New symphonic rock overlooked on PA?

Hello fellow progheads.

Early 2004 I started to write for Prog Archives, first with biographies and then reviews. Two years later I notice that the last half year Prog Archives is flooded with reviews about many different progrock styles but very few about new symphonic rock  . As a symphonic rock specialist I am very concerned about his development. I just checked the number of reviews about Italian Ubi Maoir and La Maschera Di Cera, USA Salem Hill, Skandinavian Flagship, Canadian Red Sand, Japanese Interpose, French Nemo, UK Willowglass and Spanish Senogul, if you compare that with the attention for prog metal bands, the symphonic rock dinosaurs from The Seventies and bands like The Beatles and Queen, it is very poor  ..!

What is your opinion about my statement that the new symphonic rock bands got too little attention? And what could be the reasons?

I agree that these bands do get less atention than others, and it is too bad since there are very good bands in this genre. I have no idea why, since I do not ignore them at all. In another thread called I Recommend...  I already recommended Interpose, Overhead, Moon Safari, Amagrama etc. and Someone else recommended IZZ and I will recommend there Salem Hill, and a Maschera Di Cera, Red Sand  and Nemo. I don't write reviews for personal reasons, so I substitute that by this thread.

But more reviews and more threads like this one and the other one I mentioned can help in getting more attention to these bands. I hope this thread will gain the same attention as your Spanish bands thread, Erik. 

Edited by avestin

earlyprog wrote: It doesn't surprise me at all. PA has allowed genres like proto-prog and prog-related and thereby shifted the focus from what this site should really be about, pure prog! Start reviewing pure prog again!

That's exactly what I meant, when I mentionned loosing interest in the site, during discussions which took place here immediately after inclusion of Beatles in PA. After about a month erik is rightfully asking "why?", - well, because...

This is what was bound to happen when site is growing rapidly in all directions instead of digging in deeper into purely progressive music.

And, definitely, starting of topics like this one will be of great help in further investigation of beauty of Prog. Well done, erik.

 

I would agree with you Erik, bands such as Salem Hill, Glass Hammer and IZZ certainly deserve more attention as they are making the best prog music around (imo). I don't know why they don't get this attention, although I've not heard much of the other bands you've mentioned (in fact I've not even heard of 5 of the bands you listed), we'll just have to do what we can to spread the word.

Symphonic prog rules in my book.  I guess I need to get off my but and write some reviews for bands like La Maschera Di Cera and Ubi Maoir, whom I love.  It's partly my fault for not taking the time to review them.  There's some excellent new symphonic prog out there, ecspecially from Italy.  Lets get off our buts and give them the support they deserve!  Another good sympho band is White Willow from Norway!    Spread the word and good job Erik!

Edited by Paulieg

That's the spirit  , progheads but I am astonished that this thread has more than 150 visitors and not even 10 reactions, are our opinions on holiday  ?

I don't think it's necessarily an ignorance of the genre. The bands you have highlighted Erik are relatively obscure, especially when compared to the Beatles and Queen. The simple fact is that most people, regardless of their taste in music, will be familiar with the music of Queen and the Beatles etc.

I suspect the majority of people on this site will not have heard the music of bands such as Overhead, Moon Safari, Amagrama etc and thus will not post reviews of their albums. The dichotomy for them is, should I buy an album I have not heard, and risk not liking it?

That is where people such as yourself are such an asset to the site. You are able through your well written reviews and wide knowledge of your subject, to guide people towards music they do not know, but might well enjoy.

It is unfortunate that you will never receive the feedback you (and your peers on the site) should perhaps get from all the people who have expanded their awareness of prog as a direct result of your efforts. I am 100% certain though, that many are indebted to you.

I am sure that if there was not the MP3 invention the new symphonic rock bands would have had it even more difficult, then only a few die-hard progheads knew something about this scene.

By the way, thank you all for your kind words, very encouraging  !

I think new fans are fascinated with the introductiory bands (mostly prog metal) as their first contact with prog and are rather occupied with collecting their favorite band's discography and finding similar bands than to take a more broader look at prog genre from the beginnings till now. What a pitty.

Maybe a good thing to do (as I've seen on another site) would be to add two special sections - featured review/hint/cue of the month and also a featured old (classic) album (not necessarily sympho)!  Nothing fancy - just 2 pictures and links to PA album page!

For those who want a taste of this new symph prog that Erik is speaking of, here is his thread about this with his recommendations of bands from several countries:

How about this new prog rock?