Prog rock

[JAnonymous5150]

I will definitely be checking this out later today- just trying to catch up on the many releases of late. I did have to get this one down first- great band from Norway that doesn’t seem to get a lot of attention here. I love the “unpolished” approach to their production.

Now Playing:
Motorpsycho- “Self titled”

Motoropsycho has a new release out! How the hell did I miss this?!?!

I'll have to check it out after I get back to the hotel later on tonight/tomorrow morning. I can't wait to hear what they've put together. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Designsfx]

Motoropsycho has a new release out! How the hell did I miss this?!?!

I'll have to check it out after I get back to the hotel later on tonight/tomorrow morning. I can't wait to hear what they've put together. Thanks for the heads-up!

In typical Motor fashion it opens with a strange one and it took me a few to get back into the swing of these guys. I’m not trying to spoil it for you but by the time you get about three tracks in you won’t stop listening. The rhythms they create in this are trance like- if your a fan you’ll love it!

I’m warming up a vintage set of tubes as I type this so that I can hear Sutej in the perfect form! I previewed it earlier and decided to wait until I could rotate the bottles.

 

[rids57]

I will definitely be checking this out later today- just trying to catch up on the many releases of late. I did have to get this one down first- great band from Norway that doesn’t seem to get a lot of attention here. I love the “unpolished” approach to their production.

Now Playing:
Motorpsycho- “Self titled”

Enjoyed this and am now slowly working my way through their HUGE discography - this may take a while. Considering how long they've been around I am surprised that I am only now hearing about them - they are really good.

 

[Mark Wollschlager]

Enjoyed this and am now slowly working my way through their HUGE discography - this may take a while. Considering how long they've been around I am surprised that I am only now hearing about them - they are really good.

Some of the Live stuff from Timothy's Monster is a bit hard to take, but the proggy elements of Heavy Metal Fruit, Death Defying Unicorn, Ancient Astronauts are worth a short cut.
The UK might be expensive shipping wise, but there are some good prices on discs here in the US at Wayside Music https://www.waysidemusic.com/search.aspx?keyword=motorpsycho

 

[JAnonymous5150]

In typical Motor fashion it opens with a strange one and it took me a few to get back into the swing of these guys. I’m not trying to spoil it for you but by the time you get about three tracks in you won’t stop listening. The rhythms they create in this are trance like- if your a fan you’ll love it!

I’m warming up a vintage set of tubes as I type this so that I can hear Sutej in the perfect form! I previewed it earlier and decided to wait until I could rotate the bottles.

I had basically the same experience, but by the end I was wishing it wasn't over. The way they use these kinds of off-kilter, weird tracks to set up the mood and get things rolling thematically is pretty brilliant, IMO. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. Goodness only knows how long I might've missed it for otherwise.

I'll be interested to see what you think of Sutej. Dude knows how to craft an album!

Edit: Forgot to drop a pick. This one is interesting. I rec'd the pre-release tracks they put out and now here's the whole album from the 18th of this month. I dig it, but I'm not sure how it'll sit with everyone else. It's certainly and interesting mix of styles.

Hamelin (rel. 2025) by King Garcia

 

[Designsfx]

The way they use these kinds of off-kilter, weird tracks to set up the mood and get things rolling thematically is pretty brilliant, IMO.

Yes- it takes a different mind set to approach music this way. I’ve met a few guys (back when I regularly played guitar) that would start crafting compositions from these short tinkering movements- which ultimately supported the entire song. You can hear a lot of that type of thing going on in the background of Danny Elfman stuff as well (amongst others). It’s awesome!

I'll be interested to see what you think of Sutej. Dude knows how to craft an album!

This guy is really good- and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this release. I backtracked a few of the songs over again just to get more and more of the detail. One thing I appreciate about players like this are their patience and sense of space. He really has a knack for not overplaying, his playing style is tasteful and the phrasing catches your attention. What I really appreciate is that he seems to approach things in a more “old school” fashion, not as technical as some of the newer players we hear today.
I did kind of get overloaded on it though as I rolled directly into another release he’s done called “The Emerging”. While being very good- I found myself becoming too distracted as this release gets a little overly symphonic (at least for me) and brings at times a much busier presentation. By the time it was over with I was burnt- but I still appreciated the man and his great work! Thank you again for bringing this one to our attention as I had not heard of him before.

 

[rids57]

I had basically the same experience, but by the end I was wishing it wasn't over. The way they use these kinds of off-kilter, weird tracks to set up the mood and get things rolling thematically is pretty brilliant, IMO. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. Goodness only knows how long I might've missed it for otherwise.

I'll be interested to see what you think of Sutej. Dude knows how to craft an album!

Edit: Forgot to drop a pick. This one is interesting. I rec'd the pre-release tracks they put out and now here's the whole album from the 18th of this month. I dig it, but I'm not sure how it'll sit with everyone else. It's certainly and interesting mix of styles.

Hamelin (rel. 2025) by King Garcia

https://kinggarcia.bandcamp.com/album/hamelin

This link goes to a preorder page from Bandcamp that I'm hoping they'll update. I couldn't wait so I purchased the album from Qobuz anyways.

Blown away by this, it's a real breath of fresh air with a lot of instruments not common to prog - just about to start my second play through

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Blown away by this, it's a real breath of fresh air with a lot of instruments not common to prog - just about to start my second play through

When I posted that I was really debating whether or not I should. I wasn't sure it would really click with anyone, but then I was thinking that if I was diggin' it as much as I was surely someone else would too. I'm beyond stoked that it's hitting right for you! I can't say that I've ever heard anything quite like it and their use of non-standard instruments and influences takes it to that next level. I've been stuck on it all day having listened to it like 4 times.

BTW, I figured out that their label's Bandcamp page is the place to hit to buy the DL so I'm gonna edit my original post with that link now for anyone interested.

Edit: Forgot to reply to @Designsfx: First off, I didn't even think of the Danny Elfman comparison, but that's actually a pretty good parallel. As for the general idea of using those weird, somewhat off-color or off-putting tracks/intros, I think it takes a lot of confidence in your musical skill, your ability to create a compelling album, and your understanding of your fanbase to know that you've got the latitude to push your fans into that almost disorienting space beyond their musical expectations and comfort zones while simultaneously knowing that you've got the skill and depth of material lined up to be able to draw your listeners back in, keeping them engaged, patient, and on the hook the whole time. The fact that they do it so successfully time and time again is downright impressive to me as a musician/songwriter.

Your opinions on Sutej Singh's playing are spot on. He definitely has a certain grounded feel to his playing style that I find to be so refreshing. In the midst of all that symphonic action and the layered compositions, the temptation or even the tendency to overplay would be hard to ignore/overcome for many guitarists on a solo album, but he seems entirely content to let his style do the talking rather than taking things in an overly technical direction that would almost certainly cross the line from playing into "wanking" as it's sometimes called. I, too find that smooth, somewhat understated style to be more emotionally evocative and expressive (not to mention more enjoyable in this instance).

When it comes to the overwhelming symphonic qualities of the other album, I didn't find it overwhelming, but I can see where it could become so were I in a different mood and I can certainly see where his latest album's more balanced approach comes off as more accessible and engaging in a less intense and dramatic way. I'm glad that you found plenty to enjoy. I'm actually trying trying to decide which one to spin before I move on to lesser fare and try to get some sleep.

 

[Progisus]

I had basically the same experience, but by the end I was wishing it wasn't over. The way they use these kinds of off-kilter, weird tracks to set up the mood and get things rolling thematically is pretty brilliant, IMO. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. Goodness only knows how long I might've missed it for otherwise.

I'll be interested to see what you think of Sutej. Dude knows how to craft an album!

Edit: Forgot to drop a pick. This one is interesting. I rec'd the pre-release tracks they put out and now here's the whole album from the 18th of this month. I dig it, but I'm not sure how it'll sit with everyone else. It's certainly and interesting mix of styles.

Hamelin (rel. 2025) by King Garcia

Absolutely love this!! I’ll be buying and giving the PGGB treatment. Edit: Bought on Qobuz as Bandcamp had no digital option I could see.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Absolutely love this!! I’ll be buying and giving the PGGB treatment. Edit: Bought on Qobuz as Bandcamp had no digital option I could see.

Wow, I wasn't expecting this one to be so well received! I pre-ordered the CD from Bandcamp after listening to the pre-release tracks, but I picked up the digital DL from Qobuz because the band's Bandcamp page didn't have a download. However, I found the digital DL available from Bandcamp on their label's page so I update the link in my original post so folks can find it there. I'm really happy that people are finding this album as enjoyable as I did.

To keep things topical, I'll put up the album I'm listening to this morning. It's a new band/album to me that I came across and through the first half I'm diggin' it quite a bit. It's even got lyrics/vocals!

Stuck in the Present (rel. 2018) by Face the Day

 

[rids57]

Magna Mater (2024) by Mother of Millions - I missed this when it was released six months ago but better late than never. Some excellent prog-metal from Greece, available on Qobuz and I presume all the other streamers.

 

[dacwizard]

I thought it was a great album and I actually preferred it to their last one. When I saw Russ Jennings listed on that track I was stoked. It was definitely a highlight.

Edit: Sutej Singh's new album is out and it's freakin' awesome!

Restless Relentless (rel. 2025) by Sutej Singh

For anyone after a bit more along the lines of this Sutej Singh album (and who wouldn’t be). I’ve recently discovered Nick Johnston a Canadian guitarist that covers a similar ground to Sutej.

This is his last years album “Child of Bliss” which is great. He has a a number of of others to investigate as well (on Qobuz and other platforms I expect). Currently listening to “Remarkably Human” which is also excellent.

*edit* - just finished Remarkably Human - it’s a bit more laid back than Child of Bliss, but perhaps even better!

<iframe style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer...list=false/track=1000345728/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="">Child of Bliss by Nick Johnston</a></iframe>

I had basically the same experience, but by the end I was wishing it wasn't over. The way they use these kinds of off-kilter, weird tracks to set up the mood and get things rolling thematically is pretty brilliant, IMO. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. Goodness only knows how long I might've missed it for otherwise.

I'll be interested to see what you think of Sutej. Dude knows how to craft an album!

Edit: Forgot to drop a pick. This one is interesting. I rec'd the pre-release tracks they put out and now here's the whole album from the 18th of this month. I dig it, but I'm not sure how it'll sit with everyone else. It's certainly and interesting mix of styles.

Hamelin (rel. 2025) by King Garcia

loving the King Garcia

 

[Gerald Massois]

I'm really liking this album by Gerald Massois. I don't understand the lyrics, but musically it's excellent in every way. Highly recommended.

Thank you !

 

[costabrothers]

What are your favorite prog rock bands? Mine are Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Neal Morse, Transatlantic, Spock's Beard, Pain of Salvation, Riverside, and Camel. Anyone have any recommendations as far as this genre goes in addition to the bands I listed?

I'm also a big progressive metal listener. Bands like Circus Maximus (they rule), Opeth, Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery, Amorphis, Ayreon, and sometimes stuff like Canvas Solaris.

Anyone have any similar tastes or even recommendations? There's just so much stuff in the progressive rock and metal genres. There's always these side projects. I can't even count how many side projects Mike Portnoy has done. I just love long, indulgent passages and the song structures that take you on a journey.

great list tbh. lots of overlap with my own favorites! If you haven’t already, check out Haken and Leprous, both are incredible and right up that prog metal alley. Soen is another one I keep coming back to; very atmospheric and emotional. Also, if you're into Ayreon, The Dear Hunter might scratch that same itch with their concept-heavy albums. Always fun getting lost in those crazy tracks

 

[FullBright1]