Chris Cope

A writer for Prog magazine since 2014, armed with a particular taste for the darker side of rock. The dayjob is local news, so writing about the music on the side keeps things exciting - especially when Chris is based in the wild norths of Scotland. Previous bylines include national newspapers and magazines.

Articles by: Chris Cope

Lifesigns

The unstoppable rise of UK proggers Lifesigns

By Chris Cope published 31 May 21

Vocalist and keyboard whizz John Young tells discusses new Lifesigns album Altitude – and why you won’t be finding the full release on Spotify anytime soon!

Dream Theater

Dream Theater - Distant Memories: Live In London review

By Chris Cope published 27 November 20

Prog metal icons keep to the script in fun but inessential live release.

Melted Space - Darkening Light album artwork

Melted Space - Darkening Light album review

By Chris Cope published 1 March 18

Ensemble cast unite for Frenchman’s third album

Between The Buried And Me - Automata I album artwork

Between The Buried And Me - Automata I album review

By Chris Cope published 1 March 18

Progression, yes, but with unfinished business

Nightwish - Decades album artwork

Nightwish - Decades album review

By Chris Cope published 25 February 18

Finns reflect on the last 20 years with another ‘best of’

Rich Wilson - Time Flies: the story of Porcupine Tree book artwork

Rich Wilson - Time Flies: the story of Porcupine Tree book review

By Chris Cope published 24 February 18

Essential reading for fans of the dormant prog-rockers

Cardiacs - Some Fairytales From The Rotten Shed DVD cover

Cardiacs - Some Fairytales From The Rotten Shed DVD review

By Chris Cope published 24 February 18

Better late than never from the madcap Englishmen

prog report

Roie Avin – The Prog Report: Essential Modern Prog Rock Albums book review

By Chris Cope published 26 January 18

US book puts modern day prog under the microscope.

major parkinson

Major Parkinson – Blackbox album review

By Chris Cope published 24 January 18

Bergen septet overcome the odds in style.

umphreys

Umphrey's McGee – it's not us album review

By Chris Cope published 23 January 18

Diverse musical menu on US jam band’s eleventh studio album.

Toehider - Good album artwork

Toehider - Good album review

By Chris Cope published 20 December 17

Manic world of Michael Mills impresses again

Jordan Rudess and Steve Horelick - Intersonic album artwork

Jordan Rudess and Steve Horelick - Intersonic album review

By Chris Cope published 18 December 17

When Dream Theater wizard and electronic boffin unite

Lorenzo Feliciati - Elevator Man album artwork

Lorenzo Feliciati - Elevator Man album review

By Chris Cope published 15 December 17

Prolific bassist strikes again with album number three

Panzerballett - X-Mas Death Jazz album artwork

Panzerballett - X-Mas Death Jazz album review

By Chris Cope published 14 November 17

Christmas songs as you’ve never heard them before

Johannes Luley - QITARA album artwork

Johannes Luley - QITARA album review

By Chris Cope published 14 November 17

Perfect Beings guitarist gets jazzy on second solo record

My Soliloquy - Engines Of Gravity album artwork

My Soliloquy - Engines Of Gravity album review

By Chris Cope published 6 October 17

Threshold departure gives guitarist new focus

And So I Watch You From Afar - Endless Shimmering album artwork

And So I Watch You From Afar - Endless Shimmering album review

By Chris Cope published 5 October 17

Happy‑go‑lucky Northern Irish rockers keep up form

White Moth Black Butterfly - Atone album artwork

White Moth Black Butterfly - Atone album review

By Chris Cope published 7 September 17

Atmospheric second record from TesseracT/Skyharbor collaboration

Threshold - Legends Of The Shires album artwork

Threshold - Legends Of The Shires album review

By Chris Cope published 6 September 17

British prog metallers Threshold get over Damian Wilson split in style.

a press shot of Discipline

How Detroit's Discipline created magic with album number five

By Chris Cope published 5 September 17

Detroit’s Discipline don’t have the biggest back catalogue for a band that was born in the late 1980s. But as their new shows, when the quartet hit the ‘record’ button, magic happens

A press shot of Kim Seviour

Kim Seviour: "Wherever I’ve gone, I've taken singing with me"

By Chris Cope published 1 August 17

When singer Kim Seviour left Touchstone in 2015 as her battle against a draining fatigue condition intensified, things looked bleak. But now she’s back with her debut solo album

World Trade - Unify album artwork

World Trade - Unify album review

By Chris Cope published 27 July 17

Billy Sherwood’s US prog rockers World Trade blow hot and cold on return

Marco Minnemann - Borrego album artwork

Marco Minnemann - Borrego album review

By Chris Cope published 26 July 17

A virtuosi-filled epic from Marco Minnemann worth taking the day off for

Discipline - Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea album artwork

Discipline - Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea album review

By Chris Cope published 24 July 17

Detroit proggers Discipline steer an impressive return

Orsome Welles - Rise album artwork

Orsome Welles - Rise album review

By Chris Cope published 22 June 17

Solid heavy prog rock from Down Under's Orsome Welles