Nobody has mentioned new John Greaves album Life Size, I think it is brilliant companion piece for Songs.
Nobody has mentioned new John Greaves album Life Size, I think it is brilliant companion piece for Songs.
My progressive music site: https://pienemmatpurot.com/ Reviews in English: https://pienemmatpurot.com/in-english/
I forgot the Bubu and the Gryphon... they need further listens and placement in my evaluation of 2018
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
I've listened more, bought the CD / download, and revised my opinion from 'interesting' to 'outstanding'.Originally Posted by Zappathustra
Nice to hear that the record is available in actual shops!
Here's my Top 10 List Of 2018:
1) Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs
(Progressive/Folk/Death/Oriental Metal)
This was one of my most anticipated discs this year. An Israeli metal band singing about bringing different types of people together rather than continuing centuries of hatred is very appealing to me, especially lately. When early reviews proclaimed that it was as good as their groundbreaking release Mabool, my initial reaction was that this seemed sacrilegious and couldn’t possibly be true. Once I heard the disc, I realized why this statement was made and couldn’t help but agree. After a single listen, even though it was early in the year, I could already tell this would be at the top of my list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti-bSKTnN1w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hurWzo01FpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks52bFQKIDo
2) Amorphis - Queen Of Time
(Progressive/Folk/Melodic/Death Metal)
Under The Red Cloud was my top disc of 2015 and has become my favorite all time Amorphis disc. When I first got Queen Of Time I thought it was great but just a hair below Under The Red Cloud. I maintained this assertion throughout the year. However, as I was re-listening to candidates for my top 10 list, it really sunk in how good Queen Of Time really is but I couldn’t really explain why. It wasn’t until last week that I may have identified the difference. I think the difference is that the song Sacrifice is on Under The Red Cloud and that may be my favorite Amorphis song ever. In any other year, Queen Of Time would have been #1 on my list but I had to put Orphaned Land on top this year. One difference may be that Queen Of Time seemed to be a somewhat expected follow up to Under The Red Cloud, whereas Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs is way better than any Orphaned Land disc since Mabool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz9uAOM4DHo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf_4uvymwRw
3) All Traps On Earth - A Drop Of Light
(Symphonic Progressive Rock)
This disc came out of nowhere and was my biggest pleasant surprise of the year. I had heard nothing about this Änglagård side project until it was released. I’m a huge Änglagård fan. In fact, if I could choose one band that best describes what I like about progressive rock, Änglagård would be that band. This is the creation of the bassist from Änglagård as well as a few other members. If you are an Änglagård fan, this is a must buy. I have no idea if Änglagård is ever going to release another disc, but I sure hope so and there isn’t anything better to hold me over than All Traps On Earth.
https://alltrapsonearth.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk8zm_5-Bs4
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=10657
4) Phideaux - Infernal
(Crossover Progressive Rock)
I had heard this band mentioned frequently on progressive rock forums but had never heard them until this year. I just happened to check out Infernal on Bandcamp and immediately said to myself, “holy *^%*^%$* this is good”. This is a more accessible progressive rock disc than many that while it is certainly influenced by 70’s progressive rock, it manages to sound fresh and uplifting rather than “retro”. I’ve sampled some of Phideaux’s back catalog and liked what I heard so I intend to spend more time exploring it this year.
https://phideaux.bandcamp.com/album/infernal
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2379
5) Obscura - Diluvium
(Technical Death Metal)
This band was a new another discovery for me this year as well. I had never heard them and I can’t even remember what made me check out Diluvium but it immediatly blew me away. I can’t imagine any fan of technical death metal not liking this. There is also a very nice Cynic influence on this disc in that they occasionally use the processed vocal style from Focus which is one of my favorite all time discs. Even though I just got into this band when I heard they were coming to Denver I decided to go. I tried to get up to speed on their back catalog as best as I could before the show and really enjoyed it. This is another band I need to spend time exploring their back catalog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwcocrUz1y8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bhPcrPLyKo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jypdLnySvA
https://techno1line.bandcamp.com/album/obscura-diluvium
6) Mystery - Lies and Butterflies
(Neo-Progressive Rock)
Mystery is like drinking sugar water. So sweet and how could you not like it? I’ve liked every disc of theirs I have heard and this one is no different. The focus is certainly the outstanding vocals. This type of music doesn’t have enough uniqueness to be at the top of my list, but this is another solid yet similar release from this band. While I like the disc, I don’t like it as much as most of their previous releases. I think the formula too familiar so I’m hoping for a bit more variety from them in the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4BsFVVPP14
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=791
7) Spock´s Beard - Noise Floor
(Symphonic Progressive Rock)
Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep was the disc that got me really interested in exploring more progressive rock, an interest that has continued and grown. For some reason The Oblivion Particle didn’t do much for me so I had mixed expectations for Noise Floor. To my delight Noise Floor was great and I liked everything about it. I don’t know why, but the Neal Morse Spock’s Beard hasn’t clicked with me, but I’m all in on the Ted Leonard version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2J3mjnFL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_j1MXXqj1w
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=320
8 ) Seventh Wonder - Tiara
(Progressive/Melodic Metal)
This is pure melodic goodness. This one has really clicked with me in a time where I haven’t been as interested in traditional progressive metal as I have in the past. Great disc driven by Tommy’s incredible voice. Thankfully there is no narration to get in the way of repeat listens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Raz0TKEox6A
9) Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly - Friendship
(Crossover Progressive Rock)
I discovered Beardfish a few years ago and have been enhoying exploring their back catalog recently. This is their founder’s solo band and it’s really indistinguishable from Beardfish (RIP). Last year I discovered his previous solo Gungfly release On Her Journey To The Sun and really liked it, so I bought Friendship the day it became available. So far I don’t think I like Friendship quite as much as On Her Journey To The Sun but it’s still a solid release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfnINxMKss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3dmQqBArO0
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=5341
10) Ostura - The Room
(Progressive Metal)
When this release came out there was a lot of hype for it. However, it was nearly impossible to find. I tried to find it digitally but finally gave up and decided I’d wait it out and get it when it eventually became available digitally. I kind of forgot about the release until I started seeing it pop up on people’s top lists. At that point I decided I had to hear this. Now that I have it, I’m glad I didn’t give up completely. It was just a few weeks ago that I got it, but I kept listening to it over and over again. This really is as good as everyone says. It has everything I love about progressive metal. At a time when I’m not listening to as much prog metal as I used it, this is a release I want to keep listening to. Then I realized that while Änglagård is the band that encompases everything I love about progressive rock, the same could be said for The Room and progressive metal. It was at this point that I realized I had to push The Paradox Twin out of my top 10 to make room for The Room. If I had more time with this, it may have been placed higher than 10.
https://youtu.be/lzQmgb1fWRk
Runner Up: The Paradox Twin - The Importance Of Mr Bedlam
(Progressive Rock)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb5nyjAFrf8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpVc4AMcD6c
This disc was always towards the bottom of my top 10 list, but kept getting moved down by other discs I liked more. I was getting ready to post my list but wanted to re-listen to a few other discs and in the end this got moved off the list but I still felt it deserved to be mentioned. It’s a great debut but after many listens there are parts that drag on and at times the vocals wear on me.
For reference, here are other 2018 releases I considered, but just didn’t make the final top 10:
Melted Space - Darkening Light
Mir - Telegraph
Gryphon - Reinvention
Ghost - Prequelle
Kingcrow - The Persistence
Redemption - Long Night's Journey into Day
The Sea Within - The Sea Within
Royal Hunt - Cast In Stone
Tomorrow's Eve - Mirror Of Creation III-Project Ikaros
Greta Van Fleet - Anthem Of The Peaceful Army
Mile Marker Zero - The Fifth Row
Therion - Beloved Antichrist
Subsignal - La Muerta
Barren Earth - A Complex Of Cages
Dynazty - Firesign
Evership - Evership II
Ring Van Möbius - Past The Evening Sun
Michael Romeo - War Of The Worlds, Pt. 1
Between The Buried And Me - Automata I & II
Lords Of Black - Icons Of The New Days
Koenjihyakkei is not my regular cup of tea but DAMN!!!An interesting list! I've already earmarked a few CDs to make sure I check them out before year's end.
I've been working on my own "Best of 2018" list, and it's proving to be rather difficult because there have been so many good releases this year. It's gonna be tough to choose just 10, but that's what I've decided to limit myself to.
Roine Stolt might make it onto the list, but I'm not sure. Koenjihyakkei definitely is though.
The Prog Corner
Easily the best album I heard all year!!!
The Prog Corner
Koenjihyakkei & PinioL were only topped by Far Corner & Nik Bartsch Ronin for me this year.
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
Excellent list! I am so happy 2018 brought us a new Seventh Wonder album. Tommy keeps pretty busy with Kamelot.
Updated list
1. Far Corner - Risk
2. Nik Bärtsch's Ronin : Awase
3. Koenji Hyakkei - Dhorimviska
4. PinioL: Bran Coucou
5. In Love With - Coitus Interruptus
6. Alec K Redfearn & The Eyesores - The Opposite
7. VAK - Budo
8. Cheer-Accident: Fades
9. Zevious - Lowlands
10. Gogo Penguin - A Humdrum Star
11. elephant9 - Greatest Show On Earth
12. Jean Michel Jarre - Equinoxe Infinity
13. Aquaserge : Déjà vous?
14. Anna von Hausswolff: Dead Magic
15. Sonar With David Torn: Vortex
16. The Necks - Body
17. Thumpermonkey - Make Me Young, Etc
18. Jack O' The Clock : Repetitions of the Old City II
19. Uz Jsme Doma - Kry
20. Gosta Berlings Saga - Et Ex
21. Bob Drake - L'Isola dei Lupi
22. Manna / Mirage - Rest Of The World
23. Zwoyld - Zgond
24. Dan Weiss - Starebaby
25. Gryphon - Reinvention
26. Scherzoo - 04
27. Forgas Band Phenomena - L’Oreille Électrique
28. The Red Masque - Fathomless
29. Basta - Vertigo
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
STOP THAT DAMN AVANT!
"Improvisation is not an excuse for musical laziness" - Fred Frith
"[...] things that we never dreamed of doing in Crimson or in any band that I've been in," - Tony Levin speaking of SGM
Ha, I have seven of your top 10. Avantists rule!
neil
NO!STOP THAT DAMN AVANT!
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
These Seventh Day Avantists are one nutty sect, if you ask me.
I'm coming back as a bassoon.
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
Bits and pieces of Magma influence here and there as well.
Mongrel dog soils actor's feet
Half of this is in my Top40. So I am not going to say "good list" because it would feel like self-advertisement.
You gotta love PE. The only prog site where someone can post their top 29 and I haven't actually heard a single one of them!
Not just a Genesis fanboy.
Been trying to order the CD via B&M s tores in Brussels and it's not in the grosser's lists
Their (and Steve's) BC says it exist, but maybe it's too soon for it to be available in Europe??
My condolences, then!!
Half of that list is one mine (page 9 of the present thread.
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
And only one of many "prog" sites where they apparently understand the term itself, seeing how it originally denoted not a "sound" but an actual approach to making music. But then again you're the guy to make a point out of how some would propose "[...] some RIO band" [although we don't really understand what that is either] to have made a better album than Selling England by the Pound.
As if that wasn't already an established impossibility.
"Improvisation is not an excuse for musical laziness" - Fred Frith
"[...] things that we never dreamed of doing in Crimson or in any band that I've been in," - Tony Levin speaking of SGM
Trane, you’ll not get it from a European source; it’s sold out. We have the final 10.
Steve F.
www.waysidemusic.com
www.cuneiformrecords.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Remember, if it doesn't say "Cuneiform," it's not prog!” - THE Jed Levin
Any time any one speaks to me about any musical project, the one absolute given is "it will not make big money". [tip of the hat to HK]
"Death to false 'support the scene' prog!"
please add 'imo' wherever you like, to avoid offending those easily offended.
Don't remember doing that but we all know you're the guy with the brains here. Anyone is entitled to prefer a RIO album to SEBTP, although I indeed prefer the latter by a wide margin, which apparently makes me suspicious.
My comment wasn't meant to dismiss any of those albums I haven't heard, I'm just amazed there is so much music out there that passes me by. I should have known you'd go pedantic on me though.
Not just a Genesis fanboy.
You can hear (some of / all of) most or all of them for free, if you’re interested...
Steve F.
www.waysidemusic.com
www.cuneiformrecords.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Remember, if it doesn't say "Cuneiform," it's not prog!” - THE Jed Levin
Any time any one speaks to me about any musical project, the one absolute given is "it will not make big money". [tip of the hat to HK]
"Death to false 'support the scene' prog!"
please add 'imo' wherever you like, to avoid offending those easily offended.
I took it as a complement to PE not a dismissal. I like the fact there are broad tastes here. As Steve says a lot of them are on bandcamp and can be checked out for free.
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
Daily jazz vinyl reviews on Instagram @jazzandcoffee
Thanks, that J-Jazz comp is a must-have for me, and I didn't know it existed.
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