of strings, percussions and choirs with a narrator presenting us the reappearance of Atlantis', then 'Across the Sea of Time' takes off at full pelt with a first direct title and with a first heady chorus, then, 'Mermaids' Isle' calms the ardor with a powerful and original mid-tempo, which comes out of the cliché of the titles of this style. Follows the eponymous title of the album which returns to a fast rhythm with a new memorable chorus which was to be chanted in public (recalling certain titles of 'Leave's Eyes', then 'The Treachery Of Mortheon' takes us into the archetype of epic power metal composition, orchestral arrangements and grandiose choirs with, of course, a melody that never leaves you, just like the following tracks, the frenzied 'Forces Of The Oceans , Unite!' and 'Quest into the Sky' in the same spirit. After the energy of the last four tracks, a little break is needed and it is' Believe In the Dawn' which brings this moment of tranquility with strings melancholy and a new addictive melodies, then it's off again for an end of album with first of all, the mid-tempo 'Gates of the Netherrealm' with remarkable symphonic arrangements and its rhythm marked by energetic saturated riffs to make headbang a whole audience with a faster section in the second part, then, 'Rage of the Atlantic War' adds a small dose of speed metal to us with a welcome symphonic lull in the middle of the title, and finally, 'Until the Morning Sun Appear' closes the album with the longest composition of the album with a good summary of the opus, alternating powerful parts and quieter ones.

In summary, with this last baby of the Germans of 'Terra Atlantica', metal lovers, do not look for originality but simply a good time to listen to all these hymns which parade at great speed which makes 'Quest into the Sky' a very good power metal album...

Line Up / Musicians

Tristan Harders (Vocal), Karim Djemai (Bass), Mike Terman (Guitar, Choirs), Nico Hauschildt (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Windom End

Album : Perspective Views

Release Date : 21-08-2020

Added : 12-10-2020

The project 'Window End' was born from the meeting of the Swedes 'Tomas Nyström' and 'Pierre Stam' in 2007, and after a long gestation and after completing the line up in 2015 with the arrival of the drummer 'Tobias Lundgren', the hour had come to record a debut album which sees the light of day in 2020 with 'Perspective Views' and in which they show us a talent for sought after and imaginative progressive rock compositions for nearly 50 minutes of listening, the CD version (for the moment only import from Japan) offering an additional EP of three titles that we should discover with the upcoming release in Europe of this first opus.

The album opens with the 11 minutes of 'The Dream' with multiple influences as well in the progressive of the 70s/80s but also of recent years and some parts remind me of 'Arena' or 'Pendragon' or even 'Mystery', the melodic lines being always accessible and the vocal harmonies admirable, then 'Starless Sky', with its muscular introduction offers us thereafter a new long development which is led by a remarkable bass/drums rhythm section in certain parts and which has a heady chorus, the whole being quite typical of a progressive that we appropriate fairly quickly. Following 'Walk This Way', in the same vein as its predecessor, which gave me immense pleasure from the first listen, with its admirable rhythmic breaks and always accessible melodic lines which touch you immediately and, as for the short instrumental 'Within The Shadow', it allows a quiet acoustic break before the last two long compositions : first of all, 'Revolution' which begins with a beautiful guitar solo and which develops an imaginative progressive in which there is always a balance between strong melodic lines always in phase with the developed theme reminding me of the intensity of 'Innuendo' of 'Queen' and, in other places, other melodic lines unfolding remarkable quiet strength which makes it one of my favorite songs. The last track 'Ghost Of The Past' plunges us back into the sounds of vintage keyboards with a last composition which tackles through admirable soundscapes and which offers us a last strong melody and full with emotions ending in a beautiful way the album with a magnificent instrumental finale.

In summary, this new project from the Swedes of 'Windom End' is yet another excellent surprise for this year 2020 in the field of progressive rock which should make happy among fans of sophisticated and imaginative progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Tomas Nyström (Guitar, Keybords), Pierre Stam (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Mikael Arvidsson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Tobias Lundgren (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Mad Max

Album : Stormchild Rising

Release Date : 21-08-2020

Added : 13-10-2020

If you like a powerful and melodic hard rock that takes us back to the 80s, you will like the last album 'Stormchild Rising' by the Germans of 'Mad Max' because we find ourselves in the atmosphere of formations of that time like 'Saxon', 'Scorpions', ' Deep Purple ' or 'Def Leppard'. Unlike the groups mentioned, the Germans of 'Mad Max' are not necessarily so well known, but deliver a remarkable quality of compositions and already totalize 40 years of good and loyal services because they already have 12 albums to their credit, the first group's eponymous album already dating from 1982.

From the first track 'Hurricaned', the guitar riffs are sharp and the rhythm energetic, with this feeling of having gone back a few decades with heady melodic lines and a first guitar solo that feels good, then, 'Talk to the Moon' continues in the same way with always the same energy and 'Eyes of Love' slows down the tempo for a composition in which the power remains rigorous and the printed rhythm quickly becomes addictive. With 'Ladies and Gentlemen', the quiet introduction bodes well for a ballad but it's still a mid-tempo with a very heavy sound that would make an entire audience headbang with a short interlude on the acoustic guitar, then, with 'Mindhunter', it's off again for an intoxicating rhythm in which your feet have the reflex to start beating time on their own, and 'Rain Rain' accelerates the rhythm for a new frenzied title. The second part of the album continues in the same vein with first 'Gemini' and its introduction close to 'Scorpions', the chorus being quite classic but so effective, then, 'Kingdom Fall' adds a new layer with a heavy and powerful rhythmic, and, as for 'The Blues Ain't No Stranger', we find ourselves in slow tempos close to 'Deep Purple' in a remarkable blues/rock with a remarkable guitar solo close to 'Eddie Van Halen', the album ending with the cover 'Take Her' of 'Rough Cutt' dating from 1985 with the singer of that time as guest, 'Busted' which offers us a last energetic track filled with good guitar riffs and finally the cover in short version of 'Ladies and Gentlemen' with 'Detlev Jöcker' and the choir 'Rock'n Roll Children'.

In summary, if you want to immerse yourself in hard rock from the 70s/80s, this latest album 'Stormchild Rising' by the Germans of 'Mad Max' is for you and will make you look decades younger while listening good music that hasn't aged a bit...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Voss (Vocal, Guitar), Jürgen Breforth (Guitar), Roland Bergmann (Bass), Axel Kruse (Drums) + invités : Paul Shortino (Vocal), Detlev Jöcker (Vocal), Rock’n Roll Children (Vocal)


Artist : Pain Of Salvation

Album : PANTHER

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 14-10-2020






After the very good ’In The Passing Light Of Day’, the Swedes of ‘Pain of Salvation’ are back with a new album 'PANTHER'. Continuing to offer us an original and always innovative progressive metal (the kind of music that is appreciated in three stages : 1st stage, blah I do not stick to everything, 2nd stage, finally it's much better than I thought and 3rd step, great I add it to my ideal collection !!), 'PANTHER' is no exception to the rule and takes us on a musical journey, certainly complex but so extraordinary that you will certainly need, if you are a fan of a progressive outside the beaten track, some time to appreciate it to its proper extent. And as usual, this new baby is a concept album with an exciting subject that deals with the notion of "normality" in our current world, all of which is necessarily arbitrary according to the rules that we define.

'ACCELERATOR' welcomes us with modern electronic sounds that mingle with a jerky rhythm and electric instruments with a feeling of intense force with much calmer breaks, hallmark of the compositions of 'Daniel Gildenlöw', then , 'UNFUTURE', a slow and rather dark title, turns towards an atmosphere of doom, but in no way repetitive because several parts follow one another with these remarkable rupture of intensities. Follows the short 'RESTLESS BOY' marrying modern sounds with an almost religious organ background make it one of the most innovative tracks of the album with a frantic final made of blasts with these few snatches of Daniel which brings down all this violence in three seconds, then, 'WAIT', very well placed at the end of the first part, allows a more classic break with soothing melodic lines, while keeping more contemporary parts past the first 4 minutes with sounds reminiscent of a barrel organ. With 'KEEN TO A FAULT', the first half of the track develops a feeling of contained tension that only asks to implode and which is materialized in the second part by frenzied passages, then, without transition, the short instrumental 'FUR' instantly gets rid of us of this accumulated rage thanks to the acoustic sounds of the guitar to re-embark for 'PANTHER' which is undoubtedly the title that merges the most different genres and eras and which always has this virtuosity to divinely juggle between tensions and relaxations. And what about "SPECIES" with its hypnotic first part to the sound of the sitar mixing East and West which becomes more and more oppressive to be unleashed in the second part, one of the highlights of this album. And it is with the 13 minutes of the last title 'ICON' that we have the most contrasted title and we are undoubtedly at the paroxysm of a progressive made of a patchwork of different tones at the antipodes of each other, like this 'Floydian' guitar solo alongside dissonant sounds of industrial metal : confusing but absolutely brilliant after several plays !!

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, the Swedes of 'Pain of Salvation' are releasing another extraordinary album which will certainly mark the 2020 year in progressive music and the title 'PANTHER' takes on its full dimension here, because, like any wild animal that takes time to be tamed, each composition does not unfold instantly and is revealed little by little as you listen to it...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Gildenlöw (Vocal, Guitar), Daniel Karlsson (Keybords), Gustaf Hielm (Bass), Johan Hallgren (Guitar), Léo Margarit (Drums)


Artist : Tim Bowness

Album : Late Night Laments

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 15-10-2020

'Tim Bowness' who is also known for his duet with 'Steven Wilson' with the project 'No-Man', continues to release solo albums, and after 'Flowers At The Scene' in 2019, it's the turn of 'Late Night Laments' to see the light of day in 2020. If you liked the atmospheric and airy side of certain compositions from the last opus, you should still adhere to this latest baby of the Englishman who offers us 9 titles (plus 5 other compositions in the deluxe version) in a soft and intimate atmosphere conducive to relax after a hard day's work. If we put aside the relatively dark theme described in this opus, relating to all the excesses of Humanity, everything is done to have a good time, starting with 'Northern Rain' which sets the tone for the album, in a slow tempo conducive to the wandering of our mind which remains the constant throughout the album, all this being reinforced by the soft voice of Tim which rocks us throughout the opus and which, thanks to a set of prestigious guests, embellishes the ensemble with soft and refined arrangements brought for example by the two ex-members of 'Porcupine Tree', the bassist 'Colin Edwin' and the keyboardist 'Richard Barbieri' but also by the delicate sounds of the vibraphone of 'Tom Atherton' or the accompaniments of keyboardist 'Brian Hulse'. Some will certainly find this album a little too linear but it is clear that variety is not the objective of this opus and that it should be taken as a sort of playlist of relaxing music, a bit like one can find in ready-made lists of streaming sites.

In summary, 'Tim Bowness' offers us with his latest album a moment of calm and serenity to quietly enjoy with headphones on the ears in the evening before falling asleep by letting go and thus disconnecting from all the concerns of our daily life...

Line Up / Musicians

Tim Bowness (Vocal, Keybords), Brian Hulse (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs) + Guests : Melanie Woods (Vocal), Richard Barbieri (Keybords), Colin Edwin (Bass), Kavus Torabi (Guitar, Choirs), Tom Atherton (Percussions), Evan Carson (Drums), Alistair Murphy (Dianatron)


Artist : Vanishing Point

Album : Dead Elysium

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 16-10-2020

It had been 6 years since the Australians of 'Vanishing Point' had released an album, 'Distant Is The Sun' being their last opus released in 2014. Tagged in melodic progressive, this new baby 'Dead Elysium' shows an inflection towards a melodic metal whose progressive components are less and less present, but this in no way alters the quality of this album which offers us 10 varied titles with sumptuous arrangements and melodies that we immediately appropriate.

The eponymous track of the album welcomes us with incisive guitar riffs in a first direct hit that immediately puts us in an appetite for the suite which is made of two melodic jewels, first of all 'Count Your Days' and its addictive chorus (the 'play again' touch worked a lot for me) then 'To the Wolves' which is made from the same barrel with a new catchy and radiant melody, the kind of songs that put you in a good mood for a whole day. With 'Salvus', the tempo slows down but the melodic level is still there with a heavy sound with a deep bass conducive to the headbang and beautiful alternations of intensities, then, with 'The Fall', it is again an enthusiastic title whose chorus spins in your head and which has a final with its rise of two tones (I love it !!). Follows 'Free', the longest track of the album and which brings more sophisticated arrangements and which offers a construction alternating tempos and intensities, then, 'Recreate the Impossible' is more classic and puts forward a raging rhythm section, and 'Shadow World' reminds me of the compositions of 'Kamelot', 'Silvio Massaro' offering us a beautiful vocal performance, the album ending with an energetic 'The Healing' embellished with symphonic arrangements and finally, a last heady melody with 'The Ocean'.

In summary, the Australians of 'Vanishing Point' are returning to the forefront of the melodic metal scene with this remarkable album 'Dead Elysium' which should be well received by a whole audience that sails between melodic and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Silvio Massaro (Vocal), Chris Porcianko (Vocal, Guitar), Adrian Alimic (Bass), James Maier (Guitar) + Guest : Jennifer Borg (Vocal)


Artist : Motorpsycho

Album : The All is One

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 17-10-2020

Originally, in the 90s, the Norwegians of 'Motorpsycho' started by releasing at a high frequency, albums of alternative metal which gave pride of place to arrangements close to experimental music, then, over the years 2000, with the album 'Let Them Eat The Cake' their style is oriented towards a progressive rock with psychedelic and jazzy influences. 2020 sees the release of 'The All is One', the third part of the 'Gullvåg' trilogy, the first two of which are 'The Tower' from 2017 and 'The Crucible' from 2019. For this last baby, they offer us a majestic continuation of more than 40 minutes, cut into 5 parts which is sandwiched in the middle of the opus by 7 other titles, the whole being a clever mix of the progressive of the 70s with bands like 'Yes', 'King Crimson', 'PinkFloyd' or even 'Genesis'.

To begin with, the eponymous track of the album starts in a psychedelic atmosphere of the 70s reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest' for the melodic side and 'Yes' for the progressive aspect, then 'The Same Old Rock (One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy)' takes us on a track that alternates in a beautiful way partly calm and others more energetic and whose rhythm section reminds me of certain dynamics of 'Jethro Tull' and as for the following track 'The Magpie', we are also in a catchy atmosphere of progressive from the 70s. The short title 'Delusion (The Reign of Humbug)' constitutes a relaxing acoustic break just like 'A Little Light' and 'The Dowser' which are judiciously placed and allow ventilation to the whole. With 'Dreams of Fancy', we are fully in a refined and imaginative progressive with changes of intensity, the few guitar riffs and the instrumental arrangements being quite typical of the 70s and 'Like Chrome' sends us back to a mix between the last period of the 'Beatles' and certain tones of the beginning of 'Black Sabbath'. But the centerpiece of the album is undoubtedly the long 'NOX' development which, for any lover of great progressive developments worth on its own the purchase of this album (given the long duration of the album, I advise you to listen to it alone) : 'Circles Around the Sun, Pt. 1' opens the ball in a 'Floydian' psychedelic atmosphere with a slow crescendo rocked by a hypnotic and disturbing melody a bit like 'King Crimson' at the beginning of the 70s and with a grandiose finale, the violin which accentuates the scary side by imitating frightening cries, then, 'Ouroboros', with its repetitive rhythm section, allows to highlight the electric guitar close to what can do 'Carlos Santana' in the first part of the title and which continues in the second part with a crescendo which abruptly calms down for a part with jazzy sounds until the end again in crescendo and which brings a break with the following title 'Ascension ’, in a calm and serene psychedelic for a welcome break. We then approach the 15 minutes of 'Night of Pan' which takes up the melodic theme of the first title in certain places and which offers a 'Floydian' fresco obviously recalling the atmosphere of 'Ummagumma' and the albums which followed and which prepares the final of 'NOX' by the second part of 'Circles Around the Sun', in the same melodic theme as the first with an unbridled rhythm section and striking choruses to reach a brilliant final , stunning and grandiose.

In summary, this latest album from the Norwegians of 'Motorpsycho' is tailor-made for an audience that grew up with the beginning of psychedelic and progressive music and incorporates all the ingredients that make it a remarkable opus of this style but that you obviously have to take the time to tame as you listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Magnus Ryan (Guitar, Vocal, Piano), Tomas Järmyr (Drums, Percussions, Mellotron), Bent Sæther (Bass, Vocal, Guitar, Mellotron) + Guests : Reine Fiske (Guitar, Mellotron), Lars Horntveth (Guitar, Clarinette, Saxophone), Ola Kvernberg (Violin)


Artist : Barclay James Harvest

Album : Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories

Release Date : 27-08-2020

Added : 18-10-2020

No, I won't present you a new album of 'BJH' ('Barclay James Harvest') because as any fan of the band knows, the split between 'John Lees' and 'Les Holroyd' dates after the release of the last album 'River of Dreams' in 1997 which did not hit the headlines at the time but which was for me a good album of 'BJH'. Actually, I'm writing this review because it just released the remastered album of 'Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories' which is the second opus of 'BJH' from 1971 and in addition of the remastered version, offers us 22 other titles either already known or unreleased which for any fan of 'BJH' is a very nice surprise.

For my part, I am discovering tracks that I did not know in the career of 'Barclay James Harvest' : for example, 'Brave New World', which was sung in the late 90s by 'John Lees' appears in demo recorded by the Englishman in 1971 and is well in the vein of what 'BJH' was doing at the beginning as this new version of 'She Said' which shows the progressive side of the group from its beginnings or even 'Song With No Meaning' emerged from who knows where. Also note 'Hymn to a White Lady' which is none other than the title 'Hymn' released in 'Gone to Hearth' from 1977 and which has been written finally several years before. Although the majority of the added titles are known (there are 4 different versions of 'Someone There You Know' and the same number of 'Medicine Man'), all these versions are a gold mine for fans of 'BJH', and, for my part, the 'Medicine Man' version of the 'Bob Harris Show' from 1972 is a real progressive gem (dare you say after that 'BJH' never made a progressive) or the extended version of 'Blue John's Blues' still gives me as much pleasure as the first listening some 40 years ago as well as the continuation of the two magical symphonic titles of 'The Poet' and 'After the Day'.

In short, as you will understand, this release of the remastered album of 'Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories' is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the beginning of the English discography by listening to all these legendaries songs that have worn out an impressive number of sapphires or diamonds on their vinyl platinum in quite a few sixty-year-olds...

Line Up / Musicians

John Lees (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar, Percussions), Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme (Vocal, Mellotron, Choirs, Organ, Piano, Guitar), Les Holroyd (Vocal, Coeurs, Bass, Piano, Guitar), Mel Pritchard (Drums, Percussions, Congas, Timpani) + Guests : Martyn Ford (Chef d'orchestre)


Artist : Tony Mitchell

Album : Church of a Restless Soul

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 19-10-2020

'Tony Mitchell' has been touring for quite a few years with key artists from the rock scene, such as 'Rick Wakeman', 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Alice Cooper' or even 'Jon Anderson' but he has also participated in several projects including 'Kiss Of The Gypsy' in the 90s. After a very good 'Beggard Old' in 2018, 2020 sees the release of a new opus 'Church of a Restless Soul', in which he offers us 13 melodic compositions at will for a little over an hour of music, with a nice range of guests from the melodic rock or hard-rock scene (see list below) but also a choir gospel which brings a beautiful originality to the album.

And it is precisely the eponymous title of the album which opens the debates with a blessed energy brought by the gospel choirs of 'The Rogues Gallery Rock Choir' and which replaces all the antidepressants in the world, because once a few listenings of this track, we pumped-up to calmly face any problem then, without transition, 'Living on the Run' continues in this royal melodic path in an atmosphere reminding me of 'Bruce Springsteen' in more energetic. With 'In & out of love', it's a mid-tempo with a marked rhythm and a heavy sound which is good and which brings us back to the 80s with groups like 'Saxon' or 'AC / DC', then , 'The Mighly Fall', sung by 'Danny Vaughn' of the group 'Tyketto' still has an air of 'Bruce Springsteen' in the melodic lines that encrust right into your head and driving it to 'Electric' which sends us some good hard rock with a rhythm section that automatically turns on the foot tapping machine. After these 5 tracks all as good as the others, 'I Believe in Angels' offers a well-deserved first break with a magnificent ballad that I added in my Spotify playlist of ‘Ballades rock/hard-rock/métal’, then it's off again with an explosive 'Killing Me to Love You' which is still an addictive melodic bomb, followed by a quieter 'Never Wanted Love' in a melancholy melodic AOR and the continuation does not weaken with 'One Good Reason' and its muscular guitar riffs, a new ballad, 'Sacrifice', whose melody does not leave you any more with the choirs which give you an irresistible desire to accompany them. We are already at 50 minutes without any downtime and it is again with three melodic jewels that the album ends with first an energetic 'Shattered Dreams' with a new addictive chorus, then a stirring 'Evil Woman' with its jerky rhythm and finally the mid-tempo 'Heaven Is Calling' of an impressive firepower setting the headbanging machine one last time working.

In summary, 'Tony Mitchell' releases one of the best melodic rock/hard-rock albums of the year 2020, without any downtime, with melodies that you can immediately appropriate and with a modern sound and powerful which should appeal to a whole audience loving energetic atmospheres and accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Danny Vaughn (Vocal), Tim Manford (Guitar), Neil Ogden (Drums), Paul Hume (Guitar), Nigel Bailey (Bass), The Rogues Gallery Rock Choir (Choirs), Shawn Charvette (Keybords), Josh Tabbie Williams (Bass)


Artist : Dreams of Avalon

Album : Beyond the Dream

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 20-10-2020

At the moment, we are spoiled with the releases of melodic had-rock albums and after the Swedish debut album of 'Arctic Rain' and the magnificent album of 'Tony Mitchell', it's the turn of a new Swedish band 'Dreams of Avalon' (and yes, another one), created by multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer 'Joakim Nordlund' (who was behind the formation 'Astral Doors' whose last album 'Worship or Die' dates of 2019), to point the tip of his nose with a first album 'Beyond the Dream'. Big lovers of melodic hard rock from the 80s, Joachim has concocted 11 melodic jewels that are immediately tamed.

We are therefore embarked on what melodic hard-rock has produced of the best, and this from the first track 'Young Wild Hearts' which offers us a memorable first chorus, then the compositions parade one after the other with the same melodic efficiency in the movement of groups like 'Survivor' or 'Journey' and are shared between energetic rock with for example 'Shining Light' or 'Into The Night' or even 'To Paris and Back' and AOR with for example the magnificent 'Under the Gun' or 'Bleed for Me' or even 'Somewhere Tonight', my only regret is to not having added one or two ballads which would have bring some diversity to the whole.

In summary, even if they will not revolutionize the genre, it is still a very good album that 'Dreams of Avalon' offers us and 'Beyond The Dream' is to be consumed without moderation and should please everyone a fan of classic 80s melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Joachim Nordlund (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Sven $ Danielsson (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Joakim “Mohican Joe” Roberg (Keybords), The Norton Brothers (Choirs, Screams)


Artist : John Petrucci

Album : Terminal Velocity

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 21-10-2020

The three friends 'John Petrucci' ('Dream Theater'), 'Mike Portnoy' and 'Dave Larue' (both 'Flying Colors' among others) had a little pleasure by releasing this remarkable album which necessarily also pleases all the fans of these artists who have made, thanks to their talent, a world fame and I have to say that the content of 'Terminal Velocity' offers us magnificent instrumentals but how would it be otherwise with this trio and we feel throughout the opus this complicity at every second which releases a positive energy which does good and which gives you back the tone that you would have lost in this completely hallucinating period that we are living, devoid of any human common sense.

From the first eponymous track on the album, we immediately feel a joyful atmosphere in a living music that comes from the guts and we are caught by so much generosity with an osmosis between the three artists. 'The Oddfather' which follows continues on this all traced path with a few strong guitar notes that drop you on a small cloud, then 'Happy Song' is well in phase with its title and continues in this exhilarating communion with a simple but effective melody before attacking 'Gemini', much more progressive in the approach with its alternations between calm and energy, the acoustic part in the middle of the title being a real treat. And when the intensity decreases, the trio offers us a blues with 'Out Of The Blue' which for those who have known 'Santana' concerts in the 70s and a certain 'Europa' certainly raises their emotional cursor. The sequel features an energetic 'Glassy-Eyed Zombies' reverting to imaginative progressive metal (John's talent as a composer for 'Dream Theater' is no longer to do with for example his collaboration with 'Jordan Rudess' in the colossal 'The Astonishing'), then 'The Way Things Fall', over 7 minutes, deliciously mixes a classic and heady melody of international variety with a much more progressive second part and with, in some places, jazzy intonations, the album ending with, first of all, the very 'Queenest' 'Snake In My Boot' (it's crazy, I see images pass in front of my eyes of 'Freddy Mercury' putting his voice on the unbridled rhythm), then 'Temple of Ciradia' which this time is eyeing on 'DreamTheater'.

In summary, I would simply say that when dealing with artists of this talent, the technique is completely masked by the generous interpretation coming from the depths of each artist and this 'Terminal Velocity', beyond fans of the trio, should please to a fairly large audience loving albums that highlight talented instrumentalists, because they are often, in current music, reduced to a few episodic demonstrations...

Line Up / Musicians

John Petrucci (Guitar), Dave Larue (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums)


Artist : Code 18

Album : Human Error!

Release Date : 01-09-2020

Added : 22-10-2020

'Code 18' is a project that was created by three Quebecois, 'Johnny Maz', 'JF Rémillard' and 'Bonz' in 2010 and it is only 10 long years after their first album 'Human Error!' see the day. They offer us an imaginative progressive rock a bit like their compatriots from 'Mystery' (moreover 'Michel St-Père' is invited for the occasion for a guitar solo in 'Drought') or even 'Huis' in the form of an opus of 10 titles including 6 between 5 and 14 minutes and 4 small instrumental interlude judiciously placed throughout the album.

The album begins with 'Crystal of Time' with a first glimpse of the relaxed atmosphere which leaves a good place for the instrumental parts with a masterful first guitar solo and an alternation between calm sections and others more energetic recalling certain albums of 'Arena' , then 'Underlude I' is the first interlude in a peaceful and relaxing atmospheric style. It is with 'Waste' that we hold the longest development of the album with a typical title of an imaginative progressive rock in which we like to get lost in the different parts which follow one another in changes of rhythm and d 'intensity and which has a magnificent final which can only recall the last album of 'Mystery', then, it is again an interlude 'Underlude II' in an electronic atmosphere of keyboards close to 'Jean-Michel Jarre' before attacking 'They Took It All' which begins in an tension atmosphere close to 'The Wall' and which highlights long, energetic and unbridled instrumental sections with sumptuous guitar and keyboard solos. After a new short instrumental comma 'The March', this time in a more disturbing atmosphere, the fiery 'River of Blood' unrolls an energetic rhythm that borders on a progressive hard-rock which also shows a talent of this formation for more energetic titles, then 'Drought' returns to a calmer progressive rock with a first part offering a melody that is embedded directly in your head then a second more sought after instrumental part with jazz/rock influences and finally a magnificent finale embellished by a sumptuous guitar solo of 'Michel St-Père' giving you goosebumps and that we would like it never to stop like a certain 'Comfortably Numb' (I regret this fade out at the end of the title because it would have deserved a real ending). It is with a church organ that the last interlude 'Underlude III' begins majestically, then offering us an instrumental with a remarkable rhythmic section imprinting the frequent changes of tempos, then the album ends with my crush of the album, a real melodic jewel highlighting the beautiful singing of 'Rachelle Behrens' in an atmosphere close to formations like 'Mostly Autumn' and including beautiful instrumental parts with from first, a magnificent acoustic guitar solo and then a magnificent instrumental crescendo in the vein of 'Mystery'.

In summary, the Quebecers of 'Code 18' offers us an excellent first progressive album which cast a wide net and therefore ultimately turns out to be of great variety which necessarily requires several listenings to tame it well which will probably make of 'Human Error!' an opus that should appeal to a progressive audience who likes to mix quiet atmospheres but also more muscular sections...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Maz (Keybords), JF Rémillard (Guitar), Bönz (Bass, Vocal) + Guests : Sonny Tremblay (Drums), Dan Lacasse (Drums), Donald Prince (Bass), Michel St-Père (Guitar), Rachelle Behrens (Vocal), Rachelle Behrens (Vocal)


Artist : The Pineapple Thief

Album : Versions of the Truth

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 23-10-2020

After 'Dissolution' in 2018, the English of 'Pineapple Thief' are releasing their 14th studio album 'Versions of the Truth'. They continue in the momentum of their precedent to distill a melodic and refined progressive rock that one assimilates quite easily, favoring more and more shorter titles, unlike some formations of this style, not exceeding 5 minutes with generally only one long development per album ('Dissolution' contained 'White Mist' of 11 minutes and for this new opus, the longest track is 7 minutes).

The eponymous track of the album begins in a resolutely modern progressive reminiscent of the stylistic evolutions of certain titles of 'Steven Wilson' with remarkable arrangements at the level of the rhythm section (it is certain, 'Gavin Harrison' brings a real plus in this kind of compositions) and beautiful alternations of intensity which makes this title with a rather linear melody a nice introduction. 'Break It All', with an introduction that augurs a heavier atmosphere, also brings more tranquil sections, the repetitive tempo and the few oriental-looking notes being quickly addicting, then, 'Demons', a little on the same construction rhythmic, offers us a simple melody that we immediately appropriate. With 'Driving Like Maniacs', we are embarked on a much more intimate track with a song filled with the sensitivity of 'Bruce Soord' and very beautiful vocal harmonies, and 'Leave Me Be' accelerates the tempo for a new heady melody, then 'Too Many Voices' returns to a stripped down atmosphere which unfolds a beautiful and slow melody. Then come the 7 minutes of 'Our Mire', a catchy track which is still in the style of 'Steven Wilson' with its stripped-down sections adjoining more energetic parts, then, we continue in this alternation of one title in two quieter with 'Out o Line' filled with a pleasant melancholy still highlighting an imaginative rhythm section and the short 'Stop Making Sense' continues in a cozy atmosphere brought by the sounds of xylophone, the album ending with a moving 'The Game' with a deep bass that accompanies us in a very beautiful heady and haunting melody. /br>
In summary, the English of 'The Pineapple Thief' offer us a quality album confirming the direction taken in previous opus, with a calm and refined modern progressive much more pop than rock and with 'Gavin Harrison' who has knew how to find a place of choice by bringing a remarkable rhythm section accompanying wonderfully the expressive vocals of 'Bruce Soord' which destines 'Versions of the Truth' to an audience loving a progressive filled with sensitivity in a resolutely modern style reminding people of many times to 'Steven Wilson'...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Soord (Vocal, Guitar), Steve Kitch (Keybords), Jon Sykes (Bass), Gavin Harrison (Drums, Percussions, Marimba)


Artist : Lee Abraham

Album : Harmony / Synchronicity

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 24-10-2020

Just a year ago, 'Lee Abraham' offered us 'Comatose' which had been a very good surprise 2019 for any amateur of progressive rock and 2020 therefore sees the release of his 9th studio recording 'Harmony/Synchronicity' which was composed during the confinement period and which deals, among other things, with the fearful reaction of the media and public opinion to the pandemic. And despite this particular period, with the help of his drummer friend 'Gerald Mulligan', he also asked 6 vocalists from the progressive sphere to pose their voices on 6 of the 7 tracks of this opus, the 7th being an instrumental track. So, we find artists who had already accompanied him on previous albums like 'Simon Godfrey' and 'Mark Spencer' but also 'Marc Atkinson' from the 'Riversea' group and 'Moon Hallo', 'Stuart Nicholson' from the 'Galahad' and 'Peter Jones' from the group 'Tiger Moth Tales' who also participated in the project 'Barock Project'.

'The World is Falling Down' starts the album in a muscular way with a hard-rock atmosphere close to 'Huriah Heep' and with a melodic chorus at the opposite of the energy of the title, then 'Stay' which follows, shows another face, much calmer in a pop style. With 'Hearing The Call', we are fully in progressive rock close to formations like 'Arena' or 'Marillion' or 'Knight Area' with very accessible melodic lines and an instrumental section worthy of the name in the middle of the title punctuated by a remarkable guitar solo, the final being very beautiful, then, 'Misguided Pt 2' whose first part was part of the album 'Distant Days' from 2018, is an instrumental cut in three parts, first of all a muscular section with incisive riffs then a second in an aerial 'Floydian' style and which ends as it began. The album continues with 'Never Say Never' with the soft voice of 'Marc Atkinson' accompanying beautiful melodic lines in a light atmosphere and a fairly classic construction moving away from the progressive, then, the ballad 'Rise Again' reminds me of the ambiance of 'Dream On' by 'Aerosmith' with a heady melody and again the vocals of 'Marc Atkinson' which wonderfully accompanying this type of composition, the album ending with the eponymous track 'Harmony / Synchronicity' in a classic melodic rock style embellished with backing vocals and a beautiful guitar solo.

In summary, the Englishman 'Lee Abraham' offers us a varied album mixing different styles and atmospheres while remaining very pleasant to listen to from beginning to end thanks in particular to many guest singers but also thanks to beautiful melodic lines immediately accessible and 'Harmony / Synchronicity' is recommended for an audience loving diversity in rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Abraham (Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Gerald Mulligan (Drums) + Guests : Marc Atkinson (Vocal, Choirs), Simon Godfrey (Vocal, Choirs), Mark Spencer (Vocal, Choirs), Stuart Nicholson (Vocal, Choirs), Peter Jones (Vocal)


Artist : Perfect Plan

Album : Time for a Miracle

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 26-10-2020

And it's back again to the Nordic countries with Sweden again on the front of the stage with the last album 'Time for a Miracle' from 'Perfect Plan', their last studio recording 'All Rise' dating from 2018 and in the meantime they managed to release an EP of smelling covers the 80s 'Jukebox Heroes'. No need to write a long review, everything is still there to have a good time listening to this latest Swedish baby with catchy titles and heady choruses like 'Better Walk Alone' or 'Heart To Stone' or 'Every Time We Cry' or even 'Dont Blame It On Love Again', addictive mid-tempos like 'Time for a Miracle' or 'Just One Wish' or even 'Give a Little Lovin' and above all beautiful ballads that I took eager to put in my playlist of rock/metal ballads here with 'Fighting to Win' and 'Don' t Leave Me Here Alone'.

In summary, as you have understand, the Swedes of 'Perfect Plan' continue their little path by offering us melodic rock/hard-rock albums that are to be enjoyed without moderation from the first to the last track and confirm that they are part of the major formations in this style of music accessible to the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Kent Hilli (Vocal), Leif Ehlin (Keybords), Mats Byström (Bass), Rolf Nordström (Guitar), Fredrik Forsberg (Drums)


Artist : Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly

Album : Alone Together

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 28-10-2020

It is not for a melodic rock album that we are heading to Sweden but for old-fashioned progressive rock with the latest album 'Alone Together' from the project 'Gungfly' by 'Rikard Sjöblom' who is in his 6th studio recording and who is also the keyboardist of 'Big Big Train'. Rikard is used to offering us well-supplied opuses and this is still the case with his last baby which includes in the version with bonuses an hour of music with three long progressive developments.

The 13 minutes of 'Traveler' welcomes us with sounds from the beginning of the progressive in a light and lively atmosphere with beautiful vocal harmonies which alternate with more energetic parts and offering instrumental passages in which the sections of vintage keyboards and the guitar solos are remarkable. As its name suggests' Happy Somewhere In Between 'is a joyful composition which can recall certain compositions of 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', the keyboards being at the party, then 'Clean as a Whistle', after an acoustic introduction takes us with references from the beginning of the 70s with sounds like 'Genesis' just like 'Alone Together' which continues in this atmosphere of the beginning of the progressive with first, changes of intensity and tempos and then instrumental parts in which keyboards and guitar return the ball and with a much more melodic final with a crescendo which falls back with piano chords taking up the general musical theme. Follows the short 'From Afar' which serves as an acoustic break before starting the flagship title of the album which, with its 14 minutes, embarks us on a progressive saga that mixes several styles starting with a fairly classic sung part and which continues with several sections, highlighting successively, a melancholy piano on a quiet melody sung remarkably by Rikard, then an unbridled instrumental part with keyboards from another era and admirable sound disgressions, the title ending in crescendo with a melody heady and a masterful guitar solo. The bonus version offers us two instrumentals, first of all 'Grove Toughts' in a disturbing jazz / rock atmosphere which ends in fantastic film sound effects and finally 'Shoulder Variation' which is somewhat reminiscent of the atmospheres of the beginning of 'Focus'.

In summary, it is still a return to the source of the progressive that offers us 'Rikard Sjöblom' with this new album of quality which is tamed, listening after listening and which therefore should appeal to a public loving to take time to appropriate a new album...

Line Up / Musicians

Rikard Sjöblom (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Rasmus Diamant (Bass), Petter Diamant (Drums)


Artist : ESP Project

Album : Phenomena

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 30-10-2020

While the remastered album 'Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories' from 1971 has just released, I discovered the project 'ESP Project' created by multi-instrumentalist 'Tony Lowe' in 2015 and if I'm talking about 'BJH', it's good because Tony's atmospheres are very close to those of the English to which he adds elements of progressive drawn from the 70s. All of his discography around the ESP project already has 4 albums with first of all 'Invisible Din' in 2016, '22 Layers Of Sunlight' in 2018 (under the ESP 2.0 project name), 'Three' of January 2019, 'The Rising' of October 2019, that is to say the production of the last 2 years because it is the turn of 'Phenomena' to see the light in 2020.

From the start, with 'First Flight', I found myself in well-known sounds because the first part takes us into a refined and quiet atmosphere of the 70s with of course this obvious parallel with 'BJH', then, the second part is much more progressive and attacks shores close to what the 'Floyds' could do in the late 60s. With 'Before Saturn Turned Away', the sweet melody rocks us in the first part and the central part atmospheric continues in this progressive rock à la 'BJH' with a memorable final melody in a slow tempo, then, 'Telethesia' is slightly more energetic while keeping a heady melodic frame while keeping in the middle of the title sound disgressions with among others , an imposing Church organ and a beautiful keyboard solo. Follows 'Fear Of Flying' with variations in tempos and certainly the most catchy track and also contains in the second part of the track a remarkable instrumental section preparing a magnificent final with yet another addictive melody then 'Living In The Sunrise' begins in an atmospheric way but is ultimately the track that releases the most a sense of urgency with its fast rhythm until a much quieter finale returning to a captivating melody. With 'Sleeping Giants', the quiet strength of the first part of this title is reminiscent of a mix between 'Sorrow' than the 'Gilmour' period of 'Pink Floyds' and lines melodic close to 'BJH' and the second part is much lighter a bit like a 'Alan Parsons', then the album ends with the 9 minutes of 'Seven Billion Tiny Sparks' which highlights the progressive side and sums up the album well with everything we could find there : beautiful melodic lines and remarkable imaginative and refined sections. In general, if we do not pay attention, the titles are quite long, between 6 and 9 minutes but this does not harm in any case because there is no weariness in listening to these timeless melodies because each has its very imaginative instrumental section, often several captivating melodies with always remarkable vocal performances of the excellent 'Damien Child' whose interpretation is always very right and in perfect harmony with the atmospheres of the compositions.

In summary, 'Tony Lowe' with his project 'ESP Project' releases a very pleasant album to listen to and which takes us back to a calm and refined progressive with influences from the beginning of this style of music and melodic lines close to ' Barclay James Harvest 'which destines' Phenomena' to an audience who loves melodies filled with serenity which allow to decompress after a grueling day...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Lowe (Tous les instruments) + Guests : Damien Child (Vocal), Alison Fleming (Vocal)


Artist : Landfall

Album : The Turning Point

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 31-10-2020

It is quite rare to have a south American formation in melodic hard-rock, the groups coming more often from Europe and more particularly from the Nordic countries but, with the help of 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' and the 'Frontiers' Italian label which make us discover them, 'Landfall' is indeed a Brazilian formation. If we look at the pedigree of our 4 artists, the singer 'Gui Oliver' was part of the melodic hard rock band 'Auras' which released only one album 'New Generation' in 2010 and the instrumentalists have all been part of the group 'Wild Child' with 3 albums between 2012 and 2017. With this route, we are therefore not surprised that 'The Turning Point' is an album of quality which makes follow one another melodic hits which have nothing to envy the best formations of the style.

And from the start, 'Rush Hours' is a potential hit filled with good communicative energy that recalls the best of the 70s/80s with 'Gui Oliver' who, as we use to say say in French, wets his shirt, then 'No Way Out', slower and more AOR, is nonetheless melodic with its heady chorus. We can also cite in the same style titles like 'Across The Street', 'Taxi Driver' or 'Sound of the City' but also mid-tempos with 'Jane's Carousel' alternating calm verses with a more energetic chorus or even the AORs 'Distant Love', 'Roundabout' and 'Road of Dreams' with new choruses that immediately become embedded in your head. And, of course, the power ballads are not forgotten with 'Don't Come Easy' and the magnificent 'Hope Hill' with for the latter melodic lines influenced by gospel.

In summary, the Brazilians of 'Landfall' have nothing to envy with this first album with major melodic hard-rock formations and 'The Turning Point' is added to the very good album releases of this 2020 style...

Line Up / Musicians

Gui Oliver (Vocal), Marcelo Gelbcke (Guitar), Thiago Forbeci (Bass), Felipe Souzza (Drums)


Artist : Simon Collins

Album : Becoming Human

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 01-11-2020

If I say the name 'Collins' to anyone in their 60s who went through the progressive rock era of the 70s to 90s, I guess the memories crop up with the legendary 'Genesis' albums and then Phil's solo career and in the family 'Collins', I would like the son 'Simon'. I have ! with his 4th solo album 'Becoming Human' which has just been released, the last opus already dating from 2008 because in the meantime there was the project 'Sound of Contact' which he shared with the talented 'Dave Kerzner' with the magnificent album 'Dimensionaut' from 2013. Of course, 'Simon Collins' fell into music when he was a child and the genes are present because he provides vocals as well as the rhythm section (I'm sure you'll recognize these distinctive drum sounds !). In a modern pop/rock style bathed in progressive, he incorporates in the majority of these titles electronic components what sets him apart and allowed him to create his own musical identity.

The album begins with 'Into The Fray' and its futuristic crescendo introduction that gives way to 'Becoming Human' with an electronic rhythm section in mid-tempo and a heady first melody, the recording being of a high quality, then 'The Universe Inside of Me' mixes modern rhythm box and classic construction which in no way detracts from the atmosphere of this title because the electronic side brings a touch of modernity without ever taking the upper hand over the progressive pop side. With 'Man Made Man', Simon continues to bring together melodic influences of classic pop / rock with electro effects, then the mid-tempo 'This is the Time' continues in this meeting of two eras which can make one think of certain new ones. directions from 'Steven Wilson' with his friend 'Tim Bownes' and their project 'No-Man and 'Thoughts Become Matter' highlights the rhythm section which has nothing to envy to his father with another chorus which is very 'Wilsonian'. The second part of the album features a magnificent 'I Will Be Waiting' whose first part can only recall the moods of 'Phil Collins' in his solo period (the apple does not fall far from the tree) and which then alternates between strong and calmer moments with yet another remarkable performance on drums, 'No Love' which is much more classic and takes us back to the 80s with bands like 'Depeche Mode', just like the following track 'Living In Silence' in a slower tempo with a new chorus that we immediately appropriate, then the calm '40 Years 'reminds me of the melodic lines of the old formation of 'Ian Jones' 'Karnataka ' and the pop 'So Real' which follows, has a more classic verse/chorus construction, more happening everywhere, while keeping an endearing melodic frame. And it is with the 9 minutes of 'Deads End' that the album ends, with certainly the most progressive title which, after an atmospheric introduction, offers us a slow crescendo with, first of all a few piano notes and a whispered song, then which takes off after three minutes and which then alternates beautiful breaks between powerful parts and others much calmer.

In summary, 'Simon Collins' offers us a magnificent album which admirably marries the influences inherited (in the genetic sense of the term) from the 70s/80s and the modernist of the sounds of our time, a bit as 'Steven Wilson' uses to do, which destines 'Becoming Human' to an audience loving progressive pop with accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Collins (Vocal, Keybords, Drums), Robbie Bronnimann (Keybords), Robin Boult (Guitar), Kelly Avril Nordstrom (Guitar), Gaz Williams (Bass)


Artist : Epica

Album : The Quantum Enigma (B-Sides)

Release Date : 11-09-2020

Added : 02-11-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

While waiting for the next album due out in early 2021, 'Epica' released in early September a sequel to 'The Quantum Enigma' which dates from 2014, their last album 'The Hollographic Principle' is already 4 years old. This 44-minute album (not bad for an album that must make fans wait until the next one !) is divided into two parts, first of all unreleased tracks that have not found their place in 'The Quantum Enigma' (and yet, they all had their place) and then acoustic covers of 2 compositions from this album and 2 other tracks from the original opus which means that if we count the 6 tracks that were on the EP 'The Solace System' in 2017 plus various other releases 'Epica vs. Attack on Titan Songs' from 2018 and the symphonic album 'The Score 2.0: An Epic Journey' from 2017 and the deluxe version of 'Design Your Universe' to celebrate the 10 years of the original album, Dutch fans have not been forgotten since 2014.
'Memento' opens the album in a grand style that we are used to hearing with 'Epica', the vocals and the sound power being impressive, the melodic lines always being very accessible with that little oriental side and the vocal duo 'Simone Simons' / 'Mark Jansen' being always as enjoyable between beauty and the beast, then the mid-tempo 'In All Consience' continues in this powerful symphonic metal with a new heady melody which is closer to the style 'Epica' from the late 2000s immortalized in the beautiful 'Retrospect', certainly a of my favorite live shows from the 2010s in this style. With 'Dreamscape', we have the break power ballad just well placed between two powerful titles with the joy of listening to the ever so harmonious singing of 'Simone Simons' with choirs which overlap remarkably causing the characteristic little thrill in the passages powerful, then the very good 'Banish Your Illusion' with its oriental intonations is taken from the original album which is available on Spotify and the electric part ends with 'Mirage of Verity', completely original, offering us a first part powerful with an unstoppable melody which never leaves you then, a very beautiful symphonic break which prepares a majestic and imposing finale. As for the acoustic part, it takes the ballad 'Canvas of Life' already known then the two new titles 'In All Consience' and 'Dreamscape', which allow to have much peaceful versions of the originals, far from the power metal, and finally 'Natural Corruption' which with its accompaniment on the accordion and with a remarkable vocal performance of 'Simone Simons' is a real happiness.

In summary, even if this album only includes 4 new unreleased tracks, the Dutch of 'Epica' offer us the length of a standard album with a lot of other groups and this' B-Sides' completes the 'The Quantum Enigma' album in a very nice way with titles that would have largely had their place in the original version...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons (Vocal), Isaac Delahaye (Guitar), Mark Jansen (Guitar, Growls), Coen Janssen (Keybords), Ariën van Weesenbeek (Drums), Rob van der Loo (Bass)


Artist : Neal Morse

Album : Sola Gratia

Release Date : 11-09-2020

Added : 03-11-2020






Decidedly, the three Morse/Portnoy/George friends are inseparable because after the cover album 'Cov3r To Cov3r', they are also part of the adventure of the last solo album of 'Neal Morse', 'Sola Gratia' which continues to tell us stories of religions, and after 'Sola Scriptura' in 2007 which referred to 'Martin Luther', at the origin of Protestantism, it is the turn of the apostle Saint Paul to be the subject of this last opus. After his magnificent rock opera 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' in 2019, he succeeded a year later, in addition to all his parallel projects including 'Flying Colors' (a new live has been issued) to bring out a new gem of a well-filled progressive since the listener has at his disposal 65 minutes divided into 14 original titles with multiple influences as he is used to and it is not with this new opus that we'll can say the opposite.

Indeed, from the first titles, we go from a short acoustic guitar/voice introduction ('Preface') to the symphonic instrumental 'Overture' with first, an energetic first part, then a second, quieter, in a 'Floydian' style which precedes, without transition, 'In the Name of The Lord', which, after a light introduction explodes in a sound surge with a catchy rhythm and with a melody with imposing choirs and an original finale with a choir bringing a jazzy instrumental section and, 'Ballyhoo (The Chosen Ones)' takes over and offers us an addictive melody that we want to resume in chorus and which continues with the instrumental 'March of teh Pharisees' with a bassline of 'Randy George' which renders very well the image of a march, this first part without any cuts ending with the rhythmic 'Building a Wall' in a muscular style with its expressive choir. What follows continues in this diversity of style with first of all the instrumental interlude 'Sola Intermezzo', quite speed, which suddenly gives way to the ballad 'Overflow' in a magnificent piano/voice duo which continues with the accompaniment of electric instruments and a very beautiful instrumental passage filled with sweetness. With 'Warmer Than The Sunshine' we continue in early progressive influences reminding me of the atmosphere of albums like 'Trilogy' by Emerson Lake & Palmer ', then, 'Never Change' returns to an atmospheric 'Floydian' style (with inevitably the magical 'Gilmourian' solo) reminiscent of titles like 'Us and Them' and unfolds a magnificent melody filled with a beautiful sensitivity which makes it one of the highlights of the album, just like the following track, 'Seemingly Sincere', which is still a masterful composition with its genius urgency character which necessarily makes one think to 'Roger Waters' style but which also brings a feeling of quiet strength in certain parts as to let all the accumulated tension fall and whose instrumental part in the second part of the title shows a sought-after progressive with this osmosis between 'Neal Morse' and the rhythm section consisting of 'Randy George' and 'Mike Portnoy'. Follows 'The Light on the Road to Damascus' which, after a slight sung first part, continues in an epic atmosphere resembling the great musical production of 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist', then, 'The Glory of the Lord' takes us into a symphonic fresco in the form of a melancholy ballad with very beautiful choirs and a very beautiful guitar solo from 'Eric Gillette', the album ends with another ballad 'Now I Can See / The Great Commission ', just as remarkable and which rises in crescendo with a melody that never leaves you with beautiful choirs very appropriate for this kind of theme and which falls back into a much more intimate final, the piano closing the story with some moving notes.

In summary, we will have been spoiled this year in progressive music release because it is yet another sumptuous album that 'Neal Morse' offers us with his fellow travelers and, if you liked 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' , you should undoubtedly adhere to 'Sola Gratia' which is to be tamed little by little and which contains, as often in this case, a patchwork of influences which makes it an album of great variety...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Randy George (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums) + Guests : Bill Hubauer (Keybords), Eric Gillette (Guitar), Gideon Klein (Cordes)


Artist : Winter's Verge

Album : The Ballad of James Tig

Release Date : 11-09-2020

Added : 04-11-2020

Cypriots of 'Winter's Verge', created in 2003, are already releasing their 7th studio album and, on Spotify, only 'Tales of Tragedy' from 2010 and 'Beyond Vengeance' from 2012 are present. Tagged in Power metal, we cannot strictly limit them to this style because they bring symphonic components with, of course, very accessible melodies which distinguish them from formations of this style because they borrow as much from groups like 'Rhapsody Of Fire ' or 'Gloryhammer ' than to more symphonic artists like 'Visions of Atlantic ' or 'Serenity' or even to other formations like the Germans of 'Lord Of The Lost' or like the Russians from 'Imperial Age'.

Of course, in this style of music, the epic side is always very present with a story which is, either taken from legends or simply from the imagination of each formation and in this case, the Cypriots of 'Winter's Verge' continue to bring us tales of their mythological kingdom of 'Tiberon' and this time they tell us the story of 'James Tig' who lost his family at sea when he was young and who dreams of refinding, to take revenge, a sea monster named 'Killagorak' who would be responsible for the death of his entire family. So we embark on this adventure starting with the mid-tempo 'It Begins' which unrolls a memorable first melody with a beautiful vocal performance of 'George Charalambous' who goes from a deep voice to a much higher register in the more energetic parts, then, 'A Thousand Souls' is very catchy with an impetuous rhythm section in an epic atmosphere supported by a new melody that we immediately appropriate and 'Dead Reckoning' brings a marked symphonic side with beautiful vocal harmonies and remarkable alternations between powerful parts and others much quieter. With 'Timeless', the guest singer 'Teodora Stoyanova Freya' brings a feminine sweetness that goes perfectly with this magnificent ballad, then the short 'Killagorak', placed right in the middle of the album, prepares in a grandiose atmosphere filled with admirable choirs the rest of the story with first of all 'I Accept' which is an energetic symphonic composition with a beautiful central part, very calm breaking with the rest, then 'Blood on the Foam' continues in this powerful symphonic atmosphere, interspersed with a nice acoustic break and with a marked mid-tempo and a deep bass which adds fullness to this track. As for 'The Sea', it is undoubtedly the masterpiece of the album which mixes power, symphonic and progressive in 8 dense minutes in which 'George Charalambous' and 'Teodora Stoyanova Freya' with a lyrical register form a magnificent vocal duet (it is a very good idea to have integrated a female voice in this musical type) and which offers us a new heady melody that never leaves you and an alternation between power and serenity, the story ending in a quiet atmosphere with the eponymous title of the opus, a last beautiful ballad with folk accents brought by a violin.

In summary, this latest Cypriot album from 'Winter's Verge' is a great success and goes well beyond a simple power metal album, which should destine 'The Ballad of James Tig' to a public large enough for lovers of metal whether melodic, power or symphonic...

Line Up / Musicians

George Charalambous (Vocal), Deniel Pavlovsky (Guitar), Savvas Parperi (Guitar), Stavry Michael (Keybords), Miguel Trapezaris (Bass), Danny Georgiou (Drums) + Guest : Teodora Stoyanova Freya (Vocal)


Artist : David Minasian

Album : The Sound of Dreams

Release Date : 11-09-2020

Added : 05-11-2020

'David Minasian' whose main activity is cinema, for which he is a producer, director and screenwriter is also a singer, keyboardist, author and composer and after 'Randow Acts of Beauty' in 2010 which had been well received at the time and which was reissued in remastered a few days ago, released in 2020 a new opus 'The Sound of Dreams' which shows that music is a kind of hobby alongside his first passion, the cinema. In a typical progressive style of the 70s with influences in essential formations of these years like 'Camel' (he has also made several DVDs of the British training), 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Alan Parsons Project' or 'Renaissance' ('Annie Haslam' is part of the long guest list with prestigious names such as 'Steve Hackett' or the singer and guitarist of 'The Moody Blues', 'Justin Hayward' or the bassist and guitarist of 'Yes', 'Billy Sherwood' or the current singer 'PJ Olsson' by Alan Parsons'), he concocted 12 tracks for us in a delicate and relaxing atmosphere for an hour and 15 minutes of listening, leaving plenty of room for the instrumental sections.

It is in a light atmospheric style that 'The Wind Of Heaven (Prologue)' welcomes us with the sweet sound of the flute of 'Francesca Rapetti' and with a calm and subtle first melody in which we do not see pass the 8 minutes, then, 'All In' continues in this quiet atmosphere reminiscent of the ballads of 'BJH' of the first period with the sweet voice of 'David Minasian' and 'Faith Hope Love' is a relaxing instrumental unfolding a slow melody becoming quickly addictive. Then come 'Sound Of Dreams', in two parts, which highlights the singing so characteristic of 'Annie Aslam' with a new melody that could very well have been sung by 'Renaissance' in the 70s, the second part being devoted to 'Billy Sherman' on bass in an instrumental also very typical of the first 'Renaissance' albums, then the third part of 'Sound of Dreams' is also instrumental with the magical sound of the guitar of Sieur 'Steve Hackett' which sails with the accompaniment of the piano. The second part of the album continues in this serene and delicate atmosphere with 'Road To Nothingness' offering us beautiful instrumental arrangements and a delicate song that perfectly matches the relaxed atmosphere, then 'Room With Dark Corners' offers a very beautiful vocal performance of the chorister of 'Moodies Blues', 'Julie Ragins' which surfs on a new melody which settles immediately in your head and 'Hold Back The Rain' is a new melancholic ballad which brings us back once again in the seventies. With the 13 minutes of 'Twin Flames At Twilight', we embark on a progressive saga with its beautiful Hispanic acoustic introduction to classical guitar and which continues with folk tones and which gradually introduces electric instruments in a always very soft way, the vocals coming after four minutes in a 'BJH's melody and continuing in that atmospheric style with a more muscular foray into the middle of the track, highlighting slightly more guitar-saturated riffs to return to a much more heavy-handed end, quieter, giving way to the instrumental parts, the acoustic guitar and the flute making their appearance again, then 'So Far From Home', is a new ballad in which the current singer 'PJ Olsson' of 'Alan Parsons' forms a very beautiful vocal duet with 'David Mimisian' and which still has a memorable melody with, of course, a chorus very tagged 'Alan Parsons', the album ending with 'The Wind Of Heaven (Epilogue)', a last melodic jewel of almost 10 minutes which takes up the starting theme in which 'Annie Haslam' gives us a magnificent last performance with her high-pitched voice.

In summary, 'David Minasian' made his dream come true with 'The Sound of Dreams' by inviting legendary progressive rock artists from the 70s and he makes us enjoy this beautiful time travel in a wonderful way, which makes this last opus a must of refined and relaxing progressive for all lovers of these mythical groups mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

David Minasian (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar, Percussions), Justin Minasian (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Geof O'Keefe (Drums, Guitar) + Guests : Alberto Parodi (Keybords, Percussions), Francesca Rapetti (Flute), Kerry Chicoine (Bass), Justin Hayward (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Annie Haslam (Vocal), Billy Sherwood (Bass), PJ Olsson (Vocal), Julie Ragins (Vocal), Geof O'Keefe


Artist : The Progressive Souls Collective

Album : Sonic Birth

Release Date : 11-09-2020

Added : 06-11-2020

'The Progressive Souls Collective' is a new super group created by guitarist 'Florian Zepf' who brought together international progressive metal artists with ex drummer 'Angra', 'Aquiles Priester' , bassist 'Conner Green' from 'Haken', singer 'Vladimir Lalic' from 'Organized Chaos', the international percussionist who has performed with the greatest of this world 'Luis Conte', the ex 'Dream Theater', 'Kevin Moore' and with a great guest as guest, 'Dream Theater' keyboardist, 'Derek Sherinian' who recorded all the keyboard parts of the album (review soon for his new album).

'Metature' begins the album with a heavy and powerful sound that can recall the tones of 'Pink-Floyd' of the 90s with tracks like 'Sorrow' and that increases further thereafter, then the short 'Comfortable Darkness' brings an atmospheric side with beautiful vocal harmonies and 'Killing True Beliefs' is much more energetic with a much more progressive construction, the tempo changes being frequent which highlights an original rhythm section of' Aquiles Priester 'which shows the full extent of his talent. With 'Fractional Emotion', we are in a progressive metal style close to another great band, 'Sons of Apollo' with a succession of breaks while keeping the same melodic theme throughout the title, then 'A Formula for Happiness' decreases the tempo in a rather heavy atmosphere which alternates in a balanced way the sung passages and instrumental parts in which the different solos are remarkable, and after the short 'Inner Circle' no necessarily essential, 'You and Me Alone', calmer, moves away from progressive metal with a more classic melody, the female vocals reminiscent of progressive rock formations like 'tRKproject' or 'Fleesh' or 'Mostly Autumn'. 'Hurt' then returns to powerful, heavy progressive metal before the album's flagship track, 'Destiny Inc.', nearly 16 minutes long, which is made up of a set of progressive sections, with multiple tempo changes, melodic lines and intensity, which certainly makes it the densest track on the album and which requires a few lisntenings to get into it, then, the short melodic break 'Mind Tresures' with 'Vladimir Lalic' in a much quieter register prepares the last track 'With Others' more rock than metal, which closes the album with a more classic construction and with a beautiful melody that easily enters into your head.

In summary, with this new project 'The Progressive Souls Collective', 'Florian Zepf', with the contribution of seasoned artists, offers us a quality album mixing accessible titles and others requiring several listening, in a style ranging from rock to metal which intends 'Sonic Birth' for a progressive audience who like to listen in the same album to compositions quite far from each other...

Line Up / Musicians

Florian Zepf (Guitar), Vladimir Lalic (Vocal), Aquiles Priester (Drums), Conner Green (Bass), Luis Conte (Percussions), Kevin Moore (Programmation) + Guest : Derek Sherinian (Keybords)


Artist : Flying Colors

Album : Third Stage : Live In London

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 07-11-2020

After 'Third Degree' in 2019 and after the 'Neal Morse' solo album 'Sola Gratia' with also 'Mike Portnoy', the super group 'Flying Colors' offers us a live performance from their last world tour (wonderful memory of concert at Z7 on December 11, 2019 !), and this 'Third Stage' is the closing concert in London at the 'Shepherd's Bush Empire' on December 14, 2019. In the same time, of course, the blue ray is released which is essential in this kind of live experience to fully enjoy the concert.

Now taking into account the discography that is starting to grow, since it is now three studio albums that 'Flying Colors' has at its disposal, this last live (remember that it is also the third of the group after the magnificent
'Second Flight: Live At The Z7') o ffers us near 2 hours of music with titles fairly well shared between the 3 opus, the last album, 'Third Degree' being well represented with 6 compositions. We therefore navigate between all these titles which have now become familiar to us and which all have their own personality, starting with the hopping 'Blue Ocean' which begins the concert in a joyful atmosphere, then follow one another 'A Place In Your World' which recalls 'Genesis', 'The Loss Inside' taken from the last opus bringing a more energetic side with its addictive rhythm section then, 'More', with its introduction with its catchy guitar riffs continues unabated to enchant us as well as compositions like the melancholy 'Kayla' or the funky 'Geronimo'. The ballad break is present with the magnificent 'You Are Not Alone' and the lightness that takes us back to the sixties is brought by 'Love Letter' and the end of the concert offers us a final bouquet made of long remarkable developments with first of all 'Peaceful Harbor' which rises a few notches the emotional cursor, a magical moment that I will remember for a long time with the audience singing the melody at the end of the track, then, with the three compositions 'Crawl', 'Infinite Fire' and 'Cosmic Symphony' of more than 10 minutes each and which are taken from each album, we stay on the little cloud on which we had previously climbed for 35 minutes of pure happiness, the concert ending with 'The Storm' and, well obviously the essential 'Mask Machine' which puts a smile on all the lips of each spectator but also of each member of the group.

In summary, as you will understand, this live of 'Flying Colors' is a must have and as often in this case, get the blue ray because there is nothing like living with the image these magical moments offered by these five artists who put all their talent at the service of this formation which in a few years has become an essential group of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Casey McPherson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Neal Morse (Vocal, Keybords), Steve Morse (Guitar), Dave LaRue (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Overland

Album : Scandalous

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 08-11-2020

'Overland' is one of the projects of the Englishman 'Steve Overland' (among others also leader of the group 'FM' with two very good albums 'Atomic Generation' in 2018 and 'Synchronized' in 2020) and Swedish 'Tommy Denander' (among others 'Steve Walsh') whose last album 'Contagious' dates of 2018. No surprise for this last baby who is the fifth of this formation, we are on full foot in the melodic AOR from the first to the last title offering a nice variety and which is a bit of a catch-all of styles melodic of the 70s. So we navigate through compositions that do good and this from the first track 'Don't Give Up' which has a little disco side and which makes me think of the style of the 'Bee Gees' in the years 70, period 'Saturday Night Fever' or the mighty mid-tempo 'Never Say Die, with its syncopated introduction close to 'AC/DC' or 'Lost in the City' with riffs close to 'ZZ Top' or 'Closest Thing to Heaven' close to the westcoast or the magnificent blues/rock 'Changing Times' which oozes good blues that sticks to your skin or 'The Trouble with Love' with its funky side of 'Stevie Wonder' or still the beautiful ballad 'God Mades An Angel', very classic but so effective without forgetting a last 'Hole in My Heart' which ends the album with an addictive melody.

In summary, this patchwork of compositions is very pleasant to listen to as if you had made a playlist of timeless tracks to go back a few decades and 'Scandalous' should appeal to a large audience loving very accessible melodic music...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal, Choirs), Tommy Denander (Guitar, Keybords), Brian Anthony (Bass, Piano, Hammond), Brian Tichy (Drums)


Artist : Gazpacho

Album : Fireworker

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 09-11-2020

After 'Soyuz' in 2018 which I had not fully joined (it will still have to that I recover a small dose), the Norvegians of 'Gazpacho' come back with a new album 'Fireworker' which contains only 5 titles but with two long developments and if you like this kind of compositions that we will gradually appropriate, you will therefore be delighted as you have certainly been with the last magnificent opus of 'Motorpsycho' and from 'Logos'. For this opus, the listener continues to be bathed in themes, I quote their website "the album follows the band’s tradition of blending grand philosophical quandaries, stimulating literary leanings, and haunting personal turmoil" and I invite you to read the very complete presentation.

And it is with almost 20 minutes of 'Space Cowboy' that the album begins in an atmospheric atmosphere well known now, the voice of 'Jan Henrik Ohme' bringing this sensitive and fragile side but we can't limit it only to that because after 5 minutes, classical choirs take over for an admirable vocal part which breaks with the restraint of the beginning and brings an intense force which falls back into the bewitching piano/voice duo and which then returns with the same intensity dramatic, then the second part starts again with a lighter section punctuated by deep bass and alternates tensions and relaxations to prepare in crescendo a masterful finale in which the choirs re-appear several times with, each time, an even greater intensity to finish in a sonorous raging. After so much tension, 'Hourglass' comes at the right time to rock us with a melody that gradually gains momentum with new magnificent choirs that fill all the space and which are followed by a melancholy part brought by the violin sound, the title ending in sweetness as it started. With the eponymous title of the album, the introduction brings an exotic side then takes off for a more energetic part which has magnificent vocal and instrumental arrangements and which alternates with softer passages in the opposite direction with the powerful passages sustained by deep bass, then the slow tempo of 'Antique' transports us into a universe filled with sensitivity and melancholy which can only touch. And to finish in style, 'Sapiens' unfolds its 15 minutes in a sound labyrinth typical of an inventive progressive in which you let yourself be guided and in which you successively discover each nook and cranny like a child discovering his gifts one by one for Christmas.

In summary, this latest album from the Norwegians of 'Gazpacho' is remarkable in all aspects and should appeal to a public loving an atmospheric progressive with long developments to discover gradually...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Henrik Ohme (Vocal), Thomas Alexander Andersen (Keybords), Jon Arne Vilbo (Guitar), Mikael Kromer (Violin, Mandolin), Kristian "Fido" Torp (Bass), Lars Erik Asp (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Brother Firetribe

Album : Feel the Burn

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 10-11-2020

After the very good 'Sunbound' in 2017, the Finns of 'Brother Firetribe' who now have a new guitarist in the person of 'Roope Riihijärvi', 'Emppu Vuorinen' now being very busy with 'Nightwish' but who is still credited with two titles, released a new album 'Feel the Burn'. No need to make you languish, it smells good AOR with melodies which are embedded in your head immediately and as usual, the balance is perfect between the keyboards of 'Tomppa Nikulainen' and the rather softs guitar riffs, the vocal harmonies being always so remarkable. Each title deserves to be mentioned but, in short, I will give you my favorites with these addicting choruses that give this irresistible desire to accompany them like 'Chariot of Fire', 'Bring On The Rain', 'Ticking Away' or this melodic jewel with a tempo marked 'Battle Ground' or the lively 'Rock in the City' which beautifully closes the album, 'Love Is a Beautiful Lie' being to add to the best AOR ballads and the luminous 'Candle in the Window' bringing a beautiful positive energy.

In short, with all the releases at the moment of melodic hard-rock, we are still well spoiled with this last baby of the Finns of 'Brother Firetribe' who offer us unstoppable melodies which destines 'Feel the Burn' to a public in love with AOR and which is to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Pekka Ansio Heino (Vocal), Roope Riihijärvi (Guitar), Tomppa Nikulainen (Keybords), Jason Flinck (Bass), Hannes Pirilä (Drums) + Guest : Emppu Vuorinen (Guitar)


Artist : Derek Sherinian

Album : The Phoenix

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 11-11-2020

After the 'Dream Theater' guitarist, 'John Petrucci' who released 'Terminal Velocity' a couple of months ago, it was the turn of keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian', ex 'Dream Theater' and member of 'Sons of Apollo' to release his instrumental album, the last 'Oceana' already dating from 2011. For the occasion, he surrounded himself with prestigious artists among which the guitarists 'Steve Vai', 'Joe Bonamassa ' and 'Zakk Wylde'.

And all starts with the eponymous title of the album, with a small keyboard solo with guitar tones close to 'Eddie Van Halen' which serve as an introduction to a raging rhythm in which Derek shows all his velocity, then, the tempo calms down with 'Empyrean Sky' which brings us back to keyboard sounds close to 'Deep Purple' in a bass / drums rhythm section allowing all possible disgressions to keyboards and 'Clouds Of Ganymede' highlights' Steve Vai 'on guitar which shows a nice fusion with Derek's accompaniments. With 'Dragonfly', we feel the jazz-rock influences of the keyboardist who takes us on the piano in sounds close to the late 'Keith Emerson' reminding me of the awesome 'Trilogy' which already dates from 1971, then, 'Temple of Helios' continues in an atmosphere mixing progressive with jazzy intonations and 'Them Changes', which is a cover of 'Buddy Miles', highlights 'Joe Bonamassa' on vocals and guitar (always as magical) in this catchy track mixing rock, jazz, soul and funk. The end of the album offers us 'Octopus Pedigre', in a muscular progressive rock reminiscent of the sounds of keyboards and the rhythms of 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' with intonations mixing East and West but also eyeing in some places towards modern jazz more difficult to tame then, 'Pesadelo' which returns to progressive metal and which this time highlights the guitar playing of 'Kiko Loureiro' in, first of all beautiful duets with Derek and also a very nice central Hispanic part.

In summary, with this new album which is ultimately more a team album than a solo album (and what a team !), 'Derek Sherinian' shows us once again his talents that we already knew but in an instrumental universe and, 'The Phoenix', given its rather technical character in certain places, will necessarily be intended for an audience favoring compositions not necessarily accessible to all...

Line Up / Musicians

Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Steve Vai (Guitar), Ernest Tibbs (Bass), Armen Ra (Theremin) + Guests : Kiko Loureiro (Guitar), Ron Thal (Guitar), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Jimmy Johnson (Bass), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Simon Phillips (Drums), Tony Franklin (Bass), Zakk Wylde (Guitar)


Artist : Memories of Old

Album : The Zeramin Game

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 12-11-2020

I introduced you a few days ago the Cypriots of 'Winter's Verge' with their first power-symphonic album and the references I had cited are also valid for the British of 'Memory Of Old' who released in September their first studio recording 'The Zeramin Game'. Project initiated by guitarist 'Billy Jeffs', he took with him the young guitarist from 'Sabaton', 'Tommy Johansson' who officiates as a singer and who also has his own project 'Majestica', and like the Americans of 'Master Sword', the theme of the opus revolves around video games and, in this case, it is the story, I quote, "of two friends, Ty and Vi, who decide to unravel the mysteries of Zera, a mysterious island that no one has ever returned to. When he learns that the two young boys are missing, Fowlen, the only man who knows the truth about Zera, decides to leave for their research".

And in this kind of theme, we generally have epic and symphonic power and, here, I must say that we are served with compositions which have very classic melodies but which immediately become embedded in your head. All starts with a narrated introduction 'In Exordium' coupled with an instrumental 'Overture' planting an epic fantasy film setting reminding me of the intonations of 'The Astonishing' then, 'The Land Of Xia' offers us a memorable first melody led by grandiose keyboards and a double pedal that is not intrusive but very well balanced because, on drums, 'James Chapman' alternates fast rhythms and others calmer. And proof of this variety within the compositions, the length of the titles often exceeds 6 minutes but are never tiresome as with 'Zera's Shadow' and its almost 9 minutes or with 'Across The Sea' of more than 7 minutes or even with 'Arrival' and its remarkable vocal arrangements, this variety is also required between the different tracks with different tempos and intensities as with the mid-tempo 'Some Day Soon' and its completely addicting chorus. With 'Destiny', the break power ballad is not forgotten with a beautiful melody to add to the best metal ballads and it is with the title song that we hold the longest development of the opus which takes us on a epic 14-minute fresco in a succession of equally grandiose parts leaving a good place for the instrumental sections and which also highlights the singing of 'Tommy Johansson', very comfortable in this expressive style, the album ending with a magical instrumental finale filled with majestic symphonic arrangements.

In summary, the British of 'Memory Of Old' are releasing a very good metal album mixing power and symphonic with varied and very accessible compositions which should appeal to a metal audience who love melodies that are easily embedded in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Johansson (Vocal), Billy Jeffs (Guitar), Anthony Thompson (Keybords), Erick Tekilla (Bass), James Chapman (Drums)


Artist : Mirayon

Album : A Tale of Challenging Hope

Release Date : 19-09-2020

Added : 13-11-2020

'Mirayon' is a new Swiss progressive metal project initiated by keyboardist 'Cyril Stoller' and guitarist 'Dario Colombo' in 2015 to which were then added bassist 'Daniel Schmid', who also provided the group's compositions , and singer 'Silas Bitterli'; their influences are quite broad and it would be simplistic to limit them to progressive metal because they incorporate other components quite far from metal and alternate accessible sections with much more sought after sections. Generally, in this kind of album, we often have to do with a concept and the theme deployed here, through the personal story of 'Daniel Schmid', tell, I quote their page here, "his career as a musician in the conviction that there is a God who loves us, but who challenges us again and again because we often lose ourselves and who also wants to free us from ourselves."

'It's Not About Perfection' welcomes us with a symphonic introduction which does not bode nothing for what is going to follow, because after 2 minutes, raging guitar riffs accompanied by a narration give way to an energetic and sought-after instrumental section which calms down at the end to continue without transition on the next track 'We Run We Hide' which alternates different tempos and intensities with an accessible sung part and instrumental parts much more difficult to tame. Change of scenery with 'Change Me' which, despite some growls, is a ballad far from metal that we immediately appropriate thanks to a catchy melody then 'I Am His Child' continues in this soft and quiet atmosphere. Always without transition, with 'Free', the progressive makes its return with accessible melodic lines sung alongside less affordable instrumental parts, then 'Struggle' is certainly the title furthest from the general atmosphere with, first of all funk influences that merge with guitar riffs then more sought-after instrumental parts led by an imaginative rhythm section, the tempo changes being very frequent and 'I Need Forgiveness' that follows continues in this patchwork of styles while keeping a more progressive complex frame with an epic sung finale. The end of the album features a enticing 'I Run Away' which was the subject of the promotional video above and which is certainly the most catchy track then 'You Are The Light' which closes the opus with a long development summarizing well the whole with very accessible part starting with a ballad with vintage melodic lines which gains momentum and takes us on a progressive instrumental section and always in crescendo returns to an energetic sung part to fall back into an atmosphere quieter symphonic with a final narration.

In summary, the Swiss of 'Mirayon' show a great maturity for this first studio recording which merges the accessible with the less accessible making of 'A Tale of Challenging Hope' a very good surprise 2020 which should please a whole audience adept at a sophisticated and imaginative progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Silas Bitterli (Vocal), Dario Colombo (Guitar), Daniel Schmid (Bass), Cyril Stoller (Keybords)


Artist : Lastworld

Album : Over The Edge

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 14-11-2020

After a debut album 'Time' in 2019 with his project 'Lastworld', singer 'David Cagle' releases with multi-instrumentalist 'Jim Shepard' a second studio recording with 'Over The Edge'. Known for having participated in multiple projects, the American 'David Cagle' has, among others, recorded in the last two years 'That's Gonna Leave Me a Mark' released in 2018 with 'JK Northrup', 'Walking A Straight Line' released in 2020 with the project 'Marty And The Bad Punch' and 'Ready for Attack' also released in 2020 with the 'Silent Tiger' project.

'Judgment Day' starts the album with an energetic track that takes us back to the hard rock of the 70s and the melodic lines remind me of 'Rainbow', then, 'What If I'm Right', which follows, is much quieter in an AOR style with nice vocal harmonies and, although the tempo is faster for 'Dying to Live', we stay in the same atmosphere. The first break arrives with 'It's Cold Inside' with a mid-tempo slowly unrolling a classic but very pleasant melody, then, 'Never Enough' returns to energetic hard-rock always very melodic reminiscent of the 80s/90s and the eponymous title of the album continues in fairly classic AOR with a remarkable guitar solo. Second break with the ballad 'I'll Be Alright' and its memorable chorus then, 'I'm Not Afraid' is a new quiet mid-tempo while 'Wasting My Time' which follows, is much more energetic and direct, the album ending with, first the melodic gem 'Too Late' and a new chorus that never leaves you and finally a quick 'Tomorrow Is Another Day' with more muscular guitar riffs.

In summary, 'David Cagle' with his accomplice 'Jim Shepard' release a varied album mixing rock and melodic hard-rock with easily accessible compositions and, therefore, 'Over The Edge', even if it won't revolutionize melodic rock, is pleasant to listen to and is recommended for all amateurs of melodic rock taking us several decades back...

Line Up / Musicians

David Cagle (Vocal), Jim Shepard (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 15-11-2020

On every tour of 'Steve Hackett' we usually get an album release which is, for all fans of the former 'Genesis' guitarist, a pure bliss. 2019 saw the release of the admirable 'Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra - Live' and 2020 therefore see a new release with the recording of the concert at the 'Hammersmith Apollo' in London, on November 29, 2019 in which the compositions of 'Genesis' are still present but also with a first part taken from his solo career. No need to write a long review, with the references I have just mentioned, we are immersed in the world of English with, as always, a remarkable recording which perfectly conveys the concert atmosphere. First of all these are compositions from two of his solo albums, with a good part of 'Spectral Morning' from 1989 and three titles from his magnificent last opus 'At The Edge Of Light' (casually, 40 years separate these two albums and the first one has not aged at all), then, 'Selling England By The Pound', the legendary album of 'Genesis', is interpreted integrally with the highlight of the title 'Firth of Fifth' well known to all sixty-year olds, fans of 'Genesis', and finally, it's still titles from 'Genesis' which end the concert with first of all 'Deja Vu' which had never been released by 'Genesis' and which appears in Steve's 1996 album 'Genesis Revisited I' (credited originally to 'Steve Hackett' and 'Peter Gabriel'), then the two unmissable 'Dance On A Volcano' and 'Los Endos' from the 1976 album 'A Trick Of The Tail'.

In short, needless to add something, these two hours pass at breakneck speed and re-embark us in the wonderful world of timeless progressive rock with as conductor, 'Steve Hackett' who, surrounded by artists great talents and thanks to a perfect recording (the 5.1 surround version was mixed by 'Steven Wilson') offers us a nice gift for this end of 2020...

Titles list – Original Album (Artist - Year)
01 Intro
02 Every Day – Spectral Morning (Steve Hackett - 1979)
03 Under The Eye Of The Sun - At The Edge Of Light (Steve Hackett - 2019)
04 Fallen Walls And Pedestals - At The Edge Of Light (Steve Hackett - 2019)
05 Beasts In Our Time - At The Edge Of Light (Steve Hackett - 2019)
06 The Virgin And The Gypsy - Spectral Morning (Steve Hackett - 1979)
07 Tigermoth - Spectral Morning (Steve Hackett - 1979)
08 Spectral Mornings - Spectral Morning (Steve Hackett - 1979)
09 The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere - Spectral Mornings (Steve Hackett - 1979)
10 Clocks – The Angel Of Mons - Spectral Mornings (Steve Hackett - 1979)
11 Dancing With The Moonlit Knight - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
12 I Know What I Like - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
13 Firth Of Fifth - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
14 More Fool Me - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
15 The Battle Of Epping Forest - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
16 After The Ordeal - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
17 The Cinema Show - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
18 Aisle Of Plenty - Selling England By The Pound (Genesis – 1973)
19 Déjà Vu – Genesis Revisited I (Steve Hackett – 1996)
20 Dance On A Volcano – A Trick Of The Tail (Genesis –1976)
21 Los Endos – A Trick Of The Tail (Genesis – 1976)

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar, Vocal), Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Roger King (Keybords), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Flutes), Craig Blundell (Drums, Percussions), John Hackett (Flute), Amanda Lehmann (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Ayreon

Album : Transitus

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 16-11-2020

With with an impressive number of videos, we were looking forward to this latest album 'Transitus' and, once again, 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' put on a great spread for this new baby of his project 'Ayreon'. After 'The Source' in 2017, he will have took three years for the master of progressive to offer us a new story and, this time, we are no longer in the world of science fiction but he chose to return in the 1800s to tell us the story of an impossible love between a bourgeois named Daniel (performed by 'Tommy Karevik' from 'Kamelot') and a black maid 'Abby' (performed by 'Cammie Gilbert' from 'Ocean of Slumber' who released a new album in 2020, 'Ocean of Slumber') and, as we are now used to, Arjen invited an impressive number of artists, with first, names well known to his fans like 'Marcela Bovio', 'Dianne Van Giersbergen' or 'Simone Simons' or 'Michael Mills' or even his faithful keyboardist 'Joost Van Den Broek' but also new artists like 'Paul Manzi' or 'Johanne James' (the drummer of 'Threshold' singing for the occasion) or the actor 'Tom Baker' who officiates as narrator.

Detail each composition would require too long a chronicle and it is for this reason that I will tell you about the strong points which marked me with first of all, the fact that this opus was conceived as a kind of piece theater and, given the history, we get closer to a 'Romeo and Juliet' with a whole cast of actors who evolve around our two protagonists 'Abby' and 'Daniel' and who were chosen by 'Arjen' like in a movie cast. Therefore, even if some will find the spoken parts too long, the narration of 'Tom Baker' is essential for the story and allows the connection between the different episodes. From a musical point of view, 'Transitus' offers a nice variety between each title and we feel that Arjen composed them always having this desire to adapt the music to the story. Take the example of the first title 'Fatum Horrificum' which is made up of 6 fairly short parts, each one has its own style and we go from an epic atmosphere with 'Graveyard' to the recitative '1884' which sets the scene with an accompaniment worthy of a fantastic film with its scary atmosphere then, 'Daniel And Abby' develops a much more calm 'Floydian' instrumental section which reminds me of the sounds of a 'Atom Heart Mother'; as for 'Fatum' which follows, we are taken with grandiose choirs in a kind of 'Carmina Burana', then 'Why ?!' which introduces one of our two heroes 'Daniel' is in a more dramatic frame while 'Guilty', with its catchy tempo, is lighter while remaining very expressive thanks to the vocal interpretations. This variety does not harm to the whole at any time because, the other strong point of this album is its accessibility which will certainly make that the fans of a more sought-after progressive will not be completely satisfied which gives the impression that one of Arjen's objectives has been to try with 'Transitus' to reach to a fairly large audience thanks to melodies that immediately touch you as in the three following tracks, 'Listen to My Story' in which the shock trio 'Simone Simons'/'Marcela Bovio'/'Caroline Westendorp' offers us a remarkable performance, then 'Two Worlds Now One' which is typically in the vein of a progressive rock of the 70s which has become universal with of course references to 'Pink Floyd' and finally, 'Talk of the Town' with its folk tones and heady melody that can make one think of his project 'The Gentle Storm'. Finally, as we are now used to, the whole is filled with remarkable arrangements with artists who bring their talent with this mixed of electric and acoustic instruments and, even if the saturated guitar riffs are a little less present, we have even the opportunity to have energetic titles like the dynamic 'Get Out! Now! ' with a masterful solo of 'Joe Satriani' reminiscent of the great moments of hard rock of the 70s but, in the end, it is in the vocal parts that the magic operates with artists who play their role to the full and become actors full-fledged : we can cite for example 'Condemmned Without A Trial' with eight singers passing the buck in a masterful vocal battle or 'Daniel's Funeral' and 'Henry's Plot' with two beautiful duets between 'Amanda Somerville' and 'Paul Manzi' or even 'This Human Equation' in which we find the trio of singers 'Simone Simons'/'Marcela Bovio'/'Caroline Westendorp' in another admirable vocal battle and of course the emotional exchanges between 'Cammie Gilbert' and 'Tomy Karevik' as in 'Hopelessly Slipping Away' without forgetting one of my favorites, the duet between 'Cammie Gilbert' and 'Amanda Somerville' in 'Message from Beyond' which increases a little more the emotional cursor. Note that to complete the album, Arjen added a comic that was made by the Chilean artist 'Felix Vaga' which is available with the CD/DVD Earbook version which brings another artistic dimension.

In summary, it is still a great vintage of the 'Ayreon' project that 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' offers us with an impressive work at the vocal level showing once again that he has this gift to compose musical works tailor-made for all these artists of great talent and 'Transitus', even if it contains compositions that may be more accessible overall, is of an immense richness which necessarily requires taking your time to discover all the nooks and crannies and appreciate it at its true value...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Glockenspiel, Dulcimer, Piano), Tom Baker (storyteller), Tommy Karevik (Vocal - Daniel), Cammie Gilbert (Vocal – Abby), Marcela Bovio (Vocal – Furie, Servante, Villageoise), Paul Manzi (Vocal – Henry), Amanda Somerville (Vocal – Lavinia), Johanne James (Vocal – Abraham), Caroline Westendorp (Vocal – Furie, Servante, Villageoise), Simone Simons (Vocal – Ange de la mort), Michael Mills (Vocal – La statue), Dee Snider (Vocal – Père de Daniel), Dan J. Pierson (Vocal, Villageois), Jan Willem Ketelaars (Vocal, Villageois), Lisette Van Den Berg (Vocal, Villageoise), Marjan Welman (Vocal, Villageoise), Will Shaw (Vocal, Villageois), Wilmer Waarbroek (Vocal, Villageois), Dianne Van Giersbergen (Vocal), Joost Van Den Broek (Hammond, Piano, Fender rhodes), Juan Van Emmerloot (Drums), Ben Mathot (Violin), Jeroen Goossens (Vents), Jurriaan Westerveld (Cello), Alex Thyssen (Cor), Hellscore (Choirs), Joe Satriani (Guitar), Marty Friedman (Guitar), Patty Gurdy (Vielle à roue), Thomas Cochrane (Trumpet, Trombone)


Artist : tRKproject

Album : Sounds from the Past

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 17-11-2020

I presented you the new album 'Kay & Gerda' from 'Ryszard Kramarski' a while back which featured singer 'Karolina Leszko' and singer 'Dawid Lewandowski' in two superb vocal performances. For the occasion, 'Ryszard Kramarski' brought out of its boxes the album 'Sounds from the Past' of 2018 that I had not reviewed at the time to add a second CD with as in 'Kay & Gerda', a new interpretation of all the compositions by 'Dawid Lewandowski'. If you missed the original album, I invite you to discover it with this double CD, to choose the version that suits you best and to let yourself be carried away by this refined and endearing progressive rock filled with beautiful melodies conducive to relaxation after a hard day...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums, Percussions), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Karolina Leszko (Vocal), Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal)


Artist : Fish

Album : Weltschmerz

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 18-11-2020

For all those who love progressive rock, 'Derek William Dick' alias 'Fish', is an essential artist of the last 40 years and definitely associated with 'Marillion' and this last album was announced by 'Fish' himself as the last studio recording. So, after 'A Feast of Consequences' which already dates from 2013, this last musical journey in the company of the singer with 4 albums with 'Marillion' and 11 solo albums takes us for almost an hour and a half in his universe which is, this time, for me, more melancholy with a title in German which literally means 'Pain of the World' and which shows from the first title to the last title all the feelings of this artist who speaks to us about our world with all his problems and which is perhaps one of the reasons for this anticipated musical retirement.

Of the 10 compositions, 3 were already on the EP 'A Parley With Angels' released in 2018 and which also contained 4 other titles in concert. And from the start, it is with a poignant 'Grace of God' that 'Fish' welcomes us with a text on the end of life which is musically cut in two with a first part filled with emotion, reminding me of certain melodic lines by 'RPWL' then a second half part more tormented acoustics with more contemporary sounds, then 'Man With a Stick' (already present on 'A Parley With Angels'), with its swaying rhythm is more direct and easier to tame and reminds me of the atmosphere that certain titles of 'Phil Collins' gave off in the 80s. With 'Walking on Eggshells', we return to an imaginative progressive with a succession of different parts containing remarkable arrangements with for example this final with strings and the participation of 'Doris Brendel' in the vocals, then, 'The Party's Over' is certainly the lightest track with its folk influences, recalling that the Scotsman has always been influenced by this style but who speaks of his farewell to music and which suddenly shows a mixed face between the joy of starting a new life and the sadness of having to leave his musical life. Follows 'Rose of Damascus' of more than 15 minutes which takes us into a quiet and soft atmosphere which takes off little by little and invites us with very contemporary string sounds to a long sung part in which alternate intense parts and others calmer with the climax of the strings unleashed in a sort of sound storm and the title ends with a soft part close to 'RPWL' in slight crescendo, then, we reach an emotional peak with 'Garden of Remembrance' in which 'Fish' talks about Alzheimer's disease and, on this title, the video (see above) brings an even greater intensity and we find ourselves shedding a few tears (as indeed 'Fish' himself in the video) so the intensity is immense. 'C Song (The Trondheim Waltz)', which follows, is there to recover from our emotions to return to a more classic, popist semi-acoustic track and 'Little Man What Now?' is the second long development, taken from the last EP, in a nonchalant atmosphere in which the sung part unfolds slowly while keeping a great vocal tension and in which the brass brings a felted side to the beginning and participates in the remarkable final flight that can recall the atmospheres of 'Pink Floyd' to fall back into a very beautiful instrumental decrescendo, then, 'Waverley Steps (End of the Line)', still taken from the last EP, is typical of the sought after and imaginative progressive of 'Fish' conveying all kinds of feelings with magnificent alternations of intensity and rhythm with still remarkable interventions of the brass bringing an additional force, and the album ends with the eponymous title of the album, 'Weltschmerz' with a 'Fish' wanting to leave an image as a person committed with his words as the only weapon against this world in which he no longer recognizes himself, I quote his words: "I gorged myself on knowledge that I feasted on the digital flow, I discerned through my wisdom that not everything can be believed, I came to the conclusion that we have all been deceived and that our freedoms and our democracy are not what they seem" or these other words "I’ve formed the opinion that things can’t stay as they are, my anger and my fury trapped like a wasp in a jar, It’s never too late to make a brave new start, when the revolution is called I will play my part".

In summary, 'Fish' bows out in the most beautiful way possible with an album that is strong both musically and in terms of the themes covered and this beautiful testimony shows once again that music also plays a role important and indispensable revealer of our world in these troubled times. Progressive rock, more than ever, must continue with artists of the caliber of 'Fish' to play this role that it has always done since its birth in the 60s...

Line Up / Musicians

Fish - Derek William Dick (Vocal), Steve Vantsis (Bass, Keybords), Robin Boult (Guitar), Dave Stewart (Drums), Foss Paterson (Keybords), Mikey Owers (Cor) + Guests : Steven Wilson (Guitar), Craig Blundell (Drums), David Jackson (Saxophone), John Mitchell (Guitar), Liam Homes (Keybords), Doris Brendel (Choirs), Scottish Chambers Orchestra (Cordes)


Artist : Trishula

Album : Time Waits For No Man

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 19-11-2020

'Trishula' is the project of English guitarist 'Neil Fraser' (among others he was part of the adventure of 'Rage of Angels' of the keyboardist 'Ged Rylands' in which 'Rob Moratti' was singer) who has already released a first album 'Scare to Breathe' in 2019 and, barely a year later, it is the turn of 'Time Waits For No Man' to see the light of day and it is with this opus that I discover them. In this project the Englishman brought with him the singer 'Jason Morgan' with whom he had collaborated during his period 'Rage of Angels' and we find the keyboardist of 'Magnum', 'Rick Benton', bassist 'Dan Clark' from 'Jupiter Falls' and drummer 'Neil Ogden' guest on the remarkable latest album from 'Tony Mitchell'. In line with the great tradition of English melodic rock, they offer us 10 melodic jewels which are good in this difficult period and which take us back to the 70s/80s with groups like 'Foreigner', 'Electric Light Orchestra', 'ASIA' or 'Aerosmith'. We spend a wonderful time listening to these compositions and this from the opening title 'How It's Supposed To Be', very classic but so effective with 'Jason Morgan' who is like a fish in water and with a fair split between the sumptuous keyboard parts of 'Rick Benton' and the well-placed little guitar solo of 'Neil Fraser'. Overall, the keyboards are put forward and the production is limpid without any aggressiveness, everything flows peacefully with, first, mid-tempos with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate as if they had always done part of our life as in 'Fallen Hero', 'I Just Might' or even 'The Mighty' but also more energetic titles with 'I Want It All', 'Hear To Evil', 'The Border' or even 'Knocked Down', without forgetting the two addictive ballads 'Make Up Your Mind' and 'Every Time We Touch' that I hastened to add to my ballads playlist here.

In short, this new album of 'Trishula' is added to the beautiful 2020 releases in this style and 'Time Waits For No Man' is recommended to a large audience loving a timeless melodic rock that takes us back a few decades : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Jason Morgan (Vocal), Neil Fraser (Guitar), Rick Benton (Keybords), Dan Clark (Bass), Neil Ogden (Drums), Georgia Morgan (Choirs)


Artist : Nick Mason

Album : Live at the Roundhouse

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 20-11-2020

Almost at the same time, the two ex 'Pink-Floyd', 'Nick Mason' and 'Roger Waters' release their respective album from their last tour and these two concerts are absolutely not redundant because, as if they had wanted to take each twos eras of the legendary progressive rock band, 'Nick Mason' chose to perform tracks from the early period of 'Pink-Floyd' up to 'Atom Heart Mother' and 'Roger Waters' swept the period starting at 'The Dark Side Of The Moon', the only common title being 'One of these Days' from 'Meddle' which is located between the two albums mentioned above.

First of all, 'Nick Mason' and his loyal band of musicians, with the bassist who accompanied him with 'David Gilmour' in the post 'Roger Waters' period for the big shows of 'Pink-Floyd' in the 80s/90s, guitarist 'Gary Kemp' from 'Spandau Ballet', guitarist 'Lee Harris' and keyboardist 'Dom Beken', released 'Live at the Roundhouse' in early September 2020. This concert was recorded in the famous London hall, 'The' Roundhouse' and, unlike 'Roger Waters', it is a show on a human scale but this is not at all pejorative because the DVD/Blue Ray remains essential to fully immerse yourself in the psychedelic mood of the late 60s and I must say that the light show with a riot of rainbow colors contributes generously in this direction. We find the two facets of the beginning of the 'Floyds' with the first albums until 'Atom Heart Mother', first of all songs that were influenced by the pop of the time with of course in first line the 'Beatles' like 'If' or 'Green Is the Color' or even 'Remember a Day' but which prefigure the rapid evolution of 'Pink Floyd' towards rock which we will call progressive thereafter with essential titles like 'Interstellar Overdrive', 'Astronomy Domine', 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' or even 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' to lead to the brilliant 'Atom Heart Mother', which remains for me, one of my major musical discoveries, tracks that allowed 'Pink Floyd' to move in musical directions that only a few pioneers of electronic music in the 1950s had already explored such as the one considered to be one fathers of electro-acoustic music 'Pierre Henry' and his fabulous 'Mass for the present time' . The other point to emphasize is that unlike some concerts which come too close to the original recording, the troupe at 'Nick Mason' brings other instrumental arrangements which are quite remarkable and which allow to perceive all these legendary titles from another angle with, of course, an irreproachable production and obviously a modern sound.
In summary, this 'Nick Mason' concert is a really nice gift for all 'Pink Floyd' fans, of which I am a part and takes us back decades when the 'Floyds' were exploring new musical paths in the world of rock and which will quickly make many followers, I named what is now called progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Mason (Drums, Gong, Percussions), Guy Pratt (Bass, Vocal), Gary Kemp (Guitar, Vocal), Lee Harris (Guitar, Vocal), Dom Beken (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Roger Waters

Album : Us + Them

Release Date : 02-10-2020

Added : 21-11-2020

Almost at the same time, the two ex 'Pink-Floyd', 'Nick Mason' and 'Roger Waters' release their respective album from their last tour and these two concerts are absolutely not redundant because, as if they had wanted to take each twos eras of the legendary progressive rock band, 'Nick Mason' chose to perform tracks from the early period of 'Pink-Floyd' up to 'Atom Heart Mother' and 'Roger Waters' swept the period starting at 'The Dark Side Of The Moon', the only common title being 'One of these Days' from 'Meddle' which is located between the two albums mentioned above.

There was the 'The Wall' tour over several years in 2010 and 2013 which should be his last (wonderful memory of the passage to the Stade de France in September 2013 with my piece of cardboard from the wall brought back as a trophy) and then the American did it again with a new world tour in 2017 and 2018 with the 'Us + Them' tour. There, followed the film which was screened on October 3, 2019 in cinemas which allowed all the fans of 'Roger Waters' who could not go to one of the shows (of which I am a part) to be able to take advantage of this magical atmosphere and it is the turn of the DVD/Blue Ray of the show to be released at the end of 2020. We can be for or against the position taken by 'Roger Waters' but, it is clear, we can only remain admiring of these concerts which have become shows in their own right, the visual side bringing an other dimension. We therefore find mythical titles of 'Pink-Floyd' mythical albums starting chronologically with 'Meddle' , then 'The Dark Side of the Moon' which is played almost in its entirety, 'Whish You Were Here', 'Animals' (including the two longest tracks' Dogs' and' Pigs') and of course some excerpts from 'The Wall' but also three tracks from his latest album 'Is This The Life We Really Want?'.
In short, another album to have in your ideal disco and, even more in this case, the DVD / Blue Ray is also essential for a show of this magnitude with so many visual effects...

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Waters (Vocal, Bass), Jon Carin Jon Carin (Keybords, Guitar), Dave Kilminster (Guitar), Bo Koster (Hammond, Piano), Holly Laessig (Vocal), Ian Ritchie (Saxophone), Gus Seyffert (Guitar, Bass), Jonathan Wilson (Guitar, Vocal), Jess Wolfe (Vocal), Joey Waronker (Drums)


Artist : Robert Plant

Album : Digging Deep: Subterranea

Release Date : 02-10-2020

Added : 22-11-2020

After the two young people who are still on the front of the stage with their concerts, 'Live at the Roundhouse' for 'Nick Mason' and his 76 springs and 'Us + Them' for 'Roger Waters' who is almost 80 years old, it's the turn of another little youngster, 'Robert Plant', the legendary singer from 'Led Zeppelin' to issue a compilation of his solo albums from 'Pictures at Eleven' of 1982 to the last album from 2017, 'Carry Fire' (see the myprogmusic review here). I'm not going to detail all the discography of these last 40 years but I tried to give you all the artists who have accompanied Robert during all these years (below by album) and the album reference of each composition with the link on spotify. In short, discover or rediscover in this thirty compositions all the musical richness of one of the pioneers of rock who, after 'Led Zeppelin', knew how to open up to different influences and mix them so that his discography simply becomes timeless rock music. and without borders...


Titles list (Album – Year)
01. Rainbow ('Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar' - 2014)
02. Hurting Kind ('Manic Nirvana' - 1990)
03. Shine It All Around ('Mighty ReArranger' - 2005)
04. Ship Of Fools ('Now and Zen'>'' - 1988)
05. Nothing Takes The Place Of You ('Digging Deep: Subterranea' - 2020)
06. Darkness, Darkness ('Dreamland' - 2002)
07. Heaven Knows ('Now and Zen'>'' - 1988)
08. In The Mood ('In The Mood' - 1083)
09. Charlie Patton Highway (Turn It Up - Part 1) ('Digging Deep: Subterranea' - 2020)
10. New World… ('Carry Fire' - 2017)
11. Like I've Never Been Gone ('Pictures at Eleven' - 1982)
12. I Believe ('Fate of Nations' - 1993)
13. Dance With You Tonight ('Carry Fire' - 2017)
14. Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down ('Band of Joy' - 2010)
15. Great Spirit (acoustic) ('Fate of Nations' - 1993)
16. Angel Dance ('Band of Joy' - 2010)
17. Takamba ('Mighty ReArranger' - 2005)
18. Anniversary ('Manic Nirvana' - 1990)
19. Wreckless Love ('The Principle of Moments' - 1983)
20. White Clean & Neat ('Now and Zen'>'' - 1988)
21. Silver Rider ('Band of Joy' - 2010)
22. Fat Lip ('Pictures at Eleven' - 1982)
23. 29 Palms ('Fate of Nations' - 1993)
24. Last Time I Saw Her ('Dreamland' - 2002)
25. Embrace Another Fall ('Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar' - 2014)
26. Too Much Alike (with ¨Patty Griffin) ('Digging Deep: Subterranea' - 2020)
27. Big Log ('The Principle of Moments' - 1983)
28. Falling In Love Again ('Band of Joy' - 2010)
29. Memory Song (Hello Hello) ('Fate of Nations' - 1993)
30. Promised Land ('Fate of Nations' - 1993)

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Plant (Vocal)

Pictures at Eleven (1982) : Robbie Blunt (Guitar), Jezz Woodroffe (Keybords), Paul Martinez (Bass), Raphael Ravenscroft (Saxophone), Phil Collins (Drums), Cozy Powell (Drums)

The Principle of Moments (1983) : Robbie Blunt (Guitar), Paul Martinez (Bass), Jezz Woodroffe (Keybords), Phil Collins (Drums), Barriemore Barlow (Drums), Bob Mayo (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), John David (Choirs), Ray Martinez (Choirs)

Now and Zen (1988) : Phil Johnstone (Keybords), Doug Boyle (Guitar), Phil Scragg (Bass), Chris Blackwell (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Jimmy Page (Guitar), David Barratt (Keybords), Toni Halliday (Choirs), Marie Pierre (Choirs), Kirsty MacColl (Choirs), Robert Crash (Programmation)

Manic Nirvana (1990) : Phil Johnstone (Keybords, Guitar), Charlie Jones (Bass), Doug Boyle (Guitar), Chris Blackwell (Drums, Guitar) + Guests : Robert Stride (Choirs), Micky Groome (Choirs), Laila Cohen (Choirs), Carolyn Harding (Choirs), Siddi Makain Mushkin (Choirs)

Fate of Nations (1993) : Doug Boyle (Guitar), Kevin Scott MacMichael (Guitar, Choirs), Oliver J. Woods (Guitar), Richard Thompson (Guitar), Francis Dunnery (Guitar), Charlie Jones (Bass), Phil Johnstone (Harmonium, Organ, Piano, Choirs), Phillip Andrews (Keybords), Michael Lee (Drums), Chris Hughes (Drums), Pete Thompson (Drums), Chris Blackwell (Drums), Nigel Kennedy (Violin), Navazish Ali Khan (Violin), Nigel Eaton (Hurdy gurdy), Gurdev Singh (Dilruba, Sarod), Surge Singh (Sarangi), Máire Brennan (Choirs), Julian Taylor (Choirs), Steve French (Choirs), John Flynn (Choirs), Maartin Allcock (Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, Organ)

Dreamland (2002) : John Baggott (Keybords), Pearl Thompson (Guitar), Justin Adams (Guitar, Gimbri, Darbuka), Charlie Jones (Bass), Clive Deamer (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : B. J. Cole (Steel guitare), Raj Das (Choirs), May Clee Cadman (Choirs), Ginny Clee (Choirs)

Mighty ReArranger (2005) : John Baggott (Keybords, Bass), Clive Deamer (Drums, Bendir), Justin Adams (Guitar, Bendir, Tehardant, Bass), Skin Tyson (Guitar, Bass), Billy Fuller (Bass, Bass)
Band Of Joy (2010) : Bekka Bramlett (Choirs), Marco Giovino (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Patty Griffin (Vocal, Choirs), Byron House (Bass, Bass), Buddy Miller (Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Choirs), Darrell Scott (Guitar, Mandolin, Mandole, Banjo, Accordion, Choirs)

Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar (2014) : Justin Adams (Percussions, Guitar, Choirs), Liam “Skin” Tyson (Banjo, Guitar, Choirs), John Baggott (Keybords, Bass, Piano, Tabla, Choirs), Juldeh Camara (Xalam, Riti, Vocal), Billy Fuller (Bass, Drums), Dave Smith (Drums), Julie Murphy (Choirs), Nicola Powell (Choirs)

Carry Fire (2017) : Seth Lakeman (Violin, Viola), Redi Hasa (Cello), Chrissie Hynde (Vocal), Justin Adams (Guitar), Liam « Skin » Tyson (Guitar), John Baggott (Keybords), Billy Fuller (Bass), Dave Smith (Drums)


Artist : Bon Jovi

Album : 2020

Release Date : 05-10-2020

Added : 23-11-2020

The groups of the 80s are not doing badly because, it is the turn of the formation 'Bon Jovi' led by the charismatic 'Jon Bon Jovi' to release a new studio recording called soberly '2020'. We therefore find, perhaps even more on this album, an engaged artist with compositions which smell good a well-balanced mix between effective rock, pop and blues. '2020' is therefore the group's 15th album and 'Jon Bon Jovi' deals with various subjects including "the topical subject", the health crisis of COVID 19 with all its contradictions and the consequences of confinement but also with 'American Reckoning' of the death of 'Georges Floyd' or with 'Lower The Flag' of the armed revolts following the shooting in' Dayton 'in 2019 or even 'Blood In The Water' of the tragedy of migrants who try to flee their country by the sea.

Musically, the opus is varied with references to the 80s / 90s and all fifties will find themselves on familiar ground with names that immediately come to mind such as these blatant influences to the 'Boss' (chronicle to come from his latest album 'Letter To You') with catchy compositions like 'Do What You Can' or 'Let It Rain' but also in more intimate titles like 'American Reckoning' or 'Lower The Flag'. With 'Limitless', the guitar sounds are reminiscent of 'U2', the happy 'Beautiful Drug' with its heady choirs takes us back to much more serene times, as for 'Lower The Flag' and 'Blood In The Water' , they take us back to the great tradition of American singers with 'Bob Dylan' in mind, especially as the themes further increase the emotion of his compositions with vocal performances of 'Jon Bon Jovi' which give us goosebumps, the guitar solo on 'Blood In The Water' still rising a few notches in the intensity generated, the album ending with first an energetic 'Brothers In Arms' then the magnificent 'Unbroken', still reminding me the melodic lines of 'U2' and whose intensity is in total adequacy with the theme dealing with post-traumatic shocks of veterans of the army. Overall, Jon's voice is deeper and therefore touches much more as if he wanted to accentuate the gravity of his speech on our current world in peril. Note that the Deluxe version also available on Spotify offers us three additional tracks, first of all, the cover 'Do What You Can' with the participation of 'Jennifer Nettles' who forms a very beautiful vocal duet with 'Jon Bon Jovi' in the chorus, then 'Shine', a very beautiful ballad which has nothing to envy to the other compositions of the album and finally 'Luyv Can' which closes the album with an equally endearing mid-tempo.

In summary, this latest album from 'Bon Jovi' is again a nice surprise during this disturbed period which, with a certain nostalgia, sends us musically to much quieter times while having modern themes which shows that ' Jon Bon Jovi 'remains, like' Bruce Springsteen ', a committed American, the commitment that makes music, like all artistic expression, an essential place to fight all the evils of our Humanity so that it does not simply become a Dehumanity...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Bon Jovi (Vocal, Guitar), David Bryan (Keybords), Hugh McDonald (Bass), Phil X (Guitar), Tico Torres (Drums) + Guests : Everett Bradley (Drums), John Shanks (Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Solar Project

Album : Ghost Lights

Release Date : 05-10-2020

Added : 24-11-2020

The German band 'Solar Project', created in the 80s, already have quite a few albums to their credit and 2020 sees the release of their 14th studio recording 'Ghosts Lights'. In the wake of the progressive rock of the 70s, with the first name that comes to mind, 'Pink Floyd', they offer us long developments for this new baby since the album only has 5 compositions, while the previous albums (including the last one dating from 2018 'Utopia') contained only one or two long compositions.

The eponymous title of the album opens the ball with its 16 minutes and takes us in a multi-faceted progressive rock cut into several parts that fit together in a beautiful way : everything begins in a soaring atmosphere with a few notes of piano accompanied by a Hispanic acoustic guitar, then, the vocals make their appearance and after this quiet introduction, starts a catchy part which is a bit of a mix between the lightness of 'Santana' with a very characteristic guitar solo and the hovering side from 'Pink-Floyd' with a saxophone tinged with jazzy tones; the middle of the track offers us a break on the electric guitar which reminds me strongly of the introduction of 'Sorrow' of the 'Floyds' and which serves as an introduction to a new atmospheric part in which the acoustic guitar reappears, then, it is a passage made of sound effects always in a 'Floydien' spirit with an exotic atmosphere with background of tribal percussions leading to two energetic and dancing sections with a new rupture for a final recalling the starting theme with this time a saxophone with felted intonations which delicately ends this long title. The shortest track of the album 'Preay' then takes over with a nonchalant ballad whose tampered vocal lining accentuates the atmospheric side, then, 'On The Run' continues with its more than 10 minutes with, first of all, a felted introduction and always this sensitive interpretation of 'Sandra Baetzel' on the saxophone, then, without transition, an energetic and catchy part with sounds of vintage keyboards takes over with remarkable breaks of intensity with for example the beautiful passage to the flute or the beautiful passages highlighting a rhythm marked by electric instruments and the softness of the piano accompaniment, the finale returning to the softness of the piano accompanied by some 'Floydian' guitar notes. Follows 'Chivry' which still exceeds 10 minutes and, this time it is in a bewitching atmosphere that this title begins with vaporous choirs and a guitar/saxophone accompaniment still very 'Floydian', then the sung part continues in the same register in a marked slow tempo with a keyboards solo with tones straight out of the 70s and finally, without transition, the final changes register for more energy with a faster tempo. The album ends with a more swaying and tormented 'Fen-Fire' but which stays in the general atmospheric lineage and which is certainly the most linear title, the main theme being repeated many times.

In summary, as you will have noticed with the multiples references to the 'Pink-Floyds' in this review, the Germans of 'Solar Project' continue to offer us good atmospheric rock which makes 'Ghost Lights' an album to recommend to all fans of a progressive influenced by that of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Terhoeven (Guitar), Robert Valet (Keybords), Holger vom Bruch (Vocal), Sandra Baetzel (Vocal, Choirs, Saxophone), Sebastian Jungermann (Bass), Stefan Schnelting (Percussions), Florian Schlott (Drums)


Artist : Galahad Electric Company

Album : When the Battle Is Over

Release Date : 05-10-2020

Added : 25-11-2020

'Galahad Electric Company' is one of the projects of the two Englishmen 'Dean Baker' and 'Stu Nicholson' whose main project 'Galahad' saw the release in 2018 of a new album 'Seas of Change' and I had reviewed the album 'Quiet Storms' in 2017). Unlike the progressive rock distilled by 'Galahad', the 'Galahad Electric Company' project focuses on the use, on the one hand, of keyboards with electronic sounds and on the other hand a programmed rhythm section. They took advantage of the confinement period to reactivate this parallel project which had only one release in 1999 with 'De-Constructing Ghosts' and they offer us 10 compositions for a duration of about fifty minutes.

We are welcomed by 'Restauration' in the heart of nature with a title filled with sound effects obviously recalling the sound peregrinations of the 'Floyds' and 'Alan's Psychedelic breakfast', then 'When the Battle Is Over' is a beautiful ballad with melodic lines close to 'Barclay James Harvest' but with electronic sounds of keyboards but also with a programmed drum machine and 'Be Careful...' continues in this metallic atmosphere with a new atmospheric title. With 'All That Binds Us', melancholy is the order of the day and, despite the still electronic sounds, the warmth of the keyboard layers settles a little more into the melodic lines of the chorus, then 'The Inquisition (intermezzo)' ends this first half of the album with a more sophisticated composition with sound effects embellished with contemporary choirs which follow a crescendo leading to a part in which keyboards and percussions come to join the choirs for the final. The second half of the album features a lively 'Letting Go' in a new wave atmosphere à la 'Depeche Mode', then 'Mysterioso', with its slower tempo brings some variety, the metallic arrangements giving way to a central part. more stripped down. '1976' reminds me of some moods of 'Jon & Vangelis' and 'My Orcha'd in Lindèn Lea' combines a doctored song with 'Floydian' choirs and a repetitive melody. It is with 'Open Water', completely offset from the rest, that the album ends in a melancholy acoustic composition, the vocals of 'Stu Nicholson' being accompanied by a piano and a cello.

In summary, this latest baby of the duo 'Dean Baker'/'Stu Nicholson', tweaked during the first outbreak of COVID 19 shows us another face of 'Galahad' with electronic sounds and a rhythm section programmed as drums which intends 'When the Battle Is Over' for an audience that likes to mix the modernism of a drum machine with atmospheric rock taking us back decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Baker (Keybords), Stu Nicholson (Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Pride Of Lions

Album : Lion Heart

Release Date : 09-10-2020

Added : 26-11-2020

After their last album 'Fearless', 'Jim Peterik' (still a young kid who is doing well and who will be celebrating his 70th birthday) and his band continue to perpetuate the memory of 'Survivor' with 'Pride Of Lions' and 2020 sees the release of a new baby with the sweet name of 'Lion Heart'. How good it is in this troubled period during which every human being is gradually losing his humanity to plunge back into the carefree period of the 80s with melodies that warm you by being embedded in the depths of yourself. And, even if they don't revolutionize the musical landscape, 'Lion Heart' is still an album filled with melodic jewels in a classic but hyper effective AOR. Right off the bat, with the eponymous title of the album, we find ourselves a few decades back with a chorus that was already trotting in our head at the time, then, 'We Play for Free' continues with a timeless melody and keyboards sounds from another time and 'Heart of the Warrior' drives the point home with a radiant melody. The suite is in the same style with melodies that we immediately appropriate and we alternate between catchy compositions like 'Carry Me Back' or 'Good Thing Gone' or 'Flagship' or 'You're Not A Prisoner' but also nice and much quieter breaks with 'Sleeping With a Memory' very tagged 'Foreigner' and close to 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' or the mid-tempo 'Rock & Roll Boomtown' which is certainly the most sought-after track with variations in tempos and intensity or still both magnificent ballads 'Unfinished Heart' and 'Now', this latter concluding the album in a very nice way.

In short, no surprise, this latest baby of 'Pride of Lions' continues to offer us good melodic rock that should appeal to a large audience loving compositions with very accessible melodic lines : to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Peterik (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Toby Hitchcock (Vocal), Christian Cullen (Keybords), Klem Hayes (Bass), Ed Breckenfield (Drums), Mike Aquino (Guitar) + Guests : Colin Peterik (Drums), Kevin Campbell (Bass)


Artist : Blue Öyster Cult

Album : The Symbol Remains

Release Date : 09-10-2020

Added : 27-11-2020

I do not know if it is the current period which makes all Human being nostalgic for a time of greater wisdom "that those under twenty have not known" during which the word risk was synonymous with Life whereas now it has become a supreme insult which makes us slowly slide towards a sanitized world where Life has become a survival. Still, here is another band from the 70s which we remember fondly with their two historic members, 'Eric Bloom' and 'Donald Roeser', respectively 75 and 73 years old, releasing a new studio recording 'The Symbol Remains' (quite a program), while we were no longer expecting it, the last opus 'Curse of the Hidden Mirror' already dating from 2001. So as not to make you languish, this last album is a real killing and worthy of the greatest hard-rock albums of the 70s with an irreproachable production and a feeling throughout the repeated listenings of this little intact flame of playing this music that they have always loved. From the first track 'That Was Me' with its communicative energy to the last 'Fight' in a calmer melodic rock (14 tracks in all for an hour of listening), everything is there to have a wonderful time and I would have a hard time to give preferences because each composition brings its own personality and each gave me this desire to replay it from the first listening. It is therefore unnecessary to write a long column because the most important is to have a good time listening to this new offering from the Americans which should please not only all fans of 'Blue Öyster Cult' but also a whole audience loving a direct and efficient hard-rock and for my part, 'The Symbol Remains' has done me a lot of good again and will turn many times in my playlist of my best-of 2020...

Line Up / Musicians

Donald « Buck Dharma » Roeser (Guitar, Vocal), Eric Bloom (Vocal, Guitar), Richie Castellano (Keybords, Guitar, Bass, Choirs), Jules Radino (Drums, Percussions), Danny Miranda (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Stardust

Album : Highway to Heartbreak

Release Date : 09-10-2020

Added : 28-11-2020

After the Americans of 'Blue Öyster Cult' and their compatriots from 'Bon Jovi' who have just released each a new opus, we stay in the 80s with this time Hungarians who have just released their first album 'Highway to Heartbreak' after an EP 'Shine' in 2016. Certainly, no major novelties but for fans of the melodic rock of the 80s (who by the way are spoiled at the moment), you will be certainly seduced by this new formation.

'Runaway' begins in a typical 80s vibe with a catchy first melody and 'Heartbreaker' which follows is the cover of 'Pat Benatar' dating from the end of the 70s that the Americans appropriate without copying exactly the original. With, 'Bullet To My Heart', we stay immersed in the melodies of the eighties with another heady chorus that gives this strange impression of having already heard it many times (I can't put a name on it), then the semi-acoustic ballad 'Perfect Obsession' written by 'Marc Spiro' unfolds beautiful melodic lines and '2nd Hand Love', also written by Spiro, is typical of a very classic AOR but so effective. The suite continues in this atmosphere taking us back a few decades, with for example this addictive refrain of the energetic 'Shout It Out' with its choirs that we want to accompany or with the incisive 'Eye to Eye' and his remarkable guitar solo or even with the mid-tempo 'Can't Stop Lovin' You' and 'The River Is Rollin'' with harmonious melodic lines that are instantly engraved in our head.

In summary, without reinventing the wheel, the Americans of 'Stardust' are surfing in a very beautiful way on the wave of melodic rock of the 80s and this 'Highway to Heartbreak' is still to be enjoyed without moderation for all lovers of this style which had its heyday a few decades ago in a much more carefree time...

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Stewart (Vocal, Guitar), Ben Martin (Bass), Dave Legrand (Keybords), Facey (Guitar), Tim Keeley (Drums)


Artist : Gráinne Duffy

Album : Voodoo Blues

Release Date : 15-10-2020

Added : 29-11-2020

After 'Where I Belong' which had me introduced to 'Gráinne Duffy' in 2017, the Irish singer and guitarist is releasing a new album 'Voodo Blues' at the end of 2020. For all fans of authentic blues/rock, this new opus is a good opportunity to escape the time of a few moments of this world so anxiety-provoking at the moment with these 10 compositions which all release a radiant atmosphere transmitted by this sincere and very talented artist. Everything is there to have a great time starting with the eponymous title of the album with a marked rhythm that we can't help but accompany whith our feets, just like the choirs of the chorus, then, 'Mercy' is a magnificent heavy blues in which Gráinne gives a remarkable vocal performance and 'Blue Skies' which was released in early 2020, continues in this direction with a new heady chorus. The rest is like these first titles with melodic lines that immediately become embedded in your head and when the lights are dim, Gráinne knows how to move us with for example the magnificent ballad 'Don't You Cry For Me' but also with 'No Matter What I Do' which unrolls a quiet rhythm in which one can't help but think of the atmospheres of 'Fleetwood Mac'. In summary, 'Gráinne Duffy' continues on its way by offering us a new album filled with good energy and this 'Voodoo Blues' by this authentic artist is to be recommended, beyond blues/rock fans to a relatively large audience because all the compositions are accessible from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Gráinne Duffy (Vocal, Guitar), Paul Sherry (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Deep Imagination

Album : My Silent Celebration

Release Date : 16-10-2020

Added : 30-11-2020

While 'Nick Mason' releases a live from his last world tour 'Live at the Roundhouse' with covers from the first period of 'Pink-Floyd', the German multi-instrumentalist 'Thorsten Sudler-Mainz', originator of 'Deep Imagination', releases a new album 'My Silent Celebration'. We are immersed in atmospheric music that envelops you throughout the 8 tracks (the 8th being the long version of 'In My Memory') and which is conducive to a welcome moment of relaxation in which you let go by letting yourself go to the quiet rhythm of each composition. Some will find that there is too many linearity, but it is a bit the specificity of this kind of music which generally takes place with slow tempos and with a significant use of keyboards. 'My Silent Celebration' therefore scrolls through relaxing melodies with, first of all, remarkable vocal arrangements which make several singers succeed one another (including Thorsten's wife) bringing this aerial atmosphere, but also containing multiple small sound details whether it is at the level of keyboards but also with the use of the guitar whether it is acoustic or electric or with the very frequent contribution of percussions which brings a greater force to the whole. In short, if you need to decompress from a hard day, sit comfortably with the headphones on your ears and quietly enjoy 'My Silent Celebration' which is a miracle remedy to make you forget all your concerns...

Line Up / Musicians

Thorsten Sudler-Mainz (Keybords, Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Thorsten Hardy Hartmann (Vocal), Ann Kareen Mainz (Vocal, Narration), Leon Mainz (Vocal), Oda Reiter (Vocal), Günter Kaufmann (Guitar), Thorsten Rentsch (Guitar), Achim Von Raesfeld (Guitar), Stefan Höllering (Saxophone)


Artist : starfish64

Album : The Crimson Cabinet

Release Date : 18-10-2020

Added : 01-12-2020

We stay in atmospheric progressive rock with the Germans of 'starfish64' who, after 'The Future in Reverse' in 2018 released a new album at this end of 2020, entitled 'The Crimson Cabinet'. It has now been almost fifteen years since 'Dieter Hoffmann' began his adventure and this latest opus continues to offer us a quiet and refined progressive rock like previous productions in the movement of groups like 'Mystery', 'Mostly Autumn' or 'tRKproject'.

After the short introduction 'In the Lobby' made of different sound effects, 'Spindrift' offers us a first rhythmic composition in a relaxed atmosphere which calmly unfolds a beautiful melody, then, 'Lost & Found' is a long ballad in which we let ourselves be rocked pleasantly from start to finish and 'Future Perfect Tense' continues in this quiet atmosphere with a new melody which is embedded immediately in the head and which involves a children's choir. The following compositions continue in this same atmosphere, with, first of all, 'Mr. O 'Brayne' which, in the sweetness, still offers us a beautiful melody, then come the two long developments with the eponymous title of the album and 'The Future In Reverse' (which is the title of the penultimate album) for a new invitation to a delicious journey filled with delicacy and sensitivity, the album ending with 'Nowhere Bound (Aimless Mix)' for a last relaxing ballad that appeared on the EP 'The Lost Boat EP' released in 2014 and has been re-recorded.

In summary, the Germans of 'starfish64' continue to offer us a progressive rock conducive to relaxation that should appeal to a whole audience favoring the soft side of this style like the groups mentioned above which we could add references like 'RPWL' or 'Gazpacho'...

Line Up / Musicians

Dieter Hoffmann (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Henrik Kropp (Drums), Martin Pownall (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions, Vocal), Dominik Suhl (Guitar) + Guests : Jan Thiede (Guitar, Vocal, Glockenspiel), Simon Triebel (Guitar), Peter Herrmann (Slide Guitar), James Ryan, Andreas, Yabil, Hannah, Gabriel, Ilayda, Daniel, Thore, Juliana, Lana, Johannes N., Johannes Ö., Sina, Jacob, Alena, Katerina, Laura, Janne, Efrem , Luisa, Franziska, Yannis, Amélie, Rolf, Léonie (Choirs)


Artist : Celestial Burst

Album : The Maze

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 02-12-2020

'Celestial Burst' is a French project (hey, it was quite a while since I had not reviewed a group from France) created by 'Alexis Lustenberger' and who called on other artists with, among others, the singer 'Kenza Laala', for his debut EP 'The Maze'. Certainly, the distinguished guest 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' who is well known in the progressive world with for example his collaboration with 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' in 'The Gentle Storm' and who regularly participates in the great productions of the Dutch like ' Electric Castle Live And Other Tales' but who oddly was not part of the last cast of 'Transitus' adds a little more curiosity to this short opus which offers us 5 compositions for 31 minutes of listening.

'Obedience' opens the ball in a 'Floydian' atmosphere with a slow melody which makes us discover the beautiful sensual and captivating voice of 'Kenza Laala', then the eponymous title of the album brings a greater variety which make it a progressive title alternating calm passages with other more intense ones and very beautiful instrumental passages always in the movement of 'Floyds', the version of the album being the one sung by 'Kenza Laala' and you can find the version by 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' on spotify in the single 'The Maze'. Then comes 'First Flight' which is the 2nd long development of about 8 minutes which hardens the tone in the first part by merging more aggressive guitar riffs and quieter sung parts, this rivalry between the power of the instruments and the sensuality of the singing of 'Kenza Laala' working wonderfully, the second part returning to a quieter style before a part of sound effects bringing the final much more tormented, then we return to a much more serene atmosphere with the beginning of 'The place where I'm supposed to be' which gains momentum in a second time with oriental sounds then with muscular rock, Kenza showing two facets, sometimes sensual and sometimes powerful in its singing. 'Anna' closes the EP by returning to a more classic title in a cozy atmosphere, the acoustic guitar bringing a restful sweetness and 'Kenza Laala' making a last beautiful vocal performance filled with emotion thanks to a heady melody that never leaves you.

In summary, this troubled period offers us very beautiful moments of relaxation and the French of 'Celestial Burst' are still a good example with the release of their first EP 'The Maze', admittedly short but very pleasant to listen to and which offers us a relaxing progressive rock to enjoy quietly with headphones...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexis Lustenberger (Vocal, Guitar), Kenza Laala (Vocal) + Guests : Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Margaux Serret (Guitar), Sébastien Tibackx (Bass), Xavier Richard (Drums)


Artist : Leaves' Eyes

Album : The Last Viking

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 03-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

We had left 'Alexander Krull' and his formation in 2018 with 'Sign Of The Dragonhead' which saw the enthronement of the new singer 'Elina Siirala' in this very particular style mixing symphonic metal with folk with always very dynamic compositions in epic atmospheres. 2020 sees the release of their new album 'The Last Viking' which returns to themes dear to Alexander, chronicling the history of the Vikings, already deployed in 'Vinland Saga' from 2005 with the story of 'Leif Erikson' who would be the first European to have discovered America but also in the penultimate album 'King of Kings' from 2015 which was the last album with 'Liv Kristine' which told the story of Norway's first king 'Harald Fairhair'. For this last opus, Alexander tells us the story of the last king of Norway 'Harald III' with the different episodes of his life and whose death marks the end of the Vikings.

Musically, we still find this vocal duality between the airy voice of 'Elina Siirala' and the growls of 'Alexander Krull', always fairly well balanced and generally in opposition to the song of the Finnish. After the epic and symphonic instrumental introduction 'Death of a King' and characteristic of this kind of albums, 'Chain of the Golden Horn' sets the scene with an energetic and rhythmic first track in the now well-known style with a lively rhythm which is the typical title for a concert debut (when we'll can return to it), then 'Dark Love Empress' follows with a powerful mid-tempo filled with epic choirs eyeing to 'Epica' with a new heady melody and 'Serpent and Dragons' starts again with a faster rhythm and some breaks in tempo which is now the hallmark of the group. The welcome alternation between faster and slower tempos continues with 'Black Butterfly', in which guest star 'Clémentine Delaunay' from 'Visions Of Atlantis' forms a very nice duet with Elina and as for 'War of Kings', we come back to a marked rhythm, the kind of title that the public sings in chorus and 'For Victory' continues in this catchy momentum with folk sounds. 'Two Kings One Realm' is the symphonic break in the middle of the album to allow us to recover from our emotions and the second part of the album continues in this communicative energy and the climax is achieved with the eponymous title of the album which takes us on an epic journey much less direct than the rest, bringing a progressive and gothic metal side that can make certain places think of du 'Therion', the album ending with 'Break Into The Sky Of Aeon', powerful but slower with the particularity of having an alternation between Alexander growls parts and Elina singing parts, unlike the ensemble in which Alexander is only supporting Elina. Note that as on the previous opus, the second CD offers us the instrumental versions (not necessarily essential unless you are a fan of the band and karaoke).

In summary, this new album of 'Leaves' Eyes' continues the momentum of the previous opus and offers us a new epic made in 'Leaves' Eyes' with all the ingredients of a metal mixing symphonic and Celtic and 'The Last Viking' should be well received by all fans of the group but also by a whole audience loving a catchy metal with heady melodies that we immediately appropriate...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Krull (Vocal, Keybords), Elina Siirala (Vocal), Micki Richter (Guitar), Thorsten Bauer (Guitar), Joris Nijenhuis (Drums) + Gueste : Clémentine Delaunay (Vocal)


Artist : Imperial Age

Album : Live on Earth (The Online Lockdown Concert)

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 04-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

In these troubled and anxious times which deprive us of our freedom to move and which see many bankruptcies, culture is not spared, and especially music, since all concerts are canceled and for the majority of artists, tours represent a large part of their income during which they also sell their albums (therefore, favor this direct sale whether in concert or on the artist's website or, failing that, on facebook stores, even if facebook asks a back up of 5%, this making it possible to limit intermediaries as much as possible). Fortunately, some artists have tried to find alternatives during the lockdown period and this is the case of 'Imperial Age' which, after the release of 'Live in Wroclaw' in early 2020, had the idea of organizing a concert without an audience and at their expense on April 25 Broadcast live on the internet with 38,000 fans who were thrilled to hear this band which is starting to make itself known worldwide and which I had discovered during a 'Therion' in 2016 in my favorite hall of z7 near Basel.

We thus find the hymns of this Russian formation which, with nearly two hours, offer us a very complete set of its discography of which the last album ' The Legacy of Atlantis' is played in its entirety. Certainly, even if we do not find the atmosphere of a real concert (I can certify it to you, even in a small room like the z7, these concerts are a real moment of communion for the fans), we feel that all band members are happy to be there for their audience and give it their all, starting with the epic 'Turn the Sun off!' which kicks off the concert in a wonderful way, Alexander, Jane and Anna being at the top of their art and the sequel unfurls the compositions which have all become familiar and which are good for the soul in need during this painful time. Everything is there to spend (or replay) a good time listening to 'The Escape', 'Vanaheim', 'Love Eternal', 'Aryavarta' or even 'The Legacy of Atlantis' to name just a few titles.

In summary, this album release, out of the ordinary, shows all the tenacity of artists who have only the sole objective of continuing to do what they have always loved to do for the happiness of their audience and this 'Live on Earth', in addition to being an excellent concert by the Russians is a magnificent initiative which should be emulated on the internet and we can only thank Alexander, Jane, Anna, Max, Paul and Dmitry for having succeeded in this bet a little crazy...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander “Aor” Osipov (Vocal), Jane “Corn” Odintsova (Vocal), Anna “Kiara” Moiseeva (Vocal), Max Talion (Drums), Paul “Vredes” Maryashin (Guitar), Dmitry “Belf” Safronov (Bass)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Royal Tea

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 04-12-2020

My last review on an album of 'Joe Bonamassa' dates back to 2018 with 'Redemption', which is still pretty close, but in the meantime, Joe has released other albums with the concert a href='https://open.spotify.com/album/1YQXbOM6MlfrovYYcy1zUH?si=n4uS5Be2SWeGqMCcDgFIRQ'>'Live At The Sydney Opera House', album of covers of songs from the 60s 'Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell' with the group 'The Sleep Eazys', without forgetting his multiple collaborations with, among others, the keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian' who released a solo album, 'The Phoenix' or with 'John Mayall' in his latest album 'Nobody Told Me'. This end of 2020 sees the release of his new opus 'Royal Tea' which is very varied and offers us compositions influenced by the music of the 60s/70s (magnificent cover in the atmosphere of the time) whether in a rock, blues, hard-rock, rockabilly or country style.

To illustrate all this, just listen to the remarkable first track 'When One Door Opens' which is split into two parts with first of all, a slow and sensual blues/rock tempo that we have the impression that it has always been a part of our life (who is that beautiful, soft voice in the second verse ?), and then, without transition, the rhythm is unleashed with an introduction close to the bolero of 'Ravel' then follows a hard-rock section which this time recalls formations of the early 70s with of course 'Black Sabbath' and all this energy falls back into a few guitar notes. Follows the eponymous title of the album which takes us into a good blues with choirs that accompany us and this irresistible desire to stamp one's foot in tempo and which includes in the middle a guitar solo supported by a very seventies Hammond organ, then magnificent the ballad 'Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye' continues in a more subdued atmosphere between blues and soul with some magic guitar notes and the central part, with an acceleration of the tempo, shows the progressive side of the American. We could continue in this enumeration of all these titles, each one having its own personality and each time offering us a beautiful journey through time with very beautiful melodies and effective rhythmics, but how it could have been otherwise since Joe surrounded for the compositions of two big names of this time, with first of all 'Pete Brown', the former lyricist of 'Cream' and 'Bernie Marsden' well known in the hard rock world of the 70s (former member of 'Whitesnake'br>
In summary, the best is still to press the play button and embark on this journey through time by taking full advantage of this new album with titles that pass directly from birth to timelessness and which destines 'Royal Tea' to the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Anton Fig (Drums) + Guests : Bernie Marsden (Guitar), Jools Holland (Piano), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet), Paulie Cerra (Saxophone)


Artist : Salva

Album : A Thousand Ways to Disappear

Release Date : 17-10-2020

Added : 05-12-2020

The 'Salva' project is already 17 years old and the Swedes led by 'Per Malmbreg' have just released a new studio recording 'A Thousand Ways to Disappear' after 'Sigh of Boreas' in 2016 and 'Off the Deep End' in 2018 which had both been well received by critics. With this last baby, they continue to distill progressive between rock and hard-rock bringing us back to the 70s with accessible melodic lines. On the menu, the album contains 7 tracks including 4 long developments alternating with 3 shorter compositions for a total of 54 minutes.

'Stars Aligned' opens the ball with an energetic opening part that unfolds a melody that immediately engages in the head reminiscent of hard-rock from the 70s, the choirs bringing a remarkable vocal richness, then 'Feeding The Flame 'with its swaying rhythm could be a mix between' Led Zeppelin 'and' Deep-Purple 'with instrumental parts in which the keyboards sounds take us back decades. With 'A New God', we hold one of the most varied titles of the opus with, first of all, remarkable vocal arrangements, the progressive side being more highlighted with more extensive instrumental sections including beautiful variations of intensity and tempos while having melodic lines which are easily encrusted in the head. The album continues with 'Wonder's Rebirth' in the same spirit as the whole with a new catchy melody then the major track of the album 'Coma' offers us a long development of almost 14 minutes which contains all the ingredients of 'a rich and varied progressive alternating beautiful sung parts and well-supplied instrumental sections, the whole remaining very accessible. The last two tracks end the album in a calmer atmosphere with, first of all, a semi-acoustic ballad with 'Elegy', very classic but extremely effective then a new long development 'The Strong, Silent Type' which unfolds a new attractive melody highlighting the quality of the vocal arrangements.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Slava' continue their way by offering us a quality album very pleasant to listen to thanks to melodic lines always very accessible and quality vocal arrangements which should destine 'A Thousand Ways to Disappear' has a fairly large audience that likes to mix rock and hard-rock in a progressive that can be tamed at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Per Malmberg (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Acordéon, Mandolin, Percussions), Stefan Gavik (Guitar, Choirs), Johan Lindqvist (Keybords, Choirs), Daniel Nätt (Bass, Choirs), Erik Zetterlund (Drums, Percussions, Choirs)


Artist : Bruce Springsteen

Album : Letter To You

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 06-12-2020

Just after his 71st spring (still a young kid who is doing quite well), 'Bruce Springsteen' with his 'E-Street Band' (the last album with them 'High Hopes' already dating from 2014), continues to enchant us with always as much happiness, and this last baby 'Letter To You' brings us back to the sources of the first opus of the 'Boss', as if he had this need to return to a time that was certainly much more carefree and to share it with us not in a nostalgic way but by embarking on a magnificent journey through time. And to achieve this result, he will, first of all, tell us about this passing time and the memories of all these years, then, musically, he returns to a more direct writing which inevitably makes us in turn return to the 70s. To this, if we add that the live atmosphere of this recording which was made in four days brings even more spontaneity and that three old compositions emerged from its boxes, it is a wonderful gift for all those who used up their turntable with the albums which become legendary 'Born To Run' from 1975 or 'The River' from 1980 or even 'Born in the U.S.A.' from 1984.

And it is with the ballad 'One Minute You're Here', certainly short but magnificent that Bruce welcomes us as if he was telling us that the essential is often in the simplest things and from the beginning we are already taken by this emotion which will remain throughout the album. Then follow 'Letter To You' and 'Burnin' Train' which will certainly give goosebumps to some people over fifty because we are quite in the style of the 70s/80s, atmosphere that we also find in 'The Power Of Prayer', then 'Janey Needs a Shooter', which is one of the titles written in the 70s, has a melody in the great tradition of American songs and one can't help but think of 'Bob Dylan' (which just released in June 2020 'Rough and Rowdy Ways', an opus like he didn't release for many years with this composition 'Murder Most Foul' retracing all his memories since 1963) and we can quote in the same style 'If I Was A Priest' and 'Song for Orphans' (the two other titles of 70s and it's not a hazard). The suite continues in this palpable emotion with for example this tribute to his missing friends from his first group 'The Castiles' or with a nostalgic 'House of A Thousand Guitars' but he is also engaged against people who take advantage of the despair of others with that strong image of the rainmaker ('Rainmaker') promising farmers to bring them rain but, make no mistake, that is a sharp criticism from politicians, the album ending with a poignant 'I'll See You In My Dreams' on death with this optimism to turn anything tragic into something positive.

In summary, this latest 'Bruce Springsteen' is a gem to be brought up to the same level as his productions of the 70s / 80s and, shows that, like the young septuagenarians, 'Steve Hackett', 'Nick Mason', 'Roger Waters', 'Robert Plant' or 'Eric Bloom' and 'Donald Roeser' of 'Blue Öyster Cult', the flame is still there, not only intact but certainly even more boosted during these troubled times and 'Letter To You' is therefore here to replace all the antidepressants of the earth and this by consuming it without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Springsteen (Guitar, Vocal), Roy Bittan (Keybords), Jake Clemons (Saxophone), Charles Giordano (Organ), Nils Lofgren (Guitar), Patti Scialfa (Guitar, Choirs), Garry Tallent (Bass), Steven Van Zandt (Guitar), Max Weinberg (Drums)


Artist : Wobbler

Album : Dwellers of the Deep

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 07-12-2020

After 'From Silence to Somewhere' from 2017, Norwegians from 'Wobbler' release new album 'Dwellers of the Deep'. As in their previous opus, we find a progressive and symphonic rock straight from the 70s with for the amateurs of this period, vintage keyboards in abundance and if I had made a parallel with 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' in my last review, in this new opus, it reminds me more of the English of <'Renaissance'. No surprise then, we find the long developments with only 4 compositions, of which the 2 shorter ones of 8 and 4 minutes respectively are framed by the two major titles of the album of 14 and 19 minutes for 45 minutes in total.

It is therefore with the 14 minutes of 'By The Banks' that the album begins in a tangle of sections alternating intensities and tempos and requiring that we linger there to appreciate to its true value all the arrangements, whether vocal (they are always magnificent) or instrumentals and, already, the influences of 'Renaissance' are felt. 'Five Rooms' continues with an introduction in a religious atmosphere and which takes off after a little over a minute to embark us in a new sound maze with this time a parallel with 'Yes', then the short 'Naiad Dreams' brings a welcome acoustic break before the masterpiece 'Merry Macabre' of the album which starts in a very calm atmosphere and which makes us scroll through all that we could find best in the progressive of the 70s with admirable vocal passages, a singing often quite close to 'Jon Anderson' which makes us draw a parallel with 'Yes' and instrumental passages that make one think of the first albums (for me the best) of 'Renaissance'.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Wobbler' continue to assume for our greatest pleasure their style modeled on a progressive of the 70s and this new opus 'Dwellers of the Deep' is recommended to a public adept of vintage sounds of progressive music and who likes to get lost in long developments that we discover little by little by multiplying the listenings...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Prestmo (Vocal, Guitar, Glockenspiel, Percussions), Geir Marius Bergom Halleland (Guitar), Kristian Karl Hultgren (Bass, Clarinette), Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Keybords), Martin Nordrum Kneppen (Drums)


Artist : Looking-Glass Lantern

Album : A World of Great Invention

Release Date : 26-10-2020

Added : 08-12-2020

The project 'Looking-Glass Lantern' was created in 2013 by the Englishman 'Graham Dunnington' who has a classical musical background (he has a doctorate in Victorian popular music) and who is also fond of progressive rock and who therefore combined these two passions to release several studio recordings since his new album 'A World of Great Invention' is already the fourth after 'A Tapestry Of Tales' in 2013, 'The Hound Of The Baskervilles' in 2014 and 'Candlelight And Empire' that I had reviewed in 2018. The theme of the new opus is focused on the discoveries of the Victorian period period with each song which that tells us about an invention with, in bulk, the revolution of the daily of ordinary people, the postage stamp, the bicycle, the department stores, portrait photography, the disappearance of the sailing ships that carried tea due to the advent of steamboats, the industrialization of agriculture and interior domestic lighting.

And from the start, with 'The World Came Into The Home', we are immersed in the musical universe of the Englishman with a preponderant use of keyboards which highlights a symphonic style that borrows from the classical side and quiet of formations of the 70s like 'Genesis', 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Yes' or even 'Renaissance', then 'The Letter', in an atmosphere more classical, adds a little more tones of vintage keyboards and 'A New Freedom' accelerates the tempo in a luminous composition perfectly imaging bike rides. Follows 'Inside A World Of Wonder', whose joyful and radiant atmosphere takes us on a long development in which the singing can recall the high pitched voice of 'Jon Anderson' while 'A moment Captured' welcomes us to the sound of a harpsichord with a classical melody which can recall the symphonic atmosphere of some titles of 'Al Stewart'. It is with 'The Great Tea Race Of 1866' that we hold the major title of the album of more than 16 minutes which juxtaposes different sections with very accessible melodic lines and a symphonic side pushed to its extreme illustrating travel in boats to bring the tea back to England. The end of the album remains in this same symphonic atmosphere with first of all 'The Old Ways And The New Ways' which is in the same style as the previous title then 'The Meaning Of The Light' offers us a last ballad with classical sounds and with a heady melody that never leaves us.

In summary, 'Graham Dunnington' continues to bring us albums mixing classic ambiances with a peaceful and refined progressive which deploys melodic lines taking us back to the early 70s which makes 'A World of Great Invention' a album that should appeal to all those who like a calm and relaxing symphonic progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Dunnington (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Black Stone Cherry

Album : The Human Condition

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 09-12-2020

After 'Family Tree' in 2018, we find the powerful and rocky voice of 'Chris Robertson' with his formation 'Black Stone Cherry' in a new album released at the end of October. This seventh opus 'The Human Condition' from the Americans continues to take us to lands between muscular rock and hard-rock and we find catchy hymns which melodies immediately come to your mind.

And it starts strong with 'Ringin' In My Head', melodic and efficient at will with a well hardened rhythm, in short, nothing is missing until the small pleasurable guitar solo, then 'Again' follows suit with a tempo that will knock your head off by dint of headbanging, 'Push Down & Turn' not being outdone with remarkable firepower and some rabid electric guitar notes. Follows 'When Angels Learn To Fly' which, even if it remains catchy, is the first well placed break and we will find another one five tracks later with the beautiful ballad 'If My Heart Had Win' and one other finally with the last track of the album, the super melodic 'Keep On Keepin', then we find with compositions like 'Live This Way', 'The Chain', 'Ride' or even 'Some Stories' all as effective as the others and I will also mention the melodic jewel 'In Love With The Pain' which can only make you want to clap your hands in rhythm and that we would like the chorus to never stop. Also note a cover slightly more muscular than the original of 'Don't Bring Me Down' d '' Electric Light Orchestra'.

In summary, we are now used to each album release, the Americans of 'Black Stone Cherry' continue to offer us direct and effective compositions and this is still true with 'Human Condition' which raises the bar very high by bringing even more power which should appeal to an audience loving a powerful hard-rock whose melodic lines are immediately assimilable and it is still an album serving as an anti-depressant in the current period...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Robertson (Vocal, Guitar), Ben Wells (Guitar), John Fred Young (Keybords, Drums, Harmonica), Jon Lawhon (Bass)


Artist : The Flower Kings

Album : Islands

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 10-12-2020

In the progressive global musical landscape, the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings' have become an essential formation and, after an excellent 'Waiting For Miracles' in 2019, a little year later, they offer us a new opus 'Islands', and what an opus, since it is a double CD with the characteristic of containing only fairly short compositions for this type of music (we are entitled nevertheless to a title which borders on 10 minutes) and which total one hour and thirty-five minutes. It goes without saying that this new baby of the Swedes requires that we linger there if we want to draw all the richness and given the abundance of titles (21 in total) and the diversity that each brings. On the other hand, even if there is a theme on the isolation that this period of epidemic brings us, clearly reflected by the image of islands cut off from the world, I have not succeeded in finding a homogeneity that requires listen to all at once as is often the case in the progressive and, suddenly, I apprehended it a little differently by discovering it little by little which, finally, allowed me to come back to it by little touch without any frustration of not taking it in its entirety.

Given the diversity of the album, a review detailing all titles would be too long (all the more so, that even if the titles are shorter, that does not prevent that each one integrates a good dose of progressive which shows that this style is not necessarily synonymous with long developments), and, therefore, I will tell you about the different atmospheres released : from the first title, with 'Racing With Blinders On', we have to do with a beaming progressive with a few modulations of intensity and we find this luminous side in other titles such as 'From the Ground' with his pop style, 'Black Swan' and its cabaret atmosphere of the interwar period, the light 'Morning News', the entailing 'Broken', the short instrumentals with jazzy intonations 'Jounrneyman' and 'Hidden Angles', the improbable 'All I Need Is Love' which bring together the acoustic guitar rhythm of the 'Gypsy Kings' with that of the electric guitar from 'David Gilmour', the sly 'Serpentine' or the mischievous 'Between Hope & Fear'. In parallel, other compositions bring a much more calm and melancholy side such as the symphonic 'Goodbye Outrage', the sensual 'Tangerine', the remarkable 'Solaris' which unfolds a slow melody that envelops you, the atmospheric 'Heart of the Valley', the relaxing 'Man In A Two Peace Suit' with its aerial guitar close to 'Santana', the psychedelic 'A New Species' that would not have denied 'Syd Barret', the nonchalant 'Northern Lights' which brings a soothing melancholy, the masterful instrumental 'Looking for Answer' borrowing, among others, from classical music in the style of 'Saint-Preux', the relaxing 'Telescope' with its Latino intonations again bringing us back to 'Santana', the rhythmic 'Fool's Gold' with its sounds close to 'Uriah Heep' of the first hour, the album ending with the sumptuous symphonic instrumental 'Islands' with memorable melodic lines set in value by wonderful guitar solos. Note also this magnificent cover which, just looking at it, must trigger some thrills of emotion to some fans of the first hour of 'Yes' or of'Asia' or still of 'Uriah Heep' to name only rock bands because it's 'Roger Dean' who made it.

In summary, the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings' set the bar very high again with this double album which, it must be emphasized, was produced while the members of the group were in several different countries but the result of which is a kind of patchwork of compositions of a richness and a variety certainly unique as if they had wanted to realize a kind of progressive compilation with various influences which still makes 'Islands' a recording to add to the ideal collection for any amateur of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Ukulele), Hasse Fröberg (Vocal, Guitar), Jonas Reingold (Bass, Guitar), Zach Kamins (Keybords), Mirkko Demaio (Drums, Percussions) + Guest : Rob Townsend (Saxophone)


Artist : Scardust

Album : Strangers

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 11-12-2020

After a first album in 2017 which made a strong impression on me ('Sands Of Time'), the Israelis of 'Scardust' release a new album 'Strangers'. Many know the symphonic metal formation 'Orphaned Land' which have made themselves a worldwide fame and this young band 'Scardust' has all the assets, in another style, to earn the same fame. For those who missed the first episode, 'Scardust' is led by singer 'Noa Gruman' and has the particularity of mixing classical influences with metal. You will tell me that it is common now with bands like 'Therion' or 'Epica' but what really makes them a group apart is to bring a good dose of progressive which could be a clever mix between 'Dream Theater' and 'Epica'. We therefore find in the 11 compositions of this last opus this very particular style which make it a unique formation in the metal musical landscape. And like a lot of group now (see in another style 'The Flower King'), they chose to talk to us about the distance and isolation of human beings that they have also lived during the lockdown in Israel which required them to separately register their own parts.

With 'Overture for the Estranged', we have a good overview of this patchwork which brings together a classical choir and strings with the double pedal of metal accompanied by frenzied arpeggios of electric guitars borrowed from classical music, then, with 'Break the Ice', we are embarked on a musical in which 'Noa Gruman' offers us the perfect singing to stick to this style with vocalizations rising very high in the treble. Without transition, 'Tantibus II' approaches symphonic metal with a lot of chorus reinforcement and in this register, 'Noa Gruman' remind me of 'Charlotte Wessels' from 'Delain', then, 'Stranger' continues with beautiful alternations of intensities and tempos while keeping melodic lines that immediately encrusted in the head. With 'Concrete Cage', it is another style which is mixed in a beautiful way with the guest 'Patty Gurdy' who brings a folk atmosphere with her hurdy-gurdy in a new catchy composition in which Patty's acoustic instrument coexists with the electric instruments which bring a very great force and in which the vocal duet between the two singers is remarkable, then 'Over' ends the first part of the album with a 'Noa Gruman' which beautifully alternates growls with her clear voice being accompanied by the 'Hellscore' choral in a heady melody and always these alternations between powerful parts and others quieter. After a powerful introduction, 'Under' alternates sensual parts in a cabaret style with heavy sections with another admirable complicity between 'Noa Gruman' and the choir 'Hellscore', complicity that we find in the following title 'Huts' , very intense and in a fast rhythm which decreases to make room for magnificent interventions by the choir, then, 'Gone' continues in melodic lines reminiscent of 'Stranger' with a new effective chorus and with an extraordinary new performance by 'Noa Gruman 'bringing an impressive vocal power (again this parallel with' Charlotte Wessels') and with a fantastic instrumental section in the second part of the title. We reach the apotheosis with the catchy 'Addicted' which embarks us in brilliant vocal competitions and which keeps immense strength throughout the title whether vocally or instrumentally with a brilliant final touch on bass, the album ending without transition in a quieter title with a ballad which is much more accessible and which is very well placed to recover from all this accumulated emotion in the previous compositions.

In summary, with this second studio recording, 'Scardust' amazes us with an impressive evolution from the first album 'Sands Of Time' which was already of great quality and, if you are open to different styles that you are not used to hearing together and that you like unusual metal while remaining very melodic, you should be delighted by' Strangers'. For my part, it will undoubtedly be the most innovative album of the year 2020 because these Israelis are shaking up all musical conventions by taking new paths by bringing an originality that has repeatedly triggered on me the 'wow' effect...

Line Up / Musicians

Noa Gruman (Vocal), Yanai Avnet (Bass), Yadin Moyal (Guitar), Itai Portugali (Keybords), Yoav Weinberg (Drums) + Gueste : Patty Gurdy (Vocal, Vielle à roue), Hellscore (Choirs)


Artist : Walk In Darkness

Album : On the Road to Babylon

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 12-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'On the Road to Bablylon' is the 3rd album of the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness' after 'In the Shadows of Things' in 2017 et ' Welcome to the New World' in 2018. And like in the last opus, 'Emiliano Pasquinelli' always brings his growls in opposition to the clear vocals of 'Nicoletta Rosellini' in a metal atmosphere certainly darker with powerful and heavy rhythms between symphonic and gothic but never tiring because, unlike doom which is often very linear, the changes of intensity and tempo bring a certain variety to the whole. In terms of the theme, we are starting to get used to it in this anxiety-provoking period, they talk about, I quote 'Shaman' the guitarist and author/composer of the group : 'On The Road To Babylon' is a milestone in our endless musical research and evolution, almost like a prophecy and a warning to a world imploding due to pandemic crisis, self-isolation and trans-humanity'.

It is with 'The Sound of Rain' that the album begins with an energetic introduction in which the opposition between the clear voice of Nicoletta and the growls of Emiliano are already present, the whole being punctuated by much calmer verses, then, the eponymous title of the album welcomes us with some notes of acoustic guitar and continues in a slow powerful tempo with a preponderant place for the growls in the verses always in opposition with the clear vocals of Nicoletta, the register being sometimes low but which evolves towards the acute bringing an aerial side to the whole. 'Walk on the Sky' continues with a ballad that can remind the Dutch of 'Imperia' and 'On the Moon or on Mars' and its heady chorus continues in this dark atmosphere. The suite continues with slow tempos that unroll beautiful melodies, the growls that were very present in the first titles have completely disappeared and we can mention the magnificent ballads 'Nothing', 'In the Mists of Time' and 'Critical System Failure' of an admirable emotional intensity, the other tracks not being outdone with 'My Restless Wings' and its magnificent vocal duo bringing together 'Elisabetta Bettini' and 'Nicoletta Rosellini', very complementary, or even the mid-tempo 'Time to Rise' with a great force. Note that the Italians have put the small dishes in the big ones with regard to the videos which are all very worked with in addition to the video of 'On the Road to Babylon' that I put in link above, those by 'The Sound of Rain', 'Nothing' or even that of 'Time to Rise'.

In summary, the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness' continue to offer us a "gothico-symphonic" metal with slow tempos served by very beautiful melodies and by remarkable vocal performances of 'Nicoletta Rosellini' and 'On the Road to Babylon' should appeal to an audience loving the dark and moderate side of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini (Vocal), Shaman (Guitar), Flaming Jack (Guitar), Tio Frank (Keybords), Monk Key (Bass), Arcanus (Drums) + Guests : Emiliano Pasquinelli (Growls), Elisabetta Bettini (Vocal)


Artist : Trobar de Morte

Album : The Book of Shadows

Release Date : 31-10-2020

Added : 13-12-2020

'Lady Morte' and her band keep releasing albums and after the compilation '20 Years of Music & Sorecry''20 Years of Music & Sorecry' which marked the 20th anniversary of this Spanish formation, they released a new studio recording with 'The Book of Shadows' after 'Ouroboros' in 2016 and 'Witchcraft' in 2018. I quote their bandcamp page on their latest opus, "This new album is a compendium of legends and tales cradled by shadows, dark mysticism and esoteric traditions. 13 songs with celtic, tribal and even neoclassical overtones dance with each other in this new journey towards ancestry."

We therefore find this captivating atmosphere with folk influences and given the theme, the majority of the tempos are quite slow and bring a strange and often quite dark atmosphere, starting with the instrumental introduction with tribal percussions releasing a disquieting side, then 'Sacrifice', although the tempo accelerates slightly, continues in this mystical atmosphere and we find slow marked percussions in 'The Unquiet Grave' which will come back quite often in the rest of the album. The teaser above gives a good look at the whole album and the band added two more videos to their youtube page, 'Sacrifice' and 'Fuga Maleficis'.

In summary, this latest Spanish album of 'Trobar de Morte' takes us on a journey to strange and disturbing worlds featuring witchcraft, rituals and characters straight out of mythology and 'The Book of Shadows' is to be listened to quietly with headphones while letting your mind wander listening to these melodies with bewitching atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Lady Morte (Keybords, Vocal, Vielle à oue, Percussions), Daimoniel (Guitar), Máiréad (Violin), Caleb (Violins), Üri Bokskog (Flute), Moonvic (Bass), Luka (Drums, Percussions, Flute), Dagda (Viole)


Artist : Eternal Idol

Album : Renaissance

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 14-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

Four years that 'Fabio Lione' had not released a new album with his new project 'Eternal Idol', and it is done with 'Renaissance', which has seen a change of line up since she is now the singer 'Claudia Layline' ('Serenade') and drummer 'Enrico Fabris' who officiates instead, respectively, of 'Giorgia Colleluori' and his brother 'Camillo Colleluori' both present on the first album 'The Unrevealed Secret'. We therefore find a fairly classic symphonic metal with the little extra of having a couple of singers, and which singers, because everyone knows the talent of 'Fabio Lione' but it must be said that with 'Claudia Layline', the couple works wonderfully and brings another dimension to the whole as can formations like 'Visions Of Atlantis' or like the collaboration between 'Anette Olzon' and 'Russell Allen' in 'Worlds Apart'.

'IntoThe Darkness' opens the album with an epic and symphonic vibe reminiscent of the beginning of this style in the late 90s, 'Claudia Layline' using her lyrical register and 'Fabio Lione', equal to him, bringing his theatrical side, making of 'Thomas Vikström' with 'Therion', then 'Black Star' which follows, takes us on a catchy track with a heady chorus which should be well received in concert, just like 'Dark Eclipse', more classic, for a new memorable mid-tempo. We come back to the 'Nightwish' symphonic with 'Without Fear', a more refined composition that alternates intensity and softness, the double pedal alongside a refined section and which has beautiful vocal arrangements, then the melancholy ballad break 'Away From Heaven' follows, well placed in the middle of the album and highlighting the vocal duo of Claudia and Fabio and 'Not the Same', more vigorous, continuing on a slow tempo and we say to ourselves that 'Fabio Lione' has certainly listened a little too much to 'Confortably Numb' in its youth because the finale is completely modeled on this addictive melody of the 'Floyds' which has been around the world. Back to symphonic with the melodic jewel 'The Edge' which highlights 'Claudia Layline' who provides the vocal section alone, then, 'Flying Over You', always so melodic with this time, a solo performance by 'Fabio Lione' and follows 'Lord Without Soul' which recalls the catchy tracks of 'Tarja' which give an irresistible desire to move. And it is with the eponymous 'Renaissance', a long title that the album ends in beauty with a good summary of the whole, bringing together all by itself the symphonic and the epic in a theatrical atmosphere with variations of intensity and tempos, the orchestral and vocal arrangements being remarkable.

In summary, unsurprisingly, 'Fabio Lione' shows that he continues to be a key player in the symphonic metal scene by offering us an album filled with beautiful melodies and addicting choruses and 'Renaissance' will certainly make happies, in this Christmas period, for all the followers of a classical symphonic metal which recalls the precursors of this style in the end of the 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabio Lione (Vocal), Claudia Layline (Vocal), Nick Savio (Guitar, Keybords), Enrico Fabris (Drums), Andrea Buratto (Bass)


Artist : Fates Warning

Album : Long Day Good Night

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 15-12-2020

The formation 'Fates Warning' which did not release albums for ten years between 2004 and 2013, has made good progress since because 'Long Day Good Night' is their 3rd studio recording after 'Darkness in a Different Light' in 2013 and 'Theories of Flight' in 2016, 2017 and 2018 having seen the release of respectively 'Awaken the Guardian Live' and 'Live Over Europe'. With this 'Long Day Good Night', we are in the continuity of the previous opus with a sought-after and imaginative progressive metal which highlights numerous breaks in intensity and rhythm, juxtaposing very refined parts with others bursting with power. and energy and this even within a composition. On the menu, 13 tracks for 72 minutes of listening and, even if the global pandemic has forced them to record their respective part remotely, this new baby is incredibly rich.

From the first listen, we feel that the album is divided into two types of compositions with first of all quite direct titles with verse/chorus constructions but also others much more progressive in approach, both keeping the touch "made in 'Fates Warning'". 'The Destination Onward' which begins the album is classified in the second type with a composition belonging to the three longest and takes us into this juxtaposition of contrasting sections, with, first of all, an atmospheric first part that leaves room to a rhythm acceleration highlighting all the power of raging guitar riffs and a remarkable first performance of 'Ray Alder' always at the top in these energetic atmospheres In the same style, we can cite the other two long developments, 'The Way Home' which offers us, first of all, a refined ballad gradually increasing in intensity to explode in an energetic mid-tempo and 'The Longest Shadow of the Day' which is cut into several parts and wich takes us through all kinds of atmospheres by juxtaposing breaks of intensity bringing extreme strength to the whole. Regarding the other titles, shorter and much more direct, they are also separated into two categories, first of all powerful compositions with for example 'Shuttered World' and its heady chorus or 'Scars' with its heavy rhythm o r Begin Again' and its addictive tempo to make a whole audience headbang or even 'Liar' and 'Glass Houses', more classic but immediately assimilable, then, other much calmer compositions like the mid-tempo 'Now Comes The Rain' much more rock than metal, and the magnificent ballads 'Under the Sun' with its melodic lines that immediately touch you or 'When Snow Falls' or even 'The Last Song' placed in last position to recover from our emotions after the long development 'The Longest Shadow Of The Day'.

In summary, with this last album, 'Fates Warning' shows all the palette of which they are capable, whether in a sought-after progressive metal which requires to linger there but also in a more direct metal which wants to be much more accessible which destines 'Long Day Good Night' to an audience loving a varied metal with contrasting atmospheres which is the hallmark of this band...

Line Up / Musicians

Ray Alder (Vocal), Jim Matheos (Guitar), Joey Vera (Bass), Bobby Jarzombek (Drums) + invites : Mike Abdow (Guitar), Gavin Harrison (Drums)


Artist : Surma

Album : The Light Within

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 16-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

We are not used to hearing guitarist 'Heri Joensen' in this style of symphonic metal because his formation 'Týr' evolves into folk metal but it is this style that he offers us with his new project 'Surma' which he shares with the female singer 'Viktorie Surmøvá' from the formation 'Bohemian Metal Rhapsody'. With this first album 'The Light Within', they offer us 13 compositions that can be described as classic in a symphonic and melodic metal taking us back to the first groups of this style at the end of the 90s, with of course the pioneers genre, 'Within Temptation' and 'Nightwish' which featured female singers with lyric or classic training.

After the short symphonic introduction 'Rendition' typical of this style, 'Reveal the Light Within' opens the album with a first melodic hit which shows that 'Surma' is riding the wave of 'Beyond The Black' or 'Delain' to name only two current bands on the front of the stage, then 'Like the River Flows' reminds me of the live sounds of 'Within Temptation' with 'The Silent Force Tour' from 2005 and the following track 'Fire and Wind' continues on this path with a new melodic gem with remarkable vocal arrangements. The first ballad break arrives with 'Desire' which also shows that the beauty knows how to be tender by gently rocking us, then, 'The City of Winds' continues with a more sophisticated composition with multiple changes of tempos bringing a little touch of progressive , 'The Selkie (Kópakonan)' taking again the path of a symphonic metal with a memorable melodic theme. The second part of the album continues in this symphonic-melodic momentum with the mid-tempo 'Until It Rains Again', the new melancholic ballad 'Emptiness (Is No More)', the heady 'Cages of Rage' bringing to the fore grandiose choirs in a syncopated rhythm, 'Downfall' alternating calm verses with an energetic chorus, the fast 'Lost to Time' with a new memorable melody and 'Deconstruction' ending the album smoothly with a short symphonic instrumental.

In summary, this new formation 'Surma' in line with current symphonic metal formations, thanks to talented artists, offers us a remarkable album that we listen to with pleasure and, even if they won't revolutionize the genre, 'The Light Within' should undoubtedly appeal to an audience loving a symphonic metal accessible at first listening thanks to melodic lines that we immediately appropriate...

Line Up / Musicians

Viktorie Surmøvá (Vocal), Heri Joensen (Guitar), Rens Bourgondiën (Bass), Andrey Ischenko (Drums)


Artist : Millenium

Album : The Sin

Release Date : 10-11-2020

Added : 17-12-2020

The life of 'Ryszard Kramarski' has been very busy in these last two years because between the project' Millenium 'and the album 'THE WEB' and his other project 'tRKproject' with 'Mr Scrooge' in 2019 but also the magnificent 'Kay & Gerda' in 2020 featuring two masterful vocal interpretations of 'Karolina Leszko' and 'David Lewandowski' and the re-release of two old albums with also the two interpretations, first of all 'Sounds from the Past' and also 'Mr Scrooge', we were very spoiled and this end of 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording of 'Millenium'. We find with happiness the progressive rock that we knew from the previous opus, calm and relaxing with beautiful melodic lines with a theme about the seven deadly sins, the album therefore comprising seven tracks for a little more than three quarters of an hour of listening.

It is in a 'Floydienne' atmosphere that 'Pride' welcomes us with a first composition which takes us directly on a little cloud, the superb melody rocking us throughout the title and the instrumental parts of keyboards and guitar accentuating the airy side, then, with 'Lust', we stay warm on our cloud with a new heady melody and 'Wrath' continues with an atmospheric introduction and accelerates the rhythm in an atmosphere reminding me of the German formation 'RPWL'. Follows 'Glutony' with a more marked tempo which gives an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music, the instrumental parts continuing to enchant us, then 'Sloth' unrolls a new intoxicating and captivating melody before 'Greed' which deploys a rhythmic lively while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. The album ends with the longest track which develops a smooth atmosphere which slowly increases in power for a final with a magnificent 'Floydien' guitar solo.

In summary, this is another quality album that the Poles of 'Millenium' offer us whith, still, an invitation to travel ("There, all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and voluptuousness") and 'The Sin' should appealed to a fairly large audience loving peaceful and melodious progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lukasz gall (Vocal), Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Piotr Plonka (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Bauer (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : AC/DC

Album : POWER UP

Release Date : 13-11-2020

Added : 18-12-2020

Not possible, with all the twists and turns of our friends from the kangaroo's country have been through for a decade, the deaths of brothers Malcolm and George Young, the legal troubles of 'Phil Rudd' and the hearing problems of 'Brian Johnson' (normal for a guy who takes 120 db regularly in the coconut), we say to ourselves that it is a miracle to have again in the hands a pancake of AC/DC, this legendary group which, after the release of 'Highway To Hell' in 1979 and of 'Back in Black' in 1980, made a small stop on January 9, 1981 in France at the Besançon sports center (and yes, memories, memories, forty years ago !!). No need for a long column, this new Australian baby is a bomb that takes us directly back to that time when we were unleashed on 'Highway to Hell' in the "boums" (and yes, young people, we called like that parties with friends in the 80s !!) to the amazement of the girls who did not quite understand that their boyfriend suddenly turns into a completely crazy alien. And yes, with that 'POWER UP', 'AC/DC' makes some 'AC/DC' trademark, and god knows I'm drawn to all kinds of rock music, but how good it feels to turn up the sound and listen to songs like 'Rejection' or 'Code Red' (grumpy people will say it sounds familiar already, and yes, man, intros must remind you of 'Shot Down In Flames' for the first one and 'Back in Black' for the second and that's why it's at all good, who cares if it looks like something known) and I could quote all the titles of this opus so much each of them titillates our ears from the introduction with these riffs so characteristic of Angus. In short, I do not know if it is the completely anxiety-provoking period but the young people of the 70s/80s are doing well (remember that in my last reviews we find in different styles of music people in their seventies like 'Bruce Springsteen', 'Steve Hackett', 'Nick Mason', 'Roger Waters', 'Robert Plant' or still 'Eric Bloom' et 'Donald Roeser' de 'Blue Öyster Cult') and 'AC/DC' is still here to prove it to us with 'POWER UP' which is to be consumed without moderation, especially since music is still and, fortunately, an art that does not require authorization to be able to enjoy it when and where you want...

Line Up / Musicians

Angus Young (Guitar), Brian Johnson (Vocal), Cliff Williams (Bass), Phil Rudd (Drums), Stevie Young (Guitar)


Artist : Snow White Blood

Album : Hope Spring Eternal

Release Date : 13-11-2020

Added : 19-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

In symphonic metal, themes around fairy tales are quite common with for example 'Dark Sarah' ou 'Xiphea' and the Germans of 'Snow White Blood' are now added to this list with the release of their first studio recording 'Hope Spring Eternal', their career having started in 2013 with a first EP 'Once Upon a Fairytale' in 2016. For this first opus, we already feel an impressive maturity in this young group whose frontwoman 'Ulli Perhonen' possesses remarkable vocal qualities.

'Shared Hearts' opens the album in a catchy style that may remind their compatriots of 'Coronatus' especially, as 'Ulli Perhonen' shares the vocals with 'Lilly Seth' who both form a very beautiful duo, their voices agreeing perfectly together, then 'Longing for the Sea', after a quiet introduction bringing on a heady melody, continues in this energetic atmosphere with a new flawless vocal performance from Ulli and 'Drop a Stitch', with the contribution of grandiose choirs, also shows that the Germans know how to bring remarkable vocal and orchestral arrangements in this fast and varied title, also thanks to variations in tempos and intensity. It is with 'Never-Ending Waltz' that the first break arrives, a beautiful ballad in crescendo with the singing of Ulli Perhonen adapting perfectly to this rise in power, first of all, in a clear voice in a register quite low, then, little by little which gains momentum for a masterful final with an astonishing lyrical voice (even if she does not have a classical training), then, 'You Belong To Me' offers a typical title of a symphonic metal approaching the beginning of 'Nightwish', with abundant orchestral arrangements, the duet formed by 'Ulli Perhonen' and guest 'Danny Meyer' bringing additional vocal richness. The end of the album makes us scroll through 'The Court Jester', always with this communicative positive energy that should work well in concert, then 'Rising of the Sun' hardens the tone in a more tormented atmosphere while having beautiful melodic lines and with a rupture of intensity in the middle of the title preparing an imposing finale in a more marked tempo that falls again with some piano notes, which certainly makes it the most varied title on the album, and finally, 'Falling Stars' closes the opus with a magnificent melancholy ballad highlighting the 'Stimmgewalt' choirs.

In summary, the Germans of 'Snow White Blood' show, for a first album, an admirable quality which places them in direct outsiders of formations like 'Xandria', 'Sirenia' ou encore 'Imperia' and 'Hope Spring Eternal' is recommended for a symphonic metal audience who like accessible melodies and beautiful vocal performances because it is a safe bet that 'Ulli Perhonen' will make talk about her in the coming year...

Line Up / Musicians

Ulli Perhonen (Vocal, Arrangements orchestraux), Christian Weber (Guitar), Thomas Schmitt (Bass), Max Rudolph (Drums) + Guests : Lilly Seth (Vocal), Danny Meyer (Vocal), Stimmgewalt (Choirs)


Artist : Marathon

Album : Mark Kelly's Marathon

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 20-12-2020

In the band 'Marillion', we know more 'Steve Rothery', 'Fish' or 'Steve Hogarth' and the keyboardist 'Mark Kelly' who joined the band in 1981 and who has always had a prominent place in the music of 'Marillion' is less often cited. Apart from a few participations in various projects including in 'The Source' of 'Ayreon', he had never started a solo project. It's done now with this first album 'Mark Kelly's Marathon' and the other artists who accompany him are not necessarily very well known in the progressive world with the singer 'Oliver M Smith', the guitarist guitariste 'John Cordy', bassist and guitarist 'Conal Kelly' who is none other than Mark's nephew, guitarist 'Pete “woody” Wood', drummer 'Henry Rogers' who distinguished himself in progressive rock bands including 'Edison’s Children' or 'Mostly Autumn', 'Guy Vickers' who wrote the lyrics for the album and we can note the appearance on 'Puppets' of 'Steve Rothery' with his characteristic sounds of guitar.

'Mark Kelly's Marathon' has 2 long developments cut into several parts and it is with the first, 'Amelia', which tells the story of the aviator 'Amelia Earhart' who disappeared in the Pacific while attempting a world tour, that the album begin : after the atmospheric introduction 'Shoreline', 'Whistling at the Sea' unfolds a peaceful melody supported by the soft voice of 'Oliver M Smith' and the beautiful piano accompaniment of 'Mark Kelly' which gains momentum in the middle of the title to end on a magnificent guitar solo by 'John Cordy', then '13 Bones' continues in this quiet atmosphere with Mark's piano rocking us with lines melodic which can recall the most beautiful songs of Elton John ', the keyboards solo being remarkable. Then follows the ballad 'When I Fell' which lulls us with a heady new melody with influences from the seventies and it is the 'Bee Gees' that come to mind, then 'This Time' is a very light popant mid-tempo in the lineage of the songs of the 'Beatles' and 'Puppets', of more than 7 minutes, is still a beautiful ballad that would not have denied 'Elton John' but with in addition, magnificent instrumental passages in which 'Steve Rothery' to the guitar and 'Mark Kelly' on the keyboards hit each other nicely. And it is with the second suite 'Twenty Fifty One' that the album ends in an epic atmosphere alternating progressive rock and atmospheric which makes it the flagship composition of the album and it is undoubtedly the closest title of 'Marillion' in which we are embarked from the first to the last note by letting ourselves go according to the melodic lines.

In summary, this first album signed 'Mark Kelly' is a very pleasant journey in a calm and relaxing progressive rock showing all the talent of this keyboardist who has been associated with 'Marillion' for 40 years and if you appreciate formations like 'Mostly Autumn', 'Mystery' or 'Millenium', you will undoubtedly be seduced by 'Mark Kelly's Marathon'...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Kelly (Keybords), Oliver M Smith (Vocal, Percussions), Conal Kelly (Guitar, Bass), John Cordy (Guitar), Henry Rogers (Drums), Pete “woody” Wood (Guitar) + invités : Steve Rothery (Guitar), Guy Vickers (Harmonica)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : Melodies In Black

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 21-12-2020

Since 2017, 'Mono Inc.' German group, led by 'Martin Engler' has released three albums that I reviewed with avec 'Together Till The End' en 2017, ' Welcome to Hell' in 2018 and 'The Book of Fire' in 2020 and each time, we found catchy and energetic melodies that immediately become embedded in the head, but 'Mono Inc.', thanks to the warm and deep voice of 'Martin Engler', also has this talent for beautiful melodies much softer and besides, the album 'Welcome to Hell' already offered an acoustic CD and 2019 had seen the release of an acoustic concert, 'Symphonic Live'. Due certainly from these two experiences, 2020 sees 'Martin Egler' release 'Melodies In Black' which brings together a compilation made of ballads (some have been re-recorded) and this in a double CD for nearly two and a half hours of music representing 34 compositions in total. We therefore browse the imposing discography of this formation with the softer compositions and, of course, the dark and melancholy side emerges even more so that it is better not to impose yourself to listen to the album in its completeness but rather to discover it in several times by small touches, to better appreciate these unstoppable melodies like 'In The End', 'Time to Go', 'Teach Me toLove', 'A Vagabond's Life', 'The Heart of the Raven' , 'If I Fail', '118' or even 'Never Say Die', some very refined with just the accompaniment of the piano and others with the support of electric instruments but always in a very measured way. In short, during this Christmas period, 'Melodies In Black' is a great gift for all fans of the group but will also allow you to discover the soft side of this formation to which we have stuck a gothic rock label and to realize that 'Mono Inc.' also presents another facet, endearing and filled with emotion...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal, Guitar), Carl Fornia (Bass), Manuel Antoni (Drums), Katha Mia (Drums)


Artist : Cats In Space

Album : Atlantis

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 22-12-2020

The band 'Cats In Space' had delighted us with 'Scarecrow' in 2017 and 'Day Trip to Narnia' in 2019 and, after a change of singer since 'Damien Edwards' replaces 'Paul Manzi' who left in another super group 'Sweet', 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording 'Atlantis' which fits in the continuity of the previous opus with a new journey in time taking us back to the 70s. Given the current period when the vaccine is expected like the messiah and the ambient gloom is increasing day by day, the latter baby of 'Cats In Space' could use this French slogan precisely of the 70s which said for a certain chocolate bar : "a blow of bar, Mars, and it starts again" because it contains melodies unstoppable and catchy which do good and which gives an irresistible desire to move and push back on the play button at the end of each title. So no need to write a long review and if you are insensitive to the rhythmic and energetic melodies of 'Spaceship Superstar', 'Revolution' or even 'Queen Of The Neverland', then try quieter tracks like 'Sunday Best', 'I Fell Out Of Love With Rock N Roll' or even 'Can't Wait Till Tomorrow' and listening to all these songs, we find ourselves in countries known to those who bathed in rock from the 60s/70s and, in loose, names come to us like 'Survivor', 'Uriah Heep', 'The Who', 'Electric Light Orchestra', the 'Beatles', 'Supertramp', the 'Bee Gees' and of course 'Queen', all of that being performed by an ensemble of talented artists, whether instrumentally or vocally manner, the choirs being particularly effective in taking us straight back to that golden era of rock (listen to those enjoyable yee, yee, yee from the end of 'I Fell Out Of Love With Rock N Roll' for example). In short, our space cats are back with another album filled with compositions that have a good flavor of the 70s and which are a real moment of escape in this anxiety-provoking period. If you are like me, these titles instinctively triggered this little smile of happiness on many occasions and 'Atlantis' is still an antidepressant to be consumed without moderation and intended for the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Damien Edwards (Vocal, Choirs), Greg Hart (Guitar, Vocal, Tubular bells, Moog), Dean Howard (Guitar, Slide Guitar), Andy Stewart (Piano, Keybords), Jeff Brown (Bass, Vocal), Steevi Bacon (Drums, Percussions, Timpani, Harmonica, Flute)


Artist : Eleine

Album : Dancing in Hell

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 23-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After 'Until the End' in 2018 and, meanwhile the EP 'All Shall Burn', the Swedes of 'Eleine', still led by their frontwoman 'Madeleine Liljestam' and by guitarist and singer 'Rikard Ekberg', release their 3rd studio recording 'Dancing in Hell'. A lot of promotional videos (which are all magnificent because in addition to 'As I Breathe' above, add 'Ava Of Deah', 'Dancing In Hell ', 'Memoriam' and 'All Shall Burn' dating from the end of 2019), this last opus sees a change of line up with a new drummer, 'Jesper Sunnhagen', and a new bassist 'Anton Helgesson' and offers us 9 main tracks plus a small classical instrumental comma with a piano ('The World We Knew ') and a cover in a symphonic version of 'Die From Within' (always admirable and we can note that the magnificent symphonic cover of 'All Shall Burn' which appeared on the last EP is not present on 'Dancing in Hell').

'Enemies', which was also present on the last EP, opens the debates in a grandiose and energetic symphonic metal with a catchy tempo and an immediately assimilable melody, then 'Dancing in Hell' takes us on a powerful new composition with rhythmic differences and putting in opposition the parts of growls of 'Rikard Ekberg' close to death style and the vocal parts of 'Madeleine "Eleine" Liljestam' much more symphonic with majestic choirs, the whole approaching 'Epica', atmosphere that we find in the following title 'Ava of Death', the choirs taking up even more space. With the following compositions, we continue in the same spirit with quite similar patterns, first of all heavy and powerful rhythms suitable for headbanging, then refrains wich become quickly addictive with choirs coming to magnify the whole and finally vocal performances by Madeleine approaching the best singers of the genre. Overall, even if the quality does not weaken, some may regret a lack of variety overall because, even if 'Die From Within' is a magnificent power ballad, it remains powerful and does not really bring ventilation to the whole.

In summary, the Swedes of Eleine 'show an evolution compared to their last album with greater power, thanks to a heavier sound and grandiose symphonic arrangements approaching from 'Epica' and, even if the schemas remain quite similar, 'Dancing in Hell' should appeal to a symphonic metal audience favoring the grandiose and powerful side of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Madeleine "Eleine" Liljestam (Vocal), Rikard Ekberg (Guitar, Vocal), Jesper Sunnhagen (Drums), Anton Helgesson (Bass)


Artist : Esthesis

Album : The Awakening

Release Date : 14-11-2020

Added : 24-12-2020

Progressive rock is not especially a French specialty, but there are some groups that stand out from the crowd and 'Esthesis' which started with a first EP 'Raising Hands' returns with a first LP 'The Awakening' released in mid-November and . Initiated by the multi-instrumentalist 'Aurélien Goude', they offer us a calm progressive rock with slow tempos influenced by different eras starting of course with 'Pink-Floyd' but also I could mention formations which released albums this year and who give off the same atmospheres, like the German multi-instrumentalist 'Thorsten Sudler-Mainz', the Norwegians of 'Airbag', the Germans from 'starfish64', the Norwegians from 'Gazpacho' or the inevitable 'Steven Wilson' with his project 'Blackfield' (upcoming review of his latest album).

On the menu, 6 compositions which which are almost all long developments because 5 exceed 8 minutes and it is with the densest composition 'Downstream' that the album begins in a quiet atmosphere, the slow tempo accompanying us throughout the title, alternating beautiful vocal parts of 'Aurélien Goude' and long instrumental sections embellished with remarkable guitar solos and a piano accompaniment which amplifies the sensation of softness. With 'No Soul to Sell' which follows, the tempo remains measured and keeps an atmospheric ambiance but highlights saturated guitar riffs in certain passages bringing some variety, then, 'High Tide' is certainly the most progressive track with rhythmic variations and intensity on the whole of the title allowing instrumental sections of any beauty (magnificent final guitar solo very 'Floydien') which makes for me my favorite of the album. Follows 'Chameleon' which begins in a jerky rhythm with a magnificent Hispanic accompaniment on the acoustic guitar and which leaves a great place for instrumental peregrinations with aerial keyboards mixing East and West, the final in crescendo highlighting this time sounds of Hammond organ, then, the eponymous title of the album, entirely instrumental with its repetitive arpeggios, takes us into a music conducive to relaxation and it is with 'Still Far to Go', in which we let ourselves be lulled one last time by beautiful melodic lines that the album ends in a very calm way.

In summary, the French of 'Esthesis' offer us a very beautiful album which is revealed little by little and which is to be enjoyed calmly with headphones, which intends 'The Awakening' to a public loving the atmospheric side of the 'Floyds' with subtle melodies that are easily tamed...

Line Up / Musicians

Aurélien Goude (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Baptiste Desmares (Guitar), Marc Anguill (Bass), Florian Rodrigues (Drums)


Artist : Schaffer / Barlow Project

Album : Winter Nights

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 25-12-2020

On this Christmas day, here is an EP containing songs for the occasion but when I have told you that the lullaby 'Sweet Night' that everyone certainly knows from having heard it many times during their childhood is covered by the duo 'Jon Schaffer' and 'Matt Barlow', respectively guitarist of the extreme metal band 'Iced Earth' and former singer of the same group, you will certainly be a little surprised but it is indeed the reality. So of course, these covers are a little more muscular than the originals and our two artists offer us four covers of Christmas carols and covers of two old fairly soft tracks of 'Iced Earth', 'I Died For You' and 'Watching Over Me', the seventh track being a magnificent semi-acoustic from 'Silent Night'. The four Christmas carols are therefore 'We Three Kings' written by 'John Henry Hopkins Jr.' in 1857 whose interpretation can recall the ballads of 'Scorpions', the sound of the guitar recalling the sounds of 'Rudolf Schenker', then 'Silent Night' begins calmly but gradually grows and is transformed quickly enough in a magnificent metal power ballad, then 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' which dates from 1962 and which was written by 'Noel Regney' and composed by 'Gloria Shayne', in turn undergoes a more energetic turn than the original and finally the very known 'Little Drummer Boy' which has been sung by many artists and which is covered for the occasion in semi-acoustics and transformed in a remarkable way. In short, this short album of Christmas songs readapted in a little more muscular versions allows me to wish a Merry Christmas to all myprogmusic readers...

Line Up / Musicians

Jon Schaffer (Guitar), Matt Barlow (Vocal), Casey Grillo (Drums)


Artist : AfterTime

Album : The Farthest Shore

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 26-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

After 'Eleine', it's still a symphonic metal band, with the Americans from 'AfterTime' who released their first album 'The Farthest Shore' a few months ago and whose first EP 'World We've Lost' dates from 2017. With 12 tracks for almost 70 minutes, this first opus shows a great maturity for this group which has surrounded itself with talented artists such as the singers 'Melissa Ferlaak' and 'Angel Wolf-Black', the choir 'MPLS impulse Choir', the guitarist 'Stephen Decker' and the Austrian 'Lukas Knöbl' for orchestrations, as well as a big name of the profession for the mixing with 'Joost Van Den Broek', the favorite keyboardist of 'Arjen Lucassen'. The beautiful cover created by 'Jan Yrlund' puts us directly in the bath of the epic theme around sea voyages with this fascination that the men have of this quest for discovery by going towards unknown lands.

And it is with the almost 9 minutes of 'Battle of the Sea' that the album begins in a debauchery of orchestral arrangement with all the ingredients of a grandiose symphonic epic, the chorus bringing an addictive first melody reminiscent of certain atmospheres of the Dutch of 'Epica', then, 'Edge of the Earth', more classic in its construction, offers remarkable vocal arrangements and 'World We've Lost' continues in this epic momentum varying the tempos and highlighting the very mastered singing of 'Sarah Wolf', just like the following title 'Nimata Moírais' which offers a beautiful duo 'Sarah Wolf'/'Angel Wolf-Back' with, by small touches, some well-placed interventions of growls of 'Brad Sturgis' as likes to do 'Alexander Krull' with 'Leaves 'Eyes'. There follows a melodic 'Planetary Eyes' which continues in some energetic symphonic metal then, 'Santuary' is the break in the middle of the album in the form of a magnificent ballad filled with emotion and in which we are lulled by the delicious volutes of 'Sarah Wolf' and 'Dare To Roam' regains strength and is certainly less direct with an alternation of different tempos that must be tamed, in contrast to 'A Journey Itself' which is a rhythmic mid-tempo much more accessible with a section bringing a folk touch. With 'Survive The Storm', we return to a powerful and epic symphonic metal in the form of an energetic ride, the growls of 'Brad Sturgis' becoming more present, then 'The Afternath' offers us a majestic power ballad with a beautiful vocal duo bringing together 'Sarah Wolf' and 'Melissa Ferlaak' and 'No Turning Back', with its heady melody supported by an inventive rhythm section alternating rolls and classical tempos is very catchy, the album ending 'The Farthest Shore', of more than 13 minutes which takes us on a symphonic epic containing all the ingredients of this style, admirable orchestral arrangements, instrumental flights and masterful vocal sections in alternations of intensity and tempos.

In summary, this first album from the Americans of 'AfterTime' shows that, given the comparisons that we can do with the tenors of the genre, they have directly entered the big leagues of symphonic metal and that 'The Farthest Shore' will be without no doubt well received by all lovers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Sarah Wolf (Vocal), Brad Sturgis (Vocal, Guitar), Chris Radke (Guitar), AJ Blakesley (Drums, Percussions) + invités : Melissa Ferlaak (Vocal), 'Angel Wolf-Black' (Vocal), 'Stephen Decker' (Guitar), MPLS imPulse Choir (Choirs)


Artist : Communic

Album : Hiding from the World

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 27-12-2020

'Communic' is a Norwegian formation which had a period of activity in the years 2000 then after 6 years of absence, returned in 2017 with 'Where Echoes Gather' and this end of the year 2020 sees the release of a new studio recording 'Hiding from the World'. Difficult to classify, our artists who are only three and who therefore rely instrumentally on a guitar, a bass and a drums, add to a melodic power metal taking us back to the 90s a zest of progressive and a good dose of extreme metal in relatively long compositions highlighting alternations of intensity and rhythms. For this new opus, the durations therefore range from 7 minutes to more than 10 minutes (if we consider that the instrumental short 'Soon to Be' is entirely part of 'Forgotten').

And it is in a riot of heavy and powerful riffs and a muscular rhythm section that 'Plunder Of Thoughts' welcomes us and it is certainly the most progressive track with breaks of instrumental intensity and remarkable modulations in the singing of the leader of the group 'Oddleif Stensland', then the eponymous title of the album begins with a fairly calm part which quickly gains momentum after 1,30' and which deploys a formidable energy thanks to riffs saturated powerful and a raging rhythm section to fall down for a few moments and finally regain strength until a final in decrescendo on a heady melodic theme. 'My Temple if Pride', which follows, continues to deploy an imposing power but in the form of an addictive new melody on a slow tempo which varies in intensity thanks to a rhythm section doubling more and more the beats until the end , then, 'Face In The Crowd' sends heavy with the help of the double pedal in an atmosphere of extreme metal while keeping melodic lines but which also offers slower passages in the second part of the title, and, the 10 minutes of 'Born Without A Heart' take us on a succession of breaks in tempos and intensities, starting quietly and taking after 3 minutes more and more power for much more incisive riffs accompanying us to a new station wagon, the finale once again pouring out enormous power which evaporates in a few guitar arpeggios. With 'Scavengers Await', the aggressiveness of an extreme metal is at its peak but the modulations inside the title make it possible not to get too lost in too much sound surge, then the album ends in beauty with the double track 'Soon to Be' and 'Forgotten' whose the short instrumental prepares the ground for a magnificent epic fresco alternating tensions and relaxation between melancholy and aggressiveness on a melody that never leaves you and that I see already taken up in hearts by a whole audience.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Communic' who will soon celebrate their 20 years of career, are releasing a new album full of energy and power but which highlights beautiful breaks in tempo and intensity and which asks to linger there to draw all the richness which should appeal to an audience loving a powerful metal offering beautiful variations within each title...

Line Up / Musicians

Oddleif Stensland (Vocal, Guitar), Erik Mortensen (Bass), Tor Atle Andersen (Drums)


Artist : Our Oceans

Album : While Time Disappears

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 28-12-2020

We stay in progressive style with the Dutch from 'Our Oceans' who released their 2nd studio recording 'While Time Disappears' after 'Our Oceans' in 2015 and which is not their first project since 'Tymon Kruidenier' and 'Robin Zielhorst' have participated for 4 years in the project 'Cynic' and they had set up another project, 'Exivious' dissolved in 2017. This new opus which makes me discover 'Our Oceans' is full of an overflowing creativity and takes us into an innovative progressive metal : like any music that we hears for the first time, it therefore requires to appropriate it little by little and, listening after listening, the experienced pleasure increases and finally, this 'While Time Disapperars' quickly becomes an essential album in his album collection. On the form, we could draw a parallel with projects like 'Leprous', 'Haken' or 'Pain Of Salvation' and of course this what could do 'Steven Wilson' with 'Porcupine Tree' for the innovative side but the comparison ends there because each of its formations brings its own personality.

It is with 'Unravel' that the album begins with an admirable crescendo which ends in a vocal and instrumental sonic debauchery to fall abruptly and leave again for an explosive final, then, complete change of scenery with 'Heaven or Hell 'and all the tension accumulated in the first track which evaporates in a kind of daydream which gradually gains momentum and which offers magnificent instrumental breaks, and the two following compositions 'The Heart's Whisper' and 'Motherly Flame' continue on this path made of sonorous roller coasters and, little by little, we let ourselves be carried away by these bewitching melodies which completely envelop us and which become, over the listening, completely addictive, the song of 'Tymon Kruidenier' contributing to it for a good part. Same feeling for the melancholy 'Passing By', very reserved in most of the title but of which we have this strange feeling of a restrained tension which can implode at any moment, which happens quite late in the title with a masterful final , then, 'Face Them' sends us a good rush of adrenaline and is kind of a reverse build to the previous compositions with huge energy in the first four minutes of the track, fueled by a huge rhythm section and eventually dropping a few seconds to leave for an explosive final. With 'Your Night, My Dawn', we are in a strange and repetitive atmosphere that can recall the beginning of the psychedelic which explored electronic sound paths and whose tempo injected by the drums reminds me of the beginning of the 'Floyds' and 'Ummaguma' but in a much more modern style, then, 'You Take' suddenly appears classic by compared to the rest, at least for the first three quarters of the title because it then explodes for a few seconds to fall for a very refined final and it is a bit of a mirror with 'Face Them'. The album ends with 'With Hands Torn Open' which demonstrates one last time all the know-how of this formation which has a talent for remarkable nuances both at the level of intensity but also at the rhythmic level.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Our Oceans' offer us a very innovative album which necessarily requires multiple listening to enter their tormented world between permanent tensions and relaxations and to draw all the richness and emotion that we can only capture if we accept to surrender entirely to this inner journey which destines 'While Time Disappears' to all those looking for innovative and touching music between rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Tymon Kruidenier (Vocal, Guitar), Robin Zielhorst (Bass, Vocal), Yuma van Eekelen (Drums)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : Unstuck in Time

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 29-12-2020

With the same team of artists, the Canadian 'Rick Miller' releases a new album 'Unstuck in Time' after 'Delusional' in 2018 (the new cover has some similarities and the pastel tones image well the quiet atmospheres of the Canadian) and there are not many artists who will be able to say that they released two albums during this singular year 2020 because 'Belief in the Machine' was born in early 2020 and Rick therefore used the confinement period to cook up for us a new baby in this end of year that he qualifies, I quote him, " Progressive Rock. That term defining (in my opinion), the type of music that was made famous throughout the 70s by bands such as 'Genesis', 'The Moody Blues' and 'Pink Floyd'. The music is soft, dark and melodic with the occasional edge, because that's the way I like it.". We are therefore embarked on his universe with two long developments and other shorter titles, each in a rather specific style which makes it a very varied opus whose general atmosphere is meant to be calm and melancholy with beautiful melodic lines immediately assimilable.

First of all, the two long developments are in an atmospheric style with first of all the 12 minutes of 'The Plague' which is a composition with drawers beginning in a slow tempo reminiscent of the 'Floyds' and which leaves the place to a remarkable section which begins with the depth of sound of a cello and a Gregorian choir and which continues with an acoustic guitar joined by layers of keyboards in a strange and unreal atmosphere, then which returns to the starting theme with a magnificent guitar solo 'Gilmourien' to finish in acoustics, with a catchy singing of Rick and a beautiful instrumental part marrying wonderfully the acoustic guitar with the cello. As for the last title 'Unstuck in Time', it is based on the book 'Slaughterhouse Five' by 'Kurt Vonnegut' whose main character has detached himself from time and travels haphazardly through the past and the future. 'Rick Miller' takes us by the hand to accompany us on a quiet and relaxing journey unfolding a melodic theme declined in different forms and which in a way makes a ritornello, illustrating very well the theme of wandering and eternity and which ends logically in decrescendo. Sandwiched inside these two sumptuous long developments, 7 other compositions are offered to us with a melodic 'State of Emergency', the instrumental 'Covid Concerto' recalling the electronic sounds of 'Jean-Michel Jarre', the enigmatic 'Fateful Apparitions' with its very successful arrangements with disturbing sounds and its masterful final, the Hispanic 'La Causa' bringing a welcome lightness to the whole, the instrumental 'Lost Continuum' bringing a classical touch highlighting the strings , a flute and an acoustic guitar and unrolling a contemplative melody, 'In Sync with the System' with its electronic rhythm section of the 80s which can recall the first 'Alan Parsons Project' and finally the short' Broken Clocks', a bit on the same melodic theme as its predecessor but in a style symphonic a la 'Barclay James Harvest '.

In summary, this new album from 'Rick Miller' is still a great success and offers us almost an hour of progressive rock to listen to quietly with headphones while embarking on a beautiful and relaxing journey and if you liked the previous opus or that you like the formations mentioned in this chronicle, you will undoubtedly be seduced by 'Unstuck in Time'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Sarah Young (Flute), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Violin, Guitar), Mateusz Swoboda (Cello)


Artist : Submarine Silence

Album : Did Swans Ever See God?

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 30-12-2020

'Submarine Silence' is a project that is already over 20 years old and was created by keyboardist 'Cristiano Roversi' and guitarist 'David Cremoni', both also members of 'Moongarden' and who have released 4 albums since 2011, the latest 'Journey Through Mine' dating from 2016. In a rock mixing progressive and symphonic, they are riding the wave of 'Genesis' and 'Steve Hackett' and this latest album perfectly illustrates these influences of a progressive of the 70s with all the ingredients both instrumentally and vocally but also at the level of the melodic lines.

And it is with a long development that our progressive pioneers would not have denied that the album begins with this feeling of going back happily a few decades back until asking "but where does this title of 'Genesis' come from? " because everything is gathered to bring us back to the first mythical albums of the 70s and 'Undone' could appear as a representative example of imaginative and sought after compositions of the beginning of the progressive with a modern sound as we can hear in the last live albums of covers of 'Genesis' by 'Steve Hackett'. The suite continues in the same style with the atmospheric 'Echoes Of Silence' which reminds me of the melodic lines of 'Pendragon' then 'Runaway Strain' takes over in new 'Genesisian' influences with vintage-sounding keyboards and beautiful alternations between energetic parts and others much calmer, before an 'A Deeper Kind of Kumber' totally in the vein of what 'Steve Hackett' could have done in his last sumptuous album 'At The Edge Of Light' mixing different influences from different periods and which has a final beautiful with huge sound. With 'Aftereffect', we are taken in a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad, calm and soothing with a central part supported by an imposing bass and the album ends with the 9 minutes of the second part of 'Echoes Of Silence' which puts forward the singing of 'Manuela Milanese' bringing a beautiful female presence making me think of the style of 'Renaissance' even if Manuela's register has nothing to do with that of 'Annie Haslam' and this multi-drawer composition alternates remarkable imaginative instrumental passages and beautiful vocal arrangements.

In summary, the Italians of 'Submarine Silence' are releasing an album that is remarkable in every way and if you are a fan of 'Genesis' or an inventive symphonic progressive taking us back to the 70s, there is a good chance this 'Did Swans Ever See God?' quickly become an essential opus of your progressive collection.

Line Up / Musicians

Guillermo Gonzales (Vocal), David Cremoni (Guitar), Cristiano Roversi (Keybords) + Guests : Manuela Milanese (Vocal), Alberto Zanetti (Bass), Valerio Michetti (Drums, Percussions), Davide Marani (Vocal)


Artist : Stormburst

Album : Highway to Heaven

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 31-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Stormbust' is a Swedish band who released their 2nd studio album after 'Raised on Rock' en 2017. They embark us on a time machine that takes us back to the 1970s with direct, energetic and efficient good melodic hard-rock that can be enjoyed without moderation.

Line Up / Musicians

Lars-Åke Nilsson (Vocal), Kent Jansson (Bass), Pelle Hindén (Drums), Thomas Hansson (Guitar), Peter Östling (Keybords)


Artist : Hell In the Club

Album : Hell of Fame

Release Date : 04-09-2020

Added : 31-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

With the album 'Heel of Fame', we are heading to Italy with the 5th album of 'Hell In the Club', a group formed in 2009 and whose last 'See You on the Dark Side' has been released in 2017.

Line Up / Musicians

Davide « Dave » Moras (Vocal), Andréa « Picco » Piccardi (Guitar), Andréa « Andy » Buratto (Bass), Marco Lazzarini (Drums)


Artist : Tygers Of Pan Tang

Album : Ambush

Release Date : 18-09-2020

Added : 31-12-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

The British of 'Tygers Of Pan Tang' already have quite a few flying hours since they were already active when 'Def Leppard' was at the height of their career and their first album 'Spellbound' will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2021. 'Ambush' is an album released in 2012 and remastered in 2020.

Line Up / Musicians

Jacopo Meille (Vocal), Dean Robertson (Guitar), Robb Weir (Guitar) , Gavin Gray (Bass), Craig Ellis (Drums)


Artist : Atlas

Album : Parallel Love

Release Date : 25-09-2020

Added : 01-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Parallel Love' is the second album by English melodic rock band 'Atlas' who released their first album 'In Pursuit of Memory' in 2018 and which introduce progressive components here and there.

Line Up / Musicians

Craig Wells (Vocal), Howie Little (Guitar), James Thorley (Keybords), Christian Redfearn (Bass), Ryan Briggs (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Signal Red

Album : Alien Nation

Release Date : 16-10-2020

Added : 01-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

It is still English who pointed the tip of their nose in 2018 with a first opus 'Under The Radar' not available on Spotify and which release at this end of 2020 their second studio recording 'Alen Nation'.

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Small (Vocal), Steve Grocott (Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Daniel Zaman (Drums), Steve Newman (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Imperium

Album : Heaven or Hell

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 01-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

And as often in this style, it is in the Nordic countries with, in this case Finland, that the formation 'Imperium' originates and, the least we can say is, that after 'Beyond the Stars' in 2018 which was of great quality, this new opus is filled with small melodic jewels to consume without moderation.

Line Up / Musicians

Mika Brushane (Bass, Keybords, Drums, Choirs) + Guests : Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Markku Kuikka (Vocal), Mikey K. Nilsson (Guitar), Paolo Ribaldini (Vocal), Robban Ernlund (Vocal), Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal), Samuli Federley (Guitars), Sini Heinilä (Choirs), Stefano Lionetti (Guitar), Susanna Eronen (Choirs), Toni Huovinen (Guitar)


Artist : Rob Moratti

Album : Paragon

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 02-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Rob Moratti' has not finished surprising us because, a little more years after the magnificent 'Renaissance', it is the turn of 'Paragon' to come out with new melodies which can be tamed at first listen and which currently make it a must of the worlwide AOR.

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Moratti (Vocal), Torben Enevoldsen (Guitar, Keybords), Stu Reid (Drums), Tony Franklin (Bass) + Guests : Ian Crichton (Guitar), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar)


Artist : Wildness

Album : Ultimate Demise

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 02-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

In this list, we have a lot of second album and this is still the case for the Swedes of 'Wildness' who release' Ultimate Demise 'after a very good 'Wildness' in 2017 which rises to the same rank as the best melodic hard-rock band from Scandinavian countries.

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Modin (Drums), Erik Forsberg (Vocal), Adam Holmström (Guitar), Marcus Sjösund (Bass), Pontus Sköld (Guitar)


Artist : Jeff Scott Soto

Album : Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 02-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

We no longer present 'Jeff Scott Soto' who has an impressive career with his last 'job' to date as a singer in the 'Sons Of Apollo' which brings together best of progressive metal talents but what we know less well is that solo career which is also well filled and this last opus 'Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)' which is already the 7th solo album offers us high classy compositions of melodic hard-rock.

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Fabrizio Sgattoni (Guitar), Edu Cominato (Drums) + Guest : August Zadra (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Angelica

Album : All I Am

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 03-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

After 'Thrive', the female singer of 'The Murder of My Sweet' 'Angelica Rylin' releases her second solo album under the name 'Angelica' and called on melodic rock stars for this new baby, first of all, keyboardist and drummer 'Daniel Flores' ('The Murder of My Sweet', 'First Signal') and 'Michael Palace' ('Palace' which has just released a new album present in this list and also 'First Signal'). Without revolutionizing melodic rock, it offers us 11 tracks that should reach a large audience loving a quiet melodic rock made of beautiful and very accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Angelica Rylin (Vocal), Michael Palace (Guitar, Bass), Pedro Cecar Camargo (Guitar), Daniel Flores (Keybords, Choirs, Drums)


Artist : Shadow Tribe

Album : Reality Unveiled

Release Date : 13-11-2020

Added : 03-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

After 'Imperium' and their magnificent 'Heaven or Hell', it is still from Finland that this new project 'Shadow Tribe' comes to us, created by singer 'Kimmo Perämäk' and bassist 'Marko Pukkila' with a first studio recording 'Reality Unveiled' which offers us 10 varied compositions with forays into different styles ranging from melodic hard-rock to heavy metal through AOR.

Line Up / Musicians

Kimmo Perämäki (Vocal), Simo Pirttimaa (Guitar), Marko Pukkila (Bass), Petri Heinonen (Drums)


Artist : Lazarus Dream

Album : Alive

Release Date : 13-11-2020

Added : 03-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Lazarus Dream' is yet another new project led by singer 'Carsten Lizard Schulz' and multi-instrumentalist 'Markus Pfeffer' and their first album 'Alive' comes out at this end of 2020. Thanks to 13 busy tracks, it's 70 minutes of good melodic rock and hard-rock that offer to us the Germans with compositions which are immediately tamed and which can recall certain melodic lines from the 70s/80s.

Line Up / Musicians

Carsten Lizard-Schulz (Vocal), Markus Pfeffer (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Markus Kullmann (Drums), Thomas Rieder (Percussions), Thomas Nitschke (Hammond), Sabrina Roth (Flute)


Artist : Jayce Landberg

Album : The Forbidden World

Release Date : 13-11-2020

Added : 04-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

It has been 10 years since Swedish 'Jayce Landberg' released an album ('Good Sleppless Night' from 2010) and it's done with 'The Forbidden World' which contains 9 compositions in a neo-classical melodic rock style with beautiful guitar solos. For the occasion, he called on the singer 'Göran Edman' who officiates with, among others, the progressive rock group 'Karmakanic' but also in the rock melodic band of 'Cry Of Dawn'), drummer 'James Humphrey' and invited Swedish singer 'Erika Norberg'.

Line Up / Musicians

Jayce Landberg (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Göran Edman (Vocal), James Humphrey (Drums) + Guest : Erika Norberg (Vocal)


Artist : SOLE SYNDICATE

Album : Last Days of Eden

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 04-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

And one more, 'SOLE SYNDICATE' is a formation which still comes to us from Sweden and which delivers to us its 2nd studio recording 'Last Days of Eden'. In a muscular hard-rock, they offer us 10 varied compositions ranging from mid-tempos with heavy rhythmic to powerful and catchy titles while passing by the quieter AOR, the melodic lines being always very accessible.

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Månsson (Vocal), Dennis Heltorp (Guitar), Niklas Strandanäs (Guitar), David Gustafsson (Bass), Henrik Zetterlund (Drums)


Artist : Heartwind

Album : Strangers

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 04-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

We continue with the Swede of 'Heartwind' who released their 2nd studio recording with 'Strangers', 2018 having seen the release of 'Higher and higher' which was well received at the time. The magic of Swedish melodic hard-rock still works with this new opus, certainly short but which all compositions, whether energetic or calmer, offer us unstoppable and memorable melodies, and this, from the first listen.

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Nykvist (Vocal), Nina Soderquist (Vocal), Goren Engvall (Guitar), Mikael Rosengren (Keybords), Peter Svensson (Drums)


Artist : Stan Bush

Album : Dare To Dream

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 05-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

After 'Change the World' in 2017, the American 'Stan Bush' returns with a new album 'Dare To Dream'. The sexagenarian continues to distill us a good melodic rock that takes us back to the 80s with compositions whose melodic lines remind us of the major formations and the light atmosphere of that time : for all lovers of catchy AOR : to consume without moderation.

Line Up / Musicians

Stan Bush (Vocal, Guitar), Holger Fath (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Craign Yamek


Artist : Cristiano Filippini's Flames Of Heaven

Album : The Force Within

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 05-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Cristiano Filipini's Flames Of Heaven' is a new project by Italian 'Cristiano Filipini' which is classified in power metal but the melodic lines being so close to a hard rock from the 80s, I added it to this selection. 'The Force Within' therefore alternates between different styles in a balanced way with epic and symphonic metal and melodic hard-rock, three magnificent power ballads that can be added to the best of the genre to complete the set and still showing this talent that the Italians have to deliver addictive melodies.

Line Up / Musicians

Cristiano Filippini (Guitar, Keybords), Michele Vioni (Guitar), Marco Pastorino (Vocal, Choirs), Giorgio Terenziani (Bass), Paolo Caridi (Drums)


Artist : Palace

Album : Rock and Roll Radio

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 05-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

After participating in Angelica's album who released her album in early November (see in this album list), 'Michael Palace' who has a solid reputation in the melodic rock scene is already in its 3rd album with his project 'Palace' after 'Master Of The Universe' in 2016 and 'Binary Music' in 2018 and this last baby is still filled with heady melodies and, as its name suggests, 'Rock and Roll Radio', we are getting closer to the compositions that we could hear on the airwaves of the first free radio in France in the 80s which opened the doors to other styles of music than what we used to hear. The names of 'Toto', 'Journey', 'Asia', 'Foreigner' or even 'Survivor' come to mind when listening to the 12 titles and if you liked the two previous offerings of the Swede, you will be also won over by 'Rock and Roll Radio'.

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Palace (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums, Harmonica, Saxophone), Oscar Bromvall (Guitar), Jordan Cox (Choirs)


Artist : Unruly Child

Album : Our Glass Home

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 06-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

The Americans of 'Unruly Child' continue to release albums and are now an old melodic rock band because they will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2021 and after 'Can’t Go Home' in 2017 and 'Big Blue World' in 2019, it is the turn of 'Our Glass Home' to see the light of day at the end of 2020 which brings their discographies to 10 studio recordings. Therefore, lovers of melodic hard-rock, you can go there with your eyes closed, this new opus still contains beautiful melodies and we can note the two magnificent acoustic covers of 'To Be Your Everything' and ' Let's Talk About Love 'at the end of the album.

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Gowdy (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Marcie Michelle Free (Vocal), Guy Allison (Keybords, Percussions), Tony Franklin (Bass), Jay Schellen (Drums)


Artist : Magic Dance

Album : Remnants

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 06-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

New Yorker 'Jon Siejka' is starting to make a name for himself in the melodic rock world although he has started his project 'Magic Dance' in 2013 by turning first to the syntwave movement which highlighted 80s pop with sounds of the synthesizers of the time. Little by little, the sound became more rock and his last album 'Remnants', even if the keyboards are omnipresent, puts more emphasis on the electric guitar and takes us on for 11 melodic AOR tracks that we immediately appropriate.

Line Up / Musicians

Jonathan Siejka (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Kevin Krug (Bass), Gabor Domjan (Bass), Luke Anderson (Bass), Emanuelle Moretti (Bass), Kevin Mcadams (Drums, Percussions), Gdaliy (Saxophone), Tim Mackey (Guitar), Ziv Shalev (Guitar)


Artist : Black Paisley

Album : Rambler

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 06-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

The last album to date on this list is that of the Swedes of the Swedes of 'Black Plaisley' who after 'Late Bloomer' in 2017 and 'Perennials' in 2018 release their third studio recording 'Rambler'. Although rather short, the 8 tracks are all as pleasant to listen to each other and will cheer you up all day with simple but completely addictive melodies that immediately make you want to move to the rhythm of the music, the ballad being not forgotten with the melodic jewel 'Falling'.

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Blomqvist (Vocal, Guitar), Franco Santunione (Guitar), Jan Emanuelsson (Bass), Robert Karaszi (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Anneke van Giersbergen & Kamerata Zuid

Album : Let the Light in (Live)

Release Date : 13-07-2020

Added : 07-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

After the concert 'Symphonized', 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' released a live performance with Kamerata Zuid chamber orchestra titled 'Let The Light In' which was recorded at several concerts in 2019 in his homeland, the Netherlands. We find the classic side of this singer with everything with magnificent interpretations of her compositions in a set list concocted for the occasion including the new composition 'Let the Light In'. For all lovers of beautiful female voices in a classic style with chamber orchestra.

Line Up / Musicians

Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Kamerata Zuid (Orchestre)


Artist : Blue Öyster Cult

Album : 45th Anniversary – Live In England

Release Date : 07-08-2020

Added : 07-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

Before releasing their last album 'The Symbol Remains', the Americans of 'Blue Öyster Cult' had released a live which celebrated their 45 years of career and which was filmed in London, at the O2 Indigo during the Stone Free festival in 2017. Despite all the ups and downs during these past decades, they are always there to distill good hard-rock in a concert where you feel from start to finish, with all this experience accumulated over the years, this talent to transmit this positive energy to a whole audience for their great pleasure and suddenly, thanks to this '45th Anniversary - Live In England', also to all those who have grown up listening to hard-rock formations from the 70s to the present day.

Line Up / Musicians

Donald « Buck Dharma » Roeser (Guitar, Vocal), Eric Bloom (Vocal, Guitar), Richie Castellano (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Jules Radino (Drums, Percussions), Danny Miranda (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Redemption

Album : Alive In Color (Live 2018)

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 08-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The progressive metal group 'Redemption' which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year released a concert recorded at 'ProgPower USA' in 2018 and offers us an hour and a half of a very dense live and it's now 'Tom S . Englund' of 'Evergrey' who officiates as singer and who replaced 'Ray Alder' who has just released a new album with 'Fates Warning'. Moreover, for the occasion, the title 'Threads' is performed twice, once with 'Ray Alder' and the other time with 'Tom S. Englund' and the former guitarist 'Chris Poland' participates also on two titles. If you like dense and powerful progressive metal with artists of great talent, such as groups like 'Sons of Apollo' or 'Circus Maximus' ou 'Evergrey' or the powerful side of 'Vanden Plas' (upcoming review of their next album), you should definitely enjoy this last live of 'Redemption'.

Line Up / Musicians

Tom S. Englund (Vocal), Nicolas van Dyk (Guitar, Keybords), Bernie Versailles (Guitar), Sean Andrews (Guitar, Bass), Vikram Shankar (Keybords), Chris Quirarte (Drums) + Guests : Ray Alder (Vocal), Chris Poland (Guitar)


Artist : Metallica

Album : S&M2

Release Date : 28-08-2020

Added : 08-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

Of course, I'm not going to introduce 'Metallica' to many people but this year 2020 was the occasion of a rather special release since the Americans wanted to do a sequel to the first live 'S&M' recorded in 1999 with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and at the time, it is true that the metal and the symphonic did not necessarily mix well although the symphonic metal pointed out the tip of its nose with precursors like 'Nightwish' and some bands like 'Deep Purple' already had it done, first very early in 1969 with 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra' and reissued 30 years later with 'In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra'. But nowadays, the metal groups which perform with a symphony orchestra are numerous and 'Metallica' chose to release chapter 2 of 'S&M', 20 years later with again the same orchestra now conducted by 'Michael Tilson Thomas' and the start of the concert fully orchestral includes the first two tracks of the first live with 'The Ecstasy of Gold' by 'Ennio Morricone' and the grandiose 'The Call of Ktulu' which is magnified by the instruments of the orchestra and the second part of the concert begins with the second movement of the 'Scythe Suite' from 'Sergei Prokofiev' and with 'The Iron Foundry, Opus 19' from 'Alexander Mosolov'. The rest is of course devoted to the flagship titles of the group with the support of the orchestra which amplifies even more the imposing sound on certain compositions and the public often participates with impressive choirs as in 'Halo On Fire', the second part of concert bringing an additional symphonic dimension with a remarkable interpretation of 'The Unforgiven III', 'All Within My Hands' revisited in acoustics and the tribute by the double bassist 'Scott Pingel' to the bassist 'Cliff Burton', the concert ending in apotheosis with the essentials 'One', 'Master Of Puppets', 'Nothing Else Matters' and 'Enter Sandman'. In summary, this album is a great success for these metal giants who have been able to integrate a symphony orchestra into their discography which is not necessarily what comes us to mind when listening to the originals and, even if some fans won't not necessarily be won over and will find that the originals loose their energy, this 'S&M2' deserves our attention and, for my part, emphasizes even more the integration of the orchestra with electric instruments that the first 'S&M' version was doing.

Line Up / Musicians

James Hetfield (Vocal, Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums, Percussions), Kirk Hammett (Guitar, Choirs), Robert Trujillo (Bass, Choirs), Michael Tilson Thomas (Chef d'orchestre), San Francisco Symphony


Artist : Ancient Veil

Album : Ancient Veil (Unplugged Live)

Release Date : 08-10-2020

Added : 09-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

Since their remarkable comeback in 2013, the Italians of 'Ancient Veil' have released 4 albums including two new studio recordings 'I am Changing' in 2017, 'New' in 2018, the live 'Rings of earthly…Live as well as the reissue of the album 'Rings of earthly light' with also titles from 'Ancient Veil'. In a progressive rock inherited from the great Italian tradition, they offer us about forty minutes of an acoustic concert which is quite complementary to the live of 2018 and which mixes titles from 'Ancient Veil' and Eris Pluvia'. We rediscover these compositions from another angle which perfectly suits the atmosphere deployed by this group by bringing this warm classical side to their repertoire. In short, if you like poetic and sensitive progressive, this 'Ancient Veil (Unplugged Live)' is made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Serri (Guitar, Vocal), Edmondo Romano (Saxophone, Flute, Clarinette, Whistle), Fabio Serri (Piano, Keybords), Massimo Palermo (Bass), Marco Fuliano (Drums), Marco Gnecco (Hautbois)


Artist : HammerFall

Album : Live! Against the World

Release Date : 23-10-2020

Added : 09-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The Swedes of Hammerfall 'managed to make a last tour at the beginning of 2020 just before the health crisis which gives us the opportunity to hear them in a live album released at the end of October 2020. They have become an essential world power metal formation and the listenings on spotify are now around a hundred thousand in the first 4 or 5 songs. Failing to revolutionize metal, they continue to offer us a melodic and powerful metal which gives all its magnitude in concert. That's good because this 'Live! Against the World' is filled with what they have done best over the last 25 years and the set list is extensive with 20 tracks for one hour and 46 minutes which give pride of place to their latest opus 'Dominion' because 5 tracks are interpreted. In short, this live, in addition to having an excellent production shows all the professionalism of these Swedes who deliver on melodic hits one after the other to the delight of all their fans but also of all those who love a powerful power metal , melodic and effective to blackmail an entire stadium.

Line Up / Musicians

Joacim Cans (Vocal), Fredrik Larsson (Bass, Oscar Dronjak (Guitar), Pontus Norgren (Guitar), David Wallin (Drums)


Artist : Yes

Album : The Royal Affair Tour (Live in Las Vegas)

Release Date : 30-10-2020

Added : 10-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

After a remarkable 'Live At Glastonbury Festival 2003' and 'Yes 50 Live' who celebrated their 50 years of career, the pioneers of progressive rock released a new live 'The Royal Affair Tour, Live in Las Vegas' recorded during their last American tour in 2019. Bringing together a kind of best of their compositions between 1970 and 1980 (see list below with the albums and their year) but also the cover of Imagine from 'John Lennon', they offer us an hour and 15 minutes of a short concert that should appeal to all aficionados of this legendary group and more generally to all those who fell into the magic cauldron of the progressive in the 70s.

01. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed ( Time and a Word – 1970)
02. Tempus Fugit (Drama – 1980)
03. Going For The One (Going for the One – 1977)
04. All Good People (The Yes Album – 1971)
05. Siberian Khatru (Close to the Edge – 1972)
06. Onward (Tormato – 1978)
07. America (Fragile – 1971)
08. Imagine (John Lennon – 1971)
09. Roundabout (Fragile – 1971)
10. Starship Trooper (The Yes Album – 1971)

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Howe (Guitar, Vocal), Jon Davison (Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Billy Sherwood (Bass, Vocal), Alan White (Drums)


Artist : Eclipse

Album : Viva La Victouria (Live)

Release Date : 06-11-2020

Added : 10-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The Swedes of 'Eclipse' who are now in the forefront of melodic hard-rock groups release a live recorded during the last tour in their country, in Gothenburg, on December 21, 2019, to promote their latest album a href='http://becker.cj.free.fr/myprogmusic/com/albums.php?langue=A&idspot=spotify:album:0WxqXKlhcm6ktQMFJ0emiZ'>'Paradigm'. And it all starts with the flagship title of this latest album 'Viva La Victoria' which immediately sets off a hellish atmosphere and the rest is like this first title filled with good positive energy with melodies all equally awesome and addictive as each other. And in addition to this concert, they offer us 6 other titles with first of all, a studio recording 'Driving One Of Your Cars' which is a cover of their compatriot 'Lisa Miskovsky', two acoustic covers of their last album, 'The Downfall of Eden' and 'When The Winter Ends' and finally three recordings which were made during the pandemic on the Swedish radio show 'Live from the Quarantine', April 1, 2020. In short, in these difficult times, if you are a fan of catchy melodic rock or hard-rock which gets you in shape for a whole day, do not look no further and go listen to this 'Viva La Victouria (Live)' or get the DVD/blu-ray which brings us even closer to these wonderful concert atmospheres.

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Vocal, Guitar, Clavier), Magnus Henricksson (Guitar), Magnus Ulfstedt (Bass), Robban Back (Drums)


Artist : Pink Floyd

Album : Delicate Sound Of Thunder (2019 Remix, Live)

Release Date : 20-11-2020

Added : 11-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The live 'Delicate Sound Of Thunder' from the end of the 80s of 'Pink-Floyd' comes out at the end of 2020 and takes us back to this period of the two masterful world tours of the end of the 80s and during the 90s with memorable concerts in mythic places with among others the Palace of Versailles or the Doge's Palace in Venice and for my part, less prestigious, in France, the Grenoble stadium for the first tour and the Meinau stadium of Strasbourg for the second . Already released in 2019 in 'The Early Years' (but you had to break the bank if you wanted the whole box set), this new version has been remastered in terms of audio and completely re-edited in terms of video and we immerse yourself even more in this atmosphere of giant concerts with this fantastic sound in quadraphonic and all the spectacular effects that we know starting with the hospital bed crossing the stadium or the giant pig with its laser eyes. In short, 'Delicate Sound Of Thunder' goes beyond the world of music and has become a full-fledged spectacle in which you cannot separate sound from video and, for this reason, Blu-ray / DVD is essential to enjoy new from this gigantic show.

Line Up / Musicians

David Gilmour (Guitars, Vocal), Nick Mason (Drums), Richard Wright (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Jon Carin (Keybords, Choirs), Scott Page (Saxophones, Guitar), Guy Pratt (Bass, Vocal, Choirs), Tim Renwick (Guitar, Choirs), Gary Wallis (Percussions, Keybords), Rachel Fury (Choirs), Durga McBroom (Choirs), Margaret Taylor (Choirs)


Artist : Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Album : Straight To You: Live

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 11-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

American blues/rock guitarist 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' released a live 'Straight To You: Live' at the end of November 2020 which allows us to hear him perform songs from its latest albums, starting with 'The Taveler' of 2019, 2017 having seen the release of the very good 'Lay It On Down'. And what better in this blues/rock style to have a concert atmosphere to make even stronger all this positive energy that the members of the group send us starting of course with the magical solos of Mister 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' himself well seconded by the admirable vocals of 'Noah Hunt', a remarkable rhythm section with 'Scott Nelson' on bass and 'Chris Layton' on drums and finally the three brilliant instrumentalists 'Joe Sublett' and 'Mark Pender' at the copper section and 'Joe Krown' ensuring the keyboards part. Impossible to remain unmoved by listening to all these songs that make you want to sway to the rhythm of the music like 'Woman Like You', 'Long Time Query', 'Talk To Me Baby' by Elmore James' or even the cover 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' of 'Jimmy Hendrix' and when the light is dimmed, the sensual blues are not forgotten with a phenomenal' Heat of the Sun 'or the blues' Shame, Shame, Shame' with admirable instrumental sections. In short, for all fans of a classic but so much efficient blues/rock, 'Straight To You: Live' is still a beautiful live to put itself between the ears while tasting all these timeless compositions that fill you with an intense happiness.

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Guitar, Vocal), Noah Hunt (Vocal), Chris Layton (Drums), Scott Nelson (Bass), Joe Krown (Keybords), Joe Sublett (Saxophone), Mark Pender (Trumpet)


Artist : IT

Album : Live At ProgDreams Viii

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 12-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The last album of the progressive rock group 'IT' dates from 2017 ('We're All In This Together') and 2020 saw the release of a fairly short live show because it was recorded at the 8th 'Progdreams' festival in the Netherlands and 'IT' was not in headliner that day which means that we have to be content with only 52 minutes of concert. We therefore find the band of 'Nick Jackson' in a concert highlighting an imaginative and melodic progressive rock with always very strong themes and multiple influences in a style mixing different atmospheres that can be powerful and energetic like 'Killing' or 'Power' but also much quieter in titles like 'The Working Man' or the magnificent long development 'The Path of Least Resistance' imaginative and sought after alternating different intensities and rhythms which make it a gem of progressive. We can also note an irreproachable concert production with a remarkable dynamic which puts even more forward all the details bringing a real pleasure of listening. In short, even if it remains a little short, this 'Live At ProgDreams Viii' is excellent and, beyond the fans of the group, will certainly allow others to have the desire to go see them in concert especially since the associated DVD brings an additional artistic dimension to this live.

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Jackson (Vocal, Guitar), Andy Rowberry (Guitar), Mark Gatland (Bass), Tom Ashcroft (Drums)


Artist : Foreigner

Album : B-Sides & Extra Tracks

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 12-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

Since 2018, 'Foreigner', the legendary 70s band has released several live performances with 'Foreigner with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (Live)' which celebrated the group's 40-year career, 'Live at the Rainbow '78' which took us back to the end of the 70s and which allowed to pay a well-deserved tribute to the original formation and 'Double Vision 40 Then And Now Live Reloaded' which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of the album 'Double Vision'. For 2020, with the reissue of their 2009 album, 'Can't Slow Down', the second CD comprises mainly titles performed live with some essential hits such as a version of 'Juke Box Hero' of nearly 12 minutes and 'I Want to Know What Love Is' which has been around the world but also titles less known from their eponymous 1977 debut album as 'Cold as Ice', 'At War with the World', 'Headknocker' or 'Feels Like the First Time'. This 'B-Sides & Extra Tracks' is therefore a kind of live testimony to the first period of 'Foreigner' which in the 70s became one of the references for all rock lovers who knew this period.

Line Up / Musicians

Kelly Hansen (Vocal), Mick Jones (Guitar, Piano, Choirs), Thom Gimbel (Guitar, Saxophone, Choirs), Michael Bluestein (Clavier, Choirs), Jeff Pilson (Bass, Choirs), Brian Tichy (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Empire (Live)

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 13-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The English people of 'Big Big Train' are quite familiar with live releases with DVD / Blu-ray because 'Merchants of Light' is from 2017 and this new concert release follows their tour in 2019 and, as the name suggests, this live was recorded at the Empire of London. This album gives pride of place to the latest releases including the last album 'Grand Tour' because 6 tracks are performed but also to the previous albums 'Folklore' from 2016 and 'Grimspound' for 2017. And unsurprisingly, this new concert once again demonstrates that 'Big Big Train' has become one of the essential groups of progressive rock with an admirable professionalism whether on the vocal or instrumental level, the production being also irreproachable whether it is in the sound level which is limpid and crystalline but also in the video because blu-ray once again brings another dimension to this concert. In short, 'Empire (Live)' is still a live album to have in its video library for all those who love an imaginative and refined progressive rock in the great tradition of major groups of this style.

Line Up / Musicians

Greg Spawton (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal), David Longdon (Vocal, Flute, Keybords, Guitar), Rikard Sjöblom (Vocal, Keybords, Guitae), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums, Vocal), Dave Gregory (Guitar), Rachel Hall (Violin), Danny Manners (Keybords, Bass)


Artist : Volbeat

Album : Rewind, Replay, Rebound (Live in Deutschland)

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 13-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

The Danes of 'Volbeat', after two very good albums, 'Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie' in 2016 and 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound' in 2019 and in the meantime a live 'Let's Boogie! Live from Telia Parken ' in 2018, a new live 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound (Live in Deutschland)' is released. And a 'Volbeat' concert, it starts with an impressive set list and this last opus is no exception to the rule with its 27 titles for 2 hours of melodies all as addictive as each other which deploy an overflowing energy from the beginning to the the end, an energy that the Danes communicate to their audience by transforming a banal concert into a real moment of communion, the interactions between the artists and their fans being permanent throughout the show. In short, this last live of 'Volbeat' shows once again that the Danes are made for the stage and 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound (Live in Deutschland)' is intended not only for fans but also for all those who love a muscular and lively rock with accessible melodic lines at first listening, all this in a live atmosphere of madness.

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Poulsen (Vocal, Guitar), Kaspar Boye Larsen (Bass, Choirs), Rob Caggiano (Guitar, Choirs), Jon Larsen (Drums)


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : Distant Memories - Live in London

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 14-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

After their studio recording 'Distance Over Time', the Americans from 'Dream Theater' toured in early 2020 just before the arrival of the coronavirus which definitely deprived us of a concert and this live 'Distant Memories - Live in London' was recorded on February 21 and 22, 2020 at the Hammersmith Apollo from London. The fans are used to these long concerts and this one is no exception to the rule and is divided into two parts, with first of all titles which highlight the last album and then, a full cover of 'Metropolis Pt2 : Scenes From A Memory' for the 20 years anniversary of its release and which alone already takes half from the set list. And as I usually say, nothing replaces the image and this is still more true for 'Dream Theater' because the interpretation of each title is quite close to the studio versions, the only difference being the concert atmosphere with gigantic sound which makes DVD/Blu-ray essential to fully immerse yourself in these two and a half hours of spectacle. 'Distant Memories - Live in London' is therefore a great gift for all fans of the group but also for all amateurs of progressive metal which took off in the 90s and of which 'Dream Theater' was one of the main actors.

Line Up / Musicians

James Labrie (Vocal), John Petrucci (Guitar), Jordan Rudess (Clavier), John Myung (Bass), Mike Mangini (Drums)


Artist : Mystery

Album : Caught in the Whirlwind of Time

Release Date : 28-11-2020

Added : 14-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

It's still a nice surprise at the end of 2020 to have a new live from the Canadians of 'Mystery', 2019 having seen the release of the magnificent 'Live in Poznan' which I reviewed and which had already spoiled us with a concert exceeding two thirty and 'Caught in the Whirlwind of Time' is slightly longer and above all adds a blu-ray which is available on the 'Mystery' site. So I won't repeat myself with what I have already written about 'Live in Pozman' and I will just add the 3 presentation videos of this new live that you can find on you tube, here, here and here .

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Pageau (Vocal, Keybords, Flute), Michel St-Père (Guitar, Keybords), Sylvain Moineau (Guitar, Keybords), Antoine Michaud (Keybords), François Fournier (Bass, Keybords), Jean-Sébastien Goyette (Drums)


Artist : Avatarium

Album : An Evening With Avatarium

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 15-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

After 'The Fire I Long For' released at the end of 2019 which was their 4th studio recording and after 7 years of existence, the Swedes of 'Avatarium' released at the end of 2020 their first live 'An Evening With Avatarium' recorded in January 2020 in Stockholm which highlights the last album since 6 titles are performed and shows the evolution since their creation, the doom having slowly given way to other compositions and even if the first titles are present with 'Avatarium' and its heavy melody, the whole is varied and we navigate between compositions powerful and energetic like 'Rubicon', 'Into the Fire / Into the Storm', 'Shake That Deamon' or even 'Girl With The Raven Mask' but also much calmer titles like 'Lay Me Down' or 'In My Time of Dying' or 'The Fire I Long For' without forgetting the remarkable 'Pearls and Coffins' in which 'Jennie-Ann Smith' releases a real emotion in the more stripped down parts and the final 'Moonhorse' with its alternations between power and much quieter part is not bad either and concluded the concert in a masterly way. In short, this live of 'Avatarium' is far from a concert of flavorless doom because the atmospheres deployed are multiple and contribute to having a great time and 'An Evening With Avatarium' is recommended to an audience loving a powerful metal with various facets with, icing on the cake, a singer who ensures throughout the concert in all registers.

Line Up / Musicians

Jennie-Ann Smith (Vocal), Marcus Jidell (Guitar), Andreas ‘Habo’ Johansson (Drums), Rickard Nilsson (Keybords), Mats Rydström (Bass)


Artist : The Cyberiam

Album : Forging Nations LIVE!

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 15-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

'The Cyberiam' is a new American band which is only a few years old and released a first album 'The Cyberiam' in 2018 and an EP 'The Butterfly Effect' in 2019. They offer us a sought-after progressive mixing rock and metal in compositions ranging from 5 to 10 minutes and, although their discography is quite small, they released a short live of an hour and a quarter which includes 6 titles out of the 10 of 'The Cyberiam' album and the whole of the EP 'The Butterfly Effect' which contains only one title divided into five parts. Although in the quieter parts, the melodic lines are easily tamed, this live is not necessarily accessible at first listening but requires that we linger there because it is full of rich and innovative compositions with multiple influences whether in the field of rock or metal and it is precisely this mixture that makes them a group apart : the typical example is the magnificent composition 'The Butterfly Effect' which makes successive sections quite distant from each other with changes of atmospheres which go from a muscular metal with many rhythmic breaks to atmospheric style through more peaceful rock with melodic lines that one appropriates immediately. In short, the Americans of 'The Cyberiam' show all their talent in this live which should appeal to an audience loving a varied progressive which explores different styles and which requires repeated listenings to get all the richness.

Line Up / Musicians

Keith Semple (Vocal, Guitar), Brian Kovacs (Bass), Frank Lucas (Keybords), Tommy Murray (Drums)


Artist : Tarja

Album : Christmas Together: Live At Olomouc And Hradec Králové 2019

Release Date : 06-12-2020

Added : 16-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

For those who are closely interested in the Finnish singer 'Tarja Turunen', they know that she has a double career which highlights, on one side, the 'Tarja' metaller who was the singer in the 90s and 2000s of 'Nightwish' and who continues a solo career with several albums to his credit, the most recent 'In The Raw' from 2019 and the latest live 'Act II' of 2018 and then, on the other hand, there is the 'Tarja' classic who likes to do winter tours in different countries and offer Christmas interpretations or performing in concerts where she takes over classical composers with the key for example 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)' in 2017 or 'Ave Maria – en Plein Air' in 2015. This new live 'Christmas Together: Live At Olomouc And Hradec Králové 2019' which is the second CD of the reissue of 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a dark Christmas)' is therefore part of this second category, the 'Tarja' classic in which she performs the usual titles of these Christmas concerts in a refine instrumental environment. We therefore find songs in Finnish like 'Sydämeeni Joulun Teen' or 'Varpunen Jouluaamuna' but also the well-known 'Walking in the Air' of 'Howard Blake' or instrumentals 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Amazing Grace', then songs that were present in 'From Spirits and Ghosts' but also four 'Ave Maria'. In summary, this 'Christmas Together' is a real moment of tranquility during this troubled period and should appeal to an audience loving the classical side of this unique singer who has achieved a magnificent international career alternating classical and metal and who shows a once more that, when the talent is present, the magic operates, and that whatever the style.

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Julian Barrett (Guitar), Max Lilja (Cello), Timm Schreiner (Drums)


Artist : Neal Morse

Album : Jesus Christ the Exorcist (Live at Morsefest 2018)

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 16-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

In my last column on the studio recording of 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist ' released in 2019, I had expressed the wish to have the live show of this progressive religious fresco. In fact, on the occasion of the 'Morsefest' 2018 (the annual progressive festival hosted by 'Neal Morse' in his hometown of 'Cross Plains', USA), this progressive opera had already been presented to the public and this album live with DVD/Blu-ray is now available. Around an impressive panel of guests from the progressive world, this live makes us relive this concert with the video essential in this kind of story showing all the work done by 'Neal Morse' to mount his story on 'Jesus Christ' with singers who become full-fledged actors as in all musical works of this style and we can cite for example exemple 'Transitus' by 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' who just released or 'Beloved Antichrist' by 'Christofer Johnsson'. In short, beyond the musical aspect which shows all the talent of 'Neal Morse' to compose songs of great richness whether at the vocal and instrumental level, this live is a real performance and allows, thanks to the image, to add an even stronger emotional aspect to this historical fresco, which for me makes it one of the best live performances of 2020.

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Guitars, Keybords, Vocal), Paul Bielatowicz (Guitar), Bill Hubauer (Keybords), Eric Gillette (Drums), Randy George (Bass), Ted Leonard (Vocal), Talon David (Vocal), Nick D’Virgilio (Vocal), Rick Florian (Vocal), Matt Smith (Vocal), Jake Livgren (Vocal), John Schlitt (Vocal), Mark Pogue (Vocal), Wil Morse (Vocal), Gabe Klein (Vocal), Gideon Klein (Vocal), Julie Harrison (Vocal), Wil Morse (Percussions, Keybords), Gabriel Klein (Percussions), Laura Epling (Violin), Jake Tudor (Violin), Michael Lucarelli (Viola), Maggie Chafee (Cello), Gideon Klein (Bass), Holly Smith (Corne), David Cooper(Trombone), Dominique Caster (Trumpet), Gabriel Collins (Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : Riverside

Album : Lost'n'Found – Live in Tilburg

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 17-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

'Lost'n'Found - Live in Tilburg' is a concert recorded by the Poles of 'Riverside' in 2015 and which was already released on CD in 2017 and which is reissued with the DVD version and which appears on digital platforms at the occasion of this reissue. This concert is one of the last testimonials to hear their guitarist 'Piotr Grudzinski', who died suddenly in 2016. Since then, the group has overcome the loss of their guitarist by releasing a tribute to Piotr with 'Eye of the Soundscape' and especially the magnificent last album 'Wasteland' released in 2018. But let's come back to this 2015 concert which allows you to hear compositions from their already substantial discography at the time since they already had 6 albums and some EP for a dozen years of existence and the opus 'Love, Fear and The Time Machine' from 2015 is well represented with 4 titles played. We therefore find this creative progressive rock of the Poles which, even if it requires a few listenings to fully appropriate it, casts a wide net and offers us a kind of patchwork of progressive influences ranging from atmospheric rock to more sophisticated progressive metal going through 'Floydian' melodic rock. In short, this 'Lost'n'Found - Live in Tilburg' by the Poles of 'Riverside' is remarkable on all points, first of all thanks to the talents of these 4 artists who each bring their stone to the building but also thanks to a very homogeneous setlist which alternates different atmospheres, all this benefiting from an irreproachable production : beyond the fans, this live is recommended to all amateurs of progressive rock who like diversity in this style of music.

Line Up / Musicians

Mariusz Duda (Vocal, Bass), Piotr Grudzinski (Guitar), Michal Lapaj (Keybords), Piotr Kozieradzki (Drums)


Artist : Heather Findlay

Album : Live White Horses

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 17-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Live Albums of the second part of the year

Just one year after the remarkable 'Aces And Eights - a Night in the Saloon Bar' and after 'Wild White Horses' released in 2019, the former singer of 'Mostly Autumn' which continues a new career for 10 years with the 'Heather Findlay Band' was lucky enough to be able to tour earlier this year and this live was recorded during this tour in UK. This live makes it possible to discover her for those who have not yet listened to his last album 'Wild White Horses' because the entirety is played there with in addition some titles in acoustics. We therefore find the superb voice of 'Heather' in original compositions whether in a catchy style that draws its influences from the 70s with 'Fleetwood-Mac' that immediately comes to mind, as in 'Southern Shores' or 'Here's To You' or in 'Black Rain' but also in more subdued atmospheres where she also excels by releasing a real emotion as in 'The Island' or 'I Remember' or in 'Already Free' or even in 'Lake Sunday 'to name just a few titles. In short, this 'Live White Horses', thanks to a very talented artist, is still a beautiful moment to be savored quietly and will undoubtedly make it possible to console oneself for this lack of concert in 2020 while waiting to be able to return and share again moments of emotions as 'Heather Findlay' knows so well to do.

Line Up / Musicians

Heather Findlay (Guitar, Vocal), Stu Fletcher (Bass), Martin Ledger (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Nate Lee (Bass), Emily Lynn (Keybords, Piano, Choirs), Dave McCluskey (Drums), Georgia Rankin (Choirs), Simon Snaize (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Hughes Taylor (Guitar), Adriana Thomas (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Taylor Washington (Guitare, Choirs)


Artist : Tungsten

Album : Tundra

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 18-01-2021

If you are a bands fan like 'Freedom Call' or 'Feuerschwanz' or that you are inconsolable for hearing the news that the Swedes of 'Falconer' were parting ways, well, I have a foolproof remedy with other Swedes, in this case the formation 'Tungsten' which after a first album 'We Will Rise' in 2019, release a new studio recording called 'Tundra'. This project was created by drummer 'Anders Johansson' (ex 'Hammerfall' whose last live is available on spotify), and with the Johanssons, we make music in family because he called on his two sons Niklas and Kalle, respectively guitarist and bassist / keyboardist, the singer 'Mike Andersson' completing the line-up. No need to make you languish, even if our Swedes are not going to revolutionize metal in general, they take us into their universe made of hits of melodic metal which are made to become embedded directly in your brain and which continues to spin indefinitely in your head all day long and this with a mixture of electronic tones with overdriven guitar riffs. Therefore, if from the outset, you are not sensitive to 'Lock and Load', go directly your way, and for the others who have get caught up in the game (of which I am a part, it feels good to from time to time between the ears of addictive melodies like these), get fun by listening to songs like 'King of Shadows', 'Tundra' or even 'This Is War' which should be all the rage in concert and if you want to catch one's breath, listen to the beautiful ballad 'Life and the Ocean' which is to be added to the best metal ballads. In short, no need to add more, this 'Tundra' is a happy stick of dynamite which will put you in a good mood all day long and which should appeal to an audience loving a power metal with addictive melodies that turn and return in loop in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Andersson (Vocal), Niklas Johansson (Guitar), Kalle Johansson (Bass, Keybords), Anders Johansson (Drums)


Artist : Ad Infinitum

Album : Chapter I Revisited

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 19-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

I presented you at the beginning of the year the first album 'Chapter I - Monarchy' from the project 'Ad Infinitum' of the Swiss 'Melissa Bonny', as we had already had some samples in the first album with the two titles' See You In Hell 'and' Tell Me Why ', the end of 2020 saw the release of an opus of acoustic covers of all 10 compositions bringing a whole new light on these energetic melodies of symphonic metal which are metamorphosed into intoxicating melodies with the acoustic guitar which brings Hispanic influences here and there and, of course, with a dazzling vocal performance by 'Melissa Bonny' who shows all her talent by adapting perfectly to the acoustic style of these beautiful melodies that we immediately appropriate. So we savor all of these titles which all keep this energetic freshness for some like 'I Am the Storm' and its beautiful accompaniment on the guitar or 'Live Before You Die' or even 'Demons' whose style reminds me of magnificent interpretations of 'Marcella Bovio' and for others take us on beautiful versions filled with sensitivity like 'Infected Monarchy', 'Fire and Ice' or even 'Revenge' with its melody that never leaves you. In short, in each electric or acoustic version, there should be something for everyone and 'Ad Infinitum' shows that, whatever the style, when talent is present, as the French writer 'Alfred de Musset' said: "Whatever the bottle, as long as we have drunkenness"...

Line Up / Musicians

Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Niklas Müller (Drums), Jonas Asplind (Bass), Adrian Theßenvitz (Guitar)


Artist : Tammatoys

Album : Conflicts

Release Date : 27-11-2020

Added : 20-01-2021

The Norwegians of 'Tammatoys' release their first album while they are already twenty years old and only two EPs which already date from the early 2000s, 'Circles' and 'Within A Dream'. In a progressive style taking us back to the 70s, they offer us 5 titles including 3 long developments for 45 short minutes and I quote their Bandcamp page : "The idea behind Tammatoys was to make prog rock with inspiration from bands such as 'Porcupine Tree', 'The Church', 'Genesis' and 'Pink Floyd', interspersed with a dose of pop with the melodies at the forefront." which summarizes their universe well.

'I Will Follow' opens the album and we immediately get into the theme of the album on conflicts with a first piece highlighting the keyboards and vocals of 'Kjetil Bergseth' and with accessible melodic lines, then, 'Downfall' is the first long development that takes us on for 11 minutes in an imaginative progressive in several drawers with, first of all a catchy first half with two sung parts that leave room in the middle of the title to a much quieter section in a 'Floydian' spirit with a remarkable crescendo instrumental final. Follows 'Politics', which is much more muscular and which settles down in the last minute with a new aerial keyboard solo, then, the 14 minutes of 'The Conflict (Part 1)' (certainly part 2 should see the light of day in a future album) offers us a new progressive fresco with a long introduction alternating spoken parts and an atmospheric atmosphere and the title takes off in a quiet ambiance with first a sung part then a remarkable instrumental section with oriental sounds supported by keyboards bringing us back to the 70s and the second part continues in a very uncluttered atmosphere with some piano notes which give way to a catchy part unrolling beautiful melodic lines and which falls back on the end with the starting theme. It is with the 8 minutes of 'Time' that the album ends in the continuity of the previous title with layers of aerial keyboards preceding a quiet rhythm with beautiful vocal passages embellished by a 'Floydienne' guitar and with a magnificent final epic.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Tammatoys' are releasing an imaginative and sought after progressive rock album influenced by references of the genre while keeping an original imprint which destines 'Conflicts' to an audience loving long developments containing all the ingredients of a refined progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Kjetil Bergseth (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Øystein Utby (Bass), Simon Dolmen Bergseth (Guitar), Bjorn David Dolmen (Guitar), Ragnar Utby (Guitar), Martin Utby (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Vanden Plas

Album : The Ghost Xperiment – Illumination

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 21-01-2021

A year after the first part of 'The Ghost Xperiment', the Germans of 'Vanden Plas' release the second part 'Illumination'. I reviewed in 2015 'Chronicles of the Immortals: Netherworld II' which, for me, was one of the best progressive metal albums of 2015, and, in 2019, I had a little more trouble digesting the first part of 'The Ghost Xperiment', certainly for lack of time to enter this fresco epic but I must say that with the continuation, the density of the compositions is even more important while keeping a certain accessibility and necessarily requires that we lingers there if we wants to draw all the richness from it because it is an hour of music available to us.

First of all, the album is very varied and each composition brings its share of originality, the melodic lines having been particularly worked which certainly makes it possible to appropriate the whole more easily and this from the first title 'When The World Is Falling Down' which is delivered quite easily and constitutes a powerful entry but unrolling a heady melody. Then, the atmospheres are very varied and the changes of rhythm and intensity are well placed throughout the opus, with for example the mid-tempo 'Under The Horizon' which follows 'When The World Is Falling Down' and which brings a more calm atmosphere, then 'Black Waltz Death' is even calmer and offers a beautiful power ballad before attacking an intensive 'The Lonely Psychogon' which reminds me of certain compositions of the symphonic metal formation 'Kamelot' followed by the huge 'Fatal Arcadia' containing multiples changes in intensity.. We can also highlight the beautiful instrumental passages that highlight remarkable sections of keyboards and guitar but also instruments of the orchestra and the Germans have invited for the occasion 'Ulli Perhonen' from the new symphonic metal formation 'Snow White Blood' and 'Oliver Hartmann' and 'Herbie Langhans' for the choirs. But the highlight of the album is undoubtedly the long development 'The Ouroboros' which, by itself, contains all the ambiances that one can find in the album with first of all a first part which starts calmly and which gradually gains in power to explode into an addictive chorus, and then, an energetic and fast instrumental part with magnificent sound disgressions to finish in apotheosis with the melody of the starting theme that never leaves you.

In summary, this last album from the Germans of 'Vanden Plas' is a real gem of metal mixing progressive and symphonic with remarkable rhythmic and intensity breaks between the different compositions with, icing on the cake, an irreproachable production which, for me, makes 'The Ghost Xperiment - Illumination' one of the best progressive metal releases of the 2020 year...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Kuntz (Vocal), Günter Werno (Keybords), Stephan Lill (Guitar), Torsten Reichert (Bass), Andreas Lill (Drums) + Guest : Oliver Hartmann (Choirs), Herbie Langhans (Choirs), Ulli Perhonen (Vocal), Alea der Bescheidene (Vocal)


Artist : Blackfield

Album : For the Music

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 22-01-2021

We were waiting for the return of our two friends 'Steven Wilson' and 'Aviv Geffen' with their project 'Blackfield' because the last album 'V' was already from 2017 and it is therefore 'For the Music' which was released in early December 2020 which succeeds it. For this new opus, 'Aviv Geffen' wrote and composed all titles and we feel that 'Steven Wilson', even if he continues to participate in this project, is slightly behind but the atmospheres released are well in the continuity of previous album. Containing 9 tracks for a short duration of 30 minutes, we therefore find this mix between pop and atmospheric with easily accessible melodies which are shared between catchy compositions such as 'For The Music', 'Under My Skin' or 'Summer's Gone' and others much more melancholic like 'Garden of Sin', 'Over & Over', 'White Nights' or even 'It's so Hard' which are either acoustic or semi-acoustic, not to mention 'After All' and 'Falling' which recall certain compositions from 'Blackfield II'. In short, without renewing itself too much, this new 'Blackfield' surfs the wave of previous opus and, consequently, is intended for a very large audience loving the atmospheric style and the melodies very accessible to enjoy quietly with headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Aviv Geffen (Vocal, Keybords), Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitar), Adar Green (Guitar, Bass), Eran Mitelman (Keybords, Piano), Omri Agmon (Guitar), Tomer Z (Drums)


Artist : Majestica

Album : A Christmas Carol

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 23-01-2021

'Tommy Johansson' has been on all fronts for two years since he is, first of all, one of the two guitarists of 'Sabaton' but also the singer in the new formation 'Memories of Old' and also participated in several other projects including 'Astralium' and 'Gabriels'. On top of all this he created a new power metal project 'Majestica' with a debut album 'Above The Sky' in 2019 and 2020 see the release of a new opus dedicated to Christmas with the tale of 'Charles Dickens', 'A Chistmas Carol' (decidedly at the moment, this tale is in fashion with 'Choruscant' and 'tRKproject').

But, with the references cited above, as you can imagine, the atmospheres are quite far from the traditional Christmas sung by 'Tarja' and we are rather in a energetic speed metal and, in a good spirit, it is a little as if 'Disneyland' had ordered a Christmas songs from 'Alex Staropoli' or 'Luca Turilli'. After the short instrumental introduction 'A Christmas Carol' which almost makes us believe that we are going to find ourselves in the middle of 'Mickey' and his friends, 'A Chistmas Story' bursts into a riot of energy with a heady first melody that borrows from classical music, then, the two following titles 'Ghost of Marley' and 'Ghost Of Christmas Past' continue along this path all traced with great chorus of choirs which give us a serious desire accompany them, all this being accompanied of sounds in a Christmas ambiance. After these three addictive melodies deploying an incomparable fire power (of Christmas), the ballad 'The Joy Of Christmas' arrives at the right time to recover from all our emotions and transport us to the country of Santa Claus with melodic lines borrowed from songs traditional with that little touch of melancholy which can only move the grown-up children that we have remained. And it is the turn of a feeric 'Ghost Of Christmas Present' to take over in a new overheated atmosphere and a marked rhythmic that our feet beat all alone, then it is followed by a theatrical 'Ghost Of Christmas To Come'with radiant choirs and 'A Christmas To Come' continues in this same atmosphere with a new blessed Christmas tale melody, the album ending with the instrumental 'A Majestic Christmas Theme' which borrows from major American Christmas productions you have all heard in the 'Disneylands'.

In summary, 'A Christmas Carol' is a magnificent musical tale for all those who have kept a child's soul and who of course love a melodic and efficient metal which integrates immediately...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Johansson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Alexander Oriz (Vocal, Guitar, Choirs), Chris David (Vocal, Bass), Joel Kollberg (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Naryan

Album : The Withering

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 24-01-2021

'Naryan' is a Finnish progressive rock formation who released at the end of 2020 a new studio recording 'The Withering' which is their 3rd album, after 'Naryan' in 2013 and 'Black Letters' in 2016. Led by guitarist 'Lauri Kovero', they have experienced many line up changes since their inception and 'Naryan' is now made up of 'Lauri Kovero' and 'Raino Ketola' on guitar, 'Tonuni Niemi' on vocals, of 'Antli Valiniemi' on bass, of 'Tommi Tanhuanpaa' on drums, of 'Eveliina Sydanliihde' on piano and flute and of 'Nona Onnda' on violin, and this new opus sees several guests complete the line-up with including orchestral and choir instruments. In melancholic and relaxing atmospheres, they offer us 10 melodic titles in a rock mixing progressive and symphonic in which the instrumental arrangements highlight the strings and the piano, the electric instruments bringing the rhythmic base and beautiful deep bass and in which the vocal arrangements are equally remarkable.

The instrumental 'The End' begins in a romantic atmosphere brought by the depth of the cellos and the piano arpeggios, then, 'You Are The One' continues with a bewitching melody with beautiful alternations between acoustic and electric parts , 'Tonuni Niemi' on vocals presenting a beautiful vocal palette and 'Now You're Gone' continues in this feeling of melancholy with new melodic lines which envelop you and rock you in an addictive slow tempo. Follows the short instrumental 'IV' which serves as an introduction to 'Black Swan', further increasing the emotional cursor with a new masterful vocal performance then we stay on the little cloud on which we were climbed with 'Until We Meet Again' which completely takes us and causes this small thrill so characteristic of an intense listening happiness and 'Hear Me Now' continues in the same register by adding the bewitching voice of 'Maria Opoku-Aikins' which forms a magical duet with 'Tonuni Niemi'. The end of the album is on the same level with, first of all, 'Room of Angel' which can recall the very soft side of certain compositions of 'Mono Inc., the voice of 'Tonuni Niemi' reminiscent of the deep vocals of 'Martin Engler', then, 'The World Is Filled With Silence' offers us a new moving melody with magnificent choirs magnifying the whole, 'Takamaa' closing this magnificent album with a song in Finnish unrolling melancholy melodic lines one last time.

In summary, the 'Finns' of 'Naryan' release an album of immense depth that can only touch and if you are a lover of beautiful, bewitching and melancholic melodies giving off a real emotion or that you like a peaceful and relaxing progressive rock with artists like 'Rick Miller', 'Esthesis', 'starfish64' or 'David Minasian' to name only recent reviews on myprogmusic, this 'The Withering' is done for you.

Line Up / Musicians

Lauri Kovero (Guitar), Tonuni Niemi (Vocal), Raino Ketola (Guitar), Nona Onnda (Violin), Eveliina Sydanliihde (Keybords, Piano), Tommi Tanhuanpaa (Drums, Choirs), Antli Valiniemi (Bass), Tero Ylonen/Rantajatkat (Drums) + Guests : Sara Lahtinen (Cello), Katri Antikainen (Cello), Maria Opoku-Aikins (Vocal), Petri Juutilainen (Trombone), Niilo Harjuntautsa (Bugle), Georgo Bille (Bugle, Trumpet), Tampere Opera Choir Choirs)


Artist : Six Foot Six

Album : The End of All

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 25-01-2021

In the series of melodic rock and hard-rock albums released in the second half of 2020 that I presented to you at the beginning of the year (see here), Sweden was well represented and I could have added this new album 'The End of All' released at the end of 2020 year from 'Six Foot Six' which is their second studio album, the first 'The Six Foot Six Project' dating from 2018. Led by singer and guitarist 'Kristoffer Göbel' (among others ex singer of 'Falconer'), we are embarked on muscular hard-rock with accessible melodic lines and heady choruses supported by lively choirs. Whether it is the energetic tracks like 'Welcome to Your Nigthmare', 'End of All', 'Last Days of Our Lives' or 'Oblivion' but also the rhythmic mid-tempos that are 'Blood Will Out', 'Finale Vittoria' or the powerful 'I Am Your King' without forgetting the power ballad 'Edge of the World', everything is there to give us an irresistible desire to beat time on these addictive melodies. In short, it's another great release from a Swedish group which, even if it won't revolutionize melodic hard rock, allows us to have a great time listening to 'The End of All' which is recommended for all audiences who like melodic and lively hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristoffer Göbel (Vocal, Guitar), (Bass, Choirs), Henrik Hedman (Drums, Choirs), Christoffer Borg (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Royal Hunt

Album : Dystopia

Release Date : 18-12-2020

Added : 26-01-2021

The Danes of 'Royal Hunt' now have about thirty years of career and about fifteen albums to their credit which makes a frequency of one album every two years or so, their last opus 'Cast in Stone' dating from 2018. Tagged since the 90s in progressive metal, they have released a new studio recording 'Dystopia' late 2020 and the last two albums took side roads eyeing a neo-classical and symphonic metal with always this talent for heady melodic lines. What about this last Danish baby? First, the period in which we live is conducive to picking up themes from twentieth century science fiction novels because we realize that the writers of the time were often visionaries with a talent for foreseeing the future, starting for example with the novel '1984' by 'George Orwell' published in 1949 with its famous 'Big Brother is watching you'. On this point, 'Royal Hunt' has chosen a novel well known since it is 'Farenheit 451' by 'Ray Bradbury' published in 1953 and which described a pessimistic future based on totalitarianism which rejected culture by burning books (hey, that doesn't remind you of anything quite similar right now!). No need to make you languish, musically, the compositions are at the level of this masterpiece of literature and form an inseparable whole that one could qualify as metal opera and make me think of atmospheres (whether musically or theme level) of 'The Astonishing' from 'Dream Theater'.

The album begins with the symphonic instrumental 'Inception F451' in an epic atmosphere that sets the scene and reminiscent of the great American film productions then, complete change of scenery with the energetic 'Burn' and its fast tempo which offers us a first heady refrain taken up in chorus and remarkable symphonic arrangements in support of the guitar riffs with, here and there, some melodic digressions borrowed from classical music reminiscent of formations like 'Rainbow' of 'Ritchie Blackmore'. Follows the long development 'The Art Of Dying' which borders on 9 minutes and which continues in a classy symphonic metal by unrolling a heavy mid-tempo with a new addictive melody and with a magnificent vocal performance of 'Dc Cooper' well accompanied by choirs of luxury (in total 5 distinguished guests including the former singer of 'Royal Hunt', 'Mark Boals' who has multiples projects in which he sang, 'Shining Black' being the lastest), all this being interspersed with remarkable instrumental sections. The beautiful ballad arrives with the following title 'I Used To Walk Alone' which sees the participation of 'Alexandra Andersen' forming a beautiful vocal duet with 'Dc Cooper' and which can be added to the best metal ballads (see my spotify playlist here), then, the following three titles are very different from each other which helps to make again of 'Dystopia' a very original album : first with 'The Eye Of Oblivion', we come back to a more energetic metal with a remarkable instrumental section with neo-classical sounds, the construction being more conventional, then 'Hound of the Damned' completely changes register with a composition quite far from heavy metal which integrates electronic sounds in a theatrical atmosphere of rock musical comedy and 'The Missing Page' changes again of scenery for a melancholic symphonic instrumental highlighting strings. The end of the album is just as varied because it offers us a new long development, 'Black Butterflies' which takes us on a neo-classical metal saga with beautiful alternations of intensity and rhythm and magnificent melodic lines which never leave you, then, 'Snake Eyes' is a second power ballad just as remarkable as the first and which refers to the technology pushed to its climax in the novel 'Farenheit 451' with this strange machine 'Electric-Eyed Snake' which was invented by the authorities to control the population and the short instrumental 'Midway' closes the album in a tragic atmosphere corresponding well to the end of the novel with the exodus of these men who bear the name of every book they decided to memorize.

In summary, the Danes of 'Royal Hunt' are releasing a remarkable album with very varied compositions which were written and composed with the sole aim of telling 'Farenheit 451' and which have many magnificent arrangements, both at the vocal or instrumental level, which makes of 'Dystopia' an artistic work going beyond a simple metal album which should appeal to a whole audience loving neo-classical rock or metal operas...

Line Up / Musicians

Dc Cooper (Vocal), Andre Andersen (Keybords, Bass), Jonas Larsen (Guitar), Andreas Passmark (Bass), Andreas ‘habo’ Johansson (Drums) + Guests : Alexandra Andersen (Vocal), Henrik Brockmann (Vocal), Kenny Lubcke (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal), Mats Leven (Vocal)


Artist : Claire-Lyse Von Dach

Album : We Are One

Release Date : 05-12-2020

Added : 27-01-2021

After the album 'Moonlight' which showed another facet of the former singer of 'Elferya', 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' released a new album' We Are One' at the end of 2020 which continues in the same vein as 'Moonlight' and the Swiss woman who is an occupational therapist has always been attracted by certain mental practices such as "mindfulness" meditation for therapeutic purposes but also of self-realization. In this context, the music contributes to this blossoming and this new album is still an invitation to travel and reverie, with compositions that take you on a small cloud in a style that she qualifies as a Celtic-shamanic musical universe and which goes to meet fairy and dreamlike atmospheres. On the menu, 13 tracks for nearly an hour of music with the singing always so melodious and crystalline of 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' who invited for the occasion different artists bringing a folk touch whether with strings, harp , the flute or the different percussions. Note that there is also the instrumental version of the album also unavailable on spotify here. In short, it is yet another magnificent album that the Swiss 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' offers us and 'We Are One' is to be enjoyed in a quiet place with headphones and should appeal to an audience loving acoustic folk music accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Claire-Lyse Von Dach (Vocal, Piano, Harp, Tambour), Nathalie Manser (Cello), Mélodie Pican (Violin), Matthieu Bopp (Flute, Whistles, French Pipes), Sylvain Ballif (Bodhran, Percussions), Vincent Triponez (Guitar, Bass, Percussions), Thibaut Gonzalez (Didgeridoo), Anne Laurent (Shruti box , Choirs), Jess Vee (Choirs), Vincent Vève (Choirs), Matthieu Favre (Choirs), Laura Salvadori (Choirs), Sabine Cherix (Choirs), Vincent Vève (Choirs), Matthieu Favre (Choirs)


Artist : Saurom

Album : Música

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 28-01-2021

I did not know the Spaniards from 'Saurom' who, however, already have a great career behind them since they have been releasing albums for more than 20 years and it is therefore with 'Música' which is already their 10th studio album and who was released in early December 2020 that I discover them. After listening for the first time, in some compositions, I have the impression of hearing a cross between the French of Tri Yann' and the Finns of 'Nightwish', 'Tri-Yann' for the good-natured and lively folk side and 'Nighwish' for the guitar riffs and the melodic side, and this from the first two tracks 'Amenecer' and 'La Hija de las Estrellas'. The set is a series of catchy titles that we immediately appropriate and whose melodic lines are all very accessible like 'Salta' with its violin which twirls like a 'Christophe Péloil' from 'Tri-Yann', 'El Queso Rodante' and its fast tempo in a happy atmosphere, 'El Lazarillo de Tormesla' and its addictive chorus or even 'Reina de mis Sueños' which brings us back again to the melodic lines of 'Nightwish', the ballads 'When Nobody See's Us' and 'Duermedela' bringing a moment of tranquility just like the mid-tempo '3,2,1… ¡La Tierra!' and the two little instrumental commas with Hispanic sounds (but how could it be otherwise!). In addition, most of the titles have been the subject of a video which are all original and here are the links:
- 'Amanecer'
- 'El Queso Rodante'
- 'El Lazarillo de Tormes'
- 'La Hija de las Estrellas'
- '3,2,1... ¡La Tierra!'
- 'Fiesta de la Cerveza'
- 'Reina de mis Sueños'
- 'La Danza de los Mundos'
- 'Música'

In summary, this latest album from the Spaniards of 'Saurom' is filled with good energy and takes us into energetic and lively folk that is tamed very easily and, if you are not disturbed by the vocals in Spanish (for me, it reinforces the festive side of the whole) and you like to mix rock and folk with heady melodic lines, 'Música' is certainly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Narciso Lara Márquez (Vocal, Guitar), Raúl Rueda Hernández (Guitar), Jose A. Gil González (Bass), Santi Carrasco (Keybords), Francisco Garrido Ramos (Keybords, Violin), Antonio Ruíz Izquierdo (Drums)


Artist : Angel

Album : A Woman's Diary - Chapter II + The Hidden Chapter

Release Date : 04-12-2020

Added : 29-01-2021

The Norwegian singer of 'Imperia', 'Helena Iren Michaelsen' also pursues a solo career in parallel with her symphonic metal band and offers us in 2020 two albums as do regular metal singers with for example 'Claire-Lyse Von Dach' which released at the same time as 'Helena a new opus 'We Are One' and we could also quote 'Marcella Bovio' with her two magnificent albums 'Unprecedented' from 2016 and 'Through Your Eyes' from 2018. Regarding the Norwegian, May 2020 saw the release of 'A Woman's Diary - Chapter II' target='_blank', the first chapter dating from 2005 and the second album of 2020 was therefore released in early December and is called 'A Woman's Diary - The Hidden Chapter'. The first opus explores different styles and includes mostly fairly quiet compositions in which Helena shows all her vocal talent with, first of all magnificent more or less stripped ballads such as 'I Don't Believe', 'Do You Hear My Cry', 'Eg Ser', 'Rock in the Sea', 'Silence', 'Angel Maria' and 'Goodbye', then melodious mid-tempos more catchy than are 'Streetchild' and 'Happy Birthday' ('you tube video'), the only slightly more energetic tracks being 'Never Again' and 'Imprisoned', closer to symphonic metal and we can also note a rather offbeat but equally endearing title, 'My Desire' flirting with a catchy oriental atmosphere. Regarding the second album 'A Woman's Diary - The Hidden Chapter', these are mainly acoustic covers of very well-known compositions like 'Hallelujah' by 'Leonard Cohen' or 'Summertime' by 'Aaron Neville' or the wonderful song 'Leave The Light On' from 'Beth Hart' (list of tracks below), the atmosphere being much more intimate than the first album, Helena being accompanied by her companion 'Oliver Philipps' on piano who collaborates in the writing and the composition of all her titles. The only original titles are 'Little Ballerina' and 'Keep Your Head Held High', two sentimental songs which, like the rest, are far away from metal but which highlight the soft side of this remarkable singer of classic training which in this exercise conveys a very touching emotion.

In summary, the Norwegian 'Helena Iren Michaelsen' gives us not one but two very good albums and demonstrates once again that, whatever the style, when the talent is there, the result is always quality and, even, if all 'Imperia' fans won't necessarily be won over, these two opuses are intended for a large audience who like sentimental and easily assimilated melody lines...

List of tracks for the album 'A Woman's Diary - The Hidden Chapter'
1 - Don’t Let Daddy Kiss Me ('Motörhead')
2 - Little Ballerina (Original title)
3 - Kjærlighet (Norwegian version of 'Only Love' by 'Nana Mouskouri')
4 - Lost ('Anouk Teeuwe')
5 - Let Down ('Imperia')
6 - Hallelujah ('Leonard Cohen')
7 - Calling St. Cecilia ('Rik Emmett')
8 - Purple Rain ('Prince')
9 - Somewhere Over The Rainbow ('Judy Garland')
10 - Leave The Light On ('Beth Hart')
11 - Summertime ('Aaron Neville')
12 - Memories ('Barbra Streisand')
13 - Keep Your Head Held High (Original title)

Line Up / Musicians

Helena Iren Michaelsen (Vocal), Oliver Philipps (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Edran

Album : Clockwork : Overture

Release Date : 10-12-2020

Added : 30-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Edran' is yet another symphonic metal formation which this time comes from Italy and which was created by the keyboardist 'Lorenzo Masiero' and which has just released his first studio album 'Clockwork: Overture', 'Clockwork' being the old name of the band and the two singles 'Redemption' and 'Closer' having been made under the name 'Clockwork'. The particularity of this formation is to have gathered two female singers and two male singers which considerably enriches the vocal section and these four artists share different roles because the whole is a concept album inspired by the novel written by 'Lorenzo Masiero' himself. in 2013 and which tells the story of a musician who sells his soul to the demon 'Phedus' in order to obtain the perfect melody. The demon divides his soul into different entities which represent different emotions, each of which is played by one of the singers who at the same time become actors. Musically, Loenzo has concocted 11 tracks which are in a fairly classical symphonic metal with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate.

As often in this kind of album, everything begins with an instrumental title and this is the case for this opus with 'Phantom Overture' which opens the debates in a symphonic atmosphere highlighting beautiful orchestral arrangements, then , 'Into The Core' puts us directly in the bath of a symphonic metal involving with melodic lines which come directly to be grafted in our head and with each singer who reveals to us one after the other his vocal register making this composition very original. With the following tracks, we stay in the same style with melodic nuggets that parade one after the other and the fans of symphonic metal will not be able to resist compositions like 'Redemption', 'Chase The Fire', 'Closer', 'The Warden' or 'Endless Journey' and each could have been the subject of a single. Between these different powerful hits, the breaks are brought by, first of all, the beautiful ballad 'All I Have', then the power ballad 'The Distance' which highlights a sumptuous vocal section and remarkable instrumental arrangements with strings bringing a folk side, which I quickly added to my playlist of metal ballads here. The rest is on the same level with 'Revenge' which mixes in the most beautiful way grandiose symphonic arrangements with an overflowing metal energy and with still a remarkable vocal section and the last title that I have not mentioned yet, 'Clockwork' and its 8 minutes, is not bad either with a new symphonic gem where everything comes together to make it the super hit of the album and, even beyond, an example of the musical grail for all metal lover symphonic.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, there is nothing to throw in this first opus of the Italians of 'Edran' who have already set the bar very high in this style so coveted and if you like symphonic metal with beautiful melodies that we want to sing along, there is a good chance that you will adopt 'Clockwork: Overture' and that it will become an essential album in your discography...

Line Up / Musicians

Lorenzo Masiero (Keybords), Fabio Brunetti (Vocal), Paolo Taurino (Vocal), Clementine Nantista (Vocal), Francesca Trevisan (Vocal), Daniele Mandelli (Guitar), Luigi Riccio (Bass), Gianluca Capelli (Drums) + Guests : Roberta Corvi (Violin)


Artist : Sebastien

Album : Integrity

Release Date : 11-12-2020

Added : 31-01-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Melodic rock and hard-rock albums of the second half of the year

'Sebastien' is a Czech band which already has a dozen years of existence and 'Integrity' is already their 4th album, the last, 'Act of Creation', dating from 2018 and which was sung in English while their last baby is sung in Czech. Given the quality of the compositions, they find it difficult to make themselves known internationally but they could largely compete with some major melodic metal formations because this last opus is filled with remarkable compositions and accessible at the first listening, the lines melodic being often very addictive.

The album starts with 'Tornádo' in an overflowing energy with a first chorus which never leaves you, then, 'AntiProrok', slightly slower, remains nonetheless as powerful and catchy and the single 'Nechtěná', which follows, is a real hit that any melodic metal group of the 80s/90s would have liked to compose and one cannot remain indifferent to listening to the chorus which gives an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music. The suite continues in the same atmosphere with melodic jewels that are 'Bičem proti lásce' and its catchy and powerful rhythm, 'Touhy', 'Labyrint' or even 'Vstávej' and when the atmosphere is slower, 'Věřím' Delivers a heavy tempo to make a whole audience headbang to which we can add the two ballads 'Jdi dál' and 'Zatmění' which have nothing to envy to the best of the genre.

In summary, the Czechs of 'Sebastien' continue, after the very good 'Act of Creation' to offer us addictive hymns and this new baby 'Integrity' is to be recommended to an audience loving a melodic metal that is consumed without moderation thanks to very accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

George Rain (Vocal, Guitar), Petri Kallio (Bass), Pavel "Dvorkys" Dvora (Keybords), Lucas R. (Drums)


Artist : Amon Sethis

Album : Part 0 : The Queen With Golden Hair

Release Date : 12-12-2020

Added : 01-02-2021

I take you to our beautiful hexagon on the side of Grenoble with the French of 'Amnon Sethis' who are releasing their 3rd album and who, thanks to their leader 'Julien Tournaud', passionate about ancient history on Egypt, have started with their two first babies to tell us about the lives of the two children of Queen 'Nitocris', 'Ateravis' for the part 1 and 'Amon-Sethis' for part 2, and it's therefore natural that, to put everything in a chronological order (normal for a historian like 'Julien Tournaud'), this new opus is called 'Part 0' because it is precisely the queen 'Nitocris', who has always interested Egyptologists, who is the theme (as a reminder, France is one of the countries which worked the most in research on ancient Egypt in the 19th century). Although specialists do not know much about her, she has always conveyed many legends and it's therefore an interesting theme for a musical album which helps fuel the myth. Musically, the French take us on an impressive fresco between progressive and symphonic power metal for an hour and a quarter of music filled with majestic atmospheres reminiscent of the greatness of the Egypt of the Pharaohs which necessarily requires lingering there to draw all the wealth.

After the symphonic instrumental introduction 'The Legacy From The Past' which plants an exotic setting taking us straight to this fascinating country, 'Nitocris The Queen With Golden Hair' begins in a masterly manner in a progressive atmosphere with a lot of backing vocals then, 'My Sister, My Love, My Pharaoh' continues in a more direct style with a heady chorus and 'The Conspiracy' continues in a theatrical atmosphere and takes us through all kinds of atmospheres, playing on variations of tempos and masterful intensities. The rest is like the beginning of the album with the powerful 'The Secret Letter' mixing East and West with a remarkable new vocal performance from 'Julien Tournaud', just like 'The Rise of Aoutef's Army' which accentuates the heavy side and transports us in a grandiose way to the land of the pharaohs, then, 'Lost In The West' is a melodic jewel with orchestrations reminiscent of the Israelis of 'Orphaned Land ' and with 'Desert Storm', we are at the height of a grandiose symphonic power metal with impressive choirs and rich orchestral arrangements and icing on the cake, with a 'Julien Tournoud' which continues to offer us remarkable vocal sections going from a very calm clear singing to an extreme and angry singing. I could continue to make title by title because each one would deserve to be quoted but, overall, the deployed atmospheres highlight all this period of history representing very well the images of the greatness of ancient Egypt, like any peplum of the genre tries to represent, and this, thanks, on the one hand, to grandiose and epic orchestrations with omnipresent choirs but also thanks to the power of metal, the whole bathing in oriental sounds that accentuate this exotic atmosphere, the typical example being the long development which borders on 10 minutes and which alone brings together all the atmospheres encountered in this opus.

In summary, the French of 'Amon Sethis' release an album in all respects remarkable and we can only draw a parallel with such grandiose musical works in the same style and the one that comes to mind first is of course 'Beloved Antichrist' from 'Therion', which makes of 'Part 0: The Queen With Golden Hair' an album to recommend to an audience loving a themed symphonic power metal with orchestrations and imposing arrangements and who appreciates taking their time to tame a work of this kind, little by little, listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Julien Tournoud (Vocal), Olivier Billoint (Guitar), Elliot Tordo (Keybords), Laetitia Bertrand (Bass), Sébastien Perrad (Drums)


Artist : Alpha Souls

Album : Carousel Of Emotions

Release Date : 15-12-2020

Added : 02-02-2021

'Alpha Souls' is a new melodic hard-rock project created by Spanish guitarist and keyboardist 'Ricardo Walls' and producer 'Hector Fontes' who are releasing a debut studio recording 'Carousel Of Emotions'. The line-up is completed by 'Borja Lopez' on bass, 'Manuel Delgado' on drums and the Greek 'Manos Fatsis' on vocals who sounds like 'David Coverdale' which gives the whole a little air of 'Whitesnake'. This first opus contains 13 very effective and direct tracks, all as melodic as the others with a majority of energetic and catchy compositions like the powerful 'Climb to the Top' or 'King of the Road' and their addictive rhythms or jewels melodic 'Live to the Full' and 'Bring It On' with their catchy refrains or even 'Six Minutes to Heaven' which takes us a few decades back with of course 'Whitesnake'. And when the tempo decreases, they also offer us remarkable mid-tempo in an AOR reminiscent of the 80s like 'Silent Days' making think of 'Foreigner' or 'Words Unspoken' with its melodic lines that never leave you or even 'Dreamer in the Night' and 'Believe' which are very tagged 80s, the first making me think of 'Toto' and the second to 'Europe', the calmer compositions not being forgotten with first of all 'How Well You Think You Know Me' which recalls the most beautiful ballads of 'Deep Purple' or even 'The Turning' which brings us back again to 'Whitesnake' who released two compilations in 2020 with first of all 'Love Songs' and 'The ROCK Album' and who still have to be released in 2021 a third compilation 'The Blues Album'.

In summary, this new project 'Alpha Souls' ends the 2020 melodic hard-rock releases in a very nice way and 'Carousel Of Emotions' should appeal to all audiences who love melodic hard-rock straight from the 80s and which has not aged a bit...

Line Up / Musicians

Manos Fatsis (Vocal), Ricardo Walls (Guitar, Keybords), Borja Lopez (Bass), Manuel Delgado (Drums)


Artist : Argus

Album : The Outsider

Release Date : 15-12-2020

Added : 03-02-2021

'Argus' is a Dutch progressive rock group who released their debut album 'Tell Me!' in 2016 and it is with this new opus 'The Outsider' that I discover them. If you are a lover of long developments in the line of formations in the atmospheric rock movement of 'Pink Floyd', you are in the right place because they offer us 6 compositions between 7 and 11 minutes and take us on board for an hour of varied progressive rock highlighting remarkable instrumental sections.

The album begins with the longest track of the album, 'Depressed', which borders on 12 minutes and which takes us in a progressive maze of different atmospheres with first an instrumental introduction with a first melody taking us back to the 70s giving way to a part punctuated by a few repetitive piano notes which slowly gains momentum to bring the electric instruments preceding a more rhythmic sung section before a very beautiful atmospheric part with a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo which increases the tempo for a catchy finale in which the main theme sung returns. With 'Some Time', the atmosphere is more tormented with an theatral atmosphere reminding me of the English of 'Arena' with their penultimate album 'The Unquiet Sky' highlighting a very imaginative rhythm section throughout the title, then the title song 'Outsider' begins with a slow addictive melody with the two guitars that offer us a magnificent solo, each in a tone, the central part bringing alternations of tempos and intensities to return in the final to the starting theme with a remarkable change of tempo. The second part of the album continues in this atmospheric atmosphere with first of all 'Visions' which mixes in a very beautiful way Hispanic intonations with the power of electric instruments and with a deep bass, the guitar being always at the party with sumptuous 'Gilmourian' passages which offers us in the last third of the title a more energetic sung passage close to hard-rock bringing a nice variety to the whole. Follows 'Lost Girl' which begins with a long instrumental part with several captivating rhythm changes, then comes a sung part in which 'Frans Nooijen' offers us a very expressive and deep vocal performance alternating with magnificent guitar solos that leave room to a part beginning with a few piano notes and which ignites with a rhythm section overflowing with energy. The album ends with the instrumental 'Breaking Chains' which takes us through varied soundscapes alternating between tempos and intensities and which shows all the talent of each member of d'Argus'.

In summary, this new album from the Dutch Argus' is in every way remarkable with, icing on the cake, an irreproachable production highlighting excellent instrumental arrangements and a song still very mastered and 'The Outsider' is recommended for audiences who love 70s progressive rock, with 'Pink-Floyd' in mind, but also more recent bands like 'Arena', 'Pendragon', 'Mystery' or 'Millenium'...

Line Up / Musicians

Ton van Extel (Guitar), Wim Wassenberg (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Ed de Groot (Guitar, Bass), Frans Nooijen (Vocal, Keybords, Theremin), Marijn Schellekens (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Marco Ragni

Album : If

Release Date : 22-12-2020

Added : 04-02-2021

'Marco Ragni' is an Italian multi-instrumentalist who has always been attracted to progressive rock and more particularly to the psychedelic of the 70s and who regularly releases albums, the most recent being 'Ocean of Thought' released in 2019. For this new baby, he surrounded himself with a big name of progressive rock since it's the guitarist of 'Airbag', 'Bjørn Riss', who also participated in projects like 'The Opium Cartel' or 'Oak' . We are therefore immersed in the subtle universe of the Italian with smooth compositions that take you on an air trip, warm on a little cloud.

From the opening instrumental 'Tales of Ordinary Madness', we are caught in this psychedelic dream with a first guitar solo of 'Bjørn Riss' with 'Gilmourian' sounds, then, 'Electroplasmic Dream' continues with a ballad in which we are lulled by the soft voice of 'Marco Ragni' and which highlights long psychedelic instrumental sections reminiscent of the early 70s with for example compositions like 'Echoes' by 'Floyds', and 'Engufled' him follows suit with some more energetic guitar riffs but which quickly give way again to an aerial atmosphere without really changing the tone which reinforces the haunting side of this style. What follows continues in the same atmosphere with references to 'Pink Floyd' as in 'If I Could Tell You' or 'Carnival of Ghosts' with long instrumental parts and the rest of the album is quite similar continuing to feature long remarkable guitar solos, the album ending in 'Awakened Creatures' with an acoustic guitar accompanying the hovering singing of 'Marco Rigni' and with a last solo 'Gilmourien' occupying a good part of the second part of the title.

In summary, this last album of 'Marco Ragni', although it remains quite linear on the whole, offers us an hour of relaxation and unfolds airy and soaring melodic lines highlighting multiple guitar solos 'Floydien' which destines 'If' to an audience loving psychedelic rock, taking us back decades but with a modern sound...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Ragni (Guitar, Keybords, Bass) +Guests : Bjørn Riis (Guitar), Altin Gjoni (Guitar), Fabio Ramirez (Bass), Maurizio Antonini (Drums), Massimiliano Ferrari (Choirs)


Artist : Let See Thin

Album : 2 Years 2 Late

Release Date : 20-12-2020

Added : 05-02-2021

There are albums that you discover through a video clip and this is the case with the title 'Change' from the Poles of 'Let See Thin' which had already been available for several months and which had touched me deeply, both musically and visually, the kind of video which, the last chords past, asks a few seconds to regain its senses and come back to reality to digest all the emotion conveyed. And then, at the end of 2020, they released their first album '2 Years 2 Late' which takes us into a committed progressive rock that reminds me of the atmospheres released by 'Roger Waters' in these different albums with strong compositions that mark, the era that we live in certainly giving even more force to this kind of opus.

It is with 'Herald' and its marked rhythm that the album begins and we are immersed at the outset with the very expressive and theatrical singing of 'Łukasz Woszczyński' in the original universe of the Poles, the musical style of this title making me think of a kind of fusion between 'Tears for Fears' and their composition 'Shout' and the tormented side of 'Roger Waters', then, 'For the Future' also prints a certain emotion even if, musically, the melodic lines are much more catchy. Follows 'Time' which softens the subject by offering us a swaying rhythm in a more calm atmosphere with a melody which is embedded in our head and with a modulation of intensity between verses and choruses, then, 'Change', which I talked about above, unfolds its urgency character with a remarkable vocal performance by 'Łukasz Woszczyński' and a very nice 'Floydien' guitar solo in the second part and, 'Leave', which follows suit, returns to the quieter atmosphere in the style of 'Time' with a heady chorus and a rhythm section reminding me of a certain 'Phil Collins'. With 'To The Stars', we continue in this atmosphere mixing refined progressive rock with neo-progressive reminding me of certain sounds of the Germans of 'RPWL' just like the title that follows, 'Keep Calm', which rocks us to the rhythm of a hypnotic melody which is reinforced by the reverberation effects in the voice and the album ends with 'Mist' which was the subject of a new video not long ago (which you can see above) and which again highlights this talent for building beautiful images in their compositions, this time with a magnificent artistic aspect, the musical structure of this title using a repetition of the main theme while playing on variations of intensity which brings this emotional force that we find throughout the album.

In summary, the Poles of 'Let See Thin', very discreet on the web, offer us a very promising first album which takes us on a beautiful musical journey and '2 Years 2 Late' should appeal to an audience that likes an expressive and melodic progressive rock accessible from the first listening and which releases a great emotional force...

Line Up / Musicians

Łukasz Woszczyński (Vocal), Przemek Kaźmierski (Drums), Michał Dziomdziora (Bass, Guitar), Paweł Wężyk (Keybords), Maciej Włodarczyk (Guitar)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Here It Come Again (A Tribute to Genesis)

Release Date : 27-12-2020

Added : 06-02-2021

If you read myprogmusic reviews, you start to know the Brisilians of 'Fleesh' who regularly release covers of progressive artists and who have also recorded a studio album 'Across The Sea' in 2019 and, after the magnificent tribute to 'Renaissance' released in mid 2020, this time they are attacking a monument of progressive rock, I named 'Genesis'. And as for 'Renaissance', they take us back to the 70s with all the albums that have become legendary by performing 17 songs and the great strength of this opus is to have chosen compositions which completely revisit the vocal part and which brings this feminine sweetness of 'Gabby Vessoni' making us have a wonderful time. On the instrumental side, 'Celo Oliveira' performs as usual with all the instruments and I will only mention the guitar solo in 'Firth of Fifth' in which, we really have the impression of hearing 'Steve Hackett' (who has just released a wonderful live 'Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings : Live at Hammersmith' in which he covers the whole of 'Selling England by the Pound' which is well represented in the album of the Brazilians). For those who are interested, I gave the list of songs performed with their original album and their year of release. In summary, the Brazilians of 'Fleesh' continue their adventure with sumptuous covers which make us rediscover the best artists of the period which saw the blossoming of progressive rock and which leaves behind a good part of the musical nuggets that have become essential when we mention this style of music ...

List of tracks (Original album - Year)
1 – Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (Selling England by the Pound – 1973)
2 – Burning Rope (...And Then There Were Three... – 1978)
3 – Firth Of Fifth (Selling England by the Pound – 1973)
4 – Dusk (Trespass – 1970)
5 – Looking For Someone (Trespass – 1970)
6 – Ripples (A Trick of the Tail – 1976)
7 – Afterglow (Wind and Wuthering – 1976)
8 – More Fool Me (Selling England by the Pound – 1973)
9 – In The Rapids (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – 1974)
10 – Fly on a Windshield/Broadway Melody Of 1974 (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – 1974)
11 – Mad Man Moon (A Trick of the Tail – 1976)
12 – Entangled (A Trick of the Tail – 1976)
13 – Carpet Crawlers (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – 1974)
14 – The Musical Box (Nursery Cryme – 1971)
15 – Your Own Special Way (Wind and Wuthering – 1976)
16 – The Lamia (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – 1974)

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Anaria

Album : Exile

Release Date : 28-12-2020

Added : 07-02-2021

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Anaria' is a symphonic metal formation that was created in 2012 with a first LP in 2014, 'Chronicle' and EPs featured on spotify 'Seasons of the Mind Vol. 1 Inception' in 2015 et 'Invocation' in 2017 and whose second studio recording 'Exile' was released at the end of 2020. Between rock and symphonic metal in a fairly classic style, we can read on their site : " 'Anaria' is a genre-defying band hailing from New England who experiments with symphonic metal, modern rock, cinematic scoring, and pop arrangements " which sums up what can be found in this latest opus. With 15 compositions, 'Exile' takes us on a short hour of heady melodies that are easily embedded in the head with first of all catchy titles like 'Omen' which opens the album in which 'Jessica Mercy' shows everything her talent in a register with clear vocals in the line of singers like 'Charlotte Wessels' or 'Sharon Den Adel' or 'Jennifer Haben', energy that we also find in 'Never Stop', 'Exsilium', 'Level Up', 'Hail to Your Queen' or even 'Sweet Prince'. Other titles are more relaxed while remaining powerful and 'Anaria' also excels in mid-tempos with addictive choruses and atmospheres alternating power and tranquility like 'Cursed' with its chorus which remains engraved in your head or the heady 'Waiting for the Night' or 'Leaving You Behind', 'Sacrilege', and 'Journey Do Not End' between ballads and mid-tempos or even 'Sands of Time' and its light oriental intonations. Finally, when the tempo is even quieter, the Americans offer us the ballad 'Haunted' that any symphonic metal formation would have liked to write. In summary, the Americans of 'Anaria' are releasing a quality album in a style where, given the multiple formations present, it is difficult to break through but they have all the assets so that we hear about them in the years to come because their compositions are very accessible which makes 'Exile' an opus that will certainly be well received by fans of symphonic metal and, beyond that, that should reach a fairly large audience thanks to melodic lines that we tame from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Jessica Mercy (Vocal), Sergio Salvucci (Guitar), Dan Spinney (Guitar), Sean Woodbury (Bass)


Artist : Octavision

Album : Coexist

Release Date : 29-12-2020

Added : 08-02-2021

The 'Octavision' project allows us to talk again about the singer 'Jeff Scott Soto' from 'Sons Of Apollo' which also released a melodic hard rock album at the end of 2020 (' Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)') because he is part of this new super group formed in 2016 by guitarist 'Hovak Alaverdyan' with, between others, bassists 'Billy Sheehan' ('Sons Of Apollo') and 'Victor Wooten'. They offer us 7 titles including 5 entirely instrumental in a rich and complex progressive metal which highlights the virtuosity of these artists who manage to make us forget the hyper technical side, thanks to their talents but, also, thanks to the writing of 'Hovak Alaverdyan' which gave an important place to the melodic aspect.

The instrumental 'Mindwar' which begins the album, is the perfect illustration of this with a cohabitation of powerful parts brought by the electric instruments with other much calmer parts with in particular the magnificent interventions of 'Avo Margaryan' with his Armenian flute, the blul, which brings an original diversity to the whole, all this being sublimated by masterful ruptures of tempo. 'Coexist', which follows, takes us on a progressive saga close to 'Sons Of Apollo' with all the ingredients that we want to find in this kind of compositions, the alternations of intensity and tempo bringing a welcome feeling of spontaneity and the vocal performance of 'Jeff Scott Soto' being always remarkable, then the instrumental 'Proctagon' offers us a sought-after progressive with a rhythm section that masterfully prints different tempos and in which the guitar and keyboard solos are remarkable. 'Apocalyptus' is the second track sung with 'Jeff Scott Soto' who perfectly modulates his voice according to the released intensity to which is added epic choirs increasing the strength of this composition, without forgetting high-level instrumental sections like the magnificent guitar solo in the second part and the final runaway before returning to the theme sung at the beginning. With the new instrumental 'Three Lives' which is the object of the video above and which is certainly the most progressive track in construction making it for me the centerpiece of the album, the bass of 'Victor Wooten' is the pillar of the rhythm section around which other artists develop sought-after instrumental sections, and then, after the energy debauchery of 'Three Lives', 'Stormbringer' (I guess this title must bring back memories of some in their sixties) allows with its introduction to recover from its emotions with a title which alternates calm sections and others more powerful with beautiful melodious passages which rock our ears and which ends in some soft guitar arpeggios. It is with 'So It Begins' that the album ends with a new demonstration of this magical fusion between the electric instruments and the blum of 'Avo Margaryan' and this track is for me the typical example of a rich and imaginative progressive metal which does not highlight the technique part which makes it a remarkable dessert for this high-class opus.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, the year 2020 ends in beauty for the progressive metal with 'Octavision' which offers us one of the most beautiful albums of the year thanks to talented artists who manage to sublimate themselves to convey all the emotions by making us almost forget their impressive virtuosity and, even if 'Coexist' will undoubtedly remain reserved for an informed public, it should very quickly join a lot of discotheques ideal for amateurs and progressive metal lovers...

Line Up / Musicians

Hovak Alaverdyan (Guitar), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Victor Wooten (Bass), Billy Sheehan (Bass), Ara Torosyan - Murzo (Keybords), Roman Lomtadze (Drums), Avo Margaryan (Blul), Steve Weingart (Keybords), Anahit Artushyan (Kanoun), Artyom Manukyan (Cello)


Artist : Samsara Blues Experiment

Album : End Of Forever

Release Date : 01-01-2021

Added : 10-02-2021

For my first review of a 2021 album, if you are nostalgic in these troubled times of the psychedelic era during which the famous slogan 'it is forbidden to prohibit', credited to our national 'Jean Yann', has become a slogans for May 68 in France, here is the latest 'Samsara Blues Experiment', dubbed 'End Of Forever' which appeared on the streaming platforms on January 1 of this year, their previous opus 'One with the Universe' dating from 2017. With this last baby, the German formation offers us what could be their last album because they have decided to go their separate ways for an indefinite period but, let's not sulk our pleasure, because this opus is filled with remarkable compositions which are in the continuity of an authentic psychedelic with vintage tones taking us back a few decades.

The 11 minutes of 'Second Birth' welcome us by unfolding a slow tempo in a heavy and haunting atmosphere in which the melody captivates us and we quickly get carried away by keyboards from another time that accompany us in a kind daydreaming, the general atmosphere making me think of some 'Pink Floyd' compositions of their first period. With 'Massive Passive', we stay in this soaring sensation and this clever mix between the bewitching side and this heaviness close to metal is certainly one of the reasons that make us once again let ourselves be won over by this heady melody, then, change of decor with 'Southern Sunset' which begins with a South American rhythm close to 'Santana', then the sung part returns to a more classic rock from the 60s/70s, the vocals of 'Christian Peters' and the sonorities of the guitar accentuating furthermore that feeling. Then, follows the instrumental 'Lovage Leaves' which highlights the vintage sounds of the keyboards of 'Christian Peters' and the eponymous title of the album plunges us back into a psychedelic with stoner accents with a fairly linear rhythmic section that punctuates the changes of time with rolls of drums and which leaves plenty of room for keyboard and guitar solos. 'Orchid Annie' closes the album with a title that begins with a slow captivating and haunting tempo that rocks us in the first part and which accelerates the rhythm in the second part to offer us a more unbridled instrumental final, the keyboard sections us again reverting to the psychedelic of the late 60s.

In short, the Germans of 'Samsara Blues Experiment' offer us a quality album mixing progressive psychedelic and stoner of the 60s/70s sprinkled with a dose of progressive rock, which intends 'End Of Forever' to an audience loving long tracks with slow tempos and bewitching and haunting melodies with deep bass that take us back to the beginning of the progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Peters (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Thomas Vedder (Drums, Percussions), Hans Eiselt (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Layla Zoe

Album : Nowhere Left to Go

Release Date : 08-01-2021

Added : 11-02-2021

A little less than a year after the live 'Retrospectives Tour 2019 ', 'Layla Zoe' has put to use this past year a little special to write and record 10 new compositions and this with the collaboration of different artists such as the American singer and guitarist 'Jackie Venson' or 'Alastair Greene' to quote two who released albums in 2020. We therefore find the voice so characteristic of this artist who has this gift to move us whatever style, blues, rock, gospel or folk and this from the first track 'Pray' in an atmosphere between blues and gospel which gives us goosebumps from the start, the title song 'Now here Left to Go' which follows being a catchy blues/rock that gives an irresistible urge to clap in time. The sequel is split between energetic compositions like 'Don't Wanna Help Anyone' which was co-written with 'Alastair Greene' and which takes us back to the 70s and the beats of 'Led Zeppelin', the remarkable 'Little Boy' in which the French expression 'put your guts on the table' takes on its full dimension and which is embellished by a remarkable guitar solo, but 'Layla Zoe' also offers us much calmer tracks in which she also excels like the melancholy 'Sometimes We Fight' with this magnificent harmonica accompaniment or 'This Love Will Last' in which we let ourselves be carried away by the marked tempo or the sensual blues 'Susan' with a vocal performance touching the stars or the moving 'Might Need to Fly' which gently rocks us, the song becoming very intimate, without forgetting the magnificent 'Lies' in which Layla forms a remarkable duet with the double bassist 'Brandi Disterheft' in a cozzy jazzy atmosphere reminiscent of 'Fever' by 'Peggy Lee', the album ending with 'Dear Mom' which is a vibrant tribute to her mother and co-written with Suzie Vinnick.

In summary, this new album of 'Layla Zoe' is still a wonderful moment of listening with of course this entire artist who continues to move us, but which is also a moment of sharing with her musical friends who all participated as musicians which brings real strength to 'Nowhere Left to Go' through the diversity of styles and further strengthens the emotions conveyed, each bringing their own personality...

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal, Choirs, Harmonica), Alastair Greene (Guitar), Dimitri Lebel (Guitar), Brandi Diesterheft (Bass), James Stephenson (Violin), Jackie Venson (Guitar), Bob Fridzema (Organ, Piano), Dirk Sengotta (Drums), Suzie Vinnick (Guitar, Mandolin), Guy Smeets (Guitar), Gregor Sonnenberg (Bass)


Artist : Alta Reign

Album : Mother's Day

Release Date : 08-01-2021

Added : 12-02-2021

'Alta Reign' is a new project created by drummer 'Jeff Plate' from 'Savatage' and 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' and whose first studio recording 'Mother's Day' was released at the beginning of this year. After a first listening, it is very difficult to stick a precise label to it because the compositions mix hard rock, power metal and progressive metal with a remarkable work in the melodic lines which makes this opus very varied. The whole is therefore very energetic overall and 'Jeff Plate' called on talented artists whether on the vocal or instrumental level and this from the first track 'Shine' which starts the album with power in a hard-rock of character that leaves room for several changes of atmosphere bringing a slight touch of progressive, then 'Witness' and 'Thin Red Line' continue in a more classic style that can recall certain hard-rock formations of the 80s, all like 'Never Say Never', more direct with its no-frills but so effective bassline. With 'Mother's Day', direct and melodic hard rock coexists with variations of intensity and tempos bringing an originality to the whole and we find the same style with 'Come out and Play' while 'Let's Go!' and 'Immortal' are much more direct with melodic lines which are immediately tamed. We can also note the two short interludes, first, 'ESC (Escape)' and then the instrumental 'Passage' allowing aeration to the whole and we can not miss the ballad 'Always' but also the final title 'Rise' which offers us quite quickly after a rather deceptive powerful introduction a magnificent power ballad in the tradition of 'Scorpions' with a final which is again energetic and which offers a masterful guitar solo. In short, with this new project 'Alta Reign', 'Jeff Plate' is releasing a promising varied album which should appeal to a public who likes to mix different styles, between hard-rock and metal with strong influences drawn from the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Plate (Drums), Jane Mangini (Keybords), Tommy Cook (Guitar, Vocal), Kevin McCarthy (Bass, Choirs), Collin Holloway (Guitar, Vocal), Zach Hamilton (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Chris Caffery (Guitar)


Artist : Hearts & Hand Grenades

Album : Turning to Ashes

Release Date : 08-01-2021

Added : 13-02-2021

It is again an American formation which is in the spotlight with 'Hearts & Hand Grenades' which was founded by the guitarist 'Mike Bress' in 2012 and which originally performed covers. 2020 sees the release of their debut album 'Turning to Ashes' and if you like heavy and catchy hard rock with punchy rhythms (some would say it is metal but whatever) you've come to the right place because, the least one can say, is that this first baby of the Americans is packed with a communicative energy that keeps you in shape for the whole day. Right from the start, with the eponymous title of the album, everything is done to offer us a frenzied brulot with the singer and bassist 'Stephanie Wlosonski' who has nothing to envy the best metal singers and whose timbre of voice reminds one of the queen of metal 'Doro', then 'For the Weakened' continues with an explosive mid-tempo to tear your head off by dint of headbanging and 'Daggers' continues in this overheated atmosphere with a new heady melody. The following continues in this energy filled with saturated riffs with addictive rhythms like 'Adrenaline' or 'Nothing Left' (video on you tube here) with their direct and effective melodic lines but some compositions alternate powerful parts with others quieter as in 'I Hide' alternating arpeggios and saturated guitar riffs or 'The in Crowd' (video on you tube here) which combines a sensual blues in the verses with frenzied punk-rock in the chorus. In summary, this debut album from the Americans of 'Hearts & Hand Grenades' is filled with a positive energy that feels you being full of beans with punchy and effective compositions that should appeal to a large metal and hard-rock audience loving direct melodies that immediately embed themselves in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Stephanie Wlosinski (Vocal, Bass), Mike Bress (Guitar, Keybords), Kenny Blesy (Guitar), Tom Lafferty (Drums)


Artist : Roland Gassin

Album : Born in the Seventies

Release Date : 08-01-2021

Added : 14-02-2021

I did not know the French 'Roland Gassin' who, for a dozen years, has released quite eclectic albums since they are all dedicated to a different style and we therefore navigate between jazz with 'Electrode' pop with 'Dépoussiérage de printemps' or progressive rock for the last one released in 2020 'Rock'N'Roll Skyline' (see on his web site, all of his production only distributed digitally ici
'Shine On' opens the ball with a melody reminiscent of the 60s/70s in a kind of fusion between the pop of the 'Beatles' and the beginning of the progressive, then, with 'Rocking with Ray Charles', we is full foot in hard-rock close to 'Led-Zeppelin' in terms of rhythm and 'Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young' in terms of melodic lines and vocal arrangements. Follows the enticing 'The Preacher' which recalls the atmosphere of
'You Really Got Me' of 'Van Halen' but much softer, then, with 'Better Days Ahead', we increase the decibels and we are transported into the world of classic hard-rock of the 60s/70s with all the major formations of that time which we remember fondly, and as for 'Vainglorious', it takes us into a quiet melodic mid-tempo with Hammond sounds in the background. What follows is like this first half of the album, shared between energetic compositions, bringing us back to classic hard-rock from the early 70s like 'I Can Feel It' or 'You! Old Bastard! ' and other titles bringing other styles of this period with 'Helter Skelter In My Mind' and its funk tones, the pop 'Ain't Got No Spare Parts' and a 'No More Lies' with its arpeggios of guitar close to the most beautiful ballads of 'Scorpions' and which has a catchy chorus with a heady melody, not to mention the beautiful semi-acoustic ballad 'You Will Remain Alive' in the melodic lines of 'U2'.

In summary, this latest album from 'Roland Gassin' takes us back a few decades with a wonderful patchwork of this period between rock, hard-rock and pop with melodic lines that integrate immediately, which destines 'Born in the Seventies' to an audience who loved the different musical streams of this period which allowed the emergence of a large number of rock legends and who saw subgenres develop like progressive rock , hard rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Roland Gassin (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keybords, Banjo, Tambourinee), Simon Mourard (Keybords), Daniel Corticchiato (Drums), Romuald Laur (Bass), Lison Gassin (Voice)


Artist : The Flying Caravan

Album : I Just Wanna Break Even

Release Date : 11-01-2021

Added : 15-02-2021

'The Flying Caravan' is a new Spanish project led by guitarist 'Antonio Valiente' who was among others one of the founders of the progressive rock group 'Numen' and whose first album 'I Just Wanna Break Even' was released in early 2021 after a long gestation of almost 4 years. In a progressive style that brings us back to the heyday of this style in the 70s, the Spaniards offer us a double album of about an hour and minutes containing a musical fresco of 36 minutes if we remove the alternative version of 'The Bumpy Road to Knowledge' at the end of the album. So, for all lovers of old-fashioned progressive rock who love long compositions, you have come to the right place because this first Spanish album is a pure gem with all the ingredients you want to find in this kind of music.

With the first four titles, we enter this universe which recall the great formations of the 70s like 'Yes',' Genesis' or 'Camel' and others more recent like 'The Flower Kings' or 'Spock's Beard', and this from the instrumental 'Get Real' with keyboard sounds reminiscent of 'Camel', then, with the eponymous title of the group, we continue in its familiar sounds of a classic progressive which makes us discover the endearing voice of 'Izaga Plata' and, without transition, 'Upstream to Manonash' offers us a beautiful ballad with Hammond organ sounds and a guitar solo that 'Carlos Santana' would not have denied. Same calm and peaceful atmosphere for 'Love's Labor Mislaid' which follows, with a chorus which is embedded immediately in our head, then, the first progressive saga 'The Bumpy Road to Knowledge' points the tip of its nose in an atmosphere à la 'Barclay James Harvest' and with beautiful instrumental parts highlighting magnificent guitar, flute and saxophone solos. It is with 'A Fairy Tale for Grown - Ups' that we hold the masterpiece of the album divided into 7 parts that must of course be assimilated little by little to extract all the richness and which takes us into a labyrinth imaginative progressive with many rhythmic and melodic changes which in turn reminds of artists like 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer', 'Pink-Floyd', 'Camel', 'Genesis', 'Santana', 'Barclay James Harvest' or even 'Renaissance' and so on.

In summary, this first Spanish album is a very good surprise for the start of 2021 which, given its density, must be tamed little by little to take full advantage of it, which destines 'I Just Wanna Break Even' to a public loving classic progressive rock taking us back a few decades when this style took all its dimension...

Line Up / Musicians

Izaga Plata (Vocal, Choirs), Pedro Pablo Molina (Base), Antonio Valiente (Guitar, Bass), Juan José Sánchez (Keybords), Lluís Mas (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Manuel Salido (Saxophone), Juan Carlos Aracil (Flute), Jorge Aniorte (Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : The Chronicles of Eden Part 2

Release Date : 15-01-2021

Added : 16-02-2021

In each musical course, there are inevitably artists who mark you more than others and, for me, 'Edenbridge' is one of the formations which is part of it. I had discovered quite late the Austrians who celebrated the 20th anniversary of their first album last year 'Sunrise In Eden', but since, then, I have made up for it with the first six albums which took a good place in my CD collection, and then there was the release of 'The Bonding' which I listened to on repeat during the summer of 2013, with the title eponymous which was an exceptional symphonic fresco. Two more albums followed, 'The Great Momentum' in 2017, with its title song which always gives me goosebumps with each new listen and 'Dynamind' in 2019 and, as they had done for their first 5 albums with the compilation 'The Chronicles of Eden', the Austrians have just released a second compilation of their best songs of the last 5 albums, list which was created thanks to the votes of their fans.

Of course, we find all the essential titles that are anchored in the memory of every 'Edenbridge' aficionado and, for those who do not yet know them, we could classify them in four categories: first of all, the melodic hits that get you in shape for the whole day like 'Higher', 'On The Other Side', 'Shiantara', 'Alight a New Tomorrow', 'Shadowplay', 'Live and Let Go' or 'Remember Me' or again 'The Moment Is Now' in a festive and catchy symphonic metal, then, 'Lanvall', the composer of the group, also has a great talent for long epic compositions which are 'Myearthdream', 'The Bonding', 'The Greatest Gift of All' or even 'Mystic River' to which we could add 'A Turneround in Art' ('The Great Momentum') and 'The Last of His Kind' ('Dynamind') which are not present in the compilation, each embarking on a wonderful musical journey with changes of mood, tempos and intensity bringing a good dose of progressive. Then, when the rhythms are slower and the metal is less present, it is on the one hand mid-tempos or powerful and melodic power ballads that are offered to us with for example, the latest to date, 'Tauerngold' (see the beautiful video above) but also 'Skyline's End', 'Into a Seal of Souls', 'Brothers on Diamir' or 'Until The End of Time' also present in the compilation to which we could add titles like 'Undying Devotion' ('Myearthdream'), 'Out of this World' ('Solitaire'), 'Star-Crossed Dreamer' ('The Bonding'), or even 'Death Is Not the End' ('The Bonding'). And then, even further away from metal, in one cannot also miss orchestral or acoustic compositions, as' Sabine 'and' Lanvall 'had done in the project 'Voiciano' with titles like 'Dynamind', the acoustic reinterpreted versions of 'Paramount' and 'Higher' completely revisited or the 'Myearthdream' suite for guitar and orchestra or even the instrumental 'Eternity' to which we can add other quiet moments like 'Only a Whiff of Life' ('The Great Momentum') or 'Whale Rider' ('Myearthdream'). And since they could not fit all the extra compositions mentioned in this review into a double CD, I created my playlist 'Suite of "The Chronicles of Eden Part 2"' with titles that I like as much as those selected by the fans of the group.

In summary, this compilation of the Austrians of 'Edenbridge' shows once again all the facets of this endearing group that cannot be summed up in the simple symphonic metal label and, if you do not yet know this training and you enjoy accessible melodic lines in a mix of energy and sweetness always well balanced, there is a chance that 'The Chronicles of Eden Part 2' will quickly become an essential album of your musical collection...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine Edelsbacher (Vocal), Lanvall (Guitar, Keybords), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Steven Hall (Bass), Johannes Jungreithmeier (Drums)


Artist : Dragony

Album : Viribus Unitis

Release Date : 15-01-2021

Added : 17-02-2021

It is not common to have in a symphonic power metal album an orchestral introduction with the 'Beautiful Blue Danube' of 'Johan Strauss' but the Austrians of 'Dragony' have chosen this introduction to tell us the story of the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century, but slightly revisited, the Empress Sissi being transformed into a zombie and her son Rudolf of Austria into a Cyborg. 'Dragony' is now about fifteen years old and this new baby, after 'Masters of the Multiverse' in 2018 is their 4th album which comes out via the well-known Austrian label 'Napalm Records'. So we find the former singer 'Siegfried Samer' from 'Visions of Atlantis' and current bassist 'Herbert Glos', guitarist and singer 'Tommy Johansson' who is omnipresent at the moment ('Sabaton', 'Astralium', 'Gabriels', 'Memories of Old' or even 'Majestica') having composing the music for the first hit of the album 'Gods of War' in collaboration with his partner of 'Symphony of Tragedy', 'Tomas Svedin'.

Musically, no surprise, the Austrians offer us a melodic and festive power metal with melodic lines that catch immediately but their particularity is to bring a good dose of symphonic with epic orchestrations which does not reduce their albums to a monotonous sequence of energetic titles but brings a certain variety to the whole. Of course, compositions are powerful but the atmospheres allow you to go from a very speedy 'Gods of War' to an epic 'Love You to Death' through a lively 'Magic' reminiscent of 'Visions of Atlantis' or a heavy mid-tempo 'Darkness Within' with its addictive choirs, all these songs having as a common point, choruses that all make you want to accompany them. The second half of the album continues in this overheated vibe with new melodic hits, like the album's title track or 'Golden Dawn', the climax being the 6 minutes of the epic 'Battle Royale', the album ending with a last melodic jewel 'Legends Never Die' and which sums up the tag of 'glory metal' that the Austrians claim. We can also note the participation of 'Georg Neuhauser', the singer 'Serenity' in the epic 'AEIOU' and the current singer of 'Visions of Atlantis', 'Michele Guaitoli' is also present as well as the singer 'Alessia Scolletti' of 'Temperance' who contributed to all the choirs, all this small world forming a large international family of metal. For the anecdote, the bonus song sung in German 'Haben Sie Wien schon bei Nacht geseh'n', offset from the rest, is a song by 'Rainhard Fendrich', a very popular artist in Austria, and the version of 'Dragony' has been slightly metallized.

In summary, unsurprisingly, the Austrians of 'Dragony' offer us a new album which, even if it will not revolutionize metal, is a great breath of fresh air during our troubled period in which we have need a little lightness and if you are on the verge of taking anti-depressants at the moment, replace them quickly with a good dose of 'Viribus Unitis' and you will see that everything will already be much better, especially since this drug is harmless and can even be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Siegfried Samer (Vocal), Andreas Poppernitsch (Guitar), Manuel Hartleb (Keybords), Simon Saito (Guitar), Herbert Glos (Bass), Frederic Brünner (Drums) + Guests : Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal, Choirs), Alessia Scolletti (Choirs)


Artist : Winterage

Album : The Inheritance of Beauty

Release Date : 15-01-2021

Added : 18-02-2021

After 'Dragony', it is still a symphonic power metal album that has been released mid-January 2021 with this second baby from Italians of 'Winterage', 'The Inheritance of Beauty', after 'The Harmonic Passage' in 2015, whose theme revolves around the fight of beauty against decadence, I quote their website: "A divine harmony lives hidden inside of the human being from the beginning of Time and it preserves the real and pure Essence of the Universe. You have its inheritance, believe it, and one day the world will be a marvelous place.". For this opus, they did not skimp on the means since they invited an impressive number of artists, including a chamber orchestra and other instrumentalists bringing a variety of sounds with for example an accordion or bouzoukis but also male and female choirs which remarkably densify the vocal sections. Musically, they mix powerful metal with classical music, folk or even medieval music influences, all this being supported by melodic lines always very accessible.

It is with the symphonic introduction 'Overture' highlighting the orchestra and magnificent choirs that the album begins, the conductor 'Vito Lo Re' not being unknown in the world metal since he collaborated with 'Rhapsody In Fire' for their last album
'The Eighth Mountain'. The eponymous title of the album then launches hostilities in a symphonic and catchy power metal with two fast sections highlighting the double pedal framing a much calmer part, the violin of 'Gabriele Boshi' offering us a masterful solo in the second part of the title and the vocal arrangements being particularly sumptuous. With 'The Wisdom of Us', we continue in this imposing atmosphere with a new violin solo, this time in an Irish folk register, then, 'Of Heroes and Wonders' continues in the same style with omni choirs present and 'The Mutineers' changes register for an energetic atmosphere influenced by traditional Celtic songs. The following titles follow the same patterns, mixing symphonic and folk with always rich and imposing vocal performances and the ballad break is brought by 'La Morte di Venere' which puts forward the soprano 'Vittorina Leoni' in an interpretation in the style of 'Lori Lewis' (review of the last 'Therion' very soon). We can also note 'Oblivion Day' which stands out from the rest with beautiful alternations between catchy parts and others quieter, the piano bringing this peaceful side and with a little original Asian interlude in the middle of the title. And to end the album, the Italians offer us a magnificent symphonic fresco of more than 16 minutes which takes us on a marvelous story which alternates multiple atmospheres of narration, magical, theatrical, symphonic and cinematographic that can recall animated films of for children.

In summary, this latest album from the Italians of 'Winterage' is still a great success in symphonic power metal for this early 2021 and if you are a fan of symphonic metal with lyrical vocals or good-natured power metal, you should join 'The Inheritance of Beauty' which is a kind of cross between 'Luca Turilli' a> for melodic lines and power metal style and 'Christofer Johnsson' for the rich and imposing vocal sections...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniele Barbarossa (Vocal), Gabriele Boschi (Violin), Gianmarco Bambini (Guitar), Matteo Raganini (Bass), Luca Ghiglione (Drums) + Guests : Vito Lo Re (Chef d'orchestre), Gabriele Boschi / Alberto Mineo / Silvia Brusini / Emilia Gasparini (Violins), Giulia Subba / Benedetta Fabbri / Clara Mezzanatto / David Villaverde Navarro (Violins), Francesco Bagnasco / Alessandra Rizzone / Pietro Romagnoli (Violas), Delfina Parodi / Alice Ghiretti / Davide Di Blasio (Cellos), Davide Ritelli / Francesco Rocco (Basss), Elisabetta Boschi (Flute, Piccolo), Mirko Foschi (Hautbois), Ilaria Laruccia (Clarinette), Michela Bozzano (Basson), Majuran Chandrapatham (Trumpet), Dario Gisotti (Uillean Pipes, Whistles), Daniele Nicola (Accordion), Gabriele Caporuscio / Riccardo Gisotti (Bouzouki), Vittoria Leoni (Vocal), Francesca Torre (Choirs), Silvia Traverso (Choirs), Naomi Piga / Sara Sabatini / Fiamma Odorico / Alessia Bruzzo / Serena Agostini (Chœur Morena Campus), Roberto Tiranti / Daniele Barbarossa / Francesco Ciapica / Francesco Ciapica / Daniele Zampelli / Wild Steel (Chœur), Daniele Nicola (Bass), Emanuele Biggi (Vocal extrème), Mattia di Pasquale / Peter Coates, Martyn Owen (Narateurs)


Artist : Stewart Clark

Album : Let's Go There

Release Date : 15-01-2021

Added : 19-02-2021

'Stewart Clark' is an English singer and guitarist who released a debut album in 2019 ('Then There Was Me') and whose second opus 'Let's Go There' is now available on streaming platforms. Surrounded by many artists, he offers us 9 titles between pop and rock influenced by the progressive of the 70s and some clear atmospheres make me think of 'Al Stewart', his sweet and melodious singing being quite close to her compatriot.

With the title 'Almost 20/20', which opens the album, we embark on a peaceful and relaxing journey in the form of a ballad with beautiful melodic lines that we immediately integrate, then, the The title track of the album is lighter and tagged pop and it is in this genre of title that the resemblance to 'Al Stewart' is striking, just like in other tracks like 'When' or 'The Empty Page'. We can also highlight other particularly endearing compositions such as 'A Tree Has Fallen' or 'How Much Fear' which talks about the tragedy of the boat people and the last 3 titles are shared between 'I'm Scared of Music' in a pop style, the instrumental 'When I Tell You I Care' with Celtic influences and 'Almost Got Away with It' which ends the album with another short instrumental highlighting more energetic guitar riffs, compared to the rest.

In summary, this new baby of 'Stewart Clark' is filled with endearing compositions that can be enjoyed quietly with headphones on and 'Let's Go There' is recommended for audiences who like to navigate through peaceful atmospheres between pop and rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Stewart Clark (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Steve Scott (Guitar, Keybords), Kerry Mountain (Guitar), Charles Mear (Bass), Ian Mckenzie (Drums), Alison Brown (Hautbois), Tom Potten (Piano), Amanda Lehmann (Choirs), Dave Bandanna (Keybords), Gavin Matthews (Bass), Oscar Federico Fuentes Bills (Keybords), Gary Piears (Bass), Katherine Potten (Choirs), Sepand Samzadeh (Guitar), Mark Norton (Flute), John Hannon (Violin, Percussions)


Artist : Therion

Album : Leviathan

Release Date : 21-01-2021

Added : 20-02-2021

The 2018 year saw the release of the pharaonic work 'Beloved Antichrist' which will remain for me one of my favorite albums of the 2010s and which has not yet been presented to the public because the magnitude of the task to mount such an opera, not only on financially but also because of the dirt of the period in which we live at the moment, had to undermine all the projects of 'Christofer Johnsson', but never mind, the Swede with the help of the singer 'Thomas Vikström' made use of this period during which a lot of formations record remotely all over the world (at least, the coronavirus will have made it possible to accelerate this kind of practice to offer us very beautiful albums in 2020 ), to bring out a new album with the sweet name of 'Leviathan' which highlights, I quote Christofer, "Celtic mythology, chinese, Finnish, Toltec/Aztec and Old Germanic Mythology ". And as we are used to it now, with each release of 'Therion' album, it's always a surprise that awaits us and this time, after the titanic work of 'Beloved Antichrist', Christofer quite naturally decided to take the opposite of his last album to offer us pure 'Therion', much more direct and assimilable to the first listen, with always this brilliant mix between metal and symphonic, all this always being accompanied by a work always admirable in terms of vocal arrangements. So these are 11 new compositions that will be part of a trilogy and we feel that the melodic lines were composed with the sole objective of offering us a set of 'Thérionesques' hits.

First of all, we find his followers with the magic vocal section bringing together 'Lori Lewis' who released her debut solo album in 2019, 'Thomas Vikström' and 'Chiara Malvestiti' as well as 'Christian Vidal' on guitar, 'Nalle Påhlsson' on bass and 'Sami Karppinen' on drums, and since 2019 the Spanish 'Rosalía Sairem' joined the group and replaced 'Linnea Vikström'. Then, throughout the album, we have the impression of hearing a best of about 20 years of the compositions of 'Christofer Johnsson' and this from the first track 'The Leaf On The Oak Of Far' which begins the album in a masterly way with all the ingredients of a hit that puts you in shape all day long with admirable vocal jousting between the male and female parts. Each composition is therefore cut to touch us immediately with melodies that are encrusted in our head with this talent to alternate atmospheres passing thru the hit song 'Leviathan' with its vocal section to spinning you goosebumps to the magnificent ballad 'Die Wellen der Zeit' (see the video here) via 'Aži Dahaka' mixing East and West or the more classic 'Nocturnal Light' with its masterful choirs or the epic and mid-tempo symphonic 'Ten Courts of Diyu' closing the album in a very beautiful way. Every moment brings us back to the must-haves of the Swedes with this irresistible desire to bring out all those albums which gave us so much pleasure which gave me the idea to create a playlist of 'Therion' ici with some titles from each album that have become for me essential between 1996 and 2010 and which I put the list below (not easy for some albums not to take everything!). Note that 'Marko Hietala' who decided to leave 'Nightwish' and who released a very nice solo album in 2020 (see here) was invited on the title 'Tuonela' which was the subject of a video here.

In summary, 'Christofer Johnsson' gives us a great gift with this new album filled with all the nostalgia of nearly 25 years of compositions that have accompanied many fans and these new titles all go directly into the already big list many hits that are part of the already impressive discography of 'Therion'...

Myprogmusic playlist of 'Therion' (1996 - 2010)

01 – To Mega Therion (Theli - 1996)
02 – Cults Of The Shadow (Theli - 1996)
03 – The Siren Of the Woods (Theli – 1996)
04 – Grand Finale/Postludium (Theli - 1996)
05 – The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah (Vovin – 1998)
06 – Birth of Venus Illegitima (Vovin – 1998)
07 – Wine of Aluqah (Vovin – 1998)
08 – Clavicula Vox (Vovin – 1998)
09 – Eye of Shiva (Vovin – 1998)
10 – Black Sun (Vovin – 1998)
11 – The Opening/Morning Star/Black Diamond (Vovin – 1998)
12 – Raven of Dispersion (Vovin – 1998)
13 – Crowning of Atlantis (Crowning of Atlantis – 1999)
14 – Mark of Cain (Crowning of Atlantis – 1999)
15 – From the Dionysian Days (Crowning of Atlantis – 1999)
16 – Seawinds (Crowning of Atlantis – 1999)
17 – Seven Secrets of the Sphinx (Deggial – 2000)
18 – Eternal Return (Deggial – 2000)
19 – Enter Vril-Ya (Deggial – 2000)
20 – Ship of Luna (Deggial – 2000)
21 – The Invincible (Deggial – 2000)
22 – Deggial (Deggial – 2000)
23 – Emerald Crown (Deggial – 2000)
24 – Via Nocturna – Part 1 and 2 (Deggial – 2000)
25 – Ginnungagap (Secret of the Runes – 2001)
26 – Midgård (Secret of the Runes – 2001)
27 – Asgård (Secret of the Runes – 2001)
28 – Jotunheim (Secret of the Runes – 2001)
29 – Ljusalfheim (Secret of the Runes – 2001)
30 – The Blood of Kingu (Sirius B – 2004)
31 – Son of the Sun (Sirius B – 2004)
32 – Dark Venus Persephone (Sirius B – 2004)
33 – The Wondrous World of Punt (Sirius B – 2004)
34 – Melek Taus (Sirius B – 2004)
35 – Call of Dagon (Sirius B – 2004)
36 – Typhon (Lemuria – 2004)
37 – Lemuria (Lemuria – 2004)
38 – Quetzalcoatl (Lemuria – 2004)
39 – An Arrow from the Sun (Lemuria – 2004)
40 – Abraxas (Lemuria – 2004)
41 – Der Mitternachtlöwe (Gothic Kabbalah – 2007)
42 – Gothic Kabbalah (Gothic Kabbalah – 2007)
43 – Son of the Staves of Time (Gothic Kabbalah – 2007)
44 – The Wand of Abaris (Gothic Kabbalah – 2007)
45 – Adulruna Rediviva (Gothic Kabbalah – 2007)
46 – Sitra Ahra (Sitra Ahra – 2010)
47 – Kings of Edom (Sitra Ahra – 2010)
48 – Land of Canaan (Sitra Ahra – 2010)
49 – Hellequin (Sitra Ahra – 2010)
50 – After the Inquisition : Children of the Stone (Sitra Ahra – 2010)

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar, Keybords), Lori Lewis (Vocal), Chiara Malvestiti (Vocal), Rosalía Sairem (Vocal), Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Christian Vidal (Guitar), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Sami Karppinen (Vocal, Drums) + Guest : Marko Hietala (Vocal)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Under A Mediterranean Sky

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 21-02-2021

The indefatigable 'Steve Hacket' continues to release albums with an impressive frequency and, after his wonderful studio album of 'At The Edge Of Light', the album revisited of Genesis with a symphony orchestra in the mythical 'Royal Albert Hall' and after the last album in public 'Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith' released at the end of 2020 in which he covered two of his first albums as well as the complete 'Selling England By The Pound' from 'Genesis', here is his new baby, 'Under A Mediterranean Sky' and it is yet another facet of these multiple talents as a guitarist that he offers us with an invitation to travel under the soft Mediterranean sun under which he went to seek his inspiration during his various visits with his wife 'Jo', I quote Steve: "I've had a lot of ideas in the classical genre over the last few years and felt it was the perfect time to make this album, a moment to contemplate the places we have visited around the Mediterranean.". With him, he invited his long-time friend 'Roger King' who concocted all the keyboard parts and orchestral arrangements as well as other instrumentalists with, among others, acoustic instruments representing well the Mediterranean countries. We are therefore embarked on a kind of patchwork of influences bordering the Mediterranean and we travel from Andalusia to the Orient and this from the first title 'Mdina (The Walled City)', celebrating Malta at the crossroads of different cultures and which alternates orchestral parts and classical guitar sections with always that magical fingering that Steve possesses, and which is further accentuated with the acoustic instrument. The titles parade one after the other and we go from academic compositions such as 'Adriatic Blue' or 'Joie de Vivre' or 'Lorato' or even the sonata by Scarlatti bringing out all the melodious arpeggios to the romanticism of 'Sirocco' or 'Casa del Fauno', the first with sounds mixing East and West and the second being much more classic, passing by a syrupy 'The Memory of Myth' on the border between Greece and Spain or by a bewitching 'The Dervish and the Djin' or even by 'Andalusian Heart' which cradles us in the shade of a beautiful Andalusian square. In short, this other facet of 'Steve Hackett' turned towards the classic is a beautiful journey that the guitarist offers us during this period which precisely deprives us of it, and, even if some amateurs of progressive rock will not find their account there by the classical side of this opus, for the others of which I am part, make yourself comfortable in a calm place and close your eyes, the music will do the rest and you will see all these wonderful landscapes of our beautiful Mediterranean scroll by...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar, Charango, Oud), John Hackett (Flute), Roger King (Keybords, Arrangements Orchestraux), Malik Mansurov (Tar), Arsen Petrosyan (Duduk), Christine Townsend (Violin), Rob Townsend (Saxophone)


Artist : W.E.T.

Album : Retransmission

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 22-02-2021

After the very good 'Earthrage' in 2018, the super group 'WET' is releasing a new album 'Restransmission' and it is of course the opportunity to talk again about 'Jeff Scott Soto' whose last appearance in a myprogmusic review was on February 08, 2021 with a new great progressive metal band 'Octavision'. Our three lascars 'Erik Martensson' ('Eclipse', 'Nordic Union'), 'Robert Säll '('Work OF Art') and 'Jeff Scott Soto' do it again and we can say that the albums follow each other and for each release we enjoy listening to the new offering and for this last baby, a new bassist joins the 5 artists in the person of 'Andreas Passmark' who is part of < a href='http://becker.cj.free.fr/myprogmusic/com/albums.php?langue=A&idspot=spotify:album:1b6Owh8wvdTk37Bx67sdLS' target='_blank'>'Royal Hunt', 'Magnus Henriksson' and 'Robban Bäck' still officiating respectively on guitar and drums. Therefore, in short, they offer us 11 melodic hard-rock hits with choruses that automatically graft themselves into your head, backing vocals that make you want to accompany them and good guitar-saturated riffs in catchy tempos. And to name a few titles that run through my head, I would say 'Got to Be About Love', 'Beautiful Game', 'One Final Kiss' and of course the ballad 'What Are You Waiting For'. Anyway, this new album from 'W.E.T.' is still to be consumed without moderation and to be stored in the anti-depressant part of your CD collection to take it out when you have a little slack in order to get back in shape for a whole day and to take up the advertising of the 70s of a certain chocolate bar : "you feel tired, W.E.T. and it starts again"...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Martensson (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Robert Säll (Guitar, Keybords), Andreas Passmark (Bass), Magnus Henriksson (Guitar), Robban Bäck (Drums)


Artist : Kickin Valentina

Album : The Revenge Of Rock

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 23-02-2021

'Kickin Valentina' is an American rock band who already have two studio recordings to their credit ('Super Atomic' in 2015 and 'Imaginry Creatures' in 2017) and which has just released a new album 'The Revenge Of Rock'. They send us direct and effective rock without frills by going straight to the point by offering us 9 compositions filled with good guitar riffs and catchy melodies. From the outset, with 'Freakshow', we are immersed in an overheated atmosphere with a powerful first track, the voice of 'D.K. Revelle' raspy and muscular being completely in tune with this direct style, then, 'Somebody New' plays to an unstoppable melody which makes it one of the first hits of the album and 'Rat Race' puts a new layer with a fast rhythm that carries everything in its path. The suite continues in this fiery atmosphere with twists like the energetic 'War' or 'End OF The Road' tagged southern rock but some titles are a little quieter and 'Heart Tattoo' and 'Strange' bring a little ventilation overall, the album ending with the title song of the album 'The Revenge of Rock' which concludes with a new intense and supercharged composition that sends us heavy with chanted choirs. In short, this latest baby from the Americans of 'Kickin Valentina' is a stick of dynamite containing tubes all as effective as each other that should appeal to an audience loving hard groups who swing explosive hits filled with unstoppable energy very close to the concert atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

D.K. Revelle (Vocal), Heber Pampillon (Guitar), Chris Taylor (Bass), Jimmy Berdine (Drums)


Artist : Creye

Album : II

Release Date : 21-01-2021

Added : 24-02-2021

Guess where this melodic hard rock formation came from. And yes, it is still Sweden, a great provider of formations with melodic hits to wonder if they don't have a factory hidden somewhere in the great Nordic spaces to manufacture so many formations in this style. At the same time as 'WET', they released their second album simply called 'II' after 'Creye' in 2018. Guitarist 'Andreas Gullstrand' founder of the group is not unknown because he participated in the project 'Grand Slam' (which has practically disappeared from the radar, the album is no longer on spotify) and this new opus sees the arrival of a new singer 'August Rauer'. With 'Creye', we are right in the AOR of the 80s and the melodic rock distilled by the Swedes is quite soft with references like 'Asia', 'Toto', 'Journey' or even 'Boston' and to quote artists who have released albums recently, 'Stan Bush', 'Magic Dance' , 'Rob Maratti' or still 'Pride Of Lions'. They offer us 12 melodic compositions at will with omnipresent choirs, keyboards at the same level as the guitars and a singer who has a very pleasant voice and completely adapted for this style of music. Impossible to bring out a particular title because they all have this 'melodic touch' which makes each of them a jewel that is tasted with pleasure and this, entry with 'Broken Highway', very representative of the whole and if you are not sensitive to the heady refrains of 'Find a Reason', 'Siberia' (which has a little melodic lines close to 'Def Leppard') or even 'Can't Stop What We Started', go your way and for the others, leave you take away by this melodic rock that takes us back to the 80s. In short, 'Creye' offers us a very pleasant album to listen to with melodic lines which give the impression that they have always been part of our life, which destines this number 'II' of the Swedes to a large audience loving an elegant and very accessible AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Gullstrand (Guitar), August Rauer (Vocal), Fredrik Joakimsson (Guitar), Joel Selsfors (Keybords), Gustaf Örsta (Bass), Arvid Filipsson (Drums)


Artist : Human Fortress

Album : Epic Tales & Untold Stories

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 25-02-2021

The Germans of 'Human Fortress' release a new album containing unreleased tracks and a compilation of their best tracks which celebrates the 20th anniversary of their first studio recording 'Lord of Earth and Heavens Heir', their latest album 'Reign of Gold' dating from 2019. This new opus is of course intended primarily for fans but can also be a good way to discover this power metal formation, especially as the 8 first unreleased tracks are at the same level as the rest of their discography and present the different facets of the group with the mid-tempo 'The Grimoire' which brings us back to a hard rock of the 70s or 'Disappear in Dark Shadows' with its refrain that never lets you go or the energetic 'Vain Endevour' with its muscular guitar riffs and a new heady chorus or the beautiful ballad 'Free' with the use of strings or the orchestral version of 'Pray For Salvation' (video you tube ici). As for 'We Are Legion' which is not an original title of the group, it was sung by 'Jioti Parcharidis' and is covered in a new version by 'Gus Monsanto' who is now the singer since 2009. In the part 'best of' which was remastered by 'Alexander Krull' from 'Leaves' Eyes', we find titles which made the fame of the group like 'Defenders of the Crown', 'Dark Knight', 'Rise Fall' or the two 'Gladiator In Rome'. In summary, this double CD 'Human Fortress' is a good compromise for German fans with unreleased tracks but also a best of their 6 studio recordings and, for those who do not yet know them, will be a good way to discover this power metal formation which began its career at the end of the 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Gus Monsanto (Vocal), Torsten Wolf (Guitar, Choirs), Volker Trost (Guitar), Andre Hort (Bass), Dirk Liehm (Keybords), Apostolos "Laki" Zaios (Drums)


Artist : Phantom Elite

Album : Titanium

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 26-02-2021

'Phantom Elite' is a band which releases its second studio recording 'Titanium' and which was premiered in 2016 by Dutch guitarist, bassist and singer 'Sander Gommans' (also producer and who was a partner of 'Floor Jansen' until 2009 with 'After Forever' and who also participated with his companion 'Amanda Somerville' to the project with 'Michael Kiske' 'Kiske Sommerville') and by the Brazilian 'Marina La Torraca' who is part of the adventure 'Exit Eden' with, 'Clémentine Delaunay' from 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Anna Brunner' and… a certain 'Amanda Somerville'. It is therefore quite natural that the latter was invited on this new album which succeeds to 'Wasteland' released in 2018 and which offers 11 compositions deploying a skilful mix between classical symphonic metal and a metal bringing a good dose of modernity that the 'we could compare to the project 'Trillium' of the couple (in town and on stage) 'Sander Gommans' / 'Amanda Somerville' (the symphonic metal world is small !).

And, from the first track 'Conjure Rains', the originality is there with an impressive firepower and many changes of tempos, the melodic lines flirting in some places with oriental influences, then, 'The Race', just as powerful, offers us a chorus that is easily embedded in the head and 'Diamonds and Dark' continues on this all-track path by approaching a more classical symphonic metal with breaks of intensity all quite remarkable which made it one of the hits on the albumThe suite continues in this communicative energy with a huge 'Worst Part of Me', the 'Stef Rikken' growls responding to the clear voice of 'Marina La Toraca', then 'Glass Crown' returns to a more classical symphonic atmosphere with verses less powerful which contrast with a heady chorus and the title song of the album raises a notch the intensity by adding a progressive component which makes it possible to make the most successful composition with various overlapping parts presenting great sound differences. The rest of the album features an energetic 'Bravado' which may recall 'Lacuna Coil', the melodic 'Silver Lining' in which 'Marina La Torraca' shares the microphone with 'Amanda Somerville', both forming a remarkable vocal duo, the little very calm instrumental interlude 'Haven', 'Deliverance' which reminds me this time the ex-group 'Stream of Passion' with a huge bass line, the album closing with a last Marina/Amanda duo in a hit 'Eyes Wide Open' dotted here and there with electronic sounds.

In summary, this second album of 'Phantom Elite' shows how far it has come since the beginning of the group because 'Titanium' is very successful and comes directly to compete with the best symphonic metal formations of the moment without plagiarizing them because they bring a real originality which will undoubtedly allow them to come out of the mass of projects of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Marina La Torraca (Vocal), Max van Esch (Guitar, Bass), Koen Stam (Keybords), Joeri Warmerdam (Drums) + Guests : Amanda Somerville (Vocal, Choirs), Stef Rikken (Vocal)


Artist : Labyrinth

Album : Welcome to the Absurd Circus

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 27-02-2021

The Italians of 'Labyrinth' who are already around 30 years old and who, after a long hiatus between 2010 and 2017, returned with 'Architecture of a God' in 2017 acclaimed by music critics, release a new album which brings their discography to nine studio recordings. This new opus from the Italians is in the continuity of the previous albums with always a clever mix between a galloping power metal with the use of the double pedal (let's not forget that 'Fabio Lione' started his career with 'Labryrinth' in 2015 ) and some much softer metal which makes it an original formation of power metal with its alternations of intensity always well-proportioned between the different compositions but also within certain titles which brings in certain places a touch of progressive.

And the first track 'The Absurd Circus' gives us a good demonstration of it with an energetic opening and a remarkable first vocal performance of 'Roberto Tiranti', always so at ease in these energetic parts, then, in mid-way, a much more relaxed part arrives with a magnificent guitar solo, the finale returning to the theme of the departure. The suite alternates fiery compositions like 'Live Today', 'The Unexpected' or the final title 'Finally Free' with more posed atmospheres with melodic lines always as accessible like 'One More Last Chance' which alternates intensities in a more moderate tempo and we can also quote 'As Long as It Lasts', 'Den of Snakes', and 'Words Minefield', these titles can even make think of formations of symphonic metal like 'Serenity', without forgetting the magnificent ballad 'A Reason to Survive' in line with the ballads of 'Scorpions'. Also note the cover of the 'Ultravox' hit from the 80s, 'Dancing with Tears in my Eyes' in a version with slightly more overdriven guitar riffs than the original.

In summary, the Italians of 'Labyrinth' are releasing a new album in the wake of 'Architecture of a God', with direct and accessible compositions at first listening, ranging from power to melodic metal through progressive and of the symphonic which intends 'Welcome to the Absurd Circus' to an audience loving the mixture of all these styles of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Roberto Tiranti (Vocal), Olaf Thorsen (Guitar), Andrea Cantarelli (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Oleg Smirnoff (Keybords), Mattia Peruzzi (Drums)


Artist : Wig Wam

Album : Never Say Die

Release Date : 22-01-2021

Added : 28-02-2021

The end of 2020 had been well supplied with hard-rock or melodic metal albums (see the playlist myprogmusic) and 2021 starts off on hats, because after 'W.E.T.' et 'Creye', it's the turn of the Norwegians from 'Wig Wam' to release a new album called 'Never Say Die' (hey, it doesn't remind you of a certain album from the end of the 70s ?) after nearly 10 years of radio silence, the various members of the group having reunited again for this new baby. And what a baby !! It's a parade of punchy melodic hits which is still a great anti-depressant during this period which continues in the gloom and which will again deprive us of concerts certainly a good time.

After a short instrumental introduction that gently raises the pressure, the eponymous track from the album tumbles with a heavy melodic first gem in which 'Åge Sten Nilsen' is at the top of his game and in which 'Trond Holter' throws a masterful first guitar solo, then 'Hypnotized' continues with a marked rhythm that takes everything in its path and, without really having been able to catch our breath, it continues with a lively 'Shadows of Eternity' and so effective with its chorus heady that we want all to resume in chorus. With 'Kilimenjaro', the rhythm slows down but remains well marked and it is still a brulot with a new chorus made to compete with 'I Love Rock' N Roll' by 'Joan Jett', then the heavy strike force returns with 'Where Does It Hurt' to take our heads off by dint of headbanging. After so much energy, 'My Kaleidoscope Ark' arrives at the right time to recover a little health by listening to this sublime power ballad, then, with 'Dirty Little Secret', it is off again for a catchy track with a new chorus of formidable efficiency and again a huge guitar solo in the middle of the title. The end of the album does not weaken with 'Call Of The Wild' which continues at a breakneck pace while keeping an unstoppable melodic side then, the instrumental 'Northbound' highlights the talent of 'Trond Holter' that literally makes his guitar sing for our greatest pleasure and, as for 'Hard Love', we find ourselves in the 70s with a composition that 'Led Zeppelin' would not have denied with its sublime swaying rhythm and 'Silver Lining' concludes this magnificent opus with melodic lines which never leave you and which reminds us once again of the best rock songs of the 70s / 80s and which would certainly have been all the rage at the time of 'Queen' and that we begins to dream of being the last song of a future Norwegian concert.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, the Norwegians of 'Wig Wam' will mark the year 2021 with this new album in which each title could be the subject of a single and, if you like hard-rock or melodic metal, I bet that 'Never Say Die' will turn in loop quickly in your playlists...

Line Up / Musicians

Åge Sten Nilsen (Vocal), Trond Holter (Guitar), Bernt Jansen (Bass), Øystein Andersen (Drums)


Artist : Steven Wilson

Album : THE FUTURE BITES

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 01-03-2021

Always in search of new musical horizons, 'Steven Wilson' is releasing a new album which should still share the fans because I quote Steven (nice interview from 'La Grosse Radio.com' here : "Initially, I really wanted to compose an album that could reflect the style of 2020… My first solo albums were very nostalgic: 'To the Bone' reflected the 80s, 'The Raven That Refused to Sing' the 70s. I wanted an album anchored in the present, modern and new. To achieve this, I had to detach myself of the traditional combo : guitar, bass, drums and relying more on electro.".

And indeed, the least we can say is that this new baby of the Englishman is entirely turned towards modern sounds and for all who are attracted by traditional rock instruments, 'THE FUTURE BITES' is indeed at the antipodes of his other projects and may shock some but, if we go back and explore its impressive musical career, we say to ourselves that each release brings its share of surprises and, that for anyone open to different musical styles, he has been one of the most active musical pioneers since the beginning of the 90s. We are therefore navigating a new 'Wilsonian' universe made up of synthesizers and rhythm machines with a criticism of our consumer society and of this lack of real communication due to social networks which isolate us a little more every day, and this begins, after the hushed introduction 'Self', with 'Unself', which sets the scene for this modern electro universe with a chorus repeating the same musical phrase and with light and playful female choirs, then, 'King Ghost', while keeping a decidedly contemporary aspect with an electronic rhythm, highlights the head voice of 'Steven Wilson' in a vaporous atmosphere. '12 Things | Forgot 'brings us back to a more conventional' Steven Wilson 'with all the pop influences of the 70s Englishman coming out in a composition that could have found its place on a 'Blackfield' album. With 'Eminent Sleaze', I have the impression of hearing a mix between the current electro sounds and melodic lines of the 80s disco and 'Man Of the People' returns to an aerial pop where we find the Wilson more intimate and we are finally not so far from some compositions of 'To The Bone'. The longest track of the album arrives with 'Personal Shopper' which was the subject of a first single and which made discover this new universe of the Englishman and is a kind of rather improbable meeting between the electro and the progressive one in which the consumer society is scrutinized and in which 'Elton John' makes a most singular appearance as he lends his voice to spell out a shopping list. With 'Follower', even if the electronic side is still very present, we return to familiar ground with the use of the electric guitar and 'Count of Unease' concludes the album in a way offset from the rest with a atmospheric composition as if 'Steven Wilson' already wanted to tell us that the stylistic path taken on this album will be called into question again on its next releases.

In summary, in my last column, I compared 'Steven Wilson' to 'David Bowie' and this new album confirms me again in this idea that he is the Bowie of the 2000s with his different faces that make a perpetual researcher of new musical horizons and, even if some will not manage to adhere to this new opus, 'THE FUTURE BITES' shows a resolutely modern facet but also quite confusing which will make it one of the albums certainly the most controversial of the English but who also shows that he will undoubtedly continue, for our greatest happiness, to amaze us in the future by making us discover other musical universes...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), David Kosten (Programmation), Fyfe Dangerfield (Vocal, Choirs), Nick Beggs (Bass), Michael Spearman (Drums), Bobbie Gordon (Vocal, Choirs), Crystal Williams (Vocal, Choirs), Wendy Harriott (Vocal, Choirs) + Guests : Elton John (Vocal), Rotem Wilson (Vocal)


Artist : Elegy Of Madness

Album : Live at Fusco Theater

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 02-03-2021

The same day, two concerts of symphonic metal were released and this first concert concerns the Italians of 'Elegy Of Madness' who, after their last album 'Invisible World' released in early 2020, recorded 'Live at Fusco Theater' with the orchestra 'Giovanne Orchestra Jonica' following a musical competition organized by the Department of Culture of Taranto. The compositions of this short concert of a little over an hour highlight the last two studio recordings, the last album being well represented because it is practically played in its entirety. We therefore find the catchy titles in a classical but very effective symphonic metal with the contribution of the orchestra and sampled choirs which densify the whole and we can quote for example 'Egodemon', 'Believe' 'New Era', ' Es', 'Apnoea' (video above), 'Fil Rouge' or even the final track 'Devine Obsession' but also calmer moments like the mid-tempo 'Nobody Cares', the ballads' Memories River' and 'Reborn' as well as the instrumental 'To Esperia' devoted entirely to the orchestra. In short, 'Live at Fusco Theater' is a very pleasant concert to listen to and which will undoubtedly be appreciated by all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Anja Irullo (Vocal), Tony Tomasicchio (Guitar, Growls), Marco Monno (Guitar), Luca Basile (Cello), Larry Ozen Amati (Bass), Francesco Paolo Caputo (Drums) + Guests : Giovanne Orchestra Jonica


Artist : Victoria K

Album : Essentia (Live Isolation Concert)

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 02-03-2021

The second symphonic metal live released on January 29th concerns the Australians of 'Victoria K' who released a first album 'Essentia' in April 2020 and which was recorded during isolation period and which was the subject of a DVD release. Given the very limited discography of this new formation, we find all the compositions of 'Essentia' that I had detailed when it was released and the atmosphere is not necessarily that of a concert, the public does not being present which mainly destines this album for fans who can get the DVD...

Line Up / Musicians

Victoria K (Vocal), Sheri Vengeance (Vocal), Julia Mammone (Guitar), Marty Kawaler (Bass), James Davies (Drums)


Artist : Final Gravity

Album : Surviving Humanity

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 03-03-2021

'Final Gravity' is an American formation that I discovered with their album 'Surviving Humanity' released at the end of January 2021 but which already has more than ten years of existence with a first eponymous album of the group dating from 2009 here and an EP '4 Pack' dating from 2010 which saw the integration of the singer 'Melissa Jane Dichiera' to complete the line-up of the four founding members. Their style mixes rock and progressive metal with dense compositions that you discover little by little, listen after listen.

'New Day' opens the album in an smooth atmosphere which makes us discover 'Melissa Jane Dichiera' who has a strong vocal identity that she masters perfectly and in which the alternations between vocal parts and instrumentals are very well dosed which allows 'Michael Clark' to offer us a remarkable guitar solo, then, 'Sincerely Satan' changes of style by hardening the tone in a more direct rock style with a first half which gradually takes power, Melissa having this facility to modulate her voice according to the intensity. With 'Hollow Days', after a calm first part which slowly rises in power, saturated guitar riffs introduce a much more energetic second part leaving room without transition for a break to return to the starting theme in a much quieter atmosphere, then, 'Hello, Hello (Bleeding Sadness)', well placed in the middle of the album is a ballad with a magnificent heady melody. The second part of the album continues with the upbeat 'Leaving' which has a swaying rhythm close to 'Led Zeppelin' and an admirable instrumental section in the second part of the title, then, it is again a change of mood with 'No Love', quite contrasted, between a first part in which we let ourselves be lulled by the delicate voice of Melissa and a second part which, after a rhythm section with early 'Floyds' sounds reminiscent of 'Ummagumma' sequences, hardens the tone with a radical change of singing that becomes much more energetic. As for the last two tracks, 'My Eternity' and 'Poenix', the mix of direct rock and much more progressive parts made up of rhythmic alternations and intensity clearly illustrate all the peculiarity and originality of this formation.

In summary, this new album from the Americans of 'Final Gravity' shows how far they have come since their debut and offers compositions that take on their full dimension after several listenings which destines 'Surviving Humanity' to an audience loving a modern progressive music navigating between rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Melissa Jane Dichiera (Vocal), Michael Clark (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Charles Mumford (Bass), John Chominsky (Drums) + Guest : Paula Yoo (Violin)


Artist : Souls Of Diotima

Album : Janas

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 04-03-2021

After 'The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis' in 2016, the Italians of 'Souls Of Diotima' continue with their last album 'Janas' to tell us stories from Mediterranean mythology with narratives about Janas, magical creatures from the island of Sardinia. We find their original and diversified style fusing melodic, symphonic and progressive metal which makes Italians a special formation in the metal musical landscape and this new baby still brings its share of good surprises but is certainly more direct than its predecessor was thanks to melodic lines that are tamed at first listen.

This variety is illustrated from the first three tracks : first of all, 'The Black Metal' opens the ball in an epic and powerful atmosphere with a first catchy melody with oriental sounds and imposing choirs, then, 'Sleep Demon' takes over with much more modern tones, a catchy rhythm, a heavy chorus with marked bass close to techno and a remarkable guitar solo by 'Fabio Puddu', and finally, 'The Princess Of Navarra' is a power very classic ballad but so effective with this memorable section of the guitar solo followed by majestic male choirs preparing a finale with deep bass. With the title song, the power and symphonic mix highlights remarkable vocal sections whether with the growls of 'ntonio Doro' responding to 'Claudia Barsi' or the choirs accompanying a heady melody, then, 'The Dark Lady' puts back a layer with a new melodic jewel which can recall certain tones of 'Delain' and which could make some envious in the best symphonic metal formations. The second part of the album does not weaken and offers us 'Ichnos Superhero', the perfect melodic and catchy title to end a concert in style, the powerful 'My Roots' with its remarkable rhythmic changes which make it a typical example of this talent that Italians have to appropriate several types of metal, then, without transition, 'Maty' which takes us on a powerful slow tempo with sumptuous choirs and melodic lines borrowed from Mediterranean culture, a new melodic hit ' Mediterranean Lane 'catchy with Antonio Doro's bass' leading the dance and finally, last but not least, 'Sherden', which beautifully ends the album with admirable choirs, the guitar solo with a magic feeling and a refrain that never leaves us.

In summary, this latest album from the Italians of 'Souls Of Diotima' is a total success with compositions all as remarkable as each other and if you like a powerful and melodic metal with hymns that are encrusted immediately in your head, it's a safe bet that you will play 'Janas' repeatedly in your favorite playlist...

Line Up / Musicians

Claudia Barsi (Vocal), Fabio Puddu (Guitar), Antonio Doro (Bass, Growls), Giorgio Pinna (Drums)


Artist : Soen

Album : IMPERIAL

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 05-03-2021

It is again Swedes who return to the front of the stage but this time, not in melodic hrd-rock but in progressive metal and we can say that with each release of an album, 'Soen' sets the bar a little higher and that this latest opus 'IMPERIAL' is what we can do best in this style and after the very good 'Lotus' released in 2019 that I had discovered quite late, the Swedes made use of the period of confinement, their tour obviously being canceled due to the health crisis, to write and record their fifth album with at the key, certainly their best production.

First of all, we can no longer limit 'Soen' to progressive metal because the atmospheres deployed in 'IMPERIAL' mix rock and metal with this talent to make coexist within each title of the differences of intensity and tempo while keeping melodic lines that are accessible, an approach that can be found, even if the style is decidedly different, among the English of 'Threshold'. 'Lumerian' which begins the album is the perfect illustration of this with its explosive guitar riffs which coexist with much more relaxed parts and with a chorus which immediately grafts itself into the head. You can also store titles like 'Deceiver', 'Dissident' or even 'Antagonist' (see the very original video here) in the same style in which the intensity breaks are numerous, the rhythm section contributing remarkably to these multiple changes. But 'Soen' are also compositions with slower tempos and, we can mention the magnificent 'Monarch' (see video above) and 'Modesty' which, even if the atmosphere remains rather heavy overall, bring lines melodic which softens the whole. We find this lighter side of the Swedes with ballads that are 'Illusion' or 'Fortune', the first approaching a progressive rock hovering with magnificent interventions of 'Gilmourian' guitar, the second and placed in last position bringing an emotional level at its peak with this final text which ends on a positive note with 'Joel Ekelof' which sends us a poignant message : "And one day I know you’ll understand that your happiness depends on you". Because it is also necessary to underline that the texts of 'Soen' are particularly turned towards the crisis which we live with in the background this shocking cry concerning the deprivation of liberty which transforms the Man whose very essence of the life is to take risks, in a person gradually losing their humanity by simply surviving, 'Martin Lopez' emphasizing that beyond music: "we will always be a group that has the will to fight for freedom and all the important things in life : the people and the oppressed".

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, this latest Swedish baby of 'Soen' is in every way admirable (I did not mention the remarkable talent of each member of the group and the production that is irreproachable) and will undoubtedly be one of the major releases of the year 2021 in progressive, all styles combined, which makes 'IMPERIAL' an album that should very quickly reach the ideal CD collection of any fan and any fan of rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Joel Ekelof (Vocal), Cody Ford (Guitar), Lars Åhlund (Guitar, Keybords), Oleksii “zlatoyar” Kobel (Bass), Martin Lopez (Drums)


Artist : Art of Illusion

Album : X Marks the Spot

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 06-03-2021

Just a week later 'W.E.T.' and 'Creye', Swedes can hide others with this new project 'Art of Illusion', name given by our two protagonists the singer and keyboardist 'Lars Säfsund' and the guitarist and keyboardist 'Anders Rydholm' respectively of 'Grand Illusion' and 'Work Of Art' which explains the name of the group with a word borrowed from each of their respective formations. No need to write a long review, especially since it risks being a copy and paste of that of 'Creye' a week earlier : we find ourselves in a land known to all those who love an AOR reminding us of rock 80s melodic and the references I cited for 'Creye', are also valid for 'Art of Illusion'. With a host of guests, most of them guitarists, they therefore offer us 12 compositions that can be enjoyed pleasantly and this from the first two catchy titles 'Wild and Free' and 'Run' with memorable choruses but some songs come out of the classic pattern in bringing a remarkable variety to the whole: the melodic 'My Loveless Lullaby', with its alternating tempos, offers us a pinch of progressive, the short 'Waltz For The Movies' with its theatrical atmosphere close to 'Queen' is an interlude original, atmosphere that we also find in 'Let The Games Begin' and 'A Culinary Detour', the latter flirting again with what 'Freddy Mercury' could have done in his solo career, the rest being divided between catchy compositions like the melodic jewels 'Let The Games Begin' and 'Rampant Wildfire' and the remarkable ballads that are '4Am' and 'Race Against Time' closing the album in a beautiful way.

In summary, 'Art of Illusion' is a new project which will delight all AOR fans and which adds to the already impressive list of AOR formations but which risks quite quickly placing itself in the peloton. head in this style of music if 'Anders Rydholm' continues, as he did in this 'X Marks the Spot', to compose melodies of this quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Säfsund (Vocal, Keybords), Anders Rydholm (Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Daniel Rydholm (Guitar), Frank Nilsson (Drums), Jay Graydon (Guitar), Kristian Larsen (Guitar), Muris Varajic (Guitar), Pelle Holmberg (Guitar), Per Svensson (Choirs), Tony Paoletta (Steel Guitar)


Artist : Raven Sad

Album : The leaf and the wing

Release Date : 01-02-2021

Added : 07-03-2021

'Raven Sad' is an Italian progressive rock formation who, after a period of inactivity in the 2010s, released their fourth studio recording 'The leaf and the wing', 'Samuele Santanna', the guitarist and songwriter of the group having relaunched his project in 2018, their last album 'Layers Of Stratosphere' already dating from 2011. It is therefore only 10 long years after that the Italian combo with a new line-up offers us 8 compositions, most of them being long developments which leave a good place for the instrumental parts, in a psychedelic style, 'Samuele Santanna' having the same feeling as a certain 'David Gilmour'.

After the short instrumental 'Legend # 1' which introduces the album with a slow tempo and with a first guitar solo 'Floydien', 'The sadness of the raven', of almost 10 minutes, quietly unfolds a beautiful melody supported by the soft voice of 'Gabriele Marconcini' and by some piano chords alternating with instrumental parts in which we are rocked by the electric guitar of 'Samuele Santanna', then 'City Lights And Desert Dark' continues in this delicate atmosphere which can remind in some places 'Barclay James Harvest' and which also presents in the middle of the title welcome changes of tempo and intensity, the guitar solo which follows being a pure delight as well as the final falling in a few piano and guitar notes accompanied by the whispered song of 'Gabriele Marconcini'. With the long 'Colorbox' development that follows, the Italians offer us progressive rock mixing various influences in which we can recognize formations like 'Marillion',' IQ ',' Genesis' or even 'Saga', walking through a sound maze made of different sections in which it is good to get lost, then the second part of the album continues in this progressive style which requires to linger there to draw all the richness with three other long tracks which are 'Approaching The Chaos', entirely instrumental, 'Ride the tempest' which takes us on an absolutely delicious new journey and 'Absolution Trial' which offers remarkable variations of intensity and beautiful instrumental parts, the album ending with the musical theme of 'Legend' which reminds me of some instrumental sections d 'Airbag'.

In summary, The Italians of 'Raven Sad' are releasing a very good progressive rock album that gets better as you listen to it and 'The leaf and the wing' is recommended for audiences who like long developments progressive in a refined style with real instrumental sections...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriele Marconcini (Vocal), Samuele Santanna (Guitar), Fabrizio Trinci (Keybords, Choirs), Marco Geri (Bass), Francesco Carnesecchi (Drums)


Artist : Downes Braide Association

Album : Halcyon Hymns

Release Date : 05-02-2021

Added : 08-03-2021

'Chris Braide' and 'Geoff Downes' release new album after remarkable live 'Live In England' released at the end of 2019. They took advantage of the current situation which deprived them of concert at the end of February 2020 to record this new opus and they offer us a well supplied album exceeding the listening hour with 12 compositions. In a peaceful progressive rock, they mix influences drawn from the big names of the progressive of the 70s and each composition has been refined to offer us beautiful melodies that are savored with pleasure and that make you want to replay it once finished.

From the start with 'Love Among the Ruins', we embarked on a sweet journey on a small cloud with a subtle and radiant pop atmosphere with the sweet vocals of 'Chris Braide' and the magnificent guitar interventions of 'Geoff Downes', the sounds reminiscent of formations like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Alans Parsons Project', then 'King of the Sunset' continues in this warm atmosphere with a ballad whose melody is immediately embedded in the head, the vocal harmonies being very beautiful, 'David Longdon' being invited for the occasion and forming a magnificent duet with 'Chris Braide' and which offers an instrumental finale 'Floydien' with an acoustic guitar with fast chords punctuated by two powerful highlights. With 'Your Heart Will Find the Way', we continue with a new melodic gem and it is not by chance that it was chosen as a single (see video here, then, with 'Holding the Heavens', we come back to the 'BJH' moods. We continue our sunny trip with the short 'Beachcombers' in a atmosphere close to 'Yes' (moreover, the cover of the album is completely in the continuity of those of the albums of 'Yes'), the magnificent ballad 'Warm Summer Sun' in which we let ourselves be carried away by the addictive melody, just like the following title 'Today', this time in the line of 'Elton John', the piano accompaniment bringing a nice softness to the whole and the guitar solo in the second part being a real happiness. The continuation of the album offers us the semi-acoustic 'Hymn to Darkness' highlighting the beautiful voice of 'Chris Braide' and beautiful vocal harmonies, the entailing 'She'll Be Riding Horses' with a new heady chorus taking us back to the melodies of 'Asia' in the 'Aura' period, and we find the same quiet atmosphere of 'Hymn to Darkness' in the short 'Late Summer'. The end of the album ends with 'Remembrance' and 'Epilogue', 'Remembrance', of nearly 12 minutes which is not necessarily the title which brings the greatest variety musically because the same theme is repeated throughout of the title and it is therefore the lyrics that take a preponderant place and which evoke memories of the summer of 1976 with an alternation between the singing of 'Chris Braide' and the narration of 'Barney Ashton Bullock', 'Epilogue' being the small vocal comma not necessarily essential closing this very beautiful album.

In summary, the duo 'Chris Braide' and 'Geoff Downes' release a very endearing album that takes us on a delicious journey made of a soft and refined pop that takes us a few decades back and 'Halcyon Hymns' is recommended to all those who like the references mentioned above, to which artists such as 'Steve Hackett', 'Genesis', 'Camel' or even 'Renaissance' could be added...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Braide (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Geoff Downes (Keybords) + Guests : Ash Soen (Drums), Andy Hodge (Bass), Dave Bainbridge (Guitar), David Longdon (Vocal), Marc Almond (Vocal), Barney Ashton Bullock (Narration)


Artist : Transatlantic

Album : The Absolute Universe : Forevermore

Release Date : 05-02-2021

Added : 09-03-2021

When I told you about 'Neal Morse' for the last time, it was early 2021 with the live 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' at the Morsefest 2018 and as far as 'Mike Portnoy' is concerned, it was for the live of 'Flying Colors' at the end of 2020 ('Neal Morse' is also a member). As for 'Roine Stolt', it was for the last 'The Flower Kings' also at the end of 2020, and let's end with bassist 'Pete Trewavas' who released with 'Marillion' in early 2020 the album 'With Friends from the Orchestra' but who also participated in the admirable project of 'Robert McClung', 'Black Swallow' dating also from 2020. In short, no need to draw you a picture, 'Transatlantic' is a great group formed by a quartet of madmen of music who delight us with each release of their different projects and who each have a CV as long as the arm.

So, we can legitimately not blame them if this new baby 'The Absolute Universe' comes out only seven long years later 'Kaleidoscope', especially since it is not one but two albums available to us with a short version of about an hour 'The Breath of Life' and a long version 'Forevermore' of an hour and a half, 'Neal Morse' defending the first format and 'Roine Stolt' the second, 'Mike Portnoy' then offering to produce each their own opus. And as they never do anything by halves, their notion of versions goes far beyond condensing long into short but is a different approach with different compositions in terms of lyrics (up to the names of the titles) but also in terms of interpretations which may be different. I will not do an analysis of the differences because it is up to the public to find the version that best suits them, but it is certain that all amateurs of great progressive sagas will undoubtedly prefer the long version which is a straightforward sequel without interruption (just the blank after 'The World We Used to Know', you have to change CD !!). I will not detail all the titles either, given the density of each composition which would considerably lengthen this column (there are already so many good reviews on the Internet) but I will simply talk about the two strong points that marked me by listening to the long version: first of all, we find all the influences of five decades of progressive rock throughout these 90 minutes and each moment brings us back to a known universe and we remember all these artists who have marked our musical journey from the 'Beatles', 'King Crimson' or 'Yes' until the respective formations of these four artists with of course 'Flying Colors', 'Neal Morse Band', 'The Flower Kings' and 'Marillion', passing through all the major formations that may have existed in the meantime. And from that point of view, this album could represent a testament to what the progressive has done best since its creation with this patchwork of styles that they have managed to put together. The other point I would like to underline is that beyond the talent of our four artists as composers, they are also talented musicians and singers individually but show in this kind of production a real teamwork each bringing its stone to the building, whether at the level of the magnificent guitar solos of 'Roine Stolt' or the flights of 'Neal Morse' on keyboards or the admirable groove of 'Pete Trewavas' without forgetting the ever so inventive rhythm section of' Mike Portnoy 'and I do not speak either of the vocal performance of each one (even' Pete Trewavas' pushes the song in the title 'Solitude') and the vocal harmonies of ensemble often giving goosebumps, all this being sublimated by a production irreproachable.

In short, no surprise for this last baby of the super group 'Transatlantic', we still touch the stars of the progressive and we still let ourselves embark on an intense musical journey that you have to take your time to tame to get out of it all the richness which makes 'The Absolute Universe' a new album to add to the ideal discotheque of any amateur and all progressive rock lover through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), Mike Portnoy (Vocal, Drums), Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Pete Trewavas (Vocal, Bass)


Artist : Everdawn

Album : Cleopatra

Release Date : 05-02-2021

Added : 10-03-2021

'Everdawn' is born from the ashes of 'Midnight Eternal' which remained drowned in the mass of symphonic metal formations (and which did not leave a great impression on me in concert in 2018 at Z7 in support of 'Therion') until the trio 'Richard Fischer', 'Boris Zaks' and 'Daniel Prestup' relaunch a new project called 'Everdawn' with a new line up since the Russian soprano 'Alina Gavrilenko' (alias 'Snowmaiden') who immigrated to Canada at the age of 15 with her parents and who built a solid reputation as a lyrical metal singer, and bassist 'Mike Lepond' from 'Symphony X' who has its own project projet 'Whore of Babylon', are now part of the adventure. With these two talented recruits, the American combo released a first album 'Cleopatra' which should quickly make people talk about it in the sphere of symphonic metal and beyond.

Despite the title 'Cleapotra' which prefigures a concept album, the compositions are not entirely linked to the Egyptian queen but cover different rather disparate subjects. 'Ghost Shadow Requiem' opens the album in a powerful and fast symphonic style and we discover the vocal register of 'Alina Gavrilenko', high enough perched, who has all the assets to compete with the tenors of the genre, starting of course with the soprano the most famous of the symphonic metal world, I named 'Tarja' and we can also note a good place left for a first masterful guitar solo of 'Richard Fischer'. Moreover, the following track 'Stranded in Bangalore', very catchy and with an addictive melody, could very well be part of the Finnish repertoire and we already let ourselves dream of a duet between the two singers, then, the song title, with breaks in tempos and an oriental atmosphere make it an original composition mixing symphonic and progressive. With 'Your Majesty Sadness', the guest of honor 'Thomas Vikström' of 'Therion' forms a very beautiful vocal duet with Alina and the melodic lines of the chorus never leave us, then, 'Infinity Divine' returns to more classical melodic metal and 'Pariah's Revenge', alternating intensities et tempos is another composition mixing melodic metal, power, symphonic and neo-classical, 'Alina Gavrilenko' continuing to dazzle us with her perfect vocal mastery, just like in the powerful and fast 'Lucid Dream' which follows and which continues to mix power, neo-classical (very beautiful guitar solo) and symphonic. The last part of the album offers us a catchy 'Heart of Lion', the short instrumental 'Toledo 712 AD' bringing a pinch of progressive, the fast 'Rider of the Storm' in which 'Alina Gavrilenko' still shows all the range of her vocal palette and finally 'The Last Eden' which ends the album with a melodic jewel whose melody enters directly in your head and my little regret is that, with all these admirable compositions, we did not have to put between the ears one or two ballads while 'Alina Gavrilenko' would certainly do wonders in quieter moments (listen 'My Winter Kiss').

In summary, this new project 'Everdawn', at the border of different types of metal is a nice surprise and should rather quickly be known thanks, first of all, to 'Alina Gavrilenko' which brings a singing technique impeccable and a beautiful sensitivity but also thanks to very talented musicians, all this with a flawless production, which makes 'Cleopatra' an album intended, first of all, for fans of symphonic metal with a lyrical singer but not only because 'Everdawn' merges different types of metal which could well reach an even wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Alina Gavrilenko (Vocal), Richard Fischer (Guitar, Vocal), Boris Zaks (Keybords), Mike LePond (Bass), Daniel Prestup (Drums) + Guest : Thomas Vikström (Vocal)


Artist : The Prog Collective

Album : Worlds on Hold

Release Date : 05-02-2021

Added : 11-03-2021

Looking at the bassist's extensive guest list of 'Yes', 'Billy Cherwood' in the last album of his project 'The Prog Collective', I had the impression of making an inventory of parts of the artists of the progressive scene that I follow regularly because if you look for each name in myprogmusic, there must not be many that have released albums since 2016 that are not in one of my reviews. This last opus of the American is in fact cut into two parts, first 6 original compositions and then 4 revisited covers of different artists for the short version and 7 for the long version. As for the original compositions, the eponymous track from the album opens the album by featuring 'Todd Rundgren' and violinist 'L. Chankar 'in an atmosphere that brings us back to classic 70s progressive rock and, then 'Two Trajectories' which was the subject of a single, continues in this delicate atmosphere with 'Geoff Tate' (member of 'Operation: Mindcrime' on vocals and 'Bumblefoot' ('Sons Of Apollo') on guitar. In the same style, the suite features 'Jon Davison' (the singer of 'Yes'), Patrick Moraz (among others keyboardist of 'Yes' and of 'The Moody Blues'), 'Jan Akkerman' (who founded 'Focus'), the singer 'Sonja Kristina', the guitarist 'Steve Hillage' (among others member of 'Gong'), 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' and 'Steve Hackett'. As for the covers, the short version offers four, all classics that have been around the world with interpretations quite far from the originals : 'Solsbury Hill' by 'Peter Gabriel', 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' by 'Procol Harum's', 'Eyes In The Sky' de 'Alan Parsons' and 'Nights in White Satin' from 'The Moody Blues', in short another step back in time filled with nostalgia...

Line Up / Musicians

Billy Sherwood (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Todd Rundgren (Vocal), Lakshminarayana Shankar (Violin), Geoff Tate (Vocal), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar), Jon Davison (Vocal), Patrick Moraz (Keybords), Jan Akkerman (Guitar), Sonja Kristina (Vocal), Steve Hillage (Guitar), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Vocal), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar), Graham Bonnet (Vocal), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Joe Lynn Turner (Vocal ), Martin Barre (Guitar), David Clayton-Thomas (Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), John Wetton (Vocal), Alan White (Drums), Tony Kaye (Keybords), David Johansen (Vocal)


Artist : Relayer

Album : Broken Branches

Release Date : 11-02-2021

Added : 12-03-2021

'Relayer' is an American formation created in the 90s by childhood friends 'Tom Burke', 'Tim LaRoi' and 'John Sahagian' and who, at the time, had recorded several studio albums ('A Grander Vision' in 1994, 'The Testing Fashion' in 1996 and 'Last Man On Earth' in 1998). Returned for the first time in 2007 with 'Façade', it was not until 2019 that the fifth album soberly baptized 'V' is out and it's with their latest album 'Broken Branches' dating from the beginning of February 2021 that I discovered them. Their influences are diverse, and they evolve between pop and rock tinged with progressive that takes us back to the 70s with melodic lines that tame quite quickly with formats of titles between 4 and 7 minutes.

'Paradigm' begins the album in a quiet atmosphere with some guitar riffs a little more intense, reminiscent of formations of the 70s such as 'Wishbone Ash' or 'The Who', then, 'Hear Me Out' continues in this atmosphere and on this track, the rhythm is typical of those of 'Alan Parsons Project'. With 'Turnaround', we are right in a light pop and it could be a cross between the 'Beatles' and 'ELO' and 'Protectors' is a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad close to 'BJH'. What follows continues in this nostalgic atmosphere of this golden period of elegant and imaginative rock with the catchy 'Something's Changed', or the addictive 'Mouse in the Mille' and its marked rhythm on which one lets oneself embark on the way of a 'Another Brick In The Wall' of the 'Floyds', or the quiet 'Ghost' on which we abandon ourselves completely, then, 'Halfway Home' brings a slightly more progressive aspect, first of all by its length but also by its more complex structure, orientation that we also find in the title which follows 'Solstice Suite', entirely instrumental. And the album ends in a very beautifully way with, first of all, 'Way Too Long' which offers us piano sounds like 'Supertramp' and keyboards taking us back to the 70s, and finally, a melodic and intense 'Twilight' with a remarkable 'Floydien' guitar solo and a very nice vocal performance by 'John Sahagian'.

In summary, the Americans of 'Relayer', without making the buzz on the internet (and that's a shame), release a very good album influenced by pop and rock sprinkled with progressive, taking us back a few decades backwards and highlighting talented artists, a modern sound and a remarkable production, which destines 'Broken Branches' to an audience loving pop/rock music with melodic lines that we appropriate immediately and which is inherited from the major formations of the seventies...

Line Up / Musicians

John Sahagian (Vocal, Keybords), Tom Burke (Bass), Tim LaRoi (Guitar), Bill Kiser (Drums)


Artist : Sirenia

Album : Riddles Ruins & Revelations

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 13-03-2021

Casually, the symphonic metal band 'Sirenia' released their tenth album 'Riddles Ruins & Revelations' and at the same time celebrated their 20-year career, after the very good 'Arcane Astral Aeons' dating from 2018. Alongside the Norwegian leader' Morten Veland ', we still find the two Frenchmen' Emmanuelle Zoldan 'on vocals and' Nils Courbaron 'on guitar, to which the drummer' Michael Brush 'joined in 2019. With 11 compositions for 52 minutes of listening they offer us a symphonic metal with always accessible melodic lines and remarkable vocal harmonies but, like other formations of this style, without going to the rather radical change of 'Within Temptation', this opus shows a certain modernity, the keyboards evolving, here and there, towards the use of more electronic sounds.

This is what the first track 'Addiction No. 1' attests with its electronic introduction and its marked rhythm quite quickly joined by sampled choirs that recall the grandiose side of symphonic metal, this mixture working perfectly, then , 'Towards An Early Grave', a very catchy track, offers us a memorable melody and could serve as the start of concerts (when it will be possible !!) and 'Into Infinity' adds a good dose of electro atmosphere in a very lively, thus showing once again this desire to modernize. Change of scenery with 'Passings Seasons' which returns in the verses to the more classic symphonic with one of the highlights of this album, the kind of title that fully suits 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' who can indulge in a few masterful flights, then , 'We Come to Ruins' continues in this mix between saturated guitar riffs and electro in which the growls of 'Morten Veland' are more present contrasting with 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' who admirably modulates her voice according to the intensity of the moment. With the catchy and melodic 'Downwards Spiral', as they had already done in the album 'Dim Days Of Dolor', the duo 'Emmanuelle Zoldan'/'Joakim Næss' works perfectly and the choirs are much more playful and move away from the symphonic, which should make an essential composition in concert with its heady chorus, then, 'Beneath the Midnight Sun' is the most contrasted title between the older 'Sirenia', more gothic, 'Morten Veland' having a good place in this title and the evolution brought in this album, the modernity of the rhythm and electro sounds being finally quite close to the last 'Within Temptation'. The last third of the album features a vigorous 'The Timeless Waning' with beautiful alternations of intensity between muscular and saturated guitar riffs and calmer verses, then 'December Snow' with a new heady melody still in the line of 'Within Temptation' and the hit 'Curse of Mine' which should be all the rage in concert, the last track being a beautiful cover of the French 'Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop', better known as 'Desireless' with, like you must imagine, a slightly more muscular interpretation than the original and interpreted very beautifully by 'Emmanuelle Zoldan'.

In summary, 'Sirenia' continues to offer us an energetic symphonic metal which, little by little, takes on a little more modern allure while keeping melodic lines always very catchy and, if you liked the last 'Within Temptation', you should also enjoy with 'Riddles Ruins & Revelations'...

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuelle Zoldan (Vocal), Morten Veland (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Nils Courbaron (Guitar), Michael Brush (Drums) + Guest : Joakim Næss (Vocal)


Artist : Inglorious

Album : We Will Ride

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 14-03-2021

And it is one more album on the 'Inglorious' counter after 'Ride to Nowhere' in 2019 and, the less that we can say, is that the compositions of this latest baby of the Englishs is still a powerful melodic hard-rock bomb that gets you in shape for a whole day. This new album also saw a major line-up change with new guitarists 'Dan Stevens' and 'Danny Dela Cruz' and a new bassist 'Vinnie Colla', vocalist 'Nathan James' and drummer 'Phil Beaver' remaining at the helm of the ship.

And from the start, from the first three tracks, we get to the heart of the matter and these are three powerful and melodic hits (let's not forget the massive and very dynamic production) which are offered to us and which take us with their devastating riffs, 'Nathan James' continuing to throw us great interpretations with always that little resemblance to 'David Coverdale' of 'Whitesnake'. With the two following titles 'Eye of the Storm' and 'Cruel Intentions', we say to ourselves that we will have a right to recover, but the two acoustic introductions are deceptive and the chorus of the first accelerates the rhythm and becomes much more powerful and the second is a melodic mid-tempo, certainly more moderate than the first three titles but remains nevertheless quite powerful with some more moderate inflections in the second part. It is with 'Misery' that we find this resemblance so characteristic of 'Nathan James' with the singer of 'Withesnake' and this talent to move us in the quieter passages, then, 'Do You Like It' comes back to classic hard-rock borrowed from a good dose of blues that makes you sweat and sticks to your skin and 'He Will Provide' welcomes us with an introduction close to 'Van Halen' and unrolls a devastating new track with an alternation of masterful tempo which gives a very particular force to this title and which offers us an admirable guitar solo in the second half. The end of the album scrolls through the melodic mid-tempo 'We Will Meet Again', certainly classic but so effective, a 'God of War' which acts as a ballad in some parts which alternate with others much faster and the eponymous title of the album which is ultimately the closest composition to a ballad, even if the tempo remains quite high in some places.

In summary, this new album from the English of 'Inglorious' is still a total success and, even if for my part it lacks more quiet titles like the magnificent 'Wake' from the first album or 'Glory Day' of the last one, the renewal of the line-up certainly brings more spontaneity and freshness, all this being transcended by an irreproachable production which should make 'We Will Ride' one of the major hard-rock releases of the 2021 year...

Line Up / Musicians

Nathan James (Vocal), Dan Stevens (Guitar), Danny Dela Cruz (Guitar), Vinnie Colla (Bass), Phil Beaver (Drums)


Artist : 3.2

Album : Third Impression

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 15-03-2021

After the admirable 'The Rules Have Changed' that 'Robert Berry' had released in 2018 and which plunged us back into the atmosphere of the 70s with the magnificent performances of the late 'Keith Emerson', 'Third Impression' is the new album of the American who continues to bring to life this bond between the three artists 'Keith Emerson', 'Carl Palmer' and himself materialized by a first album in 1988, called 'To The Power of Three'. So, after listening to this last album, when the last notes of 'Never' resonate in our ears, we are caught in a great nostalgic whirlwind and the emotion is at its height because this last composition was the last that the two artists co-wrote and we tell ourselves that the book of project '3' closes with his last keyboards sounds so characteristic of Keith that grafted themselves in the depths of our memory a few decades ago (listen to the solo in the fifth minute). But let's come back to this album which offers us a patchwork of genres scattered throughout the 10 tracks for a listening pleasure of almost an hour.

As if we were going on a trip to visit different countries with each their culture, 'Third Impression' is a journey made of a patchwork of musical styles and 'Top of the World' opens the ball with a progressive maze in which is good to get lost with changing rhythms, intensities that range from semi-acoustic parts to heavy rock and always imaginative keyboards. 'What Side You're On' is a powerful and direct track that is in the mood of some ELP compositions at the time of 'Black Moon', then 'Black Of Night' takes us through all kinds of sounds, rock/folk in the first half and which after a majestic flight on keyboards is calm for a quieter section, the piano having replaced the grandiose keyboards, the finale returning to the original theme. With 'Killer of Hope', we find a more muscular and direct track, then 'Missing Piece' with its introduction with exotic guitar sounds, unfolds a beautiful melody in which 'Robert Berry' is put forward and shows all his talent of singer and guitarist. What follows offers us the little melodic gem 'A Bond of Union' which still rises the emotional cursor with this very beautiful piano passage in the second part of the title, then, 'The Devil of Liverpool' takes us on a tempo stirring Latin countries while having remarkable contemporary keyboard sounds, the little break in the middle of the title being very beautiful and with 'Emotional Trigger', we go to completely addictive jazzy regions and we find ourselves in the middle of a jazz club with a piano that rocks us languidly. 'A fond Farewell' brings us back to imaginative progressive rock from the 70s with of course this parallel with ELP in the instrumental parts, the sung parts rather making me think of 'Genesis' or 'Yes' and the album ends with 'Never' which a composition taking us back a few decades and which, beyond the emotion it arouses, is a real progressive mosaic in which we let ourselves be guided in a sound labyrinth made of equally imaginative sections one that the other and which should make happy in any amateur and any amateur of progressive.

In summary, as its predecessor had been, this latest album from 'Robert Berry' is still a very nice tribute to 'Keith Emerson' but is also a remarkable testament to a varied progressive exploring different styles with a modern sound which should appeal not only to ELP 'fans but also to a whole audience that has bathed in the progressive of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Berry (Keybords, Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Keith Emerson (Composing, Arrangements)


Artist : Joel Hoekstra's 13

Album : Running Games

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 16-03-2021

I told you not so long ago about 'Whitesnake' with the last album of 'Inglorious' and it is the turn of 'Joel Hoekstra', guitarist of 'Whitesnake' to release a second studio recording with his project 'Joel Hoekstra's 13', his first album 'Dying to Live' dating from 2015. And when we see the line-up, Joel doesn't is not surrounded by the less good artists of the hard-rock/metal scene since we find 'Derek Sherinian') on keyboards (ex 'Dream Theater' and now member of 'Sons Of Apollo'), singer 'Russell Allen' (among others 'Symphony X', 'Allen/Olzon' and 'Ayreon'), singer 'Jeff Scott Soto' in luxury backing vocals (among others 'W.E.T.', 'Octovision', 'Sons Of Apollo' but also in solo), bassist 'Tony Franklin' (among others 'Unruly Child' and 'Rob Moratti') and drummer 'Vinny Appice' (Among others 'Black Sabath', 'Dio', 'Tara Lynch' and 'Stagma') to which we can add the singer 'Chloe Lowery' of 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra'. In short, a cast of hell for a very good album between hard-rock and heavy metal which makes us scroll through titles all as catchy as each other with a sample of what we could do best in the fifty last years. Certainly, 'Joel Hoekstra' will not revolutionize the genre but listening to the powerful 'Finish Line' with sharp guitar riffs or the melodic 'I'm Gonna Lose It' with sounds of 'Rainbow' or 'Hard To Say Goodbye' with its catchy chorus taking us back to the 80s until the bonus track 'Lay Down Your Love' which has nothing to envy to the rest, we spend a wonderful time listening to this 'Running Games'. And when the rhythm softens, 'Joel Hoekstra' also has a gift for addictive mid-tempo compositions that are the melodic 'How Do You', 'Rech the Sky' with their chorus that begs to be taken up in choirs or 'Lonely Days', tagged melodic rock, or the classic hard-rock titles but so effective that are 'Heart Attack' and 'Fantasy' or the deceptive 'Cried Enough for You' who alternates a slow tempo of ballad with much faster parts, without forget the beautiful eponymous ballad of the album.

In short, this new baby of the guitarist of 'Whitesnake' is a very good album that we enjoy from the first to the last composition with addictive melodies in an energetic mood, all this being interpreted in a masterly way (but how could it could be otherwise with this beautiful bunch of artists!) and if you are fans of classic hard-rock through the ages, you can go there with your eyes closed, this 'Running Games' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Russell Allen (Vocal), Jeff Scott Soto (Choirs), Tony Franklin (Bass), Vinny Appice (Drums) + Guests : Dave Eggar (Cello), Chloe Lowery (Choirs), Katie Kresek (Violin, Viola), Lenny Castro (Percussions)


Artist : ILLUMINAE

Album : Dark Horizons

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 17-03-2021

We left 'Ian Jones' with his new project 'Chasing The Monsoon' with a wonderful first album 'No Ordinary World' released in 2019 and in the meantime, on July 6, 2020, we thought that the Welshman would relaunch the 'Karnataka' project with the video of 'Forever' with new singer 'Sertari', latest album from 'Karnataka', 'Secrets Of Angels', already dating from 2015 and which had made a lot of noise at the time but which had been the last album with 'Hayley Griffiths' (which will soon be releasing a CD / DVD of a concert given in Holland at the 'Prog Frog Festival' to be pre-ordered on his site here). But finally, 'Dark Horizons' is the first studio recording of a new project featuring the singer 'Agnieszka Świta' of Polish origin and who lives in London and who had released 'Sleepless', in 2014, the rest of the line-up consisting of prestigious guests with, 'Steve Hackett', 'Troy Donockley' ('Nightwish'), drummer 'Craig Blundell' who participates in various progressive rock projects with renowned artists such as 'Fish', 'Steve Hackett', 'John Mitchell' ou encore 'Steven Wilson', saxophonist 'John Helliwell' from 'Supertramp' and the two artists who joined' Ian Jones' in 2018, keyboardist 'Gonzalo Carrera' and guitarist 'Luke Machin'. In short, beautiful people to interpret the beautiful melodies of 'Ian Jones' because, make no mistake about it, this new project necessarily looks like 'Karnataka' and 'Chasing The Monsoon' and ultimately, whatever the name of the group, the important thing is to put yourself in the ears some 'Ian Jones' music, knowing that whoever the performers are, there is a great chance that we will have a wonderful time listening to the Welshman's compositions.

And off we go with 'The Lighthouse' which welcomes us with the sounds of waves and bells and which slowly embark us on an intense symphonic journey that gives goose bumps from the first chords, 'Agnieszka Świta 'making a beautiful first vocal performance and the interventions of 'Steve Hackett' sending us directly to seventh heaven : we can't help but draw a parallel with 'Karnataka' with the composition 'Secrets of Angels', the kind of track that we play in a loop and which releases an immense emotional force. Follows 'Bloods on Your Hands' which was the subject of a beautiful video (see above) and which mixes oriental intonations with a melody that is incrusted straight into the head, then, 'Edge of Darkness' continues in this melodic atmosphere at will with magnificent alternations of tempos and 'Lullaby' softens the subject with a magnificent ballad in which we abandon ourselves completely while savoring the sweet song of 'Agnieszka Świta' to which are added the magical interventions of 'Troy Donockley'. With 'Twice', always very soft, we stay on the little cloud on which we had been deposited from the start and we continue to let ourselves be lulled by the aerial song of 'Agnieszka Świta'. The following compositions show us the enigmatic 'Heretics and Prophecy', with intonations mixing oriental sounds and Celtic influences, then, the melodic 'Sanctuary', a little more classical with very beautiful vocal harmonies (pity this final fading out), the symphonic 'Black Angel' in which 'Agnieszka Świta' shows a lower register and the delicious 'Sign of Infinity', with jazzy intonations, which unfolds a languid tempo with a magnificent saxophone solo by 'John Helliwell' (which I would have liked longer), these titles all having catchy melodic lines. And to finish in style, 'Dark Horizons' slowly spreads its wings on a new addictive melody and joins by its beauty the first track' The Lighthouse 'by offering us 11 minutes of pure happiness highlighting all the artists (again 'Agnieszka Świta' and 'Steve Hackett' transport us and 'Craig Blundell' knows how to bring this rhythm section while restraint) and with remarkable instrumental arrangements (special mention to the accompaniments of the strings).

In summary, this new project of 'Ian Jones' is still a great success and, we are now used to every release, whether it is 'Karanataka', 'Chasing The Monsoon' or now 'ILLUMINAE', the talented Welshman's paw is still present and we tell ourselves that the name of the project fits perfectly with this style of music, luminous and filled with delicacy, which means that 'Dark Horizons' has entered directly into my list of essential albums of 2021...

Line Up / Musicians

Agnieszka Świta (Vocal), Ian Jones (Bass) + Guests : Craig Blundell (Drums), Gonzalo Carrera (Keybords), John Helliwell (Saxophone), Luke Machin (Guitar), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Troy Donockley (Bagpipe, Flute)


Artist : Durbin

Album : The Beast Awakens

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 18-03-2021

'James Durbin' is a young American singer and guitarist who was known on the show 'American Idol' and who started releasing solo albums from 2011 with 'Memories of a Beautiful Disaster', three more albums followed and the last one 'Homeland' date of 2018. To this we can add that he was the singer of 'Quiet Riot' on their last two studio albums. But unlike his last solo album 'Homeland' which was mainly acoustic in which he returned to the sources of American song, this latest album 'The Beast Awakens' from his new project 'Durbin' is well turned towards heavy metal and, for the occasion, he is accompanied by 'Barry Sparks' on bass, 'Mike Vanderhule' on drums and has invited American artists within this case no less than eight guitarists. We are therefore embarked on an hour of good heavy metal which takes us back to the 80s and which is shared between a majority of energetic compositions with muscular guitar riffs such as 'The Prince of Metal', 'Kings Before You', 'The Beast Awakens', 'Calling Out For Midnight' and 'Rise to Vahalla' but also other titles between rock and melodic hard-rock like 'Into The Flames', 'Evil Eye', 'Necromancer' or even the catchy 'By the Hornes'. Other compositions more mid-tempo while remaining powerful like 'The Sacred Mountain' or 'Riders on the Wind' allow to vary the atmospheres and the ballad, very beautiful, is not forgotten with 'Battle Cry'.

In summary, even if it is not going to revolutionize metal, 'James Durbin' is releasing a quality album which offers us a series of compositions all as addictive as each other and 'The Beast Awakens' should please to a heavy metal loving audience that takes us back decades ...

Line Up / Musicians

James Durbin (Vocal, Guitar), Barry Sparks (Bass), Mike Vanderhule (Drums) + Guests : Chris Jericho (Vocal), Earl Salindo (Keybords), Paul Grimm (Keybords), Phil Demmel (Guitar), Jon Yadon Jr (Guitar), Marc Putnam (Guitar), Dylan Rose (Guitar), Nick Gallant (Guitar), Ellison Locke (Guitar), Jeremy Locke (Guitar), Ryan Heggum (Guitar)


Artist : Kreek

Album : Kreek

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 19-03-2021

At the same time as ('James Durbin'), singer 'Antony Ellis' (singer also of 'Bigfoot') released his first album under the project name of 'Kreek' in which he invited guitarists 'Nick Clarke' and 'Dan Collict', bassist 'Lee Andrews' and drummer 'Seb Sweet'. They offer us 10 tracks that take us back a few decades starting with the mid-tempo 'At The Bottom Of Hell' with all the ingredients of a good classic hard-rock : a melody that is immediately tamed, a lively rhythm on which we immediately want to stomp, a singer who, without forcing his voice, offers a remarkable vocal performance and, icing on the cake, a final guitar solo worthy of the name highlighting 'Nick Clarke'. And it continues in this electric atmosphere with an energetic 'Missiles', a huge 'Meet Your Maker' with its addictive rhythm and its heady chorus, followed by 'Million Dollar Man' of a formidable efficiency (which was the subject of a video, see above). Same atmosphere with the groovy 'One Voice' and its Arabian sounds, then the catchy and melodic 'Man On My Together' with a new heady chorus. The end of the album does not weaken and offers us 'Stand Together' that the British of 'Led Zeppelin' would not have denied, 'Down' N Dirty 'with a new rhythm that gives you an irresistible desire to move and' Get Up 'which, as its title suggests, is not the kind of song that we listen to wisely without moving, the opus ending with the ballad of the album, always very classic but which allows you to recover smoothly and beautifully from all the previous melodic hits.

In short, like the last album of 'James Durbin', the English of 'Kreek' offer us an album filled with good hard-rock which takes us back to the golden age of this style which intends 'Kreek' to a whole audience which loves the great hard-rock formations of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Ellis (Vocal), Nick Clarke (Guitar), Dan Collict (Guitar), Lee Andrews (Bass), Seb Sweet (Drums)


Artist : The Pretty Reckless

Album : Death By Rock and Roll

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 20-03-2021

The Americans of 'The Pretty Reckless' return with a new album, 'Death By Rock and Roll', after 'Who You Selling For' already dating from 2016. It must be said that a lot of things have happened since the last opus, not necessarily very easy to overcome with the death of the singer and guitarist 'Chris Cornell' in 2017 during the American tour with 'Soundgarden' in which 'The Pretty Reckless' opened, and then, the death of their friend and producer 'Kato Khandwala'. And it is precisely with a tribute to their producer that the album begins in a communicative rock energy which gives the opportunity to the singer 'Taylor Momsen' to show her rocker side with an explosive interpretation. In the same style, we can also quote 'Only Love Can Save Me Now' while alternating between power and relaxation with the two guests of brands of 'Soundgarden', 'Kim Thayil' and 'Matt Cameron', 'And So It Went' with the participation of six-string players 'Tom Morello', 'My Bones' with its devastating riffs in a tribal rhythm, or even the heavy mid-tempo 'Witches Burn', an atmosphere that can also be found on 'Turning Gold'. But 'The Pretty Reckless' is also the tradition of American country song with the last two tracks from the album 'Rock n Roll Heaven' and 'Harley David' but also calmer atmospheres filled with great emotional intensity like the magnificent '25' in which 'Taylor Momsen' refers to the year of her 25th birthday with this little nod to the 'Beatles' in the second part of the track or the popular 'Got So High' or the very nice acoustic ballad 'Standing At The Wall'.

In summary, 'The Pretty Reckless' gets better album after album and this last baby is incredibly effective, and as I often take my references in the rock of the seventies, the Americans are a bit for me the 'Pretenders' of the 2020 years, their style not being so different and 'Taylor Momsen' remind me of 'Chrissie Hynde' in the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Taylor Momsen (Vocal, Guitar), Ben Phillips (Guitar), Mark Damon (Bass), Jamie Perkins (Drums) + Guests : Kim Thayil (Guitar), Matt Cameron (Drums), Tom Morello (Guitar)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Melodies of Green and Blue

Release Date : 19-02-2021

Added : 21-03-2021

After their last album 'Viridian' released at the beginning of 2020, the Italians of 'Temperance' are releasing again a short album of around thirty minutes in an exercise that symphonic metal groups often do, namely to revisit their compositions in acoustics (the latest being 'Infinitum 'with their latest album 'Chapter I Revisited'). But the little extra of this opus is that two of these eight compositions are unpublished and start the album in an atmosphere far removed from symphonic metal and we are the subject of two beautiful videos (for 'Paint the World', see above, and for 'Evelyn', see here), the other six being taken entirely from 'Viridian', all the titles of the last album having very accessible and catchy melodic lines which lent themselves well to reinterpretations in acoustics. So, no need to make unnecessary comparisons because each version brings its share of emotion and to take an example, you can view the two videos of 'Start Another Round' in version electric et acoustic which for my part bring me as much pleasure one than the other. In short, as I am used to quoting this sentence from 'Alfred de Musset' : "whatever the bottle, provided you have drunkenness", everyone will find their favorite version and this latest album in acoustic Italiens shows that when the talent is there, whatever the style, the result is always of quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessia Scolletti (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal, Piano), Marco Pastorino (Guitar, Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums)


Artist : tRKProject

Album : The Little Prince

Release Date : 19-02-2021

Added : 22-03-2021

I already told you about the 'Ryszard Kramarski' albums with the two interpretations, one of 'Karolina Leszko' and the other of 'Dawid Lewandowski' which debuted with the last album 'Kay & Gerda' and which was followed by the resumption of 'Sounds from the Past', then that of 'Mr Scrooge' (whose I reviewed the original album here) and it is now a thing made with the wonderful album 'Music Inspired By The Little Prince' that Richard has revisited. For those who already know him, it offers us an opportunity to immerse ourselves once again in this admirable symphonic and progressive 'Floydienne' atmosphere with the magnificent story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 'as a backdrop and for others who would have missed this album released in 2017, to discover 'tRKProject' which offers us with each release an imaginative and melodic progressive rock that takes you on a wonderful journey filled with harmony and serenity...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Karolina Leszko (Vocal), Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Whitesnake

Album : The BLUES Album

Release Date : 19-02-2021

Added : 23-03-2021

I referred quite recently to the British hard-rock group 'Whitesnake' with the releases, on one hand of the last album d'Inglorious' and, on other hand, their guitarist's latest album 'Joel Hoekstra' and a compilation of the English band has been released in the last months containing of their best songs revisited, remixed and remastered in three different albums that classify the compositions in different genres: first released in June 2020 'The ROCK Album' (the white one), then followed 'Love Songs' (the red one) in November 2020 which, as its name suggests, offers the lightest compositions of the band and, finally, the third album has just been released in early 2021 'The BLUES Album' (the blue one) which puts forward titles which are directly inspired by the style which has spawned all styles of modern music, I named the blues but let 'David Coverdale' talk about it : "It is difficult to find the words for show how deeply they are linked to my soul. But for me, the 'blues' is a nice word that describes emotional expression ... feelings, whether feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness ... but also those that express great joy, party and dance, sex and love !!!. In short, the 'Beatles' had their red and blue albums and it is now the turn of 'Whitesnake' to offer us their 'Red, White And Blues' trilogy with its three beautiful albums which should join the ideal collection of any amateur and any hard-rock lover through the last four decades because the English have been one of the most prolific bands since their first two albums' Snakebite 'and 'Trouble' both dating from 1978...

Line Up / Musicians

See 'wikepedia'


Artist : Epica

Album : Omega

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 24-03-2021

'Epica' had made us patient with the release of 'The Quantum Enigma (B-Sides)' at the end of 2020 because their last album 'The Holographic Principle' already dated from 2016 and it is its successor which is now available since the end of February 2021. The fame that the Dutch have forged since a decade is now impressive, their facebook page exceeding 2 million subscribers (the period of early 2010 during which they filled the small room of the z7 is far away !!), makes that a good number of fans awaited this new offering of the band at 'Simone Simons'. No need to make you languish, 'Epica' continues to make 'Epica' style and, all the compositions are in the right line of the previous opus with imposing symphonic orchestrations, grandiose choirs and a singing / growl duo between 'Simone Simons 'and' Mark Jansen 'which has always performed admirably, all supported by accessible melodic lines often mixing East and West.

First of all it's still a dense album as we are already used to with 'Epica' because it is 70 minutes available to us and 'Omega' is a new concept album and deals with different subjects such as this convergence of spiritual beliefs, scientific observations and that everything that makes up the universe converges in the direction of an end point but also, in bulk, of yin and yang, of the balance between light and l darkness, good and evil, the climate emergency or even genetic manipulations : a whole program. Given the density of this album, making title to title would require too long a chronicle (and there are already tons of them on the internet) and therefore, I will focus this one on three points : first, l 'opus offers melodic lines which are immediately tame and which make that, from the first listening, one is immediately hooked by each composition and this from the beginning with 'Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity' which, after the setting in instrumental appetite 'Alpha - Anteludium', pours us a heady melody and which has all the ingredients that I mentioned above. Then, with the means that the group has garnered in the past years thanks to its growing popularity, they can now afford the luxury of calling on a full orchestra, an imposing choir and even a children's choir, which considerably densifies the whole and which ensures that each composition is worked down to the smallest detail and brings an impressive dimension, not to mention the production which is always so admirable. The other point which is also to underline and which shows all the talent of this formation, is that the earbook edition accompanying the two other editions is not simple filling but contains in addition to the main CD, 3 other CDs with first of all, as they had already accustomed us to with 'The Quantum Enigma' and 'The Holographic Principle', covers in acoustics which are literally transformed and bring a whole different reading than the original titles; then, the other two CDs are the instrumental CD without the vocals of Simone and the growls of Mark and it is especially the last CD which contains the orchestral versions, highlighting the impressive work of orchestration and which allows to bring out the instruments of the orchestra which brings an additional dimension to this album. We can also note that they did not skimp on the video outputs because in addition to Abyss Of Time 'which was the subject of a single at the end of 2020 and which can be viewed above, three other videos are now available on you tube with 'Freedom – The Wolves', 'Rivers' and ' The Skeleton Key'.

In summary, as you will understand, the Dutch of Epica 'continue their way with impressive albums which shows that it is not chance that leads them to be one of the leaders in this particular style because they have this talent to merge the metal and the symphonic in a grandiose way with, icing on the cake, melodic lines always very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons: Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal, Guitar), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Isaac Delahaye (Guitar), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Ariën Van Weesenbeek (Drums) + Guests : Vicky Psarakis (Vocal), Zaher Zorgati (Vocal)


Artist : Bonfire

Album : Roots

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 25-03-2021

The Germans of 'Bonfire' had given us at the beginning of 2020 an excellent album with 'Fistful of Fire' and, like many groups that have taken advantage of this 2020 year, for lack of concerts (we are overwhelmed with very good albums at the beginning of 2021, difficult to follow the rhythm !), they offer us a new album but a bit special because they decided to reinterpret compositions from their old albums in semi-acoustic, the electric guitar having been disconnected. We thus find, first of all, a sort of best of from their various albums with a preponderant place for their first opus (in total 11 compositions of their first 3 albums 'Don't touch the Light' of 1986, 'Fire Works' from 1987 and 'Point Blank' from 1989), the rest being made up of 5 compositions from their 3 last album and only 3 titles between the two periods (thus finally the good times of the beginning and of the last 4 years). Of course, the semi-acoustic style lends itself very well to the beautiful ballads that they have been able to compose during all these years and we find mostly melodic nuggets that are 'Let Me Be Your Water', 'Comin' Home', 'Give It A Try', 'Who's Foolin 'Who', 'When An Old Man Cries', 'Love Don´t Lie' or even 'Lonely Nights' and so on. But, in addition, the icing on the cake, they have concocted for the occasion five new compositions which can be found at the end of the album, in short, only good 'Bonfire', with two new ballads 'Your Love Is Heaven To Me' and 'Our Hearts Don´t Feel The Same' which I added directly to my playlist 'Rock/hard-rock/metal ballads'.

In summary, this last album of 'Bonfire' is a new great offering from the Germans because, on the one hand it returns to the first period of the group with essential titles and, on the other hand, offers five new compositions which are well in line with the three very good last albums, which makes 'Roots' an album intended not only for fans of this formation, but also for a wider audience because 'Bonfire' still shows a once that they are an essential group in the international hard-rock landscape...

List of tracks with their original albums :
01 – Starin' Eyes (Don't touch the Light, 1986)
02 – American Nights (Fire Works, 1987)
03 – Let Me Be Your Water (The Räuber, 2008)
04 – The Price Of Loving You (Point blank, 1989)
05 – Comin' Home (Temple of Lies, 2018)
06 – Ready 4 Reaction (Fire Works, 1987)
07 – Give It A Try (Fire Works, 1987)
08 – Sleeping All Alone (Fire Works, 1987)
09 – Who's Foolin' Who (Point Blank, 1989)
10 – Why Is It Never Enough (Point Blank, 1989)
11 – Fantasy (Fire Works, 1987)
12 – When An Old Man Cries (Fistful of fire, 2020)
13 – Love Don't Lie (The Räuber, 2008)
14 – Lonely Nights (Byte the bullet, 2017)
15 – Under Blue Skies (Strike ten, 2001)
16 – You Make Me Feel (Don't touch the Light, 1986)
17 – No More (Don't touch the Light, 1986)
18 – The Devil Made Me Do It (Fistful of fire, 2020)
19 – Without You (Byte the bullet, 2017)
20 – Your Love Is Heaven To Me (Unpublished)
21 – Piece Of My Heart (Unpublished)
22 – Youngbloods (Unpublished)
23 – Our Hearts Don´t Feel The Same (Unpublished)
24 – Wolfmen (Unpublished)

Line Up / Musicians

Alexx Stahl (Vocal), Frank Pane (Guitar), Hans Ziller (Guitar), Ronnie Parkes (Bass), André Hilgers (Drums)


Artist : Bonnie Tyler

Album : The Best Is Yet To Come

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 26-03-2021

2019 saw the release of 'Between the Earth and the Stars' with, among others, this original collaboration with the leader 'Francis Rossi' of 'Status Quo' and 'Bonnie Tyler' continues, at 69, to record albums, 'The Best Is Yet To Come' being her last baby. And for this last opus, no prestigious guests but a host of artists and always the same producer at the command, I named 'David Mackay' who produced a good number of international artists (and even our National Johnny !). On the program, the 12 compositions smack of the 'Bonnie Tyler' of the 80s and mix pop and rock with very classic melodic lines which are integrated directly to the first listen. Then, even if some will find that this album is less rock than what we have known in the past, listening to anthems like 'The Best Is Yet to Come', 'Dreams Are Not Enough', 'Stuck to My Guns', 'Call Me Thunder' or 'When the Lights Go Down' which take us back to another era, we can only let ourselves be carried away by these simple but so effective melodies. Calmer moments aren't forgotten with wonderful compositions like 'Stronger Than a Man' (co-written by 'Desmond Child' who is the author of several songs of 'Kiss' and 'Aerosmith') or the cover of '10cc', 'I'm Not In Love' or the blues 'Stronger Than A Man' and 'I'm Only Guilty - Of Loving You' or 'You're the One' or the semi-acoustic 'Catch the Wind', originally sung by 'Donovan'. In short, this new album of 'Bonnie Tyler' offers us a beautiful journey through time with catchy melodies which recall '... a time that the under twenty have never known' and which show that she remains an essential artist on the international scene and if you are still not convinced, I invite you to watch this video of her last tour in 2019 in which she performs 'Turtles Blues' by 'Janis Joplin'...

Line Up / Musicians

Bonnie Tyler (Vocal), David Mackay (Percussions, Choirs, Keybords, Piano, Programmation Drums, Programmation Bass), Richard Cottle (Keybords, Saxophone), Steve Womack (Guitar, Choirs), Josh Renton (Guitar, Choirs), Daz Shields (Drums, Choirs), Neil Lockwood (Choirs), Kevin Dunne (Guitar, Bass), Miriam Stockley (Choirs), Miriam Grey (Choirs), Laurence Cottle (Bass), Bob Jenkins (Drums), Geoff Whitehorn (Guitar), Ian Stuart Lynn (Piano), Ray Russell (Guitar), Leo Rojas (Flute de Pan)


Artist : Evergrey

Album : Escape of the Phoenix

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 27-03-2021

After their trilogy consisting of 'Hymns for the Broken', 'The Storm Within' and 'The Atlantic', the Swedes of Evergrey' took advantage of the health crisis of 2020 to release a new studio recording, 'Escape of the Phoenix' which brings their discography to 12 albums in twenty-five years of existence, their first album 'The Dark Discovery' dating from 1998. Navigating between progressive metal and melodic metal, they bring a variety in this style by alternating often quite opposite atmospheres passing from powerful and direct compositions to much calmer moments quite far from the energy of metal but still with melodic lines that are easily integrated and this latest opus is still the perfect illustration. And as fans are now used to it, the lyrics of 'Tom S. Englund' continue to question us about the man and this time through the phoenix that dies and resurrects every day, I quote Tom : "And I put that into words, tried an anthropocentric approach where in a Human context, if we were a phoenix, we would be trapped in a period of our life without being able to get out of it and go nowhere. Thinking about it, I said to myself : what would happen if we finally left this poor bird in peace and let it lose permanently ?" (interview given to 'La Grosse Radio').

The start is made with two direct and powerful titles, first of all 'Forever Outsider' (video here), the first in a hellish way with a first heady chorus, then, 'Where August Mourns' (video here) continues but with a more moderate tempo and alternations of intensity between the verses and the chorus, the melodic lines being always very accessible. Change of scenery with 'Stories' which is the first power ballad with a 'Tom S. Englund' still at ease in this kind of title, letting a real emotion exude in these more moderate atmospheres, then, with 'A Dandelion Cipher', it's off again for a impetuous ride, the rhythm section imposing a frenzied tempo before returning to more restraint with 'The Beholder' which sees the participation of the singer of 'Dream Theater', 'James LaBrie', followed by the magnificent ballad, 'In The Absence of Sun' with yet another magnificent vocal performance from 'Tom Englund' and magnificent bursts of intensity which should make it a moment full of emotion in concerts. The rest of the album offers us an 'Eternal Nocturnal' (see video above) which was the subject of a single and which is well representative of these alternations between raw energy and more nuanced parts (with a solo by guitar worthy of the name in the second part and a particularly catchy melody), the eponymous title of the album which is certainly the most heavytitle of the album, then, 'You from You' which follows, brings again a break with its predecessor with a new ballad and, if you close your eyes during the guitar solo, we see 'David Gilmour' appear in person (if believe me, experience it !). And to finish, 'Leaden Saints' and 'Run' take us one last time in this metal energy with two unleashed rhythmic sections, the last one ending the album with a new completely addictive melody.

In summary, this latest 'Evergrey' album shows all the talent of this band with all the ingredients that made them come to be a major metal formation and, therefore, 'Escape of the Phoenix', beyond the fan base who will certainly be conquered by this latest offering from the Swedes, can be a good way for an audience not familiar with them and liking a melodic metal, powerful and offering beautiful alternations of intensity, to discover this band...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom S. Englund (Vocal, Guitar), Henrik Danhage (Guitar), Johan Niemann (Bass), Rikard Zander (Keybords), Jonas Ekdahl (Drums) + Guest : James LaBrie (Vocal)


Artist : Last Days Of Eden

Album : Symphonic Chrysalis

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 28-03-2021

In the musical world of symphonic metal, we are used to these groups recording their albums with symphony orchestras, the latest being the new album 'Omega' from Epica', but, other than the latter, it's not very common that a group release an entirely instrumental album without any contribution of the electric instruments. This is what the Spaniards of 'Last Days Of Eden' achieved with this symphonic cover of their last album 'Chrysalis'. Apart from 2 titles, the last opus is taken again entirely and all these titles have been completely rewritten for the orchestra, the released atmosphere is of course closer to a classical concert than to metal and, necessarily, is not necessarily intended for the same audience as their historical fans but, for my part, symphonic metal has always been a subtle mix between the important influences of classical music and heavy metal and in this specific case, the melodic lines of 'Last Days Of Eden' lend themselves perfectly to a classical interpretation. In short, this album is intended for a public who loves beautiful melodies interpreted by a symphony orchestra and, why not, will allow some fans to discover the orchestral world...

Line Up / Musicians

Carlos Garcés (Chef d'orchestre), Orquesta Filarmonía de Oviedo


Artist : Don Airey

Album : Live in Hamburg

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 28-03-2021

After his last album 'One of a Kind' released in 2018, 'Don Airey' offers us this time a concert, 'Live in Hamburg', and, in this case, a beautiful journey through time because, for my part, apart from a few titles of 'Don Airey' dating from these last albums, I saw myself a few decades ago using the LPs of the mythical albums of the 70s/80s of 'Deep Purple', 'In Rock' from 1970 and 'Machine Head' from 1972 but also the 'Rainbow' albums with 'Down To Earth' from 1979 and 'Difficult To Cure' from 1981. This concert is a pure happiness for all those who like the artists mentioned above because of the 16 songs performed, more than half are from the two formations, the rest being shared between two titles of 'Gary Moore' including the famous 'Still Got The Blues' which always gives me goosebumps with each listening (and with a guitarist like 'Simon McBride', the thrill lasts the entire duration of the title), 3 compositions from Don's solo albums including 'Lost Boys' from 2018 who flirted with good hard rock from the seventies, 'Desperado' from 'Colosseum II' and 'Is This Love' from 'Whitesnake' (which have just released their three-album compilations (see here). So when tracks follow in the last part of the concert like 'Child In Time' and his long keyboard and guitar solos, 'Difficult to Cure' in which we still see 'Ritchie Blackmore' making his guitar laugh, 'Hush' which brings us back to the beginning of 'Deep Purple' with its chorus that we have repeated many times and introduced by the enormous solo of 'Spotlight Kid' of 'Rainbow', the classic passage at the end of the title being a pure marvel, or the 4 addictive tracks of 'Lost in Hollywood' of 'Rainbow' to end with a huge 'Black Night', all this with a concert sound as if we were there and artists who transmit their joy of playing to the public ('Don Airey' always at the top in his solos and keyboard accompaniments, the others not being outdone with 'Carl Sentance' on vocals which makes a huge show, 'Simon McBride' on guitar reminiscent of a certain 'Ritchie Blackmore' and the bass/drums rhythm section accompanying in a very beautiful way), we can only be conquered by this atmosphere of live and all this liberated generosity that recalls the concerts of the 70s/80s where anything was possible. In short, no need for a long speech, this 'Live in Hamburg' is a dynamite bar for a fabulous journey through time and should appeal to all those who have known this key period which saw hard-rock take off with formations that have become legendary...


Titles list :
01 – Nuclear Attack (Gary Moore – 1983)
02 – Pictures of Home (Deep Purple – 1972)
03 – Shooting Star (Don Airey – 2008)
04 – I Surrender (Russ Ballard/Rainbow – 1981)
05 – Still Got the Blues (Gary Moore – 1990)
06 – Desperado (Colosseum II – 1977)
07 – The Way I Feel Inside (Don Airey - 2011)
08 – Lost Boys (Don Airey – 2018)
09 – Is This Love (Whitesnake – 1987)
10 – Child in Time (Deep Purple – 1970)
11 – Difficult to Cure (Rainbow – 1981)
12 – All Night Long (Rainbow – 1979)
13 – Lost in Hollywood (Rainbow – 1979)
14 – Hush (Joe South/Deep Purple – 1968)
15 – Since You’ve Been Gone (Russ Ballard/Rainbow - 1979)
16 – Black Night (Deep Purple – 1970)

Line Up / Musicians

Don Airey (Keybords), Carl Sentance (Vocal), Simon McBride (Guitar), Laurence Cottle (Bass), Jon Finnigan (Drums)


Artist : Alice Cooper

Album : Detroit Stories

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 29-03-2021

At the release of his last album 'Paranormal','Alice Cooper' was almost 70 years old and it's still the same young man who, at 73 years old, is now releasing a new album 'Detroit Stories', and what an album !! And yet, the singer caught the coronavirus which has been rotting our lives for more than a year but quickly recovered to start afresh with new compositions dedicated to his city 'Detroit'. So, more than inspired, since there are 15 compositions that dot this opus, it takes us for a little hour between rock, hard-rock, blues and even soul with new titles but also covers that are tasted with happiness, in starting with the 'Rock and Roll', a cover of 'Lou Reed' in a slower tempo than the original but with a rhythm that can only make you want to move, then, with 'Go Man Go' (already present on the 'EP' Breadcrumbs' of 2019) we take full the ears in an atmosphere that flirts with the 'Sex Pistols'. Complete change of scenery with the 'Beatlesian' 'Our Love Will Change The World' and his addictive melody before leaving on good rock with 'Social Debris' then on '$ 1000 High Heels Shoes' in a soul atmosphere with his resplendent brass and what follows continues with effective rock, be it 'Hail Mary' or 'Detroit City 2021' (also featured on the last EP but simply renamed in 2021) or even the very classic but so effective 'Independence Day'. The good blues/rock is not forgotten with a vibrant 'Drunk and in Love' and the rest of the album continues with catchy tracks from the first listen with a crazy 'I Hate You', the pace mid-tempo 'Wonderful World' with its addictive backing vocals, the energetic 'Sister Anne' which is a cover of 'MC5', a typical 'Hanging On By A Thread - Don't Give Up' of the American glam rock style and the classic rock'n'roll 'Shut Up And Rock', the 'East Side Story' cover of 'Bob Seger' (and yes that does not make us younger), which has not aged at all and brought up to date, ending the album in a beautiful way.

In short, with this tribute to her hometown, the extra-terrestrial 'Alice Cooper', helped by talented artists, still offers us an album full of good titles which are consumed without moderation and which bring us back about five decades back when the American began his career which confirms once again that it is in old pots that we make the best soups...

Line Up / Musicians

Alice Cooper (Vocal, Harp) + Guests : Bob Ezrin (Keybords, Percussions, Piano, Organ), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Tommy Denander (Guitar, Keybords), John Rutherford (Trombone), Dennis Dunaway (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Garret Bielaniec (Guitar), James Shelton (Organ), Jimmy Lee Sloas (Bass), Johnny "bee" Bedanjek (Drums), Keith Kaminski (Saxophone), Larry Mullen Jr. (Drums), Mark Farner (Guitar), Matthew Smith (Guitar), Michael Bruce (Vocal, Guitar), Neal Smith (Vocal, Drums), Paul Randolph (Bass), Rick Tedesco (Guitar), Steve Hunter (Guitar), Steven Crayn (Guitar), Tommy Henriksen (Guitar), Walter White (Trumpet), Wayne Kramer (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Anneke Van Giersbergen

Album : The Darkest Skied Are The Brightest

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 30-03-2021

In my playlist of concerts released in the second half of 2020 ici), I presented you that of 'Anneke Van Giersbergen', a href='http://becker.cj.free.fr/myprogmusic/com/albums.php?langue=A&idspot=spotify:album:3yzn3FWpZggik61II8VN1Z' target='_blank'>'Let the Light in (Live)' recorded with the chamber orchestra 'Kamerata Zuid' and 2021 sees the release of a new album from the Dutch, 'The Darkest Skied Are The Brightest', this time entirely acoustic and which was a must for her to recharge her batteries after her various past projects. And the result of this all-rounder is this magnificent opus which takes us on a sweet journey accompanied by the voice and the guitar of Anneke with very beautiful arrangements of the guitarist 'Gijs Coolen' (who participates since 2011 in the project 'Agua de Annique' of the Dutchwoman).

From the first track 'Agape', the magic operates and we are carried away in a harmonious and delicate atmosphere, lulled by Anneke's song and guitar, the string arrangements bringing a delicious melancholy side, then, 'Hurricane' (see video above) accelerates the tempo for an addictive melody with beautiful vocal arrangements and a finale in which the trumpet brings an Andalusian lightness. We continue in this cozy atmosphere with 'My Promise' (see video here ) and the title that follows , 'I Saw A Car' (see video here ) brings the lightness of folk with a catchy rhythm which makes you want to accompany it by clapping your hands (the kind of song that in concert puts a smile on everyone's lips). The alternation between lightness and melancholy continues with 'The Souls Knows' with an always very delicate interpretation of Anneke who on this track rubs shoulders with stars just like the two following compositions 'The End' and 'Keep It Simple'. With 'Lo And Report', the addictive swaying rhythm deliciously alternates with more romantic parts and the melancholy then returns with 'Losing You' with a very moving melody, the singing of Anneke, soft and high pitched, amplifying this feeling even more of fullness. To recover from our emotions, the following track 'Survive' transmits us a contagious good mood with its catchy melody and its guitar accompaniment in the Flamenco way in the fast parts, the album ending with 'Love You Like I Love You 'in a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

In summary, 'Anneke Van Giersbergen' shows once again that she is a complete and entire artist that it is impossible to classify in a precise style which gives her this strength to be able to touch us as well in a metal style with her project 'Vuur', than in progressive music with the magnificent 'The Gentle Storm' from 'Arjen Lucassen', or than with a chamber orchestra with 'Let the Light in (Live)' or than now with this admirable album 'The Darkest Skied Are The Brightest'...

Line Up / Musicians

Anneke Van Giersbergen (Vocal, Guitar), Gijs Coolen (Arrangements)


Artist : Pentesilea Road

Album : Pentesilea Road

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 31-03-2021

'Pentesilea Road' is an Italian progressive rock project that was created in 2014 by 'Vito F. Mainolfi' and has just released their first album under the band's eponymous name. Looking at the guest list, we find very well-known names in the progressive world, whether rock or metal, since the singer 'Michele Guaitoli' of the symphonic metal groups 'Visions Of Atlantis' and 'Temperance', singer 'Ray Alder' from 'Fates Warning' and ex 'Redemption' and the drummer 'Mark Zonder' who participated to the project <'Enzo and the Glory Ensemble' and who recently released an album with 'Gary Wehrkamp', 'If It’s Real', are all three parts of the adventure. After the first listening, I found myself in a well-known universe that I particularly like because the references that come to mind mix rock and progressive metal and as regards the references to progressive rock, we cannot refrain from thinking of the major bands of this style from the beginning of the progressive. In addition, the album is well supplied because it offers us 12 compositions for an hour and eleven minutes of listening.

The first entirely instrumental composition 'Memory Corners' is the illustration, because, it consists of two energetic parts with accessible melodic lines which frames an aerial section with a guitar solo reminiscent of 'Carlos Santana' sonorities, then 'Stranded', on the same diagram, shows a powerful face with a beautiful vocal demonstration of 'Vincenzo Nocerino' and a calmer instrumental central part with a magnificent intervention of acoustic guitar. Follows 'Genius Loci', which takes us into a beautiful neo-progressive piece with 'Vincenzo Nocerino' who has the same vocal theatricality as 'Paul Manzi' of 'Arena', then, the instrumental 'Spectral Regrowth' with 'Mark Zonder' (which is the drummer of most instrumental titles) is split into two parts, a first in a 'Floydian' atmosphere which hardens in the second part with much stronger guitar riffs and 'Stains', which is one of my favorites of the album, highlights the sensitivity of 'Michele Guaitoli' on vocals and unfolds a beautiful melody with again magnificent 'Gilmourian' guitar solos. The album continues with the instrumental 'Give Them Space' which starts at one hundred miles an hour with a raging rhythm section of 'Mark Zonder' and, after two minutes softens the subject for a melancholy section with a felted guitar in a slow tempo and a heady melody, then, 'Shades of the Night', the first part of which is a magnificent ballad in which we let ourselves be lulled by the singing of 'Vincenzo Nocerino', accelerates the tempo in the second part to prepare a final faster, and, we then let ourselves get carried away by 'The Psychopathology of Everyday Things', in a 'Floydian' melody with a crescendo which gradually brings more and more saturated guitar tones. Next comes 'Noble Art' in which 'Ray Alder' is invited for a composition in which the emotional cursor goes up a notch, the duet between the American and 'Vincenzo Nocerino' being magnificent, then, the eponymous title of the album is typical of a powerful and melodic progressive metal with a kind of continuous tension throughout the title and with a guitar solo worthy of the name in the second part which makes us touch the stars. And the album ends in style with, first of all, 'A Tale Of Dissidence' with a new magnificent vocal performance of 'Vincenzo Nocerino' in an admirable crescendo and a grand finale, 'Vito F. Mainolfi', sending us once again in seventh heaven with his guitar, then we find 'Ray Alder' and 'Vincenzo Nocerino' on 'Shades Of The Night' in a final bouquet with a title of tremendous emotional intensity, whether vocally but also thanks to sublime keyboard and guitar solos.

In summary, this first album of this new project 'Pentesilea Road' is a very nice surprise 2021, each title alternating different atmospheres ranging from melodic rock to progressive metal which makes it an opus of great variety and which intends 'Pentesilea Road' to an audience loving a progressive mixing different styles and having beautiful melodic lines which are immediately tamed, and which release a great emotional force...

Line Up / Musicians

Vito F. Mainolfi (Guitar, Bass), Ezio Di Leso (Piano, Keybords), Vincenzo Nocerino (Vocal), Alfonso Vincenzo Mocerino (Drums) + Guests : Ray Alder (Vocal), Mark Zonder (Drums), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal)


Artist : Autumn's Child

Album : Angel's Gate

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 01-04-2021

After a very successful first album released in early 2020 (see here), Swedish 'Mikael Erlandsson' continues his regular rhythm of an album every year and we say to ourselves that for all these years, how does he manage to always offer us the same level of compositions which are tasted with happiness with each release of album because, this 'Angel's Gate' is still a summary of what we have been able to do best in the field of melodic rock and hard-rock for about four decades. We are therefore once again immersed in reminiscences of formations that have been part of rock history since the 80s with melodies that we immediately appropriate and I am sure that if you listen to any song of this opus for breakfast, it will get you in shape for the whole day. We are therefore embarked between energetic hymns and this from the first track, 'Where Angels Cry' which delivers us an addictive first chorus and, whatever the atmosphere of the song of this album, we can only note that 'Mikael Erlandsson' always has this talent of melodist and always finds the melodic lines which hit the mark at the first listening. In all energetic and catchy ttitles like 'Aquarius Sky' and its remarkable little break highlighting the guitarist 'Pontus Åkesson' or 'Don't Say That Is Love' and his sounds close to 'Alan Parsons Project' or 'Love Is Not an Enemy' in a class-filled AOR close to 'Survivor' or 'The Dream of America' and its 'Supertramp' pianos (a little nod to 'Take The Long Way Home') or even 'Straight Between The Eyes' with its chorus straight out of the 80s, everything is done to have a great time. And when the tempo slows down, 'Mikael Erlandsson' gratifies us with three sentimental ballads ('A Tear from the Sky' and its 'Queen' intonations, 'Don't Ever Leave Me' reminiscent of 'Billy Joël' and its admirable guitar solo and 'Your Words' which is the kind of track that we play on a loop) with very classic melodies but which, once again, are formidably effective and take us back to the best melodies of the 70s/80s (I added these 3 titles in my Spotify playlist of 'Rock/hard-rock/metal ballads').

In summary, with his project 'Autumn's Child', 'Mikael Erlandsson' continues to offer us a digest of the best of the melodic rock of the 70s / 80s which in fact, even if it will not revolutionize the style, one of the most prolific Swedes in this style and this 'Angel's Gate' is yet to be savored without moderation...

Myprogmusic reviews of the albums of 'Mikael Erlandsson' projects :
Last Autumn's Dream – Level Eleven – 2015
Last Autumn's Dream – Paintings – 2016
Last Autumn's Dream – In Disguise – 2017
Last Autumn's Dream – Fourteen – 2018
Autumn’s Child – Autumn’s Child – 2020

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Keybords), Claes Andreasson (Piano), Pontus Åkesson (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keybords), Robban Bäck (Drums), Johan Strömberg (Bass)


Artist : MEER

Album : Playing House

Release Date : 29-01-2021

Added : 02-04-2021

I come back to an album released at the end of January 2021 and which is the work of the Norwegian band 'MEER' which already has a dozen years of existence and which only releases their second studio recording 'Playing House'. The line-up mixes the traditional electric instruments of progressive rock and adds strings with violinist 'Åsa Ree' and violist 'Ingvild Nordstoga Eide', the vocal section being shared between siblings 'Johanne Margrethe Kippersund Nesdal' and 'Knut Kippersund Nesdal' (the latter having participated to the Norwegian program of' The Voice 'in 2017 - 'Norges beste stemme' in Norwegian). They offer us a mix of pop and rock mixing symphonic, folk and progressive in atmospheres offering beautiful melodies but, make no mistake, with sought-after constructions, the diversity of instruments bringing this richness to each composition and even if the length of each title does not exceed 7 minutes, this opus improves listening after listening, discovering previously unexplored corners.

'Picking Up The Pieces' start the album with sumptuous vocal harmonies and remarkable instrumental arrangements, this first track reminds me of certain atmospheres of 'Mostly Autumn', then, 'Beehive' continues but with more powerful passages alternating with others quieter and 'All At Sea' offers us a more stripped down semi-acoustic atmosphere and we let ourselves be lulled by Knut's soft voice, Johanne joining him halfway by enchanting us with her delicate vocal harmonies that we also found on the following track 'Songs of Us' which forms only one with the previous one. With 'Child', the tone is even lighter in the form of a playful ritornello, then, 'You Were a Drum', while having this light pop side, flirts with a muffled jazzy atmosphere brought by the strings and 'Honey', catchy and more powerful, offers us an addictive melody on which Johanne brings a remarkable vocal delicacy, the final being of any beauty. The end of the album scrolls through 'Across The Ocean' which served as the single for the album and which is certainly the most accessible track, 'She Goes' which is one of my favorites with its mysterious atmosphere, everything in tension and relaxation, and its admirable vocal arrangements, the very refined 'Where Do We Go From Here' and to finish, 'Lay It Down' which takes us on a beautiful symphonic fresco with beautiful alternations between calm and energetic parts, the final runaway with this sudden rupture being magnificent.

In summary, 'MEER' is a great discovery and takes us on a beautiful journey filled with freshness and originality, the whole being sublimated by magnificent arrangements, first, vocally, with this beautiful complicity between Johanne and Knut but also on an instrumental level which makes it a rich and dense album which improves listening after listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanne Margrethe Kippersund Nesdal (Vocal), Knut Kippersund Nesdal (Vocal), Eivind Strømstad (Guitar), Ole Gjøstøl (Keybords), Morten Strypet (Bass), Mats Lillehaug (Drums), Åsa Ree (Violin), Ingvild Nordstoga Eide (Viola)


Artist : Tusmørke

Album : Nordisk Krim

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 03-04-2021

After 'MEER', It is still a Norwegian formation which is the honor with 'Tusmørke' and their last album 'Nordisk Krim', the violinist 'Åsa Ree' of 'MEER' also being present on this opus. With 'Tusmørke', the surprise is total with each release because their last album was a kind of collection of folk songs for Norwegian children but, they had also accustomed us to take us in quite dark stories which had labeled them in black metal (tag when you hold us !!). Regarding 'Nordisk Krim', we are immersed in the history of bodies found in Danish peatlands, but the music is rather psychedelic with all the sonic oddities that we could find in this style when it first appeared in the 60s.

The album is well supplied with 10 compositions for an hour and twenty minutes of music, the tracks ranging from a few minutes to long developments, the longest flirting with 18 minutes. The first half of the album immerses us in sounds from the 60s / 70s with multiple sound effects, the melodies being accessible at first listening with for example the introductory title 'Ride The Whimbre!' with its vintage keyboards, the short and catchy 'Age of Iron Man' or the esoteric 'Dog's Flesh' which unfolds a strange and unreal melody. Then come two long tracks with 'Moss Goddess' and 'Black Incubation' which together symbolize the beginning of the progressive with an extravagant psychedelic, the first in a slow addicting tempo with vocals in the form of an incantation and the second taking us into folk tones to 'Jethro Tull', the flute supporting this more pastoral side while keeping sounds of vintage keyboards again bringing us back to the psychedelic and the beginning of the 'Floyds'. The suite offers us two tracks sung in Norwegian (all the others being sung in English) which both have a traditional folk vibe with heady melodies, the first 'Et Moselik' and its marked and haunting rhythm, the second 'Heksejakt' much more playful. And to finish, '(The Marvelous and Murderous) Mysteries of Sacrifice' takes us on a progressive epic that mixes all the ingredients that we could find in this album : the lightness of folk accentuated by the flute, vocals alternating songs hypnotic and delirious, haunting repetitive melodies and organ-sounding keyboards from early psychedelic albums (my reference album being 'Ummagumma' from the 'Floyds' released in 1969).

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Tusmørke' release a very dense album that takes us back to the psychedelic period of the early 60s to the beginning of the 70s and which, given its length, requires several listenings for impregnate with it what destines' Nordisk Krim' to a certainly more restricted audience, adept of this style which contributed to the rise of progressive rock some fifty years ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Benedikt "Benediktator" Momrak (Vocal, Bass), Kristoffer "Krizla" Momrak (Flute, Vocal), Haugebonden Gode Gullstein (Keybords), Åsa Ree (Violin), Martin "Hlewagastir" Nordrum Kneppen (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Neil Young, Crazy Horse

Album : Way Down In The Rust Bucket (Live)

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 04-04-2021

'Neil Young', at 75, continues to release studio albums on the one hand with 'The Visitor' in 2017, 'Colorado' with the 'Crazy Horse' in 2019 or even 'Homegrown' in 2020 which was recorded in 1975 but never released and on the other hand, he shares new live recordings with us with 'Return to Greendale' from the 2003 tour with the 'Crazy Horse' to promote the album 'Greendale' and it's still another album with the 'Crazy Horse' which has just been released with 'Way Down in the Rust Bucket' which highlights the period of the 90s because this live was recorded just after the release of 'Ragged Glory', one of the most electric albums of the American. Therefore, this live allows to hear again live this beautiful bond between 'Neil Young' and the three members of 'Crazy Horse', 'Franck Sampedro' on guitar, 'Billy Talbot' on bass and 'Ralph Molina' on drums in a set of nearly two and a half hours with, of course, a good place given for 'Ragged Glory' since of the 19 songs performed, 8 come from it, the rest being shared between titles matching with this 'electric' playlist like 'Surf John and Moe The Sleaze' or 'Cinnamon Girl' or 'T-Bone' but also unmissable classics with 'Homegrown', 'Bite The Bullet' and 'Like a Hurricane'. In short, a magnificent set list for all fans of the American but beyond that, 'Way Down In The Rust Bucket (Live)' is a testament to this traditional American music which has rocked a good number of fifties and which is now part of the musical culture of all amateurs and all lovers of rock from the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Vocal, Guitar), Frank Sampedro (Guitar, Vocal), Billy Talbot (Bass, Vocal), Ralph Molina (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Marillion

Album : With Friends at St David's

Release Date : 04-03-2021

Added : 05-04-2021

At the end of 2019 was released on 'With Friends from the Orchestra', and for those who had been frustrated by the too short duration of this album, the English of 'Marillion' do it again with the string quartet 'In Praise Of Folly', the horn player 'Sam Morris' and the flautist 'Emma Halnan' with this time a real concert lasting more than two hours and with a DVD/Blu-ray which will be released at the end of May 2021 and which will combine the two recordings with some extracts from other concerts. In this new set list, we see 'Gaza' from the album 'Sounds That Can' t Be Made' from 2012 which borders on 20 minutes, 'The New Kings' from the 'F*** Everyone And Run (FEAR)' from 2016 and the energetic 'Separated Out' of the album 'Anoraknophobia' renamed for the occasion 'Zeparated Out' for the wink to one of the pioneers of rock with this magnificent orchestral aside of 'Kashmir' (the super group 'Sons of Apollo' had also made a cover of this title in the last live 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony'). In short, for the fans of the group and more generally, for all those who like the long developments of a rich and refined progressive, this concert given by the English of 'Marillion' in Cardiff in 2019 is still an essential album to add at their ideal collection of music and, patiently awaiting the DVD/blu-ray release, you can preview the recording with first, the teaser (see above) and the title 'Seasons End'...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hogarth (Vocal), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Ian Mosley (Drums), Mark Kelly (Keybords), Pete Trewavas (Bass) + Guests : Emma Halnan (Flute), In Praise Of Folly (Quatuor à cordes : Nicole Miller – Viola, Maia Frankowski – Violin, Margaret Hermant – Violin, Annamie Osborne – Cello), Sam Morris (Cor)


Artist : Kerrs Pink

Album : Presence of Life

Release Date : 04-03-2021

Added : 06-04-2021

'Kerrs Pink' is a Norwegian band which has already been around fifty years of existence but which had several periods of inactivity and which released 6 albums including 2 in the 80s, 2 in the 90s and who came back to the fore in 2013 with a very nice album 'Mystic Spirit' which has relaunched the group once again and 2021 sees the release of 'Presence of Life'. In a progressive rock mixing symphonic and folk influences taking us back to the 70s, they offer us 6 tracks for a fairly short duration compared to the rest of their discography, but let's not sulk our pleasure, because it is still a magnificent album with melodic lines that make one think of the great formations of the 70s and one could quote 'Kansas', 'Camel' or 'Jethro Tull' who celebrated their fifty year career in 2020 but also their compatriots 'Magic Pie', their singer 'Eirikur Hauksson' also officiating with 'Kerrs Pink'.

'Renaissance' welcomes us with an accordion quickly joined by electric instruments in a progressive atmosphere of the 70s highlighting hammond organ sounds and with different nested parts made of magnificent rhythmic breaks which makes it a first very pleasant title also thanks to beautiful melodic lines, then, 'Private Affair' hardens the subject with more present guitars but keeps a varied construction in which 'Eirikur Hauksson' shows all his vocal talent between the energetic parts and others calmer. With 'The Book of Dreams', the atmosphere of the beginning is softer and this new composition of more than 9 minutes takes us on a beautiful journey to the intonations of 'Kansas' with a catchy melody and, again, magnificent breaks of tempos and intensity, bringing an epic side close to 'Queen' (listen between the 3rd and 4th minute), then 'Away from Shadows' continues in this atmosphere with a new progressive construction with intense bass in the enegetic parts which contrast beautifully with the quieter parts that offer us an addictive melody filled with intense emotion. Then comes the beautiful ballad 'Luna', the shortest track of the album but which continues in a melancholy atmosphere to lull us by its very beautiful melodic lines and it is with the long development 'In Discipline And With Love' that the The album ends in a progressive symphonic fresco with all the ingredients that any lover of this style is looking for and in which we let ourselves be guided in a labyrinth making a succession of multiple soundscapes which is a good summary of this album filled with many admirable moments.

In summary, this new album from 'Kerrs Pink' offers us a very pleasant and accessible progressive which takes us back to the 70s and which should join the ideal collection for all an audience who likes the references mentioned above, and this with modern sound and flawless production...

Line Up / Musicians

Eirikur Hauksson (Vocal), Harald Lytomt (Guitar), Per Langsholt (Bass), Glenn Fosser (Keybords, Accordion), Magne Johansen (Drums, Choirs), Lasse Johansen (Piano, Keybords), Hans Jørgen Kvisler (Guitar)


Artist : Ken Hensley

Album : My Book Of Answers

Release Date : 05-03-2021

Added : 07-04-2021

This review and the following one are devoted to two artists who marked the history of rock in the 70s by having shared during 10 years the most beautiful moments of 'Uriah Heep' and who, by hazards of life, died at the end of 2020 within a few weeks of each other, so that their two respective posthumous albums have a very special dimension, I named the singer, guitarist and keyboardist 'Ken Hensley' and the drummer 'Lee Kerslake'. First of all, let's pay tribute to 'Ken Hensley' whose album 'My Book Of Answers' was released in early March. For his last album, he set to music poems by a Russian businessman, 'Vladimir Emelin' whom he met during a trip to Moscow and we therefore find the paw of ex 'Uriah Heep' entry with 'Lost (My Guardian)' (see the video here) tagged seventies in a fairly slow rhythm, then, 'Right Here, Right Now' is a transpose of 'The Hanging Tree' from the album 'Firefly' from 1976 which played many times on my turntable at the time. The suite is devoted to quieter compositions highlighting the talent of melodist of 'Ken Hensley' and this, certainly magnified by certainly this feeling that it could be his last album, with for example the two mid-tempo 'The Cold Sacrifice' (see video here) and 'The Silent Scream' or wonderful ballads like 'Cover Girl', 'Light The Fire (In My Heart)' or even 'Stand (Chase The Beast Away)' which is the type of song that gives you goosebumps with its very beautiful choirs and this melody that takes us back a few decades in the great tradition of English pop and rock songs (see video above), the album ending with two other melodic gems 'The Darkest Hour' (with an acoustic version which for me is even more emotional ) and 'Suddenly' (see video here) divided into two parts with first a long instrumental introduction and then a melancholy sung part with strong words about his life and a last melody that never leaves you. In short, 'Ken Hensley' bows out in the most beautiful way possible by offering us a last album very emotional which reminds us of all those melodies of the 70s which accompanied our youth in the period 'Uriah Heep' and which are now part of our collective memory...

Line Up / Musicians

Ken Hensley (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Izzy Cueto (Guitar), Moises Cerezo (Bass), Tommy Lopez (Drums), David Gonzalez (Piano), Esther Martinez, Gema Torregrosa, Ana Belen Sanchez, Angela Cabanillas, Anaihi Avayan, Veronica Rubio (Cordes)


Artist : Lee Kerslake

Album : Eleveteen

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 08-04-2021

After 'Ken Hensley', this second review reports tribute to the 'Uriah Heep' drummer, 'Lee Kerslake', who passed away in September 2020 and had his heart set on doing to release his first solo album after serving as 'Uriah Heep' official drummer for 35 years. Despite the illness, 'Lee Kerslake' continued to fight for this album to come out and 'Eleveteen' features 8 compositions written or co-written by Lee encapsulating his entire musical journey in musical styles ranging from bar singing with 'Port And A Brandy' to catchy and melodic rock with 'Take Nothing for Granted' or 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' through ballads with unstoppable melodies that never leave you like 'Celia Sienna' which brings us back to the great tradition of the English song (see the beautiful video above) or 'Where Do We Go From Here' and 'You May Be By Yourself (But You're Never Alone)', very classic but filled with such a beautiful emotion . We can also note this magnificent cover of 'Carole King', 'You've Got A Friend', dating from 1971 or even this last entirely instrumental title simply called 'Mom' which pays homage to mothers and whose bluesy guitar sounds exude a touching melancholy. In summary, 'Mick Box' must be feeling a bit lonely after the passing of his two longtime partners 'Lee Kerslake' and 'Ken Hensley', with bassist 'Trevor Bolder' having left us in 2013 (his solo album, 'Sail The Rivers', planned at the time has been finally released at the end of 2020 with covers of 'Uriah Heep' and three new compositions) but, thanks to Mick, the spirit of 'Uriah Heep' continues to endure, the last album 'Living the Dream' dating from 2018 which is the best way to continue to pay tribute to his friends who have accompanied him for so many years...


Artist : Gary Hughes

Album : Waterside

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 09-04-2021

'Gary Hughes' is the singer of 'Ten' whose very good last album 'Illuminati' dates of the end of 2018 and, 2021 sees the release of a new album from the Englishman, 'Waterside' with a good part of the line up of 'Ten' since he brought with him guitarist 'Dann Rosingana' and keyboardist and drummer 'Darrel Treece-Birch' (also 'Nth Ascension' and in solo, 'No More Time' or 'The First Step…Is To Take One'). This last album which is his eighth studio recording offers us 10 AOR tracks certainly a little less energetic than those of 'Ten' but with equally addictive melodic lines and this, from 'All At Once It Feels Like I Believe' (see video above) which begins the album with a ballad with a memorable first melody, then, 'Electra Glide' (see video here), with a slightly more saturated guitar, offers us a new chorus which will be grafted directly into your head. The sequel is like these first two titles with unstoppable melodies like 'The Runaway Damned' reminiscent of 'Bruce Springsteen' or the new addictive ballad 'Screaming In The Half Light' or the catchy 'Waterside' with its folk sounds (see video here), or even 'Save My Soul' with a new chorus that doesn't leave you, the album ending with the beautiful ballad 'When Love Is Done'. In short, even if it will not revolutionize the AOR style, 'Gary Hughes' continues to offer us magnificent compositions that are immediately tame, and, as his albums are not available on spotify, if you want to discover his best tracks , you can listen to his compilation 'Decades' which he released just before this last album and which offers two and a half hours of good AOR to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Hughes (Vocal, Guitar), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords, Drums), David Rosingana (Bass), Scott Hughes (Vocal, Choirs), Karen Fell (Choirs)


Artist : Vian Fernandes

Album : Half Life

Release Date : 07-03-2021

Added : 10-04-2021

When you are not content to listen to what the great music majors put between your ears all day long but that you make the effort to research by yourself to satisfy your quest for the musical holy grail, the Internet is a magnificent tool to achieve this and in this precise case, that's what happened to me with the last album of 'Vian Fernandes' which does not make the headlines but which releases its third studio recording 'Half Life' after 'Pahadi' in 2016 et 'Alive' in 2017. Of Indian origin, Vian is known in his country to be the bassist of the Indian group 'Thaikkudam Bridge' and made prominent appearances in 'music Mojo' on Indian TV channel 'kappa TV' which highlights young talents (I have listed his videos below). His discography shows a pachtwork of styles with of course, first and foremost his musical roots, but he is also inspired by modern musical trends such as rapping, and his latest album shows a new side of this complete artist with progressive influences that take us on board in a magnificent journey, very rich and varied.

The eponymous track of the album begins with a spoken presentation of the theme of this opus : "Have we all lived our lives to the fullest, or have we left something behind unfinished ? If yes, we will all live a half-life, until we are born again to finish what we left behind and once again live another Half Life". Follows 'Genesis' which begins with sound effects close to the beginning of the 'Floyds', then some vaporous choirs fill all the space to give way to a 'Floydian' melody with the bass of Vian which prints some marked and well-placed hits for finally fall back on the final. 'To be with Me' which follows is one of my favorites of the album, the airy atmosphere of this track bringing a real emotion thanks to the soft voice of 'Vian' which contrasts with more intense riffs, the guitar solo in the second part (certainly from 'Prandeep Pande') being very beautiful. Very nice transition between power and tranquility with 'A World Undone' which welcomes us with some soothing notes of the flute, and which highlights the delicious voice of 'Rahel Dutt' and after three minutes comes a remarkable instrumental section with a break in intensity and leaves for an intense finale. We continue our beautiful journey with a semi-acoustic ballad in which the vocal duo 'Vian Fernades'/'Rahel Dutt' is a pure delight, then the introduction of 'ADHD' sends us a good dose of energy with a muscular rhythmic in which the rhythm section alternates intensities and tempos remarkably livened up by beautiful vocal parts and interventions of the electric guitar and the title softens very strongly and offers us magnificent vocalizations of 'Gazal Mohanty', the instrumental final in crescendo rocking us with a heady melody. The rest of the album further increases the emotional cursor by a few notches with first of all, 'Answers to my Life' which reminds me of the atmospheres of the compositions of the project 'Blackfield' by 'Steven Wilson' and 'Aviv Geffen', then, 'Fireflies' unveils a calm and restful atmosphere in which it is good to let go while being lulled by the sweet song of 'Vian' accompanied by a delicious female singing. The end of the album continues in this delicate and melodious climate with 'My Northern Star' (see video here) in a psychedelic atmosphere and 'The Voyage' offers us a last heady melody that never leaves you with beautiful vocal performances by Vian and Rahel.

In summary, 'Vian Fernandes' releases a magnificent album with compositions filled with a very beautiful poetry that take us on an intense musical journey and, if you like quiet and delicate atmospheres in progressive rock, you should undoubtedly appreciate 'Half Life' which is tasted in a quiet place with the headphones on your ears...

Videos of 'Vian Fernandez' on the show 'music Mojo' :
= When I'm gone
= Baba Naam
= To be with Me

Line Up / Musicians

Vian Fernades (Bass, Guitar, Vocal), Rahel Dutt (Vocal), Pradeep Pande (Guitar), Ravi Kiran (Flute), Siddharth Kulkami (Keybords), Prince John (Drums), The Voyage Choir (Choirs), Gazal Mohanty (Vocal)


Artist : Blackmore's Night

Album : Nature's Light

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 11-04-2021

It had been quite a while since the couple 'Candice Night'/'Ritchie Blackmore' had not released an album because there was indeed in 2017 'Winter Carols' which was an augmented reissue of 2 titles of the original 2006 opus plus a few lives but their last studio recording already dates from 2015 with 'All Our Yesterdays'.

'Nature's Light' is therefore their new baby which contains 10 tracks including 3 covers with first of all 'Darker Shade of black' present on 'All Our Yesterdays' and which was a wink (my faith very succeeded with this remarkable fingering of Ritchie on the guitar and the no less perfect vocalizations of Candice) to the ultra known 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' of 'Procol Harum', a 2021 version of the ballad 'Whish You Were Here' (not that of the 'Floyds') present on their first opus of 1997 'Shadow of the Moon' and the very successful cover of 'The Second Element' from 'Sarah Brightman'. The original compositions take us into the now well-known universe of the couple with melodic tunes borrowing from folk, medieval and baroque music. The ensemble therefore makes us travel in their very particular but very endearing universe with heady melodies and this from the first title 'Once Upon December' (see video here) which, unlike the title, is very light and spring. 'Four Winds' then offers us an always very playful melody mixing folk and medieval intonations, then, 'Feather in the Wind' continues in this lively atmosphere which gives an irresistible desire to accompany it by clapping and waltz 'Twisted Oak' is the kind of very clean track that highlights the most the beautiful crystalline voice of 'Candice Night'. With the eponymous title of the album, we find ourselves in the Baroque era at the time of 'Lully' with images of the King's court in their eyes (see the video above), then the instrumental 'Der Letzte Musketier' brings us back to one of the favorite musicians of 'Ritchie Blackmore' with 'Jean-Sébastien Bach' and Hammond tones continuing with a good blues rhythm in which Ritchie likes to sneak his guitar (we remember the magnificent instrumental ballad 'Weiss Heim' from the album 'Down To Earth' by 'Rainbow'). After the cover of 'Whish You Were Here', the album ends in the lightness of a folk song with 'Going to the Faire' and the cover of 'Second Element' closer to the second version recorded by 'Sarah Brightman' in 1993.

In summary, 'Candice Night' and 'Ritchie Blackmore' continue their journey by giving us a very endearing new album and by offering us beautiful melodies in a light and quiet atmosphere, the kind of music we have much needed in our hectic period to be able to escape and forget this weariness generated by all these incoherent decisions linked to the health crisis...

Line Up / Musicians

Candice Night (Vocal, Bagpipe), Ritchie Blackmore (Guitar, Mandolin, Hurdy Gurdy), Christina Lynn Skleros (Vocal, Flute), Claire Smith (Violin), Mike Clemente (Guitars, Bass), David Baranowski (Keybords), David Keith (Drums)


Artist : Orden Ogan

Album : Final Days

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 12-04-2021

The Germans of 'Orden Ogan' are back with a new album 'Final Days' and, after two time trips to find ourselves first in the Middle Ages with 'Ravenhead' in 2015 and then in the American Far West with 'Gunmen' in 2017, it is in the distant future that we find 'Allister Vale', their immortal hero, in a sci-fi story that presents our world controlled by androids who have seized power and who risk leading all of humanity to its destruction. Musically, no surprise, we find this German tradition of a melodic power-metal with all the ingredients that we search in this style of music : powerful compositions accessible at first listening thanks to effective melodies and choirs very present, this last album bringing here and there, theme obliges, keyboards with electronic sounds.

'Heart of the Android' opens the debates and sets the tone for the album with an energetic first track whose chorus is easily embedded in the head and which should work well in concert (it's also starting to be a little long, this period which depriving us of them !!), then 'In the Dawn of the AI' continues in this overheated atmosphere this time with some well-dosed electronic effects around artificial intelligence, 'Inferno' continuing with a hit super accessible melodic which gives an irresistible desire to headbang to the rhythm of the music, 'Let the Fire Rain' not being outdone with its imposing choirs to make a whole room sing. Without transition, we continue with the speed 'Interstellar' in which 'Gus G.' was invited and concocted us a sumptuous guitar solo, then, after all this energy, the ballad break is welcome with 'Alone In The Dark' and this time the guest is the singer 'Ylva Eriksson' who trains a very nice vocal duet with 'Seeb'. And we start again with 'Black Hole' which is dotted with some electronic effects and which offers a new addicting chorus, then after a fairly classic 'Absolution For Our Final Days', the album ends with a quick 'Hollow' which still puts forward heady choirs and 'It Is Over' closes this futuristic saga with certainly the most varied composition (moreover the longest) with a more progressive approach and a new chorus that never leaves you. It should also be noted that, taking into account the postponements of the release of this album, the group was able to refine many videos with the titles 'Heart of the Android', 'In the Dawn of the AI', 'Inferno' and 'Let the Fire Rain'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Orden Ogan' continue to do what they have always known how to do best, good melodic power-metal that tames on first listen and 'Final Days' should without any doubt to make people happy in the ranks of the band's fans but also should appeal to all those who love a powerful and melodic metal with choruses that loop in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Sebastian « Seeb » Levermann (Vocal, Keybords), Nils Löffler (Guitar), Patrick Sperling (Guitar), Steven Wussow (Bass), Dirk Meyer-Berhorn (Drums) + Guests : Gus. G. (Guitar), Ylva Eriksson (Vocal)


Artist : Secret Sphere

Album : Lifeblood

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 13-04-2021

On March 12, several power-metal albums were released and after the Germans 'Orden Ogan', it is the Italians of 'Secret Sphere' who are releasing a new opus 'Lifeblood' after 'The Nature of Time' in 2017. Already well known in the world of power metal since it is already their 9th opus in 25 years of existence, they continue on the path mapped out in the previous opus with 11 compositions which see the return to vocals of 'Roberto Messina' who had been absent since 2012 and we therefore find the original trio of the group with 'Aldo Lonobile' ('Edge Of Forever' and 'Timo Tolkki’s Avalon') on guitar, 'Andrea Buratto' ('Eternal Idol' et 'Timo Tolkki’s Avalon') on bass and then 'Roberto Messina' on vocals to which are added the keyboardist 'Gabriele Ciaccia' and the drummer 'Marco Lazzarini'.

After the symphonic instrumental introduction that could very well serve as the concert debut music of symphonic metal formations, the eponymous title of the album tumbles at a hundred miles an hour with a raging rhythm section and a first chorus which fits in your head without letting go, then, 'The End of an Ego' (see video here) continues in this communicative energy while 'Life Survivors' eyeing the side of symphonic metal and formations like 'Delain' or their compatriots from 'Temperance'. With 'Alive', we come back to fast power metal with again a heady chorus, an atmosphere that we also find in 'Solitary Flight', then 'Against All the Odds' (voir vidéo ici) slows down the pace for an AOR title with catchy melodic lines. Follow a classic 'Thank You', then 'The Violent Ones' brings a new energetic and catchy track before the fast 'Solitary Flight' and the beautiful semi-acoustic ballad 'Skywards' allowing a well-deserved break. It is certainly with the densest title (and moreover the longest), 'The Lie We Love' that the album ends in beauty in an atmosphere mixing power, symphonic and even a few touches of progressive which makes it, for my part, my favorite of the album.

In summary, the Italians of 'Secret Sphere' continue to make good varied power metal which mixes different styles with always this talent for compositions with heady choruses which destines 'Lifeblood' to an audience loving power metal with memorable melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Roberto Messina (Vocal), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Gabriele Ciaccia (Keybords), Andrea Buratto (Bass), Marco Lazzarini (Drums)


Artist : Sunstorm

Album : Afterlife

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 14-04-2021

After nearly 12 years and 5 albums with 'Sunstorm' (including the very good 'The Road to Hell' dating from 2018), 'Joe Lynn Turner', the legendary singer (among others Rainbow and Deep Purple) gives way to a no less good singer, I named the Chilean 'Ronnie Romero' (having taken over the microphone with 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' and also officiating with 'Lords Of Black' and the band of Japanese guitarist 'Nozomu Wakai', 'Destinia'), because 'Joe Lynn Turner' wanted to give another direction more muscular to this project which originally focused on AOR and this new album 'Afterlife' of 'Sunstorm' inducts 'Ronnie Romero' very comfortable in this style of had-rock.

And from the first eponymous track of the album, we embark on an energetic hard-rock with catchy melodic lines, then 'One Step Closer', which follows, very classic but super effective, also offers us a catchy chorus which never leaves you and as for 'Swan Song' (see video here ), we continue in a style that is strangely reminiscent of the 80s and the sounds of 'Rainbow' or 'Deep Purple' (see their latest album here), which we will find in several other compositions with 'Born Again', 'I Found a Way' or even 'A Story That You Can Tell' with quite characteristic guitar riffs. The other compositions are in a melodic AOR a little less muscular with the mid-tempo 'Stronger', the catchy 'Here for You Tonight' and 'Darkest Night', the power ballad 'Lost Forever' to add to the best hard-rock ballads not being forgotten. In short, even if they will not revolutionize melodic hard-rock, this last album of 'Sunstorm' is listened to with pleasure and reminds us of the best of hard-rock of the 70s/80s with a modern sound and a remarkable production, normal with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' at the helm, which will allow 'Afterlife' to be appreciated by all melodic hard-rock fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Simone Mularoni (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Michele Sanna (Drums)


Artist : Issa

Album : Queen of Broken Hearts

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 15-04-2021

Hey, it's not been very long since I referred to the Italian 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' (yes just yesterday in the last column of 'Sunstorm'), because after having produced and participated in Issa's last album, 'Run with the Pack', he does it again with the Norwegian singer for her latest album 'Queen of Broken Hearts'. With a line-up of talented artists with guitarist 'Simone Mularoni' ('Sunstorm'), bassist 'Andrea Torricini' ('Vision Divine') and drummer 'Marco Di Salvia' ('Edge Of Forever') and 'Hardline') without forgetting 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' on the keyboards, she us offers 11 melodic jewels in an energetic hard-rock with a good balance between the riffs of saturated guitars and the keyboards which bring a bond to the whole. Everything is there to have a great time listening to all these hits that are immediately tamed from the first listen with addictive choruses that loop in the head. All these compositions could have been the subject of a single and, therefore, to name a few, I will say 'The Way Out' in which 'Issa Oversveen' shows all his vocal power, the powerful mid-tempo 'The Night It Rained Forever' and 'Drive' or the catchy 'Queen of Broken Hearts' and 'Without Love'. And the icing on the cake, 'Blues' (see video with the lyrics above) brings the power ballad break with hyper classic melodic lines but so effective and in which 'Simone Mularoni' enchants us with her guitar solo (that we would have liked a little longer). Also note that 'The Way Out' and Angel Calling' were the subject of two videos.

In summary, 'Issa' offers us a very good album filled with heady melodies that are tamed from the first listen and we can only wish her to make discover 'Queen of Broken Hearts' to the greatest number because she has all the assets to be one of the world ambassadors of melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Issa Oversveen (Vocal), Simone Mularoni (Guitar), Andrea Torricini (Bass), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Marco Di Salvia (Drums)


Artist : Thunder

Album : All the Right Noises

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 16-04-2021

I still admit it now, I am ashamed to have discovered 'Thunder' only during the release of their last album 'Rit It Up' because the English continue to record albums all as addictive as each other for the amateur of good '70s hard rock that I am (their latest album 'Please Remains Seated' was still a great success). This new opus 'All the Right Noises' still contains compositions that can be enjoyed with happiness and each of the 11 titles brings its originality which makes us embark for 48 minutes between rock-n-roll, rock, hard-rock and metal, all this being performed masterfully by the same quintet as the previous opus.

'Last One Out Turn Off The Lights' (see video
here) welcomes us in an energetic atmosphere of rock tagged seventies with a rhythm section spinning a serious desire to stomp, then, 'Destruction' is a heavy and powerful mid-tempo with a bewitching bass line and with a guitar solo in the second part that I would have liked much longer. Follows 'The Smoking Gun' which is semi-acoustic and gives us a classic blues/rock in which 'Danny Bowes' gives a remarkable vocal performance, then the guitar riffs of 'Going to Sin City' (see video above) make it a cross between 'AC/DC' and 'Led Zeppelin' on a rhythmic to make us pick up the head by dint of headbanging. Return to a mid-tempo in the style of 'Destruction' with 'Don't Forget To Live Before You Die' which restarts the tapping machine, then, place for the melancholy break with 'I'll Be The one' which takes us back to the best ballads of the 70s/80s with its guitar solo which gives you goosebumps and 'Young' takes us on board for a new rhythmic mid-tempo composition with an unstoppable chorus. With 'You're Gonna Be My Girl' (see video here), we go to America with a super classic US rock but which is very effective with melodic lines that give the impression that they have always been a part of our life, just like 'St George's Day' which follows in a melancholy blues/rock style which can recall some compositions of Eagles', then, 'Force of Nature' continues in this atmosphere of the seventies with an acoustic introduction that quickly gives way to electric instruments and with an energetic and swaying rhythm close to 'Led Zeppelin', the album ending with an effective hard-rock with energetic riffs and if, this kind of track, you do not have an irresistible desire to move your whole body to the rhythm of the heady choirs, c is that you are definitely not cut out for that kind of music.

In summary, the English of'Thunder' continues to enchant us with their compositions which have this taste so characteristic of what we could do best in rock and hard-rock of the 70s and for all those who liked the major formations of this time, go listen to 'All the Right Noises' because it will certainly become an album which will turn in loop in your favorite playlists...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bowes (Vocal), Luke Morley (Guitar, Vocal), Ben Matthews (Guitar, Keybords), Chris Childs (Bass), Gary 'Harry' James (Drums)


Artist : AmartiA

Album : Daylight Beauty

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 17-04-2021

'AmartiA' is a French formation which already has twenty years of existence and which releases its fifth studio recording, 'Daylight Beauty' after three albums in the last four years with 'The Beast Within' in 2017, the acoustic cover of different compositions from their repertoire, 'In a Quiet Place' in 2019 and a live, 'The Beast Alive (Live)' the same year. Tagged in rock and progressive metal, we can now say that their musical direction has completely erased the metal component and, even if the last opus still brought some more muscular passages, the style of 'Daylight Beauty' is intended to be quieter and we embark on a wonderful progressive journey tinged with atmospheric and we could compare this last album to what can be done by groups that I appreciate more particularly like 'Mostly Autumn', 'ILLUMINAE' or the formation of 'Ryszard Kramarski', 'tRKproject' to name only few groups with female singers.

'Lose Control' welcomes us in a cozy atmosphere with the sweet voice of 'Amandine Duwooz' which gradually gains momentum and with a first melody that envelops us gently and on which we surrender completely, then, 'Dancing Light' continues with a more marked rhythm and with a remarkable guitar solo in the central part and a final in decrescendo punctuated by long chords supported by keyboards which come to counterbalance the repetitive tempo. With 'Lily', the sweet mix between Amandine's singing and guitar arpeggios delicately titillate our eardrums in a new endearing melody, the final 'Floydian' saxophone solo being wonderful, then, 'Child's Eye' sets the emotional cursor even higher with acoustic instruments which add an extra delicacy whether with piano or acoustic guitar and which has a melody that reminds me of those of 'Ian Jones' in the period 'Karnataka'. Equally addictive compositions follow that we continue to enjoy with happiness such as 'The Journey' which bears its name well and takes us on a delicious journey or the instrumental' In Waves' with its beautiful alternations of intensity or ' Old Man And The Sea 'which unrolls a new melody with a chorus that never leaves you or even the quiet' Melancholy 'whose title alone sums up the atmosphere released throughout the opus. And to finish in style, 'Please Tell Me' offers us a new soft and calm melodic jewel and 'Cloud 9' ends on a more energetic note while keeping this admirable alchemy between the aerial and subtle song of Amandine and the electric instruments which intervene more strongly between the sung sections.

In summary, the French of 'AmartiA' release an album in all respects remarkable which shows a resolutely softer face compared to their last studio recording and which is interpreted admirably by talented musicians and by a singer who transports us throughout the album, which destines 'Daylight Beauty' to an audience loving a delicate and sought-after progressive with catchy melodies from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Cyril Carrette (Keybords, Piano), Amandine Duwooz (Vocal), Sébastien Descarpentries (Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Vincent Vercaigne (Guitar, Choirs), Quentin Daumal (Drums)


Artist : Saga

Album : Symmetry

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 18-04-2021

During the health crisis in 2020, many groups unplugged their electric instruments to release acoustic albums and this time, it was the turn of the Canadians of 'Saga' who recorded 'Symmetry' with the contribution of strings. We therefore find titles from all of their careers revisited with interpretations that give us a whole different reading and this from the start with 'Pitchman' from the album 'Heads Or Tales' from 1983 which is unrecognizable and the modern rewrite gives a second youth to this already 40 years old track with violins and acoustic guitars that twirl, then we carry on with a very successful patchwork of compositions with 'The Perfect Time to Feel Better' which brings together in a beautiful way 'Time to Go', 'The Perfectionist' and 'We Hope You're Feeling Better', all the three titles being conducive to this acoustic reinterpretation. The sequel takes us back in time to the end of the 70s with a melancholy 'Images - Chapter One' then scrolls 'Always There' from 2001 (album 'House of Cards') with its very original banjo accompaniment, the two small instrumental commas 'Prelude' of 'Ian Crichton', an endearing 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' of 'Steel Umbrellas' from 1994, a new medley 'The Right Side of the Other Hall' bringing together the compositions 'Footsteps in the Hall' and a mix between 'You Were Right' and 'On the Other Side' by 'Trust' released in 2006 and which they have completely revised with additions here and there like this magnificent folk break in the middle of the title. New instrumental break with 'La Foret Harmonieuse' which is a piano study of 'Jim Crichton' on which 'Michael Sadler' comes to put a few words, then the album ends with three essentials of 'Saga', first with 'Worlds Apart' which offers us a whole different face from the original impetuous (released in the live 'In Transit' from 1982) and which becomes almost melancholy for the occasion, then' No Regrets' which suffers the same fate and which is certainly my favorite of the album with the beautiful instrumental arrangements to finish with Equally addictive 'Tired World' with a 'Michael Sadler' at its peak, the accompanying acoustic instruments bringing that festive side that 'Saga' has conveyed for so many years.

In summary, the Canadians of 'Saga' release much more than pale acoustic covers of their compositions but simply give new life to these songs which have become staples of progressive rock for the past 40 years and we are even frustrated to arrive so quickly at the end of the album because, for my part, I would have taken a small dose with the same treatment made for 'On The Loose', 'Humble Stance', 'You' re Not Alone' or even 'Don't Be Late' but we console ourselves with the last live released in 2018, 'So Good So Far' from their last tour of 2017...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Sadler (Vocal, Keybords), Dusty Chesterfield (Bass, Keybords), Ian Crichton (Guitar), Jim Crichton (Bass, Keybords), Jim Gilmour (Keybords, Clarinette, Saxophone), Mike Thorne (Drums) + Guests : Shane Cook (Violin), Stefany Seki (Cello), Beth Silver (Cello), Seren Sadler (Vocal)


Artist : Heart Healer

Album : The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 19-04-2021

The Swedish 'Magnus Karlsson' is on all fronts because the year 2020 saw the release of several albums with the association of 'Anette Olzon' and 'Russell Allen' ('Worlds Apart'), her participation in the last studio recording of 'Primal Fear', 'Metal Commando' and his latest baby with multiple guests, 'We Are the Night' and the Swedish multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer decided this time to compose a metal opera, called 'Heart Healer' in which he invited several female singers from the metal scene, each playing a character, and also surrounded himself with classical musicians allowing him to densify the whole with orchestral music. In the guest singers we find 'Adrienne Cowan' ('Seven Spires', 'Light And Shade'), 'Ailyn Gimenez' 'Sirenia', 'Her Chariot Await'), 'Anette Olzon' (ex 'Nightwish', 'The Dark Element'), 'Margarita Monet' ('Edge Of Paradise'), 'Netta Laurenne' ('Smackbound'), 'Noora Louhimo' ('Battle Beast') and 'Youmna Jreissati' ('Ostura').

With this beautiful array of guests, he therefore concocted an opera that tells us the story of 'Heart Healer', interpreted by 'Adrienne Cowan' who discovers a power to heal people by just imposition of the hands but which diminishes her more and more throughout these different heals. We are therefore embarked on a symphonic and progressive saga mixing orchestral music and metal with everything we want to find in this kind of album : epic compositions, grandiose arrangements and melodies that loop in the head and this from the first track 'Awake' which contains an imposing instrumental introduction then a symphonic sung part which alternates powerful passages and others much more restrained, 'Adrienne Cowan' giving us an admirable first performance. The whole is like this first title with effective melodies and accessible from the first listening, and parade addictive melodies with the lively duo of 'Adrienne Cowan'/'Anette Olzon' in 'Who Can Stand All Alone' , the mid-tempo 'Back To Life' which has a very beautiful chorus this time with a trio of singers, the other mid-tempo 'When the Fire Burn Out' with remarkable vocal and instrumental arrangements, the album going crescendo and offering us on the second part a beautiful vocal joust between 'Noora Louhimo' and 'Adrienne Cowan' with a new heady chorus ('Evil's Around the Corner') just like that of the following title 'Mesmerized' which highlights' Anette Olzon 'who certainly recorded the two vocal parts, then, the power ballad 'Weaker' in which 'Adrienne Cowan' moves us to tears when she understands that this gift which she possesses leads her to her loss and which prepares the fire final fireworks 'This is Not The End' (see video here) bringing together the seven singers for a melodic gem that continues to spin in our heads long after the last note has passed.

In summary, this new album from 'Magnus Karlsson' has all the ingredients of a quality metal opera, rich in beautiful melodies, grandiose in the orchestrations and, even if the choice of singers in the same range makes that we lose a little in the different characters, 'Heart Healer' is a great success that should appeal to all those who love symphonic and melodic metal with remarkable vocal performances...

Line Up / Musicians

Magnus Karlsson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Anders Köllerfors (Drums), Daniel Tengberg (Cello), Erika Sävström Engman (Violin) + Guests : Adrienne Cowan (Vocal), Ailyn Gimenez (Vocal), Anette Olzon (Vocal), Margarita Monet (Vocal), Netta Laurenne (Vocal), Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Youmna Jreissati (Vocal)


Artist : Ronnie Atkins

Album : One Shot

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 20-04-2021

'Ronnie Atkins' is no stranger to the melodic hard-rock scene as he has been the singer of the Danish heavy metal band 'Pretty Maids' since its formation in 1981 (last album in 2019 'Undress Your Darkness') but also the singer of 'Nordic Union' which last album 'Second Coming' date of 2018. And it was only after 40 good and loyal service with 'Pretty Maids' that the Dane decided to release his first solo album, certainly driven by this bad news of this lung cancer and, with the help from Swedish multi-instrumentalist 'Chris Laney' who joined 'Pretty Maids' in 2016, they called on experienced melodic hard-rock artists with former 'Pretty Maids' keyboardist 'Morten Sandager', drummer 'Allan Sørensen' who joined 'Pretty Maids' in 2016, bassist 'Pontus Egberg' who participates in many projects including 'The Poodles' and 'Treat' but also distinguished guests like 'Bjørn Strid' ('Soilwork' et 'The Night Flight Orchestra'), the guitarist 'John Berg', the guitarist 'Kee Marcello', the former female singer of 'Therion', 'Linnea Vikström Egg', guitarist and singer 'Oliver Hartmann' and guitarist 'Pontus Norgren' from 'Hammerfall'. With all these beautiful people and given the circumstances, this album of 'Ronnie Atkins' takes on a whole other dimension that we feel when listening to all these melodies which give off a very special emotion and which we hope will serve of music therapy for the singer.

'One Shot' therefore offers 11 compositions all as melodic as each other and we have a great time listening to 'Real' (see video here) with its heady chorus, 'Scorpio' (see video here) and its rhythm that gives you ants in your feet, the melancholy power ballad 'One Shot' (see video above) that I added to my playlist of the best ballads 'Ballades rock/hard-rock/métal', the catchy 'Subjugated' that can recall, in a style a little more muscular, the hymns of 'Bruce Springsteen' from the 80s, or the melodic jewel 'Frequency of Love'. The second part of the album continues in the same style in a melodic hard-rock which hooks from the first chords and then, scroll 'Miles Away' filled with an endearing melancholy, two tracks in a rock FM style with dazzling guitars , 'Picture Yourself' and 'I Prophesize', 'One by One' with its resplendent choirs and to finish 'When Dreams Are Not Enough' whose addictive chorus that gives you that irresistible desire to accompany Ronnie in chorus.

In short, 'Ronnie Atkins' surrounded by a set of quality artists from the hard-rock world, released a magnificent album which touches more particularly in the circumstances that we know, and to conclude, I will remember for a long this April 2019 evening at Z7 when 'Tobias Sammet' presented his last metal opera 'Moonglow' with all the artists present animated by a single desire, to give pleasure to the few thousand spectators present during the three concerts which had been scheduled (including one added at the last minute) and, among all the singers, was present a certain 'Ronnie Atkins' who, like every concert, had given the best of himself for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Atkins (Vocal), Chris Laney (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Anders Ringman (Guitar), Morten Sandager (Keybords), Pontus Egberg (Bass), Allan Sørensen (Drums) + Guests : Bjørn Strid (Choirs), John Berg (Guitar), Kee Marcello (Guitar), Linnea Vikström Egg (Choirs), Oliver Hartmann (Guitar, Choirs), Pontus Norgren (Guitar)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : Tinfoil Hat

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 21-04-2021

We left 'Ted Horowitz' (aka 'Popa Chubby') with his last album 'It’s A Mighty Hard Road' at the start of 2020. Since then, the crisis has passed there and, knowing the American's positions, we suspected that he was preparing us a new album on this period with the first video 'Tinfoil Hat' released on you tube in October 2020 and which was a sharp criticism of politicians in their management of disastrous crisis and which begins with: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in 2020 in the United States of America and this song is dedicated to all you crazy people". And so it is during March 2021 that this last baby of 'Popa Chubby' has been released and we find him as he has always been for thirty years, often excessive in his critics but always fair and with this a touch of humor that characterizes him to convey with his words all these evils he denounces (magnificent photo of the cover on which he is decked out, first of all, with the 'Tinfoil Hat', mark of the 'conspirators' who fight against all those who try to establish their hegemony over the human race but also with a half-put on mask leaving a cigarette sticking out). So, of course, some will say that musically, he brings nothing new but what better way to shout all these injustices and criticisms of our society than with good classic blues/rock which hits the mark in each composition, whether oriented rock'n'roll, shuffle, country, reggae or even quite simply original blues. In short, no need for great speech, this album is still that of a whole and sincere musician and singer who pours us all his feelings which go from despair to hope passing through love, joy, fear and frustration and so on, and to finish I will quote what he wrote at the release of this album: "like all of you, this pandemic has pushed me to the limits of my humanity. But the music, the sweet music, put me back on the right path once again. I therefore offer you this work with humility and all the devotion I have for you! "...

Line Up / Musicians

Popa Chubby (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Chez Kane

Album : Chez Kane

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 22-04-2021

I presented you a few days ago the album 'Queen of Broken Hearts' of 'Issa' and, on the same day, was released the debut solo album of the Welshwoman 'Chez Kane' who has already recorded two albums with her sisters under the band name of 'Kane'D', first 'Rise' in 2015 and 'Show Me Your Skeleton' in 2018. The 'Frontiers Records' label which produces 'Issa' and 'Chez Kane' albums therefore diversifies to certainly open the melodic hard-rock style to the general public, but unlike what we can have in the field of international variety where the look often prevails over the music, both young ladies also ensure at the musical level and therefore offer us good melodic hard-rock that takes us back to the best of the 80s.

Regarding 'Chez Kane', the Welshwoman is supported by composer/producer 'Danny Rexon' ('Crazy Lixx') and the 10 compositions of the Swede are all sized to hook the listener from the first listen with refrains that titillate our neurons and that we want to replay in a loop, enthusiasm being the key word throughout the opus. Whether it's catchy compositions with melodies that immediately embed themselves in the head like 'Rocket on the Radio' or 'Get It On' or 'Midnight Rendezvous', melodic AOR rock like 'Better Than Love' or 'Too Late for Love', or even rhythmic mid-tempos that start the headbanging machine like 'All of It', without forgetting the quieter moments like 'Defender of the Heart' or 'Dead End Street', we find the spirit of the 80s with female singers like 'Pat Benatar', 'Johan Jett', 'Lee Aaron', 'Lita Ford' or even 'Bonnie Tyler'.

In summary, 'Chez Kane' is releasing an album that embarks us in the time machine with addictive melodies that will put you in shape for a whole day and, like 'Issa', she has it all the assets to become a new ambassador of a mix between melodic rock and hard-rock very accessible to the greatest number...

Line Up / Musicians

Chez Kane (Vocal)


Artist : White Void

Album : Anti

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 23-04-2021

'White Void' is a new project initiated by the singer 'Lars Are Nedland' who officiates in two groups tagged in black metal ('Borknagar', 'Solstafir') and who brought black metal drummer 'Tobias Solbakk' with him ('Ohsahn')) but also two other artists quite far from his musical styles, the blues rock guitarist 'Eivind Marum' and the bassist 'Vegard Kummen' who evolves in electro music. If you read the label's bio, « 'White Void', it's the lack of direction and meaning in life. It is the description of a fundamental gap between the search for meaning by the individual and the absence of logic in the universe », we say to ourselves that we are more in a treatise on philosophy than an album of music but, at the first listening, we are embarked in a musical universe which mixes different musical styles while keeping an immediate accessibility which confuses the listener with this double impression of immediately hanging on to the different melodies without being able to cling to known references, these two feelings being finally very well summarized in the definition of the label.

'Do. Not. Sleep.' starts the album in an atmosphere far removed from the black parts of 'Borknagar' with a fairly classic first construction but nevertheless bringing a dose of progressive with some changes in tempos and intensity and with melodic lines that are immediately tamed, then, 'There Is No Freedom But The End 'offers two faces with first of all, verses that can make think of certain sounds of the 80s, the group coming to my mind being 'Depeche Mode', then the chorus slows down the rhythm and goes up in power with a completely addictive melody. Follows 'Where You Go, You'll Bring Nothing' which starts in a slow tempo which releases an imposing force and which alternates with faster parts even integrating a kind of jazzy disgression, then, 'The Shovel and the Cross' us embarks on a mix between hard-rock from the 70s and new-wave from the 80s with a rather dark side and 'This Apocalypse Is For You' picks up the pace for a new mix, this time between hard-rock and punk. The great strength of these compositions is this fusion between several styles with alternations between catchy parts and others much more posed, powerful and solemn, process which one often finds in progressive rock but which is used here by integrating in it of other quite diverse influences drawn from the rock and hard-rock music of the 70s / 80s and 'All Chains Rust, All Men Die' is still the perfect illustration. And it is with the catchy and energetic 'The Fucking Violence of Love' which is much more linear than the rest while still having addictive melodic lines and 'The Air was Thick with Smoke', much more sought after in the construction which takes us on a track with several drawers always supported by hard-rock sounds that the album ends in a very nice way.

In summary, 'Lars Are Nedland' offers us a new project which is ultimately not so far from its two main projects in the approach because, in the same way as 'Borknagar', 'White Void' mixes different styles of music, the only component he removed being the black metal side which makes this new project much more accessible thanks also to melodic lines that integrate immediately...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Are Nedland (Vocal), Tobias Solbakk (Drums), Vegard Kummen (Bass), Elvind Marum (Guitar)


Artist : Tr3nte

Album : Aveugle et Sourd

Release Date : 15-03-2021

Added : 24-04-2021

'Tr3nte' is a French rock formation which released two good albums in the 2000s, 'Tr3nte' in 2004 and 'Vu du Ciel' in 2006, then, nothing for 15 years, each member of the group being busy with other projects, until this new opus 'Aveugle et Sourd' which relaunches the group and puts it back at the center of the French rock scene. They therefore took the time to refine the 11 compositions (the twelfth title is a cover of 'Libre comme l'air' with the participation of 'Danny Vaughn' from the group 'Tyketto') which smells good a direct and effective rock with lyrics always engaged by sifting through all the ills of our society.

And from the start, with 'Malfamé', we are caught up in a heavy mid-tempo which strikes us with a first stripping text, then, 'Libre comme l'air' continues with a chorus which is immediately grafted into the head and which is typical of an uncompromising French rock that goes straight to the point. With 'My Odyssey', the atmosphere is much quieter with a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad conducive to escape, then, 'Blind and Deaf' sends us a good dose of energy with tailor-made lyrics to trigger an electro-shock in each of us, just like the following title 'Disparu des radars' which through a new corrosive rock title that can remind those of 'Trust' at the end of the 70s. New welcome break with 'Autant' which is a mid-tempo with a heavy bass line, then 'How many Bridges' continues in a quieter atmosphere, the guitar riffs becoming much less aggressive, this time recalling certain titles from 'Téléphone' from the 80s, just like 'In the middle of the desert' which follows with a very nice guitar solo of 'Thierry Velly'. Follows the pop 'Tattoo Burger' which gives an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the addictive melody, then, 'Une toise et du temps' is the second semi-acoustic break, which brings a melancholy and endearing side just like the last title 'Rêve hors norme' which ends the album in a very beautiful way in a sensual atmosphere brought by the muted trumpet, the title 'Libre comme l'air' then being cover with the participation of 'Danny Vaughn' as we have already seen above.

In summary, this new album from the French of 'Tr3nte' is a very good surprise 2021 and takes us on a varied journey in French rock with compositions ranging from energetic rock to harmonious pop through very endearing semi-acoustic songs, which destines 'Blind and Deaf' to a public loving to mix different styles and which appreciates melodic lines that we immediately appropriate...

Line Up / Musicians

Stef Reb (Vocal), Thierry Velly (Guitar), William Fourmental (Bass), Fabrice Trovato (Drums)


Artist : Psychic Equalizer

Album : Revealed - Revealed II

Release Date : 19-03-2021

Added : 25-04-2021

'Psychic Equalizer' is a project of the Spanish classical pianist 'Hugo Selles' created in 2011 and who began to compose instrumental music in the field of background music emphasizing the piano. Over time, his project evolved towards the progressive and have come to be added different artists with, first of all, the Spanish keyboardist 'Adrian Ubiaga', the Australian singer 'India Hooi' and the Colombian guitarist 'Carlos Barragán' and 2019 saw the release of the album 'The Sixth Extinction' which was inspired by the book of 'Elizabeth Kolbert' and which put forward a progressive style borrowing from different styles of music, each artist bringing his influences, the result being a magnificent musical patchwork containing a long development 'Wilderness' mixing admirably classical, flamenco , jazz, rock and so on (if you like their new album, I also recommend you to listen to 'The Sixth Extinction').

The first 21-minute EP 'Revealed' was released in April 2020 and given the health crisis, they tweaked a second part which was released in March 2021, the link spotify that I created being the compilation of the two parts. 'Unveiled' (see video here ) opens the EP in a musical landscape slowly rising in intensity for deploy a marked and rapid rhythm in which we discover the characteristic singing of 'India Hooi' which brings a very particular freshness and with original instrumental interventions, then, complete change of scenery with 'Summer Clouds' which is a melancholic piano/voice ballad in the first part which takes us on a journey filled with calm and serenity with a slight final crescendo adding electric instruments and drums. With 'Away', the acoustic guitar with Andalusian accents of 'Carlos Barragán' delicately accompanies the celestial singing of 'India Hooi', then, without transition, the electric guitar of the introduction of 'Lost In The Universe' is reminiscent of the introductions of 'Van Halen' and 'India Hooi' completely change register to borrow the voice of 'Tarja', the 'Camerata Coral' ensemble from the University of Cantabria bringing an admirable vocal density in this energetic symphonic title. The EP ends smoothly with an acoustic cover of 'Lonely Soul' from 'The Sixth Extinction', the clean version of this track being very beautiful.

Now let's move on to 'Revealed II' which starts with 'The Astronomers' (see video here) which makes us go through all kinds of feelings, first of all with an instrumental introduction made of keyboard layers which prepares a first part removed which gives way to a refined piano/voice part preceding a section putting the electric instruments forward with a slow and heavy tempo which gradually gains momentum to become majestic and which ends with a rapid rise on the piano before ending on a calm section acoustic guitar / vocals which reminds me of the atmosphere of d'If' of the 'Floyds' : simply beautiful. With 'Destination Zero', the progressive side alternating different atmospheres is put forward again with variations of intensity and tempos making coexist in a very beautiful way the energetic electric sections and the acoustic parts on the piano filled with a palpable emotion, then, 'Something Hurts' makes us climb on a small cloud with a composition in crescendo in which the vocal performance of 'India Hooi' gives goosebumps and which has a refined final of any beauty. The second part offers us 'The Last Of Humankind' (see video above) with an extraordinary contrast between the soaring introduction brought by the soft sound of the flute and the continuation introduced by electric guitar riffs and an interspersed metal style by some bastringue piano notes which give way to a crazy section offering a mad tempo until a new solemn and powerful part in crescendo with a guitar solo that triggers me shivers of pleasure, the sung finale abruptly ending on the singing of 'India Hooi' rising in the treble : pure happiness ! Follows 'You Won't Have My Faith' which is still a very emotional track with nuances taking us from a purified section of any beauty to an intense rise in power to fall back into this wonderful duo in which the piano merges with the singing and the album ends with the airy 'Lament' with delicate vocals by 'India Hooi' and a masterful guitar solo by 'Carlos Barragán'.

In summary, this direction taken by the 'Psychic Equalizer' project is everything that thrills me in progressive music because 'Hugo Selles' has this talent to make such different styles coexist by merging them to obtain a result amazing and 'Revealed' should appeal to an audience loving progressive music mixing classical, symphonic, rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Hugo Selles (Keybords, Piano), India Hooi (Vocal, Flute), Adrian Ubiaga (Keybords), Carlos Barragán (Guitar) + Guest : James Knoerl (Drums)


Artist : Mustafa Khetty – Morpheus Project

Album : Mozaick

Release Date : 19-03-2021

Added : 26-04-2021

The 'Morpheus Project' is the work of the adopted Irishman of Sri Lankan origin 'Mustafa Khetty' who is a classical composer but who, thanks to his different places where he has lived, both in the East and in the West, forged himself a very broad musical culture which explains this magnificent album 'Mozaick' imbued with different influences that can be described as progressive world music. And if you want to penetrate the musical world of this artist, the best way is to enter it through this magnificent video which combines dance with his music and which shows this fusion between the two arts for a result of extraordinary strength with this astonishing musical mix between electric instruments and influences from all over the world between east and west.

'Rage Before The Storm' introduces the album in a relaxing atmosphere filled with multiple flavors where we can find scents of the East but also psychedelic influences of the beginning of 'Floyds', then, 'Shrill' brings an additional dose of progressive with successions of different soundscapes putting strings, a piano and electric instruments in turn and moving from classical atmospheres to jazz, the metal singer 'Onur Cobanoglu' being invited on this track. Then follows the instrumental 'Dancing With Elves' which begins solemnly with sounds of church organ and which takes off fairly quickly with a lively rhythm and electronic sounds supported by a guitar reminiscent of the sound of 'Carlos Santana' until the middle of the title which takes a completely different turn with a very calm part with an acoustic guitar which is joined by a piano and which gains momentum on the same theme with a rhythm section leading the dance and which falls back into the sweetness of a few piano notes. 'It's Who We are! Mozaick ', part of which served as the basis for the video described above, is the longest title and takes us on a journey, first of all, to exotic countries with sounds that 'Johnny Clegg' would not have denied, then, follows a patchwork of influences that intertwine with each other as we have already seen above. With 'Tomorrow Never Comes', we continue to travel the world with an oriental introduction highlighting traditional percussions, then, the electric instruments join the traditional instruments in a marked tempo in which 'Mustafa Khetty' offers us a very expressive vocal performance before a swaying instrumental section always led by an imaginative rhythm basis and which leaves room in the last third to a much quieter part. The end of the album features shorter but equally endearing compositions with first of all the ballad 'Waiting' with a remarkable new performance by 'Onur Cobanoglu', a ballad which gradually gains momentum for a final intense, then, 'Istanbul Swing', takes us on a delicious mix between oriental sounds and jazzy influences and we are not so far finally from the latino rock of 'Santana' with a characteristic guitar solo by in the second part and 'Nights to Remember' (see video here) offers several facets with an energetic introduction and a rather classic sung part bringing us back to melodic rock, the album ending in a very beautiful way with the instrumental 'Cry for Freedom' which is a classical piece introduced by a piano/cello duo joined by keyboards and magnificent aerial vocalizations and which has been and which was the subject of a video filled with a very special emotionici.

In summary, the 'Morpheus Project' of 'Maustafa Khetty' is still a great discovery 2021 and offers us a completely original facet in progressive music, bringing together music and musicians from the East and the West and as I often repeat, musical creation always offers beautiful things when it is multi-cultural because, from this union, projects are often born bringing some novelty that all progressive lovers are constantly looking for in their quest of new musical horizons...

Line Up / Musicians

Mustafa Khetty (Vocal) + Guests : Emircan Ünsev (Guitar, Keybords), Arda Keremoğlu (Guitar, Keybords), Arda Taner (Keybords, Piano), Berke Köymen (Drums), İrfan Keçebaşoğlu (Bass), Emirhan Üçkardaş (Guitar), Cem Ergunoğlu (Keybords), Onur Çobanoğlu (Vocal), Erkan Erzurumlu (Guitar), Onur Nar (Cello, Violin, Viola, Percussions), Burcu Arslantaş (Vocal), Gencay Kıymaz (Drums), Mehmet Özen (Bass), Gustavo Eiriz (Guitar, Violin), Sebastian Fahey (Keybords), Engin Ergen (Violin), Göksun Çavdar (Clarinette), Turgut Özüfler (Kanun), Türker Dinletir (Ney), Manual Villar (Sitar, Cello), Matias Chapiro (Piano), Zilan Küçükbalaban (Vocal)


Artist : Egor Lappo

Album : Trancevoicer

Release Date : 19-03-2021

Added : 27-04-2021

'Egor Lappo' is the project of Russian multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Egor Lappo' who has released two albums in the past three years ('Way Without Light' in 2018 et 'Azimuth' in 2019) and who qualifies his style as 'space prog-metal', I quote his page bandcamp : "Trancevoicer" is a space prog-metal concept album about two warring worlds. The story follows a renegade who decides to betray his home planet to save another one from occupation after cosmic catastrophe. Through his journey, other turncoats join him in pursuit of a detached but peaceful life. Both worlds reach the brink of destruction in the end: one from stubbornness, mistrust and solar flares, and another from possession, greed and wars". Musically, he puts forward cosmic keyboards supported by guitar riffs bringing power to his compositions, the whole being sprinkled with a good dose of progressive.

'The Renegade' which opens the bal is a good example of what awaits us on the whole of the opus with an introduction led by keyboards which fill the whole space and which are accompanied by a powerful rhythm section, the melodic lines being tame from the first listen and the singing of 'Egor Lappo' recalling artists of the 80s like 'Alan Parsons Project', the following title 'Dreamworld', dotted with electronic effects, continuing in this atmosphere and we say to ourselves that the metal tag, given the rather moderate style, is not necessarily appropriate for the few guitar riffs that accompany the keyboards but rather deserves the name of 'melodic space prog-rock'. The sequel scrolls through heady new melodies with 'Turncoat Allies', the sound being slightly more powerful, then, 'Contention' offers us an addicting chorus and 'The Mask of Kindness' continues in a very accessible melodic progressive. The second part of the album is like the beginning with a catchy pop 'Ship1426', the short cinematic instrumental 'Under the W' with spatial sounds taking us back to the 80s, then 'Sparks in the Nights' which is an energetic composition with always this well-balanced mix of dazzling keyboard sounds and a powerful rhythm section. When the atmosphere is calmer, 'On Such a Sad Note' takes us on a power ballad with a fairly classic but so effective guitar solo, the album ending with the mid-tempo 'With You' which delivers us a last melody whose chorus never leaves us.

In summary, this new album by Russian 'Egor Lappo' is very pleasant to listen to with very accessible melodies and omnipresent keyboards with sounds reminiscent of the synthesizers of the 80s supported by a powerful and modern rhythmic base, which intends 'Trancevoicer' to all fans of a catchy progressive rock that is quickly revealed from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Egor Lappo (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Imperia

Album : The Last Horizon

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 28-04-2021

We left 'Helena Iren Michaelsen' with her two solo albums released in 2020 (see myprogmusic review here) and 2021 sees the release of a new 'Imperia' studio recording, after the very good 'Flames of Eternity' in 2019. And for this last opus, the formation released a double album with 14 compositions for one hour and twelve minutes with a change of line up since with the two pillars of the group, the guitarist 'Jan Yrlund' and the singer 'Helena Iren Michaelsen', the drummer 'Steve Wolz' has been replaced by 'Merijn Mol' who has often performed with 'Jan Yrlund' in past projects, 'Gerry Verstreken' still being the bass player.

And from the first compositions of the first CD, we tell ourselves that this last baby of 'Imperia' starts in the best possible way with the melodic hit 'Dream Away' which brings us back to the best symphonic metal formations, Helena doing a first vocal performance noticed with its high-pitched vocalizations, then 'Starlight' (see video here) continues in a symphonic-folk atmosphere with a heady new melody that can recall the folk side of the Swiss of 'Eluveitie' then, the addictive mid-tempo 'To Valhalla I Ride' takes us on the side of ' Imperial Age ' with the lyrical song of Helena close to the two Russian female singers. A new hit 'Flower and the Sea' follows which delivers catchy melodic lines with an irresistible desire to jump to the rhythm of the chorus, then 'Blindfolded' continues in this radiant atmosphere with rhythmic alternations and power bringing a slight progressive side and 'While I Am Still Here' which follows (see video above), softens the point by offering us a magnificent power ballad in the tradition of 'Invisible Tears', 'Spirit Chase' or still 'Broken Wings'. The second CD offers us equally endearing compositions with the catchy 'Only a Dream' dotted with some growls as 'Alexander Krull' can do with 'Leaves' Eyes', the ballad 'Where Are You Now' which is similar to melodic compositions sung in solo by Helena, the only difference being the contribution of the power of electric instruments in the refrain, then, 'I Still Remember' is another ballad this time much more in the style of 'Imperia', powerful and melancholy and the title 'Dancing', which follows, brings, as its name suggests, a festive side with a marked rhythm that makes you want to dance to the rhythm of music and with Far Eastern sounds. It is again with a magnificent ballad, 'My Other Half', that Helena charms us with her lyrical voice in a theatrical and symphonic style, the melodic lines approaching classical opera, then, 'One Day' brings us back to catchy symphonic metal with a catchy mid-tempo and the album ends smoothly with, first of all, a melancholic semi-acoustic 'I Send You My Love' quite removed from the symphonic metal and then the magnificent cover acoustic piano/voice from 'Let Down' from the album 'Secret Passion' from 2011.

In summary, 'Imperia' offers us a sumptuous album with a good balance between catchy compositions and ballads (the second part of the album containing five) and with a singer at the top of her art who continues to enchant us in all styles; 'The Last Horizon' shows that the formation led by guitarist 'Jan Yrlund' certainly delivers one of the most successful albums of his career which should appeal to all those who love a varied and accessible symphonic metal and, for my part, I hope that they will have the opportunity in the coming months to be able to present it in public...

Line Up / Musicians

Helena Iren Michaelsen (Vocal), Jan Yrlund (Guitar), Gerry Verstreken (Bass), Merijn Mol (Drums)


Artist : Evanescence

Album : The Bitter Truth

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 29-04-2021

It's been ten years since Amy Lee 'had released a new studio recording, the last album 'Evanescence' dating from 2011. In the meantime, the Americans had offered us three albums, first of all the B sides of the singles 'Lost Whispers' in 2016, then orchestral covers of their various albums 'Synthesis' in 2017 and finally the live 'Synthesis Live'in 2018. Although they have built their worldwide reputation with 'Fallen' released in 2003 which included the two hits that went interplanetary with 'Bring Me To Life' and 'My Immortal', 'The Bitter Truth' is only the band's fourth album in 25 years and fans have therefore been waiting for this offering for quite a while years and we can say that with 'The Bitter Truth' they will certainly not be disappointed.

We therefore find this mix between rock and symphonic metal very accessible with melodies that we appropriate from the first listening and with electro contributions, everything being calibrated for radio passages, the compositions going straight to the point and not exceeding four minutes. Starting with the two titles 'Artifact / The Turn' and 'Broken Pieces Shine' which are one, the atmospheric introduction of the first leading to a typical song of the group, with a rhythm section that leads the danse, guitar riffs bringing the power and singing of 'Amy Lee' always so powerful and recognizable from the first bars. The whole is therefore divided between catchy hits that catch us from the first listen like 'The Game Is Over' (see video here), 'Feeding The Dark', 'Better Without You' (see video here) or 'Part of Me' quite close to what we knew from Evanescence but also more original compositions with the intoxicating 'Yeah Right' flirting with pop or even 'Take Cover' which highlights a section varied and more sought after rhythm. And when Amy's piano tickles us delicately and the atmosphere is more subdued, Americans also have this gift for remarkable mid-tempos and this latest album offers us two, 'Wasted On You' (see video here) and 'Blind Belief' without forgetting the refined ballad of the album 'Far From Heaven', in which 'Amy Lee' has this talent to move us, and which has nothing to envy to 'My Immortal'. Also note that 'Use My Voice' (video above) is a hymn so that everyone can give their opinion for more justice in the world and saw the participation of a group of female singers with among others, the two sisters from Amy, 'Carrie South' and 'Lori Lee Bulloch' and singer 'Sharon Den Adel' from 'Within Temptation'.

In summary, the Americans of 'Evanescence' return to the front of the stage with a very good album filled with effective and accessible compositions which destines' The Bitter Truth' to the general public which navigates between rock and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Amy Lee (Vocal, Keybords, Harp, Piano), Jen Majura (Guitar), Tim Mccord (Bass), Troy Mclawhorn (Guitar), Will Hunt (Drums) + Guests : Amy Mclawhorn (Vocal), Carrie South (Vocal), Deena Jakoub (Vocal), Lori Lee Bulloch (Vocal), Lzzy Hale (Vocal), Sharon Den Adel (Vocal), Taylor Momsen (Vocal), Lindsey Stirling (Violin)


Artist : A.C.T

Album : Heatwave

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 30-04-2021

After compilation 'Trifles And Pandemonium' released in 2016 and the very good EP 'Rebirth' in 2019, the Swedes of 'A.C.T' have decided to continue releasing small formats with a new EP called 'Heatwave' containing 6 tracks for 27 minutes of listening.

We thus find this progressive style always very festive with accessible melodic lines and, after a short introduction made of sound effects of insects and birds, 'Checked Out' takes us into this playful style of the Swedes with a first title which mixes pleasantly funky atmosphere with unbridled instrumental sections and with rhythmic changes bringing this good dose of progressive, then, the cheerful 'Brother' continues in this warm and joyful atmosphere with beautiful alternations between catchy parts and others calmer. 'Dark Clouds' is the ballad break which offers us fairly classic melancholic melodic lines and which, even if it appears as the most conventional title of the album, is very pleasant to listen to because it is filled with a beautiful emotion, then, with the eponymous title of the album, we come back to authentic 'ACT' with a playful composition and with beautiful vocal harmonies that can recall certain atmospheres of 'Queen' and 'The Breakup' ends the EP with a beautiful progressive saga of almost 8 minutes, alternating different intensities and rhythms and which offers a remarkable symphonic and intense final runaway.

In summary, 'ACT' releases a very pleasant EP to listen to and which could be added to the last EP to form a complete album because it is in the logical continuation of 'Rebirth' and if you do not know this formation yet and that you like a progressive rock emphasizing the melodic and festive side, you should be conquered by the last two EP of the Swedes...

Line Up / Musicians

Herman Saming (Vocal), Jerry Sahlin (Vocal, Keybords, Vocoder), Ola Andersson (Vocal, Guitar), Peter Asp (Bass, Keybords), Thomas Lejon (Drums)


Artist : Cosmograf

Album : Rattrapante

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 01-05-2021

The frequency of releases of albums of 'Robin Armstrong' with his project 'Cosmograf' does not weaken and after the magnificent 'Mind over Depth' in 2019, here is his new baby 'Rattrapante' and for this time he was inspired by the functionality on some watches from luxury, the 'rattrapante' (in French) which is a other second hand in addition to the primary second hand for calculating intermediate times or timing two events in parallel of short duration. Therefore, the theme of the album revolves around time and I quote Robin : " ‘Rattrapante’ is Cosmograf’s eighth album and is a collection of 5 songs about our interaction with time; we measure it, but yet waste it more, it defines our existence and forms our memories. Some seek to beat it by being the first or the fastest and some can appear to outlive time itself through their achievements…". Musically, you who liked the previous English opus, you will not be disoriented by 'Rattrapante' because it contains all the ingredients of these previous albums with long progressive developments since it offers us 5 compositions for 50 minutes of listening .

It is in a 'Floydian' atmosphere that the first track welcomes us with an atmospheric introduction which suddenly explodes after two minutes and a cry which asks you: "Are you ready ?" which recalls the atmospheres of 'The Wall' and which continues in an energetic section with the powerful singing of Robin which occupies all the space and which gives this remarkable impression of urgency, then here and there, the instrumental interventions mix of a remarkable way of Western and Eastern sounds, the whole recounting the significant events of 1985 which ends with an alarming observation: "Live Aid has disappeared but famine is raging, it is raging ... and Bowie and Freddie are gone " : a strong composition in every sense of the word ! The eponymous title of the album is more classic but just as pleasant to listen to with a catchy rhythm, heady melodic lines and magnificent solos, first of all of guitar in which all the notes stand out very clearly and of keyboards with sounds taking us back to the 70s / 80s and which offers in the second part a more progressive atmosphere with a spoken part with sound effects then again in a quieter tempo a new guitar solo with 'Floydian' backing vocals to return to the ending with the starting theme. With 'I Stick to You' (see video above), 'Chrissy Mostyn' ('The Blackheart Orchestra') who has been invited for the occasion, brings a feminine touch filled with emotion in this title which gives off a sweet melancholy in a captivating atmosphere, then, 'Memories Lie' is a magnificent ballad in which you let yourself be completely carried away and which is in the great tradition of formations that I particularly like 'RPWL' or 'Mystery' or even 'Millenium'. And since all good things come to an end, 'Time Will Flow' remarkably closes the album with a long development that takes us on a journey through a progressive labyrinth that in turn highlights imaginative instrumental parts, of the narration performed by the Scottish 'Tommy McNally' which fits perfectly into the music and very expressive sung sections of Robin, the whole savoring itself like good wine that is slowly sipped to better appreciate each sip.

In summary, 'Robin Armstrong' continues to enchant us release after release and 'Rattrapante' is another perfect illustration of this which will undoubtedly make it one of the best 2021 releases in the field of progressive and which makes that this latter baby of the English should certainly join the ideal discotheque among many lovers of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Chrissy Mostyn (Vocal), Kyle Fenton (Drums, Choirs), Tommy McNally (Voice)


Artist : Metalite

Album : A Virtual World

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 02-05-2021

The Swedes of 'Metalite' are back with a new album 'A Virtual World', after 'Heroes In Time' in 2017 and 'Biomechanicals' in 2019. No surprise for this new opus, we find an electro power metal with addictive melodies that we have the impression that they have always been part of our life and each title could be the subject of a single. We are therefore embarked on energetic compositions in which the rhythm section is unleashed and this from the first tracks with the eponymous title of the album which sends us a first heady chorus followed by an impetuous 'Cloud Connected' and 'Talisman' which continues to titillate our eardrums with a new refrain which will never let you go. And in some compositions the Swedes have this talent of mixing electro pop with metal like in 'Beyond The Horizon' which, given the melodic lines, could be a metal version of what their compatriots 'ABBA' have could do in a much quieter style, with compositions like 'The Vampire Song', 'Artificial Intelligence', 'Alone' or even 'Synchronized'.

In short, this new Swedish album of 'Metalite' is a continuation of the previous opus and, even if the compositions are generally formatted in the same mold, we spend a pleasant time listening to these melodies that we assimilate at the first listen and which offer this original mix between electro pop and power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Erica Ohlsson (Vocal), Edwin Premberg (Guitar), Robert Örnesved (Guitar), Robert Majd (Bass), Lea Larsson (Drums)


Artist : Gaëlle Buswel

Album : Your Journey

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 03-05-2021

'Gaëlle Buswel' is a French singer and guitarist who made a name for himself almost ten years ago with his first album 'Yesterday's Shadow' which was acoustic and since then, two albums have been released with 'Black to Blue' in 2014 in which the electric guitar made its appearance and 'New Day's Waiting' in 2017. In addition, Gaëlle assumed the first parts of international groups as diverse as 'Status Quo' ou 'Beth Hart' or even of 'Ringo Star' and collected a lot of reward including that of finalist at the European Blues Union' in Denmark in 2017. 2021 sees the release of her new baby with her formation made up of talented musicians and which shows that the Frenchwoman is at the top of her form with this new opus filled with remarkable compositions certainly even more rock than in the past but without also forgetting that " all the music comes from the blues " and whichmakes 'Your Journey', as its name suggests, a beautiful journey between blues and rock. So we embark on 11 compositions all as effective as each other starting with direct and energetic rock and this from the start with the eponymous title of the album with a powerful and catchy rhythm and choirs that give a crazy desire to accompany them, 'Last Day' not being outdone with its swaying tempo and heady chorus, just like the title that follows 'All You Gotta Do' and its guitar riffs starting automatically the feet tapping machine accompanying a high-level vocal performance by Gaëlle. In the same style, we can also mention 'Perfect Foil' with its remarkable very refined part in the middle of the title and the energetic 'Louder', classic but so effective. And when the lights are dimmed and the music is softer, we savor blues compositions like the magnificent 'Razor's Edge' or the sensual 'What Might Have Been' in which Gaëlle touches the stars and has nothing to envy to the best blues singers or the mid-tempo 'Promise' in a style close to the 70s with formations like 'Eagles', without forgetting the ballads 'A Rose Without A Thorn' or 'Just Like The Wind' or even 'Perfect Lullaby' which closes the album and which make us all climb on a small cloud.

In summary, with 'Your Journey', 'Gaëlle Buswel' undoubtedly offers us her most accomplished album to date and, even if she will certainly not have the honors of French radio stations, and it is Too bad, it has now taken a good place in the musical landscape of blues and rock, like other French artists (I am thinking in particular of 'Laura Cox' or 'Tr3nte' band who have just released a new album) which show that France has talents capable of competing with international artists in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Gaëlle Buswel (Vocal, Guitar), Jb Petri (Bass), Laurian Daire (Keybords), Michaal Benjelloun (Guitar, Sitar, Mandolin), Steve Belmonte (Drums)


Artist : Odd Dimension

Album : The Blue Dawn

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 04-05-2021

'Odd Dimension' is an Italian progressive metal formation that is already around twenty years old but has only released two albums 'Symmetrical' and ' The Last Embrace to Humanity' in 2013 and since, nothing more until 'The Blue Dawn' released at the end of March 2021 and which is a concept album that plunges us into a science fiction story, I quote the words of the group : " two space travellers – Markus and Eloise – involved in a deviation from their original path caused by the attacks of an unknown population that makes them land on a new planet then called ‘The Blue Planet’ where they’ll have to struggle to live, to the point of creating an army with the very matter of that planet to help them restore order and save their children, who will eventually mix with the hosts created by them, generating a new race.". In addition to the singer of the group 'Jan Manenti', they called on three other artists including 'Roberto Tiranti' from 'Labyrinth' as well as two female singers 'Aileen' and 'Eliana Parodi', to flesh out the vocal register and the 'Dreamhater' keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian' was invited on the eponymous track of the album.

After the atmospheric instrumental introduction 'Mission n ° 773' which sets the scene for this saga, 'Landing On Axtradel' takes us on a long impactful instrumental part brought by the sounds of electronic keyboards and it is only in the second part of the title that we discover the very expressive and powerful vocals of 'Jan Manenti', the whole showing a resolutely progressive face with many changes of rhythm and intensity, then, 'The Invasion' continues in a progressive made of rhythmic breaks but with marked influences of hard-rock from the 70s with magnificent guitar solos. Change of scenery with 'Escape to Blue Planet' (see video above) which calms the ardor of the first titles and which takes us for the first half in a power ballad with the participation of 'Simona Aileen' responding to 'Jan Manenti', then, the tempo accelerates for an unbridled instrumental part with beautiful guitar and keyboards solos to end with a remarkable decrescendo part returning to the starting theme. 'Solar Wind' is then a short acoustic break in which, violin and piano form a very beautiful duo, then, 'Life Creators' continues with the certainly the least progressive composition of the album with a beautiful melody that we appropriate immediately. Then comes the masterpiece 'The Blue Dawn' which delivers us 10 minutes of original progressive with a fairly soft first part but which, after three minutes, evolves into powerful hard-rock which takes us back a new time to the seventies and then we follow. offers remarkable and varied instrumental sections in which each member of the group brings their stone to the building, the end of the title returning to the more relaxed atmosphere of the beginning. With 'Sands of Yazukia', the progressive side is still very present with beautiful alternations of intensities and tempos and with beautiful vocal performances, first of all from 'Simona Aileen' and on the end of 'Jan Manenti', then 'Flags Of Victory' softens the subject in a melodic and epic composition with a remarkable new vocal trio, 'Eliana Parodi', 'Roberto Tiranti' and 'Jan Manenti' and with a magnificent final guitar solo. The album ends in a beautiful way with 'The Supreme Being' which, apart from a robotic voice is entirely instrumental and continues to alternate different atmospheres with first, progressive metal close to 'Dream Theater', then after, a slower part with a 'Floydian' guitar solo and a refine finish with a piano that churns out a few notes.

In summary, the Italians of 'Odd Dimension' release a rich and varied album that mixes rock and progressive metal and which, like any good album of this type, improves itself listening after listening and offers on the one hand very beautiful vocal performances and on the other hand original and brilliant instrumental parts...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Manenti (Vocal), Gianmaria Saddi (Guitar), Gabriele Ciaccia (Keybords), Gigi Andreone (Bass, Voice), Marco Lazzarini (Drums) + Guests : Aileen (Vocal), Daniela Caschetto (Cello), Eliana Parodi (Vocal), Damien Dell'Amico (Voice), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Roberto Tiranti (Vocal)


Artist : Chris Antblad

Album : Age Of Concord IV

Release Date : 31-03-2021

Added : 05-05-2021

We can no longer follow the album releases of 'Chris Antblad' because the last album reviewed on myprogmusic was the third chapter of 'Age Of Concord' and this not even a year ago but, in the meantime, the Swedish has also released two more albums in 2020, first 'Age Of Concord - Quarantine' in August 2020 which was a fully instrumental album with sweet and melancholic compositions to listen to in a quiet place to relax then, 'Age Of Concord – America' in November 2020 which offered us magnificent melodies in the style we knew in 'Age Of Concord III' with endearing titles which gives this impression of having always been a part of our life and that we immediately appropriate. So, just 5 months later, Chris releases another new baby which is the fourth chapter of 'Age Of Concord' and which contains seven singles that the Swede has released since the end of 2020 but also original compositions.

With this new opus, we find these tailor-made melodies to make us spend a very pleasant moment between pop, blues, rock, and country in the great tradition of artists of the 80s and this from the first title 'I Just Need to Know' with a first heady chorus that immediately grafts itself into our heads. So we embark on a new peaceful musical journey where "all is order and beauty, Luxury, calm and pleasure" in which we completely abandon ourselves whether on catchy tracks like 'Breaking Away from the Herd' or 'The White Man's Overbite' or 'Mr Primeminister' or 'Love Was Never Lost Along The Way' or even 'Summer Has Finally Come' with a few more intense guitar riffs, but also more relaxed atmospheres with for example 'A Summer That Won't End' or 'Everyone Knows' or 'The Days' or even 'Song For My M'. By the way, I did not tell you, other singles are also available which are not in this last opus with 'Faded Pictures', 'The Teremana Song', I'm Not Afraid to Come Closer' and 'Not Today'.

In short, it is still a very beautiful album that 'Chris Antblad' offers us with this talent to offer us compositions all as endearing as each other and with this ability to chain close releases and, you who love beautiful melodies mixing pop, rock, blues or country, I advise you to listen to these last albums and there is a good chance that you will become a fan of this Swede who does not seek notoriety by self-producing these albums and who, for my share, makes me spend very pleasant moments of listening to each release of album...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Antblad (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Avaland

Album : Theater Of Sorcery

Release Date : 02-04-2021

Added : 06-05-2021

In the field of metal operas, we know the great productions of 'Ayreon' from 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen', of 'Therion' from 'Christofer Johnsson' or these of 'Avantasia' from 'Tobias Sammet' or still of French 'Julien Tournoud' with the project 'Amon Sethis'. And now, we will also have to reckon with the new French project of keyboardist and singer 'Adrien G. Gzagg' (who is also one of Amon Sethis' keyboardist), named 'Avaland' and which arrived on our decks at the beginning of April 2021. 'Adrien G. Gzagg' is from Grenoble just like 'Julien Tournaud' and it is certainly no coincidence that this first album 'Theater Of Sorcery' is born. And to do this, he put on a marvellous spread to offer us a very high quality metal opera with all the ingredients that we want to find in this kind of production, starting with an impressive cast of singers with among others 'Zaher Zorgati' from 'Myrath', 'Zak Stevens' from 'Savatage' and 'Circle II Circle' or the female singer 'Madie' 'Nightmare' but also the guitarist 'Stéphan Forté' from 'Adagio'.

From the eponymous title of the album (see video above), we are taken into an energetic melodic power metal composition which is similar to the 'Avantasia' project with magnificent vocal arrangements, 'Emmanuelson' by a href='https://open.spotify.com/artist/0R7Gm5z32NOYcpwScO1JSh?si=A1QUULquRvqm7JjkecYmyA' target='_blank'>'Rising Steel' giving us a remarkable performance and with a rich orchestration, keyboards taking a good place to tie everything together and the short guitar solo at the end of the title whetting us appetite for the rest. With 'Gypsum Flower' we hold the longest title and for me the masterpiece of the album with, a succession of very varied sections alternating intensities and tempos bringing a progressive side, a chorus that is grafted forever in your head and a trio of singers well chosen by their vocal palette quite different from each other, then, 'Let The Wind Blow', more classic in the approach remains nonetheless melodic and offers us the first performance of a singer, the Frenchwoman 'Heli Andrea' of the project 'Mobius' and as to 'Storyteller', which follows, it's heavy stuff with an unleashed rhythmic and with the vocal duo formed by 'Adrien G. Gzagg' and 'Zak Stevens' which works perfectly. What follows continues in an epic and symphonic style with the catchy 'Escape to Paradise' which has a heady refrain that we can already see singing by a whole audience, an energetic 'Holy Kingdom of Fools' whose chorus no has nothing to envy to its predecessor, then, 'Never Let Me Walk Alone' takes us back a few decades with melodic hard-rock which highlights the duo 'Madie'/'Adrien G. Gzagg' and 'Deja-Vu', more linear melodically, nevertheless remains very catchy thanks to its catchy rhythm. It is with 'I'll Be Ready for Your Love' that we hold the ballad and, what a ballad (added directly in my playlist of 'rock/hard-rock/metal ballads') in which 'Heli Andrea' offers us a very nice vocal performance in the second part joined by 'Adrien G . Gzagg', then 'War Of Minds', less direct than the other titles and more in the vein of an 'Arjen Lucassen' with a progressive side, highlights the remarkable vocal duo 'Madie'/'Zaher Zorgati', the album ending in apotheosis with an epic 'Rise From The Ashes' (see video here) in which the majority of singers are gathered like any metal opera worthy of the name. By the way, I did not tell you about the theme of the album which is the the story of a young sorcerer who could bring the light back in the kingdom of Avaland, and he have to learn to control his powers, powers linked to the Storm.

In summary, we can now say that French power metal is doing very well in 2021 and this latest album by 'Adrien G. Gzagg' is further proof of this with a completely admirable metal opera which should please all lovers of melodic power metal inspired by the projects mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrien G. Gzagg (Vocal, Keybords, Orchestrations), Christophe Feutrier (Guitar, Choirs), Lucas Martinez (Guitar), Camille Souffron (Bass, Bass), Léo Mouchonay (Drums, Choirs) + Guests : Emmanuelson (Vocal, chœurs), Ralph Scheepers (Vocal), Zaher Zorgati (Vocal), Heli Andrea (Vocal, Choirs), Jeff Kanji (Vocal, Choirs), Zak Stevens (Vocal), Madie (Vocal), Ricky Marx (Guitar), Stephan Forté (Guitar), Ayman Mokdad (Guitar), Virgile (Guitar), Yves Campion (Choirs), Cara (Choirs)


Artist : Cheap Trick

Album : In Another World

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 07-05-2021

The French adage "the best soups are made in old pots" is well suited to the Americans of 'Cheap Trick' because apart from the little 40 year old 'Daxx Nielsen' on drums who replaced 'Bun E. Carlos' in 2010, the other three members total, at the time of writing this column, exactly 210 years old and continue to release albums. After 'Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello ' in 2016, ' We're all Alright! ' and 'Christmas Christmas' in 2017, it is with a slight delay completely independent of their will, health crisis obliges, that our confined evenings come to cheer up this last offering 'In Another World' after a first single released already 3 years ago ('The Summer Looks Good On You'). And with each release, year after year (this opus is the twentieth), we tell ourselves that they will perhaps calm down their ardors but, nay, it's still an album full of good energy that they have been transmitting to us since now more than 40 years with melodies which immediately take us away and which are grafted directly into our head. Certainly, some compositions are more relaxed than at the beginning but all as addictive with blues/rock mid-tempos which automatically start the machine to tapping the foot like 'Another World' or 'Final Days' or 'Passing Through' or still 'Gimme Some Truth' (cover of 'John Lennon') and they also offer us beautiful ballads with 'So It Goes' or 'I'll See You Again' but, as regards the more energetic tracks, if you are not sensitive to the catchy 'The Summer Looks Good On You', the 'Beatlesian' 'Quit Waking Me Up', 'Boys & Girls & Rock N Rol' close to the 'Stones', the heady 'The Party' (and yes the party is never over with them) or the catchy 'Light Up The Fire' or the muscular cover of 'Another World', then, you can go your way, and for the others, for short , I will simply say : have fun !! by consuming this latest offering from the Americans without any moderation, because at this moment we really need a little lightness and good humor...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Zander (Vocal, Guitar), Rick Nielsen (Guitar, Choirs), Tom Petersson (Bass), Daxx Nielsen (Drums)


Artist : FM

Album : Tough It Out Live

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 08-05-2021

After a very good 'Synchronized' in 2020, the English of 'FM' return to the front of melodic hard-rock with a live released at the beginning of April 2021 which is close to two hours and which was recorded before the period of musical fast that our dear governments have inflicted on us . 'Tough It Out Live' of course refers to the album of the same name, whose 30th anniversary this concert celebrates with a full cover of the original version from 1989 in the first CD. For anyone who remembers this period, the English 'Def Leppard' had already released their 4th album and their compatriots from 'FM' were starting their careers and have been really known with the release of 'Tough It Out' which is now considered as a reference melodic hard-rock album from this prosperous period of this style and we therefore embark on the time machine with all these titles which have become timeless and which are always very pleasant to listen to. And to continue our journey, they offer us a second half of concert with a sample of more or less known compositions but which all have this point in common, to have a good time listening to these addictive melodies that we are Appropriate immediately and whose refrains titillate our neurons and put a smile on our lips and this, whether the style is energetic or quieter because the English also have this talent for calmer moments close to AOR music. In short, no need to add more, this last opus of 'FM' is a remarkable concert to be consumed without moderation and an essential live for any lover or any lover of good melodic hard-rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal), Jem Davis (Keybords), Jim Kirkpatrick (Guitar), Merv Goldsworthy (Bass), Pete Jupp (Drums)


Artist : Nad Sylvan

Album : Spiritus Mundi

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 09-05-2021

After 'The Bride Said No' from 2017 and 'The Regal Bastard' in 2019 which did not leave me an unforgettable memory (I might have to reinject me a small dose !), 'Nad Sylvan' took part in the magnificent live of 'Steve Hackett', 'Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith' and 2021 sees the release of a new opus from the Swede, 'Spiritus Mundi' which for me is a very endearing album in this particular style which brings us to the progressive of the 70s and whose title 'Spiritus Mundi' is a " Latin term that literally means, 'world spirit'. In Spiritus Mundi, there is, according to 'William Butler Yeats', 'a universal memory' and a 'muse' of sorts that provides inspiration to the poet or writer. To Yeats, 'Spiritus Mundi' is the source of all 'images' and 'symbols', a 'collective unconscious'. " (retrieved from Study.com here).

'The Second Coming' welcomes us with a voice recounting the words of Yeats in a symphonic section which after a 1.30 gives way to an acoustic guitar/voice quiet part to which then join the drums and the bass with two luxury guests, the two members of 'The Flower Kings', 'Jonas Reingold' and 'Mirkko Demaio', reminding me, even if the voice of 'Nad Sylvan' is quite far from that of 'Ian Anderson', the moods of 'Jethro Tull', then, 'Sailing to Byzantium' is a magnificent progressive crescendo in which we are literally carried away to fall back into a peaceful end. Follows 'Cap and Bells' with an addictive melody that delicately caresses you, always in a very calm atmosphere and conducive to escape, the singing of 'Nad Sylvan' actively participating in this sweet sensation and the short 'The Realists' continues in this way with an acoustic title in which the dry guitar brings this delicate side before the very beautiful 'The Stolen Child' (see video here) with a catchy rhythm that takes us back to the 70s and to the 'Genesis' albums. We continue with an even more refined title, the guitar/voice acoustic ballad 'To An Isle In The Water' embellished by some choirs and keyboard notes in which reverie is at its peak, then, 'The Hawk' (see video here), although still very calm, is more catchy and gives us a final with a melody which never leaves you and which gives an irresistible desire to accompany the choirs. After the short, uncluttered acoustic interlude 'The Witch and The Mermaid', 'The Fisherman' (see video above) slowly deploys an addictive melody in a catchy rhythm which makes it one of my favorites of the album with beautiful vocal sections shared between 'Nad Sylvan' and 'Andrew Laitres', an instrumental part in the middle of the title with a magnificent guitar solo and which ends the edition without the bonuses, because the Spotify version adds both bonuses, first of all 'You've Got To Find A Way' which continues in the previous mood of 'The Fisherman' and finally 'To A Child Dancing In The Wind' which ends this beautiful album with delicious acoustics by highlighting a last time the vocal duo Sylvan/Laitres accompanied by the guitar of 'Steve Hackett' and which has a hidden part after 5 37 minutes with a new acoustic guitar/voice duo.

In summary, this latest album from 'Nad Sylvan' is a very good surprise 2021 which takes us on a magnificent poetic, delicate and melodious journey, a style which perfectly matches the personality that the Swede exudes, and which should appeal to an audience loving calm atmospheres in progressive style that we savor quietly with headphones on ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Andrew Laitres (Vocal), Kiwi Te Kanna (Hautbois, Flute), Steve Piggot (Guitar) + Guests : Steve Hackett (Guitar), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Tony Levin (Bass), Mirkko Demaio (Drums)


Artist : The Treatment

Album : Waiting for Good Luck

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 10-05-2021

After 'Power Crazy' dating from 2019, the English of 'The Treatment' are back with a new opus 'Waiting for Good Luck' which continues the all traced route of the previous opus with the singer 'Tom Rampton' who makes us relive the time of the 48 minutes of the opus a certain 'Bon Scott' who could have been still here if he had tried rehab in the 80s. The least that we can say, 'The Treatment' does not do the job half but sends us heavy throughout this opus starting with a 'Rat Race' (see video above) with sharp guitar riffs and which could be a clever mix between 'AC/DC' and 'Def Leppard' at the beginning of the 80s. And it continues in the same vein with titles all as effective as each other like 'Take It Or Leave It' with a rythmic to take down yourself the head by dint of headbanging, or 'Lightning In A Bottle', which follows, without being outdone with its heavy rhythm and its formidably efficient riffs, just before a huge Vampress' which makes us still raise the heart rate. No break in the following titles which follow the same pattern with each one as addictive tempos as the others, with the mid-tempo 'Eyes on You' tagged hard-rock/blues or 'No Way Home' that would not be deny by 'Francis Rossi' or by the late 'Rick Parfitt' as well as 'Hold Fire' or even 'Tough Kid' with its introduction making us slowly increase the pressure with happiness to send us very sharp riffs while keeping beautiful alternations of intensity. And you have to reach 10th track to be able to catch your breath with 'Barman' who sweats a good heavy blues/rock from the 70s that will put you in shape for a whole day, the rest of the album offering us two last addictive compositions 'Let's Make Money' with its chorus to resume at the top of our voice and 'Wrong Way' (see video here), less dynamic but still as melodic, the last track being an acoustic cover of 'Barman' with a wonderful bastringue piano.

In short, no need for long speeches, this last album of the English of 'The Treatment' is a condensed of pure energy to be consumed without moderation and if you like the very famous formations of the 70s/80s of from 'AC/DC' to 'Def Leppard' passing by 'Status Quo', 'Aerosmith' or even 'Scorpions', go ahead and listen to 'Waiting for Good Luck'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Rampton (Vocal), Tao Grey (Guitar, Bass), Tagore Grey (Guitar), Andy Milburn (Bass), Dhani Mansworth (Drums)


Artist : The End Machine

Album : Phase 2

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 11-05-2021

'The End Machine' is a great group formed initially of three members of the heavy metal group of the 80s 'Dokken', guitarist 'George Lych' who then reformed 'Lynch Mob' in the 90s, bassist 'Jeff Pilson' and drummer 'Mick Brown' who was also in the 'Lynch Mob' adventure and the lineup is completed by 'Robert Mason' on vocals who was also part of 'Lynch Mob'. After a first album in 2019 ('The End Machine'), Mick leaves his place on drums to his brother Steve and 2021 sees the release of a new album 'Phase 2'. This new opus contains 12 compositions which obviously bring us back to the 70s/80s and 'Dokken' in a hard-rock style that one could qualify as classic and with accessible melodic lines.

Everything is therefore done to have a great time and after the short appetizer 'Rising' in which 'George Lynch' shows that he has not lost any of his superb, 'Blood and Money' (see video above) tumbles and sends us back to the best hard-rock of the 80s with a fast rhythm and a chorus filled with choirs that we want to accompany, the guitar solo of Mr 'George Lynch' being a pure moment of happiness, then 'We Walk Alone', in a more relaxed atmosphere, offers us a heavy mid-tempo that we hammer in time with our foot and our head before the melodic 'Dark Divide' (see video < a href='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5bElYu-KlsY' target= '_blank'>here), less energetic and reminding me of some calmer titles from 'Deep Purple' in the 70s. The album continues with three compositions 'Crack The Sky' (see video here), 'Prison or Paradise' and 'Plastic Heroes' which have that right balance between hard-rock and rock and which all have melodies that immediately graft themselves into the head, then, 'Scars' is a blues/rock ballad , certainly classic but very enjoyable and, then, it is off again for a vigorous 'Shine Your Light' with changes of tempo which put forward a very effective rythmic section of 'Steve Brown', the album ending with, first of all , two mid-tempos, 'Devil's Playground' with a remarkable bass line conducive to the headbang and 'Born Of Fire' with a heady chorus that 'Robert Mason' sings admirably and finally with the enticing 'Destiny' with the marked rhythm which sums up that catchy melodic hard-rock style of the entire album nicely.

In summary, the Americans of 'The End Machine' are releasing a second quality album that takes us back to the golden age of hard rock of the 70s/80s and which, thanks to talented artists, offers us a pleasant moment of listening with varied compositions offering melodic lines accessible to the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Mason (Vocal, Choirs), George Lynch (Guitar), Jeff Pilson (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Steve Brown (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Liv Kristine

Album : Have Courage Dear Heart

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 12-05-2021

After being ousted from the formation 'Leaves 'Eyes' in 2016, the Norwegian 'Liv Kristine' had not released a solo album but continued to be active with, among other things, participations in other projects with, for example, recording 'Mankind' with 'Glassgod' or the invitation of her sister, singer of 'Middnatsol', on the last album of the gothic metal band 'The Afternath' from 2018 but also created a new project in 2020, 'Coldbound', with a first single 'Slumber of Decay' released in February 2021. Its last solo album is already from 2014 with 'Vervain' and she continued to collaborate with guitarist 'Tommy Olsson' with result, this new EP, 'Have Courage Dear Heart', which contains 5 tracks including 'Skylight', released as a single in 2019 and of which a very nice acoustic version of 'Skylight Cathedral' is present on this record, the other three tracks being the leading 'Serenity' with the expressive vocals of Liv which always brings as much authenticity and freshness, then, the ballad 'Have Courage Dear Heart' in crescendo with a remarkable rhythm section which gradually petit is gaining momentum, and finally, a second ballad, 'Gravity' in which we let ourselves be lulled by the bewitching song of the Norwegian. Note that there is a version (currently not available on Spotify) which adds five live tracks recorded in 2019 to 'Nagold' including 'Schubert' Ave Maria '.

In short, despite a short duration (normal for an EP), 'Have Courage Dear Heart' allows us to wait until the release of a new album by this charismatic singer who is equally at ease in Gothic metal than in quieter atmospheres in which she always exudes real emotion...

Line Up / Musicians

Liv Kristine (Vocal), Tommy Olsson (Guitar)


Artist : Yes

Album : From A Page

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 13-05-2021

'From A Page' by 'Yes' is not a new album because it has been released in October 2019 but it appeared quite late in digital and also contains the reissue of the concert 'In the Present - Live from Lyon' dating from 2011 and which had been given on December 1, 2009 in Lyon at the 'Bourse du Travail'. Regarding the 'From A Page' part, these are five compositions (including two versions of 'To The Moment') that had been written in the late 2000s when the band's line up saw quite a few changes, between the health problems of 'Jon Anderson' replaced by 'Benoît David' and the departure of 'Rick Wakeman' replaced by 'Oliver Wakeman' and these compositions written and composed at that time (all by 'Oliver Wakeman' except 'The Gift of Love' which is a collegiate title) never saw the light of day in a studio recording of 'Yes'.

'To The Moment' begins the mini album with the single version but it is the long version which is the most interesting with more full instrumental parts and which correspond well to the moods of 'Yes' and we are struck by the voice of 'Benoît David' who was really the best replacement for 'Jon Anderson', then, 'Words On A Page' is a magnificent ballad in a stripped down atmosphere that we are not used to hearing in the group's repertoire with a guitar solo highlighting the magnificent feeling of 'Steve Howe'. Follows 'From the Turn of a Card', which appeared on the album 'Ravens & Lullabies' from 'Gordon Giltrap' and 'Oliver Wakeman' and which offers us a sort of ritornello with a heady melody, 'Oliver Wakeman' having rewritten a piano score bringing a certain sweetness and lightness to this beautiful title , then, the masterpiece 'The Gift Of Love' is a long composition that takes us into a progressive maze with endearing melodic lines and very beautiful vocal arrangements.

Regarding the concert, it is already known but takes us back for a moment in one of the prosperous periods of 'Yes' at the end of the 2000s with more than two intense hours, the end of the set list comprising, after the interplanetary hit 'Owner of a Lonely Heart', five long developments that border on an hour on their own.

In summary, more than a new album, this digital version of 'From A Page' will allow those who have not had the chance to listen to the CD or Vinyl version to discover a period of the long history of 'Yes' and which gives us the opportunity to hear again this legendary group which has become an undisputed reference in the progressive rock of the last 50 years, their last live release being the remarkable 'The Royal Affair Tour (Live in Las Vegas) ' in 2020...

Line Up / Musicians

Benoît David (Vocal), Steve Howe (Guitar, Vocal), Chris Squire (Bass, Vocal), Oliver Wakeman (Keybords, Vocal), Alan White (Drums)


Artist : Imelda May

Album : 11 Past The Hour

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 14-05-2021

Irish 'Imelda May' returns with a new album '11 Past The Hour' after 'Life Love Flesh Blood' in 2017 and, despite still being associated with rockabilly artists in spotify like 'LeeRocker' or the 'Stray Cats', after her debut, she took other musical directions and this latest opus still takes us on a magnificent journey between sensuality and energy with 11 varied compositions just as endearing each other.

The title song (see video above) begins this album in a subdued atmosphere with a heady first melody that rocks us to the sound of Imelda's sensual voice, then, 'Breathe' continues in this atmosphere with a beautiful symphonic ballad in a magnificent crescendo, the instruments of the orchestra bringing a certain force. With 'Made To Love' in which guitarist 'Ronnie Wood' was invited (who is still active with the 'Stones') and female activists 'Gina Martin' and Dr 'Shola Mos-Shogbamimu' (see video a href='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s0J4Bgic1a8' target='_blank'>here), the rhythm picks up for a catchy track with a melody that never leaves you, then, 'Different Kinds of Love', after a refined introduction, slowly increases in intensity for end in a kind of happy Gospel, and 'Diamonds' is a new beautiful and refined ballad enveloped by a piano, a light bass and some percussions bringing a very particular sweetness. In the same register, follows 'Don't Let Me Stand on My Own' in which the vocal duo of the Irishwoman and 'Niall McNamee' works wonderfully, then, change of scenery with the energetic 'What We Did in the Dark' in which 'Imelda May' this time sings 'Miles Kane' and 'Can't Say' is another semi-acoustic melodic jewel in which Imelda still rises the emotional cursor and which offers magnificent choirs. We continue in the light with the pop 'Just One Kiss' (see video here) that she share with singer 'Noel Gallagher' and 'Ronnie Wood', album ending, first smoothly, with a new magnificent ballad 'Solace' and finally, the magnificent 'Never Look Back' of great emotional strength, the singer's accompaniment with the strings and the marked rhythm making it one of the flagship titles of this album.

In summary, this new album from 'Imelda May' confirms that she still has this talent to alternate genres between sensuality and energy with this gift to make us travel and transmit beautiful emotions to us, especially on this latter opus, and, '11 Past The Hour' should appeal to a large audience because all the titles have very accessible melodic lines that we immediately appropriate...

Line Up / Musicians

Imelda May (Vocal, Percussions, Piano), Noel Gallagher (Vocal), Niall McNamee (Vocal), Miles Kane (Vocal), Gina Martin (Vocal), Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (Vocal), Ron Wood (Guitar), Davide Rossi (Bass, Keybords, Violin), Leo Abrahams (Guitar), Cam Blackwood (Bass), Cameron Blackwood (Guitar, Keybords), Tim Bran (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Charlotte Hatherley (Guitar, Bass), Andrew Innes (Guitar), Charlie Jones (Bass), Sam Lewis (Guitar), Alex Thomas (Drums), Tom Visser (Piano)


Artist : Single Celled Organism

Album : Percipio Ergo Sum

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 15-05-2021






'Jens Lueck' who founded the Studio 'Art Of Music' in 1993 and who has collaborated with artists like 'Syrinx Call' et 'Isgaard', his lifelong companion, has also created his own solo project 'Single Celled Organism' with a first quality album, 'Splinter in the Eye' released in 2017 and the German signs its second album 'Percipio Ergo Sum' released the 7 of May. We therefore find the progressive style of the German influenced by all the major artists of the 70s with catchy melodic lines at first listening and this last opus continues the story of 'Splinter in the Eye' which ended with a global attack with biological weapons which had released an extremely dangerous virus (remember that the album was released in 2017 but that doesn't remind you of something ?). Being part of the 5% of survivors of this epidemic, Doctor Barnaby and the 'television girl' he had created, therefore continue their adventure and this second part sees the young girl facing the real world but without the help of her protective and her credo is diverted from the 'Cogito ergo sum' of 'Descartes' in favor of a 'Percipio Ergo Sum' : I perceive, therefore I am (For more details, you can find the story on the website by Jens here).

The calm opening 'She's Awake' sets the scene with a long instrumental part in a slight crescendo then the short part sung by 'Jens' accompanied by 'Isgaard' for the choirs announces the awakening of the young girl, then, 'The Final Door' unfolds a sweet melody punctuated by 'Floydian' instrumental solos whether on keyboards or guitar with remarkable breaks throughout the title. 'I'd Like to See' which follows is a slow lament from Doctor Barnaby in which 'Jens Lueck' raises the emotional cursor in his vocals, then 'Ride on a Ray', after a clean first part, then shows a face more catchy in which the young girl discovers the beauty of the world, and 'Doubts' offers us a magnificent ballad which triggered me on several occasions this small characteristic thrill of a great listening pleasure with a slight crescendo in which the heroine would like to learn everything about this world that she is discovering and which in the second part offers a very beautiful guitar solo. Follows 'Save Me from Dreaming' which is a melodic 'Floydien' jewel in which 'Isgaard' moves us to tears when she sings 'Please save me' followed by 'I'm Not Human' which puts still ahead 'Isgaard' in a new lament of the girl with a rise in power and tempo throughout the title with a remarkable instrumental final runaway. With 'Hey You', we find the atmosphere of that of the 'Floyds' which is in a way a cry to awaken the conscience, then, the short' Humble 'lulls us listening to the aerial voice of Isgaard' who has managed to free herself to find an inner peace and 'Entanglement Runs Off' which follows and is almost 9 minutes long, takes us on a progressive saga with a good balance between instrumental and sung parts and an inventive rhythm section, the long guitar solo in the second part being very beautiful, the album ending with the short and stripped 'Inhale the Dark' in which 'Jens' and 'Isgaard' move us one last time in their admirable piano/voice duets : simply beautiful !

In summary, this second album from the 'Single Celled Organism' project of 'Jens Lueck' takes us on a magnificent journey in which we surrender completely thanks to magnificent melodies in peaceful and serene atmospheres. 'Percipio Ergo Sum' is an album filled with a very special emotion and is to be tasted in a quiet place to enjoy all the richness of each composition : for all lovers of an original, rich and melodic progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Jens Lueck (Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Isgaard (Vocal), Ingo Salzmann (Guitar), Johnny Beck (Guitar), Jürgen Osuchowski (Guitar), Katja Flintsch (Violin, Viola), Olek Bakki (Cello), Volker Kuinke (Recording), Kai Ritter (Voice)


Artist : Motorpsycho

Album : Kingdom of Oblivion

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 16-05-2021

The Norwegians of 'Motopsycho' who, after 'The All is One' dating from August 2020, release 'Kingdom of Oblivion' which has just seen the light of day in mid-April 2021, and what an album, because it totals 70 minutes of listening with 12 compositions that re-embark on the time machine at a period when the 'Black Sabbath' and 'Led Zeppelin' were at the top of the hard-rock billboards, all of this with sounds of this time but with a modern production.

'The Waning Parts 1 & 2' opens the ball with a typical composition of a powerful hard-rock with saturated riffs from another era and a lively rhythm section with a deep bass line, the second part bringing a haunting psychedelic side always anchored in the seventies, then, 'Kingdom Of Oblivion', with a slower tempo, continues to offer us heavy and captivating riffs and vocals with fairly linear melodic lines. Change of tone with 'Lady May' which is much calmer in an acoustic folk style with an accompaniment of guitar arpeggios, then, 'The United Debased' returns to the heavy vintage style and unrolls a rather dark melody, close to doom, 'The Watcher' which follows, being an instrumental not necessarily essential bringing us back to the psychedelic experiments of the beginning of the progressive. 'Dreamkiller' continues in this dark and vintage atmosphere with the electric instruments which take over after a hovering acoustic introduction, the title falling abruptly and ending as it started. New change of atmosphere with the short instrumental 'Atet' which is a quiet acoustic, then, 'At Empire's End' is for me the masterpiece of the album which puts the most forward the progressive side of the group with changes of intensity that takes us back to the end of the 60s with this mixture of bewitching psychedelics and the beginnings of a more energetic rock that we will later call hard-rock. It's still a complete change of style with 'The Hunt', much lighter acoustics with beautiful vocal harmonies reminiscent of formations like 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' and the short acoustic 'After The Fair' then serves as a interlude for the next long development 'The Transmutation Of Cosmoctopus Lurker' which, again, offers us a heavy hard-rock filled with psychedelic effects brought by the sounds of saturated guitars and vintage keyboards with a skilful mix between 'Black Sabbath' and the 'Floyds', the last track 'Cormorant' gently bringing us back to reality with a soft and airy instrumental whose melody delicately caresses our eardrums.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Motorpsycho' continue in this style so characteristic bringing a certain nostalgia of the pioneers of the progressive which destines 'Kingdom of Oblivion' to a public who bathed in this time and which particularly liked groups who have muscled psychedelic rock to become hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Bent Sæther (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Drums), Hans Magnus Ryan (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords, Mandolin, Violin, Bass), Tomas Järmyr (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Confusion Field

Album : Disconnection Complete

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 17-05-2021

If you follow the myprogmusic reviews, you should know that I am particularly attached to progressive bands influenced by 'Pink Floyd' and, in these groups, the Germans from 'RPWL'. And so, it was only natural that when I listened to the Finns first studio recording of 'Confusion Field', I found myself on familiar ground because the resemblance between the Germans and the Finns is striking both melodically and on the level of the singing of 'Tomi Kankainen' which is very close to that of 'Yogi Lang'.

'Sky Is Never The Same' opens the album with a fairly typical 'RPWL' composition, with this characteristic of associating powerful instrumental parts with more restrained sung parts, the rather slow rhythm unrolling a melody which never leaves you, then, 'Close Call' continues in this calm atmosphere which reminds me of the sounds of 'Therion' in the 'Vovin' period (see my playlist of 'Therion' here). With 'Nothing Holds The Storm', the melodic lines catch us on the first listen and the instrumental part offers a very beautiful guitar solo, the atmosphere continuing to release a certain quiet force, then, 'Become Invisible', after a refined introduction, shows a more classic face bringing us back to the rock formations of the 80s/90s while having very nice alternations between powerful parts and others much calmer, and as for, 'Distort Reality' which follows, it makes us come back to this comparison with 'RPWL' which merges an important sound base with a softness in the vocal arrangements, the keyboards also bringing this airy side. Follows 'Anxiety Reflected' in the same vein as its predecessor and in a more disturbing atmosphere with a strong emotional tension throughout the title certainly accentuated by admirable rhythmic alternations and intensity, tension that we find on the next title 'See Through Walls' in which the bass/drums rhythm section is particularly inventive. 'Zen Garden Moment' continues in a particularly intense atmosphere with a monotonous melody giving the impression of accumulating an enormous tension ready to explode at any moment and which finally falls delicately into a refined final, the album ending very beautifully with the longest track, 'Connecting The Dots' which unrolls an addictive and haunting final melody with chord changes accentuated by the rhythm section which again brings us back to that quiet force of 'RPWL'.

In summary, the Finns of 'Confusion Field' offer us an already very mature first album which gets better with listening in a relatively accessible melodic neo-progressive style in the tradition of 'RPWL' which should appeal to a whole public adept of a modern progressive drawing its influences from the 70s/80s with obviously at the top of the list 'Pink-Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tomi Kankainen (Vocal, Bass, Keybords, Guitars), Petri Honkonen (Drums), Markus Jämsen (Guitar)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Version II

Release Date : 20-04-2021

Added : 18-05-2021

The Brazilians of 'Fleesh' continue to release revisited covers offering us wonderful listening moments and after 'Versions I' in 2019, 'In The Mist of Time (A Renaissance Tribute)' in 2020, and 'Here It Come Again (A Tribute to Genesis)' early 2021, it's time for 'Version II' to see the light of day. On the program, 'Angra', 'Peter Gabriel', 'Phil Collins', 'Fleetwood Mac', 'Mostly Autumn' or even 'Pink Floyd' with these magnificent reinterpretations of Gabby and Celo which are all filled with intense emotion and which, moreover, bring us back with happiness, not without nostalgia, a few decades back. In short, no need to add any more, this new cover album is tasted with great pleasure from start to finish and I gave the list of tracks as well as the album from which they came, the original artist and the year of release below. Also, last time I put Fleesh's videos, but this time, I put the original versions to you with the Spotify link.

01. Holy Land (Holy Land, Angra, 1996) - Original Title
02. Red Rain (So, Peter Gabriel, 1986) - Original Title
03. I Wish It Would Rain Down (...But Seriously, Phil Collins, 1989) - Original Title
04. Stay on These Roads (Stay on These Roads, A-Ha, 1988) - Original Title
05. It's Only Goodbye (Giant for a Day, Gentle Giants, 1978) - Original Title'
06. New York (Forse le lucciole non si amano più, Locanda Delle Fate, 1977) - Original Title
07. I'm So Afraid (Life Becoming A Landslide, Fleetwood Mac, 1975) - Original Title
08. Meadows of Heaven (Dark Passion Play, Nightwish, 2007) - Original Title
09. Andarilho de Luz (O Andarilho, Flávio Venturini, 1984) - Original Title
10. You Learn About It (Souvenirs, The Gathering, 2003) - Original Title
11. The Space (Seasons End, Marillion, 1989) - Original Title
12. Illusion (IMPERIAL, Soen, 2021) - Original Title
13. Comfortably Numb (The Wall, Pink Floyd, 1979) - Original Title

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Lazuli

Album : Dénudé

Release Date : 16-03-2021

Added : 19-05-2021

After the very good 'The fantastic flight of Dieter Böhm' in 2020 released just before the health crisis, the French of 'Lazuli', deprived of tour to defend their last album, tried at the time, like a lot of formations, to do some covers in acoustic on YouTube with for example 'Mers lacrymales' from the last album and 'Une pente qu'on dévale' from the album 'Tant que l'herbe est grasse' from 2014. And the idea germinated to make an album of acoustic covers which is materialized by this magnificent 'Dénudé' containing 16 compositions and which one delicately grinds with happiness starting with 'J'attends un Printemps' in a magnificent piano/voice version, then, parade the discography of the French with these lyrics filled with poetry which are even more highlighted in this refined atmosphere and which contribute to the great tradition of French progressive rock initiated by 'Ange' about fifty years ago (wonderful cover of 'Capitaine cœur de miel' by 'Lazuli'). Listening to 'Mes Semblables', 'Vita est circus', 'La valse à cent ans', 'Une pente qu'on dévale' or even 'Un automne' which give us each their substantial marrow, we embark comfortably on a little cloud by abandoning us entirely to these melodies which, for a moment, make us escape from the mediocrity in which our dear governments have plunged us " A year ago, a century ago, an eternity ago ". Icing on the cake, the instrumental arrangements have been completely revisited with very beautiful accompaniments of acoustic guitar or piano to which are added at certain times the accordion of 'Dominique Léonetti' or the horn of 'Romain Thorel', and we can also underline very beautiful vocal harmonies throughout the album.

In short, the French of 'Lazuli' offers us a very beautiful journey filled with delicacy and poetry that can be enjoyed quietly in a quiet place with headphones on your ears and 'Dénudé' is recommended, beyond the fans from the group, to all those who have been bottle-fed with the rich and imaginative French progressive music, highlighting the beauty of our language, and which 'Lazuli' is currently one of the most beautiful representatives...

Line Up / Musicians

Dominique Léonetti (Guitar, Accordion, Vocal, Chœur), Claude Léonetti (Léode, Lap Steel, Rhode piano, Oud, Choirs), Vincent Barnavol (Percussions, Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Choirs), Romain Thorel (Piano, Cor, Choirs), Arnaud Beyney (Guitar, Pedal Steel, Mandolin, Bass, Choirs), + Guests : Aline, Christine, Marie (Choirs), Elliot Léonetti (Didjeridoo)


Artist : Galaad

Album : Paradis posthumes

Release Date : 23-04-2021

Added : 20-05-2021

After leaving the progressive scene for 25 years, the Swiss of 'Galaad' had released 'Frat3R' in 2019 and this new start gave them wings since it is only two years after that their last baby 'Paradis posthumes' is born. This new opus, of more than an hour, takes us on a French progressive gem which can only recall the atmospheres of the father of this style, I named 'Ange' with its founder 'Christian Decamps' who have just released a magnificent 'Trianon 2020' celebrating the 50 years of the group. I quote 'Ange' because the Swiss have this talent to offer us musically imaginative and sought-after epic progressive with chiseled texts that highlight all the evils of our world while keeping this faith in Man and 'Paradis posthumes' is another fine example of this Swiss know-how.

The short 'Terra' welcomes us in a bucolic atmosphere which quite quickly turns into a sound surge accompanied by vigorous choirs which prefigures an energetic and flamboyant rock album, then, 'Apocalypse' continues in this communicative energy with a expressive and angry singing and beautiful alternations of intensity and tempo which make it a typical title of a rich and bright progressive. The atmosphere calms down with the following track 'Moments' which takes us in a slow tempo with a chorus that grafts itself straight into our head and whose song of 'PyT' reminds me of that of 'Christian Décamps' and the latter is not far either in 'Le rêve d'unité' with an introduction in crescendo which explodes after about a minute after this chanted sentence: " est-ce bien une catastrophe ? Qu’un katana te découpe en strophes " and which, in 5 minutes, condenses everything that an amateur of progressive desires to find in this style of music. With 'Amor vinces', we are greeted with riffs saturated with heavy metal and is certainly the most impactful track of the album, with 'Pyt' who plays at cat and mouse in remarkable alternations of intensity, then, 'La douleur', after a soft introduction, offers us a powerful mid-tempo on which our head cannot help but beat time with this singing (what am I saying these moans) so expressive. Follows 'L'instinct, l'instant' which reproduces the ever so addictive pattern with a quiet introduction that gradually gains momentum to transform into an energetic track that offers a remarkable piano/voice break in the middle of the track, then, the atmosphere is softer with the first part of 'Ton ennemi' in the form of a lament accompanied by an aerial guitar and which metamorphoses halfway into an electronic section close to 'Jean-Michel Jarre' and which evolves into a folk ritornello with a rhythm that 'Tri Yann' would not have denied. The eponymous title of the album that follows is more direct and conventional with a catchy rhythm that takes us away from the progressive, then, the long development 'Jour sidéral', in three parts, offers a new progressive jewel that we tame listening after listening in a patchwork making a succession of varied soundscapes with a new vocal performance strong in emotion of 'PyT', the album ending in 'Divine', more classical musically but which brings us back again to the atmospheres of 'Christian Décamps' by the singing of 'PyT'.

In summary, the Swiss of 'Galaad' are releasing a magnificent album which, a sign of quality, improves over time and which perpetuates French progressive rock in a beautiful way, as the French of 'Lazuli' and 'Paradis posthumes' should appeal to an entire audience having been brought up on the baby bottle of progressive rock and in groups which put forward the French language,' Ange 'being for me the most worthy representative of the last fifty years, even if' Christian Décamps' declared with his words which are always so enjoyable : " We are the most famous French band ... to have gone unnoticed "...

Line Up / Musicians

Pierre-Yves "PyT" Theurillat (Vocal), Sébastien Froidevaux (Guitar, Choirs), Gianni Giardiello (Keybords), Laurent Petermann (Drums), Gérard Zuber (Bass)


Artist : Reach

Album : The Promise of Life

Release Date : 23-04-2021

Added : 21-05-2021

After two promising 'Reach out to Rock' albums in 2014 and 'The Great Divine' in 2018, the Swedes of 'Reach' release a new album 'The Promise of Life' comprising 10 new compositions always highlighting a communicative energy with heady melodies that come immediately graft into the head, in atmospheres mixing rock and pop.

Right off the bat, after a short introduction close to 'Enio Morricone', we get to the heart of the matter with 'New Frontier' and an addictive first melody that wins you over immediately supported by a catchy rhythm with a tempo approaching of a crazy rockabilly and which has a slower instrumental central part and shifted from the rest which makes it a very varied composition, then, 'The Law', with its tempo which instantly starts the tapping machine, brings magnificent alternations of intensity between the verses and the chorus further increasing this irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music. Slight break with 'Young Again' in a mid-tempo which offers a new melody that we want to sing along, and the album continues with a catchy 'Satellite', always so melodic, then, 'Motherland' takes us on a happy swing with jazzy accents and, as to 'The Seventh Seal', the atmosphere is more sensual with a slow tempo unrolling new harmonious melodic lines. The rest of the album is like this debut, with a new melodic gem 'Higher Ground' which reminds me of the strong style of 'Jono', then 'Higher Ground' takes us to a more muffled atmosphere in which the rhythm section bass/drums bring a very particular sensuality and 'The Streets' sends us a direct and energetic rock with a very catchy rhythm, the album ending on the very beautiful ballad 'Promise of a Life' with a last melody that never leaves you.

In summary, the melodic talent of the Swedes of 'Reach' is confirmed again with this third album without real downtime and which offers a good balance between energetic compositions and others quieter and 'The Promise of Life' should appeal to a large audience because all the titles are very accessible thanks to melodic lines that we immediately appropriate...

Line Up / Musicians

Ludvig Turner (Vocal, Guitar), Marcus Johansson (Drums), Soufian Ma´Aoui (Bass)


Artist : Pixels & Sound

Album : Sentimentalism

Release Date : 18-02-2021

Added : 22-05-2021

I take you in the country of Kangaroos with the progressive rock band 'Pixel & Sound' which was created by 'Reece Denton' and 'Daniel Mckittrick' and who released their first studio recording 'Sentimentalism' in February 2021 with various guests including keyboardist 'David Eaton' and guitarists 'Douglas Skene' and 'Dean Bennison' of the neo-progressive group 'Anubis'. In a style between pop and rock, 'Sentimentalism' is a concept album based on the personal story of 'Reece Denton' who tells us about his journey after losing his father when he was about to enter adulthood and it is 13 tracks very disparate by their length which goes from one minute to a long development of more than 20 minutes for a total duration of 80 minutes, which are offered to us.

After the short and quiet acoustic 'Take Flight' which begins the opus with beautiful vocal harmonies, 'Break' unveils a light atmosphere that brings us back to the progressive of the 70s with a catchy melody, then, 'Good Morning Melody' continues with acoustic guitars which lead the dance in a relaxed atmosphere, the vocal section being well in keeping with the playful and limpid style. With 'Kinshipwreck', the tone hardens slightly with a more marked progressive search, the calm sung part in a slight crescendo arriving at the end of the title after a long energetic instrumental part, then, 'Five Months Later' shows a melancholy face with a magnificent melody which is very pleasant and which offers beautiful vocal sections filled with emotion and instrumental accompaniments bringing a very particular sweetness (very beautiful guitar solo 'Gilmourien' in the second part). Follows 'The Sleeping Song' which continues in this way with a slow tempo in the first part which is completely in phase with the title and which delivers beautiful alternations of intensity and rhythm in the second part, then, 'The Release' takes over with a short, uncluttered composition, the acoustic guitar/vocals duo exhaling a remarkable sweetness. Change of scenery with 'Cancer', more energetic with a less easily accessible construction, then, 'Eye of the Storm' returns to a calmer atmosphere by highlighting the singer 'Sarah Vella' in a semi-acoustic ballad with a crescendo in the second part which falls on the end of the title. 'Growing Symptoms' then continues with its 21 minutes and develops a progressive composition with drawers, the changes of intensity and tempo being numerous which obviously requires a few successive listening to draw all the richness, the last part being a pure moment of happiness with this final crescendo which progresses slowly and which falls back quietly in a magnificent duet acoustic guitar/voice. The end of the album takes us through the short instrumental 'The Uplift' with beautiful deep bass, then, 'Opportunity' which is again a remarkable track which offers a magnificent vocal duet between 'Reece Denton' and 'Sarah Vella' which brings a real sweetness and whose final guitar solo of 'Douglas Skene' (which I would have liked even longer) is very beautiful, the whole giving off a very particular emotion, and, the spotify version adds a rather short bonus track, 'Like in the Movies', which deploys a pleasant crescendo with a tempo that gradually accelerates, the vocals of 'Reece Denton' becoming more and more powerful.

In summary, the Australians of 'Pixels & Sound' are releasing a very good album which combines an imaginative progressive with accessible melodic lines and remarkable vocal harmonies and 'Sentimentalism' should appeal to a whole audience who loves soft and melancholic atmospheres in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Reece Denton (Vocal, Guitar, Drums), Daniel Mckittrick (Guitar, Mandolin, Choirs), Anthony Stewart (Bass, Guitar, Choirs) + Guests : Sarah Vella (Vocal, Choirs), David Eaton (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Douglas Skene (Guitar, Choirs), Dean Bennison (Guitar), Robert James Molding (Choirs), The Sentimental Voices (Choirs)


Artist : RPWL

Album : God Has Failed – Live & Personal

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 23-05-2021

Due to the health crisis, the Germans of 'RPWL' were never able to celebrate the 20 years anniversary of the release of the first album 'God Has Failed' for which they had planned a tour in 2020 and to mark this event, they had the idea to record a new album with live conditions and without an audience which took place on November 14 and 15, 2020 and which is now available for our greatest happiness in streaming but also on DVD and Blu-ray, all versions being available on their online store here .

Being a fan of the group and having reviewed practically all the albums since the creation of myprogmusic end of 2015 (see the different reviews below), this new album allows those who do not yet know this formation which is now essential in the international progressive landscape, to listen to this admirable debut album 'God Has Failed', with a live performance and a production worthy of the best studio recordings, starting with the anthem of the group 'Hole In The Sky' to which came adding female choirs and which always gives me so much pleasure every time I listen to it. Scroll all these compositions which are forever engraved in the heads of the fans and which, at the time had stuck to them the label of " band which played 'Pink-Floyd'" (and of which they had made a title full of humor, 'This Is Not a Progsong' in 2008) but which finally show, 20 years later, that the Germans succeeded in this bet to be recognized as an original formation by gradually erasing this resemblance to 'Pink-Floyd'. Indeed, for my part, this is the feeling that I have because, even if at the beginning, I immediately liked, certainly by this proximity with the music of the 'Floyds', when now I listen to all these songs of 'God Has Failed', it is the name of 'RPWL' which is definitely attached to them. We can also note that some original titles have been rearranged with, for example, the contribution of female vocals in 'Wait Five Years' which brings a very particular sweetness or this addition of the piano accompaniment of 'Crazy Lane' which still increases the very particular emotion released by this very beautiful title. The edition available on Spotify also contains two covers of 'Pink-Floyd', first of all 'Cymbaline' (renamed 'Nightmare' in the 'RPWL' cover album of 'Plays Pink Floyd's 'The Man and the Journey'' o the 'Floyds') and 'Fat Old Sun' from the album 'Atom Heart Mother'

In summary, thanks to 'God Has Failed - Live & Personal', the Germans of 'RPWL' make us rediscover with happiness their first album which is already 20 years old and which will have thereafter 7 little brothers all equally endearing than the others : a nice gift for all the fans and for the others who know little or not this formation and who like a music resulting from the great progressive currents of the 70s, it is the ideal album to enter their discography and you will see without any doubt that all these beautiful melodies quickly become indispensable in your ideal collection of progressive music...

Myprogmusic reviews of 'RPWL' :
= 2016 = 'RPWL Plays Pink Floyd’s ‘The Man and the Journey’'
= 2017 = 'A New Dawn (Live)'
= 2019 = 'Tales From Outer Spaces'
= 2020 = 'Live From Outer Space'

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Kalle Wallner (Guitar, Choirs), Markus Jehle (Keybords), Marc Turiaux (Drums) + Guests : Frank Thumbach (Bass), Bine Heller (Vocal), Caroline Brunken (Vocal)


Artist : tRKproject

Album : Books That End in Tears

Release Date : 29-04-2021

Added : 24-05-2021

After the remarkable covers of the albums of his project 'tRKproject' (see below the reviews of myprogmusic) in which 'Ryszard Kramarski' offered us, honor to the ladies, a version with the female singer 'Karolina Leszko' and another with the singer 'Dawid Lewandowski', the Pole is releasing in this year 2021 a new album 'Books That End in Tears' still on the same principle with two versions of his favorite performers. This fifth studio album of 'tRKproject' includes four long developments inspired by four strong novels of the XXth century and which were certainly chosen by 'Ryszard Kramarski' for their resonance in the current period that we live with the health crisis and all its political excesses : 'Lord Of The Flies' by 'William Golding', 'The Trial' of 'Franz Kafka', '1984' and 'The Animal Farm' by 'George Orwell'. We're starting to get used to it now, it's up to you to choose the version that suits you the most between 'Karalina Leszko' or 'Dawid Lewandowski', for my part, the two versions of this last opus gave me each very pleasant moments of listening.

'Lord of the Flies' begins the album in a 'Floydian' atmosphere ('Shine On You Crazy Diamond' is not far away) but after a minute a slow tempo develops which pleasantly brings the uncluttered piano/voice sung part with string arrangements accentuating the sweetness of the beautiful melody winding peacefully throughout the first part with the addition here and there of a crystalline acoustic guitar, then, halfway, the electric instruments are more energetic and start a faster section with a nice instrumental part on keyboards which then returns to a slower tempo with a magnificent 'Gilmourian' guitar solo. In the last part, after a section made up of a heavy tribal rhythm section accompanied by a monotonous narration and little cries, the sung finale gradually returns to the sweetness of the starting theme with its heady melody that never leaves us.

With 'The Trial', we are embarked from the start in a catchy tempo with a new melody that we immediately tame, the singing of the two performers being filled with a communicative liveliness, then, the central instrumental part slows down the rhythm bringing a new hovering guitar solo that gives way to a quiet sung part with beautiful choruses before a tormented new instrumental section supported by unbridled drums, the sung finale returning to the vivacity of the first part.

The composition 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' begins with a few marked hits of the drums accompanied by an aerial guitar, then, in the version of 'Karolina Leszko', the singer's rather low register further accentuates the anxiety-provoking lyrics of 'Orwell' with his famous 'Big Brother is watching you', the melodic lines being of any beauty (reminding me of those of 'Hotel California' in a calmer tempo), then, the suite offers us an instrumental 'Floydian' section, then sung, more tormented which end with a break returning for the very moving finale to a much slower tempo with a refined piano/voice duet that leaves room with a last masterful guitar solo and a few sung bars : simply magnificent !

The last long development is devoted to 'Orwell's novel which tells of the takeover of animals on a farm and which starts in a pastoral atmosphere with a light melody. After 4 minutes, the atmosphere takes a quieter turn with some guitar notes and beautiful vocalizations, then, we find the main theme sung interspersed by new melodious guitar solos until the very beautiful refined and uncluttered final guitar/voice.

In summary, it is still a very beautiful album which is offered to us by 'Ryszard Kramarski' with four long developments all as addictive as each other, each bringing its share of emotion and which can be enjoyed quietly with headphones on the ears. 'Books That End in Tears' is recommended for audiences who like a progressive close to 'Pink Floyd' and airy atmospheres with beautiful melodic lines…

List of myprogmusic reviews of tRKproject :
= 2017 - 'Music Inspired By The Little Prince'
= 2019 - 'Mr Scrooge'
= 2019 - 'Kay & Gerda'
= 2020 - 'Sounds from the Past'
= 2021 - 'The Little Prince'

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums, Percussions), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Karolina Leszko (Vocal), Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal)


Artist : Loonypark

Album : The 7th Dew

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 25-05-2021

After the new album of the project 'tRKproject' of 'Ryszard Kramarski' who is also the leader of the group 'Millenium'. But the Pole is also the founder of the independent label 'Lynx Music' and, in this capacity, produces a new album of his compatriots of 'Loonypark' which evolve in a progressive quite close to the projects of 'Ryszard Kramarski' and 'The 7th Dew' sees the return of singer 'Sabina Godula-Zając' after 'Deep Space Eight' in 2019.

'The Earth' begins the album with a composition that alternates pacing instrumental passages with much quieter sung parts, the piano accompaniments bringing relaxation in opposition with an energetic rhythm section, then, the eponymous title of the album is more classic in construction with a heady and catchy chorus which immediately grafts itself into the head and with a beautiful guitar solo at the end of the title. Follows, 'The Fever' which slows down the tempo with again alternating intensities between the verses and the more rhythmic chorus and accompanied by saturated guitar riffs, then, 'Virtuality', with its 8 minutes, is based on a playful melody in a hopping tempo fairly linear but nevertheless very effective. The second part of the opus highlights quieter compositions with, first of all, the ballad 'The Tree of Life', offering a construction going back to the 70s with a melodious chorus, 'Toxic Unity' which is a magnificent composition bathed in a sensual atmosphere brought by the remarkable vocal performance of 'Sabina Godula-Zając', then, 'The Embrace' continues with a moving and delicate ballad, the album again ending with a ballad, 'The Truth', with a last beautiful melody that we taste pleasantly while being rocked by the soft voice of 'Sabina Godula-Zając'…

In summary, the Poles of 'Lonypark' release a very pleasant album to listen to and if you are a lover of a light progressive favoring quiet and refined atmospheres with accessible melodies, 'The 7th Dew' is, without doubt, made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabina Godula-Zając (Vocal), Piotr Grodecki (Guitar), Krzysztof Lepiarczyk (Keybords), Piotr Lipka (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums) + Guest : Jacek Szczepaniak (Guitar)


Artist : Renaissance

Album : 50th Anniversary Ashes Are Burning – An Anthology – Live In Concert

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 26-05-2021

The year 2019 saw the band 'Renaissance' celebrate their 50 year career while touring the United States and the concert album which was released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray on April 30, 2021 was recorded at 'Keswick Theater' from Glenside in Pensylvania on October 12, 2019. After 'A Symphonic Journey' in 2018, the English, once again, invited a chamber orchestra to reinterpret compositions which have all become legendary and therefore parade the essentials of this formation that have accompanied us over the 70s and that we keep warm in our memory, starting with 'Islands' from the first album dating from 1969 on which one of the founders of the group 'Jim McCarty' was invited for the occasion and who is also present on 'Ashes Are Burning'. Admittedly, 'Annie Haslam' took a few years since but, her voice is still so characteristic and despite some imperfections on the first two tracks, time to warm up her voice, the whole concert is a real delight and takes us into a wonderful journey through time with these melodies which, for my part, give me goosebumps every time I listen to them.

In short, needless to add, these orchestral versions made to measure for the style of 'Renaissance' allow us to immerse ourselves admirably in all these LPs which, for all fans of progressive who have known this period of 70s of the band, are certainly part of their ideal collection of albums and have, as is my case, have been worn out on the family turntable by adding, day after day, those small significative crakles of the vinyl and which were the witnesses of these multiple listenings...

Line Up / Musicians

Annie Haslam (Vocal), Mark Lambert (Guitar, Choirs), Rave Tesar (Keybords), Geoffrey Langley (Keybords, Choirs), Leo Traversa (Bass, Choirs), Charles Descarfino (Drums, Percussions, Choirs) + Guests : Jim McCarty (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra


Artist : Manchester Orchestra

Album : The Million Masks Of God

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 27-05-2021

The Americans of 'Manchester Orchestra', after 'A Black Mile to the Surface' in 2017 which had been very well received by music critics (see the beautiful live in youtube ici),, released a new studio recording 'The Million Masks Of God' in which they tell us the story of a man who is undoubtedly close to death and who re-examines various episodes of his life through the intermediary of the Angel of Death. Given the theme, we find certain atmospheres from the last opus but the whole is certainly less energetic while keeping this great emotional force made of tensions and relaxations with melodic lines which are immediately tamed.

So we navigate in an ocean of emotion starting with 'Inaudible' and its soaring and subtle melody with beautiful vocal harmonies which continues without transition with 'Angel of Death' which gently brings the electric instruments in a resolutely more rock style with nice variations in intensity, then, 'Keel Timing', which was the subject of a single, follows with more electronic sounds in rather classic pop/rock style, which we find again in the following title 'Bed Head' practically on the same schema. With 'Annie', the vocal performance of 'Andy Hull' passes a beautiful emotion and the quiet rhythmic on a soft melody makes it one of the most endearing compositions, then, the second part of the album is much more centered on ballads which materializes for example with the very beautiful 'Telepath' with a particularly delicate voice/acoustic guitar/cello trio, then 'Let It Storm' which brings us back to the song of the 60s with an endearing melody close to what could do 'Simon & Garfunkel' and we find this atmosphere in the following title 'Dinosaur' with a rhythmic rhythm box having electronic sounds. The end of the album features a slight 'Obstacle', then two new ballads with 'Way Back' and 'The Internet', the latter offering a vaporous atmosphere and energetic acceleration in the second part before falling back into the nonchalant melody of the beginning.

In summary, the Americans of 'Manchester Orchestra', theme obliges, are releasing a more introspective album with this characteristic style that exhibits a skin-deep sensitivity and 'The Million Masks Of God' should appeal to a relatively large audience thanks to melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Hull (Guitar, Keybords, Perscussions, Vocal), Ethan Gruska (Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Robert McDowell (Guitar, Keybords), Andy Prince (Bass), Tim Very (Drums)


Artist : Blacksmith Tales

Album : The Dark Presence

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 29-05-2021

'Blacksmith Tales' is a new symphonic progressive project initiated by the Italian keyboardist and composer 'David Del Fabro'. His debut album 'The Dark Presence' is conceptual and tells the story of a soul in search of the inner light, of its own self, and who, in order to do so, must face its darkest part, descend in the depths of her mind and heart, overcome the obstacles it finds on the way to the light and then face a new journey, a new life, all this while making us travel through time, from ancient Egypt to Middle age. Composed in the 1990s, 'David Del Fabro' therefore materialized his project with the release of 'The Dark Presence', also thanks to talented artists because we find, among others, the singer of 'Temperance' and of 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Michele Guaitoli', and the producer and keyboardist 'Luca Zanon' who gave David the boost to make this beautiful album.

Composed of 13 tracks quite disparate by their length, 'The Dark Presence' offers us 76 rich and intense minutes with marked influences in the progressive of the 70s starting with the long eponymous development of the album which, by its introduction, offers us a total change of scenery and we find ourselves in an old time with a musical construction in several drawers that we open one after the other to discover all the nooks and crannies. The sung parts are beautiful with very good vocal performances throughout the album of 'Michele Guaitoli'. 'Golgotha' which follows, is almost entirely instrumental and apart from a few female vocals, offers us an epic atmosphere with sounds quite close to 'Therion', then, without transition, 'Let Me Die' is more energetic and catchy with rhythmic alternations and intensity bringing a good progressive dose, the end of the title much calmer highlighting a piano joined by the singing of 'Michele Guaitoli'. The sequel scrolls through 7 shorter tracks but all of which keep a beautiful originality: 'Rain… of Course' offers us a melodic track in a light atmosphere, then, 'Into the Sea (Apocatastasis)' jostles us with its frequent tempo changes and keeps melodic lines accessible which are supported by vintage tones and beautiful final vocal harmonies. As for the short 'Interlude', it is a beautiful acoustic ballad which highlights the delicate singing of 'Beatrice Demori', then, the instrumental 'Tides From a Faraway Shore' continues in a pastoral atmosphere and sends us back to the style of formations like 'Jethro Tull', same atmosphere that we find with the lively 'The Dark Presence Revelation' and 'A new Sunrise', which follows, is more energetic and very catchy with oriental sounds here and there. Then follows the short 'Chapter LXIV', made of sound effects and electronic sounds, which serves as an introduction to the masterpiece of the album 'Possessed by Time' and which takes us on a progressive symphonic saga linking very varied sections that make us travel in a delicious sound maze with a harmonious finale of any beauty. After all this profusion and this musical richness, the short acoustic ballad 'Last hero's Crusade' is a well-deserved break and the album ends with the 8 minutes of 'Book of Coming Forth by Day' which offers us a new progressive sequel to several drawers further highlighting the originality and variety that the Italians offer us.

In summary, the Italians 'Blacksmith Tales' offers us a first album which should mark the year 2021 in progressive music because 'The Dark Presence' shows all the potential of this formation which contains everything that every amateur and amateur desires find in this kind of music : a mixture of different influences and styles, remarkable alternations of more or less energetic atmospheres, all this being embellished by accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

David Del Fabro (Piano, Keybords, Duduk, Choirs), Beatrice Demori (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Stefano Debiaso (Drums), Denis Canciani (Bass), Marco Falanga (Guitar), Luca Zanon (Keybords, Flute)


Artist : Kayak

Album : Out Of This World

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 30-05-2021

After coming back to the forefront in 2018 with 'Seventeen', the Dutch from 'Kayak' took this time only three years to release a new album 'Out Of This World' whose title shows that the health crisis has passed through there and that it did not ultimately have only drawbacks because this last opus of 'Kayak' is a real jewel of music reminiscent of the 70s/80s with a happy mix between progressive and more direct song as if they had wanted to return to a much gentler and more lenient time. Whatever composition you listen to, big names come to mind and I will quote, in bulk, 'Queen', 'Electric Light Orchestra', 'Genesis', 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Jethro Tull', 'Kansas' and so on, all of this being merged to make a dazzling album that is listened to from first to last track with great happiness.

'Out of This World' begins in the best possible way this album in a symphonic register mixing rock and classical with sumptuous instrumental and vocal arrangements that bring us back to the best of the progressive of the 70s, and in the same style we can also quote the wonderful track 'Under a Scar' which is an imaginative and melodic progressive jewel and which, even if the writing is not necessarily comparable, can make think of the atmospheres of 'Queen'. We will also find this flamboyant progressive in the two other flagship compositions of the album, with first of all, 'Critical Mass' which takes us on a new epic saga alternating different soundscapes condensed in 6 minutes, but also with the 9 minutes of 'A Writer's Tale' which unrolls a gripping melody showing different faces throughout the title and which once again brings us back to the atmosphere of 'Queen' in the middle part. Between these different compositions, the Dutch of 'Kayak' offer us more immediate songs but just as endearing and which, for those who have been immersed in the melodic rock of the 70s/80s, must certainly remind famous artists : 'Waiting' is quite characteristic of the light pop of the 70s, the instrumental 'Kaja' reminds me of 'Focus', 'Mystery' mixes the delicacy of the 'Beatles' and the theatricality of 'Queen', 'As the Crow Flies' is enough close to the beautiful ballads of 'Phil Collins' in the early 80s and, as for, 'The Way She Said Goodbye' and 'One By One', this time, it is the ballads of 'Billy Joël' which are not so far. And we continue with 'Traitor's Gate' which flirts with 'Toto', then, 'Distance To Your Heart' sends us back to 'Eldorado' from 'Electric Light Orchestra' dating from 1974 with its characteristic string accompaniments, and the refreshing 'Cary' would not have denoted in an album of the 'Beatles' , 'Ship of Theseus' ending this beautiful opus with a new ballad in an epic symphonic atmosphere darker but releasing a remarkable emotion.

In summary, this latest album from 'Kayak' is a patchwork of influences from the 70s / 80s mixing imaginative progressive rock with varied songs very accessible and 'Out Of This World' should appeal to a large audience because even the more progressive compositions are tamed from the first listening thanks to beautiful melodic lines and remarkable instrumental and vocal arrangements which will certainly make it one of the best albums of the Dutch...

Line Up / Musicians

Ton Scherpenzeel (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs), Bart Schwertmann (Vocal, Choirs), Marcel Singor (Guitar, Vocal, Choirs), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Bass, Vocal, Choirs), Hans Eijkenaar (Drums)


Artist : Scarved

Album : Flashback

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 31-05-2021

The Belgians of 'Scarved' are back with a new album, 'Flashback', after 'Lodestone' in 2017. They continue to offer us muscular hard-rock and we find on the vocals 'Caro Verboven' which always ensures as much and, as for the guitar solos of 'Luc Van Dessel', they are still excellent. The influences remain anchored in the hard-rock of the 70s/80s and we can hear reminiscences of formations like 'Deep Purple' with for example the heavy 'Nightshift' which looks like a certain 'Into The Fire' or like 'AC/DC' with very characteristic guitar saturated riffs in 'Poison Kiss', the ballad break not being forgotten with the very good 'Lost In Space' beautifully sung by 'Caro Verboven'. In short, this new album of 'Scarved' is filled with a good energy which should appeal to all fans of a muscular and direct hard-rock which is consumed without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Caro Verboven (Vocal), Luc Van Dessel (Guitar, Choirs), Vincent De Laat (Bass, Choirs), Kjell de Raes (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Ailafar

Album : State of Mind

Release Date : 12-02-2021

Added : 01-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Ailafar' is a melodic rock band based in Thessaloniki, Greece. After 'Long Way To Imagery' in 2011, 'No Limits' in 2015 and 'Hearbeat' in 2017, 'State Of Mind' is the fourth studio recording of the band. The concept of the album is about the things that matter in life, about finding our self and the strengh to go on, motivation, Love, the values, the appreciation of what we have in every moment, the values that we lose in this modern world we're living into. It features 12 brand new songs in an refined AOR style with accessible melodies highlighting the female singer 'Tatiana Economou' who is as much at ease in energetic compositions as in quieter ones.

Line Up / Musicians

Tatiana Economou (Vocal), John Tzortzis (Guitar), Vangelis Valis Papageorgiou (Keybords), Kostas Mavroudis (Bass), Stergios Kourou (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Dean Mess (Vocal), Mariangella Arapoglidou (Vocal), Tzeni Luna (Vocal), Tasos Duce (Drums), Apostolis Mousias (Drums), Tanja Harkonen (Choirs)


Artist : Teramaze

Album : Sorella Minore

Release Date : 11-05-2021

Added : 02-06-2021

'Teramaze' is a progressive metal band created in the 90s and had a period of inactivity in the 2000s and returned with 'Anhedonia' in 2012. Since this year, the Australians released studio recordings regularly, the latest being 'I Wonder' in 2020. 2021 sees the release of 'Sorella Minore' which continues the story of 'Her Hallo' recounting the adventures of two sisters, one of whom died in a suspect accident and the other, his youngest, is kidnapped in a castle far from the outside world.

This opus contains only 4 titles but the first which is the title song is a long development of more than 25 minutes and embarks us in a progressive saga which obviously requires to linger there to draw all the richness because we navigate in a labyrinth made of multiple nooks and crannies, alternating all kinds of atmospheres and with a melodic theme which returns in different forms, grafting itself quite quickly into our head. The rest of the album features, first of all, the ballad 'Stones' which unfolds a beautiful slow and melancholic melody in which 'Dean Wells' offers us a beautiful vocal performance and a remarkable 'Floydien' guitar solo, then , 'Take You Shot' is a rather linear energetic track and moves away from the progressive, the album ending with a new ballad, 'Between The Shadows', as strong in emotion as the first, and which ends in a very beautiful way. the album (see video here ).

In summary, the Australians of 'Teramaze' make us travel in their progressive universe which merges rock and metal and which makes us go through all kinds of feelings with a great emotional force; 'Sorella Minore' should appeal to an audience loving rock and progressive metal who love to abandon themselves in long developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Wells (Guitar, Vocal), Andrew Cameron (Bass), Chris Zoupa (Guitar), Nick Ross (Drums) + Guests : Nathan Peachey (Vocal), Silvio Massaro (Vocal), Jennifer Borg (Vocal)


Artist : Angeline

Album : We Were Raised on Radio

Release Date : 19-02-2021

Added : 03-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Angeline' is a Swedish formation which has already more than thirty years of existence but which only released a first LP in 2010 with 'Confessions', then, 'Disconnected' followed in 2011 and it took another 7 years for the third 'Shadowlands'. 'We Were Raised on Radio' which was released in February 2021 is therefore their fourth studio recording and, as you can imagine given their nationality, they offer us melodic hard-rock that smells good the 80s and this with 10 compositions made tailor-made to have a very pleasant time. The melodic hits follow one another starting with 'Helpless' which sends us an unstoppable first melody, then 'Closer' continues in an AOR that puts you in shape all day with a chorus that never leaves you, just like the two following compositions 'My Heart Won't Let You Go' and 'Raised On Radio'. The suite does not weaken and continues in heady melodic lines and the semi-acoustic ballad 'Come What May' is the perfect illustration. In short, no need to add more, the Swedes of 'Angeline' offers us a very beautiful album filled with addictive melodic jewels that will make happy among fans of melodic hard-rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jocke Nilsson (Vocal, Guitar), Janne Arkegren (Guitar), Uffe Nilsson (Bass), Tobbe Jonson (Drums)


Artist : Cast

Album : Vigesimus

Release Date : 05-03-2021

Added : 04-06-2021

I reviewed their last album 'Power And Outcome' in 2017 which introduced me to this Mexican group with multiple albums (see their discography here< / a>). Led by keyboardist 'Luis Alfonso Vidales' since their debut in the 70s and who is also the composer, they released at the beginning of May a new studio recording 'Vigesimus' (meaning it's their 20th album in Latin), still very rich in content because 76 minutes are offered to us for our greatest pleasure.

So, on menu, there are 10 compositions that range from a few minutes to 4 long tracks which alone are more than 40 minutes long. We therefore find this progressive style of the Mexicans with sought-after symphonic arrangements which add an important richness throughout this album, and which refer us to the major progressive formations of the 70s with names like 'Genesis', 'Kansas' or 'Yes' who used to mix classical instruments with electric instruments. From the start, we have this proof with 'Ortni' which takes us in an instrumental with sumptuous and generous arrangements with a massive use of strings and the acoustic guitar which twirls in a masterly way, then, 'Black Ashes and Black Boxes' continues in this symphonic richness, the resulting atmosphere making me think of
'Renaissance' in their most energetic titles. With 'The Unknown Wise Advise', we hold the first track bordering on 10 minutes which develops unbridled symphonic rock requiring several listenings to reveal all its richness, the instrumental parts always being very full and particularly complex, then, the short 'Another Light 'is much more direct with more pop influences and as for 'Manley' which follows, it is a tormented instrumental with many changes of tempos which further increases this stormy atmosphere. Change of scenery with 'Location and Destination', which is in a much lighter style, the violin bringing a classical component, flirting with the baroque for 5 minutes and which, after an orchestral final, continues with a rather offbeat instrumental part of the above, repeating the same musical phrase many times with some variations. With 'Crossing', we start the last part of the album with the longest developments in a more romantic atmosphere and with a melody that we immediately tame and which has beautiful vocal harmonies making me think of 'Jethro Tull', then, 'The Cross' continues in a quiet climate with a magnificent melancholy ballad which gradually gains momentum, the rhythm section arriving late enough for a moving final. The progressive side takes the front again with 'Contacto' which is entirely instrumental and which alternates different atmospheres, going from an epic progressive rock and to neo-classical with harmonious melodic lines, with orchestrations reminiscent of 'Renaissance'. The album ends with 'Dredging to a Higher Place' which highlights the violin of 'Roberto Izzo' and which takes us into rich and abundant instrumental parts reminding me of certain atmospheres of 'Kansas', the majority of the sung parts being concentrated in the second part always supported by a flamboyant orchestration.

In summary, the Mexicans of 'Cast' release a very dense album marrying in a beautiful way progressive rock and symphonic and which, like good wine, improves over time and listenings, which destines 'Vigesimus' to a public who like to take their time to discover, little by little, all the richness of a dense work like this one...

Line Up / Musicians

Luis Alfonso Vidales (Keybords), Bobby Vidales (Vocal), Lupita Acuna (Vocal), Claudio Cordero (Guitar), Roberto Izzo (Violin), Carlos Humaran (Bass), Jose Antonio Bringes (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : BITE THE BULLET

Album : Black & White

Release Date : 22-02-2021

Added : 05-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Bite The Bullet' is an English formation that was born in the 80s from the meeting of singer/songwriter 'Mick Benton' and drummer 'Graham Cowling' with an eponymous album released in 1989. Since then, nothing, until the reissue in 2019 of their first album which relaunched them, and 2021 sees the release of a new album with 13 compositions that take us back to the 80s with groups like 'Foreigner', 'Alan Parsons Project' or 'Asia' and even, for example in 'Falling', like 'Barclay James Harvest' period 'Ring Of Changes '. We therefore navigate between catchy compositions like 'Rock to Stones', 'Black & White', 'More Than This' or even 'Bring It On' but also in lighter titles like 'Falling', 'Starlight', 'The Lonely Road' or even the beautiful ballad 'Under the Veil'. In short, the Englishmen of 'Byte The Bullet have stayed true to their original style by offering us a very nice new album and if you like an AOR between pop and rock without any aggressiveness and with catchy melodies, you should definitely buy into to this new album 'Black & White'...

Line Up / Musicians

Mick Benton (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Graham Cowling (Drums)


Artist : Subterranean Masquerade

Album : Mountain Fever

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 06-06-2021

After the very good 'Vagabond' released in 2017, 'Subterranean Masquerade', composed of artists of Israeli origin, released a new album 'Mountain Fever' and we happily find this mix of east and west in a diversity of styles that the one could qualify as progressive music of the world, traditional music rubbing shoulders genres such as rock or metal. This latest opus sees a change to the vocal section as 'Davidavi (vidi) Dolev' replaces 'Kjetil Nordhus' for the clear vocals and 'Ashmedi Melechesh' has been invited in place of 'Paul Kuhr' for the extreme vocals. We also find many guests, the drummer d 'Orphaned Land' being always present, but also other artists from the large family of Israeli artists who bring their talent as instrumentalists or singers (see below).

On the menu of this new opus, 10 tracks for an hour of music and we are greeted by 'Snake Charmer' in a melodic atmosphere that we immediately tame and which makes it one of the most conventional titles. Follows the ballad 'Diaspora My Love' which is a remarkable crescendo throughout the title and which is the first composition to bring a variety of style whether in terms of intensities (a few growls alongside a clear and soft song) but also in the level of instrumentations mixing acoustic and electric with some oriental musical phrases, then, change of style with the melodic and joyful 'Mountain Fever' with its heady melody (the introduction can recall the ambiances of the Tunisians of 'Myrath') and which is then a brilliant patchwork of influences that takes us on a very exotic journey and all this in less than 6 minutes. We find this diversity in 'Inward' which follows, perhaps even more marked, which after a long instrumental introduction, combines metal guitar chords and growls with the sweetness of the song of 'Vidi' and whose melody merges east and occident and which has an amazing ending with this unbridled saxophone and rhythm section. With 'Somewhere I Sadly Belong', it is certainly the most contrasted composition which begins quietly and which brutally, pours us an extreme metal made of enraged growls but which, in the second part, is much calmer and whose melodic theme accompanies us until the end in decrescendo. We return to a very peaceful atmosphere with the beginning of 'The Stillnox Oratory' but which turns out to be a magnificent new crescendo which gradually gains momentum, to end in a vocal joust between angry growls and powerful clear vocals which suddenly falls with a few piano notes. A more classic 'Ascend' follows which offers beautiful variations of intensity in a very catchy melodic theme, the vocal performance of 'Vidi' and the vocal arrangements of the chorus being remarkable (see video here), then, 'Ya Shema Evyonecha', sung in Hebrew, makes us escape again with this exquisite mix between traditional sounds and the power of electric instruments by making it one of the titles closest to universal world music (which comforts me even more in the idea that it is these bringing together of different cultures which are the source of a remarkable creation). A more classic 'Ascend' follows which offers beautiful variations of intensity in a very catchy melodic theme, the vocal performance of 'Vidi' and the vocal arrangements of the chorus being remarkable, then, 'Ya Shema Evyonecha', sung in Hebrew, makes us escape again with this exquisite mix between traditional sounds and the power of electric instruments by making it one of the titles closest to universal world music (which comforts me even more in the idea that it is these bringing together of different cultures which are the source of a remarkable creation). I have to say that extreme vocals have never appealed to me, but it is clear that the long development 'For The Leader, With Strong Music' is a completely addicting progressive tangle and that these growls are not an end in itself, but are completely integrated into this admirable patchwork which casts a wide net and which embark us in a musical round of the earth in 8 minutes. Finally, 'Mångata' brings us out of the beautiful dream into which the group had plunged us with a moving ballad highlighting the acoustic instruments guitar and bouzouki.

In summary, this latest album from 'Subterranean Masquerade' is very rich and varied and is enjoyed with happiness from start to finish and shows that the Israelis have reached a level of maturity that allows them to tackle every styles, which destines 'Mountain Fever' to all amateurs of a multicultural progressive who also like to mix different musical genres...

Line Up / Musicians

Davidavi (vidi) Dolev (Vocal), Tomer Pink (Guitar), Omer Fishbein (Guitar), Or Shalev (Guitar), Shai Yallin (Keybords), Golan Farhi (Bass) + Guests : Matan Shmuely (Drums), Ashmedi Melechesh (Vocal), Idan David Amsalem (Guitar), Uri Shefi (Oud, Iouta, Bouzouki), Jackie Hole (Vocal), Yatziv Caspi (Percussions), Neta Maimon (Cello), Oren Tsor (Violin, Viola), Idit Mintzer (Cuivres), Alon Karnieli (Choirs), Idan Kringle (Choirs), Matan Carlos (Choirs) Mandelbaum, Richard Aevum (Choirs), Yakir Sasson (Bois), Hadar Levi (Guitar)


Artist : Walk The Walk

Album : Walk The Walk

Release Date : 26-02-2021

Added : 07-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

Walk The Walk is a new American group formed by 'J. Adler' on vocals and multi-instrumentalist 'Paul Alfery' who provides the guitars, bass, drums and keyboards sections. Not necessarily known to the general public, they nevertheless have a great experience behind them, 'J. Adler' having worked with famous metal artists like 'David Ellefson' (Megadeth), 'Ray Luzier' (David Lee Roth), 'Tim Gaines' (Stryper) or 'Larry "Bones" Dennison' (Lita Ford, Dio) and 'Paul Alfer', on his side, collaborated with artists like 'Zakk Wylde', 'Steve Vai' or 'Tony Lommi'. They offer us an album which, I quote them, "is not going to reinvent the wheel, because we just play the music that we like". That is good, because their album of the name of the group is made to have a great time and, despite being tagged in AOR, they bring us back to a melodic and energetic hard rock of the 80s with of course references to a certain 'Def Leppard' as we can realize from the first track 'Heaven's on It's Way Down' with these characteristic choirs. The opus contains 10 for 35 short minutes and each composition is direct and effective from the first listening in a radio format not exceeding 4 minutes. In short, the Americans of 'Walk The Walk' are releasing an album taking us back a few decades with catchy melodies which intends it for an audience that has gone through the 80s in music with artists like 'Def Leppard', 'Bon Jovi' or even 'Journey'...

Line Up / Musicians

J. Adler (Vocal), Paul Alfery (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums)


Artist : Trick Or Treat

Album : The Unlocked Songs

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 08-06-2021

After the story of rabbits in search of a new world, the second part of which I did a review 'Rabbit's Hill Pt. 2' and while waiting for the release of their next album, the Italians of 'Trick Or Treat' are releasing an album presented as a compilation, 'The Unlocked Songs', but containing new compositions in the first part of the opus and in the second part of the covers, bonus tracks, acoustic versions and demos. We therefore find these simple but effective melodies in light and playful atmospheres, but the chosen titles for this opus are quite varied and mix energetic moments and others calmer.

In the part of the unreleased tracks, everything begins with a lively 'Hungarian Hangover' with a fast rhythm which puts us in shape at the start by telling us with humor the after concerts and which in the second part makes a little wink look at the Hungarian dance N°5 of 'Johannes Brahms', then, 'Almost Gone' considerably softens the tempo for a melancholy ballad which speaks about this period we live and which deprives us of concert. Follows, the playful 'I Cavalieri Dello Zodiaco' who had no place in their album 'Re-Animated' composed only of cartoon credits that rocked the childhood of Italians and which is the soundtrack of a famous Italian cartoon, then, 'Dragonborn-Skyrim' is a reinterpretation of the soundtrack of the action role-playing video game 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim' with remarkable vocal arrangements. 'Heavy Metal Bunga Bunga', which follows, is already known to fans of the band because it is a single released in 2011 and which is a review of the Italian politician 'Silvio Berlusconi', then, 'Scream' is the cover of the 'Misfits' band. The sequel concerns old compositions with the cover of 'Human Drama (Down Into Pain)' which was the bonus track of the Japanese edition of 'Tin Soldiers' from 2009 and, as for 'Hampshire Landscapes', it is an epic instrumental that highlights the talent of the instrumentalists of 'Trick Or Treat' and which appeared as a bonus in the Japanese edition of 'Rabbit's Hill Pt. 1'. Little ballad break with the cover in orchestral version of 'Sagittarius - Golden Arrow' from the album 'The Legand of the XII Saints', then, we find the crazy side of the Italians with this particular Christmas tale 'Evil Needs Christmas Too' taken up in much quieter from the album 'Evil Needs Candy Too' and 'Arles Hall' returns with a powerful instrumental which corresponds more to what we have to used to hear among Italians. The anecdotal demo of 2004 'I Like Donald Duck' highlights this quirky and good-natured side with heady cartoon melodies that have also given the name to the group ('Trick Or Treat'' from 'Walt Disney') and the album ends with the muscular 'I'm Alive' which is a cover of Halloween' quite close to the original.

In summary, this patchwork of compositions is a good mix between powerful and energetic tracks of a good-natured heavy metal, and more calm atmospheres which well represents the trademark of the Italians of 'Trick Or Treat' and 'The Unlocked Songs' is an album intended primarily for fans of the group but can be also a good way for others who do not know them to discover these rather atypical Italians in the metal landscape...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Conti (Vocal), Guido Benedetti (Guitar), Leone Villani Conti (Bass), Luca Venturelli (Guitar), Luca Setti (Drums)


Artist : The Darren Phillips Project

Album : Volume Two

Release Date : 12-03-2021

Added : 09-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Darren Phillips' is an Australian who hosted a melodic rock radio show and therefore had to invite many artists of this style so that, over time, he made a name for himself an impressive address book. Being an author/composer himself, it was natural that he shared his demos and 2017 saw the release of a first album, 'The Darren Phillips Project – Volume 1', with the collaboration of many melodic rock artists. Among others, we found 'Dennis Ward', 'Robbie LaBlanc' or 'Michael Palace'. 2021 sees the release of a new album in which we find artists from the first opus but also new names from the melodic rock scene. We are therefore embarked on 10 compositions that take us back to the 80s with a mix of styles ranging from a moderate AOR to more muscular hard-rock. In short, this 'Volume Two' is a pleasant album to listen to with varied compositions and if you like melodic rock in general, you should probably find melodies that you like in this second opus of the Australian...

Line Up / Musicians

Darren Phillips (Guitar) + invites : Daniel Skeed (Guitar, Keybords), Rob Wylde (Vocal), Enzo Almanzi (Guitar), Alex Waghorn (Vocal), Philip Lindstrand (Guitar), Dennis Ward (Vocal), Anton Joensson (Guitar), Bryce Mileto (Drums), Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal), Xavier Millis (Keybords), Brennan Mileto (Vocal), Chrisse Olsson (Guitar), Alex Strandell (Vocal), Erik Heikne (Guitar), Dennis Butabi Borg (Bass), Herman Furin (Drums), Mikael Skafar (Drums), Patrik Svard (Guitar), Jon Powers (Keybords)


Artist : Edu Falaschi

Album : Vera Cruz

Release Date : 18-05-2021

Added : 10-06-2021

'Edu Falaschi' is well known to fans of power metal for being a part of 'Angra' until 2012 and which after voice problems, continues in solo (see these latest albums here and here) but also with the 'Almah' group. 2020 saw the release of a DVD in Japan, 'The Temple Of Shadows', which celebrated 15 years of the studio recording by 'Angra' and which was the subject of a short EP internationally but which can be found in full on youtube, the artist not having had the rights internationally (see here). And after the 2018 single, 'The Glory of the Sacred Truth' who saw a return to Edu's source with original 'Angra' drummer 'Aquiles Priester', 2021 sees the release of a new album 'Vera Cruz' which continues in what 'Angra' could do when Edu and Aquiles were present. We find this trademark of the group, an epic power metal alternating frenzied compositions and long, much calmer developments which tells us the story of the discovery of the new world by the Portuguese in 1500 and of which they will give the name of Vera Cruz. : they had simply discovered what will become Brazil.

Musically, everything is gathered to accompany us in this story with melodic hymns that we immediately appropriate, and, after, the instrumental introduction 'Burden', de rigueur in this kind of album, ' The Ancestry 'takes us on a fast and fiery neo-classical track with a heady first melody and with a raging rhythm section, then' Sea of Uncertainties' continues in an equally fast tempo for a typical track of a powerful and melodic power metal, Edu Falaschi's performance being remarkable in this epic style and the central guitar solo just as dazzling. We will find this flamboyant and powerful style in 3 other compositions, 'Crosses', 'Fire with Fire' and 'Mirror of Delusion', all being melodic musts. But the great strength of this album is to vary the styles, since apart from the short instrumental interlude 'Frol de la Mar' which is the introduction of 'Crosses', the 5 other compositions bring a variety with 3 magnificent power ballades 'Skied in Your Eyes', 'Bonfire of the Vanities' and 'Rainha Do Luar' and 2 epic long developments that alone are worth buying this album,' Land Ahoy' being a nearly 10 minute sequel with a melody which triggers this characteristic little thrill of intense listening happiness and with remarkable alternations of tempos and intensity supported by sumptuous vocal harmonies, then, 'Face of the Storm', a little less long but which, in a style just as epic, takes us on an eventful journey tinged with progressive with beautiful choirs and impressive growls of 'Max Cavalera'.

In summary, 'Edu Falaschi' returns to the epic style of the beginning of Angra 'and this new album is a superb mix of power metal between energetic and powerful moments and others much calmer and' Vara Cruz ' will certainly be well received by historical Angra fans but should also appeal to all those who love the power metal concept albums that reached their peak in the early 2000s...

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal), Aquiles Priester (Drums), Roberto Barros (Guitar), Diogo Mafra (Guitar), Raphael Dafras (Bass), Fábio Laguna (Keybords) + Guest : Max Cavalera (Vocal)


Artist : Paris

Album : 50/50

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 11-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Paris' is a French group made up of 'Frédéric Dechavanne' and 'Sébastien Montet' who got to know each other on the school benches and who, in the 80s, started playing together being influenced by hard bands -rock melodic of the time and which finally released 2 albums, 'Only One Life' in 2013 and 'The World Outside' in 2016 . 2021 saws the release of a new album '50/50' produced by the very famous 'Steve Newman' in the middle of melodic hard-rock ('NEWMAN' and 'COMPASS'). We therefore find this AOR style that we knew on the previous opus with catchy compositions supported by incisive guitar riffs, vocal performances with choirs of the level of the best formations of the 80s and always very effective guitar solos, all this being wrapped by very accessible melodic lines. In short, even if they are not going to revolutionize melodic rock, the French of 'Paris' offer us a galette filled with compositions that we enjoy listening to and '50 / 50' is an album that should appeal to all amateurs and all lovers of accessible melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Frédéric Dechavanne (Vocal, Keybords), Sébastien Montet (Guitars, Keybords, Choirs), Rob McEwen (Drums), Dave Bartlett (Bass) + Guests : Robert Sall (Guitar)


Artist : Evership

Album : The Uncrowned King : Act 1

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 12-06-2021

I had already liked the first two albums of the Americans of 'Evership', 'Evership' in 2016 and 'Evership II' in 2018, and their third album was released in May 2021. Still led by their leader 'Shane Atkinson', they have concocted this time a concept album worthy of the biggest names in progressive rock of the 70s which is inspired by the book of ' Harold Bell Wright 'from 1910 and which tells the story of a pilgrim who sets out in search of the truth and which is an allegory on life, religion and on how we perceive all these matters. We therefore find long developments that make us think of well-known names and it is the 'Kansas', 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer', 'Yes' or even 'Styx' (and so on) that come to spirit, all this with modern arrangements that give even more scope to these epic compositions.

This materializes from the first title 'The Pilgrimage', over 10 minutes long which has three parts and takes us on a progressive saga in which we advance with happiness and which, after a long remarkable instrumental part, offers us a beautifully sung part with a melody which remains engraved in your head and which reminds me of the atmospheres of 'Mystery'. Follows the short 'The Voice of the Waves' with a restful atmospheric side, then, 'Crownshine / Allthetime', with its introduction close to 'Kansas' is also an admirable patchwork of a rich and refined progressive with the use of an alternation between calm parts on the piano and others more energetic with the electric instruments, the keyboards being preponderant and bringing the binder to the whole, the melodic lines of the sung parts being just as addictive as those of the first composition and the sounds reminding me of 'Uriah Heep' in some places. With 'The Tower', it is still a long development with more of sung parts that shows all the vocal talent of 'Beau West' in a new melody that brings us back again to the sounds of the 70s, then, 'The Voice of the Evening Wind' continues in an atmospheric atmosphere close to 'Vangelis', the vaporous singing being quite in the same register as that of the Greek. It is with 'Yettocome / Itmightbe' that we hold the longest track which borders on 17 minutes and which offers us an epic sequel in which we abandon ourselves completely by letting ourselves be drawn into the different nooks and crannies of this labyrinth always very melodic sounds, and, it is with the beautiful ballad 'Wait' that the 'Beatles' would not have denied that we end this very beautiful album in a light atmosphere.

In summary, This latest studio recording of The Americans of Evership 'is remarkable from start to finish and takes us back decades with modern sound and very beautiful instrumental and vocal arrangements which, without a doubt, should make of 'The Uncrowned King: Act 1' a concept album to add to the ideal collection of any amateur of progressive rock and join the multiple opuses of the big names of this style of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Beau West (Vocal), Shane Atkinson (Keybords, Drums, Vocal, Theremin, Perscussion), James Atkinson (Guitar), John Rose (Guitar), Ben Young (Bass) + Guests : Matt Harrell (Guitar), Poem Atkinson (Voice), Mike Priebe (Choirs), The Charles Heimermann (Choirs), The Adriatic Sea (Organ)


Artist : Winding Road

Album : Winding Road

Release Date : 26-03-2021

Added : 13-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Winding Road' is a new Swedish band (another one !) which comes to play the troublemaker on the melodic hard rock scene and which was created in 2018 by guitarist, bassist and keyboardist 'Magnus Åkerlund' and by drummer and keyboardist 'Jan Hedlund'. And from the first titles 'It's A Matter Of Survival', 'Summertime' and 'Call On Me', we are bathed in an AOR that can be enjoyed without moderation with heady choruses that are grafted directly into the head to never come out. And the rest continues like this beginning with melodies that we appropriate from the first listen and we can quote the irresistible 'Stranger In The Night', 'On My Own Again', 'Gotta Get Close To You' or even 'We Can Run Away' which ends the album in a beautiful way. The calmer atmospheres are not forgotten with the mid-tempo 'Out of Control' and 'Before It All Falls Down' but also the two magnificent ballads 'I Lost You' and 'Take Me as I Am'. In short, in a few lines I think I have quoted almost all the compositions of this very beautiful album by the Swedes of 'Winding Road' which enters through the front door of international melodic rock and which should make this eponymous opus of the group a 2021 reference in this style so popular in Scandinavian countries...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Tyskhagen (Vocal), Magnus Åkerlund (Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Choirs), Jan Hedlund (Drums, Keybords, Choirs) + Guest : Fredrik Folkare (Guitar)


Artist : Joe Bailey

Album : Ghosts

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 14-06-2021

Casually, 'Joe Bailey' continues to release albums and 'Ghosts' is now his 6th studio recording since 2015, when his first baby was released 'The End Comes Too Late'. In the meantime, I reviewed in 2018, the fourth album 'A Price to Pay' and 2019 saw the release of 'Less Nothing'.

6 compositions between 4 and nearly 8 minutes long, this is the menu of this opus that takes us on a journey into the progressive universe of Joe with always accessible melodic lines and a predominant use of keyboards, the whole always being supported by heavy bass lines. 'Haunted House' is the perfect example with a memorable melodic theme that kept us spellbound during almost 9 minutes with a beautiful vocal performance by Joe and instrumental sections that alternate beautifully with the sung parts, then, 'River of Spite ', while remaining powerful, is a mid-tempo in a quieter atmosphere with a new heady melody and which highlights different keyboard sounds. With 'Waiting', the introduction to electronic sounds à la 'Jean-Michel Jarre' gives way to a slow and aerian melody with imposing bass then the tempo alternates in the middle of the title with a marked rhythm section to then return to the atmospheric atmosphere which gains momentum for the final. The second part of the album offers us the beautiful and melancholic ballad 'Abracadabra', then, the last two long titles 'Rat Race' and 'Ghosts' are in a more classical construction, verses/chorus with melodies that we tame immediately, the first alternating verses supported by jerky keyboards and a more relaxed chorus and the second offering us an imaginative and varied rock with a remarkable vocal performance, Joe having this talent to adapt his voice according to the atmosphere of each part.

In summary, the Englishman 'Joe Bailey', always so discreet on the web, released a very pleasant album to listen to in the lineage of his previous productions and 'Ghosts' should appeal to an audience loving progressive rock with an easy access thanks to pleasant melodic lines immediately assimilable...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bailey (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums)


Artist : Revlin Project

Album : Trascender

Release Date : 29-03-2021

Added : 15-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

This time we are leaving quite far from the Scandinavian countries since our destination is South America which is not necessarily famous for a large reservoir of melodic rock formations. And yet, this young group 'Revlin Project' has all the assets to make itself known because, created in 2015 by 'Nilver Perez' and made up of artists from Colombia and Spain, they released a first album in 2017 under the name of their leader (see here) and make themselves known their country until the signing with the Danish label 'Lions Pride Music' which leads to this first album 'Trascender'. Musically, we are immersed for 45 minutes in an AOR of the 80s with melodies all as melodic as each other and they have nothing to envy to the best formations of the genre and the comparisons with 'Autumn's Child', 'W.E.T.', 'Eclipse' or even 'Palace' to name only groups that have released an album recently, are fully justified. Everything is done to have a good time with, first of all, catchy compositions like 'World Within', 'Live Again', 'Face to Face' or even 'Keep Holding On' but they also have talent for quieter atmospheres with for example the remarkable 'Take Me to You' and 'So Alive' without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Til the End' placed at the end of the album.

In short, needless to add, this first album of 'Revlin Project' is a pure delight of AOR which should turn in loop for a lot of amateurs of melodic rock bringing us back to the best of 80 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Renato Costa (Vocal), Nilver Pérez (Keybords), Alain Ascarza (Guitar), Pepe Irei (Guitar), Brian Henriquez (Bass), Gabriel Seri (Drums), Ziko Franco (Vocal)


Artist : Carmeria

Album : Advenae

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 16-06-2021

After the melodic rock album of the group of 'Revlin Project' which took us to South America which is not necessarily the place where we are used to having this style of music, here is another atypical country, this time in the field of symphonic metal, since it is the Australians of 'Carmenia' who are releasing their first studio album. And after listening to 'Advenae' for the first time, we quickly realize that they are likely to make themselves known quite quickly on the international scene because this first opus has everything to compete with the best formations of the genre and contains everything that everything. connoisseur of symphonic metal seeks in this style: epic atmospheres, the power of metal, rich and sumptuous orchestral and vocal arrangements, a female singer in most cases or a singer more rarely in a lyrical or clear register accompanied in some cases by extreme vocals and direct and effective melodies that we quickly appropriate. And this definition applies perfectly to the Australians of 'Carmenia' whose singer 'Jordan Von Grae' has nothing to envy to a 'Tommy Karevik'.

And it all begins with the eponymous instrumental of the album, usual in this musical genre, bathed in an epic atmosphere at will, then, 'Morningstar' opens hostilities with a first melodic hit whose chorus immediately falls into head without going out, 'Carpe Noctem' which follows, adding growls in an equally energetic and melodic atmosphere which gives an irresistible desire to headbang to the rhythm of incisive guitar riffs. The suite continues with heady melodies and parades compositions all as effective as each other, such as 'En Rapture' and its introduction close to 'Epica' or 'To Lead the Blind', combining the power of metal with quieter moments, just like 'Solaris' which deploys an addictive new melody, or even 'Starfall' which sends us yet another memorable chorus. The quieter moments are not forgotten and the power ballads are four in number which brings a very good balance to the whole album, and parade melodic jewels that are 'Relinquished', 'Celestia', 'Veil of Sanctitude 'and' Halo 'all equally effective. And the icing on the cake, the last title offers us a long epic development which sums up all the facets of 'Carmenia', grandiose orchestral and vocal arrangements, some power alternating with much calmer sections, remarkable breaks rhythm and magnificent guitar solos, all accompanied by irresistible melodic lines. Note that the Australians have not done things by halves because they have also uploaded remarkable videos with 'Relinquished', 'To Lead The Blind', 'Celestia', 'Morningstar', 'Solaris' and finally 'Carpe Noctem'.

In summary, 2020 saw the arrival of 'MoonSun' on the symphonic metal scene with 'Escapalace' which had been for me the revelation in this style, and this year sees another formation coming from Australia just as talented to appear and to offer us a remarkable album which will undoubtedly mark a whole public liking symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Jordan Von Grae (Vocal), Jerry Zahija (Guitar, Vocal), Liza Gudkova (Keybords), Tory Giamba (Bass, Vocal), Johny Rock (Drums)


Artist : Infinite & Divine

Album : Silver Lining

Release Date : 09-04-2021

Added : 17-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

And it is again in Sweden that we are heading with this new association between the multi-instrumentalist and composer 'Jan Åkesson' (' Stonelake' and 'Jan Akesson's Shadow Rain') and female singer 'Tezzi Persson', the line-up being completed by 'Stonelake' drummer, 'Jens Westberg'. As much in symphonic metal, we are used to having frontwomen's, as much in melodic hard-rock, it is quite rare to hear women and, it is clear, that this new project 'Infinite & Divine' has everything to work with a rock and melodic hard-rock audience because 'Tezzi Persson' shows remarkable vocal qualities with a powerful and melodious vocals which works perfectly with the compositions of 'Jan Åkesson' and which has nothing to envy to the best hard-rock and metal singers. On the menu of this first studio recording 'Silver Lining', They offer us 11 direct and effective tracks between 3 and 4 minutes with melodies that easily enter your head. The opus is particularly focused on energetic and catchy rhythmic sections with subtle variations of intensity and heady choruses as for example in 'I Feel Alive', 'Wasteland', 'Burn No More' or even 'Keep On Moving' and 'Off the End of the World' whose latters can even make think of the melodic lines of 'Bonie Tyler' in the 80s with a more muscular accompaniment. In short, this new 'Infinite & Divine' project is still a good surprise 2021 in the field of melodic hard-rock and 'Silver Lining' should appeal to all fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Tezzi Persson (Vocal), Jan Åkesson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Jens Westberg (Drums)


Artist : Blackbriar

Album : The Cause of Shipwreck

Release Date : 23-04-2021

Added : 18-06-2021

'Blackbriar' is a symphonic metal formation that comes to us from the country which is a major provider of projects of this style since it is Holland, of which, to name only well-known groups, 'Within Temptation' and 'Epica' are originate from it. After 3 promising EPs 'Fractured in Fairytales' in 2017, 'We'd Rather Burn' in 2018 and 'Our Mortal Remains' in 2019, they released their first LP, 'The Cause of Shipwreck' which should quickly make them known to a fairly large audience of symphonic metal because they have all the qualities to succeed into this particular style. First of all, their singer 'Zora Cock' has a very particular and very original vocal register which brings an almost childish sweetness with a perfect mastery and a very expressive song allowing her to adapt in a beautiful way to the atmospheres deployed by the group. Then the melodic lines are all catchy and the compositions between 3 and 5 minutes are direct and tame from the first listening.

'Confess' opens the album with a melody which is reminiscent of their compatriots from 'Within Temptation', the whole being bathed in a theatrical symphonic atmosphere with a heavy orchestration, atmosphere that we find throughout the album and the following track 'Weakness and Lust' which alternates tranquility and energy in a marked tempo is still a perfect illustration of this. The following takes us through a melodic and powerful 'Through the Crevice', the mid-tempo 'The Séance' which is completely in the tradition of 'Within Temptation' and which was the subject of a video here, then, 'You're Haunting Me' is the first ballad break that offers a dark and disturbing theatrical atmosphere but so addicting. The second part of the album continues with an epic 'Walking Over My Grave' alternating in a beautiful way powerful passages with the arrangements provided and others much more refined and of which you can see the video clip above then, 'My Down -to-Earth Lover' takes us back to 'Within Temptation' from the late 90s and 'Selkie', the video of which you can check out here in comic book form, despite the rather dramatic theme of a love story that turns into drama, is much lighter and tinged with folk and brings a nice variety to the whole. With 'Deadly Diminuendo' (see the video here) which deploys a slow and heavy tempo, we are again in a disturbing atmosphere, the theatrical vocals of 'Zora Cock' working perfectly in this more tormented style and the album ends with the mid-tempo 'Lilith Be Gone' which is a perfect summary of this album with a new heady chorus and imposing symphonic arrangements highlighting a sort of quiet strength which, for me, gives me intense listening pleasure.

In summary, by perpetuating a symphonic metal from the beginning of this style with obvious influences from their big brother 'Within Temptation', the Dutch of 'Blackbriar' also bring a particular touch made of intense theatrical atmospheres thanks to orchestrations with multiple twists but also thanks to their female singer who has this talent to bewitch us and carry us away in each composition. Another great discovery for 2021 in symphonic metal and 'The Cause of Shipwreck' should undoubtedly appeal to all lovers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Zora Cock (Vocal), Bart Winters (Guitar), Robin Koezen (Guitar), Frank Akkerman (Bass), Ruben Wijga (Keybords), René Boxem (Drums)


Artist : Temple Balls

Album : Pyromide

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 19-06-2021

Line Up / Musicians

Arde Teronen (Vocal), Jimi Välikangas (Bass), Jiri Paavonaho (Guitar), Niko Vuorela (Guitar), Antti Hissa (Drums)


Artist : False Memories

Album : The Last Night of Fall

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 20-06-2021

'False Memories' is a new Italian project created in 2015 by guitarist 'Francesco Savino' and whose debut album 'Chimerical' released digitally in 2018 with a debut singer 'Valentina Pucci' and which was re-released in 2019 with two bonus tracks sung by new singer 'Rossella Moscatello'. Tagged in gothic/doom metal, after a first listen, we realize that the metal component is present by the presence of saturated guitar riffs quite measured and that emerges from the whole a rather peaceful atmosphere mixing melancholy and sensuality with accessible melodic lines. In this opus, I find the atmospheres of 'Stream Of Passion' especially since the singing of 'Rossella Moscatello' shows similarities in the interpretations with that of 'Marcelo Bovio'.

And from the first titles 'Black Shades', 'Rain of Souls' and 'Voices', we are bathed in a sensual atmosphere with remarkable vocal performances of 'Rossella Moscatello' which convey a beautiful emotion, the guitars bringing a kind of quiet force alternating power and calm in moderate rhythms. The following of the album is quite similar with 'Hysteria' and 'The Illusionist' which unroll at slow tempos with bewitching melodies on which we completely surrender, then 'Erased' and 'White Crows' which follow suit, brings me back again to the constructions of 'Stream Of Passion' made of tension and relaxation, the vocal variations between power and tranquility of 'Rossella Moscatello' being very close to those of 'Marcela Bovio'. The end of the album is in the same spirit and parade 'Unfaithful Dream' quite close to some titles of the first albums d'Evanescence', the melodic 'Sea of Nothingness' with hypnotic scents, the powerful and heavy 'Deep Breath' and 'Don't Forget' which concludes the album with a last haunting melancholy power ballad.

In summary, even if we regret a lack of variety that makes the album quite linear, the Italians of 'False Memories' are releasing an album filled with endearing compositions that should appeal to a gothic and symphonic metal audience loving slow tempos and powerful ambiences filled with a certain melancholy...

Line Up / Musicians

Rossella Moscatello (Vocal), Francesco Savino (Guitar), Moreno Palmisano (Guitar), Gianluca Zaffino (Bass), Emanuele Cossu (Drums)


Artist : Robbie Lablanc

Album : Double Trouble

Release Date : 16-04-2021

Added : 21-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

I recently told you about 'Robbie Lablanc' in this melodic rock and hard rock playlist with his participation on the 'Darren Phillips' album'Volume Two' and it is his turn to release a new album 'Double Trouble'. Robbie is known to have participated in several projects, with, among others, 'Blanc Faces', in the 2000s with his brother and with two albums, 'Blanc Faces' in 2005 and 'Falling FromThe Moon'in 2009, and with 'Find Me' in the 2010s with 3 studio recordings, 'Wings of Love' in 2013, 'Dark Angel' in 2015 and 'Angels in Blue' in 2019. Surrounded by well-known artists from the melodic rock scene (including 'Tommy Denander' and 'Steve Overland'), 2021 sees the release under his name of the studio recording 'Double Trouble' in which he offers us 13 compositions that take us back to the 80s between pop, soul, funk and rock with melodies that we immediately appropriate. Everything is done to have a good time listening to this opus which contains melodic jewels in a very soft AOR, the style of light music that we listen to during the summer holidays. In short, this last album of 'Robbie Lablanc', sublimated by a singer who has the voice for this style of music, should be well received by a large audience in love with an elegant and refined AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal, Choirs) + Guests : Tommy Denander (Guitar, Keybords), Brian Anthony (Bass), Michael Lange (Drums), Steve Overland (Choirs)


Artist : Acolyte

Album : Entropy

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 22-06-2021

'Acolyte' is an Australian band that I discovered with their second album 'Entropy', the short LP 'Shades of Black' being released in 2016. And what an album! from the first listen, we are transported into a progressive universe ranging from rock to metal with an extraordinary richness and density, merging different styles ranging from atmospheric to power through symphonic, all this with easily assimilated melodic lines and a female singer who masters her subject from start to finish with an irreproachable vocal technique. I find somehow a remarkable patchwork of formations that I particularly like, ranging from 'Pink-Floyd' to 'Ayreon' through 'Sons of Apollo', 'Threshold', 'Riverside', 'Mystery' or even 'Therion' to name a few showing the diversity encountered on this album.

From the short instrumental 'Prelude', the few bars take us into an epic atmosphere to introduce the album's first eponymous long development (voir vidéo ici) which takes us through different soundscapes with multiple twists, going from an energetic section with a rhythmic base of progressive metal with addictive melodic lines to an atmospheric part 'Floydienne' with a guitar solo 'Gilmourien' and vocalizations touching the stars (reminding me of those of 'Atom Heart Mother'), bringing the very beautiful final in crescendo. Despite its shorter duration, the next track 'Resentment' (see video above) is an imaginative progressive metal digest with wonderful rhythmic changes, then, the 10 minutes of 'Clarity' (voir vidéo ici) re-embark us on a new sumptuous journey, beginning with a slow progression in an hypnotic rhythm and which reveals instrumental and vocal variations around the theme to gradually increase in power in a masterful way and offer new digressions with remarkable vocal arrangements to finally fall back into decrescendo in the finale. Then follows the short semi-acoustic ballad 'Resilience' with folk tones which allows a welcome ventilation between the long compositions, then, 'Idiosyncracy', the longest track, continues to make us travel, this time in oriental countries with beautiful vocal volutes which rub shoulders with more western melodic lines and the sumptuous instrumental arrangements halfway reveal sonic treasures accompanied by an exotic rhythm section, the second part returning to the melodic theme of the beginning enriched by very beautiful orchestrations and which ends with a few keyboards. Second small break, 'Solitude' is based on sound effects which serves as an introduction to the instrumental 'Recovery' which deploys a quiet atmospheric atmosphere in which we let ourselves be lulled and whose final on the piano is beautiful, then, the album ends with the long composition 'Acceptance' which, after the very calm climate of 'Recovery', continues in a 'Floydian' atmosphere with an aerial guitar alternating with beautiful vocalizations of 'Morgan-Leigh Brown' and which takes its flight after 3 minutes for a part whose marked rhythm alternates with breaks in intensity and tempos and which highlights in the second part remarkable guitar and keyboard solos. And with all that, I didn't take the time to tell you about the theme, I'm quoting 'Morgan-Leigh Brown': " 'Entropy' is a fully realised conceptual record exploring the early stages of 'loss'. Presented like diary entries, the record ebbs and flows through an array of actions, feelings & emotions that are commonly experienced when trying to ground oneself all while carrying the early weight of trauma. "

In summary, Acolyte's Australians' released an album that will undoubtedly mark the year 2021 in progressive because it is of a considerable density and variety by merging different styles and, as often in this case, requires repeated listening to draw all the richness which destines 'Entropy' to a progressive audience who like to take their time to discover little by little a concept album...

Line Up / Musicians

Morgan-Leigh Brown (Vocal), David Van Pelt (Keybords), Chris Cameron (Drums), Jason Grondman (Bass, Choirs), Pete Borzęta (Guitar)


Artist : Escape

Album : Fire in the Sky

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 23-06-2021

'Escape' is a British melodic rock formation who are releasing its 3rd album 'Fire in the Sky' after 'Borderline' in 2013. They bring up to date compositions by guitarist' Vince O'Regan 'which take us back decades and recall the major AOR formations of the 80s. So, we navigate through 11 compositions in a four-minute radio format with accessible melody lines that we appropriate from the first listening, all of this being of a remarkable quality of interpretation and production. Note the very beautiful ballad 'Restless Heat' and the long eponymous final title of the album which is cut in two, first a quiet part with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Graham Beales', then a second which rises in much more energetic power. 'In short,' Fire in the Sky 'is a very pleasant album to listen to and to advise a public loving AOR alternating quiet moments and others more energetic...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Beales (Vocal), Vince O'Regan (Guitar), Bob Pears (Drums), Pete Betts (Bass), Irvin Parratt (Keybords)


Artist : Nergard

Album : Eternal White

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 24-06-2021

Norwegian singer-songwriter 'Andreas Nergård' returns with a new concept album 'Eternal White' which is the third album under the name 'Nergard', 'A Bit Closer to Heaven' being the last studio recording released in 2015. This latest baby is a melodic metal opera with all the ingredients together for this kind of production but this time limiting the line up to two main singers since they are the Irish 'Stefani Keogh' (who has a youtube page with covers here, and the Norwegian 'Mathias Molund Indergård' (singer of 'Mindtech'), 'Andi Kravljaca' who is also guitarist and keyboardist being adding to the vocal duo. 'Eternal White' is a concept album telling the story of 'The death march of the Caroleans' in 1719 which saw the deaths of 3,000 Swedish and Finnish soldiers during the failed attempt to invade Norway.

'God Forgive My Haunted Mind' starts the album in an epic and symphonic atmosphere that we will find throughout the 10 compositions with an orchestration and vocal arrangements worthy of the best songs from 'Epica' and we let ourselves be embarked very quickly in a heady melody on a very catchy tempo with instrumental parts alternating calm and powerful passages. This beautiful impression is confirmed with 'Pride of the North' with a new melody that we immediately appropriate, the trio of singers bringing additional richness, then, the introduction of 'From the Cradle to the Grave' makes us go back to the beginning of 'Nightwish' with grandiose choirs and, in this title, 'Stefani Keogh' is very close to a lyrical register and forms a very beautiful duet with 'Mathias Molund Indergård' especially as the catchy melody quickly becomes addictive. The first break comes with 'Carry Me' which is a slow mid-tempo with a remarkable guitar solo from 'Andi Kravljaca' (which I would have liked a little longer), then the energetic 'Beneath Northern Skies' demonstrates again, if it was still necessary, the talent of melodist of 'Andreas Nergård' with a new composition which should be all the rage in concert and which is typical of the symphonic metal of the 90s with great reinforcement of orchestral arrangements on the keyboards. With 'Where No One Would Shed a Tear', we start the second part of the album with a faster rhythm, leading the singers to harden their interpretation and which again puts Andi's frenzied guitar solo forward for a short time. 'Kravljaca', then,' Downfall 'continues in an epic and theatrical atmosphere and can make one think of certain atmospheres of 'Kamelot' and 'Now Barely Three' continues in this symphonic ambiance with grandiose choirs closeto 'Nightwish' and the interventions of the growls of 'Tim "Ripper" Owens'. Follows the eponymous mid-tempo of the album which has an addictive new chorus and which is accompanied vocally and instrumentally in a remarkable way by 'Andi Kravljaca', then, the album ends with the longest composition of the album, 'Erasing the Memories' which ends up conquering us entirely and which is a magnificent ballad filled with a palpable emotion. Note that the Spotify version offers the full instrumental of the album which, personally, did not seem essential to me, the vocal arrangements bringing so much more richness and listening pleasure.

In summary, by refocusing on a limited line-up, 'Andreas Nergård' offers us a remarkable symphonic metal opera from the first to the last title and which has nothing to envy to projects of this style, I think especially at 'Avantasia' of 'Tobias Sammet', and it's a safe bet that 'Eternal White' will become an essential album for all lovers of power metal and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Nergård (Drums, Keybords, Programmation), Stefani Keogh (Vocal), Mathias Molund Indergård (Vocal), Andi Kravljaca (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Ørjan Halsan (Guitar) + Guest : Tim "Ripper" Owens (Vocal)


Artist : Hunter

Album : Hungry Heart

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 25-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

After 'Revlin Project', we go back to South America (like what!) with the Chileans of 'Hunter' who released an excellent album from AOR and whose leader, 'Ed Carabantes', collaborates with 'Revlin Project'. Spotted by 'Lion's Pride Music' after having produced an eponymous album of the group in 2018, 2021 sees a re-recording of all the titles in English (5 were in Spanish) under the leadership of the Danish record company. The album has been expanded for a total of 12 tracks which make us spend a pleasant time listening to this AOR which smells good the 80s and which can be enjoyed without moderation. From the outset, with the eponymous title of the album, we are conquered by this first heady chorus which gives us an impression of already known, then, in the same style we can quote the catchy melodic hits that are 'Far Away', 'Rise Up' and 'Warmer Love' but the majority of the compositions are in a more moderate tempo with the very good 'Tore Love', 'Love Hunter', 'Snake' and 'Somebody Said (Love Is A Lonely Word)' and when the rhythm is even more measured, the power ballads 'Sad Eyes' and 'Tonight' are to be added to the best AOR ballads. In short, no need to add more, 'Hunter' is still a great 2021 discovery in melodic rock which intends 'Hungry Heart' to all those who love major bands of this style of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Ed Carabantes (Vocal), Leo Correa (Keybords), Claudio Guerrero (Guitar), Juan Carlos Alfaro (Bass), Marcelo Alegria (Drums)


Artist : Blackberry Smoke

Album : You Hear Georgia

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 26-06-2021

After 'Find a Light' in 2018 and the magnificent live 'Homecoming : Live in Atlanta' released in 2020, the Americans of 'Blackberry Smoke' are releasing a new album 'You Hear Georgia'. Casually, this latest baby is the seventh of the group which celebrates its 20 years old in 2021 and they continue with their leader 'Charlie Starr' to perpetuate the musical culture of Georgia, melting pot of Blues music, with an immediately recognizable sound that smells of southern rock. And when I will have told you that the recording and the mixing of the album were realised in ten days, the atmospheres released close to the live make it a must of authenticity with, icing on the cake, a studio recording sound. Melodies then parade that run through your head all day long, whether with the energetic 'Live It Down', 'All Rise Again' in which 'Warren Haynes' was invited or even 'All Over The Road' but also in atmospheres closer to a more peaceful blues / rock with 'You Hear Georgia' whose lyrics and music so transpire this musical culture of 'Blackberry Smoke' or the lighter 'Hey Delilah' or 'Ain't the Same' and his slide guitar which makes you think of 'Eagles' or the heaviest 'Morningside' or even the magnificent' Old Scarecrow 'whose melody is grafted directly into the head, without forgetting the more subdued atmospheres with the beautiful ballads' Lonesome for a livin '' with the participation of 'Jamey Johnson' who spins the creeps or the stripped 'Old Enough To Know' bringing us back to the great tradition of American song.

In summary, this new album of 'Blackberry Smoke' takes us on a trip to the country that saw the birth of the blues and offers us direct but so effective compositions which are a good breath of fresh air in these troubled times and which should bring together a large audience because Americans have this gift to put between our ears music that has become almost universal over time...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Starr (Vocal, Guitar), Richard Turner (Bass, Vocal), Brit Turner (Drums), Paul Jackson (Guitar, Vocal), Brandon Still (Keybords) + Guests : Jamey Johnson (Vocal), Warren Haynes (Vocal), Black Bettys (Choirs)


Artist : Save The World

Album : Two

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 27-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

It is still in the direction of the United States that we are heading with 'Save The World' which is a formation that has to its credit an album, simply called 'One' released in 2017 and the search for album names is definitely not their greatest quality because their latest baby , which is therefore the second album (for those who do not follow) is called… 'Two'. But, this is actually not where we expect them and, it is clear that this 'Two' contains everything that we ask for a very good melodic hard-rock album with slight forays into the progressive in some titles. And from the start with 'Camera Obscurra', it starts well with a composition which flirts with a classy AOR with some modulations of intensity, then, 'Bones' takes over with a catchy rhythm with sounds of keyboards inherited from the 80s., and 'Miss Muse' (see video above) continues with a melodic jewel whose chorus never lets you go. The rest is like the beginning and each title could have been the subject of a single, whether the atmosphere is energetic (see video of 'Defenders of the Faith' here) or more measured because the Americans also offer us calmer rhythms with' When Amanda Hits The Stage ', but also remarkable ballads like the semi-acoustic 'Daphne Blue' and the beautiful power ballad 'Longer'.

In short, this second album from the Americans of 'Save The World' is yet to be added to the best melodic hard-rock releases of 2021 which should satisfy fans of melodic hard-rock and AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Dan Tracey (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Robert Wright (Bass, Keybords, Drums)


Artist : Sylvan

Album : One to Zero

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 28-06-2021

After 'Home' released 6 years ago, 'Sylvan' fans were impatiently awaiting this new baby from the Germans and it's done with 'One to Zero' in the form of a concept album that deals with artificial intelligence under a little particular angle because they imagine an autobiography of this last seen from its own perspective and which, as you can imagine, does not necessarily end in the advantage of humans. Mixed by the two members of 'RPWL' 'Yogi Lang' and 'Karl Wallner', who participate as musicians and who are, let us remember, also the producers of 'Sylvan' with their label 'Gentle Art Of Music', we are in 65 minutes of calm and restful progressive in which it is good to get lost in the different nooks and crannies of the compositions rather long because of the 10 tracks, 8 exceed 5 minutes with a long final development.

'Bit by Bit' opens the album in this atmosphere well known of the Germans with a quiet and endearing mid-tempo in an imaginative progressive and we of course find similarities with 'RPWL', then, 'Encoded at Heart 'takes us in a first ballad with a vocal performance by 'Marco Glühmann' still moving with these variations in the treble and the short' Start Your Life ', which follows, is much more direct in a catchy pop register. With the delicious 'Unleashed Power' which plods slowly, the first piano/voice part is beautiful, then the entry of the electric instruments in an atmospheric atmosphere continues to gently rock us until the last piano notes. 'Trust in Yourself' continues in the style of the previous title but brings magnificent alternations of intensity with first of all incisive guitar riffs well placed, then a magnificent 'Floydien' solo alternating with much calmer parts highlighting before the piano and the violin. An astonishing 'On My Odyssey' follows, more complex in construction but just as endearing, which brings together different rhythms with first a slow tempo with melancholic strings, then an unbridled section takes over for the first sung part arriving at the more marked chorus, the second part offering us a section with the violin close to 'Kansas', then the slow tempo returns to continue and end with a completely addictive melody. We continue our wonderful journey with the long development 'Part of Me' which is a new ballad in which we completely surrender to the sweet voice of 'Marco Glühmann' with a contrasting and intense section in the central part and with a moving final solo of guitar, then, 'Worlds Apart', more compact, brings a more disturbing climate, the Humans starting to realize that artificial intelligence does not bring only good things. The electronic sounds accompany a much more powerful 'Go Viral' contrasting with the previous slow tempos and which offers in the middle of the title a remarkable instrumental part by putting forward a masterful keyboard solo. We come to the end of our journey with the longest track of the album, 'Not a Goodbye', in which, all the hopes that Man founded in artificial intelligence were ultimately "only artificial" (in the not essential sense) and musically, we find all the ingredients of 'Sylvan' with this progressive filled with emotion and warmth, sublimated by a singer who very often gives us goosebumps.

In summary, 'Sylvan' offers us a new album of great quality which should, beyond their fan base, touch any amateur of progressive because, with each release of a new studio recording, we are always seduced by these delicate and moving atmospheres that the Germans know so well how to transmit to their public...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Glühmann (Vocal), Volker Söhl (Keybords), Sebastian Harnack (Bass), Matthias Harder (Drums), Johnny Beck (Guitar) + Guests : Kalle Wallner (Guitar), Yogi Lang (Keybords), Katja Flintsch (Violin, Viola), Bine Heller (Choirs)


Artist : Sonic Haven

Album : Vagabond

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 29-06-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Sonic Haven' stands out slightly from the melodic hard-rock playlist since their niche is more in a powerful power metal but given the diversity of the songs, I included it in the playlist for the first half of 2021 in rock and hard - melodic rock. Lead by the German singer 'Herbie Langhans' well known on the international metal scene ('Avantasia', 'Voodo Circle', 'Sinbreed', 'Beyonf The Bridge' and 'Firewind'), this first opus offers us compositions ranging from AOR to a muscular power metal, all accompanied by unifying melodies that we want to sing along in chorus. Admittedly, the majority of the tracks are overflowing with energy and the beginning of the album shows this with the fast 'Vagabond' and its heady chorus, followed by a 'Back To Mad' with a rhythmic slightly behind but just as unleashed, 'Nightmare' which follows having nothing to envy on these two predecessors. The sequel is more varied with a catchy 'Keep The Flame Alive', just like 'End of the World' which follows or the last track 'Striking Back' with its heady chorus and its impressive guitar solo by 'Carsten Stepanowicz' (very good throughout this opus) and we can also note the heavy rather addictive mid-tempo 'The Darker Side', the catchy 'From White to Black' closer to melodic hard-rock and the ballad 'Save the Best for Last', certainly classic but so effective. In short, 'Sonic Haven' releases an album filled with good energy with a singer who sends us heavy from start to finish which should appeal to a classical power metal audience but also could reach fans of a melodic and energetic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Herbie Langhans (Vocal), Carsten Stepanowicz (Guitar), Dominik Stotzem (Bass), André Hilgers (Drums)


Artist : Karmamoi

Album : Room 101

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 30-06-2021

After discovering the Italians with their fourth album 'Silence Between Sounds' , I passed next to the magnificent 'The Day Is Gone' in 2018 (for those who are like me, I advise you to immerse yourself in it) and I make up for it with the no less magnificent 'Room 101', released at the end of May 2021, which is inspired by the novel by 'George Orwell', 1984, published in 1948 and which has become a literary reference at this time (would the health crisis have highlighted what Orwell had written more than 70 years ago now?) and this reference to Room 101 is linked to the psychological torture inflicted on people to transform them into calibrated and docile beings. As much to tell you right away, 'Room 101' will undoubtedly be one of my albums which will be in the top 3 of the progressive rock albums of 2021, because this opus is of an extraordinary density and richness and contains everything what I'm looking for in this style with long developments containing multiple drawers in which it is good to lose yourself and go to the rhythm of the music with, ice on the cake, completely sublime vocal arrangements.

On the menu, 7 tracks for 70 minutes of listening and the album begins with 'Memory Holes' which shows at the outset an imaginative progressive with 'Sara Rinaldi' who is still in the game for this album and who we charm on this disturbing melody dotted with sound effects and electronic sounds with in the background, in opposition to the clear atmosphere, a slight flute accompaniment of 'Steve Unruh' ('The Samurai Of Prog', 'UPF') , then, after a remarkable final rise in power which ends abruptly, 'Drop By Drop' takes over with a ballad which begins calmly and which gradually gains momentum to alternate with quieter sections and which, after a moving stripped down part in the middle of the title, has a magnificent second part which gradually gains strength with vocal arrangements in the beautiful finale, which for me makes it one of the highlights of the album. 'Dark City' which follows, is a slow atmospheric procession which begins very calmly and which, at the end of 2.30, introduces an unbridled rhythmic section contrasting remarkably with the calm atmosphere, then, the finale picks up again with, first, saturated guitar riffs, then, with the short intervention to the vocals of 'Sara Rinaldi' (which would have deserved from my point of view a longer conclusion). With 'Zealous Man', we hold the longest composition which continues in this captivating atmospheric atmosphere, alternating tensions and relaxations throughout the title with yet another magnificent vocal performance by 'Sara Rinaldi' who remarkably adapts her singing according to the 'intensity of the moment and which moves us at every moment and we can also highlight the magnificent central guitar solo of 'Alex Massari' and a masterful finale. Follows 'Newspeak' which is undoubtedly the most cinematographic composition and which reminds me for my part of the musical atmospheres of 'Eric Serra' from 'Le grand bleu' which would have been mixed with the keyboard tones of the album 'Whish You Were Here' from the' Floyds'. The eponymous title of the album is very representative of the atmosphere of room 101 with this feeling of fear and anguish with vocals filled with reverberation which brings us once again to the atmosphere of the 'Floyds', this time with 'The Wall' and we are right in a imaginative progressive with a long instrumental part in the second part completely addictive. It is with 'The New World' which borders on 10 minutes that the album ends with a last completely memorable melody and which once again plunges us into a progressive taking us on a beautiful trip in which we let ourselves go to the multiple changes of rhythm and which sums up this magnificent opus, the instrumental and vocal parts alternating different intensities and holding the listener in suspense from start to finish.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, this last opus of the Italians of 'Karmamoi' is certainly one of the most captivating albums of their discography and for my part comes directly to my ideal progressive collection and, I do not No doubt, also that of many amateurs and many amateurs of dense, imaginative progressive rock and conveying all kinds of emotions...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniele Giovannoni (Keybords, Drums, Choirs), Alex Massari (Guitar), Alessandro Cefalì (Bass) + Guests : Sara Rinaldi (Vocal), Valerio Sgargi (Vocal, Choirs), Adam Holzman (Piano, Moog), Steve Unruh (Violin, Flute), Emilio Merone (Piano, Keybords), Francesca Zanetta (Solina)


Artist : Robin McAuley

Album : Standing On The Edge

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 01-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

Melodic, still melodic and more and more melodic, the playlist of melodic rock / hard-rock releases for the first half of 2021 that you can check out above continues to be populated every other day, and this time it's with singer from 'Michael Schenker Group', 'Robin McAuley' who has just released a new album under his name, 'Standing On The Edge', surrounded by artists from the hard-rock scene with among others, the famous archi known 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' since he produces his album with 'Frontiers' (little research on myprogmusic here). He offers us 8 compositions that he co-wrote with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', 'Phil Lanzon', 'Howard Leese' and 'Tommy Denander' respectively coming to lend a hand to Robin for one track each. No surprise, with such artists, we are immersed in an AOR taking us back to the 80s with melodies that graft directly into the head with energetic guitar riffs of 'Andrea Seveso' softened by keyboards held by 'Alessandro Del Vecchio'. Each track could have been the subject of a single and the whole is mostly made up of measured rhythms with the exception of the tracks 'Thy Will Be Done', 'Chosen Few', 'Like a Ghost' and 'Running out of Time' a little more faster and just as addictive as the mid-tempos 'Standing on the Edge', 'Do You Remember', 'Say Goodbye' or even 'Supposed to Do Now' which all have choruses that we want to take up in chorus, without forgetting the two beautiful ballads 'Late December' and 'Run Away'. In short, nothing to throw in this opus which is listened to happily from start to finish with a 'Robin McAuley' which has nothing to envy to the best singers of this style and if you are a fan of melodic rock of the 80s, you should definitely adopt 'Standing On The Edge'...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin McAuley (Vocal), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Bass, Choirs), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums) + Guest : Howard Leese (Guitar)


Artist : The Vicious Head Society

Album : Extinction Level Event

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 02-07-2021

After the very good 'Abject Tomorrow'< / a> that I had reviewed after its release in 2017, Irishman 'Graham Keane' continues his progressive adventure with the release of a new album with new singers 'Nathan Maxx' for clear vocals and 'Andy Ennis' for growls, 'Nahuel Ramos' replacing 'Derek Sherinian' on keyboards and the rhythm section remaining unchanged with 'Klemen Markelj' on drums and 'Pat Byrne' on bass. At the moment, we are spoiled in progressive rock/metal releases because afterwards, the Australians of a href='http://becker.cj.free.fr/myprogmusic/com/albums.php?langue=A&idspot=spotify:album:34dQQmR5cBgyHE8CULDzVX' target='_blank'>'Acolyte' and the two albums of 'Sylvan' et de 'Karmamoi', it's now an impressive new concept album that' Nathan Maxx 'offers us, I quote him : "Extinction Level Event is an album on the end of the world. It's a concept that has been explored in various other forms of media, but on this album, I wanted to explore personal stories of how people might react knowing their demise is imminent."

And it is with the eponymous track album, entirely instrumental, album that we begin our journey with 10 dense minutes that mix atmospheric rock with muscular riffs of progressive metal and in which there is really no downtime, the whole forming a wonderful introduction to the album, then, 'Solipsism' adds the vocals of 'Nathan Maxx' alternating with the growls of 'Andy Ennis' which, although this is something I don't usually appreciate not, go very well because they are well placed in the more muscular parts adding even more contrasts with the quieter sections. We find these ruptures of rhythm and intensity in 'The Signal' (see video here), more unbridled but whose melodic lines of the chorus are immediately encrusted in the head, then, the long new development with the remarkable 'Judgment' which is a must of metal progressive, making us go through all kinds of sensations, alternating oriental and western sounds and which captivates from start to finish thanks to a beautiful diversity of the deployed atmospheres. The suite offers us 'Throes of Despair' with its heady melody and with a marked rhythm on which Graham's guitar works wonders and which has very beautiful male choirs, then 'Yp138' takes over with a new instrumental mixing metal and rock, the first part being filled with a good dose of energy and which brings in the second part a relaxation in the form of a very beautiful passage 'Floydien' and 'On a Silver Thread' (see video below) continues in this imaginative progressive metal with magnificent vocal and instrumental arrangements on a melody which quickly becomes addictive. With 'Absolution', the rhythm is more calm and we still find beautiful variations of intensity throughout the title which is built around a heady melodic theme that recurs several times and the album ends with the remarkable 'Hymn of Creation 'filled with emotion and summarizes all the facets of this album which can take us from a light orchestral passage to ferocious growls, all this being magnified by the talent of melodist of 'Graham Keane'.

In summary, 'Graham Keane', influenced by different musical styles merged together for the best, releases an album of extraordinary density and richness which will undoubtedly mark the year 2021 in progressive but, which, reverse of the medal, asks to linger to appreciate it at its fair value and to draw all the substantive marrow which will undoubtedly limit it to an informed public loving to discover little by little a concept album...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Keane (Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Andy Ennis (Growls), Nathan Maxx (Vocal), Klemen Markelj (Drums), Pat Byrne (Bass), Nahuel Ramos (Keybords), Matheus Manente (Bass), Shelley Weiss (Violin)


Artist : Levara

Album : Levara

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 03-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Levara' is a new formation which was born from the meeting of the French singer 'Jules Galli', the American guitarist 'Trev Lukather' and the English drummer 'Josh Devine'. We already knew the first four singles, 'Heaven Knows', 'Chameleon', 'Automatic' and 'Ever Enough' released a few months ago (see their youtube channel here) which already gave us a good idea of the musical direction, offering us a rather quiet AOR with harmonious melodies that we immediately appropriate and which is directly influenced by the major melodic rock formations of the 80s (normal because in the Lukather family, I would like father Luke: I have, he was one of the founding members of 'Toto'). So, six new original compositions have been added and which are all in the same style and we spend a very pleasant time listening to this first LP of the trio to which is added the guest bassist 'Sam Porcaro' and the choirs of former 'Journey' singer 'Steve Perry' (expected to release a new album soon, listen to the new single here). In short, this new cosmopolitan melodic rock project shows the talent of these artists which offers us a very good melodic rock album and which should run in a loop among a lot of fans of formations of this style which takes us back four decades back into the time machine...

Line Up / Musicians

Jules Galli (Vocal), Trev Lukather (Guitar), Josh Devine (Drums) + Guests : Sam Porcaro (Bass), Steve Perry (Choirs)


Artist : Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen

Album : Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 04-07-2021

'Esa Holopainen' is the guitarist of the dark metal band 'Amorphis' who have just released a live that I will present to you soon. But this Finnish debut album, even if one title contains it, is far from the growls of 'Amorphis' and takes us on for 9 compositions in a format not exceeding 4 minutes between pop and rock with many guest singers among whom we find names known as 'Anneke van Giersbergen', 'Björn Strid' ('Soilwork', 'The Night Flight Orchestra') or even the singer of 'Leprous', 'Einar Solberg'.

The instrumental 'Silver Lake' opens the album with an acoustic in which Esa's guitar takes us on a relaxing journey with a slight crescendo that sees the electric instruments point the tip of their noses one after the others, then, 'Sentiment' continues in a melancholy atmosphere with the singer's captivating interpretation of 'Kakatonia', 'Jonas Renkse'. With 'Storm' (see video above) the tone hardens slightly with a melodic and catchy composition in typical sounds of Nordic folk music which is performed by 'Håkan Hemlin' who is singer of the Sudanese Folk group 'Nordman', then, 'Ray of Light' (see video here), with characteristic participation 'Einar Solberg' offers us a pop atmosphere reminiscent of the 80s and some titles of 'Bronski Beat' with 'Jimmy Somerville'. Change of scenery with 'Alkusointu' which is darker, and which highlights the serious narration of 'Vesa-Matti Loiri' with instrumental interventions quite close to the music of westerns of 'Enio Morricone', then, 'Esa Holopainen' reserved to his friend and partner in 'Amorphis', 'Tomi Joutsen', the composition 'In Her Solitude' which is closest to their group. The epic and melodic side comes out with 'Promising Sun', more moderate, in which 'Björn Strid' uses his clear voice as he does brilliantly with 'The Night Flight Orchestra' and 'Anneke van Giersbergen' comes to charm us with a 'Fading Moon' whose vocal arrangements are remarkable and which is well in the style of the Dutchwoman with a heady melody and folkloric resonances, the album ending with the semi-acoustic 'Apprentice' with again the sweet voice of 'Jonas Renkse' which makes it a gripping new singing reminiscent of the beginning of the opus.

In summary, the Finnish 'Esa Holopainen', thanks to guests who each bring their own personality, releases a very varied album that mixes different styles and atmospheres alternating poetry, melancholy and catchy melodies, the whole being very accessible, which destines 'Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen' to a large audience who navigate between pop and melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Esa Holopainen (Guitar) + Guests : Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocal), Björn ‘speed’ Strid (Vocal), Einar Solberg (Vocal), Håkan Hemlin (Vocal), Jonas Renkse (Vocal), Tomi Joutsen (Vocal), Vesa-matti Loiri (Vocal)


Artist : Seventh Crystal

Album : Delirium

Release Date : 14-05-2021

Added : 05-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

Guess where this new 'Seventh Crustal' melodic hard-rock project came from. Obviously from a Nordic country and in this case from Sweden with, at the base, the singer 'Kristian Fhyr' who surrounded himself with instrumentalists to finally create a formation which was spotted by the 'Frontiers' label. And the result is a set of 12 compositions which takes us in a modern AOR whose influences are well heard drawn from the 80s/90s with melodic lines immediately assimilable and which fit perfectly into the playlist that I have been offering to you since the beginning of June. The first four tracks give a perfect sample of this album with first of all two catchy songs with 'Say What You Need To Say' and 'When We Were Young', then, two other quieter compositions with first of all the beautiful ballad 'Broken Mirror' and the mid-tempo 'Delirium' and its endearing melody. The rest is in the image of this beginning and addictive melodies parade one after the other for our greatest pleasure. Note also the remarkable acoustic covers available on the youtube page of 'Frontiers' from 'When We Were Young' and 'Broken Mirror'. In summary, 'Seventh Crystal' is a very promising new project which has been added to the already impressive list of Swedish formations and 'Delirium' is to be enjoyed without moderation and should appeal to a whole audience adept of a melodic hard-rock influenced by the 80s/90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristian Fhyr (Vocal), Emil Dornerus (Guitar), Johan Älvsång (Keybords), Olof Gadd (Bass), Anton Roos (Drums)


Artist : Rhapsody Of Fire

Album : I'll Be Your Hero

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 06-07-2021

After 'The Eighth Mountain' in 2019, the Italians of 'Rhapsody Of Fire' release an EP which contains only one original title but whose other titles are a fairly representative sample of this formation. First, the new composition, 'I'll Be Your Hero' is typical of a flamboyant power metal as the band of 'Alex Staropoli' knows so well to do and offers us a real melodic hit which will certainly take a good place in future concerts. Then, the soft side of the group is represented by two titles, first of all the cover of 'Where Dragons Fly' which already dates from 1998 with influences of medieval music, and then, another cover, that of 'The Wind, The Rain And The Moon' from the last album which is available in 4 versions, English, Italian, Spanish and French, it's up to you to choose yours. Finally, two live tracks 'Rain of Fury' and 'The Courage to Forgive' allow you to remember the warm and joyful atmospheres that this formation offers to its audience at each concert which is a real moment of communion with the audience. In short, this short EP will undoubtedly make it possible to make the fans wait before the next album and perhaps to introduce the Italians of 'Rhapsody Of Fire' to an audience that does not know them yet because we have a very good sample of know-how of the Italians...

Line Up / Musicians

Giacomo Voli (Vocal), Alex Staropoli (Keybords), Roby De Micheli (Guitar), Alessandro Sala (Bass), Paolo Marchesich (Drums)


Artist : Phil Vincent

Album : Stigmata

Release Date : 26-05-2021

Added : 07-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Phil Vincent' continues to give us albums regularly and, after 'Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday' in 2020, it is the turn of 'Stigmata' to see the light of day, which now brings its discography to 23 studio recordings. We therefore find this style of melodic rock influenced by the 70s and this new opus makes us travel between the pop of the 'Beatles' or the melodic rock of 'Boston' or 'Foreigner' or the hard-rock of a 'Cheap-Trick' with some stronger guitar riffs. The range is therefore wide and, from the start, with 'No End In Sight', we are embarked on an energetic and catchy track which sets the tone of the album, this more muscular side being found in 'My Life' (taken from his album 'Tragic' released just 20 years ago years) or in 'Hideway' or even in 'Don't Turn You Back'. In a lighter atmosphere, melodic hits parade with 'Time' which has an addictive chorus that the 'Beatles' would not have denied or 'Reason to Believe' which closes the album beautifully, and we can also quote 'My Darkness' with alternations of intensity and tempo bringing a bit of progressive or this beautiful cover of 'Eleanor Rigby' intensified by saturated guitar riffs or even 'It Don't Matter Anymore' with a chorus that never leaves you more, without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'So Tired'. Also note that in parallel with this new solo album, 'Phil Vincent' released with 'D'Ercole' at the beginning of the year a new studio recording, 'Hardcore'.

In summary, 'Phil Vincent' continues on his way by offering us, year after year, quality albums and this latest baby is yet another great proof of the talent of this artist who does not make the buzz on the internet (and that's a shame). If you do not know him yet and you are a fan of varied melodic rock, I strongly advise you to go and have a "listen" to 'Stigamata', you will certainly be won over by these very endearing compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vincent (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Max Piccolo (Drums), Vince O'Regan (Guitar), Janne Stark (Guitar)


Artist : Illusory

Album : Crimson Wreath

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 08-07-2021

'Illusory' is a Greek group of power metal and which has already released two albums 'The Ivory Tower' in 2013 (it was also the name of the group before this time which has therefore been around thirty years of existence) and 'Polysyllabic' in 2016. 'Crimson Wreath', relased in May 2021, is their last baby and is a concept album on the hard drive of the war and all its negative sides and which contains 14 compositions for nearly 80 minutes of music. Although they are tagged in power metal and that we could compare them to formations like 'Sabaton', this 'Crimson Wreath' is varied and contains in many places alternations between power and calm which brings a good dose of progressive.

It all starts with a 'Besetting Sins' (see video here) involving with a first unifying chorus that we immediately appropriate, then, 'Acedia' is a first Acoustic comma with a melancholy recitative, followed by the eponymous title of the album which begins calmly and which gains momentum after 1.30 mn and which continues to alternate powerful passages and others calmer. 'Immortal No', in a more classic power metal, takes over in a fast tempo with beautiful rhythmic breaks, and if you like long guitar solos, you will certainly be delighted by the one offered to us in the second part of the title. Well-deserved break with the short ballad 'All Shade Fade', before attacking an 'All Blood Red' (see video here) filled with good energy, then, the short 'The Voice Inside Me', a new recited comma serves as an introduction to 'St Forsaken', one of the masterpieces of the album which takes us on for more than 8 minutes in a progressive saga which, after an acoustic introduction, contains three sung sections interspersed with remarkable instrumental parts and whose melodic theme is easily embedded in the head. 'Ashes To Dust' continues in the same melodic style as its predecessor with a nice acoustic break in the second part which recalls the Greek roots of this formation. More classic and more collected, follows 'A Poem I Couldn't Rhyme', which is the melodic hit of the album whose chorus should be taken up by a whole audience in concert then, we attack the suite 'An Opus Of Loss And Sorrow' composed of 3 titles for a duration of 22 minutes which highlights the progressive side of the Greeks with this dense and rich ensemble in which we are carried away and which makes us pass through all kinds of atmospheres, the whole staying us spellbound from the first to the last note. After these three remarkable compositions, it is with a new long development, 'Fortress Of Sadness', that the album ends in style and which is made up of several drawers showing the know-how of the Greeks to offer us a progressive power metal captivating

In summary, the Greeks of Illusory 'are releasing a very dense album that requires lingering over it to extract all the richness, because' Crimson Wreath 'is much more than a simple suite of power metal songs but embeds progressive elements which mean that it will not only be reserved for an audience which like direct and efficient power metal but will undoubtedly make people happy among fans of an easy-to-access progressive metal thanks to melodic lines that the we take ownership immediately...

Line Up / Musicians

Dee Theodorou (Vocal), George Papantonis (Guitar), Greg Bakos (Guitar), Niki Danos (Bass), Makis Vandoros (Keybords), Costas Koulis (Drums)


Artist : Proud

Album : Second Act

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 09-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

It is well known, it is in the old pots that one makes the best soups (french proverb) and this is the case of the Swedish formation 'Proud' which was founded at the beginning of the Eighties and which had released an album. at the time 'Fire Breaks The Dawn'. 2019 saw the reformation of the group with the key to this new album, aptly named, 'Second Act' which offers us 10 compositions in an AOR straight from the 80s and it starts strong with a catchy 'Sail Away' (see the video here) that we listen with that nostalgic little smile of memories from another era, then, 'Broken Dreams' drives the point home with a melody that gives the impression of already heard, followed by 'Magic', which is aptly named and which prolongs this very pleasant listening moment. What follows continues in this addictive atmosphere and each track brings its share of listening pleasure until the final track 'Fly Like an Eagle' which offers us a last heady chorus. In short, this 'Second Act' which saw the revival of the Swedes of 'Proud' is added to the already long list of melodic rock albums in 2021 and shows this need, after a period of health crisis in which the humans have lost all their good meaning, to return to simple things like this music from the 80s which was a source of pleasure and carefree...

Line Up / Musicians

Anders Magnell (Vocal, Guitar, Choirs), Roberth Horvath (Bass, Choirs), Mats Christiansson (Drums, Choirs) + Guest : Richard Larsson (Keybords)


Artist : Wardrum

Album : Mavericks

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 10-07-2021

Decidedly, the Greek power metal is doing well now because it is only a week after the new studio recording of 'Illusory' that the Greeks from 'Wardrum' release their fifth studio album after 'Awakening' in 2016. This fifth opus marks the tenth anniversary of the group, and the lineup is now evolving since it is 'George Margaritopoulos' who officiates as singer replacing 'Yannis Papadopoulos'. For the first time in their history, they take us on a concept album inspired by the short story of 'Mavericks - The Story Of The Messenger', written by their drummer 'Stergios Kourou' and which combines, normal when you're Greek, mythology, fantasy and contemporary perspectives on the ancient world, telling the story of the faceless winged messenger appearing on all of the band's album covers.

Musically, we are immersed in epic power metal with many progressive components highlighting electric guitars and a muscular rhythm section with use of the double pedal and this from the first two tracks 'Hunt for Survival' and 'Best of Times' which start the opus at full speed, and which deploy melodies that we immediately appropriate. With the eponymous title of the album, the tempo is intended to be more measured and the marked deployed rhythmic immediately sets the foot tapping machine in motion, the variations in intensity within the title itself bringing a welcome progressive side and the guitar solo is remarkable but would have deserved a real end instead of a bland in. Follows 'Sands of Time' which offers us an exotic atmosphere supported by an addictive mid-tempo conducive to headbanging, then, 'Rise' (see video here), with these oriental influences, is typical of a melodic and catchy power metal that should fill an entire concert audience and, 'Broken Pieces' alternates progressive sections and a chorus with a completely addicting new melody. The album continues this pattern and parade powerful compositions all as melodic as each other with the short ballad break 'No One Believes' until the final title 'Sliver of Eternity' offering us last melodic lines that s 'encrusted directly into the head.

In summary, this latest album from the Greeks of 'Wardrum' shows the good health of Greek power metal and should appeal to a public adept of epic power metal with simple but ultra-effective melodies that can be tamed from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

George Margaritopoulos (Vocal), Kosta Vreto (Guitar), J. Demian (Guitar), Strutter (Bass), Stergios Kourou (Drums)


Artist : Eyes

Album : Vision 20/20

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 11-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Eyes' is not really a new formation because four of the five members were part of the group 'Aces High' in the 1990s/2000s with 3 albums, 'Ten 'n' Out' in 1994, 'Pull No Punches' in 1998 and 'Forgive and Forget' in 2004. After a reunion for a concert in 2012, the band members decided to continue the adventure and rewrite new songs with finally a new album 'Vision 20/20' has been released in June 2021. Given the pedigree of these artists, no surprise, we find ourselves with influences from the major melodic rock formations of the 80s and the energetic 'Playing to Win' or the mid-tempo 'Turn of Your Life' which debut the album are well in the atmosphere of 'Foreigner', 'Journey', 'Survivor' or even 'Boston'. The introduction of 'This Is Us' is sure to remind melodic rock fans of a certain interplanetary hit of 'Foreigner' and the ensemble is split between energetic compositions like 'Falling In Between' (The Joker) ',' Shot Down in Flames 'or the catchy and melodic final title' Cry Another Day 'and others in a more moderate tempo with' Get out of My Head ',' Never Back Down ',' More Than Meets the Eye 'or' In The Matrix '. In short, if you are fans of melodic rock from the groups mentioned above, there is a good chance that you will adhere to the revival of 'Aces High', renamed 'Eyes' and which are releasing a studio recording very pleasant to listen to and entirely in the continuity of their production in the years 1990/2000...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Andersson (Vocal), Anders Sellborn (Bass), Björn H. Lindbäck (Drums), Joakim Sandberg (Guitar), Åke David Rickard (Keybords)


Artist : Van Canto

Album : To the Power of Eight

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 12-07-2021

After their double album 'Trust in Rust' released in 2018, the Germans of 'Van Canto' continue their metal adventure in capella to offer us a new studio recording, 'To the Power of Eight' which features 8 original compositions and 4 covers, one by the Swedish group of melodic death metal 'Amon Amarth' and 3 iconic rock and hard-rock tracks from the 80s/90s, 'Run To The Hills' from 'Iron Maiden', 'Thunderstruck' from 'AC/DC' and 'I Want It All' from 'Queen'. After a magnificent introduction that you can found in the teaser above, energetic tracks parade one after the other, this time highlighting a trio of singers, since in addition to 'Inga Scharf' and 'Hagen Hirschmann', the former singer of the group 'Philip Dennis 'Sly' Schunke' was invited for the occasion and participates in the whole of this opus. After an unleashed 'Dead By The Night' showing all the energy deployed by this atypical formation, we are carried by melodic lines that we immediately appropriate and 'Faith Focus' (see video here), 'Falling Down' (see video here) and 'Heads Up High' are three typical examples with choruses that immediately become embedded in the head and with still remarkable vocal arrangements. And when the lights are dim, the Germans take us on a journey to calmer but just as addictive atmospheres represented by a magnificent 'Turn Back Time'. We can also note that the four covers are remarkable with this talent to imitate the electric instruments as in 'Thunderstruck' and 'I Want It All', meanwhile, show very beautiful vocal harmonies.

In summary, the Germans of 'Van Canto' are releasing another very nice album which is already the eighth since their debut in 2006 with 'A Storm to Come' and 'To the Power of Eight' should, beyond metal fans, satisfy an audience loving beautiful vocal harmonies in energetic musical atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Hagen Hirschmann (Vocal), Inga Scharf (Vocal), Ross Thompson (Vocal), Stefan Schmidt (Vocal), Jan Moritz (Vocal, Choirs), Ingo Sterzinger (Vocal, Choirs), Bastian Emig (Drums, Choirs) + Guest : Philip Dennis ‘Sly’ Schunke (Vocal)


Artist : Tuple

Album : Welcome to Hell

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 13-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Tuple' is a new project initiated by Finnish singer 'Tommi "Tuple" Salmela' well known in the metal world (among others 'Tarot' and 'Lazy Bonez') and, just a year after his first studio recording 'Wooden Box', he releases his second album 'Welcome to Hell'. Quite far from the style of the groups mentioned above, his solo career is influenced by the AOR of the 80s/90s and with the eponymous title which begins the album, we have a good example of what you can listen to on this opus with a catchy rhythm and accessible melodic lines. We can also cite in the same style compositions like '1-2-3-4 Go!', 'Pride', 'Stay' or even 'Hiding in Pain' with rhythms that give pins and needles in your legs and with memorable choruses. In more relaxed atmospheres, the mid-tempos 'Hold on to Me', 'So Damn Cruel' or even 'Survive' in which the singer of 'Sonata Arctica', 'Noora Louhimo' adapts perfectly her voice to this AOR atmosphere, have nothing to envied the rest and we can also note the participation in luxury choirs of the singer of 'Sonata Arctica', 'Tony Kakko'. And to finish the album, 'Tuple' offers us a magnificent ballad that I directly added to my spotify playlist of 'rock/hard-rock/metal ballads'. In short, the metal singer 'Tommi' Tuple 'Salmela' shows another face with this new melodic rock-oriented album which offers compositions to be consumed without moderation and which should undoubtedly appeal to an audience loving an AOR influenced by major formations of the 80s/90s in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommi 'Tuple' Salmela (Vocal, Choirs), Riitis (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Jykä Sirainen (Bass), Tom Rask (Drums) + Guests : Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Erkka Korhonen (Guitar), Janne Tolsa (Keybords), Tony Kakko (Choirs)


Artist : Metalwings

Album : A Whole New Land

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 14-07-2021

I discovered the Bulgarians of 'Metalwings' with their first EP 'Fallen Angel In The Hell' and 2018 had seen the release of their first LP, 'For All Beyond' which already showed all the potential of this symphonic metal formation led by the soprano and keyboardist 'Stela Atanasova'. They continue their adventure by releasing a second studio recording of almost an hour and ten minutes and I once again fell in love with this new opus from which we had two extracts, first with the beautiful ballad 'Still Believe in Us' in 2020 (repeated in a different tone on the new album), then with 'Monster in the Mirror' in spring 2021 (see video above). Entirely written and composed by 'Stela Atanasova', 'A Whole New Land', I quote their 'bandcamp' page, "is a concept album, both in music and lyrics. We will take you to a whole new land where all predators and their victims live in harmony and peace ... Each song tells a different story of the life of a little girl in search of the lost land of her ancestors, a whole new land where once there was honor, dignity, beauty and strength. Where there was life, peace and harmony. "

Lovers of a symphonic metal in which classical music merges with metal, you are in the right place because, from the outset, with the eponymous title of the album, the instrumental introduction, which generally makes the object of a separate title, is completely integrated and offers us three delicious minutes of rise in power which leads to the sung part which alternates calm verses and an energetic chorus with a first melody which quickly becomes addictive. 'Monster in the Mirror' takes over with an up-tempo that highlights sumptuous vocal and instrumental arrangements then, 'Like A Willow Without Tears' shows a more symphonic side with a sophisticated construction alternating in a remarkable way intensities and rhythms, the arrangements still being as rich and dense and bringing together the softness of the violin with the harshness of the saturated riffs of the guitar. We also find these variations on the following titles, first of all, with 'I See Your Power' in which 'Stela Atanasova' moves us in the quiet parts and whose melody, in the form of a ritornello, turn in loop in our head, then, 'Silence' continues in the same pattern with a new captivating melody. Well placed in the middle of the album, with the acoustic ballad 'Still Believe in Us', we embark on a little cloud by the delicious and bewitch voice of Stela, then the second part of the album offers us 8 minutes of an epic 'Killer Of The Angel's Love', symphonic and grandiose at will showing the great strength of 'Metalwings' to merge classical symphonic music with metal, their Slavic origins certainly bringing that little extra that makes all the difference to the new melodic. Follows 'Wonders of Life', lighter, which takes us into a happy saraband, then, 'Passengers Between the Rails of Life' continues in this joyful atmosphere but with a more sophisticated construction with new orchestral arrangements much more provided. And to end this album in style, 'Second Chance' offers us a melancholy ballad of great beauty and 'Milo Moe Libe' reminds us of the Bulgarian roots of 'Metalwings' with a magnificent folk song that speaks of hope, highlighting the traditional flute, the kaval and with a magical vocal performance by Stela in her native langue that gives you goosebumps from start to finish.

In summary, the Bulgarians of 'Metalwings' confirm all the talent of their first album and stand out from other symphonic metal formations by an even more marked fusion between classical music and metal with beautiful melodic lines sublimated by a remarkable moving and captivating female singer. 'A Whole New Land' is recommended for a symphonic metal audience attracted by rich orchestral arrangements and a female singer with a lyric training...

Line Up / Musicians

Stela Atanasova (Vocal, Violin, Keybords), Grigor Kostadinov (Guitar), Vlad Enev (Bass), Angel Kitanov (Keybords), Nikola « Blackie » Ivanov (Drums) + invités : Ivo Kalyosnki (Growls), Georgi Dobrev (Kaval)


Artist : Kens Dojo

Album : The Future Looks Bright

Release Date : 07-06-2021

Added : 15-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Kens Dojo' is a solo project by Norwegian guitarist, songwriter and producer 'Ken Ingwersen' who plays in the band 'Wonderworld' and who has participated in some studio and live albums of the late 'Ken Hensley'. After a first album more than ten years ago, 2021 sees the release of 'The Future Looks Bright'. With an impressive palette of guest singers, he has concocted a varied melodic rock album with 10 compositions that can be listened to happily starting with 'I Wait For Nothing' with a memorable first chorus, then 'Raining Down', which follows. , brings a certain variety with a remarkable instrumental break in the middle of the title between two sung parts and integrates two short guitar and keyboards solos taking us back to the golden age of hard rock. What follows is more classic in a moderate AOR with first the mid-tempo 'Touch The Sky' in which singer 'Brandon Baumann' shows all his vocal talent and which still allows Kens to shine with his guitar, then, the atmosphere is subdued for a magnificent ballad, 'Gone', with a chorus which spins for a long time in the head. Change of style with 'Just An Illusion' with a fairly classic but very effective energetic hard-rock track, followed by a rhythmic 'Never Forget' taking us back to the 80s with a new addicting chorus. Follows the magnificent instrumental 'Longhaired Blues' reminding that 'Ken Ingwersen' is above all a talented guitarist and offers us a beautiful performance in a melancholy blues atmosphere by literally making singing his guitar. The last two songs sung 'The Future Looks Bright' and 'Sun Goes Down' each bring their own atmosphere with for the first a delicious mid-tempo and for the second a lively rhythm that gives an irresistible desire to headbang, the album ending with a second instrumental that has nothing to envy to the first in the style of a 'Europa' of 'Santana' and which shows once again all the feeling of Ken.

In short, thanks to a collaboration with multiple singers, 'Ken Ingwersen' offers us a very good album offering a nice variety of compositions, between AOR and melodic hard-rock, and 'The Future Looks Bright' should appeal to a large audience because all the titles are very melodic and can be appreciated from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Ken Ingwersen (Guitar) + Guests : Andrew Freeman (Vocal), Rasmus Andersen (Vocal), Scott Foster Harris (Vocal), Åge Sten Nilsen (Vocal), Chesney Hawkes (Vocal), Truls Haugen (Vocal), Brandon Baumann (Vocal), Ray Van D (Vocal)


Artist : Bastian Per

Album : Way Back Home

Release Date : 12-06-2021

Added : 16-07-2021

'Bastian Per' is the project of the Argentinian 'Sebastian Properi' who has already released a first album 'Epic Journey' which was the subject of a short live in 2020 'Epic Journey' (Live at Sonic Theater' (which you can see the video above) and whose formation evolves between rock and progressive metal with influences of progressive groups with in mind 'Dream Theater' ('Derek Sherinian' is invited for a keyboard solo in 'Greatness Delirium'). They bring us a new studio recording, 'Way Back Home', which is a concept album, " which deals with today’s poignant humanitarian issues and self-inflicted harm. The new concept album confronts the listener with philosophical discussions and existential dilemmas without sacrificing a bit of the band’s musical creativity and poetry along the way. The story revolves around leaders who have lost their focus and questions the impact of human actions, planting the seed to awaken a desperate need for change. " (their Bancamp page').

After the short acoustic introduction 'A Better World', the first two tracks debut the album in inventive progressive metal reminiscent of the early 'Dream Theater' albums in the 90s, first with the instrumental 'Overture' which deploys some breaks in rhythm and intensity and which has three energetic minutes and the title decreases on the end with the use of a piano (a real one with a great sound) bringing a classical touch and showing the strong bond with the keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian', then, 'Defeat Device' is more direct with a fast rhythm and a sense of urgency throughout the title. Change of scenery with 'The Lonely Shepherd' in the form of a mid-tempo unrolling memorable melodic lines in a calmer atmosphere, then, crackling flames announces 'Through The Fire' with its typical heavy rhythm of progressive metal and atmospheric keyboards introducing alternations between verses supported by heavy guitar riffs and contained vocals and a memorable chorus with more powerful vocals. It is halfway through our journey and the ballad 'Seize the Day', introduced by a remarkable piano instrumental section reminiscent of the late 'Keith Emerson' and which increases the emotional cursor, then, no transition for a 'Deadly Virus' which offers a new more complex construction, alternating remarkable sung and instrumental parts and which, in 5 minutes, makes it a dense title rich in progressive components. With 'The Mystery Behind', we stay in an imaginative progressive sporting disturbing melodic lines reinforced by spoken sections, then, the second ballad break 'The Safe Place' puts forward the piano delicately accompanying the bewitching singing in a first part and which gains momentum in the second part with the contribution of electric instruments. 'Greatness Delirium',which follows, is a short instrumental with a beautiful demonstration of the talent of Mr. 'Derek Sherinian', in person, then, it is the turn of the title song and the only long development of the album to deploy a composition well summarizing the different atmospheres of the whole, bringing together sweetness and energy, with remarkable instrumental sections and an imposing finale, the opus ending with 'Divine Device' which highlights the vocal duo 'Sebastian Prosperi'/'Mariano Barreiro' in an imaginative new progressive title.

In summary, Argentina and more generally South America, is not, strictly speaking, a country specializing in progressive metal, but, it is clear that this second album of 'Bastian Per' is admirable and can be compared to the best formations of its kind and this 'Way Back Home' should join the ideal disco of any amateur or any lover of progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sebastian Prosperi (Guitar, Vocal), Mariano Barreiro (Vocal), Gabriel Kohout (Keybords), Martin Sokol (Bass), Maximiliano Cataldi (Drums) + Guest : Derek Sherinian (Keybords)


Artist : Brother Against Brother

Album : Brother Against Brother

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 17-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Brother Against Brother' is a new project that brings together the two Brazilian singers 'Renan Zonta' ('Electric Mob') and 'Nando Fernandes' ( 'Sinistra' ) under the leadership of the label 'Frontiers Records' and, which says 'Frontiers Records', also says 'Alexandro Del Viechio' who also participates in the project as a bassist. In the role of the big brother, 'Nando Fernandez' and in that of the youngest, 'Renan Zonta', who was known thanks to the show 'The Voice' in Brazil in 2016. No surprise, with the pedigree of the two singers and with the rest of the line-up composed of guitarist 'Jonas Hornqvist' and drummer 'Michele Sanna', we embark on a melodic and powerful heavy metal and the first tracks 'Two Brothers', 'What If' and 'City of Gold' are the perfect illustration, the first sending us a first muscular composition demonstrating all the talent of the vocal duo which works wonderfully on addictive melodic lines, the following confirming this communicative positive energy released and the third much more epic and taking us into an exotic journey in the form of a mid-tempo with a heavy and well-marked rhythm and, then, unrolling a new memorable melody. The rest is like the beginning with compositions whose choruses are immediately embedded in the head that only asks to headbang between effective melodic metal ('Heaven Sent', 'Haunted Heart' and 'Demons in My Head ') and grandiose and epic atmospheres (' Deadly Sins', and 'Whispers Of Darkness') and the only pause is brought by the acoustic ballad 'In The Name Of Life' showing once again the beautiful bond between the two Brazilians.

In short, this new duo of singers, 'Nando Fernandes' / 'Renan Zonta' came straight from the prolific boss of 'Frontiers Music', 'Serafino Perugino' who is very fond of these artists associations ( cf 'Allen/Olzon' and 'Allen/Lande'), even if they won't revolutionize the style, shows all the talent of these artists who offer us a remarkable album that should feature prominently on the shelves of fans of melodic heavy metal vocal duets...

Line Up / Musicians

Renan Zonta (Vocal), Nando Fernandes (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Jonas Hornqvist (Guitar), Michele Sanna (Drums)


Artist : Styx

Album : Crash Of The Crown

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 18-07-2021

After the very good 'The Mission' in 2017 which had seen the revival of this legendary group, the Americans not having released albums of original songs since 'Cyclorama' from 2003 ('Big Band Theory' from 2005 being a cover album), 'Styx' releases a new album 'Crash Of The Crown'. Of the original group remain the vocalists and guitarists 'James Young' and 'Tommy Shaw' (who really joined the band in 1975) and bassist 'Chuck Panozzo' (who was the founder of 'Styx' along with his brother, the drummer 'John Panozzo' who died in 1996), 'Dennis De Young' having left the ship in 1999 and guitarist 'John Curulewski' having died in 1988. Casually, their eponymous debut album by the group will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022 and all fans of the band must remember repeated listening to the legendary 'The Grand Illusion' released in 1977 which, for my part, wore out a lot of sapphires from my turntable at the time. And it is clear that this new album 'Crash Of The Crown' has a little nostalgic taste because we find all the know-how of this formation which was part of the groups which contributed to the rise of progressive rock in the 70s. with this talent for magnificent vocal arrangements.

From the begenning, with the short 'The Fight Of Our Lives', we go up in the time machine with a title filled with magnificent choirs and 'A Monster' continues on this path all traced with these atmospheres so characteristic of 'Styx' reminiscent of a much more carefree time than the one we live in now and how good it feels to hear those luminous keyboards and radiant vocal harmonies again. Follows 'Reveries' with its light melody which transports us again and whose changes of tempos bring a progressive side close to 'Kansas', then, 'Hold Back The Darkness' is a magnificent melodious ballad in a more atmospheric style and 'Save Us From Ourselves' is the kind of composition that could have made an interplanetary hit in the 70s with its energetic rhythm and addicting chorus. With the eponymous title of the album, we continue in this atmosphere of the seventies with many melodic and rhythmic variations taking us back to the beginning of 'Queen', with vocal harmonies to spin the goose bumps (listen to this magnificent final passage from 2.25), then, 'Our Wonderful Lives' is a new unifying and universal melodic gem which this time would have made a hit at the time of the 'Beatles' adding yet a little nostalgia raising the emotional cursor even further. We stay warm on the little cloud on which we had climbed in the previous titles with 'Common Ground' in which we feel 'Todd Sucherman' having ants in his hands by starting a drum solo as we had more often in a time when the shows were not millimeter with computers removing a good part of the spontaneity in the current concerts. And we continue with the semi-acoustic 'Sound The Alarm' which has nothing to envy to these predecessors, then, 'Long Live The King' then shows that 'Styx' is diversifying and that they also have this talent to merge 70s rock influences with much more modern sounds. Follows the very short 'Lost At Sea' which introduces 'Coming Out The Other Side' with a new melody that 'Crosby, Still, Nash & Young' would not have denied, then, 'To Those' continues to enchant us with resplendent new vocal harmonies, the album ending with a new comma 'Another Fareweel' introducing 'Stream' which, with regret, heralds the end of this beautiful journey with a new memorable melody.

In summary, as you will understand, the Americans of 'Styx' continue to enchant us with a sumptuous new studio recording which shows this legendary know-how which offer us very beautiful melodic lines and admirable harmonies vocals with a modern sound which makes 'Crash Of The Crown', in a way, a timeless album that will undoubtedly become a staple of the discography of this legendary group...

Line Up / Musicians

James Young (Vocal, Guitar), Tommy Shaw (Vocal, Guitar), Chuck Panozzo (Bass, Choirs), Lawrence Gowan (Vocal, Keybords), Ricky Phillips (Guitars, Bass, Choirs), Todd Sucherman (Drums)


Artist : Kent Hilli

Album : The Rumble

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 19-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Kent Hilli' is the singer of the Swedish group 'Perfect Plan' and, with the help of two melodic rock stars, I named the well-known 'Michael Palace' (among others 'Palace' and 'First Signal') and 'Alessandro del Vecchio' (among others 'Hardline' and 'Edge Of Forever'), he released his first solo album 'The Rumble'. As you can imagine, with such partners ('Michael Palace' providing all the instruments), we are immersed in a melodic rock that smells of the 80s and we find the atmospheres of 'Foreigner', 'Toto', ' Survivor 'or even' Europe '. The set is therefore focused on moderate rock atmospheres and this from the start with the eponymous title of the album which would certainly have made a hit in another era, then parade compositions all as melodic as each other and we can quote 'All For Love' that 'Foreigner' would not have denied, 'Don't Say Forever' and its chorus that we want to take back in chorus, the melodic jewel 'Cold', another candidate for a hit of the 80s, 'Miss up to no Good' and its marked rhythm which gives movement or even 'Love Can Last Forever' with a new memorable chorus. The ballads are not forgotten with two pearls, 'Heaven Can Wait' and 'Still in Love', certainly classic, but so effective and in which, Kent transmits a real emotion in his voice. In short, we continue our journey of melodic rock with a new album which takes us back a few decades and which is to be consumed without moderation because 'The Rumble' is added to the already long list of 2021 releases which should satisfy a large audience loving the 80s melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Kent Hilli (Vocal), Michael Palace (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Album : The Enigma Birth

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 20-07-2021

After the very good 'Return to Eden' released in 2019, it's only two years after that the new baby of the former guitarist of 'Stratovarius' sees the light of day. As we are used to now, parade a host of renowned singers from the metal scene with in mind 'Catarina Nix' with which he has in parallel the project 'Chaos Magic', the well-known 'Fabio Lione' ('Eternal Idol'), 'James Labrie' ('Dream Theater') or even 'Marina La Torraca' ('Phantom Elite'). This new baby named 'The Enigma Birth' is a continuation of what the Finn usually offers us with a mix of power metal with fast tracks and chorus to make sing a whole stadium and more measured atmospheres with heavy mid-tempo and magnificent ballads.

And it starts strong with the eponymous title of the album which propels us into speed metal in which the double pedal has a blast and which has a first unifying chorus chanted by 'Pellek' in a great form then, total change with the following title, 'I Just Collapse' which is a much more measured mid-tempo which is sung in a beautiful way by 'Catarina Nix' and which can recall certain titles of the joint project between the Finn and the Chilean, the addictive rhythm by making a composition that should work very well in concert. After this calmer track, we expected, in opposition, another energetic track but it is the ballad 'Reveries' which once again puts forward 'Catarina Nix' forming a very beautiful duet with the singer 'Brittney Slayes' ('Unleash The Archers'), then revert to, 'Master of the Archers' ', then, 'Master of Hell' returns to an energetic power metal with a remarkable performance of 'Raphael Mendes' which has a beautiful power in the voice for this kind of title. Follows 'Beautiful Life' which continues in a powerful power metal with the participation of Mr. 'James Labrie' in person, the singer of 'Dream Theater', then, 'Truth' and its fast rhythm is closer to melodic hard-rock with a new chorus that give the desire to resume with the former singer of 'Amaranth', 'Jake E' (see his youtube page here). And, sung by 'Marina La Torraca', the second ballad 'Another Day' comes to charm our ears with a chorus, certainly heard thousands of times, but that we want to play again and again with his solo whose melodic lines are very close to those of 'Hotel California', then, change of scenery with 'Beauty and War' which brings back an imperial 'Raphael Mendes', the rhythm section of 'Marco Mazzarini' bringing the energy needed such a title. The most epic and varied title of the album, 'Dreaming', is devoted to… Mister 'Fabio Lione', normal for the Italian who has made a reputation for himself in this style of compositions which happily alternate a double pedal with more measured sections. It is with the duo 'Jake E' and 'Britney Slayes' that 'The Fire and the Sinner' deploys a beautiful and melancholic melody embellished by a simple guitar solo but full of feeling, then, the refrain of the catchy 'Time', sung by 'Marina La Torraca', immediately enters in the head and stays there by turning in a loop. And to end this album, what better than a good super speed track with 'Without Fear' which recalls the opening track and in which 'Fabio Lione' gives us a last high-level vocal performance.

In summary, 'Timo Tolkki' gives us a remarkable new opus, varied, dense and accessible which alternates an efficient and energetic power metal and more measured compositions with melodic lines that remain engraved in our head for a long time, which intends 'The Enigma Birth' to an audience loving as much the power of a frantic power metal as melancholic power ballads...

Line Up / Musicians

Timo Tolkki (Guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (Bass), Antonio Agate (Keybords, Piano), Marco Lazzarini (Drums) + Guests : Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Brittney Slayes (Vocal), Caterina Nix (Vocal), Fabio Lione (Vocal), Federico Maraucci (Guitar), Jake E (Vocal), James Labrie (Vocal), Marina La Torraca (Vocal), Pellek (Vocal), Raphael Mendes (Vocal)


Artist : Crowne

Album : Kings in the North

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 21-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Frontiers Music' is still the origin of this super group 'Crowne' made up of artists from the melodic hard rock scene who are from, guess, well from Sweden to not change. We find the singer 'Alexander Strandell' of 'Art Nation', the bassist of 'Europe', 'John Levén', the ex-drummer of 'The Poodles', and finally, guitarist and keyboardist 'Jona Tee' from de 'H.E.A.T'. No need to make you wait, this first album 'Kings in the North' is a killer with compositions that should loop in a lot of melodic hard-rock aficionados and this from the start with the first three tracks which bring everything together the best we can find in this style and which have also been chosen as singles with each their video: 'Kings in the North' (see video above), 'Perceval' and 'Sharoline'. Everything is there to have a good time and the continuation continues in this communicative energy with melodies which all become addictive. I could quote all the titles because each one could have been the subject of a single. In short, Sweden, at the origin of an impressive number of projects in this style, adds a new one which directly competes with the 'Palace', 'Perfect Plan', 'H.E.A.T', 'W.E.T.', 'Eclipse' or 'Autumn's Child' to name a few and, for melodic hard rock fans, this 'Kings in the North' is to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Jona Tee (Guitars, Keybords), John Levén (Bass), Christian Lundqvist: Drums + Guest : Love Magnusson (Guitar)


Artist : Seventh Dimension

Album : Black Sky

Release Date : 17-06-2021

Added : 22-07-2021

A little after the Argentines of 'Bastian Per', it's the turn of the Swedes from 'Seventh Dimension' who impressed me with their last album 'The Corrupted Lullaby', to release a new album, 'Black Sky', this time much shorter and which offers us a metal accessible progressive which can be similar to formations like 'Threshold' or 'Sons Of Apollo' and who still haven't had the recognition they deserve. Indeed, this last baby is a digest of what I like in this style of music with original progressive alternating all kinds of atmospheres and with melodic lines that we appropriate quite easily.

The instrumental introduction 'Premonition' which sets the scene with a memorable melody, is really integrated into the title 'Bad Blood' which reminds me of 'Threshold' with many changes of tempo and a unifying chorus that returns between each part instrumental, then, 'Kill the Fire' continues with a very beautiful vocal performance by 'Nico Lauritsen' who adapts his voice according to the intensity of the moment, the instrumental parts punctuated by the saturated guitar riffs being very original and whose last minute is quite remarkable with a magnificent interlocking guitar and keyboards solo. After these two energetic tracks, 'Resurgence' begins in a fast rhythmic then, the sung section brings remarkable breaks in tempo, the instrumental parts being imaginative and putting forward an impressive rhythm section which plays cat and mouse with the instruments. electric, then, 'Falling', softens the subject with a quieter atmosphere, between ballad and mid-tempo, the second part offering an atmospheric 'Floydian' instrumental part. We then attack the 13 minutes of the two parts of the eponymous track of the album with first of all 'Assembly', which shows all the instrumental know-how of these artists and which serves as a sort of rich introduction to the long development 'Into The Void' which takes us on an exotic journey through multiple soundscapes which overlap with each other and which has a very beautiful sung epic final which falls with a few piano notes. The short 'As the Voices Fade', which follows, is a beautiful melancholy transition for the last long development 'Incubus' which sums up all the richness of this album with an inventive composition that merges different styles of progressive by alternating sweetness and energy and which has a remarkable final.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Seventh Dimension' are releasing a quality album with everything you want to find in a modern progressive metal album and which will certainly be much easier to digest than the previous one which exceeded 2 hours which will certainly allow 'Black Sky' to reach a wider audience loving a progressive metal which, even if it remains very dense and requires several plays, remains very affordable thanks to accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Nico Lauritsen (Vocal), Luca Delle Fave (Guitar, Choirs), Erik Bauer (Keybords), Rikard Wallström (Bass, Choirs), Marcus Thorén (Drums)


Artist : Chalice Of Sin

Album : Chalice Of Sin

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 23-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Chalice Of Sin' is a new melodic hard rock project from singer 'Wade Black' (' Leatherwolf', 'Crimson Glory') who is coming to release via 'Frontiers Music' their debut album under the band name. We find unsurprisingly 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' at the helm but who also participates as bassist and keyboardist. 'Wade Black' has the particularity of having an atypical voice, recognizable among a thousand, of an old metal backpacker and his style is perfectly suited to the compositions of the opus which pour out good melodic heavy metal, certainly classic but always very effective with very heavy bass lines. The first tracks set the temperature of the album with a good dose of energy allowing 'Wade Black' to give the best of himself and compositions parade with lively rhythms like 'Great Escape', 'Whiskey' or even 'Sacred Child' but also heavy mid-tempos like 'Miracle' and the epic 'Stand' and 'Nightmare'. In short, apart from the ballad break 'Through The Eyes Of A Child' which contrasts with the rest and also shows that Wade knows how to adapt to much quieter climates, everything is done to satisfy fans of a power metal fairly conventional on condition of adhering to the rather particular singing of the American...

Line Up / Musicians

Wade Black (Vocal), Martin Jepsen Andersen (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords), Mirkko De Maio (Drums)


Artist : Fernando Perdomo

Album : RAM ON – The 50th Anniversary Tribute to Paul and Linda McCartney’s Ram

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 24-07-2021

The two Americans 'Fernando Perdomo' and 'Denny Seiwell' have decided to cover the legendary album 'RAM' by 'Paul McCartney' and her companion 'Linda McCartney' released in 1971 with a host of guest artists more or less known to the general public and, for once, I have not detailed the list of artists participating in this opus but the video above lists them with extracts from each title. We are therefore plunged back into the period of the end of the 60s with this recording which shows the diversity of the compositions of the couple 'MacCartney' who after the 'Beatles' period provided a summary of these 10 years of busy career with the 'Too Many People' and its memorable melody, '3 Legs' and its rockabilly influences, 'Ram On' and its originality with the use of the Ukulele, the 'Beatlesian' 'Dear Boy' or even the more muscular 'Smile Away' reminiscent of the 'Beach Boys'. Also note the two covers 'Another Day' and 'Oh Woman Oh Why' which had never appeared in albums, the first being released as a single and the second being the B-side (that is how we called at the time the other side of the 45rpm of a single) from 'Another Day'. In short, for all the amateurs of this period, 'Fernando Perdomo' and 'Denny Seiwell' offer us a beautiful gift with these covers enriched with a modern sound, allowing to rediscover his treasures which had somewhat disappeared from the radar radios (and that's a shame) and which are now part of this legacy left to us by all the great pop/rock artists of the 60s/70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Fernando Perdomo (Guitar, Ukulele), Denny Seiwell (Drums)


Artist : Lost In Grey

Album : Under The Surface

Release Date : 02-07-2021

Added : 25-07-2021

After the first two parts of the saga of the story of Patrick, Lillian and Odessa, 'The Grey Realms' and 'The Waste Land', the Finns of 'Lost In Gray' continue their adventure and I quote their facebook page : "This time we are about to dive deeper Under the Surface, deeper underneath the world, the characters, and the audience participating as well. The band will be taking you on a ride through storms and tides spiced up with some sparkles of stardust. Thus we are wishing you good luck with finding all the treasures hidden beneath, and hoping you will enjoy the adventure ! ". And as they had done for the two previous opuses, this new baby is of a remarkable density and richness which naturally requires several plays to be fully imbued with it, always in this very particular style of symphonic metal to which they add a theatrical dimension highlighting grandiose choirs.

The instrumental introduction in a slight crescendo called quite simply 'I' is completely integrated into 'Disobedience' which offers an epic and energetic first composition which sets the scene and which deploys an addictive first melody supported by the lyrical song of 'Emily Leone', then, 'Waves' (see video here), introduced by an instrumental section of over a minute, features the trio of singers who complement each other perfectly and which each bring their vocal texture in a more tormented atmosphere. Follows 'Shine' which continues in more classical symphonic metal, and which ends calmly with a chime introducing the following composition sung in Finnish which offers us a beautiful ballad filled with emotion which has magnificent vocal harmonies. With 'Souffrir', the three guests, the Frenchwoman 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' ('Sirenia'), 'Camille André' and 'Andrej Kravljaca' add a vocal density to this symphonic fresco which takes us on a dense and varied sound journey that alternates different atmospheres with ruptures of intensity, the second part exploding after a quieter section a grandiose finale with a lot of backing vocals which makes it one of the strongest moments of the album. And it is with 'Stardust', a new epic and theatrical fresco cut into three parts of more than 20 minutes in total that the album ends : 'The Race' opens this triptych with an abundance of instrumental and vocal arrangements this which makes it one of the densest titles that you have to tame little by little, then, 'Sand Castles' begins more calmly and increases in power and alternates imposing choirs with quieter sections in which each singer, in turn, brings its vocal peculiarity, and finally, to close 'Stardust', 'The Abyss' pushes this grandiose symphonic metal to its climax, vocals and choirs taking up even more space with a sumptuous final supported by a completely addictive melody.

In summary, the Finns of 'Lost In Gray' complete the first two parts of their saga with a third opus of extraordinary density which should appeal to a public loving symphonic metal with impressive vocal arrangements and who deserve, if the Finns have the opportunity, to put on a show including a symphony orchestra as we are now used to in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Harri Koskela (Vocal, Keybords), Anne Lill Rajala (Vocal), Emily Leone (Vocal, Violin), Miika Haavisto (Guitar), Jarno Suodenjoki (Guitar), Aapo Lindberg (Bass), Teppo Ristola (Drums) + Guests : Emmanuelle Zoldan (Vocal), Camille André (Vocal), Andrej Kravljaca (Vocal), Nils Courbaron (Guitar)


Artist : Chris Antblad

Album : Age of Concord 80

Release Date : 16-06-2021

Added : 26-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

We can't stop 'Chris Antblad' who continues to release albums at impressive frequencies and, after 'Age Of Concord IV', just 3 months ago, in a little over a year, he gave us four studio recordings which thus comes add this new baby 'Age of Concord 80' who has joined the playlist of melodic rock/hard-rock/metal albums for the first half of 2021 (see link above). This time, Chris offers us songs between pop and rock that take us back to the 80s and which all have very accessible melodic lines, the format not exceeding 4 minutes. We therefore let ourselves embark on very endearing compositions that we immediately appropriate and we can quote addictive melodies such as the light and happy 'It's Summer Once Again', the heady 'What If We Never Say Goodbye' which gives want to take up the refrain in chorus, 'Not Today' and its country influences, the catchy 'I'll Be Waiting' and a new addicting chorus or even the beautiful ballad 'Here Between Now and Forever' which closes the album. In short, in this summer period conducive to escape and relaxation, what better than to listen to this kind of music because this new opus of 'Chris Antblad' is filled with unstoppable melodies which are tasted with happiness, and which are to be enjoyed and consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Antblad (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Jessie Lee & The Alchemists

Album : Let It Shine

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 27-07-2021

After a first eponymous album of the name of the group (see here) released in 2018 and very noticed by the specialized press, the French of 'Jessie Lee & The Alchemists' led by the singer and guitarist 'Jessie Lee Houllier' return to the front of the blues/rock scene with their second opus 'Let It Shine'. A little tune from 'Beth hart' and the resemblance does not end there, because Jessie is an outstanding singer who, in addition to perfectly mastering her singing, has a gift for conveying emotions, whether in energetic atmospheres but also when the blues / rock wants to be more subdued.

We have two examples of this entry with, first of all, 'Another' and its swaying rhythm bringing us back to the best of rock of the 70s and reminiscent of a certain 'Led Zeppelin', and then, 'But You Lie' which takes you into a sensual blues that is enjoyed with happiness. The rest is in the image of this beginning with melodies that we immediately appropriate and we can quote the catchy 'You Gotta' or 'Get Out Of My Head' in a more direct style but also good blues/rock that starts immediately the feet tapping machine like 'The Same' or 'Sometimes' (see video above), not to mention the quieter moments with the eponymous title of the album or the magnificent 'One Only Thing' (see video here). We can also note that Jessie is surrounded by talented musicians, with 'Alexis Didier' on the guitar which has nothing to envy the greatest guitarists of this style (listen to this magical bond between the singer and the guitarist in 'Sometimes'), 'Laurian Daire' on keyboards bringing the binder to the whole and a remarkable rhythm section with 'Laurent Cokelaere' on bass and 'Stéphane Minana' on drums.

In short, no need to add more, this 'Let It Shine' which is listened to happily from start to finish is to be put on the same level as the recordings of international blues/rock tenors and should take a good place in the album collection of any amateur and lover of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Jessie Lee (Vocal, Guitar), Alexis Didier (Guitar), Laurent Cokelaere (Bass), Laurian Daire (Keybords), Stéphane Minana (Drums) + Guests : Amalya Delepierre (Choirs), Eva Suissa (Choirs), Sylvain Fétis (Saxophone), Vincent Payen (Trumpet)


Artist : Touch

Album : Tomorrow Never Comes

Release Date : 30-04-2021

Added : 28-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Touch' is an American melodic rock group who released their debut album in 1980 during the heyday of this style (see voir here), then followed another album 'Touch II' in 1982 which was never released in physical media and is now available for streaming. It was not until 2014 that 'Mark Mangold' had the idea to revive 'Touch', which has been materialized in 2020 with as result this new album 'Tomorrow Never Comes' released in April 2021.

12 tracks for an hour of listening, this is the menu of this opus which smells of the melodic rock of the 80s starting with the eponymous title of the album and whose rhythm is very catchy with an effective first refrain which seems to us very familiar. With 'Let It Come', the vocal harmonies plunge us back into another era with delight, then, 'Swan Song', of almost 8 minutes, which is quite rare for this style of music brings a little progressive side to the together with a symphonic atmosphere close to 'Queen', then, what follows continues to offer unstoppable melodies with 'Try to Let Go' and 'Fire and Ice' and their heady choruses, a more classic 'Trippin' Over Shadows' us bringing back to formations like 'Foreigner', 'Frozen Ground', again marrying a light melodic rock with progressive components. No transition for an energetic 'Lil Bit Of Rock' N 'Roll', then 'Glass' shows a more moderate face with beautiful vocal harmonies and 'Scream at the Sky', with its 'Floydienne' introduction, charms us with its sensual atmosphere. Return to a more direct 'Wanna Hear You Say' catchy with backing vocals from another era and the album ends with an energetic 'Run For You Life' with an addictive new melody that never leaves you.

Finally, this last album of 'Touch' is very pleasant to listen to and takes us back to the 70s / 80s with a very original variety mixing different styles, which intends 'Tomorrow Never Comes' to an audience loving major groups from this era ranging from pop to hard rock through progressive rock with very accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Mangold (Keybords, Vocal), Craig Brooks (Guitar Vocal), Doug Howard (Bass, Vocal), Glenn Kithcart (Drums)


Artist : Todd Michael Hall

Album : Sonic Healing

Release Date : 07-05-2021

Added : 29-07-2021

The singer of 'Riot V' had the idea of releasing a solo album after his stint on the American show 'The Voice', having been spotted by country music singer 'Blake Shelton'. With the collaboration of guitarist 'Kurdt Vanderhoof' from 'Metal Church' his first baby 'Sonic Healing' was released in May 2021. Although these two artists are part of heavy metal bands that are not known for being in lace, the compositions of this opus are much more moderate and oriented towards a rock melodic that flirts with the great classic rock and hard-rock formations and we find as many influences of groups like 'Foreigner', 'Deep Purple' or 'Uriah Heep' or even 'Status Quo' to name only groups from the 70s who have released albums in recent years.

In the energetic register, the introductory track 'Overdrive' is a pure jewel of effective hard rock with good incisive guitar riffs and with a singer who ensures a high-level vocal performance. We can also cite compositions like 'Let Loose Tonight' with its catchy rhythm driven by an irresistible bass, the mid-tempo 'All on the line' which give an irresistible desire to move or 'Like No Other' which brings us back to a more classic hard-rock and whose song of Todd shows the full extent of his vocal palette or the muscular melodic hit 'Long Lost Rock & Rollers' which reminds me of certain titles of 'Status Quo'. In a more measured and just as addictive style, 'Running After You' moderates the ardor and the eponymous title of the album also brings more lightness to the whole, just like a very good 'Somebody's Full' with its less strong riffs. We can also cite blues/rock that 'Led Zeppelin' would not have denied with 'Love Rain down' and its swaying rhythm and the two bonuses 'The Other Side' and 'Not with a Sword' which have nothing to envy to other titles.

In short, failing to revolutionize the genre, this solo album by 'Todd Michael Hall' is very pleasant to listen to and contains good rock that feels good and if you like the bands I mentioned above, you should definitely join this 'Sonic Healing' which should take you on a beautiful journey with two talented artists who demonstrate all their talent for this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Todd Michael Hall (Vocal), Kurdt Vanderhoof (Guitar)


Artist : Fargo

Album : Strangers D'Amour

Release Date : 25-06-2021

Added : 30-07-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

'Fargo' is a German hard-rock formation that I add to the rock/hard-rock/metal melodic playlist of the first semester 2021 releases because, after a first listen, the compositions of this new album released at the end of June 2021 are all very accessible with a series of melodic hits that one tames immediately. The band is not a new one because they exist since the early 1970s with a debut album, 'Wishing Well' released in 1979 and 'Strangers D'Amour' is their 6th studio recording and the second after their reunion in 2017, 'Constellation' dating from 2018.

'Rain of Champagne' opens the debates on a straightforward and catchy track quite classic but so effective and which whets our appetite for the future with, 'Gimme That Bone', a new rock jewel which gives esire to move and which should work fine live. Follows 'Closer to the Sun' in a more measured atmosphere then, 'Time' with its slow tempo makes us swing to the rhythm of a new melody that is simple but still as effective. What follows alternates between catchy and mid-tempo hits with, in the first category, the addictive 'Mary Says' which sets in motion the machine to tap your foot or 'Law of the Jungle' which has nothing to envy to its predecessor and in the second category, 'Dear Miss Donna Vetter' or 'No Reason To Cry' quite close to American southern rock or even 'Why Don't You' closer this time to ’Dire Straits’ without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Homesick' that we want to repeat on a loop.

In summary, the Germans of 'Fargo' are releasing a very endearing album that takes us back decades with effective melodies that recall the best of those years and 'Strangers D'Amour' should appeal to a whole audience loving rock and melodic hard-rock of the 70s/80s which has now become a timeless style outside of all fashions...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Ladwig (Vocal, Guitar), Tommy Newton (Guitar), Peter "Fargo" Knorn (Bass), Franky Tolle (Drums) + Guests : Hanno Grossmann (Guitar), Torsten Lüderwaldt (Keybords)


Artist : VOLA

Album : Witness

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 31-07-2021

In the world of progressive metal, several groups stand out because they have been tagged in this style while incorporating influences from other styles which means that their albums need to linger there to draw all the richness. In this kind of groups, we find the 'Pain Of Salvation' or 'Leprous' or 'Haken' to name only the most famous. We could add to this list the Danes of 'VOLA', who are releasing their third studio recording 'Witness' after 'Applause From A Distant Crowd' in 2018 because this last album, like the previous ones, has everything to make it a reference recording in progressive metal.

'Straight Lines' sets the tone for the album with an energetic atmosphere of imaginative progressive metal with a chorus that comes in opposition to bring a memorable and unifying melody, then, 'Head Mounted Sideways' continues in the same atmosphere, the new refrain offering the same alternation with the whole. With '24 Light-Years', the style is more conciliatory, almost atmospheric while keeping a new remarkable opposition, this time between the rhythm section which brings a real originality in the accompaniment of the melody, then, change of scenery with 'These Black Claws' which is really a real gem of a progressive alternating a phenomenal fiery power with rapped sections and accompanied by some guitar notes and which makes it, for me, the strongest moment of the album. The rest is much more measured with 'Freak', a magnificent break ballad which also shows a much more accessible and calm side of the Danes, then, 'Napalm' returns to a progressive metal combining power and harmonious melodic lines and, as for 'Future Bird', we find this rhythmic section always very imaginative on a heady melody phrase and these oppositions of intensity which are the great strength of these compositions. And the album ends with two more energetic compositions, first, 'Stone Leader Falling Down' with a power of a progressive metal pushed to its climax while keeping an immediate accessibility, then, 'Inside Your Fur', more moderate which sums up this rich and inventive album.

In summary, with this last album, the Danes of 'VOLA' have really found a strong originality which consolidates them in the leading group of the best progressive metal formations which makes 'Witness' a nice surprise for 2021 and an opus to add to the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any lover of an innovative and accessible progressive metal thanks to memorable melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Asger Mygind (Vocal, Guitar), Martin Werner (Keybords), Nicolai Mogensen (Bass), Adam Janzi (Drums) + Guest : Shahmen (Vocal)


Artist : Def Leppard

Album : X, Yeah! & Songs From The Sparkle Lounge: Rarities From The Vault

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 01-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Melodic rock/hard-rock albums from the 1st half of 2021

And to finish the playlist of melodic rock/hard-rock/metal albums of the first half of 2021, what better than to offer you the release of one of the groups that was the emblem of melodic hard-rock of the 80/90s, I named the English 'Def Leppard'. Of course, it is not a new album but a set of titles chosen in the period between 2002 and 2008, which saw the release of the albums 'X' (2002), 'Yeah!' (2006) and 'Songs from the Sparkle Lounge' (2008) : first of all, the first 12 tracks are B-sides or demos with tracks not necessarily known like this bonus 'Kiss the Day' from the Japanese version of 'X' or B sides '10 Times Bigger Than Love' and 'Gimme A Job' or the acoustic version of 'Now' or the magnificent piano version of 'Love' from the album 'Songs from the Sparkle Lounge'. Then, like 'Yeah!' was a cover album, the following 19 tracks are covers by different artists from the 70s which did not find their place on the album, the British having recorded a large number (we find in particular the bonuses of the different editions including a certain 'Space Oddity' from 'David Bowie'). And finally, to finish, and to remind that 'Def Leppard' is also a stage group, 8 tracks of live covers end this album in beautiful ways with these crazy atmospheres that they trigger at each concert and if you are fans of these supercharged concert climates, 2020 saw the release of both live with 'Hits Vegas' and 'Hysteria at the O2'. In short, beyond the original collectors of the British group, these 2h40 of very varied titles interpreted by 'Def Leppard' are a beautiful journey through time which should fill a whole public fan of rock and hard-rock who loved this splendor period between the 70s and 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Elliott (Vocal, Piano), Vivian Campbell (Guitar), Phil Collen (Guitar), Rick Savage (Bass, Keybords), Rick Allen (Drums)


Artist : Pale Mannequin

Album : Colours of Continuity

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 02-08-2021

'Pale Mannequin' is a new Polish formation which was created in 2016 by 'Tomasz Izdebski' and which released their first studio recording, Patterns in Parallel, in 2019 and 'Colors of Continuity' is therefore their second album released in May 2021. After a first listen, we find influences from different formations of progressive rock, and even if the progressive side is not particularly emphasized, they offer us a first varied album which mixes different styles alternating different atmospheres ranging from atmospheric to metal, the whole being divided between accessible titles and others requiring some listening to tame them well.

'The Sleeper' opens the album with a mid-tempo in a style reminding me of certain titles from 'RPWL' deploying a sort of quiet force, then, 'Inkblot' hardens the tone slightly with melodic lines quite close to 'U2' offering a memorable chorus, and, with 'Scattered', the atmosphere is much quieter and the slow tempo accompanied by an acoustic guitar unrolls a melody in slight crescendo. Follows 'Most Favorite Trap' which offers a lively tempo supported by a rhythm guitar with fast back and forth and which has a nice rhythmic break in the last part, then, 'Inertia' is much more progressive, the alternations of power and intensity being more numerous, the rhythm section being clearly more supported in certain places but leaving a good place for other quieter parts (listen to the magnificent final practically a capella) which makes it a less immediate composition but all the more remarkable. More direct, 'Maniac's Mind' is a track built around a fairly repetitive melody, then, the eponymous track of the album deploys its almost 11 minutes in a rather heavy and complex atmospheric atmosphere which offers a crescendo eyeing towards dark metal with growls and which alternates different sections highlighting instrumental solos, the last part in decrescendo being much more classic with a catchy melody supported by voices which gives way to an atmospheric finale. 'In Mono' closes the album beginning with altered sound effects and gives us an instrumental track enriched by spoken passages.

In summary, we knew that Poland was a reservoir of progressive rock groups and 'Pale Mannequin' is added to it, not necessarily in the same style as 'Riverside', 'Millenium' or even 'Loonypark', but by bringing their own personality mixing different influences which makes it an original formation which should appeal to an audience loving a rock alternating accessible titles and others more complex requiring that one linger there, all this being coated by a few pinches of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Tomasz Izdebski (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Grzegorz Mazur (Voice, Guitar), Dariusz Goc (Bass), Jakub Łukowski (Drums)


Artist : Amorphis

Album : Live at Helsinki Ice Hall

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 03-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

We start this playlist of the last concerts released in 2021 by the Finns of Amorphis 'who are now a benchmark in the field of metal and who browse their rich discography, their first album 'Karelian Isthmus' dating back almost 30 years. And, having a live of 'Amorphis', it's not common because apart from a release in 2010 with 'Forging The Thousand Lakes' and the short bonus album 'An Evening With Friends' in 2017, the Finns haven't spoiled their fans too much with their concert album releases for 3 decades. But let's not sulk our pleasure because this concert 'Live at Helsinki Ice Hall', of an hour and a half, offers 15 titles which were recorded in the city which saw them begin, and consists of half of recent compositions (8 of the last two albums 'Under the Red Cloud' of 2015 and 'Queen of Time' of 2018) but also highlights their first period of the 90s. And what better during this troubled time than to have a live performance of a group that releases an impressive energy, the live bringing an additional dimension of power. In short, beyond the fans of the Finns who will certainly keep this album on repeat for a long time, 'Live at Helsinki Ice Hall' is an excellent concert which should satisfy all fans of a powerful and melodic metal at the same time...

Line Up / Musicians

Tomi Joutsen (Vocal), Esa Holopainen (Guitar), Tomi Koivusaari (Guitar), Ollie-Pekka Laine (Bass), Santeri Kallio (Keybords), Jan Rechberger (Drums)


Artist : 22 Layers

Album : Isotope

Release Date : 21-05-2021

Added : 04-08-2021

I discovered 'Tony Lowe' with his 'ESP Project' and he released the album '22 Layers of Sunlight' under the project name 'ESP 2.0'. It is now under the name of '22 Layers' that he released in May 2021 'Isotope' with 'Peter Coyle' on vocals who was already present in the 'ESP 2.0' project. The name of the project is still different but, make no mistake, we find this atmospheric progressive rock with influences from the 70s, the two names I mentioned with the last 'ESP Project' album,'Barclay James Harvest' for the melodic side and 'Pink Floyd' for the more progressive side being still present.

And yet, 'Soundtrack and the Score' is based on a fast tempo in the verses but leads to a memorable much slower chorus bringing a nice rhythmic opposition, then, 'Blue Sky Volcano' is a delicate first ballad while in retained on which one is lulled by the soft voice of 'Peter Coyle', atmosphere which one finds on the following track 'Equinox' with sounds of electro keyboards. With 'The Sun Is Going Down', we continue our journey in poetic landscapes with 'Floydian' instrumental parts, then, 'Purple Aniseed' slightly hardens the tone with some saturated guitar riffs for a direct rock that can remind of 'Barclay James Harvest' by vocal resemblance. Return to a calm and peaceful atmosphere with 'Invisible Threads' which unrolls a sensual melody and, with 'Hello Algorithm', the rougher guitar riffs alternate with a quieter chorus having a new memorable melody dotted here and there with new electro effects. Follows the remastered single 'Traveling Alone' which brings us back to a delicate and melancholy atmosphere reminiscent once again of 'BJH', then, the title song which ends this very beautiful album takes us on a new slow tempo which begins with an instrumental section that the 'Floyds' would not have denied, then we let ourselves be carried away by the song of' Peter Coyle 'in a new aerial melody which approaches the sounds of 'Alan Parsons Project'.

In summary, this new studio recording by the duo 'Tony Lowe'/'Peter Coyle' is, unsurprisingly, in the same vein as their previous creation which makes 'Isotope' a very pleasant album to listen to in this summer period and which should appeal to an audience loving quiet and poetic atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Lowe (Guitar, Keybords, Programmation Drums), Peter Coyle (Vocal)


Artist : Kansas

Album : Point Of Know Return Live & Beyond

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 05-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

After their sumptuous album 'The Absence Of Presence' which took me back to the days of 'Point Of Know Return', it is precisely this album released in 1977 that is in the spotlight in this live 'Point Of Know Return Live & Beyond' which was recorded during their tour of 2019 and early 2020 stopped by the Covid 19 crisis. Indeed, the set of the mythical album of 'Kansas' in which their flagship title 'Dust In The Wind' appeared is played in its entirety and I found myself plunged back a few decades with listening to the vinyl (33 rpm for the older ones) which turned many times on the family turntable until I heard more crackles of scratches from the record than the music itself. It is therefore with shivers of happiness that parade the magnificent 'Point Of Know Return', 'Portrait', 'Dust in the Wind', 'Nobody's Home' or even 'Carry On Wayward Son' with an interpretation very faithful to the original and flawless production. The other compositions played are taken from the rest of the 'Kansas' discography and we find some must-see tracks like' Cold Gray Morning 'by 'Freaks of Nature' from 1995, the beautiful 'The Wall' from the album 'Leftoverture' from 1976, or the famous 'Song of America' from the same album but also lesser known tracks like 'Two Cents Worth' from the album 'Masque' from 1975, 'Summer' from their penultimate album 'The Prelude Implicit' from 2016 or 'Musicatto' and 'Taking In The View' from 'Power' from 1986, the concert ending in style with 3 other compositions 'People of the South Wind' from 1979, 'Refugee' from 2016 filled with a palpable emotion and finally a 'Lonely Wind' which brings us back to the very beginning of the group with a beautiful tribute to 'Steve Walsh'. In short, this concert by the Americans from 'Kansas' is still a great gift for all the historical fans of the group but is also an album that should reach a large audience because it highlights this legendary group whose albums still serve as a reference for many artists and who have all become essential works of progressive rock of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Platt (Vocal, Keybords), David Ragsdale (Guitar, Violin), Billy Greer (Bass), Rich Williams (Guitar), Tom Brislin (Keybords), Zak Rizvi (Guitar), Phil Ehart (Drums)


Artist : Nine Skies

Album : 5.20

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 06-08-2021

'Nine Skies' is a French progressive rock formation which released two studio recordings 'Return Home' in 2017 and 'Sweethearts Grips' in 2019 and 2021 saw the release a few months ago of a new opus '5.20' which highlights the acoustic side of the group with calm atmospheres conducive to escape and dream that we really need during all this troubled period. We are therefore immersed in compositions mostly accompanied by acoustic guitar, strings and piano, and the French have expanded their line-up since 'Achraf Elasraoui' completes the vocal section and brings a kind of "delicate warmth" to this latest album.

'Colourblind' sets the scene in a tranquil atmosphere with soft arpeggios of acoustic guitar and with a very expressive vocals from 'Achraf Elasraoui', the aerial finale highlighting a 'Floydian' saxophone, then, 'Wilderness' accelerates the pace with 'Steve Hackett' invited for the occasion bringing a delicacy thanks to his inimitable touch. Follows the short instrumental 'Beauty of Decay' which joins the acoustic guitar moods of 'Under A Mediterranean Sky' that 'Steve Hackett' released in early 2021, then, 'Golden Drops' continues this beautiful journey with a superb vocal performance by 'Achraf Elasraoui' which modulates its singing in the oriental way and with superb instrumental arrangements whether at the level of the strings bringing this total change of scenery which transports us to a sort of unreal atmosphere. With 'Above the Tide', we continue our journey with a new title filled with emotion, this time with a remarkable crescendo in the second part highlighting the vocal duo 'Alienor Favier'/'Achraf Elasraoui', the strings bringing a extraordinary strength to the whole, the final falling in some arpeggios of acoustic guitar accompanied by the softness of the violin. New acoustic instrumental prank with 'Dear Mind' bringing a new break of sweetness, then, 'The Old Man in the Snow' is a beautiful acoustic ballad filled with delicacy in which final of 'John Hackett' with his flute is simply sublime. Follows 'Godless Land' with a more complex structure to tame but which shows all the vocal talent of 'Achraf Elasraoui' which conveys a real emotion, then, 'Porcelain Hill' is a new melancholy ballad sublimated by a magnificent interpretation of 'Damian Wilson' who is became in 2020 the new singer of 'Arena' replacing 'Paul Manzi'. New entirely instrumental piece, this time for piano, 'Achristas' is makes us wander the mind to the rhythm of a sweet melody with very beautiful rhythmic variations, then, 'Smiling Stars' ends this very beautiful album on a new composition more intimate unrolling a slow melody with a last very sensual saxophone solo which sums up the atmosphere of the whole.

In summary, this new album from the French of 'Nine Skies' shows a more refined face compared to their previous productions but just as endearing because '5.20' takes us on a beautiful dreamlike and exotic journey made of magnificent compositions that are quietly enjoy the headphones on their ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Achraf Elasraoui (Vocal, Guitar), Alexandre Lamia (Guitar, Keybords), Alienor Favier (Vocal), Anne-claire Rallo (Keybords), Bernard Hery (Bass), David Darnaud (Guitar), Eric Bouillette (Guitar, Piano), Fad Galia (Drums), Laurent Benhamou (Saxophone) + Guests : John Hackett (Flute), Damian Wilson (Vocal), Steve Hackett (Guitar)


Artist : Therion

Album : Live in Atlanta 2011

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 07-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

This third live is dedicated to 'Therion', a formation led for more than thirty years by 'Christofer Johnsson' and of which I have already reviewed the last two albums on myprogmusic (the enormous 'Beloved Antichrist' from 2018 and 'Leviathan' from 2021). And it is not one but two live that 'Christofer Johnsson' offers us with first of all 'Live in Atlanta 2011' which takes us back ten years after the release of 'Sitra Ahra' and which is none other than the digital version of the second DVD of 'Adulruna Rediviva And Beyond' released in 2014. At that time the line-up was composed to the vocals of 'Lori Lewis' who just joined the band officially, 'Thomas Vikström' and his daughter 'Linnéa Vikström', also new concert recruit, and 'Snowy Shaw', the rest of the group consisting of 'Christofer Johnsson' and 'Christian Vidal' on guitar, 'Nalle Påhlsson' on bass and 'Johan Koleberg' on drums. We therefore find the essentials of 'Therion' in 2 hours of concert which alternates muscular compositions like 'Typhon', 'The Blood of Kingu' or even their hymn, 'To Mega Therion', but also the quieter atmospheres with the beautiful melodies of 'Christofer Johnsson' like 'Clavicula Nox', 'The Siren of the Woods' or the magnificent 'Lemuria' sublimated by a 'Lori Lewis' in great shape. In short, even if the fans already knew this concert, this 'Live in Atlanta 2011' allows us to dive back into the discography of 'Therion' which is a formation made for the stage with exceptional singers who give an impressive energy to each concert...

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar), Lori Lewis (Vocal), Linnéa Vikström (Vocal), Thomas Vikström (Vocal, Flute), Snowy Shaw (Vocal), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Johan Koleberg (Drums)


Artist : Chain Reaktor

Album : Homesick

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 08-08-2021

'Chain Reaktor' is a formation of Dutch origin created by 2 brothers, Bart and Arjan Laan, both members of the group a href='https://open.spotify.com/artist/6oObecTT9fit0WsjvlpOqR?si=gUwp5X9jRd2pMqUI03GRbw&dl_branch=1' target='_ blank'>'Skylake' and whose father 'Erik Laan' (who also participates in the adventure) is not a stranger since he is part of the group 'Silhouette'. They release their first studio recording 'Homesick' which takes us for an hour of melodic progressive mixing different styles in relatively complex constructions.

It is with 'The Day That Never Come' that album begins with a long development typical of a rich and varied progressive which requires to linger there to tame it well and which shows all the talent as well vocal as instrumental of this formation with magnificent choirs and interventions of keyboards and flute embroidering around the melodic theme, then, 'Lonely City' continues, without transition with a calm and aerial introduction with still the flute of 'Bart Laan' but which after a minute and a half, takes off for a catchy rhythm with some rhythmic breaks throughout the title and a very beautiful final guitar solo. More direct, 'Enjoy Your Life' offers us an endearing melody in a catchy mid-tempo, then, 'The Lying King' returns to more complex progressive, the vocal harmonies being remarkable and the changes in intensity taking us through sections with saturated electric guitar riffs to more measured parts accompanied by the violin of 'Sophie Zaaijer' while having accessible melodic lines. New long development with the eponymous title of the album which this time unfolds at a slow tempo with the contribution of the acoustic instruments, violin, piano, guitar and saxophone and which takes us on a melancholy first part and which, at the middle, accelerates the rhythm and hardens the tone with a long instrumental part alternating guitar solo and energetic keyboards and whose sung finale is more measured. 'Stop Yelling' continues in refined progressive in several much less direct drawers, the rhythm section leading the dance with multiple tempo changes, the finale returning to much more accessible melodic lines. And it is with 'A Thousand Diamonds', summing up the style of this formation, that the album ends with a last memorable melody sublimated by very beautiful choirs and beautiful instrumental sections.

In summary, the new project 'Chain Reaktor' of the Laan family is very promising and shows all the talent of the Dutch to embark us in rich and inventive compositions that should appeal to an audience loving progressive albums to discover little by little, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjan Laan (Drums, Percussions), Bart Laan (Guitar, Flute, Vocal), Erik Laan (Keybords, Vocal), Mark Op Ten Berg (Bass) + Guests : Sophie Zaaijer (Violin), Suzan Van Den Engel (Choirs), Martin Streckfuss (Saxophone)


Artist : Therion

Album : Live in Budapest 2007

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 09-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

'Live in Budapest 2007' is this time the first DVD of Adulruna Rediviva And Beyond 'released in 2014 which is offered to us in streaming. This concert celebrated the 20 years of the creation of the group and 'Therion', led by its leader 'Christofer Johnsson' had made things big since it is 2 and a half hours of concert that are offered to us with the official line-up of the era consisting of 'Christofer Johnsson' and 'Kristian Niemann' on guitar, 'Johan Niemann' on bass, 'Ferdy Doernberg' on keyboards and 'Petter Karlsson' on drums as well as vocalists' Snowy Shaw 'and' Thomas Vikström 'as well as' Lori Lewis' who at the time was invited with also' Piotr Wawrzeniuk 'and' Messiah Marcolin '. All of 'Theli' had been played there as well as 15 other tracks from the albums 'Vovin', 'Deggial', 'Secret of the Runes', 'Lemuria', 'Sirius B' and the last album released. at that time, 'Gothic Kabbalah'. In summary, the two concerts of 'Therion' released on DVD in 2014 are now available in streaming and allow you to hear or hear again the prosperous period of this formation between the end of the 90s and the end of the 2000s with all the albums mentioned above which have become essential for all fans of 'Therion'...

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar), Snowy Shaw (Vocal), Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Kristian Niemann (Guitar), Johan Niemann (Bass), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Petter Karlsson (Drums) + Guests : Lori Lewis (Vocal), Piotr Wawrzeniuk (Vocal), Messiah Marcolin (Vocal)


Artist : Vince Dicola

Album : Only Time Will Tell

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 10-08-2021

Vince Dicola is an American musician, songwriter/composer who rose to prominence by composing music for films like 'Staying Alive', 'Rocky IV' or 'Transformers' and who has always been drawn to 70s progressive rock such as 'Genesis', 'Yes' or 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer'. 'Only Time Will Tell' is his first solo album in which he has invited renowned singers, since we find, among others, 'Steve Walsh' ('Kansas'), 'Stan Bush' or 'Mark Boals' ('Shining Black'). He has concocted 13 compositions for us which are all powerful melodic rock hits to which they add here and there some progressive elements like in 'Suffer The Children' sung by 'Steve Walsh'. The big names of melodic rock of the 70s immediately come to mind and we navigate in melodies that we immediately appropriate whether in an energetic style like the start of the album 'Bound & Gagged' flirting with hard rock or in much more peaceful atmospheres with melodic jewels very accessible that are the refreshing 'Karla' or 'Just Hanging On' and its memorable chorus or 'You're Not Alone Tonight' and 'Broken Glass' that 'Elton John' would not have denied or 'Only Time Will Tell' sung by 'Steve Walsh' which is very close to 'Kansas' in the second part or even the catchy 'Living in a Daydream', without forgetting the three magnificent ballads 'Miracles', 'Stay/Exit Wound' and 'I'm Not in Love for Nothing' which would each have made hits in the 70s. In short, 'Vince Dicola' shows all his talent as a composer with this solo album sublimated by beautiful vocal performances and 'Only Time Will Tell' is recommended to a large audience who love beautiful melodies that we want to repeat over and over…

Line Up / Musicians

Vince DiCola (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + Guests : Rick Livingstone (Vocal), Jason Scheff (Vocal), Ellis Hall (Vocal), Stan Bush (Vocal), Bobby Kimball (Vocal), Steve Walsh (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal), Bob Reynolds (Vocal)


Artist : Alestorm

Album : Live in Tilburg

Release Date : 28-05-2021

Added : 11-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

Need a little pick-me-up in this period that has deprived us of concerts for too long ? Look no further, I have what you need with the last live of the Scots from 'Alestorm' because if you are a fan of completely crazy folk metal with anthems to blackmail an entire stadium, you are in the right place. And let's go for an hour and a quarter of unstoppable melodies repeated in chorus by all the public (magnificent capture of the concert atmosphere) and interpreted by our buccaneers with the pretty duckling in a masterly way. And if you are not yet convinced by this group of merry fellows, we can salute the beautiful gesture of the Scots to make the entire concert available on YouTube ici, to share for the greatest number all this communicative energy. In short, this live of 'Alestorm' is a great gift for all fans of the Scots and for those who do not yet know this original formation and who like good-natured folk metal, you should have a great time listening to this 'Live in Tilburg'...

Line Up / Musicians

Christopher Bowes (Vocal, Keytar), Mate Bodor (Guitar), Gareth Murdock (Bass), Elliot Vernon (Keybords), Peter Alcorn (Drums)


Artist : The Adekaem

Album : The Great Lie

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 12-08-2021

'The Adekaem' is a Polish progressive rock formation whose last album I reviewed 'Sound Coloriage' dating from 2017 and 2021 sees the release of a new album, 'The Great Lie' which offers us 9 compositions between 3 and 14 minutes alternating between progressive melodic and accessible with more complex and less direct titles which bring a creativity and an originality requiring to linger there to draw all the richness. Led by 'Andrzej Bielas' and 'Krzysztof Wala', they invited Polish artists from the progressive scene with, among others, the bassist from 'Millenium' and from 'tRKproject', 'Krzysztof Wyrwa'.

'Woodland Frolics ar 3 AM' opens this album with the longest track on the album in an instrumental progressive rock that could be a fusion between 'Pendragon' and 'Pink-Floyd', the sounds of the keyboards in the second part reminiscent of the atmospheres of the album 'Whish You Were Here', then, 'The Tigghtrope Walker', which still exceeds 10 minutes, takes us on a calm and serene acoustic ballad in which 'Marcin Staszek' poses his sweet voice and which continues in an Arabian atmosphere in the instrumental part with a very beautiful flute solo and the suite repeats the musical theme providing a captivating sensation, the final being more classic and returning to a 'Floydian' atmosphere. With 'Fool and Death' the more spirited rhythm unfolds a rock melody in which 'Marcin Staszek' shows a more energetic vocal register and the guitar riffs show a more muscular face, then, the second part much calmer, offers beautiful relaxing instrumental passages conducive to escape with a final aerial keyboard solo. Change of scenery with 'The Fall of Phaeton' which deploys a Latino rhythm interrupted by slow tempos and which in the second part develops an instrumental section with a guitar solo close to 'Santana'. There follows a new long development, 'Luminous We Are', which puts forward 'Floydian' keyboards in the first half, and which, after a rather short sung part in the middle of the title, continues with a new catchier instrumental part at the end of title with a repetitive theme on which follow one another keyboard solos with different tones. 'Sacred Geometry' is a fairly linear and not necessarily dispensable composition in which keyboards and choirs embroider around a very repetitive theme, then, 'Spontaneous Combustion Of Ego', entirely instrumental, is certainly the most complex title but the more imaginative by embarking on melodic lines with dissonant sounds releasing a disturbing atmosphere, the vaporous choirs on the final adding still to this feeling of strange. Follows 'Still, Constantly', which returns to a much more classical style through a beautiful piano/voice ballad with a new beautiful vocal performance of 'Marcin Staszek' and with sounds of keyboards close to strings. Finally, the eponymous title of the album ends this very varied album with a melodic jewel filled with subtlety and which has a magnificent symphonic finale.

In summary, this last album of the Poles 'The Adekaem' is still a great success and offers us compositions alternating accessible titles and others much less direct which intends 'The Great Lie' to a public loving a progressive elaborated in quiet atmospheres requiring a few listening to fully enjoy it...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrzej Bielas (Keybords, Vocal), Krzysztof Wala (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal) + Guests : Tomasz Holewa (Drums), Marcin Staszek (Vocal), Martyna Zygadlo (Vocal), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Jakub Bason (Flute)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Now Serving :Royal Tea Live From The Ryman

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 13-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

'Joe Bonamassa' took advantage of the various global confinements to record a live of a rather particular genre because, like the Russians of 'Imperial Age' who had organized a concert at their expense, Mister Joe did not skimp on the means because he offered to himself the 'Ryman Auditorium' of Nashville to give this unprecedented concert in front of a completely empty hall but seen live by 20,000 fans. The concert is now available on CD and DVD since June 11, 2021 and mostly contains all the tracks from his latest album 'Royal Tea' (9 of the 10 tracks are played, 'Savannah' not being part of the set list) and the other 3 compositions are remarkable covers with 'Cradle Rock' by 'Rory Gallagher', 'Walk In My shadows' by 'Free' and a medley made of 'A New Day Yesterday' by 'Jethro Tull' and 'Starship Trooper' by 'Yes'. No surprise, this live is a real happiness from start to finish with an interpretation which further emphasizes these compositions and this authenticity of live, all this obviously benefiting from a flawless production. In short, this live of 'Joe Bonamassa', with his band of talented artists that accompanies it is still a real killer to listen to in a loop and intended for the general public because all the compositions can be appreciated from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Guitar, Vocal), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Greg Morrow (Drums), Rob McNelley (Guitar), Jade MaCrae (Choirs), Dannielle DeAndrea (Choirs), Jimmy Hall (Harmonica)


Artist : Neonfly

Album : The Future, Tonight

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 14-08-2021

'Neonfly' is a British melodic power metal formation created in 2008 by guitarist 'Frederick Thunder' and who released two albums, 'Outshine the Sun' in 2011 and 'Strangers in Paradise' en 2014 in 2014. 'The Future, Tonight' is therefore their third album released in June 2021. They offer us 10 compositions in a powerful, melodic, and direct metal in radio formats between 3 and 4 minutes with a very careful production that highlights the intensity deployed.

From the first track, 'The World Is Burning', we have a good example of what awaits you throughout this album with guitars with incisive riffs supported by a heavy and energetic rhythm section. The sequel shows the same face with melodic compositions like 'Last Of Our Kind' and its memorable chorus, then, 'Flesh & Blood' is a typical mid-tempo of a metal that gives an irresistible urge to headbang and the title eponymous from the album that follows, shows a more hard face with the extreme vocals' Bjorn "Speed" Strid 'often invited in different projects ('Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen' ou ' Ronnie Atkins') but also singer of <'The Night Flight Orchestra'. The sequel offers us a melodic 'Beating Hearts' with heady choirs which should be taken up in concert by the whole audience, then, 'More Than A Lifetime', while keeping an important energy, shows a more measured face with a slower tempo and 'Another Eden', in a faster rhythm, is a lighter and direct composition which should work well in concert. With 'Steal the World', the more aggressive introduction then gives way to more measured sections with beautiful alternations of intensity, then, 'Final Warning', drives the point home of this modern and melodic metal with an original title and lively which, again alternates different atmospheres bringing a good dose of progressive and the album ends in a beautiful way with the power ballad 'The Things We Left Behind (And The Things That Slipped Away)' also showing that they know how to propose more measured atmospheres which, for my part, I would have liked more to bring an even more important variety.

In summary, the British of 'Neonfly' are releasing a very good modern metal album that combines power and accessible melodic lines which should appeal to an audience loving a direct and efficient metal that we appropriate from the start. first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Willy Norton (Vocal), Frederick Thunder (Guitar), Paul Miller (Bass), Declan Brown (Drums) + Guest : Bjorn "Speed" Strid (Vocal)


Artist : Klone

Album : Alive (Live)

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 15-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

This live is dedicated to the French of 'Klone', whose last album 'Le Grand Voyage' dates from 2019 and, while waiting to be able to put their next studio recording between our ears, they offer us compositions recorded in various concerts between 2016 and 2019, their last live 'Unplugged', which highlighted the acoustic side of the group, being released in 2017. We therefore find this atmospheric atmosphere with this time the reconnected electric instruments which give this feeling of quiet strength throughout the concert and whose capture of the live atmosphere is rendered in a remarkable way. We are therefore immersed in the discography of the French with, of course, the focus for the last two opuses, 'Here Come The Sun' and 'Le Grand Voyage' since 9 tracks are taken from them. The whole is divided between calm and melancholic compositions with slow tempos in which one abandons oneself completely like the magnificent 'Yonder', the Floydien 'Breach', the melodic 'Sealed' and 'Immersion' or the hypnotic 'Nebulous' or still 'The Last Experience' and its remarkable crescendo but also other more rhythmic titles with 'Rocket Smoke', 'Give up the Rest', 'The Drifter' or even 'The Dreamer's Hideway', the concert ending with the very beautiful 'Silver Gate' which makes us climb on a little cloud and the muscular cover of the song 'Army Of Me' by 'Björk'.

In summary, this live album from the French of 'Klone' is a good way to relax with these atmospheres conducive to escape during this summer period and, even if some privileged people could see them in early summer at the Antibes Square Nights Festival, allows as many people as possible to share these magical moments of concerts in this completely crazy period of cultural scarcity...

Line Up / Musicians

Yann Ligner (Vocal), Guillaume Bernard (Guitar), Aldrick Guadagnino (Guitar), Julian Gretz (Bass), Martin Weill (Drums), Morgan Berthet (Drums)


Artist : Social Disorder

Album : Love 2 Be Hated

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 16-08-2021

'Social Disorder' is a great melodic hard-rock band created by Swedish guitarist 'Anders "LA" Rönnblom' who brought together talented artists from the international rock and hard-rock scene with this debut album 'Love 2 Be Hated'. This opus is a kind of therapy for the Swede who tells about his struggles against alcoholism and the painful events of his life. Musically, we are immersed in a melodic hard-rock from the 70s/80s with nuggets that could all have made hits in another era, because each composition deserves to be mentioned. Whether it's the catchy 'Dreaming', 'Love 2 Be Hated', 'Raise a Glass' or 'Down on My Knees' that get you in shape for a whole day or good hard-rock titles like 'Windy Road' , 'Scara', 'Sail Away' or even 'Out of Love', we taste this album from the first note to the last note and the melancholy ballad 'The One' is not forgotten at the end of the album which finishes by the catchy instrumental 'Wings of Servenity'. Special mention to the vocal performance of 'Thomas Nordin' unearthed by the keyboardist 'Leif Ehlin' who comes to us from Sweden and who has nothing to envy to the many good singers that the Scandinavian countries have already brought to us with a voice that recalls the intonations of a certain 'David Coverdale'. In short, this first album of 'Social Disorder' contains 10 compositions with unstoppable melodies that will graft themselves straight into your head, which intends this 'Love 2 Be Hated' to a large audience loving a melodic and, in a way, a timeless hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Anders "LA" Rönnblom (Bass, Guitar), Thomas Nordin (Vocal), Tracii Guns (Guitar), Shawn Duncan (Drums), Rudy Sarzo (Bass), Jeff Duncan (Guitar), Snowy Shaw (Drums), Dave Stone (Keybords), Leif Ehlin (Keybords), Johan Niskanen (Guitar), Fredrik Tjerneld (Guitar), Thomas Widmark (Keybords), Kenta Karlbom (Drums)


Artist : One Desire

Album : One Night Only Live In Helsinki

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 17-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

After the release of their second studio recording 'Midnight Empire' in May 2020 and their European tour as the opening act of 'The Night Flight Orchestra' which stopped very quickly because of the Covid 19, the Finns of 'One Desire' still managed to organize a concert in Helsinki in October 2020. And even if this live did not allow them to have a full audience due to the pandemic, the lucky few participants show a real enthusiasm which gives a beautiful concert atmosphere. The set list consists of 12 tracks with one half taken from the first album 'One Desire' and the other half of their second album 'Midnight Empire'. So parade the melodic jewels of the Finns who show their ease on stage and this happiness of communing with the public with a concert start with catchy compositions, the break with the 3 ballads 'This Is Where The Heartbreak Begins', 'Only When I Breathe' and 'Falling Apart' well placed allowing for a remarkable well-deserved break, then the end of the concert returns to melodic jewels with 'After You're Gone' and its chorus taken up by the whole audience, the catchy 'Whenever I'm Dreaming', their hit 'Hurt' and, in final bouquet, a mix of 'Buried Alive' and its fast rhythm and the catchy 'Battlefield of Love'. In short, this magnificent live performance of the Finns of 'One Desire' shows that they will have to be reckoned with in the future to compete with all the melodic rock and hard-rock groups of which the Scandinavian countries are the main providers and that they will very quickly go from the first parts to the main group in concert...

Line Up / Musicians

Andre Linman (Vocal), Jimmy Westerlund (Guitar, Vocal), Jonas Kulhberg (Bass), Ossi Sivula (Drums)


Artist : King Company

Album : Trapped

Release Date : 25-06-2021

Added : 18-08-2021

It is always a Nordic country that is in the spotlight with the Finns of 'King Company' who release their third album after 'One for the Road' in 2016 and 'Queen of Hearts' in 2018. Formed in 2014 by the drummer of 'Thunderstone', 'Mirka Rantanen', after two changes of singers in the last few years, it is now 'Ilkka Keskitalo' who provides vocals on this last album. 'I Will Be There' begins the album with an energetic title and a catchy chorus which is a good example of what to expect on this opus in a direct and effective style, then, 'Trapped in Heart' continues in a melodic atmosphere with less supported verses bringing a chorus with choirs that we want to accompany. In the same style, we can cite 'Stephanie' with its memorable chorus, the muscular hit 'Dangerous Tonight' which should run in a loop with a lot of melodic hard-rock fans, the energetic and fast 'Screen Is Your Life' with a heavy metal rhythm section or even the melodic jewel 'Fair Winds' in an enthusiastic AOR or even 'Nobodys Fool', certainly the most muscular track that comes close to heavy metal. And when the tempo is more measured, the Finns show other equally effective compositions with the magnificent power ballad 'Death of Soul', the mid-tempo 'Nothing for Free' with a chorus which should be taken in chorus in concert or even 'Stars Will Lead the Way', between power ballad and mid-tempo ending the album in style.

In summary, even if they will not revolutionize melodic hard-rock, the Finns of 'King Company' show that they have a talent to offer us melodic and effective compositions which are appreciated from the first listening which should destine 'Trapped' to a large audience loving an accessible melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Ilkka Keskitalo (Vocal), Antti "eversti" Wirman (Guitar), Jari Pailamo (Keybords), Time Schleifer (Bass), Mirka " Leka" Rantanen (Drums)


Artist : KISS

Album : KISS Off The Soundboard: Tokyo 2001 (Live)

Release Date : 11-06-2021

Added : 19-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

Go back 20 years with the anniversary of the 'KISS' concert in Tokyo in 2001. For those who have not known the 70s/80s, 'KISS' is an American hard-rock group internationally known for two decades and whose the members performed in concert with make-up and costumes that were extravagant to say the least. While waiting for their farewell tour in 2022, they therefore come out of the recordings of concerts and this live in Tokyo (the Japanese have always been unconditional fans of the Americans) plunges us back into these crazy atmospheres of their concerts of the time with a set-list well supplied since it is more than two hours available to us. We find the essential titles with 'Detroit Rock City', 'Firehouse', 'Calling Dr. Love', the ballad 'I Still Love You', 'Black Diamond' and 'Rock And Roll All Nite' and, of course, the hit interplanetary 'I Was Made For Lovin' You '. In short, beyond the fans of the Americans, this live album is a good way for others to discover this legendary group and the live atmospheres of that time (see the video above from 'Love Gun') with, icing on the cake, long improvised solos that embellished the concerts with among others, for this one, a guitar solo in 'Shock Me' and a drum solo in 'God of Thunder'...

Line Up / Musicians

Paul Stanley (Guitar, Vocal), Ace Frehley (Guitar, Vocal, Choirs), Gene Simmons (Bass, Vocal), Eric Singer (Drums, Percussions , Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Endless Chain

Album : Forthcoming Past

Release Date : 25-06-2021

Added : 20-08-2021

'Endless Chain' is a new Finnish formation which evolves in relatively dark atmospheres being able to approach the Gothic style but with accessible melodic lines. Led by the multi-instrumentalist, also author and composer, 'Timö Molsä' and the drummer 'Samuli Mikkonen', they offer us 10 tracks for 45 minutes of listening. 'Forthcoming Past' begins the album in a heavy and majestic atmosphere with oriental intonations, showing a good example of the style deployed on the opus, the melody coming directly into our head, then, 'They're the Ones to Fall 'is more catchy and reminds me of some tracks 'Mono Inc' by the simple but very effective melody with a memorable chorus, growls doubling the clear voice of 'Timö Molsä'. With these first two tracks, we have a good sample of what awaits you in the rest of the album, which is divided between compositions with slow tempos like 'Hold out Hope' and more energetic climates with 'All of the Above' and its folk metal intonations which makes it one of the most festive titles, an atmosphere that we find in 'Scars on Me' or 'Nothing More' which, after a refined introduction, deploys a beautiful energy with growls that take the above on the clear edge. But we can also highlight more refined atmospheres with the very beautiful acoustic 'A Letter', the semi-acoustic 'Feel' with a mixed duo on vocals which brings real originality, the semi-acoustic mid-tempo 'The Wild One 'and its beautiful haunting melody or even 'The Memories' with its memorable chorus which again brought me back to the atmospheres of 'Mono Inc.'.

In summary, the Finns of 'Endless Chain' are releasing an original first album which takes us on a mix between the power of metal and much more moderate climates which should destine 'Forthcoming Past' to a public loving two styles quite far from each other, all benefiting from melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Timö Molsä (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Samuli Mikkonen (Drums)


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Images and Words – Live in Japan, 2017

Release Date : 25-06-2021

Added : 21-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

The Americans of 'Dream Theater' also chose this troubled liveless period to reissue the 'Ytsejam Records' catalog which was the label used to publish official bootlegs of live recordings. After 'Distant Memories - Live In London' in 2020, they are offering us this time 'Lost Not Forgotten: Images & Words - Live In Japan 2017' recorded in the mythical 'Budokan' which has seen a lot of big groups parade since the 70s (for the most old man, let's remember a certain 'At Budokan' of 'Cheap Trick' where the crazy atmosphere made us discover a crazy Japanese audience). Even if the duration is quite short (a little over an hour), this live highlights the entire 1992 album 'Images and Words' with this concert atmosphere which makes us share these unique moments of communion with the public and a remarkable sound recording. In short, a nice gift for all fans of 'Dream Theater' and for others, a good way to listen to this group which has become essential in the world of progressive metal, even if the album played in Japan is part of the period which, for my part, mixes progressive rock and metal. Note that at the time of writing this review, a second concert is already available on spotify with the live 'Lost not forgotten archives: A dramatic tour of events – Select board mixes' recorded during the 'A dramatic tour of events' tour in 2011 and 2012 and this album offers two hours of public recording...

Line Up / Musicians

James Labrie (Vocal), John Petrucci (Guitar), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), John Myung (Bass), Mike Mangini (Drums)


Artist : As Night Falls

Album : Awareness

Release Date : 01-07-2021

Added : 22-08-2021

After their first album 'Embrace The Journey' in 2016, the Poles of 'As Nights Falls' release a second studio recording 'Awareness'. For an hour of listening and 13 compositions, we find this mixture of a powerful and melodic metal which is eyeing more and more towards the symphonic. After the short instrumental introduction 'Come and see' highlighting sound effects, 'Strength' opens the debates with an energetic track with a fast rhythm which immediately shows that 'Anna Achtelik' now masters her subject, her vocal performance being quite remarkable and 'The Firebrand' continues this momentum with a catchy new melodic hit. The suite continues in memorable melodic lines with, for example, 'Shackles of the Mind' and its rhythm that will make an entire audience headbang, 'Before We Go Blind' which has its eye on symphonic metal with similarities to 'Delain', 'Canceled' and a memorable new chorus, 'Before We Go' with beautiful choirs accompanying 'Anna Achtelik' or the eponymous title of the album with classic melodic lines but very effective. And when the tempo softens, the Poles know how to offer us magnificent mid-tempo with 'Never Look Back' and 'Whispering'. As for the ballads, 'Place in Space and Time' and the last instrumental track 'Remember Me', which put forward a romantic piano, they have nothing to envy to the other compositions, especially since 'Anna Achtelik' shows also that in these more subdued atmospheres, she knows how to move us to tears.

In summary, this latest album from the Poles of 'As Night Falls' shows how far they have come in the last five years and they now have all the cards in hand to reach the same level as the tenors of the genre with this very beautiful album 'Awareness' which should appeal to an audience loving a direct and varied symphonic metal with accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Wojciech Muchowicz (Drums), Paweł Siruga (Bass), Paweł Dylewski (Guitar), Anna Achtelik (Vocal), Łukasz Siwy (Keybords)


Artist : John Mellencamp

Album : Lonely Street (Live 1984) – Unplugged (Live 1992) – Big Red Apple (Live 1980)

Release Date : 24-05-2021

Added : 23-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

After 'Other People's Stuff', 'John Mellencamp' shared on streaming platforms 3 live from the 80s and 90s, first 'Lonely Street (Live 1984)', then the acoustic concert 'Unplugged (1992)' and, finally, 'Big Red Apple (Live 1980)' which you can find in the above playlist on spotify. It is therefore more than 4 hours of concerts that are offered to us, and we return to the discography of the first albums of the American who began his career in the mid-1970s under the name 'John Cougar Mellencamp' but also covers of compositions from the time of different artists. These 3 lives are therefore a great gift for all fans of the American and a good way for others to discover this artist whose last studio recording 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies' date of 2017 and which accounts for a good twenty studio recordings...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mellencamp (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar)


Artist : Castanarc

Album : The Sea of Broken Vows

Release Date : 01-07-2021

Added : 24-08-2021

It was in 1984 that the Englishmen of 'Castanarc' released their first album 'Journey to the East' which was followed by three others, 'Rude Politics' and 'Burnt Offerings' in 1988 and 'Little Gods' in 1989 then, nothing more until this new album 'The Sea of Broken Vows' released in early July 2021, singer 'Mark Holiday' and keyboardist 'David Powell' having resurrected their group from the 80s (if you want to get a preview of their 80s production, you can go to their bandcamp page with the album 'Water From The Well' released in 2020). With 'John Spence' who produces the album and who also plays guitar, they have called on many guests and offer us a very nice progressive rock album in calm and quiet atmospheres and the first name that comes to mind the spirit is 'Barclay James Harvest' because they are completely in line with this progressive movement of the 70/80 period.

11 fairly short tracks between 4 and 5 minutes for a total of 50 minutes, this is the menu of this opus which begins with a catchy 'A Song Rings Out' introduced by sound effects and which takes us directly back to the years 70/80 with a melody that could have been written 'Alan Parsons', then, 'Lost Tears' shows a more moderate face with a sweet melody that reminds me of 'BJH', atmospheres that we find in the following titles with the beautiful ballad 'Full Circle' and 'In This World'. As for 'The Ascent Of Man', we embark for a peaceful rock of the 70s with a catchy rhythm, then, 'Walking With Angels' is a new completely addictive ballad on which we completely abandon ourselves and 'Out of Time' comes extend this beautiful moment with subtlety and finesse. More rhythmic, 'The Waking Of The Earth' takes us back to the 'BJH' period of 'Ring Of Changes' reminding me of the first CD I had in my possession. The end of the album scrolls the semi-acoustic 'Light The Fire' in which the flute and the folk guitar brings us back to the rural and poetic atmospheres of 'BJH', then the title song continues in this beautiful serenity, with a melody throbbing conducive to escape and it is with 'For The Want Of A Nail' that we end this remarkable journey with an introduction to the slow tempo that turns quite quickly into a beautiful catchy song that recharges us with its communicative energy.

In summary, the English of 'Castarnac' are coming back to offer us a very nice album by perpetuating the tradition of a melodic progressive rock that rocked us during the 70s/80s with groups like 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Camel', 'Supertramp' or even 'Alan Parsons Project'...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Holiday (Vocal), John Spence (Guitar, Percussions), David Powell (Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Neil Duty (Guitar), Pat Mount (Guitar), Pete Robinson (Bass), Charlie Morgan (Batteire), Angela Gordon (Flute), Steve Beighton (Saxophone)


Artist : Journey

Album : Rollin' On (Live 1981)

Release Date : 31-01-2021

Added : 25-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

After the 'John Mellencamp' '80s concerts, I come back to the live from 1981 of 'Journey', already known to fans but which appeared on spotify in January 2021. The Americans, who in the 70s/80s were one of the flagship melodic rock groups now called AOR, do haven't released many albums after this first period because the last studio recording 'Eclipse' already dates from 2011 but are coming back to the fore with the lineup consisting of 'Arnel Pineda' on vocals, 'Neal Schon' on guitar, 'Jonathan Cain' on keyboards, 'Randy Jackson' on bass, 'Jason Derlatka' on keyboards and 'Narada Michael Walden' on drums (new single 'The Way We Used To Be' released at the end of June 2021). This live recorded during their American tour in 1981 after the release of the album 'Escape' makes us relive these concert atmospheres with, of course, a recording not necessarily at the top for this period and the set list obviously contains several titles from their last opus of the time with a certain 'Don't Stop Believin' (the new line up performed it remotely in 2020 ici) but also the essentials of the band from the end of the 70s with for example 'Any Way You Want It'. In short, hearing a new album from the Americans, this concert is a beautiful journey through time for all fans of 'Journey' and allows you to listen to this group which largely contributed to the rise of American melodic rock in the 70s and 80...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Perry (Vocal), Neal Schon (Guitar, Choirs), Ross Valory (Bass, Choirs), Jonathan Cain (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Steve Smith (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : TANYC

Album : Tanyc

Release Date : 02-07-2021

Added : 26-08-2021

'Tanyc' is a singer/songwriter who released her first studio recording under the label 'gentle art of music' created by the members of 'RPWL' of which 'Kalle Wallner' and 'Yogi Lang' participate in the project of 'Tanyc'. In atmospheres of soft, refined, and sensual pop, she offers us 12 compositions for an little hour of music with a team of talented artists who put themselves at the service of her beautiful tender voice filled with an endearing sincerity all this being accompanied by 'an irreproachable production. We therefore let ourselves embark on melodies that we immediately tame with a kind of quiet strength that accompanies you throughout the album with for example 'Faster', 'Hide Away', 'Again' (magnificent vocal harmonies), 'Never Ask Twice' or even 'Labyrinth' (moreover in this last title, I find the same atmospheres as certain compositions of 'RPWL'). We can also note lighter titles with the catchy 'Loops on Fire' and 'Shoot' or 'Smile' and its joyful atmosphere but also very beautiful more stripped-down titles like 'Beautiful', 'Loops on Fire' or the magnificent 'Over and Over' which closes the album beautifully with new vocal harmonies that communicate a real emotion close to what gospel can provide.

In summary, this first solo album of 'Tanyc' is a beautiful journey into a poetic world that can be enjoyed quietly with headphones on and will allow you for a moment to take advantage of a moment conducive to relaxation, stopping time, to escape from this world which turns faster and faster...

Line Up / Musicians

Tanyc (Vocal), Heiko Jung (Bass), Kalle Wallner (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Yogi Lang (Keybords), Nir Zidkyahu (Drums), Tom Norris (Violin), Stephan Weiser (Piano), Aaron Brooks (Vocal)


Artist : The Rolling Stones

Album : A Bigger Bang (Live)

Release Date : 09-07-2021

Added : 27-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

We know the excessiveness of the concerts of the 'Stones' and this concert on the beach of 'Copacabana' is certainly one of the rock concerts of the last 50 years which has gathered the most people because on February 18, 2006, there are more than one million and a half spectators who were able to participate in this evening. Already known to fans because it was already released in 2007, it is now available on streaming platforms and the setlist is now complete with nearly two hours of concerts. Then parade the essentials of this legendary formation which have always had immense international fame and 'Copacabana' is one of the most grandiose testimonies of this band formed in 1962 by the two childhood friends 'Mick Jagger' and 'Keith Richards' who has toured over the past decades (and continues to do so) with an ever-so-intact pleasure, a pleasure that they continue to convey to their audiences on every tour. In short, no need to add more, all you must do is press the play button and turn up the sound to fully enjoy these moments that have become timeless and, for the pleasure to be complete, nothing beats the video which has been released in different versions ranging from simple DVD to deluxe versions for die-hard fans...

Added on 08/27/2021: chance of the chronicles calendar of myprogmusic, this chronicle was written a few days before the death of 'Charlie Watts' who had been the drummer since the creation of the group and who died at the age of 80 on August 24.

Line Up / Musicians

Mick Jagger (Vocal), Keith Richards (Guitar, Vocal), Ronnie Wood (Guitar), Charlie Watts (Drums) + Guests : Darryl Jones (Bass, Choirs), Bernard Fowler (Choirs), Lisa Fischer (Choirs), Bobby Keys (Saxophone), Tim Ries (Saxophone, Keybords), Michael Davis (Trombone), Kent Smith (Trumpet), Chuck Leavell (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Brave New Worlds

Album : Net of Illusions

Release Date : 30-05-2021

Added : 28-08-2021

I discovered the Italians of 'Brave New Worlds' with the release of their second album 'Net of Illusions' in May 2021, 'Brave New Worlds' being the first released in 2020 and it tooks me a few months to digest this exceptional work which, by borrowing from the great rock formations progressive from the 70s with for example 'Pink-Floyd', 'Tangerine Dreams', 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' or 'Genesis' but also to more recent ones like for example 'Leprous' or 'Pain of Salvation', makes of this album a patchwork of all these artists and embark us on a creative and imaginative sound journey that necessarily requires lingering there for a long time to draw all the richness. With a name of group like that, the Italians refer to the dystopian anticipation novel of the same name by Aldous Huxley 'released in 1931 and which at the time was presented as science fiction but which is increasingly becoming our daily reality. In 'Net of Illussions', the theme addresses the possible futures of humanity with references from different science fiction authors ('Philip K. Dick', 'William Gibson', 'Roger Silverberg', 'Roger Zelazny'...) and writings from historian 'Yuval Noah Harari'.

First, these are 15 compositions for nearly two hours of music that are offered to us and doing title by title would require too long a chronicle. It is for this reason that I will focus this one on the strong points which marked me during my multiple listening. First of all, each track is a discovery of a sound universe that merges different styles and atmospheres and, especially in the first part of the album, we have the impression of being always on the razor's edge with this feeling of very loud and continual cry of call for help that we find for example in 'The Wall' (listen to 'Neuromancer' to convince yourself of this with the use for example of reverberation in singing), a feeling that from time to time is dissipates to release all the accumulated tension : the first two tracks, in the form of a mold with two envelopes, are the typical example with striking vocal parts giving off an extraordinary force. In opposition to these strong moments, the second part of the album is much more atmospheric with more peaceful and soaring compositions like 'Net of Being' or 'Dstry Ur Wrk' or the magnificent 'Butterfly Effect'. Then, the musical diversity highlighting contemporary disgressions (for example the very beautiful piano interventions of 'Fabio Aramani' including the very beautiful piano prelude 'Obscure Light Prelude') does not take over because the melodic aspect is always present to soften and make more accessible the whole, 'Darkest Lights' being a first example with these different twists which alternate harmonious sung parts with other more sought-after parts which bring a real originality. Finally, the Italians, in addition to classic progressive rock instruments such as keyboards and guitar (beautiful solos punctuate the various titles), have surrounded themselves with artists who put all their talent at the service of music and the contribution of wind or strings instruments bring a completely original sound diversity : we can cite the interventions of the strings and the clarinet in 'Illusions Theme I' accompanying the piano and we can also note very beautiful vocal harmonies that dot the album, and which bring an airy and celestial side to the whole as in 'Sea of Endless Worlds' or in 'Across Theme'.

In summary, this second album from the Italians of 'Brave New Worlds' shows all the talent of this formation which offers us an innovative and rich progressive misuc, filled with a remarkable creativity and which, on the flip side, should be intended for an informed progressive rock audience who likes long concept albums that one tame, little by little, over repeated listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabio Armani (Piano, Keybords, Ethnic instruments, Drums électronique), Luciano Masala (Guitar), Andrea Fenili (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar) + Guests : Simona Capozucco (Vocal, Choirs), Peter Voronov (Violin, Viola), Manuel Trabucco (Clarinette, Saxophone), Massimiliano Gentilini (Bass), Lenina Crowne (Bass), John (le Sauvage) (Drums, Percussions), Simone Ceracchi (Bass), Alberto Gatti (Guitar)


Artist : Foghat

Album : 8 Days On The Road

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 29-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

It's still old backpackers from the 70s who have just released a live, I named the English of 'Foghat' who remember us fondly and who continue to travel the roads to offer their fans what they have always done better, good energetic rock that gives hell. Formed in 1971, the first album 'Foghat' will be 50 years old next year. Their main album releases date from the 70s/80s, then, after a reformation in the 90s, the 2000s decimated the group since 3 of the 4 members died and it is now the drummer 'Roger Earl' who continues the adventure with singer 'Charlie Huhn', guitarist 'Bryan Bassett' and bassist 'Rodney O'Quinn'. We therefore find the essentials of the group with 'Drivin' Wheel', 'Slow Ride', 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'Fool For The City' or even 'Maybelline' from 1972 with this blatant parallel with a certain 'I' Going Home' from 'Ten Years After', and we feel in this live the pleasure of sharing with the public which gives even more energy to all these titles. In short, as I use to quote this proverb, "the best soups are made in old pots", 'Foghat' is still a good example of old groups from the 70s still in activity to continue to offer us what they have always done best : good direct rock and so effective...

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Earl (Drums), Bryan Basstt (Guitar), Charlie Huhn (Vocal, Guitar), Rodney O'Quinn (Bass)


Artist : Angelwings

Album : Primordium

Release Date : 18-06-2021

Added : 30-08-2021

I reviewed the Spanish Angelwings 'first album in 2017'The Edge Of Innocence' which made a very good impression on me and their new opus 'Primordium' has been released in June 2021 and confirms my position on this formation led by the singer 'Davinia Cano'. The line-up has evolved as two new guitarists 'Carlos Alvarez-Nava' and 'David Durán Ramírez' replacing 'Paul Cano', 'Dani Durán Ramírez' replacing 'Darren Fa' on bass, and drummer 'Ismael Viera Giraldo' having joined the group in 2018, the core of the formation being formed by 'Glenn Cano' on keyboards and orchestrations, and of course the soprano 'Davinia Cano' who on this album makes me think more and more of 'Sharon Del Adel'. With 10 original compositions for a full hour of music, they take us on a symphonic metal influenced by the major groups of the late 90s with the lead 'Within Temptation' with many mid-tempos some of which require several listenings for get all the richness out of it.

The long development 'Genesis' begins the album with an epic saga offering a construction in several drawers adding a progressive component to this very beautiful track which alternates different atmospheres passing from an energetic passage punctuated by saturated guitar riffs to a much quieter part, 'Divi' perfectly adapting her voice according to the intensity of the moment, then, 'Primordium' continues with a rhythmic structure in perpetual change, which make it a composition less accessible but which reveals itself as and when listenings. In symphonic metal we are used to alternating between male growls and female songs, the best example being the formation 'Epica', but with 'Nature's Lullaby' which follows, the growls of 'Carlos Alvarez' accompany the song of 'Divi' giving even more strength to this title which superimposes strength and softness at the same time, then, 'Fallen Angel Song' continues with more classical symphonic metal while keeping an unbridled rhythmic section which brings a real originality. It is with 'Sail Away' that we have the ballad of the album which takes us on a delicious journey starting in an atmospheric atmosphere and which turns into a power ballad after 2 minutes, then, 'Dehumanised' is an instrumental comma which allows the transition with the next title, 'Trapped' which, after a calm introduction, gains strength quite quickly and presents a more complex construction bringing changes of intensity and a good dose of progressive. We find in 'Changes' this alternation of intensity and tempo with a melancholy central section surrounded by two catchy parts, the first of which contains a magnificent keyboard solo of 'Glenn Cano', then, 'Prayer' returns to more classical symphonic metal with melodic lines reminiscent of the beginning of 'Within Temptation' while keeping its own originality thanks to the alternation of different intensities and tempos and the album ends with 'Lies & Secrets' with a remarkable central instrumental section framing two parts lively, the vocal duo 'Davinia Cano'/'Carlos Alvarez' always bringing this beautiful complementarity of clear vocals and extreme voice.

In summary, this second album from the Spaniards of 'Angelwings' shows the evolution of the Spaniards towards a more sought-after symphonic metal incorporating multiple variations of intensity and tempo which brings a good dose of progressive and which destines 'Primordium' to an audience loving an elaborate symphonic metal who needs to linger there to draw all the richness...

Line Up / Musicians

Davinia ‘Divi’ Cano (Vocal), Carlos Alvarez-Nava (Guitar), David Durán Ramírez (Guitar), Dani Durán Ramírez (Bass), Glenn Cano (Keybords, Orchestrations), Ismael Viera Giraldo (Drums) + Guest : Carlos Alvarez (Vocal)


Artist : Maiden United

Album : Sailors of the Sky (Live in Europe)

Release Date : 04-06-2021

Added : 31-08-2021

Album of the playlist 2021 : Concerts released in the second quarter of 2021

'Maiden United' is a band which covers compositions of 'Iron Maiden' but by rearranging them in semi-acoustic versions. They already have 5 albums to their credit, the last one 'The Barrel House Tapes' being released in 2019. With this live 'Sailors of the Sky', they revisit for nearly 2 hours, compositions of the English in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere with for example the river title 'Empire of the Clouds' which is divided into several parts. In the vast majority, the tribute exercise is often associated with trying to reproduce the original group, but in this case, and this is the great strength of this formation, they completely transform the compositions of 'Iron Maiden' by bringing their personal touch by remarkable rearrangements which gives a whole new light of the originals. In short, beyond the fans of 'Iron Maiden', some of whom may not join, the various productions of 'Maiden United' go beyond a simple cover group and 'Sailors of the Sky' is intended for a large audience who love warm and quiet atmospheres much closer to progressive rock of the 70s/80s than to the energy of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Beck (Vocal), Daan Janzing (Guitar), Joey Bruers (Bass), Polle van Genechten (Piano), Huub van Loon (Hammond), Dirk Bruinenberg (Drums) + Guest : Ezster Anna Baumann (Choirs)


Artist : Lost Symphony

Album : Chapter III

Release Date : 09-07-2021

Added : 01-09-2021

'Lost Symphony' is a new project initiated by two brothers, producer and composer 'Brian Goodman' and multi-instrumentalist 'Benny Goddman' and it is already the third album that they release in less than two years the first two chapter 'Chapter I' and 'Chapter II' being released in 2020. These 3 opuses are entirely instrumental by mixing the melodic lines of classical music with the power of metal and, for the occasion, the 'Goodman' brothers surrounded themselves with renowned guitarists from the metal world to which must be added the violinist 'Siobhán Cronin'. They have concocted for us in this third part 6 long compositions for 46 minutes of music and we are therefore embarked on a metal-classical saga which merges classical composers with the power of guitar riffs all this accompanied by the violin of 'Siobhán Cronin' which swirls around this debauchery of energy. The song that should delight fans of this improbable mix is 'Decomposing Composers' which takes extracts from classic works to 'metalize' them, but we can also cite other titles with 'Denial of Anger' which, with its melodic lines memorable and with these remarkable guitar solos of the metal convicts of 'Megadeth' joining those of a certain 'Ritchie Blackmore', propose us nearly 10 minutes of happiness. The Goodman brothers also offer us more measured rhythms with the mid-tempo 'Bargaining Depression' which navigates between quiet parts and others more powerful or calmer atmospheres with 'Acceptance' and 'Take Another Piece', both melancholic and in which the electric guitars and the violin bring beautiful moments of emotion.

In summary, 'Lost Sympony' is a remarkable instrumental project for all those who love a music combining the power of metal with the musicality of classical and if you liked the first two chapters there is has a good chance that you will adopt this 'Chapter III' again...

Line Up / Musicians

Benny Goodman (All Instruments), Brian Goodman (Compositeur), Cory Paza (Bass, Guitar), Paul Lourenco (Drums), Kelly Kereliuk (Guitar), Siobhán Cronin (Violin, Viola) + Guests : Marty Friedman (Guitar), David Ellefson (Bass), Joey Concepcion (Guitar), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Matt LaPierre (Guitar), Alex Skolnick (Guitar), Angel Vivaldi (Guitar), Richard Shaw (Guitar), Jeff Loomis (Guitar), Nuno Bettencourt (Guitar), Oli Herbert (Guitar), Ryan Formato (Guitar)


Artist : Deep Purple

Album : Live in London 2002

Release Date : 13-08-2021

Added : 02-09-2021

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Gillan (Vocal), Steve Morse (Guitar), Roger Glover (Bass), John Lord (Keybords), Ian Paice (Drums)


Artist : Hardline

Album : Heart, Mind and Soul

Release Date : 09-07-2021

Added : 03-09-2021

Hey, it's been at least almost a month since I last talked about 'Alessandro Del Vecchio'a nd the last 'Hardline' has just show up at the beginning of July, the last album of the Italian-American combo 'Life' being released in 2019. The lineup is now stabilized and they continue their way by offering us good melodic hard-rock and this starting with an explosive 'Fuel to the Fire' but, for those who like a certain variety, the whole is very balanced. with energetic and more measured bringing us back to an AOR of the 80s as shown by compositions like 'If I Could I Would' or 'Like That' or the melodic jewel 'Searching For Grace' or the aptly named ' 80's Moment '. And when the lights are dim, they have concocted two very classic ballads 'Heavenly' and 'We Belong' but which are yet to be added to the best melodic hard-rock ballads. In short, no need for long speeches, it is still a melodic hard-rock album to listen to in a loop and which should appeal to a large audience because all the compositions are very accessible and catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs), Mario Percudani (Guitar), Anna Portalupi (Bass), Marco Di Salvia (Drums)


Artist : Big City

Album : Testify X

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 04-09-2021

It is again the label 'Frontiers' which distributes the new album of the Norwegians of 'Big City', created by the guitarist 'Daniel Olaisen', who are releasing their third studio album, the first two 'Wintersleep' and Big City Life' being respectively released in 2013 and 2018, their second album also including the compositions of the first as a bonus. Their style mixes hard-rock and melodic metal and this last opus has seen the line-up evolve since it is now 'Jørgen Bergersen' who officiates as singer (he is part of 'Rock The Nigh' a cover of 'Europe' ). Everything is therefore implemented to offer us 52 minutes of energy because apart from the power ballad 'I Will Fall', these are heavy compositions which parade with entry 'The Rush' which, after a quiet introduction (process that we will find on several other tracks), gives us a muscular and catchy track, the new singer 'Jørgen Bergersen' having all the power in the voice necessary for this style. The following shows the same melodic and energetic efficiency, and we can cite 'Testify' which was the subject of a video (see above), 'Conception' which alternates the tempos which makes it one of the most varied titles, 'Winds of the Road' with memorable melodic lines, or even 'How Dark Does It Get' which ends the opus with a long title whose construction is more sought after. In short, the Norwegians of 'Big City' are releasing a quality album filled with good energy which should seduce a public navigating between hard-rock and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Olaisen (Guitar), Frank Ørland (Guitar), Jørgen Bergersen (Vocal), Miguel Pereira (Bass), Frank Nordeng Røe (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Toby Hitchcock

Album : Changes

Release Date : 09-07-2021

Added : 05-09-2021

'Toby Hitchcock' is known to be the singer of 'Pride Of Lions' whose last two studio albums date back to 2017 for 'Fearless' and from 2020 for 'Lion Heart' but he also has a solo career in parallel and his latest album 'Reckoning' gave us some remarkable melodic rock compositions. 'Changes' is therefore his last baby and he has concocted an album filled with addictive melodies to have a wonderful listening moment. To do this, he teamed up with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who produces and participates as a keyboardist and bassist and who is multiplying releases now (see last review of myprogmusic for the last 'Hardline' which was released the same day). The whole is shared between catchy melodies that catch us from the first listen like 'Forward' which opens the albm (see video above), 'Before I Met You' which is a cover by the Greek singer 'Despina Vandi' (see here) or the AOR jewels that are 'Changes', 'Garden of Eden' or even 'Two Hearts on the Run' and other calmer compositions such as 'Tonight Again' between ballad and mid-tempo with a heady chorus that comes directly into the head or the two beautiful syrupy ballads 'Don't Say Goodbye' and 'Run Away Again (From Love)' or even 'Losing You' which ends the album with a last ballad that has nothing to envy to the previous ones. In summary, 'Toby Hitchcock' gives us a very nice AOR album with melodies that loop in the head and that take us back to the best of the AOR of the 80s/90s with, icing on the cake, a voice always so expressive and warm, which intends 'Changes' to a large audience in love with a classic melodic rock which has in a way become a timeless style...

Line Up / Musicians

Toby Hitchcock (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Martin Jepsen Andersen (Guitar), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Powerwolf

Album : Call of the Wild

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 06-09-2021

I could sum up the last 'Powerwolf' with the conclusion of my last column devoted to the album 'The Sacrament of Sin' : " Powerwolf' continues to make 'Powerwolf' with so much energy and it is not with this last album that the we could say the opposite but, on the other hand, they do it so well that it would be a shame to sulk our pleasure... ". And yes, because albums of the Germans follow each other and they continue to deliver us (for 10 years now) good power metal with melodies that are grafted directly into your head and this latest opus 'Call of the Wind' doesn't make exception to the rule and will come to bring a little freshness, carefreeness and a few more decibels in the lounges of amateurs of this festive metal which will make them, for a moment, get out of the concerns of this health crisis that does not end.

The recipe is now well established : take a melody that runs through your head all day long, frenzied rhythms to knock your head off by dint of headbanging, riffs of muscular saturated guitars and grandiose symphonic effects with generous choirs, mix it all up and, to illustrate this with the beginning of this opus, the Germans offer you four compositions of formidable effectiveness with 'Faster Than The Flame' which serves us an explosive aperitif, then, the story of the beast of Gévaudan and its magnificent choirs in the second part (see video above), 'Dancing with the Dead' (see video here) and its heady chorus, and 'Varcolac' which reminds me of Russian influences of 'Imperial Age'. After so much energy debauchery, 'Powerwolf' splits into a magnificent power ballad with 'Alive or Undead' which should take a good place in concert then return to an energetic 'Blood for Blood' (see video here) in a very catchy metal/folk atmosphere. The second part of the album continues to scroll through memorable choruses and the 'Glaubenskraft', 'Undress to Confess' and 'Reverent of Rats' are added to the already long list of German anthems. And as he had done on 'The Sacrament of Sin', the deluxe version available on Spotify offers us, first, a second CD with songs of the Germans performed by artists of the metal scene with among others 'Doro' (very nice interpretation of 'Where the Wild Wolves Are Gone'), 'Ralf Scheepers' from 'Primal Fear', 'Christopher Bowes' from 'Alestorm', 'Chris Harms' from 'Lord Of The Lost' or even' Bjorn "Speed" Strid' from 'The Night Flight Orchestra' and in a third CD, The Germans of 'Powerwolf' offer us the orchestral versions which give a completely different vision of these epic titles, the orchestral and vocal arrangements being particularly emphasized.

In summary, this new album should, like its predecessor, bring together a fairly large audience of power metal who love effective melodies in epic atmospheres beyond you wildest and, even if we know what to expect now at the release from an album of 'Powerwolf', we are caught up in the game each time with these hymns which make you feel good and happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Attila Dorn (Vocal), Charles Greywolf (Bass, Guitar), Matthew Greywolf (Guitar), Falk Maria Schlegel (Keybords), Roel van Helden (Drums) + Guests (CD 2) : Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Alissa White-Gruz (Vocal), Hegg Johan (Vocal), Doro (Vocal), Matt Heafy (Vocal), Bjorn "Speed" Strid (Vocal), Chris Harms (Vocal), Johannes Eckerström (Vocal), Christopher Bowes (Vocal), Jari Mäenpäa (Vocal)


Artist : Rian

Album : Twenty-Three

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 07-09-2021

After the two hard-rock and melodic rock albums by 'Hardline' and 'Toby Hitchcock' released a week before, we are going back in the same style and this time in Sweden for the second album of 'Rian' which had released their first studio recording 'Out of the Darkness' in 2017. Created by guitarist and singer 'Richard Andermyr' and joined by guitarist 'Tobias Jakobsson' for this second opus, they offer us 11 compositions that bring us back to the melodic hard rock of the 80s with of course a modern sound and the quality production is ensured by 'Daniel Flores' well known in the profession (among others in his latest releases 'Angelica', 'The Murder of My Sweet' or even 'First Signal'). And as often in this case, melodic hits parade one after the other starting with 'Stop' (see video above) that would not have denied 'Foreigner' and they alternate energetic and rhythmic compositions like 'In the Dark' (see video here), 'Twenty-Three', 'Body and Soul' or even 'Stranger to Me' with more measured tempos like 'Where Do We Run', 'We Belong' or 'The Passenger' and the quieter moments are well represented with the three tracks 'For You Heart', 'My Ocean' and 'Your Beauty'. In short, unsurprisingly, this second album 'Twenty-Three' from the Swedes of 'Rian' is added to the many releases in this style in 2021 and it is still a quality album that should be on repeat in loop in many and lovers of melodic rock/hard-rock because everything is done to get on the listener from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Andermyr (Vocal, Guitar), Tobias Jakobsson (Guitar), Jonas Melin (Bass), Jan Johansson (Drums)


Artist : Green Diesel

Album : After Comes the Dark

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 08-09-2021

'Green Diesel' is a folk/rock band that I discover with their 4th album 'After Comes the Dark', their last opus 'The Hangman's Fee' dating from 2017 and, listening to this latest studio recording that has just been released, we find ambiences of folk bands that make us go back to the 70s but also their music is tinged with progressive from that time which makes a very pleasant mix to listen to. We embark on a beautiful journey mixing serenity and lightness with a talent for catchy melodic lines from the first listening. From the first track 'Follow the River', the tone is set with a first playful melody and a catchy rhythmic on which 'Ellen Care' lays a delicate and jovial voice in an atmosphere that can remind some compositions from the beginning of 'Renaissance', then 'Northern Frisk' continues in this light mood with the accompaniment of the violin that reinforces the folk atmosphere. This is followed by the instrumental 'Dusty Fairies' which starts slowly but picks up the tempo after 2 minutes, with the violin again accompanying this catchy melody, then 'Sea Song' unfolds a slow tempo with a beautiful melancholic traditional folk melody and we find this same mood in the next track 'I Wish My Love', this time sung by 'Greg Ireland'. With 'The White Hart', we're right back in early 70's folk/prog influences with a slow processional rhythm that brings a psychedelic feel, then, 'Underworld' brings us back to the melodic lines of 'Renaissance' with a more energetic middle section between two parts with a slow tempo. The end of the album brings 'Katy Cruel', a more conventional folk track that may remind some Breton songs, then 'Never Reach The Dawn' is a more classic song with a memorable melody unlike 'Storm' which follows with a heavier rhythm and less direct melodic lines and the eponymous title of the album concludes the whole in a darker folk atmosphere with drums beating the measure in a supported manner.

In summary, the English of 'Green Diesel' perpetuate the tradition of a folk/prog of the 70s by offering us a very beautiful album filled with beautiful melodies that we appropriate quite easily what destines 'After Comes the Dark' to an audience liking a varied folk with some progressive components bringing us back to the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Ellen Care (Vocal, Violin), Paul Dadswell (Drums, Vocal), Matt Dear (Guitar, Vocal), Ben Holliday (Bass), Greg Ireland (Guitar, Bouzouki, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Keybords, Percussions, Vocal) + Guest : Chris Care (Concertina)


Artist : Inner Stream

Album : Stain the Sea

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 09-09-2021

'Inner Stream' is a new formation produced by the Argentinian 'Guillermo De Medio' who is also one of the producers of a certain 'Tarja' and their first album 'Stain the Sea' was released in July 2021. Led by singer 'Inés Carolina Vera Ortiz' who is also the group's songwriter, they mix symphonic and melodic metal, with direct and effective compositions in a format not exceeding 4 minutes. This is what 'Massive Drain' attests, which begins the album with a mid-tempo composition accompanied by heavy guitar riffs in which 'Inés Carolina Vera Ortiz', who had made a name for herself with very beautiful covers (see 'Elan' from 'Nightwish' ici), shows all her talent in a clear singing with a powerful voice that she knows remarkably modulate according to the intensity of the moment. Then parade effective titles with memorable choruses and we can quote the catchy 'Fair War', 'Stain the Sea' and 'Last Drink'. In a less sustained rhythm, they also offer us mid-tempos which are just as effective with, for example, 'Hunt You' with remarkable alternations of intensity or 'If You Dare' and its rhythm which should make a whole audience headbang in concert, marked tempo that we also find on 'The Bridge' or 'Real' which ends the album and which could be a clever mix between 'Delain' et 'Within Temptation'. And finally, they have concocted to us two very beautiful ballads that follow each other in the middle of the album with the power ballad 'Dance with Shades' and 'Drown Me' a little more refined than the first.

In summary, we will certainly have to count in the future on this new symphonic metal group because the Argentines of 'Inner Stream' have all the assets to become a major formation in this style if they continue to deliver us albums of this quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Inés Carolina Vera Ortiz (Vocal), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Guillermo de Medio (Keybords), Mitia Maccaferri (Bass), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums)


Artist : Heaven & Earth

Album : V

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 10-09-2021

'Heaven & Earth' is an American hard rock band that has been around for 25 years and was formed by guitarist 'Stuart Smith' and drummer 'Richie Onori'. They are releasing, as the name of the album indicates, their 5th studio recording and the line-up has constantly changed over the last 10 years and 'Stuart Smith' is now surrounded by singer 'Gianluca Petralia', bassist 'Lynn Sorensen', keyboardist 'George Barabas' and drummer 'Simon Wright' who officiated with the most famous band in the land of kangaroos, I've named 'AC/DC'. This new 12-track album takes us on a hard-rock journey back to the 70s and 80s with 'Drive', opening with a catchy melody and Hammond keyboards reminiscent of 'Deep Purple' and 'Beautiful', which follows, is a mid-tempo with a strong rhythm that continues in this style. This parallel can be found throughout the album on tracks such as 'Ship of Fools' with its swaying rhythm or the mid-tempo 'Poverty' with this time the vocals of 'Gianluca Petralia' close to 'Ian Gillan' or the muscular 'Flim Flam Man' with its introduction reminiscent of a certain 'Black Night' or 'Big Money Little Man' with this time a guitar solo that would not have been disowned by 'Ritchie Blackmore'. Apart from this classic and remarkably efficient hard rock, we can note 'Never Dream of Dying' which brings a good dose of progressive, the energetic blues/rock 'Little Black Dress' with its addictive rhythmic or to end the album in beauty the power ballad 'At the End of the Day' which brings us back to 'Deep Purple' and the ambiences of a certain 'When a Blind Man Cries'. In short, there's no need to go overboard, 'Heaven & Earth' takes us back to the golden age of hard rock and if you like bands like 'Deep Purple', 'Whitesnake' or even 'Rainbow', you should without a doubt adopt this fifth album by the Americans...

Line Up / Musicians

Gianluca Petralia (Vocal), Stuart Smith (Guitar), Lynn Sorensen (Bass, Vocal), Simon Wright (Drums), George Barabas (Keybords) + Guest : Mike Mangan (Keybords)


Artist : Anairt

Album : Nuestro Tiempo

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 11-09-2021

'Anairt' is a Spanish band whose original members have been making music together for almost 30 years and after a first period of activity in the 90's with the start of a studio album, They will only release it in July 2021 under the name 'Nuestro Tiempo'. Their style, that they define as Andalusian rock, fuses their Spanish influences with classic rock from the 70s and 80s to which they add a good dose of progressive. Sung entirely in Spanish, the 10 compositions beautifully bring out their Andalusian roots through beautiful vocal harmonies and the use of guitar and palmas (the clapping of hands in flamenco) and the ambiences released throughout the album are varied and give off a freshness and a communicative energy. We sail through catchy tracks with melodic lines that we make our own from the very first listen, and this is true from the start with 'Un avión de Papel' and we find this enthusiasm throughout the album with 'Respirar Tu Aire', 'Castigada Está la Mente', 'Subir Peldaños' or 'Nuestro Tiempo Acabó'. And when the rhythm section becomes more moderate, they also offer us some very nice compositions such as 'No Pasa Ná', 'Escaparme de Ti' without forgetting the remarkable ballads such as 'Ya No Queda Nada', 'Quiero' with guest star Pepe Roca from the group 'Alameda' and 'Una Fiesta de Colores'. In short, the Spaniards of 'Anairt' send us a good dose of Andalusian sunshine from their native Spain, transmitting all the warmth and spontaneity that makes 'Nuestro Teimpo' a very pleasant album to listen to and one that should appeal to a wide audience that likes festive and luminous rock with Spanish influences...

Line Up / Musicians

Luis Medina (Vocal), Adolfo Luis González (Guitar), Manuel Martínez (Bass, Vocal), Daniel Aguado (Drums), Paco Aguirre (Keybords) + Guests : Raúl Rivas (Cajón, Congas, Palms), Juan Espinosa (Guitar), Randy López (Bass, Vocal), Pepe Roca (Vocal), Ángel Ruíz (Guitar), Diego Ruíz (Drums)


Artist : Nick Wallisch

Album : Awakening

Release Date : 16-07-2021

Added : 12-09-2021

The continuation continues in this poetic and delicate atmosphere with 'Otherwhere' and its instrumental sections that would not have disowned 'Santana' or with the beautiful ballads 'Always' and 'Kicking and Screaming' or with the catchy 'Grasshooper Terms' and its various influences going from the South American music to the English pop while passing by jazzy sonorities, the album finishes by the cover of 'Nothing'. To sum up, 'Nick Wallish' releases an album with beautiful compositions that takes us on a relaxing sonic journey that should please a large audience that likes a soft and refined pop...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Wallisch (Vocal, Drums, Bass, Piano, Organ, Keybords, Guitar, Ukulele, Whistle) + Guests : Brett Cline (Keybords), Ed Martinez (Guitar), Chris Forshage (Guitar), Bob Ammonett (Bass)


Artist : Lee Aaron

Album : Radio On!

Release Date : 23-07-2021

Added : 13-09-2021

After returning in 2016 with 'Fire And Gasoline' and 'Diamond Baby Blues' in 2018 followed by a beautiful live 'Power, Soul, Rock n'Roll - Live in Germany' in 2019 (listen to this magnificent cover of 'Mistreated' at the beginning of the concert), the Canadian 'Leer Aaron' comes back for our greatest pleasure with a new studio recording and, the least we can say, it's that these 12 compositions smell good of a direct and efficient rock with always as much overflowing energy. One is thus embarked and this as of the first title "Vampin" in this involving rock which cannot put you in form for all one day. This communicative energy, we find it in 'Soul Breaker' and its rhythmic to take off the head by dint of headbanging or in 'Cmon' and its catchy melody or in 'Mama Don't Remember' full of groove or in 'Radio On!', slower but with a new addictive rhythmic or in the catchy 'Soho Crawl' and its enjoyable woowoowoo. The blues/rock is not forgotten with nuggets like 'Devil's Gold', 'Had Me at Hello' or the heavy but so effective 'Great Big Love' without forgetting 'Russian Doll' close to the rockabilly. And to finish, the two tracks 'Wasted' cut in two between ballad and blues / rock energetic and the ballad 'Twenty One' complete in a beautiful way this magnificent album with two remarkable vocal performances of Lee.

In summary, 'Lee Aaron', surrounded by talented musicians, continues to offer us albums that can be enjoyed from the first to the last track and this last 'Radio On!' is still the perfect illustration of this which destines it to a wide audience liking to navigate between rock and hard-rock direct with catchy melodic lines from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Aaron (Vocal, Guitar), Sean Kelly (Guitar), Dave Reimer (Bass), John Cody (Drums)


Artist : MOLYBARON

Album : The Mutiny

Release Date : 23-07-2021

Added : 14-09-2021

'MOLYBARON' is a Franco-Irish formation that released a first self-titled album of the band noticed by the music critics in 2017 (listen here) and 2021 sees its little brother named 'The Mutiny', after a long gestation of several years, finally see the light of day for the general public. Not easy to put them a precise label, and that's their strength, because they embark us in a clever mix of rock, hard rock and metal sprinkled with progressive that they dust to deliver us original and innovative compositions with multiple influences and currents.

First, with 'Animals', we take full ears with a surge of power completely mastered, the melodic lines of the chorus being addictive and giving a crazy desire to take them back by screaming the 'lalalala' with 'Gary Kelly' who offers remarkable vocal performances throughout the album, then, 'Lucifer' continues in this feeling of urgency which, can remind, for those who knew as me the punk movement of the end of the 70s, this emotional strength to the listening of the first 'Sex Pistols', of course all resemblance put aside. Amongst 'The Boys And The Dead Flowers' which follows, more measured at the beginning, rises in power after about forty seconds and offers a new debauchery of raw energy with a memorable melody, then, we find the same process on 'Prosperity Gospel' with this tension which intensifies very slowly to lead to a chorus with a marked rhythmic and, in this title, 'Steven Andre' gratifies us with a remarkable guitar solo. With 'The Lighthouse', we think we have the ballad of the album with a stripped introduction but, after one minute and a half, the title takes all slowly of the vigor by putting forward an original rhythmic section of the duet bass/drums 'Sébastien de Saint-Angel'/'Camille Greneron'. The second part of the opus continues in this atmosphere filled with raw energy that tracks like 'Slave to the Algorithm' or 'Something for the Pain' attest and we can mention the addictive melody of 'Twenty Four Hours' which, for my part, makes it the undisputed hit of the album with guest vocalist 'Whitfield Crane' from 'Ugly Kid Joe', with the album ending with 'Ordinary Madness' with a composition that has nothing to envy to the others, with 'Camille Greneron' on drums giving us a final remarkable demonstration of creativity.
In summary, this second studio recording of 'MOLYBARON' is of extraordinary emotional strength and offers us an originality mixing different influences to make something very innovative which makes 'The Mutiny' an album that, like good wine, improves as you listen and should certainly please an audience navigating between rock, hard rock and metal and looking for new musical sensations...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Kelly (Guitar, Vocal), Steven Andre (Guitar), Sébastien de Saint-Angel (Bass), Camille Greneron (Drums) + Guest : Whitfield Crane (Vocal)


Artist : Yngwie Malmsteen

Album : Parabellum

Release Date : 17-07-2021

Added : 15-09-2021

A few days after the release of 'Chapter III' of 'Lost Symphony', 'Yngwie Malmsteen' continues to release albums after 'World on Fire' in 2016 and 'Blue Lighting' in 2019 which consisted of covers. So we find this neo-classical hard-rock born in the 70s with a certain 'Ritchie Blackmore' who was the precursor in the matter to mix classical music with hard-rock. Since then, Yngwie has taken over and his first album 'Rising Force' from 1984 is already far away but he continues to offer us new albums regularly, 'Parabellum' being his 21st, released in July 2021, in which the guitar solos follow one after the other with always the same virtuosity and on the 10 compositions, only 4 contain sung parts ('Wolves At The Door', 'Relentless Fury', 'Eternal Bliss' and '(Fight) The Good Fight') the first formation that comes to my mind is of course 'Rainbow'. Some will denounce a certain weariness when listening to these albums which follow one another and inevitably begin to resemble one another, and one can indeed deplore that virtuosity often takes precedence over the emotion released but Yngwie does not hide from it and has always put the execution before all the rest. On this point one can only recognize that he is always the master in the matter and by listening to this fusion between classical and his guitar solos in 'Presto Vivace in C# minor' or '(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum' or 'Toccata' or 'God Particle', one can only greet the performances which offer to the classical melodic lines a second youth. We can also cite more classic compositions with the energetic mid-tempo 'Relentless Fury' which still brings us back to the time of 'Rainbow', the super classic ballad but so effective 'Eternal Bliss' or 'God Particle' with its introduction to the acoustic guitar without forgetting the final 8 minutes of 'Sea of Tranquility' (the sea is not so quiet as that finally) which summarizes all the guitar work of the Swede.

In summary, even if we did not expect a major revolution in 'Yngwie Malmsteen', the Swede continues to release albums highlighting his legendary virtuosity which has, over the years, forged his reputation what destines 'Parabellum' to an audience of informed who is a fan of neo-classical hard rock and long guitar solos...

Line Up / Musicians

Yngwie J. Malmsteen (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Emilio Martinez (Bass, Vocal), Nick Marino (Keybords, Vocal), Brian Wilson (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Axel Rudi Pell

Album : Diamonds Unlocked II

Release Date : 30-07-2021

Added : 16-09-2021

A little more than a year after the release of 'Sign of Times' which saw the German guitarist and his companions continue to deliver good direct and efficient hard-rock taking us back to the 70s/80s, 2021 sees the release this time of a covers album, 'Diamonds Unlocked II'. After the short guitaristic introduction that allows us to slowly go up in power for the first track of the album and that is now regular in 'Axel Rudi Pell' albums, parade more or less known compositions by starting with a 'There's Only One Way To Rock' from 1982's from 'Sammy Hagar' that sets the tone for this hard-rocking album, then we move from 'Rainbow' with a remarkable 'Lady Of The Lake' to the 'Rolling Stones' with 'Paint It Black' with a remarkable guitar solo by Axel through pop revisited with the 'She's a Lady' from 'Paul Anka' released in 1970 which is more known with the version of 'Tom Jones' and which is covered partly as a ballad to go up in power in the second part or 'Eagle' from Abba' from 1977 with a slightly more "metallised" version, without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Room With A View' from 'Tony Carey'. In short, this Axel Rudi Pell' cover album rakes in a lot but continues to showcase this hard-rock band who continue to perpetuate good classic hard-rock but also who are known for their beautiful ballads (see the fifth opus dedicated to ballads released in 2017 here...

List of titles, original artists, albums, and year of release :
01. Der Schwarze Abt (Intro)
02. There's Only One Way To Rock - original par Sammy Hagar
03. Lady Of The Lake (Rainbow – Long Live Rock Album 'n'Roll' – 1978)
04. She's A Lady (Paul Anka – 70's – 1970)
05. Black Cat Woman (Geordie – Electric Lady / Black Cat Woman – 1973)
06. Room With A View (Tony Carey – Wilder Westen Inclusive – 1988)
07. Sarah (You Take My Breath Away) (Chris Norman – The Original Album II - Different Shades – 1987)
08. Rock N' Roll Queen (The Subways – Young for Eternity – 2005)
09. Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones – Aftermath – 1966)
10. I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins – At Home with Screamin' Jay Hawkins – 1956)
11. Eagle (Abba – The Album – 1978)

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Gioeli (Vocal, Choirs), Axel Rudi Pell (Guitar), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Volker Krawczak (Bass), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Common Ground

Release Date : 30-07-2021

Added : 17-09-2021

The summer period has not been very prolific in progressive rock album releases but this has allowed me to listen and re-listen several times to the latest 'Big Big Train' which has now been out for more than a month and to appreciate again this new offering from the English who, after 'Big Tour' of 2019 which didn't give me as much pleasure as the previous albums (tastes and colors...) and the very nice live 'Empire (Live)' of 2020, offer us an hour of modern progressive rock and that we appropriate little by little as we listen to it with this time guests who join the basic quartet to flesh out the whole.

First, with 'The Strangest Time', the catchy atmosphere reminds me of those of Elton John' with this freshness of a melodic pop/rock, the progressive side arriving in the second part with beautiful variations of the theme, then, complete change of scenery with 'All the Love we can Give' which develops different musical themes more researched and which is a multi-faceted track that you have to listen several times to penetrate all the nooks and crannies. Then comes 'Black with Ink' which starts with a more classic rock melody that takes us back to the 80's but after 3 minutes takes a progressive direction with a long and more elaborated instrumental part that leaves a good place for remarkable guitar and keyboards interventions to come back in the last two minutes to a short section that brings us back to the starting theme to finally conclude with a new inventive instrumental part with a very nice symphonic finale. The two following tracks, shorter, offer us, first of all, the song 'Dandelion Clock', between ballad and mid-tempo, with a beautiful melody and magnificent vocal harmonies then the instrumental 'Headwaters' bringing a restful and peaceful moment with the accompaniment of the piano. With 'Apollo', all the artists bring their stone to the building of this instrumental in which remarkable accompaniments of flute, violin, brass, keyboards, and guitar follow one after the other and which develops a long memorable epic final which would have deserved a true end rather than a fade out. More accessible, the eponymous track of the album develops a peaceful atmosphere with a catchy melody, then, the masterpiece of the album 'Atlantic Cable' points the tip of its nose and embarks us for a progressive saga of more than 15 minutes which makes us go through all kinds of emotions and which deploys a creative and imaginative progressive with multi-drawers that we open with happiness one after the other, and the album ends in a nice way with the quiet 'Endnotes', in a cosy atmosphere on a slow tempo in light crescendo that rocks us to the rhythm of harmonious melodic lines. By the way, I didn't tell you about the theme of the album and I'll end with what it says on their webpage of the English : " Recorded during the worldwide pandemic in 2020, Common Ground sees the band continue their tradition of dramatic narratives but also tackles issues much closer to home, such as the Covid lockdowns, the separation of loved ones, the passage of time, deaths of people close to the band and the hope that springs from a new love."

In summary, 'Big Big Train' still come out in very nice album that mixes progressive rock and symphonic and confirms that the English is now an essential formation in this style which should still delight a good number of fans and lovers of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

David Longdon (Vocal, Flute), Greg Spawton (Bass), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitar, Keybords, Voice), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums, Vocal) + Guests : Carly Bryant (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Clare Lindley (Vocal, Violin), Dave Foster (Guitar), Aidan O'Rourke (Violin), Five Piece Brass Ensemble


Artist : Nitrate

Album : Renegade

Release Date : 30-07-2021

Added : 18-09-2021

After 'Real World' in 2018 and 'Open Wide' in 2019, 'Nitrate' is releasing its third studio record 'Renegade' with once again a complete line-up change as, around founder and bassist 'Nick Hogg', it is now 'Alexander Strandell' ('Crowne' and 'Art Nation') who officiates as vocalist, twins Tom and James Martin ('Vega') come respectively to take the place of rhythm guitarist and keyboardist, the lead guitarist is now 'Dario Nikzad' and the drummer 'Mikey Wilson', with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' coming to complete this beautiful lineup of artists as a keyboardist and as a deluxe chorus. No surprise, we find on this new opus the melodic rock that we knew with the first two offerings of 'Nick Hogg' and the 11 tracks pass by with memorable melodic lines and refrains that we all want to take back in chorus. From the beginning, with 'Danger Zone', we have a beautiful demonstration with this rhythmic composition that automatically starts the foot-tapping machine. The continuation continues with catchy melodies with the title track and then the addictive 'You Think You Got It' which reminds us of 'Def Leppard' and 'Big City Lights' with its keyboards which brings us back to the best of the 80s. After the beautiful ballad break 'Why Can't You Feel My Love' added in my ballad playlist here, it's back on again with tracks that could have all pretended in another era to be released as singles, the second break being brought by 'Lay Down Your Arms', between ballad and mid-tempo.

Bref, no surprise, 'Nick Hogg' continues to lead his project 'Nitrate' and it is not this latest opus 'Renegade' that can contradict me because it should undoubtedly make happy and turn in loop at the fans of rock and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Nick Hogg (Bass), Dario Nikzad (Guitar), Tom Martin (Guitar), James Martin (Keybords), Mikey Wilson (Drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : The Cyberiam

Album : Connected

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 19-09-2021

I had told you about the live 'Forging Nations LIVE!' released at the end of 2020 and the Americans of 'The Cyberiam' have released a new album, 'Connected', at the beginning of August 2021. They are part of the current progressive movement with multiple influences by merging different styles and this opus confirms this direction taken with a beautiful variety of soundscapes in an album rich both in quality and quantity since it totals 71 minutes on the counter for 9 tracks.

The first track 'Interrogation Room B' is a long development that begins gently with a section in which the acoustic guitar accompanies the soft vocals of 'Keith Semple', the electric instruments and drums then join for a first half of track sung quite quiet then, at mid-stroke, after a short break, a rougher instrumental section takes over highlighting a remarkable rhythm section offering beautiful variations in tempo allowing the different instruments to express themselves fully. Follows 'The Moral Lanscape' which is energetic and rhythmic with beautiful disgressions of electric and acoustic guitars bringing a real progressive creativity, then, 'Wakeup Call' is a magnificent semi-acoustic song with a beautiful catchy melody more direct which shows all the variety of this formation. With 'Sunset on Mars', it's a long track of almost 9 minutes, mostly sung, in a calm atmosphere and with a memorable melody, the second part offering us a more progressive and more energetic incursion with a remarkable guitar solo and 'In SaN1tY' brings us back to imaginative progressive with multiple alternations of intensity and rhythm on a new catchy melody Change of scene with the title track which is a magnificent ballad in which we abandon ourselves completely to the delicate singing of 'Brian Kovacs' and which offers a light crescendo until the very beautiful final guitar solo. Then, with 'Wilde Things', the title track is cut in two with a first melodic and catchy sung part and a second instrumental part much more progressive. The 10 minutes of 'Miles Away' confirm the writing scheme used by 'The Cyberiam' with more conventional sung parts and melodies that we tame quickly enough, that alternate with instrumental parts much more progressive including inventive and more researched digressions, the album ends with 'Bigger Questions', more linear in construction, with a repetitive melodic theme that, for my part, did not necessarily seem essential given the length of the album and the quality of previous compositions.

In summary, the Americans of 'The Cyberiam' release an album that alternates catchy melodies with more sought-after progressive parts which destines 'Connected' to a rather large progressive audience liking formations mixing rock and metal like the various projects of 'Neal Morse', 'Transatlantic' or 'Flying Colors' or those of 'John Mitchell' like 'Lonely Robot' or 'Arena'...

Line Up / Musicians

Keith Semple (Vocal, Guitar), Brian Kovacs (Vocal, Bass), Frank Lucas (Vocal, Keybords), Tommy Murray (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Brian May

Album : Back to the Light (Deluxe)

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 20-09-2021

'Brian May', that we don't introduce anymore, released a very nice album with 'Kelly Ellis' in 2017 ('Golden Days') that took us back a few decades and 2021 sees the re-release of his first solo album, 'Back to the Light' released in 1993 after the end of 'Queen'. For the fans, at the time, this album allowed to hear again this so characteristic sound of the British (with of course this recognizable guitar sound of Brian) and this from the short introduction 'The Dark' but also in compositions like 'Back to the Light' with its remarkable choirs or in the energetic 'Love Taken' or 'Resurrection' or 'Driven By You' with its similarities with 'I Want to Break Free', without forgetting the calmer moments with the poignant 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' or 'Just One Life', the remarkable blues 'Nothin' But Blue' and the instrumental 'Last Horizon' or the irresistible 'Let Your Heart Rule Your Head' with its choirs close to the gospel. But this reissue is also accompanied in the deluxe version of Spotify by a second part which offers us 11 compositions with guitar versions of three of the titles highlighting the talent of 'Brian May' and the emotion he gives off with his guitar, but also recordings of concerts from the 90s with some of the most famous songs of 'Queen' like 'Tie Your Mother Down' or 'We Will Rock You'. In short, this reissue allows for the connoisseurs to dive back into this period of the 90's with this happiness to hear 'Brian May' again and will perhaps allow some young people who do not know him yet, to discover one of the legendary guitarists of this period of the 80's/90's...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian May (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar, Keybords), Gary Tibbs (Bass), John Deacon (Bass), Cozy Powell (Drums, Percussions), Geoff Dugmore (Drums, Percussions), Miriam Stockley (Choirs), Maggie Ryder (Choirs), Suzie O'List (Choirs), Gill O'Donovan (Choirs), Mike Moran (Piano, Keybords), + Guests : Don Airey (Keybords)


Artist : Cruzh

Album : Tropical Thunder

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 21-09-2021

After their first album 'Cruzh' in 2016, the Swedes of 'Cruzh' release their second studio recording 'Tropical Thunder' with a new singer since it is now 'Alex Waghorn' who took the place of 'Tony Andersson' and 'Matt Silver' is now the regular drummer. At first, with 'Tropical Thunder', we think that the style has slightly hardened because we embark on energetic melodic hard-rock in a train of hell but the following title, 'We Go Together' is more measured with an addictive chorus that comes to be grafted directly in the head to never leave and 'Turn Back Time' continues in this more AOR atmosphere that we knew on the first album with a new addictive melody. The rest of the album is full of melodic hits that could all be the subject of a single with 'Are You Ready', strongly reminding 'Def Leppard', but also with the mid-tempo 'New York Night' with its very eighties choirs or with 'All You Need' which has nothing to envy to its predecessor, the rest of the album bringing the same listening pleasure thanks to heady choruses. And when the lights get dimmer, the Swedes offer us a real jewel with the ballad 'Cady' that I directly added to my playlist of ballads here and that makes you wish it was accompanied by another one of the same style. In short, the Swedes of 'Cruzh' confirm that they are part of the top of the melodic AOR Scandinavian style which should make many fans of rock and melodic hard-rock turn this 'Tropical Thunder' in loop...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Waghorn (Vocal), Anton Joensson (Guitar, Choirs), Dennis Butabi Borg (Bass, Choirs), Matt Silver (Drums, Choirs) + Guest : Erik Wiss (Keybords)


Artist : Mayank, Gui Oliver

Album : Mayank

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 22-09-2021

On the same day as the last 'Cruzh', the debut album of 'Mayank' was released, which is a new melodic rock band that is again (just like 'Cruzh') a production of 'Frontiers' director 'Serafino Perugino' and this new project consists of Brazilian singer 'Gui Oliver' ('Auras', 'Landfall'), Swedish guitarist 'Rolf Nordström' ('Perfect Plan'), the drummer 'Nicholas Papapicco' and, of course, the unavoidable 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' on keyboards, bass and backing vocals, because when it comes to 'Frontiers', the Italian isn't far away. On ideas of 'Alessandro Del Vechio', the texts and melodies of the 11 titles were written by 'Gui Oliver' and, without surprise, we sail in harmonious and refined AOR in the great tradition of the different bands of the artists constituting 'Mayank' but also of formations bringing us back to the 80s with 'Survivor' or 'Journey'. The first single released, 'Destiny Calling' (see video above) sums up the whole. We spend a very pleasant moment listening to tracks like 'Billy is on the Run', 'Julia's Smile' or 'From the Heart' or 'Eternal Dream' or even the only ballad of the album 'Sign of Love'. In short, 'Mayank' is added to the long list of melodic rock bands, and we spend a very good time listening to this first opus which should please a large public adept of an elegant AOR with catchy melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Gui Oliver (Vocal), Rolf Nordstorm (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Nicolas Papapicco (Drums)


Artist : Blood Red Saints

Album : Undisputed

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 23-09-2021

The band 'Blood Red Saints' has been around since 2014 and has already released 3 albums, the last one, 'Pulse' dating back to 2019 and for which they had signed with 'AOR Heaven' leaving fans of rock and melodic hard-rock a bit perplexed, the production not being up to par and the melodic lines not necessarily very immediate. 2021 sees the release of a new album, 'Undisputed', and the English have now moved to 'Frontiers' (and yes another reviewed album from this label, 'Serafino Perugino' made strong on the releases on August 6 as it's the third album after 'Cruzh' and 'Mayank' and it's not over with two more reviews to follow!!). No need to make you languish, from the first track 'This Ain't A Love Song', we are in the bath of an AOR that brings us back to the best of the 80s with a modern sound for a mid-tempo with a rhythm section that automatically triggers you the headbanging machine. And it continues in the same atmosphere with 'Love Like War' and its addictive guitar riffs, the chorus with its chorus being quite in the style of 'Def Leppard', then, 'Heaven In The Headlights' would certainly have been a hit in the 80s with its heady chorus and 'Breathe Again' continues in this flamboyant AOR, just like 'Caught In The Wreckage' which follows, the only drawback I would have is that the melodic lines of the two tracks, even if they are not in the same tone and in the same tempo, are quite close. The second part of the album doesn't weaken with new addictive melodies which parade one after the other and the beautiful ballad 'Complete' comes at the end of the album to charm us and propose a restful moment before concluding on the mid-tempo 'All I Wanna Do' which ends in a beautiful way this album. In short, it is useless to add, the English of 'Blood Red Saints' release an excellent album of melodic rock which is tasted from the first to the last track and which should make happy all the fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Pete Godfrey (Vocal, Bass), Lee Revill (Guitar), Neil Hibbs (Guitar), Andy Chemney (Drums)


Artist : Night Ranger

Album : ATBPO

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 24-09-2021

And we continue with the releases of 'Frontiers' of last August 6 and this time, we go to the side of California with the Americans of 'Night Ranger' who continue to release albums since already 40 years since their first studio recording 'Dawn Patrol' dates already of 1982. Written and recorded during the pandemic that allows our dear governments to continue to rot our lives, this latest opus 'APBPO' (And the Band Played On) has nothing to envy to the previous ones and offers us 11 direct and efficient compositions in a standard format between 3 and 5 minutes in an energetic and melodic hard-rock. It is thus left for 50 minutes which make parade compositions all as addictive the ones as the others while starting with explosive 'Coming for You' which puts you in form all day and that continues with melodic jewels with a communicative energy like 'Bring It All to Me' (see video here) with its chorus to be taken again in chorus and which has airs of 'All Night Long' of AC/DC, or the fiery 'Breakout' (see video above) and its chanted chorus or 'Hard to Make It Easy' in a hyper classic rock'n'roll but with a formidable rhythmic efficiency. After this grouped shooting that we want to play again and again, the ballad 'Can't Afford a Hero' and its slide guitar offers us a well-deserved break with a new memorable melody. The second part of the album is of the same invoice and follows one another of titles, all candidates for single with 'Dance' which carries well its name with its rhythmic of 'We Will Rock You' and which should make headbang all a public, the second ballad 'The Hardest Road' which has nothing to envy to the first one or the frenzied 'Monkey', the album ends with 'Lucky Man' with choirs that give an irresistible desire to accompany them and with 'Tomorrow', direct and efficient with a memorable last chorus. In short, the Americans of 'Night Ranger' continue to offer us very good melodic hard-rock and we still have a wonderful time listening to 'ATBPO' intended for a large public who likes this style full of communicative energy...

Line Up / Musicians

Jack Blades (Vocal, Bass), Brad Gillis (Guitar), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Eric Levy (Keybords), Kelly Keagy (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Spektra

Album : Overload

Release Date : 06-08-2021

Added : 25-09-2021

Rounding out the August 6 release of 'Frontiers' (and the label also released other albums on the same day with 'Come One, Comme All' from 'Circus of Rock', 'Isle Of Wrath' from 'Long Shadow Dawn' and 'All Things Must Pass' from 'Alirio'), it's to Brazil that we go with the album 'Overload' from the new band 'Spektra', which is composed of artists who regularly perform with the well-known American singer 'Jeff Scott Soto'. And by the way, it's Jeff himself who supervised and produced the whole thing helped by a certain 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' (that's it, I'm now pretty sure, this guy, to soak in so many different projects, he mustn't sleep more than 10 minutes a night!!). We are thus plunged in a kind of a best of in melodic hard-rock of the 80s/90s with anthems in mess composed by the singer of the group, 'BJ' (of his name 'Luis Paulo de Almeida Junior'), very popular in Brazil and who has nothing to envy to 'Jeff Scott Soto' in the vocal performances. Like the 4 other releases of 'Frontiers' reviewed in the previous days in myprogmusic, the melodic hits follow one after the other and we can quote the energetic title track that starts the album (see video above), 'Runnin' out of Time' (see video here) and 'Breakaway' and their melodies that immediately get into the head, the catchy 'Our Love' without forgetting the calm moment with the ballad 'Since I Found You'. In short, we spend a very pleasant moment listening to this first album of 'Spektra' which should like the other releases of 'Frontiers', fill with happiness all the aficionados of rock and melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

BJ (Vocal), Leo Mancini (Guitar), Henrique Canale (Bass), Edu Cominato (Drums)


Artist : Sheryl Crow

Album : Live From the Ryman And More

Release Date : 13-08-2021

Added : 26-09-2021

After her last album 'Threads' which had been announced by the singer and guitarist 'Sheryl Crow' as the last one, the American released in August 2021 a live album recorded during several evenings in 2019 including in the legendary room of the 'Ryman Auditorium' of Nashville which has seen passed artists as prestigious as the others. Surrounded by artist friends like 'Stevie Nicks' or 'Emmylou Harris', she revisits her repertoire with a good place for her last album (8 tracks are taken from it) and she goes through her long career with quite a few tracks from the 90s, her first album 'Tuesday Night Music Cub' dating back to 1993 being also well represented. In this live atmosphere which puts even more forward this spontaneity and this warmth, Sheryl shows this real complicity with the public which returns to her well by accompanying her throughout the concert and the two and a half hours pass at a crazy speed with this remarkable mixture between energetic compositions and others quieter and filled with a lot of emotion. In short, we spend a very good time listening to this live of 'Sheryl Crow' which is a magnificent best of from her career and which should please, beyond fans, a large public liking this mix between pop, rock, blues and country...

Line Up / Musicians

Sheryl Crow , Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Steven Jordan, Lucius, Maren Morris, Stevie Nicks, Waddy Wachtel


Artist : Deafening Opera

Album : Driftwood

Release Date : 17-08-2021

Added : 27-09-2021

'Deafining Opera' is a German progressive rock band that has released 3 albums of which the last 'Blueprint' from 2013 and 'Let Silence Fall' from 2018 are available on spotify and 2021 sees the release of a new album, quite short, that puts forward an acoustic progressive that we didn't know from them, three tracks, '25.000 Miles', 'As Night And Day Collide' and 'Man And Machine' being taken from their last two releases. So we embark on a relaxing progressive journey that mixes different influences ranging from pop, jazz through folk with beautiful vocal harmonies.
.
After the short instrumental introduction 'Murghab Morning', it is without transition that '25,000 Miles' takes over and after the departure of 'Gerald Marie', it is the guitarist 'Moritz Kunkel' who takes over the piano with jazzy sounds much more marked than in the initial version. With 'Snowman's Meadow', this jazzy side is still present in a swaying rhythm in which the voice of 'Arian Daleore' is particularly expressive and 'Outlaw Feline' brings this time folk influences with a catchy melody and beautiful rhythmic breaks which makes it a varied composition. The beautiful ballad break 'As Night And Day Collide' offers a nice piano/voice duet joined by a muffled bass/drum rhythm section then, 'Farewell Kiss' is a beautiful acoustic ballad in which the vocal duet 'Alexandra Stovall'/'Adrian Daleore' charms us in an atmosphere full of sensibility, sensibility that we find again at the beginning of the following track, 'Man And Machine' and which takes off halfway through for a more energetic and catchy finale. And it is with a new ballad, 'Little Stone' that the album ends in this soft and relaxing acoustic atmosphere.

In summary, the Germans of 'Deafining Opera' offers us a beautiful acoustic incursion showing a face full of sweetness that should please an audience adept of a relaxing progressive that can be enjoyed quietly headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Moritz Kunkel (Guitar, Piano, Choirs), Thomas Moser (Guitar), Christian Eckstein (Bass, Choirs), Adrian Daleore (Vocal), Konrad Gonschorek (Drums) + Guests : Alexandra Stovall (Vocal), Tilman Eispert (Keybords)


Artist : Kyros

Album : RECOVER

Release Date : 20-08-2021

Added : 28-09-2021

English of 'Kyros', following 'Vox Humana' from 2016 and 'Celexa Dreams' of 2020, release this time an album of covers that had been originally the 6th isolation live given during the confinement on the internet and we find this synthetic rock of the 80's on more or less known covers with the participation for some compositions of guests from the world of rock or progressive metal as the guitarist and singer 'John Mitchell' ('Lonely Robot', 'Arena'), 'Frost*') on the cover 'Heartstrings' of 'Frost' or as the drummer 'Ray Hearne' of 'Haken' precisely on the 'The Good Doctor' cover of Haken'. We navigate between rock and progressive metal (see track list below) with the original interpretations of the English bringing us back a few decades back. In short, the English of 'Kyros' offers us a good mix of diverse and varied influences for a short hour that should please a whole audience sailing between rock and progressive metal through the ages and loving the electronic sounds of the 80s...

List of titles, original artists, albums, and year of release :

01. Behind The Lines (Genesis – Duke – 1980)
02. Force Ten (Rush – Hold Your Fire - 1987)
03. Under My Skin (Jukebox the Ghost – Let Live & Let Ghosts – 2008)
04. The Fluke (Devin Townsend – Terria – 2001)
05. Closing In (Imogen Heap – Speak for Yourself – 2005)
06. FU (Sordid Pink – Sordid Pink – 2020)
07. Heartstrings (Frost* – Falling Satellites – 2016)
08. Where’s My Thing? (Rush – Roll the Bones – 1991)
09. The Good Doctor (Haken – Vector – 2018)
10. Because of You (Giraffe – Giraffe – 1999)

Line Up / Musicians

Shelby Logan Warne (Keybords, Vocal), Joey Frevola (Guitar), Peter Episcopo (Bass), Robin Johnson (Drums) + Guest : John Mitchell (Vocal), Ray Hearne (Drums), Andy Robison (Choirs)


Artist : Leprous

Album : Aphelion

Release Date : 27-08-2021

Added : 29-09-2021






After the last two albums 'Malina' in 2017 and 'Pitfalls' in 2019, Norways of 'Leprous' return with a new album that will, like the others, leave a mark on the music world in general, because to listen to a new album from the band of 'Einar Solberg' is to become a defector and explorer of new lands with this happiness to be closer to the stars with each new listening, new small details coming to be added to the previous listenings to get even closer to this unique musical grail. Closer to the stars, you tell me, the title 'Aphelion' was not chosen at random and transports us to our solar system when the earth is the farthest from the sun and that, in these moments of suffering on it, requires a crazy energy to each to get closer to a saving light.

It is with a few notes of piano serving as a purified rhythmic base to accompany the high vocals of Einar, that begins 'Running Low', revealing us a first track that sneaks in gently and slowly takes on momentum to explode after 2.30 followed by a section with strings with contemporary sounds of extraordinary strength and the first shiver of pleasure is already present. With 'Out of Here', the repeated haunting melody accompanies us in a first calm part in phase with the text of an immense emotional force on this loss of freedom of these last years during which it was necessary to find immense resources to fight and which leads to a powerful section with a memorable chorus which envelops you completely to fall again in a decrescendo with some notes of guitar. 'Silhouette' follows with electronic sounds and continues with this rollercoaster of intensities, passing from a passage embellished by strings to an energetic part with this vocal capacity of 'Einar Solberg' to pass from a hypnotic softness to an extraordinary rage, then, with 'All The Moments', we are at the firmament of an imaginative progressive with an introduction which seems almost banal compared to the rest but worthy of the best of 'Genesis' or 'Marillion' (yes, even so!) and then offers completely addictive clean parts (Einar still bringing that little shiver in the quietest moments). We then reach heights of originality with 'Have You Ever?' which mixes strings and keyboards in an almost unreal atmosphere, while remaining quite refined, each artist soberly and very precisely bringing his stone to this imaginative sound puzzle. The second part of the album continues in this creativity with an 'Einar Solberg' always on the edge of the razor which offers us a still remarkable performance on energetic flights in 'The Silent Revelation', then, 'The Shadow Side' is a more direct composition with melodic lines which one could qualify as accessible to the Norwegians, the final crescendo bringing a remarkable guitar solo. And how to miss almost 8 minutes of 'Hold On' which follows, and which gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it, the melodic lines being a pure delight with these variations of intensity endowed with an immense emotional power, the lyrics taking such a real meaning in the interpretation of 'Einar Solberg' who gives himself completely on this track. With 'Castaway Angels', we recover from our emotions in a muffled and warm atmosphere that lulls us in the first part and takes strength in the second part, always with a slow tempo on which we abandon ourselves completely, then, 'Nighttime Disguise' ends the album with a rather particular track because it was composed by asking for their opinions to the fans of the band and the result is a progressive composition in multi-drawers highlighting different rhythms, intensities, sonorities, vocal tessituras and of which you can see the video here.

In summary, as you will have understood, we still reach heights of creativity with 'Aphelion' and the Norwegians of 'Leprous' continue to offer us albums of great quality that slowly reveal themselves, listening after listening, and, for those who do not know this band yet and who like to discover new musical horizons in a progressive avant-garde, 'Aphelion' could well enter soon in your ideal record library...

Line Up / Musicians

Einar Solberg (Vocal, Keybords), Robin Ognedal (Guitar), Simen Daniel Børven (Bass), Tor Oddmund Suhrke (Guitar), Baard Kolstad (Drums), Raphael Weinroth-browne (Cello), Chris Baum (Violin) + Guests : Ellen Fjærvoll Samdal (Violin), Henriette Lindstad Børven (Violin), Jon Henrik Rubach (Saxophone), Karen Suhrke (Cello), Pål Gunnar Fiksdal (Trumpet), Sigurd Drågen (Trombone)


Artist : tAKiDA

Album : Falling From Fame

Release Date : 27-08-2021

Added : 30-09-2021

After 'Sju' in 2019, the Swedes of 'tAKiDA' release a new album 'Falling From Fame' which is already their 8th studio recording. After their cancelled European tour in 2020 due to what we know, the Swedes have had time to polish this new opus with 11 accessible and mainstream compositions with melodies that you can immediately relate to. From the start, with 'Goodbye' (see video above), we embark on a direct and efficient melodic rock and the rest of the album continues in this vein with catchy ambiences like 'We Will Never Be' or 'You Will Never Leave Us Behind' or the power hits 'In Spite Of Everything' and 'Reclaiming What Was Mine' but the Swedes also have a talent for more melancholic mid-tempos like 'Meet Me Half Of The Way' or 'Feel You Falling Away' or 'Morning Sun', The album ends with the ballad of the album 'What You Never Knew' that would not have disowned a certain 'Elton John'.

In summary, the Swedes of 'tAKiDa' show again with this latest album 'Falling From Fame' that they are one of the leading international melodic rock band what destines this album to the general public liking soft rock atmospheres with very accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Pettersson (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Mattias Larsson (Guitar), Tomas Wallin(Guitar, Choirs), Chris Rehn (Bass, Keybords, Drums), Kristoffer Söderström (Drums), Archie McCallum (Choirs), Dea Norberg (Choirs)


Artist : Enemy Inside

Album : Seven

Release Date : 27-08-2021

Added : 01-10-2021

'Enemy Inside' is a fairly new German melodic metal project as the band was formed in 2017 with a debut album 'Phoenix' in 2018 and 2021 sees the release of their second studio record, 'Seven' (the chosen theme is the 7 deadly sins), signed with 'Rock Of Angels Records'. Led by singer 'Nastassja Giulia' and guitarist 'Evan K' (a contraction of his long name 'Evangelos Koukoularis'), with the addition of 'Dave Hadarik' on guitar, 'Dominik Stotzem' on bass and 'Feli Keith' on drums, they offer a modern and melodic metal with straightforward compositions between 3 and 4 minutes and the closest band that comes to mind is 'Evanescence', especially since 'Nastassja Giulia' is in the same vocal register as 'Amy Lee'.

From the outset, with 'Crystallize', we are plunged into a powerful atmosphere with muscular saturated guitar riffs and a catchy first chorus, then, 'Alien' which follows in its footsteps, is just as powerful with beautiful alternations of intensity between the more measured verses and an energetic chorus. 'Release Me' continues with a mid-tempo, the heavy rhythm section accentuating this weighing atmosphere into which the clear vocals of 'Nastassja Giulia' fit perfectly. The first break comes with the beautiful ballad 'Break Through' and the parallel with 'Evanescence' is perhaps even more obvious in these calm atmospheres, an atmosphere that is also found on the following track 'In My Blood' which brings beautiful rhythmic variations and intensities. The second half of the album is just like the beginning, with a nice variety of tracks, including the catchy 'Bulletproof', the languid mid-tempo 'Seven', the two power ballads 'Black Butterfly' and 'Black And Gold' which follow each other with symphonic sounds for the first and a remarkable alternation of intensity for the second, both of which take us back to 'Evanescence', the album ending with 'Dynamite' with its electro sounds and, as they did with the cover of 'Summer Son' from 'Texas', a new cover, this time of 'Crush' from 'Jennifer Paige' in a slightly more muscular version but without distorting the original. Note that the Germans have also recorded 5 videos that are available on youtube with 'Alien' (see video above), 'Black Butterfly', 'In My Blood', 'Release Me' and 'Crystallize'.

In summary, 'Enemy Inside' delivers a very good modern metal album with accessible melodies and should, if they continue in this vein become a top band in this style of music and if you like bands like 'Evanescence', you should, without a doubt, be won over by 'Seven'...

Line Up / Musicians

Nastassja Giulia (Vocal), Evan K (Guitar), Dave Hadarik (Guitar), Dominik Stotzem (Bass), Feli Keith (Drums)


Artist : Crimson Fire

Album : Another Dimension

Release Date : 27-08-2021

Added : 02-10-2021

'Crimson Fire' is a Greek band that is already almost 20 years old and has only released 2 albums with 'Metal Is Back' in 2010 and 'Fireborn' in 2016. Basically, an album every 5 or 6 years as their new baby 'Another Dimension' is released in late August 2021. Classified as power metal, it is indeed this style that is put forward from the start with 'Judas' and 'Don't Fall from the Sky' which throw us powerful tracks with memorable choruses but the rest is not only made of compositions in this style as they bring a certain diversity through quite diverse atmospheres. This is evidenced by 'On The Edge', which is more AOR oriented with a much more measured rhythm section and catchy melodic lines, then 'Fire Below' delivers some good classic but very effective melodic hard rock that takes us back a few decades. This is followed by the catchy 'Set the Night on Fire' which matches keyboards and guitar riffs, then 'No Fear' picks up the tempo and returns to incisive power metal and 'Eye Of The Storm' is a remarkable heavy mid-tempo that should have a live audience headbanging. The end of the album sees a driving 'Sold My Soul', the melodic gem 'Chasing Time' and finally 'Walking into the Light', all three of which are closer to melodic hard rock than power metal.
.

Line Up / Musicians

John Britsas (Vocal, Keybords), Stelios Koutelis (Guitar, Choirs), Nick Efetzis (Guitar), Dinos Ganitis (Bass, Choirs), Andreas Vlachogiannis (Drums)


Artist : The Neal Morse Band

Album : Innocence & Danger

Release Date : 27-08-2021

Added : 03-10-2021






If you do a search on Myprogmusic by the name of 'Neal Morse', you'll get all of the American's projects over the past few years, which are split between 'Transatlantic', his solo albums with the most recent one 'Sola Gratia', the trio's project 'Morse/Portnoy/George', 'Flying Colors' and he has also released three albums with the 'Neal Morse Band' that have not been made available on streaming platforms but can be previewed with the latest live show on 'The Great Adventure' and the compilation 'The Neal Morse Band Collection'. So, it's the turn of a new album from the 'Neal Morse Band' whose members are all beginning to be well known as renowned progressive music artists and, when 'Neal Morse' releases an album, he often graces us with a double galette, which is again the case with 'Innocence & Danger'. And what a double disc!

First of all, the first part 'Innocence' contains 6 compositions that total about 50 minutes with various progressive influences and especially a rather immediate accessibility and this, from the first track 'Do It All Again' (see video above) with its heady chorus that we want to take back in chorus and with a final radiant of a thousand lights. 'Bird On a Wire' (see video here), that follows, could very well have been a composition on one of the 'Genesis' albums in the 70s/80s with omnipresent keyboards, resplendent backing vocals and an 'Eric Gilette' who takes on a 'Phil Collins' air. With 'Your Place in the Sun' (see video here), the playful melody takes us back to 'Beatles' songs and moves away from progressive but this is not at all pejorative as it is a very pleasant festive moment to listen to, an atmosphere that is found again in the following track 'Another Story to Tell' with this time a melodic wink to the 'Supertramp' of the 70s and 80s in the verses and without any transition, The Way It Had to Be' is a remarkable atmospheric track with 'Eric Gillette' sending us some Gilmourian sounds with his guitar and whose melody can make us think of some purified tracks of 'Phil Collins': a very nice moment causing multiple small shivers of happiness! ! The instrumental 'Emergence' which follows is a short acoustic piece with classical guitar in less accessible contemporary sounds but which shows all the feeling of Eric Gillette' on guitar, a bit like 'Steve Hackett' could do (see his album 'Under A Mediterranean Sky') and which serves as an appetizer for 'Not Afraid, Pt.1 ' which takes us on a remarkable ride with 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young'-style backing vocals and an addictive finale. The first part 'Innocence' ends in this calm and relaxing atmosphere with the 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' cover of 'Simon & Garfunkel', completely rearranged for the occasion with a progressive 8 minute version that 'Yes' or 'Genesis' would not have disowned and a fianl to make you shed all the tears in your body.

And this second part 'Danger', you will say to me, as much 'Innocence' could be an album to be made listen to any neophyte of progressive wanting to discover this style of music because all is implemented to have an assimilable listening quickly, as much 'Danger' is made for the afficionados of a progressive sought and complex that one must listen repeatedly to draw all the substantive marrow of it. First of all, it consists of only two compositions, for more than 50 minutes of listening, so one of more than thirty minutes, which is not very common, even in progressive music. First of all, 'Not Afraid, Pt.2' which unfolds for almost 20 minutes, typical of what 'Neal Morse' has done in the past, namely a clever mix of very diverse influences, covering the last 50 years of progressive music with several parts that fit together perfectly and in which each artist brings his stone to the building, with a special mention for the rhythm section of 'Mike Portnoy' who is not only there to accompany but who makes every second of this long track come alive in a masterly way. Then 'Beyond The Years', which extends the sauce by a good ten minutes compared to its predecessor, is slightly harder to tame with some very imaginative instrumental parts and a long epic finale that falls back into the sounds of string keyboards and is suddenly cut off without a real ending (could it be a sign of a forthcoming sequel?). In any case, a full analysis of this track would require lengthening this already long review and so, the best thing to do is to press play and fully enjoy this gargantuan composition.

In summary, this latest baby of the 'Neal Morse Band' is an excellent album with a nice variety of styles divided between the accessible and the most sought after and interpreted by artists who illuminate the whole by their talent which should place, without any doubt, 'Innocence & Danger' in a good place in the ideal discotheque at a good number of lovers of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Randy George (Bass), Bill Hubauer (Vocal, Keybords), Eric Gillette (Vocal, Guitar), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Ray Wilson

Album : The Weight of Man

Release Date : 26-08-2021

Added : 04-10-2021

'Ray Wilson' is known to the progressive world for co-writing the last 'Genesis' album, 'Calling All Station' and replacing 'Phil Colins' in 1997 on vocals, but, this talented, fairly low-key artist who has opened for some of the world's greatests, has an impressive career with albums in styles as diverse as hard-rock with 'She' released in 2011 with his former band 'Stiltskin' but also in much quieter moods with for example this beautiful acoustic 'Song for a Friend' in 2016 in which he offered us one of his best albums of his entire career with the last track being the cover of 'High Hopes' by the 'Floyds' which still gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it, Ray being a performer exuding beautiful emotions. The same year saw the release of 'Makes Me Think Of Home' and 2019 saw the release of a compilation 'Upon My Life' which can be a great way, for those who don't know him to get the different sides of this talented artist. Ray's new baby 'The Weight of Man', released at the end of August 2021, is in the continuity of 'Makes Me Think Of Home' and we find this style mixing pop and progressive rock in intimate atmospheres and 'You Could Have Been Someone', which starts the album, is the perfect example with a slow tempo on which 'Ray Wilson' lays his sweet voice providing a beautiful moment of evasion. The beautiful journey continues with the album's eponymous track which is a pure melodic gem in a 'Floydian' atmosphere, with the fleeting interventions of 'Ali Ferguson' bringing this beautiful parallel and 'Yogi Lang' from 'RPWL' backing up 'Jethro Bodean' on keyboards. The following tracks are just as warm and I could mention them all because they make us continue our beautiful journey through these quiet and melancholic atmospheres with melodies on which we abandon ourselves completely, lulled by Ray's harmonious vocals and I often found this parallel with 'RPWL' with for example the very beautiful compositions 'We Knew the Truth Once' or 'The Last Laugh' or 'Symptomatic'.

In summary, with this latest album of 'Ray Wilson', to borrow these words from 'Charles Beaudelaire', we embark on a beautiful musical journey where "everything is order, beauty, luxury, calm and pleasure" showing once again the talent of the Scotsman who now has nothing to prove but continues to enchant us with each release of album...

Line Up / Musicians

Ray Wilson (Vocal), Ali Ferguson (Guitar), Jethro Bodean (Keybords), Lawrie MacMillan (Bass), Marcin Kajper (Clarinette), Nir Z (Drums), Yogi Lang (Keybords, Choirs), Uwe Metzler (Guitar), Alicja Chrząszcz (Violin), Scott Spence (Piano, Keybords)


Artist : Syndone

Album : Kama Sutra

Release Date : 01-09-2021

Added : 05-10-2021

'Syndone' is an Italian band that has already released 7 studio recordings and is already almost 30 years old, their first album 'Spleen' dating back to 1992 and appearing in spotify under the name of their leader 'Nick Comoglio'. After a long period without an album, they returned in the late 2000s with 'Melapesante' in 2010, then, 'La Bella è la Bestia' in 2012, then 'Odysseas' in 2014 followed by 'Eros & Thanatos' in 2016 and finally 'Mysoginia' in 2018 in which they had started to introduce English in a few of the songs. 'Kama Sutra' is thus their 8th album, and the singer 'Riccardo Ruggeri' gives us some explanations about this original theme: "For Syndone, it becomes a pretext to evoke both the love between two people, the reality of today's prostitutes, provocation, images, symbols, role-playing and people."

In an original style, they fuse different musical influences ranging from jazz to energetic rock, pop, symphonic and hard rock with melodies that can be reminiscent of a jazz club atmosphere. The album opener 'It's Only Kake Believin' shows the mix of hard rock with keyboards from the first 'Deep Purple' period and exuberant symphonic rock, and then, with 'Nirvana', we embark on a musical comedy that we would have married with the symphonic and theatrical style of 'Freddy Mercury', the whole being completely addictive with this remarkable communicative drive and, without transition, 'Carousel' sends a joyful and lively symphonic piece continuing in this demonstrative style. A complete change of scene with 'Into The Karma' which unfolds a slow melody with a magnificent vocal duet between 'Riccardo Ruggeri' and 'Annie Barbazza' and which accelerates at the end of the track for a beautiful orientalist finale, then, 'Bitches' is just as surprising with a magnificent a capella introduction followed by a resumption of the theme by strings leading to the arrival of the electric instruments in a fusion between the power of hard-rock, a psychedelic atmosphere and symphonic accompaniments. Another change of style with 'You Still Shine' which takes us to a more romantic and pared down setting with forays into jazz and blues, then, with 'Sex Toys R Us' we are transported into a composition that goes in all directions, first with an introduction made of impetuous keyboards and then a rather crazy almost a capella singing section that is interspersed with tumultuous saxophone interventions. After the short, dispensable instrumental 'Thousand 10', 'Sacred & Profane' takes us into a hushed jazz club atmosphere that gradually builds up to a memorable chorus and then alternates between the sensuality and energy of jazz. Another radical change with 'We are The World We Created' which is in a romantic classical style accompanied by melancholic piano and strings, the touching vocals of 'Riccardo Ruggeri' accentuating this dreamy side and which completely changes face for an energetic finale with unbridled keyboards close to 'ELP', the album ending with a short sparse piano/voice ballad filled with touching emotion.

In summary, the Italians of 'Syndone' continue to surprise us with this quite original mix that requires adherence to several styles that they alternate or merge in a very beautiful way and that finally remains very accessible thanks to melodic lines that are easily appropriated...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Comoglio (Keybords), Riccardo Ruggeri (Vocal), Marta Caldara (Vibraphone, Timpani), Gigi Rivetti (Keybords, Piano), Simone Rubinato (Bass), Eddy Franco (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Riccardo Diggiani (Sitare), Annie Barbazza (Vocal), Gianluca Cagnani (Organ), David Jackson (Saxophone), Vincent Boniface (Flute), Claudio Adamo (Guitar), Andrea Manco (Flute), Luigi Finetto (Hautbois), Luigi Picatto (Clarinette)


Artist : Clive Nolan

Album : Song of the Wildlands

Release Date : 01-09-2021

Added : 06-10-2021

'Clive Nolan' is well known in the progressive world with various projects including 'Pendragon' and 'Arena' and also has multiple other projects including rock or symphonic operas, among which we can mention 'Otra Vida' and 'Alchemy'. 'Song of the Wildands' therefore falls into this category and tells the myth of 'Beowulf', an old English tale from the seventh century that is the story of a Norse warrior, who became king for defeating the monster 'Grendel'.

We are thus embarked on a historical epic with all the ingredients we would like to find in this kind of production: a narrator with a voice worthy of the greatest historical film storytellers who sets the scene for each track and epic music with grandiose choirs alternating strong moments and other calmer ones in atmospheres mixing symphonic, folk, and Celtic music influences. And the result is equal to the considerable task of rendering this historical fresco, which of course requires listening to the whole as a historical film, the title not making any sense. Musically, the 15 chapters alternate different atmospheres that the Englishman has made stick to the climate of the moment and this from the start, with the instrumental introduction setting an epic and grandiose scene with melodic lines that are immediately grafted in the head, then, various compositions pass by with for example 'There's a Threat' and its folksy sounds and percussive drums worthy of a historical epic, just like the slow tempo of 'Crossing The Ocean' which renders very well this image of this long boat crossing. All these tracks could be mentioned, as the arrangements, especially the work of the rhythm sections and the vocal harmonies (thanks to an impressive choir of about 50 singers), contribute to bringing even more authenticity to this age-old legend. In terms of the vocal section, Clive has called on several artists: firstly, an ideal narrator in the person of 'Ross Andrews' with his powerful and deep voice as a storyteller of historical events, and the various singers share the different roles with, honouring the ladies, the English soprano 'Gemma Ashley' who is part of the 'Caamora Norway', singer 'Christina Booth' from the band 'Magenta' whose latest album 'Masters Of Illusion' (unfortunately not available on spotify) is from 2020, and 'Natalie Barnett' who is also part of the 'Caamora' venture. On the men's side, baritone 'Ryan Morgan' is a magnificent performer in this style of music and has worked with Clive also in the 'Caamora' project. It should also be noted that Clive really went all the way with this project, even using Old English for the lyrics, the doctor 'Christopher Monk' assisting him in this onerous task. Finally, as he says himself, the use of old and folk instruments contributes for a good part to the success of this album which adds even more this authentic touch and a true historical identity.

In summary, 'Clive Nolan' shows once again that he is a complete artist and that his many projects are very varied, this historical epic being again the proof. Each time an album is released, the Englishman does everything he can to achieve his goals, because 'Song of the Wildlands' brings together all the ingredients that give even more relief to this age-old legend and which, we hope, could be the subject of a show and a staging to bring the visual side that seems indispensable to this kind of musical production, but, that's another story to be written...

Line Up / Musicians

Clive Nolan (Vocal, Keybords), Ross Andrews (Narration), Ryan Morgan (Vocal - Beowulf), Christina Booth (Vocal - Tyra), Gemma Ashley (Vocal - Solveig), Natalie Barnett (Vocal - Freja), Mark Westwood (Guitar), Stig Andre Clason (Guitar), Arnfinn Isaksen (Bass), Scott Higham (Drums), Morten Clason (Flute), Birgitte Njå (Lure), Vicki Swan (Nyckelharpa), Geir Johansen (Percussions), The " Wildland Warriors Choir" (Choirs)


Artist : The Night Flight Orchestra

Album : Aeromantic II

Release Date : 03-09-2021

Added : 07-10-2021

For this new album from Sweden's 'The Night Flight Orchestra', which, after the first 'Aeromantic' released in 2020, the band says: "Aeromantic II is about circling the planet earth in the stratosphere, never wanting to land. A continuation of the journey we started a few years ago. ". Indeed, if you read the last myprogmusic review, I could have copied and pasted this one, because Saturday Night Fever (for the younger ones, I'm referring to the iconic disco movie of the late 70's) continues with this new opus and with the same team, with 'Bjorn Strid' still leading the way with his radiant vocal performances on completely addictive melodies. So, in order not to repeat myself, I will simply share with you the many video clips that were recorded for 'Aeromantic II', 'White Jeans', 'Burn For Me', 'Chardonnay Nights' and 'Change' to which I replay the single released between the 2 'Aeromantic', 'Paper Moon'. In short, with this new baby, the Swedes of 'The Night Flight Orchestra' will certainly increase their fan base by distilling that good breath of oxygen that we are so lacking at the moment and that reconnects us directly to the 70s/80s for a moment of lightness...

Line Up / Musicians

Björn Strid (Vocal), Sharlee D' Angelo (Bass), David Andersson (Guitar), Richard Larsson (Keybords), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums), Sebastian Forslund (Guitar, Percussions), Anna Brygård (Choirs), Anna-Mia Bonde (Choirs)


Artist : Auri

Album : II – Those We Don't Speak Of

Release Date : 03-09-2021

Added : 08-10-2021

The Finnish trio 'Johanna Kurkela'/'Tuomas Holopainen'/'Troy Donockley' had graced us with a beautiful album 'Auri' in 2018 and 2021 sees the release of its little brother 'II - Those We Don't Speak Of', the drummer and percussionist 'Kai Hahto' completing the line up for this second opus. We find the sweet vocals of 'Johanna Kurkela' in atmospheric melodies that take us on a beautiful journey with Nordic influences. The first track is a perfect example of this with its introduction with vocals that seem to come out of a wonderful dream, introducing a slow tempo on which Johanna, accompanied by choirs, bewitches us, and transports us completely. The various traditional instruments of 'Troy Donockley' give even more relief to these beautiful moments filled with a remarkable authenticity. To mention only the first part of the album, catchy melodies bathed in Celtic influences such as the very beautiful 'The Valley' (see video above) which may recall some of the melodic lines of 'Mike Oldfield' or the melancholic 'The Duty Of Dust' with its completely addictive mixed vocal harmonies or 'Pearl Diving' (see video here) which is more classic and close to an international pop that would not have disowned a band such as 'ABBA' or even 'Kiss The Mountain' and its restful muffled ambiance. As for the instrumental 'Light And Flood', it highlights traditional instruments and celestial choirs and we are not far from the ambiences of what 'Tuomas Holopainen' composed in the second CD of the last 'Nightwish', (review here).

In summary, the Finns of Auri' release a second album in the continuity of the first one which transports us into a relaxing world of well-being and delicacy, and which is to be savored quietly on the headphones to recharge your batteries after a hard day listening to all these tracks filled with poetry and serenity...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Kurkela (Vocal, Violin, Viola, Keybords), Tuomas Holopainen (Keybords), Troy Donockley (Guitar, Keybords, Bouzouki, Bagpipe, Low Whistles, Aerophone, Bodhran, Vocal, Keybords), Kai Hahto (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Iron Maiden

Album : Senjutsu

Release Date : 03-09-2021

Added : 09-10-2021

I might as well admit it, I've never been a die-hard 'Iron Maiden' fan although they started releasing albums in the period when I was discovering all the great hard-rock and metal bands of the 70s/80s and as the years went by, the albums got spaced out and it wasn't until 'The Book Of Souls' in 2015 that I started to get interested in these pioneers of 'British heavy metal' again with this magnificent double album that really made me discover that beyond their heavy metal label, 'Iron Maiden' is definitely a progressive band for me. 6 years have passed and it's still a dense 80 minutes album that the English offer us in 2021 with 'Senjutsu' which is a Japanese word translating as "tactics and strategy". I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by a first listening that made my mouth water and gave me this irresistible desire to dive back in, a feeling that I find every time I listen for the first time to a rich and dense album of progressive music and that improves after listening.
And yet, not necessarily very progressive, the album's eponymous track welcomes us into a heavy mid-tempo with a remarkable rhythm section from the almost septuagenarian 'Nicko McBrain' that gives a slow processional feel throughout the 8 minutes with a catchy first chorus that grafts itself directly into the head, then, 'Stratego' which follows, is also quite direct and shows a nice melodic efficiency in a faster tempo. With 'The Writing On The Wall', the first minute of instrumental music sets the stage beautifully for the catchy vocal part, which gives us a new chorus that the whole audience should be singing along to, and a masterful guitar solo in the second part that will have us headbanging, then, Lost In A Lost World' brings the first really progressive track with different changes of atmosphere and rhythmic which, even if one can regret some redundancies, didn't bore me at all and could constitute a good concert track with a first part favourable to sing along the repeated melodic phrase and a long central instrumental part that the audience should chant. In the same style as 'Stratego', 'Days Of Future Past' is a catchy track that alternates long tracks with shorter formats of effective heavy metal. But, for my part, the best is yet to come with the last 5 compositions which all exceed 7 minutes and which bring this progressive diversity with, first of all, 'The Time Machine' which, after a peaceful introduction continues in an energetic sung part with a memorable melody and with a magnificent guitar solo, alternating different rhythms throughout the track and which ends in a beautiful acoustic guitar/vocal part. Then follows the power ballad of the album 'Darkest Hour', certainly classic but so effective, which brings us back to the best metal ballads of the 80's, then the 10 minutes of 'Death Of The Celts' accentuates the progressive side with a composition in several drawers with a long and magnificent introduction led by an imposing bass which takes little by little of the amplitude and which brings the sung part in the form of a ritornello in a heavy mid-tempo, Then it offers us a long and catchy instrumental part whose melody can remind us of Irish dances, to fall back in the last minute, ending this long title in fine style. With 'The Parchment', we embark on a journey to an epic historical fresco that unfolds a grandiose atmosphere with an addictive heavy tempo that starts the headbanging machine and gives way to long instrumental passages (magnificent successive guitar solos) and has a long final acceleration that ends up falling back into some guitar chords. And it's not over yet because 'Hell on Earth' closes the album with another long development that alternates between different parts with different intensities and rhythms which definitely makes it one of the major pieces of 'Senjutsu'.

To sum up, this last Iron Maiden album will probably make two types of heavy metal audience clash, those who like direct and efficient tracks that are not too long and those who like more researched compositions that bring a good dose of progressive because 'Senjutsu' contains both styles but, for my part, it is precisely this diversity that I like and that shows that the English, 40 years after their debut, continue to offer us dense and rich albums that will remain in the history of heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Dickinson (Vocal), Adrian Smith (Guitar), Dave Murray (Guitar), Janick Gers (Guitar), Steve Harris (Bass), Nicko McBrain (Drums)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Surrender of Silence

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 10-10-2021

In a different style to my last review devoted to the latest studio recording 'Senjutsu' by England's Iron Maiden', the next album on my long list of recent releases to listen to is 'Surrender of Silence' by 'Steve Hackett' and there's a good chance that both of these albums will feature in my top 5 of the year 2021. After an acoustic guitar interlude with the very good 'Under A Mediterranean Sky', the former 'Genesis' member is releasing a new solo album, well, if you can call it that, as you'll find the majority of the talented artists Steve invited on 'At The Edge Of Light', which had been the album of the year 2019 for me. I spoke at the time of 'World Music' and this feeling is still just as present in 'Surrender of Silence' which takes us on a wonderful world tour provoking many moments of intense emotions and which transports us to musical worlds of immense variety, each track having its own personality.

The short instrumental introduction is an invitation to enter this cathedral of sound with its mix of deep bass from a classical organ and a river of electric guitar notes that gives way to impressive drums accompanied by Steve's guitar that already gives us chills, Then, 'Natalia' opens the ball in the atmosphere of 'Romeo and Juliet' by 'Serge Prokofiev' and this symphonic fresco borrows from various classical masters with arrangements that provide wonderful moments like these majestic choirs that punctuate the whole track without adding too much: We are already in seventh heaven and the instrumental 'Relaxation Music for Sharks' puts a layer of it in a kind of chiaroscuro that makes us go from the calm of the deep sea to the ferocity of this environment to fall back at the end, the strings and the drums accompanied by Steve's guitar marking this track with a seizing sound intensity. Wingbeats' takes us to Africa and there is a beautiful contrast between the more conventional, beautiful vocal arrangements and the syncopated African rhythm section. Change of scene with 'The Devil's Cathedral' which welcomes us into a contemporary mix of grandiose organs close to 'Charles Wigor' and sounds close to 'Igor Stravinsky' and, after a minute and a half, brings in a much more sedate vocal section with a catchy melody and continues with an imaginative instrumental part giving a sense of urgency, the finale returning to that church-like atmosphere with majestic organs as it began. Much more conventional but still modern, 'Held in the Shadows' has a more rocking melody with a heavy tempo and with a very nice incursion by Steve with orientalist sounds in the middle of the track, then, 'Shanghai To Samarkand' could be a summary of Steve Hacket's talent as a composer, who has the ability to take us on varied and exotic musical journeys by mixing traditional sounds with more accessible progressive and contemporary orchestral or classical music influences, which may disturb some people, but the result is an extraordinary emotional force for those who, like me, like this patchwork of influences that are a source of creation and innovation. Steve also knows how to vary the moods as 'Fox's Tango' which follows is more direct and accessible but just as remarkable especially as Steve graces us with masterful guitar accompaniments, then, 'Day of the Dead' is more researched with this time progressive influences taking us back to the late 60s (some sounds reminding me of 'Abbey Road' from the 'Beatles' which I've always considered to be a progressive album) and with again some beautiful vocal harmonies, the second part of the track alternating rhythmics for a very nice instrumental section. And to finish this sumptuous musical world tour, what could be better than a beautiful ballad with 'Scorched Earth' in the form of a lament of our earth that we are damaging day after day even more, the short outro 'Esperanza' ending 'Surrender of Silence' on some soothing notes of classical guitar bringing us back to 'Under A Mediterranean Sky': the loop is closed.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Surrender of Silence' is still an album of progressive music in the broadest sense which will mark the year 2021 and which shows this always renewed talent of creativity of 'Steve Hacket' continuing, album after album, to enchant us by making us escape the time of a moment and which, for my part, succeeds in this insane bet to make this interior periplus as intense as if one really travelled to discover other horizons...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Vocal, Guitar, Oud, Charango, Sitar, Harmonica), Roger King (Keybords, Programmation, Arrangements orchestraux), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Clarinette), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Craig Blundell (Drums) + Guests : Phil Ehart (Drums), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal), Durga McBroom (Vocal), Lorelei McBroom (Vocal), Christine Townsend (Violin, Viola), Malik Mansurov (Tar), Sodirkhon Ubaidulloev (Dutar)


Artist : Inglorious

Album : Heroine

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 11-10-2021

After the very good 'We Will Ride' released at the beginning of the year, the Englishmen of 'Inglorious' decided a few months later to release a new album, this time of covers of female rock and hard-rock artists, a kind of tribute to all these female singers who participated in making rock and hard-rock popular and whose certain compositions have become timeless. So we find in bulk going from the end of the 70s to the 2020s, emblematic singers such as 'Whitney Houston', 'Tina Turner', 'Amy Lee', 'Joan Jett' or even 'Cyndi Lauper' in slightly more muscular versions for some tracks with the addition of energetic guitar riffs but also nice ballad covers with 'I'm With You', 'Time After Time' and 'Uninvited'. It's worth noting that with every album sale on their online shop, they donate a pound to the charity 'Women's Aid'. In short, there's no need to add to it, 'Heroine' is a very nice album of covers by the Englishmen of Inglorious' that should reach a wide audience as all the tracks have been chosen from accessible and melodic rock and hard-rock standards...

List of covers with original performer, album and year of release :
01. Queen Of The Night (Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard – 1992)
02. Barracuda (Heart – Little Queen – 1977)
03. Midnight Sky (Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts – 2020)
04. Nutbush City Limits (Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits – 1977)
05. Bring Me To Life (Evanescence – Fallen – 2003)
06. Fighter (Christina Aguilera – Stripped – 2020)
07. I'm With You (Avril Lavigne – Let Go – 2002)
08. I Hate Myself For Loving You (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Up Your Alley – 1988)
09. I Am The Fire (Halestorm – Into the Wild Life – 2015)
10. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper – This Is Where I Leave You – 1983)
11. Uninvited (Alanis Morissette – City Of Angels – 1998)

Line Up / Musicians

Nathan James (Vocal), Danny De La Cruz (Guitar), Dan Stevens (Guitar), Vinnie Colla (Bass), Phil Beaver (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Seven Spires

Album : Gods of Debauchery

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 12-10-2021

A year and a half ago, the very good 'Emerald Seas' was released and the Americans of 'Seven Spires' who had planned to present it in concert in 2020 quickly fell apart with this damn virus which gave a clear stop to any concert. But they started composing again and 'Gods of Debauchery', the little brother of 'Emerald Seas' was released at the beginning of September and the least we can say is that this new album is rich in quantity and quality because there are nearly 80 minutes for 16 tracks that offer themselves to us with varied compositions because they have this talent to mix different styles of metal as I had already mentioned for the previous album.

The instrumental 'Wanderer's Prayer', which starts the opus, slowly builds up to introduce 'Gods of Debauchery' (see video here) which gets us straight into the swing of things, with an extraordinary outpouring of energy, 'Adrienne Cowan' using her extreme vocals with incisive growls from the start. The Cursed Muse', which follows, is not to be outdone but brings a marked symphonic side with a memorable chorus sung this time in clear voice while keeping a death face in the fast parts. For metal fans who don't particularly like extreme vocals, I advise you to persevere in listening to this album because the two previous compositions are not representative of the whole album: witness the following tracks, firstly, 'Ghost Of Yesterday' which is in a much more measured symphonic style, with catchy melodic lines that you immediately take in and then the mid-tempo 'Lightbringer' which has a new memorable melody in a more rock than metal atmosphere, followed by 'Echoes of Eternity' which is closer to a symphonic and melodic metal reminding me of 'Stream Of Passion'. In the following tracks, Adrienne continues to alternate her extreme and clean vocals in more or less energetic atmospheres, and we can mention 'Shadow on an Endless Sea' which is the perfect example of the use of both voices making it one of the highlights of the album but also the catchy 'Dare To Live' (see video here) or the powerful 'Gods Amongst Men' reminding with its backing vocals the Dutch of 'Epica' or even 'Dreamchaser' and its imposing rhythm section. In the middle of the album, 'This God is Dead' unfolds its 10 minutes in an epic symphonic atmosphere with a succession of intensity and rhythm changes and always very catchy melodic lines which makes it a perfect summary of the style of 'Seven Spires' and the flagship track of the album. And when the tempo slows down, 'Seven Spires' offers us power ballads with the powerful 'In Sickness, In Health' or 'The Unforgotten Name' (see video here), both in a slow tempo but accompanied by an unleashed rhythm section in places. With 'Oceans of Time' we return to a more classical symphonic metal but still very catchy with a driving rhythm section and the end of the album offers us two epic symphonic compositions with, first of all, 'Through Lifetimes' which deploys remarkable instrumental and vocal arrangements, then 'Fall With Me' concludes the album with a magnificent ballad that builds up gradually and whose melody doesn't leave you any more.

In summary, the Americans of 'Seven Spires' release an excellent album that confirms their talent for a diverse metal mixing different influences and 'Gods of Debauchery' should appeal to a metal audience that likes an energetic symphonic metal with a singer who alternates clear vocals and extreme vocals...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrienne Cowan (Vocal, Keybords), Jack Kosto (Guitar), Peter de Reyna (Bass), Chris Dovas (Drums)


Artist : Anette Olzon

Album : Strong

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 13-10-2021

After her 'Nightwish' period, during which she had participated in the albums that have become staples of the Finnish band, 'Dark Passion Play' in 2007 and especially 'Imaginerium' in 2011, the Swede was able to bounce back with first of all the creation of a new band 'The Dark Dimension' whose latest album 'Songs the Night Sings' dates back to 2019 but also by taking part in various projects with her duet with 'Russell Allen', 'Worlds Apart' in 2020 and her participation in the 'Heart Healer' project by Swedish 'Magnus Karlsson'. Alongside these various projects, she has a solo career and 'Strong' is her second studio recording after 'Shine' released in 2014. On this new opus, unsurprisingly, she continues her collaboration with 'Magnus Karlsson' ('Primal Fear') with whom she co-wrote and co-composed all of the tracks and the style is decidedly more metal than the first album in a powerful and energetic symphonic style.

The tone is set by 'Bye Bye Bye' muscled by energetic riffs from Magnus and some growls from the bassist and companion of the singer, 'Johan Husgafvel' () in which Anette shows that her vocals have evolved well and that she has gained in power since the 'Nighwish' period which now allows her to compete with the best metal singers. In the same style, 'Sick of You' which follows (see video above), sets a steady pace with a unifying chorus that will stick in your head, just like its successor 'I Need to Stay' but with nice variations in intensity, 'Anders Köllerfors' on drums bringing a remarkable energy. The more measured title track is no less effective, with a tempo that makes you want to headbang and a chorus that you want to go along with, then 'Parasite' (see video here) continues in a powerful and modern metal, the episodic growls adding to this energy debauchery. The first more measured moment between ballad and mid-tempo with 'Sad Lullaby' which, thanks to orchestral arrangements, brings a symphonic atmosphere in which Anette excels just as much and is close to what she has done in the past. We stay in classic symphonic metal with 'Fantastic Fanatic' (see video here) which may remind of the Dutch of 'Delain' (who announced earlier this year the end of the band). With the next 3 tracks, 'Who Can Save Them', 'Catcher Of My Dreams' and 'Hear Them Roar', we continue in the same style with still powerful compositions and with memorable melodies, 'Roll the Dice' concludes the album with a very nice track alternating different tempos and intensity allowing to vary the ambiences but one can regret on the whole a lack of more measured compositions and real ballads, as if 'Anette Olzon' wanted to definitively forget this label of pop singer which, for me, was part of her personality and allowed her an even wider range of styles.

In summary, as the title of this latest album suggests, 'Anette Olzon', who continues to deliver remarkable vocal performances, hardens the tone with heavier compositions, certainly influenced by the guitarist 'Magnus Karlsson', which destines 'Strong' to an audience loving an energetic symphonic metal with catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Magnus Karlsson (Guitar), Johan Husgafvel (Bass, Growls), Anders Köllerfors (Drums)


Artist : Shumaun

Album : Memories & Intuition

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 14-10-2021

'Shumaun' is a progressive hard-rock project initiated by Indian 'Farhad Hossain' who has already released two albums 'Shumaun' in 2015 and 'One Day Closer To Yesterday' in 2019 and who is also the singer, keyboardist and guitarist of the band 'Iris Divine' which also has two albums to its credit. It is thus with this new opus 'Memories & Intuition' that I discover 'Shumaun' and, after a first listening, I had an irresistible desire to come back to it because it contains all the ingredients that make it a very good progressive album with a nice variety of styles between the different compositions.

From the start, with 'A Subtle Invocation', it kicks off in energetic progressive metal with a punchy rhythm section from drummer 'Marc Zonder' who participates in multiple projects like 'Pentesilea Road' or 'Enzo and the Glory Ensemble'. Incidentally, 'Farhad Hossain' has called on some renowned drummers as the album also features Austrian 'Thomas Lang' (among others 'Peter Gabriel'), 'Leo Margarit' ('Pain Of Salvation') and 'Atma Anur' who officiate in different styles of music. The next track 'Prisoners' moves away from metal and shows a more measured atmosphere and a slower tempo with a catchy melody, then, 'Memories of Water' continues in a more direct and still melodic rock style and 'Jabriel's Song' is a beautiful instrumental ballad in an atmospheric style in which 'Farhad Hossain' shows all his feeling on the guitar. Without transition, 'Invicible' comes in with a wonderful mix of traditional Indian music and modern progressive metal which makes it one of the highlights of the album and reminds me of the punchy style found in some of the tracks on 'Threshold', then, 'Under The Sun' continues into quieter progressive rock and, although in places the guitar riffs are more muscular, it comes close to bands like 'RPWL'. This is followed by 'The Pursuit Of Happiness' which is a more searching progressive instrumental with a driving rhythm section varying tempos over which 'Farhad Hossain's' guitar accompaniments are particularly imaginative, then a change of style with 'Tides' which takes us on a ballad in a 'BJH' style, taking us back to the 70's/80's and 'Intuition Underground' continues our journey into the seventies, this time with direct and effective hard-rock with some welcome variations in intensity and with a unifying refrain. Another highlight of the album, 'Breathing Light' is a long, more complex, multi-layered progressive development that juxtaposes different soundscapes and we move for example from atmospheric metal to much more muscular progressive sections, then the end of the album returns to quieter rock with first the beautiful ballad 'A Planetary Shift' and a new memorable powerful chorus and a more dispensable melancholic 'The Day We Said Goodbye', with the same musical phrase being repeated throughout the track.

In summary, 'Shumaun', under the leadership of 'Farhad Hossain', releases a very good album that mixes quite different styles ranging from a peaceful conventional rock to modern progressive metal sought after what destines 'Memories & Intuition' to an audience loving diversity because it juxtaposes compositions accessible at first listen and others requiring to linger to get all the richness...

Line Up / Musicians

Farhad Hossain (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Jose Mora (Bass), Tyler Kim (Guitar) + Guests : Atma Anur (Drums), Leo Margarit (Drums), Mark Zonder (Drums), Thomas Lang (Drums)


Artist : Finally George

Album : Icy Skies

Release Date : 10-09-2021

Added : 15-10-2021

I presented you his first album 'Life Is a Killer' in 2018 and the German 'Finally George' released his second studio recording 'Icy Skies' in early September 2021. We find this singer and multi-instrumentalist surrounded by numerous guests in 'Floydian' ambiences that we knew on the first opus and 'Todd Sucherman', the drummer of 'Styx' is still part of the band and brings an accompaniment that is always very sober and precise (you can see a recording session of 'I Adore You' above). The majority of the compositions are bathed in a melancholy that could be described as benevolent and which takes us on a very beautiful journey, with many bands coming to mind such as 'Pink Floyd' (doesn't the introduction to 'Icy Skies' remind you of a certain 'Meddle'?), 'RPWL', 'Cosmograf', 'Millenium', 'Sylvan' or even 'Mystery'. All the tracks would deserve to be detailed and I'll just mention the longest composition 'I Adore You' which puts us on a soft little cloud by making us travel back in time and return to the sounds of 'I Want You' by the 'Beatles' in a ballad that slowly unfolds melodic lines that seem familiar and to whose rhythm we completely abandon ourselves. The various guests each bring their stone to the edifice, and we can quote the beautiful interventions of 'Anne de Wolff' in the title song giving a 'Jethrotullian' side to this title or the beautiful 'Gilmourian' guitar accompaniments of 'John Engehausen' and 'Martin Scheffler' or the aerial solo of 'Ingolf Burkhardt' with his 'Bugle' in 'When Dreams Don't Die'.

In summary, this new baby of 'Finally George' is a beautiful album with an impeccable production that offers us some timeless melodies that are happily listened to and if you like the formations mentioned above, you should undoubtedly adopt 'Icy Skies' and put it in a good place in your album collection...

Line Up / Musicians

Finally George (Vocal, Violin, Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions) + Guests : Todd Sucherman (Drums, Percussions), Matthias Pogoda (Piano), Detlef Bösche (Hammond), John Engehausen (Guitar), Martin Scheffler (Guitar), Ingolf Burkhardt (Bugle), Anja Bublitz (Vocal), Anne de Wolff (Cordes)


Artist : Edge Of Paradise

Album : The Unknown

Release Date : 17-09-2021

Added : 16-10-2021

It's been a good two weeks since I last told you about a release from 'Frontiers' and so here's a new release from the Italian label with the Americans of 'Edge Of Paradise' whose two previous albums I reviewed 'Immortal Waltz' in 2015 and 'Universe' in 2019. The two mainstays of this band, singer 'Margarita Monet' and guitarist 'Dave Bates' are still loyal to the post, and it is now 'Ricky Bonazza' who officiates on bass and 'Jamie Moreno' on drums. I'll get straight to the point: out of the 10 compositions on this new opus 'The Unknown', there are about... 10 melodic bombs in a modern, melodic, and immediately catchy metal. All of this is well produced and set to be a hit on the radio with lengths between 4 and 5 minutes and 'Frontiers' presents on its you tube site no less than 4 promotional videos of the album within order of release, 'Digital Paradise', 'My Method Your Madness', 'The Unknown' and 'False Idol'. The set is divided between energetic and energetic compositions like the first three tracks 'Digital Paradise', 'My Method Your Madness' and 'Tidal Wave' and other tracks are more measured with powerful mid-tempos like 'The Unknown', 'Believe', 'One Last Time' or 'Bound The Rhythm'. As a bonus, 'My Method Your Madness' is covered in an industrial metal version. In short, as you will have understood, this new album from the Americans is a melodic metal hit machine that rides the wave of bands like Amaranthe' or 'Beyond The Black' or 'Dynazty' and of course their big brother 'Within Temptation' who also evolved with the last album 'Resist', released already more than two years ago now, towards more modern metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Margarita Monet (Vocal, Keybords), Dave Bates (Guitar), Ricky Bonazza (Bass), Jamie Moreno (Drums)


Artist : Whyzdom

Album : Of Wonders and Wars

Release Date : 17-09-2021

Added : 17-10-2021

After a very good 'As Time Turns to Dust', the Frenchmen of 'Whyzdom' release a new album 'Of Wonders and Wars' and this time they take us, and I quote them, "on a journey through millennia, from an ancient past to a distant future, showing both the brightest and darkest sides of humanity". And it is still a dense and rich album that the French offer us in a symphonic metal merging the power of metal and orchestrations highlighting the lyrical singing of 'Marie Mac Leod' accompanied by imposing choirs, and this from the start, Wanderers and Dreamers' begins the album with a first composition that is lively and presents beautiful alternations of intensity bringing a progressive side, then 'Child of Damnation' pushes the nail in with an introduction with grandiose choirs and offers a beautiful break allowing us to hear 'Marie Mac Leod' accompanied by whispered voices. A change of scene with 'Stonehenge' which unfolds a symphonic epic with orchestral and vocal arrangements, the electric instruments being absent in the long introduction, and which then continues in a more measured and classical symphonic metal atmosphere, Marie alternating her clear and lyrical voice, then, 'Ariadne', introduced by dazzling choirs and towering bass strings, is a mid-tempo closer to its predecessor with memorable melodic lines and an original rhythm section that adds even more power to this catchy track that leaves plenty of room for remarkable sections in which the towering choirs are featured. This is followed by 'Touch The Sky', which is a power ballad alternating between quiet sections and much more powerful ones led by a muscular drum accompaniment from 'Nicolas Chaumeaux', then, 'War' is a new epic and energetic composition with another admirable vocal performance from 'Marie Mac Leod' adding some wonderful variations on the melodic theme. The more classical 'Metropolis Lights' offers an immediate melody in a powerful symphonic metal, then the catchy 'Pyramids' fuses Eastern and Western sounds with a new unifying chorus, 'Marie Mac Leod' bringing in some remarkable Arabian vocals and the track ends with a grand finale with an addictive melody that is a pure delight. With 'The Final Collapse' we're right into more classic power metal with an unbridled rhythm section and, once again, 'Marie Mac Leod' who perfectly masters the alternation of clean and lyrical vocals, the latter bringing the symphonic side to this powerful track, the album ending with 'Notre Dame' (see the beautiful video above) which tells of the burning of Notre Dame de Paris in 2019, some of the band members living nearby having witnessed the tragedy first hand, and which is an epic and grandiose fresco that can sum up the original style of 'Whyzdom' on its own and has a moving melody that doesn't leave us in the finale and causes that characteristic little shiver of intense emotion.

In summary, with this latest production, the Frenchmen of 'Whyzdom' release yet another remarkable album in this so characteristic and original style that requires adherence to the fusion of classical symphonic arrangements and metal, and if you are a lover of this mixture and have enjoyed albums like 'Beloved Antichrist' by 'Therion' or the latest album by 'Amon Sethis' or the one of 'Lost In Grey', you should definitely add 'Of Wonders and Wars' to your record library...

Line Up / Musicians

Marie Mac Leod (Vocal), Régis Morin (Guitar), Vynce Leff (Bass, Orchestration), Nicolas Chaumeaux (Drums)


Artist : Vega

Album : Anarchy and Unity

Release Date : 17-09-2021

Added : 18-10-2021

Just over a year after their last album 'Grit Your Teeth' which was part of the myprogmusic playlist of hard melodic albums of the first half of 2020, the Englishmen of 'Vega' do it again with a new album full of good hard-rock that puts you in a hell of a mood and that can be enjoyed from the first to the last composition with happiness. The band is strengthened with a new guitarist 'Billy Taylor' who was in Inglorious' which densifies the guitar section to bring an even more incisive sound, and it's now 'Pete Newdeck' (among others 'Khymera' and 'Nitrate') who takes the drummer's spot in place of 'Martin Hutchinson. With an impeccable production bringing an extraordinary sound dynamic, they concocted 12 little melodic jewels certainly more energetic than the previous album and we thus navigate between muscular compositions like 'Beautiful Lie' (see video above), 'Sooner Or Later with a 'Def Leppard' touch (see video here) or 'Ain't Who I Am' (see video here) or 'Glow' or even 'Had Enough' at the end of the album with its heady chorus, and more measured mid-tempos with for example 'End of the Fade', Welcome to Wherever' and 'Kneel to You'. There are also more varied compositions such as 'Live for Me' which merges a ballad with an energetic middle section and a beautiful guitar solo or 'C'mon' which gives you an irresistible urge to move to the rhythm of the music with its jazzy rhythm, the album ends with '2Die4' which is certainly the most varied track on the album with a memorable final chorus. In short, the Englishmen of 'Vega' continue to delight us with their machine of making melodic hard-rock hit albums and this latest baby 'Anarchy and Unity' comes to enlarge the 'Vega' family which is growing year after year with now 7 children on the counter...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Workman (Vocal, Guitar), Billy Taylor (Guitar), James Martin (Keybords), Marcus Thurston (Guitar), Tom Martin (Bass), Pete Newdeck (Drums)


Artist : Tommy Castro

Album : A Bluesman Came To Town

Release Date : 17-09-2021

Added : 19-10-2021

Let's listen to a good blues album with timeless compositions that make you feel good and take you back to the very source of all pop, rock, hard-rock and metal music! The bluesman 'Tommy Castro', who already has a successful career behind him and an extensive discography, has released a new album 'A Bluesman Came To Town' in September 2021, which takes us on a journey through time and offers us a great variety of tracks: we go from an original blues with 'Somewhere' or 'A Blues Came To Town' to boogie blues with gospel choirs and with a very nice vocal duet between 'Terri Odabi' and 'Tommy Castro' in 'Child Don't Go', passing by beautiful ballads with 'You To Hold On To' or these torrid blues that are 'Blues Prisoner' and 'I Want To Go Back Home' or some funk mood with 'Hustle', reminiscent of the king of this style, 'James Brown', or shuffle with the irresistible 'I Got Burned', or rock à la 'Chuck Berry' with 'I Caught A Break', or even rolling blues/rock with 'Women, Drugs and Alcohol', without forgetting the short cover of 'Somewhere', which has a country flavour. In short, there's something for everyone, but for my part, I'll take it all because 'Tommy Castro' has the talent to transcend all these genres and to know how to transmit his love for this music that has crossed several decades without having aged a bit...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Castro (Vocal, Guitars), Deanna Bogart (Horn Arrangements, Saxophone), Bowen Brown (Drums), Keith Crossan (Saxophone), Mike Emerson (Keybords), Jimmy Hall (Harmonica, Choirs), Tom Hambridge (Drums, Choirs), Tommy Macdonald (Bass), Randy McDonald (Bass), Kevin McKendree (Keybords), Rob McNelley (Guitar), Terrie Odabi (Vocal)


Artist : Charlotte Wessels

Album : Tales From Six Under Feets

Release Date : 17-09-2021

Added : 20-10-2021

After the rather unexpected announcement of the separation of 'Delain' in early 2021, the band members aspiring to solo careers (keyboardist 'Martijn Westerholt' being the only one to continue under the band name), female singer 'Charlotte Wessels' already announced that she was going to devote herself to a solo career and it was only a few months later that her first album was released, an album that is a compilation of a large part of the songs she has put online for the fans who have subscribed to her 'Patreon' site since May 2020. Exit the symphonic metal, Charlotte, who took care of the programming of the instruments and of course who sings in all the tracks, embarks us in a musical universe that mixes pop and rock in resolutely modern atmospheres with the contribution of electronic sounds.

'Superhuman' sets the tone in an intimate atmosphere close to electro pop and the instrumental arrangements give a certain relief to this beautiful composition, then, 'Afkicken', sung in Dutch, starts calmly with percussion in the background but quickly takes off with a catchy melody that accompanies us throughout the track. With 'Materpiece', we're right in the middle of a more commercial electro pop track, then 'Victor', in the same style, pays tribute to the beautiful poem 'Demain dès l'aube' by 'Victor Hugo' (see the beautiful video with 'Timo Sommers' here). This is followed by 'New Mythology', the first track she posted online which showed these 180 degrees turn, this being one of the more intimate tracks on the album, then 'Source of the Flame' consists of a semi-acoustic first part conducive to a mind wandering and a much more electrified and blaring second bringing a remarkable opposition to this track. Cry Little Sister' is a cover of the 1987 film soundtrack 'The Last Boy', which was written and composed by 'Gerard McMahon' and 'Michael Mainieri', with 'Charlotte Wessels' accentuating the rather dark rhythm section of the original, then, Without transition, 'Lizzie' offers us a beautiful complicity between 'Charlotte Wessels' and 'Alissa White-Gluz' (who we are not used to hearing in such an intimate register) in a bewitching atmosphere and with harmonious melodic lines. More powerful and after a crescendo introduction, 'FSU (2020)' is certainly the track that comes closest to the style of 'Delain' but keeping electronic sounds instead of saturated guitar riffs and ending with a quieter section, and the album ends in beauty with 'Soft Revolution' which is undoubtedly the highlight of the album with its 7 minutes, its melancholic and moving atmosphere and its chorus whose melody comes to be grafted directly in the head.

In summary, with this first solo album, 'Charlotte Wessels' has succeeded in making us forget the singer of 'Delain' by showing us another side of her personality, certainly closer to her current aspirations, allowing a more intimate creativity to express itself in a modern pop style which will undoubtedly allow her to reach a wider audience in addition to its hardcore fan base...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal, Programmation : Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guest : Alissa White-Gluz (Vocal)


Artist : Driftin'Line

Album : Born As Slaves We Die Free

Release Date : 23-09-2021

Added : 21-10-2021

'Driftin'Line' is an Italian band that was formed in 2006 by keyboardist 'Valerio Città' and had a first period of activity under the band name 'Secret Inside' and resumed under the name 'Driftin'Line' in 2016, their debut album 'Born As Slaves We Die Free' being released a month ago and dealing with the theme of war. On their facebook page they define themselves as making "modern progressive metal made with passion and sweat. We try, with the research and care of sound, melody and songwriting, to create the perfect combination of the past and future of the genre, keeping our personal identity as a band alive". Personally, this metal label seems restrictive to me as they mix different influences with an alternation between elaborate progressive and much more accessible compositions which makes 'Born As Slaves We Die Free' a very diverse album.

Effectively, with the short introduction 'In Solitude', progressive metal is not necessarily the style that first comes to mind as this opener is a quiet, sparse guitar/vocal acoustic but, without transition, 'A Glimmer of Freedom' which follows, entirely instrumental and much more elaborate in several drawers, begins with energetic riffs close to 'Dream Theater' and continues in a more soothing mood with atmospheric guitar solos, then some sound effects cut the track in half which continues with guitars brought to the fore again this time in a 'Floydian' solo and the finale returns to the energy of the beginning with a raging rhythm section that abruptly stops to make way for some birdsong. After this dense composition that requires several listenings, 'One More Soul' delivers a catchy melody in a driving tempo while keeping a progressive approach thanks to several changes of rhythm throughout the track giving way to some sought after instrumental sections. Easier to access and quite far from progressive metal, 'The Old River' is a beautiful popish composition with electro sounds that puts forward the sweet voice of 'Francesca Polizzano' invited to interpret 'Liberty', then, back to more researched and energetic progressive with a rhythm section that alternates muscular passages and others much quieter, the vocals becoming more powerful. With 'Blind Madness', we have without doubt one of the most difficult compositions of the album to access but certainly one of the most imaginative with several interlocking parts that follow one another and that are typical of a more technical and complex progressive metal. A far cry from the style of its predecessor, 'A Prayer' begins as a melancholic ballad with the harmonious vocals of 'Francesca Polizzano' and builds to a crescendo with a central instrumental part that quickens the pace, the finale returning to the slow tempo of the beginning. The short 'Never Again' takes us into 3 minutes of atmospheric metal in a crescendo/decrescendo with electronic sounds and beautiful vocal harmonies and, as for 'A Promise' which follows, it is also a complex track in its construction with a melodic section alternating vocals and guitar solos in a crescendo which continues with a spoken part of 'Valerio Città' with a marked rhythmic and which falls in the finale in a peaceful atmosphere with the beautiful vocal duet of 'Guido Macaione' and 'Francesca Polizzano'. The album ends with the suite 'Gateway' which is divided into three tracks that are more direct with, firstly, 'Run for Our Lives' in progressive rock with melodic lines that get tamed quite quickly, then, 'Last Confrontation' starts with more incisive riffs but keeps a measured atmosphere with, again, beautiful vocal harmonies from the two protagonists and 'Run for My Life' concludes this progressive saga with a composition with a sung first half and a second one leaving a good place to an energetic guitar solo before finding again the sound effects of the beginning of the album made of boat noises at anchor.

In summary, the Italians of 'Driftin'Line' release a dense and rich album mixing progressive compositions and others that are much easier to access and this saga about war with very beautiful vocals (the mixed duo bringing a real plus to the theme) should appeal to an audience navigating between rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Valerio Città (Keybords, Vocal), Guido Macaione (Vocal), Angelo Capuana (Guitar), Walter Mogavero (Guitar), Enrico Macaione (Guitar), Vincenzo Cammarata (Bass), Giacomo Cannici (Drums) + Guest : Francesca Polizzano (Vocal)


Artist : Mostly Autumn

Album : Graveyard Star

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 22-10-2021

For those of you who read myprogmusic's reviews, English of 'Mostly Autumn' are one of my favourite bands and, after 'Sight Of Day' in 2017 and 'White Rainbow' in 2019, it's the turn of 'Graveyard Star' to be released and it's another fantastic album that takes us on a journey filled with sensitivity and poetry with all the ingredients you'd expect from this band : A couple on stage and in life who offer us vocal performances of considerable emotional strength, 'Olivia Sparnenn-Josh' continuing to dazzle us with her airy and bewitching vocals and 'Bryan Josh' gracing us with guitar accompaniments always filled with magnificent sensitivity, all of which are magnified by catchy melody lines in mostly soothing and relaxing atmospheres. Like many bands during this period, they chose to tell us about their experience with the health crisis, and I quote 'Bryan Josh': " the album is a real-time documentation of living through 2020/21 and a strong reflection of how we were feeling as this time passed. Although very personal to us, I can only imagine many of you can strongly relate to this journey. "

And to get things off to a great start, the 12-minute title track offers us an admirable first composition and from the very first minute, we are already under the spell with 'Floydian' keyboards and a first part sung in alternation between Bryan and Olivia that soon join in a magnificent crescendo leading to the chorus in which Olivia already gives us goosebumps. After the short and pared down 'The Plague Bell', we embark on a western vibe with 'Skin of Mankind' which is very catchy and is in the style of what 'Ritchie Blackmore' can do with 'Candice Night' with 'Blackmore's Night', then, 'Shadows' is a more straightforward composition which is sung entirely by Bryan in a more rocking atmosphere with memorable melody lines. With 'The Harder That You Hurt', 'Olivia Sparnenn-Josh' takes us back to the little cloud we were on during the first track and continues to charm us in a beautiful ballad with a build-up that is in a way the trademark of 'Mostly Autumn' that we never tire of, Olivia having this ability to send a powerful vocal of extraordinary emotional strength without any feeling of pushing her voice. And to continue this beautiful journey, the next two compositions 'Razor Blade' and 'This Endless War' are in the same spirit and still trigger that little shiver characteristic of this intense listening pleasure, the second one reminding me of the late 70's with the release of a certain 'Eye Of The Universe' from 'Barclay James Harvest' and I catch myself dreaming what 'Play To The World' would sound like sung by Olivia. Without transition, to recover from our emotions of the previous three tracks, 'Spirit of Mankind' is a more energetic and catchy track with a new heady chorus and in which 'Bryan Josh' graces us with a short but beautiful guitar solo with another high-flying vocal performance from Olivia, Then, back to a 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' introduction with 'Back in These Arms' which takes off after 1 minute 30 minutes and develops a very nice melodic theme accompanied by the Olivia/Bryan duo in a spirit reminding me of the melodic lines and rhythms of 'Nightwish'. Without transition, 'Free to Fly' is a magnificent piano/vocal ballad in which 'Olivia Sparnenn-Josh' shows all her sensitivity in this pure atmosphere adding atmospheric keyboards in the second part of the track, then, 'The Diamond', sung by 'Angela Gordon', diversifies the whole by an endearing and light song with an acoustic guitar accompaniment by 'Chris Jonhson' accentuating this feeling of angelic sweetness. Here we are at the end of our magnificent musical journey and 'Turn Around Slowly' concludes the album with nearly 13 minutes that unfold different atmospheres and show once again the talent of composer 'Bryan Josh' who offers us a progressive fresco in which we completely abandon ourselves and which has a grandiose conclusion with the contribution once again of 'Olivia Sparnenn' who sublimates this very beautiful finale. To this, we must add that the English have also released a bonus album of 9 compositions which was limited to 2000 copies, and which unfortunately is already sold out but which, according to some music reviewers are of the same level as the main disc.

In summary, it is still a magnificent album that offers us the English of 'Mostly Autumn' and I will not risk the little game of 'best album' because, for my part, they all have their place in my ideal collection of records for quite some time and 'Graveyard Star' will naturally be added next to its little brothers and certainly be part of my podium of albums 2021 in progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Olivia Sparnenn-Josh (Vocal), Bryan Josh (Guitar, Vocal), Chris Johnson (Guitar), Iain Jennings (Keybords), Angela Gordon (Flute, Choirs, Vocal), Andy Smith (Bass), Henry Rogers (Drums) + Guests : Troy Donockley (Pipes, Whistles, Mandola), Chris Leslie (Violin)


Artist : Lee Abraham

Album : Only Human

Release Date : 04-09-2021

Added : 23-10-2021

An album every year, this is now the frequency of 'Lee Abraham' albums release because after 'Comatose' in 2019 and 'Harmony / Synchronicity' in 2020, it's the turn of 'Only Human' to be released with a bit of a delay on the streaming platforms since the CD was released in early September 2021. He continues with the same artists to offer us a varied and accessible progressive rock with harmonious melodies influenced by the 80s and this album is the continuation of the previous one in which he already dealt with the global pandemic. On this album he explains that, and I quote, "many of us have experienced feelings of isolation and inadequacy over the past 18 months, like never before. Some people have used this to re-examine where their life is going, what’s important to them and perhaps come up with their own theories on life in general and why we’re all here!”
.
On the menu of 'Only Human', 'Lee Abraham' offers us, first, a long development of almost 30 minutes cut into 4 parts and then 4 other compositions for a short hour of listening. Let's start with the long piece 'Counting Down' which takes us into a progressive maze with 'Floydian' influences in several drawers that are drawn one after the other, alternating different atmospheres and rhythms and with melodic lines that are always very accessible, which makes it one of the most accomplished compositions of the Englishman. The rest of the album is just as catchy with the other compositions which are, although shorter, of the same quality as 'Counting Down': First of all, the title track offers us a very nice melody with a slow tempo that has a great strength thanks to the imposing bass, then 'Days Gone By' and 'Falling Apart' continue in a quiet atmosphere bringing us back to the 80's with a catchy rhythm, the album ends with the beautiful ballad 'The Hands of Time' with a new memorable melody and a very nice guitar solo in the middle of the track.

In summary, it is still a very beautiful album that 'Lee Abraham' offers us by making us go back to the AOR style of the 80s with beautiful melodic lines that seem familiar to us which destines 'Only Human' to a wide audience because all the compositions are very accessible from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Abraham (Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Piano), Gerald Mulligan (Drums) + Guests : Peter Jones (Vocal, Choirs), Marc Atkinson (Vocal, Choirs), Rob Arnold (Piano), Mark Spencer (Choirs)


Artist : Joanne Shaw Taylor

Album : The Blues Album

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 24-10-2021

Around the same time as 'Tommy Castro' and after the great 'Reckless Heart' in 2019, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' is releasing an album of blues covers produced on 'KTBA Records' by 'Joe Bonamassa' who sings and plays guitar on the track 'Don't Go Away Mad'. The album contains covers of various artists and not so well-known compositions by 'Peter Green' ('Fleetwood Mac'), 'Little Milton', 'Otis Rush', 'James Ray' or 'Little Richard' and all these timeless titles are sublimated by the American who offers us wonderful interpretations both vocally and instrumentally, her guitar solos being a pure delight. In short, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' demonstrates once again that she is one of the great blues artists by offering us yet another magnificent album with varied compositions that can be enjoyed with happiness and that should, without a doubt, please an audience of authentic blues lovers...

List of titles (Original performer - Year)
01 – Stop Messin' Round (Fleetwood Mac – 1968)
02 – If That Ain't A Reason (Little Milton – 1979)
03 – Keep On Lovin' Me (Otis Rush – 1969)
04 – If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody (James Ray – 1961)
05 – Don’t Go Away Mad (Little Village – 1992)
06 – Scraps Vignette
07 – Can't You See What You’re Doing To Me (Albert King - 1970)
08 – Let Me Down Easy (Little Milton – 1968)
09 – Two Time My Lovin' (The Fabulous Thunderbirds – 1986)
10 – I Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Little Richard – 1971)
11 – Three Time Loser (Wilson Pickett – 1966)

Line Up / Musicians

Joanne Shaw Taylor (Vocal, Guitar), Josh Smith (Guitar), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Greg Morrow (Drums), Steve Mackey (Bass), Steve Patrick (Trumpet), Mark Douthit (Saxophone), Barry Green (Trombone) + Guest : Joe Bonamassa (Vocal), Mike Farris (Vocal)


Artist : Thunder

Album : All The Right Noises – Bonus Songs

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 25-10-2021

As we used to read on the edge of a SNCF level crossing, the famous slogan 'One train can hide another' applies perfectly to the Englishmen of 'Thunder' because, for those who had bought the deluxe version of 'All The Right Noises', there was a second CD with 4 other compositions that couldn't fit in the first one but also 8 songs from the first CD live. This 'Bonus Songs' opus is now available on download platforms and the least we can say is that the extra tracks are no match for the others and take us back to that catchy and effective 70's hard rock, starting with an energetic 'Firebird' that gives you a blast and could be a cross between 'Led Zeppelin' and 'Deep Purple'. With 'Hero', which follows, the atmosphere is subdued for a magnificent mid-tempo with a heady chorus, then, back to an addictive rhythm with 'The Fires That Roar' which automatically starts the headbanging machine and finally, with 'Pariah', it's a composition that would have been a perfect addition to a Led Zeppelin album. As for the live part, the tracks are quite faithful to the originals and immerse us for a moment in these timeless compositions in an even more lively atmosphere. In short, we can only thank the English of 'Thunder' for having made this second CD available, which continues the listening pleasure we had when 'All The Right Noises' was released...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bowes (Vocal), Luke Morley (Guitar, Vocal), Ben Matthews (Guitar, Keybords), Chris Childs (Bass), Gary 'Harry' James (Drums)


Artist : Vangelis

Album : Juno to Jupiter

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 26-10-2021

In the same style as 'Rosetta', the Greek 'Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou' releases a new album, this time inspired by NASA's 'Juno' mission, which sent a space probe into space with the objective of studying the planet Jupiter. We find again the ambient music we knew on the previous albums, which is totally in phase with this long journey into space, in the form of 18 tracks for more than an hour of listening, which takes us on a journey through our solar system accompanied by 'Vangelis', who creates atmospheric soundscapes by aggregating different orchestral instruments and electronic sounds, and who admirably illustrates the long journey of this space probe setting out to discover the unknown. For the occasion, he invited the soprano 'Angela Gheorghiu' who sings in three compositions 'Juno's Tender Call', 'Hera / Juno Queen of the Gods' and 'Juno's Accomplishments' and whose vocals accompany the celestial ambiences in a beautiful way. To make a long story short, I won't go into title by title, as others have done it very well such as this very comprehensive review from the 'Notes from a Nebula' site here and for those of you who love wide open spaces, you can also view videos from NASA that offer fantastic views of the 'Juno' probe, the whole thing set to music by 'Vangelis', with, for example, the one on you tube from 'Juno Flies Past the Moon Ganymede and Jupiter', with NASA's website providing more by following this link. So, if you're ready for the great 'Juno' journey, all that's left is to find a quiet place, headphones on, and board the ship of Captain 'Vangelis' who will take you on a beautiful, relaxing and poetry-filled journey that will, I'm sure, make you forget for a moment all the worries of everyday life...

Line Up / Musicians

Vangelis / Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou (Piano, Keybords) + Guest : Angela Gheorghiu (Vocal)


Artist : Galahad

Album : Other Crimes & Misdemeanours, Pts II and III

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 27-10-2021

The Englishmen of 'Galahad', whose last album 'Seas of Change' dates from 2018 and whose two members, 'Dean Baker' and 'Stu Nicholson', have a side project 'Galahad Electric Company', have released a first compilation of the band's first period in 1992 and two other albums followed to retrace the years up to 2000 and to offer to the band's fans archives that didn't take place in their studio albums. These two albums, reissued in 2019, are now available on spotify and will allow those who are not yet familiar with these rare gems from this progressive rock band, which is now about 35 years old, to discover these archives that have nothing to envy to the studio recordings. All the artists who have been part of 'Galahad' over the years (see list below) are featured on this album, which covers more than 2 hours of 30 compositions, each one as endearing as the next. Note the magnificent 'Firework' live which borrows from different musical styles and artists and is a progressive must. In short, a beautiful journey through time that should make people discover or rediscover this band that didn't necessarily have the popularity it deserved in the 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Stuart Nicholson (Vocal), Roy Keyworth (Guitar), Mark Andrews (Keybords), Steve Smith (Keybords), Karl Garrett (Keybords), Dean Baker (Keybords), Nick Hodgson (Keybords), Mike Hooker (Keybords), Patrick 'Paddy' O'Callaghan (Drums), Spencer Luckman (Drums), Paul Watts (Bass), Neil Pepper (Bass), Tim Ashton (Bass), Kathy Smythe (Choirs)


Artist : Sandy McKnight, Fernando Perdomo

Album : San Fernando Blast

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 28-10-2021

Feeling nostalgic for the 60s and the 'Beatles' or the 'Beach Boys'? I've got just the thing for you with this new album by the duo 'Sandy McKnight' and 'Fernando Perdomo' who had already brought 'Paul Mc Cartney''s 'RAM' album up to date. 'San Fernando Blast', of which we had a first glimpse with the EP 'San Fernando Blitz' contains 14 songs in the pure tradition of a timeless pop and scrolls through songs all as endearing as each other in short formats between 2 and 3 minutes. We find the carefree atmosphere of the 60's with songs that the Beatles would not have disowned and with melodic lines that immediately get into our heads like 'Pay It Any Mind', 'Heart In Your Hands', 'Melody Anne' or 'Facing The End Of The World'. In short, we have a very good time listening to 'Sans Fernando Blast' which takes us back for a moment to the period when pop and rock took off with bands that became legendary...

Line Up / Musicians

Sandy McKnight, Fernando Perdomo


Artist : Dream Ocean

Album : The Missing Stone

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 29-10-2021

The Turks of 'Dream Ocean' with a promising debut album, 'Lost Love Symphony' in 2018, have released a new album in late September 2021. Led by vocalist 'Başak Ylva' and multi-instrumentalist 'Sebastian Heuckmann', they offer 11 compositions for a short hour of listening with a long development that exceeds 10 minutes in a rather classic symphonic metal taking us back to the beginning of this style in the late 90s.

After the short symphonic instrumental introduction 'Nightmare', which is appropriate in this style of music, 'Dark Miracles' introduces the metal part with a first catchy track and a first federative chorus that should work well in concert, then, 'Pendulum of Time' brings a pinch of progressive with a longer composition that alternates different atmospheres and is less direct than the others but also shows the talent of this band for more complex tracks. This is followed by effective compositions in a more classical symphonic metal first 'The Great Silence' (see video above), then 'Lucid Air' and its heady chorus and finally the melodic gem 'As I Die' (see video here) which takes us back to the rhythmic and melodic lines of 'Nightwish'. This is followed by 'Eterna Espera' (see video here) which calms the metal ardour with a beautiful, powerful, and epic power ballad, then, 'Daydreamer', covered in Turkish at the end of the album ('Uyan') and introduced by electronic sound effects picks up afterwards for another catchy track with memorable melodic lines. Another ballad break with the short 'Song To The Ocean' with a beautiful vocal performance by 'Başak Ylva' showing all her talent in this more acoustic atmosphere and, without transition, the album ends in beauty with the title track which continues the theme of the previous title and embarks us in a grand symphonic epic, with magnificent orchestral and vocal arrangements alternating different atmospheres, making it the flagship composition of the album and the most intense track. Also worth noting is that the Turks have released a video cover of 'The Phantom of the Opera' with the participation of 'Tommy Johansson' from 'Sabaton'.

In short, the Turks of 'Dream Ocean' confirm all the good we thought of them with their promising first album 'Lost Love Symphony' by offering us this magnificent 'The Missing Stone' which, thanks to the compositions of 'Sebastian Heuckmann' who has this talent to perfectly merge metal and classical and, thanks to the admirable vocal performances of the opera singer 'Başak Ylva', should make all symphonic metal lovers happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Başak Ylva (Vocal), Fred Denuell (Guitar), Sebastian Heuckmann (Bass, Growls), Tim Kirchhoff (Keybords), Patrick Klose (Drums)


Artist : The Watch

Album : The Art of Bleeding

Release Date : 24-09-2021

Added : 30-10-2021

Italians of 'The Watch' already have quite a career behind them as 'The Art of Bleeding' is their 8th studio record (if you don't count 'Twilight' released in 1997 under the band's former name 'The Night Watch'), their first album 'Ghost' dating back to 2001 and their latest, 'Seven' being released in 2017. Led by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist 'Simone Rossetti', they carry on the influences of 'Genesis' from the 70s and 'The Art of Bleeding', released about a month ago is yet another perfect example. This time it's a concept album based on dark or disturbing themes like 'Abendlicht' which tells the story of a man who plans to commit suicide and the tracks were composed by 'Simone Rosetti' to be in line with the stories.

The short 'Intro' welcomes us into a calm atmosphere with 'Simone Rosetti's' soft voice taking us straight back a few decades, the resemblance to 'Peter Gabriel' being striking, and with a deep bass accompaniment accentuating the mysterious side, then, 'Red' (see video above) embarks on a track marked by a sense of urgency with ominous breaths and a scary scream in the middle of the track, with the catchy melodic lines supporting this atmosphere of danger. 'Abendlicht', despite the ominous theme, has a more upbeat rythmic and is completely in the style of 'Genesis', then 'The Fisherman' which was part of the 'Twilight' album, has been re-recorded in a shorter version and is a beautiful composition, more optimistic, that serves as a break between the darker tracks. We continue into the second half of the album with 'Hatred Of Wisdom' and its ominous theme music which is modulated in places by more serene parts, and then, 'Howl The Stars Down' (see the video here) is a cover of 'Steve Hackett' keyboardist, 'Nick Magnus' which was performed by both artists in 2011 (see video here) and which brings a melancholic mood. Introduced by a beautiful piano part, 'Black Is Deep' is an instrumental that features a beautiful guitar solo and an imaginative keyboard section taking us back to the 70's, then, 'Red Is Deep' concludes this beautiful album with a long track that picks up on the starting theme and continues with inventive progressive leaving plenty of room for a long instrumental section in the second half of the track ending in a climax with dazzling keyboards.

In summary, the Italians of 'The Watch' release a quality album that continues to ride the wave of 'Genesis' with refined and imaginative compositions, which destines 'The Art of Bleeding' to an audience that fell into the progressive rock pot in the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Rossetti (Vocal, Keybords, Flute, Mellotron), Giorgio Gabriel (Guitar), Mattia Rossetti (Bass), Valerio De Vittorio (Keybords, Mellotron, Hammond), Marco Fabbri (Drums)


Artist : Yes

Album : The Quest

Release Date : 01-10-2021

Added : 31-10-2021

A new 'Yes' album is always an event in the progressive world and, although the last representative 'Chris Squire' of the original line-up left us in 2015 and was replaced by 'Billy Sherwood', there are still the indestructible 'Steve Howe' on guitar and 'Alan White' on drums who had joined the band in 1970 and 1972 respectively but it is really 'Geoff Downes' ('Downes Braide Association') who is now calling the shots in the 'Yessian' boat. So, some will say that 'Yes' is not what it used to be, but let's not sulk in our pleasure, because we now have in hand a new album from this legendary band that continues to perpetuate a progressive rock recognizable among a thousand, 'John Davison' getting closer to the tessitura of the legendary 'Jon Anderson', 'Steve Howe' and 'Billy Cherwood' joining him on some tracks for beautiful vocal harmonies. So, with a magnificent cover of 'Roger Dean' reminding us of many others, is this new version offered to us by 'Geoff Downes' up to what we expect from a 'Yes' album?
For my part, from the first notes of 'The Ice Bridge' (see video above), 'Geoff Downes' brings back unforgettable memories in my memory but, curiously not of 'Yes' but of 'ELP' with keyboards from 'Fanfare for the Common Man' but very quickly, other memories closer to 'Yes' are revived and this first track is a wonderful trip in well-known sounds that make me smile with pleasure. It's off to a good start and 'Dare to Know' (see video here), although further away from the style of 'Yes' offers us a very nice progressive track in which the vocal work of 'Jon Davison' and guitar work of 'Steve Howe' is a pure delight. Minus The Man' follows in a more peaceful atmosphere, 'Geoff Downes' bringing orchestral arrangements accentuating the delicate and poetic side, then, with the 8 minutes of 'Leave Well Alone', we come back to more sought-after progressive music which mixes different atmospheres with frequent changes of tempo, and which has a very beautiful instrumental part in the second part of the track. The beautiful vocal harmonies revive our memories of 'Yes' in 'The Western Edge' which continues in a gentle atmosphere that is now the trademark of 'Geoff Downes', then, 'Future Memories' (see video here), is a very nice, sparse acoustic track and, as for 'Music to My Ears', the duo 'Davison'/'Howe' take us on a gentle melancholic ballad. With 'A Living Island', the more progressive structure with changes of musical themes brings some variety while keeping a peaceful harmony, the finale bringing a heady melody, then, the last three tracks present on a second CD finish this beautiful album in a soft atmosphere with beautiful vocal harmonies and memorable melodic lines bringing us back to light pop from the 60s/70s.

In summary, this last album of 'Yes', whose style is now marked by the paw of 'Geoff Downes', shows a face certainly calmer and less progressive than the compositions of the beginning of 'Yes' but continues to perpetuate these original atmospheres thanks to vocal harmonies and familiar arrangements what makes 'The Quest' an album which, even if it will certainly not make the unanimity among the historical fans of 'Yes', is to be tasted quietly with the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Howe (Vocal, Guitar), Jon Davison (Guitar, Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Billy Sherwood (Bass, Vocal), Alan White (Drums) + Guests : Jay Schellenbaum (Percussions)


Artist : Kristoffer Gildenlöw

Album : Let Me Be a Ghost

Release Date : 03-09-2021

Added : 01-11-2021

He had gratified us with a very beautiful album in April 2020 with 'Homebound' and 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' continues his way with a new studio recording, 'Let Me Be a Ghost', released in early September 2021 in which we find all the emotional strength that we already knew from the Dutchman who once again offers us compositions to be savoured quietly by embarking on an intense musical journey.

The eponymous song, which is composed of 3 parts, begins the album in a refined atmosphere, with a slight crescendo that falls to rise again in final taking, then, 'The Wind' is a beautiful melancholic ballad that gradually grows with a beautiful piano accompaniment and a beautiful duet of Kristoffer with his daughter Ronja. In the same gentle manner, 'Blame It All on Me' unfolds an endearing melody in a three-beat waltz tempo over which Kristoffer lays down a deep voice with intense emotional power, then, 'Falling, Floating, Sinking' (see video above) continues with a sparse first part that brings out poignant vocals and has a powerful finale in the same slow, oppressive tempo and, as for 'Fleeting Thought' (see video here) which follows, it gives a strange feeling of floating in the air in a nonchalant atmosphere with a beautiful 'Gilmourian' guitar solo. With 'Fade Away', the journey continues with a ballad whose beautiful melody in the form of a refrain never leaves you, then, 'Don't' is a soft acoustic piano/vocal that takes us to Spain with a beautiful final crescendo. Next is 'Lean on Me', still very spare, a vocally strong song with 'Erna auf der Haar' forming a beautiful duet with Kristoffer and the second half of 'Let Me Be a Ghost', entirely instrumental, is a remarkable composition combining light piano with a heavy atmospheric mood. We then embark on the lullaby 'Still Enough' which, accompanied by a music box, lulls us calmly to the sound of a moving melody in the atmosphere of a merry-go-round that spins indefinitely and in which we feel warm and cozy. Where I Ought to Be', after another serene and restful introduction, then offers a lighter face with a crescendo in a western atmosphere, then, the third part of the title track is cut in three with a very quiet first section, a second crescendo rising for an intense minute and a finale returning to the softness of the beginning. And it is again with a remarkable stripped back song, 'Look at Me Now' that the album ends, much as 'Roger Waters' did with 'Ouside The Wall' in the finale of 'The Wall'.

In short, it's still a very emotional album that 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' offers us with 'Let Me Be a Ghost', which takes us on a very beautiful and intense journey that can be savoured quietly with headphones on and from which we come out completely relaxed, having completely forgotten all our daily problems...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Vocal, Tous les instruments), + Guests : Joris Lindner (Batteire, Hammond), Dirk Bruinenberg (Drums), Erna auf der Haar (Vocal), Ronja Gildenlöw (Vocal), Marcel Singor (Guitar)


Artist : Eclipse

Album : Wired

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 02-11-2021

2021 will certainly be another excellent year in melodic rock and hard-rock as I had presented you with the playlist in June 2021 of the melodic rock/hard-rock albums of the 1st half of 2021 and the second half of the year continues to delight us in this style of music with, among other things, releases of melodic bombs from bands such as 'Social Disorder', 'Hardline', 'Rian', 'Nitrate' or even 'Vega'. To this long list, we must now add the Swedes of 'Eclipse' who, after the live 'Viva La Victouria (Live)' from early 2021, are releasing a new album 'Wired', their last studio album 'Paradigm' from 2019. No need for a long review, it's another great achievement from 'Erik Mårtensson's' band with 11 compositions that could all be the subject of a single. After 40 minutes of listening, you just want to press the play button again to take a second dose (why not a third one, and we're quite sure that this one is harmless!). Note that in addition to the 'Saturday Night (Hallelujah)' video above, 'Frontiers' has two more on their site with 'Bite The Bullet' and 'Twilight'. In short, the Swedes of Eclipse' continue to spoil us, release after release, with good energetic hard-melodic music that puts you in good shape for a whole day and in these times, that's priceless...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Mårtensson (Vocal), Magnus Henriksson (Guitar), Victor Crusner (Bass), Philip Crusner (Drums)


Artist : Cyril Mokaiesh

Album : Dyade

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 03-11-2021

His album 'Clôture' had been a pleasant surprise in 2017 and 2020 saw the release of his 5th studio recording 'Paris-Beirut' in which he took us on a beautiful journey between East and West. It was only a year later that 'Cyril Mokaiesh' who, like many artists, took advantage of the health crisis to release a new opus, 'Dyade', which is, as its name suggests, a collection of duets that he concocted with various French artists such as 'Calogero', 'Elodie Frégé', 'Dominique A', 'Mélanie Doutey' or his sister 'Laura Mokaiesh'. We find this wordsmith who takes us on a review of this world that has been so hectic over the past year, starting with the song 'Après le déluge' (see video above), which makes a harsh observation of the government's contradictory actions, to say the least, and in which he shares the microphone with 'Alma Forrer', followed by 'La rosée' (see video here) with 'Calogero', which is an image of a magic elixir that would come and get us out of all our ills, But also, he offers us compositions based simply on daily life with for example these memories of holidays in 'Honfleur' that he shares with his sister or this 'simple' observation in 'Pas simple'…to make simple (see video here) or the relations between men and women in 'La fin du bal' or in 'Les grands soirs', the album ending in a beautiful melancholy with 'Un jour' in a magnificent duet with 'Raphaèle Lannadère'. In short, 'Dyade' is a very beautiful album of friendship between artists with 11 very beautiful duets that can be savoured calmly and that show that the period lived through does not only have negative effects and that music remains a magnificent means of expression to evacuate all the worries of this difficult period...

Line Up / Musicians

Cyril Mokaiesh (Vocal, Guitar), Jan Phan Huu Tri (Guitar), Éric Langlois (Drums), Valentin Montu (Guitar, Bass), Cyril Nobillet (Piano) + Guests : Giovanni Mirabassi (Piano), Alma Forrer (Vocal), Calogero (Vocal), Elodie Frégé (Vocal), Laura Mokaiesh (Vocal), Keren Ann (Vocal), Dominique A (Vocal), Clara Ysé (Vocal), Mélanie Doutey (Vocal), Pierre Guénard (Vocal), Lorent Marchet (Vocal), Raphaèle Lannadère (Vocal)


Artist : Station

Album : Perspective

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 04-11-2021

The Americans of 'Station' continue the releases quite regularly because after, 'More Than The Moon' in 2018 and 'Stained Glass' that I had put in my playlist of melodic rock albums of 2019, here is their new baby 'Perspective' released at the beginning of October 2021. We find what we knew on the last two albums, a flamboyant AOR divided between energetic and catchy tracks and others more measured : In the first category, we find compositions like 'I Can't Find My Way' which opens the album in a beautiful way (see video above), 'See the Light' or 'Believe' (see video here) and in the second category, they also offer us some very beautiful mid-tempo songs, They also offer us some very nice mid-tempo songs such as 'Do You Really Want to Fall in Love Again' which would certainly have been a hit in the 80's or 'You Found Yesterday' in the style of 'Foreigner' or 'Tonight', between ballad and mid-tempo, or 'Don't Keep Me Waiting' which ends the album with a memorable last melody. And when the tempo is even more moderate, we are won over by melancholic ballads like 'If You Want Love', classic but so effective, or 'Spanish Steps' and its touching atmosphere or the magnificent acoustic 'All Over Again'. In short, the Americans of 'Station' release an album very well balanced between energy and softness with beautiful melodies that we immediately adopt, which should please an audience in love with an AOR that takes us back to the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Patrick Kearney (Vocal), Chris Lane (Guitar), Emi Asta (Bass), Tony Baptist (Drums)


Artist : Teramaze

Album : And the Beauty They Perceive

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 05-11-2021

I introduced you only a few months ago to the Australians of 'Teramaze' with the album 'Sorella Minore' and its little brother didn't even take the time of a 9-month gestation since, as they used to say a few decades ago, 'And the Beauty They Perceive' is now in the bins of your best record stores which shows that the various periods of confinement continue to offer us releases in shambles at this end of the year 2021 (hard to keep track of everything! !). With this new baby of the Australians, it is not a concept album but a set of 9 songs that go from 4 minutes to more than 11 minutes for the longest for a big hour of listening that passes very quickly because it is not because they make in the quantity that the quality is less.

The eponymous title of the album (see video above) welcomes us with energy and shows all the writing talent in very accessible progressive and a first chorus that runs through your head and with a remarkable instrumental aside in the second part, then, 'Jackie Seth' (see video here) is refreshing and more 80s oriented with good melodic rock that approaches the binary rhythm of disco, and 'Untide' (see video here) is the album's first big moment with catchy melody lines that you wish would never end and an addictive rhythmic pattern, with 'Dean Wells' singing a pure delight throughout. After this very successful opener, we're taken on board the lengthy development 'Modern Living Space' (see video here) which combines inventive progressive with accessible melodic lines and leaves plenty of room for original instrumental parts marked by changes in intensity, with 'Dean Wells' gracing us with beautiful guitar solos, then, 'Blood of Fools' continues in this vein with new memorable melodic lines, the rhythmic guitar riffs bringing in the metal side and the vocals of 'Dean Wells' softening the whole. We move away from the progressive with the beautiful melancholic ballad 'Waves' which allows a welcome break before returning to an energetic track with 'Son Rise' which develops an increasingly fast rhythm section, then 'Search for the Unimaginable', after a muscular introduction, unfolds a new memorable melody with beautiful alternations of intensity. And to finish in beauty, 'Head of the King' is a remarkable progressive fresco in several drawers which requires to linger to draw all the richness of it.

In summary, the Australians of 'Teramaze' gratify us with a remarkable album that combines an inventive progressive metal with catchy melodic lines which destines 'And the Beauty They Perceive' to a rather large progressive audience because, apart from a few compositions, the whole remains very accessible from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Wells (Vocal, Guitar), Christopher Zoupa (Guitar), Andrew Cameron (Bass), Nick Ross (Drums)


Artist : The Paradox Twin

Album : Silence from Signals

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 06-11-2021

After a promising debut album 'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' in 2018, England's 'The Paradox Twin' release a new studio record 'Silence from Signals' which is a dark story telling the lives of a twin girl and boy, the boy with neurological disorders trying to figure out as he grows up why he is different but is abused by his father and ends up drowning. The band has seen the arrival of a new singer, 'Nicole Johnson', who now shares the mic with 'Danny Sorrell' and 'Grahan Brown' has replaced 'Rob McGregor' on drums. Musically, 'Silence from Signals' follows on from 'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' which embarks us on atmospheric progressive that could be a subtle mix between 'Anathema' and the first period of 'Blackfield'.

After the instrumental introduction 'Paradigm' in a slight crescendo and in a hypnotic 'Floydian' atmosphere, 'Wake Vortex' (see video above) is a beautiful melancholic composition that is filled with a beautiful emotional strength and features a beautiful vocal duet between 'Danny Sorell' and 'Nicole Johnson', then, 'Sea of Tranquility' (see video here) continues in this atmosphere and offers us a soft and relaxing ballad. This is followed by the long development 'I Am Me, I Am Free' which is very much in the Anathema style with a magnificent contrast between a strong rhythmic and the languid vocals of 'Danny Sorell' which give off a beautiful intensity accentuated by reverb, then 'Prism Descent', after an intense introduction in the form of a lament in which the emotion is at its peak, takes on a greater dimension with a new remarkable vocal performance by 'Danny Sorell' who transmits all the suffering of a father. We continue our journey with 'Haptic Feedback', a progressive track alternating different intensities and rhythms in an atmosphere that is always very strong emotionally and in which we abandon ourselves completely to the rhythm of hypnotic melodic lines, then, 'Specular' is the second long development that begins calmly in acoustic and then unfolds an intense rhythmic sequence with two sections, the first sung and the second instrumental, until it breaks up to end in a soothing atmosphere sublimated by the beautiful singing of 'Nicole Johnson'. And to conclude this sad story, 'Perfect Circles' unfolds a touching melody in which we are caught by the magnificent vocal duet between Danny and Nicole of an intense dramatic force triggering repeatedly that characteristic shiver of immense emotion.

In summary, 'Danny Sorrell', with his band 'The Taradox Twin', releases an admirable album of immense emotional strength, the ambiences released by the compositions and interpretations being always in phase with the painful story and, musically, 'Silence from Signals' should appeal to a progressive audience loving the atmospheric style...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Sorrell (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Diane Fox (Bass), Nicole Johnson (Vocal), Leland Freeman (Guitar), Graham Brown (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Wayward Sons

Album : Even up The Score

Release Date : 10-08-2021

Added : 07-11-2021

Line Up / Musicians

Toby Jepson (Vocal, Guitar), Sam Wood (Guitar), Nic Wastell (Bass), Philip Martini (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Eternal Silence

Album : Timegate Anathema

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 08-11-2021

Italians of 'Eternal Silence', after their last LP 'Mastermind Tyranny' released in 2017, add a third album to their credit with 'Timegate Anathema'. Fans of classical symphonic metal with female singers who like the fusion of metal with classical components, this latest opus from 'Eternal Silence' fits completely into this style and this from the start with 'The Way of Time' which is a direct and efficient composition in which 'Marika Vanni' shows a beautiful vocal ease and whose construction brings original changes of tempos and a beautiful instrumental break in the second part of the track, Then 'Edge of the Dream' continues in this register with orchestral accompaniments that fit perfectly into this mid-tempo with an energetic rhythm. This is followed by equally effective compositions such as the original 'Ancient Spirit' with its magnificent break in the middle of the track which should make people happy in concert, or wuth 'Heart of Lead' which starts as a ballad and then expands into a new effective track, or with the catchy 'Glide in the Air' and its chorus to make the audience jump, or with the energetic 'Rain' and 'My Soul Sad Until Death', the latter with a memorable chorus, without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Lonely' with a harpsichord accompaniment and the soft acoustic 'Firefly'. To finish in beauty, 'Red Death Masquerade' offers us a condensed energy of magnificent symphonic metal with beautiful choirs and a final chorus that, once the last note has been passed, remains in our heads for a long time. To sum up, the Italians of 'Eternal Silence' offer us a new quality opus with compositions that are a pleasure to listen to and which have all remarkable interpretations and, 'Timegate Anathema' should please all the fans of symphonic metal with catchy melodic lines and immediate accessibility...

Line Up / Musicians

Marika Vanni (Vocal), Enzo Criscuolo (Guitar), Alberto Cassina (Guitars), Alessio Sessa (Bass), Andrea Zannin (Drums)


Artist : Gus G.

Album : Quantum Leap

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 09-11-2021

The Greek 'Gus G.' ('Kostas Karamitroudis' by name) who is a well-known guitarist in the heavy metal world as he is the guitarist of 'Ozzy Osbourne' and the frontman of the band 'Firewind' has also released solo albums and, after 'Fearless' in which 'Dennis Ward' occupied the double role of singer and bassist, it's again the same trio that this time offers us an entirely instrumental album highlighting, of course, the Greek's talent as a guitarist and, to the first CD of original compositions, is added a second CD of a live album recorded in Budapest at the end of 2018. The instrumental part is composed of 11 tracks with, for the most part, energetic and fast atmospheres showing all the guitaristic velocity of 'Gug G.' like the beginning of the album with 'Into The Unknown' (see video above), or 'Exosphere' (see video here) or the album's self-titled track, or 'Fierce' (see video here). But, for my part, it's in the less technical parts that 'Gus G.' shows off his talent for conveying emotions the most and we can mention remarkable slower and quieter tracks like the magnificent ballads 'Enigma of Life' (see video here) and 'Not Forgotten' but also the catchy 'Night Driver' and 'Demon Stomp' and the last track 'Force Majeure' as a duet with 'Vinnie Moore', which even if the technique is there, offer us magnificent interpretations full of feeling. As for the second CD, if you're lacking in vocals, it allows you to hear tracks from the latest album 'Fearless' with notably the muscular cover of 'Money For Nothing' by 'Dire Straits' and the cover of 'Cold Sweat' by 'Thin Lizzy'. In short, with this latest album by 'Gus G.', one could make the same observation as I did for the latest album 'Parabellum' by 'Yngwie Malmsteen' in which virtuosity takes precedence over the emotion released, but let's not sulk in our pleasure, because, for all the lovers of long guitar solos, we are spoiled with 'Quantum Leap', which puts forward one of the most talented guitarists of his generation...

Line Up / Musicians

Gus G. (Guitar), Dennis Ward (Bass), Vincent Velazco (Drums)


Artist : Neil Young

Album : Carnegie Hall 1970 (Live)

Release Date : 01-10-2021

Added : 10-11-2021

I told you about issues of the 'Neil Young' archives with the release in early 2021 of 'Way Down In The Rust Bucket (Live)' with the 'Crazy Horse' and 'Neil Young' continues to offer us concert albums and this one is part of Neil's mythical concerts at the 'Carnegie Hall' in 1970 after the release of 'After the Gold Rush'. This finds the solo artist filling 'Carnegie Hall' with his 25-year-old voice with songs well known to fans starting with a good portion of 'After the Gold Rush' and 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere' but also with the hits of the time with 'The Loner', 'Helpless', 'Ohio', 'Sugar Mountain' or even 'On the Way Home' and with songs borrowed from his first band 'Buffalo Springfield'. And listening to all these legendary tracks, one almost forgets that they were recorded in 1970 so remarkable is the sound quality and the atmosphere of the live performance of the time is admirable, taking us back a few decades as if we were there. In short, after the electric side of 'Crazy Horse', here is a real live jewel that 'Neil Young' offers us with his guitar, his piano and his harmonica as accompaniment: a pure delight to be savoured quietly in the warmth during the long winter evenings...

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Harmonica)


Artist : Jeff Scott Soto

Album : The Duets Collection, Vol. 1

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 11-11-2021

After a busy year with the release of his solo album 'Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)', his participation in the 'Spektra' project and the release of the 'W.E.T. ', 'Jeff Scott Soto' also managed to record an album of duets using compositions from his various projects and, given that his address book is as long as a day without bread, he surrounded himself with the top names in hard-rock vocals as we find prestigious names like 'Deen Castronovo', 'Erik Mårtensson', 'Johnny Gioeli', 'Eric Martin', 'Nathan James', 'Renan Zonta' or even 'Russell Allen'. With this fine line-up and surrounded by the talented musicians he is used to working with, we runs through his repertoire whether it be with the 'Tamisman' periods ('Mysterious' - video above, 'I'll Be Waiting' and 'Colour My XTC'), 'Yngwie Malmsteen' ('Don’t Let It End'), 'Eyes' ('Callin' All Girls'), 'Axel Rudy Pell' ('Warrior'), 'Soul Sirkus' ('Coming Home') or with his solo career ('Holding On') and everything has been put together to have a wonderful time listening to all these well-chosen tracks that take us, for example, from a muscular 'Warrior' to the beautiful ballad 'Holding On'. In short, 'The Duets Collection, Vol. 1' is a great hard-rock album that will get you fired up and we are looking forward to volume 2 which should logically follow...

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Howie Simon (Guitar), Jorge Salan (Guitar), Leo Mancini (Guitar), Tony Dickinson (Bass), Edu Cominato (Drums) + Guests : Alirio Netto (Vocal), BJ (Vocal), Deen Castronovo (Vocal), Dino Jelusick (Vocal), Eric Martin (Vocal), Erik Mårtensson (Vocal), Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Mats Levén (Vocal), Nathan James (Vocal), Renan Zonta (Vocal), Russell Allen (Vocal)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Eclipsed

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 12-11-2021

Brazilians 'Fleesh', after their debut album 'Across The Sea' which had been one of my 2019 favourites, then spoiled us with the releases of beautiful covers, including the two compilations 'Version I' and 'Version II', then, the two tributes devoted to 'Renaissance' and 'Genesis', not to mention the 'Live at Carioca Progfestival'. With 'Eclipsed', 2021 sees the birth of the little brother of 'Across The Sea' and shows that, if the duo has an immense talent to cover other artists' compositions, they also have, at least, the same talent to offer us original albums of their own production.
.
And right off the bat, we're taken on board in 'Stuck' (see video above), showing all the songwriting skills of 'Celo Oliveira' which could make some progressive artists jealous and immediately brings to the fore the sweet harmonious vocals of 'Gabby Vessoni', then, the title track continues in this warm atmosphere with some beautiful instrumental parts. Next is the 'Floydian' 'Pile of Bone' (see video here) which is a beautiful ballad with a 'Gilmourian' guitar solo in which 'Gabby Vessoni' has nothing to envy to the guitarist of 'Pink-Floyd', then we continue our progressive journey with melodic gems, each of which deserves to be detailed. And to make a long story short, I'll mention my favourite tracks with the quietest compositions that bring out the emotional intensity even more: 'All My Sins' and its magnificent final crescendo featuring another masterful guitar solo and a moving vocal section, the ballad ''till the Morning Comes' which takes the emotional slider up another notch or the other ballad 'Not Alone' which is on the same level as the previous one, without forgetting the last track 'Epilogue' which ends the album with a memorable last melody.

To sum up, our Brazilian duo enchants us once again with this new album by offering us melodic progressive bringing us back to the great artists of this style starting with 'Pink Floyd' but we could quote other formations that I appreciate just as much as 'Mystery' or 'Mostly Autumn', 'Gabby Vessoni' coming close to the intense performances of Olivia Sparnenn...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Last Days Of Eden

Album : Butterflies

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 13-11-2021

You like 'Nightwish' in the period of the catchy tracks of 'Imaginaerum' in which the Finns mixed symphonic metal and catchy Celtic folk and you don't know 'Last Days Of Eden' : then, here is the latest baby 'Butterflies' from the Spanish, still led by their singer 'Ani M. Fojaco' that should very quickly be part of your disco and turn on loop. This new opus is their 3rd studio recording and follows 'Chrysalis' and 'Symphonic Chrysalis' in which they recorded 'Chrysalis' in a classical version with a symphony orchestra.

Just enough time for a short introduction that is symphonic metal with already grandiose choirs that 'Abracabra' bursts in with its 'Nightwish' rhythmic, its phenomenal firepower and its heady refrain to be sung by a whole audience in concert, then the mid-tempo 'The Garden' (see video above) follows suit with a new melody that doesn't leave you. Without a break, the song continues with 'Silence', which gives you a good dose of metal folk, accentuated by the violin of 'Sara Ember', and then 'Mirror Mirror' continues the festive and catchy metal with admirable choirs and a rhythm that makes you want to headbang. The short instrumental break 'Moments' is welcome with a romantic piano that quickly gives way again to the power of 'The Secret' (see video here) with new folk metal sounds, then the second part of the album continues to offer us beautiful melodies : witness the beautiful semi-acoustic folk ballad with a very nice vocal duet by Ani M. Fojaco' with guitarist 'Dani G., Then, 'To Hell & Back' returns to a melodic symphonic metal under the impulse of a new duet, this time the beautiful Spaniard sharing the microphone with the singer of 'Serenity', 'Georg Neuhauser' and the catchy 'Traxel Mör' with Irish sounds brought by the flute follows in a joyful folk farandole. Equally addictive is the mid-tempo, rhythmically marked 'Save the World' (see video here) and the epic 'Abandon' with beautiful choirs bring a nice diversity to the whole and the album ends with 'The Journey', a song in the vein of 'Nightwish' with a heady melody that makes it a composition made for the end of a concert to make the whole audience dance and sing along, and finally, 'Falling Angels', which offers us a symphonic-folk fresco that sums up the style of the Spaniards very well.

In summary, this new album of 'Last Days Of Eden' is still a great success by embarking us in effective compositions that mix symphonic and folk and, even if the shadow of 'Nightwish' hovers over our septet, 'Butterflies' should make happy all those who love a symphonic metal cheerful and catchy...

Line Up / Musicians

Ani M. Fojaco (Vocal), Dani G. (Guitar), Javi Gonzáles (Bass), Sara Ember (Violin), Andrea Joglar (Bagpipe), Leo Duarte (Drums)+ invités : Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Henning Bass (Vocal), Vassilios Maniatopoulos (Vocal), Ioannis Maniatopoulos (Bouzouki)


Artist : Lords Of Black

Album : Alchemy Of Souls, Pt. II

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 14-11-2021

After 'Icons of the New Days' in 2018, the Spaniards of 'Lords Of Black' released in 2020 'Alchemy Of Souls, Pt.I' which was the first part of a heavy metal saga very well received by the specialized press. It took only one year for the sequel to be released and, the least we can say, this sequel has nothing to envy to its little brother. We find powerful and melodic compositions with 'Ronnie Romero' at the top of his art and 'Tony Hernando' who throws us majestic guitar solos.

The short instrumental intro 'Prelude' serves as a launching pad for 'Maker Of Nothingness', typical of the Spaniards' energetic heavy metal with catchy melodic lines, as do 'What's Become of Us' (see video above) and 'Bound to You' (see video here) which follow, the latter having a headbanging rhythmic beat. The power ballad break comes early with 'Before That Time Can Come' (see the video here), which can be described as classic but so effective, then it's back to powerful and melodic compositions with 'Mind Killer' and 'Death Dealers', followed by 'Prayers Turned To Whispers', which, after a more subdued introduction with electro sounds, then shows a much heavier face. With 'In a Different Light', the alternating intensities bring some variety to the whole, then, 'How Long Do I Have Now' returns to classic heavy metal but presents a nice break in the second part of the track, the original tracks ending with the energetic 'Fated To Be Destroyed' and 'No Hero Is Homeless'. Of note is a nice, muscular cover of 'Uriah Heep', 'Sympathy', from the legendary album 'Firefly' which is one of my vinyl albums that I've worn out to the bone.

In summary, no surprise for this last baby of 'Lords Of Black' who offer us what they have always done best, good metal full of energy with a singer who does not do things by halves and a talented guitarist whose riffs are devastating, which destines the second chapter of 'Alchemy Of Souls', just like the first one, to all lovers of melodic heavy metal because the compositions are all catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Tony Hernando (Guitar), Dani Criado (Bass), Jo Nunez (Drums)


Artist : Lilly Hiatt

Album : Lately

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 15-11-2021

'Lilly Hiatt' is one of those authentic artists who perpetuate the American song mixing country, pop, rock and folk and who regularly releases albums because, after 'Trinity Lane' in 2017 and 'Walking Proof' in 2020, it's the turn of 'Lately' to see the light of day at the end of 2021. She continues to share her life experiences by telling us of course about the year 2020 and all the pain it has caused, writing new songs remaining the best way for her to express herself. So, we find the moving style we knew on the last two opuses with short songs that remind me more and more of 'Fleetwood Mac', her singing, full of sweetness, approaching that of 'Stevie Nicks' and the rhythms often being close to those of the English. Of the 10 compositions on 'Lately', three have been the subject of fine videos with 'Brightest Star', 'Lately' and 'Been'. In short, there's no need to go overboard, with this latest album 'Lately', 'Lilly Hiatt' once again embarks us into her universe by offering us little interludes of life, sometimes touching, sometimes hurt, sometimes light, and, musically, 'Lately' is an album intended for an audience adept at a patchwork of styles between pop, folk and country...

Line Up / Musicians

Lilly Hiatt (Vocal, Guitar), Mike LoPinto (Guitar), Robert Hudson (Bass), Kate Haldrup (Drums), Micah Hulscher (Keybords), Steve Hinson (Steel Pedal) + Guests : Coley Hinson (Guitar)


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : A View From The Top Of The World

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 16-11-2021

After 'Distance Over Time' from 2019 and the series of concerts released in 2020 and 2021 (see below), 'Dream Theater' fans were eagerly awaiting the new album 'A View From The Top Of The World'. And, as with every release, we try to compare with the previous albums and, in the end, we realize that they are incomparable because they all bring their own personality and this latest opus is still the proof, the only constant being that the qualifier of progressive is still in place and embarks us on a new rich and dense journey (70 minutes all the same) which, as with any good album of this style requires repeated listenings to get all the substance.

And to begin with, 'The Alien' (see video above) welcomes us with a first long development, in multi-layers, which puts forward all the know-how of 'Dream Theater': the introduction with the heavy and powerful riffing typical in progressive metal is transformed after one minute, in a total fluidity, into a memorable melody and the title continues with new melodic and rhythmic disgressions which are all remarkable, the listener that I am remaining scotched throughout the 9 minutes during which there is always something happening. This is followed by 'Answering The Call' which is another condensed piece of inventive progressive metal which, between the melodic vocal parts, leaves a nice space for instrumental parts in which 'John Petrucci' and 'Jordan Rudess' delight our ears with remarkable accompaniments. With the magnificent mid-tempo 'Invisible Monster' (see the video here), more direct, the Americans offer us metal with new addictive melodic lines and in the second part of the track, a sparse break in crescendo leading to a magical solo by Mr. 'John Petrucci'. We continue our journey with the 10-minute 'Sleeping Giant', another remarkable piece of the album, which presents a patchwork of different moods, even sketching a Latin rhythm around the 7-minute mark which is followed by two keyboard and guitar solos and ends in epic fashion with a memorable new melody that may remind one of some of the tracks on 'The Astonishing'. With 'Transcending Time', the atmosphere is more measured and even leans towards progressive rock taking us back to the carefree 80's, then, we return to pure 'Dream Theater' with 'Awaken the Master' (see the video here), which is much more elaborate in construction and puts side by side quite different soundscapes taking us to more murky lands. But the highlight of the album is undoubtedly the 20 minutes of the eponymous track that embarks us in a saga of inventive progressive with a quiet central part endowed with an addictive melody and a 'Floydian' guitar solo surrounded by two much more energetic parts highlighting all the creativity of the American combo and which offers a magnificent epic and grandiose finale.
.
In summary, with this latest album 'A View From The Top Of The World', 'Dream Theater' offers us once again rich and dense compositions that alternate all sorts of atmospheres that we discover little by little as we listen to it over and over again. 'A View From The Top Of The World' is yet another album that should join the ideal record library of any fan of progressive music in general, all styles included...

Live from 'Dream Theater' released in 2020 and 2021
'Distant Memories - Live in London' (chronique myprogmusic ici)
'Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Images and Words – Live in Japan, 2017 (chronique myprogmusic ici)
'Lost Not Forgotten Archives : A Dramatic Tour of Events - Select Board Mixes'
'Lost Not Forgotten Archives : Train of Thought Instrumental Demos (2003)'
'Lost not forgotten archives: Master of puppets - Live in Barcelona 2002'

Line Up / Musicians

James Labrie (Vocal), John Petrucci (Guitar), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), John Myung (Bass), Mike Mangini (Drums)


Artist : The Pineapple Thief

Album : Nothing But The Truth

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 17-11-2021

Following the 'Versions of the Truth' album released in the midst of the pandemic in September 2020, the Englishmen of 'The Pineapple Thief', frustrated at not being able to defend it live, recorded a live session in the studio with no audience entitled 'Nothing But The Truth'. 'Bruce Sord' had already used the internet in the course of 2020 to stream 4 successive sessions live for fans which culminated in the release of 4 CDs 'The Soord Sessions Volumes 1-4' in December 2020 and excerpts of which can be seen on youtube with for example 'Demons'. As far as 'Nothing But The Truth' is concerned, it is indeed the whole band that participates and the set list includes compositions from their extensive discography with, of course, a good place for the latest opuses, and the interpretations quite close to the studio recordings allow to go through a kind of best of of the English who distill their refined progressive rock with harmonious melodic lines in overall calm and soothing atmospheres. Icing on the cake, the English have put the package on the recording which is of an irreproachable quality with the blu-ray that they offer in DTS-HD 5.1 version and in high-definition stereo. The video has also been particularly well looked after and three videos can be viewed on youtube with 'Someone Pull Me Out' (see video above), 'Our Mire' (see video here) and 'Wretched Soul' (see video here). In short, if you are a fan of the Englishmen of 'The Pineapple Thief' but also if you are a lover of neat progressive music filled with a remarkable sensitivity, 'Nothing But The Truth' should undoubtedly be added to your collection of indispensable albums and if you have a quality hifi system, the blu-ray brings an additional dimension and will be able to compensate for the cruel lack of concerts for almost two years now and to transform your living room into a concert hall for a while...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Soord (Vocal, Guitar), Jon Sykes (Bass, Vocal), Steve Kitch (Keybords), Gavin Harrison (Drums)


Artist : Premiata Forneria Marconi

Album : I Dreamed of Electric Sheep

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 18-11-2021

As they did with their last album 'Emotional Tattoos' which relaunched them at the end of 2017, the Italians of 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' ('PFM') are releasing a new album in two versions, one sung in English and the other in Italian : so it's up to you to find the one that suits you more, the Italian language bringing a warmer atmosphere for my part. There are prestigious guests with 'Ian Anderson', 'Steve Hackett' and 'Luca Zabbini' bringing their talent as a flutist, guitarist and keyboardist respectively.
.
On the menu of this new opus, 10 compositions for 40 minutes of listening and it is in a classical atmosphere in the style of 'Sergueï Prokofiev' that we are welcomed with 'Worlds Beyond' ('Mondi Paralleli') but which is quickly transformed into a tumultuous and catchy progressive instrumental in which all the artists bring their stone to the building, The final track is a complete break with the previous one, with a few piano notes serving as an introduction to the next track 'Adrenaline Oasis' ('Umani Alieni'), which begins as a gentle ballad but which takes on more momentum in a catchy second part. Let Go' ('Ombre Amichio') takes us back a few decades with a relaxing track, the heady chorus coming to charm you if you're a fan of Italian melodic lines, then, 'City Life' ('La Grande Corsa') is much more muscular with saturated guitar riffs in a more direct progressive rock. It continues with an alternation between softness and energy with 'If I Have Wings' (see video above) deploying a catchy melody that is sandwiched between two atmospheric sections, then, 'Electric Sheep' ('Pecore Elettriche') changes the mood again to a track with a driving rhythm with an energetic bass line, as does the following track 'Daily Heroes' ('Mr. Non Lo So') which mixes light pop and more muscular rock with some wild melody lines. Without transition, 'Kindred Souls' ('Il Respiro del Tempo') is a very original, catch-all track that fuses Celtic, Indian and 70's progressive influences and sees 'Ian Anderson' adding a folk edge with his familiar flute sounds and 'Steve Hackett' delivering some of his secret guitar sounds. The last two tracks, 'Transhumance' ('Transumanza') and 'Transhumance Jam' ('Transumanza Jam') are instrumentals that show all the know-how of this Italian band to deliver progressive music flirting with a more technical jazz-rock while keeping an entertaining character and which reminds me of the beautiful hours of 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer'.

In summary, the Italians of 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' release a new album very varied which continues to highlight the talant of this formation to deliver us an original progressive with multiple influences and 'I Dreamed of Electric Sheep' should figure prominently in the discotheque of any progressive fan...

Line Up / Musicians

Franz Di Cioccio (Vocal, Drums), Patrick Djivas (Bass, Keybords), Marco Sfogli (Guitar), Lucio Fabbri (Violin, Viola), Alessandro Scaglione (Keybords, Piano), Alberto Bravin (Keybords, Guitar), Alberto Bravin (Choirs), Lucio Fabbri (Choirs), Alessandro Scaglione (Choirs), Marco Sfogli (Choirs) + Guests : Ian Andreson (Flute), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Flavio Premoli (Mini Moog), Luca Zabbini (Hammond, Piano, Mini Moog)


Artist : Sixx:A.M.

Album : HITS

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 19-11-2021

After 'Prayers For The Damned' in 2016 followed by its little brother 'Prayers For The Blessed in the same year and the reissue of the 2007 debut album 'The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack' in 2017 for the 10-year anniversary of the release, the 'Nikki Sixx' band has just released a best of including a second CD with 3 original tracks ('The First 21' see video above, 'Penetrate' and 'Waiting All My Life'), 2 remixed versions of 'Talk to Me' and 'Skin' (see video here) and the cover of 'Life is Beautiful' in acoustic piano/vocal of. For those who missed the previous episodes, the band's must-have compositions can be found again, starting with 'Life is Beautiful' from the first album and the entire 'Sixx:A:M.' discography is well represented, whether it be with the 'Life is Beautiful' album or the 'Life is Beautiful' album: s entire discography is well represented, whether it's with the muscular rock tracks that start the album like 'This Is Gonna Hurt', 'Lies Of The Beautiful People', 'Pray For Me' or 'Rise', but also with more measured compositions with heady melodies like 'Stars', 'Gotta Get It Right' or 'Are You With Me Now', without forgetting the magnificent ballads 'Maybe It's Time', 'Skin', 'Girl With Golden Eyes' and 'Accidents Can Happen'. In short, 'HITS' is a good way for all those who like catchy hard rock to browse through the best of the compositions of the Americans of 'Sixx:A:M:' who have now been around for fifteen years under the trio name 'Nikki Sixx', 'James Michael' and 'Dj Achba'...

Line Up / Musicians

Nikki Sixx (Bass), James Michael (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Dj Ashba (Guitar), Dustin Steinke (Drums)


Artist : Catalyst Crime

Album : Catalyst Crime

Release Date : 21-10-2021

Added : 20-11-2021

Symphonic metal with female vocals has become a busy musical niche as, following in the footsteps of genre tenors like 'Epica', 'Within Temptation' or 'Nightwish' to name just three very well-known bands, many bands have emerged over the past few years and I can't count the number of new combos that have been chronicled since myprogmusic's creation. This is again the case with this international band 'Catalyst Crime' which was created by American singer 'Zoe Marie Federoff' (ex 'Insatia') and by german drummer 'Gerit Lamm' from 'Xandria'.

This self-titled debut album could be an album to be shown in all good symphonic metal schools as it contains all the ingredients of this style with a good dose of metal energy featuring a charismatic singer accompanied from time to time by extreme vocals, instrumental arrangements provided using either symphonic formations or for those who can't afford it, orchestral ensemble programming. And by the way, proof of quality, it was the singer 'Alexander Krull' from 'Leaves' Eyes' who, after meeting the band, decided to produce and record the album. We are thus embarked in 10 tracks of symphonic metal with catchy melodic lines framed by epic instrumentals intro and outro typical of this style and, from 'Projection of My Mind', 'Condemn Me to Chaos' (see video above) and 'Mother Dearest', we are conquered by the energy released in devastating melodic hits. In the same genre, one cannot miss the catchy 'Cognitive Dissonance' (see the video here) or the powerful 'Break Even' or the melodic 'Without Anesthesia' or even the epic 'Not Even Once' with its sampled choirs. And when the softness sets in, the power ballad 'Twice Upon a Time' and the more refined one 'Chasing The Ghost' show the full extent of the vocal talent of 'Zoë Marie Federoff', who in this last track, is reminiscent of 'Simone Simons'.

In summary, this new symphonic metal project 'Catalyst Crime' has all the assets to break into the teeming world of this style and it is likely that the fan base, which is already important, will multiply in the years to come if they continue in this very promising way...

Line Up / Musicians

Zoë Marie Federoff (Vocal), Gerit Lamm (Drums), Chëna Roxx (Guitar), Kaelen Sarakinis (Guitar), Matt Federoff (Bass), Jonah Weingarten (Keybords) + Guests : Jake E (Vocal), Bill Hudson (Guitar), Harri Hytönen (Guitar), Micki Richter (Guitar), Thorsten "Tosso" Bauer (Guitar)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Time Clocks

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 21-11-2021

One year on from the admirable 'Royal Tea', the indefatigable 'Joe Bonamassa' comes out with a new album and, with each release of a new baby from the prolific American singer and guitarist, we're always amazed at the remarkable quality of each track because, not only, is a timeless and all-round artist with an admirable talent of melodist, but he is also an outstanding performer who knows how to surround himself with top-class artists to transcend all his compositions. And if I had to describe 'Time Clocks' succinctly, I would simply say that, if it had been released in the 70s, it would now be a blues/rock anthology record.

After the short instrumental 'Pilgrimage' in which we are already glued to the few guitar notes of Joe, 'Notches' (see the video here) kicks in with its rhythm that reminds us of the best of 'Led Zeppelin' and sounds that remind us of the best of 'Deep Purple', all wrapped up in timeless blues/rock, and then, 'The Heart That Never Waits' (see the video here) is a beautiful classic blues with everything you could possibly want in this kind of track, a completely addictive rhythmic pattern that gets the headbanging machine going, admirable guitar accompaniment (close your eyes during the solo and you'll be completely transported), and backing vocals that echo Joe's vocals beautifully. With the album's eponymous track (see video above), we are at the firmament of a melancholy that sweeps everything along and is filled with an intense emotion that overwhelms you on the final guitar solo to make you cry with happiness, then, change of scene with 'Questions And Answers' that takes us into a kind of exalted tango supported by a marked rhythmic and 'Mind's Eye' still raises the emotional cursor with a magnificent ballad in which we are rocked by a new memorable melody. This is followed by the more rocking 'Curtain Fall', which is a sort of procession accentuated by a percussive rhythmic pattern that may recall the atmosphere of 'Kashmir' from 'Led Zeppelin' (you'll admit, there are worse references!), and then, the more measured 'The Loyal Kind' is a remarkable melodic mid-tempo in the great tradition of 70s rock. And to finish the album, there are still two memorable tracks with, first of all, a catchy 'Hanging On A Loser' which flirts with gospel, the choirs being again remarkable and finally 'Known Unknowns' which offers us a last blues with a good place for two guitar solos filled with an unparalleled feeling, the final being made of a 'real ending' as in any good concert reminding us that 'Joe Bonamassa' is first of all a stage artist.

In summary, no need to draw you a picture, this is still an album to mark with a white stone that should make happy not only among fans of the American but also among all those who love good blues/rock through the ages because the 10 compositions are varied and wide in terms of influences : one of the must-have of the year 2021 that, given the year of quality will be, for me, a contender for the podium...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Steve Mackey (Bass), Lachy Doley (Piano), Bunna Lawrie (Didgeridoo), Bobby Summerfield (Percussions), Anton Fig (Drums, Percussions), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs), Juanita Tippins (Choirs), Prinnie Stevens (Choirs)


Artist : Wild Freedom

Album : Polarize

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 22-11-2021

'Wild Freedom' is a Spanish melodic metal band who released a debut album 'Set the Night In Fire' in 2017 and whose second studio recording 'Polarize' was released in October 2021. The 9 tracks on 'Polarize', to which we can add the 3 singles from 2019 that are not on the album and that I added to the spotify playlist in the link above ('Keep The Fire' - see the video here, 'Trapped In Paradise' and 'We Rule The Night') are relatively varied and mix different styles ranging from rock to metal with melodic lines that are always catchy. On the whole, the ambiences released are energetic and this from the first track 'New Dawn' which offers us a first catchy composition, followed by the heavy mid-tempo 'My Life' sprinkled with some growls, then, the powerful 'Monsters' (see video above) takes over and, in the same style, we can also mention the muscular 'Meteor' (see video here). Other tracks, are closer to a melodic hard-rock : witness 'I Am The Storm' and its memorable refrain, 'What Is Human' and its chorus taking us back to the 80's, 'End of Our Stars' and its original rhythmic alternation between verses and refrains, 'Promise', in a more measured rock style and in which the singer 'Jessie Williams' shares the microphone with 'Cristian Wilde' or the aforementioned singles, all of them proposing catchy melodies. It's also impossible to miss 'Rain' which is a beautiful power ballad with a final acceleration giving off a nice emotion. In short, the Spaniards of 'Wild Freedom' offer us a quality album with varied compositions influenced by different musical currents between rock and metal, which makes 'Polarize' suitable for a relatively large audience, as the whole is very accessible thanks to melodies that are easily appropriated...

Line Up / Musicians

Cristian Wilde (Vocal), Adryen Rock (Guitar), Dave Starblitz (Bass), Chris Carrest (Drums)


Artist : Beast In Black

Album : Dark Connection

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 23-11-2021

Finlands of 'Beast In Black', after 'From Hell with Love' in 2019, are back with a new album 'Dark Connection'. No surprise, it's another dynamite opus with addictive melodic anthems and, as I already mentioned in my previous review, the feeling of hearing 'metalized' 80s melodies is even stronger, especially since the electro sounds are even more present in 'Dark Connection'. And as you never change a winning recipe, 'Anton Kabanen' continues to tell us stories of science fiction, as evidenced by album tracks such as 'Blade Runner' or 'Highway to Mars'. So are you ready to board the 'Dark Connection' space shuttle? Here we go for a succession of haunting songs, starting with 'Blade Runner', which takes everything in its path and whose chorus could well trigger an imminent voice extinction if you try to imitate 'Yannis Papadopoulos', Then the equally frantic compositions follow one after the other with from time to time a more measured rhythm to catch your breath like with 'Highway To Mars' or 'Moonlight Rendezvous' (see video above) and, even with 'One Night In Tokyo' (see the video here) which is a joyful Nipponese electro-melodic-metal pop track, in which you are transported to a 90's nightclub where the DJ would have boosted the speed of the track to better unleash it on the dance floor. And when 'My Dystopia' arrives, even if 'Yannis Papadopoulos' still shows all his vocal power in this ballad, which is aptly called power here, we are happy to have this final break to rest from all the energy deployed before. Note that at the end of the album, the Finns have concocted a nice cover of 'Battle Hymn' from 'Manowar' but also a cover of 'They Don't Care About Us' from 'Michael Jackson' (yes, yes, you read that right !!) which is a bit different (to say the least) from the rest of the album. In short, the Finns of 'Beast In Black' continue to do 'Beast In Black' by offering us a series of muscular hits with catchy melodies and if you went wild and survived the headbanging of the previous albums, you should, without a doubt, also adhere to this new baby 'Dark Connection'...

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Kabanen (Guitar, Choirs), Yannis Papadopoulos (Vocal), Kasperi Heikkinen (Guitar), Máté Molnár (Bass), Atte Palokangas (Drums)


Artist : Danny Bryant

Album : The Rage to Survive

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 24-11-2021

'Danny Bryant' continues to release albums regularly and after the live 'Big' in 2017, and the last two albums 'Revelation' in 2018 and 'Means of Escape' in 2019, 'The Rage to Survive' comes to swell the already long list of studio albums of the Englishman. He continues to offer us good blues/rock with always this authenticity which characterizes him, and when I tell you that, like the last opus, all the compositions were recorded in live conditions, you will have understood that we will be plunged into a bath of intense emotion, the title of the album saying a lot about his vital need to play and sing his music in front of an audience, something that he hasn't been able to do since this planetary craze. So, yes, with the album's eponymous track, he screams his 'rage to survive' and in this intense atmosphere, there are also tracks like 'Trouble with Love' and 'Rescue Me' but also more traditional blues/rock with 'Make Me Pay' and at the end of the record with 'Looking Good' and 'Till the Bottle Runs Dry' in which he leaves a good deal of space for the artists accompanying him. And, in return for this raw energy, he moves us to tears in compositions of extreme emotional intensity starting with the magnificent 'Invisible Me' and, we can also mention the acoustic 'Falling Tears' in which, he and his guitar literally scotch us by giving us goose bumps on several occasions but also the melancholic lament 'Rain Stopped Play' or even 'Westport' which reminds me of the intensity of the interpretation of 'Ian Gillan' 'When a Blind Man Cries' which already dates back to 1972 and whose magnificent guitar finale is 'Gilmourian' and reminiscent of 'Confortably Numb'. In summary, always surrounded by artists with great talent, 'Danny Bryant' releases yet another emotional album that places him in the top tier of blues/rock artists of our time and 'The Rage to Survive' is an album to be added to any ideal blues/rock record library through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bryant (Guitar, Vocal), Dave Raeburn (Drums), Paul Mallatratt (Bass), Stevie Watts (Piano, Hammond), David Maddison (Trumpet, Bugle), Lauren Young (Saxophone)


Artist : This Winter Machine

Album : Kites

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 25-11-2021

'This Winter Machine' frontman 'Al Winter' has not been helped by the events of the last two years because, after 'The Man Who Never Was' in 2017 and 'A Tower of Clocks' in 2018, 'Kites' is his third studio recording which took longer than expected given that it was forced during 2020, after the entire band had left (some having gone on to another adventure create 'Ghost Of The Machine'), to recruit a new team. In this new album of rebirth, he continues to offer us refined progressive with influences from major bands of the 70s/80s and the theme revolves around the twists and turns of life, pictured by a kite being tossed by the wind but still having that point of attachment to the ground serving as our guide.

The short instrumental 'Le Jour D'avant' begins the album in an original piano/guitar duet with some dissonant sounds and, after an injunction to stay inside one's house that describes, in one sentence, the madness that has taken over the authorities on a global level, Part 1 of 'The Storm', deploys an energetic rhythmic first part with a sense of urgency that transforms midway through into an atmospheric 'Floydian' part with a beautiful guitar solo by 'Mark Abrahams' who has joined the legendary band 'Wishbone Ash' in 2017 and reminds me of the Germans from 'Abarax', then, part 2 of 'The Storm', introduced by stream noises, offers us, first, a bucolic guitar/vocal soundscape, with childhood memories of complete freedom from moments outside to enjoy the peace and quiet, then a more powerful instrumental second part with a remarkable new guitar solo. The quiet instrumental interlude 'Limited' which follows, bridges the gap between 'The Storm' and 'Pleasure & Purpose' (see video above) which is one of the album's major compositions in a gripping mood and whose two successive guitar solos in the second half are a pure delight. Still with a soft and tranquil feel, 'This Heart's Alive' continues our beautiful journey with a memorable melody that never leaves us, making it another emotionally charged highlight, then, follows 'Whirpool' which is another instrumental break with, this time, a more energetic atmosphere before the beautiful ballad 'Broken' (see video here) written by former keyboardist 'Mark Numan' which takes us back into a wonderful moment of serenity. With the semi-acoustic 'Sometimes', it's another beautiful moment that awaits us and features the beautiful vocals of 'Peter Jones' from 'Tiger Moth Tales' and 'Camel' who is involved in various other projects, the latest being 'Lee Abraham's' latest studio recording, 'Only Human'. And to end this beautiful album on an optimistic note, the album's eponymous track takes us on a joyous progressive saga in a light and catchy atmosphere with the message of this kite being blown away by the wind with this beautiful last sentence : ‘someday we’ll be kites for the last time'.

In summary, despite a complete overhaul of this formation, this third album of 'The Winter Machine' is still a great success and takes us on a beautiful progressive journey filled with a beautiful sensitivity and catchy melodic lines which destines 'Kites' to all those who love an inventive and accessible progressive in subtle and delicate atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Al Winter (Vocal), Dave Close (Bass, Vocal), Simon D'Vali (Guitar, Vocal), Dom Bennison (Guitar, Vocal), Alan Wilson (Drums) + Guests : Pat Sanders (Keybords), Mark Numan (Keybords), Reuben Jones (Keybords), Peter Jones (Vocal), Mark Abrahams (Guitar), Eric Bouillette (Violin)


Artist : Caravan

Album : It's None of Your Business

Release Date : 08-10-2021

Added : 26-11-2021

For those under 40, 'Caravan' is a band that pioneered the progressive music trend known as the 'Canterburry school' (where they came from) with first 'The Wild Flowers' from 1963 to 1969 and, then, with 'Caravan' from the early 70s and during that decade they released albums regularly until the early 80s and albums became spaced out after that, with the last two 'The Unauthorized Breakfast Item' and 'Paradise Filter' dating from 2003 and 2013 respectively. Of the original band, only 'Pye Hastings' remains ('Geoffrey Richardson' having joined in 1972) and the style that was in the first decade a mix of pop, rock and jazz in moods mixing progressive and psychedelic has evolved into a light and relaxed pop and this latest album, 'It's None of Your Business', released in early October 2021 is further proof of that. Gone are the long-winded titles like 'Nine Feet Underground' from 1971, we're plunged into rather short compositions, and this is right from the start with the refreshing 'Down from London' and its endearing melody, followed by the rhythmic 'Wishing You Were Here' which gets tougher at the end and takes us back a few decades. In the same style, we can mention the danceable 'Ready Or Not' with its vintage sounds, the beautiful acoustic ballad 'Spare a Thought', 'Every Precious Little Thing' which can remind us of the sounds of 'Dire Straits', 'Pye Hastings' which comes close to the vocals of 'Mark Knopfler' or the super classic but very effective 'If I Was to Fly' which flirts with a traditional American folk. Alongside these warm pop atmospheres, two tracks with a more progressive development stand out with the eponymous title of the album and 'I'll Reach out for You' which, even if the melodic lines remain simple, bring in more instrumental passages and bring us back to the 70's style of 'Caravan'.

In summary, even if some will regret that the original style of this legendary band is less present, this latest album of 'Carvan' shows a very endearing face and offers us beautiful compositions with simple but very effective melodic lines and 'It's None of Your Business' is a refreshing and accessible album that should reach a wide audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Pye Hastings (Guitar, Vocal), Geoffrey Richardson (Violin, Mandolin, Guitar), Jan Schelhaas (Keybords), Mark Walker (Drums) + Guests : Lee Pomeroy (Bass), Jimmy Hastings (Flute)


Artist : Inner Core

Album : Dark Chronicles

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 27-11-2021

After their promising debut album 'Soultaker' in 2017, the Germans of 'Inner Core' are back with a second opus 'Dark Chronicles' that continues to distill flamboyant symphonic metal with accessible melodies and with orchestral arrangements in abundance. Still led by their talented singer 'Anna Rogg' and keyboardist 'Artur Schall' who is also the band's composer, this latest album, with 12 tracks, offers us 70 dense and rich minutes that are a pleasure to listen to and can remind us of the tenors of the genre.

From the outset, 'Kingdom of Mirrors' shows an energetic face with a catchy chorus that does not leave you anymore and that leaves a good place in the second half to a rich instrumental part and the very good 'Morning Shots' that follows (see video above), continues in this festive metal, the Germans having this talent to alternate powerful passages and others calmer. With 'Bloodlines', they add a grandiose touch with choirs, certainly sampled, but which show all the talent around sumptuous arrangements and composition of 7 minutes, embarks us in a typical track of a bright and driving symphonic metal with a beautiful rhythmic break at the end of the track and an epic finale. It is again with a long track, 'Desert Snake' that we continue our journey, this time in an oriental atmosphere with new remarkable orchestral arrangements and with a rhythmic giving a beautiful effect of majestic procession, then 'Symphony' is a melodic jewel between ballad and mid-tempo with new memorable melodic lines. Still in an epic and grandiose atmosphere, the short 'The Dark Chronicles' deploys magnificent vocal harmonies and serves as an introduction to 'The Queen I Am', in which 'Anna Rogg' mixes in a very nice way the vocals between lyrical and clear register on a new catchy melody. And when the power of the metal fades, the Germans offer us magnificent melancholic ballads : as a proof, 'Lionheart' (see the video here) to be added to the best metal ballads but also, in a more powerful and majestic register, the 8 minutes of 'Unholy' offer us a new irresistible power ballad. Then follows 'Crystal Sky' which returns to more classical symphonic metal and the album ends with two new remarkable compositions, firstly 'Home' which reminds us of the most beautiful ballads of'Imperia' and finally, 'Jane' which concludes this very beautiful opus with a more stripped down track in which the vocal arrangements are a pure marvel, 'Anna Rogg' enchanting us one last time in a calmer register by conveying an intense emotion.

In summary, among all the symphonic metal projects that abound at the moment, the Germans of 'Inner Core' release a remarkable album that should now place them in the top tier of formations of this style and 'Dark Chronicles' will certainly be one of the major albums of 2021 for all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Anna Rogg (Vocal), Massimo Giardiello (Guitar), Richi Echeverria (Bass), Artur Schall (Keybords, Vocal), Hendrik Edelthal-Hammer (Drums)


Artist : Legacy Pilots

Album : The Penrose Triangle

Release Date : 22-10-2021

Added : 28-11-2021

After 'Con Brio' in 2018 and 'Aviation' in 2020, it's only a big year after the latter that the new album 'The Penrose Triangle' by 'Franck Us' with his project 'Legacy Pilots' is released. As with the previous opus, we find names that often come up on the international progressive scene such as drummer 'Todd Sucherman' from 'Styx', drummer 'Marco Minnemann' from 'The Sea Within' and from 'The Mute Gods', bassist 'Pete Trewavas' and guitarist 'Steve Rothery' from Marillion' and supergroup 'Transatlantic', multi-instrumentalist and vocalist 'John Mitchell' of 'Arena' and 'Lonely Robot' and participating in multiple 'projects', the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Finally George' or guitarist 'Eric Gilette'. With this impressive list, he delivers a dense album with multiple influences drawn from fifty years of progressive music but the constant that emerges from this album is to offer us a refined progressive, sometimes peaceful and restful ('Ghost of The Ocean', 'Heaven Must Know', 'Coasts Cards') and sometimes more energetic ('Better Days', 'Mad Kings') leaving a good place to the instrumental parts, with the two instrumentals 'As Domino Falls' and 'Shadowplay' but also with the 2 suites at the end of the album 'A Change Of Mind' and 'A Compendium of Life'. And Franck didn't skimp on the videos that can be viewed on youtube with 'Better Days' (see video above), 'Heaven Must Know', 'A Change of Mind' and 'Shadowplay' and 'A Compendium of Life'. In short, this latest album by 'Franck Us' is yet another beautiful journey into elaborate and refined progressive music that is magnified by the interpretations of talented artists and, for all lovers of this style, 'The Penrose Triangle' is a dense album that is not necessarily immediately accessible requiring, as is often the case in this style of progressive music, several listenings to fully enjoy it...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Us (Keybords, Guitar, Bass, Vocal, Choirs) + Guests : Todd Sucherman (Drums), Marco Minnemann (Drums), Pete Trewavas (Bass), Lars Slowak (Bass), John Mitchell (Vocal), Jake Livgren (Vocal), Liza Livgren (Vocal), Finally George (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Eric Gillette (Guitar), Ricky Garcia (Guitar)


Artist : Lucifer

Album : Lucifer IV

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 29-11-2021

'Lucifer' is a German-Swedish band who have released 3 self-titled albums of the band numbered in release order with 'Lucifer I' in 2015, followed by 'Lucifer II' in 2018 and finally 'Lucifer III' in 2020. Musically, they gravitate towards a muscular rock that takes us back to the 70's with vintage guitar distortion sounds, the melodic lines being catchy and making the compositions accessible from the first listen. After the first 3 opuses, it is without surprise that their 4th studio recording is called... 'Lucifer IV' which contains 11 short and direct compositions between 3 and 5 minutes each with an acoustic instrumental interlude, 'The Funeral Pyre', in the middle of the album. If I were to draw a parallel with other bands based on the musical atmospheres released and without referring to the rather dark themes addressed, I would say that 'Lucifer' could be a cross between 'Pretenders' for the muscular rock side or the melodic mid-tempos ('Archangel of Death', 'Louise', 'Nightmare', 'Phobos'), 'Fleetwood Mac' for lighter compositions such as 'Bring Me His Head' (see the video here) or 'Orion' and for the darker side, 'Black Sabbath' to quote a more recent band, 'Avatarium' ('Wild Hearses', 'Crucifix' - see video above, 'Cold as a Tombstone'). And the track that could be that perfect mix would be 'Mausoleum' with an introduction in a gothic atmosphere with the sound of a church organ and which then turns into alternating light and darker parts. To sum up, with this fourth opus, 'Lucifer' releases an album with catchy compositions that, despite the dark side of the themes deployed, are pleasant to listen to and 'Lucifer IV' should please a large audience that likes rock inspired from the seventies...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Sadonis (Vocal, Keybords), Linus Björklund (Guitar), Harald Göthblad (Bass), Martin Nordin (Guitar), Nicke Andersson (Drums, Guitar, Bass)


Artist : Existance

Album : Wolf Attack

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 30-11-2021

When it comes to heavy metal, France is not necessarily the first nation to stand out, but there are nevertheless a few bands that pull their weight and in this group is 'Existance' who have made a name for themselves internationally as they will be participating in the 2022 edition of the 'Helfest' and they regularly open for renowned bands like 'Primal Fear' and 'Riot V'. Their last album 'Breaking the Rock' already dates back to 2016 and their new studio recording 'Wolf Attack' is now available since late October 2021. This latest baby offers us 11 compositions in a classic but extremely efficient heavy metal in the great tradition of the 70s/80s. We are thus embarked in devastating guitar riffs and this from the start with a devastating 'Highgate Vampire' (see video above) then the energetic tracks follow in the same atmosphere, 'Julian Izard' having all the vocal assets to compete with the greatest of the genre and 'Antoine Poireau' throwing us some anthology solos The rhythm section, composed of 'Julien Robillard' on bass and 'Gerry Carbonelle' on drums, is not to be outdone, ensuring a hellish pace, as for example in the second part of 'Snoper Alley' or in the Dantesque 'Preacher of Insanity'. Other more moderate but equally powerful compositions bring variety to the whole: we can mention 'Rock 'N Roll', 'Jenny's Dream', 'You Gotta Rock It' or the title track (see the video here). The power ballad is not forgotten with 'Tears Of Fire', which brings a more relaxing moment after all that energy and has a memorable chorus. Also noteworthy is the cover of 'Gwendoline' by the band 'H-Bomb' at the end of the album, which pays tribute to the father of 'Julian Izzard', who passed away in 2018, and which takes us back not far from 40 years, to the time of a certain hard-rock band, 'Trust', which succeeded in bringing this style on the fringes of French song to the public at large.

In summary, even if the French of Existance' are not going to revolutionize the heavy metal, this last album is remarkable and offers us authentic and particularly effective compositions making us go back to the golden age of this style what should undoubtedly please a public which liked this period but also to the youngest which want to discover this style which is from now on part of the history of the rock music, and that, for a French formation, it is even more appreciable to specify it...

Line Up / Musicians

Julian Izard (Vocal, Guitar), Antoine Poiret (Guitar, Choirs), Julien Robillard (Bass, Choirs), Gerry Carbonelle (Drums)


Artist : Running Wild

Album : Blood on Blood

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 01-12-2021

After the French of 'Existance', we stay in metal with the Germans of 'Running Wild' who release their seventeenth studio record, and between their first album 'Gates to Purgatory' and this latest baby 'Blood On Blood', a good forty years have passed. So, in forty years, quite a lot has happened, and the years before 2000, which were the Germans' most prolific, are quite far away and, after a split in 2009, they came back in 2012 with a 'Shadowmaker' that didn't make the specialized press unanimous. So, is 'Blood on Blood' a good vintage? I might as well warn you, 'Running Wild' still has the good recipes of the past and if you want refined music, skip it because it's all about simplistic anthems that you can't get out of your head for a whole day, but sometimes it's good to be carried away by memorable melodies without having to think about it. And if 'Blood on Blood', 'Say Your Prayers' (the guitar riffs remind me of 'Money For Nothing' but a little more muscular of course), 'Crossing the Blades', the power ballad 'One Night, One Day' or 'The Iron Times' (a must for melodic power metal) don't put a cot smile on your face, then you're not cut out for the Germans' festive power metal. And for the others who are still reading this sentence, two videos are available on youtube : 'Diamonds & Pearls' (see the video above) and 'The Shellback' (see the video here). In short, there are no surprises on this latest 'Runnig Wild' album, we're embarking on a short hour of recreational power metal and if you've been a fan of the latest releases from 'Powerwolf' and 'Rage', you should enjoy this 'Blood on Blood' too...

Line Up / Musicians

Rock ‘n’ Rolf (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Peter Jordan (Guitar), Ole Hempelmann (Bass), Michael Wolpers (Drums)


Artist : ABBA

Album : Voyage

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 02-12-2021

As they say in the news: 'without transition', here is a new album far from the last two opuses reviewed in myprogmusic and apart from some parallels to this band that I could make for the melodic aspect (of which the Finns of 'Amberian Dawn'), 'ABBA', since that's who we're talking about, have always been part of our musical culture and, for my part, their various studio recordings from the 70s/80s have always sat alongside 'Deep Purple', 'Pink-Floyd' or even the 'Beatles' (to name just 3) in my vinyl or audio cassette collection. And after 40 years and the last album 'The Visitors' that we were sure would be the last, here comes 'Voyage'. So, beyond the world event, what prompts me to write this review is simply that 'Voyage' takes us back in the time machine to the carefree 1970s. The vocal harmonies of 'Agnetha Fältskog' and 'Anni-Frid Lyngstad' are still intact and the sweet melodies concocted by 'Benny Andersson' and 'Björn Ulvaeus' are as addictive as ever. Listening to 'Don't Shut Me Down' or 'Just to Notion' or 'No Doubt About It', it's not without nostalgia that one remembers these anthems that have all become timeless and the Swedes still have this talent to offer us magnificent ballads, and this is true from the first track 'I Still Have Faith In You' and one can also mention 'I Can Be That Woman', Bumblebee' or 'Ode To Freedom' which borrows from the melodic lines of 'Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake'. In short, even if we know that the four artists are not madly in love with each other and that the tour that will follow will be done without them (ha, technology!), 'Voyage' offers us a beautiful one (of time travel!) with this inimitable style of the Swedes who have taken the gamble of staying in their original style which, for me, is a total success...

Line Up / Musicians

Agnetha Fältskog (Vocal, Choirs), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Vocal, Choirs), Benny Andersson (Keybords, Choirs), Björn Ulvaeus (Guitar)


Artist : Xiphea

Album : Witchcraft

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 03-12-2021

After the EP 'The Cave Of The Golden Rose' in 2020, the Germans of 'Xiphea' did not wait long to release a new album, 'Witchcraft', which is now available since the beginning of November 2021. Still led by singer 'Sabine Meusel' and guitarist and vocalist 'Neil Meusel' (aka 'Neil Mac Miles'), they continue to tell us fairy tales, this time with a theme around witchcraft, as the name of the album indicates. With such a subject, we think that, knowing the symphonic and epic style of the band, we'll sail in grandiose and theatrical compositions as they know how to do it so well and, Indeed, the 12 compositions take us into very varied atmospheres alternating fiery moments and others much more peaceful.

And from the title track that starts the album (see video above), we are immersed in imaginative symphonic metal that contains all the ingredients of this style and could be the summary of the album: an introduction of more than 2 minutes that gently sets the scene with, first of all, some fairy tale chimes accompanied by the angelic voice of 'Sabine Meusel', then an orchestral part in a classical style in crescendo takes over to lead to the metal part with the entry of the electric instruments that deploy different ambiences with beautiful melodic lines and a magnificent guitar solo in the second part that also offers some very beautiful choirs to accompany Sabine. Each track that follows brings its own personality: 'The Fairy Ring' leans towards a 'Epica' with its intoxicating choruses, 'Ghost Ship', after its theatrical introduction, hardens the tone with the appearance of Neil's growls, The Price' returns to the fairytale atmosphere with a playful melody and offers a remarkable alternation in the vocal duet between the 'beauty and the beast' and 'True Love's Kiss' accelerates the tempo for a bouncy and powerful track that alternates with remarkable changes of more measured rhythms and has an epic and memorable finale with choirs wrapping admirably around Sabine's singing. We continue our enchanting journey with a vigorous 'Chedipe' in which Sabine takes on a much lower vocal register than the one we know, bringing all the energy necessary for this kind of track, then, 'Die Rose blüht', sung in German, softens the atmosphere but not the power with a power ballad whose melody never leaves us. Alternatively, 'Fire' picks up the pace with a frenzied rhythm section on a new heady melody, as does 'Baba Yaga', which has nothing to envy its predecessor in terms of energy and is certainly the track with the most orchestral arrangements bringing a grandiose side. Steadfast Tin Soldier' is the second power ballad, and the word 'power' takes on its full meaning in this track that unfolds an imposing power, then 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' is another highlight of the album, taking us on a progressive symphonic metal fresco with a subtle balance of strong and weak beats, sublime theatricality and catchy melodic lines, each band member contributing his or her part and the orchestral arrangements being of extraordinary density. And to end this very beautiful album, back to a joyful catchy melody with 'Drink' which returns to lighter symphonic metal as if to leave this new fairy tale on an optimistic and carefree note.
.
In summary, the Germans of 'Xiphea' continue their little way in wonderlands, magic and tales of witches and fairies with this latest album that shows all the talent of this original symphonic metal formation that, over the releases of new stories, The band has evolved to give them more density and diversity and we can now say that the challenge of remaining in the big family of symphonic metal is now completely won because 'Witchcarft' adds a solid stone to the 'Xiphea' edifice that puts them on the same level as the major bands of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine Meusel (Vocal), Neil Mac Miles (Guitar, Vocal), Frank Curian (Bass), Michael Wolnitza (Guitar), Daniel Herzer (Drums)


Artist : Wishbone Ash

Album : From California to Kawasaki (Live)

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 04-12-2021

England's 'Wishbone Ash' gave us the magnificent 'Coat of Arms' album in 2020 and, 2021 sees the release, this time of a two-and-a-half hour live set played in the US in 2018 and in Japan in 2019, the band's fiftieth anniversary year. So we happily go through their impressive discography starting with the band's first self-titled album from 1970, well-represented with 'Blind Eye', 'Errors On My Way' and especially a phenomenal nearly 20-minute 'Phoenix', to their last studio album of the time which was 'Blue Horizon' credited with a single track, 'Way Down South'. So there's that complicity in guitar playing initiated by the original 'Andy Powell'/'Ted Turner' duo and subsequently between 'Andy Powell' and 'Laurie Wisefield', with Andy's latest playing partner being 'Mark Abrahams'. The track listing below tells you which original album they are from and the year they were released. In short, for all those who have known the whole of the English career and for the younger ones who would like to discover them, this album is a remarkable summary of their long career and embarks us in their very varied universe, which is a subtle mix of pop, rock and hard-rock but which also shows that they were part of the bands that contributed to the rise of progressive music in the early 70s...

List of titles (Album - Year)
CD1
01 – Bona Fide (Bona Fide – 2002)
02 – Eyes Wide Open (Clan Destiny – 2006)
03 – Way Down South (Blue Horizon – 2014)
04 – The King Will Come (Argus – 1972)
05 – Warrior (Argus – 1972)
06 – Throw Down the Sword (Argus – 1972)
07 – Leaf & Stream (Argus – 1972)
08 – Wings of Desire (Strange Affair – 1991)
09 – Standing in the Rain (Strange Affair – 1991)
10 – Phoenix (Wishbone Ash – 1970)
11 – Faith, Hope, and Love (Bona Fide – 2002)

CD2
01 – Prelude (New England – 1976)
02 – Real Guitars Have Wings (Nouveau Calls – 1987)
03 – Come in from the Rain (Front Page News – 1977)
04 – Front Page News (Front Page News – 1977)
05 – F.U.B.B (There's the Rub – 1974)
06 – Living Proof (Just Testing – 1980)
07 – Runaway (New England – 1976)
08 – Lifeline (Just Testing – 1980)
09 – Sometime World (Argus – 1972)
10 – Errors of My Way (Wishbone Ash – 1970)
11 – Why Don’t We (Here to Hear – 1989)
12 – Persephone (There's the Rub – 1974)
13 – Blind Eye (Wishbone Ash – 1970)

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Powell (Vocal, Guitar), Mark Abrahams (Guitar), Bob Skeat (Bass), Joe Crabtree (Drums)


Artist : Alan Parsons

Album : The Neverending Show: Live in the Netherlands

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 05-12-2021

We continue in the concerts with the one that 'Alan Parsons' gave on May 5, 2019, at the 'TivoliVredenburg Concerthall' in Utrcht, the Netherlands and which is now available on CD/DVD/Blu-Ray since November 5, 2021. After a successful comeback in 2019 with 'The Secret', the Englishman having not released an album since 2004, he continues to tour regularly and this concert is a wonderful end of year gift for all those who knew the 70/80 period which saw the release of all the albums of his project 'The Alan Parsons Project' which have all become references in the field of melodic rock. So, we browse through the entire discography, from the rather unknown debut album 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' relating to the works of Edgar Poe' to the most recent one 'The Secret' via the unmissable 'I Robot', 'Eve', 'The Turn of a Friendly Card', 'Eye in the Sky', 'Ammonia Avenue', 'Stereotomy' and 'Gaudi' and listening to these familiar tracks, we're transported back 40 years with all those memorable tunes that make us remember, not without nostalgia, all the sessions listening to our LPs worn out now by multiple playbacks on the living room turntable. The only regret I would have is that the only long track of the Englishman exceeding 10 minutes, 'The Turn of a Friendly Card', is not part of the set-list, but let's not sulk as this one is already well supplied, with of course, the icing on the cake, a flawless production, because let's not forget it, 'Alan Parsons' has recorded some of the biggest names over the years, starting with 'The Beatles' and 'Pink Floyd' ('The Dark Side Of The Moon' is still a reference album as far as recording is concerned and I used it for a long time as a test record to listen to different hifi systems). It should be noted that in addition to the concert, the last track 'The Neverending Show' is a new studio recording of which you can see the video here).

To sum up, 'Alan Parsons' is releasing a beautiful album at the end of this year that could be at the foot of the Christmas tree of many fans who knew the 70s and 80s and who have been bathed in all the mythical albums of 'The Alan Parsons Project'...

List of titles (Album - Year)
CD1
01 – One Note Symphony (The Secret, 2019)
02 – Damned If I Do (Eve, 1979)
03 – Don't Answer Me (Ammonia Avenue, 1983)
04 – Time (The Turn of a Friendly Card, 1980)
05 – Breakdown + The Raven (Medley) – (I Robot, 1977 + Tales of Mystery and Imagination, 1976)
06 – I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You (I Robot, 1977)
07 – Psychobabble (Eye in the Sky, 1982)
08 – Luciferama (Eve, 1979)

CD2
01 – Don't Let It Show (I Robot, 1977)
02 – I Robot (I Robot, 1977)
03 – Limelight (Stereotomy, 1985)
04 – Standing On Higher Ground (Gandi, 1987)
05 – As Lights Fall (The Secret, 2019)
06 – I Can't Get There From Here (The Secret, 2019)
07 – Prime Time (Ammonia Avenue, 1983)
08 – Sirius + Eye In The Sky (Medley) – (Eye in the Sky, 1982)
09 – Old And Wise (Eye in the Sky, 1982)
10 – (The System Of) Dr. Tarr And Professor Fether (Tales of Mystery and Imagination, 1976)
11 – Games People Play (The Turn of a Friendly Card, 1980)
12 – The NeverEnding Show (Titre Bonus Studio)

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Parsons (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), P.J. Olsson (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), Todd Cooper (Choirs, Saxophone, Guitar, Percussions), Jeff Kollman (Guitar, Choirs), Tom Brooks (Keybords, Choirs), Dan Tracey (Guitar, Choirs), Guy Erez (Bass, Choirs), Danny Thompson (Drums, Choirs), Jordan Asher Huffman (Vocal)


Artist : Eric Clapton

Album : The Lady In The Balcony : Lockdown Sessions (Live)

Release Date : 12-11-2021

Added : 06-12-2021

After the two live performances by 70s artists, 'Wishbone Ash' and 'Alan Parsons', it's also a live album by an artist from that era that's out in November 2021, but a bit special as it's an acoustic set by 'Eric Clapton' who, having had to cancel his concerts at the 'Royal Albert Hall' at the beginning of the year, retired to a manor house in the middle of the English countryside with his friends and musicians to concoct a magnificent album with compositions from his repertoire but also blues and rock standards. First, from his repertoire, he performs 'Golden Ring' (see video above), 'After Midnight' (see video here), 'Rivers of Tears' from the 'Pilgrim' album he released with 'BB King' in the late 90s, 'Believe in Life' from his 2001 album 'Reptile', the moving 'Tears in Heaven' or 'Bad Boy' which gets a second lease of life with a blistering blues interpretation. Other tracks include 'Bell Bottom Blues' and 'Layla' (see video here), performed at the time by the band 'Derek & The Dominos' but co-written by 'Eric Clapton'. The other tracks were chosen from a wide range of timeless songs such as the well-known 'Black Magic Woman' by 'Peter Green' popularised by 'Santana' or the beautiful and rather unknown ballad 'Man Of The World' from the early days of 'Fleetwood Mac' also written by 'Peter Green' or from a more traditional song by 'Eric Clapton'. Peter Green' or in a much older repertoire with for example 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out' from 1929 which starts the album in authentic blues or 'Key to the Highway' from 1940 without forgetting the well-known 'Rock Me Baby' by 'BB. King'. Eric Clapton' is also a fervent defender of freedom and denounces the obligations put in place by various governments to fight the epidemic, and in this context, he released two singles in 2021 with the complicity of 'Van Morrison', 'The Rebels' in June and 'This Gotta Stop' in October, and these two rock legends take offence in the former with strong lyrics: "Where have all the rebels gone? Hiding behind their computer screens. Where's the spirit, where is the soul? Where have all the rebels gone?", the second single criticizes the loss of freedom these days with compulsory vaccinations by singing "This has gotta stop. Enough is enough. I can't take this BS any longer". In short, with this last album we spend a beautiful moment listening to these timeless titles that Eric Clapton' and his musicians have remarkably stripped to keep only the substance of the original music with, icing on the cake, a recording of impeccable quality if Father Christmas gives you the DVD/Blu-ray version under the tree...

List of titles (original performer, year):

01 – Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (Bessie Smith - 1929)
02 – Golden Ring (Eric Clapton, Blackless, 1979)
03 – Black Magic Woman (Peter Green, 1968)
04 – Man Of The World (Peter Green, 1969)
05 – Kerry
06 – After Midnight (Eric Clapton, 1970, album : Eric Clapton)
07 – Bell Bottom Blues (Derek & The Dominos, 1970)
08 – Key to the Highway (Charlie Segar, 1940)
09 – Rivers of Tears (Eric Clapton, 1998, album : Pilgrim)
10 – Rock Me Baby (BB. King, 1964)
11 – Believe in Life (Eric Clapton, 2001, album : Reptile)
12 – Going Down Slow (James B. Oden, 1941)
13 – Layla (Derek & The Dominos, 1970)
14 – Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton, 1992, album : Rush)
15 – Long Distance Call (Muddy Waters, 1951)
16 – Bad Boy (Eric Clapton, 1970, album : Eric Clapton)
17 – Got My Mojo Working (Muddy Waters, 1957)

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Clapton (Vocal, Guitar), Chris Stainton (Keybords), Nathan East (Bass), Steve Gadd (Drums)


Artist : Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Album : Out of This World: Live (1970, 1997)

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 07-12-2021

To continue with concerts by artists from the 70s and 80s, here is a sumptuous box set by another legendary rock band, 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' which was released at the end of October. After the release in 2017 of the complete discography 'Fanfare', it's now the turn of 'Out of This World' which retraces five major live events of the trio. Spotify only presents a light version of these concerts (which is already more than 3 hours long!!) but the complete set contains 7 CDs. So we find in chronological order :

CD 1: Isle Of Wight Festival, Newport, England August 29, 1970 :
It is in front of 600,000 fans that ELP' performed at the Isle of Wight in 1970 which will give them an international dimension from that year. Carl Palmer, at the time had declared: "From the Isle of Wight concert, we had an international success. It went from nothing to something overnight! There are tracks that already showed the mix of rock and classical music brought by 'Keith Emerson's' keyboards such as 'The Barbarian' and the whole of 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by 'Mussorgsky' is played. The quality of the recording of the concert is also noteworthy as few artists of the time can boast a sound of this level.

CD 2: California Jam, California, USA 1974:
By 1974, that's already 5 albums to the band's credit: 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' from 1970, 'Tarkus' and 'Pictures At An Exhibition', both from 1971, 'Trilogy' from 1972 and 'Brain Salad Surgery' in 1973. So, there was plenty of material for a gig and they played the opening roles at the Ontario Motor Speedway' on April 6, 1974 amongst 'Deep Purple', 'Black Sabbath' and 'Eagles'. For the record, this era is widely hailed in the annals of ELP' concerts for its prodigious musicianship and showmanship as they included powerful solos by 'Carl Palmer' et 'Keith Emerson', the latter performing on a revolving piano suspended 50 meters above the audience.

CD 3/4: Works Live Montreal, Montreal, Canada 1977.
It was at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal that the band performed on August 26, 1977 accompanied by a classical string and brass orchestra of 70 musicians, conducted by Godfrey Salmon in front of nearly 75,000 spectators. After the long tour that followed the release of 'Brain Salad Energy', they were able to take a break to reunite and work on the new 'Works' project. The slimmed down version features ELP standards such as 'Peter Gunn', 'Tiger on a Spotlight', the 'C'est la vie' songs written by 'Keith Emerson' and the long development 'Fanfare for the Common Man' which appeared on the first 'Works' album. It would be two years later that, due to personal conflicts and disagreements over musical direction, that the trio broke up and it was, unconvincingly, that they released the album 'Love Beach' at the request of their record company in 1978.

CD 5: Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, October 1992
After their split and an attempt to recreate a new band with a new drummer 'Cozy Powell' resulting in a single album, 'Emerson, Lake and Powell', it was not until 1991 that the trio decided to reform with the album 'Black Moon' and 5,000 people attended at the Royal Albert Hall to one of the many concerts on the 'World Tour 1992' reunion tour which took them to different continents with the US, various countries in Europe and Japan. The last album is oriented towards shorter pieces and the progressive side is less present.

5. CD 6/7: Union Hall, Phoenix, Arizona USA September 1997
In 1994 the trio released their last album 'In The Hot Seat' which, at the time, was not well received, but which, for my money, is a quality album with a variety of compositions showing all their talent and which, in some ways, is a good summary of their career. Despite the health problems of 'Keith Emerson' and 'Carl Palmer', the 1997 concert at the Union Hall Phoenix also shows a good sample of their career with, first of all, a first part with short compositions and in the second part, long developments which includes, of course, a full cover of 'Pictures At An Exhibition'.

In summary, for all the fans of this period, with already the last four live presented in myprogmusic in the previous days, you already have enough to fill partly the hood of Santa Claus because these mythical concerts of ELP' come still to add and complete the list of albums of anthology already presented...

Line Up / Musicians

Keith Emerson (Keybords, Piano, Organ, Hammond, Celesta, Moog, Minimoog, Accordion), Greg Lake (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Harminica), Carl Palmer (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Asia

Album : The Official Live Bootlegs Vol.1

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 08-12-2021

I don't know if all these artists of the seventies have given each other the word, but released at the end of November, a new box set that presents five 'ASIA' concerts from 1982 to 2010 in the two periods when the four artists 'John Wetton', 'Geoff Downes', 'Steve Howe' and 'Carl Palmer' were present, each concert occupying 2 CDs and the spotify version offering us a sample of these concerts with 24 compositions. Firstly, their debut, after the release of the first album 'ASIA' which was a worldwide success and saw them do two big tours in 1982 and 1983, occupies the first four CDs with, firstly, the gig in Buffalo, USA in 1982 and for the next two CDs, the gig in Worcester, USA in 1983. ASIA' was originally a supergroup made up of various artists from the legendary 70s bands 'Yes', 'Emerson, Lake and Palmer', 'The Buggles' and 'King Crimson'. The other CDs focus on more recent periods with the concert recorded on March 3, 2007 in Brazil, in Sao Paulo, just after the band's reformation and which offers two monuments of rock history with, 'Fanfare for the Common Man' by 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' and 'The Court Of The Crimson King' by 'King Crimson', and then, the concert given in Tokyo on May 12, 2008 just after the release of the album 'Phoenix' but which strangely only gives a small place to this album with just 'Never Again' and finally the concert given on December 14, 2010 in London after the release of the album 'Omega' with four tracks from the latter album, 'I Believe', 'Holy War', 'Through My Veins' and 'Finger On The Trigger'. In short, it's another box set full of good surprises that retraces the history of ASIA' and that should make fans happy again and beyond, for all those who experienced the heyday of the various albums, which had the particularity of all starting with the letter 'A', from 'ASIA' to 'Aurora' via the 'Alpha', 'Astra', 'Aqua', 'Aria', and 'Arena', and which rocked the youth of quite a few fifty-somethings and sixty...

Line Up / Musicians

John Wetton (Bass, Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Steve Howe (Guitar), Carl Palmer (Drums)


Artist : ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)

Album : 50th Anniversary Vol 1. + Vol 2.

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 09-12-2021

Line Up / Musicians

Jeff Lynne (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums, Keybords)


Artist : Ad Infinitum

Album : Chapter II: Legacy

Release Date : 29-10-2021

Added : 10-12-2021

After their first album 'Chapter I - Monarchy' at the beginning of 2020 and the acoustic version 'Chapter I Revisited' at the end of 2020, 'Melissa Bonny's' band has not been idle in this year 2021 as Chapter 2, 'Legacy' was released at the end of October 2021 and continues in the path traced in the previous opus. The lineup is quite stable as we find around Melissa, 'Adrian Theßenvitz' on guitar and 'Niklas Müller' on drums, the only change being the bass player 'Korbinian Benedict' who replaces 'Jonas Asplind'. As far as style is concerned, they offer us an original metal mixing different influences: first of all, they incorporate "classical" symphonic metal with provided orchestrations, then, the fuller sound and the more powerful rhythms also show an inflection on the side of the power metal and finally, the released atmospheres bring on certain titles an increased modernity, all this being finely dosed and always benefiting from catchy melodic lines which is one of the great strength of 'Ad Infinitum'.

The 12 tracks represent a little more than 40 minutes of listening for rather short durations between 3 and 4 minutes (the last 3 tracks being instrumental covers), they privilege above all the effectiveness with melodies that one appropriates immediately: The first track, 'Reinvented', benefits from a heady and memorable chorus, then 'Unstoppable' (see video above), powerful and grandiose, continues on this path, followed by 'Inferno' which moderates the ardors and highlights the vocal talent of 'Melissa Bonny' with a new addictive melody and a very nice guitar solo in the second part. The rest of the album follows the same pattern, alternating rhythms and intensities, with Melissa playing on both registers, clear voice and raging growls, as witnessed by the heavy mid-tempo 'Your Enemy', then 'Afterlife' (see video here) takes over with a very nice duet of 'Melissa Bonny' with the singer 'Nils Johan Molin'. Then comes the beautiful power ballad 'Breathe' with a new melody that directly grafts itself in our head, then, it's again a powerful mid-tempo with 'Animals' (see video here) offering a remarkable fusion between the orchestral arrangements and the power of the electric instruments and 'Into the Night', fast and energetic, demonstrates this evolution towards more muscular tracks. In the same spirit as 'Breathe', the power ballad 'Son of Wallachia' develops new, addictive melodic lines, and then 'My Justice, Your Pain' moves away from symphonic metal and brings in its own grain of modernity with its hectic, driving rhythm and a new, memorable chorus, the album ends with two compositions displaying phenomenal firepower, firstly, the unleashed rhythm of the grandiose and powerful 'Haunted' and finally 'Lullaby', which cohabits a moderate symphonic atmosphere with sections approaching death, 'Melissa Bonny' alternating clear vocals and growls.

In summary, with this second chapter 'Legacy', 'Ad Infinitum' still reinforces this feeling of mixing styles that make a traditional symphonic metal with a more modern power metal relying on a singer able to radically vary her register to bring these original alternations which opens this last opus to a metal audience certainly wider than the only fans of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Niklas Müller (Drums), Adrian Theßenvitz (Guitar), Korbinian Benedict (Bass) + Guest : Nils Johan Molin (Vocal)


Artist : Crazy Lixx

Album : Street Lethal

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 11-12-2021

And 7 for the Swedes of 'Crazy Lixx' who released a new studio record, 'Street Lethal', at the beginning of November, after the two very good albums 'Ruff Justice' in 2017 and 'Forever Wild' in 2019 which gives a cruising rhythm of one opus every two years. No surprise, they continue in the path traced in the previous albums, distilling good energetic and melodic hard-rock making us go back to the 80s. 11 tracks in total for 44 minutes of listening time, and if we take out the two instrumentals, the short introductory track 'Enter the Dojo' which, in a Nipponese atmosphere, raises the pressure with the sounds of organs and 'Final Fury' which serves as an interlude in the middle of the album, we are drawn into heady melodies with varied rhythms starting with catchy tracks displaying great energy, and this starting with 'Rise Above' (see video above) and those 'Def Leppard'-style backing vocals, then, with 'Anthem for America' (see video here) that follows, which pays homage to hard-US, but also with the heavy mid-tempo 'The Power' with its marked tempo conducive to headbanging or with the well-muscled title track. Other more moderate compositions are closer to AOR with the melodic gem 'Reach Out' (see the video here) or with the bouncy 'Caught Between the Rock n' Roll' or with the catchy 'One Fire - One Goal', not forgetting the album's power ballad 'In the Middle Of Nothing' to be added to the best hard-rock ballads. To note that at the end of the album, 'Thief In The Night', gives the beautiful part to the guitars in the introduction and in the second part with always very accessible melodic lines.

In summary, even if the Swedes of 'Crazy Lixx' does not revolutionize the melodic hard-rock, they continue, album after album to offer us hits in spades that make us go back to the best of the 80s and 'Street Lethal' does not deviate from the rule and should please a wide audience loving a hard-rock with melodies that are immediately grafted in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Rexon (Vocal), Chrisse Olsson (Guitar), Jens Lundgren (Guitar), Jens Anderson (Bass), Joél Cirera (Drums)


Artist : AfterTime

Album : Infinite Legacy

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 12-12-2021

The Americans of 'AfterTime', who offered us in 2020 a very promising first album (see here), do it again in this end of 2021 with this time a 25 minute EP also including in addition the instrumentals of 4 of the 5 tracks. In an epic symphonic metal, this new opus is the sequel to the album 'The Farthest Shore' and, right from the start, with the title track, we embark on the history of humanity put on video in the form of a cartoon (see above), the atmosphere given off being grandiose thanks to generous backing vocals that can remind 'Epica'. In the same style, the following track 'Forge Your Destiny' and adds some growls from 'Brad Sturgis', then, the ballad 'Reflection' (see video here) is a track already known in the first EP 'World We've Lost' from 2017 and also shows all the talent of 'Sarah Wolf' in sparse atmospheres. As for 'The Dream Is Still Alive', the shadow of Epica' hovers over this melodic composition bathed in beautiful vocal harmonies and in beautiful variations of intensity. And finally, the instrumental 'A Voyage Remembered' ends the EP with an imposing symphonic piece offering rich orchestral arrangements and majestic choirs. In short, the Americans of 'Afterlife' make us wait before the next album with a remarkable EP that should please every fan of epic symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sarah Wolf (Vocal), Brad Sturgis (Vocal, Guitar), Chris Radke (Guitar), Lucas Weide (Bass), AJ Blakesley (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Leverage

Album : Above The Beyond

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 13-12-2021

Finland's 'Leverage' who had returned to the melodic rock scene in 2019 with their last album 'Determinus' have released a new album 'Above The Beyond' in October 2021. The line-up of the last opus is back to offer us catchy compositions that will get you in shape for a whole day and we could even add that they sprinkle the whole thing with a pinch of progressive which gives a remarkable originality.

And right off the bat, with 'Starlight' (see video above) and 'Emperor' (see video here), we're drawn into two irresistible melodic gems, then, 'Into The World', with folk intonations, reminds me of certain artists from the 70s/80s and in particular 'Kansas', and 'Into The New World' follows with another memorable melody that you immediately take to heart. This is followed by the beautiful ballad 'Angelica' which takes us back a few decades with a chorus that feels familiar, and then 'Under His Eyes', after a quiet introduction, picks up steam to deliver a driving composition by bringing a progressive edge with alternating intensities and tempos but also with a long central instrumental part. With 'Falling out of Grace', we have yet another fine demonstration of melodic progressivism that goes through different atmospheres and whose energetic parts can remind us of some of the sounds of 'Rainbow', then, the acoustic introduction of 'Galleria' offers a vocal performance by 'Kimmo Blom' filled with a beautiful emotion, reminding me of the one given off by 'Ian Gillan' in 'When a Blind Man Cries' and then continues in an imposing power ballad à la 'Scorpions'. And to end on a high note, 'Silence' unfolds its 9 minutes with all the ingredients we could find on this album, beautiful melodic lines, remarkable vocal harmonies, catchy energetic parts alternating with calmer ones and intense instrumental sections.

In summary, the Finns of 'Leverage' release an excellent album containing all the ingredients that made the fame of the great rock bands of the 70s and 80s and confirms all the talent of this group that has managed to return to the forefront of the scene after a long interruption because 'Above The Beyond' will certainly be one of the best melodic rock albums of the year 2021...

Line Up / Musicians

Kimmo Blom (Vocal), Mikko Salovaara (Guitar), Tuomas Heikkinen (Guitar), Sami Norrbacka (Bass), Marko Niskala (Keybords), Valtteri Revonkorpi (Drums)


Artist : The Grandmaster

Album : Skywards

Release Date : 15-10-2021

Added : 14-12-2021

A little tour to Italy and to the 'Frontiers Music' label, that's what you want. And when I say 'Frontiers', you answer me: 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' of course. After all the projects he's been involved in for some time (search for 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' in myprogmusic), here's his latest baby, 'The Grandmaster', whose first offering 'Skywards' has been in stores since October 15th. Surrounded by guitarist 'Jens Ludwig' of 'Edguy', Brazilian singer 'Nando Fernandes' who had already officiated alongside the Italian in the project 'Brother Against Brother' and drummer 'Mirkko De Maio' who was himself on board with Alessandro in the project 'Chalice Of Sin' by American 'Wade Black', he concocted an album of 11 direct and efficient hits between AOR and melodic hard-rock starting with 'Lunar Water' which starts the album with a catchy and memorable melody followed by the mid-tempo 'The Tempest' (see video above) which continues in this momentum, Then the addictive compositions follow with the energetic 'Someday, Somehow' (see video here) and 'Dead Bomb', then, the more subdued 'Cannot Find the Way' brings some nice alternations of intensity and 'Song of Hope' offers a new heady chorus. The second part of the album continues with the beautiful ballad 'Skywards - Earthwards', then, after an energetic 'True North', 'Surrender' is more AOR with catchy melodic lines and takes us back to the best of the 80's, as does 'Turn The Page', which follows, with a chorus that gives you that pleasant feeling of déjà vu, the opus ending with the mid-tempo 'The Source' with a memorable final melody.

In summary, 'The Grandmaster' adds to the already long list of bands that have seen the participation of the Italian 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', and even if this new project is not going to revolutionize the genre, 'Skywards' is a quality album with an impeccable production that should, without a doubt, please a wide audience navigating between rock and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Nando Fernandes (Vocal), Jens Ludwig (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Mirkko De Maio (Drums)


Artist : Clive Nolan - Oliver Wakeman

Album : Dark Fables

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 15-12-2021

We go back to the late 90s with 'Clive Nolan' and 'Oliver Wakeman' who had released two albums with a host of guests (some of whom have gone on to become major artists on the progressive scene), with, firstly, 'Jabberwocky' inspired by the famous poem by 'Lewis Caroll' that triturated language and words and paved the way for a host of poets including 'Alain Queneau' and his 'Exercises de Style'. 'The Hound of The Baskervilles' followed in 2002, based, in turn, on the novel by 'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle' which featured the detective 'Sherlock Holmes'. In April 2021, our two friends released the box set 'Tales By Gaslight', which included the first two albums but also a third one, 'Dark Fables', which includes compositions planned for the album 'Frankenstein' which was never released, as well as unused tracks from 'The Hound of The Baskervilles', but also the instrumental 'Ouverture' which was split into two tracks, 'The Man Called Sherlock' with additional lyrics and the short instrumental '221B'.

All three albums are now available to stream, and I've put the spotify link to the playlist as you obviously have to take this trilogy as a whole. The two keyboardists come full circle with 'Dark Fables' and we embark on nearly 3 hours of a kind of symphonic rock opera influenced by several decades of progressive and the time is well chosen to bring out these melodic gems that are a pleasure to listen to, the whole being very varied. In this last part 'Dark Fables', we go from an epic 'The Overture' which shows all the combined talent of the two to offer us a gripping composition, to the magnificent 'I'd Give You Everything' in two parts, first, a piano/voice ballad with a gripping melody, then a more energetic instrumental section, all of this in less than 3 minutes. Overall, the moods are tranquil: witness 'Elizabeth' or 'The Wedding Approaches' with the participation of 'Charlotte Dickerson' with her angelic voice or 'The Man Called Sherlock' which, after an epic introduction, offers us a magnificent symphonic ballad. We can note a parallel with the 'Pendragon' project of 'Clive Nolan', notably in a track like 'The Mirror', but the duo also graces us with more energetic compositions with, for example, the theatrical 'Why Do You Hate Me' and 'Time Parses', the fast 'A Descent into Madness', without forgetting the instrumental comma '221B' which embarks us in a musical whirlwind, just like 'The Baker Street Irregulars' of which certain parts remind us of the music of silent comedy films.

In summary, 'Clive Nolan' and 'Oliver Wakeman' bring their two rock operas of the late 90s up to date with a new album that adds original compositions that are very pleasant to listen to and the 3-CD box set has been particularly well worked out by the two artists with a booklet for each opus which should please any fan of progressive music who likes themed albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Clive Nolan (Keybords), Oliver Wakeman (Keybords) + Guests : Andy Sears (Vocal), Paul Manzi (Vocal), Gordon Giltrap (Guitar), David Mark Pearce (Guitar), Charlotte Dickerson (Vocal), Karl Groom (Guitar), Tim Nunes (Violin), Adam Nunes (Cello), Rick Wakeman (Voice), Gordon Giltrap


Artist : Memoria Avenue

Album : Memoria Avenue

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 16-12-2021

Memoria Avenue' is a new Norwegian band that has just released its first studio recording bearing the band's name. Coming from a Nordic country, it's no surprise that they embark on a journey of melodic rock compositions that take us back to the style of the 80s. Led by guitarist 'Tor Talle', who has participated in many projects as a singer-songwriter ('Joe Lynn Turne', 'Rob Moratti', 'Steve Overland'), they offer us 12 equally melodic compositions and 'Jan Le'Brandt', who officiates as a singer, has that delicate and sensitive voice that fits perfectly with the style. So, we embark on tracks alternating different intensities and tempos with memorable choruses and and I will quote those those that were the subject of a video and are a nice representative sample of the whole: 'Stuck' (see video above), 'Stranded', 'The Air That I Breathe' and 'Nathalia'. In short, Norway's 'Memoria Avenue' joins a list of recent releases in this style that have been reviewed by myprogmusic recently such as 'Station', 'Vega', 'Eclipse', 'Blood Red Saints' or 'Nitrate' and should therefore appeal to all fans of melodic rock and AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Le'Brandt (Vocal, Choirs), Tor Talle (Guitar, Keybords, Bass), Dag Selboskar (Keybords), Svenn Huneide (Bass), Bjørn Olav Lauvdal (Drums) + Guests : Mick Devine (Choirs), Mats Ericsson (Drums), Bengt Risåsen (Bass), Marianne Hagen (Choirs)


Artist : Alan Simon

Album : Excalibur V: Move, Cry, Act, Clash!

Release Date : 05-11-2021

Added : 17-12-2021

'Alan Simon' returns with a new episode of the saga devoted to 'Excalibur' and between the chapter I and the last one, which is the fifth, more than 20 years have passed, the chapter IV being released in 2017. An ardent defender of freedom, he takes us on an acerbic critique of this world which, day after day, brings its share of deprivation, and, as usual, he has surrounded himself with a pleiad of renowned artists from the progressive scene, among whom we find, excuse me for the few, the guitarist and singer 'Steve Hackett', guitarist and flutist 'Martin Barre' from 'Jethro Tull', singer and keyboardist 'Michael Sadler' from 'Saga', singer 'Bernie Shaw' from 'Uriah Heep', the late 'John Wetton' from'ASIA', singer 'Roberto Tiranti from 'Labyrinth' or singer and guitarist 'Richard Palmer-James' and the list goes on.

This jack-of-all-trades, always on the lookout for a new project whether in film, books, comics, or musical shows, takes us on a journey through his varied musical universe which mixes different styles from pop to folk via rock and hard rock and 'Excalibur V' confirms once again all his talent starting with this cry 'Move, Cry, Act, Clash' alerting us to the uncertain future of our planet. In the same energetic style, we can also mention 'The Prisoner', which could very well be part of a hard-rock opera of one of the projects of'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' or 'I Said Shout', which combines Celtic folk with muscular rock, or 'When Your Feelings Grow', which takes us back to the eighties with a rhythmic and arrangements of a certain 'Alan Parsons'. Alternating with these compositions, 'Alan Simon' also offers us some real melodic gems with beautiful ballads, starting with 'The Last Bird', transcended by the magical voice of 'Michael Sadler' and the violin accompaniment of 'Jerry Goodman' and 'Messaline' with its heady melody that we all want to sing along to. We can also mention the magnificent acoustic 'Heaven' which makes us climb on a little cloud, 'Wake Up' which is a progressive must and which obviously brings us back to the best of 'Pink Floyd' with beautiful performances, with the saxophone of 'John Anthony Halliwell' and the vocals of 'Jesse Siebenberg' (singer of 'Supertramp' at the end of the 90's) or 'Hey' which reminds us of 'Hey You' of 'The Wall' with the vocals of 'Roberto Tiranti' which are completely bewitching, or 'A Brand New Day', a sort of melting pot of different musical cultures with the magnificent voices of 'Michael Sadler', the Israeli 'Shira Golan' and the Palestinian 'Miriam Toukan', without forgetting the sensual and torrid blues 'The Lady of The Lake'. And to finish off this beautiful album, we go back some fifteen years with 'A Vision', a composition that appeared on the first CD of his best of 'Songwriter - My World and Symphonic Side' and was sung by 'John Wetton' and pays tribute to the singer and bassist of 'King Crimson' and 'ASIA' who passed away from cancer in 2017.

Bref, this magnificent album from the 'Excalibur' series takes us on a beautiful musical journey, varied and full of sensitivity, and for those who want to discover more, the best person to talk about it is still 'Alan Simon' himself who presents it in English in this video which I'll sum up with these few but so strong words : "Move, Cry, Act, Clash"...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Simon (Guitar, Choirs, Guimbarde, Harmonica) + Guests : John Anthony Helliwell (Saxophones), Paolo Balardini (Guitar, Mandolin), Basile Leroux (Guitar), Martin Barre (Guitar, Mandolin), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Jeremy Spencer (Guitar), Massimo Palermo (Bass), Michael Sadler (Vocal), Bernie Shaw (Vocal), Roberto Tiranti (Vocal), Jesse Siebenberg (Vocal), Shira Golan (Vocal), Miriam Toukan (Vocal), Jerry Goodman (Violin), Zita Petho (Violin), Alessandro Bissa (Drums, Percussions), Marco Fadda (Percussions), Marco Canepa (Keybords), Konan Mevel (Flute Irlandaise, Uillean), Adrienne Morgan Hammond (Choirs), Mel Schmidt Vohns (Choirs), Mamadi (Choirs), John Wetton (Vocal), Chris Leslie , Gerry Conway (Drums)


Artist : Damian Wilson

Album : Limehouse to Lechlade

Release Date : 12-11-2021

Added : 18-12-2021

'Damian Wilson' is a well-known singer in the progressive scene as he was the lead singer of 'Threshold' and is a regular participant in the projects of 'Arjen Lucassen', but he has also released some great albums with 'Adam Wakeman', 'Weir Keeper's Tale in 2016, 'The Sun Will Dance in Its Twilight Hour' in 2018 and in 2019 and is also pursuing a solo career, the latest release being 'Built For Fighting' from 2016. He does it again with a new album full of addictive melodies that take us back a few decades and embark us on a beautiful journey full of serenity, sensitivity and carefreeness, things that are sorely needed right now to escape from this increasingly crazy world dictated by finance that has forgotten that the most beautiful treasures are just around the corner, starting with listening to this new album 'Limehouse to Lechlade'.

And from the first track 'Once We're Gone' (see video above), we climb onto a little cloud on which we'll stay throughout the album with a memorable first melody and then continue with the title track, whose unleashed atmosphere reminds me of Al Stewart's 'Time Passages', from 1978 and which has just been remastered. This is followed by the refreshing 'Climbing Frame' with its radiant backing vocals, then 'Let Me down Slowly' is a sixties blues that is filled with beautiful emotion thanks to the performance of 'Damian Wilson' and is followed by a joyous 'Fire & Ashes' in a Latin rhythm and these two tracks show the diversity of this opus. With 'Picture', we embark on a catchy composition reminiscent of the Beatles and we also find other tracks with the same influences with 'Must We Say Goodbye' and 'Women on My Mind'. The rest of the album is divided between danceable and catchy compositions such as 'No Money' and 'It Ends Here' and more quiet ones with the beautiful ballads 'Hard to Keep Faith' (see the beautiful video here), 'Cornerstone' and 'Seek for Adventure'.

In summary, with this latest studio recording of 'Damian Wilson', we embark on a wonderful listening experience filled with beautiful melodies magnified by a singer with a moving voice. 'Limehouse to Lechlade' is to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on and should reach a wide audience as all the compositions are very accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Alex Reeves (Drums), Chris Hill (Guitar), Lee Pomeroy (Bass), Michael Buckley (Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : Hopes of Freedom

Album : Light, Fire & Iron

Release Date : 30-10-2021

Added : 19-12-2021

For those who liked the album 'Blood on Blood' by the Germans of 'Running Wild', in the same style and being released on the same day, here are the French of 'Hopes of Freedom' who release a third studio recording 'Light, Fire & Iron', which closes the trilogy started with 'Hopes of Freedom' from 2013 and whose second instalment after 'Burning Skyfall' was from 2016. In epic and energetic power metal, they offer us 10 compositions including a long final development of more than 15 minutes and, like the Germans, you don't have to look for sophisticated music because 'Light, Fire & Iron' is full of immediate and unstoppable melodies that immediately get stuck in your head. And it's off to a blistering start with 'Lost Humanity' with its memorable chorus and rich backing vocals, followed by an equally energetic 'Dragon Order' which unfurls another addictive melody that makes you want to sing along, then 'The Heroes Line' kicks it into high gear with another stadium-singing chorus, as does the anthemic 'Freedom for All' with its "hohoho" that should be a big hit in concert. The album continues with tracks that are all equally energetic, including the follow-up 'A Tale Of Glory', the first part of which takes us on a power ballad with folk accents and the addition of bagpipes, and which has a second part that is more upbeat and follows the same musical pattern. And we won't miss the eponymous track of the album with a saga bringing a good dose of progressive to this epic power metal sublimated by folk sounds and a new addictive melody. In short, without reinventing the wheel, the Frenchmen of 'Hopes of Freedom' offer us an excellent album filled with memorable melodies and if you like a power metal without headaches and accessible at the first listening, you should without any doubt adhere to 'Light, Fire & Iron'...

Line Up / Musicians

Lucas Lambert (Vocal, Guitar), Charles Demoulins (Guitar), Loris Brix (Bass), Clément L'heryenat (Drums)


Artist : Signum Draconis

Album : The Divine Comedy: Inferno

Release Date : 12-11-2021

Added : 20-12-2021

'Signum Draconis' is a new Italian opera metal project that has been composed by guitarist 'Oscar Grace' and is surrounded by 'Max Morelli' on vocals, 'Filippo Martignano' on keyboards, 'Stefano Antonelli' on bass and Francesco Micieli on drums. With many guests, including the well-known 'Mark Boals' from the metal scene ('Shining Black' is his latest project) or the lyrical singer 'Chiara Manese' or the guitarist 'Simone Mularoni ' from 'DGM' and the support of the 'Bratislava Symphony Orchestra', they offer us the first part 'Inferno' of 'Dante Alighieri's' opera 'The Divine Comedy', which should be followed by 'Purgatorio' and 'Paradiso', the whole forming a triptych. And for this, 'Oscar Grace' has pulled out all the stops with more than an hour and a half of music containing all the ingredients one would want to find in this kind of production, and the result is worthy of the titanic work. For those who are fans of 'Therion' and who liked 'Beloved Antichrist', you won't be disoriented as we find the same ambiences as those deployed by 'Christofer Johnsson'.

And right off the bat, with 'In the Midway of Life's Journey', we get a glimpse of the atmosphere that will accompany us throughout this opus with grandiose instrumental arrangements and high-flying vocal performances, mixing classical opera tunes with the power of metal, with the guitar solos bringing a neo-classical edge. Alternatively, when the intensity of the electric instruments fades, we are conquered by heady melodic lines with for example the second track, 'Mission of Virgil' in which the lyrical singers offer us magnificent demonstrations close to classical opera atmospheres, the choirs adding to this parallel as in 'Gate of Hell' which follows (see the video here) and which is the perfect example of the cohabitation between classical and metal. We continue with the powerful 'The Bordeland', which shows all the drama of the work of 'Dante', then, we are carried away by the melodic 'Whirlwind of Lovers' with the entrance of Francesca (magnificent performance of 'Ksenia Glonty') and which offers us a remarkable instrumental central part. The powerful 'Under Eternal Rain' shows, with multiple changes of tempo, all the theatricality that one expects in this kind of metal opera, and one cannot miss the grandiose choirs of 'Regnum Dite' either. We could mention all the following tracks because each one brings an originality to the whole and makes that, despite the density proposed, we are completely absorbed from the beginning to the end. Even if the majority of the compositions are oriented towards a muscular power metal, there are always remarkable variations of intensity that allow this opera to come alive, the vocal performances being always very expressive because the different performers are above all actors: tracks like 'To the Edge of Stygian Lagoon', 'Burning Graves', 'Forest of Suicides' or 'Phlegethon (The Bloody River)' which calms down the ardor in a more measured atmosphere. The second, shorter CD contains only 5 tracks (including a short introduction with sound effects and narration), but offers longer developments with 'Ten Moats of Damnation (Interlude: The Ulysses' Chant)' of more than 11 minutes, more complex, but in which we find all that constitutes a metal opera (only one downside, the monologue in the middle part a little long for my taste), the album ending with two magnificent compositions, 'Cocytus (The Ice Terror)' and its tortured atmosphere, then 'Lucifer' which closes this opera by highlighting remarkable vocal performances and a magnificent guitar solo in a neo-classical style.

To sum up, this new project 'Signum Draconis' by Oscar Grace' is a total success and offers a rich and dense metal opera with everything one would like to find in this kind of work, the whole being magnified by a cast of remarkable actors/singers, by grandiose choirs, and by instrumental arrangements perfectly alternating the magnificence of the orchestral instruments with the power of the electric instruments. We look forward to the next two parts...

Line Up / Musicians

Max Morelli (Vocal), Oscar Grace (Guitar), Filippo Martignano (Keybords), Stefano Antonelli (Bass), Francesco Micieli (Drums) + Guests : Renato Carrazzo (Voice), Chiara Manese (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal), Ben Jackson (Vocal), Ksenia Glonty (Vocal), Luca Paolini (Vocal), Andrea Ranfa (Vocal), Frederick Pollock (Vocal), Simone Mularoni (Guitar), Oleg Smirnoff (Keybords), Bratislava Symphony Orchestra


Artist : Marco Mattei

Album : Out of Control

Release Date : 19-11-2021

Added : 21-12-2021

Marco Mattei' is an Italian singer/songwriter who released his first studio recording 'Out of Control' in November 2021. Surrounded by an impressive list of artists (see below), he offers us a variety of different styles in fairly short formats ('Void' still closes in on 7 minutes) and we navigate between pop, rock, hard-rock, and folk, all of this sprinkled with a good dose of progressive.

We're welcomed into Indie influences with 'Would I Be Me' (see video above) recalling the 'Beatles' white album period following their trip to India in 1968, then, without transition, 'Picture in a Frame' (see video here) takes us into a mix of pop and funk with an imaginative rhythm section and 'More Intense', which follows, is a restful ballad in a slight crescendo that may recall the moods of 'Peter Gabriel' in the mid-80s. I'll Be Born' continues in a delicate mood but this time with melodic influences of 'Roger Waters' but in a much more serene register than the Englishman, then 'Lullaby for You' starts with a childlike song and continues in a kind of delicate acoustic lullaby, delightfully accompanied by a slide guitar. Without transition, after 'Lullaby for You', 'Anymore' comes along and offers us some good hard rock with a sustained rhythmic, followed by 'Tomorrow' (see the very beautiful video here) which this time takes us to the country with a rhythmic instrumental, an atmosphere that will be found again in the short 'After Tomorrow' but this time in acoustic. Void' follows, with a water drop sound at the beginning that may remind some of the Floyds, but it continues in a sensual atmosphere with aerial choirs and in the second part of the track offers a rhythmic acceleration leading to an intense finale. As for 'On Your Side', we are taken into a gentle ballad, the languid vocals accentuating this feeling of plenitude, then the album ends with the short instrumental 'Hidden Gems', then 'Gone' which offers us a last remarkable composition in a 'Santana'-like atmosphere.

In summary, the first album of this type is a very good one.

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Mattei (Guitar, Bass, Vocal, Percussions, Programmation) + Guests : Dave Bond (Vocal), Matthew Brown (Vocal), Felix Brandt (Vocal), Barak Seguin (Vocal), Richard Farrell (Vocal), Jerry Marotta (Drums, Percussions), Pat Mastelotto (Drums, Percussions), Chad Wackerman (Drums, Percussions), Clive Deamer (Drums, Percussions), Matt Crain (Drums, Percussions), Gianni Pierannunzio (Drums, Percussions), Salvatore Mennella (Drums, Percussions), Matilde Mattei (Shaker), Tony Levin (Bass), Fabio Trentini (Bass), Gabriele Bibbi Ferrari (Bass), Duilio Galioto (Keybords), Paolo Gianfrate (Keybords), Dave Bond (Mandolin), Marco Planells (Sitare), Paul Johnson (Flute, Whistle), Diederik van den Brandt (Pedal Steel), Rob Wakefield (Violin), Max Rosati (Guitar), Mauro Munzi (Piano)


Artist : NorthTale

Album : Eternal Flame

Release Date : 12-11-2021

Added : 22-12-2021

'NorthTale' is an international power metal band that was created by Brazilian-born guitarist 'Bill Hudson' and released a debut album 'Welcome to Paradise' in 2019 and has just released a second studio recording 'Eternal Flame', the line-up having changed slightly as Brazilian 'Guilherme Hirose' singer has now taken over from 'Christian Eriksson'. Fans of power metal distilling catchy melodic anthems, you are in the right place because the 12 compositions send heavy with influences ranging from Brazilian music to neo-classical through extreme metal, all this being supported by a frantic rhythm section.

And in a direct and effective speed power metal style, 'Only Human' (see video above) starts the hostilities with a heady first chorus and a fast tempo, then 'Wings of Salvation', much more varied, brings changes of intensity, rhythm and style with for example a neo-classical instrumental section in the second part of the track, the melodic lines still remaining very catchy. With 'Future Calls' (see video here) which sees the participation of the 'Hansen' family father and son, the frantic rhythm continues in a new melodic hit incorporating remarkable instrumental parts, then, a complete change of style with 'The Land of Mystic Rytes' which, in a rhythmic and tribal chanting, offers us a disorienting melody alternating with a more classic but still effective chorus. No pause to attack 'Midnight Bells' (see the video here) with a new addictive chorus, then the title track continues in a hellish tempo with drums still very fast, as does 'In the Name of God', slightly more moderate which alternates different tempos and intensities and 'Ride the Storm' with a new chorus that should be taken up in chorus in concert. We continue in the same style with 'King of Your Illusion', then, the cover of 'Judas Be y Guide' from 'Iron Maiden' which already dates back to 1982, shows the evolution of the recordings in a few decades highlighting an impressive firepower compared to the original, 'Jonas Heidgert', the singer of 'Destiny' being invited for the occasion. And to end on a high note, the 11-minute 'Nature's Revenge' takes us on a power metal epic that may recall the atmospheres of a 'Elysium' of 'Stratovarius', then, the outro 'Ivy' ends the album on an epic symphonic instrumental, contrasting with the rest, but which allows a deserved break after all this energy debauchery, especially since the whole thing offers only a few moments of respite.

In summary, power metal is doing well at the moment and after the Germans of 'Powerwolf' and 'Running Wild' and the French of 'Hopes of Freedom', 'NorthTale' releases a second album packed with good energy that should appeal to an audience that loves melodic anthems that can be tamed from the very first time you listen to them...

Line Up / Musicians

Guilherme Hirose (Vocal), Bill Hudson (Guitar), Jimmy Pitts (Keybords), Mikael Planefeldt (Bass), Patrick Johansson (Drums) + Guests : Kai Hansen (Guitar), Tim Kanoa Hansen (Guitar), Jonas Heidgert (Vocal), Mary Zimmer (Vocal)


Artist : Lee Aaron

Album : Almost Christmas

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 23-12-2021

The next three columns will be dedicated to Christmas-related songs with artists in different musical styles. First of all, the band 'Lee Aaron' will finally release in 2021 the album 'Almost Christmas' which was ready at the end of 2020 but could not be released in time (it was already available for Christmas 2020 on sale on Lee's website). After the very good 'Radio On!' a few months ago, this opus contains not only covers of different artists in an energetic rock but also two original tracks at the end of the album with the title track and 'More Fun on the Naughty List' in a joyful Christmas atmosphere, to which we can add 'Peace On Earth' that 'Lee Aaron' had released in 1991. In terms of covers, we sail through the ages starting with the late 50s with 'Zat You Santa Claus?' performed by 'Louis Armstrong' and 'Run Run Rudolph' written by 'Johnny Marks' and 'Marvin Brodie' and immortalised by Chuck Berry, then, we travel through the 60s/70s with 'Baby Please Come Home' from 1963's 'Darlene Love', 'I Don't Believe In Christmas' from 1965's 'The Sonics', the moving 'The Fiddle And The Drum' by 'Joni Mitchell' from 1969 and the well known 'Merry Christmas Everybody' by 'Slade' from 1973, the rest being more recent with 'It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas' by the 'Pet Shows Boys' from 1999, 'Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas' by the band 'Eels' from 2002 and finally 'All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue' by 'Over the Rhine' from 2006.

In summary, this collection of Christmas songs by 'Lee Aaron' is a real pleasure that takes us back in time with compositions packed with good energy but also with beautiful moving moments showing all the talent of this jack-of-all-trades who adapts perfectly to all styles of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Aaron (Vocal, Guitar), Sean Kelly (Guitar), Dave Reimer (Bass, John Cody (Drums)


Artist : SayWeCanFly

Album : Cup of Cheer

Release Date : 03-12-2021

Added : 24-12-2021

The second Christmas recording is dedicated to the 'SayWeCanFly' project of 'Braden Barrie' who continues a successful solo career with albums from crowdfunding which he has already released 5 studio recordings since 12013, the last two being 'Beautiful Mess' from 2018 and 'Nosebleed (Unmask)' in 2020. In another style, he wrote and composed the soundtrack for the Canadian film 'Cup of Cheer,' a mushy story that sees a journalist return to her hometown and meet and fall in love with Chris, the owner of a hot chocolate store. Certainly, the cinematographic context makes that we are plunged in music completely in phase with the film but, beyond the clichés titles on Christmas, the whole shows all the talent of 'Braden Barrie' who throughout the 37 titles of which most are instrumental, makes us travel in the magic of Christmas...

Line Up / Musicians

Braden Barrie


Artist : Artistes divers

Album : Playlist de Noël 2021

Release Date : 25-12-2021

Added : 25-12-2021

And to finish on the theme of Christmas, I have compiled compositions of artists from different backgrounds who have released albums or tracks related to this holiday in recent years, and we find in bulk :
= 'Cats In Space' with the single 'I Believe In Father Christmas' at the end of 2021.
= 'Sabaton' with the single 'Christmas Truce' at the end of 2021.
= 'Elton John' et 'Ed Sheeran' with the single 'Merry Christmas' at the end of 2021.
= 'Jordi' with the single 'Marry Blah Blah Blah' at the end of 2021.
= 'Leaves' Eyes' with the single 'Silent Night' at the end of 2021.
= 'Trick or Treat' with the title 'Evil Needs Christmas Too' from album 'The Unlocked Songs' released in May 2021.
= 'Zuberoa Aznarez' with the title 'The Salutation Carol' from album 'Nowell' released at the end of 2020.
= 'Storm Force' with the single 'Last Christmas' of 2020.
= 'Blind Guardian' with the single 'Merry Xmas Everybody' of 2020.
= 'MoonGarden' with the single 'Merry Christmas To You' of 2020.
= 'Mostly Autumn' with the single 'For Everyone at Christmastime' of 2020.
= 'Majestica' with the title 'The Joy of Christmas' from album 'A Christmas Carol' released at the end of 2020.
= 'Tarja' with the title 'Walking in the Air' from album 'Christmas Together: Live At Olomouc And Hradec Králové 2019' released in 2020.
= 'Schaffer / Barlow Project' with the title 'We Three Kings' from album 'Winter Nights' released in 2020.
= 'Temperance' with the title 'Lost in the Christmas Dream' from album 'Viridian' released in 2020.
= 'Magnum' with the single 'On Christmas Day' of the end of 2020.
= 'Gathering of Kings' with the single 'December (Christmas)' of the end of 2020.
= 'Blackmore's Night' with the title 'Emmanuel' from album 'Winter Carols' of 2017 reissued in 2021.
= 'Stardancer' with the title 'Everything I Want for Christmas' from album 'Pachamama' of 2018.
= 'Cheap Trick' with the tite 'Merry Christmas Darlings' from album 'Christmas Christmas' of 2017.
= 'Sonata Artica' with the single 'Christmas Spirits' of 2015.
= 'Status Quo' with the single 'It's Christmas Time' of 2008.


Artist : Drifting Sun

Album : Forsaken Innocence

Release Date : 26-10-2021

Added : 26-12-2021

I'm coming back to a progressive rock album released at the end of October 2021 that I'm only discovering now, and that concerns the Englishmen of 'Drifting Sun' with a new studio recording 'Forsaken Innocence', after their two very good last opuses 'Twilight' dating from 2017 and 'Planet Junkie' dating from 2019. The line-up has changed somewhat as next to 'Pat Sanders' there is still 'Mathieu Spaeter' on guitar, but the new bassist is now 'John Jowitt' who is no stranger to the progressive world as he has been involved in renowned projects such as 'Arena' on the last album 'Double Vision', and 'Mick Pointer' ('Arena also) has left his place on drums to 'Jimmy Pallagrosi' who was the drummer of 'Karnataka'. Another major change is that Greek 'John "Jargon" Kosmidis' is now providing all the vocal performances and has released a very nice solo album 'The Fading Thought' in 2020. Guest appearances include keyboardist 'Ben Bell' and the violinist 'Eric Bouillette' who were already on board with 'Planet Junkie', the latter contributing to a number of progressive projects, the latest being 'This Winter Machine'.

On the menu of this album, 8 compositions, 3 of which exceed 10 minutes for a big hour of listening: we are right in a progressive researched that we appropriate as we listen, starting with the first long development 'King of The Country' which embarks us in a progressive saga made of a patchwork of small sections alternating different atmospheres, tempos and intensities and which offers us a wonderful beginning, both vocally and instrumentally. Insidious' follows, which unlike its lighter predecessor, brings a certain melancholy with its slow tempo that lets 'Jargon' show all its vocal talent by following the alternation of intensities, going from a calm and rather dark register to a powerful and higher voice, then, 'Dementium' continues in this melancholy that accompanies us throughout this composition made, once again, of a remarkable alternation between weak and strong times. We continue our progressive journey with the magnificent ballad 'New Dawn' thanks to the beautiful piano performances of 'Pat Senders' and the remarkable vocals of 'Jargon', which know how to trigger that little shiver that is a sign of intense emotion, just like 'Mathieu Spaeter' with its short guitar solos (too short for my taste). We reach the masterpiece of the album with the 25 minutes of the eponymous title of the album, which is divided into two parts with, first of all, the first 11 minutes in a catchy melodic progressive in which the vocal and instrumental parts follow one another like drawers that are pulled out one after the other and which brings us back to the best of the progressive rock of the 70s/80s. As for the second part, almost 15 minutes long and entirely instrumental, it is more technical and deploys multiple changes of tempo and intensity which makes it less accessible and requires listening to it several times to get the full instrumental richness, the only downside I would mention is the presence of repetitions of musical phrases a little too important which could have been reduced. After this intense and dense progressive saga, the end of the album offers us the short acoustic ballad 'Time to Go' in a purified atmosphere that deals with the loss of a loved one, then, 'Hand on Heart' ends on a more energetic and catchy note with a more immediate accessibility.

In summary, English is a very good album.

Line Up / Musicians

Pat Sanders (Keybords), Jargon (Vocal), Mathieu Spaeter (Guitar), John Jowitt (Bass), Jimmy Pallagrosi (Drums) + Guests : Ben Bell (Keybords), Eric Bouillette (Guitar, Violin), Gareth Cole (Guitar)


Artist : Leap Day

Album : Treehouse

Release Date : 15-11-2021

Added : 27-12-2021

The genesis of the Dutch project 'Leap Day' dates back to 2007 when drummer 'Koen Roozen' of 'Flamborough Head' met keyboardist 'Derk Evert Waalkens' and two years later, with the addition of keyboardist 'Gert van Engelenburg', vocalist 'Jos Harteveld', guitarist 'Eddie Mulder' and bassist 'Peter Stel', released the first album 'Awaking the Muse'. Since then, four albums have been released ('Skylge's Lair' in 2011, 'From the Days of Decalion: Chapter 1' in 2013, 'From the Days of Decalion: Chapter 2' in 2015 and 'Timelapse' in 2018) and 'Treehouse' is therefore the band's sixth album. Their style is influenced by the great names of 70's progressive rock, and we sail through long developments in the great tradition of a researched and inventive progressive in which each artist brings his stone to the edifice. For this last album, we can note two changes since 'Hans Kuypers' replaces 'Jos Harteveld' on vocals and the bassist is now 'Harry Scholing'.

The album starts with the long development 'Like Icarus' which unfolds a refined progressive with melodic lines taking us back to the best of this style in the 70's, the two keyboardists showing all their complicity in this musical maze. The last minute is dedicated to the enumeration of the victims of the fire in an abandoned building in New Orleans in 2010. This is followed by 'Clementine', which continues the light-hearted musical atmosphere with catchy melodic lines, changes in tempo and a good balance between the vocal and instrumental parts. We continue the beautiful journey with 'Raining' which moves quietly alternating calm and energetic moments with saturated guitar riffs, then, the title track brings a light feeling with its swinging tempo and takes us back a few decades with bands like 'Focus' or 'Camel' with vintage keyboard sounds. Make way for 'May 5th' which continues in this relaxing atmosphere that has a beautiful instrumental part in the second half of the track incorporating some oriental sounds. And to finish this remarkable album, the 12 minutes of 'Autumn' offers us a magnificent finale giving off beautiful emotions, and in the second part, completely instrumental, we abandon ourselves completely by making our mind wander to the rhythm of the pleasant and harmonious melodic lines.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Lead Day' release a new album of great quality that takes us on a beautiful progressive journey, elegant and melodious; 'Treehouse' is still a nice surprise at the end of this year 2021 and should join the ideal discotheque of a large number of fans of this style who loved the major progressive formations of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Derk Evert Waalkens (Keybords, Choirs), Koen Roozen (Drums), Gert van Engelenburg (Keybords, Choirs), Eddie Mulder (Guitar, Choirs), Hans Kuypers (Vocal), Harry Scholing (Bass)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Diamanti

Release Date : 19-11-2021

Added : 28-12-2021

Their album 'Viridian' had been a pleasant surprise in early 2020 and the Italians of 'Temperance' took less than two years to repeat with a new album which was released in November 2021, bringing their discography to 5 studio recordings in 8 years and, then, shows the generous production of the transalpine, especially as 2021 also saw the release of the EP 'Melodies of Green and Blue' in which they revisited some of their tracks acoustically.

On the menu of this abundant opus of 65 minutes (55 in fact if we remove the 4 versions in different language of the hit album 'Diamanti'), there are 12 tracks led drumming in a symphonic power metal with melodic lines always as memorable. And to welcome us, 'Pure Life Unfolds' (see video above) deploys considerable firepower and delivers a heady first chorus, then 'Breaking the Rules of Heavy Metal' continues the momentum with another powerful and fast-paced blast in which our vocal trio have a field day. Diamanti' follows (see the video here), modulating the ardour and showing all the talent of melodists of the Italians with an addictive chorus sung in their language and in the great tradition of Italian song which gives an irresistible desire to go along with the lyrics (that's good because now in spotify, the lyrics are present on some tracks including this one). We continue with a quick 'Black Is My Heart' which is still very effective and then, with the next two tracks, the style is very close to 'Nightwish' as 'Litany of the Northern Lights' and 'You Only Live Once' have a power and drive reminiscent of the Finns, the first one even having that Celtic feel with the accompaniment of bagpipe sounds. The second part of the album is just like the first, with energetic compositions with melodic lines that are always very catchy: we can mention 'Codebreaker', which brings a touch of modernity with electronic sounds, or 'Let's Get Started', which moves away from symphonic metal for a moment to send us a good, unleashed rock, or the last track, 'Follow Me', which has a sustained rhythm but also benefits from a few moments of respite. In alternation, other compositions bring an airing to the whole with 'I the Loneliness', alternating tempos in a more measured metal or 'The Night Before the End' which shows a more marked symphonic face with some choirs and a new memorable chorus, without forgetting the power ballad 'Fairy Tales for the Stars', certainly classic, but of a formidable effectiveness.

In summary, it is without surprise that the Italians of 'Temperance' gratify us with an admirable album that continues on the momentum of the previous opuses with this perfect mixture between a catchy and intense power metal, a good dose of symphonic arrangements and a vocal trio always in perfect harmony; the twelve hits of 'Diamanti' will undoubtedly turn in loop at all the lovers of symphonic metal and will certainly be able to touch a wider metal audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Pastorino (Vocal, Guitar), Alessia Scolletti (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums)


Artist : Sting

Album : The Bridge

Release Date : 19-11-2021

Added : 29-12-2021

His last pop/rock album was in 2016 with '57Th & 9TH' and 'Sting' returns in 2021 with a new album 'The Bridge', having gone reggae style with '44/876' in 2018 and 2019 having seen the release of cover versions of songs from his repertoire with 'My Songs' released in a studio recordings' and another live. More recently, he has released an album of duets with a diverse set of artists that isn't on Spotify but some have made a playlist that compiles each song and features this unlikely but oh-so-timeless duet between 'Sting' and 'Charles Aznavour' dating from 2008.

With this latest album, 'Sting' returns to his original style and the 13 compositions take us back a few decades and embark us on a beautiful journey of which he has the secret. First, with 'Rushing Water' (see video above), quite in the style of 'Police', we find this so characteristic voice which accompanied a whole generation in the 70s and 80s, in a peaceful and melodic rock, then, 'If It's Love' (see video here) continues in this register with a new memorable melody. But the rest is much more moderate with all the sensitivity that characterizes the Englishman and tracks like 'The Book of Numbers' and its more subdued atmosphere which for a few moments takes on a greater dimension in the chorus, then, 'Loving You' is a rhythmic ballad with modern sounds brought by an electronic drum machine and 'Harmony Road' returns to a more conventional style and takes us back to the most beautiful acoustic songs of 'Sting'. In the same vein, 'For Her Love' is a condensation of sweetness and sensitivity with magnificent choirs that merge beautifully with the vocals, then, with the light 'The Hills of the Border', the alternation between the slow and rhythmic parts is magnificent and the bouncy tempo makes you want to tap your feet, as does 'Captain Bateman' which follows with that pop/folk feel that takes us back several decades. It continues in a more subdued jazz club atmosphere with 'The Bells of St. Thomas', and then, the title track is a melodic acoustic gem full of emotion, an atmosphere that is echoed in the next song 'Waters of Tyne'. This beautiful album ends with the rhythmic 'Captain Bateman's Basement', with a magnificent fusion between the bass line and the Englishman's vocal accompaniment, then, the cover of Otis Redding's '(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay' in which 'Sting' imparts a more composed atmosphere.

In summary, after forays into different styles, 'Sting' returns to a pop style that made him known in the 70s with 'Police' and then in his solo career from 1985: 'The Bridge' is therefore intended for an audience who loved these two periods and, certainly, will reach a wider audience, because all the compositions are very accessible and shows that he has lost none of his talent and he knew how to cross the last 40 years by offering us beautiful albums with this voice so characteristic conveying always beautiful emotions...

Line Up / Musicians

Sting (Vocal, Bass), Dominic Miller (Guitar), Martin Kierszenbaum (Keybords), Branford Marsalis (Saxophone), Fred Renaudin (Keybords), Josh Freese (Drums), Manu Katché (Drums), Gene Noble (Choirs), Jo Lawry (Choirs), Laila Biali (Choirs)


Artist : Deep Purple

Album : Turning to Crime

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 30-12-2021

'Whoosh!' had been one of my 2020 favorites with this return to a hard-rock that took us back a few decades and this end of 2021 saw 'Deep Purple' release a new album, well if you can say so, because these are not original compositions but, only, some would say, covers of tracks from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. But when it's done in this way with this feeling of immense pleasure, one can only salute this band of adventurers who, as I calculated in the last review 'Woosh!', total 359 years old, which then becomes 364 years old one year later! So, ready to embark on a journey through time with completely timeless compositions that mix rockabilly, rock, and jazz. You'll find yourself in between 'Fleetwood Mac', 'Bob Dylan', 'Ray Charles', 'Quincy Jones' and so on, and if your whole body doesn't start moving on tracks like 'Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu' by 'Huey "Piano" Smith', in which 'Don Airey' even manages to place 7 notes of 'Smoke On The Water', or the catchy 'Watching the River Flow' and 'Let the Good Times Roll', or the last medley, 'Caught in the Act', chaining together 'Going Down' by 'Jeff Beck', 'Green Onions' by 'Booker T. & The MG's', 'Hot 'Lanta' by the 'Allman Brothers Band', 'Dazed And Confused' by 'Led Zep' and 'Gimme Some Lovin'' by the 'Spencer Davis Group', you'll have to pass by and, for the others, you'll just have to savor these 12 tracks with remarkable interpretations showing the talent of these five artists who each bring their own stone to the edifice and who transform all these tracks into "made in 'Deep Purple'" with this energetic hard-rock touch present here and there. In short, for this exercise, which is common for many other bands, it took more than fifty years for 'Deep Purple' to do it, but when the journey through time is so successful, we can only bow to these five artists who know how to transmit to us this immense pleasure of playing together...

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Gillan (Vocal), Steve Morse (Guitar), Roger Glover (Bass), Ian Paice (Drums), Don Airey (Keybords)


Artist : Land Of Gypsies

Album : Land Of Gypsies

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 10-01-2022

Land Of Gypsies' is a new find from Frontier's Records and this new hard rock project was initiated by the ex-singer of 'Great White', 'Terry Ilous', a Frenchman exiled in the United States where he made a name for himself in the late 80s with the band 'XYZ'. Quickly joined by bassist 'Fabrizio Grossi', well known in the hard rock scene for having played with 'Glenn Hughes', 'Supersonic Blues Machine' or even 'Eric Gales', they offer us 11 compositions that take us back to the 70's with influences from major bands, starting with 'Deep Purple' and 'Led Zeppelin' and we embark on a marvelous journey through time made of unstoppable melodies that are interpreted magnificently, making us sweat with that admirable authenticity that brings us back to the beginning of hard rock.

The mid-tempo 'Believe' starts the foot-tapping machine instantly with a heady first chorus with choirs from another era, then, in the same rhythm, 'Shattered' continues with another effective melodic gem, as do its two successors 'Trouble' and 'Give Me Love' with their Led Zep-like rhythm and bluesy influences. With 'Somewhere Down the Line', that's it, the arthritic pains are completely forgotten while headbanging like 40 years ago, then, 'Rescue Me' which starts calmly as an acoustic ballad, takes on power in the middle of the track and shows a nice alternation between tranquility and power. This is followed by 'Not an Ordinary Man', which is a more measured hard rock in which 'Terry Ilous' gives a remarkable vocal performance, varying the intensity from a moving voice to a powerful one when necessary, reminiscent of 'David Coverdale'. Another ballad break with 'Runaway', still in classic hard rock but so effective on a melodic level, and the album ends beautifully with the catchy and melodic 'Long Summer' with its US hard accents, followed by the muscular 'Rambling Man', still as effective as ever, and finally, 'Get It Right' with that good seventy hard rock feeling that gets the headbanging machine going again.

Anyway, no need to make long speeches, if this first studio recording of 'Land Of Gypsies' had been released in the 70's, it would certainly be a reference album now because everything is gathered to have a wonderful time listening to these classic and timeless hard rock tracks...

Line Up / Musicians

Terry Ilous (Vocal), Serge Simic (Guitar), Fabrizio « Fab » Grossi (Bass), AJ Morra (Drums, Percussions), Eric Ragno (Keybords) + Guest : Jeff Northrup (Guitar)


Artist : Rhapsody Of Fire

Album : Glory for Salvation

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 31-12-2021

Since the end of the big reshuffle in 2016 with the arrival of the singer 'Giacomo Voli', 'Alex Staropoli' has not had too many personnel problems because the line-up for the last 5 years is almost the same and, since the last album 'The Eighth Mountain' of 2019, the only change is the replacement of the drummer 'Manu Lotter' with 'Paolo Marchesich' who was already present at the release of the EP 'I'll Be Your Hero' which served as an appetizer to this last opus 'Glory for Salvation' and which continues the saga started in 'The Eighth Mountain'. So what's new on the symphonic power metal planet of 'Rhapsody of Fire' with this new release?

'Son of Vengeance' opens the proceedings in a classic and epic style with grandiose instrumental arrangements and a remarkable effort in vocal harmonies, 'Giacomo Voli', still as good, being very well surrounded by generous choirs, then, 'The Kingdom of Ice', still in an epic atmosphere, is a catchy composition with accessible melodic lines. We continue with the title track which offers beautiful variations of tempos bringing this progressive side to the whole with new imposing choirs and a good place left for the guitar solo, then, the short interlude narrated 'Eternal Snow' with a stripped accompaniment to the flute serves as introduction to 'Terial the Hawk' which deploys a catchy folkloric atmosphere breaking with the power of the metal and which makes it a very original composition. With 'Maid of the Secret Sand', the first part is led by a muscular rhythm section and a memorable melody, and the second part shows rhythmic variations and a remarkable instrumental section. We reach the masterpiece of the album, 'Abyss of Pain II', which approaches 11 minutes and continues the short introduction of the album 'The Eighth Mountain' and develops a patchwork of juxtaposed atmospheres that alternate classical orchestrations and grandiose choirs with catchy metal parts, 'Giacomo Voli', gratifying us with a high-flying vocal performance, navigating between a rocky and clear voice. After a long instrumental introduction, it is still a memorable melody that offers us then 'Infinitae Gloriae', then, place to the magnificent power ballad 'Magic Signs' that can remind some melodies of 'Serenity' and that deploys a remarkable quiet strength. It is covered in 'Italian' (see the video here) and 'Spanish' at the end of the album and these Latin language versions bring, for my part, even more emotion. The album ends with the already known hit 'I'll Be Your hero' with its chorus to make a stadium sing and 'Chains Of Destiny' (see the video here) closes the ball on a last energetic track with a memorable last chorus.

In summary, no surprise for this sequel to 'The Eighth Mountain', we find with 'Glory for Salvation' all the ingredients of a flamboyant symphonic power metal and 'Alex Staropoli' continues to deliver us melodies and shows always as much talent to compose tracks highlighting instrumental and vocal arrangements grandiose...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Staropoli (Keybords), Giacomo Voli (Vocal), Roby De Micheli (Guitar), Alessandro Sala (Bass), Paolo Marchesich (Drums)


Artist : Deception Store

Album : Pindaric Flights

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 01-01-2022

'Deception Store' is a new Italian progressive project that is not making the buzz on the internet and some information can be found on their website either in Italian or in English here. Created by the singer 'Marco Pantazzi', their style is close to a quiet progressive rock that refers to the atmospheric rock formations of the 70s, led by 'Pink Floyd' and their first album 'Pindaric Flights' was released in late November 2021.

On the menu of this opus, 12 rather short tracks (except for the title song that exceed 7 minutes) that deploy beautiful melodies and refined atmospheres. We are welcomed by 'Lifetime' which shows a beautiful sweetness and the guitar solo 'Floydien' in the second part of the title is a pure wonder. With 'I Do My Way', the piano/song opening is very muffled and continues with a rhythm section that gradually grows with a final leaning towards energetic rapping, interpreted by 'Roberta Staccueddu', which falls back into a few notes of piano, then, we find this alternation of intensities with the next track, 'One More Time', which, after an introduction in a very quiet atmosphere with a whispered song of 'Marco Pantozzi', has a chorus much more lively. Follows the energetic 'Rock-Star (Meteorite)' with a direct and efficient second part of the track and a remarkable final guitar solo, then, back to a softer atmosphere with 'New Bad Day' which unfolds a delicate melody, and we find again these remarkable successions of strong and calm moments. As for the title song, it is made of several parts with a first acoustic section vocal/guitar accompanied by a slide guitar which, without real transition, leaves the place to a slow and heavy tempo rhythmed by a powerful bass in a psychedelic atmosphere bringing us back a few decades in the past and some lulls bringing a good airing to the whole. We start the second part of the album which continues to offer us a rather soft progressive and we can quote 'A New World' with its memorable chorus or 'Distant Lover' which flirts with a piano/bar atmosphere or the magnificent semi-acoustic ballad 'Close Your Eyes' with a melodic construction in crescendo that would not have disowned 'Roger Waters', and the only more energetic incursion is 'Timeline' with a muscular guitar solo but which ends on a much calmer acoustic part in a vocal/guitar duet. After the melancholic piano comma 'Free', the album ends with 'E Immagino Se', sung in Italian and that sums up well the general atmosphere of the album with this emotional strength brought by the alternation of intense moments and others much quieter.

In summary, the Italians of 'Deception Store' release a very promising first album in a refined and delicate progressive with beautiful melodic lines and 'Pindaric Flights', beyond the fans of progressive, should appeal to a rather large audience looking for quite immediate music because all compositions are quite short and catchy from the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Pantozzi (Vocal), Joe Chiericati (Keybords, Piano), Stefano Nicli (Guitar), Teo Ederle (Bass), Thomas Ebner (Drums), Mauro Lazzaretto (Choirs), Roberta Staccueddu (Vocal)


Artist : Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion

Album : We Are the Truth

Release Date : 26-11-2021

Added : 03-01-2022

Sweden's 'Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion' (HFMC) continue their adventure as 'We Are the Truth', which was released in November 2021, is already their 5th album, following the very good 'Parallel Life' in 2019. And the least we can say is that this new baby is a progressive jewel that mixes all the influences of fifty years of this style with 9 compositions that are mostly composed of long developments exceeding 6 minutes. For all those who like to discover a rich and dense album, listen after listen, you're in the right place because 'We Are the Truth' can be savoured with immense pleasure and the parallels with the great names of progressive music are legion throughout the 69 minutes that the album lasts.

One could write a book describing every nook and cranny of each track and that's why I won't venture into such a task. So, to make a long story short, I'll just tell you about these intense moments, starting with the 7 minutes of 'To They Who Rule the World' which integrates everything you want to find in this style with successions of soundscapes that get tamed little by little but that finally hook you so much that they give you this irresistible desire to listen again and again. The following tracks all provoke the same feeling of walking in a labyrinth where each corner is a total delight and we let ourselves go completely to this diversity of ambiences which borrow, here and there, from the best of Emerson, Lake & Palmer', 'Kansas', 'Yes', 'Genesis' or even 'Saga' but also from more recent formations such as 'Marillion', 'Arena', 'Pendragon' or 'IQ' and I'll certainly let you add many others. Moreover, even if the long developments may seem complex at first, 'Hasse Fröberg' has done everything possible to offer us harmonious melodic lines that immediately become engraved in our memory and make all these tracks ultimately very accessible. The eponymous title track and the short 'Every Seconds Counts', for example, have a remarkable emotional force, and the album ends with the sublime 'A Spiritual Change', which sums up all of 'HFMC's overflowing creativity by taking us on a magnificent musical journey one last time.

In short, no need for a long speech, just the music because, as you will have understood, this last album of 'Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion' could very well be a kind of reference album of progressive rock through the ages. 2021 ends in beauty with 'We Are The Truth', which will undoubtedly join the ideal music collection of many progressive music lovers...

Line Up / Musicians

Hasse Fröberg (Vocal, Guitar), Anton Lindsjö (Guitar, Choirs), Kjell Haraldsson (Keybords, Choirs), Thomas Thomsson (Bass, Choirs), Ola Strandberg (Drums, Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Professor Tip Top

Album : Lanes of Time

Release Date : 03-12-2021

Added : 04-01-2022

The Norwegians of 'Professor Tip Top' regularly release albums and after 'Life Is No Matter' in 2017, 'Hybrid Hymns' in 2019 et 'Tomorrow is Delayed' in 2020, this is their latest baby 'Lanes of Time' which was released in late 2021.
No surprise for this last opus, the line-up is unchanged and the progressive style with soft and refined ambiences bringing us back a few decades in the past is always present and this, from the beginning with the title song in which 'Sonja Otto' prints a delicate singing and 'Sam Fossbakk' brings a vintage side with his guitar. The continuation continues in this plenitude with the beautiful ballad 'Falling into the Sun', then, after the short instrumental 'The Sound of Protonflow' which can recall certain atmospheres of Alan Parsons Project' in the 70s, 'Isle of Sirens' remains in this period with an introduction to the 'Barclay James Harvest'. With 'The Quest Remains', we embark in a new ballad mixing influences of 'Blackmore's Night' in the first part and atmospheric 'Floydian' ambiences in the second, ambience that we find in the following track 'Shining' which is quite adapted to decompress from a good stressful day. No transition, 'Past Forever' embarks us in a track made of sound effects and a narration reminding the 'On The Run' of 'The Dark Side of the Moon', then, the magnificent ballad 'Shallow Shadow' comes back to a much quieter climate with a new memorable melody and the album ends with the short and haunting 'Time Is' repeating the same musical phrase.

In summary, this new album 'Lanes of Time' is entirely in the continuity of the previous opus 'Tomorrow is Delayed' and the Norwegians of 'Professor Tip Top' continue to offer us a calm and relaxing progressive to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on...

Line Up / Musicians

Sonja Otto (Vocal, Keybords), Sam Fossbakk (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Stein Høgseth (Bass), Charles Wise (Drums)


Artist : Volbeat

Album : Servant Of The Mind

Release Date : 03-12-2021

Added : 05-01-2022

Like many bands, the Germans of 'Volbeat' used the period of health crisis to produce a new album because, for two years, they have managed to release a studio recording 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound' in 2019 and the live 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound (Live in Deutschland)' at the end of 2020. This new baby 'Servent Of The Mind' is now available since the beginning of December 2021 and, they did not do things by halves because the deluxe version, available on spotify, contains 18 tracks (including two covers of 'Shotgun Blues' with the participation of the singer 'Dave Matrise' and the solo version of 'Michael Schon Puolsen' from 'Dagen Før') for almost an hour and twenty minutes of good melodic heavy music that draws from different styles ranging from rockabilly to an extreme metal. For the followers of a powerful and energetic sound, you are in the right place because we embark for a succession of effective hits that we appropriate immediately and whose melodic lines come to be grafted in the head in the first listening. I will quote the titles which were the object of a video, and which are a good sample of the whole: first of all, the rockabilly metalized 'Wait A Minute My Girl' (see video above), the heavy 'Shotgun Blues', the melodic gem 'Dagen Før' and the powerful and speed 'Becoming'. To note also, the almost 8 minutes of 'Lasse's Birgitta' which closes the standard version and whose second part flirts with progressive with a provided instrumental section. In short, you don't change a winning team and this last album of 'Volbeat' is in the continuity of their previous offerings and shows that the Germans continue to distil hits in spades with this heavy and catchy style thanks to the remarkable sharp riffs of 'Michael Schon Poulsen'...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Schon Poulsen (Vocal, Guitar), Robert Caggiano (Guitar), Anders Kjolhom (Bass), Jon Larsen (Drums) + Guests : Stine Bransen (Vocal), Dave Matrise (Vocal)


Artist : Coronatus

Album : Atmosphere

Release Date : 03-12-2021

Added : 06-01-2022

The Germans of 'Coronatus' continue to release albums at a regular two-year interval as 'Secrets of Nature' is from December 2017 and 'The Eminence of Nature' from late November 2019. Just a few days after, two years later the mast opus, here is its successor 'Atmosphere'. The lineup has changed a lot because, apart from the violinist 'Kristina Jülich' and the band leader and drummer 'Mats Kurth' who were in 'The Eminence of Nature', the vocal section has been completely renewed with the arrival of the mezzo-soprano 'Leni Eitrich' and the singer 'Moni Francis', the guitarist 'Axel Grill' replacing 'Jörn Langenfeld' and the bassist 'Mark Knaus' replacing 'Markus Stock'.

With this in-depth change, 'Coronatus' also evolves on a musical level and this new baby is certainly one of the most varied albums of the German combo and the first five compositions attest to a much wider variety: the short instrumental introduction 'Intro' plunges us into a melancholic orchestral track with beautiful choirs, a process that is very often found in the beginnings of albums of symphonic metal bands. Then follows 'Justice In The Sky' whose beginning is in the continuity of the first title but which quickly takes amplitude with the entry in track of the electric instruments and which puts forward the new female vocal duet, the melodic lines being in the symphonic style that we know of 'Coronatus', then, 'To the Gods of Wind & Sun' adds this original mixture between symphonic and folk with a catchy composition, the violin of 'Kristina Jülich' reinforcing this feeling of vivacity and enthusiasm. Without transition, 'Firedance' deploys a more marked rhythmic which moves away from the symphonic metal and shows a particularly attractive face which one could qualify as metalized pop then, 'The Distance' is a splendid ballad bringing out a beautiful emotion thanks to a masterly interpretation of the duet 'Moni Francis'/'Leni Eitrich' with a chorus in which the songs join in a sublime way. With this nice panel of styles, we already arrive at the middle of the album and the continuation reserves us other nuggets with 'Williwav' (see video above) which pays tribute to 'Nightwish' with this characteristic rhythmic, then, 'Time of the Raven' (see the video here) continues in this festive symphonic metal that we know from the Finns by adding folk influences and catchy melody that immediately grafts itself in the head. With 'The Swarm', it's back to a catchy composition with a magnificent vocal performance from the two singers who play cat and mouse with each other. After this metal/folk part, 'Keeper Of Souls' sends a heavy metal style much more powerful and shows that 'Coronatus' has resource in more energetic atmospheres and, it is with a last title completely in another style, 'Big City Life' that the album ends and takes us, this time, in an atmosphere between blues and jazz of the years 50/60 with a last vocal duet completely addictive.

In summary, this last album of 'Coronatus' shows that the compositions of 'Mats Kurth' have reached a musical perfection allowing the band to leave the beaten tracks of a standard symphonic metal and to tackle different styles of music, thanks to some very talented artists. For my part, 'Atmosphere' is the most accomplished album of the Germans and, cherry on the cake, benefits from an irreproachable production what makes it one of the very beautiful surprises for the end of year 2021...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Kurth (Drums), Moni Francis (Vocal), Leni Eitrich (Vocal), Axel Grill (Guitar), Mark Knaus (Bass), Kristina Jülich (Violin)


Artist : Undertime

Album : The Sound of Hopes

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 07-01-2022

At the end of 2021, the new Brazilian band 'Undertime' has just released its first studio recording 'The Sound of Hopes' and, the least we can say is that, even if it is not making the buzz on the internet for the moment, it is likely to make some noise in the progressive field in general because, this first opus contains everything one would like to find in this style with, as a bonus, a total duration of 81 minutes that slowly reveals itself and takes all its dimension, listening after listening, that is generally the proof of a great quality.

And contrary to my usual practice of describing an album in track order, I'll start with the album's last eponymous composition, over 18 minutes long, which alone is worth the purchase of this first baby from the Brazilians and sums up this work as a whole: an introduction with a slow tempo that slowly builds up and whose theme mixes oriental and occidental sounds and whose original rhythmic section envelops the music magnificently, then, a captivating melody (reminding me of the ambiences of a certain 'The Astonishing' of 'Dream Theater' (there are worse references! ) accompanies us for a few moments to introduce a first sung part in which 'Marcelo Saracino' shows all his vocal talent with a powerful and expressive song. This is followed by a melodious semi-acoustic instrumental section that gradually gains momentum and whose guitar solo is a real treat, then, a second sung part takes over, more measured than the first one, which puts forward a much more measured register of 'Marcelo Saracino' to accompany a melody that immediately grafts itself in the head. And finally, we are taken through a masterful and quite technical keyboard solo, then the sung finale closes this admirable composition in an energetic and melodic atmosphere. The rest is of course up to the standard of 'The Sound of Hopes' with long developments, because out of the 7 other tracks, only the beautiful ballad 'Under Life' shared between acoustic and electric is under 7 minutes and we navigate in different successive soundscapes, the whole being more oriented towards progressive metal but each one also brings its calmer moments like in 'A World Full of Nothing' with a magnificent 'Floydian' section in the second part or in the catchy and melodic 'Different Moment' closer to progressive rock or in the heavy 'Damn Disease' with its superb alternations of rhythm and intensity between strong and weak moments, without forgetting the oriental effluences of 'Mirages' which offers us a very beautiful and exotic journey with a grandiose instrumental finale.

To sum up, if you are a fan of a progressive metal that is researched and imaginative and that reveals itself little by little, there is a strong chance that you will adhere to this first album by the Brazilians of 'Undertime' because 'The Sound of Hopes' already shows an impressive maturity that should put them in a good place in this style led by the unavoidable 'Dream Theater', 'Sons of Apollo', 'Opeth', 'Haken' oor even 'Ayreon'...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcelo Saracino (Vocal), Renato Estevam (Guitar), Gustavo Maia (Guitar), Mário Maia (Drums), André Fernandes (Bass) + Guests : Gabriel D'Amico (Bass), Wilson Esteves (Keybords), Tito Falaschi (Keybords), Rachel Moss (Voice)


Artist : The Murder Of My Sweet

Album : A Gentleman's Legacy

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 08-01-2022

For this new album 'A Gentleman's Legacy', 'Daniel Flores' continues his progressive adventure of 'Mind's Eye' whose last album 'A Gentleman's Hurricane' dates back to 2007 and, compared to the last album 'Brave Tin World' of 'The Murder Of My Sweet' dating back to 2019, his compere 'Mike Palace', who shares quite a few projects with the Chilean (the latest of which is that of the singer of 'The Murder Of My Sweet', 'Angelica Rylin'), comes to replace the guitarist 'Christopher Vetter'. The album 'A Gentleman's Hurricane' told the story of a former CIA agent 'Adam Evangelista' turned rogue who had found his long lost daughter, and 'A Gentleman's Legacy' finds 'Angelica' as an adult trying to avenge her father from the people who led her astray from her settled life.

From 'Six Feet Under', the progressive aspect is put forward with a succession of sound effects bringing us back to American history with for example an extract of an interview with 'Ronald Reagan' on a background of Amazing Grace' and the story begins with the passing of the torch between 'Adam', who is presumed dead, and his daughter 'Angelica' who is entrusted with the mission to rehabilitate him. Despite the rather dark theme, the following compositions take us on a rocking ride with, first of all, 'A Ghost Of A Chance' (see video above) which offers us a memorable first melody, then, 'Damnation' continues in this way putting forward accessible rock, as if 'Daniel Flores' didn't want to cut himself off from his fans of 'The Murder Of My Sweet', the progressive side of his former project being reduced to its simplest expression. We find this atmosphere again with 'Wheels of Time', still very direct and efficient with a classic verse/chorus construction, then, 'Winged', brings a nice variety to the whole in a symphonic atmosphere which is quieter at the beginning but which becomes more lively at the end on a rhythmic level. We continue our melodic journey with 'Kill Your Darlings' (see the video here) and 'Father's Eyes' in the same atmosphere as the first tracks, then, make way for the ballad break 'Rise Above' which is filled with a beautiful emotion, thanks to the beautiful vocal performance of Angelica Rylin'. The melodic rock takes over with 'Trick the Devil' and 'Heads or Tails' and their choruses that don't leave you, and then it's time for the very beautiful melancholic ballad 'Please, Don't Wait Up' with an original rhythmic acceleration in the second part. And it's with 'Finding Closure' that the album ends, a composition that approaches 10 minutes and that offers us new and very pleasant melodic lines and a progressive construction leaving a good place to instrumental sections.

In summary, it is clear that 'Daniel Flores' has somewhat evolved the style of 'The Murder Of My Sweet' by integrating some progressive aspects to be in line with his former project, but on the other hand, 'A Gentleman's Legacy' keeps an accessibility thanks to catchy melodic lines so that the fans of 'TMOMS' will not be disoriented and will find their account there...

Line Up / Musicians

Angelica Rylin (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Drums), Mike Palace (Guitar), Patrick Janson (Bass)


Artist : Beneath My Sins

Album : An Acoustic Journey, Pt. 1

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 09-01-2022

French symphonic metal band 'Beneath My Sins', who have already released two very good studio recordings, 'Valkyries Of Modern Times' in 2017 and 'I Decide' in 2020, have, like many bands during the last two years of the health crisis, unplugged their electric instruments to release a new album, 'An Acoustic Journey, Pt. 1', in late 2021. And the least we can say is that in this often perilous exercise, they do it very well and we can even say that the acoustic versions bring another dimension to their discography, because the addition of traditional instruments reinforces even more the festive folk side that characterizes them and 'Emma Elvaston's clear vocals lend themselves magnificently to these more stripped down versions. Note that on this acoustic album, three new compositions appear which should be part of their next album in electric version: these are 'The Other Half of Me', 'The Choice' and 'Hero'. And to give you an idea of this beautiful album, I'll mention the 3 compositions that were the object of video on their youtube channel: 'Fly Raven Fly !' (see the video above), 'The Other Half of Me' (see the video here) and 'Kick Me Out' (see the video here).

To sum up, the Frenchmen of 'Beneath My Sins' take us on a beautiful and sunny musical journey in the heart of winter and 'An Acoustic Journey, Pt. 1' should, beyond the band's fans, appeal to a wide audience, because all the compositions are an immediate pleasure to listen to and allow us to escape, for a moment, from the complicated period we are going through thanks to the superior power of all artistic creation that no politician can ever take away from us...

Line Up / Musicians

Emma Elvaston (Vocal), Clément Botz (Guitar, Clarinette, Piano, Bouzouki), Thomas Prêtre (Bass, Ukulele), Lilian Conynck (Guitar) + Guests : Pietro Paolo Lunesu (Choirs), Thomas Calegari (Drums)


Myprogmusic wishes you a very happy new year 2022!

And as the year 2021 was again a great year for progressive music releases, I take the opportunity to make a list of myprogmusic's reviews that were among my favourites of the year and given the number I limited myself to about twenty albums:

Therion – Leviathan
Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe : Forevermore
ILLUMINAE - Dark Horizons
Vian Fernandes - Half Life
Cosmograf - Rattrapante
tRKproject - Books That End in Tears
Single Celled Organism - Percipio Ergo Sum
Karmamoi - Room 101
The Vicious Head Society - Extinction Level Event
Brave New Worlds - Net of Illusions
Styx - Crash Of The Crown
Leprous – Aphelion
The Neal Morse Band - Innocence & Danger
Steve Hackett - Surrender of Silence
Whyzdom - Of Wonders and Wars
Mostly Autumn - Graveyard Star
Fleesh – Eclipsed
Dream Theater - View From The Top Of The World
Kansas - Point Of Know Return Live & Beyond
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Out of This World: Live (1970, 1997)
Alan Parsons - The Neverending Show: Live in the Netherlands
Alan Simon - Excalibur V: Move, Cry, Act, Clash!


Artist : Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Album : Barn

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 11-01-2022

After re-releasing the 1990 'Crazy Horse' live album, 'Way Down In The Rust Bucket (Live)' and the magnificent 'Carnegie Hall' from 1970, 'Neil Young' continues to release albums and 'Barn' is his new baby which saw a new reunion with the 'Crazy Horse' and takes us back a few decades, his loyal historical companions also being present with 'Ralph Molina' on drums and 'Billy Talbot' on bass, guitarist 'Nils Lofgren' who accompanies 'Bruce Springsteen' who joined the band in 1970 also being present. And we find again these atmospheres that rocked us during our youth with this clever mix between acoustic ballads and the electric side that 'Crazy Horse' had brought in 'Neil Young' compositions: In the first genre, the album starts with 'Song Of The Seasons', a subtle ballad accompanied by the harmonica, the kind of track that would have been perfect in a 1972 'Harvest' and we can also mention 'Shape Of You' and its spontaneous side of a late night musical jam or the quiet 'They Might Be Lost' or the bluesy 'Welcome Back' in which we let ourselves be carried away by the sweet melody, The album ends with 'Don't Forget Love' in a sparse guitar/vocal atmosphere, the chorus of 'Crazy Horse' answering in unison to the vocals of 'Neil Young'. On the electric side, 'Heading West', 'Canarian' and 'Human Race' also show that the Gibson of 'Neil Young' hasn't aged a bit and gives us some good, saturated riffs. In short, as a certain 'Johnny' used to say, this last 'Neil Young' accompanied by his friends of yesteryear is a real marvel "as in the good old days of rock'n'roll"...

Line Up / Musicians

Neil Young (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano), Nils Lofgren (Accordion, Guitar, Piano, Vocal), Ralph Molina (Drums, Vocal), Billy Talbot (Bass, Vocal)


Artist : Mercury X

Album : Imprisoned

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 12-01-2022

'Mercury X' is a Swedish progressive metal outfit that is already almost a decade old and has already released two albums with 'That's Blasphemy' in 2014 and 'Between Worlds' in 2017. The end of 2021 saw the arrival of a new opus 'Imprisoned' which, as the name suggests, refers to the two years spent during the health crisis and, initially, they had planned to make only an EP with the album's long, 20 minute development. Eventually, four other tracks were added to make an LP.

Let's start with the composition 'Imprisoned' which takes up almost half of the album: we embark on a dense and rich progressive journey which juxtaposes different soundscapes and which, beyond the power brought by an imposing rhythm section, offers multiple variations of intensities and tempo throughout the track and, of course, given its rather complex construction, demands to linger on it to get the full substance. The other four tracks bring a more immediate accessibility, already by their length and certainly also by more direct melodic lines: witness the first track 'Until the Break of Day' which, after a powerful introduction, deploys a more measured melody in the sung parts and which has a memorable chorus. As for 'Lonely' and 'The Sound of Nothing', they are also accessible compositions, showing the Swedes' ability to mix metal sounds based on a roaring bass with much calmer sections that bring variety to the whole and avoid a too uniform style.

To sum up, the Swedes of 'Mercury X' release a new quality album which, moreover, benefits from an impeccable production and places them now as a direct challenger of the tenors of the genre such as 'Dream Theater' or 'Symphony X'. Therefore, 'Imprisoned' should undoubtedly appeal to an audience that likes modern progressive metal looking for varied atmospheres, but also a perfect mix between accessible tracks and long developments to be tamed little by little, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Björklund (Vocal, Guitar, Violin), Denis Diaz (Vocal, Drums), Jonas Vedin (Guitar), Alfonso Flores (Bass)


Artist : Agarthic

Album : The Inner Side

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 13-01-2022

When it comes to Italian symphonic metal bands, 'Temperance' tops the list, but there are many lesser-known bands that have been chronicled in myprogmusic with, for example, in the latest releases, 'Eternal Silence', 'Elegy Of Madness', 'Winterage', 'Edran' ou encore 'Walk In Darkness'. It will now be necessary to reckon with the new formation 'Agarthic' who released their first studio recording 'The Inner Side' at the end of 2021 and the transalpines are led by a duo, the bassist 'Mattia Gosetti' and the singer 'Valeriano De Zordo' who have created 'Agarthic' in 2019. Their particularity is not to be limited to classical symphonic metal but they also bring a good dose of progressive which makes them an original formation. It will now be necessary to reckon with the new formation 'Agarthic' who released their first studio recording 'The Inner Side' at the end of 2021 and the transalpines are led by a duo, the bassist 'Mattia Gosetti' and the singer 'Valeriano De Zordo' who have created 'Agarthic' in 2019. Their particularity is not to be limited to classical symphonic metal but they also bring a good dose of progressive which makes them an original formation.

On the menu of this album, 11 compositions for a full hour of music and the short start 'The Beginning of All' shows an epic face in a moderate tempo quite far from the power that is generally found in metal and vocal harmonies and the orchestral arrangements are particularly remarkable. The following corroborates this sentiment with titles like 'The Ancient Secret Scroll' which deploys catchy melodic lines, much like its successor 'A Journey To The End Of The World' (see video above) which continues on this path and the vocals of 'Valeriano De Zordo' lend themselves very well to this style which can recall the register of 'Georg Neuhauser' and the atmosphere of the first albums of 'Serenity'. Overall, the whole is like the beginning of the album with melodic mid-tempos and we can quote for example 'Through the Mystical Forest', 'Message from the Gods' or 'Back Home' with very beautiful vocal harmonies that deploy a sort of quiet force and when the rhythm picks up, the Italians offer us more varied atmospheres with titles like 'Negotations Failed' with its alternating tempos or 'Escape to Antartica' and its memorable chorus. And when the atmosphere is much calmer, the two ballads 'A Heaven Inside This Earth' (see the video here) and 'Last Journey' are pure delicacies. And it is with the long development 'Illuminati's Reign', in an epic, symphonic atmosphere and with a good dose of progressive, that the album ends very beautifully and constitutes a very good summary of the Italian style. By the way, I didn't tell you about the theme which is summarized in the 'Frontiers' press review on the album: "Agarthic's music is strongly inspired by the nature that surrounds them, in particular by the Dolomites, a mountain range in Italy. Their compositions tell fantastic stories and the mysteries of humanity, a romantic and enveloping soundtrack that will take you on a thrilling journey with cinematic flavor. "

In summary, the Italians of 'Agarthic' are releasing a very promising first album which merges symphonic and progressive metal with accessible melodic lines and remarkable vocal and instrumental arrangements and, if they continue in this direction, should quickly make themselves known and compete the tenors of the genre because everything is done to seduce a fairly large public fan of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Mattia Gosetti (Bass, Keybords), Valeriano De Zordo (Vocal), Jesai Fiabane (Guitar), Denis Novello (Drums) + Guests : Fabio Lione (Vocal), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Federico Maraucci (Guitar), Valeriano De Zordo (Choirs), Mattia Gosetti (Choirs), Marco Pastorino (Choirs), Sonia Da Col (Choirs)


Artist : Zelbo

Album : In My Dreams

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 14-01-2022

For this chronicle, we have to go back to the end of the 80s, 1987 precisely, year in which 'Dag Selboskar' with his formation 'Da Vinci' released a first eponymous album of the group which was followed by a second, 'Back In Business ', in 1989. After a separation in 1992, it was not until 2017 that 'Da Vinci' reappeared, almost thirty years after their last album with 'Ambition Rocks' which put the Norwegian keyboardist back in the saddle with a good melodic rock album bringing us back to the best of the 80s. From this return to business, Dag decided to launch the new project 'Zelbo' whose debut album 'In My Dreams' was released in December 2021, the rest of the line up being made up of guitarist 'Ken Ingwersen', singer 'Frode Vassel' and drummer 'Sturla Nøstvik'.

No need to make you languish, 'Zelbo' is a continuation of 'Da Vinci', that is to say good melodic rock with hits that follow one after the other and all you have to do is listen to the first titles to be convinced of it with the eponymous title of the album which begins in a catchy and refreshing atmosphere bringing us back to the best of the 80s with a first memorable melody then the 'Fortune and Frame' (see video below), 'Phoenix Rising' (see the video here) and 'Heads Down' continue along this clear path with effective choruses that we immediately appropriate. In a delicate and elegant AOR, we can also quote 'Get Up Get Over It' and 'Waiting for the End' and when the tempo is slower, 'Dag Selboskar' knows how to seduce us with beautiful ballads which are well represented with 'Wild Young And Free' filled with a beautiful emotion or 'Beautiful Flyaway', a little faster but which smacks of the refrain that never leaves you or the mid-tempo 'Small Town Girl' with addictive melodic lines or 'Every Little Thing' which closes the album in a very nice way by offering us a last memorable melody.

To sum up, 'Dag Selboskar' takes us on a beautiful journey through time with melodic jewels that we scroll (and re-scroll) with immense pleasure, all of this being sublimated by a quality and well-balanced production, and this new melodic rock project should please a large audience that should consume 'In My Dreams' without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Dag Selboskar (Keybords), Ken Ingwersen (Guitar), Frode Vassel (Vocal), Sturla Nøstvik (Drums)


Artist : Magnum

Album : The Monsters Roars

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 21-01-2022

And for this first column in 2022, it is the indefatigable Englishmen of 'Magnum' who are releasing a new album 'The Monster Roars' less than a year 'The Serpent Rings'. Casually, here we are, 2022 is the year of 50 years of activity of the group and they continue again and again to offer us good hard rock taking us back to the 70s / 80s and this last baby is their 22nd studio recording. The writing of 'Tony Clarkin' is as incomparable as ever and we immediately recognize the 'Magnum' touch in all these compositions that we listen to with immense pleasure, and which immediately put a delighted smile on our faces. Admittedly, the style has softened a little but makes the whole even more original and varied and we find direct and catchy titles like 'Remember' or 'The Day After The Night Before' or even 'The Present Not The Past', 'That Freedom Word' and 'Come Holy Men' which alternate calm verses and more energetic choruses. And, when the tempo is more moderate, we are conquered by very effective melodic jewels: the powerful opening track 'The Monsters Roars', the addictive' All You Believe In 'and' I Won't Let You attest. Down '(see video above) which give an irresistible desire to accompany the choruses or even 'Your Blood is Violence' and its marked rhythm with an original final acceleration, without forgetting at the end of the album, the two magnificent ballads 'Walk The Silent Hours' and 'Can't Buy Yourself Heaven'. We can also mention the magnificent 'No Steppin' Stones' (see the video here) which is for me the supreme hit of the album with its brilliant brass and a performance radiant vocals of 'Bob Catley' that send us crazy energy.

In short, the years go by and the Englishmen of 'Magnum' are still there and continue to deliver beautiful timeless melodies that are a great pleasure to listen to, which should please all the fans, but which should also make people happy far beyond, because everything is done to spend a very good time in the company of this very endearing band...

Line Up / Musicians

Bob Catley (Vocal), Tony Clarkin (Guitar), Rick Benton (Keybords), Dennis Ward (Bass), Lee Morris (Drums)


Artist : Perfect Plan

Album : Live at Sharpener's House

Release Date : 10-12-2021

Added : 15-01-2022

The Swedes of 'Perfect Plan' had put online a live set in December 2020 that you can see in the You Tube video above. From now on, this live recorded in studio is available for streaming (Yes, with the health crisis, live studio concepts have been invented!). After 'All Rise' in 2018, the cover EP 'Jukebox Heroes' in 2019 and 'Time for a Miracle' in 2020, this session is a sort of best of of of the band, with eight compositions from the last album and three from 'All Rise', the two remaining compositions being 'Stay' from 'Giant' and 'That Was Yesterday' from 'Foreigner', which were present on the 'Jukebox Heroes' EP, with 'Stay' being covered acoustically. This recording, in addition to its exemplary recording quality, is filled with a remarkable authenticity and this band transmits to us at every second their pleasure to play together which gives even more strength to these melodic hits of the Swedes (special mention to 'Kent Hilli' which makes this type of recording convey even more emotion). Note that the end of the set is devoted to four acoustic covers that bring variety to the whole and that end this beautiful moment of escape magnificently.

In short, if you must have an album of 'Perfect Plan', it is this one because it represents a very nice summary of the production of the Swedes, with icing on the cake, these atmospheres even more authentic and gripping which are only possible in live sessions...

Line Up / Musicians

Kent Hilli (Vocal), Rolf Nordstrom (Guitar), Leif Ehlin (Keybords), Mats Byström (Bass), Fredrik Forsberg (Drums)


Artist : Counterline

Album : One

Release Date : 21-12-2021

Added : 16-01-2022

Colombia is not the first country that comes to mind when talking about melodic rock, but this new project 'Counterline' comes from South America and could well compete with all the Scandinavian bands that are the reference in this field. Created by singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Harold Waller' and drummer and guitarist 'GG Andreas', they offer us, with a host of guest guitarists, a first album full of melodic hits that take us back to the best of the 80's in this style, all of this being remarkably mixed and mastered by 'Ed Omar Carabantes' of the Chilean band 'Hunter' who also released a beautiful debut album in 2021. From the outset, with the catchy 'If You're Clear with Your Words', we climb onto a melodic cloud that delivers a memorable first chorus, then 'Sense of Reality' continues in this radiant AOR atmosphere where everything flows so naturally, the melodic lines provoking an immediate listening pleasure. With 'The One' (see the video above), we have a track that would certainly have been an interplanetary hit in the 80's with this mid-tempo with delicious harmonies, then it's time for 'Write Your Story' which is more energetic while keeping this instantaneous efficiency. The other compositions in the same style have nothing to envy to this beginning of album and we can quote the other catchy tracks that are 'Spell of Love', 'Leave It All Behind' (see the video here) and 'Out in the Cold'. And when the atmosphere gets quieter, the three ballads, 'Angel', 'Best Part of Me' and 'I Need to Learn', placed in the second half of the album, are all to be added to the best melodic rock ballads (see the playlist of myprogmusic). In short, this new project from the Colombians of 'Counterline' is yet another nice surprise in melodic rock at the end of 2021 and 'One' will certainly be an album that will be played over and over again by many lovers of melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Harold Waller (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass), GG Andreas (Guitar, Drums), Rubio Res (Piano, Keybords) + Guests : Carlos Mendoza (Guitar), Diego Cely (Guitar), Frank Hansen (Guitar), Dany Acosta (Guitar), David Camilo Solano (Guitar), Paul Alfery (Guitar), Kiko Shreds (Guitar), Os Segura (Bass)


Artist : Curtain Falls

Album : Lost Innocence & Traffic Signs

Release Date : 17-12-2021

Added : 17-01-2022

'Curtain Falls' is a Spanish formation which already has an album to its credit dating from 2015 ('Cuentos que entierran') and which has just released a second studio recording 'Lost Innocence & Traffic Signs'. I discovered with this last opus this new project of the multi-instrumentalist 'Daniel Villanueva' who is also the composer of the group, and, thanks to the press review sent by Daniel, I realized that I had written a review in 2016 on his old formation 'Absentia' with the very beautiful album 'Black & White'. When you first listen to this new baby of the Spaniard, you are overwhelmed by a patchwork of different atmospheres which make the whole particularly varied and which refer to various styles of progressive which go from rock to metal via pop, jazz, classical and hard-rock, all this being sprinkled with multicultural influences which makes it a kind of world music, a term that I used to define the last releases of 'Steve Hackett'. The basic line up is made up in addition to Daniel, by the soprano 'Erika Mayo', by the guitarists 'Carlos Rivero' and 'Miguel Arcos' and by the bassist 'Carlos de la Osa'. But, 10 other artists were also invited and who all bring their own stone to the building allowing to densify and diversify the vocal and instrumental sections. Regarding the theme, I'll let 'Daniel Villanueva' tell us about it: " Lost innocence & traffic signs talks about the inner judgement between everything society expects about us and our own dreams. Sometimes we follow a road that wasn’t the way we wanted to take. Now that we realized that some fears and doubts appear. What if we change the direction? What could be the people reaction? What if I fail? Each step going towards our dream, we are getting closer to our inner child. ".

'Lost Innocence' welcomes us in a calm and gentle atmosphere which can remind us of formations that I particularly like, 'Mostly Autumn' et 'Fleesh', 'Eika Mayo' having a magnificent voice that can remind those of the singers of the aforementioned groups, 'Olivia Sparnenn- Josh' and 'Gabby Vessoni'. Change of scenery with a remarkable 'And Traffic Signs' which starts in a much more energetic way, with saturated guitar tones and a much more muscular vocal performance especially as 'Alex Losa' sprinkles the whole with some growl interventions, but the second part of the title is much more subdued in a calmer atmospheric style, the finale returning to the theme of the departure. We continue with 'Chains', which begins with saturated guitars, but which slowly transforms into a subtle mix between a tango and a Latin rhythm, and which takes us through all kinds of soundscapes, then, after this long and very original instrumental introduction, arrives the sung part in a catchy tempo with beautiful rhythmic variations and magnificent jazzy forays. Follows the instrumental comma 'Lost War' which serves as an introduction to 'Road to Nowhere' (see the video here), more classic with a verse/chorus construction and which takes us on a catchy rock track with beautiful instrumental parts and which is further embellished by beautiful rhythmic breaks. With the instrumental 'No Thoroughfare', return to a Latin rhythm marked by abrupt breaks with catchy melodic lines, then, change of style in the middle of the title with two instrumental sections which make us travel in different soundscapes and which form a beautiful moment of relaxation. Follows 'Weather-vane' which brings us back to the influences mentioned above with the first track 'Lost Innocence' and it's still a treat to hear 'Erika Mayo' in this style and the guitar and saxophone 'Floydian' solos are a pure delight, then, with 'Knock-Out', we are taken to an inventive and original progressive which for me makes it one of my favorites of the album: in less than 6 minutes, we are sailing in a completely addictive sound journey making a succession of rather distant landscapes and which finally form a marvelous whole, with special mention, for this central part mixing extreme voices and lyrical singing. Another highlight, 'Floydian' influences are heard in the introduction of 'Better Than God', then, a total break for a new marvelous progressive maze that sends us a mixture of classical and metal that would certainly not deny 'Christofer Johnsson' from 'Therion', all this being sprinkled here and there with a circus atmosphere and the second part, in total rupture, offers us a calmer atmosphere highlighting beautiful instrumental passages. With the instrumental 'The Mountain' which follows (see the video here), the parallel with 'Therion' is always present, thanks to melodic lines mixing East and West and to magnificent vocal arrangements, then, 'A Life Behind' which is a short narration with sounds from exotic countries, serves as an introduction to a sensual 'Sex Addiction' which accompanies us with heady melodic lines in a bewitching crescendo before relapsing into a few piano notes: magnificent! And to end this beautiful album in style, 'But the Inner Child' deploys a slow tempo on a catchy melody with, first of all, a remarkable last vocal performance by 'Erika Mayo' and, then, with a long instrumental part alternating admirable keyboard and guitar solos.

In summary, the end of the year 2021 has brought us a new progressive nugget that I could have added to the already long list of my 2021 favorites from d'albums de progressif because 'Daniel Villanueva', surrounded by talented artists, offers us a rich and dense album which is of an originality and an overflowing creativity and which should, without a doubt, make people happy among the fans of a progressive made of diversity and mixture of cultures as knows also so well the do 'Steve Hackett'...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Villanueva (Drums, Guitar, Percussions, Claps, Voice), Erika Mayo (Vocal), Carlos de la Osa (Bass), Miguel Arcos (Guitar), Carlos Rivero (Guitar) + Guests : Alex Losa (Vocal), Clara Arrebola (Vocal), Luigi Toribio (Vocal, Keybords, Bass, Guitar), Yeyo Fernández (Guitar), Álvaro Quílez (Guitar), Clara Castrillo (Violin), Antonio Márquez (Saxophone), Javier Ángel Morillo (Güiro), Alberto Sánchez (Claps)


Albums not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q4 2021:

This playlist presents albums released in the 4th quarter of 2021 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

October 2021
10/08/2021 Bad Habits - Autonomy - Melodic Hard Rock
10/12/2021 Mind Furniture - An Illustrated Map of the Heart - Progressive Rock
10/14/2021 Altesia - Embryo - Progressive Metal
10/22/2021 Osukaru - Starbound - Melodic Rock
10/22/2021 Dec Burke - Life in Two Dimensions - Progressive Rock

November 2021
11/05/2021 Andrew Roussak - Crossing the Line - Progressive Rock
11/05/2021 Fans of the Dark - Fans Of The Dark - Melodic Rock
11/12/2021 Insania - V (Praeparatus Supervivet) - Power Metal
11/12/2021 Groundbreaker - Soul to Soul - Melodic Hard Rock
11/19/2021 Barnabas Sky - Inspiration - Melodic Hard Rock
11/26/2021 Tony Mitchell - Endless Summer Nights - Melodic Rock
11/26/2021 Astrakhan - Retrospective - Progressive Hard Rock
11/26/2021 Sainted Sinners - Taste It - Melodic Hard Rock
11/26/2021 Edge Of The Blade - Distant Shores - Melodic Rock
11/26/2021 Victory - Gods of Tomorrow - Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
11/28/2021 Moodman - Transition - Progressive Rock
11/30/2021 Lacrimosa - Leidenschaft - Symphonic/Gothic Metal

December 2021
12/01/2021 Sabaton - The Great Show (The Great Tour Live In Prague, 2020) - Heavy Metal
12/03/2021 Dream Theater - Lost Not Forgotten Arvhives: When Dream And Day Reunite (Live)' - Progressive Metal
12/03/2021 False Memories - Echoes of a Reflection - Gothic Metal
12/03/2021 Shagohod - Tin, Gold, Lead & Blood - Progressive Metal
12/03/2021 Lucifer's Friend - The Last Stand - Heavy Metal/Progressive Rock
12/03/2021 Airbag - A Day in the Studio (Unplugged in Oslo) - Progressive Rock
12/03/2021 Magica - Little Box of Echoes - Symphonic Metal
12/10/2021 Marcin Pajak - Sound of the Trees - Progressive Rock
12/10/2021 Asfalto - Canciones Aparcadas - Melodic/Progressive Pop/Rock
12/10/2021 Perseide - 'The Only Thing' (reissue of the 2020 album) - Metal
12/10/2021 Cap Outrun - 'High on Deception' - Melodic Rock
12/17/2021 Liv Kristine - Liv (E) In Nagold 2019 [Live] - Symphonic Metal
12/17/2021 Solarus - A Dance With Tragedy - Symphonic Metal
12/20/2021 Secret Rule - Mea Culpa - Symphonic Metal
12/24/2021 Monnaie De Singe - The Story of Rose Ola Seks - Progressive Rock


Artist : Knight Area

Album : The Journey Home

Release Date : 17-12-2021

Added : 18-01-2022

While waiting for the release in 2022 of the second part of 'D-Day', the Dutch from 'Knight Area' released a preview of this new baby just before the holidays as a Christmas present for their fans and the three tracks offered in this mini album we still make you want to discover more the entire album, because each composition is remarkable: first of all, 'The Journey Home' takes us on a magnificent ballad which unfolds an irresistible melody filled with emotion in which 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' offers us a remarkable vocal performance, then, 'Peace of Mind' shows an equally moving face with a memorable new melody and beautiful epic instrumental parts. As for 'I Believe', it is a much more direct energetic track with a catchy rhythm section which looks towards a very effective progressive metal. Also note that they had done a very nice acoustic cover of 'Freedom for Everyone' in 2020 that we can listen to here. In short, the wait may be long until the release of 'D-Day II - The Final Chapter' because the sample of this short EP shows all the talent of this formation which, with each new album, enchants us. with this subtle blend of symphonic and progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Willem Ketelaers (Vocal), Mark Bogert (Guitar), Gerben Klazinga (Keybords), Peter Vink (Bass), Pieter van Hoorn (Drums)


Artist : Epica

Album : Omega Alive

Release Date : 03-12-2021

Added : 19-01-2022

And to finish with the albums released in 2021, it is the Dutch of Epica 'who are in the spotlight with the magnificent album' Omega Live 'which must have made many happy among the fans by discovering the DVD or the Blu-Ray at the foot of the tree last Christmas. To promote 'Omega' and due to the health crisis, they were deprived of touring in 2021 and the idea germinated to do, as many groups are doing now, a live streaming and was born this project which was broadcast to all fans on June 12, 2021. And to live up to the impressive trilogy proposed by the Dutch (the first two chapters being 'The Quantum Enigma' from 2014 and 'The Holographic Principle' from 2016), they concocted an impressive live which, beyond the music, is a real show with a spectacular setting.

For a good hour and a half, they perform the flagship titles of their careers, leaving a good place for the last opus because of the 15 titles, 7 come from them including the long development 'Kingdom of Heaven, Pt.3 - The Antediluvian Universe'. Although no public is present, throughout the concert we feel this energy at every moment deployed by each member of the group and this pleasure of playing together, energy and pleasure that they know how to transmit to the public. In the highlights of this five-act show, I will remember this concert debut with the first three chained titles of 'Alpha - Anteledium', 'Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity' and 'The Skeleton Key', the 2 long developments 'Kingdom of Heaven' following for nearly 30 minutes, 'Rivers' sung a capella which highlights very beautiful emotional vocal arrangements and, of course, this majestic finale with 'Cry for the Moon - The Embrace That Smothers Part IV' and 'Beyond the Matrix' which are chained without pause and which repeatedly gave me this little thrill of a very great listening pleasure. And for those who missed the concert on the internet and who do not yet have the DVD or Blu-Ray, the Dutch have posted on their You Tube channel, in addition to the many teasers, four extracts from the concert which give a good idea of this show with multiple scenic effects: 'The Skeleton Key' (see video above), 'Unchained Utopia', 'Victims Of Contingency' et 'The Antediluvian Universe – Kingdom Of Heaven Pt. III'.

In short, the Dutch of 'Epica' have made use of the health crisis to offer their fans a very nice gift and perhaps to further expand their audience, because 'Omega Alive', which cannot be conceived without the video is certainly their most impressive live and shows all the talent of this group which has become a world reference in the field of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal, Guitar), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Isaac Delahaye (Guitar), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Ariën Van Weesenbeek (Drums)


Artist : Lighthouse Sparrows

Album : Aerials

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 22-01-2022

2020 had seen the release of the promising EP 'The Deep End' by the Finnish band 'Lighthouse Sparrows' and it is now an LP that will be released in early 2022, called 'Aerials'. The trio 'Sami Sarhamaa', 'Olli Huhtanen' and 'Miri Miettinen' are still there and, for the backing vocals, the 'Trio Tingo' has been replaced by 'Ella Eriksson'. On the menu of this opus, there are 11 compositions for 65 minutes of listening in which we are taken on a very beautiful progressive, symphonic, atmospheric and melodic journey with a good balance between the sung parts and the instrumental sections.

The short instrumental 'Bates' opens the album in a powerful and epic atmosphere with a marked rhythm and omnipresent keyboards, then, 'Assimilate', much more atmospheric, brings a hovering side with a catchy melody and the continuation continues in this way with 'Moodswings', with a slow tempo in a 'Floydian' atmosphere giving a remarkable feeling of quiet strength in which one abandons oneself to the rhythm of the music. Follows 'Kibitzer' with more catchy and direct sung parts which flirt with pop and with instrumental sections bringing the progressive side with a remarkable final guitar solo, then, 'No Still Moment', with its 8 minutes, offers us a beautiful moment of progressive with a title make of several drawers which follow one another and with very beautiful sung and instrumental parts including this central section with very beautiful choirs. 'Elephant', which follows and which was the subject of a single in 2021 (see video above), is a magnificent ballad sublimated by a moving vocal interpretation of 'Olli Huhtanen', then, 'Like Blood', after a muscular introduction, develops a neo-progressive rock which can approach certain titles of 'RPWL' thanks to remarkable alternations of intensities bringing a very particular emotion between strong and weak moments, and we find the same style with the following composition 'Itinerant', thanks in particular to aerial keyboards. We continue our beautiful journey with 'Safe and Sound' which was the first single in 2021 (see the video here) and which is still a very beautiful moment of serenity with the vocal contribution of 'Ella Eriksson' that we would like to hear even more often because the singing combined with the male duo and Ella is simply sublime. The album ends with, first of all, the instrumental 'Percolator', a title highlighting the sounds of vintage keyboards that can in some places recall 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer', then the long development 'Youth', which is certainly the most sought after and the most psychedelic of the set and which highlights soaring and vaporous sounds bringing us back to the first period of 'Pink Floyd'.

In summary, the Finns of 'Lighthouse Sparrows' release a remarkable first studio recording both in terms of compositions and production and if you like bands like 'RPWL' or 'Airbag' or even ou encore 'Mystery', you should like 'Aerials' which should be one of the major atmospheric progressive albums of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Olli Huhtanen (Vocal, Keybords), Sami Sarhamaa (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Miri Miettinen (Drums), Ella Eriksson (Choirs)


Artist : Autumn's Child

Album : Zenith

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 23-01-2022

At the beginning of each year, we start to get used to it, the metronome 'Mikael Erlandsson' gratifies us with a new album with his new project 'Autumn's Child', the eponymous album 'Autumn's Child' from early 2020 and 'Angel's Gate' from early 2021. The lineup has changed slightly because it is now bassist 'Magnus Rosen' who has replaced 'Johan Strömberg' and, on this last album, the Swede has invited other artists, including keyboardist 'Jona Tee' who was a member of the group on the last opus. So, will 2022 be a good year for 'Autumn's Child'? If you follow the regular releases of 'Mickael Erlandsson', you suspect the answer because, we still have in our hands, a compendium of what we can do best in melodic rock and hard rock: first of all, there are catchy compositions with memorable melodies that punctuate 'Zenith' starting with the opening track 'Emergency' and a first chorus that makes you want to sing along. In the same style, the two following tracks 'Evangeline' and 'Love is a fighter' take us back to the best of the 80's, but 'Never Say Die', 'Angel of Danger', 'High On Love' are all melodic gems that are an immediate pleasure to listen to. The rhythmic 'Crowdpleaser' and the furious 'Don't Wanna' also convey a crazy energy and make you feel good for a whole day. And to recover between all these catchy melodic compositions, 'Mikael Erlandsson' still has a gift for giving us memorable ballads, of which there are three: 'Nigthingale', 'Heaven Can Wait' and the semi-acoustic 'Damaged Souls', which ends the album beautifully.

In summary, no matter the name 'Last Autumn Dream' or 'Autumn's Child', the Swedish 'Mikael Erlandsson' continues to release albums as addictive as each other at an annual cruising frequency and the quality is always on point. This latest baby 'Zenith' confirms this and remarkably opens the year 2022 in melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Claes Andreasson (Keybords, Piano), Magnus Rosen (Bass), Pontus Akesson (Guitar), Robban Back (Drums) + Guests Anna-mia Bonde (Choirs), Jona Tee (Keybords), Martin Olsson (Bass), Rasmus Ehrnborn (Guitar), Roberth Nygren (Guitar), Sayit Dölen (Guitar)


Artist : Tristan Harders' Twilight Theatre

Album : Drifting Into Insanity

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 24-01-2022

German multi-instrumentalist 'Tristan Harders' is the lead singer of power metal band 'Terra Atlantica' which has released two albums, 'A City Once Divine' in 2017 and 'Quest into the Sky' in 2020. He took advantage of the health crisis that deprived his band of concerts to create a new solo project, 'Tristan Harders' Twilight Theatre', which he produced almost single-handedly because apart from the contribution of 'Tomi Fooler' and 'Gabriel Tuxen' on the track 'Save Me From Insanity' and the addition of backing vocals to flesh out the vocal section, he took care of all the instruments, the vocals, the mixing and the production of this album. The result is a very good power metal album with melodic hymns which ultimately are quite close to 'Terra Atlantica' with a touch of neo-classical: after the short epic introduction 'Entrance' which is typical of this style of music, compositions all as addictive as each other with a first title 'The End' of which any fan of power metal should sing the chorus loudly, then, 'Open the Gates' drives the point home with sharp saturated riffs which give a mad desire to headbang and which has some rather original variations of tempo and intensity. In the same style, 'Rise Against the Tyranny' deploys crazy energy thanks to a raging rhythmic section, the short instrumental 'Interlude In G# Minor' brings a neo-classical side, 'In the Realms Of Memories' is the typical anthem power metal to take back in choirs and the fast 'Save Me From Insanity' is not to be outdone with beautiful vocal harmonies. When the rhythm section wants to be less unleashed, 'Rise against the Tyranny' shows a more measured face with a new catchy chorus, and we can also mention 'Quest Into The Mountains Of Steel' which has beautiful alternations of intensities between verses and chorus or even 'When Fairytales Are Gone' with its very classic melodic lines but so catchy and effective. We will also not miss the ballads 'Back To Avalon' and 'Between The Battles' which offer remarkable breaks between all the energetic compositions.

In summary, 'Tristan Harders' is releasing, at the start of 2022, a remarkable power metal album, certainly close to what we know from 'Terra Atlantica' but which offers effective melodic anthems that come directly grafting in the head and 'Drifting Into Insanity' should please fans of classic power metal who like bands like 'Hopes of Freedom', 'Running Wild' or 'Powerwolf' to name only those who have recently released albums in this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Tristan Harders (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Tomi Fooler (Vocal), Gabriel Tuxen (Guitar), Robin Kelka (Choirs), Finn Harders (Choirs)


Artist : ShredxXx

Album : Celestial Prophecies, Vol. 1

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 25-01-2022

'ShredxXx' is a new progressive music formation created in 2015 which comes to us from India, and which initially played metal bringing us back to the 70s by including elements of Indian music thanks, in particular, to the use of the sitar. In 2016, they released the band's first self-titled EP (see here) and they just released their first studio recording 'Celestial Prophecies, Vol. 1' which is a concept album. The story takes us to the fantastic realm of 'Aeternum' which predates the birth of time, when celestial beings were at the height of their civilization and I quote the band for the first single from the album: " 'The Prodigal Sons' is a tale of the Gemini Twins, the sons of King Leo. Trained in the art of war by Sagittarius, the master of archery and King Leo himself, in swordsmanship, the Twins are the fiercest warriors in all of 'Aeternum'. They are called upon by their father, to bring a swift end to the rebellion by the heavenly realms against, his agenda of a unified world order under his ruling. Is Leo a megalomaniac?? Or once a mighty and just king, now swirling into the madness of control because of some dark past?

This story, with 13 compositions, includes 6 of them in the first volume and we are greeted by the longest title of the album, 'A Tale of Two Lions' (see video above): amateurs and lovers of long progressive developments with multiple drawers, you have come to the right place because this first composition takes us on a very beautiful journey made up of different soundscapes which scroll one behind the other and which refer to multiple influences by mixing rock, hard rock and metal in atmospheres that alternate very nicely between calm moments and much more energetic ones. Follows 'The Prodigal Sons' which is accompanied by a video which you can view here and which is a first preview of an animated series that should see the light of day with the set of the two volumes. With this composition, we go back a few decades with a very effective progressive hard rock and the 7 minutes are a total treat for the fifties that I am with remarkable variations of tempos and intensity recalling the spontaneity of certain formations of the 70s which had this gift to improvise in concert and lengthen certain titles of their repertoire. With 'The Rebel', the introduction shows an energy in a direct hard rock then, the atmosphere suddenly softens for a magnificent atmospheric section which gradually picks up momentum and which, halfway through turns into an aerial section à la 'RPWL'. As for 'Treachery Uncalled For', it's still a compendium of a beautiful mix between rock and progressive hard rock with beautiful catchy melodic lines and remarkable alternations of tempo and intensities which awaits you, all this being embellished by a remarkable guitar solo while feeling in the middle of the title. We continue our beautiful progressive journey with 'Unrequited Desires' (see the video here) which begins calmly in a ballad atmosphere, and which quickly turns into a powerful mid-tempo with a rhythmic swaying recalling the atmospheres of certain titles of 'Black Sabath' with a guitar solo in the second part which is a pure delight. And to end this very beautiful album in style, the almost 10 minutes of 'The Sorcerer and the Idealist' takes us on a last progressive saga in several parts, first a power ballad with memorable melodic lines, then, a short quite unrealistic but very endearing section which flirts with a ritornello in a waltz tempo that can be found in the French song which precedes the last more energetic part, interspersed by an acoustic part with effects of doctored voices, and alternating remarkably different rhythmic leading to a grand finale.

In summary, this new Indian formation 'ShredxXx' releases a first quite remarkable part of 'Celestial Prophecies' which offers 6 long compositions rich and dense with influences drawn from several decades of progressive: this first LP should, without a doubt, appeal to an audience that loves an imaginative progressive that reveals itself during successive listenings and, for my part, I am impatiently awaiting the second part which, if it turns out to be the same quality, should complete this first magnificent offering of ShredxXx'...

Line Up / Musicians

Sankalan (Vocal), Swarnabha (Guitar, Sitare), Nabhoneil (Guitar), Swarnava (Bass), Prashant (Keybords), Akoi (Drums)


Artist : Arctic Plant

Album : A Wandering Mind

Release Date : 27-12-2021

Added : 26-01-2022

I come back to an album released at the end of December 2021 and which concerns the project of 'Philipp Rexilius', 'Artic Plant', which is releasing its third studio recording 'A Wandering Mind', after 'A Wandering Mind', after 'The Lake of Time' in 2017 and 'The Black Riders' in 2019. On the first two albums, a large part was instrumental and, for this last baby, we find long instrumental parts, the whole mixing progressive rock, symphonic with catchy melodic lines that we immediately get used to but the sung parts are also well represented with several artists who each play a role in this concept album which tells us the story of a man wandering in a forest and who is guided by a wise man to find his home. 7 tracks for 48 minutes of listening time, that's the menu of this opus which contains 3 long developments, one of which is almost 18 minutes long, and 4 other tracks including the suite 'The Quest'.

And to begin with, I'll talk about the progressive saga of the album 'Twist of Fate' which is worth buying on its own if you like to mix progressive and symphonic music because everything is gathered to take you into a maze of different soundscapes. It all starts with a long instrumental introduction, at first epic and melodic as you wish and which continues with a vintage keyboard solo in a driving rhythm, then the main theme appears again and gives way to the sung part in a light magnificent crescendo interspersed here and there with remarkable guitar solos. Without transition, after the middle of the track, we move on to a new, more energetic part with Hammond organ-like keyboards, then, a total break for the very beautiful finale which starts calmly and takes on a strong epic and symphonic atmosphere with a melody filled with a beautiful emotion and supported by a powerful orchestration. As for the other compositions, the suite 'The Quest' is composed of three parts with first 'Desire' with atmospheric 'Floydian' sounds, then, the short instrumental 'Contemplation' unfolds aerial melodic lines and finally, 'Relief' ends with a new contemplative section conducive to meditation and then a more epic finale featuring the trombone of 'Susanne Rexilius'. The rest of the album is made up of two long developments, firstly 'The Forest' which is a beautiful epic ballad, with a much more energetic and technical central instrumental section sandwiched between two quieter parts, and then 'Brothers in Silence' which shows a more progressive face, joyfully mixing jazzy instrumental, hard rock and fairground music with sung parts deploying very beautiful, harmonious and moving sections, the album ending with 'Perception' which closes 'A Wandering Mind' in a beautiful way with a semi-acoustic song whose melody stays in your head after the last note.

To sum up, the German 'Philipp Rexilius' with his project 'Arctic Plant' continues his adventure with a third album of great quality filled with beautiful melodies that can be assimilated very quickly, which makes 'A Wandering Mind' very accessible for a large audience that likes the progressive and symphonic style...

Line Up / Musicians

Philipp Rexilius (Drums, Guitar, Piano, Keybords, Organ, Orchestration, Vocal), Andreas Ludwig (Vocal), Antonia Lenz (Vocal), Felix Schleifer (Keybords), Lisa Rexilius (Bass, Vocal), Susanne Rexilius (Trombone)


Artist : The Ant Band

Album : A Light on the Hill

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 27-01-2022

When we talk about Genesis and its guitarists, it's 'Steve Hackett' who is mentioned first but before him, it's 'Anthony Phiĺlips' (nicknamed 'Ant') who started this legendary formation. Having left the group quite early, he made a solo career with many albums showcasing his talent as a multi-instrumentalist and singer, the latest being 'Strings Of Light' which is composed of pieces for acoustic guitar and a 5 cd anthology will be released at the end of January 2022. 'The Ant Band' is therefore a tribute to the Englishman and they released an album, 'A Light on the Hill', with a cover that was made from that of 'Anthony Phillips' first solo album, < a href='https://open.spotify.com/album/3RVXWDsIyhuJb62tCgh8DU?si=oI5Yqy56S3mhvrfkBbvsAQ' target='_blank'>'The Geese & The Ghost' from 1977 (quite kitsch by the way with this magnificent dwarf who replaces the young man of the initial cover!). The proposed covers are a very nice mix between pastoral songs highlighting all the sensitivity of the Englishman, classical guitar pieces because 'Ant' was a fan of the 12-string, and more progressive compositions inherited from the early 'Genesis'. In the first type, we can cite the child-sounding ballad 'Sistine' and 'Unheard Cry', the moving 'Sanctuary' and 'Moon's Lament for the Sun', the pop songs 'God If I Saw Her Now' and 'Lucy: An Illusion' in the wake of songs from the 'Beatles' era or even 'She'll be Waiting' with a remarkable keyboard solo. The progressive side is less well represented but the 'F Sharp', 'Salmon Leap' or the song 'Stranger' which was originally to be performed by 'Genesis' brings us back to this movement of the early 70s and 'Slow Dance' reminds us that the first progressive groups often used the organ in their compositions and, of course, we can cite 'Pink Floyd' with 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' dating from 1968. The guitar acoustics are represented by 'Study No .1 inE Maj' and the comma 'Poslude: End of the Season'. In short, these very successful covers by the German formation 'The Ant Band' immerse us with delight in a beautiful sample of the production of one of the founders of 'Genesis' who did not necessarily have the notoriety he should have had. throughout his career and, 'A Light on the Hill' should appeal, beyond fans of Anthony Phiĺlips', to a large audience who love songs with beautiful, delicate and refined melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Brilla (Keybords), Jan-Peer Hartmann (Guitar), Damian Krebs (Batteire), Sascha Krieger (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Andreas Lauer (Accordion), Thomas Lehr (Keybords), Kirsten Middeke (Flute), Nina Morgenstern (Vocal, Choirs), Robin Morgenstern (Vocal, Choirs), Tom Morgenstern (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs, Drums), Peter Musto (Keybords, Flute), Gereon Schoplick (Guitar), Thomas Waltner (Keybords, Flute, Glockenspiel), Bert Wenndorff (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Voodoma

Album : Hellbound

Release Date : 14-01-2022

Added : 28-01-2022

If you like gothic metal that is known to be quite dark but which, at the same time, offers catchy melodic lines, you should appreciate the latest album from the Germans of 'Voodoma' who play in the same court as their compatriots of 'Mono Inc' and who, in about twenty years of career, are already on their 8th studio recording, the last 'Gotland' dating from 2017. This latest baby continues in the path all traced of their latest productions with heavy and powerful mid-tempos like 'Silent Scream', 'Into the Deep', but also, more catchy compositions like 'Salems Hell' , 'Save Me' (see video above) or 'Hellbound' (see video here) or even 'Hand of fate', and even pop songs with electro sounds merging with overdriven guitar riffs, like 'We are the Lost' (see the video here) or 'Where is the light in you' or 'Angel X' or even 'Sadman'. In short, in the great tradition of German melodic gothic metal, 'Voodoma' releases a new album that is filled with good energy and catchy melodies that immediately stick in your head: 'Hellbound' celebrates in a beautiful way the 20 years of activity of this formation from 'Düsseldorf' and should appeal to a large audience navigating between rock, hard rock and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Micha (Vocal), Mikk (Guitar), Pierre Liffers (Bass), Wolfgang "Wolle" Haitz (Drums)


Artist : Sonata Arctica

Album : Acoustic Adventures – Volume One

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 29-01-2022

After the very good album 'Talvyiö'< /a> released in 2019, the Finns of 'Sonata Arctica' who were deprived of their 'Acoustic Adventures' tour in 2021, postponed to 2022, due to the health crisis, took the opportunity to whet our appetites with this first volume of acoustic covers of their repertoire which has just been released at the end of January 2022. Much more than a set of covers with unplugged guitars, the compositions have been rearranged for this often perilous exercise for metal bands but, it is enough to put yourself between the ears 'The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me' (see the video above of the single released in 2021) to be convinced that we are far from the power of the melodic metal of the Finns and to agree that 'Tony Kakko' makes a vocal performance strong in emotion. The whole is therefore in line with this first title, and we find a good overview of their discography with, of course, titles which lend themselves more easily to acoustics and which are quite close to the originals with the magnificent ballads 'Tallulah', 'As If The World Wasn't Ending', 'Tonight I Dance Alone' and 'On The Faultline'. Note that the release of the album was also accompanied by a very nice video of 'For The Sake Of Revenge' which you can view here. The list below gives you the spotify link to the original track when available. In short, the Finns of 'Sonata Arctica' demonstrate with this magnificent album that they are not just a metal band but that they also know how to seduce us when the riffs of electric guitars are replaced by arpeggios of acoustic guitar...

The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me – Winterheart's Guild (2003) – Japanese Edition
For The Sake Of Revenge – Unia (2007)
A Little Less Understanding – Talvyiö (2019)
Alone In Heaven – Stones Grow Her Name (2012)
Tallulah – Silence (2001)
Don’t Say a Word – Reckoning Night (2004)
As If The World Wasn’t Ending – The Days of Grays (2009)
Paid In Full – Unia (2007)
Tonight I Dance Alone – Stones Grow Her Name (2012)
The Wolves Die Young – Pariah's Child (2014)
Wolf & Raven – Silence (2001)
On The Faultline – The Ninth Hour (2016)

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Kakko (Vocal, Choirs), Elias Viljanen (Guitar, Banjo, Choirs), Henrik Klingenberg (Keybords, Choirs), Pasi Kauppinen (Bass, Choirs), Tommy Portimo (Drums, Percussions) + Guest : Matti Tegelman (Bass)


Artist : Edge Of Forever

Album : Seminole

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 30-01-2022

With this new album 'Seminole' from the Italians of 'Edge Of Forever', we already have one of the best of melodic hard rock for the year 2022: after 'Native Soul' released at the end of 2019, we would have to invent a "copy/paste more" because, everything what I wrote in my previous column can be applied to this new cake but adding a few more superlatives. Of course, with 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' at the helm, no surprise, everything is done to offer us a quality album: the lineup is now stabilized with the outstanding guitarist 'Aldo Lonobile' and his fabulous guitar solos, a rhythm section made up of 'Nik Mazzucconi' on bass and 'Marco di Salvia' on drums which ensure a huge sound throughout the album, Alessandro delighting us with still remarkable vocal performances and framing the whole with keyboards as luminous as ever.

In order not to go from title to title, I will mention the compositions that give me this irresistible desire to play them on a loop: first of all, with the opener 'Get Up Your Feet Again' (see video below above), everything is there to get you in shape all day long: a huge bass, a rhythm to make a stadium headbang, a completely addictive first chorus, Mister Aldo's magical solo and Alessandro's superb vocals. Then, 'Another Salvation' is also a power hit with all the qualities mentioned above with a new memorable chorus, then, 'Breath of Life' is a power ballad model with an impressive bass and magnificent vocal arrangements and the 8 minutes of 'Wrong Dimension' which takes us on a hard rock saga with oriental sounds and a few touches of progressive at the level of a 'Kashmir' which was taken over by 'Sons of Apollo' in the magnificent live 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony'. And, as we are talking about progressive, how can we miss the last title 'Seminole' (see the video here) which is made up of four parts and which is the kind of compositions that allows the most to highlight the multi-faceted writing talent of Alessandro Del Vecchio' : " I tell my story through the lens of a Seminole warrior and how and how from a defeat you can still come out stronger and even more resilient, only if you want to. "

In summary, as you will have understood, this new album by the Italians of 'Edge Of Forever' is much more than a series of melodic hard rock hits and shows that in addition to being an outstanding melodist peer, 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' is a creator of varied sound universes and that he has this talent to find and highlight the artists who accompany him, which makes 'Seminole' a very good surprise at the start of 2022. and should reach an audience that loves powerful hard rock with progressive pranks...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Del Vecchio (Vocal, Keybords), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Marco di Salvia (Drums)


Artist : Tinsley Ellis

Album : Devil May Care

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 31-01-2022

The American 'Tinsley Ellis' continues to regularly release albums because, after 'Winning Hand' in 2018 and 'Ice Cream In Hell' in 2020, his new baby 'Devil May Care' is now available since January 21st. Of course, because of this damn pandemic, for an artist who is on the road practically all year round, depriving him of this communion with the public for almost two years must not have been easy and he therefore took refuge at the beginning of 2020 in his home studio to recharge his batteries with all the music he loves and took advantage of this period to compose many pieces that he presented to his fans via the internet. Given the material available, he chose ten compositions and recorded them at Franklin's 'Rock Studio' with his faithful instrumentalists, resulting in this magnificent 'Devil May Care'. In a dynamic and lively blues rock style, we embark on a magnificent listening moment: at the outset, the timeless 'One Less Reason' and 'Right Down The Drain' set the tone and, in the same style, we can also quote 'Beat The Devil', 'Juju', 'Step Up' and '28 Days'. Whether in singing or in the still addictive solos, Tinsley has this talent for transmitting fabulous positive energy to us and when the atmosphere becomes more subdued, he has no equal in conveying beautiful emotions with beautiful melancholic compositions like 'Just Like Rain', 'Don't Bury Our Love', 'One Last Ride' or even 'Last Train To Hell'. In short, it is still a magnificent album filled with an overflowing positive energy that 'Tinsley Ellis' and his band offer us and the resumption of concerts is very good news because the American can once again travel the roads to meet his public to continue to transmit, as he knows how to do so well, all this love for this authentic blues/rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Tinsley Ellis (Guitar, Vocal), Kevin McKendree (Organ, Piano), Steve Mackey (Bass), Lynn Williams (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Jim Hoke (Saxophone), Andrew Carney (Trumpet)


Artist : Kissin' Dynamite

Album : Not the End of the Road

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 01-02-2022

The same day as the Italians of 'Edge Of Forever' with their album 'Seminole' is a second bomb of melodic hard rock that comes to us from Germany with 'Kissin' Dynamite' whose latest album 'Ecatsy' is from 2018. So these are 12 new compositions with choruses to make a stadium sing and, if that of the eponymous opening title of the album doesn't affect you one way or the other, you can go your way, and for the others, you should adhere very quickly to the catchy 'What Goes Up ', 'Only The Head' or even 'Yoko Ono' which follow 'Not the End of the Road'. In the same style and with catchy melodies, we can also mention 'Coming Home', 'All for a Halleluja' with choirs that take us back to the 80s and the end of the album does not weaken with 'Defeat It' and 'Voodo Spell' with new choruses to sing along to. Between all these energetic melodic jewels, the quieter moments allow welcome breaks: 'Good Life' (see the video here) is a hymn which should go around the world, and which is a charity song for children suffering from cancer with prestigious guests including the 'ex 'Delain' singer, 'Charlotte Vessels'. The other calmer moments are the two very beautiful ballads with 'Gone for Good' and its chorus à la 'Foreigner' taking us back once again a few decades back and 'Scars', which ends this very beautiful album magnificently with a last memorable melody. In summary, the Germans of 'Kissin' Dynamite' are still releasing an album without downtime filled with good energy which will certainly be one of the best releases of 2022 in this style and it's a safe bet that 'Not the End of the Road' is going on a loop for a lot of melodic hard rock fans and the sound system in their living room sees a small momentary increase in decibels, as was my case...

Line Up / Musicians

Johannes Braun (Vocal), Ande Braun (Guitar), Jim Müller (Guitar), Steffen Haile (Bass), Sebastian Berg (Drums)


Artist : John Mellencamp

Album : Strictly A One-Eyed Jack

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 02-02-2022

That's it, 'John Mellecamp' is now part of the septuagenarians, but we still have the impression that time has no influence on him because he continues to offer us magnificent albums filled with timeless melodies that perpetuate the song of the greats artists of the 70s with, in the lead, 'Bob Dylan'. He had filled us with these last two albums, 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies' from 2017 and 'Other People's Stuff' in 2018, without forgetting the live released in 2021. 'Strictly a One-Eyed Jack' is his 25th studio recording which sees the participation of 'Bruce Springsteen' on 3 of his songs. From the start, with 'I Always Lie to Strangers', we are seized by this hoarse voice which moves us on a gripping melody, an atmosphere that we find in the following title 'Driving In The Rain' with a ballad of which he has the secret. This moving melancholy can also be found in the beautiful ballads 'Streets Of Galilee', 'Sweet Honey Brown', 'Gone So Soon' and the two titles 'Wasted Days' (see video above) and 'A Life Full of Rain' which he shares with 'Bruce Springsteen'. Alternating with these remarkable moments, he also offers us catchy songs in an authentic blues with memorable melodies like 'I Am A Man That Worries', 'Did You Say Such a Thing', 'Strictly a One-Eyed Jack' or even 'Lie To Me'. In summary, album after album, 'John Mellecamp' continues to live this tradition of songs that brings us back to the best of the 60s/70s and 'Strictly a One-Eyed Jack' is still there to prove it and give us a very good time listening to all these beautiful timeless melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mellencamp (Guitar, Vocal), Andy York (Autoharpe, Banjo, Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Dane Clark (Drums, Percussion), John Gunnell (Bass), Troye Kinnett (Accordion, Harmonica, Organ, Piano), Merritt Lear (Violin, Choirs), Miriam Sturm (Violin), Joey Tartell (Trumpet), + Guest : Bruce Springsteen (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Battle Beast

Album : Circus of Doom

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 03-02-2022

The Finns of 'Battle Beast' continue to offer us studio recordings at the frequency of an album every two years because, after 'Bringer Of Pain' in 2017 and 'No More Hollywood Endings' in 2019, here is their successor, 'Circus of Doom'. No surprise, we find this original mix of different styles that they are beginning to master completely, ranging from symphonic metal to power metal, passing through hard rock or melodic rock. From the start, with the eponymous title of the album, we are welcomed with a catchy and memorable melody with grandiose vocal arrangements, 'Noora Louhimo' continuing to offer us a powerful and expressive song, then, the energetic 'Wings of Light' (see video above) continues in a 'Nightwish' atmosphere with a new memorable chorus and 'Master of Illusion' is the third hit in a row which has been the subject of a single and a video you can see here. In the same style, we can quote the catchy 'Eye of the Storm' (see the video here), the tubesque 'Freedom' or the addictive 'Armageddon' with new catchy melodies. We will nevertheless regret quieter moments to break the frantic rhythm of the album a little because the only compositions which offer ventilation to the whole, 'Where Angels Fear to Fly' (see the video here), 'Russian Roulette' and 'The Road To Avalon' move away from metal by borrowing from 80s disco while keeping a certain power. In summary, the Finns of 'Battle Beast' remain faithful to a direct and effective style on first listen and 'Circus of Doom' is still a suite of hymns and energetic hits which are to be consumed without moderation and which should appeal to a large public loving a melodic heavy style with influences inherited from the eighties...

Line Up / Musicians

Noora Louhimo (Vocal), Pyry Vikki (Drums), Joona Björkroth (Guitar, Vocal), Juuso Soinio (Guitar), Eero Sipilä (Bass, Vocal), Janne Björkroth (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Road Trip

Album : Merry Go Round

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 04-02-2022

'Dave Hulatt' is a British multi-instrumentalist who is part of the progressive psychedelic movement, and his first album 'Merry Go Round' is full of beautiful surprises and takes us on a beautiful journey taking us back to the 60s/70s with multiple influences from this era which developed progressive music by incorporating different pop, folk, rock and hard rock influences. On the menu of this opus, 9 titles for a short hour of listening and we are welcomed by an energetic 'Cracks in Space' which takes us on a progressive saga with multiple rhythmic changes, the saturated guitar leading the dance throughout this title, then, change of scenery for 'The Rabbit Hole of Time' which fits more in the psychedelic of the first 'Pink-Floyd' with this hovering and hypnotic sensation. With 'The Light of Perfection', the calm and quiet first part is similar to the pastoral songs of the early 70s in which we believe we hear some birdsong, then, the second part continues with an aerial melody accompanied by a guitar acoustic and some layers of atmospheric keyboards and 'Station In The Sky' is a more direct song which can recall certain titles compiled in the album 'Masters of Rock' by 'Pink Floyd' which contained the shortest songs of the repertoire of the English . The suite continues to offer us peregrinations of the beginning of the progressive, with instrumental parts containing remarkable guitar solos and we alternate between warm and playful atmospheres with for example 'The Maze' or 'The Trip' and more nonchalant atmospheres with for example the very 'Floydian' 'Times Gone By' or 'Welcome to the Dark' which is the most representative title of a progressive psychedelic from the 'Syd Barrett' era, the album ending with 'Merry Go Round' which is a good summary of this beautiful album with vintage sounds and remarkable alternations of tempos and intensity. In summary, 'Dave Hulatt' takes us back to an era that saw the progressive take off and 'Merry Go Round' is a varied album that takes us on a journey through accessible psychedelic and melodic soundscapes leaving an important place to rich sections instrumentals and in particular remarkable guitar solos...

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Hulatt (Vocal, tous les instruments)


Artist : Lana Lane

Album : Neptune Blue

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 05-02-2022

'Lana Lane' is an old project created in the late 90s by 'Erik Norlander' with his wife Lana and who is known in the world of progressive rock for having participated with 'John Payne', the former singer and bassist of 'Asia', to the project 'Asia featuring John Payne' and who created in 2017 the new project 'Dukes of the Orient' which is sort of a continuation of Asia'. It's been almost 10 years since 'Erick Norlander' released an album as part of 'Lana Lane', the last studio recording, 'El Dorado Hotel' dating from 2012. 'Neptune Blue' is therefore his last baby and we find the ex 'Asia', 'John Payne' and 'Greg Ellis' and the rest of the lineup consists 'Don Schiff', playing NS/Stick's, guitarist 'Jeff Kollman' and guitarist and bassist 'Mark Mccrtite'.

From the first title 'Remember Me' (see video above), we are immersed in its sounds so characteristic of the 70s/80s with an introduction of keyboards à la 'Asia', then this first title takes us on board for catchy melodic rock just like its follow-up, the rousing 'Under The Big Sky' (see the video here) which unfurls a memorable new melody featuring bright keyboard arrangements reminiscent of the major rock bands of the 70s beginning with 'Alan Parsons'. Same observation for 'Really Actually' which continues in this way and the vocal performance of 'Lana Lane' is quite remarkable and fits perfectly into this melodic atmosphere of the seventies, then, the acoustic 'Come Lift Me Up' slows down the rhythm for a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad with a chorus whose theme immediately sticks in your head. Without transition, 'Brint It on Home' regains vigor with a swaying rhythm and more pronounced guitar riffs and 'wah-wah' effects that we discovered with our first guitar amplifiers in the early 70s, then, after a more international variety oriented 'Don't Disturb the Occupants', 'Lady Mondergreen' is a very lively title in which the keyboard interventions are a pure delight and in which 'Lana Lane' also shows her vocal ease in this style faster. We find this energetic atmosphere in the following composition 'Miss California' which is more direct with a classic verse/chorus construction. The end of the album slows the pace for the remarkable blues 'Someone Like You' which, once again, takes us back a few decades, then 'Far from Home' is yet another catchy melodic gem with a theme reminiscent of the Spanish music and which is embellished by magnificent guitar interventions. And to end on a high note, the title song takes us on a very beautiful calm and delicate symphonic journey highlighting all the sensitivity of 'Lana Lane' and with a heady and moving melody which makes it for me my favorite of the album.

In summary, the couple 'Erik Norlander'/'Lana Lane' returns to the forefront of the melodic rock scene with a remarkable album that offers us beautiful catchy melodies that take us back to the best of the 70s/80s and 'Neptune Blue' should undoubtedly appeal to a relatively large audience who love this melodic style inherited from the great formations at the origin of this style such as 'Asia', 'Alan Parsons Project', or even 'Foreigner'...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Norlander (Vocal, Keybords), Lana Lane (Vocal) + Guests : Don Schiff (NS/Stick), Greg Ellis (Drums), Jeff Kollman (Guitar), John Payne (Choirs), Mark Mccrite (Guitar, Bass, Choirs)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Welcome To The Planet

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 06-02-2022

The year 2021 had been flourishing for 'Big Big Train' with the studio recording 'Common Ground' in July 2021 and 2020 saw the release of the live 'Empire (Live)' and it is again a new opus from the English that is offered to us at the start of 2022, I named 'Welcome To The Planet'. But unfortunately, this new baby will be the last with 'David Longdon' who died on November 20, 2021, and therefore, it constitutes a tribute to the singer of whom a very beautiful video has been made and viewable on you tube here. So, given the circumstances, it is certain that 'Welcome To The Planet' has a very special dimension but, beyond the tragic circumstances of its release, this new opus of 'Big Big Train' is quite remarkable and is in line with its predecessor 'Common Ground'.

It is the luminous 'Made from Sunshine' which welcomes us with refined vocal and instrumental arrangements, in particular with the use of brass which bring a magnificent symphonic and melodic side, then, 'The Connection Plan' highlights before strings that accompany, in an enthusiastic atmosphere, light and joyful vocal harmonies that put a happy smile on your lips. With 'Lanterna', the rhythm is calmer and the acoustic introduction with the soft singing of 'David Longdon' is delicious, then the title takes off after two short minutes to deploy endearing melodic lines with new harmonies moving vocals. Follows 'Capitoline Venus', short but strong in emotion with a magnificent guitar/voice duet which was used in the David tribute video. 'A Room With No Celling' is the first instrumental title of the album and takes us on a progressive bathed in a jazzy atmosphere with original instrumental accompaniments, the final accordion bringing an adorable touch of melancholy, then 'Proper Jack Froster' (see the video above) which was unveiled at the end of 2021 for Christmas, is typical of this blissful nostalgia deployed in certain compositions of 'Big Big Train' and constitutes, for my part, one of my favorites of the scrapbook. Make way for the second new instrumental 'Bats In The Belfry' which was composed by 'Nick D'Virgilio' and which is particularly inspired by his rhythmic playing and which has fun bouncing around a repetitive comma at the end. The emotional slider goes up a few notches with 'Oak and Stone' which is a pure marvel, and each artist brings his stone to the building to make it the highlight of the album whether at the vocal level but also instrumental. And it is with the title song 'Welcome To The Planet' that the album ends in a final composition demonstrating all the talent of 'Big Big Train' to compose addictive progressive pieces and 'Carly Bryant', as if David gently passed the baton, brings an angelic feminine touch in a melancholic atmosphere whose tempo accelerates in a joyful finale with remarkable vocal harmonies.

In summary, it's still a rich and varied album that the English of 'Big Big Train' offer us and which, hopefully, will be able to continue their journey without their singer 'David Longdon'. In any case, this magnificent album is already a very beautiful tribute to David and should undoubtedly be one of the major progressive albums in 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

David Longdon (Vocal, Flute), Greg Spawton (Bass), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitar, Keybords), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums), Dave Foster (Guitar), Clare Lindley (Vocal, Violin), Bryant (Vocal, Keybords) + Guests : Ben Godfrey (Trumpet), Dave Desmond (Trombone), John Storey (Euphonium), Jon Truscott (Tuba), Nick Stones (Cor)


Artist : Aaron Lewis

Album : Frayed At Both Ends

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 07-02-2022

The American 'Lewis Aaron' releases a new album 'Frayed At Both Ends' and, after 'Sinner' in 2016 and 'State I'm In' in 2018, he composed new songs with a group of friends that take us into his world of country but this time, it is the nostalgic and melancholy side of this style that he offers us with 'Frayed At Both Ends' and parade compositions all as moving as each other starting with 'Again' or 'Everybody Talks To God' or even 'Am I The Only One' which we taste with real happiness and whose arrangements have been reduced to their simplest expression to bring out as much as possible this palpable emotion that Aaron knows so well how to transmit to us. We could quote all these timeless titles because they all tell a moment of this life that Aaron describes with his often-simple words but so strong at the same time. Note that there are remarkable videos of several compositions from the album on youtube : 'I'm Am The Only One', 'Goodbye Town', 'Get What You Get' and 'Everybody Talks To God'. In short, this last album in acoustics of 'Aaron Lewis' is a pure marvel which makes us travel through this moving universe of country and I will end by quoting Aaron: "It is an album which says things which must be said on the how people actually live"...

Line Up / Musicians

Lewis Aaron (Vocal, Guitar), Tom Bukovac (Guitar), Biff Watson (Guitar), Seth Taylor (Guitar), Ben Kitterman (Dobro), Laur Joamets (Guitar), Jim Moose Brown (Keybords), Dan Tyminski (Guitar, Mandolin), Mickey Raphael (Harmonica), Bob Britt (Guitar), Matt Combs (Violin, Viola, Cello), Ira Dean (Bass, Piano), Tony Harrell (Hammond), Chris Scruggs (Guitar)


Artist : Jethro Tull

Album : The Zealot Gene

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 08-02-2022

When I heard in 2021 that 'Jethro Tull' was going to release an album, I already thought it was a joke (the last studio recording 'The Jethro Tull Christmas Album' from 2003), then, as they said when 'Ian Anderson' and his old fellow travelers came out 'Aqualung', 'The Zealot Gene' is now available, in the stores of your best record stores. Admittedly, the line up is made up of the artists who accompany Ian in his solo career but, make no mistake, we find this so characteristic style that has accompanied us throughout several decades and whose first album 'This Was' is already a long way off. This new opus offers a dozen rather short titles and the theme revolves around myths and biblical history.

From the first title 'Mrs. Tibbets', if you liked the songs of the 70s, you will absolutely not be out of place because we find these cheerful and melodic folk atmospheres of 'Ian Anderson' with this song and this flute that we could recognize among a thousand and this magnificent begins bodes well for the future. We then let ourselves be carried away by the light 'Jacob's Tales', the melancholy 'Mine Is The Mountain' magnified by a sober and deep vocal performance by Ian who lulls us to the rhythm of harmonious melodic lines. The title song returns to 'Jethro Tull' pure juice with this enthusiasm and this lightness brought by the flute which does good and which transmits all this cheerfulness to us. The sequel is in the image of this beginning of the album with compositions all as endearing as each other and we could quote them all because they all make us go back in our memory all these moments of listening to the first 'Jethro Tull ' already fifty years ago like 'Barren Beth, Wild Desert John' which could very well have been part of a 'Too Old to Rock'n'Roll: To Young to Die!' or even the rhythmic 'The Betrayal of Jushua Kynde' which instantly starts the headbanging machine, the album ending with a remarkable 'The Fisherman of Epheus' which offers us a last melody very pleasant to the ear.
In short, no need to add more, 'Ian Anderson', with his group of talented artists, takes us back to an era that highlighted this happy carefreeness highlighted in the first albums of 'Jethro Tull ' and, even if the titles remain quite direct and the progressive side is not particularly highlighted, 'The Zealot Gene' should undoubtedly appeal to historical fans of the English but should also appeal to a wider audience who likes beautiful melodies tinged with a light and poetic folk...

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Anderson (Vocal, Guitar, Flute, Harmonica), Florian Opahle (Guitar), David Goodier (Bass), Joe Parrish-james (Guitar), John O'hara (Keybords, Piano, Accordion), Scott Hammond (Drums)


Artist : Crystal Ball

Album : Crysteria

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 09-02-2022

The Swiss of 'Crystal Ball' release a new album 'Crysteria' after 'Already-Voodoo' in 2016 and 'Crystallizer' in 2018. No surprise, we find the hard rock/melodic metal mix of the two previous opuses with addictive choruses, and for this opus, 'Peter Berger' is the new guitarist who has integrated very well and forms a very beautiful duo in the guitar solos with 'Scott Leach'. Apart from the last title 'Till You Meet Again' which is a very beautiful acoustic ballad reminding me of those of 'Lanvall' and 'Sabine Edelsbacher' with their project 'Voiciano', all the tracks deploy good energy starting with the opener 'What Part Of No' which gives us a memorable first chorus, then the hits follow one after the other and whether it's rhythmic mid-tempos like 'You Lit My Fire' (see the video above) with its 'Def Leppard' style introduction and backing vocals, 'Crysteria' or even the addictive 'Make My Day' and 'Sole Conviction' or whether it's faster compositions like 'Call Of The Wild' which sees the participation of singer 'Ronnie Romero', 'I Am Rock' (see the video here< /a>), 'No Limits' or even 'Crystal Heart', everything is done to have a good time listening. In summary, without revolutionizing hard rock and melodic metal, the Swiss of 'Crystal Ball' continue their merry way with this 11th album filled with a communicative energy and 'Crysteria' should please all fans of melodies addictive and muscular riffs of electric guitars...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Mageney (Vocal), Scott Leach (Guitar, Keybords), Peter Berger (Guitar), Cris Stone (Bass), Marcel Sardella (Drums) + Guests : Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Stefan Kaufmann (Guitar), Peter Östros (Guitar), Johan Fahlberg (Vocal), Torsten Röhre (Piano)


Artist : Praying Mantis

Album : Katharsis

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 10-02-2022

The 'Praying Mantis' continues after almost 40 years ('Time Tells No Lies' dating from 1981), to distill good melodic rock, the last two albums 'Legacy' from 2015 and 'Gravity' from 2018 having been well received by all fans of good rock and melodic hard rock bringing us back to the 70s/80s and their new baby 'Katharsis' is no exception not to the rule and takes us back once again to these flourishing decades which saw many melodic rock and hard rock albums emerge, some of which have become essential even today. So, this 'Katharsis' would certainly have been part of this list if it had been released at that time because it brings together all the assets and pours us melodic hits in spades, whether with rhythmic and energetic compositions like the title of opening 'Cry for the Nations' (see the video above), the frenzied 'Ain't No Rock'n'Roll In Heaven', the playful 'Long Time Coming' and 'Don't Call Us Now' with their refrains to be taken up in chorus, but also in songs in a more moderate AOR style such as 'Closer to Heaven', 'Non Omnis Moniar', 'Wheels In Motion' or even 'Masquerade', without forgetting the quieter moment that is 'Sacrifice' and which is to be added to the best ballads of melodic rock and the last title 'The Devil Never Changes' with its addictive choirs. In summary, the English of 'Praying Mantis' continue in the continuity of their previous albums to offer us melodic nuggets and 'Katharsis' is further proof of this and should play on a loop with a lot of rock and melodic hard rock fans. bringing back to the prosperous time of this style, already a few decades ago...

Line Up / Musicians

John Cuijpers (Vocal), Tino Troy (Guitars, Choirs), Chris Troy (Bass, Choirs), Andy Burgess (Guitar), Hans In’t Zandt (Drums)


Artist : John Mayall

Album : The Sun Is Shining Down

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 11-02-2022

I told you a few days ago that time had no influence on 'John Mellecamp' with his latest album 'Strictly A One-Eyed Jack', but what about 'John Mayall' who delighted us with his latest opus 'Nobody Told Me' and who, at the age of 88 (yes you read that right), released a new studio recording 'The Sun Is Shining Down', the title of this album bearing its name very well because, listening to the first two titles 'Hungry and Ready' and 'Can't Take No More', we are carried away in joyful and sunny blues/rock in which the guitarist 'Melvin Taylor' is invited in the first title. In the same style, we can also mention the catchy 'Chills and Thrills' and 'One Special Lady' and as usual, he has surrounded himself with essential blues/rock artists and we have immense pleasure in listen to these timeless titles whether their compositions or covers of other artists such as 'Bobby Rush', 'Bernard Allison' or even 'Tinsley Ellis'. And when the mood is calmer, the 'I'm as Good as Gone', 'Got to Find a Better Way', 'A Quitter Never Wins', 'Deep Blue Sea', 'Driving Wheel' or ' The Sun Is Shining Down' are all titles that will keep you in shape for a whole day. In short, no need for long speeches, the best thing is to press the play button and let yourself be carried away by his compositions outside of time which are good for the soul and which take us out, the time to a moment, of this anxiety-provoking period and reconnect to a much more optimistic music: to consume without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mayall (Vocal, Keybords, Harmonica), Billy Watts (Guitar), Greg Rzab (Bass), Jay Davenport (Drums) + Guests : Carolyn Wonderland (Guitar), Melvin Taylor (Guitar), Jake Shimabukuro (Ukulélé), Richard A. Rosenberg (Trombone), Mike Campbell (Guitar), Ron Dziubla (Saxophone), Marcus King (Guitar), Mark Pender (Trumpet) Buddy Miller (Guitar), Scarlet Rivera (Violin)


Artist : Silverlane

Album : Inside Internal Infinity

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 12-02-2022

After two albums in the 2000s, 'My Innder Demon' in 2008 and 'Above The Others' in 2010, the Germans of 'Silvername' return more 10 years later with a new studio recording 'Inside Internal Infinity'. This new opus allows me to discover them and their style mixes different metal currents going from power to symphonic, all this being sprinkled with a bit of progressive and modern electro effects here and there, the whole being accessible with melodies that we appropriate immediately.

After the short introduction 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' with a child's voice singing a lullaby which does not bode well for the future, 'I Universe' pours out an energetic and catchy first blast whose melodies are very catchy and which has a chorus with a huge sound, then, 'Blessed' also shows a beautiful power and beautiful vocal harmonies on a marked rhythm, the guitar solo in the second part being a pure delight. Follows the theatrical 'Hero Inn Sunset Club' with a very expressive vocal performance by 'Tom Klossek' between clean vocals and growls and with a new memorable chorus, then, 'Leviathan Rising' continues with a new catchy melodic hit and synthesizer arrangements integrating very well with the riffs of saturated guitars, just like 'Medusa' (see video above) which follows, and which has nothing to envy to its predecessor. The ballad break of the album is devoted to 'Soul of Tears' and, in this field, the Germans also have assets to gratify us with a very beautiful melodic jewel, then, if it were necessary to award the title of composition the more varied, 'Scorched Earth' would certainly be cited for its progressive side and its remarkable instrumental and vocal arrangements, and the album ends with a rhythmic 'FürImmer und Ewig' and the epic 'Life to Die For' with a final performance high-flying vocals from 'Tom Klossek' and a nice alternation between calm and muscular parts.

In summary, 'Sliverlane' returns to the front of the metal scene and shows once again that Germany is a great source of talent in this style of music; 'Inside Internal Infinity' is to be added to the good metal albums of this beginning of the year and should satisfy a metal audience who likes catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Klossek (Vocal), Uli Holzermer (Guitar), Chris Alexander (Guitar), Daniel Saffer (Bass), Basti Kirchdörfer (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Karfagen

Album : Land of Green and Gold

Release Date : 07-01-2022

Added : 13-02-2022

Generally, 'Karfagen' albums are available on spotify quite late after their release and after 'Birds of Passage' which I reviewed 1 month after its release in the beginning of 2020, the end of 2020 also saw the release of 'Principles and Theory of Spektra'. With this impressive rhythm of an album every year, 'Antony Kalugin' continues in its momentum with this time its new baby 'Land of Green and Gold'. Released at the very beginning of 2022, it takes us on a new original and captivating progressive journey with an alternation between long developments and much shorter titles.

We are welcomed by a short and bucolic 'Kingfisher and Dragonflies (Part 3)' which continues the first two chapters of old albums ('The Key to Perception' from 2009 and 'Solitary Sandpiper Journey' from 2010) and which highlights a calm atmosphere thanks to the flute and the acoustic guitar, then, the first long development of the suite 'Land Of Green' is a varied instrumental with various influences which embarks us in a first progressive saga with very beautiful passages of keyboards of Antony Kalugin' which enchants us by making succeed different sonorities and intensities. Part 2 of 'Land Of Green' brings a more jazzy and muffled side and the endearing melody lulls us and caresses us delicately, 'Alexandr Pavlov' giving us magnificent electric guitar solos, then, the comma 'Solis Festum' with a delicious accordion section makes the link with the 3rd part of 'Land Of Green' which regains vigor with the contribution of the brass and which makes it a catchy title with always this jazzy side, intense in the first part and which presents in the middle of the title a more measured section to return with a more sustained finale. New interlude, this time acoustic, 'Pastoral' is aptly named and is a classical guitar piece, then, the first chapter of 'Garden of Hope' returns to a cozy atmosphere of a jazz box and is the first title with a short Antony's vocal section on the finale. Second long development, 'Land of Gold' is certainly the most progressive title with multiple variations around the main theme which sometimes brings us back to 'Floydian' atmospheres, sometimes to jazz atmospheres or sometimes to more pastoral climates. With the 2nd part of 'Land Of Gold', it is a rather direct and sung title made up of three parts, quiet at the beginning and which gradually gains momentum to come down to a very calm atmospheric finale, then, 'Land of Jazz' bears its name well because we are once again taken into a cozy atmosphere of a jazz club with a modern-sounding saxophone which offers us different atmospheres, first of all haunting then then more intense, the outro ending the previous composition by a new nonchalant comma made of a few piano chords accompanied by the saxophone with melancholic accents.

In summary, 'Antony Kalugin' continues to offer us albums of great richness, mostly instrumental and, this time, he adds new influences because, beyond the progressive aspect, this ' Land of Green and Gold' is bathed in jazzy atmospheres which opens up other horizons for 'Karfagen' and shows even more the extent of the talent of the Ukrainian who is at ease in all styles of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Percussions) + Guests : Alexandr Pavlov (Guitar), Max Velychko (Guitar), Yan Vedaman (Saxophones), Konstantin Ionenko (Bass), Ivan Goritski (Batteire), Sergii Kovalov (Accordion), Elena Kushchii (Flute)


Artist : Rémi Orts Project

Album : Reverse the Universe

Release Date : 15-01-2022

Added : 14-02-2022

The singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Rémi Orts' already has an impressive number of albums to his credit, most of them instrumental and each with a particular theme, drawing inspiration for example from his travels (see his latest album 'Cinematic II (Roma Imperiale)'). His influences are multiple and he mixes different styles music ranging from rock to new age through classical, electro, folk or Celtic music, all this being sprinkled with a good dose of progressive. You can find his complete discography on his site. The particularity of this last baby 'Reverse the Universe' released at the beginning of January 2022 is that all the titles are sung and for the theme addressed, I let Rémi tell us about it: "Who has never thought of changing the course of life when the distance with the loved one has become too great: to see a lost loved one again, to rediscover that unforgettable broken love, to meet a person, to feel the same emotions… Reverse the universe takes you on a nostalgic break on a progressive rock sound".

The scene is set and, given the subject, we are taken on a delicious progressive journey in calm and relaxing atmospheres giving off a beautiful melancholy starting with 'Let Me Breath Your Air' which is a good example of this awaits you on this album with a soft and slow melody on which you get carried away and which is embellished by remarkable electric guitar solos. The suite continues in this delicate atmosphere and the bewitching song adds to this feeling of fullness. All the instrumental arrangements, whether with an acoustic guitar ('The Swell') or with a piano ('My Tower', 'The Maze', 'Friends of the Night') are always filled with a beautiful sensitivity. The last two compositions 'Reverse the Earth' and 'Babel' are more energetic and take us on a rock with harmonious lines just as endearing as the first titles and we feel the influences of artists from the 70s/80s with in mind 'Alan Parsons Project', ' Supertramp' or even 'Electric Light Orchestra' .

In summary, 'Rémi Orts' offers us an album filled with beautiful relaxing melodies that take us back a few decades with the artists mentioned above and, 'Reverse the Universe' is to be savored with headphones on after a hard day's work and should reach a relatively large audience because the whole is very accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Rémi Orts (Tous les instruments, Vocal)


Artist : The Ferrymen

Album : One More River to Cross

Release Date : 21-01-2022

Added : 15-02-2022

'The Ferrymen' is a great group of three artists from the international metal scene, first of all the singer 'Ronnie Romero' who officiates in multiple projects including 'Lords Of Black', 'Sunstorm' and having participated in the last album of the 'Caterina Nix' project 'Chaos Magic' to name only the 3 latest albums reviewed in myprogmusic, then the multi-instrumentalist 'Magnus Karlsson' who is also well taken up in various projects including the latest album from 'Anette Olzon', his metal opera project 'Heart Healer' or his participation in the project 'Allen/Olzon' and, finally, as they say, the "last but not the least", I named, 'Mike Terrana' who is known to have been the drummer of 'Tarja' for several years and who has a resume cv as long as a day without bread (I refer you to 'Wikipedia'). With such references, we will not be surprised that this new opus, in line with its predecessors 'The Ferrymen' of 2016 and 'A New Evil' of 2019, a kind of best off of melodic metal compositions with always very rich arrangements by 'Magnus Karlsson' which bring an extraordinary density to the whole (the Swede not only provides all the keyboard parts and all the registers of electric guitar with in particular remarkable solos but also takes care of the bass). We therefore sail through a series of compositions each as addictive as the next with, first of all, in an energetic style, the melodic and catchy jewels that are 'One World', 'The Last Wave', 'The Other Side ' or even 'The Passenger' which all bring immediate listening pleasure. Then the eponymous title of the album as well as 'Bringers of the Dark' and 'The Last Ship' bring an epic and symphonic side thanks to admirable orchestral and vocal arrangements, and we cannot miss the power ballad 'Morning Star' and the melodic hit 'Shut It Out' which would have been a hit in the 80s. In short, this latest album by the supergroup 'The Ferrymen' is full of memorable melodies that can be enjoyed one after the other and 'One More River to Cross' will certainly be played over and over again by all fans of melodic heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Magnus Karlsson (Guitars, Bass, Keybords), Mike Terrana (Drums)


Artist : The Quill

Album : Live, New, Borrowed, Blue

Release Date : 28-01-2022

Added : 16-02-2022

The Swedes of 'The Quill' didn't take long after their last album 'Earthrise ' of 2021 to release a new opus. With a Stoner label, they started their career over 30 years ago, and if you like direct and heavy rock/hard rock with overdriven guitars, you should be delighted with this 'Live, New, Borrowed, Blue ' which contains two original compositions which had not been retained for 'Earthrise' with 'Children Of The Sun' (see video above) and 'Burning Tree', an extended version of 'Keep On Movin' (see video here), the other tracks being covers of hard rock bands from the 70s but also live with 'Keep It Together' and 'Hole in my Head'. Therefore, 'The Quill' offers us a fairly wide range of their style and for those who would like this album, I advise you to listen to the previous ones which are available on spotify with, for example, 'Born from Fire' from 2017, 'Tiger Blood' from 2013 or 'Full Circle' from 2011. In summary, this last album from 'The Quill' is a good way to discover this heavy and direct hard rock from the Swedes which brings us back to the hard rock references of the 70s with a modern and powerful sound...

List of tracks + Original covers:
1. Keep On Moving ('The Quill', Extended Version)
2. SOS ('Aerosmith', 'Get Your Wings', 1974)
3. Children of the Sun ('The Quill', Original title)
4. Where Eagles Dare ('Iron Maiden', 'Piece of Mind', 1983)
5. Keep It Together ('The Quill', Live from the album 'Born from Fire', 2017)
6. Mount Everest ('November',
'6:th November', 1972)
7. Burning Tree ('The Quill', Original title)
8. Frozen Over ('Captain Beyond', 'Live in Texas', 1973)
9. Hole in My Head ('The Quill', Live from the album 'Voodo Caravan' , 2002)

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Nilsson (Bass), Magnus Ekwall (Vocal), Christian Carlsson (Guitar), Jolle Atlagic (Drums)


Artist : Superthousand

Album : #TRNSITion

Release Date : 04-02-2022

Added : 17-02-2022

I introduced you to the German band 'Superthousand' and their album '#TRNSIT' in 2020 and the Germans are releasing this album at the beginning of 2022 but they have added four live tracks including two long development of 14 minutes, plus the composition 'Silence' of which only the short cover appeared on the album '#TRNSIT' and a magnificent acoustic version of 'Yet Untitled'. As far as the two long developments are concerned, we embark on two wonderful progressive atmospheric journeys with, first of all 'Gauss' and its haunting melody on a marked rhythm that envelops us throughout the title, then, 'Space Traveller' brings back a few decades with strong influences from the first albums of 'Pink Floyd', the first part with a rhythm section bringing this intoxicating side in which we let ourselves be carried away and the central part offering magnificent breaks in intensity and tempo for return in the finale to the atmosphere of the beginning with a remarkable crescendo falling in a few guitar notes. As for 'Silence', we are immersed in a restful 'Floydian' atmosphere on a slow tempo which provides a feeling of fullness, the finale bringing an intoxicating repetitive acceleration. In short, the Germans of 'Superthousand' add to their first album very beautiful live and we hope that they will continue to offer us albums in the future of this quality because if you like the progressive atmospheric atmospheres of the 70s, you should, without a doubt, join this '#TRNSITion'...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Dreier (Keybords, Guitar, Bass), Dominik Mertens (Vocal, Guitar), Markus Missbrandt (Drums, Djembé, Percussions)


Artist : Overworld Dreams

Album : Under The Covers II

Release Date : 04-02-2022

Added : 18-02-2022

'Overworld Dreams' is an American progressive rock band that I discovered with this second cover album 'Under The Covers II' but who also released two albums of original compositions, 'Voyage' in 2018 and 'Gateway' in 2019 and a first covers album 'Under The Covers I' in 2020. First of all, if you don't know this formation and you like progressive rock of the 70s, I strongly advise you to listen to the first two albums because I found myself on familiar ground with influences from the great groups of the beginning of the progressive like 'Genesis', 'Yes' or even more recent formations like 'Marillion' or 'Saga'. Regarding the first cover album, we sailed with groups like 'UK', 'Billy Thorpe', 'Rush', 'Genesis', 'Styx', 'Opeth', 'Journey' or even 'Porcupine Tree' and the latest album focuses a bit more on the early 1980s with 'Genesis' in the spotlight and the album 'Duke' which is interpreted with a first title of almost 28 minutes which connects 6 of the 12 titles of the original album which are then taken up as individual titles. The rest of the opus is divided between the magnificent covers of 'Hey You' by 'Pink Floyd' in 2 versions, the no less magnificent cover of 'Red Rain' by 'Peter Gabriel' and the melodic 'Best of your Times' from 'Styx' from the album 'Paradise Theatre' from 1981. In short, the Americans of 'Overworld Dreams' release a quality album highlighting the 'Duke' album of 'Genesis' with, icing on the cake, a remarkable interpretation and a modern sound and these covers take us back a few decades and remind us of those beautiful moments of listening to the first progressive rock bands of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Matt Maugeri (Vocal, Guitar), Elizabeth Holder (Vocal, Keybords), Christopher Parsons (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Vocal), Ken Walker (Keybords, Vocal), Randy Sandmann (Guitar), Paul Higginbotham (Guitar) + Guests : Chet Lewis (Guitar), Donny Spencer (Guitar)


Artist : The Arc Light Sessions

Album : Of Thought and Other Misgivings

Release Date : 07-02-2022

Added : 19-02-2022

For a few years, I have always had the albums of 'The Arc Light Sessions' in my playlist but I have never had the opportunity to review one. This project, led by singer and keyboardist 'John Alarcon', was created in the late 90s with two albums under the name 'Synthology', 'Between Day and Night' in 2000 and 'The Fairest of Moments' in 2002, then, after a long period of more than 10 years without albums, it was in 2015 that the first opus 'Perchance to Dream' as 'The Arc Light Sessions' comes out. Several albums follow and the last two years have been particularly prolific as 2020 has seen the release of 4 albums with 'Chromatic Overture', 'The Unintended Consequence of Memory', 'The Discovery of Light' and 'A Song for the Misbegotten'. Similarly, 2021 saw the release of 3 albums with 'A State of Equilibrium', 'The Poetry in Contemplation' and 'Redemption'. And it only took a few months for the new opus to be available with this time 'Of Thought and Other Misgivings' which once again takes us into the world of 'John Alarcon' made of a subtle mix between progressive rock with influences from the major formations of the 70s/80s such as 'Genesis', 'Emerson lake & Palmer', 'Yes' or even 'King Crimson' and classical music but also jazz.

This last opus, 'Don't Believe' welcomes us in a pastoral atmosphere by a flute which takes us directly up to the warmth on a small comfortable cloud with sought-after instrumental arrangements which make our mind wander, then, ' Seeking', after an introduction to the 'Keith Emerson', continues in a semi-acoustic with remarkable vocal harmonies and a magnificent piano accompaniment. The suite is in the same atmosphere and parades compositions all as endearing as each other such as the ballad 'Summer's Gone', 'Eye of the Beholder' and its melancholy side or the light 'Conundrun' which brings us back to a progressive inventive symphony. With 'Autumn', 'John Alarcon' offers us a beautiful melancholic ballad which unfolds memorable melodic lines with new refined arrangements then 'The Bitter End' continues in this atmosphere mixing progressive and classic with a new melody whose chorus is grafted immediately in the head and it is with the 8 minutes of 'Always on the Verge' that the album ends lightly with a flute which welcomes us in a pastoral atmosphere and whose piano arrangements are splendid.

In summary, with this latest album 'Of Thought and Other Misgivings' (which is already the 8th in less than 2 years), the Canadian 'John Alarcon', continues to enchant us and offer us symphonic and progressive rock. refined and subtle that we enjoy listening to and which brings us back to the beginning of the progressive: to be enjoyed quietly to relax after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

John Alarcon (Piano, Keybords, Organ, Mellotron, Vocal), Hugo Emard (Bass), Steve Valmont (Drums), Luc Tremblay (Flute, Hautbois), Patrick Simpson (Guitar)


Artist : Syrinx Call

Album : Mirrorneuron

Release Date : 10-02-2022

Added : 20-02-2022

I come back to an album that was released in 2021 but is only available now on streaming sites. This is the 3rd album of the 'Syrinx Call' project of the German 'Volker Kuinke' who, accompanied by 'Jens Lueck' and 'Isgaard' (see their project 'Single Celled Organism'), has been released in 2018 the album 'The Moon on a Stick '. 'Mirrorneuron' tells the story of an Artificial Intelligence named Kai, who develops a function which enables him to feel empathy on his way through a severe existential crisis after encountering contradictions and a dissonance between theory and practice. Psychotherapist Mara has to put the humanoid robot back on track again, but contrary to all expectations, Kai manages to stir something in her. This ability stems from mirror neurons, nerve cells in our brains which turn us humans into empathic beings.

The menu of this album is well filled since we have at our disposal 14 titles for 1 hour of listening and we find the artist with multiple flutes who takes us on a magnificent progressive symphonic journey, sometimes light and lively, sometimes melancholic and soothing. From the start, with 'Bit By Bit', the flute sets the tone with a first airy title whose beautiful melody delicately tickles our senses, then, 'Deceptive Illusion' continues to enchant us with an angelic vocal performance by Isgaard' and 'Doris Packbiers'. Beginning practically on the same theme as its predecessor but in a much slower tempo, 'The Arctic Will Die' raises the emotional slider again with a melody filled with poetry which brings out a remarkable emotion thanks in particular to the sublime interpretation of 'Jens Lueck' and celestial choirs and it's the same peaceful climate that we find in the following title 'Breakdown'. With 'Perfect Shine', the melodic theme makes me think of the delicate style of 'Renaissance' especially since the vocal performance of the two singers is magnificent. The suite offers us the two very beautiful pastoral instrumentals 'Merging Influences' and 'Mirrorneuron' always led by the flute of 'Volker Kuinke', and parade titles all as endearing as each other with beautiful vocals on 'Big Data' , the melancholic 'Weird Resonance' with beautiful vocal harmonies and a magnificent finale with a 'Gilmourian' guitar solo, the very beautiful moving comma 'One Step Beyond' which would not have gone wrong in an album by 'Roger Waters ', the soothing 'I'm Gonna Buy Some Flowers' on which we completely surrender to the celestial vocalizations, 'Sweetness' which admirably combines the sweetness of Isgaard's singing with that of Volker's flute, the album ending with the melodic gem 'Fill The Silence' and the very (too!) short 'Silent Echoes' in a 'Floydian' atmosphere.

In summary, 'Volker Kuinke', surrounded by quality artists, once again shows all his talent as a composer to give us a wonderful listening time and offer us a wonderful soothing and relaxing journey filled with poetry which makes 'Mirrorneuron' an album which should join the ideal collection of all lovers of symphonic progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Volker Kuinke (Flute, Vocal), Jens Lueck (Keybords, Drums, Percussions, Vocal), Isgaard (Vocal), Doris Packbiers (Vocal) + Guests : Frank Bornemann (Guitar), Jürgen Osuchowski (Guitar), Jan Petersen (Guitar), Hannes Arkona (Guitars, Keybords), Babis Nikou (Guitar, Luth), Klaus-Peter Matziol (Bass), Georg Kresimon (Bass), Katja Flintsch (Violin, Viola), Annika Stolze (Cello)


Artist : Alan Parsons

Album : One Note Symphony: Live in Tel Aviv

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 21-02-2022

He delighted us with the concert 'The Neverending Show: Live in the Netherlands' at the end of 2021 and a few months later, 'Alan Parsons' is releasing a new concert this time accompanied by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Admittedly, the set list is quite similar compared to that of the first concert but, with the orchestra, 'Alan Parsons' was able to add compositions requiring the contribution of classical instruments like 'Silence and I' with a finale that still gives goosebumps every time I listen to it and, of course, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' from his latest album 'The Secret' which is an adaptation of 'Paul Dukas' play from 1897 and is known to have been incorporated into the film of 'Disney', 'Fantasia', in 1940. And as always, the recording is of exceptional quality and takes us once again to the mythical albums of the 70s/80s of Alan Parsons Project'. As with 'The Neverending Show', in addition to the 2 CDs, the concert was filmed, and DVD/Blu-ray versions are also available. To get an idea of this very beautiful concert, videos are present on youtube with 'Standing On Higher Ground' (see video above), 'Don't Answer Me ' and 'As Night Fall''. In short, for all fans and for all fans of Alan Parsons Project' who bathed in the 70s and 80s with all the legendary albums, this live Tel Aviv is added to the list of concerts to have absolutely in their ideal collection...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Parsons (Vocal, Guitar, Ukulele, Clavier), P.J. Olsson (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), Todd Cooper (Vocal, Saxophone, Guitar, Percussions), Jeff Kollman (Guitar, Vocal), Tom Brooks (Keybords, Vocal, Chef d'orchestre), Dan Tracey (Guitar, Vocal), Guy Erez (Bass, Vocal), Danny Thompson (Drums, Vocal), Jordan Asher Huffman (Vocal), The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra


Artist : Lionville

Album : So Close to Heaven

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 22-02-2022

After the very good 'Magic Is Alive' released in 2020, the Italians of 'Lionville' do it again with their 5th studio recording 'So Close to Heaven' and continue their collaboration with 'Frontiers'. In my previous column, I made parallels with bands from the early 80s. In this new opus, the compositions make me think more and more of 'Foreigner' and 'ASIA' with, to begin with, 'This Time' ('Lars Säfsund' singing a duet with 'Robbie LaBlanc') which takes us back to those bands that have marked the history of melodic rock, and the following title 'Cross My Heart' (see video above) is further confirmation with a memorable chorus, its addictive choirs and the magnificent guitar solo. Everything is therefore implemented to have a great listening moment because all the compositions all have this accessible AOR side which provides immediate pleasure and parades catchy and melodic titles with for example 'The World is on Fire', 'True Believer' (see video here), 'We Are One' or even 'Only the Brave' Also note the beautiful ballad 'Can't Live Without Your Love' in line with 'Foreigner' and the cover 'Arrow Through My Heart' of 'Richard Marx' and the melodic jewel that is the title song which ends the album in a very beautiful way. In summary, this latest album from the Italians of 'Lionville' is filled with accessible memorable melodies that take us a few decades younger to bring us back to the best of the 80s in melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefano Lionetti (Guitar, Choirs, Keybords), Lars Säfsund (Vocal, Choirs), Michele Cusato (Guitar), Fabrizio Caria (Piano, Keybords), Giulio Dagnino (Bass), Martino Malacrida (Drums) + Guests : Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal)


Artist : The Silent Wedding

Album : Ego Path

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 23-02-2022

'The Silent Wedding' is a Greek project of melodic metal tinged with progressive which was created in 2006 and whose first album dates from 2013 ('Livin' Experiments') and a second album was released in 2017 ('Enigma Eternal'). 2022 therefore sees the birth of their 3rd baby 'Ego Path' which shows all the talent of this group little known in the world of metal with catchy compositions thanks in particular to accessible melodic lines. Having participated in the 'European Journey' tour of 'Threshold' in 2014, we can say that, even if the progressive side is not necessarily very developed, they nevertheless play in the same court as the British as far as the melodic lines are concerned.

As if they had wanted to make a sequel to 'Enigma Eternal', The short introduction 'The Eternal Enigma' sets the scene with an instrumental that deploys the melodic theme that we will find in the following title 'Time of Darkness' which offers, from the outset, extraordinary power with sharp guitar riffs, a remarkable first vocal performance by 'Marios Karanastasis' and a first chorus that immediately sticks in your head. In a more measured tempo, 'The Sea of Fate' continues with an epic composition which this time shows all this theatricality deployed in the vocals and in the instrumental arrangements and which highlights the guitarist 'Jim Katsaros' with a magnificent guitar solo (which I would have liked a little longer), then, 'Caught in the Web', which was the subject of a video (see above), is a direct and catchy melodic hit with beautiful instrumental arrangements whether on keyboards or guitar and the chorus gives an irresistible desire to accompany 'Marios Karanastasis'. The suite continues to offer us memorable melodies with 'Reveal the Rain' and 'Sinners in Disguise' which alternate different tempos and intensities, then, 'Stealing the Sun' is yet another highlight of the album in the form of a magnificent power ballad filled with emotion thanks to a masterful vocal performance by 'Mario Karanastasis'. With 'Point of No Return', the rhythm section is more refined and offers many changes of tempos which brings a good dose of progressive, then, 'The Final Token' begins with electronic sounds of wind instruments and continues with a new catchy melody on which we get carried away. Follows 'Ethereal Walls' with a new memorable chorus and a remarkable guitar solo in the second part which makes us climb on a small cloud, then, 'Song Of The Dead' follows an energetic first half with an intense rhythm section and a second with a crescendo accompanied by very beautiful choirs on a gripping melody, then 'A Path to Nowhere' closes the album with a quiet acoustic instrumental in a melancholy and moving atmosphere.

In summary, the Greeks of 'The Silent Wedding' are releasing a very good album with accessible compositions because the melodic lines are catchy on first listen and 'Ego Path' should appeal to an audience who love progressive metal as much as melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Marios Karanastasis (Vocal), Jim Katsaros (Guitar), George Kritharis (Bass), Renos Lialioutis (Drums), Johnny Thermos (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Degreed

Album : Are You Ready

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 24-02-2022

It is again Sweden that offers us a new album of melodic hard rock with this time the formation 'Degreed' which releases its sixth album 'Are You Ready' after 'Lost Generation' in 2019 and it's still 'Frontiers' which promotes the Swedes. The particularity of 'Degreed' is to have a fairly wide range of styles with a regular constant to lay melodic lines always very effective which make each title a hit. However we can say that with 'Are You Ready', the compositions alternate heavy metal and melodic hard rock: after a first listening, I had the impression of returning to the 80s with 'Def Leppard' for the titles 'Radio' or the eponymous title of the album and 'Feed the Lie' gives off a fabulous energy, but the melodic jewels less heavy and more in tune with bands like their compatriots 'Eclipse' or 'Palace' or 'HEAT' with titles like 'Into The Fire' (see the video below above), 'Higher', 'Burning' and its addictive chorus, 'Falling Down' (watch the video here) or even 'Lost in paradise' or 'We Will Win' are in the majority. We will also not miss the ballad 'Turn Back' which is to be added to the best ballads of melodic hard rock. In short, Sweden shows once again that they remain one of the best nations in the field of melodic hard rock and this 'Are You Ready' from 'Degree' is added to the list of the best albums of rock, hard rock and melodic metal from this beginning of 2022 with in my last reviews 'Crystal Ball', 'Kissin' Dynamite', 'Edge Of Forever' or 'Autumn's Child'...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Eriksson (Vocal, Bass), Daniel Johansson (Guitar), Mikael Blanc (Keybords), Mats Eriksson (Drums)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : Old Souls

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 26-02-2022

We find again 'Rick Miller' with a new album which is, if I count correctly, the 16th since 1984 and, these last 4 years have been busy since he released 'Delusional' in 2018 and two consecutive albums in 2020, 'Belief in the Machine' and 'Unstuck in Time' which makes 4 albums in less than 5 years if we count this last jewel 'Old Souls'. And when I talk about jewelry, we can say that 'Rick Miller' is a goldsmith in the matter because he shapes a musical universe in a progressive rock made of calm and relaxing tempos with beautiful melodies on which he puts his sweet voice. 'Old Souls' is another good example of this and, I know that each time one of his albums is released, I listen to it religiously, headphones on, in the evening after work and that's every time a total delight that allows you to completely relax while listening to its magnificent melodies.

'Time's Way' begins the album with a long 'Floydian' development which rocks us quietly to the rhythms of Rick's almost whispered vocals and 'Gilmourian' guitar accompaniments on which we completely surrender, then, 'Guinevere' adds strings in a rather dark atmosphere and this acoustic shows an endearing melancholy thanks to very beautiful melodic lines. We raise the emotional slider a few degrees with the magnificent 'Haunt Me' which unrolls a touching melody accompanied by a tearful guitar and, without transition, 'Virgin Rebirth', after an introduction with overwhelming strings, accelerates the tempo for a catchy composition with electronic sounds, then, 'The Red Sky' is a very beautiful ballad with a long instrumental introduction magnified by a piano/cello/flute trio and whose sung part is magnificent thanks in particular to the captivating voice of 'Rick Miller' and aerial accompaniments. Follows 'Ixtlan Awaits' which reminds me of the atmosphere of the first 'Barclay James Harvest' thanks to a catchy melody which never leaves you and which has a psychedelic section in the middle of the title which takes us into a waking dream, then, we continue our journey with two magnificent instrumentals, first of all, 'A Stitch in Time' in an exotic and bewitching oriental atmosphere, then, 'Lost Karma' is another invitation to travel, this time to the sound of a bewitching flute. Arrives the long development 'Don Quixote' which alone is worth the purchase of the album and which immerses us in an atmosphere reminiscent of the best titles of 'Pink Floyd' and we let ourselves be lulled by the slow tempo progressing gently with interventions guitar magic and the sweet voice of 'Rick Miller' which makes us go up on a small cloud, all this being interspersed by a Hispanic section of great beauty and another psychedelic section made of a series of disturbing sounds to return to a final with some acoustic guitar notes. And as everything must have an end, 'Time's Way Reprise' closes this very good album with the starting theme bringing us back to the best of 'Floyds'.

In summary, it is still a very beautiful album that 'Rick Miller' offers us which continues to fill us with a quiet and delicate atmospheric progressive. If you are a fan of the soaring facet of 'Pink Floyd', you should quickly adopt 'Old Souls' which, for me, will certainly be one of the best albums of 2022 in melodic and atmospheric progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Sarah Young (Flute), Jaye Marsh (Flute), Mateusz Swoboda (Cello), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Guitar, Violin), Will (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Silent Skies

Album : Nectar

Release Date : 04-02-2022

Added : 27-02-2022

'Tom S. Englund' is known for being the singer of metal bands 'Evergrey' and 'Redemption' but little is known about the other facet of this great artist who, together with his partner from 'Redemption', 'Vikram Shankar', created the project 'Silent Skies' with an admirable first album 'Satellites' in 2020. In this new project , it is no longer a question of progressive metal and our two protagonists, to which we can add the cellist 'Raphael Weinroth-browne' for this second album 'Nectar' (Raphael participated in the last album of 'Leprous'), take us on an intense musical journey in refined atmospheres, letting our minds wander during the time of listening, like suspended and out of time. Everything is therefore done to have a wonderful time and the compositions, each as endearing as the other, follow each other, starting with a moving 'Fallen From Heart' which, in a slow tempo, takes us out of this world of instantaneity and immediacy and which, consequently, ask us to take the time and press our pause button to better appreciate all these titles which all go to the essentials and retain only the substantive marrow of the music. I could name them all because each one is a haven of peace in which one completely abandons oneself and they all exude an endearing melancholy like 'Taper' (see the video here), 'Leaving' (see the wonderful video above) or even 'Let It Hurt' (see the video here) but even better is to let you press the key play to make way for these magnificent compositions with elegant and refined melodies. In short, as you will have understood, 'Nectar' is a timeless album that takes us out of our daily rhythm to recharge our batteries and bring us back to basics and which is charged with this intense and universal humanity well trampled currently by all these autocrats who govern us...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom S. Englund (Vocal), Vikram Shankar (Piano) + Guest : Raphael Weinroth-browne (Cello)


Artist : City of Lights

Album : Before the Sun Sets

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 28-02-2022

'City of Lights' is a new project initiated during the pandemic period by guitarist 'Neil Austin' and joined by Greek singer 'Manos Fatsis' who officiates in the formation 'Alpha Souls' and by the 2 brothers Robin and Mats Eriksson, respectively bassist and drummer of 'Degreed'. Other guest artists complete the lineup of this first album 'Before the Sun Sets' which, like the latest 'Lionville' released the same day on 'Frontiers', offers us good melodic hard rock, powerful but with a good balance between guitars and the keyboards. We embark on 12 very melodic compositions with two first energetic titles 'Racing on the Redline' and 'Heart's On Fire' (see the video above) but the rest of the album is more measured and more AOR oriented (see the video of 'Heat of the Night' here). The memorable refrains follow one after the other and we could mention all the titles because each one gives this immediate pleasure of listening. However, it is necessary to wait for the penultimate title 'How to Love' to have a ballad interpreted in a beautiful way by 'Manos Fatsis' and it is with the title song that the album ends with a last melodic jewel which the final never leaves you. In summary, this new project 'City of Lights' with AOR tendencies is still a nice surprise in 2022 for all fans of melodic hard rock and this first album shows all the maturity of this formation which should, if they continue in this voice, come very quickly to compete with the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Manos Fatsis (Vocal), Neil Austin (Guitar), Robin Eriksson (Bass), Mats Eriksson (Drums) + Guests : Daniel Johansson (Guitar), Joel Selsfors (Piano), Jonathan Carlemar (Guitar), Matt Farmer (Guitar), Mikael Blanc (Keybords), Mike Kyriakou (Guitar), Nathan Doyle (Guitar)


Artist : Grandval

Album : Eau et Feu

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 25-02-2022

The French of 'Grandval' led by 'Henri Vaugrand' had released the second part 'Descendu sur Terre' of their trilogy on the elements in the midst of a pandemic which did not allow them to defend it on stage and, therefore, they took the opportunity to complete the loop with this new album 'eau | feu', I quote them, "consecrated to nature and animals, to the place of the human race and its follies". For this album, 'Henri Vaugrand' has found a fellow traveler with 'Olivier Bonneau' who signs two titles and we find this French progressive rock inherited from the 70s with in particular texts which highlight the French language and who can recall artists like 'Ange'.

Musically, this opus alternates long developments which embark us in progressive sagas with long instrumental parts and other titles, more direct, leaving a good place to the vocals. The short 'Ferimur' welcomes us with sound effects accompanied by a whispered text which continues with a first memorable melody, then, 'Les jours innocents', this time recounting the carefree period of youth (which we have evil in these troubled times), envelops us in a repetitive theme magnified by an original rhythm section accentuating this endless side and alternating different intensities. With 'Il neige encore' (see the video above), we are taken to the solitude of old age and, to the rhythm of a beautiful melody ending with a magnificent guitar solo, this composition shows a very moving face with words so evocative for all those who have elderly parents, then, the longest development, 'Heinrich (un monde bien étrange)', takes us on an admirable progressive journey close to 'Ange' with texts drawn with the chalk line speaking to us of the disastrous fate of climatic exiles and which deploys original instrumental sections bringing us back to the best progressive bands of the 70s, including this central part which reminds me of 'Genesis' and which continues in a magnificent and refined acoustic guitar/voice atmosphere before to return to a more energetic finale. Then follows 'Erables et chênes', slightly shorter than its predecessor but which continues in this original progressive and, this time, in the sung part, it is the French from 'Lazuli' that come to my mind and the set features a rhythm section catchy and inventive which presents beautiful variations in the instrumental central part with jazz/rock influences. As for 'Aqua et igni' (literally, forbid someone water and fire and used to describe exiles), the French tackle the painful theme of migrants which makes this title particularly moving and, musically, they offer us a catchy melody in a dark atmosphere brought by disturbing sounds of keyboards and, after a short crescendo, the finale falls into a more refined section, magnificent to end on a kind of instrumental cry. And to conclude this very beautiful album, 'Fin de partie' takes us on a last composition which alternates verses in a slow tempo and a chorus filled with energy in an atmosphere of urgency and which has an instrumental part at the end of the title. reminding me of the few haunting bars of an Ange's 'Cimetière des Arlequins' but much more measured.

In summary, the French of 'Grandval' closes their trilogy with an excellent 'water | feu' which shows all the talent of this formation which continues to offer us sought-after and imaginative atmospheres which improve over time, and which are inherited from several decades of progressive French music...

Line Up / Musicians

Olivier Bonneau (Keybords, Guitar, Pédale Bass, Choirs), Henri Vaugrand (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Jean-Baptiste Itier (Drums), Jean Pierre Louveton (Guitar, Choirs), Élodie Saugues (Choirs)


Artist : Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Star One

Album : Revel In Time

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 01-03-2022

After the remarkable 'Transitus' dating back to 2020 as part of the 'Ayreon' project, 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' revives his 'Star One' project (originally dedicated to a 'space metal' style) with the release of 'Revel In Time' and, as usual, he invited an impressive number of artists from the metal scene with his faithful like the drummer 'Ed Warby', the keyboardist 'Joost Van Den Broek' or the singers 'Floor Jansen ', 'Marcela Bovio' and 'Irene Jansen'. For this latest baby from the Dutchman, there are also well-known artists such as guitarists 'Steve Vai', 'Timo Somers' or even 'Ron Bumblefoot Thal' (see the list of performers below with details of the titles). As Arjen himself says, "'Ayreon' is like the mothership of all my music and contains all the different musical styles that I love to listen to and love to create…whereas with 'Star One', I focus on metal.".

Indeed, 'Revel In Time', strong of a big hour of listening (the second CD presents alternative versions with other singers), shows an imposing power highlighting saturated guitar riffs and, this entry, with 'Fate of Man' which, after an introduction to the keyboards which reminds us of the familiar sounds of Arjen Lucassen's projects', deploys a beautiful energy with a memorable, constant first melody which we will find on practically all the titles and which makes this album very direct and accessible on first listening. And, how good it is to find our irresistible luxury singers, 'Marcela Bovio' and 'Irene Jansen' as in the compositions 'Fate of Man', the ultra-classic but so effective 'Led-Zeppelinian' hard-rock of the title song which takes us back to the 70s or even the catchy 'The Year of 41'. I won't launch into titles that would require a too long review, but I would simply like to point out that beyond the heavy side and the direct style of all the compositions, 'Arjen Lucassen' offers us a quite wide range panel of atmospheres, whether with titles that automatically start a foot tapping machine like 'Back from the Past', 'The Year of 41'', 'Bridge of Life' or 'Beyond the Edge of it All', but also in compositions which show a much more progressive face with remarkable rhythmic alternations between mid-tempo and sustained tempos and weak and strong moments with, for example, '28 Days (Till The End of Time ') or 'Prescient' or 'Today is Yesterday' or the magnificent 'A Hand on the Clock' in which 'Floor Jansen' is at the zenith of his talent and in which we happily find the female duet choir echoing Floor without forgetting the epic finale 'Lost Children of the Universe' which takes us on a long development in which we walk through different parts alternating in a beautiful way different intensities and mixing progressive metal and other atmospheres, first of all atmospheric with a long aerial guitar solo of 'Steve Vai', then symphonic that the choirs of the 'Hellscore Choir' make grandiose to finally fall back into the finale with a moving song from 'Roy Khan' accompanied by a few layers of keyboards.

In short, it's still a no-fault for 'Arjen Lucassen' who has this gift to make us travel once again in the space shuttle 'Star One' and offer us catchy metal that we always have immense pleasure to listen to and which will certainly make 'Revel In Time', one of the major progressive releases of the year 2022...

List of singers + instrumentalists:
1 = Fate of Man: Brittney Slayes (Vocal), Michael Romeo (Guitar)
2 = 28 Days (Till the End of Time): Sir Russell Allen (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar)
3 = Prescient: Micheal Mills (Vocal), Ross Jennings (Vocal)
4 = Back from the Past: Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Ron Bumblefoot Thal (Guitar)
5 = Revel in Time: Brandon Yeagley (Vocal), Adrian Vandenberg (Guitar)
6 = The Year of ’41: Joe Lynn Turner (Vocal), Will Shaw (Vocals), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Jens Johansson (Keyboards)
7 = Bridge of Life: Damian Wilson (Vocal)
8 = Today is Yesterday: Dan Swanö (Vocal), Lisa Bella Donna (Keyboards), Marcel Singor (Guitar)
9 = A Hand on the Clock: Floor Jansen (Vocal), Joost van den Broek (Keyboards)
10 = Beyond the Edge of it All: John Jaycee Cuijpers (Vocal), Arjen Lucassen (Guitar)
11 = Lost Children of the Universe: Roy Khan (Vocal), Hellscore Choir (Vocals), Steve Vai (Guitar)

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Lucassen (Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Ed Warby (Drums), Erik van Ittersum (Keybords), Marcela Bovio (Choirs), Irene Jansen (Choirs), Brittney Slayes (Vocal), Michael Romeo (Guitar), Sir Russell Allen (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Micheal Mills (Vocal), Ross Jennings (Vocal), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Ron Bumblefoot Thal (Guitar), Brandon Yeagley (Vocal), Adrian Vandenberg (Guitar), Joe Lynn Turner (Vocal), Will Shaw (Choirs), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Jens Johansson (Keybords), Damian Wilson (Vocal), Dan Swanö (Vocal), Lisa Bella Donna (Keybords), Marcel Singor (Guitar), Floor Jansen (Vocal), Joost van den Broek (Keybords), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Vocal), Roy Khan (Vocal), Hellscore Choir (Choirs), Steve Vai (Guitar)


Artist : Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side

Album : Miles From Nowhere

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 02-03-2022

We are going to Sweden once again but this time it will not be melodic hard rock but progressive rock with the project of 'Jonas Lindberg' who is releasing his second album 'Miles From Nowhere' after a first studio recording, 'Pathfinder', which is already from 2016 and which showed all the talent of the Swede. The first album contained long developments and we can say that Jonas has surpassed himself because in 'Miles From Nowhere' he finds three compositions which exceed 10 minutes if we count the eponymous suite of the album which, on its own, counts 25 minutes.

It is with saturated guitar riffs that the album begins with a 'Secret Motive Man' which then deploys a fairly direct rock which brings us back to the major bands of the 70s/80s like 'Genesis' or 'Styx', then, it is with an acoustic introduction that 'Little Man' welcomes us and continues with catchy melodic lines, then with a remarkable central instrumental section offering two very beautiful solos, first of keyboards and then of guitar, in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Make way for almost 16 minutes of 'Summer Queen' which develops a progressive epic which makes me think of the atmospheres of 'Renaissance' in the sung parts with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Jenny Storm' but which also contains very beautiful imaginative instrumental parts and which has a grand finale. Without transition, we attack the second long development 'Oceans of Time' (repeated in Edit version at the end of the album) which continues in this refined and melodic progressive with long inventive instrumental sections bringing this symphonic atmosphere and which offers us a completely addictive refrain making the whole one of the jewels of the album. The catchy instrumental 'Astral Journey' follows in a folk/rock vibe, then, 'Why I'm Here' is a more direct pop/rock song with an endearing new melody. Place now at the main course with the eponymous title of the album composed of 5 parts which each present a different facet and which contain everything that any amateur of progressive can find in this style of music: we is taken on a beautiful musical journey where there is always something going on and the dissecting of the whole would still take up a lot of space in this chronicle but, even better, it is let you discover by yourself this magnificent suite for yourself.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Jonas Lindberg' offers us a jewel of progressive beautifully interpreted by talented artists and 'Miles From Nowhere' will certainly be a contender for the podium for the best progressive rock album 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Lindberg (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Calle Stålenbring (Guitar), Jenny Storm (Vocal, Choirs), Jonas Sundqvist (Vocal), Jonathan Lundberg (Drums), Maria Olsson (Percussions), Niklas Thelin (Guitar) + Guests : Joel Lindberg (Guitar), Roine Stolt (Guitar), Simon Wilhelmsson (Drums)


Artist : Ten

Album : Here Be Monsters

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 03-03-2022

After the very good 'Gothica' in 2017 and 'Illuminati' which followed in 2018, the British of 'Ten', after 4 years of absence, released a new opus entitled 'Here Be Monsters'. Casually, the group's first eponymous opus dates to 1996 and this latest baby is the 15th studio recording. It's no surprise that we find this effective hard rock with melodies that go straight into your head from the first listen and, it must be emphasized that this last point is really highlighted for this last album because I would have well had trouble if I had been in place of the group to designate only two or three singles. So, parade hits one behind the other which each give great immediate pleasure: for my part, after a first listen, I had a hard time believing that the opus lasted an hour flat so this hour had passed quickly. Everything flows naturally and, even if we say to ourselves that we have the impression of having already heard all these beautiful melodies somewhere, we also say to ourselves that we are going through a best of melodic rock and hard rock from the last four decades. In short, no need to add more, this last album of the English of 'Ten' is certainly one of the best of this formation which continues to deliver us very good rock and melodic hard rock and 'Here Be Monsters' should become a must for the fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Hughes (Vocal), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), John Halliwell (Guitar), Steve Grocott (Guitar), Steve Mckenna (Bass) + Guest : Markus Kullmann (Drums)


Artist : Midnight Oil

Album : RESIST

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 04-03-2022

This Friday, February 18, 2022, is to be marked with a milestone because some very good albums have been released with, in my last chronicles, in progressive metal, the latest album from 'Arjen Lucassen', in progressive rock, the latest album from 'Jonas Lindberg' and in melodic rock and hard rock the latest 'Ten' but it was also on this day that the Australians of 'Midnight Oil' also released their new album 'RESIST' exactly 20 years after their last album 'Capricornia' which marked the end group, 'Peter Garrett' having decided to go into politics full time to defend his ecological ideas (he will be elected Minister of Ecology in 2007). So, put a new 'Midnight Oil' between our ears, I think a good number of historical fans, who are now in the 50/60 age bracket, didn't think it would be possible, but 'RESIST' is a new album of 'Midnight Oil' after the EP 'The Makarrata Project' released in 2020 which was not strictly speaking a pure 'Midnight Oil' album but which featured Aboriginal First Nations people in order to highlight injustices from which these peoples suffer.

First of all, the title 'RESIST' demonstrates that the fight of the leader 'Peter Garrett', who was a sort of modern-day hero for the fans of the 80s/90s, is still relevant and that at 68 now, he continues his fights with always the same motto: "It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees". Then, for all those who lived through the 80s/90s when they were teenagers or young adults, are there many who have not listened, one day, to 'Beds Are Burning' which demanded the restitution of their native lands to the aborigines and which became a world anthem by making the album 'Diesel and Dust' a timeless album and which, personally, turned over and over many times when it was released in 1987.

The whole is therefore turned towards the problems of today and tomorrow: at the start with 'Rising Seas' (see the video above), it is the climate crisis, which is the theme and, after a beautiful and refined introduction, memories come back of this style so characteristic of Australians with a catchy chorus that we already want to sing along with 'Peter Garrett'. Follows an equally lively 'The Barka-Darling River' in a muscular rock which takes a completely different turn in the middle of the title with a magnificent piano/voice part which then continues with a very endearing ballad. In an energetic style bringing us back to the signature 'Midnight Oil' of the beginnings (the rhythm section of the bass of 'Bones Hillman' who died in 2020 also has a lot to do with it), we can also quote 'At The Time of Writing', ' To The Ends Of The Earth', 'Reef', 'Lost At Sea' or 'Undercover' without forgetting 'Nobody's Child' which brings us back to the beginning of hard rock. But this 'RESIST' is also dotted with lighter compositions (I speak musically), because the group has also decided to express its ecological fight through more moderate compositions like 'Tarkine' (see the video here), 'We Resist' (see the video here), 'We Are Not Afraid' or even 'Last Frontier' which offers us a unifying chorus and a last strong message: "Who will repair the damage we continue to do?".

In summary, we find the Australians of 'Midnight Oil' as we had left them twenty years earlier with always this desire to fight and to 'RESIST' and with anthems that we have immense pleasure in to listen. Let's hope it won't be the last as 'Peter Garrett' suggests...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Garrett (Vocal, Harmonica), Rob Hirst (Drums), Jim Moginie (Guitar, Keybords), Martin Rotsey (Guitar), Bones Hillman (Bass)


Artist : Glasya

Album : Attarghan

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 05-03-2022

After their very promising first album 'Heaven's Demise' in 2019, the Portuguese of 'Glasya' released a new studio recording 'Attarghan'. Lovers of historical stories from films of the 60s and 70s, this new opus tells the story of Attarghan', a former army commander, who became a rebel, who leads the uprising of the people colonized by a pre-Persian empire and which becomes the main force of opposition to this empire. In my fist review, I compared their style with that of 'Nightwish' and I compared the mezzo-soprano 'Eduarda Soeiro' to 'Tarja' and this new album confirms this parallel with this historical narrative that alternates music and narration but still widens the range of influences.

After the narrated introduction 'Attarghan' which sets the scene for the story, the first title 'From Enemy to Hero' (see video above) offers us a first powerful title and we find 'Eduarda Soeiro' in duet with one of the singers of 'Temperance ', 'Marco Pastorino' who give us a remarkable vocal performance, then, 'Way to Victory' continues in this catchy symphonic metal with grandiose choirs and this composition offers memorable melodic lines. With 'Retaliation', we find the duet of the beginning in a heavier atmosphere with a marked rhythm then, the melodic and more measured 'First Taste of Freedom' sees the participation of 'Caterina Nix' which forms another very beautiful duo with Eduarda. Follows the Orientalizing 'Journey To Akhbar' (see the video here) which takes us on a very beautiful exotic journey with a bewitching melody, then 'Queen's Temptation' continues in this exotic and traditional atmosphere with a narration which is very well integrated into the music, something to emphasize because this process is not easy to make fluid in a concept album. The following titles continue to offer us different atmospheres and we can cite the epic 'Battle for Trust' with a magnificent guitar solo in the second part, the rhythmic 'The Sound Of 10,000 Feet Marching' with a marked tempo which makes account of this march of thousands of soldiers, the impetuous 'Within The Sandstorm' with its us growls which brings us back to 'Epica', the beautiful melancholy ballad 'We Weren't Meant To Be', 'Eye To Eye, Sword By Sword' with new oriental scents, the album ending with a grandiose 'A New Era Has Come' with generous choirs and a gripping melody, then with the short 'The Legend Lives On' with a narration accompanied by moving choirs.

In summary, the Portuguese of 'Glasya' confirm with their second album that they remain a very solid outsider of the major symphonic metal formations thanks to a well-stocked concept album and compositions with all the ingredients of this style which makes 'Attarghan' an album that should figure prominently in the collection of albums of all fans of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Eduarda Soeiro (Vocal), Davon Van Dave (Keybords), Bruno Prates (Guitar), Hugo Esteves (Guitar), António Durães (Bass), Bruno Ramos (Drums) + Guests : Caterina Nix (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Vocal)


Artist : Guild Of Others

Album : Guild Of Others

Release Date : 18-02-2022

Added : 06-03-2022

'Guild Of Others' is a new supergroup created by drummer 'Tom Wallace' and guitarist 'Steve Potts' who went on to find other partners with keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian who officiates among others in the formation 'Sons Of Apollo', singer 'Mark Hammond' for most tracks and bassist 'Tony Franklin' ('Joel Hoekstra's 13', 'Unruly Child', 'Rob Moratti') joined by 'Michael Sadler' from 'Saga' and 'Henrik Bath' from 'Darkwater' singing on 'Elysium' and 'Balance' respectively.

Musically, 'Guild Of Others' is focused on progressive music with a fairly immediate accessibility thanks to catchy melodic lines. We therefore sail through a range of different atmospheres, starting with the energetic 'Otherside' (see video above) which could be described as progressive hard rock, the progressive side being brought by changes of rhythm, and which offers us a magnificent catchy guitar solo in the second part. Follows 'Balance', more refined, flirts more on the side of progressive rock with a long instrumental introduction, the parts sung by 'Henrik Bath' being more direct, then, 'Always There' offers a calm first part with a slow tempo then accelerates the rhythm in the second part which allows 'Mark Hammond' to show two vocal facets by adapting perfectly to both moods. With 'Memento', the atmosphere is softer for the power ballad of the album which offers a beautiful and long central instrumental part, then, 'New World Disorder' continues with catchy melodic lines and is one of the typical titles of an accessible progressive which alternates intensities and rhythms, the whole being sprinkled here and there with oriental sounds, and which has a remarkable instrumental section with an inventive guitar solo. We find this progressive style, closer to rock this time, with the following title 'Elysium' which seems to have been composed specifically for 'Michael Sadler' because we find a little of the 'Saga' style then, 'Veil Of Insanity' (see the video here) is yet another original and catchy composition with a remarkable new vocal delivery from 'Mark Hammond' who knows how to adapt his voice perfectly to the current intensity. And it is with the 7 minutes of 'Spirit Host' which offers us a good summary of this album with a patchwork of different atmospheres led by an imaginative rhythm section that the album ends with always an immediate accessibility.

In summary, this new project 'Guild Of Others' offers us a diversified progressive, sometimes rock, sometimes metal, which shows remarkable alternations between sung and instrumental parts and which presents an accessible face thanks to catchy melodic lines that which should fill a whole public loving the progressive and can be an album to introduce this style to another rock or metal audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Potts (Guitar), Mark Hammond (Vocal), Tom Wallace (Drums), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Tony Franklin (Bass) + Guests : Henrik Bath (Vocal), Michael Sadler (Vocal), Craig Goldy (Guitar)


Artist : Beth Hart

Album : A Tribute To Led Zeppelin

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 07-03-2022

The albums of 'Beth Hart' follow one another and always offer immense listening pleasure (see myprogmusic reviews below) but this latest baby is a bit special since it includes compositions from the legendary band 'Led Zeppelin'. We could have missed this opus but, something is not customary, I am going, for once, to thank the COVID (by the way, I don't really know why we use the feminine) because in 2019, during a recording session for her latest album 'War In My Mind', hearing her sing 'Whole Lotta Love', his manager then suggested that she makes a cover album of 'Led Zeppelin'. At the time, she declines saying that the interpretation of 'Led Zep' requires having a much greater rage in herself and that she is not ready for this adventure. We know the rest, for anyone who is sensitive and keeps their freedom of thought, this rage in the face of this pandemic, we have had enough of it in the past two years and knowing the skinned soul that is 'Beth Hart', we is not surprised to be able to listen to this 'A Tribute To Led Zeppelin' at the start of 2022.

What can be said about these covers except that we find a 'Beth Hart' at the peak of her art as if these compositions had been composed for her (this is in no way pejorative for 'Robert Plant' who has this same spirit of putting his guts on the table in each interpretation as if his life depended on it which shows, for me, all the talent of an artist). We therefore embark on a journey through time, like a kind of intense pilgrimage and entrance, we are stunned by the first bars of 'Whole Lotta Love' and this immense pleasure mixed with chills immediately comes to take us away in this mythical title magnified by Beth who gives it all her strength and rage. Follow all the timeless titles of the English in a judicious order because we alternate energetic atmospheres with calmer ones: after the muscular 'Whole Lotta Love', the majestic 'Kashmir' unfolds its sublime melody and 'Beth Hart' surfs on its wave in a delicious way, then, place to a 'Stairway to Heaven' with its crescendo which highlights even more the performance of 'Beth Hart' which begins calmly and gradually increases in tension to explode at the end and falls back into some magic vocalizations: beautiful! And with 'The Crunge', we see the whole palette of 'Led Zep' with this 1973 title quite far from hard rock and which took up the funk style that appeared in the 60s and which also shows that 'Beth Hart' has this talent to transcend any style. Good idea also to have integrated in medley 'Dancing Days' and 'When The Levee Breaks' just like 'No Quarter' and 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' which surround the jewels that are 'Black Dog' and 'Good Times Bad Times', the album ending in a calmer atmosphere with a remarkable 'The Rain Song' which highlights the progressive side of 'Led Zeppelin'.

In summary, who better than 'Beth Hart' could tackle the discography of 'Led Zeppelin' which is made up of compositions filled with tension and relaxation allowing the singer to show all her talent and magnify all these timeless titles. This 'A Tribute To Led Zeppelin' is a total success and should also rekindle the musical flame of the seventies in some and some and bring out all the essential albums of this decade...

myprogmusic reviews of 'Beth Hart':
'Better Than Home' - 2015
'Fire On The Floor - 2016
'Black Coffee' (with Joe Bonomassa) - 2018
'Live At The Royal Albert Hall' - 2018
'War In My Mind - 2019

Line Up / Musicians

Beth Hart (Vocal, Keybords), Rob Cavallo (Guitar), Tim Pierce (Guitar), Chris Chaney (Bass), Jamie Muhoberac (Keybords), Dorian Crozier (Drums), Matt Laug (Drums)


Artist : Kalle Wallner, Blind Ego

Album : Voices

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 08-03-2022

'Kalle Wallner' is the guitarist of the German band 'RPWL' but also from the band 'Blind Ego' under the name of which he released his first solo album 'Voices'. Being, with his friend from 'RPWL', 'Yogi Lang', the manager of 'Gentle Art Of Music', that's it naturally that this first baby comes out under this label and, for the occasion, he called on his relatives including 'Yogi Lang' as keyboardist, singer 'Arno Menses' who participated in the album 'Liquid' from 'Blind Ego' released in 2016, 'Tanyc' for backing vocals and session drummer 'Marco Minnemann' who has participated in various projects including 'Legacy Pilots' in 2021 but also other projects like 'The Sea Within'.

Almost entirely instrumental, since 'Arno Menses' only sings on 'Three', we find the style of 'RPWL' made of long neo-progressive tracks with catchy melodic lines and with 'Floydian' guitar solos that we delight to listen to. 'One' puts forward electro sounds of synthesizers à la 'Jean-Michel Jarre' on which the guitar of 'Kalle Wallner' comes to integrate perfectly to bring this binder to the whole, then 'Two' shows everything first a more rock facet with a saturated guitar that leads the dance, then it's a much calmer section with a remarkable fluidity in this guitar playing which then returns to the more muscular initial atmosphere for the end of the title with a magnificent final runaway. With 'Three' (see the video above), we are full of 'RPWL' and this title reminds me of the magnificent 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' from the album 'The Rpwl Experience' dating from 2013, then, 'Four' continues with a composition alternating different intensities and rhythms and which, accompanied by electronic sounds, gives a good place to the guitar, whether electric or acoustic. Follows 'Five' which continues in a lively atmosphere with the guitar which offers us very catchy melodic lines with a mixture of neo-progressive with Latin influences, then, the long title 'Six' deploys a new progressive saga which develops parts instrumentals which gives me the impression of listening to a remarkable mix between film music à la 'Enio Morricone' with the choirs of 'Tanyc' and a sort of cross between 'Pink Floyd' and 'Dire Straits'. And it is with the longest composition 'Seven, Out' that the album ends magnificently in a aerian and melancholy atmosphere whose multiple guitar sections make us rise warm on a small 'Floydian' cloud showing all the feeling of guitarist of 'Kalle Wallner'.

In summary, 'Kalle Wallner' releases an album highlighting his talent as a guitarist with accessible compositions that offer immediate listening pleasure which should satisfy an entire public who love a subtle and refined progressive in the image of the different bands mentioned throughout this review...

Line Up / Musicians

Kalle Wallner (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Programmation), Marco Minnemann (Drums), Arno Menses (Vocal, Choirs), Tanyc (Choirs), Yogi Lang (Keybords, Programmation)


Artist : Scorpions

Album : Rock Believer

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 09-03-2022

Another group that has nothing left to prove but which continues, after more than 50 years of good and loyal service, to release albums and make the music they have always loved, I have named the Germans of 'Scorpions' whose two oldest members singer 'Klaus Meine' and guitarist 'Rudolf Schenker' are about 74 years old. And, after 'Return To Forever' in 2016 which did not make the headlines, listening to the opening bars of 'Gas In The Tank, I feel like I've stepped into the time machine of the early 80's with the band's must-have albums and the woman's scream on the cover has some similarities with the iconic album'Blackout' from 1982.

So it looks very good and listening to the sequel with 'Roots in my Boots' and 'Knock 'em Dead', it continues with a muscular and effective hard rock that gives an irresistible desire to headbang, d especially since we have a p... of sound, close to a live, this being explained by the fact that the recording was done as we did in the 70s/80s and which consisted in recording the whole group at the same time (which clearly shows that the latest technologies have often distorted this kind of music because, what better for artists than to share the interpretation of their compositions together). After these 3 missiles stuffed with dynamite, the shivers come naturally to me with the first 'Scorpionian' hymn of the title song (see video above) with a melody that never leaves us and with the guitar solo as we like them from 'Rudolf Schenker', then, this so obvious signature of the Germans with 'Shining Of Your Soul' sends us back directly, with a touch of nostalgia, to the end of the 70s with this swaying rhythmic so familiar. And we stay in the same decade with 'Seventh Sun' which, on a heavy and marked tempo, sends us a fabulous energy throughout the body with each bass kick, energy that we only encounter in these live atmospheres. And the melodic and well-tempered jewels continue with an energetic 'Hot And Cold', a very crazy 'When I Lay My Bones To Rest', then, 'Peacemaker' (see the video here) drives the point home by sending us a hit with the same punch as they used to lay us 40 years younger!! Fortunately for our osteoarthritis, we then welcome 'Call of the Wild' which is much more moderate while keeping this melodic hard rock spirit which takes a little more vigor at the end with a new guitar solo by Mr. 'Schenker ' remarkable, then, don't tell me you didn't expect it, the ballad that gives us all the shivers and that the Germans know how to do so well with 'When You Know (Where You Come From)' ending this first CD admirably . And yes, there is a second one with the Deluxe version, shorter than the first, but which offers us more with 4 other titles which have nothing to envy to the previous ones with a special mention for the mid-tempo 'Crossing Borders' and its rhythm to make an entire audience headbang, the album ending with a magnificent acoustic cover of the ballad 'When You Know (Where You Come From)'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Scorpions' offer us a new studio recording that would not have been out of place in the series of albums from the 70s/80s, except that our two friends are a few decades older but they still have this pleasure of playing together and pleasing their fans which will undoubtedly make 'Rock Believer', which was recorded the old way, one of the best hard rock albums of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Klaus Meine (Vocal, Guitar), Rudolf Schenker (Vocal, Guitar), Matthias Jabs (Guitar), Pawel Maciwoda (Bass), Mikkey Dee (Drums)


Artist : D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings

Album : Troika

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 10-03-2022

After the announcement of 'Neal Morse' to set up a new project with drummer 'Nick D'Virgilio' who was part of the 'Spock's Beard' and featuring vocalist 'Ross Jennings' of progressive metal band 'Haken', progressive fans must have been impatient to know the result of a such association knowing that the American is attracted by all kinds of style. And, after a first listening, 'Troika' is a very endearing album which is almost entirely acoustic with beautiful vocal harmonies, our three artists being also singers which gave me this impression of going back a few decades with a kind of 'an original mix between 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' and the 'Bee Gees'. Resulting from a collaborative work (the very definition of 'Troika') between the three artists, we are taken on a wonderful journey with, first of all, magnificent acoustic or semi-acoustic compositions and the 'Everything I Am' (see video above), 'Julia' (see video here), 'You Set My Soul On Fire' (see video here), 'One Time Less', 'Another Trip Around The Sun', 'A Change Is Gonna Come' or again 'If I Could' have a relaxing and light side very pleasant in these troubled times. And when they reconnect the electric instruments, they offer us more refined compositions with 'King for a Day' which, even if the choirs still bring us back to 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young', brings much more progressive influences, than we also find in the energetic 'Second Hand Sons' which flirts with vintage hard rock and in 'My Guardian' with a more refined construction, the end of the album returning to the acoustic atmospheres of the first half with the very beautiful ballad 'What You Leave Behind' and the cover in long version of 'Julia'.

In summary, this new project is a real bubble of freshness and escape with compositions that are good for the soul and, God knows that we really need them right now. Thank you to these three artists for meeting to offer us such a beautiful album which should reach a wide audience because all the compositions, even those which bring a bit of progressive, are catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal, Drums), Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Ross Jennings (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Bernard Allison

Album : Highs & Lows

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 11-03-2022

After the live 'Songs from the Road' released in 2020, 'Bernard Allison' is releasing a new album 'Highs & Lows'. We find with happiness this signature of the American with this remarkable mixture of lively blues/rock and funky blues which makes this latest baby a total success and a magnificent listening moment. In the first style, the first title 'So Excited' (see video above) welcomes us with a catchy blues/rock which gives you a huge energy and we can also mention 'My Way or the Highway' in a more shuffle style or even the timeless 'Side Step' with an enjoyable slide guitar playing. On the other hand, the funky side offering a nice freshness is also very present with the title song in which 'Bernard Allison' shows all his talent as a guitarist with this extraordinary feeling which illuminates throughout this composition, atmosphere that the we find in 'Strain on My Heart' or the magnificent 'Hustler' which sees the participation of 'Bobby Rush' on vocals and harmonica or 'Strain On My Heart' with a magnificent saxophone solo from 'José James' or again, at the end of the album, 'My Kinda Girl' and 'Satisfy Her Needs' but also in the two compositions of his father 'Luther Allison', 'Now You Got It' and 'I Gave It All', the opus is ending with 'Last Night' which is a good summary of the whole with a mix between funky and blues parts. In summary, 'Bernard Allison' continues its path by offering us magnificent compositions which can be listened to with immense pleasure, and which make us travel in its universe made of a subtle mixture of blues and funk, especially since they are all very accessible and catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernard Allison (Guitar, Vocal), George Moye (Bass), Dylan Salfer (Guitar), Steve Potts (Drums), Toby Lee Marshall (Keybords), José James (Saxophone) + Guests : Bobby Rush (Vocal, Harmonica), Colin James (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Serious Black

Album : Vengeance Is Mine

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 12-03-2022

After their two very good last albums 'First Light' from 2017 which was the soft side in acoustics and 'Suite 226' from 2020, 'Serious Black' returns with a new studio recording 'Vengeance Is Mine' which continues to give us good power metal and this latest baby is particularly varied and includes a good number of catchy and effective compositions which should certainly appear during the next concerts. With a new singer 'Nikola Mijić' who replaces 'Urban Breed', from the start, we put an explosive missile between our ears with a memorable first chorus and sharp guitar riffs (see the video above), then , 'Out of the Ashes' (see video ici) continues in this direction with a new heavy melodic hit. The hymns then follow one another and to name a few titles, the 'Fallen Hero', 'Senso Della Vita', 'Tonight I'm Ready to Fight', 'Soldiers Of Eternal Light' or even 'Queen Of Lies' with its memorable chorus reveal exceptional firepower. And when the tempo is meant to be slower, we are conquered by quieter compositions like the magnificent power ballad 'Ray of Light' and 'The Story' (see the video here) which alternates calm and powerful parts, and which has this addictive melody that the public should take up heart in concert. In short, with this latest album 'Vengeance Is Mine', 'Serious Black' continues to distill good power metal with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate which should now raise them to the same level as the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Nikola Mijić (Vocal), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Bob Katsionis (Keybords, Guitar), Mario Lochert (Bass), Ramy Ali (Drums)


Artist : Space Elevator

Album : Persona Non Grata

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 13-03-2022

After their second album, simply called ' II', released in 2018, the English of 'Space Elevator' return with a new baby 'Persona Non Grata'. We find this melodic rock that takes us back to the 70s with groups that were the precursors in this style. And this new studio recording they've cooked up during the pandemic features a huge variety, ranging from sleek pop to energetic rock to quieter moments with beautiful ballads.

At first, with the two songs of 'Persona Non Grata', we are taken, first of all, in a Hispanic atmosphere with an acoustic guitar accompanying the beautiful sensual voice of 'The Duchess', then, the part two is an energetic rock with a very catchy rhythm and a memorable melody. It is then with an introduction to 'Led Zeppelin' that we continue our exotic journey with some saturated guitar riffs and a composition alternating different intensities highlighting a new remarkable vocal performance of 'The Duchess', then, 'Passive Aggression' has a much more direct face which can recall certain atmospheres of pop/rock singers of the 70s and which would certainly have made a hit at that time. Follows the magnificent ballad 'Stevie Nicks Smile' which is a very beautiful tribute to 'Fleetwood Mac ' but also to other artists of the seventies and who is a real treat with his children's choirs and his remarkable guitar solo. The lights dim a little more with the slow tempo of 'First Girl On The Moon' which unrolls a languid melody and whose interpretation of 'The Duchess' gives me some shivers of pleasure. We regain strength with an energetic 'Ritchie (See You Later Baby)' with its seventies atmosphere, then, 'Cheerful Franck' is another nod to the artist 'Frank Dunnery' and offers us a light atmosphere and cheerful à la 'Beatles'. With 'Love You Better', we are fully immersed in a mixture of soul and melodic funk of the 70s with omnipresent choirs, then, return to sensuality with an endearing 'I Will Hold On To You' which begins with a few added crackles of microgrooves which deliciously bring us back a few decades and which continues in this warm and moving atmosphere and the album ends with 'Reverie And Souvenirs' which takes us one last time in a symphonic ballad of great beauty with a memorable melody and with a short original gospel section and, on this track, 'The Duchess' has touching 'Kate Bush' intonations.

In summary, this latest album from the English of 'Space Elevator' offers us a great variety of compositions that take us back to a wide range of 70s style and 'Persona Non Grata' should appeal to a wide audience because all the compositions are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

The Duchess (Vocal, Choirs), Chas Maguire (Bass, Choirs), David Young (Guitar), Brian Greene (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Zadra

Album : Guiding Star

Release Date : 25-02-2022

Added : 14-03-2022

Well, we're going to talk about Alessandro Del Vecchio again with this new project by singer 'August Zadra' who is releasing his first studio album surrounded by artists from the rock and melodic hard rock scene and who has created with singer 'Rudy Cardenas' 'Waiting For Monday' with the release of the project's self-titled album in 2020 and which was invited by 'Jeff Scott Soto' in his solo album 'Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)' also released in 2020. Among the guest artists, we find the same 'Jeff Scott Soto', the tireless 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who needs no introduction, 'Dennis Deyoung' from 'Tokyo Motor Fist' or 'Andrea Seveso' from 'Inner Stream' and participating in the project of 'Robin McAuley'. Between rock and hard rock, the 11 compositions offer three quarters of an hour of catchy melodic lines and the whole is oriented AOR: the first three titles 'Come Together', 'Nothing More To Say' attest to this (see the video above) and 'Ship Of Fools', a little more energetic, which rolls out memorable refrains and which all have choruses taking us back to the melodic rock of the 80s with 'Journey' or 'Survivor'. In the same style we can mention 'Escape The Rain' with slightly more muscular guitar riffs, the melodic jewel 'I'll Meet You In Heaven' or even 'Won't Let Your Love Take Me Down', but a good place is given to quieter atmospheres and the 'Come Back To Me', 'A Matter of Yesterday' (magnificent power ballad), 'Take My Hand' with a second part a little more energetic or even 'Dream Of You' allow welcome breaks and the album ends with a final melodic single 'Rise from the Fire' (see the video here). In short, this new melodic rock/hard rock project is tailor-made for 'August Zadra' who shows all his vocal talent in these AOR atmospheres which makes 'Zadra' an album to be consumed without moderation and which should reach a large audience because everything is implemented for an immediate listening pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

August Zadra (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar) + Guests : Jeff Scott Soto (Choirs), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs, Guitar), Dennis DeYoung (Keybords), Jelly Cardarelli (Drums), Jimmy Leahey (Guitar), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Martin Jepsen Andersen (Guitar), Guillermo De Medio (Keybords), Pete Alpenborg (Keybords), Jan Akesson (Keybords)


Artist : Salva Sweden

Album : Ghost Story

Release Date : 01-03-2022

Added : 15-03-2022

I discovered the 'Salva Sweden' project with the album 'Off The Deep End' released in 2018 and which has been followed in 2020 by 'A Thousand Ways to Disappear'. The year 2022 sees the birth of a new studio recording 'Ghost Story' and it is another opus offering us very beautiful varied progressive compositions, always well supplied because of the 6 titles, 3 exceed 10 minutes.

And it is with the longest title of the album, 'Awakening' that we begin our listening which takes us on a beautiful journey alternating different soundscapes and which offers us beautiful melodic lines and remarkable instrumental parts some of whose singing reminds me of 'Alan Parson'. Follows 'Discovery' which begins calmly but which quickly gains momentum with sounds of vintage keyboards, and which presents many variations of tempo and intensity with a very beautiful 'Floydian' guitar solo in the second part and a runaway original finale in which the rhythm section leads the dance. With 'Gig', we continue in an original and varied progressive, and, after a provided instrumental introduction, the sung part is particularly melodic and rhythmic, and the title ends with another instrumental section highlighting aerial keyboards and a new solo wonderful guitar. Make way for the second long development 'Ghost' which again presents a patchwork of different atmospheres with a very beautiful division between sung and instrumental parts making it a typical title of an inventive progressive, then, 'Everysong' is a very beautiful ballad with a memorable new melody. And to end this magnificent album, the 11 minutes of 'Score' accompany us in a new progressive saga in which we let ourselves be carried away by this title in several drawers with beautiful vocal harmonies and a very beautiful keyboard solo in the second part.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Salva' offer us a new album which continues to offer remarkable progressive compositions which, despite their length, remain very accessible and capture the attention from beginning to end thanks to multiple mood changes and catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Per Malmberg (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Accordion, Mandolin, Percussions), Stefan Gavik (Guitar), Johan Lindqvist (Keybords), Daniel Natt (Bass), Erik Zetterlund (Drums)


Artist : The Flower Kings

Album : By Royal Decree

Release Date : 03-03-2022

Added : 16-03-2022

The last four years have been prolific for the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings', as 2018 saw the release of 'Manifesto of an Alchemist' appeared as 'Roine Stolt's The Flower King', followed by 'Waiting For Miracles' in 2019 and 'Islands' in 2020 and it's just over a year later that we have the pleasure to put between our ears a new opus, baptized 'By Royal Decree'. For this opus, we find one of the founding members 'Michael Stolt'.

And, as they have done in the last 2 opuses, this last baby of the Swedes is composed of 2 CDs for a duration of an hour and a half of music which is becoming a constant now with the 'Flower Kings'. With 18 tracks, it's no surprise that we find this melting-pot of styles inherited from the 70s with this skillful mix that always produces this original result of melodic progressive. I won't review the 18 titles one by one, but I would simply like to highlight this very varied panel of atmospheres which makes it possible to never be bored in an album of 'The Flower Kings'. First, if we take the first three titles, the first 'The Great Pretender' offers us inventive symphonic progressive in a warm atmosphere and with beautiful vocal harmonies, then we navigate in different registers with a vintage side brought by the sounds of keyboards while having much more contemporary sections in 'World Gone Crazy' and with 'Blinded', we go through a kind of musical comedy with a mixture of jazzy keys and other more epic parts. Other compositions are typical of the progressive style of the 70s, but still very melodic and therefore catchy, such as, for example, 'A Million Stars' and its multi-drawer structure reminiscent of 'Yes' or 'Genesis' and we find this type of compositions with 'The Soldier' or 'Peacock on Parade'. We also won't miss the magnificent ballads 'The Darkness In You', 'Silent Ways' and 'Moth' which unfold beautiful melodies on which we completely abandon ourselves to the music. The progressive symphonic side is also well represented with the very beautiful 'Revolution' which offers a beautiful 'Floydian' section in the second part or the 'Time The Great Healer' and 'The Big Funk' of the second CD which have nothing to envy 'The Great Pretender'. And when the atmosphere wants to be lighter, the short 'We Can Make It Work', 'Letter' or even the very beautiful 'Open Your Heart' offer beautiful, more direct alternations. We end this beautiful journey with the short piano solo 'Shrine' and the album closes on the typical progressive of 'The Flower Kings' with the very beautiful 'Funeral Pyres'. By the way, finally, I quoted you all the titles except perhaps the instrumental 'Evolution' which shows all the guitarist talent of 'Roine Stolt'.

In summary, the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings' continue to release quality, inventive and varied albums that we must of course, given the density, take our time to draw all the substance from them. and which, consequently, should figure prominently in the discotheque of any of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar), Hasse Fröberg (Vocal, Guitar), Zach Kamins (Keybords), Michael Stolt (Bass, Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Mirko De Maio (Drums) + Guest : Jonas Lindberg (Bass)


Artist : Marillion

Album : An Hour Before It's Dark

Release Date : 04-03-2022

Added : 17-03-2022






It is another emblematic group of the progressive scene which is tackling the health crisis with a title that says a lot, 'An Hour Before It's Dark', I named the English of 'Marillion' who gave us immense pleasure with their latest album ' With Friends from the Orchestra' from the end of 2019 followed by the live 'With Friends at St David's' from 2021. Admittedly, the last two years have given inspiration to quite a few bands and progressive rock has been well spoiled, but I must say that this album is particularly captivating, and 'Steve Hogarth' was able to put strong words in the face of more or less tragic events, with of course, among other things, the health crisis and illness. At the same time, it was also necessary to have an adapted musical approach and we can say that the whole immerses us in engaging and moving atmospheres. The album is therefore divided into 4 suites and 3 other titles for a short hour of listening.

The 10 minutes of 'Be Hard On Yourself' (see the video above which is also shot live here) welcomes us with a 'Flyodian introduction ' and moving choruses in a cry of despair, the title highlighting the catastrophic state of our planet and the poignant interpretation of 'Steve Rothery' which can remind in places of the emotional force given off by 'David Bowie'. The three parts follow each other perfectly and all show a different face, with this magnificent relaxation in 'Lust for Luxury' which is framed by moments of enormous tension, worthy of 'The Wall'. 'Reprogram the Gene' tackles the thorny problem of genetic manipulation with this last part which comes into its own now with this unanswered question: 'a Cure for Us?' and the intensity is still there in this new suite which has catchy melodies with this parallel to the sounds of 'U2' in the second part of 'Trouble Free Life'. Follows the short comma 'Only a Kiss' very quiet which introduces 'Murder Machine' (see the video here) and which opens another heated debate on the fact of transmitting a virus to those which one likes by a gesture of affection, certainly the most direct title from the album. With 'The Crow and the Nightingale', the atmosphere is less serious but just as moving because it is dedicated to 'Leonard Cohen' and it is with a ballad that 'Marillion' decided to pay tribute to the Canadian singer, certainly one of the most beautiful songs of the 'English' which uses the words of 'Nightingale', from the album 'Dear Heather' by 'Leonard Cohen' released in 2004 and which was itself a tribute to the singer 'Carl Anderson'. Make way for the last two suites with, first of all, 'Sierra Leone' and its 5 parts, each quite short, whose theme is the exploitation of diamonds in Africa, but which is a pretext to talk to us about freedom and human respect. It's still a highlight of the album and time and time again 'Steve Hogarth' conveys a remarkable emotional force that triggers that characteristic thrill of immense pleasure as in the short second part 'the White Sand'. And it is with the longest piece of the album, also in 5 parts, that we end this magnificent album with a final progressive saga on an equally very sensitive subject which is the end of life and which contains all the ingredients that one wishes to find in this style of music, a variety of different atmospheres as well in the multiple changes of tempos and intensities but also in mixtures of sounds and different periods making cohabit for example in the first part electro with more traditional symphonic which makes it, for me, a perfect example of a title integrating a subtle blend of influences from several decades of progressive.

In summary, this latest album from 'Marillion', which is their twentieth album, is certainly one of the strongest on an emotional level, both vocally with a moving 'Steve Hogarth' from start to finish but also musically. with touching melodies that have repeatedly made me feel the immense pleasure that every progressive lover seeks when listening to a new album; 'An Hour Before Its Dark' will undoubtedly be a staple of 'Marillion' but beyond that, should take a good place in the future in essential progressive albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hogarth (Vocal), Steve Rothery (Guitar), Mark Kelly (Keybords), Pete Trewavas: (Bass), Ian Mosley (Drums)


Artist : Knight Area

Album : D-Day II – The Final Chapter

Release Date : 04-03-2022

Added : 18-03-2022

Currently, myprogmusic reviews of major progressive releases follow each other because, after 'The Flower Kings' the day before yesterday, then 'Marillion' yesterday, it was the turn of the Dutch from 'Knight Area' to release the second chapter of 'D-Day'. I already introduced you to the EP 'The Journey Home' which was a good preview of this new album at the end of 2021 and we can now enjoy the whole of 'D-Day' in full.

I'm not going to talk to you again about the three compositions that we already knew, 'The Journey Home', 'Peace of Mind' and 'I Believe' (although in 'D-Day', the version is slightly longer for this last title) and so here are the new original titles. We are welcomed by 'The Enemy Within' which is the story of a veteran of the last world war in an epic symphonic epic with a majestic introduction borrowing some chords from the emblematic 'Atom Heart Mother' and which unfolds a gripping melody from beginning to end and which offers us a first vocal performance very moving from 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' and remarkable instrumental sections with majestic keyboards from 'Gerben Klazinga'. We are already thrilled and follow the already known 'Peace of Mind' and 'I Believe' which we have immense pleasure in listening to again, the emotional intensity continuing to be at its peak before arriving at the short instrumental 'For Those Who Fell' which develops a moving new melody highlighting the 'Gilmourian' guitar playing of 'Mark Bogert': magnificent! follows 'The Dream' which is a new melodic jewel, more energetic, and which deploys a remarkable theatricality with a 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' in an interpretation strong in emotion and very expressive. I will pass on the ballad 'The Journey Home' which is part of the EP of the same name, and which gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it, then 'Crossroads' continues this beautiful journey with a melody as moving as its predecessor (see more !!). The end of the album offers us a very beautiful acoustic cover of 'Freedom for Everyone' (what a magnificent hymn nowadays with all these freedom restrictions), then an orchestral medley of 'D-Day' which is a moving summary of the two albums, and which inevitably gives a crazy desire to dive back into them to still enjoy every second of these magnificent compositions. With all that, I have quoted you 'Jan Willem Ketelaerse', 'Mark Bogert' or 'Gerben Klazinga' but we must also highlight the whole group with also the rhythm section of 'Peter Vink' and 'Pieter van Hoorn' who are the essential pillars that give life to this captivating and gripping music.

In summary, I will again thank the years of health crisis (I had already done so for the cover of 'Led Zep' by 'Beth Hart') because this second chapter would certainly not have seen the light of day without her and these two albums should quickly become essential albums both historically because it is essential to remember certain chapters of our history, especially in troubled times so as not to make the same mistakes as in the past, but also musically, because ' D-Day' (which I added to a playlist here) will certainly an artwork that will be in very good place in the memory and in the heart of many fans of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Willem Ketelaers (Vocal), Mark Bogert (Guitar), Gerben Klazinga (Keybords), Peter Vink (Bass), Pieter van Hoorn (Drums)


Artist : Sabaton

Album : The War to End All Wars

Release Date : 04-03-2022

Added : 19-03-2022

After 'The Great War' dating from 2019 and the live 'The Great Show (The Great Tour Live In Prague, 2020)' which followed in 2021, the Swedes of 'Sabaton' are doing it again with a new album 'The War to End All Wars', vast program which was announced by the group as usual, with great fanfare and with the presentation of the album at the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History in Brussels on November 22, 2021. As for the theme, it does not change so much since we are still in the First World War with these history enthusiasts who continue to tell us all the little stories about this war. So, what's new on this latest album. Not much will say some, but it's good from time to time to get between the ears of hymns with refrains that we all want to scream in chorus and this latest opus from the Swedes is obviously one of them completed. It's not easy to find a title from this album that doesn't make you want to sing the chorus and, from the start, we follow 'Sormtroopers' (see video above), 'Dreadnought', 'The Unkillable Soldier' (see video here) and 'Soldier Of Heaven' which distill addictive melodies and the sequel is not to be outdone with 'Race To The Sea' (see the video here), 'The Valley of Death' (see video here) or even 'Christmas Truce' (see the video here), the album ending with the last hymn 'Versailles'. In short, in these troubled times with this fear of a new world conflict, the Swedes of 'Sabaton' remind us of our duty to remember (like their compatriots from 'Knight Area' in another style) and continue to give us catchy anthems which should continue to satisfy the fans and an entire public who love direct and effective heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Joakim Brodén (Vocal, Keybords), Tommy Johansson (Guitar), Chris Rörland (Guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (Drums), Pär Sundström (Bass)


Artist : Joe Bailey

Album : Devil in the White City

Release Date : 04-03-2022

Added : 20-03-2022

Regularly, the multi-instrumentalist 'Joe Bailey' offers us very good albums that he designs, performs, records, mixes and produces himself and, after 'A Price to Pay' in 2018, 'Less Than Nothing' in 2019 and 'Ghosts' in 2021, it's the turn of 'Devil in the White City' to see the light of day. This new opus is a concept album whose theme and story of 'Dr. Henry Howard Holmes', the 19th century serial killer. Musically, he continues to take us into his neo-progressive universe with dense and rich compositions and, for this opus, he has slightly hardened the subject, theme obliges, and brings a good touch of progressive hard rock throughout.

After the symphonic and cinematic instrumental introduction 'Devil in the White City' setting the scene for the album, 'Origin' opens the proceedings with an energetic title hardened by a raging rhythm section and muscular guitar riffs and vigorous keyboards but which presents a welcome alternation with a more calm chorus. Follows 'The Fruitful Dead' which is much more laid back and which is sprinkled with percussion programming bringing an electro side and which has a very nice alternation between faster verses and a chorus which runs off at a slow tempo with magnificent lines melodic, the whole being always bathed in a rather dark atmosphere. With 'Doctor Death', almost 10 minutes long, although the narrative remains sinister, the music is more playful thanks to a catchy rhythm and a catchy melody, then, 'Holmes Sweet Holme', which begins in a few calm piano chords, quickly gains momentum, and leaves a good place for provided instrumental sections led by a tumultuous rhythm section and with a beautiful break in the second part allowing to return to a very beautiful sung finale. We arrive at the longest development of the album with a succession of different soundscapes: a symphonic introduction takes us to a sung section which accelerates the rhythm in a tumultuous instrumental part with the use of the double pedal and, following a long part sung with a marked tempo supported by the catchy main melodic theme and with variations of intensities brought by an original rhythm section. With 'The Begining of the End' which is the final statement made by 'Dr. Henry Howard Holmes': "I was born with the devil in me", the musical theme in a melancholy atmosphere is always in keeping with the story, the sung parts with a beautiful musicality alternating with instrumental parts, further accentuating the dark climate of the whole and the beautiful piano break in the second part brings a magnificent crescendo finale. And as it had started, 'The Ignominious Death of a Murderer' ends this very beautiful album with an epic and symphonic instrumental with a lot of keyboards with majestic sounds.

In summary, 'Joe Bailey' continues on his merry way with this new album 'Devil in the White City' which deserves to finally know a greater notoriety because the whole of his discography, which is now 6 albums, shows all his talent (let's not forget that he is the sole master of his project) and should reach a fairly large audience who love a sought-after and imaginative progressive but nevertheless accessible thanks to melodious musical themes...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bailey (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Programmation)


Artist : Gazpacho

Album : Fireworking at St. Croix

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 21-03-2022

The Norwegians of 'Gazpacho' took us on a beautiful atmospheric journey filled with finesse and delicacy with their latest album 'Fireworker' released in 2020 and which had not allowed them, the health crisis having passed through there, to defend it in public. Like many bands, they organized a 'lockdown session' at the end of October 2020, a term which is now increasingly used to refer to a live without an audience. In this concert, which is also available on DVD/Blu-ray (which also contains a lot of bonuses), we find the 5 compositions of 'Fireworking' performed at the start of the concert with, in particular, the 20 minutes of 'Space Cowboy' which is the typical title to disconnect from the real world and let yourself slide gently into this universe in which you completely abandon yourself. Two videos of this first concert part are available on youtube with 'Fireworker' and the beautiful 'Antique'. The rest of the live is devoted to the albums 'When Earth Lets Go from 2004 with 'Substitute for Murder' and 'Tick Tock' from 2009 featuring 'The Walk' and the magnificent 'Winter is Never' of which we can see the video here. So, want to relax with relaxing music? don't wait and enjoy this latest album from 'Gazpacho' which will give you a wonderful experience in their Nordic country where "all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and pleasure"...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Henrik Ohme (Vocal), Thomas Alexander Andersen (Keybords), Jon Arne Vilbo (Guitar), Mikael Krømer (Violin, Mandolin), Kristian "Fido" Torp (Bass), Lars Erik Asp (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Shaman's Harvest

Album : Rebelator

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 22-03-2022

The Americans of 'Shaman's Harvest' are now well known around the world and this new album 'Rebelator' succeeds 'Red Hand Black Deeds' already dates to 2017. So, they have taken advantage of these last five long years to concoct an opus full of good powerful and catchy hard rock with compositions offering a nice variety. From the start, the catchy riffs of 'Under Your Skin' put us in the mood with a first title with an addictive chorus, then 'Toe The Line' is not to be outdone with its marked rhythm which automatically starts the machine of stomping and with melodic lines that bring us back to the 80s with this parallel with the 'Shout' of 'Tears For Fears' but obviously more powerful. Follows 'Flatline' which continues in a more measured tempo while having strong saturated riffs, then 'Voices' (see the video above) is a heavy and powerful anthem with a chorus to be sung by an entire concert audience, atmosphere that we find also in the following title 'Wildfire'. The suite offers us 'Lilith' with its alternations of intensities and its slide guitar typical of American Southern rock, the beautiful ballad 'Mama' which allows you to catch your breath, then 'Hurricane' continues with a nice alternation of intensity between the verses and chorus which shows all the vocal talent of 'Nathan Hunt' who knows how to adapt his voice to the power deployed. The end of the album scrolls through an energetic 'Pretty People' which makes you move and which should also be a concert title, the heavy mid-tempo 'Wishing Well' which still offers us a memorable chorus and 'Bird Dog' (watch the video here) which nicely ends this beautiful opus in a powerful American rock/country atmosphere.

In summary, the Americans of 'Shaman's Harvest' release an album filled with direct and effective compositions that catch on from the first listen and 'Rebelator' should reach an audience that loves energetic hard rock with accessible melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Nathan Hunt (Vocal), Derrick Shipp (Guitar), Josh Hamler (Guitar), Adam Zemanek (Drums)


Artist : Bryan Adams

Album : So Happy It Hurts

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 23-03-2022

How about a little throwback to the 80s with happy rock that will get you in shape for a whole day? that's good, 'Bryan Adams' is back with a new album, 'So Happy It Hurts'. His latest album 'Shine A Light'< /a> had been a good surprise of 2019 and this latest baby is a real makeover with compositions all as addictive as each other which inevitably recall the albums we were listening to a few decades ago with for example 'Reckless' or 'Into The Fire' from 1987.

And it started with the title song (see the video above) with its catchy rhythm based on a simple but so effective rock and with its intoxicating 'hohohoho'. In the same energy with catchy melodies, we can also quote ' I've Been Looking For You' in a rockabilly style, the catchy 'On The Road' (see the video here) which gives an irresistible desire to mark time, 'Kick Ass' (see the video here) which is the perfect rocker and which makes me think of certain titles full of ''Status Quo', 'I Ain't Worth Shit Without You ' this time in a 'Rolling Stones' atmosphere or even more moderate but still catchy, 'Just About Gone'. And when the rhythm is more moderate, 'Bryan Adams' has no equal to offer us endearing compositions like 'Never Gonna Rain' (see the video here), the anthem 'Always Have, Always Will' (see the video here) which takes us back to his 80s albums or the mid-tempo at tempo marked 'Let's Do This' which would certainly have been a hit in another era or even the pop 'Just Like Me, Just Like You' with its addictive melody without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'You Lift Me Up', the album ending with a new melodic jewel 'These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life'.

In summary, 'Bryan Adams' continues to make 'Bryan Adams' and has become, over time, the friend that we like to find and who offers us compositions that we appropriate immediately because they all have this scent of timelessness. This latest album by the Canadian is further proof of this and should appeal to a very wide audience because everything is done for immediate pleasure and if you want to listen to more, the musical's album 'Pretty Woman' was also released for streaming...

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Adams (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums), Keith Scott (Guitar), Pat Steward (Drums) + Guests : John Cleese (Narration), Luke Doucet (Guitar), Mutt Lange (Guitars, Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Rust n' Rage

Album : One for the Road

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 24-03-2022

It's another album signed with 'Frontiers' with the last 'Rust n' Rage', 'One of the Road', which was released in March 2022. We are therefore leaving for the Nordic countries, in this case Finland in 'where 'Vince', 'Jonnhy', 'Eddy' and 'Jezzie' originated and this latest baby continues to distill good melodic hard rock inherited from the 80s, their first two albums 'Showdown' and 'Tales From The Wasteland ' having been released in 2012 and 2018 respectively. And at the outset, 'Prisoner' (see video above) takes us back to known lands of another era with an energetic and catchy first title and with a super catchy first chorus, then the well-paced mid-tempo 'Ghost Town' which follows, adds a melodic hit with addictive choruses and in which the headbanging machine kicks in. The suite will alternate different atmospheres with melodic lines accessible on first listen and we can quote the anthem of the title song to be repeated in chorus, the very classic but so effective 'The Future Is For The Strong' (see the video here) with a new chorus which gives this impression of already heard, 'Heartbreaker' (see the video here) which after an introduction suggesting that it is a ballad and, constitutes a varied title in its construction. The sequel scrolls through catchy titles all as melodic as each other with 'Hang 'Em High', 'Ride On', 'I've Had Enough' before taking a well-deserved break with the magnificent ballad 'Unbreakable ' and the album ends with a wild 'The Throne' and a subdued 'Moving On' in more AOR hard rock. In short, it's still a Nordic country that is highlighted with this latest album from the Finns of 'Rust n' Rage' who add one more nugget of melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Vince (Vocal), Johnny (Guitar), Eddy (Bass), Jezzie (Drums)


Artist : Find Me

Album : Lightning in a Bottle

Release Date : 11-02-2022

Added : 25-03-2022

The Swedish-led supergroup 'Robbie La Blanc' who released the album 'Double Trouble' in 2021 accompanied by the Chilean 'Daniel Flores' who needs no introduction (small search in myprogmusic here) are the two pillars from 'Find Me' with a new album 'Lightning in a Bottle', after 'Angels in Blue ' of 2019. And if we add that 10 compositions were written by 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' (the 11th title being the cover 'Far from Over' by 'Vince DiCola' and 'Franck Stallone' present in the band original from the 1983 film 'Staying Alive'), we think that the result will have to it be up to the 3 artists mentioned. Indeed, from the start, we are greeted by a 'Survive' with a first melodic chorus that takes us back to the best of melodic hard rock of the 80s (see video above) and the cover 'Far from Over' which follows is quite at its place in this album with a modern sound. Each title is a melodic jewel with remarkable interpretations and the whole is varied with catchy compositions like 'Sail Away', 'Distant Echoes', or even 'Give My Heart' and we are also won over by more AOR atmospheres with par example 'Diana', 'Remember' (see video here), 'Under a Bad Sign', or even 'On the Run' which concludes the album in a very beautiful way. We can't miss the two beautiful ballads that are 'Back to You' (see video here) and 'You and I'. In short, the 'Frontiers' label, thanks to an 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who is on all fronts, continues to offer us memorable melodies and this 'Lightning in a Bottle', sublimated by talented interpreters, is still the proof and should go on repeat for all fans of melodic rock and hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Robbie La Blanc (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums) + Guests : Vince DiCola (Keybords), Jonny Trobro (Bass), Michael Palace (Guitar), Rolf Staffan Pilotti (Keybords)


Artist : Radioactive

Album : X.X.X.

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 26-03-2022

It's a group shot of hard rock and melodic rock chronicle in myprogmusic because after 'Rust n' Rage' and 'Find Me', it's the turn of Swedish 'Tommy Denander' well known on the international melodic hard rock scene (see search in myprogmusic here) to return with the new album 'XXX' of his project 'Radioactive', after 7 years of absence since the last opus 'F4ur' dates from 2015. With this new baby, he celebrates 30 years of creation. one of this project and, for the occasion, he invited the cream of the singers of the international scene of melodic hard rock and we find 'Robbie LaBlanc' who is precisely the singer of the last 'Find Me' released the same day, the multi-instrumentalist 'Clif Magness', Jérôme Mazza ('Pinnacle Point '), 'Robin McAuley'.

With this beautiful skewer, 'Tommy Denander' offers us an album full of good melodic hard-rock and it starts strong with 'Monkey On Our Backs' (see the video above) which sends us a first energetic missile with good riffs sharpened to 'AC/DC', a rather classic but so effective chorus and 'Jérôme Mazza' at the top of his game. The sequel scrolls the same kind of title with 'The Dee dis Gone', this time sung by 'Robin McAuley' who hardens his voice for an explosive new hard rock hit, just like 'Remember the Ghosts' which follows and whose performance voice of 'Robbie LaBlanc' has nothing to envy to its two predecessors. We will find our three friends in other equally remarkable titles, 'Jérôme Mazza' and 'Robin McAuley' singing three each and 'Robbie LaBlanc' two. We can also mention 'Christian Ingebrigtsen' who sings remarkably on the magnificent ballad 'Written in the Scars' which can recall the ballads of 'Foreigner' and the last two compositions, the frenzied 'Drag Me Through The Mud' and 'California Ways' which is in a more AOR vibe are performed by 'Daniel Byrne' and 'Clif Magness' respectively.

In short, this anniversary of the thirty years of 'Radioactive' is a firework of melodic singles and shows all the talent of 'Tommy Denander' who is part of the impressive list of Swedish artists who regularly delight us with good melodic hard rock since now a good bundle of decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Denander (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Neil Anami (Drums), Olle Romö (Drums), Daniel Byrne (Vocal), Christian Ingebrigtsen (Vocal), Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal), Clif Magness (Vocal), Jérôme Mazza (Vocal), Robin McAuley (Vocal), Andréas Carlsson (Choirs), Tommy Henriksen (Choirs), Mutt Lange (Choirs)


Artist : MOON HALO

Album : Together Again

Release Date : 14-03-2022

Added : 27-03-2022

After the very good first album 'Chroma' released during the years of Covid, the formation 'MOON HALO', led by 'Marc Atkinson' and 'Iain Jennings', releases a new studio recording 'Together Again' and we find all the artists of the first opus coming from different progressive rock projects with 'Marc Atkinson' on vocals and guitar, 'Iain Jennings' on keyboards, 'David Clements' on bass, 'Martin Ledger' on guitar and 'Alex Cromarty' on drums, 'Anne-Marie Helder' coming to reinforce the group on backing vocals.

With 13 compositions for more than an hour of listening, this latest album takes us on a beautiful journey in light and quiet atmospheres that can recall certain formations of the 70s/80s like 'Barclay James Harvest' starting with a bright ' Light in the World' and we find this atmosphere in titles like the light 'Together Again', the stirring 'If This Is All There Is', the playful 'Wasteland', the dancing 'About Me and You', the melodic 'Back To Normality' or the symphonic rock 'The Sandman Is Waiting' with its impetuous strings. And when the tempo is slower, they have no equal to offer us beautiful melancholic ballads with the magnificent 'Embrace This Life' or 'We've Still Got Time' or 'Reconnected' filled with beautiful emotion. or even the muffled 'It Was You' with its memorable melody, the album ending with the very beautiful 'Life Goes On' which summarizes the whole thing well in a light and optimistic atmosphere ending in a psychedelic way.

In summary, the supergroup 'MOON HALO' returns with a very endearing album which offers us very beautiful compositions which we immediately appropriate and which should please a large audience who love melodic pop/rock. bringing back to the best of the formations of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Marc Atkinson (Vocal, Guitar), Iain Jennings (Keybords), David Clements (Bass), Alex Cromarty (Drums), Martin Ledger (Guitar), Anne-marie Helder (Choirs)


Artist : JPL

Album : Sapiens Chapitre 3/3 : Actum

Release Date : 11-03-2022

Added : 28-03-2022

After the first two chapters of 'Sapiens', 'Sapiens Chapter 1/3: Exordium' released in 2020 and 'Sapiens - Chapter 2/3: Deus ex Machina' in 2021, 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' releases the end of his trilogy with 'Actum' retracing the history of Man and this last opus is logically devoted to the future of humanity and it tells us with its so eloquent words all the evils that await us with, among other things, the dangers of technology or the environmental damage that we are inflicting on our earth.

We are welcomed with 'Paradis Perdu' which is almost entirely instrumental, and which gradually increases in power in a long catchy crescendo and the few lyrics are already so expressive with these two sentences where everything is said about the damage that provokes the man: "I had made hell a kind of paradise...I made paradise a kind of hell...". We are already conquered by this inventive progressive and the following title, 'Mon Cercueil', whose first part evolves in a new crescendo, continues on a slow tempo which falls in the finale, and which again explodes in the last minute with a Magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo. A change of scenery with 'Alias (La Machine²)' which takes us into some well-tempered progressive rock and which is well in line with the theme dedicated to man's drift towards transhumanism and with this observation filled with common sense that we have been doing a lot of damage for a few years: "I am no longer anything, even a little human, I am emptied of my substance, I am going to leave, the machine will have quickly replaced me". Without transition, we then go from pessimist to optimist with a luminous 'Dansez Maintenant' which mixes rhythmic rock with folk with a lively hurdy-gurdy in the second part and which gives an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of a memorable melody. We arrive at the centerpiece of the album, 'Memento mori', which majestically unfolds its 23 minutes in a progressive saga made up of 5 parts, the first 2 of which are instrumental with 'Marche vers l'inconnu' which offers us a classic orchestral atmosphere with a marked tempo which gradually petit gains momentum with the entry on the track at the end of the title of the electric instruments and with 'Tempus fugit' which, after a calm section increases in power for an imposing atmosphere in which the electric guitar illuminates the musical theme. With 'La mort du roi' which follows, we find again the theme of the loss of freedom of the human being linked to the implementation little by little of the artificial intelligence that 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' calls the machine and we are close to certain atmospheres of ' Ange' with a remarkable whispered first part which gives way to an alternation between sung sections with beautiful vocal harmonies and progressive instrumental parts with modern sounds and with a remarkable new guitar solo at the end of the title. Without transition, 'Paria' takes us on a progressive saga, first of all in a jazzy atmosphere magnified by a masterful saxophone solo by 'Sylvain Haon' then, the tone hardens for a second more rock part with instrumental parts rising little by little in an intense final crescendo and sung parts with very strong words in the form of a statement: "I don't want this life because for the first time I won't know how to get out of there alive. ". And to end this suite in style, 'Acta fabula est' develops in 7 minutes almost entirely instrumental, a patchwork of different atmospheres with in particular a first rise in power with imposing sampled choirs then a second part in a symphonic rock with remarkable orchestral arrangements accompanied by the guitar of 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' and with a finale worthy of the most beautiful classical pieces.

In summary, 'Jean-Pierre Louveton' accompanied by talented artists offers us a last admirable part of his human history and continues to enchant us with an inventive and varied progressive in a subtle mixture of classicism and modernity, the whole being bathed in themes that are always very strong, which should make this trilogy an essential work for any amateur of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Pierre Louveton (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Guillaume Fontaine (Keybords), Didier Vernet (Bass), Florent Ville (Keybords, Drums), Stéphanie Vouillot (Piano, Vocal), Jean Baptiste Itier (Drums), Marguerite Miallier (Vielle à roue), Sylvain Haon (Saxophone)


Artist : Moonlight Haze

Album : Animus

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 29-03-2022

After a very good 'Lunaris' in 2020, the Italians of 'Moonlight Haze' return with a new album 'Animus'. With the same line up and led by the singer 'Chiara Tricarico', we find a symphonic metal influenced by the tenors of the genre and the formations that I had mentioned in my previous column are still relevant with 'Delain', 'Visions Of Atlantis' or even 'Xandria'. The ensemble offers catchy and accessible compositions in a radio format not exceeding four minutes.

This is what the first half of the album offers us with several melodic gems in a row, starting with 'The Nothing' with its catchy chorus and beautiful vocal harmonies, then, with 'Its Insane' (watch the video
here), we are very close to the melodic lines of 'Delain' and we think that the Italians could very soon win fans among the Dutch fans, 'Chiara Tricarico' being on this title in the same vocal register as 'Charlotte Wessels' with the same modulations in the voice. We continue with another hit in the same style with 'Kintsugi' and the eponymous song of the album (see the video above) is not left out and, in this title, 'Chiara Tricarico' tries to some growls. The sequel is in the same style with a lively 'The Thief And The Moon', then 'Midnight Haze', in a slower and more marked tempo, offers a new memorable chorus and we can also mention at the end of the album the two tracks 'Never Say Never' and 'We'll Be Free' (see the video here) which are filled with good energy. However, I regret the lack of calmer compositions that would air the whole opus.

In summary, the Italians of 'Moonlight Haze', even if they are not going to revolutionize symphonic metal, offer us a beautiful album filled with beautiful melodies which will certainly be well received by all fans in concert, but which could seduce a wider audience thanks to a fairly balanced mix between the power of metal and more moderate symphonic arrangements...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Marco Falanga (Guitar), Alberto Melinato (Guitar), Alessandro Jacobi (Bass), Giulio Capone (Drums)


Artist : Gabriel Keller

Album : Clair Obscur

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 30-03-2022

'Gabriel Keller' is a French artist who has just released his first album 'Clair Obscur' and who is a member of various groups such as 'Hegoa' or 'Kellerama'. Influenced by different musical currents of several decades (he cites bands like the 'Beatles', 'Pink Floyd', 'Agnès Obel' but also 'Porcupine Tree', 'Opeth' or 'Karnivool' or even the French song with 'Alain Bashung', 'Jacques Higelin ', 'Jacques Dutronc' or even 'Ange'). Surrounded by a host of artists, he offers us varied compositions that fit into the French progressive scene and the album is divided into two parts: a first which is centered on luminous and airy progressive rock and a second in which the electric guitar is more saturated with progressive metal influences.

After the instrumental 'Tumulte' which sets the scene for the album in a slight crescendo with the successive arrival of the different electric instruments but also with the addition of strings which densifies the whole, 'Time' resumes a few chords from the previous title, taking us into a calm and relaxed atmosphere to the rhythm of a very beautiful melody which moves slowly and which brings out the sweet voice of Emi B', further reinforcing this feeling of serenity. With 'Train to Resolution', we find 'Emi B' in a melodic jewel which invites us to a new peaceful journey with a very nice rise in power which falls on the finale with a few acoustic guitar chords, then, 'Open Arms' continues in this atmosphere with new memorable melodic lines and constitutes the 3rd title sung by 'Emi B'. Follows 'Melancholia' which, in a sensual and melancholic atmosphere, highlights the melodious and aerial singing of 'Charlotte Gagnor' and this title is the only one on the album sung in French. Note that to defend his songs in public, 'Gabriel Keller' has set up an acoustic trio, guitar, cello and voice, made up of Gabriel, 'Lucie Lacour' and 'Charlotte Gagnor' who present refined versions of his compositions, I quote him: "With Lucie on the cello, we are creating together a setting so that Charlotte's voice can express its full range of emotions.". We arrive at the central title of the album, 'Sonate au clair obscur', entirely instrumental, which separates the two parts and which alternates different intensities, calm at the beginning with the piano accompaniment of 'Clément Barou' and which increases in power after a minute and a half with the entry on the track of electric instruments sprinkled here and there with some saturated guitar riffs and which continues with energetic choirs to fall back on the finale in the serenity as it had started. The more tormented part opens with 'Nothing Human' (see the video with the acoustic trio above) which brings a good dose of progressive with alternating intensities and rhythms and which offers us beautiful vocal harmonies and singing more fiery than 'Maïté Merlin', the second part making room for an inventive instrumental section. Follows 'Out of My Life' which continues in this imaginative and sought-after progressive with multiple changes of tempo which gives all the strength to this title and which is magnified by a masterful interpretation of 'Maïté Merlin', then, with 'Honey', we set off on an exotic journey with some oriental sounds and whose rhythm section quickly becomes addictive, 'Marine Poirier', on vocals, giving even more relief to this magnificent modern progressive title with, among other things, these wonderful vocals at the end of the title. And to close this very beautiful album, the acoustic instrumental 'Accalmie' ends this very beautiful journey in a quiet atmosphere and brings us back slowly to a more serene universe.

In summary, 'Gabriel Keller' releases a remarkable first album which, given the theme, contrasts light atmospheres and other more tormented ones, marrying in a very beautiful way different styles, ranging from a soft and airy pop to imaginative and modern progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriel Keller (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Choirs, Percussions) + Guests : Lucie Lacour (Cello), Charlotte Gagnor (Vocal, Choirs), Emi B (Vocal), Simon Rebuffat (Drums), Lucas Biguet-mermet (Drums), Julien Mailland (Bass), Charlie Henry (Guitar), Clément Barou (Piano), Clément Berthie (Guitar), Maïté Merlin (Vocal, Choirs), Marine Poirier (Vocal, Choirs), Anne-marguerite Solt (Choirs), Quatuor Majuscules (Cordes), Christophe Donnadieu (Trumpet), Sébastien Chétail (Saxophone), Régis Ageron (Saxophone), Pierre Lagache (Saxophone)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : Emotional Gangster

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 31-03-2022

Just one year after the very good 'Tinfoil Hat', 'Popa Chubby' is doing it again with a new album 'Emotional Gangster' and there have been countless albums since the beginning of the 90s. This committed blues artist therefore continues his merry way which had been badly damaged with the pandemic and, apart from the participation of the harmonicist 'Hames Ricci' on two titles, he continues to provide all the instruments and the vocals. This time, news obliges, he denounces all those who want to make war with 'Why You Wanna Make War' (see the video above) which is also included in French version at the end of the album because let's not forget that he has a large fan base in France. For the rest, no surprises, he offers us good blues by exploring all styles with shuffle in 'New Way Of Walking' or the cover of 'Dust My Broom' by Elmore James', well-muscled blues/rock with 'I'm The Dog', blues/funk with 'Doing OK' and of course more traditional blues with 'Tonight I'm Gonna be The Man', 'Equal Opportunity', the 'Hoochie Coochie Man' cover of 'Willie Dixon' or even a classic 'Save The Best For Last' but so effective, without forgetting the magnificent melancholic ballad 'Fly Away'. In short, even if some will say that it does not revolutionize the blues, 'Popa Chubby' continues to perpetrate it in all its forms and 'Emotional Gangster' is one more stone in the building of this American who transmits to us with each release his love of this timeless style through his always very expressive singing and all his feeling as a guitarist...

Line Up / Musicians

Popa Chubby (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums) + Guest : James Ricci (Harmonica)


Artist : Karcius

Album : Grey White Silver Yellow and Gold

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 01-04-2022

'Karcius' is a Canadian band that is already twenty years old and after 'The Fold' in 2018 which was followed by the concert 'Live in France', 2022 sees the release of 'Grey White Silver Yellow and Gold'. In recent years, they have evolved towards progressive rock and this latest album also brings a good dose of progressive metal because we walk between different styles and sound contrasts which make it a very varied album. Only 6 tracks make up this album but with two long developments of 13 and 15 minutes.

And these sound contrasts, we have a good idea of them with the first two titles, first of all 'Parasite' which begins in a progressive metal close to formations like 'Haken' or 'Pain Of Salvation' or even 'Leprous', then, 'Supernova', after an acoustic introduction accompanied by a delicate song by 'Sylvain Auclair', gradually increases in power to unfold a catchy melody and continues in the second part with a magnificent guitar solo in a 'Floydian' atmosphere to return to a last very sung energetic part that falls completely in the last seconds to return to the refined atmosphere of the beginning. 'The Ladder' then points the tip of its nose with its 13 minutes which alternates different very contrasting soundscapes and makes it one of the jewels of this album and a typical composition of an imaginative progressive metal: In 5 minutes, we go from a captivating and exotic song with a heavy atmosphere on a tempo marked by an imposing rhythm section which relaxes completely with an acoustic guitar/vocal section while restrained to leave with a new sung section rhythmed with a memorable melody then with an instrumental part with multiple tempo changes. With 'Cosmic Rage', it's still marvelous alternations of tensions and relaxations which make coexist a tribal rhythmic section with sung parts making succeed different climates modulating intensities and rhythms. Follows 'Distance Kills' which continues to offer us remarkable breaks between enormous accumulations of energy and releases of all this accumulated tension and is certainly the most gripping title of the whole from this point of view. And to end this admirable opus, the 15 minutes of 'A Needle Tree' takes us on a magnificent multi-faceted progressive journey and we see different influences pointing out with, among other things, light sounds of modern jazz with acoustic parts that rub shoulders with the power metal with electric instruments and I will award a special mention for the song 'Sylvain Auclair' which brings a gigantic emotional force to this title: simply sublime.

In summary, the Canadians of 'Karcius' release a progressive work which should undoubtedly mark the year 2022 but which asks, like any album of this type, to dwell on it and return to it at different times. multiple times to draw, little by little, all the emotional dimension that each title provides...

Line Up / Musicians

Sylvain Auclair (Vocal, Bass, Percussions), Simon L'Espérance (Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Sébastien Cloutier (Piano, B3, Mellotron, Choirs), Thomas Brodeur (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : FM

Album : Thirteen

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 02-04-2022

After 'Atomic Generation' in 2018, 'Synchronized' in 2020 and the live 'Tough It Out Live' in 2021, the English of 'FM' release their 13th album counting their first period and continue in the rhythm of release of the last years, namely an album every two years. We've been used to it since then, the melodious hits of each album are always very effective and hit the spot on the first listen. And it's not this last album that will contradict me: everything is still done to have a great relaxing time listening to this classy and festive FM rock, starting with a first melodic gem 'Shaking the Three' at the addictive rhythm that gives this irresistible desire to beat time. The set still shows great variety with AOR bringing us back to the 80s like 'Waiting on Love' (see video above) with a melody reminiscent of 'Every Breath You Take' from 'Police', playful atmosphere found in the more rhythmic compositions 'Turn This Car Around' (see video here) and 'Be Lucky'. They offers us other atmospheres with 'Love and War' or 'Fight Fire with Fire' or the beautiful ballad 'Long Road Home' which are more oriented towards the American style like 'Eagles' and more energetic rock with ' Every Man Needs A Woman', the bluesy 'Talk Is Cheap' and 'Be True With Yourself' mixed with AOR or even the addictive mid-tempo 'Just Got Started' with its marked rhythm. In short, it's still an album without dead time that the English of 'FM' offer us and this 'Thirteen' should turn on a loop among fans of melodic rock because all the titles are to be consumed without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal, Guitar), Jem Davis (Keybords), Jim Kirkpatrick (Guitar), Merv Goldsworthy (Bass), Pete Jupp (Drums)


Artist : Shining Black

Album : Postcards from the End of the World

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 03-04-2022

After the first eponymous album 'Shining Black' released in 2020, singer 'Mark Boals' and guitarist 'Olaf Thörsen' with his partners from 'Labyrinth' release a second album 'Postcards from the End of the World'. This second vintage offers us a postcard from the end of the world posted in a country where we are fans of different styles around hard rock and metal. Indeed, the 10 compositions are very varied and we are embarked on a panel of different atmospheres which range from melodic hard rock to power metal with double pedals, passing through more classic heavy metal and even quieter AOR.

The title track (see the video above) opens hostilities on classy heavy metal which offers a memorable first melody, then, 'Higher Than the World', with its piano introduction, is more subdued and takes us back to the melodic rock of the 80s and shows a 'Boals'/'Thörsen' duo in top form with a beautiful vocal performance by Mark which adapts perfectly to the atmosphere and Olaf who delivers us a first solo of guitar filled with a magnificent feeling. The suite will alternate different musical landscapes, and, in the muscular register, we can mention 'We Are Death Angels', 'A Hundred Thousand Shades of Black' (see video here) or even 'Mirror of Time'. Even if the album does not contain, strictly speaking, real ballads, we are also conquered by more measured climates flirting with melodic hard rock and we can cite the magnificent 'Summer Solstice Under Delphi's Sky' but also 'Like Leaves in November' or 'Faded Pictures of Me' with its memorable melodic lines or even 'Time Heals, They Say' which ends the album in a beautiful way and makes me think of certain atmospheres of 'Rainbow'.

In summary, the duo 'Mark Boals'/'Olaf Thörsen', accompanied by talented artists, released a second album which confirms the expertise of this formation which offers us a remarkable mixture of heavy metal and hard rock. with catchy melodies that we appropriate at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Boals (Vocal), Olaf Thörsen (Guitar), Oleg Smirnoff (Keybords, Piano), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Matt Peruzzi (Drums)


Artist : Ronnie Atkins

Album : Make It Count

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 04-04-2022

Dane 'Ronnie Atkins', singer of 'Pretty Maids' and 'Nordic Union' offered us a first solo album 'One Shot' just a year ago, and it's with roughly the same artists that he offers us a second album 'Make It Count'. Music being the best therapy against the disease, he has concocted us melodic hard rock with 12 compositions which could each have been the subject of a single because he took particular care over the melodic lines with refrains that we immediately wants to hum on first listen.

From the start, we are greeted by a firework of unstoppable melodies with 'I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)' (see the video above), 'Unsung Heroes' (see the video here), 'Rising Tide' (see video here) and the mid-tempo 'Remain To Remind Me' all of which convey a blissful optimism that guides the peerless songwriter that is 'Ronnie Atkins', and this also appears in the lyrics of his songs. The suite continues on this rhythm with new melodic jewels in an atmosphere flirting with luminous AOR: 'The Tracks We Leave Behind' with its chorus to make an entire audience scream or catch them 'All I Ask of You' and 'Grace' also show this playful atmosphere that all these compositions give off. And when the ballad 'Let Love Lead the Way' arrives, we leave again on a small cloud and the chorus, classic but so effective, still works wonders. The end of the opus offers us an energetic 'Blood Cries Out', certainly the heaviest title of the album, then, 'Easier To Leave' and 'Fallen' return to harmonious and seductive AOR and the album ends on the title track (see the video here) which unfolds a final addictive melody, with a first part in the form of a ballad and a second which shows the same enthusiasm as the world anthem of 'Gloria Gaynor', certainly a nod to the title 'I Will Survive' which it appropriates and that's all we wish for it to win his fight against the disease.

In summary, 'Ronnie Atkins' does it again with a remarkable new album full of hits as if it were raining and 'Make It Count' should undoubtedly satisfy all fans of rock and melodic hard rock and become an essential album of this very endearing Danish singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Atkins (Vocal, Choirs), Chris Laney (Guitar, Keybords), Allan Sørensen (Drums), Pontus Eggberg (Bass), Morten Sandager (Keybords), Linnéa Vikström Egg (Choirs), John Berg (Guitar), Oliver Hartmann (Guitar), Pontus Norgren (Guitars), Anders Ringman (Guitar)


Artist : Tears For Fears

Album : The Tipping Point

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 05-04-2022

We weren't expecting an album from the English band 'Tears For Fears' whose iconic hits we remember 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' and 'Shout' in the 80s, the last album 'Everybody Loves a Happy Ending' dating from 2004 seeing the duo 'Curt Smith'/'Roland Orzabal' evolve towards luminous and melodious pop in the great English tradition. This new opus 'The Tipping Point' confirms that their talent is intact and the 10 compositions are so many bubbles of freshness coming straight from the 80s/90s. We therefore find this freshness of writing in catchy hits like 'The Tipping Point' (see the video above), 'Break The Man', 'My Demons' or even 'End Of Night' but the other titles are more quiet and show a range of quite different atmospheres, each as endearing as the other: 'No Small Thing' opens the album on a very beautiful melancholic acoustic, then, 'Long, Long, Long Time' brings us back to the carefree world of 70s/80s pop and 'Rivers of Mercy' shows a cozy and intimate atmosphere with some electro arrangements. We can also mention the moving ballad 'Please Be Happy' whose chorus can recall the best of 'Barclay James Harvest', 'Master Plan' with its melody and its 'Beatles' choruses, the album ending in a beautiful way by 'Stay' filled with a beautiful emotion.

In summary, the English of 'Tears For Fears' recall to our good memory and release a very endearing album with melodic lines still as catchy and 'The Tipping Point' is a kind of collection of timeless songs intended not only to historical fans but to the greatest number because all the compositions are accessible on first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Curt Smith (Vocal, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Roland Orzabal (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Ian Stanley (Keybords), Manny Elias (Drums)


Artist : SheWolf

Album : SheWolf

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 06-04-2022

'SheWolf' is a new band of symphonic metal which is led by Greek singer 'Angel Wolf Black' accompanied by instrumentalists with strange names, 'the hunter' on guitar, 'the predator' on bass and 'the alpha' on drums released the band's self-titled debut album. The theme deployed is just as unusual because we are taken by a shaman to a gathering of wolves who must renew their vows (see presentation of the album on the Frontiers Music label here. Produced by singer 'Michele Guaitoli' who officiates in several bands including 'Visions Of Atlantis' (who will release their next album in May 2022) and 'Temperance' and ' Marco Pastorino', also the singer and also guitarist of 'Temperance', we are therefore inevitably attracted by this new combo.

From the start, we are greeted by 'The One You Feed' (see the video above) which mixes fairly classic symphonic metal and folk with a very catchy first melody which can recall a formation like 'Imperia' or 'Coronatus', then, 'Welcome To The Pack', introduced by sampled orchestral arrangements, also shows a beautiful energy with a chorus that immediately hits your head. The double pedal is used in the introduction of the following title 'Lone Wolf' (see the video here) which offers a new catchy melody, and we find folk sounds with some accompaniments of flute. With 'Home' (see the video here), we continue with a new hit in a more measured atmosphere and 'Angel Wolf-Black' shows all its talent, alternating softness and vocal power, then 'Moonbound' continues in powerful symphonic metal on a new catchy tempo and we are won over by a new memorable chorus close to the atmospheres of 'Visions Of Atlantis'. Make way for two quieter compositions with, first of all, a lively 'Safe in the Dark' which shows a less metal face with beautiful alternations of intensities then, 'Nothing is Forever' is to be added to the best ballads of symphonic metal and can recall those of 'Evanescence'. The end of the album takes us back to catchy symphonic metal with 'My Prayer' which has a catchy new melody and which should work well in concert, 'The Thrill of the Chase' which has nothing to envy to its predecessor with its chorus still recalling the ardor of those of 'Visions of Atlantis' and that we all want to take back in heart and finally 'Fallen Without You' ends this remarkable album on a mid-tempo with beautiful vocal arrangements. Note the cover at the end of the album of 'Lone Wolf' in orchestral version.

In summary, this new project 'SheWolf' already shows an impressive maturity with a series of catchy hits at the level of symphonic metal tenors, and which should, without a doubt, appeal to a large audience who love the bands mentioned in this chronic to which we can add names like 'Beyond The Black', ' Edenbridge', 'Anette Olzon' or 'Last Days Of Eden'...

Line Up / Musicians

Angel Wolf-Black (Vocal), Le chasseur (Guitar), Le prédateur (Bass), L'Alpha (Drums)


Artist : Michael Romeo

Album : War Of the Worlds (Pt. 2)

Release Date : 25-03-2022

Added : 10-04-2022

Guitarist 'Michael Romeo' of band 'Symphony X' continues his solo adventure with the second chapter of 'War Of The Worlds' whose first part was released in 2018 (see here). No surprise for this new opus, he continues to offer us epic and powerful symphonic metal with grandiose orchestrations.

From the first title, we are embarked on an orchestral instrumental piece which lays the groundwork for this new album, like the most epic pieces of 'Hans Zimmer', then, without transition, the first title tumbles 'Divide & Conquer' (see video above) which offers a memorable first chorus in a powerful heavy metal and which makes us discover a remarkable first performance of the Croatian singer 'Dino Jelusick' who has quite the vocal power necessary for this kind of title. And we continue in the same energy with a new explosive title, 'Destroyer', with oriental scents and in which 'Michael Romeo' splits with a masterful guitar solo. After an introduction again highlighting the American's guitar playing, 'Metamorphosis' (see video here) brings a good dose of progressive with alternating tempos and intensity throughout the title, while keeping catchy melodic lines. Instrumental break with the short 'Mothership' which returns to the orchestral atmosphere of the beginning, a process that will be found in 'Hunted' and the outro 'Brave New World' allowing a ventilation of the whole which avoids a possible saturation overheated atmosphere of metal. Follows 'Just before the Dawn' which, despite its rather fast tempo, serves as the ballad of the album with a new memorable melody in an AOR atmosphere, then, 'Hybrids' picks up again with a mid-tempo with sharp riffs with a very original central instrumental section embellished by a new eminent guitar solo and which has a grandiose finale. After the orchestral instrumental 'Hunted', 'Maschinenmensch' deploys its 9 minutes with an epic new title with many twists which reveal a masterful rhythm section and which leaves a good place for inventive instrumental sections, the guitar of 'Michael Romeo' still doing wonders, then 'Parasite' ends the metal part with a last energetic and melodic gem that sums up the epic atmosphere of this album, the instrumental 'Brave New World' outro having the last word to conclude this very beautiful album . Note that two bonuses have been added with 'The Perfect Weapon', and 'Alien DeathRay' which have nothing to envy to previous compositions.

In summary, in the momentum of part 1 of 'War Of the Worlds', 'Michael Romeo' offers us a remarkable second part in line with what is expected of the American and with an original construction alternating powerful and epic metal with grandiose orchestral instrumentals which should appeal to an audience that likes to mix powerful symphonic metal and film music...

Line Up / Musicians

Dino Jelusick (Vocal), Michael Romeo (Guitar, Keybords), John "jd" Deservio (Bass), John Macaluso (Drums)


Artist : Time's Forgotten

Album : Shelter

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 07-04-2022

'Time's Forgotten' is a Costa Rican band of progressive rock/metal which has already existed for twenty years and which I discovered with their latest album 'Shelter'. They only released 3 albums with 'A Relative Moment Of Peace' 2006 and 'Dandelion' in 2009, then 'The Book Of Lost Words' in 2012. With the arrival of singer 'Priscilla Ruiz' who knew Remarkably adapting to the style of the group which presents many variations of intensity in each composition, 'Shelter' is typical of a varied and inventive progressive metal that must be appropriated, little by little, over the plays.

After the short instrumental introduction 'New Dawn (prologue)' which deploys a dark and heavy atmosphere, 'City' already shows this progressive climate made of ruptures between calm parts and other powerful parts in which Priscilla shows all her talent, moving from a sensual voice to a powerful song, and 'Ari Lotringer' delivers us an admirable first guitar solo, then, 'Cycle #248' continues in this imaginative progressive with a composition which alternates slow rhythms in the quiet parts and which picks up the tempo in heavier sections, the atmospheric central instrumental part providing a remarkable opposition to the rougher sung parts. We continue in the same style with 'Defiant' which presents catchy melodic lines, then, 'Accident of Evolution', entirely instrumental, is certainly one of the most energetic titles and highlights all the work of the rhythm section of the drummer 'Jorge Sobrado' and bassist 'Gonzalo Trojos', the guitar of 'Ari Lotringer' surfing remarkably on this intense progressive. The acoustic comma 'Waking Up (Interlude)' offers us a little moment of calm before starting the second part of the album, with, first of all, 'Ascension' which borders on 8 minutes and which moves away metal in the introduction with a 'Floydian' atmosphere, then which gradually accelerates with magnificent sampled choirs and which then presents a break on a slow tempo halfway through to re-accelerate with a very beautiful guitar solo and with a sung part with catchy melodic lines and which finally falls back to end as it had started. Follows 'Outsider' which again shows this contrast between muscular sections and other much quieter ones, which materializes in a magnificent atmospheric break in the second part of the title, an atmosphere that we find in 'Moments of Clarity' with this time, a peaceful and airy introduction, then, 'The Road Home' takes us on a beautiful melancholy and melodious journey, 'Priscilla Ruiz' enchanting us with her song filled with emotion, and delivers a magnificent crescendo at the end of the title starting on a beautiful guitar solo and continuing with a sung part, Priscilla becoming more aggressive again and the album ends as it had started with a short instrumental, 'Sleepless (Ending Credits)' which takes us out of this very beautiful progressive journey by a moment of serenity.

In summary, the Costa Ricans of 'Time Forgotten', with the arrival of 'Priscilla Ruiz' which brings a real plus to the group thanks to its versatility, offer us a magnificent album full of contrasts which nevertheless remains relatively accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines and 'Shelter' should undoubtedly seduce an audience loving an imaginative and modern progressive navigating between rock and metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Priscilla Ruiz (Vocal), Juan Pablo Calvo (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Jorge Sobrado (Drums), Ari Lotringer (Guitar), Gonzalo Trejos (Bass)


Artist : Wyvern

Album : Radiations

Release Date : 18-03-2022

Added : 08-04-2022

Progressive metal is a style that remains quite confidential in France and it is through English language sites that I discovered 'Wyvern' and their first album 'Radiations' which was released at the end of March 2022. Having signed with the 'Wormholedeath' label for international distribution, these young French people deliver a very promising first opus which, icing on the cake, is accompanied by several videos which have been presented as they arise, with each single release, which makes a complete project combining music and video.

So, once is not custom, I will tell you about the videos that the group posted on you tube during the last months and which were directed by 'Nicolas Fournier'. First of all, in 2019, their first music video 'Moonlight' which already showed all this visual research supported by powerful instrumentation on a mid-tempo conveying a disturbing atmospheric ambiance and which was integrated into a first single 'Moonlight & Neoworld'. In 2021, In 2021, it was the turn of 'Invisible' to see the light of day and which showed the rather wide range of influences coming from the tenors of rock and progressive metal, the instrumental parts being well developed around the sung sections, with special mention for the magnificent final guitar solo. We arrive at the album 'Radiations' which contains seven compositions of which four are the subject of a series of clips telling the story of a man who lived a prosperous life who was spared by the mysterious radiations and terrifying things that have invaded this well damaged world. Having no memory of his past, he sets off on a journey to find answers about himself and this world. We are therefore taken into this progressive saga with, first of all, 'Amnesia' which is the episode of this total loss of memory in the form of a cartoon and which delivers a heavy composition remarkably alternating intensities with very beautiful vocal arrangements on a catchy melody. The second episode 'Black Medicine' tells the temptation to take a healing substance to get out of this amnesia and we are taken in a captivating and catchy progressive with a construction presenting an inventive rhythm section alternating different tempos which brings a succession of different atmospheres. Then comes 'The Race' which illustrates the escape of man to find refuge somewhere while some survivors were trying to capture him, and which musically ends with a rhythmic crescendo which very well this marathon to escape the aggressors. In the album, follows 'Acceptance' which is a short acoustic comma which separates 'The Race' from 'Fading Fear' which is the last chapter telling the reconnection with the world before through a loved one in the past just before a fatal outcome and which offers us a much more optimistic atmosphere with a lighter melody and highlighting instrumental parts and a remarkable final guitar solo. The two other compositions also show a talent for sought-after progressiveness with always this immediate hook: the first title 'Radiations' is a long development which takes off slowly and which gradually gains power to explode in an energetic section which then alternates with quieter parts including a very beautiful guitar solo in the second half, the powerful finale giving off an imposing energy on a slow tempo. As for the last title 'The Traveler', it is designed on a similar pattern with an atmospheric introduction which is slowly growing and which continues with a succession of tensions releasing an extreme power with some furious growls, and relaxations which offer calm passages accompanied by a melodious acoustic guitar.

In summary, the French of 'Wyvern' delivers us a very mature album which goes beyond a simple series of compositions and which shows all the talent of this formation which combines progressive with a story told in the With the help of magnificent music videos and 'Radiations' should satisfy a progressive metal audience that loves striking contrasts that can recall the major bands of this style such as 'Leprous', 'Haken' or 'Pain Of Salvation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Julien Wetterwald (Vocal, Guitar), Laurent Martin (Keybords), Aurélie Martin (Bass), Alexandre Pires (Drums)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Versions III

Release Date : 20-03-2022

Added : 09-04-2022

Our Brazilian duo 'Fleesh', after delighting us with their second album 'Eclipsed' continue their covers with this time a third album of 'Versions', the first two opuses 'Versions I' and 'Versions II' being released in 2019 and 2021 respectively. a rather impressive variety of artists ranging from Brazilian spiritual song with 'Sagrada Coração da Terra' to progressive metal with 'Leprous' passing through timeless songs like 'Nights in White Satin' by 'Moody Blues' or 'Stairway to Heaven' from 'L Ed Zeppelin'. They revisit all these magnificent compositions by bringing their always very moving interpretations, 'Gabby Vessoni' always charming us with her sweet voice and 'Celo Oliveira' ensuring all the instruments with always the same talent. No need to give you a long review, I'll let you listen to this new album of covers for yourself that I detailed with the videos they posted on you tube below.

List of videos on you tube:
01 – 'Manhã dos 33' – 'Sagrada Coração da Terra'
02 – 'Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues'
03 – 'Miracle Of Love – Eurythmics'
04 – 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own – U2'
05 – 'Catch The Rainbow – Rainbow'
06 – 'Rosa De Hiroshima – Secos e Molhados'
07 – 'Ode To My Family – The Cranberries'
08 – 'Diamonds & Rust – Joan Baez'
09 – 'Ariel – Anathema'
10 – 'Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin'
11 – 'Utopia – Within Temptation'
12 – 'Castaway Angels – Leprous'
13 – 'Nuclear – Mike Oldfield'

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Winter In Eden

Album : Social Fake

Release Date : 25-03-2022

Added : 11-04-2022

It has been eight long years since the English of 'Winter In Eden' have released an album, their last studio recording 'Court of Conscience' dating from 2014. They return to the symphonic metal scene with 'Social Fake' which offers us 10 compositions for a fairly short duration of less than 40 minutes. Led by singer 'Vicky Johnson', the band evolved slightly as guitarist 'Sam Cull' was replaced by 'Benji Lynch', the rest of the lineup unchanged with 'Steve Johnson' on keyboards and producing, 'Ian Heddle' on bass and 'Steve Hauxwell' on drums.

The eponymous title of the album (see video above) begins with an energetic first composition with catchy melodic lines and highlights 'Vicky Johnson' which delivers a remarkable first performance, then 'Never Let Go' continues in this melodic atmosphere and direct with a new memorable chorus and 'Out of Touch' shows a more sought-after face with variations of intensity and tempo and a very beautiful break in the second part of the title which gains momentum for a catchy finale. The following three compositions form the suite 'Critical Mass' which is introduced by the short narration 'Dear Diary' with doctored vocals, and which continues with 'The Change' which slowly rises in power with a new addictive melody, then, 'Rage' continues with intoxicating melodic lines that never leave you and is much more measured in a catchy and lively rock style. Back to a heavier atmosphere with the mid-tempo 'Down' which gives an irresistible desire to headbang, then, 'Blind Acceptance' continues with original rhythmic variations and with a beautiful guitar solo. Make way for the beautiful melody of the ballad 'Silling Assasin' which shows a very endearing face and makes me think of the best ballads of 'Edenbridge', 'Vicky Johnson' having on this title the same intonations as 'Sabine Edelsbacher', and the album ends in a beautiful way by a catchy 'Exclusive Invitation' which should work well in concert and which offers us a last memorable chorus.

In summary, the English of 'Winter In Eden' return after a long absence with a very good album filled with compositions with catchy melodic lines from the first listen and 'Social Fake' should certainly be welcomed by all symphonic metal fans with singer...

Line Up / Musicians

Vicky Johnson (Vocal), Steve Johnson (Keybords), Benji Lynch (Guitar), Steve Hauxwell (Drums), Ian Heddle (Bass)


Artist : D'Ercole

Album : Quantum 8

Release Date : 23-03-2022

Added : 12-04-2022

'D'Ercole' is a project led by singer 'Phil Vincent' and his cousins, bassist 'Damian D'Ercole' and drummer 'BF D'Ercole' joined by guitarists 'Vince O'Regan' ('Escape') and 'Peter Cox' ('Forest Field') on the latest album 'Quantum 8' released in March 2022. They continue to offer us a nice variety of styles ranging from muscular melodic hard rock to the harmonious AOR. In the first genre, the album is well supplied with well-muscled guitar riffs: witness the introduction 'Duel' à la 'Van Halen', the energetic 'Bringer of Pain' reminiscent of 'You Really Got Me' from 'The Kinks' which would have had a power cure, the classic but so effective 'Point of View' taking us back to the early 70s with its introduction modeled on 'Junior's Wailing' from 'Status Quo', 'Standing on the Edge' which deploys big sound on which we have a mad desire to headbang or even the stirring 'Hands Of Time' with its catchy rhythm. And when the sound is more moderate, we are won over by moderate melodic compositions with 'This Heart of Stone' which slowly gaining momentum after a 'Beatles' introduction, the beautiful ballad 'We've Got A Long Way To Go', the hopping 'Your Lies', 'Swimming Against The Tide' in a pop style weighed down by intense guitar riffs or even the mid-tempo 'Vanilla Sky' which remarkably concludes the album. In short, with 'Quantum 8', 'Phil Vincent' with his partners from the 'D'Ercole' project adds a new album to the already long list of releases that we no longer count, and which should appeal to a large audience who love to alternate more or less energetic rock and hard rock atmospheres bringing us back to the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vincent (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Drums), Damian D'Ercole (Bass, Percussions), B.F. D'Ercole (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Vince O'Regan (Guitar), Peter Cox (Guitar)


Artist : Kaprekar's Constant

Album : The Murder Wall

Release Date : 25-03-2022

Added : 13-04-2022

The English of 'Kaprekar's Constant' delighted us with their latest album 'Depth of Field' in 2019 and 2022 sees the release of a new studio recording, 'The Murder Wall', which is a concept album chronicling six stories of attempts to ascend a one of the most difficult mountaineering routes, the north face of the Eiger. We are therefore taken on a journey that describes the trials encountered by these renowned mountaineers who have faced this mountain with all the tragedies endured but also all the victorious outcomes. Musically, they continue in symphonic progressive rock tinged with folk which brings us back to the beginning of the 70s in the movement of formations like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'Renaissance' and we can also mention projects with recent albums like 'Moon Halo', 'Jonas Lindberg', 'Rick Miller', 'This Winter Machine', 'ILLUMINAE' or 'Lee Abraham'.

We are therefore embarked on a beautiful and dense progressive journey for an hour and a quarter with 17 relatively short compositions for this style of music because the longest exceeds 7 minutes by a few seconds. Making a title a title wouldn't be of much use, because, if from the start, you adhere to the sweetness of 'Prologue', there is no reason for you not to like the sequel because everything is put implemented throughout the album to offer us luminous and refined titles filled with poetry. The vocal duo 'Dorie Jackson' and 'Bill Jefferson' bring a remarkable delicacy and sensitivity to all these stories which unfold beautiful melodies that we immediately appropriate. We are won over from the first listen by the melodic jewels such as 'Tall Tales By Firelight' with a beautiful saxophone solo by 'David Jackson', the beautiful ballads 'Failure Takes Care of Its Own' and 'Years to Perfect ' with a remarkable song of 'Judie Tzuke', 'Victorious' which celebrates the success of 1938 in a joyful atmosphere or even 'Third Man Down' which takes us on a beautiful peaceful symphonic journey. Each artist brings his stone to the building and we can highlight that 'David Jackson' who was one of the artists at the origin of progressive rock with 'Van Der Graaf Generator' in the early 70s, continues at 74 to charm us with its delicious flute and saxophone accompaniments. I will also add that their first studio recording 'Fate Outsmarts Desire' from 2017 which did not allow to hear the two longest compositions 'Blue Bird' and 'Houdini' is also available now with a new spotify link here. In short, the best thing is to let you press the play button to enjoy these very beautiful compositions to listen quietly to the headphones on your ears and 'The Murder Wall' will undoubtedly be an album appreciated by all amateurs peaceful and relaxing progressive rock like the references cited at the beginning of this review...

Line Up / Musicians

David Jackson (Saxophone, Flute, Whistles), Mark Walker (Drums, Percussions), Bill Jefferson (Vocal, Choirs), Dorie Jackson (Vocal, Choirs), Mike Westergaard (Piano, Keybords, Choirs), Al Nicholson (Guitar, Piano, Keybords), Nick Jefferson (Bass, Keybords) + Gueste : Judie Tzuke (Vocal)


Artist : Saints Trade

Album : The Golden Cage

Release Date : 25-03-2022

Added : 14-04-2022

'Saint Trade' is an Italian melodic hard rock band that I haven't reviewed yet but whose 2nd album I had listened to 'Time To Be Heroes' in 2019 and their latest studio recording 'The Golden Cage' has just been released at the end of March 2022. This golden cage is of course linked to the confinement of 2020 and it is during this period that the formation composed this album which contains 11 titles all as melodic as each other. From the start, we are greeted by the powerful hit 'Neverland' which brings us back to the best of hard rock melodic 80s/90s, then 'Break the Chain' continues with a mid-tempo with a well-marked rhythm whose refrain no longer leaves us and with a short but very effective guitar solo and the single 'Casino Royale' completes a remarkable beginning of the album with a title full of punch and very catchy. The suite offers us melodies all as addictive as each other with, first of all energetic nuggets like 'That's What I know', 'Lockdown Blues', 'Mirror of Myself' or even 'Double Trouble' but also the Italians have a talent for more measured moments with in particular the very beautiful mid-tempo 'Together We Stand' but also with the ballad from the album 'Stay With Me' with a chorus in the line of beautiful Italian melodies, the album ending on a high note with the fastest title 'Born To Do (What I Want)' in a frantic atmosphere. In short, the Italians of 'Saint Trade' release a good album which scrolls through melodic hits and 'The Golden Cage' should make happy all fans of melodic hard rock and is to be consumed without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Santi Libra (Vocal), Claus (Guitar), Andrea Sangermano (Bass) + invités : Paolo Caridi (Drums), Pier Mazzini (Piano, Keybords, Choirs), Roberto Priori (Guitar)


Artist : Subspace Radio

Album : Aika

Release Date : 25-03-2022

Added : 15-04-2022

'Subspace Radio' is a Finnish band led by drummer 'Max Malin' and guitarist 'Juha Mattila', which was active in the early 2000s with 'Subspace Radio' in 2004 and 'Random Ticket' in 2007. After more than ten years, they met again in 2019 with a third album 'Aika' which was released at the end of March 2022. more, for this album, they invited a singer and two singers as well as a trumpeter. This third album is in fact the continuation and the end of the trilogy on the themes of utopia (album 'Subspace Radio'), reality (album 'Randm Ticket') and has as its theme hope and the future. They offer us with this last part of inventive and sought-after progressive rock composed of 8 compositions which are each a chapter in history.

'Suite Subspace' welcomes us with an instrumental highlighting an orchestral introduction to 'Peter and the Wolf' by 'Prokofiev' which, little by little, is gaining momentum with the arrival of electric instruments and which is divided into several quite different sections animated by the same musical theme, then, 'Last Call', is the story of a frustrated bachelor in search of a soul mate and is the first sung title which highlights 'Annica Milán' who remarkably modulates her singing according to numerous breaks in intensity between much more energetic sections which convey a sense of urgency. Follows 'The Day of the Brightest Colours', calmer at the start with this time the soft singing of 'Kimmo Blom' and which also later shows beautiful alternations between tension and relaxation, then, with 'Everything', we find ' Annica Milan' on vocals in a composition deploying a memorable melody in a catchy atmosphere. The following title 'The House' is much more theatrical and deploys a feeling of strange and spectacular with the third singer, 'Timo Heinonen', who further accentuates this disturbing atmosphere. With 'Radio Silence', we are fully in an imaginative and epic progressive made up of multiple drawers that we browse with pleasure in the company of the very expressive singing of 'Kimm Blom', then, 'Hope', whose theme turns around the difficulties in relationships and the need to always be attentive to each other to create a pleasant future, is musically more direct but nevertheless offers beautiful variations of intensity throughout the title. We come to the end of this very beautiful album and it is with the instrumental 'Exit (Purola)', made up of three parts, that our progressive journey ends by boarding the train of life which accompanies us in a magnificent development which, among other things, highlights beautiful 'Floydian' sections in which one completely abandons oneself and which alone is worth the purchase of this album.

In summary, 'Subspace Radio' offers us a remarkable progressive album offering a great variety and which shows all the quality of this Finnish group made up of talented artists well supported by admirable singers. If you like a sought-after and imaginative progressive that we discover little by little, listen after listen, you should definitely subscribe to 'Aika' which, for my part, will be one of my favorites in 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Max Malin (Drums, Percussions), Juha Mattila (Guitar), Teppo Nurminen (Keybords, Programmation), Mikko Johansson (Bass, Programmation) + Guests : Annica Milán (Vocal), Kimmo Blom (Vocal), Timo Heinonen (Vocal), Leo Kylätasku (Trumpet)


Albums not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q1 2022 :

This playlist features albums released in Q1 2022 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

January 2022
01/14/2022 Toundra - Hex - Progressive Rock
01/14/2022 The Animal State - Ego - Progressive Metal
01/14/2022 Out Of This World - Out Of This World - Melodic Hard Rock
01/21/2022 Lalu - Paint The Sky - Progressive Rock
01/21/2022 Nocturna - Daughters of the Night - Symphonic Metal
01/21/2022 GIANT - Shifting Time - Melodic Hard Rock
01/21/2022 Planeswalker - Tales of Magic - Power Metal
01/21/2022 FrazyL - Mon Odyssée - Progressive Rock
01/28/2022 Anthony Philips - Archive Collection: Vol. I & Vol. II - Progressive Rock
01/28/2022 Eric Gales - Crown - Blues
01/28/2022 Steve Vai - Inviolate - Progressive Rock/Hard Rock
01/28/2022 Aran Prog Project - A Progressive Journey - Progressive Rock/Metal
01/28/2022 Evergrey - Before the Aftermath (Live In Gothenburg) - Progressive Metal
01/28/2022 Sartori - Dragon's Fire - Power Metal
01/28/2022 Harpyie - Blutbann - Folk Metal
Février 2022
02/02/2022 Kenny Bissett - The Balancing Act - Progressive Rock
02/04/2022 Saxon - Carpe Diem - Heavy Metal
02/04/2022 The Slow Show - Still Life - Pop
02/10/2022 Amorphis - Halo - Melodic Metal
02/12/2022 Movers - Futurist at the End of Time - Progressive Rock
02/17/2022 Ten Years After - Winterland - Hard Rock
02/18/2022 Frogg - A Modern Age Prometheus - Progressive Metal
02/18/2022 Gong - Pulsing Signals (Live) - Progressive Rock
02/18/2022 Veonity - Elements of Power - Power Metal
02/18/2022 Crusade Of Bards - Tales Of The Seven Seas - Symphonic Metal
02/25/2022 Dream Theater - Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Awake Demo (1994) - Progressive Metal
Mars 2022
03/04/2022 Neurotech - Symphonies II - Symphonic/Industrial/Electronic Metal
03/18/2022 Manigance - Le bal des ombres - Melodic Metal
03/18/2022 PreHistoric animals - The Magical Mystery Machine (Chapter Two) - Progressive Rock/Metal
03/18/2022 Playgrounded - The Death Of Death - Progressive Metal
03/25/2022 Day Of Departure - Day Of Departure - Progressive Metal


Artist : Trick or Treat

Album : Creepy Symphonies

Release Date : 01-04-2022

Added : 17-04-2022

The Italians of 'Trick or Treat' continue to offer us albums at regular intervals because after 'The Legend Of The XII Saints' in 2020, followed by the compilation 'The Unlocked Songs' in 2021, the first of April 2022 (and it's not a fish) saw the release of a new album 'Creepy Symphonies' which continues in the already well-trodden path of 'happy power metal' with hymns on every street corner to tell us stories of frightening symphonies. And, after the short introduction 'Trick or Treat' to warm up the room, the eponymous title (see the very crazy video above) tumbles at a hundred miles an hour with a breathtaking rhythm and a chorus to take over the heart until 'at the extinction of voice, then, 'Have A Nice Judgment Day', slightly slower, continues with a new catchy refrain which does not leave you anymore and 'Crazy' adds a layer with a new scud which does not make in lace. In the same style we can also put ourselves between the ears of other melodic missiles with 'Escape from Reality' (see the video here), 'Queen of Likes' or even the long final development 'The Power of Gray Skull' which takes us on a powerful and epic journey with multiple twists. And to catch your breath between all this energy deployed, the Italians show us a more measured face with the ballads 'Peter Pan Syndrome (Keep Alive)' with its memorable melody to make a whole stadium sing and 'April' with new melodic lines in the great tradition of Italian song to which we must add 'Falling over the Rainbow' which is more in line with more measured melodic hard rock. In summary, the Italians of 'Trick or Treat' continue to distill us what they know how to do best, namely good melodic power metal at will and this always in a good mood without taking themselves seriously, and that's also maybe that's why they are so nice to us: Gentlemen, it's perfect, do not change anything...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Conti (Vocal), Guido Benedetti (Guitar), Luca Venturelli (Guitar), Leone Villani Conti (Bass), Luca Setti (Drums)


Artist : Pattern-Seeking Animals

Album : Only Passing Through

Release Date : 01-04-2022

Added : 18-04-2022

The American group 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' had released their first eponym album (see ici) just before the global pandemic and their last two years have been busy as their second studio recording 'Prehensile Tales' was released in 2020 and it's just little less than two years later that we can put between our ears their new baby 'Only Passing Through' which still offers a nice variety of styles and influences with songs that are certainly more direct than what we used to hear from Americans , the whole being always accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines.

This new opus, with 8 compositions plus 2 bonuses in the spotify edition for a full hour of listening, begins with two songs with light atmospheres with influences from the 70s/80s and 'I Can't Stay Here Anymore' is a sort of unlikely marriage between 'Yes' and 'The Police'. With 'Time Has a Way', it's the progressive side that is in the spotlight with a long development in an original mixture of world music, remarkably alternating strong and weak moments in a general happy atmosphere. Follows the beautiful ballad 'Rock Paper Scissors' which deploys, on a slow tempo, harmonious melodic lines with beautiful vocal arrangements, then, 'Much Ado' is a more direct song with funky accents in a light and luminous atmosphere with a beautiful solo of 'Gilmourien' guitar in the second part. The eponymous title of the album continues with a new peaceful and relaxing ballad with, once again, very beautiful vocal harmonies, then, 'Said the Stranger' returns to more sought-after progressive with multiple variations which make it one of the most popular titles. inventive of the album, like also the following composition 'Here with You with Me' in symphonic progressive bringing us back to the 70s with a majestic rhythmic à la 'Kashmir' and which also offers very beautiful alternations of intensity. The two bonuses return to much more direct but also very effective songs that we immediately appropriate with, first of all 'I'm Not Alright' which alternates slow verses with a catchy chorus then the dancing 'Just Another Day at the Beach' which ends the album on a cheerful and carefree note.

In summary, the Americans of 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' release a new album very pleasant to listen to with a good alternation between progressive compositions and more direct songs which intends 'Only Passing Through' to a large public loving light and accessible pop and rock with a few incursions into the progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

John Boegehold (Keybords), Ted Leonard (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Keegan (Vocal, Drums), Dave Meros (Bass)


Melodic Hard Rock Releases – April 2022

At the beginning of April, several melodic rock/hard rock albums were released, all of which deserved a review, but for lack of time, I put them all together in a playlist. Each of them offer us unstoppable melodies, most of which could be the subject of a single and we find essential formations of this style.

First of all it is the British of 'Dare' who are in the spotlight and are releasing a new studio recording 'Road To Eden' after 'Sacred Ground' dating back to 2016. This band is led by singer and songwriter 'Darren Wharton' who was a member of 'Thin Lizzy' in the 80s.

The band of 'Harry Hess' and 'Daniel Flores' gave us a very good album 'Line of Fire' and 'First Signal' return in 2022 with a no less good album 'Closer to the Edge' with unstoppable new melodies.

Let's go to Sweden with 'Treat' which is one of the precursor formations of melodic hard rock in the 80s and which, after 5 years of absence, their last album 'Tunguska' dating from 2018, released their 10th album 'The Endgame' which continues the melodic adventure with a new baby in the great tradition Swedish melodic hard rock.

Their name is linked to the style of music they represent and the Frenchman 'Frédéric Slama' who immigrated to the United States continues to release albums and 'L.A. Suspicion' is his 17th baby in just over 20 years, the latest album 'The Ghost of L.A.' from 2019. Always accompanied by the multi-instrumentalist 'Tommy Denander' and with a host of guest singers, he offers us 10 new compositions that should go on repeat for all fans of westcoast and AOR .

It is still in the direction of the 'United States' that we are heading with the new 'Fortune' which, after their reformation in 2016, released in 2019 the album 'II', which was followed by the live 'The Gun's Still Smokin' Live' in 2020 and who are doing it again with a new 'Level Ground' studio recording. So, ready to embark on the time machine to the 80s?

And finally, the Spaniards of 'Xtasy' are releasing an EP with tracks from their latest album 'Eye of the Storm' but sung in Spanish just to put back between the ears these addictive melodies which had been very well received in 2020 .

In short, only good in this melodic rock/hard rock playlist which offers you more than 4 hours of hits to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Dare :
Darren Wharton (Vocal, Keybords), Vinny Burns (Guitar), Nigel Clutterbuck (Bass), Kev Whitehead (Drums), Marc Roberts (Keybords)

First Signal :
Harry Hess (Vocal), Daniel Flores (Drums), Andi Kravljaca (Guitar), Jonny Trobro (Bass)

Treat :
Robert Ernlund (Vocal), Anders "Gary" Wikström (Guitar, Choirs), Jamie Borger (Drums, Percussions), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass, Choirs), Patrick Appelgren (Keybords, Choirs)

AOR :
Frédéric Slama (Guitar, Keybords), Tommy Denander (Tous les instruments), Steve Overland (Vocal, Choirs), Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal), Paul Sabu (Vocal), Bill Kelly (Vocal), Steph Honde (Vocal), Markus Nordenberg (Vocal), Michael Stosic (Vocal)

Fortune :
Larry Greene (Vocal, Guitar), Richard Fortune (Guitar, Vocal), Mick Fortune (Drums), Ricky Rat (Bass, Vocal), Bob Emmett (Keybords)

Xtasy :
Silvia Idoate (Vocal), Jorge Olloqui (Guitar, Keybords), Chema Herrero (Guitar), David Clavero (Bass), Gari Irazu (Drums)


Artist : Inglorious

Album : MMXXI Live at the Phoenix

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 20-04-2022

After all the 'lockdown sessions' without an audience released during the deprivation of real live, do you want a real one with big sound in an overheated atmosphere by a totally won over audience? After their cover album 'Heroine'< /a> released in 2021, the band at 'Nathan James' gratifies us with the recording of the September 2021 concert at the 'Exeter Phoenix', in the United Kingdom and, the least we can say is that these long months of scarcity have boosted 'Inglorious' which shows all the difference one can have between a studio recording and the boosted and authentic atmosphere of a live. The set list is not very long but just watch the video above of 'She Won't Let You Go' from the album 'We Will Ride' of 2021 to realize this fabulous concert atmosphere. The compositions are taken from all of the English albums, and it is 'Barracuda' of 'Heart' from 1977's which is played from the last album of covers, the concert ending with a fabulous 'Until I Die' from their first album eponym dating from 2016. To give you another glimpse of this concert 'I Don't Need Your Loving' is also available on video here. In short, the 50 minutes pass at breakneck speed and make us share a strong moment that allows us to recover little by little in irreplaceable live atmospheres and, if you want more, you can also get this album on DVD/Blu-ray...

Line Up / Musicians

Nathan James (Vocal), Danny De La Cruz (Guitar), Dan Stevens (Guitar), Vinnie Colla (Bass), Phil Beaver (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Kalandra

Album : Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands Soundtrack

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 21-04-2022

Without transition, after the live of'Inglorious ' and to rest from all this energy deployed, here is an album which will make you travel in a magnificent relaxing dream. It is the work of the band 'Kalandra', written and composed for the soundtrack of the strategy game 'Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands' (see the explanation on their page bancamp). They released a debut album 'The Line' in 2021 in a pop and alternative rock which already showed all the talent of this Scandinavian formation. This new album, a little special since it is a video game medium, immerses us in bewitching soundscapes that take us through the Nordic countries with all their magic, their myths and their mysteries and each composition brings an authenticity. remarkable, accented by the traditional instruments 'Hurdy-Gurdy', 'Nyckelharpa' and 'Moraharpa' of the artists 'John Stenersen' and 'Kenneth Lien' of traditional folk music invited for the occasion. Overall, the captivating and magnetic atmospheres released attract you like the sirens of Homer's Odyssey' and certain compositions come to take us out of this waking dream like the playful 'Skogtroll' or the two titles 'Mørke Skoger' and 'Greed' which offer us more disturbing atmospheres with tribal percussions or even 'Helheim' in crescendo with enchanting vocalizations of 'Katrine Stenbekk'. Note that the magnificent video above 'My Kingdom' is not part of the album but was the subject of a single here. In short, this second album by the Scandinavians of 'Kalandra' invites us on a very beautiful, enchanting, and captivating journey which, for a moment, opens a beneficial parenthesis to get out of the daily hustle and bustle by revealing a deep authenticity coming straight from the vast pristine expanses of the Nordic countries...

Line Up / Musicians

Katrine Stenbekk (Vocal), Jogeir Daae Mæland (Guitar), Florian Bernhard Döderlein Winter (Guitar), Oskar Johnsen Rydh (Drums) + Guests : John Stenersen, Kenneth Lien (Hurdy-Gurdy, Nyckelharpa, Moraharpa)


Artist : Angel Nation

Album : Antares

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 22-04-2022

I introduced you to 'Angel Nation' in 2017 with their second album 'Aeon' and the Finns have just released their third studio recording 'Antares'. Led by singer 'Elina Siirala' who is also the singer of 'Leaves' Eyes' and mixed and mastered by 'Alexander Krull' (Elina stage partner with 'Leave' Eyes'), the band now consists of guitarist 'George Stergiou', bassist 'Julia B. Cadau' and drummer 'Lucas Williamson'. They continue to offer us good melodic metal, direct and effective, and even if the symphonic aspect is not put forward, we cannot help but make a connection with the style of 'Leave' Eyes', with lively and energetic compositions whose melodic lines are always very catchy. On the menu of this album, 10 titles for 40 minutes of intense listening scrolling through titles that could each have been the subject of a single: evidenced by the start of the opus with the rapid 'Seraph' (see video above), the skipping 'We Are Fire' and the mid-tempo 'End of Innocence' which are a good summary of the whole and the sequel continues in the same style with the memorable melodies of 'Life Is a War' , 'Face To Face With The Merciless' or even 'Where's the Time' in which 'Elina Siirala' has intonations of 'Tarja'. There are also similarities with 'Leave's Eyes' on 'Crucify Me', 'Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind' (see the video here< /a>) or 'Where the Future Lies' with cadenced rhythms and we can't miss the beautiful ballad 'Way Back Home' at the end of the album either. In summary, thanks to catchy compositions on which 'Elina Siirala' shows all her vocal talent, 'Antares' is a good album of melodic metal that we taste from the first to the last title even if, for my part, the whole remains quite linear and would require a little more variety...

Line Up / Musicians

Elina Siirala (Vocal, Keybords), Julia B. Cadau (Bass), George Stergiou (Guitar), Lucas Williamson (Drums)


Artist : Bjørn Riis

Album : Everything to Everyone

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 23-04-2022

'Bjørn Riis' is the founder of the Norwegian band 'Airbag' and he also has a solo career with several albums, the latest 'A Storm is Coming' being released in 2019. He released a new album 'Everything to Everyone' and for the occasion he surrounded himself with artists from different progressive rock bands, drummer 'Henrik Bergan Fossum' from Airbag', bassist 'Kristian Hultgren' from 'Wobler', keyboardist 'Simen Valldal Johannessenn' from 'Oak' and the singer Norwegian 'Mimmi Tamba'. If you like the formations mentioned in the preamble, you are in the right place because the whole of this latest baby from the Norwegian flirts with a melodic and atmospheric 'Floydian' progressive rock that we taste to relax after a good day's work.

And yet, the introduction of 'Run', energetic with saturated guitar riffs, is not strictly speaking 'Floydian' but, after a little more than a minute, it gives way to a semi-acoustic instrumental which unfolds a soothing first melody with a finale which returns to the tormented climate of the start. Follows the long development 'Lay Me Down' which takes us delicately by the hand starting with a first part sung by 'Bjørn Riis' of a great emotional intensity and which is sprinkled, here and there, by a very beautiful vocal accompaniment of 'Mimmi Tamba', then, the title takes off in a melancholy climate with remarkable 'Gilmourian' guitar solos interspersed with more intense sections, these alternations between strong and weak moment bringing this formidable emotional force. With 'The Siren', the atmosphere is comparable to what 'Roger Waters' knows how to convey as emotion in his compositions and, on this title 'Bjørn Riis' has nothing to envy to the American, even more that the construction in slight crescendo which falls on the end adds still more to this quiet force released. Make way for the second long development 'Every Second Every Hour' and it's another magnificent composition that gently envelops us and develops a new contemplative melody embellished by Bjørn's vocal performance and guitar solos, the picking accompaniments bringing us back to the atmosphere of 'Us And Them' of the 'Floyds'. Follows 'Descending', an instrumental piece which marries in a very beautiful way hovering layers of keyboards with a few chords of acoustic guitar and which suddenly gains momentum in the second half of the title with the arrival of percussion and electric guitar bringing us back to the psychedelic period of 'Pink Floyd' and which falls deliciously on the finale. And, it's with the eponymous title (see the video here) that the album ends in a very beautiful way with a moving melody, on which the vocal duo 'Bjørn Riis'/'Mimmi Tamba' enchants us once again, and which offers a magnificent crescendo with a last magical 'Gilmourian' guitar solo.

In summary, 'Bjørn Riis', accompanied by talented artists, once again gives us an excellent progressive rock album in the wake of 'Pink Floyd' which can be enjoyed quietly with headphones on with a great pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Bjørn Riis (Vocal, Guitar, Bass) + Guests : Henrik Bergan Fossum (Drums), Kristian Hultgren (Bass), Mimmi Tamba (Vocal), Simen Valldal Johannessen (Keybords, Piano)


Artist : Egor Lappo

Album : Naturealism

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 24-04-2022

After the very good 'Trancevoicer' from 2021, the Russian and multi-instrumentalist 'Egor Lappo' is doing it again just a year later with a new baby 'Naturealism' which continues in the momentum of the previous album with a cleverly balanced mix between lively rock and progressive metal, which offers a great variety and which allows, thanks to catchy melodic lines, to make all the compositions very accessible from the first listen.

The short instrumental 'Unreal' which begins the album shows a muscular face with saturated guitar riffs specific to progressive metal then, 'Invisible Walls' unfolds a first melody that we immediately appropriate and the variations of intensity and tempo bring this progressive touch to the whole. The following composition 'Forgone Future' also shows a very accessible face and the interweaving of radiant keyboards and saturated guitars further reinforces this feeling of imposing power, then, we find this atmosphere on the following title 'Lack of Gravity' with guitars even more muscular. Follows 'Starlight' which takes us on board the time machine with luminous rock à la 'Alan Parsons Project', then, the instrumental 'Star Station' serves as an introduction to 'Dawn Tracer' which adds a melodic gem with keyboard sounds which can recall the 'space music' of the end of the 70s but which also combines accessible pop/rock. The end of the album continues in the same style with 'Crepuscular' which highlights a powerful sound supported by an imposing bass, then, without transition, 'The Cradle of Space Exploration' deploys a slow and heavy tempo with beautiful breaks of intensities thus avoiding an overly linear title and, the eponymous song concludes with a good summary of this mixture of rock and progressive metal which alternates different soundscapes and which offers us catchy melodic lines.

In summary, this new album by Egor Lappo' is in line with its predecessor and could be a good way to introduce a progressive metal accessible to the greatest number because everything is implemented for immediate listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Egor Lappo (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + Guests : Francisco Meza (Guitar), Alex Parkinson (Vocal)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : The Lost One

Release Date : 01-03-2022

Added : 25-04-2022

I presented to you the last album of ' Bjørn Riis' two days ago and I come back to an album released in early March 2022 in the same style as that of the Norwegian. This is the 'CEN-ProjekT' project led by the German 'Chris Engels' and which is not making the buzz on the internet, the only review I found having been produced by the very good French site for progressive music 'Progcritique'. Accompanied by bassist 'Wolfgang Kropf' and drummer 'Marius Böffgen', 'Chris Engels' who sings and provides the guitar and keyboard sections, offers us atmospheric progressive rock in the great tradition of the beginning of it. here in the 70s with, of course, as a reference the 'Pink-Floyd'. This is what we discover on the first title 'To an Old Square Piano' which welcomes us in an aerial atmosphere on a slow tempo and the nonchalant singing of 'Chris Engels' adds to this feeling of fullness. We find the same musical climate in 'The Pessimist' which has very beautiful melodic lines, or in 'Silence' which also deploys a soothing atmospheric climate or even 'Auspex' with its very original accompaniment of an acoustic guitar. Between these calm and relaxing compositions, come more rhythmic compositions with, first, 'She Came and Went' which has a second instrumental part with remarkable keyboard and guitar solos, then, the title song concludes the album in a more energetic atmosphere with a marked rhythmic interspersed here and there with calmer sections remarkably breaking this feeling of urgency. Strangely, you can also find on youtube an original and futuristic video of 'Hope' (see above) which is not part of the streaming version of 'The Lost One' and which is an admirable long development that makes me think, certain places, with the delicate atmosphere released by certain titles of the Germans of 'RPWL' and which again bring us back to 'Floyds'.

In summary, this new project from 'Chris Engels' offers us a first album which takes us on a journey into a 'Floydian' progressive rock universe filled with beautiful melodies that are immediately assimilable, which makes 'The Lost One' (to which we can add the title 'Hope') a very good surprise 2022 in atmospheric progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Wolfgang Kropf (Bass), Marius Böffgen (Drums)


Artist : Hällas

Album : Isle of Wisdom

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 26-04-2022

Vous aimez le rock et hard-rock des années 70 avec des formations comme 'Uriah Heep' ou 'Wishbone Hash' ou encore 'Manfred Mann's Earth Band' : voici un projet Suédois qui a sorti son premier album éponyme en 2015 et qui en est à son quatrième enregistrement studio, 'Isle of Wisdom', les deux autres opus, 'Excerpts From A Future Past' et ' Conundrum' datant respectivement de 2017 et 2020.

Et d'entrée, avec 'Birth / Into Darkness', on est emmené dans des paysages vintage et, après l'introduction avec des claviers mélangeant des sonorités Hammond et électroniques des années 80, la rythmique marquée des sections chantées nous font revenir à certains titre des premiers albums d'Uriah Heep', puis, 'Advent of Dawn' et 'Earl's Theme' sont des titres très enjoués rappelant l'insouciance du début des seventies avec des mélodies accrocheuses. On continue dans la machine à remonter le temps avec 'The Inner Chamber' qui amène une bonne dose de progressif rock/folk avec de remarquables alternances rythmiques, puis, la deuxième partie de l'album nous offre de nouvelles compositions rafraichissantes avec un énergique 'Elusion's Gate' sur une rythmique entraînante, puis, 'Gallivants (of Space)' et 'Stygian Depths' rajoute une bonne dose de progressif avec des constructions plus recherchées en affichant toujours une accroche immédiate, et notre voyage dans le temps se termine avec le plus long titre, 'The Wind Carries the Word', qui développe des sections plus élaborées présentant de multiples changements de tempos avec des sonorités associant claviers et guitares typiques de celles du début du progressif avec, à certains endroits, des similitude avec 'The Doors'.

En résumé, les Suédois de 'Hällas' continuent sur la lancée des précédents album à nous distiller du bon rock et hard rock mélangeant différentes influences du début des années 70 et 'Isle of Wisdom' fera certainement des heureux chez toutes celles et ceux qui sont attirés par les groupes mythiques qui ont participé à l'essor de la musique progressif...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Alexandersson (Bass, Vocal), Alexander Moraitis (Guitar), Marcus Pettersson (Guitar), Kasper Eriksson (Drums), Nicklas Malmqvist (Keybords)


Artist : Albert Cummings

Album : TEN

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 27-04-2022






'Albert Cummings' has gradually built up a good reputation over the last 20 years in the field of blues and country music and is now an essential artist in this scene. After 'Believe' in 2020 and as the title of his latest album suggests, 'Ten' is his tenth studio recording and he offers us 13 titles which smell good this authentic mixture of rock, blues and country which is tasted with immense pleasure. So we embark on a beautiful journey that shows us the full extent of the American's talent in different registers: first of all, 'Need Somebody' (see the video above) starts the album in a blues/ lively rock and the first impression that emerges is this feeling of generosity and authenticity brought by Albert's singing and guitar feeling. In the same style and the same freshness, we can cite 'Too Old to Grow Up' which gives an irresistible desire to beat time, 'Sound Like The Road' which is not to be outdone with a sumptuous guitar accompaniment, 'Last Call' and its heady chorus with its luxurious choirs seeing the participation of 'Vince Gill', the rhythmic 'Two Hands' supported by an impetuous piano or the no less catchy 'Got You Covered' with resplendent brass instruments, without forgetting a funky 'Alive And Breathing' and its completely addictive swing. And when the atmosphere is more subdued, he has no equal to offer us magnificent ballads: witness the moving 'Hard Way' which he dedicates to his father, the touching 'Beautiful Bride' which he had written for his wife but also the refined 'Meet The Man' and 'She's The One' transcended by vocal accompaniments releasing a great emotional force or even 'Take Me Away' in the great tradition of American country, the album ending with the magnificent 'Remember' which gives you goosebumps throughout the title.

In summary, 'Albert Cummings' delivers us a magnificent album by continuing to share with us his love for this music in the great American tradition and 'Ten' is intended for a large audience who love this authentic musical cocktail mixing rock, blues, country and soul and made up of a good dose of refreshing compositions and a good number of moving pieces of life to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Albert Cummings (Vocal, Guitar), Greg Morrow (Drums), Glenn Worf (Bass), Michael Rojas (Keybords), Rob McNelley (Guitar) + Guest : Vince Gill (Vocal)


Artist : Strange Pop

Album : Ten Years Gone

Release Date : 11-04-2022

Added : 28-04-2022

It's still a return to the 'Floydian' atmospheres of the 70s that I offer you with the new project of 'Michał Dziadosz' which again shows with 'Strange Pop' that progressive rock is doing well on the side of Poland. If you liked the last two albums presented in myprogmusic, the one from 'Bjørn Riis' and the project 'CEN-ProjekT' by German 'Chris Engels', you will undoubtedly be won over by this new album released in April 2022. The album is relatively short and includes 6 titles and it is with the composition 'Quiet Storm', atmospheric and typical of the beginning of the progressive that we begin our voyage in time on a slow tempo which unrolls a melody 'Floydienne'. We continue with 'Goodbye Song' whose haunting and repetitive vocal accompaniment adds to this hovering side and the second part offers a magnificent 'Gilmourian' guitar solo. With 'Ex Oriente Lux', 'Michal Dziadosz' adds a psychedelic climate and takes us on a relaxing dream to the sound of a captivating flute, then 'Night Trip' continues in this style with a slow rhythm punctuated by a regular beat. We then approach the longest title, '432 Bars' which is much more a psychedelic sound exploration and may make the Germans think of 'Tangerine Dream' and the album ends with the short 'All This Hope' which gently brings us out of this atmospheric journey with a song with harmonious melodic lines.

In summary, the Polish 'Michal Dziadosz' invites us to take a seat in the time machine for a beautiful journey that transports us to the beginning of the progressive and 'Ten Years Gone' is recommended to all those who were bottle-fed psychedelic atmospheres of the late 60s with references to major bands of that time, among which we find, of course, 'Pink Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Michal Dziadosz (Vocal, Bass, Keybords, Flute) + Guests : Michal Wojtas (Guitar), Maciej Sochon (Guitar), Michal Kirmuc (Guitar)


Artist : Preincarnation

Album : Incarnation I

Release Date : 08-04-2022

Added : 29-04-2022

'Preincarnation' is a new German project initiated by drummer 'Henrik Niesler' and bassist 'Martin Chwalczyk' more than ten years ago. Accompanied by Venezuelan singer 'Deibys Artigas', guitarist 'Michael Spindler' and keyboardist 'Björn Zimmermann', they released their first studio recording 'Incarnation I'. With 14 compositions plus the cover of 'The Day' in Spanish, they offer us a mix of pop, rock and hard rock with some progressive influences, the whole being based on titles between 3 and 5 minutes (except of 'Desolation' which we will talk about later) with catchy melodic lines from the first listen.

The instrumental introduction 'Qintro' welcomes us in an exotic atmosphere of oriental country and serves as an introduction to a catchy 'Qandisha' with majestic intonations which delivers a first memorable melody, then, 'The End' accelerates the tempo for energetic rock with remarkable more moderate sections bringing a good dose of progressive. Follows 'Heartless' which is a magnificent mid-tempo with a chorus that is grafted directly into the head and with a beautiful guitar solo in the second part, atmosphere that we find in 'Never Ending Game' and 'Destiny'. Other compositions can recall formations from the 70s/80s, and we can cite 'Utopia' and 'Saturn' which remind me respectively of the soft side of 'Scorpions' and 'Deep Purple'. In the radius of quieter atmospheres, the album is well endowed with it with the very beautiful ballad 'The Day' which is taken up in Spanish at the end of the Album and which, for my part, provides even more emotional strength but also 'Captive ' and its light crescendo or the instrumental 'Song for Kathrin' bringing a rural side, or the acoustic 'Many Ways' with its beautiful vocal harmonies à la 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' or even the last ballad 'Beyond ' which offers us an unstoppable melody. We will not miss either the long composition 'Desolation' which closes the album with a remarkable epic saga with the flavor of the Orient and which shows a more progressive aspect with a long original instrumental passage in the second part of the title. I would also like to give a special mention to the artistic research of the cover that was made by 'PAtScHWOrK' and which shows that you can make beautiful artworks without using a computer.

In summary, the Germans of 'Preincarnation' take us on a beautiful musical journey made up of different influences that marked the world of rock in the 70s/80s and, as this album is number 1, we are waiting with looking forward to the sequel to 'Incarnation' which, if the quality is the same, should continue to offer us beautiful moments of listening in perspective...

Line Up / Musicians

Henrik Niesler (Drums), Martin Chwalczyk (Bass), Deibys Artigas (Vocal), Michael Spindler (Guitar), Björn Zimmermann (Keybords)


Artist : Blackberry Smoke

Album : Stoned

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 30-04-2022

After the very good 'You Hear Georgia' less than a year ago, the Americans of 'Blackberry Smoke' finally released (it should have seen the light of day at the end of 2021), an EP of covers of the 'Stones' with 7 compositions taken mainly from the 2 albums 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile On Main Street' from 1971 and 1972 respectively, the two remaining tracks, 'Just My Imagination' being from the 1978 album 'Some Girls' and the well-known 'Street Fighting Man' being part of the imposing 'The Rolling Stones In Mono' (see detail below). And as usual, 'Blackberry Smoke' offer us an authentic sound thanks to a unique sound recording with icing on the cake, a 'Charlie Starr' who put on the Mike Jagger' costume which suits him perfectly. So, ready for a little tour of the seventies with a modern sound with one of the legendary groups that participated in the rise of rock and is part of its history?

Title (Album – Year)
1 – All Down The Line ('Exile On Main Street' - 1972).
2 – Sway ('Sticky Fingers' - 1971).
3 – Can't You Hear Me Knocking ('Sticky Fingers' - 1971).
4 – Tumbling Dice ('Exile On Main Street' - 1972).
5 – Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) ('Some Girls' - 1978).
6 – I Got The Blues ('Sticky Fingers' - 1971).
7 – Street Fighting Man ('The Rolling Stones In Mono' - 1968).

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Starr (Vocal, Guitar), Richard Turner (Bass, Vocal), Brit Turner (Drums), Paul Jackson (Guitar, Choirs), Brandon Still (Keybords) + Guests : Sherie Murphy (Choirs), Sherita Murphy (Choirs), Benji Shanks (Guitar), Preston Holcomb (Percussions), Jordan Shalhoup (Saxophone), Geoff Wood (Trumpet)


Artist : Axel Rudi Pell

Album : Lost XXIII

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 01-05-2022

There are countless Axel Rudy Pell' albums since their first recording 'Wild Obsession'< /a> from 1989 and the German guitarist continues on his merry way, plunging us back into good hard rock with each release, bringing us back to the legendary bands that emerged in the 70s and 80s. After the very good 'Sign of the Times ' from 2020, followed by the cover album 'Diamonds Unlocked II' in 2021, here is their little brother 'Lost XXIII'. 'Survive' with its 'Rainbow' guitar riffs, 'No Compomise' to If you lose your head by dint of headbanging and 'Down on the Streets' with its completely addictive rhythm, it's that you're not made for these overheated atmospheres of muscular and devilishly effective hard rock. For the others, you will also enjoy the mid-tempo 'Freight Train', the frantic 'Follow the Beast' or even the instrumental 'The Rise Of Ankhoor' which will certainly remind you of these vintage sounds of the 70s and you will be able to take out the lighters (no now we take out the torches from the laptops, it's more high tech!!) on the two magnificent power ballads 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Fly with Me' which will relieve your osteoarthritis pain and which are to be added to the best hard rock ballads. And to end this beautiful album in style, you will be entitled to the long 'Lost XXIII' which will embark you, with a hammered rhythm that will automatically trigger the foot-tapping machine, in a majestic procession à la 'Kashmir' with oriental intonations and a long instrumental part in the second part of the title in which Axel offers us a remarkable guitar solo.

In summary, I think everything is said, the Germans of Axel Rudi Pell' are releasing a new hard rock gem with all the ingredients we expect in this style and icing on the cake, with a final composition to add to the best mid-tempo hard rock of all time...

Line Up / Musicians

Axel Rudi Pell (Guitar), Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Volker Krawczak (Bass)


Artist : The Chronomaster Project

Album : The Android Messiah

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 03-05-2022

When we talk about metal operas, the first references that come to mind are, without a doubt, those of the various projects of 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' or those of the project 'Avantasia' by 'Tobias Sammet' or even in a more symphonic register the remarkable 'Beloved Antichrist' by 'Christofer Johnsson ', these three artists each bringing their overflowing creativity to this style of music. Other more specific projects have also emerged, and in this genre, we can now add the new project 'The Chronomaster Project' which is the work of two Italians, 'Luigi Lamundo' and 'Lele Mr Triton' who have created a science fiction universe to support this new metal opera to tell us a story of wars, space, and civilizations in which the different musicians and singers play their own role. 'Enrico “Erk” Scutti' is the lead singer, but to flesh out the vocal section and feature several characters, they called on the cream of singers in this style with 'Marcela Bovio', 'Mina Osegueda', 'Chris Boltendhal', ' Mike Mills', 'Gianluca Mastrangelo', 'Snowy Shaw', 'Amanda Somerville', 'Vicky Psarakis' and 'Mark Boals'.

We are therefore immersed in this futuristic saga with a remarkable variety of genres and a fairly immediate accessibility thanks to catchy melodic lines: 'The Mission' sets the scene with an imperial 'Mark Boals' and a construction that can recall certain compositions of Ayreon', then, it hardens with the energetic 'The End Of My World' with a memorable first chorus and 'The Ancient Throne of Tessev V' with the double register, clear and guttural of 'Vicky Psarakis'. With 'The Invaders' Chronicle Part 1: We Came in Peace', the soft voice of Amanda Somerville' illuminates this composition much more measured and quite far from metal, then, without transition, 'Snowy Shaw' (who officiated for a long time with 'Therion') and in a beautiful duet with 'Enrico “Erk” Scutti', shows all his vocal ferocity in 'The Last Man of Ice' by taking on the costume of a last survivor of the men of the cold. It is in a church atmosphere that 'The Invaders' Chronicle Part 2: In Hoc Signo Vinces' begins with powerful and majestic organ sounds and continues with a honeyed electric guitar and imposing choirs; the title then takes off after this long symphonic introduction and takes us into a theatrical atmosphere with a new memorable chorus and 'Gianluca Mastrangelo' offers us a very beautiful vocal performance. Follows 'Generation Clash' which begins in a very calm way, but which rather quickly hardens the subject and the duo 'Mike Mills' and 'Chris Boltendhal' show a beautiful complementarity, the first having the role of the nice leader of the colony and the second playing magnificently the overexcited villainous invader. As for 'Revenge of the Last', we are taken with the powerful voice of 'Nina Osegueda' in melodic metal with luminous keyboard accompaniments highlighting catchy melodic lines and with a very beautiful break in the second part of the title with vaporous choirs, then, 'The End of Your World' is the hit of the album in a modern atmosphere and driven by electro synthesizers with a catchy rhythm that is much closer to energetic rock than metal. And to end in style, we are conquered by the melodious singing of 'Marcela Bovio' which charms us with the magnificent ballad 'Nothing Left To Lose' and which forms a very beautiful duet with 'Enrico Scutti'.

In summary, this new Italian project shows a remarkable diversity of styles and a wide range of vocal registers which makes 'The Android Messiah' a very beautiful metal opera which should mark the year 2022 and which intends 'The Android Messiah' to fans of the great productions of the same style, the best-known being 'Ayreon', 'Avantasia' or 'Therion'...

Line Up / Musicians

Enrico “Erk” Scutti (Vocal), Leonardo Porcheddu (Guitar), Luigi Jamundo (Guitar, Bass), Giorgio Novarino (Bass), Lele Mr Triton (Keybords), Carlos Cantatore (Drums) + Guests : Marcela Bovio (Vocal), Nina Osegueda (Vocal), Chris Boltendhal (Vocal), Mike Mills (Vocal), Gianluca Mastrangelo (Vocal), Snowy Shaw (Vocal), Amanda Somerville (Vocal), Vicky Psarakis (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal)


Artist : Laughing Stock

Album : Zero – Acts 3 & 4

Release Date : 04-03-2022

Added : 05-05-2022

'Laughing Stock' is a Norwegian band that is now a few years old and is releasing the last two parts of the 'Zero' story (see here) who is a boy who lives with his mother suffering from madness and who himself falls into this madness because of this social isolation and gambling and video game addictions. We therefore find our hero in adulthood who continues to lock himself up and build his own universe outside the reality of the world. Musically, we are taken in a quiet and relaxing progressive rock embellished by beautiful melodies that are often melancholy but which perfectly illustrate the story and which can make you think in some places of 'Barclay James Harvest'.

On the menu of this album, 10 titles for three quarters of an hour of listening unwinding from slow tempos on which we completely abandon ourselves and if you hang on to the first titles 'Wingless' and 'Lifeboat' which reveal this atmosphere soft and relaxing, you should adhere to the whole of this opus. Follows 'The Call' with 'Nad Sylvan' as a distinguished guest who poses his tranquilizing and comforting voice and which is a song which alternates quiet parts with more powerful sections while keeping a kind of quiet force embellished by some guitar arpeggios. With 'Free', the relaxed atmosphere makes us go back a few decades and it is in this style that we can make the parallel with 'Barclay James Harvest', then, 'All Alone' is one of the most refined with a very soft accompaniment of a piano, some percussion and nonchalant brass sounds, the instrumental part of the second part still bringing us back to 'Barclay James Harvest' in the period of the albums 'Everyone is Everybody Else' and 'Time Honored Ghosts'. Follows the short and melancholy 'Word' which takes us into a more disturbing atmosphere and 'Running Faster' is a semi-acoustic composition in a 'Floydian' atmosphere with magnificent guitar solos in the second part, then, 'Familiar Eyes' highlights the sweet voice of 'Samantha Preis' which makes us climb on a cozy little cloud. Make way for the long development 'Mother' which leaves the previous musical guideline for a progressive saga reminiscent of the beginning of progressive with remarkable alternations of intensity punctuated by admirable vocal sections and which develops a composition in several drawers which is worth by itself. purchasing this album. And it is with the second part of 'Words' that the album ends in an atmospheric and hovering climate which sums up well the atmospheres released throughout this opus.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Laughing Stock' complete their story of 'Zero' in a very beautiful way and offer us a magnificent album which can be enjoyed quietly with headphones on and, if you are fans of a rock progressive and musically you like quiet atmospheres, you should, without a doubt, be conquered by these last two acts of 'Zero'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Mikael Sørensen (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keybords), Håvard Enge (Vocal, Keybords, Flute, Banjo), Jan Erik Kirkevold Nilsen (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Samantha Preis (Vocal), Andy Glass (Guitar), Kerstin Willgren (Violin)


Artist : Imminent Sonic Destruction

Album : The Sun Will Always Set

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 06-05-2022

'Imminent Sonic Destruction' is an American progressive metal band that I discovered a little over 5 years ago with their second album 'Triumphia' and who have just released a new studio recording, 'The Sun Will Always Set'. Lovers of heavy and powerful atmospheres with incursions into progressive music in all its forms, you have come to the right place because this new baby from the Americans offers us 7 dense compositions which improve over time, and which develop catchy melodic lines which makes the whole relatively accessible.

And yet, in the introduction, the short and very beautiful 'Arise', in a refined piano/voice atmosphere with the participation of the singer 'Lady Luna', does not in any way bode well for the sequel, because, from 'Fledgling', we are embarked on a title overflowing with energy with a magnificent introduction highlighting the piano interspersed with saturated guitar riffs and which continues in a slow tempo, alternating moderate sections with clear vocals and others much more massive with a furious song. Follows 'Source' with an introduction gently bringing a new imposing atmosphere with a rhythm section which leads the dance in a set of original variations in the long instrumental part in the middle of the title, then, 'The Core' further hardens the subject in an even heavier climate and offers very imaginative melodic digressions. Change of scene with 'Solitude' which could be the ballad of the album, and which takes us into a much quieter atmosphere but nevertheless supported by an imposing bass and which deploys a more energetic instrumental section in the second part of the title. We arrive at the centerpiece of the album, 'Nighshade', over 12 minutes long, made of multiple drawers thanks to a construction highlighting a constantly changing rhythm section reminiscent of major formations in this style such as 'Haken' or 'Pain Of Salvation' and who develops parts catchy sung at the end of the title. And it is with the eponymous title of the album bordering on 9 minutes that we end our progressive journey in a much more measured atmosphere than what preceded and which deploys beautiful melodic lines with a remarkable collegiate vocal section.

In summary, the Americans of 'Imminent Sonic Destruction' release a new quality album which still shows an evolution with the previous album and if you like a progressive metal with heavy and thick riffs with sought-after constructions and melodic lines remaining very accessible, you should definitely join 'The Sun Will Always Set'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Piccoli (Vocal, Guitar), Pat DeLeon (Drums), Bryan Paxton (Bass), Pete Hopersberger (Keybords, Vocal), Scott Thompson (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Lady Luna (Vocal), Raphael Weinroth-Browne (Cello), Kevin Wrobel (Vocal), Tony Asta (Guitar)


Artist : Dimitri Toonen

Album : Sounds From Emotions

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 07-05-2022

'Dimitri Toonen' is a Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist who released a debut album 'Leave My Mind Sometimes' in 2020 and it is with his new studio recording 'Sounds From Emotions' that I discovered him. He offers us a varied and sought-after progressive rock, often melancholic, with multiple influences in different styles of music ranging from pop to metal, rock and jazz.

After the short introduction 'Prologue: Fading movement' made of sound effects and some vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar, 'Decapitation' offers us around an energetic first melodic theme, multiple rhythmic variations reminiscent of the first 'Porcupine Tree', then, 'You Can't Change My Mind' shows a much more sedate register with very beautiful guitar passages, the second part having 'Floydian' influences. Follows 'Elusive Facts' which shows the same moderate face with jazzy peregrinations and some rises in tension bringing a nice variety of atmospheres throughout the title, then, 'Uncertain Future' is an acoustic jewel with a melancholy side reinforced by the violin of 'Cecilia Garcia' and cello of 'Lucas Argomedo'. With 'This Morning', the 8 minutes highlight a sought-after and inventive progressive in several drawers with multiple rhythmic and melodic changes and very beautiful variations of intensity. Return to harmonious acoustics with 'Music Will Bring Me Another Day' which is followed by the two long developments which again show all the compositional talent of 'Dimitri Toonen' with, first of all, 'When Nobody Likes You' which is certainly the richest and most intense title but the least easy to tame because it presents multiple ruptures and 'My Dark Passenger' which has nothing to envy to its predecessor and which again puts very contrasting atmospheres side by side with more accessible melodic lines. To end this very beautiful album, 'Epilogue: Moving on' takes us on an original sound tangle which gives way to a soft and relaxing part with a very beautiful marriage between the acoustic guitar and the strings and which ends with some soothing vocalizations with a hubbub in the background.

In summary, 'Dimitri Toonen' offers us a dense and varied new album which requires lingering to draw all the richness from it, which intends 'Sounds From Emotions' to an audience who loves a multi-faceted progressive allowing to wander in different styles of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Dimitri Toonen (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Hugo Ribeiro (Drums), Rob Herben (Choirs), Sander van Gaans (Guitar), Cecilia Garcia (Violin), Lucas Argomedo (Cello), Patricio Böttcher (Saxophone)


Artist : Poison Rose

Album : Little Band Theory

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 04-05-2022

'Poison Rose' is a new find from 'Frontiers Music' and when we talk about the Italian label, we can't help but think of 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who is still part of this melodic hard rock project by the singer 'Marco Sivo' and with the gratin of Italian musicians of this style, namely the guitarists 'Andrea Seveso' ('Zadra', 'Inner Stream' or 'Black Rose Maze') and 'Aldo Lonobile' ('Edge of Forever', 'Secret Sphere' or even 'Timo Tolkki's Avalon') and drummer 'Edo Sala' ('Sunstorm'). No need for a long column to tell you that 'Little Bang Theory' is filled with melodic hits that parade one after the other and take us back to the best of the 80s with a modern sound. So, we embark on 42 minutes of unstoppable melodies and 'Eternally, Wild And Free' in the second part of the opus brings the little break ballad with a jewel to add to best ballads of the genre and, to tell you the truth, I would have taken a little second. In short, no need to add more, for all fans of melodic hard rock, you should find your happiness in this new formation 'Poison Rose' which is added to the already very long list of projects by Mr. 'Serafino Perugino' from label 'Frontiers Music'...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco Sivo (Vocal), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Edo Sala (Drums)


Artist : Returned To The Earth

Album : Fall Of The Watcher

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 10-05-2022

'Returned To The Earth' is an English band from Warwickshire whose self-titled debut album date of 2016. 2022 sees the release of their 4th studio recording 'Fall Of The Watcher', after 'The Best Kept Secret' in 2018 and 'Erebus' in 2019. In a quiet and relaxing atmospheric style, this latest opus offers us 6 compositions between 5 and 10 minutes and, it is added to the last chronicles of 'Bjørn Riis' with 'Everything to Everyone', from 'CEN-ProjekT' with 'The Lost One' and 'Strange Pop' with 'Ten Years Gone' because the released moods are very close to these 3 albums.

The eponymous title of the album begins in a feeling of serenity with a slow tempo which unrolls a first melody on which we completely abandon ourselves, the guitar solo 'Gilmourien' and the sweet singing of 'Robin Peachey' adding again to this soothing climate, and the end of the instrumental title brings a slight acceleration allowing to bring a certain diversity so as not to make the whole thing too linear. 'White Room' with its hushed rhythm continues in this hypnotic climate with accompaniments of electro keyboard sounds bringing us back to the early 80s and reminiscent of those released by 'In The Air Tonight' by 'Phil Collins', then, 'Drowing' continues in this delicate atmosphere with a new endearing melody. We stay on the little silky cloud on which we were mounted from the beginning of the album with 'Sacrificed in Vain' which takes us to the rhythm of a slow tempo in 10 relaxing minutes with a slightly more vigorous instrumental central part, then, 'Lack of Information' is a melodic gem that can recall the atmospheres of certain titles of the Germans from 'RPWL'. And we end this very beautiful soothing and relaxing journey with 'April Sky' which deploys a new melody filled with poetry and we let ourselves be lulled one last time by the sensitive and delicate singing of 'Robin Peachey'.

In summary, like the albums released recently and mentioned above, the English of 'Returned To Earth' release a magnificent album punctuated by beautiful atmospheric melodies carrying a beautiful delicacy and which can be enjoyed quietly on headphones on the ears to recharge your batteries after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Peachey (Vocal, Guitar), Steve Peachey (Keybords), Paul Johnston (Drums)


Artist : Audrey Horne

Album : Devil's Bell

Release Date : 22-04-2022

Added : 11-05-2022

The advantage with music is that if you are attracted by different styles, you have the choice of getting in shape all day with catchy and energetic melodies and resting in the evening with much calmer albums. The last review of 'Returned To The Earth ' was more evening but the last 'Audrey Horne', 'Devil's Bell' is perfect to start the day and get between the ears of the hard rock spirited. After 'Blackout' dating of 2018 and the very good live 'Waiting for the Night' which followed in 2020, the Norwegians return with a new studio recording 'Devil's Bell'. And to start, just to get us in the mood, 'Ashes to Ashes' offers us an introduction with his guitar to the sounds of the bells of 'Hells Bell' (normal for an album called the bells of the devil!) and continues with a first melodic brulot in a hellish train with its choirs reminiscent of 'Def Leppard'. Everything is there to bring us back to the 70s/80s with energetic compositions like the impetuous 'Animal' or 'Break Out' with its marked guitar riffs and which benefits from a remarkable break in the middle of the title or the instrumental 'Return to Grave Valley' with this fusion of the two guitars which brings us back to the sounds of 'Thin Lizzy' in the 70s or the effective 'Danse Macabre' (see the video above) with its tempo to start automatically the headbanging machine. The second part of the album is made from the same barrel with the eponymous song (see the video here) and 'All Is Lost' which were co -written with 'Frank Hammersland' ('Pogo Pops') and the last two compositions are happily added to the whole, 'Toxic Twins' still setting fire by tumbling down at a hundred miles an hour and finally the last melodic hymn 'From Darkness' which is a catchy rock close to 'Thin Lizzy' and which has a nice central instrumental break.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Audrey Horne' are releasing an album with compositions that would undoubtedly have each made hits in the 70s/80s and 'Devil's Bell' should turn on a loop and raise the sound in the living room of all those who were raised on the bottles of major rock and hard rock bands with, icing on the cake, a modern production...

Line Up / Musicians

Toschie (Vocal), Espen Lien (Bass), Ice Dale (Guitar), Kjetil Greve (Drums), Thomas Tofthagen (Guitar) + invité : Frank Hammersland (Choirs)


Artist : Adventure

Album : Tales of Belle Part 1: Across the Ocean

Release Date : 22-04-2022

Added : 12-05-2022

After 'Audrey Horne', it's still in the direction of Norway that we are heading again but in a progressive and symphonic style with the formation 'Adventure' which releases a new album 'Tales of Belle Part 1: Across the Ocean' which is on its fifth studio recording, the first eponymous opus of the group being released in 2000 and the last 'New Horizons' from 2019. For this latest baby, the Norwegians offer us a concept album inspired by a true story, that of the serial killer 'Belle Gunness', born in Norway in 1859 and who left for the United States where she was suspected of having killed around forty people before vanishing into the wild. Musically, we find the climates of 'New Horizons' with a style modeled on 70s symphonic rock with a few touches of folk.

The album opens with a rhythmic 'Hell's Bell' setting the scene for this macabre story which takes us into Hammond organ sounds à la 'Uriah Heep' with a catchy first melody, then, 'The Journey Begins' highlights the symphonic side of this formation in a short instrumental which serves as an introduction to 'Too Far' in which 'Kjell Myran' illuminates this title with his deep and warm vocals and which has remarkable rhythmic variations bringing the progressive side. With 'Come Join Me', we are taken to a more calm atmosphere with a magnificent melody and with an admirable new vocal performance by 'Kjell Myran', the second part being interspersed with an unbridled rupture, then, 'Dreams' highlights , this time, the sweet singing of Elen Cath Hopen' which lulls us to the rhythm of beautiful peaceful melodic lines in the first part and which accelerates the rhythm and becomes more energetic in the second. Follows the instrumental 'Haunted Wedding' made of vintage organ sounds with a much gloomier end, then, 'First Mariage' brings us back to the symphonic and melodic progressive of the 70s with still typical keyboard sounds of this era which can make you think of the first 'Kansas'. It is in a folk atmosphere that we continue our journey into the past with 'Rumors Say' in which the vocal duo 'Kjell Myran'/'Elen Cath Hopen' brings a real plus and shows that Adventure' should use this vocal union more often. With 'Voices', we continue in a progressive and melodic atmosphere alternating different rhythms which takes us back a few decades again, then, 'The Last Goodbye' is a beautiful ballad embellished by a memorable melody and the album ends with the short instrumental 'Crossing' which prefigures the crossing to America of 'Belle Gunness' which will serve as a springboard for the second part of this story.

In summary, the Norwegians of Adventure' are releasing a new album in the continuity of their previous production and this first part of the macabre story of 'Belle Gunness' should be appreciated by an entire public who love the symphonic progressive of 70s and enjoying concept albums at the same time...

Line Up / Musicians

Kjell Myran (Vocal), Elen Cath Hopen (Vocal, Piano, Flute), Terje Flessen (Guitar), Odd-Roar Bakken (Hammond, Keybords), Terje Craig (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Alf Helge Lund (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Faun

Album : Pagan

Release Date : 22-04-2022

Added : 13-05-2022

After the replacement in 2020 of 'Fiona Rüggeberg' by 'Adaya De Baïracli Levy' who also plays a good number of traditional instruments and after their last studio recording 'Märchen & Mythen' 2019 German 'Faun' release new album 'Pagan '. We find this so characteristic style embarking us each time on a beautiful journey in the Nordic countries with the sounds of medieval folk and, for this last baby, they offer us 15 compositions which make us share their universe again, and this, from the first title 'Galdra' (in which, the singer of 'Wardruna', 'Lindy-Fay Hella' was invited and that sets the scene by immersing us in captivating and captivating sounds. Another distinguished guest, the group 'Eluveitie ' also participates in the adventure with a powerful 'Gwydion' on a slow tempo highlighting growls. the set quite calm and deploy beautiful melodies as with the soft ballads 'Wainamoinen' and 'Innisfree', the hypnotic 'Ran', the ritornello 'Zeit der Raben' or the magnificent 'Anagin' with remarkable vocal arrangements. Other compositions are more playful, and we can cite the lively 'Halloween', the joyful 'Tamlin' or the dancing 'Baldur' and the dark side is also present with 'Neun Welten' and 'Lord Randal', the album ending with the magnificent melody of 'Liam' allowing us to listen one last time to the beautiful vocal duo 'Oliver's Tyr'/'Laura Fella'. Note that you can find videos of different titles on you tube: 'Gwydion', 'Tamlin', 'Neun Welten', 'Halloween' et 'Galdra'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Faun' continue to share with us their universe made of myths and fairy tales magnified by talented artists and 'Pagan' should not only satisfy their large fan base but also a large audience loving ancestral folk featuring traditional instruments and magnificent vocal performances...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver’s Tyr (Vocal, Harp Celtique, Bouzouki, Nyckelharpa, Guitar, Mandora), Stephan Groth (Vielle à roue, Cittern, Low Whistles, Vocal), Laura Fella (Vocal, Mandolin, Tambour), Rüdiger Maul (Percussions), Niel Mitra (Keybords), Adaya De Baïracli Levy (Harp Celtique, Bagpipe, Flute, Bouzouki, Guitar, Bodhran, Banjo, Lyra) + Guests : Lindy-Fay Hella (Vocal), Eluveitie


Artist : Saffire

Album : Taming The Hurricane

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 14-05-2022

'Saffire' is a Swedish melodic hard rock band releasing their 4th album 'Taming The Hurricane', the first 3 albums 'From Ashes to Fire', 'For the Greater Good' and 'Where the Monsters Dwell' respectively from 2013, 2015 and 2018. And the least we can say is that this new studio recording is at the level of the best Swedish bands in this style, which is a reference in the matter, this country being known for having an immense reservoir of very good melodic hard rock formations. Everything is there to have a great time with these 10 titles, for a total of 48 minutes of listening. We are therefore welcomed to the sound of a hammond-sounding organ with 'Triumph Of the Will' with a first melody that goes directly into your head and the hits of the same level then follow one after the other with a catchy 'Mr . Justified', the remarkable mid-tempo 'The Rapture' and 'Read Between The Lies' (see the video above) which take us back a few decades with two addictive tracks to sing along to or even the title track (see the video here) which offers a memorable new chorus. The second part of the album continues without weakening with new melodic lines quite classic but so effective and we can quote 'Fortune Favors the Bold' which was the subject of a video on youtube and which is available here, but also the ballad at the end of the album 'Flight Of A Thousand Wings' which is a tribute from guitarist 'Victor Olsson' to his deceased grandfather.
In summary, this latest album from Sweden's 'Saffire' is a compendium of what you can find best in melodic hard rock today with influences drawn from the 70s/80s and 'Taming The Hurricane' should undoubtedly turn on a loop among fans of classic hard rock that we appropriate from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Victor Olsson (Guitar, Choirs), Efraim Larsson (Drums, Choirs), Tobias Jansson (Vocal), Magnus Carlsson (Bass), Dino Zuzic (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Kaipa

Album : Urskog

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 15-05-2022

It is still the Swedes who are in the spotlight but in a classic progressive rock style since it is the formation 'Kaipa' which historically was the group of 'Roine Stolt' which, as we know, created in 1994 'The Flower Kings' and which at the time had not really succeeded with keyboard player 'Hans Lundin' to relaunch 'Kaipa' which had released 5 albums in the 70s/80s. It was only in 2002 that the two artists released an album under the name 'Kaipa' ( 'Notes From the Past', the latest album, 'Children Of The Sounds' dating from 2017. For this new opus, we find the long developments of a classic progressive drawing its influences from the 70s because on the 6 titles, the half exceed 10 minutes, the whole thing making us travel for a good hour.

And it is with the 18 minutes of 'The Frozen Dead of the Night' that we begin our progressive journey with a title in multi-drawers that we browse one behind the other with happiness and which shows the multiple influences of 'Hans Lundin' who has chosen to take us into Swedish nature and who brings together on a symphonic atmosphere, folk and jazz, with many instrumental parts where his keyboards offer multiple variations, the sections sung being quite reduced at the beginning and at the end of the title. 'In a World of Pines' continues in this symphonic style with, this time, the melodious singing of Aleena Gibson' which illuminates this title and which is accompanied by remarkable choruses, the guitar solo in the second part of 'Per Nilsson' followed by that of 'Hans Lundin' keyboards being truly magnificent. Follows the title song which is almost completely instrumental, and which continues in an inventive progressive alternating different soundscapes by modulating different rhythms. With the instrumental 'Wilderness Excursion', the jazz-fusion side is highlighted in the first part of the title and evolves towards a rougher atmosphere in the second part, then, 'In the Wastelands of My Mind' takes us on a melodic compositions à la 'Kansas' with a very characteristic violin. And it is with the 15 minutes of 'The Bitter Setting Sun' that we end this very beautiful album with a new composition typical of an inventive progressive that can recall the pioneers of progressive music and for my part, I have the feel like hearing a mix of 'Genesis', 'Yes' and 'Focus'.

In summary, 'Kaipa' continues to make 'Kaipa' and offers us a new studio recording that could have been among the reference albums of progressive rock in the 70s and which should appeal to an audience that loves long developments leaving a good place for instrumental sections that we take the time to discover, slowly, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans Lundin (Keybords, Choirs), Aleena Gibson (Vocal), Patrik Lundström (Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Per Nilsson (Guitar), Darby Todd (Drums)


Artist : Poets of the Fall

Album : Ghostlight

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 16-05-2022

If you are looking for beautiful melodies in a style between pop and rock, the latest album 'Ghostlight' by the Finns of 'Poets of the Fall' should undoubtedly seduce you because after a rock period in the early 2010s, they have slightly inflected their style and the latest studio recording 'Ultraviolet' already marked this change with melodic jewels in a pop style bringing us back to the 80s. For this latest opus, they take us into their universe made of an original mix between modern sounds and symphonic pop bringing warmth to all these beautiful compositions.

And, from the start, we are taken on board by this delicious mix with 'Firedancer' which welcomes us in an atmosphere bathed in electro sounds and which gently brings an addictive chorus that we wish would never end, the central instrumental part also being a pure moment of happiness. Follows 'Requiem for my Harlequin' which was chosen as a single and which shows a remarkable orchestration à la 'Ennio Morricone' with a catchy new melody which comes directly to the head, then, 'Sounds of Yesterday' decreases the tempo for the first ballad of the album, reminiscent of artists like 'Chris de Burgh' and 'Revelations', regains vigor for a catchy title that should work well in concert to make a whole audience headbang. New break with the slow 'Heroes and Villains' with its very successful alternation of intensity between the verses and the chorus, then, 'Lust for Life' continues, this time in a more refined atmosphere, with a very beautiful acoustic guitar/voice composition accompanied by strings which slowly grows with the arrival of electric instruments. We continue our beautiful melodic journey with 'Chasing Echoes' which could also have been the subject of a single with its memorable chorus, then, 'Weaver of Dreams' beautifully alternates acoustic verses and a chorus with an imposing bass and possesses a magnificent acoustic guitar solo in the second part. And to end this very beautiful album, 'Hello Cabaret' and 'Beyond The Horizons' offer us two beautiful ballads which show all the melodic talent of the Finns and which benefit from epic orchestrations and remarkable vocal performances from 'Marko Saaresto' and whose the last title has a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo.

In summary, this latest baby from the Finns of 'Poets of the Fall' is filled with beautiful melodies that we play one after the other with happiness and 'Ghostlight' is to be recommended to a wide audience because all the compositions are accessible and catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Marko Saaresto (Vocal), Olli Tukiainen (Guitar), Markus Kaarlonen (Keybords), Jani Snellman (Bass), Jaska Mäkinen (Guitar), Jari Salminen (Drums)


Melodic Hard Rock Releases – April/May 2022



04-22-2022 Caught In Action – Devil's Tango
04-29-2022 Reckless – T.M.T.T.80
05-06-2022 Peter Goalby – I Will Come Runnin'
05-06-2022 Jeff Scott Sotto – Complicated
05-13-2022 Squared – Strange Affair
05-13-2022 The Big Deal – First Bite

As I had done in mid-April 2022, and still so as not to have to choose and put aside too many melodic rock/hard rock album releases, I have grouped together 6 albums released between April 22 and April 13 May 2022.

And for starters, you won't be surprised if we go to Sweden with 'Caught In Action' which is a new melodic rock formation with artists who have participated in different projects before and who come together for us deliver a high class album. Their first baby 'Devil's Tango' takes us through 12 high-class AOR tracks with a singer who brings warmth to the whole and everything is done to have a very pleasant time listening to melodic hits like for example 'New York City', 'Simple Man', 'First Time' or even 'It Is What It Is' without forgetting the ballads 'It Wa Always You' and 'I Will Wait'.
Video of 'New York City'

They announce it in the title of the album, 'T.M.T.T.80' which is the condensed version of 'Take Me To The 80's', the Italians of 'Reckless' take us back four decades with compositions that flower good these carefree years and we embark on catchy hymns, starting with a dynamic 'Take Me to the 80'', atmosphere that we will find in 'Countach', Chic & Destroy', 'Rock Hard (In My Party! )', 'Red Lips' or even 'Back in Time' and the more AOR compositions 'One Night Together', 'Raise Your Fist' and 'Sacandalo!' to which we can add the two ballads 'We Are the Rock' with its 'Scorpions' sounds and the classic but very effective 'Tonight' allow you to vary the moods. In short, another album full of spirit and beautiful melodies to consume without moderation.
Video of 'Countach'

And we continue, this time in a classy AOR which is the work of singer and guitarist 'Peter Goalby' who was a member of Uriah Heep' from 1982 to 1986. After taking out of his boxes recordings dating from the 80s with 'Easy with the heartaches' released in 2021 , here is the second album 'I Will Come Runnin' which offers us 10 new compositions and if you do not adhere to the first eponymous composition of the album which takes us straight back to the years which saw the AOR take flight , you can go your own way and, for the others, all you have to do is quietly taste all these melodic jewels and accompany the choirs of 'A Brand New Love' or take up the chorus of 'Waitin' For An Angel To Call' by taking a seat in the time machine.

He gave us the very good 'Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)' in 2020 which was followed by the duets album 'The Duets Collection, Vol. 1' and 2022 sees the release of a new solo album 'Complicated' by 'Jeff Scott Sotto' in which he has teamed up with the no less famous 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' to lay us 10 unstoppable melodies in an energetic melodic hard rock to which we can add the magnificent 'Until I See You Again' which I hastened to add to my ballads playlist. In short, another beautiful album in this style with an outstanding singer who should be on repeat for all fans of melodic hard rock.
'Love Is The Revolution'

We stay in the 80s but with a new Franco/Swedish project (well, it's been a long time since I talked about Sweden!!) which was formed with the meeting of the French guitarist 'Arthur Vere ' and Swedish singer 'Jack L.Stroem' and released a first studio recording 'Strange Affair'. After the short instrumental introduction 'One Thousand Years', let's go for 8 melodic compositions which all have a little air of already heard but which all provide an immediate listening pleasure. Whether it's the high-energy anthems of 'Stranger At Heart' and 'Personal Matter', or the more measured AOR-tagged vibes of 'Darkest Fantasy', 'Say That You Love Me' and 'Clutching At Straws', not to mention the ballads 'Love Can Be Lonely', 'Love Affair' and 'Anthem of a Broken Heart', we are seduced from beginning to end by these simple but so effective melodic lines that quickly become addictive. In short, this new formation 'Squared' begins with a magnificent album that would undoubtedly have been a hit forty years ago...
Video of 'Clutching At Straws'

As much in symphonic metal, the female singers are legion, but it's quite rare to see 'front women' in melodic hard rock bands. However, this new project 'The Big Deal', which is still a discovery of the label 'Frontiers', does not have a singer but two singers accompanied by talented artists who offer us 11 compositions with choruses that come directly to you in the head with keyboard sounds bringing us back to the 80s. And to discover them, what better than to watch the videos available on youtube with 'Never Say Never', 'Sensational', 'Top Heaven' and 'Bad Times, Good Times'. In short, another good listening moment in perspective for all fans of energetic melodic hard rock with hits that parade one behind the other...

Line Up / Musicians

Caught In Action :
Marcello (Vocal), Richard Jönsson (Guitar, Vocal), Ronnie Svard (Keybords), Ménito Ramos (k), Ricardo Dikk (Bass), Mauro Ramos (Drums)

Reckless :
A.T. Rooster (Vocal, Keybords), Dany Rockett (Guitar), Alex Jawbone (Guitar), Jack Chevy (Bass), Mikki Mixx (Drums)

Peter Goalby :
Peter Goalby (Vocal), Paul Hodson (Keybords, Bass, Drums), Eddy Morton (Guitar), Robin George (Guitar, Keybords)

Jeff Scott Sotto :
Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords), Fabrizio Sgattoni (Guitar), Edu Cominato (Drums)

Squared :
Arthur Vere (Guitar), Jack L.Stroem (Vocal), Robin Risander (Drums), Kammo Olayvar (Bass)

The Big Deal :
Nevena Brankovic (Vocal, Keybords), Ana Nikolic (Vocal), Srdjan Brankovic (Guitar), Marko Milojevic (Drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass)


Artist : Thunder

Album : Dopamine

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 17-05-2022






The least we can say is that the covid period was conducive to the English of 'Thunder' because after ' All the Right Noises' in 2021 followed by 'Bonus Songs' at the end of 2021, here is not an album, but two albums in one, with a total of 16 compositions which deal with the evolution of our society towards this need for immediate pleasure, dopamine being this hormone allowing to provide this addiction and social networks being a indicative of this harmful addiction.

Musically, the English offer us a wide range of different styles with melodic lines that immediately catch the eye, starting with energetic atmospheres with good incisive guitar riffs: as evidenced, at the start, 'The Western Sky ' (see video above) and we find this energy in compositions like 'One Day We'll Be Free Again' with its guitars reminiscent of a certain 'Angus Young' or 'The Dead City' and 'All The Way', direct but so effective, or even 'Across The Nation' (see video here) to knock your head off from headbanging. We are also won over by more measured titles with addictive choruses like the rhythmic 'Black', 'Dancing In The Sunshine' (see video here) which takes us back fifty years and could be a clever mix of 'Bruce Springsteen' and 'Stones' or l 'Driving 'I Don't Believe The World' with its beautiful vocal harmonies drawing towards gospel or even 'Disconnected' with its choirs close to the 'Beatles'. We also can't miss the magnificent 'Even If It Takes a Lifetime' in a country/blues atmosphere, an atmosphere found in the energetic 'Last Orders' and 'Big Pink Supermoon' brings, as for him, a jazzy touch to the whole. And when 'Danny Bowes' softens the subject and raises the emotional slider, we are entitled to sublime ballads with the acoustic 'Unraveling' and 'Just a Grifter' and its accordion accompaniment reinforcing the melancholic side or even 'Is Anybody Out There?' who plays in the court of a certain 'Elton John'. Finally, 'No Smoke Without Fire' offers us a last memorable melody and concludes this magnificent album in a very beautiful way.

In summary, this new album from the English of 'Thunder' offers us a varied panel of different styles and we travel a kind of journey through 50 years of songs that could all have been the subject of a hit and, even if 'Dopamine' develops a theme, each composition can be taken separately and you will see that you will always find in this opus a title which will give you immense pleasure according to the mood of the moment...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bowes (Vocal), Luke Morley (Guitar, Vocal), Ben Matthews (Guitar, Keybords), Chris Childs (Bass), Gary 'Harry' James (Drums)


Artist : Silver Dust

Album : Lullabies

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 18-05-2022

It is in Switzerland that we go with the group 'Silver Dust' which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2023 and which will release its fourth studio recording 'Lullabies', after 'Lost in Time' in 2013, 'The Age Of Decadence' in 2016 and 'House 21' in 2018. I admit it, it was with this fourth opus that I discovered them, and, after a first listen, they offer us an original style close to gothic metal and, on several occasions, I made the parallel with 'Therion'. And like 'Therion', they also have the distinction of performing in costumes with steampunk and Victorian influences (see video here).. But it would be reductive to compare them only to 'Therion' because they also bring other atmospheres ranging from rock to metal, the whole being generally bathed in a theatrical atmosphere. On the menu of this opus, 10 direct titles with durations of about 4 minutes and the orchestral cover of 'Forever' from the album 'House 21'.

After the introduction 'The Pact' which highlights orchestral arrangements and grandiose choirs in a disturbing atmosphere, 'Emeline' continues in a gothic atmosphere with catchy rock, the vocal arrangements bringing a certain grandeur to this title, then, 'Follow Me' also shows a very catchy face and mixes sounds of electronic keyboards, saturated guitar riffs and a vocal performance of 'Lord Campbel' bringing this dark side to the whole. With the mid-tempo 'Eternity', the language of Molière is used and continues with this original fusion between electronic sounds and powerful and heavy gothic rock, an atmosphere found in the slow tempo of 'Stand By Me' which follows. Follows 'I'll Risk It' which is much more dynamic and certainly the title giving off the rawest energy, accentuated by the growls of 'Lord Campbel', then, the single 'There's A Place Where I Can Go' (see the video above) softens the tone for the album's ballad in which 'Lord Cambell' shows yet another, much more delicate register. Make way for a catchy rhythm with 'Animal Swing' with an original construction highlighting a very expressive and demonstrative atmosphere with a remarkable break in intensity in the middle of the title, which makes it, for me, one of my favorites of the album, and 'Burlesque', which follows, continues in this communicative theatrical atmosphere. And to end on a high note, 'Echoes of History' deploys all the ingredients of good gothic metal with catchy melodic lines and we find choirs à la 'Therion' and the orchestral version of 'Forever' concludes the album with some great new choirs.

In summary, the Swiss of 'Silver Dust' are releasing a very pleasant album to listen to and 'Lullabies' should make happy all lovers of melodic gothic rock/metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Lord Campbel (Vocal, Guitar), Magma (Drums), Neiros (Guitar), Kurghan (Bass)


Artist : Ann Wilson

Album : Fierce Bliss

Release Date : 29-04-2022

Added : 19-05-2022

We know the fine career of the two 'Wilson' sisters with 'Heart' who released their latest album 'Beautiful Broken' in 2016 and which, unfortunately, since this last opus and the tour that followed, fell out but 'Ann Wilson', who passed 71 spring, continues to release solo albums and 'Fierce Bliss', having released 'Immortal' in 2018, is its latest baby. It is composed of 7 original titles and 4 covers. Regarding the original titles, we are necessarily close to the style of 'Heart', the singing of Ann Wilson' bringing us back to the English formation: at the outset, 'Greed' (see the video above) offers us an energetic and catchy first track, an atmosphere found in the melodic jewel 'A Moment in Heaven' (see the video here) but most compositions are more moderate starting with mid-tempos like 'Black Wing' and 'Fighten for Life', their style taking us back a few decades with a few psychedelic pranks, or 'Gladiator' which alternates power and tranquility with a remarkable guitar solo of 'Warren Haynes' or the torrid blues 'Angel's Blue', very classic but always so effective, without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'As the World Turns' in crescendo which closes the album and which takes us on a small cloud. As for the covers, 'Bridge of Sighs' by 'Robin Trower' takes us back to the 70s and stays in the mood of the original with an added emotional charge brought on by the singing of Ann Wilson', then she s attack on the well-known 'Love of My Life' (see video here)by 'Queen' in which her duet with 'Vince Gill' is filled with beautiful emotion and holds the comparison that one cannot help making with 'Freddy Mercury'. The other two covers are 'Missionary Man' by Eurythmics' which is taken up in a more powerful way than the original and in which 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' offers us a very beautiful guitar solo, then, the ballad 'Forget Her' by 'Jeff Buckley' showing the sensual side of Ann Wilson'.

In summary, fans of 'Heart' should be delighted by this new album by Ann Wilson' which takes us once again, thanks to her vocal qualities still intact, in a classic and catchy rock, taking us back to the years 70/80 which also intends 'Fierce Bliss' to a wide audience because all the compositions are very accessible to the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Ann Wilson (Vocal), Tom Bukovac (Guitar), Tony Lucido (Bass), Sean T Lane (Drums, Percussions), Gordon Mote (Keybords), Tim Lauer (Keybords) + Guests : Vince Gill (Vocal), Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Guitar), Warren Haynes (Guitar), Tyler Boley (Guitar), Danny Louis (Keybords), Dan Walker (Keybords), Jorgen Carlsson (Bass), Andy Stoller (Bass), Matt Abts (Drums), The Rev Nathan Young Singers (Choirs)


Artist : Sheryl Crow

Album : Sheryl: Music From The Feature Documentary

Release Date : 06-05-2022

Added : 20-05-2022

After her latest album 'Threads' of 2019 which was announced as the last studio recording and the concert 'Live From the Ryman And More' which followed in 2021, the American 'Sheryl Crow', with numerous 'Grammy Awards' and multiple albums, offers us a sort best of as part of the documentary on her career which was presented at the beginning of May 2022. Many songs punctuate this album with studio recordings and live performances, but also three unreleased tracks at the end of the album, 'Forever' (see the video below), 'Still The Same' and 'Live With Me' which is a cover of 'The Rolling Stones'. The ensemble takes us on a two-and-a-half-hour tour of titles that have marked her career. We also find on the second part the collaborations with other artists like the well-known 'Prove You Wrong' sung in trio with 'Stevie Nicks' and 'Maren Morris'. In short, this double album is a fine tribute to the thirty-year career of 'Sheryl Crow' and, beyond the fans who will undoubtedly be delighted by all these timeless songs, 'Music From The Feature Documentary' is a good way to discover this American artist who left her mark on American music by mixing rock, pop, folk and country...


Artist : Colosseum

Album : Restoration

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 21-05-2022

'Colosseum' is an English formation which has already existed for a good fifty years, and which released four studio recordings, two in 1969 and two in 1970 and which mixed on a jazz, rock and blues basis. They subsequently released a few disparate albums, one in each of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. on keyboards and Malcom Mortimore on drums, 2022 sees the release of a new opus, 'Restoration' which offers a variety of styles taking us back to the 70s starting with an energetic 'First in Line' which recalls the beginning of rock progressive and which integrates beautiful vocal harmonies and which highlights the warm vocals of 'Chris Farlowe' without forgetting the beautiful successive solos of guitar, keyboards and saxophone. We got off to a good start and 'Hesitation', which follows, is heavier and takes us into a mid-tempo that 'Deep Purple' would not have denied in the early 70s, then 'Need Somebody' softens the atmosphere for a sensual and timeless blues/rock with again very beautiful choirs and a new keyboard solo with Hammond sounds. In the continuity of the previous title, 'Tonight' offers us a very beautiful refined ballad in a piano bar atmosphere and in which 'Chris Farlowe', accompanied in certain places by 'Clem Clempson', shows a touching sensitivity, then, return to a direct and effective rock with 'A Cowboys`s Song' with saturated guitar riffs on a swaying rhythm à la 'Led Zeppelin', and the blues/rock 'Innocence', more happening everywhere, benefits from very beautiful interventions by ' Kim Nishikawara' on saxophone. We find jazzy atmospheres in the second part of the album with 'If Only Dreams Were Like This' which is very sensual and which has a beautiful, unbridled section in the middle of the title, then, 'I'll Show You Mine' returns to energetic blues/rock that still reminds us of the early 70s with two different tempos that bring all the originality to this title. We find jazzy scents with 'Home By Dawn' which takes us into the atmosphere of a jazz club and the album ends with 'Story Of the Blues' which alone contains all the ingredients of this album, the energy of rock, the warmth of blues and the lightness of jazz and which can make you think, although the style is not necessarily comparable, to the joyful atmospheres released by certain titles of 'Santana' in the 70s.

In summary, as you will have understood, if you fell into the pot of 70s music with this subtle mix of rock, blues, and jazz, you should, without a doubt, adhere to this album which brings together, on its own, all the ingredients of an album that would have wreaked havoc in another era...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Farlowe (Vocal), Clem Clempson (Guitar, Choirs), Mark Clarke (Bass), Kim Nishikawara (Saxophone), Nick Steed (Keybords), Malcom Mortimore (Drums)


Artist : John Elefante

Album : The Amazing Grace

Release Date : 22-04-2022

Added : 24-05-2022

For all fans of 'Kansas'< /a> who followed the Americans in the 80s, 'John Elefante' is certainly a household name since it replaced 'Steve Walsh' in the early 80s and dated Americans 'Vinyl Confessions' and 'Drastic Measures'. Since then he has participated in several projects (including 'Mastedon' in the 90s) and also has a solo career and it is in this context that he released a new studio recording 'The Amazing Grace'.

It is with 'City of Grace' that we begin our very beautiful journey which brings us back to the best of the 70s/80s in melodic rock in an AOR atmosphere with sublime choirs bringing this resplendent and classy side, then, 'Stronger Now' continues in this direction and one cannot help but draw a parallel with 'Alan Parsons Project' in terms of melodic lines and vocal arrangements. Make way for the title song which is a very beautiful ballad and which offers a memorable chorus, then, 'Time Machine', more catchy, is still a melodic gem and 'Won't Fade Away' brings us back to the first 'Kansas' thanks to a rich orchestration and presents a progressive construction with multiple changes of tempo which make it one of the key titles of the album. New ballad break with 'Not Alone' which makes us rise on a small cloud with, again very beautiful vaporous and melancholic choirs and we find this atmosphere in the following titles 'Falling into Place' and 'We Will Be Fine' which continue to rock us to the rhythm of superb melodies reminiscent of the major pop/rock formations of the 70s. We continue our beautiful journey with a catchy and luminous 'Little Brown Book' which gives an irresistible desire to clap your hands and which offers new beautiful orchestrations à la 'Kansas', then, 'And When I'm Gone' is a symphonic ballad with a very beautiful piano accompaniment and with a remarkable new vocal performance by 'John Elefante' bringing softness and serenity to this magnificent title, and the album ends with an extended version of 'City of Grace'.

In summary, 'John Elefante' releases a magnificent album with compositions that can be listened to with immense pleasure, and which take us back to the best of the 70s by inviting us on a beautiful journey, and to parody 'Charles Beaudelaire ', "in which all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and voluptuousness."...

Line Up / Musicians

John Elefante (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Jonell Mosser (Vocal), Dan Needham (Drums), Dave Cleveland (Guitar), Frank Boxberger (Guitar), Dustin Blatnik (Guitar), Anthony Sallee (Bass), Jimmy Nichols (Piano), Chris Carmichael (Cordes), Eric Darken (Percussions)


Artist : Ronnie Romero

Album : Raised On Radio

Release Date : 15-04-2022

Added : 25-05-2022

You want covers drawn from the last sixty years and sung by one of the most gifted singers of his generation, I have what you need with the latest album by the Chilean 'Ronnie Romero' who now has an international reputation ('Lord Of Black', 'Destinia', 'Sunstorm', 'The Ferrymen'). Accompanied by a fine line-up of artists (including a famous 'Alessandro Del Vecchio'), he takes us on a journey from 1967 with 'Bob Dylan' to the 90s with the magnificent cover of 'I Was Born To Love You' which is the ultimate masterpiece of the late 'Freddy Mercury' through artists as varied as 'Elf', 'Led Zeppelin', 'Kansas', 'Uriah Heep' or 'Survivor' (see links to original albums below). In short, no need to add more, I leave you in the company of 'Ronnie' with interpretations all as good as each other which make us stop the time machine at different times for our greatest pleasure...

List of tracks (artist - album with spotify link – year)
01. Sin's A Good Man's Brother (Grand Funk Railroad - Closer To Home - 1970)
02. Backstreet Love Affair (Survivor, When Seconds Count - 1986)
03. No Smoke Without A Fire (Bad Company, Dangerous Age - 1988)
04. I Was Born To Love You (Queen, Made In Heaven - 1995)
05. Play The Game Tonight (Kansas, Vinyl Confessions - 1982)
06. Carolina County Ball (Elf, Carolina Country Ball - 1974)
07. Girl On The Moon (Foreigner, 4 - 1981)
08. Gypsy (Uriah Heep, Very 'Easy, Very 'Umble - 1970)
09. Voices (Russ Ballard, Russ Ballard - 1984)
10. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan, John Wesley Harding - 1967)
11. Since I've Been Loving You (Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin III - 1970)

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Srdjan Brankovic (Guitar), Javi García (Bass), Andy C (Drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords) + Guests : Danny Gómez (Guitar ), Javier Reyes (Guitar), Corina Minda (Choirs)


Artist : starfish64

Album : Scattered Pieces Of Blue

Release Date : 06-05-2022

Added : 26-05-2022

It's now been 6 years that the Germans of 'starfish64' release albums at the frequency of a metronome, every two years, because 'Scaterred Pieces Of Blue' will be the fourth chronicle that I do of this progressive pop/rock band , after 'An Altered State Of Joy' in 2016, 'The Future in Reverse' in 2018 and 'The Crimson Cabinet' in 2020. The band at 'Dieter Hoffmann' once again takes us into their progressive universe made up of delicate and refined atmospheres often tinged with a beneficial melancholy. Apart from the centerpiece of the album, 'Time's up Utopia', which exceeds 9 minutesn and which highlights keyboards with soft electronic sounds unfolding a captivating melody, all the compositions do not exceed 4 minutes. and if, from the start, you adhere to the first title 'Blue Piece (Of Something In The Air)' developing a memorable first chorus, chances are that you will be seduced by the following titles starting with the ballad 'Birdsong' (see video above), then by the rhythmic 'Forget Me Now' (see the video here) or by the refined 'Happiness' highlighting all the vocal sensitivity of 'Dieter Hoffman' or by the languorous 'Intersection One' or even by 'Space Junk' which closes the album in a 'Floydian' atmosphere with a magnificent guitar solo by 'Jörg Hoffma n'.

In summary, the Germans of 'starfish64' continue their merry way by offering us a new album which transports us for a moment in their universe filled with sensitivity and serenity conducive to escape and that we savor quietly the headphones on the ears to get out of the daily hustle and bustle...

Line Up / Musicians

Dieter Hoffmann (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Henrik Kropp (Drums), Martin Pownall (Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Dominik Suhl (Guitar), Tobias Kassühlke (Bass, Guitar), Didier Mollart (Vocal), Julie Pownall (Choirs), Dyko (Vocal), Jörg Hoffmann (Guitar), Tobias Kassühlke (Guitar), Jan Thiede (Guitar), Christian Wahl (Bugle), Eddy SR (Moog), S3E3 (Vocal), The choir of true believers (Choirs), Major T., Annalei


Artist : Visions Of Atlantis

Album : Pirates

Release Date : 13-05-2022

Added : 28-05-2022

In my last review devoted to 'Visions Of Atlantis' (see here), I had regretted that they still performed too often in the first part and, the covid years, past, they are now a formation which finally ensures entire concerts: this long tour in the United States in 2021 which had been interrupted because of the global pandemic and which has been revised upwards as a sign to show this (well-deserved) notoriety in full growth at the international level. 2022 therefore sees the release of their new opus 'Pirates', which is devoted, as its name suggests, to the world of piracy and, the least we can say is that this album is a series of hits that parade one behind the other.

And it starts very strong with the beautiful skewer of the first 6 titles which each have their own personality: 'Pirates Will Return' opens hostilities with an epic symphonic composition that immediately highlights the vocal duo 'Clementine Delauney'/'Michele Guaitoli' with some haunting background vocals in the calmer parts of Clémentine. The stage is set and 'Melancholy Angel' (see the video above) continues in a more sedate atmosphere with a melodic jewel whose refrain will certainly remain engraved in your head for a long time and should make a whole concert audience sing, then, ' Master the Hurricane' (see the video here) regains vigor and offers us a single containing all the ingredients of what any lover of symphonic metal wishes to find in this style with a special mention for outstanding vocal arrangements. We continue with this piece full of enthusiasm that is 'Clocks' written by 'Michele Guaitoli' and which shows a marked and cadenced rhythm which gives an irresistible desire to accompany the ticking in time with an undisguised joy then, first moment of calm with the magnificent ballad 'Freedom' which allows a well-deserved break after so much energy. And it's with the other single 'Legions of the Seas' (see the video ici) that this first half of the album ends with a new epic title which has two beautiful breaks of intensity in which 'Clémentine Delauney' shows all her vocal talent. After this series of hits, we tell ourselves that it will be difficult to maintain such a level of quality and, however, thanks to a variety of styles, we remain glued to a 'Wild Elysium' which is eyeing symphonic metal à la 'Kamelot' with a remarkable orchestration and a 'Michele Guaitoli' who sounds like 'Tommy Karevik' in the verses. A rhythmic and dancing 'Darkness Inside' would certainly not have been denied by a certain 'Tarja' in an atmosphere almost of international variety (this not being at all pejorative) with some more saturated guitar riffs, then, 'In My World' brings the folk and festive side to 'Nighwish' thanks to the contribution of the flute of 'Ben Metzner' and thanks to a catchy melody and 'Mercy' takes us on a new melodic hit with magnificent vocal arrangements and a chorus to resume in chorus. And to end this very beautiful album, 'Heal the Scars' offers us a ballad filled with emotion which is to be added to the best ballads of metal but which, for my part, would have increased the emotional cursor if it had been sung in duo with 'Michele Guaitoli', my wish being granted with the epic 'I Will Be Gone' which ends in tranquility with some bagpipe notes.

In summary, 'Visions Of Atlantis' certainly offers us its best album with a series of varied compositions which each bring their personality in epic, rhythmic, festive and melodious atmospheres and 'Pirates' will certainly be an album which will turn into loop for all lovers and all lovers of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Christian Douscha (Guitar), Herbert Glos (Bass), Thomas Caser (Drums), Ben Metzner (Flute, Bagpipe), Lukas Knoebl (Orchestration)


Artist : Silver Lining

Album : Go Out Nowhere

Release Date : 13-05-2022

Added : 30-05-2022

I was seduced by the first album 'Heart and Mind Alike' from Norway's 'Silver Lining' and their new studio recording 'Go Out Nowhere' have just been released. They continue to offer us beautiful melodies in a style mixing folk, pop and country with, among other things, influences drawn from the other side of the Atlantic in the 'West Coast', the slide guitar being very often used. The other point that should also be underlined is the quality of the vocal harmonies, three of the artists also being singers, which brings a particularly endearing dimension to the whole. We are therefore taken on a very beautiful relaxing and exotic journey and if you adhere to the first title 'Your Everything', you should also like the whole album, with for example the eponymous song which has a little air d'Eagles' or 'The Dream', which follows and which shows all the vocal talent of this formation or even 'Days Like These' with its variations of intensity. And when the style is more refined, we are also seduced by very beautiful acoustics such as 'Awake' or 'I Can Stay' or even 'Master of Disguise'. In short, the Norwegians of 'Silver Lining' do it again with magnificent melodies interpreted in a very beautiful way thanks to remarkable vocal harmonies and 'Go Out Nowhere' is to be classified in the category of albums to be listened to quietly with headphones to rest from a hard day at work...

Line Up / Musicians

Stine Andreassen (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Bjørnar Ekse Brandseth (Guitar, Pedal Steel, Dobro), Halvor Falck Johansen (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Live Miranda Solberg (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Keybords, Glockenspiel), Kim Åge Furuhaug (Drums, Percussions), Chris Holm (Bass), Yngve Sætre (Piano)


Artist : Junkyard Drive

Album : Electric Love

Release Date : 13-05-2022

Added : 31-05-2022

If you are a fan of good hard rock that takes your breath away, we are heading to Denmark with 'Junkyard Drive' which is releasing its third album 'Electric Love', after 'Sin & Tonic' in 2017 and 'Black Coffee' in 2018. No need to make you languish, to parody an advertisement from the 70s, this new opus, "it's dynamite in bar": entry with ' Let It Burn', let's go for a completely unleashed hard rock bang and if the headbanging machine doesn't start automatically in the chorus, it's because you can go your way. For the others who stayed, you should also adopt the rhythmic 'Electric Love', 'Mr. Rock N' Roll' with its devastating riffs à la 'AC/DC' or even 'Home' but this time with riffs reminiscent of 'Black Night' from 'Deep Purple' and the mid-tempo 'Let Me Love You', slightly more measured acts as a break after all this excess of energy. Still just as effective, it's back with 'Tomorrow I'll Be Gone' and new devastating riffs, then 'Mind Eraser' softens the subject while keeping a catchy rhythm and an addictive chorus. The ballad break is provided by 'The Wonderland of Temptations' (see video above) with its magnificent crescendo, and the album ends with the heavy mid-tempo 'Mama' and 'Free Your Mind' which could be a subtle mix of 'Deep Purple' and from 'Led Zeppelin'.

In summary, the Danes of 'Junkyard Drive' release an album filled with direct but dreadfully effective hard rock anthems that bring us back to the best of the 70s, with modern production bringing all the necessary power for this style of music, and 'Electric Love' should be adopted by all audiences who love catchy hard rock from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Kris (Vocal), Oliver Hartmann (Guitar), Sjus (Bass), Claus (Drums)


Artist : Skills

Album : Different Worlds

Release Date : 13-05-2022

Added : 01-06-2022

It is still a project set up by 'Frontiers' which is in the spotlight with the super group 'Skills' composed of the singer 'Renan Zonta' ('Brother Against Brother', 'Electric Mob'), guitarist 'Brad Gillis' ('Night Ranger'), bassist 'Billy Sheehan' ('Octavision', 'Sons Of Apollo', 'Mr. Big) and drummer 'David Huff' ('Giant'), without forgetting of course the Swiss army knife of the label, the Italian 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who comes to support the quartet on keyboards and choirs. Given the pedigree of each artist, it's no surprise that we find good melodic hard rock, the album comprising mainly AOR coming straight from the 80s with titles like 'Writings on the Wall', 'Show Me The Way', 'Just When I Needed You', 'Stop The World' (see the video above), 'Hearts Of Stone' or even 'Don't Break My Heart'. The two opening titles, 'Escape Machine' and the up-tempo 'Blame It On The Night' are slightly more muscular with catchy melodic lines and we cannot miss the two quieter compositions that are 'Losing The Track' and 'Just When I Needed You' (see video here) which are to be added to the best hard rock ballads.

In summary, this new project 'Skills', mounted by 'Frontiers', takes us back a few decades by offering us good melodic hard rock performed by artists who ensure from the first to the last title and who take us a very pleasant moment listening to these effective and catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Renan Zonta (Vocal), Brad Gillis (Guitar), Billy Sheehan (Bass), David Huff (Drums) + Guest : Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Whispering Tales

Album : A Matter of Time

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 02-06-2022

It's already been more than 10 years since the first album 'Echoes Of Perversion' from Marseille's 'Whispering Tales' was released, and I remember that in 2012, I really liked the 'Ad Abolendam' EP, which offered catchy symphonic metal but didn't have a production worthy of their talent at the time. A second LP followed in 2014, 'Mechanism' which showed a nice evolution (among other things a much more careful production) and took us on a novel written by bassist 'Stéphane Castelli' and which had been the subject of a teaser setting the scene for the story taking place in the 1920s (see here). And then, the album being announced as the first part of a trilogy, we were therefore impatiently awaiting the sequel and it was only 8 years later that 'A Matter of Time' came to the fore.

In the continuity of the previous opus, we find this symphonic metal with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate and the formation has evolved somewhat since 'Gérald Coissard' and the new drummer and 'Nicola Caruana' is now the main singer, 'Lucy Freckles' having stepped back but, fortunately for all fans of the Frenchwoman, is still present on two compositions. 'The Spark' welcomes us in a catchy atmosphere with a first chorus that goes straight into your head and with a good alternation between the sung and instrumental parts. 'Heap Of Ashes' and 'Copper Wire' continue on this path, with for the first a beautiful rhythmic alternation in the middle of the title with a remarkable guitar solo, 'Julien Tournoud', from 'Amon Sethis', providing his vocal contribution to this title, and for the second a new catchy melody. We find the delicious 'Lucy Freckles' in 'On the Edge' which is a magnificent power ballad in which the Frenchwoman charms us with her delicate vocals, the piano and string accompaniment further increasing the emotion of this very beautiful title. Follows 'Lazarus' (see video here) which brings a pinch of progressive with its instrumental introduction bringing a new catchy title with again the participation of 'Julien Tournoud', then, 'The Quantum Clock' accelerates the tempo for a fast title, the double pedal being of put but always well balanced because several more moderate sections make it possible to soften here and there the frenetic rhythm, in particular with a central instrumental part highlighting the ticking of a clock which makes it one of the centerpieces of the album . With 'Embers', we are again in the company of 'Lucy Freckles' who offers us a remarkable vocal performance in a catchy title with a catchy chorus which comes to be grafted directly into the head and which ends with an offbeat but very endearing section musette ball animated by an accordion and a violin. The end of the album continues to offer us long developments of more than 8 minutes with first of all, the very beautiful 'Falling Dominos' in which 'Nicolas Caruana' shows all his vocal talent in a much more moderate register at the beginning , and which is gradually gaining momentum and again presents a progressive face with alternations of different tempos and intensities with a very beautiful guitar solo in the second part of 'Jérémie Chabod', then, 'Zugzwang' (see video here) ends the album in style with catchy symphonic metal that offers a memorable melody and remarkable instrumental arrangements, the piano break followed by the guitar solo and the instrumental section in the central part bringing a beautiful originality.

In summary, the French of 'Whispering Tales', after long years of absence, return to the front of the symphonic metal scene by offering us a very beautiful album which should certainly be well received by all fans. of the band and, beyond, by an audience that loves accessible metal thanks to catchy melodic lines from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicolas Caruana (Vocal), Jérémie Chabod (Guitar), Stéphane Castelli (Bass), Gérald Coissard (Drums) + Guest : Julien Tournoud (Vocal), Lucy Freckles (Vocal)


Artist : Lonerider

Album : Sundown

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 09-06-2022

'FM' latest album, 'Thirteen' was released less than 3 months ago and the English 'Steve Overland' who, in addition to 'FM', has several projects to his credit (for example in solo with 'Overland', the latest album 'Scandalous' being released in 2020), gratifies us of a new album, 'Sundown', with the formation 'Lonerider' which in addition to Steve is composed of 'Steve Morris' (ex 'Heartland, 'Shadowman' ), 'Chris Childs' ('Thunder') and 'Simon Kirke' ('Bad Company'). After a first album 'Attitude' released in 2019, this second baby is, like you can doubt it, given the pedigree of each artist, filled with melodic hits that take us back to the best of the 70s/80s in an AOR style, starting with an energetic 'Fantasyland' in a classic style with its addictive chorus and the following titles continue in this effective melodic rock with the driving 'Cross the Border' and the rhythmic 'Undefeatable' until the first ballad break 'Harder Love'. The sequel is in the image of this beginning of the album with new melodies that we tame on the first listen, the whole being punctuated by magnificent new ballads that are 'Any Way the Wind Blows' and 'Prayer for the Lonely', this last title flirting with Westcoast and can recall 'Eagles'. In short, needless to add, 'Steve Overland', accompanied by talented artists, offers us a remarkable new album filled with beautiful melodies in a classy and timeless AOR and 'Sundown' should, without a doubt, make people happy and turn on repeat for all fans who love melodic rock, bringing us back to the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal), Steve Morris (Guitar, Keybords, Hammond), Chris Childs (Bass), Simon Kirke (Drums)


Artist : CoreLeoni

Album : III

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 03-06-2022

For all fans of 'Gotthard', the guitarist 'Leo Leoni' is inseparable from the Swiss formation and Leo also has another project, 'CoreLeoni'. Initially, he took drummer 'Hena Habegger' with him and the first album 'I' of 2018 was devoted to songs set aside by 'Gotthard' on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Swiss group. Four years later, exit 'Hena Habegger' who also left 'Gotthard' and replaced by 'Alex Motta' and, after their second album 'II', here is the last baby released in May 2022 and which, as expected, is number 3. Another major change, 'Ronnie Romero' ('Lord Of Black', 'Destinia', 'Sunstorm', 'The Ferrymen') who was part of the adventure of the first two albums, left the ship and was replaced by the Albanian 'Eugent Bushpepa'. But, despite all these changes, 'Leo Leonie' and his troupe continue in the momentum of previous albums with strong hard rock but this time with original compositions (except the last 3 titles), certainly to induct the new line up and make it a formation really apart from 'Gotthard'. Admittedly, it's very similar but, from the first listen, we are taken by a whirlwind of energetic compositions to take your head off by dint of headbanging: to take a few examples, I will cite the titles that have been the subject of a video on youtube: to urge us to resume a normal life after confinement 'Let Life Begin Tonight' opens the proceedings with an energetic and effective first title followed by a 'Purple Dynamite' which, as the name suggests, is pure dynamite, then, 'Like It Or Not' is not to be outdone with a chorus that will certainly be screamed in concert. In the same genre, we can cite 'Guilty Under Pressure' and 'Sick & Tired' and their devastating riffs or even the effective 'Would You Love Me' with a little air of AC/DC' and when the atmosphere wants more moderate, 'Leo Leoni' has this talent to lay us magnificent ballads which are two in number on this album, 'Sometimes' and 'Deep In My Soul'. And, we can't miss the 3 covers at the end of the album, first of all an energetic 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' by the 'Stones' and the two titles of 'Gotthard', the ballad 'Say Goodbye' and 'Good Time Lover' which ends on a frenzied note this very beautiful album.

In summary, 'Leo Leoni', accompanied by a very talented new line up, gives us an excellent album and this third offering from the Swiss should raise the sound level among a lot of 'Gotthard' fans and the beyond because everything is done to have a wonderful time listening to this energetic, efficient, and somehow timeless hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Eugent Bushpepa (Vocal), Leo Leoni (Guitar), Jgor Gianola (Guitar), Mila Merker (Bass), Alex Motta (Drums)


Artist : James Labrie

Album : Beautiful Shade of Grey

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 04-06-2022

For anyone who knows singer 'James Labrie' from 'Dream Theater', the label stuck to him is obviously that of progressive metal and if you search the internet for the style of his latest solo album, a lot of sites classify it in this category. And yet, on the first listen to his latest album 'Beautiful Shade of Grey', we are far from the progressive atmospheres of his main line-up. Almost 10 years ago, he released 'Impermanent Resonance' in duet with the growler 'Peter Wildoer' but, this time, he offers us a mix of pop and melodic rock, the whole highlighting acoustic instrumentation. The rest of the line up consists of guitarist and bassist 'Paul Logue', keyboardist 'Christian Pulkkinen', guitarist 'Marco Sfogli' and James' son 'Chance Labrie' on drums.

We navigate through peaceful and melodic atmospheres, starting with a 'Devil in Drag' (see the video above) which brings us back to light pop that we could listen to in the 80s , the accompaniment of the acoustic guitar bringing a fresh and luminous side. Follows 'SuperNova Girl' which reinforces this soft and quiet musical direction with a ballad with catchy melodic lines, climate that we find with 'Give and Take' (see the video here) which shows that 'James Labrie' knows how to move us in these more intimate atmospheres and which still highlights 'Paul Logue' on the acoustic guitar. With 'Sunset Ruin', place to a soft melancholy brought by languorous strings which rock us on a gripping melody, then, slightly more energetic, 'Hit Me Like A Brick' shows beautiful variations of intensity and is in the same register than 'Devil in Drag' which takes us back to the carefree atmospheres of the 80s, just like 'Wildflower' which follows and which this time makes me think of 'Elton John'. The short and very beautiful 'Conscience Calling', sung a capella, serves as an introduction to 'What I Missed', a new delicate and playful ballad which offers us new very endearing melodic lines, then, 'A I Right' (see the video here) takes us up on a cozy little cloud for a new acoustic ballad in which the duo 'James Labrie'/'Paul Lorgue' continues to charm us. To end this magnificent album, 'James Labrie' offers us a magnificent cover of 'Ramble On' from 'Led Zeppelin' in which the singer takes on the air of 'Robert Plant', then the cover of the electric version of 'Devil in Drag ' highlights, this time, the guitarist 'Marco Sfogli'.

In summary, far from the progressive metal of 'Dream Theater', 'James Labrie', accompanied in a very beautiful way by the acoustic guitar of 'Paul Logue', shows us a very endearing facet that we know much less, and 'Beautiful Shade of Grey' should appeal to a wide audience who love a light and melodic pop that you can enjoy quietly with your headphones on...

Line Up / Musicians

James Labrie (Vocal), Paul Logue (Guitar, Bass), Christian Pulkkinen (Keybords), Marco Sfogli (Guitar), Chance Labrie (Drums)


Artist : Volturian

Album : Red Dragon

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 05-06-2022

'Volurian' is an Italian formation born from the meeting of the singer 'Federica Lanna' who is the singer of the symphonic metal band 'Sleeping Romance' and who was invited by 'Georg Neuhauser' for the album 'Lionheart' by 'Serenity', and guitarist and keyboardist 'Federico Mondelli' who is also the composer and who is a member of the power metal band 'Frozen Crown'. After a promising first album in 2020 (see here), the Italians are releasing a second opus 'Red Dragon' inspired by the detective novel 'Dragon Rouge' by 'Thomas Harris' published in 1981. In an original style on the margins of traditional melodic and symphonic metal formations, they offer us 10 titles which mix different styles ranging from, pop to metal, all this being tinged with electronic sounds.

After the instrumental introduction 'Rebirth' with electro sounds which gently raises the mood, 'Stay' is one of the two energetic titles of the album with a marked rhythm, a catchy melody and, in this composition, 'Federica Lanna' sounds like 'Charlotte Wessels' (ex 'Delain'). The other energetic title is 'Freeze' in which the melodic lines make me think, this time, of the band 'Stream Of Passion' which stopped its adventure in 2016, 'Frederica Lanna' having some resemblance this time with 'Marcella Bovio'. The other titles, more measured, also show this resemblance to 'Stream Of Passion', starting with the very beautiful 'Harley' (see the video above) which presents beautiful alternations of intensity between verses and chorus, then, 'Empty World' (see video here) is closer to a melodic rock with modern keyboard sounds interspersed, here and there, by some saturated guitar riffs. We find this contemporary spirit with electro sounds and a 'rhythm machine' battery in 'Torn Asunder' which brings a pop side and moves away from metal, then, 'Burn It Up' brings us back to the atmospheres of 'Stream Of Passion' with a powerful mid-tempo with a marked rhythm. We find electronic sounds with 'Distant Caress' which highlights all the vocal talent 'Federica Lanna' which fits beautifully into the repetitive accompaniments and which flies over this title with its angelic singing still reminiscent of 'Marcella Bovio' in certain places, then, 'Bury Me' returns to more classic metal with a catchy melody and catchy rhythm, the album ending with the short instrumental 'Descent' à la 'Jean Michel Jarre', quite dispensable, which again highlights keyboards with electronic sounds.

In summary, the Italians of 'Volturian', led by an admirable singer who largely bears comparison with the gratin of singers of this style, offer us a resolutely modern metal mixing electro sounds with saturated guitar riffs that which makes them a very original group on the fringes of the traditional symphonic and melodic metal scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Federica Lanna (Vocal), Federico Mondelli (Guitar, Keybords), Massimiliano Rossi (Bass), Andrea Zannin (Drums)


Artist : Assignment

Album : Assimilation

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 06-06-2022

'Assignment' is a progressive power metal band from Germany and since the early 2000s they have released various LPs and EPs, the latest album being 'Reflections' which dates from 2020. 2022 sees the release of a 30-minute EP, and for all those who do not know this band (which I am also discovering with this EP), 'Assimilation' is a good way to realize the diversity they offer in a few titles (and in video) with covers offering a nice variety of styles. First, muscular blues/rock with 'Black Velvet' (see video above) which is by 'Alannah Myles' and dates from 1989, then 'Shadow of a Doubt' (see video here), is a song by 'Roxette' from 1986 which develops direct and energetic melodic metal. Without transition, the following track takes us into an ABBA cover, 'Lay All Your Love on Me' (see the video here) in a version slightly more saturated than the original, this title having already been covered by 'Amberian Dawn' in the album 'Looking for You'. Two instrumentals follow, 'The Running Man' (see the video here) and 'Christine' (see video here) which present the progressive side of Assignment' with different original variations on each musical theme and the end of the album is dedicated to the sequel 'Cimmerian Tales' which is taken from the soundtrack composed by 'Basil Poledouris' of the film 'Conan The Barbarian' , in an epic construction highlighting a powerful metal with alternating intensities and tempos in the first part and which deploys much more moderate folk atmospheres in the two following parts.

In summary, the Germans of Assignment' are releasing an EP which is a very varied and very original sample of different influences, which allows us to discover this formation which offers us relatively accessible progressive and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Goran Panic (Guitar), Eiko Spaarmann (Bass), Diego VValdez (Vocal), Michael Kolar (Drums), Gert Sprick (Keybords), Maria Jose Ledy Pot (Vocal, Choirs)


Artist : Shameless

Album : So Good, You Should...

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 07-06-2022

Back in the late 80s when bassist 'Alexx Michael' created the band 'Shameless' and after 10 years of inactivity, the group reformed with a first album 'Backstreet Anthems' in 1999. Since then, 6 other albums were released, the latest being 'The Filthy 7' in 2017, and 2022 sees the release of 'So Good, You Should...' which is sort of a sample of 80s melodic hits as most of the tracks are covers, the only original tracks being 'Shout It Out' and ' So Good, You Should...'. We are therefore taken on a journey through time with memorable melodies that go from the end of the 60s with for example 'Get Ready' which was originally sung (more subdued of course) by 'The Temptations' in the 2010s with 'Stay The Night' from 'Green Day' but this time taken up as a ballad, via 'Hiding From Love' by 'Bryan Adams' or 'Does Your Mother Know' by 'ABBA'. The 2 original compositions to which we can add the last title 'Live Your Dream' released in 2021 fit perfectly into this varied and original patchwork. And to discover this album, the Germans are giving us four videos, which can be seen on youtube: 'Shout It Out', 'Hiding From Love', 'Love Is Blind' and 'Live Your Dream'. In short, the Germans of 'Shameless' are releasing an album filled with good positive energy that will keep you in shape for a whole day with hits that parade one behind the other and, for an audience that loves hard rock, bringing us back some decades back, 'So Good, You Should...' is to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Tybalt (Vocal), Frankie Muriel (Vocal), Stevie Rachelle (Vocal), Dennis Post (Guitar), BC (Guitar), Alexx Michael (Bass), Tod T Burr (Drums) + Guests : Jaret Reddick (Vocal), Bruce Kulick (Guitar), Tracii Guns (Guitar), Alex Kane (Guitar), Adam Hamilton (Drums)


Artist : Spheric Universe Experience

Album : Back Home

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 08-06-2022

'Spheric Universe Experience' is a French progressive metal formation which has already existed for twenty years, and which had a first period of activity in the 2000s, with 4 albums between 2006 and 2012, the latest being 'The New Eve' in 2012. The band then toured and 2017 has given the release of the live 'Live in London 2016' and we can emphasize that the French groups are not legion to manage to perform in the United Kingdom. After ten years without studio recording, it is the return of 'Spheric Universe Experience' to the front of the progressive metal scene with 'Back Home' which smells of the influences of the pioneers of this style in the end of the years. 90 and which takes us on a long science fiction journey for 70 minutes aboard the spaceship 'SUE5-2469'.

And, precisely, from the start, we are greeted by the short instrumental 'On Board SUE5-2469' which sets the scene and which shows an epic and cinematographic face to approach 'Final Fate' which begins with riffs of furious and fast guitar and which gives way to an energetic and melodic first title whose chorus comes directly to freeze in the head and which already shows a remarkable first vocal performance of 'Frank Garcia' and beautiful keyboard and guitar solos, the finale falling beautifully with some piano notes. It's off to a good start and 'Where We Belong' continues by bringing a dimension of classical music perfectly integrated into the energy of metal, the second part integrating a piano section which continues with a memorable melody quite admirable, then ' Transcending Real Life' is not to be outdone with new catchy melodic lines whose refrain can recall certain compositions of 'Threshold' and which alternates different atmospheres including a magnificent Arabic central part. The suite continues to offer us memorable melodies in elaborate constructions with 'Senses Restored' and its beautiful central break where we find the use of the piano and with the catchy 'Legacy', more direct, and presenting a new chorus. catchy. With 'Defenders Of Light', we hold the most energetic title which, on an up-tempo, develops a remarkable unbridled instrumental section in the second part of the title, then, the instrumental 'Synchronicity', with its organ sounds of space travel prepares the suite 'The Absolution' which begins with an epic rise with grandiose choirs and which continues on a long development with all the ingredients of an inventive and sought-after progressive metal while keeping catchy melodic lines. Follow 'Rebirth' and 'Of The Last Plague' which form only one title, the first of which begins with a recitative and which is more technical with a series of instrumental sections presenting numerous breaks and which gives way to the second in the same atmosphere but, sung this time, and which deploys a beautiful energy with a muscular accompaniment of guitars with heavy and powerful riffs and with some oriental digressions. And to end this dense album, 'Dreams Will Survive' deploys its 9 minutes with a long instrumental introduction in crescendo and a succession of varied sections including this central break with again the use of the piano or the sung part which follows on a tempo slower with harmonious melodic lines or even the following more unbridled instrumental part highlighting an inventive rhythm section with multiple facets, the finale taking up the melodic theme that never leaves us.

In summary, after a good while of absence, this new album 'Back Home' should put 'Spheric Universe Experience' back in a good place among the best formations of progressive metal, and if you are fans of formations like 'Dream Theater' or 'Threshold ' or Sons Of Apollo', you should, without a doubt, adopt this new offering from the French who show that you can also make good music in France...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Garcia (Vocal), Frédéric Colombo (Keybords), Vince Benhaïm (Guitar), Julien Negro (Bass), Romain Goulon (Drums)


Artist : Evergrey

Album : A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament)

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 11-06-2022

The Swedes of Evergrey' have not been idle for a few years because, after the last part of the trilogy 'The Atlantic' from 2019, 2021 saw the release of 'Escape of the Phoenix', followed by live 'Before the Aftermath (Live In Gothenburg)' in early 2022. Meanwhile, frontman 'Tom S. Englund' has also released 'Nectar' with his project 'Silent Skies' and just 4 months later, Evergrey's last recording, 'A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament)' was released, which somehow sequel to Escape of the Phoenix', the themes deployed by 'Tom S. Englund' revolving, among other things, around the growing importance of social networks and their harmful effects to keep a critical mind to build one's own personality and not foolishly follow the herd. From a musical point of view, 'Evergrey' continues to make Evergrey', that is to say, melodic, powerful and epic metal at will. On the menu of this new opus 10 compositions for 50 minutes of listening.

And it starts strong with 'Save Us' (see the video above) and 'Midwinter Calls' (see the video here) which display extraordinary power with catchy melodic lines and all the ingredients that we know from the Swedes, including these grandiose vocal harmonies. The 'Evergrey' machine is running and 'Ominous' offers us a first break also showing all the talent of this formation to lay us more moderate compositions but just as effective, then, 'Call out the Dark' continues with a bass which prints a marked tempo and which starts the headbanging machine to accompany a new memorable melody. Make way for the title track which is more progressive in construction with different sections that follow each other and many tempo changes thanks to a more complex rhythm section. Follows 'Reawakening', faster but still as energetic in a less immediate melody then, 'The Great Unwashed' is much more original and shows that it is in this kind of slower title that Evergrey' shows its best face with a chorus that sends you an incredible power and with a remarkable break in a long central part highlighting the poignant vocals of 'Tom S. Englund' then a masterful guitar solo of 'Henrik Danhange'. We stay on very good 'Evergrey' with the energetic 'Heartless' which deploys an addictive chorus and which offers a new break in the middle of the title before an instrumental part with a new fantastic guitar solo. I hang less on the following title 'Blindfolded' (see the video here) certainly because of a rather repetitive and rougher rhythm section and 'Wildfires' ends this beautiful album with an acoustic ballad in which 'Tom S. Englund' gives us a last moving vocal performance.

In summary, the Swedes of Evergrey 'continue to offer us very good progressive metal, powerful and melodic with a singer always at the top of his art, but who is not necessarily immediate which destines 'A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament)' to an audience that likes to linger over an album and repeat the listening to draw all its richness...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom S. Englund (Vocal, Guitar), Henrik Danhage (Guitar), Johan Niemann (Bass), Rikard Zander (Keybords), Jonas Ekdahl (Drums)


Artist : Pymlico

Album : Supermassive

Release Date : 20-05-2022

Added : 13-06-2022

'Pymlico' is a Norwegian group that has just released its seventh studio recording 'Supermassive' and whose discography you can find on spotify here. Entirely instrumental, they offer us a patchwork of progressive styles, mixing rock, jazz rock, fusion, AOR and pop with the contribution of a large number of instrumentalists and on this last album, appears 'Roine Stolt' by 'The Flower Kings' for a beautiful guitar solo in 'Clockwork'. We are therefore embarked on an exotic journey starting with a refreshing 'Breaking Protocol' with beautiful guitar sections, then, 'Confusion' continues in this light atmosphere and offers in the second part a 'Floydian' section with a guitar solo 'Gilmourian', atmosphere that we find in 'Clockwork' which follows with more jazzy sounds thanks to the accompaniment of brass. With 'Are We There Yet?', we remain in atmospheric influences with a saxophone which brings a nonchalant side to a catchy melodic theme, then, 'Time Out' alternates melancholic passages and other more energetic ones, the brass being still featured throughout the title. We continue with 'Little Nellie' and its funky atmosphere which is filled with a beautiful lightness which can recall certain titles of 'Santana', the central part offering a moderate tempo closer to a cozy atmosphere of a jazz club. The end of the album is in the continuity of the whole with 'Doppelmayr' which displays beautiful variations of intensity and tempo and 'WTG' shows a more melancholic face with beautiful catchy melodic lines and with an accompaniment of keyboards with sounds bringing us back a few decades.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Pymlico' continue to offer us a beautiful range of different musical registers in relaxed and light atmospheres which make 'Supermassive' an album to be enjoyed quietly with headphones to relax with a good busy day...

Line Up / Musicians

Øyvind Brøter (Keybords), Stephan Hvinden (Guitar), Andreas Sjo Engen (Guitar), Arild Brøter (Drums, Keybords), Oda Rydning (Percussions), Robin Havem Løvøy (Saxophone), Are Nerland (Bass, Keybords, Guitar) + Guests : Mattias Krohn Nielsen (Guitar), Ole Michael Bjørndal (Guitar), Roine Stolt (Guitar), Erlend Lindvåg Solemdal (Keybords), Filip Brekke Steigedal (Trombone), Petter Lien (Trumpet)


Artist : Kerion

Album : Cloudriders: Age of Cyborgs

Release Date : 03-06-2022

Added : 19-06-2022

It's been 7 years since the French of 'Kerion' released an album, ' CloudRiders, Part II: Technowars' dating from 2015. In line with previous albums, they continue their futuristic saga 'Couldriders' in a power metal integrating different ingredients including electronic sounds and this time, we are going to the world cyborgs with guests 'Elisa Martin' (ex 'Dark More'), 'Raphael Dantas' who was the singer of the rather crazy metal opera of 'Rémi Carrairou', 'Gates of Paris', released in 2018, and 'Vitor Veiga' from Aquarius' whose last album 'Alethea' is from 2020.

We are therefore embarked on this science fiction story punctuated by short recitatives which sets the scene, and, at the outset, the cinematographic instrumental 'Theme Riders (Age of Cyborgs)' shows a melancholic symphonic face which continues with choirs accompanied by a narration presenting the theme of the album. And off we go with the energetic and catchy 'Nova Prime' which develops a memorable first melody with a chorus punctuated by lively choirs and which highlights, here and there, electronic sounds, then, after the first recitative 'The Mission', continues with a no less catchy 'Red Square' in the same spirit as 'Nova Prime'. With 'One Way Love', a change of scenery with a much more moderate atmosphere beginning as a ballad with a beautiful vocal performance of 'Flora Spinelli' and which gains momentum and speed in the middle of the title before returning to the quiet atmosphere of the beginning. New little comma recited 'The Desert', then, 'Nowherland' takes us on a patchwork of atmospheres mixing oriental and electronic sounds in an original way and which continues with power metal which alternates sections more or less fast thanks to a section inventive rhythm. Follows 'Final Race' with a beautiful vocal duet between 'Flora Spinelli' and 'Vitor Veiga' on a new catchy melody, then, 'Virtual Rhapsody' is an instrumental mixing epic symphonic atmospheres and electronic sounds. After the short recitative 'Alert' which continues to immerse us in this universe of science fiction, 'Cyborg Hunt' deploys a beautiful energy with a new memorable melody while continuing to stick with the futuristic theme through electro breaks and which is certainly the most contrasting title with calm sections brought by a few piano notes. Last little comma recited, 'Before the Storm' takes us to the long development 'Global Annihilation' which presents different landscapes in which we find this juxtaposition which is the strength of this album of epic symphonic atmospheres and electronic sounds constantly bringing us back to the theme of the album, an album that ends in serenity, far from power metal, with the melancholic ballad 'Electric Requiem' in which 'Flora Spinelli' charms us with her bewitching voice.

In summary, 'Kerion' continues to surprise us with this original style which requires adhering to the mix between epic symphonic power metal and electronic sounds that the French call 'Comics metal' and this new chapter in the saga ' Cloudriders' should appeal to all power metal and symphonic metal audiences who love direct and effective melodies that go round and round in head...

Line Up / Musicians

Flora Spinelli (Vocal), Remi Carrairou (Guitar), Stephane Papasergio (Bass) + Guests : Elisa Martin (Vocal), Raphael Dantas (Vocal), Vitor Veiga (Vocal)


Artist : Terra Nova

Album : Ring That Bell

Release Date : 27-05-2022

Added : 14-06-2022

I introduced you to 'Terra Nova' with their ballad album, 'Terra Nova Ballads' released in 2019 which also saw two best songs albums released ('Highlights' and 'Highlights II' ) for this Dutch melodic hard rock band who had their first period in the 90s and who reunited again in 2005 with 4 new albums, the latest being 'Raise Your Voice' released in 2019. Still led by the two Hendrix brothers, 2022 therefore sees the release from a new album, 'Ring That Bell ' which is in the continuity of the previous albums, and which offers us 13 new compositions for almost an hour of listening. In short, we can say that everything is done to have a great time listening to hits with memorable melodies, starting with the first third of the album with catchy songs such as 'Carpe Diem', 'Crank It Up', 'What's Broken Can Be Mend' and the eponymous composition which offers us radiant choirs bringing us back to the 80s/90s. We find the same energy in 'Touch Down' or 'Bust Your Balls' and the other titles are intended to be more moderate in a classy but equally melodic AOR: witness the playful 'Angel & Demons' or 'Where Do We Go From Here', 'Touch Down' and 'Second Chances' with this Westcoast side bringing us back to the 70s. And finally, as we already knew, the Dutch have no equal to offer us magnificent ballads which are among the of three with 'Home', 'Give Me Shelter' and 'Lightning Rod' and which I added to my playlist of the best rock/hard rock/metal ballads.

In summary, with this latest album, the Dutch show that they have not lost any of the talent that made them famous thirty years ago and 'Ring That Bell' should undoubtedly be well received and run on repeat among all fans of rock and melodic hard-rock bringing us back to the 80s/90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Fred Hendrix (Vocal), Ron Hendrix (claviers), Gesuino Derosas (Guitar), Hans in't Zandt (Drums)


Artist : Def Leppard

Album : Diamond Star Halos

Release Date : 27-05-2022

Added : 12-06-2022

In the series "it's in the old pots that we make the best soups", here is a formation that has certainly made the most emulators in the style of melodic hard rock since the 80s because, if you are looking for 'Def Leppard' in myprogmusic, it's quite often that I quote the British group which, for forty years (it's been a long time since my vinyls 'On Through The Night' and 'High 'N' Dry' gave up the ghost after repeated listening), have built a worldwide reputation with more than 100 million albums sold. of the group has always lasted during all these years and, after the eponymous album 'Def Leppard' released in 2015 which had plunged us back into the cauldron of melodic hard rock of the 80s, all the fans will still recover a small dose with this new baby from the British, 'Diamond Star Hallos'. And since they don't do the work halfway, they offer us 15 compositions that they have been able to refine during the past 2 years. No need for a long review (there are already enough on the web) to tell you that this latest opus is the bomb!! whether it's the compositions that take us back to the early 80s with the addictive melodies that are 'Take What You Want' (see the video above), 'Kick' (see the video here) or 'Fire It Up' (watch the video here) and those choirs that marked us so much, or whether it's compositions like 'This Guitar' in collaboration with blues/country artist 'Alison Kraus' or 'Liquid Dust' and 'From Here To Eternity' with their psychedelic side of the 'Beatles' or even 'Goodbye For Good This Time' and 'Angels (Can 't Help You Now)' with this time the participation of the pianist of 'David Bowie', 'Mike Garson', which also show all the talent of this legendary group for softer compositions, we are completely under the spell and everything is done to have a great time listening. In short, no need to add more, this latest baby of 'Def Leppard' is a succession of melodic hits in a panel of quite different atmospheres which should certainly make 'Diamond Star Halos' one of the contenders for the best album of melodic rock/hard rock in 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Elliott (Vocal, Guitar), Phil Collen (Vocal, Guitar), Rick Savage (Bass), Vivian Campbell (Guitar), Rick Allen (Drums) + Guests : Alison Krauss (Vocal), Mike Garson (Keybords)


Artist : Galaxy

Album : Runaway Man

Release Date : 27-05-2022

Added : 15-06-2022

'Galaxy' is a Dutch formation which had a first period of activity in the 90s and which recorded a first album in 1997 which unfortunately never came out. It was therefore necessary to wait until 2022 to get between the ears of this 'Runaway Man' and we wonder why it was not released at the time because all the compositions bring us back to the best of the formations of the 80s of progressive rock, and we can hear, here and there, resemblances with 'Genesis', 'Asia', 'Saga', 'Marillion' or even 'Kansas' and the singer 'Bart Schwertmann' is none other than that of 'Kayak'.

The album begins with 'Answers' which sets the scene for this classy progressive with melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listen, 'Bart Schwertmann' gratifying us with a very beautiful delicate song which fits perfectly with the proposed style and 'Ard Ofers' highlighting luminous keyboards. Listening to the next title, 'Look Into My Eyes', I have the impression of hearing a cross between 'Genesis' and 'Kansas' with a new memorable melody showing a very pleasant symphonic rock side, then, ' Never The Same' continues in this refined progressive with beautiful alternations of intensity and tempo. As for 'In Her Head', the very endearing open atmosphere also shows all the talent of this group for magnificent, quieter compositions and 'Lady In Fire' takes us back a few decades with keyboards à la 'Genesis', a melody à la 'Asia' or a freshness à la 'Saga'. Kicking off energetically and rolling out a few more overdriven guitar riffs, 'Talk To Me' is more direct and in a melodic AOR style bringing extra variety to the mix and, 'Gallery Play' is the only instrumental on the album that highlights keyboards bringing us back to 'Deep Purple' and addictive guitar solos. And to end this very beautiful album, the title song offers us a very beautiful ballad of almost 8 minutes in a languorous and melancholy symphonic atmosphere with a magnificent and grandiose finale in which, after a guitar solo 'Floydien', 'Bart Schwertmann ' offers us a last intense and moving vocal performance.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Galaxy' have done well to persevere so that this album sees the light of day and, even if the compositions necessarily take us back a few decades, we are conquered by this progressive which is ultimately timeless and which should appeal to any audience that likes the references mentioned above...

Line Up / Musicians

Bart Schwertmann (Guitar, Bass, Vocal), Niels Lingbeek (Guitar, Vocal), Ard Ofers (Keybords), Nils Ofers (Drums)


Artist : Sarayasign

Album : Throne of Gold

Release Date : 27-05-2022

Added : 16-06-2022

Definitely, after 'Galaxy' which has just taken out of its cartons a 25-year-old album, here is another album which could also have been released at the same time, because the drummer of this Swedish formation 'Sarayasign', 'Jesper Lindbergh', had concocted, at the 'era, a story about the 'Saraya' world which is detailed on their site (see here) and which is therefore the subject of this album 'Throne of Gold'. Musically, they offer us hard rock that takes us back a few decades with catchy melodic lines and progressive incursions, the whole being relatively varied.

And it starts well with an energetic 'The Book of Wisdom' which is a direct composition in which we are already conquered by the expressive and powerful vocals of 'Stefan Nykvist', then, 'When Worlds Collide' (see video above) continues in this effective style with a memorable new melody that may recall the best of 80s/90s hard rock. With 'Distant Memories', the Swedes add a touch of progressive brought by alternations of tempo and intensity, the central part bringing a very beautiful break in which 'Stefan Nykvist' shows all his talent and 'Daniel Blohm' rewards us with a wonderful guitar solo. And when the light dims, 'If Only For a Moment' (see the video here) is a wonderful power ballad with catchy new melodic lines, then, 'Sandman' has nothing to envy to its predecessor and offers us another melodic gem with a magnificent alternation of tempo between verses and chorus. More classic, it's off again for an addictive hard rock rush with 'Run (The Hunt for the Book of Wisdom)' which automatically starts the headbanging machine, then, 'Stranger in Ice' continues with an up-tempo just as effective with muscular guitars that lead the dance. And to finish, the long development of the title song deploys its 9 minutes with incursions into imaginative progressive, the whole scrolling through varied soundscapes by alternating energetic atmospheres and others much calmer.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Sarayasign' plunge us back into good catchy and effective hard rock with a good dose of progressive bringing us back a few decades and my little finger tells me that 'Throne of Gold' should be the first of a series of albums: we are therefore impatiently awaiting the rest...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Nykvist (Vocal, Choirs), Daniel Blohm (Guitar), Andreas Axelsson-Hofgren (Keybords), Daniel Lykkeklev (Bass), Jesper Lindbergh (Drums, Percussions, Guitar)


Artist : Michael Schenker Group

Album : Universal

Release Date : 27-05-2022

Added : 17-06-2022

It's still an old timer coming out with a new album, I named 'Michael Schenker' who made his 'Gibson Flying V' a legend starting in the 70s with 'Scorpions'. After relaunching the 'Michael Schenker Group' in 2021 for its 50-year career with studio recording 'Immortal' which saw all the cream of hard rock parade, here is its little brother, 'Universal' with, also, a lot of guests and a 'Ronnie Romero' who is now in the main line up. No surprise, we are immersed, from the first bars of Emergency' (see video above), in good hard rock with sharp guitar riffs and the duo 'Schenker'/'Romero', respectively, offer us a masterful guitar solo and a remarkable vocal performance, then make way for the addictive melodies of 'Under Attack' (see video here) et de 'A King Has Gone' (see video here),, and if your head doesn't start beating in time, it's because you can move on, but for the others, you should also be conquered by the series of hits constituted by 'Long Long Road' in which we find 'Ronnie Romero' and which smells good of the 70s/80s (I hear 'Rainbow' here and there), 'Wrecking Ball' and its frantic rhythm, sung by 'Ralf Sheepers' which is followed by a 'Yesterday Is Gone' in the same spirit or 'Au Revoir' with its dantesque guitar accompaniment. And when the tempo is slower, we put ourselves between the ears of real melodic jewels with a catchy 'London Calling' and its chorus which bring us back to the 80s, just like the mid-tempo 'Sad Is The Song' which follows which shows an almost psychedelic face in the verses or the two final titles 'Turn Off The World' and 'Fighter', the last of which offers us a last memorable chorus, without forgetting the ballads 'The Universe' transcended by the vocal duo 'Ronnie Romero'/'Gary Barden'.

In summary, the saying that I used for 'Def Leppard' only a few days ago ("the best soups are made in old pots"), applies perfectly to 'Michael Schenker' which shows us that at 67, surrounded by talented artists, he is still in great shape to offer us good melodic hard rock like a few decades ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Schenker (Guitar), Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Barend Courbois (Bass), Steve Mann (Guitar,Keybords), Bodo Schopf (Drums), Michael Voss + Guests : Barry Sparks (Bass), Bob Daisley (Bass), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums), Brian Tichy (Drums), Gary Barden (Vocal), Michael Kiske (Vocal), Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Simon Phillips (Drums), Tony Carey (Bass)


Artist : Signum Regis

Album : Made In Switzerland (Live)

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 24-06-2022

After the studio recordings 'Decennium Primum' in 2017, 'The Seal of a New World' in 2019, the Slovaks of 'Signum Regis' with their Brazilian singer 'Jota Fortinho' continue to water us with effective power metal with addictive melodies and this time it's a concert that they offer us with this 'Made In Switzerland (Live)' which was recorded in the midst of the epidemic in September 2021. This live highlights the latest album with 8 songs played on the 14 titles and parade of hymns one behind the others with a production that captures this concert atmosphere well and with a 'Jota Fortinho', in great shape, who leads the boat 'Signum Regis', a duo of guitarists who strike us with ravaging riffs ers and a rhythmic section which ensure from the first to the last title in a communicative ardor. To give you an idea of the atmosphere, two videos are available on youtube, 'Fly Away' and 'Wrath of Pharaohs'. In short, 'Signum Regis' sign a remarkable live which reflects well the overheated atmosphere in this kind of concerts and 'Made In Switzerland (Live)' should be adopted by all an audience loving a direct and effective power metal with melodies which come directly to be engraved in the head...

Line Up / Musicians

Jota Fortinho (Vocal), Filip Koluš (Guitar), Majo Sucháň (Guitar), Ronnie König (Bass), Ján Tupý (Keybords, Choirs), Jaro Jančula (Drums)


Artist : The Damnation Project

Album : 4

Release Date : 22-05-2022

Added : 18-06-2022

'The Damnation Project' is a Greek band that was formed in 2009, with the band's self-titled debut album (see here) in 2012, and, of the basic line up, only vocalist and guitarist 'Ioannis Degdekis' remains, the other members being 'Dimitris Papaioannou' on drums, 'Theodoros Chrysanthidis ' on bass and 'Manos Skaramankas' on keyboards. They offer us with this fourth album which bears the sober number 4, a mix of classic rock and hard rock tinged with psychedelia and with some progressive incursions.

The album begins with 'Show Me' which takes us back a few decades with a nice alternation between energetic parts and other calmer ones, then, 'Decisions' is more measured and offers a memorable melody which unrolls a slow repetitive tempo on which we abandon ourselves completely. This is followed by the quiet and relaxing semi-acoustic instrumental, 'A Secret Walk to The Beach', with a beautiful guitar accompaniment, then, 'I Can See You', which was the subject of a single, takes us on an 8 minutes psychedelic ride time machine to stop us between the 60s and 70s, the clear atmosphere being able to think of certain titles of the beginning of 'Pink Floyd'. More muscular, 'Saturday Night' unfolds a memorable melody which this time is reminiscent of the great names of hard rock of the 70s and, with the instrumental 'Memories', we continue in a quieter atmosphere, the guitar bringing, again, a vintage side. The second part of the album continues in this direction with a return to the 70s: witness 'A Game of Chess' with its repetitive but effective theme, the beautiful ballad 'Go to Hell' in crescendo, the acoustic guitar/voice 'Soul Kitchen Blues' brings us back to more traditional song with artists like 'Cat Stevens', the rhythmic 'Woman' which gives an irresistible desire to headbang, the driving 'Fool to Cry' with its remarkable guitar solo , the album ending in a refined atmosphere with the exotic instrumental 'Siempre' which rocks us gently with a very beautiful accompaniment of a classical acoustic guitar which makes us escape under the sky of the Mediterranean as a certain 'Steve Hackett'.

In summary, this new album from 'The Damnation Project' takes us back a few decades with a nice sample of different styles ranging from acoustic songs to hard rock, passing through very beautiful instrumentals and, if you are amateur or amateur of atmospheres of the 70s, you should without a doubt adhere to this number '4' of the Greeks...

Line Up / Musicians

Dimitris Papaioannou (Drums), Manos Skaramankas (Keybords), Ioannis Degdekis (Guitar, Vocal), Theodoros Chrysanthidis (Bass)


Artist : Seventh Wonder

Album : The Testament

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 27-06-2022

Singer 'Tommy Karevik' from 'Kamelot ' has another side project, 'Seventh Wonder', whose latest album 'Tiara' dates from 2018. 2022 sees the release of the 6th album, 'The Testament', with an unchanged line-up, and they continue to offer us varied compositions in an accessible progressive metal, the melodic side having been particularly worked on for this last opus.

And it's by the two singles 'Warriors' (see the video above) and 'The Light' (see the video here) that we start this very beautiful album which highlights energetic and powerful atmospheres with catchy melodic lines, the first offering us a very beautiful guitar solo and the second a very beautiful break in the second part, both benefiting from remarkable vocal performances by 'Tommy Karevik'. First break, 'I Carry the Blame' is a magnificent mid-tempo which develops a new catchy melody on which 'Tomy Karevik' shows that it is in this more moderate style that he knows how to transmit real emotion, then, 'Reflections ' is an instrumental which is more progressive in construction, and which shows all the talent of each artist with a succession of admirable solos. Follows 'The Red River' which further reinforces the progressive side with a more refined construction in which 'Tommy Karevik' adapts his song to the different changes of intensities with always this moving side in the quieter passages and in which 'Johan Liefvendahl' offers a remarkable new guitar solo. As for 'Invincible', it is lighter and more direct with a catchy chorus and the rhythm section remains muscular by bringing the powerful side of metal. Follows 'Mindkiller' which is the typical composition in which 'Seventh Wonders' shows all its know-how with original instrumental parts presenting a succession of breaks, melodic sung sections and a very beautiful guitar solo, then 'Under a Clear Blue Sky ' begins calmly with a few guitar notes and a magnificent accompaniment of the bass, then gains momentum with a driving rhythm and weaves in different melodic sections by offering a long admirable instrumental passage in which the keyboards, the guitar and the bass are return the ball for more than 3 minutes, which makes it, for my part, the major composition of the album. And to end on a high note, the melancholy semi-acoustic ballad 'Elegy', far removed from metal, ends this very beautiful album with a final catchy melody on which 'Tommy Karevik' gratifies us with a final moving vocal performance.

In summary, 'The Testament' is still a great success of 'Seventh Wonders' and still shows all the talent of its frontman 'Tommy Karevik' who offers us, accompanied by talented artists, compositions that are always very accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines; beyond the fans who will undoubtedly be won over by this latest studio recording, 'Seventh Wonders' can be a gateway to all those who want to discover progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Johan Liefvendahl (Guitar), Andreas Blomqvist (Bass), Andreas Söderin (Keybords), Stefan Norgren (Drums)


Artist : Lunear

Album : Gostraks

Release Date : 03-06-2022

Added : 20-06-2022

I introduced you to their second album 'Curve.Axis.Symmetry' released in 2020 and 2022 sees the release of a covers album, of course, with 'Lunear' sauce, that is to say, they reclaim the original compositions without distorting them. The list below refers you to the performer and the original album when it is available on Spotify. And to start, it's not easy to recognize 'Turn It On Again' from the start with its a capella introduction which slowly brings us back to the theme of this beautiful composition of 'Genesis' which is followed by 'Modern Love' with a gentle introduction which gradually gains momentum and which presents a beautiful instrumental part in the middle of the title. We are then seduced by a mixture of styles with covers that are not necessarily known as 'Warriors Of The Wasteland' by 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood' or 'Inside' from the 'Stiltskin' period by 'Ray Wilson' and even more 'Britney Spears' with 'Perfume' which is covered in slightly more rock, the album ending with a very nice cover of 'This Is the 21st Century' by 'Marillion'. In short, the whole thing is very pleasant to listen to with this mix of pop/rock through the ages and the French of 'Lunear' offer us original interpretations and show that they can adapt to any style by bringing their own personality...

List of original titles (Artist – Album – Year)
01 – Turn It On Again (Genesis, Duke, 1980)
02 – Modern Love (David Bowie, Let's Dance, 1983)
03 – Warriors Of The Wasteland (Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Liverpool, 1986)
04 – Inside (Stiltskin, The Mind's Eye, 1994)
05 – Sleeping Satellite (Tasmin Archer, Great Expectations, 1994)
06 – Perfume (Britney Spears, Britney Jean, 2013)
07 – Shake the disease (Depeche Mode, The Singles 81-85, 1985)
08 – Venice Bitch (Lana Del Rey, Norman Fucking Rockwell!, 2019)
09 – Renée (Talk Talk, It's My Life, 1984)
10 - 'This Is the 21st Century – (Marillion, Anoraknophobia, 2001)

Line Up / Musicians

Jean-Philippe Benadjer (Vocal, Guitar, Bass), Paul J.No (Vocal, Keybords), Sébastien Bournier (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Fortis Ventus

Album : Vertalia

Release Date : 03-06-2022

Added : 21-06-2022

'Fortis Ventus' is a Greek symphonic metal formation which was created in 2015 and which underwent a big upheaval in 2018, the duo 'Nancy Mos'/'George Halliwell' finding themselves alone to continue the adventure. With the arrival of the guitarist and bassist 'Grégory Koilakos' in 2019, they offer us their first studio recording 'Vertalia', 'Grigoris Giarelis' officiating as session drummer. It's a concept album written by 'George Halliwell' that tells us a fairy tale about an imaginary planet 'Vertalia' where the main character embarks on a journey to discover his inner truth and the truth of life itself. Musically, they develop a symphonic metal bringing us back to the 2000s, the clear atmospheres highlighting rich orchestrations, the metal often taking second place.

12 titles for one hour of listening, here is the menu of this first opus of the Greeks which begins with 'Between Love and War', composition which slowly gains momentum and which introduces 'Nancy Mos' with a admirable first vocal performance, its register between clear and lyrical reminiscent in certain places of 'Simone Simons' and 'Tarja'. Follows 'Birth of Sadness' which continues with a ballad beginning calmly with orchestral arrangements deploying a certain melancholy, the electric instruments arriving quite late in this very beautiful title, then, the eponymous title 'Vertalia' continues in the same style, the piano accompaniment bringing a very romantic classical atmosphere. Make way for the melodic hit 'Cave of Glass' (see video here),, more stirring, which once again highlights the harmonious lyrical singing of 'Nancy Mos' in a performance of great beauty, then, after the instrumental introduction 'Living Thorns (Prelude)' with a remarkable piano accompaniment, 'Gothecia' deploys a symphonic composition with grandiose choirs and a memorable melody, the whole alternating in a beautiful way powerful sections and others calmer. With the 10 minutes of 'Unveiling Path', the Greeks develop their characteristic symphonic style with sophisticated orchestral arrangements, the guitar being relegated to the background, then, 'My Death Is My Devotion' (see the video above) is another catchy melodic hit that got a single and should work well live. The instrumental 'Door to the Unknown' then serves as an introduction to 'Reflections of Myself' which still deploys an addictive chorus with a new break in the second part of the title highlighting a piano accompanied by a melancholic cello, the album ending with a new melodic jewel, 'The Eagle's Chase' with a lot of imposing choirs and 'Homeland' which is a magnificent ballad in which we let ourselves be lulled by the moving song of 'Nancy Mos'.

In summary, the Greeks of 'Fortis Ventus' release a very beautiful album which brings us back to the beginning of symphonic metal with sumptuous orchestral arrangements, catchy melodic lines and a singer who is as comfortable in a register lyrical than clear, and 'Vertalia' should appeal to an audience favoring the symphonic side to the power of metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Nancy Mos (Vocal), George Halliwell (Keybords, Vocal), Grégory Koilakos (Guitar, Bass) + Guest : Grigoris Giarelis (Drums)


Artist : Sideburn

Album : Fired Up

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 22-06-2022

You take a singer with 'Brian Johnson' tunes, sharp guitar riffs that make you think of the well-known Kangaroos again, and you get 'Sideburn', a Swiss band that never made too much noise but has everything to remind us of the best hard rock of the 70s/80s. Amateurs and amateurs of novelty, it is not here that you will find your happiness, but for the others who start at quarter turn by listening to good hard rock energetic and devilishly effective by starting at the same time the machines to headbang and tapping your feet, you're exactly where you need to be because this latest album 'Fired Up' is a suite of 12 hard rock nags that gives you a hell of punch. And from the start with 'Feel The Heat' (see the video above) we embark on a certain 'Highway to Hell' and you will only come out some 40 minutes later with 'Tired of Road', certainly, a little tired (it's not me who says it but the title of this song) but so happy to have listened to all these melodic hits with some more moderate rhythms like 'Bad Side Of Town' or 'Mystical Lady', just to keep a little energy for the future. And, to make your mouth water, in addition to the video above, here are two other equally effective ones with 'Standing In The Headlines' and 'Heading Down The Road 69'. In short, no need to add more, all you have to do is turn up the sound and press the play button, the Swiss from 'Sideburn' will do the rest and make you have an excellent listening time: to consume without any moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Roland Pierrehumbert (Vocal, Harmonica), Mikael Riffart (Guitar), Sickyy Lyo (Guitars, Choirs), Thierry Nydegger (Bass, Choirs), Lionel Blanc (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : The Tangent

Album : Songs From The Hard Shoulder

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 23-06-2022

I have never embarked on a review of 'The Tangent', this group which is one of the references in progressive music, all styles combined, because, tackling one of their albums, it's like climbing Everest, there are so many things to describe in their music with complex compositions that you have to take the time to listen to and listen to over and over again to draw all the richness (in the vast majority of long developments that can last more than 20 minutes which means that their albums, even if they are limited in number of titles, generally border on 80 minutes). After 'Proxy' in 2018 and 'Auto Recognition' in 2020, it is at the rate of a studio recording every two years that we can put between the ears a new opus of this formation composed of talented artists of the progressive scene with 'Andy Tillison' ('Karmakanic'), 'Jonas Reingold' ('The Flower Kings' and many other projects – see search for his name in myprogmusic here), 'Luke Machin' (ex 'Karnataka' and guest in 'Ian Jones' latest project 'ILLUMINAE', 'Steve Roberts' and 'Theo Travis' ('Steven Wilson', 'Moonparticle'). 'Songs From The Hard Shoulder' is therefore the 12th album of 'The Tangent' and it is no exception to the rule because of the 5 compositions, 3 exceed 17 minutes for 75 minutes of listening.

In order not to make too long a review by detailing each title, I will focus this one on the diversity of the musical landscapes interspersing these different compositions: apart from the short and energetic 'Wasted Soul' which is quite direct and which unfolds a light and pop melody highlighting the saxophone of 'Theo Travis', we are immersed in a patchwork of atmospheres starting with progressive rock, taking us back to the best of the 70s/80s and we can hear here and there influences of 'Genesis', 'Pink-Floyd' or even 'Yes' and I certainly pass a lot of others. In the midst of all these influences, one of the particularities of 'The Tangent' is to mix other styles, this time coming from jazz to make it something completely apart, with for example from Andy Tillison' which takes us into its original universe like this keyboard section in 'The Changes', a little before the 10th minute, and which combines a light rhythm with sounds of the first 'Pink Floyd'. It is besides the predominant style in the second title, 'The GPS Vulture', entirely instrumental which is certainly more complex, and which embarks us in a more jazzy sound labyrinth. And we also cannot miss this fantastic assembly of different atmospheres that we find in the 20 minutes of 'The Lady Tied To The Lamp Post' and in which each artist brings his own stone to this sound edifice which is centred on progressive always very sought after but deeper, sometimes melancholic, sometimes more tormented and which brings admirable alternations of tensions and relaxations. And to end this beautiful album, 'The Tangent' offers us a medley that they borrow in part from the band's eponymous album 'U.K. dating from 1978, and which still shows all the talent of these artists who form one in this title mastered by master hands from the first to the last second.

In summary, 'The Tangent' still release a dense and rich album which requires that we linger there to draw all the substance from it which intends 'Songs From The Hard Shoulder' to an informed public appreciating a progressive mixing different styles that bring us back to the 70s and who likes to discover, little by little, every corner of long, complex and inventive developments...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Tillison (Vocal, Keybords), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Luke Machin (Vocal, Guitar), Steve Roberts (Drums), Theo Travis (Saxophone, Flute)


Artist : Joanne Shaw Taylor

Album : Blues From The Heart Live

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 25-06-2022

After 'Made In Switzerland (Live)' of the Slovaks of 'Signum Regis' and their festive power metal, in a completely different style and after their wonderful album of covers 'The Blues Album' released a year ago, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' offers us a concert featuring the entire of this last opus to which she added other compositions for 1 hour and 15 minutes and the title of the album is a perfect summary of this magnificent moment of communion with prestigious guests such as 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd', 'Mike Farris' and 'Joe Bonamassa'. And as often, it is in concert that we take the full dimension of the talent of these artists who show a real pleasure to play together, and if you are not yet completely convinced, watch the video above of ' Can You See What You're Doing To Me' with this guitar battle between Joanne and Kenny and with this magnificent shot at 5.40 where, in the middle of the two guitars, in the background, bassist 'Steve Mackey' dodges a small smile which says a lot about this happiness to be able to share this beautiful moment with these two artists. Another magic moment, the video of 'Summertime' with 'Joe Bonamassa' is also available on youtube here. In short, no need to add more, this album is still to be added to the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any authentic blues/rock lover and, if you want more, it is also available on DVD and Blu-ray which brings an added dimension to this magnificent concert...

Line Up / Musicians

Joanne Shaw Taylor (Vocal, Guitar), Rob McNelley (Guitar), Steve Mackey (Bass), Jimmy Wallace (Keybords, Piano), Nick Buda (Drums), Devonne Fowlkes (Choirs), Kim Fleming (Choirs) + Guests : Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Guitar), Mike Farris (Vocal), Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Chaos Magic -- Caterina Nix

Album : Emerge

Release Date : 17-06-2022

Added : 29-06-2022

The latest 'Chaos Magic' led by 'Caterina Nix' dates from 2019 and 'Emerge' is her new baby which came out a few days ago. She continues to collaborate with her compatriot 'Nasson' who released a first solo album a few months ago (see here) and this latest album shows an evolution towards more modern metal, the whole being always supported by catchy melodic lines.

And to begin, we are welcomed by the title song which has been the subject of a video (see above) and which develops a memorable first chorus, then, with a more jerky rhythm section, 'Beneath Your Skin' (see the video here) delivers another powerful track with catchy new melody lines, 'Caterina Nix' confirming all the vocal talent that we knew on these previous productions. Slower but just as melodic, 'The Impossible' is another metal hit that shows a modern face then, 'Garden Of Winter' is the first break of the album which highlights the magical vocal duo between 'Caterina Nix' and 'Elina Siirala', singer of 'Leaves 'Eyes' and which is to be added to the best ballads of symphonic metal. And here we go again with a powerful 'Hearts Gone Dark' with an unleashed rhythmic then, we stay in the energy of the saturated guitar riffs with 'Beyond the Silence' which deploys a new catchy melody. The rest of the album continues in the same style with the heavy mid-tempo 'Days of Lions', then 'In the Depth Of The Night', which was the subject of a video (see here) is a metal, melodic and modern hit. The last part of the album offers us the second ballad break with 'Victims of Our Heaven' in which 'Caterina Nix' shares the microphone with 'Nasson', then, the last two titles 'When If Not Today' and 'What's Your Fuel' form a good summary of the whole with two energetic atmospheres and with choruses that stay in your head.

In summary, without revolutionizing metal but bringing an original modernity, the 'Chaos Magic' project by the Chileans 'Caterina Nix' and 'Nasson' offers us a good album with catchy melodic lines that moves away from metal traditional symphonic to integrate modern components to make it an accessible metal with catchy melodic lines from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Caterina Nix (Vocal), Nasson (Bass, Vocal), Mario Torres (Guitar), Mistheria (Keybords), Carlos Hernández (Drums) + Guests : Elina Siirala (Vocal)


Artist : Porcupine Tree

Album : Closure / Continuation

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 06-07-2022

I guess you're like me, what could we curse these two years of Covid!! And yet, I've always been told that out of every bad thing comes good. Well, this new 'Porpucine Tree' album is the good thing that might not have seen the light of day without these years of global pandemic. Indeed, the leader of the group 'Steven Wilson' had implied that the confinement had made it possible to rework certain compositions which he had written 7 years earlier with 'Richard Barbieri' without any follow-up at the time. So, after the last album 'Incident' released in 2009 and which hadn't necessarily hit the headlines, is the 2022 'Closure / Continuation' a good vintage?

Might as well tell you right away, 'Porcupine Tree' has not only lost none of its avant-gardism, but the trio's long years as a soloist are certainly a major asset in this latest opus because we really have the impression that they were able to bring about a kind of perfect fusion between their different musical experiences while keeping the progressive spirit of 'Porcupine Tree' because, for my part, apart from the label of 'progressive music ', I could not put any other for this formation completely apart in the musical landscape. The result is therefore an album from the 2020s and not a rehash of 'Porcupine Tree' from the 2000s and I'm not even talking about the impeccable production.

We therefore embark on a dense and intense musical whirlwind which necessarily requires that we linger there to draw all its richness and in which we find a whole heritage of several decades of different styles of music. The sequence of compositions was certainly not made at random because, one has a feeling of being the captain of a boat which navigates alternately in dismounted waters then much calmer which gives an admirable feeling of a succession tension and relaxation. And, within this duality, each composition also brings its share of contrasts brought by structures that are often complex (highlighting an always remarkable playing on the drums of 'Gavin Harrison') but which remain melodically accessible and is perhaps the greatest strength of 'Porcupine Tree' to reconcile density, complexity, and accessibility. And as you will have understood, I will not launch into title by title because dissecting each composition at a certain moment makes no sense: to take only the first two titles, depending on the time of listening, I will certainly be more sensitive to 'Harridan' (see video above) and its communicative ardor and, at another time, 'Of The New Day' (see video here) will be more beneficial for escaping me, for a moment, by letting the music gently insinuate itself into my spirit.

In summary, if I am asked to define the music in 2022 of 'Porcupine Tree', I will simply say that it is a kind of musical marker of our time which merges and crystallizes all the musical currents of music rock of the last 50 years. And finally, to choose, in 'Closure / Continuation', I definitely opt for 'Continuation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Richard Barbieri (Keybords), Gavin Harrison (Drums)


Artist : Lazarus Dream

Album : Lifeline

Release Date : 17-06-2022

Added : 30-06-2022

In my playlist of Rock and hard albums -melodic rock of the second half of 2020, I presented to you the new project 'Lazarus Dream' created by the singer 'Carsten Schulz'. 'Lifeline' is their second album and, it is clear that everything has been done to offer us good melodic hard rock. With several guests including keyboard player 'Derek Sherinian' who had released the very beautiful opus 'The Phoenix' in 2020, these are 13 compositions that parade one behind the other with catchy melodies and if you are seduced by the first three titles 'Dead End Symphony' (see video above), 'Don't Look Down' and 'Mind Like A Windmill' (see video here), there's a good chance you'll buy into the set as they represent a fine sample of 'Lifeline'. The suite is therefore in continuity with a nice variety of more or less energetic atmospheres, the common denominator being that each composition benefits from catchy melodic lines from the first listen and we can mention the melodic jewels that are the rhythmic mid-tempo ' Freedom', the catchy 'Your Voice Inside My Head' and 'Modern Lies' or even the energetic 'Once Upon A Time' which brings us back to the best of 70s/80s hard rock without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Love Without A Net'. In short, 'Lazarus Dream' confirms with this second album all the good that we thought of them with their first LP 'Alive' and 'Lifeline' should be added to the discography of a good number of amateurs and fans. fans of melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Carsten Schulz (Vocal), Markus Pfeffer (Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Jorris Guilbaud (Keybords), Thomas Nitschke (k), Markus Kullmann (Drums), Andy Lübbert (p), Thomas Rieder (Piano)


Artist : AnaphorA

Album : Exode

Release Date : 31-01-2022

Added : 26-06-2022

I'm going back to an album released several months ago which didn't create a buzz on the internet and which is the 3rd studio recording by the French of AnaphorA', a band created in the early 2000s, which recorded two albums (which are very difficult to find on Spotify because the group has 2 pages), 'After Dreams' in 2006 and 'Virtual Reality' in 2010. I admit it, I knew absolutely nothing about 'AnaphorA' and it was by chance on a review of 'Rock Meeting', well isolated on the web, that I discovered 'Exode'. After a first listen, I found myself in a familiar universe mixing progressive rock with French song influences and, even if we know that progressive rock is not very popular in France, the least we can say is that this album deserves much more promotion.

Indeed, everything comes together to offer us a very good progressive rock album: to begin with, the theme of Exodus is declined in all its forms and the whole forms a concept album on the need for human beings to flee the planet Earth that they have permanently damaged and to find another world that will be able to welcome them. Then, the progressive side is put forward in many clear atmospheres throughout each title, the sung and instrumental sections being well distributed, the whole benefiting from an irreproachable production. Finally, each member of the group brings his stone to the building: first, 'Cathy Soler' offers us magnificent vocal performances in a clear register then, the instrumental parts are always catchy, and 'RV Math' delivers magnificent guitar solos. On the menu of this opus, 13 titles for an hour of listening which begins with a short instrumental prologue setting the scene and which then scrolls through catchy melodies starting with 'L'ennemi du bien' which begins in a slow tempo and which then takes off in a faster rhythm giving off a sense of urgency, then, 'Trop tard' shows, on the contrary, an energetic first part which is the bitter observation of this inability to be able to save the planet and which continues in second part with a slow tempo starting with a poignant guitar solo. We continue our musical journey with the energetic 'Dans la torpeur' with its remarkable final rhythmic crescendo then 'Partir loin d'ici', which is the acknowledgment of having to leave the Earth, offers us new memorable melodic lines and a second part poignant with 'Cathy Soler' which makes me think of the intonations of 'Daniel Balavoine' by conveying the same emotions, the final guitar solo being also of great beauty. The suite continues in this direction with compositions all as endearing as each other, each delivering its piece of the exodus, always with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate and atmospheres ranging from an energetic 'Changer d'Univers' to an 'Erreur de genèse' which ends the album magnificently in a more sedate atmosphere before the short instrumental epilogue.

In summary, the French of AnaphorA', after more than 10 years of absence, release a very beautiful album which should relaunch them on the scene of French progressive rock because, it is certain that singing in the language by Molière, is not an asset for the international but, on the other hand, even if it means being selfish, allows us French to add a significant attraction to this very accomplished musical work...

Line Up / Musicians

Cathy Soler (Vocal), RV Math (Guitar), Laurent Melle (Bass)


Artist : Deep Sun

Album : Dreamland – Behind The Shades

Release Date : 10-06-2022

Added : 28-06-2022

The Swiss of 'Deep Sun' gave us a very good first album in 2016 with 'Race Against Time' and 2019 saw the release of their second album 'Das Erbe der Welt'. With this third studio recording 'Dreamland – Behind The Shades' they confirm that they have become a solid value on the symphonic metal scene. Always led by the singer 'Debora Lavagnolo' who has again taken ease in all vocal compartments, the only line-up change is the replacement of the guitarist 'Pascal Töngi' by 'Stephan Riner'. We embark on 47 minutes of classic symphonic metal with rich orchestrations, an energetic rhythm section and guitars bringing the power of metal, the whole being very melodic and, therefore, accessible from the first listen.

After the orchestral introduction 'Prologue', typical in this style of music, the title track gives a very good overview of the style of the Swiss with an alternation of powerful sections and others much calmer, which brings a great variety and originality on the whole, 'Debora Lavagnolo' already showing all her vocal talent in the calmer parts which highlight her even more. Follows the catchy hit 'Dreammaster' which was the subject of a video (see above) and which delivers memorable melodic lines, then, 'Living The Dream' continues in this direction with a new energetic melodic jewel which should work well in concert. Benefiting from very beautiful choirs, 'Killer In A Dream' (see the video here) is typical of a grandiose symphonic metal with remarkable orchestrations, then, ' In Silence' is the ballad of the album in which 'Debora Lavagnolo' charms us with her melodious vocals and which shows all the way covered since the first EP of 2014, the emotion released making me draw the parallel with a certain 'Tarja'. Follows 'Secret Garden' which develops very beautiful rhythmic alternations, going from a slow marked procession to a very catchy tempo, then, 'Mitternachtstanz' takes us into a joyful dance with folk sounds and 'Hands In Anger', after a short and calm introduction, then flirts with gothic metal highlighted by growls accompanying 'Debora Lavagnolo', all in a frantic cadence that we also find in the following title 'Rogue (Dreaming Leprechaun Pt. II)' but, this time, in a style close to power metal which offers us an addictive melody, the album ending with 'Euphoria' which sums up the whole thing well with a succession of different atmospheres typical of an epic and melodic symphonic metal.

In summary, the Swiss of 'Deep Sun', even if they do not revolutionize the genre, release an excellent album with a singer who now rivals the best frontwoman of symphonic metal, and 'Dreamland – Behind The Shades ' feature varied compositions that all have catchy melodic lines that should make all fans of this style happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Debora Lavagnolo (Vocal), Stephan Riner (Guitar), Tom Hiebaum (Keybords), Tobias Brutschi (Drums), Angelo Salerno (Bass)


Artist : RanestRane

Album : Apocalypse Now

Release Date : 14-06-2022

Added : 02-07-2022

I presented you their cover of the soundtrack of 'Starchild' from the 'Space Odyssey' series by 'Stanley Kubrick' which they released in 2018 and 'RanestRane' have since recorded the soundtrack for the Alan Parker film', 'The Walls' by 'Pink Floyd' which can be found on spotify here. For their latest album, the Italians have chosen to revisit the soundtrack of the 'Francis Ford Coppola' film, 'Apocalypse Now' released in 1979 and they have chosen to sing the lyrics in their native language. We therefore find interpretations that transform this soundtrack into a series of progressive atmospheres with accessible original melodic lines, such as the first title 'Saigon' which is divided in two with a first instrumental part reminiscent of the beginning of the 'Floyds' with the sounds of 'One Of These Days' then, a magnificent second sung part which unrolls a peaceful melody. In the area of long developments, we are spoiled since these are 3 titles which exceed 10 minutes with the 20 minutes of 'Napalm', in 4 parts, in which we cross multiple different soundscapes, then 'The Eden Cries' offers us contrasting atmospheres alternating different intensities with keyboards à la 'Keith Emerson' taking us back a few decades and finally, the 16 minutes of 'The Horror', cut into 6 sections, plunges us into a remarkable patchwork of different atmospheres, sometimes peaceful, sometimes more tormented. Around these gargantuan compositions, come to be added equally endearing compositions with the two parts of 'Cuore di Tenebra' which are declined in two different versions, 'Playmate' which brings us again to 'Floyds' but this time in the period of 'The Wall' and the final composition 'Un Nuovo Dio' which closes the album in a beautiful way with memorable melodic lines. In short, the Italians of 'RanestRane' once again show all the talent to cover soundtracks that they appropriate, and this latest album 'Apocalypse Now' is added to previous covers and should appeal to a whole public who love a progressive imaginative and melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Massimo Pomo (Guitar), Riccardo Romano (Keybords, Choirs), Maurizio Meo (Bass), Daniele Pomo (Drums, Percussions, Vocal)


Artist : Solace Supplice

Album : Liturgies Contemporaines

Release Date : 15-06-2022

Added : 03-07-2022

In parallel with the project 'Nine Skies', the French 'Anne-Claire Rallo' and 'Eric Bouillette' joined by 'Jimmy Pallagrosi' created a new project 'Solace Supplice' in 2020 and a first eponymous EP was released in July 2020 with 5 compositions (see here). With 'Liturgies Contemporaines', they offer us a pleasant marriage between rock and French song and deliver us in addition to the 5 compositions already known from the EP, 6 other titles, the whole being composed by 'Eric Bouillette' and the texts written by 'Anne -Claire Rallo'.

We are therefore embarked on this universe, sometimes quite dark and sometimes more playful, starting with 'Le tartuffe exemplaire' with its fast rhythm in an atmosphere of urgency with a magnificent fiery and corrosive text. In this style, we are also seduced by 'Les miradors' and a poignant new text, 'Sunset Street' and its haunting rhythm and 'Schizophrénie Paranoïde' which also shows a tormented face. More moderate but just as endearing, we will not miss 'A demi-maux' with its 'Floydian' guitar accompaniment and with its very beautiful saxophone solo, then the poetic 'Cosmos adultérin' unfolds its slow haunting melody then that with 'Au cirque des âmes', we are embarked on a magnificent catchy refrain which then gains momentum with the entry into the tracks of the saturated guitar. In the great tradition of French progressive rock, 'En guidant les hussards' is reminiscent of the poetry released by certain compositions by Ange and, on this track, 'Laurent Benhamou' delivers a moving saxophone solo, then, after the instrumental of the title song (see video above), 'Dans la couche du diable' is another melodic gem which slowly unrolls a slow tempo pouring out a captivating text and which offers a very beautiful guitar solo in the middle of the title, the album ending with another strong moment with 'Marasmes et décadence', in an atmosphere admirably merging an enormous tension and a sweetness brought by the piano accompaniment and some bewitching vocals.

In summary, the French of 'Solace Supplice' release a very emotional first album which shows all the talent of this original formation which manages to merge texts at the same time gripping and filled with poetry with rock tinged with progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Bouillette (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Violin), Anne-Claire Rallo (Keybords, Bass), Jimmy Pallagrosi (Drums), Willow Beggs (Bass) + Guests : Laurent Benhamou (Saxophone)


Artist : Jorn

Album : Over the Horizon Radar

Release Date : 17-06-2022

Added : 04-07-2022

The Norwegian 'Jorn Lande' has been well known on the heavy metal scene for more than 20 years with a discography that is becoming very substantial: for his fiftieth birthday, he released in 2018 the anniversary box set '50 Years On Earth - The Anniversary Box Set' with no less of 12 albums then his last studio recording of 2020, 'Heavy rock radio II – Executing the classics' was all about covers that happily took us back a few decades, without forgetting in the meantime his participation in the project 'Avantasia' by 'Tobias Sammet'. Still under the effigy of 'Frontiers Music' (we now naturally find 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' on keyboards), 'Over the Horizon Radar' is therefore his latest baby with always guitarists who have been following him for quite some time, 'Tore Moren' and 'Adrian SB', bassist 'Nik Mazzucconi' ('Shining Black', 'Edge Of Forever', 'Sunstorm') and drummer 'Francesco Jovino' ('Hardline'). Without revolutionizing the genre, they continue to distill good heavy metal with 10 new titles plus the extended version of 'Faith Bloody Faith' which was written for the Norwegian song contest to represent Norway at Eurovision, and which ends the album in a beautiful way. To give you an overview of this album, 3 videos are available on the 'Frontiers Music' youtube page, 'Over The Horizon Radar', 'Dead London' and 'One Man War', which are a good summary of what awaits you in this new opus. And if you hang on to these compositions, you should also adopt the powerful mid-tempo that are 'My Rock and Roll' conducive to the headbang, 'Special Edition' showing all the vocal talent of 'Jorn Lande', 'Ode to The Black Nightshade ' and its memorable melody or 'Believer', more classic but very effective. In short, we spend a very good time listening to this latest opus of 'Jorn Lande' which shows us that he is still one of the best singers of this style and 'Over the Horizon Radar' should please not only all the Norwegian's fans but to a whole audience that loves catchy and melodic heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Jorn Lande (Vocal), Adrian SB (Guitar), Tore Moren (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Francesco Jovino (Drums)


Artist : Eye of Melian

Album : Legends of Light

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 05-07-2022

The announcement of the separation of 'Delain' in 2021 had caused a stir in the world of symphonic metal, then, each member of the group left for other projects, 'Charlotte Vessels' releasing the solo album 'Tales From Six Under Feets' which showed another side of the singer, guitarist 'Timo Somers' going to participate in the latest album 'Revel In Time' from Arjen Anthony Lucassen's 'Star One' project, bassist 'Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije' joining melodic death/doom metal band 'Coldbound' and drummer 'Joey Marin de Boer' participating in several projects including alternative rock/metal band 'Dear Mother'. As for keyboardist 'Martijn Westerholt', he has created a new project, 'Eye Of Melian', with Finnish singer 'Johanna Kurkela', partner of keyboardist 'Tuomas Holopainen' from 'Nightwish' with whom she shares the project 'Auri'. With the American lyricist 'Robin La Joy', the Finnish orchestral arranger and producer 'Mikko P. Mustonen', to whom we can add renowned guests, they offer us their first album 'Legends of Light' resulting from crowdfunding .

To introduce you to this album, I will use the very beautiful (and very fair) presentation of their page bandcamp: " Come wander a star-less void, find solace in a silent snow-covered forest, and sail past the edge of the map. This is Eye of Melian. Eye of Melian's music has been described as lush symphonic movie score-like music - unfolding epic and elegant storyscapes in the mind. Their fantasy inspired music and lyrical themes readily whisk the listener away to otherworldy realms. ". We are therefore taken into a musical universe made of sweetness and serenity in which the teamwork of the four artists is a pure delight: the atmosphere of the compositions of 'Martijn Westerholt' are a real source of escape, the orchestrations of 'Mikko P. Mustonen' brings that little extra which largely contributes to the magical side, the lyrics of 'Robin La Joy Westerholt', Martijn's wife, add a poetic and imaginary dimension and, finally, the angelic voice of 'Johanna Kurkela ' makes us rise warm on a cozy little cloud from the beginning to the end of this very beautiful album.

In summary, 'Eye Of Melian' is a very special project that takes us to imaginary lands by immersing ourselves in enchanting music filled with tranquility and, I often borrow this stanza of the invitation to travel by 'Charles Baudelaire' which is still fully adapted to 'Legend of Lights': "there, all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and voluptuousness"...

Line Up / Musicians

Martijn Westerholt (Keybords, Choirs), Johanna Kurkela (Vocal), Robin La Joy Westerholt (Choirs), Mikko P. Mustonen (Orchestrations) + Guests : Troy Donockley (Bagpipe, Flutes), Leah (Vocal), Shir-Ran Yinon (Violin, Viola)


Artist : Dawn of Destiny

Album : Of Silence

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 07-07-2022

The Germans of 'Dawn of Destiny' are already around 15 years old and after 'To Hell' in 2015 and 'The Beast Inside' in 2019, here is their 8th studio recording, 'Destiny Of Silence'. I've always liked this group, which has evolved over time, so much so that we've given them a lot of labels related to metal: power, death, trash (perhaps excessive), gothic, dark and finally symphonic, which is not false in itself and which finally shows the variety of styles. Of course power metal is a kind of common thread because everything is done to offer us incisive and powerful guitar riffs throughout the album and for the rest, at first listen, we find this patchwork of styles described above and more or less integrated into the 13 compositions and the big hour of listening to 'Destiny Of Silence'.

And to start, the long development 'We Are Your Voice' contains quite a few different ingredients with a sought-after construction alternating different intensities but also with remarkable symphonic arrangements and a particularly rich vocal section thanks to the magnificent duet mixed 'Jeanette Scherff'/'Jens Faber' who offers us a very expressive first performance. Lovers of big riffs that make you headbang to your head, follows a huge 'Judas In Me' which overthrows everything in its path with a simple but so effective melody, then, 'Childhood' adds a layer with lines addictive melodies that come close to what the Germans of 'Mono Inc.'. In a hellish train, then tumbles 'Say My Name' which can recall certain compositions of 'Therion' thanks to rich vocal arrangements and melodic lines close to what 'Christofer Johnsson' composes, then, change of scenery with the tribal rhythm of 'White Mystery' which strikes us a powerful hymn with accelerations in which 'Jeanette Scherff' deploys an energetic song alternating with furious growls of 'Jens Faber'. With 'Not The Way Is', the catchy melodic lines continue in a catchy rhythm and the memorable chorus can recall the fire and enthusiasm of the symphonic metal of 'Visions Of Atlantis', then, place at the moment ballad with 'Little Flower' which offers a very classic melody but so effective which should see a whole audience swinging their arms slowly from left to right in concert with this additional tone at the end of the title bringing an additional emotion. Given the diversity of this first part of the album, the compositions passed very quickly and the second part continues on the same rhythm, with 'Burning Heart' which brings us back again to 'Mono Inc.' with its catchy melody and the deep voice of 'Jens Faber' which sounds like 'Martin Engler', then 'Silence' is a new ballad, just as addictive as the first, which is followed by 'Run' with its joyful chorus to be sung in concert and 'The Curse' continues in this direction with new catchy melodic lines, a string accompaniment that fits very well with the lively rhythm and a remarkable guitar solo. And the album ends on a high note with, first of all, a very pleasant dancing 'Inner Voice' and its catchphrase which is likely to run through your head all day and, then, the long and very original development which brings together a classic piano with saturated guitar riffs and which offers a construction containing several different parts bringing a slight dose of progressive.

In summary, the Germans of 'Dawn Of Destiny' release a very beautiful album, varied, dense and melodic which can be listened to with happiness from the first to the last composition without any weariness: whether you are an amateur or lover of power metal, symphonic metal, gothic metal or even melodic metal, you should, without a doubt, adhere fairly quickly to this 'Of Silence'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jeanette Scherff (Vocal, Choirs), Jens Faber (Bass, Piano, Vocal, Choirs), Veith Offenbächer (Guitar), Dirk Raczkiewicz (Keybords), Philipp Bock (Drums) + Guests : Chris Harms (Vocal), Laura Wessels (Violin), Gerd Fischer (Cello)


Artist : Yael Naïm

Album : Live Solo In Paris

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 14-07-2022

I've always liked the big gaps in music, and I try particularly in myprogmusic to put one after the other, choruses from very different artists. The last 3 reviews were dedicated to the metalhead from 'Black Stone Cherry', then to the talented American singer 'Janiva Magness' and finally to the energy of the Swedish anthems from 'Sole Syndicate'. So, without transition, it is the singer, author, and composer 'Yael Naïm' who is now in the spotlight with an intimate concert that she recorded in the Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris, which brings a very special acoustic to this magnificent live. Obviously, her repertoire lends itself admirably to this spare style and allows her, I quote her, "to be able to improvise and let the songs take me where my emotion of the moment takes me. During these moments, I feel that I can fly away." And to illustrate his words, I will simply give you the example of the emblematic title 'New Soul' which has toured the planet, and which is unrecognizable but so moving. We therefore let ourselves be carried away for an hour and a quarter on a magnificent journey out of time and to realize this wonderful atmosphere, three videos are available on youtube in which she is accompanied by guest artists: first of all, the poignant Daddy with his brother 'Eyal Naïm', then Watching You with the singer 'Anaiis' and Lonely with singer 'Celia Kameni'. In short, no need to add more, this magnificent concert allows us to share these unique moments with 'Yael Naïm' and we rediscover this authentic artist in a refined atmosphere which only keeps the substance of the music, bringing an additional dimension uniquely emotional...

Line Up / Musicians

Yael Naïm (Vocal, Piano, Guitar) + Guests : Eyal Naïm (Vocal), Anaiis (Vocal), Celia Kameni (Vocal)


Artist : YYNOT

Album : Light and Shade

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 09-07-2022

I didn't know the Americans from 'YYNOT', a band that was created by multi-instrumentalist producer and author 'Billy Alexander' and bassist 'Tim Starace' in 2015. They started by making covers of 'Rush' which can be found on their page bandcamp. It was in 2018 that they released their self-titled debut album which is followed by 'Resonance' in 2019. 'Light and Shade' is their third album which was recorded with singer 'Rocky Kuner' who has now left the band and is now replaced by 'Patty PerShayla'. They offer us a clever mix of pop, rock and hard-rock with marked influences from the great groups of the 70s, 'Rush' necessarily being one of them.

The instrumental 'Wire and Wood' welcomes us with an acoustic guitar on a classical theme then, after a short minute switches to a rhythmic and lively rock, the rhythm section, bass and drums leading the dance of beautiful way, the whole bringing a good dose of progressive with changes of intensity and tempo, then, 'Living Proof', between pop and rock, shows a catchy face with a melody that easily enters my head and makes me a bit reminiscent of the style of some early titles of 'Pretenders', certainly through guitar playing. Cooler and flirting with a Westcoast atmosphere, 'Fall from the Sky' offers us a soft harmonious singing of 'Rocky Kuner' and a very beautiful guitar solo of 'Billy Alexander', then, more energetic, 'Mask' continues in this direct and effective rock very seventies. Change of scenery with the magnificent semi-acoustic ballad 'Firefly' in the great tradition of American song, then 'Weight of the World' and 'Burning Bridge' return to more classic rock with remarkable new vocal performances from 'Rocky Kuner ', the album ending with the melodic and driving 'Stars, Sun and Moon', which sums up this album well with a memorable final chorus.

In summary, the Americans of 'YYNOT' release a very pleasant album to listen to which makes us surf on accessible pop/rock by taking us back to the 70s/80s and we hope that they will continue, with their new singer 'Patty PerShayla', to offer us this quality of music in the future...

Line Up / Musicians

Rocky Kuner (Vocal), Billy Alexander (Guitar, Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Tim Starace (Bass), Mike Hetzel (Drums) + Guest : Tony Morra (Drums)


Artist : Supersonic Blues Machine

Album : Voodoo Nation

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 10-07-2022

'Supersonic Blues Machine' is a band from California which is quite recent as their first album, 'West Of Flushing, South Of Frisco' dates from 2016, and I discovered them in 2017 with their second album 'Californisoul'. 'Voodo Nation' is therefore their third baby, and, with a change of line-up, the singer and guitarist 'Kris Barras' having replaced 'Lance Lopez', they continue to offer us good blues/rock. For the occasion and as we are used to now, they have invited prestigious artists from the blues scene: we find there, honor to the ladies, the Serbian singer 'Ana Popovic', lead singer 'Charlie Starr' from 'Blackberry Smoke', singer and guitarist 'Eric Gales' and also 'Solomon Hicks', guitarist 'Josh Smith ', guitarist 'Sonny Landreth', singer and guitarist 'Joe Louis Walker' and vocalist and guitarist 'Kirk Fletcher'.

At the level of the theme developed, no surprise, we are right in the news and 'Fabrizio Grossi' declares the evidence that some are beginning to understand: "The general discontent in the world at the now is so widespread that we're told to accept it because that's life. No, that's not life! That's the way we're forced to live these days. 'Voodoo Nation' refers to the "Time we live in, at least here in the United States, but I think the whole world can relate to it. We're getting to a point where we're living our lives almost like zombies. We're little machines. ". To give you an idea of this opus, here are three videos that are available on youtube: 'Too Late', '8 Ball Lucy' and 'All Our Love'.

In short, in a varied blues/rock and with talented artists, 'Supersonic Blues Machine' continue their way by offering us a new studio recording very pleasant to listen to and 'Voodoo Nation' is yet another album to add to the nightclub for all fans of the great tradition of American blues song that has become somehow timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabrizio Grossi (Bass), Kris Barras (Vocal, Guitar), Kenny Aronoff (Drums) + Guests : King Solomon Hicks (Vocal), Josh Smith (Guitar), Sonny Landreth (Guitar), Eric Gales (Vocal), Joe Louis Walker (Vocal), Ana Popovic (Vocal), Kirk Fletcher (Vocal), Charlie Starr (Vocal)


Artist : Black Stone Cherry

Album : Live From The Royal Albert Hall – Y'All!

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 11-07-2022

For any musical artist, to play at the 'Royal Albert Hall' is a kind of consecration and the Americans of the heavy metal formation 'Black Stone Cherry', for the twentieth anniversary of the group, had the pride of being able to tread the stage at this legendary London venue. And to tell you the truth, they offer us an anthology concert in which they go through their imposing repertoire with a total of 18 titles played in a crazy atmosphere, the public being in perfect osmosis with the quartet which releases a phenomenal set without downtime by linking the titles one after the other, 'Chris Robertson' leading his boat with a masterful hand by releasing a communicative energy throughout the concert. To give you an idea of the overheated atmosphere of this live, four videos are available on youtube: Again, Ringin' In My Head, Things My Father Said and Blame it on the Boom Boom. In short, no need to add more, for all lovers of good heavy metal, all you must do is turn up the sound a few decibels and let yourself be carried away by the 'Black Stone Cherry' wave. and, if you have more affinities, you can get the Blu Ray because, in this kind of atmosphere, the video is a significant plus to take full advantage of these fantastic moments of communion between the artists and the public...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Robertson (Vocal, Guitar), Ben Wells (Guitar), Steve Jewell Jr. (Bass), John Fred Young (Drums)


Artist : Janiva Magness

Album : Hard to Kill

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 12-07-2022

Little known on our side of the Atlantic, 'Janiva Magness' a renowned artist in the United States since she is already seven times winner of a 'Blues Music Award' and also nominated for the 'Grammy Awards'. His debut album 'More Than Live' dates from 1991 and this latest studio recording 'Hard to Kill' is the 16th of his already busy career, his last opus of 2019 'Change In The Weather' having been devoted to covers of 'John Fogerty'. This new opus shows the diversity of this artist who mixes blues, rock, pop, soul and funk, starting with a catchy 'Strong as Steel' (see video above) with a chorus that immediately hits your head, followed by 'The Last Time' which smells good intense funk showing all the feeling of Janiva's singing in this atmosphere with a marked rhythm. Follows 'Don't You Forget About Me' and which takes us on a playful and dancing soul, then 'Fireman' is a very beautiful ballad in which the American expresses all her sensuality. In four titles, we already have a diverse range of styles and the sequel continues to alternate these different atmospheres and we can mention the other equally catchy funky titles such as 'Lover Girl', 'You And Me' and 'Standing on the Moon ' and the second part highlights magnificent more intimate compositions such as 'Comes Around', 'Right Here', 'Closer' and 'Oh Pearl' which closes the album in a very refined atmosphere in which the American passes a palpable emotion. In summary, 'Javina Magness' offers us a great variety of compositions which demonstrate all her talent as a singer, and which should reach a large audience who love this mixture of styles in the great tradition of American song...

Line Up / Musicians

Janiva Magness (Vocal), Zach Zunis (Guitar), Dave Darling (Guitar), Jim Alfredson (Keybords), Matt Tecu (Drums), Gary Davenport (Bass), Brie Darling (Percussions), Andrew Lowden (Choirs), Bernie Barlow (Choirs), Sasha Smith (Keybords), John Németh (Vocal)


Artist : Sole Syndicate

Album : Into The Flames

Release Date : 17-06-2022

Added : 13-07-2022

In my playlist of Rock and hard albums-melodic rock of the second half of 2020, I introduced you to the Swedes of 'Sole Syndicate' who released their 2nd studio recording 'Last Days of Eden'. Always led by singer and guitarist 'Jonas Månsson, they are doing it again with a new album, 'Into The Flames', well filled since it totals 65 minutes of listening, and the line-up has undergone some changes at the section level guitar, since the two guitarists present on the previous album have left the group, and 'Katja Rasila' adds a keyboard section to modulate the ardor of the saturated guitars.

From the start, with the first three titles 'Forsaken', 'Count to Zero' and 'Brave Enough', we embark on big sound and catchy melodies, keyboardist 'Katja Rasila' allowing the group to bring a binder to the whole. Among the powerful hits, we can also mention the fast 'Miss Behave', the huge 'Dust of Angels' with its addictive chorus and the second part of the album has nothing to envy to the first with a 'Sunset Strip' with AOR looks, the mid-tempo 'Do You Believe' and 'Freak Like Me' with their marked rhythm and their memorable refrains or the catchy and powerful 'Back Against the Wall'. In the middle of all this energy deployed, the Swedes offer us breaks with the magnificent 'Shadow of My Love' to add to the best power metal ballads but also, the power ballad 'In the Absence Of Light' with its very beautiful breaks still putting forward 'Katja Rasila', this time on the piano. And to end this superb album, the 10 minutes of 'Back Against the Wall' takes us a long development alternating quiet sections and other more energetic ones bringing a good dose of progressive, the whole continuing to benefit from accessible melodic lines.< /br>
In summary, the Swedes of 'Sole Syndicate' release a second album in which scroll titles which could each have been the subject of a single which should make people happy and happy not only among fans of the group but also among all those who navigate between hard rock and powerful and catchy melodic metal at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Månsson (Vocal, Guitar), Katja Rasila (Keybords), Henrik Zetterlund (Drums), David Gustafsson (Bass)


Artist : Fallen Sanctuary

Album : Terranova

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 15-07-2022

'Fallen Sanctuary' was born from the meeting of singer 'Georg Neuhauser' from 'Serenity' and guitarist 'Marco Pastorino' from the Italian band 'Temperance' and 'Terranova' is their first studio recording. Knowing the pedigree of each of the two artists, we are not out of place and, moreover, the name of this formation takes up the title of one of the albums of 'Serenity' dating from 2008 (see here).

And indeed, from the start with 'Terranova' (see video above), we find the spirit of 'Serenity' brought by the always expressive singing of 'Georg Neuhauser' (the last single of 'Serenity ', 'In the Name of Scotland', is further proof) and the suite continues in this energetic melodic metal with melodies that immediately enter your head: follow 'Now and Forever' (see the video here) and 'Broken Dreams' (see video here) completely in the spirit of the Austrian combo with their chorus f editor. And if you adhere to this beginning of the album, you should also like the catchy 'Rise Against The World' with its beautiful vocal harmonies, the fast 'Destiny' with its addictive chorus or the effective 'Trail of Destruction' with his keyboard accompaniment. And when lights dims, 'Georg Neuhauser' has no equal to offer us melodic jewels, and in this album, the ballads are two in number with 'I Can't Stay' and 'Wait for Me' bizarrely relegated to a bonus title. The end of the album offers three rather dispensable instrumental covers.

In summary, this new project 'Fallen Sanctuary' of the two friends 'Georg Neuhauser' and 'Marco Pastorino' offers us good melodic metal with compositions marked with the imprint of 'Georg Neuhauser' which should please all the fans of 'Serenity' but also to all those who navigate between melodic and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Guitar), Alfonso Mocerino (Drums), Gabriele Gozzi (Bass)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : C4

Release Date : 01-07-2022

Added : 17-07-2022

Always very discreet on the web, the German 'Chris Engels' is nonetheless very active musically because after the release of 'The Lost One' at the start of 2022, albums are springing up like mushrooms and spotify presents three new ones with release dates so close together that it's hard to believe that all this production was done in a few months: the albums 'One' and 'The Wind' appear in May 2022 but their releases date a priori, respectively from 2020 and 2021. He also released the solo album 'Tesla' which can be heard on youtube here and this review is therefore about his latest album from the 'CEN-Projekt' project, 'C4', released a few days ago.

For this opus, the lyrics are borrowed from different poets and, musically, we find this progressive inherited from the 70s which had me much more in the previous album: 'Peace Restored' welcomes us with a catchy melody at the marked rhythm in a semi-acoustic atmosphere mixing folk and progressive influences, then, 'Arrival in the Land of Freedom' is quieter and deploys a slow tempo, the second part bringing a very beautiful break to start again on the starting theme . Follows 'Memory' which continues in this atmospheric progressive unrolling a new memorable melody, then, we will find this atmosphere later on titles like the very beautiful 'Bedouin Song', 'The Princess', 'The Two Friends' or even ' Solitude' which ends the album in style, the whole benefiting from remarkable vocal performances which can make one think of the atmospheres released by certain artists like 'Ray Wilson', 'Bjørn Riis' or 'Yogi Lang', lead singer of 'RPWL'.

In summary, it is still a beautiful album to be credited to the German 'Chris Engels' who takes care of all the stages, from composition to recording, bassist 'Wolfang Kropf' accompanying him on certain compositions, and this last album 'C4' should appeal to a whole audience that likes the references I mentioned above and we could add others who have released an album recently like the Germans of 'starfish64' or Norwegians from 'Laughing Stock' or even the English from 'Kaprekar's Constant'...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Wolfgang Kropf (Bass)


Albums not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q2 2022

This playlist features albums released in Q2 2022 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

April 2022
04/01/2022 David Judson Clemmons - Lights For The Living - Progressive Metal
04/01/2022 Dreamtale - Everlasting Flame - Power Metal
04/01/2022 False Memories - Live Until the Twilight - Symphonic/Gothic Metal
04/01/2022 Varjo-Orkesteri - Prima Volta - Progressive Rock
04/08/2022 Renaissance - Live at Fillmore West 1970 - Progressive Rock
04/08/2022 Rémi Orts Project - Desert Wind - Progressive Rock
04/11/2022 tRKproject - Books That End in Tears - Progressive Rock
04/15/2022 The Light In The Ocean - Deep Reef Dream - Progressive Rock
04/15/2022 Tyler Gilbert - Kill The Magic - Rock
04/15/2022 Nazareth - Surviving The Law - Hard Rock
04/16/2022 Dead End Space - Cosmic Comedian - Progressive Rock
04/20/2022 The John Irvine Band - Psychopomp - Jazz Rock
04/22/2022 Amanda - Weltenraum - Psychedelic Rock
04/22/2022 Sideless - Choose the Way - Progressive Rock
04/24/2022 Evendusk - Roses of the Dusk - Gothic Metal
04/29/2022 Alex Carpani - Microcosm - Progressive/Symphonic Rock
May 2022
05/02/2022 Arnaud Quevedo - Roan - Jazz Rock
05/06/2022 Pure Reason Revolution - Above Circus - Progressive Rock
05/06/2022 Halestorm - Back From the Dead - Hard Rock
05/06/2022 Black Eye - Black Eye - Melodic Metal
05/06/2022 Jani Liimatainen - My Father's Son - Melodic Metal
05/13/202 Anniken - Climb Out Of Hell - Melodic Rock/Hard Rock
05/13/2022 Graham Bonnet Band - Day out in Nowhere - Melodic Hard Rock
05/13/2022 Orkan - Livsgaranti - Retro progressive rock
05/13/2022 Zero Hour - Agenda 21 - Progressive Metal
05/20/2022 Black Code - Black Code - Hard Rock
05/27/2022 Dopapod - Dopapod - Progressive Rock/Jam
05/27/2022 Passage - Voyage - Instrumental Progressive Rock
June 2022
06/03/2022 All Things Fallen - Shadow Way - Progressive/Melodic Metal
06/03/2022 Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah & Songs from His Albums - Song
06/06/2022 Antony Kalugin - Rebirth - Instrumental Progressive Rock
06/10/2022 Wardruna - Kvitravn – First Flight of The White Raven - Nordic folk music
06/10/2022 Windrose - Warfront - Power Metal
06/10/2022 Majesty of Revival - Pinnacle - Progressive Metal
06/10/2022 Deathwhite - Grey Everlasting - Gothic Metal
06/10/2022 Magica - Luna Nebuna - Symphonic Metal
06/17/2022 Wayward Sons - Score Settled - Hard Rock
06/17/2022 Civil War - Invaders - Power Metal
06/17/2022 Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King - Pop/Rock/Hard rock
06/17/2022 Seven Kingdoms - Zenith - Power Metal
06/17/2022 Charlie Griffiths - Tiktaalika - Progressive Metal
06/24/2022 Victorius - Dinosaur Warfare Pt. 2 – The Great Ninja War - Power Metal
06/24/2022 Chris Antblad - Sweet Surrender - Pop/Rock


Artist : Inhalo

Album : Sever

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 19-07-2022

'Sever' is the first album of a new project 'Inhalo', Dutch formation between rock and progressive metal, but 'Fons Herder' is not unknown since he was the creator of the progressive group 'A Liquid Landscape' whose the last album 'The Largest Fire Known To Man' dates from 2014. multiple influences in their music and we can cite all the major bands with multiple progressive labels that are 'Porcupine Tree', 'Haken', 'Pain Of Salvation' or still 'Riverside'. Considering these references, you can imagine that their compositions require a few listenings before soaking up and drawing all the richness from them because they take us on a very beautiful journey, dense and made of multiple changes of atmosphere.

To illustrate this, the first two titles 'Omiscient Being' and 'Subterfuge' form one and we are welcomed by a magnificent instrumental on the piano, reminding me of certain improvisations of the late 'Keith Emerson' who does not, in any way, predict the future, because 'Subterfuge' takes us into a universe made of tensions and relaxations, alternating powerful sections and others much calmer, the melodic side being very present and bringing a certain accessibility. Moreover, the recording benefits from an impeccable production with extraordinary dynamics, whether in the powerful passages or the quieter ones, the powerful vocals of 'Fons Herder' integrating remarkably into the whole. The following title 'Sisyphean' continues in big sound in a calmer atmosphere which benefits from an inventive rhythm section and a remarkable instrumental passage in the second part, then, 'Pretenders' further softens the subject and is a very beautiful atmospheric ballad in crescendo completely in the same climate as some title of the last 'Porcupine Tree'. Follows 'Eventide' which begins with some Hindu sounds which take us on an exotic sonic journey, the percussion section further adding to this exotic climate, and which then alternates with powerful sections with memorable melodic lines. With 'Mirror Door', we find this juxtaposition of tension and relaxation brought about by alternations between calm passages and others releasing an extraordinary energy (magnificent passage at 2.50 with the a capella part of 'Fons Herder' which then hardens its singing by bringing a remarkable power) which makes it, for me, one of the major pieces of the album, just like the long development 'Last Vestige', which follows, and which shows a more tormented climate with a repetitive rhythmic section which brings a palpable tension throughout the title and which is released in a powerful and percussive chorus. And the opus ends, as it had begun, with the short and soft piano comma 'Sever' with contemporary sounds.

In summary, this new project 'Inhalo', produced by the new Dutch label 'Construction Records' is a very good surprise for 2022 and should reach an audience that loves a modern and inventive progressive, like what the major formations mentioned in the introduction of this chronicle can produce...

Line Up / Musicians

Fons Herder (Vocal), Roy Willems (Guitar), Peter Cats (Bass), Pepijn Gros (Drums) + Guest : Tim Gros (Piano), Vincent Sjoerd Swierstra (Sarangi)


Artist : Derek Sherinian

Album : Vortex

Release Date : 01-07-2022

Added : 20-07-2022

His latest album 'The Phoenix' end date 2020 and keyboard player from 'Sons Of Apollo', 'Derek Sherinian', brings out a new opus with again an impressive list of renowned guitarists who each participate in at least one composition: we find 'Joe Bonamassa', 'Michael Schenker', 'Mike Stern', 'Nuno Bettencourt', 'Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal', 'Steve Lukather', 'Steve Stevens' and 'Zakk Wylde'. Built on a patchwork of different styles, he offers us 8 titles ranging from rock to funk through jazz and metal, all this of course being part of sought-after and quite complex progressive paths in which our artists deploy all their talent, the whole always remaining very melodic. We are therefore embarked on an instrumental whirlwind taking us from energetic hard-rock with 'The Vortex' to an exotic 'Die Kobra' mixing East and West via a catchy 'Fire Horse', merging rock and jazz, climate which we also find in 'Seven Seas' but which this time alternates rock and jazz without forgetting the funky 'Key Lime Blues' and 'Nomad's Land' mixing jazz and funk reminiscent of 'Herbie Hanckock' in the 80s. And for fans of long developments, 'Aurora Australis' summarizes the whole by bringing together all the styles present on the album with a complex and imaginative construction in which 'Derek Sherinian' and 'Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal' demonstrate a very nice complementarity. In short, as he had already done with his last opus 'The Phoenix', 'Derek Sherinian' continues to offer us sought-after and imaginative compositions highlighting his talent as a composer and his virtuosity as an interpreter that he shares with the cream of the guitarists invited for the occasion, which makes 'Vortex' a very rich and very dense album intended for an informed public who like instrumental progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Simon Phillips (Drums), Tony Franklin (Bass) + Guests : Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Michael Schenker (Guitar), Mike Stern (Guitar), Nuno Bettencourt (Guitar), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar), Steve Lukather (Guitar), Steve Stevens (Guitar), Zakk Wylde (Guitar)


Artist : Amarok

Album : Hunt Live 2018

Release Date : 07-07-2022

Added : 22-07-2022

I reviewed his album 'Hunt' upon its release in 2017, and Amarok' bandleader 'Michal Wojtas', after 'The Storm' in 2019 and 'Hero' in 2021, just released a live recorded in Poznam in 2018 which contains 5 of the 9 compositions of 'Hunt'. Accompanied by 'Konrad Pajek' on guitar and backing vocals, 'Maciej Caputa' on keyboards and 'Paweł Kowalsk' on drums as well as the distinguished guest, British musician 'Colin Bass' ('Camel'), he takes us back to his atmospheric progressive universe led by aerial keyboards that take us back to the beginning of this style in the 70s, and parade 'Anonymous' and its subtle crescendo, the melodic and hovering 'Distorted Soul' with its haunting section of theremin and the haunting 'Winding Stair' with a vocal accompaniment on which we gives up completely, the album ending in apotheosis with the long development 'Hunt' and the magnificent 'Nuke' on which 'Colin Bass' lends his voice. In short, this short live from Amarok' allows you to come back to the very beautiful album that is 'Hunt' and, for those who are not yet familiar with this project, to discover a progressive musical universe to quietly enjoy the headphones on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Michał Wojtas (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions, Drums Electronique, Theremin), Konrad Pajek (Guitar, Choirs), Maciej Caputa (Keybords), Paweł Kowalsk (Drums) + Guest : Colin Bass (Vocal)


Artist : Journey

Album : Freedom

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 24-07-2022

In the series "it's in the old pots that we make the best soups", it's the turn of the Americans of 'Journey' to remember our good memories, because after 'Eclipse' in 2011, it was a radio silence for 11 long years for this legendary group which made the beautiful days from the AOR in the 70s/80s with no less than 9 albums, ranging from The self-titled album in 1975 at 'Raised On Radio' in 1986. So, what about this 2022 'Journey' cuvée? The least we can say is that it's a dense album since the Americans offer us 15 titles for nearly 75 minutes of listening and, to begin with, the fans of the group of the first two decades will not be confused because we find in half compositions which made the popularity of 'Journey' with melodies that we immediately appropriate and with choirs always so radiant. We can cite the melodic hits that are the classy 'Together We Run', 'Don't Give Up on Us' with its addictive chorus, the catchy 'You Got The Best Of Me' and 'Don't Go', the mid -tempo 'The Way We Used To Be' already known for a year now and 'United We Stand' in the same register which can also recall the best of 'Foreigner' or the rhythmic 'All Day, All Night'. And when 'Journey' pushes the sound slightly and borders on a more muscular melodic hard rock, the 'Come Away With Me', 'Let It Rain' and 'Holdin On' can confuse some of them but allow to vary the styles taking into account the album density. And then, you can imagine, the quieter moments are not forgotten and are very well represented with no less than three very beautiful ballads which are 'Still Believe In Love', 'Live To Love Again' and 'After Glow'. And to finish, the 7 minutes of 'Beautiful as You Are' mix softness and radiant AOR what constitutes a good summary of the album with a last melody which does not leave you anymore. In summary, the kings of the AOR of the 70s/80s offer us a dense and varied album, and the title 'Freedom', in these troubled times, brings us back to a time when this notion of freedom still had a real meaning, the proof is with these luminous and harmonious melodies which have now become timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Arnel Pineda (Vocal), Jonathan Cain (Keybords, Choirs), Neal Schon (Guitar, Choirs), Randy Jackson (Bass, Choirs), Narada Michael Walden (Drums, Choirs), Deen Castronovo (Choirs), Jason Deralta (Choirs)


Artist : Powerwolf

Album : The Monumental Mass: A Cinematic Metal Event

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 26-07-2022

The Germans of 'Powerwolf' released ' Call of the Wild' in 2021 but, deprived of concerts because of what you know and, knowing the search for the spectacular of this power metal band, here we are in 2022 with the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the pharaonic project which had been broadcast in livestream between December 17 and December 22, 2021, satisfying all fans of the combo with in particular a festival of impressive pyrotechnic effects. It's a kind of best off of their best compositions for 1 hour and a quarter of a show and everything is done to impress us because all the addictive hymns of the 'Germans' follow one after the other. Consequently, musically, nothing new since these are already known titles but to give you an idea of the visual aspect of this show, 3 videos are available on the site of 'Napalm Records': in the order of the set list, first 'Venom Of Venus', then 'Glaubenskraft' and finally 'Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend. In short, no need to add more, with this grandiose show, the Germans of 'Powerwolf' still set the bar a little higher in bombast. We already have a good overview with the CD which shows an irreproachable production and a beautiful burst of energy of a concert atmosphere, but 'The Monumental Mass' cannot be conceived without the image because everything has been implemented for a unique musical show...

Line Up / Musicians

Attila Dorn (Vocal), Falk Maria Schlegel (Keybords), Charles Greywolf (Guitar), Matthew Greywolf (Guitar), Roel van Helden (Drums)


Artist : Crossing Rubicon

Album : Perfect Storm

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 31-07-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

To start, in chronological order of releases, it is the Americans of 'Crossing Rubicon' who are in the spotlight with a new project born from the collaboration of multi-instrumentalist/producer 'Cenk Eroglu' and singer 'John Bisaha'. In an AOR style bringing us back to the best of the 80s, they offer us 11 compositions in the style of 'Foreigner' or 'Journey' and the duo recorded this first family album because the sons of 'Cenk Eroglu' are part of the adventure with Efe on guitar and keyboards and Reis Ali on drums, to which we must add the participation in the singing of the companion of 'John Bisaha', 'Holly Bisaha'. In summary, we have a great time listening to this 'Perfect Storm' with various compositions alternating energetic atmospheres ('Perfect Storm', 'Reason to Die', 'On the Run', 'Cry Me a River' , 'Time (Without You') and quieter moments ('Scar', 'Tool Late', '100 Thousand Years', 'Never Again', 'Get Away', 'Crash & Burn')...

Line Up / Musicians

Cenk Eroglu (Guitar, Keybords), John Bisaha (Vocal, Bass), Efe Eroglu (Guitar, Keybords), Reis Ali Eroglu (Drums) + Guests : Holly Bisaha (Vocal), Reb Beach, Pat Mastelotto, Ray Coburn


Artist : Altaria

Album : Wisdom

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 01-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

The second chronicle of this summer period is dedicated to the Finns of 'Altaria' who began their career in 2003 with two albums in stride 'Invitation' in 2003 and 'Divinity' in 2004. Followed 'The Fallen Empire' and 'Unholy', respectively in 2006 and 2009, then nothing until 2018, the year during which they decided to continue the 'Altaria' adventure with a new album 'Wisdom' which was due to be released in 2019 but which, due to the health crisis, has only been available since the beginning of July 2022. They therefore offer us a new slab of 10 compositions made of good melodic hard-rock with memorable refrains which bring a pleasure to immediate listening starting with the eponymous title of the album and we can also quote the addictive melody of 'Diablo Roj o', the energetic 'Power to Heal', 'Sometimes' which takes us back to the 80s with a little air of 'Survivor', just like 'Victory of Winter' and 'History of Times to Come' which follow with new melodies to sing along to. We won't miss either the 8 minutes of 'Crimson Rain' and the last title 'Kingdom of the Night' but we can regret the absence of ballads which would have allowed some breaks. In summary, the Finns of 'Altaria' are back with a good melodic hard-rock album that should please all fans of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Taage Laiho (Vocal), Pétri Aho (Guitar), JP Alanen (Guitar), Marko Pukkila (Bass), Tony Smedjebacka (Drums)


Artist : Cleanbreak

Album : Coming Home

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 02-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

We continue our summer series with the Americans of 'Clenbreak' led by 'James Durbin' who release a new album, 'Coming Home', in a melodic heavy metal style with powerful compositions which parade happily one behind the other, ' James Durbin' providing all the vocal power needed, 'Mike Flyntz' sharp guitar-driven riffs repeatedly triggering the headbanging machine and 'Perry Richardson'/'Robert Sweet' rhythm section providing the perfect accompaniment throughout . In short, no need to add more, I let you discover this very beautiful album 'Coming Home' which is a suite of hits with melodies that we immediately appropriate and which should make any fan of a bright and powerful heavy metal...

Line Up / Musicians

James Durbin (Vocal), Mike Flyntz (Guitar), Perry Richardson (Bass), Robert Sweet (Drums)


Artist : Palace

Album : One 4 The Road

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 03-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

I presented you the last 'Palace' in 2020 with 'Rock and Roll Radio' and the singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Michael Palace' continues his road with a new album 'One 4 The Road' which he has again entirely realized, from the composition to the production by also ensuring all the instrumental registers. On this latest opus, various singers known from the melodic hard-rock scene have collaborated and who come to reinforce the vocal section for an always perfect result. And I could not even extract a few titles that marked me the most because each composition gave me a great immediate listening pleasure: at the start, 'Fifteen Minutes' puts you in the bath with its addictive melody, then 'Westbound' drives the point home with a catchy new chorus and the catchy 'Too Old for This' gives you an irresistible desire to accompany the chorus in choirs. The sequel is on the same level with melodic lines as harmonious as ever and 'The Driver' is to be added to the best ballads of AOR. In short, 'Michael Palace' shows once again all his talent for memorable melodies and, of Lithuanian origin, it is perhaps not by chance that he migrated to Sweden, a country which is renowned for being one of the greatest purveyors of rock and melodic hard-rock in the world...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Palace (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Drums, Harmonica, Saxophone) + Guests : Harry Hess (Vocal), Goran Edman (Vocal), Jakob Samuel (Vocal), Toby Hitchcock (Vocal)


Artist : Taz Taylor Band

Album : Nocturnal

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 04-08-2022

Line Up / Musicians

Taz Taylor (Guitar), Val Trainor (Drums), Barney Firks (Bass), Richie Klaar (Guitar) + Guests : David Reece (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal), Graham Bonnet (Vocal), Doogie White (Vocal)


Artist : Orianthi

Album : Live from Hollywood

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 05-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Strangely, the Australian singer and guitarist 'Orianthi' is not very well known in Europe but she is one of the essential artists of the global melodic rock and hard-rock scene. With a well-filled CV (she has collaborated, among others, with 'Mickael Jackson', 'Carlos Santana' or even 'Alice Cooper'), she released a live album recorded at Hollywood's 'Bourbon Room' on January 8, 2022, and the setlist, (rather short because it does not exceed the hour), highlights a variety of styles ranging from rock to hard-rock through blues/rock and the concert atmosphere shows a real complicity with its audience which creates a very good atmosphere. And from the first title 'Contagious', from his latest album 'O', we are under the spell of this catchy style which gives a great energy and which unrolls a first memorable melody then, the titles follow one another without downtime with some nice interactions with the public and the quieter moments are not forgotten with 'Blues Don't Leave Me Alone' and 'How Do You Sleep' which are very good and torrid blues/rock. In summary, this live performance of the beautiful Australian 'Orianthi' highlights all the talent of this artist who takes on her full dimension in concert to convey to the public all her feeling, whether through her powerful singing but also through her guitar, the solos being of great beauty and having given me on several occasions this little shiver characteristic of an intense listening pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Orianthi (Guitar, Vocal), Nick Mayfield (Guitar), Carmen Vandenberg (Guitar), Justin Andres (Bass), Michael Bearden (Keybords), Glen Sobel (Drums)


Artist : Phil Vincent

Album : No Respect

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 06-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

After 'Stigmata' en 2021 and the other album 'Quantum 8' with his 'D'Ercole' project in early 2022, 'Phil Vincent' continues his breakneck pace of recording albums and July 2022 saw the release of his new baby 'No Respect'. We therefore find the punchy and percussive style of the American who offers us this time 10 compositions for 41 minutes of listening and, at the start, 'Nobody Cares' sends us a good dose of heavy metal with a big sound supported by an energetic rhythm section. We find this heavy atmosphere on most ('War Arrow', 'The Rifleman', 'Fair Game', 'Feel so Bad' and 'When Will It End?') and 'Make It Last' and 'Anywhere at All' can remind some riffs of 'Status Quo'. And in the middle of all this sound power, some compositions are more moderate and the 'Road to Nowhere' and 'Since I Lost You' bring a variety to the whole. In short, between hard-rock and metal and as stipulated on its page bandcamp, the "one man band" 'Phil Vincent' continues to shower us with melodies that we immediately assimilate and, for all lovers of big sound with a singer with a powerful voice, you should subscribe to his latest opus 'No Respect'...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vincent (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Max Piccolo (Drums, Percussions), Vince O'Regan (Guitar)


Artist : Lessmann/Voss

Album : Rock Is Our Religion

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 07-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

In line with a melodic rock straight from the 80s, the German duo 'Claus Lessmann'/'Michel Voss', known for being the producers of 'Michael Schenker' released a first studio recording 'Rock Is Our Religion'. We therefore embark on a series of melodic hits and this, from the first titles, 'Medicine Man', 'Smoke Without A Fire' and 'Runaway Days' which unfold unifying hymns with heady refrains that give an irresistible desire to resume them in chorus. The suite is on the same level and quieter compositions allow to bring a beautiful variety to the whole with the mid-tempo 'Fight For Our Love', 'Take My Heart And Run' and 'Look Around' and the very beautiful ballad 'Slow Dance'. Note the cover of 'Sister Golden Hair' from the group 'America' released in 1975 which fits perfectly into the light and radiant atmosphere of the whole. In summary, the German producers 'Claus Lessmann' and 'Michel Voss' also show all their talent as composers and performers with this very beautiful album 'Rock Is Our Religion' which should appeal to an audience loving a harmonious and refined melodic rock. which takes us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Claus Lessmann (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Michel Voss (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Vincent Goly (Drums), Kenny Lessman (Drums), Martin Huch (Pedal Steel)


Artist : She Bites

Album : Super Hero

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 08-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Unlike symphonic metal which very often puts forward female singers, in the field of melodic rock, singers are the majority and, 'She Bites' is a German melodic rock group which has always had front women since 'Melanie Stahlkopf' who officiated on the first album 'Joyride' has been replaced by 'Marion Welch' which is now the titular singer on this second album 'Super Hero'. The guitarist 'Lärs Konig' who is also the composer of the group, is not unknown since he also participates in other projects including 'Lioncage' and this last baby has its place in a summer playlist because all the compositions are very accessible and unfold harmonious melodies highlighted by the beautiful voice of 'Marion Welch' which brings a certain sweetness to the whole, even on the most energetic titles. The album starts in this way with 'Eye of the Storm' and 'Little Song' and, in the same style, we can also mention the catchy 'Running', 'Crazy', 'Holy Ground' and 'Say It'. When the group adopts more moderate atmospheres, we are also seduced by an enchanting AOR with the mid-tempo compositions that are 'Hunter', the eponymous title of the album, 'Ghost' and 'Out In The Open'. The composition 'Never ending Story' is particularly successful and alternates catchy parts and others calmer and we will not miss the ballad 'True Love' in which 'Dan Reed' and 'Marion Welch' offer us a very beautiful vocal duo. In summary, this second studio recording by the Germans of 'She Bites' is varied and offers accessible and classy melodic rock that is tamed from the first listen, which makes 'Super Hero' an album that lends itself very well to listening. during this summer...

Line Up / Musicians

Marion Welch (Vocal), Lärs Konig (Guitar), Arvid Lucas (Bass), Carsten Kohl (Drums) + Guest : Dan Reed (Vocal)


Artist : Fatal Vision

Album : Once

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 09-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Fans of melodic rock of the 80s, you certainly do not know the Canadians of 'Fatal Vision' who formed in this decade which saw all the major formations of this style flourish but who did not, at the time, album release. It was only in 2019 that they decided to reform with, as a result, this first album 'Once', and, to get an idea, if you listen to 'Haven't We Been Here Before?' , you are likely to have the melody in your head all day and have a mad desire to play it over and over again just to give yourself a small dose of this catchy chorus. The rest may not be as addictive but pack in unstoppable melodies that could have done each a single some decades ago, starting with a catchy 'Hertbreaker' with a gorgeous, expressive saxophone intro, followed by a no less seductive 'Burning For You' and a radiant 'Open Your Eyes'. In the same luminous atmosphere, we can mention 'Little Rebel', 'Do You Remember Me?' or even 'Wings Of The Night' and when the light dims, we are also seduced by much calmer titles to add to the best melodic rock ballads with 'Into The Twilight', 'Time Keeps Slipping Away' and the title song which brings the album to a close. In summary, the Canadians of 'Fatal Vision' have done well to revive this project from the 80s because they offer us beautiful melodies which would have all been hits a few decades back, which makes 'Once' a natural addition. to my list of summer listens...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Marwood (Vocal), Juan Miguel Gomez Montant (Guitar), Scottie Irving (Keybords), Andrew Burns (Bass), Alex Wickham (Drums)


Artist : Dreamtide

Album : Drama Dust Dream

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 10-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

After the Canadians of 'Fatal Vision' who reformed in 2019, it is the turn of the Germans of 'Dreamtide' to return to the forefront of the melodic hard-rock scene after a last album, 'Dream and Deliver' in 2008. It must also be said that the leader of this formation, 'Helge Engelke', has been busy during all these years, because he also has another project 'Fair Warning' with which he released 3 albums during this long period. 'Drama Dust Dream' is therefore the fourth offering of the German combo and, what an offering: 12 compositions of good hard-rock for a short hour of listening which begins with a wild 'Stop Being Deep' which reminds me, in certain places, of their compatriots from 'Scorpions' ('Olaf Senkbeil' has some vocal similarities with 'Klaus Meine'), then, 'Spin' continues on this path and is for me the hit of the album that we play over and over again. And if you have already started the headbanging machine on these first 2 compositions, you should also be seduced by the energetic 'All Of Us', 'Merciless Sun' and 'Leisure Saints'. But, and that's why this album is worth the detour, the Germans alternate other atmospheres which bring a very pleasant diversity of styles: first of all, in a more moderate style, the hymns 'Around' and ' Drop The Curtain' can be enjoyed with a desire to sing along to the refrains. Then, the small acoustic breaks 'Ni Dos Ni Aqua' and 'A Fairy Prank' allow well-deserved breaks and the two ballads 'Dawn' and 'For the Fairies' (the latter takes us back a few decades) are to be added to the best melodic rock ballads. For lovers of a more refined style, you will certainly like 'One Rule' with its construction which flirts with melodic progressive, and which makes me think of the atmospheres of certain titles of 'Sting'. In summary, the Germans of 'Dreamtide' offer us a very beautiful album, dense and varied which can be tasted with great pleasure from the first to the last composition and 'Drama Dust Dream' is certainly the most varied album of this summery selection, mixing rock, hard-rock, ballads and little acoustic breaks with beautiful accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Helge Engelke (Guitar), Olaf Senkbeil (Vocal), Thorsten Lüderwaldt (Keybords), Lars Lehmann (Bass), Host Guntram (Drums)


Artist : Adellaide

Album : Deja Vu

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 11-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

With the Brazilians of Adelaide', we are fully immersed in summer atmospheres because we are bathed in an AOR that goes off the beaten track by integrating different original components such as saxophone accompaniments, dancing rhythmic bases and keyboards that often dominate the guitars which are rather used in the solos. 'Déjà Vu' is their 4th studio recording following the 'New Horizons' released in 2019 and, they offer us 10 new compositions for 44 minutes of listening, starting with a 'Transcendence' which unfolds a moderate pop/rock atmosphere with a relaxed rhythm section and in this rather measured style, we can also mention 'Without You ' which mixes funk and AOR influences, the catchy 'Unia' with its memorable chorus and its aerial keyboards, 'Fell From The Sky' and 'Time Riders' which bring us straight back to a dancing atmosphere of the 80s and whose first highlights a beautiful vocal performance of 'Julianna Rossi', or even 'It's Not The End' which, even if some saturated guitar riffs add a little spice to the whole, remains in a classy and moderate AOR. In a more incisive atmosphere, 'Superfanic' and 'To Live Forever' show a more energetic face and, in more classic melodic rock, we can't miss the hit 'Girl From Syria' (see the video above) and the beautiful ballad 'Falling Petals'. In summary, 'Adellaide' brings us a freshness of South America with melodies which provide great immediate listening pleasure in this hot summer period, and which should appeal to all audiences who love a refined and harmonious AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniel Vargas (Vocal), Leandro Freitas (Keybords), Vitor Balconi (Guitar), Marcello Naudi (Bass), Allan Julliano (Drums), Deraldo Matos (Saxophone), Gigolette Angeline (Choirs), Eddie VANTEZ (Choirs), Rod Marenna (Choirs), Julianna Rossi (Vocal, Choirs), Tito Falashi (Choirs), Marcello Naudi (Choirs)


Artist : Gathering of Kings

Album : Enigmatic

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 12-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

If you follow myprogmusic reviews, you must know the Swedes of 'Gathering of Kings' because I presented their first two albums to you ' First Mission' in 2019 and 'Discovery' in 2020 and their last studio recording,'Enigmatic', Just saw the light of day. We do not change a winning formula and 'Victor Olsson' continues to lay compositions for us which would all have been the subject of a single in the 80s. give you some bands that came to mind when listening to these 13 tracks with addictive melodies: I found myself back a few decades with, in bulk, 'Toto', 'Survivor', 'Alan Parsons Project' , 'Asia', 'Journey', 'Magnum' and even a little more progressive formations like 'Saga' or 'Genesis', in short, only beautiful people, to which we can add on this cake, the Swedes of ABBA' because one of the compositions 'Feed You My Love' takes us with the group 'One More Time' in a title that would certainly have caused a hit in the 70s, normal because the members of 'One More Time', Anne Grönvall, Maria Rådsten and Peter Grönvall, who is none other than the son of ABBA's 'Benny Andersson', have been very popular. res in Sweden in the 90s, with among others their participation in Eurovision in 1996 with 'Den Vilda' and continued to bring the melodic style of their elders to life. In summary, 'Ron Dahlgren' and 'Nina Dahlgren' had a very good idea of wanting to bring together the cream of Swedish melodic rock but when you know the talent of this country in this area, you are not surprised to be able to between the ears a new album of 'Gathering of Kings' filled with completely addictive melodies that can be listened to on repeat...

Line Up / Musicians

Victor Olsson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Jonny Lindkvist (Vocal), Rick Altzi (Vocal), Alexander Frisborg (Vocal), Apollo Papathanasio (Vocal), Tobias Jansson (Vocal), Magnus Mild (Guitar), Joel Selsfors (Keybords), Mikael Planefeldt (Bass), Efraim Larsson (Drums), Jonas Källsbäck (Drums)


Artist : Whiskey Myers

Album : Tornillo

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 13-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Direction the United States and more particularly Texas with 'Whiskey Myers' which is a formation that has become essential across the Atlantic but not necessarily very well known in Europe. They perpetuate a traditional southern rock and are on their 6th studio recording which bears the name of 'Tornillo'. We are therefore taken into compositions mixing southern rock and country with melodic lines that we immediately appropriate and which automatically start the foot tapping machine starting with a 'John Wayne' which gives ants in the legs and which shows a very catchy rhythm. In the same style, you will also, without a doubt, be seduced by the classic but so effective archis 'Antioch' and 'Feet's' on which it is impossible to stay unmoved, but also by the mid-tempo 'The Wolf' or still by the rhythmic 'Whole World Gone Crazy' and 'Bad Medicine', without forgetting 'Mission To Mars' and its addictive country rhythm. And when country melancholy takes over, the Americans also unleash magnificent anthems such as 'For The Kids' which deals with the difficult subject of divorce, but also the magnificent acoustic ballads 'Heavy On Me' and 'Heart Of Stone'. In short, if you like traditional southern rock alternating catchy rhythms and more melancholic moments, you should like this latest album from 'Wiskey Myers' which takes us on a journey into the great tradition of American song that has become timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Jeffers (Guitar), Cody Tate (Guitar), Cody Canon (Vocal, Guitar), Gary Brun (Bass), Jeff Hog (Drums), Tony Kent (Percussions, Keybords)


Artist : Cats In Space

Album : Kickstart The Sun

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 14-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

As I had already mentioned two days ago with the release of the latest album 'Enigmatic' from the 'Gathering of Kings' project, here is another project where I could copy/paste my previous chronicles, because our 'cats in space' , after the very good ones 'Scarecrow' in 2017, 'Day Trip to Narnia' in 2019 and 'Atlantis' in 2020, are back with a new album, very dense, since they are 13 titles framed by the two short 'Kickstart The Su n' for a little over an hour of listening that are offered to us.

And, from the start, we take a good breath of melodic rock and catchy with an over-vitamined 'King of Stars', then, 'Poke the Witch' (see the video above) continues in this momentum of the 60s / 70s with radiant choirs that give an irresistible desire to accompany them and 'Teenage Millionaires' (see the video here) delivers a layer with the same energy. The sequel is in the image of this beginning of the album with, for example, the joyful 'Smoke & Mirrors' and the English also offer us very beautiful breaks with the ballads which are three in number, '1,000,000 Miles', 'A Big Balloon' and 'Hero', but also with the title track which adds a good pinch of progressive rock and 'Charlie's Ego' brings us back to the lightness and carelessness of the 'Beatles', just like 'Last Dance Saloon' which is dancing and whose melodic lines are closer this time to 'Electric Light Orchestra'. And before the cover of 'Kickstart The Sun', the album ends with the long development 'Bootleg Bandoleros' showing a more pronounced progressive side of 'Cats In Space' with a more complex construction which alternates different moods and which highlights a magnificent section of the two guitarists who pass the buck in the second part of the title.

In summary, the English of 'Cats In Space' continue to offer us good melodic rock by making us travel in their spaceship which takes us back a few decades and the atmospheres released, joyful and filled with a beautiful positivity naturally have their place in the summer playlist that I have concocted for you since the end of July...

Line Up / Musicians

Damien Edwards (Vocal, Choirs), Greg Hart (Guitar, Choirs, Keybords, Tubular Bells), Steevi Bacon (Drums, Percussions, Timpanin Gong, Harmonica), Jeff Brown (Bass, Choirs), Andy Stewart (Keybords), Dean Howard (Guitar) + Guests : Jack Birchwood (Cuivres), Ian Cooper (Vilon, Cello, Viola), BJ Cole (Pedal Steel), Emily Lynn (Choirs), Julie Maguire (Choirs), Lara Smiles (Choirs), Mick Wilson (Choirs)


Artist : Alan Parsons

Album : From the New World

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 15-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

And to end this summer playlist of albums released in July 2022 on a high note, this latest album from Alan Parsons' 'From the New World' is quite appropriate for listening in this hot period by the pool. After his latest album 'The Secret' which had been one of the very good surprises in 2019 and despite his concert cancellations for medical reasons which did not allow me to see him at the Colmar wine fair, I made up for it with the very beautiful DVD 'The Neverending Show: Live in the Netherlands' released at the end of 2021 and the magnificent blu-ray 'One Note Symphony: Live in Tel Aviv' from early 2022. This latest album 'From the New World' shows that the Englishman is still very active at 73 and allows us to recover between ears a new cake full of memorable melodies.

And hearing the first notes of 'Fare Thee Well', a few shivers of pleasure accompany me so much we find the atmospheres deployed at the end of the 70s and this title would have had its place in an 'I Robot' or in 'Eye In The Sky'. The suite also shows this 'Alan Parsons' touch with melodies that give the impression of having always been part of our life, bringing at every moment this nostalgic and somehow timeless side of these compositions which, gently, deliciously touch our soul. We therefore get caught up in the game, once again, to listen religiously to these first 9 titles which seem to me difficult to classify so much each one brings its share of listening pleasure. Indeed, although the album offers 11 titles, for me, they are 9 original titles since the last two compositions are in fact covers: first of all, 'Alan Parsons' who titled his album 'From the New World ' in reference to the post-global health crisis, gives us a wink by taking up one of the movements of the 9th symphony of the new world by Antonin Dvorak ' of which one of the students, ' William Arms Fisher ', had added lyrics and which is a moving elegy of the threshold of death. But, not to end on this melancholy note, the last title and a cover of 'Be My Baby' by the 'Ronnettes' which closes the album on a happy note.

In summary, even if some will regret an absent progressive side, 'Alan Parsons' takes us back a few decades with melodic lines that are still of high quality and, 'From the New World' will, without no doubt, happy among historical fans but will be able to reach a very large audience because all the compositions are very accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Alan Parsons (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Dan Tracey (Vocal), David Pack (Vocal), James Durbin (Vocal), Mark Mikel (Vocal), P.j. Olsson (Vocal), Tabitha Fair (Vocal), Todd Cooper (Vocal, Saxophone), Tommy Shaw (Vocal), Kim Bullard (Keybords), Matt Mccarrin (Keybords), Doug Powell (Keybords), Tom Brooks (Keybords), Guy Erez (Bass), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Mika Larson (Cello), Danny Thompson (Drums)


Artist : Atomic Symphony

Album : Hybris

Release Date : 08-07-2022

Added : 16-08-2022

'Atomic Symphony' is a Swiss formation created in 2015 as a symphonic metal band with a first album, 'Redemption' and which evolved towards progressive metal that we discover with this second album which is now available since July 8, 2022.

6 tracks, for 42 minutes of listening, here is the menu of Hybris': after the short introduction 'Overture' which gently increases the pressure, in the form of an instrumental crescendo, the 10 minutes of ' Nightfall' tumbles by embarking us in powerful progressive metal with many changes of tempos and intensity while keeping a harmonious melodic framework that we appropriate very quickly. Follows the second long development 'Oath Taker' which is even more sought after and complex in the form of a sound labyrinth in which one abandons oneself with pleasure while browsing the multiple nooks and crannies and, like its predecessor, it shows an immediate accessibility. at the melodic level with in particular influences mixing East and West, 'Jasmin Baggenstos' bringing in its song particularly delicious exotic scents. Follows 'Metamorphosis' which is an instrumental developing a more complex construction and which embeds a beautiful epic section in the second part, the end returning to a more technical part highlighting remarkable guitar and keyboard solos, then, without transition, the title song starts as the previous title ended and continues with a sung part whose chorus is more direct. The album ends with the 7 minutes of 'Chimera', more moderate and more direct, the progressive side being less present than in the two long developments of the beginning but brings beautiful variations of intensity throughout the title and memorable new melody lines.

In summary, 'Atomic Symphony' releases a very good progressive metal album that combines the complexity of this style with a fairly immediate accessibility thanks to melodic lines that we quickly appropriate and the compositions of Hybris' show that the Swiss, if they continue on this path, should very quickly increase their notoriety and compete with the sizes of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Jasmin Baggenstos (Vocal), Roberto Barlocci (Guitar), Carlo Beltrame (Keybords), Thomas Spoegler (Bass, Guitar), Marc Friedrich (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Fellowship

Album : The Saberlight Chronicles

Release Date : 15-07-2022

Added : 17-08-2022

'Fellowship' is a newcomer to the wonderful world of power metal which is now populated by many bands with, for example and to name only albums released in 2022, the 'Powerwolf', 'Signum Regis', 'Trick or Treat', 'Serious Black' or 'Battle Beast', each delivering memorable anthems that come into your head immediately. For all those who are fond of the groups mentioned, you will not be out of place with this first album 'The Saberlight Chronicles', because the English have concocted 12 tracks for us with choruses to be repeated at the top of your voice.

Let's go with a joyful 'Until the Fires Die' (see the video above) in a universe of power fantasy with a first title with an addictive chorus and if you're not tempted to play this first again title in loop, you can stop there because the continuation is with the image of this first devastating title. Indeed, each composition that follows contains an unstoppable melody and has all the ingredients of a festive power metal: a rhythm section that tumbles at high speed with double pedals at every street corner, guitars delivering incisive riffs, a singer who does not spare himself and, in this case, who offers us remarkable vocal performances, and epic orchestral arrangements at will. And as often in this case, the simple melodic lines always give the impression of already knowing them by heart, which means that some will find the album too linear. But, in defense of the English, it is precisely this immediate efficiency that they are looking for to strike us with memorable refrains. And to completely fulfil the specifications inherent in this type of album, the ballad break is not forgotten with 'Silhouette' which deploys a new addictive melody.

In summary, with this first album filled with melodies of formidable efficiency which loop in the head, the English of 'Fellowship' have chosen to privilege the carefree and immediate side of power metal which should quickly raise to the same level as the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Matthew Corry (Vocal), Sam Browne (guitares), Brad Wosko (Guitar), Daniel Ackerman (Bass), Callum Tuffen (Drums)


Artist : Oknos

Album : From Ashes

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 18-08-2022

After the progressive metal of 'Atomic Symphony' and the festive power metal of 'Fellowship', here is a new metal release but in symphonic with the Germans of 'Oknos' who had not released an album since 2017, date of their first opus 'Old World'. It will therefore have taken 5 years for this 'From Ashes' to see the light of day and, for the occasion, it should be emphasized that the band put on a great spread because, if you look at all the people who participated in this new baby of the Germans in addition to the members of the group, the cast is impressive with the addition of a large number of classical instruments and many choirs and I have spared you the list of names of the children's choir (we will talk about it again). It's not a concept album with a plot and the topics covered are as diverse as the persecution of witches, the myth of Lorelei, adventures, friendship, hate, death, love and hope. Another point to note, the singer 'Anna' who officiated on the first album has been replaced by 'Johanna Bensmann' which offers remarkable vocal performances throughout the album.

With 16 compositions (for more than an hour of listening), 'From Ashes' is very varied and alternates different atmospheres and styles, the whole being focused on classic symphonic metal, orchestral arrangements and vocals being particularly worked and often bringing an imposing sound breadth which is particularly adapted to this style of music. After the epic introduction 'Confrontation' reminiscent of the atmospheres of 'Nightwish', (especially thanks to the flute) and integrating magnificent choirs, the hit 'Haven of Tranquility' offers a catchy first title with harmonious melodic lines, then, 'Everything Affects Everything' continues in powerful symphonic metal with a chorus that never leaves you and 'Rotten to the Core' follows suit with a new energetic title. In this direct and melodic style, we can also mention the 'Lost in the Matrix' whose introduction reminds me of certain atmospheres of 'Therion', 'World of Insanity', in a more modern style, with some electro effects, but also the melodic jewel 'Searching' that the Dutch of 'Delain' would certainly not have denied and finally 'Heresy' which is certainly the most fitting composition of the whole album. Between all this power deployed, the strength of the Germans is to integrate other more measured compositions with the very beautiful 'Coming Home' (see video here), but also 'Burning Heart ' (see video here) and the mid-tempo 'From Ashes' which can recall the style of 'Within Temptation' or even 'Loreley' (see video here),, introduced by 'Waves', which unrolls a slow addictive rhythm with very beautiful melodic lines and with remarkable vocal arrangements. We can also mention the radiant 'Inner Voice' which brings a touch of folk, and which is very catchy with its chorus giving this irresistible desire to take it up in chorus but also the beautiful instrumental break 'Memories' highlighting the classical instruments. And to end this very beautiful album, the 8 minutes of 'Power of Mind' are a good summary of the whole and show all the talent of composer of 'Johannes Erdmann' which offers us a magnificent title with all the ingredients that the we want to find in symphonic metal and even more with the participation of a children's choir, a process that was used, also with great success by 'Christofer Johnsson' in the very beautiful 'Children of the Stone: After the Inquisition' from the 2010 album 'Sitra Ahra'.

In summary, this second album of the Germans of 'Oknos' shows all the progress compared to the first and is a total success, thanks in particular to the quality of the compositions of 'Johannes Erdmann' but also to the orchestral and vocal arrangements which remarkably densify the whole and, for my part, 'From Ashes' will certainly be one of the best symphonic metal revelations of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Bensmann (Vocal), Johannes Erdmann (Guitar, Trumpet, Cor d’harmonie), Benjamin Offeney (Guitar), Arne Kinast (Bass), Philipp Schräder (Keybords, Flute, Saxophone, Choirs), Sebastian Brunn (Drums) + Guests : Georgi Gürov (flûte), Thorsten Scholz (Trumpet), Ferdinand Pottoff (Cor d’harmonie, Trumpet, Trombone), Charlotte Wolff (Violin), Magdalena Sokolov-Korbel (Violin), Elsa Joppich (Violin), Lara Schaiper (Violin), Angela Irnich (Violin), Sophia Rogge (Violin), Waldemar Berger (Accordion) + Choirs : Friedemann Petter, Johannes Erdmann, Philippe Schräder, Johannes Ludwig, Simon Littlejohn, Marius Strenger, Benjamin Offeney, Sebastian Brunn, Joshua Bredemeier, Arne Kinast, Sinas Bredemier, Hannah Altevogt, Annika Wesselkampt, Johanna Bensmann, Kristin Hartmann, Franziska Hochäuser, Lara Schaper, Marina Bachmann, Nadine Gausann, Jelena Herdmann, Andrea Schräder, Angela Irnich


Artist : COMPASS

Album : Theory of Tides

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 20-08-2022

I presented to you in 2020 his first album with his project 'COMPASS', 'Our Time on Earth', and 'Steve Newman' returns with a second offering 'Theory of Tides' which tells us about the life and works of the famous astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei. Always driven by a desire to embark on long developments to bring a progressive side that he cannot offer in his AOR project 'NEWMAN', he concocted 8 compositions for us between 5 and 10 minutes in a mixture of rock and progressive metal with always this melodic constant allowing an almost immediate approach.

And it is with the longest title, 'Mountains on the Moon', that the album begins with an introduction which slowly increases in power, and which then delivers some sharp guitar riffs leading to a melodic section with a very beautiful guitar solo, the sung part arriving after more than three minutes and showing a more subdued face with a magnificent chorus. This composition already shows this delicious alternation of energetic atmospheres and other calmer ones, then, 'Searching for Answers' continues in this way and this title makes me think of the atmospheres developed by the Canadians of 'Saga' in the vocal parts, 'Ben Green' having much the same expressive vocals as 'Michael Sadler'. Same impression with the following title 'The Assayer', which begins in an energetic way, but which continues to take us into variations of intensities and original rhythms which requires several listens to draw all its richness, then, 'Once in a Lifetime' is certainly the composition which most highlights these rhythmic changes between catchy sections close to the AOR and other much calmer ones, the transitions being done very naturally. We then attack the centrepiece of the album, 'Laws of Nature', in three parts, which is a progressive saga in which it is good to get lost and let yourself be tossed around according to the melodic and rhythmic changes, the whole always remaining very accessible thanks to the paw of the outstanding melodist that is 'Steve Newman'. And to end this beautiful journey, the title song shows a more dancing face with a catchy rhythm that gives you ants in the legs and with a magnificent last guitar solo in the second part of the title.

In summary, thanks to artists highlighting the compositions of the Englishman, 'Steve Newman' confirms with 'Theory of Tides' all the good that we thought of him with his first album and offers us new compositions combining accessible melodic lines, catchy rhythms and original progressive research which highlight multiple influences, but which require a few repeated listens to draw all the substantive marrow...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Green (Vocal), Steve Newman (Guitar, Keybords), Dave Bartlett (Bass), Toni Lakush (Drums)


Artist : White Spirit

Album : Right or Wrong

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 19-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

With the album releases at the end of July and beginning of August, I will add a few more melodic nuggets to the summer playlist (here). So, we continue with the British of 'White Spirit'. Regarding this band, here's what can happen when you store these things badly: after a first eponymous album released in 1980 which had done well at the time, the group, with a few line-up changes, recorded a second album which would never see the light of day due to a separation of all the musicians while all titles are already on tape. Forty years later, after the death of 'Brian Howe', during a move, 'Mal Pearson' finally finds the tapes of this album and, after some technical exploits and with the participation of new artists both at the instrumental level than vocal (see the guests below), the album is finally out and we can finally put between our ears this melodic hard-rock which has not aged a bit during all this time with energetic and catchy compositions which put automatically starts the headbanging machine starting with the title song which delivers a memorable chorus on which 'Jeff Scott Soto' makes a remarkable vocal performance. The sequel continues in the same style, and everything is done to have a great time listening with references here and there to bands from that era like 'Deep Purple', 'Van Halen', 'Rainbow', 'Uriah Heep' or 'UFO'. Note that to pay tribute to 'Brian Howe', 'Steve Overland' covers 'Holly Water' from 'Bad Company'. In short, as we are used to say, it's better late than never because this unexpected album of 'White Spirit' is a good breath of melodic hard rock coming straight from the eighties and, 'Right or Wrong' is filled with accessible and very effective to consume without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Mal Pearson (Keybords), Mick Tucker (Guitar), Brian Howe (Vocal) + Guests : Russell Gilbrook (Drums), Neil Murray (Bass), Jeff Scott Soto (Vocal), Lee Small (Vocal), Steve Overland (Vocal)


Artist : H.E.A.T

Album : Force Majeure

Release Date : 05-08-2022

Added : 21-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

I continue my summer series to consume without moderation (see playlist above) with the latest 'H.E.A.T'. After the very good 'Into The Great Unknown ' released in 2017 and their latest baby soberly titled 'II' in 2020, here is their successor 'Force Majeure'. The singer 'Kenny Leckremo' who officiated on their first two albums is back in business, replacing 'Erik Grönwall' who left the group for the Americans of 'Skid Row'. No surprise with the Swedes, we're embarking on a series of melodic hard rock hits and if you don't hang on to the first four energetic titles with an explosive 'Hollywood' in the last position with an ultra-classic but completely addictive chorus, you can go your way. For the others, after a more moderate and AOR-like 'Harder to Breathe' allowing you to recover from all the energy already deployed, it's off again with a boosted 'Not for Sale' then the beautiful ballad 'One of Us' offers another well-deserved break. The end of the album scrolls through the lively 'Holdd Your Fire' which is always very melodic, then 'Paramount' is much more general public with a chorus to be taken up in chorus, unlike 'Demons Eyes' which sends heavy, and which is the heaviest title, the album ending with 'Wings of an Airplane', a very good mid-tempo on which you can't help beating time. In short, the Swedes of 'H.E.A.T' continue to lay us compositions of melodic hard rock always as effective and to parody a famous French saying, I would say that "everything is good in an album of H.E.A.T"...

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Leckremo (Vocal), Dave Dalone (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keybords), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Don Crash (Drums)


Artist : Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate

Album : The Confidence Trick

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 23-08-2022

After the beautiful 'Nostalgia for Infinity' dating from 2020, the English of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' only took two short years to offer us a new studio recording, 'The Confidence Trick' which is still dense since the set borders on 70 minutes. The duo 'Malcolm Galloway'/'Mark Gatland' therefore continues to offer us a sought-after and complex progressive rock that must be tamed little by little, listen after listen and this latest album is no exception to the rule. It's also a concept album which, I quote 'Malcolm Galloway', " is a collection of tracks on the theme of cognitive errors, particularly overconfidence... and our repeated failure to learn from history... We all better stop sometimes and ask ourselves: Why am I wrong? ".

On the menu of this magnificent opus, 13 compositions with 5 instrumentals alternating with the sung titles and we are welcomed by 'Silence Is a Statement' which unfolds a memorable first melody with electronic sounds and with a repetition of the musical phrase to send us the message: "When we say nothing, we speak. When we say nothing, silence is a statement" which reflects the expression: "Who says nothing, consents". Follows 'Back Where I Started', with a beautiful warmth in the singing of 'Malcolm Galloway' and a delicious performance of 'Kathryn Thomas' on the flute, the chorus "And when I find myself where I started, I leave the same mistakes repeat themselves…” which is hammered out several times, expresses the fact that man is incapable of learning from the mistakes of the past. With 'End of the Line', the soft atmosphere developed shows a hypnotic side accentuated by the nonchalant singing and flute tones which, this time, are much more peaceful. Change of scene with 'Perky Pat' which is the first instrumental with electronic effects and which highlights very beautiful keyboard sections, then, the short 'World War Terminus', more direct, renders very well a feeling of this race ahead of the human who thinks of solving problems by waging wars. More energetic than 'Perky Pat' in the introduction, the instrumental 'Pretending to Breathe' then turns into ambient music close to 'Jean-Michel Jarre', then 'Another Plague' is one of the major titles of the album with exceptional emotional strength in a magnificent crescendo to denounce, among other things, the harmful effects of government decisions during the health crisis. We arrive at the instrumental 'Refuge', which further raises the emotional slider, and which shows a resolutely contemporary and avant-garde progressive face with a limitless patchwork of influences, certainly forming the most sought-after title of the album and which makes me want to play it again every time I listen to it. More accessible than its predecessor, the instrumental 'Interlude' develops a 'Floydian' atmosphere, then, the title song is also a strong moment which alternates melancholic sections and other more energetic ones, unfolding magnificent melodic lines and which has a poignant ending. The end of the album scrolls through three shorter titles, first of all, the instrumental 'Lava Lamprey' tinged with a very endearing modern jazz, then 'All Empires Fall' is a more direct song with a spoken part of Very expressive 'Malcolm Galloway' to which very beautiful choirs respond and finally, 'Cygnus' closes this magnificent opus with a magnificent piano/voice duet which denounces the disastrous policy of governments, at the start of the first epidemic, sending medical first lines with the lack of means that we know. And to finish, I would like to highlight the very beautiful album cover made by 'Malcolm Galloway' showing all his artistic talent in this area.

In summary, it's another masterful opus from the English of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' who offer us, once again, a diversified progressive work with multiple influences that they know how to mix to make something something unique, which is intended for 'The Confidence Trick' for all lovers of a refined and ambitious progressive that will, without a doubt, be added to their ideal music collection...

Line Up / Musicians

Malcolm Galloway (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Mark Gatland (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Kathryn Thomas (Flute, Choirs)


Artist : Sunstorm

Album : Brothers in Arms

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 24-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

We continue our little summer tour of the releases of memorable melodies with this time 'Sunstorm' which, after 'Afterlife' dating back a little over a year, continues its journey with a new album 'Brother in Arms'. We don't change a winning team and the two leaders 'Ronnie Romero' and 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who need no introduction and who has surpassed himself again for this opus, offer us a collection of melodic jewels that parade one behind the others with well-established specifications now: a fairly fair alternation between powerful melodic hard-rock and more moderate AOR, the middle of the album delivering the magic ballad of the outstanding melodist that is 'Alessandro Del Vecchio': in the first register, the title song (see video above), 'I Will Remember', 'No Turning Back', 'Lost In The Shadows Of Love' and 'Living Out Of Fear' bring all the positive and communicative energy of this style, and in a more subdued AOR style, the melodic lines of 'Games We Play' (see the video here), 'I'll Keep Holding On', 'Taste Of Heaven', 'Hold The Night' and 'Miracle' are a real treat, the beautiful power ballad being 'Back My Dreams' which I added to my playlist of rock/hard-rock/metal ballads. In short, even if the recipe always remains the same, this last 'Sunstorm' is still a total melodic success thanks to the talents of composer and keyboardist of Alessandro Del Vecchio' and the remarkable vocal performances of 'Ronnie Romero' to which we can add the new guitarist of 'Doro', 'Luca Princiotta', and the rhythm section made up of bassist 'Nik Mazzucconi' ('Jorn', 'Shining Black' and 'Edge Of Forever') and drummer 'Michele Sanna' ('Brother Against Brother' and 'Black Rose Maze')...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Luca Princiotta (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Michele Sanna (Drums)


Artist : Generation Radio

Album : Generation Radio

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 26-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Bizarre, a great group produced by 'Frontiers Music' in which 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' is not present!! It must be said that the artists constituting the line-up have a CV to make people jealous since we find, at the base of the project, the multi-instrumentalist 'Jay DeMarcus' of the American country group 'Rascal Flatts' who released in 2020 a Best Off of two decades of album releases but not necessarily well known on the European continent, then 'Jason Scheff' the former bassist and singer of 'Chicago' who just released their 38th album in July 2022 'Born For This Moment', the line-up being completed by drummer and vocalist 'Deen Castronovo' who returned in 2021 with 'Journey', and guitarists 'Tom Yankton' and 'Chris Rodríguez ' best known in the country world. No surprise, with this fine team, we are embarking, not without nostalgia, on a time when melodic jewels flowed naturally and all the compositions on this album would have each made a hit in the 70s and 80s. The majority of the compositions are in a refined and relaxing AOR, except for one 'Time to Let It Go', energetic as one might wish, in which 'Deen Castronovo' gives us an exceptional demonstration of drum breaker and 'Smoking', more rock and which wouldn't have gone wrong in the 70s sung by 'Joan Jett', which stand out. By the way, I've added the four ballads from the album to my rock ballads playlist/ hard-rock/metal. In short, this album brings us back to a classic AOR that we play over and over and, among all the albums that I presented to you in my summer playlist, is certainly the one that gave me the most pleasure (and there was material!!) and which should also make a whole audience happy with an AOR that takes us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Jay DeMarcus (Bass), Deen Castronovo (Vocal, Drums), Jason Scheff (Vocal), Tom Yankton (Guitar), Chris Rodriguez (Guitar)


Artist : Amanda Shires

Album : Take It Like A Man

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 25-08-2022

Direction the United States with the seventh studio recording 'Take It Like A Man' of the American singer and violinist 'Amanda Shires' whose previous opus I reviewed 'To the Sunset' and which is now available since the end of July. In the meantime, she created the formation 'The Highwomen' with 'Brandi Carlile', 'Natalie Hemby' and 'Maren Morris' and whose first eponymous album of the group was released in 2019. In parallel, she continues her solo career accompanied by her husband 'Jason Isbell' and this latest baby shows an evolution of style partly printed by 'Lawrence Rothman' whom she had met when she had decided to stop the song, because we navigate in more intimate compositions alternating dark but so moving atmospheres and others much lighter.

From the start, we are under the spell of 'Hawk for the Dove' (see the video above) which shows a tormented face in a heavy and moving atmosphere while having a melodious melodic frame and 'Take it Like A Man', although more measured, continues in this striking climate in which Amanda's singing is of a palpable emotion that triggers the shiver so characteristic of deep listening emotion. With 'Empty Cups' (see the video here with 'Maren Morris'), the style is more serene, and we are pleasantly lulled by the melancholy melodic lines, then, 'Don't Be Alarmed' is a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad in which the crescendo brings an extraordinary force. Follows 'Fault Lines' which adds another fantastic emotional layer that Amanda' uses as a means of communication with her husband 'Jason Isbell' when the exchanges are no longer sufficient then, 'Here He Comes' slightly relieves the pressure with a composition lively while continuing to talk about complicated human relations topics. We remain musically in a more carefree atmosphere with 'Bad Behavior' (see the video here) and 'Stupid Love' which continue to deal with her relationship issues then, the singing of 'Amanda wants to be more playful on 'Lonely At Night' which shows a more classic face in a blues club atmosphere, the album ending with the beautiful melancholy ballad 'Everything Has Its Time'.

In summary, we can only thank 'Lawrence Rothman' for having stood firm against 'Amanda Shires' to offer her tailor-made compositions that she transcends throughout this album and 'Take It Like A Man' is a very emotional album which should reach a large audience, fans of moving songs on beautiful melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Amanda Shires (Vocal, Violin), Lawrence Rothman (Keybords, Percussions, Guitar), Jason Isbell (Guitar), Fred Eltringham (Drums, Percussions), Julian Dorio (Drums, Percussions), Jimbo Hart (Bass), Peter Levin (Keybords, Organ, Piano), Brittney Spencer (Choirs), Maren Morris (Choirs), Austin Hoke (Cello), Kristin Weber (Violin), Kris Wilkinson (Viola), Ben Zelico (Keybords, Mellotron), Peter Stroud (Guitar), Audley Freed (Guitar), Marc Franklin (Trumpet), Art Edmaiston (Saxophone), Kirk Smothers (Saxophone), Kameron Whalum (Trombone)


Artist : Hott Mess

Album : Prometheus Book One

Release Date : 24-06-2022

Added : 27-08-2022

In some cases, we come across a new project not publicized at all on the internet and that allows us to discover new musical horizons. This time, I was helped by a review from the very good progressive music site 'Prog Critique' which presented the concept album 'Prometheus' by 'Gareth Kitch' which has had quite a substantial output in recent years under his name (see 'here) and 'Prometheus' is the second studio recording of the 'Hott Mess' project, 'Leche And The Dark Emerald Book Of Ishtar' being the first, released in 2021.

First of all, this project is based on, I quote bandcamp, "Ishtar's Black Glass Book and the hidden world of the Immortals... The book tells of when worlds about to collide would end humanity forever. However, the genius PROMETHEUS was able to impart a gift on mankind, at least it seemed a gift at first. But the truth revealed it as a curse that changed humanity forever into dark immortal vampiric creatures...". Musically, we are embarked on a completely unusual journey with various influences ranging from classical music to dance music, passing through atmospheric and pop, all of this being mainly brought about by rather disparate keyboard sounds. And this from the first titles, this patchwork of styles makes scroll very different musical landscapes: the introduction 'Unfound', shows a classic face of symphony orchestra accompanied by electronic sound effects which is transformed halfway into music of atmosphere with layers of aerial keyboards, then, 'Prometheus' is turned towards a calm and peaceful symphonic and progressive rock and 'Earth' reveals a dancing side and recalls the sounds of disco hits from the 80s. With 'Worlds Collide', it's the catchy pop side of the same period which is put forward with some oriental scents in the middle of the piece, then the instrumental 'Star Caravan' begins in a catchy way to evolve in the middle of the title towards a neo-classical section and end as he had begun. The suite is like this beginning with a few instrumental commas and compositions not exceeding 4 minutes, each title presenting its own personality and style: after the short 'Crash Landing', embellished by strings, we go into the islands with the small minute of 'A New Home', then 'Tau Ceti Blues' flirts with a sensual blues and 'Angel Walking' shows a Westcoast face, unrolling a sweet melody. Follows 'Tower of Love' which brings us back to the 70s with an atmosphere that the 'Bee Gees' would not have denied, especially since the vocal accompaniment rises high in the treble, then 'Fake' shows a rhythmic swaying and 'Magini's Mirror' brings a touch of psychedelia bringing us back to the 70s. We stay in this decade with 'Where Are You Now?' with an accompaniment of keyboards with church organ sounds and an acoustic finale accompanied by aerial choirs, then, after the sound effects of 'The Camber of Ishtar', 'Forever Moonlight' ends this album with a syrupy ballad bringing us back this times in the sixties.

In summary, 'Hott Mess' is a project presenting a patchwork of styles that are put end to end, the whole being focused on fairly quiet atmospheres which contrasts with the deployed theme of science fiction but which makes very pleasant listening because the diversity of the compositions of 'Prometheus' allows you to remain captivated throughout the album...

Line Up / Musicians

Gareth Kitch (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Michael Teems (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Greg Ondo (Bass), Pablo Vazquez (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Cyber Band

Album : The Light

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 29-08-2022

It's another formation that is not making the buzz on the internet that I present to you today: 'Cyber Band' is a formation of three young Filipinos who have already released the album 'In My Dumb Perspective' in 2020 which was released on streaming platforms. Even if they are part of the generation of the 2000s, this first opus showed influences of artists from the 70s/80s with a style turned towards melodic pop. For this last opus, we find these same influences, but they diversify their style because 'The Light' includes a first part with more rock compositions and a second where we find pop melodies. From the first titles, we go back a few decades with a tasty patchwork of names that come to mind like 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' ('First Light'), 'Led Zeppelin' ('Fire'), the 'Stones' ('One Way Ticket') or U2 ('Don't You Ever Give Up') and the album continues with other references like 'Pink-Floyd' ('Where Are You'), ' Alan Parsons' ('Wars'), The 'Beatles' ('Without A Doubt'), 'Elton John' ('Love'), the 'Beach Boys' (I'm Doing Fine') or even 'Eagles' ( 'A Million Things'). Also note the instrumental 'Aveda Kedavra' which merges different influences ranging from film music to jazzy atmospheres and the last title 'As I Sail' which, with its 7 minutes, brings a good dose of progressive with an incredibly epic central part surrounded by very original instrumental sections and a grand finale. In short, even if the production is not yet flawless, the three young Filipinos of 'Cyber Band' release a very good album, diversified and melodic and, 'The Light' should make happy all those who love pop and rock of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrew « Andoy » P. Patuasic (Guitar, Vocal), Isaac Villegas Abogatal (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Germund John Alacantara (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Hydra

Album : Point Break

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 28-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Another new addition to the summer playlist with a new Swedish melodic hard-rock band (yet one more) which is produced by the essential label 'Frontiers Records'. This new project was born from the meeting of the songwriter, singer and guitarist 'Henrik Hedströmand' and the well-known drummer and keyboardist 'Daniel Flores' ('Find Me', 'The Murder Of My Sweet', 'Angelica', 'First Signal',...). The rest of the line-up is made up of singer and guitarist 'Andi Kravljaca' ('First Signal', 'Nergard',...) and bassist 'Jonny Trobro' ('First Signal', 'Find Me'). No surprise with this beautiful bevy of artists, we navigate in a catchy AOR from the first to the last title with melodic jewels at every street corner starting with a 'Stop the Madness' with an addictive chorus and the whole is good balanced between catchy compositions and other quieter ones, the album contains three magnificent ballads with 'Stay A While', 'Forever My Love' and 'To Say Goodbye'. In short, at the same time as 'Generation Radio', the Swedes of Hydra' release an album just as endearing and filled with good AOR hits which makes 'Point Break' a new opus to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Henrik Hedström (Keybords, Guitar), Daniel Flores (Drums, Keybords), Andi Kravljaca (Vocal, Guitar), Jonny Trobro (Bass)


Artist : Fascination Curve

Album : Corona Times in Amerika

Release Date : 04-08-2022

Added : 31-08-2022

'Fascination Curve' is a new project created by composer 'Karl Lundeberg', also a musician and singer, who is a jack-of-all-trades musically and is known for working in styles as disparate as contemporary classical, jazz, world music or traditional Norwegian folk music (see his website here). With his well-filled address book, he has called on many talented artists (see the impressive CVs of each of them here) and this time he tackles progressive rock which he declines in different forms with this first album 'Corona Times in Amerika' which, I quote his presentation on its site: "is a courageous and moving statement concerning racism, political extremism and societal confusion seen through the prism of the Coronavirus pandemic".

The album contains 5 compositions, including a long development of 20 minutes, and we are greeted with 'Land of the Free, Home of the Slave' which takes us on an imaginative progressive in a blues / rock style with magnificent vocal arrangements and remarkable instrumental interventions highlighting electric guitar and keyboards, the whole remaining very accessible thanks to melodic lines that we immediately appropriate. The following title, 'Sometime, Somehow' is one of my favourites from the album in the form of a ballad which has a 'Floydian' look and can recall the style of 'Dark Side Of The Moon', the harmonies vocals bringing again an additional emotion to this very beautiful title. Follows 'I Will Breathe with you' which, after the short prelude deliciously accompanied by the saxophone of 'Tim Riess', continues in this cosy atmosphere in which we find progressive symphonic 'Floydian' influences but this time with some jazzy incursions. We arrive at the title song and the centrepiece of the album, made up of a patchwork of various influences that intersect and weave together in a very beautiful way, and we navigate in this great fresco in which it is good to abandon oneself. and let yourself go to this musical mosaic integrating different styles, ranging from pop, rock, jazz, fusion and funk, the epic finale ending as it should for this kind of composition, in a grandiose way for fall back into a few much calmer musical phrases. And it is with 'Dip Them in Gold', which is dedicated, I quote, "to the doctors, nurses and doctors of the world who fought against covid and who are now fighting for democracy in Ukraine", that the album ends wonderfully in a new composition which again highlights, in the first part, the quiet and relaxing style of the two compositions 'Sometime, Somehow' and 'I Will Breathe with you' and which then gains vigor and ends on an addictive melody with, one last time, magnificent vocal arrangements. To this we can add that the production is impeccable and highlights the many details that we discover over repeated listenings.

In summary, after the projects that are not necessarily very media-friendly such as 'Hott Mess' and 'Cyber Band', is added 'Fascination Curve' which shows an inventive and imaginative progressive shaped by the talented artist 'Karl Lundeberg' and we hope that this first album not be the last and that we can continue, in the future, to get back between our ears, new albums as original as this one which brings a breath of fresh air to this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Karl Lundeberg (Keybords, Guitar, Vocal), Marc Bonilla (Guitar, Vocal), Ken Stacey (Vocal), Amy Keyes (Vocal), Mha Bhati (Bass), Tim Riess (Saxophone), Gregg Bissonette (Drums)


Artist : Restless Spirits

Album : Second to None

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 30-08-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Guitarist 'Tony Hernando' from the band 'Lords Of Black' also has another melodic hard-rock side project, 'Restless Spirit', and 'Second to None' is his second album, following 'Restless Spirit' dating from 2019. As with the first opus, he surrounded himself with singers known from the international scene and we find again 'Johnny Gioeli' ('Axel Rudi Pell' and 'Hardline') and 'Kent Hilli' ('Perfect Plan' and in solo here) already there in the first album, and two little new ones came to be added with, honour to the ladies, 'Chez Kane' and 'Renan Zonta' ('Skills', 'Brother Against Brother' and 'Electric Mob'). At the risk of repeating myself in relation to the other chronicles of my summer playlist, even if it's not yet an album that will revolutionize rock music, it's still an album filled with memorable melodies, simple but devilishly effective providing immediate pleasure listening. Each singer has been assigned three titles except 'Kent Hilli' who has only two and who is in charge of starting the album with the catchy 'Need A Lil' White Lie' with a first chorus to resume in choirs (see the video above) but also to close the album with the energetic 'Dirty Money'. The rest is in the image of these two compositions and, to quote the title that struck me the most for each of the other three artists, it is 'Dreams Of The Wild' for 'Chez Kane' which is completely cut out for her (see the video here), 'And Yet It Breaks' for 'Renan Zonta' and the beautiful ballad 'Always A Pretender' for 'Johnny Gioeli'. We can add that 'Tony Hernando' is not to be outdone with remarkable guitar solos, and this in each composition. In short, it's yet another album that I'm adding to the summer playlist of July and August 2022 releases, and which should make all fans of melodic hard rock and AOR happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Hernando (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Victor Diez (Piano, Keybords), Matt De Vallejo (Drums) + Guests : Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Kent Hilli (Vocal), Chez Kane (Vocal), Renan Zonta (Vocal)


Artist : The Bardic Depths

Album : Promise of Hopes

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 02-09-2022

'The Bardic Depths' is a progressive rock project that was created by songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist 'Dave Bandana' with an band's self-titled debut album in 2020. The rest of the line-up consists of vocalist and keyboardist 'Peter Jones' ('Tiger Moth Tales', 'Camel'), guitarist 'Gareth Cole' ('Paul Menel', 'Fractal Mirror') and drummer 'Tim Gehrt' ('The Streets', 'Steve Walsh') but this basic formation is accompanied by a large number of other artists including 'Robin Armstrong', the leader of 'Cosmograf', which is also producing the album. The subject matter is relatively dark as it is the story of a queen who tries to kill herself but heaven will not allow it and offer redemption instead. Musically, it's not too in tune with the theme because we navigate between rock and progressive pop which brings us back to the 70s, the atmospheres being quiet and relaxing.

And it is with the 8 minutes of 'And She Appeared' that the album begins and we embark on classic progressive and catchy with a first chorus that goes directly into your head and which can make you think of the atmospheres pastorals of the first 'Barclay James Harvest', then, 'Regal Pride' continues in a more measured rhythm, the saxophone bringing a nonchalant side. Follows 'Consumed', introduced by a classical acoustic guitar, and which continues for a sung part with folk intonations, the flute and the violin further amplifying the feeling of lightness of the whole. With 'The Burning Flame', after the instrumental introduction highlighting the electric guitar of 'Gareth Cole', the title continues with a very beautiful relaxing ballad with a 'Floydian' look, then, 'Colour and Shapes' is an instrumental which takes us on a very beautiful musical journey, to the sound of the saxophone of 'Peter Jones', melancholy at the beginning then more catchy then with the arrival of the drums and which continues in the second part with a magnificent guitar solo. We return to more classic pop like 'Barclay James Harvest' with 'Why Are You Here?' which unfolds a beautiful peaceful melody, then, 'Returned' shows a completely different face with vocal sound effects and more electronic keyboard sounds of the 80s and 'The Essence' (see video here) continues in this same decade and can recall certain electronic sounds that Alan Parsons ' brought to rock at that time. And it is with the 9 minutes of Imagine' that the album ends: it opens with a church organ and continues with a serene sung part with a beautiful melody. At 2.30, the drums enter the track and accompany the vocals, then, the second part of the title gives pride of place to instrumental interventions, with successively luminous keyboards, a very beautiful 'Hackettian' guitar solo (reminiscent of 'Genesis') and, finally, again a beautiful saxophone solo, the sung finale returning to the main theme and ending on the same church organ sounds as the beginning of the title.

In summary, 'Dave Bandana', well helped by quality artists (special mention for 'Peter Jones' and his saxophone) releases a very beautiful album that takes us back to the early 70s with melodic compositions that should satisfy all lovers of imaginative progressive rock that can be listened to quietly through headphones to decompress after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Bandana (Keybords, Guitar), Peter Jones (Keybords, Saxophone, Vocal), Gareth Cole (Guitar), Tim Gehrt (Drums) + Guests : Robin Armstrong (Keybords, Bass, Hammond), John William Francis (Marimba), Paolo Limoli (Piano, Keybords), Kevin McCormick (Guitar), Mike Warren (Cello), Donny O'Connell (Violin), Olga Kent (Voice), Richard Kreuger (Voice), Sally Minnear (Voice), Graham Smith (Vocal), Cliff Pearson (Vocal), Phil Clayton (Vocal), Lily Miller (Vocal), Tim Martin (Vocal), Kevin Thompson (Vocal), Rob Birnholz (Vocal), Miles Alexander Schofield (Vocal), Scotty Scott (Vocal), Paul Turner (Vocal), Kimberley Jones (Vocal), Dick Dapre (Vocal), Debbie Dapre (Vocal), Martin Haskell (Vocal)


Artist : A-Z

Album : A-Z

Release Date : 12-08-2022

Added : 01-09-2022

Album of the playlist myprogmusic 2022 summer chronicles

Early September is here, and to end my summer playlist of rock and melodic hard rock albums providing immediate listening pleasure and released in July and August 2022, here is the new project 'A-Z', led by drummer 'Mark Zonder' (among other things to take only recent reviews, 'Shumaun', 'Pentesilea Road' and 'Enzo and the Glory Ensemble') and the singer of 'Fates Warning', 'Ray Alder' (logical, the A of Alder and the Z of Zonder). Joined by 'Philip Bynoe' on bass, 'Joop Wolters' on guitar and 'Vivien Lalu' on keyboards, the duo offers us more direct melodic hard rock for a wider audience than the progressive metal offered in their various respective projects. Although some titles include some more progressive sections, the objective is completely achieved and, from the start, with 'Trial by Fire' sends us good powerful hard rock with a memorable first melody, then, 'The Far Side of the Horizon' is less direct but brings a good dose of progressive. The suite is more accessible with energetic and more fluid titles: 'The Machine Gunner', 'Windows Panes', 'Run Away' or even 'Borrowed Time' attest to this and these titles alternate with more sedate atmospheres such as ballads 'Rise Again', the powerful 'Stranded', 'At the Waters Edge' eyeing towards AOR or even 'Sometimes' alternating ballad and mid-tempo with a very beautiful guitar solo in the second part of the title, the album ending with the bonus track 'The Silence Broken' which sums up well the philosophy of this opus with a catchy rhythm and a simple but very effective melody.

In short, even if the progressive side comes out in small touches, this first album of this new project put together by 'Mark Zonder' and 'Ray Alder' shows a more immediate accessibility than their other respective projects and should appeal to a wide audience. public loving a metal that one appropriates quite quickly...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Zonder (Drums), Ray Alder (Vocal, Choirs), Philip Bynoe (Bass), Vivien Lalu (Keybords), Joop Wolters (Guitar)


Artist : Thundermother

Album : Black and Gold

Release Date : 19-08-2022

Added : 03-09-2022

'Thundermother' is a project created in 2010 by four Swedish hard rockers who have already released 4 albums, 'Rock'n Roll Disaster' in 2014, 'Road Fever' in 2015, 'Thundermother' in 2018 and 'Heat Wave' in 2020. They are coming back in 2022 with a new baby that continues to offer us good energetic and unbridled hard rock to listen to for breakfast to get in shape for a whole day. The line-up has evolved since the formation of the group by the leader of this formation, the guitarist 'Filippa Nässil', having been joined in 2017 by 'Guernica Mancini' on vocals and 'Emlee Johansson' on drums and since 2019, it is now 'Majsan Lindberg' who is on bass.

To give you the tone of the album, the first title 'The Light in the Sky' gives us a hard rock noise and a first chorus with 'hohohoho' to be repeated in chorus until the extinction of voice, and if you don't buy into this burst of energy, you can move on. For the others, the label 'AFM Records' having not skimped on the means, the videos available on youtube give a good overview of the whole with the 4 four compositions 'Black and Gold' , 'Watch Out', 'I Don't Know You' and 'Loud And Free'. The rest is therefore in the image of these four videos and to recover from all this ardor, our four hard-rockers also show their tender side with two beautiful ballads that are 'Hot Mess' (see the video here) and 'Borrowed Time'.

In short, the four Swedes of 'Thundermother' continue their way with an explosive new album which contains all the ingredients of a good fiery hard rock and filled with good positive energy...

Line Up / Musicians

Guernica Mancini (Vocal), Filippa Nässil (Guitar), Mona Lindgren (Bass), Emlee Johansson (Drums)


Artist : SiX By SiX

Album : SiX By SiX

Release Date : 19-08-2022

Added : 05-09-2022

'Robert Berry' is no stranger to progressive lovers since he collaborated with the late 'Keith Emerson' and released with him the album 'To The Power of Three' in 1988 under the name of project '3' which could have been named 'Emerson, Berry & Palmer' since the drummer 'Carl Palmer' was also present (we also remember the album 'Emerson, Lake and Powell' with 'Cozy Powell'). It is therefore him who is at the origin of this original trio 'SiX By SiX' and, it is two other known artists who accompany him with first of all, 'Ian Crichton', the guitarist of 'Saga' and drummer 'Nigel Glockler' from 'Saxon'. As for 'Nigel Glockler', it's not necessarily in this style of music that we expect to find him, but the drummer of 'Saxon' has always been a fan of 70s progressive and he's very well adapted to the atmospheres of this album by bringing a surgical strike very in phase with the released atmospheres. In this album, 'Robert Berry' highlights the guitarist talents of 'Ian Chrichton' and gave him carte blanche to accompany his various compositions, the whole being recorded in the manner of a live. Very eclectic (as is the trio), he offers us 10 compositions which all have their originality, the influences being of course drawn from the 70s.

the two singles 'Yearning to Fly' (see video above) and 'China' (see video here) start the album with each their own atmosphere, the first being well-paced with a catchy chorus bringing us back to classic progressive that 'Saga' would not have denied and the second, much more direct which deploys good energy with a new rhythm section to make a whole audience handbang. In third position and, for me, the major composition of the album, 'Reason to Feel Calm Again' deploys its 8 minutes with all that one wishes to find in progressive, alternations between sung and instrumental parts and changes frequent in rhythm and intensity. With 'The Upside of Down', we continue in this register of the seventies merging different influences, certain sung parts reminding me of the atmospheres of 'Police' (the intonations of 'Robert Berry' being like those of 'Sting'). Follows 'Casino' which continues in this melodic progressive and 'Ian Chrichton' offers us an extraordinary guitar solo (as indeed on each title), 'Robert Berry' not being outdone with a keyboard solo which should recall some well-known sounds to ELP' fans, then, 'Live Forever' is a short guitar/voice break well placed in the middle of the album and very endearing. The first part of 'The Last Words on Earth' is more difficult to grasp with melodic lines that are not necessarily accessible, and I must say that I appreciate less the (slightly forced) singing of 'Rober Berry' while the second part brings a calmer section and remarkable instrumental peregrinations. We continue with an energetic and rhythmic 'Skyfall' with beautiful variations in the sung parts and an admirable new guitar solo, the instrumental bridges bringing an extraordinary magnitude to the whole thanks to the keyboards. With 'Battle of a Lifetime', we are once again fully in the masterful progressive with this time alternations between acoustic and electric sections which brings a real originality and makes it one of the other major titles, then, the album ends with an energetic and catchy 'Save the Night' all by itself amalgamating rock, hard rock and metal intonations, 'Ian Chrichton' also showing all his talent in muscular interventions with his saturated "howling" guitar.

In summary, our trio finally shows a fabulous homogeneity with compositions that necessarily require that we linger over them to draw all their richness, and 'Robert Berry' has entirely succeeded in his bet of bringing together artists from from different backgrounds to produce a progressive album filled with great creativity and, at the same time, imbued with seventies influences while having a very contemporary style...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Berry (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Ian Crichton (Guitar), Nigel Glockler (Drums)


Artist : Lonely Robot

Album : A Model Life

Release Date : 26-08-2022

Added : 07-09-2022

A week before the release of the last 'Arena', the man with multiple projects (see myprogmusic search for this artist), 'John Mitchell', releases his latest album from his 'Lonely Robot' project and, after the last two very close opuses, ' Under Stars' in 2019 and 'Feelings Are Good' in 2020, he gave himself two years to release this new baby 'A Model Life' which is once again close to listening time.

As a fan of progressive rock, when a new 'John Mitchell' offering comes along, I look forward to it and usually set the bar relatively high, given the talent of the guy and the hours already spent putting his entire impressive discography between his ears. So, when I started listening to the first title 'Recalibrating', even if this title would certainly have seemed very pleasant to me in another progressive project, I found it quite common, and I must say that I was quite disappointed with this start which seemed to me below what the Englishman used to offer us. And then, the titles being linked, this impression gradually faded for another which took over and each composition gave me a little more listening pleasure than the previous one like a rise in power towards a kind musical grail reached in the middle of the album not to fall back until the end, the emotional slider only growing and showing a 'John Mitchell' who certainly signs his most moving album, both musically and lyrically. (for many, the covid period has been a revelation to externalize deep feelings). In short, all the ingredients are still there for a real listening pleasure and, like any good progressive album, it takes on more and more flavor as you listen to it with a great diversity of moods and rhythms (musically, I found in a lot of compositions like 'Starlight Stardust' or the title song the same emotions encountered listening to the German neo-progressive band 'RPWL'). To avoid a tedious title by title (there would be so much to say), I will quote the last three compositions which take us on an intense musical journey with, first of all, the melancholic 'Rain Kings' with its delicious accompaniment and the melodious vocals of 'John Mitchell' which deals with that silly image that boys shouldn't cry (and which could well move some to tears!!), then, 'Duty of Care' rolls out beautiful melodic lines on a very personal theme of his adoption and his unhealthy relationship with his father , and, finally, 'In Memoriam' closes the album, with the continuation of the previous theme continuing to highlight very deep feelings in a new composition bathed in an atmospheric 'Floydian' atmosphere.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'John Mitchell' takes us on an intense musical journey in which he makes us go through all kinds of feelings by revealing himself certainly more than in these previous albums and, for my apart, 'A Model Life' is added to my ideal progressive discotheque, which should also be the case for a lot of English fans and more generally fans of progressive pop/rock...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Craig Blundell (Drums)


Artist : Anthea

Album : Tales Untold

Release Date : 26-08-2022

Added : 08-09-2022

In symphonic metal, formations continue to flourish all over the planet and the Americans of Anthea' are part of these new groups raised to the sounds of 'Nightwish' and 'Within Temptation' which emerge to water us with energetic and melodic with this time, once is not custom, two singers because 'Diego Valadez' shares the microphone with 'Juan Pina', the first in clean vocals and the second accompanying him with growls. After a first album 'Illusion' in 2019, 2022 sees the release of their second 'Tales Untold' studio recording. They therefore continue to ride the wave of symphonic metal by adding an impressive power and we could easily add the qualifier power to their style because it takes off like a rocket with the title song of the album (see video above) which mixes power metal and metal symphonic with a frantic rhythm and with some growls of 'Juan Pina'. Follows 'Ascendance', in the same style, with slightly more marked symphonic effects and, with the same energy deployed, we can also mention 'The Deceiver' and 'Looking Glass' in which the growls take a more important place or 'Empyrean' (see video here) and its fast rhythm which moves away from symphonic metal for heavy metal or even 'Sunder Heart' with an opposition between extreme verses and a chorus with catchy melodic lines. Some compositions are in a more classic symphonic metal with for example 'Song for Winter' and its catchy chorus or the cover 'In Time' of 'Robbie Robb' in a much more muscular version as you can imagine. Another striking composition, 'Sapiens' takes us on an exotic journey with oriental scents and the Americans do not miss the beautiful power ballad with 'Memorian' which allows a break in the middle of the album and in which 'Diego Valadez' makes great vocal performance. In short, even if they are not going to revolutionize the style, the Americans of Anthea' release a good album in which they add a good dose of power and more growls compared to their first opus and which should make everyone happy. lovers and all lovers of power metal and symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Diego Valadez (Vocal, Keybords), Juan Pina (Guitar, Vocal), Marcos Mejia (Guitar), Eric Guerrero (Bass), Peter Vasquez (Drums)


Artist : Imperial Age

Album : New World

Release Date : 26-08-2022

Added : 09-09-2022

My last column of the Russians of Imperial Age' dates from 2020 with the 'Live on Earth (The Online Lockdown Concert)' and, in the meantime, strong of this concert given in streaming with an impressive number of views, they did it again with another concert given on December 26, 2021 with the participation of a chamber orchestra and a choir, a performance that brought together nearly 100,000 internet users and an extract of which can be seen on youtube with the latest Russian hit (see video above), a composition that makes also part of the latest album released at the end of August, 'New World', which is the subject of this review. For this last opus, I quote 'Aor' ('Alexander Osipov'): "it is not a concept album, and the subject will no longer be about ancient civilizations. The album will talk about freedom, exploring, going beyond borders and finding your own way. It's a bit like when you feel inside that modern society is not for you and you are looking to find something completely different. This is what gives the album its name. ". This theme is particularly strong for them at the moment, since they have taken a stand on the war in Ukraine and four of the band members have left Russia.

With the same line up as the live of 2020 and faithful to their previous productions, they offer us an epic and catchy symphonic metal from the first listen with for this opus 7 rather short titles and a long development of more than 18 minutes (we will come back to this). Regarding the first 7 titles, 'Windborn' opens the ball with a mid-tempo with an addictive first melody which gives an irresistible desire to accompany the song and which automatically starts the foot tapping machine, then, the title song (see the video above) adds a melodic nugget in a faster atmosphere but just as endearing as the first title, the sung parts being always admirable by highlighting the three vocal registers respectively of mezzo-soprano for Jane , soprano for Anna and tenor for Alexander. Follows 'The Way is the Aim' which continues in this voice and which, in the form of a ritornello spinning in a loop in our head, in addition to the magnificent vocal parts, adds a beautiful catchy instrumental section in the second part of the title. With 'To the Edge of the Known' the epic symphonic side is at its peak and the vocal exchanges between Alexander and the two singers in the verses are remarkable, the three singers coming together for a grandiose chorus amplified by flamboyant keyboards, then ' The Wheel' adds a new unifying melody, just like 'Shakless of God', which follows, with a folk/metal side brought by the violin and 'Distant Shores' closes the unstoppable melodies with an alternation between aerial and dancing verses and a chorus with grandiose choirs accompanied by a roaring rhythm section. We arrive at the main course of the album, the symphonic-progressive saga 'Call of the Towers' which is a lush epic with all the ingredients of this kind of compositions and which unfolds on a slow rhythm, an imposing melody highlighting always masterful vocal arrangements, the clear and lyrical songs intertwining and the instrumental passages spicing up the whole with imposing symphonic atmospheres like this passage with resplendent church organs.

In summary, the Russians of Imperial Age', despite all the roadblocks brought by the events of the last two years, release a new album showing that they continue to offer us this unique style of the symphonic metal scene by offering epic and luxuriant atmospheres that they draw from their roots with this vocal music which has taken a very important place in Russia, in particular, thanks to the various world-famous choirs...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander “Aor” Osipov (Vocal, Keybords), Jane “Corn” Odintsova (Vocal, Keybords), Anna “Kiara” Moiseeva (Vocal), Max Talion (Drums), Paul “Vredes” Maryashin (Guitar), Dmitry “Belf” Safronov (Bass)


Artist : Crystal Gates

Album : Torment & Wonder: The Ways of the Lonely Ones

Release Date : 29-07-2022

Added : 10-09-2022

After the Americans of 'Anthea' and the Russians of 'Imperial Age ', in the same style of music, I return to a symphonic metal album released at the end of July by the Uruguayans of 'Crystal Gates', 'Torment & Wonder: The Ways of the Lonely Ones'. Uruguay is not at first sight a famous country in this kind of music but this formation, created almost 10 years ago with a first EP 'A Quest of Life' in 2015, already showed all the qualities of this combo with a fairly average production. They return almost eight years later with a first studio recording and offer us good symphonic metal, the production having been much improved with a sound worthy of the major groups of the genre, the tenor 'Carolina Pérez' having nothing to envy to the best singers of this style.

They offer us a varied album of 10 compositions, and like the Americans of Anthea', the power side is highlighted thanks to a muscular rhythm section: witness the start of 'My Glorious Fall' which tumbles at hundred per hour after the short instrumental introduction 'The Way of the Lonely Ones' which slowly increases the pressure. We find this energy in other titles like the melodic 'Alive for the Journey' and 'Winter Ghost', but to a lesser extent because they are more diversified. In a more moderate style but just as effective, 'Moonshine & Sorrow' (see the video above) has a very danceable side to more classic symphonic metal and should work very well in public and the catchy 'Soul of Rain' and 'Nightmares', sporting catchy melodic lines, flirts with 'Xandria', 'Delain', 'Sirenia' or 'Imperia'. We can also note 'The Stars Temple' which shows an epic and majestic side with oriental melodic lines which reinforce this imposing side, and which constitutes one of my favorites of the album and, in this same majestic style, the Uruguayans also offer the beautiful 'A Lonely Dreamer's Wish', half ballad, half mid-tempo. But the centerpiece of the album is, without a doubt, the long final development 'Torment & Wonder' which takes us on a saga of symphonic metal alternating rhythmic changes and intensities, the whole offering a fair balance between sung parts and instrumental.

In summary, the Uruguayans of 'Crystal Gates' are releasing a very good album, certainly modeled on a fairly classic symphonic metal and influenced by the tenors of the genre, which should make fans of this genre happy. style and which should, for sure, be in the top five releases of this year in symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Benjamín Machín (Guitar), Carolina Pérez (Vocal), Guillermo Albano (Bass), Juan José Leyton (Keybords), Gastón Lorenzo (Drums)


Artist : Dynazty

Album : Final Advent

Release Date : 26-08-2022

Added : 11-09-2022

It's still in Sweden that I take you with the melodic heavy metal of 'Dynazty' which had released two melodic bombs, 'Firesign' in 2018 and 'The Dark Delight' in 2020. They continue their small cruising rhythm with an album every two years and, with the same line-up that the latest opus, 2022 sees 'Final Advent' released, bringing their discography to 8 albums. No need for a long column to tell you that if there was a perfect energetic melodic metal album standard, those of 'Dynazty' would certainly be chosen because this latest baby is still flawless and each title is a hit in power which send hymns of powerful and melodic metal which all give a crazy desire to resume (what am I saying to scream at the top of the lungs) the chorus in chorus (see the video above of 'Advent', that of 'Natural Born Killer' here and that of 'The White' here). And when you put this kind of musical missile between your ears, you become a little fussy and you start dreaming that the Swedes could vary the compositions a little more by modulating the intensities because we have a good overview with the magnificent 'Yours' between power ballad and mi-tempo (see the video here) which unfolds a very catchy melody. In short, if you're a fan of melodic heavy metal, you've come to the right place with this latest album from Sweden's 'Dynazty' which still offers us catchy melodic anthems on every corner...

Line Up / Musicians

Nils Molin (Vocal), Rob Love Magnusson (Guitar), George Egg (Drums), Mikael Lavér (Guitar), Jonathan Olsson (Bass)


Artist : Epica

Album : Live at Paradiso + We Will Take You With Us

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 13-09-2022

20 years, let's celebrate!! and when you're called 'Epica', as we've been used to for a few years now, you don't skimp on the means and everything is done to make it grand. This anniversary was therefore marked by a spectacular show in 'Tilburg' on September 3 with many guests, which was filmed, and which is being streamed for two days while certainly awaiting the release of a DVD/ Blu ray. And for those who couldn't make it to the Netherlands or who haven't watched the last concert yet, 'Epica' is releasing the 2006 'Live in Paradiso' concert at the same time which had never made it object of a DVD/Blu-ray and which already shows, at that time, four years after the creation of the group, that they had already taken an essential place on the symphonic metal scene. We find with great pleasure the titles of their first two albums which were part of the concerts of that time and which have since disappeared from the setlists, such as 'Dance Of Fate', 'The Last Crusade', 'Solitary Ground', 'Force Of The Shore' or even 'Seif al Din' and so on (see also videos of 'The Last Crusade' above, 'Blank Infinity' here and 'Sensorium' here). Icing on the cake, they also bring out their first three CDs as well as the concert 'We Will Take You With Us' given in 2004 for Dutch television in the program 'Twee Meter Sessies' and, on this occasion, the videos of this concert are available in full on youtube (see below the list containing the moving cover of 'Memory', taken from the musical 'Cats'). Also present in this album, the cover in German of 'Run for a Fall' and the two compositions 'Cry for the Moon' and 'Illusive Consensus' of the only EP of the first group 'Sahara Dust' of 'Mark Jansen' from the end of 2002 which will be taken over later by 'Epica'. The spotify link above is a playlist of these two concerts. In short, as we suspected, 'Epica' celebrates its 20-year career as it should for this formation which has become, in the same way as 'Nightwish' or 'Within Temptation', the spearhead of symphonic metal and which has had a lot of emulators since with multiple international projects, the latest that I reviewed being the 'Uruguayans of 'Crystal Gates', this style has no borders...

List of 'We Will Take You With Us' videos:
1 = 'Facade of Reality'
2 = 'Sensorium'
3 = 'Illusive Consensus'
4 = 'Cry for the Moon'
5 = 'The Phantom Agony'
6 = 'Seif Al Din'
7 = 'Feint'
8 = 'Run for a Fall'
9 = 'Memory'

Line Up / Musicians

Live At Paradiso
Simone Simons (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal, Guitar), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Ad Sluijter (Guitar), Yves Huts (Bass), Jeroen Simons (Drums)

We Will Take You With Us
Simone Simons (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal, Guitar), Coen Jansen (Keybords), Ad Sluijter (Guitar), Yves Huts (Bass), Jeroen Simons (Drums) + Guests : Annie Göbel (Choirs), Bridget Fogle (Choirs), Amanda Somerville (Choirs), Linda van Summeren (Choirs), Georgina Chakos (Choirs), Leigh Adoff (Choirs), Melvin Edmondsen (Choirs), Previn Moore (Choirs), Jonas Pap (Cello), Lois van Driel (Cello), Pieter Althuis (Bass), Marleen Veldstra (Allto), Karen Dekker (Violin), Lenneke Dijkens (Violin)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 14-09-2022

'Steve Hackett' never stops revisiting 'Genesis' for our greatest happiness, and after 'Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra – Live''Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra – Live' in 2019, the remastered album of the concert at the Royal Albert Hall from 2013 released in 2020 and 'Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith' dating also from 2020, he offers us the concert given by 'Genesis' in 1976 and 1977 in Paris and which was the subject, at the time, of the double vinyl 'Seconds Out'. For the occasion, it's the Manchester concert on September 24, 2021, from the 'Genesis Revisited 2021 - Seconds Out + More' tour which was recorded and filmed and which has been released in early September. The album is split into two parts, firstly compositions from Steve's albums, 'Clocks' and 'Every Day' from 1979's 'Spectral Morning', 'Surrender of Silence' and 'The Devils Cathedral' (see video here) from his latest album 'Surrender of Silence' and the magnificent 'Shadow of the Hierophant' from the 1975 album 'Voyage of the Acolyte' which we now have usual, is sung by 'Amanda Lehmann'. The sequel is of course devoted to the complete cover of 'Seconds Out' with the essential titles of 'Genesis' from the first half of the 70s and we are re-embarked on this fantastic journey to the sounds of the mythical 'The Carpet Crawlers', 'Aferglow ', 'Firth of Fifth', 'The Cinema Show', 'Dance on a volcano' or even 'Los Endos' (If you want more details on each title played, you can refer to the very nice column of 'David Edwards' from the blog 'The Progressive Aspect' here). Note that 'Steve Hackett' continues, at 72, to make impressive tours and that 2023 is devoted to the album 'Foxtrot' of 'Genesis' which will be 50 years old. In short, with 'Steve Hackett', there is something to fill your ears with, whether with the covers of 'Genesis' or whether with his solo career and 'Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More' is directly added to this list of must-have live albums for any progressive rock fan through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Vocal, Guitar, Charango, Oud), Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Roger King (Keybords), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Clarinette), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Craig Blundell (Drums) + Guest : Amanda Lehmann (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Mike Tramp

Album : For Første Gang

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 15-09-2022

'Mike Tramp', who was known in the 80s with his glam metal band 'White Lion' (all the albums plus some bonuses are available on spotify in the imposing box set 'All You Need is Rock 'n' Roll') continued his solo career and, after 'Stray from the Flock' in 2019 and 'Second Time Around' in 2020, 'For Første Gang' is his 13th album. For the occasion, this last baby is entirely sung in his native language, Danish, and all the lyrics were written by friends of Mike. Once is not custom, he takes us into a quiet and relaxing universe and this from the first title 'Dét Jeg Var' which sets the tone of this album with a magnificent piano/voice duet, Mike's singing bringing a real emotion. Admittedly, there are a few slightly more lively compositions like 'Vejkort' (see the video above) or 'Hjem' but the rest deliver magnificent melodies and we have a great time listening to the slow tempos that are 'For Første Gang For Altid' (watch the video here), 'Jeg Holder Fast' and its beautiful vocal arrangements, the subtle 'Drømme' and its delicious stripping, the delicate 'Kys Jeg Ikke Gav' or the moving 'Flamme Og Benzine', the album ending with two other melodic jewels, 'Min By' (see the video here) and 'Album'.

In short, we find a sensitive and moving 'Mike Tramp' which transports us to a delicate and relaxing universe with very beautiful melodic lines and 'For Første Gang' is to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on the ears to relax from the daily stress...

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Tramp (Vocal, Guitar, Piano), Søren Andersen (Guitar, Keybords), Søren Bigum (Pedal Steel, Mandolin, Cello), Søren Skov (Keybords), Claus Langeskov (Bass), Morten Hellborn (Drums)


Artist : King's X

Album : Three Sides of One

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 16-09-2022

I must admit, I never really followed the career of the Americans of 'King's X' who released a dozen albums between the end of the 80s and 2008, the year that saw their last opus 'XV' out, the band no longer recording but continuing to tour. 'Three Sides of One' therefore arrives after 14 years of discographic silence and it is likely to divide the band's fans because, the least we can say is that 'King's X' sweeps wide in this latest opus: those who do not like diversity may be disappointed. However, if you like to go from symphonic to modern metal to pop, rock and hard rock, all sprinkled in places with progressive, you should adopt 'Three Sides of One'.

It all starts with a muscular 'Let It Rain' which takes us into hard rock with a marked rhythm and with unbridled guitar riffs and an equally unbridled singing of 'Doug Pinnick' completely in tune with the atmosphere of the title, then, 'Flood Pt. 1' shows a much more contrasting face with heavy sections, close to metal, interspersed with rather quiet popish verses which makes it one of the most original titles of the album. Without transition, place in the ballad of the album 'Nothing but the Truth', rather conventional, which unrolls a beautiful calm and restful melody with a remarkable guitar solo of 'Ty Tabor' in the second part, then, 'Give It Up' (see the video above) sends us effective and lively rock before the very beautiful 'All God's Children' (see the video here) which, on a slow tempo, develops an endearing melody and which highlights very beautiful vocal harmonies. Follows the semi-acoustic ballad 'Take the Time' which brings us back to modern pop with catchy melodic lines, then, 'Festival' picks up the pace again for a lively title with a very pleasant three-way song 'Ty Tabor' and 'Jerry Gaskill' backing up 'Doug Pinnick' vocals. Heavier and harder to grasp, 'Swipe Up' brings at the same time a progressive psychedelic side with multiple changes and rhythmic breaks and this improbable mixture makes it an innovative title, then, without transition, we then embark on an atmosphere à la 'Beatles' with the song 'Holidays' and its light and refreshing melody. We attack the last three compositions with 'Watcher' which continues in melodic pop, then 'She Called Me Home' is a beautiful bucolic ballad which offers us a long instrumental section in the second part with a very beautiful guitar solo and, to finish, 'Every Everywhere' ends the album with a new 'Beatlesian' ritornello with, one last time, splendid vocal harmonies.

In summary, the Americans of 'King's X' are releasing a diversified album which may disturb some, accustomed to more linear compositions, but it is precisely this variety of compositions which attracted me to this 'Three Sides of One' which, even if it does not revolutionize the musical world, is very pleasant to listen to if you take the time to ask yourself to listen to it in its entirety, each composition bringing its own originality...

Line Up / Musicians

Doug Pinnick (Vocal, Bass), Ty Tabor (Vocal, Guitar), Jerry Gaskill (Vocal, Drums)


Artist : Rosa Nocturna

Album : Angels and Beasts

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 17-09-2022

'Rosa Nocturna' is a very original formation from the folk metal scene and 'Angels and Beasts' is their fourth studio recording which they had already released in their native language, Czech, at the end of 2020 ('Andělé A Bestie'), their first three albums 'V Tmách' from 2010, 'Zapomenuté Příběhy' from 2016 and 'Za Hradbami Času' from 2017, being also in Czech. I guess that, to try to make themselves known internationally, they decided to release this last album sung in English. Tagged metal, as I told you in the preamble, this is not necessarily what emerges from listening to 'Angels and Beasts', even if certain compositions highlight powerful atmospheres sprinkled here and there with extreme vocals.

'Lightbringer' (see the video above) opens the album with catchy melodic lines in a catchy mood and the title hardens in the second part with the alternation of clean vocal and growls, then, 'Pharmacist' continues in this harmonious style and, even if the saturated electric guitars lead the dance, the folk influences begin to make themselves felt. Folk sounds take precedence over metal in the following title, 'Falling', which deploys a new memorable melody magnificently interpreted by the two singers, the flute reinforcing the rural side. Follows 'Desires In Mist' (see the video here) which continues in this well-balanced mix between the energy of the guitar riffs and the sweetness of the vocals , then, 'Fear' deploys a quieter atmosphere, while keeping a disturbing side, on a mid-tempo with very beautiful choirs mixing extreme voices and clear voices. With 'Once', we are now far from metal and this ballad, accompanied by melancholy strings, highlights the very beautiful singing of 'René "Perry" David', then, we find this alternation between the power of metal and the more moderate folk sounds of the first title 'Lightbringer' with 'Skinchangers' which makes it one of the most original titles of the album, the catchy melody bringing a certain fluidity. We stay in a folk metal atmosphere with 'Intruders' which highlights sharp guitar riffs which can remind those of 'Therion', the resemblance ending there, then, supported by a twirling violin, it is again the folk side that takes over above with 'Letters To The Front' which unrolls a lively and melodic refrain on a waltz beat. The album ends with the instrumental 'Periculum' bringing a symphonic side thanks to a rich orchestration and the magnificent ballad 'Of Love, Of War, Of Blood' which was part of their penultimate album ('O lásce, o válce a o krvi') of which we can see the video in English here and in Czech here.

In summary, this latest album by the Czechs of 'Rosa Nocturna' is a very nice surprise for 2022 which offers us an original mix of folk and metal with beautiful catchy melodic lines and shows all the talent of this atypical formation which certainly made the right choice to offer this version in English because they have every chance now to make themselves known to all folk metal fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Tonda "Gabriel" Buček (Guitar), Petr Vosynek (Guitar), David Koudela (Bass), Dan Havránek (Drums), M. Mathias Novak (Vocal), Viktorie Surmøvá (Vocal), Aneta Zatočilová (Vocal) + invités : René "Perry" David (Vocal), Shirley Tracanna (Vocal), Lenka "Ereis" Šíková (Vocal)


Artist : Sedate Illusion

Album : Time is not the End + Black Untold

Release Date : 07-09-2022

Added : 25-09-2022

I've been following the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' since 2016 and I introduced you to 'Glass Delusion' in 2016 and 'Ungod Me' in 2020. Their discography now stands at seven albums with the recent arrival of their new baby which is a sum of two EPs, 'Time is not the End' and 'Black Untold', each featuring four tracks, featured on their bancamp page as different, the former in an approachable progressive style and the latter showing a darker, depressing face. For my part, this difference exists but to speak of depressing for the second which is certainly heavier and perhaps slightly less direct, is not necessarily the vocabulary that I would have used because it does not give you much desire whereas it is just as remarkable as the first one.

To begin 'What If' welcomes us in a powerful progressive metal always so inventive with a first chorus which fits very easily in the head and which offers two magnificent successive solos in the second part, from Anastasios Kibizis' to the guitar and 'Vangelis Kakarougkas' on keyboards, then 'Does It Matter' continues in a lighter and lively atmosphere, unrolling new catchy melodic lines, the progressive side being a little less highlighted. 'Time Is Not The End' returns to an inventive progressive and shows a rhythmic structure moving between a slow quiet tempo in the verses and a faster chorus, especially as it brings a very nice calm middle part with vocal arrangements magnificent which is followed by a much more energetic instrumental part. To close this first EP, 'Stars' is one of my favorites of the album, unfolding on a mid-tempo very beautiful melodic lines alternating moderate verses and an addictive chorus, the guitar solo of the second part adding a little more listening pleasure. The second EP begins with 'Breathe' which, on a moderate tempo, begins in an atmosphere reminiscent of 'Blackfield' and then picks up momentum with a rhythmic acceleration accompanied by electronic-sounding keyboards, 'Vangelis Kakarougkas' adapting its vocals magnificently to this beautiful crescendo. Much more powerful at first, the very beautiful instrumental 'Elevated', unrolls a massive metal on a slow tempo which then takes on an atmospheric 'Floydian' face in the middle of the title and which comes back, little by little, in a new crescendo accompanied by the guitar of Anastasios Kibizis' to the heaviness of the beginning, the end returning to a much more moderate climate. Follows 'Black Untold' which shows a dark face punctuated by an impetuous drum/bass section and whose vocal arrangements are masterful thanks to the contribution of the singer 'Lia Kolita' (we would like to hear her more often in duet with Vangelis) , then, 'Inside the Void' concludes this very beautiful album with a moving ballad in which the flute of 'Athina Doukani' and the oboe of 'Maria Katechaki' invite themselves magnificently and in which 'Vangelis Kakarougkas' shows all his vocal talent in a quieter atmosphere.

In summary, the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' continue their momentum with this new offering of the two EPs 'Time is not the End' and 'Black Untold' together which offer us an inventive and catchy progressive metal thanks to accessible melodic lines which will make it, for me, one of the major releases of 2022 in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Vangelis Kakarougkas (Vocal, Keybords), Anastasios Kibizis (Guitar), Vangelis Glavinas (Bass), Andreas Alamanos (Drums) + Guests : Lia Kolita (Vocal), Athina Doukaki (Flute), Maria Katechaki (Hautbois)


Artist : Mad Max

Album : Wings Of Time

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 18-09-2022

The Germans of 'Mad Max' have already clocked up quite a few flying hours and they celebrated their 40th anniversary, the group's self-titled debut album dating from 1982. Of the original formation, only guitarist 'Jürgen Breforth' remains, drummer 'Axel Kruse' having joined the band in 1984. Compared to the magnificent last album 'Stormchild Rising', it's 'Julian Rolinger' who now officiates as a singer replacing 'Michael Voss' and 'Fabian "Fabs" Ranft ' is the new bassist replacing 'Roland Bergmann' and, both having joined band two years ago. Created at the beginning of the 80s, 'Mad Max' continues its way and, after about fifteen albums and a few periods of inactivity, they release a new album 'Wings Of Time' which smells good of the melodic hard rock of their beginning which was flooding the airwaves at that time.

We are therefore immersed in melodic and catchy compositions with tasty arrangements that take us back a few decades with, to begin with, the trio 'Too Hot To Handle' (see video above), 'Days Of Passion' (see the video here) and 'A Woman Like That' which send rhythms to knock your head off by dint of headbanging. The suite does not weaken and, in a flamboyant AOR, gives us a little taste of nostalgia while listening to 'Best Part Of Me' (see the video here) and its addictive chorus, the beautiful ballad 'Rock Solid' offering a moment of respite, the energetic 'The Stage is For You' showing a group in great shape or even the melodic jewel 'When It Stops' that I play on a loop and whose chorus has a little air of 'Video Killed The Radio Star' of 'The Buggles' band but in a much more rock, without forgetting 'Stormchild Rising' style highlighting 'hohoho' than we want to resume in chorus. And it's not the last three titles that will lower the quality of the album because, 'Heroes Never Die' is a magnificent mid-tempo, then 'Miss Sacrifice' drives the point home with a melodic and effective AOR, and finally, 'Freedom' offers us the ballad that all the melodic rock formations of the 80s would have liked to compose.

In short, no need to add more, all you have to do is press the play button and let yourself go in the time machine, to a time when melodies flowed freely because 'Mad Max' continues to deliver albums filled with beautiful melodies that we appropriate from the first listen and which will, without a doubt, go on a loop among a lot of fans of rock and melodic hard rock of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Julian Rolinger (Vocal), Jürgen Breforth (Guitar), Fabian "Fabs" Ranft (Bass), Axel Kruse (Drums)


Artist : Gallia

Album : Obscura

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 19-09-2022

Decidedly, the start of the school year in September is under the sign of new symphonic metal albums and it is the turn of the Belgians of 'Gallia' to release their first LP 'Obscura' which will certainly make noise in the small world of metal. symphonic. Created in 2014 by guitarist 'Yannick Maris' and bassist 'Laurens Vandebroek', it is Yannick who is the main composer of the group, and, in their press kit, the Belgians present themselves very fairly as " a female fronted, 4-headed, Belgian cinematic metal band. Cinematic metal? Yes, this band creates symphonic metal with an amount of epicenes and storytelling that would fit a dark fantasy trilogy on the big screen. It combines bombastic orchestration, choir elements and imaginative lyrics with heavy guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums. It’s a beautiful melting pot of the best of both worlds. It scratches the itch for movie-lovers, fantasy-geeks and metalheads alike." And indeed, after the release of the first EP 'Everflame' in 2019 which already showed impressive maturity, 2022 sees the release of the first LP 'Obscura' which continues the story begun with 'Everflame': in short, it is the story of the band whose mission is to keep the flame alive, synonymous with 'hope. Thanks to their hard work to achieve this goal, it will allow them, by remaining united, to return to a life of freedom and to find a new world which they travel and of which each song of Obscura' tells the discovery of a new part of it.

Musically, we are indeed in the very definition of epic symphonic metal which remarkably combines the theatricality of classical symphonic music with metal. After the introduction 'Aperture' which gently increases the pressure with a clock ticking and strings which draw a disturbing atmosphere, 'Return To Time' tumbles and delivers us an explosive first composition with everything we wants to find in symphonic metal: a rhythm to make an entire audience headbang, sharp guitar riffs, orchestral arrangements adding to the breadth of the whole, a very catchy melody and a singer who has nothing to envy to the best frontwomen of the genre, I named 'Elyn Vandenwyngaert' who, thanks to her classical training, has the necessary power for this style of music. Follows 'Blackout Queen' which offers a catchy melody and a break of original intensity on the finale bringing a very beautiful diversity to this very beautiful title which could make jealous among 'Nightwish' and 'Epica'. Without transition, 'Mirage' begins with a ritornello in a waltz time taken by barrel organ sounds reminiscent of old French songs and which unfolds an addictive melody that never leaves you with very beautiful breaks returning to the ritornello, 'Elyn Vandenwyngaert' adding a palpable emotion to this atmosphere and the finale falling superbly in a few piano notes. With 'Reflection', the musical inventiveness of 'Yannick Maris' continues with a music box that we wind up and which delivers a few melodious notes quickly overtaken by the power of the electric instruments in a remarkable epic and theatrical atmosphere, then, 'Path of the Nomad' deploys a grandiose and catchy symphonic atmosphere with a new catchy chorus and a rhythm that automatically activates the toe-tapping machine. Small symphonic / folk break with 'Free Me' which delivers peaceful melodic lines, the strings bringing a romantic side to the whole, and which serves as an introduction to 'Spirit of the Sea' which flirts with folk metal on a rhythmic marked and which offers very beautiful vocal arrangements and a nice break in intensity in the middle of the title bringing an admirable originality. We find a heavier metal with 'Chaos' which develops new catchy melodic lines in a majestic atmosphere, and which is embellished with a very beautiful oriental break taken up all in power by the electric instruments, then, 'Euphoria' begins with an instrument traditional in an exotic atmosphere which presents a new addictive melody conducive again to the headbang. We arrive at the last two titles and, like a final bouquet following the fireworks, 'Tears Of Gold' develops seven minutes of an inventive symphonic metal summarizing well this extraordinary album then, 'New World' delivers us a magnificent mix between a first part in the form of a ballad on which we abandon ourselves completely listening to the melodious singing of 'Elyn Vandenwyngaert' and a second, brought gently by tribal percussions, proposing a grandiose finale with imposing choruses which spin this shiver so characteristic of an intense listening pleasure (I would have liked to take a small dose of it to lengthen this very beautiful title!).

In summary, the Belgians of 'Gallia' enter directly by the great door of symphonic metal and deliver us an exceptional first album both musically and in terms of the proposed concept and, if I have already praised this year some new symphonic metal formations, I have the impression that Obscura' will be my favorite symphonic metal album of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Elyn Vandenwyngaert (Vocal), Yannick Maris (Guitar), Laurens Vandebroek (Bass), Ties Jehoul (Drums)


Artist : Crosson

Album : Ready, Aim ...Rock !!

Release Date : 08-09-2022

Added : 20-09-2022

After the Germans of 'Mad Max', we stay in the same decades of the 80s with the Australians of 'Crosson' who, after 'Rock’N’Roll Love Affair' in 2020 and the 'Live at the Orpheum' which followed in 2021, return with a new studio recording 'Ready, Aim...Rock!!'. And just like 'Mad Max', they deliver catchy hard rock anthems that take us back a few decades and the 10 tracks of this latest opus parade one after the other and make us have a great time starting by the supercharged 'United' (see the video above), followed by a no less addictive 'Stop Preventing That You Love Me'. More moderate, the mid-tempo 'Fallen From Grace' (see the video here) follows with beautiful vocal harmonies, then 'One Love Affair' follows suit with a new memorable chorus, and the first ballad break is brought by 'The Wait It Is' with a rather original acceleration in the middle of the title. The second part of the album is not to be outdone with the eponymous title and 'Take On The World' which deliver new catchy melodies with choruses to be taken up in chorus, then, 'Love Is Endless', after a quick introduction, quickly turns into a beautiful syrupy ballad, the album ending with 'Roll The Dice', mixing up-tempo and mid-tempo and 'Afterlife', an energetic and catchy last anthem.

In summary, the Australians of 'Crosson' continue to release albums filled with good positive energy drawn from the hard rock of the 70s/80s with classic catchy melodies but very effective to listen to without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Jason Crosson (Vocal), Marko Rado (Guitar), Kyle Barr (Drums)


Artist : Allen/Olzon

Album : Army of Dreamers

Release Date : 09-09-2022

Added : 21-09-2022

After 'Worlds Apart' of 2020 which had made a very good impression on me, the duo 'Anette Olzon'/'Russell Allen' are doing it again with a new album 'Army of Dreamers', 'Magnus Karlsson' being always present on the guitar and of course having composed all 11 compositions in this studio recording. As I had already said in my previous columns, the 'Nightwish' years are far away and 'Anette Olzon' has established herself as one of the best metal singers (note her participation in the latest project of the Japanese women of 'Ultima Grace) and 'Russell Allen' is still as effective which means that this new baby of the duo is still a great success in an energetic metal still composed by the multi-instrumentalist 'Magnus Karlsson' and supported by a powerful rhythm section. If you like this type of metal, everything is there to have a good time listening, starting with the eponymous title of the album (see video above) which shows a muscular face with a frantic rhythm section. In the same style, we can also cite the fast 'Out of Nowhere' or the melodic 'A Million Skies', but the majority of the compositions, while keeping an important power, bring variations of intensity on more moderate rhythms: attest to the mid-tempo 'So Quiet Here' with its effective chorus, 'Carved into Stone' with its orchestral arrangements in more classic symphonic metal, 'All Alone' (see video here) which brings beautiful breaks in intensity with beautiful vocal arrangements or again the refreshing 'Look At Me' and its catchy melodic lines. The end of the album is like this beginning and despite the more measured atmospheres in certain places of 'Until Its Over' or 'I Am Gone', we regret the absence of less sustained rhythms as it was the case in the first opus which brought a greater diversity.

In summary, the 'Allen/Olzon' duo continues to deliver powerful metal, the strong point being, without a doubt, this remarkable vocal complementarity which brings that little extra which makes it a very good album and which 'Army of Dreamers' has an audience that loves catchy metal fusing symphonic and melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Russell Allen (Vocal), Magnus Karlsson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Anders Köllerfors (Drums)


Artist : Laurence Jones

Album : Destination Unknown

Release Date : 09-09-2022

Added : 22-09-2022

In the field of blues/rock, there are essential artists like 'Joe Bonamassa' and there are others who don't have this notoriety but who have the same musical fiber. The English 'Laurence Jones' is one of them: his career started very early since at the age of 20, he signed his first contract with the aptly named 'Promise Records' label with a first album 'Thunder in the Sky'. Since then, after winning a 'British Blues Awards' from the young artist 3 years in a row, he has released 4 other studio recordings and another opus under the name 'John Laurence Band' in 2019 with a first tour in France. 2022 sees the release of the Englishman's new baby, 'Destination Unknown' which delivers good blues/rock, taking us back a few decades.

From the start, the classic but so addictive rhythmic of 'Anywhere With Me' puts us directly in the bath and awakens all our auditory senses. This punchy blues/rock atmosphere that gives us ants in the legs, we find it in the following titles 'Can't Keep from Loving You' and 'Give Me That Feeling' but also with 'In Too Deep'. In a more moderate style, the driving 'Gave It All Away', 'I Won't Lie Again' and its westcoast influences and the melodic 'Said and Done' flirts with melodic pop and 'John Laurence' also has a talent for more subdued atmospheres with the very beautiful ballads 'Tonight', 'Holding Back' (for those nostalgic for artists like 'Bob Dylan') or even the title song which ends the album on a sensual blues. In short, 'Laurence John' offers us a very beautiful album that we taste with great pleasure, and which brings us back to the best of a classic blues/rock but so effective, which intends 'Destination Unknown' to a large audience who love this timeless style that has not aged a bit through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Laurence Jones (Vocal, Guitar), Bennett Holland (Choirs, Hammond, Piano, Keybords), Jack Alexander Timmis (Bass), Samuel Jenkins (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Ozzy Osbourne

Album : Patient Number 9

Release Date : 09-09-2022

Added : 23-09-2022

He returned in 2020 with a new studio recording, 'Ordinary Man' in which, at the time, he had invited artists as diverse as the rapper 'Post Malone' or 'Elton John' and, 2022 sees the release of a new album, 'Patient Number 9', which shows, again, a beautiful skewer of guests, this time instrumentalists and parades names that made the golden years of 70s rock, with 'Jeff Beck', 'Eric Clapton ' and 'Tony Iommi' (for those under fifty, one of the founders with Ozzy of 'Back Sabbath') but also younger ones like 'Mike McCready' and 'Zakk Wylde'. He also surrounded himself with a luxury rhythm section that many artists would like to have with bassist 'Robert Trujillo' of 'Metallica' and drummer 'Chad Smith' of 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'.

With this impressive line-up, he offers us a good hour of very varied good rock which makes the album very pleasant because it alternates different atmospheres with a very catchy start to the title song (see the video above) which automatically turns on the foot tapping machine and in which 'Jeff Beck' sends us some very nice riffs and guitar solos. 'Immortal' follows suit and shows a heavier face, then, 'Parasite' continues in this energetic atmosphere with a swaying rhythmic à la 'Led Zeppelin' with a crazy solo from 'Zakk Wylde'. Alternately, the three following compositions bring more moderate atmospheres with 'No Escape From Now' and its slow tempo, then, the quiet 'One Of Those Days' (see the video here) is a real melodic gem and, finally, the semi-acoustic ballad 'A Thousand Shades' (see the video here) is also a real treat, these three titles each benefiting from the masterful interventions of the trio of guitarists 'Tony Iommi', 'Eric Clapton' and 'Zakk Wylde'. The second part of the album continues in this diversity with a 'Mr Darkness' (see the video here) which as its title suggests is quite dark and very beautiful module way of the calm parts and others much more muscular, then, 'Nothing Feels Right' (see the video here), on a slow tempo, is still illuminated by the feeling of 'Zakk Wylde' which releases a grandiose guitar solo. The same 'Zakk Wylde' is also present on 'Evil Shuffle', more classic but very effective with its original rhythmic changes, then, 'Degradation Rules' continues in this strong hard rock taking us back a few decades with, this time, 'Tony Iommi' accompanying his partner from the first decade of 'Black Sabbath'. Much smoother, 'Dead And Gone' is no less catchy with its bass line conducive to headbanging, the album ending, first of all, with the magnificent ballad 'God Only Knows' reminding us of one last time that Ozzy' has this talent to lay out compositions with memorable melodic lines and, finally, the short offbeat comma 'Darkside Blues' (but hey, we're still in an 'Ozzy Osbourne' album), accompanied by Ozzy at the harmonica reinforcing the southern side.

In summary, at 73 years old and after more than 50 years of good and loyal service, 'Ozzy Osbourne' continues to live up to his image as a rock demon and this new offering shows that he is still in the game. suddenly and that he knows how to accompany himself with talented artists to release us a quality album with all the ingredients of a timeless rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Ozzy Osbourne (Vocal, Harmonica), Andrew Watt (Guitar, Keybords), Josh Homme (Guitar), Robert Trujillo (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) + Guests : Jeff Beck (Guitar), Mike McCready (Guitar), Zakk Wylde (Guitar), Tony Iommi (Guitar), Eric Clapton (Guitar), Chris Chaney (Bass), Dave Navarro (Guitar), Duff McKagan (Bass), Taylor Hawkins (Drums)


Artist : Ginevra

Album : We Belong to the Stars

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 30-09-2022

'Ginevra' is yet another great group set up by 'Frontiers Music' and created by Swedish singer and keyboardist 'Kristian Fhyr' who officiates in the formation 'Seventh Crystal'. The rest of the line-up consists of guitarist 'Magnus Karlsson' who participates in many projects (in the latest releases, 'Allen/Olzon', 'The Ferrymen' or his collaboration with 'Anette Olzon'), bassist 'Jimmy Jay' ('H.E.A.T') and drummer 'Magnus Ulfstedt' ('Eclipse', 'Nordic Union', 'Ammunition'), 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' coming to lend a hand on the keyboards and who produced, recorded and mixed the whole thing and 'Chez Kane' making an appearance on the track 'Masquarade'. As you can imagine, given the pedigree of each artist, we are embarked on melodic hard rock with a highlighting of saturated guitar riffs which lead the dance, most of the compositions being energetic and giving off an imposing power.

From the first title 'Siren's Call' (see the video above), the siren's call is not strictly speaking bewitching and delivers a well-soaked first hard rock rush which is followed, in the same style, by its little brother 'Unbreakable' (see video here) with a catchy chorus, then, 'Apologize' (see the video here) continues in this melodic hard with a rhythmic base that releases a beautiful energy, the song of 'Kristian Fhyr ' being completely in tune with this catchy style. In the same style, we can also mention the rhythmic 'Break the Silence' with a 'Magnus Karlsson' which illuminates this title with mad guitar solos, the rapid 'Brokenhearted' and 'Falling to Pieces' and their refrain declaimed at a hundred to the hour, 'We Belong to the Stars' and its headbanging tempo, 'I'll Be Around' and its addictive choirs or even 'The Fight' and its devastating guitar riffs. And in the midst of all this burst of energy, the ballad breaks are not forgotten with the magnificent 'Masquerade' with a very moving vocal duet 'Chez Kane'/'Kristian Fhyr' and the last title 'My Rock'n'Roll ' with its chorus that we find ourselves humming or whistling when the song is finished.

In summary, even if this new melodic hard rock project is not going to change much in the world of music, we are always happy to put this melodic style between our ears which feels good, especially more than the interpretation is made by talented artists whether at the vocal level with an imperial 'Kristian Fhyr' and also at the instrumental level with a 'Magnus Karlsson' who delivers riffs and enjoyable guitar solos, without forgetting the rhythm section which offers a solid and energetic base to the whole...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristian Fhyr (Vocal, Keybords), Magnus Karlsson (Guitars, Keybords), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Magnus Ulfstedt (Drums) + Guests : Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Chez Kane (Vocal)


Artist : Figure Of Speechless

Album : Tunnel at the End of the Night

Release Date : 02-09-2022

Added : 24-09-2022

In a successful cooking recipe, you obviously need good ingredients and, even if you have some, it is necessarily necessary to have the right helping hand to achieve it. This is no doubt what the Australian 'Glen McMaster' said to himself who does not, strictly speaking, have a huge business card but who wrote and composed an album that takes us on a journey between rock and progressive metal in through the ages: those are the right ingredients. And the helping hand, you might say: our creator of this 'Figure Of Speechless' project simply called on the cream of progressive artists and, excuse me, we find keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian', guitarist 'Ron Bumblefoot Thal' (both now part of, among others, the very good progressive metal band 'Sons Of Apollo'), singer 'Ray Alder' (ex 'Redemption', 'Fates Warning' and his latest project 'A-Z') and, as 'Mike Portnoy' was certainly not free (lol), he fell back on 'Brian Tichy' who is also a drum breaker with a cv as long as a day without bread (among others 'Foreigner', 'Dead Saisies', 'Billy Idol', 'Derek Sherinian', 'Whitesnake' and so on).

We are welcomed by 'Day And Night' (see the video above), between rock and metal, which takes us on an original progressive journey with catchy melodic lines that we could compare to those of 'Threshold' which will be released an album soon. Follows, in a similar register, the no less melodic 'Carve a Smile' in which 'Ray Alder' shows all his vocal talent in a more moderate atmosphere and in which 'Derek Sherinian' and 'Bumblefoot' follow one another in a beautiful instrumental section, then, we continue in this first part of the album, focused on melodic titles, with the two mid-tempo 'Escape Hatch' and 'Midnight Desert Rendezvous' which can be tasted with pleasure and which are both very catchy from the first listen, an atmosphere that can also be found in the title song that follows (see video here). The following composition 'The Cast-Out' shows a slightly orientalised face which brings additional originality and the instrumental part in the second part of the title is magnificent, then, 'Draw the Line' continues in lighter and catchy progressive rock with some variation well-placed rhythms so as not to make the whole thing too linear. Change of atmosphere with 'Inside Room 6' (see video here) which is much darker and in which 'Ray Alder' goes remarkably from a calm vocal register to a much more impetuous song, then, back to a more moderate atmosphere with 'Turn A New Leaf' but which hardens the subject in a final much more energetic which shows the diversity of the atmospheres developed by 'Glen McMaster' in this album. And it is by the melodic 'DysUtopia' in which 'Derek Sherinian' offers us a masterful solo of keyboards and by the bucolic semi-acoustic atmosphere of Unfolding' with a last magic solo of 'Bumblefoot' that this opus ends in beauty.

In summary, 'Glen McMaster' shows all his talent as a composer in this first album of his project 'Figure Of Speechless' and, thanks to talented artists, transforms this 'Tunnel at the End of the Light' into a total success which should mark the year 2022 in the field of rock and melodic progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Glen McMaster (Guitar), Derek Sherinian (Keybords), Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (Guitar), Ray Alder (Vocal), Tony Franklin (Bass), Brian Tichy (Drums)


Artist : Ultima Grace

Album : Ultima Grace

Release Date : 09-09-2022

Added : 26-09-2022

Anette Olzon's activity is busy now because, on the same day, her duet album 'Army of Dreamers' with 'Russen Allen' and the first studio recording of Japanese keyboardist 'Yuhki''s new project 'Ultima Grace' with this first eponymous album in which she sings on all the titles are releasing. After a first listen, the first impression is to have alternated classic symphonic metal with melodies of international variety and explosive metal, sprinkled here and there with neo-classical metal. 'Yuhki' being a keyboard player, the whole thing is supported by ubiquitous keyboards, with overdriven guitars being relegated to the background.

And yet, the symphonic introduction accompanied by the singing of Anette Olzon' and choirs in no way augurs well for the sequel which starts with a catchy 'Getting on with Life' and with a memorable first chorus, then , 'Cry for the Rain' continues in a symphonic metal that strangely reminds me of the Finns from 'Amberian Dawn' and their melodies close to 'ABBA'. Follows the fast 'Powers of North and East' which gives a layer of it with a wild rhythm section, then, 'Beguile by Night' continues in melodic lines which flirts with variety music bringing us back to the 70s, but of course slightly more muscular. Small moment of respite with the first ballad 'Ripples' which unfolds a syrupy melody with imposing orchestral arrangements, then, 'Rise' returns to more classic symphonic metal, the melodic lines still bringing us back again to the Finns of Amberian Dawn', the guitar solo in the second part having a neo-classical side and the sounds of the keyboard solo bringing us back to the 80s. We continue in the same atmosphere with the catchy 'Night Hunt' which unrolls a new memorable melody for those nostalgic for the eighties and, without transition, then tumbles an energetic and fast 'Double Caution', the rhythm section being once again at the party and the guitar and keyboard solos recalling the 'Purpulian' wanderings of the 70s, the central instrumental part being particularly remarkable. We arrive at the main course of the album with the 11 minutes of 'Lost' which alone sums up the whole with all the ingredients heard previously, the orchestral and vocal arrangements bringing in the second part of the title a majestic and the melody very kitsch but so effective adding again to this feeling of grandiose. And to drive the point home, the final ballad takes us on a new syrupy melody with new imposing orchestral arrangements, the finale being modeled on a symphony of classical music.

In summary, the Japanese of Ultima Grace', well supported by a 'Anette Olzon' in great shape, offers us a very accomplished first offering and this first eponymous album should please all fans of Amberian Dawn' and, more broadly, to all lovers of imposing symphonic metal with catchy melodic lines bringing us back to the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Anette Olzon (Vocal), Yuhki (Keybords), Toshihiro Kajihara (Guitar), Atsushi Hasegawa (Bass), Hideki Harasawa (Drums)


Artist : Lunarian

Album : Burn the Beauty

Release Date : 09-09-2022

Added : 27-09-2022

Decidedly, symphonic metal releases multiply in this month of September and after the duo 'Allen/Olzon' and the 'Ultima Grace' Japanese group's first album, it's yet another new project that sees the light of day with the Spaniards of 'Lunarian' which is centered on the singer ' Ailyn' ('Pilar "Ailyn" Giménez García') who already has a full CV because she was part of the group 'Sirenia' from 2008 to 2016 and participated in various projects including the metal opera by 'Magnus Karlsson' or the latest album by 'Chaos Magic' by 'Caterina Nix', her latest project being 'Her Chariot Awaits', the first eponymous album being released in 2020. And for this new project 'Lunarian', she collaborated with the producer 'Aldo Lonobile' with, as a result, the release of this first studio recording 'Burn The Beauty'.

Overall, it's a "traditional" symphonic metal and I put this term in quotation marks given the youth of this style which only dates back to the end of the 90s: from the first title 'Don't Wait Until I'm Gone', fans of symphonic metal will not be out of place because we find the atmospheres of the first 'Within Temptation' and it reminds me of this first DVD from the Dutch, 'The Silent Force Tour' from 2005 which displayed this extraordinary positive energy, especially since 'Ailyn' is in the same vocal register as 'Sharon den Adel' and often has the same sentence. Same feeling on the hit 'Dream Catcher' (see the video above) which sends a melodic hymn giving an irresistible desire to move in rhythm, then, the mid-tempo 'Embrace' follows suit and continues in an atmosphere at the marked rhythm, just like 'Bleeding Out' which follows and which offers new catchy melodic lines and which are, both, in the same style as titles like 'Stand My Ground' or 'Memories' from 'Within Temptation'. With 'Embers', we return to more modern metal and closer to what 'Ailyn' does with 'Her Chariot Awaits', the sounds becoming more electronic, then, 'Burn The Beauty' returns to powerful classic symphonic metal in bringing beautiful variations of intensities and rhythms and 'Endless Sleep' (see the video here) continue in this direction with new addictive melodic lines, 'Ailyn' continuing to charm us with her melodious vocals and high up. Make way for the ballad 'Invincible' which offers a nice moment of respite, then, 'Never Ending Circle' is added to the unstoppable melodies which take us back to the beginning of symphonic metal, just like the mid-tempo 'Scarlet' which follows with a marked tempo, the album ending with 'Sacrifice' which delivers catchy melodic lines backed by a muscular rhythm section.

In summary, this latest project from Ailyn' offers classic symphonic metal bringing us back to the beginning of this style and strongly reminiscent of the Dutch of 'Within Temptation', pioneers of the genre in the mid-90s, which intends 'Burn the Beauty' to a whole audience of fans of this original style which has since seen an impressive number of groups emerge all over the world...

Line Up / Musicians

Ailyn (Vocal), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Antonio Agate (Keybords, Arrangements orchestraux), Mattia Gosetti (Bass), Michele Sanna (Drums)


Artist : Edenbridge

Album : Shangri-La

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 28-09-2022

'Edenbridge' is still a formation that I particularly appreciate; created 25 years ago now by the multi-instrumentalist 'Lanvall' and her companion on stage and in life, 'Sabine Edelsbacher', and with already 10 albums (see the discography on their site here), they have always been for me the very definition of symphonic metal: a perfect fusion between metal and classical orchestral music. The rest of the line-up consists now and for a few years already, of guitarist 'Dominik Sebastian', bassist 'Stefan Gimpl' and drummer 'Johannes Jungreithmeier'. After the release of a compilation of the last five albums that I reviewed here and in which I was happy to add an additional playlist of other compositions here, 2022 sees the release of a new album, 'Shangri-La', which is inspired by the novel 'Lost Horizon' by 'James Hilton' released in 1933, the place 'Shangri-La' being described as a mystical place where people live in peace and harmony.

When I read certain chronicles here and there which deplore that 'Edenbridge' always makes 'Edenbridge' style, I do not think that many people reproached 'Mozart' for always making 'Mozart' style (and I don't say that because the band is Austrian!!). Admittedly, when we put between the ears these long developments and its addictive melodies which enamel the discography of the group, we are always waiting for even more, a kind of infinite quest towards an even stronger musical grail. But, for fans of the group, put aside all this intense musical past and imagine that this latest offering from the Austrians is their first studio recording by discovering each composition, listen after listen, because an 'Edenbridge' album requires linger there to draw all the substance of it.

'At First Line' takes us on a first long development of 8 minutes with all the ingredients of a symphonic metal admirably mixing saturated guitar riffs with sumptuous orchestral and vocal arrangements, the central part with these grandiose choirs being fabulous, just like this quiet section in the second part of the title, the finale bringing this powerful and imposing side with a gripping melody highlighted by the expressive singing of 'Sabine Edelsbacher': we are already be in heaven! Follows 'The Call of Eden' (see the video above) which highlights the super melodic side in a much more direct title with this refrain which comes to be grafted automatically in your head, then, 'Hall of Shame' is still another facet that combines the melodic side with a more elaborate and energetic construction with a guitar solo worthy of the name in the second part. Very well placed, after all the vigour of 'Hall OF Shame', 'Savage Land' this time takes us on a melancholy ballad with an interpretation of Sabine who give goosebumps and this flute which transports us for a few seconds to a distant country, then, 'Somewhere Else but Here' is another hit that we want to listen to on repeat with a new addictive melody. And what about 'Freedom Is A Roof Made Of Stars' which develops in less than 6 minutes a succession of different atmospheres showing all the progressive symphonic side with changes of intensities and tempo throughout the title. Follows 'Arcadia, (The Great Escape)' which is the second ballad of the album and which shows all the compositional talent of 'Lanvall' for melodies filled with a serenity which are well in phase with the delivered messages of wisdom and spirituality (the very object of the Shangri-La place), then 'The Road to Shangri-La' (see the video here) shows us the way of this mystical place in an exotic then lively atmosphere with a very beautiful instrumental part in the second part of the title.

And to end this magnificent album, we come to the centrepiece that all 'Edenbridge' fans have been waiting for, and which is the second part of 'The Bonding', whose first release in 2013 is one of my must-have progressive compositions and that I always enjoy listening to it again. And for this new epic composition, 'Lanvall' recalled 'Erik Gunnar Mårtensson' who this time took a good part in this magnificent title which develops a succession of diversified soundscapes which take us from grandiose symphonic orchestral sections to parts much quieter which suddenly take energy by adding saturated guitar riffs, the alternation of rhythms being always well done. And as we are now used to, the end of these titles makes us go up on a small cloud to deliver us an addictive melody which remains engraved in our memory. In this case, in this 'The Bonding (Part 2)', we could say that the fourth part ('Round and Round') which already gives goosebumps, already acts as a pre-final thanks to the vocal duet between Erik and Sabine (after the first part wonderfully sung by Erik, Sabine takes over and moves us to tears), then, 'Lanvall' adds a simple but so moving 'Floydian' guitar solo before the finale which takes up the starting theme and which never ceases to dazzle us with these imposing orchestral and vocal arrangements ending with a final masterful chromatic rise.

In summary, as you will have understood, this latest album from Edenbridge' is still a total success which improves from listening to listening, which, for my part, is a sign of quality, and again shows all the talent of this formation which does not have, to my taste, all the recognition it deserves in the world of symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Sabine Edelsbacher (Vocal), Arne "Lanvall" Stockhammer (Guitar, Bouzouki, Keybords, Bass), Dominik Sebastian (Guitar), Stefan "Steven Hall" Gimpl (Bass), Johannes Jungreithmeier (Drums) + Guests : Erik Gunnar Mårtensson (Vocal), Daniel Tomann-Eickhoff (Flute)


Artist : Adventure

Album : The Tales of Belle Part 2: Unveiled by Fire

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 29-09-2022

I introduced you to the first part of 'The Tales of Belle: Across the Ocean' in early 2022 and Norway's Adventure' didn't take long to release the second part 'Unveiled by Fire' which continues the story of serial killer 'Belle Gunness' and continues to offer us symphonic progressive rock with the same line up. We are once again embarked on this macabre story that we left with the suspicious death of her first husband and his exile to La Porte in the United States. Musically, the melodic lines are still as harmonious and we find magnificent vocal arrangements with the trio of singers, the influences remaining strongly rooted in the 70s with the major formations of this style, such as 'Uriah Heep', 'Kansas', 'Jethro Tull', 'Camel' or 'Renaissance'.

The story takes us to the United States, which sees 'Belle Gunness' pursue its funeral destiny until the fire of its farm: 10 titles to explore all the adventures of this dark story, starting with 'Cruel Mind' in which we find the beautiful warm and deep vocals of 'Kjell Myran' in a first catchy melody, then, 'I Finally Knew' follows suit on a new composition which begins on a rhythmic mid-tempo and which smells good the 70s with very original rhythmic breaks in the middle of the title. With 'Belle's Lament the Heat', we are greeted by the melodious singing of 'Elen Cath Hopen Furunes' accompanied by a cello and this composition then turns into a slow rhythmic procession with haunting melodic lines, the vocal harmonies reminding me of the English of 'Renaissance', then, 'Absurd Scene' is a very beautiful ballad with a magnificent very calm guitar section in the middle of the title, the vocal harmonies being still magnificent. Follows the short instrumental 'Inside Her Mind' which unrolls melancholic melodic lines, then, 'Golden Ore' puts a little spice with a more energetic title which could be the meeting between 'Uriah Heep' and 'Jethro Tull'. We continue our journey in the seventies with 'No Regrets' which takes us into an epic and theatrical atmosphere highlighted by the very expressive singing of 'Kjell Myran', then, 'La Porte Mort' takes us into a catchy melody highlighting automatically starts the toe-tapping machine with again, this beautiful mixed vocal duet. The end of the album offers us two beautiful compositions with, first, 'In Court' which, against a background of narration and a marked rhythm, displays a theatrical atmosphere thanks to the expressive singing, this time, of the male duo and 'Confession' closes the story in a beautiful way on an energetic title à la 'Uriah Heep' with Hammond organ sounds characteristic of the 70s.

In summary, this second part of the story of 'Belle Gunness' still shows all the talent of the Norwegians of Adventure' who continue the adventure (it was easy!) by offering us good progressive rock that the 'we take a real pleasure in listening and which brings us back, for a moment, to the atmosphere of the major formations of this style of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Odd-Roar Bakken (Hammond, Keybords, Guitar, Mandolin), Kjell Myran (Vocal), Elen Cath Hopen Furunes (Vocal, Piano, Flute), Terje Flessen (Guitar), Terje Craig (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Alf Helge Lund (Drums, Percussions) + Guest : Clive Nolan, Marit Aspås (Cello)


Artist : Turin Brakes

Album : Wide-Eyed Nowhere

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 01-10-2022

After the energy deployed by the Swedes of 'Ginevra', a little calm can only do good and I'm taking you to the UK with 'Turin Brakes' who, after their last two albums quite close together 'Lost Property' in 2016 and 'Invisible Storm' in 2018, release a new album 'Wide-Eyed Nowhere'. We therefore find these soft and relaxing atmospheres in the great tradition of English pop on which we have a lot of pleasure to let go: the album begins with 'When You're Around' and its melody which comes to lull our senses with melodious vocals and some slide guitar accompaniments, then 'Up for Grabs' continues by rolling out a melody with a cool rhythm à la 'Chris Rea'. The semi-acoustic titles then follow with beautiful vocal harmonies: we can cite the suite 'World Like That', 'Into the Sun' (see the video above) and 'The Ride' which deploy melodic lines filled of serenity. Change of scenery with the sparkling 'Isolation' which offers electro sounds and more vigorous guitars then, 'All Love' continues in modern "electropop". With 'Solid Ground' and 'Wild-Eyed Nowhere', the end of the album returns to the semi-acoustic atmospheres of the first titles with more nonchalant melodies and the album ends with the melodic jewel 'No Rainbow' bringing us back to a blues atmosphere filled with serenity and we are rocked one last time by the beautiful vocal harmonies and the slide guitar.

In summary, the English of 'Turin Brake' continue to offer us a subtle pop that we taste quietly and 'Wide-Eyed Nowhere' adds a new stone to the building of the English which should please all lovers and all lovers of soft and melodious pop...

Line Up / Musicians

Olly Knights (Guitar, Vocal), Gale Paridjanian (Guitar, Vocal), Rob Allum (Drums), Eddie Myer (Bass)


Artist : House Of Lords

Album : Saints and Sinners

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 02-10-2022

Their latest album 'New World – New Eyes ' of 2020 had shown that the Americans 'House Of Lords' had not aged a bit and that they continued to deliver good melodic hard rock bringing us back to the best of the 70s/80s. They continue their journey with a new album freshly released in mid-September, 'Saints and Sinners'. Resulting from a teamwork, the leader 'James Christian' being well assisted in the writing of the compositions by the guitarist 'Jimi Bell' and keyboardist 'Mark Mangold', they offer us 11 original compositions which distil melodies that we want to go on a loop. We are welcomed by the title song (see the video above) with a first chorus which gives this impression of already known and which is already completely addictive, then, 'House of the Lord' here) continues this beautiful journey in time and could be the ideal cross between 'Foreigner', 'ASIA' and 'Rainbow'. Follows 'Take It All' which has nothing to envy to its predecessors and which offers a mid-tempo with radiant and with a new melody that immediately gets stuck in your head, then, 'Road Warrior', faster and with its 'John Lord' style keyboards, starts the headbanging machine and with 'Mistress Of The Dark', the 'AC/DC' sharp riffs of guitars, even if we are in a more moderate style, are quite close to a 'TNT'. Recovery break (for those over fifty who are beginning to have some osteoarthritis pain!) with 'Avalanche' which takes us on a ballad with a sweet melody that we have already heard hundreds of times but is so effective and which always does so much good. And the second part of the album does not weaken because it starts again with the energetic 'Roll Like Thunder' and its little air of 'Def Leppard' with chanted choirs, then, 'Razzle Dazzle' (not that of 'Deep Purple' from the 2003 album 'Bananas'), sends us a missile with its frantic rhythm. A little slower but just as impetuous, 'Dreamin It All' also does the job, then, 'Takin My Heart Back' is still a remarkable well-muscled hard rock brulot and it's with 'Angels Fallen', a rythmic mid-tempo, that the album ends in a very beautiful way.

In summary, this latest baby from the Americans of 'House of Lords' continues to offer us good hard rock with influences drawn from the 70s/80s and 'Saints and Sinners' should make people happy and go on repeat among all those who knew the golden age of hard rock, a few decades back, and who have excellent memories of it...

Line Up / Musicians

James Christian (Vocal, Guitar), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Mark Mangold (Keybords), Johan Koleberg (Drums)


Artist : Hartmann

Album : Get Over It

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 03-10-2022

After the very good 'Shadows And Silhouettes' in 2016 and 'Hands on the Wheel' in 2018, the German guitarist 'Oliver Hartmann' who officiates in various projects ('Junkyard Drive, 'Ronnie Atkins' and 'Avantasia') releases a new album with his project 'Hartmann', his two companions 'Armin Donderer' on bass and 'Markus Kullmann' on drums being always present. We therefore do not change a winning team and this new baby from the German contains 11 varied compositions between melodic hard rock and AOR that we take a real pleasure to listen to, starting with an energetic 'Remedy' which puts you directly in the bath in a classic but particularly effective style. In the same kind of tiltle, we can cite the catchy 'One step Behind', 'What You Give Is What You Get' which instinctively triggers the toe-tapping machine or even 'The Gun' and its addictive rhythm (see the video above). In a more moderate atmosphere also showing all the talent of Oliver Hartmann', the melodic jewel 'In Another Life' (see the video ici), offers us a chorus which is automatically grafted into the head and the second part of the album also shows a more peaceful face with new melodic lines still as catchy as the mid-tempo 'Just Drive', the magnificent semi-acoustic ballad 'Can' t Keep Away From You', the title song and its quiet rhythm, the other ballad 'Stay True to Me' which can recall the style of 'Sting' with a slightly more intense chorus or even 'When We Were The Young' which ends this excellent album in a very beautiful way and whose refrain should be taken up in chorus in concert by a whole public clapping in the hands.

In summary, even if it does not revolutionize the style, we take immense pleasure in listening to this latest album by Oliver Hartmann', which continues to offer us beautiful compositions influenced by the best of melodic rock through the ages, and 'Get Over It' is still an album intended for a general public and to be consumed without moderation because all the compositions catch ears from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Oliver Hartmann (Vocal, Guitar), Armin Donderer (Bass), Markus Kullmann (Drums) + Guests : Mario Reck (Guitar), Jimmy Kresic (Keybords), Ina Morgan (Choirs)


Artist : Terra Atlantica

Album : Beyond The Borders

Release Date : 16-09-2022

Added : 04-10-2022

Lovers of epic power metal, here is the latest album from the Germans of 'Terra Atlantica' who have already released two albums, 'A City Once Divine' in 2017 and 'Quest into the Sky' in 2020 and their vocalist and multi-instrumentalist 'Tristan Harders' also released the recording studio 'Drifting Into Insanity' beginning of 2022. We therefore find our storytellers, like 'Visions Of Atlantis' which takes us this time to meet the mythical Altlantis. We are again immersed in a series of festive and epic compositions and the Germans have this gift for diversifying their albums by bringing different atmospheres which avoids an album that is too linear as certain power metal formations tend to do.

We are welcomed by the orchestral intrumental 'Overture' which gently increases the pressure with remarkable classical arrangements and which serves as an introduction to the energetic 'The Scarlet Banners' (see the video above) with joyful choirs and a first melody which is grafted directly into the head, then, 'Far from Alive' changes register for a catchy refrain quite far from metal which offers us a beautiful more muscular section in the second part, bringing a beautiful variety in this very remarkable title. We find a flamboyant power metal on the title track which follows and which deploys a new addictive melody which could be a fusion between the music of Disney magic and the vigor of sailor's refrains. With 'Sun of Pontevedra', the introduction takes us into Latino atmospheres and continues with a new grandiose piece with a lot of remarkable symphonic and vocal arrangements, then, the short 'Guns and Drums' shows a lively and festive face thanks to to a flute that twirls throughout the title. Make way for the ballad of the album 'Just One Look' which highlights the beautiful vocal duo 'Khatarina Stahl'/'Tristan Harders' and which offers a syrupy but so effective melody. Without transition, 'Hellfire' sends heavy with a galloping rhythm section and radiant choirs, the central instrumental section with its variations of intensities and tempos being quite remarkable, then, we embark on 'Pirate Bay' (see video here) which shows a completely different face, made of a mixture of piano bar music and sailor tunes which brings an additional exotic touch. We continue with the centerpiece of the album which is a long development of 8 minutes and which highlights peregrinations as original as an 'Abbaesque' introduction with a piano or a good part of the Turkish march of 'Mozart' taken from the electric guitar or even this finale with memorable melodic lines close to the atmospheres of 'Disneyland', the group seeming to have fun like crazy in this style of super catchy compositions, which for my part largely contributes to this joyful and communicative atmosphere. And to end this very pleasant album, 'Takes us Home' sends us a final fast and catchy melodic hymn with a final masterful vocal performance by 'Tristan Harders' and choirs that should make an entire audience sing.

In summary, no need to draw a picture for you, this latest album from the Germans of 'Terra Atlantica' is made for older children (including myself) who takes us into an intense and harmonious musical world which intends 'Beyond The Borders' to an audience that loves a festive power metal and filled with melodies that we immediately appropriate and that we want to sing along...

Line Up / Musicians

Tristan Harders (Vocal, Guitar), David Wieczorek (Guitar), Julian Prüfer (Bass), Nico Hauschildt (Drums, Choirs) + Guests : Khatarina Stahl (Vocal), Anders Sköld (Vocal), Alex Hunzinger, Joan Pabon


Artist : Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso

Album : Orlando: Le Forme dell'Amore

Release Date : 23-09-2022

Added : 05-10-2022

In France, we have 'Ange' which, as its leader, 'Francis Descamps' likes to say, is the 'most famous French group... to have gone unnoticed' and which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary (the concert du trianon is available on spotify here) but, on the other side of the transalpine border, the Italians also have their 'Angélique' world with the emblematic formation 'Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso' which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its album 'Darwin' and which unfortunately lost its singer 'Francesco di Giacomo' in a car accident in 2014. Despite this, this band continued to release albums, the latest being 'Transiberia' released in 2019. 2022 therefore sees the release of a new baby 'Orlando: Le Forme dell'Amore' which is a concept album based on an Italian epic poem 'Orlando Furioso', written by 'Ludovico Ariosto' in 1516 and of which you have the detail in wikipedia here. Musically, faithful to their image, they offer us a dense album with 15 compositions for a total duration of an hour and a quarter in sought-after and unique progressive that mixes rock and classical influences, the whole being always imbued with their musical culture.

The short 'Premio' welcomes us in a peaceful acoustic with harmonious melodic lines and which serves as an introduction to 'La Pianura Rossa' (see the video above) which develops a contemporary first part highlighting a piano and which continues in a lively atmosphere, then, 'Serve Orlando Adesso' is a beautiful ballad with beautiful instrumental arrangements on a slow tempo which is followed, without transition, by 'Non Mi Spaventa Piú L'amore' on a rhythm of magnificent tango with an accordion leading the dance and with a very expressive singing of 'Tony D'alessio'. 'Non Serve Tremare' then shows a more contrasting face with keyboard accompaniments with electronic sounds that blend with the more classic sounds of a piano bringing a beautiful instrumental fusion, then, 'Le Anime Deserte Del Mondo' continues in this inventive progressive with a magnificent new vocal performance by 'Tony D'allessio', then, 'L'isola Felice' begins with whispers and takes us to an exotic country punctuated by xylophone sounds, gradually gaining momentum and unwinding a melody with a haunting tempo. Make way for the instrumental 'La Maldicenza' which offers different peregrinations with many rhythmic changes, and which presents a more contemporary aspect, more difficult to access, then, 'Cadere O Volare' is a perfect mix between classical arrangements and Italian song with a beautiful central break in a melancholic atmosphere followed by a more energetic section with keyboards imitating flamboyant brass. This is followed by the short instrumental 'Il Paladino' which deploys a fast tempo, and which gives a sense of urgency with an accompaniment of light and stirring keyboards, then, without transition, calm returns with the magnificent romantic ballad 'L'Amore Accade' which is followed by another restful moment with 'Non Credere Alla Luna' and its sensual saxophone accompaniment, the vocals of 'Tony D'alessio' adapting remarkably well to this languorous atmosphere. We arrive at the 11 minutes of 'Moon Suite' which develop an inventive progressive with a succession of atmospheres which alternate different intensities and rhythms, leaving a good place for provided instrumental sections which require several listenings to draw all the richness from it. The end of the album offers us two last compositions with 'Come È Successo Che Sei Qui' which takes us into a moment of tranquility lulled by the sweet voice of 'Tony D'alessio' and with 'Cosa Vuol Dire Per Semper' which, like its predecessor, is a ballad as the Italians know so well and which unrolls a last peaceful melody and which offers us a finale with a magnificent guitar solo.

In summary, this new album by the Italians of 'Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso' shows that the Italian progressive is doing well, like 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' who released 'I Dreamed of Electric Sheep' in 2021 and 'Orlando: Le Forme dell'Amore' is to be tamed, little by little, listen after listen and should find a good place in the discotheque of any amateur and any fan of progressive rock through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony D’alessio (Vocal), Vittorio Nocenzi (Keybords, Piano, Voice), Filippo Marcheggiani (Guitar), Marco Capozi (Bass), Nicola Di Già (Guitar), Fabio Moresco (Drums)


Artist : Stratovarius

Album : Survive

Release Date : 23-09-2022

Added : 06-10-2022

The Finns of 'Stratovarius' had not released an album since 2015 with 'Eternal' and, after the compilation 'Enigma: Intermission 2' that only really contained 4 new titles, the fans were eagerly waiting for the new recording which was finally released in September. With all the line-up changes since the band's creation in 1984, we're almost surprised to have the same artists on this new baby, and 'Survive', which is perhaps just a nod to the fact that the formation is still present after so many years and ups and downs, demonstrates that the Finns are still part of the major formations of power melodic metal.

And it all starts with the supercharged 'Survive' (see the video above) which delivers considerable power and energy, and which offers us a catchy first chorus with a 'Timo Kotipelto' in top form and with radiant choirs, then, 'Demand' follows suit and sends us a fast rhythm and new simple but so effective melodic lines. Alternating different tempos but just as powerful, 'Broken' sends us heavy with keyboards a little more present reminding us of the symphonic side of 'Stratovarius' and 'Matias Kupiainen' takes the opportunity, on this title, to throw us a guitar solo masterful, then, 'Firefly' (see the video here) continues on this well-trodden path with new catchy melodic lines and a muscular rhythm section that adds double pedal adding a little more to that awesome feeling of strength. In comparison to this beginning of the album releasing a considerable power, 'We Are Not Alone', although keeping a beautiful intensity, acts as a "little song" and offers us a new addictive chorus, the accompaniments on the keyboards of 'Jens Johansson' largely contributing to the very catchy character of this title, then, 'Frozen in Time', much calmer, brings us back to the symphonic metal influences of the Finns with magnificent vocal and instrumental arrangements bringing an imposing force, which makes it one of my favourites from the album. And here we go again with a hopping 'World on Fire' (see video here) which deploys new rather classic but very effective melodic lines, then, 'Glory Days' adds a new title of speed power metal with a party drum and a refrain to sing in concert. Back to orchestral sounds with 'Breakway' which, even if the tempo is quite fast, acts as the ballad of the album and offers us a magnificent melody which comes to be grafted very quickly in the head and 'Before the Fall' gives one layer with a new energetic composition in the image of the beginning of the album. And to end in style, 'Voice of Thunder' takes us on a new progressive saga (facet that we knew of 'Stratovarius' with river compositions like 'Elysium' dating from 2011 which is for me one of the best titles of the Finns), which takes us on an epic journey with everything we want find in this kind of compositions, alternating intensities and rhythms, high-class vocal and instrumental arrangements and a grandiose finale that gives you goosebumps and remains etched in your head for a long time.

In summary, the Finns of 'Stratovarius' continue their way by releasing a new album of great quality which is in line with their previous productions and, as always, we are conquered by the talent of this group which, even after forty years, shows that they must always be counted on and that they remain an indisputable reference in terms of melodic power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Timo Kotipelto (Vocal), Jens Johansson (Keybords), Matias Kupiainen (Guitar, Choirs), Lauri Porra (Bass, Choirs), Rolf Pilve (Drums)


Artist : Lastworld

Album : Escape The Eclipse

Release Date : 23-09-2022

Added : 07-10-2022

I introduced you to the duo 'David Cagle'/'Jim Shepard' with their second studio recording 'Over The Edge' released in 2020 which was followed a year later by 'Fractured Mirror' and the one-year frequency between two albums continues for 'Lastworld' with a new baby released two weeks ago. Despite the close releases, we could have feared a breathlessness of creativity from our two Americans, but it is not so because 'Escape the Eclipse' continues the road mapped out from the previous albums with a radiant AOR which offers us new catchy melodies. Listening to the first titles, we embark on compositions that smell good of the 80s and this, from the start with 'The Sanity Is Lost' which automatically triggers the foot tapping machine, then, 'I'm Never Gonna Let You Go' continues in this melodic style with a chorus that we have the impression of already knowing by heart but of a formidable efficiency. The sequel is the image of this beginning'Just the Same' offers us keyboards from another era and, in the same lively and accessible style from the first listen, we can mention 'She Wants More' which has a little air of 'Old Time Rock And Roll', the energetic 'Take Me Away' and 'Tonight I Don't Wanna Die' in a more hard rock style or even the melodic jewels 'Go' beginning in a ballad and continuing in a catchy rhythm and 'It's Hard' with its addictive chorus. And our two Americans also know how to vary the atmospheres well since they offer us much quieter compositions with, first of all, the magnificent ballad 'Who Holds Your Heart' which 'Elton John' would not have denied, then the acoustic 'A Letter to a Friend' on which we completely abandon ourselves, the album ending with the title song in the form of an instrumental highlighting the talent of 'Jim Shepard' who rocks us with his guitar accompaniment. In short, with their project 'Lastworld', 'David Cagle' and 'Jim Shepard' shows that you don't need to be super famous to make good melodic rock and 'Escape the Eclipse' is the proof and, you who love beautiful melodies between pop, rock, and hard rock, linger over this latest American baby and you will see that you will have a wonderful time listening...

Line Up / Musicians

David Cagle (Vocal), Jim Shepard (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Backfire

Album : The Two of Us

Release Date : 04-07-2022

Added : 08-10-2022

I come back to an album released in early July 2022 which did not make the buzz on the internet, and which is the work of the Italians of 'Backfire'. For this young group, 'The Two of Us' is a first album at the level of the best progressive metal bands, because, listen after listen, 'The Two of Us' gradually reveals all its density and richness and becomes an album to keep warm in his disco. First, this disc displays more than 80 minutes on the clock which could be considered by a lot of bands as a double CD. Then, for an amateur that I am of varied progressive mixing different styles, the Italians make us travel in multiple musical landscapes which go from a peaceful rock to energetic metal passing by pranks in jazzy atmospheres, all this with many successive tensions and relaxations. Finally, like any good formation of this type, they offer us, not one, but two long developments at the end of the album which together are worth the purchase of this opus.

To whet our appetite, the very short eponymous instrumental title gently increases the pressure with already a glimpse of the impeccable production, the bass lines already taking you to the guts, then, 'Omega', also instrumental, takes the relay for an ambitious first title which already shows in 6 minutes the full extent of the talent of 'Backfire' in an atmosphere unfolding an inventive and energetic first part at will, the guitars and the keyboards filling all the space and with then, two beautiful breaks in intensity, the second of which highlights a very beautiful guitar solo, the end of the title returning to a progressive metal with a swaying rhythm deploying enormous force with a very short but very original jazzy prank: we are already well left ! 'A Mind By Itself' follows suit by displaying a quiet first part, in which we discover the melodious singing of 'Naomi Gemignani', and hardens the subject quickly enough to become much more muscular, Naomi showing that she knows how to adapt admirably to the intensity of the moment, the melodic lines being always very catchy and the finale with Hindu scents bringing the transition to the following title 'Killed Freedom'. The beginning of the track flirts with fairly classic driving symphonic metal and, after 3 minutes, the break in intensity unfolds a disturbing atmosphere which continues on a slow and heavy tempo highlighting again the powerful vocals of 'Naomi Gemignani', the end of the title returning to the starting theme with a new remarkable guitar solo. The level does not weaken with 'A Story to Tell' which is still a digest of alternating intensity and completely addictive rhythms for any amateur or any lover of imaginative and creative progressive with in particular this jazzy section in the middle of the piece, then, we attack two compositions bordering on 10 minutes with, first of all, 'Lex Natularis' (see the video above) which is built in a series of tensions and relaxations and which makes very diversified musical landscapes follow one another who parade one behind the other for our greatest happiness. Follows 'The Illusion Of Life' which takes us into a 'Floydian' introduction which hardens quite quickly with a rhythmic alternating tempos and which introduces the singing of 'Naomi Gemignani' alternating memorable melodic lines and more tormented sections; At 4 minutes, there is a very calm part with a melancholy piano accompanying Naomi's singing which becomes very soft and then rises gradually and becomes extremely powerful and which gives way to a new extremely expressive guitar solo filled with a beautiful emotion, the finale returning to an instrumental part led by a fiery rhythm section with a last masterful vocal section of 'Naomi Gemignani'. To recover from all the energy deployed in the previous title, 'Fade Away' is the power ballad of the album which offers us a beautiful moment of emotion and, at the risk of repeating myself, shows an imperial 'Naomi Gemignani' and a long guitar solo by Alberto Barsi' completely addictive, the title ending in a calm atmosphere with a few piano notes: simply sublime. But, enough talk, I think I've already made your mouth water with the first 8 titles and, therefore, I won't describe the last two titles to you, which would make this column lengthen considerably. If you're still here reading these lines, I'll let you discover for yourself the 13 minutes of 'Ghoulish Sight' and the 17 minutes of Alpha' which contain everything that any progressive fan is looking for and which highlights everything I have already described in the previous compositions.

In summary, I don't need to draw you a picture, this first studio recording of the Italians of 'Backfire will certainly be for me on the podium of the progressive metal albums of the year 2022 and, if you are like me, amateur of a progressive mixing different influences and styles, you should, without a doubt, adopt 'The Two of Us'...

Line Up / Musicians

Giacomo Bruno (Keybords), Luca Riccomini (Bass), Alessandro Giusfredi (Drums), Naomi Gemignani (Vocal), Alberto Barsi (Guitar) + Guests : Ruben Marza (Saxophone)


Artist : Kings of Mercia

Album : Kings of Mercia

Release Date : 23-09-2022

Added : 09-10-2022

We know that the label 'Frontiers Music' is very fond of creating supergroups with the latest find 'Ginevra' but for the album that interests us here, it's the label 'Metal Blades Records' which produces this new project which is a meeting between the progressive metal of the Americans of 'Fates Warning' featuring guitarist 'Jim Matheos' and bassist 'Joey Vera' and the AOR style of the English singer 'Steve Overland' whose various projects and participations in various albums are countless (among others to name only the latest chronicles of myprogmusic, 'White Spirit', 'Lonerider', 'FM' or 'Overland'), the fourth thief being none other than the eclectic drummer 'Simon Phillips' ('Toto', producer of 'Mike Oldfield', 'Derek Sherinian', 'Steve Hackett' or his jazz albums). Like what, musical encounters are full of surprises and this first album of the quartet is a clever mix between the style of each to make it a total success. Given the pedigree of each man, we suspected it a little, but it should be noted that in this case, the mayonnaise takes well and there is a real osmosis between all these artists.

We are welcomed by an energetic 'Wrecking Bell' which sets the tone of the album, and which marries melodic lines that we could find in 'FM' for example and a muscular style of guitar closer to ' Fates Warning' which makes it a very successful first composition. Normal will you tell me, and we continue with 'Humankind' in which the rhythm section 'Simon Phillips'/'Joey Vera' prints a rhythmic to unhook the head by dint of headbanging and in which 'Steve Overland' knows how to adapt his voice very well powerful with a muscular style, the guitar solo of 'Jim Matheos' being masterful. The suite continues in this atmosphere that takes us back to the 70s and to formations like 'Deep Purple', with swaying tempos like 'Sweet Revenge' which also brings variations of intensity used in progressive metal. We stay in very good melodic hard rock punctuated by sharp guitar riffs with 'Set the World on Fire' then, 'Too Far Gone' shows a calm first part allowing a first break in the album with an addictive melody that hardens the tone in a second part, 'Steve Overland' showing that it adapts perfectly to the intensity of the moment, the end returning to the quiet atmosphere of the beginning. The second part of the album continues to offer us this mix between catchy and melodic hard rock and progressive peregrinations: the very good 'Liberate Me' (see video above) with its fast tempo or 'Is It Right?' with its radiant choirs or even 'Your Life' which closes the album on a mid-tempo restarting the headbanging machine. And to vary the moods, 'Nowhere Man' is more oriented towards melodic AOR and the power ballad 'Everyday Angels' also shows a very endearing face with very beautiful vocal arrangements.

In summary, 'Kings of Mercia' is a magnificent mix between classic hard rock and a few peregrinations of progressive metal, the whole being accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines, which is what makes this first album, made of a heterogeneous assembly of talented artists, to an audience that loves melodic and energetic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Overland (Vocal), Jim Matheos (Guitar), Joey Vera (Bass), Simon Phillips (Drums)


Artist : Meridian

Album : The Fourth Dimension

Release Date : 23-09-2022

Added : 10-10-2022

In the family of formations that take us back to the 80s, here are the Danes of 'Meridian' who, after three studio recordings since 2013, the latest being 'Margin of Error' of 2019, released a new album 'The Fourth Dimension'. This latest baby is a continuation of their previous productions and they continue to distill unstoppable melodies that have a little air of already heard with saturated guitars and a powerful sound that classifies them in the metal box but all 10 compositions presents a beautiful variety with a sort of melting pot of influences ranging from 'Scorpions' to 'Whitesnake' via 'Pretty Maids', 'WASP', 'Accept' or even 'Bon Jovi'.

And yet, the introduction of 'Warning Shots', with a few fairly quiet guitar riffs, does not in any way bode well for the future, but after a few seconds, the machine gets carried away and we embark on a fast rhythm with a simple but super effective first melody. Follows 'Life Is Today' which slightly moderates the ardour and which flirts with good catchy hard rock and if you have adhered to these first two titles, chances are that you will like the sequel with accessible melodic lines supported by guitars incisive as in 'Stay' (see the video above), 'The Road Back To Hell', 'Remove Your Crown' or even the title song which closes the album with a tempo printed by guitars to make everyone headbang audience. But the Danes also offer us melodic jewels in a more AOR style in the middle of the album, with the magnificent 'Follow Your Heart', 'Trust' and its swaying rhythm and the catchy 'Dreamers' (see video here) and 'Say What You Want Me' .

In short, the Danes of 'Meridian' continue their merry way by rewarding us with a brand-new album filled with accessible compositions that take us back a few decades and 'The Fourth Dimension' is intended for all those and those who navigate between hard rock and melodic metal and who like the major bands of this style that emerged in the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Märker (Vocal), Martin J. Andersen (Guitar), Marco Angioni (Guitar), Peter Bruun (Bass), Klaus Agerbo (Drums)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Home Again (A Tribute to Pink Floyd)

Release Date : 24-09-2022

Added : 11-10-2022

I remember that in 2019, I discovered the Brazilian duo 'Fleesh' with their third studio recording 'Across The Sea' and that I had, at the time, literally flashed on their cover of 'The Final Cut' of the 'Floyds'. They had already made covers of 'Rush' and 'Marillion' and, since then, they have also delighted us with two very beautiful albums of covers of 'Renaissance' and 'Genesis' but also with the three other opuses featuring different artists ('Fleesh - Versions I', 'Fleesh - Versions II' and 'Fleesh - Versions III').

This time, they tackle the discography of 'Pink Floyd' and we embark on a wonderful journey through the different eras of the group. So, of course, it's not the kind of cover that flourishes all over the world (the best known being 'The Australian Pink Floyd Show' but there are others less known but just as good, or even better, like the French group 'So Floyd' that I saw twice in a row in the arenas of Fréjus and who each time makes a magnificent impression), but the Brazilians, with limited means, far from the big 'Pink Floyd' machinery, bring another equally endearing face to all these compositions which have become timeless. First of all, 'Celo Oliveira' realizes this tour de force, by playing all the instruments, to recreate the atmospheres of the 'Floyds' in all the instrumental compartments and in particular with 'Gilmourians' guitar solos which are filled with the same feeling than those of English. And then, the angelic sweetness of the singing of 'Gabby Vessoni' makes us rise each time, very warm, on a small cloud and she has this gift to transform atmospheric compositions into melodic jewels as in 'Breathe', 'Time' , 'Hey You', 'Mother', 'Us and Tem' or even the essential 'Shine On Your Crazy Diamond' and in the more energetic compositions, her singing brings remarkable nuances as in 'In the Flesh', 'Dogs ', 'The Final Cut' or in 'Comfortably Numb'. Moreover, in addition to the essential compositions of the 'Floyds' repertoire, the Brazilians offer us lesser known compositions from the first albums of the English of the psychedelic period: 'Fat Old Sun', taken from 'Atom Heart Mother' from 1970's 'Julia Dream' which appeared on the B-side of the single 'It Would Be So Nice' from 1968, 'Burning Bridges' from the album 'Obscured By Clouds' or even 'Green Is The Colour' from the soundtrack of the movie 'More'.

In short, this new cover of 'Fleesh' is a wonderful peregrination in the discography of the 'Floyds' which will dig into the different eras of the English, and 'Home Again' shows again all the talent of this duo who knows how to appropriate a repertoire without distorting it and, icing on the cake, by bringing a personal touch that is always very endearing...

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Albums not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q3 2022

This playlist features albums released in Q3 2022 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

July 2022
07/01/2022 Secret Rule - The Resilient - Symphonic Metal
07/01/2022 Dovorian - Kneel and Follow - Heavy Metal
07/08/2022 I Lit The Sun - Dolorem - Progressive Metal
07/22/2022 The Black Noodle Project - When the Stars Align, It Will Be Time... - Progressive Rock
07/29/2022 Mr Big - No Sense In Runnin' (Live) - Hard Rock
August 2022
08/05/2022 Tim Bowness - Butterfly Mind - Progressive Rock
08/05/2022 Nothing in Writing - New Lives for Rent - Progressive Rock
08/12/2022 Nordic Union - Animalistic - Heavy Metal
08/12/2022 Vanden Plas - Live & Immortal - Progressive Metal
08/19/2022 Motorpsycho - Ancient Astronauts - Progressive Rock/Hard Rock
08/19/2022 Esthesis - Watching Worlds Collide - Progressive Rock
08/26/2022 Long Distance Calling - Eraser - Intrumental Progressive Metal
08/26/2022 Voyager - A Voyage Through Time (Live) - Progressive Rock
08/26/2022 Speaking To Stones - (In)Human Error - Progressive Metal
September 2022
09/02/2022 Astral Magic - In a Haze - Psychedelic Rock
09/09/2022 Crippled Black Phoenix - Banefyre - Post Rock
09/09/2022 Arilyn - Solar System - Progressive Rock
09/09/2022 Anders Buaas - The Edinburgh Suite - Progressive Rock
09/16/2022 Fans Of The Dark - Suburbia - Melodic Hard Rock
09/16/2022 Policromia - Sintagma - Progressive Rock/Metal
09/16/2022 Nemo - Les nouveaux mondes - Progressive Rock
09/16/2022 The Erinyes - The Erinyes - Symphonic Metal
09/20/2022 Rosespire - Cataclysm - Progressive Metal
09/27/2022 Walls of Babylon - Fallen - Power Progressive Metal
09/30/2022 Infinitome - Beyond the Beyond - Progressive/Symphonic Rock
09/30/2022 Proportions - The Odd Land of Nod - Progressive Rock


Artist : Trust

Album : Propaganda

Release Date : 30-09-2022

Added : 13-10-2022

I read here and there mixed opinions on the latest album 'Propaganda' by 'Trust' which was released at the end of September but there will always be people to say: it's not enough like that or it's too like this... Still, after more than forty years of career, they have nothing more to prove and they continue their merry way by offering us this French-style rock denouncing all the evils of the earth, 'Bernie' having always this talent for direct and incisive texts. After the very good 'Dans le même sang' in 2018, 'Fils de lutte' in 2019 and the re-recording of their first three albums 'RE' 'CI' 'DIV., they offer us 12 new compositions with two different covers reminding us of tragic moments of the 20th century, as if to tell us that they remain rooted in this era.

We are greeted by the well-soaked mid-tempo 'Cette prière sur tes lèvres et ce sang sur tes mains' with guitar riffs that set you in motion a metronome throughout your body, and in which they authorize vocal arrangements which, for my part, bring a real originality to this title, then, 'Tout ce qui nous sépare' rocks a direct and effective hard rock title with the three basic chords that take us back a few decades. In the same tempo as the first title, 'La première pierre' slowly rises to a crescendo and delivers a new rhythmic composition with a tailor made solo of 'Nono' and with new addictive choirs, then, 'Salaud d'pauvre?' sends us in the head all the rage intact after so many years of 'Bernie', which still echoes that of the Abbé Pierre in 1954 but which, for my part, taking into account the text, would have deserved more muscular arrangements. Make way for 'Les vagins impatients' with a 'Trust' in ballad mode which shows that the legendary rebellious side of the group hides, as usually in this case, a great sensitivity, then, it's off again with 'Dimanche au bord du gouffre' which delivers us hard rock to dismantle your head by dint of headbanging, the acerbic text being simply delicious (any resemblance… blablabla…) and the guitar solo of 'Nono' intoxicating. The second part of the album scrolls through a catchy 'Le jour lèvera' with a 'Bernie' in full vocal form, then, 'Petite elle' is the "torrid blues" break, quite far from the historical style (it's the least we can say) but which works wonderfully thanks to a remarkable interpretation in a cosy and delicate atmosphere with very beautiful choirs, and 'Ce que tu donnes' is a lively, more classic title, in which 'Bernie' shows a less rebellious face and 'Nono' sends us two short well-crafted solos. Follows 'Le conteur' which is a magnificent crescendo in a new rhythmic mid-tempo and which falls on the end in a few guitar chords, then, the introduction of 'L'Europe des 27' echoes the end of the previous title but quickly turns into a composition filled with a beautiful energy in which 'Bernie' pushes his voice and which recalls the muscular style of the first albums (the live finale being already set for the concerts), like what, no offense to some, 'Trust' hasn't aged a bit, the album ending with 'Ma vie' with that addictive mid-tempo rhythm that automatically turns on the toe-tapping machine and, one last time, features chiselled lyrics from 'Bernie' which hasn't lost of its legendary eloquence.

In summary, between the assertive style of the first albums and more moderate atmospheres, 'Trust' takes us on board in new varied compositions as were already those of 'Dans le même sang' and 'Fils de Lutte' with, cherry on the cake, again an impeccable production of 'Mike Fraser', and 'Propaganda', even if it may not be unanimous among historical fans who seek the raw energy of the 70s/80s, shows that the French are still one of the major rock bands in France...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Bonvoisin (Vocal), Norbert Nono Krief (Guitar), David Jacob (Bass), Izo Diop (Guitar), Chris Dupuy (Drums)


Artist : Trishula

Album : We All Fall Down

Release Date : 30-09-2022

Added : 14-10-2022

After his second album 'Time Waits For No Man', dating from 2020, which had made a very good impression on me, the ex 'Ten'/'Rage Of Angels', 'Neil Fraser' releases a new studio recording with his project 'Trishula'. The line-up has evolved slightly since it is the drummer 'Loyd Daker' who replaces 'Neil Ogden' and 'We All Fall Down' is a continuation of the first two albums with 12 original compositions between rock and melodic hard rock, the together being always quite moderate and taking us back to the best of this style in the 70s/80s.

We therefore sail through atmospheres that could be described as harmonious and refined, starting with 'I'm Not Falling' which opens the debate and which is filled with seductive vocal harmonies then, 'Caught In The Middle' unfolds a slow tempo which could be a cross between 'Electric Lighe orchestra' and 'The Alan Parsons Project'. The sequel is in the image of these first two titles with catchy rhythms and the 'Nice and Dirty' and 'Why Should I Apologise' offer us beautiful melodic lines with, for the first, keyboards à la 'Supertramp' and for the second, a very beautiful guitar solo by 'Neil Fraser', both benefiting from radiant choirs, then, the suite scrolls through new melodic jewels which take us back a few decades, and the names of 'Toto', 'Survivor' , 'ASIA' or even 'Foreigner' immediately come to mind. In the second half of the album, the lights dim with the magnificent 'Two Umbrellas' (a little peek at the vintage keyboard sounds of the 'Beatles') and 'It Doesn't Matter' and its slow tempo on which we give up completely, and the album ends with two catchy last melodic titles with 'Don't Walk Away' and 'Never Gonna Stop' with its slightly stronger guitar riffs.

In summary, 'Neil Fraser' continues his adventure with 'Trishula' by offering us a new album filled with catchy compositions and 'We All Fall Down' should undoubtedly appeal to all those who love melodic rock accessible, taking us back to the best of the major formations of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Jason Morgan (Vocal), Neil Fraser (Guitar), Rick Benton (Keybords), Dan Clark (Bass), Loyd Daker (Drums)


Artist : Sonata Arctica

Album : Acoustic Adventures – Volume Two

Release Date : 30-09-2022

Added : 15-10-2022

The Finns of 'Sonata Arctica' enchanted us with their first acoustic album 'Acoustic Adventures – Volume One' and since it had the "volume 1" extension, we obviously expected a volume 2 which was released at the beginning of October. We therefore find all these compositions reinterpreted and rearranged in a very beautiful way for an acoustic set and, as I had done for the first album, I have put the original titles in the list below. For my part, the ballads 'Letter To Dana' and 'Shamandalie' are even more moving and the other much more energetic titles are transfigured like 'San Sebastien' which offers us a second face far removed from the first. In short, the acoustic adventure continues for 'Sonata Arctica' who are finally making their great acoustic European tour with, it's quite rare to specify it for a metal formation, several dates in France and, if you are an amateur or amateur of beautiful melodies and you're not necessarily a fan of metal, you should find a date near you to go see this formation which has succeeded in transforming all the energy they have conveyed for years into a magnificent series of compositions putting showcasing all the melodist talent of 'Tony Kakko'...

List of tracks:
01 – 'I Have A Right' – Stones Grow Her Name – 2012
02 – 'Black Shape' – Silence – 2001
03 – 'Half A Marathon Man' – Pariah's Child – 2014
04 – 'Broken' – Winterheart's Guild – 2003
05 – 'Letter To Dana' – Ecliptica – 1999
06 – 'FullMoon' – Ecliptica – 1999
07 – 'Shamandalie' – Reckoning Night – 2004
08 – 'San Sebastien' – Silence – 2001
09 – 'Gravenimage' – Winterheart's Guild – 2003
10 – 'Flag In The Ground' – The Days of Grays – 2009
11 – 'My Land' – Ecliptica – 1999
12 – 'Victoria's Secret' – Winterheart's Guild – 2003

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Kakko (Vocal, Choirs), Elias Viljanen (Guitar, Banjo, Choirs), Henrik Klingenberg (Keybords, Choirs), Pasi Kauppinen (Bass, Choirs), Tommy Portimo (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Scarlet Dorn

Album : Queen of Broken Dreams

Release Date : 30-09-2022

Added : 17-10-2022

For those who find that 'Nightwish' is a bit too energetic or doesn't like growls from 'Epica' or who no longer adhere to the latest 'Within Temptation' but who like catchy melodies, here is 'Scarlet Dorn', which is a formation with a few years of existence discovered by 'Chris Harms', leader of 'Lord Of The Lost', and which has already released two albums, 'Lack of Light' in 2018 and ' Blood Red Bouquet' in 2021. Their third studio recording 'Queen of Broken Dreams' has just been released at the end of September with the same line up as the previous opus and they continue to surf on a melodic style that we appropriate at first listen.

Led by the singer who bears the band's name, this latest baby contains 12 varied compositions in a radio format and, the label of symphonic metal that we stick to them is quite restrictive even if the start of the album 'Falling' (see the video above) plays in the court of the tenors of the genre and begins the album with a first memorable melody. But from 'Born to Suffer' (see the video here), more subdued atmospheres will be used throughout the album and this track mixes peaceful rock and international variety. Make way for the title track which continues with catchy melodic lines, the guitars being relegated to the background behind ubiquitous keyboards, then, 'Your Highness' shows a more theatrical face with a marked rhythm on which 'Scarlet Dorn' gives us a performance very expressive vocals well in tune with the unfolding atmosphere, alternating hushed parts and a powerful chorus. We continue with 'A Light That Blinds the Truth' which adds a new melodic jewel with an 'Abbaesque' side, the diction of Scarlet being close to that of the Swedish women, then 'Meteor' (see the video here) is the first ballad break that deploys a melancholic melody that takes us back to the 70s, then, 'Unstill Life' (see the video here), slightly more energetic, puts the guitar forward slightly more while remaining in a peaceful mid-tempo. We continue in this alternation between ballads and peaceful rock with the moving 'When You See Me Again' which begins with a magnificent piano / voice, then, 'Love Wasn't Made for Me' offers us a new addictive melody which comes directly stick in the head. The end of the album is under the sign of serenity with new moving serenades: attest to this 'What Are We To Do' which alternates a catchy tempo with much calmer parts, then, 'Tonight' begins in a melancholic ballad and takes vigor to unroll a new catchy melody that never leaves you and finally, 'A Million Miles Away' closes this beautiful album in a very beautiful way with a last addictive melody in an epic and pathetic atmosphere.

In summary, the Germans of 'Scarlet Dorn', far from the label of symphonic metal that we want to stick to them, continue to offer us a clever mix between soft melodic lines and catchy atmospheres with melodies catchy which intends 'Queen of Broken Dreams' to the general public because everything is implemented for an immediate accessibility...

Line Up / Musicians

Scarlet Dorn (Vocal), Bengt Jaeschie (Guitar), Benjamin Mundigler (Bass), Gared Dirge (Keybords), Henrik Petschull (Drums)


Artist : Charlotte Wessels

Album : Tales from Six Feet Under Vol. II

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 19-10-2022

She had shown us all her talent with the first part of 'Tales From Six Under Feets' released in 2021 and we had discovered another facet of 'Charlotte Wessels', the former singer of 'Delain' which have started touring with their new singer 'Diana Leah', with a series of concerts scheduled from November 2022. Using the platform 'Patreon', she continues her adventure by releasing one composition per month for its subscribers and this second compilation allows a wider audience to put between the ears the production of a year of the Dutch singer. With 10 compositions, this new baby shows a heavier face than the first without either returning to the symphonic metal style of 'Delain', and is particularly focused on harmonious and catchy melodic lines, the whole being very diversified with a mix of different styles and different sounds.

And it is with 'Venus Rising' (see video above) that we are welcomed in a 'Kate Bush' atmosphere, mixing pop sounds and more muscular passages, the melodic lines coming directly into your head, then, 'Human to Ruin' (see video here), with its slow tempo, shows a more symphonic face with magnificent changes in intensity that make it one of my favorites from the album, the melody having this gift of enveloping you completely. Follows 'The Phantom Touch', in an atmosphere approaching slightly to 'Delain', and which exudes a kind of quiet strength and still sends us a heady chorus, the break in the second part being simply divine. Without transition, 'Against All Odds' (see the video here) is a very beautiful acoustic ballad showing a fragile and moving face of Charlotte which rocks us with a peaceful melody filled with serenity, then, 'A Million Live' returns to this delicious mix between the power of metal and the lightness of a melodic pop, the singing of 'Charlotte Wessels' being particularly endearing in this sensual atmosphere. With 'The Final Roadtrip', I have the impression of hearing a marriage between the high-pitched singing of 'Kate Bush' and the style of Eurythmics' with catchy sections, the melodic lines bringing again and again this immediate pleasure, then, 'Good Dog' is certainly the composition offering the most contrast with orchestral arrangements and sung parts which cohabit with sudden rises in power bringing a progressive and modern face. Follows 'Toxic' (see the video here) which is also a good example of striking contrast between pop with electronic sounds and extreme atmospheres, and which shows all this fabulous work of ' Charlotte' to be able to go from shadow to light in an instant. Always very contemporary, 'I Forget' is less direct melodically but just as endearing and takes us on a new ballad in sounds that 'Björk' who has just released his new album would not have denied 'Fossora' and which shows that 'Charlotte Wessels' is increasingly part of a current artistic movement. And it is in a more refined atmosphere that the album ends with 'Utopia' which takes us into a final airy composition with electro sounds, Charlotte's light vocals bringing a very touching delicate and airy side.

In summary, this new album by 'Charlotte Wessels' offers us wonderful compositions which are gradually revealed, the clear atmospheres bringing a beautiful modernity. Beyond the stylistic labels that we will try to stick to it, this second volume of 'Tales from Six Feet Under' shows all the talent of this artist who knows how to renew herself and who leads her boat solo by breaking down musical borders, her first two solo albums testifying to this creative freedom that she was able to find outside of 'Delain'...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlotte Wessels (Vocal, Tous les instruments) + Guest : Tomi Somers (Guitar)


Artist : Teramaze

Album : Flight of the Wounded

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 18-10-2022

After the very good 'Sorella Minore' in 2021 and 'And the Beauty They Perceive' still in 2021, the Australians of 'Teramaze' are back, just a year later, with a new album 'Flight of the Wounded' released in early October 2022. As with their first two opuses, they continue to offer us progressive metal that we appropriate very quickly thanks to catchy melodic lines which can be a good introduction for all those who want to discover this particular style. With 9 original compositions ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, 'Flight of the Wounded' and yet another rich and dense opus which displays an hour of music on the clock.

As they had done in their first two albums, it's the title song that welcomes us, but this time with the longest title which exceeds 10 minutes and which takes us into memorable melodic lines and which offers, in the second part, a guitar solo worthy of the name with 'Gilmourian' intonations. Follows 'Gold' (see the video above) which alternates energetic parts with an unbridled rhythm section and a catchy chorus in a slower tempo bringing this beautiful progressive diversity, then 'The Thieves Are Out' (see the video here) continues in this inventive and accessible progressive and we let ourselves get carried away in a catchy rhythm with a good alternation of the sung parts (magnificently by 'Dean Wells' who is always so expressive) and provided instrumental parts in which we delight with remarkable guitar solos. With 'Until the Lights', the first half offers us a very beautiful piano/moving voice duo which gains vigor in the second part with a faster rhythm, then, 'Ticket To The Next Apocalypse' is the title, par excellence progressive, which very well images this formation with this subtle mix between the power of metal and the immediate accessibility thanks to catchy melodic lines, atmosphere which we also find with 'For the Thrill' (see the video here), which follows and unrolls a catchy rhythm with a chorus that easily enters the head. The end of the album continues in this catchy progressive style with, first of all, 'Dangerous Me' which is cut in two parts, beginning in an energetic way and which halfway through, becomes more leisurely with a magnificent second part atmospheric, then 'Battle' is more direct and moves slightly away from progressive offering us a new memorable chorus and 'In The Ruins Of Angels' closes this beautiful album in imaginative progressive with beautiful variations of intensity throughout the title, 'Dean Wells' giving us a last magnificent vocal performance with this talent to adapt perfectly to the atmosphere of each moment and 'Christopher Zoupa' gratifying us with a magnificent guitar solo.

In summary, the Australians of 'Teramaze' continue at a fairly high frequency (we are at three albums in a year) to deliver good progressive metal with accessible melodic lines and if you liked the previous albums , you should also join this one and, for the others who don't yet know this formation and who like a catchy progressive metal at first listen, 'Flight of the Wounded' is also a good gateway to discover this Australian training...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Wells (Vocal, Guitar), Christopher Zoupa (Guitar), Andrew Cameron (Bass), Nick Ross (Drums)


Artist : Haven of Echoes

Album : The Indifferent Stars

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 20-10-2022

'Haven of Echoes' is a new progressive rock project which was put together by 'Andreas Hack' of the band 'Frequency Drift' and who boarded with him, harpist and keyboardist 'Nerissa Schwarz', drummer 'Wolfgang Ostermann' (both also 'Frequency Drift') and singer 'Paul Sadler' ('Spires' and in solo here). They offer us a first studio recording 'The Indifferent Stars' which takes us into progressive rock which is obviously close to 'Frequency Drift' with sought-after constructions implementing rich arrangements in an atmosphere combining melancholy and serenity, the singing of 'Paul Sadler' quite high pitched bringing a very particular emotion and is close to the range of Einar Solberg' from 'Leprous'.

With 6 compositions between 5 and 12 minutes, the album begins with 'Sirensong' which introduces us to the melodious singing of 'Paul Sadler' in a quiet atmosphere, the vocal and instrumental arrangements being of great beauty and the final bringing a poignant side. With its very beautiful introduction highlighting haunting percussions, 'Orator's Gift' follows by offering us beautiful melodic lines and the instrumental break at the end of the title shows all this beautiful work of progressive research, then, 'Stasis' continues in this atmosphere merging the airy vocals of 'Paul Sadler' with a deep-sounding piano that completely overwhelms us. More energetic in its introduction, 'Endtime' then moderates the subject with a song of extreme sensitivity that literally carries us away and the lull in the middle of the title between the two sections punctuated by a sweet melody is simply divine, the finale returning to a haunting and almost hypnotic sequel. Punctuated by a few drum beats, the slow procession 'The Lord Giveth…' raises the emotional slider even further with 'Paul Sadler' which gives us, on multiple occasions, that little shiver of pleasure so characteristic, the instrumental section in the second part adding again to this intense force and constitutes my favourite of this very beautiful album. And to conclude, the long development 'Let Them In' unfolds a last gripping composition in several drawers made up of multiple breaks and rhythmic changes embellished with arrangements featuring classical instruments such as a flute, a piano or strings and which offers us a last vibrant performance by 'Paul Sadler' and a very beautiful guitar solo, the melodious finale ending this magnificent progressive epic in a very beautiful way.

In summary, for those who know the progressive metal of 'Leprous', we could say that 'Haven of Echoes' is a bit the counterpart in progressive rock, and we understand why 'Andreas Hack' chose 'Paul Sadler' because he has this gift to bring a palpable emotion to these magnificent compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Andreas Hack (Keybords, Guitar), Paul Sadler (Vocal, Guitar), Nerissa Schwarz (Harp, Keybords), Wolfgang Ostermann (Drums)


Artist : Queensrÿche

Album : Digital Noise Alliance

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 21-10-2022

Casually, 'Queensrÿche' will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its first eponymous EP in 2023 and 'Digital Noise Alliance' is the 16th album of the Americans who continue after 'The Verdict' released in 2019 to distill some good progressive metal and, as usual, the topics covered remain quite dark and in tune with the moods deployed, the 11 original compositions highlighting a 'Todd La Torre' in top form. Overall, this new opus has catchy melodic lines from the first listen and the progressive parts remain limited, and, although 'Tormentum' displays 7 minutes on the counter with a fuller instrumental section, the durations of the titles vary between 4 and 5 minutes and the melodies have been particularly worked: this is what the first titles attest with, at the start, an energetic 'In Extremis' (see the video above) and its well-muscled guitar riffs or 'Chapters' which has guitar sounds like 'Thin Lizzy' or 'Lost In Sorrow' which delivers a memorable chorus or 'Sicdeth' with its original break in the second part. Slightly more progressive, 'Behind The Walls' (see the video here) brings rhythmic changes with a catchy refrain in a faster tempo, then, 'Noctural Light' shows the heavy and well-tempered side of the Americans turning on the headbanging machine and 'Out Of The Black', more moderate, adds a catchy chorus. Place the ballad break of the album with 'Forest' (see the video here) which unrolls a slow tempo on which 'Todd La Torre' also shows all his vocal talent in more subdued, then, the end of the album scrolls 'Realms' with beautiful vocal harmonies and guitar tones that take us back to the beginning of 'Queensrÿche', 'Hold On' in which we find the more moderate progressive side of the group with original rhythmic changes and the long 'Tormentum' which is the archetype of an inventive progressive metal with its remarkable instrumental break in the middle of the title, the album ends with a muscular cover of 'Rebel Yell' by 'Billy Idol' bringing 'Queensrÿche' back to its origins.

In summary, 'Queensrÿche' continues to offer us quality progressive metal with a fairly immediate hook thanks to accessible melodic lines and 'Digital Noise Alliance' has just added a good position in the discography, already substantial of the Americans , which show that after 40 years and a few more wrinkles, they are still there and continue to occupy a good place among the best formations of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Wilton (Guitar, Choirs), Eddie Jackson (Bass, Choirs), Mike Stone (Guitar, Choirs), Todd La Torre (Vocal), Casey Grillo (Drums)


Artist : Saro Cosentino

Album : The Road To Now

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 22-10-2022

What I like are these big gaps between different styles of music and, after the progressive metal of the Americans from 'Queensrÿche', it's the turn of the Italian 'Saro Cosentino' to release a new album which is in a way the continuation of his album 'Ones and Zeros' originally released in 1997 and reissued with an additional title (see here). So, we find three of the artists who accompanied him on 'Ones and Zeros' with 'Time Bownes' , 'Peter Hammill' and 'Karen Eden'. The delicate and refined atmospheres highlight magnificent vocal and instrumental arrangements and, of the eight compositions, seven are sung and we let ourselves be carried away by a soothing melancholy starting with 'You're The Story', sung by 'Tim Bowness', which makes us go directly warm on a small cloud. The other titles continue this relaxing journey with, first of all, the four compositions sung by 'Peter Hamill' which shows all the vocal talent of the founder of 'Van der Graaf Generator' in these ethereal atmospheres and then, with 'Karen Eden' which brings a beautiful feminine sensibility with her moving vocals on the two very beautiful titles 'Pray' and the melodic jewel 'US (Scars on Skin)'. The eighth track, entirely instrumental, is slightly more energetic with some more heavy guitar riffs but does not differ from the rest of the album, the muted brass adding a feeling of fullness to the whole. In short, this latest album by 'Saro Cosentino' is to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on to evacuate the stress of a good day's work and should appeal to all those who like calm and refined atmospheres with performers passing beautiful feelings...

Line Up / Musicians

Saro Cosentino (Guitar, Keybords, Bass, Cordes, Piano), Peter Hammill (Vocal, Guitar), Tim Bowness (Vocal, Choirs), Karen Eden (Vocal), Dorota Barova (Cello, Vocal), Gavin Harrison (Drums), John Giblin (Bass), David Rhodes (Guitar), Trey Gunn (Guitar), Nicola Alesini (Saxophone), Radim Knapp (Trumpet)


Artist : Statement

Album : Dreams From The Darkest Side

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 23-10-2022

After the restful break of 'Saro Cosentino' put on line yesterday, I'm taking you to Denmark with melodic heavy metal band 'Statement' on their 4th studio recording, latest album 'Force of Life' being released in 2019. For this new opus, I first entered it backwards, the creepy cover reminded me rather reminiscent of a death metal album, a style that I don't particularly like, and then, title after title, I very quickly revised my first position and, by dint of headbanging on powerful and addictive melodies, and after the very good final ballad 'Fade Away' (see the video above), I hastened to press the button 'repeat again'. This 'Dreams From The Darkest Side' is a series of compositions that will get you in shape for a whole day, starting with an explosive 'Don't You Hide It' with everything you want to find in good heavy metal with a production with small onions, incisive guitar riffs with 'Niels Alex Larsen' and 'Lars Ulrik Le Fevre', a rhythm section that brings an extraordinary dynamic with bassist 'Martin Poulsen' and drummer 'Daniel Nielsen' on drums, and finally, the singer 'Jannick Brochdorf' who, as they say, wets his shirt and brings all the vocal power necessary for all this debauchery of energy. Whether it's the powerful compositions and taken on a hellish tempo like 'Don't You Hide It', 'Sacrifice' (with its original central break), 'Here I Am', 'Escaped' or even 'Indestructible' (see video here), or the catchy tracks with memorable melodies like 'Dreams From The Darkest Side' (see video here), 'Lifeline' or 'Beyond Control', without forgetting the heavy mid-tempo 'The Reaper' (see video here) that will knock your head off from headbanging, everything is done to have a good time. intense listening. In short, to quote an old French ad for a certain cereal bar, "this latest album from the Danes of 'Statement' is dynamite on the bar" and, if you are a fan of melodic metal soaked, there's a good chance you'll be playing this 'Dreams From The Darkest Side' on repeat...

Line Up / Musicians

Jannick Brochdorf (Vocal), Niels Alex Larsen (Guitar, Choirs), Lars Ulrik Le Fevre (Guitar, Choirs), Martin Poulsen (Bass), Daniel Nielsen (Drums)


Artist : Lobate Scarp

Album : You Have It All

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 24-10-2022

'Lobate Scarp' is a progressive rock project led by keyboardist and singer 'Adam Sears' who has only released one album in his ten-year career ('Time and Space') and which has just released 'You Have It All' at the beginning of October. He had already invited an impressive number of artists for his first studio recording and we understand the spacing of the albums given the line-up because his latest baby brings together a large number of musicians again with, among others, bassist 'Billy Sherwood' and guitarist 'Jon Davison' from 'Yes' who sings the title song and we can also mention drummer 'Jimmy Keegan' from 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' and keyboardist 'Ryo Okumoto' from 'Spock's Beard'.

the album begins with the instrumental 'Conduit' which sets the stage for a classic progressive with some jazzy incursions taking us back a few decades with the highlighting of beautiful keyboard sections, then, 'Nothing Wrong' takes us into a psychedelic introduction with keyboards imitating celestial voices and which continues in a melody with a refrain which repeats the phrase 'Nothing bad with my life' in a crescendo with original keyboard peregrinations and 'Mike Gerbrandt' which gives the drums an increasingly fiery rhythm. The short instrumental 'In the Night I', which follows, serves as a bridge to the more energetic 'Life-Line', which begins with more stressed guitar riffs and continues in a tempo reminding me of the bass lines of 'Sting' with 'Police', the comparison stopping there because the progressive aspect remains very present with beautiful sections embroidering around the main theme. Make way for the first long development with the eponymous title of the album which starts with an instrumental part accompanied by strings with contemporary sounds, and which continues by alternating jumpy sections and a symphonic progressive which can recall certain melodic lines of Electric Light Orchestra', the choirs adding to this radiant side, all of this taking a little over three minutes. The second part of the title is quieter and highlights in a semi-acoustic atmosphere the beautiful singing of 'Jon Davison' and a magnificent central guitar solo worthy of the name in a magnificent crescendo, the finale returning to symphonic progressive with strings à la 'Kansas' and the memorable main melodic theme. New peaceful interlude with the second part of 'In the Night' then, 'Beautiful Night' unfolds a beautiful melody in a relaxed atmosphere with luminous choirs, the kind of light and carefree compositions that do good to the soul, and, without transition, 'Our Test Tube Universe' is much more avant-garde with surgically striking drums that give you an irresistible urge to move your whole body in time and which is interspersed by a harmonious refrain with new choruses that we want to accompany, the break in the second part bringing a beautiful originality to this title out of the ordinary but at the same time very catchy with its final in crescendo. And to end on a high note, the 17 minutes of 'Flowing Through The Change' take us on a magnificent progressive journey in five stages that contain everything we want to find in this kind of composition in which we let ourselves go by going through several different soundscapes, influences reminding us of the progressive great names of the 70s like 'Kansas', 'Pink Floyd', 'ELP' or even 'Yes'.

In summary, even if some compositions were already known with the EP released in 2016, this rich and dense second album of 'Lobate Scarp' is a great success and 'You Have It All' should make everyone happy those who like a sought-after and inventive progressive influenced by the major historical bands of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Adam Sears (Vocal, Keybords, Piano, Organ), Andy Catt (Bass, Vocal), Peter Matuchniak (Guitar) + Guests : Hoyt Binder (Guitar), Nate Olmos (Guitar), Eric Moore (Drums), Jimmy Keegan (Drums), Mike Gerbrandt (Drums), Billy Sherwood (Vocal), Jon Davison (Vocal), Ryo Okumoto (Keybords), Aiko Jimena Richter (Violin), Yvette Holzwarth (Violin), Thomas Lea (Viola), Hillary Smith (Cello), Andrea Whitt (Viola, Pedal Steel), Rachel Grace (Violin), Tawnee Lynn Lilo (French horn), Steve Huber (Violin, Viola), Michael Bernard (Keybords, Drums Programming), Raul Hernadez (Guitar), Steven Leavitt (Piano, Keybords, Maracas, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Vocal), Rich Mouser (Guitar, Mandolin, Shaker, Tambourine, Dilruba)


Artist : Captain Black Beard

Album : Neon Sunrise

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 25-10-2022

Guess where I'm taking you for melodic rock from the 80s. It was easy, since it's still Swedes who are honored in this country where bands of this style are springing up like mushrooms. 'Neon Sunrise' is therefore the sixth studio recording of 'Captain Black Beard' of which I had put the fifth album, 'Sonic Forces', in the playlist of melodic rock and hard-rock albums from the first half of 2020. No surprise, we sail in the footsteps of 'Foreigner', 'Journey', 'Survivor', 'Europe', 'ASIA' or even 'Toto' and all the compositions therefore take us back a few decades with unstoppable melodies that can be enjoyed with immense pleasure. Needless to make the title of the title, but listening to the addictive choruses that parade one behind the other, we say to ourselves that the Swedes must have had a terrible time extracting a few singles from all these potential hits. To get an idea, you can discover videos of those who have been selected, with 'Flamenco' (see the video above), 'Physical' (see the video here) and 'Wasted Heart' (see the video here) and if you stick with all three of these titles, chances are you'll like it all together. The only downside I would make is that they did not include ballads which would have brought additional diversity to this very beautiful opus and which could certainly have replaced the very short, rather dispensable last title of the eponymous song.

In summary, the 80s are very popular at the moment, because after 'Meridian' which released 'The Fourth Dimension' at the end of September 2022, this 'Neon Sunrise' is added to the list of albums filled with melodic hits from this era , and this will certainly not displease all fans of this style, many formations of which flourish in the four corners of the earth with a much greater density in the countries of northern Europe...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Holsner (Vocal), Christian Ek (Guitar), Daniel Krakowski (Guitar), Robert Majd (Bass), Yngve Strömberg (Drums) + invités : Anna Brygård (Choirs), Anna-Mia Bonde (Choirs), Jona Tee (Keybords)


Artist : Alicate

Album : Butterfly

Release Date : 07-10-2022

Added : 26-10-2022

Decidedly, at this time, the 80s do not stop giving wings to many Swedish formations, and, to return to the golden age of melodic rock, what could be better than to have started scratching some agreements about forty years ago. This is the case of the Swedes of 'Alicate', which was founded at the end of the 80s with only two songs, the title of the first being perhaps a little premonitory at that time since it was called 'The End' and which I found on YouTube here). Since then, they got back together in 2006 and recorded three albums, 'World Of Anger' in 2009, 'Free Falling' in 2013 and 'Unforgiven To Be Forgiven' in 2018. 2022 therefore sees a new opus see the day which offers us good varied melodic hard rock as we navigate through energetic titles like 'I Can Run', 'Rise Once Again' (see the video above), 'Let It Out' (see the video here) or even 'Out Of Control', but they also know how to modulate atmospheres with remarkable m id-tempos such as 'My Last Goodbye', 'Monday', 'We Will Get By' and 'Done For The Weekend', without forgetting the two ballads 'Butterfly' (see the video here) and 'Highway'. In short, this latest album from 'Alicate' continues to perpetuate this talent of Swedish melodists and 'Butterfly' should make happy all fans of melodic hard rock and AOR taking us back a few decades…

Line Up / Musicians

Jonas Erixon (Vocal, Guitar), Glenn Ljungkvist (Keybords), Fredrik Ekberg (Bass), Jesper Persson (Drums)


Artist : Millenium

Album : Tales from Imaginary Movies

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 27-10-2022






Whether with his project ' tRKProject' or with 'Millenium' or with 'Framauro' with a new release in January 2022 , 'Ryszard Kramarski' always offers us magnificent albums and it is the turn of the last 'Millennium', 'Tales from Imaginary Movies' to see the light of day. Remember, this project was created by Ryszard in the late 90s and the first album eponymous dates to 1999. Since then, many studio recordings have marked the career of the Pole and his discography of around fifteen albums, shows the impressive frequency of releases of 'Millenium'. For this last opus, he recalled 'Dawid Lewandowski', who is the singer of the band 'Fizbers' and who participated in the reissue of the 'tRKproject' albums in two versions, one sung by him and the other sung by 'Karolina Leszko'. The rest of the line-up remains unchanged and we find 'Piotr Plonka' on guitar, 'Krzysztof Wyrwa' on bass and 'Grzegorz Bauer' on drums.

This new album from 'Millenium' tells the story of an artist who makes various castings to try to play in a big budget film, like the first title which tells the story of a superhero who tries to save the world of the human race extinction as a result of wars and ecological disaster, each composition depicting a film with a specific theme. We are welcomed by an epic and cinematographic introduction well in tune with the chosen theme, then, 'Invisible Superhero' offers a first composition with these atmospheric 'Floydian' influences well known to fans of 'Millenium' and with a memorable first melody, the singing of 'Dawid Lewandowski' being filled with very beautiful melancholy. Follows 'A World Full of Spies', more energetic, which, this time, takes us on a spy movie with a lively rhythm and a catchy new melody, then, 'Brightness Hidden In The Dark' returns to a 'Floydian' atmosphere, but, this time, as if 'Ryszard Kramarski' had wanted to reunite 'Roger Waters' and 'David Gilmour' again after their split, the melodic lines resembling a 'Final Cut' written by 'Roger Waters' and the solos guitar bringing the endearing side of 'David Gilmour'. With, 'A Comedy of Love', it's still a change of style imagining this cast for a musical, the vocals of 'Dawid Lewandowski' displaying a much more optimistic mood, and this composition unfolds a beautiful romantic melody interspersed with very beautiful guitar solo. The following theme contrasts with the previous one, since after a comedy, it is a casting for a war film with 'The Sounds of War' which is still a superb title with a chorus releasing a beautiful emotion and which presents a marked rhythm and a very nice break in the second part of the title recalling the atmospheres released by 'Roger Waters'. Place in the casting for the melodrama 'Memories in Tears' which takes us on a slow tempo, in a melancholic atmosphere with a magnificent vocal performance by 'Dawid Lewandowski' releasing real emotion, the final guitar solo being simply sublime. The last title is dedicated to a science fiction theme with 'Second Earth' which depicts a humanity destroyed by man but which shows a soothing musical face on which we completely abandon ourselves with refined arrangements, the piano / voice duo being beautiful. To close this very beautiful album, 'Tales From Imaginary Movies (The End Credits)' is the end credits which could be a perfect mix between 'Pink-Floyd', Ennio Morricone' and 'Hans Zimmer' because everything comes together for an epic and grandiose finale.

In summary, this original multi-drawer theme allows 'Ryszard Kramarski' to deploy all kinds of different musical atmospheres which makes 'Tales from Imaginary Movies' a varied album which shows all the talent of a melodist of the Pole who has succeeded, once again, in triggering in the listener that I am beautiful emotions and this last 'Millenium' should join in good place the other albums of the group in the ideal music collection of any amateur progressive rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Dawid Lewandowski (Vocal), Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Piotr Plonka (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Bauer (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Perfect Plan

Album : Brace for Impact

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 28-10-2022

The waltz of melodic rock albums by Swedish bands continues, because after 'Captain Black Beard' and 'Alicate', it's the turn of 'Perfect Plan' to remember their last album 'Time for a Miracle' dating from 2020 and 2021 having seen the release of the live 'Live at Sharpener's House'. 'Brace for Impact' therefore continues the path traced by previous albums with a series of melodic hard rock hits which follow each other starting with 'Surrender' (see the video above), quite classic and which is not necessarily the composition that struck me the most but which is followed by a beautiful skewer of melodic jewels offering us addictive choruses with the catchy 'If Love Walks In' and 'Can't Let You Win' (see video here), the rhythmic 'Gotta Slow Me Down' or even 'Stop the Bleed' with its rhythmic changes between verses and chorus before arriving at the first break ballad 'My Angel' to make many jealous in the profession. The second part of the album does not weaken and offers us new memorable melodies with, for example, 'Bring Me a Doctor' and its radiant choirs and with the beautiful second ballad 'Emilie' placed as the penultimate title on a rhythmic mid -tempo, the album ending with 'Walk Through Fire' with its chorus which immediately anchors itself in the head.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Perfect Plan' continue to offer us catchy melodies as if it were raining cats and dogs, and this 'Brace for Impact' adds to the melodic hard rock albums released in October 2022 and should satisfy all fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Kent Hilli (Vocal), Rolf Nordstrom (Guitar), Leif Ehlin (Keybords), Mats Byström (Bass), Fredrik Forsberg (Drums)


Artist : Signs

Album : Uchronia

Release Date : 09-10-2022

Added : 29-10-2022

Despite two periods of activity at the end of the 80s and in the 2000s which resulted in a separation without any real discographic production (the 'Code Source' mini CD in 2004), the Dutch of 'Signs' reformed in 2018 and have just released their first LP 'Uchronia'. Influenced by the progressive rock of the 70s, they mix different musical landscapes with, in particular, parallels with the 'Floyds' whether in atmospheric parts or more energetic rock sections, the whole being always supported by catchy melodic lines. The menu of this opus is made up of six compositions between 5 and 10 minutes long, which gives good possibilities of developing constructions in several drawers, especially since the first three titles and the last two follow one another without any gaps.

We are welcomed by 'Shadows of the Lesser Gods' which begins calmly with a few piano notes accompanied by synthetic sounds of strings, and which unrolls a first harmonious melody in an atmospheric atmosphere which gradually gains momentum and which then weaves between quiet sections and other more spirited ones, the bass/drums rhythm section leading the dance is very beautiful, the end of the title offering a very beautiful 'Gilmourian' guitar solo. Without transition, the title song 'Uchronia' continues with a more energetic instrumental introduction and then develops a succession of alternation between remarkable tensions and relaxations, protesting voices bringing on several occasions a feeling of revolt and the crescendo of the second part accentuating this sense of urgency. We continue with 'Zero Gravity' which continues in a mixture of neo-progressive and influences drawn from the 70s and, on many occasions, I found certain atmospheres released by the Germans of 'RPWL' with certainly more contrast between sections with saturated guitar riffs and atmospheric passages like this magnificent guitar solo in the middle of the title sandwiched between two energetic sections or this final break which passes from an imposing intensity to a calm and bucolic melody. Follows 'Cryogenic Jetlag' which unrolls a new memorable melody which alternates impetuous parts with other more peaceful ones, then the long development 'The Heretic' takes us into a remarkable labyrinth with multiple nooks and crannies in which we walk through soundscapes very contrasting, and which shows all the talent of this formation to offer us sophisticated and imaginative progressive, the final in crescendo bringing us back to that of 'Uchronia'. And to end this very beautiful album, 'Nigredo' also shows a construction alternating different rhythms and intensities with a peaceful and melancholy first part then, two minutes later, we are embarked on an instrumental section bordering on an explosive hard rock with a lot of riffs sharp, the calm falling then to return to the starting theme in the form of a crescendo with a remarkable guitar solo, the end returning to the softness of the introduction and sound effects which gradually fade.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Signs' finally release an album worthy of the name and offers us progressive with contrasting atmospheres alternating atmospheric sections and other much more energetic which brings a real originality to 'Uchronia' which should make happy all fans of a progressive varied and influenced by different currents of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Hans de Graaf (Vocal, Bass, Taurus pedal), Ron van der Park (Guitar, Choirs), Marcel Faas (Keybords, Choirs), Louis Carlebur (Drums)


Artist : Evership

Album : The Uncrowned King:Act 2

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 30-10-2022

A little over a year after the release of the first part of 'The Uncrowned King', the Americans of 'Evership' offers us act 2 which continues the story of Harold Bell Wright' from 1910 and which, musically, continues in rock progressive rooted in the 70s with catchy melodic lines from the first listen and with a notable diversity of atmospheres, long developments still being in order but without having, this time, very long durations, the compositions not exceeding 8 minutes (see the presentation video of the different compositions of the album above).

The soft introduction 'The Voice of the Night', which begins with a few notes of acoustic guitar and which continues in a vaporous atmosphere, serves as an introduction to 'Missing Pursuits' which takes us into 8 minutes full of twists with an energetic rhythm section which leads the dance throughout this title and in which we find the beautiful expressive and high-pitched vocals of 'Beau West' and a beautiful instrumental section in the second part with a succession of keyboard and guitar solos. Without transition, the atmosphere is much calmer with 'The Law of Ages' (see the very nice video here) which, on a slow tempo, begins in acoustics with very beautiful choirs and a memorable melody which slightly gains momentum with some string accompaniments, always led by the very beautiful piano/voice duo and which offers us a masterful guitar solo in the second part, the finale returning to the serenity of the beginning. The alternation between softness and energy continues with 'Coronation' which sends heavy with a marked and driving tempo on an almost oriental melody in certain places, and which keeps a magnificent progressive aspect with, in particular, this break in intensity in the first part with remarkable new guitar and keyboard solos. Make way for an epic 'The Voice of the New Day' whose melodic lines and keyboard accompaniments are strongly reminiscent of 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer', which features special guest 'Michael Sadler', lead singer of Saga which gives us a beautiful and very expressive vocal demonstration, the general atmosphere being resplendent. Make way for the semi-acoustic ballad with the very beautiful 'Nobody' which makes us climb warm on a small cloud and which brings a very special emotion. In the same demonstrative style as 'The Voice of the New Day', 'Fading Away' begins with beautiful catchy melodic lines and presents original rhythmic changes and is embellished with magnificent choruses bringing us back a few decades and reminiscent of the 'Beatles'. The a capella introduction to 'Uncrowned' is particularly gripping and continues with a new, long, particularly melodic development that can recall 'Queen' moods with a radiant lightness that makes you draw a blissful smile on your face and is still accompanied by lush choirs. And it is with 'Pilgrim's Reprise' that the album ends by reminding us of one of the acoustic parts of the first title of the first part with an addictive melody: the circle is complete and in a very beautiful way.

In summary, the Americans of Evership' closes the story of this allegory of life with a second part that has nothing to envy to the first and, together, the two albums now allow us to be able to enjoy this very beautiful epic in its entirety, which should join the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any progressive rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Beau West (Vocal), James Atkinson (Guitar), John Rose (Guitar), Shane Atkinson (Keybords, Vocal, Drums, Programmation), Ben Young (Bass) + Guest : Michael Sadler (Vocal)


Artist : Orianthi / Chez Kane

Album : Rock Candy / Powerzone

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 31-10-2022

One is blonde, the other is brunette and they both signed to 'Frontiers Music' for their latest solo albums which were released a week apart, the first by Australian 'Orianthi', 'Rock Candy', on October 14, and the second of the Welsh 'Chez Kane', 'Powerzone', on October 21. Given a certain similarity between the two, I have grouped the two opuses together in the same column. For 'Orianthi', I had reviewed his live released in 2022, 'Live from Hollywood', his latest studio recording 'O' from 2020 and, for 'Chez Kane', its self-titled debut album was also reviewed in myprogmusic. In short, the two ladies offer us a nice mix of rock and melodic hard rock with hits that parade one behind the other.

As for 'Orianthi', these are nine compositions which are accompanied in intro and outro by two short instrumentals highlighting the Australian guitarist's talents. It starts at full speed with a 'Light It Up' (see the video above) which gives the irresistible urge to press the play button each time you listen to it, then hard rock titles scroll by, just as catchy each other, with the energetic 'Fire Together' and 'Red Light', the powerful 'Void' with beautiful alternations of intensity, 'Burning' and its well-tempered rhythm, the heavy 'Witches_The Devil' and its slow tempo or even 'Getting To Me' with its super effective chorus. To vary the atmosphere, 'Where Did Your Heart Go' (see the video here) shows a more moderate face, flirting with international variety, and 'Living Is Like Dying Without You' is a very beautiful ballad that allows a well-deserved break from all this energy.

As for 'Chez Kane', the whole is more substantial, the 10 compositions displaying 50 minutes on the clock (compared to just over 30 minutes for 'Orianthi') and the clear atmospheres are slightly more moderate and bring us back in the 80s starting with an 'I Just Want You' (see the video here) that 'Bonnie Tyler' could have sung he a few decades ago. The sequel continues in these completely addictive melodic atmospheres and if you don't feel like yelling at the chorus of '(The Things We Do) When We're Young in Love', you can go your own way. For the others, you will certainly also be seduced by the melodic jewels that are the mid-tempo 'Rock You Up', the catchy 'Love Gone Wild' (see the video here) and 'Powerzone', the classic rock but so effective of 'I'm Ready (For Your Love)' or even the last title 'Guilty of Love' with a very beautiful instrumental section in the second part of the title on which the foot tapping machine starts automatically. And like 'Orianthi', 'Chez Kane' also knows how to alternate with more moderate atmospheres with the magnificent mid-tempo 'Children Of Tomorrow Gone' or the melancholy ballad 'Streets Of Gold' to add to the best melodic rock ballads.

In summary, no need to draw a picture, for all fans of catchy melodies, you have not one but two completely addictive albums to play on repeat and I strongly advise you to discover them on spotify with the link I made above and to trigger the random mode to benefit from this wonderful mix between the compositions of the Australian and the Welsh...

Line Up / Musicians

Orianthi :
Orianthi Panagaris (Guitar, Vocal), Jacob Bunton (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Piano, Violin, Choirs), Kyle Cunningham (Drums)

Chez Kane :

Chez Kane (Vocal), Danny Rexon (Tous les instruments) + Guest : Jesse Molloy (Saxophone)


Artist : Eleine

Album : Acoustic In Hell

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 01-11-2022

Around the same time as 'Sonata Arctica' which released the second part of 'Acoustic Adventures', the Swedes of 'Eleine' also unplugged their electric guitars to offer us this acoustic set 'Acoustic In Hell', their latest album reviewed in myprogmusic, 'Dancing in Hell' going back to 2020. And it's not necessarily a coincidence since these two bands are undertaking an acoustic tour now with several dates in France. We are therefore taken into reinterpretations of compositions with a completely different face in which the melodic side stands out particularly, the whole highlighting the vocal talent of 'Madeleine Liljestam' and guitarist of 'Rikard Ekberg'. To give you an opinion on the two versions, I have put you, like 'Sanata Arctica', the original versions below. It should be noted that the last album of the Swedes is well represented half of the compositions, the first eponymous album having three and the album 'Until The End' of 2018 only one. In short, this acoustic album shows even more the talent of the Swedish melodists of Eleine' and we can even regret that the album is so short because we would have taken a little extra dose of it.

List of original tracks (title, album, year):
01 - 'Whisper my Child' – Until The End – 2018
02 - 'Enemies' – Dancing in Hell – 2020 – Youtube Video
03 - 'Memorian' – Dancing in Hell – 2020
04 - 'Ava Of Death' – Dancing in Hell – 2020 – Youtube Video
05 - 'All Shall Burn' – Dancing in Hell – 2020 – Youtube Video
06 - 'Death Incarnate' – Eleine – 2015
07 - 'Break Take Live' – Eleine – 2015
08 - 'Hell Moon (We Shall Never Die)' – Eleine – 2015

Line Up / Musicians

Madeleine "Eleine" Liljestam (Vocal), Rikard Ekberg (Guitar, Vocal), Jesper Sunnhagen (Drums)


Artist : Killer Kings

Album : Burn For Love

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 02-11-2022

Album of the playlist 2022: Mini playlist of rock albums, melodic hard-rock of the moment

To start this melodic rock mini playlist, here is the new project 'Killer Kings' set up through the intermediary of the person in charge of 'Frontiers', 'Serafino Perugino' which brought together the American singer 'Gregory Lynn Hall' ('101 South') and the American-Canadian guitarist 'Tristan Avakian' who rolls his bump on a lot of scenes (with among others 'Red Dawn', 'Queen Extravaganza' and even a participation in 'Cirque du Soleil' – see his facebook page here). And, of course, when we talk about 'Frontiers', 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' is not far away and comes to lend a hand to the two artists on bass and keyboards, the rest of the line-up including drummer 'Nicholas Papapicco'. No surprise, we embark on 11 compositions of catchy melodic hard rock that we appropriate on the first listen. In short, without revolutionizing the style, this new project 'Killer Kings' puts forward two talented artists who are not necessarily very well-known who combine for the best with this first album 'Burn For Love' which should seduce all fans of rock and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Gregory Lynn Hall (Vocal), Tristan Avakian (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums) + Guests : Tommy Denander (Keybords), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar)


Artist : Satin

Album : Appetition

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 02-11-2022

Album of the playlist 2022: Mini playlist of rock albums, melodic hard-rock of the moment

It is still in a Nordic country that this AOR project leads us, which is the work of one man, I named the singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist 'Tom Satin' who is releasing his third studio recording, the first two albums 'Satin' and 'It's About Time' released in 2014 and 2017 respectively. with melodies that immediately stick in your head, you've come to the right place because 'Appetition' contains 10 little melodic gems that would have caused a stir in the 80s and would certainly go down in history along with the best songs of 'Toto', 'Journey', 'Foreigner', 'Bon Jovi' or even 'ASIA'. The first two titles that were the subject of a video, 'Going Your Way' (see here) and 'Angels Come, Angels Go' (see here) give you a very representative overview of this album, the first lively and radiant, and the second with this completely addictive mid-tempo rhythm. The suite does not weaken and continues in this path all traced with unstoppable melodic lines and the ballad is not forgotten with the magnificent 'A Dream Coming True' to which we can add 'Jenny (I'm Bringing You Down)' in two parts mixing ballad and catchy rhythm. In short, 'Tom Satin' offers us a remarkable new album with a series of melodic hits that we have great pleasure in listening to and which shows all the talent of this outstanding melodist and we hope that this 'Appetition' which has been signed on the label 'Art Of Melody Music / Burning Minds Music Group' allows him to reach a much wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom Satin (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Wildness

Album : Resurrection

Release Date : 14-10-2022

Added : 03-11-2022

Album of the playlist 2022: Mini playlist of rock albums, melodic hard-rock of the moment

We are back in Sweden with 'Wildness' for the continuation of this melodic rock mini playlist which is releasing a third album 'Resurrection', the first two, the eponymous album and 'Ultimate Demise' dating from 2017 and 2020 respectively, the latter being part of the myprogmusic playlist of rock and melodic hard-rock albums from the second half of 2020. For this last baby of the Swedes, it is now the inevitable 'Frontiers Music' which has been chosen and which replaces 'AOR' but, whether at the level of the line up or the style, we do not change a winning team. with a new studio recording that continues the melodic path traced in the previous opuses. Whether it's the energetic compositions like 'Nightmare (see video here), 'Release the Beast', 'The Final Fantasy' or even 'Eternity Will Never Fall', but also the songs featuring radiant keyboards like 'Tragedy' or 'Best of Me', we have a great time savoring all these refreshing melodies. The calmer moments are not forgotten with the remarkable mid-tempos that are 'Love Resurrection', 'Lonely Girl' very close to 'Foreigner', 'One and Only' or even 'Fading Sun' without forgetting the ballad 'Dawn Of Forever' which transports us on a small cloud and which also shows all the talent of the singer 'Erik Forsberg' in more moderate moments. In summary, you understand why I have grouped together several albums of this quality because I could not dismiss any of them and this latest album from the Swedish 'Wildness' is still one of the melodic nuggets released in October...

Line Up / Musicians

Erik Forsberg (Vocal), Marcus Sjösund (Bass), Adam Holmström (Guitar), Pontus Sköld (Guitar), Érik Modin (Drums)


Artist : Grand

Album : Grand

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 03-11-2022

Album of the playlist 2022: Mini playlist of rock albums, melodic hard-rock of the moment

After 'Wildness', it's still Swedish but this time with the new project 'Grand' and an eponymous debut album. Always at 'Frontiers Music', this new formation was created in 2020 by singer 'Mattias Olofsson' who realized his dream of releasing an AOR album. And the least we can say is that he joins the best melodists of his country because we spend a wonderful time listening to these 11 varied compositions which all have catchy melodic lines. The start of the album with the two singles which have each been the subject of a video, 'Caroline' (see video here) and 'Stone Cold' (see the video here) highlight an elegant and luminous AOR that will get you in shape for a whole day and the sequel continues in the same way with a 'Make It Grand' which has a chorus giving an irresistible desire to accompany the choirs. With a good variety alternating more or less energetic atmospheres, then parade compositions all as addictive as each other and the album ends with the very beautiful ballad 'Anything for You' to add to the best ballads of AOR. In short, no need to add more, I let you discover this new Swedish gem which closes my mini playlist of melodic rock, and which is added to the three other albums, the whole being of course to be consumed without moderation...

Line Up / Musicians

Mattias Olofsson (Vocal, Choirs), Jakob Svensson (Guitars, Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Anton Martinez Matz (Drums, Bass)


Artist : Avantasia

Album : A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 05-11-2022

The leader of 'Edguy', 'Tobias Sammet' is back with his project 'Avantasia' and after the remarkable 'Moonglow' in 2019, 'A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society' is yet another album with a host of prestigious guests from the international rock or metal scene and, we says to himself that, given the frequency of releases of his productions with 'Avantasia', this is gradually becoming his main project, 'Edguy' being relegated to the background.

But back to the line up with, first of all, his faithful stage companions, guitarist 'Sascha Paeth', keyboardist 'Michael Rodenberg' and drummer 'Felix Bohnke' to which are added the singer ' Floor Jansen' ('Nighwish') and singers 'Bob Catley' ('Magnum'), 'Eric Martin' ('Mr Big'), 'Geoff Tate' ('Sweet Oblivion'), 'Jorn Lande' ( 'Jorn'), 'Michael Kiske' ('Helloween'), 'Ralf Scheepers' ('Primal Fear') and 'Ronnie Atkins' (latest solo album 'Make It Count'). Nice cast you might say, but does this new German baby continue the 'Avantasia' adventure at the same level as the last opus 'Moonglow'.

Let's not make the suspense last, fans of Avantasia' will in no way be disoriented because, 'Tobias Sammet' has again done everything possible to offer us an epic and grandiose album as he has the secret in a melodic power metal with catchy melodies at first listen, and this, from the start with 'Welcome To The Shadows' which is stamped 'Made in Avantasia' with an addictive first chorus and which takes us on a succession of alternating between energetic sections and other calmer ones, the general atmosphere being very theatrical. In the same style, we can mention the very beautiful duo 'Floor Jensen'/'Tobias Sammet' from 'Kill The Pain Away' (see the video above), 'I Tame The Storm' goes everywhere with a very beautiful vocal performance of 'Jorn' and a magnificent guitar solo, but also the radiant 'The Moonflower Society' (see the video here) also very typical 'Avantasia' with a new chorus to sing in concert, without forgetting 'Scars' which also shows a flamboyant and lively face. And in a heavier power metal, 'Ralf Sheepers' sends heavy in 'The Wicked Rule The Night' (see the video here) then, 'The Inmost Light' (see the video here) takes us on a melodic hit with an addictive chorus accompanied by a raging double pedal and 'Rhyme And Reason' picks up the pace to a new blast of melodic metal. Amidst all this energy, the quieter moments are also present with 'Misplaced Among The Angels' (see the video here) in which we enjoy the new duet 'Floor Jensen'/'Tobias Sammet' and with new memorable melodic lines, then, 'Paper Plane' brings a tender and touching side with a chorus which comes to be grafted immediately in the head. And to end on a high note, the 10 minutes of 'Arabesque' offer a majestic finale in the form of an epic and progressive saga with oriental emanations, and with all the ingredients that one wishes to find in a metal opera and which benefits from a shocking vocal duo 'Jorn'/'Michael Kiske'.

In summary, 'Tobias Sammet' continues the 'Avantasia' adventure with a new album on the same level as these previous productions and we still let ourselves be carried away by catchy melodies that we play on a loop and which, we hope, will be able, depending on everyone's schedules, to be the subject of a new tour by the German and his little troupe as he did with 'Moonglow' in 2019...

Line Up / Musicians

Tobias Sammet (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Michael Rodenberg (Keybords), Felix Bohnke (Drums), Sascha Paeth (Guitar, Bass) + Guests : Bob Catley (Vocal), Eric Martin (Vocal), Floor Jansen (Vocal), Geoff Tate (Vocal), Jorn Lande (Vocal), Michael Kiske (Vocal), Oliver Hartmann (Guitars, Choirs), Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Ronnie Atkins (Vocal)


Artist : Riven Earth

Album : The World is Turning

Release Date : 10-10-2022

Added : 04-11-2022

A few days ago, I received an e-mail from the Germans of 'Riven Earth' which I did not know and which presented their latest studio album 'The World is Turning'. This progressive rock formation was created in 2016 and they have already released two albums that can be streamed on spotify, 'Project One' in 2018 and 'Space of Time' in 2020. It is therefore at the frequency of an album every two years that we can put a new German baby between our ears and I therefore discover them with this third studio recording whose title brings us back to this obvious observation after two years of health crisis: whatever happens, the world will continue to turn!

Musically, the influences are drawn from the progressive currents whether in its beginnings in the 70s or over the decades that followed and we could cite in bulk, for the oldest, 'Pink Floyd', 'Genesis', 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Barclay James Harvest' and 'Eagles' (for the first title 'Ready for Take Off') but also more recent artists like 'Nad Sylvan', 'Cosmograf' or 'tRKProject'. The album is quite dense since it contains 9 compositions for more than an hour of music, each of them delivering peaceful and melodic progressive with constructions in which we let ourselves go according to beautiful alternations between sung parts and instrumental and which are revealed, little by little, listen after listen. In order not to make a title for a title and considerably lengthen this chronicle, I will comment on the last composition of more than 16 minutes which sums up the whole very well and which takes us on a progressive labyrinth, inventive and refined on a slow tempo which makes one succeed varied and endearing landscapes that we happily travel through, letting ourselves be guided by the always very catchy melodic framework, the numerous guitar solos punctuating this title in a beautiful way. Apart from the slightly more rhythmic compositions 'Running Away' and 'Fight for Your Right', the atmospheres developed are generally developed on slow tempos and we walk through quiet and peaceful atmospheres on which we let ourselves be lulled by the melodious singing by 'Uli Krücken', 'Günter Schlünkes' offering us remarkable guitar solos and 'Wolfgang Beckers' enveloping the whole with luminous keyboards.

In summary, if you are a fan of progressive rock favoring the soft side of the style rather than more energetic atmospheres, you have come to the right place because this latest album from the Germans of 'Riven Earth' delivers us beautiful compositions that it makes good to enjoy quietly the helmet on the ears to relax after a hard day...

Line Up / Musicians

Günter Schlünkes (Guitar, Bass), Uli Krücken (Vocal, Guitar), Wolfgang Beckers (Keybords)


Artist : Realisea

Album : Fairly Carefree

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 06-11-2022

I presented to you the new project of the founder of 'Silhouette' in 2020 with his first album 'Mantelpeace', and 2022 sees the release of a new studio recording with 'Fairly Carefree' which 'Brian de Greave' describes as follows: "this album will feature new melodic and progressive rock anthems with guitar solos worthy of 'Pink Floyd', dreamy keyboard textures and darker songwriting". Always accompanied by his wife on vocals, the line-up has evolved somewhat with 'Mark op ten Berg' taking the main place of bass player and 'Jos Uffing' of drummer, guest artists being added to the basic formation.
Overall, 'Fairly Carefree' is a continuation of the first album, that is to say that we find these refined and inventive progressive atmospheres which bring us back to the best of this style, the vocal duo from the couple to the life of 'Greave' bringing this very endearing little extra, especially since I find that Marjolein has made further progress in her singing, repeatedly transmitting beautiful emotions to us. Nearing the hour of listening, eight more or less long compositions await you and, at the start, we are greeted by the long development 'I Could Never Learn' which begins by making us wander in a 'Floydian' landscape thanks to a few notes of 'Gilmourian' guitars, then, a soft melody takes over, with the soft singing of 'Brian de Graeve', then joined by his companion, and lulls us to a slow tempo, punctuated by beautiful guitar interventions by 'Rindeert Bul', the finale accelerating the rhythm with luminous keyboards that fill the whole space: we are already under the spell! We continue with 'Crackled Colorite' in the same peaceful atmosphere, the soft singing of 'Marjolein de Graeve' bringing this melancholic touch, then, there are two shorter and more direct titles with 'Your Lies' and 'Pretending', the first leading in a light atmosphere and the second most calm with a delicate song of 'Marjolein de Graeve' which can recall that high perched of 'Annie Haslam' of the formation 'Renaissance'. With 'Out in the Cold', although the introduction appears more removed, the lightness is still appropriate with a semi-acoustic composition which unrolls endearing melodic lines and which has a very beautiful break in the second part, the finale adding beautiful vocal harmonies. Led by a few birdsongs, 'Sheltered Dreams' is a ballad in which the vocal harmonies are beautiful and the melody reminds me of certain compositions from the beginnings of 'Barclay James Harvest', the keyboard interventions bringing a bucolic side. Make way for the centerpiece of the album, 'Trilemma', which alone is worth the purchase of this album, and which is a long development of more than 15 minutes in which we travel through captivating soundscapes with alternations between sections sung by 'Marjolein de Graeve' releasing an intense emotion, and instrumental parts highlighting 'Floydian' guitar solos, passages on atmospheric keyboards or even acoustic strolls of flutes or guitar. And like all good things must come to an end, 'Malgré les Vagues' concludes this magnificent album in a very beautiful way with a harmonious ballad of which you can see the video above, the finale rewarding us with a last marvellous guitar solo.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Realisea' confirm all the good that we thought of them with their first album and 'Fairly Carefree' should appeal to an audience that loves a peaceful and refined progressive rock with melodic lines harmonious...

Line Up / Musicians

Brian de Graeve (Vocal, Guitar), Marjolein de Graeve (Vocal), Christophe Rapenne (Keybords), Mark op ten Berg (Bass), Jos Uffing (Drums), Rindert Bul (Guitar) + Guests : Ton Scherpenzeel (Keybords), Erik Laan (Minotaur), Tamara van Koetsveld (Clarinette), Suzan van den Engel (Harp), Mila Kamstra (Violin), Geoffrey de Graeve (Bass)


Artist : Sede Vacante

Album : Conium

Release Date : 22-10-2022

Added : 07-11-2022

'Sede Vacante' is a Greek-Finnish metal formation created in 2015 mixing symphonic and gothic influences and which released a first 'Skies Infernal' in 2016 with a first singer 'Constantine Alex', 'Michael Tiko' taking care of all the instruments. But at the time, despite compositions showing a certain talent of the Greek, the production was not up to par and the album did not hit the headlines. Six years have passed and the line up has evolved with the arrival of bassist 'Nick Gkogkomitros' and drummer 'Jannis K' and the replacement of the former singer by the Finnish 'Stephanie Mazor' who has a clear vocal register and who has the power to tackle the compositions of 'Michael Tiko' but who also has the gift to modulate his voice in the more moderate passages.

The album is composed of 11 tracks in a radiophonic format, not exceeding 5 minutes including an instrumental introduction and the cover of 'Paint It Black' by the 'Stones', completely rearranged in a gothic way but which is ultimately a great success. Regarding the original compositions, after the short epic introduction 'Furia' highlighting an imposing orchestration, 'Mistaken' delivers us a first symphonic metal hit with a remarkable first vocal performance from 'Stephanie Mazor'. The following title 'Dead New World' (see the video above) demonstrates the talent of composer of 'Michael Tiko' with this alternation between verses with intense rhythm and a powerful chorus in a slower tempo and which benefits from a nice instrumental section in the second part. Follows the title song (see the video here), which is typical of a mix between symphonic and gothic, the first part being darker and heavier but which continues with catchy melodic lines and a memorable chorus. On the same pattern as its predecessor, 'Raindrops' offers a remarkable alternation of tempos between verses and chorus with a new memorable melody, then, after the 'Paint It Black' cover of the 'Stones' already mentioned above, 'Melancholy Bled' changes register for more electro sounds with a catchy rhythm, the sounds of electronic keyboards masking guitars which are relegated to the background. The suite scrolls through the energetic 'Walk on a Lie' with beautiful variations in the rhythm section and which highlights the guitarist talent of 'Michael Tiko' in a masterful guitar solo, then, 'The Bride', introduces by muscular guitar riffs, continues in this alternation of intensity that 'Stephanie Mazor' perfectly controls in her singing, the rhythm remains catchy on the whole of the title and 'Wheel of Misfortune' is more moderate, moving away from metal and boasting outstanding instrumental and vocal arrangements with a catchy new melody. And it is with the magnificent ballad 'Tattoo' that the album ends by highlighting a very touching vocal performance by 'Stephanie Mazor' reminding me of those of 'Marcela Bovio' on the refined compositions of 'Stream Of Passion'.

In summary, the 'Sede Vacante' project of 'Michael Tiko' definitely takes off with this second album which, thanks in particular to quality compositions and a talented singer, demonstrates that this formation will have to be counted on in the future to compete with all tenors of symphonic and gothic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Stephanie Mazor (Vocal), Michael Tiko (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Nick Gkogkomitros (Bass), Jannis K (Drums)


Artist : Anthony D'Amato

Album : At First There Was Nothing

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 08-11-2022

I had discovered 'Anthony D'Amato' in 2016 with the release of his latest album 'Cold Snap' and a new studio recording, 'At First There Was Nothing', is now available, which continues to carry on a varied legacy of decades of American songwriting, centered on country and folk, all this being sprinkled with soul and even some jazzy influences. We therefore embark on the endearing universe of Anthony', starting with 'Long Haul' (see the video above) which, in a country atmosphere, takes us back to America in the 1930s with an old steam train and a Ford from that era and 'Ships In The Night' (see the video here) continues with a melancholy ballad then, 'Kinda Strange' offers a beautiful Latin rhythmic song with a jazzy section led by a trumpet. The suite scrolls through the magnificent and refined ballad 'Enough', 'Broken Tooth Smile' which takes us into a kind of harmonious blend between country and soul, the rhythmic 'Everything Doe' with its addictive slide guitar and the hymn melodic country 'The Oyster and The Pearl', classic but so effective. Make way for the second ballad, this time in the form of a beautiful piano/voice duet with some nonchalant brass accompaniments, then, 'Trying To Change' lulls us to a composition with a repetitive melody, and the album ends with the melancholic 'But I Go' which well illustrates the journey of this troubadour of song who goes where the wind takes him.

In summary, his trip to Utah allowed 'Anthony D'Amato' to release a new quality album with a set of compositions that can be tasted with pleasure, and which should appeal to all audiences who love music rooted in country atmospheres in the great tradition of American song...

Line Up / Musicians

Anthony D'Amato (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : The New Roses

Album : Sweet Poison

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 09-11-2022

They are German, they make muscular rock that we are not necessarily used to hearing from their compatriots 'Scorpions', 'Doro', 'Accept', 'Blind Guardian', 'Avantasia' or even 'Helloween' and their journey has shown different faces with, at the start of energetic rock with 'Without a Trace', then, while keeping a strong style, they incorporated some touches of country in 'Dead Man's Voice', then, after an excellent 'Nothing but Wild' in 2019 filled with melodic anthems, 2022 sees the release of a new album 'Sweet Poison' which is a kind of melting pot between the best of hard rock without borders.

So here we go for 40 minutes of catchy melodies on first listen with choruses to scream in chorus and entrance, if you don't hang on to the addictive chorus of 'My Kinda Crazy' (watch the video above), it's that you're not made for this kind of music and for the others who have already had a blast on this first title, you will undoubtedly love the energetic 'Playing with Fire', 'The Usual Suspects' (see the video here), '1st Time for Everything' (see video here), 'Sweet Georgia' or even 'The Lion in You', without forgetting the well-paced mid-tempo 'Dead of Night' e t, to avoid sound saturation, three well-placed breaks allow well-deserved breaks to recover from all this excess of energy: these are the three beautiful ballads 'All I Ever Needed', 'Ture Love' and 'The Veins of This Town'.

In summary, the Germans of 'The New Roses' release an album filled with explosive compositions with addictive melodic lines which give this impression of already heard but which are so effective that one is instantly caught up in the game at listening to this 'Sweet Poison': recommended to all fans of classic hard rock who are moving...

Line Up / Musicians

Timmy Rough (Vocal, Guitar), Norman Bites (Guitar), Hardy (Bass), Urban Berz (Drums)


Artist : The Tirith

Album : Return of the Lydia

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 10-11-2022

'The Tirith' is a formation which was created in 1971 under the name of 'Minas Tirith' but which separated a few years later and it was not until 2010 that 'Richard Cory' and 'Tim Cox' decided to continue the adventure by changing the first name to keep only 'The Tirith'. Five years later came their first studio recording 'Tales from the Tower' with 'Carl Nightingale' on drums which was followed in 2019 by 'Leap in the Dark'. In a progressive style bringing us back to the 70s with various influences ranging from peaceful rock to energetic hard rock, they offer us their new album 'Return of the Lydia' released a few weeks ago. Favouring long developments, out of the seven titles in this opus, five have durations exceeding 9 minutes, which allows us to wander through sound labyrinths in which it is good to get lost by letting oneself go according to catchy melodic lines.

It is with the title song which is also the longest composition of the album that we begin our adventure with a 'Floydian' atmospheric introduction which continues on a slow tempo by unrolling a first endearing melody with the sweet singing of 'Richard Cory', and which gains vigour after about 5 minutes, picking up the pace for a catchy four-minute section (it is in fact this extract which was the subject of the title 'What Do You Say to an Alien' released as a single released in August 2022) and then returns to the slow tempo from the start in the last third. After this very beautiful title, 'Dying to Live' shows a more marked tempo which takes us into an epic composition which develops a more incisive atmosphere on new memorable melodic lines reminiscent of the Swedes of 'Jono' who unfortunately ended their adventure in 2021. Lighter, we find ourselves a few decades back with 'My People' which can make us think of the first 'Barclay James Harvest' and which conveys very well this atmosphere of carelessness which characterized the 70s with radiant guitars, then, we stay in this decade with 'Go the Drifter', a more direct title, which takes us into a rhythm and riffs à la 'Black Sabbath'. Follows 'Crystalwell' which shows a more relaxed face with guitars that light up the whole, the melodic lines being always catchy and the long central guitar solo being quite remarkable, then, 'The Uncertainty Principle' takes us into a mid -tempo with a more classic melody, and the album ends with the 10 minutes of 'The Meeting of the Ways' in a semi-acoustic atmosphere reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest' again but in their period of the 80s.

In summary, the English of 'The Tirith' continue their adventure with a new quality album mixing influences of progressive rock and classic rock of the 70s/80s and benefiting from still very harmonious melodic lines allowing to appropriate very quickly the whole at the first listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Cory (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Tim Cox (Guitar, Keybords), Paul Williams (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Erire (Choirs), Taga (Choirs), Anthony Hill (Piano)


Artist : Sunstorm

Album : Still Roaring (Live)

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 11-11-2022

Only a few months after their last studio recording 'Brothers in Arms' that I put in my playlist of myprogmusic summer chronicles of 2022, supergroup 'Sunstrom' release an album of a live studio session that was recorded when the band got together to film promotional clips for the songs from 'Brother In Arms'. The result is this 'Still Roaring (Live)' which sees the quintet performing songs from their various albums. The latest opuses are well represented since 'Brother In Arms' has four compositions and the penultimate album 'Afterlife' two, the last four tracks being taken from other albums, 'This Is My Heart' from the self-titled album from 2006, 'Never Give Up' from 'Emotional Fire' from 2012, 'Edge of Tomorrow' from the album of the same name from 2016 and 'Road To Hell' from the album of the same name from 2018. And not to do things by halves, a video of the entire live was also made, the link being available above by clicking on the youtube logo.

In summary, this live film is a great gift for all 'Sunstorm' fans who, a few months after the release of the last album, can put between their ears a performance under the concert conditions of these different artists made up of the best of the best of the international melodic hard rock scene...

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Luca Princiotta (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Michele Sanna (Drums)


Artist : Therion

Album : Leviathan II

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 12-11-2022

After the splendid 'Leviathan' in 2021 which had given me an irresistible desire to bring out all these wonderful albums from the first 10 years of 'Therion' to make a playlist of 50 tracks (listen on spotify here), here is the second part of this trilogy which according to the words of 'Christofer Johnsson' revives the mystical and melancholy aura of the album 'Vovin'. And it's true that by listening to titles like 'Alchemy Of The Soul' or 'Lunar Colored Fields' on slow catchy tempos, we get closer to the magnificent compositions dating from 1998 like 'Eye of Shiva' or 'Black Sun' which are now etched forever in my memory. In the same style, we can also mention, 'Cavern Cold As Ice', 'Codex Gigas', 'Hades Ans Elysium' or even 'Lithany Of The Fallen' which is more muscular while keeping a more calm rhythm with a chorus than we want to accompany. The rest shows a more energetic face while keeping these superb vocal harmonies of which only 'Christofer Johnsson' has the secret, still putting a 'Lori Lewis' and a 'Thomas Vikström' at the top of their art: witness the compositions 'Aeon Of Maat' which begins the album, the rhythmic 'Lucifuge Rofocale', the epic 'Marijin Min Nar' or the catchy 'Midnight Stars' which presents a very nice break in the second part, the album ending with the two versions of the single which we already knew, 'Pazuzu', the AOR version with the singer of 'Eclipse', 'Erik Mårtensson', even showing a more enraged vocal character compared to that of 'Thomas Vikström'. And as 'Christofer Johnsson' likes to do on each release, this time four videos are available with 'Litany Of The Fallen', 'Marijin Min Nar', 'Codex Gigas' and 'Pazuzu'.

In summary, the trilogy announced by 'Christofer Johnsson' presents itself under the best omens (of course of all the treated Celtic, Chinese, Finnish, Toltec/Aztec and Germanic mythologies if you have followed the first chapter! ) and, for my part, I look forward to the third part which will certainly make the whole thing a kind of best off of 25 years of 'Therion' which will certainly be the first music group to release a best off with songs totally original...

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar, Keybords), Lori Lewis (Vocal), Thomas Vikström (Vocal), Christian Vidal (Guitar, Vocal), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), Sami Karppinen (Drums)


Artist : Joanne Shaw Taylor

Album : Nobody's Fool

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 13-11-2022

After the magnificent 'Live Blues From The Heart Live' released a few months ago, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' is releasing a new studio recording 'Nobydy's Fool' which contains 10 tracks she wrote or co-wrote with other artists and the cover of 'Eurythmics' Missionary Man' on which 'Dave Stewart' (who was the person who discovered 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' when she was 16), guest-starred. The great strength of this album is that, following 'The Blues Album' of 2021 which was completely anchored in blues roots, the Englishwoman takes us this time into a varied universe mixing blues, pop, rock, soul or even country while keeping the same emotion released whether at the vocal level or at the instrumental level.

We are welcomed by the title song in a light and lively country/rock atmosphere, then, 'Fade Away' continues in a country style brought by a mixture of acoustic and electric guitars. Much more pop, 'Won't Be Fooled Again' is nonetheless very pleasant and brings a refreshing side, 'Joe Bonamassa' offering us beautiful guitar solos, then, 'Just No Getting Over You (Dream Cruise) ' adds a touch of soul with radiant brass and light choirs, Joanne's solo in the second part being particularly delicious. The emotion goes up a notch with 'Fade Away' which was written in memory of his mother and in which her voice makes us capsize, the accompaniment of the acoustic guitar, the piano and the cello creating a melancholic setting, then, return to blues in R&B mode with 'Then There's You' which we have a terrible desire to accompany by clapping our hands. We find the pop side with 'Runaway' which gives off a feeling of lightness, then, the cover 'Missionary Man' of Eurythmics' shows a more rock side on a tempo marked by a determined bass/drums rhythm section, atmosphere that we find on the following title 'Figure It Out' which highlights a remarkable guitar solo of 'Carmen Vandenberg'. The second ballad break is led by the magnificent 'The Leaving Kind' that 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' co-wrote with 'Joe Bonamassa' and in which she releases a magnificent new guitar solo (too bad the solo ends in fade-out), then, the album ends with a rhythmic 'New Love' in a joyful lively atmosphere with radiant choirs.

In summary, whatever the style, 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' knows how to delight us with her singing and her guitar, and 'Nobodys Fool' shows all the feeling of this artist who, surrounded by a fine line-up of instrumentalists talented, releases a new album which should appeal, beyond its fans, to a large audience thanks to very catchy compositions from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Joanne Shaw Taylor (Vocal, Guitar), Josh Smith (Guitar), Lemar Carter (Drums), Calvin Turner (Bass), Deron Johnson (Keybords), Tina Guo (Cello), Carmen Vandenberg (Guitar), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar), Danielle De Andrea (Choirs), Gaby Moreno (Choirs), Jeff Young (Choirs), David A. Stewart


Artist : Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard

Album : Power to Win

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 14-11-2022

Not easy to navigate between 'Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard' and 'Jaded Heart' who just released a new album a few weeks ago (see here). In fact, it's actually quite simple, since the sir 'Michael Bormann' left the ship 'Jaded Heart' twenty years ago and has participated in various projects in the past or has released solo albums (see this last album here). Following a series of concerts in 2017 during which he covered a kind of best off of 'Jaded Heart' between 1990 and 2004 and, to the delight of fans at the time, he decided to rewrite songs in this catchy melodic hard rock style and the first album under the name 'Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard' (little nod to his former band) was released in 2019 (see here) filled with good melodic hits between hard rock and AOR. The adventure therefore continues with this new 'Power to Win' baby and, if you liked the previous one or if you simply like a mix between energetic atmospheres and other more measured ones, you should also adhere to this one which, even if it doesn't bring any novelties, shows that the German still has this talent for laying melodic hymns like in the 90s. 12 direct titles not exceeding 4 minutes (except the last 'We Must Make A Stand (Duisburg United)' which borders on 7 minutes and which sees the participation of musicians from his hometown), here is the menu of 'Power to Win' which varies the styles by taking us on a journey with parallels that we inevitably draw with the 90s and the formations of that time such as 'Bon Jovi', 'Def Leppard', 'Bonfire', 'Fair Warning' or even 'Firehouse'. From the first two titles 'Nothing but a Photograph' and the title song, we are embarked on two melodic catchy gems that takes us back a few decades with choruses à la 'Def Leppard', 'Michael Bormann' still being as effective in his song. The sequel modulates the subject to offer us a more measured but just as addictive AOR with the 'Our Sweet Lullaby' and its addictive chorus and the rhythmic 'Heaven', which would certainly have made a hit at the time of 'Foreigner'. No need to go from title to title because the whole thing is like this beginning of the album with hymns which come to be grafted into the head immediately with this alternation between melodic hard and AOR, the whole being interspersed by the syrupy ballad 'Just Wanna Fall In Love' which would have been a great success in the 80s. In short, no need to add more, just like the previous album 'Feels Like Yesterday', 'Michael Bormann' confirms with 'Power to Win' that he still has this talent to offer us beautiful melodies that we want to sing along to, and which should go on repeat for all fans of melodic hard rock and AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Bormann (Vocal), Chris Ivo (Keybords, Choirs), Michael Müller (Drums), Christoph Baumeister (Bass, Choirs), Thommy Dahlem (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : Manticore

Album : Elements

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 15-11-2022

Making no noise on the web, the Swedes of 'Manticore', after 'Next Steps: Flight 19' which saw the rebirth of the group in 2019 and which made me discover this formation, released a new album 'Elements'. 6 original tracks, it's the menu of this album which begins with the instrumental 'The Wood' which immediately puts us in the bath of a rock mixing progressive and symphonic and which brings us back to the 70s, certain passages reminiscent of the style of 'Steve Hackett' with multiple digressions around the central theme embellished by remarkable guitar and keyboard solos. The suite is sung with, first of all, the beautiful ballad 'Open up your Eyes' which remains anchored in the seventies, and which could be a mixture of 'Electric Light Orchestra' for the melody and 'Barclay James Harvest' for the pastoral side, then, 'New Horizon' continues in this bucolic atmosphere with this time a small soft side of 'Led Zeppelin' and which benefits from very beautiful provided choirs. Another beautiful ballad, 'Rain Is Falling' unrolls on a slow tempo a beautiful melody on which we abandon ourselves completely, then, the short 'Nordic Shadows' is a symphonic instrumental in the form of a crescendo with a very beautiful solo of slide guitar that brings a melancholic side. The masterpiece of the album which constitutes the eponymous title of the album arrives at the end of the album with its 10 minutes and takes us on a remarkable progressive saga which makes us wander to the rhythm of harmonious melodic lines with choirs à la ' Crosby, Still, Nash & Young'.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Manticore' remain anchored in the 70s by offering us a very beautiful album filled with catchy melodies to listen calmly to the headphones on the ears to decompress after a hard day's work, which should appeal to a whole public in love with calm and refined progressive bringing us back to the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Goran Holmberg (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Ulf Holmberg (Guitar, Keybords), Jon-Terje Sundberg (Guitar, Choirs), Per-Åke Saavedra ( Drums), Kjell Godberg


Artist : Royal Hunt

Album : Dystopia, Pt. 2

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 16-11-2022

Like the magnificent last album of the Danes of 'Royal Hunt' (see chronicle of myprogmusic here), did not refer to a first part, we did not expect to get over it a little bit, and then… we now have the sequel to put on between the ears. So, given the level of the first opus, what about this sequel to this story inspired by 'Ray Bradbury' novel, 'Fahrenheit 451'? No need to make you languish, we are at the same level as the little brother with, icing on the cake, the experience of the two years of pandemic which made it possible to refine it and adapt it to reality, I quote the group: "Looking back to the release date of 'Part I' in 2020, one realizes the crazy times we've all been through in the last two years: who could have imagined that our project 'Dystopia' would reflect the harsh reality with so much details? And the madness is still going on. In any case, 'Dystopia, Part II' is even more relevant than ever: we followed the general concept, but filled it with images of current events in order to make it resonate with every single person, having lived the past two years, watching the madness unfold in real time.”

First, it is now necessary to take the whole of the two parts as a whole: the proof, to begin and plunge us directly back into the story, the introduction 'Midway (Resumption)' is the logical continuation of the last title of the first album 'Midway (Intermission Ii)' and the cast implements a line up with the same guest singers (and what a cast!!). We get to the heart of the matter with 'Thorn In My Heart', a composition that will get you in shape for a whole day and which pours out a first melody that will trigger you to lose your voice by dint of screaming the chorus and which, despite the length of nearly 9 minutes, shows all the talent of this formation to tape us from the beginning to the end without any weariness. The vocal duo 'Dc Cooper'/'Mats Leven' accompanies us on an epic 'The Key Of Insanity', which shows a face mixing progressive and symphonic metal, the melodic lines being always very catchy, then, we are welcomed by keyboards to electronic sounds on 'Live Another Day' which is gradually gaining momentum with the arrival of bass and guitars to offer us a magnificent title with remarkable alternations of intensities bringing this progressive side while keeping a terrible melodic efficiency, the kind of composition that borders on 10 minutes but, despite this length, keeps us spellbound from beginning to end thanks to sophisticated vocal and instrumental arrangements. Follows the short instrumental 'Live Another Day' which highlights the catchy rhythm section and keyboards and guitar which pass the ball in an admirable sound contest, then, 'One More Shot', it is with the former singers of 'Royal Hunt', 'Henrik Brockmann' and 'Mark Boals' that we continue our symphonic-progressive adventure in a catchy new saga with an addictive melody that will freeze directly deep in our brains and automatically start the headbanging machine in the chorus. We arrive at the long development 'Scream of Anger' which alone is worth the purchase of this album and which mixes rock and inventive progressive metal, embarking us for 14 minutes in a remarkable sound labyrinth made of alternations of atmospheres, instrumental arrangements are always very sought after and leave a good place for the majestic guitar solos of 'Jonas Larsen'. And to rest from this pharaonic title, 'Left in the Wind' arrives at the right time to distill us a very beautiful power ballad which unfolds memorable melodic lines before closing this second part of 'Dystopia' with the short and epic orchestral instrumental 'Resurrection F451' which gives an irresistible urge to press the play button.

In summary, as you will have understood, the little brother of 'Dystopia' has the same assets as the big brother and the Danes of 'Royal Hunt' still release an admirable album which in the end makes it a double CD for nearly two hours of progressive with unstoppable melodies which means that the set should join the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any progressive metal lover in the same way as the great productions of Arjen Lucassen' with, among others , his project 'Ayreon', or the albums of 'Tobias Sammet' with his project 'Avantasia' (see the latest album here) or the metal opera 'The Astonishing' from 'Dream Theater'...

Line Up / Musicians

Andre Andersen (Bass, Keybords), Andreas ‘habo’ Johansson (Drums), Andreas Passmark (Bass), Dc Cooper (Vocal), Jonas Larsen (Guitar) + Guest : Alexandra Andersen (Vocal), Henrik Brockmann (Vocal), Kenny Lubcke (Vocal), Mark Boals (Vocal), Mats Leven (Vocal)


Artist : MindAhead

Album : 6119, Pt. 1

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 17-11-2022

Definitely, at the moment, very good progressive metal albums are coming out, because at the same time as the Danes of 'Royal Hunt', it's the Italians of 'MindAhead' who return with a second studio album '6119, Pt. 1' which is also an album which should be followed by a second part, the whole telling the story, I quote the group: "of 6119, the main character, through a surreal and dreamlike journey, always in balance between physical space and the domain Trapped in this dreamlike kaleidoscope, he proceeds unconcerned about the consequences, hoping to find at the end of the journey (the "Part II", currently in production) the reason why all this is happening to him". Musically, the references I had used for 'Royal Hunt' ('Ayreon', 'Avantasia' and 'Dream Theater') can still be extended because Italians are influenced by different styles of progressive and mix rock and metal in all their shapes.

On the program of this opus, there are 9 compositions for nearly an hour of listening including two long developments which are offered to us and everything begins, as often in this style, with an instrumental introduction with 'Prologue' which sets the scene for this surreal story with various sound effects and sound extracts, then, 'Burning Horizon' tumbles with a muscular introduction, the drums pouring out an impetuous rhythm which then alternates different intensities with a very beautiful break in the middle of the title, the vocal duo 'Kyo Calati'/'Sandro Macelloni' giving us an admirable first vocal performance, their voices fitting together perfectly. Placed quite early, the long development 'Dancing in the Desert' is the main course of the album which takes us on a progressive saga starting with a dialogue with doctored voices and which continues in an atmosphere mixing Eastern and Western sounds with a catchy melody embellished with multiple changes of atmosphere, sometimes highlighting muscular metal and sometimes softening the subject in much calmer passages (magnificent section at 6.20 with magnificent vaporous choirs). The suite also shows the same variety within the compositions themselves with 'What You Are' and its very contrasting sections, the construction offering multiple breaks highlighting the very beautiful singing of 'Kyo Calati' which has this gift to adapt his voice according to the intensity of the moment and which contrasts with the furious growls of 'Sandro Macelloni'. Make way for the ballad from the album 'The Last Tide', introduced by a narration with doctored sounds, and which in a refined atmosphere, once again highlights the vocal duo which this time transmits extraordinary emotion to us, then, 'Beautiful Mistake' is certainly the most extreme title in the first half of the title with a constantly changing rhythm section and a mix of clear vocals and growls, the central part offering us a magnificent guitar solo quite offbeat compared to the beginning, and the end of the title highlighting an addictive melody in a remarkable crescendo. Small refined break on the piano with 'Innocence' which flirts with Erik Satie' and which, as you can imagine, given the parallel, offers a total break with what precedes, then, place to 'At The Gate Of Night', in three parts very far from each other: first of all, 'The Old Poet' and 'At The Gates' take us on a melodic title in which the vocal section is still highlighted in sections alternating sweetness and power, the vocals of 'Sandro Macelloni' releasing the same emotion as singers like 'Tommy Karevik' could do with 'Kamelot' or 'Georg Neuhauser' from 'Serenity', then total break for the third part 'Lost in the Loop' which is an instrumental tal on the classical guitar which ends the album on an acoustic note embellished by a melancholic cello.

In summary, the Italians of 'MindAhead' release a magnificent album of progressive metal which contains all the ingredients that one wishes to find in this style and if you like the big gaps as I like them with for example metal well soaked followed by an acoustic guitar, you are in the right place and you should join this first part of this story of '6119'...

Line Up / Musicians

Kyo Calati (Vocal), Sandro Macelloni (Vocal, Keybords, Choirs), Matteo Prandini (Bass), Matteo Ferrigno (Drums), Guido Scibetta (Guitar)


Artist : Joe Lynn Turner

Album : Belly Of The Beast

Release Date : 28-10-2022

Added : 18-11-2022

Still a young man who is doing wonderfully, I named singer 'Joe Lynn Turner' who, at 71, has toured with quite a few bands including 'Rainbow' and 'Deep Purple' and is releasing a new solo album 'Belly Of The Beast', his last studio recording under his own name, 'Second Hand Life' dating back to 2007. In fact, when I say "solo", the two names of 'Joe Lynn Turner' and 'Peter Tägtgren' ('Hypocrisy', 'Pain') could appear on the cover because, we feel the work of the Swede on the whole of this cake which, contrary to what we are entitled to expect from 'Joe Lynn Turner', from classic hard rock bringing us back to the 70s, is a kind of judicious mix between hard rock roots and much more modern sounds brought by the more extreme influences of 'Peter Tägtgren', showing that the bugger, to say the least, still has very nice leftovers. We therefore embark on a sort of melting pot merging the influences of the two protagonists with, first of all, explosive titles à la 'Pain', such as the eponymous title (see the video above), 'Rise Up', 'Tears OF Blood', 'Don't Fear The Dark' or even 'Fallen World'. Other compositions come to be inserted in mid-tempo rhythms, in a more classic hard rock, on which 'Joe Lynn Turner' also shows all his talent with the magnificent 'Black Sun', 'Tortured Soul' (see the video here), 'Desire', without forgetting the melodic jewel 'Living The Dream', more lively but still very classic from the 70s/80s. And for those over fifty, the American has not forgotten to place two beautiful ballads to rest after all the energy deployed, with, first of all, 'Dark Night Of The Soul' in the middle of the album and finally 'Requiem' which, as its name suggests, is necessarily darker but which is a real melodic gem, with magnificent choirs.

In summary, in the series of albums "it's in the old pots that we make the best soups", this new album by 'Joe Lynn Turner', 'Belly Of The Beast' comes directly from add to it and, icing on the cake, the contribution of the Swede 'Peter Tägtgren' made it possible to bring greater modernity and a heavier sound, forcing the American to adapt his singing by showing us that he is still an essential reference in hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Lynn Turner (Vocal), Peter Tägtgren (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keybords)


Artist : Flamborough Head

Album : Jumping The Milestone

Release Date : 03-11-2022

Added : 19-11-2022

Dutch band 'Flamborough Head' regularly released albums in the 2000s and I remember their first album 'Unspoken Whisper' in 1998 which, at the time, had become one of my references in terms of symphonic progressive rock, then the years passed and the last album 'Lost In Time' already dating from 2013, I was no longer expecting a new studio recording. And then, a few weeks ago, the news of a new opus revived those good listening memories and, it's done, 'Jumping The Milestone' is now available to the delight of historical fans. The last line up has evolved since it is now 'Hans Spitzen' who officiates as guitarist and 'Eddie Mulder' has taken the place of bassist. We find the characteristic style which perpetuates a progressive rock with harmonious melodic lines, 'Margriet Boomsma' bringing a delicate song completely in phase with the refined atmospheres deployed.

Initially, the long development 'The Garden Shed' takes us on a beautiful peaceful and restful progressive journey in which we are accompanied by the divine flute and the melodious singing of 'Margriet Boomsma' and which presents beautiful sections instrumentals provided, especially with this first guitar solo à la 'Steve Hackett' from 'Hans Spitzen' which delicately tickles our ears. We continue in this delicate atmosphere with 'Tomorrow Is Another Day' and its completely addictive melodic theme that reminds me of the band 'Karnataka' (which stopped producing albums in 2015, 'Ian Jones' embarking on new projects), the vocals of 'Margriet Boomsma' approaching that of 'Hayley Griffiths' (who will release a solo album in early 2023). With 'Start Of A Nightmare', we go back a few decades with this feeling of a mixture between 'Focus' and 'Renaissance' which gave off a feeling of joyful carelessness, the classical guitar interventions being simply superb. Despite the relatively long duration of the compositions, we are completely captivated by all this positive atmosphere and 'Fear Of Failure' which follows, is still a perfect example with new melodic lines on which we completely abandon ourselves, the main theme coming back several times in different forms, being a pure delight. Follows 'Walls Of Words' which begins in a more energetic way with a catchy melody, 'Margriet Boomsma' gratifying us with a beautiful vocal performance in a joyful atmosphere, then, the second part slows down the tempo for a magnificent passage led by the guitar of 'Hans Spitzen', the keyboards of Edo Spanninga' and the flute of 'Margriet Boomsma' which rock us delicately, the finale returning to the playful theme of the start. And to end in beauty, the title track of more than 12 minutes takes us on a typical ballad of a subtle and refined progressive with all the ingredients that we want to find in this style, the whole giving way to long and splendid instrumentals sections interspersed with the soft and delicate vocals of 'Margriet Boomsma'.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Flamborough Head' recall to our good memory to release us a magnificent album which confirms all the talent of this formation which continues to distill us a subtle and melodious progressive which goes perfectly with the end of the poem 'Spleen and Ideal' by 'Charles Beaudelaire': "There, all is order and beauty, Luxury, calm and voluptuousness.". To enjoy quietly the helmet on the ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Margriet Boomsma (Vocal, Flute), Edo Spanninga (Keybords), Koen Roozen (Drums), Hans Spitzen (Guitar), Eddie Mulder (Bass)


Artist : Devin Townsend

Album : Lightwork

Release Date : 04-11-2022

Added : 20-11-2022

If you read myprogmusic's reviews, you know that I love big musical differences, like going from hard rock singer 'Joe Lynn Turner' two days ago, to the calm and refined progressive rock of 'Flamborough Head' yesterday. But there, with 'Devin Townsend', the big gaps are something natural in his production and, with each release, we don't really know what will fall on our heads. The last two offerings of 2021 released at the same time 'Snuggles' and 'The Puzzle' were, to say the least, difficult to access and, the previous album, 'Empath', had me slightly confused at the time by its astonishing diversity embracing styles very distant from each other but which well imaged the composer always in search of new musical creations. Well, for 'Lightwork', it's still a total surprise, since 'Devin Townsend' takes the opposite view of his previous productions to offer us a more conventional album and a much more immediate accessibility.

First, listening to the start of the album with 'Moonpeople' (see video above), we say to ourselves that he has completely transformed his voice with an almost feminine register and this first title in an electro/pop atmosphere offers a first melody which is directly grafted in the head, then, 'Lightworker' (see video here) adds catchy melodic lines in a sort of refrain and in a gripping atmosphere. Follows 'Equinox' which continues in this direction by taking us back to the pop of the 80s in a slightly more muscular way, Devin's singing alternating sweetness and rage. With 'Call of the Void' (see video here), we stay in the 80s with an atmosphere of 'Alan Parson's Project', then, 'Heartbreaker' (see video here) is more energetic with stronger electric guitar riffs, and shows a more refined face with, for example, the use of female backing vocals in the middle of a more tormented section. Follows 'Dimensions' which, in an atmosphere of urgency, delivers us a composition close to industrial metal in a sustained rhythm, then, change of scenery with 'Celestial Signals' which offers us new catchy and catchy melodic lines supported by arrangements remarkable bringing a considerable sound amplitude. We continue with an astonishing 'Heavy Burden' which, on a well-paced tempo, unrolls an extravagant melody integrating children's choirs and doctored voices, then, 'Vacation' is aptly named and takes us on a trip to the sun in the rhythm of a warm pop melody. And it is with the 10 minutes of 'Children of God' that the album ends with remarkable vocal harmonies and an incisive rhythm section, the title ending in a decrescendo quite early with then seaside sound effects. that the deluxe version offers other certainly more sought-after titles even if 'Hope is in the World' with its catchy melodic lines, the ballad 'Sober' and the songs 'Yogi', 'Boogus' and 'Carry Me Home' are quite immediate: we can cite the muscular 'Starchasm, Pt. 2' and 'Factions' and 'Precious Sardine' with instrumental and vocal arrangements that are more a matter of sound experimentation, 'Children of Dog' being a shorter version of Children of God' from the first CD.

In summary, although we are not used to hearing 'Devin Townsend' in such an accessible register, 'Lightwork' is a very pleasant album to listen to and, even if some fans will necessarily disappointed, the Englishman shows that accessibility does not necessarily rhyme with non-quality because the whole is finally quite coherent and will perhaps allow a certain audience to discover this atypical artist to whom we have stuck a label of progressive metal from to these first albums when his universe is much larger...

Line Up / Musicians

Devin Townsend (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Keybords), Darby Todd (Drums)


Artist : Galahad

Album : The Last Great Adventurer

Release Date : 07-11-2022

Added : 21-11-2022

The English of 'Galahad' are back with a new studio recording 'The Last Great Adventurer' which was released in September 2022, but which has just made its late appearance on streaming platforms. After the acoustic covers 'Quiet Storm' in 2017 and 'Seas Of Changes' in 2018 (which is still not available on spotify) which was a long development of 42 minutes, the two friends 'Stuart Nicholson' and 'Dean Baker' got down to their project 'Galahad Electric Company', with two albums, 'When the Battle Is Over' in 2020 and 'Soul Therapy' in 2021.

The album consists of seven tracks, the last two of which are presented as bonus tracks, 'Another Life Not Lived' being a new recording of a song written by 'Neil Pepper' (who died in 2012 of cancer) and 'Stuart Nicholson'. And it all starts with an energetic 'Alive' which, as its name suggests, shows that 'Galahad' has never been in better shape by offering us a first catchy melody without forgetting the progressive side with a very beautiful instrumental break in middle of the title embellished by 'Lee Abraham' who delights us with his acoustic guitar playing, the title gradually regaining vigour for a very beautiful keyboard solo by 'Dean Baker' and 'Lee Abraham' adding afterwards, this time, a masterful electric guitar solo. With 'Omega Light', the subject is much more soothing with an atmospheric first instrumental part which takes us on a beautiful relaxing journey with layers of aerial keyboards and which rises slowly by highlighting the rhythm section of new bassist 'Mark Spencer' and drummer 'Spenczer Luckman' for a sung part reminding me of the atmospheres of 'Barclay James Harvest' with the sweet singing of 'Stuart Nicholson', then the last third accelerates the rhythm to highlight the keyboards of 'Dean Baker', the finale returning to the rhythmic tempo of the opening theme. Make way for 'Blood Skin and Bone' which is in fact a composition written by the trio 'Dean Baker', 'Stu Nicholson' and the symphonic metal singer 'Koburg' and which was originally intended for the latter. The title shows a modern face with an introduction with electro effects, and which continues in an energetic atmosphere with oriental sounds, the second part offering a remarkable guitar solo by 'Lee Abraham' and a sound break in which 'Stuart Nicholson' offers a very beautiful vocal performance. We change register with 'Enclosure 1764' which unrolls a slow tempo on a magnificent epic melody with very beautiful choirs, the title being based on the 18th century poem 'The Goose and the Common', then, place for the long development of the title track which is a tribute to 'Stuart Nicholson''s father who was a mountaineer who successfully scaled the two highest peaks in the Austrian Alps, the Gross Glockner and the Wildspitz. We embark on an inventive progressive rock title with a catchy melody that comes up several times and whose second part deploys an instrumental section embroidering around a repetitive musical theme led by bassist 'Mark Spencer', the finale offering us an atmosphere subdued piano bar with a melancholic saxophone and a song filled with a beautiful emotion of 'Stuart Nicholson'. The last two titles, presented as bonuses, end this album in a very beautiful way with, first of all, 'Normality of Distance' which is a very beautiful melancholic title highlighting again the touching vocals of 'Stuart Nicholson', then, 'Another Life Not Lived' is equally moving and tells the story of a family who lost their son to premature death from leukaemia; the slow tempo unfurls a poignant melody with a spine-chilling finale, first with gripping choruses, then with clean and moving vocals of 'Stuart Nicholson'.

In summary, the English of 'Galahad' offer us a magnificent varied album which merges beautiful melodies with beautiful moments of emotion and 'The Last Great Adventurer' should join the ideal discotheque of a public loving a rock progressive with long developments that we tame little by little, listen after listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Stuart Nicholson (Vocal), Dean Baker (Keybords), Lee Abraham (Guitar), Mark Spencer (Bass, Choirs, Triangle), Spencer Luckman (Drums)


Artist : Epica

Album : The Alchemy Project

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 22-11-2022

About ten years ago, the magnificent DVD 'Retrospect' (nearly 3 hours of concert!) recorded in 2013 in Eindhoven by the group 'Epica' for their 10-year career was released and the Dutch are therefore celebrating their 20-year career in 2022. The last two years have been busy for this symphonic metal formation because, after the release of their new album 'Omega' in early 2021, as they were deprived of touring in 2021 for known reasons, they recorded a 'live streaming from Omega' released on DVD and Blu-Ray, then two other lives were released with 'Live At Paradiso' from 2006 which had never been the subject of a DVD/Blu-ray and reissued the live 'We Will Take You With Us' from 2004 (see myprogmusic review here). And, as they had done for the 10-year career, they put on an impressive show in Tilburg on September 3, 2022 with many guests which was followed by the streaming broadcast for three days for all the fans not being not present at the concert.

And to top it off, here is a new EP that has just been released with 'The Alchemy Project' which is, as its name suggests, the result of a perfect alchemy between different styles of metal, everything this being of course coated with ingredients "made in Epica", many guests being invited to participate in the celebration. We find in bulk, the death-symphonic metalheads of 'Fleshgod Apocalypse' in the grandiose 'The Great Tribulation', then, change of scenery with a much wiser 'Wake The World' with the keyboardist of Uriah Heep', 'Phil Lanzon' and the singer of 'Kamelot' who shares the microphone with 'Simone Simons'. As for the lullaby 'The Final Lullaby', it has only the name and highlights the energetic and crazy rock of the Norwegian group 'Shinning' in a fast and powerful composition. And for the power ballad of the EP, 'Epica' called on two singers who each continue in their own way a remarkable solo career, I named the former singer of 'Delain', 'Charlotte Wessels' and the Danish 'Amalie Bruun' more known as 'Myrkur' and who form a very beautiful vocal trio with 'Simone Simons'. With 'Death Is Not The End', return to the growls and symphonic metal of Epica' with grandiose choirs which come to be inserted between the growls of 'Mark Jensen' and the angry singing of 'Björn "Speed" Strid', then 'Human Devastation' is a rather short title in a thrash/death style, certainly the most brutal title that 'Epica' has ever done and which is not necessarily my cup of tea, the album ending with 'The Miner' which returns to more classic Epica' with a catchy melody and, this time, the growls of Asim Searah ('Damnation Plan') and Niilo Sevänen ('Insomnium'), and the participation of drummer 'Roel Van Helden from 'Powerwolf' (which released the same day the album 'Missa Cantorem II' which is a cover by various metal singers of their latest album 'Call Of The Wild').

In summary, the Dutch of Epica' offer us perhaps the most varied album of their career by exploring a wide palette of metal, 'Mark Jansen' mixing different influences ranging from a grandiose symphonic metal to extreme metal passing through more classic heavy metal, and 'The Alchemy Project' marks in a beautiful way the first 20 years of this formation which has all the assets to continue to delight us for another decade...

Line Up / Musicians

Simone Simons (Vocal), Mark Jansen (Vocal, Guitar), Isaac Delahaye (Guitar), Coen Janssen (Keybords), Rob Van Der Loo (Bass), Ariën Van Weesenbeek (Drums) + Guests : Asim Searah (Vocal, Guitar), Björn ‘speed’ Strid (Vocal), Charlotte Wessels (Vocal), Myrkur (Vocal), Sven de Caluwé (Vocal), Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Frank Schiphorst (Guitar), Henri Sattler (Vocal, Guitar), Niilo Sevänen (Vocal, Guitar), Phil Lanzon (Keybords), Roel Van Helden (Drums), Fleshgod Apocalypse


Artist : Oak

Album : The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 23-11-2022

I had discovered 'Oak' with the reissue of the album 'Lighthouse' in 2016 and 2018 saw the release of a second studio recording, 'False Memory Archive' in which they had invited their compatriot 'Bjørn Riis'. Four years have passed, and the Norwegians have just released a new opus 'The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise'. In an inventive and sought-after progressive rock, they offer us seven compositions which show a slight evolution in their style, certain titles bringing an additional energy compared to the first albums, the whole keeping a beautiful melancholy brought by accessible melodic lines which combines very well with the rather dark theme and not necessarily easy to develop, revolving around psychiatric health and in particular suicide.

We are greeted by the dynamic 'Highest Tower, Deepest Well' which takes us on an intense progressive journey beginning calmly and gaining momentum in places thanks to a rhythm section alternating between different intensities, the melodic lines of the refrain coming to anchor immediately in the head. More measured, 'Quiet Rebellion' offers us a memorable melancholy melody in which the piano and the guitar invite themselves by integrating perfectly into the whole and on which 'Simen Valldal Johannessen' brings a beautiful sensitivity in his singing. Alternately, 'Dreamless Stop' regains vigor for a composition alternating intensive passages and other much more nonchalant ones brought by a saxophone, the second part developing a well-paced section giving an irresistible desire to tap your foot with a final in remarkable decline. Make way for the sweetness of 'Sunday 8 AM' which unfolds in the first part a slow tempo with drum rolls accompanying the melancholy vocals of 'Simen Valldal Johannessen' and which accelerates the rhythm in the last third to offer us a beautiful instrumental section embellished again by a saxophone this time more spirited. We find on 'Demagogue Communion' these alternations of intensities on a melody which walks languidly accompanied by the moving song of 'Simen Valldal Johannessen' and by celestial voices bringing an aerial side. Make way for the title track close to 14 minutes which brings more modern sounds and which is more difficult to access with a more sought-after construction but which reveals itself little by little, listening after listening, with its slow tempo which takes us on board in a very beautiful journey quite dark but filled with emotion, remarkably mixing different musical universes ranging from a classic progressive taking us back to the 70s to much more contemporary progressive going so far as to flirt with metal, the final growls attesting to this diversity of style. 'Guest of Honour' ends this remarkable album with a melancholy ballad that offers a catchy melody showing the more classic side of the progressive displayed by 'Oak'.

In summary, the Norwegians of Oak' are releasing a very varied and innovative album which merges different eras of progressive and which, like any rich and dense album of this type, requires several listenings to fully soak up what, finally, shows all the talent of this group which succeeded in a few albums to take an increasingly important place in the world of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Simen Valldal Johannessen (Vocal, Keybords), Stephan Hvinden (Guitar), Øystein Sootholtet (Bass), Sigbjørn Reiakvam (Drums)


Artist : Canvas

Album : Darkness

Release Date : 21-10-2022

Added : 25-11-2022

'Canvas' is a Swedish rock band influenced by different currents, notably progressive, symphonic and atmospheric, the whole being built around catchy melodic lines which allow a fairly immediate accessibility. After a first EP in 2020 (see here), they have just released their first LP, 'Darkness', which makes us discover their musical universe. Led by guitarist 'Sören Cederberg' who has worked with progressive big names like 'Hasse Fröberg' ('The Flower Kings', 'Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion') or 'Rikard Zander' from the band 'Evergrey'.

'Darkest before the dawn' begins this album in a style reminiscent of 'Genesis' for the oldest references but also more recent formations such as 'Arena' who have just released a very nice album not yet available for streaming, and which delivers us a memorable first melody in a verse/chorus construction, 'Jacob Runhamn' giving us a remarkable first vocal performance on the level of the singers of Arena', the old one, 'Paul Manzi' and the new one, 'Damian Wilson', and the ensemble integrating a few touches of progressive with, in particular, an instrumental introduction of more than a minute and an also shorter instrumental finale. We continue with 'When I'm alone' which offers new catchy melodic lines on a catchy rhythm, then, the single 'Fields on fire' continues with keyboard sounds taking us back a few decades in a style flirting with AOR. Follows the short atmospheric instrumental 'Fading light' which serves as an introduction to 'Intensity of black' and which takes us into a title mixing symphonic arrangements with melodic rock on a catchy tempo, the short guitar solo in the second part of the title being remarkable. Make way for 'So many tears' and its addictive rhythm which automatically turns on the foot tapping machine and which once again highlights the expressive vocals of 'Jacob Runhamn' and the album ends in a very beautiful way with a remix of 'It's called life' which was part of the first EP and which brings us back to the atmospheres of Arena' in a style that is certainly more direct but which adds a few touches of progressive, immediate accessibility still being required thanks to new lines memorable melodies and which offers us a beautiful succession of guitar and keyboard solos in the middle of the title.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Canvas' are releasing a remarkable first album offering melodic lines that are still very catchy to which they add a few pinches of progressive and symphonic and, 'Darkness' should appeal to a large audience who love melodic rock direct and accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Jacob Runhamn (Vocal), Sören Cederberg (Guitar), Fredrik Lemoine (Keybords), Geir Jordfald (Bass), Johan Persson (Drums)


Artist : Tigersclaw

Album : Titan's Dawn

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 26-11-2022

I had discovered the Russo-German symphonic metal band 'Tigetscalw' with their first album 'Princess of the Dark' in 2017 which made a very good impression on me. They have since released the studio recording 'Force Of Destiny' in 2019 which continued on the path of the first album and, with the COVID years, the new album 'Titan's Dawn' initially planned for 2021, is finally coming out at the end of 2022.

With 13 compositions for an hour listening, it is the menu of this new baby which begins with the title song which had been the subject of a single in June and which delivers a first mid- tempo strarting quite quietly and which gains momentum quite quickly with saturated guitar riffs supported by a muscular rhythm section, then, 'Heart on Fire' continues in a metal/folk atmosphere beginning with a melody flirting with neo- classic and which shows a much more restless face after two minutes. We find this alternation of tempo in the following title which, as its title indicates, 'Paganini Variations', is modeled on the melodic lines, respectively of 'Caprice no. 5' and 'Caprice no. 24' of 'Niccolo Paganini', and which, between these two rapid sections incorporates the magnificent melancholy second movement in A major of the 'Grande Sonata'. We return to epic symphonic metal with a lot of classical instrumentation in 'Wrath of Gods' with multiple remarkable strong and weak beats, then, 'Anguished Cry' begins calmly and then gains momentum with a catchy rhythm. What follows continues along this path, alternating varied atmospheres: in an energetic and catchy style, 'Joan of Arc', 'Elysium' and 'Fight' display an intense face and 'Tigersclaw' also shows that they know how to offer us mid-tempos with a strong rhythm like 'Kill or Die' with its acceleration at the end of the title in which the vocals of Elena Minina' are magnificent or 'Arabia' and its Arabic side or even 'Till Kingdom Come' and its tempo addictive. The calmer moments are not forgotten with the power ballad 'Cry in Silence' and 'Nightfall' which ends the album in a very beautiful way in a more refined atmosphere.

In summary, the trio of 'Tigersclaw', led by a very talented singer, continue their journey by delivering a quality album in a fairly classic symphonic metal with catchy melodies that we appropriate quite quickly and 'Titan's Dawn' should please any loving audience bands like 'Lunarian', 'Deep Sun', 'Glasya', 'Xiphea' or 'Last Days Of Eden', to name only recent reviews from myprogmusic...

Line Up / Musicians

Elena Minina (Vocal), Alexander Baier (Guitar, Piano, Bass, Keybords), Ralf Neumann (Drums)


Artist : Layla Zoe, Henrik Freischlader

Album : The World Could Change

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 27-11-2022

'Leyla Zoe' offered us, a little less than two years ago, the very beautiful album 'Nowhere Left to Go' and, this end of 2022 sees the release of a new studio recording which is a collaboration between the Canadian singer and the producer and guitarist 'Henrik Freischlader', the two artists having already released an album together in 2013, 'The Lily'< /a>. We therefore find Layla in 12 new compositions which smell good of an authentic blues/rock with varied atmospheres, passing from an energetic 'Honey Pie' in which she once again shows her extraordinary vocal talent to a sensual and quiet 'Praying Kind' in which she lulls us with a very melodious song this time. The alternation between different registers then continues with the title song in a melancholic atmosphere on which Layla works wonders, then 'The Man Behind the Curtain' returns to a torrid blues/rock, while titles like 'Brother' or ' Baby Bird' are filled with touching tenderness. We feel a real complicity between the Canadian between 'Henrik Freischlader', the latter having composed custom music for 'Layla Zoe' and he also has a real talent for offering us remarkable guitar solos whether in energetic titles like 'Watch What You're Doing' or 'The Truth Song' but also in much quieter atmospheres like these beautiful solos full of sensuality in 'We're All the Same' or in 'Baby Bird'. In short, no need to add more, this beautiful duo accompanied on the organ by 'Moritz Fuhrhop' takes us on a very beautiful musical journey and shows all the extraordinary vocal talent of 'Layla Zoe' who knows how to transmit real emotions and who enchants us once again with this 'The World Could Change'...

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal, Choirs), Henrik Freischlader (Tous les instruments), Moritz Fuhrhop (Organ)


Artist : Elane

Album : Blackvale

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 24-11-2022

I introduced you to the Germans of Elane with their EP 'More Stars' released at the end of 2016 which was followed by the album 'Arcane 2' which followed 'Arcane' from 2009. Since then, 2019 has seen the release of the game's soundtrack 'Legends of Andor' and 'Backvale' is their latest album which continues to make us travel in their universe made of melodic folk anchored in traditional music, the 11 titles taking us in atmospheres mixing various feelings ranging from melancholy to cheerfulness in p enough by sadness or tenderness. As evidenced by the first titles which all bring a particular register with 'Sternenwind' which, shows an ethereal and atmospheric side with its haunting percussion merging with the melodious singing of 'Joran Elane', then, 'Home is Where You Are' is much more soothed and peaceful by delivering a memorable melody, the flute adding to this feeling of tranquility. With 'Searchlight', the lively side leads to a festive side and the revival of the traditional Irish ballad 'Scarborough Fair' is a very beautiful moment of daydreaming. The suite continues in this diversity by bringing for example electronic sounds on 'Keyhole' which makes it a more pop and modern title, then, 'We Walk Hand in Hand' is a magnificent ballad on which we completely abandon ourselves and which is conducive to escape, the vocal performance of 'Joran Elane' being simply divine and 'My Guardian of Dawn' hardens the tone for a more rock track while keeping very beautiful vocal arrangements softening the whole. We will also not miss the magnificent melancholic ballad 'The Great Wall' and the playful 'Something Else' and its addictive melody (see the video above), the album ending with a final acoustic ballad, 'Ach, bittrer Winter', which brings us back to moving folk.

In short, the Germans of Elane' are releasing a magnificent album which takes us on a very beautiful journey, filled with poetry and emotion, through diversified musical landscapes which is intended for 'Blackvale', not only for fans of Elane' but also to a much wider audience who loves a fusion of styles on beautiful melodies that we have an immense pleasure to listen to to decompress from a hard day...

Line Up / Musicians

Joran Elane (Vocal, Flute), Markus "Skaldir" Skroch (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums), Nico Steckelberg (Vocal, Keybords), Simon (Violin, Viola)


Artist : Galderia

Album : Endless Horizon

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 28-11-2022

In power metal, we know the anthems of major bands that flourish in different countries such as the Germans of 'Powerwolf' or the Swiss of 'Signum Regis' or the Italians of 'Trick or Treat' or the Finns of 'Battle Beast' to name only bands that released albums in 2022 but, we also have in France several formations of this style and the Marseillais of 'Galderia' who have just released a new album, 'Endless Horizon', are one of its undeniable representatives. After 'Return of the Cosmic Man' in 2017, this latest baby from the French no exception to the rule and offers us unstoppable melodies with refrains to sing together until the voice dies out. On the menu of this opus, 10 compositions to have a good festive time, starting with an 'Answer The Call' which, on a catchy rhythm, pours us an addictive first chorus with a beautiful acoustic break in the second part of the title and choirs radiant, then, 'Striking The Earth' and 'Elation' continue in this well-trodden path, the first by accelerating the tempo and the second with a new memorable chorus. No need to go from title to title because the sequel is in the image of this beginning of the album and if you adhered to the first three compositions, you should undoubtedly like the whole album with new classic melodies but very effective that we hum from the first listening. And to rest from all this energy deployed, the French offer us as last title the semi-acoustic ballad 'Twenty One' which ends in a beautiful way this album stuffed with a good positive energy. In short, as you will have understood, the French of 'Galderia' confirm that they are one of the reference values of a power metal which gives you the fishing for a whole day and 'Endless Horizon' should please everyone an audience who love metal with addictive melodies that immediately stick in their heads...

Line Up / Musicians

Sébastien Chabot (Vocal, Guitar), Bob Saliba (Bass, Vocal), Julien Digne (Keybords, Vocal), Tom Schmitt (Guitar, Vocal), Jc Chico (Drums)


Artist : The White Buffalo

Album : Year Of The Dark Horse

Release Date : 11-11-2022

Added : 30-11-2022

Led by American singer and guitarist 'Jake Smith', 'The White Buffalo', whose latest album 'On The Widow’s Walk' dates from 2020, are releasing a new album that takes us on the 'Year Of The Dark Horse', a very diverse journey in which the influences are multiple and come out of the shackles, mixing of rock and country in which we place the American formation, I quote 'Jake Smith': "My last album is a sonic and lyrical journey of one lunar year in one man’s life. Four seasons in 12 songs. Loosely based on my twisted truths and adventures… Every song blends into the next. It's unlike anything I've done before".

And indeed, although we find, here and there, country scents, influences are diverse starting with 'Not Today' (see the video above) which is a song that takes us back to the 70s/80s in the style of a 'Jeff Lynne', then, 'Winter Act 2' is an acoustic ballad which highlights the sweet voice of 'Jake Smith' and which still takes us back to the seventies with the acoustic compositions of singers like 'Al Stewart' or 'Cat Stevens'. Back to country influences with the slide guitar of 'Kingdom For A Fool' which delivers a new memorable melody on which we climb warm on a cozy little cloud, then, 'Love Will Never Come/Spring's Song' is a suite which alternates a rhythmic and energetic atmosphere and which softens for 'Spring's Song' for an acoustic filled with serenity on the guitar. With 'She Don't Know That I Lie', we are carried away on a merry-go-round for a very beautiful ritornello on a waltz beat with a melancholy accordion which highlights the singing of 'Jake Smith' à la 'Paolo Conte', then, 'C'mon Come Up Come Out' is a melodious semi-acoustic song filled with a beautiful sensitivity and which is followed by 'Love Song # 3' in the same style and which flirts with the great tradition of American song headlined by 'Bob Dylan'. Change of scenery for 'Heart Attack' which gets back on track with a catchy country/rock mix, then, 'Am I Still A Child' is a melancholic lullaby on which we completely abandon ourselves and which is followed by '52 Card Pickup', title with a nonchalant rhythm with a new catchy melody. The end of the album scrolls through the lively 'Donna' in a playful atmosphere à la 'Beatles' and 'Life Goes On' which is a beautiful semi-acoustic ballad in which the deep vocals of 'Jake Smith' give off a real emotion. Note that the release of the album was preceded by the film bearing the name of the album which was streamed on September 29, 2022 and which presents the 12 compositions of the album seen by four directors who each took three songs representing a season. We can now view on youtube 'Not Today', 'Winter Act 2' and 'Kingdom For A Fool'

In summary, 2022 sees 'Jake Smith', aka 'The White Buffalo', step out of the country label that we stick to him by offering us magnificent compositions filled with catchy melodic lines that seem familiar to us which destines 'Year Of The Dark Horse' to a wide audience who loves the diversity of styles because the American is certainly releasing his most diverse album of his career...

Line Up / Musicians

Jake Smith (Vocal, Guitar), Christopher Hoffee (Bass, Keybords, Guitar), Matt Lynott (Drums)


Artist : Threshold

Album : Dividing Lines

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 02-12-2022

'Legends of the Shires' had been my favorite album of 2017 and I was impatiently awaiting the new 'Threshold' which was released on November 18 to the greatest satisfaction of the fans of the British who are quietly continuing their journey, this latest baby being the 12th of their started discography almost 30 years ago now with 'Wounded Land'. And, for my part, an album of 'Threshold' is like a great vintage which improves over the listening and 'Dividing Lines' is further proof of this with compositions which melodically catch on the first listen, but which hide a multitude of parts finally bringing an extraordinary richness and density and above all an always incomparable emotional intensity. Certainly heavier than the previous one, the atmospheres stick to the theme of this opus which is a rather dark look at all the evils of our current society to deliver the message to us not to let ourselves be influenced by everything that happens around us but to trust each other and to remain faithful to the values of tolerance and sharing.

On the menu of 'Dividing Lines', ten titles, including two long developments, for more than an hour of listening and we are welcomed by 'Haunted' (see the video above) which is pure " Made in Threshold" with this communicative energy and these more moderate passages showing this subtle mix between incisive metal and calm progressive rock with these magnificent guitar solos of 'Karl Groom'. Follows 'Hall Of Echoes' which alternates with a quieter rhythmic and which still benefits from catchy melodic lines, the guitar riffs always bringing this feeling of vivacity and enthusiasm and in this title, 'Richard West' offers us a wonderful solo of keyboards. And we continue with 'Let It Burn' which contains all the ingredients of an inventive and sought-after progressive metal with, in particular, remarkable rhythmic changes that 'Johanne James' and 'Steve Anderson' master to perfection, then, 'Silenced' (see the video here), which was the first single to be released, is a melodic gem with its addictive chorus that immediately sticks in your head and which, despite its short duration, offers a nice instrumental break in the second part of the title. We arrive at the first long development 'The Domino Effect' which takes us on board for 11 minutes of pure happiness with these little extras that make it a title that will remain engraved in your memory forever: addictive melodic lines, a remarkable construction alternating tensions and relaxations , a vocal interpretation of 'Glynn Morgan' filled with beautiful emotion and inventive instrumental sections with the little solo of 'Karl Groom' that gives you goosebumps, 'Richard West' adding a not bad either at the end of title. The second part of the album reflects the first with four compositions between 4 and 5 minutes and we start this quartet with 'Complex' (see the video here) which is in the same style as 'Haunted' and which develops a percussive atmosphere like the English know so well how to do with these alternations of tempos which bring all the originality of 'Threshold'. Follows 'King of Nothing' (see the video here) which begins Calmly and which hardens the tone quite quickly to offer us a memorable chorus that we want to repeat in chorus with 'Glynn Morgan' which gives us a new admirable vocal performance, then, with 'Lost Along the Way', the atmosphere is more moderate with a new catchy melody which brings a certain nostalgia bringing us back to the best of rock 80s, reminding me in some places the atmospheres of 'Genesis' and more particularly 'Turn It On again'. After 'Run' which, after all these wonderful titles, hooks me less melodically, the album ends with 'Defence Condition', the second long development, which re-embarks us for a title in several drawers that we happily pull out one after the other, and which benefits from magnificent melodic lines, 'Glynn Morgan' actively participating in this feeling of strong emotional intensity in its singing which, personally, moved me to tears.

In summary, the English of 'Threshold' sign another extraordinary album, each member of the group continuing to bring each their stone to the building which makes that 'Dividing Lines' comes just after, 'Legends of the Shires', adding a new gem to their already substantial production and enriching the ideal discotheque for any amateur of progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Glynn Morgan (Vocal), Karl Groom (Guitar), Richard West (Keybords), Steve Anderson (Bass), Johanne James (Drums)


Artist : Antimatter

Album : A Profusion of Thought

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 03-12-2022

'Antimatter' is an atmospheric rock formation less known than 'Anathema' and which has been led since 1997 by multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Mick Moss'. 'A Profusion of Thought' is their eighth album, the latest 'Black Market Enlightenment' from 2018. This latest baby from the British, with its magnificent cover, is a set of compositions that had not had their place on the previous albums, and we therefore have a sort of showcase of twenty years through 10 titles written by 'Mick Moss'.

We embark on an atmospheric journey of just under an hour, starting with 'No Contact' which sets the scene and which deploys an ethereal atmosphere in which we find the fragile and sensitive vocals of 'Mick Moss ' transmitting a deep emotion on which we abandon ourselves completely and which gains momentum in the second part of the title. The tone is set and what follows continues in this direction with a poignant 'Paranoid Carbon' or with 'Heathen', more intense, on a hypnotic bass line, the saxophone solo in the second part of the title being magnificent, or with ' Templates', which on electronic sounds, unrolls a repetitive melody filled with a dark melancholy which explodes in the second part of the title. Follows 'Fold (see the video above) which shows a brighter face with a very moving new vocal performance by 'Mick Moss' and a beautiful passage on the acoustic guitar, atmosphere which is also found on the following title ' Redshift'. We will not miss either 'Fools Gold' which continues in this carefree atmosphere by unrolling a catchy melody, then, the end of the album scrolls 'Entheogen' with sounds that can recall certain titles of 'U2' in a darker style, then, 'Breaking The Machine' returns to a semi-acoustic full of sensitivity, and 'Kick the Dog' ends the album with a lighter title which alternates between calm passages and others more removed, 'Mick Moss' giving us a final admirable vocal demonstration.

In summary, 'Mick Moss' continues to offer us a varied atmospheric rock alternating dark atmospheres and other lighter ones and 'A Profusion of Thought' comes to be added in good place in the discography of the English and should appeal to all his fans but also to a whole public who love atmospheric rock filled with sensitivity and emotion, partly brought about by vocal performances of incredible strength...

Line Up / Musicians

Mick Moss (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Liam Edwards (Drums), Irish C (Vocal)


Artist : Avandra

Album : Prodigal

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 06-12-2022


First of all, we find a sought-after and inventive progressive metal which reveals itself little by little, listen after listen, the atmospheres released being always very diversified and, the tone of the album, taking into account the theme, is certainly darker than the band's previous productions. Evidenced by the first title 'Codename:Pharaoh' (see the video above) which, against a background of the end of term speech of 'Dwight D. Eisenhower' in 1961 on the military-industrial complex, unfolds a slow and heavy tempo on which the singing of 'Christian Ayala Cruz' arrives quite late and remains in the background behind the power of the electric instruments. With 'The Downpour', after a heavy introduction, we start in seven minutes of progressive alternating different atmospheres with oriental sounds and a hardening of the tone through growls, the final atmospheric fallout being remarkable and leading to the following title 'New Beginnings', which is much quieter with ethereal vocals and guitar arpeggios accompanied by delicate choruses. The introduction of the composition 'A Trace Of Home' continues in this serenity but the title quickly gains momentum and pours out an energetic neo-classical melody with an alternation of extreme singing and clear singing, the whole bringing remarkable alternations of intensities and showing all the talent of this formation in this type of compositions presenting strong oppositions of styles and atmosphere then, the pianistic break 'In Träumen' shows a much more peaceful and carefree face before the long development 'In Memorian' (see the video here) which, with a rhythm section offering multiple tempo changes, is a typical composition of an inventive progressive bringing together various more or less accessible influences, the instrumental section in the middle of the title being quite admirable e. With 'Facing An Armored Dreadnaught' it's yet another good example of these quite remarkable atmospheric changes, with a new airy semi-acoustic ambience and peaceful melodic lines accompanied by soft vocals, then, 'Dissembling The Artifice' is much more extreme and certainly less accessible melodically with an alternation of clear vocals and growls bringing a very tormented side, but we also find a magnificent break in the middle of the title with a deep bass accompanied by guitar arpeggios and a much calmer singing of 'Christian Ayala Cruz', the end of the title returning to the starting theme. And to finish, the last two compositions bring again this contrast between very distant musical landscapes with, first of all, the calm 'The Earth Inside' which precedes the eight minutes of 'Daybreak' which closes the album remarkably and which is a good summary of the whole with a succession of different atmospheres and always this alternation between tension and relaxation, the whole being supported by a memorable melody with oriental scents.

In summary, the Puerto Ricans of Avandra' offer us a dense and varied new album and, show, that with already four albums in five years, they have become one of the benchmarks in progressive metal and 'Prodigal' should join in good place, the ideal discotheque for all lovers of progressive music, bringing together different styles of music ranging from peaceful rock to extreme metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Ayala Cruz (Vocal, Guitar), Luis Javier Rivera (Guitar), José Miguel Vázquez (Bass), Adrián Arroyo (Drums), Valery Velázquez (Vocal)


Artist : Lee Aaron

Album : Elevate

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 12-12-2022

Since her come back in 2016, 'Lee Aaron' has multiplied his albums and 2021 saw the release of the very good 'Radio On!' and 'Almost Christmas' which contained Christmas songs with rock sauce. A year later, it's the turn of Elevate' to see the light of day and, with the same line-up, she has concocted new compositions for us that smack of direct and effective rock, which have been recorded in live conditions, which adds to this spontaneity and this authenticity which is good in this gloomy winter period. And right off the bat, with the rhythmic 'Rock Bottom Revolution' (see the video above), if your head doesn't want to beat the beat to the tempo set by an addictive bass line, it's because you you're not cut out for this kind of music. For others, you will certainly be won over by the following with the mid-tempo 'Trouble Maker' (see the video here), the popular 'The Devil U Know' with its memorable chorus, then 'Freak Show' continues in this direction with a marked rhythm which is followed by the catchy 'Heaven's Where We Are' which makes you want to accompany Lee in the chorus. The second part of the album continues with new melodic compositions that we appropriate from the first listen, the beautiful ballad 'Red Dress' coming to be inserted for a well-deserved moment of recovery between an energetic 'Highway Romeo' and the super effective heavy tempo of the blues/rock 'Spitfire Woman' and the album ends in a very beautiful way with the title song which again highlights the powerful vocals of 'Lee Aaron' who transports us one last time with a remarkable crescendo and a new rhythm that makes you headbang throughout the title.

In summary, it's still a remarkable album that 'Lee Aaron' offers us which continues, release after release, to spoil us with his direct and effective rock which gives you energy and vitality and which arrives at the right time during this pre-Christmas period to give us a little boost...

Line Up / Musicians

Lee Aaron (Vocal), Sean Kelly (Guitar), Dave Reimer (Bass), John Cody (Drums)


Artist : Soen

Album : Atlantis

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 04-12-2022

For their 10-year career, the Swedes of 'Soen', after the studio recording 'IMPERIAL' in 2021, the album 'Atlantis' is released which is quite special since it is a live reinterpretation of their best songs which has been filmed and recorded at the end of 2021 at the 'Atlantis Grammofon' studio in 'Stockholm' and which saw the participation of a set of six orchestral musicians and two singers. We find 14 compositions of their discography rearranged and re-orchestrated which gives a new dimension to these beautiful melodic titles, the contribution of the strings and the female choirs bringing a very particular warmth. And to get an idea of this great performance, four videos are available on youtube with 'Trials', 'Savia', 'Fortune' and 'Snuff'. In short, the Swedes of 'Soen' are releasing a magnificent live studio recording which, beyond the fans of the group who also have the DVD or Blu-Ray at their disposal, should also appeal to a wide audience because all the compositions are accessible. at first listen thanks to catchy melodic lines and icing on the cake, bring a warm side thanks to very beautiful orchestral and vocal arrangements...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Lopez (Drums, Percussions), Joel Ekelöf (Vocal), Lars Enok Åhlund (Guitar, Piano), Cody Lee Ford (Guitar), Oleksii "Zlatoyar" Kobel (Bass), Stefan Stenberg (Bass), Joakim Simonsson (Piano, Organ), Karin Liljenberg (Violin), Andreas Forsman (Violin), Erik Holm (Viola), Cécilia Linné (Cello), Johanna Börjesson (Vocal), Thérèse Börjesson (Vocal)


Artist : Autograph

Album : Beyond

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 05-12-2022

Looking for some good hard rock that takes you back to the best of the 80s? I have what you need with the Americans of Autograph' which had a period of activity in the 80s with three albums, the first 'Sign In Please' containing the hit 'Turn up the Radio'. After an unconvincing attempt to return to the front of the stage in the 2000s, it is only two decades later that we can put ourselves between the ears of this new album 'Beyond' from Autograph'. And yet, the year 2022 was not easy because they lost their bassist 'Randy Rand' but he had planned everything for the album to see the light of day. We therefore embark on 13 classic hard-rock compositions taking us back a few decades and which are all very accessible, starting with an energetic 'This Ain't The Place I Wanna Be' (see the video above) with its memorable chorus, then scroll titles all as good as each other with for example the rhythmic 'You Slave Tonight' and 'Everything' which automatically start the headbanging machine and we could cite others like 'Run for your Life' or 'Feels so Good' or even the bonus track 'Mind of Fear' which has nothing to envy to its predecessors. Some quieter moments in AOR style are present with 'Take Me Higher (see the video here) and 'Love Is A Double Edge Sword'. In short, this unexpected new album from the Americans of Autograph' is full of good energy with catchy melodies and 'Beyond' should go on a loop for all those who love classic hard rock that takes us back to the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Randy Rand (Bass), Simon Daniels (Vocal), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Marc Wieland (Drums)


Artist : 17 Crash

Album : Stamina

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 07-12-2022

The Italians of '17 Crash' continue to release albums at regular intervals of about two years and 'Stamina' is their 4th studio recording, the latest, 'Through Hell and Black' dating from 2020. In a fairly classic hard rock style, this latest opus continues the path of previous albums with titles which remain anchored in the 80s, the whole remaining quite moderate in an AOR style. And yet, the start of the album 'A Song for Ennio' is completely out of step with the rest and is a tribute to 'Ennio Morricone', who died in 2020 with a short instrumental title that the composer would not have denied. We get to the heart of the matter with 'Higher' (see the video above) which is filled with a beautiful energy then, 'My World' (see video here) is more subdued with a catchy first chorus. The suite continues in a melodic AOR, each title bringing its dose of memorable melodies: the catchy 'Soul' and 'Keep Yourself Alive' attest to this, then, 'In My Dreams' offers us a very beautiful ballad that I added to my spotify playlist of rock/hard rock/metal ballads. The second part of the album continues with the fast 'Reach for the Sky', then the unstoppable melodies return with catchy choruses, the mid-tempo 'Brand New Way' coming in between the driving 'Reach for the Sky ', 'Flashing Lights' and 'Danger Zone', the album ending with 'Strike First' (see video here) with a last memorable chorus. In short, at the same time as the Americans of 'Autograph', the Italians of '17 Crash' release a very good album from AOR filled with very effective compositions which should please an entire public who love hard rock with melodies that you can tame at the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Ros Crash (Vocal), Frankie Musi (Guitar), Steve Poison (Guitar), Lawrence Kaos (Bass), Phil Hill (Drums)


Artist : Gandalf's Fist

Album : Widdershins

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 08-12-2022

After their admirable last studio recording 'The Clockwork Prologue' of 2019, the English of 'Gandalf's Fist' are releasing a new album at the end of 2022, 'Widdershins' which is still a rich and dense work since it borders on 75 minutes. This time they offer us a concept album about, as the name of the album suggests (literally anti-clockwise), all those who go against the grain of what was a mark of bad luck in ancient superstitions. Musically, we find this happy melting pot of styles straight from the 70s and this album is perhaps even broader in the different influences than the previous ones because in each composition, here and there, I had the impression of find myself a few decades back in the days of the first hard rock, progressive rock and even folk bands that have become legendary over time.

These are eight titles that enamel this new opus, and despite relatively long durations, the whole is very digestible thanks to a great diversity between each composition and a variety within each of them. 'Sacrement' welcomes us in a refined atmosphere with a few notes of acoustic guitar and piano but quickly gains momentum with vintage keyboards that 'John Lord' would not have denied and pours an energetic title mixing influences from ' Deep Purple' and Uriah Heep' but adds in the second part a progressive section with magnificent vocal arrangements. Follows the long development of the title song which is a progressive saga in several drawers that we pull one after the other and which highlights remarkable instrumental sections, sometimes energetic and sometimes calmer, the whole keeping melodic lines catchy throughout the title. Darker, 'The Haruspex' delivers a heavy rhythm supported by dark choirs and the very expressive vocals of 'Keri Farish', interspersed with an instrumental joust in a contemporary atmosphere, adds to this feeling of gravity. With 'Dreamcatcher' (see video above), the tone is more calm and 'Keri Farish' bewitches us with her delicious singing that she modulates perfectly according to the intensity of the moment, the melody being simply divine, then, 'Wisp' brings a folk side with a flute à la 'Troy Donockley' and presents a serene first part which accelerates the tempo at the end of the title to take us into a dance on a Celtic melody that the French of 'Tri Yann' would not have denied. With 'Man of Signs', the atmosphere is more mysterious and enigmatic and unfolds a first part at slow tempo in a symphonic atmosphere that can recall certain melodic lines of 'Renaissance', then, in the manner of 'Jethro Tull', the title continues in a more removed atmosphere to fall on the end as it had started. The shortest title of the album follows, 'Witchmonger' which, in a rural atmosphere, delivers an endearing new melody and precedes 'Cave', an epic of almost 20 minutes which takes you into an intense sonic labyrinth with multiple evocations of the beginning of the progressive, 'Keri Farish' showing all her talent by adapting her voice to each change of mood and the multiple arrangements merging the instruments of the orchestra and the electric instruments being quite remarkable by bringing a considerable richness to the whole.

In summary, the English of 'Gandalf's Fist' certainly release one of the albums which will mark the most the year 2022 in progressive and which admirably perpetuates a progressive inherited from the 70s/80s, which means that 'Widdershins' should join any discotheque ideal for any amateur and any progressive rock lover...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Marsh (Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Vocal, Choirs, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Flute), Keri Farish (Vocal, Choirs), Luke Severn (Voice), Stefan Hepe (Drums, Percussions), Ben Bell (Keybords, Piano, Voice, Bass, Guitar) + Guests : Tim "Ripper" Owens (Voice), Dave Oberlé (Voice, Bodhrán), Pavle Popov (Bass), Faliq Auri (Bagpipe, Flute), Tom McCluskey (Cello), Jess Townsend (Violin, Viola), Brandon Wilkins (Flute, Hautbois, Clarinette, Basson), Daniel Pearce (Vocal), Alicia, Rafferty (Vocal), Eira Marsh (Vocal)


Artist : The Roads

Album : Simple Man

Release Date : 18-11-2022

Added : 09-12-2022

'The Roads' is a new melodic rock project born from the association of two artists, singer 'Mick Devine' ('Seven') and guitarist 'Gary Pihl' ('Boston', 'Samy Hagar') who release, accompanied by numerous guest artists, a first studio recording, 'Simple Man'. Lovers of unstoppable melodies from the 70s/80s, you will undoubtedly adhere to all of this opus because everything has been done to immerse you in the golden age of melodic rock with names like 'Kansas', 'Styx', 'Foreigner', 'Journey' or even 'Boston' that come to mind when listening to the 11 tracks that were composed by 'Gary Pihl' and drummer 'Josh Devine': we therefore embarks on a suite of melodic jewels starting with 'Let's Not Let It End Like This' (see the video above) with a first memorable chorus, then, 'Promise Me' gives a small layer of it with its melodic lines to the 'Kansas' and the title track (see the video here) continues on this path with a new very effective melody before engaging on the addictive rhythm of 'How Long?' which automatically triggers the foot tapping machine. The suite is in the image of this beginning with catchy melodies which are anchored immediately in the head, 'Love so Strange' coming to be inserted to offer us a very beautiful ballad. In short, even if they are not going to revolutionize the genre, this new project 'The Roads' from the duo 'Mick Devine'/'Gary Pihl' takes us on a very beautiful journey through time listening to all these unstoppable melodies. which should be on repeat for all those who love melodic rock bringing us back to the best of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Mick Devine (Vocal), Gary Pihl (Guitar), Josh Devine (Drums) + Guests : Tracy Ferrie (Bass), Paul Taylor (Keybords), Lawrence Gowan (Keybords), Neil Miller (Keybords), Lin Devine (Choirs), Ben Devine (Vocal), Scott Pihl (Guitar)


Artist : Molllust

Album : Mother Universe

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 10-12-2022

'Molllust' is a rather special German formation since they merge two rather distant styles of music: metal and classical music. To give you some references that could come close to it, 'Therion' is undoubtedly one of the bands closest to metal opera 'Beloved Antichrist' composed by 'Christofer Johnsson' but we can also mention their compatriots from 'Coronatus' for the use of lyric singing, but also 'Haggard' and, of course, to a lesser extent, the unmissable 'Tarja ' who just released a "Best of" of his solo metal career. But back on topic, after 'In Deep Waters' from 2015, 'Molllust' released at the end of November 2022 a new studio recording where each composition is dedicated to one of the celestial objects constituting it.

It's a dense album that awaits you with almost 75 minutes of listening and, after the short epic instrumental introduction 'Cosmic Overture' which already presents this astonishing mixture between classical and electric instruments, his majesty the Sun unfolds a first title bringing us back to a classical music melody and it is in this style that the Germans approach 'Coronatus'. The suite is in the image of this beginning and the atmospheres deployed alternate power and serenity, the lyrical singing led by the duo formed by the soprano 'Janika Groß' and the singer 'Frank Schumacher' being always very expressive and totally in their role of opera character. We travel through different musical landscapes, moving from a powerful and epic 'Saturn – Human Clockwork' (see video above) to serenity of 'Venus – Poems of Love' (see video here) which develops memorable melodic lines, then the other stars parade one after the other with quite different atmospheres such as the evocation of the earth with 'Earth – Beauty of Diversity ' which alternates between energy and tranquillity within the very title, which well illustrates the diversity of our planet. In a more extreme style, we find 'Mars - The Game Is Over' (see the video here) with its imposing choirs and tempo almost military oppressive, then 'Mercury – The Desert Inside' shows a heavier face in the form of a slow procession, the vocal arrangements being sublime and 'Moon - Ostracised Companions' invites us to a walk in the moonlight. The rest of the album scrolls through a powerful 'Jupiter - When Divine Winds Rage' which well illustrates the strength of this gigantic planet, then, 'Uranus - The Butterfly and the Spider' is much catchier and offers catchy melodic lines which make it a very accessible composition. Follows 'Neptune - Wrath of the Sea' which is much more contrasted and which presents variations of intensities and rhythms throughout the title, bringing this feeling of integrating all the movements of classical music and 'Pluto - The Raven's Lullaby' (see the video here) ends the album in a classic opera atmosphere with a beautiful cohabitation between lyrical songs, instruments of orchestra and electric instruments.

In summary, even if 'Mother Universe' risks being reserved for an informed public who likes the bands I mentioned in the introduction to this column, the Germans of 'Molllust' are releasing a very beautiful opera metal and 'Mother Universe' is an intense and diversified musical journey wonderfully combining two styles that we don't usually hear together, metal, and classical music...

Line Up / Musicians

Janika Groß (Vocal, Choirs, Piano), Frank Schumacher (Guitar, Vocal, Bass), Lisa Hellmich (Violin), Manuel Toc (Violin), Julian Jönck (Guitar), Simon Johanning (Bass), Andrea Zannin (Drums) + invités : Anne Eberlein (Viole), Alejandro Barria (Cello), Imki Niemeier (Bass), Carmen Alcantara Fernandez (Harp), Cosima Heinz (Choirs), Süntje Kozlowski (Choirs), Eva Morlang (Choirs), Amelie Rex (Choirs)


Artist : Black Paisley

Album : Human Nature

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 11-12-2022

I introduced you to the Swedes of 'Black Paisley' with their first album 'Late Bloomer' from 2017, then two other opuses followed, starting with 'Perennials' in 2018 and 'Rambler' in 2020. 'Human Nature' is therefore their fourth studio recording, and at the risk of repeating myself , Sweden continues to offer us melodic rock bringing us back to the best of the 80s and, among all its formations from this country, 'Black Paisley' is undoubtedly in the front tier since the streams of a good number of their titles are counted in hundreds of thousands of plays on spotify and 'Human Nature' are expected to add several more hundreds of thousands. No surprise, the Swedes have again made every effort to have a wonderful time listening and this, from the first eponymous title of the album which offers us an addictive first chorus that is grafted directly into the head. The suite continues in this melodic way with direct and accessible melodies at the first listening and it is very difficult to extract only a few of them because they all deserve to be quoted. Nevertheless, to make you want to listen to this album, here is the link to the two videos which were the subject of a single, 'Mojo' and 'Set Me On Fire'. No need to add more, I leave you in good company with this latest album 'Human Nature' from Sweden's 'Black Paisley' which, if you are a fan of good melodic rock that takes us back a few decades, should make you have a great time listening and certainly become addictive quite quickly...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Blomqvist (Vocal, Guitar), Franco Santunione (Guitar), Jan Emanuelsson (Bass), Robert Karaszi (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Martin Karlegård (Choirs), Andreas Karlegård (Choirs)


Artist : Blackrain

Album : Untamed

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 13-12-2022

A short tour of France with the direct and effective hard rock of 'Blackrain' who have just released their 7th album, 'Untamed', after the very good 'Released' in 2016 and 'Dying Breed' in 2019. Everything I had written in my previous columns is still coming to fruition with this new baby from the French: big sound, overflowing energy and catchy melodies on first listen. From the start, with the eponymous title of the album (see the video above), we get a good dose of adrenaline with a first screaming chorus and sharp saturated guitars, the enormous guitar solo coming to give a layer. The album is launched and 'Kiss The Sky', which follows, pours out a new well-muscled hard rock noise, then, 'Dawn Of Hell' lifts its foot slightly with a memorable chorus that tickles your neurons. We continue in the same style with 'All The Darkness' which delivers a new memorable melody, then, the melodic jewel 'Demon' (see the video here) flirts with more measured hard and 'Summer Jesus' (see the video here) brings us back to the raw and heavy energy of a direct and effective hard rock with radiant choirs. The second part of the album is like the first and delivers powerful new titles like 'Set the World in Fire', 'Blade Of Love' or even 'Raise of Glass' and, we won't miss no more addictive refrains from 'Neon Drift' (see the video here) and from mid-tempo 'The End' which shows a more subdued face. In short, no need to add more, the French of 'Blackrain' continue to deliver good hard rock overflowing with a communicative energy with catchy melodies, all this being interpreted by the hands of masters and, icing on the cake, benefiting from a production highlighting an exceptional dynamic that this kind of music needs...

Line Up / Musicians

Swan (Vocal, Guitar), Max2 (Guitar), Matthew H (Bass), Franck F. (Drums)


Artist : StreetLore

Album : StreetLore

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 14-12-2022

I praised the last 'Black Paisley' a few days ago and it's still a new melodic rock project coming to us from Italy, 'StreetLore', whose eponymous debut album was released on the same day as that of the Swedes and which has the same strengths. Initiated by keyboard player 'Lorenzo Nava' who, with the help of producer 'Pierpaolo Monti', managed to bring together a fine line-up of artists and in particular an impressive number of singers (see the list below), the result is at the level of this dream line up: an uninterrupted series of hits with melodies that remain engraved in the memory as if we had between our ears a best of melodic rock from the 80s. title, if you immediately catch the melodic lines of the first title 'Brothers' (see the video above), with the beautiful vocal performance of 'Davide' Barbieri' ('Wheels Of Fire'), you should definitely enjoy the whole of the album which shows all the talent of composer of 'Lorenzo Nava'. And, like any self-respecting Italian, the more moderate atmospheres are not forgotten with the very beautiful ballad 'Aeglos', the end of the album offering us a magic triple with the mid-tempos 'Shelter from the Rain' and ' Weaker Than Before' and the final title 'Shadows and Lies' with its catchy chorus. In short, 'StreetLore' is yet another remarkable new melodic rock project that comes to compete with the best formations of this style and we hope that 'Lorenzo Nava' will continue in the future to offer us quality compositions in the image of 10 melodic gems from this first album...

Line Up / Musicians

Lorenzo Nava (Keybords), Matteo Serra (Guitar), Angelo Sasso (Bass), Luca Ferraresi (Drums) + Guests : Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (Vocal, Choirs), Satin (Vocal), Terry Brock (Vocal), Davide Gilardino (Vocal), Jesús Espín (Vocal), Stefano Lionetti (Vocal), Marcello Spera (Vocal, Choirs), Eric Concas (Vocal), Josh Zighetti (Vocal), Mario Percudani (Vocal), Sue Willetts (Vocal), Dion Bayman (Vocal), Alessandro Broggi (Keybords), Tim Manford (Guitar), Luca Carlomagno (Guitar), Roberto Barazzotto (Bass), Andrew Trabelsi (Keybords)


Artist : HK, Awa Ly

Album : Un autre rendez-vous

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 15-12-2022

In your musical career, you occasionally come across a nugget that is not necessarily in the style of music you are used to listening to but which attracts you with something even stronger than the simple pleasure of listening. 'Un Autre rendez-vous' is one of those intense moments that are good for the soul and that take you on a wonderful poetic journey filled with emotion with strong messages that give back the letters of nobility to the word Humanity that some men damage too often. This project was born from the meeting of the singer 'HK', marvellous troubadour of the French song and the singer of Senegalese origin 'Awa Ly', whose latest album 'Safe And Sound' is from 2020. You liked the unifying and universal hit 'Danser encore' from 2021 which was a wonderful way to address those deprivations of freedom imposed by the government, then, you will certainly like this album which revives the very beautiful poem 'Etranges étrangers' by 'Jacques Prévert', taken up for the occasion, and which offers us even more with great nificent compositions filled with an overflowing humanity : for example, 'Etrange étrangère' is a kind of mirror of Prévert's poem and the eponymous title of the album shows us the way to invent another more fraternal world. Musically, we find ourselves in the great tradition of French popular song with the accordion and the violin which accompany us, sometimes melancholy and sometimes joyful, the titles linking one after the other by transmitting an intense emotion to us and triggering again and again this characteristic little thrill of intense listening pleasure, the album ending with a 'Welcome' filled with optimism and showing us the way to a new world of exchanges and sharing.

In summary, this wonderful album by this endearing duo is a little bubble of intense pleasure that bursts in your face and gives you a magical moment. And to finish, I would say that Another meeting' is the best response that 'HK' and 'Awa Ly' can give us to show that music is definitely something essential, no offense to some who had classified artists as "non-essential" in 2021...

Line Up / Musicians

HK (Vocal), Awa Ly (Vocal), Jacotte Recolin (Violin), Meddhy Ziouche (Accordion, Keybords), Manuel Paris (Guitar), Eric Janson (Bass), Sébastien Wacheux (Drums)


Artist : Walk In Darkness

Album : Leaves Rolling in Time

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 16-12-2022

With 'Leaves Rolling in Time', the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness' are already their fourth album in 5 years, after 'In the Shadows of Things' in 2017, 'Welcome to the New World' in 2018 and 'On the Road to Babylon' in 2020. We find this mixture of symphonic and gothic metal and this last opus is in the continuity of the previous ones and the Italians continue to offer us moderate and rather dark atmospheres in compositions favoring slow tempos with harmonious melodic lines.

On the menu of this opus, 9 titles for a 47-minute listening time are offered to us, the last composition being an alternative cover of 'No Oxygen in the West' sung by 'Shaman'. 'Ships to Atlantis' welcomes us with magnificent vocal arrangements and unfolds a first catchy melody, 'Nicoletta Rosellini' alternating in a very beautiful way, clear and lyrical singing. The title song follows, which begins with an acoustic guitar and calm vocalizations, and which quickly gains momentum with the arrival of electric instruments and growls, this striking and very original opposition continuing throughout the composition and the memorable chorus bringing an impressive feeling of power. Always on a slow tempo, 'Bent by Storms and Dreams' offers a crescendo introduced by a soft piano/voice duet which rapidly increases in power, and which continues in the second part with a new crescendo after a break in intensity in the middle of the title. showing all the vocal talent of 'Nicoletta Rosellini' who perfectly adapts her singing to the intensity of the moment. The suite continues to deliver catchy melodies on slow tempos alternating between different intensities and we cannot miss the contrasting 'Get Away' with its memorable chorus, the last four titles 'Walk Close to Me', 'No Oxygen in the West', 'The Last Glow of Day' and 'Elizabeth' having nothing to envy to the first half of the album.

In summary, in the continuity of the previous albums, 'Leaves Rolling in Time' continues the adventure of the Italians of 'Walk In Darkness' with new catchy compositions merging symphonic and gothic metal and if you like a metal giving off dark and melancholic atmospheres on beautiful melodic lines, you should undoubtedly adhere to this latest album from the Italians...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini (Vocal), Shaman (Guitar), Monk Key (Bass), Organus (Keybords), Arcanus (Drums)


Artist : Bad Sister

Album : Where Will You Go

Release Date : 25-11-2022

Added : 17-12-2022

'Bad Sister' is not a new project because this formation already had a period of activity at the end of the 80s with two albums, 'Heartbreaker' in 1989 (the album can be listened to on youtube here) and 'Out Of The Business' in 1991, then, after a long break, they returned in the late 2000s with a third album 'Because Rust Never Sleeps' and nothing for more ten years until this last opus released at the end of November, 'Where Will You Go'. For all fans of melodic hard rock that takes us back to the 80s, you've come to the right place because that's exactly what the Germans are offering us with their latest baby. Now led by the singer 'Andrea Löhndorf' who has a powerful voice lending itself very well to this style, we embark on 13 catchy compositions from the first listen and entry, with 'Lose Or Win' (see video above), we are welcomed by an energetic title bringing us back a few decades in the style of a 'Pat Benatar' or a 'Joan Jett' with guitars with muscular riffs. And in the same style, we continue with new melodic hits such as 'Feels Like Love', 'Don't Need Me', 'Confess You Love Me', 'Fair Enough' (see video here). In more moderate rhythms bringing a nice diversity to the whole, we can also mention the mid-tempo 'Bright Lights' bringing a funky side, the heavy and rhythmic 'You're Gone', 'Couldn't Do Right' (see video here) and its memorable chorus, the classic but super effective rock 'She Doesn't Love You' or the last two tracks 'Some Hallelujahs' approaching the style of 'Bonnie Tyler' and the driving 'Got Caught' which completes the whole in a beautiful way. And when the lights are dimmed, the Germans deliver two melodic gems with the ballads 'Could It Be Love' and Moon Woman'.

In summary, the Germans of 'Bad Sister' return to the forefront of the melodic hard rock scene with a new talented singer and offer us a very beautiful album with catchy and diversified compositions which should please a whole audience. loving a classic hard rock that takes us back to the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrea Löhndorf (Vocal), Sven Lange (Guitar), Andreas Läu (Keybords), Jörn Saul (Bass), Kai-Ove Kessler (Drums)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : BIG

Release Date : 28-11-2022

Added : 18-12-2022

We no longer stop 'Chris Engels' in his successive album releases because after 'The Lost One' in March 2022 and 'C4' in July 2022, I missed his solo album 'Wonderland' which he released as 'Chris Angels' (but you can see a review on the site of 'Progcritique') and, it is thanks to an email from Chris that I find myself chronicling this third album of 2022 which is simply called 'BIG'. Each composition, as for the last opus, is based on a poem and 'Chris Engels' always provides all the instruments and the vocals, 'Worlfgang Kropf' coming to support him on bass.

We find this atmospheric progressive that we already knew on the previous opuses with certainly even calmer compositions, which is shown at the start by 'The Idea' which, after an aerial 'Floydian' introduction, unrolls a mid -tempo on a melody supported by a powerful and heavy sound which can recall the Germans of 'RPWL' and which has a beautiful instrumental section in the second part of the title with successively a solo of keyboards and guitar. Even quieter, 'Pre-Existence' continues in a nonchalant atmosphere on which we abandon ourselves completely, the song filled with serenity of 'Chris Engels' adding again to this feeling of plenitude. The following titles continue in the same style with first, the slow tempo of 'Rain Music', then with that of Enesis' which includes a beautiful instrumental break in the second part of the title and with my favorite of the album, 'Making a Man', which embarks us, accompanied by a piano, in a melodic jewel filled with a beautiful emotion, the high-pitched vocals being quite divine. The rest of the album scrolls 'Vision of Him' which is in the atmospheric continuity of the beginning but which integrates an instrumental section to the 'One Of These Days' of the 'Floyds' in the second part bringing a nice variety to this title, then, 'Make Believe' takes us into peaceful progressive with a multi-drawer construction highlighting multiple alternations of intensities and inventive instrumental sections, the album ending with 'Master' which also shows a quiet side in the first half and which picks up the pace in the second as if 'Chris Engels' wanted to bring us back little by little to the harsh reality of our constantly changing world to better remember those restful moments he gave us live.

In summary, 'Chris Engels' still offers us a very beautiful album of atmospheric rock which takes us on a beautiful journey slowly scrolling through restful and relaxing landscapes and which is conducive to listening in a quiet place to recover an exhausting day...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Wolfgang Kropf (Bass)


Artist : Tarja Turunen

Album : Best of: Living the Dream

Release Date : 02-12-2022

Added : 19-12-2022

That's it!! 'Tarja' comes from releasing her first best of in several versions and the ultimate 'Box Set' edition (still €114!) should take pride of place in front of the Christmas tree for all fans of the Finn. The streaming platforms present the first CD with the new title 'Eye of the Storm' released in October 2022 and of which we can see a video with the lyrics above and which shows the talent of 'Tarja' to bring different influences into his songs, this time with an Argentinian tango rhythm. The titles chosen are taken from the various albums with the hits that punctuate his solo career, starting with the inevitable 'I Walk Alone' which has been part of all his setlists, then parade well-known titles such as 'Die Alive', 'Falling Awake', 'Until My Last Breath', 'Victim of Ritual', '500 Letters', 'Never Enough' or even 'Innocence'. Other titles known but less played in concert also appear as 'Enough', 'Diva', 'Dead Promises', 'Tears in Rain' or 'You and I'. And if you don't fall for the 'Box Set' edition, the Finn also offers a version with 2 CDs and a Blu-Ray for around twenty euros: the second CD completes the first with 13 other titles showing range of his repertoire but the good surprise in this edition is the two-hour 'Circus Life' concert which was recorded in 2020 at the 'Circul Metropolitan Bucuresti' in Bucharest and which alone is worth buying this version and of which you have an extract on YouTube with the title 'Innocence').

In short, the metal facet of 'Tarja' now has a magnificent Best of which retraces his last 15 years as a soloist and which should delight all his fans but also all fans of symphonic metal and we don't don't forget either that the Finn is a complete artist who is as comfortable on a metal stage as in a church to interpret Christmas carols, the albums 'Ave Maria – en Plein Air', 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)' and 'Christmas Together: Live At Olomouc And Hradec Králové 2019' being there for n remind us...

Line Up / Musicians

My Winter Storm :
Tarja Turunen (Vocal), Alexander Scholpp (Guitar), Torsten Stenzel (Keybords), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Earl Harvin (Drums)

What Lies Beneath :
Tarja Turunen (Vocal, Piano), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Marzi Nyman (Guitar), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords, Hammond), Maria Ilmoniemi (Keybords, Hammond), Mike Terrana (batterie), Will Calhoun (Drums), Max Lilja (Cello), Lahti Symphony Orchestra, The Slovakian Orchestra and Choir

Colours in the Dark :
Tarja Turunen (Vocal, Piano), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Max Lilja (Cello), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Kevin Chown (Bass), Julin Barrett (Guitar), Mike Terrana (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Caroline Lavelle (Cello), Justin Furstenfeld (Vocal, Choirs), Naomi Cabuli Turunen (Vocal)

The Shadow Self :
Tarja Turunen (Vocal, Keybords), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Julian Barrett (Guitar, Bass), Kevin Chown (Bass), Max Lilja (Cello), Peter Barrett (Bass) + Guests : Alissa White-Gluz (Vocal), Bart Hendrickson (Keybords), Fernando Scarcella (Drums), Guillermo De Medio (Keybords), Luis Conte (Drums), Mervi Myllyoja (Violin), Mike Coolen (Drums), Mike Terrana (Drums), Nicolas Polo (Drums), Toni Turunen (Vocal), Torsten Stenzel (Keybords)

In The Raw :
Tarja Turunen (Vocal), Alex Scholpp (Guitar), Christian Kretschmar (Keybords), Kevin Chown (Bass), Max Lilja (Cello), Timm Schreiner (Drums)+ Guests : Bjorn Strid (Vocal), Cristina Scabbia (Vocal), Tommy Karevik (Vocal)


Artist : Freedom To Glide

Album : The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls

Release Date : 29-11-2022

Added : 20-12-2022

After the wartime trilogy that included 'Rain' from 2013, 'Fall' from 2016 and 'SEED' from 2019, 'Freedom To Glide', led by English duo 'Andy Nixon'/'Pete Riley' releases a new album 'The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls' which is in fact already known to fans since it is about part of the compositions presented in a limited time since 2014 each year at Christmas time. Three other compositions are present with a prologue and an epilogue as well as the title 'This Is How It Ends'. 'The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls' was not planned this year but the international news including the war in Ukraine made that the English delayed the release of their new album and each title is a tribute to an event that happened a century before, the first composition of 2014, 'Stolen Souls', referring to the first day of the First World War and the last of 2019, 'Silent Land' covering the consequences of this war which supposedly was to be "the war that would end all wars".

The prologue welcomes us in a magnificent piano/voice duet which is joined at the end by the electric instruments and which releases a beautiful emotion, then, without transition, 'Stolen Souls' continues in this delicate and cozy ambience approaching of a piano bar atmosphere, the melancholic melodic lines making me think of what 'Sting' can release in some of his compositions, the resemblance of the song 'Andy Nixon' with that of the Englishman not being foreign to it. With 'Seize The Day', the lively tempo shows a lighter face while keeping this gravity in the theme and the instrumental sections remind me this time of 'RPWL'. 'The War Cannot Be Won' continues in this calm and serene progressive and I again have this feeling of parallel with the style of 'Sting' in the first part, the second half comprising a very beautiful instrumental section, this time with an admirable 'Floydian' guitar solo. 'Peace Without Victory' then takes us on a magnificent semi-acoustic title which begins by lulling us with a guitar/voice duet that takes us up warm on a cosy little cloud, then halfway through, the tone is more lively with a remarkable new guitar solo which gives way to a very beautiful and more peaceful symphonic finale, the piano having replaced the acoustic guitar. With 'Silent Land', the emotional slider goes up a notch and offers us a melancholic ballad which slowly travels on a very beautiful melody, the electric guitar once again gently rocking us in the middle of the title and a slight crescendo highlighting a remarkable vocal performance of 'Andy Nixon's. On a few muffled keyboard notes, 'Left Side Of The Brain' continues to deploy a delicate atmosphere, the piano flirting with jazzy intonations, and it is the turn of the epilogue to conclude these six beautiful titles in a very beautiful way, taking up the piano/voice duet of the prologue which is extended by a very beautiful guitar solo and which returns in the last two minutes to a refined finale with aerial choirs accompanied by a few piano notes, and the album ends with 'This Is How It Ends' in this same climate charged with a very particular emotion by leaving us in our thoughts in which always turn the same question: "how the human being, after all these painful experiences can he start again to inflict so much suffering to these fellows?"

In summary, as you will have understood, this last recording of the English of 'Freedom To Glide' is charged with a very particular emotion that the duo 'Andy Nixon'/'Pete Riley' set to music by remarkable way and 'The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls' completes the trilogy on the First World War in a very beautiful way and should be added to the essential albums to have in your collection for all lovers of progressive music...

Line Up / Musicians

Andy Nixon (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Pete Riley (Piano, Keybords, Organ)


Artist : Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Album : Trouble Is... 25

Release Date : 02-12-2022

Added : 21-12-2022

After the very good live 'Straight To You : Live' of 2020, we had found the bluesman 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' in good company with 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' in her latter's live, 'Blues From The Heart Live', and the American released a re-recording of his 1997 album 'Trouble Is' to celebrate his 25-year career, a little late all the same, since it was originally the first album from 1995, 'Ledbetter Heights' which was supposed to be re-registered but, given what you know, the release would have been postponed for two years. Never mind, this second album contains good blues/rock and takes us back to the end of the 90s and puts the 12 compositions of this album back between our ears with an additional bonus track, the cover of 'Ballad Of A Thin Man' by 'Bob Dylan', with whom 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' toured early in his career, and who at the time was competing for 'Trouble Is...' with 'Everything Is Broken' of the same 'Bob Dylan' who had finally been retained. In addition to covers of 'Bob Dylan', 'Trouble Is...' contained 'I Don't Live Today' by 'Jimmy Hendrix' and 'Nothing To Do With Love', by 'Frankie Miller' and 'Jerry Lynn Williams ' which was first performed by 'Bonnie Tyler' in his album 'Free Spirit' from 1995, all other tracks written or co-written by 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd'. Listening to this album, we say to ourselves that all his compositions have not aged a bit and that they have all become timeless, the current production bringing a very special dynamic while keeping the blues spirit of the time. . Note for those who would like to purchase the CD that it also comes with a DVD (or Blu-ray) of a concert recorded at the 'Strand Theater' in Shepherd's hometown of 'Shreveport'. In short, no need to add more, I leave you with 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' who, 25 years later, still enchants us with his singing and his admirable guitar solos...

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Vocal, Guitar), Noah Hunt (Vocal), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Kevin McCormick (Bass), Chris Layton (Drums)


Artist : Zuberoa Aznárez

Album : Keltiar Spells

Release Date : 02-12-2022

Added : 22-12-2022

Between two albums of 'Diabulus In Musica' , the woman singer 'Zuberoa Aznárez' has also a solo project, far removed from her symphonic metal band, in which she mixes influences from folk, Celtic, classical music and popular song. After 'Beyond The Threshold' in 2017 and 'Nowell' in 2020 which was a set of Christmas songs, she has just released a new opus, 'Keltiar Spells' in which she has composed four of the thirteen titles, the rest being covers of Celtic songs or instrumentals, in peaceful atmospheres on which we are lulled by her sweet singing or by his aerial flute. We find classics like the different Irish jigs, 'Skye Boat Sog' or even 'Brian Boru's March' in a refined register, Zuberoa's singing bringing a feeling of fullness throughout this album. Note that among the original songs, 'Stardust Soul' was the subject of a beautiful video that can be seen above by clicking on the youtube link. In short, this new album by the Spanish 'Zuberoa Aznárez' still shows all her talent to move us in a register far removed from the symphonic metal of 'Diabulus In Musica' and 'Keltiar Spells' is a magical moment filled with serenity and sweetness to enjoy calmly with headphones to relax after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

Zuberoa Aznárez (Vocal, Flute, Harp Celtique, Guitar)


Artist : Amberian Dawn

Album : Take a Chance – a Metal Tribute to ABBA

Release Date : 02-12-2022

Added : 23-12-2022

In this period which precedes the Christmas holidays, we want to listen to lighter music in keeping with this festive period and the Finns of 'Amberian Dawn' with their label of 'Abba Metal' (see myprogmusic's reviews of their last three albums below) are precisely there to offer us covers of their favourite formation with a metal sauce. So, if you like festive metal and you like the melodies that have become timeless from Sweden's Abba', you will certainly be seduced by this latest album 'Take a Chance – a Metal Tribute to ABBA' from the Finns. Parade 11 compositions which were all hits at the time and the power of the guitars brings a very particular enthusiasm which gives an irresistible desire to accompany 'Päivi 'Capri' Virkkunen' in his singing very close to the Swedish female duo. The first four titles are proof of this and 'Amberian Dawn' appropriates these very catchy compositions magnificently without distorting them. And between all these energetic titles, they judiciously inserted two breaks with more moderate compositions which are 'The Days Before You Came' and 'Like An Angel Passing Through My Room'. Also note that in addition to the video of 'Super Trouper' above, two other videos are available on Youtube: they are 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' and 'SOS'. In short, I leave you in the company of this festive metal from the Finns of 'Amberian Dawn' which gives a boost and youth to all these timeless compositions that we have all heard at some point in our lives and that the we have been etched forever in our memory.

myprogmusic reviews of 'Amberian Dawn'
= 'Innuendo' - 2015
= 'Darkness of Eternity - 2017
= 'Looking for You' - 2020

Line Up / Musicians

Päivi 'Capri' Virkkunen (Vocal), Tuomas Seppälä (Keybords), Emil 'Emppu' Pohjalainen (Guitar), Jukka Hoffren (Bass), Joonas Pykälä-aho (Drums)


Artist : Rob Moratti

Album : Epical

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 24-12-2022

After the very good releases in melodic rock in the past month, with 'The Roads', 'Black Paisley' and 'StreetLore', we can now add the new 'Rob Moratti' which is still a compendium of addictive melodic hits that we savour with happiness. After the last three albums which have been reviewed by myprogmusic ('Transcendent' from 2016, 'Renaissance' from 2019 and 'Paragon' in 2020), here is their worthy successor, 'Epical', which contains 11 equally catchy compositions that should satisfy all fans from AOR. And, to begin with, if you are not sensitive to the melodic lines of 'Can I Hold You For A While' (see video above), this album is not made for you, but for the others, you will certainly be seduced by 'Nothing Left To Say' between ballad and mid-tempo, the trio of compositions that follow one another with 'Valerie', 'Hold On' and 'For The Rest Of My Life' and their addictive refrains or even the melodic jewels that are 'Love' (see video here) and 'You Keep Me Waiting', the album ending with a catchy 'Strangers'. In summary, 'Rob Moratti', surrounded by talented musicians, continues to deliver us from the AOR of great class by offering us new catchy melodies from the first listen that we always have a great pleasure to listen to. and which should be on repeat for a lot of melodic rock fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Moratti (Vocal), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Pete Alpenborg (Guitar, Keybords), Tony Franklin (Bass), Felix Borg (Drums, Percussions, Keybords)


Artist : Roger Waters

Album : The Lockdown Sessions

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 25-12-2022

As the American prepares for his world farewell tour which will take place in 2023, 'Roger Waters' released an EP at the beginning of December with recordings made during the periods of confinement which were already the subject, at the time, videos on youtube, the latest being the reinterpretation of 'Comfortably Numb' which shows a completely different face from the original by bringing a dark and refined side corresponding very well to what 'Roger Waters' had offered us in his last album 'Is This The Life We Really Want ?' (see video links below). There are three titles from 'The Wall' from 1979 which are 'Mother', 'Vera' and 'Comfortably Numb', two titles from 'The Final Cut' from 1983 which are 'Two Suns in the Sunset' and 'The Gunners Dream ' and finally, the title 'The Bravery of Being Out of Range' from his solo album 'Amused To Death'. The new arrangements bring a special strength to his songs which have become timeless like 'Mother' with the participation of the duo 'Lucius' which is a pure moment of happiness and even more creepy than the original. In short, I did not choose Christmas Day by chance to write this column on the latest EP of 'Roger Waters': beyond the artist who has marked the history of music for the last 50 years with his shows gigantic and, although he took quite extreme positions that may have exceeded him and that he certainly presents contradictions, one cannot deny that he has always defended noble causes and among these, the condemnation of all the wars that punctuate our world, the latest being the invasion of Ukraine by Russia...

List of youtube videos:
= 'Mother'
= 'Two Suns In The Sunset'
= 'Vera'
= 'The Gunner's Dream'
= 'The Bravery of Being Out of Range'
= 'Comfortably Numb'

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Waters (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Gus Seyffert (Bass, Cello, Percussions), Joey Waronker (Drums, Percussions), Dave Kilminster (Voice), Jonathan Wilson (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Jon Carin (Keybords, Vocal), Jess Wolfe (Vocal), Holly Laessig (Vocal), Shanay Johnson (Vocal), Amanda Belair (Vocal)


Artist : Collage

Album : Over And Out

Release Date : 30-11-2022

Added : 26-12-2022

The Poles of 'Collage' return to the forefront of the progressive rock scene with a new album, 'Over And Out', the last album 'Safe' dating back to 1995. Meanwhile, 'Wojtek Szadkowski' had gone create 'Satellite' with 4 albums and, in 2016, 'Collage' resumed activity with three of the members of the formation who released the very good 'Moonshine' in 1994 ('Krzysztof Palczewski' on keyboards, ' Piotr Mintay Witkowski' on bass and 'Wojtek Szadkowski' on drums), the rest of the band now consisting of vocalist 'Bartek Kossowicz' and guitarist 'Michał Kirmuć'. This unexpected new album from the Poles is firmly rooted in a dense and inventive progressive that merges several decades of this style, ranging from the 70s with reminiscences of bands like 'Genesis' to the present day, the closest references being 'Marillion', 'IQ' or even 'Arena'.

The album begins in style with the imposing title track of nearly 22 minutes which is a progressive saga with all the ingredients that one wishes to find in this kind of river composition and each artist brings his stone to the edifice to build this dense and inventive mountain which in turn has influences from 'Genesis' and 'Marillion'. 'Bartosz Kossowicz' accompanies us with a very expressive song that he modulates according to the intensity of the moment and 'Krzysztof Palczewski' shows all his talent at the instrumental level, the keyboards imposing their omnipresence by bringing a grandeur to this title, without forget the rhythm section composed of 'Piotr Mintay Witkowski' and 'Wojtek Szadkowski' which surfs on multiple changes of tempo and intensity. Less long but just as progressive in construction, 'What About the Pain' continues in these sound contrasts with still very catchy melodic lines, the alternations of sung parts and instrumental sections being well balanced and the children's choirs in the second part being a pure delight. With 'One Empty Hand', the piano accompanies us for a few moments with a very beautiful piano/voice duo, then the title gains momentum with a remarkable drum accompaniment bringing an enormous force to the energetic sections. Follows 'A Moment, A Feeling' which develops over 13 minutes a new progressive epic in which, after an atmospheric introduction, 'Bartosz Kossowicz' conveys real emotion in his singing and makes me think of 'Alan Reed' with 'Pallas' in the magnificent album 'The Dreams Of Men' from 2006, then, we walk in a magnificent sound labyrinth with multiple rhythmic changes, remarkable instrumental sections and a melodic theme returning in several places and bringing an extraordinary force to the whole. And it is with 'Man in the Middle' which sees the participation of 'Steve Rothery' that the album ends on a slow tempo with a magnificent melodic first part, the piano/voice duo interspersed with Steve's guitar solos being a real magical moment and the long instrumental finale repeatedly triggering this shiver so characteristic of intense listening happiness, and for my part, bringing the same emotions as that of 'Comfortably Numb' by the 'Floyds' with this feeling of strength quiet.

In summary, this new album by the Poles of 'Collage' is a progressive must-have which is filled with an extraordinary richness and density and which is revealed, little by little, listen after listen, which should certainly make 'Over And Out' a contender for a place of choice in the ideal discotheque of a good number of progressive rock fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Bartosz Kossowicz (Vocal), Michał Kirmuć (Guitar), Krzysztof Palczewski (Keybords), Piotr Mintay Witkowski (Bass), Wojtek Szadkowski (Drums, Percussions) + Guest : Steve Rothery (Guitar)


Artist : The Palimpsest

Album : Primary

Release Date : 03-12-2022

Added : 27-12-2022

After the return of the Poles from 'Collage' in the spotlight, here is a new progressive rock project, 'The Palimpsest', which was initiated by vocalist and bassist 'Glam Dave' and is releasing his debut album 'Primary'. Quite discreet on the web, we learn on his site that he was influenced by different currents, first of all by the essential groups of the rock and hard rock scene of the 70s like 'AC/DC', 'Motorhead' or 'Black Sabbath' but that he was also attracted by the neo-prog movement of the 90s with 'Marillion' or 'IQ' which led him to listen to the pioneers of the genre of the 70s.

On the menu of this first opus from the Englishman, which exceeds one hour of listening, 10 compositions ranging from three to ten minutes, which take us into atmospheres that take us back a few decades and parade names like 'Pink Floyd', 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', 'Genesis' or even 'Rush'. After the introduction 'Hello' which begins with the sound effects of a music box that we wind up and of which we hear the sweet melody which turns into a very beautiful piano/voice duet, the first long development 'The Death of the Only Child' deploys its 10 minutes by mixing various influences with very beautiful alternations between energetic parts and others much calmer (magnificent passage at 3 minutes in the style of a 'Roger Waters'), the 'Floydian' guitar solos on the finale bringing a magnificent atmospheric side. With 'Dearly Beloved', we continue in a quiet atmosphere with a more direct construction and with very beautiful melodic lines, the sweet vocals of 'Glam Dave' adding to this feeling of sweetness, then, 'The Stranger', continues in a more tormented atmosphere, the very expressive singing adding to this sense of urgency. Follows 'Questions' which is a very beautiful semi-acoustic title with an acoustic guitar accompaniment and which offers us a catchy melody which comes directly to the head, then, 'I'm Tired' begins in a refined way with a vocals whispered by 'Glam Dave' accompanied by a few layers of keyboards and gradually gaining momentum for the second part which shows a heavy and heavy face with a very beautiful guitar solo, the title falling on the end as it had start. After a long symphonic introduction with strings repeating the same theme, the long development 'Times and Tides' then takes off to unfold a catchy melody on a mid-tempo that modulates the intensities with influences taking us back to the 70s, then, 'Miss You' is more direct in a classy AOR style with a new melody that sticks in your head. And to finish, 'Maybe' takes us back to the melodic rock lines of the seventies that can remind us of the 'Rolling Stones' and 'Reprise' offers us this time an atmospheric instrumental with a magnificent 'Floydien' guitar solo and a very beautiful piano/ voice that echoes the opening title with the music box that delicately closes this very beautiful album.

In summary, this new project 'The Palimpsest' by Englishman 'Glam Dave' offers us a very beautiful journey through time with a mosaic of influences mixing direct and progressive rock, the whole being supported by melodic lines that we tame very quickly, which intends 'Primary' for a wide audience who love an accessible and melodic progressive that takes us back to the pioneers of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Glam Dave (Vocal, Bass)


Artist : Arrayan Path

Album : Thus Always to Tyrants

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 28-12-2022

I reviewed 'Archegonoi', 'Arrayan Path's seventh album, and 2020 saw the release of its successor, 'The Marble Gates to Apeiron'. The frequency of an album every two years continues because it is the turn of 'Thus Always to Tyrants' to see the light of day at the end of 2022. And for this opus, the Cypriots have simply put forward a part of their story with the tumultuous life of the king 'Evagoras' which is the subject of 13 compositions for almost 80 minutes of listening (the last two titles being on a bonus CD not available for streaming). We therefore find an epic power metal that we knew on their last productions with a progressive aspect highlighted by many alternations of intensities and rhythms, the whole being always supported by catchy melodies immediately: attests to this the first 'Oh Dark Tears (Afternath)' which perfectly introduces the album and well images this grandiose power metal in several drawers with first of all, a quiet acoustic introduction, then with the arrival of the electric instruments, a part alternating quick verses with a unifying chorus that we want to sing along with 'Nicholas Leptos', part which is followed by a beautiful instrumental section integrating oriental sounds, the finale returning to the main theme.

In order to not inflict you a title on title (even if each deserves to be dissected), I will highlight the compositions that I remember the most with first of all, The King's Aegis… They Came from the Taygetos Mountains ' which recalls the melodic lines of 'Therion' and which is cut in two parts with a first part in the form of a grandiose procession with a slow tempo, then a second which gradually picks up the pace to offer a catchy melody with remarkable vocal arrangements. We can also mention the imposing 'Artaxerxes II Mnemon' with a good place given to a very beautiful guitar solo, the catchy 'Crossing Over to Phenicia' and its addictive chorus, 'Raid of the Achaemenids' with its oriental sounds embarking us on a beautiful exotic journey highlighting the splendour of Mediterranean civilization at the time of King Evagoas or the magnificent 'Of Royal Ancestry' (see video above) whose chorus never leaves you. The end of the album still raises the emotional slider with 'The Legend of Evagoras' which is a magnificent power ballad in which the Cypriots have integrated a much more muscular and grandiose instrumental part, then, 'Army of the Myrmidons – Return to Troy Pt. II (Origins)' shows all the band's talent for majestic epics merging power metal, sophisticated symphonic orchestrations, admirable vocal arrangements and marked influences from their past civilization (magnificent refined finale with traditional instruments).

In summary, the 'Cypriots' of Arrayan Path' certainly released their most accomplished album, combining different styles around a powerful power metal and benefiting from an irreproachable production. 'Thus Always to Tyrants' shows us a resolutely progressive aspect and, like any album of extraordinary richness and density, asks to linger over it to discover all the nooks and crannies in order to draw all the substance from it. I would add that I am increasingly making the parallel between 'Arrayan Path' and 'Therion' and, as such, I would suggest to the Cypriots that, to flesh out their vocal arrangements (which are already remarkable), to unearth their 'Lory Lewis ' which would bring a complementary register with a female presence...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicholas Leptos (Vocal), Socrates Leptos (Guitar), Christoforos Gavriel (Guitar), Miguel Trapezaris (Bass), Stefan Dittrich (Drums)


Artist : Journey

Album : Live in Concert at Lollapalooza

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 29-12-2022

For the last three days of 2022, I will dedicate them to three lives, lives which we really missed in 2020 and 2021 and which resumed during this year, some having been postponed or canceled at the start of the year. The first concert is that of the Americans of 'Journey' who released a very good 'Freedom' in July 2022 and who recorded the 'Live in Concert at Lollapalooza' concert on July 31, 2021, in Chicago. We navigate through the band's flagship period from the late 70s to the mid-80s, starting with 'Infinity' from 1978 of which three titles are interpreted, then we browse the following releases with 'Evolution' from 1979, then 'Departure' from 1980 with 'Any Way You Want It', then the band's iconic album 'Escape' from 1981 is very well represented with six tracks, followed by the four compositions taken from 'Frontiers' of 1983 and 'Raised On Radio' of 1986 brings up the rear with a single track, 'Be Good To Yourself’. And to give you an idea of what awaits you with the Blu-Ray or DVD edition, three titles are available on the 'Frontiers Music' site with 'Only The Young', 'Any Way You Want It' and 'Be Good To Yourself'. In short, this very beautiful concert of 'Journey' allows us to go back 40 years back by remembering all these titles which have become timeless for all the fans of the group, but also which should also reach a fairly large audience who went through the 80s listening to the leading melodic rock bands of the time...

Line Up / Musicians

Arnel Pineda (Vocal), Neal Schon (Guitar), Jonathan Cain (Keybords), Deen Castronovo (Drums), Narada Michael Walden (Drums), Marco Mendoza (Bass), Jason Derlatka (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Serenity

Album : Memoria Live

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 30-12-2022

The second concert of this end of the year concerns the symphonic metal formation 'Serenity' which released an acoustic concert recorded on May 27, 2022, in Kufstein in Austria and which offers us a journey through the history of Scotland, the songs being punctuated with explanations by a storyteller. After their last album The Last Knight, the Australians take us into their discography by adding the track 'Broken Dreams' from the joint project 'Fallen Sanctuary' by 'Georg Neuhauser' and 'Marco Pastorino' and all these titles have been rearranged by integrating a flute and a violin which bring a warm side to this magnificent acoustic set. And for the party to be complete, 'Serenity' has invited many artists who gravitate or who have gravitated around the group since its creation. We therefore find well-known names such as the singer 'Clémentine Delaunay' who has now taken off with 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Michele Guaitoli, also 'Visions Of Atlantis' but also the singer of 'Temperance', singer and guitarist 'Marco Pastorino', also 'Temperance', or again 'Sascha Paeth' who participates and is the producer of the 'Tobias Sammet' project, 'Avantasia' but also the drummer 'Niklas Müller' of the group 'Ad Infinitum'. The addictive melodies of 'Serenity' follow one after the other and we feel throughout the set a radiant atmosphere and a very good mood among all these endearing artists, the public being in heaven by actively participating in this magnificent show. And to highlight some magical moments of this live, I will quote the two duets of 'Georg Neuhauser' with 'Clémentine Delaunay', first, the magnificent ballad 'Fairytales' which still gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it and the following title 'Legacy of Tudors' which always shows this complicity between the two artists and this immense cheerfulness that they know so well how to transmit to the public.

In short, no need to add more, the best is to let yourself be carried away by this magical show with all these compositions with addictive melodies, and if you want to add the video, the DVD and the Blu-Ray are also available and we have a preview with the two videos available from 'Napalm Records', 'Legacy Of Tudors' and 'Spirit in the Flesh', the latest single with very beautiful images 'In The Name Of Scotland' being also available...

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Christian Hermsdörfer (Guitar, Mandolin, Vocal), Fabio D’Amore (Bass, Vocal), Andreas Schipflinger (Drums, Vocal) + Guests : Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Guitar, Vocal), Sascha Paeth (Guitar), Kathrin Raunigger (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Niklas Müller (Drums)


Artist : Mostly Autumn

Album : Back In These Arms (Live 2022)

Release Date : 16-12-2022

Added : 31-12-2022

And we end in style with the third and last live of this end of the year which is dedicated to one of my favorite groups, I named the English of 'Mostly Autumn' with a sumptuous concert given to 'De Boerderij', in the Netherlands, June 4, 2022. This is a double CD for two and a half hours of concert which retraces the first years between 2001 and 2006 which correspond to the first three albums with 'Heather Findlay', 'For All We Shared' by 1998, 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past' from 1999 and 'The Last Bright Light' from 2001, then only two tracks between 2001 and 2016 with the album 'Heart Full of Sky' from 2006 and finally, the last period of the band from 2017 to 2021 with 'Olivia Sparnenn', become the wife of 'Bryan Josh', highlighting the last three albums 'Sight Of Day' from 2017, 'White Rainbow' from 2019 and 'Greveyard Star' from 2021, the latter well represented with 5 tracks (see the track list below and their original album). We are therefore taken on a magnificent journey filled with emotion in the company of this formation which offers us a setlist which must have been complicated to make given the quality of their impressive discography, but the emblematic compositions are there with, all of first, the catchy hymns which transmit a real pleasure to the public and this from the first three titles with 'Tomorrow Dies', 'Spirit of Mankind' and 'Nowhere to Hide', then, there are the magnificent ballads that the couple 'Josh ' knows so well how to transcend by transmitting to us a palpable emotion as in 'The Last Climb', 'The Endless War', 'Passengers' or even in 'Western Skies' to name only four, without forgetting the long admirable developments what are 'Mother Natures' and 'White Rainbow'.

In short, this magnificent live performance of 'Mostly Autumn' happily sweeps through their entire discography with compositions that are now etched forever in the minds of all the band's fans and the English show that, after 25 years of career , they continue, again and again, to surpass themselves and dazzle us with each album release, the last three opuses being very well represented in this dream setlist...

List of tracks and their original album:
Liste des titres et leur album d'origine :
Tomorrow Dies – Sight Of Day – 2017
Spirit Of Mankind – Graveyard Star – 2021
Nowhere To Hide – For All We Shared – 1998
The Spirit Of Autumn Past (Part 2) – The Spirit Of Autumn Past – 1999
The Last Climb – For All We Shared – 1998
Gaze – Heart Full of Sky – 2006
This Endless War – Graveyard Star – 2021
Back In These Arms – Graveyard Star – 2021
Passengers – Passengers – 2003
Mother Nature – The Last Bright Light – 2001
In For The Bite
Into The Stars – White Rainbow – 2019
Western Skies – White Rainbow – 2019
Skin Of Mankind – Graveyard Star – 2021
Changing Lives – Sight Of Day – 2017
Silver Glass – Heart Full of Sky – 2006
Heart, Body And Soul – Sight Of Day – 2017
White Rainbow – White Rainbow – 2019
The Harder That You Hurt – Greveyard Star – 2021
Heroes Never Die – For All We Shared – 1998
Forever And Beyond – Sight Of Day – 2017

Line Up / Musicians

Olivia Sparnenn-Josh (Vocal), Bryan Josh (Guitar, Vocal), Chris Johnson (Guitar), Iain Jennings (Keybords), Angela Gordon (Flute, Keybords), Andy Smith (Bass), Henry Rogers (Drums)


Myprogmusic wishes you a very happy new year 2023!!

The unstoppable melodies 2022 as if it was raining:
And for this beginning of 2023, here is a first list of albums in the field of rock and melodic hard rock which were the subject of a review in myprogmusic in 2022. Considering the multiple releases of the year past, the choice was not easy and other albums deserve to be in this list but their number is already impressive with close to forty for 30 hours of listening:

Artist – Album – Released date
Autumn's Child – Zenith - 14-01-2022
Edge Of Forever – Seminole - 21-01-2022
Kissin' Dynamite – Not the End of the Road - 21-01-2022
Degreed – Are You Ready - 11-02-2022
Ten – Here Be Monsters - 18-02-2022
Rust n' Rage – One for the Road - 11-03-2022
Radioactive – X.X.X. - 11-03-2022
FM – Thirteen - 18-03-2022
Ronnie Atkins – Make It Count - 18-03-2022
Saints Trade – The Golden Cage - 25-03-2022
Dare – Road To Eden - 01-04-2022
Treat – The Endgame - 08-04-2022
Lonerider – Sundown - 20-05-2022
Def Leppard – Diamond Star Halos - 27-05-2022
Terra Nova – Ring That Bell - 27-05-2022
Journey – Freedom - 08-07-2022
Palace – One 4 The Road 15-07-2022
Lessmann/Voss – Rock Is Our Religion - 22-07-2022
She Bites – Super Hero - 22-07-2022
Gathering of Kings – Enigmatic - 29-07-2022
Cats In Space – Kickstart The Sun - 29-07-2022
H.E.A.T – Force Majeure - 05-08-2022
Hydra – Point Break - 12-08-2022
Mad Max – Wings Of Time - 02-09-2022
Ginevra – We Belong to the Stars - 16-09-2022
House Of Lords – Saints and Sinners - 16-09-2022
Lastworld – Escape The Eclipse - 23-09-2022
Trishula – We All Fall Down - 30-09-2022
Captain Black Beard – Neon Sunrise - 07-10-2022
Perfect Plan – Brace for Impact - 14-10-2022
Orianthi – Rock Candy - 14-10-2022
Satin – Appetition - 14-10-2022
Chez Kane – Powerzone - 21-10-2022
Grand – Grand - 21-10-2022
The Roads – - 18-11-2022
Black Paisley – Human Nature - 25-11-2022
StreetLore – StreetLore - 25-11-2022
Rob Moratti – Epical - 09-12-2022


The year 2022 in progressive

The year 2022 in progressive:
After the Spotify playlist of melodic rock and hard rock albums of the year 2022, here are the albums in the progressive field that I reviewed in 2022 and, like the previous playlist, the choice was not easy, 2022 having also been very rich in all styles of progressive whether with the major bands of this style or with lesser-known ones:

Artist – Album – Release date – Progressive style
Karfagen – Land of Green and Gold - 07-01-2022 – Rock
Lighthouse Sparrow - Aerials - 14-01-2022 – Rock
ShredxXx – Celestial Prophecies, Vol. 1 - 14-01-2022 – Rock/Metal
Big Big Train – Welcome To The Planet - 28-01-2022 – Rock
AnaphorA – Exode - 31-01-2022 - Rock
Syrinx Call – Mirrorneuron - 10-02-2022 - Symphonic
Rick Miller – Old Souls - 11-02-2022 – Atmospheric
Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Star One – Revel In Time - 18-02-2022 – Metal
Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side –
Miles From Nowhere - 18-02-2022 – Pop/Rock
Grandval – Eau et Feu - 25-02-2022 – Rock
CEN-ProjekT – The Lost One - 01-03-2022 – Rock
The Flower Kings – By Royal Decree - 03-03-2022 – Rock
Marillion – An Hour Before It's Dark - 04-03-2022 – Rock
Knight Area – D-Day II – The Final Chapter - 04-03-2022 – Rock
JPL – Sapiens Chapitre 3/3 : Actum - 11-03-2022 – Rock
Karcius – Grey White Silver Yellow and Gold - 18-03-2022 – Rock/Metal
Wyvern – Radiations - 18-03-2022 – Rock/Metal
Kaprekar's Constant – The Murder Wall - 25-03-2022 – Pop/Rock
Subspace Radio – Aika - 25-03-2022 – Rock
Bjørn Riis – Everything to Everyone - 08-04-2022 – Rock Atmospheric
Strange Pop – Ten Years Gone - 11-04-2022 – Rock Atmospheric
Dimitri Toonen – Sounds From Emotions - 15-04-2022 – Rock
Adventure – Tales of Belle Part 1: Across the Ocean - 22-04-2022 – Symphonic
Kaipa – Urskog - 29-04-2022 - Rock
Spheric Universe Experience – Back Home - 20-05-2022 - Metal
The Tangent – Songs From The Hard Shoulder - 10-06-2022 - Rock
Seventh Wonder – The Testament - 10-06-2022 - Metal
Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation - 24-06-2022 – Rock/Metal
CEN-ProjekT – C4 - 01-07-2022 - Rock
Inhalo – Sever - 24-06-2022 – Rock/Metal
Backfire – The Two of Us - 04-07-2022 - Metal
Alan Parsons – From the New World - 15-07-2022 - Rock
Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate – The Confidence Trick - 29-07-2022 - Rock
Fascination Curve – Corona Times in Amerika - 04-08-2022 - Rock
SiX By SiX – SiX By SiX - 19-08-2022 - Rock
Lonely Robot – A Model Life - 26-08-2022 - Rock
Steve Hackett – Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More - 02-09-2022 - Rock
Figure Of Speechless – Tunnel at the End of the Night - 02-09-2022 – Rock/Metal
Sedate Illusion – Time is not the End + Black Untold - 07-09-2022 - Metal
Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso – Orlando: Le Forme dell'Amore - 23-09-2022 - Rock
Queensrÿche – Digital Noise Alliance - 07-10-2022 - Metal
Millenium – Tales from Imaginary Movies - 14-10-2022 - Rock
Evership – The Uncrowned King:Act 2 - 14-10-2022 - Rock
Royal Hunt – Dystopia, Pt. 2 - 28-10-2022 - Metal
MindAhead – 6119, Pt. 1 - 28-10-2022 - Metal
Flamborough Head – Jumping The Milestone - 03-11-2022 – Symphonic
Galahad – The Last Great Adventurer - 07-11-2022 - Rock
Oak – The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise - 11-11-2022 - Rock
Threshold – Dividing Lines - 18-11-2022 – Rock/Metal
Avandra – Prodigal - 18-11-2022 – Rock/Metal
Gandalf's Fist – Widdershins - 25-11-2022 – Rock
CEN-ProjekT – BIG - 28-11-2022 - Rock
Collage – Over And Out - 30-11-2022 - Rock
Arrayan Path – Thus Always to Tyrants - 09-12-2022 - Power metal


Artist : Landfall

Album : Elevate

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 04-01-2023

And to restart the year 2023, I will come back to some albums from the end of 2022, first with melodic rock and hard rock, the first five reviews being dedicated to them. To start, it was the Brazilians of 'Landfall' who released their second album 'Elevate' after 'The Turning Point' in 2020. These are 11 new titles that are offered to us in this new opus in good melodic hard rock, the sequence of the first three titles giving us good energy with very effective melodic lines. The sequel is in the image of this beginning with catchy compositions and memorable choruses, the ballad not being forgotten with 'The Wind' and the last title 'Chance to Destiny' offering a last addictive chorus that never leaves you. and a superb guitar solo. In summary, 'Elevate' shows all the talent of this Brazilian group, which is only on its second album, but which already has all the assets to rise to the level of the tenors of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Gui Oliver (Vocal), Marcelo Gelbcke (Guitar), Thiago Forbeci (Bass), Felipe Souzza (Drums)


Artist : Tarmat

Album : Out of the Blue

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 05-01-2023

Decidedly, Brazil is in the spotlight because, after the second album of 'Landfall', it is the turn of their compatriots from the group 'Tarmat' to release a first studio recording 'Out of the Blue' but which stands out from 'Landfall' because their style is more moderate in a light AOR. Indeed, after the opening title 'Backbone Feeling' which is the most energetic of the album, more moderate compositions parade with for example the title song which takes us between pop and rock in a memorable melody with the accompaniment of radiant brass. We continue in a westcoast atmosphere with the following titles 'Moving Backwards' and 'Gibberish' then 'Rosetta Stone' is slightly more energetic in a classy AOR that we will find in 'True Colors'. But the second part of the album contains more delicate compositions with the quiet 'More Than Less', the mid-tempo 'Your Enemy' bringing us back to the sounds of the 80s or even 'Dinner's On The House' with its memorable melodic lines, the album ending with the very beautiful acoustic 'The Knight'. In short, if you like a peaceful AOR with some incursions into more energetic melodic rock, you should like 'Out of the Blue' which is very quickly tamed thanks to catchy melodic lines from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexandre Daumerie (Vocal), Eduardo Marcolino (Guitar), Gabriel Aquino (Keybords), José Marcus (Bass), Rafael Marcolino (Drums)


Artist : Tommy DeCarlo

Album : Dancing in the Moonlight

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 06-01-2023

Direction the United States for this third chronicle of the year dedicated to rock and melodic hard rock with 'Tommy DeCarlo' who is the singer and keyboardist of 'Boston' and who had released a first album in 2020 with his son under the name of band 'Decarlo' and this under the leadership of the label 'Frontiers Records' which does it again with this first solo album 'Dancing in the Moonlight'. In an AOR style bringing us back to the 70s/80s, he delivers 12 compositions that he co-composed with the inevitable 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who is also the producer of the album. We therefore embark on a journey through time with similarities to the formations of the time, 'Boston' obviously coming to mind. It starts with the title song which sets the scene with an unstoppable melody, then the sequel scrolls through addictive choruses which give the impression of already knowing them by heart like 'Change Our Fate', 'Beyond Forever', 'Life Is Just a Game', 'The Game Is On' or even 'The Road Will Lead To You'. And when the tempo is more languorous, 'Tommy DeCarlo' offers us melodic jewels that are 'No Surrender', 'In the Hands of Fate' and 'Spread Your Wings And Fly'. In summary, whether with his group 'Decarlo' or solo, the American 'Tommy DeCarlo' offers us timeless melodies that we have great pleasure in listening to and 'Dancing in the Moonlight' should appeal to all fans of a classy AOR taking us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy DeCarlo (Vocal), David Julian (Guitar), Martin Jepsen Andersen (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords, Choirs), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums)


Artist : Remedy

Album : Something That Your Eyes Won't See

Release Date : 16-12-2022

Added : 07-01-2023

In this selection of the latest melodic rock and hard rock albums from the end of 2022, it is again a formation from the Nordic countries that is in the spotlight with the Swedes of 'Remedy' who released their first recording studio in December 2022. It is the guitarist 'Roland Forsman' who composes for other groups who is at the origin of this new project and who had the time to compose quite a few titles during the last years of the pandemic this which allowed him to put some aside to release this 'Something That Your Eyes Won't See'. Mixed and mastered by 'Erik Mårtensson', another well-known Swede ('Eclipse', 'W.E.T.'), it's no surprise that we can put ourselves between the ears of the melodic hits which are 10 in number for 40 minutes of listening. We therefore spend a very good time listening to this opus and the first four titles set the tone of the album with catchy rhythms and melodic lines that get into your head very quickly. Between these energetic compositions, the ballad breaks are not forgotten with the two melodic jewels that are 'Sundays In Silence' and Lifeline'. In short, Sweden continues to deliver good melodic hard rock and this 'Something That Your Eyes Won't See' has just been added to the long playlist that I had concocted for you for the rock and melodic hard rock albums of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert van der Zwan (Vocal, Guitar), Roland Forsman (Guitar), Jonas Öijvall (Keybords), Jonas Dicklo (Bass), Fredrik Karlberg (Drums)


Artist : Chris Antblad

Album : The end of the beginning

Release Date : 23-12-2022

Added : 08-01-2023

And for this last chronicle of rock and melodic hard rock albums from the end of 2022, here is the last album of 'Chris Antblad' which spoiled us in 2020 and 2021 with no less than three albums ('Age of Concord III', 'Age of Concord IV' , 'Age of Concord 80') and which, after 'Sweet Surrender' in June 2022, released end of December a new studio recording 'The end of the beginning'. Throughout 2022, Chris has released all these titles as singles that can be found on spotify and then compiled into albums. And as usual, we are still under the spell listening to these addictive refrains starting with the mid-tempo 'Deep in your eyes' which takes us back to the best of the 80s, then parade melodic jewels starting by the catchy rhythms of 'You started something new', 'I Will never run', 'Summeryoung', 'The one that got away' or even 'She is waiting by the telephone'. And, at the worst of repeating myself, 'Chris Antblad' also has a talent for quieter compositions, and in this album, we can cite the very beautiful 'Now when the brighter days are gone', 'Maybe I'm dreaming' and 'We had it all'. In summary, the year 2022 ended very well with this beautiful album by 'Chris Antblad' which once again takes us into his endearing universe with new catchy melodies which run through your head from the first listen, and which perpetuate this mix of pop and melodic rock that has now become timeless...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Antblad (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : After Lapse

Album : Face the Storm

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 10-01-2023

'After Lapse' is a Spanish progressive metal formation created in 2018 and which released a first album 'Face the Storm' in December 2022. Under the leadership of 'Frontiers Music', a label which is more accustomed to producing rock artists and melodic hard rock, this new project has all the assets to compete with the tenors of the genre because their influences are drawn from the last 20 years of progressive and we can recognize different progressive formations in the broad sense ranging from rock to metal. With 11 tracks, they favour fairly short durations for progressive, not exceeding 6 minutes but still leaving plenty of room for sophisticated and inventive constructions with fairly immediate accessibility thanks to catchy melodic lines.

'Thrive' welcomes us with an instrumental that sets the scene for the album and with a first melody that can recall the epic atmospheres deployed in 'The Astonishing' by 'Dream Theater'. With 'Where No One Cares', we get to the heart of the matter with a first title which shows a very melodic face and which offers a progressive construction with a good alternation between sung parts (very good by the way by 'Rubén Miranda') and provided instrumental sections, the unifying chorus bringing a fairly immediate hook, then, 'Come Undone' (see the video above) develops a more metal atmosphere with a more pronounced aggressiveness in the singing of 'Rubén Miranda' and in the guitar riffs, the whole being more direct and less progressive. Follows the title song (see the video here) which is more moderate and deploys, on a mid-tempo, a remarkable crescendo ending with a very beautiful guitar solo, then falls back to start again on a final all in power. Make way for 'Beyond the End' which shows a quieter face in the form of a magnificent semi-acoustic with a new chorus which immediately sticks in the head and which can still recall the atmosphere of 'The Astonishing', then 'The Lie' returns to inventive progressive metal with alternating rhythms and intensities, the oriental melodic lines with the very beautiful instrumental passage in the middle of the title bringing a zest of scenery, which makes it one of the major pieces of the album. In the continuity of the previous title, 'Through This War' continues in this sought-after progressive metal with a hardening of the tone brought by a muscular rhythm section which leads the dance with multiple changes of tempos, the whole always keeping melodic lines accessible. The Spaniards continue to fill us with what follows and the titles 'More' (remarkable central guitar solo) and 'Facta Non Verba' (very beautiful neo-classical passage) are still very beautiful examples of this melodic progressive, the album ending with the short instrumental 'Heal' which brings us back to much quieter lands in a symphonic atmosphere and 'Along The Way' which ends the album in a very beautiful way with a refined ballad with a very beautiful melancholy trio singing/piano/cello.

In summary, if we had to define this magnificent album by the Spaniards of After Lapse', I would say that it could be a good entry for all those who want to discover progressive metal because it integrates, at the same time, all the ingredients of an inventive and sought-after progressive while keeping a fairly immediate accessibility thanks to accessible melodic lines, but 'Face the Storm' goes far beyond a simple progressive metal album because the Spaniards offer us a panel of different styles that they merge in a very beautiful way and, for my part, this already very mature first album is my favorite of the end of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Rubén Miranda (Vocal), Jorge Escudero (Guitar), Pablo Sancha (Keybords, Choirs), Javier Palacios (Bass), Roberto Cappa (Drums) + Guests : Pedro J. Monge (Guitar), Carlos Lozano (Guitar), Alicia Avilés Valero (Cello)


Artist : Deathless Legacy

Album : Mater Larvarum

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 11-01-2023

I did not know the Italian group 'Deathless Legacy', nor the style they claim, the 'horror metal' and, listening to their latest album 'Mater Larvarum', I found a mixture of styles which I like with a fusion of symphonic metal, gothic metal, melodic metal and progressive metal. Known for doing very theatrical shows featuring scary makeup, the Italians are used to releasing concept albums that they always accompany with an associated book (see their page with their different stories here) and 'Mater Larvarum' are no exception in exploring, I quote the band, "feminine ferocity, frightening silences and shadows from the underground": quite a program!

And yet, despite the always very dark themes mixing occult sciences, devilry and esotericism, the melodic lines are catchy from the first listen and can be compared to the tenors of symphonic metal and this, from the start with 'Ora Pro Nobis' (see the video above), a very catchy title which makes the link with the theme only by remarkable choirs in a religious atmosphere. We also find this lively and playful side in the majority of the compositions, and we can quote titles like ''Hollow', 'The Coven', 'Absolution', 'Queen Of The Infernal Pantheon' or even 'Moonless Night' with choruses that immediately stick in your head. In a more theatrical but just as melodic metal, the Italians also offer us 'Fade Into The Dark' in which 'Steva' shows all his vocal talent or the rhythmic mid-tempo marked 'Moonless Night' (see the video here) automatically starting the foot tapping machine, atmosphere that we will find in 'Altar Of Bones' with its more disturbing atmosphere and more in phase with the deployed theme. We find this same atmosphere in the last two compositions : first of all with 'Run' which again highlights a very expressive vocal performance of 'Steva' on a melody giving off a feeling of oppression and anguish interspersed with a remarkable more sedate section with a very beautiful guitar solo, then with the final title song in a heavier and more epic atmosphere deploying an addictive melody with very beautiful grandiose choirs.

In summary, the Italians of 'Deathless Legacy', led by a talented singer who has nothing to envy to the best female metal singers, release a very beautiful album which shows that their horror metal label is finally quite restrictive and certainly scares some people when they can claim a place of choice in the best symphonic and gothic metal formations. If you want to also discover the previous albums, I put you the spotify links on their last three albums, 'The Gathering' from 2015, 'Dance with Devils' from 2017 and 'Ritual of Black Magic' from 2018 as well as the single 'Saturnalia' which is actually a long and beautiful title of 24 minutes which shows the very progressive side of the group...

Line Up / Musicians

Steva (Vocal), Sergent Bones (Guitar), Alex van Eden (Keybords), Deadwood Nick (Bass), Frater Orion (Drums)


Artist : Highway Queen

Album : Bitter Soul

Release Date : 16-12-2022

Added : 12-01-2023

'Highway Queen' is a new project from Finland and their first album takes us back a few decades in a classic and direct hard rock style. Created in 2019 and led by singer 'Virpi Kääriäinen', they deliver 8 compositions for a fairly short duration for a 37-minute EP. From the start, with the heavy mid-tempo 'Hey!' (See the video above), the marked rhythm section gives you an irresistible desire to headbang on sharp guitar riffs and accompany 'Virpi Kääriäinen' in the chorus, then, the energetic 'Get On Your Knees' (see the video here) adds a layer of it and deploys new catchy melodic lines. The sequel is in the image of these first two titles with memorable melodies and, we can mention the hard rock rubbish that are the festive 'Here I Am', the fast 'I Dim The Lights' or even 'In Vain' which is the longest title of the album and which, after a quiet introduction, pours us one of the heaviest compositions of the album with a very beautiful break in the second part and a heavy and powerful finale with a very beautiful solo of guitar. We can't miss the mid-tempo of the title song either (see the video here) in a very heavy blues/rock which is a pure delight and the Finns end the album with 'Own Will' which alternates different intensities and which is certainly, with 'In Vain', the most varied title of the album with quiet sections, then heavy rhythmic passages marked and a finale in apotheosis accelerating the rhythm.

In short, even if they won't revolutionize the style, the Finns are releasing an excellent first album by delivering good hard rock that takes us back a few decades, all of this being interpreted in a beautiful way by a talented singer and musicians who bring all the necessary energy for this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Virpi Kääriäinen (Vocal), Teemu Kääriäinen (Guitar), Juha Skog (Bass), Henri Backman (Drums)


Albums not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q4 2022

This playlist features albums released in Q4 2022 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

October 2022
10/07/2022 Living Tales - Persephone - Progressive Metal
10/07/2022 Sleeping Romance - We All Are Shadows - Symphonic Metal
10/07/2022 Maraton - Unseen Color - Progressive Rock
10/14/2022 Skid Row - The Gang's All There - Hard Rock
10/14/2022 Here It Is - Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen - Song 0
10/14/2022 My Own Ghost - Shadow People - Alternative Metal
10/18/2022 A Gardening Club Project - Mr. October and the Moon of Madness - Progressive Rock
10/21/2022 Joe Bonamassa - Road To Redemption (EP) - Blues/Rock
10/21/2022 Orden Ogan - Final Days (Orden Ogan and Friends) - Power Metal
10/21/2022 John Mellecamp - Howling At The Moon (Live 1994) - Country, Folk, Rock
10/21/2022 Avatarium - Death, Where Is Your Sting - Doom Metal
10/21/2022 Samsara Blues Experiment - Demos & Rarities - Stoner, Psychédélique, Doom
10/21/2022 Marcin Pajak - The Maze - Progressive Rock
10/21/2022 Simple Minds - Direction of the Heart - Electro Rock 0
10/28/2022 Steve Perry - The Season - Song
10/28/2022 Anima Morte - Serpents in the Fields of Sleep - Instrumental Progressive Rock
10/28/2022 Lunatica - Back to the 80's Remix - Symphonic Metal
10/28/2022 Gun - The Calton Songs - Rock
November 2022
11/01/2022 The Prophets of Zarquon - Solstice - Progressive Rock/Folk
11/04/2022 Stranger Vision - Wasteland - Power Metal
11/04/2022 Pyramid - Rage - Progressive Metal
11/11/2022 Powerwolf - Missa Cantorem II - Power Metal
11/11/2022 Henrik Freischlader - Recorded by Martin Meinschäfer II - Blues/Rock
11/11/2022 Nicklas Sonne - Resonance - Heavy Metal
11/15/2022 Dirt Poor Robins - Queen of the Night - Steampunk
11/18/2022 Arc Of Life - Don't Look Down - Progressive Rock
11/18/2022 Ayreon - Universal Migrator, Pt. I & II (2022 Remixed & Remastered) - Progressive Metal
11/18/2022 Spellbast - Classified – V - Heavy Metal
11/18/2022 Lavina - Odyssey - Progressive Metal
11/25/2022 Krell - Deserts - Melodic Hard Rock
December 2022
12/02/2022 Midnight Oil - LIVE at the Old Lion, Adelaide 1982 - Rock
12/02/2022 Red - Until We Have Faces Live and Unplugged - Heavy Metal
12/09/2022 Mark Knopfler - Cinematic Knopfler - Movie Soundtrack
12/21/2022 Santana - The Breathing Flame (Live) - Latino Rock
12/09/2022 CrowsVSRavens - We Shall Have to Learn - Progressive Metal


Artist : Halestorm

Album : Back From the Dead (Deluxe)

Release Date : 16-12-2022

Added : 15-01-2023

To end with the albums released in 2022, it is the Americans of Halestorm' who are releasing a deluxe version of the album 'Back From the Dead', the standard version of which dates from the beginning of May 2022 and which had not subject of a chronicle in myprogmusic, for lack of time, the days being only 24 hours! Following on from 'Vicious' from 2018, this last album, quite short in its initial version (37 short minutes) offered us 11 direct titles not exceeding 3 minutes, always favouring efficiency with hard rock rubbish releasing extraordinary power, 'Lzzy Hale' rewarding us with always very explosive vocal performances starting with the enormous eponymous title (see the video above) which set the scene with the heavy guitar riffs of 'Joe Hottinger' and a hellish rhythm section led by the bassist 'Josh Smith' and drummer 'Joe Hottinger' (videos from Wicked Ways and The Steeple available on the band's Youtube channel). In the middle of this excess of energy, two titles allowed us to breathe a little with, first of all, the magnificent 'Terrible Thing' showing that 'Lzzy Haale' also knows how to soften his singing to offer us beautiful refined vocal performances, then 'Raise Your Horns which is a very beautiful piano/voice ballad. And for this deluxe version which will be released in streaming at the end of 2022, 'Halestrom' has added 7 tracks which should satisfy fans, and which are very varied, with first, the catchy 'Mine' which shows a pop face and quite away from the titles of the short version, then, we find all the energy of the Americans in an unleashed 'Heavy MeNtal'. The sequel has nothing to envy to the titles of the standard edition with 'Legendary' and 'You Only Die Once' which automatically start the headbanging machine, or with 'Wannabe' and 'Alien' which take us back to the melodic hard rock from the 80s or with the rhythmic 'Special' which closes the album. In short, this deluxe version adds certainly more diversified compositions than the standard version, which means that the whole shows all the facets of this formation which has now taken an unavoidable place in modern international hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lzzy Hale (Vocal, guitare, claviers), Arejay Hale (Drums, Choirs), Joe Hottinger (Guitar, Choirs), Josh Smith (Bass, Choirs)


Artist : The Aaron Clift Experiment

Album : The Age of Misinformation

Release Date : 06-01-2023

Added : 18-01-2023

'The Aaron Clift Experiment' is an American band that was created in 2012 and whose last album I reviewed 'If All Goes Wrong' from 2018. And for this first chronicle of progressive music from 2023, it is therefore its successor 'The Age of Misinformation' which is in the spotlight. Mixing different styles with influences drawn from 50 years of progressive and forays into symphonic music and jazz, 'Aaron Clift' describes his latest baby as "a conceptual work about the destructive power of lies and the search for truth in the face of overwhelming odds, 'The Age of Misinformation' marks a high point for our lyrical ambition, musical creativity, and emotional resonance." Of course, this theme is linked to the two years 2020 and 2021 of the pandemic with all its faults and, in particular, the propaganda oriented without objectivity which was our daily lot during this period, but 'Aaron Clift' is not only complete in criticism but also brings optimism, bad experiences are always beneficial for the future.

And to begin, the title song sets the scene with, first of all, a bitter criticism which is declaimed and which is reminiscent of the atmospheres that 'Roger Waters' can release, then, the title takes its flight and deploys a first rhythmic releasing a feeling of urgency with some more moderate passages. The album is well launched, and the atmosphere is intended to be lighter in the introduction of the following title 'L.I.A.R.' which gradually gains momentum after a little over a minute to deliver catchy melodic lines, the vocal harmonies bringing a feeling of freshness and Anthony Basini's guitar solo in the second part being quite remarkable fact. Always very radiant, it is in a jazzy atmosphere with the resplendent brass of the 'Big Wy's Brass Band' that the following title 'Bet on Zero' (see video below) welcomes us and which will make us peregrine in a warm atmosphere throughout the 10 minutes. of this title with magnificent solos of the different brass instruments and a beautiful drum solo. We continue our beautiful heterogeneous musical journey with 'Dark Secrets' by returning to more classic progressive rock alternating different intensities, the singing of Aaron Clift' wanting to be rougher which brings a worrying and tortured atmosphere. We continue with 'Rise' which is inventive and sought-after progressive with beautiful catchy melodic lines and luminous vocal arrangements alternating with very beautiful instrumental passages, then, 'The Color of Flight' delicately tickles our ears with soft sounds and relaxing, the strings bringing a beautiful melancholy to this title and Aaron Clift's singing being very soothing and well in phase with the atmosphere deployed in this very beautiful composition. With 'Málaga', the tone is more carefree with, again, strings, which this time envelop us on catchy and harmonious melodic lines, then 'Weight of the World' ends this very beautiful album with a magnificent ballad on which we abandon ourselves completely and which brings a beautiful melancholy.

In summary, 'Aaron Clift', accompanied by talented artists, continues to offer us a magnificent melting pot of different progressive influences and this 'The Age of Misinformation', despite a rather dark subject on the years past, offers a beautiful musical optimism with catchy compositions and should make happy all lovers of a rich and diversified progressive that we appropriate as we listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Aaron Clift (Vocal, Keybords), Anthony Basini (Guitar, Choirs), Clif Warren (Bass), Pablo Ranlett-López (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Zach Matteson (Violin), Charles Anderson (Violin), Jason Elinoff (Viola), Ellie Prager (Cello), Big Wy's Brass Band (Ethan Brown / Trumpet, Austin Johanning / Trumpet, Justin Dunlap / Trombone, William Wright / Trombone, Marcus Cardwell / Saxophone Viola, Colin Houlihan / Saxophone Barython)


Artist : Kamala

Album : limbo666

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 13-01-2023

Very discreet on the web, the Germans of 'Kamala' are releasing a new album, 'libom666', which is already the third after 'Radial Perception' in 2018 and 'Your Sugar' in 2019. Listening to the first titles of this latest opus, we find ourselves a few decades back in the psychedelic period with compositions strongly borrowed from sounds of the time and the first name that came to me in mind is the group 'The Doors' with their legendary title 'Riders on the Storm' released more than fifty years ago. So we embark on compositions that could have emerged in the late 60s, the style being known for hypnotic sounds and catchy melodic lines rock us throughout the album. Whatever the atmosphere of the title, the guitars and the keyboards deliver us chords bringing out these psychedelic atmospheres of the time and, in order not to make a title by title, I will quote the titles which have marked me the most as the catchy title track, 'Cut The Wire' with its sound effects from another era (see the video above), the energetic 'Freudian Autocorrect' which puts a little spice in the whole and 'Narcisse' which may recall some of the 'Beatles' tracks from the late 70s. In short, if you want to take a nice trip back in time to the era of 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' from the 'Beatles' or 'The End' from 'The Doors' or 'White Rabbit' from 'Jefferson Airplane' or the album 'Fifth Dimension' from 'The Byrds' to name only a few, you've come to the right place and 'limbo666' should take you, for a moment, to hypnotic rhythmics and haunting melodies characteristic of the psychedelic style that emerged in the course of the 60s and that the Germans of 'Kamala' manage to transcribe very well...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Kämper (Vocal), Hannes Gröschner (Bass), Theo Rolfs (Guitar), Eric Glatzel (Guitar, Keybords), Henry Mitko (Drums)


Artist : Baris Dai

Album : Ambiant Conditions

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 14-01-2023

'Baris Dai' is a Dutch musician trying to get his music out there and has released two EPs which I've compiled into a spotify playlist above. Part 1 of 'Ambiant Conditions' was released in March 2021 and Part 2 in December 2022, forming a set of about thirty minutes. Entirely instrumental, his compositions are influenced by several decades of progressive, and he takes us on a beautiful musical journey in which he mixes different styles ranging from atmospheric to metal. Each EP includes three titles that follow one another and the first 'The Days Get Longer After All' is a good summary of the atmospheres deployed with an introduction that makes me think of the atmospheres of 'Mark Knopfler' in his film music and which takes scale gradually to become energetic with the arrival of saturated guitar riffs on catchy melodic lines which fall on the end with some guitar notes. Without transition, the atmosphere is more peaceful in the introduction of 'And A New Cycle Begins' (see the video above with very beautiful landscapes), then, alternate different intensities and rhythms with a beautiful break in the second part of the title before ending on a new crescendo in which 'Baris Dai' offers us a very beautiful guitar solo. We continue on 'Then Warmth Of Scarce Sunlight' (see the video here) which again puts the guitar in all its forms, all of first with some delicious arpeggios, then with a rise in power and a new magnificent solo supported by saturated riffs, the title ending as it had started in a very clean way. The second EP is in the same style as the first and, 'Baris Dai' has concocted three other compositions for us with 'When Nature Wakes Up' which, this time, begins in a light and bucolic atmosphere which then grows and which offers a new guitar solo which draws a pleasant melody, then, 'Vivid Green and Birds Singing' is more energetic with a beautiful central break, and the album ends with 'The Rebirth Is Complete' which offers us a last instrumental with , once again, an opposition between ambient parts and other more muscular ones, the guitar adding each time the little extra to captivate the listener.

In summary, these two short EPs of 'Baris Dai' show all the talent of the Dutchman as a composer, and if you are a fan of instrumentals highlighting the electric guitar in all its forms, you should definitely join to 'Ambient Conditions'...

Line Up / Musicians

Baris Dai (Guitar, Programmation)


Artist : Mark Murdock

Album : False Readings

Release Date : 01-01-2023

Added : 17-01-2023

Released on the first day of this new year, an album has not made a stir in the progressive sphere: it is 'False Readings' by keyboardist, drummer and singer 'Mark Murdock' who gravitates in the musical world of progressive and who records albums under his name but who also has another project in parallel, 'Cymbalic Encounters' whose latest album 'Overexposure' was released in September 2022. Surrounded by a large number of artists, including 'Fernando Perdomo' and a good part of the group 'Nektar', his latest baby follows the first two solo albums, 'The Phoenix Has Risen' in 2020 and 'Visitors from Another Planet' in 2021, and offers us 10 compositions which are quite direct and which mix classic pop and rock with a good dose of progressive, all taking us back to the years 70/80 with in particular formations like 'Yes' or 'Genesis' for the progressive side and for the more direct side, groups like 'Toto' or 'The Alan Parsons Project'. The constructions highlight a good alternation between parts sung by 'Tim Pepper' (from the very good group 'The ID' in which 'Mark Murdock' was drummer), and sought-after instrumental sections, as evidenced by the latest track 'Ending World Overture' which is fully instrumental. Note that the whole album has been the subject of videos on his youtube page and you can see them here.

In summary, even if the style is quite linear on all the compositions, 'Mark Murdock' gratifies us with a very good album interpreted by the hands of masters by talented artists and 'False Readings' should appeal to an entire public having been raised on the bottles of the major progressive bands of the 70s/80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Murdock (Drums, Keybords, Percussions), Tim Pepper (Vocal) + Guests : Fernando Perdomo (Guitar), Ron Howden (Drums), Derek ‘Mo’ Moore (Bass), Ryche Chlanda (Guitar), Kendall Scott (Keybords), Ken Hall (Guitar), Katsumi Yoneda (Guitar), Dave Juteau (Guitar), Daniel Kubota (Guitar)


Artist : Astral Magic

Album : We Are Stardust

Release Date : 06-01-2023

Added : 19-01-2023

After the Germans from 'Kamala' with 'limbo66' released in December 2022, it's the turn of the Finns of Astral Magic' to present their latest album 'We Are Stardust' which was released at the beginning of January 2023. This project was created by singer, bassist and keyboardist 'Santtu Laakso' known for being the leader of the 'Dark Sun' project in the 90s, and the rest of the line-up consists of guitarist and violinist 'Jonathan Segel' and by guitarist 'Samuli Sailo'. Referring to their bancamp page, and given the youth of the project which is only three short years old, 'Santtu Laakso' has already released an impressive number of albums (no less than a dozen for 2022) which cover the whole of the psychedelic with the experiments and musical research attached to this style, the long instrumentals giving pride of place to electronic sounds and the songs with hypnotic melodies that some 60s bands performed under the influence of LSD.

As for 'We Are Stardust', these are sung compositions that take us back a few decades. The eponymous title of the album begins the album and reminds me of certain sounds of the first two albums of 'Status Quo', 'Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo' and 'Spare Parts' before they completely change their style, then the catchy 'The Simulacra' continues in the same sixties style and 'Drop It' unrolls languorous melodies with electronic effects of another age. 'Virtual Fixtures' changes tone by offering us a fast tempo with vintage guitar sounds still in the atmosphere of the time and, again change of scenery with the quiet 'Bottle Up Inside' in which we are lulled by the electric guitar accompaniment. The sequel continues to provide us with soaring atmospheres and relaxing psychedelic sounds: I'm hooked on 'Out in the Wild', 'They Walk Among Us' and 'Out in the Cold' which are in the same vein as their predecessors, a little less on 'Lost Planet', and the album ends with the catchy melody of 'Violet Sky' which, one last time, offers us a song imbued with serenity and a saturated guitar sound from another era.

In summary, with the Finns of Astral Magic', we embark on a psychedelic journey taking us back more than fifty years and if you subscribe to 'We Are The Stardust', you can also discover all the other albums which are also available on spotify and which should make you have a great time during the long evenings of this winter period...

Line Up / Musicians

Santtu Laakso (Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Jonathan Segel (Guitar, Violin), Samuli Sailo (Guitar)


Artist : Sunchild

Album : Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream

Release Date : 09-01-2023

Added : 20-01-2023






Between the two projects by Antony Kalugin', 'Karfagen' and 'Sunchild' to which you can add his solo productions, difficult to navigate but, to sum up, whatever his project, this artist always offers us very good progressive rock albums with a symphonic tendency and the latest 'Sunchild', 'Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream', released in early January 2023, will not contradict it. After the series of three very good albums by 'Karfagen', 'Echoes From Within Dragon Island' from 2019, 'Birds of Passage' from 2020 and 'Land of Green and Gold' from 2022 and shorter than the previous 'Sunchild' album, 'Messages from Afar: The Division and Illusion of Time', this latest opus by the Ukrainian who went into exile in Poland includes two long developments, one of 26 minutes and the other of 14 minutes, the last two titles being more anecdotal (it exists a version with the singles of the short versions of the two long titles which are available on spotify here for 'Life Lines' and here for 'Northern Skies').

We are welcomed by the master piece 'Life Lines' which alone is worth the purchase of this album, and which offers us a majestic piece made up of many drawers which would take too long to dissect one by one and, Consequently, I will simply say that everything has been done to offer us rich and sophisticated symphonic progressive which draws its influences from the last five decades, each moment bringing to the listener references to different formations, starting with the precursors of 70s which have become essential and which have given this style its letters of nobility. Antony Kalugin's talent as a composer is always present with numerous rhythmic and melodic changes which make it a progressive monument that it is obviously necessary to appropriate, little by little, after multiple listenings, the musical grail slowly taking on its full dimension. But, despite all this overflowing inspiration, the composer would not be much without a quality interpretation and we can emphasize that each artist brings his stone to the building, with of course the talent of Antony Kalugin' on keyboards and vocals, well supported by the female choirs, and I'm also thinking of guitarist 'Alexandr Pavlov' who has nothing to envy to a certain 'David Gilmour', but also 'Ivan Goritski' on drums and 'Konstantin Ionenko' on the bass which ensure a remarkable rhythmic section by adapting perfectly to the many changes of intensities, and also to the more furtive interventions of 'Yan Vedaman' on the saxophone and 'Sergii Kovalov' on the accordion. We continue with 'Northern Skies', a little shorter, but which certainly shows a more melancholy face and which this time, highlights the singing talent of 'Maria Panasenko' in addition to that of Antony Kalugin' by forming a magnificent vocal duo which, for my part, deserves to be more present in the compositions of 'Karfagen' and 'Sunchild' on studio recordings (the two singers 'Maria Panasenko' and 'Olha Rostovska' already having the habit to perform in concert with 'Antony Kalugin'). This composition brings a very special emotion and makes us rise warm on a cosy little cloud with many triggers of this little shiver so characteristic of an immense listening pleasure. As I already said in the introduction, the last two titles are more anecdotal and consist of two short titles: the instrumental 'Timeless Motion' which takes up the theme of 'Life Lines' in orchestral and 'Northern Lights' which carries one last time in a melancholy atmosphere with a string accompaniment, a very beautiful aerial song and a last magnificent 'Gilmourian' solo.

In summary, it is no surprise that 'Antony Klugin' gratifies us with an admirable new album which should join the list of essential albums for all fans of symphonic progressive and 'Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream' further demonstrates that 'Antony Kalugin', accompanied by talented artists, is a safe bet in contemporary progressive rock and should be one of the major progressive albums of the year 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Vocoder, Percussions), Ivan Goritski (Drums), Alexandr Pavlov (Guitar), Max Velychko (Guitar), Konstantin Ionenko (Bass), Yan Vedaman (Saxophone), Sergii Kovalov (Accordion), Olha Rostovska (Choirs), Maria Panasenko (Vocal, Choirs), Dmytro Ignatov (Guitar)


Artist : Beyond The Black

Album : Beyond The Black

Release Date : 13-01-2023

Added : 21-01-2023

In 2017, I predicted a bright future for them in the great family of symphonic metal, and I wrote in my review of their second album 'Lost In Forever': "To conclude, with this 'Lost In Forever', 'Beyond The Black' is making a place for itself in the sun and could very quickly become the spearhead of international symphonic metal thanks to a very accessible style which is likely to reach the general public...". Six years later and still with the same line up as their debut, a new 'Beyond The Black' album is now a release that all fans of symphonic metal are waiting for, because we are sure to be able to get between ears an uninterrupted series of hits that hook you from the first listen.

The proof is still there with this opus which simply bears the name of the group and the Germans had already revealed part of it by releasing various singles and the EP 'Dancing In The Dark' in December 2022 in which each title had been the subject of a video: first of all, 'Is There Anybody Out There?' (see the video above), which opens the album and which also opens the concerts of the group and which is a powerful and driving melodic jewel, then, 'Reincarnation', a strong mid-tempo with an addictive new melody (see the video here), followed by 'Winter Is Coming' which has nothing to envy to these two predecessors (see the video here), and finally 'Dancing In The Dark' (see the video here) which, with his drums tribal, eyeing 'Within Temptation' with the composition 'The Last Dance'. We can also add a new video with the magnificent 'Free Me', also close to 'Within Temptation' (see the video here). And the other titles? No surprise, they are on the same level as the previous ones with the catchy 'Into The Light' which could be all the rage in concert but which has not yet been played, or 'Wide Awake' which also shows that the Germans know how to move us in very beautiful ballads, or even the mid-tempo 'Raise Your Head' with its addictive chorus but also the last two titles 'Not In Our Name' and especially 'I Remember Dying' which takes us to distant lands lulled by the melodious vocals from 'Jennifer Haben'.

In summary, two and a half years after the magnificent 'Hørizøns', the Germans of 'Beyond The Black' are releasing a new album bringing together the best we can offer in symphonic metal, and this eponymous album, filled with melodies that embed directly in your head, is added to the many hits already known and which will undoubtedly make many people happy at concerts...

Line Up / Musicians

Jennifer Haben (Vocal), Chris Hermsdörfer (Guitar), Tobias Lodes (Guitar), Stefan Herkenhoff (Bass), Kai Tschierschky (Drums)


Artist : Dream Theater

Album : Lost Not Forgotten Archives Albums

Release Date : 13-01-2023

Added : 22-01-2023

At the start of 2023, releases are becoming rarer and, suddenly, following a new live performance by 'Dream Theater' of the 'Lost Not Forgotten Archives' albums, the concert given at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2010, I compiled below all recordings of this group which was a precursor in the field of progressive metal in the late 80s. All eras are represented, and we go from the creation of the group in 1985 with the demos of this era ('The Majesty Demos') at the concert given in Berlin in 2019 ('Live In Berlin (2019)' :

- 'The Majesty Demos (1985-1986)
- Images and Words Demos (1989-1991)
- 'Live in NYC (1993)
- Euphoria (Live 1993)
- Awake Demos (1994)
- Old Bridge, New Jersey (1996)
- Falling Into Infinity Demos, 1996-1997
- The Number of the Beast (Live in Paris 2002)
- Live in Barcelona (2002)
- Train of Thought Instrumental Demos (2003)
- When Dream And Day Reunite (2004)
- Made In Japan (2006)
- Live at Madison Square Garden (2010)
- A Dramatic Tour of Events - Select Board Mixes (2011/2012)
- Live at Wacken (2015)
- Live In Osaka - Japan (2017)
- Live In Budokan – Tokyo – Japan (2017)
- Live In Berlin (2019)

Line Up / Musicians

1985 – 1987 : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Chris Collins (Vocal), Kevin Moore (Keybords)

1988 – 1990 : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Charlie Dominici (Vocal), Kevin Moore (Keybords)

1991 – 1994 : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), James LaBrie (Vocal, Percussions), Kevin Moore (Keybords)

1995 – 1999 : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), James LaBrie (Vocal, Percussions), Derek Sherinian (Keybords, Vocal)

1999 – 2010 : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Portnoy (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), James LaBrie (Vocal, Percussions), Jordan Rudess (Keybords, Vocal)

2011 – maintenant : John Petrucci (Guitar, Choirs), John Myung (Bass), Mike Mangini (Drums), James LaBrie (Vocal, Percussions), Jordan Rudess (Keybords, Vocal)


Artist : Edenya

Album : Another Place

Release Date : 13-01-2023

Added : 23-01-2023






After the very beautiful album 'Silence' released in 2020, 'Edenya' returns with a new studio recording, 'Another Place', and a new singer 'Clélia Lenoble' who replaces 'Elena'. 'Silence' had been one of my favourites of 2020 and this new opus, even if it is only at the beginning of 2023, risks also being at the top of the pile of my best albums of 2023. At the risk of repeating myself, this project is completely in line with formations with singer that I particularly like 'Mostly Autumn' or like the Brazilian duo 'Fleesh' or like the project of 'Ryszard Kramarski', 'RKproject'. This new baby of the French takes us once again on a very beautiful journey in which we cross musical landscapes conducive to escape in airy and soothing atmospheres.

First, the new singer 'Clélia Lenoble' has nothing to envy to 'Elena' because she has a very soft and moving voice and, from the start, it is her delicious vocals that accompany us on the short introduction 'Impossible Meeting'. Follows 'Somewhere In My Dreams' which is magnificent semi-acoustic and which can recall the melodic lines of certain titles of 'Mostly Autumn', then 'The Three' brings a delicate atmosphere embellished by sounds of harps (certainly electronic) and acoustic guitar, atmosphere in which we fall completely under the spell of the magnificent vocal performance of 'Clélia Lenoble'. With 'Inside The Wall', the tone is intended to be lighter and catchier with a hardening in the middle of the title which, with an energetic guitar solo and a muscular rhythm section, flirts with hard rock, then, return to tenderness and the delicacy with 'I Hope' (see video above) which delivers us a new melodic gem, the acoustic guitar/voice duo raised by a discreet bass being absolutely beautiful. We arrive at the halfway point of our beautiful journey and the second part of the album continues to deliver beautiful melodic lines: after the short instrumental interlude 'Garden' which highlights a melancholic piano and violin, the eponymous title of the album continues our musical journey on soothing and relaxing sounds with a beautiful central crescendo, Clélia continuing to lull us with her crystalline vocals and the electric guitar delicately tickling our eardrums, then, 'The Shelter' continues by bringing variations of intensity showing the full composer's palette of 'Marco'. And to end our beautiful walk, the last two titles 'The Other Side' and 'Let Me Go' close the album with two new compositions with addictive melodies, the first in a folk atmosphere with a very beautiful instrumental passage with Arabic sounds. in the second part, and the second with a melancholic ballad on which we are one last time carried away by the sweet song of Clélia.

In summary, the French from Edenya' are releasing a magnificent album at the start of 2023 which takes us on a journey through soothing and relaxing landscapes and if you like the bands I mentioned in the introduction and the singers in the style of Hayley Griffiths' (formerly 'Karnataka'), or of 'Heather Findlay' (ex 'Mostly-Autumn'), or of Olivia Sparnenn-Josh' ('Mostly Autumn'), or off 'Gabby Vessoni' ('Fleesh') or even of 'Karolina Leszko' ('tRKproject'), you should definitely join 'Another Place'...

Line Up / Musicians

Marco (Guitar, Keybords), Clélia Lenoble (Vocal, Keybords) + Guests : Julien Perdereau (Drums, Bass), Juliette Carradec (Violin), Sophie Clavier (Choirs)


Artist : Wedingoth

Album : Five Stars Above

Release Date : 10-01-2023

Added : 29-01-2023






The advantage of streaming sites is that we discover artists similar to those who are already known to you and, for my next two columns, these are two formations that I discovered while surfing on spotify. The first opus is that of the French of 'Wedingoth' that I didn't know and who already have a good production since 'Five Stars Above' is their fourth studio recording. Released in early 2023, it is now available on streaming platforms and offers us varied compositions by merging rock and progressive metal, the whole benefiting from catchy melodic lines from the first listen. Their first three albums, 'Candellight', 'The Other Side' and 'Alone In the Crowd', from 2010, 2012 and 2016 respectively, are also available for streaming.

The first three titles follow one another and form only one for a little more than 15 minutes of listening: 'Dear Univers' welcomes us in atmospheric progressive which can recall the atmospheres of the album ' Atom Heart Mother' by 'Floyds' and which highlights the sweet singing and beautiful aerial vocalizations of 'Céline Staquet', then 'Masterpiece of Life' takes over to begin in a more energetic way and develops catchy melodic lines in a long instrumental introduction which continues with a sung part punctuated by a magnificent chorus and which presents a rhythm section bringing many changes of intensities and tempos, the long guitar solo of 'Steve Segarra' in the middle of the title being quite admirable. Without transition, the short 'Dear Man on Earth' closes this triptych by returning to the theme of the first title on a slow tempo embellished by beautiful choirs and a remarkable new guitar solo 'Gilmourien'. With 'Time', the soft piano introduction precedes a soothing sung section on a slow tempo which gains power for an epic and symphonic instrumental section, the second part again alternating a sung part in crescendo and an instrumental finale repeating the same sentence bringing a haunting side. More diversified at the rhythmic level and in the construction of the title, 'The Space Man' highlights more muscular saturated guitar riffs and brings a more striking progressive side, then, 'I Don't Care' continues on this path and flirt with progressive metal on a heavier rhythm, the melodic lines still being very catchy and 'Céline Staquet' shows that she also has good vocal power in more energetic atmospheres. With 'Cross the Mirror', we are still in a strong style, this time on a fast rhythm, but which alternates with more calm passages which brings a nice diversity in this title. We arrive at the second masterpiece of the album (if we also count the first three titles as one) with 'My Own Sacrifice' which is a magnificent progressive fresco mixing rock and metal and which takes us on board for 15 dense and inventive minutes with beautiful alternations between sung parts and instrumental sections, the fusion of Eastern and Western sounds bringing a remarkable richness to the whole and reminding me in certain places of the long developments of 'Edenbridge' and others, especially in the instrumental finale, the greatness of some titles of the 'Pink Floyds'. And to end on a quieter note, 'Love' offers us a very beautiful ballad that still reminds me of the most beautiful ballads of Edenbridge.

In summary, the French of 'Wedingoth' offer us a very beautiful progressive journey during which we travel through rich and varied landscapes, highlighting all the compositional talent of 'Steve Segarra'. This latest album 'Five Stars Above' should appeal to a whole progressive audience who likes to mix different styles and fans of beautiful melodic lines that catch on the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Céline Staquet (Vocal), Steve Segarra (Guitar), Manon Fortin (Bass), Stéphane Rochas (Drums) + Guest : Olivier Castan (Keybords)


Artist : Autumn's Grief

Album : Dead by the Dawn

Release Date : 09-12-2022

Added : 01-02-2023

The second group that I discovered while surfing from artist to artist on spotify is 'Autumn's Grief' which is a Finnish project, created by keyboardist 'Ville Skön' and guitarist and bassist 'Santtu Rosén' a couple of years ago. At the time, the two musicians who are part of the gothic metal band 'Dying Daylight', were looking for an interpreter for their new compositions and the singer 'Noora Virtanen' was chosen. Having become a trio, they recorded three singles and their first album 'The Dead Don't Smile' was released in October 2021. A little over a year later, it's the turn of their second album 'Dead by the Dawn' to see the light of day. Classified as symphonic metal, a first listen to this latest baby from the Finns brings out rather melancholy atmospheres, the metal side brought by the saturated guitars often being set back from the more present symphonic arrangements. We think in particular of artists deploying a rather soft melodic style like 'Imperia' or 'Evanescance' or 'Tarja' for the best known.

'The Tide' welcomes us on a mid-tempo with alternating intensities highlighting a first catchy chorus, the keyboards of 'Ville Skön' softening the whole then, 'The Sea of Apathy' continues in a slow rhythmic with orchestral arrangements put forward and the melody can think of certain compositions of 'Tarja'. With 'Under the Belt of Orion', the metal side comes out only with a few more heavy guitar riffs and we let ourselves be carried away again by a harmonious melody benefiting from a nice pianistic break in the second part. Make way for the magnificent ballad 'Hanging in Midair', highlighting the clear vocals of 'Noora Virtanen' which brings a beautiful softness to this title, then, 'The Clearing' and 'The Dragonfly' slightly harden the tone with two energetic compositions, the first with a rhythm section alternating between energetic passages and other more sedate ones, and the second, on an up-tempo setting in motion the headbanging machine and benefiting from new catchy melodic lines. Follows the short 'In the Presence of the Sun' which, with disturbing keyboards and vocals, brings an original instrumental break, then, 'There Was a Light' moves away from metal and delicately tickles our eardrums with its sweet melody embellished with very beautiful vocal arrangements. We find a more classic scheme with 'They Talk To Me' which highlights a marked rhythm, the vocals of 'Noora Virtanen' inviting us to beat time, then the eponymous title of the album delicately ends this beautiful album with a new ballad that travels between quiet parts and other more energetic ones, the whole benefiting from very beautiful melodic lines on which 'Noora Virtanen' comes one last time to fill us with her melodious singing.

In summary, the Finns of Autumn's Grief' offer us a very beautiful album offering a moderate symphonic metal with melodies that we appropriate very quickly and filled with a beautiful delicacy, thanks in particular to a singer who offers us vocal performances well in phase with the refined atmospheres deployed, which intends 'Dead by the Dawn' to a whole audience favouring the symphonic side to the energy of saturated guitars...

Line Up / Musicians

Noora Virtanen (Vocal), Ville Skön (Keybords), Santtu Rosén (Guitar, Bass)


Artist : Sabaton

Album : Heroes of the Great War

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 02-02-2023

The Swedes of 'Sabaton' continue their historical accounts because after 'The Great War' in 2019 and 'The War to End All Wars' in 2021, they offer us a triptych of EP, 'Echoes Of The Great War', always related to the different conflicts of history. The first EP 'Weapons of The Modern Age' was released in September 2022 and ' Heroes of the Great War' has just been released. As its name suggests, this opus brings together stories about men who became heroes through their courage and bravery in different wars. In terms of titles, nothing new apart from the story of the French soldier 'Albert Séverin Roche' in the title 'The First Soldier' and whose story can be seen in a video on the youtube page of 'Nota Bene' (see above). Musically, the Swedes continue in the path all traced from the previous opuses with grandiose and epic power metal with a lot of backing vocals and with melodies that come to be grafted immediately in the head and, if you are resistant to this muscular metal, you can always fall back on the symphonic versions 'The Symphony To End All Wars' of the 'The War to End All Wars' album released in 2022 or 'The Soundtrack To The Great War' from the album 'The Great War'. In short, this new EP of 'Sabaton' does not necessarily bring great novelties but should satisfy all Swedish fans and all lovers of direct and effective power metal from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Joakim Brodén (Vocal, Keybords), Pär Sundström (Bass), Thobbe Englund (Guitar), Chris Rörland (Guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (Drums)


Artist : Cosmograf

Album : Heroic Materials

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 03-02-2023






Definitely, after the Swedes from 'Sabaton' , the albums related to the world wars follow one another. But, this one is far from the epic power metal of the Swedes because it is the last album of 'Cosmograf', led by the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Robin Armstrong' who had delighted us with his previous releases, 'The Unreasonable Silence' in 2016 , 'The Hay-Man Dreams' in 2017, 'Mind over Depth' in 2019 and 'Rattrapante' in 2021. With each release of a new concept album, we are sure to have to put ourselves between the ears of the music of quality coupled with an always original story. For her 9th baby, Robin tells us the story of an RAF pilot during the Second World War who is now 99 years old. No surprise in this latest opus, we find ourselves a few decades back with a mixture of progressive influenced by 'Pink Floyd' and melodic lines that can be reminiscent of those of 'Barclay James Harvest', and, to make the music stick on the developed subject, 'Robin Armstrong' offers us particularly melancholic and emotional atmospheres.

'I Recall' welcomes us with a sound extract and continues in a refined atmosphere highlighting the whispered singing of Robin accompanying himself on the piano. From the start, the emotion released already takes us on a warm little cloud! This is followed by the 13 minutes of the eponymous title of the album, which continues in a solemn procession on a slow tempo interspersed here and there by very beautiful 'Gilmourian' guitar solos, the piano accompaniment of keyboardist 'Danny Manners' of 'Big Big Train' being all simply sublime. The short interlude 'Industry', reminiscent of the atmospheres deployed by 'Roger Waters', precedes 'British Made' which brings together all the pieces of a 'Waterian' puzzle, the high-pitched vocals of 'Robin Armstrong' bringing poignant emotion, the acoustic guitar enveloping the whole by a beautiful delicacy and the guitar solo spinning us goosebumps in all the body. Follows the short ballad 'Mary' which deploys an atmosphere filled with a melancholic serenity and which offers us a very endearing melody bringing us back this time to the 'Beatles'. Even more refined, 'Blinkers' is a magnificent piano/voice duo and we flirt with the stars while listening to the aerial vocalizations, then, 'If Things Don't Change', always on a slow tempo, develops new moving melodic lines and the addition of reverberation in Robin's singing contributes to this feeling of floating in the air. We continue in this stripped-down atmosphere with 'The Same Stupid Mistake' and with a new touching piano/voice duo, then, 'Regretful Refrain' adds again to this emotion released throughout the album, whether through plaintive singing or by the heart-breaking electric guitar, the light crescendo bringing even more force to this title which brings us to tears. The album ends with 'A Better World' on the starting theme with a strong new message of hope for a better world and which ends with a final section, powerful and epic of immense emotional intensity: the loop is closed.

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Robin Armstrong', with his project 'Cosmograf', adds an intense and poignant new album which can only move, and which brings together all the ingredients to make it a work major progressive which should join the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any progressive rock fan through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Danny Manners (Keybords, Piano), Kyle Fenton (Drums)


Artist : Rémi Orts, Rémi Orts Project

Album : Cinematic III (Eclipse)

Release Date : 16-01-2023

Added : 04-02-2023

I introduced you to the French singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Rémi Orts' with his album 'Reverse the Universe' in early 2022 which was followed by another instrumental studio recording, 'Desert Wind', in April 2022. In the 'Cinematic' series ('From the shadow to the light' for the 1st part and 'Roma Imperiale' for the second part), he released in January 2023 the third part, 'Eclipse', which takes us into space with melodies that are well in tune with the theme, the atmospheres deployed making us travel in the cosmos. Between 'Vangelis' and 'Hans Zimmer', 'Rémi Orts' offers us beautiful compositions filled with flourishing and epic orchestrations, and each title has its own personality, the link between them being this theme of the space that is conducive to listening in a quiet place, with headphones on, to relax and decompress after a day full of stress. In parallel with this instrumental project, we can also note the beautiful meeting he had with the singer 'Naamwin' who has a delicious voice between pop, soul and folk and with whom he recorded two singles 'Part of' and 'Daybreak'. This is not the first collaboration with a female singer since, in the past, he has already released several albums with 'Zara Angel' (the latest album being 'Ilusia' in 2014, few singles having been recorded with her in the last 4 years). In short, 'Rémi Orts' continues to delight us with his many album releases and this third part of 'Cinematic' is added to his impressive discography which offers a wide variety of styles. If you subscribe to this last opus, you should also like the other albums which are available on spotify under the name 'Rémi Orts Project'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rémi Orts (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Stargenesis

Album : Distress call from Earth

Release Date : 16-01-2023

Added : 05-02-2023






After the serenity of the compositions of 'Remi Orts', we're heading to Italy with the band 'Stargenesis' which I discovered with their third album 'Distress call from Earth', the first two albums, 'Aurora', dating from 2021 and 'Stellar Emotions' dating from 2022. This last opus is of an impressive richness and we navigate between rock and progressive metal with many changes of atmosphere throughout the 14 compositions, the whole totalling more than 80 minutes of listening. It's not strictly speaking a concept album and the themes developed are multiple and remain very current, ranging from artificial intelligence and its interest to darker subjects such as social injustice, drug addiction or human cynicism.

Given the density of the album, as much by its length and by the changes of atmosphere within each composition, I will not do title by title which would require a much too long chronicle. I would simply like to highlight a few points that struck me in this titanic work. First, we are indeed in the presence of a series of progressive compositions and the whole can be compared to the great productions that 'Arjen Lucassen' can compose in these different projects because we find all the ingredients there both at the vocal level than instrumental. Therefore, it's clear that it's not possible to appropriate the whole in a single listening and 'Distress call from Earth' asks to take its time to assimilate all the nooks and crannies of each composition that reveals itself, step by step. Then, the diversity of styles shows a wide range of influences. Let's take as an example the beginning of the album with the first titles: the introduction of 'Welcome To Earth' can make one think of the atmospheric atmospheres of 'Pink Floyd', then is followed by a powerful section in the form of a slow procession with a 'Gilmourian' guitar solo at the end of the title, in the style of a 'Comfortably Numb', the singing of 'Valeriano De Zordo' bringing all the grandeur that this majestic style requires. As for 'Al Storm', we are full of inventive progressive metal in the style of 'Sons Of Apollo', then, with 'Your next dose', it is inside the title itself that we find changes in intensity with an introduction close to the ballads of 'Scorpions' and a sequel closer to 'Dream Theater'. What follows continues to make us navigate between calm waters and other much more tormented ones which necessarily requires adhering to different styles quite distant from each other. We are even entitled to a traditional interlude in the middle of the title with 'Honor guard salute' which highlights bagpipes. Finally, we can also note an irreproachable production which shows a beautiful dynamic both in the quieter acoustic parts and in the electric parts deploying a formidable power.

In summary, with 'Distress call from Earth', the Italians of 'Stargenesis' sign an album of very high quality and extraordinary density which necessarily requires lingering to draw all its richness but which, on the other hand, will certainly remain intended for an informed public who likes to mix different styles in the progressive, a mixture which, for my part, transforms a good album into a musical work which will remain engraved in the memory...

Line Up / Musicians

Michele Vissani (Guitar, Keybords, Drums), Valeriano De Zordo (Vocal), Daniele Ferretto (Bass)


Artist : Laura Cox

Album : Head Above Water

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 06-02-2023

I remember just 5 years ago, I put between my ears the first album of 'Laura Cox', 'Hard Blues Shot', which had been one of the French revelations of 2017 and which showed that France also knows how to make good direct and effective rock if we does not limit himself to listening to the French radios which impose on us the few artists of the big majors. The second album 'Burning Bright' in 2019 confirmed all this talent, with the added bonus of a UK tour. The Covid years are now behind us and the Frenchwoman has had time to concoct a new album for us, called 'Head Above Water'.

No surprise, still very good in this last opus which mixes for the best, blues, country, rock and hard rock. Laura is now recognized both in France and abroad and Spotify has just put her at the top of its page 'EQUAL France'. She also continues to share this passion for the guitar by making videos like when she started with, for example, the explanation of certain riffs from her latest album (see here).

And so we started with the title track and if you don't have an irresistible urge to move your whole body to the rhythm of its addictive riffs, you can go your own way. For anyone who's ever hit the headbanging machine, you should definitely stick with tracks like 'One Big Mess' (great little riff at 1.25), 'Wiser' (see video above), 'Fever' or even 'Swing it Out' which are so many well-soaked hard rock jewels to play over and over again. But 'Laura Cox' also excels in compositions with a more moderate rhythm: we will not miss 'So Long' and its marked tempo (see video here), and we can also mention the blues/rock 'Set Me Free' and the very beautiful ' Before We Get Burned' and 'Seaside' with country sounds, without forgetting the magnificent ballads 'Old Soul' and 'Glassy Days'. We can also note an irreproachable production which highlights all this authenticity released throughout the 11 compositions but also to highlight the three artists who accompany it while deploring all the same the departure of the guitarist 'Mathieu Albiac' who greatly contributed to the band's first two albums.

In short, nothing to throw away in this album, we still have a wonderful time listening to this latest baby from 'Laura Cox', and 'Head Above Water' should be an additional step for the Frenchwoman with the change of line up which, I hope, is a personal choice of musical orientation and not a choice dictated by people outside the group with a more mercantile than artistic objective...

Line Up / Musicians

Laura Cox (Vocal, Guitar, Banjo, Steel Guitar), Mathieu Albiac (Guitar), Adrien Kah (Bass), Antonin Guerin (Drums)


Artist : Riverside

Album : ID.Entity

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 07-02-2023






After the magnificent tribute 'Wasteland' to their friend and guitarist 'Piotr Grudziński' in 2018, followed by the very good live 'Lost'n'Found – Live in Tilburg' at the end of 2020, the Poles of 'Riverside' release a new album, 'ID.Entity', which marks a turning point in the history of the group, the title of this new baby not being insignificant and corresponding to this search for a new identity to give to the project, after the death of Piotr. 'Mariusz Duda' is now the captain of the ship 'Riverside' and, after the compilation that retraced the first 20 years (see here) and which saw the new title 'Story of my Dream' appear, we already felt that the Poles had passed the painful period of mourning and that they needed to get out of this melancholy to go on something more energetic and more direct.

This is confirmed with the first title 'Friend or Foe?' which somehow breaks with the past in a radiant atmosphere reminiscent of the formations of the early 80s which brought more electronic sounds to rock, I am thinking in particular of 'Depeche Mode' or 'Ultravox', the melody pleasantly tickling our eardrums. With 'Landmine Blast', we continue in this positive energy which mixes the old and the new 'Riverside' in an original progressive, imaginative and bringing a feeling of freshness throughout the title. Follows the admirable 'Big Tech Brother' which welcomes us in a sonic firework, merging jazzy brass sounds with muscular guitars and which continues with an imposing instrumental section with unbridled rhythm to arrive at the more moderate sung part which is a pure delight, 'Mariusz Duda' showing all his vocal talent on a gripping melody and the breaks in intensity being simply brilliant: I agree 200% but this title would have deserved a real ending rather than this fade out. With 'Post-Truth', it's still a well removed composition with a beautiful dynamic which shows that the Poles know how to send heavy while keeping this elegant character, the singing of 'Mariusz Duda' being never aggressive and the break finale on the piano bringing that little extra that makes all the difference. We arrive at the centrepiece of the album, 'The Place Where I Belong', which takes us on a journey through time inside a progressive labyrinth with 'Floydian' influences (whether at the level of the bass line, of the sounds Hammond or this magnificent 'Gilmourien' guitar solo from 'Maciej Meller' which is now an integral part of the group), but which still keeps a very current face, the production being absolutely irreproachable. The album ends with the two singles with first 'I'm Done With You' (see the video above) which develops a more marked atmosphere with many changes of intensity between moderate verses and a chorus which explodes in a raw energy, supported by an energetic rhythm section, then, 'Self-Aware' which has a very lively first part with a catchy chorus which makes it a more direct and less progressive title, the swaying rhythm making us go up at the end of the 70s and reminiscent of the English of 'The Police', then which ends with a long decrescendo which does not exist in the single of which we can see the video here.

In summary, the Poles of 'Riverside', after going through a long period of mourning, offer us a new album which, musically, is filled with a newfound enthusiasm by admirably merging influences of 70s progressive with a beautiful modernity but which also brings a well balanced mix between rock and metal which demonstrates this desire that the Poles had to reinvent themselves: the proof, this magnificent cover full of colours which succeeds the grey of 'Wasteland' and which is exactly like the atmospheres deployed in this last album...

Line Up / Musicians

Mariusz Duda (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Piotr Kozieradzki (Drums), Michał Łapaj (Keybords), Maciej Meller (Guitar)


Artist : Ten

Album : Something Wicked This Way Comes

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 08-02-2023






We left 'Gary Hughes' with his latest album 'Here Be Monsters', and a little less than a year later, we can get back into the ears of good rock and melodic hard rock that comes directly to soak up our heads. It is true that these two opuses were written at the same time and that they complement each other. Therefore, I would tell you to read or reread my review of 'Here Be Monsters' because, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' adds 10 new melodic jewels in the same style as its predecessor, but I prefer to present it to you in another way: "The captain 'Gary Hughes', who accompanied you on the outward journey of your melodic journey, is very happy to meet you for the return. Sit comfortably in your chair, close your eyes and let yourself be overwhelmed by new compositions as addictive On the way out, you will be accompanied by two well-tempered titles, 'Look For The Rose' and 'Brave New Lie', then having crossed the clouds, we will continue our journey with the beautiful melody of 'The Tidal Wave', the video of which you will be able to watch on your screen placed above your head, followed by melodies which will delicately tickle your ears with 'Parabellum', 'The Fire and the Rain', 'The Only Way Out' and 'When The Darkness Comes', without forgetting the very beautiful ballads 'Something Wicked This Way Comes', 'New Hope Found' and 'The Greatest Show on Earth' on which we will end our journey. We wish you an excellent trip with our company 'Ten' and hope to see you again for the release of our next albums."

In summary, no need to draw a picture, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' is still a very beautiful album which will make you have a great time listening and which will certainly be one of the best rock releases and melodic hard rock of the year 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Hughes (Vocal), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Steve Grocott (Guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Steve Mckenna (Bass), Markus Kullmann (Drums) + Guest : Karen Fell (Choirs), Scott Hughes (Choirs)


Artist : Twilight Force

Album : At The Heart of Wintervale

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 09-02-2023

I reviewed their album 'Heroes Of Mighty Magic' in 2016 and, after their last album 'Dawn of the Dragonstar' from 2019, 2023 sees the release of a new opus of the Swedish group 'Twilight Force', 'At The Heart of Wintervale'. Direction of the magical lands populated by dragons to which all kinds of fantastic stories happen, all this in symphonic and epic power metal with simple melodies but which catch on the first listen, if you like this strange mixture between metal and melodies quite close to what we can hear in the world of Disney. For this opus, eight tales in the kingdoms of twilight await you with inevitably, when we speak of Disney, 'Happy Ends'!

And right away, the well-oiled cavalcade over which hangs the shadow of the precursors in the field, the Italians of 'Rhapsody Of Fire' rushes by telling us the story of an ancient dragon who can finally roam the realms again, free and unfettered by an evil curse that has been broken, with an addictive opening chorus that some will happily follow along with at the top of their voices. The eponymous title of the album drives the point home with a new grandiose smut full of joyful choirs and dizzying orchestral flights, then, 'Dragonborn' welcomes us with twirling violins and continues with a sweet chorus that transports us to a universe marvellous. When I was talking to you about 'Disney', the Swedes offer us two feature films with 'Highlands Of The Elder Dragon' and 'The Last Crystal Bearer' which unfold atmospheres worthy of the most beautiful cartoons of our childhood with enhanced syrupy melodic lines by the energy of a good-natured power metal, the choirs being simply magical and the changes of atmosphere bring a real originality to the whole without locking us into an uninterrupted suite of double pedals without any flavor.

In summary, this latest album of the Swedish group 'Twilight Force' is a beautiful journey into a wonderful world for all those who have remained big children and who like to mix simple but very effective melodies with epic orchestrations and grandiose with festive power metal. And for those who think that metal is aggressive music, I hope they will reconsider their position by listening to some excerpts from this album because, even if the atmospheres remain energetic overall, there is a one thing you can't take away from the Swedes of 'Twilight Force' is that you can't make music like this without being soft-hearted humans...

Line Up / Musicians

Alessandro Conti (Vocal), Philip Lindh (Guitar), Jocke Leandro Johansson (Guitar), Dunder Björn Lundqvist (Bass), Daniel Beckman (Keybords, Piano, Violin, Clavecin), Isak Olsson (Drums)


Artist : Autumn's Child

Album : Starflower

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 10-02-2023






'Mikael Erlandsson' is back with his January offering, which this year is called 'Starflower'. After 'Last Autumn's Dream' and his 14 albums, then now with 'Autumn's Child' with his first three studio recordings 'Autumn's Child' in 2020, 'Angel's Gate' in 2021 and 'Zenith' in 2022, here are 11 new compositions that smack of a classy AOR. He continues with the same line up on his momentum and we are still caught in the game of melodies bringing us back to the best of the 70s/80s.

Let's go for a lively 'Gamechanger' with a first melody that we have the impression of having already heard many times for several decades, then, the introduction of Aphrodite's Eyes' takes us to the sun in Spain and continues on melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listen, the instrumental section in the second part of the title being a pure delight, and 'Welcome To The Show' tumbles to offer us a fast tempo on quite direct rock. In this lively and melodious style, we can also cite 'Karenina' and '1995' and their addictive chorus, the energetic 'The Final Call' which shows a radiant face and the final title 'It's Not Too Late' which, on a mid-tempo, gives us a last refrain that remains engraved in our head. And when the light dims a little more, we are entitled to melodic jewels and in this album, there are three of them with 'Opera' which eyes the slow part of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', then 'Dorian Gray' continues in this melancholy style while continuing to bring us back to the time of 'Queen' and finally, 'Love From Tokyo' delicately tickles our ears with a syrupy melody on which 'Mikael Erlandsson' delivers a vocal performance of great beauty.

In short, as usual for quite a few years already, 'Mikael Erlandsson' opens the year with an album with catchy melodies that take us back a few decades and 'Starflower' should be on repeat for all those who are fans of classy and refined melodic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Guitars, Keybords), Claes Andreasson (Keybords, Piano), Magnus Rosen (Bass), Pontus Akesson (Guitar), Robban Back (Drums)


Artist : NeversiN

Album : Revamp

Release Date : 20-01-2023

Added : 11-02-2023

I introduced you to the Italians of 'Neversin' with their 3rd album 'The Outside In' in 2018 and 2023 sees the release of a new opus, 'Revamp'. Always so discreet on the web, they continue to deliver melodic rock with some incursions into the progressive and the line-up has evolved slightly since it is now 'Nicola Ciarlini' who officiates as singer and who offers us very beautiful performances vocals throughout the 10 compositions.

The start is energetic and catchy with 'Jail' which develops a first pleasant melody that we appropriate from the first listen, then, 'The Stranger' unfolds a more moderate mid-tempo in the form of a slow procession with a catchy new chorus. In a much more moderate style, we continue with the magnificent 'Southern Cross' which is one of my favourites from the album and which takes us on a melancholy ballad accompanied by delicate picking on the guitar, the stronger chorus being beautiful. With 'The Game We Call Life', we come back to a faster rhythm in the form of a real melodic jewel which comes to deliver us new very pleasant melodic lines. Alternately, make way for the ballad 'Long for Love' which rocks us with a magnificent central guitar solo followed by a very beautiful instrumental section, then, 'The Tower – The Stranger Part II' (which follows the part 1 of the eponymous debut album) continues in peaceful rock with rhythmic changes bringing a side progressive in more numerous instrumental sections, the melodic side always being put forward. Follows, the third ballad 'Trust' which has nothing to envy to the first two, 'Nicola Ciarlini' also showing all his vocal talent with a delicious song, then 'Part of the Crime' returns to rock taking us back a few decades back in a long progressive composition with changes in rhythm and intensity. And to finish, the Italians offer us two covers, first of all the energetic 'Aces High' from'Iron Maiden', then the essential 'Comfortably Numb' from 'Pink Floyds', both of which are very faithfully interpreted and show that they are as much at home in muscular rock as in more moderate progressive one.

In summary, the Italians of 'Neversin' offer us very pleasant new melodies that we taste with enormous pleasure and 'Revamp' shows a diversified face between energy and softness and should appeal to all audiences who love a rock with melodic lines that we appropriate at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicola Ciarlini (Vocal, Guitar), Skench (Guitar, Choirs), Sgana (Guitar), Albertino (Drums), Hurt (Bass)


Artist : Uriah Heep

Album : Chaos & Colour

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 12-02-2023

They came back in 2018 with the excellent album 'Living the Dream' and the English of Uriah Heep' bring out a new album 'Chaos & Colour' which, if I count correctly, is their 25th album! Admittedly, only 'Mick Box' (75 years old all the same as what to play the electric guitar, that preserves) knew the formation of departure, but, the hard rock spirit of the group remains very intact, as there are more than fifty years. And since the album was written during the pandemic years, it's no surprise that some compositions like the single 'Save Me Tonight' reflect this chaotic period. But, make no mistake about it, our rockers are not there to complain but to deliver us, as usual, a good energy that feels good and brings us back to the golden age of hard rock and this It's no coincidence that the studio recording was done the old-fashioned way, all together, patiently waiting for the health restrictions to be lifted.

The first two titles 'Save Me Tonight' and 'Silver Sunlight' attest to this, which offer two well-tempered compositions with super effective melodies which automatically start the headbanging machine that I so often put forward in my reviews. In these two titles, we find all the energy of the pioneers of hard rock and we engage with 'Hail the Sunrise' which, with its heavy rhythm, brings us back to a certain 'Gypsy' which was the first title of Huriah Heep' that we discovered in the album 'Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble' in 1970. The suite offers us melodic jewels as the English have the secret with the catchy 'Ages of Changes' and 'Hurricane', the keyboards of 'Phil Lanzon' merging admirably with the guitar of 'Mick Box' and 'Bernie Shaw' showing that he still performs like at the end of the 80s. In this luminous and direct style, we can also mention 'Golden Light' and 'Fly Like an Eagle' but the English also have this talent to put some pinches of progressives in their compositions and, we will not miss the two long developments that are 'You're Never Be Alone' and especially the last title of the album 'Freedom to Be Free' which show that each artist knows how to bring his stone to the building on catchy melodies and constructions bringing many changes of rhythm and intensity. And a Uriah Heap' album could not end without the ballad that gives us all goosebumps: in this case, it is the title 'One Nation, One Sun' which unrolls a slight magnificent crescendo.< /br>
In summary, I will again bring out my well-known French proverb, "the best soups are made in old pots", which still fits like a glove on this latest album from the hard rock veterans' Uriah Heep' who continue, after more than 50 years, to deliver us, beyond music, simply immense happiness and, hopefully, this for as long as possible...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernie Shaw (Vocal), Dave Rimmer (Bass, Choirs), Mick Box (Guitar, Choirs), Phil Lanzon (Keybords, Choirs), Russell Gilbrook (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : Ravenblack

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 13-02-2023

The Germans of 'Mono Inc.' Return with a new album, 'Ravenblack', which succeeds 'The Book of Fire' from 2020. In the meantime, they released the very beautiful 'Melodies In Black' which showed the soft side with acoustic reinterpretations of their compositions. So, what's new with this latest opus. Some will say, not much, and indeed, apart from the change of bass player ('Val Perun' replacing 'Manuel Antoni'), the well-oiled machine of the Germans continues to work for the greatest pleasure of the fans: we therefore find catchy melodies from the first listen with this always very linear rhythm section and this characteristic singing of 'Martin Engler' always very dark. The opening triptych, 'At the End of the Rainbow', 'Empire' and 'Princess of the Night', still gives us a good overview and are compositions that will certainly find their place in concert. The 'Heartbeat of the Dead', 'Lieb Mich' and 'After Dark' are added to the first three but we can also point out that 'Ravenblack' incorporates more moderate compositions: the beautiful ballads 'Angels Never Die' and ' Wiedersehen Woanders' which bring welcome breaks. We can also mention catchy mid-tempos with the title song which unfolds a heavy atmosphere with a heady bass line but also 'Never Alone' with its rhythmic changes which bring a bit of variety to the whole.

In summary, the Germans of 'Mono Inc.' continue to do 'Made in Mono Inc.' and 'Ravenblack' is added to the first 8 albums and should appeal not only to all fans but also to all those who love catchy rock with melodic lines that catch the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal), Carl Fornia (Guitar, Vocal), Val Perun (Bass), Katha Mia (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Chris Angels

Album : Gods

Release Date : 22-01-2023

Added : 15-02-2023






For those who follow myprogmusic, I presented to you at the end of 2022 the latest album 'BIG' from the 'CEN-ProjekT' project of the German 'Chris Engels' and, as I told you, he also released solo albums under the name 'Chris Angels'. The difference between the two, according to Chris, is that 'CEN-ProjekT' is Neo-Prog-Rock oriented and 'Chris Angels' more Prog-Rock. This new album 'Gods' is part of his solo project and offers us eight compositions that we must take the time to appropriate, because 'Gods' is certainly less immediate than the albums of 'CEN-ProjektT'. In this opus, he takes up texts by various American poets including 'Nathaniel Hawthorne' or 'Ralph Waldo Emerson' or even 'Robert Frost'.

'The Ocean' welcomes us with imaginative progressive which, after an organ introduction with Hammond tones, delivers alternations between calm parts and other more energetic ones imagining well the contrasts of the ocean between the fury of the surface and the serenity of the shallows. 'Brahma' continues in this subtle mix of energy and softness between fast verses and a very beautiful more sedate chorus, the central break starting on the piano bringing a contemporary aspect to this beautiful piece. With 'The Faith', the atmosphere is softer and Chris' singing much more peaceful, and I hear some influences bringing us back to the 70s and to certain sounds of 'Genesis'. We arrive at 'The Impulse' which continues to offer us inventive progressive with a long instrumental introduction bringing the sung part with a catchy melody, then, we navigate in a sound labyrinth with multiple twists to end on the final section sung in light crescendo. The second part of the album offers us 'Winged Sphynx' which, after a powerful and rapid introduction, takes us on a magnificent symphonic fresco alternating calm passages and other much more energetic ones, then, with 'The Dead Host's Welcome ', I feel like I'm stepping back into the psychedelic period of the 60s with a fusion of influences from the 'Beatles' and the 'Pink Floyds'. Follows 'Fireflies' which shows a more muscular face, the saturated electric guitar being more present and the progressive aspect more withdrawn. And to finish, the title song first takes us into a very original cocktail of electronic keyboards and classical influences on a suite of 'Jean-Sebastien Bach', then, continues in refined progressive that can still recall 'Genesis' by alternating sung parts unfolding a harmonious melody and sought-after instrumental sections.

In summary, 'Chris Engels' offers us an album of great quality which requires several listenings to properly tame it and which, therefore, should appeal to an audience who likes a varied mix of different styles influenced by different eras of progressive...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : The Tangent

Album : Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 17-02-2023

I introduced you to the latest album 'Songs From The Hard Shoulder' by the progressive rock band 'The Tangent' in 2022 and, a few months later, released a live that traces different periods of the group, 'Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories'. The fans already knew the concert of 2004 period 'Roine Stolt' released in 2005 and are added two other concerts, in 2012 in Great Britain' for the 'COMM Tour' and in 2017 in the 'United States' with the current line-up, the whole representing nearly two hours and thirty minutes of listening. So, of course, for this double CD, we can't really say to ourselves: "I'm going to listen to it for breakfast", because, if you want to take advantage of these three concerts, you must necessarily sit down and savour each title at its true value. Even if the last period is not highlighted (it will be for the next live in 10 years!), for all those who like a sought-after progressive and who know the group having picked up a few compositions here and there (and I'm one of them), it's a good way to discover or rediscover them by letting yourself go in rich and dense sound labyrinths, merging different styles, the instrumental parts being simply brilliant (It would take a much too long review to fully describe them and it wouldn't do much). In short, with this impressive live, 'The Tangent' delivers us a kind of best off which, icing on the cake, offers us a concert interpretation bringing all the spontaneity of such a moment, whether with the various small imperfections (normal when you run 20-minute titles) but also with all these magical moments that bring a real communion between the artists and the public...

Line Up / Musicians

2004 :
Andy Tillison (Organ, Keybords, Piano, Vocal), Roine Stolt (Guitar, Vocal), Sam Baine (Piano, Keybords), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Zoltán Csörsz (Drums, Percussions)
2012 :
Andy Tillison (Keybords, Vocal), Luke Machin (Guitar), Dan Mash (Bass), Tony ‘Funkytoe’ Latham (Drums)
2017 :
Andy Tillison (Keybords, Vocal), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Luke Machin (Guitar), Steve Roberts (Drums)


Artist : Dark Sarah

Album : Attack of Orym

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 16-02-2023

I've been following the Finns of 'Dark Sarah' since the beginning of my myprogmusic chronicles and 'Attack of Orym' is my 5th chronicle on this formation. From my first column, I told you that before creating his project 'Dark Sarah', 'Heidi Parviainen' had recorded four albums with 'Amberian Dawn' before 'Päivi Virkkunen – Capri' took over as singer. In his latest album 'Grim', I had redone the parallel with the festive metal of Amberian Dawn' and, after a first listening of this last opus, this feeling is confirmed by several compositions starting with 'Invincible' (see the video above) which deploys a lively and radiant melody, then 'B.U.RN' adds a melodic gem with a chorus that 'ABBA' would not have denied. We will find this metallic pop style in 'Goth Disco', 'Delirium' and 'Breaking Free' but the Finns also bring more classic symphonic metal with compositions like the heavy 'Attack Of Orym' with a marked tempo in which 'Mark Jansen' d'Epica' is guest, but also the catchy 'Warning Sign' (see the video here) with incisive guitar riffs, or even 'Piece Of My Heart' and 'Hero And A Villain' with addictive refrains that flirt with 'Beyond The Black' with synthesizers reminiscent of 'Amberian Dawn'. By the way, the theme continues the story of 'Grim' and after the death of the villain 'Mörk', a new villain had to be found who is named 'Orym' and who is the king of the people of the forest, 'Luna' continuing his endless battles against evil.

In short, the Finns of 'Dark Sarah', always led by the talented 'Heidi Parviainen' are releasing a new album filled with catchy compositions that we have great pleasure in listening to and 'Attack of Orym' is at advice all fans of a lively and festive symphonic metal like that of their compatriots 'Amberian Dawn'...

Line Up / Musicians

Heidi Parviainen (Vocal), Sami-Petri Salonen (Guitar), Henrik Airaksinen (Keybords, Guitar), Rude Rothstén (Bass), Thomas Tunkkari (Drums) + Guests : Juha-pekka Leppäluoto (Vocal), Kasperi Heikkinen (Guitar), Mark Jansen (Guitar)


Artist : Crowne

Album : Operation Phoenix

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 20-02-2023






'Frontiers Music' had done well in 2021 by bringing together the Swedish "dream team" 'Crowne' with artists officiating in various known melodic hard rock formations (see my review of 'Kings in the North') and this combination worked so well that we finds ourselves, a little gestation later, with his little brother 'Operation Phoenix'. Needless to say, that all the good things I said about the first Swedes' galette is also valid on this second album and, to begin with, with the first three titles which are accompanied by a video on the 'Frontiers Music' site. ('Operation Phoenix', 'Champions' and 'In The Name Of The Fallen'), everything comes together to offer us melodic jewels that immediately stick in your head. The sequel has nothing to envy to these first three compositions and parades a series of addictive refrains with the 'Super Trouper' (this is not the cover of ABBA'), 'Ready To Run', 'Juliette' or again 'The Last Of Us' to name but a few, the album ending with the magnificent mid-tempo 'Northern Lights' with a melody that still spins in your head for a long time after the last note has passed.

In short, the year in melodic hard rock is looking good because, after the album 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' by 'Ten', Sweden's 'Crowne' add a new album candidate for the album of the year podium in the style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Love Magnusson (Guitar), Jonah Tee (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), John Levén (Bass), Christian "Kicken" Lundqvist (Drums)


Artist : Oltre L'Abisso

Album : Opera Rock – Disco 1-2

Release Date : 01-02-2023

Added : 23-02-2023

It's not common but 'Oltre l'Abisso' is a project that was born thanks to a dream, that of the classical singer 'Elisabetta Tagliati' (see the page dedicated to her here) who wrote a novel about it: the plot tells a legend with profound spiritual implications, which takes place in Italy in the Apennines Mountains. 'Bethel', a Celtic chieftain, receives a series of mysterious visions which lead her to an encounter with the druid 'Vessagh'. Their knowledge of each other quickly turns into transcendental love, allowing them to reach the source of the Supreme Self. With the help of the composer 'Perry Magnani', also a pianist and friend of Elisabeth Tagiati', the novel is set to music in the form of a two-part progressive rock opera which alternates acoustic and electric parts, the whole being very varied but nevertheless very accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines from the first listen. The spotify link above is a playlist of disc 1 and 2.

The set is made up of 24 titles which necessarily require that we linger over it to properly tame the different atmospheres: 'Overture' sets the scene with an instrumental which is fairly representative of the set, alternating symphonic sections with more energetic parts, the central cut on the piano bringing a feeling of fullness between two more muscular parts with keyboards imitating choirs making me think of certain atmospheres of the symphonic metal group 'Therion' including the phenomenal opera 'Beloved Antichrist '. We will find this process throughout the opera, and it is for me, this duality which brings a real diversity that we do not often have the opportunity to hear. The first compositions are certainly the most symphonic and are influenced by classical music: the very beautiful 'Oltre l'Abisso', 'Makena' and 'Sei Troppo Bello' attest to this, which highlight the piano and the acoustic guitar, the singing always being very soft and melodious. In this style, we can also mention the titles 'Festa e Danze', 'Visione', 'Un Sospiro Sospeso', 'L'Abisso' or 'Addio' filled with a beautiful emotion. Between these different compositions, 'Perry Magnani' alternates more contemporary atmospheres with for example 'Il Blanchetto', 'Verso L'Ignoto', 'Rituale del Fuoco' which bring a more progressive side with rhythmic changes and remarkable vocal alternations between feminine and masculine registers. We can also note more muscular atmospheres with for example 'Lasciati Risplendere', 'La Profezia' or 'Il Cammino Illuminante' to which we can add 'Di Fronte a Me', the electric guitar riffs bringing a more rock side, but also theatrical atmospheres and very expressive at the vocal level with the continuation of the three titles 'L'Incanto dell'Incontro', 'Un Fatale Scontro' and 'Luce Sacra'. We will not miss either the festive 'Inno a Lugh', 'Parlando agli Idei' which alternates Celtic influences and energetic rock or the soft acoustic comma 'Rinascita' with a very beautiful piano/acoustic guitar duo or even the magnificent 'Solitudine' at the end of the album with its 'Floydian' guitar solos, the album ending with a few piano chords accompanied by melancholy strings with the very beautiful piece 'Epilogo'.

In summary, this Italian rock opera project is a great success and presents a great diversity of styles that requires lingering to draw all the substance, but which is very accessible thanks to melodic lines always catchy but also very rich musically thanks to the different acoustic and electric instruments used. And if you adhere to singing in Italian (which, from my point of view, brings a real plus to convey the omnipresent theatrical side), you should have a wonderful time listening to Oltre l'Abisso' thanks to talented performers..


Artist : Xandria

Album : The Wonders Still Awaiting

Release Date : 03-02-2023

Added : 26-02-2023

The Germans of 'Xandria' had not released an album since 2017 with the magnificent 'Theater Of Dimensions' and after the upheaval of the line-up which had seen the hasty departure of 'Dianne Van Giersbergen' after the 2017 tour, the leader 'Marco Heubaum' managed to reassemble a 'Xandria 2.0' with a new Franco-Greek singer, the talented 'Ambre Vourvahis' who, after the short interim of 'Aeva Maurelle', took the position of official singer of the group and officiates in a clear register, the rest of the band consisting of guitarist 'Robert Klawonn', bassist 'Tim Schwarz' and drummer 'Dimitrios Gatsios'. First, for this new baby long awaited by the fans, 'Marco Heubaum' put on a great spread because this new disc offers us 13 compositions for a duration of 74 minutes. Then, on first listen, what emerges is an impressive work on the level of the orchestrations reinforced by grandiose choirs which reminds you at times of 'Epica' especially since a few throaty vocals appear here and there in several compositions and that the singing of 'Ambre Vourvahis' is not so far from the low register of 'Simone Simons'.

Like this imposing album, 'Xandria' has not skimped on the video clips that cover the first five compositions: 'Two Worlds' opens the debate on a typical title of grandiose symphonic metal with all the ingredients of this style and, of course, it is this imposing side that predominates with, icing on the cake, a chorus to be sung in concert. The introduction of 'Reborn' continues in this orchestral opulence with the addition of some growls, then 'You Will Never Be Our Go' adds a layer with the singer 'Ralf Scheepers' of 'Primal Fear'. With the title song, we continue in this epic symphonic metal with great backing vocals, then 'Ghosts' is a kind fusion between 'Epica' for the imposing side and 'Delain' for the melodic aspect. After all this energy deployed, the first ballad break arrives with 'Your Stories I'll Remember' which is embellished by the violin of Ally Storch' who is often called by symphonic metal bands like 'Therion'. The suite continues in the same vein as the first part of the album with catchy melodic compositions like the hits 'My Curse Is My Redemption' or the muscular 'Illusion Is Their Name' with its more present growls or the contrasting 'Mirror of Time' which alternates fast rhythms with slower parts like the very beautiful finale which is more akin to progressive rock than symphonic metal. We will also not miss the second power ballad 'Paradise' which highlights the singing of Ambre Vourvahis' on a slow tempo alternating calm verses and a heavy and powerful chorus. The end of the album does not weaken with the very good 'Scars' with variations of intensity and tempo throughout the title bringing a pinch of progressive to the symphonic metal of 'Xandria', then, the grandiose choirs are back with 'The Maiden And The Child' which shows a phenomenal firepower, the rhythm section leading the dance and bringing original variations of tempo, sometimes unleashed and sometimes more posed. Finally, 'Astèria' points the tip of its nose with its 9 minutes and is a kind of summary of that 'Xandria' has offered us throughout the album in an exotic atmosphere with oriental intonations, alternating sung parts, growls, choirs and a magnificent instrumental break in the middle of the title.

In summary, the new line up of 'Xandria' has nothing to envy to the previous one and 'Marco Heubaum' has succeeded in bringing this formation back together by offering us a magnificent new album and, 'The Wonders Still Awaiting' should, beyond the fans who have been waiting for this offering for quite some time, please all lovers of symphonic metal and be one of the best kinds of 2023 in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Ambre Vourvahis (Vocal), Marco Heubaum (Guitar), Robert Klawonn (Guitar), Tim Schwarz (Bass), Dimitrios Gatsios (Drums) + Guests : Ralf Scheepers (Vocal), Ally Storch (Violin)


Artist : Matmatah

Album : Miscellanées bissextiles

Release Date : 03-02-2023

Added : 27-02-2023

The French of 'Matmatah' come back with a new album after 'Plates Coutures' in 2017. The COVID years have passed, and they had time to polish this album by offering us a double CD of 14 compositions for 70 minutes of listening. This last baby of the French is in the image of this atypical formation that it is difficult to catalog with a very precise label (which is very French!!), which for me is proof of quality. In a way, we embark on a beautiful journey which could be a melting pot of all the influences of the group with, in mind, their Breton influences which made them known at the end of the 90s.

And to start, what better than to take us on a long 19-minute development with 'Erlenmeyer' which sets the scene by offering us a kind of musical mosaic which will be very difficult to play on the radio, but which is rich in various influences whether it is French song with its reminiscences of 'Serge Gainsbourg' with its spoken sections but also musical research highlighting an imaginative progressive rock which has its roots in French musical culture led by the group 'Ange' (magnificent album for 50 years at the Trianon!), while inserting a small dancing section in the middle of the title which returns to their festive Breton influences. We will find this progressive side in the two other titles, the longest of the 13 others, with 'Hypnagogia' and instrumental 'Trenkenn Fisel' (nice video at 'Vieilles charrues') which take the time to develop different atmospheres and bring diversity to the whole. And for the rest, you might say: we find the festive 'Matmatah' which puts ants in our legs with the triptych 'Populaire' and its addictive melody, 'Rhume des foins', more rock with its tempo to be done a breakdown by dint of jumping in the air and 'Brest-même' in the great tradition of French song with melodic lines à la 'Jean Ferrat'. We find these light atmospheres in compositions like 'De l'aventure', 'SklogW' or even 'La posologie'. But we can also mention other titles that draw on other influences such as the effective rock 'Fière allure' allure' (see video here) or the 'Beatlesian' 'Bet You And I' (necessarily in English) or 'Obscene Anthropocène' which shows a more grave or the magnificent piano/strings/voice trio 'Let's Say It's Alright' filled with a beautiful melancholy, the album ending with the short 'Coupette?' which shows this artistic freedom of this formation with this slightly crazy title on social evenings.

In summary, I finally realize that I have quoted all the titles which shows that there is nothing to throw away in this double CD which feels good. Both refined and light, it displays all the diversity of the French 'Matmatah' who continue their merry way without worrying about fashions and which will certainly make 'Miscellanées bissextiles ' an essential album of their discography and will certainly remain engraved in the memory of all those who favour artists who go off the beaten track...

Line Up / Musicians

Tristan Nihouarn (Vocal, Guitar), Eric Digaire (Vocal, Bass), Léopold Riou (Guitar), Benoît Fournier (Drums)


Artist : We Came From Space

Album : Overlords

Release Date : 03-02-2023

Added : 28-02-2023

'We Came From Space' is the project of keyboardist and guitarist 'Bill Hubauer' who is a member of 'The Neal Morse Band'and who created this project ten years ago with a first album 'How to be Human' in 2013, followed by 'While You Were Away' in 2018. Surrounded by talented artists who are most childhood friends of 'Bill Hubauer', he offers us a new album 'Overlords' which smells good of a melodic progressive influenced by the 70s/80s in which we can find bands like 'Kansas', 'Styx', 'Electric Light Orchestra', 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' or even 'Saga'.

On the menu of this opus, 8 compositions, 3 of which exceed 9 minutes (see the video teaser above): we are greeted by the long development of the eponymous title of the album which begins with a piano reminiscent of ' Can't Get It Out of My Head' by Electric Light Orchestra' and takes us back a few decades to a catchy melody on first listen with beautiful instrumental arrangements featuring strings still reminiscent of 'ELO', beautiful vintage choirs and rhythmic changes and intensity throughout the title. Follows 'On The Radio' which is more direct with keyboards à la 'Keith Emerson', catchy melodic lines on the sung parts and with radio voices which reinforce the progressive side which is also highlighted by a long instrumental section at the end of the title. 'Empty Space' displays a more direct face and offers us a beautiful ballad that 'Alan Parsons' would not have denied, then, 'She's The Bomb / Atomic Blues' (see the video here) deploys its imaginative 10 minutes with long instrumental sections punctuated by radiant choirs and a very beautiful jazzy central break which shows all the talent of this training to develop different atmospheres. More direct, 'Reputation' takes us back to rock, taking us back to the early 70s and makes me think of the electric side of the 'Neil Young & Crazy Horse' band, then, 'Silent Letters' continues with a very beautiful melancholy ballad and this time takes us back to the days of the 'Beatles'. 'Facade' continues in an atmosphere deploying a harmonious melody, alternating beautiful manners with rhythmic verses and a more sedate chorus, then, 'Seize The Day' concludes this very beautiful album with a new long development in which each artist brings his stone to the building and which benefits from long instrumental sections bringing a progressive side while keeping a very accessible side thanks to a catchy melody.

In summary, this new album by the Americans of 'We Came From Space' brings us back to the best of melodic progressive rock of the 70s with a nice alternation between sought-after compositions and other more direct ones and 'Overlords' should please to a public that loves the precursors who have given their letters of nobility to the progressive which, more than 50 years later, has not aged a bit...

Line Up / Musicians

Bill Hubauer (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Dave Buzard (Vocal, Guitar), Dave Hawk (Vocal, Bass), Tim Malone (Drums) + Guest : Michele Mcelhinny (Vocal)


Artist : REXORIA

Album : Imperial Dawn

Release Date : 03-02-2023

Added : 01-03-2023

My next reviews will be devoted to the hard-rock and melodic metal albums released in February 2023. First of all, let's look at the metal from the Swedish band 'REXORIA' who, after two good albums which made them known ('Queen of Light' in 2018 and 'Ice Breaker' in 2019), return with a third opus, 'Imperial Dawn', which continues the adventure with tube melodies that follow one after the other. From the start, 'Paradigme' puts you in the mood with an addictive first chorus and if you hang on to this first title, there is a good chance that you will be satisfied because it is then a suite of melodic jewels that are added in the head immediately: alternately, fast rhythms and mid-tempos tickle your ears with pleasure and we can only regret that the Swedes did not include ballads which would have diversified this album but let's not sulk our pleasure because everything is done to pass a wonderful moment of listening thanks to talented artists led by the excellent singer 'Frida Ohlin', the guitarist 'Edwin Plemberg' from 'Metalite' having joined them as a keyboard player which beautifully densifies the ensemble as on 'Set Me on Fire'.

In short, nothing to throw away in this new album by the Swedish 'REXORIA' who continue to offer us melodies that we taste with delight and 'Imperial Dawn' should appeal to all audiences who love energetic and festive melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Frida Ohlin (Vocal), Jonas Gustavsson (Bass), Martin Gustavsson (Drums), Cristofer Svensson (Guitar) + Guest : Edwin Plemberg (Keybords)


Artist : Infinite & Divine

Album : Ascendancy

Release Date : 10-02-2023

Added : 02-03-2023






We continue with the hard rock and melodic metal releases of February 2023 and, after 'REXORIA' yesterday, it's still Swedes who are in the spotlight with 'Infinite & Divine', whose first album I reviewed 'Silver Lining' in 2021, and who release their second album 'Ascendancy'. Always led by the singer 'Tezzi Persson' and the multi-instrumentalist 'Jan Åkesson' who is also the composer, they continue to offer us compositions mixing melodic rock and hard-rock, and this latest baby contains 11 tracks in radio format for 40 minutes of listening. We are welcomed by an energetic 'Ashes to Ashes' which highlights the powerful voice of 'Tezzi Persson' and which offers us a first catchy chorus, then 'Larp' (see video above) continues in this direction with melodic lines closer to the international variety but in more muscular, atmosphere which one finds on the following title 'Remedy'. In this style, we can also mention 'Silent Revolution' and 'Down' and the Swedes also know how to offer us more pop atmospheres in the melodic approach referring to the best singers of the 80s/90s like 'Bonnie Tyler', 'Pat Benatar' or even 'Tina Turner', while keeping the power of hard rock: 'Our Time' (see the video here) would certainly have made a single in the 80s and 'Leave Me' has nothing to envy to its predecessor. We can note also titles like 'I Hold My Life' with its chorus that we want to sing along to or even 'Forever With Me ' which navigates between ballad and mid-tempo, the album ending with 'Parasites' which 'Bonnie Tyler' would not have denied and 'Small Deeds' which offers us a last catchy melody which remains engraved in the head.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Divine Ascendance' are releasing a very good album which continues to offer us compositions that take us back a few decades while keeping the power of hard rock and 'Ascending' should please a whole audience. navigating between rock and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Tezzi Persson (Vocal), Jan Åkesson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Jens Westberg (Drums) + Guest : Mikael Hylén (Keybords)


Artist : Khymera

Album : Hold Your Ground

Release Date : 10-02-2023

Added : 03-03-2023

After the power of 'REXORIA' and 'Infinite & Divine', we stay in the melodic but in a more moderate style with the AOR of 'Khimera' which, after 'The Grand Design' in 2015 and 'Master of Illusions' in 2020, release a new album 'Hold Your Ground'. At 'Khymera', the albums follow one another and look alike but, this is in no way pejorative, because we are very happy to put between our ears these melodic hits which do good and 'Hold Your Ground' does not derogate to the rule and offers us 11 new compositions that we take great pleasure in listening to. Always led by the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Dennis Ward' since the second album, we embark on a beautiful AOR journey and this, from the start, with the mid-tempo 'Don't Wait For Love' which unfolds a first melody effective then, the singles follow one another with an efficiency which seems quite natural and which brings us back to the best of the 80s when we put the last 'Toto' or 'Foreigner' between our ears. The ballad break is not forgotten with the magnificent 'Our Love Is Killing Me' then, it's off again for an uninterrupted series of hits and my favourites go to 'Hear What I'm Saying' (see video above), 'Believe In What You Want' and 'Could Have Been Us'. In short, 'Khymera' continues its journey by offering us a new album filled with unstoppable melodies and this 'Hold You Ground' will undoubtedly delight all those who were raised on the bottles of the precursors of the AOR in the 80 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Ward (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Michael Klein (Guitar), Michael Kolar (Drums), Pete Newdeck (Choirs)


Artist : Doomsday Outlaw

Album : Damaged Goods

Release Date : 03-02-2023

Added : 04-03-2023

You want some good direct and effective rock that makes you headbang on the first chords, I've got you covered with the Brits of 'Doomsday Outlaw' who are releasing a new album and appearing on spotify with 'Damaged Goods'. In this latest baby, everything is done to go on a refreshing journey with a mix of rock, hard rock and blues with thick riffs that takes us back to the best bands of the 70s/80s. And here we go for 12 compositions all as addictive as each other and if you hang on to 'In Too Deep' (see the video above) which begins the album with a well-soaked hard rock rush and effective 'On My Way' which gets you in shape for a whole day with a chorus that you have a mad desire to scream at the top of your head, you should adopt 'Damaged Goods' fairly quickly. In the same energetic style as these first two titles, we can cite the enormous mid-tempo 'You Make It Easy', the driving 'Runaway' (see the video here ), the swaying 'My Woman Comes On Strong' reminiscent of 'Led Zeppelin' (see the video here) or even the heavy 'It Never Gets Old ' with its vintage keyboards. Between all this energy, the English offer us other compositions that exude good blues/rock with 'If This Is The End' (see the video here), but also more direct rock with 'Turn Me Loose' which makes me think of the beginning of the 'Beatles' with the melody of 'I Saw Her Standing There' but in more muscular, or rock leering towards country with 'One More Sip' (see the video here) and 'Walking The Line' with his slide guitar, not forgetting the two ballads 'Nowhere Left To Hide' and especially 'The Little Things' which ends the album in style with a melody that makes you go straight up on a little cosy cloud as you find yourself in a concert swinging your arms above your head listening to the delicious vocals of 'Phil Poole' and the addictive guitar solo.

In summary, the English of 'Doomsday Outlaw' release a very diversified album which offers us a melting pot of classic styles and if you like a mix of rock, hard rock and blues/rock well soaked, you should without no doubt adopting 'Damaged Goods' quite quickly...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Poole (Vocal), Steve Broughton (Guitar), Alez De’Elia (Guitar), Indy Chanda (Bass), John Willis (Drums), Ryan Taylor (Keybords)


Artist : Delain

Album : Dark Waters

Release Date : 10-02-2023

Added : 06-03-2023

I'm not going to tell you the story of 'Delain' again because, to see all the chronicles published on the web on their last album, everything is said. In summary then, 'Dark Waters' is a 'Delain 2.0' studio recording masterfully directed by the conductor 'Martijn Westerholt', who gave us an excellent 'Legends of Light' in 2022 with his project 'Eye Of Melian'. In parallel, the former singer 'Charlotte Wessels' continues her solo career and her second album 'Tales from Six Feet Under Vol. II' which shows a very diverse face of this jack-of-all-trades artist. So, what's up with this new line up of 'Delain'? I dare say, not much but this might be taken negatively when this is finally good news since we left the old 'Delain' with 'Apocalypse & Chill' in 2020 and this new baby, from my point of view, is completely in line with its illustrious predecessor.

We had already had a glimpse of it six months before with the release of the first single 'The Quest And The Curse' (see the video above) which was pure 'Delain' and, at the time, I made this silly thought to myself when I heard the new singer 'Dianah Leah' in a register that seemed very familiar to me: "Hey, they've reinstated Charlotte at 'Delain'". Yes because, if you listen to the first verse, we found exactly the same phrasing and the same intonations of voice and, melodically, this title could very well have been part of 'Human Contradiction' from 2014 or 'Moonbathers' from 2016. 3 months ago, 'Beneath' (see video here) confirmed this feeling with a new composition unfolding a powerful sound with a chorus that fits easily in the head, and 'Moth To A Flame' (see the video here), about a month ago, drove the point home with a new melodic gem that would certainly have made a hit in the 80s in a more moderate style. Finally, 'Queen Of Shadow' (see the video here), again saw the appearance of the 'Charlotte Wessells' clone with a new hit that had nothing to envy to its predecessor. The 6 other compositions remain in the same historical style which could all be part of a set list of the group, and we will not miss 'Hideaway Paradise' which opens the album, and which should make people happy if it is played in concert. 'Mirror Of Night' shows a more moderate side with a beautiful symphonic introduction filled with choirs and 'Tainted Hearts' which follows suit, continues in this melodic symphonic metal, the keyboards of 'Martijn Westerholt' coming to wrap the saturated guitar riffs. Follows 'The Cold' with its 'Nightwishienne' introduction which adds an epic composition and which stands out a little bit from the lot with its remarkable instrumental section in the second part of the title, then, we find again this epic symphonic side in 'Invictus' with the participations of the former bassist of 'Nightwish', 'Marko Hietala' and singer 'Paolo Ribaldini'. The album ends with 'Underland' which could be a clever mix of the ABBA metal from 'Amberian Dawn' for his latest addictive chorus and 'Xandria' for his radiant choirs (by the way, the next tour of 'Delain' will feature 'Xandria' as opening act). We can nevertheless regret the absence of an original ballad but we will console ourselves with the very beautiful refined interpretation of 'The Quest And The Curse' in which 'Diana Leah' shows that she has nothing to envy to 'Charlotte Wessells'.

In summary, symphonic metal bands are in a bad way right now, because after the redesign of 'Xandria', 'Delain' shows a completely renewed new line up but has nothing to envy to the old one because everything has been done to offer us an album that should undoubtedly be well received by all fans of the group but also more widely by all followers of an accessible symphonic metal with melodies that we appropriate from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Diana Leah (Vocal), Martijn Westerholt (Keybords), Ronald Landa (Guitar), Ludovico Cioffi (Bass), Sander Zoer (Drums) + Guests : Paolo Ribaldini (Vocal), Marko Hietala (Vocal), Ruud Jolie (Guitar), Rob van Der Loo (Bass), Mikko Pathos Mustonen (Orchestrations)


Artist : Wig Wam

Album : Out of the Dark

Release Date : 10-02-2023

Added : 07-03-2023

After the British from 'Doomsday Outlaw', it's 'Wig Wam''s turn to release a new album, after 'Never Say Die' in 2021 which saw the Norwegians return to service after 5 years of separation. Their past label of 'Glam Rock/Metal' continues to stick to their skin (they even participated to Eurovision in 2005 with 'In My Dreams'), but this latest baby, like its predecessor, shows a slight hardening and entry, the two singles 'Out of the Dark' (see the video above) and 'High n Dry', not that of 'Def Leppard' but we could draw a parallel with their compatriots on this title (see the video here), are well-tempered hits that bring us back to the best of 80s melodic hard rock. We continue with the heavy mid-tempo 'Forevermore' (see the video here), with its addictive chorus, then, 'Bad Luck Chuck' picks up the tempo for a new hard rock rush with saturated guitars which lead the dance and, 'Uppercut Shazam' continues in this energy with bursting choirs, just like its successor 'Bad Luck Chuck' with its catchy atmosphere conducive to headbanging. The ballad break arrives with 'The Purpose' which is to be added to the best hard rock ballads, then, return to raw energy with the hard-hitting 'American Dream' and, complete change of style with the instrumental '79' which eyes the side of the ballads of 'Santana' and which shows a peaceful and relaxing face. The last two titles 'God By Your Side' and 'Sailor Ad The Desert Sun' are in the spirit of a powerful hard rock of the 80s, the first with vocal arrangements reminiscent of 'Def Leppard' and the second which, after an exotic introduction, unrolls a heavy mid-tempo with oriental intonations.

In summary, the English of 'Wig Wam' continues to offer us quality albums with melodic lines still as effective and, even if they evolve towards a more powerful sound, 'Out of the Dark' should please to an audience that loves melodic hard rock, bringing us back to the best of 80s hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Åge Sten Nilsen – Glam (Vocal), Trond Holter – Teeny (Guitar), Bernt Jansen – Flash (Bass), Øystein Andersen – Sporty (Drums)


Artist : UFO

Album : Werewolves of London (Live)

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 08-03-2023

Seeing the cover of this 'Werewolves of London', I found myself a few decades back with, in my hands, the cover of the vinyl 'Strangers in the Night' which played on a loop on the family turntable, and I said to myself that it was probably a remix of this anthology concert but, after seeing the set list and, even if the cover is strangely similar to that of 1979, this live is in fact a live given by the British in 1998, when 'Michael Schenker' returned to UFO for a while, and which had been the subject of a first release at the end of the 90s. Not so well known to the general public, the group released an impressive number of albums between the beginning of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s, then experienced less prosperous periods afterwards, but continues its journey with, in recent years, the release of 'A Conspiracy Of Stars' in 2015 which was followed in 2017 by the cover album 'The Salentino Cuts'. We therefore embarked with almost the same line up (with the exception of ready 'Simon Wright' replacing 'Andy Parker' who returned to business in the mid-2000s) in a very good set which shows all the energy of this formation in concert and, at first, if you don't hang on to the 'Natural Thing', you can go your way because the sequel is like this first title, and we delight in listening to the hard rock hymns what are 'Mother Mary', 'The Kid's', 'Too Hot to Handle', 'Only You Can Rock Me' or even 'Doctor Doctor', without forgetting of course the emblematic title 'Rock Bottom' which ended the concerts and which very often exceeded 10 minutes. But UFO is also more moderate compositions, and in this concert, we also spend very good times listening to 'A Self Made Man', 'Out In The Streets', 'Venus' or even 'Love to Love'. In short, this live that the British have taken out of their box is completely in line with the mythic 'Strangers in the Night' and shows that UFO' is part of the formations that have made the history of hard rock and who had enough to compete with the biggest names in the genre at the time...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Mogg (Vocal), Michael Schenker (Guitar), Paul Raymond (Guitar, Keybords), Pete Way (Bass), Simon Wright (Drums)


Artist : First Signal

Album : Face Your Fears

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 09-03-2023






They delighted us only a few months ago with 'Closer to the Edge' that I had included in the playlist of melodic rock/hard rock releases of April 2022 and 'Harry Hess' is releasing a new album with his project 'First Signal' which sees a major line up change as multi-instrumentalist 'Daniel Flores' has left the ship and that it is an Italian dream team which comes to replace the old one with the singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Michele Guaitoli' (among others 'Visions Of Atlantis' and 'Temperance'), guitarist 'Marco Pastorino' who participates in many projects including 'Fallen Sanctuary' and 'Temperance' and drummer 'Marco Andreetto'.

Despite this great upheaval, 'Harry Hess' continues its journey by offering us good melodic hard rock that we tame from the first listen and this 'Face Your Fears' is no exception to the rule with 11 direct tracks and effective radio duration. The only major evolution is that 'Marco Pastorino', given his pedigree with metal formations, brings a more punchy guitar playing which considerably densifies the whole but which in no way harms the still catchy melodic lines of 'Harry Hess': attest the first two titles with, first of all, 'Unbreakable' (see the video above) and its powerful introduction which continues on a first melodic hit, the song of 'Harry Hess' s' perfectly acclimatizing to those muscular guitar riffs, then 'Situation Critical' continues in that energetic vibe with a catchy chorus. In this style, we can also cite the hit 'Shoot The Bullet' (see the video here), 'Dominos' and 'Face You Fears'. Alternately, 'Harry Hess' offers us more moderate AOR compositions and we can mention the two mid-tempo 'Always Be There' which, even if the power of the guitars is there, brings a bright side and 'Never Gonna Let You Go' with its catchy melody (see the video here). Also approaching a classy AOR, in a catchy and melodic style, 'Rain for Your Roses', 'Not This Time' and 'Never Be Silenced' with their addictive chorus also show the talent that 'Harry Hess' to lay melodies that go into your head at first listen. And then, the obligatory ballad in this kind of album is present with the magnificent 'In The Name of Love' which brings us back to the best ballads, and even if it gives us the impression of having heard it many times already, features a masterful vocal delivery by Harry Hess'.

In short, this 'Face Your Fears', even if it will not revolutionize the style, is added to the best melodic hard rock albums of 2023 and should touch, not only fans of 'First Signal' but also all those who navigate between melodic hard rock and AOR...

Line Up / Musicians

Harry Hess (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Guitar), Michele Guaitoli (Bass, Guitar), Marco Andreetto (Drums)


Artist : Creye

Album : III: Weightless

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 10-03-2023






After 'Harry Hess' latest album with his project 'First Signal', it's still melodic hard rock in the spotlight with the Swedes of 'Creye' who released 'II' in 2021. Still at 'Frontiers Music' which offered us a nice package of albums in February 2023, we find Sweden, great provider of melodic hard rock formations with this new offering of 'Creye', ' III: Weightless' which, as you can imagine, will not revolutionize the genre but which contains beautiful melodies to put between the ears and to In short, I will name the titles that gave me this irresistible desire to listen to them over and over: first of all, 'Glorious' which would certainly have been a hit in the 80s, then 'One Step Away' (see the video here) with its super catchy chorus, but also the popping 'The Game' with its differences in intensity, the driving 'Spreading Fire' (see the video here), without forgetting the energetic 'In the Shadows' with its luminous keyboards and the beautiful ballad 'Stay' which I directly added to my playlist of rock/hard rock/metal ballads. In short, it's still a beautiful album that the Swedes of 'Creye' offer us and they confirm with this third opus 'III: Weightless' that they are part of the best of the best of Swedish melodic hard rock and quite simply international...

Line Up / Musicians

August Rauer (Vocal), Andreas Gullstrand (Guitar), Fredrik Joakimsson (Guitar), Joel Ronning (Keybords), Gustaf Orsta (Bass), Arvid Filipsson (Drums)


Artist : PreHistoric animals

Album : Livefires

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 12-03-2023

I didn't know the Swedes from 'PreHistoric Animals' and I discovered them with the release of this live 'Livefires' which is also available on you tube in full here. They mix rock and progressive metal and their last two studio recordings ('The Magical Mystery Machine (Chapter one ) and 'The Magical Mystery Machine (Chapter two)') form a set that takes us into a science fiction universe with the story of Cora and Jareth but ultimately deals with current problems of humanity.

If you are a fan of varied progressive that mixes different moods and alternates different intensities and rhythms within each composition, you should join 'PreHistoric Animals' and this concert is a good door opener. Entrance to discover the Swedes: 'Floodgate' (see the video above) begins in an atmospheric way and gains momentum quite quickly with heavy guitar riffs, then, we discover the very expressive vocals of 'Stefan Altzar' who has nothing to envy to the best progressive rock/metal singers. The accessibility is quite immediate due to a catchy chorus and a very beautiful guitar solo in the second part of the title. 'Run Stranger, run!' follows suit and is certainly more direct with catchy melodic lines. In the same style, 'We harvest the souls of the brave' alternates heavy riffs and much more moderate sections led by electronic keyboard sounds, then, the introduction of 'The Magical Mystery Machine' shows a more serene face by unrolling an atmospheric first section on a slow tempo, then grows to continue on a part with a rhythmic section which varies as the title progresses which brings a good dose of progressive and which makes it one of my favorites from the album. Note the magnificent guitar solo (a real one of more than 2 minutes!) in the finale which adds even more to this progressive side. Make way for 'Welcome to my shrinking universe' which is the break of the album with a magnificent ballad with a touching and melancholic melody on which 'Stefan Altzar' shows a beautiful emotion in his singing. The end of the album is certainly less direct and harder to tame with, first of all, the energetic 'Ghostfires' which presents a more complex construction and which walks in a progressive labyrinth with an unbridled rhythm section, then, ' Burn the ground' returns to a more conventional style with accessible melodic lines. We arrive at the long development 'Into battle (Like my father)', also more complex, which embarks us on 10 minutes of inventive progressive during which there is always something happening and which alternates sung and instrumental sections in a beautiful way, then, this short one-hour concert ends with 'Never thought I was a monster' which takes us one last time into the progressive universe of the Swedes alternating different rhythms and melodic themes, the whole being supported by muscular guitar riffs.

In summary, the Swedes of 'PreHistoric Animals' are releasing a very good album in public and, even if some compositions are not necessarily accessible from the first listen and require you to linger, this 'Livefires' should please to a whole audience that navigates between rock and progressive metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Samuel Granath (Drums), Stefan Altzar (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Noah Magnusson (Bass, Keybords), Daniel Magdic (Guitar)


Artist : Robin McAuley

Album : Alive

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 13-03-2023

Not easy to follow all the releases on 'Frontiers' because February was another month with multiple albums distributed by the 'Serafino Perugino' and it is still a regular of the label who is in the spotlight with the singer 'Robin McAuley', known for collaborating with 'Michael Schenker' in his various projects and who had released a first album 'Standing On The Edge' in 2021. And when we talk about 'Frontiers', we also find 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' who comes to lend a hand as bassist and keyboardist, the rest of the line up being made up of guitarist 'Andrea Seveso' ('Black Rose Maze', 'Inner Stream', 'Poison Rose') and drummer 'Nicholas Papapicco' ('Toby Hitchcock', 'Inner Stream', 'Mayank, Gui Oliver', 'Tommy DeCarlo').

It's no surprise that we find unstoppable melodies that bring us back to the best of the 80s/90s with an irreproachable production highlighting a powerful sound with devastating guitar riffs. So, make yourself comfortable in your armchair with your headphones on, turn up the volume slightly and savor these 11 compositions, starting with the title song which sets the tone for the album (see video above) and which offers a first chorus to be sung in chorus until loss of voice. The following three titles are of the same melodic level (see the video of the title 'Feel Like Hell' here) and 'Can't Go On' offers us the break ballad with a gem to add to the best hard rock and metal power ballads. Then it's off again for another skewer of melodic jewels with 'The Endless Mile', 'Fading Away' and 'My Only Son' which all have rhythms to automatically turn on the foot-tapping machine. After all these hits with addictive melodies, the last three compositions hook me a little less on the first listen, certainly by the fact that they do not present a chorus that one has the impression of having heard thousands of times which ultimately makes them more original.

In summary, the albums of 'Frontiers' follow one another and continue to offer unstoppable melodies and this latest album of 'Robin McAuley' is further proof of this and, even if it will not revolutionize the style, if you are a fan of hard rock and melodic metal, you can listen to any title from this album 'Alive' to get in shape for a whole day...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Mc Auley (Vocal), Andrea Seveso (Guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keybords), Nicholas Papapicco (Drums)


Artist : Peter Gee

Album : Pilgrim

Release Date : 02-02-2023

Added : 14-03-2023

'Peter Gee' is the bass player of 'Pendragon' and also has a solo career during which he has already released 6 albums, the first, 'Heart of David' from 1993 and latest, 'The Bible' from 2018, album which has a cover that looks suspiciously like that of 'Not Of This World' from 'Pendragon'. Very religious, his themes very often revolve around religion and his latest opus 'Pilgrim' is inspired by the novel 'The Pilgrim's Journey' by 'John Bunyan' dating from 1678. We are therefore taken on a very beautiful journey filled with sweetness and serenity which is made up of 20 fairly short compositions not exceeding 4 minutes. In his influences, we find of course the tenors of progressive rock of the 70s with in mind 'Genesis' but also groups like 'Barclay James Harvest' or 'The Alan Parsons Project', the whole being mixed with more classical influences due to his education within the Protestant Church (his father was a pastor and he used this evocation of the pilgrim of 'John Bunyan' to pay homage to this father who spent his life loving and serving others). Between electric and acoustic, the whole is very varied and unfolds catchy melodic lines bathed in atmospheres that are always very delicate and quiet, mostly on slow tempos. We can also emphasize that the four performers highlight each composition by bringing a very particular emotion and that the instrumental sections present magnificent guitar solos, whether acoustic or electric like that of the finale of 'The River Of Death' in a 'Floydian' atmosphere. In short, 'Peter Gee' offers us a very beautiful album which can be tasted with pleasure and 'Pilgrim' should appeal to all those who love a peaceful rock filled with serenity to listen to quietly with headphones to relax from a stressful work day...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Gee (Guitar, Piano, Keybords, Bass, Percussions), Steve Thorne (Vocal), Jimmy Flanders (Vocal), Becky Brannigan (Vocal), Hayley Oliver (Choirs), Steve Christey (Drums)


Artist : eMolecule

Album : The Architect

Release Date : 10-02-2023

Added : 15-03-2023

After his solo album 'Becoming Human' in 2020, the singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Simon Collins' embarks on the new project 'eMolecule' with 'Kelly Nordstrom' with whom he had worked a decade ago on the album 'Dimensionaut' from the group 'Sound Of Contact', project in collaboration with 'Dave Kerzner'. The result is a contemporary progressive album, 'The Architect', which is a kind of metling-pot of different styles with an alternation of accessible parts and others much less which require multiple listenings to fully penetrate all the corners and corners.

And from the first title 'Emolecule', we are overwhelmed by all kinds of atmospheres which range from an introduction to electronic sounds bringing a certain dissonance to explosive progressive metal with an accompaniment to the percussive drums of 'Simon Collins', passing through progressive rock accompanied by a doctored song which then explodes in a deluge of sound, but also in the second part of the title, a sequence with the allure of contemporary music that composers such as 'Pierre Henry' or 'Iannis Xenakis', the finale returning to heavy progressive metal on a slow tempo. More conventional, the eponymous title of the album offers an energetic atmosphere that is close to formations like 'Porcupine Tree' with multiple twists, such as this remarkable break in the second part of the title which brings down all the tension accumulated before to better start again on an incisive finale. Follows 'Prison Planet' which is much more accessible at first listen by unrolling catchy melodic lines bathed in electronic sounds, the rhythm section printed by 'Simon Collins' recalling in some places the style of his father (dogs do not cats!!), then, 'Mastermind' (see the video above) sets out again in an inventive progressive labyrinth full of tensions and relaxations which flirts with industrial metal with disturbing sonorities, the rhythmic acceleration in the second part leading to a magnificent acoustic part followed by a striking symphonic part which makes it one of the major titles of the album. With 'Dosed', we started again in heavy metal on a slow tempo which unfolds a haunting melody on which the intense vocals are well in phase with the power deployed until the end with cries of extreme metal, then, change of scenery with the instrumental 'The Turn' which opens on a few piano notes and which gradually gains momentum to finally explode in the middle of the title and, after a break, devastating guitar riffs take over for a new tormented section to end on an atmospheric note, imagining this expression of "calm after the storm". Much more conventional and presenting a very beautiful sung section, 'Awaken' takes us on a song with a catchy melody which is more reminiscent of 'Elton John' than of 'Dream Theater', then, 'Beyond Belief' (see the video here) unfolds a sort of hit with electronic sounds which are much more measured than the fiery atmospheres of the first part of the opus, an opus which continues in this melodic atmosphere with 'The Universal' which is a new composition alternating powerful parts and others much more posed, all benefiting from multiple rhythmic changes. And to finish, the beautiful song 'My You' offers us a melody which comes directly to the head and a very beautiful final guitar solo which makes it one of the most accessible titles of the album, then 'Moment of Truth' displays a double face with a first part reminiscent of the ballads of 'Phil Collins' but which grows throughout the title and which ends with an explosive finale highlighting boosted progressive metal.

In summary, the duo 'Simon Collins' and 'Kelly Nordstrom' produce an album of extraordinary density and richness that requires adherence to styles that are quite distant, and 'The Architect' will certainly be reserved to a well-informed public that loves a progressive that draws its influences from both rock and metal, while keeping a resolutely modern character with the addition of electro sounds...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Collins (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Drums), Kelly Nordstrom (Vocal, Guitar, Bass)


Artist : Damanek

Album : Making Shore

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 16-03-2023

Here is the number three for the band at 'Guy Manning' with this new album 'Making Shore' which succeeds the very good 'On Track' from 2017 and 'On Flight' from 2018. We happily find this mixture of styles between pop, rock, funk and jazz, all this full of rich and dense arrangements thanks to many guests who add brass and wind instruments but also very beautiful choirs. The album is divided into two, the first part comprising 7 compositions which unfold melodies in quiet registers dealing with different subjects such as the conquest of the Himalayas or climate change or even damage caused to the oceans.

'A Mountain of Sky' (see the video above) opens the ball in a radiant climate that takes us back to the 70s and 80s with the enthusiasm and carelessness of the time when we finds on a catchy rhythm a fusion of artists like 'Santana', 'Chris Rea', 'Jethro-Tull' or even 'Toto'. In the same atmosphere, 'Back2Back', despite the rather black theme evoked on the climate, offers us a bath of youth with jazzy intonations with resplendent brass and a masterful guitar solo, then 'Noon Day Candles' is much darker, taking into account the theme of famine, and unfolds on a slow tempo a magnificent moving melody. We return to the style of the beginning with 'Americana' with this feeling of lightness and on this title (magnificent little jazzy solo at 2.53) and the singing of 'Guy Manning' makes me think of that of 'Ian Anderson' as if 'Steely Dan' met 'Jethro Tull' in the 70s. With 'I Deep Blue (Sea Songs Pt. 1)', we find ourselves at the edge of the sea in a dreamy setting lulled by a syrupy melody which is slightly out of step with the rest, then, 'Reflections on Copper' continues in a cozy jazzy atmosphere with the soft vocals of 'Guy Manning' accompanied by the trumpet of 'Riley Nixon-Burns' using several mutes. Change of scenery with the first part of 'Crown Of Thorns (Sea Songs Pt. 2)' (see the video here) which takes us to seventies rock to soften in a ballad with again a vocal performance strongly reminiscent of 'Ian Anderson', the title returning to the rock finale of the beginning. Make way for the 'Oculus' suite which, in 5 parts and for more than 30 minutes, takes us on a progressive epic sweeping through different styles, starting with the lively and joyful orchestral opening embellished by the flute and the piccolo of 'Linda Pirie' who twirl in this bucolic atmosphere. Act 1 'Spot The Difference' takes us back to the seventies and if I had been played this track separately, I would have certainly sworn it was part of a 'Jethro Tull' album so much the vocals of 'Guy Manning ' is similar to that of 'Ian Andreson', especially since the progressive construction of this title is similar to that of the British. More energetic, act 2 'The Corridor' continues in this rock of the seventies with the same resemblance, then, 'Passive Ghost' is a very beautiful ballad à la 'Al Stewart' and 'A Welcoming Hand' ends the album on a light note with still this resemblance to 'Jethro Tull', the finale bringing a more rock note with a very beautiful guitar solo.

In summary, with this new album by 'Damanek', 'Guy Manning', accompanied by talented artists, offers us a beautiful exotic journey through time with this ubiquitous resemblance to 'Jethro Tull' while adding other atmospheres ranging from jazz to funk via orchestral music, and 'Making Shore' is a real bubble of freshness which feels good and which, due to its immediate accessibility, should appeal not only to fans of progressive rock loving to mix styles but also to a much wider audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Guy Manning (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords, Percussions), Sean Timms (Choirs, Keybords, Banjo), Marek Arnold (Saxophone, Seabord) + Guests : Brody Thomas Green (Drums), Cam Blokland (Guitar), Ralf Dietsch (Guitar), Jonathan Barrett (Bass Fretless), Nick Sinclair (Bass), Riley Nixon-Burns (Trumpet), Linda Pirie (Flute, Piccolo), Julie King (Choirs), Kevin Currie (Choirs), Amanda Timms (Choirs)


Artist : All My Shadows

Album : Eerie Monsters

Release Date : 17-02-2023

Added : 17-03-2023






'All My Shadows' is a new project that was created by two members of 'Vanden Plas' and who brought with them Stephan's brother, the drummer 'Andreas Lill' who also officiates at 'Venden Plas' but also artists from their entourage with keyboardist 'Markus Teske' and bassist 'Franky R.' who both revolve around the German combo. Given the pedigree of each, we suspect that the result is likely to be closer to their basic training. After a first listening to this first album 'Eerie Monsters', it finally emerges an accentuated melodic side and, on the contrary, a less present progressive aspect, the whole being a mixture of hard rock and melodic rock.

Initially, with 'Silent Waters' (see the video above), we are greeted by a catchy and rhythmic composition with a melody that easily fits into your head, then, 'A Boy Without a Name' continues on this path with a new hit that reminds me of the energy deployed by 'Threshold'. With 'Syrens', the more moderate rhythm brings a nice variety and, even if the power of the guitars is also present, shows a melodic face bringing us back to the 80s with formations like 'The Alan Parsons Project', then, 'Liveforms' continues in a mid-tempo with a very catchy chorus. More progressive in approach (and also longer), 'Wolverinized' travels through rhythmic and intensity changes with a nice break in the second part of the title, then, 'The Phantoms Of The Dawn' (see video here) takes us on a catchy rhythm with flamboyant choirs and a simple but super effective little guitar solo. The break ballad 'Farewell' is magnificent and can make you think of the best ballads of 'Serenity', the finale with moving choruses eyeing 'Queen', then, 'Devil's Ride' picks up strength for a well-tempered and super effective hard rock rush, the album ending with 'All My Eerie Monsters' which sums up this album well with an admirable vocal performance by Andy Kuntz', radiant choirs, a very beautiful guitar solo and an addictive final chorus, the whole bringing pleasant changes of tempos.

In summary, between melodic and progressive, this new project 'All My Shadows' shows a very attractive face and offers us a first quality album which is accessible from the first listen. 'Eerie Monsters', beyond the fans of 'Vanden Plas' who should undoubtedly adopt this new project, is to be recommended to all lovers of rock and melodic hard rock that we appropriate on first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Stephan Lill (Guitar), Andy Kuntz (Vocal), Markus Teske (Keybords), Franky R. (Bass), Andreas Lill (Drums)


Artist : Rain

Album : Radio Silence

Release Date : 27-01-2023

Added : 18-03-2023






I did not know about this new project 'Rain' which was created before the period of isolation and which highlights artists who participate or have participated in various essential formations of international progressive rock such as Ark, Jadis, Arena, Blind Ego, IQ or Frost*. They released in 2020 a first studio recording 'Singularity' which offered long developments in a progressive style mixing different periods of this style and 2023 sees the birth of its successor, 'Radio Silence' which continues in this direction with more compositions which are generally shorter than in the first opus but which make it possible to diversify the whole.

'Genaú' (see the video above) opens the ball with a short symphonic instrumental with beautiful choirs and keyboards filling the whole space which can recall certain atmospheres of 'Genesis', then, 'Hypnosis' follows suit with a catchy first part with a few changes of tempo and a bass line that leads the dance on a melody being easy to remember, and, at about 2 minutes, a rather offbeat electronico/jazzy interlude is inserted after the more conventional first part to return after a beautiful intervention of guitar to the starting theme which takes vigor until the end. With 'Something New' (see the video here), we embark on a patchwork of atmospheres mixing jazzy, reggae and rock intonations which shows the beautiful diversity that can offer us 'Rain' and we can also underline the beautiful vocal arrangements throughout the title. Change of scenery with the remarkable eponymous title of the album which unrolls on a delicate mid-tempo with a light melody a slight crescendo which falls after a very beautiful plaintive guitar solo and which ends with a few guitar chords accompanied by soft vocalize. Make way for the two longest titles of the album with, first of all 'Solid State' which, with its first part with a light and catchy rhythm led by a jumping bass, shows a more marked progressive face by alternating sung sections with inventive instrumental parts with different changes of rhythm to return to the end of the starting theme. The other long development is 'Bring It Back' which shows a more elaborate construction and which takes us through a beautiful progressive epic in which the two singers pass the ball to each other in a beautiful way according to the fluctuating intensity of the moment throughout the title, the break in the second part bringing a real originality by evacuating all the tension accumulated during the first part. New change of scenery with 'Never Ending Circle' which takes us into a funky atmosphere by moving away from progressive for a more direct title which embroiders around the main theme with beautiful instrumental interventions (including this beautiful quieter section at 4 minutes) between the sung parts (by the way very well not the vocal pair 'Rob Groucutt'/'Mirron Webb'). 'Winter Sun' is a short melancholic piano interlude which shows a new facet of 'Rain' and serves as a beautiful introduction to the last title 'Fear in the Night' which develops 8 inventive minutes in a progressive atmosphere which can recall in the chorus the Germans of 'RPWL' (which release right new a new album 'Crime Scene': next review on myprogmusic) and which add other ingredients such as this classical guitar section in the first part or this second guitar break in the second part with a harmonious song which precedes a final in acceleration and in crescendo with a very nice electric guitar solo.

In summary, the British of 'Rain' release a very beautiful album very diversified by integrating different styles between and in each composition which, in a way, is the very definition of the progressive which transforms the listener into an explorer at inside a sound labyrinth bringing to each nook and cranny its stylistic particularity. Of course, 'Radio Silence' is to be recommended to all those who like to take their time to tame a musical work in order to ultimately draw all the substantial marrow from it...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Groucutt (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Mirron Webb (Vocal, Guitar), John Jowitt (Bass), Andy Edwards (Drums)


Artist : Lazuli

Album : Lazuli 11

Release Date : 20-02-2023

Added : 19-03-2023






2020 and 2021 had been good years for 'Lazuli' who had spoiled us with, first of all the excellent album 'Le fantastique envol de Dieter Böhm', then the post-confinement opus 'Dénudé', and the French are doing it again with a new album simply called '11 ', which as you will have understood, is already the 11th album of the group. We thus find the band at 'Dominique Léonetti' with 11 new compositions which continue the great adventure started 25 years ago now with the key to a first eponymous album of the group in 1999. Certainly, 'Lazuli' continues to make 'Lazuli ' and, even if their style is still so recognizable at first listen, it's good to put between your ears a new 'Lazuli' with new admirable poetic texts and this very particular style which highlights the leode of 'Claude Leonetti' bringing this bewitching side to music. So, to convince yourself of this, close your eyes and listen to the first title 'Sillonner des océans de vinyles' which, for those over fifty, brings us back to this nostalgia for these microgrooves that we played on a loop in the years 70 by discovering this new progressive music from the precursors of the genre who have now become emblematic formations: the chills are already there! So, if you're like me, continue with 'Triste Carnaval' which gives us a layer of emotion with this magnificent crescendo and then with 'Qui d'autre que l'autre' and its magnificent refined introduction which picks up momentum breadth by unrolling a very beautiful text. The sequel is in the image of this beginning with, each time, passages that hook you with for example these final choruses that we want to accompany on 'Egoïne' or this feeling of being lulled by the soft singing of 'Dominique Leonetti' in 'La lagune grise' or this poetic text on a remarkable melancholy musical theme in 'Parlons du temps' or even this instrumental power bringing an intense emotional force in 'La bétaillère' followed by this striking transition to this sensation of delicacy in the following 'Mille rêves hors de leur cage'. And to finish, what could be better than taking us into a melancholy piano/voice with 'Le grand vide' filled with a very special emotion. In summary, it's still a beautiful album that 'Lazuli' offers us and this 11th baby of the French comes to be added to the already long list of musical nuggets of their discography which show that France has many talents not necessarily known to the great public who are often taken hostage by a few majors who play the few titles they have decided to promote for purely commercial purposes on the radio...

Line Up / Musicians

Dominique Leonetti (Vocal, Guitar), Arnaud Beyney (Guitar), Claude Leonetti (Léode), Romain Thorel (Keybords, Cor), Vincent Barnavol (Drums, Percussions, Marimba)


Artist : Kauan

Album : ATM Revised

Release Date : 24-02-2023

Added : 20-03-2023

I introduced you to 'Kauan' with the album 'Kaiho' released in 2017 and since then they have released another studio recording 'Ice Fleet' and several live 'Sorni Nai', 'Pirut' and 'Lumikuuru'. Mixing different styles ranging from atmospheric melancholy to black metal, passing through doom, folk metal and post metal, they have just re-recorded their third album 'Aava Tuulen Maa' from 2009 which, at the time, did not benefit from an optimum recording. This opus was mainly focused on heavy and melancholy atmosphereric style and, thanks to this new version, we can now take full advantage of these moods which look towards formations of the same style as 'Anathema', 'Antimatter', 'Klone' or 'Soen'.

From the start, with 'Ommeltu Polku' which serves as an aperitif, we are directly immersed in this haunting atmosphere which repeats the same melodic phrase, then, 'Valveuni' continues in this direction with a marked rhythm that makes you escape to the sound of a crystalline piano which makes its appearance after a few minutes and which then accompanies us throughout the title alternating with aerial keyboards and a bewitching song. The break in the second part with the piano which returns to rock us is particularly remarkable and allows us to raise the emotional slider several notches. The following title 'Fohn' which, like its predecessor, exceeds 10 minutes, brings even more alternations between heavy and powerful sections and others much more ethereal, these striking contrasts further adding to this released emotional force, then ' Sokea Sisar', with its introduction reminiscent of certain compositions from 'Pink Floyd', 'David Gilmour' period, first unrolls a slow tempo with magnificent vocal arrangements highlighting the Finnish language on which is added a very particular melancholy thanks to the accompaniment of the violin, then the second part accelerates the rhythm to bring a more catchy side then returns to a refined part with again this slow tempo highlighting this time flute sounds which contrast very nicely with the heavy side of the bass line and guitar riffs, the title ending in serenity with a magnificent piano/violin duet. We end our beautiful journey with 'Neulana Hetkessa' which, one last time, makes us climb warm on a cozy little cloud listening to a hypnotic melody on which we completely surrender.

In summary, I will use the qualifiers I used in this column to characterize this re-recording of 'Aava Tuulen Maa' from 2009: bewitching, airy, crystalline, ethereal and hypnotic, ultimately simply beautiful! Indeed, everything is there to go through magnificent soundscapes that you can enjoy quietly with headphones to decompress after a stressful day...

Line Up / Musicians

Anton Belov (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Programmation), Alexander Vynogradoff (Bass), Alina Belova (Keybords, Choirs), Anton Skrynnik (Drums), Anatoly Gavrilov (Violin)


Artist : A.C.T

Album : Falling

Release Date : 03-03-2023

Added : 21-03-2023

Without transition, after the melancholic atmosphere of 'Kauan', we completely change of register with the festive progressive rock of Sweden of 'A.C.T' who had released two EPs, 'Rebirth' in 2019 and 'Heatwave' in 2021 and who are doing it again with a fairly short new album of around thirty minutes, between EP and LP, called 'Falling'. No surprise, we're on board for 6 direct and effective tracks with melodies that go straight into your head (if we exclude the intro and the outro made of sound effects). Listening to the first two titles, if a smile does not form on your lips, it is because you are not made for the lightness and carelessness of these melodic lines which bring us back to the best of festive rock. of the 80s, because after the introduction 'Fall In', 'Digging a Hole' unfolds a catchy and addictive first melody which puts you in shape for a whole day and which is followed by 'The Girl Without a Past' which continues in this way and which would restore the morale to any depressed person without taking any anti-depressant. We continue with 'Breathe' which is filled with choirs from another era and which brings us back to the best of the light songs of the 'Beatles' with a new melody which gives this impression of having already heard but which always does an immense good, then , 'Race Against Time' hardens the tone with a more muscular rhythm section and a more progressive face while keeping an accessible melodic side. The last two compositions have nothing to envy to the first three and 'One Last Goodbye' takes us on a bath of youth that 'Supertramp' and 'The Earth Will Be Gone' would not have denied, ending the whole with a magnificent symphonic ballad which, this time, has its eye on the most festive titles of 'Queen' with resplendent choirs. Note that three videos are available on youtube with 'The Girl Without a Past' (see above), 'A Race Against Time' et 'One Last Goodbye'.

In short, the Swedes of A.C.T' continue to charm us with melodies that remain engraved in the memory for a long time and if you like a festive and light rock that is approached at the first listening, you are in the right place and you should have a wonderful time listening to this short album 'Falling'...

Line Up / Musicians

Herman Saming (Vocal), Jerry Sahlin (Vocal, Keybords, Vocoder), Ola Andersson (Vocal, Guitar), Peter Asp (Bass, Keybords), Thomas Lejon (Drums) + Guests : Amadeus De La Motte (Vocal), Filip Runesson (Violin, Cello), Rebecca De La Motte (Vocal), Tomas Erlandsson (Percussions)


Artist : Haken

Album : Fauna

Release Date : 03-03-2023

Added : 25-03-2023






The UFO (not the group but Unidentified Flying Object) of the progressive musical landscape is back with a new album 'Fauna': of course, I mean the Brits of 'Haken' who continue their way because after 'Virus' in 2020, here is 'Fauna' which, as its name suggests, revolves around the reign animal and, the least we can say, is that it brings as much creativity and modernity as its predecessor and I wouldn't even try for a second to give it a particular style label so 'Haken' continues to cast a wide net, the only qualifier that comes to mind being simply progressive. At the level of the line up, something quite surprising, it is the first keyboardist of the group 'Peter Jones' who is back after 14 years of absence (even before the release of 'Aquarius' in 2010) replacing 'Diego Tejeida'. Rest assured, this absolutely does not encroach on the cohesion of the group which, even, from my point of view, is reinforced.

From the start, 'Taurus' challenges us with its bestial introduction (obviously given the theme!) and sends us a first title well in phase with one of the great strengths of the band (all this in the first minute of the song ): this capacity to transport us in roller coaster of intensity by accumulating a very big tension which then bursts in a beneficial relaxation. Follows 'Nightingale' which extends the creative palette of the group towards almost jazzy horizons with this improbable encounter between heavy guitar riffs and a capella singing (at 1.40), the whole of which can of course only be tamed after several listenings as was my case: one of the major titles of the album. Here, with 'The Alphabet of Me' (see the video above), we are now listening to a contemporary electro album with this introduction which has the added bonus of being illuminated by the remarkable vocals of 'Ross Jennings' which is a chameleon with his instrument, adapting perfectly to the different stylistic directions taken by the group. The contrast is magnificent and striking as always at 1.40 when the guitar riffs storm the title: still pure creative 'Haken'! With what has just passed between our ears, we become so demanding that the introduction of 'Sempiternal Beings' seems bland to me but, not for very long because 'Ross Jennings' once again takes us on a sound delirium that makes us go from hot to cold in a flash, the chorus bringing a melody that delicately tickles your neurons and that, I hadn't mentioned it yet, there is always in the English this ability to keep, despite all this complexity, a melodic approach bringing an immediate catch which makes it possible to return there and to deepen a title which one would find just good at the first listening and to then discover there all the intrinsic richness which transforms it into an exceptional title. The suite is not to be outdone and 'Beneath The White Rainbow' tumbles with a heavy sounding base and still with its share of surprises, sweeping 180 degrees from the many atmospheres giving pride of place to rich and complex instrumental sections and, at the risk of repeating myself, to an always wonderful singing of 'Ross Jennings' then, 'Island In The Clouds' shows a less contrasted face while keeping a nice melodic hook. Follows 'Lovebite' which takes us back to the eighties in a much more conventional way and contrasts with the rest but allows a melodic aside accessible from my first listen, and it's a welcome break before attacking 'Elephants Never Forget', the centerpiece of the album with a new progressive labyrinth in which it is good to get lost in the detour of the multiple changes of moods, the rhythm section being particularly innovative throughout the title. And to close this magnificent album, 'Eyes Of Ebony' offers us a final more moderate and more accessible composition with a guitar with fast and jerky riffs which leads the dance and which brings a feeling of lightness and gives off a positive energy, the vocal arrangements adding to this ambient enthusiasm.

In summary, the British of 'Haken' surprise again by offering us this so original and unique know-how of combining compositions accessible by the melodic side while keeping progressive constructions which require to linger there to draw all the wealth, and 'Fauna' is added to their discography by always bringing something new, and that's not given to all artists to renew themselves with each album release: it must be called just talent...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Griffiths (Guitar), Ross Jennings (Vocal), Richard Henshall (Guitar), Peter Jones (Keybords), Conner Green (Bass), Ray Hearne (Drums)


Artist : Astral Magic

Album : The Last Survivors on Planet Earth

Release Date : 03-03-2023

Added : 26-03-2023

I introduced you to the 'Astral Magic' project just two months ago with the album 'We Are Stardust' which offered us psychedelics straight out of the late 60s and albums continue to emerge with an impressive frequency because, since, two other albums were released in February 2023, 'Wonderland' and 'DeepSpace Expedition', both instrumental and intended, for the first one, for psychedelic purists with sound delusions that are more difficult to grasp and, for the second, to an audience that likes to mix psychedelics with space music, a style popularized in the early years 70 by bands like 'Space' or 'Space Art'. Always masterfully led by the Finnish singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Santtu Laasko', it is the turn of 'The Last Survivors on Planet Earth' to see the light of day with new compositions which this time are sung or spoken and which is closer to the 'We Are Stardust' album than to the last two. No need for a long review to tell you that, once again, all the ingredients are there to return to the psychedelic rock of the beginning with certain sounds from the first albums of 'Pink Floyd' ('Dawn of a New Age') or even ' Stones' ('Monster from the Id') on haunting and repetitive atmospheres with catchy melodies. The eponymous title opens the album and if you hang on to this mostly soaring melodic atmosphere (an exception with the last two titles 'Shimmer' and 'The Inner Light' more energetic and 'The Color of Adoration' in a pséchédélique more delirious), you should join the set and have a very good time listening in this time machine.

In summary, if you liked 'We Are Stardust', you'll like 'The Last Survivors on Planet Earth' and if you don't know 'Astral magic' and you like the psychedelic that takes you right back to the period splendor of this style, you have come to the right place with the multiple albums released by 'Sannttu Laasko' for three years now...

Line Up / Musicians

Santtu Laakso (Bass, Keybords, Vocal), Jonathan Segel (Guitar, Sitare), Shane Beck (Voice), Alisa Coral (Keybords)


Artist : Redlight King

Album : In Our Blood

Release Date : 03-03-2023

Added : 27-03-2023

I continue with myprogmusic to make you navigate between different styles of music around rock and, after the progressive rock of 'Single Celled Organism', the very eclectic musical landscape of 'Haken' and the 60s psychedelic of 'Astral Magic', it's the turn of direct rock and effective from the Canadians of 'Redlight King' to be in the spotlight with their latest baby 'In Our Blood' Blood' after they dabbled in a mix of pop/country/rock with 'Moonshine'.

The start of the first track 'Cold Killer' (see the video above) sets the scene and shows a much more muscular face than the previous album with a well-tempered hard rock anthem with incisive riffs and rhythm to make a whole audience headbang (they must have eaten the lion on the cover!), then the following three compositions would certainly have been all the rage in the 70s and parade the unifying 'In Our Blood' with its generous 'U2' choirs (see the video here), the heavy mid-tempo 'King Again' which automatically turns on the toe-tapping machine with its marked rhythm, and 'Eye of a Hurricane' (see the video here) ends the remarkable quartet with a melody that sticks directly in the head and should be sung in concert. The ballad break comes in the middle of the album with the magnificent 'Heavy Heart' (see the video here) which shows the soft side of the Canadians, then here we go again with a second part of the album full of energy with the new hard rock gem 'Raise the Dead', then 'Paid Off' brings a new rhythmic conducive to headbanging with a nice break in the middle of the title and 'End of a Shotgun' sinks the highlight with a rhythm that should give you pins and needles. The sequel is not to be outdone and each composition continues in this direct and effective rock until the last title 'My Execution', a very heavy mid-tempo blues/rock which offers us a last addictive chorus conducive to being taken up by all. an audience.

In summary, the Canadians of 'Redlight King' release an excellent album of rock and hard rock anthems that are tamed from the first listen and that set you up for a whole day and 'In Our Boold' is intended for all lovers of direct and effective rock and hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

M. Kasprzyk (Vocal, Guitar), J. Tomarin (Guitar, Bass), Randy Cooke (Drums)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : Altered States

Release Date : 10-03-2023

Added : 28-03-2023

Decidedly, nature is highlighted at the moment with the album 'Fauna' by 'Haken' because it's the turn of 'Rick Miller' who delighted us with his latest album 'Old Souls' from a year ago, to release a new studio recording 'Altered States '. We are therefore invited to a new atmospheric journey in the company of Rick who takes us back to this fusion between the atmospheric atmospheres of the 'Pink Floyds' and the memorable melodies of 'Alan Parsons'. Casually, this is going to be the 5th review I've done on myprogmusic since 2018 (I'll give you the list below), which is to say the impressive frequency of album releases. Then, for this reason, I won't do it again from title to title to tell you all the good things I think about this new album. So if you like hovering atmospheric rock, simply, I will limit myself to telling you that if, like many people, you are stressed by a hectic life that goes at a hundred miles an hour and you want to ask yourself for a moment, 'Altered States' (like the previous albums), is a particularly effective relaxant by replacing all the antidepressants on earth and therefore shows that music is definitely to be classified in the category of essential things. Here is its dosage to take full advantage of it: find a quiet place in your house, plug the headphones into your laptop and press the play button of your audio player or of your streaming site on the first title 'Altered States'. After a few seconds, you will see the magic of the soothing melody operate by providing you with this well-being which, little by little, will make you completely surrender to the music and let go.

In short, this latest album 'Altered States' by 'Rick Miller' takes us back to a soothing world filled with serenity and should appeal to all those who love atmospheric progressive rock and beyond, because everything has still been implemented by 'Rick Miller' to offer us catchy melodies from the first listen...

List of previous reviews dedicated to 'Rick Miller' on myprogmusic:
= 2018: Delusional
= 2020: Belief in the Machine
= 2020: Unstuck in Time
= 2022: Old Souls

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Sarah Young (Flute), Giulia Cacciavillian (Flute), Mateusz Swoboda (Viloncelle), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Violin), Will (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Van Der Graaf Generator

Album : The Bath Forum Concert (Live)

Release Date : 10-03-2023

Added : 29-03-2023






I confess, I never listened too much to the Brits of 'Van Der Graaf Generator' because they broke up quite early in the late 70's and didn't start talking about them again until the mid-1990s. 2000 but, although 'Peter Hamill' never admitted that he played progressive, I know that over time, this formation has become as legendary for progressive purists as formations like 'King Crimson', 'Yes', 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' or even 'Genesis'. And so it was with curiosity that I discovered this live recorded at the Forum in Bath, Manchester in March 2022. First of all, it's not just a CD but it comes with a DVD /Blu-Ray which allows you to completely immerse yourself in this concert with, as you can imagine, a production of impeccable quality (see the two videos available on the internet, 'Interference Patterns' and 'Man-Erg'. Next, it's a concert of nearly two hours that is offered to us with many long developments that dot their careers, covering both periods, which obviously requires linger to draw all the richness from it, letting yourself be guided by the singing of 'Peter Hamill' and the multiple instrumental sections that dot each title. As a neophyte of the group, it took me a while to penetrate their particular universe which finally seemed to me quite close to that of 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' with this highlighting of the keyboards and this little touch of madness bringing a kind of permanent theatricality. What is certain is that I will come back to it regularly and that the CDC/DVD/Blu-ray is now on the waiting list of albums to be offered for the next birthday or Christmas, because this album is a kind of sound labyrinth in which it is good to get lost and let yourself go with the many changes of moods, the whole bringing us back to the best of the progressive of the 70s. In short, even if I had not been interested in this legendary group, this concert gave me immense listening pleasure and, beyond the fans of 'Van Der Graaf Generator', 'The Bath Forum Concert' is an album that should undoubtedly be part of the ideal disco of any amateur and any progressive rock fan...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Hammill (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Hugh Banton (Keybords, Pédale de basse), Guy Evans (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Demons Down

Album : I Stand

Release Date : 10-03-2023

Added : 30-03-2023

'Demons Down' is yet another find from 'Frontiers Music' which brought together artists of different nationalities with the Chilean 'James Robledo' on vocals ('Sinner's Blood') and the Americans 'Jimi Bell' on guitar ('House Of Lords', 'Autograph'), 'Francesco Savino' also guitarist ('False Memories'), 'Chuck Wright' on bass ('Quiet Riot') and 'Ken Mary' on drums ('Fifth Angel'). With this impressive pedigree, they offer us very good hard rock that takes us back to the 80s/90s and each composition is a potential hit. First of all, these are choruses that come directly into the head with entry 'I Stand' (see the video above) which can remind some nostalgics of the 70s, a formation like 'Rainbow' with its melodic similarities and the 'Blackmorian' guitar solo (we will find this 'Deep Purple' side on the title 'Book of Love' with the guitar solo and then the final keyboard solo à la 'John Lord'). What follows is a parade of catchy choruses with, for example, the catchy 'Disappear' (see the video here), the mid-tempo 'Down in a Hole' , the hit 'Where Will Our Tears Fall?' which would have caused misfortunes in the 80s (see the video here) or even 'Follow Me' which has nothing to envy to its predecessor, until the last title 'Only the Brave' which offers a last memorable melody to sing in chorus in concert. We won't miss either 'To The Edge Of The World' in a more AOR style but also the ballad 'On My Way To You' which comes quite early in the album and I would have taken a little second of this quality at the end of the album.

In summary, even if they are not going to revolutionize the genre and we cannot help but draw a parallel with 'House Of Lords', this new project 'Demons Down' highlights artists from quality which deliver us good hard rock, taking us back to the golden age of this style with a powerful and modern sound and, just for that, thank you gentlemen for putting between our ears an album full of energy which puts you fit for the whole day...

Line Up / Musicians

James Robledo (Vocal), Jimi Bell (Guitar), Francesco Savino (Guitar), Chuck Wright (Bass), Ken Mary (Drums)


Artist : RPWL

Album : Crime Scene

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 31-03-2023






For me, 'RPWL' is like a big brother that you have great pleasure in seeing again and who remembers you from time to time on the occasion of an album release or a concert and who been part of your life for more than 15 years when I discovered them in the small Swiss town of 'Grunchen' which organized a mini progressive festival in 2006, when was released 'World Through My Eyes' and during which I also discovered the German anthem 'Hole in the Sky' which gave me the same intense pleasure as 25 years earlier listening to a certain 'Shine On Your Crazy Diamond' by the 'Pink Floyds'. Here is the new album 'Crime Scene' which was released mid-March and last year have seen a change in the line up since it is now 'Markus Grützner' who takes the place of bass player and 'Yogi Lang' remains alone as a keyboardist because 'Markus Jehle' left the band at the end of last year. Always looking for a theme for each album, they took us to space in 2019 with 'Tales From Outer Spaces' and, for this latest baby from the Germans, they've tackled a much darker and thornier topic that deals with madness of certain men and particularly serial killers, this in the form of 6 compositions for a fairly short duration of 45 minutes.

And we are welcomed by the long development 'Victim of Desire' in which we immediately recognize the 'RPWL' touch with the guitar of 'Kalle Wallner' which continues with a sung part with some electronic sounds followed by a break for a long sung part alternating different intensities on a catchy melody. For this title, the members of the group staged themselves in a kind of very original mini-film that you can see above. I warned you, the general theme is dark and, for 'Red Rose', it is the story of this radiologist 'Carl Tänzler' who had developed a morbid obsession for a young Cuban-American girl with tuberculosis and the Germans chooses to treat it musically in the form of a very beautiful quiet and serene ballad supporting this unhealthy conversation between the two protagonists contrasting in a rather disturbing way with the theme. It is for this reason that, for some, I understand that it is necessary to dissociate the stories from the music to better enjoy each of the titles with the usual soft and harmonious atmospheres of 'RPWL' and, therefore, I will not attach myself than the musical aspect for the following titles. We continue with 'A Cold Spring Day in '22' (see the video here) which brings electronic sounds while keeping this feeling of fluidity which delicately touches our ears with always very melodious vocal harmonies. Same observation on 'Life in a Cage' which shows a soft and airy face and the muffled sounds of the rhythmic accompaniment make me think of the atmospheres released by 'Phil Collins' in his ballads as in 'In The Air Tonight' of 1981, while keeping this hovering style which is the trademark of the Germans. We arrive at the centerpiece of the album, 'King of the World', which takes us on board for almost 13 minutes of inventive and epic progressive in which we find all the ingredients that made the strength of 'RPWL' with the calm vocals and tranquility of 'Yogi Lang' which transports us, the instrumental parts magnified by the keyboard solos of the same 'Yogi Lang' and the 'Floydian' guitar solos of 'Kalle Wallner', 'Markus Grützner' and 'Marc Turiaux' bringing this rhythm section exuding a kind of quiet force. 'Another Life Beyond Control' concludes this very beautiful album with a ballad like the Germans know so well how to concoct for us in an atmosphere conducive to escape and we navigate between remarkable keyboard and guitar solos ('Kalle Wallner' tampering with the sound of his guitar with some electronic effects).

In summary, the Germans of 'RPWL' are continuing their journey by offering us a new album of great quality both in terms of compositions and production which is still irreproachable and, even if, it is the least we can say, they did not choose a very happy theme, this 'Crime Scene' should undoubtedly appeal not only to their fans but also to all those who like an atmospheric progressive rock releasing beautiful feelings...

Line Up / Musicians

Yogi Lang (Vocal, Keybords), Kalle Wallner (Guitar), Markus Grützner (Bass), Marc Turiaux (Drums)


Artist : Kamelot

Album : The Awakening

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 01-04-2023

It's been 5 years since we were able to put between our ears a new album by the Americans of 'Kamelot', one of the spearheads of a melodic metal combining gothic, power and symphonic, since their last opus 'The Shadow Theory' dated of 2018. In the meantime, we were still spoiled by the very beautiful live 'I Am The Empire - Live From The 013' with a host of guests but this last album 'The Awakening' was eagerly awaited by all the fans and, once again , 'Tommy Karevik' does not disappoint us by delivering new compositions with melodies that we appropriate very quickly and which once again shows this diversity of metal styles always bringing a great variety to the whole.

On the menu of 'The Awakening', 13 titles for a little over fifty minutes of listening and, at the outset, it is the symphonic side that is highlighted in the epic and orchestral introduction 'Overture - Intro', the album also ending in the same atmosphere with the very beautiful 'Ephemera – Outro' and its grandiose choirs. 'The Great Divide' opens the proceedings with a powerful melodic hit that mixes all the mentioned aspects of metal, with a raging rhythm section specific to power metal, a heady chorus to be taken up in choirs, opulent keyboards bringing the symphonic side and, of course, a masterful interpretation of 'Tommy Karevik' who is still as moving especially since this title benefits from a nice break in the second part of the title. We continue in the same way with 'Eventide' which adds a layer in a radiant atmosphere, then, 'One More Flag In The Ground' (see the video above), on a more moderate rhythm which drives the point home with a new fiery metal whose chorus should be chanted by the public during concerts. Follows 'Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)' which shows the theatrical side that we knew in 'Kamelot' with a whole orchestral arsenal (with the distinguished guest 'Tina Guo') and vocal, 'Tommy Karevik' being like a fish in water in this kind of compositions (magnificent refined final), then, 'Midsummer's Eve' comes at the right time to offer us a well-deserved break in the form of a very beautiful ballad which is to be added to the best ballads of metal and in which we find again 'Tina Guo' and her magic violin. And here we go again for four other compositions, each as melodic as the other with 'Bloodmoon' and a new catchy chorus, 'Nightsky' with its rich rhythm section and generous choirs, the energetic 'The Looking Glass' with its remarkable guitar solo (I would have liked to take a few more measures) and the epic 'New Babylon' which flirts with 'Epica' featuring singer 'Melissa Bonny' from'Ad Infinitum'. Another well-deserved break with 'Willow', a refined ballad which raises the emotional cursor a few notches thanks to the interpretation of 'Tommy Karevik', then 'My Pantheon (Forevermore)' concludes the electric part with a composition summarizing well the album, the energy of the rhythm section showing a power side with the use of the double pedal, a generous orchestration highlighting an epic symphonic metal, breaks bringing rupture of admirable intensities making 'Tommy Karevik' shine once again, the whole benefiting again and again from catchy melodic lines.

In summary, after 5 long years of absence, 'Kamelot', still led by its charismatic leader 'Tommy Karevik', returns to the forefront of the symphonic and melodic metal scene with an album full of quality compositions and melodies that could all be part of a concert set list and 'The Awakening' should undoubtedly, beyond the fans, satisfy an entire audience navigating between symphonic metal, power metal and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Tommy Karevik (Vocal), Thomas Youngblood (Guitar), Oliver Palotai (Keybords, Orchestration), Sean Tibbets (Bass), Alex Landenburg (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Tina Guo (Violin), Melissa Bonny (Vocal)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : Tales From Avalon

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 02-04-2023






In the musical landscape of progressive rock, there are artists who deserve to be much better known and, after the two very good albums of 'Jens Lueck' with his project 'Single Celled Organism' and 'Rick Miller' with 'Altered States', it's the turn of 'Chris Engels' to come back a few weeks after the very good 'Gods' with a new album from 'CEN-ProjekT', 'Tales From Avalon', after the equally good 'BIG' released at the end of 2022. It is therefore 5 releases in one year and we find with this last opus, the atmospheric progressive rock of the previous albums and, this time, 'Chris Engels', accustomed to setting old poems to music, has chosen a historical theme since he takes us to the time medieval in the Arthurian legends associated with the myth of the Isle of Avalon which would be the final resting place of King Arthur after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann.

We therefore embark on a very beautiful journey of an hour enamelled by very beautiful melodies, starting with the meeting of the young prince with the dragon ('Respect to All') which unrolls a first soft and relaxing melody on which it is good to let yourself go and which can make you think of the atmospheres of 'RPWL', then, the mystical 'Avalon' continues in this aerial atmosphere with very beautiful vocal arrangements and a magnificent instrumental passage à la 'BJH' in the second part of the title. Follows 'Monsters In My Head' continues in this direction with a composition which alternates refined verses and a more powerful chorus on a slow tempo and which presents a very beautiful solo of keyboards, then, with 'Magical Land', the bucolic atmosphere takes us straight back to the 70s and it's still 'Barclay James Harvest' that comes to mind with this very beautiful title, and 'The Cave', which follows, continues in this peaceful atmosphere and shows alternations of welcome times. We continue our journey with 'Hope is the Light' which, with a very beautiful text on hope and with very beautiful female vocals, lulls our senses and brings a mystical side, then, 'Fate' continues in this haven of peace in which you have to recharge your batteries with a remarkable instrumental section in the second part of the title reminiscent of 'Genesis'. And to end this very beautiful album, 'Angels' unrolls a slow tempo on a melody highlighting a very beautiful crystalline acoustic accompaniment, then, the 7 minutes of 'King Arthur' conclude with an epic on the legend of King Arthur and his trusty Excalibur sword as a spellbinding new tune pressing Avalon's serene side: "Peace is the way, King Arthur knows it to be true. As he rules with compassion and virtue, all creatures live in harmony and love...". Note that you can view the video above which is an extract of each title and which is accompanied by images which have been concocted by 'Chris Engels' to illustrate each title.

In summary, 'Chris Engels' continues to deliver to us at a rather impressive frequency albums of a very high quality making us escape into diverse and varied themes thanks to compositions borrowed from a beautiful serenity where, as I often borrow from 'Charles Baudelaire', "all is order and beauty, Luxury, calm and voluptuousness."...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Redemption

Album : I Am The Storm

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 03-04-2023

After 'Long Night's Journey Into Day' released in 2018 which saw the induction by 'Tom S. Englund' replacing 'Ray Alder' and the live 'Alive In Color (Live 2018)' which followed in 2020 for the twenty years of the group, the Americans of 'Redemption', still led by the guitarist, keyboardist and composer 'Nicolas van Dyk', return with a new album 'I Am The Storm'. As usual, it's still a copious opus which presents itself to us with 2 long admirable developments (we'll talk about it later) for a duration of 71 minutes in an inventive and modern progressive metal.

The album opens with the title track of the album which is also the subject of a single and a video (see above). I have to admit, it's perhaps the title that hooked me the least because of its very inward and too linear side, the rhythm section using a super-fast tempo throughout the title that fills all the space and which, for my part, obscures the other instruments and the vocals of 'Tom S. Englund'. Follows 'Seven Minutes From Sunset' which still shows a fairly direct face but which is much more progressive with the contribution of remarkable guitar solos and a rhythm which, this time, fits much more into the powerful atmosphere of the track and which benefits from catchy melodic lines. We go up a notch again with the 8 minutes of 'Remember The Dawn' (see video here) which take us on a high-end progressive with many changes of intensity with this magnificent instrumental introduction of more than two minutes which leads to an alternation of sections sung and instrumental typical of the group, then, 'The Emotional Depiction of Light' moderates the ardour with a very beautiful ballad which gradually increases in power and which brings a very particular emotion in the vocal performance of 'Tom S. Englund', ballad which will be repeated at the end of the album with the original writing of 'Vikram Shankar' but which is finally quite close to the first version. Return to more focused and direct progressive metal with 'Redemption' which develops good energy and which incorporates a remarkable central guitar solo, before attacking the centrepiece of the album which delivers 14 minutes of inventive progressive metal in us making you travel in a marvellous sonic labyrinth in which you have to get lost according to the multiple changes of atmospheres, tempos and intensity: from the great 'Redemption' with guitar solos that propel you into the stars, a magnificent performance vocal of 'Tom S. Englund' and orchestral instrumental sections provided bringing an epic side. Follows the cover of 'Turn It On Again' by 'Genesis' which brings a completely different reading of this emblematic title of the British. Make way for the second long development 'All This Time (and Not Enough)', certainly rougher than the first but which shows all the compositional talent of 'Nicolas van Dyk' who embellishes the different instrumental parts with dazzling keyboard solos, 'Sean Andrews' not being outdone with his guitar and 'Tom S. Englund' giving us a fabulous new performance. The end of the album scrolls through the cover of 'The Emotional Depiction of Light' already mentioned above and the cover of 'Red Rain' from 'Peter Gabriel' takes us back a few decades with an interpretation which, like the cover of 'Genesis', brings a very special power to this composition without distorting it and keeping the original emotion intact.

In summary, 'Redemption' returns with a rich and dense album which alternates direct compositions and other much more progressive ones in which each artist brings his stone to the building, all of this benefiting from an irreproachable production, and 'I Am The Storm' should appeal to an audience that loves progressive metal and bands like 'Dream Theater', 'Sons Of Apollo', 'Threshold' or even 'Pain Of Salvation'...

Line Up / Musicians

Tom S. Englund (Vocal), Nicolas van Dyk (Guitar, Keybords), Sean Andrews (Guitar, Bass), Vikram Shankar (Keybords), Chris Quirarte (Drums)


Artist : Sideways

Album : Test Of Time

Release Date : 01-02-2023

Added : 04-04-2023

'Test Of Time' is an album by the Dutch band 'Sideaways' which was released in early February 2023 and which was the subject of a short review a few days ago on the very good site 'ProgCritique' which allowed me to discover this progressive rock formation that I did not know yet when 'they have already released 4 albums in twenty years of existence by self-producing. After a first listen, I found myself in a familiar universe that took me back a few decades with a kind of mixture of great names from the 70s and, then, names as varied as 'Pink-Floyd', 'Camel', 'Uriah Heep', and 'Jethro Tull' or even an artist like 'Al Stewart' came to mind.

On the menu of this opus, 7 compositions in relatively long formats, the shortest being 5 minutes and the longest bordering on 13 minutes, the whole offering us an hour of listening. We are welcomed by 'For More' in a rural atmosphere between 'Barclay James Harvest' and 'Jethro Tull' on a slow tempo which unrolls a catchy melody which fits easily in the head and with sounds of keyboards and vintage guitar. Follows 'Grey Day' which shows a light and harmonious face with a chorus which punctuates the same phrase on a lively tempo, the central instrumental passage bringing a rhythmic break with a remarkable keyboard solo and a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo. We arrive at the masterpiece of the album 'Gambling Species' with a very beautiful refined instrumental introduction which leads to another more energetic section again highlighting keyboards and a guitar with sounds of the seventies, then, the sung part alternates a rhythmic section reminiscent of the tempo of 'Abacab' from 'Genesis' in a slower way and very beautiful refined parts and which is followed by a new atmospheric instrumental break reminiscent of 'Echoes' by 'Pink Floyd' and which again takes on scale in an epic finale featuring the poignant vocals of Alex Visser'. Change of scenery with 'G' which takes us into a piece of country and, even though it moves away from the general style of the album, brings a bubble of freshness to the whole and serves as an intermission to then go back to 'Entropy' which returns to a rhythmic style with new melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listening, and which ends with a very splendid refined part. We continue our beautiful journey with a long development, 'Silence' which, on a slow tempo, releases a gentle melancholy and brings a particular atmosphere, the vocals of Alex Visser' being particularly moving and the piano/central voice part, simple but very beautiful pressing on this sensitive cord to gradually regain vigour in a remarkable slow crescendo. And to finish this very beautiful album in style, we are also delighted with 'Over the Fence' which takes us on board for 10 minutes making me think here and there of 'RPWL' and which brings the same sensibility as the previous title with a refined final in crescendo which leads to a guitar solo that gives you goosebumps, 'Gerwin Gabry' not having to envy guitarists like 'David Gilmour' or 'Michel St-Père' from 'Mystery' to move us with its six strings.

In summary, the Dutch of 'Sideaways' release an admirable album filled with a beautiful sensitivity which shows all the talent of this band not very well known in the progressive sphere which brings us back to the best of a progressive rock of the years 70 in harmonious atmospheric atmospheres and if you liked the last artists reviewed in myprogmusic with 'Single Celled Organism', 'Rick Miller', 'RPWL' or 'CEN-ProjekT', there are chances that are you'll adopt 'Test Of Time' quite quickly...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Visser (Vocal), Gerwin Gabry (Guitar), Jurriaan Visser (Keybords), Corné Gietman (Bass), Berry Hoogeveen (Drums)


Artist : Elles Bailey

Album : Shining in the Half Light

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 05-04-2023

'Elles Bailey' is an English Blues/Rock singer, pianist and composer who started her career in 2015 with a first EP 'Who Am I to Me' followed by his first album 'Wildfire' in 2017 and since then, four other albums have been released with 'Road I Call Home' completed by the album 'Blacktop Companion' in 2019 which were followed by the cover album 'Ain't Nothing But' taken from these three live performances at the 'White Noise Studios' in Weston-Super-Mare during the COVID years, videos of which can be seen on their youtube site (see list below), and studio recording 'Shining in the Half Light' in 2022. As a continuation of the last album, she releases a Deluxe version with all 10 tracks from the original edition but also two other original tracks, two covers and five live tracks.

I will not go back over the 10 titles of the original album which showed all the talent of 'Elles Baliley' in an authentic blues/rock, whether in a radiant and catchy style as in 'The Game' or 'Sunshine City' or in a heavier and more sensual blues/rock with for example 'Cheats and Liars' or 'Stones' (beautiful acoustic cover available on youtube here) but still conveying beautiful emotions with magnificent ballads like 'Colours Start To Run' or 'Different Kind of Love'. There are therefore nine other titles that enamel this edition with first of all two unreleased titles, the magnificent acoustic ballad 'Spinning Stopped' and the catchy 'Hole In My Pocket' (see the video above at 'Middle Farm Studios') with its very beautiful final in acceleration showing the more rock side of 'Elles Bailey'. The two covers follow with, first of all, 'Over The Hill' by 'John Martyn' which is dusted off in a more stirring version compared to the original version (see live version at 'Middle Farm Studios' here), then, 'Long As I Can See The Light' from 'Creedence Clearwater Revival' from 1970, shows all the sensual side of the Englishwoman. And what about those live performances at 'Pool Studios' which cover five tracks from the original album and which are even more moving in this live recording, such as the magnificent 'Halfway House' which gives goosebumps or 'Riding out of the Storm' whose video can be seen here, the other three titles being 'The Stones', 'The Game' and 'Sunshine City'.

In summary, one after the original release, this deluxe version of 'Shining in the Half Light' adds nuggets that we have immense happiness to savor and if you are a fan of good authentic blues/rock and giving off a very special emotion thanks to a talented singer like the 'Beth Hart', 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' or 'Layla Zoe', you should, if you haven't already done so, very quickly adopt 'Shining in the Half Light' with all these bonuses...

List of videos at 'White Noise Studios':
= Crowded Table - Highwomen (Elles Bailey Cover))
= You Are Not Alone - Mavis Staples (Elles Bailey Cover))
= I Remember Everything - John Prine (Elles Bailey Cover))
= Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon (Elles Bailey Cover))
= Mercy Now - Mary Gauthier (Elles Bailey Cover))

Line Up / Musicians

Elles Bailey (Vocal), Joe Wilkins (Guitar), Matthew Waer (Bass), Jonny Henderson (Keybords), Matthew Jones (Drums)


Artist : Elysion

Album : Bring Out Your Dead

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 06-04-2023

After almost 10 years of absence, the Greeks of Elysion' whose last album 'Someplace Better' date from 2014, recall to our good memories with a new album 'Bring Out Your Dead' which was released in March 2023. They take us into symphonic metal with catchy melodies from the first listening and, for my part, I have often made the parallel with the 'Within Temptation' of the early 2000s. Led by the singer 'Christiana Hatzimihali', they offer us 10 titles in radio format not exceeding four minutes for 43 total minutes of listening.

We are welcomed by an energetic 'Blink Of An Eye' in fairly classic symphonic metal with a first chorus that fits easily into the head and with some striking vocals from 'Christiana Hatzimihali', then, 'Crossing Over' (see video above) follows in his footsteps with a catchy new title and in this style, the resemblance to 'Within Temptation' is quite obvious and is reminiscent of the first two Dutch albums 'Enter' and 'Mother Heart' dating from 1997 and 2000 respectively, especially since Christiana, even if she has a slightly lower range than 'Sharon den Adel', has the same phrasing as the Dutch. Follows the mid-tempo 'Far Away' which continues in this path all traced with another melodic hit which should work very well in concert, then, with the very beautiful 'Buried Alive', I have the impression of hearing again 'Within Temptation' but this time in a more moderate register with a melody close to the first ballads in the early 2000s. Follows the trio 'As The Flower Withers', 'Raid The Universe' (see video here) and 'This Time which are all potential hits and which would, just like the first titles, have their place in a set list with melodic lines to be taken up in chorus and catchy rhythms conducive to moving an entire audience. New break ballad with the magnificent 'Brand New Me' which deploys a slow tempo and which highlights all the vocal sensitivity of 'Christiana Hatzimihali' doubled by very beautiful choirs, then, the album ends with two other melodic jewels with 'Blue Seasons' and 'Eternity' (see video here) which add for the first a new catchy chorus in a lighter atmosphere and for the second more supported riffs and a beautiful vocal performance of 'Christiana Hatzimihali' which modulates her voice depending on the alternation of intensity between the verses and the chorus, the rhythmic break in the middle of the title with beautiful vocalizations adding a beautiful diversity to this title.

In summary, the Greeks of Elysion' are making a remarkable comeback in the world of symphonic metal and offer us a very beautiful album filled with melodic compositions that we appropriate from the first listen and 'Bring Out Your Dead' should appeal to all lovers of symphonic metal, taking us back to the styles of the pioneers of the genre at the end of the 90s with 'Within Temptation' in mind...

Line Up / Musicians

Christiana Hatzimihali (Vocal), Giannis "Johnny Zero" Giannikos (Guitar, Keybords), Nikos « NiD » Despotopoulos (Guitar), Andreas « AR » Roufagalas (Bass), Ilias P. « Laitsman » Laitsas (Drums)


Artist : Stormwarning

Album : Stormwarning

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 07-04-2023






'Stormwarning' is yet another find from the 'Frontiers Music' label featuring Argentinian singer 'Santiago Ramonda', who is accompanied by multi-instrumentalist 'Marcelo Gelbcke' and drummer 'Felipe Souzza' (both from hard rock band Brazilian melodic rock 'Landfall') and which offers us 11 melodic hard rock compositions with addictive choruses that we want to listen to on repeat. No need for a long review to tell you that this eponymous first album contains nuggets that could all have made a hit in the 80s/90s, starting with an energetic 'Eye of the Storm' (see the video above) with its sharp guitar riffs and catchy rhythm. In this energy, we can also mention 'Neon Skies' and 'Last Trip To Eden' but the South Americans also deliver compositions in a more moderate hard FM with, for example, 'Satellite Falling' (see the video here) which takes us back to the 80s in a style close to 'Foreigner', or with 'Sweet True Lies' which, after an introduction that could make you believe that it will be a ballad, then takes off for a new melodic hit or with the mid-tempo 'Soldiers of Love' and its radiant choirs and its beautiful remarkable guitar solo or with 'Lovers in the Dark' with its beginning of refrain modeled on 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' from 'Kiss', without forgetting the very catchy choruses of Horizon Chase' and 'Call Of The Wind' which ends the album in a beautiful way. And when the atmosphere is even calmer, 'Stormwarning' rolls out the red carpet for us with the ballad 'Question of Time' which would have been the envy of certain melodic hard rock formations of the 80s and, for my part, I would have taken a little second at the end of the album.

In short, without revolutionizing the genre, the South Americans of 'Stormwarning' deliver us a first offering filled with beautiful melodies that take us back a few decades and this eponymous first album is intended for a wide audience and is to consume without moderation because everything is done to distill us good catchy melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Santiago Ramonda (Vocal), Marcelo Gelbcke (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Felipe Souzza (Drums)


Artist : Narnia

Album : Ghost Town

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 08-04-2023

'Narnia' is a Swedish group that mixes different styles of metal ranging from progressive to power, passing through neo-classical and heavy, all this being supported by melodic lines that are always very catchy. Note that they are presented as a Swedish Christian metal band on 'Wikipedia' and somehow deliver the good word to the sound of metal anthems and this for more than 25 years because their first studio recording 'Awakening' is from 1997. To tell you the truth, I only discovered them with 'Ghost Town' which is their 9th studio recording, their latest album 'From Darkness to Light' dating of 2019. Better late than never because this last opus contains nuggets of metal which, throughout the 10 titles and the 47 minutes of listening which are offered to us, deliver us different styles which brings a beautiful diversity to this opus.

Initially, with 'Rebel' (see the video above), the tone is set with a muscular first hit which unrolls a first melody that hooks you from the first chords with two remarkable solos of keyboards then of guitar and an atmosphere reminiscent of the theatrical side of the project 'Avantasia' from 'Tobias Sammet', then, 'Thief' continues in this style with an admirable contrast in the singing of 'Christian Rivel-Liljegren' between almost whispered verses and a refrain in which he shows all his vocal power. Heavier, 'Hold On' delivers us a marked rhythm conducive to the headbang because it's the kind of title that gives you an irresistible desire to beat time, then, 'Glory Daze' adds a single to the first three in a faster tempo and has nothing to envy to its predecessors. We arrive at 'Descension' which brings a remarkable progressive side with magnificent alternations of intensity and which makes me think of certain atmospheres of the Finns of 'Stratovarius' showing that the Swedes know how to vary styles by incorporating sections quite far from metal (very nice piano section and remarkable long guitar solo in the second part of the title). Here we go again with 'Ghost Town' which is still a potential hit, and which continues in addictive melodic metal which can recall the hits of the last 'Kamelot', then, 'Alive' adds an addictive mid-tempo with a remarkable contrast between a powerful chorus and quieter verses. Another slight foray into progressive metal with the magnificent 'Modern Day Pharisees' with a varied rhythm section that alternates different tempos and on which light keyboards come to face the muscular guitar riffs, then, 'Out of the Silence' is a very beautiful epic power ballad with a catchy melody, , the second part incorporating a simple but emotionally powerful guitar solo followed by very beautiful choirs reminiscent of 'Therion'. And it is with a new melodic jewel, 'Wake up Call' (see video here) that the album ends with a chorus that remains etched in your head. Note that the Swedes released a compilation in 2021, 'Soli Deo Gloria' which allows, for all those like me who do not yet know their discography, to have a good overview of their career because this album contains re-masterings of compositions from their studio recordings but also lives.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Narnia' have released an album full of melodic hits that we appropriate from the first listen by adding, here and there, a few pinches of progressive and 'Ghost Town' is intended to an audience that loves a diversified metal because it makes us navigate between between power metal, heavy metal, neo-classical metal, progressive metal and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Liljegren/Rivel (Vocal), Carl Johan Grimmark (Guitar, Vocal), Martin Härenstam (Keybords), Jonatan Samuelsson (Bass), Andreas Johansson (Drums)


Artist : The Black Cat's Eyes

Album : The Empty Space Between A Seamount And Shock-Headed Julia

Release Date : 24-03-2023

Added : 09-04-2023






If you like 'Pink-Floyd' albums from the 70s, you should join this German formation 'The Black Cat's Eyes' which released its first album at the end of March 2023, almost entirely instrumental with a name to sleep outside, 'The Empty Space Between A Seamount And Shock-Headed Julia', and which contains only 5 compositions but which begins with a very long development of 20 minutes which takes us back a few decades in an atmospheric sound labyrinth in which it is good to get lost over multiple guitar solos and different changes of themes, rhythms and intensities. But 'The Black Cat's Eyes', beyond this atmospheric universe, also delivers us other compositions which flirt, here and there with progressive metal: the following title 'Katla' attests to it, which comes to add saturated guitar riffs and provided because the group has three guitarists and, on this title, they get entangled, dissociate here and there to better join then in an imposing wall of sound. No transition for the short title 'Winter Song' (see video here) which follows, sung this time and which is a song rustic à la 'BJH' with an aerial flute adding to this feeling of serenity. We find this style mixing psychedelic and atmospheric with 'In My Dreams The Wind Chases Away The Clouds' (see video above) and the melodic lines show a more haunting and repetitive face on which the electric guitars rub shoulders and actively participate in a succession of tensions and relaxations, and the album ends with 'Lostlostlostlostlostlostlostlost' (no I did not copy/paste 7 times, that's the title) in more direct rock and sung by 'Christian Blaser' which takes us back to the 60s/70s with sounds from artists like 'Ten Years After' or 'The Rolling Stones' while keeping a psychedelic approach.

In summary, the Germans of 'The Black Cat's Eyes' offer us a beautiful journey through time with this first album which mixes psychedelic rock, atmospheric rock and more direct rock and which should appeal to all those who like the period of the precursors of this style at the end of the 60s and in the first half of the 70s...

Line Up / Musicians

Christian Blaser (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords), Wolfgang Schönecker (Guitar), Steffen Ahrens (Guitar), Jens Cappel (Bass), Stefan Schulz-Anker (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Walter Dorn (Flute), Lucie Cerveny (Choirs)


Artist : Transworld Identity

Album : Seven Worlds

Release Date : 17-03-2023

Added : 10-04-2023






It is still from the countries of Northern Europe, and more particularly from Finland, that this new project 'Transworld Identity' comes to us, led by the singer 'Mila Bosa' and which is released under the label 'Frontiers Music' which is often a guarantee of quality. The result is a suite of 11 power hits of melodic hard rock that would have been a hit in the 80s with choruses that get stuck in your head right away. No need to write a long column to tell you that everything is done to have a great time listening, especially since it's quite rare to have a singer in this style of music, singer whose voice fits perfectly into the energetic and catchy atmospheres of all the titles. We may regret less rhythmic compositions and one or two ballads which would have brought a certain diversity but let's not sulk our pleasure, because you can listen to any title, and you will see that it will put you in shape for a whole day. In short, nothing to throw away in this first offering from the Finns of 'Transworld Identity' which, even if they will not revolutionize melodic hard rock, deliver us an uninterrupted suite of melodic jewels taking us back to the best of the 80s in this style and this, to our greatest delight...

Line Up / Musicians

Mila Bosa (Vocal), Mika Lamminsivu (Guitar), Lacu Lahtinen (Drums), Juha Kinnunen (Keybords), Kasperi Kinnunen (Bass)


Artist : SayWeCanFly

Album : Beneath The Roses

Release Date : 24-03-2023

Added : 11-04-2023

We're going to Canada with 'Braden Barrie' which brings out a new album 'Beneath The Roses' after the very beautiful live 'Secondhand Heartbreak' dating from 2022. I had already presented his project 'SayWeCanFly' to you in various reviews and with this latest album, Braden continues to offer very beautiful acoustic or semi-acoustic songs filled with melancholy and releasing a very particular emotion, starting with the very beautiful 'Knuckles' of which you can see the video above followed by 'Bleeding Teeth' in which we immediately recognize this unique and very endearing style of the Canadian. 'Beneath The Roses' contains 12 original compositions which are so many little gems available to us. First of all, the refined acoustic side conveying this palpable emotion is well represented: 'October' and its melodic lines attest to this catchy (see the video here), 'Without You' which rocks us in a magnificent guitar/singing duet, 'Amor' and its accompaniment of strings bringing a beautiful melancholy, the delicious ballad 'Caffeine' but also 'Part of Me' and 'Hell Is' at the end of the album. And in a lighter style, we can't miss the catchy 'Marigold' (see the video here), light 'Long Way Down' but also joyful comma 'Make You Mine' without forgetting the eponymous title of the album which illuminates the end of the album with its magnificent melodic lines.

In short, 'Braden Barrie' still offers us a magnificent album and continues its merry way with the same sensitivity and the same emotion transmitted in each song, which is intended for 'Beneath The Roses' for all those who love atypical artists who think outside the box by self-producing...

Line Up / Musicians

Braden Barrie (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords)


Artist : Excalion

Album : Once Upon a Time

Release Date : 24-03-2023

Added : 12-04-2023

I introduced you to the Finns of Excalion' and their melodic metal with their last two albums 'Dream Alive' in 2017 and 'Emotions' in 2019. 2023 sees the release of their successor 'One Upon a Time'. Always in a very melodic register with compositions that we appropriate at first listen, they offer us 11 original and varied compositions with, here and there, a few pinches of progressive.

And this diversity begins with the first two titles which form a single one with, first of all, the heavy mid-tempo 'Keitele' with its marked rhythm which offers a very original rhythmic acceleration in the middle title with a remarkable central guitar solo, then, 'Resolution' takes over with an introduction on drums which continues with an energetic and catchy composition developing a catchy melodic sequence between verses and chorus with a rich rhythm section and which offers a beautiful instrumental passage in the second part of the title, ' Aleksi Hirvonen' making his guitar sing. Follows the single 'Soulbound' (see the video above) which shows an epic and powerful side with a raging drums but which brings a nice break followed by a new admirable guitar solo in the second part of the title, then, 'Words Cannot Heal' continues in this powerful and melodic metal and could have quite claimed, too, to be chosen as a single. With 'Amuse Me', it's still a direct and super effective melodic metal hit with a marked rhythm that would have no trouble competing with the best catchy compositions of 'Nightwish', then the eponymous title brings this progressive side and theatrical highlighting a magnificent performance of 'Marcus Lång' with his very expressive vocals and which benefits from a beautiful instrumental section in the middle of the title. The second part of the album alternates energetic compositions and other more moderate ones with an unleashed 'I Am I' led by a frenzied rhythm section and with a new chorus to be sung in chorus until the voice dies out (see the video here) which is followed by the power ballad 'When a Moment Turns into a Lifetime' which allows a well-deserved break after the previous title, 'Marcus Lång' also showing all its vocal talent in this style. Here we go again with the rhythmic 'Radiant Halo' which adds an additional melodic hit, then, it's again a break ballad with the magnificent 'Eternals' and the album ends with the energetic 'Band of Brothers', true power metal anthem with rich vocal arrangements and an unbridled rhythm section that is once again at the party.

In short, like the Swedes from 'Narnia', the Finns of Excalion' show once again that the Nordic countries are purveyors of good melodic metal and that this latest album 'Once Upon a Time' should make people happy all fans of the Finns but also should also appeal to all those who love metal with melodic lines that are tamed at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcus Lång (Vocal), Aleksi Hirvonen (Guitar), Jarmo Myllyvirta (Keybords), Onni Hirvonen (Bass), Henri Pirkkalainen (Drums)


Artist : Ally Venable

Album : Real Gone

Release Date : 24-03-2023

Added : 14-04-2023

In line with 'Joanne Shaw Taylor', 'Elles Bailey' or 'Samantha Fish', young 'Ally Venable' in is already on her 7th album (including 6 studio recordings) and she has already played with the greatest because in her previous opus 'Heart of Fire' appeared names like 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' and 'Devon Allman'. This time, it's two other tenors of blues/rock with in person the octogenarian sir 'Buddy Guy' and sir 'Joe Bonamassa' who each participate in a title in 'Real Gone'.

For all lovers of a good direct and effective blues/rock, this latest album is filled with varied compositions which alternate different atmospheres : on the one hand, we find titles filled with a beautiful energy with the opener 'Real Gone' (see the video above), 'Justfyin'' with its alternation of light verses and a powerful chorus, the 'Ally Venable' guitar accompaniment being bliss, driving her 'Texas Louisiana' with the magical 'Ally Venable'/'Buddy Guy' duo (see video here) or even the rhythmic 'Two Wrong' which gives ants in the legs and which closes the album in a beautiful way by giving a mad desire to press the play button again. We can't miss the magnificent mid-tempos either with 'Going Home' with a high-flying vocal performance by 'Ally Venable', the refreshing 'Don't Lose Me' with its resplendent brass, the good direct blues and effective 'Kick Your Ass' or even 'Hold My Ground' which fills us with this talent of 'Ally Venable' to embellish the sung parts by a beautiful accompaniment on the guitar. And when the sensitivity and softness of the blues takes over, we are overwhelmed by the delicious 'Broken & Blue' which exudes an authentic blues, especially since 'Joe Bonamassa' adds a beautiful guitar solo, then, 'Any Fool Should Know' shows a romantic side to wish and we can also mention 'Blues Is My Best Friend' which takes us on a torrid blues/rock simple but so effective, normal with the vocals and guitar of 'Ally Venable' which illuminate this magnificent title, without forgetting 'Gone So Long' which is still, in another style deviating from the blues, a very beautiful ballad.

In summary, 'Real Gone' is a magnificent varied album alternating energy and delicacy and in which each composition brings its share of emotion thanks to 'Ally Venable' who fills us as much with his singing as with his guitar playing : a release not to be missed for all blues/rock lovers and certainly a contender for the podium for 2023 in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Ally Venable (Vocal, Guitar), Tom Hambridge (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Kenny Greenberg (Guitar), Tom Macdonald (Bass), Moke Rojas (Keybords), Max Abrams (Saxophone), Steve Patrick (Trumpet), Rachel & Sarah Hambridge (Choirs) + Guests : Buddy Guy (Vocal), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar)


Artist : Visions Of Atlantis

Album : Pirates over Wacken (Live)

Release Date : 31-03-2023

Added : 16-04-2023

While they are on a European tour, 'Visions Of Atlantis' releases their last performance at the 'Wacken' festival in 2022. For any metal formation, whatever the style of metal, 'Wacken' is a kind of consecration and, after several busy years with the last two three albums 'The Deep & the Dark' in 2018, 'Wanderers' and 'Pirates' in 2023 to which we can add the live 'A Symphonic Journey to Remember' from 2020, 'Visions Of Atlantis' releases the live album recorded at the 'Wacken' festival in 2022. I wrote in 2019 in the column of 'Wanderers', that given the quality of this training, they had all the assets to compete with the tenors of the genre and that it was not normal that they still make first parts. And, they are now headlining because after the Covid years, the end of 2022 saw a first European tour of around thirty dates with 'Xandria' and they embarked on a US tour in early 2023 and they are currently on a new European tour for about twenty dates (magnificent concert at the Z7 two days ago!!) to which a new tour will be added at the end of the year with 'Delain' in the United States and Canada. This live at Wacken shows all the progress made in recent years and despite the global pandemic, the pirates of 'Visions Of Atlantis' offer us a performance with all the hits from the last album to which are added some compositions from the two previous albums. No need for a long review to tell you that everything is done to have a wonderful time listening to the unifying hymns that punctuate this album and you have a good glimpse of it with the two titles 'Melancholy Angel' (see the video below above) and 'Pirates Will Return'). In short, with this last live of 'Visions Of Atlantis', there is a good chance that the symphonic metal fans' living room will turn into a mini Wacken and that there will be a slight increase in temperature (and sound) very locally...

Line Up / Musicians

Clementine Delauney (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Dushi Dushinson (Guitar), Herbert Gloss (Bass), Thomas Caser (Drums)


Albums released and not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q1 2023

This playlist features albums released in Q1 2023 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

January 2023
01/20/2023 Big City - Sunwind Calls - Melodic Hard Rock
01/20/2023 Moonscape - The Continuum Synergy - Power Progressive Metal
01/20/2023 Issa - Lights of Japan - Melodic Rock
01/20/2023 Hollow Hour - Till the Grey Skies Are Gone - Progressive Metal
01/20/2023 Great Wide Nothing - Hymns for Hungry Spirits, Vol. II - Progressive Punk/Rock
01/27/2023 Ravenlight - Immemorial - Symphonic Metal
01/27/2023 anasazi - cause & consequences - Progressive Metal
01/27/2023 Ronnie Romero - Raised on Heavy Radio - Heavy Metal
February 2023
02/03/2023 Half Shell - The Great Truth - Progressive/Electronic Rock
02/03/2023 The John Irvine Band - Scanning The Dark Horizon - Jazz Rock
02/03/2023 Diaspora - Pendulum - Progressive Metal
02/03/2023 Laughing Stock - Songs for the Future - Progressive Rock
02/03/2023 Astral Magic - Wonderland - Psychedelic Rock
02/10/2023 Elyose - Déviante - Melodic Metal
02/10/2023 Klone - Meanwhile - Progressive Metal
02/10/2023 Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons - Live In The North - Hard Rock
02/17/2023 Astral Magic - Deep Space Expedition - Psychedelic Rock
02/17/2023 Setanera - Equilibrium - Gothic Metal
02/17/2023 Craig Erickson - Modern Blues - Blues/Rock
02/24/2023 Enemy of Reality - Where Truth May Lie - Symphonic Metal
02/24/2023 Manigance - The Shadows Ball - Melodic Metal
March 2023
03/03/2023 Future Elephants? - The Past Was A Blast - Progressive Rock
03/03/2023 Alwaid - Twelve Demons - Symphonic Metal
03/03/2023 Stargazer - Life Will Never Be The Same - Hard Rock
03/10/2023 Frozen Crown - Call of the North - Power Metal
03/10/2023 Isole - Anesidora - Doom Metal
03/10/2023 Seventh Crystal - Wonderland - Melodic Rock/Hard Rock
03/17/2023 Cross Country - The New Truth - Rock
03/17/2023 Phantom Elite - Blue Blood - Melodic Metal
03/17/2023 Seven Spires - Live art Progpower USA XXI - Symphonic Metal
03/17/2023 Temtris - Khaos Divine - Heavy Metal
03/20/2023 Kinetic Elements - Chasing the Lesser Light - Progressive/Symphonic Rock
03/24/2023 Danama - Did You Know? - Pop/Rock/Hard rock
03/24/2023 Corciolli - H2O - Electonic Music
03/24/2023 Les Dunes - Les Dunes - Instrumental Post Rock
03/24/2023 Bai Bang - Sha Na Na Na - Melodic Hard Rock
03/24/2023 Depeche Mode - Memento Mori - Pop
03/24/2023 Tragedian - Master of Illusions - Power Metal
03/24/2023 Saxon - More Inspirations - Heavy Metal
03/24/2023 Asylum Pyre - Call Me Inhuman - Symphonic/Progressive Metal
03/31/2023 Atlas : Empire - Everything is Temporary - Progressive Rock


Artist : Overhead

Album : Telepathic Minds

Release Date : 31-03-2023

Added : 18-04-2023






'Overhead' is a Finnish band that has already been active in the field of progressive rock for nearly 25 years but has never risen to the top of the basket of essential bands, perhaps by its discography being limited because up to this 'Telepathic Minds', we count 5 albums which latest, 'Of Sun and Moon' and 'Haydenspark' are from 2012 and 2018 respectively, several live being released in the last years including 'Live at Lorely' which is available for streaming. And yet, listening to their latest baby which is a double CD for almost an hour and a half of music, one wonders why they are not better known. In a style mixing different influences inherited from the great names of progressive music from the 70s, they take us on a very beautiful, dense and varied musical journey with 10 compositions, most of which are long developments because 8 out of the 10 exceed 7 minutes.

We are greeted by epic symphonic progressive with 'War to End All Wars' (see the video above) which shows all the talent of this formation to make us walk through magnificent sound labyrinths alternating different rhythms and intensities with a good balance between the sung parts and the instrumental sections with this magnificent 'Floydian' passage in the second part of the title and a grand finale as I like them. We continue in this level of quality with the fresco of 'Ghosts from the Future' which is composed of 2 parts, first of all in an atmospheric ambiance on a slow tempo, the singing of 'Alex Keskitalo' adding to this feeling of fullness and quiet force, then, after a beautiful flute solo, magnificent instrumental sections with oriental sounds take over, alternating with sung parts which begin serenely and which then gain momentum, the finale returning to the starting theme in a majestic atmosphere: simply sublime! With 'Sail Across the Universe', the rhythm is intended to be lighter and the 'Jethrotulian' flute adds to this radiant atmosphere which then gains vigor to return to a soft semi-acoustic guitar/vocals section to better start again on a more muscular with even a slight growl at 6.35. Follows 'The Pilot's Not Fit To Fly' which moves away from the atmospheric progressive for an exotic rhythmic à la 'Santana' with more pop sounds, the long flute solo in the middle of the title adding to this feeling of lightness and the solo of guitar that follows bringing us back to the sound of 'Carlos Santana'. Return to the atmospheric 'Sleep Tight Sweetheart' tinged with psychedelic sounds for this last title of the first CD which takes us back a few decades with a guitar solo with a typical saturated sound and which must seem familiar for those over fifty who have known the big names of the 70s in the field of rock.

The second CD begins with the eponymous masterpiece of the album which develops in 5 parts a sort of master standard of what any fan of progressive rock is entitled to expect from this style because we cross multiple soundscapes with multiple influences across ages and styles: to name just one (obviously my favorite that gives me goosebumps!!), the sweet passage from 10.30 ('Back in Time') filled with sensitivity thanks to the vocals of 'Alex Keskitalo' followed by a magical 'Floydian' guitar solo. Follows the very beautiful crescendo 'Tuesday That Never Came' which, certainly by its duration with the radio standard, had been chosen as single (see the video here) but which is only a fine parcel of the richness of this album, then, return to a 'Jethrotulian' atmosphere with 'Planet of Disorder' which alternates acoustic and electric sections in a beautiful way (magnificent sections with oriental scents in the second part ) and which has a chorus accompanied by a deep bass bringing a sensation of imposing sound power. With 'Sheep Stay Silent', the introduction integrating electronic sounds in a majestic atmosphere à la 'Kashmir' is very original and the sequel offers us changes of atmospheres going even to flirt with progressive metal with muscular guitar riffs which is certainly the most varied title of the album, then, 'Almost Always Near the End' ends this magnificent double CD with a colorful composition which alone combines different styles by integrating rock, folk and symphonic elements with alternations of rhythm and intensity typical of an imaginative progressive. Add to this that the artwork is beautiful with illustrations made by 'Alex Keskitalo' showing that he is a complete artist.

In summary, the Finns of Overhead' release a very rich double album with sought-after compositions but which is approached at the same time quite easily thanks to melodic lines that are always catchy and 'Telepathic Mids' should very quickly join the ideal disco for any amateur of progressive in the broad sense because it has all the assets to be one of the references of the year 2023 in this style of music, all styles combined...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Keskitalo (Vocal, Flute), Jaako Kettunen (Guitar), Janne Katalkin (Bass), Jere Saarainen (Keybords), Ville Sjöblom (Drums, Saxophone)


Artist : Ad Infinitum

Album : Chapter III – Downfall

Release Date : 31-03-2023

Added : 22-04-2023

After the symphonic metal of the pirates of 'Visions Of Atlantis' with their very good live at Wacken, we find the Swiss 'Melissa Bonny' with her project 'Ad Infinity' for a third album and a new theme on the fall of Egyptian civilization through the fate of Cleopatra. In three years, 'Ad Infinity' has managed to establish itself as a safe bet of metal mixing symphonic and power with anthems of formidable efficiency. For this last opus, the power side is a little less present and they have once again bet on catchy melodies that we appropriate from the first listen in a resolutely modern style. And as we will see, it is with a lot of single releases for 6 months that the group presents us with this last baby, since the first five compositions of the album have their videos.

We are welcomed by the two energetic and melodic missiles that are 'Eternal Rains' (see the video above) and 'Upside Down' (see the video here) which will certainly be a hit in concert and in which we find the ever so powerful vocals of 'Melissa Bonny' which inserts, here and there, a few furious growls. We continue with 'Seth' (see the video here) with oriental sounds well in tune with the theme, then 'From the Ashes' (see the video here) moderates the ardours with a new melodic jewel which immediately enters the head and which shows a beautiful alternation of intensities between the verses and the chorus and 'Somewhere Better' (see the video here) is the power ballad of the album which, even if the rhythm section remains quite muscular, brings a welcome moment of respite after all the energy developed at the beginning of the album. Here we go again with 'The Underworld' which is certainly one of the fastest titles and in which 'Melissa Bonny' uses her extreme voice the most, the whole keeping a catchy melodic side, then, 'Ravenous' is a heavy mid-tempo with a marked rhythm and brings the Celtic side of 'Nightwish' and the melodic side of 'Within Temptation', the clean vocals being quite close to that of 'Sharon den Adel', even if here and there, 'Melissa Bonny' growls a few growls. New ballad break, this time much quieter with the magnificent 'Under the Burning Skies' in which 'Melissa Bonny' shows an angelic sweetness on catchy melodic lines and we still think of the most beautiful ballads of 'Within Temptation' at the beginning of the years 2000. Follows 'Architect of Paradise' which is a new melodic hit with beautiful variations of the rhythm section throughout the title bringing a slight progressive side, then, 'The Serpent's Downfall' comes to deploy new catchy melodic lines in an atmosphere more subdued and added to the album's debut singles making it yet another candidate to add to a concert set list. And to end this beautiful album in style, 'Ad Infinitum' offers us two quite different compositions with the mid-tempo 'New Dawn' which alternates measured verses and a chorus deploying a beautiful power and which has a very beautiful instrumental passage in second part of title with a magnificent guitar solo, then, introduced by a narrative interpreted by 'Chrigel Glanzmann' of 'Eluveitie', 'Legends' closes the debates with a new catchy composition and a last chorus still very effective. Note the addition of the cover of two titles in instrumental version 'Upside Down' and 'Somewhere Better' for those who would like to start a karaoke but which, for my part, are quite dispensable.

In summary, 'Ad Infinitum' confirms with this third album that they are now part of the top of the basket in symphonic metal and if you like bands like 'Within Temptation', 'Nightwish', 'Delain', 'Xandria' or even 'Beyond The Black', you should undoubtedly quickly adopt this third chapter 'Downfall' which takes us on a journey to the land of Cleopatra because 'Ad Infinitum' merges all the influences of these essential symphonic metal formations...

Line Up / Musicians

Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Adrian Thessenvitz (Guitar), Jonas Asplind (Bass), Niklas Müller (Drums) + Guest : Chrigel Glanzmann (Vocal)


Artist : Last In Line

Album : Jericho

Release Date : 31-03-2023

Added : 23-04-2023

'Last In Line' is a formation that was created two years after the death of 'Ronnie James Dio' in 2012 by guitarist 'Vivian Campbell' who took with him drummer 'Vinny Appice' and bassist 'Jimmy Bain' , all three being the original members of the 'Dio' line-up, joined by vocalist 'Andrew Freeman'. After the death of 'Jimmy Bain' in 2016, it is now 'Phil Soussan' who is the bassist of the group and who was already in the line up of the last album 'II' released in 2019. 2023 therefore sees the release of a new album, 'Jericho', in which we find this hard rock taking us back to the best of the 80s style and entry, the tone and given with a 'Not Today Satan' on which the rhythm section of 'Vinny Appice' is enormous, then, 'Ghost Town' continues in a slightly more moderate by offering us a typical tempo of 'Led Zeppelin', the guitar solo in the middle of the title being remarkable. What follows remains in this same well-tempered style, with the two well-marked mid-tempo rhythms 'Bastars Son' and 'Dark Days', the latter recalling the 'Into The Fire' from 'Deep Purple' but also compositions like 'Do the Work' to knock your head off by dint of headbanging or the impetuous 'Hurricane Orlagh' that we already knew because he was present on the 'Beatles' cover EP 'A Day in the Life' or the energetic 'Walls of Jericho'. We will not miss either a more moderate 'Burning Bridges' which brings a moment of respite or the melodic hit 'We Don't Run' with its addictive chorus with its generous choirs. In short, until the last blast 'House Party at the End of the World' taking us back to the 80s, the rhythm does not falter and if you like a hard rock full of energy that sends heavy, you should adopt fairly quickly 'Jericho' which should be among the best hard rock releases of 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrew Freeman (Vocal), Vivian Campbell (Guitar), Vinny Appice (Drums), Phil Soussan (Bass, Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Karfagen

Album : Passage to the Forest of Mysterious

Release Date : 01-04-2023

Added : 24-04-2023






Along with the 'Sunchild' compilation, 'Time and the Tide' (partly streaming), 'Antony Kalugin' continues to offer us sumptuous enregistrements studio with this time 'Passage to the Forest of Mysterious' which is in a way a continuation of the previous albums 'Birds of Passage' from 2020, 'Land of Green and Gold' from 2022. This last opus is in fact a double CD whose bonus CD 'Birds' is an instrumental album taken from 'Birds of Passage' which has been released in early 2023. As usual, he offers us symphonic progressive rock alternating between fairly short titles and long developments: on this last album, we are spoiled with two long developments including the 19 minutes of 'Birds of Passage and the Enchanted Forest' which was released in a shorter version of 9 minutes at the beginning of 2023 and the 22 minutes of 'Mysterious Forest' if we count the 3 parts of this river title. Given my last two columns, I will not launch into titles in which I would risk repeating the same superlatives for this latest baby from the Ukrainian as for 'Birds of Passage' and 'Land of Green and Gold' because we find all these rich and dense soundscapes with the use of different electric and acoustic instruments allowing to considerably enrich the whole: the first title which is the 4th part of 'Kingfisher and Dragonflies' continues the adventure started in 2007 and is the beginning of a new journey with soft and serene atmospheres always brought by the acoustic instruments which are the flute and the guitar and if you hang on to this first title, you should very strongly adopt this new album of 'Karfagen' which takes us on a new journey filled with sensitivity and poetry with of course, for my part, a preference for the two long developments which take us on board each in a labyrinth in which it is good to get lost and which requires several listenings to fully understand all the nooks and crannies, like an explorer discovering an unknown land and taming it little by little. And as always, the cover of the album produced by 'Igor Sokolskiy' is magnificent and completes 'Passage to the Forest of Mysterious' in a very beautiful way.

In short, faithful to his previous discography, 'Anthony Kalugin', always surrounded by talented artists who embellish his music, offers us a new jewel of progressive that we savour quietly with headphones to relax after a hard day's work...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Keybords, Vocal, Percussions, Flute, Guitar, Programmation) + Guests : Mathieu Spaeter (Guitar), Max Velychko (Guitar), Konstantin Lonenko (Bass), Viktor Syrotin (Drums), Tim Sobolev (Vocal), Olha Rostovska (Vocal), Aleksandr Pavlov (Guitar), Yan Vedaman (Saxophone), Alexandr Pastuchov (Basson), Maria Baranovska (Violin), Elena Kushiy (Flute)


Artist : Powerwolf

Album : Interludium

Release Date : 07-04-2023

Added : 25-04-2023

We know the taste for excessiveness of the Germans of 'Powerwolf' in their successive releases and, after the imposing double album 'The Monumental Mass: A Cinematic Metal Event' in 2022, they add another one with this triple album 'Interludium' which was released in early April 2023 Admittedly, the third CD is the instrumental version of the first which does not bring much to the whole and the second album contains titles of 'Powerwolf' covered by various artists such as 'Ad Infinitum' or 'Lord Of The Lost'.

As for the main album, these are 6 original compositions, some of which have already been released as singles: at the start 'Wolves Of War' sends out a hymn like the Germans are used to laying out regularly, then the hits 'Sainted By The Storm' (see the video above), 'No Prayer At Midnight' (see the video here) and 'My Will Be Done' (see the video here), all three having already been the subject of a single. The sequel makes us discover three new titles ('Altars On Fire', 'Wolfborn' and 'Stronger Than The Sacrament') which have nothing to envy to the previous ones with always this immediate access which gives an irresistible desire to resume the chorus in choirs with 'Attila Dorn', then, 'Powerwolf' brings up to date two old titles with, first of all, 'Living On A Nightmare' which dates from 2012 and 'Midnight Madonna' which appeared on the Earbook edition of 'The Sacrament of Sin' from 2018 which adds two addictive melodies, the album ending with 'Bête du Gévaudan' which is the French version released as a single following the original version of the album 'Call of the Wild' of 2021.

In summary, the recipe of the Germans of 'Powerwolf' has now been well established for quite some time and, even if some will regret a lack of originality, we cannot take away from them only the formula of their power metal festive with unifying melodies still works as much and that they would be very wrong to deprive themselves of it, given the millions of listens that it generates...

Line Up / Musicians

Attila Dorn (Vocal), Falk Maria Schlegel (Keybords), Charles Greywolf (Guitar), Matthew Greywolf (Guitar), Roel van Helden (Drums)


Artist : D'Ercole

Album : Mass Formation

Release Date : 12-04-2023

Added : 26-04-2023






After 'Quantum 8' released in 2022, 'Phil Vincent', with his project 'D'Ercole', releases his ninth album and continues to offer us an impressive frequency of studio recordings because the last solo, 'No Respect', dated July 2022 and he also released with his other project 'Tragik', 'Cry for Love' end of last year. We So let's find this completely original mix between well-tempered hard rock and more moderate melodic rock. And in this last album, we begin first of all with the three hard rock burns 'Trial By Fire', 'Make it Alone' and 'Peacemaker' filled with a beautiful energy then, with 'Synergy' which follows and which is made up of two parts, we go from a ballad to again direct and effective hard rock. The suite continues with a muscular 'Fighting to Survive' with 'Vince O'Regan' which delights us on the guitar followed by 'No Place Left To Hide' with its catchy rhythm which should make more than one headbang. Much calmer, 'Real Life' is an AOR melodic jewel and we come to the surprise of this album, 'The Broken Heart' which is made up of 4 parts and which is a long development: we cannot strictly speak of progressive but it is a river title which begins in a calm way à la 'Barclay James Harvest' and which alternates different intensities and rhythms with very beautiful guitar solos and remarkable vocal harmonies, the melodic lines being always very catchy, the third part recalling the atmospheres of certain titles of 'Alan Parsons' and the epic and powerful finale returning to the theme and the slow opening tempo being quite remarkable.

In summary, the albums of the various projects of 'Phil Vincent' follow each other at a good frequency, continuing to offer us a very nice mix between muscular compositions and other more moderate ones and this last opus of 'D'Ercole ' is there again to prove it to us and should make happy all lovers of good rock and direct and effective melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Phil Vincent (Vocal, Keybords, Guitars, Bass, Drums), Damian D'Ercole (Guitar), B.F. D'Ercole (Drums, Percussions), Vince O'Regan (Guitar)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Tales Of Time (Live)

Release Date : 14-04-2023

Added : 27-04-2023

Given its rather impressive release frequency, 'Joe Bonamassa' left us in October 2021 with the magnificent 'Time Clocks' and we had nothing to eat since then. It must nevertheless be said that given these incessant tours in recent years and the various appearances with other artists such as 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' or more recently 'Ally Venable', he has been busy and this live 'Tales Of Time' was recorded during his 2022 summer tour in the United States, precisely at the 'Red Rocks Amphitheater' in Colorado near Denver. 13 titles in the DVD/Blu-Ray and 10 titles on the CD, it is the menu of this last live with a good place for the compositions of the last album since the first 8 titles of the CD are taken from it. No need for a long column to tell you that we have a wonderful time listening to 'Tales of Time', the live being a privileged moment to listen to 'Joe Bonamassa' surrounded by talented musicians and his three singers who add that little extra magic to the vocal performances. In short, all you have to do is to turn up the volume slightly and press the play button, the music will do the rest and if you don't have enough with the CD, you can get the DVD/Blu-Ray which adds 'Midnight Blues', 'I Didn't Think She Should Do It' and 'Mountain Time' (5 videos are available on youtube: 'The Heart That Never Waits', 'Mind's Eye', 'The Loyal Kind', 'Known Unknowns' and 'Time Clocks') and, even better, find a date near your home in his many tours because nothing replaces the physical presence to fully enjoy these lives...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Calvin Turner (Bass), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Josh Smith (Guitar), Lemar Carter (Drums, Percussions), Jade MacRae (Choirs, Percussions), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs, Percussions), Dannielle DeAndrea (Choirs, Percussions)


Artist : Thomas Lassar

Album : From Now On

Release Date : 14-04-2023

Added : 28-04-2023






I didn't know the Swedish singer and keyboardist 'Thomas Lassar' who was part of the band 'Crystal Blue' in the late 90s and was also a member of 'Last Autumn's Dream' for the release of 'II' in 2005. Since then, he has been a session musician for various formations and, given the pandemic which deprived all artists of concerts for two long years, he took the opportunity to write an album to finally release his own material. Better late than never, because it offers us 10 melodic gems in an AOR that takes us back to the best of the 80s: first, 'When My Ship Comes In' rolls out the red carpet for us with a first melody reminiscent of the best of ASIA' and a certain 'Heat Of The Moment' then parade hits one behind the other with for example 'Whatever I Do' or 'In Control' and their heady chorus, the two well-paced mid-tempo 'The Only One' and 'Turn Me Back' or even 'Take Me Higher' which 'Toto' would not have denied. And, as in any good AOR album, 'Thomas Lassar' gratifies us with magnificent ballads, one in each half of the album, first of all 'Back What I Started' with felted percussions à la 'Phil Collins' and radiant choirs, the album ending with a new melodic jewel with the eponymous title of the album. In short, 'Thomas Lassar' is releasing a very fine AOR album which should make melodic rock fans happy with bands like 'ASIA', 'Foreigner' or even 'Toto' and be a serious contender for the podium of the best 2023 albums in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Thomas Lassar (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Fredrik Fernlund (Guitar), Åke Jennstig (Bass), Fredrik Åkermo (Drums) + Guests : Henrik Johansson (Guitar), Rob Marcello (Guitar), Mats Lariand (Guitar), Michaela Lassar Persson (Choirs)


Artist : Mike Tramp

Album : Songs Of White Lion

Release Date : 14-04-2023

Added : 29-04-2023






After the very good albums 'Stray from the Flock' in 2019, 'Second Time Around' in 2020 and 'For Første Gang' in 2022, 'Mike Tramp' returns with a new album but this time taking over compositions from 'White Lion' taken from the various albums of his former band. We dive back into the prosperous period of the 80s and, even if 'Mike Tramp' no longer has the voice of his twenty years, he offers us the hits of the time by adapting his voice and the result is quite remarkable. Of course, the group's flagship album 'Pride' takes the lion's share (white!) with 5 titles out of 12. I have added below the spotify link of each original title. Between lively compositions and beautiful ballads, we have a great time listening to this 'Songs Of White Lion'. In short, 'Mike Tramp', who had already tried to rekindle the 'White Lion' flame in 2008 with 'Return of the Pride', returns with a very good album which rejuvenates us by 35 years and which should please all those who remember this decade during which we were rocked by the sound of melodic rock formations, most of which actively participated in writing the history of rock...

List of tracks (Album – Year)

01. 'Lady Of The Valley' (Pride - 1987)
02. 'Little Fighter' (Big Game - 1989)
03. 'Broken Heart' (Mane Attraction - 1991)
04. 'Love Don’t Come Easy' (Mane Attraction - 1991)
05. 'Hungry' (Pride - 1987)
06. 'Cry For Freedom' (Big Game - 1989)
07. 'Going Home Tonight' (Big Game - 1989)
08. 'Wait' (Pride - 1987)
09. 'All The Fallen Men' (Fight To Survive - 1984)
10. 'Living On The Edge' (Big Game - 1989)
11. 'Tell Me' (Pride - 1987)
12. 'When The Children Cry' (Pride - 1987)

Line Up / Musicians

Mike Tramp (Vocal), Marcus Nand (Guitar), Claus Langeskov (Bass), Alan Tschicaja (Drums), Sébastien Groset (Keybords)


Artist : Archon Angel

Album : II

Release Date : 14-04-2023

Added : 30-04-2023

It's another 'Frontiers Music' release in the spotlight with the 'Archon Angel' project by 'Zak Stevens' (ex 'Savatage', ex 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' and 'Circle II Circle') and producer and guitarist 'Aldo Lonobile' ('Edge Of Forever', 'Lunarian', 'Poison Rose', 'Secret Sphere') who released their second studio recording simply called 'II'. Accompanied this time on the keyboards by the essential 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' to which is added a rhythm section composed of 'Nik Mazzucconi' on the bass and 'Marco Lazzarini' on the drums (sacred skewer of artists all the same!), they concocted 10 varied compositions for us in good epic heavy metal with a few incursions into progressive metal: the start of the album attests to this with the very good 'Wake of Emptiness' which immediately brings a theatrical side and which alternates different atmospheres including a magnificent guitar solo (we almost find ourselves in 'Comfortably Numb' by the 'Floyds'!) in the middle of the title, then, with 'Avanging the Dragon', we continue in this energy with a more direct but very effective title. The melodic side is also present with nuggets like 'Fortress' (see the video here) or 'I Will Return' and their catchy chorus from the first listen, and with titles like 'Quicksand' or 'One Last Reflection', we are carried away by frenzied rhythms showing more a speed power side. On the other hand, the heavy and imposing mid-tempos 'Away From the Sun' and 'Afterburn' (see the video here) show a more headbanging side and the album ends with 'Lake of Fire' bringing a pinch of progressive with several rhythmic changes throughout the title.

In summary, 'Zak Stevens' and 'Aldo Lonobile' are doing it again with their 'Archon Angel' project and releasing a second album with a good diversity between the compositions which should appeal to a fairly large metal audience who loves navigate between heavy metal, power metal and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Zak Stevens (Vocal), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Marco Lazzarini (Drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Piano)


Artist : Echoes and Signals

Album : Lunar

Release Date : 20-04-2023

Added : 01-05-2023

'Echoes and Signals' is a progressive rock project led by Russian 'Fedor Kivokurtsev' who has already released three albums and an EP with various artists that you can find on spotify ('Ouroboros' in 2013, 'V' in 2014, 'Monodrama' in 2017 and 'Mercurial' in 2021) and which releases a new studio recording 'Lunar' accompanied by two other artists, 'Alexey Zaytsev' on bass and 'Alexander Kulkov' on drums. After a first listen, the overall impression brings out melancholic atmospheres and I do not advise you to listen to it if you are rather attracted by festive music because it is an album to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on for tame each composition well: the whole is based on fairly dark atmospheres, this not being at all pejorative because we are caught up in compositions imbued with great sensitivity, the singing of 'Fedor Kivokurtsev' actively participating in this feeling .

We are welcomed by the short 'Amygdala' which sets the scene with the soft singing of 'Fedor Kivokurtsev' which delicately touches you, then, 'The Witching Hour' continues in this cozy atmosphere with a rhythmic section which envelops the whole in a beautiful way and which brings a certain haunting but very endearing atmosphere. Then comes the eponymous title of the album which continues to rock us gently on a very beautiful melancholic melody, then 'Serpentine' brings some electronic sounds bringing a haunting side. Make way for the long development 'Mana' which begins in a few layers of aerial keyboards and which continues with a brief acceleration of the tempo to then alternate calm passages and other more energetic ones which transpire a remarkable emotional tension. Follows 'Cindy', much more energetic, which takes us into a fusion between rock and progressive metal and which is well in the movement of a formation like 'Leprous', the singing of 'Fedor Kivokurtsev' being very close to that of Einar Solberg' and releasing the same palpable emotion, then, make way for 'Gravity', the second long development which takes us on a beautiful contrasting progressive journey alternating different intensities and rhythms, 'Fedor Kivokurtsev' continuing to move us in the central part and in the guitar solo which follows which makes it my favorite of 'Lunar'. Follows 'Roots' which returns to more direct rock in a slightly lighter atmosphere while keeping changes of intensities bringing a beautiful diversity to this title, the album ending in the sweetness of 'Cassandra' which is a title atmosphere charged with a beautiful melancholy in the positive sense of the term.

In summary, 'Fedor Kivokurtsev', accompanied by a talented rhythm section, offers us a very beautiful album filled with great sensitivity and transmitting to the listener a very special emotion, which means that 'Lunar' should appeal to an audience navigating between bands like 'Leprous', 'Antimatter' or even 'Anathema'...

Line Up / Musicians

Fedor Kivokurtsev (Guitar, Vocal, Keybords), Alexey Zaytsev (Bass), Alexander Kulkov (Drums)


Artist : Jethro Tull

Album : RökFlöte

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 02-05-2023

Well revived by the very good 'The Zealot Gene', the band of 'Ian Anderson' does it again a little over a year later with this new opus 'RökFlöte'. This time they take us on a journey to the depths of the Nordic countries by exploring their mythology and the title of the album is of course linked to this original mixture discovered in the early 70s when 'Ian Anderson' introduced these so characteristic sounds. flute in rock music. And, for all those who have been fans of the group since its origin, they are spoiled because this flute which has become the trademark of the group is omnipresent. On the menu of this album, 12 compositions (plus the cover in single version of 'The Navigators') in the great 'Jethrotuliennne' tradition but which, in no case, are replicas of already known titles because 'Ian Anderson' has still this creative momentum which still makes this latest opus a must for the group (and yet, if I count correctly, we are on the 23rd studio album and 'This Was' will turn 55 at the end of the year!!).

'Voluspo' welcomes us with the poem from Norse mythology 'Völuspá' recited by a woman, followed by well-known flute sounds which already fill the entire space. The tone of the theme of Norse mythology is given, especially since the following title, 'Ginnungagap' (evoked in the previous poem and of which you can see the video above) is the name of a chasm which separated the realms of cold ('Niflheim') and fire ('Muspellheim'), before the creation of the world. In this title, the historical fans of 'Jethro Tull' will certainly be in heaven because we find this rock/folk spirit of the 70s. With 'Allfather', we continue our journey with the god 'Odin' and this radiant and bouncy folk spirit , then 'The Feathered Consort', more classic, offers us pure 'Ian Anderson' and 'Hammer on Hammer' (see the video here), this time devoted to the eldest son of Odin', the god of thunder 'Thor' known to have a hammer as a magic weapon, adds a new light and luminous composition not necessarily in phase with the theme. The suite takes us through a lively 'Wolf Enchained', very much in the spirit of this original fusion between rock and folk, then, 'The Perfect' offers a beautiful mid-tempo between ballad and rustic refrain, the flute of 'Ian Anderson' still working miracles and 'Joe Parrish-James' short guitar solo, which is not often featured, being quite remarkable. The Celtic side is then highlighted with 'Trickster' and its various rhythmic changes and its festive atmosphere, then, place to the very beautiful ballad 'Cornucopia' which brings a moment of delicacy and 'The Navigators' (see the video of the single here), sets off again in a lively composition that can only make you move to the rhythm of the music and that the public should accompany by clapping their hands in time at concerts. With 'Guardian's Watch', the baroque introduction accompanied by the flute brings a classical side and then mixes with the electric guitar for a new rural composition and 'Ithavoll' comes to conclude this beautiful album with again this mark stamped 'Jethro Tull' that we recognize among a thousand with this song so characteristic of 'Ian Anderson' and his flute which twirls with each instrumental section.

In summary, at 75 years old, 'Ian Anderson' continues his adventure which began almost 56 years ago and is releasing a new album in the pure tradition of this legendary formation and 'RökFlöte' should, beyond the historical fans of 'Jethro Tull' who will be delighted by this new offering, appeal to a wide audience who likes a well-balanced mix of rock and folk with melodies that we appropriate from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Anderson (Vocal, Flutes), David Goodier (Bass), John O'Hara (Piano, Keybords, Hammond), Scott Hammond (Drums), Joe Parrish-James (Guitar, Mandolin)


Artist : Grand Design

Album : Rawk

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 03-05-2023






The expression "you don't change a winning team" is quite appropriate for the Swedes of 'Grand Design' who return with a new studio recording, 'Rawk', after three years of absence and after their last album 'V'. Indeed, the albums follow one another and always offer us so much energy in a melodic hard rock bringing us back to the 80s with radiant choruses à la 'Def Leppard'. And as we are now used to, we have an unbroken string of hits at our disposal and the Swedes didn't have to worry about choosing the last three singles since they simply took the first three titles of the album: 'Tuff It Out' (see the video above) opens the ball with a composition à la 'Def Leppard' which could well have appeared in 'Pyromania' or 'Hysteria', then 'God Bless Rawk n Roll' (see video here ) follows suit with an addictive refrain and 'Love or a Fantasy' drives the point home with another melodic gem (see the video here).

The sequel offers us other unstoppable melodies with, first of all, muscular and fast compositions like 'Your Luv is Drivin' Me Crazy', 'We Were Born To Rawk n Roll' (see the video here) or even 'Get Out' (see the video here ), the last two titles being released more than a year ago as singles. We will also not miss the compositions with more moderate atmospheres with, for example, 'Desperate Hearts' and 'Dangerous Attraction' with a remarkable alternation of intensities between verses and refrains with generous choirs but also with the melodic anthem 'Carry on My Wind' on which singer 'Erik Grawsiö' ('Månegarm') and guitarist 'Veith Offenbächer' ('Dawn of Destiny') participate or with the ballad from the album 'Give It All Up for Luv'. And going back to the 80s, the very 'Lepardian' 'In the H.EA.T. of the Nite' concludes the album in a very beautiful way.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Grand Design' continue to offer us sumptuous albums in the great tradition and above all with the same quality as the major formations of the 80s of melodic hard rock and 'Rawk' is added to the list of the best albums of the year 2023 in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Pelle Saether (Vocal), Dennis Vestman (Guitar, Choirs), Dan Svanbom (Guitar, Choirs), Stefan Westerlund (Bass), Joakim Jonsson (Drums) + Guests : Erik Grawsiö (Vocal), Veith Offenbächer (Guitar)


Artist : Liv Kristine

Album : River of Diamonds

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 04-05-2023

Since his departure from 'Leave's Eyes' and his last album 'King of Kings' with the band at 'Alexander Krull' in 2015, 'Liv Kristine' had yet to release an LP, the only releases being the EP 'Have Courage Dear Heart' from 2021 and the mini live 'Liv (E) In Nagold 2019' also from 2021. And yet , in 25 years, in addition to the 5 albums with 'Theatre of Tragedy' and of the 6 with 'Leaves' Eyes', the Norwegian has already to her credit 5 solo albums you can listen to on her spotify page. 'River of Diamonds' is therefore her 6th studio recording and all the singer's fans were impatiently awaiting this offering. These are therefore 12 compositions, some of which were already known through the latest EP or singles that are available to us for a short hour of listening.

At first, the catchy 'Our immortal Day' takes us on familiar ground with Liv's characteristic singing and a melody that can recall certain titles of 'Leave's Eyes', the former singer of 'Tristania', the duet "beauty and the beast" with 'Østen Bergøy' bringing a beautiful originality, then, the mid-tempo 'No Makeup' is quieter and shows the soft and pop side of the Norwegian on a new catchy melody. With 'Maligna', the atmosphere is close to the first track with a rhythmic composition that makes you want to move in time and accompany the singer by clapping her hands, then, the beautiful ballad 'Gravity' (see the video above) is the first single released in 2020 and which appeared on the 2021 EP. As for 'In You Blue Eyes' which was also the subject of a single (see the video here), we find the pop side of the 80s/90s with sounds flirting with artists like 'U2' or 'Simple Minds', then, the eponymous title of the already known album (see the video here), highlights the singer 'Fernando Ribeiro' of the group 'Moonspell' who intervenes in second voice and continues in this melodic pop/rock way. And when the lights dim, on-stage-and-on-life pair 'Liv Kristine'/'Michael Espenæs' take the emotional slider up several steps with this beautiful 'Jon Lord' track from the album of the same name released in 1998. Follows 'Shaolin Me' which unrolls a slow tempo on a very beautiful melody that gently rocks us, then the last single released at the end of March 2023 'Love Me High' (see the video here) returns to catchy pop and, this time, it's Liv's sister, 'Carmen Elise Espenæs', singer of 'Midnattsol' which accompanies it in forming a delicious new duo. In the same style as 'Love Me High', 'Serenity', slightly more muscular, offers us a new title whose melody is still tagged 'Leave's Eyes', then, the end of the album shows a calm face with, everything first, the very beautiful acoustic 'If I am Dreaming' in which two vocal recordings of Liv overlap remarkably, then, the magnificent cover 'True Colors' of 'Cindi Laupers' in which the piano/voice duo is simply sublime.

In summary, quite far from the symphonic metal of 'Leave's Eyes', 'Liv Kristine' shows the full extent of her talent in this very beautiful album and in a more pop style register and 'River Of Diamonds' should without any doubt will appeal, beyond the fans of the Norwegian who will certainly be conquered, to a large audience because all the compositions are very accessible and offer beautiful catchy melodic lines from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Liv Kristine (Vocal), Tommy Olsson (Tous les instruments) + Guests : Østen Bergøy (Vocal), Fernando Ribeiro (Vocal), Michael Espenæs (Vocal), Carmen Elise Espenæs (Vocal)


Artist : One Desire

Album : Live with the Shadow Orchestra

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 05-05-2023






The Finns of 'One Desire' chain the release of live albums because, after the 'One Night Only Live In Helsinki' which dates from 2021, it's the turn of 'Live with the Shadow Orchestra' which has just been released and, like its name indicates it, the group plays with a symphony orchestra and offers us a short concert of one hour of their discography made of two albums 'One Desire' from 2017 and 'Midnight Empire' released in 2020. Like the last concert in 'Helsinki', this one is also released on DVD/Blu-Ray and you have at your disposal on the 'Frontiers Music' youtube page, three excerpts from this live with 'Never Gonna Stop', 'Rio' and 'Through The Fire'. Well balanced between energetic titles, catchy choruses and beautiful ballads, we have a great time listening to these 11 compositions and the orchestra brings new arrangements and above all a considerable scale. In short, even if the discography of the Finns of 'One Desire' is still very limited, this 'Live with the Shadow Orchestra' which also benefits from a solid production, offers us unstoppable melodies and should undoubtedly please, at least beyond the band's fan base, to all lovers of rock and melodic hard-rock...

Line Up / Musicians

André Linman (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Westerlund (Guitar, Vocal), Ossi Sivula (Drums), Jonas Kuhlberg (Bass), Johnny Nordström (Keybords, Voice) + Guests : Geir Rönning (Voice), The Shadow Orchestra 'Wasa Sinfonietta'


Artist : Axel Rudi Pell

Album : The Ballads VI

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 06-05-2023

In the history of rock and hard-rock, ballads have always taken on considerable importance and the Germans of 'Scorpions' are well placed in this niche since 'Wind of Change' and 'Still Loving You' are on the podium of biggest streaming listens. But, less known worldwide, their compatriots from 'Axel Rudi Pell' are the indisputable kings in the matter since they released their sixth album of ballads (list below) after having gratified us with the magnificent 'Lost XXIII' in 2022. This new opus offers five compositions taken from their previous albums: 'Beyond The Light' from 'Knights Call', 'As Blind As A Fool Can Be' from 'Sign Of The Times' and 'Gone With The Wind', 'Fly With Me' and the extended version of 'Quarantined 1' from 'Lost XXIII'. Also present are three covers that were present on 'Diamonds Unlocked II' released in 2021: 'She's A Lady' by 'Paul Anka', 'Room with a View' by 'Tony Carey' and 'I Put a Spell On You' by 'Screamin' Jay Hawkins'. The novelties appear at the beginning of the album and are five in number: 'Axell Rudi Pell' offers us two very beautiful instrumentals with 'Revelations' and 'Hidden Secrets' to which are added two magnificent covers, first of 'Diamonds And Rust' from 'Joan Baez', then, from 'Dust In The Wind' from 'Kansas'. If you know correctly, there is one title left and it is precisely the only original title of the album, 'Morning Star', which was released as a single two months ago and which is the kind of title that could compete without problems the ballads of 'Scorpions'.

In short, given the type of album, we can't expect a lot of novelties but these beautiful ballads allow us to have on a single disc the soft side of the Germans of 'Axel Rudy Pell' and, just for that, we can thank them for compiling these compositions because everything is done to have a great time to relax after a hard day's work, music replacing all the antidepressants on earth...

List of 'Axel Rudi Pell' ballad albums:

= 'The Ballads' (1993)
= 'The Ballads II' (1999)
= 'The Ballads III' (2004)
= 'The Ballads IV' (2011)
= 'The Ballads V' (2017)
= 'The Ballads VI' (2023)

Line Up / Musicians

Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Axel Rudi Pell (Guitar), Ferdy Doernberg (Keybords), Volker Krawczak (Bass), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums)


Artist : Saint Deamon

Album : League of the Serpent

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 07-05-2023

The six reviews that follow are devoted to six rock, hard rock or metal albums released on April 21, 2023 and which all have in common to present catchy melodic lines from the first listen. To start, power metal is in the spotlight with the Swedes of 'Saint Deamon' who release their 4th album 'League of the Serpent' after 'Ghost' which dates from 2019. They offer us 11 varied and catchy titles that scroll one behind the other. To make it short, I will highlight the compositions that brought me the most immediate pleasure at the melodic level because they all have refrains to sing along to: 'At Break the Dawn' (see the video here), 'The Final Fight', 'Lost in Your Sin', 'Load Your Cannons' (see video here) or 'Heaven to Heart'. In short, the Swedes of 'Saint Deamon' continue their adventure started about fifteen years ago with a new album which offers us melodic compositions at will and 'League of the Serpent' adds some hits which should work well in concert and delight all fans of the group and beyond all fans of power metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Jan Thore Grefstad (Vocal), Andreas Bjurström (Guitar), Magnus Noberg (Bass), Alfred Fridhagen (Drums)


Artist : Smackbound

Album : Hostage

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 08-05-2023

I continue my chronicles devoted to the melodic albums released on April 21, 2023 with 'Smackbound' which also come from the Nordic countries like the Swedes of 'Saint Deamon', in this case from Finland, and who released their 2nd studio recording. Led by the female singer with the powerful voice 'Netta Laurenne', they signed with 'Frontiers Music' and are presented as making melodic metal but after a first listen, we are conquered by a diversity of different styles mixing different influences with lines melodic that we tame immediately: it goes from the beautiful ballads 'Imperfect Day' (see the video here) and 'The Edge' to the impetuous 'Razor Sharp' and 'Hold The Fire' passing by the popisants 'Reap', 'Break' and 'Hostage' or the catchy 'Change' (see the video here) and 'Hostage' or even the symphonic and theatrical 'Rodrigo'. There is therefore something for all tastes and the Finns deploy a resolutely modern metal with well-honed riffs which draws its influences from different styles by incorporating a few electronic touches. In summary, 'Smackbound' confirms with this second album that we will have to count on them to actively participate in the rise of the new Nordic wave of melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Netta Laurenne (Vocal), Teemu Mäntysaari (Guitar), Rolf Pilve (Drums), Vili Itäpelto (Keybords), Tuomas Yli-Jaskari (Bass)


Artist : Revolution Saints

Album : Eagle Flight

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 09-05-2023






It's another 'Frontiers Music' release with the Americans of 'Revolution Saints', who, after the very good album 'Rise', released their 4th album called 'Eagle Flight'. Made up of well-known artists from the melodic hard rock scene with vocalist and drummer 'Deen Castronovo', guitarist 'Joel Hoekstra', bassist 'Jeff Pilson' and our Swiss knife of 'Frontiers' house, I named 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' on keyboards, they offer us melodic hard rock taking us back to the best of the 80s and they didn't skimp on the promotional videos since there are four of them and they sum up the album well: is 'Eagle Flight', 'Need Each Other', 'Talking Like Strangers' and 'Crime Of The Century'. And if you like this sampling of compositions, chances are you'll enjoy all of this latest album from the Americans of 'Revolution Saints' and add it to the previous releases of 'Grand Design' or from 'Thomas Lassar' or from 'Mike Tramp' or even from 'D'Ercole' to name only albums released in April 2023 and in the same style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Deen Castronovo (Vocal, Drums), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Jeff Pilson (Bass) + Guest : Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords)


Artist : Against Myself

Album : Tides Of Insanity

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 10-05-2023

We continue in the melodic with this time symphonic metal and it is the Spaniards of 'Against Myself' who, after 'Unity' from 2019 released their fourth studio recording 'Tides Of Insanity'. Always led by the drummer and guitarist 'Charly Carreton', the line up has evolved because it is now 'Elizabeth Amoedo' who officiates on vocals replacing Irene Villegas', 'Unai Iglesias' on guitar replacing 'Sergio Culebras ', 'Francesco Antonelli' on keyboards replacing 'Carlos Alcalde' and 'Alexandre Fung' on bass replacing 'Raúl Plaza'. They offer us on this new disc nine titles for 53 minutes with a long development of nearly 20 minutes which I will present to you below, the whole bathed in classic symphonic metal with a lot of orchestration provided and grandiose choirs.

And as often in this style, the short instrumental introduction sets the scene with a lush orchestration reminiscent of 'Xandria', 'Epica', 'Whyzdom' or 'Kamelot', then, without transition, 'Providence' (see the video above) pours the first single released at the end of February containing all the ingredients of an imposing symphonic metal with an impressive firepower, the abundant choirs twirling around a high-flying vocal performance by 'Elizabeth Amoedo', the orchestral sections being well supplied and the guitar solo in the second part of the title being quite remarkable. Follows 'Beyond the Deep' (see the video here), more difficult to tame, due to successive rhythmic changes but which continues in this grandiose way with a catchy chorus. After the short symphonic interlude 'A Fateful Illusion' tumbles the catchy 'The Tempest' which again highlights the singing of Elizabeth Amoedo' always accompanied by majestic choirs and which presents a very beautiful instrumental break in the middle of the title followed by a masterful flight from Elizabeth and new choirs attesting to this symphonic filiation between this type of metal and classical music, an association that we find on the following title 'Huntress of Assyria', entirely instrumental which transmits an extraordinary energy. The sequel is no exception to this style with 'Sweet Chants of Death' (see the video here), mixing devastating guitar riffs with melodious vocals of the beautiful Elizabeth and the Spaniards have not forgotten the moment of serenity with the power ballad 'Threnody' which brings a well-deserved moment of respite after all this energy deployed and which offers a welcome break before attacking the dish resistance of the album. Indeed, because the eponymous piece of the album, in five parts, takes us on a magnificent symphonic/progressive journey with multiple twists, the many changes of intensities and tempos bringing a remarkable diversity and an immense richness which, on the other hand of the medal, will require several listenings to extract all the substance of it and explore all the nooks and crannies, ultimately allowing it to be engraved in your memory as an essential composition of symphonic metal.

In summary, four years after their last offering, the Spaniards of 'Against Mself' are back in force on the front of the symphonic metal scene by offering us an album demonstrating that they have once again taken a step to mingle at the forefront of formations of this style and 'Tides Of Insanity' will certainly be on the podium of the albums of the year 2023 in symphonic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Elizabeth Amoedo (Vocal), Charly Carreton (Drums), Unai Iglesias (Guitar), Francesco Antonelli (Keybords), Alexandre Fung (Bass)


Artist : Avalanch

Album : El Dilema de los Dioses

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 11-05-2023






href='http://becker.cj.free.fr/myprogmusic/com/albums.php?langue=A&idspot=spotify:album:5p9rXxjISi08dB0RDwZx0z' target='_blank'>'Against Myself', this is still the Spaniards who are in the spotlight, but this time with a formation that is tagged heavy metal. In this style, the Spaniards are not strictly speaking a nation which is very active but we know the talent of melodists of the artists of the countries of the South of Europe in the song and 'Avalanch' is part of it and already has an imposing discography but never really managed to make a worldwide reputation, perhaps because they continue 25 years after their first studio recording 'La Llama Eterna' to release albums sung in Spanish. And yet the last album 'El Secreto' also exists in English version ('The Secret'). 2023 therefore sees the release of a new album 'El Dilema de los Disoes' which sees the line up evolve since the leader 'Alberto Rionda' is now the only guitarist, 'Jorge Salán' having left the ship, 'Nando Campos' replacing 'Dirk Schlächter' on bass and 'José Pardial' replacing 'Israel Ramos' on vocals, the latter being a guest on one song. On the other hand, the well-known 'Mike Terrana' who officiated for a long time with 'Tarja' still provides the place of drummer and we also find the keyboardist 'Manuel Ramil'.

No surprise with this new opus, we navigate through a succession of melodic compositions but although this formation is tagged in power metal, I find that this album is very soft compared to the label they claim : at the start, with the mid-tempo 'Expulsando a mis demonios', we have a demonstration of it with a musical theme characteristic of the Spanish song and an epic atmosphere as desired brought by a provided orchestration, then, 'Ceniza' continues with a new catchy composition with new catchy melodic lines and the two compositions which follow, 'Cuatro Elementos' and 'Sonrisa De Un Ángel', are not left out with refrains which will certainly be taken up in choirs in concert. First break ballad with the very beautiful 'Sentido' which brings us back to the best metal power ballads and which highlights a beautiful vocal performance by 'José Pardial', the Spanish language bringing a very particular warmth. The second part of the album is like the first with new melodic hymns and we will not miss 'Confianza Ciega' with the former singer 'Isra Ramos' who returns to service on this title and who forms a beautiful vocal duo with 'José Pardial'. We also find this Spanish melodic spirit in the following titles and 'Horizonte Eterno' (see the video above), 'Tumbas y Reyes' and the eponymous title of the album are further proof of this with catchy melodic lines, the metal side being quite discreet. And to finish, the beautiful acoustic ballad 'Más Allá De Las Tinieblas' (a little too short for my taste) ends this album in a very beautiful way in a style reminiscent of 'Love of my Life' by 'Queen'.
In summary, the Spaniards of Avalanch' release a very beautiful album filled with catchy melodies on first listening and 'El Dilema de los Dioses' is more like melodic hard rock with icing on the cake, this inimitable style of the Spaniards to bring a very particular warmth and, as such, I find that singing in Spanish is ultimately a plus that greatly contributes to it...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Rionda (Guitar), José Pardial (Vocal), Mike Terrana (Drums), Manuel Ramil (Keybords), Nando Campos (Bass) + Guest : Isra Ramos (Vocal)


Artist : Mecca

Album : Everlasting

Release Date : 21-04-2023

Added : 12-05-2023

'Joe Vana' returns after a long absence with a new album by 'Mecca', the group's last album soberly baptized 'III' dating back to 2016, an album that can be found in the compilation '20 Years' of the first three albums released in 2022. Via the 'Frontiers Music' label, the American, surrounded by artists with resumes as long as a month of Sundays (see the list below), has concocted a magnificent AOR album and we could very well define 'Everlasting' as a master stallion of this style. Everything is there to have a great time listening to these 11 compositions and if you like the three singles 'I Won't Walk Away', 'The Mistakes We Make' and 'Falling', you should definitely adopt the whole album. And for lovers of languorous slow, the eponymous title is to be added to the best ballads of AOR. In short, no need for a long chronicle, 'Joe Vana' returns with a very beautiful album which should have been a runaway success at the time of 'Toto', 'Journey', 'Foreigner' or 'ASIA' and of course from 'Survivor', Joe having worked with 'Jim Peterik' for the first album of 'Mecca', more than twenty years ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Vana (Vocal), Sven Larsson (Guitar), Mitia Maccaferri (Bass), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords), Mirko De Maoi (Drums) + Guests : Tommy Denander (Guitar), Christopher Börjars, Stefano Lionetti (Guitar), Vivien Lalu (Keybords), Stefano Mainini, Pete Alpenborg (Keybords)


Artist : Alux Nahual

Album : Once

Release Date : 26-04-2023

Added : 13-05-2023

After the Spanish d'Against Myself' and d'Avalanch', the Guatemalans of 'Alux Nahual' are releasing a new album. The line up has not changed since their last album 'Sueños De Jade' which already dates from 2016 and they offer us 8 new compositions for a short duration of 34 minutes. Between energetic rock and quiet ballads, the whole is varied and, from the first title 'Estamos en Vivo', we embark on a catchy composition with catchy melodic lines, then, 'Lobo Estepario' moderates the ardour and, even if the introduction highlight saturated guitars, the atmosphere is very festive. Follows the beautiful ballad 'Hombre Pájaro' which shows all the talent of melodist of the 'Guatemaltecs' and the Spanish language is particularly well adapted for this type of title. Here we go again for powerful rock with the introduction 'Aurora' but this title brings subtle changes of tempo and intensity between verses and choruses, the vocal harmonies being quite remarkable. The second part of 'Once' offers us a lively 'Frida Está Loca' with a marked rhythm, in the style of 'Baila Morena' from 'Zucchero', then, 'Quisiera Verte Otra Vez' is a new pastoral ballad followed by the energetic 'Despertar de Aquí' with its muscular guitar riffs and 'No Me Digas' closes the opus in serenity with a last semi-acoustic ballad highlighting the very beautiful accompaniment of the piano and the violin.

In summary, the Guatemalans of Alux Nahual', after seven long years of absence, bring out a very beautiful album which shows all the talent of this formation, not well known enough for my taste, and 'Once' should touch a relatively large audience because all the compositions are very accessible thanks to beautiful melodies that are tamed on the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Alvaro Aguilar (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Ranferai Aguilar (Guitar, Vocal), Plubio Aguilar (Bass, Vocal), Óscar Conde (Flute, Saxophone, Keybords, Guitar), Vinici Molina (Drums) + Guest Rosario Vasquez (Violin)


Artist : Elvenking

Album : Reader of the Runes – Rapture

Release Date : 28-04-2023

Added : 14-05-2023

In the field of festive power metal tinged with folk, 'Elvenking' is in a very good place and, after the first part 'Divination' of 'Reader of the Runes' released in 2019, the Italians are releasing the sequel with 'Rapture'. It's no surprise that we find the epic style they had distilled in the previous opus with melodies to sing along to and well-calibrated atmospheres to make an entire audience headbang: the eponymous title of the album which was the subject of a single in 2022 (see the video above) sets the scene with a first super melodic hit which should work well in concert by giving a furious desire to accompany the group on the well-marked rhythm. The sequel continues in this well-trodden way and the two following compositions 'The Hanging Tree' (see the video here) and 'Bride of Night' (see video here) are not to be outdone and have also been the subject of singles. We continue with compositions that bring their zest of folk metal and parade, 'Herdchant' (see the video here) and 'The Cursed Cavalier', both with addictive choruses to repeat until the voice dies out, then, the warrior 'To The North', dotted with growls here and there and unleashed double pedals, put the boot with communicative energy and a new catchy chorus. More moderate, the hymn 'Covenant' shows beautiful vocal harmonies, then, then, the end of the album scrolls through new unifying melodies and I will quote, first of all 'Red Mist' which alternates calm passages and other energetic ones which brings a beautiful diversity, the catchy 'Incantations' conducive to the headbang and with a new chorus to take in chorus and the last title 'The Repentant' which closes the album on a new frenzied rhythm.

In summary, if you are a fan of folk metal or power metal, you should undoubtedly adopt this latest album by the Italians of Elvenking' which is filled with unstoppable hymns and whose compositions should take a good place in the next concerts of the group...

Line Up / Musicians

Damnagoras (Vocal), Rafahel (Guitar), Aydan (Guitar), Jakob (Bass), Lethien (Violin), Symohn (Drums)


Artist : Djabe, Steve Hackett

Album : Live In Györ

Release Date : 28-04-2023

Added : 15-05-2023

For me, a complete artist is not confined to a single style of music but is always looking for associations to expand his musical universe and the perfect example is 'Steve Hackett' who has always been a precursor in this area and who has collaborated with many musicians and singers around the world: this live with the group 'Djabe' is another good illustration of this. The story began twenty years ago with a first invitation from Hungarians on the album 'Táncolnak A Kazlak' for the track 'Thiérachei Emlék' and the latest CD/DVD of this collaboration, 'Life Is A Journey – The Budapest Live Tapes', is from 2018. 'Live In Györ' was recorded in August 2022 in Györ, a city in northern Hungary and we offers a little less than two hours of concert mixing compositions of the two artists (3 other titles are also present from other concerts) with, in this case some titles present on the last two CDs 'Life Is A Journey: The Sardinia Tapes' and 'Life Is A Journey: Back To Sardinia' dating respectively from 2017 and 2019. We therefore find in this authentic atmosphere that only concerts can bring with of course an irreproachable production. I'm not going to launch into a long chronicle that wouldn't be of much interest and I would simply say that the two musical worlds merge perfectly and offer us the best of each: the alternation between the majestic 'The Stepple' (the trumpet is magnificent in this title) and the frenzied 'Buzzy Island' before starting the melancholic 'Lake By The Sea' is a delight and the whole set is made of these contrasts that give you goosebumps and make it , quite simply, a magical album of world music. In short, the best thing is to press the play button and listen to this very beautiful gift from the Hungarians of 'Djabe' and 'Steve Hackett', a magnificent double album which transports us to a very cozy little cloud. and, if you want even more, get the DVD/Blu-Ray so that the trip is even more beautiful because these concert sensations are even more striking with the image...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar, Vocal, Harmonica), Tamás Barabás (Bass, Vocal), Attila Égerházi (Guitar, Percussions, Vocal), Ábel Márton Nagy (Keybords), Áron Koós-Hutás (Trumpet, Bugle), Gábor Oláh (Drums) + Guests : Csaba András Dr. Dézsi (Guitar), Zoltán Romhányi (Angklung)


Artist : Piledriver

Album : Live In Europe – The ROCKWALL-Tour

Release Date : 28-04-2023

Added : 16-05-2023

Those who follow Myprogmusic should know that the range of styles is relatively wide and there is a good chance that those who liked yesterday's column on the wonderful concert 'Live In Györ' by 'Djabe' and 'Steve Hackett', is not very inclined to listen to those of the Germans of 'Piledriver' which is, at the beginning, a cover formation paying homage to the English of 'Status Quo' for more than 20 years already and which for a few years has been offering its own compositions but, for my part, I never considered that there was a hierarchy in music, the main thing is to take pleasure in listening to it. As for 'Piledriver', they went on tour in 2019 and because of what you know, they had to call it quits. As a result, they had time to box not one but three concerts of this tour: in Herne, Germany, on March 17, 2019, Minehead in England on September 28, 2019 and Zwolle in the Netherlands on January 25, 2020, this triple CD being dedicated to their keyboard player 'Rudi Peeters' who died tragically in 2020. These are therefore more than two and a half hours of hymns that they share in communion with the public and it must be said that their original compositions have nothing to envy to those of 'Status Quo' and show all the talent of this cover band. Admittedly, the production is not necessarily up to what the English can do, but whatever, everything is done to have a good time listening, picking here and there this good boogie rock of 'Quo ' which has toured the world with these hits, including one of the best known, 'Rockin' All Over The World', a good image of this group, which is a little less present now since the death of 'Rick Parfitt' but which continues its journey with a 'Francis Rossi' still in great shape at 73. In short, while waiting for a new 'Quo' album which, according to certain sources, is in preparation, here is an anthology of compositions modeled on the English and, to get into the bath of these authentic lives, I will use the words of a certain 'Jean-Jacques Golgman' in his song 'The Quo's in Town Tonite' : "Let's go, it takes him everywhere from bottom to top, it shakes him to madness, the bass in the stomach and the scratches in the skin"...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Sommerhoff (Guitar, Vocal), Peter Wagner (Guitar, Vocal), Marc Herrmann (Bass, Choirs), Tim Demuth (Drums), Rudi Peeters (Keybords)


Artist : Lumsk

Album : Fremmede Toner

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 17-05-2023






I didn't know the Norwegians from 'Lumsk' who had a first period of activity in the 2000s with three studio recordings: 'Åsmund' in 2003, 'Troll' in 2005 and 'Det Vilde Kor' in 2007. Since then, nothing more until this unexpected album 'Fremmede Toner' which was released at the beginning of May 2023. Their rather broad label includes folk, metal, doom and progressive, but it is not primarily the qualifiers that came to mind when first listening to this opus, and the label of melodic progressive seems more appropriate to me, the whole being sprinkled with a Nordic folk imbued with serenity. Always led by the keyboardist 'Espen Warankov Godø' who set to music texts by Norwegian writers, this time, it is, among others, poems by authors such as 'Nietzsche' or 'Goethe' translated by the Norwegian poet ' André Bjerke' and therefore sung in their language except for two titles which are in English. The line up has evolved during these years of absence and it is now 'Mari Klingen' who provides the main vocals and 'Roar Grindheim' is the new guitarist, the rest of the band being unchanged.

We are welcomed by 'Det Døde Barn' which was the subject of a single and which introduces us to the beautiful singing of 'Mari Klingen' in a kind of very endearing refrain, the end of the title offering a magnificent crescendo, then, 'En Harmoni' continues in a progressive with remarkable changes of tempo and intensity, the electric guitars becoming more present while keeping a certain fluidity and the piano interventions of 'Espen Warankov Godø' bringing some sweetness. With 'Avskjed', the rhythm accelerates and this short title shows a remarkable second part alternating vocals and very original instrumental sections with a violin which twirls around jerky guitar riffs, then, 'Under Linden' moderates the ardor with a first half alternating soft acoustic sections and more muscular parts, the other half accelerating the tempo and deploying a beautiful energy, 'Mari Klingen' bringing all the power in her singing until the final instrumental runaway. Make way for the serenity of 'Fiolen' which unfolds beautiful melodic lines, then, the 8 minutes of 'Dagen Er Endt' raise the emotional slider a few notches in a slow procession with a few tempo changes in the instrumental sections, the singing of 'Mari Klingen' illuminating the whole of this title and the central passage touching the stars. We arrive at the half of this very beautiful progressive journey and the second part of the album continues with 'Das Tode Kind' which presents magnificent sound contrasts between dynamic sections and others borrowed from a beautiful serenity, the keyboards of Espen Warankov Godø' bringing a very particular richness to this title, then 'A Match', divided between ballad in the first part and energetic crescendo in the second, highlights the very beautiful vocal duo 'Mari Klingen' and 'Espen Warankov Godø'. Follow the compositions 'Abschied', 'Under den Linden' which have nothing to envy to the previous ones and which continue in this inventive melodic progressive, then 'Das Veilchen' has the air of 'Renaissance' and offers us a beautiful guitar solo 'Floydien' in the second part, and the album ends in style with 'The Day Is Done' which this time features the expressive vocals of Espen Warankov Godø', 'Mari Klingen' joining him in the middle of the title and the following instrumental section bringing a beautiful quiet strength before the grand epic finale.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Lumsk' offer us a very beautiful album which takes us back a few decades to the best of progressive rock with catchy melodic lines that we appropriate from the first listen, the together being interpreted by talented artists (special mention to the vocal performances 'Mari Klingen') and if you like an accessible progressive and if you are not allergic to the Norwegian language, (which for me brings this real authenticity of the Nordisk countries), you should definitely adopt 'Fremmede Toner'...

Line Up / Musicians

Mari Klingen (Vocal), Espen Warankov Godø (Keybords, Vocal), Siv Lena Laugtug Sæther (Violin), Eystein Garberg (Guitar), Roar Grindheim (Guitar), Espen Hammer (Bass), Vidar Berg (Drums)


Artist : Cairo

Album : Nemesis

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 18-05-2023






I had discovered the Brits of 'Cairo' with their first album 'Say' in 2016 and they released, after seven long years of absence, a new album, 'Nemesis', still under the leadership of keyboardist and singer 'Rob Cottingham'. Meanwhile, the singers have succeeded and it is now 'Sarah Bayley' who officiates in place of 'Lisa Driscoll' and the rest of the line up is unchanged. Note that she is taking part in the current tour of 'Lonely Robot' as a backing vocalist and that 'John Mitchell' had produced 'Cairo''s debut album. After a first listening, the general impression is that 'Nemesis' offers a very nice variety of moods and sweeps wide ranging from beautiful ballads to energetic compositions flirting with hard rock and the lengths of titles range from 3 to 8 minutes alternating immediate accessibility and richer progressive asking to linger there.

'Asleep at the Wheel' opens the ball with a progressive composition which alternates muscular passages with saturated guitars and other much calmer ones, including this very beautiful central break sung by 'Rob Cottingham', the whole benefiting from catchy melodic lines. We will note this final more or less hidden energetic in well-muscled hard rock (perhaps to announce the sequel). The two following titles are poles apart (I'm very fond of this type of contrast): first of all, moving away from progressive, 'Tripwire' offers a more direct hard rock title with a beautiful vocal performance by 'Sarah Bayley' showing all his talent in this well-tempered atmosphere, then, 'Glow' (see the video here) is a beautiful ballad à la 'Barclay James Harvest' which shows a completely different vocal range of the British, very moving. With 'Rogue', the melodic lines make me think of the band 'Karnataka', especially since this title presents two very different atmospheres: a rather direct catchy first part and a calmer and more serene second part, perfectly illustrating what the group could do at 'Ian Jones' (his latest project 'ILLUMINAE' being equally remarkable). Without transition, the emotion is at the rendezvous with 'The Love' which is a ballad that spins goosebumps and which, this time, makes me think of the best of 'Mostly Autumn' with melodic lines that seem like 'have already heard but, quite simply, so beautiful, then, 'New Beauty' continues in this palpable emotion with a progressive composition containing many changes of moods throughout the title which requires to linger there to draw all the richness, especially with this atmospheric Floydian passage in the second part of the title. We continue our beautiful journey with 'Déjà Vu' in serenity with a new ballad highlighting a beautiful vocal duo 'Rob Cottingham'/'Sarah Bayley', then, after all this accumulated emotion, 'Jumping on the Moon' gives a boost for an energetic and catchy composition with new changes of tempos bringing a beautiful diversity. And this very beautiful album ends with an astonishing 'Save the Earth' which takes us into a space-atmospheric instrumental of electronic music halfway between 'Jean-Michel Jarre' and 'Vangelis', then, the eponymous title of the album comes to offer us a last progressive piece of great beauty which sums up the whole very well and which conveys an extraordinary emotion.

In summary, as you will have understood, this latest album by the British of 'Cairo' is a pure marvel and is at the same level as the cream of the progressive formations mentioned above to which I will add other groups such as 'Mystery, 'RPWL', Cosmograf' or even 'Knight Area', and 'Nemesis' will certainly be a strong candidate for the podium of the best progressive rock albums of 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Rob Cottingham (Vocal, Keybords), Sarah Bayley (Vocal), James Hards (Guitar), Paul Stocker (Bass), Graham Brown (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Hearscape

Album : Transient

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 19-05-2023

'Hearscape' is a young French rock band based in Lyon who have just released their first studio recording. They have signed with the label 'Epitronik' which brings them a greater visibility and they offer us 9 compositions in a radiophonic format between pop and rock sprinkled with some electronic sounds and a few pinches of progressive with catchy melodic lines which become familiar from the first listen. We are greeted by the ballad 'Nothing But You' which highlights the singing of 'Léa Berthoux' who is also the keyboardist of the group and which begins as a piano/voice ballad and which grows with the arrival of the instruments electric, then, 'Timeless' brings electro sounds on a slow tempo and unfolds beautiful melodic lines on which I would have seen a 'Floydian' guitar solo. With 'Promised Me', we are resolutely in modern and catchy pop/rock and 'Clone' shows a face more oriented towards blues/rock. Follows 'Proper Eyes' which is the longest composition of the album, and which offers a more progressive construction with very beautiful vocal harmonies on a gripping melody and which ends on a beautiful guitar solo which would have deserved a longer development. Follows 'Run', the single from the album (see the video here) which offers a catchy rhythm and a more direct approach in modern pop, then, 'On The Ground' continues in a hovering atmosphere around a new catchy melody with a rhythm section with electronic tones. With the acoustic 'Hurting Night', we find as on the first title a very beautiful piano/voice introduction which continues with magnificent vocal harmonies and shows the talent of this group in refined atmospheres, then, the album ends by 'Featuring Soul', mixing lyrics in French and English, with magnificent alternations between sections filled with a touching sensitivity brought about by the moving vocals of 'Léa Berthoux' and other much energetic ones in which the same 'Léa Berthoux' knows how to adapt his voice very well to bring all the necessary power.

In summary, this young French formation 'Hearscape', led by a talented singer, already shows great maturity for a first studio recording and has all the assets to be known by a fairly large audience, because everything is implemented in 'Transient' to offer melodic compositions that catch on from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Léa Berthoux (Vocal, Keybords), Félix Anton (Guitar, Choirs), Tristan Velardo (Guitar, Choirs), Clément Petit-Pierre (Bass), Julien Giet (Drums)


Artist : Ana Popovic

Album : Power

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 20-05-2023

'Ana Popovic' is one of those blues artists who became known in the 2000s as the 'Joanne Shaw Taylor', 'Beth Hart' or 'Joe Bonamassa'. I could add 'Walter Trout' who passed very close to death and who, thanks to a liver transplant, returned to the blues scene with magnificent albums, because 'Ana Popovic' also had the strength to fight against breast cancer to also return to the front of the stage with his 'Strat' to offer us a new album 'Power'. Well helped by her bassist and friend 'Buthel Burns' who is also her musical director (magnificent symbol with the two intertwined arms of the two artists on the cover), she offers us a mixture of blues, pop, soul, funk and jazz with 11 joyful and festive compositions which show that she has regained her strength after his painful ordeal.

No need for a long review to tell you that we had a wonderful time listening to 'Power' in certainly lighter and more playful atmospheres than his last album 'Like It on Top': two examples with the two singles 'Power over Me' and 'Luv'n Touch' which, for the first takes us on a joyous mix of soul and jazz and which, for the second, with its acoustic introduction on the guitar, transports us to a Latin American country to the rhythm of sounds close to those of 'Carlos Santana'. The two singles 'Recipe Is Romance' and 'Turn My Luck' are available on youtube here and here and if you want live videos, you can go to the youtube page of 'Metal Addiction' which presents excerpts from his concert at the 'Nuits du Blues d'Abbeville' about two months ago.

In short, 'Ana Popovic' comes back stronger than ever with this new album 'Power' borrowed from a beautiful optimism and filled with a very special warmth that she transmits to us, surrounded by talented artists and I I will not finish this wonderful declaration of the Serbian at the release of the album: "... finally, the music and my Fender Stratocaster of 1964 saved my life. "...

Line Up / Musicians

Ana Popovic (Vocal, Guitar), Buthel Burns (Bass), Michele Papadia (Keybords), Bobby Campo (Trumpet), Brad Walker (Saxophone), Chris Coleman (Drums), Claudio Giovagnoli (Saxophone), Davide Ghidoni (Trumpet), Joe Foster (Guitar), Mark Mullins (Trombone)


Artist : Adrian Benegas

Album : Arcanum

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 21-05-2023

I didn't know the Paraguayan keyboardist 'Adrian Benagas' who already has an album and an EP to his credit with 'The Revenant' from 2019 and the EP 'Diamonds in the Dark' from 2021. Some research on his site to learn that he has played with big names in the metal world like 'Herbie Langhans' ('Sonic Haven', 'Firewind'), 'Ralf Scheepers' ('Primal Fear', 'Gamma Ray'), 'Ronnie Romero' ('Sunstorm', 'Rainbow'), 'Sascha Paeth' ('Avantasia') or even 'Timo Somers' (ex 'Delain') and so on. Given this impressive address book, he surrounded himself with talented artists to interpret his latest album 'Arcanum' which he defines as theatrical power metal which is a fairly good definition: we therefore find the aforementioned , 'Sascha Paeth' as producer, 'Zuberoa Aznárez' ('Diabulus In Musica') and 'Ronnie Romero' on vocals and 'Timo Somers' on guitar, the rest of the line up being made up of 'Anis Jouini' who is none other than the bass player of 'Myrath' and 'Michael Ehré' who is the drummer of 'Primal Fear'.

11 compositions for a little hour of listening, we embark on a kind of dense and rich metal opera with remarkable arrangements and all the ingredients we want to find there: after an instrumental prologue course on which a disturbing voice whispers a few sentences, 'Sanctum' (see video above) delivers a powerful first title with a 'Ronnie Romero' which is like a fish in water and with a super catchy first melody, the instrumental section in the second part also being a delight and the finale making you fall all the energy with some layers of aerial keyboards and soft vocals from 'Zuberoa Aznárez'. We continue in this energy with 'The Secret Within' (see video here) in a very theatrical atmosphere merging power metal with neo-classical metal and with grandiose choirs and magnificent changes of tempos and intensity throughout the title, then, in the same style, 'Pain is the Key' follows suit with a new catchy melody and a rhythm section adapting particularly well according to the intensity of the moment and 'Alchemy Of Spirits' which is sung in Spanish and English , shows an equally melodic face with a chorus to sing along to. Follows 'Caravan Of Doomed Souls' which takes the grandiose and majestic side up a notch with a procession with a marked rhythm, imposing choirs, a luxuriant orchestration and a few growls disseminated here and there wisely. After all this energy spent, 'At The Mount Of Solitude' distills a moving ballad that gives you goosebumps, 'Ronnie Romero' also having this gift for conveying beautiful emotions. Here we go again with a lively 'El milagro de saber esperar', which as its name suggests is sung in Spanish and which, in addition to the Chilean's remarkable vocal performance, highlights 'Zuberoa Aznárez' as a luxury chorister and offers us a very beautiful acoustic guitar break in the second part of the title, then, 'The Spirit Of Visions' adds a new melodic hit with a rhythm section leading the dance and a remarkable part of neo-classical metal with a very vocal section. short but so tasty from 'Zuberoa Aznárez' (by the way, I wonder why 'Adrian Benegas' didn't use it more often). And to end in style, 'Lux Aeternam', after an introduction with electronic sounds that contrast with the rest (it looks like l'Amberian Dawn'!), distils us with a final metal fire and the epilogue closes this very beautiful album as it had started with an epic and grandiose orchestral instrumental.

In summary, 'Adrian Benegas', thanks to his talent as a composer but also thanks to talented artists, releases a remarkable album of epic and theatrical power metal with a few touches of progressive and 'Arcanum', and even if the means are not the same, 'Arcanum' should appeal to everyone and those who like productions of this style, I am thinking in particular of 'Avantasia' but also projects like 'Nergard' or 'The Chronomaster Project' or 'Heart Healer' or 'Signum Draconis' to name only albums released in the last two years...

Line Up / Musicians

Adrian Benegas (Keybords), Ronnie Romero (Vocal), Zuberoa Aznárez (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar), Anis Jouini (Bass), Michael Ehré (Drums)


Artist : Eilen Jewell

Album : Get Behind the Wheel

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 22-05-2023

'Eilen Jeweel' is an American singer and multi-instrumentalist who is not well known in France but who already has a great career behind her because 'Get Behind the Wheel' is her 9th studio recording (you can find all her albums on spotify here). And yet, like 'Ana Popovic', the past years have not been spared because this album is a kind of rebirth and she wrote it to externalize the various setbacks among which her break with the drummer and manager 'Jason Beek' (which is still part of her professional life). During the pandemic years, she took refuge in the mountains of Idaho and she has walked the local hiking trails as if to better recharge her batteries and find a new beginning. The result is therefore this last album, certainly one of the most personal of the American.

We therefore find this style mixing blues and country in the great tradition of American song that she knows so well how to transmit: the magnificent composition 'Crooked River' (see the video above) is deeply rooted in the American culture with his steel guitar. In this style we find titles just as endearing as 'Winnemucca' or the cover 'Could You Would You' by 'Van Morisson'. We can also highlight titles like 'Alive' with its haunting atmosphere in the same tone that particularly touches you or the light 'Lethal Love' which can make you think of the style of 'Jerk' very widespread in France at the beginning of the years. 60 or 'Comme Home Soon' with soulful intonations with a very sensual performance by Eilen Jewell' or even the 'Breakaway' cover of 'Jackie DeShannon' in a light and more carefree style. The last third of the album is devoted to magnificent ballads with four compositions which follow one another: 'You Were a Friend of Mine', 'Outsiders' and 'Silver Wheels and Wings' take us on a journey in slow moving tempos bathed in an atmosphere country and 'The Bitter End', just as endearing, ends 'Get Behind the Wheel' in the great American tradition with a fairly simple song based on two chords bringing a certain haunting side that can bring to mind certain compositions of 'Bob Dylan'.

In summary, this ninth album by Eilen Jewell' brings together different emotions that she admirably knows how to convey to us, globally melancholic and nostalgic but which bring hope like the phoenix, this mythical bird which is always reborn from its ashes, and 'Get Behind the Wheel' should appeal to a wide audience who love what is called roots music, a mix of folk, blues and country, because all the compositions are very accessible...

Line Up / Musicians

Eilen Jewell (Vocal, Harmonica, Guitar, Keybords), Will Kimbrough (Guitar, Mandolin, Keybords, Percussions, Choirs), Jason Beek (Drums, Choirs , Percussions), Steve Fulton (Wurlitzer, Keybords, Keybords), Fats Kaplin (Guitar), Jerry Miller (Guitar), Matt Murphy (Bass)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : Pride

Release Date : 12-05-2023

Added : 25-05-2023






'Tales from Avalon' dates from March 2023 and 'Chris Engels' continues to offer us very close albums since 'Pride' follows its predecessor by only two short months. This time he did not set poems by different authors to music but dealt with universal themes such as the struggle of life, passion and hope. We find these peaceful and atmospheric moods on which we are lulled by the soft voice of the German and the various previous reviews of myprogmusic relating to 'CEN-ProjekT' can be applied to this latest opus which takes us on a new progressive journey. filled with serenity.

We are welcomed by 'Black or White' whose theme is the importance of remaining true to oneself and the tone of the album is set with a first title which unfolds a refined melody, then 'Do I want to live forever?' which is a plea to live your life to the fullest trying to achieve all your dreams, continues in the same style and 'Heart and soul' reminds me of some titles of the Germans from 'RPWL'. If you hang on to these first three titles, there is a good chance that you will be seduced by the following: 'Illusions' shows a more marked rhythm by bringing us back a few decades with influences from 'Genesis', then parade 'Passion's Fire' which evokes a fiery passion, 'Peter' which is a call to build a world without war and violence, 'Poe' which is a tribute to the poet 'Edgar Poe' in a slightly more ambience atmosphere and 'Pride' which shows the way to being more fair and humble by rejecting any misplaced pride, the latter benefiting from beautiful melodic lines on a slow tempo with keyboard tones mimicking a flute which add a little more serenity. The last two compositions 'Our Fight' and 'The Beauty of Solitude' complete this beautiful progressive journey with new touching and relaxing melodies, the final crescendo of the last title bringing us back to reality after all these ambiences conducive to escape.

In summary, certainly even more atmospheric than the previous albums, 'Pride' continues the progressive adventure of 'Chris Engels' and adds a new studio recording which now brings the discography of his project 'CEN-ProjekT' to already seven albums in the space of four years (he released the last four in less than a year), which shows the considerable creativity of the German composer... 'Tales from Avalon' dates from March 2023 and 'Chris Engels' continues to offer us very close albums since 'Pride' follows its predecessor by only two short months. This time he did not set poems by different authors to music but dealt with universal themes such as the struggle of life, passion and hope. We find these peaceful and atmospheric moods on which we are lulled by the soft voice of the German and the various previous reviews of myprogmusic relating to 'CEN-ProjekT' can be applied to this latest opus which takes us on a new progressive journey. filled with serenity.

We are welcomed by 'Black or White' whose theme is the importance of remaining true to oneself and the tone of the album is set with a first title which unfolds a refined melody, then 'Do I want to live forever?' which is a plea to live your life to the fullest trying to achieve all your dreams, continues in the same style and 'Heart and soul' reminds me of some titles of the Germans from 'RPWL'. If you hang on to these first three titles, there is a good chance that you will be seduced by the following: 'Illusions' shows a more marked rhythm by bringing us back a few decades with influences from 'Genesis', then parade 'Passion's Fire' which evokes a fiery passion, 'Peter' which is a call to build a world without war and violence, 'Poe' which is a tribute to the poet 'Edgar Poe' in a slightly more ambience atmosphere and 'Pride' which shows the way to being more fair and humble by rejecting any misplaced pride, the latter benefiting from beautiful melodic lines on a slow tempo with keyboard tones mimicking a flute which add a little more serenity. The last two compositions 'Our Fight' and 'The Beauty of Solitude' complete this beautiful progressive journey with new touching and relaxing melodies, the final crescendo of the last title bringing us back to reality after all these ambiences conducive to escape.

In summary, certainly even more atmospheric than the previous albums, 'Pride' continues the progressive adventure of 'Chris Engels' and adds a new studio recording which now brings the discography of his project 'CEN-ProjekT' to already seven albums in the space of four years (he released the last four in less than a year), which shows the considerable creativity of the German composer...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Tygers Of Pan Tang

Album : Bloodlines

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 23-05-2023

The English of 'Tygers Of Pan Tang' were part of my playlist rock and melodic hard rock albums of the second half of 2020 with 'Ambush' which was the remastered version of the 2012 studio recording and they released a compilation in 2021 from the period 2000 until 2016 ('Majors & Minors'). 2023 sees the release of 'Bloodlines'. With a new bassist, 'Huw Holding' replacing 'Gav Gray' and a new guitarist 'Francesco Marras' replacing 'Micky Crystal', they continue to offer us a fusion between hard rock and metal and this by bringing us back to the best of the 80s and incorporating a touch of modernity.

From the start, with 'Edge of the World' (see video above), everything comes together to offer us a very punchy title with a chorus to sing along to during concerts, the instrumental section in the second part of the title with a beautiful solo by guitar being quite remarkable, then, 'In My Blood' continues with a well-marked rhythm section and incisive guitar riffs conducive to headbanging and with the short 'Fire On The Horizon', we get on the high-speed train which delivers impressive firepower. Follows 'Light of Hope' which shows a melodic face and I haven't yet spoken of 'Jacopo Meille' which offers, as on the other titles, a beautiful vocal performance, then, 'Back for Good', with its bass line harkens back to the best of 70s/80s hard rock and the melodic lines remind me of 'Rainbow's 'All Night Long' with a modern sound. In a calmer register, between ballad and mid-tempo, 'Taste Of Love' shows the soft side of the English and distills beautiful melodic lines, then, here we go again with the energetic 'Kiss The Sky', very rhythmic and which offers a very beautiful guitar solo, then 'Believe', more tagged 70s, delivers beautiful variations of intensities throughout the title and 'A New Heartbeat' adds a catchy composition with a catchy chorus. Finally, 'Making All The Rules' ends this beautiful album by bringing a progressive touch thanks to alternations between calm parts and other more powerful ones, 'Jacopo Meille' modulating his voice in a beautiful way according to the intensity of the moment.

In summary, the English of 'Tygers Of Pan Tang' continue their journey with their influences of the 70s/80s to which they add a touch of modernity (beautiful and very dynamic production) and 'Bloodlines' should appeal to a following audience of a heavy metal which draws its influences from what is called NWOBHM (new wave of British heavy metal)...

Line Up / Musicians

Jacopo Meille (Vocal), Francesco Marras (Guitar), Robb Weir (Guitar), Huw Holding (Bass), Craig Ellis (Drums)


Artist : Howlin' Sun

Album : Maxime

Release Date : 05-05-2023

Added : 24-05-2023

Looking for some good hard rock that harkens back to the best bands of that style from the late 60s and 70s? I've got you covered with the Norwegians of 'Howlin' Sun' who just released their second studio recording, 'Maxime' , after the eponymous album dating from 2018. After a first listen, I I found myself with sonorities, rhythms, and distortions of guitars of flagship groups which wrote the history of rock and hard rock like 'Led Zeppelin', 'Black Sabbath' or the 'Stones'. Regarding 'Led Zeppelin', we find the swaying rhythms of the British in compositions such as the eponymous title which begins the album or 'Let's Go Steady' which has an air of 'Good Times Bad Times' with its characteristic drum sounds. There are similarities with the 'Stones' in the titles 'All Night Long' and 'Be Mine' and the ballad 'Jayne' is also very tagged 'Stones', 'Tor-Erik Bjelde' approaching the diction of 'Mick Jagger '. Regarding 'Black Sabbath', we find a heaviness in the guitar riffs typical of the British in the three titles that follow, 'Last Time', 'Main Pretender' and 'Lost'. And with 'Bittersweet Morning Sun', the album ends in style with good blues in the great tradition of the United States, the vocal harmonies adding to this feeling of authenticity.

In short, if you are a fan of the three mythical formations mentioned in this column, there is a good chance for you to adopt this album by the Norwegians of 'Howlin' Sun' who pay tribute in a very beautiful way to these precursors who knew how to open musical paths In the 60s...

Line Up / Musicians

Tor-Erik Bjelde (Vocal, Guitar), Magnus Gullachsen (Guitar), Pieter Ten Napel (Bass), Torgrim Nåmdal (Drums), Julia Flo Galaasen (Vocal), Sandro Stanojevic (Keybords), Kristoffer Støylen Refvik (Bass, Choirs), Jonas Særsten (Organ), Jonas F. Hamre (Saxophone)


Artist : The Dark Side Of The Moon

Album : Metamorphosis

Release Date : 12-05-2023

Added : 26-05-2023

No, 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' is not yet another cover of 'Pink Floyd' but was born from the meeting of three artists from the metal scene: the Swiss singer 'Mélissa Bonny' ('Ad Infinitum'), German guitarist 'Hans Platz' ('Feuerschwanz') and Swedish drummer 'Morten Løwe Sørensen' ('Amaranthe') to which we can add the harpist 'Jenny Diehl'. It started with a bet between 'Melissa Bonnie' and 'Hans Platz' that the Swiss lost and the German challenged her to resume in metal version 'Jenny of Oldstones' appearing in season 8 of 'Game Of Thrones' and performed by the band 'Florence + the Machine'. The single was released in August 2021 (see video below) and we can say that the bet was won with this metallic version à la 'Nighwish', the melodic side of Celtic influences being very catchy.

After this first single, the quartet continued on this path of heroic fantasy, this time with a distinguished guest, 'Charlotte Wessels' for single 'May It Be' (see video here) which is a cover of the Irish singer 'Enya' and which is the credits of the movie 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring', always taken in slightly more muscular. The adventure continued with new singles at the end of 2022 and followed by 'Double Trouble / Lumos!' (see the video here) which is the main theme of the Harry Potter films' and which highlights the violinist 'Rusanda Panfili', then, two months ago, it was the turn of 'Gates Of Time' to see the light of day, referring to the legend of 'Zelda' (see the video here), the first original title of the album which fitted very well into this series of covers and which is a real melodic jewel of metal and, finally, just a month ago, 'Legends Never Die' was released (see the video here), taken from the band 'Against The Current', sound support for the virtual game 'League Of Legends'.

We now have an EP with 11 compositions and the 6 new titles have nothing to envy to the already known singles: first of all, 'Misty Mountains', in collaboration with 'Tom S. Englund' ('Redemption', 'Evergrey') takes us to the cinematographic trilogy of fantasy 'The Hobbit' and pours us a powerful and melodic mid-tempo with Celtic intonations, then, 'First Light' continues in this epic metal with again the appearance of the violinist 'Rusanda Panfili'. Make way for the moment of tranquility with the triter 'New Horizons' (see the video here) on which the singer was invited 'Fabienne Erni' ('Eluveitie', 'ILLUMISHADE') and which is to be added to the best metal ballads. We continue with 'If I Had A Heart' which is the musical theme for the 'Les Vikings' series of the 'History' channel, and which was set to music by the Swedish 'Karin Dreijer', by her stage name 'Fever Ray' (see the video here). With 'The Wolven Storm (Priscilla's Song)' taken from the theme of the video game 'The Witcher 3 – Wild Hunt' and composed by Poles 'Marcin Przybyłowicz' and 'Mikołaj Stroiński' and sung by 'Monika Kuczera', the very refined original version has been completely transformed into an energetic metal title, just like the last title 'The Hanging Tree' which is a catchy composition from the science fiction film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (La Révolte)' directed by 'Francis Lawrence' and whose original song was composed by 'James Newton Howard' and performed by 'Jennifer Lawrence'.

In summary, this new project 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' offers us a joyous tote of film or game compositions referring to fantastic universes, the whole being metalized by talented artists who have chosen catchy melodies which means that 'Metamorphosis' could very well claim to become a popularizing album of the metal style for the general public...

Line Up / Musicians

Mélissa Bonny (Vocal), Hans Platz (Guitar), Morten Løwe Sørensen (Drums), Jenny Diehl (Hharpe) + Guests : Tom S. Englund, Rusanda Panfili (Violin), Fabienne Erni, Charlotte Wessels (Vocal)


Artist : Michael Thompson Band

Album : The Love Goes On

Release Date : 12-05-2023

Added : 27-05-2023

After the very good album 'Love & Beyond' from 2019 which was followed by the concert 'High Times – Live In Italy' in 2020, guitarist 'Michael Thompson' who has collaborated with internationally renowned artists, returns with a new opus 'The Love Goes On'. It is always a great pleasure to put between the ears this refined AOR taking us back to the best of the 80s. The historical singer 'Moon Calhoun' who was alongside 'Michael Thompson' for the first album 'How Long' 1989 is back in the fold, with the rest of the line up consisting of 'Tom Croucier' on bass and 'Annas Allaf' on drums. No surprise with this new album from the Americans, we are embarking on a very beautiful journey with 12 tailor-made compositions to bring us back to the era of 'Toto', 'Foreigner', 'Journey', 'Asia' or 'Survivor ' and this from the first eponymous title of the album with its delicious melodic lines which rock us on a catchy mid-tempo. The continuation does not weaken at any time and the melodic jewels follow one after the other with this so touching song of 'Moon Calhoun'. Not to be title by title, I will quote 'War of the Hearts' which reminds me so much of the period of the eigties with the sweet melodies of the 'Bee Gees', 'All of It' with its addictive chorus which gives me an irresistible desire to press the play button again each time you listen to 'Just What It Takes', simple but very effective, with its choirs from another era or even the magnificent ballad 'My Forever June' with this marvelous guitar solo that makes me go back to this fabulous concert of 'Santana' in the arenas of Fréjus in 1981.

In short, no need to add more, if you like a melodious and refined AOR, there is a good chance that this new opus of the 'Michael Thompson Band' will fit fairly quickly into the albums that are part of your ideal discotheque of this style. in the same way as the best albums of the groups of the 70s/80s mentioned above in this review...

Line Up / Musicians

Michael Thompson (Guitar), Moon Calhoun (Vocal), Tom Croucier (Bass), Annas Allaf (Drums)


Artist : Franck Carducci

Album : The Answer (Live)

Release Date : 12-05-2023

Added : 28-05-2023






I admit it, I've never really followed the singer and multi-instrumentalist 'Franck Carducci' (no one is perfect!) and it's often in the case of a live release that I discover artists who fit into my (already very long) list of progressive rock must-haves. So I can now add this Frenchman who, in just over ten years, has released four albums, the last of which 'Naked' is from March 2023 and was an acoustic recording in collaboration with singer 'Mary Raynaud' and in which 'Laura Cox' had been invited. On the electrical side, the three studio recordings are, 'Oddity' from 2011, 'Torn Apart' from 2015 and 'The Answer' from 2019.

We find in this live, recorded at the 'Poppodium Boerderij' in Zoetermeer in the Netherlands in September 2022, a kind of French best of including a clever mix of progressive with long developments and some more direct compositions. In terms of influences, it's a multitude of names that came to mind listening to this live: I will mention pell-mell, 'Genesis', 'Pink-Floyd', 'Renaissance', 'David Bowie', 'Yes' or even 'Deep Purple', that is to say that beautiful people and I certainly pass. In terms of direct compositions, we can cite the short version of 'A Brief Tale Of Time' (whose original version exceeds 12 minutes), the magnificent ballad 'Beautiful Night' and the very energetic rocks 'Torn Apart', 'Slave to Rock 'n' Roll' and 'Mr Hyde & Dr. Jekyll'.

But the majority of the other titles take us into progressive compositions in which we find all the ingredients that any amateur of this style is looking for: at the outset, '(Love Is) The Answer' takes us into a beautiful acoustic introduction with harmonies vocals reminiscent of 'Renaissance' and the suite modulates different intensities including this marvelous very soft passage with layers of aerial keyboards, then 'Closer to Irreversible' offers us a marvelous sensual blues/rock (the vocals of 'Mary Raynaud' in the introduction being simply sublime and the guitar solo of 'Barth Sky' having nothing to envy to that of 'Steve Hackett' of the original version) and 'The Betrayal Of Blue' is a pure moment of progressive happiness which takes us through a fantastic rock sound labyrinth with this introduction reminiscent of 'David Bowie' and and this wonderful 'Floydienne' section in the second part of the title highlighting a magnificent theremin solo performed by 'Mary Raynaud'. I'm also thrilled with 'The Angel' which is a ballad in which the vocal 'Mary Reynaud' takes the emotional slider up a few notches, especially as the final 'Floydien' guitar solo rocks us delicately. In the radius of the long developments, the last two compositions 'Alice's Eerie Dream' and 'Asylum' add two progressive jewels, the first taking us straight back to a subtle mixture of direct blues/rock mixed with a certain album 'Animals' from the ' Floyds' dating from 1977 in the instrumental parts and the second rather reminiscent by its introduction of the best of Mister 'Christian Décamps' and which continues in a patchwork of different atmospheres alternating energetic blues / rock with much quieter sections of all beauty. It must also be said that 'Franck Carducci' is well surrounded because each artist brings his stone to the building: the vocal arrangements are magnificent with of course this richness of register between Franck and Mary, the guitar solos of 'Barth Sky' are phenomenal (listen to that of 'The Betrayal Blue at 5.12), the Hammond sounds of keyboardist 'Cedric Selze' take us back to the best of the 70s and 'Léa Fernandez' accompanies all this little world with the hands of a master! We are necessarily thrilled and it must be added that this album benefits from an irreproachable production!

In summary, this live of 'Franck Carducci' with his 'Fantastic Squad' is a pure delight made of a perfect mix between good direct rock and progressive bringing us back to the best of this style and there would be in preparation a DVD/Blu-Ray that I am impatiently awaiting in order to be able to benefit from this live atmosphere even more intensely, especially since the few excerpts that we can have on the internet show that it is not only a music concert but a full show...

Line Up / Musicians

Franck Carducci (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Mary Reynaud (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Barth Sky (Guitar), Léa Fernandez (Drums), Cedric Selze (Keybords)


Artist : Kerry Ellis

Album : Kings & Queens

Release Date : 12-05-2023

Added : 29-05-2023

I reviewed her album 'Golden Days ' with 'Brian May' who needs no introduction and which showed all the talent of this American who has just released a new studio recording 'Kings & Queens'. On the menu of this opus, twelve compositions including ten originals and two beautiful covers with 'Be Tender with Me Baby' from the queen of rock, 'Tina Turner', who just passed away a few days ago and 'Fire & Rain' by 'James Taylor'. The original titles are all very catchy and are divided between catchy compositions and others much calmer. In the energetic register, we can mention the eponymous title of the album (see the video above), 'I Will Find You', 'Big Wide World', 'Lemonade' or even 'Love Wins' which all unfold melodies that we appropriate from the first listening. And when the lights dim, it is in this style that she knows how to convey the most emotion: attest to the beautiful ballads that are 'Battlefield' composed by 'Charlie Turner' and accompanied on guitar by 'Brian May ', the magnificent vocal duo 'Mean The World To Me' with 'Newton Faulker' or even the two compositions, 'My All' and 'Home Again' which are two melodic jewels, the first with a marvelous clean piano/voice duo and the second which closes the album in a very beautiful way by making us lulled one last time by the moving song of 'Kerry Ellis'. In short, no need for a long review to tell you that 'Kerry Ellis' is releasing an album full of beautiful compositions in a register between pop and international variety that should appeal to a large audience who love beautiful voices...

Line Up / Musicians

Kerry Ellis (Vocal), Brian May (Guitar), Newton Faulkner (Vocal)


Artist : Mystery

Album : Redemption

Release Date : 15-05-2023

Added : 31-05-2023






For those who follow myprogmusic, you should know that I am an unconditional fan of the Quebecois of 'Mystery' (see the various reviews written about them here) and that, consequently, any release from this group will be subject to a new review. And there, I must say that they set the bar even higher with 'Redemption' which was released in mid-May 2023. The aperitif they offered us in October 2022 with 'Behind the Mirror' and its magnificent video that you can see on youtube here said a lot about what they were up to us and, at the time, I said to myself: "this title alone is already worth the purchase of this album". About a month ago, 'Mystery' revealed to us via the 'unicorndigital' label the eponymous composition of the album which only confirmed this feeling (see the video here), because, from the first listening, this title moved me to tears: it must be said that 'Jan Pageau' has a lot to do with it, his heartbreaking interpretation on a gripping melody coming to penetrate us to the depths of our soul and the rhythm section with a bass deep bringing an impressive power without any aggressiveness that one could qualify as "quiet strength".

And after these compositions of this emotional force (which are the first two of the album), one could wonder if the sequel would be up to what 'Mystery' had already offered us. The answer is definitely YES!! Follows 'The Beauty and the Least' which still offers us the best with an epic ballad and with a new captivating melody and I have not yet spoken of 'Michel St-Père' which comes to delicately rock our souls, as if his habit, by conveying a very particular emotion in his guitar solos, like a 'Steve Hackett' who, with a few notes, knows how to make us familiar with the stars: for example, he transforms the rather simple four-minute instrumental passage based over two chords in one magical moment. With 'Every Note', the uncluttered introduction shows a very endearing side and 'Jean Pageau' adapts his vocals particularly well to this atmosphere, then the title gradually gains momentum and alternates sections which bring us back to this quiet strength that I mentioned at the beginning and others much calmer with these divine interventions of 'Jean Pageau' with his flute accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Exceeding 12 minutes, I'm still thrilled with 'Pearls and Fire' which takes us on a long progressive development and whose theme is related to the story of a boy joining the army to prove to his parents that he is a man who will ultimately be killed fighting: the musical construction fits perfectly with this tragic tale and we follow the story with these palpable emotions that 'Jean Pageau' conveys in the central part followed by a heartbreaking guitar solo of 'Michel Saint-Pere'. We continue our wonderful journey with a new musical pearl that is 'My Inspiration' and which, this time, brings us back to the best of the melodies of 'Barclay James Harvest' which are engraved forever in my memory: simply wonderful more than the emotion that is conveyed is still there at every moment! Follows 'Homecoming' which seems to me a little behind compared to the emotion released considering what preceded but which has very beautiful melodic lines and which offers a very beautiful central instrumental part. We are already coming to the end of our journey and a progressive monument is looming with the 19 minutes of 'Is This How the Story Ends?' which is a real epic with all the ingredients any prog fan is looking for. We enter a sound labyrinth in which it is good to let go according to the different atmospheres released and in which we find all its influences from the formations of this style from the 70s to the present day but which necessarily requires that we s linger there to draw all the richness from it. After this magnificent finale, I come out of this hour and a quarter of listening (which went by so quickly!) with an irresistible desire to press the play button again and immerse myself in all these wonderful compositions.

In summary, for any amateur of progressive, there are bound to be albums that mark for life and which become, beyond the music conveyed, a work of art like a painting , photo or sculpture that touches you to the depths of your soul: for my part, 'Redemption' is already part of it and will undoubtedly be one of the flagship albums of the year 2023 in progressive rock and which will perhaps become over time a must in the same way as the mythical albums of the big names who are at the origin of this style like 'Genesis', 'Yes' or even 'Pink-Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Jean Pageau (Vocal, Keybords, Flute), Michel St-Père (Guitar, Keybords), Sylvain Moineau (Guitar), Antoine Michaud (Keybords), François Fournier (Bass, Keybords), Jean-Sébastien Goyette (Drums)


Artist : Yes

Album : Mirror To The Sky

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 02-06-2023






After the magnificent album 'Redemption' from the Quebecers of 'Mystery', here is one of the pioneers of progressive rock who releases a new album, 'Mirror To The Sky', which is the twenty-third recording of the British of 'Yes' in now fifty-five years of career. Admittedly, after all this time, only 'Steve Howe' remains because drummer 'Alan White', who had also known the boom period of the 70s, unfortunately died in May 2022, but the spirit of 'Yes' is perhaps even more present on this opus which sees the return of long developments as the British had historically accustomed us to. Indeed, the last studio recording 'The Quest' showed a slight shift towards more direct titles that continued to perpetuate the legend of the British. Announced as offcuts from the album 'Heaven & Earth' which was also a less progressive album, I think a lot of bands would be happy to have this kind of compositions in their boxes.

And for starters, it's still the indestructible 'Roger Dean' who made the cover of the new opus, because it's been an integral part of the 'Yes' trademark since the album 'Fragile' from 1971. Entry, with 'Cut from the Stars', the touch of the British is there on characteristic melodic lines in a refreshing atmosphere, the vocal arrangements being remarkable. More progressive in construction, 'All Connected' is the first long development of the album which takes us into a joyful mixture of atmospheres and which requires several listenings to properly tame it, then, 'Luminosity' is a ballad with airy 'Yessian' vocal arrangements and with instrumental passages à la 'ELO'. More lively and moving away from the progressive, 'Living Out The Dream' brings us back a few decades in a direct and quite effective song, then, we attack the centerpiece of the album, 'Mirror To The Sky', which takes us back to the beginning of 'Yes' and which requires us to linger over it to properly browse all the nooks and crannies which offer us imaginative progressive with multiple changes of moods and which ends with a magnificent symphonic section. Closing the first CD, 'Circles of Time' is a very beautiful acoustic title with a very soft guitar accompaniment, 'Jon Davison' adding a touching delicacy in his singing. The bonus CD contains only three titles with 'Unknown Place' which is a joyful melting pot of different styles merging this inventive progressive with jazzy intonations and funky rhythms on which the Hammond organ comes to remind us of these historical sounds so characteristic and which after 5 minutes returns to more classical symphonic progressive. The last two compositions 'One Second Is Enough' and 'Magic Potion' embark us in light and playful atmospheres with always this 'Yessian' touch in which each artist brings his stone to the building whether in the vocals and in the instrumental sections.

In summary, some will say that 'Yes' is no longer what it was but we can recognize that the spirit of the beginning is still there with these characteristic vocal harmonies and the singing of 'Jon Davison' which is so close to 'Ian Andreson' which means that 'Mirror To The Sky' is still a very endearing album from the British who continue in a beautiful way to perpetuate the legend of 'Yes', and this, for more than fifty years now...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Howe (Vocal, Guitar), Jon Davison (Guitar, Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Billy Sherwood (Bass, Vocal), Alan White (Drums)


Artist : Def Leppard

Album : Drastic Symphonies

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 03-06-2023






For all lovers of melodic hard rock of the 80s, 'Def Leppard' is certainly the flagship group of this era with the first four albums 'On Through The Night', 'Hign 'N' Dry', 'Pyromania' and 'Hysteria' which have become legendary. Four decades later, the Brits are still active (see the myprogmusic review on their latest album here) and they have just released a rather special new album since it involves revisiting certain titles with a symphony orchestra. So, it is certain, this approach may not please some fans but, for my part, the exercise has a certain charm and some compositions offer a completely different face, even at the melodic level: I will quote 'Poor Some Sugar On Me' which is almost unrecognizable in this symphonic rewriting. But overall, we find, not without nostalgia, the hymns that are forever engraved in our memory and the beautiful ballads and mid-tempos of the English benefit from a treatment that brings a very warm atmosphere: we will not skip side of Hysteria', 'Love Bites', 'Goodbye For Good This Time', 'Angels (Can't Help You Now)', 'Bringin' On The Heartbreak', 'When Love & Hate Collide' or even ' Kings Of The World'. In short, the British offer us a very beautiful album with a remarkable rewriting work and, if you are not allergic to violins, 'Drastic Symphonies' takes us back to this golden period of melodic hard rock by reminding us of all these melodies that rocked happily a few decades back...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Elliott (Vocal), Phil Collen (Guitar), Vivian Campbell (Guitar), Rick Savage (Bass), Rick Allen (Drums), London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra


Artist : Premiata Forneria Marconi

Album : The Event – Live in Lugano

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 05-06-2023

After their last studio recording 'I Dreamed of Electric Sheep' dating from 2021 which confirmed that 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' was still a leading formation of progressive rock in Italy, they offer us a magnificent live 'The Event - Live in Lugano' which, as its name indicates, was recorded in Lugano during the summer jazz festival, the Swiss having beautiful summer festivals, one of the best known is certainly that of Montreux. Two distinguished guests were present: the guitarist 'Matteo Mancuso' who replaced 'Marco Sfogli' and the keyboardist 'Luca Zabbin', leader of the formation 'Barock Project'. The band presents this live as "having been designed and created to give a glimpse of all that PFM is and has been. ". We are therefore embarking on a varied progressive journey over time and the latest album is well represented with the first three titles but they also offer us much older compositions with for example the following three titles, first of all the very beautiful ballad 'Impressioni di settembre' from the album 'Storia di un minuto' dating from 1972, showing the quiet side of the Italians, then the title 'Il banchetto' from the album 'Per Un Amico' also dating from 1972 and finally 'La carrozza di Hans' also from the album 'Storia di un minuto'. We continue in the abundant production of the Italians who never wanted to integrate computers into their concerts which means that, thanks to the improvisational talent of each artist brought by this absence of technical constraint, each performance is a unique moment of fellowship with the public. In short, no need to add more, this magnificent live takes us on a beautiful progressive journey merging styles ranging from pop to classical through rock and jazz, the whole being interpreted by the hands of masters by artists which offer the best of each and we can add that the production is irreproachable: if you are a fan of progressive through the ages, chances are that you will very quickly adopt 'The Event – Live in Lugano' which should be followed by several others because the Italians plan to capture other concerts of this type in the near future...

Line Up / Musicians

Franz Di Cioccio (Vocal, Drums), Patrick Djivas (Bass, Keybords), Marco Sfogli (Guitar, Choirs), Lucio Fabbri (Violin, Viola, Choirs), Alessandro Scaglione (Keybords, Piano, Choirs), Alberto Bravin 'Keybords, Guitar, Choirs) + Guests : Luca Zabbini (Hammond, Piano, Minimoog), Matteo Mancuso (Guitar)


Melodic rock albums released on 05/19/2023






May 19, 2023 has been the subject of several melodic rock/AOR album releases and I have grouped them into one column.

First of all it's the Finns of Imperium' with their new studio recording 'Never Surrender' which comes after 'Heaven or Hell' from 2020. Led by drummer and songwriter 'Mika Brushane', they offer us 10 compositions in the great tradition of a refined AOR taking us back to the best of the 80s. We find singers known from the melodic rock scene with on this album 'Michael Bormann' and 'Robbie LaBlanc'.

Video of 'Never Surrender'

Also coming from the Nordic countries, the second opus is dedicated to the Swedes of 'House Of Shakira' who are already on their 9th album and who continue their AOR adventure after 'Radiocarbon' in 2019. On the menu of this opus, 11 compositions all as melodic as each other with radiant choirs: we don't will not miss the singles 'Something In The Water' and 'No Silver Lining' but we can also quote 'Toxic Train' with its addictive chorus, leading 'Too Much Love' or the last eponymous title of the album with all the vocal and instrumental ingredients of a beautiful ballad. In short, only good stuff in this latest album from the Swedish 'House Of Shakira'...

Video of 'Something In The Water'

We continue with a project initiated by the label 'Frontiers Music', 'Cry Of Dawn', and it is still Swedes who are in the spotlight with the trio 'Göran Edman' (who participates in many projects melodic rock with, for example, his participation in the latest album by 'Palace' or the latest solo project from 'Jayce Landberg' but who is also active in progressive rock with the band 'Karmakanic'), the multi-instrumentalist 'Tommy Denander' who needs no introduction and who gravitates in different bands (small search in myprogmusic here) and finally drummer 'Fredrik Blomgren'. They are releasing a second album, 'Anthropocene', after 'Cry Of Dawn' 2016. With such a team, we are almost certain to have quality melodic rock and, indeed, 'Anthropocene' is full of melodies that we appropriate at first listen, starting with a 'Devils Highway ' which takes us back to the best of the 80s in a refined AOR and whether it is energetic compositions or more moderate titles, the Swedes excel in laying us addictive melodic jewels. In short, for all fans of melodic rock, the latest album of 'Cry Of Dawn' is yet to be added to the best releases of 2023.

Video of 'Devils Highway'

Definitely, for this fourth album of this chronicle, we are going back to Sweden with the third opus of the 'Stormburst' band, soberly titled 'III', after 'Raised on Rock' from 2017 and 'Highway to Heaven' from 2020. In a slightly more muscular style than the previous albums, some titles flirting with more classic hard rock, they offer us 12 compositions for 45 minutes listening and the melodic aspect is particularly highlighted: we have a great time listening to the hits 'Get Up On Your Feet', 'Peace Of Mind', 'When The Worlds Collide', 'Rockin' On The Radio' or 'Make It Through The Night' and the ballad 'Lost In Paradise' is to be added to the best ballads of this style. In short, it's still a beautiful album that the Swedes of 'Stormburst' offer us who continue their merry way with an original mix of rock and hard rock filled with catchy melodic lines.

Video of 'When The Worlds Collide'

And finally, I added 'My Religion' by the Norwegians of 'TNT' which is actually a deluxe version of the 2004 album which had been very well received when it was released (I still have the melodic gem 'Lonely Nights' etched in my memory), which marks the 20 years of this formation, just to refresh your memory and realize that the small world of rock and melodic hard rock has lasted beyond the 80s and that it is still doing very well 40 years later the legendary groups that have now entered the history of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Imperium :
Michael Bormann (Vocal), Robbie LaBlanc (Vocal), Mika Brushane (Guitar, Keybords, Drums), Mikey K. Nilsson (Guitars), Stefano Lionetti (Guitars)

House of Shakira :
Andreas Novak (Vocal), Mats Hallstensson (Guitars, Vocal), Anders Lundström (Guitar), Per Schelander (Bass, Vocal), Martin Larsson (Drums)

Cry Of Dawn :
Göran Edman (Vocal), Tommy Denander (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Fredrik Blomgren (Drums)

Stormburst :
Lars-Åke Nilsson (Vocal), Thomas Hansson (Guitar), Peter Östling (Keybords), Kent Jansson (Bass), Pelle Hindén (Drums)

TNT :
Ronni Letekro (Vocal, Guitar, Clavier), Diesel Dahl (Drums), Morty Black (Bass), Tony Harnell (Vocal)


Artist : Gráinne Duffy

Album : Dirt Woman Blues

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 08-06-2023

After two excellent albums, 'Where I Belong' in 2017 and 'Voodoo Blues' in 2020, the Irish 'Gráinne Duffy' releases a new album 'Dirt Woman Blues'. We find this talented artist who has nothing to envy to the best American Blues singers because she breathes an authentic blues by conveying all the emotions of this style. On the menu of this opus, 9 compositions that she co-wrote with her husband 'Paul Sherry', and at first, 'Well Well Well' takes us into her universe with a catchy blues/rock title in which she gives us a magnificent first guitar/voice performance and which gives an irresistible desire to move. In this strong style, we can also mention 'Yes I Am' but also to a lesser extent 'Rise Above' which merges in a very beautiful way these Irish influences with authentic blues/rock. In more moderate but equally endearing tempos, we can cite 'What's It Going To Be?' which displays a beautiful lightness in authentic blues but also 'Sweet Liberation', in two parts, a first with a tempo making you want to sway delicately to the rhythm of the music and the second which accelerates in more muscular blues/rock. And when the atmosphere is even softer and more melancholy, 'Gráinne Duffy' has no equal to move us and we can't miss the very beautiful eponymous title of the album and the ballad 'Running Back To You' which both exude a very special emotion, just like the sensual 'Hold On to You'. And to end this very beautiful album, the semi-acoustic 'Killycrum' takes us one last time in a light and melodic song in a relaxing atmosphere.

In summary, 'Gráinne Duffy' offers us a new album in the image of her previous productions, varied, overflowing with authenticity and alternating compositions filled with emotion and others with contagious positive energy: 'Dirt Woman Blues' is another blues/rock album that should delight all fans of this style, as well as the releases of the first half of the year from other singers like 'Elles Bailey', 'Ally Venable', 'Ana Popovic' or even 'Eilen Jewell'...

Line Up / Musicians

Gráinne Duffy (Guitar, Vocal), Paul Sherry (Guitar), Marc Ford (Guitar, Vocal), Elijah Ford (Bass, Piano, Moog, Vocal), JJ Johnson (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : John Ginty (Keybords), Peter Levin (Keybords), Sam Goldsmith (Piano, Percussions, Vocal)


Artist : Egor Lappo

Album : Abandoned Corners

Release Date : 16-05-2023

Added : 09-06-2023

Russian 'Egor Lappo' continues to release albums with impressive frequency and after 'Trancevoicer' in 2021 and 'Naturealism' in 2022, it's the turn of 'Abandoned Corners' to see the light of day. Always in a catchy style but this time between pop and rock with some incursions into the progressive, the whole is bathed in keyboard sounds which take an important place. For this opus, 'Egor Lappo' has concocted 10 new compositions for us in radio formats not exceeding 4 minutes.

The first three compositions 'Neverending Storm', 'My World on Pause' and 'New Lines' confirm this catchy melodic feeling and offer us for the first, a catchy title reminiscent of the sounds of the 80s, for the second a light and popy mid-tempo with an endearing melody and for the third, guitars bringing a beautiful fullness in the chorus with original alternations of tempo and power in the second part. Follows a radiant 'Last of Her Kind' which takes us back to this carefree style of the 80s and which can recall certain sounds of 'Alan Parsons', then, 'Move On' continues in these reminiscences of the eighties by slowing down the rhythm for a very beautiful ballad with a new chorus which very quickly comes to be grafted in the head. We are halfway through the album and 'Engraved on My Heart' is an instrumental featuring electronic piano sounds filled with a beautiful melancholy, then, the synthesizers are still in the foreground in the catchy 'Creature Confort ' which continues in this light pop atmosphere bathed in electronic sounds. The end of the album scrolls through three other melodious compositions, with, first of all the ballad 'Out of Touch' which delicately tickles our eardrums, then, 'Monochrome' is a very endearing refrain on a three-beat rhythm. which gives this irresistible desire to accompany it while dancing the waltz, and finally, 'No Cloud' is a ballad with a last memorable melody.

In summary, certainly more moderate than 'Naturealism' which was on the whole more energetic, 'Egor Lappo' offers us a new album filled with beautiful catchy melodies at first listen and 'Abandoned Corners' is to be recommended to a large public who like to mix pop and rock in a light and harmonious atmosphere...

Line Up / Musicians

Egor Lappo (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Graham Nash

Album : Now

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 10-06-2023

In the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young family, I would like 'Graham Nash': I have!. This mythical group did not ultimately have a significant discography (only 3 albums in 30 years) due to successive separations and reunions and it is especially in their solo career and in meetings of two or three that we find the most album releases. Meanwhile, 'Graham Nash' recorded his first solo album in 1971 ('Songs for Beginners') and toured during the 70s with 'David Crosby' with three albums and four more albums he released with the two other members 'David Crosby' and 'Stephen Stills' between the early 70s and the end of the 90s, 'Neil Young' having re-collaborated with 'David Crosby' on an ad hoc basis because of his drug problems, the latter having died at the beginning of the year 2023. At 81 years old, 'Graham Nash' releases his seventh solo album and continues to perpetuate this legacy started five decades earlier and, on the strength of all these eventful but busy years, he has the best substance to offer us original songs that deal, in bulk, with his political and ecological commitment ('Golden Idol', 'A Better Life') materialized by this song which invites us to fight and defend our values ('Stand Up'), of his joy of living and always go forward ('Right Now'), of his quarrels with the members of the group 'CSNY' which he certainly regrets ('I Watched It All Come Down') and, above all, of love because he found his rare pearl 'Amy Grantham' who now shares his life ('Love of Mine', 'In A Dream', 'It Feels Like Home', 'Follow Your Heart' and 'When It Comes To You'). Musically, we find the characteristic style of the Briton with an alternation between pop compositions with memorable melodies and much more refined songs in which he also excels. In short, no need to add more, with this latest album, 'Graham Nash' shows that he continues to defy time by offering us new nuggets and the title 'Now' is a magnificent ode to the life he crunches with full teeth and this, at the age of 81 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Nash (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica), Thad DeBrock (Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonium, Pedal Steel), Brett Bass (Bass), Alon Bisk (Cello), Todd Caldwell (Keybords), Allan Clarke (Cello, Vocal), Shane Fontayne (Guitar, Mandolin), Toby Caldwell (Drums), Whitney La Grange (Violin), Adam Minkoff (Bass, Drums, Percussions), Michael Olatuja (Bass), Jocelin Pan (Viola), Hiroko Taguchi (Violin)


Artist : Horizon's End

Album : The Great Destroyer

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 11-06-2023






The Greeks of Horizon's End' already have a few hours of flight since they formed in 1993 and released their first album 'Sculpture on Ice' in 1998. After a second album in 2001 ('Concrete Surreal'), they experienced a long period of inactivity and finally returned in 2019 with a new studio recording, 'Skeleton Keys'. With this return to the progressive metal scene, they offer us a new opus 'The Great Destroyer'. No general concept but the theme revolves around war and its dramatic consequences. Musically speaking, they evolve with this latest baby in a mixture of progressive metal and symphonic rock with melodic lines that are easily appropriated. Given the messages delivered, the ensemble develops quite dark atmospheres and offers us 10 compositions in relatively long formats, between 5 and 8 minutes, also including a long final development.

'Damage' starts the album with energetic guitar riffs and continues in a metal atmosphere bathed in orchestral and vocal arrangements provided, the alternations of tempos between verses and chorus bringing a beautiful originality and the central acoustic cut , featuring a classical guitar, and followed by an instrumental part, being remarkable for featuring inventive progressive. Follows 'Last to Succumb' which is more direct and which offers memorable melodic lines, the second instrumental part alternating sonorities of flutes and a section with more muscular guitar riffs bringing a beautiful originality to this title. With 'The Trail of Notes' (see the video above), we are taken into an American musical comedy theme and, even if the whole thing is supported by the electric guitars, the theatrical side of the vocal arrangements shows a rather quirky but very original facet bringing a remarkable diversity after the first two titles, then, 'Another War' continues in imaginative progressive with many changes of rhythm and intensity, the long central instrumental section with the central keyboard solo which continues with a magnificent refined part with aerial sounds being admirable. As for 'Catalyst of Fear' which begins with a very soft piano/violin accompaniment quickly grows to unfold a progressive symphonic composition highlighting a particularly expressive song from 'Vassilios Topalides' which beautifully adapts his voice to suit the intensity of the moment. In a more muscular register, 'They Will Rise Again' puts forward an unbridled rhythm section with a chorus which immediately enters the head, all this energy falling in a refined acoustic finale, then, 'Nightmares' returns to more direct metal with beautiful vocal harmonies and 'The Parade' continues in this style with alternations between parts supported by a hammered rhythm section and other more moderate parts with melodic lines that are still very catchy but which, by a fairly linear construction, s away from the progressive. Make way for 'Voices from the Sea' which returns to original progressive metal, alternating different atmospheres throughout the title which necessarily requires lingering to draw all its richness, then, the album ends on the long development 'Postcards from War' which takes us on a magnificent progressive epic (see the video here) and which is certainly more accessible than the previous title thanks to catchy melodic lines and which has all the ingredients that one wishes to find in this kind of river title (special mention for the remarkable vocal performance 'Vassilios Topalides').

In summary, this latest album from the Greeks of Horizon's End' is in every way remarkable and demonstrates all the creative talent of the Greeks to offer us imaginative progressive alternating accessible compositions and others requiring lingering. which brings to 'The Great Destroyer' a tremendous diversity...

Line Up / Musicians

Vassilios Topalides (Vocal), Kosta Vreto (Guitar), Sakis Bandis (Keybords), Kostas Scandalis (Bass), Stergios Kourou (Drums) + Guest : Theoharis (Vocal)


Artist : Gaelle Buswel

Album : Live at Abbey Road Studios

Release Date : 19-05-2023

Added : 13-06-2023

Before the release of the very good 'Your Journey ' in 2021, the Frenchwoman 'Gaelle Buswel' had crossed the Channel to record a new album at the mythical studios of Abbey Road' which saw so many rock artists parade, starting of course with the 'Beatles ' (some titles were already present in a bonus CD of the previous opus). Over a short period of two days and, therefore, in concert conditions which give real authenticity to this 'Live at Abbey Road Studios', Gaëlle and her team, as she says, offer us these 8 compositions in acoustics including 6 are from his discography and two are covers, the first, 'Tandem' by 'Serge Gainsbourg' originally sung by 'Vanessa Paradis' (you know many artists who have already recorded a French song in this place! ) and 'Help' by the 'Beatles' which is a title that has accompanied the group since its inception and which they very often perform in concert, and which comes into its own in this legendary studio. The icing on the cake, the video above adds a title of the 'four boys in the wind' with the continuation of the album 'Abbey Road', 'Golden Slumbers', 'Carry That Weight' and 'The End' (even the final photo that the whole world knows of the album cover is there!). We are therefore swept away in the blues/rock universe of the French singer who sends us a palpable emotion in this spontaneous live atmosphere and, to name only the most touching titles, if you are not sensitive to 'Black Delta Dirt' or 'Selfish Game' which, just like 'Help' spins the goosebumps from the first bars, you can go your way. For the others, all you have to do is press the play button and let yourself go to listen to this magnificent album by 'Gaelle Buswel' who has succeeded in this crazy bet of going to London to record in this mythical studio. ..

Other videos from 'Live at Abbey Road Studios':
= Your Journey
= Help
= Selfish Game

Line Up / Musicians

Gaëlle Buswel (Vocal, Guitar), Jb Petri (Bass), Laurian Daire (Piano), Michaal Benjelloun (Guitar), Steve Belmonte (Drums)


Artist : Sirenia

Album : 1977

Release Date : 26-05-2023

Added : 15-06-2023

After 'Riddles Ruins & Revelations' in 2021 which saw a slight inflection towards symphonic metal integrating more keyboards, 'Sirenia' released a new album '1977' which confirmed this evolution towards more electronic atmospheres like the 'ABBA metal' of the Finns d'Amberian Dawn' which we revive the festive rock of the 70s/80s in a slightly more muscular way. About three months ago, the first single 'Twist in my Sobriety' was released, oddly relegated as a bonus track on the album, but since it was a cover of 'Tanita Tikaram' released in 1988, I told myself that this title would not necessarily reflect the whole album. Finally, this first single is completely in the direction started in the previous opus and the label of gothic metal that sticks to this formation since its beginnings with the period 'Pilar "Ailyn" Giménez García' (the last album 'The Seventh Life Path' from 2015 featuring the former singer still showed this gothic style dotted with growls) is gradually transforming into symphonic metal for a wider audience, like what the Dutch of 'Within Temptation' were able to do in the 2000s.< /br>
On the menu of this album, 11 compositions about 50 minutes of listening and the first titles confirm that everything has been done to offer us melodies that hit the target from the first listen: the single 'Deadlight' (see the video above) opens the album with a memorable first chorus which should be taken up in chorus in concert and which shows this immediate catch, then, the second single 'Wintry Heart' (see the video here) follows suit in this lively atmosphere, the abundant vocal harmonies of the chorus highlighting this light and radiant pop side. A little more muscular, 'Nomadic' puts the saturated guitars on the same level as the keyboards and is a title which should work well in concert with a new melody which comes to be grafted immediately in the head, then, the introductory theme of 'The Setting Darkness' strongly reminds me of 'Amberian Dawn' and this composition is still a hit in power, just like 'A Thousand Stars' which follows and which moves away from metal for an even more pop song in which the vocals of Emmanuelle Zoldan' releases a beautiful emotion. With 'Fading to the Deepest Black', we continue in this melodic way with an original composition which alternates different tempos, and which offers us a beautiful calmer central section in which 'Morten Veland' comes to pose a serene song. Place in the moment of serenity with 'Oceans Away' which is to be added to the best ballads that 'Sirenia' could do (it has a little air of the magnificent ballad 'The Enigma of Life' from the 2011 album of the same name). The three following titles slightly harden the tone while keeping an immediate melodic accessibility and the saturated guitars are more present on 'Dopamine' with its beautiful final guitar solo, 'Delirium' with growls of 'Morten Veland' and very beautiful arrangements vocals putting a more muscular symphonic metal and 'Timeless Desolation' shows a fairly classic face of symphonic metal with orchestral arrangements brought by the keyboards reminiscent of the first 'Within Temptation', the album ending with the cover 'Twist in my Sobriety' of 'Tanita Tikaram' that I mentioned in the introduction to this column.

In summary, 'Sirenia' continues to popularize its metal by incorporating electro-pop, taking us back to the 80s/90s, as the Finns of Amberian Dawn do, which may not necessarily appeal to historical fans, but which has a certain charm especially since all the compositions benefit from catchy melodic lines which will certainly allow them to reach much wider...

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuelle Zoldan (Vocal), Morten Veland (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Nils Courbaron (Guitar), Michael Brush (Drums)


Artist : FRAMAURO

Album : Alea Iacta Est

Release Date : 24-05-2023

Added : 16-06-2023






If you read the chronicles of myprogmusic and are fans of progressive rock, you must know the different projects of 'Ryszard Kramarski' with 'Millenium' and 'tRKproject' and 'Framauro' is a third project which I unfortunately missed the release of the latest album 'My World Is Ending' which revived the project started more than 20 years before with the album 'Intermedia' and which foreshadowed his other project 'Millenium'. With 'Framauro', we inevitably find similarities with the other projects and 'Alea Iacta Est' takes us on board for 45 minutes of progressive in measured atmospheres and benefiting from very accessible melodic lines which makes it possible to reach a large audience and can constitute a gateway to all those who want to discover progressive rock.

With 'Like Father Like Son', the tone of the album is set with a first composition that takes us on board for nearly eight minutes in a light and playful atmosphere that takes us back a few decades to the time of the first albums of 'The Alan Parsons Project' , then, 'My Belowed Song', which is the second part of 'Records from My Shelf' from the previous album, slows down the tempo for a ballad that unfolds a catchy melody, the guitar being prominent at the level of the rhythm section but also in a very beautiful solo. This quiet and delicate atmosphere will be the common thread of the album and 'Dogs & Cats' continues in this direction, and even if the introduction with an electric guitar shows a more energetic face, is a composition where we find all this Composer sensitivity of 'Ryszard Kramarski' as in these two other projects 'Millenium' and 'tRKproject', again attests this magnificent guitar solo 'Floydien' at the end of the title. We stay in a kind of restful and relaxing waking dream with 'Painter of Our Souls' which rocks us on very beautiful melodic lines, then, 'Lost in Music', slightly more energetic, shows a remarkable progressive side alternating the sung parts and the instrumental sections embellished by a keyboard solo by 'Ryszard Kramarski' and a guitar solo by 'Marcin Kruczek'. The eponymous title of the album arrives as a high point in an atmosphere filled with delicacy on melodic lines which come to be grafted in the head immediately and with a song of 'Ryszard Kramarski' filled with a very particular emotion on which 'Marcin Kruczek' comes to lay down some guitar notes: simply sublime!

In summary, by re-reading all my chronicles of 'Ryszard Kramarski' projects, I will make the same observation for the umpteenth time with this album of 'FRAMAURO' which joins the others and which I add directly to my list of essential albums progressive rock: therefore, if you liked the Pole's previous releases, you will necessarily like 'Alea Iacta Est' and, if you don't yet know the projects of 'Ryszard Kramarski' and you like the soft side of music and air of the 'Floyds', there is a good chance that you will adopt this latest album of 'Ryszard Kramarski'...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums), Michał Kramarski (Vocal)


Artist : DeVicious

Album : Code Red

Release Date : 26-05-2023

Added : 18-06-2023






In 2020, 'Phase Three' was part of my playlist of albums of rock and melodic hard rock from the first half of the year and, in the meantime, the Germans of 'DeVicious' released in 2022 'Black Heart'. 'Code Red' is therefore their fifth studio recording in five years which shows an impressive production and which marks a change of singer since 'Antonio Calanna' has been replaced by 'Baol Bardot Bulsara' who officiated with the Norwegians of 'TNT' (who have just reissued 2004's 'My Religion': see here). No surprise for this latest baby, they offer us good melodic hard rock that we appropriate from the first listen thanks to melodic lines that are always very catchy. They unroll therefore without interruption hits which could each have been the subject of a single. To begin with, we can cite the first three compositions, each of which has its own video: first of all, 'Are You Ready For Love' begins the album in a beautiful way with a memorable first melody (see the video above), then the catchy 'Highway to the Stars' (see the video here) follows suit and brings us back to the best of the 80s, and 'Madhouse' (see the video here) drives the point home with a mid-tempo which is also heavily tagged eighties. The suite also shows addictive melodies with 'Stuck In paradise' and 'No More Tears' (see the video here), the first bringing a chanted chorus which should being taken up in concert choirs and the second taking us back a few decades once again with radiant vocal arrangements. The sequel is in the image of this beginning of the album with beautiful mid-tempos, but we can regret that the Germans did not integrate ballads which would have diversified the album. In summary, it is still an album filled with beautiful melodies that 'DeVicious' offers us, and 'Code Red' is added to the rock and melodic hard rock releases of the year 2023 and should make happy all fans of this style that takes us back to the best of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Baol Bardot Bulsara (Vocal), Radivoj Petrovic (Guitar), Alex Frey Bass), Denis Kunz (Keybords), Lars Nippa (Drums)


Artist : Arjen Lucassen's Supersonic Revolution

Album : Golden Age Of Music

Release Date : 26-05-2023

Added : 22-06-2023

We are more used to big progressive rock/metal productions from 'Arjen Lucassen' with a host of guests, these most active projects being 'Ayreon' and 'Star One'. But 'Supersonic Revolution' is not yet another project from the fertile Dutchman but a kind of tribute to the formations of the 70s at the origin of hard rock with, as its name suggests, this 'Golden Age Of Music'. Initially, it was the German music magazine 'Eclipsed' which asked him to record a song for a cover album and, one thing leading to another, the project resulted in the formation of a fully fledged band very quickly and which is obviously made up of artists who have all participated in Arjen's projects: first of all, his long-time friend, keyboardist 'Joost Van Den Broek' who brings the vintage touch and takes us back for all those who experienced this period in the debut of 'Deep Purple' with the late 'Jon Lord'. The rest of the line up is made up of singer 'Jaycee Cuijpers' who sang on the last 'Start One', guitarist 'Timo Somers' (ex 'Delain') and who was also on the last 'Star One' and the rhythm section consists of drummer 'Koen Herfst' who participates, among others, in the various albums of 'Rani Chatoorgoon' and Arjen Lucassen' himself on bass.

As for the original titles, the instrumental introduction immediately puts us in the bath with keyboards à la 'Jon Lord' while recognizing the melodist touch of Arjen Lucassen', then, 'The Glamattack' (see the video above) tumbles with a quick and catchy first composition that brings us back to the beginning of hard rock and on this title it's 'Deep Purple' that immediately comes to mind. Follows the eponymous title of the album (see the video here) which pours out a chorus for us to sing along to, the together being accompanied masterfully by the keyboards of 'Joost Van Den Broek' and the guitaristic peregrinations of 'Timo Somers'. With 'The Rise Of The Starman' (see the video here), I feel like I'm listening from the Uriah Heep' from the 70s to the time of 'Firefly' on which 'Jon Lord' would have come to pose 'Purpulian' accompaniments, then, for all those who liked the beginning of hard rock, let yourself be invaded by the nostalgia of a 'Smoke On The Water' with 'Burn It Down' (even the title is a nod to the Brits' interplanetary hit). More moderate, 'Odyssey' begins in atmospheric reminiscences of the time with 'Floydian' guitars, then gains momentum for a composition bringing an original progressive side of the pioneers of the genre. Always these 'Lordian' influences with the introduction 'They Took Us By Storm' which inevitably recalls the introduction of 'Lazy' which has always been a title with an introduction source of improvisation for all the keyboardists who tackle it, then the title continues to shower us with 'Purpulian' influences. Change of scenery with 'Golden Boy' which takes us into the psychedelic of the late 60s, the keyboards still taking a prominent place and this time it's 'Pink Floyd' and the very beginnings of 'Deep Purple' with their first three albums which are in the spotlight, then, 'Holy Holy Ground' is a beautiful ballad break with a 'Jaycee Cuijpers' which has the same intonations as 'David Coverdale' in 'Soldiers Of Fortune' from 1974 with the same emotion. In an always moderate register, 'Fight Of The Century' is also typical of this beginning of the seventies with a mid-tempo with many rhythmic variations and a final instrument passage bringing a rather progressive aspect to this title, then 'Came To Mock, Stayed To Rock' concludes the original compositions with a bluesy introduction as if to show us that the majority of styles derived from rock come from the blues and in this title with an exuberant atmosphere, we have a bit of the beginnings of another legendary formation which will arrive two or three years later, I named 'Queen'. As for the covers, they consist of 'Children Of The Revolution' by 'T .Rex', 'Heard It On The X' by 'ZZ Top', the quirky 'Fantasy' from 'Earth, Wind and Fire' in a hard rock sauce and the well-known 'Love Is All' by 'Roger Glover' of his 1974 rock opera, 'The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast'.

In summary, 'Arjen Lucassen', surrounded by talented musicians, takes us back five decades to the era of the pioneers of hard rock, and, even if some will say that it is a rehash, 'Golden Age Of Music' is a real bath of youth for all those who knew this period and who were raised on the bottle of this style of the early 70s with the vinyls that we passed on between friends to discover all these formations who made the history of rock and hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Arjen Lucassen (Bass), Jaycee Cuijpers (Vocal), Joost Van Den Broek (Keybords), Timo Somers (Guitar), Koen Herfst (Drums)


Artist : Lars Fredrik Frøislie

Album : Fire Fortellinger

Release Date : 02-06-2023

Added : 23-06-2023

Decidedly, after the return to the 70s of'Arjen Lucassen' with his homage to early hard rock, it's singer and muti-instrumentalist 'Lars Fredrik Frøislie''s turn to release an album, this time in a progressive style that takes us back to the same years. Lars is part of the Norwegian band 'Wobbler' whose latest album 'Dwellers of the Deep' dates from 2020. Lovers of great progressive developments, you will be delighted because this first solo album by the Norwegian contains only four compositions, two between 6 and 7 minutes and two frescoes of more than 16 minutes each. It should be noted that we find both the sounds of 50 years ago and the techniques used at that time, which have since been swept away by the arrival of the computer, because the whole thing was captured in a single catch with all the consequences that entails: now, as everything seems perfectly smoothed by computer reprocessing, it wrongly looks like they are recording errors; I will simply speak of spontaneity allowing room for improvisation.

These four compositions, all sung in Norwegian, each tell a story: the first fresco of almost 17 minutes, 'Rytter av dommedag', has the theme 'Ragnarok', which in Norse mythology tells of the end of the world which will see the total extinction of both Gods and Men caused by natural disasters. Musically, we are taken into a magnificent progressive labyrinth in which it is good to get lost to let go according to the different atmospheres deployed, then when you have finally found the exit (what a remarkable epic finale!), to come back to discover other corners not explored previously because this kind of title deserves to linger there to draw all the richness from it. In this title, I find melodic similarities with 'Renaissance' which I had discovered quite late in the early 80s and which has always been one of my references in progressive. Follows 'Et sted under himmelhvelvet' which makes us travel in a succession of different atmospheres with a soft introduction lulled by the flute, then the central instrumental passage gradually gains momentum and accelerates the rhythm to fall 1.30 later in a very refined atmosphere with a few layers of keyboards accompanied again by the flute to return to the starting theme in the finale: another very beautiful title! Always in a calm atmosphere, 'Jærtegn' still revives in me these long listening of 'Renaissance' with these sounds of Hammond organ and harpsichord and embarks me on a very beautiful soothing and relaxing journey. 'Naturens katedral' is the other masterpiece and this time takes us to the Norwegian mountains in winter where the cold is freezing, and where blizzards and avalanches abound. It is still a source of multiple twists that must be tamed listening after listening and shows a perfect balance between classicism and modernism, the peregrinations of the keyboards bringing a contemporary touch and the successive waves alternating different intensities and rhythms offering at each moment an originality and a variety that hooks the progressive listener throughout the title.

In summary, if you like the beginning of progressive rock with formations like 'Renaissance' for the melodic side and 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' for the use of vintage keyboards, you should definitely adopt this first Norwegian solo album 'Lars Fredrik Frøislie' because 'Fire Fortellinger' would certainly now be a cult progressive album if it had been released in the 70s like the first 'Genesis' or the first 'Yes'...

Line Up / Musicians

Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Vocal, Keybords, Drums, Flute), Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen (Bass)


Artist : Anubis Gate

Album : Interference

Release Date : 02-06-2023

Added : 24-06-2023

After 'Covered in Black' from 2017 which saw the Danes of Anubis Gate' move towards darker and heavier progressive metal, 2020 saw the release of the eclectic 'Covered in Colors' which is an album of progressive metal covers with compositions for all tastes (including this magnificent unrecognizable cover of 'Black In Black' by AC/DC' with a rhythm of 'Sheep' by 'Pink Floyd'!). Three years have passed and the new studio recording 'Interference' is now available since the beginning of June 2023. Given this diversity to which the Danes have now accustomed us, what about this new opus?

From the start, with the first two titles, diversity is still there: 'Emergence' (see the video above) immediately puts us in the bath of an energetic and powerful metal in highlighting catchy melodic lines which brings a rather direct side to the title, then 'Ignorance Is Bliss' begins in a quiet atmosphere and gradually gains power with alternating intensities and tempos, the progressive side being this times present. The introduction to 'Ignorance Is Bliss' takes us on a heavy and grandiose epic, then, a change of scenery for a jewel of progressive metal starting with remarkable vocal arrangements and which contains a complex construction demanding to linger over it all. while keeping an accessible melodic side which makes it, for me, one of my favourites of the album. We continue our journey with 'The Phoenix' which starts with some lighter electronic sounds counterbalancing the heavy side of guitar riffs and which benefits from a catchy rhythm throughout the title and a memorable chorus, which makes it a of the most accessible titles, then, 'Equations' further reinforces this fusion between electronics and heavy sounds with a marked rhythmic conducive to headbanging (remarkable guitar solo in the middle of the title). Still very diversified in its construction, 'Dissonance Consonance' begins in a strange and disturbing atmosphere, the beats being marked by sounds that can recall certain contemporary works and, after two minutes, continues in a light and quiet atmosphere to then alternate between sections energetic and others much calmer, then, 'The Intergalactic Dream of Stardom' continues to show striking contrasts in a new convoluted progressive construction much less accessible but which improves after several listening to finally be added to the major compositions of the album. Faster, 'World Of Clay' is also one of the most muscular titles of the album with a 'steamroller' first part which is less my cup of tea but the progressive aspect is very present in the second half with multiple rhythmic changes, then, the self-titled title of the album deploys a remarkable new progressive construction with its four-minute instrumental introduction which takes the time to develop its theme which envelops you completely with these spoken sections and which leads to a sung part in opposition with all the tension accumulated before and of which the last third shows yet another melodic face: quite simply, great progressive! And, to end this very beautiful album, it is in a 'Floydian' atmosphere that 'Absence' begins and continues by rising slowly in power to finally fall back to offer us a 'Gilmourian' guitar solo in the second part of the title.

In summary, it's still a very good album offered by the Danes of 'Anubis Gate' who shows that they are undoubtedly part of the first division of progressive metal formations and, even if 'Interference' ask to linger there to draw all the richness from it which is often proof of a high quality, it will certainly be part of the top 10 of the best progressive metal releases of 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Henrik Fevre (Vocal, Bass), Kim Olesen (Guitar, Keybords), Michael Bodin (Guitar), Morten Gade Sørensen (Drums)


Artist : Doris Brendel

Album : Facade

Release Date : 02-06-2023

Added : 26-06-2023

Like father, like children ! Daughter of famous pianist 'Alfred Brendel', 'Doris Brendel' releases her 5th solo album after 'Mass Hysteria' which had been very well received by the specialist press and a new album with producer 'Lee Dunham' is planned for September. For those who discover her, I will simply repeat what is written on her site and which, for my part, completely reflects this artist: "Imagine a rock singer, like Janis Joplin, Beth Hart, Alanis, Sam Brown, merging with a more progressive sound like Jethro Tull, Marillion, Muse and many more!". On the menu of this opus, it is the acoustic side that is highlighted with 10 guitar/voice compositions, and we are immediately seduced by this song so expressive and conveying real emotion. Whether in light and lively atmospheres like 'Heels' which can recall melodic lines of certain titles of Eurythmics', the bouncy 'My Hat Is Bigger Than Yours' with its video which does not lack humour, 'Lashes' and its blues influences or even 'Stuck In The 80s' which gives an irresistible accompaniment by clapping your hands, or whatever in more moderate climates with the guitar/voice duos 'Leather Pants and Denim' in the great tradition of American song, to which we can add 'Tottoos' and 'Lucky Shirt', or even the moving eponymous title of the album which this time puts forward a piano/voice duo (see video above), without forgetting the radiant 'Goth On The Outside' with its rhythmic which puts you in shape for a whole day, we have a wonderful time listening to 'Facade'. In short, no need to add more, while waiting for his next album with 'Lee Dunham' at the start of the school year which will certainly be more progressive, this last solo album by 'Doris Brendel' is a real bubble of freshness and of the season at the start of summer and 'Facade' should appeal to a wide audience because all the compositions are accessible on first listening and highlight this very endearing artist...

Line Up / Musicians

Doris Brendel (Vocal, Guitar), Chris Tortoioli


Artist : Myrkur

Album : Ragnarok

Release Date : 02-06-2023

Added : 28-06-2023

2020 saw the release of 'Folkesange' which took us on a magnificent journey made of sweetness and serenity and the Danish 'Amalie Bruun' alias 'Myrkur' is releasing 'Ragnarok' which is an opera music that she composed and directs for the 'Royal Danish Theatre' with performances until 2024. It is the story of warrior 'Liv' who travels the world of the Gods and soon realizes that not everything goes as one might imagine, l indiference and idleness prevailing among them. The story ends quite tragically in blood, death and chaos. Musically, 'Myrkur' takes us on a beautiful journey made of influences from its origins with compositions ranging from refined pieces to metal, passing through folk from the Nordic countries. The album is made up of 9 fairly short titles which alternate these contrasting atmospheres: on the one hand, we are lulled by the ethereal atmospheres of the introduction 'Ragnarok Tema', of 'Odins Sang' with Nordic folk intonations, of soft piano pieces 'Livs Tema' and 'Modgunns Tema' and the final aerial 'Balders Tema'. In opposition the folk/metal brings a communicative energy with the driving 'Krigersang' and its addictive melody, 'Jæternes Sang' with muscular guitar riffs and a rhythmic section with a marked tempo, the dark and epic 'Hells Sang' and ' Kampsang' with its chanting songs and a new memorable melody on which 'Myrkur' makes a beautiful vocal performance. In summary, this very short album of 'Myrkur' shows all the talent of the Dane who continues to perpetuate the influences of the Nordic countries and if you want more information on this show, you can go to the Danish Theater official website...

Line Up / Musicians

Myrkur (Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Viola), Maja Shining (Bass, Voice, Keybords), Mikkel Haastrup (Guitar), Kristian Uhre (Drums)


Artist : Bob Dylan

Album : Shadow Kingdom

Release Date : 02-06-2023

Added : 29-06-2023

After releasing an original album in 2020 ('Rough And Rowdy Ways'), 'Bob Dylan' returns with 'Shadow Kingdom', a black-and-white concert film (see a clip with the 'Forever Young' video above) which was available to stream for a week in 2021 and in which he revisits its standards of the 60s/70s. The particularity of this live is that the 14 songs follow one after the other without blank for almost an hour and the other point to underline is that 'Bob Dylan' certainly wanted to keep just the substance of each title because most are not easily recognizable. So we dive back into the first albums 'Bringing It All Back Home' and 'Highway 61 Revisited' both from 1965, 'Blonde On Blonde' from 1966, 'John Wesley Harding' from 1967, 'Nashville Skyline' from 1969 and 'Planet Waves' from 1974, the exception being the magnificent title 'What Was It You Wanted' taken from 'Oh Mercy' from 1989. In short, for all fans of 'Bob Dylan', 'Shadow Kingdom' is a very beautiful journey through time in the company of this American troubadour who, sixty years early on, actively participated in the emergence of popular song in the United States by mixing folk, rock, country and blues, and who is known as a committed singer for his anti-war convictions in the 1960s...

Line Up / Musicians

Bob Dylan (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica), Jeff Taylor (Accordion), Greg Leisz (Guitar, Mandolin), Tim Pierce Guitar), T-Bone Burnett (Guitar), Ira Ingber (Guitar), Don Was (Bass), John Avila (Bass)


Melodic rock albums released on 06/09/2023






As I did with the mini playlist of melodic rock albums released on 05/17/2023, here is a new playlist of four albums released on June 9, 2023 in the same style. The particularity of this one is that it consists of two AOR albums in refined and delicate atmospheres and two other studio recordings of energetic melodic hard rock putting you in shape for a whole day.

First of all it's the Danes of 'Boys From Heaven' with their new album 'The Descendant' which succeeds 'The Great Discovery' of 2020. They offer us eight compositions that take us back to the best of the 80s and, of course, it's 'Toto' that comes to the spirit of entry with the melodic 'Sailing On'. The singer 'Chris Catton' rocks us throughout the album with his bewitching vocals and we can emphasize that the formation also flirts with sunny atmospheres like a 'Chris Rea', period 'On The Beach'. In short, we go back a few decades with happiness by listening to this second album of the Danes of 'Boys From Heaven' and 'The Descendant' arrives at the right time to offer us music well in tune with summer, synonymous with holidays and of relaxation…
Video by 'Sarah'

It is again towards the northern regions that we are going with the Swedes of 'Crossfade' which, just like the Danes of 'Boys From Heaven' takes us on a beautiful sunny journey of AOR with 'Innocent Days' which is the band's fourth album, after 'White on Blue' in 2004, 'SecretLove' in 2011 and 'Carousel' in 2019. No surprise, we are also embarking on a beautiful journey made up of tranquil and relaxing atmospheres in quietly listen to the headphones on the ears after a hard day's work. In short, 'Innocent Days' will still be a good companion in this summer period for all lovers of a quiet and relaxing AOR...
= Video from 'Innocent Days'
= Video from 'Right There'

In a more muscular style, there are two other albums, this time in melodic hard rock with, first of all, the Swiss of 'Shakra' who continue their merry way quietly with a new studio recording 'Invicible ' and which, if I'm counting correctly, is the band's 13th album, their self-titled debut album 'Shakra' being released 25 years ago and the last album 'Mad World' from 2020. No need to go from title to title: just listen to the first title 'Invicible' (see the video below) which offers a completely addictive first chorus and if you hang on to this first hard rock chorus, you should adopt the other 11 compositions. In short, no need to add more, 'Invicible' is filled with an overflowing energy to recharge the batteries and start again because this last album shows that the Swiss are still in great shape after more than thirty years of activity. ...
= Video from 'The Way It Is'
= Video from 'Invincible'

And to finish this mini playlist, it is the Swedes of Art Nation' who after 4 years of absence (their last album 'Transition' dating from 2019) recall to our good memories with this very good 'Inception'. Singer 'Alexander Strandell', after participating in the supergroup 'Crowne' is back at homer and the group offers us 11 compositions for around forty listening music. No need to tell you that it's still an opus filled with addictive choruses that come directly to the head and entry, it starts strong with an energetic and catchy 'Brutal & Beautiful' and we could quote all the titles following ones because I haven't found one less good than the others, some bringing a certain diversity by moderating the intensities: we can mention the mid-tempos 'Break Up', 'Light The Fire' or even 'The Legend Reborn' , without forgetting the beautiful final power ballad 'Powerless'. In summary, the Swedes of Art Nation' confirm that they are part of the cream of melodic hard rock bands and 'Inception' should be a loop for all fans of this style...
= Video by 'Brutal & Beautiful'
= Video from '1001'
= Video from 'Echo'

Line Up / Musicians

Boys From Heaven : Mads Noyé (Keybords), Mads Schaumann (Guitar, Vocal), Chris Catton (Vocal), Søren Viig Mathiesen (Drums), Jonas Klintström Larsen (Saxophone), Morten Bille (Bass).

Crossfade : Göran Edman (Vocal), Richard Stenstrom (Keybords), Lars Hallbäck (Guitar), Göran Edman (Choirs), Anneli Axon (Choirs), Felix Lehmann (Drums, Percussions), Andreas Ekstedt (Percussions), Johan Granstrom (Bass), Wojtek Goral (Saxophone), Peter "noos" Johansson (Trombone), Magnus Johansson (Trumpet), Fat Cat Strings (Keybords)

Shakra : Mark Fox (Vocal), Thom Blunier (Guitar), Thomas Muster (Guitar), Cyril Montavon (Bass), Roger Tanner (Drums)

Art Nation : Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Christoffer Borg (Guitar), Richard Svard (Bass), Alexander Lundgren (Drums)


Artist : False Memories

Album : Hybrid Ego System

Release Date : 09-06-2023

Added : 01-07-2023

I reviewed their album 'The Last Night of Fall' in 2021, and, in the meantime, the Italians of 'False Memories' have added to their discography the EP 'Echoes of a Reflection' at the end of 2021 and the live 'Live Until the Twilight' in 2022. 2023 sees the release of a new studio recording 'Hybrid Ego System'. As I said in the review of 'The Last Night of Fall', after a first listen, I still find in this last opus certain similarities with the group 'Stream Of Passion' which ended its adventure in 2017. On the menu of Hybrid Ego System ', 11 compositions plus the cover of 'The Storm Inside' without 'Annette Olzon', the latter having been invited on this title to share the microphone with 'Rossella Moscatello' (see the video above), for a full hour of 'listen. Overall, we find the atmospheres of the previous albums with powerful compositions on slow tempos, 'Rossella Moscatello' confirming all her vocal talent and alternating with rather well-dosed growls. It is in compositions like 'Holding On' or 'Stains' that 'Rossella Moscatello' makes me think of the atmospheres of 'Stream Of Passion', its range approaching that of 'Marcela Bovio'. In some titles, such as 'The Storm Inside', 'Rising Tide', 'Insanity' or 'Fragments Of Your Ego', there is a progressive aspect which brings a certain diversity to the whole and 'Shed My Skin ' closes the album with a beautiful acoustic ballad.

In summary, the Italians of 'False Memories' continue their momentum by offering us with 'Hybrid Ego System' a good album of metal merging gothic and symphonic with a rhythm section based on slow tempos supported by massive riffs and with a singer who has all the power in her voice for this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Rossella Moscatello (Vocal), Francesco Savino (Guitar), Moreno Palmisano (Guitar), Davide Tavecchia (Bass), Emanuele Cossu (Drums)


Artist : Steve Lukather

Album : Bridges

Release Date : 16-06-2023

Added : 03-07-2023






For anyone who knew the 80s, 'Steve Lukather' must be a household name since he was one of the founders of the group 'Toto' and is also pursuing a solo career, his first eponymous solo album of his name dating from 1989 and the last, 'I Found The Sun Again', from 2021. 'Bridges' is his 8th solo album and the name of the album says a lot about this resemblance with the style of 'Toto', especially since he invited artists who gravitated in the sphere of the American group: first of all we find singer 'Joseph Williams' who recorded two 'Toto' albums in the 80s and keyboardist 'David Paich' also one of the founders of 'Toto', both of whom collaborated with Steve to write this album. The other guests are also artists who participated in the adventure of 'Toto' with the two drummers 'Shannon Forrest' and 'Simon Phillips', the bassist 'Lee Sklar' who replaced 'Mike Porcaro' in 2007 and the new keyboardist 'Steve Maggiora', the rest of the line up being made up of 'Trev Lukather', son of Steve and bassist 'Jorgen Carlsson' (of the band 'Gov't Mule's' who just released a new album, ' Peace…Like A River' and whose band just announced their departure early June). With this line up, 'Steve Lukather' somehow perpetuates the style of 'Toto' starting with 'Far From Over' which Steve co-wrote with his son Trev and which begins the album on a catchy rhythm, then, in the same style, parade melodic compositions that take us back a few decades like 'Not My Kind Of People' or 'Someone' (see the video above) or 'When I See You Again' (see video here) or even ' Burning Bridges' with its rhythm giving a strong desire to accompany it by clapping your hands. In a much quieter atmosphere, we are also completely won over by the beautiful ballads 'All Forevers Must End', 'Take My Love' and 'I'll Never Know' which culminates this album in a very beautiful way with its solo of 'Santana' style guitar.

In summary, we spend a very good time listening to this latest album of 'Steve Lukather' which is in fact a college album and which reminds us of the best of 'Toto' which intends 'Bridges' to all those who were raised on the bottles of the major melodic rock bands of the 80s but also to a much wider audience because all the compositions are accessible on first listening thanks to catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Lukather (Vocal, Guitar), Joseph Williams (Keybords, Vocal, Choirs, Percussions), David Paich (Keybords), Shannon Forrest (Drums), Simon Phillips (Drums), Trev Lukather (Guitar, Bass, Choirs, Keybords), Steve Maggiora (Keybords, Choirs), Jorgen Carlsson (Bass), Lee Sklar (Bass)


Artist : Secret Rule

Album : Mea Culpa Live Acoustic Session

Release Date : 16-06-2023

Added : 04-07-2023

Six years ago I introduced you to their third studio recording 'The Key To The World' which was followed a little more than one year later from 'The 7 Endless', and the Italians of 'Secret Rule' have been busy since, as 2020 saw the release of two albums, 'Against' and cover album 'Quarantine: the other side of us' recorded during the covid period which were themselves followed by two other studio recordings 'Mea Culpa' in 2021 and 'The Resilient' in 2022 which makes about one album every year because it is the turn of 'Mea Culpa Live Acoustic Session' to be released in 2023.

And for this new opus which is a bit special, they revisit 'Mea Culpa' in acoustics and make us rediscover the compositions of the 2021 album in a very different atmosphere from the original. Like many formations that had disconnected electric instruments during the Covid period, this more refined reinterpretation puts even more emphasis on the singing of Angela Di Vincenzo' and it is the less energetic titles that stand out the most: we will not go to side of 'Black Swan' which shows another very endearing facet and 'Whore' in which the piano/voice duo is filled with beautiful emotion, just like 'Welcome To Hell' which benefits from a much slower tempo than the original which turns it into a very beautiful ballad and which is followed by another ballad 'Lost' also very successful. The other faster compositions are not left out and we can mention 'Blunder' which opens the album with its memorable chorus, the catchy 'A New War' and 'The King Has Fallen' but also 'Mother Heart' which shows a face much more refined than the original while conveying good energy.

In summary, the Italians of 'Secret Rule' show that they have the talent to surprise us by offering us this very beautiful acoustic album which allows us to offer a completely different version of the original which should please not only to the fans but also to a wider audience because all the compositions all have very catchy melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Angela Di Vincenzo (Vocal), Andy Menario (Guitar), Nicola Pedron (Bass), Sebastiano Dolzani (Drums)


Artist : John Mellencamp

Album : Orpheus Descending

Release Date : 16-06-2023

Added : 05-07-2023

Direction the United States with the last album 'Orpheus Descending' of the singer with the hoarse voice 'John Mellencamp' which, for any amateur and any lover of the great tradition of American song is an essential reference of these last 35 years. After 'Strictly A One-Eyed Jack' , faithful to his convictions, he continues to depict a world with all its failings and, for this latest opus, he attacks the first two titles against the lobbies of arms sellers in the United States with 'Hey God ' (see the video above) and in 'The Eyes of Portland' which follows (see the video here), he alerts us to the plight of the homeless in North America, this on a catchy melody accompanied by the slide guitar of that authentic American country/folk style. In the same timeless style, we can also mention 'The So-Called Free', 'One More Trick', 'Lightning and Luck' or even 'Backbone' which ends the album with an emotionally charged song to tell us, that day after day, his objective is to try to become better so as not to regret anything and, when it is time, to be able to leave, with dignity. 'John Mellencamp' also knows how to move us with more refined atmospheres: evidenced by the composition 'The Kindness Of Lovers' filled with a beautiful melancholy amplified by the violin accompaniment of 'Lisa Germano', then 'Understated Reverence' is a magnificent piano/voice duet in which 'John Mellencamp' speaks to us of death using this very beautiful expression of "understated reverence" and 'Perfect World' develops a very particular melancholy accentuated by the harmonica to speak to us of this love that he did not know how to keep and that he imagines in a perfect world.

In summary, 'John Mellencamp' continues to depict the world around him, whether to criticize it on subjects that are sensitive to him but also with these poetic words in other compositions much more personal and 'Orpheus Descending' is a very beautiful album which is added to the already long list of his discography with new timeless compositions in the great tradition of American country/folk song...

Line Up / Musicians

John Mellencamp (Guitar, Vocal), Andrew York (Bassd, Guitard, Choirs), Dane Clark (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Lisa Germano (Violin, Choirs), Troye Kinnett (Harmonica, Keybords, Persussions, Choirs)


Artist : Pride Of Lions

Album : Dream Higher

Release Date : 16-06-2023

Added : 06-07-2023






After 'John Mellecamp' and his last album 'Orpheus Descending', it is still a septuagenarian (one year older than John) who is in the spotlight with 'Jim Peterik' and his project 'Pride Of Lions', as the proverb French "it's in the old pots that we make the best soups" is again in the news. In another style of music, 'Jim Peterik' and his band perpetuate a melodic rock from the 80s and anyone who does not necessarily know the artist has certainly already heard of the anthem from the 1982 film 'Rocky III', ' Eye of the Tiger' which he co-wrote with 'Frankie Sullivan'. Accompanied since the beginning of 'Pride Of Lions' by 'Toby Hitchcock' on vocals, 'Christian Cullen' on keyboards, 'Mike Aquino' on guitar and 'Ed Breckenfeld' on drums (the self-titled debut album dates from 2003), 'Dream Higher' is the band's eighth album after 'Fearless' in 2017 and 'Lion Heart' in 2020. Needless to say, it's still an album full of beautiful melodies divided into two categories: for all those who love a catchy and refined AOR bringing us back a few decades, the 'Blind To Reason' (see video above), 'Dream Higher' (see video here), 'Find Somebody To Love', 'Another Life', 'Driving and Dreaming' or even 'Renegade Heart' are all melodic gems that you want to listen to on repeat. For others who prefer more moderate and sweet compositions, 'Pride Of Lions' has not been the same to deliver addictive melodic hymns and in this opus there are three of them with 'My Destiny', 'Through It All' and 'Everything To Live For'. In short, it's another album that will be added to the best melodic rock releases of 2023 taking us back a few decades because all the compositions of 'Dream Higher' could have been part of a 'Survivor' album in the 80 years...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Peterik (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords, Guitar), Toby Hitchcock (Vocal, Choirs), Ed Breckenfeld (Drums, Percussions), Mike Aquino (Guitar), Bob Lizik (Bass), Christian Cullen (Keybords, Orchestration)


Artist : Degrees of Truth

Album : Alchemists

Release Date : 23-06-2023

Added : 10-07-2023

After 'The Reins Of Life' in 2016 and 'Time Travel Artifact' in 2019, the Italians of 'Degrees of Truth' released a new album 'Alchemists'. With a new change of line up, 'Daniele Brianza' replacing 'Graziano Franchetti' on guitar and 'Lorenzo Corsalini' taking the place of bass player in place of 'Matteo Clark', they continue their adventure by offering us 44 minutes of metal symphonic with progressive components which appear more at the end of the album, the first half of the album presenting more direct compositions thanks in particular to melodic lines that we appropriate on the first listen.

And as often in this style of music, the Italians welcome us with an epic and symphonic instrumental, 'Imperfect Concoction', which, for once, is relatively long and presents a very beautiful crescendo and a grandiose finale with imposing choirs. Then it's time for metal with the first three titles, 'Godless Symphony', 'Over The Tide' (see the video above) and 'Fightmare' which offer us catchy melodic jewels quite direct in a radiophonic format not exceeding four minutes and which should all three work well in concert, then, 'Wreckage of Time' adds a diversity inside the title itself which starts in an energetic way and which alternates beautiful much quieter sections bringing a bit of progressive. Make way for the ballad break with 'Misconnection' in which 'Claudia Beltrame' shows a very special emotion and, in the more refined first part, the Italian's singing approaches the intonations of 'Simone Simons' from 'Epica'. Back to symphonic metal with 'Tiny Box of Horrors' which, after its introduction with disturbing sounds, unrolls a new memorable melody on which 'Claudia Beltrame' shows all her vocal talent in alternations of tempos and intensity. With 'Thread Of Life', it is certainly the most progressive title of the album which embarks us in a more complex construction with, in the second part, a remarkable instrumental passage followed by a beautiful sung acoustic section. We also find this progressive side marked in 'Bound to Rise' which moves away from symphonic metal with alternations of intensities and rhythms and which offers a magnificent guitar solo, then, to finish, the eponymous title of the album (see video here) shows a more direct and epic face with a memorable melody on which 'Claudia Beltrame' makes a beautiful vocal performance accompanied by grandiose choirs for the finale.

In summary, the Italians of 'Degrees of Truth' continue their momentum by offering us a varied album coming out of a classic symphonic metal and offering a fairly immediate accessibility while benefiting from a few touches of progressive which is intended ' Alchemists' to a fairly large audience that loves melodic metal with catchy melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Claudia Beltrame (Vocal), Daniele Brianza (Guitar), Gianluca Parnisari (Keybords, Piano), Lorenzo Corsalini (Bass), Luca Ravezzani (Drums) + Guests : Khaled Abbas (Vocal), Richard Henshall (Guitar)


Artist : Eloy

Album : Echoes From The Past

Release Date : 23-06-2023

Added : 12-07-2023

I reviewed the first part of Eloy's saga on 'Jeanne D'arc', 'The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt 1' in 2017 and the second part was released in 2019 (see here). With the third part 'Echoes From The Past', 'Franck Bornemann' completes his triptych dedicated to the Maid of Orléans and adds a beautiful album which musically continues to wink at the history of progressive rock and more. especially in these early days. From the start, the aerial introduction of 'Conspiracy' immediately brings to mind that of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' by the 'Pink Floyds' and the sequel remains in 'Floydian' sounds, then 'Compassion for Misery' adds a touch folk in a quiet and serene atmosphere and the eponymous track continues in these sounds of the seventies with very beautiful female choirs on a memorable melody with some oriental intonations. We continue in these familiar reminiscences with 'Danger' which reconnects with symphonic rock accompanied by remarkable orchestral arrangements, then, 'Deceptive Glory' is yet another composition which begins with 'Floydian' sounds and which again offers classic progressive in the straight line of the seventies. I have the impression that most of the introductions take us back to 'Pink-Floyd' because 'Warning Signs' is still an evocation of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' and the sequel makes me think of the 'Animals' period, then, 'Fate' follows suit by continuing on a well-paced mid-tempo which automatically starts the foot tapping machine with this time a memorable chorus which flirts with a certain 'Child In Time' from 'Deep Purple' . Make way for 'The Pyre', which, on a repetitive theme, shows the very quintessence of the beginning of the progressive which brings different modulations and variations by alternating different intensities and rhythms bringing this title to more than 9 minutes (the melody strangely reminds me of the rise in power of 'Hells Bells' of AC/DC'!) and 'Farewell' (would it be a farewell of Eloy'!) ends in the sweetness and in a rural atmosphere this very beautiful album.

In summary, this third evocation of the life of 'Jeanne D'Arc' by 'Eloy' takes us on a very beautiful progressive journey through time and shows that, fifty years later, the progressive of the seventies has become a timeless reference and that there are still historical formations that continue to perpetuate this style, 'Eloy' being an integral part of it in the same way as the 'Yes', 'Genesis', 'Camel' or even 'Renaissance', and I on the way...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Bornemann (Vocal, Guitar), Klaus Peter Matziol (Bass), Steve Mann (Keybords), Stephan Emig (Drums) + Guests : Anke Renner (Choirs), Arthur Kühfuss (Keybords), Carinha (Choirs), Elin Bell (Choirs), Finn Mac Cozmac (Keybords), Kim Baete (Choirs), Laila Nysten (Choirs), Nic Knoll (Keybords), Tobias Reckfort (Keybords)


Artist : Fatal Vision

Album : Twice

Release Date : 23-06-2023

Added : 14-07-2023






They returned to the forefront of the melodic rock scene in 2022 with the very good 'Once' and 'Fatal Vision' is doing it again a year later with 'Twice', showing that you can have an immense talent for laying down memorable melodies but not having too much imagination for the titles of the albums (we already know the name of the next one!). Indeed, the Canadians have not done things by halves by concocting 13 little melodic gems that will certainly go on a loop for all lovers of this style, taking us back to the best of the 80s. luxury, we find the cream of melodic rock with names like 'Alessandro Del Vecchio', 'Harry Hess', 'Paul Laine', 'Marc LaFrance', 'JK Northrup' and 'Jeff Scott Soto'.

There is something for everyone with, first of all, catchy hymns and the start of the album is particularly effective in this area with 'Dominoes' and its radiant choirs, 'In My Fantasy' (see the video above) and its chorus to be repeated in chorus and 'Thick as Thieves' and its mid-tempo giving an irresistible desire to clap your hands in time. In this style, we can add 'In The Middle Of The Night' and 'Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer' with their melody that puts you in shape for a whole day, but also 'Start Again' which would have made a hit in the 80s, 'Ghosts Of Yesterday' and its melancholy carefree melodies from another era or even 'Welcome To My Nightmare' (see the video here) with an addictive new chorus. And when the lights dim, we are spoiled with very sweet ballads which are four in number with 'End Of The Dream' and 'Time Has Left Us As Strangers' on which the singer 'Christine Corless' was invited and adds a beautiful feminine sensitivity to which we can add 'The Last Summer Night' (see the video here) and 'Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer' which ends this opus in a beautiful way.

In summary, this second album by the Canadians of 'Fatal Vision' would certainly be a reference album of melodic rock if it had been released in the 80s because 'Twice' contains all the ingredients that one wishes to find in this style of music, an immediate hook, melodies that we hum in the head and a diversity between catchy compositions and well-balanced ballads: well done madam and gentlemen and thank you for this very beautiful album which will certainly play on a loop with a lot of melodic rock fans...

Line Up / Musicians

Simon Harwood (Vocal), Juan Michael Gomez Montant (Guitar), Scottie Irving (Keybords), Andrew Burns (Bass), Alex Wickham (Drums) + Guests : Christine Corless (Vocal), Derry Grehan (Guitar), Mark Holden (Saxophone), JK Northup (Guitar, Choirs), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Choirs), Harry Hess (Choirs), Paul Laine (Choirs), Marc LaFrance (Choirs), Jeff Scott Soto (Choirs)


Artist : Pyramaze

Album : Bloodlines

Release Date : 23-06-2023

Added : 15-07-2023

'Pyramaze' is a progressive power metal band that already has a great discography since 'Bloodlines' is their seventh studio recording, the first album 'Melancholy Beast' from 2004. The latest album 'Epitaph' had seen a more melodic inflection in the compositions while keeping a marked progressive side with the title 'The Time Traveller' which lasted 12 minutes and this last opus is even more collected with 10 compositions which continue in this way of catchy melodic lines from the first listen. Still led by guitarist 'Jacob Hansen', known in the metal world for having produced and recorded numerous metal formats, and by keyboardist and composer 'Jonah Weingarten', the rest of the line up is made up of guests with the Norwegian 'Terje Harøy' who officiates as singer, guitarists 'Andrew Kingsley', 'Olof Mörck' and 'Tim Hansen' and Danish drummer 'Morten Gade Sørensen'.

And to start, 'Bloodlines' is an epic instrumental fairly typical of what symphonic metal bands are used to placing at the start of the album and the Danes will do the same for the outro with a new instrumental with a lot of orchestral and vocal arrangements. Between these two remarkable tracks, the first sung title 'Taking What's Mine' offers us a well-paced mid-tempo with a memorable chorus, then, 'Fortress' (see the video above) picks up the pace for a new melodic hit and if you like bands like 'Evergrey' or 'Kamelot', you should, without any doubt, adopt this kind of compositions which have the progressive side of 'Evergrey' and the symphonic side of 'Kamelot'. The following titles have nothing to envy to this beginning of the album with two other melodic jewels 'Broken Arrow' (see the video here) and 'Even If You're Gone', the first with a chorus that should be taken up in chorus in concert, the second, slower but which could well make a whole audience headbang. Make way for the beautiful ballad from the album 'Alliance' (see the video here) which sees the participation of the Swiss singer 'Melissa Bonny' d'Ad Infinitum', then, without transition, return to du powerful metal, the end of the album presenting a certainly more progressive face while keeping a fairly immediate melodic accessibility: witness 'The Midnight Sun' which shows more marked variations and a less direct construction, then, the rhythmic mid-tempo 'Stop The Bleeding' is close to 'Taking What's Mine' and offers a very nice refined section in the middle of the title and, 'The Mystery', before the instrumental already mentioned above, ends the part sung by original progressive metal highlighting beautiful variations of intensities and tempos, the keyboard and guitar solos in the second part being quite remarkable.

In summary, this last opus of the Danes of 'Pyramaze' shows a clever mix between different styles of metal, a good dose of melodic, a few pinches of power, progressive without abusing it, all this being framed by two instrumentals symphonic, which intends 'Bloodlines' to an audience open to different genres of metal and who appreciate compositions with a fairly immediate accessibility...

Line Up / Musicians

Jacob Hansen (Guitar), Jonah Weingarten (Keybords) + Guests : Andrew Kingsley (Guitar), Melissa Bonny (Vocal), Terje Harøy (Vocal), Morten Gade Sørensen (Drums), Olof Mörck (Guitar), Tim Hansen (Guitar)


Artist : Eric Clapton

Album : The Definitive 24 Nights (Live)

Release Date : 23-06-2023

Added : 16-07-2023

More than 30 years after all of Eric Clapton's legendary concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London (18 in 1990 and 24 in 1991) which were the subject of a double album of 15 titles in 1991, a monument of nearly 6 hours of these different concerts on CD and DVD/Blu-ray with, excuse me, 35 unreleased tracks, which should of course delight all fans of the Britannic. This magnificent box is composed of three parts with three types of line up: first, a rock formation for the first 18 titles, then, a blues formation for the following 14 titles, and instrumentals with the 'National Philharmonic Orchestra' led 'Michael Kamen', composer of the concerto for an electric guitar of almost 30 minutes. What can we say about this musical encyclopaedia, except that it is an essential release for all fans of the artist but also for all lovers of rock and blues through the ages.

It would take, not a chronicle, but a book to describe all the stories around these 47 compositions and, for this reason, and to make you salivate slightly, I will quote the compositions which have been the subject of a video on you tube: first of all, the video above describes quite completely the content of this 'The Definitive 24 Nights' and the official videos that I could find on Eric Clapton's page, are the following: the orchestral version of 'Layla', 'Crossroads', 'Key To The Highway' and 'Knockin' On Heavens Door' in reggae version with 'Phil Collins' on percussions.

In short, as you will have understood, you cannot miss this essential Eric Clapton' release and, for those who do not wish to break the bank with the deluxe version which also contains 6 CDs and 3 Blu-Rays (or 8 Vinyls) a hardcover book and a numbered lithograph featuring a photo of 'Eric Clapton' taken by 'Carl Studna', you can fall back on the 2CD/1 Blu-Ray editions of each part , Rock, Blues and Orchestral...

Line Up / Musicians

Eric Clapton (Vocal, Guitar), Nathan East (Bass, Vocal), Steve Ferrone (Drums), Greg Phillinganes (Keybords), Phil Palmer (Guitar), Alan Clark (Keybords), Ray Cooper (Percussions), Katie Kissoon (Choirs), Tessa Niles (Choirs), Johnnie Johnson (Keybords), Richard Cousins (Bass), Jamie Oldaker (Drums), Joey Spampinato (Bass), Phil Collins (Drums), Buddy Guy (Guitar, Vocal), Robert Cray (Guitar, Vocal), Albert Collins (Guitar, Vocal), Jimmie Vaughan (Guitar, Vocal), Jerry Portnoy (Harmonica), Chuck Leavell (Keybords), National Philharmonic Orchestra (Michael Kamen)


Artist : Chris Angels

Album : Chaos (War of the Worlds)

Release Date : 27-06-2023

Added : 19-07-2023






After 'Gods' dating from the beginning of 2023 and in parallel with his project 'CEN-ProjekT' whose latest album 'Pride' was released less than two months ago and the penultimate 'Tales From Avalon' four months ago, 'Chris Engels' continues to offer us progressive albums at a impressive frequency and this last studio recording, even if it only lasts about thirty minutes, is no less remarkable. It takes us this time to a world of extraterrestrials at war in which there is finally a hope for peace thanks to a mysterious virus coming to the end of the belligerents, this theme being certainly influenced by the novel 'The War of the Worlds' by the English author 'H. G. Wells'.

Musically, we find this original progressive in the form of six chapters and certainly, given the theme, heavier and darker than the previous one: even if the piano introduction of 'Child Unknow' suggests a title calm, the part sung with doctored voices still reminds me of certain tracks from 'RPWL' and the melody conveys a tormented atmosphere, then the introduction of 'The Way' captures this warrior feeling well and the sequel, more moderate, nevertheless remains in a worrying atmosphere and benefits from a nice quieter passage in the second part of the title. More atmospheric, 'Oxxana' unfolds a magnificent catchy melody which immediately sticks in the head and which benefits from a very beautiful passage on the acoustic guitar, then, 'Side by Side' returns to more disturbing progressive, always in a slow tempo that creeps slowly into a memorable new melody. Follows 'The Virus' which accelerates the rhythm and which develops energetic sounds à la 'U2', then, the final title 'Six Chapters' is a long instrumental development which continues in this heavy and heavy atmosphere but which alternates energetic sections and calmer parts in the second part and which very well images the rebirth of the world (beautiful refined part with some keyboard notes) after the aliens have been defeated by a virus.

In summary, we can't stop 'Chris Engels' with its various album releases and 'Chaos (War of the Worlds)' is added to it and, if you liked the previous opuses, let it be solo or with his project 'CEN-ProjekT', there is a good chance that you will adopt this new story of war between extraterrestrials...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : The Adekaem

Album : All the Dreams

Release Date : 29-06-2023

Added : 21-07-2023

Well known for having many progressive rock bands within its ranks, we are heading to Poland with the release of the new album 'All The Dreams' by 'The Adekaem' after 'The Great Lie' in 2021. This time, the two leaders of this formation, 'Andrzej Bielas' and 'Krzysztof Wala', called to the rhythm section of 'Ryszard Kramarski' ('FRAMAURO', 'Millenium' and 'tRKproject') with 'Krzysztof Wyrwa' on bass and 'Grzegorz Bauer' on drums and to 'Jakub Basoń' who wrote the lyrics and who plays the flute and these are two other artists, 'Daniel Kurtyka', and ' Marcin Staszek' who share the vocals. On the menu of this opus, 10 compositions in refined symphonic progressive rock and offering beautiful melodies that make the whole very accessible. With 'The Adekaem', no long developments but relatively short durations for this style of music.

We are welcomed by a poignant 'Soul Of Syria' which, on a slow tempo, takes us on a first symphonic journey with beautiful vocal harmonies and the instrumental parts bring a certain tranquillity to evoke this painful subject. Follows 'Premonition' which after a magnificent acoustic introduction, unrolls a beautiful melody in ballad mode on which we let ourselves be lulled by this serene atmosphere, then, 'The Geographer' slightly accelerates the tempo and 'Marcin Staszek' offers us a very expressive in this atmosphere which again highlights the symphonic side and can recall certain neo-progressive formations of the 80s/90s, I am thinking in particular of 'Pendragon', the keyboards taking a dominating place. Lighter and more direct, the short 'Something Is Coming' offers us a soft melody in a pop atmosphere, then, the instrumental 'Mystic Moon' changes register for a heavier atmosphere with keyboard sounds imitating a vaporous trumpet. The second part of the album continues in this delicate atmosphere filled with serenity with, first of all, the beautiful ballad 'Disassociation', then, 'Last Day's Sun' follows suit in the same relaxing atmosphere recalling the beginning of the 'Pink Floyd', especially with aerial keyboards in the instrumental passages. More rhythmic but still in an atmospheric register, 'Inmate's Cry' develops a beautiful melody in a nonchalant climate, then, the instrumental 'Full Moon Hike', still led by vaporous keyboards with reverberation, also shows an ethereal face. And it is with the eponymous title of the album that we end our beautiful relaxing and exotic journey, letting ourselves be lulled again by a beautiful melody and instrumental sections with 'Floydian' guitars.

In summary, the Poles of 'The Adekaem' release a very beautiful album which can be enjoyed calmly with headphones on and if you are looking for refined progressive rock filled with serenity, you should undoubtedly appreciate 'All The Dreams' and its melodious compositions that take you on a beautiful relaxing journey...

Line Up / Musicians

Andrzej Bielas (Keybords), Krzysztof Wala (Guitar), Jakub Basoń (Flute) + Guests : Grzegorz Bauer (Drums), Daniel Kurtyka (Vocal), Marcin Staszek (Vocal), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass)


Artist : Void Contact

Album : Live from Lockdown

Release Date : 30-06-2023

Added : 24-07-2023

During this summer period, we feel the need to listen to lighter music and, if you like the carefree pop of the years which refers to the songs of the 'Beatles', I have what you need with the Americans of 'Void Contact' which, after 'Form over Dysfunction' in 2020 that I had reviewed, released a recording made in public during confinement also in 2020 which had, at the time, been the subject of a live on facebook. This concert mostly features compositions from the last album and the penultimate 'Many Happy Returns' from 2018. At the start, 'What's Going On' welcomes us in a joyful atmosphere bringing us back six decades back, then, 'Rainy Day' continues with a title which is a kind of fusion between the sounds of 'I Am The Walrus' of the 'Beatles' and between the most beautiful melodies of Elton John'. The suite is like this beginning with light and melodious melodies that gently caress your senses: witness the delightful 'Let Me In' or 'Never Say Fail' with choirs from another era or 'Market Square', more energetic, which still eyes the 65/70 period of the 'Beatles' or the playful 'Since She's Been Gone' or even 'I Don't Care ' and its radiant choirs. In the midst of these unstoppable melodies, a few more refined moments gently rock us and, in this atmosphere, we can cite 'Vienna', still reminiscent of 'Elton John' or the moving 'Paralyzed' and its melancholic strings or even 'Plans' and its very endearing melody. In short, we have a great time listening to 'Live from Lockdown' which takes us back in time by taking us back to the 60s/70s and offering us timeless melodies that would undoubtedly have made hits at that time like the songs of the 'Beatles' which have gone down in history...

Line Up / Musicians

David McHenry (Vocal, Keybords), Carter Scott (Choirs), Ray Von (Choirs), Ashlynn Zimmerman (Choirs), Mark Horwitz (Trombone, Flute, Saxophone, Keybords, Choirs), Brittany Bandstra (Saxophone, Clarinette, Choirs), Dan Defigio (Keybords), Ben Williams (Guitar), Brian Wright (Guitar), Don Morgan (Bass), Spence Strand (Drums, Percussions), Gary Lee Tussing (Cello), Daniel Lee (Violin), Derek Pell (Violin)


Artist : Saurom

Album : El Pájaro Fantasma

Release Date : 30-06-2023

Added : 26-07-2023

I had discovered the Spaniards of 'Saurom' with their studio recording 'Música' dating from 2020 and 2023 sees the release of a new opus 'El Pájaro Fantasma'. Still in their native language, they continue in festive metal/folk with melodic lines that are grafted directly into the head. On the program of this new album, 10 new compositions for about forty minutes, each title having been the subject of a video which is available on a DVD.

And it starts strong with the first three compositions : first of all the title song (see the video above) shows a face with all the ingredients of a catchy and dancing metal and highlights 'Elizabeth Amoedo', the new singer of the symphonic metal band 'Against Myself' who was invited for the occasion, then 'No seré yo' (see the video ici) continues in this festive atmosphere with two other guest singers, 'Isra Ramos' d'Avalanch' and 'Ramón Lage' which form with 'Miguel A. Franco' an excellent vocal trio and finally, 'Burlesque' has nothing to envy to the two previous titles with a new addictive melody and radiant choirs. First break with 'No quedan palabras' which is a magnificent ballad in which the Spanish language brings a very special emotion, and which offers a magnificent 'Floydian' guitar solo in the second part of the title. And here we go again with 'Silencio roto' with its refrain which gives an irresistible desire to accompany 'Miguel A. Franco', then 'Mejor Sin Ti' (see the video here) and 'Fuego' (see video here) continue in a festive metal/folk with memorable melodies. Follows the driving 'Ojos Verdes' with a marked rhythm and, within the guitar solo, intonations flirting with 'Hotel California' of the 'Eagles', then, 'La llorona' shows a marked Hispanic face and offers a magnificent melody, and the moving 'Sueño' ends the album in a very beautiful way in a much calmer atmosphere.

In summary, the Spaniards of 'Saurom' continue their metal/folk adventure with a new album filled with catchy and festive compositions in the continuity of their previous albums and 'El Pájaro Fantasma' should please, beyond the fans from metallic folk to a wider audience that likes the dancing melodies that we appropriate at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Narci Lara (Guitar, Flute, Violin, Bagpipe), Santi Carrasco (Keybords, Accordion), Miguel A. Franco (Vocal), Raúl Rueda (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo), Jose A. Gallardo (Bass), Antonio Ruiz (Drums) + Guests : Elizabeth Amoedo (Vocal), Isra Ramos (Vocal), Ramos


Artist : Mats Karlsson

Album : Mood Elevator

Release Date : 30-06-2023

Added : 28-07-2023

The guitarist and singer 'Mats Karsson' who has two other projects in parallel, '220 Volt' and 'The Summit', began a solo career four years ago with a debut album 'The Time Optimist' which I reviewed in myprogmusic and its little brother 'Mood Elevator' is now available since the end of June. In the same line as 'The Time Optimist', it continues to offer us good hard rock which brings us back to the best of the 70s/80s with melodies that we appropriate from the first listen. Surrounded by many talented artists who participate in many well-known formations of the hard rock scene (in bulk 'Ferdy Doernberg' d'Axel Rudi Pell', 'Björn Englen' by 'Tara Lynch' or 'Björn Höglund' from 'Martina Edoff'), he concocted 11 compositions for us which are so many melodic jewels whether in an energetic style like 'Beautiful Life' which begins the album after the short instrumental introduction 'Asteroids' or the catchy 'Keeping Time', 'Kiss of Life' or even 'Letters Without Signatures' and 'Magic Wand', but also in more moderate tempos with the eponymous title which gives you an irresistible desire to headbang on the heavy rhythmic or 'War Child' which reminds me of the sounds of the 80s of 'Status Quo' or 'Higher Than High' with its swaying rhythm and its choirs bringing us back a few decades or even the mid-tempo 'Try My Love' which has a little air of 'Deep Purple'.

In summary, there is nothing to throw away in this second solo album by Swedish 'Mats Karlsson' which takes us on a very beautiful journey through time with classic hard rock that we have great pleasure in to listen to and which should appeal to all those who were bottle-raised by the major formations of the golden age of hard rock in the 70s and 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Karlsson (Guitar, Bass, Vocal) + Guests : Ferdy Doernberg (Hammond), Björn Englen (Bass), Björn Höglund (Drums), Lars Ericcson (Bass), Hanna Einebrant (Vocal), Mike Klemmé (Vocal), Ulf Karlsson (Keybords), Peter Hermansson (Choirs), Robert Hellström (Choirs), Göran Nyström (Choirs)


Albums released and not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q2 2023

This playlist features albums released in Q2 2023 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

April 2023
04/05/2023 Aisles - Beyond Drama - Progressive Rock
04/06/2023 Astral Magic - Mystic Dreams Reversed - Psychedelic Rock
04/07/2023 Found Missing - Blind Leading the Blind - Alternative Rock
04/07/2023 Zio - Truewaves - Neo-Progressive Rock
04/14/2023 Neil Howell - The Wasteland - Progressive Metal
04/14/2023 Nergard - Live In Kalvåa - Symphonic Metal
04/14/2023 Sabaton - Stories From The Western Front - Power Metal
04/21/2023 John Butler, John Butler Trio - Live in Paris - Rock, Folk, Funk, Reggae
04/21/2023 Neurotech - Ave Neptune - Symphonic/Industrial/Electronic Metal
04/24/2023 Xavier Boscher - StarSeeds I - Intrumental Progressive Metal
04/28/2023 Ignea - Dreams of Lands Unseen - Progressive/Symphonic Metal
04/27/2023 Teramaze - Dalla Volta - Progressive Metal
May 2023
05/05/2023 Blood Ceremony - The Old Ways Remains - Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock
05/05/2023 Enforcer - Nostalgia - Heavy Metal
05/05/2023 Astral Magic - Am I Dreaming? - Psychedelic Rock
05/12/2023 A Life Divided - Life Goes On - Melodic Electronic Metal
05/12/2023 Blutengel - Un:Sterblich Our Souls Will Never Die - Gothic Metal
05/12/2023 Their Dogs Were Astronauts - Momentum - Intrumental Progressive Metal
05/12/2023 Hex A.D. - Delightful Sharp - Progressive/Doom Metal
05/12/2023 Rémi Orts - RESPIRE - Relaxing Music
05/12/2023 Circus Of Rock - Lost Behind the Mask - Melodic Rock/Metal
05/19/2023 Seven Reizh - La barque ailée et L'albatros ...quand s'envolent les mots... - Progressive Rock
05/19/2023 Samantha Fish, Jesse Dayton - Death Wish Blues - Blues/Rock
05/19/2023 Ring of Gyges - Metamorphosis - Progressive Metal
05/19/2023 Deep Imagination - The Children of the Moon - Instrumental Electronic and Ambiant
05/26/2023 Ten Jinn - Adris - Progressive Rock
05/26/2023 Opus Aeterna - Tempus Fugit - Gothic Metal/Classical Music
05/26/2023 Ozul - Provenance - Progressive Rock
05/26/2023 Chris Staples - Cloud Souvenirs - Song
05/26/2023 Godsticks - This Is What A Winner Looks Like - Progressive Rock/Metal
05/26/2023 Nomy - House of Noise - Rock
05/26/2023 Sparks - The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte - Pop/Rock
05/26/2023 Reasons Behind - Architecture of an Ego - Melodic Metal
05/26/2023 Andy Jackson - Twelve Half Steps - Psychedelic/Progressive/Instrumental Rock
05/26/2023 Seven Impale - SUMMIT - Progressive Rock
05/26/2023 Carmine Appice, Fernando Perdomo - Running Up That Hill - Progressive Rock
05/27/2023 Astral Magic - Cosmic Energie Flow - Psychedelic Rock
05/30/2023 Astral Magic - Vortex of Eternal Light - Psychedelic Rock
June 2023
06/02/2023 Bad Radiator - BR6 Toto Tribute - Melodic Rock
06/02/2023 Hollywood Vampires, Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp - Live in Rio - Hard Rock
06/02/2023 Gloryhammer - Return to the Kingdom of Fife - Power Metal
06/09/2023 Ray Adler - II - Progressive Metal
06/09/2023 Max Enix - Far From Home - Progressive Metal
06/16/2023 Opera Magna - Of Love and Other Demons - Symphonic Metal
06/16/2023 Tanna - Kohtalon tuulet - Melodic Hard Rock
06/16/2023 Motorpsycho - Yay! - Rock
06/16/2023 Infinite Spectrum - CAGE - Progressive Rock/Metal
06/16/2023 Vultures Industries - Ghosts from the Past - Progressive Metal
06/16/2023 Disillusive Play - Songs for the Non-Existent - Heavy Rock/Metal
06/23/2023 Amanda Shires, Bobbie Nelson - Loving You - American Song/Country
06/23/2023 Outlanders, Tarja - Outlanders - Electonic Music
06/23/2023 Crown Lands - Fearless - Progressive Rock


Artist : Pinski

Album : The Other Side

Release Date : 07-07-2023

Added : 01-08-2023

I reviewed the first album 'Sound the Alarm' by the Germans of 'Pinski' released in 2018 and after the long period of inactivity of the years 2020 and 2021 that you know, always led by the singer and guitarist 'Insa Reichwein', they bring out a new recording studio, 'The Other Side'. At the time of their first album, I had insisted on the variety of styles and this second baby of the Germans continues to show this clever mix between acoustic and electric, the whole being between pop and rock in formats radio broadcasts not exceeding 4 minutes.

On the menu of this opus, 11 new compositions for about forty minutes: 'Avalanch' (see the video above) begins the album in an energetic and lively atmosphere but this fairly direct face is not necessarily what stands out the most in this album because, from the second title 'Heroes Death' (see the very beautiful video here based on the sand art creation of Ukrainian 'Kseniya Simonova'), even if the electric instruments are present, it is the acoustic side that takes over with a moving vocal performance by Insa Reichwein'. Follows 'Golddigger' (see the video here) which is my favorite of the album and which is also a very moving ballad which progresses slowly and which puts even more emphasis on the vocals of Insa Reichwein'. In the same vein, we can't miss the semi-acoustic 'Monster' which presents a magnificent crescendo, just like the following title 'Home' which begins calmly in a guitar/voice duet and which gradually gains momentum in the second half of the title. Lighter but just as endearing we are also seduced by 'Stranger' and 'Out on the Road', but also by 'Moving' (see the video here) showing a more energetic face but which benefits from a shifted central part with very beautiful vocal harmonies. And to end in beauty, the last two titles 'Completion' and 'Promise' present more refined atmospheres with always this emotion released by the song 'Insa Reichwein', the first showing magnificent vocal arrangements and the second highlighting this time beautiful orchestral arrangements.

In summary, the Germans of 'Pinski' confirm with this second album 'The Other Side' all the good that we thought of them thanks to a talented singer who exudes a very particular emotion but also thanks to varied compositions that merge the power of rock and the softness of more refined acoustic atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Insa Reichwein (Vocal, Guitar), Stephan Schöpe (Drums), Philip Nießen (Guitar, Keybords), Michael Endersby (Bass), Fabian Richter (Keybords)


Artist : Kurt Michaels

Album : Stones from the Garden

Release Date : 07-07-2023

Added : 05-08-2023

In the world of progressive rock, there are the very well-known and essential artists of the great legendary groups and the others who do not have a great reputation but who have, through their career, collaborated with artists of the very first rank. 'Kurt Michaels' belongs to this second category because the American has shared many concerts with, for example, the members of 'Yes', 'Chris Squire', 'Alan White' and 'Billy Sherwood' but also 'Denny Laine ' of the 'Moody Blues' or even 'Ike Willis' who was the guitarist of 'Franck Zappa' for many years. And it is again with familiar names from the progressive scene, such as 'Billy Sherwwod' or 'Amanda Lehmann' that he released his fourth solo album 'Stones from the Garden' which is the 4th in 20 years.

We are therefore taken into a progressive maze through the ages with a variety of styles ranging from pop to rock, including a few incursions into blues and jazz. The album is therefore divided between different atmospheres with first of all imaginative progressive with the remarkable 'Trouble' which begins the album in a rather heavy atmosphere but which can recall with its vocal harmonies and the peregrinations of vintage keyboards the beginnings of progressive. The sequel offers us more serene atmospheres with 'Why Must Life Be Such A Fight?' or the relaxing 'I'm In Love With That Dream' reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest' or the light 'Relax…Nothing's Under Control'. We can't miss the two beautiful ballads 'Happiness' and 'Will I Ever Pass This Way Again?' on which we let ourselves be gently rocked with for the first new magnificent vocal harmonies and for the second the delicate singing in the manner of the first 'Beatles'. And then, to end the album, a complete change of register with the 17 minutes of 'The Road Beyond' which takes us on an atmospheric epic à la 'Tangerine Dream' in which we abandon ourselves to the delicate sonorities of the keyboards of 'Jim Gully' and the unreal and magical accompaniments of 'Kurt Michaels' on guitar in an atmosphere conducive to meditation.

In summary, 'Kurt Michaels', accompanied by talented musicians and singers, offers us very beautiful progressive compositions in mainly calm and relaxing atmospheres which makes 'Stone from the Garden' an album to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on, completely abandoning yourself to the sweet melodies embellished by very beautiful vocal harmonies...

Line Up / Musicians

Kurt Michaels (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Len Szymanski (Drums), Scott Williams (Bass), Dennis Johnson (Bass), John Abbey (Bass), Billy Sherwood (Bass, Drums, Vocal), Jim Gully (Keybords), Chris Ussery (Keybords), Jeff Abbott (Keybords), Michael Sherwood (Keybords), Cory Hance (Vocal), Annie Carlson (Vocal), Amanda Lehmann (Vocal), Kathie Mills (Vocal)


Artist : Degreed

Album : Public Address

Release Date : 07-07-2023

Added : 06-08-2023






We can't stop the Swedes from 'Degreed' who, after 'Are You Ready' in early 2022, release a new album in 2023, 'Public Address'. No need for a long column to tell you again what I wrote in my previous column because everything is still done to have a good time listening to the 12 new compositions which begin with an energetic and melodic 'Big Plans' (see video above) and if you adhere to this first title, you should undoubtedly adopt 'Public Address' very quickly. As usual, they mix energetic hard rock and more AOR atmospheres with for example 'This Is Love' with keyboards taking us back a few decades or 'Free Again' and its melody that we want to sing along to. or 'Resist The Urge' with its very effective vocal harmonies or even 'A Safe Place' and 'No One' with their memorable melodic lines. And as in the last album, they haven't forgotten the ballad which is also on this new opus to add to the best hard rock ballads ('Don't Be A Stranger'). In short, needless to add, it's still a very good album of melodic hard rock that the Swedes of 'Degreed' offer us and which shows again and again that the Nordic countries are still the biggest purveyors of melodic hits in this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Ericsson (Vocal, Bass), Daniel Johansson (Guitar), Mikael Blanc (Keybords), Mats Ericsson (Drums)


Artist : Edge Of Paradise

Album : Hologram

Release Date : 14-07-2023

Added : 15-08-2023

After a ten-day hiatus, myprogmusic is back with new reviews and, for this cover, it's a melodic metal album released more than a month ago that is in the spotlight with the Americans. from 'Edge Of Paradise' whose last album I reviewed 'The Unknown' in 2021. No surprise for this last baby of the Americans, the band to 'Margarita Monet' and 'Dave Bates' which underwent a change of line up (the bassist 'Ricky Bonazza' was replaced by 'Justin Blair' and 'David Ruiz' who officiated as guitarist on the album 'Universe' is back, the rest of the band unchanged) offers us a new album filled with melodic hits in a modern metal tinged with symphonic.

And as they are used to, several videos are available on their youtube page with the title track of the album, 'Soldiers of Danger' and 'Basilisk': if you subscribe to these three videos, there is a good chance that you like the whole album. 'Margarita Monet' is in great shape and adapts perfectly to all the atmospheres offered in the album: whether in powerful and catchy compositions like 'Hologram', 'This Is Personal', 'Unbeatable' or even 'Basilisk ', or in mid-tempos like 'The Faceless' alternating calm choruses and a heavy and powerful chorus or 'Dark' which highlights his ability to modulate his singing using his head voice or a deeper singing or even 'Don't Give Up On Me' and its successive changes in rhythm and intensity, she shows the full extent of her vocal talent. And to end this very beautiful album, we won't miss 'Another Life' either, which summarizes the whole thing very well by alternating different tempos, going from a ballad mode to a catchy atmosphere.

In summary, The Americans of Edge Of Paradise 'return with a very good album in the continuity of their previous studio recordings by again highlighting the imperial song of 'Margarita Monet' well surrounded by talented artists and 'Hologram' is recommended for all lovers of powerful and melodic metal...

Line Up / Musicians

Margarita Monet (Vocal, Keybords), Dave Bates (Guitar), David Ruiz (Guitar), Justin Blair (Bass), Jamie Moreno (Drums)


Artist : JJ Chardeau

Album : Ombres et Lumières : In Terra Cognita 2

Release Date : 14-07-2023

Added : 22-08-2023






'JJ Chardeau' is a French author, composer, and performer who, for more than thirty years, has occupied a special place in the French musical landscape, far removed from the few artists who make the buzz, under the infusion of a few record companies. Indeed, completely quirky and keeping all his creative freedom since his first album 'Escales' from 1989 which is available for download here, he has released around ten albums plus a DVD (see his page discographie'). Always surrounded by talented artists and coming from very diverse musical backgrounds, his latest album which is the second part of In Terra Cognita' is now available since mid-July 2023.

And if we look at the line up of this latest album (see here), one cannot help being impressed by this long list which goes from 'John Helliwell' ('Supertramp') to the 'Decamps' family Father and Son ('Ange') via 'Pat Mastelotto' ('King Crimson') or 'Eric Troyer' ('Electric Light Orchestra') or even 'Jason Scheff' ('Chicago') but also jazz or classical music artists such as the Saxophonist 'Stéphane Guillaume' or the trumpeter 'Tom Bergeron'. With 14 compositions, we embark on a very diversified musical journey and it would be very difficult to give a very precise style because it mixes different influences ranging from classical music to progressive rock with incursions into jazz and contemporary music, given the theme which is based on the continuation of his musical world tour, we are also embarked on different musical landscapes specific to each country highlighted, which ultimately makes it, like a 'Steve Hackett', a world music album. To do a title as a title would require a much too long and certainly boring chronicle and, I will limit myself to a few passages which gave me great listening pleasure: the male choirs in 'Donibane Lohitzun', the very contemporary passage with strings in 'Iceland & Fire', 'Scandinavia' with its rhythmic alternations and its remarkable instrumental accompaniments, the swing of 'Swing Hell' with its magnificent vocal arrangements (Christian & Tristan Décamps obviously have a lot to do with it) or even the long melancholic development 'Seborga' which gains momentum for a dazzling finale, the album ending with the joyful Sirtaki 'Edossa Fakelaki' which sends us straight from Greece bright rays of sunshine.

In summary, this very eclectic album by 'Jean-Jacques Chardeau' shows the full extent of the talent of the Frenchman who takes us on a very beautiful musical journey with artists of talented instrumentalists and vocalists who magnify all these compositions of world music and the two parts of 'Terra Incognita' which are very accessible, should appeal to a wide audience who love the meeting of different styles of music...

Line Up / Musicians

See page 'Ombres et Lumières : In Terra Cognita 2' ici


Artist : Lance Lopez

Album : Trouble Is Good

Release Date : 14-07-2023

Added : 23-08-2023

After 'Tell The Truth' in 2018 and his departure from the supergroup 'Supersonic Blues Machine', 'Lance Lopez' released a new solo album in mid-July. This new baby 'Trouble Is Good' offers new compositions in the great tradition of blues/rock and, for the occasion, he has surrounded himself with many artists such as drummers 'Bobby Rondinelli' ('Rainbow', 'Black Sabath ') and 'Brian Tichy' ('Whitesnake', 'Foreigner', 'The Dead Daisies'), bassist 'Danny Miranda' ('Blue Öyster Cult') and keyboardists 'Buck Johnson' ('Aerosmith') and 'Peter Keys' ('Lynyrd Skynyrd'). No surprise with artists of this quality, the 10 compositions which are mostly quite rock, make us have a great time starting with the energetic 'Ease To Leave', followed by the single 'Jam With Me' (see the video above). In this well-tempered style, we can't miss either the heavy and rhythmic 'Wild Country' or the eponymous title with its 'Deep Purple' rhythm, but also 'Take A Swing' with its muscular riffs or even of the catchy 'Reborn'. We even have the right at the end of the album to the 'Led-Zeppelinien' 'Voyager: Sunrise, Voyager, I Am Ra' which alternates very different atmospheres bringing a touch of progressive by bringing us back a few decades and the ballad of the album 'Uncivil War' (see the video here) also shows that the American excels in these more moderate atmospheres. In short, 'Lance Lopez' offers us a very good album with, icing on the cake, distinguished guests who accompany it and who actively participate in the success of 'Trouble Is Good': it is still faultless from the part of the American which should delight all lovers of good blues / classic rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Lance Lopez (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Brian Tichy (Drums), Bobby Rondinelli (Drums), Danny Miranda (Bass), Buck Johnson (Keybords), Peter Keys (Keybords), Jack Daley (Bass), Jorgen Carlsson (Bass), Herman Matthews (Drums), Greg Bissonette (Drums)


Artist : Mystfall

Album : Celestial Vision

Release Date : 23-07-2023

Added : 25-08-2023

It's been 20 years since Epica's debut album, 'The Phantom Agony' was released and since then, we have seen a good number of symphonic metal formations that were inspired by the Dutch with more or less success. The Greeks of 'Mystfall' are one of those groups that perpetuate a symphonic metal very close to 'Epica': they were born just a year ago and have not wasted any time since they have just released their first studio recording 'Celestial Vision'. And I must say that the result is stunning because they already have an impressive maturity with all the ingredients that 'Epica' was able to put forward: an opera singer 'Marianena Trikoglou' who offers us remarkable vocal performances, growls of ' Kostas Mexis' in opposition to the female vocals, grandiose orchestral and vocal arrangements and melodic lines that catch on the first listen.

After the epic orchestral introduction 'Resisting Heaven' that we usually find in this style, the title track (see the video above) offers us a first symphonic metal hit and we discover 'Marialena Trikoglou' whose song is similar, in this imposing atmosphere, to that of 'Tarja'. In the same style, follows 'Centuries' which highlights rich orchestral and vocal arrangements and 'Endless' continues in this style with muscular guitar riffs but also shows that they know how to offer softer sections in opposition to any the energy released with a very beautiful passage in the second part of the title. The ballad is not forgotten with the very beautiful 'Silence' and in these more refined moments, 'Marianena Trikoglou' also shows this resemblance to 'Tarja' which she could well equal by persevering in the work of her voice. Overall, the compositions are quite short and direct and would benefit from being lengthened to allow the development of alternations: this is evidenced by compositions such as 'Kings Of Utopia' (see the video here) or 'Freedom Path' which could benefit from more variations of intensity and changes of rhythmic. But let's not sulk our pleasure, let's remember that it's only their first album and that the longest composition of the album 'The Balance Of Time' is quite remarkable in sketching precisely this welcome variety, the growls angry 'Kostas Mexis' alongside the bewitching song of 'Marialena Trikoglou' in an 'Epica'-like atmosphere.

In summary, the Greeks of 'Mystfall' release a first album of great quality which shows all the talent of this young formation which should, if it continues in this way, share the stage with the major ormations of symphonic metal because 'Celestial Vision' should, without a doubt, please an audience fan of artists like 'Epica' or 'Tarja' or 'Xandria' or 'Kamelot' or even 'Therion'...

Line Up / Musicians

Marialena Trikoglou (Vocal), Kostas Mexis (Vocal), Panagiotis Leontaritis (Guitar), Dida Racotoarison (Keybords), Antonis Desousis (Bass), Manos Agouridis (Drums)


Artist : Tony Mitchell

Album : Radio Heartbeat

Release Date : 23-07-2023

Added : 26-08-2023






I had reviewed the penultimate album of 'Tony Mitchell', 'Church of a Restless Soul' dating from 2020 and since then the Englishman has released a new studio recording in 2021, 'Hot Endless Summer Nights' and late 2022 saw the release of 'Tales From The Christmas Inn' dedicated to Christmas. With always the same line up, he offers us 12 new original compositions and, from the start, with 'Blue Lighting', the resemblance to 'Bruce Springsteen' that I had highlighted with the penultimate album seems to me even more obvious at the melodic level. We also find this similarity in other melodic hits and we can mention the title song 'Radio Heartbeat' (see the video above) or 'Another Beat Of My Heart' or 'Sunflower Girl'. In a style of more rock titles with addictive melodies, we are also spoiled with the fast 'Keep The Live Alive' or the rhythmic 'Rockin In A Hard Place' and 'This Side Of Midnight' or the catchy 'Darkness Remains' or even 'Phoenix Rising' which closes the album in a beautiful way with a last energetic title. Side calmer atmospheres, 'Top Of The World', cut in two parts offers a magnificent refined first half which then gains momentum on a memorable melody, then, 'Find A Way' is the ballad of the album, very classic but so effective that we are still taken under the spell of this magnificent title.

In summary, 'Tony Mitchell' offers us a new melodic album in the continuity of these previous productions and continues to perpetuate a melodic rock that takes us back to the best of the 80s, which makes 'Radio Heartbeat' a serious contender for the podium of albums of this style for the year 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Mitchell (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Miles Meakin (Guitar, Choirs), Nigel Bailey (Bass, Choirs), Eddie Anthony (Drums, Choirs), Roughes Gallery Rock Choir (Choirs)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : Ingenious Devices

Release Date : 28-07-2023

Added : 27-08-2023

After 'Common Ground' in 2021 followed a year later by 'Welcome To The Planet' and despite the death of one of the pillars of the group 'David Longdon', 'Ingenious Devices' is not yet another album of 'Big Big Train' but compositions of the groups revisited with a string section for the three long developments 'East Coast Racer', 'Brooklands' and 'Voyager' to which are added the title 'Atlantic Cable' recorded during a concert at the 'Waterside Theatre' in Aylesbury in 2022 (see the video above) and the short melancholic instrumental comma 'The Book of Ingenious Devices' which connects 'East Coast Racer' and 'Brooklands'. This particular opus allows us to hear again the voice of 'David Longton' on the first three epic songs of the English while waiting for the group to come out with new material because for the moment, they are going on tour for a fortnight of concerts for a month to 'The Journey Continues' tour. In short, even if 'Ingenious Devices' is not strictly speaking unreleased, it allows us to put back between our ears these long developments which are the hallmark of the group with a string orchestra bringing an additional musical richness...

Line Up / Musicians

David Longdon (Vocal, Chœur, Flute, Guitar, Mandolin, Percussions), Rikard Sjöblom (Keybords, Guitars, Accordion, Choirs), Greg Spawton (Bass, Guitar, Choirs), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums, Percussion, Choirs), Dave Gregory (Guitar), Andy Poole (Guitar, Mandolin, Keybords, Choirs), Danny Manners (Keybords, Bass), Rachel Hall (Violin, Viola, Cello, Choirs), Alberto Bravin (Vocal)


Artist : Karnataka

Album : Requiem for a Dream

Release Date : 28-07-2023

Added : 29-08-2023






With the departure of Hayley Griffith' in 2017 from 'Karnataka' after the release of the magnificent last album 'Secrets Of Angels' in 2015 and with the creation of new projects by frontman 'Ian Jones', starting with 'Chasing The Shadow' in 2019 which was followed by 'ILLUMINAE' in 2021, and although 'Ian Jones' had announced at the end of 2018 that the new singer of 'Karnataka' was called 'Sertari', I no longer expected a new release of 'Karnataka' anytime soon, especially since 'Chasing The Shadow' and 'ILLUMINAE' were very much in line with 'Karnataka'. And yet, in 2020, 'Ian Jones' announced on his site, during confinement, the new title 'Forever' in which we discovered the beautiful voice of 'Sertari, and, a little later , the release of a new album of 'Karnataka'. So after more than two years of waiting, here it was released at the end of July 2023 and, the least we can say is that it was worth the wait!! First of all, nearly 80 minutes are available to us and then, each title taken independently is worth the purchase of 'Requiem for a Dream'! At the Theme level 'Ian Jones' explains to us that "the album explores themes of personal adversity, loss, despair and forgiveness, experienced through the prism of global chaos, climate change and destruction. of the environment".

And it starts strong with the first long development 'All Around The World' which takes us on a progressive epic beginning with a voice that ticks a clock and continues with the best of what 'Ian Jones' has already offered us in his previous productions, I am thinking in particular of the magnificent river title 'Secrets Of Angels': absolutely beautiful vocal harmonies with a singer who moves us from the beginning to the end of the title, instrumental parts magnified by talented artists with the new keyboardist 'Rob Wilsher' unearthed by 'Ian Jones' and the guitarist 'Luke Machin', quite discreet it is true on this title but who gives us a very beautiful solo in the second part of the title and the lyrics strong on the hot topic of climate disaster. We continue in the sweetness of the aerial singing of 'Sertari' with 'Sacrifice' which gives a layer with a memorable chorus and a new guitar solo of 'Luke Machin' which literally makes his guitar sing, then, 'Look To The East ' is an ode to oriental scents that jostles our senses and which unfolds very beautiful melodic lines magnified by the bewitching vocalizations of 'Sertari'. And what about the following composition 'Forgiven' which adds an extraordinary fresco of a very special emotion where everything is done to get us warm on a cozy little cloud while letting us be lulled by the captivating song of 'Sertari ' with always very inspired variations around the main theme, the repeated section of 'Sanctus dominus et spiritus requiem' at 7 minutes followed by a heartbreaking guitar solo bringing us into a fabulous cathedral of sound giving goosebumps for almost 2 minutes. After all these emotions, 'The Night's Dance' (see the video above) brings us back to a lighter atmosphere with new delicate and enchanting arabesques from 'Sertari', then, 'Say Goodbye Tomorrow', after a rather lugubrious introduction on heavy sounds of bells, then shows a very melodic face with a chorus which gives an irresistible desire to accompany 'Sertari', 'Luke Machin' rewarding us with a remarkable new guitar solo 'Floydien' in the second part of the title. We are not at the end of our surprises because then looms the magnificent ballad 'Don't Forget My Name' which still raises the emotional cursor a few notches to trigger this little shiver several times, a sign of intense listening pleasure. , 'Luke Machin' being still at the party by literally making his guitar cry. If the album had ended on this ballad, I would certainly have been overwhelmed by these 55 minutes of wonderful listening, but 'Ian Jones' then takes us with the title song into a progressive and symphonic fresco requiring multiple listenings to draw all the richness from it, a kind of musical grail of which every second gives you immense listening pleasure, each artist bringing his stone to this extraordinary edifice, 'Sertari' being imperial, 'Luke Machin' delivering the ultimate guitar solo and, icing on the cake, as a distinguished guest, 'Troy Donockley' adding the Celtic side as he knows how to do it so well: simply beautiful!!

In summary, as you will have understood throughout this column, 'Ian Jones' offers us a musical nugget which, like any work of this type and like good wine, improves from listening to listening and 'Requiem for a Dream' will certainly become over time an essential album to have in your disco for all lovers of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Ian Jones (Bass, Clavier, Piano, Guitar), Sertari (Vocal, Choirs), Rob Wilsher (Keybords) + Guests : Luke Machin (Guitar), Chris Allan (Drums, Percussions), Troy Donockley (Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistles), Gonzalo Carrera (Keybords)


Artist : Edward Reekers

Album : The Liberty Project

Release Date : 04-08-2023

Added : 31-08-2023






After the magnificent album 'Requiem for a Dream' from 'Karnataka', we stay in the progressive with another project imagined by 'Edward Reekers' (who was known at the end of the 70s as singer of 'Kayak'), 'The Liberty Project' which, given the pedigree of the man, brings together an impressive number of artists from the international scene and from all walks of life. The press kit asks the question: "Is this a rock opera, a musical or a concept album?" because, it is not common but this gargantuan project can be related to all three. First of all, the concept is based on a parallel universe created by a second big bang and 'Edward Reekers' imagines what would have happened to our planet and its inhabitants. Then, opera because the whole uses numerous singers and choristers, mixing different styles ranging from pop to metal, including rock, blues and classical music. And finally, musical comedy because the atmospheres deployed are close to American musical comedies with a theatrical side highlighted by expressive interpretations on very accessible melodic lines that we want to sing in chorus.

On the menu of 'The Liberty Project', no long developments but compositions numbering 17 which can be listened to independently not exceeding 6 minutes for a duration of 80 minutes in total. Consequently, given the density of the whole, I will not launch into title by title and I will focus my review on two points: the variety of styles and the fantastic distribution of this album. First of all, 'Edward Reekers' offers us different styles which bring a remarkable diversity of listening, the omnipresent atmosphere of musical comedy linking the whole: beautiful ballads ('Two Lifetimes', 'Liberty' and 'As Good As Any Goal'), varied instrumentals mixing epic, atmospheric and contemporary ambiances with remarkable orchestral arrangements (the prologue, the epilogue, 'Remember the Fallen, Celebrate Life'), catchy rock and hard rock compositions ('The Present Day ', 'The Desease', 'Money'), AOR atmospheres with addictive melodies ('Good Citizens', 'Onwards And Forwards'), cabaret atmosphere ('Patients, Have Patience'), sensual blues ('The Break Up') , pop atmospheres ('Turn To Us, Learn From Us'), beautiful refrain ('Never Again') or even a classic atmosphere with magnificent choirs ('The Clash of Belief'). I will add a special mention to the magnificent title 'We Live To Die' which gives you goosebumps with the magnificent final children's choir. The second point that I would like to emphasize is the fact that 'Edward Reekers' has used his address book well by calling on numerous artists from the progressive scene: imagine an album that brings together 'Steve Hackett', 'Arjen Lucassen', 'Mark Bogert', 'Joost van den Broek', 'Damien Wilson', 'John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers', 'Marcela Bovio', to which you can adding many artists playing classical instruments, is something unique that is offered to us and which allows us to achieve this level of quality. If you want an overview of this album, videos are available on YouTube with the following titles: 'The Present Day', 'Good Citizens' and 'The Disease'

In summary, like 'Arjen Lucassen' with his great progressive metal productions, 'Edward Reekers' offers us an even broader musical work in terms of the styles proposed that we master at the first listening and which benefits from a panel of prestigious guests bringing a quality of masterful interpretation but, on the other side of the coin, will we be able to benefit from live shows because setting up this kind of project risks being quite complicated given the obligations of each. Let's all hope that 'Edward Reekers' will be able to stage this musical masterpiece and that, for all those who will not be able to participate, will also be able to record it for posterity on DVD/Blu-ray because 'The Liberty Project' is the kind of project that deserves, like any rock opera or musical comedy, to be presented as a show...

Line Up / Musicians

Edward Reekers (Vocal, Keybords, Percussions) + Guests : Koen Herfst (Drums), Johannes Adema (Bass), Mark Bogert (Guitar), Arjen Lucassen (Guitar, Bass), Steve Hackett (Guitar), Harry Sacksioni (Guitar), Arno Schlijper (Piano), Jeroen Goossens (Flute, Basson), Bert Muelerdijk (Guitar), Hubert Heeringa (Saxophone, Cuivres), Joost van den Broek (Hammond), Marije De Jong (Cello), Trevor Reekers (Drums Program), Adriaan Breunis (Viola), Mark Mulder (Viola), Viola (Viola), Ben Mathot (Violin), Ian De Jong (Violin), Loes Dooren (Violin), Marieke De Bruijn (Violin), Cindy Oudshoorn (Vocal, Choirs), Damien Wilson (Vocal), John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers (Vocal), Mark Lennon (Vocal), Marcel Jonker (Vocal), PA’DAM (Vocal), Mark Omvlee (Choirs), Stichting Volgspot (Choirs Enfants), Edward Reekers (Choirs), Marcela Bovio (Choirs), Peter Bauchwitz (Choirs)


Artist : Rian

Album : Wings

Release Date : 04-08-2023

Added : 01-09-2023






Head to Sweden for, guess what, melodic rock of course with the band 'Rian' who are on their third album 'Wings', after 'Out of the Darkness' from 2017 and 'Twenty-Three' released in 2021. No surprise, they're offering us a loan to be consumed in the great tradition of Scandinavian countries with melodies that are immediately grafted into the head and which take us back to the best of the 80s. On the menu of this opus, 11 compositions in a radio format for around fifty minutes of listening . And if you are hooked by the catchy opener 'Carry My Wings' (see video above) and tat you start beating the beat, you should pick up the whole album very quickly. And to vary the atmosphere, they have concocted two beautiful ballads for us: 'One in a Million' and 'The Silence Of Your Dreams' to which we can add the first part of 'Dance The Night Away' which shows a faster and energetic in the second part of the title. In addition to the video for 'Carry My Wings', you can see and listen to two more with 'We Ride' which is a real melodic hit and 'Eternity' which closes the album with a melody taking us back to that of 'Forever Young' of Alphaville'. In short, no need to add more, 'Rian' is still a group from the great Nordic family of melodic hit factories, and if you are a fan of melodic rock with choruses that will put you in shape for a whole day, chances are you'll be playing 'Wings' on repeat...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard Andermyr (Vocal, Guitar), Tobias Jakobsson (Guitar), Jonas Melin (Bass), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Jan Johansson (Drums)


Artist : Neal Morse

Album : The Dreamer – Joseph, Pt. 1

Release Date : 11-08-2023

Added : 04-09-2023






Certainly, a few days after the very beautiful album 'The Liberty Project' by Edward Reekers', 'Neal Morse' releases the first part of his new rock opera 'The Dreamer: Joseph'. On all fronts for several years, he has multiplied projects (search for his name in the myprogmusic columns here) and, after 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' in 2019 followed by its staging at 'Morsefeat 2018', I had skipped his last live with the 'Neal Morse Band', 'An Evening Of Innocence & Danger: Live in Hamburg' released in July 2023. Fervent believer, he continues his momentum by offering us stories taken from the Christian religion and, for this new American baby, he tackles the story of Joseph in two parts: The book of Genesis relates that Joseph is one of Jacob's twelve sons and the first of Rachel's two sons. He is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but becomes the most powerful man in Egypt alongside Pharaoh. Musically, we find this progressive rock with the appearance of a large production bringing together numerous artists in which each singer plays a particular role.

On the menu of this opus, 16 tracks for a little over an hour of listening, and given the number of compositions, even if the whole remains an album telling a story, it is not progressive with long developments and the listener is not necessarily obliged to unwind the entire work in one go. Indeed, we can easily pick out a few titles here and there that do not exceed 7 minutes. I will not make this column heavier by going from title to title (if you are interested in this kind of column, you can read the one from
'Millstream Park' which is very complete), but I would simply like to mention that the whole thing is very accessible thanks in particular to the melodic lines catchy from the first listen, and highlights different styles and atmospheres which gives a remarkable diversity to this rock opera: first of all, the instrumental 'The Dreamer Overture' which begins the album shows all the talent as a composer of 'Neal Morse' which, in 7 minutes, offers us a panel of different atmospheres with rich and dense arrangements that whet your appetite to begin the rest. Then, throughout the album, different musical landscapes alternate: the muscular rock side is present with compositions like 'Liar, Liar' or 'Like A Wall' (see the video above), more pop songs sprinkled throughout. also the album with the semi-acoustic 'A Million Miles Away' followed by 'Burns Like A Wheel' and the blues side is highlighted by the very beautiful 'Ultraviolet Dreams', then, we are also spoiled by very atmospheric more peaceful with 'Before The World Was' or 'The Pit' or even 'Wait On You' but also classical with the magnificent 'Vanderbilt Blair Children's Chorus' which fits magnificently well into this religious story. To this I would add that the impressive cast features, first of all, musicians of great talent who sublimate the instrumental parts but also exceptional singers who highlight the rich vocal arrangements omnipresent, particularly in the compositions. bringing out the very expressive atmospheres of musicals like 'Gold Dust City', 'Slave Boy' or 'Out Of Sight, Out of Mind' without forgetting the masterful finale with 'Heaven In Charge Of Hell' (see the video here) and this poignant question from 'Joseph': "Why have you abandoned me?", the climax of this first part.

In summary, 'Neal Morse' continues to offer us magnificent progressive rock operas with all the ingredients that we want to find in this style of music and we are impatiently awaiting the second part of Joseph's story which will certainly be followed by a staging in a future 'Morsefeat' allowing us to add video to the music, bringing another essential dimension to this type of musical work...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal, Bass, Drums) + Guests : Eric Gillette (Guitar, Drums), Gabe Klein (Drums, Choirs), Sam Hunter (Guitar), Gideon Klein (Cello, Bass, Choirs), Steve Morse (Guitar), Andre Madatian (Guitar), Mark Leniger (Saxophone), Hannah Tyler (Violin), Carl Larson (Viola), Hunter Keeran (French horn), Josee Klein (Violin), Jim Hoke (Saxophone), Paul Farmer (Harmonica), Ted Leonard (Vocal – Judah), Matt Smith (Vocal – Reuben), Talon David (Vocal – Potiphar’s Wife), Jake Livgren (Vocal – Slave Driver), Wil Morse (Vocal – Simeon), Mark Pogue (Vocal – Jacob), Vanderbilt Blair Children's Chorus Chorale (Vocal), Matt Smith (Choirs), Mark Pogue (Choirs), Wil Morse (Choirs), Gabe Klein (Choirs), Chris Riley (Choirs), Amy Pippin (Choirs), April Zachary (Choirs), Debbie Bressee (Choirs), Devonne Fowlkes (Choirs), Harmonie Hall (Choirs), Julie Harrison (Choirs), Kim Mont (Choirs)


Artist : Sarayasign

Album : The Lion's Road

Release Date : 11-08-2023

Added : 05-09-2023






They released their first album 'Throne of Gold' in 2022 and the Swedes of 'Sarayasign', a little over a year later, offer us a second studio recording 'The Lion's Road' which continues on the theme of the world of 'Saraya', fruit from the imagination of 'Jesper Lindbergh'. As I had already mentioned in my previous column, their style takes us back to the hard rock of the 80s with a talent for catchy melodic lines and with fairly long compositions allowing some forays into progressive. Note that the new lead guitarist is 'Peter Lundin' who brings a slightly more muscular playing than his predecessor 'Daniel Blohm' and that, something I did not mention in my previous column, the singing of 'Stefan Nykvist' reminds me more and more of that of 'David Coverdale' which gives 'Sarayasign' a little air of 'Whitesnake'.

On the menu for this new Swedish baby, 10 original compositions for a short hour of listening and, from the start, 'When All Lights Go Out' (see the video above) already highlights the singing of 'Stefan Nykvist' and the guitar talent of 'Peter Lundin' for a first hit of punchy melodic hard rock. Heavier, 'Blood From Stone', unfolds a slow tempo with a chorus that goes straight into your head, then, 'A Way Back' continues on the same type of rhythm, alternating different intensities. Overall, the tempos remain quite slow and we can mention the following track 'The Beginning Of The End' and the title song 'The Lion's Road'. The Swedes also have talent for beautiful power ballads with, first of all, 'Will You Find Me' which highlights female vocals (impossible to know who this very beautiful voice is) and which offers a very beautiful duet with 'Stefan Nykvist', then, 'Love Will Burn' adds a beautiful melancholy composition with a very beautiful, very refined guitar solo in the second part of the title. We will also not miss the final track 'Throne Of Gold Part 2, A Heartless Melody', adding a more marked progressive side, which begins as a ballad and which gains momentum after two minutes and which accelerates the rhythm afterwards , which makes it my favorite of the album.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Sarayasign' continue their adventure in the distant country of 'Saraya' and offer us a new album in every way remarkable which confirms all the good things I thought of them with their first opus and 'The Lion's Road' is intended for all fans of classic and melodic hard rock taking us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Stefan Nykvist (Vocal, Choirs), Jesper Lindbergh (Drums, Guitar, Keybords), Daniel Lykkeklev (Bass, Keybords), Peter Lundin (Guitar)


Artist : Tarja

Album : Rocking Heels: Live at Metal Church

Release Date : 11-08-2023

Added : 07-09-2023

Fans of symphonic metal know 'Tarja Turunen' for her participation in the beginning of 'Nightwish' from 1996 to 2005, then for her solo metal career with her various albums, the latest 'In The Raw' dating from 2019, but may not know be less the other classic facet of 'Tarja', with other equally remarkable albums like his Christmas concerts 'Christmas Together: Live At Olomouc And Hradec Králové 2019' released in 2020 and 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)' from 2017).

This latest baby from the Finn, 'Rocking Heels: Live at Metal Church', also illustrates the classical side and is quite special, on two counts, because, first of all, this concert opened the 'Wacken 2016 ' in the village's Lutheran church which hosts one of the biggest metal festivals in the world and then, the set list is devoted to rock and metal classics from his favorite artists. Surrounded by her cellist 'Max Lilja' who has accompanied her for many years in her metal concerts but also by the violinist 'Anna-Maria Barth' of the 'Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt' who is known for having collaborated with many rock artists and the pianist 'Florian Steininger' who works with contemporary music composers, we can listen, pell-mell, to 'Joe Satriani' ('Always With Me, Always With You'), to 'Megadeth' ('Trust') or even to 'Metallica' ('The Unforgiven') but also his compositions including her 'Ave Maria' composed with the organist 'Kalevi Kiviniemi' and the magnificent title of 'Nighwish', 'Speeping Sun'. And if you want more, all the videos of this concert are available on the YouTube page of 'earMUSIC' and I put the links on the videos below.

In summary, 'Tarja' offers us a magnificent concert and shows, once again, that she knows how to break the boundaries between different styles of music which is proof of a beautiful open-mindedness and, often , the mark of great artists...

Link to the concert videos:
01 - 'Always With Me, Always With You'
02 - 'Numb'
03 - 'Alias'
04 - 'Vermilion, Pt. 2'
05 - 'Trust'
06 - 'Ohne Dich'
07 - 'Afterlife'
08 - 'The Living End'
09 - 'The Unforgiven'
10 - 'Sleeping Sun'
12 - 'I Walk Alone'
12 - 'Ave Maria'

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal), Anna-Maria Barth (Violin), Max Lilja (Cello), Florian Steininger (Piano)


Artist : Hemina

Album : Romancing the Ether

Release Date : 11-08-2023

Added : 09-09-2023

Since their beginning, the Australians of 'Hemina' have been presented as a progressive metal formation but this label seems to me very reductive, so much do they offer us rich and varied musical landscapes. What is certain is that it's progressive, and good, and 'Romancing the Ether' is their fourth album after 'Nebulae' in 2014, 'Venus' in 2016 and 'Night Echoes' in 2019. With a relatively short duration (35 minutes), their last baby consists of a single long development composed of several more or less long parts since the shortest is less than a minute long and the longest is over 10 minutes (see the entire video above).

After the short instrumental introduction 'Intention' giving us an appetite for the sequel, 'Strike Four' offers a first long development which is a real musical roller coaster in which numerous rhythmic changes follow one another and alternate tensions followed by relaxations, all of this being peppered with remarkable instrumental passages. Follows 'Embraced By Clouds' which takes us on a long composition on a slow tempo with admirable vocal and instrumental arrangements, in particular this a capella section in the middle of the title (dare you say they only do metal!) and, despite its length, this title does not suffer from any downtime. The introduction of 'Dissolution' is a very beautiful prank in an oriental country with a magnificent exchange between beautiful vocalizations and an electric guitar, then the title continues in instrumental with a hardening of tone and a fast rhythm, the electric guitar, more saturated this time, accompanying electronic sounds, and, finally, the finale falls with a completely remarkable new a capella vocal demonstration. Heavier, 'Revelations' unfolds more classic progressive metal with catchy melodic lines still highlighting still masterful vocal arrangements, then, 'Integration' closes the album with a little atmospheric sung comma.

In summary, the Australians of Hemina' are releasing a new quality album in the form of a unique title mixing different styles and which goes beyond the simple label of metal by offering refined and dense progressive which requires several listens to fully absorb it and draw out all the richness...

Line Up / Musicians

Douglas Skene (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Mitch Coull (Guitar, Vocal), Jessica Martin (Bass, Vocal), Nathan McMahon (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : McCully/Mackay

Album : Garden of the Snake

Release Date : 18-08-2023

Added : 11-09-2023

I missed the duo's first album 'McCully/Mackay' in 2020 ( 'The Unicorns Are Screaming') which I listened to afterwards and which took me back a few decades with keyboards reminding me of 'Emerson, Lake and Palmer'. 'Tully McCully' is a South African singer and multi-instrumentalist who has to his credit a large number of albums and numerous hits since the early 70s (see his website 'McCully Workshop') and 'Gordon Mackay' is a British keyboardist who has played with his brother Duncan in numerous bands in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and in Bophutatswana. The duo does it again three years after 'The Unicorns Are Screaming' with a new opus, called 'Garden of the Snake' in which we find these influences from the seventies. On the menu for this new baby, 14 compositions for a long hour of listening.

The ensemble is very varied and takes us through a fairly wide range of musical landscapes with very accessible melodic lines. From the outset, with the title song, we are immersed in pop enhanced by remarkable orchestral arrangements with a first melody that immediately gets into your head, the first wanderings of 'Gordon MacKay' having reminiscences of ELP' and the some orientalizing scents in the second part of the title bringing a very appreciable little exotic side. The light and direct melodies follow one another with titles like the rhythmic 'Chicxulub' and 'Holiday' and we can also cite 'The Sun Keeps Shining Down On You' with radiant choirs to which we can add 'Vengeance' which makes me think of a sort of mix between 'Jethro-Tull' in the sung parts and 'ELP' in the instrumental sections. In another register, 'Sold Your Soul' and 'Pirate' highlight the progressive side, just like 'Quest for Orion' which is introduced by an imposing Church organ and then continues in lighter sounds and 'The Elixir Of Life' offers us a title in two parts, the first in which we are lulled by a moving ballad and by the serious and deep singing of 'Tully McCully', then a second with an acceleration of tempo in which the solo of 'Gordon MacKay' keyboards are remarkable. With 'The Mystery Man', we find ourselves this time in the 80s with electronic sounds and 'The Lost Chorus' takes us back to the beginning of rap still in the 80s with this resemblance to the French hit of the time 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plaît)' from 'Chagrin D'Amour'. The end of the album offers calmer tracks with slower tempos and we can cite 'Time As A Lover' with its very beautiful female choirs, the languorous 'One-way Train' once again highlighting the deep singing of 'Tully McCully' and the album ends in a very beautiful way with the slow and imposing 'End Of All Song' on gripping melodic lines.

In summary, offering a sort of mix of different styles that take us back to the 70s and 80s, 'Garden of the Snake' shows all the talent of this endearing duo who takes us on a very beautiful musical journey by perpetuating a clever mix of pop, rock and progressive through the ages, with, icing on the cake, immediate accessibility because all the melodic lines are catchy from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Tully McCully (Vocal, Bass, Guitar, Drums), Gordon MacKay (Keybords)


Artist : Edu Falaschi

Album : Eldorado

Release Date : 23-08-2023

Added : 13-09-2023

Following on from her last album 'Vera Cruz', the Brazilian 'Edu Falaschi' continues his adventure with the same line up by announcing that Eldorado' which was released in August 2023 constitutes the second part of a trilogy of the saga of 'Jorge', the main character in the story of the album 'Vera Cruz' which serves as a medium to take us into the history of Latin music from the pre-colonial period to modern music, incorporating influences from its ancestral culture. Musically, even if the dominant style remains metal, whether power, progressive, speed or neo-classical, each composition brings its share of influences from South American culture.

And we are welcomed by the short majestic instrumental 'Quetzalcoatl' which could very well serve as musical support for a film telling a great historical fresco, then, the classical guitar takes over in the introduction to 'Señores Del Mar (Wield the Sword)' on a Spanish theme à la 'Ennio Morricone' and, after two short minutes in crescendo, the power of power metal takes up all the space with a fast first hit and benefiting from very catchy melodic lines. With 'Sacrifice', we embark on a progressive and symphonic saga always on an up-tempo and 'Edu Falaschi' shows that these vocal problems are already far away with a beautiful interaction between his singing and grandiose choirs, the instrumental parts being also remarkable. After the first two energetic tracks, 'Empty Shell' is the first ballad break and, in these atmospheres, we know that Edu Falaschi' is a master in this field (listen to his album 'Ballads' released in 2017 and the soft side of the Brazilian with the album 'Moonlight' dating from 2016) and this beautiful sweet melody is further proof with a magnificent guitar solo in the second part. Return to muscular metal with 'Tenochtitlán' which rolls out a new melodic hit at a hundred miles an hour in which drummer 'Aquiles Priester' offers us a dizzying performance and which benefits from a long instrumental section with breathtaking guitar solos. breath, without forgetting these epic choruses at 5.10. The culmination of this album, the eponymous title unfolds a progressive saga, epic as can be, which keeps us in suspense for more than 10 minutes by taking us through varied musical landscapes alternating different intensities and different rhythms, each artist bringing his stone to the table. edifice of this magnificent title. After the short comma 'Q'equ'm' sung magnificently by the Guatemalan 'Sara Curruchich' (for my part, I would have liked it to be more present on the album and that this title was a little longer), the end of the album is well balanced with always this large musical gap since of the four remaining titles, two are very muscular metal compositions, the other two being ballads: first of all, the two power metal titles are 'Reign of Bones' and 'Wings of Light', the first in speed metal quite close (too close for my taste) to 'Tenochtitlán' and the second, still very fast but much more epic with generous choirs, a melody which is grafted directly into the head and a remarkable instrumental section in the second part of the title. As for the ballads, these are two new melodic jewels which are added to the first with 'Suddenly', very romantic, and with 'In Sorrow' and its addictive chorus, both, as you can imagine, being far away from power metal.

In summary, in this latest album from Edu Falaschi', there is something for everyone between strong metal, syrupy ballads and Latin influences and if you like his great musical deviations, you should without a doubt join to 'Eldorado', especially since the Brazilian gives us remarkable vocal performances and he has surrounded himself with talented instrumentalists who magnify all his compositions also benefiting from impeccable production...

Line Up / Musicians

Edu Falaschi (Vocal), Roberto Barros (Guitar), Diogo Mafra (Guitar), Fábio Laguna (Keybords), Raphael Dafras (Bass), Aquiles Priester (Drums)


Artist : Tusmørke

Album : Hestehoven

Release Date : 18-08-2023

Added : 14-09-2023

The Norwegians from 'Tusmørke' return with a new opus, 'Hestehoven', after 'Nordisk Krim' in 2021 and 'Intetnett' in 2022 and they continue their adventure of psychedelic folk from the beginning of progressive which takes us back to the 60s in a rural atmosphere highlighting the sounds of this era, in particular with the use of flute. From the start, with 'Cycle of the Gylfaginning', we embark on the lands of the beginning of 'Jethro Tull' and 'Renaissance' brought together and if you agree with this first title, there is a good chance that you will also adopt the eponymous title of the album with its solos of keyboards with the sounds of the first electronic organs and with its cover of the 'Lambada' in the middle of the title but also the light and bucolic 'Den behornede guden' and the lively 'Åndemaneren'. The second part of the album highlights the flute and violin with 'Jeg klumser deg' and the singing in Norwegian further adds to this Nordic prog-folk atmosphere. As for 'Kyprianos', the more psychedelic sounds make it a haunting title in a strange atmosphere and the last title 'The Wicked Ways of Witches and Wizards' sung this time in English, is a good summary of the album by integrating all its ingredients, light and bucolic passages and others flirting with more obscure and mysterious lands.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Tusmørke' continue to perpetuate this Nordic folk with vintage sounds taking us back to the sixties and if you are a fan of this flourishing period which was bathed in psychedelia and during which many groups became essentials were born, you should without a doubt adhere to these timeless compositions which, proof of this, are still current among some...

Line Up / Musicians

Benedikt "Benediktator" Momrak (Vocal, Bass), Kristoffer "Krizla" Momrak (Flute, Vocal), Haugebonden Gode Gullstein (Keybords), Martin "Hlewagastir" Nordrum Kneppen (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Nick Cave, Warren Ellis

Album : Australian Carnage – Live At The Sydney Opera House

Release Date : 25-08-2023

Added : 15-09-2023

'Nick Cave' and 'Warren Ellis', who have already been collaborating for many years, released the album in 2021 'Carnage' which was followed by a tour in 2021 and 2022 and this 'Australian Carnage' recorded at the Sydney Opera House is an admirable testimony to this complicity between the two men, the The raw emotion released is at paroxysm throughout the concert. For almost two hours, we enter a sort of intense musical temple and we feel all this communion between the artists and the public. Magnificent choirs dot the 18 tracks and accompany the deep singing of 'Nick Cave' and if you want to have a preview of one of these concerts, you can view the documentary produced at the 'Hanging Rock' festival in Australia.

I will not dwell further on this magnificent album because, the main thing being to enjoy it quietly with headphones on, but I would simply like to quote this poignant response that 'Nick Cave' made when one of these fans told him had sent a song, supposedly, "in the style of Nick Cave" written by the technical coldness of 'Chatgpt': "Writing a good song is not mimicry, nor copying, nor pastiche, it is the opposite. It is an act of murder against oneself, which destroys everything one has strived to produce in the past. It is these deviations, dangerous, breathtaking, that catapult the artist beyond the limits of what he or she recognizes as his or her known self...It is part of the authentic creative struggle, which precedes invention a unique text with real value; it is the breathtaking confrontation with one's vulnerability, one's peril, one's smallness, faced with a feeling of sudden and shocking discovery; it is the redemptive artistic act that moves the heart of the listener, where he recognizes, in the workings of the song, his own experience, his own struggle, his own suffering. ”.

In summary, after his words which are so strong and so true in our world where we are slowly sliding towards artificial intelligence (why even talk about intelligence!), there are fortunately still artists who remind us that it would be good to move away from all these technological excesses if we want to keep on earth this meaning of the word Human which is defined as follows: "Who is understanding and compassionate, manifests sensitivity"...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick Cave (Vocal, Percussion, Piano, Choirs), Warren Ellis (Flute, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Piano, Viola, Violin, Choirs), Amy Carson (Choirs), Hannah Cooke (Choirs), Sarah Dacey (Choirs), Timothy Dickinson (Choirs), Nicholas Madden (Choirs), Alessandro Ruisi (Violin), Max Ruisi (Cello), Esmeralda Conde Ruiz (Choirs), Eloisa-Fleur Thom (Violin), Luba Tunnicliffe (Viola), Thomas Wydler (Drums)


Artist : The Unity

Album : The Hellish Joyride

Release Date : 25-08-2023

Added : 17-09-2023

After 'Pride' in 2020 and the live 'The Devil You Know' in 2021, the Germans from 'The Unity' released their fourth studio recording, 'The Hellish Joyride', at the end of August 2023. And as we always try to place artists in a very specific case, they are tagged in melodic power metal, but the latter opus shows that this label is quite restrictive given the variety of styles they present ranging from muscular rock to power metal to classic hard rock.

After the short introduction 'One World' which in no way suggests what awaits us, comes 'Masterpiece' which, for my part, shows a hard rock face which takes me back to the 70s/80s with a quick title making me think of certain compositions from 'Rainbow', then, the title song shows a less rapid but very rhythmic face with a melody which is grafted directly into the head and which constitutes one of the hits of the album. Follows 'Only the Good Die Young' which adds another hit in a more melodic hard rock style automatically starting the foot tapping machine, then, 'Saints and Sinners' returns to fast hard rock quite similar to 'Masterpiece ' and 'Something Good' is a mid-tempo à la 'U2' in a rock style of the 80s/90s with a melody that you take on at first listen and with choirs giving an irresistible desire to accompany them . The single 'Always Two Ways to Play' continues in fairly classic hard rock (see the video above in which the group stages itself in a very humorous way to face a female volleyball team who are beating them up: a big volleyball moment!!), then, 'Awakening' and 'Golden Sun' constitute only one title with a heavy and rhythmic mid-tempo wanting to get closer to a 'Kashmir' in the instrumental parts but in a faster tempo, showing yet another side of the group in a more moderate style, the melodic lines still remaining very catchy. The end of the album consists of 'Stay The Fool', another well-paced melodic hit, then 'Never Surrender' with a fast tempo which takes us back to the hard rock of the 70s with its addictive chorus and finally some power final ballad 'You're Not Forced To Stay' which alternates calm verses with a more powerful chorus.

In summary, the Germans from 'The Unity' offer us a very good album offering a nice variety of styles and if you like to navigate between rock, hard rock and metal and in addition you are looking for melodic lines accessible to the first listen, there is a good chance that you will quickly adopt 'The Hellish Joyride'...

Line Up / Musicians

Gianba Manenti (Vocal), Henjo Richter (Guitar), Stef E (Guitar), Jogi Sweers (Bass), Sascha Onnen (Keybords), Michael Ehré (Drums)


Artist : Laurence Jones

Album : Bad Luck & The Blues

Release Date : 25-08-2023

Added : 18-09-2023

It's only a short year later 'Destination Unknown' that the British 'Laurence Jones' releases a new album 'Bad Luck a The Blues'. These outings so close together show a man in a hurry for health reasons (he suffers from 'Crohn's' disease) who wants to take advantage of every moment and I quote "to live each day as if it were the last". And this latest opus made him return to the basic trio, guitar, bass, drums as if he wanted to offer us the substantial marrow of authentic blues/rock and the result is particularly remarkable. With around ten compositions not exceeding 4 minutes, the album alternates different atmospheres, always quite direct: the title song (see the video above) opens the album with good 'Hendrixian' riffs taking us back a few decades in back and if your head doesn't start beating automatically, it's because you're not made for this style of music. For others, in the same genre, we can cite the catchy 'Lonely Road' (see the video ici) but also 'Lost & Broken' and ' Stuck In The Night' in which 'Laurence Jones', in addition to being a very good singer, offers us magnificent guitar solos and the second half of the album also presents blues/rock hits with the muscular 'Take Control' but also with the swaying 'Out In The Distance or with the 'ZZ Top-style riffs of 'Woman' and its crazy guitar solo, without forgetting the last track 'You're Not Alone' (see the video here) in which we find the 'Jimmy Hendrix'-style riffs. In the blues department with slower tempos, they are at the start of the album with 'I'm Gone' and 'Don't You Leave Me This Way' on which we find ourselves in the 70s with the fusion of traditional blues and saturated guitars brought by the rock groups of the time, I'm thinking in particular of 'Black Sabbath' and 'Led Zeppelin'.

In summary, it is yet another admirable album in the great tradition of blues/rock that 'Laurence Jones' and his two friends offer us, showing that the American, in his singing and his guitar solos, has the blues that flow in his veins, and this, for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Laurence Jones (Vocal, Guitar), Jack Alexander Timmis (Bass), Ash Sheehan (Drums)


Artist : Alice Cooper

Album : Road

Release Date : 25-08-2023

Added : 19-09-2023

In the serie "it's in old pots that we make the best soups", it's still 'Alice Cooper' who, after 'Paranormal' in 2017 and 'Detroit Stories' in 2021 to which we can add the 'Live in Rio' with the 'Hollywood Vampires' and 'Johnny Depp', releases a new album 'Road' and continues his journey started almost 60 years ago with his first group when he covered songs from the 'Beatles' and 54 years later his first album 'Pretties For You' during the psychedelic period. What can we say about this new album except that there is still nothing to throw away in this new baby from the American and the 13 tracks (including a magnificent cover of 'Road Rats' from 1977 in another tone with a modern sound and the cover of 'Magic Bus' from 'The Who') go by at a hundred miles an hour, normal you might say for a theme on the life of a group on tour with all its adventures whether good or not so good. I cannot highlight one of the compositions because with each intro, the headbanging machine automatically starts with this direct and effective rock and especially with a "live" recording in the studio, and, it simply stops at the end of the album for the tender moment 'Baby Please Don't Go' which is a magnificent ballad which would certainly have been a hit in the 70s.

In short, from the top of its seventy-five years, we are still caught in the rock whirlwind of 'Alice Cooper' which takes us back to the best of 70s rock and if you want even more, you can always get the Box Set version of 'The Road' which includes the CD, 2 vinyls and especially the Blu-ray of the 'Hellfest' 2022 concert...

Line Up / Musicians

Alice Cooper (Vocal), Ryan Roxie (Guitar), Chuck Garric (Bass), Tommy Henriksen (Guitar), Glen Sobel (Drums), Nita Strauss (Guitar)


Artist : Coco Montoya

Album : Writing On The Wall

Release Date : 01-09-2023

Added : 21-09-2023

When we know that 'Coco Montoya' collaborated for ten years with 'John Mayall' with his group the 'Bluesbreakers', we say to ourselves that there are worse business cards and training as a bluesman. For around thirty years the Californian has not necessarily been very prolific in releasing albums but, each time, we are sure to have a quality album which smells of authentic blues (see my last review here) and this latest baby from the American 'Writing On The Wall' is no exception to the rule. What can we say about this introduction with 'I Was Wrong' which plunges us from the first seconds into very torrid blues with a first magical vocal performance of 'Coco Montoya', then all the styles parade for the best: we continue with 'Save It For The Next Fool' and its gospel choirs on a melody that makes your whole body move and 'You Got Me (Where You Want Me)' is a well-paced shuffle with icing on the cake these simply brilliant guitar exchanges between 'Coco Montoya' and 'Ronnie Baker Brooks': what joy and we are only on the third title and there are thirteen!! Two covers punctuate this album with 'Be Good To Yourself' by Andy Fraser' and the beautiful ballad 'Stop' by Lonnie Mack'. We also won't miss the title song in a light blues/country style or the rhythmic boogie 'Late Last Night' or 'A Chip And A Chair', a more classic blues/rock but still very effective without forgetting the other shuffle 'Baby You're A Drag' completely addictive and the touching melancholy of 'What Did I Say?' and 'The Three Kings And Me' on which 'Coco Montoya' offers us a very moving guitar solo.

In summary, after the very good albums of 'Lance Lopez' and 'Laurence Jones', 'Coco Montoya' confirms, if it were still necessary, that he is one of the best blues artists by continuing to perpetuate this timeless style, this 'Write On The Wall' being further proof and this, for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Coco Montoya (Vocal, Guitar), Jeff Paris (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Nathan Brown (Bass), Rena Beavers (Drums), Tony Braunagel (Drums), Ronnie Baker Brooks (Guitar, Vocal), Lee Roy Parnell (Guitar)


Artist : Soen

Album : Memorial

Release Date : 01-09-2023

Added : 22-09-2023






The Swedes of 'Soen' return after the very good 'IMPERIAL' which I praised in 2021 and 'Atlantis' in 2022 which was special but in every way remarkable since they performed live compositions rearranged and re-orchestrated with strings and two singers. New album, new atmosphere because we know that the Swedes don't like to rest on their laurels: the start of 'Memorial' with 'Sincere' sets the tone with big sound and a melody that immediately sticks in your head while including this softer passage in the second part of the title. This is indeed the guideline of this new, still admirable opus and the moments of relaxation that I highlighted in my review of IMPERIAL' are still present but no longer in the second part of the album. Some will say that the whole thing is more aggressive, but I prefer to speak of contained rage because this powerful and massive sound remains very controlled throughout the album, partly due to impeccable production which offers impressive dynamics.

The first half of the album features compositions as remarkable as each other, each one being quite direct and not exceeding 4 minutes: 'Unbreakable' (see the video above) continues after 'Sincere' with a strong mid-tempo which immediately makes you headbang, then, 'Violence' (see the video here) adds a layer but alternating fairly calm verses with a huge chorus, 'Joel Ekelöf ' giving us a magnificent performance by adapting his singing according to the intensity and with 'Fortress' the tempo accelerates with a new strong hit which highlights the impressive rhythm section of 'Martin Lopez' and 'Oleksii Kobel '. After all this boundless energy, 'Hollowed' comes to deliver a much calmer moment in the form of a magnificent ballad, the Italian singer 'Elisa' and 'Joel Ekelöf' constituting a moving duet and the 'Floydian' guitar solo of 'Cody Ford' adding to this delicate atmosphere. We gently return to a little more power with the title song (see the video here) which unrolls a new catchy melody over a harsh criticism of our leaders who play with the life and death of their compatriots (any resemblance to existing facts and characters...) and which puts much more emphasis on the alternations of intensity, a trademark of 'Soen'. The rest is more in line with what 'Soen' has already concocted for us: first, the catchy 'Incendiary' offers a magnificent acoustic break in the middle of the title, then, 'Tragedian' returns to a mid-tempo ballad which takes us away listening to the singing of 'Joel Ekelöf' and the guitar solo of 'Cody Ford'. And to finish the album, we find in the last two titles these two very distant atmospheres but which for me are the strength of any 'Soen' album: first of all 'Icon' takes us into a rapid cavalcade with riffs of very sharp guitars and again this little calmer break in the middle of the title then, at 180 degrees, 'Vitals' delivers us a magnificent melancholic ballad introduced by a few piano notes accompanied by the soothing singing of 'Joel Ekelöf' and which walks gently until the finale suspended by, once again, a few piano notes: divine!

In summary, the Swedes of 'Soen' continue to deliver wonderful albums combining raw but very controlled energy with atmospheres highlighting a skin-deep sensitivity which of course requires adhering to these big differences but which, for my part, will undoubtedly place 'Memorial' in the top three of progressive metal albums 2023...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Lopez (Drums), Joel Ekelöf (Vocal), Lars Enok Åhlund (Keybords, Guitar), Oleksii 'Zlatoyar' Kobel (Bass), Cody Ford (Guitar)


Artist : Karmamoi

Album : Strings from the Edge of Sounds

Release Date : 01-09-2023

Added : 26-09-2023

The Italians of 'Karmamoi' have released a new studio recording 'Strings from the Edge of Sounds' which contains, in addition to four new compositions, tracks from their previous albums which have been rearranged for orchestra. I presented the two opuses to you 'Silence Between Sounds' from 2016 and 'Room 101' which was one of my favorites of 2021 and, in the meantime, the very good one was released in 2018 'The Day Is Done' which only appeared quite late in streaming.

Let's first take a look at the new tracks with the opener 'Black Hole Era' which takes us on a beautiful progressive journey with acoustic guitar accompaniment and we are already under the spell of the singing of 'Valerio Sgargi ' and magnificent vocal arrangements, with the final 'Floydien' guitar solo being quite remarkable. 'Tell Me' is the second new release which continues in this melodious serenity on which we completely abandon ourselves, the finale bringing a very particular emotion with the repetition of the same musical phrase, a bit like 'Confortably Numb' from ' Floyds'. The last two new compositions are 'I Will Come in Your Dreams' and 'Strings from the Edge of Sounds', the first being a beautiful symphonic ballad which begins as a piano/voice duet accompanied by very beautiful vocal harmonies and which gradually takes small in scale with the arrival of strings to end in a decrescendo as it had begun, and the second which closes the album on a small atmospheric comma, the singing being accompanied by layers of aerial keyboards.

As for the covers in orchestral version, there are 5 long developments which are taken from different albums: 'Nashira' from the album 'Silence Between Sounds' opens the ball with a beautiful symphonic epic which takes us through different musical atmospheres, the introduction with this piano/codes/vocal trio being quite magnificent and the more energetic parts accompanied by orchestrations provided providing a beautiful dynamic. Follows 'Take Me Home' from the album 'The Day Is Done' which, on this version, is sung by 'Valerio Sgargi' and which again highlights very beautiful vocal arrangements by unfolding a slow tempo with periginations here and there of acoustic guitar, the symphonic finale being quite admirable. 'Room 101' from the album of the same title has undergone a nice transformation and turns out to be much softer than the original with its catchy acoustic introduction (the first notes are strongly reminiscent of the introduction to 'Dance on a Volcano' from ' Genesis' that 'Steve Hackett' takes up in these concerts) and continues in this progressive labyrinth highlighting a rich orchestration with very beautiful breaks, like at 3.40 with this very beautiful passage of strings accompanying a few piano notes, the guitar solo 'Floydien' by Alex Massari' and the crescendo finale being also very beautiful. 'Your Name', from 'The Days Is Done', also benefits from a very beautiful symphonic facelift with its two parts, the first catchy with this grandiose crescendo thanks to the instruments of the orchestra and the second, much calmer, with this magnificent, moving 'Floydian' section at the end of the title. Finally, as they say in English, "last but not least", 'Zealous Man' is the final symphonic fireworks which shows all the orchestration work of the Italians who take us through a fantastic progressive labyrinth with all the ingredients that every fan of this style wants to find it, the emotional slider being at its peak throughout this rich title.

In summary, even if this album only includes four original compositions, the Italians of 'Karmamoi' offer us a magnificent album, dense and varied, with remarkable orchestral arrangements which give a new reading of old compositions and which bring additional instrumental richness: a must for symphonic progressive rock for all fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Daniele Giovannoni (Keybords, Drums, Choirs), Alex Massari (Guitar), Alessandro Cefalì (Bass), Valerio Sgargi (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords) + Guests : Sara Rinaldi (Vocal), Colin Edwin (Bass), Geoff Leigh (Flute), Luca Uggias (Piano)


Melodic hard rock albums released on September 2023

I have grouped together in this column four melodic hard rock albums released in September 2023.

First of all, as often, Sweden is in the spotlight with 'H.E.A.T' which continues its journey with its new singer 'Kenny Leckremo' and after 'Force Majeure' in 2022, it's Extra Force's turn release which is not strictly speaking a new album because only two new compositions are present, but what compositions, since they are the two melodic jewels opening the album, 'Freedom' and 'Will You Be', the rest of the album being devoted to two covers from the period 'Erik Grönwall', 'Rise' and 'One By One', the single 'Back To The Rhythm' released in 2022, 'Nationwide' and Hollywood' all both present on 'Force Majeure' and six live tracks which show all the energy of the group released in concert. In short, with 'Extra Force', the Swedes of 'H.E.A.T' offer us a beautiful mix of unstoppable melodies while waiting for the next album...

Swedes can hide others and on the same day as the release of 'Extra Force' of 'H.E.A.T', Eclipse's new album, 'Megalomanium' is released after the very good 'Wired' in 2021. Needless to say, there is nothing to throw away in this latest album which begins with two energetic and melodic compositions, 'The Hardest Part Is Losing You' and 'Got It!' and which continues with the hit 'Anthem' which is aptly named because it is a true melodic hard rock anthem to scream the chorus until your voice fades. For a quick overview, these three videos are available on YouTube: 'The Hardest Part Is Losing You', 'Got It!' and 'Anthem'. In short, no need for a long review to tell you that the latest 'Eclipse' is another superb album !!

The third album is not bad either because, even if they are not Swedish, the English of 'Vega', after having delighted us with 'Anarchy and Unity' in 2021, return with a new opus 'Battlelines' and, like the first two albums, it is an uninterrupted series of melodic hits. Like 'Eclipse', we have at our disposal three YouTube videos with 'Heroes And Zeros', 'Battlelines' and 'Love To Hate You'. And as is often the case in this kind of album, after the last note, there is no shortage of desire to press the play button again to get a little dose again. In short, the 'Frontiers' label continues its quest for melodic hard rock because after 'Eclipse', they offer us the English of 'Vega' with this magnificent 'Battlelines'...

And to finish, we are leaving for a third time in Sweden with the 'Domino Drive' training which, unlike the first three which already have quite a few flight hours, was created only four years ago with the key is this first album 'Smoke And Mirrors' released a few days ago. Originally, it was keyboardist 'Sebastian Okupski' and drummer 'Alvaro Svanerö' who started in 2017 but the group really took off in 2019 with the arrival of bassist 'Jonas Söder' and singer and guitarist 'Jonas Tyskhagen'. They offer us 10 compositions for 46 minutes of listening and this first album already shows a great maturity in this direct and effective melodic style that we adapt to at first listen. The first two tracks from the album were the subject of singles and videos which are available on YouTube ('Starlet Queen' and ('Never Give Up'). In short, the Swedes of 'Domino Drive' are added to the many existing melodic hard rock groups and should, if they manage to stand out from the others by offering their own style, building a good reputation and, why not, competing with the three other groups of this chronicle which have become essential in the musical landscape of rock and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

H.E.A.T :
Kenny Leckremo (Vocal), Dave Dalone (Guitar), Jona Tee (Keybords), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Don Crash (Drums)

Eclipse :
Erik Martensson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Magnus Henricksson (Guitar), Victor Crusner (Bass), Philip Crusner (Drums)

Vega :
Nick Workman (Vocal), Mart Trail (Bass), Marcus Thurston (Guitar), Billy Taylor (Guitar), Pete Newdeck (Drums)

Domino Drive :
Jonas Tyskhagen (Vocal, Guitar), Sebastian Okupski (Keybords), Jonas Söder (Bass), Alvaro Svanerö (Drums) + Guests : JJ Marsh, Fredrik Folkare, Tina Gunnarson


Artist : Southern Empire

Album : Another World

Release Date : 04-09-2023

Added : 29-09-2023






In the world of progressive, whatever the style, there are groups which have made a worldwide reputation and those which do not have this media visibility but which fully deserve to be much better known. I place the Australians of 'Southern Empire' in this second category because, after the magnificent 'Southern Empire' in 2016 and 'Civilization' in 2018, it's the turn of 'Another World' to see the light of day. In my two previous columns, I emphasized their long developments and the variety of styles offered, this certainly explaining an accessibility that is not necessarily immediate and which often limits this type of artist to informed audiophiles who have maintained a significant openness to musical spirit despite all the media hype all day long for “ready to listen and consume on site”. With 'Southern Empire', we are no longer this immediacy because we have to take our time to gradually appropriate each nook and cranny, which requires numerous listenings and re-listenings.

I asked myself the question of doing title by title but, given the richness and density of this album (3 long compositions of more than 10, 12 and 19 minutes all the same) and several very interesting chronicles on the web (that of 'Progradar', that of 'TPA' or ignore that of 'Métal Integral'), I prefer to focus this review on two points which seem to me to be a good summary of this album and more generally of the productions of 'Southern Empire'. First of all, I spoke at the beginning of this column about the essential progressive formations but, ultimately, this is what we find on 'Another World' because, throughout our musical journey and depending on the progressive journey of each, we recognize here and there, 'Yes' (the vocal harmonies on 'Reaching Out'), 'Kansas' (the soft part at 3.45 of 'Face The Dawn'), the jazzy perigrinations of 'The Flower Kings' (still in 'Face The Dawn'), 'Foreigner' (in the magnificent 'Hold On To Me'), 'Genesis' (in the calm parts of 'Moving Through Tomorrow') or even a succession of other artists in the musical fresco 'White Shadow' with 'Emerson Lake & Palmer', 'Dream Theater', 'Kansas', 'Yes' and 'Alan Parsons Project'. But it would be very simplistic to limit 'Southern Empire' to a series of comparisons of this type because the whole is of course integrated into a very homogeneous whole "made in 'Southern Empire'" which makes it a unique work, comparisons being there only to show the range of styles of the Australians. The second point that I would like to emphasize is that in view of this density and this richness which could put off some, the whole remains relatively accessible thanks to melodic lines which are always catchy and if you want to convince yourself of this without dive into one of the great tracks, listen to the magnificent 'Hold On To Me' with its chorus which immediately sticks in your head. To discover the album in video, two tracks can be viewed on YouTube with 'Reaching Out' and 'Hold On To Me'.

In summary, after 5 long years of absence, the Australians of 'Southern Empire' reward us with an excellent album which contains all the ingredients to make all lovers of progressive rock happy and which for my part will join the already long list of albums of the ideal progressive discotheque through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Sean Timms (Keybords, Guitar, Choirs), Shaun Holton (Vocal, Choirs), Cam Blokland (Guitar, Choirs), Brody Green (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Jez Martin (Bass) + Guests : Danny Lopresto (Guitar, Choirs), Amanda Timms (Flute), Lisa Wetton (Naratrice, Percussions), Marek Arnold (Saxophone), Adam Page (Saxophone), Steve Unruh (Violin, Flute)


Artist : Oblivion Protocol

Album : The Fall Of The Shires

Release Date : 18-08-2023

Added : 30-09-2023






No, 'Richard West' is not on bad terms with his band 'Threshold' and this new project 'Oblivion Protocol' is a sort of continuation of 'Legends of the Shires' which had been my favorite album of 2017. The desire to make a sequel to this magnificent album was so great for the Englishman and, given that the other members of 'Threshold' were not very inclined to record it, never mind, 'Richard West' still wrote and composed his own suite, without having any idea if it was going to be released as an album. And here we have in our hands 'The Fall Of The Shires' because, ultimately, it is with another group of artists as talented as that of 'Threshold' that 'Richard West' embarked on the adventure of Oblivion Protocol' with, excuse me, the guitarist 'Ruud Jolie' of 'Within Temptation' (who have just released the album 'Bleed Out'), bassist 'Simon Andersson' of 'Darkwater', the drummer 'Darby Todd' who officiates with 'Devin Townsend', the guitarist of 'Threshold', 'Karl Groom' making a few appearances for magical guitar solos as he has the secret.

And to start this album, the little thrill of pleasure that I had on 'The Shires, Pt. 1' is present again with 'The Fall, Pt. 1' (see the video above). It must be said that the melody is similar and that the touch of 'Threshold' is recognizable from the first chords. In this first track, the keyboards have an atmospheric side which gives a feeling of fullness leading the listener to completely abandon themselves to the music. Between each composition, a background sound is established with sound effects and narrations which allows each composition to be linked without downtime. The rest offers us alternations between more energetic compositions and much calmer moments with always melodies which give you this immediate listening pleasure, even if we remain in rich and inventive progressive. Overall, the progressive metal tag of 'Threshold' is less present but I never considered this band only doing metal. Certainly, 'Tormented' and 'Forests In The Fallout' (see the video here) include more muscular sections but, as always in the compositions of 'Richard West', we are carried by these successions of tensions and relaxations which often bring a very particular emotion (the beautiful and relaxing section in the second part of 'Forests In The Fallout'). In addition to 'Tormented' and 'Forests In The Fallout', all the other compositions deserve to be cited: 'Public Safety Broadcast' and its verse which takes us back to 'High Hopes' by the 'Floyds' and which takes us into a tempo marked and in a darker atmosphere with a chorus giving a feeling of quiet power, the luminous 'This Is Not a Test' (see the video here), which is a real catchy melodic gem and which I play over and over again, 'Storm Warning' à la 'Alan Parsons' which features a succession of pop verses and a heady chorus which alternates different intensities, 'Vertigo' which begins in a quiet manner and which benefits from a very beautiful crescendo on which, at the end of the title, 'Ruud Jolie' places a guitar solo gripping 'Floydien', without forgetting 'The Fall' which encompasses this album and whose part 2 of which closes it magnificently by returning to the quiet strength of the melody which still lingers in our heads for a long time after the last note.

In summary, although the length of the album is only half of 'Legends of the Shires' (I would have liked to repeat a few small compositions), 'The Fall Of The Shires' is a magnificent sequel to the 'Threshold' album and shows all the composer talent of 'Richard West' well supported in terms of interpretation by very good musicians. And to finish, I will quote 'Richard West' about this album who sums it up much better than me: "There were no external influences or compromises, he explains. And as I thought that no one would ever hear it, I didn't care what people would think, I just did something I loved. The fact that the result was an album never mattered. a doubt. I love the album format and that has never changed. Singles are wonderful, but albums take you on a journey, they allow you to immerse yourself in another world for a while. They are one of the most beautiful expressions of art and the world would be much poorer without them."...

Line Up / Musicians

Richard West (Vocal, Keybords), Ruud Jolie (Guitar), Simon Andersson (Bass), Darby Todd (Drums)


Artist : Popa Chubby

Album : Popa Chubby and the Beast Band Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 03-10-2023

When it's not studio recordings (the last two 'Tinfoil Hat' in 2021 and 'Emotional Gangster'), 'Popa Chubby' gives us magnificent live performances and, inevitably, it is in these moments of communion with the public that the American, like all the artists of its temper conveys real authenticity. With his band 'The Beast Live', they do not need to perform in front of thousands of fans because this concert was recorded at the end of 2022 in his hometown of 'New York' in front of a few dozen privileged people. And it all starts with a 'Are you ready?' before some warm-up guitar riffs: here we go for two and a quarter hours of good blues/rock as he has the secret and this first title 'Motorcycle Mama' by 'Neil Young' (see the video above) puts immediately starts the headbanging machine which will only stop at the end of the live or during calmer moments like 'Grown Man Crying Blues' or 'I Can't See The Light Of Day' (see the video here) or 'Embee's Song' or even the covers of the very well known 'Over The Rainbow' and 'Hallelujah'. Divided between his compositions and covers that he transforms to make them his own, he transports us into his universe throughout this concert with his singing, his muscular riffs and his magical guitar solos to end with a cover of more than 10 minutes of 'Sympathy For The Devil' by the 'Stones' with the story of its story (see the video here). In short, no need to add more, I'll leave you, in the company of Mister 'Horowitz', his real name, and his group 'The Beast Band', to share these moments filled with enthusiasm and sincerity but also filled with emotion and very sensitive...

Line Up / Musicians

Popa Chubby (Vocal, Guitar), Michael Merritt (Bass), Mike Dimeo (Keybords), Stefano Giudici (Drums)


Artist : Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate

Album : The Light of Ancient Mistakes

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 05-10-2023






The two leaders of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate', 'Malcolm Galloway' and 'Mark Gatland' continue their progressive adventure with a new opus 'The Light of Ancient Mistakes', after 'Nostalgia for Infinity' dating from 2020 and 'The Confidence Trick' from 2022. This new baby from the English is not a concept album but based on science fiction novels or other works such as that of Labor MP 'Chris Byrant' on homosexual discrimination during the war. And when you put an album of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' between your ears, you embark on a very diverse journey that you have to tame, little by little, listen after listen: this 'The Light of Ancient Mistakes' does not is no exception to the rule and takes us to different musical regions, which the group itself defines as follows and which I find quite accurate: "We are an eclectic group, combining progressive/alt-rock, classical, experimental, electronic and metallic ". Pioneers of different sounds and atmospheres, for my part, they are in the same movement as an artist like 'Steven Wilson' and do not set limits in their musical peregrinations.

The words eclectic, diversity and heterogeneous are still relevant on this album and, in order not to repeat the titles one after the other (there is not necessarily a link between each), I will classify them by genre : first of all with the opening title 'Sold The Peace' is very catchy and takes us into a funky rhythm while keeping a modern construction with a piano bringing a contemporary side. Quite close in this rhythmic style, we can also add the short instrumental 'Avrana Kern Is Made of Ants' with electronic sounds and the other instrumental 'Gothi and Gethli' in which the piano with an accent, this time, of contemporary jazz accompanies magnificently this title. In opposition, in an atmospheric register, longer compositions delicately rock us with the eponymous title of the album which unfolds a slow tempo in a 'Floydian' atmosphere, the singing of 'Malcolm Galloway' becoming hypnotic and perfectly fitting. to this atmosphere conducive to escape. To this very beautiful title, we can add 'Sixteen Hugless Years' which shows a melancholic side with a poignant singing of 'Malcolm Galloway', the repetition of the three words 'Sixteen Hugless Years' contributing to this gripping climate, then, the instrumental 'The Requisitioner And The Wonder' adds another wonderful soaring and delicate moment and the homage to the space probe with the instrumental 'Goodbye Cassini' is a pure moment of serenity with the gentle flute of 'Kathryn Thomas', the wife of 'Malcolm Galloway'. We can also cite 'Burn The world' closing the opus which takes us on the theme of the environment in a melancholic title with the plaintive singing of 'Malcolm Galloway' also offering a moving 'Floydian' guitar solo in the second part. Throughout the album, the short commas of 'The Anxiety Machine' are interspersed which shows the experimental side of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' but which sticks well to the science fiction stories with a search for electronic sounds. bringing the cosmos together. Another atmosphere with 'The Glamor Boys' which, on a mid-tempo, shows a relaxed face while denouncing a serious subject on homosexuality, the jazzy moment with muffled sounds adding to this feeling of nonchalance. Conversely, when the subject is intended to be energetic, the short 'imtiredandeverythinghurts' sends a good dose of direct and muscular rock, supporting a subject also painful for 'Malcolm Galloway' suffering from a genetic disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, when someone asked the sacrosanct question "how are you?" and who is torn between being honest about these chronic pains or answering in the affirmative so as not to enter into a discussion and risk hurting help the person who asks you, always without bad intention. To finish, I didn't talk about progressive but it is very present, if only through the diversity presented but also within the compositions and 'Walking to Aldebaran' is the perfect illustration of this because we navigate between several styles ranging from rock to metal through jazz, contemporary and atmospheric music and offering us multitudes of twists and turns made of changes of rhythm and intensity, the singing of 'Malcolm Galloway' adding a very original theatrical atmosphere, then, to a lesser extent, the instrumental 'The Man Who Japed' also brings a beautiful prog moment.

In summary, it is yet another magnificent album that the duo of 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' offers us, to which is added the flautist 'Kathryn Thomas' and which requires, like any rich and dense album of this type, to make it your own as you listen, then taking on its full dimension and becoming an essential album in his progressive discography: hats off, lady and gentlemen!

Line Up / Musicians

Malcolm Galloway (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Percussions), Mark Gatland (Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Kathryn Thomas (Flute, Choirs)


Artist : Stream Of Passion

Album : Beautiful Warrior

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 06-10-2023

The news of the return of 'Stream Of Passion' must have made all the fans of the group (of which I am one) happy who followed them for around ten years until 2016, the year of their separation, which is sold by the very beautiful live 'Memento'. With exactly the same line up as in 2016, the 'Marcela Bovio' band returns with an EP which contains five new tracks and which revives the adventure started in the early 2000s. So is this return a winning return? The answer is definitely: YES!! We find all the atmospheres specific to the Dutchman with five compositions which could each have been the subject of a single in previous albums with melodies which are embedded directly in the head and which show this immense pleasure of finding oneself and of start sharing with the public (who hasn't forgotten them since they had a full house for the first concerts).

'The Hunter' (see the video above) opens the EP and, after the energetic introduction, we are once again under the spell of the singing of 'Marcela Bovio' and this style so characteristic of ' Stream Of Passion' with these changes in intensity bringing that little extra progressive which has made it their trademark in the world of symphonic metal. 'Tonight' follows in a slower tempo but in the same atmosphere with a new chorus that we want to sing along with Marcella and the second part of the title shows all the vocal talent of the Mexican in this striking contrast between this magnificent calm section which precedes the energetic reprise, the end of the title falling again into a very refined piano/voice duet. With 'Chasing A Ghost', the signature 'Stream Of Passion' is still there and, this time, Marcella sings in Spanish and English (for my part, I find that it is in her native language that she conveys the more emotion). This title has very beautiful melodic lines with a chorus that gives me goosebumps and the guitar solo is particularly remarkable. Follows 'The End Is The Beginning' (see the video here) whose title corresponds well to this revival of the group and it is a melancholic mid-tempo composition with a beautiful cello accompaniment and, in this style , 'Marcela Bovio' is particularly moving with modulations in the voice that she masters perfectly. And to end this short EP, the magnificent ballad 'The Promise' is a delicious moment with a first part slowly rising to a crescendo (Marcela's vocal work is still striking) which explodes with the electric instruments, hurting my flesh again chicken on Marcela's vocals): simply divine!!

In summary, no need for a long column to tell you that 'Stream of Passion' comes back in force with 'Beautiful Warrior' and shows that the name of the group is absolutely not usurped and corresponds completely to the state of mind that drives the entire group. Let it be said: the “wave of passion” is back! Let's hope this time that they continue their journey together for many more years...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcela Bovio (Vocal, Violin), Johan van Stratum (Bass), Eric Hazebroek (Guitar), Jeffrey Revet (Keybords, Piano), Martijn Peters (Drums), Stephan Schultz (Guitar)


Artist : The Flower Kings

Album : Look At You Now

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 09-10-2023






A year and a half after the double CD 'By Royal Decress', the Swedes from 'The Flower Kings' who have accustomed us to albums of an hour and a half since 2019 with 'Waiting For Miracles', this time release an album of a little over an hour with a line up including brothers 'Roine Stolt' and 'Michael Stolt', 'Hasse Fröberg' and 'Mirko De Maio'. They continue their close releases of albums by giving us very good progressive rock with diverse and varied influences drawn from the last 50 years, each title generally having its own identity and 'Look At You Now', which is their 16th album already, is no exception to the rule: each with a particular flavor, the 13 compositions constitute a very beautiful journey made of diverse musical landscapes that we take pleasure in visiting one after the other.

It all starts happily with 'Beginner's Eyes' (see video above) which could be a fusion of 'Yes', 'Genesis' and 'ELP' with a catchy rhythm and, the group's trademark, always magnificent vocal harmonies . Without transition, 'The Dream' shows a calmer face in the form of a very beautiful ballad with a melody which makes me think of certain Breton serenades and which is directly engraved in the head never to come out (see the video here), then, 'Hollow Man' takes us into a melodious refrain with an interpretation highlighting a theatrical side. Return to more conventional progressive with the instrumental 'Dr. Ribedeaux', which brings us back to the trademark of 'The Flower Kings', then, the introduction of 'Mother Earth' leans towards the theatricality of 'Queen' and continues in the same style with very expressive vocal harmonies. With the instrumental 'The Queen', we go for a little moment of baroque with a trio of harpsichord, flute and acoustic guitar, the suite adding organ sounds and melodious guitar solos, then, 'The Light In Your Eyes' shows an almost hypnotic face and we let ourselves be taken into a mid-tempo with the phrase 'Light In Your Eyes' repeated many times. We return to the source of progressive with 'Seasons End' and the organ sounds revive memories of bands that flourished in the early 70s, then, 'Scars' continues in this progressive which unrolls a new catchy melody on a new mid -nonchalant tempo. Still in an early seventies atmosphere, 'Stronghold' begins with a long instrumental part and slowly continues its path on a peaceful rhythm, the second part of the track offering us a vintage keyboard solo and a magnificent final guitar solo. Return to a lighter style with the short 'Father Sky', then, 'Day for Peace' is a magnificent ballad that 'Roine Stolt' sings in a duet with 'Mariana Semkina' who released the very beautiful solo album 'Sleepwalking' in 2020 and who, with 'Gleb Kolyadin', created the project 'Iamthemorning'. The only composition exceeding 10 minutes is the title song which closes the album and which is a good summary of the whole which is generally quite calm and, on this title, we find a fairly immediate melodic hook and a well-balanced alternation between sections sung with magnificent vocal harmonies and inventive instrumental parts.

In summary, even if the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings' do not revolutionize the genre, they continue their journey by offering us a new opus in the great tradition of progressive from the 70s and this 'Look At You Now' , unlike other albums by the group that are more tedious to listen to, can be a good entry point for all those who want to discover the progressive rock of the Swedes because the compositions remain quite concise and melodically catchy at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Hasse Fröberg (Vocal), Roine Stolt (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords, Percussions), Michael Stolt (Bass, Vocal, Keybords), Mirko De Maio (Drums, Percussions, Keybords) + Guests : Hasse Bruniusson (Percussions), Lalle Larsson (Keybords), Jannica Lund (Choirs), Marjana Semkina (Vocal), Jörgen Sälde (Guitar)


Artist : Downes Braide Association

Album : Celestial Songs

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 10-10-2023

After the very good 'Halcyon Hymns' in 2021, the duo 'Chris Braide'/'Geoff Downes' does it again with a new opus 'Celestial Songs'. We are pleased to find these beautiful pop/rock melodies which recall the best bands of the 70s/80s, and for good reason, since 'Geoff Downes' participated in various projects including 'Yes', 'Asia' and 'The Buggles' and these names often come to mind when listening to this latest opus as do other names with 'Alan Parsons Project', 'Supertramp' or even the 'Bee Gees'.

On the menu of 'Celestial Songs' which lives up to its name, 11 accessible and catchy compositions in soft and melodious atmospheres starting with 'Look What You Do' (see the video above) on which you are lulled by the sweet voice of 'Geoff Downes' on a first melody which immediately sticks in your head. The titles follow one another and the start of the album offers us real melodic jewels with the luminous 'Clear Light', 'Keep On Moving' (see the video here) in which the vocal harmonies are remarkable and reminiscent of the brothers 'Gibb', 'Darker Side of Fame' which has nothing to envy of its predecessors with its 'Alan Parsons' tones and the beautiful ballad 'Hey Kid' with a piano à la 'Supertramp'. The second part of the album continues this beautiful harmonious journey and we will not miss 'Will To Power' with the delicious vocal harmonies of the two combined songs of our two friends, but also the beautiful ballads with the melancholy 'Heart Shaped Hole' and his magnificent final guitar solo of 'Dave Bainbridge' or 'Dear Petra', more concise, but which, on the theme of child abuse in war, raises the emotional cursor to its paroxysm or even the no less moving 'Goodbye to You (Sister Shame)'. And to end this album in style, the 10 minutes of 'Beyond The Stars' offer us refined and melodious pop-prog with a good place left for instrumentals highlighting the other artists accompanying the duo but also the narrator. Barney Ashton Bullock' with a very warm voice.

In summary, it's another very beautiful album that 'Geoff Downes' and 'Chris Braide' have concocted for us, taking us on a journey through magnificent landscapes overflowing with harmonious melodic lines that we immediately make our own. and which bring us back to the best of the 70s/80s in the pop/rock style...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Braide (Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords, Vocal), Dave Bainbridge (Guitar), Ash Soan (Drums), Andy Hodge (Bass) + Guest : Marc Almond (Vocal), Tim Weller (Drums), Barney Ashton Bullock (Narration), Francis Dunnery (Guitar)


Artist : A.C.T

Album : Live at Kulturbolaget 2019

Release Date : 08-09-2023

Added : 11-10-2023






After their last two very good EPs 'Heatwave' in 2021 and 'Falling' from the beginning of 2023, the Swedes of 'A.C.T' are releasing a live performance recorded in 2019 in 'Malmö' and the video of which can be seen on Youtube here. More than an hour and a half of concert with the best of their discography in this light and festive melodic rock which characterizes them, here is the menu of this live which will put you in shape for a whole day. Their style takes us back to the best of what could be done a few decades ago with influences drawn from the major melodic pop/rock groups who gave so many hits during these years and the names of the 'Beatles', 'Queen' or More from 'Supertramp' often come to mind when listening to the 17 tracks that make up this concert. In short, this 'Live at Kulturbolaget 2019' is an album which is a good summary of the discography of the Swedes of A.C.T' and which should make people happy, beyond the fans of the group, among all those who love rock festive melodic because everything is done to have a great time listening to all these catchy and very accessible melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Herman Saming (Vocal, Choirs), Ola Andersson (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar), Jerry Sahlin (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Peter Asp (Bass), Thomas Lejon (Drums)


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : Human

Release Date : 12-09-2023

Added : 13-10-2023






Stakhanovism is a term that was used by the Soviets to praise a highly productive and dedicated worker (originally it comes from the name of the miner 'Aleksei Stakhanov' who set a record for coal mining in Stalinist Russia). It seems to me very well suited for the German 'Chris Engels' who could be the "stakhanovist of progressive rock" because he returns a few months later 'Pride' with 'Human', a new recording from his project 'CEN-ProjekT' and in the meantime he has also released 'Chaos (War of the Worlds)' from his other project 'Chris Angels' which, for the moment, establishes at four the number of studio recordings he has released in 2023 because we must add the very good 'Tales From Avalon' published in March 2023. Quite close in terms of the general theme to 'Pride', I quotes him: "This album takes the listener on a profound and introspective journey through a variety of themes and emotions. Each track on "Human" is a lyrical and melodic exploration of the complexity of life, love, wisdom, and the human experience.".

Musically, we find this refined and atmospheric progressive that Chris offered us in these previous albums with compositions between 5 and 7 minutes which gives him time to develop a story in which we let ourselves be carried away. 'The Depths of Pain' sets the tone of this latest album with a mid-tempo on which Chris places his delicate vocals, the atmospheric side being very present by the addition of reverb and the good place left to instrumental sections, including the long central keyboard solo bringing the progressive side. Overall, we will find these calm and relaxing atmospheres in titles like 'Life and Death' which is a reflection on this strong link between life and death, the beautiful ballad 'The Lore' on the essential values of life which are kindness, respect and humility, 'In Life's Quiet Stream' which sends us the message of the importance of seizing the moments that often go unnoticed, or 'In a Land of Fairytales' which takes us into a tale fanciful in which the hare and the fox join together to share their strength in the moonlight, without forgetting the composition 'Love' which ends the album with a very beautiful crescendo falling at the end of the title as it had begun, the whispered singing of 'Chris Engels' accompanying some keyboard notes. As for the other compositions, 'Romeo & Juliet' is more symphonic and brings a pastoral side in the middle of the title with a flute, 'The Bomb' deals with the destructive power of the atomic bomb and takes us back to the progressive of the 70s, 'Genesis' comes to mind from the beginning of the title, and 'Merlin', even if the atmosphere remains quite calm, brings a more majestic atmosphere with abundant keyboards and beautiful acoustic breaks.

In summary, 'Human' remains in the continuity of previous albums and is added to the already numerous list of studio recordings by the German 'Chris Engels' who continues his progressive adventure by taking us into his calm and musical world. serene which offers us a good way to escape, for a moment, from the hectic pace of our modern lives...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton

Release Date : 15-09-2023

Added : 14-10-2023






'Steve Hackett', who needs no introduction, never stops touring, reviving the 'Genesis' albums for the fifty years of their release. His current tour with numerous dates highlights the album 'Foxtrot' released in 1973 to which he adds other compositions from his solo albums but also other titles from 'Genesis'. Having had the chance to see him in concert this year at 'Z7' in 'Prettlen' in Switzerland as part of the 'Open Air', I must say that it was a magnificent evening and, at 73 years old, Steve continues to give us offer magical concerts well supported by talented artists. To get a little preview of this concert recorded at 'Brighton' and released on DVD and Blu-Ray, three videos are available on YouTube: 'A Tower Struck Down', 'Watcher Of The Skies' and 'Can-Utility And The Coastliners'. In short, this new live performance of 'Steve Hackett' allows older people to immerse themselves in the early years of 'Genesis' with a modern sound and for younger people perhaps to discover a legendary artist who actively participated in the rise of progressive rock and which continued to perpetuate it for more than 50 years...

List of 'Steve Hackett' reviews in myprogmusic:
'Wolflight' (2015)
'The Total Experience Live In Liverpool' (2016)
'The Night Siren' (2017)
'At The Edge Of Light' (2019)
'Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra – Live' (2019)
'Selling England by The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith' (2020)
'Under A Mediterranean Sky' (2021)
'Surrender of Silence' (2021)
'Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More' (2022)
'Live In Györ' with 'Djabe' (2023)

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar), Roger King (Keybords), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Rob Townsend (Saxophone, Flute), Craig Blundell (Drums, Percussions), Nad Sylvan (Vocal) + Gueste : Amanda Lehmann (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Pretenders

Album : Relentless

Release Date : 15-09-2023

Added : 15-10-2023

After the septuagenarian 'Steve Hackett' and in another style, it is the 'Pretenders' still led by the legendary singer 'Chrissie Hynde' who are releasing a new album, 'Relentless', showing that there are those for whom music keeps !! And to tell you the truth, this new opus is not at all reheated like some people are used to doing with one or two new titles: no, after 'Hate for Sale', these are 12 new original compositions and the tone is set with 'Losing My Sense Of Taste' which, for all those who knew the beginnings of the group, can only take a trip back in time when hearing the so characteristic singing of the American. What follows alternates different atmospheres with melodies that are immediately grafted into your head: among the catchy titles with these guitar riffs characteristic of the group, we can cite the mid-tempo 'A Love' (see video above), the radiant 'Let The Sun Come In' or the energetic 'Vainglorious' with the rhythm of 'Middle Of The Road'. But the majority of the compositions are calmer and merge acoustic and electric while also showing all the talent for this style of songs: 'Domestic Silence' with its slow tempo flirts with languorous blues, 'The Copa' is a beautiful, light and exotic acoustic ballad , 'The Promise Of Love', 'Your House Is On Fire' and 'Just Let It Go' make us relive the most beautiful ballads of the 'Pretenders' with this beautiful emotion in the singing of 'Chrissie Hynde', the slow 'Merry Widow' with its strong rhythm accelerates the tempo at the end of the track with some Arabic riffs, 'Look Away' is a very endearing acoustic refrain and, to magnificently close this album, 'I Think About You Daily' (see the video here) is the ballad par excellence which transports us cozy on a little cloud listening to the moving vocals of 'Chrissie Hynde', the string arrangements adding a beautiful melancholy to this title.

In summary, this 'Relentless' shows that after more than 45 years the 'Prentenders' are still there to offer us sumptuous albums and that, even if the ballads take up a little more space (which is not 'is not to displease me), 'Chrissie Hynde' continues to delight us with this sublime voice recognizable among thousands from the first bars...

Line Up / Musicians

Chrissie Hynde (Vocal, Guitar), Kris Sonne (Drums), Chriss Hill (Bass), Dave Page (Bass), Carwyn Ellis (Keybords, Guitar)


Artist : Nine Skies

Album : The Lightmaker

Release Date : 18-09-2023

Added : 16-10-2023






After the excellent '5.20' dating from 2021, the French from 'Nine Skies' are releasing a new studio recording 'The Lightmaker' which is dedicated to 'Eric Bouillette' who died in 2022 and who was the life and stage companion of keyboardist 'Anne-Claire Rallo'. For this album, the members of the group called on numerous guests from the international progressive scene: we find the Italian singer and keyboardist 'Riccardo Romano' who released the rock opera 'B612' in 2017 inspired by the story of 'The Little Prince' of 'Antoine de Saint-Exupéry' and which is part of the project 'Ranestane', the singer 'Martin Wilson' of the project 'The Room', the well-known 'John Mitchell', multi-instrumentalist and singer (among others 'Lonely Robot' and 'Arena'), singer and bassist 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' of 'Kayak' including the latest solo album 'Let Me Be a Ghost' dating from 2021, keyboardist 'Adam Holzman' working with 'Steven Wilson', session drummer 'Marco Minnemann' participating in numerous projects (among others 'Kalle Wallner' and 'Steven Wilson'), the French singer 'Arnaud Quevedo' who released his second solo album '2ND Life' in 2023, the Italian singer 'Laura Piazzai' which was released in 2019 'From the Outside in' with 'Clive Nolan' and singer 'Charlie Bramald' who plays the flute in 'The Navigator' from 'Nova Cascade' and whose profits are donated to pancreatic cancer research in tribute to 'Eric Bouillette' who participated in the album, in short a hell of a bunch of artists!

'The Lightmaker' is a concept album that tells us the story of 'Rudy' now living in his 1001st and final life (it was 'Anne-Claire Rallo' who wrote the lyrics) and we go through some of his existences and among these eight lives which form the eight compositions of the album, six of them are long progressive developments, the other two ('An Fánai' which means the wanderer and the ethereal 'The Wanderer' being brief instrumental commas). 'The Explorer' begins in serenity with the whispered singing of 'Riccardo Romano' and then develops a magnificent progressive suite in which we are taken into multiple twists and turns alternating different rhythms and intensities, the poignant singing of the Italian bringing an emotion very particular throughout the title. 'The Dreamer' highlights the very expressive singing of 'Martin Wilson' in a new epic with magnificent symphonic arrangements, the acoustic guitar sections being remarkable and the guitar solo 'Floydien' by Alexandre Lamia' also being of great quality. beauty, then, 'The Chaotic' changes register to take us into saturated guitar riffs, the alternation between heavy sections and other lighter ones bringing a remarkable originality, the rhythm section of 'Johnny Marter' and 'Alexis Bietti' imprinting on this title multiple remarkable changes and breaks on which 'Arnaud Quevedo' and 'Laura Piazzai' play cat and mouse on vocals, without forgetting the central keyboard solo of Adam Holzman' and the enormous guitar solo final adding further to the success of this extraordinary title: great progressive! Break with 'The Lost' which begins with some bell sounds and the hoarse voice of 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' acoustically with some delicious acoustic guitar arpeggios and which then develops a magnificent melody which delicately rocks you, then arriving halfway through, the horses are let loose with a series of tensions and relaxations, the last part of the title bringing a dizzying power and ending with a fade out (I don't know why the closing fades never appealed to me so much and I think that this grandiose title would have deserved a real ending). 'The Haunted' is another beautiful progressive epic and, this time, it's 'Charlie Bramald' who brings a very expressive vocal to a beautiful melody which delicately tickles you in a very subtle atmosphere, the instrumental parts adding to this side poetic, then, in the second part of the title, the sung acoustic section followed by a few guitar arpeggios prolongs this waking dream then these repeated words 'I don't panic' penetrate us deep into our brain until the almost unreal finale on which a few piano notes and a few keyboard layers accompany the narration of 'Charlie Bramald'. And to end in style, 'The Architect' offers us a last long development with the extraordinary singing of Achraf El Asraoui' which begins calmly and gradually gains momentum by offering us multiple variations of intensity and rhythm always very well orchestrated by the rhythm section of 'Marco Minnemann' and which continues with a magnificent break in the middle of the title, made with sound effects, to better bounce towards a sumptuous finale with a magical guitar solo from Sieur 'John Mitchell' which makes you stand up all the hairs on your body: simply divine!

In summary, as you will have understood, 'Nine Skies' hit very hard with this new album and certainly offers us the most accomplished progressive album of the year 2023. Of course, I am not going to lie, this kind of progressive does not reveal all its quintessence at the first listen and 'The Lightmaker' requires numerous listenings to extract all the richness and to penetrate all the nooks and crannies, to finally become an essential work which will join the ideal nightclub for any progressive fan...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexandre Lamia (Guitar, Keybords, Piano), Anne-Claire Rallo (Keybords), David Darnaud (Guitar), Achraf El Asraoui (Vocal), Alexis Bietti (Bass), Johnny Marter (Drums, Percussions) + Guests : Riccardo Romano (Vocal), Martin Wilson (Vocal), John Mitchell (Guitar), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Vocal, Bass), Adam Holzman (Keybords), Marco Minnemann (Drums), Arnaud Quevedo (Vocal), Laura Piazzai (Vocal), Charlie Bramald (Vocal)


Albums released and not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q3 2023

This playlist features albums released in Q3 2023 in different styles that have not been reviewed in myprogmusic :

July 2023
07/05/2023 Coastwise - Hard Rock Is Back - Hard Rock
07/07/2023 Astral Magic - Experiences in Hyperspace - Psychedelic Rock
07/07/2023 Cécile Corbel - La Fille du Verseau - Celtic Music
07/07/2023 All For Metal - Legends - Power Metal
07/07/2023 A Life Divided - Down The Spiral Of A Soul - Melodic Metal
07/10/2023 AOR - Bewitched In L.A. - Melodic Rock
07/10/2023 Arnaud Quevedo - 2ND Life - Jazz/Rock Progressive/Symphonic
07/14/2023 Voyager - Fearless in Love - Pop/Rock/Metal Progressive/Electronic
07/14/2023 Eleine - We Shall Remain - Symphonic Metal
07/14/2023 Freedom Call - The M.E.T.A.L. Fest (Live) - Power Metal
07/14/2023 Alia Tempora - Prismatica - Electro Metal
07/17/2023 Leah Waybright - Dreamed - Classic/Jazz
07/26/2023 Flor De Loto - Lines of Nasca - Progressive Rock/Folk
August 2023
08/01/2023 Analog Sunshine - The Mountain - Progressive/Psychedelic Rock
08/04/2023 Icon of Sin - Legends - Power Metal
08/11/2023 Hell In the Club - F.U.B.A.R. - Hard Rock
08/22/2023 Veritas - Silent Script - Rock/Metal
08/25/2023 SinHeresY - Event Horizon - Symphonic Metal
08/25/2023 Chris Manning - Reach The Sky - Melodic Roc/Metal
08/25/2023 Prime Creation - Tell Freedom I Said Hello - Melodic Heavy Metal
08/25/2023 Course Of Fate - Omnium - Progressive Metal
08/25/2023 Phil Vincent - Divine Intervention - Melodic Rock/Hard Rock
08/25/2023 Noveria - The Gates Of The Underworld - Power Progressive Metal
08/25/2023 Derek Sherinian, Simon Phillips - Sherinian/Phillips Live - Intrumental Progressive Metal
September 2023
09/01/2023 Dopapod - Coloradopapod (Live) - Progressive Rock/Funk/Jazz fusion/Country
09/01/2023 Rhys Marsh - Towards The West - Progressive Song
09/01/2023 Firewind - Still Raging – 20th Anniversary Show - Heavy Metal
09/01/2023 Phil Cambell and the Bastard Sons - Kings Of The Asylum - Hard Rock
09/01/2023 Project: Xanadu - Refrained Transgressions - Progressive Rock
09/08/2023 Jonathan Wilson - Eat The Worm - Pop
09/08/2023 Bendik Brænne - Birds Are Real - Pop
09/15/2023 Ronnie Romero - Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters - Heavy Metal
09/15/2023 TesseracT - War Of Being - Progressive Metal
09/15/2023 The Dear Hunter - Act I: The Lake South, The River North - Progressive Rock
09/15/2023 Poor Genetic Material - Elsewhere - Progressive Rock
09/22/2023 Winterstorm - Everfrost - Power Metal
09/22/2023 Anabantha - Almas desnudas - Gothic Metal
09/22/2023 Rising Wings - Reach - Melodic Metal
09/22/2023 Bruce Soord - Luminescence - Pop/Rock
09/27/2023 Zelion - Ángel Caído - Melodic Hard Rock/Metal
09/27/2023 Loonypark - Strange Thoughts - Progressive Rock
09/29/2023 Within Temptation - Ritual - Symphonic Metal
09/29/2023 Wishbone Ash - Live Dates Live - Pop/Rock
09/29/2023 Black Stone Cherry - Screamin' At The Sky - Hard Rock
09/29/2023 Red - Rated R - Rock/Metal
09/29/2023 25 Yard Screamer - The Memory Cheats (The Pictures Within 2023) - Progressive Rock
09/29/2023 Ann Wilson - Another Door - Rock
09/29/2023 Fraise - The Fifth Sun, Pt. II - Heavy Power Metal


Artist : Subsignal

Album : A Poetry Of Rain

Release Date : 22-09-2023

Added : 18-10-2023






'Subsignal' is a German progressive rock band who have already released four studio recordings, a live recording and a compilation from 2009/2015 which are all available on their spotify page, the last one being the live ' A Song For The Homeless - Live In Russelsheim 2019' dating from 2020. I discovered them with this new album 'A Poetry Of Rain' which was produced by the label 'Gentle Art of Music' of 'Kalle Wagner' and 'Yogi Lang' members of the group 'RPWL', label which is generally a guarantee of quality of the artists produced. Musically, 'Subsignal' offers us fairly classic progressive rock with limited composition durations since the longest does not exceed seven minutes.

We are welcomed by the very short eponymous title of the album in a calm and serene acoustic atmosphere with just a dry guitar and a few layers of keyboards, then, a complete change of scenery with 'The Art of Giving In' which begins energetically with a muscular and lively rhythm section which leads the dance throughout the track, the whole benefiting from remarkable sung parts (very beautiful vocal arrangements in the choirs), the instrumental finale falling into a more tranquil atmosphere with a guitar with slide sounds. New change of style with 'Marigold' which is a magnificent ballad with a slight crescendo in a slow tempo on which we let ourselves be lulled with a melodic chorus superbly sung by 'Arno Menses'. With 'Silver (The Sheltered Garden)' (see the video above), we navigate between rock and progressive metal with heavy guitar riffs alongside quieter parts, the long instrumental section in the second part bringing a disturbing climate , then, alternately, 'Impasse' is a new ballad with a first part in refined acoustic which continues in the same gentleness with the arrival of electric instruments and drums. 'Embers Part II: Water Wings' begins in the same atmosphere as its predecessor but gradually gains momentum to take off halfway through and then alternate acoustic breaks with more muscular parts, the vocal harmonies being everything quite admirable. Rougher in its introduction, 'Melencolia One' shows a catchy first part with many rhythmic breaks and continues in a slower second part with a catchy melody, then, 'A Wound Is A Place To Let The Light In' offers us a melodic jewel in the form of a new ballad with luminous choirs, the second part integrating a very beautiful, more progressive instrumental section and the whole bringing a certain lightness. 'The Last Of its Kind' unfolds a new catchy melody on a marked rhythm with a jazzy aside followed by a beautiful break with a few piano notes bringing us back little by little in the finale to the starting theme. And to close the album, 'A Room On the Edge of Forever' (see the video here) is a refined ballad with the accompaniment of a Hispanic acoustic guitar highlighting one last time the beautiful vocal harmonies à la 'Crosby, Still, Nash & Young'.

In summary, the Germans from 'Subsignal' release a remarkable album which takes us on a beautiful progressive journey and which offers us very beautiful vocal harmonies, and 'A Poetry of Rain' should please a progressive rock audience quite broad loving compositions with predominantly calm and serene atmospheres tinged here and there with an endearing melancholy...

Line Up / Musicians

Markus Steffen (Guitar), Arno Menses (Vocal), Martijn Horsten (Bass), Markus Maichel (Keybords), Dirk Brand (Drums)


Artist : Fleesh

Album : Version IV

Release Date : 25-09-2023

Added : 19-10-2023

I regularly present to you the releases of the Brazilian duo 'Fleesh' and, after the first three cover albums (the latest here), here is a fourth opus which contains new ones. As usual, they offer us a fairly wide range of styles and we find the beautiful sensual voice of 'Gabby Vessoni', the the man orchestra 'Celo Oliveira' taking care of all the instrumentation. You can find all these videos on their youtube page here. Another great moment to spend listening to all his covers, some of which are inevitably reprinted in a quieter way, the original never being distorted. In short, I leave you in the company once again of Gabby and Celo for a magnificent moment of listening and the list below presents you the titles, their original performer, the album and the year of release.

List of original titles:
01 - Murder Machine (Marillion – An Hour Before It's Dark – 2022)
02 – Don't Let It Bring You Down (Neil Young – After the Gold Rush – 1970)
03 - Of The New Day (Porcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation – 2022)
04 - The Show Must Go On (Queen – Innuendo – 1991)
05 - Under The Same Sun (Scorpions – Face the Heat – 1993)
06 - Bedshaped (Keane – Hopes and Fears – 2004)
07 - We Got Used To Us (Riverside – Shine Of New Generation Slaves)
08 - Landslide (Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – 1975)
09 - Numb (Linkin Park – Meteora – 2003)
10 - Veteran of the Psychic Wars (Blue Öyster Cult – Fire of Unknown Origin – 1981)
11 - Caçador de Mim (Milton Nascimento - Caçador de Mim – 1981)
12 - Life Eternal (Ghost – Prequelle – 2018)

Line Up / Musicians

Gabby Vessoni (Vocal), Celo Oliveira (All Instruments)


Artist : Steven Wilson

Album : The Harmony Codex

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 20-10-2023

The pioneer of new musical horizons 'Steven Wilson' is back with a new album 'The Harmony Codex', and if the latest studio recordings made us travel through different spatio-temporal faults like 'Doc Brown' in 'Back to the Future', the last one on the list 'The Future Brites' being resolutely turned towards electronic music and making me personally come out of my confines by dusting off this attachment to the traditional "guitar, bass, drums" structure inherited from the blues, one could say that this new opus continues partly in this direction while exploring "more conventional" styles (and this even within the compositions), a kind of mixing that is even a little more marked which explodes all known labels. The proof, trying to put it in a box is like trying to climb Everest without respiratory assistance!!

First of all, 'Steven Wilson' has surrounded himself with a great range of artists and we find the regulars with, honor to the women, 'Ninet Tayeb' on vocals, 'Adam Holzman' on keyboards (who participated in the magnificent albums 'The Lightmaker' from 'Nine Skies'), 'Nick Beggs' on bass, 'Theo Travis' on saxophone and flute, 'Craig Blundell' on drums, 'David Kollar' on guitar but also new instrumentalists, notably jazz trumpeter 'Nils Peter Molvear' and violinist 'Ben Coleman' who further diversify the instrumental section. 'The Harmony Codex' takes us into a musical melting pot with changes of ambiance and associations of great originality such as, from the introductory title 'Inclination', these electronic percussions on which, among others, the trumpet ' Nils Peter Molvear' puts down a few notes with muffled tones. I won't go into title by title because you will already find other very well-done reviews on the web (including that of the Progcritique site here) but I would like to share my experience of listening to this kind of album. As a prerequisite, to fully enjoy 'The Harmony Codex', even if certain titles take us back to something more conventional, it is necessarily essential to have a good open mind. Then, discovering a work of this type could be compared to climbing an immense tree with multiple ramifications: at first listening, we try to cling to the branches that seem most familiar to us, without trying too hard to venture out on others which seem more difficult to access. And then, as we listen, we become less shy and discover, little by little, these other branches that we had not yet explored, to, finally, tame the whole tree and the walk like a tightrope walker on its wire, the whole becoming a wonderful playground.

Another point to highlight, 'Steven Wilson' is also releasing a blu-ray version with videos of each title which allow you to immerse yourself even better in his universe and transform this musical album into an artistic work, his YouTube page presenting five: 'What Life Brings', 'Economies of Scale', 'Impossible Tightrope', 'Rock Bottom' and 'The Harmony Codex'.

In summary, 'Steven Wilson' continues its journey without worrying about fashions and offers us a new album that could be described as overwhelming, literally because it overturns all established codes but also figuratively because a total immersion in 'The Harmony Codex' becomes, after several listenings, a very strong moment which remains engraved forever in the memory...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Guitars, Vocal), Adam Holzman (Keybords), Nick Beggs (Bass), Theo Travis (Saxophone, Flute), David Kollar (Guitar), Craig Blundell (Drums), Ninet Tayeb (Vocal), Nils Peter Molvear (Trumpet), Ben Coleman (Violin), Nate Wood (Drums), Niko Tsnovev (Guitar), Nate Navarro (Bass), Jack Dangers (Programmation électronique)


Artist : Layla Zoe

Album : Back to the Spirit of 66

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 21-10-2023

After 'Steven Wilson' who took us out of our musical boundaries, we return to more traditional blues/rock, but certainly, with one of the most beautiful voices of the moment, I named 'Layla Zoe' whose last studio recording 'Nowhere Left to Go' dates from 2021, 2022 having seen the release of 'The World Could Change' in collaboration with 'Henrik Freischlader'. And this time, in total communion with the public, she offers us a very beautiful live performance recorded in a major concert venue, at the club 'The Spirit of 66' in Belgium, where many artists perform in different styles (note that she is familiar with this place since this is the 17th time she has come to 'The Spirit of 66' and she had already released 'Live at Spirit of 66' in 2015).

And, from the start, she gives you goosebumps with an a capella rendition of the song 'Golden Slumber' by the 'Beatles', then, off we go for a ninety minute concert during which she goes through her discography , the last album with 'Henrik Freischlader' being well represented since six of the thirteen tracks of the concert are taken from it. Alternatingly, she first offers us good dynamic and energetic blues/rock with titles like 'Dark Heart', 'Leave You for Good', 'Ghost Train' or even 'Watch What You're Doing', but she has this talent to move us in more measured atmospheres and this set list includes a majority of more sensual blues compositions: evidenced by the magnificent 'The World Could Change' on which we let ourselves be lulled, 'Praying Kind' with a very beautiful guitar accompaniment to 'Krissy Matthews', the languorous 'Susan' and 'Roses and Lavender', 'Weakness' with its 'Black Sabbath'-style rhythm, without forgetting the three melodic jewels which are 'Brother', 'We 're All the Same' and 'He Loves Me' which end this concert in style.

In summary, it is generally in these strong moments of exchange with the public that talented blues artists reveal themselves even more and this live performance of 'Layla Zoe' is further proof because, she shows us once again that she is one of the greatest singers of this style and that she knows how to transmit all this authenticity and emotion at every moment, and this, for our greatest pleasure...

Line Up / Musicians

Layla Zoe (Vocal), Krissy Matthews (Guitar), Felix Dehmel (Drums), Paul Jobson (Keybords, Bass)


Artist : Blackbriar

Album : A Dark Euphony

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 22-10-2023

I introduced you to the Dutch from 'Blackbriar' in 2021 with the release of their first opus 'The Cause of Shipwreck' telling you that they were playing in the backyard of 'Within Temptation' (who has just released a new album). And precisely, if you are nostalgic for the latter's first albums, for example 'Enter', 'Mother Earth' or 'The Silent Force', their compatriots have just released a second album 'A Dark Euphory'. We therefore find the angelic singing of 'Zora Cock' (which is reminiscent of the beginnings of 'Sharon den Adel' but certainly in a higher register) in eleven original compositions for around fifty minutes of listening.

From the outset, we find this catchy melodic metal with 'An Unwelcome Guest' and 'Far Distant Land' continues on this well-trodden path with an obvious parallel with the first 'Within Temptation'. For this new baby, they put on a great spread since it is accompanied by five videos and I will present it to you in this way allowing you to associate the image with the music: first of all 'Spirit of Forgetfulness' takes us into a gothic chapel for a powerful mid-tempo, then, 'Cicada', on a heavy tempo, takes us back in time to the time of fairies and carriages. We continue with 'My Soul's Demise' which takes us into a strange ceremony in a church, then 'Forever and a Day' is a beautiful black and white video shot on a dune by the sea, and finally, 'Crimson Faces', which ends the album, offers us a final track with an addictive chorus that immediately gets into your head. The other compositions which have not been the subject of a video are in the same style and we can still cite the beautiful ballad 'The Evergreen and Weeping Tree' which allows for a welcome break and in which 'Zora Cock' delivers a very beautiful vocal performance with her high-pitched singing.

In summary, the Dutch from 'Blackbriar' continue their momentum with a very good second album and, even if they do not revolutionize symphonic metal, show that they should soon rise to the level of the tenors of the kind especially since they are now under the German flag with the label 'Nuclear Blast'...

Line Up / Musicians

Zora Cock (Vocal), René Boxem (Drums), Bart Winters (Guitar), Robin Koezen (Guitar) , Ruben Wijga (Keybords), Siebe Sol Sijpkens (Bass)


Artist : Danny Bryant

Album : Rise

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 24-10-2023

Two years after having uttered his cry of rage with the excellent 'The Rage To Survive', 'Danny Bryant' releases a new album 'Rise' which contains 9 original tracks plus a magnificent acoustic cover of 'I Want You' by 'Bob Dylan'. With an alternation between catchy blues/rock that is always so authentic and touches you at first listen, and a very moving sensitivity in quieter compositions, we navigate with happiness in this latest baby from the British. The start of the album with the title song and 'Animal In Me' automatically start the foot tapping machine and in this direct style, we can also cite compositions like 'Hard Way To Go' which exudes a blues very heavy, the Hammond sections and the guitar solo being completely addictive, 'Silver and Gold' not being left out with this tempo shuffle which can only make you sway slowly to the rhythm of the music and the album ends with the short, direct and very rhythmic 'Drown (Jam)'. 'Danny Bryant' also has more refined and tranquil atmospheres and we are also seduced by very beautiful ballads with 'Louise' which is reminiscent of the melodic lines of 'The House Of The Rising Sun', 'Scarlett Street' on which we let ourselves be lulled by the slow printed tempo or even 'Julienne' which further raises the emotional cursor to its climax thanks to a gripping vocal performance from the British. We will also not miss the soothing 'Into The Slipstream' with its choirs bringing a soft gospel side, the guitar solos are always very gripping and I come back to this cover 'I Want You' of 'Bob Dylan', transformed into a ballad, the interpretation of 'Danny Bryant' bringing considerable emotional force, the finale with this acoustic guitar solo accompanied by very beautiful choirs being a real joy.

In summary, this magnificent album shows, once again, all the talent of 'Danny Bryant' to offer us nuggets of blues/rock with a remarkable alternation between energetic atmospheres and other more tranquil ones in which he excels at transmitting beautiful emotions to us, and 'Rise' joins the best releases of the year in this style, the latest reviewed in myprogmusic being those of, honor to the ladies, 'Layla Zoe' but also from 'Lance Lopez', 'Laurence Jones', 'Coco Montaya' and 'Popa Chubby'...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bryant (Vocal, Guitar), Marc Raner (Guitar), Paul Mallatratt (Bass), Jamie Pipe (Keybords), Ian Dowling (Keybords), Lauren Young (Saxophone), David Maddison (Trumpet), Dave Raeburn (Drums), Nikki Alexander (Choirs)


Artist : Karfagen – Sunchild – Hoggwash

Album : A Message of Peace Tour Live

Release Date : 05-10-2023

Added : 25-10-2023






For several years now, I have been following 'Antony Kalugin' with his various projects, my last column from April 2023 'Passage to the Forest of Mysterious' being dedicated to the latest album by 'Karfagen'. This latest album 'A Message of Peace Tour Live' is a concert recorded at the 'Parkvilla Theater' in Alphen-on-the-Rhine (Alphen aan den Rijn) in the Netherlands in 2022. It is necessary to underline the particular context of this tour since Antony, as a Ukrainian, could not leave his country in the event of mobilization and his country still accepted that he could do this tour to, as the name of the album mentions, bring a message of peace. As usual, during tours, he takes the opportunity to perform compositions from his three main projects, 'Hoggwash', 'Sunchild' and 'Karfagen'. On the menu of this one, the compositions of 'Sunchild' constitute the majority with seven titles performed, the other five being shared between 'Karfagen' and 'Hoggwash' which allows us to hear or re-hear older compositions. Needless to say, we have a wonderful time with these very endearing artists, the vocal section being particularly rich since in addition to Antony Kalagin', these are the two singers 'Mariya Panasenko' and 'Olha Rostovska' who accompany him in this live and the rest of the line up is composed of Anton Barsukov' on guitar, 'Vladyslav Karbovskyi' on bass and 'Kostiantyn Shepelenko' on drums. Even if the latest 'Karfagen' is not present in the set list, the latter presents a nice variety of compositions with, on the one hand, short and fairly direct titles such as 'Shall We Run?', 'The Reason Why' or 'Visionary Sights' which develop catchy melodies and, on the other hand, long progressive developments like 'Another Friday Night' and 'Out Of The Darkness', both from the 'Hogwash' project and dating from 2007 but also tracks from 'Sunchild' albums like 'Rain Drops' and 'The Invisible Line'. We will also note at the end of the concert the two instrumentals 'Amused Fair' and 'Father' which show all of Antony Kalugin's talent as a composer, the concert ending with the magnificent ballad 'A Day Without Rain'.

In summary, 'Antony Kalugin', surrounded by talented artists, offers us a very beautiful concert which, in the circumstances that we know for the Ukrainians, takes on a very particular character and, beyond the fans of 'Karfagen', 'Sunchild' and 'Hoggwash', 'A Message of Peace Tour Live' is a good way to discover these different progressive projects with compositions which we tame very easily thanks to beautiful melodic lines...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Vocal, Keybords), Mariya Panasenko (Vocal), Olha Rostovska (Vocal), Anton Barsukov (Guitar), Vladyslav Karbovskyi (Bass), Kostiantyn Shepelenko (Drums)


Artist : Joe Bonamassa

Album : Blues Deluxe Vol. 2

Release Date : 06-10-2023

Added : 26-10-2023

A few days ago, in the column dedicated to 'Danny Bryant', I listed the different blues/rock releases from previous months and it's another album from the tireless 'Joe Bonamassa' which was released at the beginning of October in which he offers us this style timeless with its second volume of 'Blues Deluxe'. And this all-blue cover with the stereo inscription at the top already says a lot about this album (he had already produced the very beautiful album 'The Blues Album' by 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' with the same style of cover) because it takes us back a few decades at the time of the first stereo LP records: all the titles except 'Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)' which is an original title are therefore blues/rock covers that he appropriates to give us a very good listening time (see list below). And to promote this album, he did not skimp on the means with five videos of this opus which allow us to add the image to all these titles smelling of good authentic blues/rock: 'Twenty-Four Hour Blues', 'Well, I Done Got Over It' , 'I Want To Shout About It', 'Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)' and 'Lazy Poker Blues'. In short, this little return to the past with these covers of good blues/rock is a real treat and shows that 'Joe Bonamassa' continues on its path by regularly offering us sumptuous albums, whether by covering classics from other artists or with his original compositions...

List of titles (original performer):
1 – Twenty-Four Hour Blues ('Bobby “Blue” Bland')
2 – It’s Hard But It’s Fair ('Bobby Parker')
3 – Well, I Done Got Over It ('Guitar Slim')
4 – I Want to Shout About It ('Ronnie Earle & The Broadcasters')
5 – Win-O ('Pee Wee Crayton')
6 – Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again) ('Joe Bonamassa & Tom Hambridge')
7 – Lazy Poker Blues ('Fleetwood Mac')
8 – You Sure Drive a Hard Bargain ('Albert King')
9 – The Truth Hurts Feat Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith ('Kenny Neal')
10 – Is It Safe To Go Home ('Josh Smith')

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bonamassa (Vocal, Guitar), Josh Smith (Guitar), Kirk Fletcher (Guitar), Calvin Turner (Bass), Lemar Carter (Drums), Reese Wynans (Keybords), Matt Jefferson (Trombone), Barry Breen (Trombone), Mark Douthit (Saxophone), Paulie Cerra (Saxophone), Jimmy Bowland (Saxophone, Flute), Jeff Bailey (Trumpet), Steve Patrick (Trumpet), Charles Jones (Choirs), Danielle DeAndrea (Choirs), Jade MacRae (Choirs), Mahalia Barnes (Choirs)


Artist : Darrel Treece-Birch's Atlantea

Album : Choices

Release Date : 06-10-2023

Added : 27-10-2023

'Darrel Treece-Birch' is known for being the keyboardist of the melodic hard rock band 'Ten' but, what we know a little less is that, at the same time, he pursued a solo career in a progressive register (his last album 'The First Step…It To Take One' dating of 2018) and that he also participated in the project 'Nth Ascension' which he left in 2021. I discovered him in 2016 with 'No More Time' which was his second solo album and which, at the time, made a very good impression on me . His new project is called 'Atlantea' and this first album 'Choices' which was released at the beginning of October sees the participation of many guests, including several singers, which was not the case for his solo albums which are mostly made up of instrumental titles.

'Choices' features thirteen compositions for just over an hour of listening time and 'Darrel Treece-Birch' describes it this way: " As a song writer, I have decided upon a musical project which allows me to write in a very free way, across many styles, and is complemented by wonderful musician friends to guest on instruments and lead vocal duties. ". And, indeed, the album is very varied, and we navigate between different progressive styles between rock and hard rock, alternating different atmospheres ranging from beautiful ballads to much more energetic tracks. After the short 'Floydian' atmospheric introduction, 'Questions' sets the scene with epic progressive which takes us back a few decades and unfolds a first catchy melody on a slow tempo with very beautiful vocal arrangements, then, 'The Watchers' continues in this melodic and rhythmic rock for a more direct title. Make way for the very beautiful ballad, 'All I Need' which highlights 'Kayleigh Treece-Birch' on vocals and offers keyboard accompaniment with vintage tones of the 70s, then 'What Price Is Life' (see the video above) continues in this quiet atmosphere with a new ballad which, this time, is sung by 'Eoin de Paor' on a melody which is immediately grafted into the head. What follows continues in this alternation of styles and 'One and the Same' returns to hard rock à la 'Uriah Heep' and we will find this strong style in 'You Decide (Dumdedum)' but the second part of the album brings together mainly calmer compositions starting with the magnificent ballad 'If We Could' (see the video here) magnified by the Greek singer 'Eva Sakellari', then 'Changes' also shows a very peaceful face with 'Tony Mitchell' au singing on melodic lines reminding me on a few bars of 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' from the 'Beatles'. The last four titles are as many melodic jewels with 'The Promise' sung by the Dutchwoman 'Maaike Siegerist' and which offers very beautiful instrumental passages, bringing a good dose of progressive, then, the following ballad 'Secret Place' is sung by 'David Reed-Watson' who is in a much more register calm than that of his group 'Alchemy Fire'. Still in a quiet atmosphere, we find 'Tony Mitchell' in 'Rise Above' (see the video here) with keyboard accompaniment making me think of the sounds of 'Barclay James-Harvest' with 'If Love Is King' datinf from 1990, then, 'Time For Choice' concludes this album in a very beautiful way with 'Eoin de Paor' which lulls us on a final ballad with a melody which delicately insinuates itself into the depths of your mind and which offers a very beautiful guitar solo by 'Alexandre Santos'.

In summary, we were already accustomed to the very good solo albums of 'Darrel Treece-Birch' which are largely instrumental and 'Choices' shows that the British is also an outstanding author/composer and that he knows how to 'surround yourself with talented artists to perform your compositions with catchy melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Darrel Treece-Birch (Drums, Percussions, Bass, Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Eoin de Paor (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Alexandre Santos (Guitar), David Reed-Watson (Vocal), George Aspiotis (Vocal), Tony Mitchell (Vocal), Kayleigh Treece-Birch (Vocal, Choirs), Alexis Papalexiou (Choirs), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Eva Sakellari (Vocal), Maaike Siegerist (Vocal), Fotis Benardo (Choirs), Mata Kourti (Choirs)


Artist : Mostly Autumn

Album : Studio 2

Release Date : 13-10-2023

Added : 28-10-2023






Since the creation of myprogmusic in 2015, I have regularly presented the albums of 'Mostly Autumn', the latest being 'Graveyard Star' from 2021 which was followed by the sublime live 'Back In These Arms' in 2022. For this new release from the Britaniques, it's neither really a studio album, nor really a live one in the sense of a concert in front of an audience but covers of some of their compositions recorded in the legendary studio of the 'Beatles', 'Abbey Road'. And for this occasion, they have invited a string quartet (no information on its composition) and offer us an anthology of their discography for our greatest pleasure: then parade the melodic jewels which are now in the memory of each fan starting with 'The Man Without a Name' which gives goosebumps from the start, the title being stripped down with just the piano and a few strings accompanying the sublime singing of Olivia Sparnenn-Josh'. Also keeping just the substantive marrow, follows 'Silver Glass' which continues to transmit this palpable emotion and the compositions parade one after the other maintaining throughout this particular concert an emotional level at its paroxysm, the joy of playing in this mythical place certainly having a lot to do with it and the impeccable recording bringing a very special dynamic to this unique moment. In short, after the live release released in 2022, it is yet another magnificent album that the British of 'Mostly Autumn' offer us and if you do not yet know this group and you like calm atmospheres in progressive rock, 'Studio 2' is a good way to discover them with essential compositions from their repertoire...

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Josh (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal, Tambourine), Olivia Sparnenn-Josh (Vocal, Choirs, Keybords), Chris Johnson (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Iain Jennings (Keybords, Hammond), Angela Gordon (Flute, Choirs), Andy Smith (Bass), Henry Rogers (Drums)


Melodic Rock/Hard Rock Albums released October 13, 2023






I have grouped together in this column several album releases from October 13 mixing different styles ranging from rock to metal with melodic and catchy compositions from the first listen.

We start with 'Ronnie Atkins' which, after 'Make It Count' released in 2022 and despite his cancer diagnosed four years ago (wouldn't music be the best therapy?), continues to release new albums with ' Trinity' who is her last baby. Unsurprisingly, it's still a very good varied opus of melodic hard rock with energetic compositions like he has the secret to which he adds some welcome breaks with the very beautiful 'Soul Divine', the short instrumental break 'Via Dolorosa' and the magnificent final ballad 'What If'. In short, another album from 'Ronnie Atkins' which can be enjoyed with pleasure and which adds to the previous opuses showing all the Dane's talent as a melodist...
Video of 'Trinity'

We continue with the Americans of 'Station' in melodic hard rock with their new opus 'And Time Goes On' which arrives after 'Stained Glass' from 2019 and 'Perspective' of 2021. We embark on 50 minutes of melodic hard rock with 11 compositions that take us back to the best of this style from the 80s/90s. If you like the energy of effective hard rock with chorus melodies and if you're feeling a bit slack, listen to tracks like 'If You Want Me Too' and 'A Little Bit Of Love' and you'll see that they will immediately get you back in shape much better than any medication. And after getting back on track, listen to the only moment of recovery (but what a moment!) with the final title 'And Time Goes On' which is a magnificent ballad. In short, nothing yet to throw away in this latest album from 'Station' which parades addictive melodies throughout this 'And Time Goes On'...
Video of 'If You Want Me Too'

Not bad either, the British from 'Nitrate' offer us a new studio recording 'Feel The Heat' which comes after 'Open Wide' from 2019 and 'Renegade' from 2021. As with the two previous ones, we embark on endless melodic compositions that we want to listen to in a loop and they make us relive the best of melodic rock of the 80s in 11 new original compositions with 'Alexander Strandell' who always offers us magnificent vocal performances and talented instrumentalists on guitars, keyboards and rhythm section. Two calmer moments soften all the energy spent with the beautiful ballads 'One Kiss (To Save My Heart') in which 'Issa' was invited and 'Stay' which closes the album in style. In short, no need to add more for you say that 'Nitrate' brings us yet another album full of dynamite which should still make all fans of melodic rock and hard rock happy...
Video of 'Feel The Heat'

Heading to Italy with 'Edge Of Forever' who are releasing a new album 'Ritual' after giving us two sumptuous albums, 'Native Soul' dating from late 2019 and 'Seminole' dating from early 2022. You don't change a winning team and the sharp blade of the 'Frontiers Music' label, 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' is still at the helm of the ship and provides vocals and keyboards, the rest of the line-up consisting of Aldo Lonobile' on guitar, 'Nik Mazzucconi' on bass and 'Marco Di Salvia' on drums . Always as varied, the first part contains six "classic" melodic hard rock compositions with melodies that immediately get into your head, starting with the two brulots 'Where Are You' and 'Water Be My Path' which begin the album, the ballad not being forgotten with 'Love Is The Only Answer'. And then, the title 'Ritual', composed of seven parts for around twenty minutes of listening, brings its share of surprises with a progressive side and begins with oriental intonations in hard rock and, without downtime, the other parts s 'continue with 'Revert Destiny' which hardens the tone, then 'Taunting Souls' drives the point home with very good hard rock with a remarkable instrumental passage highlighting 'Aldo Lonobile' on guitar and a progressive finale with several rhythmic changes and melodic. Small a cappella interlude with 'Baptized By Fire', then it's off again for 'Ride The Wings Of Hope' which could be the standard meter of melodic hard rock (magnificent finale with the cover of the first part of 'Ritual') and the short ballad 'Cross My Eyes', which follows, shows 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' in top form, the album ending with 'Reconciliation' in which the same 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' takes us on an oriental journey with his vocals . In summary, the Italians of 'Edge Of Forever' come back in force with 'Ritual' and confirm that they are one of the major melodic hard rock groups, with the icing on the cake, a diversity in the compositions bringing this little bit of progressive while maintaining a fairly immediate melodic accessibility...
Video of 'Where Are You'

For this fifth and final album, we go to Gothenburg in Sweden, the country which is one of the greatest purveyors of melodic hard rock in the world, with the new project 'Kings Crown' created by guitarist 'Martin Kronlund' , joined by singer 'Lee Small' and keyboardist 'Anders Skoog' and who had the idea of reviving the hard rock style of the 70s. And I must say that, for a first album, the result is remarkable and actually takes us back a few decades with sounds reminiscent of, among others, 'Deep Purple', 'Rainbow' and 'Whitesnake', the Hammond organ bringing this vintage touch and 'Lee Small' being very close to the vocals of 'Glen Hugues'. The rhythm section 'Bas Berra Holmgren' and 'Pontus Engborg' bring the power needed by the compositions which pour considerable energy throughout the album. In short, this new project 'Kings Crown' shows an undeniable quality to offer good hard rock taking us back to the 70s and will undoubtedly make those nostalgic for the genre happy...
Video of 'Still Alive'

Line Up / Musicians

Ronnie Atkins :
Ronnie Atkins (Vocal, Choirs), Chris Laney (Guitar, Keybords), Pontus Eggberg (Bass), Allan Sörensen (Drums), Linnéa Vikström Egg (Choirs), Oliver Hartmann (Guitar), John Berg (Guitar), Janne Schaffer (Guitar), Marcus sunesson (Guitar), Pontus Norgren (Guitar)

Station :
Patrick Kearney (Vocal), Chris Lane (Guitar), Emi Asta (Bass), Tony Baptist (Drums)

Nitrate :
Alexander Strandell (Vocal), Richard Jacques (Guitar), Tom Martin (Guitar), Nick Hogg (Bass), James Martin (Keybords), Alex Cooper (Drums)

Edge Of Forever :
Alessandro Del Vecchio (Vocal, Keybords), Aldo Lonobile (Guitar), Nik Mazzucconi (Bass), Marco Di Salvia (Drums)

King Crown :
Lee Small (Vocal), Martin Kronlund (Guitar, Choirs), Anders Skoog (Keybords), Bas Berra Holmgren (Bass), Pontus Engborg (Drums)


Artist : Silent Revenants

Album : The Withering Of The Blue Flower

Release Date : 13-10-2023

Added : 03-11-2023

'Silent Revenants' is a German group who have just signed with the label 'WormHoleDeath' who are reissuing their second album 'The Withering Of The Blue Flower', originally self-produced, their first album 'Walk With Fire' dating from 2018. Led by guitarist 'Julian Kirschbaum' who provides most of the compositions and by singer 'Denise Schlahn' who also plays the bagpipes and flute, they offer us a symphonic metal tinged with folk brought in part by violinist 'Elora Dönnebrink', the rest of the line up being made up of keyboardist 'Marina Grave', bassist 'Hermann Remmers' who also sprinkles some compositions with his growls and drummer 'Julien Buchholz'.

The theme of the album is based on the blue flower evoking the era of romanticism and from the start, with the eponymous title of the album, we have a good overview of this symphonic style with epic orchestral arrangements and an original construction with rhythmic breaks and alternations of intensity, muscular guitar riffs alongside much softer sections in which 'Denise Schlahn' shows all her vocal talent. Follows 'Searching For Eden' which continues in this catchy symphonic metal and the violin brings a festive folk side, making me think in certain places of their compatriots from 'Coronatus'. With 'Flesh Golem', we continue in metal/folk on a mid-tempo with a well-defined rhythm, the melody coming directly into the head, then, 'Embers' adds a catchy title, the violin always bringing this side radiant but also the romantic side in the central break. Completely out of step with the rest but very original, 'Will-o'-the-Wisp' takes us into a jazz box with a first part beautifully led by the sensual singing of 'Denise Schlahn', the second part returning to a more conventional style with the return of guitar riffs on a mid-tempo highlighting new catchy melodic lines. Make way for 'Siren' which offers us an introduction to oriental sounds and which could have been the subject of a single due to its very danceable aspect, then, 'Storm Witches' also offers a festive atmosphere with the contribution of the flute with very high tones bringing the folk side and can recall certain sounds of 'Faun' in a more muscular atmosphere. With 'Horizons', we continue with this melodic metal/folk in a dancing atmosphere led by the bagpipes and the violin, then, 'Let the Dragons Fly Forever' (see the video above) begins as a ballad then takes flight afterwards for a light and joyful melody in which 'Hermann Remmers' adds some angry growls. And finally, we cannot remain indifferent to 'Orphaned Angels' which tells the story of 'Janusz Korczak', this pediatrician and director of an orphanage during the war who accompanied more than one hundred and forty orphans to the extermination camp in Treblinka so that they are not left alone to face their fate: in the form of a poignant ballad, 'Julian Kirschbaum' reminds us of this tragic story allowing us to perpetuate this memory so as never to forget, the magnificent ending falling in a few notes piano adding to this extreme emotional force.

In summary, the Germans from 'Silent Revenants' released an excellent album of symphonic metal adding a good dose of folk which brings real originality and sets them apart from other groups of this style and 'The Withering Of The Blue Flower' should appeal to a fairly wide metal audience because everything is done to offer us melodic lines accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Julian Kirschbaum (Guitar, Choirs), Denise Schlahn (Vocal, Bagpipe, Flute), Elora Dönnebrink (Violin), Marina Grave (Keybords), Hermann Remmers (Bass, Vocal), Julien Buchholz (Drums)


Artist : Myrkur

Album : Spine

Release Date : 20-10-2023

Added : 04-11-2023

After 'Folkesange' in 2020 and 'Ragnarok' released a few months ago, 'Myrkur' (real name 'Amalie Bruun') offers us her new album 'Spine' and, with each release of the Dane, we go on a wonderful journey filled with delicacy and sensitivity in its beautiful Nordic landscapes. And her latest baby is no exception to the rule but certainly brings even greater diversity because she offers us a fairly wide range of her different influences by merging acoustic, electric and traditional instruments and bringing in some electronic sounds.

First of all she returns to the metal of her beginnings with the heavy 'Blazing Sky' which nevertheless remains anchored in ethereal atmospheres and 'Valkyriernes Sang', sung in Danish, also offers a more muscular atmosphere while keeping this immediate melodic hook quite characteristic of 'Myrkur'. But the majority of the compositions highlight this characteristic folk which merges this strength of the music of the Nordic countries with an extreme sensitivity: evidenced by 'Bålfærd' which opens the album and which plunges us directly into this world of dreams and beauty with vocals that transport you. 'Like Humans' (see video above) highlights a darker side with saturated guitars in the background supporting the melodious vocals of 'Myrkur', then, 'Mothlike' (see video here) is much more "commercial" with a pop/rock approach with electronic sounds and 'My Blood Is Gold', much more refined, exudes intense emotion. The title song is particularly representative of this mix between percussive passages with the harshness of the guitar riffs and others much more refined in which they charm us with their captivating singing, an atmosphere that we find in the following title 'Devil in the Detail' with an atmosphere giving this feeling of weightlessness and the album ends with the lullaby 'Menneskebarn' showing that she also knows how to move us in this style, the accompaniment with some guitar arpeggios and the bass brought by the cello becoming one with its delicate singing.

In summary, this latest album from 'Myrkur' offers us these striking contrasts between serenity and immense force which she masters perfectly and demonstrates that metal does not necessarily rhyme with brutal because 'Spine' is a melodic gem filled with a very special emotion...

Line Up / Musicians

Myrkur (Vocal, Piano, Violin, Keybords, Nyckelharpa), Brent Arnold (Cello), Gyða Valtýsdóttir (Cello), Maja Shining (Choirs), Maria Franz (Choirs), Marie-Louise Zervides (Choirs), Ægir Sindri (Drums), Randall Dunn (Tambour, Cor, Keybords), Will Hayes (Bass, Vielle à roue), Arjan Miranda (Guitar), Úlfur Hansson (Keybords)


Artist : Temperance

Album : Hermitage – Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2

Release Date : 20-10-2023

Added : 05-11-2023

My first review on the Italians of 'Temperance' dates from 2016 with their third album 'The Earth Embraces Us All' and followed the very good 'Of Jupiter and Moons' in 2018, 'Viridian' in 2020, 'Melodies of Green and Blue' in 2021 and the latest 'Diamanti' end of 2021. With each release of new studio recordings, I put highlight the talent of this group to give us very accessible hits thanks to melodies that immediately stick in our heads. Note that like the singer 'Michele Guaitoli' who already officiates in a duo with the admirable singer 'Clémentine Delauney' in the project 'Visions Of Atlantis' also shares the microphone with new female singer 'Kristin Starkey' who was backing vocalist for 'Twilight Force' and who has joined 'Temperance' beginning 2023.

As a logical continuation of previous albums, 'Hermitage – Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2' is no exception to the rule and offers us an uninterrupted series of melodic hits starting with 'Daruma' (see the video above) which, with great reinforcement of grandiose choirs, makes it a typical symphonic metal composition (note the participation of 'Arjen Lucassen' himself on this composition and on five others). We continue in the same style with the energetic 'Glorious' and vocal arrangements that are still very rich and 'A Hero Reborn' brings additional originality with an alternation of tempo between ballad and an acceleration in the middle of the title. Also between ballad and mid-tempo, 'Welcome to Hermitage' unfolds an addictive melody on which the vocal section is well supplied since in addition to 'Michele Guaitoli', 'Marco Pastorino' and the new singer 'Kristin Starkey', 'Fabienne Erni' ('Eluveitie', 'ILLUMISHADE') and 'Laura Fella' ('Faun') are guests on two tracks. Another melodic hit, 'No Return' (see the video here) deploys a new melody to accompany in chorus and offers remarkable rhythmic variations, then, 'In Search Of Gold' shows once again a rhythmic alternation starting with a ballad and then accelerating the tempo, this title highlighting in the chorus the very beautiful vocal duo of 'Michele Guaitoli' and the new singer 'Kristin Starkey'. The unstoppable melodies follow one another with 'Join Me' and its catchy chorus, the two singers of Eluveitie' and 'Faun' also being there, then, 'Trust no one but You', with guest 'Alessandro Conti' from 'Twilight Force' adds a layer with a catchy composition. We have the first ballad of the album with 'Darkness is just a Drawing' (see the video here) which distills a new catchy melody and which, without transition, continues with the energetic 'Into The Void', the two compositions giving pride of place to the vocal duo 'Kristin Starkey'/'Michele Guaitoli'. More gets into it with an introduction to the power metal style, 'Brand new Start' is another great example of contrast even within the composition, the calm parts highlighting this undeniable melodic talent of the Italians, then, the short 'Where we Belong' is a refined piano/vocal ballad with some string accompaniment. We attack the last two titles with, first of all, 'Full of Memories' which is certainly the most epic title with a new chorus filled with a certain melancholy with certain themes recalling the previous compositions, then, 'Cliff' is the final composition which takes us into a long development with different parts: a refined piano/vocal introduction, then an energetic section with lots of choirs and a second half which begins with an instrumental part with a beautiful guitar solo and which returns to the starting theme in a higher tone to prepare for the epic finale.

In summary, the Italians of 'Temperance' are releasing an album in the great tradition of epic symphonic metal with grandiose choirs and if I risked a parallel with another formation of the same style, I would say that 'Temperance' is a sort of Italian 'Epica' because they bring this heritage from their country which has always been a great provider of exceptional melodists...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristin Starkey (Vocal), Michele Guaitoli (Vocal), Marco Pastorino (Guitar, Vocal), Luca Negro (Bass), Marco Sacchetto (Drums) + Guests : Arjen Lucassen (Guitar, Narrateur), Fabienne Erni (Vocal), Laura Fella (Vocal), Alessandro Conti (Vocal)


Artist : Revlin Project

Album : Beyond The Dreams

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 06-11-2023

I introduced you to the Peruvian 'Nilver Pérez' and his project 'Revlin' with his first album 'Trascender' in 2021 signed with 'Lions Pride Music' and I come back to the release of the second album, 'Beyond The Dreams', which dates from the end of September 2023. Lovers of melodic rock taking us back to the 80s, you are in the right place with this second studio recording of 'Revlin' which sees many guests participating (see list above) because 'Nilver Pérez' has once again done everything possible to offer us melodies that are immediately grafted into our heads and which recall the 'Boys Of Heaven', 'Pride Of Lions', 'Imperium' and 'Shakira' or even 'Michael Thompson Band' to name only album releases from the last six months. 10 tracks for 45 minutes of listening, that's the menu for this opus and from the start, 'Harder, Faster' sets the scene with an addictive first chorus and the compositions, each as catchy as the next, parade one behind others. I particularly like the mid-tempo 'Where Are You Now' and its chorus of formidable effectiveness which gives the impression of having already heard it hundreds of times, but also 'From This Moment On' and its keyboards which propels us via the time machine a few decades back or even 'Led By Love' and its radiant choirs or the final ballad 'This Love' with these typical sounds of the eighties.

In short, with this latest album 'Beyond The Dreams' by 'Revlin', we are immersed in a good bath of melodic rock with catchy choruses that we enjoy with pleasure and which confirms the talent as a composer of 'Revlin' Nilver Pérez' who knows how to surround himself with talented artists to interpret his compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Nilver Pérez (Keybords, Choirs), Renato Costa (Vocal, Choirs), Faty Kely (Choirs) + Guests : Toni Amboaje (Vocal), Marc Quee (Vocal), Niko Delgado (Guitar), Juanma García (Guitar), Charly García (Guitar), Ignacio Ruiz (Guitar), J.P. Roxx (Guitar), Cris García (Guitar), Nick Hogg (Bass), Sam Delgado (Bass), Pedro García (Bass), Olgher Avila (Bass), Ignacio Ruiz (Bass), Ken Sandin (Bass), Rogelio Pitalua (Bass), Anderson Sherman (Bass), Joseph Urbano (Bass), Gabriel Seri (Drums), Saulo Estopinian (Drums), Mauricio Maldonado (Drums)


Artist : Lalu

Album : The Fish Who Wanted To Be King

Release Date : 20-10-2023

Added : 07-11-2023






French keyboardist 'Vivien Lalu' returned to the forefront of the progressive scene in 2022 after eight years of absence with 'Paint the Sky', his previous album 'Atomik Ark' having been released in 2013. This time, while I had discovered 'Paint the Sky' quite late without having reviewed it, it only waited for a big year to bring out this 'The Fish Who Wanted To Be King' whose humorous title is reminiscent of La Fontaine's fable 'La Grenouille qui se veut faire aussi grosse que le bœuf' and which makes us return to the Dadaism movement at the beginning of the twentieth century which called into question all conventions in all areas whatsoever. And this questioning of established things, we find it in the music of 'Vivien Lalu' who takes us into his musical universe influenced by progressive trends throughout the ages and who also adds boundless creativity to make it a work unique.

On the menu of this opus, seven compositions including two long developments, for a short hour of listening, and, 'Forever Digital' which begins the album, first of all shows a fairly conventional face marked by influences progressive music from the 70s with a part sung divinely well by 'Damian Wilson' (among others 'Arena' and ex 'Threshold'), then, while keeping the same tempo, wanderings of keyboards and guitar take us into a more unbridled but very original part to then return to the initial theme with a finale which falls back into a magnificent acoustic vocal/guitar duo. The ten minutes of the album's eponymous title (see the video above) continue our beautiful progressive journey with different influences including these 'Floydian' guitar parts which show, here and there, an atmospheric face but it would be very reductive to limit it to this style because other influences dot this composition which offer us multiple rhythmic changes, 'Jelly Cardarelli' doing a remarkable job on the drums. With 'Deoxyribonucleic Acid' we find more contemporary progressive influences and, in certain places, I have the impression of hearing 'Arena', the vocals of 'Damien Wilson' certainly being no stranger to this feeling, then , 'Is That a London Number' (see the video here) continues in this inventive progressive which requires several listens to fully master it. Another major stone of the album, 'Amnesia 1916' is a real progressive labyrinth with these first contrasts between this soaring introduction which engages in a rapid sung section with a feeling of urgency which is suddenly broken by a magnificent aerial atmospheric part. 'Damian Wilson' shows all his vocal talent by adapting perfectly to the numerous changes in intensity and tempos which make it a typical title of an imaginative progressive breaking all established conventions and which fits perfectly with the theme of the album. Harder to get to grips with for my part, the instrumental 'A Reversal Of Fortune' turns in the first part towards jazz-fusion, showing another side of the composer of 'Vivien Lalu', then, after an atmospheric break, continues by a section in which 'Joop Wolters' offers us two very beautiful guitar solos. 'The Wondering Kind' closes the album with a final composition, easier to access for me, which fuses several decades of progressive with multiple references that come to mind, whether they are linked to the 70s or more recent with the major formations of this style, groups like 'Threshold' or 'Arena' never being far away.

In summary, it is another very beautiful album that 'Vivien Lalu' offers us, well accompanied by talented artists, and this 'The Fish Who Wanted To Be King' is representative of a progressive trend which draws on all the decades of this style while bringing boundless creativity to make it a unique work. The other side of the coin is that its density necessarily requires you to linger on it to fully absorb it and to draw out all the substance, which will certainly limit it to an informed audience...

Line Up / Musicians

Vivien Lalu (Keybords), Damien Wilson (Vocal), Joop Wolters (Guitar, Bass), Matt Daniel (Keybords, Hammond, Piano), Jelly Cardarelli (Drums)


Artist : Fish On Friday

Album : 8mm

Release Date : 27-10-2023

Added : 09-11-2023






After 'Lalu' shot resolutely towards modern progressive rock, here is the cosmopolitan formation 'Fish On Friday' in a more conventional style which, after the very good 'Black Rain' dating from 2020, release their 6th studio recording '8mm' in reference to the system of our childhood which was a revolution in the era in the field of amateur video and which takes us back not without nostalgia for those who experienced this era in these first family memories in images. We find this light and refined progressive that we already knew with the previous albums and the same line up led by the singer, keyboardist and producer 'Frank Van Bogaert' is unchanged with 'Nick Beggs' on bass (who plays in multiple projects with, among others, 'Steven Wilson', from 'Lonely Robot' and ' The Mute Gods'), 'Marty Townsend' on guitar and 'Marcus Waymaere' on drums to which we can add the guests 'Lula Beggs' on vocals and 'Theo Travis' on saxophone and flute who were already present in the previous album.

We are greeted by the eponymous title of the album which sets the scene with a first title which unfolds (this is the case with the characteristic noise of the 8mm projector in the background) a very beautiful melody in a melancholic atmosphere, the combined singing of 'Frank Van Bogaert' and 'Nick Gebbs' adding to this feeling of delicacy, then, 'Collateral Dommage' continues in this atmosphere with an accompaniment of acoustic guitar and flute at the end of the title which contributes to this feeling of softness. Follow 'Overture To Flame' and 'Flame which only forms a single title which is a cover of the group 'Metro'. We find in the sung parts the harmonious side of the original version, then, 'Jump This Wall' also shows a more lively side while keeping a rural side brought by the flute of 'Theo Travis'. A little more energetic in the long instrumental introduction, 'Don't Lose Your Spirit' then shows a lighter face thanks to an acoustic then electric guitar accompaniment, the continuation with alternations of tempo highlighting very beautiful vocal harmonies continuing in this sweet atmosphere. Place the seven minutes of 'Funerals' which make it one of my favorite compositions thanks to very beautiful melodic lines, the finale highlighting a magnificent guitar solo, then the last four compositions continue our beautiful journey in gentleness, with everything first 'Silently Raging' in which 'Lula Beggs' brings soothing female vocals, then 'Instillers' and 'A New Home' unfold sweet melodies on which we completely abandon ourselves and the short 'Life Is Like The Weather' ends this album in serenity with a semi-acoustic title with harmonious melodic lines.

In summary, as you will have understood throughout this column, delicacy and softness are the key words of this album which offers us a very beautiful journey that is good to listen to on headphones to relax after a good work day...

Line Up / Musicians

Frank Van Bogaert (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Marty Townsend (Guitar), Nick Beggs (Bass, Vocal), Marcus Waymaere (Drums) + Guests : Lula Beggs (Vocal), Theo Travis (Saxophone, Flute), Sofi Dykmans (Vocal)


Artist : Pattern-Seeking Animals

Album : Spooky Action at a Distance

Release Date : 27-10-2023

Added : 10-11-2023






At a frequency of one album every 18 months approximately for 3 years, the Americans of 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' released their fourth studio recording 'Spooky Action at a Distance' after 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' in 2019, 'Prehensile Tales' in 2020 and 'Only Passing Through' in 2022. Still led by the keyboardist 'John Boegehold' with whom we can add artists from 'Spock's Beard', they have concocted this new opus for us in the form of a double CD, the second of which only includes one original song and three live tracks, the whole making all the same over 90 minutes of listening time. Another point to emphasize, the basic line up is completed by a host of guests (including a string quartet) allowing us to considerably expand the instrumental sections and offer us sumptuous vocal harmonies.

From the outset, with 'The Man Made of Stone', we are straight into refined and light progressive in which the addition of strings brings a particular warmth and the atmosphere created is very optimistic. especially since the melodic lines are very catchy. This impression is found in the following title 'Window to the World' (see the video above) in which 'Ted Leonard' offers us a very dynamic and expressive vocal performance with this feeling of cheerfulness also present in the guitar solo. Follows 'What Awaits Me' which also shows a light face with very beautiful vocal harmonies, then, 'He Once Was' is a long development with the theme, the story of a soldier of the First World War who recounts his experiences and, musically, we are embarked on imaginative progressive with a succession of melodic changes (magnificent main theme) and with a well-balanced alternation between sung parts and provided instrumental sections, the atmospheric guitar solo and the saxophone solo at the end of title being quite remarkable. Follows the ballad 'Underneath The Orphan' with its beautiful melody which gently rocks you and which immediately gets into your head, then, with 'Clouds That Never Rain' (see the video here), we find the optimism of the first track with a catchy rhythm. Follows 'Bulletproof' which is a cover of 'Spock's Beard' and which is transformed into a light ballad like 'Bee Gees', the original being much more symphonic, then, 'Somewhere North of Nowhere' (see the video here) which is entirely in the general atmosphere of the album, subtle and light with a catchy melody. We begin the last three original titles with 'Summoned From Afar' which is a magnificent ballad with magnificent new vocal harmonies and the accompaniment of the sitar and the flute is simply divine, the seven minutes of the title allowing a very varied construction with rhythmic and intensity changes, then, 'Love is Still the Light' is another melodic gem which is reminiscent of 'Don't Let It Show' from 'The Alans Parsons Project' and 'There Goes My Baby' which is on the second CD, completes this very beautiful album by a new 'Beatlesian' rangaine which is good for the soul with radiant choirs. Regarding the three live compositions (which ultimately are closer to studio versions, the noise from the audience being non-existent), these are the two long developments 'Orphans of the Universe' taken from their self-titled debut album and 'Time Has A Way' taken from the album 'Only Passing Through', the third track being 'Elegant Vampires' from 'Prehenstile Tales'.

In summary, like 'Fish On Friday', the Americans from 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' release an admirable progressive rock album filled with beautiful melodies in light and refined atmospheres with, icing on the cake, impeccable production highlighting highlight the talent of the different artists of this group who each bring their stone to the building, all forming a very homogeneous whole...

Line Up / Musicians

John Boegehold (Keybords, Guitar, Sitare), Ted Leonard (Vocal, Guitar), Jimmy Keegan (Drums, Percussions, Choirs), Dave Meros (Bass) + Guests : Abbie Parker (Choirs), Diane Boothby (Choirs), Holly Rix (Choirs), Ivy Marie (Choirs), Marcella Detroit (Choirs), Alex Bone (Saxophone), Gary Cambra (Guitar), Liz Hanks (Cello), Maisie Ireland (Cor Anglais), Sue Winsberg (Flute), Vesislava (Cordes)


Artist : CoreLeoni

Album : Alive (Live 2022)

Release Date : 27-10-2023

Added : 11-11-2023

The guitarist of 'Gotthard', 'Léo Léoni', continues with his side project 'CoreLeoni' to release albums and, after 'III' released in 2022 in which the new Albanian singer 'Eugènt Bushpepa' was inducted, here is a live recorded during the 'Rock Generation Tour 22' and, the less we can say is that it's moving with an uninterrupted series of very muscular hard rock blasts that will knock your head off with so much headbanging. You just have to listen to the first compositions to be convinced because, after a calm introduction on the theme of 'The Godfather', it starts with a supercharged 'Higher', 'Eugènt Bushpepa' showing that he has nothing to envy to 'Ronnie Romero', then we are amazed again with 'Standing In The Light' (see the video above) and 'Downtown' drives the point home before offering us a 'Fist In Your Face' with a heavy rhythm of hell, and if you don't want to move your whole body at the start of a huge concert, it's because you're not made for this style of music. For the others who are already close to asphixia from moving, the rest continues at the same pace and the short 'All I Care For' and 'Angel' allows you to catch your breath (slightly) to start again on an end of the set with a majority of titles from 'Gotthard' ('Mountain Mama', 'Sister Moon'), 'All We Are' and 'Here Come The Heart') . In short, as a famous advertisement for the Swiss chocolate bar said (it's perhaps no coincidence that they are of this nationality!!), this 'Alive' "is dynamite"...

Line Up / Musicians

Eugènt Bushpepa (Vocal), Léo Léoni (Guitar), Jgor Gianola (Guitar), Mila Merker (Bass), Alex Motta (Drums)


Artist : Teramaze

Album : Live at 170 Russell

Release Date : 27-10-2023

Added : 12-11-2023

After 'Coreleoni' and their direct and effective heavy metal in concert, here is the progressive metal of 'Teramaze' who are releasing their first live album since their debut, their first album 'Doxology' already dating from 1995. The last album I reviewed was 'Flight of the Wounded' from 2022 and, since then, they released few months ago 'Dalla Volta' continuing their close releases. They are part of the prog era of 'Dream Theater' and therefore offer us for the first time a short 47-minute set in which we find nine compositions taken from different albums starting with 'From Savior To Assasin' from the album 'Are We Soldiers' from 2019 then 'Transhumanist' from album 'Esoteric Symbolism' from 2014 and these first two tracks already show this imaginative progressive metal while keeping a fairly immediate hook thanks to accessible melodic lines. The whole is varied and almost all the albums benefit from a title, the last album not being forgotten with 'The Heist' and the album ends with the new single 'Blemish' released in October 2023 and which, on a heavy mid-tempo still shows the catchy melodic side of this formation. In short, this short concert by the Australians of 'Teramaze' provides a fairly representative sample of their discography and if you want more, the album is also available on DVD (see above an extract from the concert with 'Jackie Set ' from the album 'And the Beauty They Perceive')...

Line Up / Musicians

Dean Wells (Guitar, Vocal), Nathan Peachey (Vocal), Chris Zoupa (Guitar), Andrew Cameron (Bass), Nick Ross (Drums)


Artist : Serenity

Album : Nemesis AD

Release Date : 03-11-2023

Added : 18-11-2023

Already 8 albums for the 'Georg Neuhauser' band which, after 'The Last Knight' released in 2020 which was followed by the very good live 'Memoria Live' in 2022 with distinguished guests from the great family of symphonic metal, a new album 'Nemesis AD' is released. And for this last baby of 'Serenity', the guitarist 'Marco Pastorino' of 'Temperance' who also shares with 'Georg Neuhauser' the project 'Fallen Sanctuary', has been included in the line up. We are now used to it with themes drawn from characters or historical facts, 'Georg Neuhauser' has decided this time to focus on the life of the painter 'Albrecht Dürer' of the German renaissance. So, is 'Nemesis AD' in line with the very good 'The Last Knight', 'Lionheart' and 'Codex Atlanticus'?

No need to make you languish, we find all these ingredients which make the strength of 'Serenity' in this new album, and perhaps even more because, for my part, I have not found any compositions that stand out from relation to others. To be convinced of this, you just have to listen to the first four titles: after the short introduction in syphonic metal which, this time, is a magnificent female choir which whets our appetite for the rest, 'The Fall Of Man' bursts in with a first composition with an addictive melody, 'Georg Neuhauser' and 'Roy Khan', invited for the occasion, adding that little extra to the song which makes it a hit which is engraved directly in the head and which ends in serenity with a sublime part bringing down all the energy deployed. Follows 'Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)' which was the subject of a single (see the video above) and which adds a composition with a new catchy chorus, then, 'Soldiers Under the Cross' comes to slow down the ardors with a very beautiful power ballad like 'Serenity' used to offer us and which is to be added to the best ballads of the style (I will always remember 'Fairytales' with 'Clémentine Delaunay' when she was part of the training). 'Reflections (AD)' (see the video here which is the short version) continues with a calm introduction in the continuity of the previous title and develops 8 admirable minutes with all the ingredients of an epic and melodic symphonic metal, the vocal arrangements being absolutely beautiful. With this first part of a high-flying album, we say to ourselves that if the sequel continues in this melodic quality, we will certainly have one of the albums of the year in this style and 'Sun of Justice' confirms this impression with a direct and effective 'made in Serenity' composition integrating beautiful sung parts with oriental inflections and which highlights a very beautiful guitar solo. 'Nemesis', which follows, is not to be outdone by adding a super catchy new track which could very well take its place in a set list with its refrain to be repeated in chorus, then, 'The End of Babylon' (see the video here), with its grandiose choirs and its marked mid tempo, takes us into the splendor of an ancient civilization, the guitar solo being another great moment of this title. Once again, the lights dim for the second ballad 'Crowned By an Angel' which adds a melodic jewel that 'Georg Neuhauser' knows how to magnify so well thanks to this expressive and moving song, then, the album ends with the slow tempo of 'The Sky is our Limit' adding a chorus which remains engraved in the memory for a long time. Also note the magnificent cover in orchestral version of 'The Fall of Man' which shows a very different side of the electric version and which fits perfectly into this symphonic metal album with sumptuous orchestral and vocal arrangements (does 'Georg Neuhauser' have an idea in his head to release this album orchestral?).

In summary, the Austrians of 'Serenity' to which we can now add the Italian 'Marco Pastorini' continue their journey and confirm with this news that they are part of the tenors of the genre and 'Nemesis AD' is to be recommended to all fans of epic symphonic metal in the style of 'Temperance', 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Kamelot', 'Leave's Eyes' or even their compatriots from 'Edenbridge'...

Line Up / Musicians

Georg Neuhauser (Vocal), Christian Hermsdörfer (Guitar, Choirs), Marco Pastorino (Guitars, Choirs), Fabio D'Amore (Bass, Choirs), Andreas Schipflinger (Drums, Choirs)


Artist : Gong

Album : Unending Ascending

Release Date : 03-11-2023

Added : 19-11-2023

I was never really a fan of 'Gong' in the 70s/80s but just the mention of this group created in France at the end of the 60s and which had an eventful journey to say the least in the fifty years (I let you consult the well-supplied page Wikipedia), I I was able to stop myself from listening to this latest album released at the beginning of November 2023 with a line up that no longer has much to do with the line up(s) of the beginning (the guitarist and singer 'Daevid Allen' having died in 2015). But, when listening to 'Unending Ascending', the 'Gong' spirit of the beginning is still very present and, for those who would like to dive back into this slightly crazy psychedelic, the album 'Camebert Electrique', released in 1971, is quite representative.

Listening to the first tracks of this short album (only 8 tracks for 40 minutes of listening), we find this psychedelic rock from the end of the 60s with 'Tiny Galaxies' (see the video above) and the very 'Beatlesien' 'My guitar is a spaceship' which also reminds me of the beginning of 'Status Quo' before they found their own way (for example the album 'Spare Parts' from 1969) and the 'O Arcturus' and 'All Clocks Reset' are also in the same style and take us back more than 50 years ago. The other compositions are much more in line with the style of the beginnings with first of all the 8 minutes of 'Ship of Ishtar' which takes us into a sonic mishmash characteristic of psychedelia from the end of the 60s and which could replace any what a hallucinogenic trip based on mushrooms (plus, it's much better for your health!). In another style but still anchored in the psychedelic, 'Choose your Goddess' develops a title in which multiple instrumental arrangements are present with these very typical sonic dissonances (the interventions of 'Ian East' on the saxophone being remarkable). Another title, another genre, the very soaring 'Lunar invocation' recalls the early days of 'Floyds' and to end the album, 'Asleep do we Lay' also shows a captivating face also quite representative of the beginnings of 'Gong'.

In summary, the five artists of 'Gong', after the death of 'Daevid Allen', have taken up the torch and continue to perpetuate this psychedelic, taking us back, for a moment, to the end of the years 60 with a modern sound which should please a whole generation who knew this era and who could perhaps introduce this very particular style to the younger generations, a style which was one of the starting points of one of the most best known progressive rock, I named the 'Pink Floyd'...

Line Up / Musicians

Cheb Nettles (Drums), Dave Sturt (Bass), Fabio Golfetti (Guitar), Ian East (Saxophone), Kavus Torabi (Vocal)


Artist : Anubis

Album : Sirens from Afar (Live in Katoomba, 2021)

Release Date : 03-11-2023

Added : 20-11-2023






After their tour in 2018 which was the subject of the release in 2019 of the very good 'Lights Of Change (Live In Europe 2018)', the Australians of Anubis', deprived of a world tour in 2020 for the reasons we know and which was to see the group perform their latest album 'Homeless', nevertheless managed to organize a concert at home in 2021 and this recording is now available for streaming. You can also view the first part of this concert on YouTube, which is the entirety of 'Homeless' (see the video above) and the set also highlights other compositions in a second CD. As I had already mentioned during the release of 'Lights Of Change' in 2018, the production is perfect and, even if the 'Baroque Room' is very small (around a hundred seated spectators), the recording benefits from a very good sound and shows all the professionalism of this group in always very faithful interpretations of this atmosphere of quiet strength which emerges from their compositions. The concert ends in style with three long developments with 'The Holy Innocent' from the album 'A Tower Of Silence' from 2011, 'The collapse' from their first album '230503' from 2009 and 'Silent Wandering Ghosts' from the 'Hitchhiking to Byzantium' album from 2014 which, for my part, still gives me goosebumps, the singing of 'Robert James Moulding' being very moving and the 'Gilmourian' final guitar solo touching the stars. In short, it's another great listening moment that the Australians of Anubis' are offering us by allowing us to put the concert of the canceled 2020/2021 tour between our ears...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert James Moulding (Vocal), David Eaton (Keybords, Choirs), Douglas Skene (Guitar, Choirs), Dean Bennison (Guitar, Choirs), Anthony Stewart (Bass, Choirs), Steve Eaton (Drums) + Guest : Jade Hall (Vocal)


Artist : tRKproject

Album : Odyssey 9999

Release Date : 30-09-2023

Added : 21-11-2023






I have just noticed that 'Ryszard Kramarski', all of whose projects I particularly like (search on myprogmusic for 'Ryszard Kramarski') released a new album by 'tRKproject' at the end of September 2023 and this 'Odyssey 999' slipped through the cracks of my reviews. Alternating with his two other main projects, 'Millenium' and 'FRAMAURO', 'Odyssey 9999' is therefore the new album from 'tRKproject' and the 3rd album from 'Ryszard Kramarski' in one year. 'Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer' but in a distant future since the story takes place in 9999, he takes us once again into his progressive world with 'Floydian' influences with all the melodic talent that the we have known for many years. For the last 'tRKproject', we got used to having two different interpretations of his compositions with the singer 'Karolina Leszko' and the singer 'Dawid Lewandowski' but, for 'Odyssey 9999', he invited other artists who share the microphone on the 8 compositions with, honor to the ladies, 'Ania Batko' ('Albion'), 'Stuart Nicholson' ('Galahad' who have just released an album: review to come), 'Marek Smelkowski' and 'Łukasz Gałęziowski' (all both having sung for 'Millenium') and, in addition to the usual 'tRKproject' line up, we can also add the saxophonist 'Łukasz Płatek'.

First of all, the album, with one exception, does not contain any gaps and all the titles are linked one after the other which gives a beautiful homogeneity to the whole while maintaining diversity for each composition both in style and in singing highlighting the four performers who each offer us very beautiful vocal performances. I will highlight those of Ania Bakto' who I found had too childish singing with 'Albion' and who now shows a beautiful vocal presence, particularly on the magnificent 'The Killing Songs of Sirens'. 'Stuart Nicholson' begins and ends the album with the two longest tracks, first of all, 'Twelve Spaceship' which illustrates Ulysses' departure to war at the head of twelve ships and which takes us into melodic progressive the second part of which flirts with 'Floydian' influences, then, 'Odysseus' which is a magnificent ballad in which the saxophone of 'Łukasz Płatek' works wonders. As for 'Ania Batko', also with two very beautiful compositions, she charms us first of all with 'Penelope' (normal to have given this title dedicated to the companion of Ulysses to a woman to interpret) which shows a wonderful delicacy on a slow tempo unfolding magnificent melodic lines and which offers a very touching guitar solo, then, in 'The Killing Songs of Siren', more rhythmic, she shows that she has clearly progressed by bringing a remarkable vocal breadth. The third singer 'Marek Smelkowski' is not left out with 'The Curse of Circe' which is more energetic and in which he brings all his vocal talent through very expressive singing, then, 'Calypso Nymph', more tranquil, on a tune reminding me of 'Let It Be', also shows that he knows how to move us in a more calm atmosphere, the central part adding a wonderful guitar solo. Finally, we find 'Łukasz Gałęziowski' with 'Cyclops Cave' and 'Ithaca' in which we cannot be indifferent to his magnificent singing that we knew with 'Millenium', the first title developing an addictive chorus giving an irresistible desire to accompany him and the second, very lively, taking us to the native island of Ulysses.

In summary, we travel through the story of Homer's Odyssey in the most beautiful way with melodies that tickle your senses and this latest album from 'Ryszard Kramarski' is a delight to enjoy. first to the last note, adding one more member to the family of 'tRKproject', 'Millenium' and 'FRAMAURO' of the Pole which grows from year to year for our greatest pleasure: for my part, it's still an essential to have in your ideal collection of progressive albums...

Line Up / Musicians

Ryszard Kramarski (Keybords, Guitar), Marcin Kruczek (Guitar), Krzysztof Wyrwa (Bass), Grzegorz Fieber (Drums) + Guests : Stuart Nicholson (Vocal), Ania Batko (Vocal), Marek Smelkowski (Vocal), Łukasz Gałęziowski (Vocal), Piotr Płonka (Guitar), Grzegorz Bauer (Drums), Łukasz Płatek (Saxophone)


Artist : Advent Horizon

Album : A Cell to Call Home

Release Date : 06-10-2023

Added : 22-11-2023






The Americans of Advent Horizon' are not very prolific in album releases since this latest album, released in October 2023, is only their 3rd recording in around ten years, their latest opus 'Stagehound' already dating from 2015. In the movement of contemporary progressive groups, they navigate between rock and progressive metal and cast a fairly wide net because their style is also similar to groups like 'Dream Theater' or 'Porcupine Tree' but we could also cite other projects like 'Lonely Robot' or 'Arena'. 'A Cell to Call Home' is a concept album about love, addiction and loss and, for this new baby, the Americans have invited several artists including the keyboardist of 'Dream Theater', 'Jordan Rudess' and the bassist from ' Pattern-Seeking Animals', 'Dave Meros'.

The first two titles 'Water' and 'Snow Child' are a very good summary of this very eclectic style with 'Water' which, after an introduction on the piano, gains momentum with the entry on stage of the electric instruments which take up the melodic theme and which lead to the sung part, 'Rylee McDonald' being truly in his element, then, the alternation of powerful sections with other calmer ones brings a beautiful originality to this title. The beauty of this title also lies in this end of 'Water' which falls back into serenity with again the piano of 'Jared Roswell Hill' which continues with the short 'Snow Child' and which is a real bubble of freshness. 'How Did It Get So Good?' continues our beautiful journey with a new progressive development which begins calmly, and which progresses by alternating tempos and intensities, and which offers us very beautiful instrumental parts including remarkable guitar solos, the small, calmer break at the end of the title being also magnificent. More direct in construction, 'Rain on Open Water' is nonetheless very endearing with its catchy melody, then, 'Your Flaws' is a semi-acoustic ballad in which 'Kristen McDonald' forms a magnificent vocal duet with 'Rylee McDonald' and which, even if we move away from the progressive, shows a very appreciable soft and delicate face. Heavier, 'Truth' also sees the participation of 'Kristen McDonald' who brings a beautiful feminine sensitivity in contrast with the guitar-saturated riffs, then, 'Calling It Off' is another good example of a mixture of progressive styles which begins in a fairly quiet manner and continues by hardening the tone, 'Jordan Rudess' coming in with an admirable keyboard solo. Change of scenery with the first part of 'Control' in which 'Rylee McDonald' shows that he knows how to modulate his singing to offer us a very beautiful moment of softness in a refined atmosphere and which intensifies his voice in a more muscular second part, the saxophone solo of 'Hayden Payne' also being a pure delight. Place to the short 'Maybe' which serves as a ballad interlude between the progressive compositions allowing you to vary this very beautiful album a little more and to let yourself be carried away by the sweet melody, then, without transition, we attack the title song of the album and also the centrepiece with its 10 minutes which take us into a progressive epic with numerous rhythmic changes and a recurring melodic theme which is immediately grafted into the head, the different instrumental sections being remarkable (including this very beautiful central guitar solo). The album ends with 'Hold Me', a new semi-acoustic track which moves slowly and deploys a beautiful melody allowing you to emerge from this album in a quiet and serene way.

In summary, the Americans of Advent Horizon' are releasing a very varied album which alternates different styles and which, like any good progressive album, requires you to linger on it to extract all the richness because everything is put into place to offer us, on the one hand, dense and sought-after compositions highlighting formidable instrumental and vocal arrangements (special mention for the singing of 'Rylee McDonald') but also, on the other hand, more direct songs allowing welcome breaks...

Line Up / Musicians

Rylee McDonald (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Mike Lofgreen (Drums, Percussion), Cason Wood (Bass, Keybords, Trombone), Grant Matheson (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs) + Guests : Jared Roswell Hill (Piano), Randy McStine (Guitar), Dave Meros (Bass), Kristen McDonald (Vocal), Jordan Rudess (Keybords), Hayden Payne (Saxophone), Justin May (Guitar, Choirs)


Artist : HeKz

Album : Terra Nova

Release Date : 03-11-2023

Added : 24-11-2023

I discovered the English of 'HeKz' in 2018 with their third album 'Invicta' which I put in my playlist of the best progressive metal releases of 2018 and its successor 'Terra Nova' is now available for streaming since November 3, 2023. And for this new baby, the English are releasing not one but two CDs lasting 85 minutes which "weaves a tale of ambition, duality and the relentless fight to conquer the darkest parts of one's personality to become the person you were born to be". In terms of the line up, the leader 'Matt Young' made the decision during the covid period, given the difficulties for the artists of the group to meet to rehearse, to completely change it with instrumentalists who can record remotely: we now find the guitarist 'Mark Bogert' ('Knight Area'), the violinist 'Irina Markevich' and the drummer 'Moyano El Buffalo' to which we can add for 'Terra Nova', the keyboardists 'Pieter Beemsterboer' and 'Adam Holzman', the violinist 'Lucia La Rezza' and the horn player 'Nic Weaver'.

I might as well tell you right away that we have an extraordinary work and if you are a fan of epic progressive with long developments, you should quickly adopt 'Terra Nova' because, nothing but the centerpiece 'The Silent Man' (we'll talk about it again) is worth the purchase of this album. And yet, the beginning of the album invites us to enter little by little into this dense and rich work with the eponymous title which is not strictly speaking progressive but which unfolds a first catchy melody in a hard rock à la 'Uriah Heep', then, 'Sabotage' adds a touch of progressive taking us back a few decades to the era of 'Deep Purple' thanks to the characteristic sounds of the Hammond, and 'Horizons' drives the point home with a melodic composition that could being a cross between 'Kansas' and 'Uriah Heep'. Place for the energetic 'Mayday' which inaugurates the progressive part with a huge instrumental part in which Irina Markevich's violin plays cat and mouse with the guitar of 'Mark Bogert', then, after all the energy transmitted in the first four tracks, 'So For Gone' softens the subject with a magnificent ballad that 'Matt Young' embellishes with a very moving vocal performance. Follows 'The Tower' which, this time, takes us into an epic composition of almost 10 minutes which is one of my favorites of the album because it brings together everything I love about progressive with this mixture of rock and well-balanced metal while keeping melodic lines always very accessible, the succession of increases in power followed by relaxations being admirable, not to mention the numerous changes of rhythm throughout the track. 'Lifeline' ends the first CD and continues in this progressive vein with a slow tempo which unfolds a beautiful melody and which offers remarkable vocal arrangements, the central instrumental part including the guitar solo being magnificent. We change CDs with 'Too Far Gone' continuing our beautiful progressive journey with an instrumental introduction which takes the time to develop an epic part before the arrival of the catchy guitar riffs of 'Mark Bogert' then accompanied by the violin of Irina Markevitch' and which then develops more classic hard rock with new resplendent choirs which give an irresistible desire to accompany them, then, 'I Am The Thrall' is yet another progressive gem and perhaps the most theatrical composition of the album with a succession of tensions and relaxations, the rhythm section making numerous tempo changes, 'Matt Young' giving a high-level vocal performance and 'Adam Holzman' rewarding us with a brilliant and breathtaking keyboard solo. Summarizing the musical fresco 'The Silent Man' of almost 25 minutes would require considerably lengthening my column which is already very long: I would simply say that you have to listen to it many times to fully absorb it and go through all the nooks and crannies contained in this very rich progressive labyrinth, all the artists bringing, here and there, their stones to the building to make it a sort of standard meter of progressive in the broad sense, in short, the ultimate title which propels you into the highest spheres of Music with a finale that will tear all the tears from your body. After so much emotion, the second part of 'Terra Nova' which closes this beautiful journey may seem in the background but is nevertheless a composition which could easily claim to be the major title of a very good progressive rock album and which puts a last time forward all the actors of this album, an admirable vocal performance from 'Matt Young', magnificent guitaristic perigrinations from 'Mark Bogert', very beautiful violin accompaniment from Irina Markevich', a surgical rhythm section from 'Moyano El Buffalo', without forgetting Adam Holzman's fabulous keyboard solo and these dazzling final choruses.

In summary, in a year, we can count on the fingers of one hand the albums that will remain forever engraved in your memory and that you will have immense joy listening to again. For my part, 'Terra Nova' fits into this already long list of progressive through the ages and should also become in the years to come a cult album for many fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Matt Young (Vocal, Bass, Keybords), Mark Bogert (Guitar), Irina Markevich (Violin), Moyano El Buffalo (Drums) + Guests : Adam Holzman (Keybords), Pieter Beemsterboer (Keybords), Lucia La Rezza (Violin), Nic Weaver (Cor)


Artist : Angra

Album : Cycles Of Pain

Release Date : 03-11-2023

Added : 25-11-2023

For all fans of power metal, 'Angra' is one of the references in this style and since the release of their first album 'Angels Cry' just 30 years ago, even if 'Rafaël Bittencourt' is the only survivor of the initial line up, they have always continued their path against all odds in a Brazil where he is not very easy to last. 'Cycles Of Pain' arrives five years later 'Ømni' which did not leave me with a lasting memory (I should certainly give myself a little booster shot). For this last baby, I find the diversity that I like in 'Angra' because, for my part, the power metal label remains very restrictive and this feeling is further confirmed throughout this latest album which sets them apart from other groups of this style.

This diversity is already present with the short introduction 'Cyclus Doloris' which offers a beautiful liturgical female choir accompanied by a church organ, then, the first two titles, fit well into it, represent the speed power side of the group with a chorus to be repeated in chorus until the voice goes out and a remarkable little break in the second part of the title for 'Ride Into The Storm' (see the video above) and this lively and catchy tempo for 'Dead Man On Display' which also benefits from its little final break. Without transition, 'Tide Of Changes' (see the video here) whose very quiet first part introduces a more calm composition while maintaining a beautiful power with beautiful alternations of 'intensities and tempo bringing a progressive side, 'Fabio Lione' being like a fish in water in this style by modulating his singing in a beautiful way. With 'Vida Seca', the Brazilian influences are very present and, even if the power of the electric instruments, then take over, the fast tempo characteristic of this country and the singing in Portuguese bring a beautiful diversity. And when power metal regains its rights while remaining very melodic on a very catchy tempo, 'Gods Of The World' (see the video here) is there to offer us a new catchy chorus and a huge guitar solo, in certain places flirting with neo-classical. Make way for the ballad of the album with the title song in which 'Fabio Leone' also shows all his vocal talent in a quieter atmosphere then, without transition, 'Faithless Sanctuary' brings an exotic introduction and then benefits from a sought-after construction with multiple rhythmic changes which makes it the most progressive track of the album, moving away from metal while maintaining great power. Follows 'Here In The Now' which definitely moves away from power metal and which is a magnificent progressive rock composition embellished by the vocals of 'Vanessa Moreno' rather accustomed to singing in a more popular style and who then forms a very beautiful vocal duo with 'Fabio Lione'. Alternating, we then take a small dose of muscular power metal with 'Generation Warriors' which recalls 'Ride Into The Storm' at the start of the album, then, 'Tears Of Blood' ends the album in a very beautiful way on a theatrical progressive composition as far removed from power metal in which the singer 'Amanda Somerville' and pianist 'Juliana D'Agostini' are guests, 'Fabio Lione' and 'Amanda Somerville' forming a wonderful vocal duo.

In summary, this latest album by the Brazilians of Angra' shows all the talent of this group which has, over the years, forged their own style by offering us a beautiful diversity and, even if the label of power metal sticks to their skin (on this opus, only four compositions can be tagged thus), 'Cycles Of Pain' is of remarkable richness and variety and should please an audience open to different styles around the metal whether progressive, symphonic, heavy or power...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabio Lione (Vocal), Marcelo Barbosa (Guitar), Rafaël Bittencourt (Guitar), Felipa Andreoli (Bass), Bruno Valverde (Drums) + Guests : Vanessa Moreno (Vocal), Amanda Somerville (Vocal), Lenine (Vocal), Julia d’Agostini (Piano)


Artist : Galahad

Album : The Long Goodbye

Release Date : 10-11-2023

Added : 26-11-2023






At the moment, the singer 'Stuart Nicholson' is in the spotlight with a few days ago the chronicle of the latest 'tRKproject' in which he performs two compositions by 'Ryszard Kramarski' and it is a week after the last 'Galahad' was released, making following the magnificent 'The Last Great Adventurer' of 2022, which shows that the English are not resting on their laurels. With the same line up as the previous opus, they offer us their progressive and melodic rock characterized by the use of electronic sounds and, in this album, it is again a good mix between fairly direct melodic compositions and more elaborate progressive with, the icing on the cake, a long development and an offbeat composition which we will talk about again.

The album has seven compositions and the first three are focused on direct melodic rock, the progressive side being quite discreet and the name that comes to mind to compare this beginning of the album is 'Alan Parsons': 'Behind the Veil of A Smile' begins with a catchy tempo and a melody that hooks you from the first chords and with which you have an irresistible desire to accompany 'Stuart Nicholson' in the chorus, then, 'Everything's Changed', with its introduction to the very electronic accents à la 'Jean-Michel Jarre', continues in this melodic rock with a very endearing singing from 'Stuart Nicholson' who navigates very beautifully between his main vocal register and some incursions into his head voice. Follows 'Shadow In The Corner' which takes us into a funky rhythm and which to a lesser extent can recall the catchy tempo of 'Run Like Hell' by the 'Floyds' on which 'Lee Abraham' comes to perform a very beautiful guitar solo in the second part of the title, the unifying chorus coming directly into the head. Make way for 'The Righteous and the Damned' which is completely out of step with the rest but which, for me, is a completely addictive little melodic gem while dealing with a serious universal subject of world leaders who play with the world as with toys to the detriment of humans and, all this, supposedly in the name of peace: first of all the a cappella introduction of 'Stuart Nicholson' is of a sensitivity that gives goosebumps, then, he engages, always a capella, on a tune that will captivate you and which contains all the emotional force of traditional Jewish music, then, accompanied by keyboards imitating an accordion then an acoustic guitar, he intones this melody and, with the arrival of the electric instruments, this momentum of catchy rhythm continues this time with a violin which twirls to an accelerating tempo and on which 'Stuart Nicholson' gives us a moving vocal performance, the 'lies, lies, lies, lies' and ' die, die, die, die' being even more poignant in relation to the theme of the title. After this very beautiful title, it is the turn of the long development of the title song to develop its 13 minutes to take us into a wonderful moment of progressive with a new theme also very poignant on illnesses linked to dementia that we are all likely to catch as they age and which is all the more touching as 'Stuart Nicholson' now lives it in his daily life with his father who has been diagnosed with this type of illness. Needless to say that this theme has been put to music in an extraordinary way and that the words can only move, 'Stuart Nicholson' putting himself in the place of the sick person who realizes that he is losing, little by little. , its landmarks and its memory. The whole thing is therefore palpably emotional but it is truly the last six minutes beginning acoustically which, for my part, move me to tears, with this melodic phrase repeated tirelessly and which, little by little, takes on the magnitude with a magnificent guitar solo from 'Lee Abraham' accompanied by celestial choirs, the finale falling into serenity with these two words whispered by 'Stuart Nicholson, "Goodnight" and "Goodbye": simply beautiful!! The last two tracks 'Darker Days' and 'Open Water', presented as bonuses, are in the same style as the first three of the album, in a more direct style, 'Darker Days' of almost 8 minutes which, on a catchy tempo, highlights a new catchy melody and 'Open Water', much more refined, is a very beautiful ballad in which 'Stuart Nicholson' offers us a final vocal performance filled with sensitivity.

In summary, progressive rock is doing very well in this year 2023 with many remarkable releases and 'Galahad' adds one of great quality which shows all the talent of this formation capable of offering us, a year apart, two albums as admirable as each other and, beyond the group's fans, 'The Long Goodbye' should please a wide progressive rock audience thanks to very beautiful melodic lines which catch at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Stuart Nicholson (Vocal), Lee Abraham (Guitar), Dean Baker (Keybords), Mark Spencer (Bass), Spencer Luckman (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Foghat

Album : Sonic Mojo

Release Date : 10-11-2023

Added : 27-11-2023

When I hear the name of the group 'Foghat', it takes me back more than 40 years when the English released an album approximately every year in the 70s, 'Tight Shoes' having played many times on the family turntable. It's certain, in 2023, only the drummer 'Roger Earl' remains from the initial line up but the spirit of this direct and effective rock is still very present and this latest album 'Sonic Mojo' is still there for us. prove.

On the menu of this opus, 12 compositions that exude classic rock giving a terrible desire to move to the rhythm of the music. First off, 'She's A Little Bit Of Everything' (see video above) is a rock anthem that reminds me of 'Moon Martin', then, 'I Don't Appreciate You' (see video here) continues in this timeless style and the cover 'Mean Woman Blues' recorded in 1957 by 'Elvis Presley' and which is reinterpreted by 'Foghat' in a more sensual version in the style of 'Santana'. And we won't be able to miss the rhythmic 'Drivin' On' either (see the video here), in the style of 'ZZ Top' and on which your head can't help but mark the measure, the same 'ZZ Top' being also present on the ballad 'How Many More Years' which is a cover of 'Chester Burnett' but we can also cite the five other covers, 'Let Me Love You Baby' from 'Willie Dixon', 'Song For Life' from 'Rodney Crowell' in a much more rhythmic version, 'She's Dynamite' from 'B.B. King' from 1951 or even 'Promised Land' from 'Chuck Berry' from 1964, the latter two ending the album with standards that are still just as catchy for our greatest pleasure. And the three other original songs of 'Foghat', 'Wish I'd A Been There', 'Time Slips Away' and 'Black Days and Blue Nights' have nothing to envy of the other titles and also contribute to this atmosphere of timeless blues/rock that does immense good.

In short, the English from 'Foghat' are not going to revolutionize music with 'Sonic Mojo' but, that is clearly not their objective, because all these compositions take us back, for a moment, to this blues /rock with three magical chords which for more than 70 years has been perpetuated from generation to generation, 'Foghat' being, more than 50 years after their first album, a faithful ambassador...

Line Up / Musicians

Roger Earl (Drums), Bryan Basstt (Guitar), Rodney O’Quinn (Bass), Scott Holt (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Tarja

Album : Dark Christmas

Release Date : 10-11-2023

Added : 28-11-2023

All fans of the soprano 'Tarja Turunen' have known for a long time that she is a very complete artist and that she puts her talent at the service of several styles of music: on the one hand, it is the symphonic metal side which 'made her name at the end of the 90s with 'Nightwish' and she released a best of of his solo career in 2022 started after his departure from 'Nightwish' in 2005 and, on the other hand, with lyrical training at the Sibelius Academy ' in Helsinki, she has always been attracted to classical music, offering us different albums in this style: we can cite 'Live at Sibelious Hall' in 2011 with various classical artists including the organist 'Kalevi Kiviniemi', 'Ave Maria – en Plein Air' from 2015, or even 'From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)' from 2017, the latter being a Christmas album but in a register far removed from the syrupy melodies that we are used to hearing for this holiday.

For the end of the year 2023, she is doing it again with this 'Dark Christmas' by covering other very well-known Christmas songs but in a much more festive register because all these titles have undergone a complete rearrangement with the accompaniment by an orchestra and a children's choir. The result is darker atmospheres which take us into a captivating and mysterious Christmas world: for example, 'Jingle Bells' which is generally performed in a very catchy way, is completely unrecognizable and the singing of 'Tarja' brings real magic into this very offbeat version. And the icing on the cake, all of the titles are accompanied by sublime videos that you can find below and which clearly highlight this mysterious and disturbing side.

In summary, 'Tarja' remains faithful to this Christmas tradition by offering us once again a very beautiful album which goes off the beaten track and which can be enjoyed peacefully during this festive period...

Videos from the album:
01 = The First Noel
02 = Frosty The Snowman
03 = O Holy Night
04 = Dark Christmas
05 = Jingle Bell Rock
06 = White Christmas
07 = All I Want For Christmas Is You
08 = Wonderful Christmastime
09 =
Last Christmas
10 =
Jingle Bells
11 =
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
12 =
Angels We Have Heard On High

Line Up / Musicians

Tarja Turunen (Vocal)


Artist : Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Album : Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1

Release Date : 17-11-2023

Added : 29-11-2023

'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' is part of the great blues/rock family and has nothing more to prove because for almost 30 years, he has been offering us quality albums, the latest 'Trouble Is... 25' from 2022 is still here to prove it to us with the re-recording of his first album. A short year later, he released the first volume of 'Dirt On My Diamonds', both parts of which were recorded during the Covid 19 period.

No surprise, we find, on the one hand, the blues/rock anthems of which he has the secret in a strong style but also quieter titles bringing a beautiful diversity to the whole. We can therefore classify the titles into two categories: those which take us into a well-paced blues/rock, the majority of these compositions being accompanied by brass contributing to this resplendent side. In this style, these are 'Dirt On My Diamonds' (see the video above), 'Sweet & Low' (see the video here ), 'Best Of Times', 'Man On A Mission' and 'Bad Intentions', which, each with a different rhythm, automatically start the headbanging or foot-tapping machine. We also won't miss the cover of Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' in an even more impactful atmosphere than the original. To air out the album, the two compositions 'You Can't Love Me' (see the video here) and 'Ease My Mind' allow for welcome breaks, the first being a magnificent ballad on which Kenny offers us a very beautiful guitar solo and the second some good sensual blues with yet another magical accompaniment from the Stratocaster. We can also point out that 'Noah Hunt' shares the microphone with 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd' and the duo continues to work wonderfully.

In summary, 'Kenny Wayne Shepherd', accompanied by talented artists, releases a new album full of good, timeless blues rock that we have immense pleasure in listening to and we are impatiently awaiting volume two of this 'Dirt On My Diamonds'...

Line Up / Musicians

Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Vocal, Guitar), Noah Hunt (Vocal), Kevin McCormick (Bass), Joe Krown (Keybords), Jim McGorman (Keybords), Tommy King (Keybords), Zac Rae (Keybords), Noah Hunt (Vocal), Chris Layton (Drums), Marshall Altman (Percussions), Corrina Gill (Choirs), Joe Sublett (Saxophone), Mark Pender (Trumpet)


Artist : Sevi

Album : Genesis

Release Date : 11-11-2023

Added : 30-11-2023

'Sevi' is a Bulgarian melodic metal band which has already been in existence for more than 10 years (the first album 'What Lies Beyond' dating from 2012) and which is already on its fourth studio recording with 'Genesis'. It was with this album that I discovered them and, after a first listen, I wanted to dive back into them because I was pleasantly surprised by the catchy melodies which were grafted directly into my head. Led by the singer 'Svetlana Bliznakova' who is also the author and composer of the group and who released a very beautiful solo album 'Tomorrow' in a much more moderate style, we find on bass 'Rally Velinov' (also composer and at the origin of the project with 'Svetlana Bliznakova'), guitarist 'Alexander Kirilov' and drummer 'Pavlin Ivanov'.

On the menu of this album, 12 direct and effective compositions in a radio format not exceeding 4 minutes and for those who followed the last 3 years of this band, singles have already been released, each accompanied by YouTube videos , with first of all 'Shattered' in early 2020, which was followed by 'Dark Knight' in 2021, and finally by 'Hate You' and 'Drowning' in 2022, the first three showing very catchy metal with catchy melodic lines and the last 'Drowning' being a very beautiful ballad in which 'Svetlana Bliznakova' shares the microphone with the singer of 'Axel Rudy Pell', 'Johnny Gioeli'. The rest of the album is like the first three singles and, after the very calm introduction reminiscent of baby music boxes, 'Ghosts' starts the album strong with a melody reminding me of 'Delain', 'Charlotte Wessels' period. The following compositions continue in this strong style with 'Insane' which shows all the lead guitar talent of Alexander Kirilov', then, 'Unreality' is a mid-tempo with beautiful variations of intensity bringing us back to 'Delain'. Make way for the title song, which has nothing to envy of the previous one with its powerful saturated riffs on which 'Svetlana Bliznakova' offers a new admirable vocal performance, the melody reminding me of 'Stream Of Passion' who have just reformed to release the EP 'Beautiful Warrior', then, 'The Spell', introduced by a remarkable guitar solo from Alexander Kirilov' is an up tempo with a catchy melody and catchy rhythm. Follows 'Higher Than the Stars' which highlights the guitarist 'Alexandra Zerner' and the Finnish drummer 'Mirka Rantanen' ('Thunderstone') and 'Svetlana Bliznakova' offers us to close this very beautiful opus the magnificent ballad 'World That Doesn't Fit' which allows us to recover all the energy deployed throughout the album, showing that she is also very comfortable in more moderate atmospheres, atmospheres that we find on his solo album 'Tomorrow' (link above).

In summary, even if the Bulgarians of 'Sevi' are added to the already long list of metal formations whether melodic or symphonic, they show how far they have come over the past ten years by offering us a quality album performed by talented artists led by an excellent singer: if you are a fan of accessible melodic metal, you should undoubtedly adopt 'Genesis' because all the compositions have catchy melodic lines that can be tamed at the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Svetlana Bliznakova (Vocal), Rally Velinov (Bass), Alexander Kirilov (Guitar), Pavlin Ivanov (Drums) + Guests : Johnny Gioeli (Vocal), Alexandra Zerner (Guitar), Mirka Rantanen (Drums)


Artist : D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings

Album : Sophomore

Release Date : 10-11-2023

Added : 02-12-2023

We had already been carried away by their first album 'Troika' in 2022 and the trio 'Nick D'Virgilio'/Neal Morse'/'Ross Jennings' is doing it again at the end of 2023 with their new album 'Sophomore'. So we don't change a winning team and we find this style that I described in my previous column on the trio as being a sort of mix between 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' and the 'Bee Gees'.

The ensemble therefore presents direct compositions in melodic pop, the semi-acoustic atmospheres bringing a harmonious and delicate side. This comes to fruition from the outset with 'Hard to be Easy' which could very well have been composed in the early 70s, the vocal harmonies being very close to those of 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young'. In the same style, the compositions 'Tiny Little Fires' (see the video above), 'Right Where You Should Be', 'I'm Not Afraid' and 'Anywhere the Wind Blows' (see the video here) take us back fifty years back in this light atmosphere. While keeping very beautiful vocal harmonies and in more relaxed atmospheres, we can also cite 'Linger at the Edge of My Memory' on a slow tempo unfolding a very beautiful melody, 'The Weary One' which is melancholier (see the video here), the string accompaniment accentuating this atmosphere, and 'Weighs Me Down' also adds a very beautiful, darker ballad in the style of 'Goodbye Blue Sky' from 'The Wall'. Other atmospheres, 'Mama' is more rock flirting this time with the electric project of 'Crazy Horse' by 'Neil Young' and 'Walking on Water' gives us a small dose of cheerfulness by embarking us in a very catchy composition which gives a irresistible desire to accompany the chorus with the trio.

In summary, no need for a long review to tell you that this second album from the trio 'Nick D'Virgilio'/Neal Morse'/'Ross Jennings' is still full of beautiful melodies that we take a great pleasure to listen to and 'Sophomore' is still recommended to a wide audience because our three artists, who generally evolve in less accessible progressive styles, have done everything possible to offer us compositions that are catchy on first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal, Drums), Neal Morse (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Ross Jennings (Vocal, Guitar) + Guests : Gideon Klein (Guitar, Cordes), Sophia D’virgilio (Choirs), Yulia Jennings (Choirs)


Artist : COMPASS

Album : A Silent Symphony

Release Date : 24-11-2023

Added : 05-12-2023






After two albums that I presented to you on myprogmusic, 'Our Time on Earth' in 2020 and 'Theory of Tides' in 2022 and, still in parallel with his AOR project 'NEWMAN', 'Steve Newman' continues to regularly release albums from this new project 'COMPASS' since 'A Silent Symphony' follows the previous installment by a year. After taking us in the footsteps of the famous 'Galileo', he became interested in the dramatic history of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986. Having had the opportunity to visit the site, it gave him the idea of 'a new concept album. He therefore takes us into a chronology of this dramatic accident and, given the theme, the compositions present dark atmospheres with the addition of sound effects and spoken parts which allow us to immerse ourselves even more in this story by highlighting the people who were the main actors and spectators of this tragedy.

The short 'We Have The Power' starts the album in a rhythmic and energetic way, taking us back to the Soviet era and its thumping of boots asserting the supremacy of the Eastern bloc under the control of the Union Soviet, then 'Xenon Gods', always at a well-marked tempo, takes over by describing the cause of the accident, the result of human errors. Musically, 'Steve Newman' offers us metal with beautiful progressive sections, the atmosphere of urgency being well rendered by the supercharged rhythm section and the catchy melody bringing immediate accessibility. Follows the eponymous title of the album which tells the version of the engineer 'Anatoly Dyatlov' who was at the time the deputy head of the plant in charge of the emergency shutdown test and which is a gripping composition with a new melody which gets into your head immediately and whose second part offers a remarkable instrumental section including a 'Floydien' guitar solo, the strings adding a little more bite to this disturbing atmosphere. Place at 'Bridge of Death' which is also one of the tragic events relating that the inhabitants around the power plant were irradiated while going to see the fire on a bridge subsequently nicknamed "bridge of death" due to the level of radioactivity present at the time at this place: much calmer, the atmosphere of this title introduced by the crackle of a Geiger counter unfolds a beautiful ballad with a moving vocal performance of 'Ben Green' and another magnificent guitar solo in the second part of the title. Follows 'Into The Unknown' which relates to the first responders of the firefighters of the Chernobyl power plant who, at the cost of their lives, tried to fight the fire with the consequences that we know and which is a more direct and close to the AOR atmospheres developed in the 'Newman' project. Return to progressive with 'The Suffering' which speaks of the suffering of the population near the power station, forced to leave their homes knowing that they would certainly not return there again and which shows a much more refined face with piano/piano sections. voice of beautiful emotional strength, then, 'Liquidators' is a long development on the volunteers (called 'Liquidators') who intervened around the power plant after the disaster: after a long instrumental introduction setting the scene with a catchy melody and catchy, the sung part, more calm, addresses this painful subject by then returning to the melodic theme of the beginning in the chorus and the end of the title offers us an atmospheric atmosphere with another very beautiful guitar solo to return to the starting theme in the final. And to finish, 'A Dystopian Wasteland' describes the post-Chernobyl period in a quieter atmosphere in the form of a mid-tempo and 'Age of Progression' unfolds a final progressive saga between rock and metal, leaving plenty of room for inventive instrumental parts, 'Ben Green' making a last remarkable vocal performance and the finale with the sound of boots bringing us back to the introduction of the album and which is a beautiful image used by 'Steve Newman' to make us reflect and ask ourselves the following question: given current global events in this part of the world, have we really learned lessons from these dramatic experiences?

In summary, with this latest album 'A Silent Symphony', strong in emotion, 'Steve Newman' treats a painful subject with all the talent as a composer that we knew from the first two albums, once again managing to combining a progressive style conducive to a concept album telling a story while keeping a very accessible side thanks to melodic lines that are always very catchy...

Line Up / Musicians

Ben Green (Vocal), Steve Newman (Guitar, Keybords), Dave Bartlett (Bass), Toni Lakush (Drums)


Artist : Looking-Glass Lantern

Album : A Victorian Christmas Compendium

Release Date : 24-11-2023

Added : 06-12-2023

During this Christmas period, I presented to you a few days ago, the 'Dark Christmas' from 'Tarja' and if you are more conformist and attached to the musical traditions of these festivities, 'Graham Dunnington', who has benne released, with his project 'Looking-Glass Lantern', progressive albums for around ten years (the latest reviewed in myprogmusic being 'Candlelight and Empire' in 2017 and 'A World of Great Invention' in 2021), offers us this festive period a Christmas album in the great tradition of popular English music. The progressive aspect is present but in small and very discreet touches, the whole being essentially focused on sweet syrupy melodies. Needless to say that if you like direct and effective rock, you are not in the right place but for others who have kept a child's soul, you should find what you are looking for with these 10 compositions which take us back into different Christmas stories, the music being quite naturally in tune with the themes covered. 'The Festive Season' begins the album with a first track with arrangements worthy of the most beautiful Christmas tales and the rest is entirely in this atmosphere with omnipresent harpsichord sounds bringing this light and sparkling side. Melodically, we find this peaceful symphonic style referring to classical influences as in the long developments 'The Stage is Set on Christmas Eve', 'The Public Entertainments of St Stephen's Day' or even 'A Ghostly Tale at Midnight'. In short, this rather special album from 'Looking-Glass Lantern' takes us into the magic of Christmas which should take some people back to their childhood and the magic of this holiday and, even if 'A Victorian Christmas Compendium' risks being intended to a limited audience, he shows all the talent as a composer and performer of 'Graham Dunnington' in this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

Graham Dunnington (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Hitten

Album : While Passion Lasts

Release Date : 24-11-2023

Added : 07-12-2023

And if we put ourselves between the ears, direct and effective hard rock that takes us straight back to the 70s and 80s? 'Hitten' is a Spanish band that has been active for a little over ten years, the latest album being 'Triumph & Tragedy' released in 2021, album which was very well received by music critics.

This latest baby 'While Passion Lasts' is therefore a continuation of the previous opus with anthems which release a good dose of raw energy: after the instrumental introduction 'Prelude To Passion' slowly increasing the pressure , the title song releases a first hard rock blast with a very punchy rhythm with a first chorus on which we have an irresistible desire to accompany the choirs, then, the titles conducive to headbanging follow one another without downtime and parade 'Blood From A Stone' and 'Mr. Know It All'. Small break with 'Unholy Games' and its slow tempo, then, we start again with 'Dark Stalker' which, after a calm introduction with a piano, offers us a very muscular up tempo, then, 'Truthful Lies' drives the point home with a new track full of good energy and 'Hold Up The Night', which follows, is in the same vein as its predecessor. Follows 'Where It All Begins' which allows for a second break in the form of a beautiful melodic power ballad and 'Crimetime' ends this album in style, the rhythm section being at the party and the guitar solo being remarkable.

In summary, the Spaniards of Hitten', without revolutionizing the genre but bringing good positive energy, are releasing a good hard rock album which should make all fans of this style which has seen its rise happy at the beginning of the 70s and which has become a timeless genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Alexx Panza (Vocal), Dani Meseguer (Guitar), Satan (Bass), Johnny Lorca (Guitar), Willy Medina (Drums)


Artist : Mono Inc.

Album : Mono Inc. (Live In Hamburg)

Release Date : 24-11-2023

Added : 08-12-2023

I presented their latest album to you 'Ravenblack' released in early 2023 and the Germans from 'Mono Inc.' are doing it again at the end of 2023 but this time with a live recorded at the Sporthalle in Hamburg in May 2022. In a set of 18 tracks, they offer us their well-paced melodies with unifying choruses, 'Louder Than Hell' starting the concert in front of a public overjoyed to their cause (see the video above). The titles then follow one another without interruption and we have to wait for the piano version of 'An klaren Tagen' for a well-deserved break in which 'Martin Engler' and 'Katha Lia' each offer us a very beautiful vocal performance, the rest putting back to the front 'Kathia Mia' for a 'Drum Battle' introduced by an instrumental part. The rest of the album continues to cycle through the Germans' hits and if you want a preview of this concert which has also been released on DVD, you can, in addition to the opener 'Louder Than Hell', see three other videos on the group's YouTube page: 'The Book of Fire', 'Boatman' and 'Arabia' showing all the scenography implemented by 'Mono Inc.' In Hamburg to make a spectacular show.

In summary, although they are labeled as making dark metal, the Germans of 'Mono Inc.' show with this concert that they offer a great festive moment with their rhythmic and addictive hits and this 'Live In Hamburg' should make all fans of the group happy but also all those who like catchy metal with melodies which go straight into the head and which give an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music...

Line Up / Musicians

Martin Engler (Vocal, Guitar), Carl Fornia (Guitar, Cello, Vocal), Val Perun (Bass, Vocal, Piano), Katha Mia (Drums, Vocal)


Artist : Peter Gabriel

Album : i/o

Release Date : 01-12-2023

Added : 10-12-2023






For all those who experienced the 80s with all the rock albums that became cult, 'So' is certainly part of this very long list of these melodies which will remain forever engraved in the memory and, for the anecdote, 'Don't Give Up', beyond the fact that it is an admirable title with the famous vocal duo 'Peter Gabriel'/'Kate Bush', served me well to adjust my hand-built acoustic speakers, the recording being particularly remarkable for the time. And then, the years passed and other cult albums were added. It must be admitted that after 'So', 'Peter Gabriel' was not as prolific since the only albums until now have been 'Us' in 1992 and 'Up' in 2002, the last two 'Scratch My Back' from 2009 and 'New Blood' in 2011 are not strictly speaking original albums, the first being made up of covers and the second also of covers but with a symphony orchestra. Furthermore, 'Us' and 'Up', which were very good albums, did not, for my part, have the same impact as the previous opuses.

So, having in your hands a new offering from the British is like setting out again to conquer the grail, always imagining the best of what you will discover. I must add that I have not followed the media staging of the releases over time of the different compositions since January 2023 and that is so much the better because I have always preferred to discover an album in its entirety, this period that we live in immediacy where we consume without realizing that waiting is also part of the pleasure, being very strange for me. And here, I must say that the first listening of the 12 compositions directly made me relive the same emotions that I had during the numerous listenings of 'So' with this little extra of beneficial nostalgia which makes you automatically sketch this blissful smile , these emotions that I certainly would not have had while listening to each title when they were released. Consequently, I will not launch into title by title (you have the choice on the internet of multiple chronicles which dissect them one by one) but I would like to share with you everything that went through my head during these intense listening.

First of all, the first feeling that emerges is that 'Peter Gabriel' still has this same voice, warm and comforting which feels good and, this, from the first title 'Panopticom' which, accompanied by the bass very deep of 'Tony Levin' is a pure moment of happiness, 'Manu Katche' doing the job on the drums with his surgical playing bringing this always well-balanced rhythm. Then, each composition develops melodic lines which are directly grafted into the head showing all the talent of the British melodist with these multiple effects which will never leave you again like this phrase 'And the court will rise, while the pillars all fall' in 'The Court' with this break without a rhythm section. Another observation, the whole is of a beautiful variety and we find all the atmospheres that we knew in 'Peter Gabriel', the rhythmic compositions and others much more relaxed: in this last style, I will highlight the two jewels which are 'Playing For Time' and 'So Much', the first which is of remarkable sensitivity, very refined in the first part of the title and whose final rise of the strings gives you goosebumps, the second which is of extraordinary emotional force and which is quite in the same atmosphere that the skinned alive 'Roger Waters' can convey. Finally, the icing on the cake (but we already knew that from the previous recordings), the production is impeccable and if you are lucky enough to have a good audio system, you should undoubtedly be transported by so many details, precision and realism in each compartment, helping to magnify this alchemy between singing, choirs and all the instruments. The only downside that I could express and which is my opinion alone, is that I did not hear a major difference between the two mixes of this extraordinary album, the 'Bright-Side Mix', produced by 'Mark Stent', and the 'Dark-Side Mix', produced by 'Tchad Blake', especially since on this point, I do not necessarily agree with the artist who favors the process over the product because I am convinced that any good sound engineer could only do a good job when you have this material to mix.

In summary, even if it's a little early to say it, I shouldn't be too wrong in saying that 'i/o' will take a good place in the list of cult albums that I spoke to you about in the introduction because 'Peter Gabriel' has once again done everything possible to offer us compositions which should undoubtedly stand the test of time and sweep away all successive fashions to become a sort of standard of universal music...

Line Up / Musicians

Peter Gabriel (Vocal, Keybords, Choirs, Percussions, Rhythm Programming), David Rhodes (Guitar, Choirs), Tony Levin (Bass), Manu Katché (Drums) + Guests : Angie Pollock (Keybords), Brian Eno (Keybords, Cloches, Percussions, Ukulélé, Rhythm Programming), Don E (Keybords), Evan Smith (Saxophone), Ged Lynch (Percussions), Hans-martin Buff (Keybords, Rhythm Programming), Jennie Abrahamson (Choirs), Josh Shpak (Trumpet), Katie May (Guitar, Keybords, Percussions, Rhythm Programming), Linnea Olsson (Cello, Choirs), Melanie Gabriel (Choirs), Oli Jacobs (Keybords, Guitar, Percussions, Piano, Rhythm Programming), Oli Middleton (Percussions), Richard Chappell (Rhythm Programming), Paolo Fresu (Trumpet), Richard Chappell (Rythmique Programmée), Richard Evans (Flute, Mandolin), Richard Russell (Percussions), Rioghnach Connolly (Choirs), Ron Aslan (Keybords), Steve Gadd (Caisse Claire), The New Blood Orchestra, The Orphei Drängar Choir, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Tom Cawley (Piano)


Artist : Orphaned Land

Album : A Heaven You May Create (Live)

Release Date : 01-12-2023

Added : 11-12-2023

Coincidentally, it was on the first of December that the albums 'i/o' from 'Peter Gabriel' and, in another style, the live 'A Heaven You May Create' from Orphaned Land' were released. In both cases, these are artists that I particularly like (see the myprogmusic review of the magnificent 'Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs' dating from 2018). But for this release of 'Orphaned Land', taking into account the terrible events that the two Israeli and Palestinian peoples have experienced, this release takes on a very particular character and I have a hard time finding the words to write this chronicle, words which appear so insignificant in the face of the scale of the tragedy.

And yet, I would simply like to say that A Heaven You May Create' is a fantastic album, even essential (just this sentence taken from 'Mabool' is an extraordinary program!), that all these titles played in concert in 'Tel Aviv' are remarkable anthems, all calls for tolerance and peace between peoples, while the guitar solo and backing vocals on the finale of 'The Storm Still Rages Inside' are of sublime beauty , that 'Brother' brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it, this version with the symphony orchestra bringing even more emotional force, than the introduction to 'The Cave' sung by 'Noa Gruman', of Jewish origin, is as delicious as that of the studio recording sung by 'Shlomit Levi', of Yemeni origin, or that the unifying melody of 'All Is One', sung in public, is always a magical moment of communion. I would also like to talk to you about the very strong symbolism of this cover with these religious buildings of the three religions united to form one, an ideal which has always been defended by 'Orphaned Land' since their beginning (let's remember of this wonderful cover of 'All Is One' from 2014 with the three signs of the three interlocking monotheistic religions).

But, on the other hand, without these dramatic circumstances which would have placed this release under the sign of celebration, it is completely normal to understand the dismay of Orphaned Land' which sees all its efforts go to waste. collapse, some fans having decided to leave them, simply because they reacted as human beings by writing on their Facebook page that they were alongside the Israeli people in this tragedy. On the other hand, they also received messages of support from different Muslim countries which gave them hope. And to return to music, I would like to quote this article on the Franco-Israeli 'Mia Schem' who was taken hostage and released on November 30 and who gave us a real life lesson by declaring on Instagram: "I will never forget October 7, 2023. The pain and the fear, the difficult scenes, the friends who will not return... But we will still win. We will dance again! ". This poignant testimony on a still fresh wound shows that, even after the hardest trials, music is still a precious refuge to bring together different cultures rather than pit them against each other. This is what 'Orphaned Land' has been doing so well for almost 30 years, by advocating the rapprochement of peoples and religions, these being not just empty words since they have shown us many times that it is possible, with for example this tour which saw them share the stage with the Palestinian group 'Kalhas'. So, if I had only one wish to grant, and despite all the distress that must inhabit them, it is to see them take up their pilgrim's sticks again when circumstances are more favorable to continue to flood the world with this saving light that is music...

Line Up / Musicians

Kobi Farhi (Vocal), Uri Zelcha (Bass), Chen Balbus (Guitar), Idan Amsalem (Guitar), Matan Shmuely (Drums), Chamber Opera Orchestra (Chef d'orchestre : Alon Stern), Hellscore Choir, Noa Gruman (Vocal)


Artist : This Winter Machine

Album : The Clockwork Man

Release Date : 01-12-2023

Added : 13-12-2023






It's now been a little over seven years since the English from 'This Winter Machine' began their progressive rock project and the albums continue to be released at regular intervals with this latest baby 'The Clockwork Man' which is now available for streaming since early December. I discovered them with their second album 'A Tower of Clocks' in 2019 and 2021 saw the release of 'Kites'. The line-up waltz continues and it is now 'John Cook' on guitar and 'Leigh Perkins' on keyboards alongside the leader and singer 'Al Winter', the rhythm section being unchanged with 'Dave Close' on bass and 'Alan Wilson' on drums. In the form of a concept album, 'The Clockwork Man' takes us into the science fiction comic book by writer and artist 'Andrew Richmond' whose subject is a world in which females do not exist and where humans have implemented human cloning at accelerated speed, the clones nicknamed "mechanical men" being "made" only for low and dangerous tasks, fueled by pills to make them into very docile sort of robots.

On the menu of this opus, eight compositions for 50 minutes of listening and, from the start, we are welcomed by the long development 'The River' which is made up of two parts, the first with an instrumental introduction to the sounds electronics and dynamic rhythm allowing you to immerse yourself little by little in this dystopian world to arrive at the sung part in which 'Al Winter' introduces this science fiction world in a very expressive way and which is followed by a very beautiful guitar solo of 'John Cook', the second sung part adding layers of keyboards bringing a beautiful breadth of sound and the second guitar solo being also remarkable. Total break for the second part which is a magnificent ballad which can recall the atmosphere of a 'High Hopes' of the 'Floyds' but more refined, the singing of Al Winter' becoming more serious and resembling that of 'David Gilmour'. Follows 'Solitude, Silence And Steam' which, at a slow tempo, unfolds melancholic melodic lines on which 'John Cook' is still highlighted with his guitar in the long introduction, then, 'Al Winter' takes over for a section sung at a swaying tempo until a semi-acoustic break bringing a nice variety to this title, 'John Cook' then doing wonders again in a 'Gilmourian' final guitar solo. 'Final Goodbye' is a fairly short track which highlights the rhythm section with above all a stirring and original bass line from 'Dave Close' on a catchy melody, then, 'Change' slightly hardens the tone in an atmosphere flirting with hard rock, 'André Saint' being invited to share the microphone with 'Al Winter' and the instrumental part at the start of the second part being quite remarkable with several rhythmic changes. The instrumental 'Reflections' continues our progressive journey with an imaginative and researched composition, highlighting the new keyboardist 'Leigh Perkins' who gives us a beautiful demonstration on the piano, then, 'Nothing Lasts Forever' is a very beautiful title which us offers a first part in the form of a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad in which 'Al Winter' shows all his vocal talent to bring a beautiful emotion, the Irish flute of 'Laigh Perkins' bringing a folk side in a second part then the title then becomes more symphonic with a beautiful amplitude of sound, the finale returning to the stripped-down atmosphere of the beginning. New moment of serenity with 'The Light' which once again sees 'Al Winter' move us with a magnificent piano accompaniment, then, 'Falling through a Hole in the Sky' ends the album in a very beautiful way with a gem of progressive to make the best progressive rock groups jealous (it looks like a fusion between 'Arena', 'RPWL' and 'Mystery'): each artist brings his stone to the building on a gripping melody in a slight crescendo which ends in apotheosis with a final guitar solo from 'John Cook'.

In summary, hoping that the line up will now stabilize, we can say that Al Winter' has drawn the right cards with the guitarist 'John Cook' and the keyboardist 'Leigh Perkins' to which we can add the remarkable rhythm section that we knew with 'Dave Close' and 'Alan Wilson' and 'The Clockwork Man', in addition to being a very original concept album, offers us very beautiful progressive rock compositions and shows that 'This Winter Machine' has just risen to the same level as the best groups of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Al Winter (Vocal), John Cook (Guitar), Leigh Perkins (Keybords, Flute Irlandaise, Choirs), Dave Close (Bass), Alan Wilson (Drums) + Guest : André Saint (Vocal)


Artist : Joe Bailey

Album : Splinters

Release Date : 01-12-2023

Added : 14-12-2023

At a regular pace of one album each year (only the year 2020 did not see a studio recording release), the multi-instrumentalist and singer 'Joe Bailey' continues to offer us very good opuses but while remaining still very discreet on the web. I discovered it with the album 'A Price to Pay' in 2019 which was followed by 'Ghosts' in 2021 and from 'Devil in the White City' in 2022. Musically, this new album 'Splinters' is in the stylistic continuity of the previous opus and we find an alternation between flirting compositions with hard rock and other calmer ones, the whole being even more bathed in synthesized keyboard sounds.

'Full Frontal Eulogy' opens the ball and is a good example of what to expect on the album, with a preponderance of electronic sounds, the catchy melodic lines bringing immediate accessibility and the vocals of 'Joe Bailey' fitting very well with this synthetic atmosphere. Follows 'Matricide' which begins with a few guitar riffs and which then approaches the atmosphere of the previous track, with the addition of rhythmic breaks and intensity with quieter verses, then, 'I, Myself and Me' is a very catchy composition with electronic sounds taking us back to the 80s. First calmer moment with 'The Long Haul' which, at a slow tempo, unfolds a beautiful melody, then, always accompanied by synthesized effects, 'I Am The Enemy' continues with a catchy mid-tempo and 'SLUG' shows a more tormented face with a swaying rhythm, the vocal parts being rapped. With 'Time is Killing Me', we continue with an energetic and catchy title with some welcome rhythmic breaks and a catchy chorus, then, 'Salt in Our Wounds' moderates the ardor by starting in the form of a ballad to accelerate the pace for a new composition with catchy melodic lines, and the album ends with the very beautiful ballad 'No Man's Land' which offers a final remarkable vocal performance from 'Joe Bailey'.

In summary, this latest album by 'Joe Bailey' is certainly less progressive than the previous one by putting more emphasis on synthesizers which can recall the 80s which means that 'Splinters' should please all those who love accessible melodies with electronic sounds...

Line Up / Musicians

Joe Bailey (Vocal, Choirs, Guitar, Bass, Programmation), Charlotte Bailey (Trumpet)


Artist : Arabs In Aspic

Album : The Magic of Sin

Release Date : 01-12-2023

Added : 15-12-2023






I introduced you to 'Syndenes Magi' in 2017 and 'The Magic of Sin' is not strictly speaking a new album nor a remastering of 'Syndenes Magi' but quite simply a re-recording of the album which had been released at the time sung in Norwegian and that Arabs In Aspic' comes out sung in English. It therefore gives us the opportunity to delve back into these three long developments which reek of the progressive rock of the 70s and if you are a fan of these years which saw the birth of this style or if you are a fan of this formation bringing us back to life the sounds of the first 'Pink-Floyd', you are in the right place to have a good listening time, especially since for audiophiles who have high fidelity streaming, the production is further improved with an even more rounded and warm sound. At the same time, the Norwegians are also releasing two other albums remastered, 'Pictures in a Dream' from 2015 and 'Victim of Your Father Agony' from 2013. In short, if we add the last album of 2020, 'Madness and Magic' of 2020, a good listening time in perspective to discover or rediscover these very beautiful albums by the Norwegians of Arabs In Aspic' which set in motion for us the time machine to immerse ourselves in the progressive of the seventies...

Line Up / Musicians

Jostein Smeby (Guitar, Vocal), Stig Jørgensen (Organ, Vocal), Erik Paulsen (Bass, Vocal), Eskil Nyhus (Drums, Cymbales), Alessandro G. Elide (Percussions, Gong)


Visions of Atlantis - A Pirate's Symphony / Lanvall - The Freystadt Symphony

Generally, symphonic metal bands use orchestrations provided in their albums and, in the case of 'Visions Of Atlantis', their latest opus 'Pirates' had been the subject of sumptuous arrangements by 'Lukas Knoebel' and the group decided to make an orchestral version. But where some bands do it with electric instruments and vocals, 'Visions Of Atlantis' did it only with orchestrations and choirs, which makes all of the tracks which transport us into an epic classical universe completely unrecognizable. Certainly some fans will not find what they are looking for but it must be recognized that this version highlights the fantastic work of arrangements made on the album 'Pirates' which is necessarily masked by the electric instruments in the metal version and which gives a completely different light to these very beautiful compositions.

But this is no exception in the world of symphonic metal, since the leader of Edenbridge', 'Lanvall' also took part but this time by composing a classic symphony without any metal part. he performed with the 'Junge Philharmonie Freistadt' symphony orchestra and the 'Hard Chor Linz' choirs on June 22, 2022 in Freistadt in Austria, the album being released in June 2023. I therefore return to this release in which all of the Austrian's talent as a melodist is put forward, a talent that we already knew with the compositions of Edenbridge, including the latest album 'Shangri-La' was released in 2022. Certainly quite short, 'The Freystadt Symphony' (see video here) takes us on a beautiful symphonic journey with all the ingredients that can be found in this kind of classic piece. But 'Lanvall' is not his first attempt since he had already released with his partner 'Sabine Edelsbacher' in 2014 the album 'Everflow' highlighting these two talented artists in very beautiful refined piano/acoustic guitar/voice compositions. And to finish I will add to this column the name of 'Tuomas Holopainen' who is also an outstanding composer and who offered us in 2020 a second magnificent CD in the latest 'Nightwish', 'Human. :II: Nature'.

In short, symphonic metal composers have always been attracted to classical music and this style is also the very essence of a meeting between these two genres of music that we often tend to oppose but which combined offer magnificent albums, the three examples cited in this column being there to prove it to us...

Line Up / Musicians

Vision Of Atlantis
Lukas Knoebel (Orchestration), Ben Metzner (Flute, Bagpipe)

Lanvall
Arne "Lanvall" Stockhammer (Guitar, Keybords), Junge Philharmonie Freistadt, Hardchor Lintz


Artist : CEN-ProjekT

Album : Dark Clouds

Release Date : 04-12-2023

Added : 19-12-2023






2023 will have been a busy year for the German 'Chris Engels' since three albums have already been released under the name of his project 'CEN-ProjekT' ('Tales From Avalon' from 2022 but released in streaming in 2023, 'Pride' and 'Human') and two under his other project 'Chris Angels' ('Gods' and 'Chaos (War of the Worlds)') to which we can now add this latest recording from 'CEN-ProjekT', 'Dark Clouds'.

What can we say about this latest album except that we are once again under the spell of this refined progressive featuring airy keyboards on which 'Chris Engels' places his sweet voice and this, d entry with 'No Passions' which shows this ethereal face with the use of the acoustic guitar which adds a little more delicacy to this very beautiful title. The acoustic guitar is also present on 'Fleeting Sparks' which unfolds a very beautiful melody, then 'Hand In Hand', after a gentle introduction, offers a rural atmosphere à la 'Barclay James Harvest' and a remarkable keyboard solo in the second part bringing us this time back to 'Keith Emerson'. With 'I Can Fly', the introduction flirts with the keyboard sounds of Animals' by the 'Floyds' which we find in the central keyboard solo which is this time followed by a beautiful guitar solo, then, the following composition takes us into the air with the mythical bird, the Phoenix which symbolizes the renaissance and for this title, the tempo is faster with a beautiful central break taking us back to the 70s with keyboards with Hammond sounds, the more energetic finale allowing you to vary the atmospheres. Return to tranquility with the very beautiful ballad 'In their realm of silence' on which we completely abandon ourselves to the slow tempo bringing a haunting and vaporous side, then, 'From nothing to life' continues in this delicate atmosphere on which we are lulled by the slow tempo which accelerates at the end of the title. Follows 'The boy and his butterfly' which continues the beautiful musical journey always synonymous with tranquility with some welcome alternations of tempo and 'Dance of existence' closes the album with a composition in the same atmosphere as the three previous titles.

In summary, 'Chris Engels' continues to do 'Chris Engels' by offering us a new album like his previous productions and 'Dark Clouds' is still a great alternative to any relaxer for relax after a good day of work by letting yourself listen to the atmospheric keyboards and the gentle voice of the German...

Line Up / Musicians

Chris Engels (Vocal, Tous les instruments)


Artist : Bryan Adams

Album : Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Release Date : 08-12-2023

Added : 20-12-2023






Performing at the 'Royal Albert Hall' for an artist is always a major event in a career and in the case of 'Bryan Adams', it was not one but three concerts that he performed in this legendary venue on the 9th, May 10 and 11, 2022. And to top it all off, each concert was the subject of a special set list with each evening the full cover of one of the Englishman's albums: in order, the first evening was dedicated to the cover of 'Cuts Like A Knife' by 1983, the second to cover 'Into the Fire' from 1987 and the third at 'Waking Up the Neighbors' from 1991 with second parts common to these three concerts, this time covering more recent songs. The albums that were released on December 7 are devoted solely to album covers and the Spotify link in this column corresponds to the three covered albums. Only the album 'Waking Up the Neighbors' is recorded in public, the two other albums from the first two evenings are recordings that were made without an audience and the videos that can be seen on YouTube confirm this (see videos below below). Certainly the next releases will highlight the other concert evenings with the addition of the second parts because nothing replaces a real live performance where we feel this interaction that the artists have with the public bringing that little extra magic to the music (the video of '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' literally gives you goosebumps!). And where some would have prepared a grandiose show with spectacular effects, 'Bryan Adams' has simply chosen to keep only the substantive marrow of this direct and so effective rock with the basic instruments of rock, the line up being made up of his faithful guitarist 'Keith Scott' with this characteristic and addictive sound of his Fender Stratocaster, bassist 'Keith Scott' and drummer 'Pat Steward' to which we can add keyboardist 'Gary Breit' who replaced 'Tommy Mandel' in 2004, the five artists appearing on stage dressed soberly in black and the lights consisting only of direct spotlights. The other point to emphasize is this vocal ability that 'Bryan Adams' has kept all these years, whether in energetic compositions asking to send heavy but also in calmer titles of which he has the secret and which even shows , for my part, that it conveys even more emotion than at the beginning. In short, no need for a long review to tell you that 'Bryan Adams' is still in good shape at 64 years old and that he offers us three remarkable live performances for almost two and a half hours of listening...

Videos from the Royal Albert Hall 2022:
= Cuts Like A Knife
= I'm Ready
= Into The Fire
= Rebel
= Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven
= (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

Line Up / Musicians

Bryan Adams (Vocal, Bass, Guitar), Keith Scott (Guitar), Sol Walker (Bass), Gary Breit (Keybords), Pat Steward (Drums)


Artist : Porcupine Tree

Album : Closure / Continuation - Live Amsterdam 07/11/22

Release Date : 08-12-2023

Added : 21-12-2023






'Porcupine Tree' returned to the forefront of the progressive scene in 2022 with the very beautiful album 'Closure / Continuation' and the 'Steven Wilson' band hit the road again for a new tour which saw the recording of this live show in 'Amsterdam' on November 7, 2022, a concert which was filmed and which is also being released on DVD/Blu-ray. And for the occasion, the first seven tracks from the latest album are played and the rest is a sort of bet off of the group's old compositions. And here we go for two hours and thirty minutes of a rich and dense concert, 'Blackest eyes' from 2002 opening the ball (a new animated video of this title has just been put online here). Needless to say, everything was done to offer us a sumptuous concert and if you want some insight, three videos are available on the group's YouTube page: 'Harridan' , 'I Drive the Hearse' and 'Fear of a Blank Planet'. In addition, we are now used to it, the production is impeccable and the physical media includes Dolby Atmos surround sound, 5.1 audio and 24-bit high-resolution audio which should satisfy audiophiles. In short, for those who have not yet completely made their Christmas presents, this live performance of 'Porcupine Tree' comes at the right time to be added to the foot of the tree and this 'Live In Amsterdam' will certainly be one of the live performances of the 2020s which will become a cult concert album in the future...

Line Up / Musicians

Steven Wilson (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Richard Barbieri (Keybords, Piano), Gavin Harrison (Drums, Percussions), Randy McStine (Guitar), Nate Navarro (Bass)


Artist : Bad Touch

Album : Bittersweet Satisfaction

Release Date : 08-12-2023

Added : 22-12-2023






From time to time, it's good to listen to some good, direct and effective hard rock and in this style, the English from 'Bad Touch' have been offering us very good albums for around ten years. 'Bittersweet Satisfaction' is their fifth studio recording after 'Kiss the Sky' dating from 2020. On the menu for this opus, 10 compositions in radio format not exceeding three minutes.

And here we go with 'Slip Away' which opens the ball in an atmosphere taking us back to the 70s/80s with very muscular riffs (some will find those of 'Led Zeppelin') and a chorus which comes graft directly into the head, then 'This Life' (see the video above) continues with a well-paced mid-tempo that sets the headbanging machine in motion. 'Spend My Days' (see the video here) shows a more rock face but just as catchy as its predecessors, the melodic lines keeping this side accessible to the first listen and if you don't want to accompany the chorus of the eponymous title of the album that follows, it's because you're not made for this hard-hitting hard rock. Calmer moment with 'Nothing Wrong With That' (see the video here) which has a new addictive chorus that sticks in your head. The second part of the album offers us a slightly calmer face: we won't miss the heavy mid tempo 'Taste This' with its marked rhythm and its simple but highly effective guitar solo, then the bouncy 'Tonight' brings a beautiful freshness with a new catchy melody and 'Come Back Again' is a magnificent blues/rock ballad to add to the best ballads of this style. And to finish this beautiful album, 'See It To Believe It' (see the video here) is pure and well-paced rock'n'roll with the little guitar solo which goes well and 'Dizzy For You' concludes with a final melodic gem bathed in southern rock influences.

In summary, this latest album from the English 'Bad Touch' is another very pleasant album to listen to with catchy melodies that you feel like you have already heard thousands of times, and 'Bittersweet Satisfaction ' is added in a good place in their discography and is recommended to a wide audience because everything is done to offer us compositions accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Stevie Westwood (Vocal), Rob Glendinning (Guitar), Daniel Seekings (Guitar), Michael Bailey (Bass), George Drewry (Drums)


Artist : Everdawn

Album : Venera

Release Date : 08-12-2023

Added : 23-12-2023






I presented 'Everdawn' to you in 2021 with the release of their first album 'Cleopatra' and it took them a little over two years to offer us a new opus called 'Venera'. At the time, I was struck by a beautiful diversity of styles and, listening to their latest baby, I found the same diversity with influences from other artists. Note a small change in line up and not the least since the bassist with multiple projects 'Mike Lepond' leaves his place to 'Alan D'Angelo'.

First of all, 'Venera' is a copious album since it contains 14 tracks including a long development of almost 13 minutes, the whole exceeding the hour of listening. 'Cassiopeia' (see the video above) opens the ball with an energetic and rhythmic composition in which the Russian 'Alina Gavrilenko' shares herself between clear and lyrical singing, then, 'Century Black' (see the video here), continues but this time in metal reminiscent of the ABBA metal from 'Amberian Dawn' with a melody which is very much in the style of the Swedes. Introduced by a wild rhythm section flirting with power metal, 'Silver Lining' then shows a melodic face and the influences of the previous track are still present while keeping a fast rhythm (see the video here), then 'Karmic Partner' continues in this power and symphonic mix with a remarkable guitar solo from 'Richard Fisher' and the end of the track transforms into a ballad highlighting the lyrical mezzo-soprano register of 'Karmic Partner'. Alina Gavrilenko'. Follows 'Northern Star' whose introduction is certainly a nod to 'Until My Last Breath' from 'Tarja' and which continues in more classic symphonic metal with a new remarkable vocal performance from the Russian on a catchy melody, then, 'Justify the Means', on a mid-tempo , once again highlights the mezzo-soprano which takes on the air of 'Tarja' on this title with its muscular rhythm section and we find this mixture between power metal and symphonic metal in the following title, 'The Promise' with, yet another once, a demonstration of the vocal abilities of 'Alina Gavrilenko' who wanders between her singing which can be quite serious and her more high-pitched lyrical singing.

We arrive at the halfway point and the little instrumental interlude 'Crimson Dusk And Silver Dawn' allows us to once again highlight the wild rhythm section with 'Dan Prestup' on drums and 'Richard Fischer' on guitar who is equally at ease in beautiful acoustic parts but also in high-flying electric guitar solos, the whole flirting with neo-classical. The rest of the album continues in this mixture of power metal and symphonic metal with beautiful alternations of intensity within the compositions themselves, and unfurls the eponymous title of the album, 'Orion's Belt', 'Images Everstanding ' and 'Samsara', all four of which have melodic lines that are easy to understand at first listen. We arrive at the centerpiece of the album 'Truer Words Ever Spoken' which, unlike the other direct titles not exceeding four minutes, adds a good dose of progressive, the keyboards being more present and the influences being multiple with the use of different synthesized sounds, the whole being quite remarkable with in particular this break at 5 minutes where we hear some percussion taking us into an exotic country or these oriental sounds which follow in a powerful and heavy atmosphere or this instrumental part at 8 minutes 40 which highlights the keyboardist 'Boris Zaks' and which continues with a very beautiful guitar solo from 'Richard Fisher', without forgetting this New Orleans part which rubs shoulders with the power of an electro section. 'Beneath The Well' closes the album by returning to this effective mix between power and symphony on which 'Alina Gavrilenko' offers us a final remarkable vocal performance and 'Richard Fischer' an admirable final guitar solo.

In summary, this second album from Everdawn' is quite remarkable and offers a beautiful blend of power metal and symphonic metal with compositions with catchy melodic lines and, icing on the cake, with an exceptional singer who offers a very wide vocal range and a guitarist who has nothing to envy of the best of the genre...

Line Up / Musicians

Alina Gavrilenko (Vocal), Richard Fischer (Guitar), Boris Zaks (Keybords), Alan D'Angelo (Bass), Dan Prestup (Drums)


Artist : Therion

Album : Leviathan III

Release Date : 15-12-2023

Added : 26-12-2023






That's it, the circle has come full circle for 'Therion' with this third part of the 'Leviathan' triptych which has now been available since mid-December. 'Christofer Johnsson', after offering us the sumptuous metal opera 'Beloved Antichrist' which made me write certainly the longest column since the creation of the myprogmusic site, also completes a new masterpiece with a total duration of 2h30, each chapter having been released just over a year apart.

I presented the first two albums to you (see 'Leviathan' and 'Leviathan II') and, according to 'Christofer Johnsson', he presents this third part to us as being more experimental. But, in the end, I will not dissect the 11 titles for you one by one because it seems essential to me to take this trilogy as a whole and that is why I have put the links to a playlist bringing together the three albums . More experimental, you might say? For my part, it is a continuation of the previous ones with all the influences that 'Christopher Johnsson' knows how to offer us and which still appear in this opus, certainly more marked and different musical landscapes parade between each composition which gives a beautiful diversity to all. In addition, everything is still implemented for an immediate hook thanks to melodic lines that we appropriate at the first listen and the symphonic arrangements are always admirable and merge perfectly with the muscular guitar riffs. And then, what for me stands out even more on 'Levianthan III', are all the vocal arrangements which are fabulous (I might add, as always): we find, among others, the talented 'Lori Lewis' and 'Thomas Vikström' and throughout various titles, numerous guests, all admirable, have been invited to offer us exceptional choirs which enhance the exceptional work of 'Christopher Johnsson' (list below). And if we had to choose only one title, it would be 'Duende' which, for my part, takes us on an extraordinary journey to Spain with flamenco which rubs shoulders with metal in a beautiful way (a priori, it's ' Rosalia Sairem' who sings on this track).

In summary, this third part of 'Leviathan' by 'Therion' concludes this trilogy in a very beautiful way and quite simply completes a new work by Sir 'Christofer Johnsson' of almost 2h30. For my part, given that the whole thing does not need to be heard in order (as was 'Beloved Antichrist'), I put the playlist in random order because all the compositions, without exception, make me have a wonderful time...

Videos of 'Leviathan III':
= Ruler Of Tamag
= Ayahuasca
= Nummo
= Twilight Of The Gods

Line Up / Musicians

Christofer Johnsson (Guitar, Keybords), Lori Lewis (Vocal), Thomas Vikström (Vocal, Choirs), Christian Vidal (Vocal, Guitar), Nalle Påhlsson (Bass), + Guests : Rosalia Sairem (Vocal, Choirs), Taida Nazraic (Vocal), Chiara Malvestiti (Vocal), Merve Çakar (Vocal), Mats Levén (Vocal), Piotr Wawrzeniuk (Vocal), Björn Höglund (Drums), Snowy Shaw (Drums), David Morris García (Trombone, Choirs), Dani Romero (Trumpet, Choirs), Cătălina Popa (Flute), Alfred Burd (Choirs), Dario Pace Taliana (Choirs), Eric Dow (Choirs), Lawrence 'Wenzu' Joyce (Choirs), Melchior Borg (Choirs), Rex Grech Santucci (Choirs), Diego Valdez(Choirs), Emma Torrecillas (Choirs), Ines Vera-Ortiz (Choirs), Aybars Yilmaz (Choirs), Mustafa Şahin(Choirs), Dedemen (Choirs), Utku Bayburt (Choirs), Fabio Amurri (Programmation)


The year 2023 of myprogmusic in progressive music - essential artists






This year 2023 has once again seen a large number of very good progressive albums. By taking inventory of all these releases, it was difficult for me to choose only a few albums and in order not to put any aside, I decided to integrate them into four successive chronicles:
= Releases from essential artists.
= Releases by lesser known artists.
= Myprogmusic’s great discoveries of 2023.
= And the French in all this?

This first overview of 2023 in progressive is devoted to the essential artists of the genre: in this category, we of course find pillars of progressive rock with the two former members of 'Genesis', I named, first of all, 'Steve Hackett' who continues to offer us, in addition to these admirable new albums, the covers of the 'Genesis' albums, the last being 'Foxtrot' from 1972. And we can't miss it no no more 'Peter Gabriel' who has been much more discreet than 'Steve Hackett' over the last two decades but who released a fabulous album at the end of the year. We also find other progressive pioneers with 'Yes' who released their 23rd studio recording!! Et au rayon des pionniers, on ne peut pas passer à côté du Britannique 'Steven Wilson' avec son dernier album, 'The Harmony Codex', montrant encore qu'il est un artiste incontournable de la scène progressive en nous offant une sorte de synthèse de tous ses projets passés et qui, avec ses deux compères de 'Porcupine Tree' était revenu en 2022 avec l'excellent album 'Closure / Continuation' qui a fait l'objet de la sortie d'un live somptueux en cette fin d'année 2023.

= Steve Hackett – Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton
= Peter Gabriel – i/o
= Yes – Mirror To The Sky
= Steven Wilson – The Harmony Codex
= Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation - Live Amsterdam 07/11/22

And in the field of progressive, other training courses have taken over since the 90s and have also become essential training courses for all amateurs of this style. I will present them to you by release date:

First of all, 'Robin Armstrong' with his project 'Cosmograf' gave us the magnificent concept album 'Heroic Materials' strong in emotion telling the story of an RAF pilot during the Second World War and which has now 99 years old.
= Cosmograf – Heroic Materials

The Poles of 'Riverside', having passed their painful period of mourning after the death of their guitarist 'Piotr Grudziński', returned with a new album, 'ID.Entity', more direct and above all filled with enthusiasm found. Note that I only reviewed the simple version and the deluxe version (on spotify and on qobuz) which adds two additional titles.
= Riverside – ID.Entity

Modernity is always synonymous with the releases of the British 'Haken' who continue their journey with a magnificent new album, 'Fauna', which once again takes us into their universe filled with constantly renewed creativity, marking yet another once again the world of progressive, all styles combined.
= Haken – Fauna

Also essential in the progressive sphere, 'The Tangent', originally created by the pair 'Andy Tillison'/'Sam Baine', released a live set bringing together three concerts from the 2000s to 2020, a sort of condensed into almost two and a half hours of the career of this group which for two decades now has embodied a sought-after progressive with long developments often characteristic of this style of music.
= The Tangent – Pyramids, Stars & Other

I have been following them since the beginning of the 2000s and they have never disappointed me, I want to talk about the Germans from 'RPWL' who released a new concept album, 'Crime Scene', which takes us into the world complex and dark serial killers. They built their reputation on covers of 'Pink Floyd' but took a good place in the progressive world by quickly forging their own personality.
= RPWL – Crime Scene

I discovered them quite late but they very quickly became my musical holy grail and they are one of the groups that made me want to share this passion for music. These are the Quebecers from 'Mystery' and 2023 saw the release of the new album 'Redemption' which is, for me, their best album to date and which will remain engraved in my memory for life.
= Mystery – Redemption< /br>
'Secrets Of Angels' by 'Karnataka' also largely contributed to the creation of the myprogmusic site in 2015, in which 'Hayley Griffiths' beautifully highlighted the magnificent compositions of 'Ian Jones'. After the departure of the British, 'Ian Jones' continued his path with other remarkable projects ('Chasing The Monsoon' and 'ILLUMINAE') and took 8 years to offer us this sumptuous new album 'Requiem for a Dream' by 'Karnataka' this time featuring the singer of Polish origin, 'Agnieszka Świta'.
= Karnataka – Requiem for a Dream

Convict of progressive rock, 'Neal Morse' spoiled us in this year 2023 with his first part of the story of 'Joseph', the second part of which will be released in early 2024. 'Neal Morse' is one of these artists who have been carrying the colors of progressive loud and clear for over twenty years now. Also note the release at the end of 2023 of the album of songs 'Sophomore' with his two friends 'Nick D'Virgilio' and 'Ross Jennings'.
= Neal Morse – The Dreamer – Joseph, Pt. 1

In the style of 'Haken', the Swedes of 'Soen' continue their path by offering us their new album 'Memorial' fusing modern progressive metal of exceptional strength in the literal sense (a powerful and massive sound) as in the figurative sense (the emotion released is always at its peak) and catchy melodic lines providing fairly immediate accessibility.
=Soen – Memorial

We no longer present the Swedes of 'The Flower Kings' who released their first album in 1995 and 'Look At You Now' is their 17th studio recording which continues to perpetuate in the most beautiful way, a progressive from the 70s and if you want to discover them, it is with this album which is for my part more accessible, on the one hand by its shorter duration than previous albums (but already exceeding the hour) but also by the accessible melodic lines.
= The Flower Kings – Look At You Now

It's another band that I particularly like: the British from 'Mostly Autumn' took over the Abbey Road studios in 2022 and in 2023 we released this sumptuous recording which includes a sort of best off their already substantial discography since their last album 'Graveyard Star' released in 2021 was already their 15th recording.
= Mostly Autumn – Studio 2

A few days ago, 'Pallas' returned to the forefront of progressive rock with a magnificent album 'The Messenger'. We therefore find the original formation with the singer 'Alan Reed' who revives, not without nostalgia, the memories of the group's first albums including, for my part, 'The Dreams of Men' dating from 2005.
= Pallas – The Messenger


The year 2023 of myprogmusic in progressive music - lesser known artists






This year 2023 has once again seen a large number of very good progressive albums. By taking inventory of all these releases, it was difficult for me to choose only a few albums and, in order not to put any aside, I decided to integrate them into four successive chronicles which are already very full each:
= Releases from essential artists.
= Releases by lesser known artists.
= Myprogmusic’s great discoveries of 2023.
= And the French in all this?

This second progressive summary of the year 2023 is dedicated to lesser-known artists who gave me great listening pleasure. First of all, I would like to highlight three artists who each have several projects, then the other albums will be in chronological order of release.

First of all, here are three artists that I particularly like and who do not necessarily have the fame or media strength of a label:
First of all, I would like to salute the various releases of the German 'Chris Engels' who offers us, at very close frequency, numerous albums, either as part of his project 'CEN-ProjekT' or under the name of his other project 'Chris Angels'. This year, six new albums have been released and which show all the talent of Chris who leads his boat solo by providing vocals and playing all the instruments.
= Chris Angels – Gods
= CEN-ProjekT – Tales From Avalon
= CEN-ProjekT – Pride
= Chris Angels – Chaos (War of the Worlds)
= CEN-ProjekT – Human
= CEN-ProjekT – Dark Clouds

The second artist that I would like to highlight is 'Ryszard Kramarski', passionate about progressive rock and who created the label 'Lynx Music' which promotes different artists but also his three projects, 'Millenium', 'tRKproject' and 'FRAMAURO', the latter of which was the Pole's first project, created more than 25 years ago. The year 2023 was prolific for Polish since after the release of 'Tales from Imaginary Movies' from 'Millenium' in October 2022, followed by 'Alea Iacta Est' from the 'FRAMAURO' project in May 2023 and 'Odyssey 9999' from the 'tRKproject' project in September 2023 highlighting different singers and the singer 'Ania Batko'.
= FRAMAURO – Alea Iacta Est
= tRKproject – Odyssey 9999

Finally, he is Ukrainian and also has three projects, 'Antony Kalugin' has released several albums this year with two of his three projects, 'Sunchild' and 'Karfagen', his third project being 'Hoggwash'. And to top it all off, despite all the problems linked to the war in Ukraine, he was able to tour Europe with, as a result, the magnificent live 'A Message of Peace Tour Live' which includes compositions from his three projects.
= Sunchild – 'Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream’
= Karfagen – Passage to the Forest of Mysterious
= Karfagen – Sunchild – Hoggwash – A Message of Peace Tour Live

I am continuing this 2023 retrospective with other lesser-known artists and it is the turn of the German 'Jens Lueck' who is releasing his third album 'Event Horizon', not yet available for streaming and of which the first two albums 'Splinter in the Eye' and 'Percipio Ergo Sum' are now in streaming.

Certainly my biggest favorite of 2023 in the lesser known artists with the Finns of 'Overhead' who have already been in existence for a good number of years but whose discography remains limited with five albums including this last and magnificent studio recording 'Telepathic Minds' which for me is straight into the ideal discotheque for any progressive fan.
= Overhead – Telepathic Minds

Another group that deserves much greater recognition because the British from 'Cairo', after the very promising album 'Say' in 2016, released a remarkable new album in 2023 featuring new singer 'Sarah Bayley'.
= Cairo – Nemesis

We continue with 'Southern Empire' which released its third studio recording and which could be the envy of major progressive rock groups because this latest baby from the Australians is a pure marvel with, among other things, three sumptuous long developments.
= Southern Empire – Another World

They also released their fifth studio recording and the English from 'Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate' continue their adventure started a dozen years ago with a new, very diverse progressive journey which made me compare them to a certain 'Steven Wilson'.
Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate – The Light of Ancient Mistakes

Given the number of plays on Spotify, the Germans of 'Subsignal' are starting to be well known in the progressive world because their latest album 'A Poetry of Rain' is only their 4th studio recording. This latest baby is filled with a beautiful diversity of compositions in mostly calm and refined atmospheres.
= Subsignal – A Poetry Of Rain

With 'Fish On Friday', we also embark on refined progressive rock filled with beautiful delicacy and this new opus '8mm', which is already their 6th studio recording, is no exception to the rule and is very pleasant to listen to quietly on headphones after a tiring day.
= Fish On Friday – 8mm

Headed to the United States with 'Pattern-Seeking Animals' who released their fourth album 'Spooky Action at a Distance' which contains two CDs including three old live compositions. The whole thing is very accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines and the clear atmosphere highlights a lightness and optimism that feels good.
= Pattern-Seeking Animals – Spooky Action at a Distance

The English from 'HeKz' are releasing a double album of extraordinary density which brings together fairly direct compositions with various influences and imaginative progressive, including a long magnificent development of almost 25 minutes.
= HeKz – Terra Nova

The Polish label of 'Ryszard Kramarski' is once again in the spotlight with the new album of 'Galahad' which releases a new opus 'The Long Goodbye' just a year after the remarkable 'The Last Great Adventurer' and which, since closer to 40 years, continues to offer us progressive rock tinged, here and there, with electronic sounds.
= Galahad – 'The Long Goodbye'

It is with a very beautiful concert that the Australians of Anubis' returned in 2023, a concert recorded at home during the covid period in front of around a hundred spectators. We find this melodic progressive rock and this concert is a good way to discover them for all those who don't know them, especially since the recording benefits from perfect production.
= Anubis – Sirens from Afar (Live in Katoomba, 2021)

'Steve Newman', who also has an AOR project with 'NEWMAN', released in 2023 a new album from his progressive project 'COMPASS' which is a magnificent and emotionally charged concept album on the Chernobyl disaster.
= COMPASS – A Silent Symphony

Their first album 'The Man Who Never Was' dates from 2017 and 2023 saw the release of 'This Winter Machine's fourth album, 'The Clockwork Man', and the band's leader 'Al Winter' offers us a magnificent concept album on a science fiction theme, the line up now featuring two talented new artists, 'John Cook' on guitar and 'Leigh Perkins' on keyboards.
= This Winter Machine – The Clockwork Man

Amateurs of long progressive developments, the Norwegians of 'Arabs In Aspic' are releasing 'Syndenes Magi' in the language of Shakespeare, an album which had initially been sung in their native language, which will perhaps allow them to make known by a wider audience, because they offer us very good progressive rock taking us back to the 70s.
= Arabs In Aspic – The Magic of Sin


The year 2023 of myprogmusic in progressive music - beautiful discoveries






This year 2023 has once again seen a large number of very good progressive albums. By taking inventory of all these releases, it was difficult for me to choose only a few albums and, in order not to put any aside, I decided to integrate them into four successive chronicles which are already very full each:
= Releases from essential artists.
= Releases by lesser known artists.
= Myprogmusic’s great discoveries of 2023.
= And the French in all this?

The third chronicle of the progressive 2023 albums highlights discoveries that I have made, either new projects or artists that I did not yet know, always classified chronologically by release date:

The first formation is not new but I discovered the Italians of 'Stargenesis' with their 3rd album, 'Distress call from Earth'. More than 80 minutes for this dense and rich opus which mixes different styles requiring you to adhere at the same time to strong metal but also to much calmer rock.
= Stargenesis – Distress call from Earth

'Rain' is a supergroup with artists who have participated in different progressive projects and who are releasing their second album 'Radio Silence'. Mixing different styles both within the compositions but also between each title, they take us on a 50-minute journey of progressive rock that we must tame, listen after listen to draw out all the richness.
= Rain – Radio Silence

Another discovery for me, the formation 'Sideways' which is already around twenty years old and which released this year 'Test Of Time' which is only their 5th studio recording. Self-producing, they remain very discreet and yet, this latest baby offers us good progressive rock taking us back to the 70s/80s with very catchy melodies. = Sideways – Test Of Time

If you like almost entirely instrumental progressive rock that takes us back to the early 70s, you should embrace this new project 'The Black Cat's Eyes' which offers an atmospheric development a la 20 minutes of 'Pink Floyd' but also other varied compositions ranging from peaceful rock like 'Barclay James Harvest' to more muscular hard rock like 'Ten Years After', including psychedelia.
= The Black Cat's Eyes – The Empty Space Between A Seamount And Shock-Headed Julia

'Lumsk' is a Norwegian group which had a period of activity in the early 2000s and which returned this year with a new album, 'Fremmede Toner' which allowed me to discover them. In a progressive rock style, they offer us catchy melodies sung mainly in their native language by the talented 'Mari Klingen', the compositions being interspersed with remarkable instrumental sections. = Lumsk – Fremmede Toner

The Greeks of 'Horizon's End' are already 30 years old but have only released two albums in 1998 and 2001 and, after a long period of inactivity, they returned in 2019 with a new opus, 'Skeleton Keys'. I discovered them this year with the release of 'The Great Destroyer'. Mixing progressive metal and symphonic rock, they offer us a dense and rich opus in imaginative and varied progressive with magnificent vocal and instrumental arrangements.
= Horizon's End – The Great Destroyer

Certainly one of my biggest favorites this year in progressive, the Dutchman 'Edwards Reekers' released a masterful album, 'The Liberty Project' which is a bit of a mix between rock opera, musical comedy and concept album. Surrounded by an impressive number of prestigious guests, 'The Liberty Project' is of the same level as his compatriot 'Arjen Lucassen' regularly offers us with his various projects with exceptional vocal and instrumental arrangements.
Edward Reekers – The Liberty Project

'Oblivion Protocol' is quite simply the new project of keyboardist 'Richard West' of 'Threshold' who wanted to follow up on the magnificent 'Legends of the Shires' from 2017. With this 'The Fall of the Shires', we find all the atmospheres that we knew with the 'Threshold' album and the melodic talent of the Briton is highlighted in all the compositions of this very beautiful album.
Oblivion Protocol – The Fall Of The Shires

This is not a new project because the Americans of Advent Horizon' have already existed for around ten years and we released 2 albums, 'Immured' in 2011 and 'Stagehound' in 2015. I discovered them with their third opus 'A Cell to Call Home' which sees a large number of progressive artists, all styles combined, invited for this varied and dense album which requires that we linger on it to extract all the richness.
= Advent Horizon – A Cell to Call Home


The year 2023 of myprogmusic in progressive music - And the French in all this?






This year 2023 has once again seen a large number of very good progressive albums. By taking inventory of all these releases, it was difficult for me to choose only a few albums and, in order not to put any aside, I decided to integrate them into four successive chronicles which are already very full each:
= Releases from essential artists.
= Releases by lesser known artists.
= Myprogmusic’s great discoveries of 2023.
= And the French in all this?
This last summary of 2023 concerns progressive albums released by French artists:

At the very beginning of the year, the French from 'Wedingoth' offered us a sumptuous album, 'Five Stars Above' which totals 60 minutes of listening time and which takes us on a beautiful progressive journey punctuated by 2 long developments . Their first album 'Candelight' dates from 2010 and they show how far they have come with this latest opus which mixes rock and progressive metal and which highlights the new singer 'Céline Staquet' on compositions with catchy melodic lines.
= Wedingoth – Five Stars Above

In a delicate, light and relaxing progressive style which can recall certain titles from 'Mostly Autumn', let yourself go listening to this latest album 'Another Place' from Edenya' which sees the singer 'Clélia Lenoble' replace 'Elena' on the beautiful melodies of 'Marco'.
= Edenya – Another Place

I put them in the list of progressive artists even if the majority of the compositions of this atypical formation are quite direct but they cast a wide net so much that they deserve to be highlighted in this column, 'especially since this sumptuous double album begins with a long progressive development of almost 20 minutes which perpetuates French progressive rock including 'Ange' is one of the pioneers and who celebrated his 50th career in 2020 (listen to the magnificent concert at the Trianon on < a href='https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/0eGanCHM8YACrh6ZM9Ktj5?si=HINDG93WQv25tiYj8W2KRg' target='_blank' and qobuz)
= Matmatah – Leap-year miscellaneous

They are also a remarkable representative of French progressive rock, 'Lazuli' continue their journey with 'Lazuli 11' which, as its name suggests, is their 11th album. And it is yet another opus filled with beautiful melodies and beautiful poetic texts that we have an immense pleasure in listening to, lulled by the sweet singing of 'Dominique Léonetti'.
= Lazuli – Lazuli 11

More recent on the French progressive scene, 'Franck Carducci' is no less a talented artist who offered us a magnificent live in which each member of the group brings his contribution to the building and which benefits from 'an impeccable production. Note that 'Franck Carducci' also released the acoustic album 'Naked' in 2023 (to listen to on spotify and qobuz).
= Franck Carducci – The Answer (Live)

With an impressive guest list, 'Jean-Jacques Chardeau' released 'Ombres et Lumières: In Terra Cognita 2' in 2023 which is not strictly speaking progressive but which goes beyond offering us a patchwork of genres merging multiple influences ranging from classical music to progressive rock with forays into jazz and contemporary music, and so on.
= JJ Chardeau – Lights and Shadows: In Terra Cognita 2

The French from 'NineSkies' with many guests hit very hard this year with 'The Lighmaker' which takes us on a progressive journey in the form of a magnificent concept album which is revealed little by little over time. measure of repeated listening and which quickly becomes an album to put in your ideal progressive discotheque.
= Nine Skies – The Lightmaker

With 'Damien Wilson' on vocals, the Frenchman 'Vivien Lalu' has released a new album 'The Fish Who Wanted To Be King' which is also of great quality and which takes us through different landscapes from progressive to through the ages. And like 'Nine Skies', the other side of the coin is that it requires you to linger on it to extract all the substantial marrow, revealing all its hidden treasures listen after listen.
= Lalu – The Fish Who Wanted To Be King


Albums released and not reviewed in myprogmusic in Q4 2023

This playlist presents albums released in the 4th quarter of 2023 in different styles which have not been the subject of a review in myprogmusic:

October 2023
10/04/2023 Blame Zues - Laudanum - Rock/Hard Rock
10/06/2023 Trevor Rabin - Rio - Progressive Rock
10/06/2023 Roger Waters - The Dark Side of the Moon Redux - Progressive Rock
10/06/2023 Drowing Steps - Under the Shadowy World - Progressive Rock
10/06/2023 Archimède - Frères - French Song
10/06/2023 Epica - Live at the AFAS Live - Symphonic Metal
10/06/2023 The Steel Woods - On Your Time - Southern Rock
10/06/2023 Erja Lyytinen - Dimaonds on the Road – Live 2023 - Blues/Rock
10/06/2023 Samsara Blues Experiment - Rock Hard in Concert (Live) - Psychedelic Hard Rock
10/11/2023 Dave Kerzner - Heart Land Mines (The Eye) - Progressive Rock
10/12/2023 Glorious Wolf - Mysterious Traveler - Progressive Rock
10/13/2023 Raven Tide - Eleven - Alternative Metal
10/13/2023 Tapes - Fabric of Time - Progressive Rock
10/20/2023 The Spacelords - Nectar of the Gods - Psychedelic Rock
10/20/2023 The Cyberiam - Deux-Oh (Live In Quebec City) - Progressive Rock
10/20/2023 Thunder - Shooting At The Sun - Hard Rock
10/20/2023 Night Ranger - 40 Years And A Night With Contemporary Youth Orchestra - Rock
10/20/2023 The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds - Rock
10/20/2023 Atlas - Build to Last - Melodic Hard Rock
10/20/2023 Derdian - New Era Pt. 4 (Resurgence) - Power Metal
10/20/2023 Within Temptation - Bleed Out - Melodic Roc/Metal
10/20/2023 Elegy Of Madness - XI - Symphonic Metal
10/20/2023 District 97 - Stay For The Ending - Progressive Rock/Metal
10/27/2023 Overland - S.I.X - Melodic Rock
10/27/2023 Coda - S-R-P - Melodic Rock
10/31/2023 Trobar de Morte - Carpe Noctem - Dark Folk

November 2023
11/03/2023 Seventh Crystal - Infinity - Melodic Hard Rock
11/03/2023 Pixel & Sounds - Alive Unaware - Progressive Rock
11/03/2023 David Longdon - Wild River - Progressive Rock
11/03/2023 David Cross Band - Ice Blue, Silver Sky - Progressive Rock
11/03/2023 Kansas - Voice Of The Dreamer (Live Ohama '82) - Progressive Rock
11/09/2023 Sophie Lloyd - Imposter Syndrome - Rock
11/10/2023 Temple Balls - Avalanche - Hard Rock
11/10/2023 Sons Of Sounds - Seven - Hard Rock
11/10/2023 Secret Sphere - Blackened Heartbreak - Melodic Power Metal
11/10/2023 Confusion Field - Future Impact of Past Diversions - Progressive Rock/Metal
11/17/2023 Apocalyptica - Live In Helsinki St. John's Church - Classical Metal
11/17/2023 Raised By Haze - Touch The Sky - Progressive Rock/Metal
11/17/023 Signum Regis - Undivided - Power Metal
11/17/2023 Eldritch - Innervoid - Progressive Metal
11/17/2023 Proud Outsiders - Anything To Offer? - Rock
11/24/2023 Dool - Visions Of Sumerland (Live at Arminius Church Rotterdam) - Dark Rock
11/24/2023 Silent Tiger - Twist Of Fate - Melodic Hard Rock
11/24/2023 Nektar - Remember The Future (50th Aniversary Edition) - Progressive Rock
11/24/2023 Secret Rule - UNInVERSE - Symphonic Metal
11/24/2023 Metalite - Aurora (EP) - Melodic Metal
11/24/2023 Glenn Hughes, Robin George - Overcome - Pop/Rock
11/24/2023 Alta Reign - Upon the Horizon - Progressive Rock

December 2023
12/01/2023 Colosseum - Upon Tomorrow - Progressive Rock/Jazz Rock
12/01/2023 Astral Magic - Ad Infinitum - Psychedelic Rock
12/01/2023 Paradise Lost - Icon 30 - Doom/Gothic Metal
12/01/2023 Immortal Guardian - Unite And Conquer - Power Metal
12/01/2023 Anyone - Miracles In The Nothingness - Progressive Rock
12/01/2023 Skiltron - Bruadarach - Folk Metal
12/08/2023 Trick or Treat - A Creepy Night (Live) - Power Metal
12/15/2023 Lamori - Ave Valkyria - Gothic Metal
12/15/2023 Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King (Deluxe Version) - Rock
12/20/2023 Tragik - Realm Angelic - Melodic Hard Rock
12/15/2023 Evergrey - From Dark Discoveries to Heartless Portraits - Progressive Metal
12/15/2023 Asia - Live at the Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, Wi, USA, 23 April 2008 - Rock


Artist : Lastworld

Album : Beautiful Illusion

Release Date : 05-01-2023

Added : 11-01-2024






To start the year 2024, it is the Americans of 'Lastworld' who are in the spotlight with their fourth album 'Beautiful Illusion' and who continue their journey by releasing a new opus approximately every year since it is the 5th recording from the duo 'David Cagle'/'Jim Shepard' after 'Escape The Eclipse' dating from the end of 2022. We therefore find this mixture of AOR and melodic hard rock in 11 direct and effective compositions in a radio format not exceeding 4 minutes. In the section of muscular compositions oriented towards muscular hard rock, the opener 'Don't Tell Me I'm Wrong' welcomes us with its energetic rhythm. In this strong style, we can also cite 'I Will Find My Way' but also 'A Step Beyond Death' and, to a lesser extent, 'Better Of Me' and its marked rhythm which sets my headbanging machine in motion. In a more classic rock atmosphere, 'Been There Before' brings a nod to artists like 'Bryan Adams' with a title that swings well. And in more AOR atmospheres with melodic lines that delicately tickle your eardrums, 'Younger Days' parades with its addictive chorus and 'The fantasy's Over' and 'Destiny' are all melodic jewels with choruses to take up in your heart with 'David Cagle'. And when the light dims, our duo is not the same to offer us beautiful ballads: in this register we will not be able to miss 'I Can't Explain' and the other ballad 'You Never Listen to Me' is also remarkable. The album ends in serenity with the short instrumental 'Beautiful Illusion' with Westcoast sounds reminiscent of the chords of Hotel California'. In short, the duo 'David Cagle'/'Jim Shepard' offers us some beautiful, catchy melodies at the start of the year from the first listen and 'Beautiful Illusion' is recommended for an audience navigating between AOR and melodic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

David Cagle (Vocal), Jim Shepard (Tous les instruments)


The year 2023 of myprogmusic in AOR, melodic rock, melodic hard rock and melodic metal






Myprogmusic is not only progressive albums but I also like everything melodic and the year 2023 was once again a very good year in this style whether in AOR, rock, hard rock or metal. Here is the list of albums reviewed in myprogmusic this year. Given the large number of albums (not far from 50!!), I only selected three titles from each album in the Spotify and Qobuz playlist, trying to take compositions representative of each artist or group, also including the ballads. Therefore, given that they are all accessible from the first listen thanks to catchy melodic lines, the best way to listen to this playlist is to put it on shuffle to discover the melodic nuggets that appeal to you...

= Ten – Something Wicked This Way Comes - Hard rock
= Autumn's Child – Starflower - Rock/Hard rock
= Crowne – Operation Phoenix - Hard rock
= Infinite & Divine – Ascendancy - Métal
= First Signal – Face Your Fears - Hard rock
= Creye - III: Weightless - Rock
= All My Shadows – Eerie Monsters - Rock/Hard rock
= Stormwarning – Stormwarning - Rock
= Transworld Identity – Seven Worlds - Hard rock
= D'Ercole – Mass Formation - Hard rock
= Thomas Lassar – From Now On - AOR
= Mike Tramp – Songs Of White Lion - Rock
= Grand Design – Rawk - Rock/Hard rock
= One Desire – Live with the Shadow Orchestra - Rock
= Revolution Saints – Eagle Flight - Rock
= Avalanch – El Dilema de los Dioses - Métal
= Def Leppard – Drastic Symphonies - Hard rock
= Imperium – Never Surrender - AOR
= House Of Shakira – XIT - Hard rock
= Cry Of Dawn – Anthropocene - Rock
= Stormburst – III - Rock
= TNT – My Religion - Rock
= DeVicious – Code Red - Rock/Hard rock = Boys From Heaven – The Descendant - AOR
= Crossfade – Innocent Days - AOR
= Shakra – Invicible - Hard rock
= Art Nation – Inception - Hard rock
= Steve Lukather – Bridges - Rock
= Pride Of Lions – Dream Higher - Rock
= Fatal Vision – Twice - Rock = Degreed – Public Address - Hard rock
= Tony Mitchell – Radio Heartbeat - Rock
= Rian – Wings - Rock = Sarayasign – The Lion's Road - Hard rock
= H.E.A.T – Extra Force - Hard rock
= Eclipse – Megalomanium - Hard rock
= Vega – Battlelines - Hard rock
= Domino Drive – Smoke And Mirrors - Rock
= A.C.T – Live at Kulturbolaget 2019 - Rock
= Ronnie Atkins – Trinity - Rock/Hard rock
= Station – And Time Goes On - Hard rock = Nitrate – Feel The Heat - Hard Rock = Edge Of Forever – Ritual - Hard rock = Kings Crown – Closer To The Truth - Hard rock
= Revlin Project – Beyond The Dreamsw - Rock


Artist : Exit Eden

Album : Femmes Fatales

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 13-01-2024






There were four of them in 2017 with the first album 'Rhapsodies in Black' and there are only three left for this second studio recording 'Femmes Fatales' of their project 'Exit Eden', 'Clémentine Delauney' ('Visions Of Atlantis'), 'Marina La Torraca' ('Phantom Elite') and 'Anna Brunner' ('League Of Distortion'), 'Amanda Somerville' no longer part of the adventure, perhaps just temporarily.

We find, like their first opus, catchy metalized melodies whether in original compositions or covers, the two types being shared equally with six titles each. As for the original compositions, it starts strong with the eponymous title and a first chorus that never leaves you. The other original titles have nothing to envy of this first title: 'Run!' attests to this. in which 'Marko Hietala' is invited and which flirts with the melodies of 'Nightwish' (see the video here), then, 'Buried in the Past' is not bad either in a very melodic symphonic metal style with beautiful rhythmic alternations, an atmosphere that we also find in 'Hold Back Your Fear'. In the section of quieter atmospheres the mid-tempo 'Dying In My Dreams' Fear' written by 'Marina La Torraca' brings a break between the different more muscular compositions and the album ends with 'Elysium' between ballad and mid-tempo with a final unstoppable melody. As for the covers, the whole thing is quite eclectic, since we find in order, 'It's A Sin' by the group 'Pet Shop Boys' from 1987, 'Separate Ways' from 'Journey' from the 1983 album 'Frontiers' (see the video here), 'Désenchantée' by the French singer 'Mylène Farmer' from 1991, 'Poison' from 'Alice Cooper' from the 1989 album 'Trash', 'Alone' by 'Heart' from the 1983 album 'Bad Animals' and finally, 'Kayleigh' from 'Marillion', all these titles being reinterpreted with slightly more punch than the originals.

In summary, the two great strengths of this album are, on the one hand, whether the original compositions or the covers, they are all catchy at first listen, on the other hand, that the trio ' Delauney'/'La Torraca'/'Brunner' offers us magnificent vocal performances by merging their singing in a very beautiful way and 'Femmes Fatales' should please not only metal fans but also a much wider audience because everything is put implemented for immediate accessibility...

Line Up / Musicians

Clémentine Delauney (Vocal), Marina La Torraca (Vocal), Anna Brunner (Vocal) + Guest : Marko Hietala (Vocal)


Artist : Neal Morse

Album : The Restoration – Joseph, Pt. Two

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 16-01-2024






That's it, 'Neal Morse' was quick to release the sequel to his rock opera because the first part of the life of 'Joseph', 'The Dreamer: Joseph' was released in August 2023. We now have in our hands the This entire work lasts 2 hours 20 minutes. We left 'Joseph' imprisoned and this second part tells how 'Joseph's wisdom and intelligence led him to become viceroy of Egypt and, ultimately, to reunite with his family. As with the first, we find an impressive lineup of guests who, for the most part, were already present in the first part.

I had already not launched into title by title for the first part of this biblical story and I will also spare you a too long chronicle for 'The Restoration'. Simply, I would like to highlight a few points that still struck me in this continuation of the story of 'Joseph'. I had already mentioned this multitude of different atmospheres and styles that 'Neal Morse' is capable of offering us but we could fear a running out of creativity with this very close release frequency. Let's remember: after the magnificent 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' in 2019 and in addition to all his side projects ('Flying Colors', 'Morse/Portnoy/Georgea', 'Transatlantic' and 'D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings'), 'Neal Morse' released 'Sola Gratia' in 2020, then 'Innocence & Danger' in 2021 and live 'An Evening Of Innocence & Danger: Live in Hamburg' in 2023 with the 'Neal Morse Band'. But, we must face the facts, each new album always shows this talent as a composer to offer us varied compositions with melodic lines that are always very catchy and the American's latest baby is further proof of this disconcerting ease in we lay melodic jewels which are grafted into the head with numerous reminders of the different musical themes present in small touches here and there, as in the narration part at the beginning of 'The Argument' and in 'The Brothers Repent Joseph Revealed' or even in the different covers of the opening allowing us to immerse ourselves even more in the whole as classical music composers did. The other strong point is, undoubtedly, the impressive cast of singers with extraordinary work in the vocal arrangements which are worthy of the greatest rock operas with all registers represented and we can cite for example the opening 'Cosmic Mess' or 'I Hate My Brothers' or the short 'Bring Ben' with this remark first part a cappella without forgetting the last compositions which raise the emotional slider even more with fabulous choirs. In addition to the video for 'Cosmic Mess' which you can see above, the track 'I Hate My Brothers' is also available on the 'Frontiers Music' youtube page here.

In summary, I let you discover this new musical work by Mister 'Neal Morse' which completes the story of 'Joseph' and which once again offers us an extraordinary progressive and epic fresco with, as usual, a production irreproachable. Furthermore, we know from the past that, unlike some who will not have the means to stage operas of this magnitude, the American will do everything to present it to us during an upcoming 'Morsefest' (the 2024 has just took place in London a few days ago with the reinterpretation of the two albums 'Testimony') to then release it on DVD/Blu-Ray and thus share it with as many people as possible because nothing beats an atmosphere in public for this kind of musical piece telling a story...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Vocal, Keybords, Guitar, Drums, Percussions), Eric Gillette (Guitar, Vocal), Bill Hubauer (Keybords, Vocal), Nick D'Virgilio (Vocal), Ted Leonard (Vocal), Matt Smith (Vocal), Ross Jennings (Vocal), Alan Morse (Guitar, Vocal), Jake Livgren (Vocal), Talon David (Vocal), Wil Morse (Vocal), Mark Pogue (Vocal), Gabe Klein (Drums, Choirs), Sam Hunter (Guitar), Gideon Klein (Cello, Bass, Choirs), Mark Leniger (Saxophone)


Artist : Magnum

Album : Here Comes The Rain

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 17-01-2024






Since the start of the myprogmusic site at the end of 2015, the British from 'Magnum' have accompanied me with their albums which I enjoy reviewing on each release and, it has now become a sort of ritual: every two years, at the beginning year, it's one of the first opuses that I review. As a reminder, 2016 saw the release of 'Sacred Blood Divine Lies', 2018, 'Lost on the Road to Eternity', 2020, 'The Serpent Rings' and 2022 'The Monsters Roars'. Two years later, almost to the day, here is 'Here Comes The Rain', but this album title takes on a very special character because it is actually raining in the 'Magnum' house and among all the band's fans because, the new fell on January 7: 'Tony Clarkin', founder of 'Magnum' with 'Bob Catley' died. This release will therefore be the last for the guitarist who was part of this formation for more than 50 years, and the 'I Wanna Live' which is placed as the penultimate track is heavy with emotion, 'Bob Catley' singing "I want tell the world...I want to live". So, the best way to pay tribute to Tony is to talk about this album which is, like each opus of the group, filled with beautiful melodies that go straight into your head and never come out.

On the menu for this opus, 10 original compositions for 50 minutes of listening. From the outset, with 'Run Into The Shadows', we enter fully into the group's recognizable style with a well-paced first melodic gem and a chorus that we have an irresistible desire to repeat with 'Bob Catley', then the eponymous title continues with a mid-tempo which delicately tickles our eardrums with a beautiful melancholic side. Moreover, this is the general feeling that emerges from this album, because apart from the muscular rock 'Blue Tango', the whole is bathed in mid-tempos or ballads: in the mid-tempo department, we won't be able to miss 'Some Kind Of Treachery' and its calm verses enhanced by a magnificent piano/vocal duo, and 'After The Silence' and its catchy melody, then 'The Seventh Darkness' and its resplendent brass and, of course 'I Wanna Live', with this finale which brings tears to the eyes, are also remarkable compositions, without forgetting the final title 'Borderline' with a very beautiful last melody made in 'Magnum'. And finally, the two ballads 'The Day He Lied' and 'Broken City' add a little more emotion and are to be added to the best ballads of the group.

In summary, even if this last album was released in unfortunate circumstances, this latest album from the British 'Magnum' still proves to us that more than 50 years after their debut, that they are still capable of offering us very good melodic rock and I'm sure that 'Tony Clarkin' would have borrowed from one of his friends that he must have found up there this phrase so often repeated: "and the show must go on"...

Line Up / Musicians

Bob Catley (Vocal), Tony Clarkin (Guitar), Rick Benton (Keybords), Dennis Ward (Bass), Lee Morris (Drums)


Artist : Overworld Dreams

Album : Geography

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 18-01-2024






'Overwold Dreams' is an American progressive rock band who started their career in 2018 and who are influenced by the 70s. Their discography is already full because, if they have focused on covers in recent years with 'Under The Covers I' in 2020, 'Under The Covers II' in 2021 and 'Under The Covers III' in 2023, the latter notably including the cover of 'Hocus Pocus' from 'Focus' dating from 1971, they have also released their own material with two albums 'Voyage' in 2018 and 'Gateway' in 2019. This start of the year 2024 sees the release of a new opus, 'Geography', which only has two titles, but what titles, since they together total almost 50 minutes.

Amateurs of long progressive developments taking us back a few decades, you are therefore in the right place and the eponymous title of the album welcomes us with its 8 parts which, at the same time, show a complexity in the construction with a succession of different atmospheres and styles, but also a fairly immediate approach thanks to accessible melodies. Vocally, they offer us two registers, one feminine and one masculine, which certainly bring a plus in this type of piece and it is 'Elizabeth Holder' and 'Matt Maugeri' who alternately share the microphone. We can also note very beautiful vocal harmonies in the choirs. Instrumentally, the keyboards and guitars share beautiful sections which bring these early progressive influences. Of course, throughout this first musical fresco, you should draw parallels with different groups from the 70s but the whole is very coherent, and we let ourselves go while traveling through this imaginative sound labyrinth filled with creativity. The second composition 'Force of Nature' is like the first and presents three longer parts in which 'Elizabeth Holder' and 'Matt Maugeri' show us on multiple occasions all their vocal talent and the keyboards play a leading role in the instrumental arrangements, the last third taking us, first of all, into more atmospheric landscapes followed by a more epic and symphonic finale of great beauty with a slight crescendo beginning very beautifully in a piano/voice duet.

In summary, even if this new album from the Americans of 'Overworld Dreams' risks being limited to a certain progressive audience due to the length of the two titles, it offers us rich and varied progressive influenced by the groups major artists of this style from the 70s, a sort of melting pot of 'Genesis', 'Renaissance', 'Focus' and 'Alan Parsons Project' combined and I'm certainly going on (it's up to you to find others! )...

Line Up / Musicians

Matt Maugeri (Vocal, Guitar), Elizabeth Holder (Vocal, Keybords), Ken Walker (Keybords, Vocal), Randy Sandmann (Guitar), Paul Higginbotham (Guitar), Chris Parsons (Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keybords, Vocal) + Guests : Marlayna Maynard (Choirs), Devynn Bullock (Choirs), George Parks (Choirs)


Artist : Damian Wilson, Adam Wakeman

Album : Can We Leave With The Light On Longer?

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 19-01-2024






The duo 'Damian Wilson'/'Adam Wakeman' returns with a new album, 'Can We Leave With The Light On Longer?' after 'The Sun Will Dance in Its Twilight Hour' in 2018 and 'Strippes' in 2019. We therefore find these two endearing artists who offer us 10 new original compositions, the theme of the album, I quote: "telling how we are connected as human beings and what drives us to be alive. It tells tales of hopeful inspiring dreams and our fight to live and function, with the ultimate and inevitable loss we face through mortality.". We know that these two artists have several strings to their bow, since 'Damian Wilson' participates in different projects ranging from rock to progressive metal (among others, 'Arena', 'Lalu' and the Arjen Lucassen' projects) and Adam Wakeman', beyond the fact that he played as a keyboardist with 'Ozzy Ozbourne ' and 'Black Sabbath', has a classical background and has released several solo albums, the latest of which is part 2 of jazz covers of 'Black Sabbath' under the name 'Jazz Sabbath', for the record, 'Adam Wakeman' having invented a crazy story of these two releases by making believe that the first songs on 'Black Sabbath' were written by a jazz group.

But let's come back to this opus which brings together very beautiful compositions in different atmospheres: first of all, in the section of light and luminous titles which put you in shape for a whole day, the title song offers us melodic lines catchy on a catchy rhythm and we can also cite the radiant 'The Battle of the Bare Knuckle Fighter' with its remarkable, much calmer break in the second part. But the majority of the titles are much more introspective and all release a beautiful emotion: the opener 'Artificial Interference' is magnificent with this piano/voice duet accompanied by some percussion, 'Damian Wilson' giving a high-level vocal performance which cannot be than touch. As for 'The Man From The Island' which is introduced by wonderful celestial choirs, it continues in this refined and deep style and it is 'Adan Wakeman' who sings on this title bringing a very particular tenderness, then, 'Let's Talk ', for my part, raises the emotional slider yet another level with these airy sounds of Hammond accompanying Damian's plaintive voice. We continue in the same style with 'Turn Your Life Around' which begins as a piano/vocal duet and which gradually gains momentum in a slight crescendo then benefiting from a nice break to then leave for the more rhythmic finale. The next two compositions 'Multiplicity' and 'November' also show a very endearing face, the first sung by 'Damian Wilson' accompanying himself on guitar, 'Adam Wakeman' adding a few piano notes and the second, sung by ' Adam Wakeman' with just guitar accompaniment. And it is again with two beautiful ballads, 'Hero' and 'Addlestone', that the album ends, the last track offering us a final melody which is grafted into the head never to come out.

In summary, 'Damian Wilson' and 'Adam Wakeman', beyond their respective projects, take us once again on a beautiful musical journey, filled with delicacy and serenity, which shows that this collaboration still offers us the best of each, and 'Can We Leave With The Light On Longer?' is an album to enjoy quietly with headphones on to relax after a tiring day...

Line Up / Musicians

Damian Wilson (Vocal, Guitar), Adam Wakeman (Piano, Vocal, Hammond, Guitar, Bass, Percussions) + Guest : Pete Riley (Drums), George Hogg (Trumpet)


Artist : Bernard Allison

Album : Luther's Blues

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 22-01-2024






In his latest album 'Highs & Lows', the bluesman 'Bernard Allison' had included two titles from 'Luther Allison', 'Now You Got It' and 'I Gave It All' which can be found on this compilation of 20 compositions as 'Luther's Blues' is not a new album from the American but, as its name suggests, a collection of his father's titles that he has incorporated throughout his discography since the latter's death to perpetuate his musical legacy. Remastered by 'Pauler Acoustics', this double CD makes us revisit these titles by 'Luther Allison', 'Bernard Allison' taking them in his own style, going from 'Hang On' from 1992 to the last two that I have for you cited above.

We therefore embark on a very beautiful blues journey, very diversified because we go from an energetic 'Hang On' which recalls the 60s with a certain 'Jimi Hendrix' (in this style we will not miss the very muscular ' Help') to a 'Reaching Out' in a much quieter funk style, an atmosphere that we find in 'Into My Life' or 'Now You Got I' or even in 'I Gave It All', through some flamboyant blues with 'Too Many Woman' or 'Bad Love' featuring resplendent brass instruments. The well-paced shuffles automatically turning on the headbanging machine are not forgotten with 'Back Down South', 'Change Your Way Of Living' and 'Move From The Hood' and, when the lights dim, 'Serious', 'Love Is Free', 'Let's Try It Again', 'You're Gonna Need Me', 'A Change Must Come' and the last track 'Castle' come to delicately caress our eardrums.

In short, this very beautiful album by 'Bernard Allison' revives the memory of his father Luther who was a leading blues artist until the 90s and the reinterpretations of his son, magnified by a remarkable remastering with a modern sound, take us through a wonderful moment of listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Bernard Allison (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Autumn's Child

Album : Tellus Timeline

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 23-01-2024






Since the start of myprogmusic, I have been waiting for the January release of the metronome 'Mikael Erlandsson' who only missed 2019, a pivotal year between the end of 'Last Autumn's Dream' and 'Autumn's Child' and you can find all the Swede's myprogmusic reviews here. 'Tellus Timeline' is therefore already Autumn's Child's fifth album and, for my part, I am always happy to put between my ears the unstoppable melodies of 'Mikael Erlandsson' because he has this talent to offer us the best of melodic rock and this latest opus is here to prove it again.

And, as always, there is something for everyone because this album is varied and takes us once again on a very beautiful melodic journey going from a refined AOR to more energetic hard rock via beautiful ballads: it starts strong with 'Strike Of Lightning' which is in a hard FM style with an addictive chorus, then 'Gates Of Paradise' which is sung in a duet with the Swedish 'Karin Funk', adds a very catchy melodic gem. 'Here Comes The Night' continues in radiant AOR with keyboards that take us back a few decades, then we stay in this catchy style with 'We Are Young' which would have been a hit in the 70s with its bright choirs. First ballad break with 'Around the World in a Day' reminding me of the most beautiful syrupy melodies of Electric Light Orchestra' in the first period of the formation of 'Jeff Lynes', then, 'Mikael Erlandsson' continues to give us hits melodic with, first of all, 'On Top Of The World' and its addictive chorus that we continue to hum after the end of the title and which could have competed with 'We Are Young' in a seventies hit parade, then with 'This Is Goodbye' which drives the point home with a melody that puts you in shape for a whole day. Follows the magnificent mid-tempo 'Juliet' which 'Mikael Erlandsson' sings in a duet with 'Jim Jidhed', the leader of the 'Alien' group and which shows a more pop side and which is followed by the 'Beatlesian' 'Come and Get It' taking us back once again to the seventies, then, 'Never Surrender' offers us a new catchy composition of FM pop with this chorus which gives the impression of having already heard it thousands of times. And to end this very beautiful album, the melody of the short ballad 'I Belong To You' accompanies us, not without nostalgia, plunging us back into the sweet ballads of the 'Beatles', more than fifty years ago.

In summary, 'Tellus Timeline' is an album full of catchy melodies which, for the most part, take us back to the 70s/80s and which, therefore, should please everyone who knew this period but also which can reach a much wider audience because all the compositions are very accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Mikael Erlandsson (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Claes Andreasson (Keybords), Magnus Rosen (Bass), Pontus Akesson (Guitar), Robban Bäck (Drums) + Guests : Karin Funk (Vocal), Jim Jidhed (Vocal), Lilly Andreasson (Choirs), Mikael Andersson (Guitar), Joel Starander (Bass), Rickard Johnsson (Drums), Jan Eliasson (Guitar), Love Nilsson (Saxophone)


Artist : Grand

Album : Second To None

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 24-01-2024






I reviewed their first eponymous album in 2022 and, after the Swede 'Mikael Erlandsson' who gave us a new offering of 'Autumn's Child' the same day, it is the turn of his compatriots from 'Grand' to release their second studio recording 'Second to None'. The first album set the scene for an AOR with catchy melodies as the Swedes know how to compose them so well and this second baby continues the adventure with 11 new original compositions. Lovers of melodic rock taking us back to 'Toto', 'Journey', 'Foreigner' and 'ASIA', you are in the right place because everything is still brought together on this album to immerse us in the style of its legendary groups which accompanied us in the 70s and 80s. From the outset, with 'Crash And Burn' (see the video above), 'When We Where Young' and 'Leave No Scar', we are fully immersed in these melodic lines which delicately tickle your eardrums and so you agree with these first three titles, you should, without a doubt, like what follows. Indeed, we find these atmospheres in 'Kryptonite' which comes to play in the backyard of 'Survivor' (see the video here), then 'Out Of The Blue' continues in a refined AOR and 'Achille's Heel' adds a melodic gem with an addictive chorus. More direct, the mid-tempo 'Rock Bottom' with its heavy rhythm brings a nice variety, then 'Sweet Talker' illuminates this album with the addition of resplendent brass and 'All or Nothing' shows a well-muscled face in a blues style / catchy rock with a chorus that we want to sing again with the choirs. I will end with the two moments of serenity with the irresistible 'Lily' in which we are lulled by the sweet voice of 'Mattias Olofsson' and 'Daze Of Yesterday' which takes us back to the best ballads of this style and whose melody continues to take you running through your head once the last note has passed.

In summary, if you are a fan of melodic rock, this latest baby from the Swedes of 'Grand' should undoubtedly seduce you because they have once again done everything possible to offer us catchy melodies that we takes immense pleasure in listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Mattias Olofsson (Vocal), Jakob Svensson (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Anton Martinez Matz (Drums, Bass) + Gueste : Nina Söderquis (Vocal), Kristian Brink (Saxophone)


Artist : Saxon

Album : Hell, Fire And Damnation

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 25-01-2024






'Strong Arm of the Law' is already far away but still present in my memory when I discovered the punchy heavy metal of the British from 'Saxon' who shook the parental hi-fi system at the end of the 70s. About 44 years later, 'Biff Byford' has just celebrated its 74th birthday and is doing like a charm by offering us a new album which smells of powerful and energetic heavy metal taking us back to the group's first albums. Even though he wasn't present at the band's origins, 'Nigel Glockler' is still loyal to the position as barrel breaker since 1981 when he replaced 'Peter Gill' and the only one who recently left the ship is 'Paul Quinn' who, even if the group had announced that he would continue to participate in studio recordings, is, a priori, no longer in the line up for this latest opus of the British 'Heel, Fire And Damnation' and it is now the young 63 year old, 'Brian Tatler' who has the heavy responsibility of replacing him, the rest of the line up still being made up of guitarist 'Doug Scarratt' and bassist 'Nibbs Carter'.

I might as well tell you that this latest baby from the British is dynamite and we find all the force that made 'Saxon' famous: from the start, after the short instrumental introduction which increases the pressure slowly, the 'Saxon' machine is launched with the eponymous title which tumbles at a hundred miles an hour with well-crafted guitar riffs (see the video above), 'Biff Byford' showing that he has nothing to envy the young man in his thirties that he was at the end of the 70s. And this is only the aperitif because everything that follows is in the same vein: designed to make us lose our minds at headbanging force, 'Madame Guillotine' gives an irresistible desire to raise the volume slider to fully enjoy this heavy and imposing rhythm section. In this style, we won't be able to miss 'There's Something In Roswell' (see the video here), 'Pirates Of Airwaves' , '1066', 'Witches Of Salem' and 'Super Charger', the last four following each other at the end of the album. And the icing on the cake, each track benefits from a remarkable guitar solo (not bad at all this 'Brian Tatler'), that of '1066' being particularly remarkable and worthy of a real guitar solo, exceeding the minute. To finish, the two scuds 'Fire And Steel' and 'Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice' propel us into a speed heavy metal, 'Bill Byford' not being left out on these fast rhythms.

In summary, this latest album from the British 'Saxon' shows us that the septuagenarians are still in Olympic form and that this album would have had its place in the first part of their career and inevitably, this proverb "C 'the best soup is made in old pots' which I often use in myprogmusic has never been more relevant with this 'Hell, Fire And Damnation': Gentlemen, thank you for perpetuating this good heavy metal like we love it which makes us look a few decades younger!!

Line Up / Musicians

Biff Byford (Vocal), Brian Tatler (Guitar), Doug Scarratt (Guitar), Nibbs Carter (Bass), Nigel Glockler (Drums)


Artist : Lazarus Dream

Album : Imaginary Life

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 26-01-2024






The Germans from 'Lazarus Dream' who released their first album 'Alive' in 2020, offer us their third studio recording 'Imaginary Life' after the very good 'Lifeline' in 2022. In my last column, I focused on melodies catchy songs that the album contained and, in this latest baby from the Germans, we find the talent as a melodist of the leader of the group 'Markus Pfeffer' and we could add that this album is certainly even more varied than the previous one with a mixture of rock and melodic hard rock, the whole benefiting from remarkable vocal arrangements with numerous radiant choirs. From the start, with 'The Sweetest Chaos' (see the video above), we embark on melodic rock with a first chorus to be repeated in chorus with 'Carsten Lizard-Shulz' who perfectly adapts his singing to this good-natured atmosphere. We will find this rhythmic and luminous style in 'Rebel Again', 'My Imaginary Life', 'My Prayer' (see the video here) and a title like 'Vertigo' adds a touch of progressive with its atmospheric introduction which continues with a new melodic hit which would have caused misfortune in the 70s/80s. In the section of more muscular compositions, 'Vulture's Cry', 'Disaster Love' and 'Drink My Blood' bring the hard rock side even more so, as in these compositions, 'Carsten Lizard-Schulz' hardens his singing by bringing out even more the gravelly side of his voice. The ballad is not forgotten with 'Beauty Among The Ruin' which is a model of the genre and which has a magnificent unifying chorus, the album ending with the longest composition, 'Empire Of Thorns', which is an epic melodic with rhythmic changes and with an instrumental section in the second part of the title bringing another pinch of progressive but which remains, overall, quite linear.

In summary, this latest album 'Lazarus Dream' confirms the talent as a melodist of the multi-instrumentalist 'Markus Pfeffer' who offers us a new album filled with catchy choruses and 'Imaginary Life', which is added to the new releases of the same day and in the same style of 'Autumn's Child' and 'Grand', should still make fans of melodic rock and hard rock happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Carsten Lizard-Schulz (Vocal), Markus Pfeffer (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Markus Herzog (Drums)


Artist : Metalite

Album : Expedition One

Release Date : 19-01-2024

Added : 28-01-2024






For almost seven years now, the Swedes of 'Metalite' have been giving us their melodic metal tinged with electronic sounds and, after 'Heroes In Time' in 2017, 'Biomechanicals' in 2019 and 'A Virtual World' in 2021, it's the turn of 'Expedition One' to see the light of day. We once again embark on the 'Metalite' ship with its melodies which could have been hits in the 80s in a much calmer register because it is still an uninterrupted series of unifying choruses which we want to resume with ' Erica Ohlsson'. From the outset, with the title song, the tone is set and this album is copious to say the least since 16 tracks are offered to us and even the last two tracks presented as bonuses do not have to be ashamed of the other compositions, the first 'Take My Hand' even benefiting from a single (see the video above). To avoid going from title to title, I will cite the few titles that hooked me the most on first listen: in a catchy and energetic style, the 'Aurora' (see the video here), 'Blazing Skies' (see the video here), 'Disciples of the Stars', 'Free', 'Paradise' and finally 'Take My Hand' already mentioned above have all the ingredients for immediate listening. In a quieter register, the mid-tempo 'New Generation' (see the video here) and, to a lesser extent, 'Sanctum of Light' are also to be consumed without moderation and the ballad of the album, 'In My Dreams', provides a welcome mid-album break. We can also mention the instrumental piece 'Utopia', which is quite different from the rest, featuring a 'Floydian' guitar solo which brings a touch of diversity.

In summary, even if Swedes from 'Metalite' are not going to revolutionize melodic metal and offer us a fairly linear album, they continue their adventure with very accessible compositions which could be a good entry point for all those and those who want to discover metal because, everything has again been implemented in this 'Expedition One' to offer us direct and effective melodies at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Erica Ohlsson (Vocal), Edwin Premberg (Guitar), Robert Örnesved (Guitar), Robert Majd (Bass), Lea Larsson (Drums)


Artist : Thunder

Album : Live at Islington Academy / Live at Leeds

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 30-01-2024






After the sumptuous 'Dopamine' released in 2022, the English of 'Thunder' are releasing two live shows from their boxes, the first 'Live at Islington Academy' dating from 2006, and the second 'Live at Leeds' dating from 2015. For more than thirty years, this formation has offered us numerous studio recordings and concert releases have been rarer, which means that we can now put ourselves between our ears not once but twice live, especially since in most cases, these moments communion with the public always brings a plus compared to studio albums. This is also the case of these two albums which highlight 'Danny Bowes' still in very good shape accompanied by the same artists since the end of the 90s, his friend who founded the group with him, 'Luke Morley ' on guitar to which we can add the drummer 'Gary James', the keyboardist and guitarist 'Ben Matthews', the bassist 'Chris Child' having joined them in 1997. We therefore navigate through the discography of the group and, with these two concerts , almost three hours of listening are available to us, shared between catchy and rhythmic anthems like the hits 'Backstreet Symphony' and 'Dirty Love' and much calmer compositions like the ballad 'Love Walked In' on which the public accompanies them, all three being present in both live performances. In short, these two live performances of 'Thunder' show all the talent of this British group in concert which since the beginning of the 90s has offered us very good rock and hard rock and which, despite fairly limited recognition, remains a reference in the field and continue their adventure even now, the best proof being this latest album 'Dopamine' released in 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Bowes (Vocal), Luke Morley (Guitar, Vocal), Ben Matthews (Guitar, Keybords), Chris Child (Bass), Gary 'Harry' James (Drums)


Artist : Nova Cascade

Album : Back from the brink / The Navigator

Release Date : 29-09-2023

Added : 31-01-2024






For this column, I return to a group whose albums were not present when they were released on streaming platforms: these are the British from 'Nova Cascade' who were formed in 2010 and whose first album 'Above All Else' was released in 2018. For this column, I chose to talk to you about the last two albums, firstly 'Back from the brink' dating from 2021 and which has just appeared on Spotify and Qobuz at the end of January 2024 and 'The Navigator' which dates from September 2023 and which I put in my list of 2023 albums without reviewing it.

First of all, the style that 'Nova Cascade' offers us is similar to ambient neo-progressive, the majority of the compositions being entirely instrumental. It is the fruit of singer and keyboardist 'Dave Holborne' who surrounded himself with 'Dave Fick' on bass, to whom were joined in 2021, the late 'Eric Bouillette' ('Nine Skies') on violin and guitar and drummer 'Lorenzo Poliandri' for the first album plus 'Colin Powell' and 'Nino Chikviladze' for the second album, respectively on guitar and violin.

Lovers of quiet and relaxing atmospheres, you are in the right place because 'Back from the brink' and 'The Navigator' take us on a beautiful, soothing journey in which the keyboards of 'Dave Hilborne' weave a landscape musical filled with serenity accompanied by the flute, the violin or the acoustic and electric guitar which reinforce, here and there, this feeling of serenity. 'Back from the brink' contains six instrumentals and two sung tracks. As for the instrumentals, the epic of the title song of more than ten minutes is a good summary of the whole with the integration of the instruments mentioned above which adds, here and there, a melancholy violin or notes of crystal-clear acoustic guitar. And when he adds his singing, 'Dave Hilborne' delicately rocks us with a whispery and vaporous voice which accompanies us in a sort of waking dream. As for 'The Navigator', there are thirteen tracks which punctuate this album, and which are part of the continuation of 'Back from the Brink'. The title song is also a long ten-minute epic which, like that of the previous album, offers us multiple twists and turns with this time, in addition to the tasty accompaniments of guitar and violin, the flute which actively participates in this soothing atmosphere and bewitching.

In summary, 'Dave Hilborne', accompanied by talented artists, offers us two very beautiful albums of ambient music and if you are looking to de-stress after a hard, tiring day, sit comfortably with your headphones on your ears and go on a journey listening to 'Back from the brink' and 'The Navigator': you will see that music will do the rest and replace all the antidepressants on earth...

Line Up / Musicians

Dave Hilborne (Vocal, Keybords), Dave Fick (Bass), Charlie Bramald (Flute), Eric Bouillette (Violin, Guitar), Lorenzo Poliandri (Drums, Percussions), Colin Powell (Guitar), Nino Chikviladze (Violin)


Artist : Lucifer

Album : Lucifer V

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 02-02-2024






And five for the hard rock group 'Lucifer' 'Lucifer' (after the very good 'Lucifer IV' dating from 2021)which continues its adventure by offering us new compositions which take us back to the golden age of this style with these emblematic groups which made the history of this style in the 70s. Still led by the stage and city couple 'Johanna Sadonis'/'Nicke Andersson', the rest of the line up being unchanged with the two guitarists 'Martin Nordin' and 'Linus Björklund' and the bassist ' Harald Göthblad'. On the menu for this opus, 9 direct and effective tracks in a radio format not exceeding 4 minutes, except 'At The Mortuary' (see the video above) which lasts 6 minutes and which is a good summary of the album with a heavy introduction to 'Black Sabbath' and which continues in a catchy atmosphere with a catchy chorus. The opener 'Fallen Angel' sets the scene with a catchy rhythm conducive to headbanging and delivers a first melody which is grafted directly into the head. In the same style, after an acoustic introduction, the very danceable 'Maculate Heart' is extremely effective (see the video here) and we won't miss it either of the rhythmic 'A Coffin Has No Silver Lining' reminding me of the 'Pretenders' (see the video here) and 'Strange Sister' which adds a composition filled with 'overflowing energy. We find the groove of 'Black Sabbath' in 'The Dead Don't Speak' and when the time is slower, 'Slow Dance In A Crypt' (see the video here) and the last title 'Nothing Left To Lose But My Life' are there to accompany us, the first on a languorous rhythm, still eyeing the side of 'Pretenders' and the second bringing us back to a very heavy blues/rock from the 70s reminding me this time of a band like 'Ten Years After'.

In summary, 'Lucifer' continues its journey by offering us new compositions which take us into the time machine to find us in the early 70s and, thanks to talented artists (special mention for ' Johanna Sadonis' who sings wonderfully well), this number 'V' is a great success and should satisfy all lovers of classic hard rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Sadonis (Vocal, Keybords), Nicke Andersson (Drums, Guitar, Bass), Martin Nordin (Guitar), Linus Björklund (Guitar), Harald Göthblad (Bass)


Artist : Karfagen, Antony Kalugin

Album : Messages from Afar : Second Nature

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 03-02-2024






I highlighted it in ma progressive retrospective of 2023 releases for lesser-known artists and 'Antony Kalugin' returns at the start of 2024 with the third chapter 'Second Nature' of 'Messages from Afar', the first two chapters dating from 2017 with 'First Contact' and from 2018 with 'The Division and Illusion of Time', the latter having been released under his other project 'Sunchild'.

We are once again taken on a very beautiful progressive symphonic journey filled with gentleness and serenity. It is in a rural atmosphere that our journey begins with 'Ride Your Dream' which then charms us with very beautiful vocal harmonies, then we continue with the 7 minutes of the instrumental 'Fantasion' which continues in this peaceful atmosphere and relaxing mainly carried by the melodious keyboards of Antony Kalagin'. Also instrumental, 'November Blue' shows a hushed jazzy face on which we completely abandon ourselves, the saxophone of Yan Vedaman' adding to this light climate, then, 'Bond of Love' begins by highlighting the angelic singing of ' Maria Panasenko' and continues with a long, more rock instrumental section with 'Dmytro Ignatov' which offers us magnificent electric guitar peregrinations around the main musical theme, the finale giving back the hand to 'Maria Panasenko' which concludes this title in a very beautiful way . Follows 'Agora by Night' which is a very soft instrumental piece in which 'Max Velychko' shows all his talent for conveying beautiful emotions on the acoustic guitar, then, 'Daybreak' this time highlights the keyboardist talent of Antony Kalugin' who makes a very nice duet with the saxophonist 'Yan Vedaman', flirting with light and rhythmic jazz. The distinguished guest 'Colin Bass' comes to sing on 'Bright Little Star' which is another delicious melodious composition in an atmosphere filled with beautiful sweetness (see the video above), then, 'Searching for Mr. Kite 'takes us into a magnificent labyrinth led by the keyboards of Antony Kalugin' and is the perfect example of the Ukrainian's talent as a composer to develop long progressive pieces merging numerous influences (see the video here). The album ends in melancholy with 'Second Nature' which offers us a final gripping melody, the piano accompaniment of Antony Kalugin' bringing a very beautiful emotion.

In summary, 'Antony Kalugin' continues to release magnificent albums very regularly and this third part of 'Messages from Afar' is a beautiful sequel to the first two albums: if you want even more, you can get it on bandcamp 'The Working Tapes' which contains previously unreleased tracks and alternative versions of 'Second Nature'...

Line Up / Musicians

Antony Kalugin (Vocal, Keybords, Percussions, Guitar, Bass), Maria Panasenko (Vocal), Ivan Goritski (Drums), Dmytro Ignatov (Guitar), Max Velychko (Guitar), Konstantin Ionenko (Bass), Yan Vedaman (Saxophone), Colin Bass (Vocal)


Artist : Caligula's Horse

Album : Charcoal Grace

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 04-02-2024






After the symphonic and ambient progressive of 'Karfagen' and 'Nova Cascade', I'm taking you to the land of kangaroos but this time for progressive metal with the Australians 'Caligula's Horse' who released their new album 'Charcoal Grace' at the end of January 2024, the latest 'Rise Radiant' already dating from 2020. In the movement of current artists of this style, I am thinking in particular of 'Haken', 'Leprous' or 'Pain Of Salvation', they continue to give us imaginative progressive and, although they are tagged metal, it would be reductive, like the groups mentioned above, to limit them to this style because 'Charcoal Grace' is again here to prove it to us by sweeping across different styles quite widely. Obviously, the other side of the coin is that this kind of album of extraordinary density requires numerous listens to extract its full richness.

We get to the heart of the matter with the 10 minutes of 'The World Breathes With Me' which literally takes you by the guts with a set of tensions and relaxations highlighting 'Jim Grey' who gives us a magnificent performance vocal by perfectly adapting his singing to this lush musical construction, the break in the middle of the title bringing a breath to the whole to start again to prepare the admirable guitar solo of 'Sam Vallen'. More direct while maintaining a complex rhythmic construction, 'Golem' continues in this percussive style which, this time, makes me think of the firepower of the Swedes from 'Soen'. The centrepiece of the album is the title song which unfolds its four parts and which is a sublime progressive labyrinth of 24 minutes taking us through all kinds of emotions made of striking contrasts: it is the kind of composition which requires linger there to draw out all the richness and you navigate a succession of roller coasters, going for example from a whispered song from 'Jim Gray' to an explosion of power with fabulous guitar solos from 'Sam Vallen'. After this progressive epic strong in emotion, 'Sails' continues our beautiful journey in a more peaceful atmosphere and at a slow tempo, while maintaining a beautiful emotional force, 'Jim Grey' touching us to the depths of our being and 'Sam Vallen' drives the point home at the end of the track with a new masterful guitar solo. With 'The Stormchaser', we find all these overwhelming contrasts between verse and chorus, the finale further raising the emotional level with a gripping melody that gives me goosebumps on many occasions (see the video above). And to finish this magnificent album, the 12 minutes of 'Mute' are again a real treat: the beginning is very calm and we let ourselves be carried away by the singing of 'Jim Grey' on a captivating melody, the airy flute adding to this feeling of serenity, then we find a sudden rise in power which retains a certain melancholy thanks to beautiful melodic lines and, halfway through, it is again a total break for an instrumental section of great beauty in which the flute us accompanies again, the finale being of rare intensity, literally and figuratively.

In summary, the Australians of 'Caligula's Horse' strike a big blow at the start of 2024 by offering us a masterful album which demands to be tamed, listen after listen, to become a sort of musical holy grail of progressive metal by taking you on an intense and gripping journey of extraordinary emotional intensity...

Line Up / Musicians

Jim Grey (Vocal), Dale Prinsse (Bass), Sam Vallen (Guitar), Josh Griffin (Drums)


Artist : Asia

Album : Live at HMV Forum London UK 14 December 2010

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 05-02-2024






I introduced you to 'The Official Live Bootlegs Vol.1' of the Brits from 'ASIA' more than 2 years ago and now the 6 concerts are available on the Spotify and Qobuz streaming platforms for more than 10 hours of listening (the links of this review are a playlist of these 6 concerts). Of course, these are only bootlegs and we should not stop at the quality of the sound which is far from what we expect from a legendary group like 'ASIA' (in this case, fall back on the official live recorded in Tokyo in 2007 on spotify here and on qobuz here) but we must take this concert series as a testimony to the two eras during which 'ASIA' was composed of the emblematic quartet of the beginning with CVs as long as your arm: none other than, we find 'John Wetton' ('King Crimson', 'Uriah Heep' and 'Roxy Music' among others), 'Geoff Downes' ('Yes ', 'The Bugles' and 'Greg Lake/Geoff Downes' among others), 'Steve Howe' (mainly 'Yes' but having participated in many other projects) and 'Carl Palmer' (mainly 'Emerson, Lake and Palmer' ). In front of all these prestigious names parading, this super group managed to release the first three albums of ASIA' which have become cult, 'Asia', 'Alpha' and 'Astra' ('Carl Palmer' having also recorded 'Aqua' which was released in 1992) as well as the two albums from the 2000s with 'Phoenix' and 'Omega'.

In short, these 6 albums will certainly make all fans of this legendary group happy and, even if they are not technically free from all criticism, for all those who knew the beginnings of this formation, this collection of bootlegs shows all the talent of this group in concert and reminds us what a live performance was like in the early 80s when the computer had not yet become the conductor of a concert which certainly gave off an atmosphere more authentic than those of today...

Line Up / Musicians

John Wetton (Bass, Vocal), Geoff Downes (Keybords), Steve Howe (Guitar), Carl Palmer (Drums)


Artist : Danielle Nicole

Album : The Love You Bleed

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 06-02-2024






'Danielle Nicole' is a blues singer who became known with her first album 'Wolf Den' in 2015 with several million streams on Spotify and which takes the time between two albums since 'The Love You Bleed' is his third studio recording, the second 'Cry No More' dating from 2018 having been nominated for the 'Grammy Awards' in the Contemporary Blues category.

On the menu for this opus, 12 original compositions, the majority of which were composed by Danielle or co-written with guitarist 'Brandon Miller'. These are the two tracks which were the subject of a single which open the album: first of all, the catchy 'Love On My Brain' which shows all the vocal talent of 'Danielle', 'Brandon Miller' not being outdone with his guitar (see the video above), then, 'Make Love', is a magnificent mid-tempo merging blues and soul with beautiful vocal harmonies (see the video here). First sensual ballad with 'Right By Your Side' in which 'Danielle Nicole' excels, her powerful singing bringing all the necessary emotion in this languorous style, then, 'How Did We Get to Goodby' is a new mid-tempo, classic but super effective on which we let ourselves be lulled by a nonchalant rhythm. Heavier in strong blues/rock, 'Head Down Long' is nonetheless very catchy with its marked rhythm, 'Danielle Nicole' adapting her singing for a more serious register, the guitar solo of 'Brandon Miller' still being admirable, then, 'Fireproof' is lively blues/rock on which the singer still shows all her vocal talent. The second part of the album begins with the cover 'A Lover Is Forever' of 'Steve Goodman' which was sung by different singers, notably by 'Etta James' at the 'Montreux' festival in 1993 and of which 'Danielle Nicole' makes a magnificent interpretation in a stripped-down version with accompaniment the acoustic guitar. We remain in a subdued and sensual atmosphere with 'Say You'll Stay' which is a sublime ballad in which Danielle's singing brings a very particular emotion, then, 'Fool's Good', on a swaying tempo and the bass of 'Danielle Nicole' leading the dance, is another beautiful moment of blues, with, icing on the cake, a remarkable keyboard solo from 'Damon Parker'. The end of the album continues to offer us good blues/rock with the rhythmic 'Walk On By', conducive to headbanging, then, 'Who He Thinks You Are' is another ballad which has nothing to envy of ' Say You'll Stay' and which gives you goosebumps and finally, 'Young Love On the Hill' concludes the whole thing in a very beautiful way, this time flirting with country in a light and catchy atmosphere.
In summary, 'Danielle Nicole', well accompanied by talented artists (special mention for guitarist 'Brandon Miller'), releases a very diverse album which takes us on a journey between different atmospheres by offering us masterful interpretations and ' The Love You Bleed' is recommended to a wide audience loving all facets of the blues because all the compositions are very accessible on first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Danielle Nicole (Vocal, Bass), Brandon Miller (Guitar), Damon Parker (Keybords), Go-Go Ray (Drums), Stevie Blacke (Violin, Cello)


Artist : Sivert Høyem

Album : On An Island

Release Date : 26-01-2024

Added : 08-02-2024






I discovered by chance while surfing on Qobuz the latest album by 'Sivert Høyem', a Norwegian artist who is the singer of the group 'Madrugada' which had a first period until 2008 and who reformed in 2018 with the album 'Chimes at Midnight' 2022. I knew neither the group nor the singer who is also pursuing a solo career and this latest album 'On An Island' is quite special since it was recorded in a small village in the north of Norway, formerly of fishermen, 'Nyksund', which is an almost-island on the west coast and which regained artistic and tourist activity in the 1980s. The result is of intense emotional depth and each composition brings its share of melancholy, the whole being stripped down to keep only the substantive marrow.

To give you a good overview of this very beautiful album, I will start with the three titles which were the subject of a video, each one being magnificent: first of all, 'Two Green Feathers' is a filming in sumptuous black and white which at a slow tempo delicately rocks us and is a good example of this beneficial melancholy (see video above). In the same style 'Aim For The Heart', accompanied by another video showing us very beautiful images of 'Nyksund' and the Northern Lights (see here). The third video is dedicated to 'The Rust' (see here) and is the longest composition of the album in which Sivert's singing reminds me of from 'Nick Cave', deep and warm. The rest of the album is like these three tracks: 'On An Island' begins the album and introduces what will follow by plunging us directly into these guitar sounds using reverb bringing this melancholy and this sound breadth very special, 'Sivert Hoyem' accompanying very beautifully with its melodious singing. With 'When Your True Love Has Gone', the climate is catchier and the gripping melody in the form of a refrain sticks in your head for a long time once the last note has passed. As for 'The Beginning', the reverb and refined ambiance makes a return with a higher pitched vocal of 'Sivert Hoyem' which shows another side of his vocal register. After the two compositions already mentioned above, 'Aim For The Heart' and 'The Rust', 'Keepsake' is yet another melodic gem, this time in a refined atmosphere, in the form of a very beautiful vocal/acoustic guitar duo once again highlighting the serious and deep singing of Sivert, then, 'Now You See Me/Now You Don't' is another magnificent composition which progresses slowly, alternating intensities and gaining momentum to explode at the end of the title with very beautiful choirs, and 'Not Enough Light' closes the album in this melancholy atmosphere, the violin of 'Lise Voldsdal' adding a folkloric touch. And if you want to know more about the themes developed in this album, you can refer to the very interesting interview with the Norwegian on the site 'The Domino Elf'

In summary, this latest album from 'Sivert Høyem' takes us into his world full of melancholy, often synonymous with sadness or sorrow but which, in this specific case, takes on a completely different character because the Norwegian artist there adds a tremendous emotional intensity thanks to this deep song and a very special warmth which accompanies us throughout this journey in the small village of 'Nyksund'...

Line Up / Musicians

Sivert Høyem (Vocal, Guitar, Percussions), Christer Knutsen (Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Keybords, Percussions, Choirs), Børge Fjordheim (Drums, Percussions), Øystein Frantzvåg (Bass, Keybords), Cato Salsa (Guitar, Choirs), Lise Voldsdal (Violin)


Artist : TumbleTown

Album : On The Highwire

Release Date : 02-02-2024

Added : 09-02-2024






The Dutch from 'TumbleTown', whom I discovered with their second album 'Never Too Late' in 2018, released a new album 'On The Highwire'. To tell you the truth, the first listen didn't attract me that much, but, as is often the case with progressive music, it was the successive listens that allowed me to gradually get into this album which I ultimately find excellent. It must be said that the line up (unchanged since 2018) is of quality, all the members being experienced progressive artists: a quick search in myprogmusic of the keyboardist 'Erik Laan' allows you to see some of his projects. Regarding 'Han Uil', he has also worked on numerous projects ('Seven Day Hunt', 'Antares') but also pursues a solo career and his latest album 'Walking in Circles' dates from 2022. As for 'Aldo Adema', he has also been active in different projects including 'Egdon Heath' in the 80s/90s and 'Seven Day Hunt' until 2008. The line up has been completed since the last album by 'Arjan Laan' on drums, who is the Erik's son.

Musically, this new album offers 10 compositions which range between 4 and 8 minutes, leaving room for numerous progressive instrumental peregrinations alternating with the parts sung by 'Han Uil'. Besides, I had already mentioned it in my first review, 'Han Uil' has intonations of 'Ian Anderson', and in the title song which opens the album, this resemblance is quite striking. This first track is a good example of this imaginative progressive with omnipresent keyboards, Aldo Adema's guitar embellishing the whole. Remarkably diverse, this album takes us on a journey through different styles with, for example, the rhythmic 'The Greatest Bragger' which fuses jazzy intonations with symphonic rock in a very beautiful way. Starting more calmly, 'Rush Hour' is a magnificent track which then gains momentum to take us into a sort of mix between 'Pink Floyd', 'Genesis' and 'Jethro Tull'. Follows the rhythmic and bouncy 'Part Of The Wind' in which 'Aldo Adema' illuminates this title with his electric guitar, then, a return to calm with 'Forget The Road Not Taken' which begins with a very beautiful acoustic part in which we feel lets you be lulled by the melodious singing of 'Han Uil' and which continues by gaining power in an instrumental section provided with several remarkable keyboard and guitar solos. 'The Truth Now', which follows, highlights a more complex progressive construction, the changes of rhythm being numerous but all leading to the magnificent melodic theme of the chorus which benefits from an admirable new guitar solo in the finale. The longest track on the album, 'In The Eye Of The Storm' takes us into an intense progressive saga which shifts with rhythmic, intensity and melodic changes and which is filled with quite diverse influences. New, calmer moment, 'Thoughts Of Love' is a ballad with a violin which brings a certain melancholy to the whole, the finale gaining in intensity by again offering a very beautiful guitar solo, then, 'Trapped On Memory Lane' unfolds a light and catchy melody in which an important place is given to instrumental sections provided, and the album ends with 'Time For Joy' which is a more direct title which moves away from progressive but which offers us a last catchy melody on which we let ourselves be carried away by Han Ian's remarkable vocal performance.

In summary, the Dutch from 'TumbleTown' have released yet another quality album which it took me some time to get to grips with and which, in the end, shows all the talent of these four artists who each bring their own stone to the table. the building: 'On The Highwire' should please an audience loving moderate progressive rock taking us back a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Han Uil (Vocal, Keybords, Harmonica), Aldo Adema (Guitar, Bass, Keybords), Erik Laan (Piano, Organ, Keybords, Choirs) + Guest : Arjan Laan (Drums)


Artist : tAKiDa

Album : The Agony Flame

Release Date : 09-02-2024

Added : 10-02-2024






In the field of melodic rock and hard rock, everyone knows that Sweden is a great source of talent and 'tAKiDa' is one of those groups that never disappoints us with each album release. After the last two studio recordings 'Sju' and 'Falling from Fame' dating from 2019 and 2021 respectively, and which were filled with catchy melodies, this latest baby from the Swedes, which marks the 25th anniversary of the group, is no exception to the rule and offers us 11 new compositions which are all of real melodic jewels. From the outset, 'Third Strike' (see video above) gives us a first chorus that we want to sing along with 'Robert Pettersson' and, in this catchy style, we can also cite 'The Other Side' and 'The Line' but these are the mid-tempos and the ballads which occupy the majority of the titles: first of all, we will not miss the heavy rhythms that 'In time', 'The loneliest hour', 'Sickening' or again 'Isolated' highlighting a certain melancholy and quite dark lyrics, even filled with despair (besides the videos accompanying the album are quite gloomy and you have to be really hooked to watch them). And when the tempo is even more relaxed, the Swedes have no equal to offer us beautiful ballads of which there are four: first of all 'Sacred Spell' offers a chorus which is directly grafted into your head , then 'Your blood awaits you' alternates more rhythmic verses and a more relaxed chorus and is followed by 'Nothing but a misplace' which also benefits from very beautiful melodic lines, the album ending with 'Second Fiddle' which is the most stripped-down ballad, strings reinforcing the melancholy side.

In summary, it's another album full of beautiful melodies offered to us by the Swedes of 'tAKiDa' who continue, album after album, to give us addictive melodies to listen to on repeat, and 'The Agony Flame' should please, beyond their fan base, a wide audience because everything has been done to ensure that each composition is accessible from the first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Robert Pettersson (Vocal), Tomas Wallin (Choirs, Guitar), Mattias Larsson (Guitar), Chris Rehn (Bass, Keybords, Guitar), Kristoffer Söderström (Drums)


Artist : The Pineapple Thief

Album : It Leads To This

Release Date : 09-02-2024

Added : 11-02-2024






In the field of progressive rock, the British 'Pineapple Thief' have built up an excellent worldwide reputation, and since the beginning of the 2000s, they have regularly released albums, the latest in 2022, 'Give It Back', being a covers album and the last two reviewed on myprogmusic being 'Versions of the Truth' dating from 2020 and the live performance that followed during the pandemic, 'Nothing But The Truth', dating from 2022. We are therefore not surprised to be able to put between our ears in 2024 a new album from the British and, for this new 'It Leads To This ', my first reflex, knowing the recording quality of this training, was to listen to it on qobuz with headphones (a Monolith M1060 connected to my mini DAC FIIO BTR7) and the result is up to what I expected: quality progressive rock performed by talented artists, the sound being of rare clarity and limpidity with the new drummer 'Gavin Harrison' who has been with the Pineapple thieves now since 2016 and who delivers us a surgical strike that is always just right. As usual, 'Bruce Soord' takes us into themes around our society today, split between optimism and pessimism, with no shortage of subjects from the past few years to give him food for thought.
On the menu of this new album, 8 compositions for around 45 minutes of listening and it all begins in serenity with 'Put It Right' which already highlights the ethereal singing of 'Bruce Soord' and the subtle and while restrained by 'Gavin Harrison' who does just enough while taking a prominent place in the rhythm section. Conversely, 'Rubicon', which follows, is more energetic and shows the more intense side of the group but which plays with the alternations of intensities and rhythms, making it a typical title of a sought-after and luminous progressive. The tone is set with these first two compositions and the rest will be shared between these two atmospheres: with the eponymous title (see the video above), we delicately abandon ourselves to the quiet rhythm and the subtle and almost hypnotic singing, then the sequel gains strength to fall back into the ethereal atmosphere of the beginning. Same observation for 'The Frost' which continues in these contrasts with this time a rhythm which makes you sway quietly (see the video here), then, 'All That's Left' makes me think of the first albums of the 'Blackfield' project from the duo 'Steven Wilson'/'Aviv Geffen' with this intimate, even melancholic atmosphere, an atmosphere that we find in the following track 'Now It's Yours' which is a sort of bitter observation of what our generation will leave to our children, with this magnificent intense central instrumental section highlighting the guitar scream of 'Bruce Soord'. With 'Every Trace Of Us', we take more sought-after progressive paths with multiple rhythmic and intensity changes which further highlight 'Gavin Harrison' who makes us a festival by adapting his playing at each moment (see the video here) then, the album ends with 'To Forget' which this time brings us back to the atmospheric ambiances of 'Pink Floyd', the contrasts mentioned several times in this column are still present for our greatest pleasure.

In summary, the British from 'The Pineapple Thief' return with an album of great quality which shows that they are still in the forefront of progressive rock groups and, for all fans and all lovers of this style, 'It Leads To This' deserves to be listened to quietly on headphones with the Hi-Res version because, the 'Bruce Soord' band has once again done everything possible to offer us a multitude of details which are even more highlighted with quality listening...

Line Up / Musicians

Bruce Soord (Vocal, Guitar), Jon Sykes (Bass, Choirs), Gavin Harrison (Drums, Percussions), Steve Kitch (Keybords)


Artist : Revolution Saints

Album : Against The Winds

Release Date : 09-02-2024

Added : 12-02-2024






After the line up change and on their way to 2023 with the album 'Eagle Flight', our three friends 'Deen Castronovo', 'Joel Hoekstra', 'Jeff Pilson' and 'Alessandro Del Vecchio' are back with a new studio recording 'Against The Winds'. And even if the fourth thief is not present in the official photo, it is still the Swiss knife of the label 'Frontiers Music' who set about composing this latest opus and who produces it, in addition to participating as as a keyboardist and backing vocalist. Well, you're going to tell me that knowing the Italian who gravitates towards a bunch of rock and melodic hard rock projects, we can go there with our eyes closed and you're right because it's still a sort of AOR best of, of rock and melodic hard rock mixed which takes us back to the 80s. Moreover, I find that the melody of the title song which begins the album has a little air of 'Maniac' by 'Michael Sambello' from the film 'Flashdance' released in 1983. And if you like the first three titles which were all the subject of a video (see above for 'Against The Winds', here for 'Changing My Mind' and here for 'Fall On My Knees'), you should undoubtedly like all of the 11 compositions that make up this album. Other energetic compositions pepper this opus with 'Will I See You Again', 'Save All That Remains' and 'Been Said And Done'. As we are now accustomed to in this melodic style, we also find alongside these energetic rhythms, calmer moments in luminous AOR with 'Lost In Damnation', 'Divine Wings' and 'No Turning Back'. We also won't miss the two very beautiful ballads with 'Can't End It Right Now' and 'Show Me Your Light'.

In short, without revolutionizing the genre, 'Revolution Saints' continues its journey by offering us a new album that is very pleasant to listen to and which, without being at all pejorative, is ready to consume, because it is still very appreciable to put between the ears beautiful catchy melodies that we immediately tame: to recommend to all fans of melodic rock taking us back to the best of the 80s...

Line Up / Musicians

Deen Castronovo (Vocal, Drums), Joel Hoekstra (Guitar), Jeff Pilson (Bass), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Keybords, Choirs)


Artist : Tinsley Ellis

Album : Naked Truth

Release Date : 09-02-2024

Added : 13-02-2024






After spoiling us with his last two albums, 'Ice Cream In Hell' from 2020 and 'Devil May Care' from 2022, the rhythm of a release every two years continues for the bluesman 'Tinsley Ellis' who, this time, has decided to unplug the electric instruments for us offering this 'Naked Truth', only keeping his acoustic guitar to accompany it. 9 original titles and 3 covers are on the menu for this latest American baby. And if the devil had to be careful in the last album, he is now in the room with the first track which welcomes us with a good blues and a rhythm which gives an irresistible desire to accompany Tinsley by tapping his foot, then 'Windowpane', much calmer, highlights this picking on his guitar which accompanies his melancholy singing filled with beautiful emotion. Return to good rhythm with the 'Death Letter Blues' cover of 'Son House' which takes us back to the early 60s with remarkable authenticity, then, 'Silver Mountain' is an instrumental, for my part, quite repetitive, but which shows all of Tinsley's dexterity on the guitar. Three other instrumentals punctuate this album including the cover 'The Sailor's Grave On The Prairie' of 'Leo Kottke' dating from 1969, 'Alcovy Breakdown' and the short 'Easter Song' finishing this gently acoustic album in a beautiful way. The other compositions bring a nice variety to the whole: 'Don't Go No Further' which is a cover of 'Willie Dixon' is a well-paced shuffle that 'Tinsley Ellis' appropriates wonderfully, and 'Tallahassee Blues' takes us back to the roots of the blues, an atmosphere that we find in the magnificent 'Hoochie Mama' but also in the following composition, 'Horseshoes and Hand Grenades', the refined interpretations keeping only the substantial marrow of this timeless style, without forgetting the light and bouncy 'Grown Ass Man' which automatically turns on the foot-tapping machine.

In summary, this exposure of 'Tinsley Ellis' confirms all the talent of the American to offer us good authentic blues, especially since this refined side shows even more that it is his whole being which exudes blues which can only touch an audience who are fans of this timeless style which has stood the test of time without aging...

Line Up / Musicians

Tinsley Ellis (Vocal, Guitar)


Artist : Kristoffer Gildenlöw

Album : Empty

Release Date : 09-02-2024

Added : 15-02-2024






If you are a fan of progressive metal but also of progressive rock, 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' must not be unknown to you, since he became known with his brother 'Daniel' in the 90s when they created together 'Pain Of Salvation' which he left in the mid-2000s to embark on different projects, first of all joining the progressive rock band in 2006 'Dial', then starting a solo career while participating in numerous projects (including 'Kayak'). For more than ten years now, he offers us sumptuous albums including the latest 'Let Me Be a Ghost' which gave me immense pleasure. 'Empty' is therefore his 5th solo album, solo because it bears his name, but many guests come to accompany him, including very good guitarists.

And after a first listen, it is this parallel with the 'Floyds' that struck me the most in this album, as if the two thieves 'Roger Waters' and 'David Gilmour' had reconciled, the refined and contained side of Kristoffer's vocals looking towards 'Roger Waters' and the instrumental sections with sumptuous guitar solos flirting with the feeling of 'David Gilmour'. 'Time To Turn The Page', which begins the album, is the perfect illustration of this with an atmospheric first part on which 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' places his fragile and refined vocals bathed in reverb and which explodes halfway through with a masterful guitar solo, the finale falling into a few gentle arpeggios. The suite continues in this atmosphere with 'End Of The Road' embellished by strings in the quiet parts and continues at a slow tempo on which we completely abandon ourselves, then, 'Harbinger of Sorrow', introduced by a repetitive phrase played on the piano takes us into alternations of intensities, 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' modulating his singing in a very beautiful way with remarkable incursions into the high notes. As for 'He's Not Me', introduced by a 'Floydian' guitar, extends these moments filled with sensitivity with a new melodic jewel which moves slowly between sung parts and 'Gilmourian' instrumental sections. With 'Black And White', the hushed introduction is once again synonymous with tranquility which makes us continue our beautiful journey with a deep and emotion-filled singing of 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' and a guitar solo which, this time, makes me think of the sounds of 'Mark Knopfler', then, 'Down We Go' raises the emotional slider again with a long composition on a magnificent slow crescendo, 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' having completely reconciled 'Gilmour' and 'Waters' on this title overflowing an extraordinary quiet force, the final guitar solo giving me goosebumps and making this track my favourite of the album. We are not at the end of our emotions because the second part of the album also offers us very beautiful compositions, first of all with 'Turn It All Around' and its soothing guitar arpeggios, the rest bringing a certain melodic modernity, then, 'Means To An End' extends our gentle journey on a nonchalant rhythm, the melodic lines being of great beauty. Follows 'Beautiful Decay' in the same atmosphere as its predecessor, the piano accompaniment bringing this melancholic refrain side to a three-beat tempo, then, still at a slow tempo, 'The Brittle Man' is a fairly short track which begins in a bass/voice duet and which then sees the arrival of a violin which is joined by a piano forming a very beautiful crescendo. More rhythmic, 'Saturated' highlights superb vocal harmonies, very beautiful choirs accompanying the singing of 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' on a catchy melody. We arrive at the end of our very beautiful journey with the title song which is close to 10 minutes and whose first 2 minutes set a scene made of sound effects which gradually gain momentum and which are followed by a very refined section with 'Floydian' sounds, the tormented singing of 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw' making me think of that of 'Roger Waters', then, at 6:30, the title explodes in a guitar solo of poignant emotional force which slowly builds in power to come back to the end in fade out: simply sublime!!

In summary, as you will have understood, this 2024 album could very well have been one of the best 'Pink Floyd' albums but it is the work of a talented artist who is certainly releasing one of his best albums by offering us this 'Empty' which should please, beyond fans of 'Kristoffer Gildenlöw', a fairly wide audience who like atmospheric progressive rock taking us back to the 70s with, icing on the cake, catchy melodies which are easily tamed...

Line Up / Musicians

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Vocal, Différents instruments) + Guests : Dirk Bruinenberg (Drums), Jeroen Molenaar (Drums), Joris Lindner (Drums, Hammond), Paul Coenradie (Guitar), Marcel Singor (Guitar), Patrick Drabe (Guitar), Ola Sjönneby (Cuivres), Ben Mathot (Violin), Anne Bakker (Violin, Viola), Maaike Peterse (Cello), Jan Willem Ketelaers (Choirs), Erna Auf der Haar (Choirs)


Artist : Ellesmere

Album : Stranger Skies

Release Date : 12-01-2024

Added : 16-02-2024






'Ellesmere' is a progressive rock project led by the Italian 'Roberto Vitelli' who I discovered with the group's fourth opus, 'Stranger Skies', released over a month ago. First of all, the cover of 'Rodney Matthews', well known in the progressive rock world for having designed most of 'ASIA' but also from 'Magnum', is well in the tone of this opus which pits two worlds in opposition, one of cold, in the first 4 compositions and the other, hot, in the last two long developments of the album. And, as was already the case in the last album 'Wyrd', in addition to the line up consisting of 'Roberto Vitelli' on keyboards and bass, 'Giacomo Anselmi' on guitar, 'John Wilkinson' on vocals and 'Mattias Olsson' on drums, the Italian has surrounded himself with numerous artists with, among others, 'Clive Nolan' ('Pendragon' and 'Arena') came to accompany 'Roberto Vitelli' on keyboards, 'David Jackson' (one of the pioneers of progressive rock with 'Vand Der Graaf Generator' bringing all his talent as a saxophonist, the brother of 'Steve Hackett' who plays of the flute and the Italian 'Riccardo Romano' who released the excellent album in 2017 'B612' and including his latest solo album 'Spectrum' is from 2022.

The first part of the album, dedicated to the world of cold, welcomes us with 'Northwards', plunging us directly into symphonic progressive rock with generous keyboards, the whole looking towards the first period of 'Genesis ' with a first guitar solo from 'Giacomo Anselmi' that 'Steve Hackett' would not deny then 'Tundra' continues in these rather blatant influences with numerous changes of tempo and with, this time, the singing of 'John Wilkinson' me reminiscent in certain places of that of 'Phil Collins', the a cappella section at 4 minutes bringing an originality which tends more towards 'Yessian' influences and the new guitar solo of 'Giacomo Anselmi' being admirable. 'Graeme Taylor', on acoustic guitar, offers us a very nice introduction in the instrumental 'Crystallized' and it is then the turn of 'David Jackson' to be highlighted with his saxophone, accompanying the song in a beautiful way in the continuation of the title which takes us through many rhythmic changes. The last title from the world of cold is the energetic 'Arctica' which has a fairly complex construction, and which alternates different intensities and rhythms, the vocal harmonies being remarkable. The rest of our journey takes us towards the world of heat with the first long development of the title song which takes us into a progressive labyrinth in which it is good to get lost and in which each artist brings his contribution to the building, with a special mention to the 'Jethrotullian' parts brought by 'John Hackett' on the flute but also to the organ sections played by 'Bob Hodges' and also to the vocal performance of 'John Wilkinson' whose singing still recalls the 'Genesis' of the 'Phil Collins' period. Also note this last rural part which ends the title in a very beautiful way. The last composition 'Another World' also exceeds 10 minutes and sums up this very beautiful album very well by taking us once again on a beautiful progressive journey which, for my part, represents real progressive fireworks and the high point of this album, with all the ingredients that any fan of progressive rock looks for in this style: a beautiful alternation between parts sung magnificently by 'John Wilkinson' (always this resemblance to 'Phil Collins') and sumptuous sections instrumentals in which we find most of the musicians in remarkable solos, without forgetting the rhythm section of the pair 'Roberto Vitelli'/'Mattias Olsson' which accompanies all these little people in a masterful way.

In summary, with his project 'Ellesmere', 'Roberto Vitelli', well accompanied by talented progressive artists, offers us a sumptuous album which takes us back to the best of progressive of the 70s and 'Stranger Skies' is yet another album to add to the ideal discotheque of all fans of progressive rock through the ages...

Line Up / Musicians

Roberto Vitelli (Bass, Keybords), Giacomo Anselmi (Guitar), John Wilkinson (Vocal), Mattias Olsson (Drums) + Guests : Bob Hodges (Keybords), Clive Nolan (Keybords), David Jackson (Saxophone, Flute), Graeme Taylor (Guitar), John Hackett (Flute), Riccardo Romano (Choirs, Guitar), Stefano Vicarelli (Keybords), Tomas Bodin (Keybords)


Artist : Einar Solberg

Album : The Congregation Acoustic (Live)

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 17-02-2024






For all fans of the singer 'Einar Solberg' of the group 'Leprous', prepare yourself for a moment of intense listening with this lively review of the song who decided, as he did with 'Leprous', to organize a new livestream but this time acoustic, alone on stage with his piano, covering one of the most sought-after albums from his progressive metal band, 'The Congregation', dating from 2015. No need for a long review to tell you that the Norwegian completely bares himself in this magnificent album and that this refined version highlights even more this skin-deep sensitivity that we find in Einar's singing on the albums of 'Leprous'. Of course, this reinterpretation is far from the power of electric instruments but it is another kind of power that emerges from this album, this one being emotional because, we can only admit to the evidence: 'Einar Solberg' excels in these refined versions and offers us a magical moment of listening by repeatedly giving us this little thrill characteristic of an intense emotion. In short, the best thing yet is to leave yourself in the company of the Norwegian, press the play button and go on a journey to the land of emotions because this kind of artist shows that, whatever the style, the music There are no boundaries when we experience moments of such intensity...

Line Up / Musicians

Einar Solberg (Vocal, Vocal)


Artist : Steve Hackett

Album : The Circus and the Nightwhale

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 18-02-2024






After the magnificent acoustic live performance of 'Einar Solberg', it's another great of progressive music who is releasing a new solo album, I named 'Steve Hackett' whose latest studio recording, 'Surrender of Silence' dates from 2021. In recent years, the Briton has been busy with his different 'Genesis' cover tours with 'Genesis Revisited Band and Orchestra – Live' in 2019 which was followed by 'Selling England By The Pound & Spectral Mornings' in 2020, itself followed by 'Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More' in 2022 and the last one on the list was the cover of 'Foxtrot' with 'Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton' in 2023. But we know that Steve is always prolific in also offering us magnificent albums and 'The Circus and the Nightwhale' is therefore his latest baby which must not be far from being the 30th of the British! No surprise, beyond this progressive rock that he has been perpetuating for more than 50 years now, we find this alchemist of world music, influenced by numerous styles and who this time takes us, I quote Steve in "a rite of passage concept album that says the things I've wanted to say for a very long time": so I'll let you imagine what this cover represents on which a whale engulfs a circus. In any case, this album is dedicated to his wife 'Jo' and tells the story 'Travla' which is certainly a mix between reality and fiction, of Steve's life.

Musically, and as we are now accustomed to, we navigate very different landscapes from each other which once again gives this album an absolutely fantastic diversity but, on the other side of the coin, we have to be open to all kinds of musical genres quite distant from each other which for my part generally brings me the most pleasure. On the menu for 'The Circus and the Nightwhale', no long developments but 13 fairly short compositions each and, for all those who are familiar with 'Steve Hackett' albums, we find the well-known artists who revolve around the 'British' (see list below).

The first three compositions have no gaps between each and form only one: 'People Of The Smoke' opens the album by taking us on a steam train and, after a symphonic introduction, it is in a catchy rock atmosphere with magnificent vocal harmonies that the title continues at the locomotive tempo, then, the short 'These Passing Clouds' changes register for a romantic instrumental on which the guitar of 'Steve Hackett' plays wonders on a melancholy melody. Alternatingly, more energetic, 'Taking You Down' takes us into muscular and well-paced rock with vocal arrangements filled with reverb and with two magnificent solos, firstly, of saxophone from 'Rob Townsend' and then, of guitar from 'Steve Hackett'.

Without transition, we return to calm waters with 'Found and Lost' whose introduction once again highlights Steve with, this time, his acoustic guitar (let's remember the very beautiful acoustic album 'Under A Mediterranean Sky' dating from 2021) and which is followed by a section bathed in a languorous cabaret atmosphere, then, 'Enter The Ring' takes us back to the progressive of 'Genesis' in the 70s with very beautiful vocal harmonies, Steve's faithful friend, 'Nad Sylvan', always bringing this softness in the singing) and the flute of his brother 'John Hackett' adding a bucolic side in the middle of the title before Steve offers us a new remarkable guitar solo, the title ending in an atmosphere of barrel organ, all this in less than 4 minutes!! With 'Get Me Out', we are taken into a magnificent composition with a very beautiful melody punctuated by remarkable guitar interventions with a completely unbridled central part, then, 'Ghost Moon and Living Love' is the longest track of the album which, after an introduction reminiscent of a church song in which 'Amanda Lehmann' offers us magnificent celestial volutes, unfolds a captivating melody on a light and poetic mid-tempo.

This time we are heading to the East with the muscular 'Circo Inferno' which the Israelis would not have denied 'Orphaned Land' with whom 'Steve Hackett' had collaborated on the magnificent title 'Chains Fall to Gravity', taken from the album 'Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs' from 2018, this composition showing, no offense to some who would like to place all artists in certain boxes, that music gains its letters of nobility when it becomes universal, 'Steve Hackett' now being a very fine ambassador of this world music (his collaboration with the Hungarians of 'Djabe' being another good example). The two following titles 'Breakout', 'All at Sea', not exceeding two minutes each, are instrumental interludes, for the first, energetic under the muscular strike of 'Hugo Degenhardt' on the drums, 'Steve Hackett' us also showing that in this style quite close to that of progressive metal groups like 'Dream Theater' or 'Threshold', he also has a talent for very muscular solos, and the second which begins with guitar sounds like 'Eddie Van Halen' (it also reminds me of introduction to 'The Obliterati' from his latest album 'Surrender Of Silence') and which then continues into atmospheric style, taking us back to the electronic peregrinations of 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' from the beginning of 'Pink Floyd'.

We then find ourselves in the dark inside the whale with 'Into the Nightwhale' which offers us keyboards with frightening sounds and which gradually gains momentum with a disturbing chromatic rise leading to a peaceful finale with a sung section that reminds me of the title 'The Great Gates of Kiev' from the adaptation of 'Pictures At an Exhibition' from 'Modest Mussorgsky' by 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' from 1971. Follows 'Wherever You Are' (see video here) which is multi-faceted progressive rock for starters on a catchy sung melody which continues with a very rich instrumental section making up a succession of snippets of baroque music, then contemporary music then very muscular modern music, the whole being accompanied by Steve's guitar which continues the changes of style very naturally. After all this debauchery of energy, 'White Dove' closes this magnificent album in serenity to send us, once again, to the edge of the Mediterranean (which will remind some of Italy and perhaps for others Greece) with a mandolin which rocks us to a very beautiful melancholy melody.

In conclusion, as you have noticed in this column, I have cited many very varied influences which, for me, make this album an exceptional summary of progressive in the broad sense because each composition takes us into a journey different from the previous one. Certainly, some will perhaps be taken aback by so much diversity and will prefer albums like 'Wolfflight' more focused on progressive rock but, for me, this album shows this always constant evolution in 'Steve Hackett' to cast a wider and wider net. , feeling that I had in the last three albums (the first on the list being 'The Night Siren' released in 2017) and which have forever entered my ideal collection of music in general...

Line Up / Musicians

Steve Hackett (Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Percussions, Bass, Vocal), Roger King (Keybords, Arrangements orchestraux), Rob Townsend (Saxophone), Jonas Reingold (Bass), Nad Sylvan (Vocal), Craig Blundell (Drums) + Guests : Amanda Lehmann (Vocal), Benedict Fenner (Keybords), John Hackett (Flute), Malik Mansurov (Tar), Hugo Degenhardt (Drums), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums)


Artist : ILLUMISHADE

Album : Another Side Of You

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 20-02-2024






It was in 2020, in the middle of the Covid period, that the very promising first album was released 'ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows' from ILLUMISHADE', project created by two members of Eluveitie', singer 'Fabienne Erni' and guitarist 'Jonas Wolf'. Almost four years later, their second album 'Another Side Of You' is now available on all streaming platforms, the first single 'HYMN' from it already dating back a year and the group having now spent a cap by signing this latest baby to 'Napalm Records'. Regarding the theme, I quote the band: "It is an odyssey about the many facets of human emotion but also about the challenges we all face in this ever-changing world. 'Another Side of You' is about anchoring yourself in reality, while letting the music transport you to unknown places.". Let's talk about music: in the world of symphonic metal, many bands present fairly linear albums with a certain resemblance between each composition which is not at all the case for ILLUMISHADE' because, listening to the latter opus, it would be very simplistic to label them only in this style of music. There is obviously a heavy approach but they draw their influences from different styles, ranging from pop to metal with some forays into progressive.

We are welcomed by the short instrumental 'Enter The Void', orchestrated by keyboardist 'Mirjam Skal' who is also a film music composer, in an atmospheric atmosphere which gradually gains momentum to launch the first track 'ELEGY' which is a mid-tempo supported by muscular saturated guitar riffs and which benefits from beautiful alternations of rhythm and intensity (see the video above), then, 'ENEMY' continues in this atmosphere well-tempered on a catchy tempo with a catchy chorus (see the video here). In a more conventional style of melodic metal, 'In The Darkness' is nonetheless very successful with a new chorus that gets into your head immediately and which highlights 'Jonas Wolf' in the second part with a remarkable guitar solo. Change of scenery with the following two compositions which are much less energetic with, first of all, 'Cloudreader' which has a little pop side, the guitar riffs being much less vigorous (see the video here), then, 'Here We are' continues in an alternation between calm sections and other more intense ones and offers us a new unifying chorus (see the video here ). Follows 'CYCLONE' which is the longest track of the album with a very original progressive construction which brings another facet of the group to deliver numerous changes of very original atmosphere, the vocal sections being framed by remarkable instrumental sections and the slow and powerful finale bringing an impressive force. Make way for the ballad 'Fairytale' which is a model of the genre and which shows that ILLUMISHADE' also has the talent to offer us moments filled with emotion, then, after the pianistic instrumental interlude 'The Horizon Awaits' continuing this moment of serenity which gradually gains momentum, 'HYMN' moves away from the strong riffs of metal for a composition between pop and rock with a new catchy melody (see the video here). We stay in this atmosphere with 'TWILY' but this time bathed in electronic sounds, navigating between poppy sections and other rougher sections with saturated guitar riffs which brings a great originality to this title, then, 'Riptide' is another beautiful rhythmic composition between rock and metal with remarkable vocal arrangements (see the video here). We are coming to the end of our beautiful musical journey and there are two magnificent ballads which close the album with, first of all, 'Humminbird', which begins as a piano/voice duet with very beautiful celestial choirs and which, little by little , gains momentum, then, the keyboardist of 'Epica', 'Coen Janssen', comes to accompany 'Fabienne Erni' in a very beautiful way on 'Verleabt', the singer offering us a particularly moving vocal performance, even managing to charm us in German, the language which is not known to be particularly well suited to this style of stripped-down ballad.

In summary, 'ILLUMISHADE' offers us a second relatively dense studio recording because it includes 14 compositions for almost an hour of listening, taking us on a journey through different styles ranging from pop to metal, which considerably diversifies the together and which, for my part, is a guarantee of quality but which, on the other side of the coin, necessarily requires us to linger on it to fully tame it...

Line Up / Musicians

Fabienne Erni (Vocal, Piano), Jonas Wolf (Guitar), Mirjam Skal (Keybords), Yannick Urbanczik (Bass), Marc Friedrich (Drums)


Artist : Crazy Lixx

Album : Two Shots At Glory

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 21-02-2024






You don't change a winning team and the Swedes from 'Crazy Lixx', after 'Street Lethal' in 2021, released a studio recording 'Two Shots At Glory' which is not strictly speaking a new album because only three new compositions are present, the other titles being covers of titles from the group's old opuses. Beyond these old re-recorded titles which would not have challenged the chronicle in normal times, 'Danny Rexon' set about putting all these titles on video but in a rather original way since he put himself in the head of taking inspiration, for each composition covered, from a film from the 80s/90s which he had fun calling UST (Unofficial Sound Tracks) in opposition to the original film soundtracks. I have put below the YouTube links of the album tracks which were the subject of a video but you can go to the YouTube group's page here because nearly twenty are already available. In short, if you are a fan of good melodic hard rock with choruses that take you back to the 80s/90s with, in the lead, those of the British from 'Def Leppard' and if, in addition, you are a fan of cinema from this era, you should quickly embrace this 'Two Shots At Glory'...

List of videos available on the 'Crazy Lixx' YouTube page and the title of the film:
= Two Shots At Glory (Stone Cold – 1991)
= Fire It Up (The Accused – 1988)
= Lights Out! (The Wraith – 1986)
= Sword And Stone (Excalibur – 1981)
= Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (Tango & Cash – 1989)
= Ain't No Rest In Rock N' Roll (Airheads – 1994)

Line Up / Musicians

Danny Rexon (Vocal), Chrisse Olsson (Guitar), Jens Lundgren (Guitar), Jens Anderson (Bass), Joél Cirera (Drums)


Artist : Honeymoon Suite

Album : Alive

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 22-02-2024






'Honeymoon Suite' is a melodic rock group which continues its journey started 40 years ago with, as a result, three albums in the 80s, 'Honeymoon Suite' in 1984, 'Big Prize' in 1986 and 'Racing After Midnight' and this new release 'Alive' arrives in 2024 and therefore marks the fortieth anniversary of the Canadian group. From the basic group, there are still the two artists at the origin of its creation with the singer 'Johnnie Dee' and the guitarist 'Derry Greham' to whom we can add the bassist 'Gary Lalonde' who joined them for the first opus eponym. Album releases were relatively spaced out after the 90s and this latest baby comes after the EP 'Hands Up' from 7 years ago.

And yet, this new album is very good melodic rock with, this time, an album of around ten tracks which take us back to the best of melodic rock from the 80s, plus two bonuses made up of covers, the first 'Love Changes Everything' from the 1988 album 'Racing After Midnight', and the second 'New Girl Now' from the group's eponymous album from 1984. To discover 'Alive', here are the two videos which are available on the YouTube page of the label 'Frontiers Music': first of all, the title song which begins the opus whets our appetite for the rest in a rhythmic and catchy atmosphere with a very catchy first melody (see the video above) , then, 'Find What You're Looking For' follows suit with a new unifying chorus (see the video here) and we can add the video for 'Tell Me What You Want' which was already released 4 years ago and which continues in a refined AOR (see the video here) and if you like these three compositions, there is no reason why you wouldn't like the rest with the well-paced mid-tempo 'Done Doin' Me' and its addictive new chorus, then 'Give It All' has a little 'Def Leppard' side with its saturated guitars and 'Livin' Out' adds a new well-paced composition which automatically starts the foot tapping machine. In a more moderate register, we won't miss 'Not Afraid To Fall' which would have been a hit in the 80s, then 'Broken' is also very successful in a light and catchy atmosphere, without forgetting the two very beautiful ballads 'Love Come' which are to be added to the best melodic rock ballads.

In summary, this latest album once again shows a winning return from a melodic rock group from the 80s and the Canadians of Honeymoon Suite' give us a very good time listening to all these new compositions which would have had hits around forty years ago...

Line Up / Musicians

Johnnie Dee (Vocal), Derry Greham (Guitar, Keybords, Choirs), Gary Lalonde (Bass), Peter Nunn (Keybords), Dave Betts (Drums)


Artist : Blackberry Smoke

Album : Be Right Here

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 23-02-2024






Three years ago, 'Blackberry Smoke' was released 'You Hear Georgia' which I described as a good breath of fresh air in the troubled times we experienced with the covid period. Since then, the Americans have recorded a short album of 'Stones' covers in 2022, 'Stoned' and 2024 sees the release of a new album 'Be Right There'. We find this timeless southern rock which feels good and this from the first three titles: 'Dig A Hole' opens the ball with a catchy first single which puts you in shape for a whole day (see the video above), then 'Hammer And The Nail' continues in this well-paced country/rock style (see the video here) and 'Like It Was Yesterday' has nothing to envy its predecessor with classic but super effective melodic lines. More moderate and moving away from marked southern rock influences, 'Be So Lucky' is nonetheless a superb mid-tempo which can recall certain melodies from the 'Beatles', then 'Azalea' shows an even quieter face in the form of a beautiful ballad, 'Charlie Starr' showing a beautiful delicacy in his vocal performance and the acoustic guitar accompaniment bringing us back to country again (see the video here).

The second half of the album continues in this alternation between catchy compositions and other calmer ones: in the department of good, well-paced southern rock, we will not miss 'Don't Mind If either I Do' which we already have the impression of having heard thousands of times or 'Little Bit Crazy' with its gospel-like introduction and which continues in a contagious catchy atmosphere (see video here). The other three compositions are more moderate but just as effective with the relaxed 'Watcha No Good' which unfolds catchy melodic lines on a tempo that makes you headbang delicately, then, 'Other Side of the Light' is another remarkable composition in the great tradition of American country/rock and 'Barefoot Angel' concludes this very beautiful album with a magnificent ballad that 'Charlie Starr' illuminates with his vocal performance of beautiful sensitivity.

In summary, even if they do not revolutionize the genre, the Americans of 'Blackberry Smoke' release a magnificent album continuing to perpetuate in a very beautiful way this timeless style of southern rock which is what destined 'Be Right Here' to the general public because everything has been done to offer us accessible compositions with familiar melodies...

Line Up / Musicians

Charlie Starr (Vocal, Guitar), Richard Turner (Bass, Vocal), Brit Turner (Drums), Paul Jackson (Guitar, Vocal), Brandon Still (Keybords)


Artist : Leah

Album : The Glory and the Fallen

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 24-02-2024






It's been five years since the Canadian 'Leah McHenry' had released an album, the last two being 'The Quest' and 'Ancient Winter' having been released one year apart, respectively in 2018 and 2019. 'The Glory and the Fallen' is therefore the latest opus which continues to evolve between symphonic metal and Celtic folk. Line up side, she knows how to surround herself with talented artists and this time, they are 'Timo Somers' (ex 'Delain') and 'Sander Zoer' ('Delain') who provide the guitar and bass sections for Timo and the drums section for Sander, to which we can add occasional interventions by 'Mark Jansen' ('Epica') who comes to push a few growls on two compositions, also 'David Celibeerian' who adds a few flute and pipe passages and the daughters of 'Leah' who come and add some backing vocals on 'Victory'.

From the start, 'Archange' immerses us in catchy and catchy symphonic metal with a first vocal performance of 'Leah' very gently bringing this remarkable contrast between the singing and the saturated guitar riffs, then, 'No More Fear' is a mid-tempo which highlights some folk scents in the vocal lines of 'Leah' and which benefits from a unifying chorus which should certainly be covered in chorus in concert if she embarked on tours. Follows 'Unshakeable' which is one of my favourites of the album and which takes us to distant lands mixing Celtic and oriental intonations, the metal side passing in the background just to bring the necessary power, then, place to ' Speak to Me', which is a magnificent ballad gradually gaining momentum: in this style of song, 'Leah' brings an angelic sweetness to her singing and we begin to dream, imagining images of immense landscapes of the great north. With 'Dream and Voyage', the catchy symphonic metal side is back and the chorus reminds me of the style of 'Delain', then we start again with 'Revive' in a calmer composition which alternates different rhythms and different intensities with a melody reminding me of 'Stream Of Passion' who returned to the forefront of symphonic metal in 2023 and this title benefits from remarkable vocal arrangements. We attack the second part of the album with 'Little Stars' which is another melodic gem alternating calm verses and a more intense chorus while maintaining a beautiful melodic fluidity thanks to the gentle vocal interpretation of 'Leah', then, 'Wings of Time', introduced by celestial choirs, continues in this very endearing Celtic folk style, the melodic lines still being of great beauty. Rougher, 'Sleeping Giant' takes us into a masterful composition by highlighting an imposing side and in this title, the alternation of the clean singing of 'Leah' and the growls of 'Mark Jansen' inevitably brings to mind 'Epica' and the folk side remaining present with flute sounds, then, 'Before The War Is Over', which was released almost a year ago (see the video above), is a more classic mid-tempo which It's no less very endearing. Follows 'Victory' which unfolds a very beautiful melody with remarkable instrumental and vocal arrangements bringing a certain melancholy to this title, then, 'Glow' ends this very beautiful album with a new melodic hit and with a final sunny interpretation of 'Leah'.

In summary, mixing the power of metal and the softness of folk influences, this latest album from 'Leah' is a very nice surprise which should please, not only fans of symphonic metal but all those who love the beautiful sensual voices, especially since, if you are allergic to saturated guitar riffs, most of the tracks are then dubbed in an ambient version bringing a very particular softness to all these very beautiful compositions...

Line Up / Musicians

Leah McHenry (Vocal), Timo Somers (Guitar, Bass, Vocal), Sander Zoer (Drums), Elektra, Victory, Geneva (Choirs), Mark Jansen (Vocal), David Celibeerian (Flute, Bagpipe), Oliver Philipps (Vocal)


Artist : Albert Cummings

Album : Strong

Release Date : 16-02-2024

Added : 02-03-2024






You want good blues/rock that gives you an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music: I have what you need with Albert Cummings' latest album, 'Strong'. After 'Ten' that I presented to you in 2022 and which was a superb album, 'Strong' follows suit and the American continues to perpetuate this blues/rock which feels good. And here we go with the well-paced rocker 'Emmylou' which is a pure blues/rock gem with the little guitar solo which goes well in the middle of the title and this title reminds me of the refreshing style of 'Bad News' from 'Moon Martin'. In a quieter style, 'Live Strong' is no less effective with its chorus taken up in chorus by 'Wendy Moten', then, off we go again with 'Lookin Up' which continues in this timeless style with the three chords of primary rock in a remarkable interpretation. If you like these first three tracks, you should undoubtedly like the whole which is shared between lively blues/rock and more peaceful compositions. In the department of rhythmic atmospheres, we can also cite 'Fallen for You' but also 'Bad Reputation' and we will not miss the bouncy rockabilly 'Get Busy' and the cover of the song from the white album from the 'Beatles', 'Why Don't We Do It In the Road?'. In terms of quieter atmospheres, we are also spoiled: 'Let It Burn' opens the ball with a masterful vocal performance from 'Albert Cummings' filled with beautiful emotion coupled with a solo in which he makes his guitar cry. The jazzy side is present in the very beautiful cover 'Goin' Down Slow' of 'Jimmy Oden' which unfolds a blues overflowing with sensuality, then, 'Just About Enough' takes us into a country atmosphere which gradually gains momentum to falling back into a finale of beautiful emotional intensity. Also tinged with country, 'Lately' lulls us to the rhythm of the American's deep singing and accelerates the pace in a more energetic second part and it is with the acoustic gem 'My Sister's Guitar' that the album ends in a melancholic atmosphere, moving choirs accompanying the masterful and moving singing of Albert Cummings'.

In summary, navigating between lively atmospheres and calmer ones, 'Albert Cummings' releases a superb new album while continuing to perpetuate a very good timeless blues/rock, and 'Strong' should please a wide audience because everything has been done to offer us accessible compositions that we get to grips with at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Albert Cummings (Vocal, Guitar), Tom Hambridge (Drums), Tommy MacDonald (Bass), Kenny Greenberg (Guitar), Bob Britt (Guitar), Kevin McKenree (Keybords), Wendy Moten (Choirs)


Artist : Rémi Orts Project

Album : Inspire

Release Date : 19-02-2024

Added : 02-03-2024






'Rémi Orts' is a composer/arranger and MAO (computer-assisted music) trainer who regularly releases albums in different styles of music and the last album that I reviewed in myprogmusic, 'Cinematic III (Eclipse)' was part of the 'Cinematic' trilogy and was dedicated to the theme of space. Since then, he has released 'Respire' dedicated this time to music relaxation and 'Inspire', released in February 2024, is the sequel to 'Respire' and adds 10 compositions taking us back into soothing and relaxing atmospheres to listen to on headphones to relax after a hard day of work. No need for a long review to present this album to you because the best thing is to let yourself be carried away by the sweet sounds deployed throughout the 10 tracks of the album which all have names conducive to escape and meditation with for example 'Inner Balance', 'The Zen moment' or even 'Soothing Waves'...

Line Up / Musicians

Rémi Orts (Tous les instruments)


Artist : Arkado

Album : Open Sea

Release Date : 23-02-2024

Added : 03-03-2024






I discovered the Swedes of Arkado' with their first album 'Never Say Never' released in 2020 and in certain compositions, I found the style of their compatriots 'Jono' whose latest album 'Life' is now forever engraved in my memory. After the separation of 'Jono' in 2021, I had the impression that Arkado' was taking up the torch by offering us very good melodic and symphonic rock and 2024 sees the release of their 2nd studio recording, 'Open Sea' which confirms this feeling with 11 compositions which are all real melodic jewels.

After the short instrumental introduction 'Voyage' which gently prepares us to go on a journey to the land of melodic rock, the eponymous title tumbles with a first melodic scud that we already want to listen to on repeat, the chorus coming to graft itself into the head immediately to never come out again and the rhythm section of 'Bernt Lundgren' on bass and 'Mikael Skafar' on drums leading the dance in a beautiful way, then, 'Running Through The Night' adds a new addictive melody and 'I Gave My Heart' is not to be outdone and makes us relive the best of melodic rock from the 80s with a modern sound. Follows 'You Make Me Feel' which moderates the ardor with a mid-tempo with an unstoppable melody, then, here we go again with some very good melodic hard rock to make one's head shake with headbanging with 'Rising High' and ' Her Mothers Lullaby' returns to melodic rock that 'Supertramp' would not have denied in the 70s/80s. We continue our beautiful journey with the mid-tempo 'Long Way To Go' which is a real melodic nugget and whose rhythmic chorus gives an irresistible desire to accompany 'Philip Lindstrom' at the top of your voice. Back to the best of the 80s with the muscular 'Unchain The Night', then 'Like Something Heaven Sent' offers us a final rhythmic track with very incisive guitar riffs and 'Show The Light Again' closes this magnificent album with a ballad to add to the best ballads of the genre.

In summary, nothing to throw away in this latest album from Arkado' which offers us hits in spades and which confirms that the Swedes are a nation apart in the melodic style and 'Open Sea' is a very contender solid to be the best melodic rock album of the year 2024...

Line Up / Musicians

Philip Lindstrom (Vocal), Patrik Svärd (Guitar), Tony Rothla (Guitar), Mikael Svensson (Keybords), Bernt Lundgren (Bass), Mikael Skafar (Drums)


Artist : Isildurs Bane, Jinian Wilde

Album : The Pearl Of Ever Changing Shell

Release Date : 23-02-2024

Added : 04-03-2024






'Isildurs Bane' is a Swedish progressive rock band who released albums in the 80s/90s and returned in 2017 with 'Colours Not Found in Nature' by collaborating with the singer of 'Marillion', 'Steve Hogarth', then who released two other albums with 'Peter Hammill' (founder of 'Van der Graaf Generator'), 'In Amazonia' in 2019 and 'In Desiquilibrium' in 2021. 2024 sees the release of a new album 'The Pearl Of Ever Changing Shell' and a new collaboration with the singer of 'David Cross Band', 'Jinian Wilde'.

This new album takes us into the particular universe of 'Isildurs Bane' which is made up of numerous instrumentalists (see the list below) and which distills a progressive style not necessarily accessible at first listen because they are always the search for new musical horizons by merging different influences ranging from pop to jazz through classical and rich sound wanderings brought about by the diversity of instruments that they have at their disposal. We have a first example of this with the 15 minutes of 'Rise' which only reveals itself little by little, exploring every corner of this fresco with contemporary sounds, then, 'Sign Of The Times (The Calling)' is more melodic and brings us back to more conventional influences while retaining a remarkable instrumental richness and very beautiful vocal harmonies. Introduced by melancholy strings, 'Born Afraid (The Binding)' then brings numerous dissonances that must be tamed little by little while maintaining a fairly immediate melodic approach in certain places, then, 'Sailing Home (The Following)' continues with a complex construction where percussion and in particular the vibraphone play a preponderant role bringing an exotic side which we also find in the melodic approach and we are carried by sumptuous vocal arrangements which add a 'Yessian' side to the together. In 'Avalon (The Knowing)', 'Jinian Wilde' offers us a magnificent vocal performance in a quieter atmosphere, and we let ourselves be carried away by a gentle melody to which the drums and percussion provide a delicate accompaniment, then, 'Lifetimes (The Remembering)' ends the album with a beautiful ballad which is a piano/voice duet to which celestial choirs and gentle keyboard accompaniments are added.

In summary, the Swedes of 'Isildurs Bane' are releasing a new dense and rich album which requires several listens before extracting all the richness from it but which confirms their status as musical pioneers in the field of progressive which, on the other hand, of the medal, intends 'The Pearl Of Ever Changing Shell' to an informed public open to avant-garde atmospheres...

Line Up / Musicians

Jinian Wilde (Vocal), Katrine Amsler (Keybords), Klas Assarsson (Marimba, Vibraphone, Percussions), Tibetan Tinza (Glockenspiel), Luca Calabrese (Trumpet), Axel Croné (Bass, Clarinette, Flute), Samuel Hällkvist (Guitar), Mats Johansson (Keybords), Liesbeth Lambrecht (Viola), Kjell Severinsson (Drums), Noah Söderberg Stenman (Guitar), John Anderberg (Choirs), Xerxes Andren (Percussions)


Artist : Lionheart

Album : The Grace of a Dragonfly

Release Date : 23-02-2024

Added : 05-03-2024






And in the series of the French saying, "it's in old pots that we make the best soups", the super group 'Lionheart', created in the 80s, including the three founding members 'Dennis Stratton' (former guitarist of Iron Maiden'), 'Steve Mann' (current guitarist and keyboardist of 'Michale Schenker') and 'Rocky Newton' (former bassist of 'Mcauley Schenker Group') are still present, have just released an album 'The Grace of a Dragonfly', after returning to the forefront of melodic rock in 2017 with 'Second Nature' which was followed in 2020 by the very good 'The Reality of Miracles'.

No surprise, we find ourselves, with a modern sound and unstoppable melodies, in the 80s with the best of this style and this from the start of the album with the first three titles: the mid- tempo 'Declaration' opens the ball in sumptuous AOR with a first remarkable vocal performance from 'Lee Small', then 'Flight 19' adds a chorus that we want to repeat with the resplendent choirs (see the video below above) and 'V Is For Victory' adds a layer and is the kind of track that would have been a hit a few decades ago (see the video here). Follows 'This Is A Woman's War', between ballad and mid-tempo which delicately rocks you with a new melancholy melody as desired, then, 'The Longest Night' accelerates the pace by offering us a new chorus with generous choirs and a magnificent guitar solo that gives you an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music. With 'The Eagles Nest', we return to classy AOR, always very melodic, then, 'Little Ships' which is a model of the genre of melodic rock, adds a melodic jewel (see video here). Like 'This Is A Woman's War', 'Just A Man' is more moderate and shows a more AOR face by allowing for a very pleasant ballad break, then, 'UXB' takes over and, nothing but 'introduction takes me back to the 80s with the discovery of the first 'Foreigner' at the end of the 70s, a feeling that I also find in the following composition 'The Grace Of A Dragonfly' with a magnificent new melody, and the short 'Remembrance, Praying For World Peace ' closes this album dedicated to all those who fought for freedom by offering us a moment of intense emotion.

In summary, melodic rock is doing very well at the moment because, on the same day, are released the magnificent 'Open Sea' by Arkado' and this latest album by 'Lionheart' which should also please all fans beautiful melodies which take us back a few decades by plunging us back into the legendary albums of this style with names as prestigious as 'Foreigner', 'ASIA', 'Journey' or even 'Survivor' and I certainly forget to others...

Line Up / Musicians

Dennis Stratton (Guitar), Steve Mann (Guitar), Lee Small (Vocal), Rocky Newton (Bass), Clive Edwards (Drums)


Artist : Whiteabbey

Album : Words That Form the Key

Release Date : 23-02-2024

Added : 06-03-2024






'Witheabbey' is a new symphonic metal band which was created in 2020 at the start of the covid period by Irish guitarist 'Steve Moore' ('Fireland') and who was joined by Dutch singer 'Tamara Bouwhuis', the rest of the line up now being made up of bassist 'Graham McNulty' and drummer 'Badger Duncan'. They have already self-produced two albums, 'Volume 1' in 2020 and 'Volume 2' in 2022 and I discovered them with their latest album 'Words That Form the Key' released at the end of February 2024. They have now signed with the German label 'Metalapolis Record' which will certainly allow them to have greater notoriety. Musically, they offer us symphonic metal accessible at first listen which takes us back to the beginning of this style and on certain tracks, I have the impression of finding the first albums 'Enter' and 'Mother Earth' of 'Within Temptation'.

And this feeling comes to fruition with the first composition 'Reality' in which 'Tamara Bouwhuis' shows all her vocal talent, high-pitched, title which gives us a first catchy melody (see the video above). Follows 'Dragonfire' which continues in this catchy style, the guitar riffs supporting this well-paced title, then, 'Hold Fast' accelerates the pace and takes us into energetic symphonic metal with a remarkable guitar solo from 'Steve Moore'. 'Just Hold Me' is then a cover of the Norwegian singer 'Maria Mena' which is slightly metallic without transforming this very beautiful title too much (see the video here), then, 'You Should Be Running' shows a very catchy face with a refrain to be repeated in chorus with 'Tamara Bouwhuis'. The ballad break arrives with the short 'All in the Past' which begins acoustically, and which shows that the Dutch also knows how to move us in much calmer atmospheres, then, 'Ireland's Final Witch' starts again with a new melodic hit which could also have been the subject of a single, the guitar riffs beautifully accompanying this catchy title. We find this radiant symphonic metal with 'Celtic Curse' and the album ends in serenity with the beautiful semi-acoustic power ballad 'Think of Me Sometimes' which offers us a final melody on which we let ourselves be lulled by the singing of 'Tamara Bouwhuis'.

In summary, without revolutionizing the genre, 'Whiteabbey' gives us a new quality album showing that they have all the talent to rise among the tenors of the genre and 'Words That Form the Key' is recommended for to all fans of symphonic metal who loved this style in the early 2000s with 'Within Temptation', 'Delain', 'Xandria' and others...

Line Up / Musicians

Tamara Bouwhuis (Vocal), Steve Moore (Guitar, Keybords), Graham McNulty (Bass), Badger Duncan (Drums)


Artist : Ace Frehley

Album : 10,000 Volts

Release Date : 23-02-2024

Added : 07-03-2024






After the super group 'Lionheart' which took us back to the 80s, it's another old timer who is releasing a new album, I named 'Ace Frehley' and for all those who experienced the beginning of hard rock in the 70s , this name must seem familiar since he was the guitarist of 'Kiss' until the beginning of the 80s then returned at the end of the 90s to definitively leave the group in 2002. At 72 years old, the man is carrying himself like a charm and offers us this '10,000 Volts' with good hard rock which takes us back a few decades (perhaps a nod to when he electrified himself with his guitar in the 70s with 'Kiss'!). With a good number of friends, he offers us 11 direct and effective compositions: in a well-defined register, we can cite the eponymous title of the album (see the video above), 'Cherry Medicine' with its unifying chorus which gives an irresistible desire to tap your feet to the rhythm of the music (see video here), then 'Fighting For Life' is a potential hit for all fans of good hard rock and 'Blinded' has nothing to envy of its predecessor. In terms of very incisive mid-tempos, we won't be able to miss 'Walking on the Moon' which could have been part of the 'Kiss' repertoire (see video here), but also 'Cosmic Heart' and its 'Black Sabbath-style riffs ' and 'Constantly Cute' which is rock straight from the seventies, without forgetting the beautiful ballad 'Back Into My Arms Again' tagged eighties and the rhythmic 'Up In The Sky' with its radiant choirs and the remarkable little guitar solo . Also note the cover 'Life Of A Stranger' of 'Nadia Farès' in a more muscular version while keeping the ballad side of the original and the album ends with the instrumental 'Stratosphere' which reminds us that Ace Frehley ' is above all a talented guitarist.

In summary, 'Ace Frehley', which will soon celebrate its 73rd birthday, continues its journey by offering us an excellent hard rock album which, over time, has become timeless, and '10,000 Volts' is to advise a public that does not follow fashions and that has been brought up on the bottles of 'Kiss', 'Van Halen', 'Black Sabbath', 'UFO', 'Deep Purple' or even 'Thin Lizzy' to name a few just mention a few that come to mind...

Line Up / Musicians

Ace Frehley (Vocal, Guitar), Steve Brown (Guitar, Vocal), PJ Farley (Bass), Chris Lester (Bass), David Julian (Guitar, Percussions), Eric Ragno (Keybords), Lara Cove (Choirs), Alex Salzman (Percussions), Anton Fig (Drums), Jordan Cannata (Drums), Matt Starr (Drums), Joey Cassata (Drums)


Artist : Big Big Train

Album : The Likes of Us

Release Date : 01-03-2024

Added : 09-03-2024






The latest album 'Ingenious Devices' of 'Big Big Train' released in 2023, was not strictly speaking a new original album but rearranged compositions with a string section which had been recorded by the group adding the vocals of 'David Longdon', deceased tragically in 2021. Therefore, with 'The Likes of Us' we now have in our hands the first album without David and the question is whether 'Big Big Train' was able to continue its journey without the iconic singer and again to give us some very good progressive rock. No need to make you languish, the answer is a resounding YES!!

We are welcomed by 'Light Left in The Day' which introduces us to the sweet voice of the new singer 'Alberto Bravin' but which quickly gives way to a magnificent instrumental which reminds me in certain places of the melodic lines of 'Mostly Autumn' and which continues in symphonic progressive rock with rich arrangements on a catchy melody, then, without transition, 'Oblivion' which was the first single released for this album (see the video above), offers us very beautiful vocal harmonies while continuing in a delicate and cheerful atmosphere. Arrives the 17 minutes of 'Beneath the Masts' which is a progressive labyrinth in which the listener is taken into numerous melodic, rhythmic and intensity changes which require several listens to fully absorb and which benefits from a finale magnificent epic symphonic. To recover from this long development, 'Skates On' is a fairly short and more direct composition with a tempo which makes you want to gently sway to the rhythm of the very endearing melody, the vocal harmonies still being there to fill us, then, the 10 minutes of 'Miramare' continue in this refined progressive which begins with choruses à la 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young' and which delivers us a very beautiful melody, 'Alberto Bravin' demonstrating all his vocal talent by modulating his voice beautiful way between the calm ambiances and the more powerful parts and this title also offers a remarkable finale filled with palpable emotion (see the video here). Alternatingly, 'Love Is The Light' is a magnificent less progressive ballad with a beautiful melancholic introduction brought by the violin of 'Clare Lindley' and which unfolds a melody on which we are delicately lulled by the singing of Alberto Bravin' which shows still his ability to mix his chest voice with his head voice admirably, the vocal arrangements in the finale being also remarkable and will undoubtedly make the audience sing in concert (see the video here). With 'Bookmarks', we continue with a new ballad which is a real melodic gem and which further raises the emotional slider, which makes it one of my favourites of the album, then, the last track of the album ' Last Eleven' is a pure gem of imaginative progressive with a more sought-after construction and changes of tempo and intensity throughout this composition in which each artist brings his or her stone to the building. Note that the cover of 'Miramare' in a short version (almost 9 minutes!) concludes this magnificent album.

In summary, 'Big Big Train' shows that they were able to recover from the death of 'David Longdon' in a very good way and the former singer, from above, must be proud of his friends and of this new creative impulse which drives the group because 'The Likes of Us' is the best tribute to their former singer because it has all the assets to join the ideal discotheque of any fan of progressive rock...

Line Up / Musicians

Alberto Bravin (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords), Nick D'Virgilio (Drums, Percussions, Vocal, Guitar, Vibraphone), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal), Greg Spawton (Bass, Guitar, Mellotron), Dave Foster (Guitar, Vocal), Oskar Holldorff (Keybords), Clare Lindley (Violin, Vocal)


Artist : Dirt Poor Robins

Album : Firebird

Release Date : 28-02-2024

Added : 10-03-2024






After the release in 2023 of part of the LP, 'Prelude to Firebird', the Americans from 'Dirt Poor Robins' have therefore released all the titles which are now available on all streaming platforms. I must admit, I did not know this group and when you search on the internet, the genres of music to describe their style are multiple (pop, rock, metal, electro, orchestral, progressive and so on), this which attracted me because I'm always looking for musical mixes. And there, after a first listen to 'Firebird', I understand why they cannot be placed in a very specific box because it is indeed very varied and that is what makes their strength. The other characteristic of 'Dirt Poor Robins' is to offer us melodies accessible at first listen which allows, even if each title has its own personality, to enter more easily into each composition of this latest baby of the Americans.

12 tracks punctuate this album, for a short hour of listening, most of which were the subject of a video on Youtube with the lyrics: first of all, with 'Political' (see the video below above), it swings with a rhythm that gives you an irresistible desire to move your whole body, then, without transition, 'Cry Wolf' is a sensual ballad with a magnificent vocal performance from 'Kate DeGraide' and remarkable choral arrangements, the little guitar solo of 'Neil DeGraide' is also delicious (see the video here). Return to well-paced electro rock with 'You'll Never Hear it Coming' taking us back to this style which flourished in the 80s (see the video here), then, 'Fever Dream' takes us into a refreshing atmosphere with a luminous melody to which you automatically start clapping your hands (see the video here). New moment of tranquility with 'Beauty Will Save the World' in the form of a new ballad in which 'Kate DeGraide' delivers a very moving vocal performance (see the video here), then, alternately, 'To the Heights' continues in an atmosphere with well-paced electronic sounds (see the video here) and 'All at Once' slows down the tempo for a new, calmer composition with, once again, sublime vocal arrangements. We head back to the 80s with the radiant 'Holy Roller' which is a mix of rock and disco with gospel-influenced choirs (see the video here), then, 'So Long to Yesterday' begins in a rather muscular manner but continues with a melody that the Swedes of ABBA would not have denied. 'Kate DeGraide' returns to charm us with 'Empty', a refined composition in which the American brings a very particular emotion, the instrumental and vocal arrangements of the second part taking us into a sort of waking dream. 'The Impershables' followed by the title song which follows without transition ends the album in a very beautiful way with, first of all two lush minutes, the rhythm section being particularly vigorous, then, the music loses its energy for an atmospheric part quiet which serves as a transition to 'Firebird' for a finale which unfolds a very beautiful melody on which 'Kate DeGraide' offers us a last remarkable vocal performance with a repeated 'ho-ho-ho-ho' section which should make everyone sing an audience in concert (see the video here).

In summary, the Americans of 'Dirt Poor Robins' reward us with an excellent album with very varied compositions that we immediately get to grips with thanks to catchy melodic lines and 'Firebird' is recommended for a loving audience a diversity of styles drawn from the last forty years with a modern sound...

Line Up / Musicians

Kate DeGraide (Vocal), Neil DeGraide (Vocal, Tous les instruments), Josh Brown (Cuivres), Alex O'Nan (Drums)


Artist : Walter Trout

Album : Broken

Release Date : 01-03-2024

Added : 12-03-2024






'Beth Hart' and 'Walter Trout' are blues artists that I particularly appreciate and when they come together even just for a title, it's a real joy. Both have not been spared by life and it is from this often painful experience that they draw all this energy which they transform into music: when we have the chance to see them on stage, they transmit to us this raw emotional force that they have deep in their soul and this, without counting, throughout a set. Therefore, when these two artists sing that they don't want to be broken, it's quite a symbol and, for my part, 'Broken' gives me goosebumps from the first to the last second (see the video above).

But let's also talk about the rest of this magnificent 'Walter Trout' album because the American continues to release sumptuous albums and his latest baby is further proof. The range of styles is still quite wide and this 'Broken' has 12 tracks for just an hour of listening. In the department of energetic blues/rock, we embark on a hell of 'Bleed' with the participation of harmonica player 'Will Wilde' who illuminates this fast and muscular track (see the video ici), then, 'I' ve Had Enough' is not bad either with a well-paced tempo in which the heavy metal singer of 'Twisted Sister', 'Dee Snider' is invited and, in this wild style, 'Walter Trout' puts all his energy in a magnificent guitar solo and, if you still want some power, 'Heaven Or Hell' will be perfect because it flirts with very vigorous hard rock. With a more measured tempo, the last track 'Falls Apart' moves away from the blues but brings us back to seventies rock with beautiful vocal harmonies, and in a more country style, 'Turn And Walk Away' is a magnificent and very pleasant mid-tempo tempo with its well-defined rhythm. 'No Magic (on the street)' adds a timeless blues title with the three basic chords which are still as effective and this still authentic feeling of Mister 'Trout', then 'Talkin' To Myself' is a mid-tempo in a very cool atmosphere that we enjoy with happiness. And as usual, when the light dims, 'Walter Trout' is second to none in offering us beautiful ballads of which there are four on this album: 'Courage In The Dark' takes us into a title which exudes a blues which sticks to your skin with a long guitar solo which literally transports you, then, 'Love Of My Life' is a more subdued instrumental which takes us on a journey into a universe made of sweetness and serenity in the style of a 'Santana' in its atmospheric titles. As for 'Breathe', it's a very beautiful country ballad that takes you on a journey to the Far West and 'I Wanna Stay' is another ballad co-written with his wife, in a relaxed atmosphere, flirting with the Westcoast, in which the singing of 'Walter Trout' is filled with a beautiful serenity that we are not necessarily used to hearing from the American.

In summary, at 72 years old, continues to delight us with his album releases overflowing with palpable emotion and 'Broken' is still here to prove it to us by offering us a variety of different styles and, cherry on top the cake, an anthology duet from two blues giants: definitely, Mrs. Hart and Mr. Trout, you have nothing broken in you...

Line Up / Musicians

Walter Trout (Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica), Johnny Griparic (Bass), Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis (Keybords, Piano), Michael Leasure (Drums) + Guests : Beth Hart (Vocal), Dee Snider (Vocal), Will Wilde (Harmonica)


Artist : Opera Magna

Album : Heroica

Release Date : 01-03-2024

Added : 13-03-2024






The Spaniards from Opera Magna' who delighted us with their triptych 'Del Amor y otros Demonios' in 2019 and re-released sung in English in 2023 (see here), release a new album 'Heroica' and continue their epic power-symphonico metal adventure. For this new baby from the Spaniards, they offer us 11 compositions for around 45 minutes of listening time and, as in their last album, they have further reinforced the symphonic side with omnipresent orchestral arrangements.

In this style of music, we generally start with an instrumental which is the case of Heroica' with 'Obertura 1895' which sets the scene with a cinematographic side which draws you fully into the epic adventure. 'El Momento Y La Eternidad' continues and shows a fairly divided face between fast sections of power metal but also other more moderate ones with a first melody which is directly grafted into the head, 'Jose Vicente Broseta' showing that he still has this singing admirably adapted to this style of grandiloquence. Change of scenery with 'Volver' which shows a face which brings Celtic influences with bagpipe sounds that we were not used to hearing in 'Opera Magna' and which benefits from a new unifying melody (see the video here), then, 'La Muerte De Un Poeta' returns to more classic power metal on which the new drummer 'Adrià Perales' leads the dance with a frenzied rhythm, this title referring to the well-known Spanish poet, 'Federico García Lorca'. Alternatingly, 'Aquello Que Importa' is a beautiful moment of tranquility in the form of a short ballad also showing that 'Jose Vicente Broseta' knows how to modulate his singing in much calmer moments, then arrives the eponymous song of the album which is a new epic melodic hit with sumptuous orchestral arrangements and which delivers us a new addictive melody with a chorus that we want to sing along with 'Jose Vicente Broseta' (see video here). With 'Historia' the Spaniards come to play in the backyard of 'Nightwish' with a new addictive chorus but in a more moderate style than the Finns while keeping this very catchy style which gives an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music, then , the very beautiful 'La Mitad Del Cielo' is the second ballad break, very short, but which allows you to recover all the energy previously deployed. Here we go again for 'Hannibal Ad Portas' which, given the theme, takes us into a varied composition alternating, given the theme, a well-marked rhythm with more orchestral sections in which 'Jose Vicente Broseta' shows his theatrical talents , then, 'Que el amor, la vida y la muerte asi te encuentren' brings us back to more conventional lands of power metal with catchy melodic lines, then, 'Si Este Mundo Ya No Es Nuestro' is a final glorified ballad by the singing of 'Jose Vicente Broseta' which concludes this album in a very beautiful way.

In summary, the Spaniards of 'Opera Magna' offer us a new quality album in line with their previous productions and, beyond the fans who should undoubtedly adhere to 'Herocia', this symphonic style should pleasing a large metal audience who above all like immediate accessibility thanks to melodic lines that you get to grips with at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Jose Vicente Broseta (Vocal), Javier Nula (Guitar), Enrique Mompó (Guitar), Adrià Perales (Drums), Alejandro Penella (Bass), Nacho Sánchez Soler (Keybords)


Artist : Magoria

Album : Hollingsworth Mansion

Release Date : 01-03-2024

Added : 15-03-2024






He delighted us with his first rock opera 'JtR1888' released in 2019, which was the story of the serial killer 'Jack the Ripper' and which featured many singers. The guitarist of 'Knight Area', 'Mark Bogert', does it again by offering us a new story with most of the artists present on the first to which we can add 'Cindy Oudshoorn', 'Demi Oosterwaal' and 'Edward Reekers', the latter being well known in his collaborations with 'Arjen Lucassen' and who has also composed an exceptional work with numerous artists, 'The Liberty Project', dating from 2023. For this new rock opera, 'Mark Bogert' takes us to a castle which suffered a fire at the beginning of the 19th century, a fire during which all members of the 'Hollingsworth' family who continue to haunt the place after the castle was rebuilt.

Musically, we are carried by this story in 15 compositions for a little over an hour of listening, the singers each having a particular role. Just like in 'JtR1888', we navigate between rock and hard rock in theatrical atmospheres brought by the different protagonists of this macabre story, the whole being very accessible thanks to catchy melodies: from the outset, the instrumental introduction makes us directly enter the haunted castle and we are bathed in a disturbing atmosphere that fits perfectly with the story. The first sung composition, 'New Estate' highlights the new arrivals, the 'Welbourne' family who take possession of the place and this title offers us a first catchy melody, led by riffs saturated with guitar, the vocal harmonies being magnificent between the members of the family ('Nadine Pruim' playing the role of the mother, 'Jan Willem Ketelaers' of the father and 'Demi Oosterwaal' of the daughter), then, in the following title 'Don't Open The Gate', the inhabitants who haunt the place are not necessarily very inclined to welcome them, and, musically, we are taken into a melodic mid-tempo with sublime singing from 'Cindy Oudshoorn' who interprets 'Elizabet Hollingsworth', the mother of 'Jefferso Hollingsworth ' and who tries to alert the girl 'Joanne Welbourne' of the dangers of this house.

Suit 'Diamond In The Dark' which features 'Lavinia Eden-Hollingsworth' who perished 200 years earlier with her husband in the house, and who tells us of her macabre intentions, the atmosphere brought by disturbing melodic lines being well in tune with the theme of the title and 'Maria Catharina' offers us a very beautiful theatrical interpretation in this title (see the video above). In 'The Secret Of This Village', we meet two other characters, 'William Harris' and 'Selina Blackaby' who each defend a family; musically it's a magnificent mid-tempo with a new unifying melody, the vocal arrangements still being admirable. We continue our story with, 'What Do They Want From Me' which is a very beautiful ballad and which features 'Dolores Welbourne' and 'William Harris', the latter trying to warn her of the dangers of this house and this vocal duo between 'Nadine Pruim' and 'Edward Reekers' is filled with beautiful emotion. Follows 'The House Of No One At All' which is a fairly short title again highlighting 'Edward Reekers' who tells what happens in this house, then, 'Enter The Twilight World', continues the story with ' Elizabet Hollingsworth' who falls in love with Howard Welbourne' which should allow her to carry out her disastrous project, to recover the child she was never able to have; this title alternates rough sections with the interventions of 'Jam Willem Ketelaers' and calmer sections for 'Maria Catharina', the whole always retaining a remarkable theatrical side.

We then find the 'Welbourne' couple in 'I Can't Restrain Her Anymore', Dolores feeling that her husband is slipping away from her and, after a calm first part and some celestial choruses, the title gradually takes on amplitude to explode in a muscular instrumental section in which the guitar solo is remarkable, the title ending in apotheosis with all the singers. In 'When Our Time Will Come' which follows, Howard is now determined to join Dolores by also sacrificing his daughter and this title is a real melodic gem from the first note to the last, with alternations of magnificent tensions and relaxations, the choirs being still exceptional in the most intense sections (see the video here). 'Leave Us' follows, which sees 'Jefferso Hollingsworth' and his mother alert Howard that Lavinia has gone too far and that it's still possible that the 'Melbourne' family will leave: rougher, with overdriven guitar riffs, 'Leave Us' follows. Cindy Oudshoorn' and 'Cindy Oudshoorn' give us a masterful vocal performance, sometimes alone, sometimes as a duo and they are joined by 'Edward Reekers' then by 'Rodney Blaze' who replies that it is too late, the finale falling back into a section of very calm serenity as if to tell us that destiny is sealed.

That's it, Howard, blinded by his love for Lavinia reaches the ultimate extremity of suicide and 'The Time Has Come' takes us into a new energetic and catchy track with a well-supplied rhythm section, then, in 'From Dusk Till Dawn', 'Joanne''s mother manages to save her daughter which leads 'Lavinia Eden-Hollingsworth' to disown 'Jefferso Hollingsworth' who will have to wander alone in eternity: on a three-beat tempo which begins with a melody reminiscent of a hand-cranked music box, the different singers follow one another with, once again, magnificent choirs punctuating the different interventions. With 'Die For The Love Of Your Life', we arrive at the end of the story with the departure of 'Dolores Welbourne' and her daughter and musically, we find all the protagonists of this magnificent rock opera who delight us one last time on a well-paced melody with generous choirs, then, 'Postludium' closes the story, as it began, with an instrumental which gently brings us back to reality on melancholy melodic lines benefiting from remarkable orchestral arrangements highlighting forward a piano accompanied by traditional instruments such as strings, woodwinds and brass.

In summary, no need to draw a picture to tell you that 'Mark Bogert' has once again composed a wonderful rock opera which immerses us in this gripping story from the first to the last second, with, as I I have often highlighted in this column, magnificent vocal harmonies put forward by talented performers; 'Hollingsworth Mansion' should become a must in this style of music in the same way as the major productions of Arjen Lucassen' with his various projects. And as always in this musical genre, the image brings an additional dimension and if, as is my case, it is difficult for you to go to Holland at the end of March in 'Dordrecht' for the concert of this rock opera, I hopes that 'Mark Bogert' will release it on DVD/Blu-ray to share it with as many people as possible...

Line Up / Musicians

Mark Bogert (Guitar), Remy Hansen (Guitar), Koen Stam (Keybords), Cleem Determeijer (Piano), Luuk van Gerven (Bass), Harmen Kieboom (Drums), Matthijs Kieboom (Arrangements Orchestraux), Maria Catharina – Lavinia Eden-Hollingsworth (Vocal), Rodney Blaze – Jefferso Hollingsworth (Vocal), Cindy Oudshoorn – Elizabet Hollingsworth (Vocal), Nadine Pruim – Dolores Welbourne (Vocal), Jan Willem Ketelaers – Howard Welbourne (Vocal), Demi Oosterwaal – Joanne Welbourne (Vocal), Edward Reekers – William Harris (Vocal), Inge Rijnja – Selina Blackaby (Vocal),


Artist : Myrath

Album : Karma

Release Date : 08-03-2024

Added : 16-03-2024






The Tunisians of 'Myrath' had not released an album since 2019 with the magnificent 'Shehili' which merged two musical cultures in a very beautiful way and which made it a sort of universal melodic and symphonic metal album. That same year, they also released the 'Live In Carthage' showing this public enthusiasm for their cause and which was very communicative to take us into this refreshing musical whirlwind. We now have in our hands the successor to 'Shehili', 'Karma', which saw the arrival of the new keyboardist 'Kevin Codfert' (ex-keyboardist of 'Adagio') who already gravitated around the group in the previous opuses as producer and additional musician and who officially replaced 'Elyes Bouchoucha' in 2022. After a first listen, we are carried throughout the album by unifying melodies which are immediately grafted into the head, the choruses and choruses immediately giving a desire to accompany them. The other characteristic, which for my part was the great strength of 'Myrath', is that this east/west fusion is less marked and that the oriental side is a little more blurred on this album which, on the one hand, their will certainly open up to a larger audience, but which, on the other hand, will certainly risk making them lose this universal label of world music, this absolutely not removing the fact that this album is a succession of tubes.

To convince you, I will already present to you the titles which were the subject of a single: first of all, 'Heroes' was presented in October 2023 and is a good example of this direct and effective which animates this last album with an addictive chorus (see the video above), then, 'Child of Prophecy', released in November 2023, was a magnificent power ballad which mixed a little more Eastern and Western influences (see the video here). This was followed by 'Let It Go' at the end of 2023 and 'Into the Light', at the beginning of 2024, which were absolute hits of melodic metal with a chorus bringing us back to the best of international variety from the 80s (see the video of 'Into the Light' here), then, 'Candles Cry' came to top it off a month ago with a new melodic brulot well calibrated to make us move to the rhythm of the music (see the video here). And the rest, no surprise, it's in line with these first five titles: we can add the hits 'To The Stars', 'Words Are Failing' with their unifying choruses but we can still note more orientalized sounds in 'Temple Walls' and 'The Empire', this does not take away from the fact that they also benefit from catchy melodic lines. We can also point out that 'The Wheel Of Time' brings a more moderate side with nice alternations of intensity throughout the track bringing a slight pinch of progressive. And to finish, 'Carry On' adds a melodic jewel to the whole in which 'Zaher Zorgatti' shows that he is still at the top vocally with his very expressive singing and this is valid for the whole of this latest opus.

In summary, with this latest album, the Tunisians of 'Myrath' have focused on efficiency with a succession of hits from the first to the last composition, while keeping this firepower and this enthusiasm that they know how to communicate to their audience, which will certainly make 'Karma' one of the best melodic metal albums of 2024...

Line Up / Musicians

Zaher Zorgatti (Vocal), Malek Ben Arbia (Guitar), Kevin Codfert (Keybords), Anis Jouini (Bass), Morgan Berthet (Drums)


Artist : Alterium

Album : Of War and Flames

Release Date : 08-01-2024

Added : 16-03-2024






'Alterium' was born at the end of 2022 from the ashes of the Italian group 'Kalidia' with its three former members, the singer 'Nicoletta Rosellini' (who also plays in the band 'Walk In Darkness'), the guitarist 'Paolo Campitelli' and the drummer 'Dario Gozzi' to which were added the guitarist 'Alessandro Mammola' and bassist 'Luca Scalabrin'. They claim to be power metal and what emerges from the outset, with 'Drag Me To Hell' which opens the album, drummer 'Dario Gozzi' leading the dance throughout the track. We find this style in the energetic title song 'Of War and Flames' (see the video above) but also in 'Chasing the Sun' and in 'Shadowsong' to a lesser extent. But other compositions provide greater variety with for example 'Siren's Call' which flirts with more classic syphonic metal which offers alternations between more moderate verses and a more powerful unifying chorus (see the video here). In this style, we can also cite 'Firebringer' which, even if it remains energetic with a fairly fast tempo, offers a more conventional rhythm section and a chorus that we want to sing back with 'Nicoletta Rosellini'. As for 'Crossroads Inn', it brings a more moderate side in the form of a well-paced mid-tempo (see the video here) and 'Heroine of the Sea' is also closer to symphonic metal driven by saturated guitar riffs and a catchy melody. And when 'Alterium' decides to take us into calmer waters, we won't be able to ignore the very beautiful power ballad 'Crystalline' (see the video here) and the album ends with the mid-tempo 'Bismark' with its well-defined tempo and beautiful alternations between energetic sections and calmer ones.

In summary, the Italians of Alterium' ultimately released a relatively varied album which offers us powerful and fast power metal but also more moderate compositions more akin to symphonic metal which destines 'Of War and Flames' to a metal audience open to different styles and loving melodies accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Nicoletta Rosellini (Vocal), Paolo Campitelli (Guitar), Alessandro Mammola (Guitar), Luca Scalabrin (Bass), Dario Gozzi (Drums)


Artist : Sonata Arctica

Album : Clear Cold Beyond

Release Date : 08-03-2024

Added : 17-03-2024






The Finns of 'Sonata Arctica' return with a new studio recording, 'Clear Cold Beyond', after a period of ten years which saw the composer and singer of the group, 'Tony Kakko', deviate from the style of power metal which was their strength in the early 2000s and for which they had built up a significant fan base. For my part, this evolution towards more moderate metal with the introduction of progressive elements showed all the talent of the leader of Arctica' to open up to other musical horizons, the two albums 'The Ninth Hour' dating from 2016 and 'Pariah's Child' from 2019 attesting to this inflection towards more moderate metal while keeping this muscularity that we knew in the previous albums. And in 2022, the 'Tony Kakko' band has graced us with two acoustic albums, 'Acoustic Adventures – Volume One' and 'Acoustic Adventures – Volume Two' which highlighted even more, in these refined reinterpretations, the melodic side of around twenty of their titles.

So what's new with this latest album from the Finns? I read a lot of reviews which reject the last ten years and which welcome this new album as a renewal of the group which returns to the style of the beginning. For my part, I will be much less categorical because, even if it is clear that we find the very muscular power metal watered down in the previous opuses, 'Clear Cold Beyond' ultimately contains a judicious mix between the different periods showing that 'Tony Kakko' offers us a sort of metling pot of the best of 'Sonata Arctica', all styles combined, and even more, even eyeing the side of symphonic metal. Certainly, the first three compositions are real melodic skuds with a lot of double pedals but, listening to 'First In Line' (strongly reminiscent of 'San Sebastien'), if you remove the calvacade on the drums of 'Tommy Portimo ', this title could very well be covered without reducing the tempo too much in a much more moderate version thanks to unifying melodic lines. Same observation with 'California' in which 'Timo Kakko' offers us a magnificent vocal performance by integrating beautiful nuances into the chorus, the more moderate section at 2.50 being the proof. And then, within the compositions themselves, we find this duality between up-tempos and breaks which are the great strength of 'Sonata Arctica': 'Shah Mat' is the typical title with always catchy melodic lines in a epic atmosphere brought by grandiose choirs in the introduction for example, then, 'Dark Empath' deploys its grandiose six minutes which would not be denied by the tenors of symphonic metal (see the video here), also with a lot of backing vocals, and which constitutes my favorite of the album. 'Cure For Everything' continues in the same vein as the first track 'First In Line' and 'A Monster Only You Can't See' changes register by offering us an atmosphere close to groups like 'Kamelot', 'Serenity' or 'Avantasia', bringing new diversity to this very beautiful album (see the video here). Follows 'Teardrops' which is also full of remarkable rhythmic alternations and which benefits from very beautiful instrumental arrangements, 'Henrik Klingenberg' doing an admirable job on keyboards, then, 'Angel Defiled' is yet another jewel of melodic metal, each artist bringing his stone in the building (Elias Viljanen's guitar solos being admirable), the catchy finale being pure joy. And then, when we talk about 'Sonata Arctica', we can't miss the ballads that made them famous and, in this opus, 'The Best Things' is still a model of the genre with a chorus that is added immediately in the head, then, the album ends with the title song in the form of another magnificent power ballad.

In summary, the Finns from 'Sonata Arctica' released an excellent album which is a sort of fusion of all the styles developed over more than 25 years and if some speak of a new beginning, I prefer to use the term masterful continuation which should please, not only their solid historical fan base but also a fairly large metal audience because 'Clear Cold Beyond' is certainly their most diverse studio recording since their beginning...

Line Up / Musicians

Tony Kakko (Vocal), Elias Viljanen (Guitar), Pasi Kauppinen (Bass), Henrik "Henkka" Klingenberg (Keybords), Tommy Portimo (Drums)


Artist : Leviathan

Album : Heartquake / Redux

Release Date : 01-03-2023

Added : 19-03-2024






'Leviathan' is an Italian group which was created in the 80s with a period of activity until the beginning of the 2000s with three albums and then, nothing more, until today with the resumption of 6 first tracks from their first album 'Heartquake' dating from 1988. We are therefore plunged back into this period which saw many groups blossom like 'IQ', 'Marillion', 'Pendragon' or even 'Big Big Train'. All of these compositions have a strong connotation of 70s progressive with obvious influences from 'Genesis' with beautiful alternations between sung sections (magnificently by 'Alex Brunori') and admirable instrumental sections.

We are welcomed by the lively 'The Waterproof Grave' featuring luminous keyboards which can only bring to mind 'Genesis' and in certain sections, Alex Brunori's singing is closer to that of ' Phil Collins', then, 'Hellishade of Hevenue' is almost 9 minutes long and takes us into a more relaxed atmosphere with a calm piano/vocal introduction which continues at a slow tempo magnified by delicious guitar harpeggios and a moving vocal performance from Alex Brunori', the melancholic guitar solo of 'Fabio Serra' at 3.20 being a pure delight: another very beautiful title that the British of 'Genesis' would not have denied. Follows 'Only Visiting This Planet' which begins with a little tune of 'Buggles' and which continues with multiple rhythmic changes which take us on a journey into rich and inventive progressive while keeping this hook throughout the whole title thanks to very beautiful melodic lines, and, for my part, I am still with 'Genesis', 'Duke' period, thanks to the luminous singing of Alex Brunori'. We continue our progressive journey with 'Up We Go!' which, after the light and bouncy introduction, shows a more energetic side with a marked rhythm which takes us through sung sections in which 'Alex Brunori' offers us a muscular and very expressive interpretation and other instrumental parts bathed in keyboards flamboyant and generous, the break in the middle of the title bringing a beautiful diversity to this title. After all this energy, 'Dream of the cocoon' takes us into a magnificent ballad filled with a beautiful elegance which delicately rocks you while listening to the beautiful melody as the Italians know how to compose so well. And to finish this very beautiful album, the title song is a beautiful summary of the whole and takes us once again into imaginative progressive in which we let ourselves be taken by the hand and travel through an imposing musical labyrinth with many nooks and crannies which require several listenings to fully master them.

In summary, the Italians of 'Leviathan' were right to bring up to date these very beautiful compositions which, for all those over 50 who were raised on the bottle of progressive rock from the 70s/80s , must revive certain memories of this golden era and which, for my part, reminds me throughout this album of the atmospheres of 'Genesis'. I also hope that there will be a sequel to this beautiful album and that this time we will be able to listen to new original compositions of this quality...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex Brunori (Vocal, Choirs), Andrea Monetta (Drums, Percussions), Andrea Amici (Keybords), Andrea Castelli (Bass), Fabio Serra (Guitar)


Artist : The End Machine

Album : The Quantum Phase

Release Date : 08-03-2024

Added : 20-03-2024






After 'Phase 2' dating from 2021, the supergroup 'The End Machine' composed of the three members of 'Docken' released a new album, 'The Quantum Phase', in early March 2024. For this latest American baby, 'Girish Pradhan' replaces 'Robert Mason ' on vocals by bringing a distinctive style, with a hoarser voice which in certain compositions is closer to that of 'David Coverdale' from 'Deep Purple'. No surprise, we are straight into some good hard rock which takes us back to the 70s/80s starting with the catchy 'Black Hole Extinction' whose introduction, with a few guitar riffs, takes little by little the scale to explode and deliver a very energetic hard rock scud, 'Girish Pradhan' being like a fish in water in this very muscular atmosphere (see the video above). We continue in this energetic style with 'The Silent Winter' which, like its predecessor, offers a rather calm introduction, then the title starts after a big minute on a fast rhythm that 'Rainbow' would not have denied in the 70s ( watch the video here). The following track 'Killer Of The Night' is a well-paced hard rock hit with its choruses that we want to accompany in a catchy chorus, the guitar solo in the second part being remarkable (see the video here). The other compositions have nothing to envy of these first three titles, and in this energetic hard rock atmosphere, we can cite the up-tempo 'Hell Or High Water' and 'Into The Blazing Sun' and in a more moderate tempo, the mid-tempos of 'Stand Up', 'Shattered Glass Heart', 'Time' and 'Stranger In The Mirror' and their marked rhythms, offer us very effective compositions which could all have been hits in the 70s. In a more measured melodic hard rock style, we won't miss 'Hunted' either with its 'Def Leppard'-style choruses and the beautiful ballad 'Burning Man' which is also very catchy, well placed in the middle of album, allows you to take a well-deserved break.

In summary, it's another album full of remarkable compositions accessible at first listen, taking us back a few decades offered by the Americans of 'The End Machine' and 'The Quantum Phase' should please a audience having known the emblematic formations of the beginning of hard rock in the 70s, with, icing on the cake, a modern sound with sharp guitar riffs and with a singer who is cut out to interpret this style of music...

Line Up / Musicians

George Lynch (Guitar), Girish Pradhan (Vocal), Jeff Pilson (Bass), Steve Brown (Drums)


Artist : Rocky Athas

Album : Livin' My Best Life

Release Date : 10-03-2024

Added : 21-03-2024






'Rocky Athas' is an American blues guitarist and singer who has played with legends like 'John Mayall', 'Glenn Hughes', 'Buddy Miles' or with the band 'Black Oak Arkansas' at the end of the 90s. He released a new album, 'Livin' My Best Life', with drummer 'Walter Watson' and, at 'Athas' and 'Watson', we make music as a family, the son of 'Rocky Athas' is on bass, and the son of 'Walter Watson' is on guitar and vocals.

If you like varied timeless blues, you are in the right place because this latest American baby exudes this timeless style with varied compositions which are all very accessible at first listen: from the outset, with the title song, we are right into an infectious rhythm which automatically starts the foot tapping machine with 'Rocky Athas' which delivers a remarkable vocal and guitar performance. In this energetic style, we can also cite 'Dark Days' with a new well-paced tempo but also the shuffle 'Watching the River Flow' which is a cover of 'Bob Dylan' or the final title 'Palace of the King' which is a cover of 'Freddie King' in a more rockabilly atmosphere. In a more rock atmosphere, 'Dark Days' takes us into good guitar riffs with a magnificent guitar solo, the tone being more muscular, the lyrics 'Black Night' should remind some of a small hard rock group from the 70s When the tempo becomes slower, 'Rocky Athas' offers us some very good blues with firstly, 'Black Cat Moan', a 'Don Nix' cover, then, 'Long Gray Mare' initially recorded by 'Fleetwood Mac' in the eponymous album dating from 1968, highlights the harmonica of Mister 'John Mayall' in this timeless blues/rock, to which we can also add the no less timeless 'Walk in My Shadow'. 'Only in My Dreams' moves away from the blues but keeps this American musical imprint and can recall the atmospheres of certain songs by 'Bob Dylan'. And when the atmosphere becomes even more intimate, we cannot miss the beautiful ballads 'Sad Affairs' and 'Solid Ground' on which we let ourselves be gently rocked, the guitar solos being also remarkable.

In summary, 'Rocky Athas' is not necessarily very well known internationally but is a talented singer and guitarist who perpetuates this blues heritage in a very beautiful way by offering us a new album which should please to all fans of this style because 'Livin' My Best Life' is very varied and takes us into this timeless musical universe that the Americans have known so well to highlight for quite a few decades...

Line Up / Musicians

Rocky Athas (Vocal, Guitar), Rocky Athas II (Bass), Walter Watson (Drums), Jared Watson (Guitar, Vocal)


Artist : Rick Miller

Album : One of the Many

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 22-03-2024






At the fairly regular frequency of an album every year (his latest album 'Altered States' dating from 2023), 'Rick Miller' offers us a new album in 2024 with 'One of the Many' which is, according to his Bandcamp page, I quote, "old style progressive rock made famous in the 60s and 70s by bands such as Pink Floyd, The Alan Parsons Project and The Moody Blues". The previous albums already highlighted atmospheric rock inherited from the 70s and this latest baby is in the same line and the names of 'Pink Floyd' and 'The Alan Parsons Project' actually often come to mind in the 8 compositions that make up this album.

Shared between long developments and shorter titles, 'One of the Many' opens with the 8 minutes of Atrophy' which takes us into Rick's progressive universe made of gentleness and serenity, a few orientalising bits bringing a pleasant change of scenery and intervening spoken parts offering us a touch of theatricality. More direct, 'Life Goes On' is a ballad in which we are lulled by the muffled voice of 'Rick Miller' and the interventions of 'Barry Haggarty' on the guitar and which is further punctuated by a spoken part, then, in alternation, 'The Lost Years' offers us a new melodious 8-minute composition which is introduced by aerial female vocals and which then presents several rhythmic changes and alternates rougher sections with a saturated guitar and much calmer sections, the arrangements instrumental with the flute, cello interventions and oriental guitar solos being magnificent. We remain in a sort of waking dream with the instrumental 'She of the Darkness' which is a delicious piano/flute duet, then, with the title song, we are right in the atmosphere filled with serenity with a slow tempo on which we completely abandon ourselves, the melody plunging us back into the beautiful melodies of 'The Alan Parsons Project' and the captivating interventions of the 'Floydian' guitar of 'Barry Haggarty' being delicious. We arrive at the long development 'Perchance to Dream' which takes us into a delicate and harmonious labyrinth, the flute adding moments suspended in time and the gentle singing of 'Rick Miller' continuing to rock us affectionately, the finale accelerating the tempo on the melodic theme which can still be reminiscent of Alan Parsons'. Follows 'Wonderlust' which is a continuation of the previous titles but in a more serious register, the instrumental arrangements further highlighting this melancholic atmosphere, then 'Another Time' which takes us one last time into this relaxing sound universe, this time in a semi-acoustic composition in which the guitar and cellos delicately accompany the gentle singing of 'Rick Miller'.

In summary, the albums of 'Rick Miller' follow one another with an impressive frequency (this is the sixth album in six years) and 'One of the Many' is still filled with beautiful melodies that we calmly savour the headphones on the ears after a hard day of work and which should make all fans and all lovers of relaxing atmospheric rock happy...

Line Up / Musicians

Rick Miller (Vocal, Guitar, Keybords) + Guests : Sarah Young (Flute), Giulia Cacciavillian (Flute), Mateusz Swoboda (Cello), Artem Litovchenko (Cello), Barry Haggarty (Guitar), Kane Miller (Guitar, Violin), Will (Drums, Percussions)


Artist : Hope Darling

Album : Ensō

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 24-03-2024






'Hope Darling' is an American group which has already existed for around ten years and which has released various singles which can be found in this first album 'Ensō' which they signed with 'Epictronic'. They evolve in a mixture of pop and direct rock with compositions having fairly immediate hooks while riding the wave of groups created at the end of the 90s. The word 'Ensō' is the Buddhist symbol which defines the ultimate globality of our being and the universe. Often covered in different artistic fields, the members of 'Hope Darling' use it to define their music, I quote the group, "which expresses a moment when the mind is free to let the body create". The compositions are not recent but have never been the subject of an album release, you can find all the videos on their page Youtube and I have put the links on each video after this column which will allow you to follow the lyrics.

'Burning Light' opens the ball of this album with muscular and catchy rock on a unifying melody which can recall the sounds of 'U2' but is certainly one of the most energetic tracks of the album because the whole is very varied and shows different faces: 'Don't Wake Me Up' is a more moderate mid-tempo then 'Lifeline', even if the power of the electric instruments brings a massive sound, is based on a fairly slow rhythm on which the singing of 'Gabriel Sanchez' is very pleasant. 'Lotus' continues at a moderate tempo and offers us a new catchy melody, then, 'Firefight' accelerates the pace for a very catchy composition which gives an irresistible desire to resume the chorus in chorus with 'Gabriel Sanchez'. With 'Say A Prayer', we have the melancholic ballad of the album which is magnificent, and which offers a new addictive chorus, then 'Rain' alternates different rhythms and shows beautiful vocal harmonies which makes it one of the most original compositions from the album. Follows 'It Was Alway You' which could be a mix of U2 for the clear atmosphere and 'Pink Floyd' for the melodic lines which remind me of 'Coming Back To Life' and 'Absolution (One Last Breath)' closes this beautiful album with, first of all, a quiet first part on which 'Gabriel Sanchez' offers us a moving vocal performance, then the title takes off after 2 minutes and shows a catchy face, the melodic lines of the chorus still being very catchy.

In summary, the Americans of 'Hope Darling' released a first quality album which is a series of pop/rock hits that we have an immense pleasure to listen to thanks to unifying melodic lines and, if they continue to offer us this kind of compositions in the future, it's a safe bet that they should make themselves known internationally and perhaps compete with the biggest rock groups of the moment...

Videos of 'Ensō':
1 - Burning Light
2 - Don't Wake Me Up
3 - Lifeline
4 - Lotus
5 - Rain
6 - Firefight
7 - Say A Prayer
8 - It Was Always You
9 - Absolution (One Last Breath)

Line Up / Musicians

Gabriel Sanchez (Vocal), Jason Donadio (Guitar, Vocal), Jeff Durso (Drums), Frank Dancey (Guitar, Vocal), Richie Gomez (Bass)


Artist : Lucifer Was

Album : En Fix Ferdig Mann

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 24-03-2024






We cannot say that the Norwegians of 'Lucifer Was' have made a great reputation in progressive rock because, active since the 70s, they only started releasing albums at the end of the 90s and 'En Fix Ferdig Mann' is their 8th studio recording. The particularity is that this last opus which succeeds 'Morning Star', already dating from 2017, is sung in Norwegian. Led by the only survivor of the 70s, the guitarist 'Thore Engen' who is also the author and composer of the group, the rest of the line up consists of 'Jon Ruder' on vocals, Andreas Sjo Engen' on guitar, 'Arne Martinussen' on keyboards, 'Bjørn Malmåsen' and 'Arild Brøter' on drums. They offer us progressive rock taking us back to the 70s and we could place them between the moderate progressive of 'Jethro Tull' and the more muscular progressive of 'Uriah Heep'.

'Frå Fyrste Dag' welcomes us with magnificent vocal arrangements and continues in symphonic progressive which presents a theatrical atmosphere on a catchy melody that we appropriate from the first listen, then, 'Ein Fix Ferdig Mann ', on a slower tempo, takes us into a rhythmic track on which 'Jon Ruder' offers us a very expressive vocal performance, the choirs accompanying him and the guitar solo in the second part being remarkable. With 'Krig I Opne Landskap', a change of register for a fairly contemporary introduction which continues with a muscular section, and which then shows an epic face in sung sections alternating energetic parts and calmer ones, 'Arne Martinussen' leading to the organ has a very appreciable imposing side, then, 'Ei Gåte' continues in imaginative progressive on a very beautiful mid-tempo with a new catchy melody. Follows 'Når Natta Kjem og Tek Meg' which brings a melancholy pause and which is performed by a singer bringing a touching feminine presence, then, 'Eg Vil Ha Det Eg Vil Ha' hardens the subject for a more energetic title which can make think in some places of 'Jethro Tull'. With 'Snømann i Sol', we are taken into a syrupy and melancholy ballad which flirts with Italy, contrasting with the rest of the album but which brings a very particular emotion thanks to the moving vocal performance and the very beautiful electric guitar accompaniment, then we find a theatrical side in 'Aftenbøn Til Dauden' which benefits from a more complex construction and which highlights magnificent choirs in a musical comedy atmosphere. The album ends with 'Kunsten Å Gjere Ingenting' which takes us into a final ballad with very beautiful melodic lines and with magnificent vocal arrangements which form a beautiful accompaniment bringing an atmosphere filled with a very pleasant nonchalance.

In summary, the Norwegians of 'Lucifer Was' offer us a very beautiful, diversified album, which takes us into imaginative progressive and full of beautiful theatricality, with, icing on the cake, immediate accessibility thanks to beautiful melodic lines accessible at first listen...

Line Up / Musicians

Thore Engen (Guitar), Jon Ruder (Vocal), Andreas Sjo Engen (Guitar, Choirs), Arne Martinussen (Keybords), Bjørn Malmåsen (Bass), Arild Brøter (Drums)


Artist : Marcin Pajak

Album : In the Space

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 25-03-2024






I discovered 'Marcin Pajak' with his penultimate album 'Sound of the Trees' from 2021 and 'The Maze' followed in 2022. And yet, I had not yet taken the time to write a column on this Polish artist who lives in London and who is already on his 6th studio recording in around ten years. years. In a neo-progressive style, he is influenced by all the great groups of the 70s and in particular 'Pink Floyd' but also by all styles of progressive until today. With this latest baby, he takes us into space, the mix of styles ranging from atmospheric to rock through jazz and contemporary sounds lends itself very well to the theme of the album.

We therefore leave in weightlessness and this, from the first title 'No More Time' which shows an ethereal face and which delivers a slow tempo on which the haunting song of 'Marcin Pajak' travels, then the title takes flight with keyboards gradually bringing an aerial accompaniment contrasting beautifully with the vocals, then, 'Building the Rocket', more energetic, shows a more rhythmic face on which the saxophone of 'Wiktor Swierczek' delivers jazzy sounds. The ticking of a clock welcomes us in 'Liftoff' then we are taken into contemporary sounds brought by the saxophone and sounds of sirens to leave in space after a starting countdown which continues with catchy rock on which ' Marcin Pajak' offers us remarkable guitar wanderings, then, 'Gravity' welcomes us in weightlessness in an atmospheric atmosphere which begins at a slow tempo, and which accelerates for a catchy second part. We continue our journey into space with the luminous 'Space Travel' which is a long development of more than 10 minutes, and which takes us into a progressive labyrinth with a beautiful alternation between sung parts and rich and imaginative instrumental sections, each artist bringing his stone to the building (magnificent moment with the long saxophone solo of 'Wiktor Swierczek' in a 'Floydian' atmosphere). Follows 'Emptiness' which begins as a ballad with a very beautiful piano/voice duet and which gradually incorporates aerial keyboards accompanied by celestial vocals to take off in the middle of the title by accelerating the tempo with a magnificent guitar solo, the finale returning to the refined atmosphere of the beginning, then, 'Kuiper Belt' brings to the fore the melancholy saxophone, the luminous keyboards and the rougher guitar in a catchy instrumental with very beautiful alternations of intensities. We continue our space journey with 'Thick Clouds' in a more relaxed atmosphere which hardens at the end imaging the problem to arrive safely which brings us to 'Towards the Unknown' which sees the spacecraft drifting in a dark space and empty with musically, a new ballad in which 'Marcin Pajak' offers us a very moving vocal performance. But 'Last Chance' allows us to regain hope with the possibility of finding another final destination and, in this title, we are taken into a marked rhythm supported by impetuous keyboards, the singing of 'Marcin Pajak' becoming more vigorous , then, 'New Beginning' closes this beautiful album on the discovery of a new world and, after a repetitive introduction to the piano accompanied by keyboards with string sounds, it is in an atmospheric 'Floydian' atmosphere that we finish this saga in space in a very beautiful way.

In summary, 'Marcin Pajak', surrounded by talented musicians, offers us a very beautiful album which presents a nice variety of styles allowing this space saga to unfold, and 'In the Space' should please an audience which loves imaginative progressive rock with melodic lines that are quickly tamed...

Line Up / Musicians

Marcin Pajak (Guitar, Vocal), Wiktor Swierczek (Saxophone), Piotr Sitkowski (Keybords), Tomasz Zawadzki (Bass), Nick Schlesinger (Drums)


Artist : Fred Chapellier

Album : Live In Paris (Live)

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 26-03-2024






There are not many artists in France who offer us good, timeless blues and 'Fred Chapellier' is one of them with numerous albums on the clock since he started releasing albums in 2003 and his last studio recording 'Straight To The Point' dates from 2022. Moreover, this 'Live In Paris' which was released in mid-March 2024, highlights this latest album because half of the tracks are taken from it. With a talented line up including a brass section and a saxophone, he offers a set of an hour and three quarters starting with a luminous 'My Love Comes Tumbling Down' which appeared in the duet album with 'Billy Price' in 2009 in which the brass are at the party, then, 'Don' t Take Me For a Loser' takes us into a sensual, feel-good blues with completely addictive guitar solos. The first CD includes 5 tracks from the last album and takes us on a journey between compositions which give an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music ('I'd Rather Be Alone', 'Juliette' and 'Mother Earth') and compositions which smell of relaxed blues ('Remnants', 'Under The Influence' and 'Blues On My Radio'). The second part of the concert is like the first half with the brass instruments which are still highlighted in 'Racing With The Cops' and 'Something Strange', then, 'Tend It To' takes us into 8 torrid minutes which are certainly even more fabulous live than on the studio version (see the video above of this track recorded 'Chez Paulette' in Pagney in 2022) and the same title is repeated in shuffle after 'Rodney's Song' from 'Roy Buchanan'. The end of this set is devoted to two covers of 'Peter Green' (the founder of 'Fleetwood Mac' in 1967) with 'Love That Burns' and 'If You Be My Baby', both from the album 'Mr. Wonderful' dating from 1968, the album ending with the magnificent 'Gary's Gone', entirely instrumental, which one last time highlights the guitar talent of 'Fred Chapellier' which gives us goosebumps from many times and which should delight all lovers of authentic blues.

In summary, no need to draw a picture for you to tell you that we are enjoying every minute of this live and that 'Fred Chapellier', surrounded by talented musicians, is giving us a fabulous concert to make jealous among the best blues artists from Uncle Sam's country...

Line Up / Musicians

Fred Chapellier (Vocal, Guitar), Christophe Garreau (Bass, Choirs), Guillaume Destarac (Drums, Choirs), Jérémie Tepper (Guitar, Choirs), Patrick Baldran (Guitar), Michel Gaucher (Saxophone), Eric Mula (Trumpet), Pierre D'Angelo (Saxophone)


Artist : Lipz

Album : Changing The Melody

Release Date : 15-03-2024

Added : 27-03-2024






'Lipz' is a Swedish group which has already existed for more than 10 years but which has never really broken through, the EP 'Psycho' dating from 2015 which included the two singles 'Ghost Town' and 'Bye Bye' released previously and respectively in 2012 and 2014 plus 2 other titles being their only production until 2018, the year which saw the arrival of their first LP 'Scaryman' and who made them known via the internet. Created by the two Klintberg brothers, Alex on vocals and guitar and Koffe on drums, they were joined first by guitarist 'Conny Svard' and then by bassist 'Chris Young' for this second album 'Changing The Melody' which was signed to 'Frontiers Music' which will certainly make them known to a wider audience. When we talk about Sweden in music, we can't help but think of the many melodic hard rock groups that flourish in this country and 'Lipz' is brilliantly added to this long list. Indeed, they give us some very good hard rock which takes us back to the best of the 80s. Note that their look in the videos is strangely close to a small group from the 70s/80s, I named 'Kiss'

The album's opening tracks 'I'm Going Under', the title track (see video above) and 'Bang Bang' (see video here) set the tone for this energetic and catchy hard rock with choruses to be repeated in chorus then, without downtime, a series of hits well calibrated for the radio and if you don't automatically turn on the headbanging machine on 'Stop Talk About...' means you're not cut out for this style of music. For the others who took the risk of losing their heads, we continue with 'Bye Bye Beautiful' which was the subject of a video here and who can recall the atmospheres of 'Def Leppard' with a nice, calmer break in the second part, then, 'I'm Alive' continues with a new well-paced and very effective hit, the chorus being marked by addictive chanted choruses. After all this energy deployed, 'Freak' offers us a magnificent moment of respite, between power ballad and mid-tempo, then 'Secret Lover' adds a hit which would have caused misfortune in the 80s with its repeated 'nanana...', then 'I Would Die For You' is another ballad, but what a ballad, that any rock and hard rock group would have wanted to write and which is to be added to the best ballads of this style. The album ends with 'Monsterz' which has nothing to envy of the other compositions with a last memorable melody in a very catchy atmosphere.

In summary, it is again Sweden which rewards us with a superb album of melodic hard rock and we hope that 'Lipz' will not wait another 6 years to offer us new compositions because this 'Changing The Melody' should undoubtedly be playing on repeat among a lot of fans of this style...

Line Up / Musicians

Alex K Klintberg (Vocal, Guitar), Koffe K Klintberg (Drums), Conny Svard (Guitar), Chris Young (Bass)


Artist : Leaves' Eyes

Album : Myths of Fate

Release Date : 22-03-2024

Added : 28-03-2024






We are now used to it since 2018 with the album 'Sign Of The Dragonhead', 'Elina Siirala' took her place in the line up of 'Leaves' Eyes' replacing 'Liv Kristine' who continued her solo path in a completely different style, his latest album 'River of Diamonds'. After the very good 'The Last Viking' dating from 2020, it's been therefore four years since the band of 'Alexandre Krull' had released an album album (just a recording of the orchestral compositions from the documentary 'Viking Spirit') and this is therefore done with this latest opus 'Myths of Fate' released on March 22 2024. So, what's new in the land of symphonic metal from the vikings of 'Leaves' Eyes'?

No need to prolong the suspense, 'Leaves' Eyes' continues to make 'Leaves' Eyes' and we find this symphonic metal with the clean singing/growls duo characteristic of this formation with, of course, all these evocations Celtic and, this time, these are the legends of Nordic mythology and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages which are highlighted. Let's go with a 'Forged by Fire' 100% 'Leaves' Eyes' which takes us into grandiose orchestrations, the firepower of the guitars still being essential and the vocal duo 'Elina Siirala'/'Alexandre Krull' still being very well balanced, the growls and the clean vocals being well shared between the two artists (see the video above). Follows the well-paced single 'Realm of Dark Waves' with a catchy melody that we immediately get to grips with, the calm section in the second part bringing a welcome break (see the video here), then, the less hit name than 'Who Wants to Live Forever' which adds a catchy melodic jewel which can recall certain atmospheres of 'Tarja', especially since Elina Siirala' , in certain places, comes close to the Finnish soprano, showing that she has become an essential singer of symphonic metal (see the video here). Follows the mid-tempo 'Hammer of the Gods' which delivers a powerful new composition bringing a kind of quiet strength, and in this track, the clean vocals/growls contrast is at its peak, then we go for 'In Eternity', composed by 'Elina Siirala', which alternates more moderate verses and a chorus to be repeated in chorus in concerts while keeping a well-paced side (see the video here ) and 'Fear the Serpent' continues in this symphonic atmosphere with a new mid-tempo which offers a new very catchy chorus. The ballad break is brought by the magnificent 'Goddess Of The Night' in which 'Elina Siirala', accompanied by the violin of 'Léa-Sophie Fischer' from Eluveitie', shows an endearing melancholy side, then, 'Sons of Triglav' is the typical rhythmic and catchy symphonic metal song of 'Leaves' Eyes', 'Alexandre Krull' coming to chant the title alternating with the vocals of Elina Siirala'. With 'Elder Spirit', the more moderate tempo allows the development of more restrained sections and a more theatrical side emanates from this title, brought about by the alternation of clean vocals and growls, the guitar solo being remarkable, then, the album ends with 'Einherjar' which is also very catchy and which is also very catchy and which still benefits from a unifying chorus, then, 'Sail With The Dead' closes this beautiful album by offering us beautiful vocal harmonies on a final powerful mid-tempo and rhythmic blending perfectly into this very beautiful album.

In summary, 'Alexandre Krull', after twenty years now, continues to lead his boat 'Leaves' Eyes' masterfully by offering us a 9th album in line with previous productions with still this research of catchy melody that we immediately appropriate and 'Myths of Fate', beyond the fans who will undoubtedly be seduced by this new opus, is recommended to all metal lovers, whether symphonic, power or melodic...

Line Up / Musicians

Elina Siirala (Vocal), Alexandre Krull (Vocal), Micki Richter (Guitar, Bass), Luc Gebhardt (Guitar), Joris Nijenhuis (Drums), Jonah Weingarten (Orchestrations) + Guests : Léa-Sophie Fischer (Violin), Thomas Roth (Nyckelharpa)