Phase 1 (Karfagen, 2016)

Karfagen are a stunning band from Ukraine, the brainchild of  multi-instrumentalist Antony Kalugin. One of the most prolific acts I've ever known (21 studio albums during their first 19 years!), they produce mostly instrumental tracks, but this one, coming from their 2026 album "Spektra", also includes a choir section. As usual for Karfagen, this seven movement suite is simply unpredictable and deliciously varied. Classical music inspires many parts of "Phase 1" and if keyboards prevail all along the track, there is a good choice of instruments , such as violin, acoustic and electric guitars, some unusual percussions and, of course, a vocal trio, singing in latin. 

This is Karfagen's eighth studio album.

As you can imagine, tempos, moods and  arrangements are in a perpetual change, spanning from atmospheric to rock moments, including some very good guitar and keyboard solos and many lively interplays. Nonetheless, this is not a collection of sparse compositions. On the contary, there is a strong pattern all along the suite and each passage is there for a good musical reason, enriching the previous one and preparing in a way the next one. A beautiful, invigorating experience.

Never Land (IQ, 2025)

IQ's 2025 album titled "Dominion" is a very good specimen of (neo) prog rock, as usual. Even if it includes a long epic track - at once among the favourites of many hard core fans - I'll single out this slow, atmospheric and rather simple song. "Never Land" is not unusual for the band, based on a moving, delicate theme and a two part crescendo . 

A beautiful cover art, isn't it?

Needless to say, Peter Nicholls unmistakable voice takes the lion's share, while the band provides a lushing sound carpet during the track's first half and explodes in an absolutely prog wall sound from then on. Yes, sometimes the heart rules the mind and I was completely won by such an emotional whirlwind, even more meaningful coming from a more than forty years old act. Under its apparent simplicity, this song can't hide a meticulous work, a work that magnifies the underlying strong feelings and never shows up.

20.000 leghe sotto i mari (Nuova Era, 2025)

Nuova Era are among my favourite bands when it comes to vintage sounds and classic Italian prog. Walter Pini and his friends are veteran proggers and this 2025 album, retelling Jule Verne's masterpiece novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Seas, is their sixth official release, but their sound is as refreshing and creative as it used to be during the '80s. First things first: the tempo, mood and instrumentation changes are stunning. 

Nemo and friends under the prog seas!

Stately organs, dainty acoustic passages, strong vocals, breathtaking progressions, intricate rythms and of course beautiful melodies... al things Italian Prog are there! Being a 36 minutes suite, divided into 8 parts, "20.000 leghe sotto i mari" is a true musical ordeal, treating the listener with both compositional and performing skills. Each variation introduces a different world and even the marine sound effects perfectly fit into the great picture. All in all, this is IMHO one of the best pages of Nuova Era's flushing repertoire.

The Light of Ancient Mistakes (Hats off Gentlemen It's Adequate, 2023)

Sure, Hats off Gentlemen It's Adequate is a rather long name for a band, but I think they're worth our memory effort. Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland's brain child is an eclectic and intriguing musical creature, like this title song taken from their 2023 album will show to the few that never listened to HOGIA's music. Galloway, Gatland and their guest musicians provide a varied prog rock with a strong electronic taste, well balanced between the classic era masters and the contemporary trends. 

Galloway himself created this AI assisted evocative image.

This track - like many other ones in the band's catalogue - pays its tribute to beloved science fiction books (in this case, Ian M. Banks's Look to Windward novel) and also - musically - to space rock and to the atmospheric side of Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree. That said, this London based musicians have their own signature sound, sharp and arcane. Yes, it is adeguate and pretty more than so.

Hear My Voice Tonight (Seven Steps to The Green Door, 2019)

Seven Steps to The Green Door are an interesting band from Germany active since 2006 and producing an innovative musical mix ranging from neo-prog to hard rock and from melodic ballads to intricate long tracks. This song comes from their 2019 album titled "The ? Lie", a concept work dealing with religious fanaticism and its tragic outcomes. "Hear My Voice Tonight" is a ten minutes track with strong melodic roots and including unpredictable, strategically placed mood changes. 

There's more to this concept: "The ? Book" (2011) and "The ? Truth" (2024)

Jazzy passages, dreamy landscapes, intense progressions grace this track and made it a treat for the prog ears. I especially like the wind instruments that enrich this track providing a warm and rippled finale. The instrumental skills of the band members and their guest musicians are the final touch to this beautiful piece of music.

Wicked Flame (Believe, 2024)

During the years, the Polish neo-prog band Collage (see elsewhere in this blog) produced a large family of side projects, including this Believe, the brain child of bassist Mirek Gil. The melodic style of his former band is preserved in the atmospheric passages of this track taken from the album "The Wyrding Way", but you'll also find in it harder edges and even a vaguely folk side. There are some many things I like in "Wicked Flame" and maybe Satomi's way to merge his violin into the band's sound hit me first. 

This is the seventh studio album by Believe.

It's somewhere between a classical orchestra instrument and a bohemian fiddle. And what about Jinian Wilde's voice? Both sweet and harsh and always hearty, a good new addiction to the band. Of course all the players are top notch and they know how to change the song's mood with simple and effective switches. Last but not least, the musical themes are very, very good and even catchy, a perfect base for variations, weavings and solos. Believe me: more than 11 minutes of pleasure.

El Cortejo de un Día Amarillo (Bubu, 1978)

 Bubu were (and still are, a a completely different line-up) one of the most intriguing bands coming from the vibrant Argentinian prog scene. Their music is always surprising, unpredictable and intricated. This two parts suite comes from their 1978 album titled "Anabelas" and fills the entire A-side of the original LP. Its nearly 20 minutes are divided in two sections: i) Danza de las Atlántides and ii) Locomotora Blues. It really is a tricky experience even for the prog-oriented ears, including dissonant passages and a great deal of instruments: there are 8 official members in the band, a guest pianist and a five members choir. 

"Anabelas" is the only album of Bubu's original line-up.

Rather incredibly, each and every musician has its own space in the track's plot, where guitars, violin, flute, sax, drums & assorted percussions, piano, bass and the choir follow each other, perform beautiful solos and perfecly melt into this fluid, rather jazzy and avantgarde piece of music. Beyond the anarchist façade of "El Cortejo" lies a strong, keenly built structure following the best eclectic prog tradition. So don't be afraid and dive into this suite: you'll surely find something you like!