Progressive Metal – Page 3 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Dawn of Ouroboros – Bioluminescence

It’s a difficult task to define what type of Metal Dawn of Ouroboros likes to play. There seems to be a constant exchange between Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, and Djent loudness values, all going hand in hand with songwriting that sometimes mimics more commercial acts. Hence, I was both puzzled and excited to jump into its newest release, Bioluminescence. Rarely has an album name been more fitting for the level of colorful chaos this album is about to throw at us. But is it good stuff, or are we going to feel overwhelmed by so much glitter?

Dream Theater – Parasomnia

Ha! I bet you didn’t see that coming, but yours truly was a Dream Theater fan. It was the band that got me into Prog, the band that got me into shredding, and the only Metal band Pappa Catto ever liked (it was the first concert ticket he ever got me!). However, it’s been almost 20 years since I truly enjoyed one of its albums. Ever since Portnoy left, the band hasn’t felt Metal enough for me, but now he’s back, and it’s time to find out if Parasomnia is the comeback I’ve always wanted or just more absurd wanking. Stay put!

True kvlt: Hell Winter, Rheûma & Haissem

It’s time! To show mercy to the underground and believe you people can send us quality. I’m starting to think that this intro paragraph should be made by an AI because you don’t really care about it, right? You’re just here to get a bunch of cool and quirky bands for your playlist, or maybe not—maybe you’ll actually open that wallet for once. Either way, we have a good mix of singles, EPs, and albums this time. Enjoy while you can!

SonikGoat’s Top Albums of 2024

SonikGoat

There are a couple of observations I can make about the albums I’ve chosen for my end-of-year lists. One relates to that most nebulous realm of terminology: the “progressive”. What this term means seems to vary from person to person and album to album, but the differences manifest in interesting ways. Take everyone else’s album of the year, Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere. The progressive element here lies largely in its bold combination of two distinct styles, blending Death Metal with what I’ll broadly call “vintage-flavored synth-driven Prog Rock”. Another album that adopts a progressive approach is Ontology of Nought by Ingurgitating Oblivion, but the results are markedly different. More on that below.

The other theme in my list this year is that several of the bands are well-established acts with multiple albums under their belts, yet I was either unaware of them or only barely familiar. I’m forever humbled by the sheer number of great musicians and bands I have yet to discover! Finding a band partway through their discography often feels like stumbling upon a treasure trove of musical riches.

Enough! On to the list. Eternal hails to the artists!

Metalcatto’s top artworks of 2024

Lunart & Metalcatto

It’s time for yours truly to give you a proper top list of something! Since you’ve been asking for one a zillion times on social media, I couldn’t say no. However, being a fervent supporter of the division of labor and a total snob, I’ve teamed up with Lunart—someone with an actual arts degree—to judge the best album art of the year. So, this isn’t just my peasant opinion; it’s also supported by the refined taste of someone who knows the field. That means you’ve got to bend the knee, right?

Before you lose it, yes, we’re aware many of the best works this year are adaptations of classical paintings. But let’s be real—that doesn’t take away from the incredible worlds they transport us to, especially when combined with the music. Let’s dive in!

Elyna’s top picks for the year 2024

Elyna Kahn

Time flies! 2024 is almost over, and what a year it has been for Metal music. It’s been intense, with countless excellent releases—both from iconic bands and hidden treasures in the underground scene. Yet, I won’t lie. I don’t consume an overwhelming number of albums every year. I prefer to discover them on my own terms, without any pressure. I believe music is best enjoyed when you choose to dive into an album at the right moment, when you’re truly in the mood for it.

That said, I’m bringing you my personal top picks—no cap. The albums on this list have earned a special place in my heart—and in my obsessive, on-repeat listening habits that defy human understanding. Let me clarify: there’s no ranking here. Each of these masterpieces hits differently, yet all of them pack an equally intense punch and deserve your full attention. Let’s get into it!

Adamantra – Act III: Pareidolia of Depravity

Elyna Kahn

Are you familiar with the words “Pareidolia” and “Depravity”? Pareidolia refers to a psychological phenomenon where the human mind perceives faces in random images, lights, and shadows. A good example is the classic emoji, known worldwide due to social media. When keyboard characters combine, we see a face expressing a specific emotion, though it is merely signs arranged in a certain manner. We attribute that combination of signs to a particular facial expression and emotion.

Sleepless – Through Endless Black

Stargazer Scholar

Let’s face it, genre debates have become as much a staple of Heavy Metal culture as battle vests and band t-shirts. Is it Thrash or Death? Is this record more Technical than it is Brutal? And if it happens to be Black, is it more Melodic or Atmospheric? Oh, and most importantly—ubiquitously, inescapably—tell me: is it, by chance, Prog?

Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

This has been an intense release week, with both veteran and emerging bands hitting us with nearly unchecked energy. But my attention was elsewhere. Schammasch presents an intriguing proposition, to say the least. With an unusual blend of Prog, Death, Gothic, and a hint of refined snobbery, The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean promises the kind of elevated experience I’ve been craving all week—or it might just crash into a spectacular dumpster fire. Fingers crossed!

Typhonian – The Gate of the Veiled Beyond

I’ve always said one of our principles is to give nostalgia a chance, even though we deeply hate leaning on it. Lately, we’ve been indulging bands that sound straight out of 1995. So, when I heard Typhonian was 90s-inspired with a Swedish Death Metal sound, I puked my breakfast all over my marble countertop—because, honestly, I can’t handle another retro album this week. However, The Gate of the Veiled Beyond promised something different, claiming to pay homage to Edge of Sanity—and I’m always down for that kind of nostalgia. So, let’s set aside our biases for once and check this beast out.