It’s been ten years since that memorable evening at the Summer’s End festival, when my greatly missed friend and TPA editor Jez Rowden and I first encountered the remarkable Discipline during their evening set. We were both amazed that such an extraordinary band had escaped our notice until then, but from that moment on we became firm fans, agreeing it to be the standout performance of the festival.
Back in 2017 I reviewed their Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea album for TPA and was similarly hooked by what was another great release following their previous albums. Formed in Detroit during 1987, they have recorded five studio albums before this one, each made with such care and attention proving that quality is often better than quantity. Now the band have returned with this new album, eight years after their last. Was it worth the wait? Oh yes in my opinion it is, they have delivered an excellent example of modern progressive music with a sound that is recognisable as Discipline – oozing quality, beauty, restrained tension, superbly played and presented throughout demonstrating their time between releases has been put to great use.
For this follow up release they have signed to ‘ProgRock.com’s Essentials’, and joining band leader Matthew Parmenter for Breadcrumbs is Matthew Kennedy and Chris Herin, plus award winning musician and composer Henry Parmenter on drums. The album consists of five tracks ranging from five to just under seventeen minutes in length, mixed by legendary producer Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning) and production handled by Matthew Parmenter himself. The album was recorded and engineered by Matthew at Swindlehurst, Michigan with additional recording by Ben Ridley at Windfall Recording New York. Mastering was handled by Ray Montford at Anchor Sound. Mention must be made for the striking cover art provided by renowned artist Hugh Syme.
The album begins with its nearly seventeen-minute title track, Breadcrumbs – an ambitious opener that sets the tone. The song unfolds with atmospheric keyboards, soon joined by a steady rhythm section, while the guitar weaves in expressive flourishes throughout. The lyrics carry a sharp edge, potentially critiquing society’s fixation on social media and the erosion of privacy, or perhaps hinting at governmental manipulation through digital platforms – interpretation depends on the listener’s perspective. Regardless of how you read the message, Matthew’s emotive vocal delivery, paired with incisive piano lines and tasteful keyboard embellishments, elevates the track. The contributions from the rest of the band are equally compelling, underscoring the collaborative nature of the piece. The song moves with a dynamic ebb and flow, occasionally revealing moments of striking beauty that reinforce its thematic weight. For those who wish to delve deeper, the lyrics are thoughtfully included in a booklet for reflection
Keep The Change follows, guitar leads the opening, again with lyrics superbly delivered as the song slowly develops and builds with important contributions from all band members culminating with a great solo from Chis Herin towards the end of the song. The lead-off track, When the Night Calls to Day, comes next – released with a striking video…
Aloft is a graceful instrumental, opening with delicate piano, gently accompanied by understated guitar. The rhythm section provides a steady foundation, allowing the piano and guitar to interplay with subtle elegance. The introduction of violin adds a rich layer of texture, deepening the sonic palette. From the midpoint, the piece hints that it is going to cut loose, yet the band exercises restraint, opting instead for a modest lift in tempo before the track concludes with quiet finesse. It’s a masterclass in control and nuance.
To close the album we have the song Aria, another wonderful example of construction and pacing of the long form song, clocking in at just over ten and a half minutes. It begins with a light, almost tentative ensemble passage, soon giving way to a piano-led section supported by the full band. Matthew’s vocal delivery is once again deeply emotive, conveying each lyric with palpable sincerity. Around the five-minute mark, the tempo subtly shifts, introducing new momentum while preserving moments of musical beauty. A notable transformation occurs at eight and a half minutes, as the piano adopts a jazz-inflected style. Chris Herin’s guitar work becomes increasingly prominent here, floating effortlessly above Matthew’s piano and the rhythm section, guiding the piece to a richly satisfying conclusion.
It is safe to say that Discipline are back and still top of their game with this majestic, thoughtful and beautifully created album full of wonderful melodies, cinematic stylings and musical complexity. I think this will appeal to new listeners, but equally is full of what the diehard fan love about the band. Repeated listens deliver the depth and quality of this release, for me personally each play makes me think they have delivered a classic.
TRACK LISTING
01. Breadcrumbs (16:56)
02. Keep The Change (7:06)
03. When The Night Calls To Day (5:28)
04. Aloft (7:46)
05. Aria (10:40)
Total Time – 47:59
MUSICIANS
Matthew Parmenter – Vocals, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Violin
Chris Herin – Electric Guitar
Matthew Kennedy – Bass
Henry Parmenter – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: ProgRock.com’s Essentials
Country of Origin: USA
Date of Release: 1st August 2025
LINKS
Discipline – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X
