Author: progsphere

Since early 2020, Munich-based instrumental visionary Hmunga, the brainchild of Florian Zelinski, has maintained a relentless creative output. With multiple EPs and full-lengths under their belt, Hmunga has now unveiled Mammoth—a transcendent fusion of scorching, psychedelic incantations and celestial space-rock odysseys that have fueled our imagination ever since Chrysocolla emerged in March 2020. Over time, their sonic palette has expanded into something vast and all-consuming, culminating in this six-track cosmos of swirling nebulae and cosmic harmonies. Mammoth distills the synth-drenched ambient grandeur of Tangerine Dream, the exploratory spirit of Hawkwind, and the hypnotic weight of Om, forging a singular alchemy…

Following the recent release of their emotionally charged concept album Tempora Mutantur this past January, Sacramento, USA’s progressive metal collective Lunar unveils their lyric video for “A Summer To Forget” exclusively via Prog Sphere (watch below). The final visual installment in the album’s narrative arc promises to be a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the transformative power of musical storytelling, continuing the band’s unique approach to progressive metal as a form of emotional expression. They comment on the track: “The album starts off with a song that sounds a bit upbeat musically (heavy with the horns) despite a fairly…

Trying to define Ford Cotton’s style might eventually lead someone to the term Progressive Pop. Yet, the irony lies in the fact that his music is neither purely pop nor overtly progressive, making it difficult to categorize. What is clear, however, is that the Cerebri-Nebula EP is a seamless fusion of singer-songwriter intimacy, post-rock expansiveness, progressive rock complexity, electronica, and art pop sophistication—all subtly woven together with hints of ambient textures and jazzy undertones. Despite this genre-blending approach, Cotton’s work feels neither alien nor unapproachable; rather, it carries a familiar warmth, like reconnecting with an old friend. Cerebri-nebula EP by Ford Cotton Musically, Cerebri-Nebula is…

From the Trenches is the sophomore studio album from Hungary’s The Aphotic Strain, a band that has consistently refined their sound since the 2022 debut, Palingenesis. With that release and subsequent singles, the Budapest-based act have been fusing brutal aggression, progressive complexity, and textured atmospherics. Their hunger to experiment remains just as strong—if not stronger—on From the Trenches, an album that elevates their blend to new heights. Coalesced from the void and now descended into the trenches of Levant, The Aphotic Strain return with their latest musical endeavor, From the Trenches, a record deeply inspired by the world and lore…

Jeff Brunne’s (interview here) distinct voice and poetic prose make him the defining force behind JB Fairfield’s sound. His unique, expressive vocals are perfectly suited to the narrative of his latest release, Parts of Life. From the full-throttle rock assault of “Lonely Eyes” to the album’s more introspective moments, such as the heartfelt “Three Weeks of Rain” and “Time for Leaving”, Brunne’s singularity remains unmistakable. The evocative “Later That Same Night”, with its imaginative electric-acoustic arrangement, further highlights his strengths as a songwriter. His ability to craft music that lives and breathes within the listener is fully realized on Parts of Life, particularly in the inspiring “Parts of Me”.…

Dan Arsenault’s upcoming album, Signs Point to Yes, is a passionate and heavy-hitting release, rich in lyrical depth and sonic ambition. It’s the work of a musician seamlessly blending hard rock—verging on metal—with a grand concept that feels both bold and fitting. A concept album at its core, Signs Point to Yes follows the journey of a young musician navigating stardom, happiness, disappointments, and the unpredictable turns of fate. From the explosive opener, “What Are the Odds?”, to the grand spectacle of “Every Dog Has Its Day”, and the introspective “My Name on the Marquee”, every track has a distinct purpose, making the album a true…

Hailing from Heemskerk, Netherlands, One Velvet Winter is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and composer Stef Kohler. With Jesus in Dystopia, a sprawling five-disc concept album, Kohler presents an ambitious and unapologetically avant-garde take on progressive metal. Across its staggering four and a half hours, the album oscillates between classical guitar, psychedelic rock, doom, and avant-garde metal, forming a richly layered and deeply philosophical exploration of modern dystopia. Jesus in Dystopia I: God of Numbers by One Velvet Winter A Five-Part Descent into Dystopia Breaking Jesus in Dystopia into five distinct parts, Kohler brings forth a dense narrative that reflects his disillusionment with contemporary…

Liam Anderson doesn’t see boundaries in music—only possibilities. As the sole creative force behind Credible Threat, the Australian guitarist and composer refuses to be confined by genre. On his latest album, Ephemeral Joy, Anderson ties together the crushing weight of progressive and extreme metal with the atmospheric depth of electronic music, the fluidity of jazz, and the unpredictability of experimental sound design. Ephemeral Joy by Credible Threat For Anderson, Ephemeral Joy represents growth, not just in terms of technical proficiency, but in the way he refines his compositions. “I’ve been really focused on making my songs more song-like,” he explains. “Revisiting themes, elaborating on…

If judging by a self-titled album by German proggers Magic and Medicine, the career of the Oldenburg-based quintet hints a skyrocketing success on whatever comes next. Their debut, three-track EP is consistently daring and ever unpredictable. An unreserved mind game in the best possible sense, the band’s introductory release sculpts its genre—and time-bending material with no care for conventional compositional rules, which makes it that much more remarkable that songs should prove so immediately appealing throughout.  Magic and Medicine by Magic and Medicine On the opening “Repeat,” it’s a combination of vocalist Judith Elisabeth Meyer and keyboardist Bernhard Eurich grounding…

With last year’s release of Cerberus, Swedish melodic metalcore band Lethality took a bold step forward, embracing mythological themes and pushing their musical boundaries further than ever before. After their previous album, When We Enter the Void, leaned into groove-heavy metal, Lethality felt the need for reinvention. “We wanted to do something different,” the band explains. “So, we decided to write more melodic riffs and really take advantage of having two guitarists. Before, we rarely played different riffs or leads, but on Cerberus we experimented with that, and it gave us a much wider sound—more engaging and fun to listen to.” Thematically, the band…