Tag: Progressive Rock

This is a very unusual release, and I mean that in the best way possible. If you don’t know, Hrada is the brainchild of Peter Espevoll, formerly of Extol. So Hrada sounds like Extol, right? Not at all. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Well, kind of. Do we have excellent instrumentation, exquisite arrangements, and segues that make your head spin a little? Sure. The two projects have that in common. On Mirrorland, there are also themes of faith, doubt, and some very deep questions and societal critiques that wouldn’t be too out of place on an Extol album.… Continued →

One of the finest acts of the Jesus Music era, The Crimson Bridge formed in 1970. While the origins of the band were in the Gospel vocal group The Spurrlows, The Crimson Bridge’s sounds and influences were much more diverse. Sure they dabbled in the typical folk music sounds of the Jesus Movement, but they also added jazz-funk, prog rock, and psychedelic rock on their debut (and only) album, eponymously titled and released in 1972 on then-fledgling Myrrh Records. “Comin'” is the third track on the album and focuses on the return of Jesus.… Continued →

Independent Christian music lost another legend recently. Jimmy Hotz (inventor/producer/solo artist/band member/producer/engineer/electronic music pioneer/author/multi-instrumentalist–and we’re not even exaggerating) died in June. Hotz first recorded in CCM in the 1970s with the group Dove, and then a handful of other mostly CCM artists before recording his solo album–and many would say his magnum opus–Beyond the Crystal Sea, released in 1980 on Oklahoma City-based Vision Records. Fortunately for fans, Born Twice (a division of Retroactive/Boone’s Overstock) re-issued the album in 2010. Hotz wasn’t content to release one of the greatest Christian rock albums of all time (this claim is verifiable too, repeatedly making appearances in all-time lists from reputable sources like HM, CCM, and various others).… Continued →

Geoff Mann was a fairly well-known prog rock artist in the UK, but unfortunately his renown didn’t quite make it across the Atlantic. Having been the vocalist in an early incarnation of famed UK prog rock band Twelfth Night, he effectively left the band when they moved to London and he decided to remain in Manchester. Sometime in the early 80s, Geoff became a Christian through a “deep and lasting Christian conversion” (for more info, check out this article). At this point Geoff begins making very creative, even experimental prog rock.… Continued →

Contemporary Celtic band Iona have been making music since their eponymous debut released in 1990. Fusing traditional Celtic folk instruments (flutes, whistles, bodhran drums, etc.) with jazz and progressive elements caused them to stand out from their other contemporary Celtic peers. Albums from the band commonly featured worshipful tunes (“Treasure” for instance, from their third album Beyond These Shores or “Revelation” from the second one, Book of Kells), traditional Scots-Irish tunes, as well as lengthy instrumental songs, or instrumental sections within songs. One of the most stunning examples of the latter is “Bi-Se I Mo Shuil” (Irish Gaelic for “She is My Eye”), from their fourth album Journey into the Morn.… Continued →

Jessieville, Arkansas is about the last place on earth I’d expect to discover a new artist. I’ve been there, the entire town is comprised of a high school, a post office, and a burger shack. Yet much to my surprise that’s exactly where the progressive rock band Census comes from. The group started out as metalcore releasing an EP and a handful of singles. But with guitarist Ben Carey taking over on vocals the band has taken on a slightly different sound. Check out their newest single “I Can Feel Eternity” below and find the rest of the band’s discography on Bandcamp.… Continued →

A legend in his own right, Mr. John DeGroff of long running Christian Rock pioneers Petra will be dropping a brand new album “SALT” drenched in prog-rock goodness on June 22nd. Listen to the first song “Runnin'” featuring John Schlitt right here. Read the press release below.… Continued →

Demon Hunter return with a powerful 8th album that proves once again why Ryan Clark and crew are heavy metal legends.

Pangram is an instrumental concept album which lives up to its namesake, borrowing pieces from a plethora of genres. Read on for the full review.

Red Cord Records have posted a new lyric video for the track “Then You Came” by Embers In Ashes. The song appears on the band’s upcoming release, titled Outsiders, which is out August 28th.… Continued →

Check out the video below to listen to “Fires and Frames” by Kiven. The song will be on their new EP titled “Step”. The EP will be out March 6th. … Continued →