Soundatlas (NL/UK)

I forgot, the website of the project is this: https://www.soundatlas.nl

Thank you for your reply and you took the effort to listen to the song, much appreciated.

How would you define crossover prog? To be honest I never really bothered about exactly determining the genre, I just write songs I like and somehow fall (imho) under the prog umbrella. Although I think the song is a good introduction to the story and has several musical elements that are a good showcase, some other elements aren't as prominent. E.g. the instrumental opening overture has a spheric opening, bombastic riffs etc. all referencing songs later, there's a song in the whole tone scale that reminds (at least me) of King Crimson, more metal oriented song etc. - but maybe those example underline "crossover", so I'm curious to learn more about it.

Thank you, that's a helpful clarification. I bet there's has been much discussion on this, and I sure don't want to open a possible can of worms.

But as far as my music goes, I don't fully recognize it in this description. Based on "The defining characteristics of Crossover Prog are a pop music influence that is largely vacant in typical prog rock" the main question is how strong the "pop music influence" is. I can't deny there are some, but I hardly think they define my music, more function as an element to enrich it. I lean much more on my metal/prog influences in that sense.

Also the argument of "extended compositions": I have written long songs, although on the planned album the average length is relatively short (6 min., ranging from 3-9 min, not including 2 short interludes). But many themes recur throughout the album, so I see it more as a whole and it made less sense to have a 25 min. epic.

Either way, in the end it doesn't really matter what the exact genre is, but it does of course help if you're not put into a category you feel less comfortable with.

Oh that's interesting about neo prog. I haven't dug really deep into neo prog, but I have always liked bands like Marillion (although I only know the Fish era). I never had a negative connotation, although I know in some circles it's a bit looked upon. Didn't realize the extent.

I probably would think, based on the definition I found here, that heavy prog could be somewhat closer. I deliberately stay away from putting too much metal elements in (I have separate projects for that, my first band was thrash metal) but I write pretty much always guitar focused riff based initially. Melodies come almost always later and things like keys are more "decoration" to give more color to a song.

So bands like Rush and King Crimson have been a much bigger influence on me than Yes and Genesis (although I like most 70's stuff a lot). And a band like ELP is for me too much keys focused so never "got me". From more modern prog I'm pretty much always leaning towards more guitar focused bands or at least bands where guitars are very prominent (think Haken, Pain of Salvation and pretty much anything Neal Morse prog related (his singer/songwriter and worship stuff...well... it would be better if those never saw the light imho🤣).

Edited by the_cartographer - April 22 2025 at 11:58