splinter

 An album truly unclassifiable; it doesn’t fit in any precise genre and presents truly unique and astonishing solutions.

 Pain of Salvation once again show themselves to be bold, audacious, and indifferent to criticism.

Panther by Pain of Salvation defies genre boundaries with an eclectic mix of prog, industrial, and electronic sounds. The album showcases bold experimentation and diversity across tracks. Despite a raw, lo-fi production that may divide listeners, the work retains the band's unique identity and audacity. A standout is the title track's unexpected nod to Linkin Park, exemplifying the band's fearless creativity. Overall, Panther is recognized as a daring and memorable album from 2020. Discover the fearless and genre-defying sounds of Panther by Pain of Salvation—listen now and experience prog experimentation at its finest!

 When you’re about to press play, you need to prepare psychologically for the fact that you won’t find particular flashes of genius.

 It is perhaps the band’s least daring and courageous album, based on more or less established technical clichés and playing with them wisely.

Haken’s Virus is a heavy, technically impressive album that embraces a dominant metal and djent style, but sacrifices the band’s signature originality and creative flair. The album features standout drumming and intricate guitar work, though the keyboards are subdued and the vocals remain unremarkable. While energy and craftsmanship are strong, the album feels less daring and inventive than previous releases. Virus stands as a solid but less inspired continuation of Vector, appealing to fans of technical metal but perhaps ranking lower among the band’s works. Discover Haken's heaviest album yet — listen to Virus and explore its technical metal mastery today!

 "You truly breathe in what we all experienced during the difficult period between March and April."

 "I hadn’t heard a work so linked to narrative function for years, probably never felt it."

Mariusz Duda’s album Lockdown Spaces was inspired by the Covid-19 lockdown, creating a sonic reflection of pandemic emotions through melodic electronic music. The instrumental composition conveys feelings of claustrophobia, uncertainty, and meditation, using repetition to mirror quarantine monotony. Though not rated among the best albums of 2020, it succeeds as a functional and atmospheric work. The album effectively narrates a unique period with sound, offering a thought-provoking listening experience. Listen to Mariusz Duda’s Lockdown Spaces and experience the haunting soundtrack of quarantine.

 'Leaves of Yesteryear' is a half-legitimate scam, with only three new tracks out of five.

 This Black Sabbath cover is truly incredible and even better than the original; a psychedelic ambient masterpiece of rare beauty.

Green Carnation returns after a long hiatus with 'Leaves of Yesteryear,' blending progressive metal and gothic ambient sounds. Though half the album includes a self-cover and a Black Sabbath cover, the new tracks show inspired musical growth. The band avoids repetition by refreshing old material with new nuances. The outstanding cover track impresses as a genuine Green Carnation reinterpretation. While the album structure is debated, the comeback is celebrated overall. Explore Green Carnation’s inspired comeback and discover the blend of prog metal and ambient atmospheres in Leaves of Yesteryear!

 They use rather old sounds making them seem incredibly modern – a feat not easy to achieve.

 'Prehensile Tales' is a modern gem of melodic symphonic prog but not too symphonic, with strokes of genius in between.

Pattern-Seeking Animals' second album, 'Prehensile Tales,' embraces longer, more progressive tracks while preserving the melodic appeal of their debut. The band merges vintage instruments with a modern sound, creating a compelling mix of stylistic variety and sophisticated arrangements. Despite some lengthy tracks feeling overstretched, the album's creativity and depth shine through. It stands as one of the best prog releases of the year and a worthy companion to their first album. Dive into the layered sounds of 'Prehensile Tales' and experience a fresh take on modern progressive rock today!

 One of the best albums of the year, endowed with a brilliant melody and a truly positive energy.

 The album is perfectly suspended between classic prog and neo-prog in an original mix that does not at all feel obsolete.

Pendragon’s Love Over Fear marks a welcomed return to their melodic neo-progressive roots while integrating subtle 70s and Celtic influences. The album combines bright keyboards with acoustic passages and occasional modern guitar tones. The vibrant cover art reflects the overall positive and luminous atmosphere. With a dynamic performance from new drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco and skillful reprises throughout, the album is considered one of the best of 2020. Discover Pendragon's Love Over Fear and immerse yourself in a vibrant neo-prog journey blending classic charm with modern energy!

 It’s their best album, almost as if these ten years of hiatus were intentional in order to come back in a grand way.

 This time we are in the presence of small indie-prog gems, perfectly balancing between prog, alternative, and psychedelia.

Pure Reason Revolution’s Eupnea marks a strong return after a long hiatus, delivering a blend of psychedelic indie and progressive rock reminiscent of their early work. The album balances short, accessible songs with longer, more complex tracks, showcasing the band's matured creativity. Although not fully traditional prog rock, Eupnea effectively captures a hybrid sound, drawing comparisons to Muse and Porcupine Tree. The unique album art and thoughtful tracklist contribute to its standout character. Overall, it's considered their best work and a needed comeback. Discover Pure Reason Revolution's Eupnea — dive into their enchanting blend of prog and indie rock today!

 "Conception as we left them, elegant, melancholic, just edgy enough, intelligent in solutions."

 "The long-awaited return has occurred... Conception had and still have a lot to say."

Conception's fifth album, 'State of Deception,' arrives 23 years after their last full release, maintaining the band’s signature elegant and melancholic sound. The album balances nostalgia and new elements but slightly lacks the magic of their earliest works. Standout tracks display the band's musical maturity, especially vocals by Roy Khan and guitar work by Tore Østby. While not overly powerful, the album appeals strongly to longtime fans anticipating their return. Discover Conception’s elegant prog-metal revival—listen to 'State of Deception' today and experience their timeless sound.

 "Kula World was ultimately a masterpiece of rare beauty, colorful, psychedelic, hypnotic, enigmatic, and annoying."

 It developed a sense of orientation, position, perspective, and three-dimensionality, as well as psychologically an attitude to see reality from different positions.

Kula World is a challenging and innovative 3D puzzle game for PlayStation, known for its complex mechanics and vibrant, psychedelic visuals. Players control a beach ball navigating intricate suspended block mazes under time constraints, requiring spatial thinking and patience. The game’s music and colorful design create a hypnotic atmosphere, making it memorable despite its difficulty. It remains a rare and noteworthy classic praised for its mind-sharpening gameplay and creative elements. Dive into Kula World’s hypnotic puzzles and vibrant worlds—challenge your mind and relive a retro classic today!

 This game was essentially a mix between a rudimentary soccer game, comedy, fighting, and fantasy.

 The goalkeeper sometimes seemed straight out of a Fantozzi movie, you couldn’t tell if he was clueless or pretending.

Adidas Power Soccer, a 1998 PlayStation game, is remembered for its surreal and robotic player movements and comedic, unrealistic gameplay. Rather than a true soccer simulator, it felt like a mix of soccer, fighting, and fantasy, offering both frustration and nostalgia. Despite its flaws and odd physics, the game holds a special place for the reviewer due to fond memories playing with family. Compared to more realistic peers like FIFA 98, it stands out for its quirky charm. Dive into the chaotic fun of Adidas Power Soccer and relive a truly unique retro soccer experience!