Band: El Castillo de Barbazul | Album: Sobre Finales | Genre: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
This Mexican instrumental quartet has a rather fun, loose, and noisy air about them. The music is complex and chaotic, and it’s shot through with influences from some of prog’s odder micro-genres, like zeuhl and the Canterbury sound. Some songs on this album are absolutely longer than they need to be, but the band’s unbridled enthusiasm always shines through.
Score: 76/100
Band: Donella Drive | A;bum: AXON | Genre: Progressive metal, Alternative metal | Bandcamp
The latest release from this San Antonio-based duo skillfully blends alternative metal, post-hardcore, and prog into a punchy and memorable record. The band balances harsh, aggressive tones and relatively straightforward melodic passages. In addition to obvious influences like Tool and The Mars Volta, they include some funkier elements that evoke acts like Rage Against the Machine and Primus. Some individual songs can run a little long, but the overall listening experience is a fun one.
Score: 79/100
Band: Ihlo | Album: Legacy | Genre: Progressive metal | Bandcamp
There’s a lot of good stuff to this record and very little that is outright bad. However, it is unfortunate enough to fall into that Haken-ish zone of immediate forgettability to me. The playing is skillful and technical, the emotions are clear and powerful, and there was obviously a lot of thought put into this. However, much like Haken’s last few records, this fusion of classic Dream Theater-style melodic prog metal with herky-jerky djent riffage does nothing to persist in my mind. Coupled with this album’s length (68 minutes), it all turns into an exhausting exercise. To my ear, at least, this typifies the generic “modern prog metal” sound. As such, it’s probably going to appeal to a lot of people, and my assessment of it is probably going to be one of the harsher ones. But this really does not do much to stand out in what has thus far been a very strong year for prog.
Score: 66/100
Band: The Myrrors | Album: Land Back | Genre: Psychedelic rock, Krautrock | Bandcamp
The Myrror’s first full-length release in seven years sees them largely stick to their guns. Dry, droning tones of the American Southwest permeate this record. Abstract textures of guitar, keys, strings, and winds swirl about in obscure sandstorms. Dashes of jazz, minimalism, and Indic music surface occasionally. This is a record that focuses fully on mood and atmosphere over any specific musical themes, and if you’re looking for something to zone out to, this is a solid choice.
Score: 75/100
Band: Rëlisp | Album: Warthåk | Genre: Zeuhl | Bandcamp
The sophomore EP from this Mexican zeuhl act is a fast, punishing record. This music is sharp, aggressive, and unrelenting. The band weaves in the obvious and obligatory Magma influences while also blazing their own path with elements of punk and avant-garde jazz. The closing “Caresull” is an especially arresting composition.
Score: 88/100
Band: Touchdown Jesus | Album: It’s All Feast or Famine | Genre: Math rock, Post-punk, Experimental rock | Bandcamp
The sophomore release from this Cincinnatian quartet is a weird, edgy, jumpy, and endlessly-entertaining release. The band channels acts as disparate as Devo, Osees, and Swans; and this bizarre melange is further filtered through some experimental and avant-garde filters. Despite the dense, complex, and experimental nature of these songs, there’s still an undeniable catchiness to them. Melodies are strong and memorable, and the pacing of this EP is excellent.
Score: 96/100
The Elite Extremophile 