1: 49 BURNING CONDORS - Seventh Hymnal
Description: Looking for something a little different? In their own words, Philadelphia-based 49 Burning Condors (great name) "thrives off the myths of malefic witches, lustful gods and unholy ghosts bound to the Swamp, slithering with its snakes; a home and grave to human and beast alike."
Aided by some wonderful violin by Andriana Markano, Kimber Dulin's alluring voice is whisked around this gothic quagmire by a heavy dose of cajun-blues grooves and some malefic atmospheres. A perfect post-Samhain listen. Top Track: Noonday
2: HAVEN OF ECHOES - The Indifferent Stars
3: CHARLOTTE WESSELS – Tales From Six Feet Under, VOLS I & II
Country: Netherlands
Sub-genre: Alt-pop
Description: Post-Delain, Charlotte Wessels' solo journey has passed its first landmark with the completion of the two-part Tales From Six Feet Under.
Those who have followed Charlotte via her Patreon community, will already have enjoyed a new song every month. Tales Vol. I was a compilation of the first year's music, released at the end of last year. Tales Part II is the new collection of the songs from the second year of this endeavour. You can buy them separately, or now as an all-in-one-place 2CD set here.
This is a bold diversion from the pop-rock-metal of her former band. Wessels’ solo material is a genre-crossing exploration of her song-writing and musical talents, created in her own studio. There is a bit of rock, but overall the emphasis is on the singer-songwriter melancholic alt-pop that crosses back and forth between different atmospheric elements.
4: MAGENTA - A Symphonic Trilogy
Country: UK
Sub-genre: Symphonic prog
Description: Magenta's ninth studio album sees a major change in direction from past works. This is a fully-orchestrated affair, with no drums or bass anywhere to be found. Christina's fine voice gells gloriously with the music that has been arranged for orchestra by Robert Reed. Chris Fry provides the classical guitar.
Only one song, split into three parts. This should delight all fans of female-fronted symphonic-prog.
5. YESTERDAYS - Saint-Exupéry álma
Description: Four year's after their Senki madara album was enthusiastically reviewed by DPRP, Hungarian proggers Yesterdays are back with their fourth album. And yes it is a concept album. Sung in their native tongue, it addresses the world-famous story Le Petit Prince by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (to whom the album title is dedicated) and his plane crash in the Libyan Desert in 1935.
Clearly inspired by Genesis and Yes, this 74-minute long player blends obvious 70s sounds with the septet's traditional folk influences. Fans of the Hammond, Mellotron, Minimoog, Yamaha CP and synthesizers will love this. There is also a flute and tambourine!
More info from the official band website
6. ARENA - The Theory of Molecular Inheritance
Description: This 30-plus-year-old band of UK neo-proggers are back with another album, their tenth and first in four years. Singer Paul Manzi is out. The omnipresent Damian Wilson is in. And what a good fit he seems to be.
The band seems to be only promoting this by going out on the road. Bloody traditionalists!! Promo copies and reviews are soooo old skool! So we shall leave you to make your own minds up about how good this is, by listening to your own copy.
More great music to be discovered here in my special round-up of the
The Top 20 Heavy Prog & Progressive Metal Albums of 2021
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