What truly is progressive music? Each month BraveWords will aim to dissect that answer with a thorough overview of the current musical climate that is the prog world. Old and new, borrowed and blue. A musical community without borders. So watch for a steady and spaced-out array of features, current news and a buyer's guide checklist to enhance the forward-thinking musical mind. So, welcome to BraveWords' monthly column appropriately titled, Between A Rock In A Prog Place. 

In this month's column, Robin Z, the founding member and keyboardist of Dutch proggers Dilemma, chats with us about his band's new album, The Purpose Paradox, how it became a conceptual work, and also, the lowdown about its quite involved storyline. 

How did the idea come about to make The Purpose Paradox a concept album?

To be honest, it wasn't a conscious decision from the start. However, as we composed and wrote, we gradually uncovered more and more parallels between the musical themes and the core ideas of the text. As the story developed, resembling the journey or discovery of a single protagonist, we thought, 'Why not shape it into a concept album?' After all, every progressive rock band that takes itself seriously has to create one at some point, don't you think?

In your estimation, is the concept album format outdated and/or strictly for prog bands?

No, I don't think so. After all, there are also famous examples of concept albums by artists who make pop or metal, or who are singer-songwriters. Of course, it has primarily been progressive rock bands that have embraced this format even more, as they are always seeking musical adventure and aren't afraid to make a song longer than the 3 minutes that most radio stations prefer. 

If you don’t mind explaining it, what is the storyline behind the album?

The Purpose Paradox is a fictional tale (though partly based on actual autobiographical events) that follows Neon, a man caught in the monotony of modern life, struggling to find meaning amidst the chaos. By day, he is trapped in a soulless corporate job, and by night, he searches for connection in the shadows of the city. His life becomes a paradox, torn between the demands of society and his soul’s yearning for purpose. Neon finds solace in a mysterious voice he names Electra, who guides him toward self-acceptance and resilience. Through his journey, he discovers that purpose isn't a fixed destination but a personal and ever-evolving journey. Despite fleeting moments of peace and connection, doubt lingers, leaving him to question whether his newfound balance is genuine or an illusion. In the end, Neon realizes that sometimes the things you look for are the things that found you first. Unconditional allies like family, friends, freedom and muziek. He learns that life’s purpose may lie in the journey itself, a never-ending odyssey shared by all. 

Will the album be performed in its entirety?

Yes, eventually we will probably be playing all the tracks of The Purpose Paradox live. 

Please discuss the song “Thunder” in particular.

About five years ago, while on a European tour supporting Flying Colors, Dilemma not only performed in incredible venues but also bonded more closely than ever as bandmates. On that unforgettable tour bus, new friendships blossomed, and fresh song ideas took shape. But then, just like that, it was over. Returning home, I was struck by how quickly everyday life resumed, as if nothing had happened. To make matters worse, a COVID lockdown was announced. The stark contrast between performing in packed venues and the silence of an empty house was overwhelming. I unpacked my instruments and tried to capture that feeling in a few simple chords. And that’s how the foundation of ‘Thunder’ emerged from my fingers.

Neon, the protagonist of Dilemma’s new concept album The Purpose Paradox, experiences a similar emptiness in the story. At the end of the track, he longs for the next time ‘on the road’ (if it ever comes) to be not too far off. Does this mean our new album is largely autobiographical? No, don’t worry. But like any story, it’s infused with enough real-life experiences for listeners to see themselves in it, whether they wrote it or not. In my case, “Thunder” is a vivid example: a song where emptiness, melancholy, regret, and hope intertwine, much like life itself.

Touring plans?

Not yet, but we’re talking to a few festival bookers at the moment and hope to be on the road again as soon as possible. We’ll be promoting the album in our own country in October and November, when we play at De Boerderij (a famous progressive rock venue in The Netherlands) and at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, where Dilemma takes care of the after show of Dream Theater’s 40th anniversary tour. 

What do you think about the current state of prog rock?

In this specific genre, there are still some really amazing bands around at the moment. Just think of VOLA, Leprous, Frost*, Marillion, Pain Of Salvation, Threshold, Temic, For All We Know and Neal Morse of course. So who needs constantly looking back to the 70’s and 80’s when the 2020’s have more than enough amazing progressive music to offer themselves?

Between A Rock And A Prog Place News Blast

Described as "prog avant-gardes," Canada's Maitreya will be issuing an EP entitled Auxesis this month, and you can enjoy a video visualizer for the track 'The Traveler' below. Frost* also returns this month with the album Life In The Wires, which can be ordered right on over here.

The late/great John Wetton will the subject of an ongoing series of box sets featuring concert recordings, the first of which arrives on November 15 entitled Concentus : The John Wetton Live Collection, Volume I, and is available for pre-order. November will also see the release of the Mommyheads' new offering, One Eyed Band, which should be available via their website fairly soon.

Finnish symphonic metal vets Nightwish recently issued their latest studio effort, Yesterwynde, and a video has been created for the single “Lanternlight,” which can be enjoyed below. Another Canadian prog rock act, FEN, recently returned after a 12-year hiatus with their sixth studio effort overall, Dear Mouse, which can be acquired via Bandcamp.

Big Big Train recently has unveiled a clip from their concert film A Flare On The Lens: Live In London, for the track “The Connection Plan,” which is ready to be viewed. And lastly, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius return this month with Impostor!, an album that supposedly took bloody six long years to complete. 

October 2024 New Albums

October 4:
Rick Wakeman- Yessonata 

October 11:
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius- Impostor!
King Crimson- Red (2CD/2 Blu-ray 50th anniversary reissue)
Maitreya- Auxesis
Millenium- Hope Dies Last 

October 18:
Bill Bruford- The Best of Bill Bruford: The Winterfold and Summerfold Years (3CD box)
Frost*- Life in the Wires 

October 25:
Queen- Queen I (expanded 6CD/1LP reissue)
Von Hertzen Brothers- In Murmuration 
Rick Wakeman and Gordon Giltrap- From Brush and Stone (limited edition 180-gram clear vinyl reissue)

Classic Clip

Led Zeppelin took on a variety of different styles during their recording career, which spanned 1969-1979. And while they didn't venture all that often into prog territory, they did on at least one occasion – the long-and-winding epic, “Achilles Last Stand,” which can be enjoyed below as a live version from '79.

(Dilemma photo: Vincent Boon Photography)