Under the Radar Music

July 4, 2026

Jordsjo ~ Norway

Retro prog; Progressive rock

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Latest: Pestkrønikene (2026). July 24

UMR review page for Jordsjø

2/12/18 (new entry)

Kumorigahara ~ Japan

Progressive rock; Hard rock

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Bandcamp

Latest: Genjitsumu (2026)

Albums I own: Kumorigahara (2021). Haven't reviewed for UMR yet.

7/4/26 (new entry)

May 31, 2026

Rhùn ~ France

Zeuhl; Jazz rock

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Latest: Evil Erbez (2026). June 3

After a decade of silence, Rhun has become very active and are releasing their third album in four years.

UMR review page for Rhun

12/14/13 (new entry)

Polis ~ Germany

Heavy prog

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Latest: Pilger (2026) June 7

Weitklang (2020)

Funny to see the name of Polis, as that's the name of our current governor here in Colorado. I'm guessing it's a German word meaning "raise your taxes."

Speaking of which, language plays a major role in the sound of Polis. They sing defiantly in their native German, and from my perspective that's a positive development. Indigenous languages offer up one more ingredient to the stew. Because of this, the first thought one might have is Weitklang is Deutschrock, but that's certainly not the case here. Because they are located in the former East Germany, it's also been suggested they represent the sounds of the late 70s and early 80s GDR progressive rock bands. I don't hear that either, primarily because the guitars are of the modern variety. The heavy guitar tone conjured up on Weitklang is very much of a post 90s sound. It's this same guitar that also keeps it from the retro prog realms, that I originally thought it might fit comfortably with. The real stars of the show are the analog keyboard beasts of yore, primarily Hammond organ and analog synthesizers. This keeps the balance nicely and the album avoids falling into the stoner trap. Apparently Polis started as a blues rock band, and that's apparent in some of the guitar solo parts. I'm not so keen on the songs themselves, but most of the tracks have some fine instrumental mid sections.

2/5/24 (review)

2/5/24 (new entry)

May 19, 2026

Vespero ~ Russia

Krautrock styled; Space rock

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Latest: Tej 6.7 (2026). June 10

UMR review page for Vespero

8/10/17 (new entry)

Quantum Fantay ~ Belgium

UK Festival styled psych; Space rock

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YouTube

Latest: The Butterfly EffeX (2026)

UMR review page for Quantum Fantay

9/14/12 (new entry)

April 28, 2026

Hex A.D. ~ Norway

Retro Hard Rock; Progressive rock

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Latest: Surgical Cuts in the Cosmos (2026). May 22.

Astro Tongue in the Electric Garden (2020)

I wasn't sold at first on the 3rd album by this Norwegian band. The first track sounds like Candlemass and 'Astro Tongue' has all the trappings of a typical Stoner album. While those two genres are welcome here, it's not something I'm on the lookout for. I have plenty already and will likely trim some off the collection. Ah, but not so fast. Things get much more interesting on the proggy 'The Day the Sky Exploded', where keyboards and meter and thematic changes add a whole new dimension to their sound. The other two tracks on side one are pre and postludes. Fortunately all of Side two maintains the momentum, and there's even some Iron Maiden like riffing. The album sits at the border of hard rock and metal, with more than a nod to progressive rock. The difference maker is keyboardist Mags Johansen who brings a raft full of vintage keys, most notably mellotron and Hammond. The band's image is also mixed - the album cover demonstrating psychedelic prog, whereas the fonts and titles are Stoner all the way. The hype sticker is misleading as well, where it states this album is for fans of: Rush (huh?); Rainbow (que?); Iron Maiden (yes, but only Side 2); Opeth (well maybe, I know little about this band beyond Blackwater Park). In addition to the fine cover, there's a 4 page insert with band photos, lyrics, and album credits.

3/5/22 (review)

10/14/23 (new entry)

April 5, 2026

Trion ~ Netherlands

Progressive rock

Bandcamp (label)

Latest: Terra Tiempo (2026) Mar 30

Yet another band making a return that I thought was long gone.

UMR review page for Trion

2/8/11 (new entry)

March 29, 2026

Agusa ~ Sweden

Retro prog

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Latest: Panacea (2026). May 22

UMR review page for Agusa

5/10/14 (new entry)

French TV ~ USA ~ Louisville, Kentucky

Avant prog; Canterbury styled; Jazz fusion

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Latest: The Spanish Caper (2026). Apr 24

UMR review page for French TV

9/30/11 (new entry)

March 22, 2026

The Cosmic Dead ~ Scotland

Space rock; Krautrock styled

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Latest: Beyond the Beyond (2026) Apr 17

UMR review page for The Cosmic Dead

6/1/13 (new entry)

March 2, 2026

Telegraph ~ Israel

Retro prog

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Latest: Topography of Mind (2026). Digital only though they mentioned they are considering a CD and / or LP.

UMR review page for Telegraph

6/18/20 (new entry)

Blues Pills ~ USA / Sweden

Blues rock; Hard rock

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Latest: Birthday Live (2026)

I quite liked their first album, not so much the second. I need to revisit that first CD and get some notes down while continuing to explore their other works.

Albums heard: Blues Pills (2014); Lady in Gold (2016)

7/6/24 (new entry)

Tusmorke ~ Norway

Progressive rock; Prog folk

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Latest: Balderdom (2026). March 20.

UMR review page for Tusmorke

1/25/13 (new entry)

February 9, 2026

Hadal Sherpa ~ Finland

Space rock; UK Festival styled psych

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Latest: Memoria (2026). Jan 22

This album is dedicated to the founder Vesa Pasanen, who died unexpectedly in 2025. At this point, it appears the band is calling it quits after this recording.

UMR review page for Hadal Sherpa

7/18/18 (new entry)