I Recommend...

I recommend the North-Norwegian band THULE (from Honningsvåg, North Cape). Especially their first two albums: "Ultima Thule" (1987) and "Natt" (1990). Both re-released by Pan Records on cd. Been listening to this since their first LP was released (not being aware of prog at the time, though). Their biography on this site is btw pretty much a rip-off from Gibraltar (they should get credit for it!).

You will find one mp3 from "Natt" on their page here on PA, the great heavyprog track "Goiltigei", which most probably deals with going up in the mountains, then lighting the fire... Listen to the creative use of the hookah... A great song...

If you like prog that is dark, sometimes generating beautiful arctic atmospheres, sometimes heavy, and you have an interest for Scandinavian prog, you should check out these two albums.

First album originally released on their own label; Thule records, their second released on the Colours label. This band apparently has had an influence on the black metal crowd in Norway (I remember seeing "Natt" in a later pretty infamous record store called "Helvete" ("Hell") in Oslo in the early nineties...)

"Ultima Thule" is a concept album dealing with the history of the sami people.

"Natt" deals with the existential aspects of being stuck in the winter darkness of a  peripheral society in decay, or something like that....

"Natt is just a collection of impressions and atmospheres from the outermost outskirts of the Western World's decayed civilization" (Quote from the inlay)





http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=2235


Edited by Harkmark - February 15 2007 at 18:32

Marek Grechuta, the following two albums:

Pain of Salvation - One Hour by Concrete Lake

Pain of Salvation - Be Live (from the many amazing videos in youtube) .. and I don't even like the studio album much!

^^^ Is that album a good intro to Heldon? I've been planning to get into them for some time now.

today, my recommendation is the boxset of Genesis "Genesis Archives", a complete masterpiece and treasure

I would suggest more people investigating the 70s prog scene. Even some of the obscure bands such as Caramel Mou, tend to grow on you after a few listens. Just skip over their cover of I feel the Earth move by Carole King. If you like Beau Dommage, you;ll find this band a bit more on the jazzy side. Et Cetera is another hidden gem. although the main comparison you'll hear is to Gentle Giant, I rather hear a combination, take Gryphon's Red Queen to Gryphon Three & mash it with GG's Power & Glory, without as many different keyboard or synth sounds. And lastly, Le Match - Legendes; another QC obscurity that I stumbled upon, and that I can't get out of my head. I'm still trying to write a review, but I stumble. Bits of Jethro Tull, some acoustic Genesis/Ange melodies, some musical instrumental & Musical similarities to Conventum; but in total, not really just a mix of those mentioned herein.

P.S. Any of Bruce Cockburn's mostly acoustic albums from late 70s, early 80s. A christian who knew how not to preach through his music as opposed to a legendary U.S. musician.

Jimbo wrote: Natsumen seems interesting indeed, they have been on my wishlist for quite some time now. Thanks for the Sparrows Swarm & Sing! tip, they weren't on our chart yet!

Same here. Natsumen has been in my wishlist for quite sometime now since all the comparison made me curious to check.  I heard of the name Sparrows Swarm & Sing, but I never checked them out since I heard they were another GYBE! clone, but I guess that doesn't really matter as long as the music is good.

Avestin, you should check out William Gray their debut CD entitled Living Fossils, it's one of the best progrock albums I have heard in the last five years, I got almost as excited when I heard A Farewell To Kings by Rush for the first time, what a very dynamic and alternating blend of symphonic and harder edged-prog

Well Avestin, it's amazing how the positive reactions from some fellow collaborators can help to re-motivate because at some moments I am really fed up with the low or non-response on questions about possible additions or the cynical posts from some progheads who are only aiming to nail down others in order to feel themselves fine, really poor  

If you're a fan of Avant-Jazz, Fusion or Avant-Prog, get hold of this album as soon as possible:



Aka Moon - In Real Time