Ah February, a time for lovers. Lovers of prog, that is! An overstuffed month at the Subway has led to a prodigious AOTM post with eleven, count ’em, twelve (good thing I counted) rocking releases for you to feast your ears on (and a couple of bonus picks, too!). Sojourning across the musical landscape, we’ve got a variety of sounds for you: soothing neo-folk, groovy dissodeath, piano djent, microtonal pop, aggressive meloblack, vibrant neo-prog, a prog sludge debut, some folky prog black, maximalist hyperprog, a thrash epic so immense it threatens to crack space and time, a doomy retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh by three, count ’em, four different bands; and, of course, the long awaited return of one of the most legendary bands in the scene. There’s something for everyone in a very promising beginning to 2026. Get that volume up high and tune in to our very best of February 2026!

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Karnivool – In Verses
Recommended for fans of: Tool, Votum, Wheel
Picked by: Justin

In Verses may have been the most anticipated album of 2026 for the prog scene at large. Thirteen years between records is nothing to sneeze at, and while such a length of time builds unimaginable hype, it also presents a unique challenge: no one has the same relationship with Karnivool‘s music or the scene surrounding it that they did even a decade ago. Thankfully, any worries about quality were immediately put to rest with album opener “Ghost”, showcasing masterful performances, incredible production and tone, and that trademark Karnivool melancholy. In Verses ranges from longform slow build pieces which work their way toward massive climaxes (“Conversations”), to psychedelic heaters which are propelled forward by Steve Judd’s incredible drum performance (“Remote Self Control”). Indeed, Karnivool haven’t lost a shred of versatility, their songwriting and performance is as high quality as ever. The question is: after thirteen years, are you still able to appreciate it? Listen and see. 

Recommended tracks: Ghost, Conversations, Remote Self Control
Related links: original review

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Ashbringer – Subglacial
Recommended for fans of: Panopticon, Deafheaven, MØL
Picked by: Johnno

Ashbringer brings tortured existence to life through Subglacial’s aching, atmospheric black metal offering with careful compositions and raw performances transporting the listener to desolate Minnesotan forests or—if you’re “trve kvlt”—the Arctic Circle. An emotionally devastating journey inspired by Nick Stanger’s vulnerable lyricism, emblematic tremolo riffing and pulsating blastbeat drumming rip open the rushing waters of despair; however, the spirits of midwest emo and psychedelic rock shine timely light into the murky depths. Subglacial not only stands as Ashbringer’s most cohesive output to-date, but also (arguably) as a post-black metal classic providing a tuneful soundscape for those curious about venturing further into music’s frostbitten extremities. 

Recommended tracks: Subglacial, Send Him to the Lake, Vessels
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Maddie Ashman – Her Side
Recommended for fans of: Bent Knee, Imogen Heap, Bjork
Picked by: Claire

Her Side glimmers like a mirage in the desert: the closer you lean in, the more the landscape seems to shift beneath your feet. Built on microtonal tuning systems that bend familiar scales into uncanny shapes, the EP constantly nudges the listener just slightly off balance, as if the musical ground is subtly sliding sideways. Maddie Ashman’s voice is the focal point throughout—clear, expressive, and delicate yet strong all at once. But in addition, the classically-trained Ashman effortlessly weaves a backing tapestry with instruments such as guitar, piano, and cello, layering textures and timbres with casual virtuosity. The result is avant-pop that feels both meticulous and dreamlike. Each microscopic interval is deployed with minutious care, and the resulting exploration of the spaces between is as alluring as it is disorienting—a striking early statement from an artist clearly unafraid to redraw the map.

Recommended tracks: Rumours, She Said, In Autumn My Heart Breaks
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Mors Verum – Canvas
Recommended for fans of: Blood Incantation, Gorguts, Immolation, Voivod, Ulcerate
Picked by: Clay

In Canvas, Mors Verum paint a tapestry of diverse and interesting progressive death metal. Guitarist Mrudul Kamble’s unconventional approach weaves together off-kilter riffs with an infectious dissonant-laced groove. The wizardry of Greg Carvalho behind the drumkit provides a perfect pair to the string-led madness. During Canvas’ short run-time of thirty minutes, an impressive diversity of song writing is displayed. Interspersed within the sections of lumbering-dissonant chugging and technical-tremolo arrangements, Mors Verum set themselves apart through fluidly incorporating jazz-inspired, time-signature shifting passages. While the band covers a lot of musical ground amongst the neighboring sections, they are woven together fluidly. For enthusiasts of unconventional death metal, Canvas is a must listen.

Recommended tracks: Bloodied Teeth, Your Apocalypse, Canvas
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Midnight Odyssey, Swords of Dis, Ôros Kaù, & Serpent Ascending – From the Waters of Death
Recommended for fans of: The Ruins of Beverast, Enslaved
Picked by: Andy

The epic poem is one of my favorite genres of literature, capturing the ethos of an entire people at a specific moment in time. Fittingly bombastic, dense, and epic, the I, Voidhanger Records split From the Waters of Death retells the Epic of Gilgamesh via longform songwriting and dialogue-driven lyrics. The four eclectic, strange extreme metal bands deliver greatness, with vocalist Alice Corvinus’s varied and dramatic performance tying the whole project together. The record is a winding journey, faithful to its source material, and is one of the most ambitious projects 2026 will see. The artists all bring their unique identities, but with Swords of Dis’s thoughtful curating, the sonic landscape flows with the natural arc of the story. From the Waters of Death will appeal to fans of weird metal and literature alike; after all, what’s more metal than existential epic poetry from Mesopotamia? 

Recommended tracks: Swords of Dis – From Egalmah They Rode Toward The Howling Cedars Where The Blood Of Beasts Is Spilled And The Silence Of A Scorned God Cracks The Earth; Midnight Odyssey – From The Setting Of The Sun And Through The Waters Of Death, The Faraway, Uta-Napishtim, Lies Hidden; Ôros Kaù – Into The Wailing Darkness They Fell, Where The Mouth Of Fire Awaits; Serpent Ascending – Aruru Births The Lord Of The Wilderness
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Tigran Hamasyan – Manifeste
Recommended for fans of: BADBADNOTGOOD, Meshuggah, Hiromi, Animals as Leaders, Chick Corea
Picked by: Andrew

Tigran Hamasyan has been composing djent-influenced piano-led jazz for a while now. For just as long, he has also been producing moving, emotional pieces influenced by his Armenian heritage. Fans of metal and progressive rock who get into Hamasyan through the former should really check out the latter. On his latest, Manifeste, Hamasyan masterfully weaves these two threads together into an album that is intense, but not overwhelming; beautiful, but not boring. Some of Hamasyan‘s happiest works (“Dardahan”) as well as his most harrowing (“War Time Poem”) to date appear on this album. It’s intense, and well worth repeated listens.

Recommended tracks: War Time Poem, Prelude For All Seekers, Dardahan, Manifeste
Related links: Apple Music | original review

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Domhain – In Perfect Stillness
For fans of: Primordial, Trees of Eternity, Myrkur
Picked by: Vince

With In Perfect Stillness, Domhain invoke a mesmerizing fusion of weighty, contemplative post-metal and black metal’s scouring primalism to deliver a debut wrapped in the duality of nature. Icy tremolos flow into tranquil riverbeds of cool introspective guitar; big, methodical drumwork guides the procession through brambles and meadows; the forests swell with enchanting vocal harmonies. Metal has long delivered on winsome cross-pollinations such as this, and Domhain, despite their relative newness on the scene, have executed their vision with the confidence of veterans. In Perfect Stillness is a thoughtful, sweeping listen that will make you want to break out the hiking boots, call out of work, and escape the unsustainable chaos of modern urbanity to lose yourself in the magic of the natural world.

Recommended tracks: Footsteps II, In Perfect Stillness, My Tomb Beneath the Tide
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Moon Mother – Meadowlands
Recommended for fans of: King Buffalo, Julie Fowlis, Kalandra, Emma Ruth Rundle
Picked by: Eric

One of the best forms of self healing for metalheads is to jam out to a loud intense song and scream along. This is guaranteed to soothe the soul and fix your brain (note: I am not a doctor) as well as heal one’s inner child. But an occasional gentle, hopeful album to help calm the nerves, and maybe do some self reflecting is also a good shout. This is where a record like Meadowlands comes in. 

With the nigh angelic vocals of Sara Mehner cradling the listener in a blanket of warmth and hope while simultaneously delivering some truly emotionally insightful lyrics, Moon Mother knows how to bring all the feels on Meadowlands. Guitarist Patriec Ahlström and guest drummer Robert Hall act as the icing on this particularly moody cake, giving a solid background performance that enhances Mehner’s beautiful voice. There are moments where the production could be more finely tuned, but with such soothing vocals bringing hope to past trauma, those moments hardly matter. Do yourself a favor and meander through the healing Meadowlands.

Recommended tracks: High Horses, It Comes With Shadows, Meadowlands, Windhover
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Cryptic Shift – Overspace & Supertime
For fans of: Vektor, Atheist, Xoth, Dissimulator
Picked by: Clay

An eighty-minute progressive thrash metal epic that journeys through unknown regions of deep space, following the protagonist, The Recaller, on a quest to find an alien sorcerress. Overspace & Supertime is an ever-evolving voyage that shifts between furious thrash and off-kilter jazz while incorporating the hostile sounds of the cosmos. The standout track, and early front runner for song of the year, is the nearly thirty-minute “Stratocumulus Evergaol”, containing Vektor-like thrash sections, blastbeat madness, and frequent tempo changes, providing constant intrigue despite the expansive run time. Cryptic Shift’s performance has a volatile streak that beautifully compliments the atmosphere of space horror which permeates the record. Xander Bradley’s unhinged vocals and along with Bradley and Joss Farrington’s panic-stricken and off-kilter guitar performances fit the album’s narrative perfectly. Overspace & Supertime is a dense album that requires repeat listens to grasp, but well worth your time. 

Recommended tracks: Stratocumulus Evergaol, Hyperspace Topography, Overspace & Supertime
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Big Big Train – Woodcut
Recommended for fans of: Spock’s Beard, Fates Warning, Yes, Thank You Scientist
Picked by: Doug

Big Big Train fuse past and present into a nostalgic yet timeless expression of progressive rock, combining styles all the way from 70s progressive rock to folk music traditions. Woodcut abounds with orchestral synth and electronic organ effects familiar to veterans of the genre, but the rest is filled out with eclectic instrumentation including both acoustic and electric violin (the latter being reminiscent of Thank You Scientist at times) as well as an accent of brass. The album takes a relatively simple metaphor about the titular art of carving and spins it into a touching metaphor for taking on the responsibility of choosing the paths that shape the course of your life. Supported by the beautiful, sharply-produced instrumentation, Big Big Train’s clever songwriting elevates the experience even further, with numerous seamless transitions between tracks and subtle callbacks to prior tracks making it feel like a single grand composition. The final rhapsody running from the all-instrumental “Cut and Run” through “Last Stand” makes for an emotional climax, complete with a dramatic piano interlude from “Hawthorn White” and references to several melodies and track titles from earlier in the album. A recurring instrumental theme ties the whole package together; by the time it makes its final reprise in the closing song, it feels familiar and comforting, like resurfacing memories of an old friend.

Recommended tracks: The Artist, The Sharpest Blade, Arcadia, Cut and Run
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Heksproces – Deljig er Jorden
For fans of: Mastodon, Gojira, Dvne, Anciients
Picked by: Clay

Deljig er Jorden, the debut album from the young Danes of Heksproces, combines the expansive song structures of post-metal with the hard hitting, down-tuned, sludgy riffs of Remission-era Mastodon. The charismatic approach of guitarists Mads Aspesgård Kofod and Claes Sørenson incorporate frequent harmonization and variations to their guitar lines which provide an immersive listening experience. The result is an album that feels more like a live performance than an over-produced product characteristic of many studio recordings. Interspersed with passages of throat-singing and flute-led melodies, the band demonstrate they can deliver more than simply down-tuned riffs (which they supply in abundance!). Heksproces provide plenty of room for their musical ideas to breath, all while constantly engaging the listener through injecting flair and personality to their playing. Don’t be late to the party, give Deljig er Jorden a spin.

Recommended tracks: Lys Formørker, Struber Messer, Masker Glemmer
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Trust Fund Ozu – ARTiCHOKE
For fans of: Cocojoey, Danny Baranowsky, Knower, Double Mute
Picked by: Dave

Artichokes, like onions, consist of seemingly endless layers, converging in a cascading fractal of little pointy leaf bits. Trust Fund Ozu’s ARTiCHOKE is no different, combining layers of texture, melody, and rhythm in a glorious, zany, and frenetic progressive hyperpop meal. “Die Hard” exposes glitches in the matrix at the behest of a broken arcade cabinet, “ARTiCHOKE” swirls around rhythms to an adventurous Danny Baranowsky-type beat, and “Catch Crumbs” relishes in a catty, boastful beatdown. Lyrically, the record is laden with vague and dream-like scenarios, such as the aside in “Al Dente” where the narrator steals Piglet from Winnie the Pooh’s IBS pills, leading to a fallout with her friends. Somewhere within the layered dream logic is an evocative moral and narrative arc, but one’s takeaway here should be that Piglet has IBS. Trust Fund Ozu coaxes out elements that bring hyperpop and progressive rock together in a gloriously complementary fashion—ARTiCHOKE is a banquet you won’t want to miss.

Recommended tracks: Die Hard, I Shake My Pumpernickel for Anime Shrek, Catch Crumbs, Just Because a Trans Woman Made It (Doesn’t Mean It’s Hyperpop)
Related links: Bandcamp | original review

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Non-Subway Picks

Forager – Even a Child Can Cover the Sun with a Finger (indie rock)
Self-describing as “kaleidoscopic pop”, indie rock trio Forager are funky, soulful, rhythmically unpredictable, and not a little progressive. Vocalist Shyamala Ramakrishna’s silky alto is enchanting, and the album sparkles with complex structures that somehow feel effortless.
Picked by: Claire

Carpenter Brut – Leather Temple (darksynth)
Closing off the Leather trilogy, Carpenter Brut returns with another heavy-hitter of an album, Leather Temple. Heavy industrial and prog rock elements make themselves prominent across the first half of the album—the track “Leather Temple” even evoking some of Mick Gordon’s work on the DOOM soundtracks—while the latter half follows more closely the artist’s darksynth ambitions. A fitting conclusion to a concept almost ten years in the making.
Picked by: Francesco 

Fabiano do Nascimento & Vittor Santos Orchestra – Vila (folk, samba jazz, modern classical)
It’s a bit early in the year for an album that leans so strongly into summer vibes, but the Brazilian guitarist’s new release is lush, tropical, and nostalgic, as he introspects on his time growing up in Rio de Janeiro. I’ve listened a few times now, but I’ll be listening to it on repeat come June.
Picked by: Andy

Ronker – Respect The Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog Forever (post-hardcore, noise rock)
Post-hardcore and noise rock aren’t genres I usually reach for, and two wrongs shouldn’t make a right. But, damn. Don’t let the inane title fool you: Ronker’s sophomore LP packages noisy energy and gritty vocals into a charismatic ripper of a record, serving up several unlikely earworms, jagged riffs and grooves, and genuinely compelling songwriting and instrumentation. Yeah, yeah, this came out two days before February began—sorry I’m late.
Picked by: Cory

Bruno Mars – The Romantic (pop, RnB, soul)
Few artists capture modern romance quite like Bruno Mars, and The Romantic leans fully into the charm, warmth, and melodicism that define his best work. With fantastic production, mariachi accompaniment, and vocals that balance vulnerability and swagger, the album feels classy while remaining unmistakably contemporary. The Romantic reminds listeners why Bruno Mars is pop’s most reliable hit maker (although maybe he was just broke in Jan 2026)
Picked by: Akhila