When I came across 2020’s ‘Tragic Separation’ from this Italian prog metal act I said I could not believe it had taken ten albums for me to come across them, as here was a band approaching the genre from AOR and with a heavy appreciation of Stratovarius. I wrote that review and put it on PA years ago, but somewhat incredibly there have been no others added to the site, and as I write about their most recent release, ‘Life’, that is currently sat with zero, so if ever a band was hitting well above their weight but also staying massively under the radar, then it is DGM. They released their debu ..read more

David Jackson surely needs no introduction whatsoever, having been at the top of the musical tree for more than 50 years, with his work with VDGG cementing his importance in the progressive rock scene, and who these days can be found in the wonderful Kaprekar’s Constant. This album started life as a purely solo collection, as David found himself stuck at home during the pandemic and started working through pieces he had started but never finished. He was laying down track after tracks, adding horn after horn, and was discussing it with René one day and he immediately asked to become involved ..read more

Over the last few years I have become friends with Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and Jerry King, both of whom are members of Moon X among others. They thought I might be interested in some of their older releases so put together a package and sent it down to NZ, which is why I am now listening to the 2017 album by Diratz. The bandname is new to me, but I had previously come across the singer Carla Diratz as she has appeared on some Manna/Mirage releases, and in many ways, this is the missing link between 2015’s ‘Blue Dogs’ and 2018’s ‘Rest of the World’. Named after The Muffins’ 1978 debut albu ..read more

This 2016 album is another care of Jerry and Dave, with this album featuring the former only. From what I can ascertain, this was either a side project of The Lizardz or an attempt to break through using a different name as it includes all the members of that band in Jamie Bruhn, Milo Plante, Mark Larson and Travis Plantico along with some guests. Bruhn is the only person on virtually every song, often contributing vocals, guitar and bass so this may have been viewed originally as a solo release but put out as a band. I note it states on the Bandcamp site that it features Ric Parnell of Spina ..read more

Auckland-based Living State continue to release catchy singles and having seen them play a few times I know they power through the live environment as well. Musically they focus the arrangements around singer Marissa who is building her confidence so that while we are more used to hearing her belting along with hard rock beneath her, here she revels in sections which are more delicate and with loads of space within. This song was recorded with producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Opshop) and he has allowed them to further develop the presence which has come through with their previous ..read more

Photo Credit: Dave Lepori SiX By SiX, the progressive power trio comprising Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) and Robert Berry (3.2), recently announced the release of their sophomore album ‘Beyond Shadowland’ on InsideOutMusic on April 26th, 2024. The band reconvened in Berry’s own Soundtek Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023 to bend, shape, hammer and caress their diverse musical talents into 11 impressive new tracks. With this album, they continue to define and build upon their unique melodic space, welding guitar-driven rock, metal and prog into a unique and powerful s ..read more

In their latest offering, Sheverb expands their musical palette to include 1920s American folk, brown-eyed soul, and doom metal along with their signature blend of psychedelic spaghetti western and post punk.  “This album sees us stretching out in new directions and making music that you can really move to. Everyone in the band stepped up their game and brought so many exciting new ideas to the studio,” said Xina Ocasio, Sheverb’s drummer and co-founder.  “We had a great time making this album and I think it really shows.” Recorded with award-winning producer Matt Parmenter at the l ..read more

Norwegian Rock outfit LEPROUS are pleased to announce the coming of their new, 8th studio album entitled “Melodies Of Atonement” to be released in August via InsideOutMusic worldwide. LEPROUS checked in with the following comment about “Melodies Of Atonement”: “’Melodies of Atonement’ is the name of our new album and like every band on earth thinks about their new album, we feel like it’s our best one so far! But in this case, it happens to be true…The orchestral elements are gone, which gives more space for each individual band member to shine. It’s straight to the point, and heavier than w ..read more

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