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  • ‘Arise’ gives the impression that the creative skills of Steve Babb have gone into overdrive, is there a better storyteller in modern progressive music?” - Progradar.comGlass Hammer shoots for the stars with the new concept album, “ARISE.” Set against the backdrop of deep space exploration, ARISE follows the extraordinary journey of an android dispatched by overzealous scientists to uncover the galaxy’s hidden wonders. The album’s lyrics, liner notes, and artwork convey a tale of cosmic dread and wonder that doesn’t begin with a big bang, but, according to Glass Hammer mastermind Steve Babb, “...definitely ends with one.”He’s joined by singer Hannah Pryor and guitarist Reese Boyd for Glass Hammer’s twenty-first studio album. “ARISE is my progressive-rock spin on space rock,” says Babb. “I’m still flirting with doom metal on a couple of songs, as we did on the last two albums, but there’s also psych-rock and even 80’s influence going on in the music. Even so, it’s very much a prog-rock album, just one that touches on other styles.”Babb goes on to make a bold claim. “We’ve always been big on finales,” he says. “But the final track on ARISE is like nothing we’ve done before. It’s an epic-length instrumental prog-rock jam meant to leave our fan’s jaws on the floor!”
    $13.00
  • The Custodian is a new British post-progressive rock band formed by Richard Thomson, vocalist for cinematic death metal band Xerath.  Unlike Xerath, The Custodian is an outlet for the more melodic, rock oriented writing from Thomson.While there are moments in the album that harken back to old school bands like Genesis and Yes, the music of The Custodian is contemporary in sound.  Necessary Wasted Time is an album full of dynamics - light and dark shadings balancing acoustic vs electric, heavy vs pastoral.  While atmospherics and tension are a strong component of the album, the band demonstrates their adept musicianship offering up long instrumental passages to complement the emotion filled vocals.  When needed the band unleashes some complex electric runs.The Custodian's debut should deeply resonate with fans of Steven Wilson, Riverside, Pineapple Thief, and Anathema.Necessary Wasted Time was mixed by noted engineer Jacob Hansen and give the full audiophile mastering treatment from Bob Katz. 
    $5.00
  • "Birth evolved from Astra, whose two albums for Rise Above Records - 2009’s ‘The Weirding’ and 2012’s ‘The Black Chord’ - had already reinvented classic sonic textures and mind-melds in lucid and intoxicating style. Conor Reilly and Brian Ellis nonetheless found themselves seeking out new life and new civilisations. Initially this led to a collaboration with Psicomagia’s Trevor Mast and Paul Marrone, although later Marrone (while he does play on ‘Born’) was replaced by Thomas DiBenedetto (of Sacri Monte, Joy and Monarch) as sparks began to fly in earnest. The result has been a debut which combines a questing spirit with a dystopian take on the here and now. Musically, whilst traces can be discerned of the dark and magisterial King Crimson of ‘Red’ herein, as well as the yearning cadences of early Yes and the delirious contortions of Van Der Graaf Generator, a whole host of influences made their presence felt in these mournful cadences, joyful solo passages and kinetic freakouts, from '70s mainstays like Aphrodites Child, Premiata Formeria Marconi and Area to the primitive folk of Robbie Basho and the symphonic soundtrack work of Osanna. Yet far from the trappings of retro chic and fashion-aligned classicism, these five celestial serenades stake their claim in a different headspace to most other exponents of the form. Certainly, it’s true that many of the audial shapes manifesting themselves here - the exploratory jazz-rock diversions, Mellotron and Hammond-abetted textures and the rich melancholia of the song-writing - may recall moments from progressive rock’s past and the listener may be forgiven for losing themselves in a gatefold-sleeved reverie. Nonetheless, this is a band which was thrown into life via the constrictions and temporal shifts of a global pandemic, as well as one which has largely set about chronicling a reality in which the surrounding world appears to be hurrying its own demise. Alchemical forces have done their considerable work with ‘Born’, in creating an uplifting album for the ages, 42 minutes in which past, present and future are blurred; an album haunted by earthly concerns even whilst its sonics aim for the stars."
    $16.00
  • Prospekt are a British Progressive Metal band influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Opeth and Circus Maximus, as well as film scores and fusion. Prospekt combine the fierce technicality of progressive metal with the symphonic elements of contemporary prog.From brutal riffs coupled with odd time-signatures, to majestic melodies, the principle of Prospekt’s music is to create an intelligent and atmospheric mix of melodic, modern progressive metal. Incorporating passionate higher ranged vocals, frenetic guitar work, haunting orchestration and solid grooves, every composition remains both interesting and original.The Colourless Sunrise was mixed by  Adam "Nolly" Getgood of Periphery and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street.
    $5.00
  • "Swedish dark melodic metal masters Evergrey return with their 12th Album - dark and heavy, the Phoenix is rising! Gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated 12th album, Swedish progressive metal band Evergrey is at a point in their career that many of their peers can only dream about. Since the release of "Hymns For The Broken" in 2014, Evergrey has enjoyed increased notoriety and success with "The Storm Within" (2016) and "The Atlantic" (2019) - ironically, a conceptual trilogy - which is highly unusual for a veteran act. They mean to continue this tradition on February 26th, 2021 with "Escape Of The Phoenix", another heavy, melancholic and thought-provoking journey as only Evergrey can create. The result is 11 songs that embody everything Evergrey fans have to expect, albeit "a more metal version of "The Atlantic", with songs that are more direct" according to Englund and producer Jacob Hansen."
    $15.00
  • "So I’m writing a review of the new album by Magic Pie, and I figure I should be clever.  The Pie is tasty, a confection, a dessert par excellence, a bit tart and sweet, etc., etc.  And that doesn’t even address the “magic” part. And it all sounds stupid.  Like I’m trying to be clever. And failing.So let’s drop the a la mode and whipped cream (crud, there I go again) and just get to it.  Magic Pie’sFragments of the 5th Element is outstanding.  It’s a great listen with Prog singles and an epic. It showcases outstanding musicianship.  There are hooks galore.  It is not a concept album, and yet there is something of a lyrical theme. This is one of my favorite releases of 2019.Things kick off with “The Man Who Had It All,” which introduces a character out of John Steinbeck called Jeremiah.  He’s a wino who has just died, a guy who loved life and wants his compatriots to carry on without him.  There are no regrets for living in the seamy side of society—just a guy who had fun and had a smile on his face when he passed.  Musically, Magic Pie sends Jeremiah off with a fanfare that segues into vocals/piano/bass—and then moves into a dissonant section followed by a Prog waltz.  And that’s in the first two minutes of the song (a music hall segment is yet to come).  And there are hooks in every part!  “The Man Who Had It All” is a song that has it all.“P & C” (pleasure and consequences) follows.  And somewhat surprisingly, at least in terms of Prog, it’s another song about drinking and partying.  But this time, the guy isn’t going to die, drunk, with a smile on his lips.  Yes, there are ramifications…Thirteen Tequilas, joined with a bottle of red.No doubt! Best rush I’d ever had.Woke up next morning, – managed to crawl out of bed.Bulldozers truckin’ throu’ my head. So….I made a clear decision.Behold! A man with a missionto build a wall-defencive,between pleasure and consequences.Singer/lyricist Eirikur Hauksson sings as if he knows that scene—he does—and is determined to turn things around.  Coming to that decision isn’t easy, of course, and guitarist/band leader Kim Stenbergemphasizes that with some outstanding soloing.  Keyboardist Erling Henanger is given two breaks, one a jazzy improv that explores another Prog genre, the other a quiet synthesizer part that shows the protagonist’s soul finding peace before the final resolution to do better. Did I mention that the first two songs are each about 5:35?  Succinct, varied, interesting, compelling.  That’s the way to kick off an album.“Table for Two” is a love song (not for booze)—although not in ballad form. There’s a recurring fanfare that is broken up by a dreamy chorus section.  This is the love a husband has for a wife after years of being together, remembering back to how it was early on.  He sets up a candlelit table in the attic, reminiscent of those cafes of long ago.  They don’t have much except for each other—and that’s more than enough.Stenberg’s guitar turns bluesy on “Touched By An Angel.”  This, too, is a remembrance of love—but of love lost, the pain and yearning of a man who was once in the heavens and whose life is now hell.  He wants her back, in the worst way.  The initial, quiet blues swells to an emotional roar in the chorus.  This one really showcases the talents of singer Hauksson.  In those quieter moments, he explores the lower part of his range and sounds remarkably like a crooning David Bowie.  And with Stenberg providing a guitar counterpoint, this one packs a punch.Then comes the 23-minute Prog epic to wrap things up…But first, a word about Magic Pie, for there’s an interesting dynamic at play with in this Norwegian band (well, Hauksson is originally from Iceland).  Kim Stenberg is more than just the lead guitarist.  He writes, arranges and produces the music; he pretty much has final say on everything.  He is a self-described introvert who wears hats and sunglasses to ward off the world and provide a persona of mystery.  He’s happy letting Hauksson, with his long hair and rock star moves, be the front man of Magic Pie. Until Hauksson came on board a dozen years ago, Stenberg also was the lyricist.  But Eirikur needed to feel the words and message, so Kim gave up those duties.  That keeps Magic Pie from becoming a Prog Roger Daltrey–Pete Townsend-The Who situation, where the singer is basically the doppelganger mouthpiece for the guitarist/composer.And in the case of  Fragments of the 5th Element, Eirikur Hauksson’s words and performances are among the most intimate and personal of his time with The Pie.  These vignettes are part of his story, and he’s going to tell them—no matter how much pain he has to relive.Which brings us to “The Hedonist,” the Prog epic that closes the album.  The title says it all—the protagonist wants to live a life of pleasure.  Sure, he knows there is a lot of pain and sadness in the world but there’s little he can do to change things.  Except…it sounds like the guy is trying to convince himself of that.  Being a hedonist can be fun for only so long, especially when reality keeps slapping you in the face.Are you still here? I’m ready, help me riseout of the abyss, into your Paradise.Guide my journey safely to your shore.This wayward traveler wants to pay his score…Please, leave an open door.There is plenty of religious language in this one without any overt mentions of God or salvation. Yet there is the feeling that “the hedonist” is somewhat secretly seeking redemption, renewal.  And there’s more.  When I first listened to this one, before I read the lyrics, when I focused on melody and chord progressions and arrangements, looking for impressions and comparisons, I was struck by similarities with Neal Morse.  Yeah, for those of you who know me, I’m a Morse super-fan.  But I’m serious!  There are moments “The Hedonist” could come from Similitude of a Dream or The Great Adventure.  Toss in the lyrics…And as one should have with Prog epics, there are time and key changes galore.  Intricate vocal harmonies.  Some strings and a flute.  Recurring musical themes. But this is still Magic Pie.  Hauksson is his own singer.  Stenberg is an incredible guitarist who deserves a lot more attention than he’s getting.  And “The Hedonist” is a great song, with so many parts that just grab you and won’t let go.  You will be hooked by the hooks.  And it is a showcase for these guys and the other members of The Pie.I’ve already mentioned Erling Henanger, the keyboardist and backing vocalist.  He can go from classical riffs to jazzy breaks to fiery Prog progressions.  His sound is key to Magic Pie. Bassist Lars Petter Holstadand drummer Jan T. Johannessen are a somewhat unobtrusive rhythm section, but they are very strong and vital to keeping the whole thing together and moving forward.  I guess you could say they are the crust to The Pie (sorry, I know, I promised not to go there).  And rhythm-acoustic guitarist and singer Eirik Hanssen is a key component to the fullness of the sound—and his voice works very well with that of Hauksson. And to cap things off, the mix is done by the legendary Rich Mouser.  The sound/production are outstanding.I admit, I’m a relative newcomer to Magic Pie; a friend introduced me to them a couple of years ago with King for a Day.  I really liked that one and proceeded to work back through their catalogue. But Fragments of the 5th Element is, by far, this band’s best. It is delicious and scrumptious.  It will have you wanting another piece of The Pie.  Yep, that’s contrived cleverness.  But Magic Pie is anything but.  Order some and thank me later." - Sonic Perspectives
    $9.00
  • Legendary guitarist Steve Hackett presents his brand new live audio/visual extravaganza, with the release of ‘Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton’. Filmed & recorded live on his 2022 UK tour, in the coastal city of Brighton, this release documents Steve and his band celebrating the 50th anniversary of the much-loved Genesis album ‘Foxtrot’. Played in full, this album features fan favourites including ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ and ‘Supper’s Ready’. The show also features a set of Hackett solo material, including ‘The Devil’s Cathedral’ from his latest studio album ‘Surrender of Silence’, and the powerful ‘Ace of Wands’. Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge & mastered by Ten Jensen at Sterling Sound.
    $16.00
  • Cynthesis is a new band that reunites three of the original members of Zero Hour (Jasun and Troy Tipton, and Erik Rosvold) along with Enchant drummer Sean Flanagan.ReEvolution is the middle part of a dystopian trilogy begun with 2011’s DeEvolution. The central character, a shaman, is sent out to gather more slaves. He comes across a tribe and senses a light within them that triggers a distant memory of his past.  He realizes this is the original tribe he was taken from.  He brings them back to the city and encounters what was done to the population and sets them free.While Cynthesis maintains much of the Zero Hour tech metal influence, it also demonstrates the more melodic and atmospheric side of Jasun Tipton’s songwriting.  ReEvolution will appeal to fans of both progressive rock and metal.
    $13.00
  • "Islands is the new double album by progressive rockers THE FLOWER KINGS. After the group’s much celebrated return in 2019 and the highly successful “Waiting For Miracles”, creative mastermind Roine Stolt (Transatlantic, The Sea Within, Anderson/Stolt etc.) now presents 92 minutes of brand-new music with his competent line-up also featuring Hasse Fröberg, Zach Kamins, Jonas Reingold, Mirko DeMaio and special guest Rob Townsend. Due to the Covid-19-pandemic the album comes out quite a bit sooner than originally planned as Roine explains: “All shows and festivals were cancelled and the future didn’t really ‘unfold’ itself like we had hoped. To sit out the pandemic with no activities was not an option for us. We cannot be stopped by an evil virus. With members living in the USA, Italy, Austria and Sweden the only way was to use the magic of the ’net’ sending files and start building, what now became, a double album of 21 songs.” The 92 minutes long “Islands” features artwork by legend Roger Dean (Yes, Uriah Heep etc.) and all trademark sounds and melodies, the band is known for. From vintage keys to epic guitar solos, from odd drum patterns to symphonic elements, THE FLOWER KINGS present a superb, playful and complex record."
    $18.00
  • Leprous are an exciting young band from Norway. They made a great album for our label in Tall Poppy Syndrome and have now found a new home at Inside Out. Bilateral is the band's third album. It continues their tradition of mixing progressive rock and metal in equal doses. They serve it up in a way that continually leaves the listener off kilter. This time Einar Solberg sings almost (but not totally) with clean vocals. There is still quite a bit of heaviness. The music constantly challenges you and at times isn't all that pleasant to listen to...but you can't stop. If Van Der Graaf Generator recorded a metal album it might sound something like this. Album of the year candidate...you must own this!
    $15.00
  • Edensong is a progressive rock quintet from New York City.  The band's self-released 2008 debut "The Fruit Fallen" was hailed as a "masterpiece" by critics, and helped to pave the way for live shows and notable festival appearances throughout North America.At over 70 minutes of new music, their 2016 followup, "Years in the Garden of Years" is even more ambitious than it's predecessor, and will be sure to appeal to fans of both classic progressive rock and metal.  The concept album features an extended song cycle on themes of time, each song a different scale and perspective.  The melodies are more memorable, the riffs more powerful, the flute playing more inventive and propulsive.  The songs prominently feature immersive new textures, from lush keyboard and orchestral arrangements to esoteric percussion from around the world, such as hang drum and Balinese gamelan.   "Years in the Garden of Years" is mastered with audiophile precision by Grammy winning engineer Bob Katz, and the CD release features stunning original cover art and booklet illustrations from beloved surrealist painter Dan May. 
    $6.00
  • Riverside's fifth studio album finds them in a continuing state of refinement of their sound.  While they continue to touch on the bands that were the original foundation of their sound (Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Opeth) the music seems to take on a more atmospheric feel.  At the same time 70s style keyboards creep in more and more.  Michal Lapaj's use of Hammond organ lends a Lord-ian flair when the band ramps up the heaviness.  The spacey flavors of Eloy that appears on Out Of Myself reappear just at the right time.  It seems that Marius Duda's Lunatic Soul side project has cross polinated a bit with the mothership.  His emotion driven vocals once again prove why he is one of the best frontmen in the entire progressive music scene.  This is one of those albums that will take many spins to really allow it to divulge all its secrets.  
    $14.00
  • ‘Ever’ the hugely popular IQ album that saw the return of Peter Nicholls to the fold in the early nineties is now 25 years young! To mark this occasion GEP are releasing a special ‘definitive’ 3 disc edition of the album with a 2018 remix by Mike Holmes. Presented in a 4 panel digipak format with a 40 page booklet, the package includes extra material on the first disc, along with newly recorded live versions of the whole album on disc 2. Disc 3 (DVD) contains a surround sound mix of the studio album plus a surround mix of the live material, along with over 2 hours of ‘further listening’ files comprising album demos, studio outtakes rehearsal tapes and unused ideas. All in all disc 3 contains nearly 4 hours of music. The 40 page booklet is packed with lots of contemporary photos, stories and memories from the time and features contributions from all the band members of 1992. ‘Ever 2018 Remix - 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition’ is due for release on the 5th October 2018 Track listing: Disc 1 (CD): The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Out of Nowhere, Further Away, Leap of Faith, Came Down. Extra tracks: Came Down – The Solos that got away, Lost in Paradise.Disc 2 (CD): Recorded live at the Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany, 10 February 2018): Intro/The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Leap of Faith, Came Down, Further Away, Out of Nowhere. Disc 3 (DVD): Ever 2018 Remix 5.1 Surround Sound Mix Ever Live at the Colos-Saal 5.1 Surround Sound Mix Album Demos: The Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Unholy Cow (Out of Nowhere, Further Away Intro, Further Away Complete, Leap of Faith, Came Down. Studio Outtakes: Darkest Hour, Fading Senses, Out of Nowhere, Further Away, Leap of Faith, Came Down. Unused Ideas: Waltzy Song, Echo Song, The Blues Riff, Bassy Track, Guitar Thing, Quiety Demo, Some Chordage, Monks. Rehearsals: The Darkest Hour (Pt. 2) , Fading Senses - Jamming The Riff, Fading Senses #2, Unholy Cow (Developed) , Further Away - Jamming The Riff, Further Away - Arrangement, Came Down - Different Intro, Sad Chords. 
    $28.00
  • "Sons Of Apollo are one of the biggest success stories of the past two years. The combination of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboard player Derek Sherinian and drummer Mike Portnoy proved to be irresistible on their debut album 'Psychotic Symphony', released in 2017. Now, they are putting out a special live release. This was filmed at the spectacular Roman Amphitheatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on September 22 last year. The band's performance was divided into two sets, the second of which saw them joined by a full orchestra and choir. There are a number of cover songs performed in both sets. And it was down to Portnoy to choose which tracks were done with the orchestra and choir: “[…]I have to say that all of the covers you'll get to see us do in the second part of the performance were only done that night and no other on the tour, which helps to make this unique.”Titled 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony', this is to be available on CD, DVD and Blu-ray. But there are differences between the audio and visual formats. “The CD has the entire gig. But we had problems getting clearance on three of the cover tracks for the Blu-ray and DVD. Sadly, these will not have 'Comfortably Numb' from Pink Floyd, 'Dream On' (Aerosmith) plus 'And The Cradle Will Rock' (Van Halen). The good thing is that you can hear all of these on the CD, so they're not forgotten.“The DVD and Blu-ray also have a behind the scenes documentary on the whole experience in Plovdiv, which includes interviews. In addition, there's also a behind the scenes documentary on the making of our debut album. So, what fans will get is a brilliant summary of the first year in the history of this band.”Portnoy is delighted with the final product, believing it to be a triumph that encapsulates just how tremendous this band are.“This is a very special release. It magnificently captures what happened on the night and the atmosphere that surrounded the occasion.”"
    $34.50