Artist: Unda Alunda | Album: Dark Wonderful World | Genre: Progressive metal, Djent | Bandcamp
This is one of the better djent records I’ve heard in a while. Djent still isn’t my favorite style of metal, but this album has a lot to offer. There are fun, jazzy riffs, exciting builds, and dazzling solos. The soullessness common to djent is minimized here, as these feel like actual compositions and not just instrumental wank-fests. Certain songs run a bit long, but aside from that, the record is a success overall.
Score: 76/100
Band: Cervello | Album: Chaire | Genre: Italian progressive rock | Links
Two things first: Firstly, I had a hard time finding this album. I don’t know who is in charge of marketing for Cervello, but they’re doing an awful job. Secondly, this was released with a live album, which I will not be reviewing.
Cervello is one of many Italian prog bands who put out one album in the 1970s before vanishing. Cervello’s sole release prior to this was the 1972 album Melos, and it’s one of my favorites from the era. I didn’t have high hopes going into this, especially considering other dull reunion records I’ve covered recently, but I was pleasantly surprised by Chaire. That may also be because almost the whole original band returned for this. Everyone except their original drummer appears on this album. (Compare that to Semiramis’s recent “reunion” where the drummer was the only original member to return.)
The music here is surprisingly vital, energetic, and original. That classic Italian prog flair is omnipresent, and the compositions are mostly engaging. Some cuts are better than others, and the record sags a bit in its second half.Synth tones can sound a bit dated, or the production can be too glossy, but this is a solid record on the whole. I especially love the more energetic tracks, where the connections with their first record can really be heard.
Score: 79/100
Band: chromatose | Album: Porifera | Genre: Progressive rock, Art rock | Bandcamp
Porifera is an artsy, often piano-led record that demonstrates a lot of good ideas. The highlights here are its two longest tracks, with “Beringia” especially standing out. I love that cut’s synthy midsection. The title track, meanwhile, shows off some great examples of build and rising tension. The shorter songs are mostly fine but don’t necessarily do a ton to tickle my fancy.
Score: 70/100
Band: The Gift | Album: Seven Seasons | Genre: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
Seven Seasons is a perfectly fine retro-prog record in the vein of acts like The Flower Kings or Spock’s Beard. The music is well-played, and the compositions are put together smartly. There’s even the occasional exciting passage. But overall, the album is bloated, plodding, and less-than-unique. It also suffers from unnecessary-overture-itis, which I’ve previously diagnosed multiple times in Dream Theater’s music. If your overture is the second-longest song on the album, it’s probably going to hit my ear as unnecessary padding.
Score: 59/100
Band: Guesstimate | Album: Strange Gems | Genre: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
Long-time readers of mine may recognize the bass work on the record as that of Bobby Shock, a musician whose solo efforts I’ve covered a few times. His influence can clearly be felt in this band, but the other members’ voices are obvious, too. The mood is fun and somewhat light, but the music is dazzlingly complex. Jazz and RIO influences frequently bubble up, and the band does a wonderful job at balancing their music theory nerd and pop-listener sides.
Score: 80/100
Band: Obsidian Sand | Album: Obsidian Sand | Genre: Post-metal | Bandcamp
This Scottish trio draws heavily from space rock and stoner metal on their debut EP. Riffs churn restlessly, and the bandmembers all display some stellar chops. The band does a good job at varying the intensity from song-to-song, and “Marauder” especially has some great internal diversity. My main gripe here is that each of the four songs on this EP feels overlong. The music is inventive enough that it’s not that big an issue, but a bit more focus would have been appreciated.
Score: 74/10
The Elite Extremophile 