#progressiverock

[j-tillow]

[progfanandradfem]

Anybody has an idea why do males complain about Rush and the other progressive rock bands having no female fanbase? I'll list the reasons why: - most prog rock fandoms are pretty much wokebro, pro-tr*ns, hostile against women (esp. those against s*x work) spaces that hate women or plain conservatarded; - some prog rock bands (like Rush) are not accommodating to the non-Western countries like Poland or have lots of hostile things to say and most women are very patriotic; - whenever women try to form their bands and are capable musicians, they are usually ridiculed and hated by males. - when women want to meet their beloved progressive rock musicians, esp. without s*xual reasons, they are accused of "stalking", even though most males stalk women; Anything more to add? Ah yeah, the music industry is full of toxic masculinity and rape cases.

[vinylarchavist]

"Return to Fantasy" is the eighth studio album by the English progressive rock/hard rock band Uriah Heep, released on June 13, 1975

By Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US. This album is significant for being the first to feature John Wetton (formerly of King Crimson and later of Asia) on bass guitar and vocals, replacing Gary Thain.

Musically, "Return to Fantasy" sees Uriah Heep continuing their blend of progressive rock complexity, hard rock riffs, and their signature multi-part vocal harmonies. Tracks like the powerful title song "Return to Fantasy," the intricate "Shady Lady," and the more melodic "Your Turn to Remember" showcase the band's versatility. While it maintains the band's mystical and fantastical lyrical themes, Wetton's presence brought a slightly different dynamic to their sound. The album was a commercial success in Europe, particularly in the UK where it reached No. 7 on the charts, and was generally well-received by fans.

The Cover Art Explained

The album cover for "Return to Fantasy" is striking and deeply connected to the album's title and overall aesthetic, leaning heavily into the band's traditional fantasy and mystical imagery.

The cover art was designed by Dave Field, with photography by Joe Gaffney.

Let's break down the key elements:

Front Cover: The dominant image on the front cover is a highly stylized, almost surreal depiction of a figure riding on what appears to be a gigantic, illuminated insect or creature. This creature has wings like a firefly and a fantastical, almost dragon-like head. The rider, shrouded in robes, is somewhat obscured but conveys a sense of journeying or returning to a mystical realm. The background suggests a twilight or dawn landscape, with hints of strange, organic architecture or ancient ruins, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The overall impression is one of magic, wonder, and perhaps a touch of foreboding, perfectly encapsulating the "fantasy" aspect of the title. Some interpretations suggest the rider was accidentally made to resemble keyboardist Ken Hensley.

Gatefold (Inner Sleeve) and Back Cover: Original vinyl releases typically came in a gatefold sleeve, which offered an expanded canvas for the artwork. The inside of the gatefold often featured more imagery related to the fantastical theme, sometimes including the band members or elements that tied into the lyrical content. The back cover would complete the visual narrative, possibly featuring another fantastical creature or a landscape, and listing the track titles. For "Return to Fantasy," it's known that the girl on the back cover was Dave Field's partner at the time.

The artwork evokes a sense of epic fantasy, much like the progressive rock album covers of artists like Roger Dean (who designed covers for Yes and Uriah Heep's Demons and Wizards). It's a visual promise of the mythical and adventurous journey the music inside offers, aligning perfectly with Uriah Heep's established identity. The use of vibrant colors and intricate details pulls the viewer into this "fantasy" world.

[alazarinmobius]

Here’s our Saturday night show live from Aquila in Second Life. Like our music? You can buy downloads from our site on Bandcamp.

[trying-to-exist]

Danny Carey autographed this, omfg

09/05/2025

[marilliongifs]

[made-music]

New music from MADE:

What it is and What it Ain't

Check out the official Lyric video here:

Don't forget about #bandcampfriday

And if you haven't already, find us on social:

[musikblog]

https://www.musikblog.de/2025/03/steven-wilson-the-overview/ Das achte Studioalbum vom Meister des kontemporären Progrock, es bietet kaum Neuigkeiten und ist – womöglich nicht trotz, sondern gerade deshalb – mehr als nur solide. Schließlich gibt es bei Steven Wilson ein gewisses Niveau an Gütesiegeln. Darunter macht er es nicht. „Objects Outlive Us“, das erste von nur zwei Tracks, es startet mit zwei […]

[marillionsfiles]

Happy Birthday Ian Mosley!

[toolaperfectcirclefans]

🧂🧂🧂 Credit: Delta Empire (TOOL audio removed to avoid copyright)

[j-tillow]

[larasarty]

[vinylarchavist]

"A Night at the Opera" is the fourth studio album by the British rock band Queen

Released on November 21, 1975, in the UK. "A Night at the Opera" is widely regarded as one of their most ambitious, diverse, and iconic albums, marking a significant milestone in their career and cementing their status as global superstars.

Here's why "A Night at the Opera" is so special on vinyl:

A Masterpiece of Progressive and Eclectic Rock: The album is renowned for its incredible musical diversity, seamlessly blending hard rock, progressive rock, pop, opera, music hall, folk, and even Dixieland jazz. It showcases the songwriting prowess of all four band members: Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor.

"Bohemian Rhapsody": This album is home to the legendary "Bohemian Rhapsody," arguably Queen's most famous and groundbreaking song. Its multi-sectional structure, operatic vocals, and powerful rock climax were revolutionary and helped propel the album to massive success.

Expensive Production: At the time of its release, "A Night at the Opera" was reportedly the most expensive album ever recorded. Queen, along with co-producer Roy Thomas Baker, meticulously used multi-track recording extensively, layering vocals and instruments to create a rich, dense, and often orchestral sound. This complex production was a key factor in the album's unique sonic landscape.

Musical Highlights Beyond "Bohemian Rhapsody":

"You're My Best Friend": John Deacon's catchy and enduring pop-rock hit.

"'39": Brian May's acoustic folk-sci-fi song, featuring his lead vocals.

"Love of My Life": A beautiful ballad, primarily by Freddie Mercury, often performed acoustically and becoming a huge singalong live favorite.

"Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)": A scathing and aggressive track, rumored to be directed at the band's former management.

"The Prophet's Song": An epic, almost eight-minute progressive rock journey with intricate vocal harmonies and a unique middle section.

"I'm in Love with My Car": Roger Taylor's hard-hitting rock anthem, with his distinctive vocals.

Album Title Inspiration: The album's title is taken from the Marx Brothers' 1935 film "A Night at the Opera," which the band watched during recording sessions. This name perfectly suited the album's theatricality, humor, and grand scale.

Album Cover: The album cover features the iconic Queen crest (designed by Freddie Mercury himself), rendered in a detailed, colorful illustration. The crest incorporates the zodiac signs of all four band members (two lions for Leo - John Deacon and Roger Taylor, a crab for Cancer - Brian May, and two fairies for Virgo - Freddie Mercury) around a letter "Q," topped with a phoenix representing immortality. The art direction was by David Costa. Original vinyl releases typically came in a gatefold sleeve with photos of the band inside.

Commercial and Critical Success: The album topped the UK Albums Chart for four non-consecutive weeks and reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 in the US, becoming their first platinum-selling album there. It has consistently been voted by the public and critics alike as one of Queen's finest works and one of the greatest albums in rock history. In 2018, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

For vinyl collectors, "A Night at the Opera" is a highly prized album due to its sonic richness and the sheer quality of its music. Later remastered 180-gram vinyl reissues are also popular for their improved sound quality.

[alazarinmobius]

Here’s our Friday night show live from Mystery in Second Life. Like our music? You can buy downloads from our site on Bandcamp.

[synthtv]

A brief history of the Minimoog Part I