Your Listening Guide to The Progspace 10th Anniversary Show
Six bands, six countries, one night. Here is where to start before 28 November.
On Saturday 28 November 2026, six bands from Andorra, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands share one stage at CPUNT in Hoofddorp to celebrate ten years of The Progspace. Some of you have followed these bands for years. Others may know only one or two names on the bill. This guide is for both: a short introduction to each band, what we have written about them over the years, and the songs we recommend starting with.
28 Novemeber – CPUNT in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands (10 minutes from Amsterdam Airport)
Doors: 14:30
Tickets: 39€ – https://www.cpunt.nl/agenda/tps-10th
Info, travel, accommodation and more: https://show.theprogspace.com
Check our full Listening Guide Playlists
Spotify:
Tidal
Spotify Playlist
Tidal Playlist
(Andorra)
For more than two decades, Persefone have shown that a small country in the Pyrenees can produce some of the most ambitious progressive death metal in the world.
Their music combines extreme technicality with melodic, cinematic songwriting. Their lyrics stand out in the genre: instead of darkness, they deal with spirituality, awakening and inner change.
With “Metanoia” (2022) and the EP “Lingua Ignota: Part I” (2024), the band gave melody and atmosphere more room without giving up any of their edge. In 2025 they released “Live in Andorra”, an immersive and unique experience, recorded with the National Orchestra of Andorra.
“It’s not that Persefone are losing their technicality, but rather their dependence on it.” – Andrei Dan, review of “Lingua Ignota: Part I”
Where to start:
Spiritual Migration
No Faced Mindless
Living Waves
Stillness is Timeless
Architecture of the I
Read more:
- Lingua Ignota review
https://theprogspace.com/persefone-lingua-ignota-part-i - Metanoia review
https://theprogspace.com/persefone-metanoia/ - Progtalks with Moe Espinosa
https://theprogspace.com/progtalks/progtalks-interviews-moe-espinosa-persefone/
Spotify Playlist
Tidal Playlist
(Scotland, United Kingdom)
Ihlo came out of Scotland in 2016 and quickly became one of the most distinctive names in modern progressive metal. They blend intricate musicianship, atmospheric electronics and melodies that are hard to shake. Their debut “Union” (2019) made an immediate impression on us, and we were proud to premiere its single ‘Parhelion’. Their second album “Legacy” (2025, Kscope) goes darker. It is a concept record about one person trying to break free from a dystopian world of control and consumerism.
“Ihlo’s debut album “Union” is without a doubt a future classic of the genre.” – Dario, review of “Union”
Where to start:
Parhelion
Hollow
Coalescence
Replica
Mute
Read more:
- Union review https://theprogspace.com/ihlo-union/
- Legacy review https://theprogspace.com/ihlo-legacy/
- Parhelion premiere https://theprogspace.com/ihlo-parhelion-exclusive-official-single-premiere/)
Spotify Playlist
Tidal Playlist
(Sweden)
An Abstract Illusion play progressive death metal that is crushing and beautiful at once, moving between brutal riffs and cinematic atmospheres. “Woe” (2022) put them at the top of many Album of the Year lists. “The Sleeping City” (2025) explores pain, sorrow and the human psyche with even more depth. We have followed them since their first show outside Sweden at ProgPower Europe 2023. This year they made their North American debut at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal.
“How do they manage to create such brutal beauty?” – Van, Releases of the Week on “The Sleeping City”
Where to start:
No Dreams Beyond Empty Horizons
Prosperity
Emmett
Frost Flower
In The Heavens Above, You Will Become A Monster
Read more:
- The Sleeping City review https://theprogspace.com/an-abstract-illusion-the-sleeping-city/
- Woe review https://theprogspace.com/an-abstract-illusion-woe/
- Live at ProgPower Europe 2023 https://theprogspace.com/an-abstract-illusion-ppe2023/)
Spotify Playlist
Tidal Playlist
(Denmark)
The Copenhagen quartet Feather Mountain write about the subjects most bands avoid: loss, grief and finding a way back. “To Exit A Maelstrom” (2022) dealt with the early Alzheimer’s diagnosis of the Dahl-Blumenberg brothers’ father, and it became one of our favourite albums of that year. “A Liminal Step” (2025) brings in more electronic textures and uses tarot imagery to frame a journey into the unknown. In 2026 Jonas Høyrup Larsen took over vocals, so Hoofddorp is your chance to hear these songs in a new voice.
“Beauty and devastation co-exist in equal parts.” – Dario, Releases of the Week on “A Liminal Step”
Where to start:
In Passing
Sincere
Prayer Wall
August Mantra
Sigil
Read More
- Sincere premiere https://theprogspace.com/feather-mountain-premiere-sincere/
- Progtalks on To Exit A Maelstrom https://theprogspace.com/progtalks/feather-mountain-to-exit-a-maelstrom/
- Live at ProgPower Europe 2022 https://theprogspace.com/feather-mountain-live-progpower-europe-2022/
Tidal Playlist
(Germany)
Soulsplitter don’t just write songs. They build cinematic worlds and weave classical, jazz and extreme metal into their progressive sound. Their debut “Salutogenesis” (2019) was an ambitious concept album with a long list of guest singers and musicians, and we gave it a rare 10/10. On “Connection” (2022) the collective became a tight five-member band, and the songs got more focused without losing any emotional weight.
“Connection” is another breathtakingly beautiful album, a companion I will surely cherish for years to come.” – Dario, Releases of the Week on “Connection”
Where to start:
Incineration
The Maze
Disconnected
The Sacrifice
Erosion
Read More:
- Salutogenesis review https://theprogspace.com/soulsplitter-salutogenesis/
- Disconnected premiere https://theprogspace.com/soulsplitter-exclusively-premiere-video-for-disconnected/
- Progtalks on Connection https://theprogspace.com/progtalks/progtalks-interviews-soulsplitter/)
Spotify Playlist
Tidal Playlist
(Netherlands)
Our home team from Katwijk opens the night. Since 1998, The Aurora Project have released only concept albums. “World of Grey” (2016) was built around the ideas of their late guitarist and lyricist Marc Vooijs. After nine years, “EVOS12” (2025) began a two album science fiction saga, and the second chapter is nearly finished. Their roots in the ProgPower Europe family, where The Progspace itself began, made them the natural choice to start the celebration.
“The juxtaposition of sleekness and grit suits them well.” – Dario, Releases of the Week on “EVOS12”
Where to start:
Slave city
Selling the Aggression
World of Grey
Freedom of Thought
Newtopia
Read more:
- February 2025 highlights https://theprogspace.com/album_releases/february_2025/
- Band Spotlight https://theprogspace.com/band-spotlight-tap-the-progspace-10th-anniversary-show/
We’re a group of Prog-lovers who started a journey to share with you our thoughts about albums, concerts, tours and festivals, the photo galleries of the Prog concerts we visit, as well interviews with upcoming or established musicians or prog-related people. Follow our Facebook page for frequent updates and news around the Progniverse.