Opeth: Ghost Reveries

Context: Opeth spawned from the dark mires of Sweden nearly thirty years ago as a death/doom outfit, gradually becoming more progressive over time until the metal element was lost entirely a few years ago.  Ghost Reveries was their penultimate 'death metal' album; very progressive and complicated innately, it was released in 2005 via Roadrunner Records.  Main man … Continue reading Opeth: Ghost Reveries

Marillion: Script for a Jester’s Tear

Context: Script for a Jester's Tear is, of course, Marillion's classic debut, released in 1983 by EMI - quite something for a progressive rock band to open their official recording career with some a label, although they had already worked themselves to deserving this by the time they were picked up for a deal.  The … Continue reading Marillion: Script for a Jester’s Tear

Marillion: Clutching at Straws

Context: Clutching at Straws is the fourth studio album of British prog legends Marillion, dating back to 1987 two years following the hugely successful Misplaced Childhood and its associated singles.  It was to be the last album with singer Fish (Derek Dick) before they moved into a different direction from that point on.  Actually it … Continue reading Marillion: Clutching at Straws

Marillion: Misplaced Childhood

Context: Misplaced Childhood is Marillion's third album, released in 1985.  It brought them the closest they ever got to mainstream attention with the singles Kayleigh and Lavender, both of which reached the top 10 in UK charts at the time (the same would mean very little these days).  Probably as a result of those singles, the … Continue reading Marillion: Misplaced Childhood