FAT MAN DON'T PLAY: Art With Drive

Define the mission of Fat Man Don’t Play. I would say that my mission is to create music and art that drives me and gives me a sense of relief. I use music creation as a coping mechanism to deal with emotion, and worldly troubles in general. Tell me about the creative process that informed your recent EP “Vilomah”. I am constantly creating and coming up with ideas. These 4 songs seemed to fit…

Album Review: SCIOLENT - Chiaroscuro

As I’m writing this review, I’ve probably listened to this album dozens of times. This is the type of album that motivated me to start reviewing in the first place. A band of this caliber not being signed or at least getting some exposure is ludicrous in every sense of the word. The (one-man) band I’m talking about, of course, is Sciolent. “Chiaroscuro” is one of those albums that, musically, a…

SCIOLENT:

German one-man art rock band Sciolent has launched a new album back in December. Entitled “Chiaroscuro,” it brings 11 songs of masterfully crafted combination of alternative and progressive rock. Sciolent answered our questionnaire about the work on the album. Define the mission of Sciolent. If I said I had a clear mission in mind with this project, I’d probably be lying. It started out as me…

“The Path” by Toulouse, France-based group Light is an orchestral progressive/alternative rock album that showcases the band’s ability to blend the complexity and technicality of progressive rock with the grandeur and emotional depth of orchestral music. The album opens with an epic 14-minute “Seekness,” a track that sets the tone for the rest of the album with its blend of heavy guitar riffs,…

The self-titled album by a French act Orbital Platypus is an instrumental progressive fusion album that seamlessly blends the complexity and technicality of progressive metal with the improvisation and harmonic sophistication of jazz. Following an intro, the album opens with “Ignition”, a track that showcases the band’s ability to create intricate and dynamic compositions that seamlessly…

“Voices from the Past” by Moldovan songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Artur Baryshev is an instrumental progressive rock/jazz fusion album that explores the boundaries of both genres. Baryshev who masterfully plays a guitar, a bass, keyboard, a melodica and drums, creates a sound that is both cerebral and visceral, with each track taking the listener on a journey through a variety of…

“Starman Rising” by Singapore-based Astrochemists is an instrumental progressive sludge metal album that showcases the duo’s ability to create powerful and emotive music without relying on vocals. One giant track that is split in parts, “Starman Rising” draws the listener into the band’s massive soundscapes, which are built on a foundation of heavy, distorted guitar riffs, thundering drums and…

The Non-Playable Characters, a progressive rock band from Rio de Janeiro, have just released a new lyric video. “Chaotic Line Between Two Points, Pt. 2” has the amazing participation of Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, Planet X, ex-Dream Theater) who created some ground-breaking keyboard solos for the song. This single closes off their debut album “Post Earth Episode 1: Autosaving”, which tells…

When thinking of a prospective ‘album of the year,’ bands that I have followed for years come to mind. Generally, an established band at the peak of their creative finesse, or an older band making a big comeback will take the cake. Very seldom however, does a relatively new band on the scene ever get a chance at releasing something that makes most of the other albums released last year shallow in…

Multinational prog project ARAN has recently launched a concept album entitled “EVO – A Progressive Journey.” Founder, songwriter, and bassist Massimiliano Gentilini spoke for Prog Sphere about it. Define the mission of Aran Prog Project. I think that Aran’s mission is to find new ways in the progressive world to explore with music and sensations. We try to create original art mixing between…

Illinois-based songwriter Brian Butts has added another great released to his catalogue. The newest addition is titled “Concentricity,” and about the album Brian tells us in a new interview. Tell me about the creative process that informed your new release “Concentricity.”. My pieces generally start by composing a “skeleton” on the guitar – typically a series of chord changes, melodic ideas,…

Australian progressive rock act The Slow Light has shifted from being an instrumental band with the release of their new full-length album “Liminal.” Prog Sphere talked with the mainman Jack Bolingbroke (vocals, guitars, synths) about the release, creative challenges, and more. Define the mission of The Slow Light. The Slow Light is a Progressive Rock band from Adelaide, Australia. It began as a…

Oslo-based djent trio Kingseeker launched their latest opus entitled “Daily Reminders” back in January. We talked with singer Jan Magne Abel Opsahl about the album, its message and more. Describe the musical frameworks your new album “Daily Reminders” explores. It explores some facets when it comes to mental illness to varying degrees and how that affects you through addiction, loss of loved…

Indian instrumental experimental act IOISH has launched a new single from the forthcoming album “In Waves.” The music video for “What You Need It For” is streaming now via the band’s YouTube channel. Watch it below. The single, mixed and mastered by Brett Caldas Lima, marks the 10th anniversary of IOISH. Commented the founder Vaibhav Bhutani: “I always had a vision to make an audio-visual themed…

The Maple Verse is a solo project by London-based songwriter Bartek Kosinski. The project’s full-length debut titled ‘Prove Me Wrong‘ is scheduled for the October 21st release, and it brings nine carefully crafted tunes that largely depend on the dynamics, making for a refreshing listen. In an interview for Prog Sphere, Bartek tells us about his vision, the album, and more. Define the mission of…

Based out of Ashland in Oregon, Raze the Maze is a progressive rock duo featuring Tarik Ragab and Moorea Dickason, who previously worked together in MoeTar. The duo just released their sophomore studio album entitled “7am Dream“, a follow-up to the self-titled debut which was launched in July 2019. In an interview for Prog Sphere, Moorea and Tarik tell us about their work, the new album, and…

Back in July, Perth, Australia-based progressive rock five-piece Black Stone Brewers launched a new single entitled ‘Cut the Cord.’ The single was featured on our recent Progotronics 39 compilation. Robert Thomas (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Jonathan Maltman (rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals) sat down with Prog Sphere to answer some questions about the band, the single, and what’s planned for the…