Quivira is an American symphonic progressive rock project based in Topeka, Kansas, United States. Formed by seasoned musicians from the progressive rock scene, the project officially debuted with its first major studio release in August 2026 under the Melodic Revolution Records (MRR-https://mrrmusic.com/) Music Group. Quivira operates primarily as a conceptual studio project rather than a traditional touring band. The biography of their debut work explores a unique historical theme: the story of pre-Kansas “Quivira,” the legendary Native American villages that the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado mistakenly believed held immense riches and gold. The lyrical themes address deep philosophical questions about human ambition, truth, perception, and historical misunderstanding. The band’s musical style is categorized as Symphonic Prog / Modern Progressive Rock. Quivira blends intricate, multi-movement arrangements with cinematic soundscapes, classic rock sensibilities, and complex time signatures. Quivira brings together an exceptional cast of established progressive rock artists: Lisa LaRue – Composer, Keyboards, Programming (known for her work with Lisa LaRue 2KX and RematriNation), Jake Livgren – Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist (known from Emerald City Council and Proto-Kaw, nephew of Kansas’ Kerry Livgren), and John Baker – Guitars, Bass, Vocals (known from Forever Twelve and Mars Hollow). Guest Musicians: Joe Deninzon – Violin (featured on “Moving Forward”) and Evan Stanley – Guitar (featured on “Kicking Rocks”).

Oceanrise is a newly formed, independent instrumental progressive metal band based in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. The group stepped into the progressive metal scene as an underground collective aiming to craft an experimental sonic odyssey. Oceanrise plays an expansive style of Instrumental Progressive Metal deeply intertwined with atmospheric textures and heavy grooves. The band explicitly draws conceptual inspiration from classic works of science fiction, building vast, cinematic soundscapes that aim to take listeners “on a journey beyond the stars”. Operating heavily as a DIY unit, they recorded most of their debut material in a private garage facility before tapping professional engineering spaces in the UK to finalize their rhythm section and post-production, leading to their official global launch in mid-2026. The trio officially cites legendary progressive and heavy bands as their main inspirations, most notably Opeth, Tool, Rush, and Elder. There are also minor structural nods to stoner rock and stoner metal dynamics within their heavy instrumental movements. Their style shifts fluidly between crushing riffs, complex time-defying rhythms, beautiful melodies, and quiet ambient passages. The band consists of a tight, highly technical three-piece lineup:James Dawson – Electric and acoustic guitars, synthesisers, audio engineering, and mixingTom Dawson – Bass guitarJoe Ricciardi – Drums. Beyond The Dune Sea is an album that blends crushing riffs, beautiful melodies, ambient passages, and time-defying grooves into an experimental sonic odyssey.

Aldi dallo Spazio is an Italian progressive rock band formed in 2015 in Ravenna, Italy. The first part of their name, “ALDI”, acts as a peculiar acronym standing for Awesome Lysergic Dream Innovation from Space. The band originally started as a project among five young musicians looking to blend their distinct musical backgrounds into a singular cohesive sound. In late 2017, the group digitally self-released the first version of their concept album, Quasar. The sonic signature of Aldi dallo Spazio sits comfortably within the Heavy Prog and Space Rock subgenres. Their primary mission is to break free from rigid modern genre definitions while maintaining the raw spontaneity of rock music. Substantial inspiration is drawn from the golden 1970s era, channeling the complexity of British icons like Yes, Genesis, Supertramp, and Pink Floyd, as well as the intricate melodic arrangements of the legendary Rock Progressivo Italiano (RPI) scene, particularly Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) and Procession. The band consists of five core members, accompanied occasionally by studio guests: Dario Federici – Lead vocals, keyboards, Simone Sgarzi – Guitars, backing vocals, Davide Mosca – Guitars (former member of the Italian heavy rock band Witchwood), Marco Braschi – Bass guitar, and Lorenzo Guardigli – Drums, backing vocals, including a guest Musician: Marco Zoli – Saxophone (featured as a guest performer on two tracks of their album).