Author: progsphere

Back in January, Hamilton, Ontario instrumental progressive rock band Spectra released their full-length debut release Places We Only Dream Of. Following their inclusion on Progotronics 49 compilation, the band spoke for Prog Sphere about their formation, the release, recording process, and more. Places We Only Dream Of by Spectra How did Spectra come together as a band, and what drew each of you to instrumental progressive rock/metal? Jaf (drummer) and de Janglez (8 string guitarist) have been playing in bands together since 2008. At the time, we were drawn to progressive and heavy bands, and decided to make that kind…

Brisbane-based progressive metal outfit Dimensionist’s latest single, Syntagma, pulls from the desolate world of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, blending raw intensity with haunting melodies. Fresh off a packed headline show at Black Bear Lodge, the band is gearing up for an even bigger year ahead. We caught up with them to talk about their roots, the making of Syntagma, and what’s next for Dimensionist. How did Dimensionist come together, and what sparked the urgency to create your unique blend of melodic soundscapes and heavy grooves? Cam: Some of us had been casually jamming together for a few years already. But a desire to…

If there’s one thing I admire in music, it’s a strong melody. Melody is abundant on Lamentia’s debut EP Earth Libretto, and at times, their sound is as tuneful and mesmerizing as alt/prog rock can achieve. Pedal-inflected bass lines and pounding drum rhythms construct the framework that holds the album’s essence, the guitar and vocals. The record kicks off with the title track, which immediately bursts with energy. From what I gather by listening, Lamentia’s lyrics don’t focus as much on storytelling as they do on vivid imagery, painting striking scenes in the listener’s mind while the vocalist passionately wails. Also…

New Jersey-based progressive rock songwriter Brian Stemetzki is the creative force behind Valley of Salt, a project that combines complex melodies, thought-provoking lyricism, and a passion for vintage instrumentation. His latest release, Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness, is an ambitious concept album inspired by the life of John the Baptist, blending elements of progressive rock, symphonic arrangements, and gospel influences to tell a an unconventional story. In this interview, Brian discusses the album’s thematic depth, his collaboration with Marty Willson-Piper of The Church, and how vintage guitars and analog gear helped shape the sonic landscape of this progressive rock odyssey. Voice of One Crying In The Wilderness-The Story…

German heavy prog/psych rock band The Witches’ Dream have been grabbing listeners with their thrilling blend of vintage, progressive, occult, and kraut rock influences. Following the success of their debut album Utreya, the band returned in January with their ambitious sophomore release, Muses & Conjurations (review here), a double album that delves deeper into their mystical storytelling and sonic experimentation. We caught up with members Marcel Schiborr, Ramona Wandolski, and Henning Funke to discuss the inspiration behind this daring release, their lyrical concept of seven witch sisters, the challenges of being an independent band, and their creative journey through Germany’s vibrant underground…

Robots in Love, hailing from Dunedin, New Zealand, defy easy categorization with their genre-defying sound. Led by vocalist Elenor Rayner, the band has spent years crafting a distinctive approach to modern darkwave and “electro-goth” music, seamlessly blending elements of EBM, industrial, minimal synth, and more. To pin them down to a single genre would not only do them a disservice but also fail to capture the depth of their artistic range. Rayner’s voice is undeniably the anchor of their sound—a throat-grabbing force that holds everything together. At times ritualistic, at others desperate, but always magnetic, her vocal delivery is a…

Over the past decade, the rise of “bedroom musicians” has reshaped the musical landscape. These independent creators, ranging from passionate newcomers to seasoned artists, have embraced modern production methods while channeling influences from the technical prowess of guitar greats. Among this wave of innovative musicians stands Sergio Castro, a classically trained guitarist from Guimarães, Portugal, whose progressive rock project Mostly Nothing has steadily evolved over the past decade. With his latest release, The Weight of Us, Castro delivers his most compelling and dynamic work to date—an instrumental journey that truly pushes boundaries and sets a benchmark for the genre in…

House of Terror, a Berlin-based psychedelic/progressive rock duo, emerged from a serendipitous encounter in 2019 that sparked a creative journey defined by raw energy and vivid inspiration. Their debut album Transmission Lost, released in January, encapsulates the atmospheric essence of the decaying house where the band was formed—a place that profoundly shaped their sound and identity. Blending ambient soundscapes with dynamic, progressive passages, House of Terror creates an experience that invites listeners on a journey through space, time, and introspection. In this interview, the duo reflects on their origins, the haunting influence of their formative environment, and the creative process behind…

Hailing from Amsterdam, Exchanger is the brainchild of guitarist and primary songwriter Nicolas Martin, who has been at the helm of the project for nearly a decade, releasing a series releases. Their latest offering, A Matter of Perspective (2024), showcases a significant refinement in their sound. Exchanger’s approach to progressive metal seamlessly blends ambient textures with intricately played guitar layers, all laid over dynamic, stuttering rhythms. While drawing from influences like Dream Theater, Intronaut, TesseracT, and SikTh, Martin has managed to establish something unique for Exchanger, setting them apart from their more mechanical-sounding contemporaries. While the blend of melodic progressive metal with…

Daniel Steiner, a Vancouver-based progressive metal guitarist and composer, has been honing his sound for years, drawing influences from bands like Dream Theater and Opeth. His latest release, Born of Stardust (review here), is a bold leap forward in his musical journey. Having started his musical career inspired by Guitar Hero III, Steiner’s evolution from playing iconic riffs to creating complex progressive metal speaks about his dedication and passion. In this interview, we explore his influences, creative process, and the journey that led him to his newest EP, diving into themes inspired by science fiction and fantasy, alongside his technical guitar…