One of the most gratifying aspects of exploring music is observing how different bands, styles, and scenes influence one another. Like a massive, breathing network, no band exists in isolation, and every city is its own musical melting pot. Today, my focus shifts to Atlanta, home of the Hawks but also of progressive rock band ETHOS, active since 2009. Over the course of 15 years, ETHOS has released three studio albums, an EP, and two singles. Their latest studio effort, An Eye for an Eye, was released this past June.
It’s clear that ETHOS took their time to craft an album that is meticulously planned, thoughtfully executed, and engaging. An Eye for an Eye is a journey consisting of five tracks that showcase the band’s evolving sound. The lineup—Austen Earp (vocals, keyboards), Kuyper Cummings (guitars), Matt Palopoli (guitars), Nick Riggs (bass), and Tribb Robison (drums)—teamed up with renowned mastering engineer Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios for the album. In a recent interview with Progarchy, Robison remarked on working with Bogren: “Jens is one of the masters in the production world, mixing and mastering for bands we love like Haken, Katatonia, and Opeth. So, we were ecstatic to work with him again. It was all done remotely through file sharing, and he was a pleasure to collaborate with as usual. His mastering really rounded out the overall sound, making the songs fuller and enhancing certain frequencies to give the album that extra push and a nice overall sheen.”
Self-released, An Eye for an Eye isn’t a direct homage to ‘70s prog rock, yet it nods to classic influences like Rush and Yes, especially in its precise bass work and bright power riffs. However, the band’s inspirations extend beyond that era, with modern touches from bands like Karnivool, Haken, Opeth, and Between the Buried and Me. This fusion of influences creates a nuanced, engaging listening experience.
ETHOS‘ natural songwriting talents, combined with their encyclopedic knowledge of the genre, elevate even the album’s subtler moments. They strike a fine balance between conventional song structures and progressive flourishes. While they don’t fully dive into prog, their sound is far more dynamic and intricate than one might expect from a melodic rock band. They enhance their hooks with exotic instrumentation and plenty of dynamic shifts, maintaining an element of unpredictability throughout the record. Though An Eye for an Eye follows some traditional melodic rock patterns, ETHOS harnesses these conventions in ways that feel fresh and innovative.
The band’s knack for crafting memorable songs is evident by the end of the first listen. Several tracks immediately stand out. The opener, “Begin with the End,” features gripping riffs, while “Holy Water” boasts one of the album’s most powerful choruses. The closing three-piece suite, “The Archetype Suite,” serves as the album’s highlight, featuring stunning instrumentation that will undoubtedly win over old-school prog fans. The musicianship is impressive across the board, with intelligently arranged tracks that give added weight to already solid songwriting. The suite continues the concept introduced in their 2017 full-length Shade & Soil.
An Eye for an Eye is an album that both challenges and provokes the listener, inviting repeated listens to fully grasp its intricacies. From its ambitious songwriting to its seamless blend of old-school and modern progressive rock influences, ETHOS has crafted a work that stands out in today’s crowded musical landscape. This is not an album that relies solely on technical proficiency or flashy musicianship—though both are present in abundance. Instead, it’s the emotional depth and thoughtful composition that elevate it beyond mere spectacle. ETHOS strikes a delicate balance between accessibility and complexity, offering enough hooks to engage casual listeners while rewarding longtime fans and prog aficionados with layers of nuance to unpack. It’s this quality that makes it not only the band’s best work to date but also one of the standout releases of 2024.
Treat yourself with a progalicious goodness that is “An Eye for an Eye.“
If anything, it’s the cohesion and attention to detail that make this album stand out as not just ETHOS’ best work to date, but also one of the strongest releases of 2024. The band's ability to push the boundaries of their sound without losing sight of their roots shows a clear vision and a commitment to artistic growth. In a genre that often looks back to its past, ETHOS manages to create something that feels modern and forward-thinking while still paying homage to its progressive rock heritage. An Eye for an Eye is not just an album—it’s a statement, and one that will likely resonate with listeners long after 2024 has come to a close.
