Back catalogue: Progressive Rock

Review: John Carpenter's knack for cinematic storytelling without the screen takes centre stage on this deluxe reissue, marking ten years since the release of the great American soundtrack artist's first Lost Themes edition. The new expanded edition, complete with artwork by Greg Ruth, offers more than just a nostalgic revisit; it adds a new 7" featuring two unreleased tracks, 'Cruisin' With Mr. Scratch' and 'Dominator', both pulled from the original sessions. When it first came out, the album stood out for its vivid, visceral style, blending horror, science fiction, and eerie synthwork into standalone pieces that could easily score unseen films.

Review: Dead Meadow's latest offering marks a major leap forward for the legendary American psychedelic trio, blending their signature sound with new emotional depth. While their past albums have dazzled with expansive, mind-melting riffs and heavy cosmic grooves, this release brings a raw, introspective energy that highlights their lasting presence in the psych-rock world. Tracks like 'The Space Between' and 'A Wave Away' show the band experimenting with softer, more reflective moments, balancing their traditionally heavy sound with delicate, expansive textures. Drummer Mark Laughlin delivers some of his best performances yet, especially on 'Dead Tree Shake,' while the influence of late bassist Steve Kille is strongly felt throughout. His final contributions are heard in the powerful closing track, 'Voyager to Voyager,' where his artistry resonates deeply. This album proves Dead Meadow are evolving i not just in their sound, but in the essence of what continues to make them a standout act in modern psychedelic rock.

Review: Machine Head is the 1972 sixth LP from Deep Purple, best known for its pandora's box-style unleashing of one of the best-recalled rock riffs in the world: 'Smoke On The Water'. Now Warner and Rhino honour the album's boisterous legacy with a comprehensive reissued version, with new mixes and previously unreleased live recordings all in tow. The new indie exclusive mainly recalls such intensive wildouts such as 'Never Before', 'Lazy' and 'Highway Star', all of which betray the tightest of tight early heavy metal playing, as the genre transpired gracefully outwards from the groundwater spring of rock & roll in the early-to-mid 70s; in fact, the band and album were considered somewhat responsible for the development for the heavy metal genre as a whole; no wonder Machine Head was their most successful album.

Review: Critically acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Steve Marion, known as Delicate Steve, drops his new album Delicate Steve Sings and the title raises questions. Does it refer to the distinct "voice" of his guitar, or is there actual singing this time? Marion's guitar sound is instantly recognisable and sets him apart in a crowded indie rock scene. His unique style has led to collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, Amen Dunes, and The Black Keys, and was even sampled by Kanye West. Inspired by Willie Nelson's Stardust during a trip to Greece, Marion's latest album channels iconic voices through his guitar and showcases its smooth, bold, and singular tone.

Review: Dream Division present their latest album Rose In The Garden Of Winter, a contemporary gothic disco undertaking of polished and still genre-various proportions. Echoing the stylistic ambitions of Bauhaus, but perhaps describably updating their sound for the modern ear, Dream Division offer a metamorphic record, able to shapeshift into a range of chiropteran forms: cinematic punk, dub, goth-disco, lounge, even interluding raga. Impressively, the personnel list on this record make up an intricate human nonagram, through the central vector on this ritual star is Tom McDowell, who handles synths, vocoder, production and songwriting and commands a puppeteer's control over various synthesists, sitar caressers and theremin cooers. Delightfully devilish throughout, A Rose... reminds of something between a lycanthropic, late 70s Mancunian punk blowout and a fanged Italo-disco bashment in which the sprinklers sprinkle blood on sight of a daywalker.

Review: Yet another addition to Rhino Records’ Start Your Ear Off Right series hears a reissue of prog metal band Dream Theater’s fifth studio album and first ever concept album. A sequel to the thrillingly titled Metropolis-Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper, this record builds an intensive recollective sonic theatre out of the mosaic themes of memory and depersonalisation. Themed around the subject of a young man undergoing past life regression therapy, the record is a compelling, initially psychotic howl into the night, and yet it proves an ultimately integrative, recursive experience, adding themes of murderousness and prophetic fate.

Review: The album stands as a bold testament to progressive metal, combining complex arrangements, heavy instrumentation and deeply introspective themes. The band's musicianship is in peak form, with the guitarist delivering stunning solos that blend intricate leads and rhythmic precision. The music oscillates between hard-hitting tracks and melodic ballads, with standout moments in songs like the aggressive 'Lie', the challenging 'The Mirror' and the emotional depth of 'Lifting Shadows off a Dream'. There are also reflective acoustic pieces and an instrumental, showcasing the band's versatility. Lyrically, the album explores existential themes with sharp, cynical undertones, while recurring musical motifs provide a sense of cohesion. The album is ambitious and complex, balancing heaviness with moments of subtlety, making it a rewarding experience for listeners who appreciate intricate compositions and raw emotional expression.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Yet another addition to Rhino Records’ Start Your Ear Off Right series hears a reissue of prog metal band Dream Theater’s fifth studio album and first ever concept album. A sequel to the thrillingly titled Metropolis-Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper, this record builds an intensive recollective sonic theatre out of the mosaic themes of memory and depersonalisation. Themed around the subject of a young man undergoing past life regression therapy, the record is a compelling, initially psychotic howl into the night, and yet it proves an ultimately integrative, recursive experience, adding themes of murderousness and prophetic fate.

Review: Dream Theater's 1997 recording finds the band balancing their complex progressive roots with a newfound accessibility. The intricate instrumental passages and shifting time signatures remain intact, but the melodies lean towards a more streamlined approach, offering a sharper focus on hooks and emotive delivery. There's an underlying tension between technical virtuosity and a desire to connect on a broader level, creating a record that feels as exploratory as it is deliberate. The production captures the weight and precision of their sound while adding a polished edge, making for a deeply layered yet approachable listen.