Review: In the pantheon of prog rock landmarks, none come bigger than The Dark Side Of The Moon. Pink Floyd's magnum opus struck the perfect balance between grandiose vision and universal appeal, carrying relatable themes alongside innovative production and providing the fuel for any psychedelically-minded listener to trip out on a precision crafted trip. As the album celebrates its 50th birthday, this stellar recording of a full live performance of Dark Side... from Wembley in 1974 is seeing its first pressing on vinyl. It's faithful to the album in Floyd's exacting way, but it's also a revelation to hear such a wide scope of sound recreated on stage, not least the likes of 'On The Run'. A fascinating insight into the legacy of a towering, seminal work in the history of modern music.
Review: Genesis' A Trick of the Tail, originally released in 1976 and newly reissued on 180-gram vinyl, captures the band's confident transformation following Peter Gabriel's departure. Stepping up as lead vocalist, Phil Collins proved to be a natural fit, bringing a warmth and subtlety that allowed Genesis to thrive as a newly formed quartet. This seventh studio album stands as a progressive rock landmark, showcasing refined, melodic compositions with a softer, more intricate feel than their previous The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. The album's standout tracks, such as 'Dance on a Volcano' and 'Los Endos', highlight Tony Banks' masterful keyboard work, with compositions that weave atmospheric textures around Collins' dynamic drumming and Mike Rutherford's lively bass lines. 'Entangled' and 'Ripples' offer gentle, haunting melodies that reveal the band's more pastoral, emotionally resonant side, with Steve Hackett's guitar enhancing each song's ethereal quality. A Trick of the Tail redefined Genesis, focusing on intricate arrangements and collaborative songwriting, with Banks taking a leading role. The record's nuanced sound and rich harmonies have cemented its place in progressive rock, and this reissue beautifully preserves the album's lush, complex layers for a new generation of fans with many in agreement that this is one of the best Genesis albums of all time.
Where's My Thing? (part IV, "Gangster Of Boats" Trilogy))
The Big Wheel
Heresy
Ghost Of A Chance
Neurotica
You Bet Your Life
Review: Rush's Roll The Bones reissue for 2025 brings this 1991 classic back to vinyl with a fresh coat of audio enhancement. Kicking off with the energetic 'Dreamline,' the album effortlessly blends progressive rock with more accessible, radio-friendly sounds. Tracks like 'Bravado' showcase the band's refined songwriting, balancing introspection with their signature musicianship. The title track, 'Roll The Bones,' with its groovy bassline and playful lyrics, remains one of the band's most memorable moments. This LP reissue offers both die-hard fans and newcomers a chance to hear the band's versatile sound in pristine analog form.
Review: The album stands as a bold testament to progressive metal, combining complex arrangements, heavy instrumentation and deeply introspective themes. The band's musicianship is in peak form, with the guitarist delivering stunning solos that blend intricate leads and rhythmic precision. The music oscillates between hard-hitting tracks and melodic ballads, with standout moments in songs like the aggressive 'Lie', the challenging 'The Mirror' and the emotional depth of 'Lifting Shadows off a Dream'. There are also reflective acoustic pieces and an instrumental, showcasing the band's versatility. Lyrically, the album explores existential themes with sharp, cynical undertones, while recurring musical motifs provide a sense of cohesion. The album is ambitious and complex, balancing heaviness with moments of subtlety, making it a rewarding experience for listeners who appreciate intricate compositions and raw emotional expression.
Review: Yet another addition to Rhino Records’ Start Your Ear Off Right series hears a reissue of prog metal band Dream Theater’s fifth studio album and first ever concept album. A sequel to the thrillingly titled Metropolis-Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper, this record builds an intensive recollective sonic theatre out of the mosaic themes of memory and depersonalisation. Themed around the subject of a young man undergoing past life regression therapy, the record is a compelling, initially psychotic howl into the night, and yet it proves an ultimately integrative, recursive experience, adding themes of murderousness and prophetic fate.
Review: Grover Washington Jr's Hydra makes its debut on 45, showcasing the jazz legend's saxophone brilliance over an irresistible groove, arranged by Bob James. Originally released in 1975, its iconic drums have been sampled over 100 times, including by ATCQ and Biggie, with Black Moon's How Many MC's featuring the famous bass hook. On the flip, Seals & Crofts' Sweet Green Fields also appears for the first time on 45. The duo's Californian soft rock sound is underpinned by a catchy bassline sampled by Busta Rhymes for his 1997 hit Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.
Review: A 1996 classic brought back to life with a new, enhanced vinyl experience. Opening with the title track, the album presents a blend of prog-rock with more streamlined, radio-friendly elements, which defines much of the era. 'Driven' stands out as a high-energy, guitar-heavy track, while 'Virtuality' brings an electronic edge to their sound, embracing the technology of the time. This 2XLP release allows fans to revisit the album in rich analogue quality, offering a fresh perspective on Rush's evolution during the 90s, with the complex musicianship and dynamic range that made the band iconic.
Review: This release saw Genesis balancing their progressive rock origins with a more radio-friendly sound when it hit in 1983, creating a seamless fusion of complexity and accessibility. Tracks such as 'Mama' - the first single that heralded the album's arrival - bring an eerie edge, with Phil Collins' emotive delivery matched by brooding synths and steady percussion. By contrast, 'That's All' offers a buoyant, piano-led melody that feels both light and intricate, showing the trio's knack for crafting memorable hooks without losing their musical depth. The instrumentation remains sharp and purposeful throughout, highlighting the group's ability to adapt their style while maintaining a sense of innovation.
Review: Steven Wilson's remix job injects new clarity into this iconic 1971 album, enhancing its already intricate compositions. The dynamic interplay of soaring vocals, textured guitar and Chris Squire's unmistakable bass lines feels revitalised, while Bill Bruford's drumming gains a sharp, articulate edge. The production balances the band's sprawling progressive rock vision with a modern, polished presentation, amplifying the complexity of the arrangements without losing their original charm. It's an experience that allows listeners to rediscover familiar layers while uncovering details previously buried in the mix.
Review: This historic 1972 performance film marked a definitive evolution of Pink Floyd's artistic vision, and is possibly the moment they first truly escaped the more ephemeral pop of the Syd Barrett era and started to become the prog giants that would go on to dominate the 70s both culturally and commercially. The haunting imagery of Pompeii combined with an expertly remixed sound design by Steven Wilson turns this film from a mere document of the past into a multi-sensory experience. Meticulously remastered, each note of 'On The Run' and 'Us and Them' hang with crystalline clarity in the surround mix and the shifts between searing intensity and quiet reflectionifrom the thunderous opening of 'Echoes' to the fragility of 'Mademoiselle Nobs' - are rendered in remarkable detail. It's a profound exploration of Pink Floyd's creative process, capturing the band at a pivotal moment as they craft the sonic landscapes that would later define The Dark Side of the Moon. This release ensures that the film's timeless allure is as potent today as it was over fifty years ago, inviting a new generation to experience the alchemy between image, sound and performance.
Review: Moving away from their usual meticulous approach, this Australian cinematic soul outfit embraces spontaneity, infusing their signature sound with newfound energy and groove. The result? A record brimming with vibrancy, experimentation and undeniable funk. The opener, 'Sleep Dreams', is a laid-back entry point before 'Bully Ball' crashes in with its raw, thunderous drums and deep-pocket funk. The band's sonic explorations continue on 'Body Slam', a track that begins with a sweet soul feel before morphing into something dark and eerie, highlighted by a timpani recorded in a distant bathroom. That same adventurous spirit shines in 'Fare Evader', where sci-fi-esque synths punctuate a hard-hitting rhythm. Surprise Chef pushes the tempo on 'Consulate Case' and 'Tag Dag', drawing from afro-funk and jazz-funk influences, while ballads like 'Websites' and the ethereal 'Dreamer's Disease' showcase their softer, cinematic side. With Superb, Surprise Chef amplifies the fun without sacrificing their signature musicianship. This album solidifies their ascent from underground favourites to a global force in modern soul.
Review: A landmark progressive rock album that showcases each band member's unique talents and their synergy as a group. The album opens with 'Roundabout', a dynamic piece featuring Steve Howe's classical guitar, Chris Squire's powerful bass, and Rick Wakeman's masterful keyboard work, drawing listeners into its complex structure and vivid musical landscape. Tracks like 'We Have Heaven' and 'Cans and Brahms' highlight individual members' creativity, while 'South Side of the Sky' and 'Heart of the Sunrise' feature full-band performances with intricate arrangements and memorable melodies. Wakeman, the band's new keyboardist at the time, brought a fresh, vibrant sound that complements Bill Bruford's precise drumming and Jon Anderson's ethereal vocals. Squire's bass is particularly prominent throughout, adding depth and inventiveness to the album's sound. The album marked Yes's rise to international fame and became one of their best-selling albums, cementing their reputation as pioneers of the genre. This new gatefold vinyl properly presents it as the legendary album it is.
Review: As part of Atlantic's commemoration of 75 years as a label, the early recordings of Genesis are getting a fresh airing in audiophile-quality repressing. This is the band in its purest form, with Peter Gabriel up front, Phil Collins on the drums and Steve Hackett on guitar, when they were a quintessential prog outfit with a peculiarly English sensibility that's all of its own. Nursery Cryme was originally released in 1971 and it features sprawling epics like 'The Return Of The Giant Hogweed', which is as heavy and grooving as it is meandering, and the extravagant opener 'The Musical Box', excerpts of which remained in the band's live set well into the 80s.
Trial Of Tears: I) It's Raining/II) Deep In Heaven/III) The Wasteland
Review: Dream Theater's 1997 recording finds the band balancing their complex progressive roots with a newfound accessibility. The intricate instrumental passages and shifting time signatures remain intact, but the melodies lean towards a more streamlined approach, offering a sharper focus on hooks and emotive delivery. There's an underlying tension between technical virtuosity and a desire to connect on a broader level, creating a record that feels as exploratory as it is deliberate. The production captures the weight and precision of their sound while adding a polished edge, making for a deeply layered yet approachable listen.
Review: Ash Ra Tempel's 1973 album Starring Rosi, led by innovative guitarist Manuel Gottsching, showcases a more accessible sound compared to their earlier cosmic explorations. Rosi Muller, Gottsching's then-girlfriend, contributes spoken word passages, adding a unique texture to several tracks. The album opens with 'Laughter Loving', a cheerful, wah-wah guitar-driven track with hints of country-rock and droning synths. 'Day-Dream' features a stoned, two-chord acoustic sequence, paired with gentle lead guitar and dreamy vocals. Instrumental track 'Schizo' offers a detached, spacey atmosphere, while 'Cosmic Tango' delivers a funky groove, reminiscent of Gong's space-whisper style. The nearly nine-minute 'Interplay of Forces' starts in a psychedelic, space-rock vein before evolving into a guitar and drum-heavy jam. The album closes with 'Bring Me Up', a bluesy, funky track that spotlights Gottsching's masterful guitar work. The album's reissue on 180-gram coloured vinyl further highlights its timeless, genre-blending appeal.
Review: Rush's 1989 release marked a clear departure from the synthesiser-heavy sound of their mid-80s albums, returning to a more guitar-driven approach. Alex Lifeson's intricate riffs shine through tracks like 'Show Don't Tell', while 'The Pass' layers introspective lyrics with melodic finesse. Geddy Lee's basslines feel taut and precise, anchoring the dynamic interplay between his vocals and Neil Peart's inventive drumming. The production captures a sense of clarity, allowing the band's technical prowess to shine without unnecessary embellishments. It's a turning point in Rush's journey that bridges their progressive roots with a leaner, more direct sound.
Review: Originally released in 2011 as follow up to 2008's stellar career height Watershed, the tenth full-length from Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth marked a notable turn, which the members had been desiring to take for some time. Heritage would be their first album since 2003's melancholic Damnation to completely eschew vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's signature death growls, yet this decision wasn't so much in service of this one particular project as had been so in the past. Rather, this was the sign that the Scandinavian death metal elements of their core sound were ready to be laid to rest in favour of an embrace of the 70s prog rock the members grew up idolising. Drawing on the likes of Genesis, Yes and Rush, whilst allowing Akerfeldt's smooth cadence to lead the pieces, this is vintage, jazzy, complex yet undeniably groovy retro progressive rock of the classic era, complete with fuzzed out guitar lines, bizarre time signatures and an abundance of Hammond organ. Somewhat maligned by some of the fanbase while others lauded the brave and natural change in direction, this style would become the standard Opeth sonic aesthetic up until 2024's latest album The Last Will & Testament, which saw a return to their heavier death metal origins.
Review: Marking their first album in five years and follow up to 2019's criminally overlooked In Cauda Venenum, Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth return with their fourteenth full-length The Last Will & Testament. Marking the return of vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's signature death growls; the first project to feature the inhumane bellows since 2008's Watershed, the work is the band's first concept album since 1999's Still Life, with the narrative based around a wealthy, mysterious patriarch in the post-World War I era whose death leads his family to congregate at his estate to learn horrific secrets as his last will and testament is unveiled. Whilst retracing some of their gloomier, more macabre sonics, musically the compositions continue to embrace the 70's psychedelia of Heritage and Sorceress yet with a notable rediscovery of their harrowing, frosted death metal origins. Pressed on limited marbled 'rough seas' vinyl 2xLP..
When The Apples Blossom Blooms In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine (Dope Jams Kaatskill Mountain take) (5:37)
Review: This special green slab of wax brings together two Emerson, Lake & Palmer tracks, one of them with a fresh twist from a legendary US record store. The classic ballad 'From the Beginning' is rich in warm acoustic guitar and Greg Lake's evocative vocals so it stands as one of the band's most beloved and accessible moments. On the flip, 'When the Apple Blossoms Bloom...' receives a bold Dope Jams Kaatskill Mountain take, which flips it into a sprawling, psychedelic-drenched remix that infuses the instrumental with hypnotic grooves and experimental textures. With both cuts on one 12", this one is both a nod to prog rock's legacy and a bridge to new sonic frontiers.
Review: Denver, Colorado based progressive death metal auteurs Blood Incantation have become renowned for their overarching science fiction themes and cosmic reimagining of genre motifs, with 2019's sophomore triumph Hidden History Of The Human Race garnering immense acclaim and exposure. Unexpectedly, their 2022 follow up would rip a page right from the book of Tangerine Dream with Timewave Zero being made up entirely of ambient synth-laden pieces designed to serve as a soundtrack to passing through the stars. With this unpredictable penchant and clear lack of genre boundaries illuminated, anticipation was rife to see if the band would have the balls and brains to marry both opposing sonic guises and that's precisely what Absolute Elsewhere delivers. Named after the mid-70s prog collective (who once featured King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford), and even featuring Tangerine Dream's Thorsten Quaesching, the album is made up of two tracks, both broken into three segments each, that weave hallucinogenic death metal with synthwave prog, Krautrock, and euphoric alien ambience to conjure a uniquely transcendental listening experience. This ain't your granddaddy's prog rock, nor is it your daddy's death metal, but in a sense, it's kind of both.
Careful With That Axe, Eugene (alternate take) (5:50)
A Saucerful Of Secrets (Unedited) (12:44)
Review: The newly re-mastered release of Pink Floyd's legendary Pompeii performance from 1972 - released as a film initially and recorded without an audience - immerses the listener in the eerie grandeur of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Steven Wilson, in charge of reworking the audio, breathes fresh life into the familiar, giving tracks like 'Echoes Part 1' and 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' a heightened sense of space and detail. The alternate take of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' and the unedited 'A Saucerful of Secrets' show the band's ever-evolving approach at this most productive stage in their career. A raw, expansive reflection of Pink Floyd's creative journey as they morphed from psychedelic garage stars to prog rock giants.
Announcements & Tuneups (9th National Jazz & Blues Festival, Plumpton Racecourse, Plumpton, Sussex, England 8th August 1969 - Audience Recording)
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Tuneups
Cymaline
The Beginning
Beset By Creatures Of The Deep
The Narrow Way
Interstellar Overdrive (Afan Lido Sports Centre, Port Talbot, Wales 6th December 1969 - Audeince Recording)
Green Is The Colour
Careful With That Axe, Eugene
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Review: A treat for Pink Floyd fans, as recordings of two legendary concerts from 1969 - sneakily captured by members of the audience - are bundled together on one must-check CD. The first seven tracks showcase a portion of the legendary band's distinctively psychedelic performance at Plumpton Racecourse, Sussex (then host to the 'National Jazz and Blues Festival'), offering up twisted, elongated takes on early material (including 'Set The Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and a fine medley known as 'The Journey'. The final four tracks were recorded in Port Talbot and include breathtakingly brilliant, jammed-out interpretations of 'Careful With That Axe Eugene' and the pinnacle of psychedelic-era Floyd, 'Interstellar Overdrive'.
Review: Nerds, gather round, for this brand new edition of Pink Floyd's utmost live performance of DSOTM at Wembley's Empire Pool in 1974 documents the band's best performance in the best possible sound quality yet. Truly, audiophilia is real, and fans of Floyd are among the most avid audiophiles out there; several specially mixed versions of the album feature here, including one specifically made for Dolby Atmos, and another, the Quad mix, made for systems made up of exactly four speakers. Remastered by James Guthrie.
Review: Back in the depths of the global Coronavirus pandemic, Nick Hoppner and Alex Kassian decided to join forces to record an album, one that would set aside their club credentials and instead focus on their collective love of krautrock, ambient and 'guitar-driven music'. The result is The Big Melt, the duo's first missive as H.A.N.K. Beginning with the immersive, enveloping sound world that is 'Cruise' - a slow-build, effects-laden dreamscape that offers nods to classic Tangerine Dream, shoegaze and 1990s ambient electronica - the album bobs along attractively, with exotic rhythms and intoxicated electronics ('A Useful Fever') sitting side by side with shuffling Balearic instrumentals ('Azul's Garden'), kosmiche epics ('Jag Aar Jag'), sitar-laden wonders ('While My Tar Gently Weeps'), and analogue-rich nods to Neu!, Can and Dunkelziffer ('No Harm').
Review: Los Jaivas' Alturas de Macchu Picchu arrives newly remastered and reissued by state51 on heavyweight wax, and it remains a landmark of South American music. Its blurring of psychedelic rock, Andean folk and Pablo Neruda's poetic power makes the album, which was recorded in exile during Chile's Pinochet era, an evocation of both the spirit and struggle of Latin America. Tracks like 'La Poderosa Muerte' and 'Sube a Nacer Conmigo Hermano' swirl with emotion and complexity to deliver a cinematic spiritual experience. Inspired by Incan ruins and resistance, Alturas is more than music-it's a cultural beacon that invites you into a timeless soundscape.
Review: In 2005, Jan Jelinek "pitched" his electronica/kosmische vision to the potent collective fan by way of ten ecosystemically-informed, prepared ambient numbers. Spanning Bibio-esque reversy guitar and sloshing exotica, this one existed for an inordinate period as a digital download, in which much time elapsed until now, its 20th anniversary - at which point we hear it available again, arriving for the first time on vinyl. Modelled on the sonic prototypes of his German rock forbears, this early electronica work from Jelinek amounts to a fearsomely intricate revue, expanding on krautrock's organic textures and unremittingly restless feel.
Review: After three groundbreaking albums with black midi, including 2023's Hellfire, Geordie Greep has carved out time to release his debut solo project, The New Sound. This album showcases an eclectic and vibrant approach to alternative pop, granting Greep the freedom to pursue creative impulses without restraint. He reflects on this liberation, stating that without a band to answer to, he could fully explore his artistic vision. The recording process involved over thirty session musicians across Sao Paulo and London, blending diverse influences. Greep notes the spontaneity of working with local talent in Brazil, where tracks were recorded in a matter of days. Musically, The New Sound delves into themes of urban life and human experiences, juxtaposing light-hearted melodies with darker narratives. Songs like 'Holy Holy' merge indie pop with lush Latin arrangements, while 'Motorbike' features bassist Seth 'Shank' Evans in a poignant lament. Greep's ambition is evident throughout the eleven tracks, aiming to engage listeners with intricate lyrics and unexpected turns. He hints at future live performances, aiming to capture the album's dynamic spirit in various settings.
Review: Northampton-based psychedelic rock band Dark formed in 1968 while founding member Steve Giles was still at school. They quickly became popular on the live circuit and worked up a tight playing style that they managed to capture when in the studio. Their debut album is their most well-known but a long series of compilations have also been issued. However, this is the first-ever accurate reproduction of one of the last surviving original twelve gatefold copies of the band's debut with the full-colour gatefold sleeve.
Review: The title is lifted from a line in the song from their 1969 studio album, More, which is an acoustic folk ballad titled 'Green Is The Colour': "Heavy is the bond between the hopeful and the damned." Live they slap on a more electric feel with Gilmour's inimitable soloing a strong part of it. The overarching loose, exploratory feel to this collection is a result of Pink Floyd's tendency to improvise and see where the music takes them. Clearly playing for themselves here but nevertheless compelling and awe-inspiring in what they do.
Review: The raw, mind-expanding energy of a band that invennted space rock and went on to influence everything from punk to electronica, captured at various shows from 1977 to 1982. Opening with tracks from the 1977 Spirit of the Age tour, including the hypnotic 'Quark, Strangeness & Charm' and the anthemic live classic 'Masters of the Universe', the interplay between Bob Calvert's commanding vocals and Dave Brock's driving guitar, paired with Simon House's soaring violin, creates a spellbinding atmosphere. The B-side features some of the band's most celebrated moments, from their most famous single 'Silver Machine' to the frenetic 'Urban Guerrilla', recorded with varied lineups that reflect the band's ever-changing, yet consistently powerful, dynamic. Hawkwind's live brilliance lies in their ability to combine intricate musicianship with immersive, sci-fi-inspired themes. If heavy riffs, swirling synths and hypnotic energy are your bag, this LP will be right up your interstellar highway.
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