PreHistoric Animals As Leaders? THEY have to face a Day of Departure…

Ever wondered what happened to Cora and her companion Jareth after the end of “The Magical Mystery Machine (Chapter 1)” that was released one and a half years ago? Well, you don’t have to wonder anymore, as Sweden’s PreHistoric Animals have finally unveiled “Chapter 2”. And in addition to a gripping and thought provoking story-line (Truman Show on a planetary level anyone!?), the quartet is really going from strength to strength here musically and in terms of songwriting. If you have followed front-man Stefan Altzar’s solo career as well you will know that the man is quite familiar with writing a catchy song or two. The more surprising it is to find out that most PreHistoric Animals songs originate from drummer Samuel Granath’s creative mind. Add some blistering guitar solos from Daniel Magdic (ex-Pain of Salvation) and Noah Magnusson’s rumbling bass et voilà: no need for another melodic progressive rock album with infectious melodies anymore, this is perfection already. An absolutely mandatory listen for any prog rock fan. (Don’t forget to check out our Progtalks episode with Stefan Altzar right here.) Dario

Day of Departure is a brand new musical project from Washington DC, but the musicians are not new to the business, as they have released quality music for a long time in different constellations with bands like Brave, While Heaven Wept and Stellar Death. What they have to offer on their self-titled debut album is a bit of a departure from the sounds we’re used to them (pun intended), as the basis is lush atmospheric post rock/metal with Michelle Schrotz’s ethereal soft vocals fitting in perfectly with the mood and atmosphere. The lyrical theme is an apocalyptic tale of destruction and the need to rebuild and evolve, masterfully captured in a sound that evokes that special suspended state between doom and hope, so it’s a very fitting album for our times, even though I’m sure they wouldn’t have dreamt about just how much more fitting it’s gonna be once it’s out while they were writing and recording it over the last two years. After our exclusive album premiere on Tuesday, “Day of Departure” is now also available to listen and purchase on Bandcamp and all the usual streaming services. Check it out! Dario

Animals As Leaders need no introduction. One of the most innovative bands of the last decade in the djent and instrumental prog metal sector, the trio is finally back with a new album. “Parrhesia”, their first since 2016s “The Madness of Many”, will be undoubtedly lapped up by their many fans like water on a hot summer day. It’s a heavy AAL album, and, being their fifth full length studio album overall, they are focusing more and more on refining and perfecting their formula rather than trying something radically new. Still, all their finest tricks are on display, all three of them are on fire when it comes to the individual performances. And even though they’ve got some of the heaviest parts of their band history on there, they didn’t forget the variety and some calm moments of transcendental beauty. All in all a very solid album and worthy addition to their discography that actually makes me curious: will they stay on that ‘safe’ path with their next release or break out of the routine they made themselves quite comfortable in? We will find out one day I suppose… Dario

Jackie Frank Russell III is a non-binary musician and composer from Illinois, and their talents could be already heard on various releases with different projects like sludge metal band Exosphere. Most releases under their own name have been quite experimental, weird and noisy so far and while “THEY”, their brand new album, might certainly be Jackie’s most accessible release to date, it still retains that certain avantgarde feel and a noisy sound quality they are known for. Listing all the various genres and styles Jackie put into “THEY” would certainly be too much for this little mini review here, so be warned, this is a messy hotpot of whatever sounds vibed with certain feelings Jackie had during their journey of coming out as non-binary. At the very heart of this: the anthemic single “Demiboy” with its absolutely contagious chorus. “I wanna talk about my feelings…” sings/screams Jackie, and I’m suddenly filled with the wish/prayer that more fellow human souls struggling with their identity would grow up in a supportive surrounding where they feel safe talking about their feelings. And that’s exactly why “THEY” is so important. Dario