Latest articles by Gary Mackenzie
What Gentle Giant liked and didn't like about 1975 album Free Hand
The reissue, complete with Steven Wilson remixes, was the band’s chance to look back on what the band had liked about 1975 release, and what they hadn’t
“An elegant exploration of the abyss”: Returned To The Earth’s Stalagmite Steeple
Unhurried, dark and dreamy, their fifth album features smooth instrumentation and warm, yearning vocals
"We make musical journeys. We’re the Alan Whicker of prog!” The Tangent and how they made Songs From The Hard Shoulder
Twenty years into a career as one of British prog’s most prolific underground bands, The Tangent are focusing on long-form songs on their 12th album, Songs From The Hard Shoulder.
The Tangent’s To Follow Polaris is an experiment that’s resulted in astounding triumph
A completely solo work from beginning to end, 13th outing is an experiment that’s resulted in astounding triumph
The Genesis albums you should definitely own
Prog? Art-rock? AOR? Pop? We don our capes and peer through the dry ice to guide you through the best Genesis albums
“I listen to pop music with headphones so intensely, like I’m studying the Torah… I love the ear-candy stuff!” You might find a hint of Olivia Rodrigo on the new Pattern-Seeking Animals album (and a mildly controversial sax solo too)
Spock’s Beard offshoot’s John Boegehold hates bonus CDs, which is one reason you’ll also find hints of older music on Spooky Action At A Distance
“A triumph of melodic prog which wears its influences on its sleeve, yet still sounds bold and entirely contemporary”: Cyan’s reinvention of Pictures From The Other Side
Not yet ratedClassic and neo-prog meets classy pop-rock in lavish upgrade of 1994 original
“A plan to work with guest contributors has resulted in a fairly tortuous journey… but the struggle has been worth it”: Earthside’s Let The Truth Speak
American cinematic band’s second album is even more ambitious than their debut, and took years to bring together
“We categorise it as ‘bleaktastic’… how and what I sing often stem from my frustrations with my bloody back!” New monster stories from Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate
The Light Of Ancient Mistakes continues into the abyss of human nature, with dark humour and an offer of hope, driven by singer Malcolm Galloway’s debilitating illness
“It isn’t the edgiest, most dramatic or experimental album released this year, but that’s really not the point”: Downes Braide Association’s Celestial Songs
Geoff Downes and Chris Braide return to their classic sound with fifth LP, which still carries the occasional nod to prog
Five cool new prog acts you need to hear this March
Check out Moundrag, EBB, Cabiria, Wizrd and Shell Beach – five great new up and coming prog artists
On reflection: Gentle Giant and the making of Free Hand
Free Hand was Gentle Giant's seventh studio album and first for new label Chrysalis Records. It was also their highest charting album in the States...
Coheed & Cambria - Vaxis II: A Window On The Waking Mind: "doing whatever the hell they want"
Not yet ratedNew York alt-proggers head back to familiar territory on ninth album.
Arjen Lucassen's Star One – Revel In Time: "powerful, joyous and thoroughly entertaining"
Not yet ratedAyreon's Arjen Lucassen teams up with Steve Vai and Nightwish's Floor Jansen on Star One's Revel In Time
Big Big Train - Welcome To The Planet: "has real heart and great performances"
Not yet ratedProg standard-bearers’ 14th album, released in the shadow of loss
NMB - Innocence & Danger: "Delivers big themes..."
Not yet ratedQuantity and quality from Neal Morse’s merry band of proggers.
White Moth Black Butterfly - The Cost Of Dreaming review
Not yet rated21st century prog-pop elegance from TesseracT’s Daniel Tompkins
Pain Of Salvation - Panther review
Not yet ratedLet these Swedes sink their musical claws in and you may not escape lightly.
Francis Dunnery at Bush Hall, London - live review
Not yet ratedFormer It Bites frontman teams up with Luke Machin, Paul Brown and Peter Jones for top solo show
John Hackett at East Molesey Methodist Church, Surrey - live review
Not yet ratedSteve Hackett's brother makes the most of pious acoustics
100 Migliori Dischi Del Progressive Italiano by Mox Cristadoro - book review
Not yet ratedMini-encyclopedia on The 100 Best Italian Progressive Records is a fascinating read
Ex Eye - Ex Eye album review
Not yet rated“None more black” instrumental saxophone metal from Ex-Eye
Pendragon - Masquerade 20 DVD review
Not yet ratedA testament to Pendragon’s legacy and staying power
