splinter

 "The Quest is a surprisingly inspired album, showcasing Yes in their melodic and instrumental magnificence."

 "I consider 'The Quest' their best album in forty years, the best of all the post-Drama production."

The reviewer reflects on Yes’ career, highlighting their 70s peak and later uncertainty. Despite low expectations, The Quest surprises with inspired melodic prog and symphonic touches. The album respects Yes’ roots, moderates complexity, and showcases Steve Howe’s guitar and orchestral elements. The new lineup holds strong, delivering what the reviewer calls their best work in four decades. Discover Yes’s melodic prog renaissance by listening to The Quest—classic vibes with fresh energy await!

 The sound is a caress; this seems to be the apt motto to describe "Aphelion," the seventh work of the Norwegian band.

 Leprous have surprised again... they remain the band to beat.

Leprous continues their musical evolution with Aphelion, their seventh album and third non-metal release. The band focuses on subtlety and controlled emotion, avoiding overt pop influences. Instrumentation shines with soft yet distinctive string work and strong, yet measured drumming. Several tracks showcase unique and inventive approaches, revealing the band’s maturity and refined artistic direction. Aphelion confirms Leprous as a pioneering force in modern progressive music. Explore Leprous’ transformative sound in Aphelion—listen now and experience their delicate yet powerful journey.

 “Are You There” is an absolutely successful ambient prog album.

 It’s like a state of agitation that prolongs over time, starting not too loudly and then intensifying without being too overwhelming.

Michał Łapaj's 'Are You There' is a successful ambient prog solo effort from Riverside's keyboardist. The album features tense, atmospheric soundscapes with post-rock crescendos and diverse keyboard tones. Drawing inspiration from Riverside's 'Eye of the Soundscape,' it offers both heavy, intrusive textures and delicate electronic passages. Standout tracks include 'Surfacing,' 'Where Do We Run,' and 'Fleeting Skies.' A rewarding listen for fans awaiting Riverside's next release. Dive into Michał Łapaj's ambient prog world and experience 'Are You There' – a must-listen for Riverside fans and prog lovers alike!

 Saga did a truly great job... the album ends up seeming as credible as an album of new material.

 The result is something that quite closely resembles folk... from one extreme to the other.

Saga's album Symmetry revisits older tracks through intricate acoustic reinterpretations, avoiding clichés and adding diverse folk instruments. Despite being a rework and not new material, it delivers fresh energy and creativity. The thoughtful track selection and skilled rearrangements give the album a unique identity, bridging Saga's futuristic roots with a rustic, folk-inspired sound. Explore Saga’s Symmetry for a fresh acoustic take on classic tracks—listen now and rediscover their unique folk-inspired sound!

 Billie Eilish’s second album is consistent with expectations, indeed, it further refines the sound, makes it even less pop, softer, and more whispered.

 The tracks of 'Happier Than Ever' seem like real hypnotic lullabies, where the instrumentation is gently invoked and Billie whispers in her distinctive way.

Billie Eilish's second album 'Happier Than Ever' defies expectations by refining her sound into a softer, less pop-driven style. The album blends minimalist electronic, indie pop, and intimate acoustic elements, showcasing her unique vocal style. Despite a minor misstep with 'Therefore I Am,' the album maintains artistic integrity and suggests Billie's successful evolution beyond her debut. Her image is also evolving, signaling future possibilities. Listen to ‘Happier Than Ever’ now and experience Billie Eilish’s uniquely refined sound and intimate storytelling.

 The album is indeed harsher compared to the previous ones; if the first two had few metal elements, this one has a few more.

 Liquid Tension Experiment have resurrected and are more alive than ever.

Liquid Tension Experiment 3 marks a long-awaited reunion delivering an explosive blend of sophisticated instrumental rock and jazz fusion. Though the album leans heavier with metal elements and sometimes echoes Dream Theater's style, it retains originality through Tony Levin's groove and significant improvisation. The bonus disc offers deep dives into pure improvisation, showcasing the group's fearless musicianship. Fans of the project will appreciate the album's mixture of energy, experimentation, and mastery. Dive into Liquid Tension Experiment 3 and experience the masterful fusion of virtuosity and innovation. Listen now and explore the bonus improvisations!

 A.C.T are representatives of an unusually lively and bright prog-rock that, however, also hides a melancholic aftertaste.

 The band expresses itself at its best even without major stylistic upheavals.

A.C.T's second EP 'Heatwave' offers 27 minutes of energetic prog-rock blending funk rhythms and melancholic melodies. Though sticking to their signature style, the band shows renewed inspiration and production clarity. The reviewer prefers full albums but appreciates this EP's quality. The band is already working on a third EP, signaling ongoing creativity. Dive into A.C.T's Heatwave EP and experience fresh, energetic prog-rock that blends funk and melancholy—listen now!

 Sylvan has crafted an album absolutely in line with their style. Relaxed, refined, elegant, ultimately quite consistent.

 They had the intellectual honesty to contain the overall duration; here they limit themselves to 65 minutes.

Sylvan's 'One to Zero' is a delicately crafted neo-prog album that continues the band's trend of refined, subtle sound established in recent works. Despite its elegance and clarity, the album suffers from a lack of variety and some prolix moments, particularly in longer tracks. Vocalist Marco Glühmann's talent is somewhat subdued due to stylistic choices. Highlights include more energetic tracks that break the characteristic calm. Overall, it is a consistent work but offers limited surprises. Listen to Sylvan’s One to Zero for a refined neo-prog journey blending elegance with subtle energy.

 Transatlantic managed to "exceed with lightness," they pushed beyond with duration, but every moment is very lean.

 The abridged version feels like a reduced commercial edition rather than a truly different interpretation.

The review explores Transatlantic’s ambitious double-album 'The Absolute Universe,' highlighting its two distinct versions and complex debate about its suite-like nature. While stylistically classic prog rock with modern touches, the album experiments with song structures blending pop and progressive elements. The reviewer favors the extended edition but critiques the abridged version as a commercial compromise. Vocal interchangeability and musical intricacies are praised, affirming Transatlantic's status in updated classic prog. Dive into Transatlantic’s 'The Absolute Universe' and experience the evolution of classic prog rock with two unique versions!

 The Swedes have become a guarantee of quality, and once again, they display their compositional prowess.

 Escape of the Phoenix seems a bit too much like a repetition of what was done in the previous three albums and doesn’t really add anything new.

Evergrey's twelfth album, Escape of the Phoenix, continues the band's current artistic phase with solid composition and varied synth usage. While maintaining quality and sharp sound, it feels like a safe extension of previous works with no standout novelty. Highlights include gothic atmospheres and notable synth work, plus a duet with James LaBrie. The review expresses hope for more evolution in future releases. Discover Evergrey's latest album and experience the blend of sharp guitars and rich synths—listen now and decide if it’s their best yet!