splinter

 The sound of Envy of None is instead a minimalist, stripped-down soft rock where the former Rush member is hardly heard and has few opportunities to unleash his style.

 Maiah Wynne’s voice... seems designed precisely for this type of psychedelic and dreamy music; it’s deliberately slender and velvety, seeming like a cross between Billie Eilish and Elizabeth Fraser.

Envy of None is a refreshing departure from Alex Lifeson’s Rush legacy, showcasing a minimalist and psychedelic sound rich in dreamy electronics. The album features Maiah Wynne’s velvety voice, creating an ethereal and soft rock experience. Lifeson’s subdued guitar work surprises longtime fans, revealing his openness to new musical territories. This debut is highly rated and promises more to come. Listen to Envy of None now and experience Alex Lifeson’s bold musical transformation!

 Romeo tries to recover that balance between aggressiveness and melody that has been lost.

 Basically, it’s a band album, an album with the right balance between musicians and sounds, a group album presented as solo.

Michael Romeo's War of the Worlds Pt. 2 follows closely the style of its predecessor and Symphony X's prog-power metal roots. The album balances aggressive riffs with melodic orchestral passages but does not showcase a major leap in guitar virtuosity. The orchestral and metal elements coexist but often feel separated. Overall, it’s a solid album for fans of the genre, although it largely stays within familiar territory. Listeners hoping for a more distinct solo statement might be left wanting. Discover Michael Romeo's latest prog-power metal journey—listen to War of the Worlds Pt. 2 and experience the blend of orchestral and aggressive metal sounds!

 Porcupine Tree are back to stay.

 The album feels like a classic second-phase Porcupine Tree record with the added courage of Steven Wilson's solo experiences.

After years of uncertainty, Porcupine Tree returns with Closure/Continuation, a well-crafted album mixing their signature post-prog sound with new influences from Steven Wilson's solo career. The trio lineup brings fresh bass dynamics and subtle electronics, offering a balance between hard prog riffs and melodic moments. Notable tracks include the experimental 'Walk the Plank' and the dynamic 'Chimera's Wreck.' Bonus tracks add further depth to this highly anticipated comeback, suggesting the band still has plenty to say. Discover Porcupine Tree's thrilling return — listen to Closure/Continuation and explore their evolved progressive sound!

 Evergrey are a guarantee, we know that by now.

 'Reawakening' blends everything well, suspended between gothic metal, autumnal atmospheres, ’80s and modern sounds, for me the best track of the album.

Evergrey's 13th album, 'A Heartless Portrait (The Orphéan Testament),' introduces subtle but effective changes that refresh their melodic metal style. Guitars are smoother, synths less exaggerated, and an 80s flavor adds charm without full nostalgia. Standout tracks include 'Reawakening' and 'Wildfires,' blending gothic and modern elements. Though not revolutionary, the album balances new and classic Evergrey sounds, delivering a solid and convincing metal experience. Listen to Evergrey's latest album and explore a fresh yet familiar journey through melodic metal mastery.

 This work has been done on one track, the first track is replicated in electric version in the last track, and it’s impressive to note how natural the conversion is.

 His tone appears varied and well-modulated depending on the moment to be interpreted, yet he is fully convincing even when the register rises, showing grit without being annoying.

James LaBrie's 'Beautiful Shade of Grey' marks a successful departure from metal, embracing an acoustic rock foundation with melodic vocals and expressive guitar work. The album balances keyboard and electric guitar accents, creating a fresh yet familiar sound. LaBrie's vocal performance is notably better suited to this style, showing control and grit without annoyance. This acoustic project is a wise and refreshing reinvention for the Dream Theater frontman. Discover James LaBrie's refreshing acoustic rock journey—listen now and experience a new shade of his musical talent!

 "Pure Reason Revolution continues to represent the rougher and more alternative side of prog, almost in contrast to the more refined and elegant approach of the genre’s more classical nature."

 "The album appears slightly more varied and inspired than the previous one, with each track having more of its own identity and not being exactly a copy of any of the others."

Pure Reason Revolution's 'Above Cirrus' confirms their inspiring return with a darker, harder sound and diverse tracks. The album merges abrasive guitars, psychedelic synths, and alternative prog elements. It shows growth from their previous album 'Eupnea' through well-developed songs, even shorter ones. Highlights include tracks echoing Tool and varied electronic touches. The band appears more confident and inspired than ever. Listen to Pure Reason Revolution’s 'Above Cirrus' and experience their powerful and inspired prog rock comeback today!

 Only Passing Through is not another nostalgic prog whim; it’s fresh music made of very well-combined influences.

 Pattern-Seeking Animals are a reality that cannot be ignored, a brilliant name in the new prog.

Pattern-Seeking Animals’ third album, Only Passing Through, continues to push progressive rock boundaries with a mix of melodic prog, ethnic influences, and fresh modern sounds. The band successfully shortens track durations while blending Middle Eastern, Latin, and folk elements into a cohesive, engaging album. Key tracks like Everdark Mountain and Time Has a Way highlight the band's dynamic range. While one track falters, the overall record solidifies their place in new prog and hints at even greater creative heights ahead. Discover the unique blend of modern prog and world influences in Only Passing Through—listen now and experience a fresh prog journey!

 "Practically, in this album, Rammstein has turned their weak point into a strong one, and this leaves you speechless."

 "Zeit is the qualitative leap I probably didn’t expect... it still sounds classically Rammstein, but it happened, and it surprised me."

The review highlights Rammstein's surprising melodic growth on their album Zeit, noting a stronger presence of atmospheric and new age elements. While melodies were previously considered a weak point, this album pushes their melodic boundaries with smart experimentation. Classic heavy electronics and catchy metal-electronic tracks remain, balancing the new direction. Overall, Zeit represents a meaningful, yet moderate evolution in the band's sound. Discover how Rammstein redefined their sound on Zeit—listen now and experience their surprising melodic evolution!

 Marillion pours all of its 40 years of experience into it.

 An Hour Before It's Dark is an album that does full justice to Marillion, showcasing them in all their splendor.

Marillion's latest album 'An Hour Before It's Dark' successfully continues the atmospheric and melodic sound established in 'F.E.A.R.'. Featuring long, suite-like compositions, the band remains true to their signature style while subtly exploring new sonic textures. Though the track fragmentation feels debatable, the album showcases Marillion's decades of experience and craftsmanship. Fans can appreciate the familiar yet refined sound, even as questions about future experimentation remain. Listen to Marillion's 'An Hour Before It's Dark' and experience their timeless progressive rock journey.

 It seems incredible, but they did it! Tears For Fears are releasing their seventh album a whopping 18 years after the previous one!

 'The Tipping Point' presents Tears For Fears at the level of inspiration we would expect.

Tears For Fears released 'The Tipping Point' 18 years after their last album, showcasing a mature blend of retro '80s elegance and modern electronic touches. The album avoids current trends in favor of the band’s signature refined sound, delivering varied and captivating melodies. It surpasses their 2004 album and stands strong alongside their 1990s work. Fans are rewarded with a thoughtfully crafted album that values musical depth and authentic style. Discover the elegant and nostalgic sound of Tears For Fears’ latest album—listen to 'The Tipping Point' today!