Tag Leprous
Kalandra are one of those bands that everyone seems to have heard of, not least through high profile support slots with the likes of Wardruna, Leprous and A.A.Williams, and of course the band’s cover of ‘Helvegen’. They have also played… Continue Reading →
I know people who’ve dropped off the bandwagon with Leprous since their adventurous early years. I’ve had my wobbles with them but this is a band whose music right up to their last album release “Aphelion” (2021) has always been… Continue Reading →
Collaborations between members of different bands are not unusual, but this is a particularly interesting one. The idea of the band came about in 2017 when two of the band members were together in Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, so clearly… Continue Reading →
From the admirable ViciSolum label comes Ring of Gyges with this album. I hadn’t heard of this band previously, but on the face of it they’re right up my street. Peddling progressive metal with intriguing “odd rhythmic patterns”, the stated… Continue Reading →
I first encountered Playgrounded in 2012 when they released their ep “Athens”. It is an outstanding progressive work. It flowed, and had great impact without needing to exaggerate or place themselves on a pedestal. Such was the chord that it… Continue Reading →
I missed the “full-blown cosmic and uniquely baroque” “Ex Cathedra” (2020) and indeed the two previous albums by this band. This album now “strives to bring attention to the beauty in the Ugly, the Sad and the Bizarre”. With Creature… Continue Reading →
I couldn’t have imagined that I’d ever be writing about a touring guitarist for Russell Watson or Aled Jones but that’s what John Bailey is. This man has many strings to his bow, as it were, with an interest in… Continue Reading →
I first saw Leprous in 2010 at ProgPower and was impressed by their freshness and originality. In the intervening years, I’ve seen them live a few more times and bought their albums up to “The Congregation” (2015) which I particularly… Continue Reading →
Amorphis guitarist Esa Holopainen has decided it’s high time he mixed things up a bit. I guess 30 years in the same band can do that to a guy, but it’s not like Amorphis with their Dark Metal stylings are… Continue Reading →
When I was sent this album for review, I was promised something “interesting”, and I certainly was not disappointed on that score! As soon as I pressed play, I found myself contemplating the album title and considering how relevant it… Continue Reading →
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. Ihsahn, of course, formed and fronted Norwegian black metal icons, Emperor. They need no further introduction. However, since 2006 Ihsahn has focussed his attention on his solo career, and although he teased… Continue Reading →
This likeable bunch of Australians have been around since 1999, and are now releasing their seventh album. Their melodic style of prog metal often has a commercial ring to it, and having heard clips prior to receiving this album, and… Continue Reading →