Week 02 of January 2024 and we’re already fully back in the swing of things

Having both huge discographies under their belts with countless projects and bands of which the dedicated prog-listener clearly might have come across the one or other already, Damian and Adam take us into 2024 with their 3rd release under the moniker Wilson & Wakeman. “Can We Leave The Light On Longer?” is a selection of 10 very personal songs about how we’re connected as human beings, telling “tales of hopeful inspiring dreams and our fight to live and function, with the ultimate and inevitable loss we face through mortality.” Most of the tracks have a thoughtful, melancholic vibe, yet a certain lightness, with ‘The Battle of the Bare Knuckle Fighter’ standing a bit out of their otherwise singer / songwriter kind of style, as this one comes along rather groovy and entertaining with additional trumpet and a little background choir. The other songs easily convince thanks to Damian’s majestic, mesmerizing vocals, accompanied by beautiful piano, keyboard and guitar arrangements. The compositions are rather simple yet atmospheric, and there’s a wonderful chemistry between these two great musicians, inviting us to dream along for a while. Katha

Since Scarlet Records are well known for having mostly Power- and Symphonic Metal related bands within their roster, I was quite surprised to hear blast beats and growls when checking out the second album of Italian four-piece Drown in Sulphur for the first time. While their music is definitely powerful and also comes along with huge symphonic elements, they’re rooted into Blackened Deathcore stylistically, sometimes reminding me of Lorna Shore with their mighty sound. Lyrically, they take us on an introspective journey in search of man’s spiritual elevation by referencing the image of the “vampire communion”, moving through anger, despair and rebellion to more fragile moments until the final redemption. Apart from the intro (‘Adveniat Regnum Tuum’) and ‘Lotus’, that might belong into the concept but quickly became skipping tracks for me, “Dark Secrets of the Soul” has a lot to offer musically for fans of relentless harsh vocals, mind blowing guitar work, pummeling drums, and epic breakdowns. Katha

Coming from China is one of the most prolific extreme metal solo artists right now, who goes by the name Ὁπλίτης [Hoplites]. After dropping 3(!) albums last year, they couldn’t help but to release yet another one early in 2024, which goes by the name, “Παραμαινομένη” (Paramainomeni). This album here is absolutely bonkers. Avant-garde, progressive, technical, dissonant, mathy, chaotic, yet so boundary-pushing in everything it does. Half the songs are over 10 minutes in length, and they don’t drag in any way… if anything, they go by so fast, you won’t even realize you’re on the next track. And of course they had to throw in some saxophone as well; what can’t this guy do?? If you’re into techy, experimental black metal along the lines of Serpent Column, this is not an album to skip out on! Let’s see if he manages to top this with another one at some point this year, because I’m expecting more. Colin

Adding on already to my building admiration for screamo, Infant Island drop this masterpiece of an emotional ride called “Obsidian Wreath”. These Americans dropped some stellar efforts in the past, but this is the one to totally turn heads. Fused with post-metal, blackgaze, emoviolence, and a hint of prog; this album came out heavy and aggressive, but also atmospheric and lush. It is everything I love about modern screamo, taking influence from the likes of So Hideous, Ostraca, and Svalbard. Honestly, this release blew me away so much, I wouldn’t be surprised if it remained as my favourite album throughout the year! Only time will tell, but there’s some real competition already. Absolutely mesmerizing record! Colin

Animårum from New Jersey like to spice up their particular blend of Progressive Death Metal with some excellent melodic and electronic flourishes on their new EP “Machina”. The title track alone is an excellent example of masterfully applied dynamics weaving in and out of brutal heaviness and some delicately flowing bass lines at the other end of the sonic spectrum. Everything’s Oscillating, not only for the last entry of our Highlights this week… (read on below!) Dario

Bookending these four releases on the rather heavy side of the Prog spectrum with something smoother seemed the logical thing to do, so after Katha found some nice words for the new Wilson & Wakeman album, I picked an instrumental debut release: “The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are” by Everything Oscillating. (Yes, despite what the band logo and cover artwork might suggest, it’s not some obscure Death Metal band.) This trio consists of Mike Murphy & Dave Webb of Seattle Prog Rockers Moon Letters on bass and guitars respectively who teamed up with killer drummer Kai Strandskov for just short of 40 minutes full of exciting instrumental fusion prog. Partly composed, partly improvised, this is best of both worlds and great fun to listen to with a few surprises along the way. Dario