Band: Aeon Nexus | Album: Positive Disintegration | Genre: Progressive metal | Bandcamp
Aeon Nexus’s debut EP is a fun, to-the-point bit of progressive death(-ish) metal. Their vocalist displays impressive range, belting out powerful clean vocals and coarse gutturals. This reminds me of certain early prog-death bands, like Atheist, Cynic, or Death, as well as a more recent crop of artists who strive to evoke this sound. Piano adds a lot of textural depth and richness, which really helps this band stand out from their peers.
Score: 80/100
Band: Ærkenbrand | Album: Hedenfarne æventyr | Genre: Avant-prog, Noise rock | Bandcamp
The newest release from this Danish act is a warbling, wobbling melange of influences drawn from across the spectrum of forward-thinking rock music. Squealing saxophones and mad, buzzing guitars cultivate uneasy moods that can shift on a dime. One moment, there’s a maelstrom of reeds and clattering drums, and the next, things have moved in a more spaced-out and contemplative direction. The closing “Alting Sammen” features some nice electronic touches, too.
Score: 82/100
Band: Jupiter Fungus | Album: Garden Electric | Genre: Progressive rock, Psychedelic rock | Bandcamp
The debut album from this Greek duo draws heavily from the sounds of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Crunchy organ and flute are the lead elements across the four long songs on Garden Electric. Blues-tinged heavy psych moments, a la early Deep Purple or Atomic Rooster, dominate for much of the record. They also dip into some spacey Floyian elements. This isn’t exactly breaking any new ground, but it’s a fun listen that’s clearly played with passion.
Score: 77/100
Band: The Pineapple Thief | Album: Last to Run | Genre: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
I know The Pineapple Thief is one of the bigger modern prog bands (at least from the discourse I’ve seen on Reddit), but they’ve never quite clicked with me. Their alt-rock-influenced sound often fails to stand out to my ear, usually reminding me of a lesser version of Porcupine Tree’s late ‘90s/early ‘00s stuff. It’s moody, mid-tempo, and impressively played, but this EP doesn’t do a ton for me. (I’m not nuts about the production, either; it feels a bit thin.) It’s alright, and I can honestly understand why they’re relatively popular, but it’s just not for me.
Score: 71/100
Band: Thy Catafalque | Album: XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek | Genre: Progressive metal | Bandcamp
Thy Catafalque’s twelfth album continues Tamás Kátai’s incredibly consistent streak of solid and inventive progressive metal. Black metal, avant-garde, electronic, and Hungarian folk elements coexist and blend into one another naturally. This album is energetic and exciting, and the songs don’t overstay their welcome. I love hearing such a diversity of sounds woven together so well and so concisely.
Score: 84/100
Band: Yomi Ship | Album: Feast Eternal | Genre: Math rock, Post-rock | Bandcamp
The latest release from this instrumental group out of Perth is a swirling, otherworldly exploration. Guitar lines swell and twist amid eerie atmospheres, and the drumming does a great job at keeping things grounded. This trio shifts effortlessly between light, astral passages and heavier moments. I even pick up the occasional hint of grunge flavor amid more common psychedelic and space rock influences.
Score: 78/100
The Elite Extremophile 