Author: progsphere

After a six-year hiatus following their release Epilogue, Kansas City-based post-metal band A Light Within is re-emerging with fresh material, a renewed perspective, and an evolving sound. Guitarist and songwriter Jeff Irvine shares insights into the band’s journey through lineup changes, the challenges of the pandemic, and their deliberate yet passionate approach to writing music. From the reimagining of their debut EP re:preface (review here) to the powerful new singles that signal a bold chapter, A Light Within continues their journey in the post-metal landscape. It’s been over six years since “Epilogue” was released. How does it feel to return with new material and reconnect…

Welcome to the Progotronics Championships 47 Quarterfinals! After weeks of fierce competition, the top eight artists have emerged victorious from the group stage. Each of these talented acts represents the very best in progressive, experimental rock and metal, showcasing diverse styles and thrilling music . Now, it’s time for you to decide who advances to the semifinals. The quarterfinal matchups are here, and your vote will determine which artists move one step closer to the Progotronics crown. How to Vote To cast your votes, simply click on the polls above for each matchup. Voting will remain open until December 22nd, 2024,…

Halcyon Phase is an Ottawa, Ontario based progressive rock duo comprised of Frank Smith and Phil Bova, who back in September released the project’s sophomore studio album, Critical Misunderstandings on the Precipice. The album comes three years after the release of debut Tendrils, and according to the band, “songs address the state of the world, human relationships, actions and inaction, at a particularly perilous moment in our history.” Critical Misunderstandings on the Precipice represents the distillation of genre’s rich work into a compact and song-oriented release. It’s bite-sized, catchy and is entirely content to flip tones on the change of…

When attempting to craft a truly landmark-worthy statement in music, the trend in rock music is generally to create something in excess. Be it a groundbreaking concept piece, or a sprawling double album, the formula often rests on how much ambition is involved. Luckily that’s not the case with what The MC2 Project—a duo comprised of guitarist Anthony A-man and pianist and keyboardist Larisa Gorodinski—do on their brand-new single Rising, scheduled to be launched as part of their upcoming 2025 full-length release. Denver-based, The MC2 Project’s attempt at instrumental prog rock is quite good, and more importantly on point. A-man…

Progressive rock and electronic music have always shared a symbiotic relationship. The early explorations of their fusion opened up a world of sonic possibilities, resulting in decades of boundary-breaking releases. Edison Suit, the brainchild of Mark Smith and Barry Wood, has spent years delving into the intersection of these two distinct musical realms, breaking the limitations of both genres. After a significant break between releases, Edison Suit returned in 2023 with their third full-length album, Persistence of Vision, released under the Melodic Revolution Records label. The album embodies the duo’s philosophy of “making electronic instruments seem organic and acoustic instruments…

Following the recent launch of a new single “Everything Ends”—also featured on our Progotronics 47 compilation—international progressive metal group Aran Prog Project announce the launch of their new, upcoming studio album titled WWI. The band’s founder, bassist and composer Massimiliano Gentilini spoke for Prog Sphere following the compilation inclusion. “Everything Ends” is a powerful addition to Progotronics 47. Can you share the story behind this track and how it fits into the concept of your upcoming album WWI? As the title suggests, it is a reflection on the fact that everything is finite; nothing is infinite. In the specific context of this…

Halcyon Phase, the Ottawa-based progressive rock duo of Frank Smith and Phil Bova, has returned with their highly anticipated second album, Critical Misunderstandings On The Precipice. Released in September 2024, this ambitious project arrives nearly four years after their acclaimed debut, Tendrils. The new record is a rich combination of sounds, blending elements of folk, indie rock, jazz, and progressive rock, while delving into profound themes such as social injustice, climate change, artificial intelligence, and the complexities of human relationships. In this exclusive interview, Frank and Phil share the story behind the album’s creation, offering a glimpse into the unique collaborative process…

Oliver Scales Copeland, the Australian musician behind An Oliver SC Project, has been immersed in music since childhood. Starting guitar at the age of four, he credits his early exposure to his mother’s classical and tango influences and his father’s love for blues legends like Jimi Hendrix and The Shadows. This foundation laid the groundwork for a dynamic career that has spanned genres and instruments. “My mother played violin and sang, so I was influenced a lot by her, especially in classical and tango styles,” Oliver reflects. “My dad loved blues, and that inspired me to pick up the guitar. Though…

One of the most fascinating aspects of the progressive rock genre is its timeless quality. Across decades of its existence, there are thousands of bands and releases waiting to be discovered—whether they’re obscure gems from the past or fresh contributions from modern artists. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates my experience with Minneapolis, Minnesota-based art rock group The Light in the Ocean (TLITO). Actively creating music since 2019, TLITO released their third album, Deep Reef Dream, in April 2022. It wasn’t until recently, while curating tracks for Progotronics 47, that I came across this album. The saying “better late than never” couldn’t be more…

Being active for a number of years, Nest creates a distinctive and rather beautiful sound based on a mix of jazz, prog/post rock and contemporary classical influences. The Israeli trio’s sophomore release is Kites, launched in October this year, and it’s a collection of nine tunes, showcasing the group’s sparse and surprisingly delicate approach to composition.  The band is adept at building each tune gradually, layering sounds on top of each other with restraint and creating real tensions. Often this involves bassist Sarel Keren and drummer Omri Leibovich playing a repetitive, insistent rhythm over which Itai Meiri adds his guitar…