Porcupine Tree

Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus Review

By Huck N Roll on May 13, 2022 in Reviews, Progressive Rock, 19 comments

“It’s great to see a new album from Pure Reason Revolution just two years after their last, the up-and-down, nearly-amazing Eupnea. We were also gifted with a reissue of their brilliant The Dark Third back in 2020, so they’ve kept some momentum going upon their return from their 2011 hiatus. Now Jon Courtney and Chloë Alper return with a fresh album and one more band member – Greg Jong, who was in the band until prior to the release of The Dark Third way back in ’06. Above Cirrus is therefore this version of PRR’s first release.” Bear market.

Without Waves – Comedian Review

By Felagund on March 17, 2022 in Reviews, Experimental Metal, Progressive Metal, 36 comments

“Cover art can be make or break. Despite that old axiom, I do indeed judge a book by its often horrific cover. I tend to avoid the intentionally bad (looking at you, Voivod‘s Target Earth) and the unabashedly anatomical (I’ve already seen The Reek of Putrefaction, thank you very much.) However, there’s plenty of room between the two extremes to play, and you can always count on a few quality covers lurking around the primeval AMG promo sump; the kind that just begs for a spin or three. Such was the case with Comedian, the latest from Chicago-based progressive metalers Without Waves. Their fortuitous choice to immortalize a moment in the life of one very unlucky flamingo has earned them one whole review.” Flightless.

Seven Nines and Tens – Over Opiated in a Forest of Whispering Speakers Review

By Carcharodon on January 7, 2022 in Reviews, Post-Metal, 61 comments

“Well, List season is pretty much over, TYMHM posts are drawing to a close and here we are, back to the grindstone. I am kicking off the year of our Jørn 2022 on a high. Well, so I am told. You see, I have in my clutches the third full-length from Canada’s Seven Nines and Tens, an album that—I am informed by the accompanying blurb— “aims to be one of the finest metal albums to be released in 2022″. I have no problem with bands setting themselves lofty aspirations but, when you come out swinging like that in the first week of January, you kinda have to deliver.” Tree hangover.

Chrome Waves – The Rain will Cleanse Review

By Carcharodon on September 9, 2021 in Reviews, Post-Metal, Shoegaze, 19 comments

“Chicago, Illinois’ Chromes Waves have been lapping gently on the post-black metal and shoegaze shores since their formation in 2010. With a line-up featuring members busy with other projects, it seemed outside interests were hampering Chrome Waves‘ output, which was limited to a 2012 EP until 2018. At that point, founding member Jeff Wilson departed Wolvhammer and Abigail Williams, turning his full focus to Chrome Waves. Later that year, the debut, A Grief Observed, appeared, garnering a solid review from Mark Z. The same year saw compilation The Cold Light of Despair appear. This creative frenzy continued into 2020 as, apparently unnoticed by this blog, their sophomore LP, Where We Live, appeared. A year on, and further line-up changes behind them, Chrome Waves are back with third full-length effort, The Rain will Cleanse.” Chrome waves of rain.

Vulkan – Technatura [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Huck N Roll on December 4, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“People hate social media because of all the idiots, lunatics, and imbeciles. I must have the best-curated friend lists on the planet; aside from blocking a few conspiracy theorists, flat-earthers, and all-around rednecks this year, my feeds are pristine. In fact, I’ve gotten a ton of great recommendations from my Twitter pals, and the best of the bunch was Technatura, the third album from the Swedish heavy prog band Vulkan. I’ve never heard of them just like they’ve apparently never heard of PR, because I didn’t know about this album until months after its release. That’s a shame, because this is one of the strongest progressive rock albums of the year.” Secret Spock.

Helfir – The Journey Review

By Twelve on November 3, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 8 comments

“It’s all about the journey, so the saying goes. For me, the journey from album discovery to album listening to album review is often the highlight of my week, regardless of the ultimate destination (read: rating). For Luca Mazzotta, the one man behind the one-man Helfir project, The Journey is his third release, and one that takes its title very seriously. Taking the helm on every instrument, real and programmed, Mazzotta’s ambitions and inspirations, including such names as Katatonia and Porcupine Tree, are unleashed over fifty minutes of honest, dark, and remarkably flexible music.” Safe travels.

Alizarin – The Last Semblance Review

By Kronos on July 17, 2020 in Reviews, Progressive Rock, 16 comments

“The Last Semblance is the second Alizarin album, and the first that is not instrumental. That’s an important note, because Alizarin is the passion project of a one Josh Kay, who wrote the songs, played the guitar parts, made the album art for, and mixed The Last Semblance.” One man army.

Airbag – A Day at the Beach Review

By Huck N Roll on June 19, 2020 in Reviews, Progressive Rock, 30 comments

“Four years ago now, our AMG Overlords made the error in judgement to bring me on as a n00b. Airbag’s Disconnected was my second probationary review, and I will never forget it. Why? Well, because every week without fail for the past four years, our technologically advanced promo distribution system has notified me that “Steel Druhm has stopped sharing Airbag with you.” Okay, I get the hint.” Bag men.

Pure Reason Revolution – Eupnea Review

By Huck N Roll on April 5, 2020 in 2020, British Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 30 comments

“This week my good friend TheKenWord got his hands on a pretty sweet doom album from Loviatar. When I saw the score assigned, and went back and listened to Lightless, I was kind of upset with myself for not grabbing it when I had the chance. But then I remembered why I left it alone: Eupnea, the first album from Pure Reason Revolution in ten years. When people talk about PRR’s first three albums (all released between 2006-2010), comparisons to Pink Floyd, Muse, and Tool are often mentioned.” Better than PBR.

Dead Frog – Burning Bridges Review

By Dear Hollow on July 29, 2019 in 2019, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Serbian Metal, Sliptrick Records, Uncategorized, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 17 comments

With its (albeit impressive) focus on sprawling song structures and meandering songwriting, progressive metal just never tickled me pink in a way that’s really stuck. Serbian five-piece Dead Frog, who I can only assume repeatedly lost at Frogger, offers their own contribution, channeling in equal measure the progressive metal giants, the alternative rock of Linkin Park, the classic heavy metal feel of Iron Maiden.” Splat.