ProgRocks.gr: the best albums of 2016

20. Ulver – ATGCLVLSSCAP

“Rygg’s vision and the way that O’Sullivan dealt with that, resulted in their best cooperation so far. They managed to take advantage of the experience gained on stage (who could have seen that coming?), conveying it wholly but in a controlled manner to the grooves of ATGCLVLSSCAP, presenting the best Ulver album since the era of Shadows of the Sun.”
– Kostas Barbas (8.5 / 10)

“ATGCLVLSSCAP travels from drone to electronic music and ambient aesthetics. Despite its experimental mood, the album flows pleasantly with sounds that develop slowly and always give the impression of life in the background. Although long in duration, with a little patience, the sound result is quite exciting.”
– Lefteris Statharas (9 / 10)

19. Motorpsycho – Here Be Monsters

“another solid effort from Motorpsycho, who continue to be synonymous with the consistency and quality in the progressive scene. The fact that perhaps this is the worst album of the band in the current decade, shows how great the band is.”
– Paris Gravouniotis (8 / 10)

“…Here Be Monsters comes to confirm the inexhaustible energy of Motorpsycho. The Norwegians this time manage to mix the monotonous bass with guitar lullabies. Motorpsycho’s releases have still life and energy, with Here Be Monsters being a pleasant surprise in the first half of the year!”
– Kostas Rokas (8.5 / 10)

18. Sumerlands – Sumerlands

The artistic proem of the American Sumerlands is, in essence, the collaboration between the singer/lyricist Phil Swanson and the current members of the 80’s connoisseurs Eternal Champion. The record manifests the originality and singularity of the 80’s US metal, reproducing the elevating and heroic feeling that previous bands consolidated and defined and, conventionally, was named power metal. On the other hand, the guitar bacchanal of Criss Oliva, Geoff Thorpe, Jake E. Lee, Kurdt Vanderhoof and the likes is embodied here, converting easy-to-grasp and straightforward compositional structures into an unimpeded playback of diffused and marching heavy / power metal. The musical proposition of Sumerlands doesn’t blaze a trail in music composition, since it is all about a breviloquent and resprouting 80’s heavy call, which reapproaches a glorious facet of US metal.
–Thomas Sarakintsis

17. Alcest – Kodama

“Aesthetically Kodama is delightful, pretty much like all of their previous works, since images play an important role in their music. Through this dark and bittersweet narrative, Alcest gave us a musical edifice bristling with beauty, progressive feeling and incomparable freshness.” 
– Vasilis Korolis (9 / 10)

“It is a narrative experience full of dark and melancholic soundscapes, exploring atmospheric metal in a coherent album where everything is aligned and should be listened as a whole.”
– Dina Dede (8.5 / 10)

16. Black Mountain – IV

The fourth album of the Canadians Black Mountain is an emblematic come-back, breaking their long-lasting silence.  The semiotics of the record’s sleeve and the title’s (IV) brings into the open the directions, ranging from the ambient style of Wish You Were Here to the primitive heaviness of Black Sabbath. Stephen McBean’s iconic figure refers to 70’s guitar hero and the crystal voice of Amber Webber sounds like a contemporary version of Grace Slick. But the most important thing is that the Canadians pulled off to coalesce harmonically retro references, psychedelia and vintage aesthetic with refreshing elements from the entire spectrum of modern music, and as a consequence the record is rendered easy-to-grasp and simultaneously progressive.
– Dimitris Anastasiadis

15. Utopianisti – The Third Frontier

“The avant-prog of Frank Zappa and Samla Mammas Manna meets the characteristic Scandinavian fusion, with a few touches from the scene of Canterbury and the German jazz / krautrock to color their musical mosaic… the Finns were able to offer us one of the best-quality albums of the current year.”
– Paris Gravouniotis (8.5 / 10)

“…jazz / fusion prog with the avant-prog / RIO element crystallized without unnecessary deviations, in line with the spirit of Frank Zappa and Pekka Pohjola, with unpredictable shifts of rhythms and style, amazing funky groove, 70s cinematographic lyricism, tongue-in-cheek humour, the highest level of technique and tracks that stick insidiously to our minds.”
– Dimitris Kaltsas (8.5 / 10)

14. Vespero – Lique Mekwas

“After this year’s release of Lique Mekwas, what is certain and at the same time causes joy, respect and awe is the fact that Vespero are in the middle of a creative orgasm, proving that not only they deserve to be at the top of space-rock, but also that they surpass the limits of the genre, thus willingly entering in more jazzy musical fields.”
– Ilias Goumagias (9 / 10)

“Keeping their space-rock / psychedelic motivation, Lique Mekwas reveals more of afro aesthetics through the use of local motifs, releasing an improvisational flair without losing the musical orientation and meaning.”
– Giannis Zavradinos (8.5 / 10)

13. Höstsonaten – Symphony N. 1: Cupid & Psyche

“By having an alternate storyline and adventurous transitions, the common aesthetics denominator here is a charming atmosphere of mystery. The orchestral narrative ‘fluency’ emerges strongly from the absence of expressive limitations and stereotypes.”
– Dimitris Kaltsas (8 / 10)

“High level of technique, beautiful melodies, impeccable rhythms and emotional changes characterize one of the best instrumental albums of this decade. A very good symphonic prog album, made to be heard as a whole, from beginning to end.”
– Paris Gravouniotis (8 / 10)

12. Seven Impale – Contrapasso

“The Norwegians keep stirring our imagination in their new album as well, since they experiment in new paths that include gothic and electronica influences to heavy progressive and fusion…  “I’ve reached the final conclusion. The epitome of confusion.” And nevertheless, it is this confusion that is so attractive from a group that, it appears to me, will not cease to surprise us!”
– Thanos Patsos (7 / 10)

“Their second album complements or better deepens the perspective of the Norse for progressive music and give us one of the best releases this year. With key differences the variety of rhythms, melodies and primarily style in comparison to City of The Sun, Seven Impale most worthily represent all uncategorized bands of their era.”
– Alexandros Topintzis (8.5 / 10)

11. Gojira – Magma

“This is a transitional album and it remains to be seen whether it will signal a change of direction for the band in the deepest waters of the ocean of rock music in general or it will be a parenthesis in their interesting discography.”
– Ilias Goumagias (7.5 / 10)

“…Magma largely justifies the character that the public attributes to it achieving not to be a boring rehash. For the first time one would observe instabilities in the dividing line between the ‘hip’ and ‘catchy’, offering almost contradictory pleasures and disappointments (few).”
– Alexandros Topintzis (7.5 / 10)

10. The Dear Hunter – Act V: Hymns With The Devil In Confessional

“I find it amusing that I can enjoy sounds of acts such as Coheed and Cambria, U2, Coldplay filtered through the talent of this bunch. A more-than-satisfactorily delivered West-End production, the answer as to whether pop-prog can lead in 2016 is given herewith.”
– Thanos Patsos (8.5 / 10)

“Including many style changes and maintaining an incessant flow, as the story is driven into dark paths, the structure is simply flawless… The contenders for the best part of Actare now five and this is certainly the best prog concept series ever.”
– Dimitris Kaltsas (8.5 / 10)

09. Verbal Delirium – The Imprisoned Words of Fear

“…The Imprisoned Words of Fear is undoubtedly one of the best and most well-worked progressive rock albums ever released by a Greek band (which gradually become more and more) and is a loud statement of Verbal Delirium in the international scene of the genre.”
– Kostas Barbas (9 / 10)

“The dark aesthetics of the beautiful cover is reflected directly in the musical content upon first listen. The heavy atmosphere of the album coupled with the obviously harder direction they seem to follow, characterise their work throughout its duration.”
– Paris Gravouniotis (8.5 / 10)

08. Mother Turtle – II

“Even though they miss in popularity as the domestic music reality actually seems still unprepared to support the promising Greek prog, Mother Turtle prove that they master very well the art of NOT giving up on a revolution.”
– Giannis Zavradinos (9 / 10)

“From the British Harvest Moon and the excellent development of the atmospheric introduction of Walpurgi Flame and the exceptional guitar solo by K. Konstantinidis in the finale, and from there to the melodic The Art Of Ending A Revolution and the à la Gentle Giant vocals that close the album just as they started, we come to the same conclusion: we are dealing with one of the top progressive albums of 2016.”
– Paris Gravouniotis (8.5 / 10)

07. Metallica – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct

Their new stuff gives the impression of a relaxed, revitalized and spontaneous band. There seems to be no intention of recreating their original ferocity or showing-off with their old sound. In this double album, the variation between the catchy chorus and high-pitched songs in the first part and the superfluous mid-tempo compositions in the second is noticeable, delivering a successful but uneven heavy metal album. Metallica’s grooving rage is apparent with interesting songwriting, decent drumming, cheeky vocals and all the other elements that define the band, composing a solid, tempting, energetic and harsh recipe. If we ignore some fillers that result to unnecessary (lengthy) songs and the quasi-thrash moments, the word “self-destruct” serves only as an album title.
– Dina Dede

06. Hail Spirit Noir – Mayhem in Blue

“…we deal with an intellectually and artistically mature band which sounds solid, impressing once again with their sound, their remarkable progressive experimentation and psychedelic atmosphere, even though when the album finishes you are left with the feeling that one more song is missing. Hail Spirit Noir achieve an impressive musical imagery with unique musicianship.”
– Dina Dede (8.5 / 10)

“Their style emanates an organic rock feeling, whereas the more extreme parts are absolutely convincing. The darkness that the songs emit, springs from the compositions themselves, not by cheap tricks. Mayhem In Blue is one of the best metal releases you are about to listen to this year, which is not exactly metal. Or is it?”
– Kostas Barbas (9 / 10)

05. Atlanter – Jewels of Crime

“Rags instead of jewelry, companionship instead of fame, artistic concern rather than mainstream complacency: those are the ideas on which Atlanter set up their second album Jewels of Crime, achieving more than just impress the savvy listener and enter the highlights of 2016: they succeed in expressing a part of their generation, namely us.”
– Nikos Filippaios (8.5 / 10)

“Adding pop / funk hit forms to dipped in 60s-70s positivity, the peculiar indie alternativity and their incompatible progressive experimentation, Atlanter confirm why they deserve to be regarded as one of the most interesting “things” in music today…”
– Dimitris Kaltsas (8.5 / 10)

04. Not Blood Paint – Believing Is Believing

“Vintage coexists with alternative in perfect harmony, dancing groove with pompous heavy rock, 70s prog with early 80s post-punk… ten catchy and (no matter how incredulous it sounds) perfectly even songs, ten potential hits, ten completely interesting stories with epic climaxes, unpredictable twists and literally not a single superfluous melodic phrase.”
– Dimitris Kaltsas (9 / 10)

“The second full-length album of Not Blood Paint comes out of nowhere to redefine the term “crossover”… an odd amalgam of musical influences as far afield as metal, glam, post-punk and prog rock, with the guitars always up front… Musicphile diggers of all kinds and races, should dedicate the necessary time that this killer release deserves.”
– Kostas Barbas (9 / 10)

03. Niechęć – Niechęć

“From SBB to Michał Urbaniak of yesterday, to Riverside and now Niechęć , Poland, thanks to its distinct culture, goes on to surprise us with remarkable musicians and bands through progressive’s wide spectrum. One of the best releases of the year.”
– Giannis Zavradinos (9 / 10)

“…Niechęć pull off to merge jazz with progressive rock and post-rock with flying colours… The formless melodies and the soft moments interchange with more stressful avant-garde themes in an overly adventurous musical roller coaster…Niechęć s one of the best jazz albums, in a wider sense, that you are about to listen to this year and is a must for every fan of quality instrumental music.”
– Kostas Barbas (9 / 10) 

02. Fates Warning – Theories of Flight

“With uniformity and harmony reminiscent of A Pleasant Shade of Gray, the songs alternate, dispelling any possibility of repetition or the listener’s fatigue. Original ideas, old ideas, rehash… Fates always give their best in every album without ever creating any second thought about their intentions as artists.”
– Alexandros Topintzis (9 / 10)

“Twelfth album for Fates Warning and although I expected something similar to their previous one, Theories of Flight left me quite speechless. The tracks are all of the highest level, and Seven Stars, The Light and Shade of Things and The Ghosts of Home stand out. If there was a song like Still Remains, we would be talking about a monumental album! In my opinion it’s their best since A Pleasant Shade of Gray.“
– Giannis Voulgaris (9 / 10)

01. David Bowie – Blackstar

“Every man has a black star / A black star over his shoulder / And when a man sees his black star / He knows his time, his time has come, sang Elvis back in 1960. David Bowie knew it well. He knew he had cancer, he knew he would die soon. “I will make something great” he thought. “I wll mix NY jazz, krautrock, avant-garde with electonica elements and RnB, and combined with my British singer-songwriter dna, I will create a tremendous, insurmountable sonic print, purely experimental and simultaneously pop in the most absolute way. And then I will go.” And thus it happened. Is Blackstar Bowie’s best album? Possibly. What is certain is that it is the ultimate swan song of a unique, incompatible artist. It confirms the fact that all music “has now been played” and turns death into a matchless work of art, and its echo will be discussed for years.“
– Ilias Goumagias

Goran
Petrić