In this issue

King Crimson
The inside story of 1974’s Red, King Crimson’s last hurrah of the 70s…

Oliver Wakeman
Wakeman Jr takes a voyage through the seas of celtic prog on Anam Cara.

Apollo Has Fallen

In the aftermath of Sons Of Apollo, band alumni Derek Sherinian and Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal have regrouped for new sonic adventures in Whom Gods Destroy. Now the ice has finally melted, the new line-up are ready to take over the world with the ambitious Insanium. Prog caught up with Sherinian to find out more.

7 mins

S*A*S*

In 2022, 3's Robert Berry, Saga's Ian Crichton and Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler released their debut as Six By Six. But have the prog supergroup been able to recapture that magic on the highly anticipated follow-up, Beyond Shadowland? Prog caught up with Berry to discuss the challenges, inspirational artwork and orchestral arrangements that lie behind their \"difficult\" second album.

8 mins

Far From Normal

Is Nick Beggs an alien? Is he even a prog musician? And can you train a dog with a didgeridoo? All these questions and more will be answered as Prog peeks under the hood of Trifecta's The New Normal, an album that reunites Beggs with fellow virtuosos Adam Holzman and Craig Blundell. Just don't ask what his wife thinks of it.

7 mins

Shifting Gear

In the two years since Resident Human, Wheel have undergone internal changes that very nearly destroyed them. But fortunately the Finnish-Anglo band have bounced back with the more experimental Charismatic Leaders. Singer and guitarist James Lascelles reveals the challenges behind creating their third studio album, how Meshuggah's \"best amp\" helped them, and why they just can't shake off those Tool comparisons.

7 mins

Lone Star

On The Tangent’s 14th album, To Follow Polaris, Andy Tillison has embarked on a “one-off” solo adventure that tackles self-doubt and finds him going on a quest for The Truth. Prog catches up with the multi-instrumentalist as he ponders whether we’re better off without the internet and finds out why he still remains optimistic in a world full of turmoil.

7 mins

Where Words Are Not (Always) Needed

[Mostly] without lyrics to underscore their song's meanings, post-rock trio Sleepmakeswaves have learnt to find the beauty in the \"translational chasm\" that exists between artist and listener. They've poured themselves into their fifth album, It's Here, But I Have No Names For It, and now they're excited for their fans to find themselves, and not its creators, reflected in its music. Prog caught up with the band to find out more.

5 mins

A Traveller Of Time And Space

The good rocketship Hawkwind have launched their 36th studio album into the progosphere! On Stories From Time And Space, the group have lost none of their sense of injustice about the world. Bandleader Dave Brock reveals the drive behind their new music, why he's continuing to fight for an alternative society and responds to recent concerns about his health.

7 mins

Soul Trader

It's been a long time coming, but Oliver Wakeman is back with a new solo album. With contributions from Nightwish's Troy Donockley, vocalist Hayley Griffiths, and Pendragon drummer Scott Higham, Anam Cara is a celtic-flavoured melting pot of delight. The keyboardist discusses the good stories and wonderful musicians that make up a record he hopes will capture the listener's imagination.

5 mins

"Like having a brick wall coming at you!"

In 1974, King Crimson released one of their most underrated, at the time, albums. Red, created by the powerhouse trio Robert Fripp, John Wetton and Bill Bruford, didn't even reach the UK Top 40 and yet it's now regarded by many as a key work - not only in Crimson's back catalogue but also as a foundation stone in what would later become known as progressive metal. On its 50th anniversary, Crimson's alumni discuss the allure of an album that's reduced some adults to tears.

10+ mins

The Beat Goes On

There's a new King Crimson side-project in town, and this one focuses solely on the 80s incarnation of the group. BEAT finds Adrian Belew and Tony Levin reconnecting for a very special North American tour this autumn with guitar god Steve Vai and Tool drummer Danny Carey. Prog catches up with Levin and Belew to find out more.

8 mins

CHARLIE BRAMALD

Ghost Of The Machine's vocalist discusses his latest project, Age Of Distraction, and plans for some pulse-racing gigs.

4 mins

DIRTY SOUND MAGNET

Swiss rockers embark on a psychedelic journey with latest release.

2 mins

HANDS OF THE HERON

British trio combine multilayered instrumentals and vocals with spellbinding results.

2 mins

HILARY WOODS

The Irish artist evolves into a creator of totally immersive states.

2 mins

PETRA HERMANOVA

Transplanted to Berlin, the Czech musician rediscovered her mojo after an injury forced her to change instrument.

1 min

TEMIC

Prog-metal alumni band's pulse-driven project forms with a little help from Mike Portnoy.

2 mins

JANE WEAVER GOES "HEAVY MELLOW" ON HER LATEST ALBUM

With a major 17-date tour to follow, the contemporary psychedelicist moves into a new direction on her forthcoming LP with the help of celebrated producer John Parish.

2 mins

DEREK FORBES

Forever associated with new wave, ex-Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes reveals the influence of ELP, Steve Hillage and Genesis on their music.

2 mins

Set The Controls...

Producer Youth talks to Prog about his new reboot of The Orb David Gilmour's 2010 collaboration album Metallic Spheres into Metallic Spheres In Colour and the mouthwatering prospect of the project being performed live, super-hi-tech, which would be the most amazing gig I could ever witness\".

5 mins

ALL CHANGE YET STILL THE SAME

Now a band in their own right, the Spock's Beard alumni are back with Pattern-Seeking Animals and their fourth album, Spooky Action At A Distance. This provides the perfect opportunity to catch up with multi-instrumentalist and founder John Boegehold, to discuss changing things up, bonus tracks, and what the future might hold for P-SA.

6 mins

Strange Band

One of the great and most original progressive bands of the late 60s/early 70s, Family were an influence on so many groups that came along after them. Fifty-two years after its release, Prog talks to Roger Chapman and Poli Palmer about one of their best albums, Bandstand.

7 mins

"WE DIDN'T SEE A FUTURE BEING IN A BAND!"

After they released 2020's Rise Radiant into a world in facing the unknown, Caligula’s Horse began to question their existence as a band. However despite creative uncertainty and line-up changes the Aussie prog rockers persisted to make their heaviest and most ambitious material. Guitarist Sam Vallen tells Prog about Charcoal Grace's black heart.

7 mins

Sonic Odyssey

Its mood consistently dark and ominous, with songs about climate change, disinformation and the reigniting of the Cold War, Pallas's latest album, The Messenger, is certainly far from easy listening. Only their eighth album in their 48 years, it was also - as usual - far from being a rush job.

6 mins

Work To The Rhythm

Six decades into his career, Trevor Horn has finally released a third album under his own name. Echoes - Ancient & Modern finds the musician and superproducer infuse a second collection of reimagined pop songs with his magic. He discusses reworking 80s anthems with Steve Hogarth and Robert Fripp, the Yes years and why he loves nothing more than making mischief.

8 mins

Hello, I Must Be Bowing

Experimental cellist Jo Quail has harnessed primal and spiritual elements in her latest releases, the dual EPS Invocation and Supplication. Comprising two three-song cycles and the distinctive vocals of Heilung's Maria Franz and O.R.K's Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari, the EPs find The Cartographer musician moving into new sonic worlds. Quail shares the story of their creation and reveals her new-found passion for the trombone.

5 mins

Art School Dancing

One day in 1987, Porcupine Tree founder Steven Wilson met singer-songwriter Tim Bowness. Whether or not the planets were aligned that day, you can determine for yourself, but their subsequent collaborations as No-Man would result in some extraordinary and innovative music - as you can find out on their new box set Housekeeping: The OLI Years 1990-1994.

7 mins

Through The Prog Window

After years spent wandering the dark caves of the extreme-metal underworld, with 2003's Damnation album, awash with that most un-metal instrument the Mellotron, Opeth emerged into the light with leader and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt now flying the flag of a card-carrying progressive rock fan. Ahead of the album's 20th-anniversary reissue, Prog spoke to him about a record he says was \"a normal prog-rock record, but for Opeth was completely new and unique.\"

8 mins

Q&A STEVE BABB

Glass Hammer's main maestro discusses the creation of ARISE, satisfying personal expectations and what it's like to steer the ship after three decades.

4 mins

The PROG READERS' POLL 2023

Prog magazine is 15 years old next issue. And, when I look back to our original readers' poll and then at this year's results, I can really see how far things have moved on from those heady, innocent days of 2009! True, some older evergreens are still there, but it really is like looking at a different landscape sometimes.

5 mins

Fantastic Voyage

Recorded while he was still the guitarist in Genesis, Steve Hackett's debut solo album Voyage Of The Acolyte and its commercial success gave him a confidence he had previously lacked. Along with what he saw as winds of change blowing through Genesis, it helped him to soon make the decision to follow his group pal” Peter Gabriel out of the band.

10 mins

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Prog Magazine Description:

Prog is an international magazine devoted to progressive music in all its guises. From the classic pioneers of the 70s through the 80s Marillion-helmed revival, to the impact of the likes of Radiohead and Muse in the 90s and today’s vibrant and ever-developing scene spearheaded by the likes of Steven Wilson, Opeth and Anathema. With our strong network of contacts the magazine gets behind the big stories of yesteryear and brings you the best coverage of what’s happening today with exclusive and informative interviews. The website brings you all the latest news from the world of prog. Astounding sounds from amazing, intelligent and thought-provoking music.