You know the adage: new year, new… Subway? To kick off 2025, we made a few changes to the site. First of all, we lifted our self-imposed restriction on only reviewing underground bands. We’ll now cover the whole of the prog scene. Dream Theater, Obscura, Jinjer; no one will be safe from our snarky remarks and middling wit. We’ve also doubled our output this month, publishing two reviews a day and as much as I’d like to solely take credit for that, it probably has more to do with the fact we’ve taken on a bunch of brilliant new writers who have taken to our site like Derek Sherinian to a guest feature on a derivative trad prog debut. You’ll see them around and get to know their writing quirks and obvious lack of taste, but suffice to say we’re incredibly happy to have these new recruits embark on the next chapter of the site with us!
January kicked off the year with a bang. If you like weird tribal folk stuff, you’ll be plenty pleased with a couple of our picks this month, and if that’s not your bag then we also have crescendous post metal, whiplash-inducing trad prog, intense dissonant death metal, and some folk metal with a South American twist. So whack the heating up, make yourself a drink, and kick back with our playlist while you peruse our picks.
Wardruna – Birna
Recommended for fans of: Sowulo, Heilung, Forndom, Nytt Land
Picked by: Dave
In keeping with my reputation as a Gay Little Forest Goblin™, I naturally gravitated quite heavily to Wardruna’s latest release, Birna. Posturing itself as both a retrospective of their previous work (“Hertan”, “Hibjørnen”, “Birna”) and as a springboard for evolution in their sound (“Dvaledraumar”, “Himmindotter”, “Skuggehesten”), Birna is a consummate folk release, combining powerful and larger-than-life cinematics with Animist lyricism designed to channel a more primal inner self through our relationship with the she-bear, a mystical and renowned creature throughout human history. “Dvaledraumar” in particular utilizes spacious and barren soundscaping to conjure a hazy dreamlike state, and despite its exceedingly minimal sonic palette, its atmosphere is all-encompassing and hypnotic. Additionally, “Himmindotter” and “Ljos til Jord” stand out for the opposite reason, utilizing high-energy percussion to craft utterly danceable moments that stand rooted in chthonic sensibilities. Overall, Birna is an intoxicatingly primal experience and a must-listen for those with a wilder edge.
You might also like: Nordein, De Mannen Broeders, Alora Crucible, Sangre de Muérdago + Judasz & Nahimana
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Obscure Sphinx – Emovere
Recommended for fans of: Cult of Luna, Neurosis, Tool
Picked by: Cory
More than eight years after their last studio work, post-metallers Obscure Sphinx have returned with Emovere, a thirty-minute, three-track EP. Put simply, it’s the band’s best work—and, released not one week into January, it may be the best post-metal we hear all year. Emovere’s sound centers around the dynamic vocals of Zofia “Wielebna” Fraś, whose emotive cleans and screams are a performance to behold. Surrounding her, dark, down-tuned instrumentation fluidly oscillates between crushing and beautiful, without a single passage or transition out of place. The result is a soundscape that’s awe-inspiring yet soothing, and ultimately deeply resonant. I haven’t been this taken with an EP in over a decade (since Haken’s Restoration), and I can’t wait for the band to return with a long player.
You might also like: Blindead / Blindead23, Múr, E-L-R, Cavernlight
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Labÿrinth – In the Vanishing Echoes of Goodbye
Recommended for fans of: Angra, (Luca Turilli/Lione’s) Rhapsody (of Fire), Symphony X
Picked by: Francesco
I don’t think it’s a risk to say that Italian power/prog metal bands are some of the best in the biz, and Tuscany’s Labÿrinth are certainly no exception. In the Vanishing Echoes of Goodbye has all the hallmarks of a great power metal album: memorable sing-along choruses, guitar playing at speeds a considerable fraction of c, flashy keyboard work, and the kind of double-kick drumming that would make a speeding locomotive blush. Labÿrinth are great at what they do and they love to let you know it. Remind me to add the Massa province to my next Italy travel itinerary; those hills are alive with the sound of progressive power metal music.
You might also like: DGM, Vision Divine, Michele Luppi’s Los Angeles
Related links: Spotify | original review
Discordant Meditation – Tragic Creature
Recommended for fans of: Disentomb, Morbid Angel, Gorguts
Picked by: Justin
Look, the other albums on this list are good listens, great even! But sometimes you just need your music to be a monster that hooks its claws into your chest and drags you into a pit with it. Well, Discordant Meditation is that monster, and Tragic Creature is that pit. Flurried guitar riffs weave through dense song structures; herculean drumming propels nearly every moment, and a deep, menacing vocal performance is just the cherry on top. The music is all tied together by a subtle psychedelic tinge that elevates Tragic Creature from your run-of-the-mill tech death album to one that claims a deserved spot among the best releases of January.
You might also like: Faceless Burial, Replicant, Fathomless Ritual
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Wyatt E. – Zamāru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1
Recommended for fans of: Om, Lowen, Earth
Picked by: Andy
While I agree with my peer and good friend Dave for the majority of his excellent review of Belgian droners Wyatt E., I don’t feel the same way about the bookending tracks meandering too long in their post-metal-esque buildups. Getting lost in the journey is part of the fun, and even Zamāru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1’s extended drones are psychedelia of the highest quality, in a league with Neptunian Maximalism (wow, what do the Belgians have in their water with regards to freaky drone??). And those middle tracks truly are superb, from the wonderful poetic narration and vocals to the shorter but still satisfying climaxes. Wyatt E. have truly done something next to impossible: written an interesting drone album. We’re going back to Mesopotamia with this one, boys.
You might also like: Sunnata, Zaum, Neptunian Maximalism, Uulliata Digir, The Ruins of Beverast
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | original review
Arraigo – Crioyo
Recommended for fans of: Salduie, Rata Blanca, Alestorm
Picked by: Claire
Fusing down-to-business heavy riffs with Argentinian cultural themes and traditional instruments, this third full-length album from Buenos Aires-based Arraigo is a lively ride. Crioyo rocks, it frolics and dances, and it even kind of swashbuckles. Not to be outdone by the folk-metal stylings of the bombo legüero, charango and co., the album’s guitar work is a nimble mix of chugging riffs and frolicsome soloing, and the vocal delivery is captivating in the band’s native Spanish. A host of infectiously catchy melodies are on offer across the album, and Arraigo doesn’t let up, throwing more and more elements at the wall for forty-two boisterously enjoyable minutes (wait, there’s trumpet now!?)
You might also like: Barloventos, Raza Truncka, Conception
Related links: Spotify | original review
Non-Subway Picks
L.S.Dunes – Violet (Post-hardcore)
The Thursday/Circa Survive/Coheed/MCR supergroup returned this month with their sophomore effort Violet, which saw them delve more into a refined version of themselves than the original, raw, punk version from their debut. An album that sounds like the feeling of someone grabbing you by the shirt as you walk away and begging you to stay. Picked by: Chris
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow (synth-pop)
Of all the mega popstars, this guy and Bruno Mars are the best in my expert opinion. Over a sprawling eighty-five minutes, Abel Tesfaye shows up his gorgeous tenor and elegant synth pop arrangements. When lots of pop feels vapid, Hurry Up Tomorrow is refreshingly authentic. Picked by: Andy
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