Equilibrium, Sagas

Germany, 2008

Hands down this will be the folk/viking metal album of the year. Epic, incredibly catchy stuff, with far too many stand out tracks.


Playlist:

01 - Prolog auf Erden
02 - Wurzelbert
03 - Blut im Auge
04 - Unbesiegt
05 - Verrat
06 - Snüffel
07 - Heimwärts
08 - Heiderauche
09 - Die Weide und der Fluß
10 - Des Sängers Fluch
11 - Ruf in den Wind
12 - Dämmerung
13 - Mana
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Mike Patton, A Perfect Place

US, 2008

Patton's latest release is the soundtrack to the movie A Perfect Place. While I'm yet to see it, this album is interesting and exposes a less frantic Patton, with lots of softer influences from swing and opera thrown in the mix.


Playlist:
01 - Main Title
02 - A Perfect Place
03 - Car Radio (AM)
04 - A Perfect Twist (vocal)
05 - A Little Poker Tomorrow Night?
06 - Seriously Disturbed
07 - A Dream of Roses
08 - Main Title (reprise)
09 - Batucada
10 - Another Perfect Place
11 - Car Radio (FM)
12 - Swinging the Body
13 - Catholic Tribe
14 - Il Cupo Dolore
15 - A Perfect End

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Camel, Rajaz

England, 1999.

In 1999, Latimer, Stewart, Bass and guest Scherpenzeel, recorded Rajaz. It's one of the most critically acclaimed works by Camel, demonstrating a return to the band's original prog rock roots.

Playlist:

1. Three Wishes
2. Lost And Found
3. The Final Encore
4. Rajaz
5. Shout
6. Straight To My Heart
7. Sahara
8. Lawrence

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Phideaux, Doomsday Afternoon

U.S., 2007.

Doomsday Afternoon is the seventh studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier, and the second part of his projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis. So far, this album is considered by Xavier to be his masterpiece. The album's regular musicians are supplemented by members of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and listeners will hear musical passages reminding of Pink Floyd and Camel.

Playlist:

1. Micro Softdeathstar
2. The Doctrine of Eternal Ice (Part I)
3. Candybrain
4. Crumble
5. The Doctrine of Eternal Ice (Part II)
6. Thank You For The Evil
7. A Wasteland of Memories
8. Crumble
9. Formaldehyde
10. Microdeath Softstar

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Demians, Building An Empire

France, 2008.

“One of the most assured and accomplished debut albums I’ve ever heard, the textures and dynamics within the music are breathtaking. A must for everyone that appreciates the art of epic and ambitious 21st century rock music”, Steven Wilson dixit.

Playlist:

1. The Perfect Symmetry
2. Shine
3. Sapphire
4. Naive
5. Unspoken
6. Temple
7. Empire
8. Sand
9. Earth (Bonus Track)

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Gazpacho, Night

Norway, 2007.

In my opinion, this is the best album by Gazpacho - and, apparently, progarchives must agree for it ranks as the sixth best album of 2007. Atmospheric and very melancholic, this work demonstrates a more progressive composition than the band's previous albums.

Playlist:

1. Dream of Stone
2. Chequered Light Buildings
3. Upside Down
4. Valerie's Friend
5. Massive Illusion

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Gazpacho, Bravo

Norway, 2003.

Norwegian art/neo prog band Gazpacho were formed in 1996. Their music has been described by one critic as being "classical post ambient nocturnal atmospheric neo-progressive folk world rock". Despite not being a very technical prog, Gazpacho's music is quite enjoyable and well produced.

Playlist:

1. Desert
2. Sea Of Tranquility
3. Nemo
4. Ghost
5. California
6. The Secret
7. Sun God
8. Mesmer
9. Novgorod
10. Ease Your Mind
11. Bravo


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Ozric Tentacles, Erpland

England, 1990.

Instrumental psychedelic/space rock band from Somerset.

Playlist:

1. Eternal Wheel
2. Toltec Spring
3. Tidal Convergence
4. Sunscape
5. Mysticum Arabicola
6. Cracker Blocks
7. The Throbbe
8. Erpland
9. Valley of a Thousand Thoughts
10. Snakepit
11. Iscence
12. A Gift of Wings

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A Hawk And A Hacksaw, Darkness At Noon

U.S., 2005.

Darkness at Noon is the second studio album by the folk duo, Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost. Their music is inspired by eastern European and particularly Balkan traditions, being mostly instrumental. The album's title, Darkness at Noon, is a reference to the Arthur Koestler novel of the same name. Simultaneously, the first song from the album, Laughter in the Dark, is another novel reference, but to Vladimir Nabokov.

Playlist:

1. Laughter in the Dark
2. The Moon Under Water
3. The Water Under the Moon
4. A Black and White Rainbow
5. For Slavoj
6. Europa
7. Pastelka On the Train
8. Goodbye Great Britain
9. Our Lady of the Vlatva
10. Wicky Pocky
11. Portland Town

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The Mars Volta, Frances the Mute

US, 2005

This was the second (and last) TMV album I was blown away by. I'm not quite sure why I've been underwhelmed by both Amputechture and The Bedlam Goliath, but the massive Cassandra Gemini along with album opener Cyngus... might have something to do with my inflated expectations for every TMV album since.


Playlist:

01 - Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus
02 - The Widow
03 - L'Via L'Viaquez
04 - Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore
05 - Cassandra Gemini I
06 - Cassandra Gemini II
07 - Cassandra Gemini III
08 - Cassandra Gemini IV
09 - Cassandra Gemini V
10 - Cassandra Gemini VI
11 - Cassandra Gemini VII
12 - Cassandra Gemini VIII

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Giant Squid, Metridium Fields

US, 2006

Giant Squid produce Neurosis-like stoner/metal, but with dual vocal harmonies akin to Pure Reason Revolution. The follow-up to their impressive End Records debut should be released in January 2009.


Playlist:
01 - Megaptera in the Delta
02 - Neonate
03 - Versus the Siren
04 - Ampullae of Lorenzini
05 - Summit
06 - Eating Machine
07 - Revolution in the Water
08 - Metridium Field

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Battles, Mirrored

US, 2007

I vaguely remember hearing Mirrored back when it was released but for some reason it never really caught my attention until I gave it a few more tries recently. I'm baffled as to why this didn't catch my attention the first time, the vocals alone are distinctive enough to set it apart from most bands, and the rhythm section ushers Stanier back into the spotlight after playing with Helmet and Tomahawk. I'm just glad I gave this album a second chance.


Playlist:

01 - Race : In
02 - Atlas
03 - Ddiamondd
04 - Tonto
05 - Leyendecker
06 - Rainbow
07 - Bad Trails
08 - Prismism
09 - Snare Hangar
10 - Tij
11 - Race : Out

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