I know you have your plate full with Awards but, come on, this is just so much genuine, pure fun you're about to miss out on. It's not exactly avantgarde but it's playful and theatrical, it's sombre and poetic, it feels like watching a play. Basically it's what happens when prog goes cabaret in the head and feels just plain good about it.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Darkside Momo, R'Vannith, BloodTears, X-Ray Rod

While you wait for the MS Awards to start, here's something fresh to occupy your ears for a week. This album here beats most of what I heard from the past year in gothic. And beats them by a long mile. What makes it good is the variety, ranging from the very heavy to the very atmospheric, from doom to gothic, and beyond, orchestrated and not. It even has a sax thrown in for a good measure at one point and sounding so damn good.

Just try "A Triptych Journey."

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: R'Vannith, psykometal

In need of good hard rocking stoner? Look no further. With ups and downs, these Finns nevertheless know how to rock your boat.

Can you say no to "Troubled Son"? Right...

Staff pick by:

I'm just getting acquainted with these Australians but damn if this first meeting with them isn't a spectacular one. A sound mix of influences from Tool, The Mars Volta, and even Dredg works wonders on me. Don't miss out on a good album.

Try "We Are" here.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: BloodTears, jupitreas, Introspekrieg, Darkside Momo, X-Ray Rod

I'm a fan of neither genre. In fact, I don't like black metal at all. This album, however, appeals to me with its varied songs, its industrial rendition of black metal (or is it the other way around?), its very changing nature. You might even call it somewhat progressive. It is very likely that connoisseurs of either of the main genres will not think much of this release, whether musically or vocally. However, for the very fact that I seem to like it, it might be worth checking out. So, if you are, like me, rather not into this kind of stuff, maybe you'll also find it interesting. Plus, it's got a sci-fi lyrical theme to boot.

Try "New Replicators" or "Shapeshifting."

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: R'Vannith, Darkside Momo

Starting out as a yet another neo-prog rock album, it goes into full-fledged folk-prog in the second track, and moves on to tackle prog metal for the rest of the album, even taking a stroll in the Symphony X territories. Who are these guys? I've no idea - every one of them a pseudonym. But at some point it's either Russell Allen singing, or someone does a really good impersonation of him. A fun and a good record, albeit a bit disjointed one.

Sample a teaser at ReverbNation.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, R'Vannith

Tremendously beautiful and subtle stuff.

Enjoy for pay what you want over at Bandcamp.

Staff pick by:

Who are these incredible Jolly people with such a Jolly name supporting Riverside on a tour kicking off in 2 days? And what is this brand new Jolly album that just saw the light of day? That is one awesome album, I tell you, that got crowd funded with such love by the fans when the band got dealt the business end of the hurricane Sandy. A funding that now also sees the band coming over to Europe to tour with none other than the mighty Riverside. You miss them this March, I'm having a feeling you'll regret it for a while. I have made my travel arrangements. Have you?

Just listen to the new song "Dust Nation Bleak".

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Susan, BloodTears, Milena, psykometal, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

Karcius is a heavy sided fusion done just right. Now with vocals. They are absolutely great at what they do. Beautiful captivating music, no show-offs, The First Day is packed with good stuff.

Just listen to "The First Day" on their homepage.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Darkside Momo, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

I wonder why I haven't heard of Kong before as this mostly instrumental outfit apparently goes back a while. The music of Kong blends influences from electronica and industrial with prog metal. Some of it packs a punch. Oh, those riffs and those rhythms!

Listen to the whole album on their Bandcamp page. If you're looking for a recommendation, take "Astral Calls."

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Darkside Momo, Dane Train, !J.O.O.E.!, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

I don't delve deep into either stoner or doom. But albums such as this make the occasional forays so much more worthwhile. Doomy atmosphere with a drive of a stoner rock is how I like it to be served. This is no less than a stellar release.

Just listen to "On The Wind" here.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Ag Fox, Daniell, wormdrink414, Marcel Hubregtse, Dane Train, X-Ray Rod, Susan, !J.O.O.E.!, BudDa, Introspekrieg

It's stoner. It's got rolling guitars to rock your socks off. It's tripping. The Machine are second only to an out of body experience.

Need more convincing? Try the teaser here or better yet the full 12 minute track off the album here.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

This will have been the most beautiful prog album you have heard so far this year. Outstanding and beautiful female vocals, haunting melodies, harps, violins, flutes, and theatrical - nay, cinematic - delivery. Frequency Drift have some stunning song writing and arrangement skills. Now, excuse me, I have to go see them live. Adieu!

Check the first track here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Jason W., Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

This album is pretty huge. For starters it features Wakeman legacy, Adam Wakeman on keyboards to be precise - it's in the family. More to the point, though, the vocals are provided by Damian Wilson, one of the most talented singers in the genre. And that matters! I Am Anonymous is complex, technical, multifaceted, deep lyrically, and perfectly executed. A solid prog meal with a djenty aftertaste. This is simply one of the best prog albums released so far this year.

For album preview head here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Dane Train, Nefarious, Milena, BudDa, BloodTears

I don't know whether you proggers noticed or not but veteran British neo-prog scene delivered a set of strong albums last year. Pendragon, Pallas, Arena - just to set you straight what I'm thinking of. So, here's more from UK - Galahad. A bit too focused on keyboards, some ups and downs, at times a bit annoying but overall enjoyable stuff that's been spinning more than I initially thought possible. I can't put my finger on it but there's something there that keeps me returning for yet another go.

Preview here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Ag Fox