Another Progmetal attack to remind me where my comfort zone lies.
August Life - Passage of Time
In 2018 August Life released their debut album New Eternity and I was pleasantly surprised with this Dutch band. Now they are back with Passage of Time and it still sounds good. Actually on my PPE recommendations for 2026 I mentioned them as the Dutch band. They might not play progmetal to some purists, but those into PPE bands like Jon Oliva, Crimson Glory and Symphony X definitely must find something to their liking here. So bordering between Heavy Metal and progmetal most striking to me is the build up of the CD. Opening with their 12:28 epic Guidelines and closing with two of the calmest songs. This also hints at their diversity through the album and when than Bryan's voice at times reminds me of a heavier Graham Bonnet we have an album that is a joy from start to finish. After their debut I believe Covid stopped them from touring. Let's hope they play in a venue nearby any day soon.
Cea Serin - The World Outside
In the category surprising comebacks Cea Serin scores very high on several fronts. I only had their 2004 debut Where Memories Combine. Missing their 2014 album they are now back another 11 years later. The biggest surprise is that to me this must be one of the best progmetal albums of the year. Six songs lasting 70 minutes and all of them between 10:07 and 13:30 minutes. Somehow the songs don't seem to be long. Cea Serin are actually a duo who do get help. Rory Faciane on drums and percussion and Jay Lamm on guitars, vocals, bass and keyboards. Further we get many guest guitarists including one solo by Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe). The fact that these long songs fly by is a sign of their strenght and I don't have a favourite between them. Dare I say that the world would be very happy if Dream Theater would release an album this heavy and good this century? Yes I dare to state that and anyone into progmetal should check this out.
In Mourning - The Immortal
In Mourning do not play progmetal, yet they played PPE twice. I love their doomy proggy melodic death metal. This is their seventh full lenght and it might be among their very best. Slowly over time the clean vocals increased and now most songs hold them. Still the overall sound is of the heavy melodic death kind and I can't wait to see them in March in Utrecht. Few bands know how to mix the melancholy and the melody this nice with the very heavy. Even the artwork should result in nice grey T-shirts. A very complete album I shall revisit lots of time still.
Tiberius - Singing For Company
Tiberius were the ultimate party band at this year's progpower. Never standing still on or off the stage I picked up this 2025 album after their show. I am glad to inform that at home without the partying the music holds firm too. Musically I think at times of bands like Protest the Hero, upbeat modern prog, with djenty bits. Vocally Ton was right and Myles Kennedy comes to mind. If I have a comment it must be that lyrics coming with the CD would be nice as online they are available. These Scotts are from Edinburgh, so I hope one day visting their beautiful hometown again and see them playing in Bannermans.
Voidchaser - Trust & Solace
That tremendous Sunday afternoon at PPE this year resulted in two new favourites. Voidchaser played
after Tiberius and kept the party going. Less jumping around, but musically to me a notch better. This band came closest to tech metal at this year's edition and tech metal is what I love. They are also not afraid to mix the extreme vocals with the clean and mostly over frantic or epic music. So far they released three EP's only, so I got the last two. EP's they are, but because of instrumental bonus versions lasting 40 and 60 minutes. Well that Inside Out hobby of adding instrumental disks is not for me, but here it works pretty ok. Still I now wait for a full lenght with ten songs. Same comment as above on missing lyrics, so please include with the full album.
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