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Platypus
CD Reviews
Ice Cycles
Review by Gary Hill
The second release from Platypus, this is good fun prog with a classic rock edge. At times it is Floydish, at times Dregsish, but all with this particular group's style all over it.
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When Pus Comes To Shove
Review by Gary Hill
Combining elements of many `70`s styles, including prog, in a fresh mode, When Pus Comes To Shove is a strong work that should really hold up to the test of time.
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Related Articles
Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Interview with Derek Sherinian From 2006
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Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Q & A with Derek Sherinian From 1998

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Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Interview with Derek Sherinian From 1998

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Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Interview with Derek Sherinian From 1999

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Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Interview with Derek Sherinian From 2009
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Derek Sherinian
Review by Larry Toering
Interview with Derek Sherinian from 2011
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Ty Tabor
Review by Scott Prinzing

Interview with Ty Tabor from 2012


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Derek Sherinian
Review by G. W. Hill

Interview with Derek Sherinian from 2013


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Derek Sherinian
Review by Gary Hill
Interview with Derek Sherinian from 2022

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Dream Theater - 5 Years In A Livetime (Video)
Review by Gary Hill
 This video, the companion to the Once In A Livetime CD, chronicles the recent history of the band through assorted video clips.
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Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons
Review by Gary Hill

This is an intriguing disc from Dream Theater. It consists of one awesome 20 minute plus epic that’s a pure roller coaster ride and a series of cover tunes recorded live.


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Nektar - A Spoonful of Time
Review by G. W. Hill

The whole “do an album of covers” concept is a popular approach these days.


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Black Country Communion - Afterglow
Review by Larry Toering

First of all, this has been a band I’ve supported heavily over the last three years or so.


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Explorer's Club - Age of Impact
Review by Gary Hill
This album could well be the most important progressive disc of the decade for two reasons. Firstly, by the sheer magnitude of performers on this CD.
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Planet X - Anthology (4 CD set)
Review by Gary Hill
I have to say that for my money Planet X was (and I say "was" because I doubt they'll ever do any music again, but I'd love to be proven wrong) one of the best instrumental acts ever.

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Black Country Communion - Black Country Communion
Review by Mark Johnson

Kevin Shirley’s inspiration to bring together Glenn Hughes, vocals and bass, and Joe Bonamassa, lead guitar and vocals has provided one of the best rock/blues bands and albums of the year.


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Derek Sherinian - Black Utopia
Review by G. W. Hill

This album is just getting reissued.


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Derek Sherinian - Blood of the Snake
Review by Gary Hill
Derek Sherinian always seems to be looking for new ways to stretch out musically and this time around he's brought a lot of friends on board to help him in that process. The end result is Blood of the Snake, a disc that is arguably his most diverse. It also might well be his strongest album ever.
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Dream Theater - Bucharest, Romania 7/4/02 DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Dream Theater have decided to beat the bootleggers by releasing their own material and cutting them out of the picture.  Now, I know that you can't do that completely because the band tours constantly and they only have a limited amount of product on their label Ytsejam Records.
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Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky - Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky
Review by Gary Hill
Chuck Wright is a bass player. Since this is his project, you can expect some great bass work.

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Dream Theater - Dark Side of the Moon DVD
Review by Bill Knispel
In an effort to provide more material to their fervent fan base, Dream Theater created their own label, Ytsejam Records, to release a series of “official bootlegs.” These releases include interesting live shows, collections of studio demos, and “making of” collections that present works in progress for past studio album releases.
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DarWin - DarWin 2 - A Frozen War
Review by Gary Hill
The new set from prog act DarWin, this might be even better than the first one. In fact, this is likely to make my "best of 2020" list. 

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Various Artists - Drum Nation Vol. 2
Review by Gary Hill
The concept is simple but unique: put together a number of tracks from various artists showcasing influential and potent drummers. This was the concept for Magna Carta's first drum nation CD, and they continue it here - why mess up a good thing?
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Various Artists - Encores, Legends and Paradoxes
Review by Gary Hill
With a cast of players that reads like a prog "who`s who", this ELP tribute takes the classics and makes them fresh and new again. The result is an incredibly listenable piece of music that really entertains.

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The Prog Collective - Epilogue
Review by G. W. Hill

This is quite a cool set. The main man behind this is Billy Sherwood, and I always like the stuff he does.


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Dream Theater - Falling Into Infinity
Review by Gary Hill
There are those who feel that Dream Theater is not a progressive rock band. However, this album contains many factors indigenous to progressive rock.
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Various Artists - Fly Like an Eagle - An All-Star Tribute to Steve Miller Band
Review by G. W. Hill

Cleopatra Records loves doing these tribute albums, typically with Billy Sherwood in charge.


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Un1son - Fountains of Gold
Review by Gary Hill
Actually a test pressing, this release by Rick Neuhoff`s project UN1SON is a solid prog album, although a bit roughly mixed at times. The lyrics to the album are poem`s from Wendy Vig`s Fountains of Gold book, which is illustrated by Yes` Jon Anderson.
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Dream Theater - Greatest Hit (...and 21 other pretty cool songs)
Review by Gary Hill
You know, a band with one real hit might be bitter. From the humorous title of this set, it seems like that’s not the case with Dream Theater.
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Bernardo Lanzetti - Horizontal Rain
Review by Gary Hill
While Bernardo Lanzetti might not be a household name, in terms of Italian progressive rock, he really is a legend.

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Dream Theater - Images And Words
Review by Gary Hill
Images and Words marked the debut of lead singer James LaBrie to the DT fold and his performance here showed him to be a powerhouse of talent. This disc is arguably the most metallic in the DT catalog, certainly fueling the prog versus metal debate in progressive rock circles.
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Billy Idol - In Super Overdrive Live DVD
Review by Gary Hill
Filmed for PBS’ Soundstage series, that in itself tells you the video and audio are excellent.
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King's X - In The New Age: The Atlantic Recordings 1988-1995
Review by Gary Hill
King's X, in my opinion, is one of the most under-rated bands out there. Their sound is compelling and catchy and yet meaty and quirky.

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Derek Sherinian - Inertia
Review by Gary Hill
With this CD Sherinian continues his tradition of creating hard edged prog that is quite firmly rooted in fusion. The disc succeeds very well in creating an energetic and considerably potent instrumental mode that sends the listener on a major journey.



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Dream Theater - Live At Budokan
Review by Greg Olma
Dream Theater have always made a point of only releasing quality product. Whether you like it or not, you always have to admit that the recordings and videos were done in the best possible way.
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Dream Theater - Live at the Marcus Amphitheater-August 24th, 1998
Review by Gary Hill
Dream Theater proved that, even as an opening act, they are to be taken seriously in the prog world. In fact, they made a very strong argument for deserving to be placed at a higher point on the bill, meaning no disrespect to the other bands that performed at the show.
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Dream Theater - Live at the Riviera Theater, Chicago IL, August 12, 2000
Review by Steve Alspach
Dream Theater were on their Metropolis 2000 tour, and they performed a number of songs from their latest album, "Scenes From a Memory", but they performed a solid two hour-twenty minute show that never let up in intensity. The band opened with "Metropolis" from their most recent album.
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Dream Theater - Live at the Vic Theater, Chicago, Illinois May 13, 1998
Review by Gary Hill
The debate as to whether or not Dream Theater is progressive/art rock still rages on. After seeing this show, I cast my ballot in the "are" category.
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Planet X - Live From Oz
Review by Gary Hill
Oz in this case is Australia, not the land of that fabled wizard or the prison show. The album was recorded live on June 13th, 2001 at the Corner Hotel, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
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Dream Theater - Live in Boston, MA, August 2005
Review by Josh Turner
Dream Theater was pretty good, but not excellent. With the exception of a couple songs, most of them have been performed untold times in past concerts.
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Dream Theater - Live in Chicago, July 19, 2003
Review by Gary Hill
As someone who has seen Dream Theater live quite a few times, let me say that this show has me a little perplexed. First, I was never one to fall into the bandwagon of their detractors who said that they were all about playing millions of notes with no passion or musical theme.
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Dream Theater - Live in Chicago, March 2006
Review by Josh Turner
I've seen Dream Theater live on many occasions. They consistently maintain a high level of quality and innovation.
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Sons of Apollo - Live in Houston, Texas May 2018
Review by Greg Olma

Sons of Apollo, for those of you who don’t know, are a new prog metal group featuring an all-star lineup.  


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Billy Idol - Live in Rockford, IL, September 2010
Review by Gary Hill

I’d never seen Billy Idol perform live before. I had, however, recently seen a live DVD that made me interested in catching a live performance from Idol. Well, the man did not disappoint.


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Dream Theater - Live in Rosemont, IL May 13, 2008
Review by Greg Olma
Dream Theater hit the road again but this time it is more of a tour package instead of the usual concert with a support group. Titled Progressive Nation 2008, Dream Theater headlined a four band bill that consisted of bands hand picked by Mike Portnoy.
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Dream Theater - Live in Rosemont, IL, August 2007
Review by Greg Olma
I was surprised when I bought my ticket for this Dream Theater show. The past few tours that I saw them, they were the only band and it was billed as “An Evening with…”
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Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian - Live in Tokyo
Review by G. W. Hill

When I got this disc I was really looking forward to it. I mean, with a list of names like that how could you go wrong?


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King's X - Live Love in London DVD
Review by Scott Prinzing
By way of full disclosure, King’s X is my favorite band. 
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Black Country Communion - Live Over Europe BluRay
Review by Larry Toering

Since Black Country Communion arrived on the scene, still less than a year ago, they have managed two studio CD releases, and to top it off they have produced what is an absolute state of the art video, and it's tailor made for the Blu-ray experience.


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Dream Theater - Made in Japan
Review by Rick Damigella
There are only a handful of bands with the boldness, chutzpah and talent to record and release a series of official live bootlegs where they cover another well known band’s album.
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Dream Theater - Master Of Puppets
Review by Greg Olma
From the beginning, Dream Theater always gave the fans something special. When they go out on tour, if they have a 2 night stay at any venue, the second night becomes “cover” night.
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Various Artists - Meddle Reimagined: A Tribute to Pink Floyd
Review by Gary Hill
Tribute albums like this are always interesting, but also often disappointing.

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Sons of Apollo - MMXX (Deluxe Edition)
Review by Gary Hill

It is still pretty early in the year, but I'll be surprised if this release doesn't make my "best of 2020" list. The mix of sounds here includes metal, good solid hard rock and plenty of progressive rock.


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Derek Sherinian - Molecular Heinosity
Review by Gary Hill
I’ve been a big fan of Derek Sherinian for years and it seems like every album he does is a climb above the one that preceded it.
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Derek Sherinian - Molecular Heinosity (Reissue)
Review by G. W. Hill

This is part of a new series of reissues of Derek Sherinian albums.


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Ty Tabor - Moonflower Lane
Review by Scott Prinzing

After King’s X parted ways with their manager/producer, Sam Taylor, after their eponymous fourth album in 1992, it was only a matter of time before their Lennon/McCartney-esque pair – bassist Doug Pinnick and guitarist Ty Tabor – found additional creative outlets in solo and side projects. 


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Derek Sherinian - Mythology
Review by G. W. Hill

This Derek Sherinian disc is just getting the reissue treatment.


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Dream Theater - Octavarium
Review by Steve Alspach
For years I tried. Honest, I tried.
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Dream Theater - Once In A Livetime
Review by Sean Faust
For the past 9 years, progressive virtuosos Dream Theater (currently Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, John Myung, James LaBrie and Derek Sherinian) have been blessing the music world with their highly textured (and sometimes ethereal) music and thought-provoking lyrics.
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Yngwie Malmsteen - Perpetual Flame
Review by Gary Hill
Here’s the latest disc from Yngwie Malmsteen and it’s quite a good one.
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Derek Sherinian - Planet X
Review by Gary Hill
This one really comes as a surprise to many. Coming from such gigs as Alice Cooper`s band and Kiss, when Sherinian joined Dream Theater, he was perceived as more the rock and roll type of style, and less prog.
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Various Artists - Prog Box
Review by Gary Hill

I've been looking to do a retro review of this box set for a while. I finally had the opportunity this time around.


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Sons of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
Review by Gary Hill

Had I heard this album last year, it would have definitely made my best of 2017 list, and been pretty high on the list. This is an amazing album.


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Sons of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
Review by Gary Hill

Had I heard this album last year, it would have definitely made my best of 2017 list, and been pretty high on the list. This is an amazing album.


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Planet X - Quantum
Review by Gary Hill
I have to say that when I heard Alan Holdsworth was going to be featured on this disc, my interest skyrocketed. Don't get me wrong, I love everything Derek Sherinian has ever done.
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Explorer's Club - Raising the Mammoth
Review by Gary Hill
Explorer's Club is in session once again. This time Trent Gardner has assembled a different group of musicians that includes drummer Terry Bozzio (UK, Frank Zappa, Bozzio Levin Stevens), bassist John Myung (Liquid Tension Experiment, Platypus, Dream Theater), Kerry Livgren (guitarist for Kansas), Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery) and keyboardist Mark Robertson (Cairo).
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Dream Theater - Scenes From A Memory
Review by Vivian Lee
Since 1985, the five-man outfit named Dream Theater has offered progressive rock fans thoughtful and emotional music that makes them marvel and ask, how do they do that? DT's brand of prog vividly shows eclectic, hard-to-place influences, which include jazz, neo-classical, and ethnic music forms.
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Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with The Octavarium Orchestra
Review by Bill Knispel
Dream Theater closed their 2006 20th Anniversary tour with a sold out show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Joined onstage by a specially assembled orchestra, the band performed two sets.
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Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With the Octavarium Orchestra DVD
Review by Bill Knispel
Dream Theater has heavily embraced the home video/DVD market over the years, releasing five full-length videos over the past 12 years. Their latest video release, Score, celebrates the band’s 20th anniversary with a full headlining set recorded live at New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall on 1 April 2006.
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Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
Review by Bill Knispel
Dream Theater really needs no introduction. As perhaps the foremost and best-known proponent of progressive metal, they have forged a more than 20-year career.
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Dream Theater - The Dark Side of the Moon
Review by Bill Knispel
As a way of providing something different and special to their fans, Dream Theater began a series of cover shows in 2002. Whenever the band were scheduled to perform two nights in the same venue/city, they would dedicate part of their second show to a performance of a classic album, covered in its entirety.
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The Fusion Syndicate - The Fusion Syndicate
Review by G. W. Hill

What an amazing set this is.


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Alice Cooper - The Last Temptation (20th Anniversary Edition)
Review by G. W. Hill

So, I’ve already reviewed this album in an earlier release. 


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Dream Theater - The Number Of The Beast
Review by Greg Olma
Dream Theater has never been a band that does things without giving 110% effort and value. To beat the bootleggers, Dream Theater has created its own label to release live shows along with studio demos and assorted material otherwise unavailable to the public.
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Various Artists - To Cry You A Song: A Collection of Tull Tales
Review by Gary Hill
One of the first tribute albums ever done by Magna Carta, this one includes some intriguing arrangements of Jethro Tull songs. There are some definite winners here (witness Aqualung, To Cry You a Song, and Locomotive Breath) and no real losers.
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Dream Theater - Train of Thought
Review by Gary Hill
When I heard Dream Theater was releasing another album, this immediately piqued my interest. Dream Theater had been my gateway into the Progressive Metal genre.
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Planet X - Universe
Review by Gary Hill
Building on styles started on the first Planet X disc, this is a strong prog outing that includes a jazzy sort of texture. This one comes across a bit more hard rocking than the previous.
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Alice Cooper - Welcome to My Nightmare
Review by Gary Hill
To many this classic album represents Alice Cooper at his theatric best. It is a loosely knit concept album that at times is a bit weak, at times a bit over the top, but in many ways a spooky masterpiece.
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Dream Theater - When Dream And Day Reunite DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Dream Theater is truly a prog band of the people, by the people, and for the people. I can’t think of a band that really has such a close tie with their fans.


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Dream Theater - When Dream and Day Unite
Review by Gary Hill
This was the debut disc from Dream Theater and the first album from them I ever had.
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Various Artists - Who Are You - An All-Star Tribute to the Who
Review by G. W. Hill

I like The Who quite a bit. I mean, they aren’t one of my favorite bands, but I do really like them.


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