UK based progressive rock duo MetaQuorum, in existence for a few years, have released a new single called “Jonathan Livingston” recently. When it comes to the progressive and atmospheric variants of rock music, bands coming from Europe have carried a rich history and undeniable reputation of taking it to unmatchable extremes, so a band like MetaQuorum immediately compels Progarchy to take notice, and share with readers thoughts on the band’s new single.

The almost four-minute song creates dreamy atmospheres with bass and keyboard works that strikes an excellent balance between heaviness and melody, and the drum patterns on top of it amplify the melodic element further. The music transitions between these extremes and smoothly moves from one passage to another, making the four-minute duration seems almost momentary. The song follows a simple structure but the music is well-written and played. Drawing parallels with other bands would be a mistake, as MetaQuorum tend to combine plenty of different styles. With a song of this nature, the duo has come forward as another noteworthy entity in a crop of progressive, electronic, atmosphere-inducing rock groups. Their subsequent releases should be on everyone’s radar. In the meantime, listen to “Jonathan Livingston” here.

A UK based progressive rock project by Dmitri Ermakov and Koos van der Velde recently put out two new songs: “Jonathan Livingston” and “Migration.” The band that grabs inspiration from plenty of different genres talked with Progarchy about their creative chemistry.

Hey folks. How are you doing?

Doing OK but wish the weather was better 🙂

Continue reading “Interview with METAQUORUM” →

Continue reading “Interview with PULSONICA” →

Multi-instrumentalist Abraham Sarache, who recently released a new album titled The Gardener, will play a special release show in support of the album at Volta in Amsterdam on June 24th. The show will be recorded for a future live release.

The Gardener is an alt/progressive rock concept album with the inclusion of folk instruments like ukulele and Venezuelan cuatro. To express the feelings involved, different kinds of voice registers are provided: from a soft, melodious or whispered voice to raspy voice. Various pads and synthesizers are used to give depth and warmth to the songs where an acoustic guitar with a low tuning predominates. A multicultural composition on the instrumental level and a progressive rhythmic base create an exquisite atmosphere of imbalance and peculiarity.

Continue reading “ABRAHAM SARACHE to Play “The Gardener” on June 24 in Amsterdam’s Volta” →

Andreas Šala, guitarist and composer who plays with bands Subscale, The Ralphand If And When We Die, released a play-through video for the song “Hue” taken from his upcoming solo album Pleasure Dome.

Asked about the inspiration for the new song and the album overall, Šala who plays Wreck Guitars’ BlueMorpho 6 in the video, said: “Well I wanted to make a solo record for quite some time now but I just couldn’t decide in which direction I want to take it. But when I got my hands on the BlueMorpho melodies just started to pour out of me and I knew what I had to do. I felt like a kid again.”

Pleasure Dome differs from the albums he releases with Subscale and The Ralph in that is more ambient and minimalistic. “I wanted to do something a bit different. For the past 5 years I was composing mostly metal for The Ralph so I wanted to take a step back. I’m a huge Joe Satriani fan (and 80’s/90’s instrumental music fan in general) and I always liked “bigger than life” melodies so it seemed  like a logical step to make a guitar driven instrumental album,” Andreas continues.

As mentioned, Andreas uses Wreck Guitars’ 6-string model BlueMorpho. “I was going for a blend of a old-school ’80s lead sound and modern rock/metal sound. I record everything digitally so I have more room to manipulate the sound later on in the mixing process. The guitar goes straight into my audio interface (an old-school E-MU 0404USB) with nothing in between. I use mostly Ignite Amps products — Emissary for the amp simulation and NadIR for loading the cab impulses. For the cab impulses I use mostly Catharsis‘ IRs. BlueMorpho is loaded with Dolezal pickups which are pretty hot and punchy which was great for tracking rhythm guitars.”

Watch a playthrough video for the new song “Hue” below, and follow Andreas on YouTube. Make sure to check Andreas’ other band The Ralph on Bandcamp and Facebook.

Visit Wreck Guitars official website and Facebook page.

Alif is the title of the second studio album by Algerian death metal trio Lelahell, for which the band recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The campaign is active for three weeks; you can head to the campaign’s page and support the band in reaching the goal what will allow them to raise the funds for the album artwork, album’s production, production of a music video and a band merchandise.

The founder of the band, singer and guitarist Redouane Aouameur commented: “Our campaign is running since 5 weeks and will end in 3 weeks. We expect to get at least 50% of the requested amount this will help us to have a very good quality record mixed and mastered in the Hertz Studio, the sound that will perfectly feet to this album.”

The title of the album is inspired by the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. In Arabic, alif is the first letter in the alphabet, and it is used in Arabic calligraphy to determine the size of the following characters. Lelahell say they chose the title as this album “will be the main musical reference of the next upcoming releases.”

The trio’s new album, Alif, is slated as the group’s second full-length album and third release since the band’s formation in 2010. Lelahell are set to record at Hertz Studio in Poland under the guidance of well-known producers — the Wiesławscy brothers.

Support Lelahell by donating through the Indiegogo campaign, and follow them on Facebookfor future updates.

About Lelahell:

Founded in 2010 by metal veteran Redouane Aouameur, Lelahell is an Algerian death metal band hailing from Algiers. The trio comprises of Redouane “Lelahel” Aouameur (guitars, vocals), Ramzy Curse (bass) and Slaveblaster (drums). Lelahell have released one EP, Al Intihar(Goressimo Records, 2012), and one full alubum, Al Insane… The (Re)birth of Abderrahmane(HPGDP, 2014). The band also launched a documentary in 2016 titled Highway to Lelahell – An Algerian Metal Documentary, available for streaming on YouTube, presenting viewers with a solid history lesson on Algeria’s metal scene. The band have also embarked on three European tours, and also participated in festivals in Europe.

Almost two years after its third album “Countenance,” Portland’s experimentalists The Mercury Tree are back to the business with a brand new full-length album called “Permutations.” This new record proves one thing—this act definitely represents one of the most innovative bands on the current scene, and having said that I certainly hope that some big label will notice the band’s creative potential and sign them what will bring them opportunities for touring and breaking out of the United States. And that is something that I, as a fan of the band, would love to see happen.

“Permutations” is absolutely a crushing record, but in the same time it’s constructive and creative release full of energy and power. On this album, guys own the sound by making it obedient, what’s shown through the unification of all diverse parts.

The opening track “Symptoms” gains the attention it seeks from stabs of post-progressive rock contrasted with avant-garde and psychedelic ambiance. It doesn’t take much for the band to show the beauty of improvisation, as the lengthy song format possibly gives an insight into the band’s songwriting process, what they masterfully do on the title track. Playing this live leaves even more space for additional improvising, what I am sure would be an unforgettable experience. It’s only song number three, and the deal is sealed.

But there is much more than that. “Ether/Ore” soothes far more often than it shreds. The Mercury Tree do not blow their load early in an effort to maintain the listener’s interest, but rather choose to foreplay. The band teases the listener by pursuing unexpected sonic paths while never failing in their ability to deliver a killer hook when atmosphere and melody will no longer suffice. “Placeholder” is probably the most emotional moment brought by Spees’ perfect voice and a short piano passage. Similarly to the previous tune, TMT have a knowledge of when less is more.

The spacious sound patterns are extended most of time with the presence of saxophone, performed by Tony Mowe, which gives the album a brand new side.

“Permutations” is a powerful offering from the Portlanders. The group has taken a distinctive combination of ingredients and squeezed out every bit of potential out of them. Whatever The Mercury Tree do next, in any case, I’m there.

Permutations by The Mercury Tree is available now from Bandcamp.

Nova Incepta (New Initiative) is an Australian collaboration of artists that wish to deliver its unique blend of progressive rock and cinematic scoring to the world. The project utilizes features of rhythmical complexity, orchestral scoring, cinematic themes, progressive ideas and elements of World Music. Nova Incepta hope to connect with the globe sharing its spiritual beliefs and promoting change through the universal language of music.

One of the founders of the project, Daniel Greis talked for Progarchy about the upcoming EP, and more.

What’s Nova Incepta up to these days? I assume pretty busy as the new EP is on the way.

Nova Incepta are always busy! We’ve constantly been on the go for the last 2 years and nothing has changed today. At the moment we are putting the finishing touches on our upcoming EP “New Initiatives” and are in the midst of rehearsing material for our live gigs. We have also recently had a bassist and keyboardist join the team and they fit those positions perfectly! Nova Incepta is officially complete! Although, we have ideas to write our next album with a main vocalist incorporated, but for now were sticking with mainly instrumentals. On that note, we are already deep into writing the album.

How would you describe the sound of Nova Incepta? You say for your sound “Cinematic progressive rock.” I would love to here a little more about it.

The sound of Nova Incepta is a unique blend of progressive rock and cinematic scoring. The project utilizes features of progressive rock/metal (including rhythmic complexity and extended solo sections), orchestral scoring, cinematic themes and elements of World Music. We feel like progressive rock and cinematic scoring are both such epic genres of music, so why not merge them together to make a hybrid? We like to call the genre – “Progmatic”.

Is there a certain concept you guys are following in making music?

That’s actually a very interesting question for us, as we seemed to have taken an unorthodox approach to writing this EP. Initially Nova Incepta only comprised of Jesse Turner (guitarist) and Gareth Cohen (drummer/composer/producer). However, at the same time there was a separate project going on between Jesse Turner and Daniel Greis (composer/producer) that was actually the beginning ideas of “Anonymous Oracle”. As both Gareth Cohen and Daniel Greis had the same stylistic approach to writing, in time both writers came together to create this power team. Both composers wrote and structured their own separate material, which entailed orchestral instrumentations, rhythms, and melodies. Each producer would then take the material to Jesse who would bring it to life by tracking in the rhythm guitar, bass guitar as well as having full freedom to write the lead guitar parts and solos. That’s always been our conceptual approach with regards to composition – to try and incorporate the best of what each member has to offer. Going forward for our album, we have developed an amazing chemistry and understanding when it comes to writing material and we are looking forward to involving our two newest members Ben (Bassist) and Kailesh (Keyboardist).

Tell us a little about your upcoming EP  “New Initiatives.” How does it sound?

The “New Initiatives” EP is the exact sound we want to start our Nova Incepta Journey with. It’s a musical odyssey, taking the listener on an expedition through many different genres and styles, provoking many different emotions and thoughts. Throughout the EP we have collaborated with young highly skilled musicians, Jodi Cohen and Kessem Turner giving us vocals for certain featured vocal sections as well as Paul Khoder and Kailesh Reitmans featuring with guest piano solos. The EP begins with a prelude, introducing the main theme of a 3-part suite called “inabstain” which comes later in the EP.  It is then followed by “Anonymous Oracle” which takes the listener on a musical journey through the notion of self-guidance and then last but not least, “Inabstain”, a 3-part suite that culminates into a 15-minute musical adventure that explores the notion of addiction.

Is “Anonymous Oracle” kind of a mirror that reflects what can we expect from the upcoming EP  “New Initiatives”?

Yes, to a certain extent. Although as I mentioned before Nova Incepta have two composers/producers, Daniel Greis who composed and produced “Anonymous Oracle” and Gareth Cohen who composed and produced the 3-part suite “Inabstain”. Although both writers have a similar stylistic approach, each has their own unique traits and sounds. So to completely answer your question, expect the same style of music but with a slightly different sound…if that makes sense.

What made you choose “Anonymous Oracle” as a single to represent your new EP?

We knew the minute the track was finished it would be our single to represent the EP. “Anonymous Oracle” addresses to the world exactly what Nova Incepta is all about as well as what to expect from us in the future. The track takes the listener on a journey through many different styles of music including progressive rock, progressive metal, cinematic themes, orchestrations, jazz and djent, which provokes various emotions. Our goal in this track was to connect with any listener who appreciates and loves music no matter what genre or style they are into, even electronic, trance and pop lovers, ANYONE! 🙂

As a new talented band, what are the expectations of yours from the “business”?

Thank you for the complement. To be honest were not to sure what to expect from the industry, were going to take it as it comes and just do what needs to be done to the best of our ability.

Here I wanted to have a serious finish to the interview. They say in Australia you can see giant spiders in your own houses, in your beds! Is it a myth? 

This is no myth, every so often you will find an 8 legged friend bigger than the size of your hand hanging out in the corner of your roof, he’s just there to keep you company. Spiders, like all creatures wont attack you unless you threaten them in some way.

Follow Nova Incepta on Facebook here, and Bandcamp.