Author: progsphere
French experimental project IXION has been celebrated for its ability to merge the ethereal with the heavy, creating a fusion of atmospheric doom metal with ambient and electronic influences. At the helm of this creative endeavor is songwriter and producer Julien Prat, whose vision has guided IXION through an ever-evolving sonic journey. With their latest opus, Evolution, IXION delves into profound themes of humanity, androids, and post-humanism, presenting a conceptual trilogy that spans mortality, technological ascension, and the synthesis of man and machine. Released as three distinct EPs—Extinction, Restriction, and Regeneration—and later combined into a full-length album, Evolution challenges listeners with its intricate narrative and…
Born from a shared passion for blending musical styles, The MC2 Project are redefining the possibilities of instrumental music, in a way. Fusing rock’s raw energy, classical’s precision, and jazz’s spontaneity, the duo—guitarist Anthony A-man and pianist Larisa Gorodinski—create a sound that thrives on experimentation and collaboration. With their latest single “Rising” and a new album set for release in December, The MC2 Project continue to explore uncharted territory. In this conversation, The MC2 Project open up about their inspirations, techniques, and vision, offering insight into how they turn ideas into compositions. The MC2 Project blends rock, classical, and jazz…
Today, we journey to Cork, Ireland, to delve into the debut EP Days by art rock trio Callas. Comprising Dom Murphy (vocals, guitars, keys), Ruairi Lynch (guitars), and Cormac Shanley (bass), the trio showcases an impressive mastery of dynamics across this three-track release. Each song features moments of sparse, quiet beauty that contrast sharply with heavier, more foreboding elements, creating a sense of balance and intrigue. The self-titled opener, “Days,” sets the tone by juxtaposing weighty, ominous riffs with stretches of near-silence, evoking a sense of isolation and introspection. The track exemplifies Callas’ ability to craft a brooding atmosphere while avoiding the genre’s tendency…
Nils Boden, the mastermind behind Ever Else Ends, has created a space for listeners to escape into the depths of his debut album, Mind on Vacation. Based in Hanover, Germany, Nils has shaped this project from a deeply personal space, reflecting on his own journey through music. For him, the creation of Ever Else Ends wasn’t just a musical pursuit—it was an evolution of self, from being introduced to post-rock by a friend to discovering the genre’s profound impact on his life. “It all started with me listening to We Lost The Sea – Departure Songs, which a friend showed…
About a month ago, Los Angeles’ experimentalists Nebulaen returned with the release of their sophomore EP, Epistolary. While retaining many aspects of their visceral doom approach started with the release of 2019’s Goodnight Satellite, Epistolary reflects the group’s obsession with more darker approach to alternative rock and progressive metal. Epistolary offers a swirling mass of dark, moody atmospheres, crunchy, blasting, distorted guitars, muddy drums, dramatic structures, gorgeous labyrinthian melodies, and plodding tempos. Epistolary by Nebulaen Following the one-minute intro “Burnt Letters,” Nebulaen loose no time before entering with doom riffage in “Digital Ghost.” Further disorienting are vocals of Adam Maloney…
New Zealand’s electronic rock band, Robots in Love, is getting the word out with a sound that blurs the lines between genres. Their latest single, The Sequel, featured on the Progotronics 47 compilation, showcases the band’s knack for combining diverse musical elements into something unique. A mix of EBM basslines, metal riffs, and dystopian themes, the track encapsulates the band’s dynamic and evolving creative process. “The song took on a life of its own as we each added parts,” explains Elenor Rayner, the band’s songwriter, producer, and vocalist. Initially conceived as a deceptively sweet electronic track, it gained a heavier…
Visions of Morpheus is a progressive metal band hailing from Oshawa, Ontario, that began as the solo project of frontman Jeff Pearson before evolving into a full-fledged ensemble. With their debut album Lost Within, Visions of Morpheus has unleashed a fusion of symphonic, progressive, and metal elements. In this conversation, Pearson offers an inside look at the inspirations behind Lost Within, the hurdles of turning their vision into reality, and the evolution of the band’s sound. Visions of Morpheus started as a solo project before evolving into a full band. What inspired you to expand it and bring other musicians into the fold?…
Post-metal often finds itself dismissed as formulaic, with predictable quiet-loud dynamics and clichéd crescendos. However, Kansas City’s A Light Within, spearheaded by guitarist Jeff Irvine, shatters that stereotype, delivering something deeply personal and distinctive. Emerging in 2013 with their debut EP, Preface, the project has steadily evolved, releasing a string of EPs while refining their craft. Unsatisfied with the original production of Preface, the band revisited and reimagined it, resulting in the refreshed and revitalized re:preface. At its core, A Light Within’s sound is rooted in sludge and stoner metal, but what sets them apart is their meticulous attention to atmosphere and psychedelia, evoking…
Back in 2015, we had the pleasure of working with Salt Lake City’s progressive rock outfit, Advent Horizon, during the promotion of their gripping sophomore album, Stagehound. Since then, the band has kept busy, releasing the Tequila Mockingbird EP in 2017, followed by the single High Expectations in 2021. In October 2023, they’ve unveiled their third album, A Cell to Call Home—the culmination of three years of meticulous work and undoubtedly their most accomplished effort to date. With album number three often serving as a defining moment in a band’s career, Advent Horizon approached the project with remarkable care, channeling their collective talents into writing an album…
Minneapolis-based progressive pop rock band The Light in the Ocean have never been one to tread water creatively. With their latest album, Deep Reef Dream, the group ventures into new territories, blending together atmospheric and experimental sounds. Described as their most daring work yet, the album showcases a rich combination of their layered instrumental landscapes and complex arrangements. Speaking with the band, it’s clear how the album’s unique identity emerged from a confluence of talent, collaboration, and the challenges of recent years. The addition of bassist Chris Lyons and violinist Stephen Decker was a pivotal turning point for the band. Lyons’ powerful bass…