Rite Here, Rite Now
One of Sweden's most distinctive modern prog bands, Ritual formed in 1992 and were firmly ahead of the game from the start.
Inspired by the prog legends of the 60s and 70s and more modern exponents of the art, such as It Bites and XTC, they steadily evolved into a melodic and endlessly inventive powerhouse, with a curious obsession with Finnish legend Tove Jansson's Moomin stories and a fervently diverse musical palette. Their first four albums are all magnificent, and the last of them - 2007's The Hemulic Voluntary Band - was widely hailed as a triumph, at least in prog circles. But since then, Ritual have been conspicuous by their absence. They never stopped making music, but hadn't released a new album in 17 years, despite continual rumours that fresh music was on the way.
They finally completed work on the first part of a planned double concept album, The Story Of Mr. Bogd, and relaunched themselves, albeit several years later than planned, last August.
"There have been so many things that have stretched out time for us," gregarious singer/ guitarist Patrik Lundström tells Prog. "It's been a long haul. But you know, we're meticulous....with everything! But it's been a mixture of things. First of all, this has been a major task to complete and we wanted to do it properly.
We've always taken time between our albums.
We're not one of those bands that produce an album every year or every second year. Between the first and second albums it was, what, five years? Of course, this time has been a lot longer! But now we have the chance to renew ourselves and to have a comeback, even though we didn't split up. I guess life is what happens when you're busy making concept albums!" The roots of The Story Of Mr. Bogd can be found in the final track on Ritual's last album.
Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 157 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 157 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
SOLSTICE
Since their formation in 1980, Solstice have been led by guitarist Andy Glass through various hiatuses and line-up changes. It took until 2020 and the start of the Sia trilogy to truly find their feet, but this strange route to success has left them in an interesting position.
SAVATAGE
It's not entirely accurate to use the word \"reunion\" if a band never broke up in the first place, but semantics aside, it's fair to say that American progressive/ power metal trailblazers Savatage have spent the better part of the past two decades far away, in a land caught between time and space.
Against The GRAIN
US veterans Glass Hammer have ripped up their own rulebook - yet again - on Rogue, an hour-long concept album that takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery via life's highs and lows. Bassist and co-founder Steve Babb takes Prog on a deep dive into its themes, its innovative recording process and the global mix of musicians involved in the project, and explains why, after more than 30 years in the saddle, his fire for creative reinvention still burns as brightly as ever.
JOHN LODGE
It’s lovely to be here,” says John Lodge. “In fact, it’s lovely to be anywhere,” he adds, adapting the old joke and explaining that just over a year ago he had a stroke. Yet with “Prayers, love and good vibes,” he continues, “here we are.”
True Or False
Aband featuring members of Porcupine Tree and King Crimson were always going to be considered a prog supergroup, but O.R.k are continuing to prove there is much more beyond the label. With fifth album Firehose Of Falsehoods another impressive addition to the quartet's catalogue, Prog catches up with bassist Colin Edwin to find out more.
HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE/ GHOST OF THE MACHINE
The new album by modern prog mainstays Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate is an expansive, polystylistic release centred on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE
Sax, drone and rock'n'roll with an anti-colonial message.
SALLY POTTER
The avant-garde musician, filmmaker and activist on exploring the human connection, staying optimistic in the face of uncertainty and her memories of brother and VdGG bassist Nic.
BLIND CONVERGENCE
Ambitious ambient solo project from Thieves Kitchen guitarist Phil Mercy.
Chris Squire: "The greatest bass player in prog rock history." - his 30 greatest performances
He was one of the most influential and creative rock musicians, who transformed the way the bass was viewed. Chris Squire's impact on the world of progressive rock is still felt to this day, as is the music he played a major role in creating. Prog asks former bandmembers, collaborators and musical fans to share their favourite songs from his back catalogue. Is yours among them?
