#28 - Top of 2018

All traps On Earth - A drop of Light (AMS)

All traps on Earth are, in essence, the spiritual continuation of the  prog rock giants Änglagård. The band was created and is led by Johan Brand (bass), while also including Änglagård members Thomas Johnson (keyboards) and Erik Hammarstrom (drums). All traps On Earth lineup is completed by Johan's daughter Miranda on vocal melodies. The occasional prog listener should be aware that this is not a record for the faint of heart, it is a true successor to Änglagård, where King Crimson, jazzy interludes and mostly instrumental music, with the voice of Miranda acting purely as another instrument in the prog/jazz elegy. Thus, while it is surely not an album for everyone, every single prog purist will find true joy in its twists and turns.
The album is essentially composed of four prog rock suites & a short interlude. It begins with the first suite "All Traps on Earth", a prog journey through jazzy roads, Operatic howls, mellotron echoes and in your face bass-lines. The following composition, "Magmatic Warning" starts by grabbing you by the horns, before becoming quiet, shifting into a jazzy mood and then keeps ebbing and flowing throughout, emulating the signs of volcanic eruption while also paying a small tribute to the great french band Magma. Highlights of the track are the impressive use of wind instrumentation in key moments of the composition, setting the tone of the piece. "Omen" is the most Änglagård song of the album, while at the same time being the pinnacle of the record. Whereas in the previous 2 suites there was experimentation in other styles, here there is a more melodic prog rock vibe that is very much in line with what Änglagård did in the seminal "Viljans Öga", with the vocal colours of Miranda providing an excellent antithesis to the quick paced prog melodies displayed throughout.  "Bortglömda Gårdar" starts with a male voice singing in Swedish accompanied with harpsichord, introducing the theme of the piece, where  vocal led passages are intertwined with instrumentally-led ones. The piece ends with a jazz frenzy directly leading to a stunning synth solo which also eventually subsides, as a more ethereal piano-led melody takes the composition and the album to its triumphant end. 


93.15/100

Below is the audio for "Omen".

#29 - Top of 2018

Haken - Vector (InsideOut)

Over the last decade, Haken have been able to establish themselves among the leaders of the contemporary prog scene. Their 2011 & 2013 albums "Visions" and "The Mountain" constitute undoubtedly some of the best prog rock moments of this decade. However, many fans criticised their 2016 output "Affinity" and the band seemed to be suffering from fatigue at that point. Nevertheless, "Vector" is a certain return to form from the band, easily standing on equal footing to their greatest moments and showing that the band still has what it takes. Songs such as the frantic & erratic "Puzzle Box" and the musically enchanting "Veil" show beyond any shadow of doubt that the band still's "got it". The album is quite short (~45 minutes), but makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity, with the new electronic elements introduced in Affinity more seamlessly blended to the sound of the band. Another excellent record that shows that despite bumps in the road, the band was able to get it together and continue on their prog journey with us tagging along to an amazing ride.

For more Haken, you can check out the review of their best album yet here.

93.1/100

Below is the music video for "A Cell Divides"

#30 - Top of 2018

The Sea Within - The Sea Within (InsideOut)

The Sea Within is the debut album of an international progressive rock super-project consisting of an all-star team including vocalist/ guitarist Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Kaipa, Transantlantic), bassist Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings, Kaipa),singer/guitarist Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation), drummer Marco Minnemann (The Mute Gods) and keyboardist Tom Brislin (Meat Loaf/Spiralling).  Daniel has collaborated with the Flower Kings crew a couple of times in the past, with contributions to 2000's "Untold Future" and "Adam & Eve", as well as worked with Stolt within the context of Transatlantic live performances.  For Brislin and Minnemann, this is the first collaboration with the Swedish power trio. The project was written collectively by the band and crosses over to many aspects of contemporary prog rock music, with tracks such as the opener "Ashes of Dawn" having a more metal edge, while others such as "They know my name" lean on the art rock spectrum of things. Overall a fantastic accomplishment (especially given that it was written in a short period of time), that while may not be the crowning achievement of any of the gentlemen in it, is still a breathtaking piece of prog rock music.

93/100

Below is the music video for "Ashes of Dawn".

#31 - Top of 2018

Spock's Beard - Noise Floor (InsideOut)

Spock's Beard are back with their 13th album (the first since the return of the original drummer Nick D'Virgilio) and they definitely haven't lost the skill to create songs that are meant to stick to your head and your playlist for a looong time. "To Breathe Another Day" is the perfect example of catchiness thanks to the great vocals by  Ted Leonard and progressive elements that have the feel good vibe characteristic of Spock's Beard. "What Becomes of Me" is another instant Spock's Beard classic (where you can almost hear Neil Morse in the vocals) with some amazing keyboard and guitar interludes by Ryo Okumoto and Alan Morse. "Somebody's Home" is an interesting song as it takes a more melodic turn starting with a great acoustic guitar intro & building towards an awesome sing-along chorus. "So This Is Life" is the epitome of melodic prog rock with interesting violin, viola & cello contributions while "One So Wise" is a keyboard oriented piece whch segues onto Okumoto's keyboard instrumental "Box of Spiders". "Beginnings", wraps up the record with a shout. "Noise Floor" is without a doubt among the list-toppers of the list for feel-good albums of 2018!
But wait! There is more! In Disc 2, there is the mesmerizing "Cutting Room Floor", "Bulletproof" with serious summer vibes, "Vault" which is a highlight of the bonus album with amazing acoustic and electric guitar riffs and finally "Armageddon Nervous" another great prog instrumental proving that the band is still in as good a form as ever!

92.7/100

Below is the official music video for "To Breath Another Day".

#32 - Top of 2018

Sacral Rage - Beyond Celestial Echoes (Cruz del Sur Music)

Sacral Rage return with their 2nd full length release in "Beyond Celestial Echoes" and once again present us with an amalgamation of Mercyful Fate, Annihilator and Watchtower, evolve their personal sound by leaps and bounds and establish a personal identity that establishes them among the best bands of speed heavy-thrash metal right now. Vocalist Dimitris K. is propably among the best screamers in heavy metal right now, with a vocal range reminiscent of King Diamond, while guitarist Marios P is an amalgamation of Hank Sherman, Ron Jarzombek and Jeff Waters, providing the band with a level of virtuosity that is really rare in heavy/speed records.  The rhythm section of the band  [ Spyros S. (Bass) and Vagellis Felonis (Drums)  ] while clearly not the main feature, manages to hold its ground against the combined maniac assault of Marios and Dimitris.
The album kicks off with the atmospheric "Eternal  Solstice", but quickly shifts gears with the technical speed assault of "Vaguely Decoded", while "Suspended Privileges", combines the madness of the above two with an even more thrashing attitude. "Samsara (LCE)" signifies the return to a more theatric piece with Dimitris trying different vocal approaches throughout and fades out with a blastbeat (!) which is  seamlessly weaved into the composition. "Necropia" again shifts the tone with a more neo-classical riffing structure that draws heavily from the best moments of Annhilator. The album concludes with "The Glass" a truly epic composition and the first such attempt from the band, that nevertheless succeeds to create a landmark of an album and set the bar high for a genre that has been looking for new heroes!

92.6/100

Below is the lyric video for "Samsara (LCE)".

#33 - Top of 2018

King Goat - Debt of Aeons (Aural Music)

Fans of intricate doom elegies rejoice! The second release from King Goat was tailor-made for you! The cover from Travis Smith (Opeth) already predisposes you towards entering a dark and fiery world, and the band delivers the goods with some of the darkest and most innovative doom of 2018! The Brighton-based band is an excellent hidden gem that is definitely worth keeping an eye on. The album combines deep & theatrical vocals by Anthony 'Trim' Trimming (who has a voice made for doom & heavy riffs) with amazing melodic guitars (by Petros & Joe) and solid drumming (by Jon). "Rapture" which kick-starts the album is an awesome doom song with progressive touches spanning at over 9 minutes and spanning from clean vocals to growls and from mellow tunes to an epic heavy-riffed ending. "Eremite's Rest" is a worthy follow-up which manages to give us some even heavier riffs and more pronounced drumming tunes. The title-song "Debt of Aeons" adds a more melodic touch shedding light on the lead singer's vocal range! "Psychasthenia" is a mesmerizing interlude which along with the personal favourite heavy-riffed "Doldrum Sentinels" (again combining both amazing vocals and heavy guitar riffs) seamlessly lead to the atmospheric finale "On Dusty Avenues" which takes a different direction with a "dirtier" sound and more progressive vibes retaining throughout its heavy doom identity.


92.5/100

Below is the lyric video for "Doldrum Sentinels"

#34 - Top of 2018

Svarta Faran - Chronicles of a War to Come (Independent)

Svartan Faran rise from Bavaria, Germany with their first full-length album that is very promising for their pagan future!
The melodic instrumental "Schatten über Nirthalion" serves as the perfect segway to the epic "Battle of Thyorvîn"sung by warriors as they march to battle. "Malandor" is heavily based on great whistling(!) tunes by Mathias while Met, the lead singer, showcases his vocal range with both his clear vocals and growls throughout the piece."In the Forest" is a broody instrumental that transitions into the darker and heavier "Banshee's Kiss".

"Sohn des Berges" and "Rise of the Fallen" are more of melodic death tunes with folk elements sprinkled throughout. "Tira, Botin des Untergangs", probably the best song of the record, succeeds in blending the brutal and the epic elements, giving the listener the most memorable chorus of the album as well as having a great mid-song interlude.  "Aufbruch der Zwerge" is a more clear-cut folk song blending English with German lyrics and growls with clear male vocals (something that the band dares and succeeds in doing throughout most tracks of the album). "Mistress of the Moon" has an amazing acoustic guitar intro and is dominated by powerful clear vocals while "Tanz der Zwerge" (with its Trollfest-like intro) is an interesting blend of folk whistle melodies and quick-paced guitar/drum tunes closing the album with a blast! A great folk debut and a surefire recommendation for all fans of folk metal.




92.54/100

Below is the link for the official lyric video of "Tira, Botin des Untergangs".

#35 - Top of 2018

Ashes of Ares - Well of Souls (Rock of Angels Records)

Iced Earth fans rejoice! Well of Souls is the second full length album by Ashes of Ares consisting of ex-Iced Earth members Matt Barlow in vocals and Freddie Vidales in guitar/bass!

They definitely know how to kick off a record as "Consuming the Mana" is a powerful song that perfectly leads to the awesomely melodic "The Alien" showcasing both amazing vocals by Barlow and great drum riffs (by ex-Nevermore Van Williams) which is one of the album's highlights along with "Let All Despair".
"Soul Searcher" is an excellent power ballad that acts as a great mid-album interlude with dreamy guitar riffs. "Sun Dragon"
and "Trascending" are two additional examples of how power metal songs should sound combining excellent heavy guitars and (both harsh and clear) melodic vocals. "In The Darkness" is a more clear-cut song while "Spirit of Man" adds some progressive-like riffs & turns taking a different direction.
"Time Traveller" has an amazingly catchy chorus for live-show singalongs and more quick-paced tunes adding a more epic tone to the album which ends with the weird but interesting choice to cover Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" song. The record is definitely reminiscent of classic Iced Earth and is worth checking out to listen how Matt's musicianship and songwriting has evolved in his new venture!




92.5/100

Below are the official music videos for "The Alien" and "Let All Despair".

#36 - Top of 2018

Silent Chambers - Thousand Victories (Silent Chambers)

Silent Chambers are a prog/folk acoustic project from Netherlands which present themselves to the world with this very promising and warm debut album. This is not a loud album, but an acoustic elegy, which while essentially simple, it evokes multitudes of emotions reverberating throughout the excellent tracks of the album. Vocalist  Jeroen Voogd echoes strongly as a prog/acoustic amalgam of Bruce Dickinson with Steve Hogath (Marillion), while Robert Spaninks (percussion), Sander Heerings (keyboards) and Martijn Balsters (guitars) provide the minimalistic musical backdrop that the songs need to shine. The album is not a one-trick pony, as one can see an amount differentiation between tracks, with some tracks ("Down My Spine") being more straightforward than others ("Moonlets").  This release does not break any new ground, however the combination of excellent compositions with truly inspired vocals make this among the best releases of the year on the softer side of rock music.

92.45/100

Below are the audio tracks for "Down my Spine" and "Moonlets".

#37 - Top of 2018

Suidacra - Cimbric Yarns (AFM Records)

Suidacra are a long way from their death/death metal days (with some folk influences) as their new full length album "Cimbric Yarns" (their 13th record!!!) is totally immersed in the folk genre with a focus on Celtic mythology and tunes (packed with acoustic guitars, flutes and violins). "Echtra" is an epic instrumental opening which sets the tone with female voice-over (by Tina Stabel) establishing the themes of the record. "Serpentine Origins" is filled with acoustic guitar riffs and mellow female vocals that blend perfectly with male vocals leading to a melodic chorus. In "Ode to Arma", Sebastian Jensen takes over the lead vocal with his deep & rough voice. "A Day and Forever" sounds like a song straight out of Arjen Lucassen's Ayreon with more pronounced folk elements. The instrumental "Black Dawn" is followed by the epic "At Nine Light Night" (which sounds like a song by a band of warriors) and the orchestrated "Shakehenge" (with its great flute tunes) are definitely two of the highlights of the album. The cinematic "Assault on Urlár" and the mellow "Caoine Cruác" are filled with Celtic and epic elements serving perfectly as the final two songs of the album narrating the Celtic tale of Suidacra.



92.4/100

Below is the official music video for "Shakehenge".