They say April is the cruellest month (some of our writers who have been busy with finals might agree!), but when it comes to music, we certainly don’t feel that way here at The Progressive Subway! As we entered the second quarter, 2024 found its feet and started to deliver some real gold. Think about the year we’ve had so far: an Ihsahn symphony, dance prog from Kyros, epic fantasy trad prog courtesy of Triton Project, a melodic tour de force atop Caligula’s Horse, and whatever boomer trad prog Sam mistakenly thinks is good. April added its own rubies, sapphires and emeralds [Editor’s note: Chris, are you just naming Pokemon games?] to that collection of sonic gems. Herein, you’ll find our writers’ picks for the best bangers, techiest tech, and whatever trad prog appealed to Sam’s boomer taste that April had to offer; underground picks first, the stuff we’re enjoying overground and in other genres after. Enjoy!
In Vain – Solemn
Recommended for fans of: Opeth, Insomnium, In Mourning, Disillusion, Countless Skies
Picked by: Christopher [Seconded by: Sam, Zach, Andy]
After a lacklustre start, April amped up the great releases, and In Vain’s fifth album was the jewel in the month, and possibly the year’s, crown. A massive blackened prog death extravaganza, Solemn sees the Norwegian sextet at the absolute pinnacle of their abilities, focused but adventurous, melodic yet furious, energetic and contemplative. Across nine fantastic tracks, they trot out mellifluous cleans, thunderous harshes, incredible guitar solos, powerful drumming, thick bass grooves, and perfectly synchronous composition that elevates all the disparate pieces to a transcendent level. Here at the Subway, we’ve all been lusting over Solemn since it released (and regularly chanting “WATCH FOR ME ON THE MOUNTAIN”—what an incredible closer!), neglecting many of the other great albums that have dropped and have yet to drop (oh yes, May’s got some tasty releases). If we get two other albums as brilliant as Solemn in 2024, it’ll have been a jaw-droppingly great year for music, and if we don’t, hell, we’ve got this, and that’s more than enough.
You may also like: Wills Dissolve, Eternal Storm, Grey Skies Fallen, Barren Earth
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Vanden Plas – The Empyrean Equation of the Long Lost Things
Recommended for fans of: Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Pagan’s Mind, Darkwater
Picked by: Sam
Despite what Andy and Christopher tell you, I go out of my musical comfortzone regularly. However, when my favorite band releases a new album, that admittedly goes out of the window. Back with longer titles than ever and a new keyboard player, Vanden Plas haven’t lost a single step. The Empyrean Equation is a grandiose, emotionally rich journey, replete with carefully constructed vocal melodies, delicious melodic guitar solos, incredibly tight playing, and dynamic songwriting that hits all my boomer prog metal sensibilities like no other band can. Vanden Plas have a way of making just about everything they do catchy without sacrificing depth or complexity. They may be a little vanilla for the more technical maximality inclined prog metal fans, but for those who place most emphasis on melody and emotion, this is a fantastic album to pick up.
You may also like: Althea, DGM, Günter Werno, The Pulse Theory
Related links: Spotify | original review
Replicant – Infinite Mortality
Recommended for fans of: Gorguts, Imperial Triumphant, Ulcerate
Picked by: Zach
Do you enjoy riffs? Do dissonant intervals make your brain tingle? Then look no further than Replicant’s newest offering! Chock full of the most stank-face inducing chugs you’ll hear all year, I 100% guarantee this album will beat you to death, or your money back! Just take a listen to the first minute of ‘Acid Mirror’, and if your face still isn’t blown off, then ‘Shrine to the Incomprehensible’ will slam you face-first into the concrete. This is easily the best performance these bone-shattering cave-dwellers have spat out thus far, and I can safely say they’re likely to go down as one of the greats this year. Check it out!
You may also like: Asystole, Afterbirth, Wormhole, Artificial Brain
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Folterkammer – Weibermacht
Recommended for fans of: Imperial Triumphant, Fleshgod Apocalypse, 1914, Myrkur, Diablo Swing Orchestra
Picked by: Andy
Opera and black metal go well together, and on sophomore album Weibermacht, Folterkammer have found their stride. Grimy yet regal, their songs full of kinky sexscapades are as sure to delight as shock. I sure as hell know Weibermacth causes me a disproportionate amount of pleasure.
You may also like: Véhémence, Passeisme, Obsequiae, La Suspendida, SkyThala, Thy Darkened Shade
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Our non-underground picks:
St Vincent – All Born Screaming (art rock, electronica): the latest album from Annie Clark’s project is a fusion of Roxy Music and QOTSA-esque art rock with electronica-laden pop hooks, resulting in a heady brew of catchy choruses, nasty grooves, and sick beats. Great stuff. [Pick by: Christopher]
DVNE – Voidkind (progressive metal, post-metal, doom metal): I’m playing a bit against type here, but DVNE were one of the first bands to get me to appreciate hefty use of harsh vocals in metal, and they continue to hold a special place in my heart. They have a lot to live up to after their last two albums, and while Voidkind doesn’t set a new high bar for them, its consistently excellent quality continues to solidify the band as one of prog metal’s best new rising stars. [pick by: Doug]
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