splinter

 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!

 The guitar sometimes hits like a jackhammer, without mercy, with an almost industrial strength; sometimes, it really feels like being in a mechanical workshop.

 Tiktaalika is a fresh and resounding example of extreme prog-metal. Highly recommended.

Charlie Griffiths' solo album Tiktaalika offers a unique and heavy take on technical prog-metal, emphasizing thrash and industrial influences. The album stands out with sharp bass, heavy guitar, and virtuosic yet restrained playing. It includes subtle jazz and acoustic touches and a notable guest solo by Jordan Rudess. Tiktaalika is a fresh, extreme prog-metal album highly recommended for fans of the genre. Listen to Charlie Griffiths' Tiktaalika now and experience a new level of extreme prog-metal brilliance!

 It roughly seems like a well-organized report, as if the band paused for a moment to reflect on what they’ve done so far.

 Muse add their own touch, bringing their 'own' synth, and when the guitar intervenes it does so in Muse’s style.

Muse's 'Will Of The People' is a concise album reflecting the band's three core styles: rock, electronic, and classical. It embraces 80s synth influences while maintaining their signature sound. The album offers surprises like a metal-infused track and post-punk elements, though it avoids radical departures. Overall, it satisfies longtime fans with a well-rounded, energetic compilation that honors Muse's identity. Listen to Muse's 'Will Of The People' to experience their dynamic blend of rock, synth, and classical sounds firsthand!