Mike Patton is something of a musical polymath. Away from the two main bands he’s known for lie all sorts of musical diversions, all coloured with varying degrees of strangeitude. One of them, but probably not the oddest (that’s Fantomas)…
View More tētēma – Necroscape
The ‘Bright Ambassadors of Morning’ of Pure Reason Revolution broke up 10 years ago, seemingly burning out after shining brightly over a brief 5 or so years, therefore, it came rather as a surprise when they appeared out of the…
View More Pure Reason Revolution – Eupnea
Karina are a duo from Finland, who have genuinely (and pleasantly) surprised me with their second album. Their eponymous debut was quite beautiful, but notable for its minimalist and acoustic nature, largely just the two voices of Karin Mäkiranta and…
View More Karina – 2
The discussions about which bands have the greatest influence on progressive rock music always seems to throw up the same five bands, but in my opinion Gentle Giant should always be included. They were a band unafraid to push boundaries…
View More Gentle Giant – Vinyl Reissues: Gentle Giant / Acquiring The Taste / Three Friends / Octopus
It feels a little odd to be almost halfway through 2020, and reviewing an album from the tail end of 2019, but perhaps it is almost appropriate, given that Michele Conta’s debut solo album seems to have been in gestation…
View More Michele Conta – Endless Nights
Dave Brons, another new name to conjure with, although those familiar with Dave Bainbridge’s Celestial Fire will be aware of Dave Brons as part of the live set-up. Along with this both Dave’s took part in the short lived GB3…
View More Dave Brons — Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
I approached the debut release from The Animal State much as I do any release I know nothing about – by ignoring all that might be written about it, and just listening. The only thing I noted before I started…
View More The Animal State – Genus
Modern Welsh progressive rock band Magenta are a band who follow their own very distinctive melodic path, describing narratives through dramatic and emotional music. They create beguiling musical and lyrical canvasses. Masters of Illusion is based upon the stories of…
View More Magenta – Masters of Illusion
FM, one of Britain’s finest AOR bands, add to their impressive catalogue with this, their tenth, eleventh or twelfth album (depending on whether or not one wishes to include Indiscreet 30 and regard Rockville and Rockville II as separate releases).…
View More FM – Synchronized
Andrea Fioravanti and Mohammed Ashraf have definitely kept themselves busy during lockdown. Since the latest Postvorta album, Porrima, was released in February, they’ve both contributed to Riccardo Pasini’s Desert Sessions Home Edition, and Mohammed has released his latest Pie Are…
View More Postvorta – Siderael, Pt. One