My Top 10 .... 2018

[nicola]

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This is my Top 2018 list in alphabetical order:


All Traps On Earth - A Drop Of Light
Anima Mundi - Insomnia
Galahad - Seas of Change
Karibow – The Unchosen
Keor - Petrichor
Riverside - Wasteland
Sunchild - Messages From Afar_ The Division And Illusion Of Time
The Samurai Of Prog - Archiviarum
The Tangent - Proxy
Universe Effects - Desolation


as last year I invite You to publish Your TOP 10 lists would be interesting for everyone and would also help to bring out so many albums that have been listened to little but that have a value not to be overlooked ...

[schupdoggy]

My Top Ten of 2018

1 - The Tangent - Proxy
2 - Umphrey’s McGee - It's Not Us
3 - The Samurai of Prog - Archiviarum
4 - Spock’s Beard - Noise Floor
5 - Glass Hammer - Chronomonaut
6 - Roine Stolt's The Flower King - Manifesto Of An Alchemist
7 - Regal Worm - Pig Views
8 - 3RDegree - Ones & Zeros
9 - Visual Cliff - Refuge
10- Progeland - Harmony Of The Universe

[mariocc]

hola nicola ! great thread ! preparing mine

[nicola]

Thanks SHUPDOGGY and MARIOCC

[masque]

My top 10 for 2018, from best to good

1. Alan Walks - Life of Fireflies - Vol. 1
2. The Windmill - Tribus
3. Pymlico - Nightscape
4. John Holden - Capture Light
5. Telegraph - Mir
6. The Bird Tribe - Stars in Disguise
7. 20 Years Later - Dancing With Blue
8. Phideaux - Infernal
9. Peter Gee - The Bible
10. Oakdenham - Upon All The Living and The Dead

Special Mentions:

Neil Young - Songs for Judy
Poor Man's Whiskey - Juniper Mountain

and last and for a good reason...
MJD - Electric Fantasy, This CD is every thing prog rockers complain about, it has ferries, knights, love stories and is so rooted in fantasy as to make it almost to sappy to listen to, but I like it :)

[schupdoggy]

I forgot about Peter Gee's The Bible. Thanks for reminding me masque. I will change my top ten to reflect that.

[schupdoggy]

My Top Ten of 2018...Revised

1 - The Tangent - Proxy
2 - Umphrey’s McGee - It's Not Us
3 - The Samurai of Prog - Archiviarum
4 - Spock’s Beard - Noise Floor
5 - Glass Hammer - Chronomonaut
6 - Roine Stolt's The Flower King - Manifesto Of An Alchemist
7 - Regal Worm - Pig Views
8 - 3RDegree - Ones & Zeros
9 - Visual Cliff - Refuge
10- Peter Gee - The Bible

[masque]

Great music, even better story!

[schupdoggy]

Great music, even better story!

Amen to that!

[nicola]

Hello mariocc,
I read your proposal to collect the lists of the top 10 2018 and to give away a cd ....
My initiative to publish the lists of those who want to participate has the only purpose of highlighting the considerable differences that exist between all of us and maybe notice in the lists of the other albums that have never listened to or that have not received the right attention and that deserve to be appreciated.
However, I consider myself a guest of aural moon and as such I think that sending back the lists and its final show must be taken into consideration only by Aural Moon staff
If that happens, I'll be the first to send my list
Sincerely

[nicola]

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[Ramon Porta]

1-3.2- The Rules Had Changed
2- ARENA-Double Vision
3- PHIDEAUX-Infernal
4- THE TANGENT - Proxy
5- GLASS HAMMER -Chronomonau
6- GALAHAD - Seas of Change
7- RIVERSIDE - Wasteland
8- FINALLY GEORGE -Life Is a Killer
9- UMPHREY'S MCGEE- It's Not Us
10- 3RDEGREE - oNES & zEROS

HELLO nICOLA MY LIST THX FOR YOUR EFORT. Ramon Porta

[artw]

Lots of great music in 2018! I can't rate them 1 - 20, but a couple stood out for me, the rest alphabetical.

1 - The Sea Within - The Sea Within
2 - Ramin Partovi - 27 Faces Of A Broken Heart

20 Years Later - Dancing with Blue
41Point9 - Mr. Astute Trousers
Adam Holzman - Truth Decay
Alan Walks - Life of Fireflies - Vol. 1
Colouratura - Unfamiliar Skies
Duende Libre - Drift
ESP 2.0 - 22 Layers Of Sunlight
Fernando Perdomo - Out To Sea
Forgas Band Phenomena - L'Oreille Électrique
Jean Chaumont - The Beauty of Differences
Kevin Hufnagel - Messages to the Past
Los Lobotomys - Lobotomys 3.0
Mythology - All The Planets Have Aligned
Nels Cline 4 - Currents, Constellations
Osada Vida - Variomatic
Spiralmaze - Dunes Of Dorlmeus
Tauk - Shapeshifter I: Construct
Yuka & Chronoship - SHIP

Cheers,
Art

[podakayne]

not necessarily in the order given

1. Monobody — Raytracing
2. Troot — Constance and the Waiting
3. Ankh — Tu jest i tam jest
4. Finally George — Life is a Killer
5. The Sea Within — The Sea Within
6. Roine Stolt's The Flower Kings — Manifesto of an Alchemist
7. Riverside — Wasteland/The Pineapple Thief — Dissolution
8. NOA — If Tomorrow Comes
9. Pymlico — Nightscape
10. Pepe Maina — Res Obscura

honorable mentions:
Jean Chaumont — The Beauty of Differences
Jimi Hendrix — Both Sides of the Sky
Strangefish — The Spotlight Effect
Osada Vida — Variomatic
Ske — 1001 Autunni

still difficult to narrow it all down

[nicola]

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THANKS masque..Ramon Porta..artw..podakayne

[ErikM]

My Prog top 10 of 2018 albums :
1. ARENA - Double Vision
2. MYSTERY - Lies and Butterflies
3. PAVLOV'S DOG - Prodigal Dreamer
4. KAYAK - Seventeen
5. THE TANGENT - Proxy
6. RIVERSIDE - Wasteland
7. TUMBLETOWN - Never Too Late
8. PINEAPPLE THIEF - Dissolution
9. AARON CLIFT EXPERIMENT - If All Goes Wrong
10. THE SEA WITHIN - The Sea Within

[mariocc]

1. MARY HALVORSON _Code Girl
1. MONOBODY_Raytracing

2. LEGACY PILOTS_Con Brio
3. SUPERFLUOUS MOTORS _ Funk
4. JUSTIN BROWN_Nyeusi
5. THUMBSCREWS_Theirs
6. WAYNE HORVITZ_The Snowghost Sessions
7. DAVID BRIMER_Hand Signals
8. STANLEY CLARKE BAND_The Message
9. JEAN CHAUMONT _The Beauty Of Differences
10. JOHN MCLAUGHLIN & JIMMY HERRING W/ THE 4TH DIMENSION
AND THE INVISIBLE WHIP_Live In San Francisco

[nicola]

THANKS ErikM , mariocc

[nicola]

How they judged the 2018 others ....
the ranking of the best albums of 2018 according to
sonicperspectives.com

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[mariocc]

The most voted among us _

1. THE TANGENT ( 4 votes )
1. RIVERSIDE ( 4 )

2. THE SEA WITHIN ( 3 )
2. JEAN CHAUMONT ( 2 + 1 hon.mention )

3. with 2 votes :
ALAN WALKS
MONOBODY
FINALLY GEORGE
ROINE STOLT S TFK
PYMLICO
GALAHAD
THE SAMURAI OF PROG
PHIDEAUX
PETER GEE
UMPHREY S MCGEE
GLASS HAMMER
3RDEGREE
ARENA

[mariocc]

so far

Ramon has 9 bands among most voted,,,

schup 7

poda 6

nicola and masque 4

art 3

me 1

[Mike413]

Every year there usually seems to be at least one album that I hear really good things about that doesn't show up on anyone's list here. This year that seems to be the latest album by Damanek "in flight" but also the self titled debut by Gleb Kolyadin. Both of those showed up on DPRP's top 10 for 2018.

[nicola]

How they judged the 2018 others ....
the ranking of the best albums of 2018 according to
weekendprog.blogspot.com


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[nicola]

for Mike413 ...

my invitation to publish our lists is mainly intended to bring out the differences that exist between us in order to later verify if the albums in question are valid and had not been taken into account or if they are far from our musical preferences ... it remains however the fact that having to make a selection of only 10 albums, many excellent albums remain out ...

Mike if you had prepared the list you could publish it

[Mike413]

What I mentioned was an observation not a judgement. There's always going to be a few good ones that fall through the cracks.

[snicolette]

Every year there usually seems to be at least one album that I hear really good things about that doesn't show up on anyone's list here. This year that seems to be the latest album by Damanek "in flight" but also the self titled debut by Gleb Kolyadin. Both of those showed up on DPRP's top 10 for 2018.
I love that Gleb Koyadin recording.

[nicola]

How they judged the 2018 others ....
the ranking of the best albums of 2018 according to
sputnikmusic.com


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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Koenji Hyakkei biography
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1991

Take MAGMA, AREA and ELP at their most excessive, feed them an overdose of caffeine and you'll get the gist of what KOENJI HYAKKEI sound like. Or imagine the speed of DEUS EX MACHINA and then add many more tempo changes and musical ideas. Anyone not ready for some insane, amphetamine-driven prog are advised to stay clear of this foursome. As for others, they're in for the musical roller coaster of their lives. Headed by vocalist, composer and drummer extraordinaire Tatsuya Yoshida, this Zeuhl quartet is an offshoot of Japanese cult duo RUINS. In addition to RUINS' own bassist Shigekazu Kuwahara and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, KOENJI HYAKKEI also feature excellent female vocalist/keyboardist Aki Kubota (who is replaced by Nami Sagara on their third album). From the second album on, Shigekazu Kuwahara was replaced by Sakamoto Kengo on bass and vocals. The third album also saw the addition of Keiko Komori on reeds and AH on vocals, as well as keyboard contributions by Taku Yabuki (now the keyboard player for the band).

All of the group's albums are insanely hyper, all exploding with flashy keyboard lines, intricate death-metal guitar riffs, speedy, convoluted bass/drum patterns, operatic female vocals that border on apocalyptic war cries and chanted in a language of their own (a nod to MAGMA); all this combined with a superhuman technique and catchy, complex arrangements. As of 2010, the group has released four albums and four DVDs. The current lineup is Tatsuya Yoshida (drums, vocals), Kengo Sakamoto (bass, vocals), Keiko Komori (reeds), Taku Yabuki (keyboards) and AH (vocals). The newest DVD includes two new songs not yet available on any studio albums.

If you like bizarre, wild and zany prog such as MAGMA, Mr. BUNGLE or PRIMUS, you'll have your hands, ears and a few other things full with these guys. Definitely recommended.


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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ANTIMATTER
Experimental/Post Metal • Multi-National

Antimatter biography
Formed in Liverpool, England in 1997

Antimatter was formed by ex-Anathema bass player and song writer, Duncan Patterson, and Mick Moss, a musician who had up to that time, played with several unsigned bands. As a pair, Patterson and Moss released three albums together: Saviour, Lights Out and Planetary Confinement. Shortly after the completion and release of the third effort, Planetary Confinement, Duncan Patterson left the pair to form his own group, Íon. Continuing without his former partner, Mick Moss kept the project alive, releasing its fourth and most recent album, Leaving Eden, with current Anathema guitarist Danny Cavanagh.

The first two albums released by this collaboration were made with a musical focus on melodic, layered vocal lines and an often borderline techno melancholic rock sound, with ambient post-rock overtones. This was often achieved by using techniques such as layering the vocals of female guest musicians to create an eerie effect and ambience. Acoustic guitar riffs and rhythmic sections also helped to give this duo their unique sound. After the departure of Duncan Patterson from the project, the sound rapidly changed and evolved, now developing a more metallic based sound brought on by Danny's input. The early atmospheric sounds are now mostly gone, replaced with a more guitar oriented rock sound, which has earned the band a favor amongst prog metal lovers the world over.

Antimatter is easily recommendable to fans post-metal, post-rock and prog metal, their two most recent albums containing a sound akin to Anathema, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia and many other rock groups with atmospheric overtones.


(Biography by Joel G, Australia)

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[nicola]

How they judged the 2018 others ....
the ranking of the best albums of 2018 according to
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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

NIGHT VERSES
Experimental/Post Metal • United States

Night Verses biography
Founded in Los Angeles, California, USA in 2012

The band was formed when Douglas ROBINSON met members of the band THE SOUND ARCHIVES who agree to add the singer to the band. They went out to record a first EP "Out of the Sky" soon after. Since then they released 1 more EP and 3 albums, the latest "From the Gallery of Sleep" was released in June 2018 as an instrumental album with the departure of singer Douglas ROBINSON.

The music could be classified as post-hardcore/progressive rock where the post-rock atmosphere is united with the aggressive style of metalcore. The band uses various moods and landscapes with a focus on playing with different guitar tones and effects and some complex drums parts.

rdtprog


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[nicola]

How they judged the 2018 others ....
the ranking of the best albums of 2018 according to
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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

LIVING THE DREAM
Uriah Heep • Heavy Prog

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[mariocc]

Fantastic hearing about Don Airey ,, I knew or heard him, in the 81 in that great and timeless Rainbow s album Difficult to Cure ,,,still among my treasured vinyls
highly recommended ,,I bet ART likes it,, :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0El3Dqk0wfU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bouyr_x3nd4

also you can hear him with Moore in Colosseum II ,,here in moon of course,,,
among many inmortal rock from late 70 and 80s

great keyboard player great singer great vocal and still he s according what I ve heard in this nicola s review very good album,, sadly not in my top 10..too late..it belongs there !

[snicolette]

Probably no surprise to those here, going to 13 because of Tom Kelly's releases. Also, in no particular order, except that his three are my first favourites, for obvious reasons.

1-3 Tom Kelly ~ Burnt Peas/The Tolling of St. John's Bells; A Quail's House; Spinning Through Eternity
2 Gleb Kolyadin ~ S/T
3 Riverside ~ Wasteland
4 Aesthesys ~ Achromata
5 Dead Can Dance ~ Dionysus
6 iamthemorning ~ Ocean Sounds
7 Seven Reizh ~ L'albatross
8 Lunatic Soul ~ Under the Fragmented Sky
9 Anna von Hausswolff ~ Dead Magic
10 Monobody ~ Raytracing

So much new music, am still going over lots that are highly recommended to see what I think. :)

[mariocc]

thanks nicolette... here how we are so far
so far

Updated The most voted among us _

1. RIVERSIDE ( 5 )
2. THE TANGENT ( 4 votes )

3. THE SEA WITHIN ( 3 )
2. JEAN CHAUMONT ( 2 + 1 hon.mention )

4. 2 votes :

ALAN WALKS
FINALLY GEORGE
ROINE STOLT S TFK
PYMLICO
GALAHAD
THE SAMURAI OF PROG
PHIDEAUX
PETER GEE
UMPHREY S MCGEE
GLASS HAMMER
3RDEGREE
ARENA

Ramon still has 9 bands among most voted,,,

schup 7

poda 6

nicola and masque 4

art 3

snicolette 2

me 1

cheeeeerrrrrsssssss

[mariocc]

thanks nicolette... here how we are so far
so far

Updated The most voted among us _

1. RIVERSIDE ( 5 )
2. THE TANGENT ( 4 votes )

3. THE SEA WITHIN and MONOBODY ( 3 )
4. JEAN CHAUMONT ( 2 + 1 hon.mention )

5. 2 votes :

ALAN WALKS
FINALLY GEORGE
ROINE STOLT S TFK
PYMLICO
GALAHAD
THE SAMURAI OF PROG
PHIDEAUX
PETER GEE
UMPHREY S MCGEE
GLASS HAMMER
3RDEGREE
ARENA

Ramon still has 9 bands among most voted,,,

schup 7

poda 6

nicola and masque 4

art 3

snicolette 2

me 1

cheeeeerrrrrsssssss

[mariocc]

it would be nice to know JIM s Top10,,,, a tricky task for him

[snicolette]

That reminds me to check out The Sea Within...The name alone is intriguing and it's gotten lots of rave reviews.

[ErikM]

Ramon still has 9 bands among most voted,,,

schup 7

poda 6

nicola and masque 4

art 3

snicolette 2

..... I see my TOP 10 has been overlooked ....

[mariocc]

Ramon still has 9 bands among most voted,,,

schup 7

poda 6

nicola and masque 4

ErikM and ART 3

snicolette 2

me 1

(fixed Erik..excuses !)

[schupdoggy]

thanks nicolette... here how we are so far
so far

Updated The most voted among us _

1. RIVERSIDE ( 5 )
2. THE TANGENT ( 4 votes )



In my humble opinion it's hard for me to fathom how Riverside has more votes than The Tangent. Not knocking Riverside, it's just that The Tangent Album is FANTASTIC!!!!!

[mariocc]

I think the same with Monobody,,
albums most voted are very good, but I go for something a little beyond, Monobody is more refreshing,, and doing something just instrumental , no vocals,, and make it so well done,,,it deserves my number 1.

Mary Harvoson, not yet in library,, has been increasing her presence in guitar scene since last 5 years.
Really nice to hear, exploring, shaking the predictable jazz world and specially jazz guitar approach,,,
She s also my number 1.

[Mike413]

It's interesting how these lists go. I noticed that the top 20 in PROG magazine is way different than any list on here. I think Riverside is the only one on there that is on here.

[snicolette]

I think the same with Monobody,,
albums most voted are very good, but I go for something a little beyond, Monobody is more refreshing,, and doing something just instrumental , no vocals,, and make it so well done,,,it deserves my number 1.

Mary Harvoson, not yet in library,, has been increasing her presence in guitar scene since last 5 years.
Really nice to hear, exploring, shaking the predictable jazz world and specially jazz guitar approach,,,
She s also my number 1.
I like that Monobody recording, also. And I'm still getting acquainted with Mary Halvorson, so much good music out there, really.

[snicolette]

It's interesting how these lists go. I noticed that the top 20 in PROG magazine is way different than any list on here. I think Riverside is the only one on there that is on here.
I could be wrong, but I think maybe a lot of the Prog writers only write for Prog? Could that be the difference, that they're more insular? Or I could be wrong, also, please feel free to let me know if that is so. Thus, perhaps, their readership is exposed mostly to what makes it to publication with Prog?

[Mike413]

I could be wrong, but I think maybe a lot of the Prog writers only write for Prog? Could that be the difference, that they're more insular? Or I could be wrong, also, please feel free to let me know if that is so. Thus, perhaps, their readership is exposed mostly to what makes it to publication with Prog?

I'm not sure. Yeah, most or many of them probably only write for PROG but maybe there's a vested interest in them(ie playing favorites). I don't know that for a fact and I don't want to start any rumors. Or maybe they just all have similar tastes in prog. Some of the individual lists included stuff that is on here but most of those apparently didn't get enough mentions to make their final top 20. Just for giggles here's their top ten. The list is actually compiled by staff(not readers).

10. A Perfect Circle- Eat the elephant
9. Thumpermonkey - Make me young, etc.
8. The Fierce and the Dead- The Euphoric
7. Riverside- Wasteland
6. Ihsahn- AMR
5. The Pineapple Thief- Dissolution
4. Voivod- The Wake
3. Anna Von Hausswolff - Dead Magic
2. Tesseract- Sounder
1. Haken - Vector

The latest album by Tony Banks "Five" came in at number 11. Rounding out the top 20 were releases by Orphaned Land, Coheed and Cambria, Spiritualized, Vennart, Soft Machine and Kino among others. A lot of their staff, as reflected in this top twenty list, seem to be big into prog metal. The listeners on aural moon don't seem to be into prog metal so much(I personally like some of it but am not a super huge fan).

[snicolette]

I'm not sure. Yeah, most or many of them probably only write for PROG but maybe there's a vested interest in them(ie playing favorites). I don't know that for a fact and I don't want to start any rumors. Or maybe they just all have similar tastes in prog. Some of the individual lists included stuff that is on here but most of those apparently didn't get enough mentions to make their final top 20. Just for giggles here's their top ten. The list is actually compiled by staff(not readers).

10. A Perfect Circle- Eat the elephant
9. Thumpermonkey - Make me young, etc.
8. The Fierce and the Dead- The Euphoric
7. Riverside- Wasteland
6. Ihsahn- AMR
5. The Pineapple Thief- Dissolution
4. Voivod- The Wake
3. Anna Von Hausswolff - Dead Magic
2. Tesseract- Sounder
1. Haken - Vector

The latest album by Tony Banks "Five" came in at number 11. Rounding out the top 20 were releases by Orphaned Land, Coheed and Cambria, Spiritualized, Vennart, Soft Machine and Kino among others. A lot of their staff, as reflected in this top twenty list, seem to be big into prog metal. The listeners on aural moon don't seem to be into prog metal so much(I personally like some of it but am not a super huge fan).

Oh, certainly not a rumour-monger here. It seemed to me that lots of reviewers who wrote for multiple outlets didn't write for Prog, so I made that potential assumption. I've not had a lot of exposure to a couple on that list, either, but I did enjoy the Anna Von Hausswolff recording (which I found via NPR!). I am also not a huge metal fan, but I do like a bit of the prog metal as well, and think that KC, for instance verged into metal at times (probably why my ear likes the prog metal from that exposure). I especially like Riverside and also Duda's Lunatic Soul, but that is softer. I notice a lot more of the jazz influenced music here at AM, and I like the sophistication of it.

[nicola]

Thanks snicolette for inserting your list
Thanks Mike413 for the inclusion of another Top 10 2018 of another site

[mariocc]

I listened the final top 20..10 ..that Mike posted ,,and with the exception of three ,and maybe a 4th ,, I just pass with all the others.
As Mike says, " A lot of their staff, as reflected in this top twenty list,seem to be big into prog metal. The listeners on aural moon don't seem to be into prog metal so much(I personally like some of it but am not a super huge fan)..."

To me,,metal and all its derivatives,, prog metal included ,,have a common quality,,a lack of melodic and harmonic ideas,, harmony makes richer and interesting any song but let s say just a lack of melodic ideas as a main thing. And I ll include also instrumental parts and solos.
Mostly Riffs and patterns,,clearly in guitar parts of course ,,,and also a very processed signal in general in the sound of instruments,,,,,I wont tell about singing.
I m super aware that what I m saying is a very subjective opinion of course.


Nicolette ! ..."and I like the sophistication of it..",,,maybe I think it is what I m trying to talking about,,, sophistication could be too much to me,,but I m super agree with you

I would say according all these years and knowing my friends here ,,and given we all share a huge music background,,,rock,,,popular ( when pop. or radio songs were played with much much more musicality actually..another topic ),,jazz,blues,,progressive,,experimental,,classic and even soundtrack music...etc....that....
I trust and enjoy by far AM Top10 lists :)....

by the way,,thanks to Jim ,, Top10 is about what we hear in this huge library,,with a little exceptions

[nicola]

This post is mainly aimed at Jim .... They are suggestions for albums not on AM
but the listening invitation is addressed to all the listeners of AM.

After looking in the charts of the top 10 progressive 2018 in other sites I listened to the albums outside AM and 4, described below,
I consider them worthy of attention, I am aware of the short time available to Jim and what the customer service recommends AM
that Jim repeats from time to time ... however, like other times, my remains an invitation to listen and
then if Jim will find it interesting to insert it on aural moon ....

Maybe it could help if there was at least one white listener wanting to turn green.

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Kingcrow
this italian band is already present on AM with the previous album "IN CRESCENDO"

The Persistence is their last album and certainly the best of their discography as well as being
present in the two classifications published above ... has received positive praise in many other sites ..
the band is classified as prog metal ... but if in previous albums the metal was much more present in this album
is a change of direction heading towards a less metal and more progressive sound.
The album is enjoyable from the first to the last track ... I prefer those that go from track 5 to track 10.

The album is present in its entirety on youtube

Good Listening



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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA4o9Xy0vRw

► TRACK LIST :

1. Drenched 00:00
2. Closer 05:34
3. Everything Goes 10:31
4. Folding Paper Dreams 14:47
5. The Persistence 21:50
6. Every Broken Piece of Me 29:00
7. Devil's Got a Picture 35:51
8. Night's Descending 40:55
9. Father 45:49
10. Perfectly Imperfect 50:26


► Lineup :
Thundra Cafolla Drums, Percussion
Diego Cafolla Guitars, Vocals (backing)
Ivan Nastasi Guitars, Vocals (backing)
Cristian Della Polla Keyboards
Diego Marchesi Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì Bass


---Kingcrow biography

Founded in Rome, Italy in 1996 (as "Earth Shaker")
The band was originally founded in Rome, Italy, by Diego Cafolla (guitars) and Manuel Thundra Cafolla (drums)
in 1996 under the name of Earth Shaker. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem Raven and driven by a will of change,
the band's name was soon altered into Kingcrow. Together with Stefano Tissi (vocals), the first promo CD Eyes
Of Memories was published in 1997. The second promo CD, Hurricane's Eye, was released in 2000, and served
as the proof of Kingcrow's evolution into progressive atmospheres performed with a subtle hard rock and
metal approach. This stylistic choice was finally consolidated in 2001 with the first official studio album,
Something Unknown. In the same year Ivan Nastasi, a guitarist of the classic hard rock / heavy metal style,
joined the band. In 2002 Stefano was replaced by Mauro Gelsomini (vocals), who contributed to the songs
with his deep and emphatic approach. In June 2003 Kingcrow recorded a 3-track promo CD entitled Matzmariels.
Ready for the next step, Kingcrow decided that the next release should be a conceptual album,
and thus Insider became reality. Kingcrow noted, We see this album as a continuous flow of emotions narrated by music.

During 2004 and 2005, Kingcrow built their own recording studio in Rome. A new album, Timetropia,
(heralded by media and fans as a true rock opera along the lines of Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar
or even Operation Mindcrime), was recorded and published worldwide by Lucretia Records International.
In 2007 and 2008, together with new bassist Angelo Orlando, Kingcrow performed several live shows
at the biggest Italian hard rock-heavy metal music festivals (including Gods Of Metal alongside Iron Maiden
and Judas Priest to support the album release.

In February 2009, during the recording sessions for the new album, Phlegethon, Francesco D'Errico (bass)
joined the band. Also Mauro decided to leave the band due to personal reasons, and was substituted
by Diego Marchesi, a singer with outstanding vocal skills that has an emotional approach which will help
consolidate Kingcrow's status as one of the most original bands to come out of Italy in recent years.

Currently the band has just finished Phlegethon, a new overall and exciting concept, representing
the very best of their progressive rock / metal approach. According to the band This new discs
finds us exploring paths of progressive rock and metal we've never ventured before - it is an exciting
time for us and we feel more confident about Kingcrow's future then ever.

Describing the band today is quite a difficult task, but one could state that the influence of such artists
as Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Opeth, Orphaned Land or even Dream Theater in their more subtle moments are
all present in the music of Kingcrow. With each release Kingcrow has taken a step further away from
their original roots as a classic hard rock / metal band and is today one of the most exciting bands that Italy has to offer.

( Biography from official homepage:


THE PARADOX TWIN - The Importance Of Mr Bedlam

1074


Good Listening

1) The Mir 05:43 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgN3SoQ20jE&list=OLAK5uy_l0qIzDoj7st1ZahULXSWFhnLrKgTcV2lU&index=1
2) The Importance of Mr Bedlam 07:07 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7dIOR4PJFQ
3) Cycles 07:26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNUBVv2Bbm8
4) Earthbound 10:20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trVMPXKfI5I
5) Moonblood 08:25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpVc4AMcD6c
6) Planeta 05:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQOZUQPgPOw&index=6&list=OLAK5uy_l0qIzDoj7st1ZahULXSWFhnLrKgTcV2lU
7) Gravity Time Dilation 06:09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSVqyw6jNeo


From Official Site
Originating in Berkshire and fronted by main songwriter Danny Sorrell, 'The Paradox Twin' are a progressive rock quartet
who are set to make 2018 their own with their debut album 'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' which is set for a June 29th release date.

Talking about the concept of the 7 song opus that has tracks ranging anywhere from 6-10 minutes long,
Danny explains that he is "influenced and inspired by conspiracy theories and the idea that humans on Earth
are being controlled by extra-terrestrial beings." The lyrical content of the album can be linked to various alien
conspiracy theories and different ideas on the topics of otherworldly seers are gradually unveiled throughout
this fine piece of progressive work, that also features some special guests.

'The Importance of Mr Bedlam' was produced by John Mitchell, and features guest spots from both John Mitchell
and Kim Seviour, keeping with the White Star Records cross-collaboration ethos.

Danny says that to fully immerse himself in the songwriting process he tries not to listen to music during
that time period, so to not have too many obvious influences creeping in to the band's soundscapes.
However, when talking about the band's core sound, he claims that he enjoys the works of Steven Wilson,
Opeth and My Dying Bride, and the poetic artistry that comes with these acts.

The Paradox Twin is Danny Sorrell, Diane Fox, Leland Freeman, Rob McGregor.




Evership - Evership II


Evership's first album is on AM


1075


https://friendsoftherevolution.bandcamp.com/album/ii

Good Listening


Release Date: October 19th, 2018
Genre: Progressive Rock

Band members:

Beau West / Lead Vocals
Shane Atkinson / Keyboards, Drums and Percussion, Vocals
James Atkinson / Lead Guitars
John Rose / Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar and Slide Guitar
Ben Young / Bass and Chapman Stick

“Evership II” Track-list:

1) The Serious Room 07:52
2) Monomyth 10:43
3) Real or Imagined 08:17
4) Wanderer 07:38
5) Isle of the Broken Tree: 28:26
I. Castaway
II. Meadow of Shades
III. My Father’s Friend
IV. Hall of Visions
V. My Own Worst Enemy
VI. The Tree and the Door



Special guests
Joel Grumblatt / drums (1)
Jesse Hardin / guitar solo (1)
Mike Priebe / backing vocals
Amelia West / backing vocals
The Charles Heimermann Chorale

Orchestra
Allison Cowan
Asa Graham Hartley
Nicelle Priebe
Gracie Staggenborg
Emily Walsh





https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/evership-evership-ii/

EVERSHIP
Neo-Prog • United States
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
EVERSHIP have been founded by a composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer / engineer Shane ATKINSON.
Shane played in Nashville bands and as a backup musician for artists in the late 80's and 90's.
As a composer he wrote on Music Row and, always having a studio running somewhere in the Nashville area,
was a composer with musical work spanning from commercials and film to orchestral and theater.
He made two records with the 90's alternative rock band CURIOUS FOOLS, but after three labels,
including false promises from a large internationally-known label that eventually dropped the band,
and with the birth of his first child, he decided to leave the music business for the budding software industry.


Shane says he never really stopped writing. "The music just kept coming, haunting me. I'd constantly wake up
in the night to record song ideas. Over those years I amassed at least a hundred hours of material. But I was
so successful in software, it became nearly impossible to get out. Something like EVERSHIP was bound to happen,
it had to happen, I was profoundly depressed."

Finally, in 2005, in response to a dream, he sold their big house in the suburbs, downsized, built a recording studio,
and opened a commercial and film music production company to finance the album effort. It would take about
ten years to make the record; not just for the actual recording, but for raising a family, building a studio,
holding down the production company and remaining business interests, and sifting through the mountain of song material.

Many of the EVERSHIP songs were already written long before the project started. Some were five to ten years
old even then, and there is purportedly enough material for four or more albums. "I've got other material,
but I wanted to do this first. Musically-speaking, prog is where my heart is." He said while growing up,
listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, Queen, Kansas and Jimmy Hotz, he had no idea it was progressive music.
He just liked it. Amongst his other influences were classical composers, particularly Bach, Rachmaninov and Ravel.
He has a sizable Opera collection and is a Puccini fan. Fusion music also played a role in the early years;
Chick Corea, Al Di Miola, Mahavishnu Orchestra, anything that challenged him musically. "Even what I'm writing
now is not intentionally Prog. It's just what comes out. These songs are life-stories, I can't tell them in three-and-a-half minutes."

After deciding on material for the debut album, demos were started in 2009, but life circumstances halted production
until 2013 when Shane shut the music production company down to focus on the record. Shane met Beau WEST,
the lead vocalist, through session singer Mike PRIEBE (who sings BGVs on the record, along with Nicelle his wife on violin).
The singer he had originally keyed the music to was longtime friend and 90's band mate Jason BEDDOE who ended up
needing to bow out due to life circumstances. Shane says, "I thought it was over. This was operatic music; these kinds
of singers just don't exist anymore. Beau was literally an answer to prayer. He had that rare range and tone that sounds
great anywhere on the scale. He could handle anything I threw at him, and had such a great attitude as well, which
was critical because so much production had already been done."

Shane choose to play drums, keyboards, and an assortment of more obscure instruments like the Theremin and Chapman Stick,
but to sub-out most of the guitar and bass work to like-minded musician friends and family. The earliest recording ("Flying Machine")
was performed by Dan SMALLEY on classical guitar and Brandon VESTAL on electric guitar. However, most of the rhythm electric,
acoustic and classical guitars were performed by the classically trained Rob HIGGINBOTHAM. Shane's brother James moved into
town later in the process and performed the lead guitars, which turned out to be a critical event for the sound Shane was reaching for.
"Having my brother here reminded me of when we were kids. We used to do these 'concerts'. We'd open the garage door and
play songs from just about every classic rock group we knew. The neighbors would set up lawn chairs and watch."
With James on guitar, the brother magic (a termed James coined to explain their telepathic ability to communicate
musically) made the lead guitar production more organic.

The infamous Nashville bassist Jaymi MILLARD rounded out the tracks.

Once the album was in full swing Shane engaged the know-how of recording engineer Mark AARTUN of Innerspeaker
Records who cut the beginning of "Flying Machine - Part 1: Dreamcarriers" on Plexiglas using a rare 1940 Presto K-8
portable record cutting machine. They then re-recorded it from a Newcomb schoolhouse tube record player.
"This gave me the vintage Victorian feel I was after."

Finally, as a last minute production idea, Shane contacted his oldest Nashville friend and classical compose
r Charles HEIMERMANN, who had been leading a professional chorale made up of session singers and singers
from both the Nashville Symphony Chorus and The Nashville Choir, to push the production over the top with
live choir recorded in a cathedral in Green Hills, Tennessee.

The debut EVERSHIP album release was on July 1, 2016. The vinyl is in the works and has been mastered
by Grammy-award winning engineer Cameron Henry at Welcome to 1979, and they are shooting for it to be
released on Record Day in April next year (2017). The release of the Evership project signifies both
the end of a very long journey and the beginning of another. In essence, that journey is what the band and music







SOUTHERN EMPIRE - CIVILISATION


The previous Souhtern Empire album is on AM


1076



1) Goliath’s Moon 09:12
2) Cries For The Lonely 19:12
3) The Crossroads 29:14
4) Innocence & Fortune 10:22


Goliath’s Moon 09:12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjVXUiqxZU

Cries For The Lonely 19:12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZuj64Dn5BM

The Crossroads live version 28:54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_MsqsW1A4

Innocence & Fortune 10:22

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqe30H2rd-E



Good Listening


I do not agree that sonicperspectives.com is in first place in their Top 10, but this is only my opinion ...
however Civilization remains a good album


The present lineup is:
Danny LOPRESTO - Lead Vocals / Guitar
Cam BLOKLAND - Guitar / Vocals
Brody GREEN - Drums / Vocals
Jez MARTIN - Bass / Vocals
Sean TIMMS - Keyboards / Vocals / Saxophone / Lap Steel Guitar


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
Crossover Prog • Australia
Southern Empire biography
Founded in Adelaide, Australia in 2014
SOUTHERN EMPIRE was formed by Sean TIMMS after the breakup of the highly acclaimed (at ProgArchives)
group, UNITOPIA.

Influenced by the likes of DREAM THEATER, IQ, TRANSATLANTIC, KARNIVOOL and Steven WILSON,
SOUTHERN EMPIRE bring a harder, more edgy sound to their music whilst displaying a knack for catchy
songs and great melodic hooks.

Their debut, self-titled album, released in 2016, achieves the above goal with memorable melodies and lyrics,
infused with challenging prog adornments and virtuoso performances.

[mariocc]

nico ,,thanks for the info and for reminding me that my presbyopia has started :) ,,,,nice letters size amigo

[snicolette]

I listened the final top 20..10 ..that Mike posted ,,and with the exception of three ,and maybe a 4th ,, I just pass with all the others.
As Mike says, " A lot of their staff, as reflected in this top twenty list,seem to be big into prog metal. The listeners on aural moon don't seem to be into prog metal so much(I personally like some of it but am not a super huge fan)..."

To me,,metal and all its derivatives,, prog metal included ,,have a common quality,,a lack of melodic and harmonic ideas,, harmony makes richer and interesting any song but let s say just a lack of melodic ideas as a main thing. And I ll include also instrumental parts and solos.
Mostly Riffs and patterns,,clearly in guitar parts of course ,,,and also a very processed signal in general in the sound of instruments,,,,,I wont tell about singing.
I m super aware that what I m saying is a very subjective opinion of course.


Nicolette ! ..."and I like the sophistication of it..",,,maybe I think it is what I m trying to talking about,,, sophistication could be too much to me,,but I m super agree with you

I would say according all these years and knowing my friends here ,,and given we all share a huge music background,,,rock,,,popular ( when pop. or radio songs were played with much much more musicality actually..another topic ),,jazz,blues,,progressive,,experimental,,classic and even soundtrack music...etc....that....
I trust and enjoy by far AM Top10 lists :)....

by the way,,thanks to Jim ,, Top10 is about what we hear in this huge library,,with a little exceptions

Yes, big thanks to Jim for this place. I've been doing some listening elsewhere also, mostly where Tom is being played to be supportive (of course), but AM and the Gagliarchives both have an edge of great selection and variety. Also, both chats (and these message boards) are good to discuss with others as music is being played.

I do think that sophistication is the right word, there is what I would consider less that embodies that word with metal, although prog metal is, for metal, sophisticated (hence the designation, I would venture to guess). Not that it doesn't have it's own language and finesse. I think that the ones that are more prog than others will eventually evolve into more strictly prog with ventures down other avenues than metal (KC-like). But that's my guess. I do know for a fact that, for instance, Black Sabbath warms up at rehearsals with jazz (or did while Bill was with them). Quite a few of the early great drummers such as Bill or Ginger Baker and Bill Bruford cut their teeth on jazz.

And you're welcome, Nicola. I will give a listen to your suggestions while I can't access AM listenability here at work.

[mariocc]

I like your word I like sophisticated. Perfect. It fits. ;)

[snicolette]

Gee, thanks. :)

[mariocc]

BTW,, I did not know that about Sabbath. I m a fan of them.
All the time,,I come back to them and many others.
Indeed ,,many drummers in some level had or have something from jazz drummers,,, pick anyone and you will be amazed. Baker among them,, Bonham is well known because his influences Buddy Rich and Krupa ,,Hendrix without Mitchell,, you image how would it have been,,, his major influence was Elvin Jones,,,and we could continue, so many others.
Here you find atomic players with always one foot in jazz without doubt.
Paraphrasing Jim hall..everybody has something or has learned something from another musician.

nice chat Nicolette ! :)

[snicolette]

Yes, indeed. :)

[Mike413]

[Black Sabbath warms up at rehearsals with jazz (or did while Bill was with them)]

They don't with anybody anymore. Unfortunately their last tour ever("the end tour") was two years ago(which fortunately I was able to see). :) Will they record another album or do a reunion? No one can say at this point.

[snicolette]

Not sure. I'm pretty sure Bill will bow out, he's been very ill. Drumming is hard work. And Sharon does not want to share $ equally. He is pretty adamant that they share equally, as they did from the beginning. And truly, that is only fair when it is the 4 of them. Like the Osbourne's don't have enough money? Please.

[Mike413]

Not sure. I'm pretty sure Bill will bow out, he's been very ill. Drumming is hard work. And Sharon does not want to share $ equally. He is pretty adamant that they share equally, as they did from the beginning. And truly, that is only fair when it is the 4 of them. Like the Osbourne's don't have enough money? Please.

Bill wasn't with the band on their farewell tour. They had another guy step in who replaced him. I don't remember his name though. Bill didn't play on their last album and hasn't been with the band since 2012. Yeah, I know about that whole thing with Sharon. I'm going to bite my tongue though. ;)

[snicolette]

Or she'll bite it for you. :D Couldn't resist.

[snicolette]

OK, back from BS to the topic. I have this entire recording on my best of 2018 list and noticed it's not on AM (was going to request this the other day). This piece stands alone nicely, although it's part of the larger one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akI9ER7JgcA

[Mike413]

You were in the music business so she'll bite you first. ;)

[schupdoggy]

Sabbath. I m a fan of them.
All the time,,I come back to them

SABBATH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[snicolette]

Bill is a sweetheart. Actually, all of the lads are nice. Well, not The Nice. But you know what I mean.

[mariocc]

I dont know much about him,, but I remember very well when he was invited,,as a guest,, in That Metal Show,,,years ago and he is super nice guy.
Btw,, talking about BS
my little and anonymous recognition to another great: R James Dio,, BSabbath s Heaven and Hell is so so good album... and . also a super nice person,,,according what I ve seen in interviews and stuff,,,
Cheers my friends ! nice chat

[snicolette]

Yeah, that was a rough time for Bill....the Heaven & Hell days, as I recall him saying. And yes, RJ Dio is also very pleasant and patient with fans. As they all should be. Thanks for joining in the conversation and now....back to 2018! And on with 2019, as well. :)

[mariocc]

you re right ,,let s go then,,,
https://maryhalvorson.bandcamp.com/album/code-girl

[nicola]

It's time to file 2018 ......

2019 begins to provide interesting albums



These are all the albums inserted in the lists
in order of preferences and in the second list sorted by genre

for me this list is always very important because it allows me
to know many albums to which I would not give due consideration,
I hope you have had the same opportunity and as they say
surely thanks to all the many albums they did not end up in the cracks.


The attribution of the musical genre for those of black color has been taken from progarchives.com
For those of red color has been taken from other sites,
but it was not easy and for some artists it will not be very precise,
but I hope you will forgive me.



1084



1085



I renew my invitation to listen to these albums

KINGCROW (Progressive Metal) - The Persistence
THE PARADOX TWIN (Art Rock, Prog Rock) - The Importance Of Mr Bedlam
EVERSHIP (Neo Prog) - Evership II
SOUTHERN EMPIRE (Crossover Prog) - Civilisation

The links to listen to them can be found on page 3 of this thread.


1086





I thank everyone again for participating