HAPPY OLD WORLD...

In 1970, Barclay James Harvest caught the critics' attention when they experimented with rock and orchestra on their bold self-titled debut. Half a century later, John Lees' Barclay James Harvest are preparing for their final live shows before the bandleader retires, including a special orchestral concert in Huddersfield in September. John Lees discusses the band's incredible career and the tracks that made up their recently reissued second album, Once Again.

The Voyage Beyond Eurovision

Many artists would follow a mainstream moment with the most accessible music of their career. However, weeks after finishing in the Top 10 at the Eurovision Song Contest, Voyager have doubled down on their heavy synth-prog with new album Fearless In Love. Singer Danny Estrin, guitarist Simone Dow and bassist Alex Canion tell Prog about life after playing to more than 160 million people.

Dance To The Music

Norway’s self-proclaimed “retro-prog” trio are back with an album inspired by an abstract dance performance! Ring Van Möbius reveal why they jumped at the chance to move away from their comfort zone with the project that led to Commissioned Works Pt II – Six Drops Of Poison, and their plans for future releases – which could even include a recording of the soundtrack to the horror flick Suspiria.

Filling The Empty Spaces - EIGHT YEARS THAT CHANGED PINK FLOYD FOREVER

The two shows Pink Floyd played at London’s Earls Court in May 1973 marked a quantum leap for the group out of the ballrooms and theatre circuit into the arenas, stadiums and fields, where their concerts would remain for the rest of their career. Thanks to the worldwide allure of their eighth album, The Dark Side Of The Moon, their controls seemed to be set; any intimacy and direct connection with the audience – never something highest on Floyd’s priority list – was over. Prog explores those shows and their impact on the group in the following years.

Q&A RAY ALDER

The Fates Warning vocalist discusses his complex second solo album, the future of his main band and playing live without his ‘brothers’.

IHLO

Studio project-turned-band proper deliver dark, poppy and synth-infused prog metal.

THE ANCHORET

A stranger ina strange land spins a tale of loneliness with help from some new friends.

THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON

Spaced-out US collective reach new heights with their debut album.

MONG TONG

Taiwanese brothers mix up their native culture with western electronics and global psychedelia to blur genres.

OSYRON

Queensrÿche-inspired Canadians take prog metal to darker realms.

SELF-MADE MEN

On their new, independently released album, guitarist Misha Mansoor talks of taking Periphery back to the band they always wanted it to be. No longer bending to the pressures of suits or the public, and more comfortable now in their own skin than ever before, this is the story of how Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre finds the US group at their defiant best.

The Yes Men

The Parallax Method say they aren't seasoned musicians when it comes to theory. Instead, they're full of happy accidents that inspire their free-flowing instrumental explorations on, Folie À Trois. This is the story of The Parallax Method embracing the good, the bad and the ugly for the better of their music, resulting in a head-turning debut album.

All Tomorrow's Parties

A familiar name in the Canterbury scene, Dave Stewart's career reached unexpected highs in the 1980s when he teamed up with Spirogyra's Barbara Gaskin for an unlikely pop cover. Forty years on, the pair are still making \"intelligent pop\" with a ninth studio album on the way. Now preparing to play a very special one-off show in London this summer, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin tell Prog about the unexpected spark that's led to their longstanding musical, and romantic, relationship.

THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH

After a seven-year absence, Seven Impale are back with their third album, the Enslavedapproved Summit. But, despite their name, a delay of that length certainly wasn't intentional. The Norwegian sextet bring Prog up to date on their current four-track, which embraces the myths of Ancient Greece and uses them as a metaphor for the trials of modern society.

Argus Panoptes

Wishbone Ash never set out to create a progressive concept album, but things took an unexpected twist on their third record, Argus. Fifty-one years on, it's been reissued and expanded into a handsome seven-disc multi-format box set. Prog sat down with Martin Turner and Andy Powell to explore the record's genesis and legacy, taking in everything from stolen swords and nascent romances to trance-writing and twin guitars.

Universal Numbers

After the stop-start of the last three years, Lazuli have quietly unveiled their 11th studio album, simply called 11. Vocalist, instrumentalist and composer Dominique Leonetti reveals why the French group are buzzing about their new release but choosing to remain fiercely independent, and how it felt to finally play on the same stage as their musical heroes.

Wired For Sound

A lot has changed since North Atlantic Oscillation released their last album, the well-stocked Grind Show, in 2018. After a strange five years it feels somewhat reassuring to see the return of the electronic post-prog outfit, and it's now effectively a one-man band as Sam Healy leads the way. Prog catches up with the musician to find out more.

Day Of The Dreamer

On their 1978 album, A Song For All Seasons, Renaissance ditched the big concepts and teamed up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to give their symphonic sound a bolder and brighter edge. The stunning results yielded their only UK Top 10 single, Northern Lights, which takes centre stage on a new vinyl reissue. Vocalist Annie Haslam revisits the audition, stage invasions and Top Of The Pops appearances that led to the album becoming one of their best-loved releases.

The Basement Tapes

Lars Fredrik Frøislie fought off the blues by giving his imagination free rein: he dreamed of the last battle of the Norse gods, a place in the sun, cosmic omens, and the stark beauty of a Norwegian winter. Now Wobbler's mastermind talks to Prog about singing in his native tongue and staying sane with his solo album, Fire Fortellinger.

The Men For All Seasons

In September 1989, Marillion unveiled their new album, Seasons End, and new vocalist, Steve 'H' Hogarth. As one chapter ended, a new one opened and with it came new challenges and experiences. To coincide with the release of a deluxe edition, the band revisit the making of the record that helped steer their career in a new direction and prove there really was life after Fish.

IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS MONKMAN

Despite a long career, classical musician-turned-founder member of Curved Air, Francis Monkman preferred to avoid the spotlight and allow his playing to take centre-stage instead. A key member of Sky and the supergroup 801, his recent death from cancer at the age of 73 has left behind a remarkable musical legacy that combines his passions for all things progressive and classical. We pay tribute to the pioneering instrumentalist.

GALEN AYERS & PAUL SIMONON

The unlikely duo discuss art as inspiration, tapping into the creative spirit of Mallorca and the forthcoming Kevin Ayers' reissues.

THE ENIGMA DIVISION

Former Xerath members reach for the Sky(net) with sci-fi-inspired project.

COVET

Life-affirming and joyful storytelling from a modern-day guitar master.

POLINSKI

Futuristic soundscapes from the electronic mind of 65daysofstatic noise-maker.

US AND THEM

Scandinavian pair tap into British folk horror for a spooky but intimate experience.

PHIL STUCKEY (STUCKFISH)

The great and good of progressive music give us a glimpse into their prog worlds.

The Depths Of The Ocean

On their latest album Holocene, The Ocean dive deeper into prog rock while philosophising over the post-pandemic world. Mastermind Robin Staps tells Prog about its story – and the near-death experience that almost derailed everything.

LOST KINGDOMS

On her latest album, The Last Kingdom – Destiny Is All, Eivør Pálsdóttir revisits her powerful collaboration with the Emmy-winning composer John Lunn for the Netflix/ BBC TV show, The Last Kingdom. Now its final chapter has been turned into a feature- length movie, Seven Kings Must Die, Eivør and Lunn have teamed up with Danny Saul to create an album of music inspired by it. The Faroese singer-songwriter discusses throat singing, her love for Enya and returning to her birthplace.

The Impossible Dream

Despite the success of 2020’s acclaimed Love Over Fear, the last few years haven’t been an easy ride for Pendragon. Mainman Nick Barrett tells Prog about the new mini-album, North Star, and how the band are rising to the challenges of touring in the 2020s with their very own ‘VIP’ weekenders.