The Tangent – Was (October 2nd, 2026)
Progressive rock veterans The Tangent return with their 14th studio album, Was, released on White Knight Records. Main composer, singer, and keyboardist Andy Tillison, is joined again by guitarist Luke Machin alongside longtime collaborator Theo Travis on saxophone and flute. The ambitious double album finds the band exploring nostalgia, memories of the 1970s, and historical and social change through their signature blend of progressive rock, jazz, and classical influences. Disc one features two epic compositions exceeding 20 minutes, beginning with the title track, which opens with a wonderful orchestral movement that sets the stage for what follows. The 70s funk-inspired “Follow the River” offers a catchy, 70s-funk-inspired change of pace, while the sprawling “Was Not” closes the first disc with The Tangent at their very best. Meanwhile, Disc two, La Suite Ce qu’était, is an expansive instrumental suite that blends 20th-century classical music, jazz, prog, funk, and brass arrangements. The result is another musically adventurous release from an artist and band that continues to deliver bold and ambitious prog rock. Fans of The Tangent should enjoy this one.
Order here: https://magenta.bandcamp.com/album/was
1.Was 22:08
2.Follow The River 04:55
3.Was Not 20:48
4.L’Aperitif 06:23
5.Steak de chevreuil et Le Fermier 04:27
6.Danse 08:19
7.La Route cotiere 09:35
8.Multi partisanisme 15:44
9.Laisses moi chanter 08:25
Andy Tillison / keyboards, vocals, lyrics
Luke Machin / guitars, backing vocals
John Jowitt / bass, backing vocals
Theo Travis / saxophones, flutes, wind instruments
Steve Roberts / drums, percussion, gongs
Rob Groucutt / keyboards, backing vocals
The Ocean – Solaris (Sept. 25th, 2026)
German progressive metal band The Ocean return with their 12th studio album, Solaris, the follow-up to 2023’s Holocene. The nearly 70-minute sci-fi-inspired concept album, based on Andrei Tarkovsky’s cinematic masterpiece of the same name, marks a new era for the band following a major lineup overhaul that saw the departure of two-thirds of its previous members, including longtime vocalist Loïc Rossetti. New additions include guitarists Emmanuel Jessua (Hypno5e) and Marco Gennaro, along with vocalists Enrico Tiberi and Lane Shi. The album also features contributions from Tangerine Dream’s Thorsten Quaeschning on modular synthesizers. Following a brief atmospheric intro, “Departure Song” kicks things into gear, showcasing the dynamic vocal pairing of Tiberi and Shi. The first single, “Light Pollution,” finds the band in familiar territory, while the album’s second half ventures into more experimental territory. Much of Solaris unfolds through three multi-part suites: “Simulacra,” “Belligerence,” and “Ultima Esperanza,” allowing the band to explore new musical directions while retaining their signature intensity. There’s certainly a lot to take in across the album’s nearly 70 minutes, but Solaris is a rewarding and ambitious musical journey that signals an exciting new chapter for The Ocean.
Order here: https://theocean.bandcamp.com/album/solaris
1.52°30’11″N, 13°26’12″E 02:10
2.Departure Song 07:52
3.Light Pollution 09:55
4.Simulacra 17:18
5.Belligerence 10:45
6.Ultima Esperanza 11:49
7.Milk Of My Dream 04:16
8.51°28′30″S, 73°6′11″W 05:20
Robin Staps – guitars, programming, backing vocals
Mattias Hägerstrand – bass
Jordi Farré – drums
Enrico Tiberi – vocals
Lane Shi – vocals
Emmanuel Jessua – guitar
Marco Gennaro – guitar
John Holden – Threshold – (Oct. 2nd, 2026)
Multi-instrumentalist John Holden returns with his seventh studio album, Thresholds, arriving on the heels of last year’s The Great Divide. Once again, Holden expertly handles all the instrumentation, joined by an impressive lineup of guest vocalists including Peter Jones (Tiger Moth Tales), Sally Minnear (Dave Bainbridge), That Joe Payne (The Enid, Jordan Rudess), and Sertari (Karnataka). Inspired by themes of crossings, awakenings, conflicts, and the experiences that shape our lives, Thresholds is a majestic and uplifting collection of symphonic progressive rock. The songs have a soaring, anthemic quality, filled with rich melodies and sweeping arrangements at times sounding like Magenta. A particular highlight is the 13-minute epic “Mohawk River,” featuring a powerful vocal performance from That Joe Payne that is sure to please progressive rock fans. Thresholds is an excellent release from Holden, and while his music may still fly under the radar, this is an album that certainly deserves more attention.
Order here: https://johnholden.bandcamp.com/album/thresholds
1.Seven Ages 08:25
2.Shape Remains 05:44
3.Mohawk River 13:08
4.Zero Minus 05:22
5.Surrender 06:43
6.A Silent Spark 05:08
7.If I Knew 10:43
John Holden All Instruments, Production & Artwork
Vocals:
Pete Jones ( tracks 1, 5, 7 )
Sertari ( tracks 2, 4, 6 )
Joe Payne ( track 3 )
Sally Minnear ( track 5 )
Dreadnought- Wars of Spirit/Wards of Light (Sept. 11th, 2026)
American progressive metal quartet Dreadnought return with their sixth studio album, Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light, released on Vesperian. With a newly focused lineup, the band takes its sound in an ambitious new direction, blending lush synthesizers and keyboards with crushing progressive metal and cinematic arrangements. The album explores the conflict between technological dystopia and the human spirit, creating a powerful and immersive musical journey. The opening track, “Tiamat’s Gate,” immediately showcases this new direction, with atmospheric soundscapes providing the backdrop for Kelly Schilling’s ethereal vocals. These moments of beauty contrast with the brutal intensity of Ryan Sims’ guttural growls, blast beats, and explosive instrumentation. The result is an album that is both majestic and punishing, balancing cinematic grandeur with relentless heaviness. Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light is an ambitious and compelling release that pushes Dreadnought’s progressive metal sound into exciting new territory.
Order here: https://dreadnoughtdenver.bandcamp.com/album/wars-of-spirit-wards-of-light
1.Tiamat’s Gate 09:13
2.The Archive 04:35
3.Colors Of Our Broken Hearts 04:38
4.Serpents Of The Moon 06:57
5.Aeonwar 07:02
6.The Twilight Protectorate 07:31
Jordan Clancy – Drums, Percussion
Kevin Handlon – Bass Guitar
Kelly Schilling – Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth
Ryan Sims – Vocals, Guitars
