Author: progsphere
The Progotronics Championships for the month of October 2024 have reached their thrilling conclusion, with the grand finale and 3rd place matchups bringing together the best of the Progotronics XLV compilation. After weeks of head-to-head battles and fan voting, it’s now down to the wire, with four incredible acts vying for the top positions and the prizes. The Final Showdown: Juan Ignacio Quesada vs. Fallen Letters The grand finale features two distinct musical acts: Juan Ignacio Quesada and Fallen Letters. Battle for Third Place: Ethos vs. Voidchaser In the third-place matchup, Ethos and Voidchaser bring their own distinctive flavors to the progressive rock and metal scenes. Both…
Chicago instrumental progressive metal five-piece Outrun the Sunlight return today with the release of a new single “HEATHAZE,” exclusively brought to you by Prog Sphere. Watch the official visualizer below. On “HEATHAZE,” Outrun the Sunlight combine the complex structuring with their ever-present genre-bending approach. Known for their unique mix of progressive metal, post-rock and post-hardcore influences, Outrun the Sunlight have spent over a decade breaking the confines of instrumental metal under the creative vision of guitarist Austin Peters. About the new single, the band issued a collective statement saying: “HEATHAZE is a song that started as a quiet guitar loop,…
The Progotronics Championships have reached their thrilling semifinal stage, and now it’s your turn to decide who will advance to the final. Four of the top progressive rock and metal artists from the Progotronics XLV compilation have fought their way through the competition, and now they face off in two epic matchups. Starting today until October 28th, you can cast your votes for your favorite artists among the four semifinalists. The winners will advance to the grand finale, while the losing acts will face off in a battle for the 3rd place spot. Ethos vs. Juan Ignacio Quesada Both artists…
Introducing Rationalist, a rising progressive metalcore quartet from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2023, the band has already made a bold statement with their debut EP, Paradox Within Paradigms, released in September this year. Combining heavy grooves, technical riffs, and larger-than-life melodies, Rationalist explore deep themes of self-discovery, introspection, and the contradictions within belief systems. Drawing on a range of influences from metalcore and djent to melodeath and prog, the band’s music balances aggression with atmosphere, all while pushing listeners to confront their perspectives. In this interview, we delve into the band’s formation, the journey behind their debut EP, and…
Every so often, an album emerges that completely captivates with its musicianship and creative vision. It’s even more exciting when that album comes from a newcomer on the progressive metal scene. Brisbane’s Gladiolus (read the interview with the band here), with their full-length debut Inertia, delivers exactly that—a remarkable release that’s destined to leave a mark on the genre and serve as a defining moment for the band. Inertia by Gladiolus Gladiolus’ journey may have been short so far, but it has been consistently upward. Their debut single “Chrysalis,” released in 2022, gave listeners a powerful first impression, blending technical precision…
French progressive metal band Altesia, based in Bordeaux, have announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to support their upcoming third album. The band aim to take their artistic vision to new heights with this record. Fans can now contribute to the album’s release through the campaign, which runs from October 21st to November 29th, 2024. Altesia’s frontman and guitarist, Clément Darrieu, shared his excitement about the album, which has been two years in the making. “I think this is by far our most accomplished work to date and also our most collective record. This time, we feel like we’ve…
Emerging from Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Gladiolus has burst onto the progressive metal scene with an audacious and dynamic debut, quickly capturing the attention of the country’s prog community. After teasing their unique sound with the release of two powerful singles—”Chrysalis” in July 2022 and “The Wanderer” later that year—the band has now unleashed their highly anticipated debut album, Inertia. Released on September 27, 2024, Inertia is an 80-minute journey through life, death, and the vast emotional terrain in between. Blending complex musicianship with a wide spectrum of influences, Gladiolus isn’t afraid to answer progressive metal’s…
The Progotronics Championships are heating up as we head into the quarterfinals, set to take place from October 20th to October 24th. The stakes are high, and each band is bringing their A-game in a bid to secure a spot in the semifinals. Below are the matchups that will define the next stage of the competition. These bands are not just competing for bragging rights but also for the prizes that could give their careers a boost. Here’s what’s at stake for the Top 3 Bands: Your vote could make all the difference! Check out the polls below to cast your vote and help determine…
René Asmussen’s journey into the world of graphic design and metal music started where many great stories do—on stage, as part of a death metal band. Asmussen, a former drummer for the Danish band Defamatory, found his way into the metal world through his passion for both music and visual art. Today, he’s an accomplished graphic artist who creates album artwork for metal bands, drawing from deep influences and a lifelong love of heavy music, with the help of modern technology and Artificial Intelligence. Asmussen’s connection to metal runs deep. His friendship with Jacob Hansen from Invocator, a legendary Danish…
Serbian one-man band Diveradiant delivers an electrifying sonic assault with highly energetic and sporadic bursts of dynamic brilliance on Ascension. Colorful, complex, and irresistibly catchy, the new EP stands as an exceptional blend of hyperactive post-rock, progressive rock, and noisy flights of fancy, with infectious hooks and momentous musicianship scattered throughout. Adventurous, imaginative, and full of surprises, Ascension is one of the most fearless and unique releases this year. The opening track, “Void,” kickstarts Ascension like an auditory shockwave. On “Essence,” the music jolts with a start/stop frenzy that’s impossible to ignore. The project’s creator, Phillip Mann, crafts impassioned melodies for each wildly creative rhythmic…