Release Date April 3rd, 2026 Format CD/12″
Vinyl/Digital Genre
Progressive Metal (Instrumental) Country
Greece
Gus
Drax spent the
last decade tearing up stages globally as the lead six-stringer for thrash
maniacs Suicidal Angels. Before that relentless
touring cycle, the Greek guitar phenomenon carved out his name with UK
prog-metallers Biomechanical and his own heavy
outfit, Sunburst. He built an international
reputation, delivering blistering speed and face-melting technicality. Now, he
returns to his solo roots via Theogonia Records
to unleash his second full-length monster, "Theories Of
Imperfection".
To execute this instrumental prog
metal assault, Gus Drax assembled an elite death
squad of musicians. Bringing in George Kollias
to demolish the drum kit, George Charalampidis
to annihilate the bass frequencies, and Bob Katsionis
to command the keyboards elevates the entire project to absolute mastery.
Gathering such a formidable roster of world-class metal veterans guarantees
flawless precision and supreme technical dominance. Every musician fires on all
cylinders, turning insane time signatures and massive grooves into a masterclass
of progressive destruction.
The sheer velocity and emotional
aggression injected into "Sentio Ergo Sum" and "Nocturnal
Waltz" will immediately snap your neck. The monstrous riffing continues
across the wild shredding of "Sombrero Attack" and the soaring
horizons of "Ethereal Horizon". Bringing in guest heavyweights like Andy James for a massive guitar duel on "Cosmic
Shadow" adds pure firepower to the arsenal. The inclusion of John Koutselinis for sweeping orchestrations and Lefteris Pouliou dropping wild saxophone lines turns
these tracks into massive sonic explosions. Simone
Mularoni at Domination Studio (best
choice) engineered the mix and master into a crushing auditory weapon,
delivering massive low-end punch and screaming highs.
Remedy Art Design delivered a
visual nightmare of chaotic beauty for the cover art. The surreal imagery and
explosive colors perfectly mirror the insane guitar acrobatics and heavy
onslaught found inside. "Theories Of Imperfection" reigns as a
towering monument of progressive metal superiority. Gus
Drax proves he remains one of the most lethal guitarists in the metal scene
today, delivering massive riffs, chaotic speed, and unyielding metal fury.
Release Date 13.02.2026 Format CD, Digital Genre Progressive Metal Country France
Hailing from
Paris, Primaluce is a progressive metal machine
driven by Stefano Primaluce. After dropping
"Dark Mirrors" in 2025, they are back on the grid. Tracked in Austria
at Colosseum Sound Factory, "Way Of
Perfection" is their newest assault on the ears. This time around, they
brought in a dedicated vocalist for the entire runtime, stepping away from
their earlier origins and pushing a vision they have been building for over ten
years.
"Way Of Perfection" is
built on classic progressive metal foundations, bringing heavy structure and
discipline to the table. Primaluce shreds the
rulebook, ignoring the trap of mindless wankery or technical excess. They focus
purely on motion, contrast, and transformation. The songs blast through a
serious spectrum of control and release. Melodic intensity clashes with
cinematic atmosphere, creating relentless forward movement. They drop serious
riffs and back them up with massive keyboards, generating an immense wall of
sound.
"The Wind Remains" and
"Running Out Of Yesterday" lay down the core themes of the album. The
opener establishes an immense scale, dragging the listener into the atmosphere
immediately. The latter focuses heavily on momentum and reflection.
Imperfection, acceptance, and evolution are the driving forces behind the
lyrics and the music. The entire band fires on all cylinders. Andrea Rocchi tears through the solos, Marco Adami and Michele Avella
lock down the rhythm section, and Falco delivers
vicious vocal lines.
In an era obsessed with digital
overload, Primaluce delivers a genuinely human
creation. The tension between precision and raw emotion keeps the blood pumping
through the entire tracklist. "Way Of Perfection" is a towering
collection of progressive metal that demands your attention. The production
reaches immense peaks, the musicianship is top-tier, and the songwriting reigns
supreme. Primaluce provides an aggressive, massive
sonic experience.
Release DateJanuary 16th, 2026 Format CD/Digital Genre Progressive Metal Country Finland
Pulling you into their one-of-a-kind heavy rock soundscape, Frozen Factory skillfully delivers diverse
prog-adjacent metal, exploring themes of good and evil, truth and deceit,
mystery and wonder. Drawing from a wide range of influences, from Pink Floyd, Iron
Maiden and Alice In Chains to Depeche Mode and many more, the band conjure up a
truly moody and meaningful listening experience, showing technical and musical
maturity both in the studio and on stage. In December 2018, as four unattached
guys with no plan, Frozen Factory formed and
hit the studio, leaving with three tracks. The songs felt like the start of
something big and caught the attention of British/Finnish vocalist Stephen Baker. After meeting band leader Tomi Hassinen for tea and checking out a new demo song,
Stephen wrote the lyrics for “The Truth Is So
Dead” the same day, and recorded it the next. Stephen
and Tomi immediately felt in sync and forged
a new deeper sound for Frozen Factory.
Soon, the band’s debut album “Planted Feet”, themed around social
and environmental crises, was ready. In January 2020, the band celebrated by
performing their live debut, with a dramatic set in Finland’s iconic Vernissa venue in Vantaa. The show was filmed in
full and is available to watch on YouTube. In 2021, the band welcomed
powerhouse drummer Marianne Heikkinen (Rabbit Cult, Jess By
The Lake) and followed “Planted Feet” with “The First Liquidation EP”,
an unorthodox less-than-30-minute 8-track EP/short album. Literally lifting off
where the debut album ended, it shifts the band into even more emotional themes
and provides a bridge to their second full-length album “Of Pearls & Perils”,
which was released in 2022 with 12 often-anthemic tracks. “Of Pearls &
Perils” impressed reviewers and earned high-profile radio play, such as on
Germany’s SWR1. Throughout 2023 and 2024,
the band, now including exceptional lead guitarist Zsolt
Szilagyi (Dreamtale, After Infinity), released several singles. First a
series of standalone singles, and then a few from the upcoming “Apocalypse Inc.”
album, including one with talented Silentium
singer Riina Rinkinen. With confidence
soaring, the band decided an album as killer as “Apocalypse Inc.” should be
released on a label with matching energy, and so started a new era in
partnership with WormHoleDeath.
Frozen Factory kicks
the door down with a sound that is equal parts heavy and trippy.
"Apocalypse Inc." is a weird beast, mixing the heavy grunge vibes of Alice In Chains with the spacey atmosphere of Pink Floyd. It is dark, heavy, and full of
attitude. The band isn't trying to write pop hits here. They are making noise
for the end of the world. The guitars are thick, and the bass rumbles low
enough to shake your floorboards. It is a heavy listen, but it keeps your head
nodding.
The vocals from Stephen Baker cut
through the noise. He sounds like he means every word. The lyrics deal with
heavy stuff, money, greed, and the world going down the drain. It fits the
music perfectly. The drums from Marianne Heikkinen
drive the songs forward. They are loud and aggressive. The band plays well
together. The production lets the instruments breathe without sounding too
clean.
There
are some strange turns on this album. It is not a straight line from start to
finish. The band takes detours into weird soundscapes. Some people might find
it too experimental. But if you like metal that takes chances, this is for you.
The lead guitar work from Zsolt Szilagyi
adds a nice layer of melody on top of the heavy riffs. It is technical but not
boring. "Apocalypse Inc." is a strong release. It is not perfect, but
it is honest. It has a lot of character. The songs stick in your head after you
listen. It is a good soundtrack for bad times. If you are tired of the same old
metal, give this a spin. It might surprise you.
Release DateJanuary 23rd, 2026 Format CD/Digital Genre
Progressive Metal Country
United States
Spiral
Fracture emerges
from the shadows with a sound that bridges the past and future of progressive
metal. Combining thunderous drums, soul-shaking bass, and atmospheric guitar
work with a soaring alto vocal range, the band weaves primal emotion into a
precise, genre-defying tapestry. Inspired by the Fibonacci spiral, nature’s
symbol of balance, Spiral Fracture leans into
chaos, reflecting the fractures of modern society through a fusion of prog,
rock, death, black, and power metal. Their music is both raw and refined,
designed to challenge convention and connect listeners on a deeper level. Each
member brings a unique force to the sound. David Givens
delivers intricate, melodic guitar lines shaped by a deep foundation in music
theory. Live, Spiral Fracture is magnetic, radiating
intensity and unity. At its core, Spiral Fracture
is a call for connection in a fractured world. Through genre-blurring
compositions and thoughtful lyrics, they aim to heal divides and offer
listeners a renewed perspective, one note at a time.
Spiral Fracture decided to
throw every subgenre they could find into a blender for "Grace In
Decay". The result is a weird beast that sometimes confuses as much as it
entertains. You get these distorted guitar riffs that spiral around your head,
courtesy of Dave Givens. The guy clearly knows his
theory, but he isn't afraid to get messy with it. The sound is heavy, loud, and
constantly shifting. It demands your attention because if you zone out, you
miss the change-up.
The rhythm section acts like a
broken machine that somehow keeps running. Brian Fisher
on drums and Brian Tanner on bass play these
jagged patterns that don't let you settle down. The bass lines are thick and
rattle the speakers, providing a foundation for the guitar madness. The
drumming avoids simple beats, opting for complex patterns that challenge the
listener to keep up. It is technically impressive stuff that hits the mark more
often than not.
Then you have Javier Ramos on the mic. Instead of barking or
screeching, he brings these smooth, high vocals to the fight. It is a clash of
styles. The music is trying to rip your face off with dissonance, and the
vocals are trying to sing you a lullaby. It is an odd combination, but it
sticks in your brain. It stops the album from becoming just another noise fest
and adds a layer of melody that actually works.
This record is a worthy addition to
your collection. It has enough twists and turns to keep a prog nerd happy,
while packing enough heaviness for the metal crowd. It isn't perfect, and
sometimes the genre-hopping gets a bit exhausting. However, Spiral Fracture proves they can play their instruments
damn well. "Grace In Decay" deserves a spin if you are tired of
standard timing and want something that challenges your ears.
Release Date January 30th, 2026 Format Digital Genre
Progressive/Thrash Metal Country
Finland
Krateros is an
emerging metal band from Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2023 and led by
vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Saku Rekonen.
The band’s music combines influences from old-school thrash metal bands such as
Annihilator, Exodus,
and Megadeth with more contemporary acts like Trivium, Machine Head,
and Stam1na, all the while being filtered
through a progressive lens. The band’s first EP, “Lost In Translation,”
released through Inverse Records, is a response to a perceived lack of riffs
that seems to plague the metal scene of the 2020s.
When a new band comes out swinging
with a claim that the current era suffers from a lack of riffs, they better
have the ammunition to back it up. Krateros
steps into the ring with "Lost In Translation" and immediately proves
they aren't just running their mouths. This Helsinki outfit brings a serious
arsenal of fretwork to the table. Saku Rekonen
and his crew clearly studied the blueprints of the thrash giants, and they
execute their sound with a level of aggression that demands attention.
The guitar work acts as the primary
engine here. It is fast, technical, and relentless. Rekonen
weaves complex patterns that shift and change, keeping the listener on their
toes. The progressive influence ensures the songs don't just plod along in a
straight line. You get sudden tempo changes and jagged rhythms that force you
to pay attention. It is refreshing to hear a band prioritize the six-string
assault above everything else.
Vocally, the delivery is harsh and
abrasive, matching the intensity of the music. The screaming adds a layer of
hostility that works well with the frantic instrumentation. Lyrically, tracks
like "Uticensis" dive into Roman philosophy, which is a welcome
change from standard genre tropes. It shows the band has brains to match the
brawn. The rhythm section of Roni Helminen and Touko Kaihola hammers down the low end, ensuring the
music hits with maximum impact.
Production on "Lost In
Translation" captures the raw energy of the band. It avoids sounding
sterile or over-processed. You can hear the organic nature of the drums and the
bite of the guitar amps. This is music designed to be played loud. It
effectively communicates the anger and technical proficiency of the musicians
without hiding behind studio magic.
Krateros has
delivered a strong opening statement. This EP proves that the art of the riff
is alive and well in Finland. They manage to balance technicality with pure
aggression in a way that keeps the songs engaging. It is a promising debut that
suggests these guys have plenty more to offer in the future.
Release Date March 20th,
2026 Format CD/LP/Digital Genre Progressive Power Metal Country Germany
Born from
the gritty German underground, Assignment has
been kicking around the scene for years, slowly morphing from a standard power
metal outfit into a more complex, progressive beast. They’ve weathered lineup
changes and shifts in the industry, but with the addition of the powerhouse Diego Valdez on vocals, they’ve finally found the
throat to match their ambition. After a few years of silence, they’ve crawled
back out of the studio with a new slab of noise that tries to balance their
heavy roots with some actual songwriting brains.
“With The End Comes Silence” is a
solid piece of metal that doesn't mess around with too much fluff. It’s got
that classic German toughness, but they’ve smartened up the arrangements so
it’s not just mindless chugging. Goran Panić
lays down some seriously chunky riffs, and having Diego
Valdez upfront is a massive win. The guy has a set of pipes that can
actually handle the technical shifts without sounding like he’s trying too
hard. It’s heavy, it’s got some dirt under its fingernails, and the production
handled by Simone Mularoni makes the whole thing
sound massive without stripping away the attitude.
The guest list on this thing is
actually worth talking about for once. Getting Thomas
Vikström for some backing layers adds a nice touch of class, and the
lead guitar spots from Marco Ahrens and Mularoni himself add some serious fire to tracks like
“Fallen” and “The Curtain Falls.” It’s clear these guys wanted to make
something that sounds professional but still hits like a ton of bricks in a
dive bar. The songs have some breathing room, and the rhythm section of Heiko Spaarmann and Michael
Kolar keeps the foundation filthy and loud, just the way it should be.
This isn’t some over-the-top, cheesy
symphonic mess. It’s a focused attack that deals with a world falling apart.
You can hear the frustration in the lyrics and the aggression in the delivery.
While it’s got those progressive tags, it never gets so lost in its own head
that it forgets to be metal. It’s an immersive listen that rewards you for
actually paying attention instead of just using it as background noise while
you drink. If you want something that bridges the gap between old-school grit
and modern punch, this is a damn good place to start.
Release
Date: November 21st, 2025
Format: CD/Digital
Genre: Progressive Metal
Country: Finland
Humming
Whale started
back in 2006 in Tampere, Finland, built by longtime friends Lassi Paunonen and Ville
Kiiveri. Metal was always the core, but wide listening habits pushed the
band toward progressive territory early on, with odd structures, rhythmic
detours and a growing fascination with synth textures and organic percussion.
After years of slow development and line up shifts, the group settled into a
solid form, completed their long gestating debut, and finally released “Chasing
Rabbits” in late 2025.
“Chasing Rabbits” sounds like a band
that has spent a long time arguing with its own ideas and refusing easy
answers. The album circles around progressive metal without locking itself into
a single box, shifting between tense riffs, drifting atmospheres and sudden
rhythmic turns. Songs stretch out, pull back, and then twist again, often
sidestepping the obvious path. It asks for attention, not patience as a favor,
but attention as a fair trade.
There is roughness in the way
the material unfolds, not raw in a dirty sense, but raw in intention. The
vocals stay grounded, never drifting into overacting, while guitars and bass
keep weaving patterns that feel thought through without sounding academic. The
synth layers add color without drowning the metal core, giving the album a
slightly off kilter personality that fits the band’s long history of
experimentation.
This is a strong and convincing
debut that rewards enough spins. “Chasing Rabbits” may not punch you in the
face on first contact, but it sticks around, digging in with every listen. For
fans of progressive metal who like their albums to challenge habits and stretch
expectations without collapsing into chaos, Humming
Whale has delivered something worth spending time with.
Release Date: 28/11/2025
Format: CD
Genre: Progressive/Power Metal
Country: USA
Shadow Killerhail from
Northern California and have been grinding their own epic metal path for years,
stubborn, heavy headed and loyal to their myth soaked vision. This is their
fifth full length, and it closes the story they started on the previous two
albums. The band comes here carrying real scars, real loss, and that matters,
because this album is written from inside the storm, not from a safe distance.
“Sworn To Avenge” plays like a long
march through old forests and ruined ground, built on melody, grit and a strong
sense of narrative. The atmosphere stays dark and resolute, with songs like
“The Haunting” and “Rise Of The Hunter” leaning into tension and resolve
without slipping into empty dramatics. There is a steady pulse throughout the
album, and it keeps the story moving forward without turning into background
noise.
Mid album cuts like “Shadows Of The
Sun” and “The Heart Of A Warrior” hit the emotional core, driven by themes of
endurance, memory and final stands. The writing favors strong hooks and clear
direction, and the vocals stay expressive and grounded, never drifting into
cartoon territory. This is epic metal that keeps its boots dirty and its eyes
forward.
By the time “Sands In The Hourglass”
and “Bellum Sacrum” arrive, the album earns its ending. The closing stretch
feels earned through consistency and focus, not excess. “Sworn To Avenge” is
not flawless, and a few moments lean familiar, but the commitment and sincerity
push it well above average. This is a solid, honest progpower metal album that
respects its own story and sees it through.
Release Date: 2 November 2025
Format: CD, Digital
Genre: Progressive Metal, Modern Metal, Jazz Fusion
Country: USA
John Macko is widely known as the bassist of Fifth
Angel, a band tied to classic US power metal tradition. Across decades, Macko built a reputation for disciplined musicianship
and strong compositional sense. “Zero-Point Machine” marks a long-developing
personal project where he steps outside familiar territory and presents music
shaped by early influences, broader styles, and long-held ideas that waited for
the right moment to surface.
“Zero-Point Machine” unfolds as a cinematic
album rooted in progressive metal, modern heaviness, and fusion textures. The
writing favors atmosphere, rhythm shifts, and layered arrangements over simple
hooks. Vocals by Georgie Chapple guide the
material with a clear narrative role, fitting the darker and reflective lyrical
direction. The album follows a controlled pace, allowing themes to develop
gradually while maintaining steady momentum across its runtime.
The collaboration with Adrian
Thessenvitz brings a detailed sound design approach, blending metallic
force with progressive rock depth. Ken Mary’s
drumming anchors the compositions with precision and experience, reinforcing the
album’s structured character. Guest guitar performances add variety and color,
expanding the tonal range without distracting from the core identity of the
project.
Production plays a key role in shaping the final
result. The mix by Jacob Hansen delivers a
modern, powerful sound that keeps every element defined and balanced. The album
avoids excess polish and focuses on clarity, scale, and cohesion. Artwork by Henry Moreno visually mirrors the album’s futuristic
and introspective themes.
“Zero-Point Machine” presents John Macko as a composer exploring a wider musical
horizon with patience and focus. The album speaks to listeners drawn to
progressive structures, modern metal weight, and thoughtful arrangements. It
stands as a mature release that reflects experience, curiosity, and careful
execution.
Release
Date: July 2025
Format: Double LP
Genre: Progressive Metal, Technical Thrash Metal
Country: Germany
Megace formed in
Hamburg in 1988, at a time when German thrash metal was pushing far beyond raw
speed. The band entered the scene with a strong interest in demanding song
structures and progressive ideas, drawing attention early through demo
releases. With vocalist Melanie Bock, Megace gained a distinctive presence, combining
aggressive delivery with melodic control in a way that separated them from many
contemporaries. Their debut album “Human Errors” earned wide praise and slowly
became a cult favorite, keeping the band’s name alive well beyond its original
release period.
“Inner War” represents the second
chapter of Megace’s story, originally released
in 1999 and now finally receiving its first vinyl edition through Golden Core Records. The album reflects a period where
technical precision and progressive thinking shaped much of the European metal
underground. Thrash elements remain part of the foundation, though the music
places stronger focus on melody and complex arrangements, creating a sound that
sits comfortably between intensity and careful construction.
Melanie Bock’s vocal
performance plays a central role throughout the album. Her range supports the
music’s shifting dynamics and reinforces the emotional direction of the
material. The interaction between vocals and instrumentation gives the album a
distinct identity, separating it from more conventional releases of its time.
The songwriting favors layered structures and evolving themes, rewarding
attentive listening without drifting into excess.
This 2025 vinyl edition adds further
value by including a bonus LP with demo versions and rare material, all
remastered specifically for vinyl. The production, originally handled by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dirk
Schlächter, benefits from the updated mastering while retaining its
original character. With printed inner sleeves, liner notes, lyrics, and
archival images, the release presents “Inner War” as a complete historical
document rather than a simple reissue.
“Inner War” stands today as a strong
example of German progressive thrash metal from a transitional era. Its growing
reputation over the years explains the demand for this edition, and the album’s
balance of technical discipline and melodic direction remains engaging decades
after its first appearance.
Release Date: July 2025
Format: CD/LP
Genre: Progressive Metal,
Technical Thrash Metal
Country: Germany
Megace formed in
Hamburg in 1988, right when German thrash metal was entering a more demanding
phase. Speed and aggression were no longer enough for some bands, and technical
depth started to matter more. From their early days, Megace
followed that path without detours. The presence of singer Melanie Bock gave the band a clear profile early on,
combining harsh thrash delivery with controlled melodic lines. After several
well received demos on Aaarrg Records, the band
secured a deal with 1MF Records and entered Dust Music Studios in 1991 to record their debut
album.
"Human Errors" arrived at
a time when technical thrash was reaching new levels of ambition. The album
presents tightly written material that focuses on precision and structure, with
progressive ideas woven directly into the songwriting. Rhythms shift often,
riffs take unexpected turns, and the overall flow stays focused. The vocal
performance adds another layer, alternating between sharp aggression and clear
melodic passages, giving the songs a distinct character that separates them
from many German thrash releases of that era.
What makes the album lasting is its
balance between technical ambition and coherent songwriting. The arrangements
stay disciplined, allowing the material to unfold naturally without unnecessary
expansion. The progressive elements serve the songs instead of overwhelming
them, and the thrash foundation remains clearly present throughout. This
approach placed Megace alongside other forward
thinking acts on the Aaarrg Records circle,
while still maintaining an identity of their own.
The 2025 reissue by Golden Core brings “Human Errors” back into focus with
fully restored and remastered sound, using separate masters for vinyl and CD.
The CD edition also includes two previously unreleased 1989 demos recorded at Ralph Hubert’s studio, offering additional historical
context without altering the main album experience. The packaging is handled
with care, featuring a detailed booklet for the CD and a printed insert for the
LP.
More than three decades after its
original release, "Human Errors" still holds its position as a strong
example of early German progressive thrash. Its discipline, technical depth,
and distinctive vocal approach keep it relevant for listeners interested in
that era’s more demanding side of metal. This reissue reinforces the album’s
reputation and secures its place within the genre’s history.
Megace was formed in
Hamburg in 1988 and emerged during a fertile moment for German metal, when
thrash was stretching its limits and technical ambition was becoming part of
the language. From the beginning, the band followed a more complex path,
blending sharp thrash roots with progressive structures and an unusual vocal
approach. Fronted by Melanie Bock, whose range
allowed harsh and melodic delivery to coexist naturally, Megace quickly separated themselves from many of their
peers. Early demos circulated widely on tape, built a strong underground
reputation, and later fed directly into the acclaimed debut album “Human
Errors” in 1991, followed years later by “Inner War”.
“The Demo Collection” finally gathers those formative recordings in one
place, restored and remastered with obvious care. These songs document the
band’s development across several years, lineup changes, and shifting ideas,
while keeping a clear identity intact. The material reflects a period when Megace were actively shaping their sound, testing
structures, refining themes, and expanding their musical vocabulary. Even as
these are demos, the vision is fully formed, with intricate arrangements,
restless energy, and a strong sense of direction.
What stands out most is how naturally the progressive elements are woven
into the thrash framework. Complex rhythms, unexpected turns, and layered
songwriting appear frequently, but they serve the songs rather than pulling
attention away from them. Melanie Bock’s vocal
performance is a central factor throughout the collection, offering expressive
contrast and emotional range that elevates the material and keeps it engaging
across the long runtime. The restored sound gives these recordings clarity and
balance, allowing details that were once buried on tape to come forward.
Beyond the music itself, this release works as a historical document of a
band that mattered, and still matters, within the German progressive thrash
scene. The extensive liner notes, rare photos, and thoughtful presentation turn
“The Demo Collection” into more than an archive release. It captures Megace in motion, driven by curiosity and ambition,
and shows why these demos remained highly regarded for decades.
Release Date: October 3rd,
2025
Format: CD/LP/Digital
Genre: ProgPost Metal, Noise
Rock
Country: France
Cratophane are a French power
trio formed in the late 2010s, working at the crossroads of noise rock, post
metal, heavy psych and zeuhl inspired progressive music. After drawing attention
with their self titled debut in 2022, the band aligned with I, Voidhanger Records and continued shaping a sound
rooted in repetition, tension and vivid imagination, often linked to science
fiction imagery and graphic art.
“Exode”
presents Cratophane at a more focused stage of
their evolution. The album unfolds as a continuous journey built on layered
riffs, angular rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The writing favors long forms
and gradual development, allowing ideas to expand and transform over time.
There is a strong progressive logic at work, with recurring motifs and shifting
dynamics that keep the listener alert without resorting to excess.
The band’s
influences are easy to trace, echoes of Pelican,
Shellac, Magma and
Aluk Todolo appear throughout the album. These
references are absorbed into a personal language shaped by repetition and
tension. The music often circles around a central idea, adding small variations
that slowly change its character. The result is hypnotic and demanding, asking
for attention rather than background listening.
A key aspect
of “Exode” is its close link to science fiction comics. Inspired by artists like
Moebius, Druillet
and Enki Bilal, the album functions as a
soundtrack to imagined worlds and harsh landscapes. Vincent
Perriot’s cover art from “Negalyod” strengthens this connection, giving
the release a clear visual identity that matches the music’s abstract and
cosmic atmosphere.
With “Exode”, Cratophane deliver an album that rewards patience and
repeated listens. The material stays consistent in tone and ambition, offering
a solid example of modern progressive noise rock without unnecessary decoration.
It may challenge casual listeners, though it offers depth and coherence for
those willing to follow its path.
The Old Dead Tree are one of the key names of French dark progressive metal. Active since
the late 90s, the band built its reputation on emotionally heavy songwriting, a
strong gothic rock undercurrent and the wide vocal range of Manuel Munoz. After a long absence and a full
comeback album, they return with “London Sessions”, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and released through Season Of Mist.
“London Sessions” sits
between past and present. The material keeps the familiar melancholic tone of The Old Dead Tree while sounding more restrained
and reflective. The gothic side is prominent, with progressive elements shaping
the structures and dynamics. The songs focus on atmosphere and emotional
tension, guided mainly by vocal expression rather than excess detail. Manuel Munoz delivers a strong and expressive
performance, moving naturally between darker and more melodic passages.
The production is
clear and balanced, fitting the Abbey Road setting without
sounding oversized. Guitars stay layered and textured, bass and drums provide a
solid base, and the overall sound supports the introspective character of the
EP. The cello guest appearance adds extra depth where needed, giving certain
moments a more dramatic edge without taking attention away from the core
songwriting.
As a short release,
“London Sessions” feels concise and focused. The tracks are consistent in tone
and direction, aiming for emotional impact instead of variety. Fans familiar
with the band’s earlier work will recognize the melancholic spirit, while newer
listeners will get a clear picture of their identity. The EP works well as a
companion piece to their recent comeback era. “London Sessions” delivers solid
songwriting, strong vocals and a coherent atmosphere. It is a mature release
from a band that understands its musical language and applies it with care. For
Katatonia and Anathema lovers it’s a great listening choice.
