Chris McGarel went to the O2 Academy in Islington to see progressive legends Spock’s Beard play a great and very entertaining set.

“If ‘The Final Frontier’ had been their swan song they would have gone out on a high. Instead they have returned triumphant with certainly the most ambitious yet one of the best albums of their career.” Chris McGarel gives a track-by-track review of Iron Maiden’s new epic album ‘The Book of Souls’.

The album is for the most part a high-octane thrill ride of dizzying technical invention, but its rootedness in good old rock ’n roll tropes keeps it motoring along without getting (too) masturbatory. – By Chris McGarel

If change is the only constant in the world of this enigmatic outfit then their achievement on Obscure Knowledge is all the more remarkable – creating a monument from ephemera and continuing to plough that furrow regardless of the terrain. Guapo are outstanding in their field. – By Chris McGarel

This is Ozric Tentacles’ most cohesive and accomplished effort in almost 20 years and a highlight of a long and peerless career. – By Chris McGarel

Chris McGarel saw Anneke van Giersbergen play material from The Gentle Storm and more at The Garage in London.

Recording at Abbey Road is a daunting task for sure, but when environment and inspiration conspire then the muse can be awoken from her golden slumbers and that is what happened one day in June 2014. – By Chris McGarel

“It’s rare in London to see a crowd so rapt, intent, fully focused without annoying others with inane chat,” by Chris McGarel

Some of us have waited what seems like an age for this album. The great news is that they made the right concession to speed in favour of quality. This is their masterpiece and will surely see them attract a new legion of listeners. – Chris McGarel

The bottom line is if you know these albums then the sonic upgrade is worthy of your hard-earned cash. Listen through good headphones and enjoy them as never before. If you came to Anathema via their last three albums then this box is the next logical step in your journey. – By Chris McGarel

Concert DVDs are a hit-and-miss affair, often to be watched once and shelved. Culture Clash Live! will have you coming back to it because it is so damn entertaining. By Chris McGarel

Rarely do reissues contain such a vast treasure trove of bonus material that is not just a collection of curios to be played once and never thought of again – these extras effectively double the length of the original releases and are every bit as essential. By Chris McGarel

One of the finest progressive metal bands in the world, technically and compositionally they have few peers and yet they have not found that stylistic fingerprint to make them really stand out and take them to the next level. – By Chris McGarel

Taken as a double album the quantity, variety and quality control maintained over two hours are mind-boggling. Z² is the Devin Townsend Project at the height of their powers. – By Chris McGarel

Sky Blue doesn’t have the cohesion of Epicloud and the breadth of its scope means that it trails off a little at the end compared to the highs that have gone before. This is the most pernickety of criticisms of what is another jewel in the crown that is Devin Townsend’s catalogue. – By Chris McGarel

Too many artists who attempt this style of music radiate more heat than light, full of sound and fury but signifying nothing. That is what is so heartening about this album. Sure, these guys can play their socks off but there is heart and mind at work, elevating Language from the run-of-the-mill to the quite brilliant. – By Chris McGarel

“The tsunami of passion pouring from the stage is pulverising. Give us a break, guys. Save something for later! Not a chance.” – Chris McGarel

That’s the kind of night this is – for all the technical wizardry and brain-melting time signatures there is a party atmosphere. The band ham it up and are clearly having as much fun with their shtick as we are witnessing it. – Chris McGarel

This is the sound of progressive music in 2014 but with a broad appeal outside that genre’s demographic. A highlight of the year so far no matter how clumsily you try to define or pigeonhole it. By Chris McGarel

“It is genuinely thrilling to watch – a seminal Canterbury-scene outfit with the whimsy sucked out and replaced by bile and laudanum.” by Chris McGarel

“For all the weirdness of this instrumental music with its odd time-signatures and predisposition to abstract noise, there is a melodic accessibility – actual tunes that make it easy to enjoy in a festival context.” – Chris McGarel