splinter

 "Átta is the triumph of minimalism, enchanting and scaring with just a few elements."

 "It is not a post-rock album but rather an album of atypical ambient music."

Sigur Rós's eighth album Átta marks their return after ten years with a minimalist and ambient sound. The band strips back their usual intensity in favor of slow, orchestral textures. With the keyboardist back and drummer absent, the album moves away from post-rock towards a new ambient direction. Despite its deliberate sparseness, Átta remains evocative and enchanting, though it lacks the industrial edge of previous works like Kveikur. Listen to Átta and explore Sigur Rós’s serene new ambient journey.

 Everything is brief but exhaustive; it’s little, but within that little, there’s plenty, and it satisfies.

 It may not be anything innovative, probably quite derivative, but if with a short and derivative product, you risk ending up among the year’s top, it means an excellent job has been done!

Pendragon's 'North Star' is a 24-minute EP continuing the neo-romantic and acoustic-infused style of its predecessor, 'Love Over Fear'. The EP showcases bright, clean production dominated by Clive Nolan's keyboards and Nick Barrett's adventurous guitar work. It combines references to classic 1970s prog with folk and Celtic influences, expanding acoustic elements to the forefront. Despite its brevity, the EP is dense with musical ideas and effectively captures the band's evolving sound. Discover the rich layers of Pendragon's 'North Star' EP—listen now and experience a neo-prog gem in just 24 minutes!

 They are the indefatigable champions of progressive rock, and not even something as powerful as death stops them.

 I'd say "Mirror to the Sky" is the best post-Drama, or at least it competes with the previous one or "Magnification."

Despite losing longtime members, Yes continues to deliver high-quality progressive rock with 'Mirror to the Sky.' The album shines with extended, intricate tracks reminiscent of their 1970s style, anchored by Steve Howe's signature guitar work. Some shorter pop-influenced songs fall short, but the overall craftsmanship restores faith in the band's ongoing relevance. Bonus disc tracks offer hidden gems, although some deserve main album status. Dive into Yes's latest prog masterpiece and rediscover why they remain legends. Listen to Mirror to the Sky now!

 They wanted to create the quintessential stormy album and they succeeded.

 There are too many solos, especially guitar solos; waterfalls of uninspired notes repeated many times, unnecessarily elongating the tracks.

Redemption’s eighth studio album, 'I Am the Storm', delivers a solid reaffirmation of classic prog-metal with a dark, stormy atmosphere. Vocalist Tom Englund anchors the powerful sound. The album features a mix of direct metal tracks, long dynamic compositions filled with solos, and well-crafted covers. Despite its intense energy and compelling moments, excessive guitar solos and production issues hold it back from being truly exceptional. Overall, it's a worthy listen for fans but not without flaws. Dive into 'I Am the Storm' by Redemption and experience their powerful prog-metal storm—listen now and judge the intensity for yourself!

 They used the right sounds, in the right quantity, at the right time, without going too far.

 By doing so they have made their best album in 25 years.

Following Andrew Fletcher's death, Depeche Mode continued as a duo, crafting 'Memento Mori' by stripping back excessive sounds and returning to their classic style. The album recalls the atmospheres of 'Violator' and earlier works, blending nostalgia with subtle modern touches. Despite past struggles with inspiration, this album is seen as their best in 25 years. It's a triumph of going back to what works rather than chasing risky new directions. Discover how Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori blends classic vibes with fresh sounds—listen now and experience their best work in decades.

 The only really stunning track is 'The Alphabet of Me,' and the rest?

 If we remember that Haken rose high in many prog preferences thanks to creativity and the desire to amaze... well at that point, yes, we are a bit disappointed.

Haken's seventh album, Fauna, marks a shift back to a heavier prog rock style with sporadic metal influences. The replacement of keyboardist Diego Tejeida with Peter Jones affects the album's imagination and sound depth, with electronic elements showing promise for future work. While technically well-executed, the album lacks the creative excitement and surprises fans have come to expect. Highlights include the experimental 'The Alphabet of Me' and the intimate 'Eyes of Ebony,' with the album’s concept and artwork praised overall. Discover how Haken’s Fauna blends prog rock mastery with fresh sounds—listen now and explore the evolution of this iconic band!

 The overall sensation is thus of a band that has remained faithfully true to its trademark but has raised the bar, reaching a higher level without pushing too far.

 I immediately noticed some interesting 80s-style solutions, energetic synth hits, and bouncing riffs reminiscent of a certain synth-pop of those years.

A.C.T's third EP 'Falling' continues their tradition of concise, high-quality progressive rock with subtle new influences. The band integrates 80s-style synth-pop elements and enhanced keyboard work, enriching their trademark sound. Melodic and orchestral arrangements are more prominent, balanced by one of their heaviest tracks. Overall, 'Falling' shows growth without losing their core identity, leaving fans eager for the final EP and future larger projects. Listen to A.C.T's 'Falling' EP and experience their unique blend of classic prog and 80s synth energy!

 Riverside takes a courageous path, which may appear challenging but turns out to be fluid and captivating instead.

 Personally, I consider ID.Entity one of the two boldest works in Riverside’s discography.

Riverside’s album ID.Entity marks a daring shift from their delicate past to a hard rock-infused progressive sound full of originality. The band avoids nostalgia, embracing ’70s-inspired organ and gritty guitars, plus unexpected genre touches like 80s synth-pop and reggae breaks. The album balances prog complexity with robust hard rock energy, highlighted by powerful bass and inventive arrangements. While not uniformly flawless, it stands as one of Riverside’s boldest and most captivating works. Discover Riverside’s bold new sound—listen to ID.Entity and experience their unique blend of prog and hard rock today!

 Get Rollin’ seeks to delve into and fully explore Nickelback’s pop-rock spirit.

 Not only is Get Rollin’ not a sellout album, but it is actually courageous, having done something that could potentially lose them some support.

Nickelback's 'Get Rollin'' defies initial metal expectations by delivering a pop-rock album rich in soft and summery tracks. While only a few songs embrace their harder rock roots, the album explores a lighter, radio-friendly style with energy and warmth. The review praises the band's courage for this direction despite potential fan backlash. Some tracks stand out for their atmosphere, though a few fall short of memorable. Discover the surprising softer side of Nickelback with Get Rollin’—listen now and explore the band's bold new direction!

 They do it but with the handbrake on.

 The vocal lines are specifically designed for him, whereas in the previous album they were written for Damian Wilson and then sung by Morgan.

Threshold’s Dividing Lines continues their 25-year prog-metal tradition with subtle changes to avoid predictability. Guitar work is varied but not revolutionary, keyboards feature inventive electronic elements, and drummer Johanne James shows impressive skill. Glynn Morgan’s vocals balance aggression and melody perfectly. Despite these efforts, the album ultimately feels like a regular Threshold release with limited lasting impact, reflecting the band's cautious approach to innovation. Discover Threshold's latest prog-metal effort and decide if Dividing Lines offers the fresh spin you've been waiting for.