Regolith is a multinational space and progressive rock band founded in Shanghai, China, in 2016. The group stands out due to its cross-cultural lineup, which consists of both British and Chinese members. The core lineup of the band features Mark Hodnett (guitars, bass, and synthesizers) and Wang Wei (drums, percussion, and sound effects/FX). Over the years, the band has expanded its sonic palette by collaborating with special guest musicians, including Liu Zhèn Min and Mora Jeon, to craft their immersive instrumental tracks. Regolith’s music is heavily rooted in the 1970s psychedelic and progressive rock movements. However, instead of merely mimicking the past, they modernize their sound by blending vintage structures with contemporary elements. They utilize synthesizers and ambient soundscapes while incorporating intricate time signatures, grand progressive frameworks, and diverse rhythmic arrangements. Through entirely instrumental compositions, the band creates deep, poetic, and cinematic sci-fi landscapes—realizing a very distinct vision within the modern space rock community. Initially conceptualized and recorded in late 2025, their EP “The Moon Underwater” was officially released on April 11, 2026, through the independent label Mort Productions. The production was a global effort, recorded and mixed across multiple studios, including Release-Master Studios in England, alongside Blue-Hand and Music King Studios in Shanghai. The final product was mastered at Ok Mastering Studios in Beijing, resulting in a polished, remixed, and remastered compilation that serves as an excellent showcase of the band’s musical prowess. Available digitally and as a limited CD digipack, the album features five sprawling, long-form instrumental tracks that masterfully showcase their progressive structures.

Aragorn was formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1972. The project traces its origins back to 1967, when a 14-year-old classical music prodigy named Oleg Alex Ditrich began composing a grand musical piece. Encouraged by his friend John Simpson—an avid fan of J.R.R. Tolkien—the unfinished project was shelved for a few years until Ditrich formed Aragorn, naming the band after the iconic The Lord of the Rings character. In September 1973, the full lineup collaborated to finalize the arrangements and recorded the entire composition. Tragically, the recording session was never officially released at the time. The band dissolved shortly after, but four of its core members went on to form the short-lived, highly mythologized Australian jazz-rock/prog group Snakes Alive in 1974–1975. Because of this connection, Aragorn is widely recognized as the direct precursor and musical foundation of Snakes Alive. The master tapes of The Suite were accidentally discovered five decades later by South Korean music researchers. While working on an archival reissue of the legendary, ultra-rare 1975 private pressing by Snakes Alive (of which only 50 copies originally existed), the Korean label Merry Go Round dug into the band’s history and unearthed the forgotten 1973 Aragorn recordings. On November 1, 2022, the South Korean label officially released Aragorn’s The Suite for the very first time in history. Aragorn’s sound is a vibrant representation of early 1970s British progressive rock blended with distinct local energy. Their style is characterized by heavy lyrical and structural roots in J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology, complex keyboard arrangements interlocked with dynamic flute passages, and driving electric guitar solos. Historical notes reveal that the original 1973 performance was incredibly recorded in a single take without any modern overdubs, capturing a raw, energetic, and highly skilled performance from musicians who were only in their early twenties.

The Ancestry Program officially burst onto the international progressive rock scene in 2019 with their critically acclaimed debut album, Tomorrow, introducing the world to their signature multi-layered, heavy art-rock style. Founded as a quartet of seasoned musicians driven to build highly elaborate soundscapes, the band expanded their lineup following strong underground feedback, transitioning into a permanent five-piece powerhouse for their subsequent conceptual projects. Their current lineup features a versatile group of veteran musicians: Ben Knabe (lead vocals, lap steel guitar), Mani Gruber (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals), Thomas Burlefinger (keyboards, guitars, saxophone, backing vocals), Andy Lind (drums, backing vocals), and Marco Osmajic, who recently took over bass duties from early-records bassist Frank Thumbach. Known for a highly volatile and dynamic style, the band seamlessly blends symphonic rock, jazz fusion, math rock, and heavy metal into cohesive, single compositions. Their deeply theatrical arrangements utilize sudden time signature changes, dense vocal harmonies, and eclectic instrumentation. While critics frequently compare their songwriting to classic icons like Gentle Giant, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd, they also share a sonic DNA with modern progressive giants like Porcupine Tree, Haken, and Spock’s Beard. The Ancestry Program delivers a masterful, unpredictable sonic journey—an absolute must-listen for any progressive rock enthusiast.