Introducing Ihlo, second headliner of The Progspace 10th Anniversary show

Some bands leave an impression from the very first listen: Ihlo were one of those bands for us.

Since emerging from Scotland in 2016, the progressive metal quintet has steadily built a solid base within the Progressive Metal universe, blending modern prog, djent, atmospheric electronics and memorable melodies into a sound that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally driven. The current lineup features Andy Robison (vocals, keyboards), Phil Monro and Rob Mair (guitars), Max Brayson (bass), and Clark McMenemy (drums).

Their debut album, “Union” (2019), immediately caught our attention. We had the privilege of exclusively premiering the single ‘Parhelion‘, marking the beginning of our love for the band. The album introduced listeners to Ihlo‘s distinctive mix of intricate musicianship, cinematic electronic textures and memorable songwriting, earning widespread praise across the progressive music scene. 

After several years of writing and refining their next chapter, the band returned in 2025 with “Legacy“, released through Kscope. Expanding on the foundations laid by “Union“, the album explores darker themes, richer soundscapes and an even stronger sense of identity. It is an album that reveals more with every listen and firmly establishes Ihlo among the most exciting bands in modern progressive metal today.

We’ve had the privilege of following the band’s journey for several years. After premiering ‘Parhelion’ in 2019, the band also joined the very first The Progspace Online Festival in 2020. Their performance introduced fans to the then unreleased tracks ‘In Stasis‘ and also ‘Replica‘, giving everyone an early glimpse of what would eventually become part of their second album “Legacy“. In 2023 we finally caught them live at ProgPower Europe, where they proved they could bring the same precision, atmosphere and emotion from their studio recordings to the stage.

We saw them again at Prog Metal Mania last year, and once more earlier this year at MidWinter Prog, where it was a real treat to see how much they had grown. Their confidence, chemistry and stage presence have evolved with every performance, delivering very entertaining shows that are powerful, dynamic and emotionally charged.

Honing their stage skills, earlier this year Ihlo joined Leprous on a massive European tour and will continue to perform on some of Europe’s most respected progressive stages, with appearances at Radar Festival in the UK and an upcoming EU tour alongside Haken.

Watching a band we’ve supported since the “Union” era continue to reach bigger audiences has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re proud to have Ihlo as the second headliner of The Progspace 10th Anniversary Show!

If you’re discovering IHLO for the first time, start with Parhelion or Reanimate, then dive into Legacy. And while you’re at it, be sure to check out our reviews of both albums here on The Progspace.

Join us on Saturday, 28 November, at CPUNT in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, for a celebration of ten years of The Progspace with one of the most exciting names in progressive metal today.  Get your Early Bird tickets now at a discounted price before they’re gone! Just 2 weeks left of our crowdfunding campaign!

And while you’re at it, are you a true Ihlo enthusiast? Together with the band, we’ve created a very special reward as part of our crowdfunding campaign. 3 supporters will get the unique opportunity to choose one song for Ihlo’s setlist at our 10th Anniversary Show. The reward also includes one signed IHLO vinyl of your choice, a personalized certificate commemorating your contribution to the setlist, and one event ticket. It’s a one of a kind experience created especially for IHLO fans and is available only through our crowdfunding campaign, which ends in just two weeks. Only 3 available!!! 

We look forward to sharing this special night with Ihlo and all of you!