Überblick When purchasing a career-spanning box set of a band that you’re not overly familiar with, you have to keep an open mind and expect the unexpected. For me with Schmetterlinge, the gargantuan 15CD/1DVD box set including every studio and…
View More Novalis – SchmetterlingeAuthor: Basil Francis
Noēsis – The Current
You have to be brave and somewhat foolhardy as a band to try and penetrate the world of prog-metal, a genre that is oversaturated with Dream Theater soundalikes and where musical skill, above all else, is valued. It doesn’t pay…
View More Noēsis – The CurrentMildlife – Phase
Melbourne-based four-piece band Mildlife enter the scene with their debut album Phase, drawing on such diverse influences as jazz, disco and psychedelic rock to create a heady and truly intoxicating concoction. The opening track and lead single The Magnificent Moon…
View More Mildlife – PhaseFlying Circus – Starlight Clearing / 25 Live
And now for something completely different… “Communiqué number one. Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.” At first, it struck me as odd that a German band…
View More Flying Circus – Starlight Clearing / 25 LiveBlack Severn – Wild Interior
Black Severn, who appropriately hail from Bristol, invite you to hear their second opus, Wild Interior, which comes hot on the heels of their self-titled debut, released in March 2016. At 34 minutes in length, it feels more like an…
View More Black Severn – Wild InteriorAnthony Phillips – Invisible Men
Esoteric’s deluxe treatment of Anthony Phillips’ back catalogue continues with the not-so-highly sought after 1983 pop album Invisible Men, a collaboration between himself and long-time musical partner Richard Scott. The notes of this 2CD edition explain that it was a…
View More Anthony Phillips – Invisible MenUnicorn – Too Many Crooks
This year marks a decade of Esoteric Recordings. Beginning by releasing solely progressive rock music, it’s safe to say the style of their releases has strayed from the original remit somewhat. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to chase their reissues, as what…
View More Unicorn – Too Many CrooksTim Blake – Caldea Music II
My wife and I have quite opposite views on how one should go on holiday. I like to be up at 8AM, out the door by 9AM, and doing as much as the day allows when I’m in a new…
View More Tim Blake – Caldea Music IIThe Magnetic South – Sea Level
One problem facing the new swathe of progressive rock bands is how to update the genre and carry it forward. Some bands don’t even attempt an update, and simply mimic the sounds of the ’70s, with varying degrees of success.…
View More The Magnetic South – Sea LevelMichael McGear – Woman
For a few years now, Esoteric has been widening its furrows, letting in much more than what the average fan might consider “progressive rock”. I sometimes worry that they are straying too far from their original grounds, but the results…
View More Michael McGear – Woman