Progfreak.com Progressive Music Ratings & Reviews

A review of John Carpenter's "Halloween" movie soundtrack at Ulver's sauce.

A really great album which I keep returning to consistently. Great songwriting, really memorable tunes, interesting twists and turns.

Another gorgeous album... this band never disappoints.

I think they really nailed it on this one. The perfect melodic "AOR" album, so uplifting, stellar vocal performance, tasty keyboards that bring a distinct 80s vibe (but not too much).

Awesome. Hard to describe what sets this apart from other prog concept albums. Aside from the flawless musicianship, the eclectic instrumentation and all the other trimmings you would expect, I guess for me it is the really sinister humor. If you are the type of listener who will pay attention to the lyrics, proceed with caution, and take them with a grain of (sea) salt.

Wow! Very nice, and a pleasant surprise after I had read a couple of reviews. This piece of rock is pretty much in opposition, and not for the faint of heart in terms of dissonance and roller-coaster-like changes in style and mood in rapid succession. But I'm buying the package, and I especially like the entire flow of the album, and appreciate the odd harmonic parts here and there that provide a nice and necessary contrast to the otherwise relentless onslaught.

Calm, gentle, symphonic ... somehow the whole album feels like a comfy chair, if that makes sense. Very harmonic and always cleverly shifting gears. Excellent vocals. Will be put on repeat ...

The unofficial best Thrash album of all time. What else is there to say? Stunning musicianship, brilliant songs, relentless pace.

Awesome! The album really has this sort of "tangential flow" going, meandering from theme to theme, but without getting repetetive or boring. Well done!

A decent effort! But then again I found nothing that stands out, and the songwriting is quite predictable. The band needs to find their niche and then try to fill it more boldly.

This flows nicely! Quite captivating, really tasty composition and an eclectic mix of moods.

A brilliant return! It is difficult to come out of a 10+ years hiatus. I really like that Steven chose to look forward, and the result sounds pretty unique. Reminiscent of old PT at times (e.g. Herd Culling harkens back to In Absentia days), but more often refreshingly aggressive and harsh, departing from the somber melancholy that had (threatened to) become a trademark.

Another incredible authentic stoner rock full of deep, heavy psychedelic aspects.

A California-oriented unit PETYR were founded as a stoner rock quartet by a professional skateboarder Riley HAWK. The second album "Smolyk" was released on April 30, 2018, following their first eponymous one, via Outer Battery Records. We can find their strong dignified positive intention massively inspired by stoner rock pioneers like Kyuss or Sleep, heavy rock vanguards like Black Sabbath, or psychedelic masters like Flower Travellin Band. Exactly we can say Heaven gives Riley two talents, skating and rocking. Through the whole creation, the magnificent hollowing-out sound gravity by the rhythm section - the bassist Luke DEVIGNY and the drummer Nick McDONNELL - should shape and determine their serious stoner appearance. Of course we must not avoid such a sarcastically hallucinogenic dissonance created with twin guitars by Riley and Holland REDD.

The crazy propagating combination mentioned above explodes from the very beginning of the titled masterpiece "Smolyk". Fantastically violent sound explosions cling to our heart and never let go. Such an energetic distortion in "Part 1" launched by four strengthened instruments is also addictive. In "Part 2" repetitive passion plays and loose, relaxing vocals ... -> show full review

Greatly distorted but smooth attacks for my ears. AL_X aka Alex DUNFORD's solo project has launched dissonant atmospheric ambience for about a decade. This album "Low Clouds" was released as his third full-length creation in 2020 via a post-rock / ambient label Fluttery Records. This album gives us an opportunity to touch and enjoy his sensitive but magnificent fantasy. A bit thin rock-like texture is in his opus but we can enter his different-dimensional soundscape without any resistance.

Around him is something critical, just like the third track "Onwards", but no hoax-y conspicuous vibe cannot be heard all over. Every single phrase is simple, sticky, and hallucinogenic, but the collective of such repetitive moments produces comfort and pleasure. On the other hand, the complicated melodic structures created by his electric piano in "The Wait" sound delightful, beautiful but slightly tragic. The titled track possesses a well-matured, well-balanced combination of melodic dissections and pessimistic movements, as if we would watch him leading a lonely life. Anyway we can touch another pop / catchy potential of Alex in the following "Leaving The World Behind". This is the moment to find his colourful appearances amongst sincereness, seriousness, delicacy, and distortion.

As mentioned above, not enough rock-ish but pretty enchanting one, I'm sure.

The second side isn't quite as strong as the first, but this is otherwise up there with the band's debut.

Strong first outing from these neo-proggers. The title track is a masterpiece.

Not as adventurous as their previous LPs, but worth a serious listen.

Compilation of live cassette recordings. Includes excellent version of "Nocturnal Blond"

A grab-bag of radio appearances, soundboard recordings, and audience tapes, this album includes a lot of good material, but will likely prove inscrutable to those not already familiar with the band.

Compiled from various cassette sources, this album is a treat for fans, but likely inscrutable to anyone else.