March already, so herewith some CD tips of the past weeks.
The Aurora Project - EVOS12
The Aurora project are bordering between heavy progressive rock and progmetal light. They are possibly the best band in the genre in The Netherlands. I saw them perform at ProgPower in 2005 and 2008, both times good enough to watch their full set.Later on I did see them once or twice in de Boerderij, but I only had one of their albums (Selling the Aggression). This album was presented live in Watering at WPC 21 February. That was for me the first time I heard the new album and first impressions were it is mainly a calm affair, but very well executed. Playing it a few times not much changed. This is a nice and calm album where mainly the good vocals and guitars stand out. Talking about guitars Remco is one of the two guitarists. Interesting that while the band played PPE twice, he is the only one attending every year in Baarlo. So my guess is that he is also responsibe for the more progmetal outbursts. After a nine year break, this is a welcome comeback, for those appreciating the calm and moody.
Everon - Shells
In the category surprising comebacks, this one was even bigger to me. 17 years after North these Germans return. For me even longer ago as my last Everon album was Flesh from 2002. Everon play in the same genre as TAP above and are Germany's best doing so. In the past I saw them at Progfarm 2000 and missed them at Progpower as they had to cancel due to illness. I also saw them later on in de Boerderij and they are one fine band. I bought this album out of curiosity and nostalgia in equal portions. Their sound did not change one notch. Maybe this is one of their calmer albums. Still it is filled with good songs. My only issue is that 70 minutes is a bit much. They could have skipped a new recording of the song Flesh for me. First as I already own it on the album Flesh and second these twelve minutes less would make this album more compact. Still a good comeback with even some growls light on the title track. Welcome back, now bring on that tour.
Lunar - Tempora Mutantur
Lunar's Illusionist was my favourite album of 2023. So when this new album was announced I knew I needed a hardcopy breaking all my rules of spending on postage, taxes and customs clearing. Well I can say this was worth every cent as again they released what shall turn out to be one of the best progmetal albums of the year. This one is going all over the place and I love their mix of many heavy bits with the progmetal. Opener A Summer To Forget starts quirky Haken alike until it becomes heavier and goes in more death metal directions. Hereafter we get the longest track Fall Back Into Old Habits, which starts off as tech death, Than halfway after an Opeth alike break it turns into heavy progmetal and ends with a few minutes instrumental. Classic written all over for me. Seasonal Interlude starts ballad alike but goes heavy and grunting within the five minutes too. The middle two songs might be most representative for the band with Weakening Winter Touch and Spring in My Step being both heavy progmetal songs. The last three songs form the title suite Tempora Mutantor. The three shortest songs on the album are a ballad, a return to progressive death metal and a closing progmetal epic even if under five minutes. Lunar confirm their status with me as one of the greatest new bands of the last years (this century). Mixing the heavy and beautiful resulting in yet another classic album I shall go back to often. With some guest roles by members of Wilderun and Calgula's Horse this band has ProgPower Europe written all over for me. Let's sse if that can become reality in 2026.
Pattern Seeking Animals - Friend of All Creatures
Back again to progressive rock with Pattern Seeking Animals.This offspin of Spock's Beard has been very productive over the past years. Debuting in 2019, this is already album number five. Main writer is John Boegehold who is the only one not been or currently still in Spock's Beard, even if he is involved with that band too. Patter Seeking Animals are more accessible and less freaky. Luckily they also have the mighty voice of Ted Leonard one of the more pleasant sounding vocalists in progrock. This album of 52 minutes holds four long tarcks (8:11-12:20) and three shorter ones around four minutes. I feel that the short songs make this album even stronger. Nothing overly complicated or pretentious, but all sounding very fine. This is music that offends noone, but still has enough to explore for those loving their progrock. Nice cover artwork too.
Jacob Roberge - The Passing
There is a buzz going round on the internet. Well on pages linked to progressive rock that is. A new hope for the future has been found and his praise is sung by many. So after seeing a review on Rhyme Signatures I listened to the closing epic and ordered the album immediately too. The man in person is 27 year old Jacob Roberge. Check out his interview on the Prog Corner together with amazing guitarist William. What these two put together is worth all the praise they are receiving and the epic is epic indeed. Lasting 32 minutes it opens with an overture in the vein of Dream Theater and Spocks Beard long songs, with thereafter a ride through progressive rock and progmetal bits and pieces all flowing fluently. That song alone is reason enough to buy this album. It is self released for now, but I guess very soon a label will pick him up. It is not every day that a young Canadian surprises the world of progressive rock. Well a Canadian is the least surprising bit as Canada does it once again. The first five songs are also very welcome with my favourite being Petrichor another song over ten minutes. This guy will become big in progland, so check him out now. My only comment could be on his name. Being pronounced differently in many countries maybe a bandname would have been smarter.
Selvans - Saturnalia
Closing today off with a dark piece of art from Italy. Selvans is nowadays a one man affair. This album is the last of a trilogy, but my first time encountering the band. Selvans is again for the open minded ones. His blackened Heavy Metal at times reminds me of Hellripper. But on the third song he is Italy's answer to Lacrimosa with his bombastic gothic rocksong. Bombastic might be coming from the 60 men orchestra joining on this album. Metal Archives describes this style as progressive black/heavy metal and if that opens your appetite you must definitely check out this album. All songs are sung in Italian and the truly wonderfull booklet holds the lyrics, so a free refreshening course of my never existing rusty Italian is included. The lyrics are about Italian folklore stories, but as I said rusty, so cannot confirm. Selvans released an EP in 2021 called Dark Italian Art. That is what they play too, so enjoy if you want to get in a holiday mood of the darker kind. Note to the Progspace: the winner of the 20025 poll for best artwork is herewith declared.
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