Mythodea
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Reviews 19
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Soundoffs 63
News Articles 21
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Album Edits 80

Album Ratings 1674
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Last Active 12-14-22 8:26 am
Joined 12-13-13

Review Comments 7,458

 Lists
01.01.23 Something Something 2022 05.31.22 The long and winding morning...
02.02.22 February 2022 🎧 Listening Room01.11.22 January 2022 Listening Room
12.20.21 Something Something 2021 03.04.21 Bring Back Prog Tournaments
12.13.20 Something Something 2020 06.12.20 Let's all cry our hearts out
12.12.18 2018 goes up to 1112.17.16 Something something 2016
10.19.16 Albums that expand the borders of music07.15.16 Coup in Turkey
02.16.15 Prog Archives Pt.II02.14.15 Prog Archives Pt.I
12.24.14 A Year And Some More Days11.21.14 Your Top 5 Bands
09.07.14 Sputnikbook Maybe?06.26.14 Digs From My Doom/gothic/folk/black Day
More »

February 2022 🎧 Listening Room

Listening on new music, commenting, suggesting and whatnot. Feel free to recommend stuff or suggestions for the ''check also''.
1Dawn of Solace
Flames of Perdition


(Finland) It's the first album I listen from Tuomas Saukkonen, mastermind behind two other bands, ''Before the Dawn'' and ''Wolfheart'', and I can say I've been hooked. Tuomas and co. provide mid-tempo gothic metal songs, bathed in the mournful Scandinavian romanticism. Nothing ground-breaking, but it's definitely well constructed, honest work, that falls short on memorability, but is highly appropriate for fans of the genre.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_llki0tCN5RtQPAAD-ei-A_DXL63HtgQU4

Check Also: Soen - Imperial (2021)
[While Soen are a dominant name in the progosphere, they never shy away from their dark/gothic atmosphere, which is most prominent on their last album]
2Ode and Elegy
Ode and Elegy


(USA) A massive piece an hour long, which maps the grievances of change, loss, and catharsis. The band finds spotless balance between their post metal and symphonic sound, with clean, mournful female vocals interchanging with hardcore screams and climaxes. An impactful work, emotional, brave, and fragile, still crushing us to the ground.

https://soundcloud.com/user-546383502

Check Also: So Hideous - None But a Pure Heart Can Sing (2021)
[black and post metal interwoven with big jazz orchestra moments, in one of my most adored releases of '21]
3YAYA KIM
a.k.a YAYA


(South Korea) She presents herself as ''jack of all trades'', and that applies to genres as well. This phenomenal debut finds its voice wandering through blues, trip-hop, pop (''everything and the kitchen sink'' as Demon of the Fall accurately proposes) and is satisfying in both duration and quality. Unmistaken AOTM material right here.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nYbVSvGzMc0EAOLY9_VfmbCNE_N0O1BRw

Check Also: Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters [2020]
[as suggested by Demon of the Fall, along with Shiina Ringo, which I had never heard of until now]
4Cult of Luna
The Long Road North


(Sweden) You know more or less what to expect by post-metal pioneers Cult of Luna, and on this new album you'll find it aplenty. Crushing and heavy (one might say ''unbearable''), this album is also merrited by small details, like the feature of vocalist Wallentin and saxophonist Stetson, which provide more texture and layers to CoL's massive sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAE5jb_iLRw (single ''Cold Burn'')

Check Also: Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner (2016)
[The only other Cult of Luna release I actually liked and still can't get enough of it. Julie Christmas's voice is splendid, and it would be a blessing if the two collaborated again in the future]
5Black Country, New Road
Ants From Up There


(UK) I admit I didn't give BC/NR a chance last year, mostly because I wasn't *too* eager to check on everything new and notable. While I had a vogue impression of how they sounded like, I never thought I'd enjoy it per se. With their sophomore album dropping only a year later, and word having it that it was an incredible one, I couldn't [i] not [/i] listen to it. Perhaps it's just another trend, but I actually loved it. I found traces of many things I like (as well as the mix of Nick Cave-meets-Roger Waters vocals), but if the compositions themselves were bland, this wouldn't have succeeded as much as it did. Bravo.

https://blackcountrynewroad.bandcamp.com/album/ants-from-up-there

Check Also:
6Persefone
Metanoia


(Andorra) Woah, where did this come from? An amazing product of symphonic prog, which allows itself to follow different paths without becoming too noodly. Atmospheric passages are also present, with several electronic layers on top, and some stellar performances by band and featured artists alike.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n_vxUhf57BT0V191AiLt-oaAAwqNvVxQ0&feature=share

Check Also: Earthside - A Dream in Static (2015)
[the debut that caught everyone off-guard when it dropped, taking us by storm with its gorgeous production and amalgamation of symphonic prog, djent and post rock. Their new album shouldn't take long to come, so give this one a spin to get on board the hype train]
7Cultist (CAN)
Manic Despair


(Canada) Awkward, yet intriguing painting of a person in agony? Check. Perfect old-school mix with prominent bass? Check. Guttural vocals, muddy playing, relentless riffs, and squeeling solos? Check, check, check! This debut album by Canada death metallers Cultist is bound to turn some heads (and chop others). Vocalist Vanessa Grossberndt deserves praise for playing and singing like that.

https://cultistcanada.bandcamp.com/album/manic-despair-3

Check Also: Demoniac (CHL) - So it Goes (2021)
[Thrashier, and with some clarinet additions, but this has this unmistakeble smell of old-school, and YOU should check it out]
8Panoram
Acrobatic Thoughts


[Germany] This reminds me of Ultraworld-era The Orb (Wandering Frames!), and HELLO, that's a good thing! A laid back yet adventurous offering with lots of throwback. Slow moving and relaxing! (by the one and only Trifolium)

https://runningbackrecords.bandcamp.com/album/acrobatic-thoughts

Check Also: The Orb - Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (1991)
9Zeal and Ardor
Zeal and Ardor


(Switzerland) The third strike by Gagneux and co. with their signature blend of black metal, that shouldn't work, not even on paper, but it so absolutely does. This time songs are not as easy to decript on first listen, but there are also some cuts that are bound to be career highlights (Run, I Caught You)

https://zealandardor.bandcamp.com/album/zeal-ardor-3

Check Also: Spider God - Black Renditions (2022)
[While it's ''black pop'' and not ''black gospel'', this amalgam of opposite styles is well done, even if it turns out to be a gimmick]
10alt-J
The Dream


(UK) alt-j return after five years of absence with another dreamy, adventurous album. As they've proven before, alt-j could be short for ''careless indie experimentation''(-j), and even if we don't find instant classics as with previous album Relaxer, ''The Dream'' has a lot to unpack, and in it's 14 songs definitely hide many gems.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfiMjLyNWxeZ4wSi-sePiHNSJ-5hPYOWp

Check Also: >put it in my butt, put it in my butt
11Amorphis
Halo


[Finland] Closing the trilogy of Finnish mythology-turns-metal, Amorphis remain consistent and relevant, even if sacrificing originality a wee bit. Having found their place after a long and notable career, Amorphis provide a polished, heavy and intricate album that won't reveal itself easily.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n4tMhG01AkmsAByMCmc0MPZZ-5JKQn-z4

Check Also: Amorphis - Under the Red Cloud (2014)
[First album in the trilogy and perhaps the more balanced]
12Big Thief
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You


[USA] Big Thief's latest, double album, has already knocked on your door one way or another, and rightfully so. It's a long journey to the finish line, but once you push play you shouldn't worry. The album has enough intricacies and cohesion to keep your attention focused. Lenker's innocent vocals atop the careless and earthy music don't waste their magic too soon, but wander through seriousness and cheekiness with the same ease some bands fail terribly. I mean, the lyric ''When I say celestial, I mean extra-terrestial, I mean accepting the alien you've rejected in your heart'' is so ridiculous, but delivered with such tone, that catches you off guard, and warms your heart as if you've got a funny friend strumming their guitar to lift your spirits.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mzuz2ClyQx2ykF4xhd5iKiFLWo3JuR3h4

Check Also:
13Thank
Thoughtless Cruelty


[UK] I don't know if it's only me who's been caught in this wave of post-punk revival, but I feel like there's a great scene up and coming with artists politically and cynically charging their music, while experimenting enough to expand their aggression, but not lose it.

https://thankleeds.bandcamp.com/album/thoughtless-cruelty

Check Also: Idles - Crawler (2021)
[one of my favourite albums from last year, and one of the reasons I'm giving Thank a chance, since I'm new to the genre. It worked as an entry point for me, along with ''Brave Faces Everyone'' by Spanish Love Songs, so who knows, it might work for you too]
14Star One
Revel in Time


[Netherlands] It's been almost ten years since I was last interested in a Lucassen project. Ayreon seem to have lost some steam, so Arjen chose to invite a bunch of A-List musicians (well, yet again) and let them loose, thus creating another riff oriented, larger than life, theatrical album, reminiscent of glorious days of the past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gct7orq3Zcw

Check Also: Flaming Row - Mirage: A Portrayal of Figures (2014)
[Thanks to Scheumke (or is it Schmeuke?) for suggesting this behemoth of an album on Prog Tournament 2022, otherwise I wouldn't know of it. Very similar to the concept of Ayreon and Star One, but perhaps better executed? Find out!]
15RES (SWE)
RES


[Sweden]The significance of this little EP is less due to its musical or artistic merrit, and more because its members: Martin Axentrot (ex-Opeth) on drums, Martin Mendez (Opeth, White Stones) on bass, and Nathalie Lorichs on vocals (which you might remember from a certain Opeth song called ''Coil''). With only 20 minutes of music, RES show some intersing song-writing potential and the playing is of course stellar. Nathalie's vocals are as good as ever, though some vocal lines feel underdeveloped. Song ''Galge'' is perfect, reminiscent of Black Sabbath's ''Planet Caravan'', and ''Gaucho'' clocking around 8 minutes is the most intricate of all.

https://resprog.bandcamp.com/album/res?from=embed

Check Also: Pier Wiberg - Head Without Eyes (2019)
[most Opeth members' side projects have nothing to do with the sound that brought them fame. Ex-Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg gives his own interpretation of experimental rock]
16Scorpions
Rock Believer


[Germany] A highly anticipated album, which successfully erases the flop that ''Return to Forever'' was. This time, Scorps receive full credit for the songs, and give us a bunch of traditional rock songs, with some amazing cuts, such as Seventh Sun, Peacemaker, Shining of Your Soul. It might never reach the highs of other post-2000 albums (i.e. Unbreakable, Humanity), but it remains a great late career album. Really impressed by the rhythm section this time around, the little nods to their past discography, and Klaus Meine's voice is still stellar.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxA687tYuMWgmw97Hz3s9NRDihiJdLIVH

Check Also: Scorpions - Sting in the Tail (2010)
[Of the four albums they've released in this century, SitT is definitely equal to Rock Believer in terms of sound and overall quality. Nothing head-turning, but still fun as hell, and bears their signature with pride]
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