So, Steven WIlson has turned Angry Metal Guy into Sad Metal Guy:

My biggest complaint about Hand. Cannot. Erase. is the state of existential sadness that it leaves me in every time I listen to it. Even before I knew the story, the record oozed loss, sadness, and hurt deep enough that I would walk away with a knot in my stomach, but couldn’t keep myself from pressing play again as soon as I got the chance. With stellar musicianship, a truly masterful production job that balances a whole band, electronic sounds, and the London Session Orchestra to perfection, Hand. Cannot. Erase. demonstrates how Wilson is blossoming as a composer to complement his skill as a producer, and his vision really is beautiful.

The whole review is excellent and worth reading. Here is a sample of some important observations:

I see his rise as attributable almost entirely to the fact that he’s the most talented producer of his generation. Furthermore, he’s a man who appears to have become less willing to compromise on the records he produces, meaning that he has taken the right side in the Loudness War, and is using his power and status for good. The result is, of course, that the music he produces, mixes (or masters), remixes/remasters, and/or performs sound so good.

…

One of the things that differentiates Hand. Cannot. Erase. from The Raven that Refused to Sing (And Other Stories) is its tone. The production here is smooth and wet, without that trashy live sound that TRtRtS utilized. On H.C.E., there’s a heavy touch of reverb to soften the edges off, and as the record develops it gets more dreamy and distant. Early on, however, the use of what I will loosely call “electronica” on “First Regret” and “Perfect Life” is a reminder that Wilson isn’t in the business of making a ’70s prog rock cover band. This balance of the new and the old gives this record its unique flavor, while still allowing Wilson to quote at his leisure, drawing heavily from Floyd, Camel, Tull and the one I hear maybe the most in the balance between the bass, guitars and drums: Rush.

Good news! Inmateria‘s impressive eponymous 2015 concept album is now available on iTunes and at Amazon.com. Spread the word!

Spiral Architect — “Purpose” (1995 Demo)

Argentine-Chilean vocalist Solange Sosa is here to remind you that you can buy your own copy of Inmateria‘s excellent 2015 album here or here, or else listen to it in its entirety via online streaming.

Inmateria (2015):

“La llama en el Mar” (“The Flame On The Sea”)
1. Preludio (Instrumental) [01:54]
2. Lejos De Aquí [05:19]
3. Anormal [04:48]
4. La Inocencia (Instrumental) [02:48]
5. Fuera De Lugar [04:07]
6. En La Oscuridad [07:16]
7. La Búsqueda (Instrumental) [01:56]
8. Un Paso Atrás [03:57]
9. Flotar [07:01]
10. Epílogo (Instrumental) [02:58]

11. El Problema Del Mal [10:34]

Here’s a self-written bio for Inmateria, the amazing band whose eponymous 2015 album I told you about yesterday (and be sure to have a free listen to the whole fantastic ★★★★★ album):

INMATERIA is a Progressive Rock band that excels in their home country, Chile. They possess the quality of a being a band with a progressive sound that does not invoke one specific band, but really depends on the listener to hear and reminisce in their mind for their own influences. The memorable melodies of their Argentine-Chilean vocalist Solange Sosa make Inmateria a more accesible band that both the most relentless progressive rock listeners, and the ones who love melodies to hum, would love.

Their concept album “Inmateria” is composed of a continuous 10-part story called “La llama en el Mar” (“The Flame On The Sea”) and a second song, 10:30 in length, called “El Problema Del Mal” (“The Problem Of Evil”). “The Flame On The Sea” is a metaphor with many layers that talks about childhood, feeling out of place, depression, and innocence. It blends powerful progressive rock songs with more mellow tunes and instrumental themes that could be part of a film score.

The second song on the album, “El Problema Del Mal,” is a shorter 10:30 tune that talks about “The Problem Of Evil,” which refers to the idea that, if God is omnipotent and good, why is there evil in the world?

INMATERIA is:
Solange Sosa – Vocals
Matí­as Armstrong – Guitars and Keyboards
Luis Jaraquemada – Bass and Keyboards
Daniel Frommer – Drums
Gabriel Varela – Keyboards

1. Preludio (Instrumental) [01:54]

2. Lejos De Aquí [05:19]

3. Anormal [04:48]

4. La Inocencia (Instrumental) [02:48]

5. Fuera De Lugar [04:07]

6. En La Oscuridad [07:16]

7. La Búsqueda (Instrumental) [01:56]

8. Un Paso Atrás [03:57]

9. Flotar [07:01]

10. Epílogo (Instrumental) [02:58]

11. El Problema Del Mal [10:34]

This classic prog metal extravaganza was released fifteen years ago…

Spiral Architect: “A Sceptic’s Universe” (2000)

Spinning -0:00

Excessit -3:25

Moving Spirit / Occam’s Razor -9:39

Insect -14:58

Cloud Constructor
………….x- Cloud Of Unknowing -20:54
………….y- Being And Nothingness -24:05
………….z- Shuffled -25:04

Conjuring Collapse -26:21

Adaptability -32:55

Fountainhead -37:30

Holy smokes, this is one of the best albums I have heard all year!

Check out Inmateria’s eponymous 2015 album. It’s available in full on SoundCloud and YouTube… and it’s mind-blowing!

These accomplished musicians hail from Santiago, Chile:
Solange Sosa – Vocals
Daniel Frommer – Drums
Gabriel Varela – Keyboards
Luis Jaraquemada – Bass
Matías Armstrong – Guitars

I wish my language skills were much better so that I could know more of what she’s singing about so gloriously, but in any event Solange Sosa delivers a very impressive vocal performance.

The whole band is a prog dream come true. I love everything about this album: the unique yet classic style, the intricate arrangements, the impeccable musicianship, the epic flow of a remarkable prog concept album, and the fascinating melodies.

There’s lots of instrumental virtuosity layered throughout the tracks, in grand prog style:

1. Preludio (Instrumental) [01:54]
2. Lejos De Aquí [05:19]
3. Anormal [04:48]
4. La Inocencia (Instrumental) [02:48]
5. Fuera De Lugar [04:07]
6. En La Oscuridad [07:16]
7. La Búsqueda (Instrumental) [01:56]
8. Un Paso Atrás [03:57]
9. Flotar [07:01]
10. Epílogo (Instrumental) [02:58]
11. El Problema Del Mal [10:34]

Who knew that such incredible talent was residing down in Chile? Well, now you know!

Spread the word. This superb band deserves to become well-known and distributed world-wide.

I give this album my highest rating — five stars! — and I hope to hear much more from Inmateria in the future.

Great song, with a great video that fits it perfectly.

I love new discoveries like this.

Thanks to Johanna from Gone Beyond Records in Stockholm, Sweden, for telling Progarchy.

A new EP will drop in June.