Head over to @theprogressiveaspect or our main web site "The Journey Within" albums page to read Ian Sharp's incredible review of the album we released in July 2025. The review has just come out and is not only very detailed and complimentary but includes links to videos, podcasts and comprehensive background information...
"...an epic double concept album that takes us into the human struggle with trauma. Ultimately, the story and the songs are positive and enlightening; this album is accessible, haunting, and a grower..." Ian Sharp
#conceptalbum #albumreview #progrockband #mentalhealthmatters❤️ #mentalhealthstory #mentalhealthconcepts #mentalhealthadventure #magicalcreatures #gryphon #treebeard #spriggan #stuckfish
Album Review: Riffstone - Sanctuary Sky.
"Sanctuary Sky by Riffstone is an ambitious and highly enjoyable album of warm, immersive, melodic and symphonic prog soundscapes and dynamic keyboard and guitar interplay, backed by driving bass, expressive drums and lyrically engaging vocals, that should please fans of Yes, Genesis, Camel, Steve Hackett, Alan Parsons and Big Big Train. Definitely worth exploring further on Bandcamp. The download comes with a beautifully illustrated lyric booklet."
Read the full review by David Edwards:
/blog/2025/11/14/riffstone-sanctuary-sky/
Album Review: Deposed King - Letters to a Distant Past.
"Letters to a Distant Past shows Deposed King developing and building upon the strengths of One Man’s Grief, adding further warmth and depth with the introduction of a vibrantly realistic and expressive symphonic palette. Once again we are transported on a profound emotional voyage, this time through the relentless wintry landscapes of regret to the first frail shoots of hope. The subtle beauty of Daniel’s voice is enhanced by the strategic addition of an ethereal halo of harmony vocals, and the standard of instrumental performance remains unobtrusively excellent throughout the album. Daniel’s mixing and mastering is testament to his exacting standards and sensitive ear for detail, with each complex texture and delicate instrumental colour carefully balanced, but clearly audible within the mix. Once again, Deposed King have gifted us with an outstanding album fit to stand alongside the best of this year’s releases, offering immersive, dynamic and captivatingly beautiful musical landscapes that will linger in the memory and haunt your dreams."
Read the full review by Jane Lee:
/blog/2025/11/16/deposed-king-letters-to-a-distant-past/
Album Review: Renaissance – Opening Out: The Albums 1977 – 1979 (3CD Boxset) @cherryredrecords@esotericrecordings
"I may have initially winced at the thought of spending any length of time with these albums (and especially Azure d’Or), but some forced proximity helped me to realise that Renaissance didn’t become creatively bankrupt as soon as the Scheherazade sessions had concluded, and that their transition away from longer-form writing still had its high moments. This box set is not the best place to start your Renaissance collection, but it tells a vital, fascinating part of the band’s downward trajectory if you’re brave enough to face it."
Read the full review by Basil Francis @bdasil
/blog/2025/09/14/renaissance-opening-out-the-albums-1977-1979-3cd-boxset/
Album Review: Hawkwind – Hall Of The Mountain Grill (7CD/2Blu-ray Limited Edition) @hawkwindhq@cherryredrecords
"Overall, this is a superb reissue of one of Hawkwind’s finest albums from their 1970s heyday. While the deluxe box set may appeal most to dedicated fans and collectors, the alternative formats ensure there’s something for everyone, whether you’re revisiting the band or discovering them anew."
Read the full review by Mel Allen @hughmallen
/blog/2025/09/12/hawkwind-hall-of-the-mountain-grill-7cd-2blu-ray-limited-edition/
Album Review: Tony Levin – Bringing It Down To The Bass @tonylevin
"This album is definitely not your typical bassist solo album, and it’s also not your typical prog album, but it is a truly captivating, often surprising and definitely interesting listen."
Read the full review by Alex Driessen
/blog/2025/09/06/tony-levin-bringing-it-down-to-the-bass/"
Album Review: Various Artists – When Will They Ever Learn? A Story Of U.S. Folk Music: 1963-1969 (4CD Boxset) @cherryredrecords@esotericrecordings
"When Will They Ever Learn succeeds mightily in representing a scene. By combining essential tracks with rarities and forgotten tunes, Cherry Red and their subsidiaries bring to life one of the more essential genres of music. Moving, thought-provoking, sumptuous and still relevant, the music presented over these four discs is beautifully curated and a perfect reminder that music can – and did – change the world. My dad is somewhere listening and smiling and enjoying. Thanks for introducing me to this music, Dad. I miss you."
Read the full review by John Giordano @johngprog
/blog/2025/09/10/various-artists-when-will-they-ever-learn-a-story-of-u-s-folk-music-1963-1969-4cd-boxset/
Album Review: Camel – Music Inspired By The Snow Goose (2CD/Blu-ray Edition) @cherryredrecords@esotericrecordings
"This is a high-quality re-release from Camel, curated in the usual sensitive manner by Cherry Red Records. If you have never heard or owned The Snow Goose then there is nowhere better to take flight with this album. If you already know it or own a previous edition but want to hear a truly outstanding classic album with a new freshness, particularly in the 5.1 surround sound version, then it’s a bit of a no brainer either. I have loved this album for close on 50 years and never grow tired of hearing it, and this new edition re-affirms that love for one of the GREAT progressive rock albums."
Read the full review by Leo Trimming:
/blog/2025/09/08/camel-music-inspired-by-the-snow-goose-2cd-blu-ray-edition/
Album Review: Dave Bainbridge – On The Edge (of what could be)
"With On The Edge (of what could be), Dave Bainbridge has sculptured, with the help of his fellow musicians, a truly beautiful, spiritually rich, ethereal and instrumentally stunning artistic triumph. Progressive rock, Celtic folk, classical, jazz and rock influences intertwine, with light and shade, virtuosic complexity and accessible simplicity, shaped into a deeply poignant and thoughtful musical statement about our place in the world, and the hidden cords between the past and the present, as well as the seen and the unseen. Easily one of my albums of the year, and it is so lovely to see the spirit of Iona living on in his solo work, but with refreshingly different ingredients as well. Highly recommended!"
Read the full review by David Edwards:
/blog/2025/07/31/dave-bainbridge-on-the-edge-of-what-could-be/
Album Review: The Samurai Of Prog – Omnibus 4: The Bernard & Pörsti Sessions
"These Bernard and Pörsti albums escaped me the first time around. As a fan of the TSoP universe, I was happy to have an opportunity to fill in the gaps. What I really appreciate is that the bonus tracks appended to the original releases are not throwaways or demos or songs justifiably left off. Each one is just as spectacular in its own right. The liner notes give no indication of whether these songs were recorded contemporaneously or at a later date but honestly, it hardly matters as they all fit beautifully onto their respective albums. If you are a fan of romantic, symphonic, quality prog, don’t miss out a second time. Omnibus 4 is worth your time and money. And, as usual, the packaging and Ed Unitsky’s artwork are of the same superior quality. Set aside an afternoon and fall under the spell of Bernard and Pörsti."
Read the full review by John Giordano @johngprog
/blog/2025/07/30/the-samurai-of-prog-omnibus-4-the-bernard-porsti-sessions/
Album review: Rick Miller – Perspective.
"His music is fresh and inspired, his lyrics sometimes just sublime and witty, and his guitar playing some of the best I have ever heard in any form of rock. Miller’s genius is the ability to create large musical vistas while incorporating specific instruments to maximum effect, and at the same time use with subtilty classical, blues, AOR rock, Latin infusion and Middle Eastern influences, for example, within the music. Rick Miller is a true Canadian treasure and a tremendous progressive musician. I will always be on the lookout for new music from him."
Reaed the full review by Rick Peuser @rickpeuser
/blog/2025/07/28/rick-miller-perspective/
Album Review: Gentle Giant – Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience @gentlegiantband
"It’s a fantastic set, and a live show like this deserves to be captured in full. We even get to hear the point where Derek Shulman announces that the recording studio is changing the tapes, followed by the sound of the tapes being changed, for real authenticity. This band, which symbolised the very beating heart of the creativity and inventiveness of progressive rock, were only around for a short decade, so it is significant that this live document (their only official live album) has been given new life in this marvellous reissue."
Read the full review by Basil Francis @bdasil
/blog/2025/07/26/gentle-giant-playing-the-fool-the-complete-live-experience/
