Staff picks
Prog gone cabaret gone live
With Twilight Cinema being one of the best and imaginative albums of 2014 (in my opinion of course), there is just no way you would not want to see this manic band perform this album almost in its entirety live and then do some more. That's right, not just hear but also see it live. Drop whatever series you were planning on watching and have a go at this one instead. This is just so much pure fun!
Watch on YouTube or listen at Bandcamp.
Watch on YouTube or listen at Bandcamp.
Experimental and noisy
This album is an amalgamation of ambient atmosphere, structure and noise. It's convoluted yet sensible enough not to appear to be completely out to lunch. This is food for the restless mind. If you, like me, enjoyed their début album, this will definitely sit well with you.
Try the album teaser at SoundCloud.
Try the album teaser at SoundCloud.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Darkside Momo, BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox, Auntie Sahar, psykometal
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Darkside Momo, BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox, Auntie Sahar, psykometal
Psychedelic Stoner
For some odd and inexplicable reason I tend to forget how damn good My Sleeping Karma albums are. What a fabulous trip this one is. Grab something relaxing to drink, hit play, and enjoy. Oh, and if you have a chance to see them live, do so; trust me, you're in for a treat.
Listen to "Prithvi" or "Moksha" off the new album.
Listen to "Prithvi" or "Moksha" off the new album.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Deadsoulman, R'Vannith, Ag Fox, psykometal, BitterCOld, ScreamingSteelUS
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Deadsoulman, R'Vannith, Ag Fox, psykometal, BitterCOld, ScreamingSteelUS
Post
This is a fantastic album. Awesomeness runs strong in this one beyond my expectations even. I love how some of the songs almost reach out into gothic territories. If amidst the Sólstafir drama you are looking for a new Icelandic favourite, this should definitely be your choice.
Head over to Bandcamp to give it a listen.
Head over to Bandcamp to give it a listen.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), R'Vannith, Ag Fox, Deadsoulman, BloodTears, Nefarious, Dream Taster, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, Starvynth
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), R'Vannith, Ag Fox, Deadsoulman, BloodTears, Nefarious, Dream Taster, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, Starvynth
Haken
Waiting for the new Haken already? Try Native Construct instead. Way too much fun!
For listening head over to Bandcamp.
For listening head over to Bandcamp.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BloodTears, Introspekrieg, ScreamingSteelUS, Nefarious
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BloodTears, Introspekrieg, ScreamingSteelUS, Nefarious
Avantgarde
Prog
Prog
A cheesy band name if there ever was one but, man, do these Australians make up for it music-wise. Of course this won't come as a surprise to those of you who know the now defunct Unitopia. To the rest of you I can only advise to trust my judgement. This here is one spectacular progressive rock album.
Try the teaser or listen to "Intersection."
Try the teaser or listen to "Intersection."
Frog funk party
You want a party? You've got a party! The French provide and everyone's invited! I believe somewhere there's probably a law of some kind or other against having so much fun on a record. Time to dust off that party sombrero of yours.
Listen to the album at Bandcamp.
Listen to the album at Bandcamp.
Jazz songwriting meets stoner rock guitar
Prog
In the grand scheme of things this album has got one strength and one weakness. At the core of it the reason is one and the same. This album is so packed with different and great ideas, it's really becoming ridiculous. However, this also accounts for the length of the album and the lack of consistent direction in development of said ideas and thus it appears to be all over the place. High marks for the début effort and future promise, though.
Listen to the full album over at Bandcamp.
Listen to the full album over at Bandcamp.
Estradasphere
As far as I'm concerned this is about as close as you can get to the new Estradasphere material. Born from the transformations of Orange Tulip Conspiracy which came into being after Estradasphere went on a permanent hiatus, the band is still led by Estradasphere's guitarist Jason Schimmel. That's just about close enough for me.
Listen to the preview on the official site.
Listen to the preview on the official site.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), wormdrink414, Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Doc G., BloodTears
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), wormdrink414, Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Doc G., BloodTears
Stoner / Hard rock
This is the kind of stoner I dig: not too slow, not too crushing, vintage sound, and good vocals. Fresh stuff, released today.
Listen to the full album over at Bandcamp.
Listen to the full album over at Bandcamp.
Prog
This will have been the most beautiful prog album you've listened so far this year. I know I've used this kind of catch-line before but the latest album from this Norwegian band just demands it. It is well thought-through and detailed, dark and melancholic. Excellence of this album cannot be denied. It is simply magnificent from the very beginning to the very end.
Here's the album trailer or "The Wizard of Altai Mountains" for sampling.
Here's the album trailer or "The Wizard of Altai Mountains" for sampling.
Staff pick by:
Ivor
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BloodTears, R'Vannith, Introspekrieg, Deadsoulman, Dream Taster
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BloodTears, R'Vannith, Introspekrieg, Deadsoulman, Dream Taster
Sludge
If you like your sludge nautically named, if you, like me, rather prefer your sludge to be on the melodic side, and take Giant Squid as a somewhat liberal reference, then Helms Alee is for you.
Listen to their new album over at Bandcamp.
Listen to their new album over at Bandcamp.