After Crying-After Crying 6 (1997)

This is one of those "weird" bands that are too progressive for mainstream rock fans and too strange for progressive rock fans. After Crying makes prog rock so complex and inaccessible to the average listener that it's difficult to find a middle ground in their music, at least without giving their albums many careful listens. One of their main attractions is precisely their refusal to get stuck in a defined style, so they are constantly experimenting with new ideas and reconfiguring their sound. This Hungarian band was formed in the mid-eighties and was still active in 2017. It comprises a group of musicians who use all kinds of instruments, almost all of them members of the Brussels Symphony Orchestra. With such a varied style, it's no wonder that their extensive discography is full of albums of different kinds, some more conservative and others more experimental. However, their main influences are 70s progressive rock, folk, classical music, pop, and almost every other genre. Their first album was released in 1990, and far from being symphonic, it's more of an avant-garde record. The lack of a consistent melody is the defining characteristic of this release. The eclectic use of themes gives it a more avant-garde than symphonic feel. In 1997, they released "After Crying 6", one of their more "accessible" works, featuring elements of jazz, powerful drums, pastoral passages, sinister vocals, and sublime keyboards in the purest Keith Emerson style. Although they still sound eccentric, their music becomes more melodic and even addictive in certain parts of the album. They also have more conventional progressive rock albums like "Struggle For Life" (2000) and "Show" (2003).

Lynyrd Skynyrd-One More From The Road (1976)

Lynyrd Skynyrd's "One More From The Road" is another of those legendary double live albums in rock history. Recorded entirely at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta in July 1976, it faithfully documents the Jacksonville band at the height of their popularity. By the time this album was released, Lynyrd Skynyrd had already put out four superb studio albums and even had three successful singles on the Billboard charts: "Sweet Home Alabama", "Free Bird", and "Saturday Night Special". These tireless troubadours of the road earned a vast legion of loyal fans across the United States, elevating them to the status of an iconic and media-savvy band. With a style that borrowed from the Southern rock of The Allman Brothers, fused with subtle doses of gospel, the swampy sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the unabashed blues of the Rolling Stones, and the hard rock of Steppenwolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd managed to create a unique and accessible melodic rock. At that time, they had to contend with giants like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Gran Funk, Foghat, Aerosmith, and Blue Öyster Cult, among many others, all of whom featured a strong emphasis on guitars. However, thanks to their talent, drive, and determination, Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged victorious. "One More From The Road" is the sonic confirmation of their explosive live performances, their energetic shows, with an overwhelming sound that absorbs sweat and enthusiasm, featuring guitar jams, beautiful piano passages, and captivating choruses that permeate this live recording. From the raw and energetic ode of "Workin' For MCA", the somber feeling of "Tuesday's Gone", the fun Southern groove of "Gimme Three Steps", the greasy rock of "Whisky Rock 'n' Roller", and the scorching covers of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" and J.J. Cale's "Call Me The Breeze", Lynyrd Skynyrd devour them all with ferocious hunger. To culminate the album, the band vibrantly tackles the classics "Free Bird", "Sweet Home Alabama", and "Saturday Night Special", leaving us with an absolutely incredible and masterful live performance. The album's reception was phenomenal, earning triple platinum certification almost ten years later. A year later, fate struck the band with tragedy; On October 20th, singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and singer Cassie Gaines died in a tragic plane crash, while the surviving members were seriously injured. Some time later, and despite these horrific losses, the band continued recording albums and performing massive concerts across the United States, a practice that continues practically to this day. “One More From The Road” represents the golden age of this unsurpassed and legendary Southern rock band.

Modrý Efekt-Svět Hledačů (1979)

Modrý Efekt is one of the most important bands from the former Czechoslovakia. Formed in 1968 and disbanded in 1990, they reunited in 2004 and remained active until 2016. Originally called Blue Effect, they had to change their name to Modrý Efekt due to pressure from the Czech communist government, which strongly disapproved of English names at the time. Founded around guitarist Radim Hladik, the band also included Lesek Semelka on keyboards and vocals, Oldřich Veselý on keyboards, and drummer Vladimir Cech. In 1979, they released their sixth album, "Svet Hledacu", considered the group's most progressive work alongside its predecessor, "Svitanie" (1977). Their style was a blend of symphonic rock and jazz fusion, emphasizing the work of guitarist Hladik (considered the best Czech guitarist), with intricate rhythm changes, emphasizing synthesizers with ethereal sounds, and guitars. Their style sometimes recalls groups like Yes due to its complex compositions, but without reaching the heights of the British band's excellence.