Soen – Reliance (January 16, 2026)
Swedish progressive metal band Soen return with their seventh studio album Reliance, led by vocalist Joel Ekelöf and former Opeth drummer Martin Lopez. Known for their blend of atmosphere and precision, the band once again delivers a powerful and polished production, with standout guitar tones driving tracks like the lead single “Primal,” which also delivers another signature fist-pumping Soen chorus. Another highlight is “Huntress”, a mid-tempo rocker with a haunting verse and epic chorus. While Reliance doesn’t necessarily break new ground for the band, it reinforces their strengths—tight songwriting, emotional weight, and sonic clarity. There’s a consistency here that speaks to a band fully in control of their identity, balancing heaviness with restraint and melody. Fans of Soen, as well as listeners drawn to well-produced, modern metal, will appreciate across this solid and focused release.
Order here: https://soen.tmstor.es/
Tracklisting
1. Primal (4:34)
2. Mercenary (4:11)
3. Discordia (3:55)
4. Axis (4:15)
5. Huntress (4:44)
6. Unbound (4:33)
7. Indifferent (3:37)
8. Drifter (4:21)
9. Draconian (4:37)
10. Vellichor (4:45)
Joel Ekelöf / vocals
Martin Lopez / drums
Lars Enok Åhlund / keyboards, guitar
Cody Lee Ford / guitar
Stefan Stenberg / bass
Echoverse – Fall Towards The Sky (March 27, 2026)
Echoverse return with their second album Fall Towards the Sky, a strong follow-up to the debut Whispers Between Worlds. Featuring The Prog Report’s own Kyle Graves on vocals and Kyle Fagala on drums, alongside keyboardist/bassist Doug Bowers and guitarist Rob Perez, the band takes a clear step forward in both composition and production. That growth is evident on tracks like the first single “Radical Rebirth,” while heavier and more progressive moments emerge on the title track and “The Serpent & The Schism.” Meanwhile, “Gold Bars” starts off as a beautiful acoustic ballad and evolves to a 70s-style prog epic with a brilliant keyboard solo. Blending themes of Christian spirituality with modern progressive and hard rock influences, the album presents a more confident and fully realized sound. It’s a noticeable evolution that highlights the band’s expanding range and musical identity.
Order here: https://echoverseband.bandcamp.com/album/fall-towards-the-sky
Tracklisting:
1. Radical Rebirth (5:38)
2. Philosophy Abounds (6:08)
3. 10 Plagues (6:49)
4. The Serpent & The Schism (9:33)
5. Gold Bars (8:00)
6. Fall Towards The Sky (9:55)
7. Here Today, Then A Mist (Bonus Track) (6:09)
Kyle “KG” Graves / Lead Vocals
Doug Bowers / Keys, Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Rob Perez / Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Kyle Fagala: Drums, Background Vocals
Hallas – Panorama (January 30, 2026)
Founded in 2011, Swedish band Hallas return with their fourth studio album Panorama, continuing to refine a sound that blends retro influences with a distinctly modern edge. The quintet weave epic, fantasy-driven concept narratives through a rich mix of soaring twin guitars, vintage synth textures, and a sense of adventurous songwriting that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Rooted in the spirit of classic ‘70s prog yet grounded in a contemporary approach, the album evokes shades of Rush, Genesis, Opeth, and others. The album highlight is the 21-minute opening song “Above the Continuum, which attempts to mix in as many styles as possible. This is certain to be a song many are talking about at the end of the year. Panorama further establishes Hallas as a band carving out their own space, where classic influences meet imaginative world-building and forward-thinking execution.
Order here: https://haellas.bandcamp.com/album/panorama
Tracklisting:
1.Above the Continuum 21:29
2.Face of an Angel 05:03
3.The Emissary 06:44
4.Bestiaus 04:32
5.At the Summit 06:22
Tommy Alexandersson / vocals, bass
Rickard Swahn / guitar
Marcus Petersson / guitar
Nicklas Malmqvist / keyboards
Kasper Eriksson / drums
Godsticks – VOiD (March 27, 2026)
Godsticks return with VOiD, their seventh studio album and easily their darkest and heaviest to date. Frontman and primary songwriter Darran Charles once again delivers a standout vocal performance, blending intensity with a distinct phrasing that cuts through the dense, weighty arrangements. VOiD reflects a disillusionment with a world increasingly defined by division, ideological rigidity, and the loss of nuance, documenting a conscious withdrawal from the noise into a more personal, internal space. The lead single and opening track “M.I.A.” sets the tone immediately, offering a powerful statement on psychology and the persistent voice within. It’s a bold and uncompromising release that leans fully into the band’s heavier instincts while maintaining their sharp, progressive edge.
Order here: https://godsticks.bandcamp.com/album/void
Tracklisting:
1. M.I.A. (4:08)
2. Hold Back (4:41)
3. Watch it Burn (3:05)
4. Master of a Plan (4:47)
5. Torn Again (5:31)
6. Can’t Withstand (5:07)
7. Ruthless Coward (4:28)
8. Talking Through Walls Pt 1 (3:28)
9. Talking Through Walls Pt 2 (4:30)
10. Hope is Burning (4:55)
Darran Charles / vocals, keys
Francis George / bass
Gavin Bushell / guitar
Tom Price / drums
