This album is without a doubt the most played album of this year. From the first listen I was hooked and it still does not bore me. Clean vocals (that remind me of Galahad singer Stuart Nicholson) and growls (which I’m originally not a fan of). What a great combination of these two vocalists, solo they’re great, the duo singing is just awesome. The band only consists of three members, the two vocalists also play guitar and bass. It was incredible how they performed this on stage, great performers.

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Absolute one of the best debut albums I have heard in years. Great slightly hoarse vocals that can go to almost growls in the heavier parts. Diversity all over, with so many additional instruments and of course my favourite one: alto saxophone. Now it is Prog Rock, then it is Prog Metal, they exactly know how to combine these two styles into the perfect mix. Already looking forward to their next album and hopefully seeing them live in 2024.

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Best comeback of the year. Unitopia dissolved in 2012 and that was a huge bummer for me as a fan. But in 2021 they started working on new music, which resulted in this amazing album. On 2 cd’s they put 7 songs with lengths between 6 and 20 minutes. Beautiful epics in the style of the good old days. Very happy that vocalist Mark Trueack’s voice did not lose his sound and power.  Glad I caught them on tour through Europe in 2023, cause I missed them in 2010. Hopefully they don’t wait that long for the next tour through Europe.

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The positive side of the Unitopia split up was the rise of Southern Empire. I quite enjoyed their debut album, but somehow missed their second. Biggest change in the band is the singer, Danny Lopresto left the band and is replaced by Shaun Holton. You might know him from his solo project “Projected Twin”. As I like both singers, for me this is not a bad thing. Sean Timms’ keyboards are well present again. And of course as always an epic of almost 20 minutes.

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While busy making the end of year lists, suddenly Moon Safari releases their long awaited second part of their amazing Himlabacken Vol.1. Ten years we had to wait for this one and before listening I knew this would be the best album of the year. Unfortunately I did not have time to listen to it much. From what I’ve heard so far, it absolutely contains the typical sound of Moon Safari, but lots of new melodies to discover. At times you hear Vol. 1 the songs and that makes it the perfect Vol. 2. But this is not an album that can be rated after just one or two listens, so I have not a proper opinion yet. Despite that, it had to end up in the list anyway and maybe at a later point I know that they should have been placed even higher up on the ranking.

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From the first note I head of The Chronicles of Father Robin it was clear to me that this one was going to hit the mark for me. Consisting of members of (my beloved) Wobbler, Tursmørke and Jordsjø, this supergroup of Norwegian prog has been taking 30 years to create their trilogy “The Songs & Tales of Airoea”, released in a stunning 3 vinyl box-set in June and as individual CD releases since September (part III is due in February). And while it’s easy to bore me with off-the shelve retro prog, I have a soft spot for it when it’s well-made. And boy, is this well-made! It’s heavy, it’s groovy, it’s folky and it’s playfully creative. Father Robin, particularly Book I, the heaviest of the three, lets my mind wander through fantastic worlds, creates a fuzzy feeling in my tummy with its beautiful melodies, musical mastership and warm, round production that I can’t get enough of. 

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The amount of great musical discoveries to be made in Norway seems endless. This year, one of those for me was Marekvist. Their album “Varde” is the best blend of dark folkiness and heavy psychedelic rock I can remember hearing. Carried by the wonderful and versatile voice of Live-Andrea Gjessen Rasch and based on a great dual drum performance, the songs range from mysterious ambiental vibes to heavy guitar outbreaks sometimes reminiscent of Leprous. The compositions are in a class of their own and the album drags you in more and more with every single song. Also, who needs lyrics? Songs like “Varde” with it’s stunning build-up work perfectly well without, and they make Live-Andrea’s voice shine even more. 

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Omnerod from Belgium left their mark at our Online Festival in 2021, and this year’s album “The Amensal Rise'' just adds to the hype. Based on heavy tech-death, Omnerod’s music has so much more to offer. Atmospherically super-tight, they flawlessly blend in melodic and psychedelic elements and overall throw an eclectic collection of influences into every single song. From deep growls (which are also and mostly provided by Anthony Deneyer) to parts reminiscent of Leprous’ Einar Solberg, band leader Romain Jeuniaux offers a stunning vocal range and every single member plays his part in the band’s clockwork. And despite this precision, every second is bursting with a playful joy. On the album as well as live on stage Omnerod will leave you looking for your jaw which you probably dropped somewhere on the floor half an hour ago.

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More folky goodness, again garnished with a stellar voice, is delivered on my personal debut album of the year by Helga. Swedish singer Helga Gabriel found her musical soul-mates after moving over to York, UK, and the result is a diverse array of songs with elements ranging from pop through psychedelic and progressive rock all the way to black metal. And it all makes sense. Every song on “Wrapped in Mist” has its own personality with lyrics in English and Swedish, while they are all bound together with that atmospheric, folky feeling. It’s not unlike this year’s Myrkur release, but for me everything feels more round and thought through here. I can’t wait to see where Helga is headed next after this strong first album!  

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Back to Norway: Progressive extreme metallers Enslaved seem unable to release anything mediocre, and this year’s album “Heimdal” is another strong entry to their long release list. Once again, their music is dark, icy and raw, but filled with creativity and ideas. Be it the vocal harmonies or the ever-present synth layers (both most prominently in the title song ‘Heimdal’, an absolute prog masterpiece), or the absolutely unnerving rhythm work in ‘Congelia’, every song stands out while blending into the whole of the album. One can not help but wonder how Enslaved do it, more than 30 years into their career. Nobody put it into words better than our very own Dario at the time of “Heimdal’s” release: “When ‘impressive’ just doesn’t cut it any more, the call for a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y l-e-g-e-n-d-a-r-y becomes stronger and stronger.” 

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My indisputed favorite of the year: “The Amensal Rise'' is such an enigmatic album! Just like the title of one of the singles and one of the best tracks, it is indeed like Magnets that trap you in its mystique, and touch you deeply with frightening growls and painful screams to then soothe you with the most beautiful voice (in my opinion) of one of the best vocalists out there right now. Yes, write his name: Romain Jeuniaux's voice is as astounding as Einar Solberg’s (Leprous). He’s also the creative force behind Omnerod’s brilliant music. This album is an exceptional and exquisite blend of beauty and horror, deep emotions and technicality, flowing from the sweetest of melodies to mercurial explosions in a complex array of musical prowess, leading you through an increasingly kafkaesque maze where sounds and words evolve through each song, to end intentionally in an apparent chaotic havoc from where you can’t get out. Think Leprous Billateral or Devin Townsend craziest work. Did I hear jazz there? Oh yes those quirky bits you will find them all through the album, listen carefully, many are hidden! Its complexity builds layer by layer a playground of melodic riffs and explosive rhythms, thundering bass and drumming from another planet. The deepest growls duelling the powerful yet whimsical clean voice which transforms without warning into ghastly screams. What a ride! I had the enormous pleasure to witness this musical controlled madness live at ProgPower Europe 2023, and 2 more times afterwards during their short European tour, and I’m glad to know that the unforgettable live experience is as impressive as the album! For a taste: watch Omnerod live in our The Progspace Online Festival in its 3rd edition. This is a band that not only deserves the attention of everyone into progmetal and extreme metal of the finest quality, but also of labels who are in a position to cement the career of such fine musicians. 

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Oh Oh Oh, where was I when this band was emerging hidden somewhere in a Norwegian forest? Finally, after 30 years in the making (!), members of Wobbler, Tusmørke, Jordsjø, among others, finished this jewel and presented it in November 2022 at the Haugaland Prog & Rock Festival, in Haugesund, Norway. I was incredibly happy to have witnessed this magic on stage and eagerly waiting for more!!! Some months later the Part I of the trilogy arrived at our HQ and since then it has been on repeat at the Kirsch’s household. Isn’t it wonderful when you enjoy an album as much as your partner, that you both can endlessly marvel, discuss, discover new layers and purely enjoy it together? I shamelessly love (almost) all kinds of Nordic folk, historic, medieval, fantasy… add to this those hints of incredibly good classic Norwegian progressive rock goodness, hints of progmetal and a captivating story? The Chronicles of Father Robin has it all! Hear me well, it is not another Wobbler, Tusmørke or Jordsjø very close of course to the sound of these classic Norwegian Prog Masters, but it is different at the same time! The guitar work is heavier as well as the general feeling of the music, but then those delicious flutes appear and it is like Father Robin himself is guiding you through his wonderful journey! Can't wait for Book III to complete the trilogy very soon!

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This one took me by surprise! I have never heard of this band before, but from the opening track it immediately captivated me. A concept album about animals trying to survive a drought in their land and their attempts to bring back the rain for the survival of their peers, is a subject that strikes me deeply as a nature lover myself. But beyond this, the music is something else. Combining masterfully soundscapes, and melodies going from gently acoustic to electric chaotic heaviness, the album is like a windstorm sweeping you away in its intricate layering and musical prowess. To highlight is the incredibly powerful voice of the singer Casey Lee Williams, the band behind her doesn’t shy away from their technical prowess. The music flows from artrock to mathprog creating amazing atmospheres and sounds, and the well interlocked parts shift seamlessly making the whole album an incredible journey!

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Enslaved basically needs no introduction, but until some years ago I had never thought of them in prog context. But here we are, the latest albums have been quite a surprise to me. I really enjoyed their live show at Prognosis Festival as I never thought I would. As soon as I heard their first single I knew the band had something very special up their sleeves, and despite their long 3 decades (!) career and 16 albums Enslaved keep reinventing themselves and exploring new boundaries. Heimdal, true to the band’s roots, is the perfect mix between Norse culture, the finest and elegant extreme metal and progressive changes and passages I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to. From passages true to their black metal roots shifting into the most beautiful melodies, as varied as the Norwegian west coast, full of dramatic changes and contrast. Heimdal is an album that will stay with me for a very long time!

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Despite knowing the band for quite a while and having enjoyed their live shows a lot, I’ve never been such an enthusiast of The Ocean. Post, sludge metal in general is not on my scoop of music when I choose something to listen to. But “Holocene” really went over and rolled me like a high surf wave. I’ve found myself listening to this album from start to end more times than I would have thought. The dive into electronics and synths sounds, made the music inevitably melody-driven, adding the well known and rock solid rhythm basis and the crescendos via controlled explosions of sound make this album one to remember and to listen to many, many times. In every spin, I discovered new layers, new elements and new sounds. I love the good balance between clean vocals (better than ever) and growls. Lyrically dealing with subjects close to humanity and the era we’re living in today. I wonder if the series of Earth history eras will continue for The Ocean given Holocene is the current one, will the band change thematic course entirely? We’ll have to wait. 

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