PROGROCK.COM REVIEWS

Back in the 80’s, when Genesis was atop the music world, there was also no shortage of success by its members through side projects. While Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel were floating on successful solo careers, guitarist Mike Rutherford opted instead to form a group called Mike + the Mechanics. The group saw immediate success with massive hits like “Silent Running”, “All I Need is a Miracle,” and “The Living Years.” Although they would not have as much success later on in the US, the band would continue to release albums earning a few more...

Review by Victor J. Giol With the release of Automata (Part 1), Between the Buried and Me have provided the next stage of their musical maturity; a concept album which is being revealed in two parts (the second part to be released in June). Tommy Rogers’ dark lyrics centered on the main character’s struggle with depression and the media exploitation of it. These five musicians successfully deliver a great journey with their signature power, precision, and sound longtime fans have adapted to hearing. The opening track, “Condemned to the...

by Prog Nick Lightning never strikes twice in the same place, does it? Thirteen years ago a lightning bolt called Kino cracked the 2005 Prog-pop sky and scorched the earth, albeit briefly but as powerfully as a tornado. It struck only once. The album, called Picture was the result of an enigmatically short-lived collaboration between lightning master John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*), John Beck (keyboardist for It Bites and Fish), Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas and Porcupine Tree stick-man Chris Maitland. The one-off line-up did not flatter...

Despite prog being associated with great keyboard players hailing back to greats like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Geoff Downes, Richard Wright, and more, the most recent generation of prog, while suffering no shortage of great keyboard players, has largely been a guitar dominated affair. Guitars have added more strings, music has gotten heavier, and ever more complicated. Most heralded instrumental albums are from the well-known guitarists of the world. However, with his self-titled release, Gleb Kolyadin aims to show that this no longer...

Concert: Sons of Apollo Monsters of Rock pre-cruise party concertVenue: Magic City Casino, Miami, FL, Feb 9th, 2018Words and Pics by: Victor J. Giol Having recently come off the Cruise to the Edge where Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian’s newest prog supergroup, Sons Of Apollo, had their first live performances, the musicians were about to experience the first reaction from a more rock/metal audience in the Monsters of Rock pre-cruise party at the Magic City casino in Miami. Performing their first concert in dry land. Mike Portnoy As soon as...