Honourable Mentions - Top of 2021

  Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best records of 2021. Just before we get to the top 31 list, we will present some albums that came out that while great, didn't quite make the cut. Without further delay, we are presenting:

 

2021 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)

 

Necromantia - To the depths we descend (The Circle Music)

It's been over a decade since the Greek blackmetallers released their previous album and considering that the band officially split after coming together for this record makes it worthy of listening! A great final chapter filled with awesome heavy riffs and themes which has not anything from the edge that the band is known of. Farewell to Magus Wampyr Daoloth as he descends to the depths!

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Epica - Omega (Nuclear Blast)

Epica is one of those bands that started as a classic symphonic metal band  but slowly evolved with time to have a distinct sound, releasing a couple of interesting albums in latest years including 2014 Top entry and this year's Omega. The blend of Simone Simons' beautiful vocals, harsh vocals, melodic tunes and orchestral score make for a great release with highlights like the "Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity".

 

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Orden Ogan - Final Days (AFM Records)

Final Days is a great surprise this year by German power metallers, Orden Ogan, who have evolved from folk to melodic power metal. The record with its sci-fi lyrical themes is very pleasant listen with major replay value thanks to catchy and uplifting tunes overcoming some darker lyrics. Such examples include "In the Dawn of the AI" which has a very memorable chorus made for sing-alongs.

 

 

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Dalriada - Oszelo (H-music)

If you are looking for a pure folk metal album look no further. Dalriada have everything you need from Hungarian poems and tales inspiring their songs to folky guitar/ flute/ bagpipes tunes and finally an amazing blend of male and female vocals. A great release for all the folk fans out there!

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Korpiklaani - Jylha (Nuclear Blast)

 Finland has a breadth of folk metal bands with Korpiklaani being one of the most prominent examples thanks to the contribution of none other than the band's main vocalist Jonne (who has also released personal albums). Jonne might have diverted from the classic Korpiklaani sound adding more of his personal sound to this album and although this might disappoint some hardcore fans it makes for an interesting turn in the band's journey.

 

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Mortal Soil - Mortal Soil (Underground Power Records)

This the first full-length album by Finnish heavy metallers Mortal Soil and it definitely fills the listener with excitement about their future steps in the metal journey. The record is an enjoyable heavy metal blast with great melodic tunes and pure male vocals. A great listen with no dull moments and a definite Ghost-reminiscent vibe that adds to the demonic atmosphere.

 

 

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Evergrey - Escape of the Phoenix (AFM Records)

 

A great album by Evergrey(after the exceptional The Atlantic in 2019), who have also released another album in 2022, signifying a band that still has a lot to give to the genre of melodic (prog) metal.  Tom Englund amazing mellow voice always elevates the songs and makes them memorable.

 

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Significant Point - Into the Storm (Dying Victims Productions)

Significant Point is one of those rare gems coming out of Japan who has a history of symphonic and melodic bands that blasts out all expectation and creates a classic and enjoyable speed album. This is the first full-length record of the band but it sounds like they have found their sound and know how to combine heavy riffs with speed elements while also adding their own touch.

 

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Utmarken - Svåra År (Utmarken)

Utmarken's album makes us wish that there were more folk metal bands who don't hesitate to release their songs in their native language. Although this is quite common in other countries such as Finland, this is less so in Sweden. The sogs in this album (and the previous albums released by the band) prove that this is definitely worth it! Overall, a great blend of metal riffs, lyrics in Swedish and folk sounds (like that of Nyckelharpa).

 

 

 

 

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Sur Austru - Obârșie (Avantgarde Music)

Sur Austru add a twist in the classic black metal sounds with atmospheric folk elements and make for a memorable and unique sound. The folk band from Romania dwel into folklore tales and stories about nature packing it with heavy folk elements from traditional instrumens (such as Bucium, Toaca and flutes). An interesting blend of genres creating a true folk atmosphere.

 

 

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Anneke Van Giersbergen - The Darkest Skies Are the Brightest (Inside Out Music)

It is impossible to not know and love Anneke's unique and beautiful voice that is recognised by a number of diverse projects such as Ayreon, Devin Townsend and The Gathering. She has also made her mark with collaboration including her recent guest in Amorphis' previous album. In her personal album Anneke shows her softer side and shares with us a series of mellow tracks like "I saw a Car" that are great driving companions and can be heard on repeat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3 - Top of 2020

 Ayreon - Transitus (Music Theories Recordings)

We find ourselves in 1884, in a world of inequality and moral decay, with the divide between the rich and the poor along with the various social and racial issues becoming more and more intense. There, Daniel and Abby, two young people from the two opposite ends of this world, fall in love and dream about their life together, until fate intervenes ...

This gothic romance is the  concept of Ayreon's brand new album, with Arjen Lucassen himself stating that "Transitus" was one of his most demanding and time consuming works, absorbing three years of his life! The cast of characters is impressive, with Tommy Karevik (Kamelot, Seventh Wonder) and Cammie Gilbert (of Oceans Of Slumber) as the main protagonists, along with Dee Snider (as Daniel's father), Paul Manzi (ex-Arena, as Henry, Daniel's brother), Simone Simons (as the Angel of Death) and Michael Mills (The Statue).

In general, Arjen Lucassen's presence is a guarantee of quality, with his latest output being no exception to the rule. Transitus is an album, whose material seems to have been created to function only as a whole, within the broader context of the story told through its lyrics, with actor Tom Baker in the introductory narrative of each "chapter" of the plot.

Nevertheless, the album does require a set of special listening conditions, as it requires undivided attention, but also multiple replays, to fully unfold. Of course, listening to it while reading its lyrics really helps to get into the mood more easily and quickly, something that will clearly be achieved to the fullest extent by flipping through the 28 pages of comic book that comes with it. Despite that there are moments that do stand out, like "Get out! Now!", with the formidable Dee Snider stealing the show and "Dumb Piece of Rock" with the impressive vocal breadth of the amazing Michael Mills.

"Transitus" can only stand out for what it is, being another exceptional albeit slightly different Ayreon album that will satisfy thoroughly those who delve into it to the extent it deserves.

97.4/100

Below are the music videos for "Daniel's Descent into Transitus", "Get out Now" and "Talk of the Town"

#4 - Top of 2020

Pain of Salvation -  Panther (InsideOut Music)

Pain of Salvation have experimented a lot with their sound in the last decade from the melodic Road Salt to the accoustic Falling Home and the proggy In the Passing Light of Day. This journey has made their msuic unique identifiable, not only thanks to Daniel Gildenlow's lead vocals but also in terms of dynamic music shifts and interesting lyrical themes. The album starts on a high note with the personal favourite "Accelerator" which has a harsher sound while also staying on the proggy side with very interesting shifts and an electronic undertone which can be heard throughout the album (and more prominently in "Restless Boy") adding a new intriguing twist to the songs. There are tracks, like the sorrowful "Wait", that are more melodic and add some piano tunes rather than keybords being reminiscent of earlier albums. The title song "Panther" is another highlight as it can be easily heard that the band is not shy with going off known paths without losing their sound. The album wraps up with the amazing "Icon" which perfectly combines the melodic with the electronic elements that could be heard across different songs going over 13 minutes and has the most catchy chorus that you will be humming for a while. This might be the 11th full length album for Pain of Salvation but it sounds like they are going through an ongoing process of evolving and giving us new and intriguing albums for the foreseeable future!

 

96.9/100

Below are the official music videos for "Accelerator" and "Panther".

#5 - Top of 2020

Psychotic Waltz - The God-Shaped Void (Inside Out) 

Since the band  officially announced their reunion and subsequent return to studio, it seemed like an eternity until the release of the new album. So how is the new Psychotic Waltz album? "The God–Shaped Void" is a masterpiece worthy of the name of Psychotic Waltz, on equal footing with its predecessors, but a separate entity and able to stand on its own pedestal as time passes. After all, the band never released the same record twice, so why start now?

The opener "Devils And Angels" has a recognizable role but manages to convincingly introduce the listener to the rich synthetic new world of Psychotic Waltz, while "Stranded" and "Back To Black" are gaining momentum, perhaps the most direct compositions of the album, but without lacking depth and quality. And if in "All The Bad Men" they sound more like the Psychotic Waltz of the late period and warm up old friends, it is the guitar acoustics, the flute and the melodies of "The Fallen" that are a first small culmination, with " While The Spiders Spin " following in its footsteps, emphasising the expressiveness in Graves' interpretations and his dramatic flair.

The mid-tempo of "Pull The String" with its heavy riffs and big chorus is addictive, while the equally excellent "Demystified" looks like it came from the informal marriage of Dead Soul Tribe and Psychotic Waltz, with Graves in the spotlight. "Sisters Of The Dawn" could be described as the most prog composition of the album, while the acoustic guitars and the magical melodies of "In The Silence" give an ideal finale, to an album that has a perfect duration (just under an hour) to lead you back to the beginning, so that the listening cycle can be repeated. An all around masterpiece!

96.5/100

Below are the music videos for "While the Spiders Spin" and "All the Bad Men".

#6 - Top of 2020

 Toehider - I like it (Independent)

In a brand new approach to album composing, the twelve tracks on the album were voted on by Toehider's Patreon subscribers, from a collection of songs written and recorded monthly for a period of two years. This results in an album with hardly any fillers, filled to the brim with intense songs, combining multi-layered vocals with brilliant instrumental work.  

Kicking things off with "Go Full Bore",  a thrash metal song about old school driving and video game, the album switches gears to "Wellgivit", run by saw synthesizers and electronic drum beats full of the 80's disco spirit. "Rancorous Heart", deals with the introspection of the artist, combining classic prog influences, while "Moon and Moron", juxtaposes the latter, taking a piss at conspiracy theories. "Concerning Lix & Fairs" is probably the highlight of the album, an epic prog song combining the best elements of Toehider, while  Funk-inspired "Died of Dancing",  and folk ballad "The Guy That No-One Really Knows" are excellent cross-genre examples of what the band can do. Finally "He's There… And Then He Does THAT" is a truly chaotic tune that ONLY this band can produce, while closer "I like it" is more infectious than the omicron variant (I hope this ages well). Another great album in a string of great record by possibly one of the most criminally underrated prog bands of the last decade.

96.25/100

Below is the music video for "Concerning Lix & Fairs"

#11 - Top of 2020

 Haken - Virus (Inside Out Music)

Sometimes life plays funny games, like Haken releasing an album entitled "Virus" in the midst of a huge global pandemic,  with the announcement of the release of the album on April Fool's Day making  some believe it was a joke. Well, let me tell you, Virus is anything but. The heavier approach adopted in "Vector" carries on here with low-tuned guitars, with the aggressive riffing in opener "Prosthetic" showing  the intentions of the band. In "Invasion" the characteristic rhythmic tongue-in-cheek returns, with the vocals and the lyrics building in a clever way on the rhythm section. I would be remiss no to mention "Carousel", one of the most interesting tracks on the album that changes faces and keeps you awake, while "The Strain" has a very catchy main musical theme.

Additionally the five-parter "Messiah Complex" continues the saga of the Cockroach King, which began back in "The Mountain". Without a shred of doubt, Haken have managed to create their own unique sound, and it seems that in their last three works have gradually moved on the heavier end of the spectrum of what they play, without losing their identity. "Virus" is like the last step of a well-designed path. What the next step will be is certainly uncertain but at the same time interesting. We will definitely be there to see it anyway!

94.85/100

Below are the music videos for "Invasion" and "Prosthetic"

#13 - Top of 2020

Mekong Delta -  Tales of a Future Past (Butler Records)

The dark Lovecraftian magic of Mekong Delta returns to our bewitchment for a 12th time, in perhaps their most prog-metal infused record yet. Drawing on the style they have created with their latest few albums, Mekong Delta once again produce a great album. The speed is lower this time round, using the patterns they have established throughout their work, creating asymmetrical dark music pieces, with the basslines of their leader Ralph Hubert, featured prominently in the mix. Martin LeMar is by far the most controlled singer to ever have graced the band combining an excellent tone and attitude with a loud and clear voice  "Mental Entropy",  "A Colony of Liar Men", "Mindeater" and "When All Hope is Gone" have certainly a place among to the best compositions by Mekong Delta. The latter, reaching almost  the ten minutes mark will impress the listener with changes in style and a very rich orchestration.  Tales of A Future Past is  a "must" album for all the band's friends and at the same time an excellent and relatively accessible occasion to introduce someone to the mysterious music world of Mr. Hubert and his companions.

94.7/100

Below is the audio track for "A Colony of Liar Men"

#14 - Top of 2020

 Fish -Weltschmerz (7Hz Productions)

Exactly 31 years after leaving Marillion, Fish delivers to us his final musical output. A heavy and difficult decision, an album  full of ominous twists and turns, taking a journey of almost five years to make. Struck by the loss of his father and his mother's dementia, along with health problems, Fish was in trouble with delivering his final piece of music. However, he is used to putting himself in a difficult position. Fish's sensors have been confirmed countless times, and his penetrating observation of modern day targeted this German word that eventually christened the album, a word meaning "global pain", truly prophetic, as it was recorded before the age of  Covid-19, which provided the meaning of the title with an additional semantic weight. Th album is undoubtedly a collection of dark subjects, as the "global pain" in its name demands. "Waverley Steps" investigates suicide, the story of a common human personal disaster that leaves a lonely and impoverished man in a tender winter moment, and "C Song" is written from the standpoint of a man diagnosed with cancer. "Little Man What Now" is inspired by the novel of the same name by German author Hans Fallada, which describes a young couple struggling to survive the financial crisis of the 1930s, with a clear link to the present situation. "Man With a Stick", follows the "stick" in various forms, whether it is a symbol of strength in the course of life and ends up quite the opposite at the end of the road. While, "The Rose of Damascus". is a  15 minute epic about a refugee from Syria, while "Garden of memory" speaks about dementia and its impact on human relationships through the story of a couple. The curtain falls with the titular song, a clear call for resistance to the filth around us, to change things in this world of reckless grabbing. The Scottish warrior with the grey beard always knew that his only weapons were his words. The goal was to write an album that would make the listener wonder "What happens Next". The bard has left the building, indicating it is time for actions and not words...

94.65/100

Below are the music videos for "Weltschmerz" and "The Party's over"

#15 - Top of 2020

 Neal Morse - Sola Gratia (InsideOut Music)

Does Neal Morse ever get time to sleep with all these projects he is involved in? It seems that when you are passionate about your work and find inspiration in your day-to-day life, you use every day to the fullest. Not to be confused with The Neal Morse Band or his involvement with Flying Colors (new release in 2019) or Transatlantic (new release in 2021!), in the 11th album under just his personal name Neal Morse, we can see Morse's his ongoing exploration of religion and spirituality as he presents the story of the apostle Paul, from his persecution of Christians to his conversion. Morse has the support of his The Neal Morse Band members who give the project that extra progginess you might be looking for as the album is packed with amazing prog instrumentals like "Overtune" and "The March of the Pharisees", as well as catchy tracks like "In the Name of the Lord" (with great interludes) which mask the dark themes they discuss, like the stoning of Saint Stephen being discussed in the majestic "Seemingly Sincere" (reaching over 9 minutes). There is also a great sing-along track "Building a Wall" which has a more classic hard rock sound (and a touch of Pink Floyd's themes on the significance of building walls to separate people in history). Wrapping up with the more mellow "Now I Can See/The Great Commission",  Sola Gratia is nothing less than expected from Morse's musicianship which is perfectly supported by his smooth & clear vocals. If you are reluctant to check this out due to its religious themes, you are probably missing out on an awesome concept prog rock album that has all the great elements of classic Prog!

94.6/100

Below are the official music videos  for "In the Name of the Lord" and "Seemingly Sincere".

#31 - Top of 2020

 Manticora - To Live To Kill to Live (ViciSolum Productions) 

We are kicking off the best albums of 2020 with the newest offering from the exquisite Danish prog/power outfit Manticora. Released back in August, this is a follow-up to 2018's "To Kill To Live To Kill". The album is the culmination of the best period of the band, with an abundance of creativity both on a conceptual and an executional level. The album kicks off with the epic Blind-Guardianesque  "Katana - The Moths and the Dragonflies / Katana - Mud". The oriental interlude that follows paves the way for "The Farmer's Tale pt3", which closes out a trilogy of songs from the previous record, adding a more proggy sound bridging into "Slaughter in the Desert Room" which features a much more darker sound, in addition to the vocal contributions of June Dark (Clandestine).  There is a lot to uncover throughout the album with multiple musical styles intermingling with a very fresh-sounding production. Among our personal favourites are the Katana trilogy of songs which rank among the best power/prog songs all decade long and particularly the head-banging finale "Beheaded". Truly a memorable album among one of the oft-overlooked bands of the European power metal circuit!

93/100

Below is the lyric video for "Katana - Death of the Meaning of Life".

Honourable Mentions - Top of 2020

 Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best among 2020 records. Before we get to the meat of the list, we will present some records that came out that while great, didn't quite get there. Without further delay, we are presenting:

2020 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)

Lucifer - Lucifer III (Trooper Entertainment)

 Lucifer, released their 3rd full length album in 2020 and it doesn't lack anything from what makes their sound unique including a retro dark feeling and amazing female vocals which steal the show. The band is not afraid to move between different sounds and styles, from atmospheric tracks like “Leather Demon”, to the more energetic “Flanked by Snakes” and the title-track “Lucifer” without missing out on their doomy beginnings. Worth a listen for those who are into that occult-inspired heavy rock.

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Merkfolk  - Echo (Independent)

 

Merkfolk is a an interesting folk band from Poland who released their third full length album in 2020. All songs are in the band's native language which fits perfectly with a mixture of flute, fiddle and accordion melodies. The record is pure folk with many tracks having a traditional but yet unique sound like "Dwa wina". A great listen by "the bringer of folk" (as the band's name loosely translates)!

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Moon Reverie - Moon Reverie (Rockshots Music)

 

Italian Neoclassical Rockers Moon Reverie truly impressed us with their debut outing from Rockshots last year. Their combination of technical musicianship with beautiful vocal lines and lengthy neoclassical instrumental pieces that demonstrate their virtuosity and their passion for music, was enough to stand out from the rest of the releases in their genre this year, exciting everyone regarding possible future music outputs from the band and  showing how a mildly contrived genre can get new ideas and directions from young and energetic artists that pay tribute to its past while shaping its future.

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Jet Jaguar - Endless Nights (Pride and Joy Music)

Another debut album, this time from Mexican speed/glam metallers Jet Jaguar. A breakout act from Wacken 2017's Open Air Metal Battle, they were able to take full advantage of that fact, by signing to a label (Pride and Joy) that is very good at showcasing new acts in a wider audience, and released a killer debut album, which includes not only hooky songs (such as "Blinding Lights"), but excellent compositions of pure speedy heavy metal! 

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Magnum - The Serpent Rings (Steamhammer)

 Magnum is one of those bands who still remain "true rockers" and ALWAYS deliver on their releases (making it into a number of our earlier Tops including 2016, Hard Rock Top and 2018). Armed with Bob Catley's unique voice, The Serpent Rings (the 21st full length album by Magnum!!!), has all the great traits of band including catchy tunes that are bound to be instant classics like "Where Are You Eden?" and chorus that are made for sing alongs like "Not Forgiven". Definitely worth a listen while waiting to see them live sometime in the future.

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Lord Vigo - Danse de Noir (High Roller Records)

In their 4th full length release, German Doomsters completely flipped the script, and presented a record that differs quite considerably from their previous releases, approaching their doom metal through the lens of the Dio-era albums of Black Sabbath and adding a very distinct 80s Neon/Scifi aesthetic to their distinct epic doom sound. Their experiment was successful for the most part and while we may miss the epicness oozing from their previous releases, this is still a great album unveiling a different aspect of the band, showing that the band is way more than a one-trick pony.

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Aether Realm - Redneck Vikings from Hell (Napalm Records)

 Aether Realm are one of those releases you hear about randomly and gets you hooked right away. Coming from the US, the band has a melodic death sound with a more "radio-friendly" twist that makes them memorable. The album has a number of great tracks including the super-catchy "Goodbye" and the fanbase-dedicated "TMHC" (standing for the Tiny Metal Hand Crew) making it enjoyable to listen through the album. It is worth having this band in mind as they show some great traits differentiating themselves from the classic melodic death metal sound.

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Mike LePond's Silent Assassins - Whore of Babylon (Silver Lining Music)

In their third offering, the personal band of Symphony X's bassist continue playing unadulterated pure heavy metal with touches of speed. prog, power and epic metal sprinkled in at different quantities throughout the record. Lepond has developed over these three releases a personal sound and this is even more evident here, where almost any composition could easily be a hit single, with almost no filler chaff mixed in. Among the best tracks of the album are "Ironborn", "Ides of March" and "Dracul's Son", but virtually any song has the potential to grow into a mega-hit. Highly recommended for all metal-heads with an affinity for late 90's power/heavy metal sound!

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Temperance  - Viridian (Napalm Records)

Italy is known for a breadth of melodic heavy metal bands but not many are as successful in creating memorable and catchy tunes like Temperance. The album is packed with with tracks that stick to your mind and you are bound to listen on repeat with examples like the pumping "I Am the Fire", the melodic "My Demons Can't Sleep" and last but not list the Mission-Impossible2-inspired "Mission Impossible". With the bonus of a blend of great female and male vocals complimenting each other, Viridian makes for an uplifting release worth checking out.

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Boisson Divine - La Halha  (Brennus Music)

It might have been some time since we last heard from French folk band (previously in the 2013 Top) but they still got this unique sound that fits perfectly with their mixture of French and regional Occitan dialect. Straight from the first track "Lo pèla pòrc" to the memorable "Libertat", the album is packed with traditional sounds (including hurdy gurdy, flabuta, boha and accordion). A very interesting 2020 release from the French folk scene, making us wish there were more bands like them!

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Greyhawk - Keepers of the Flame (Fighter Records)

 What a debut album! Greyhawk show signs of great things to come in the future with their Keepers of the Flame. Riding on the wave of great heavy metal bands coming out of the US in the past couple of year, Greyhawk sound like a band to keep in mind with great clear vocals which along with heavy metal riffs make for some memorable EPIC tracks like "Frozen Star" and "Keepers of the Flame". Definitely worth a listen for all those true heavy metal fans!

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The Flower Kings - Islands (Inside Out)

Another year, another great release from Roine Stolt and company this time around, just one short year after the release of the excellent Waiting for Miracles! While not as masterful as its predecessor, Islands manages to be another highly enjoyable release in the long list of beautifully crafted albums by one of the most consistently good prog rock acts out there. Highlights of the record include the single "Broken" and "Tangerine" which interweaves the vocals of Hasse Fröberg with those of Stolt in a truly magical vocal interplay worthy of any previous release of the band!

#2 - Top of 2019

Devin Townsend -  Empath (Inside Out)

Devin returned in 2019 with a deeply endoscopic release, reconciling a number of different aspects from his career while at the same time adding new elements to his music, rendering Empath an essential part of Devin's music catalogue. Choosing to do the release under his own name (and not under the DTP moniker) clearly allowed more creative freedom to DT, allowing him to collaborate with a different array of musicians than on DTP releases, while at the same time allow him to converse with the audience more intimately than ever before. The album opens with a small interlude breaking into the chaotic madness that is "Genesis" with multiple musical themes and aspects colliding into a maddening fest of prog. This is followed by the anthemic "Spirits Will Collide", a personal favourite of my co-author here at the blog and a great song to listen to live. The albums continues with Evermore, a very "DTP" song and continues with Sprite, mixing fable and prog into a strange amalgam of sounds. "Hear Me", once again treads on familiar DTP grounds before "Why?" gently pushes the viewer out of its comfort zone into an absurdity of emotional resonance. "Borderlands" which follows is an almost perfect song combining different facets of DT while at the same time providing great entertainment and a quite infectious main riff, while the album closes with the multi-part prog labyrinth of Singularity, where at times elements of DT's earlier releases fuse with influences and personal experiences, providing perhaps not the ending of the album we asked for, but definitely the one we deserve. 

Ultimately, this is  great release, albeit one that may be a tad too much to someone not acquainted with DT's music before, but a record that rewards multiple takes, allowing the audience to discover something different every time it's on. 

98/100

Below are the (numerous) music videos from the album.

#12 - Top of 2019

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum (Nuclear Blast)

Once again, Opeth release one of the best albums of the year, this time with a twist, as In Cauda Venenum came in two versions, one in English and an additional one in the band's native Swedish. It has been more than eleven years since the Swedes touched anything related to death metal, a period long enough for them to be able to unfold their talent in a genre very different from where they started in. Opeth records up to "Watershed" worked extremely well, even as  background music. Now, however, the complexity they developed has reached a point where each song requires the audience's full dedication. This is also the case in "In Cauda Venenum", where you have to drop everything you do in order to assimilate its "rich" music. "Progressiveness" has been and still is the driving force in the Opeth engine, the constant on which they build their compositions. Following that train of thought, there was bound to be evolution here from 2016's "Sorceress" and this is achieved by (a) a seamless integration of the Swedish lyrics and (b) a greater emphasis on the melodic side of prog which way more prominent here than on previous endeavours of the band. The tracks presented here draw influences from all major scenes of the prog rock tapestry ranging from folk interludes and Steven Wilson to the grandiose 70s prog epics.

On the 13th album of Opeth, their new identity seems to be clearly defined; complex parts are combined to create something much more approachable. The vocals have points made to be sung-along. The success of the band here is managing to make more mature, more complete compositions while maintaining the style they like to play in their current phase.

95.1/100

Below is the official Music Video for "Universal Truth".

#18 - Top of 2019

The Neal Morse Band - The Great Adventure (Radiant Records)

It seems that Neal Morse has found the fountain of limitless inspiration on feel good prog and keeps making his way into our Top of 2015 and 2016 without even getting started on his other work and side projects like Flying Colors and Transatlantic!! This album is the follow-up to the 2016 concept album "The Similitude of a Dream", and the band's third full length album. The album is split into two CDs that correspond with two Acts and five Chapters of the concept moving between different lyrical themes and musical vibes, never losing that amazing positivity that everyone needs! Though each track adds a unique element, there is no doubt that the most catchy track with a strong reply value (with an awesome chorus for sing-alongs!!!) is "Welcome To The World", a musical contrast between the lyrical and musical tone that showcases the band's ability to work together as well as, how their voices blend perfectly! The band knows this well and we get to hear the chorus lines in other songs like pipe-organ-packed "To the River" which wraps up Chapter two of Act I bringing back the theme of "The Similitude of a Dream" in a guitar solo and the groovier "Welcome To The World 2". Chapter 3 is darker with tracks like "Venture in Black" and more intense vocals by the amazing Mike Portnoy briefly taking over from the newcomer Bill Hubauer, and it closes with serene ringing of a church bell. But there is more to come in Act II and chapters 4 & 5 which open with the orchestral epic "Overture 2" and close on a positive note with the Yes-inspired "A Love That Never Dies" (with the customary lead vocals by Eric Gillette), while we get to listen to how the story, narrated by Neal Morse, and "The Dream Continues".
The Great Adventure is a dose of positivity desperately needed and a cohesive prog album showing that Neal Morse and his band of amazing musicians know how to blend classic prog elements into something new and memorable.


94.55/100

Below is the official video for the title-song "The Great Adventure" and the official lyric video for "Welcome to the World".

#19 - Top of 2019

Borknagar - True North (Century Media Records)

Despite the title, cover and premise, misleading the hapless listener for a probable regression to black metal paths,  for  Borknagar,  north and has been transformed here into a more philosophical place with appearances deceptive of its true nature. The meaning of the above phrase is not immediately apparent as "The Fire Burns" is more along the lines of a "typical" song of  the band with progressive and Viking black metal alternations, heralding the return of ICS Vortex to the band. However all that changes as soon as track #2 ("Up North") starts. I think that what one can hear in this track is how the future of the band looks like: Guitars that have a reason to exist,  riffs that sound aggressive without being too extreme, a belief that old-school aesthetics can be aggressive but also thought provoking and deep. Of course, Vortex's vocals are in the spotlight, a driving force throughout the disc, almost  reminiscent, through the scattered rhythmic alternations, of Arcturus. Borknagar, once more, manage to release another album with a multitude of great songs. The concept of the album is quite  cohesive, culminating in the nine-minute nautical epic "Tidal", which acts as a mirror and a finale at the same time. "True North" is an endoscopic, almost solemn in its way, album - a result of true artistic collaboration among its creators.

94.35/100

Below are the music videos for "Up North" and "Voices".

#20 - Top of 2019

The Flower Kings - Waiting for Miracles (Inside Out)

Another year, another excellent release from prog masters The Flower Kings. After Roine Stolt's "almost" personal album in 2018, he decided to return to a more collective take and reactive the full band, releasing a new album, called "Waiting For Miracles ". Here we find the "permanent" lineup of Hasse Froberg (vocals) and Jonas Reingold (bass), but not Tomas Bodin (keyboards) who has been newly replaced by Zach Kammins, along with Mirko DeMaio  on drums.
There are few musical differences  with its predecessors as is always the case with The Flower Kings. Even more so when the band leader himself mentions that he wanted to write a "pure prog rock" album, according to the teachings of Floyd, King Crimson and Yes. Thus, "Waiting For Miracles", is treading on familiar ground and does not disappoint.  There is a good, healthy amount of a traditional prog here, with many layers of keyboards, unconventional measures and extensive guitar solos, sometimes having a more symphonic and sometimes a more pop approach, but always remaining top quality. Among tracks found here, the 10 minute "Vertigo" with its  beautiful vocal melodies, "Ascending To The Stars" which is straight from a sci-fi soundtrack, the instrumental "The Rebel Circus" and the magical "Sleep With The Enemy" truly stand out. Overall the truth is that with "Waiting For Miracles" nothing changes radically either for the band or for its fans. It's not the best work of The Flower Kings, but it continues to be remarkably above almost anything else out this year and can serve as a starting point for exploring the wonderful musical world they have created over the years.


94.3/100

Below is the official audio for "Miracles in America".

#32 - Top of 2019

Howling Sycamore - Seven Pathways to Annihilation (Prosthetic Records)

Howling Sycamore are in a way, an underground super group with members from Ephel Duath, Watchtower and Necrophagist joining forces back in 2018 in order to add their unique voice to the modern scene of extreme progressive music. With a heavy backlog on their backs - mainly Grossmann and McMaster - from their tenures at Necrophagist, Obscura  and Watchtower respectively but also with the valuable contribution of Davide Tiso from the Italian avant-garde band, Ephel Duath, the band released in quick succession two excellent albums, the self-titled debut in 2018 and their sophomore effort "Seven Paths to Annihilation" in 2019.
Here, the band impresses newcomers by combining extreme guitar and drum elements  with theatrical/over-the-top vocals by McMaster,  creating an "uncomfortable" and at the same time hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Tiso, as the band's mastermind, develops the sound he started with Ephel Duath, softening several of the elements from Howling Sycamore's debut, which contributes to the better overall tightness of this record compared to its predecessor. There are no "radio hits" to be found here, as the album is quite "cerebral", requiring concentration from its audience to perceive the multi-layered compositions presented here. This is a labour of love from these musicians, attempting (and many times succeeding) at pushing the boundaries of prog music and showing how to intergrate new elements in it, keeping it  fresh and interesting for the challenges of the future!


93.5/100


Below is the official audio track for "Mastering Fire"

#36 - Top of 2019

Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal (Metal Blade)

Former Fates Warning band-mates John Arch and Jim Matheos, after the triumphant 2011 debut of their collaborative project, returned last year with an excellent successor, "Winter Ethereal" Once more, the music here is complex and heavy at the same time, with the warmth of Arch's voice complimenting the superb riffing of Matheos. By combining themes of old Fates Warning with fresher music elements and making riffing more direct to its predecessor, they achieve to sound more apart from the latest incarnation of Fates Warning than their previous effort. And while this may alienate some of the more prog-affiliated listeners, fans of the more metallic side of the band will surely rejoice. Despite the ease with which this album flows, it explores a ton of different places. The album kicks off with‘Vermilion Moons’ which evokes a darker and sombre mood, however there are multiple moods expressed throughout the record, as we are treated to power metal energy levels (the epic "Wrath of the universe" and the dynamic"Straight and narrow"), introspection ("Tethered") and even philosophical bouts ("Kinded Spirits"). Throughout the journey that is Winter Etheral, there are heavy metal riffing aplenty and labyrinthine structures coupled with superb musicianship. In conclusion, Arch / Matheos have once been able to produce an exceptional album of contemporary progressive metal music without sounding derivative or repetitive.


93.1/100


Below are the music videos for "Straight and Narrow" and "Tethered"

#1 - Top of 2018

A Perfect Circle - Eat the Elephant (BMG)

2018 was a shitty year all-around for humanity. Hell, the whole decade of the 2010s was probably one of the low points of  the post-WWII era in terms of the fall in the quality of life of people, the rise of xenophobia, religious extremism, regressive values, and consumerism frenzy. Maynard and Howerdel in this album distil the turd that is the world of today and bottle it in one truly great album that's not pulling any punches. Going in depth into the songs, "Eat the Elephant" was written as a tribute to Chester from Linking Park, with lyrics emphasising a "you can be the change" message, and soft alternative rock music undertones. "Disillusioned" discusses technology addiction and alienation through  incredibly haunting vocal lines from Maynard in a quiet and solemn warmth that increases in tone as the song progresses. Musically, the song is probably the one closest to older APC albums. Next up, "The Contrarian" examines politicians and their duplicity using a subversively menacing tone, while musically dipping in a territory more closely linked to Keenan's other band [Puscifer]. "The Doomed" has an almost doom/prog feel to it with quite heavy riffing for the band's standards, while at the same time discussing how there has been a subversion of values exalting greed and violence while decent people are essentially fucked. "So long and Thanks for All the Fish" references the famous expression from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" told by the dolphins as they flew away from earth ,shortly before its destruction.The song itself alludes to the end of the world and how in our current apathetic state not even that would make us move. It is a beautiful song with beautiful orchestral arrangements and a very catchy main melodic line that follows through as the world burns and people just stare at their TV to learn how the world ended. "TalkTalk" is about faith/thoughts & prayers over action accompanied with an alt metal vibe and a very APC riff smack in the middle. "By and Down the River" has been around since 2011 (!) and was added here, despite not being so consistent thematically with the rest of the album as it is mostly about friendship/adoration and the flip-side of those concepts. "Delicious" draws from Mer de Noms (which does makes sense as it was first conceived around then) with fresh lyrics added to it, again alluding to current politic climate. "DLB"here, serves as an instrumental bridge to the latter part of the record composed of 3 songs that act in unison. The first, "Hourglass" is a very dynamic track using a lot of electronic sounds and revealing a very different side to APC, with Maynard announcing that time is running out and the system is breaking down. "Feathers" is not only about refugees but also about self-imposed differences between individuals and the difficulty of connecting, but through tragedy. Finally, "Get the Lead out" plays out like a hypnosis exercise with a beat hypnotically repeating while a pop melodic line is faintly heard ushering into action. Again the electronic elements are prominent, but that time in a soft faded out way. APC have truly returned with one of the best records of this decade, a contemporary work of art that truly stands above genres and music labelling.

99/100

Below are the music videos for "The Doomed",  "Disillusioned" and "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish".