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<\/a><\/p>\nKatatonia – The Fall Of Hearts<\/strong><\/p>\n The Fall of Hearts<\/em> was the easiest selection for this list; its place has been secure for months.? Nobody was more surprised than me as I had previously been ambivalent about Katatonia<\/strong> but this gorgeous, immaculately crafted album completely won me over. It\u2019s a subtle, layered album that bears repeated listening, something I did almost daily for several months. The Fall of Hearts<\/em> is their most mature and fully realized work to date, a rare instance of a band in their second decade who continue to evolve and improve their already unique sound. Opeth -Sorceress<\/strong><\/p>\n While the various factions of Opeth<\/strong> fans of different eras clash online, fruitlessly fighting for supremacy Mikael Akerfeldt<\/strong> continues to laugh and do whatever the hell he wants. Sorceress<\/em> continues Opeth<\/strong> s exploration of vintage instrumentation that began with the controversial Heritage<\/em> in 2011 and the more straight-forward and polished Pale Communion<\/em> in 2014.? Sorceress<\/em> goes against expectations by going for a rawer, heavier and more experimental approach.? It\u2019s a stylistically diverse collection of songs with gorgeous folk rockers, heavy Prog epics and 70s inspired jams co-existing harmoniously.<\/p>\n Favorite tracks:? A Fleeting Glance, The Wilde Flowers, The Ward (bonus track)<\/strong><\/p>\n Messenger – Threnodies<\/strong><\/p>\n This sadly under-appreciated gem was easily one of the most enjoyable albums I heard all year. Messenger<\/strong> had the ability to work within the sonic framework of classic Prog, the instrumentation and vibe, yet not become a slave to it. Threnodies<\/em> may offer up flashes of the past via inspiration; Wishbone Ash<\/strong>, Pink Floyd<\/strong>, Black Sabbath<\/strong>, CSN&Y<\/strong>; yet it sounds simultaneously modern and wholly relevant in 2016. Sadly the band has prematurely called it a day, but despite that I wouldn\u2019t want you to miss out on hearing what they\u2019ve left behind. Seven Impale – Contrapasso<\/strong><\/p>\n This thoroughly and wonderfully insane sextet from Norway was my favorite discovery of the year. Contrapasso<\/em> is the type of album it\u2019s best to just experience because describing it accurately is an exercise in futility. You\u2019ll find elements of King Crimson<\/strong>, jazz-fusion, early 70s heavy metal and a love of the absurd, but that still just gives you a vague impression. The mixture of wonderfully heavy guitar and bass riffs, improvisational saxophone excursions and entertainingly theatrical vocals I find completely addictive. Gong – Rejoice! I’m Dead!<\/strong><\/p>\n Guitarist\/Vocalist Kavus Torabi<\/strong> makes the first of two appearances on my year-end list. On Rejoice! I\u2019m Dead!<\/em> he effortlessly carries on the eclectic and joyful Gong<\/strong>; simultaneously a love letter to the recently departed founder Daevid Allen<\/strong> and a thoroughly rewarding work on its own merits.? It\u2019s a wonderful collection of brief, quirky rockers and stretched-out fusion jam bliss. I love the sound of this album so much; I can\u2019t help smiling whenever I play it. Who says Prog can\u2019t be fun? Knifeworld – Bottled Out Of Eden<\/strong><\/p>\n Our second Kavus Torabi<\/strong> appearance is another blast of experimentally playful fun. Knifeworld<\/strong> sets the tone immediately with the thoroughly addictive High Aflame<\/strong><\/em>, an artfully arranged pop confection that is the perfect album opener. The horn section allows them to employ voicings that you don\u2019t often here in progressive rock circles, not that this album really fits into the general guidelines of that term. In fact I\u2019m not sure Knifeworld<\/strong> exists within the guidelines of anything but their own imagination.? I applaud them.<\/p>\n Oranssi Pazuzu \u2013 V?r?htelij <\/strong><\/p>\n And now for something truly and beautifully frightening. This Finnish quintet has crafted an avant-garde treasure, a mixture of Space Rock, Jazz and caustic Black Metal that is supremely thrilling. The arrangements are incredibly dense, building layer upon layer of guitars, synths and scorched earth vocals that threaten to become atonal cacophony, but deftly remain right on the edge. It\u2019s challenging, intense music, but also contains much beauty. If you\u2019re feeling brave, I highly recommend it. Haken – Affinity<\/strong><\/p>\n I will admit that the technical end of Prog Metal is not my preferred style. I\u2019ve never been inspired by the Dream Theater<\/strong> end of the spectrum, I can admire the craft, but it doesn\u2019t generally speak to me. Haken<\/strong> is one of the few exceptions, a band whose audacious personality and jaw dropping musicianship manage to always remain entertaining. This is assisted by a welcome amount of dry humor that has a tendency to display itself on occasion. Affinity<\/em> is their most complex and intricately constructed album yet, maybe not quite as accessible as The Mountain<\/em> but just as artistically successful. The playfulness shows itself on the epic ?1985, a song built entirely on the instrumental sounds of the 80s that never devolves into parody and instead becomes poignant. Haken<\/strong> also continue to outgrow the limitations of Prog Metal, methodically expanding their musical vocabulary into new, unexpected areas. Affinity<\/em> continues their winning streak of rewarding albums; I look forward to hearing where they go next.
\nFavorite tracks:? Takeover, Last Song Before The Fade, Shifts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFavorite tracks:? Oracles Of War, Balearic Blue, Celestial Spheres<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFavorite tracks: Languor, Heresy, Inertia<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFavorite tracks: Rejoice!, The Unspeakable Stands Revealed, Kapital <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFavorite tracks:? Lahja, Havuluu, Vasemann Kaden Hierarkla<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFavorite tracks:? The Architect, Red Giant, 1985<\/strong><\/p>\n