Screen shot 2013-04-10 at 12.43.28 PM

Ceephax – Cro Magnox

Ceephax takes a break from his typical acid techno-tinged song production style to create a collection of electronic pieces that sound a bit more epic, cinematic. Numerous cuts of Cro Magnox sound as if they could serve as the perfect soundtrack to a b-movie produced in the 80s–preferably some kind of action, sci-fi hybrid.

Even funkier tracks like “Natural Specturm” have a beautifully eerie quality to them. It’s nice to know that this guy can produce danceable tracks as well as stuff that’s a little more cerebral. Enjoy!

feet

Steven Wilson – The Raven Who Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)

With a new solo release, modern prog rock figurehead Steven Wilson pulls together a series of tracks that feel like they function more on formulas than they do feelings.

WATCH THE REVIEW

Screen shot 2013-02-14 at 11.28.11 AM

Grayceon – Pearl and the End of Days

San Francisco-based doom/progressive/noise outfit Grayceon just released a new EP yesterday for free on Flenser Record’s bandcamp page. This is certainly one of the most exciting pieces of progressive metal I’ve heard this year. If you’re a fan of dreamy, ethereal vocals being layered on top of sludge riffs, unpredictable time-signature and instrumentation changes, and a general sense of adventurousness within the confines of heavy music, give these guys a listen.

Screen shot 2013-02-11 at 1.14.07 PM

Portal – “The Back Wards”

Stream: Portal – “The Back Wards”

A twisted new track from the forthcoming album from death metal maniacs Portal. It’s as technical as it is atmospheric, and seriously disturbing with its sour melodies, abrasive guitar tones, and soupy mix.

Portal’s next album is titled Vexvoid, and it’s looking at a Feb. 19th release via Profound Lore.

Screen shot 2013-01-30 at 2.53.17 PM

Intronaut – “Milk Leg”

Stream: Intronaut – “Milk Leg”

Aside from heaviness, L.A.’s Intronaut is an extremely difficult to describe and pigeonhole. While many bands are busy focusing on catering their songs to niche audiences in extreme music, Intronaut is constantly busy exploring new creative avenues while still retaining their core sound of progressive and sludgy metal. Danny Walker and Joe Lester also just might be the best rhythm section in the realm of metal right now. In an Isis-less world, it’s refreshing to hear music this consistently great. Their upcoming LP, Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones), will also be released on March 19th on Century Media Records.

feet

King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King

CLASSICS WEEK: Decades after its release, In the Court of the Crimson King still stands tall as one of the greatest and most relevant progressive rock albums ever.

WATCH THE REVIEW

Screen shot 2012-12-04 at 10.37.51 AM

Guzzlemug- Nervously Counting Rosary Beads

On their bandcamp, Chicago’s Guzzlemug promises a 29-minute epic with the piece “Nervously Counting Rosary Beads,” and they more or less deliver with a group chorus, sludgy guitar riffs, and intensely improvised freakouts! Enjoy via the widget above, and check out the band’s latest project here.

/via/

Screen shot 2012-11-29 at 8.48.30 AM

Kiran Leonard- “The End Times”

Kiran Leonard is an ambitious, young multi-instrumentalist who conceptually reaches beyond the limits most bedroom recording artists set for themselves. He proves that with this new piece of his, “The End Times,” which is a 24-minute piece that deals in a bit of pop, prog, and drone. It’s a musical tribute to the Myan-predicted end of the world, which is set to arrive on December 21st of this year. So, give a listen via the widget above while you can, or download it for free on Bandcamp.

feet

Between the Buried and Me- The Parallax II: Future Sequence

On their sixth studio album, Between the Buried and Me creates its campiest album yet, blending their usual progressive tendencies with the overly theatrical antics of bands like Dream Theater.

WATCH THE REVIEW

feet

Between the Buried and Me- “Astral Body”

A detailed, winding track from the new Between the Buried and Me album, the Parallax II: Future Sequence, which is coming out next week on Metal Blade. The band really knows how to pen a metal track with some interesting progressions. Typically, stuff like this is a little too pristine for me–especially when the cleanly sung vocals come into play–but this was a sweet listen. The intro is too tight to deny. In other words, they rocked it.