Aardvark - Tuntematon Sotilas ($15.99)
Titles are arranged alphabetically with the latest additions highlighted in yellow.
Aardvark - Tuntematon Sotilas ($15.99)This 2006 release is the second album by a Finnish symphonic prog quintet singing in Finnish. Aardvark can also be heard on the Kalevala various artists 3CD, though their lineup has since changed. This is wonderful 1970’s-style progressive rock similar to Finnish prog bands of that decade such as Kaamos, Nova, and Nimbus. If those bands are unfamiliar, the first three albums of Swedish band Kaipa (forerunners of The Flower Kings) are a good reference. Work on the album began in 2003, and though all the members are Finns, they’re scattered around the globe. They relied on the Internet, with the drums recorded in Singapore, the keyboards in New Zealand, and the guitar, bass, and vocals in three separate studios in Finland. You’d never know though, as it sounds cohesive. Another musician guests on accordion on two tracks. Here is a RealAudio excerpt from the track Kaikkitietava ja kaukaa viisas.
A.C.T. - Silence ($14.99) 
A.C.T. - Today’s Report ($14.99) InsideOut has reissued the CDs of A.C.T., Sweden’s best kept secret. A.C.T. may no longer really be much of a secret in Europe. They play symphonic progressive with the addition of strong pop songwriting along the lines of Queen, Kayak, Saga, and ELO. They marry English-style progressive and pop extremely well, with a lush, dense sound and plenty of complexity to go with a knack for catchy melodies. These 2006/2007 editions of Silence (2006, 64-minutes), Last Epic (2003, 67-minutes), Imaginary Friends (2001, 63-minutes), and Today’s Report (1999, 62-minutes) all have bonus audio and/or video tracks and expanded booklets.
Adventure - Beacon of Light ($15.99) Beacon of Light (2009, 73-minutes) is the second CD for Adventure, who are sort of the Norwegian counterpart to the Swedish band Black Bonzo in that they blend retro-style symphonic prog with the heavier Uriah Heep style. Adventure have two male lead vocalists, one of whom sings in a more pompous, affected style, and female backing vocals. Their sound features vintage keys, flute, and guitar that sticks mainly to early-70’s tones. The sympho-prog side of their style is vaguely in the vein of The Flower Kings or Camel. Read reviews here.
The self-titled CD is Adventure’s 2000 debut. This is the 2006 re-edition on the MALS label.
Ageness - Songs from the Liar’s Lair ($15.99) Ageness is a symphonic neo-prog band from Finland singing in English and generally sounding very English. The band was founded in 1991, though it evolved out of the band Scarab, who released an album in 1983. Ageness was very active in the 1990’s and was probably the best known Finnish prog band at that time. They released three CDs that decade. Their primary influence is undoubtedly Genesis, though they add elements of Marillion and Rush.
After a long downtime, Ageness re-emerged with Songs from the Liar’s Lair (2009). Their sound is still somewhere between Genesis and early Marillion, often with similar melodrama, while new guitarist Speedy Saarinen’s style is at times more aggressive, taking some of the music closer to Arena. It’s an excellent comeback album that will appeal to a majority of symphonic prog fans, and as if there wasn’t enough great progressive rock coming out of the rest of Scandinavia, now Finland is ramping up production! To aid in determining which tracks at Ageness’ MySpace page are from this CD, the track list is: Entering, Martial Arts, The Lie and the Liar, Why Don’t You Go Away, Sons of Madness, The Lament of Ghosts, Liar’s Lair.
Jimmy Ågren - Close Enough for Jazz ($9.99) Guitarist/vocalist Jimmy Ågren’s 2003 solo album is here because he is a member of The Mats/Morgan Band, and the album features Morgan on drums. Despite the title, it is an album of blues-rock, though done in a somewhat novel fashion. Digipack.
Alter Echo - same ($15.99)This 1997 CD is the sole album by a Swedish band from the mid-1970’s who reformed to record titles from their repertoire of the time. They were influenced by Yes and Gentle Giant and should appeal to fans of The Flower Kings.
Ampera - A Vulcanized Mingle ($14.99) No, we can’t make sense of the title either. Maybe it’s something a software translator came up with. Ampera is a Norwegian progressive rock band and this is their 2007 debut. They are both instrumentally and alphabetically close to Anekdoten, a mix of King Crimson (Starless) and a more modern guitar style, overlaid with Mellotron strings and some Minimoog. They have a female vocalist (singing in English) with a cold, somewhat dispassionate style that is more often associated with alternative than progressive. It’s this juxtaposition that makes Ampera unique.
Antidepressive Delivery - Chain of Foods ($15.99) Antidepressive Delivery are a Norwegian band who debuted in 2004 with an album that alternated classic progressive rock and an aggressive metal style, and the less said about the latter style the better. But the band had at least demonstrated that they are perfectly capable of playing real progressive rock. Their second CD Chain of Foods (2008, digipack) jettisons the metal of their first album in favor of a more mature and cohesive musical approach. Chain of Foods is purely 1970’s styled, a mix of early 70’s progressive and hard rock with touches of early jazz-rock, with the bulk of the keyboard work on Hammond organ in a style similar to classic Deep Purple. Among the tracks is a short tribute entitled We Will Crimson You. On that first album, it was difficult to establish much in the way of melody and hooks when the band couldn’t go more than a couple minutes without inexplicably switching to tuneless metal. But the cohesive tracks of Chain of Foods allow for plenty of melody and hooks, so with this CD, Antidepressive Delivery can now stand alongside Magic Pie and Five Fifteen, two Scandinavian bands with a similar style. At the time of this writing, all the clips on the band’s MySpace and Last.fm pages are from Chain of Foods, which may indicate that Antidepressive Delivery understand that the faster they can erase memories of their first album, the sooner they will be recognized as the great prog band they now are. “ADD are not the only modern-day band that can play symphonic hard rock in a typically vintage manner, but their performance mastery as well as ability to overstep the limits of the idiom raises them quite far above most of their contemporary brothers in style.” [Progressor]
Beardfish - Destined Solitaire ($14.99) 
Beardfish - The Sane Day (2CD, $24.99) 
We didn’t think anyone made records like this anymore. Beardfish are an outstanding Swedish progressive band blending many 1970’s prog styles. There are elements of Swedish 70’s bands (Trettioåriga Kriget, Bo Hansson, Made in Sweden, Kaipa), the great Dutch bands Supersister and Focus, Gentle Giant, the Canterbury Bands, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, and much more. And yet there are contemporary elements too. There’s so much good stuff here, it’s hard to know where to begin when attempting to describe it all. Destined Solitaire (2009, digipack) is their latest studio CD. Sleeping in Traffic: Part Two (2008, 74-minutes) is their fourth. Sleeping in Traffic: Part One (2007, 66-minutes) is their third.
The double-CD The Sane Day (2005) is their second. This is the 2007 edition on Progress Records. Read reviews here. Från en plats du ej kan se (From a place you cannot see) is their 2003 debut. This is the 2007 remastered edition on Progress Records, which includes two bonus tracks and an expanded booklet.
Black Bonzo - Sound of the Apocalypse ($13.99) Black Bonzo is a Swedish retro-prog band whose sound is locked into the early 1970’s. Their 2004 debut Lady of the Light had a bit of the hard-rock-with-organ style of Uriah Heep and Deep Purple, but the bulk of the album is progressive rock a la early Yes, the first King Crimson album, and The Moody Blues. Sound of the Apocalypse (2007, digipack) is even better. Rather than the King Crimson style (and sometimes forced dynamic shifts) of Anglagard or Anekdoten, Black Bonzo are more melodic, influenced by Jethro Tull (Thick as a Brick era) and Yes, among others. In fact, the result is close to The Flower Kings when TFK are going for the sound of that era. The keyboards are dominated by Hammond, with Mellotron and piano in support, and just a little synth. Good stuff!
Tomas Bodin - I Am ($14.99) Flower Kings’ keyboardist Tomas Bodin has made one great album after another. I Am (2005) is his fifth CD (if you count the album he made under the name Swedish Family), but his first to really feature vocals. I Am is an ambitious 63-minute progressive rock opera in three acts. Along with bandmates Jonas Reingold on bass and Flower Kings drummer Marcus Liliequist, Bodin enlisted the help of guitarist Jocke JJ Marsh of the Glenn Hughes Band and vocalists Anders Jansson, Pernilla Bodin, and Helene Schönning. There is a lot of tremendous proggy instrumental work here. There is hard rock riffing and aggressive vocals alongside Bodin’s more familiar Flower Kings and Kaipa styles, and a noticeable influence of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. If there is any justice, this should be the album that gives Bodin sales figures on the level of The Flower Kings albums.
Sonic Boulevard (2003, digipack) is his third CD, with the other Flower Kings and several other musicians helping out. This is a very satisfying, mostly-instrumental symphonic progressive album. Relative to The Flower Kings, Bodin has the freedom here to do some more peaceful and classically-inspired pieces, and there is much more of a Swedish flavor that comes through, reminding one more of 1970’s Kaipa than The Flower Kings. At the same time, Bodin is able to use drum loops and other modern accoutrements here and there, so the music is both more retro and more modern than his parent band.
Brother Ape - Turbulence ($17.99) 
Brother Ape - On the Other Side ($8.99) SALE!On their debut On the Other Side (2005), Swedish band Brother Ape are a quartet (guitars/vocals, keys, bass, drums). The band describe themselves as a unique blend of progressive rock and fusion and mention Weather Report and Brand X. The truth? Brother Ape are a mainstream progressive rock band with excellent vocals in English. They are somewhere between Saga/Rush and Genesis/Yes, but don’t take that too literally as Brother Ape don’t sound much like any of those bands, except for the title track that ends this album. This 8-minute track is the highlight, a wonderful slice of Yes and Genesis-inspired euphoria. Interestingly, this track was recorded ten years earlier than the others and excavated from the vault for this CD. Are there any others like this in there? As for the fusion, in a few spots they integrate chord changes and sounds that derive from 1970’s fusion bands. It’s a great idea that they execute well, but it’s really a minor aspect of their sound, and at no point are they actually playing jazz-rock. But who cares. Brother Ape are another great Swedish prog band that don’t sound like any of the other Swedish prog bands. Read reviews here.
Brother Ape are a trio on their second album Shangri-la (2006, 58-minutes), and yet it is a significantly stronger album. There actually is a small amount of music here that could qualify as jazz-rock (and there is now fretless bass), but as on their debut, there is a jazz-rock flavor to some of the other instrumental work that is very refreshing and that sets Brother Ape apart from most other contemporary prog bands. Peter Dahlstrom, who sang 70% of the songs on the first album, has deserted and guitarist Stefan Damicolas has taken over lead vocals on all tracks. He’s a very good singer whose voice actually creates a proggier feel, as the frequently soft vocals (lead and harmony) give the music a solid 1970’s flavor. And most of the influences heard here are 70’s prog bands, including the pastoral side of Genesis, yet the music is not consciously retro as with a band such as Anglagard. This album is likely to give those who grew up with the original progressive rock bands a warm feeling that doesn’t happen with many contemporary bands. Here is an mp3 of the complete track New Shangri-la. Read reviews here.
Brother Ape’s third CD III (2008) is just a brilliant album, cementing Sweden’s position at ground zero of the current progressive rock world. Brother Ape’s style has gelled. It is fresh, contemporary, full of energy, and distinct from other prog bands. They have excellent lead vocals as well as the harmony vocals that many of the current Swedish bands excel at. Their sound is symphonic but not retro, energetic but not heavy by today’s standards, full of that summer breeze quality one can also hear in Moon Safari. Can we say “brilliant” again?
With their fourth album Turbulence (2009, digipack), Brother Ape continue to develop a style that is both classic and modern at the same time, in a fairly unique way. Many of the tracks on this CD contrast the relatively soft vocal style with a very energetic, driving rhythm section. It’s actually the less frenetic tracks that are the standouts here, where everything meshes perfectly. All the styles heard on the previous three Brother Ape albums are present to some extent, but the band are still expanding their style and distinctiveness.
The Carpet Knights - Lost and So Strange Is My Mind ($15.99) This 2005 release on Record Heaven’s Transubstans label is consistent with the label’s focus on bands with a retro and often psychedelic progressive sound and a 1970’s production aesthetic. This Swedish band could be likened to Anekdoten minus the cello and Mellotron. Except on the 11-minute final track, they use no keyboards but they do use flute on occasion. After Anekdoten, one might mention a similarity to early Jethro Tull in spots. Because the two guitarists wisely avoid over-distorted metal tones and typical lead guitar wankery (had to make up a word just now), the music flows beautifully and seduces the listener with its generally melancholic mood.
Carptree - Insekt ($15.99) 
Carptree - same ($14.99) This Swedish band’s 2003 second CD Superhero (61-minutes) is a symphonic progressive masterpiece. The core of the band is Carl Westholm on keyboards and singer Niclas Flinck, while seven other musicians in the “No Future Orchestra” handle guitars, bass, drums, and backing vocals. Carptree’s lineage may be Genesis and Peter Gabriel (though one song, the excellent Host vs. Graft, has a chorus straight out of the Pendragon songbook), but unlike the 1990’s Swedish bands, Carptree are not retro and in fact get high marks for inventiveness and all-around cleverness. The old Genesis melodrama is here, and every song is just a little bit quirky, which only increases Carptree’s appeal. Westholm generally plays in the classically-inspired styles of Tony Banks or Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak), and his arrangements and orchestrations are superb. Niclas Flinck’s vocals sometimes suggest Max Werner (Kayak). We thought this level of songwriting, melodic sensibility, and emotional impact had all but disappeared from progressive rock.
Carptree’s 2001 self-titled first CD (57-minutes) leans a bit more toward progressive-pop than Superhero, but the potential that is fully realized on Superhero is very evident. So start with any of their other CDs and you’ll probably come back for their first CD as well. This is the MALS label edition, which is identical to the first edition apart from label boilerplate.
Man Made Machine (2005) continues Carptree’s trend of making each CD darker, heavier, and more powerful than the last. Flinck’s singing style now sounds more like Fish. This is a stunning symphonic progressive album, more serious sounding than their previous albums, full of the old Genesis grandeur but not really retro sounding, at least not when compared to Swedish bands such as Anglagard or Anekdoten. But if you married the power of those two bands with the vocals and melodic sense of Galleon, Cross, or Twin Age (keeping this within Sweden for the moment), you’d have something like Man Made Machine, the best of both worlds.
And now with their fourth CD Insekt (2007), Carptree have put it all together and cement their position in the first echelon of active symphonic progressive bands. In addition to the elements and influences on previous albums, there are some female backing vocals, and the final song is very Roger Waters / Pink Floyd influenced. It’s a testament to the Swedish progressive scene that, even though there are quite a few bands today, and progressive rock is a mature style, the bands all have distinct styles. Read reviews here.
Cross - The Thrill of Nothingness LE 2CD digipack ($23.99) SALE! 
Cross - Visionary Fools ($15.99) 
Cross - III: Changing Poison into Medicine ($12.99) out-of-stockCross is a Swedish neo-progressive/neo-symphonic band with excellent English vocals and an accessible style. The Thrill of Nothingness (2009) is their latest studio CD. There is a single CD version, but for now we’re only stocking the limited edition double-CD version, which comes in a digipack. This edition adds the 42-minute bonus album The Thrill of Somethingness, containing songs recorded during the same sessions but which the band felt didn’t fit with the concept of the main album. Concept, schmoncept, we’ll take the extra songs. The band feels this album is a logical continuation of Secrets and Playgrounds, with a slightly more 1970’s sound. The specter of late-70’s Genesis is never far away, though often the feel is closer to Mike Rutherford’s Smallcreep’s Day or Tony Bank’s A Curious Feeling. Song tempos stay in the moderate, Pink Floyd range, and there is a Pink Floyd influence in other aspects as well. Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings) guests, and while Cross’ style is distinct, most fans of The Flower Kings will enjoy this album too. Here are mp3’s of the tracks Universe Inside and Bläckfisken, the latter only on the 2CD.
Playgrounds (2004) further develops the style heard on Secrets (2000) but relates even more closely to the 2003 Spektrum CD, and all the Spektrum members guest on Playgrounds. The mid-to-late 1970’s Genesis influence is present, particularly in the keyboards, and Cross’ style is now close to Galleon as well as Jadis and other melodic symphonic prog bands. Read reviews here. This is the U.S. edition on ProgRock Records.
This is the 2008 remastered edition of Secrets, which was originally released in 2000. The music is quite similar to Jadis, maybe a bit heavier and more progressive, and a sure bet for neo-prog fans. Read reviews here.
Visionary Fools is from 1998. Gaze was originally released in 1996 and remastered in 1999. Paradox is a 1994 CD-EP (18:13) in a digipack, containing a single track of excellent instrumental symphonic rock, using samplers and electric guitar. Changing Poison Into Medicine (1993) is their 77-minute long third CD. Uncovered Heart (1988) and Second Movement (1990) are the first two Cross CDs.
Et Cetera - Tales of Ardour & Deceit ($15.99)The first album of this Danish progressive band, Fin de Siècle (1998), is a very good album, and based on that album, the early Genesis influence on their second, Tales Of Ardour & Deceit (2003), comes as no surprise. But this album is much more than a continuation. Et Cetera now have a broader style that incorporates influences of most of the major 1970’s prog bands, especially Gentle Giant and early King Crimson, also Yes and Steve Hackett. These generally long pieces have only a few vocals, in English. And as a Scandinavian prog band, the Mellotron is nearly obligatory. This should be high on the list of any fan of 1970’s symphonic progressive, and may be the best album to come out of Denmark. Read the DPRP review.
Five Fifteen - Death of a Clown ($13.99) This Finnish band blends progressive with a 1970’s style accessible hard rock (not metal) in a unique way. You’d never know they weren’t British. While borrowing their hard rock aspects from the likes of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, The Who, Led Zeppelin, or Jethro Tull, their vocal melodies are closer to The Beatles. You can’t help but be hooked by their majestic choruses, often over Mellotron chords; this is where the prog rock aspect of their music comes to the fore. The songwriting is excellent and their humor and enthusiasm is such that it’s really hard not to like these guys. Death of a Clown is from 2001. This is the remastered second edition of ...Camembert (2000), which alters the track order and adds four bonus tracks (three studio, one live).
The Flower Kings - The Sum of No Evil Ltd. Ed. (2CD, $20.99) out-of-stockThe Flower Kings - The Sum of No Evil ($14.99) |          |
The Foundation - Departure ($15.99)Reissue of an excellent and rare 1984 Swedish melodic symphonic progressive album plus two bonus tracks. For those who know the Swedish band Tribute, this is similar. For those who don’t, The Foundation lean most heavily in the Genesis direction, but distinguish themselves through the use of Chapman Stick and occasional cello. The bonus tracks total over 21 minutes and are as good as the rest of the album.
Fruitcake - Man Overboard (2CD, $18.99)Fruitcake are a Norwegian progressive band singing in excellent English. They write long tracks favoring an early 1970’s sound close to Genesis, dominated by organ and featuring guitar, analog synths, bass pedals, piano, flute and more. A general straightforwardness to the arrangements puts them in the neo-prog category for most. This is the 2CD edition of Fruitcake’s latest, Man Overboard (2004). Their seventh CD, this one is their best to date (and the only one still in print), not that they’ve changed their sound all that much. They have added a flute player to what is now a seven-piece band, and there is more emphasis on instrumental content. There’s still a certain “clunkiness” to their style which is their trademark. The second disc contains an excellent collection of 11 rare and unreleased tracks spanning 1988-2002 from Fruitcake, The Guardian’s Office (nearly the same band), bandleader Pal Sovik solo, and three other related bands or side projects.
Galleon - Engines of Creation ($17.99) out-of-stock 
Galleon - Mind Over Matter ($17.99)
Galleon - Heritage and Visions ($15.99)Galleon is a Swedish neo-progressive/neo-symphonic band whose music is derived from Genesis no doubt, and falls in the Pallas and Pendragon camps, keyboard-dominated, with strong, clear English vocals. From Land to Ocean (2003) is a 2CD set with the second CD taken up entirely by the 52-minute piece The Ocean. It goes without saying that this is their most ambitious album to date, and although Galleon haven’t changed their style all that much from album to album, this one improves on all their previous albums. To extend the Pallas reference, From Land to Ocean is Galleon’s The Sentinel. (The cover concept is rather similar too.) Beyond Dreams is from 2000. This is the 2005 remastered edition of Mind Over Matter (1998). The All-European Hero is from 1996. King of Aragon (1995) is their third CD; this edition was remastered in 1999. Heritage and Visions (1994) is their second CD and Lynx (1992) is their first.
Galleon have had a fairly consistent style since their first album, and while Engines of Creation (2007) is not a radical departure, it is probably the biggest evolution in their sound between any two albums. It has been four years since From Land to Ocean, and in that time, they seem to have discovered a new energy. While Galleon’s core sound on Engines of Creation is still similar to Pallas, there is a new Rush-like energy, greater complexity, even a touch of fusion in a couple spots. It’s the least neo-sounding of Galleon’s CDs and shows that after 15 years, this band still may not have reached their peak. Here is an mp3 of the complete 7:04 title track.
Gallery - Jas Gripen ($15.99) Jas Gripen (2007, digipack) is the debut CD by Norwegian band Gallery (who sing in English), and yet another example of the quality of progressive rock coming out of Scandinavia today. The title refers to the fighter plane manufactured by Saab. Ultimately this falls in the modern prog category, but it isn’t clear cut, as there are also many aspects of early 1970’s progressive rock. The melancholy vocal style feels contemporary, and the lead guitar style and tone is often in the grungier modern style, though this is balanced by cleaner, lyrical guitar lines in the classic mode of Andy Latimer and others. The keyboard sounds are all vintage: Mellotron, gritty Hammond, piano. All told, the result is fairly close to recent Anekdoten, though Gallery’s melodies are better. “The enthralling melodies move between solid guitars and flying keys, with a firm foundation of precise drums and flawless bass playing. Surprising, catchy and infinitely confident, the debut record of Gallery is an untouchable piece of progressive rock that would be a shame to miss out on.” [Monster Magazine]
Gazpacho - Tick Tock ($15.99) 
Gazpacho - When Earth Lets Go ($17.99)Norwegian band Gazpacho have allied themselves closely with Marillion. One can assume they took their name from the Marillion song and not from a love of cold soup, and the title of their first full-length album is only a vowel shift away from a well-known Marillion album. They were on Marillion’s label for a time and have supported Marillion on tour. Certainly their style shares a lot with Marillion from Brave on. Their music is in the serious-sounding, deliberately-paced modern progressive style that emphasizes atmosphere, texture and melody over demonstrative playing. Other bands frequently mentioned as reference points are Porcupine Tree and Radiohead.
Gazpacho used programmed drums on Bravo (2003), which doesn’t really detract much from the music. The music is spellbinding and dreamlike, with Mellotron strings used here and there and guests on violin and flute adding to the rich textures. Gazpacho added a full-time drummer beginning with their second album When Earth Lets Go (2004). Firebird followed in 2005, with Steve Rothery guesting on one track. Gazpacho made incremental improvements with each album, but Night (2007) is the consensus choice as their best album to that point. The guest violinist of the previous three albums has been promoted to full member, while another guest musician adds several acoustic instruments, further broadening Gazpacho’s sound. Read lots of reviews at Prog Archives, at Ground and Sky and DPRP.
Tick Tock (2009) is a natural evolution from Night and of equal quality. Read the roundtable DPRP reviews.
The Giant Hogweed Orchestra - same ($15.99)The GHO is a Finnish quintet with two guitarists, flute, bass & piano, and drums, plus guests on Moog, trumpet, and didgeridoo. On their 2004 debut, they play instrumental progressive psychedelic rock with two discernible styles, but some overlap between them. One style is Ozric Tentacles-type jams, while the other style is more laid back, closer to Snow Goose-era Camel with flute in the lead, but blended with the characteristic Scandinavian melancholic atmosphere.
Grand Stand - Tricks of Time ($17.99)Grand Stand make a huge leap forward on Tricks of Time (2002), their second CD. Grand Stand’s sound has moved much closer to The Flower Kings, though there are still passages directly inspired by Genesis. This album would sit comfortably alongside The Flower Kings’ CDs. Aside from one 4-minute track, the next shortest track is 9:34! Though still heavily instrumental, this album has English-language vocals, and with the energy level and production markedly improved from their debut, this CD should boost Grand Stand’s popularity significantly. Here is a 1:43 mp3 album sampler.
Groovector - Darklubing at Tavastia ($15.99) This Finnish prog band debuted in 2000 with Ultramarine (currently unavailable). That album was instrumental, full of long tracks, Groovector’s sound dominated by keyboards (piano, Rhodes, Hammond organ, synths) and flute, plus acoustic & electric guitars, bass and drums. There are influences of Camel (The Snow Goose), Kaipa, Focus, and early King Crimson, but the bulk of what they do is their own take on classic progressive rock. It all has a magical feel, suggestive of the Finnish forests. Enigmatic Elements (2003) is their second CD. Groovector added vocals on this album, though half the tracks are still instrumental. It is generally keyboard-dominated, with elements of fusion and space-rock, all executed with great finesse.
Darklubing at Tavastia (2005) is a 74-minute live album recorded in 2001 and 2002. At the time of these recordings, the band was a quintet with a dedicated flute player who left the band prior to the recording of Enigmatic Elements. This is an outstanding album, mostly-instrumental with vocals in English. The music comes closest to early Camel, with touches of Pink Floyd and early King Crimson. The way they employ flute is often closer to the way PFM did in their early days, so you’d be forgiven for thinking at times that Groovector is an Italian progressive band. Good sound quality too.
Bo Hansson - Music Inspired by Watership Down ($11.99) 1977 fourth solo album for keyboardist Bo Hansson, who was one of the pioneers of progressive rock in Sweden. This was his final album before resurfacing in 1985 with an atypical album. Hansson collaborated with guitarist Kenny Håkansson (Kebnekaise) on Music Inspired by Watership Down (released as El-Ahrairah in Sweden), which also features a number of other excellent musicians on bass, drums, and flute. It is flowing, dreamy, instrumental symphonic rock that generally has a different feel than Hansson’s previous albums, in part because he uses synthesizers instead of organ. It still has that evocative Nordic atmosphere though. This remastered edition includes an 11-minute bonus track recorded live in the studio in 2004 by Hansson and Håkansson. The 12-page booklet includes an extensive biography by Mark Powell.
Indisciplined Lucy - About the Black Eyed Girl ($15.99)A Swedish seven-piece neo-progressive band, unique in that their sound is dominated by violin and cello, in addition to the usual guitars, keys, bass and drums. The lighter tracks on About the Black Eyed Girl (1999) sound like an extrapolation of Eleanor Rigby into progressive realms, but they also get heavier and more powerful than that. The music is vocal-heavy, with English lyrics.
It’s the End - same ($15.99) The 2009 debut by this Norwegian instrumental band contains inventive progressive jazz-rock, at various times similar to Allan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa, Mats-Morgan, and King Crimson, but more modern, varied and experimental. One track features metal guitar pounding away on the same note for minutes on end; that explains Meshuggah being on the band’s list of influences. But with a playing time of 79-minutes, use the skip button and you still have a very long CD.
Jeavestone - Spices, Species and Poetry Petrol ($15.99) Jeavestone are the new Finnish prog sensation. They are a progressive rock band that start with a jam band sound palette, though Jeavestone’s songs are composed and structured. They add flute, terrific harmony vocals (sounding like CSNY on one song), other woodwinds and string arrangements here and there, an organic sound where acoustic instruments are important, just as they were with the classic progressive rock bands. They have an obvious sense of humor, and sound like they’re having great fun. Playful prog for when you just can’t take another melancholy band. Jeavestone have similarities to Wigwam, Magic Pie, Umphrey’s McGee, Moon Safari, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Zappa, Jethro Tull, Caravan, and Echolyn.
This is the Presence Records re-edition of Jeavestone’s first full-length CD Mind the Soup (2005), which includes videos of two songs. Mind the Soup is more of a prog & roll album. Spices, Species and Poetry Petrol (2008, digipack) is the proggier of the two and a significant step forward, so start there, but Mind the Soup is no slouch. Go to Jeavestone’s website, click on Discs, then click on Album Reviews where you’ll find loads of them.
Jupiter Society - Terraform ($13.99) Carptree keyboardist Carl Westholm goes the Ayreon route with his Jupiter Society project, creating epic space operas using different vocalists and musicians on different tracks. Most of the musicians have a metal background, and to some extent the music sounds like a heavier, more metallic Carptree. While Jupiter Society tends to stay more grounded in symphonic rock than similar prog-metal projects, the metal aesthetic still dominates in the doomy melodies, the invariant plodding tempo, and the generally ponderous feel. First Contact Last Warning is from 2008, Terraform from 2009.
Kaipa - Angling Feelings ($14.99) 
Kaipa - Notes from the Past ($14.99)Kaipa was the top Swedish 1970’s symphonic prog band, featuring keyboardist Hans Lundin and guitarist Roine Stolt, later of The Flower Kings. Relative to The Flower Kings, Kaipa’s music is more purely Swedish, their symphonic rock colored by the centuries-old Swedish choral and folk music traditions. Keyboardist Hans Lundin reformed Kaipa for 2002’s Notes from the Past (79-minutes), and as reunion albums go, this could hardly be any better, as it is faithful to the original Kaipa. Keyholder (2003, 78-minutes) is the second and Mindrevolutions (2005, 79-minutes) the third album for the reformed Kaipa. In addition to Lundin and Stolt, the lineup is Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan) on drums, Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, The Tangent) on bass, and Patrik Lundström (Ritual) and Aleena Gibson on vocals. The results are very good, a mix of the Kaipa and Flower Kings styles, with lots of Hammond and Mellotron. The main difference between Kaipa and The Flower Kings is that Hans Lundin does all the writing in the current Kaipa. Mindrevolutions may be the best of the three albums from Kaipa Mk II. Aleena’s vocals are a new element of course -- she has a childish voice similar to Tracy Hitchings -- but otherwise this is very faithful to the original Kaipa, and more 70’s-oriented than The Flower Kings.
Angling Feelings (2007, 64-minutes) sees one change in the lineup, with Per Nilsson taking Roine Stolt’s place on guitar. Kaipa’s mastermind and keyboard player Hans Lundin and Per are old friends and worked together recording the Hagen album Corridors of Time several years ago. Stolt is not missed, as this CD is every bit as good as the other Kaipa CDs from this decade, and still ends up inhabiting the same territory as The Flower Kings. Brilliant 70’s-style progressive rock with fusion and folk touches.
Kalevala: A Finnish Progressive Rock Epic def. ed. (3CD, $34.99)This is the 2008 Remastered Definitive Edition of this triple-CD that was first released in 2003. It has not only been remastered, it has improved artwork and one bonus track from the band Viima.
The Finnish magazine Colossus asked 30 progressive bands from around the world to illustrate moments of Kalevala. Kalevala is the Finnish national epic, made up of old Finnish ballads and lyrical songs, a complex and diverse cycle of legends that inspired Tolkien as well as the composer Sibelius, among others. The idea of the project was to use vintage 1970’s instruments to get the ‘old’ feeling needed by the story. (No programmed drums either.) The result is nearly four hours of progressive rock in all its glory. The bands: Haikara, Overhead, Simon Says, Sinkadus, Moongarden, Il Castello di Atlante, Magenta, Submarine Silence, Metaphor, Clearlight, Orchard, Greenwall, Revelation, Scarlet Thread, Mad Crayon, Museo Rosenbach, Leviathan, Malibran, Sofia Baccini, Elegant Simplicity, Qadesh, Cantina Sociale, Grand Stand, Germinale, Aardvark, Thonk, Groovector, Whobodies, Randone & Tempore, and Cafeine. This comes in the old style fat 2CD case and counts as two CDs for shipping.
Karmakanic - Who’s the Boss in the Factory ($14.99) This is the 2008 third CD from the band led by the busy Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, The Tangent). Guests include Andy Tillison (The Tangent), Theo Travis (The Tangent, Gong, Porcupine Tree), and Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings). The album is of the style and quality one would expect from the personnel involved. Most of it is in the Spock’s Beard and The Flower Kings styles, though the two-part Eternally that concludes the album is more personal and moving, Reingold’s eulogy to his late parents. After their first album which was marred by some metal, Karmakanic now seem committed to pure progressive rock, and this is their best work yet.
Kerrs Pink - A Journey on the Inside mini-LP ($17.99)
Kerrs Pink - same mini-LP ($17.99)Kerrs Pink are one of the most famous Norwegian progressive rock bands. Their music is in the early Camel vein, blending in elements of Scandinavian folklore a la Kebnekaise or early Ragnarök. The CD reissue of their self-titled 1980 debut album adds the two tracks from their first single. Mellom Oss (1981) is the reissue of their second album plus six bonus tracks. The album tracks are re-recorded versions -- the originals were crudely recorded on only four tracks, so it is an improvement over the LP. The band was inactive for a time before resurfacing with A Journey on the Inside in 1993. The mini-LP editions are the 2009 limited editions released by the MALS label under license from Musea, which come in heavyweight cardboard sleeves (gatefold for A Journey on the Inside).
Klotet - En Rak Höger ($15.99) This is the 2008 debut from a Swedish quartet in existence only since 2004, and yet En Rak Höger could have come straight out of the first generation of Swedish progressive rock, as Klotet’s music leaves no clue that it wasn’t made in the early-to-mid 1970’s. Klotet are from Uppsala, the old university town that seems to be the birthplace of Swedish progressive rock. Their music is instrumental, the instrumentation restricted to vintage keys (mostly organ and Rhodes) and guitar tones. Those who know and love the music of Bo Hansson, Atlas, Blåkulla, Kaipa, Kebnekaise, Trettioåriga Kriget, Fläsket Brinner, etc. already understand the special flavor of this music. The band even mention Harald Hedning; how’s that for an obscure reference?
Kundalini - Asylum for Astral Travellers ($15.99) 
This 1997 CD is by an offshoot of Holy River Family Band (itself an offshoot of the band Spacious Mind), in more of a fusion direction. Mellow Records’ description: “Jazz-rock, progressive rock, psychedelic and ethnic music go into the uplifting and mind-blowing works of Kundalini from Sweden. A guitar/bass/drums trio that goes beyond this format and introduces traditional instruments from India and Tibet into their music. Reminiscent of Allan Holdsworth without the keyboards.” 71-minutes.
“Kundalini is able to transcend the usual sonic realms of the progressive rock trio, creating an exotic soundscape with the augmentation of unusual instruments... Kundalini is a supergroup in the truest sense, a creative marriage of immense talent, innovative instrumental songwriting, and a willingness to explore uncharted musical terrain through breathtaking and inspiring improvisations. One wonders how future releases can live up to, much less exceed, this most promising beginning.” [Joe Pettit, Jr., All Music Guide]
Kvazar - A Giant’s Lullaby ($11.99) SALE!A Giant’s Lullaby (2005, 64-minutes) is the second album for this Norwegian progressive band, and it is a huge improvement over their first: more original, more diverse, more imaginative. The core trio employ a number of other musicians here and feature a lot of Mellotron, plus Rhodes, flute, sax, 12-string guitar, and mandolin. There are elements of Pink Floyd, early King Crimson, Anglagard, Camel and others, with a few jazzy sequences. This sounds like a lost gem from the early 1970’s, a beautiful symphonic progressive album balancing lively instrumental interplay with an overall dreamlike or hallucinogenic feel. Vocals in English. Read the ProgPlanet and DPRP reviews. Here is a video of the track Choir of Life.
Liquid Scarlet - II ($15.99) Another Mellotron-laden Swedish prog sensation. On their self-titled 2004 debut, Liquid Scarlet sound like a cross between Anglagard and Landberk, with influences of 1970’s King Crimson and pastoral Genesis, but also some modern influences such as Radiohead. (The band members were all in their twenties at the time of this recording.) A liquid sound indeed! II (2005) is a logical continuation from their debut, with plenty of typical Scandinavian melancholic atmosphere a la Anekdoten or Valinor’s Tree. They have expanded their sound with accordion and string arrangements, while a couple 10-minute tracks show early King Crimson influence. It is again a very appealing set of dreamy songs that are one moment soft and intimate and the next moment majestic, and although there are influences of vintage prog, this isn’t retro but rather something fresh and contemporary. Their songwriting and melodic sense sets them apart from the other Swedish bands mentioned above. Read reviews here.
Killer Couple Strikes Again (2005) is a 25-minute, five-track CD-EP containing one song from the II album plus four previously-unreleased and highly enjoyable tracks, one of which is a tribute to Fläsket Brinner. The EP counts as only one-half CD for shipping calculations.
Lynne - Witchwood ($13.99) Bjorn Lynne is a Norwegian musician who has a large catalog of music in both the progressive rock and electronic music genres. This is the 1996 Mellow Records edition of Witchwood, one of Bjorn’s earliest CDs, which Bjorn describes as “an album of calm, serene, and playful music inspired by the Nordic forests and mountains. Appearing on guitar is Ken Senior, who has often been complimented on his warm, melodic guitar style, and he fits perfectly into the melodic music on this album. Also some medieval inspired passages: pastoral, mystic and, well, just different.” The mp3 icon above also leads to numerous fan reviews/comments.
Made in Sweden - Made in England ($17.99)This is the newly remastered 2009 edition on Esoteric Recordings, known for their superb remastering jobs. Made in Sweden was a trio that featured Georg Wadenius (guitar, vocals, organ, piano), Bo Haggenstrom (bass, Mellotron, piano) and Tommy Borgudd (drums). Wadenius became a well-known guitarist in Sweden. This album was recorded in London in 1970, produced by Colosseum bassist Tony Reeves, and featuring some arrangements by Neil Ardley. This is Made in Sweden’s best album and is quite good, sounding very British. While not quite as advanced as what the first-tier progressive rock bands were doing that year, it is comparable to most of the early prog bands, those still retaining some flavor of the late 1960’s. Read the review at Progressor.
Magic Pie - Circus of Life ($13.99) Norway’s Magic Pie have quickly become one of the most talked-about progressive rock bands, especially after performances at both Rosfest 2006 and 2007. Motions of Desire (2004, 75-minutes) is their debut. Circus of Life (2007) is their equally good 64-minute second album. In true progressive fashion, its 46-minute title suite is divided into five parts, of which one part is further subdivided into four parts.
In addition to influences of early 1970’s progressive rock bands, Magic Pie incorporate influences of early 70’s melodic and hard rock bands, in the same manner as Finnish band Five Fifteen, though Magic Pie are much proggier. With Hammond organ as Magic Pie’s weapon of choice, Deep Purple and Atomic Rooster could be two of those influences. And with four vocalists, Magic Pie have those great harmony vocals, something that has largely been lost in modern rock. A lot of what Magic Pie do will appeal to fans of The Flower Kings, Spock’s Beard, and Transatlantic. Ultimately, Magic Pie’s greatest success may be that they capture the spirit of earlier bands without copying the style of any of them, and their albums have a positive vibe that will restore the spirits of those whose hearts are in the 70’s. Read reviews of Circus of Life and Motions of Desire.
Masque - Flesh That Understands ($14.99) Flesh That Understands (1992) is the debut by a Swedish neo-progressive band with excellent English vocals who also have some of the early Saga style. Note their 1994 second CD Ten Ways is fairly different in style.
Maze of Time - Lullaby for Heroes ($14.99) Damn if it isn’t another great symphonic prog band from Sweden. Tales from the Maze (2006, 62-minutes) is the first full-length album for Stockholm-based Maze of Time, and it’s full of strong melodies and that know-it-when-you-hear-it Scandinavian quality. There are influences of Genesis, Camel, Yes, Pink Floyd, Kaipa, some neo-prog and a bit of heavy rock. Like The Flower Kings, actually. Overall the style is more soothing than jarring, a lot of that having to do with the softer vocal style and the rich, luxuriant textures.
Lullaby for Heroes (2008, 64-minutes) is their digipack second CD. It seems Maze of Time have made a conscious effort to make their music more accessible, but that no longer means bringing it closer to pop. Today in Europe, it means adding metal. Fortunately Maze of Time stopped well short of damaging the essential progressive character of their music, as there is only a modicum of metal guitar. Overall this is an excellent follow-up, and hopefully we’re not the only ones to hear a slight similarity to Grobschnitt circa Rockpommels Land in spots.
Mikromidas - Faunus ($11.99) SALE!Here is a Norwegian band singing in Norwegian and exploring retro-prog similar to the Swedish band Landberk and, to a lesser extent, Anekdoten and Anglagard. Mikromidas use a lot of Mellotron and Hammond organ. Their arrangements lack the extreme dynamics of Anekdoten and Anglagard though. Faunus (2005) is their second and is a more accomplished work than their debut. The compositions and playing here show greater maturity, and thus the emotional impact is greater. Read the DPRP review.
Moon Fog Prophet - Taunting Tin Bells Through the Mammal Void ($13.99) This is the fifth album by a nearly unclassifiable Finnish prog quartet (keys, guitar, bass, drums), though you get a sense of what they’re about just from the band and album name. Most of what they do has a surreal flavor, sometimes psychedelic, heavily instrumental but with some English-language vocals that are more often than not a tad operatic. Taunting Tin Bells (2002) is based on a musical play of the same name that the band performed a number of times with help from 15 assistants and actors. Note the mp3 icon above links directly to a single mp3 from the album.
Moon Safari - Blomljud (2CD, $19.99) This Swedish quintet debuted with one of the freshest, most likeable symphonic prog albums you’ll hear. The “summer” in A Doorway to Summer (2005) is apt as Moon Safari display none of the long-dark-winter Scandinavian melancholy and gloom. Instead they have a warm, Yes-like positivism, though their sound comes closer to England, Druid, or Sebastian Hardie. They have harmony vocals that sometimes reach Beach Boys level, and some Beatles flavoring (closer to Klaatu actually). They use all analog keyboards including Mellotron and lots of acoustic guitar. The openness of their sound and their outstanding melodic sense give the album a 1970’s feel and set Moon Safari apart from most of the other current prog bands. Tomas Bodin (keyboardist of The Flower Kings) guests and co-produced, and Moon Safari will almost certainly appeal to fans of The Flower Kings, though their style is distinct. Just five long tracks, one of which is 24-minutes long. Here is an mp3 from the track Dance Across the Ocean.
Despite the Swedish title, the double-CD Blomljud (2008) is again sung entirely in English. The title apparently translates to “sound of flowers”, and so the CD title again gives a clue to the music. Or maybe it’s an oblique reference to The Flower Kings. The style is a continuation of the first CD, but those wonderful harmony vocals are even more striking here, reminiscent of Queen, Yes, The Beach Boys, and Fireballet (second album). It’s almost a lost art these days. The first disc has the lighter, vocal-heavy material, while the second disc tends to have the more energetic material, as if the first disc was warming the listener up for the second. It is all symphonic prog close to Yes with some Genesis influence, the latter felt particularly in the pastoral passages. Its sunny optimism is again in stark contrast to the prevailing mood of darkness, cynicism and metal in today’s music.
The New Grove Project - Brill ($16.99) The New Grove Project is a Swedish progressive rock band centered on Ingemar Hjertqvist. They recorded demos in 1983-84 and their first real CD Fool’s Journey in 1996, which included Roine Stolt, Pär Lindh, and Jode Leigh (ex-England, as in Garden Shed). Brill (2005) is their best work to date, again featuring Pär Lindh and Jode Leigh (who contributed one song), also Hasse Bruniusson (Samla Mammas Manna, The Flower Kings) and several others. The music is melodic symphonic progressive with a wealth of ideas and a good variety of instrumentation, vaguely in The Flower Kings vein. The only thing that keeps this from being on the same level as The Flower Kings are the vocals, which are passable but nothing to write home about. But there is a lot of instrumental content, and with all these great musicians involved, this is a gem that should not be overlooked. 62-minutes, finishing with the 24-minute title track.
Opus Est - Opus II ($15.99) SALE!Opus I is the CD reissue of a little-known record from 1983, one that we anxiously awaited. Opus Est could be considered the Swedish IQ. Given that Opus Est were contemporaneous with IQ, one has to wonder whether they had heard IQ. More likely both bands were inspired by Genesis and ended up in the same general area. In any event, Opus I can stand comfortably alongside or just a notch below Tales from the Lush Attic, though Opus I is not as dark as IQ can be. Singer Håkan Nilsson delivers the English lyrics in a voice with a quality similar to a young Peter Hammill. Three excellent bonus tracks (nearly 20-minutes) have been added.
Opus II is their second album, not released until the end of 2006. It’s comprised of a four-part suite composed between 1979-80, recorded partly in 1979 and partly in 2004. There are four more songs composed and recorded between 1983-84, bringing the CD length up to 74-minutes. This album sounds very much like the logical successor to Opus I, and the singer’s voice and certain signature keyboard sounds give Opus Est a clear identity. This album is more refined and sophisticated though, suggesting Genesis and IQ but standing on its own. Hopefully this is the beginning of the second career of Opus Est.
Orne - The Conjuration by the Fire ($16.99) The debut CD by Finnish band Orne, The Conjuration by the Fire, was recorded in 2005 and released in 2006 by the Italian Black Widow label. In keeping with most of Black Widow’s releases, this CD has a somber, occult, psychedelic progressive sound straight out of the British early 1970’s scene. There is some early Van der Graaf Generator influence. However, the music is more proto-progressive, that is, it is not as developed as many of the influences listed by the band (e.g., early Genesis, King Crimson). But it is not particularly heavy, and the flute and Hammond organ make for a refined sound that it is often quite beautiful in a dark, melancholy way. It feels like a dark prog ritual. Read the DPRP review.
Overhead - And We’re Not Here After All ($15.99) Alongside contributions to the Kalevala and Tuonen Tytär 2 projects as well as Mellow Records’ Finnish progressive rock tribute, this Finnish quintet has released three CDs, beginning with Zumanthum (2002) and followed by Metaepitome (2005). Overhead’s brand of symphonic progressive is original and seductive. They tend toward long tracks with plenty of instrumental content that often emphasize 1970’s sounds and styles. Something about the lead vocals (which are in English) makes the band sound contemporary, and there is some heavy guitar as is de rigueur today, though thankfully their music is a long way from metal. For references, one might mention Pink Floyd, Eloy, Kaipa, and Jethro Tull (on the few occasions when flute is used).
And We’re Not Here After All (2008) is their third, and no major changes in style, just slightly more of a contemporary edge. Many different stylistic threads are woven into a modern progressive tapestry that puts Overhead in the league with the best Scandinavian progressive bands. Read the DPRP review. Read reviews of all Overhead’s CDs. Check our DVDs page for Overhead’s Live After All DVD.
Paatos - Silence of Another Kind ($14.99) This is the InsideOut release of Timeloss, the 2002 first album by this Swedish band formed by the founders of Landberk and picking up where Landberk left off. This reissue has a new booklet, extended from 8 to 16 pages, plus a bonus video featuring the album track Hypnotique as a QuickTime file. Silence of Another Kind (2006) is their third, on which they have a female singer with a beautiful voice who also plays cello. While the music is at its core a kind of modern rock, the sound is dominated by Mellotron strings, violin and viola, making for a moody symphonic modern prog with soaring vocals. Whatever it is, it works, and it should appeal to fans of The Gathering in their non-metal phase.
Pain of Salvation - Scarsick ($13.99)The 2007 release by the popular Swedish progressive metal band.
Pictorial Wand - Face of Our Fathers ($11.99) A Sleeper’s Awakening (2006) is the double-CD debut project of Norwegian musician Mattis Sørum, who recorded the album while attending university. Sørum enlisted the help of a large number of musicians for this concept album. The label calls it a symphonic progressive rock album, which it is, but it could as easily be called a prog-metal album. It isn’t as metallic as the average prog-metal album, but the heavy guitar appears often enough, and even when the music isn’t overtly metallic, it is often weighed down by the typical plodding metal aesthetic and melodic/harmonic restrictions. On the positive side, there are plenty of more refined passages featuring orchestral arrangements, Mellotron, organ, flute, cello, oboe, and violin. There are beautiful female vocals from three different singers, while the main character in this concept album is male and so most of the vocals are male. A more refined take on the Ayreon style perhaps, though less skillfully executed.
Face of Our Fathers (2009, 68-minutes) is the superior follow-up, the result of a few more years experience and musical maturity. Here Sørum tones down the metal enough that the more refined and melodic elements can occupy center stage. Sørum plays guitar, bass, and keys, assisted by other musicians on drums, keys, flute, violin and cello. Two male and two female vocalists are used, usually singing male/female duets that are a major part of the album’s appeal. With all the vintage keyboard sounds, the music has much of the magic of 1970’s prog, even if the occasional incursions by heavy guitar yank the music back into modern times.
Pocketful - Sparkling ($11.99) SALE!Pocketful is a new Swedish band, but they are really the continuation of the band Masque, ten years on. Sparkling (2005) picks up where Masque’s final album Ten Ways left off and improves on it. Call this art-pop if you will. Within that framework, there is a lot of innovation, great writing, and attention paid to texture and feel. Pocketful includes a cover of David Sylvian’s Before the Bullfight, and there is some similarity between the two artists on the more melancholy tracks, except that Pocketful are not minimalist as David Sylvian tends to be, and they’re not nearly as depressed. Vocals in English of course, with some lovely female vocals complementing the male lead vocals. Music like this gives pop a good name!
Pekka Pohjola - The Mathematician’s Air Display ($17.99) The most revered Finnish progressive rock musician, Pekka Pohjola was not simply a phenomenal bassist (he was also adept at several other instruments), but a composer extraordinaire, his work ranging from a Scandinavian Mike Oldfield style to progressive big band to classical and more. He passed away in 2008 at age 56. These are the 2010 remastered editions on the Esoteric label of his second and third albums, originally released in the UK by Virgin Records, with fully-restored artwork and a new essay. The Love Records release of B the Magpie (1974) was titled Harakka Bialoipokku; The Mathematician’s Air Display (1977) was titled Keesojen Lehto. The latter may be Pohjola’s best-known work because it features Mike and Sally Oldfield and Pierre Moerlen and was released under about five different names. Read reviews at Prog Archives of B the Magpie and The Mathematician’s Air Display. Here is a page with several YouTube videos embedded, including at least one track each from these albums.
PPRY - Raising the Skeletons of Fire by Hand ($15.99) This is the third album for this Finnish band, though the first under their current name of PPRY. Their previous CD Name Stolen was released under the temporary band name ‘Project’. The long song titles of Raising the Skeletons of Fire by Hand (2008, 70-minutes) actually form a sentence when linked together, just not a terribly lucid one. PPRY play a unique style of mysterious and spacey progressive rock. On the one hand, there is a lot of early Pink Floyd influence, some early Tangerine Dream atmospheres and a dose of earlier Eloy as well. On the other hand, there is a refined and melodic progressive style close to early Camel, with both flute and guitar suggesting this association, as well as some of the characteristic Scandinavian prog style. What vocals there are are in English and low-key, again suggestive of early Camel. It all adheres to the early 1970’s aesthetic. Without a melodic prog element, pure space rock albums can be one-dimensional; PPRY’s blend is far more satisfying.
Project - Name Stolen ($13.99)This CD was originally released in 2002 and re-released in this 2005 edition. “Project” was a temporary name; this band is now known as PPRY. They are a Finnish progressive band singing in English. Name Stolen is a concept album with a little narration near the beginning of the album, though ultimately the album is more instrumental than vocal. The style blends Pink Floyd with the French band Asia Minor, generally dark and melancholy as is typical for Scandinavian prog bands. It may start a bit slowly, but the album grows on you and ends up being quite a unique one. 60-minutes.
Radiomöbel - Gudang Garam ($15.99) This is a legitimate CD reissue of a rare 1978 privately-pressed LP of Swedish symphonic progressive rock with psychedelic and spacey aspects, mostly instrumental, with ethereal female vocals in a few spots. The music often relies on string synth pads performing slow chord progressions, something that suggests Pink Floyd, Pulsar, or maybe early Grobschnitt. That characteristic (OK, cheesy) 1970’s string synth sound (courtesy of Elka, Crumar, Logan and others) brings to mind a number of other, mostly-obscure European 70’s prog bands. Definitely recommended to fans of 1970’s symphonic prog who’ve explored beyond the first and second-tier bands, Radiomöbel can be grouped with the likes of Akasha, Autumn Breeze, and Mr Brown. Note the master tapes were lost and this CD was mastered from vinyl. The label and every other retailer we’ve seen conveniently fail to mention this, and apparently every reviewer either has tin ears or didn’t think it was important enough to mention. And though it is almost trivial to do today, the label didn’t bother with any audio restoration. That said, the surface noise is really only noticeable during the quiet at the very beginning of each side of the LP. Note the mp3 icon above links directly to a single mp3, the complete second track of the album.
Ragnarök - Path ($15.99) Ragnarök belong to the first generation of Swedish progressive rock, releasing their first album in 1976. Their instrumental music was typical of the Swedish progressive rock of the time, with some Scandinavian folk influences. After their 1983 fourth album, the band vanished, though its leader Peter Bryngelsson could be heard in the bands Triangulus and Urban Turban and as a solo artist. Ragnarök reformed in 1991 and released the album Well, but that album was in a different style. So Path (2008) is their real reunion album, with everyone in the lineup having played on at least one of their early albums; even the original engineer is back. Path includes eight instrumental tracks that are soft, low-key and impressionistic, with only sporadic outbursts. The music is based around the two and sometimes three guitarists, playing both electric and acoustic. Keyboards are listed, but you have to really listen to find them. Path does sound similar to Ragnarök’s classic albums but ultimately falls a bit short of them. Unfortunately, Ragnarök’s second, third and fourth albums have yet to see a legitimate CD reissue.
Retroheads - Introspective ($9.99) Let’s be clear that this Norwegian five-piece band are retro-prog-heads, and despite the album name, Retrospective is their debut, and may have been the best debut of 2005. The band does have a 1970’s orientation, focusing their keyboard sounds on Hammond B3, Mellotron, ARP, Minimoog, and Taurus bass pedals. But they may be selling themselves short with the “retro” tag. They aren’t as self-consciously retro as some other Scandinavian bands, and they are so inventive that there are only a few passages where another specific band comes to mind. Their influences are probably Camel, Pink Floyd, and Genesis, in that order. At times they remind us of the German band P’Cock (probably not the most helpful reference), for the way they combine spaciness with sympho-prog. Also there are similarities to RPWL. Though heavily instrumental, there are male and some female vocals in English. 67-minutes.
Retroheads’ follow-up Introspective (2006, 64-minutes) sees changes in the band’s lineup, which now consists of three women and four men. Irishman Mike Mann takes over lead vocals, while Deborah Gurnius has joined on flute and backing vocals and Gry Anett Stordahl on keyboards. Now with an outstanding singer plus the female backing vocals, Retroheads have become stronger and probably even broadened their appeal. This album can’t help but sound different from its predecessor, but it’s just as good, and no point making the same album twice. About the only thing “retro” in Retroheads music now is the use of vintage keys, and when the sustained electric guitar is soaring over Hammond or Mellotron with these vocals and these melodies, it’s heaven.
Riveryman - Magic World ($15.99) Riveryman is the band of Finnish guitarist Tony Riveryman, who also plays keyboards and bass and sings, joined by a drummer on the Riveryman debut CD Magic World (2009, 72-minutes). Tony grew up listening to the standard list of guitar heroes before discovering progressive rock (and good to see Pekka Pohjola on his list of influences, even if one can’t hear that influence here). Magic World is almost pure symphonic prog in the Yes and Genesis veins, with some heavier/busier guitar and a wall-of-sound approach. The vocals are multi-tracked in an attempt to produce Yes-like harmonies, but Tony ought to run his vocals through Auto-Tune as his pitch isn’t precise enough to pull it off. That aside, there is loads of bombastic Yes-derived sympho-prog here.
Scarlet Thread - Valheista Kaunein ($11.99) SALE!Scarlet Thread are a Finnish band featuring female violinist and flutist and male guitarist/mandolinist/bassist and drummer, with guest musicians on keyboards and bass. Recorded in 2002, Psykedeelisia Joutsenlauluja is an instrumental progressive rock album with its roots in Scandinavian folk and psychedelia. There are only a few passages where the band is actually playing folk-rock, but the melodies are derived from scales favored in northern European folk music. Given the fuzzed tone of the electric guitar, there is a lineage that traces back to Kebnekaise, the pioneering Swedish folk-rock band. The psychedelic influence is felt mostly in the rhythm section, with grooves that would work on an Ozrics record. But the arrangements are full of symphonic rock elements and classical influences as well, which sometimes brings to mind the instrumentals of the English band Solstice. This first album is only 35-minutes long. (Note how many people selling this record conveniently fail to mention that.) More flute would have been welcome, but the violin soaring over the guitar/bass/drums and the compelling melodies make this an outstanding album.
Scarlet Thread’s second, Valheista Kaunein (2006) has a lineup of two guitarists, violin, bass & drums, with two guests on flute. The style here is similar but this is the stronger and longer album. Scarlet Thread can also be heard on the various artists compilations Tuonen Tytär - A Tribute To Finnish Progressive and Kalevala: A Finnish Progressive Rock Epic.
Secret Oyster - same ($13.99) 
Secret Oyster - Vidunderlige Kælling (Astarte) ($13.99)The Danish band Secret Oyster was formed in 1973 by members of three other Danish progressive bands: Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe, Hurdy Gurdy, and Coronarias Dan. Their six albums are progressive jazz-rock classics. These are the 2005-2007 remastered versions on The Laser’s Edge. Each of these CDs features new liner notes from Karsten Vogel.
This is the first time on CD for Secret Oyster’s self-titled 1973 first studio album, which was released on LP in the U.S. as Furtive Pearl. From the press release: “At the time the band was hailed as a supergroup of sorts... This was a true fusion album – a marriage of rock and jazz. While later albums featured more of a jazz element, this first album featured wild psychedelic guitar leads from Claus Bohling. His frenetic solos were juxtaposed against the stunning sax work of Karsten Vogel and electric piano of virtuoso keyboardist Kenneth Knudsen. The album was recorded on a surprisingly low budget – direct to two-track in fact. There is a raw energy that pervades the album that reminds of their contemporaries such as Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever.” The CD features two non-album bonus tracks.
From the press release: “Sea Son was originally released in 1974 on CBS and is now considered by many to be the pinnacle of the band’s catalog. The fiery interplay between alto/soprano sax player Karsten Vogel, guitarist Claus Bohling and keyboardist Kenneth Knudsen parallel the work of their contemporaries Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra. With a new rhythm section of bassist Jess Staehr (Burnin Red Ivanhoe) and drummer Ole Streenberg (Coronarias Dans), the band found equal footing in the worlds of rock and jazz. The track Mind Movie offers 9-minutes of pure psychedelic guitar-driven fury from Bohling. In contrast, a string quartet appears on Painforest, presenting a mellower side to the band. Perhaps it’s the constant tension between the rock and jazz genres and the band’s ability to blend both seamlessly that is the reason for their success.” The CD features three previously-unreleased bonus tracks.
Secret Oyster’s 1975 third album Vidunderlige Kælling was released on LP in the U.S. under the name Astarte. It was commissioned as music for a ballet. This CD includes three previously unreleased bonus tracks. While often compared to the likes of Soft Machine, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Return to Forever (we’d add Shadowfax’s Watercourse Way), the music here is closer to progressive rock: more structured, melodic, and classically-influenced. The CD features three previously-unreleased bonus tracks.
From the press release: “Straight to the Krankenhaus (1976) is considered by many to be their masterpiece – a seamless blend of progressive rock and fusion. The fiery interplay between alto/soprano sax player Karsten Vogel, guitarist Claus Bohling and keyboardist Kenneth Knudsen parallel the work of their contemporaries Return To Forever, Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra.” The CD features two previously-unreleased bonus tracks.
Simon Says - Tardigrade ($13.99) The Swedish band Simon Says began their career very influenced by 1970’s Genesis, adopting most of the same sounds and conventions. Tardigrade (2008, 74-minutes) is their third and is on an even grander scale than their previous CDs. This CD is in that category of “if you are a symphonic rock fanatic and can buy only one CD this year”. Simon Says have expanded their style well beyond the Genesis base to include influences of Yes, UK, and early King Crimson, plus that trademark Scandinavian organ-driven symphonic rock style. At one point they nearly launch into Holst’s Mars. Even if they nearly quote other pieces of music here and there, they’ve got so much good stuff crammed onto this disc that it’s still pretty amazing. One of the few survivors of the early 1990’s Stockholm progressive scene, Simon Says may now be the best. Note Simon Says can also be heard on the Colossus/Musea various artists CDs Kalevala and Odyssey.
Sinkadus - Live at Progfest ’97 (2CD, $15.99)Swedish prog band Sinkadus pick up where Anglagard left off. For those who don’t know the style, it is pure 1970’s symphonic progressive, sonically close to Genesis, Kaipa, and earliest King Crimson (Mellotron, flute), but predominantly instrumental and without much in the way of songwriting. Compositionally it owes more to King Crimson circa 1973-74, especially in the degree of dissonance and angularity of the melodies. Their debut Aurum Nostrum was recorded in 1996 and consists of four long tracks totaling 59-minutes. Live at Progfest ’97 was recorded prior to their second album Cirkus. They play all of Aurum Nostrum plus the long song that became the opening track on Cirkus. This set includes a second disc containing the demo version of Aurum Nostrum. Both titles are now deleted, last copies.
Soniq Circus - same ($15.99) This is the 2007 debut CD from Swedish quintet Soniq Circus. Consistent with other current Scandinavian progressive rock bands (Magic Pie, Beardfish, A.C.T., Carptree), Soniq Circus blend all sorts of mostly British, mostly 1970’s influences in a timeless way. The music is symphonic prog with a bit of 70’s hard rock and strong pop songwriting and melodies, sort of Yes meets City Boy, but with a distinct identity. Not only the vintage keys but also the production harkens back to the 70’s -- instead of a hyper-real but sterile modern production, this has a bit of welcome grit to it. Note the second mp3 icon above links directly to an mp3 of the complete 9-minute track Chain of Consequences. Read reviews here.
Spektrum - same ($17.99)This is a 2003 CD by a Swedish all-star quintet, featuring Hansi Cross (the main man in the band Cross), key members of Galleon and Grand Stand, and a very good female singer in Lizette von Panajott. In other words, a lot of talent. And this album is one of the best neo-Genesis albums to appear in a long time, as Spektrum draw most of their inspiration from Genesis circa Wind and Wuthering. But the female vocals add a very different twist, and Spektrum manage to make it all sound fresh and exciting. You can hear influences of all three parent bands as well, so fans of those bands as well as fans of The Flower Kings, IQ, Twin Age, and melodic symphonic prog in general should be thrilled to hear this. Here is a 1.0 MB mp3 from the album. Read reviews here.
Svarte Pan - Nattvandring ($12.99) This 2004 release is a throwback to the early 1970’s blues-based hard rock style of the band November, or if you’re looking for a British equivalent, Nazareth and Black Sabbath. The band uses just guitar, bass, and drums, with vocals in Swedish. Hard to find a Scandinavian band not singing in English these days.
Tangle Edge - Serpentary Quarters ($16.99)Long psychedelic jams from this Norwegian band. Tangle Edge have been around since the early 1980’s; this is a 2006 album. There are some electronic treatments, but otherwise it's just guitar/bass/drums.
Taylor’s Universe - Return to Whatever mini-LP ($15.99) Taylor’s Universe is a superb Danish prog band headed by Robin Taylor, who plays guitar, grand piano, Hammond organ, and various analog synths. Joining Taylor on Terra Nova are sax player Karsten Vogel (Secret Oyster, Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe) and drummer Rasmus Grosell, plus a few guests. Taylor has or had another project with almost the same name, Taylor’s Free Universe, but that project is entirely different, focusing on improvisation and experimental jazz. And for maximum confusion, Taylor also releases albums under his own name that tend to be more electronic/ambient. Terra Nova (2007) however contains classic 1970’s style Scandinavian symphonic progressive, instrumental with some wordless vocals. The music is keyboard-dominated, with Vogel’s melodic sax adding spice. There is definitely appeal to fans of Secret Oyster and Canterbury music, but while there is jazz influence here, the music is not jazz or fusion. Rather, the music is the stately symphonic prog typical of Focus and the first generation of Scandinavian symphonic bands.
Return to Whatever (2009) is the new one and features a new band lineup that includes electric violin, sax, guitar, bass, drums, and Taylor’s keyboards, with guests providing Celtic harp, flute, and female voice. The music is again instrumental and 1970’s-oriented, but not retro. As always, Taylor favors organ and piano, and there is jazz influence felt primarily through the sax (which is played melodically), but overall this is still stately symphonic prog with strong links to the first-generation Danish progressive and jazz-rock bands. Heavyweight gatefold mini-LP sleeve.
Trettioåriga Kriget - War Years (2CD, $17.99) 
Trettioåriga Kriget - same ($15.99) Trettioåriga Kriget (Thirty Years War) are one of the most important Swedish progressive rock bands, cited as a major influence by the 1990’s Swedish bands Anglagard, Anekdoten, and Landberk. Trettioåriga Kriget have a progressive sound based on Swedish vocals, guitar, bass and drums, with Mellotron, organ, and piano adding spice. The brooding, aggressive sound of the more recent Swedish prog bands has its genesis here.
These are all the latest digipack editions. The self-titled CD is the reissue of their 1974 first LP with three bonus tracks added, bringing the playing time up to 59-minutes. Here there is a hard rock influence that is less present on subsequent albums. Beginning with their 1976 album Krigsang, the hard rock is downplayed in favor of a more symphonic, melodic and melancholic approach, with more emphasis on dynamics and drama.
Their third album Hej På Er! (1978) found the band on a new label and beginning to streamline their sound, losing the melancholy in favor of a more upbeat sound, less heavy and more melodic. They had added a fifth member on keyboards and sax. Though not the place to start, it’s still a good Swedish progressive album. Four bonus tracks from 1978-79 have been added.
Elden Av År (2004) is their first album of new material since 1981, and amazingly, it is every bit as good as their self-titled album and Krigsang, more symphonic in fact. The double-CD War Years (2008) is the first ever live album from TK. The first CD covers the 1970s-1980s, while the second CD is divided between TK’s 2004 ProgDay appearance in the U.S. and a 2007 concert in Sweden. Read the DPRP review.
Tuonen Tytär II (3CD, $39.99)Both of these sets are tributes to Finnish progressive rock of the 1970’s. The first Tuonen Tytär is a 2CD set from 2000 containing covers of 22 songs by the first generation of Finnish progressive artists such as Finnforest, Haikara, Pekka Pohjola, Wigwam, Kaamos, Jukka Tolonen, Tasavallan Presidentti, Piirpauke, and others. The participating bands include Haikara (who cover themselves), Scarlet Thread, Holy Lamb, Man On Fire, Overhead, Five Fifteen, and more. See Prog Archives for the complete list of songs and bands, as well as reviews. The booklet includes interesting English-language liner notes about the history of the Finnish scene.
Tuonen Tytär II (2009) is a 3CD set with 31 bands contributing 31 tracks. Prog Archives has the list of participants and songs. Both sets come in the old-style fat case and count as 2 CDs for shipping.
Unifaun - Unifaun ($13.99) As the Progress label says, this 2008 CD is the stunning 76-minute debut from a Swedish band whose goal is to “make the songs that Genesis never did.” And they do it with great love and lots of talent. Other Genesis clones may mimic the sonic details perfectly but fall so far short of Genesis in songwriting terms that little of their music is memorable. Unifaun however have a knack for melodic hooks and understand that there was always a song (sometimes several) at the core of a Genesis track. Judging from the number of searches for ‘Unifaun’ immediately after the release of the CD, this was the most anticipated release of the year, and might have been our best seller of the year had we actually kept track of such things. So there must be a few hungry Genesis fans out there. Can’t blame you -- if there hadn’t been a 1970’s Genesis, there probably wouldn’t be a Kinesis either. Read reviews here. This is the U.S. edition on ProgRock Records.
Urban Turban - Overtime ($13.99)This is the band formed by Peter Bryngelsson, formerly of Ragnarök and Triangulus. Urban Turban have been described as “Captain Beefheart meets an Arabian big band in the desert”. Their self-titled first album (1994) featured blues-rock played with non-traditional instruments, laced with middle eastern flavors and a bit of Swedish folk. Overtime is from 1996 and is somewhat less bluesy, though it still features several John Mayall tunes.
Viima - Kahden Kuun Sirpit ($16.99) The Finnish symphonic prog band Viima was first heard on Mellow Records’ Finnish prog tribute CD Tuonen Tytar and can also be heard on several of the Musea/Colossus various artists CDs. Viima’s 2006 debut Ajatuksia Maailman Laidalta features beautiful female vocals that add a folky quality that has led some reviewers to reference Mellow Candle, though the music here is really only folky in the sense that early Renaissance or October Project were folky: the inclusion of acoustic instruments and a light, breezy quality rather than folk music per se. Viima play unadulterated 1970’s-style Scandinavian progressive rock featuring vintage keyboard sounds and some flute, and as with the best first-generation Scandinavian prog bands, Camel is never far away.
After the release of their first CD, Viima changed lineup, expanding to a quintet and transitioning from female to male singer. It has worked to their advantage, as Kahden Kuun Sirpit (2009) is a more powerful symphonic prog album, without the folky aspects of their debut. There is a Genesis influence on this CD that was not present on their first, plus Camel and perhaps Focus. Keyboards include Mellotron, Hammond organ, Rhodes, and analog synths, and there is flute, soprano sax, and a string quartet. In fact, Kahden Kuun Sirpit is on a par with the best Scandinavian classic progressive bands: Atlas, 1970’s Kaipa, Blakulla, early Isildurs Bane, Tabula Rasa, etc. Those bands didn’t sing in English either, but we have faith that even our monolingual American customers have advanced beyond beginner-level prog fan and appreciate great music sung in any language, and the greater variety that enables. (English translations of the lyrics are printed in the booklet.) Read reviews of both CDs here.
Violent Silence - Kinetic ($15.99) SALE!Violent Silence is yet another impressive Swedish progressive rock band. The self-titled CD is their 2003 debut. Hard to compare them to anyone else; it might be heard as a mix of Landberk, King Crimson, and Echolyn, but without guitar. The six-string parts aren’t missed though. A quartet of vocals, keyboards, bass and drums, they do things a bit differently than the other Swedish bands. For one, the bass is way up front in the mix and is often very percussive, partially usurping the role normally played by guitar. They have a keyboardist who plays lead lines shaped with pitch bend and vibrato, something missing not only from the other Swedish prog bands, but somewhat of a dying art. The English-language vocals are competent and there is more in the way of songwriting than, for example, Anekdoten. Together, these four musicians successfully unite Nordic melancholia and Anglo-Saxon power. Note the mp3 icon for the self-titled CD links directly to a single mp3.
On their second CD Kinetic (2005), Violent Silence has expanded to a quintet with the addition of a second keyboardist (shades of Greenslade). Again, guitar is not missed, and yet the music doesn’t seem as keyboard-dominated as ELP or SFF. Kinetic has aspects of both 1970’s progressive, with a lot of vintage keyboard sounds, and more contemporary rock, especially in the melancholy vocal lines. Liquid Scarlet does a similar blend, but the two bands sound distinct. This album is an improvement on Violent Silence’s debut, more energetic, featuring a stellar rhythm section, with several songs driven by fast mallet percussion (which could be coming from a keyboard). The 18-minute Quiet Stalker has a tremendous extended instrumental section in a style between Genesis and UK. This band is something special, having something in common with the other Scandinavian progressive bands while really being quite unique. Read reviews here.
White Willow - Signal to Noise ($13.99) 
White Willow - Ex Tenebris ($13.99)Norway’s White Willow manage a distinct sound on each of their five albums, with lineup changes often a contributing factor. Their debut Ignis Fatuus (1995) had a softer, pastoral sound based upon refined female vocals, Mellotron, flute, and acoustic guitars. They are essentially a pagan folk ensemble that discovered Anglagard and Landberk, producing a melancholy and mystical hybrid. Their sound on Ex Tenebris (1998) and Sacrament (2000) becomes darker, heavier, and more gothic, and though there are acoustic timbres, it’s arguable whether there is any folk here. Storm Season (2004) is their most electric and rock-based, with heavy guitars prominent at times, though there is still plenty of Mellotron and other analog keys, flute, and cello along with the female vocals.
Signal to Noise (2006) again changes style noticeably and may be our favorite. Perhaps because the album was recorded in three weeks rather than piecemeal over the course of a year, it all seems more focused, band-oriented, and contains White Willow’s strongest songwriting. The metal guitar of the previous album, a great idea if the intent was to sound more like a dime-a-dozen prog-metal band, has been abandoned, though the music is still intense and powerful at times. They have a new female vocalist, and if you strip away all the Mellotron and flute and symphonic keyboards, what is left is sometimes contemporary sounding, close to female-vocal dream-pop bands such as Bel Canto or Cocteau Twins. In fact, White Willow are trying to get airplay with a radio-edit of the wonderful song Joyride, and they deserve it. But the album as a whole is hopelessly dynamic and progressive and won’t be getting play on Norwegian radio, only in the CD players of prog fans worldwide.
Wigwam - The Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose ($17.99)Wigwam was the best known Finnish rock band of the 1970’s (Pekka Pohjola was a member early on), their albums ranging from progressive rock to intelligent pop-rock. Nuclear Nightclub (1975) and The Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose (1976) were released by Virgin Records in the UK. These are the 2010 remastered editions on the Esoteric label, with restored artwork, lavish booklets, and a new essay and recollections from Jim Pembroke. The Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose has two bonus tracks from a 1975 single: Tramdriver and Wardance. These were the first two albums by what is usually considered the second era of the band, during which their English ex-pat singer-songwriter Jim Pembroke became the dominant composer. During this phase, Wigwam were sort of the Finnish Steely Dan. Read the Wigwam overview at DPRP. Read reviews at Prog Archives of Nuclear Nightclub and The Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose. The unofficial Wigwam Nuclear Netclub site has a wealth of information. Esoteric will soon reissue Wigwam’s Fairyport, Being, and Live Music from the Twilight Zone albums.
Wobbler - Hinterland ($13.99) Wobbler is a Norwegian band singing in English and debuting with Hinterland (2005), showing a strong Änglagård influence. The instrumentation is similar, a consciously retro sound with loads of vintage keys, especially Mellotron and organ. Wobbler are slightly less dissonant and slightly more melodic and flowing, and they also toss in a bit of Gentle Giant here, a bit of ELP there. Even if Wobbler can’t have the impact Änglagård did, it’s still a very welcome album.
Xinema - Basic Communication ($9.99) Xinema is a Swedish melodic progressive rock band that evolved out of a mid-1980’s band called Madrigal, so Xinema’s members have been at this for a while. Most of the songs on their debut Different Ways (2002) date from the Madrigal era, though they were recorded more recently. The music is generally in the early Saga style, with clear English vocals and lots of lush harmony vocals reminiscent of Asia.
Basic Communication (2006) could be considered the first genuine Xinema album as it contains all new material. It is again an accessible style of symphonic prog that emphasizes songs, melody, and lush textures. The Rush and Asia influences of the first album have given way to a more purely neo-prog style. Think classic Saga, Marillion old and new, and a symphonic version of U2. We recommend both albums to fans of Galleon, another Swedish band operating in similar territory.
Zello - Quodlibet ($15.99)This is the 1999 second album by a Swedish progressive rock band singing in excellent English. Their sound (and quality) is very close to early Kansas, dominated by violin and organ but without guitar. Mellotron, a few Swedish touches, and a 25-minute track make this an outstanding album.