When the promo arrived, I didn’t pay too much attention to the blurb. I downloaded the files and hit play. The opening chords of Blue Door came from nowhere: joyous, startling and immediately demanding attention. Heavy guitar chords call an…
This album is extraordinary and its timing uncanny. It grabs you instantly and demands you pay attention to it. It is a siren, an alarm in the night, a clarion call, and like the Orwellian novel, a harbinger of what can…
When long standing musical stalwarts announce a new album there is usually a familiar buzz amongst fans, myself included as a long time fan, who expect to hear exactly what they love. But with this release Hawkwind have mixed it…
This is my 7th Nektar review for TPA and 9th overall, if you count my old DPRP reviews. That’s how committed I am to charting the tale of Nektar, in whatever haphazard order the reissues will come. This time around,…
In music culture, nothing beats a generous portion of nostalgia. It enables the listener to indulge in either reminiscing on the past, or in re-invigorating the senses for new music to come. And Pop music artists, in particular, are magpies…
Featured artists: Lite | Lari Basilio | Joy Shannon | Steve Blanco Four bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the 2025 albums and EPs to land at TPA over the past few months… • Lite – The…
Featured artists: Edenya | Riffstone | Barend Tromp | Jonhatan Tenerini | Path Of Ilya Five bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the recent albums to land at TPA over the past few months… • Edenya –…
100 Club, Oxford Street, London Saturday, 20 June 2026 A balmy summer evening greets us revellers as we emerge from Oxford Circus tube station, heading for a tasty pre-gig curry. Suitably nourished off we go to the nearby legendary 100…
Music and Arts Centre, Barnoldswick Saturday, 30 May 2026 Firstly, before I do the review I think I need add a bit of texture to the day and also to demonstrate that I am not afraid to laugh at myself…
Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London Monday, 8 June 2026 I think it’s a fair assumption that, when Robert Fripp was putting together the last version of King Crimson, Adrian Belew might have been disappointed not to be involved. Crimson’s numerous tours…
![Hedvig Mollestad Trio at Boerderij [NL] in May 2026](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Hedvig-Mollestad_tpa-banner-700x450.jpg)
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Sunday, 22 May 2026 I had never heard of the Hedvig Mollestad Trio (HM3), but the description alone — an instrumental collision of jazz, prog‑metal, psychedelia, and stoner rock was enough to pique my curiosity. The…
Howard Assembly Room, Leeds Tuesday, 19th May 2026 First of all, before I talk about the concert, I need to mention the venue, the Howard Assembly Room. In Victorian times, it was originally a theatre but it is a place…
![Rockpommel's Band at Boerderij [NL] - May 2026](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rockpommels-Band_tpa_banner-700x450.jpg)
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 23 May 2026 If you were to ask me which album from the long history of the German so-called ‘Krautrock’ prog scene of the seventies that stood out above the crowd, my answer would be…
Crookes WMC, Sheffield Friday, 24 April 2026 Another concert in a venue that is new to me. Crookes WMC is, as the WMC suggests, an old school hall designed for music, which, back in the day, would probably have been…
New Theatre Oxford Thursday, 14 May 2026 This means nothing to me, Oh Vienna Except. It is actually Oxford, on a rainy Thursday night in May. “The feeling has gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me.” Yet,…
Basil Francis: Hello John! Thank you for speaking to the Progressive Aspect. I first heard the term “New Wave of British Heavy Metal” (NWOBHM) whilst reviewing the Holocaust Vol 1 boxset, which was released back in 2023. Tell me about…
With the release of the new album Blessed and the warm reception of Live First Album: 50th Anniversary, their penultimate live record, it was high time for me to catch up with frontman, singer, and principal songwriter John Palumbo. What…
Sometimes you know before the conversation even begins that it’s not going to be a standard interview. Clare Lindley is one such person. A violinist, singer, composer, rock climber, and a fixture within Big Big Train (BBT) for several years…
Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne Thursday, 4th September 2025 Intro and first impressions… Despite this festival being in its third year I was still a virgin to Nene Valley Rock Festival. So, other than seeing a line up full of interesting bands,…
Following TPA’s review of The Great Divide, multi-instrumentalist and composer John Holden kindly agreed to talk with Jane Lee where he elaborates on the artistic vision that has shaped his music. Jane Lee [JL]: Hi John. Thanks for agreeing to…
At a time when, seemingly at least, Punk ruled the airwaves and snarling teenagers were saying naughty words on the TV – it looked like bands with talent were threatened with oblivion. Some carried on regardless, other bands folded, while some…
