*. Vicinity .*

Album: Awakening (2013)
Genre: Prog Metal (Melodic/Prog Rock)  /  Norway

Vicinity was founded in 2006 by Kim-Marius H. Olsen, Frode Lillevold and Kristian Nergård. Vocalist Alexander K. Lykke soon joined the blend making the first complete lineup. The band wrote and later recorded a demo in 2007 at Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim, but it was the following year's recording of the EP "Diffusion of Innovation" that the band found it's true style, writing longer, more technical progressive compositions. The EP was recorded at Toproom Studios and mixed by Børge Finstad in one week, and released two years later (2010) by Pug-Nose Records. In 2012 the band felt they had written enough good songs to record their debut album; "Awakening". Drums were laid down in Trondheim Studio in february, and the following months bass, guitars and vocals were laid down, making this the debut recording of the new bass player Pierre-Nicolai H. Schmidt-Melbye, who joined the band following Nergård's departure in 2009. Reidulf Wormdal joined the recording as a session keyboard player to add a little extra spice to the mix. The album was mixed by André Alvnizi at Fascination Street Studios, and mastered by Jens Bogren, also at Fascination Street, and will be released by Indie Distribution and Pug-Nose Records, fall 2013. (www.facebook.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Mass Delusion (5:19)
02. Opportunities Lost (14:23)
03. Across the River (5:25)
04. Walk All the Way (11:40)
05. The Time for Change (6:06)
06. Awakening (11:22)

RATING:  8 / 10

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*. Sweet d'Buster .* (Reissue + Bonus)

Album: Gigs (1979)(Reissue 1988 + 3 Bonus)
Genre: Classic Rock (Blues/Folk/Pop/Soft Prog)  /  Netherlands

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Money Song
02. Smash The Mirror
03. Manja
04. Going Nowhere
05. Still Believe
06. No More Cricket
07. Bread
08. Under City Lights
09. You're Gonna Be A Winner (Bonus)
10. It Takes A Lot Of Time (To Let All People Know) (Bonus)
11. Stir Up The Fire (Bonus)

Line-up / Musicians
Bertus Borgers / Tenor Saxophone, Lead Vocals
Robert Jan Stips / Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals
Paul Smeenk / Guitar, Vocals
Herman Deinum / Bass
Hans Lafaille / Drums
Josee Van Iersel & Meike Touw / Backing Vocals

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Optic .*

Album: Iris In (2013)
Genre: Progressive Metal  /  USA

As one of the few progressive bands on Long Island, Optic strives to maintain a level of musical integrity, both for ourselves, and for our audience. The band originated between Ryan and Scott in college, two freshmen eager to break free of the limitations of the Long Island music scene. What happened was an explosion of creativity. Through channels of friends, Steve, at first skeptical, became fully immersed in the band in 2008. The trio became close friends and came to write 2 hours worth of material together before the following year. In the summer of 2009 Mike joined the band on bass. After a long search for a vocalist, Kenny, a long time friend of Optic, joined the band in the summer of 2011, completing the lineup. In mid-2011, they self-released their two-track"Drown The Earth" EP and have been mailing it to fans around the entire world. Currently and to be soon released at the beginning of 2013, they are recording and preparing their first full-length album. We pride ourselves on not compromising for anyone's expectations, and write music from our deepest, and often darkest emotions. Our music is honest expression, whether it contains hope, depression, relief, or excitement; prepare yourself for an emotional journey unprecedented by our contemporaries. (www.facebook.com)

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Symphonika .*

Album: Symphonika (2012)
Genre: Prog Rock (Melodic/Symphonic Rock)  /  UK

Symphonika is an act of high quality and experience. The band was formed in 2009 by singer songwriter Robin Myles and drummer Julian Hutchings. The ultimate goal to produce symphonic, inspirational and virtuosic original rock music. The band consist of 4 members, each an experienced professional musician in their own right. Symphonika are a four piece rock band. Taking you into the past and present with a mixed influence of Queen, Muse, Dream Theater and Electric Light Orchestra presenting the sound of big choruses, strings and tracks that will stay in your head after you have heard them! The band have been working hard to release their debut album and performing cover shows all around Wales and England. The self titled album is out for sale now, available on all resources (Itunes,Spotify,Amazon etc.) you can also contact them directly to buy a copy of the album. The tracks you hear on this page are four fully mastered and mixed songs that appear on the album. (www.reverbnation.com)

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Cult Of Dom Keller .*

Album: Secret Sounds (2012)(Ep)
Genre: Psychedelic Space Rock (Jam Band/Exp.)  /  UK

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Secret Sound no.1
02. Secret Sound no.2
03. Secret Sound no.3
04. Secret Sound no.4
05. Secret Sound no.5
06. Secret Sound no.6

Line-up / Musicians
Ryan DelGaudio / vocals, guitar
Neil Marsden / vocals, keyboards
Jimmy Vincent / bass
Dave "Caveman" Biggs / drums

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Darkside .*

Album: Psychic (2013)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock (Post/Electronic/Ambient House)  /  USA

Young American Nicholas Jaar continues to surprise. His willingness to explore coupled with a strong sonic signature is what makes him compelling. Because Jaar offers a consistent level of quality (and a damn high one to boot), his fans will follow him wherever he chooses to wander. And if you listen closely, he wanders quite far. Joining him for their first full-length album is guitarist and instrumentalist Dave Harrington, whose gentle krautrock sensibilities push Jaar in fascinating directions. There were moments on Jaar’s celebrated Space Is Only Noise that feel close to some of the murkier parts in Psychic, but this record is far more muscular and driven, and has a strong rhythmic backbone. That’s not to say it’s a boisterous listen; Psychic is still a patient record, but there’s a deeply buried ember that burns hot at its heart and gives it a fire that Space… never even tried to produce. There’s a terrific sense of balance to the record that reveals a fully successful collaboration between the two artists. Heart has a swagger to it that must be all Harrington’s doing, but then it drops the muffled kick and bleeds out purple synth over the arrangement, turning it into a lost Gayngs B-side. Golden Arrow has Jaar’s sinister alchemy all over it, while Paper Trails puts Harrington’s sly guitar licks front and centre, backed by Jaar’s warped vocals. Psychic is a fantastic listen: a fluid blues/deep-house cocktail that boasts breathtaking depth. Dive in. Review by "Matt MacMaster" (http://themusic.com.au).

RATING:  ???????????

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*. Aldo Tagliapietra .* (Re-Post)

Album: Il Viaggio (2008)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog)  /  Italy

Aspettavamo da tempo questo album. Dietro il dinamismo e l'energia delle Orme dal '95 ad oggi (un periodo pienissimo di concerti in Italia e all'estero, nonchè di dischi fortunati), c'è stato un percorso più lento, difficile e meditato da parte di Aldo Tagliapietra, storico bassista e vocalist della band veneziana. Un percorso intriso di sofferenza e rinascita, di preghiera e gioia, di conoscenza di sè e di rinnovato studio musicale. Un percorso che simboleggia la vita e l'esperienza artistica di Aldo. Qualcuno aveva già ascoltato qualche clip audio, qualcun altro aveva assistito ad uno spettacolo dal vivo, ma per i più la scoperta di "Il Viaggio" è stata una sorpresa e un piacere. Secondo album solista di Tagliapietra, a 24 anni di distanza da "...nella notte", "Il Viaggio" è la miglior fotografia possibile di questo artista. Un disco che non è solo musica ma spiritualità, esperienza, racconto, rigenerazione. Pubblicato in una tiratura limitata di 999 esemplari e racchiuso in un prezioso cofanetto con un libretto che racconta la storia di Aldo (con molte foto inedite), questo album ha diverse sfaccettature e rivela differenti aspetti. Innanzitutto, lo spirito che anima il "concept" è quanto di più vicino ci sia alla filosofia delle "nuove" Orme: il viaggio come metafora della vita e della purificazione interiore, verso un'India che è simbolo di saggezza e riscoperta, più che destinazione. Cambiano in questa occasione la prospettiva sonora, gli arrangiamenti e lo stile: se con le Orme Aldo è alla guida di una poderosa macchina progressive-rock, qui la componente rock/pop è messa da parte, in favore di una forma-canzone che il cantante non ha mai rinnegato, rimodellata tuttavia in funzione del "concept". 10 brani a cavallo tra canzone e world music, con qualche lieve collegamento con i suoni più raffinati di "Orme", il disco del 1990, e l'immancabile accompagnamento del sitar e delle orchestrazioni elettroniche del fido Michele Bon. "Il viaggio" risponde alla logica di ogni opera solista, necessariamente introspettiva e interiore: in questo senso è chiaro anche il lungo periodo di lavorazione che il disco ha avuto. Al tempo stesso, questo è anche il suo maggior limite: i suoni di Bon sono ormai un po' invecchiati. In ogni caso, brani come "Canto silenzioso", "Angeli in fuga" e "Questo mondo" sono un toccasana in questi tempi così aridi, volgari e vuoti. Perchè la canzone di Aldo - delicata, sognante ma mai troppo eterea - non è mai fine a se stessa ma è un veicolo potente di contemplazione e cambiamento. "Il Viaggio" è un lavoro che catturerà tutti gli appassionati delle Orme perchè "isola" ed esalta uno degli elementi più caratteristici della storica formazione: la melodia evocativa, senza spazio e senza tempo, il magico suono del sitar, una delle voci più belle in circolazione da 40 anni. Ma più in generale, il processo di "individuazione" di Aldo è compiuto: e "Il Viaggio", pulito, luminoso e ispirato, lo dimostra pienamente. Recensione di "Donato Zoppo" (www.movimentiprog.net).

RATING:  8 / 10

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*. Subsignal .* (Live Bonus CD)

Album: Live In Mannheim (2012)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Metal/Neo Prog)  /  Germany

Subsignal - Paraiso (Bonus CD - Live In Mannheim 2012)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Intro: The Weight Of The Stone
02. Echoes In Eternity
03. My Sanctuary
04. The Sea
05. Feeding Utopia
06. Walking With Ghosts
07. Where Angels Fear To Tread
08. Embers - Part I: Your Secret Is Safe With Me
09. Paradigm
10. Touchstones
11. The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
12. Qutro: Themeland

RATING:  8.25 / 10

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*. Earthless .*

Album: From The Ages (2013)

Genre: Psychedelic Space Rock (Jam Band/Exp.)  /  USA

Award-winning San Diego power rock band Earthless has completed work on its brand new album ''From The Ages.'' The first new studio album from the globally celebrated trio since the release of 2007's critically acclaimed ''Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky,'' ''From The Ages'' will see an October 8 release date via Tee Pee Records. Formed in 2001, Earthless prides itself on creating energetic, free thinking instrumental music inspired by an eclectic mix of German krautrock and Japanese heavy blues-rock. The Californian trio has dedicated itself to mastery of the mind-bending jam session, evoking the spirits of Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath in equal measure. Earthless' sound has been called ''A sonic kaleidoscope of lava and lightning,'' earning it the title of ''California's loudest band.'' The group delivers ''one of the best live shows in all of modern, heavy rock,'' leading to one reviewer stating that the band's ''epic shredding harkens back to the days where psychedelic rock had balls the size of grapefruits and wasn't afraid to take its listeners on a ride for which they may never return.'' ''From The Ages'' promises more of the gigantic riffs and utterly unique heavy music that only Earthless can create! (www.amazon.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Violence of the Red Sea (14:45)
02. Uluru Rock (14:08)
03. Equus October (5:42)
04. From the Ages (30:55)

RATING:  ?????????????

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*. Fates Warning .* (Limited Edition)

Album: Darkness in a Different Light (2013)(+4 Bonus Track's)
Genre: Prog Metal (Modern Metal/Prog Rock)  /  USA

Over the last twenty years, Fates Warning has become progressively more unpredictable. In their early years, Fates Warning could churn out an album every year or two, but that all changed after Parallels. Suddenly, the band went from being the model of punctuality to being the Metallica of the progressive metal world. Three years between albums became the new norm, but even that wasn’t enough by the time FWX was released. It was like we were watching the heat-death of the universe – the band had exploded on the scene, but with each passing year that momentum diminished a bit more and it finally seemed like all energy had been expended. Then, seemingly from out of nowhere, an announcement was made that the band had signed with a new label (after nearly thirty years with Metal Blade) and that an album was imminent. Well played, Matheos, well played. After nearly ten years between albums, what could we expect? Would it be similar to the Arch/Matheos album that had originally been intended as a Fates Warning release? Would it push the industrial aspects of the last few albums? Or, could they even possibly go back to one of their earlier sounds? The answer requires more than a simple answer. At its core, Darkness in a Different Light is a natural progression from FWX, but without any of the industrial influences. More specifically, it’s as though the band based their sound around the energy and streamlined metal riffing of ‘Simple Human’ while combining it with a few of their more recent projects. Darkness in a Different Light has the moody atmospheres of the latest OSI release, the immediate songwriting of Parallels and even the occasional nod to the energetic progressive metal of the Arch/Matheos release – but, again, it’s a little more than that. Every previous Fates Warning release seemed like the band picked a theme and a sound, and filtered every song through the blueprint. This has resulted in some great releases, but there were very few surprises after the first few songs. Darkness in a Different Light breaks from that mold and ends up being the most diverse Fates Warning release to date. The album opens with the one-two punch of ‘One Thousand Fires’ and ‘Firefly’, making it seem like we’re going to be in for a collection of Parallels meets Arch/Matheos progressive metal, but things quickly change. ‘Desire’ sounds like something that could have come from Ray Alder’s modern metal side-project, Engine. ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘O Chloroform’ feel like heavier OSI tracks. “Into the Black’ even throws in some Blackwater Park styling – streamlined for Fates Warning’s superior songwriting, of course. The fourteen-minute “And Yet it Moves’ even borrows a bit from ‘The Ivory Gate of Dreams’ in the way it builds off of different movements and moods throughout its duration (none of which consists of needless solos). Despite nearly ten years between Fates Warning releases, Darkness in a Different Light doesn’t miss a beat. It picks up where FWX left off, and then hits the ground running. Darkness in a Different Light features some of Jim Matheos catchiest tracks since Parallels, but also manages to up the metal factor to levels the band hasn’t seen since No Exit (although no comparison can be made between the two styles of metal featured on each respective album). Fates Warning has dropped the industrial experimentation and has embraced a heavy, modern style of progressive metal that streamlines the Arch/Matheos style and makes it catchy as hell. Review by "Trey Spencer" (www.sputnikmusic.com).

RATING:  8.5 / 10   **GREAT**

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*. God Spell .*

Album: Jalan Iblis (1972)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Rock/Pop)  /  Indonesia

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Jalan Iblis
02. Pengharapan
03. Gadis Telaga
04. Cinta Dalam Syair
05. Discothique
06. Kenangan Indah
07. Pusara
08. Cinta Dalam Syair

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Life Line Project .*

Album: Armenia (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Symphonic/Eclectic)  /  Holland

Armenia is opened by the vibrant New Flight, a song that reminds me of ELP due to the fantastic keyboard pyrotechnics of Erik, but this time well supported by the strong vocals of Marion Brinkman who adds a jazzy touch. A breathtaking start for a great album. Let Your Outside Show Me marks a dramatic contrast, this time the use of piano and acoustic guitar combined with a beautiful melody serve as a relax for the audience after the frenetic opener. The band is impeccable, but again I have to focus in Marion Brinkman, who demonstrates her versatility adding a sweet touch to enhance the music. Another Deadline starts as pure rock with a brilliant Ludo de Murlanos in the percussion, but as the song progresses, the radical changes begin and Erik takes a more preeminent role with the keys. After this, you can expect anything with pompous and brilliant Moog passages interrupted by soft melodic sections. I could go song by song, but would take hours, because I don't find a weak moment, so I will pass directly to the 'Piece of Resistance''The Armenia Suite, not without mentioning the incredibly beautiful Moment where the combination of acoustic guitars and keys, makes it memorable.
The suite is divided in four parts:
1.- Ararat (The Origin), a melodic and almost acoustic intro where the piano takes the lead, until Erik goes to his keyboards to add a nostalgic atmosphere blended with some sort of military march and an Emersonian fugue. Places the listener in the mood for the rest of the suite 2.- - Deir Ez Zor (The March) is so soft and sentimental that almost breaks my heart, but of course some strong dramatic moments reminds us of the terrible massacre. This time Marion Brinkman returns to her uncommon style that always puzzles me. 3.- Exile (Hope) continues in the vein of the previous, allowing the piano and vocals to replace the synths , again dramatic and heartbreaking. 4.- The album is closed by Jerevan (Resurrection), theperfect finale for an excellent album, everything a Proghead wants to listen is here. I must admit that I'm a fan of the band, so it's hard to rate the album without looking as a fanboy, but honestly I believe this is the best LIFE LINE PROJECT release, or at least in the level of Distorted Memories, which I considered a 5 stars work, so I will have to go with the same rating. Review by "Ivan_Melgar_M" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  8.25 / 10

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*. Tonbruket .*

Album: Nubium Swimtrip (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Jazz Rock/Fusion/Post/Ambient)  /  Sweden

Swedish nu.jazz band E.S.T. (Esbjörn Svensson Trio) was possibly brightest figure in European new jazz scene during the early years of the new millennium.After Esbjörn Svensson´s untimely passing in the summer of 2008 his former band-mates Dan Berglund and Magnus Öström had to re-orientate and find a new meaning for their musical lives. Dan Berglund (bass) remembered his former colleagues from the "Per Texas Johansson" band, who he had performed with before he had met Esbjörn Svensson, and he hooked up with Johan Lindström, one of Sweden´s leading steel guitar players. Over the course of the next six months Martin Hederos, pianist of pop-outfit "Soundtracks of our Lives", and Andreas Werliin (drums) joined the team, and they became a new band, TONBRUKET. Still in E.S.T. time Dan Berglund was a "rocker" in their team. In his new band, he develops his love to classic hard rock bands as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple to new form of fusion, adding post-rock and indie influences into this mix. (Prog Archives).

RATING:  ?????????????

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*. Subsignal .*

Album: Paraíso (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Metal/Neo Prog)  /  Germany

"Ratio meets emotion". Those three words describe the new album of Subsignal in a good way. After the really good album "Touchstones" the band managed with "Paraiso" to meet the high expectations. I personally think, that "Paraiso" is even better than "Touchstone" since it varies a bit more. This has also to do with the fact, that the songs are more in focus. The melodies are a little bit more catchy (meant in a positive way) which makes it easy to listen to the album. But by all this it is still very obvious that excellent rock musicians are at work. They know how to write great prog-rock songs which never get banal. It makes just fun to listen to the album. But "Paraiso" needs attention. Take the time to listen to it, since the band also took time to write the songs. You will discover new details with each round. When I was listening to the record I was often reminded to Saga, Yes and partly Dream Theater. After an intro called "Time and again" the title track starts with a pretty strong riff. In more than 4 minutes the song describes the journey to you own paradise. I like esp. the chorus of the song. "A new reliance" has some Saga elements and surprises in the verse with a kind of reggae rhythm. Another song which is also to mention is "The blueprint of a winter". This a ballad with a great melody. Probabaly the most commercial song on "Paraiso". The song is actually a duett between Arno Menses and Marcella Bovio. The one or the other of you know Marcella maybe already from Stream Of Passion. Both voices fit perfectly together and they give the song a lot of atmosphere. "The colossus that bestrode the world" follows and brings back 'rock' into the album. "Swimming home" rounds off a really good third record from Subsignal. Congratulations to the band for the album. A good third release of Subsignal. Give it a try - you will like/love it. Review by "Markus Heavy Music Blog" (http://mwiemetalblog.over-blog.com).

RATING:  8.5 / 10

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*. AKA .*

Album: Sky Rider (1972)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Rock/Pop)  /  Indonesia

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Sky Rider
02. Dunia Buram
03. Hati Sunyi
04. Marthie
05. Karena Dia
06. Groovy
07. Badai Bulan Desember
08. Cintaku Kembali
09. Tak Kuasa

RATING:  6.75 / 10

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*. Iconoclasta .*

Album: Iconoclasta en Concierto (1990)(Reissue 1998)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Jazz Rock/Fusion)  /  Mexico

6th album by Mexican Prog band Iconoclasta and their first release recorded live. Led by composer and keyboards player Ricardo Moreno the group went through some personnel changes in the late 1980s, as well as moving away from the Symphonic Prog, that dominated their early output, towards instrumental Prog / Fusion. The double lead guitar front and powerful keyboards by the leader, supported by an excellent rhythm section, create some really hot Fusion moments, which would delight any fan of the genre. The instrumental skills of all the players are quite amazing and the power, energy and interplay on this live recording are truly inspired. Most warmly recommended to Prog / Fusion fans. Review by "Jazzis" (Rate Your Music).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Gandalf The Grey .*

Album: The Tin Angel (2005)(Compilation)
Genre: Prog Rock (Psych./Folk/Blues/Pop/Rock)  /  USA

Gear Fab's excavation of the recorded history of Greenwich Village folkie Chris Wilson continued apace with this follow-up to The Grey Wizard Am I (itself reissued three years earlier by the archival label). You needn't be a total sci-fi/fantasy dork to enjoy that 1972-vintage album, though it certainly doesn't hurt. Those with less esoteric -- okay, less geeky -- tastes, on the other hand, probably felt the Tolkien-themed lyricism was more than a little bit twee and precious. Even more well-adjusted, down-to-earth listeners, however, might find themselves charmed by parts of The Tin Angel. Firstly, the music itself is more diverse and, consequently, has a far broader appeal. Secondly, there is nary a wizard hat or hobbit in sight. The CD backtracks to pick up the beginning of the Gandalf the Grey story circa the late '60s. It combines the results of two separate trips into the recording studio, 1968's "The Tin Angel" sessions and the following year's "What's the Excuse," only a few songs overlapping between them, and then rounds out the set with a pair of 1966 tracks by Wilson's previous band, 4 of Us. All were shelved at the time and received their first airing on this disc. There is little of the pure whimsy-for-whimsy's-sake of the later Gandalf material in evidence here. While still at times betraying the starry-eyed and earnest outlook of its composer, the music doesn't even ask you to suspend your disbelief or check your cynicism at the door in order to find its appeal. In fact, it has some darker edges of its own, particularly the 1968 recordings, surprisingly tough-minded, occasionally even gutsy acid folk (note "The Carnival," almost as roiling and insistent as Love's "Seven & Seven Is"). With "What's the Excuse" Wilson moved in a more high-flown direction, the music full of baroque (at times strident) orchestrations and the production detailed with dainty psychedelic flourishes. It is still music that is very much of its place and time, and the past, as the saying goes, is a completely different country. However, unlike the willful unworldliness of The Grey Wizard Am I, which almost plays like it came from a different planet altogether, these songs definitively exist in this world, even if they are being pulled from a time capsule. Review by "Stanton Swihart" (www.allmusic.com).

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Gandalf's Fist .*

Album: A Day in the Life of a Universal Wanderer (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Neo Prog)  /  UK

I recently just found that this album is now available on Itunes a few weeks early, so curiosity getting the better of me (and being faced with a long train journey) I decided to give it a download digitally rather than wait for the CD at the end of the month. I enjoyed the previous two releases from these guys quite a bit and was quite looking forward to this one... I was not dissapointed but I was also rather suprised. There's still an element of the floydian soundscapes that were so appealing, but there is definitely a more modern space-rock feel to this album. The Sax & flutes add a richness to the sound and give it an almost jazz-feel in places, non more so on the second track however with the addition of guest female vocals on a number of the tracks there is most certainly a new vibe on here that will take a while to digest. A lot of the tracks on offer are big on impact and they seem to have addressed some of the issues with vocals as there are some meaty hooks to be found within many of the tracks (my personal favourite being Orphans of the sky). In contrast, the folkier side of Gandalf's Fist makes a welcome return. Being a big 'Tull fan I really enjoyed some of the folkier tracks from their first album and was slightly disappointed when they departed from this on last years follow-up. No such problems here though as the penultamate track sounds something akin to Led Zep's battle of evermore with a sci-fi twist. Good stuff. The only downside for me was the track "north of the wall" - I already heard the acoustic version on their website and not sure if the full band version detracts or adds to the song... either way it seems to be WAY too short for an album track! All in all this is a great release, it's interesting and dynamic to my ears - some people will dislike the more diverse sections, such as the piano ballad "Somewhere beyond the stars" (Which has an amazing female vocal by the way!)... but that's just me, I albums to be intersting, diverse and a journey - and that's what the latest from the fist is - a journey... narrated by someone who sounds *uncannily* like Morgan freeman! Review by "ProggyDave" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  8 / 10

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*. Exit Calm .*

Album: The Future Isn't What It Used to Be (2013)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock (Shoegaze/Alternative/Pop)  /  UK

This month sees the release of The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be, a new album from British rockers Exit Calm. The record seems to have antecedents in the work of alternative groups most active in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, however, Exit Calm provides a take that is fundamentally modern. The album deals lyrically with transcendental matters, from final resurrections to Faust, which is suggestive of a band that is trying hard to associate itself with the word ‘epic’ and the large-scale acts that also proudly wear that badge. The stadium quality of Exit Calm’s sound ensures that the band’s largeness thematically is matched by its music. A good example is the album-opening Rapture, which builds to a vehement dynamic peak at which singer Nicky Smith states ‘the rapture will come’ with a kind of strained growl that I associate with the voice of Dave Grohl. Smith’s vocals, however, generally have a timbre that more closely resembles that of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, an element that is partly responsible for my previous assertion that Exit Calm’s influences can be traced back to the ‘80s and ‘90s. In addition to this though, the tunes Fiction and Albion in parts remind me of the jangly guitar rock of the Stone Roses, as does the vocal melody in the chorus of Glass Houses. Also harking back to that era is Holy War, which features ominous grungy undertones that are typical of Alice in Chains and, as a trivial note, is thematically similar to the Stone Roses’ Breaking Into Heaven – both songs deal with some sort of obstruction to getting into heaven, before concluding that the kingdom is inside of us. Whilst Exit Calm play with elements of grunge and, to a limited degree, the psychedelic, the extent to which they diverge from the mainstream should not be overstated. For instance, both When They Rise and Higher Bound have a feel that could easily find favour amongst listeners after more radio-friendly rock; they deliver an experience that is perhaps less epic than what the majority of Exit Calm’s catalogue will provide. This observation is not meant to disparage the band but simply suggest that, melodically and texturally, these tunes are of a nature that will compute more easily with the average pop music listener. Part of what makes When They Rise and Higher Bound a bit more palatable is the fact that they are of a shorter length than the rest of songs on the album. They both clear four minutes, but the average on The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be exceeds five. In the modern music climate, songs that are getting up towards, and going beyond, six minutes tend to be reserved for those which have a lot to say, or a lot of ideas going on. Whilst with a song like Holy War I can see the need for a bit more time, as the song shifts between some very unique and interesting moods, not every song on the album needed the kind of length that it was given. This causes problems when listening to the album as a whole, regardless of how strong the music itself may be – by the time I got to the closing number, the six-minute Open Your Sky, I was struggling to keep focus. With The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be, Exit Calm has produced a set of songs that are simply big in every way, which in certain aspects can be a little overwhelming. However, the largeness of their sound, combined with an interesting array of influences, makes for an album that is both energetic and inclusive, giving the sense that they’d be the type of live act to get people going regardless of the kind of crowd they’re playing to. Review by "Ben Ryan" (http://renownedforsound.com)

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. AKA .*

Album: Puber Kedua (1979)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Neo/Rock/Pop)  /  Indonesia

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Puber Kedua
02. Badai Bulan Desember
03. Semangat 45
04. Akhir Kisah Sedih
05. Karang Wulu
06. Lebih Baik Begini
07. Legenda
08. Balada Anak Zaman
09. Dunia Buram

Line-up / Musicians
Ucok Harahap / Lead Vocal, Keyboards
Soenata Tanjung / Guitar, Backing Vocal
Arthur Kaunang / Bass
Syech Abidin / Drums

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Cinema Show .*

Album: Dança dos Ventos (1995)
Genre: Prog Rock (Neo Prog)  /  Brazil

This work is highly influenced by Genesis (note the band's name) and Steve Hackett. Nice guitar melodies and solos are combined with atmospheric keyboards and strong drums and bass. Although not presenting a new musical approach, this work remains obligatory for fans of Genesis, and would appeal primarily to fans of Hackett's electric and acoustic guitar playing style. Review by "Cesar Lanzarini" (www.allmusic.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. A filha do rei
02. Dança dos ventos
03. Dança dos ventos II: Sequindo-o
04. The story of a lonely man
05. Boneca de pano
06. Soft
07. Faces ocultas(a revelação)
08. (Porqué?)...carlinhos

Line-up / Musicians
João Marques / lead & backing vocals
Bolo Bang / drums, vocals
Bili Netti / guitars, vocals
Adelamir Luiz / bass, bass pedals, acoustic guitar, vocals
Ká Lynn / piano, synthesizers, vocals

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Psicomagia .*

Album: Psicomagia (2013)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock (Exp./Jam Band/Jazz)  /  USA

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. El Memorioso
02. El Congreso Pt.1
03. El Congreso Pt.2
04. Simplon

Line-up / Musicians
Brian Ellis / Tenor Sax
Tyler Daughn / Keyboards, Organ
Trevor Mast / Bass
Paul Marrone / Drums
Bernard Nunez / Words
Daniel Guttierez / Words

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Vulture Industries .*

Album: The Tower (2013)
Genre: Prog Metal (Avant-Garde/Extreme Metal/Exp.)  /  Norway

Vulture Industries are not strangers to these pages, though 18 months have passed since we last featured their music. They dwell in Bergen, Norway, population 270,000, and home to an astonishingly large number of talented metal bands given the city’s modest size. But it’s safe to say that Vulture Industries are unlike any other band from Bergen. In fact, I’m having some trouble thinking of anyone quite like them anywhere else in the world. Today they debuted (via the Pyro site on Norwegian national radio (NRK P3)) a lyric video for the title track to their forthcoming album The Tower, and it proves my point. The music is a bombastic, theatrical, head-spinning thing. The excellent instrumental part of the music is sort of like a blend of melodic death metal, post-rock, and Broadway show-stopper, spun in an avant-garde centrifuge, and Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen’s mainly clean vocals will take you into the clouds. He sings, “It Soars!”, and his voice soars like you won’t believe. He also assumes a variety of other vocal personae in this allegorical song about the materialism of modern life in the Western world. As eccentric and borderline-surreal as the song is, I found myself immediately riveted by it — and I do mean immediately, as in, from the first seconds. And the first thing I wanted to do after hearing it was hear it again. The video is also a visual feast, which features the wonderful artwork of Costin Chioreanu. There is one perhaps unintended bit of humor that comes from the placement of an ad for the album and related merch; you’ll see what I mean. But otherwise, I thought it was quite cool, as lyric videos go. The Tower was mixed by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. (www.nocleansinging.com)

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Ian Gordon .*

Album: The Horror Show (2013)(2Cd's)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Heavy/Exp./Metal)  /  UK

Ian Gordon, from Bolton, in the UK is a multi-instrumentalist singer and composer, who have been very productive since the release of the double CD "The Box" in 2011. In this release, Ian was showing a lot of potential as a songwriter and musician with well-crafted songs that can be developed in long instrumental breaks. The voice tone is very close to David Bowie, which is a good thing and makes the music even more enjoyable. Here we are, a few years later, with another concept-double CD "Horror Show" with 2 guest musicians, including Rob Heyes (guitars and vocals). The CD starts with no less than 3 epics that run through 20 minutes duration! The music of Ian is a Neo-Prog that is delivering some delightful symphonic passages, dark atmosphere with a good use of retro-Prog sounds, like mellotron and Taurus bass pedals. The music is at times largely dominated by a wall of keyboards, especially in the first part of the CD, but the guitars and bass have their share of space, because the songs are breaking many times into some heavy and smoother turnaround. The vocals are pretty busy, and it's the first time that I can say that I really enjoy that much the production and sounds of the music here. Every instruments and the voice is coming out clear with a high level of quality in each compositions, despite the 2 hours marathon. It should be notice that the second part of the material here (tracks 4 to 10) take us back to 10 years of work, and shows a different kind of songs than the first 3 epics. The guitars played a more dominant role and the keyboards take a step back. I really enjoy the narration in the music, because the purpose was to tell a story behind the music. And the artist has succeeded to illustrate that story with dark atmosphere, some violent and heavy breaks that show influences of Spock's Beard, The Watch and Simon Says. But all this tempered with some calm and more joyful parts, acoustics typical of big epic songs that get you through many moods. So with this long 2 hours of material, the listener is taking on a journey where he goes from sentimental moments, to harder rock, weird moments with frightening themes. Is it the breakthrough of Ian Gordon in the world of Progressive Rock or is he continues to work on the shadows of the most popular bands? If some listeners had some doubts about the talents of this musician, this CD should clear those out for good. Review by "rdtprog" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  ???????????????

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*. Nik Turner .*

Album: Space Gypsy (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Psychedelic/Space Rock)  /  UK

Nik Turner is a founding member of the slightly ahead of their time space-rock ensemble Hawkwind. Turner took stage presence to the next dimension raising the bar for a plethora of artists throughout multiple genres, often wearing full makeup and Ancient Egypt inspired frockery there was little left to the imagination but to follow Turner's lead. Combining what can be argued as prog or art rock with some more open ended free jazz experimentation, Turner's impact remains as true and viable today as it did during the most critically acclaimed period of Hawkwind circa 1972. Space Gypsy is simply Hawkwind having hit the fast forward button forty one years except this time there is a more defined lyrical sense of purpose. Turner's imaginative creations are indeed at their apex with compositions such as "Fallen Angel STS-51-L" and "We Ride The Timewinds." Some fellow Hawkwind members such as drummer Simon House and the phenomenal guitar legend Steve Hillage drop by for cameo appearances but the overriding vibe here is an inter-galactic Hawkwind on steroids guided by the musical visionary that is Nik Turner. Pre-prog rock sounds from bands such as The Moody Blues and Asia have a direct melodic link back to the roots of Turner in Hawkwind and Space Gypsy is a reaffirmation of a set course that Turner would seem not to be willing to waiver from. There is a U.S. Tour running from October 9th through November 17th in support of this release which is available in multiple-formatted release combinations. Review by "Brent Black" (www.bop-n-jazz.com).

RATING:  8.25 / 10

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*. Peter Martin & Finch .* (Reissue)

Album: Drouyn (1974)(Reissue 2007)
Genre: Prog Rock (Psych./Hard Rock/Folk)  /  Australia

Another old surf soundtrack to be reissued on em, much of it will make you feel like a long-haired bell-bottomed teenager in a smoky bedroom wallpapered with surf and skateboarding posters, mid-70's style. Peter Martin penned most of the soundtrack, and got Australian hard rockers Finch (winners of the Pepsi Pop poll!) to back up the compositions, and then Finch added 3 songs of their own. Finch. How to describe Finch? It really doesn't take much thought - just think of an early metal band on a K-Tel compilation. That's pretty much Finch. The first song of theirs on this, "Sailaway", is a strangely coded devil-themed rocker that plays on how "sailin'" sounds an awful lot like "Satan", and "Pharisees" sounds like "fiery seas". The next Finch song is "Roses", with the insightful chorus, "Anyone can grow roses, but it takes a green thumb to grow grass". Yeah dude, and it's natural. The 3rd Finch song ... who cares. The good stuff on this album are the soundtracky bits that are the domain of Peter Martin. Still aware of the demographic and with a bottle of Jack Daniels in tow, he tries his hand at an array of styles. Fey folk, jazz rock, almost Morricone-like sensuality, and some seriously dark electrified horror film atmosphere. I have no idea what part of a surf film would require that level of evil - it's as if the film follows the gang from Last House on the Left as they surf and rape and murder. Good times. Even though some of the pretty folk tracks (including one that sounds a LOT like Fairport Convention's version of "I'll Keep It With Mine") probably alienated the booze'n'surf crowds in the theater, most of it still sounds pretty tuff. Buttrockers rest assured, you'll walk away from the album rhythmically waving the devil sign in the air roaring "... Sail away, sail away to the distant shores of Hell / Sail away, sail away to the [fiery seas] as well ..." Yeah, actually it's pretty cool, makes me feel butch. Review by "zeke" (Rate Your Music).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Onevoice .*

Album: A Sound & Space, Agreed (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Symphonic/Alternative)  /  USA

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Bury Me In Sound
02. The Dreamcatcher
03. Heartship
04. Before This Life
05. Storm Cloud
06. Fragile Dreamer
07. Mirage
08. The Greenhouse

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Oasis .*

Album: Oasis (1984)
Genre: Soft Prog Folk (Pop/Rock)  /  UK

Mid-80's Easy Listening super-group. The group consisted of Peter Skellern, Julian Lloyd Webber, Mitch Dalton, Bill Lovelady and Mary Hopkin. Their only album was quite well received reaching the Top 30 of the UK album charts. When conceived, executed and then unveiled to the public, the group behind this LP were heavily touted as being a 'super group'. Indeed, each member had their own previous recording careers and brought a wealth of experience and talent to this project. Whether this was meant to continue beyond this, their one and only LP is uncertain, but the intervening years seem to suggest that a follow up LP is extremely unlikely. If so, then that's a shame because although this LP is certainly not to everyone's taste, it is well crafted and beautifully exectued by all those invovled. If you're looking for the perfect summer evening 'chill out' beyond the realms of the plethora of 'Ibiza' and 'Ministry of Sound' compilations, then look no further! Review by "picdisc65" (www.discogs.com).

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Ian Gordon .*

Album: Retrobution (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Pop/Rock)  /  UK

A collection of songs chronicling a variety of experiences... from travels to the far corners of Europe and the United States to observations of life in the gritty North West of England. (http://iangordon.bandcamp.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Faith
02. Aerial
03. Zanzibar
04. Basic
05. Frames
06. Dixi
07. Frankincense
08. No Smoke Without Fire
09. Long Live The New Flesh
10. I'm Not Your Lover
11. Stars Over Lebanon
12. The Substitute

Line-up / Musicians
Ian Gordon / vocals, guitars, bass, keys & drums

RATING:  ????????????

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*. Aldo Tagliapietra .*

Album: L'Angelo Rinchiuso (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog)  /  Italy

Un angelo entra nei sogni di un vecchio saggio e vi rimane intrappolato, scoprendo così l'intimità del vecchio, i suoi ricordi, la sua vita, da sempre e per sempre profondamente legata a due pianeti speciali, Felona e Sorona: è questa la storia raccontata ne “L'angelo rinchiuso”, il nuovo album discografico di Aldo Tagliapietra, ex cantante delle Orme, presentato oggi a Mestre nel corso di una conferenza stampa alla quale sono intervenuti, tra gli altri, oltre all'artista muranese, il presidente della Municipalità di Mestre Carpenedo, Massimo Venturini, ed alcuni rappresentanti del “Venice Sherwood Festival”. “Ospitiamo con grande piacere – ha esordito Massimo Venturini – Aldo Tagliapietra, artista che ha le sue origini nel nostro territorio e che rappresenta un pezzo importante nella storia della musica. La sua esibizione al Venice Sherwood Festival sarà un'occasione da non perdere, in cui anche i giovani potranno  ascoltare ed apprezzare una musica diversa, imparando a riconoscere quali sono le radici da cui deriva anche la musica di oggi”. Per promuovere il nuovo disco Tagliapietra ha allestito un nuovo spettacolo dal titolo “40° anniversario live 1973–2013” che presenterà in anteprima con la sua band (Sergio De Nardi tastiere, Andrea De Nardi, Hammond e MiniMoog, Matteo Ballarin chitarre, Manuel Smaniotto batteria) lunedì 26 agosto, alle ore 21, al “Venice Sherwood Festival” al Parco Parco San Giuliano - Porta Gialla, con l'ormai consolidata formula anticrisi del Festival “1 euro può bastare”. Il tour partirà poi in autunno con debutto a Milano l’8 ottobre. Il nuovo album, con una cover di Paul Whitehead, sarà in vendita in tutti i negozi e in digitale dal 10 settembre. Voce e basso dello storico gruppo “Le Orme” fino al 2009, dopo l'uscita dal gruppo, Aldo Tagliapietra ha realizzato due dischi in poco tempo: “Nella pietra e nel Vento”, uscito a inizio 2012, e il concept inedito “L’angelo rinchiuso”, scritto in occasione del 40. anniversario di “Felona Sorona”, l’album più famoso delle Orme uscito in Italia nel 1973. “L'angelo rinchiuso - ha spiegato Tagliapietra - parla dell'uomo, parla di me e della mia storia. Sono davvero soddisfatto del risultato del mio lavoro e credo sia una delle cose più belle che ho prodotto in questi anni. Non vedo l'ora di presentarlo alla mia città e vi assicuro che darò il massimo”. Una lezione di vita e di entusiasmo per tutti da parte di un “giovane” di quasi settant'anni. (http://www.comune.venezia.it)

RATING:  9 / 10   **FANTASTIC**

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*. Peter Gabriel .*

Album: And I'll Scratch Yours (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Pop/Rock)  /  UK

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. I Don't Remember (David Byrne)
02. Come Talk To Me (Bon Iver)
03. Blood Of Eden (Regina Spektor)
04. Not One of Us (Stephin Merritt)
05. Shock The Monkey (Joseph Arthur)
06. Big Time (Randy Newman)
07. Games Without Frontiers (Arcade Fire)
08. Mercy Street (Elbow)
09. Mother Of Violence (Brian Eno)
10. Don't Give Up (Feist feat. Timber Timbre)
11. Solsbury Hill (Lou Reed)
12. Biko (Paul Simon)

RATING:  7.5 / 10

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*. Chrome Hoof .*

Album: Chrome Black Gold (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Eclectic/Crossover/Exp./Freak Disco)  /  UK

10 piece outfit (well they were when i last counted) Chrome Hoof release their 5th album “Chrome Black Gold” on October 8th and are playing a special launch gig at the Lexington, Pentonville Rd, London on October 5th. The new album is released on Cuneiform Records, the label responsible for releases by acts from Soft Machine to Guapo and it follows the wonderfully eclectic Crush Depth and Pre-emptive False Rapture albums that helped the band appear on the likes of BBC’s “Introducing” programme. The band formed over 10 years ago to experiment with genre’s as diverse as Prog, Disco, Doom and beyond and include instruments from guitar, bass and drums to Violin, Bassoon, Trumpet, Sax and there is a fairly fluid line-up that allows for new instruments and idea’s to be involved. They have performed with the likes of Krautrockers Cluster and supported Magma and have had members of Cathedral and Cardiacs come in and out of their ranks. (www.progzonemag.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Enter The Drobe
02. Knopheria
03. When The Lightning Strikes
04. Kestrel Dawn
05. Tortured Craft
06. Ultimate Sealed Unit
07. Exo-Spektral
08. Andromeda
09. Dysnomia
10. Varkada Blues
11. Drobe Out

RATING:  ?????????????

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*. Konstantin Jambazov & Amethyst .*

Album: Moment From Infinity 2003-2007 (2009)
Genre: Prog Metal (Melodic/Prog Rock/Hard Rock)  /  Bulgaria

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Words & Speech
02. Are You Remember ?
03. Melancholy
04. Make My Dreams Come True
05. Moment From Infinity
06. Reverie
07. I'm Waiting For You
08. Saga For The Art
09. The Theatre - War
10. Farewell
11. Strive To You
12. In My World
13. Christmas Song

Line-up / Musicians
Konstantin Jambazov / guitar, keyboards, bass, drums , vocals on 3,6,11,12,13
Georgi Krastev / lead vocals on 1,2,5,8,9,10,13
Georgi Shopov / lead vocals on 4,7,12,13
Ilian Iliev / keyboards, piano
Julian Christov / lead guitar on 7,10

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Crystal Palace .*

Album: The System of Events (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Neo Prog)  /  Germany

Crystal Palace are a German progressive/art-rock band from Berlin who have been around for some time honing their chops and advancing their songwriting skills which has led to this little gem – their sixth studio album. Sounding to these ears very similar to label stablemates RPWL (no bad thing, RPWL are one of the finest progressive rock bands around) with a smattering of Hogarth-era Marillion, Pendragon, Arena and, ubiquitously, Porcupine Tree, ‘The System Of Events’ is an eight track progressive rock tour-de-force. Very much set in the present, the band are not only unafraid to tackle the big issues of the day such as the Breivik killings in Norway, the school shootings in America and the Fukushima disaster but are also able to get up-close and personal with people’s everyday trials and tribulations of love and loss. The aforementioned highlight of what is an exceptional piece of work is both the closing and title track of the album. ‘The System Of Events’ would be a standout track on any progressive rock album – it’s that good. The band knew what they had as well, roping in Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) and Yogi Lang and Kalle Wallner (RPWL) to add their talents to the thirteen minute epic. Giving the band’s take on the Fukushima disaster, the track builds in intensity to the anthemic chorus with some incredible guitar work then cuts unexpectedly to a series of news reports detailing the tsunami and its aftermath layered over acoustic guitar and keyboards before cranking up for the big finish. Staggering stuff. The whole album is a top-notch effort – much thought has gone into both the subject matter and the music to produce a magnum opus of  colossal proportions with exceptional musicianship throughout – taken still further by that monumental title track. Review by "Alan Jones" (http://getreadytorock.me.uk).

RATING:  ???????????????

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*. Altare Thotemico .*

Album: Sogno Errando (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Jazz Rock Fusion)  /  Italy

A quattro anni di distanza dall’omonimo album di debutto, tornano gli Altare Thotemico, formazione bolognese inizialmente legata alla scena neo-prog, oggi protagonista di un netto cambio di direzione. Gli scenari disegnati risultano ancora più ambiziosi, grazie al felice connubio fra gli aromi dell’esordio e nuove decisive propulsioni jazz. “Sogno errando” custodisce ancora la tensione poetica interpretata da Gianni Venturi, inserendola però in un contesto dove l’improvvisazione diviene padrona. In tal senso fondamentali si sono rivelate le figure del pianista Leonardo Caligiuri, ideatore delle chiavi di lettura idonee a coniugare le varie anime della band, e di Emiliano Vernizzi, responsabile della sezione fiati, stavolta in grandissima evidenza. Si è generata così una sorta di follia creativa, ottenuta grazie all’estro ed alla fantasia di tutti i musicisti coinvolti (gli altri sono Valerio Venturi al basso, Max Govoni alla batteria e Gabriele Toscani al violino). L’album è composto da sette brani (alcuni piuttosto lunghi) rappresentativi di un’ideale sintesi fra improvvisazione, free form, canzone d’autore, jazz elettrico ed enfasi teatrale. Un anomalo concept album, figlio non tanto di una storia raccontata con più testi, quanto di importanti concetti guida: le correnti sotterranee, le culture dimenticate, l’alce nero, la terra, la memoria, la profondità. Se poi il riff strumentale della prima traccia (“Le correnti sotterranee”) vi ricorderà molto da vicino i Gentle Giant, sarà la riprova che certe radici ti restano cucite sulla pelle. Recensione di "Claudio Lancia" (www.ondarock.it).

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Hangover Paradise .*

Album: Mirrors (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic/Neo Prog)  /  Netherlands

Each song is a self-contained musical adventure; full sounding and played with passion. Beautiful introductions; sometimes grandiose, sometimes smooth. Surprising transitions with guitar work to feast on. Tight soulful bass and rhythmic pulsing drums. All this combined with tuneful passionate vocals and the variety and range provided by 2 accomplished keyboard players make Hangover Paradise a symphonic rockadventure. All songs are the bands original compositions with lyrics by keyboardist Peter Zwerus. The songs include lyrics in which everyone can find something of themselves in, and also lyrics that are about important issues; subjects ranging from the life of a child soldier, to how religion will never solve the world's problems. (www.hangoverparadise.nl)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. I Rest My Case
02. Out in the Streets
03. Back Home
04. Take Away
05. Army of Innocents
06. Religious Minds
07. Coming Home
08. Hangover Paradise

Line-up / Musicians
Peter Zwerus / keyboards
Henk Zwerus / keyboards
Jeroen van Stenis / drums
Pieter Nanuru / guitars
Cynthio Ooms / bass
Elias de Vries / vocals

RATING:  8.75 / 10    **MARVELLOUS**

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*. Iconoclasta .*

Album: Movilidad (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Jazz Rock/Fusion)  /  Mexico

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. Alucinaciones Subterraneas
02. Hipotesis
03. Ser de Luz
04. Hacer Patria
05. Respirando Apenas
06. Duerme
07. Hoy tal Vez
08. Transhumanistas
09. Tremolo
10. Extincion

Line-up / Musicians
Greta Silva / vocals, bass
Victor Baldovinos / drums, percussion
Ricardo Ortegon / guitar
Ricardo Moreno / guitar, keyboards

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Magenta .*

Album: The Twenty Seven Club (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Neo Prog)  /  UK

Songs / Tracks Listing
01. The Lizard King
02. Ladyland Blues
03. Pearl
04. Stoned
05. The Gift
06. The Devil At The Crossroads

Line-up / Musicians
Christina Booth / vocals
Rob Reed / keyboards, guitars
Chris Fry / guitars

RATING:  ???????????

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