Prog - Issue 147

In this issue

Steve Hackett
From Acolyte to Nightwhale – we explore the guitarist’s concept albums…

Readers’ Poll
The very best in prog from 2023 according to Prog magazine readers..

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

TEMIC

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

2 mins

PETRA HERMANOVA

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

1 min

HILARY WOODS

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

2 mins

HANDS OF THE HERON

British trio combine multilayered instrumentals and vocals with spellbinding results.

2 mins

DIRTY SOUND MAGNET

Swiss rockers embark on a psychedelic journey with latest release.

2 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

Whale Tales & Circus Trails

With his first proper concept album in almost 50 years, guitarist Steve Hackett transports the listener back to bombsite-littered post-war London, with the record's fictional character, Travla, telling a symbolic tale of a journey towards self-actualisation. \"It's been extraordinary making this record,\" he tells Prog. \"I grew up in a time when music changed the world, and I've always felt the album can be a really powerful force. I really hope people enjoy listening to this one.\"

10+ 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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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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.