Progressive Metal

Enzo and the Glory Ensemble – In the Name of the Son Review

By Master of Muppets on October 5, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 82 comments

“Once, I believed myself able to see past the veils and charades of societal labels, to be able to transcend the likes of religious affiliation in order to experience art for art’s sake. Once, I believed that I could overcome any element of musical unpleasantness if the rest of the material was strong enough. I have loved the likes of Mos Def, Flyleaf, and Ghost Bath, and felt no shame. Once, I believed all this to be enough to allow me to find redemption in any kind of music… until I heard Enzo and the Glory Ensemble’s In the Name of the Son.” Jazz hands for the Lord.

Squalus – The Great Fish… Review

By Saunders on September 20, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Punk, Reviews, Rock, Sludge, Translation Loss, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Punk, Sludge, 59 comments

“When the trailblazing and difficult to classify Giant Squid went on indefinite hiatus in 2015, the heavy music world lost one of its great innovators and truly underappreciated acts. They signed off with their exceptional 2014 album Minoans before news eventually filtered through of their demise the following year. While all good things must end, thankfully the creative juices are still flowing for the Giant Squid band members. Vocalist/guitarist and mastermind Aaron Gregory has collaborated with the bulk of the Giant Squid crew to deliver the debut LP from Squalus.” Once squided, twice shy.

Vanora – Momentum Review

By Lokasenna on September 17, 2017 in 2017, Crime Records, Djent, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Djent, Progressive Metal, 22 comments

“Norway. A country home to a beautiful language, gorgeous fjords, and hideous metal. While most, including me, associate the country with black metal, there are other brands attempting to make their mark, including this offering, Vanora. Playing a mixture of djent and more traditional progressive metal that feels distinctly of the current trends in metal, Vanora’s debut Momentum claims to promise sharp riffage, a nice mixture of singing and growling, and big, heady synth lines. Wait, what?” Putting the prog in Norway?

Threshold – Legends of the Shires Review

By Steel Druhm on September 5, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 93 comments

“2017 has been a challenging year for Steel’s favorite prog-minded bands. Pyramaze tried to craft a movie soundtrack of a metal album and crashed on a reef in the treacherous Michael Bay, and Anubis Gate opted for a heavier, darker sound that felt awkward and unrefined. Knowing Threshold had a massive double album inbound filled me with trepidation and worry this downward trend would never get reversed. And Legends of the Shires is nothing if not long, clocking in at over 1 hour and 22 minutes (2 discs, 3 LPs).” Legends last forever, as do some albums.

Subterranean Masquerade – Vagabond Review

By GardensTale on September 4, 2017 in 2017, Israeli Metal, Oriental Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, ViciSolum Productions, Oriental Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock, 66 comments

“Twelve years down the road from the debut, Subterranean Masquerade no longer sounds the same. The psychedelic has lost ground to the Oriental, and the introduction of Green Carnation vocalist Kjetil Nordhus has brought influences from his main gig into the songwriting. The subtle madness and looming shadow have made way for a scene of sunlit clay houses in a strange, vaguely Middle-Eastern land.” The mind of an artist is murky and mysterious.

Anubis Gate – Covered in Black Review

By Steel Druhm on August 30, 2017 in 2017, Danish Metal, Nightmare Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 49 comments

“When it comes to prog-power, Anubis Gate has been the first name in my Rolodex ever since 2005s A Perfect Forever found its way to my iron ears. Later albums like Andromeda Unchained and The Detached essentially wrote the book on how progressive power metal should sound, and I have an unhealthy fixation on both those slick platters of melodic metal. After hearing rumors the new album would be a departure for the band, I had a nagging feeling that a great love affair might be headed for the rocks. After a 3 year wait, Covered in Black does indeed find the band in a different place musically and mentally.” Storm at the gate.

Akercocke – Renaissance In Extremis Review

By Akerblogger on August 30, 2017 in 2017, British Metal, Death Metal, Peaceville, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 153 comments

“I created my moniker out of a weird obsession with Akercocke. A close friend and I would muse over the lyrical and conceptual themes from Goat of Mendes, watch videos of the band being interviewed by Irish religious nuts, and generally make long-winded jokes over Jason Mendonca’s LinkedIn profile and his love for tweed and sophisticated exhibitionism. Beneath this was a love for the eclectic and unique extreme music that Akercocke crafted.” Tweed the demons.

Leprous – Malina Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 23, 2017 in 2017, InsideOut, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 154 comments

“Leprous is one of Norway’s finest acts and one of the excellent stable of modern prog bands that we have covered here at AMG in the last 5 or 6 years. In recent times, their profile has risen as their singular approach to progressive metal has inspired high praise from myself, Kronos, and the metal world at large.” When a rare double review arrives, it means the staff has been a beefin’.

Xanthochroid – Of Erthe and Axen: Act I Review

By Saunders on August 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Symphonic Metal, Folk, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 49 comments

“Finally, Xanthochroid return with a detailed prequel narrative to the storytelling events of the debut, split into two albums to be released in 2017, beginning with Of Erthe and Axen: Act I. Do they have what it takes to craft a prequel story with the musical output to match their ambition? Or is Act I destined to become the metal equivalent of The Phantom Menace?” Jar Jar-core?

The Hirsch Effekt – Eskapist Review

By Treble Yell on August 17, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, Industrial Metal, Long Branch Records, Mathcore, Pop Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Industrial Metal, Metalcore, Pop Metal, Progressive Metal, 18 comments

“Drawing from a variety of influences such as math-metal, metalcore, industrial, prog and even pop, The Hirsch Effekt aren’t afraid to challenge convention, but in doing so, they run the risk of being swallowed by their own ambition. The inclusion of a bold language like German could prove to be a volatile addition to an already fractious mix or it could be the epoxy that holds everything together. A salivating proposition.” Die Bart die.