Welcome to the March Progress Report. As if to make up for last month’s dearth of progressive albums, this column features six excellent releases, all of which are definitely prog and all of which you need to own – or at least listen to. The high level of quality meant it was hard to choose a top record this time out, so read through and decide for yourself, after a few spins, which of these albums is your favorite.
Ratings are on a five star scale.
IQ – Dominion (GEP)
IQ are a band that has been on my radar for a long time, and with Dominion finally get to review one of their albums. They’ve been around since the early 1980s, and have over a dozen releases to their credit, including 2014’s excellent The Road Of Bones. They continue to be led by founding guitarist Mike Holmes, along with longtime members Tim Esau (bass), Paul Cook (drums), and Peter Nicholls (vocals).
Considered neo-prog when they first came on the scene, that would do IQ a disservice. On Dominion the band executes a dazzling display of modern prog rock, with tons of superb arrangements, great vocals from Nicholls, and enthralling long-form song arrangements. If you have never heard an IQ album, do yourself a favor and grab this.
Rating: 4.5
O.R.k. – Firehose Of Falsehoods (Kscope)
It’s hard to believe Firehose Of Falsehoods is O.R.k.’s fifth album already. It’s even harder to believe these guys still seem to fly under the radar. Pedigree alone (bassist Colin Edwin, ex-Porcupine Tree, and drummer Pat Mastelotto, of King Crimson and Mister Mister fame are the marquee names) demands an audience, and the band has never failed to deliver.
This album is no exception, as O.R.k. lay into progressive metal with more than a hint of Soundgarden/Chris Cornell flair. The music is insanely tight and catchy, with Carmelo Pipitone slaying it on guitar, and LEF continues to display incredible vocal skills. Their previous album Screamnasium made it into our Best Of list in 2022, and this album is at least as good.
Rating: 4.5
Sacrosanct – Kidron (Rock Of Angels)
Like O.R.k.’s new album, Kidron is Sacrosanct’s fifth album. Unlike that band, though, these guys have been around since 1988, with a trio of classic albums in the old days and a resurgence of sorts about seven years ago. Kidron leans more towards progressive power metal and does so with aplomb.
Original member Randy Meinhard continues to lead the group with superb riffs while new singer Max Morton does an excellent job with the material – he also takes on some behind-the-board duties here. Kidron is a super selection of tight, melodic, intricate progressive power metal that will bring a wide grin to every listener’s face.
Rating: 4
Sadist – Something To Pierce (Agonia)
Italian progressive death metal titans Sadist have been assaulting our ears for nearly thirty-five years. Something To Pierce is the band’s tenth album, and across ten tracks and a svelte 39 minutes the band shows no signs of slowing down. The band continues to be led by guitarist/keyboardist Tommy Talamanca and vocalist Trevor Nadir.
Something To Pierce is classic progressive death metal with plenty of twists and turns – complex arrangements and guitar playing, guest female vocals, and a number of jazz-influenced meanderings. It all adds up to a compelling, engrossing, and completely enjoyable and well-executed platter, one that fans of prog-death (and others) will love.
Rating: 4
Tiktaalika – Gods Of Pangaea (InsideOut)
Haken guitarist Charlie Griffiths returns with his second Tiktaalika release. This time around, though, that’s the name of the band, not the album. The album is Gods Of Pangaea, and Griffiths is once again joined by a number of guest vocalists and musicians, all of whom keep up with Griffiths’ extraordinary guitar craft. In fact, like O.R.k. above, Griffiths’ last album was in our Best Of list in 2022.
One look at the cover art is all you need to know about the musical direction Gods Of Pangaea takes. This album pays authentic homage to ’80s thrash with a progressive bent – Megadeth come most dominantly to mind. Overall the band nails it, with a collection of aggressive, stylish, and very well done songs. Listeners looking for this kind of album will fall in love.
Rating: 4
Steven Wilson – The Overview (Universal)
Progressive rock legend Steven Wilson rounds out our March six-pack with The Overview, his eighth studio album. A concept album comprised of two epic-length songs, The Overview is all about perspective – the universe and humanity’s place within it. The album will remind listeners of the classic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The Overview is far too complex a piece to review in two paragraphs. I’ll have to sum it up by saying the musicianship and production are as exquisite as one comes to expect from Wilson, and the progressive rock/space rock journey Wilson and his co-conspirators take us on is nothing short of breathtaking. New sounds are unveiled on each listen, resulting in perhaps Wilson’s strongest (or at least second strongest) solo release, as well as our pick of the month.
Rating: 4.5
