Henrik Olsson "Antumbra Ensemble"

Country: Sweden
Genre(s): Instrumental Avant Prog, Fusion
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD,digital
Release date: June 26, 2026
Tracklist

1. The Maneki-Neko Defect (1:41) 

2. Homeshredder (3:22) 

3. Video 3. El Excavador De Mi Corazon (6:02) 

4. Hey Pedo, It's Just Cosmic Dust (8:17) 

5. Will Sommer (5:29) 

6. A Lesser-Known Tragedy (part I & II) (5:46) 

7. The FInal Night : Sugoi Yoru! (5:40) 

8. With Freedom, Flowers, Book And The Moon...øh... (4:26) 

Total Time 40:43

Credits

Henrik Olsson - electric guitar, additional synths/sounds

Michaela Turcerová - alto sax

Erik Kimestad Pedersen - trumpet

Petter Hängsel - trombone & recorder

Kristian Tangvik - tuba

Jeppe Skovbakke - electric bass

Rune Lohse - drums

Compositions and arrangements by Henrik Olsson.

Description/Reviews:

On his Cuneiform Records debut, Antumbra Ensemble, Olsson has created eight musical puzzles, each unique in form and function. Joined with a group that includes fellow artists from the Copenhagen scene, he draws on a seemingly unending well of sounds to form his songs, each serving as single pieces to form the record’s whole.

Olsson’s approach references artists like Henry Threadgill’s groundbreaking Very Very Circus band—a unit that remains instantly identifiable through labyrinthine structures—and Rock In Opposition artists, namely Henry Cow, who essentially made unpredictability their vocabulary. In each, it is a unique vision and framework that holds those groups’ sound together. The same can certainly be said for Olsson. “When I was a kid and really got into a record,” he explains, “I wanted to live in this world, where I could smell and taste and discover new things. That’s the kind of experience I want to give the listener.”

Antumbra Ensemble is a wild adventure that blends an ever-evolving palette with a strong penchant for deep, shifting grooves and melodies that are both varied and catchy. It all centers around Olsson’s fearless musical voice, his kaleidoscopic compositions at the forefront, supported by his bold guitar flavors and a well-oiled, highly versatile band who are committed to the cause. Together, they put together a puzzle you’ll want to hear.

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Cheer-Accident "You Smile - The Song Is Over"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Avant Prog, Art Rock
Label: Cuneiform Records 
Format: CD+DVD, digital
Release date: May 29, 2026
Tracklist

1. Episode 34

2. Behind Your Smile

3. They Won't Talk To Me

4. The Next Fog

5. Incoming Angles

6. Tin Pan Galaxy

7. Moon Homecoming

8. Graffiti Eyes

9. The Blue Lie

10. Absence Moving Backwards

11. Epilogue

Credits

Thymme Jones
Jeff Libersher
Alex Perkolup
Mike Hagedorn
Laura Boton
Ross Feller
Wyatt
Cory Bengtsen 
Bethany Smoker
Carmen Armillas
Candice Latimer
Ana Raba
Kimberly Gilbert
Carla Kihlstedt

John Bruce Yeh

   
Recorded (in part) and mastered (in full) by Todd Rittmann

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
 
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French TV "The Spanish Caper"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: April 24, 2026
Tracklist

1. Entrance of the Small-Faced Man

2. Who Is X-35?

3. Just Another Tapdance on the Frying Pan of Life

4. The Eyes Roll for Thee

5. In Pursuit of Element 'Z'

6. An Unusual Tolerance for the Detrius of Memorabilia

7. The Spanish Caper 

8. Forest of Forgotten Skulls

9. break between disc 1 and disc 2

10. 20th Century Man

11. Nantucket Sleigh Ride

12. Goin' a Little Crazy

13. Fresh Garbage

14. Butterfly Bleu

15. Dead Man's Dream

16. Take a Look Around

17. Funky Judge

18. Freedom Rider 

19. Days and Nights

20. A Million Miles Away

21. Renegade

Credits

Disc One:

Mike Sary : bass

Katsumi Yoneda (TEE) : guitar

Jeff Gard : drums

Nico Fabre : keyboards

Ludo Fabre : violin

Karl Ledus : sax, weirdophone

Disc One majority tracking at Pen de Ceros Studios, Oviedo, Spain July 2024.

Disc Two

Mike Sary : bass, vocals

Katsumi Yoneda (TEE) : guitars

Pat Stawser (Volare) : keyboards

Jeff 'The Funky Judge' Gard : drums

Gregory Acker : sax, flute

Disc Two recorded, mixed and mastered at Louisville Recording Arts, Louisville KY by Howie Gano 2023-2024

Description/Reviews:

Disc One is new songs. The second disc is a collection of somewhat-obscure rock covers from the late 60s-early 70s. 

Blending elements of progressive rock, fusion, cartoon music, and Rock-in-Opposition, the music of French TV can be simultaneously hilarious and highly challenging, making it one of the most original American prog rock outfits and also one of the longest lived, having created 16 albums as well as having toured Europe and the US, along with many major festivals since their formation in 1983.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Mike Johnson "The Gardens Of Loss"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Avant Prog
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: January 30, 2026
Tracklist

1. Dies Irae (3:24) 

2. Boys With Toys (1:59) 

3. The Lords Of Creation (6:08) 

4. Destitution Meal (2:54) 

5. Transcience (7:23) 

6. Dumbstruck (7:53) 

7. The Gardens Of Loss (7:48) 

8. Souless In Gaza (8:28) 

Total Time 45:57

Credits

Mike Johnson ( Thinking Plague) – guitars, lap steels, fiddle, fretless banjo, sampler-synthesizer programming and "pencil guitars" (7)

   With

Simon Steensland – bass (except 7)

Morgan Ågren – drums and percussion (3–6)

Kimara Sajn – drums and percussion (1, 2, 8)

Jeremy Kurn – piano

Elaine diFalco – vocals

Dave Willey – bass, drums (7)

Bill Pohl – guitars (8)

Elise Roy – flutes

Caitlin Hilzer – oboe, English horn

Nuno Mourão – bassoons (3)

Mark Harris – clarinets, bass clarinet, alto saxophone

Shane Endsley – trumpets

Jon Stubbs – trombones

Oene van Geel – violins, "concertmaster"

Pablo Rodriguez – violins

George Dumitriu – violas

Pau Sola Masafrets – cellos

César Puente Sandoval – double basses

All music composed and orchestrated by Mike Johnson.

Lyrics by Mike Johnson except for “Transience” by Elaine diFalco.

Strings and bassoons recorded by Björn Warning at Warning Studios, Amsterdam, Netherlands. warningstudios.nl

Woodwinds and reeds recorded by Loren Dorland at Mighty Fine Studios, Denver, Colorado.

Vocals, drums, basses, guitars, piano, trumpets, trombones, oboes and English horn recorded “at home.”

Mixed and mastered by Colin Bricker and Mike Johnson at Mighty Fine Studios, Denver, Colorado. mfpcolorado.com

Produced by Mike Johnson.

Mixed and mastered by Colin Bricker and Mike Johnson.

Description/Reviews:

Mike is influenced by harmonically adventurous twentieth-century classical music, as can be heard in the ambiguous tonality of the music, and the rigour of his dense, complex compositions. Like many rock musicians he is self-taught, but very knowledgeable, and his fusion of rock and classical music is as seamless as it is compelling and for the first time ever amongst his 8 albums as leader of Plague, he has had the opportunity to use orchestral instrumentation as one of the pillars of this work!

Perhaps this is the reason why this is a Mike Johnson album and not a Thinking Plague album?

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Ping "Songs from the Nebula"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Apollon Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: October 24, 2025
Tracklist

1. Accelerating Time (3:56) 

2. Space Time Companion (4:31) 

3. Bad Boy Pluto (4:11) 

4. Daze In Space (3:43) 

5. Callisto (2:41) 

6. Jewish Space Laser (4:35) 

7. Nebula (7:02) 

8. Drag Me Through Space (3:29) 

9. Black Matter Lives (4:04) 

10. Multiverse (4:45) 

11. Kuiper (5:42) 

Total Time 48:39

Credits

Jørgen Greiner: Vocals, bass, guitar, synth, drum machine

Mattis Janitz: Guitar, banjo, ukulele, flute, bass, backing vocals, synth, drum machine, midi stuff

Tore Hofstad: Synth, accordion, guitar, mandolin, backing vocals

Mats Monstad: Drums, percussion, backing vocals, groaning

Bjørn Arne Johansen: Guitar, backing vocals, mandolin, bass

Roald Madland: Synth, guitar, backing vocals

   With

Bendik Bjørnstad Foss: Viola (7, 9, 10, 11)

Tiril Dørum Bengtsson: Cello (7, 9, 10)

Embrik Snerte: Bassoon (7, 9, 10)

Sverre Riise: Trombone (7, 9, 10)

Kristoffer Berre Alberts: Saxophone (1, 8)

Kim Alexander Eriksen: Trumpet (1, 5, 11)

Mikkel Ødegård Janitz: Vocal (11)

Mixing by Ryan McPhun (The Ruby Suns)

Mastering by Morten Lund

Description/Reviews:

PING is back - playing experimental Norwegian rock since last millennium. Inspiration from diverse artists like Zappa, Melvins, Ween, dEUS, Gentle Giant, Motorpsycho, Tom Waits and Wilco can be heard through all albums, combining elements from 60´s roots to modern metal and electronica.   

Ping's new concept album Songs from the Nebula bends time and space with melodic yet dissonant progressive rock from the outer reaches. Songs from the Nebula brings words from that emptiness and the hope of space-time companions to be found. You'll hear claims of accelerating time; that black matter lives; a maiden voyage ship-wreck in the multiverse; bad boy recycling a funeral cake; and Calisto’s lament at always being number two.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp (from release date)
Teaser

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Babal "Running In The Gutter"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Fruits de Mer Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: August 8, 2025
Tracklist

1. One Big Family (5:19) 

2. The Best Restaurants (8:55) 

3. The World That We Know (8:05) 

4. Cake Music (7:36) 

5. We Shall Be Fables (5:38) 

6. Running In The Gutter (9:07) 

Total Time 44:40

Credits

Karen Langley – vocals, arrangements

Rob Williams – guitar, guitar synth, programming

Jon Sharp – drums

    With

Paul Smith – acoustic bass

Chris Gill - bass 

Description/Reviews:

BABAL have come up with a blend of songs that illustrate the band’s improvisational skills, still retaining musical ideas that weave poetry and dynamic vocals that are at the band’s core.

 Opening track “One Big Family” is a full-on attack on social media; the rise of the biggest brain-washing experiment in history; “eye sockets sore, mind in chaos, thoughts flying round, like a bird in a cage, manic with facts and terrible rage! Nowhere to go, I can’t turn the page!”.

“The Best Restaurants” is a sharp take on poverty consciousness and opposing huge wealth, and a vain hope that religions may save us, but very probably not. ”All I saw was a crowd of starving souls, chewing at their wishes”.

“The World that we Know” is a plea for the World to wake up to the real possibility of extinction, “I wanna green world! I wanna green world! I want it to smell good; I don’t want it to stink like it does at the moment! Open your arms and let it in!”.

“Cake Music” is a satire on the virtues of neo-liberalism, “recycle now and do your bit! Be a match when the fires are lit; move a little closer to the cholera pit!”

“We Shall Be Fables” is a song that lulls the listener, yet reminds us ultimately of our mortality (one of Karen’s recurring lyrical themes), “life is eating us up, we shall be Fables, when the noon-tide beckons and the reaper reckons; we shall be Fables”

Title track, “Running in the Gutter” is a love song, poignant yet hopeful that love can still make the difference in all our lives; “you won’t applaud, it has a drive, it’s not a lot till love arrives! Love is not a number, it lives, it dies, running in the gutter, it doesn’t strive”. We can all get there, no matter how far down in the gutter we are.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Preview

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Zio Crocifisso "Campana di Legno + Trappola per Topi"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Avant Prog 
Label: AMS
Format: CD, digital
Release date: May 10, 2025
Tracklist

1. L'acconto

2. Arenicola 

3. Speziale

4. Metaxu

5. Il Tramonto dell'Occidente si Avvicina

6. Lievito Madre (PT. I-V)

7. Buone Parole

8. E Mele Fradicie

9. Margherita Legge Umberto G.

10. La Rivolta dei Servi

11. La Malabestia di Calafato

12. Vince

13. Il Cuore si Stanca anche Lui

14. La Malora

Credits

Paolo "SKE" Botta (Yūgen, SKE, Not a Good Sign) - Keyboards

Dario Magri (Yokoano, Sho) - Drums

Fabio Malizia (Orbe) - Bass

Matteo Serenelli (The Appetizers) - Guitars

   With

Thea Ellingsen Grant (Juno) - Vocals

Andrea "Mitzi" Dal Santo (Christadoro) - Vocals

Simen Ådnøy Ellingsen (Shamblemaths) - Saxophones

Jacopo Costa (Yūgen, Loomings, Oiapok) - Vibraphone

Margherita Botta - Vocals

Elia Leon Mariani (Yūgen, SKE) - Violin

La Miniera - Choir

Recorded by Davide Vezzoli at Alari Park Studios,

Matteo Serenelli at Albero Musicale

and Paolo "SKE" Botta at South Central Ceppine Studios

Mixed by Matteo Serenelli at Albero Musicale

© Mastered by Fabio Intraina at Trai Studios

Mastered by Matteo Serenelli at Albero Musicale

Executive production: Matthias Scheller / AMS Records

Illustrations by bicindolor.com

Graphics by Paolo “SKE” Botta

Description/Reviews:

Zio Crocifisso is an Italian instrumental avant-prog band. The character we portray (taken from Verga's novel "I Malavoglia") represents the expression "there's none so deaf as those who will not hear".

We are inspired by bands such as King Crimson, Poil, Melvins, Tool, Zu and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

This album is the result of the merging of three different approaches to music. Rather than finding a common ground, we tried to merge our ideas to find different and hopefully interesting solutions. Hope you enjoy what we did.

This material is released on CD by AMS Records, and includes all music from 2024's Campana di Legno EP + new unreleased material named "Trappola per Topi" for a total lenght of + 50:16 +

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Jack O' the Clock "Portraits"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Avant/Folk/Chamber Progressive Rock
Format: CD, digital
Release date: February 13, 2025
Tracklist

1. Josephine's Fresh Cuts

2. I'm OK, You're a Shithead

3. No. 4 Mountain

4. Another Sunny Day/Star of Monster 

5. Year of the Gypsy Moths

6. In the Gold Coin Saloon

7. My Life's Not Wasted

8. Lazy Tom Bog

9. The Gardener

10. Nature Abhors a Vacuum

11. Puer 1

12. Twomile Island

13. Isolation Booth

14. Stone Cold Steve Cactus In Mojave

15. Windigo Knocking

16. It's Hard To Find Booze On Sunday

17. Puer 2

Credits

2003 MUSICIAN CREDITS:

Damon Waitkus - acoustic guitar, bass (1,2,4,6,13), flute (5), drums (11, 17)

Emily Packard - violins

Brad Mehlenbacher -drums

Roger Vaughan - bass (7, 11,17)

Recorded by Damon Waitkus at Roger and Rochelle's in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Summer 2003

2023-4 MUSICIAN CREDITS:

Damon Waitkus - vocals, guitars, hammer dulcimer, piano etc.

Victor Reynolds - bass, guitars, piano, vocals, etc.

Kate McLoughlin - bassoon

Recorded by Damon Waitkus at Orchard Hill Studio, Brattleboro, Vermont, and Victor Reynolds in San Mateo, California, 2023-2024

We also sampled some unreleased past contributions by:

Ivor Holloway - tenor sax and clarinet

Art Elliot - organ

Jonathan Russell - clarinet

Dave McNally - mellotron

Mastered by Myles Boisen at Headless Buddha Mastering Lab, Oakland, CA

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Thy Catafalque "XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek"

Country: Hungary
Genre(s): Progressive Avant Folk Metal
Label: Season of Mist
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: November 15, 2024
Tracklist

1. Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj (4:12)

2. Mindenevö (6:35)

3. Vasgyár (6:18)

4. Világnak Világa (6:28)

5. Nyárfa, Nyírfa (2:53)

6. Lydiához (3:05)

7. Vakond (4:29)

8. Ködkiraly (7:58)

9. Aláhullás (3:48)

10. A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek (3:14) 

11. Babylon (Bonus Track - Omega Cover) (3:42)

Total runtime: 49:02

Credits

Tamás Kátai – guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, programming

   With

Martina Veronika Horváth – vocals on Track 1, 6

Ivett Dudás – vocals on Track 8

Helga Kreiter – vocals on Track 4, 10

Gábor Dudás – vocals on Track 2, 5, 6, 10

Bálint Bokodi – vocals on Track 2, 4, 9

Gábor Veres – vocals on Track 3, 8

Attila Bakos – vocals on Track 1

Zoltán Kónya – vocals on Track 3

András Vörös – vocals on Track 4

Breno Machado – lead guitar on Track 2

Zoltán Vigh – lead guitar on Track 3

Krisztián Varga – lead guitar on Track 4

Daniele Belli – acoustic guitar on Track 2

Miguel Velasquez Matija – fretless bass on Track 2, 6

Edu Giró – oud, bouzouki, baglama on Track 2,7

Grigoris Mitropoulos – bouzouki, mpaglamas on Track 7

Sanja Smileska – violin on Track 3

Jo Quail – electric cello on Track 8

Issar Shulman – contrabass on Track 2

Cal Rustad – French horn on Track 2, 8

Manuel Domenech – cor anglais on Track 8

Khachatrian Lernik – clarinet on Track 2

Gergő Bille – flugelhorn, trumpet on Track 7

Joakim Toftgaard – trombone, trumpet on Track 7

Fabian Hernandez – saxophone on Track 5

Viktória Varga – narration on Track 3

Annamari Sánta – narration on Track 7, 8

Recorded in various countries: Hungary, United Kingdom, Romania, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Greece, North Macedonia, Israel, U.S.A., Colombia, Brazil. 

Producer & Sound Engineer: Tamás Kátai, Gábor Vári

Mixed and mastered by Gábor Vári at Miracle Sound Szeged, Hungary. 

Front cover by Dániel Szécsényi and Tamás Kátai 

Illustrations by Orsolya Pintér. 

Description/Reviews:

With each album, Thy Catafalque has pushed the envelope of extreme metal a step further, bringing the world's most vile art form into conversation with the avant-garde.  

Thy Catafalque's twelfth album is even more expansive, but XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek ties both to its mastermind's past and the history of his native Hungary.  Keeping in line with his prolific pace, XII arrives just one year after his previous album. Named after the stretch of land where the producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was born in southeast Hungary,  Alföld returned to the heaviness from which Thy Catafalque took root during the late '90s. Once again, Kátai set out to make a straightforward metal record, but while there's plenty of cause for chest-pounding, A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek ended up taking him on another surreal headtrip.

Still, A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek can be a hard road — especially during its crushing middle section. Despite the gentle opening plucks, "Mindenevő" crashes down like a boulder, hurtling ahead at terrifying speed behind doomy operatic backing vocals, mechanized blast beats and the eerie fires of tremolo picking that forged Thy Catafalque's debut Sublunary Tragedies. 

Ultimately, the progressive flair that has come to define Thy Catafalque shines through the darkness on album twelve. Only this time around, in order to reach the light at the end of the tunnel, Kátai needed some guidance.  XII marks the first time in the project's history that he worked with an outside producer. 

As a result, "A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek" stands out as one of Thy Catafalque's biggest crowd pleasers, uplifted by hand claps and catchy, fist-pumping riffs. Even the dark waves of synth glow with the reassurance of the dawn. "At the end, there's still hope for a future that might offer warmer days after the darkness has ceded".

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Stream & buy
A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek

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Thymeshift "Layers of In Between"

Country: Sweden
Genre(s): Instrumental Fusion
Label: Red Round Records 
Format: digital
Release date: September 6, 2024
Tracklist

1. Layer 1 

2. Oskar Blues 

3. Synechdoche 

4. Becka 

5. Layer 2 

6. Ave Maris Stella 

7. Layer 3 

8. Hunter's Theme

9. Hour of the Wolf

10. Layer 4 

11. Qamara 

12. Layer 5

13. Edge of Sanity 

14. Layer 6 

Credits

Johan Björklund - drums, percussion, keyboards, remix on tracks 1 & 10

John Lönnmyr - keyboards

Thomas Gunillasson - guitars, production on tracks 5, 7, 12, 14

Thomas Backman - saxophone, clarinet

Recorded in February 2022 by Kristofer Göransson at Kungsten studios, Gothenburg, Sweden

Additional recordings and edits by Johan björklund at Studio Eternal Darkness, Gothenburg, Sweden

Additional guitar recording by Thomas Gunillasson at Studio Eager Liza, Västerås, Sweden

Additional keyboard recording by John Lönnmyr in Gothenburg, Sweden

Tracks 5, 7, 12, 14 recorded by Thomas Gunillasson at Studio Eager Liza, Västerås, Sweden

Mixed in May & June 2023 and in February 2024 by Kristofer Göransson at Studio Zen, Vänersborg, Sweden

Mastered in May 2024 by Hans Olsson at Svenska Grammofonstudion, Gothenburg, Sweden

Cover design by Thomas Gunillasson

Cover photos by Thomas Gunillasson

Description/Reviews:

Now, with keyboardist John Lönnmyr, the group steps into an electro-analog, beat based future with reminiscences of the past. ”Layers of in Between” features fourteen tracks with strong ties to heavy, riff-based rock, drawing inspiration from early 70’s bands like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. This raw style creates elaborate contrasts when combined with the band’s more melodic, lyrical, and electronically tinged material. Thymeshift leaves a mark with their massive heaviness, often intense and sometimes stripped-down improvisations, as well as intricate soundscapes. ”Layers of in Between” is a modern, powerful production with clear historical retrospectives.

Media/Samples
Spotify
Deezer
Youtube

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Present "this is NOT the end"

Country: Belgium
Genre(s): Avant Prog
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: March 29, 2024
Tracklist

1. Contre (7:53)

2. this is NOT the end / Part 2 (25:19)

3. this Is NOT the end / Part 1 (12:11)

Credits

Roger Trigaux (Univers Zero) – keyboard, vocal, composition

François Mignot – guitar

Pierre Chevalier – piano, keyboards, vocal

Dave Kerman (5UU's, U Totem) – percussion

Keith Macksoud – bass

Kurt Budé – sax, clarinet, bass clarinet

Liesbeth Lambrecht – violin

Udi Koomran – sound

Recorded by Udi Koomran at Studio Simonnes, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Belgium.

Violins recorded by David Minjauw at Studio Simonnes, Rhode-Saint-Genese, Belgium.

Pianos recorded at Raphaël Terlinden's home studio, Brussels, Belgium.

Mixed and mastered by Udi Koomran and Pierre Chevalier, at the Pergola, Holon, Israel.

Description/Reviews:

Present's music is a striking blend of heavy rock with classical and zeuhl influences. The compositions, all penned by Trigaux, utilize repetition, complex counterpoint, intricate interplay between the instruments, rapidly shifting time signatures, and a strong instrumental attack. The final result is blindingly precise works of syncopated instruments, all seemingly coming from different angles but ultimately working together as a cohesive whole.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Anchor And Burden "Extinction Level"

Country: Germany
Genre(s): Instrumental Experimental, Avant Prog, Fusion
Label: MoonJune Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: February 2, 2024
Tracklist

1. Fractured Self

2. Body Expansion

3. Mutual Assured Destruction video

4. Nine Gates to Dominion

5. Extinction Phase

6. The Crust of this Earth

Credits

Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars AU8 and S8, Soundscapes

Alexander Paul Dowerk: Touch Guitars S8

Bernhard Wöstheinrich: Keyboards and Electronics

Asaf Sirkis: Drums and Percussion

All music written and performed by Anchor and Burden

Recorded by Arno Jordan at Castle Studios, Röhrsdorf, Germany

Mixed by Stefano Castagna at Ritmo&Blu Studio

Mastered by Lee Fletcher

 

Produced by Markus Reuter and Alexander Paul Dowerk

 

Artwork by Ruben Pang, www.rubenpangstudio.com

Graphic Design by Alexander Paul Dowerk

Description/Reviews:

Anchor and Burden is an uncompromising progressive avantgarde doom-jazz post-metal band based in Berlin, Germany, which has their own style of collective instant composition that defies the norms of creation. They create monolithic doom behemoths only to tear them into shreds with boundless energy in the next moment.

The two 8-string touch guitaristsMarkus Reuter and Alexander Dowerk conjure a wide array of moods with their unique instruments: From ethereal whispers out of sci-fi realms ot cerebral virtuosity that fractures the very psyche unto crushing metal brutality that leaves the listener gasping for their breath.

Bernhard Wöstheinrich weaves a web of synths and self-modulating percussive machinery, an arcane undercurrent beneath the towering monoliths of guitar, as fi sentient space stations traverse the void.

Drummer Asaf Sirkis, the virtuoso master of rhythm, wields his jazz and Indian polyrhythms not merely to forge a pulsating heartbeat, but also to break up and shift the quartet's music into unexpected places with his complex hyper jazz rhythms.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Pascal Globensky "Zigzag"

Country: Canada 
Genre(s): Instrumental Avant Prog
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: digital
Release date: December 29, 2023
Tracklist

1. Overture / Machu Picchu

2. King's Approaching

3. Processus Mental

4. Fourchette

5. Jour de Paie

6. Ippersoud

7. Dancing Horses

8. Zigzag

9. Marche / Ondée / Danse des caméléons / Ghost Dance

10. Tramway / Station Sigma

11. Approche

Credits

Pascal Globensky (Miriodor) – composition, music and instruments

   With

Bernard Falaise (Miriodor) - synthesizer, electric guitar, electric bass (9,10)

Rémi Leclerc (Miriodor) - drums, percussion, electronics, beatbox (1,4,9,10)

Nicolas Lessard (Miriodor) - electric bass (1)

Media/Samples
Bandcamp
Approche

Links:
Facebook

Giuseppe Petrucci Instant Curtain "State of Art"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, Canterbury
Format: CD,vinyl,digital
Release date: November 22, 2023 (digital), February 2024 (CD,vinyl)
Tracklist

1 - Leave Me Behind (6:06)

2 - Bitter Sweet (3:45)

3 - Civil Surface (4:17)

4 - Retain All The Strain (4:50)

5 - Four Until Late (3:50)

6 - Perpetual Retain (6:08)

7 - Talk To Me (to Her And All The Lost) (3:41)

Credits

Giuseppe Petrucci - electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, Rhodes piano and synthesizers

Carlo Maria Marchionni - drums, electric bass, piano, synthesizers

Massimo Gerini - vocals

All songs written by Giuseppe Petrucci

Images and graphics by Antonello Andreani

Publisher: MICIO POLDO

Distribution: G.T. MUSIC DISTRIBUTION di Antonino Destra

Description/Reviews:

An album that echoes the music closest to the German cosmic music of the 70s with a nod to the Canterbury Sound and "rock in opposition".

Media/Samples
Youtube
Spotify

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives

French TV "A Ghastly State of Affairs"

Country: USA
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Rock
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: November 17, 2023
Tracklist

1. Every Morning I Wake Up and Take My Hat Off To All The Beauty In The World

2. Baby, You Fill Me With Inertia

3. Drunkard's Train to Westchester

4. The Mayor of Ding Dong City

5. My Boys Awake At Night 'Cuz They Nocturnal

Credits

Mike Sary : bass, loops, samples

Katsumi Yoneda (TEE): guitars

Patrick Strawser (Volare): keyboards

Fenner Castner : drums

   With

Kenji Imai : flute

Warren Dale : saxes

Ludo Fabre : violin

Description/Reviews:

The new album displays their ingenious knack for tricky arrangements, blazing solos, surprising left-turns, and their ability to tell a well-crafted yarn musically without words. Blending elements of progressive rock, fusion, cartoon music, and Rock-in-Opposition, the music of his group can be simultaneously hilarious and highly challenging, making it one of the most original American prog rock outfits.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

Vvon Dogma I "The Kvlt of Glitch"

Country: Canada
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Avant Metal
Format: digital
Release date: May 5, 2023
Tracklist

1. The Void - 4:45

2. Tabula Rasa - 4:25

3. Triangles and Crosses - 4:33

4. Day of The Dead - 4:36

5. One Eye - 4:34

6. Hivemind - 2:47

7. Lithium Blue - 4:51

8. 2 + 2 = 5 - 3:11 (Radiohead Cover)

9. Hurt - 3:58

10. The Great Maze - 6:54

Album Length: 44:40

Credits

ChaotH (Unexpect) – 9 String bass

Kevin Alexander – Drums

Yoan MP – Guitar

Blaise Borboën – Synth, Strings, Production

All songs written by: Chaoth and Vvon Dogma I (except 2+2=5 written by Radiohead)

Produced by: Blaise Borboën-Léonard, Chris Donaldson, Dave Evangelista, Chaoth

Mixed by: Max Lacroix at House of Gain studio

Mastered by: Max Lacroix at House of Gain studio

Artwork by: Patrick Filteau and MidJourney

Description/Reviews:

"The Kvlt of Glitch" is essentially Chaoth paying tribute to every period of different influences that he’s had in his life, from 90's alternative and nu-metal to modern electronic and ambient music and everything in between. The album is recommended for fans of Unprocessed, Meshuggah, and Igorrr.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

MindAheaD "6119 Part 1"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Progressive Avant Metal
Label: Rockshots Records
Format: CD
Release date: October 28, 2022
Tracklist

1. Prologue - 2:00

2. Burning Horizon - 5:24

3. Dancing In The Desert - 17:06

4. What You Are - 6:38

5. The Last Tide - 4:40

6. Beautiful Mistake -6:29

7. Innocence - 2:36

8. At The Gates Of Night Part I (The Old Poet) & II (At The Gates) - 9:05

9. At The Gates Of Night Part III (Lost In The Loop) - 3:12

Album Length: 57:14

Credits

Kyo Calati - Vocals

Matteo Prandini - Bass

Matteo Ferrigno - Drums

Guido Scibetta - Guitars

Sandro Macelloni - Vocals, Keyboards

Simone Mularoni - Mixing, Mastering

Description/Reviews:

Merging different aspects, sometimes opposite, of human feeling, bringing them together in a colorful and personal musical proposal, which has its roots in influences ranging from prog 70s to death metal, the band explains the new album in further detail:

"This album is a concept realized with the aim of telling a story that straddles the line between dystopian science fiction and the psychological investigation of the human mind, so the music and lyrics were created in order to reach these goals. We would like the listening experience to be completely immersive. We would like the listener to be able to take a break from the real world and step into another dimension, one that is distant but at the same time well known, not alien, but almost familiar. The listener should passionately follow the events of '6119' in its inner and outer search for reality, in a story that began in the previous album 'Reflections' and will end in the band's next release, so as to complete a narrative trilogy."

Media/Samples
What You Are

Links:
Facebook

Miriodor "Elements"

Country: Canada
Genre(s): Instrumental Avant Prog
Label: Cuneiform Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: October 28, 2022
Tracklist: 

1. Boomerang 

2. Alambic

3. Tour de Main

4. Poulet-Bicyclette

5. Embuscade

6. Conflit d'Horaires

Line-up: 

Bernard Falaise – guitars, bass, keyboards, banjo, turntable

Pascal Globensky – keyboards, synths, piano

Rémi Leclerc – drums, percussion, electronics

Music composed and arranged by Miriodor

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook
Progarchives
Proggnosis

SeddoK "Geometrie Nere"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Avant Prog
Label: Lizard Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: October 13, 2022
Tracklist

1. 0101 (8:42) 

2. 0102 (12:00) 

3. 0103 (8:04) 

4. 01014 (13:51) 

5. Nascita Di Una Dittatura (Bonus Track) (5:21) 

Total Time 47:58

Credits

A.T. La Morte: Bass

Marco Nepi: Guitars

Enzo P. Zeder: Drums, Synthesizers

Recorded at Homeless Factory (Italy) in December 2021

Mixed by Manuele Marani

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Facebook

Parafulmini "Incubini [Tiny Nightmares]"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Instrumental Experimental Progressive Rock, Fusion
Label: Lizard Records - LIZARD CD 0182
Format: CD, digital
Release date: September 16, 2022
Tracklist

1. Incubini (3:01) 

2. Testai (2:09) 

3. Arnaccio Suite [Arnaccio-Tallox] (8:04) 

4. Fanfarone (4:04) 

5. Impostore (4:06) 

6. Cerbottana (1:55) 

7. Birretta (4:23) 

8. Bucaniere Suite [Rum & Lenticchie - Estetista - R&L Reprise] (5:51) 

9. Il Figlio Di Cornacchiaia (4:17) 

10. Il Soffritto Sul Soffitto Suite (8:34) 

11. Alzavalvole Suite [Alzavalvole - Mi Presteresti] - Bonus Track (4:33) 

Total Time 50:57

Credits

Marco Bigliazzi: drums

Filippo Brilli: baritone, tenor and alto saxes

Riccardo Zini: bass, guitar and operatic voice

   With

Luca Cantasano: bass, synth

Fabrizio Asmagheddon Bondi: guitar

Mezz Gacano: guitar

Music, Story and Art: Marco Bigliazzi

Artistic Production: Parafulmini

Recorded and mixed by Filippo Brilli at Trydog Lab Studio, Agliana (PT) and at FB Studio, Pistoia, 2020-2022

Mastering by Giovanni Versari at La Maestà Studio, Tredozio (FC)

Produced by Parafulmini & Lizard Records

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Links:
Web page
Facebook