The New Release Spotlight is a roundup of new and recently released albums.
Klone – The Unseen (November 8th, 2024)
Klone’s latest album, The Unseen, is only the band’s 10th album in their 25+ year career. Yet, this one is another moody and immersive addition to their discography. The album opens with “Interlaced,” a brooding, deep track with a brilliant saxophone solo that establishes an atmospheric tone for the reflective journey ahead. There is an immediately noticeable Pink Floyd influence here. Vocalist Yann Ligner adds an alternative rock style, sounding a little like Tool’s Maynard James Keenan at times, giving the music an interesting sound. The title track, “The Unseen,” mixes melancholic verses with a powerful, uplifting chorus, while “Magnetic” stands out with its catchy structure and heartfelt lyrics. Throughout, Klone balances their dark, contemplative style with brighter, more hopeful moments, reminiscent of their 2019 release, Le Grand Voyage. However, The Unseen brings even more depth and subtlety, refining the themes explored in 2023’s Meanwhile with a polished, cohesive sound.
Order here: https://kloneeofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-unseen
Tracklisting
1.Interlaced 05:39
2.The Unseen 05:45
3.Magnetic 03:19
4.After the Sun 04:04
5.Desire Line 05:28
6.Slow Down 05:41
7.Spring 12:15
Line-up / Musicians
Yann Ligner / vocals
Guillaume Bernard / guitars
Matthieu Metzger / keyboards, saxophones
Aldrick Guadagnino / guitars
Morgan Berthet / drums
Kingcrow – Hopium (August 23rd, 2024)
Italian band Kingcrow released tbeir 8th album, Hopium, in the summer of 2024, continuing the band’s intricate blend of progressive metal, alternative, and atmospheric rock. Things kick off with “Kintsugi,” an intense opener that sets a dark, atmospheric tone with a really cool rhythm not unlike something you might hear on a Leprous album. Driven by Diego Cafolla’s brooding guitar and synth layers, it’s a powerful start, blending moodiness with lyrical themes of personal resilience. “Parallel Lines” follows as a standout, its intricate rhythms and hints of djent giving the album depth and weight. The title track, “Hopium,” wraps up the journey with guest pianist Vikram Shankar adding a poignant, reflective closing solo. Diego Marchesi’s expressive vocals and Cafolla’s versatile arrangements make Hopium a compelling listen, balancing Kingcrow’s signature emotional edge with nuanced progressive rock soundscapes. Fans of the band will find plenty to enjoy here and it might grab some new ones along the way.
Order here: https://kingcrow1.bandcamp.com/album/hopium
Tracklisting:
1. Kintsugi (3:53)
2. Glitch (3:56)
3. Parallel Lines (6:46)
4. New Moon Harvest (3:30)
5. Losing Game (5:28)
6. White Rabbit’s Hole (6:55)
7. Night Drive (5:48)
8. Vicious Circle (4:21)
9. Hopium (8:24)
10. Come Through (Bonus Track) (4:21)
Line-up / Musicians
Diego Marchesi / vocals
Diego Cafolla / guitars, keys, backing vocals
Ivan Nastasi / guitars, backing vocals
Riccardo Nifosì / bass, backing vocals
Thundra Cafolla / drums, percussion
With:
Vikram Shankar / piano solo (9)
Mike Marker Zero – Coming of Age (July 6th, 2024)
It may’ve taken Connecticut-based prog/art rock quintet Mile Marker Zero six years to follow up 2018’s excellent The Fifth Row, but with Coming of Age, they certainly made the wait worthwhile. A shorter and tighter collection than either of its predecessors, Coming of Age continues the troupe’s mastery of accessible songwriting and sophisticated (but not overly showy or sterile) instrumentation. The immensely compelling and dynamic “Best Is Yet to Come” showcases that well, as do electronic-tinged ethereal ballad “Bizarre” and somberly decorated acoustic closer “End of August.” The whole thing is superb, though, and at only 51 minutes in length, it’s endlessly replayable as well.
Order here: https://mmzofficial.bandcamp.com/album/coming-of-age
1. A Time in Place (1:42)
2. Best Is Yet to Come (7:40)
3. Towns to Grow Up In (7:31)
4. Bizarre (4:52)
5. Coming of Age (7:58)
6. Heavy Days (7:18)
7. Far from Here (6:34)
8. End of August (7:34)
Dave Alley / vocals
John Tuohy / guitar
Mark Focarile / keyboards
Jaco Lindito / bass
Doug Alley / drums
