“In the music business, the line between hobby and professional endeavor is often blurry. For brand-new musicians, the line might even be non-existent. And, every once in a while, a record graces our promo pile that is undeniably pure and authentic in a way only possible if its creator pours something deeply personal into the music. There is little doubt that this was the case for Jason Tyler when he formed Illusia in Manchester, UK. He took on a few bandmates and guest vocalists to help bring his progressive metal debut Mind over Matter to life, though he retains most of the songwriting and recording duties. How well might his passion project connect with a wider audience upon first exposure?” Smoke, mirrors, mind matters.
Progressive Rock
Phantom Spell – Heather & Hearth Review
“During the 16 years that AMG has been a thing, I have criticized the trend of reaching back for the sounds of yore and creating high-fidelity copies. Dubbed “Nostalgiacore,” I regularly razzed Steel Druhm about his obsession with his lost glory days and heartily rolled my eyes at Rethrash. I thumbed my nose at the 3,500 bands a week we were getting in 2015, wearing bell-bottoms and writing Black Sabbath riffs 45 years after Black Sabbath was released.” Ruh roh…
A-Z – A2Z² Review
“In the eyes of a legacy creator, novelty and personal excitement drive the continued pursuit of the release. Mark Zonder, esteemed drummer of Warlord and formerly of Fates Warning, lives by this mantra, using A-Z as an outlet for his frenetic rhythmic focus surrounded by the performances of trusted partners.” Prog letters by the numbers.
Nad Sylvan – Monumentata Review
“Nad Sylvan has enjoyed a decade-long stint in my music library and rambling writings at Angry Metal Guy. His “vampire” trilogy (Courting the Widow, The Bride Said No and The Regal Bastard) offers a charming platter of 70s-influenced progressive rock, but I immediately found the twee successor entitled Spiritus Mundi irritating; so I promptly handed off the review to someone else. But the passage of four years – and the exit of the intervening reviewer – sees my return to the musical realms of this bold Swede.” Nads to spare.
THRÆDS – Impermanence Review
“Adding to my list of bands with irregular monikers, German progressive post-metal/rock group THRÆDS (pronounced “Threads”) is the latest to fall under the scrutiny of my wide-eyed gaze. Formed in 2019 as a solo project by guitarist Angelos Tzamtzis, THRÆDS has since grown into a multi-national five-piece. Their 2021 Akasha EP garnered the attention of Octopus Rising—an imprint of Argonauta Records—which is now releasing their debut full-length, Impermanence. The promotional material for this Berlin-based quintet bills itself as a seamless blend of progressive post-metal alongside atmospheric rock.” Thread and dread.
Katatonia – Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State Review
“Sixteen years is all Jonas Renkse had to his name when he and Anders Nyström formed Katatonia back in 1991. A myriad of classic influences and the bravado of youth guided their fledgling minds down much rawer, doomier, and death-colored paths than Katatonia travels in 2025. But after thirty-plus years on the job—and a messy spat between old friends—nothing could possibly stay the same. The urge to find efficiencies in expression may overcome the urge to blaze an unknown path or revisit roots. What always remains in the Katatonia expression, though, is an unshakable and downtrodden atmosphere—time hasn’t rid the remaining Renkse of a bleak outlook on the world.” The bleak in review.
Benthos – From Nothing Review
“It’s sexy when things you love collide with things you hate. My lust for mathcore is well-established – I go hard for that mind-numbing dyscalculic tinnitus any day – but if you put a slab of prog metal in front of me, I’m gonna go as flaccid as a gummy worm in a hot car faster than you can say “Wilderun.” That’s Benthos. The Italian collective slides a platter of progressive rock’s lush, ambivalent, and emotive movements alongside mathcore’s jagged edges and feral energy, and you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love and hate – and get hot and bothered by.” The fresh maker.
Maud the Moth – The Distaff Review
“We all take shape in the form that others prescribe—an embodiment that may run counter to how we see ourselves. Yet, in this world of heavy artistry whose inception rests in the bravery and drama and drive against the on-the-tracks trajectory of rock music—often too in sneer at traditional thought patterns—we search for freedom in amplified wisdom, reckless rhythms, and voices that soar above it all. Maud the Moth, in piano and vocal-based lamentations, appears to us not in the rev and leather that symbolize the traditional call of heavy metal.” Leave the lights on.
Mad Parish – The Dust of Forever Review
“Woe betide the lowly copywriter / AI bot that dared to write that a band was ‘for fans of’ Iron Maiden, Virgin Steele, Camel, Rush and Rainbow. Iron Maiden and Camel are among my favorite acts in any genre, while the latter two boast a couple of the best rock albums ever released. Following this description I metaphorically elbowed other staffers aside to reach the sophomore Mad Parish record entitled The Dust of Forever. It’s certainly ambitious, weaving its yarn over 71 minutes and 21 tracks, including ten that run no more than two minutes designed to tell the album’s story through atmospheric interludes.” To dust return.
Bergthron – Neu Asen Land Review
“Some people just can’t be rushed. Neu Asen Land is the first sign of life from the German atmospheric/progressive black metal band Bergthron since 2010. That’s a 15-year hiatus lasting almost the entire time that our beloved blog has been in operation! The exact identities of the band members have historically been difficult to ascertain, but the promotional material describes them as explorers who used this time for expeditions to remote forests and the Arctic Circle. Talk about a sabbatical!” Back to work!



















