Discover new music while enjoying the sounds of classic prog.
Our meetings are often filled with discussions of bands outside the progressive rock genre, sometimes from the most unexpected places and tastes. That's the message of this year's holiday playlist: an eclectic mix that reflects the Colorado Art Rock Society's love for all kinds of music.
After all, good music is good music, no matter the genre.
Steven Wilson's December Skies is a unique song born from an unexpected collaboration—with AI. Challenged to create a holiday song, Wilson leaned into the experiment, guiding an AI to craft lyrics that feel introspective and evocative, without directly mentioning Christmas.
The result is a piece that captures the loneliness and reflection of the season.
Big Big Train's Snowfalls is a reflective song written by bassist Greg Spawton in 2017. Spawton describes it as, ...about the loneliness that some people feel at a time of year when others are able to celebrate with family and friends.
The live version, recorded during a soundcheck on their autumn 2023 tour, adds a raw and authentic dimension to this heartfelt composition.
Amazing Grace might not be the first song that comes to mind for the holidays, but in Jeff Beck's hands, it becomes something profoundly moving. His interpretation transforms this classic hymn into a stirring reflection of the hope and introspection that define the season.
Beck's rendition reminds us that holiday music isn't just about carols—it's about the emotions that connect us.
The Darkness's Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) brings a playful spin to the typical holiday song.
With Justin Hawkins' signature falsetto, a school choir's festive backing vocals from Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in New Cross, London—where Justin's mother once attended—and nods to classic Christmas themes, the track blends humor with a touch of parody.
Enuff Z'Nuff's Happy Holiday adds a psychedelic-flavored power pop twist to the holiday season. Known for their top 40 hits like Fly High Michelle and New Thing, the Chicago-based band brings a nostalgic touch to the holidays.
The song reminds us that the holidays are about more than just presents—it's about love, kindness, and the simple joys of childhood
Dropkick Murphys' The Season's Upon Us brings a punk rock edge to the holiday season. As bassist Bob Casey states, It's definitely not some cheesy Christmas tune. It's about a dysfunctional family ...and the chaotic family dynamics that many can relate to during the holidays.
Riverside have released the first single, Landmine Blast from their upcoming live album Live.ID set for release on January 24, 2025, via InsideOut Music.
As bassist and vocalist Mariusz Duda explains, 'There are a lot of nuances, quirks, and, above all, explanations of what Riverside's music is all about. That's why Live.ID is not just an ordinary live album—it's an album that reveals the band's true identity.'
Italy's Asymmetric Universe, founded in 2018 by brothers Federico and Nicolò Vese, aims to push the limits of modern prog by seamlessly blending coherently different genres.
According to the brothers, Opaco, 'is the most technically challenging song we have ever composed. It's inspired by the guitar style of bands like Animals As Leaders and Polyphia, but with genre-bending jazz sections inspired by Pat Metheny, Victor Wooten, and Jacob Collier.'
Andy Foster, the Somerset-based musician behind Kite Parade has unveiled a video for his heartfelt new single Broken.
Set in the post-World War I era, The Last Will and Testament, tells the story of a wealthy patriarch whose shocking secrets are revealed after his death, casting a dark shadow over his family's history.
Opeth's §4, from their latest album The Last Will and Testament, features Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson on flute and spoken word.
Set in the post-World War I era, The Last Will and Testament tells the story of a wealthy patriarch whose shocking secrets are revealed after his death, casting a dark shadow over his family's history.
All Because of Me, by The Pineapple Thief, offers fans a glimpse of the band's upcoming EP, Last To Run set to be released November 8 via Kscope.
'The songs on this EP are based on ideas from the It Leads To This sessions but have since evolved way beyond what we would have imagined at the time. We are delighted with the result—it really seems to capture a different mood and sound' shared vocalist/guitarist Bruce Soord
Anima Morte is a Swedish instrumental band celebrated for their unique fusion of cinematic horror soundtrack elements, inspired by Italian horror films such as Zombie, The Beyond, and Suspiria, with classic progressive rock.
Blood of the Iconoclast, from their 2022 album Serpents in the Fields of Sleep, weaves strong musical motifs to create equal parts atmosphere and groove.
Envy of None is a Canadian-American rock supergroup formed in 2021 by former Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, alongside bassist Andy Curran, vocalist Maiah Wynne, and guitarist/keyboardist Alfio Annibalini.
Their song Not Dead Yet, with lyrics written by Wynne and inspired by Curran's striking chorus line, 'I'm not dead yet, come on along and see what I am good for', is a song that, as Wynne describes, 'embodies resilience and defiance against the forces that aim to tear us down.
Returning with their 16th album—and their first with original drummer Mike Portnoy since 2009's Black Clouds & Silver Linings—progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater need no introduction.
Their new track, Night Terror, is taken from from their upcoming album Parasomnia, which is set to be released February 7, 2025, through Inside Out Music/Sony Music. For better or worse, the track feels like a continuation of the energy and style the band had when Portnoy departed in 2010.
Jainism is the second song to be released from Devin Townsend's forthcoming album, PowerNerd to be released on Oct. 25, 2024.
As Townsend explains, Jainism was based on my connection to music in the mid nineties. Also the idea of what it means to rend yourself artistically to an unresponsive world in 2024. I referenced The Wildhearts in the chorus, as Ginger is one of our generations greatest songwriters.
TesseractT, hailing from Milton Keynes, UK, are renowned for their complex compositions, dynamic soundscapes, and pioneering role in the djent movement within progressive metal.
Taken from the 2023 album of the same name, War of Being finds the protagonist initially being led to believe in a false reality, only to ultimately reject this deception and begin to question their circumstances.
The Ocean is a German progressive metal band known for their blend of post-metal, sludge, and experimental sounds.
Preboreal is taken from their 2023 album Holocene, which, according to guitarist Robin Staps, is an album about the "angst, alienation, loss of reason and critical thinking, rise of conspiracy theories and deconstruction of values in the modern age."
Featuring lyrics that denounce a forced occupation and invasion: “And his order has become their thought,” “Collecting blood is his ambition,” and, “We are forcefully put on his map, War-drum always rattles,” Rogue is a brutal, chaotic, and dissonant track that captures the raw intensity of resistance, crushing riffs, complex rhythms, and Tatiana Shmayluk's fierce vocal delivery to create a powerful anthem of defiance.
Opeth have released the first single from their upcoming album The Last Will and Testament, to be released October 11 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
The first single features spoken word by Ian Anderson, and is taken from the album which centers around an unfolding story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.
UK progressive rockers Frost* have released Life In The Wires, Part 1
Talking about the album, frontman Jem Godfrey states 'The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world.'
Joining Godfrey on the album is guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and drummer Craig Blundell.
Noted for progressive experiments with genres such as metal, R&B, soul, funk, jazz and reggae, and hailing from Donetsk, Ukraine, Jinger have released their new single Someone's Daughter.
Vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk states the song is about 'a world where women are often underestimated and overlooked, they are still powerful heroes who navigate hardship with strength and resilience, unapologetically becoming themselves and breaking barriers in the face of the challenges that face them.'we
Written by David Gilmour and Polly Samson, Dark And Velvet Nights comes from a poem Polly had written. According to Gilmour, 'The music sprang out one day. It was so exciting to have come across this groove. Polly had given me a beautiful poem for our wedding anniversary, which was sitting on the desk right next to me, so I picked it up and sang it on the track, to hear what it would sound like with words. I played it to Polly, and she said, 'Lovely, great, I'll need fiddle with it a bit. So she added a couple of verses, and there it was - very serendipitous.'
A Boy in Darkness was recorded at Cadogan Hall during their 2023 UK and European tour.
The live album, A Flair on the Lense, is set to be released on September 13, 2024.
Shine is the first single from Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks forthcoming album TRUE, which is scheduled to be released August 23rd, 2024.
Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band from Notodden, formed in 2001 by singer and keyboardist Einar Solberg and guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke.
Atonement is taken from their upcoming album Melodies of Atonement, set to be released on August 30th, 2024 via Inside Out Music.
Hailing from the UK, Exploring Birdsong consists of vocalist/pianist Lynsey Ward, Jonny Knight bass guitar/synth, and Matt Harrison on drums and percussion.
The trio has caught the eyes of the press (Prog Magazine, Kerrang!, Classic Rock Magazine) and achieved two Progressive Music Awards nominations.