2013 did pretty well in many aspects. I am not going to blab about what are Prog Sphere achievements for this year (though there are many), as there will be a separate retrospective post on that topic. As you can read in the title of this post, I decided to highlight 10 underrated albums released in 2013 that definitely require more attention. Let’s get to work.
Woven Distortion – Ideological Pragmatism
From all the music genres, progressive metal is probably the most worn out. Therefore, everything that comes in tagged under this genre is taken with caution. Woven Distortion released an album that is to be put under progressive metal tag, but these guys are showing the courage by embracing the element of modernity in their music. Check it out.
Eye – Second Sight
This record can slightly be described as the right way of doing psychedelic rock in the 21st century. That’s what it is. Heavy, droney, ambient, kraut, progressive and space rock are present in the mix as well. Great album.
As Oceans – The Relics of Axiom
It’s an album for all three of you who enjoy death metal, progressive metal and djent thrown in the mix.
Birds and Buildings – Multipurpose Trap
Personally I couldn’t be more happier to see this album finally out. It was in the works for couple of years and after the great debut Bantam to Behemoth (2008), Multipurpose Trap continues the project’s evolution adding even more progressive fusion elements. One of the top two albums this year.
Hysteriofunk – Deco
Hysteriofunk’s Deco is one of the most pleasant discoveries this year. These Andorranos serve seven tracks of high class instrumental progressive-jazz rock/fusion. If you’re into it, this is a must.
Seconds Before Landing – The Great Deception
If there is such a thing as progressive ambient rock, this album should be taken as the genre’s representative. Coming with interesting song structures, with even more interesting vocals and lyrics The Great Deception is a great ride.
Jack O’ the Clock – All My Friends
From all the albums I heard this year, All My Friends is the weirdest one. That’s probably because it’s an avant-prog/RIO album emphasizing its cinematic side rather than sticking to the classic progressive rock composing (whatever that would mean).
Janek Gwizdala – Theatre by the Sea
Janek is an English musician (bass player) that describes his solo work as a cross between The Foo Fighters and Miles Davis. Not sure how much of Foo Fighters can be heard on Theatre by the Sea, but it’s pretty darn good jazz album. Just to mention that Mr. Gwizdala worked with Pat Metheny among many other artists.
Felix Martin – The Scenic Album
The Venezuelan guitarist who plays 14-string guitars is back with his new album featuring Marco Minnemann and Nathan Navarro. You can expect jazz fusion done in a metal way. Something like if The Aristocrats went completely metal or heavy Liquid Tension Experiment, etc.
Samsara Blues Experiment – Waiting for the Flood
Berlin’s Samsara Blues Experiment return with their third album this year. Four songs, almost an hour of heavy, psychedelic, progressive and blues rock done in a distinctive SBE way. Samsara Blues Experiment are known for great live shows, so if you have a chance to see them live, grab it. You won’t regret.
What are your favorite albums of 2013? Which albums do you find to be underrated? What do you think on the records from this post? Let us know in the comments below.
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Alex van Elswijk
November 25, 2013 at 10:45 am
I’d like to add Dutch Progrock band PBII with the 1000Wishes album…
We got lots of good reviews ( check them on http://www.1000wishes.org ) and the album gets more and more airplay but I could not resist promoting since you asked
P Beech
November 25, 2013 at 10:51 am
You should extend that to be ’20 most underrated albums” You forgot to mention My Soliloquy’s ‘The Interpreter’
Great album indeed, had some great reviews too.
KennyB
November 25, 2013 at 11:35 pm
The Gabriel Construct – Interior City ….AOTY
Diego
November 26, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Jack O’ The Clock All My Friends is great!
http://www.progshine.net/2013/08/review-jack-o-clock-all-my-friends-2013.html
Alex
November 27, 2013 at 12:04 am
In Vain – “Ænigma”
doood
November 28, 2013 at 8:19 am
omg…the WINERY DOGS…check em out: Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen….they will blow your mind. I am not kidding.
Nikola Savić
November 28, 2013 at 8:52 am
LMAO