Consisting of four epic length tracks, “Breathing Space” showcases Hackberry inventively infusing their sophomore album with a dense patina of heavy prog movement. This virtuosic instrumental quintet created mammoth of a record that nimbly integrates heavier elements with intricate classic prog. “Breathing Space” may have been even better served by a bit more thematic unity and compositional structure, but the album remains a thrilling and pulse-racing heavy prog cosmic sojourn.
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We take a look at “Eleision Forest”, the advance track from Norwegian supergroup The Chronicles of Father Robin and their upcoming three-album project The Songs & Tales of Airoea.
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“The Approbation” is a stellar debut for AVKRVST, who have delivered a powerful opening album statement for progressive music fans to stand up and take notice. Delving deep into dark and moribund subject matter with strong progressive rock and metal elements, AVRKVST don’t dilute the emotional impact of their themes in an impenetrable shroud of doom; their compelling musical content renders them more immediate, accessible, and impressive.
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“PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation Music” is an early contender for my favorite album of 2023, thus far. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard brought their talents for inventive, evocative compositional prowess to bear, with electrifying thrash metal results. The album forges the King Gizz ethos ahead into pure genre territory, catalyzing its evolution with shredding metal intensity.
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“Fire Foretellinger”, the debut solo album from Wobbler keyboardist Lars Fredrik Frøislie, is a captivating and deeply impressive release, imbuing Norse/Norwegian folk tales with a thrilling display of symphonic prog virtuosity. The end result is easily accessible (and enjoyable) for fans of Wobbler, retro prog, or classic 70s prog.
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“Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension” from They Watch Us From The Moonis a doom metal-infused Laser Floyd for the mind’s eye, a disarmingly melodic and riff-driven take on heavy psychedelia that blasts off into a wholly-other sonic cosmos.
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