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, we speak to former Sound Of Contact member Kelly Nordstrom about his new band, eMolecule (which includes another ex-SoC contributor, Simon Collins) – and their debut album, The Architect, which drops on February 10 – plus also other prog-related topics. 

How do you compare eMolecule to Sound Of Contact?

“Sound of Contact was my first crack at a proper album. In the end, I got some good material on there and I am happy that there are some traces of who I am embedded in the music.”

Why did you and Simon leave Sound Of Contact?

“He and I left for different reasons. I was distracted by personal issues. In retrospect, I certainly would have appreciated some outside perspectives on the situation at the time.”

What was the lyrical inspiration behind the track "Mastermind"?

“‘Mastermind’ was always Simon’s baby. Ultimately we focused our attention on the track as being a propaganda piece. This is where our charter takes control of the world.”

Meaning of the band’s name?

“The band name comes from an exploration of existence itself. The eMolecule is a theoretical form of the concept that emotion can be expressed mathematically at the subatomic level.”

Future plans?

“We plan to deliver our music to the world.”

Do you consider eMolecule a prog band?

“Yes, anything that Simon and I do will be prog. Prog is what we do.”

What do you think about the state of prog rock in 2023?

“If there is prog in the plan for our future – I support it!”

Between A Rock And A Prog Place News Blast

Prog legends Jethro Tull (can someone please explain why these chaps are not in the RnRHoF?) recently announced their 23rd studio album, RökFlöte, which is set for release on the April 21 via InsideOutMusic, and an animated video for the track “Ginnungagap” (created by Costin Chioreanu) is already viewable, below. Sabaton recently released their second EP of the Echoes Of The Great War EP trilogy, entitled Heroes Of The Great War, which can already be streamed/enjoyed.

New York City progressive rock/metal quartet, Ice Age, is set to release their first album in 22 years, Waves Of Loss And Power, through Sensory Records on March 10. To view a teaser video (which includes audio clips), click here. Progressive metallists Medevil return on April 7 with a new album, Mirror In The Darkness, and an album preview has indeed already being offered.

Prog/arena rock greats Kansas will soon be touring 50 select North American as part of the 50th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork In The Road. Find a complete list of dates via the band’s official site. The first-ever Metal Hall of Fame All Stars CD has been released, which includes contributions by quite a few prog metal vets (Derek Sherinian, Michael Romeo, Geoff Tate, etc.), and a track entitled "Attack Of The Witch" can be heard.

Symphonic metallists Kamelot return on March 17 with their first full-length offering in five years, The Awakening, and an official video for the track “One More Flag In The Ground” is available for viewing via YouTube. Prog supergroup Transatlantic will be issuing a new live set this month, The Final Flight: Live At L’Olympia, and an official video for the track “Rose Colored Glasses” can be enjoyed right below.

German proggers RPWL will be issuing a new album, Crime Scene, on March 17 via their own label, Gentle Art of Music. A highly cinematic video for the leadoff single, “Victim Of Desire,” is ready for viewing. Haken will be issuing their seventh studio effort on March 7, Fauna, which conceptually, includes songs with a special animal species assigned to each! A video clip for the tune “Taurus” can be enjoyed below.

Polish proggers Riverside recently issued their eighth studio effort overall, ID.Entity, and a clip for the rather new wave-y ditty, “Friend Or Foe?” is ready to go. And lastly, German medieval folk rockers Feuerschwanz recently issued a lyric video for their cover of Europe’s ‘80s synth-rock classic, “The Final Countdown” (which is taken from their new covers album, Todsünden).

February 2023 New Albums

February 3
Xandria - The Wonders Still Awaiting 

February 10
eMolecule - The Architect
Overhead - Telepathic Minds 
Various Artists - Intrigue: Steven Wilson Presents Progressive Sounds in UK Alternative Music 1979-89 [box set]

February 17
Avatar - Dance Devil Dance 
Transatlantic - The Final Flight: Live At L’Olympia

February 20
Karfagen - Birds: Passage To The Forest Of Mysterious

February 24
Rick Miller - Altered States 
The Alan Parsons Project - The Turn Of A Friendly Card [box set]

Classic Clip

A question that many rock music fans often ponder is “How come more classic prog tunes aren’t included in motion pictures?” Well, not really. But anyway, one of the more memorable – and surprising – uses of a vintage prog tune occurred in the 1998 cult classic, Buffalo ‘66, when actress Christina Ricci’s character, Layla, does a tap dance routine (in a bowling alley, no less!) to King Crimson’s early classic, “Moonchild.”