Tuneidge

Temples are a brilliant 4-piece psychedelic pop band from Kettering, England who have smacked me upside the head with their incredible musical generosity. I first stumbled onto the song ‘The Golden Throne’ and wasn’t quite sure what I was hearing. Some long-forgotten 70′s gold or a modern stroke of genius? Turns out it’s the latter and I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor. Honestly, I hate to risk over hyping but I just can’t bring myself to withhold love. You wouldn’t want me to do that would you? That wouldn’t be fun for either of us, so here we go:

Sun Structures is exploding at the seams with beautiful vocal harmonies, refreshing yet retro riffs, and a purposeful quality to its composition that is undeniably impressive. They’re willing to experiment with a variety of styles and instruments to create a whimsical fabric that seems to be painted with ease. To use fairly crude examples, in many ways this record is done in the spirit of the Beatles/Zeppelin boom during their more psychedelic periods. The natural flow of the album provides a true concept feel, not in literal themes, but in setting an atmosphere/world that these pieces live in comfortably together. I believe this to be a modern classic that will hopefully inspire newer generations to continue exploring this sound. Truly captivating work from one of the most promising young bands out there today.

Stream it on Spotify or pick it up on iTunes/Amazon

Seven Year Storm is the work of drummer Sean Lang who released an EP titled 'Aion I' this February. I was blown away by this concise progressive effort and its ability to draw the listener in. Constantly building through their use of contagious polyrhythms and complimentary guitar-work, Seven Year Storm have put an incredible album out that satisfies an itch I've had for a while now. It's refreshing and intense while infusing a melodic, energetic flow that really doesn't have a weak moment. With no filler and the progressive nature of the compositions, Aion I will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. I absolutely cannot wait to hear more from these guys and give this record many more spins. Highly recommended to fans of BTBAM/AAL/Cloudkicker.

Stream it on Bandcamp below or pick it up for $5

Periphery are a band that has so much creativity bursting forth from its djentle teddy bear seams that they needed to release a double album titled Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega. I'm talking about Omega in this review because it's been my favorite thus far and is the heaviest of the two.

The first thing you'll notice is that there are thematic melodies that pop up throughout this concept album. This incredible attention to composition and flow within not one, but two full-length albums is really quite impressive. From start to finish, Omega is unrelentingly energetic and full of peaks that keep going beyond where you expect they might. The other important note I'll say with progressive records like this is that they're very dense with a high replay value. I've probably listened to the album 6 or 7 times through at this point and I continue to find new details that didn't present themselves earlier. 

With Peripery's trademark groove and full stop riffs that climb and arpeggiate all within the same breath are at their heaviest with a lot of 8-string work throughout the album. I have to say that the title track 'Omega' is my absolute favorite so far. The progression taken throughout this 11+ minute epic is such a fun ride that pays off so consistently, it's a wonder they don't write more songs of this length. I'll also add that the mixing is crystal clear and Spencer's vocals are at their absolute best with killer screams and memorable melodies. Highly recommend this release to any modern metal fan, but even more-so if you love ambitious progressive concept albums.

Stream it on Spotify or pick it up everywhere.

Soen are a progressive metal super-group of sorts that released a fantastic album titled 'Tellurian' late last year. Comprised of ex-Opeth, Death, and Testament members - they have a stacked arsenal of metal veterans that have some powerful musical ideas. Entirely clean-singing with instrumental work akin to earlier Opeth, Tool, and Karnivool in particular. Martin Lopez really shines on this album in his versatility and tom-work on drums. His ability to create complex builds that ebb and flow with every other member is very inspiring. No one is ever fighting for real estate within the mix, and the limelight is equally shared within the band. It's quite rare to have such restraint in favor of the overall 'feel', basically the complete opposite of shredding. I would say that 'Ennui' and particularly the final track 'The Others Fall' are the strongest tracks, but the album as a whole is quite cohesive without a weak song in the bunch. Highly recommend this one to any progressive metal fans looking for clean vocals and moody atmosphere that pays off in all the right places.

Stream it on Spotify or pick it up wherever you purchase music.

Vulfpeck are a 4-piece funk band from Los Angeles California who I just found out about through Cristopher Ryan's podcast: Tangentially Speaking. The intro was a snippet from Fugue State and the groove was just too much for me not to investigate. Which leads to why we're gathered here today - to talk about their latest album which came out in August last year. It's an unabashedly fun record that really makes the most of each vibe explored throughout. Basically, it's guaranteed to put you in a good mood, especially the 5th track, 'Christmas in L.A. (Instrumental)' which I can't stress enough as the repeat button record holder. Tight beats, groovy as F basslines and organ + guitar parts that are as tasteful as they are strangely nostalgic. There's really nothing to dislike, it's just some great material by a super fun band, so check it out.

Stream or drop $6 for this release on their Bandcamp below.

Encircle is a 5-piece band from Tampa who released the 5-track album titled 'Lost Chronicles' in  mid January. It rides the line between extremely strong deathcore and instrumental prog while still experimenting here and there to add variety to the experience. The compositions are undeniably modern while still calling to a dark, energetic place that I've not seen since the Raven Autarchy or Veil of Maya. A heavy emphasis on groove, energetic riffs that bring the Djentleman calling, plus they have every type of singing making an appearance which keeps you guessing throughout. The standout track for me is the closing track  'And So The Nightly Hunt Begins' which runs the full gamut of pallets Encircle has to offer.

Stream or Name Your Price for this release on their Bandcamp.

Tatran is a groovy instrumental post-rock band from Tel Aviv, Israel and their latest album 'Shvat' is an incredibly fun journey. This 3-piece loves to dance circles around the listener until they find a groove that will captivate you and expand on itself to such a satisfying degree. There are a lot of influences that creep in every so often that gave me a distinct early Mars Volta vibe, which really hit my nostalgia in the gut (in a good way). I should also mention that there's a cover of Strawberry Fields Forever that I was afraid might be a misstep but it's so damn good.

'Demian' is the standout track for me but the entire album is just so fun from front to back. Check it out below on their Bandcamp.

Revocation are more metal than any metal band out there right now, and they're from Boston. Their latest album 'Deathless' will be hailed as an album of the year with absolute certainty and really sent my undergarments flying. I saw these guys live at the 2012 summer slaughter tour but was unfamiliar with their work, though they put on a great show. I decided to give Deathless a go because the artwork was fantastic and I'd been hearing so much buzz about their progression as a band. It's really one of the most well rounded metal albums I've heard in a long time and gives the feeling that I imagine many metalheads had in the 80's during the peak of Maiden/Metallica classics.

This has some of the most amazingly successful solos in terms of phrasing and general tone that's kept throughout the record and for that they should be praised. To be sure, there isn't a weak track in the bunch and I think that's what makes this such a stellar record - the consistency is off the charts. Standout tracks for me would be the title track 'Deathless' and 'Scorched Earth Policy' if not only for the incredible ending.

Adebisi Shank, winner of the world's most confusing band name and by virtue of that also takes the cake for difficulty-to-recommend. With that being said, they have a third album that's real great. This Irish trio is 2 parts lightning bolt, 1 part chiptune, and a whole lot of building. It really is all about the build for this band and it's just so damn fun. There's a nice heavy edge and lots of interesting guitar parts that are accentuated by the supremely passionate drums and chaotic electronic elements. Just check it out, you'll appreciate most elements at the very least, I guarantee it.

Starcadian is a creator of ear movies (in his own words), and I think that's about as accurate as you can get. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY - his unique retro electronica stylings have a distinct 80's soundtrack vibe from album cover to last track. Saturdaze is his 2nd album and strongest work yet in my book. Oozing with synthesizers and dance beats, Saturdaze puts it's best foot forward with Ultralove and keeps a rock solid flow from then on out. The standout track for me was 'Alien Victory' which is a fantastic track that feels more epic than anything he's done so far. While the sound pallete screams 80's, the arrangements are undoubtedly modern and bring something unique to the table.

Stream 'Saturdaze' below on his Bandcamp.

Opeth is a band that has always reminded me of the type of music you might hear if you were to travel back to the dark ages and hand a group of underground bandits instruments of immense power. They create epic, winding tales of woe and beautifully haunting solitude while balancing them with the aggression and anger that those going into battle would fuel to the end. 'Pale Communion' is their latest release and while I was disappointed that the aggression and anger has turned into prog rock with a hint of psychedelia, the same genius that makes Opeth special is in play. Let it be known that I'm bias in a big way - Ghost Reveries being one of my favorite albums of all time, it's a bit tough for me to criticize them much.

Many fans are beginning to check out due to the lack of Akerfeldt's thunderous growls and metal-level distortion, but I've found that when artists make a drastic musical change to something that really speaks to them at this age and time in their lives, you need to appreciate their vision for change. That being said, this album continues to grow on me with every listen. So if you are unfamiliar with Opeth or have never been a fan of their past material, I'd recommend checking this one out with an open mind and the expectation that the 70's are in full force on this record.

Stream 'Pale Communion' below on Spotify and/or pick it up.

The Helix Nebula began as a studio project for 2 Australian guitarists, but they've recently acquired a drummer and bass/production members rounding them out to a tour-enabled, album-writing behemoth. Their debut release titled 'Meridian' released in the U.S. today on Bandcamp, Spotify and iTunes and it is well worth the listen. I heard the single 'Sea of Suns' a little while back and was incredibly excited for what was to come from the Helix Nebula. Now lo and behold, they've exceeded my expectations with ease and written a technically demanding, melodic instrumental piece that ties all of its varying influences into one spectacularly well done package. Meridian is packed to the brim with riffs that would make any death metal guitarist proud but they exist within this ethereal atmosphere that a lot of modern progressive metal is constantly attempting to hit. Highly recommend this to fans of Intervals and Between the Buried and Me.

First time back on here in a while, so hopefully I'll be able to post everything I missed in the past few months.

Stream 'Meridian' below and/or pick it up for $5

Animals as Leaders have been a huge player in the progressive metal renaissance and show no signs of slowing down. Tosin Abasi, the mastermind behind AAL, Berklee Grad, 8-string connoisseur, and unbridled fashionista has still found new ways to push the walls out. The latest release titled 'The Joy of Motion' is an absolute trip, and in my opinion a stronger effort than Weightless, though I enjoyed that thoroughly as well. Two-hand tapping techniques, thumb-slap techniques, and various other tricks are all utilized to full form on this album and in new inventive ways even for Tosin. The stand-out tracks for me are without a doubt the single 'Tooth and Claw' and 'The Future That Awaited Me' as they have the most memorable themes and demonstrate the full variety of the bands signature style.

Stream 'The Joy of Motion' below and/or pick it up

Anup Sastry has recently released a new 4-track EP titled 'Lion' that follows his meticulously programmed Djent side-project and continues refining his process. It's a quick, concise listen that's highly enjoyable and extremely groovy, and as an added bonus, it features a gnarly solo by none other than Jakub Zytecki. If you're familiar with his first album 'Ghost' this will be a strong, more focused effort that for the price is a no-brainer.

Stream 'Lion' below and/or name your price

Alaya are a 3-piece progressive metal group from Chicago that have just released their first full length album titled 'Thrones'. Ultra tight palm muted rhythms with ambient, melodic backings paired with Safety Fire style vocals that are clean with a subtle scream that rises and falls with some of the more powerful transitions. At times 'Thrones' feels a bit sterile in the production department, mainly by way of the snare and chopping on a lot of the single notes during chugging sections. There are a lot of great progressions throughout that twist and turn from more straightforward structures to some of the longer-form, classic prog forms. Alaya show a lot of promise and have put out a solid album to be sure but I can see a lot more room for experimentation within this style. I think their biggest downfall is playing it a bit too safe. Either way, they don't really sound a lot like their label-mates and definitely offer a unique sound so be sure to check out a track or two.

Stream 'Thrones' below and/or pick it up for $13

Numbers may have the most ambiguous metal band name of the bunch but they've really achieved a unique take with their latest full-length titled 'Three'. Hailing from Seattle, this 4-piece have no qualms about genre-hopping between Djent, Metalcore, Rock, and with the addition of keyboards, they're able to experiment with clashing any and all of the above. With catchy choruses and groove-laiden riffs, they offer a very strong in-your-face sound that surprises at every turn. The largest element at play is the synth/orchestral additions that really make Three sound like they're paving their own way among their counterparts. If you're looking for something unique and packed with Djent to dive into, look no further.

Stream 'Three' below and/or pick it up for $12

Conquering Dystopia is a super-group of epic proportions in the metal community consisting of Jeff Loomis, Alex Webster, Keith Marrow, and the incredible Alex Rudinger. Their first self-titled clocks in at almost 60 minutes and is packed to the gills with incredible riffs and paralyzing heaviness. Somewhere in between Necrophagist, The Faceless, and a hint of Sylosis - this is a monstrous full-length. Everything from ultra fast, technical riffing to the more ambient melodic sections, they've really experimented in a nice selection of metal sub-genres that all feel connected to the same world. I'm a massive fan of Alex Rudinger and his work here is about as good as it gets - super creative and so absurdly on-point it makes my feet hurt. Jeff Loomis brings so much to the table here that it's a wonder he hasn't run out of material over the years. The leads, solos, and general progressions are exceptionally dark but uplifting at the same time providing a great blend of styles throughout. Don't miss out on this one if you're a metal fan in any way - it really won't disappoint.

Stream 'Conquering Dystopia' below and/or pick it up for $10