Author: progsphere
Progressive rock singer and songwriter Dan Arsenault is gearing up for the release of his new album, Signs Point to Yes, set to drop on March 14, 2025 (pre-order here). Arsenault is stepping into new territory on this album, taking on lead vocal duties for the first time. “This album initially started with just written lyrics and stories about different subjects, without focusing on the music itself,” Dan explains. “I really enjoy writing instrumental songs, but for this one, I challenged myself to put words to my melodies. People know me for my guitar playing, but I wanted to show another…
Peter Karapatsas, the guitarist and songwriter behind Sound the Sirens, is gearing up to release the project’s latest album, Imaginary Gravity, on May 23. Blending progressive rock and metal with a strong melodic focus, the record marks a new chapter in his evolution as a composer. With influences ranging from Aaron Marshall to classic players like Adrian Smith and Eddie Van Halen, Peter has crafted an instrumental album that is dynamic and expressive—almost like it has a voice of its own. We caught up with him to talk about the creative process, the gear behind the sound, and what makes Imaginary Gravity stand…
Melbourne-based progressive rock and metal composer Leonard Kopilas has long been an independent force in the world of genre-blurring music. With six solo albums under his belt, as well as stints with renowned bands like Vanishing Point and Gamma Ray, his career has been a testament to both artistic persistence and musical evolution. His latest album, Sigma, released in February, showcases his ever-expanding approach to composition, production, and thematic storytelling. Unlike some of his past works, Sigma is not bound by a single overarching theme. Instead, Kopilas allows his inspiration to dictate the direction of each track, following a natural creative flow. “There…
With their latest album Nu-Man, Italian progressive rock band FARO continues to evolve, blending cinematic atmospheres with introspective lyricism. Released in September 2024, Nu-Man explores themes of transhumanism, technology’s growing influence, and the delicate balance between progress and humanity. Vocalist Rocco De Simone sheds light on the creative process behind the album, its conceptual depth, and how FARO’s sound has transformed over the years. In this interview, he reflects on the band’s journey, the inspirations behind Nu-Man, and what the future holds for their ever-evolving sonic landscape. NU-MAN by FARO prog band Nu-Man marks your third full-length album. How would you describe its evolution compared…
Blending elements of post-rock, post-metal, and progressive music, Jettisunn crafts enticing soundscapes that are both crushingly heavy and delicately ethereal. Their latest EP, Everything/Everywhere, marks a significant step forward for the Michigan-based trio—both in terms of sonic depth and collaborative energy. Guitarist Kev Niemela, the band’s primary songwriter, initially launched Jettisunn as a solo project during the pandemic, writing instinctively without a specific direction in mind. “Honestly, I’m not sure how we developed this sound,” he admits. “I was in another post-rock band about ten years ago, but it was a different dynamic with another guitarist. With Jettisunn, I just wrote…
Australian progressive rock songwriter Jeff Brunne, the mastermind behind the JB Fairfield project, is no stranger to breaking musical boundaries. With his latest album, Parts of Life, he takes a more fragmented, introspective approach—penning shorter, but evocative songs that bring together elements of prog, post-rock, classical, and folk. Inspired by life’s fleeting moments and the nostalgia that rainstorms can bring, the album serves as both a personal reflection and an exploration of storytelling through sound. Brunne’s track “Three Weeks of Rain” is also featured on Progotronics 50. In this interview, we dive into the creative process behind Parts of Life, the emotions that…
Hailing from Nanaimo, British Columbia, progressive/jazz rock musician and songwriter Richie Edwin is set to unveil his EP, A Quiet Forgiveness, this spring. Rooted in introspection and storytelling, the project explores themes of redemption, self-reflection, and faith, woven together by Edwin’s distinctive blend of intricate jazz harmonies and the sweeping dynamics of progressive rock. From finding inspiration in a church piano to embracing creative limitations, Edwin crafted A Quiet Forgiveness with a deliberate sense of structure, ensuring every note and lyric serves the greater narrative. In this interview, he discusses his creative process, the personal significance behind the title track, and the influence…
California-based experimental musician Lou Kelly has long been known for his genre-defying sound, darkly humorous storytelling, and wildly eclectic influences. With his latest release, No More Children (review here), Kelly once again blurs the lines, blending elements of punk, metal, orchestral arrangements, and even vintage jazz into a uniquely unsettling yet oddly melodic experience. Never one to take himself too seriously, Kelly’s music thrives on contradiction—abrasive yet catchy, chaotic yet carefully composed. In this interview, he offers a glimpse into his creative process, the inspirations behind his latest work, and the irreverent worldview that fuels his aural experiments. No More Children…
Toronto-based progressive rock outfit Derev are set to launch their full-length album Troubled Mind at the end of March 2025. Today, in partnership with Prog Sphere, the band release a new single from the upcoming release; watch a video for “Tides of Time” below. The track showcases the distress of “cognitive immobility”, a mental trap that leads to an effort to recreate past incidents that one lived in the past. By doing so, the person attempts to retrieve what was left behind, leaving them stuck in a place that no longer exists in reality. Drummer Michel Karakach shares: “Leaving my…
Originality is a rare currency in extreme metal. Over decades, subgenres have interwoven so intricately that standing out often means straying so far from convention that coherence becomes collateral damage. It’s unfortunate that “progressive” has become shorthand for a particular set of tropes rather than an ethos, because the self-titled debut from Spanish project Wintering Grounds is, in the truest sense, progressive death metal—not by adhering to well-worn prog metal formulas, but by genuinely pushing the boundaries of what death metal can be. Wintering Grounds by Wintering Grounds Comparing one band to another always feels like a disservice unless it’s deliberate homage,…