splinter

 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.

 Damian Wilson is the real virtuoso, the one who spans, the one who plays with the voice, theatrical and malleable in the slower parts and yet powerful and lyrical in the stronger ones.

 An album that is faithful but fresh at the same time.

Arena's tenth album introduces Damian Wilson as a new vocalist who perfectly complements the band's dark neo-prog style. The album balances relaxed yet intense atmospheres with a simpler compositional approach. Wilson’s vocal performance is highlighted as the centerpiece, bringing dramatic and lyrical qualities without overpowering the instrumental work. Despite staying faithful to their style, Arena offers a fresh and engaging listening experience. Listen to Arena’s latest album and experience Damian Wilson’s compelling vocals in a fresh take on dark neo-prog.

 I can only add that it has nothing to envy from ballads of their best years like 'Silent Lucidity' or 'Bridge'.

 What masterpiece would we have had if they had dared throughout the whole album like this?

Queensrÿche’s Digital Noise Alliance marks a renewed energy for the band, with a powerful hard rock foundation and notable prog influences. Standout tracks like 'Tormentum' and 'Forest' showcase experimentation and depth. While not revolutionary, the album is the best work under Todd La Torre’s tenure. The unexpected 'Rebel Yell' cover adds a surprising twist, though some fans may find it unusual. Overall, the album delivers sharp, fresh moments without abandoning the band’s classic sound. Discover Queensrÿche’s bold new sound—listen to Digital Noise Alliance today and experience their best work in years!

 When they dive into pop songs, they make them sound as pop as possible, or rather, they don’t even make them sound, they make them pump.

 This kind of makes you mad because you end up wondering what kind of monster they could be if they let go of earnings and views and only focused on giving 100%.

The review questions Imagine Dragons' true musical identity, highlighting a tension between banal pop and moments of refined musicianship in Mercury Act 2. While some tracks resonate with elegance and introspection, others fall into simplistic, noisy pop. The band appears indecisive about their direction, torn between commercial success and artistic seriousness. The reviewer hopes they will focus more on genuine music beyond financial and streaming fame. Discover the highs and lows of Imagine Dragons' Mercury Act 2 – listen now and decide where they stand in today's music scene!