Latest articles by Phil Weller
Airbag’s Bjørn Riis used classic prog inspirations to chart a nervous breakdown
His fifth solo album Fimbulvinter was inspired by Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, Black Sabbath and others. He aimed to sound like them without ripping them off
Jonas Renske hopes Katatonia’s new era includes more input from his bandmates
13th album Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State could be an indication of where the band’s new line-up could go
“They ignore the rule book in favour of new, over-the-top ideas”: Muse’s proggiest moments
From 10-minute apocalypse operas to three-part symphonies and getting their Pink Floyd on, here are 16 examples of the trio letting their progressive influences lead the way
"You can hear how much bigger it sounds!" How Amorphis went large with 2018's Queen Of Time
Thirteen is definitely not unlucky for Finnish prog metallers Amorphis whose Queen Of Time delivered the goods in style
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing”: Deftones’ Diamond Eyes is a cunning prog masterpiece
When tragedy led to ditching the album they’d planned to release, the “Radiohead of metal” delivered something much more unorthodox
The best new metal bands you need to hear in May 2025
Meet "denture-core" maniacs Melted Bodies, marine biology-inspired post-black metallers Dawn Of Ouroboros, Lady Gaga-inspired industrial metallers Tayne and melodic hardcore heroes Bloom
Claudio Sanchez reveals the truth behind some of Coheed And Cambria’s latest songs
Coheed And Cambria’s latest album The Father Of Make Believe brings completion of the Amory Wars saga within sight, and has leader Claudio Sanchez pondering his future along with his past
The best new metal bands you need to hear in February 2025
Conquer Divide/Avoid/Defences/Faetooth
"Don’t call it a happy album!" Katatonia and the story of Sky Void Of Stars
Katatonia's upbeat, up-tempo Sky Void Of Stars was born from the need for adrenaline at a time when the stage felt very far away....
Devin Townsend is slightly embarrassed by his new album, and that’s a good thing
PowerNerd, the first of three autobiographical albums, was transformed into something unexpected as he began feeling like a liar, and wound up facing his 15-year-old self
Why Opeth’s new concept album is no return to their death metal past
Mikael Åkerfeldt insists his band’s new concept album, featuring Jethro Tull and Europe men, is no return to their death metal past – and won’t keep prog fans away
Leprous continue to be progressive - even if it doesn’t seem to be prog
Latest album Melodies Of Atonement sees the Norwegians continuing to strip back and seek catchier elements of themselves – including taking influence from hip-hop
The Omnific’s two-bass line-up is a serious bid to redefine what the instrument can do in prog
Australian trio’s second album The Law Of Augmenting Returns lays out their case for a rethink… they only wish Jaco Pastorius was alive to hear it
Epica’s Simone Simons waited 20 years to make Vermillion
Singer explains how Arjen Lucassen helped realise her long-held dream, what she’s saying with her songs, and why she chose a colour as her solo record’s title
“They’ve dialed back abrasiveness in favour of a smoother sound”: Swallow The Sun’s Shining
New producer helps Finnish dark proggers explore their more accessible side on ninth album
"It'll be extra special!" Haken's Ross Jennings gets ready for Be Prog! My Friend. Read our full preview here...
Be Prog! My Friend returns after six years away with a new-look headlined by Haken and Pain Of Salvation
From eco activism to maddening production values, there’s more to Gojira than you might think
Taking influence from Pink Floyd, Björk and Metallica, the French band have never been shy about wanting success – but they’ve never sacrificed any of their progressive values
With her perfect new line-up, Jane Getter takes her jazz-prog back to basics
With Steven Wilson as an influence, Division World features tracks that might not change the world – but may help you feel better about the way it is
4 brilliant new bands you need to hear this month
From sword'n'sorcery loving power metallers All For Metal to Will Putney's all-star metalcore mob END, these are the bands you need to hear in June 2024
District 97’s Leslie Hunt took singing lessons before she tracked Stay For The Ending
Chicago outfit’s prog and pop balancing act benefitted from listening to their fans – and Bill Bruford
“No more Tool comparisons – now they sound like themselves”: Wheel’s Charismatic Leaders
Fourth album sees leader James Lascelles taking on weighty subjects, backed up by equally weighty music
With Brian Eno’s help, Coldplay went prog with Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
The Grammy-winning track Viva La Vida remained unashamedly pop, but the rest of the 2008 record shows their experimental side
Sleepmakeswaves stray from the post-rock path with It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It
Australians’ fifth album boasts seismic, speaker-rattling production with punch and nuance
