Long Distance Calling, Self-titled

Germany, 2011.

“We are just a tiny part of the ever growing universe. It's the important third album, so we decided to call the album Long Distance Calling as a statement.”

Playlist:

1. Into The Black Wide Open
2. The Figrin D'an Boogie
3. Invisible Giants
4. Timebends
5. Arecibo (Long Distance Calling)
6. Middleville
7. Beyond The Void

Link.

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Vanessa Van Basten, Closer To The Small/Dark/Door

Italy, 2010.

"Vanessa Van Basten is a duo from Genoa, Italy with many guests and contributors from the alternative and extreme Italian underground. They make slow, heavy, metaphysic instrumental music. Formed in 2004. Their influences are the cosmic psychedelia, industrial rock like Swans or Godflesh, Neurot & Hydrahead catalog.

The music can still be described as heavy post-rock, but Vanessa Van Basten is nowadays a lot more than just that. A strongly emotional sonic magma absorbs and metabolizes different sonic influences, from the introspective metalcore of Jesu and Neurosis to the experimental metal drones of Sunn O))), from Lycia and Slowdive melancholy-driven soundscapes to the psychedelic and spacey atmospheres of Klaus Schulze to the cinematic melodies of Morricone and Badalamenti. And there you have Vanessa Van Basten."

I can't really be bothered to describe the album or the band in my own words, but this is awesome.

Playlist:

1. Porzellangasse
2. Putana
3. L'Uomo Che Comprava Il Tempo
4. Fuck The Best, Take The Rest
5. Domio '95
6. La Selva Dell'Orba
7. Scolopendra
8. Untitled
9. L'Affetto Non Serve

Link.

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Amplifier, Amplifier

UK, 2004

Amplifier are a three-piece progressive/alternative rock ensemble. Sel Balamir, Matt Brobin and Neil Mahony make music with guitars, drums and bass.

Playlist:

1. Motorhead
2. Airborne
3. Panzer
4. Old Movies
5. Post Acid Youth
6. Neon
7. On/Off
8. The Consultancy
9. One Great Summer
10. UFOs

Link.

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Aranis, Songs From Mirage

Belgium, 2010.

Aranis is a Flemish septet, playing music across the borders of classical, folk and (post-)rock. This is their third release.

Playlist:

1. Ouverture
2. Fresia
3. Chamber Rock
4. Reprise
5. Lullaby
6. Airesym
7. Aynu
8. Lever In Plakjes
9. Jelimena
10. Keria
11. Out Ama
12. Enjuminenna
13. Ilah
14. Finale

Link.

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Gazpacho, Missa Atropos

Norway, 2010.

Another conceptual album by Gazpacho.

"Gazpacho envisaged a story of a man who cuts all ties to the world and moves to a lighthouse to write a mass for Atropos and to taste true solitude. The title is also a wordplay on misanthropy which supposedly plays a part in the concept as well. The album tells the story of what happens inside his head and includes three of his attempts to write the mass as well as the final Missa Atropos."

To be honest, this album hasn't moved me like their two previous releases, but maybe it's just a matter of time.


Playlist: 1. Mass For Atropos I
2. Defense Mechanism
3. I Was Never Here
4. Snail
5. River
6. Mass For Atropos II
7. Missa Atropos
8. She´s Awake
9. Vera
10. Will to Live
11. Mass for Atropos III
12. Splendid Isolation
13. An Audience

Link.

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Crippled Black Phoenix, I, Vigilante

England, 2010.

Where do I even begin to describe this? One would think that "The Resurrectionists" and "Night Raider" would be impossible to top, but CBP prove us wrong. "I, Vigilante" is nothing short of a masterpiece, and "Of A Lifetime" (which is a Journey cover, by the way) might just be my favourite song right now.

They don't tour much, but don't hesitate to see these guys live if you have the chance. Not only are they amazing musicians, they are also the coolest guys I've ever met.

Playlist:

1. Troublemaker
2. We Forgotten Who We Are
3. Fantastic Justice
4. Bastogne Blues
5. Of a Lifetime
6. Burning Bridges (Hidden Track)

Link.

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The Mayan Factor, 44

US, 2005.

The Mayan Factor is a progressive rock group located at Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The Mayan Factor have a very ethnic sound, using atmospheric percussion, mellow guitars, and various keyboard samples and tribal bass, reminiscent of Clann Zú at times. They are extremely melodic, with a very intense and heavy feel. They are somewhere in between progressive rock, folk, indie and alternative rock.

Terrible album cover, though.


Playlist:

1. To Kill a Priest
2. Terrorist
3. Propaganda
4. Hopi Elders
5. Ventrilaquist
6. Gosia
7. Yesterday's Son
8. Bondage
9. A Red Gone Blue
10. Jack Nicholson
11. Recon
12. Self Storage

Link.

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Cynic, Re-Traced

US, 2010.

Cynic's latest EP, Re-Traced, features four reinterpretations from their album Traced In Air as well as one original song. A very interesting retake on old material.


Playlist:

1. Space
2. Evolutionary
3. King
4. Integral
5. Wheels Within Wheels

Link.

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Lis Er Stille, The Collibro

Denmark, 2010.

Words cannot describe how amazing and powerful this album is.


Playlist:

1. All The Blood
2. Send In The Scouts
3. Recalling The Color
4. Like A Common Wave
5. Shards Of The Ending
6. Through The Quest Of Your Designs
7. Break Or Seal
8. The Real Children
9. The Painted
10. Behold The Remnant Parts Of Me
11. In The Seed
12. Beneath The Broken Country

Link.

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Clann Zú, Black Coats & Bandages

Australia, 2004.

Clann Zú was an Australian band that formed in Melbourne in 1999. The forming members drew inspiration from an eclectic mix of musical styles, such as punk, rock, folk, electronic & classical. Their fusion of Celtic folk, electronic music and rock has created a unique epic soundscape full of powerful atmospheric sounds and off-beat instrumentation. Their songs are bilingual, utilising both Irish and English lyrics.

Reminds me a lot of Crippled Black Phoenix. Really cool stuff.

Playlist:

1. Black Coats & Bandages
2. There Will Be No Morning Copy
3. So Complicated
4. T-Éan Bán
5. One Bedroom Apartment
6. From An Unholy Height
7. An Deireadh Scéal
8. From Bethlehem to Jenin
9. You'll Have to Swim
10. A Sudden Intake of Breath

Link.

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Buckethead / Travis Dickerson / Brain, The Dragons of Eden

US, 2008.

The Dragons of Eden is an album made by guitarist Buckethead, producer and keyboardist Travis Dickerson and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia. Pretty good prog/fusion stuff.

Playlist:

1. The Cosmic Calendar
2. The Brain and the Chariot
3. The Abstractions of Beasts
4. Tales of Dim Eden
5. Lovers and Madmen
6. Future Evolution
7. Draco
8. Knowledge Is Destiny

Link.

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Anathema, We're Here Because We're Here

England, 2010.

So Anathema finally found a record label, Kscope, for their much anticipated release. However, other than a couple of decent songs, the album feels generally disappointing.

Playlist:

1. Thin Air
2. Summer Night Horizon
3. Dreaming Light
4. Everything
5. Angels Walk Among Us
6. Presence
7. A Simple Mistake
8. Get Off, Get Out
9. Universal
10. Hindsight

Link.

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Devin Townsend Project, Addicted

Canada, 2009.

Addicted is the eleventh studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the second of four planned albums in The Devin Townsend Project series. The album was written and produced by Townsend, and features Ryan Van Poederooyen, Brian Waddell, Mark Cimino, and Anneke van Giersbergen. "Danceable" progressive music.

Playlist:

1. Addicted!
2. Universe In A Ball!
3. Bend It Like Bender!
4. Supercrush!
5. Hyperdrive!
6. Resolve!
7. Ih-Ah!
8. The Way Home!
9. Numbered!
10. Awake!!

Link.

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Tuna Laguna, Ripples And Swells

Norway, 2007.

Tuna Laguna is a band from Lofoten and Vesterålen, Norway. Their music is widely influenced by post-rock bands like Tortoise and Do Make Say Think, but also by Can and progressive rock from the 70's. Tuna Laguna's sound mixes standard post-rock with instruments like banjo, rhodes piano, glockenspiel, analog synths and "babypiano" amongst others. In 2007 they released their dfirst full-length album, "Ripples And Swells".

Playlist:

1. My Lunar Boots
2. On to Tarmac
3. Tidal Eddies
4. Pling (a breather)
5. Arrival of the Rhino
6. The Insignificant Grape
7. Feather Beats
8. Plong (a teaser)
9. Barry on Safari
10. That's Where We're at

Link.

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The Waters Deep Here, Sunden

US, 2009.

"The Waters Deep Here is a small, instrumental band from Salt Lake City (...) Their first album, Sunden, exhibits an array of musical talent that crosses from dark metal to progressive to mellow and back again, but they’re able to blend the sound in such a way that the listener is never felt confused or lost.

Musically, they sound like a combination of Tool, ISIS and Coheed and Cambria. If you’re a fan of prog rock or metal, you should give The Waters Deep Here a try."

Playlist:

1. Acedia
2. Super Bia
3. Gula
4. Mammon
5. Envy
6. Ira
7. Asmodeus

Link.

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Immune, Not Until Morning

France, 2008.

"Shuffling jazzy drums, introspective vocals, beautiful piano, gorgeous interspersed guitars all spaced out beautifully giving the song time to breathe..."

"Take a little bit of post-rock and cross it with cinematic pop, and I think you might get what Immune was going for on Not Until Morning. At times jazzy, but very dour and slow."

Playlist:

1. Lie Awake
2. Slow Backwards
3. Wakening Of A Former Land
4. When We Faint
5. Misplaced
6. Slightly Upon My Arm
7. Hello
8. Recorded Home

Link.

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Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Kollaps Tradixionales

Canada, 2010.

Kollaps Tradixionales is the sixth full-length album by the Canadian post-rock group, Thee Silver Mt. Zion, this time under the name Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra.

Playlist:

1. There Is Light
2. I Built Myself A Metal Bird
3. I Fed My Metal Bird The Wings Of Other Metal Birds
4. Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)
5. Collapse Traditional (For Darling)
6. Kollaps Tradicional (Bury 3 Dynamos)
7. 'Piphany Rambler

Link.

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Mick Karn, Each Eye a Path

U.K., 2000

This is an amazing album by Mick Karn, who was the bassist for the now extinct band Japan. Coloured but also dark, this is an album in the true sense, where each track takes you in an unique travel and paradigm. It can be strange – and in that sense, a strangeness that reminds me of David Bowie, for no specific reason – but it is wonderous, truly felt and almost perfect music.


Playlist:

1. Up To Nil
2. The Salmon of Knowledge
3. Latin Mastock
4. The Forgotten Puppeteer
5. My Mrs T
6. Angel's Got a Lotus
7. Serves You Rice
8. The Night We Never Met
9. Venus Monkey
10. Left Big


Link.

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ThisDayWeDie, Regression

Ireland, 2008.

I think I first found this band at TheSirensSound. While Regression is but a compilation of demos, I found it interesting enough to share since ThisDayWeDie distinctively fuse shoegaze, ambient, electronic, progressive, industrial and black metal.

"Their music explores depths of personal destruction and despair, resulting in a uniquely desolate, macabre sound. The dysphoria with which the music is based around is intensified by the coalescence of apocalyptic atmosphere and dark progressive, and is suffused with haunting vocals, industrial undertones and pounding rhythms."

Playlist:

1. A Quiet Theme
2. Untitled
3. Solitude
4. The Rift
5. Indifferent To All
6. Transcendence
7. Downfall
8. Eternal
9. Regression
10. Requiem

Link.

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UpCDownCLeftCRightCABC+Start, Firewolf

England, 2009.

UpCDownCLeftCRightCABC+Start are an instrumental rock band from Kent, but this latest release shows a heavier and more progressive style.

Playlist:

1. The Tavern
2. Black Lodge
3. Smiling Bag
4. Agent Cooper
5. Def Zeppelin
6. Dad Rock
7. Firewolf
8. Grandead

Link.

more...