HMLTD - The Worm

Gotta recommend this awesome new prog album to everyone I've been jamming. It's called the Worm by HMLTD, it's the bands second record and shows them shifting from a sort of art rock/synth/glam rock sound to full blown progressive/art rock, almost avant-prog sound in spots. It still has elements of glam rock, certain vocal spots give me Bowie vibes, but front to back it's this wacky bombastic rock opera based around this weird skewed worm land- I'm still piecing it all together, but unlike a lot of rock operas, it's pretty concise clocking in just over 40 minutes. It's far and away the most I've been impressed by a prog album in years bar the last two black midi records (they share a touring member), I hope they're reviewed for inclusion on this site cause this record is a trip. Fans of Gentle Giant will probably dig this one especially, so many interesting vocal harmonies and inflections with both male and female leads. Also, the production is incredible, plus the instrumental palette is really vast similarly to a band like Gentle Giant or black midi. Give it a spin! Early AOTY contender for me.

Edited by dougmcauliffe - April 08 2023 at 10:51

^ To be fair to the band, I have not seen them refer to themselves as a prog band. Wikipedia has them art punk.

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: It seems like these days any slightly experimental band is calling themselves a prog band.

Thanks for making me aware of this album. It is also available and I listened to it through their bandcamp site and it was a quite enjoyable listen. I wouldn't necessarily consider it "prog" but I don't really care - it really is a great listen and I thank you for this recommendation.

Haha, good to hear from you too GrumpyProgFan. I miss us subtly bickering about our Neal Morse and Wobbler differences  you've always been one of my favs here. All is well! Life's been turbulent the last couple years, but right now it's in a good spot! Keeping real active and throughout it all, the listening has never slowed down. Hope all is well on your end too.

Wow. This is f**king incredible. Thanks for recommending it. 

Edited by edefakiel - April 09 2023 at 08:06

I have re-listened it... And what a fantastic album. It is just incredible. Even with a Dynamic Range of 6, it is a 5/5 stars for me. I really wish they step up their mastering for the next one. 

Always pleased to get a recommendation. Will check it out for sure