Brians' Homepage

Current Prog

	Detroit-Area Band. My favorite amongst current prog bands. Dark, moody songs dealing with deep issues (some with happy and some with sad endings). Old Genesis and Gentle Giant influences, but have a definite style of their own. Their best pieces have some themes which just plain rock without an equal. It's been since January 2000 that I've heard of them performing. Keeping an eye on their web page indicates that they may be having issues keeping the band together. Band leader Matthew Paramenter (writer, lead singer, keyboards, saxophone, violin, occasional guitar, etc.) has announced he'll be putting out a solo album in 2002, and has performed without the band (but not too often). All albums highly suggested.
	West Point, PA band. Older work (pre-1996) had a very in-your-face style, dealing primarily with issues of growth and morality. In the mid-90's, they became probably the most commercially successful prog rock band of the time (which doesn't say much). They put out one excellent album on Sony (As the World) before an ugly dispute with the label. Broke into two bands for a few years, then reformed recently and released "Cowboy Poems Free". They are now re-releasing older (pre-As the World) cd's as well. "Suffocating the Bloom" and "As the World" highly suggested.
	L.A. area band. I'd guess that they are the most active of current prog-rock bands. Band leader Neal Morse seems to put out either a Spock's Beard album, Transatlantic album, or solo album every few months (an exageration, but not by too much)! They tour a lot with Dream Theater nowadays. Lots of energy. Although they tour with D.T., their sound tends more towards hard rock rather than metal. All albums very good, I highly suggest "V" and "The Light"
Timothy Pure	Atlanta band. I felt that their earliest work bordered on neo-prog, but their second and third album have really developed a real sound of their own. Rich textures and beautiful lyrics contribute to a surreal feeling to their music. Highly suggest "Island of Misfit Toys" and "Blood of the Berry".
Änglagård	Swedish band, one of the really great bands that started the 90's prog movement. Their 1992 debut album "Hybris" still stands as one the the most extraordinary works IMHO. Soon, they should probably be moved to "classic prog" category, as I haven't heard of anything happening since 1995. Web site is that old, too.
	Norwegian band with a great, smooth and almost mystical feel. I haven't yet heard their new album "Sacrament", but if it's as good as the others it's highly recommended.
	Another Detroit-area band. First album, "Body of Mind", has a very bright and energetic feel. Generally positive-minded as prog rock goes. :) I'm not sure, but they may have fallen into non-existance.
Anekdoten	Part of the Swedish prog movement. Scandanavia seems to have a disproportionately large number of really good prog bands, and Anekdoten is one of them. Dark music in which emotions everywhere between sadness and anger and frustration are vividly expressed.
	An Italian band. I saw them play live in Baltimore in the 90s, and I must say that they were the tightest live band I've ever seen by far. They would play rich complex pieces involving many simultaneous instruments and sound virtually just like their album. The music is great, but I can't understand a word of the lyrics which are in either Italian or Latin. As I write this, the web site is under construction.
	Kevin Moore, former keyboardist from Dream Theater, left to create Chroma Key, which is SIGNIFICANTLY less metal-ish than D.T.