The Reticent to release first new album in 5 years!

Following the critically acclaimed and emotionally devastating 2020 concept record “The Oubliette,” The Reticent returns with the first of two highly anticipated follow-up albums. “please” is a concept record that delves into the heart of mental illness and suicide. The songs each chronicle a particular struggle of mental illness that all lead to an examination as to why a person may choose to end their own life. With 10 tracks total, the album runs from hiding one’s disorders from the world to the agony of panic attacks all the way to being on the brink of death. “please” is once again produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, etc) and features guest vocals from Brian Kingsland (ex-Nile, Imperishable). „please“ will be released worldwide November 13th, 2025 on Generation Prog Records.

Cover art by Joscelyne Hauserman.

please (2025, Generation Prog Records)

1. Intake (1:46)
2. The Concealment (Those Who Don’t Want to Wake) (6:07)
3. The Night River (Those Who Cannot Rest) (6:56)
4. Diagnosis 1 (2:19)
5. The Bed of Wasps (Those Who Consumed With Panic) (5:48)
6. The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand) (8:13)
7. Diagnosis 2 (2:40)
8. The Riptide (Those Without Hope) (6:10)
9. The Chance (Those Who Let Go) (6:53)
10. Discharge (2:57)

Pre-order now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Prog’s most emotionally gut-wrenching band has officially signed a deal with German boutique label Generation Prog Records to release their newest album „please“ – the first new music from the band since their critically acclaimed 2020 album „The Oubliette.“ This highly anticipated new album will be an extremely personal journey into mental illness as it takes listeners through the act of hiding disorders from others to suffering the full weight of depression, panic attacks, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. With a well established reputation in the underground for their immersive and often heartbreaking concept albums, The Reticent promises to take listeners on another intimate journey into the tortured mind of songwriter Chris Hathcock. The band feels Generation Prog is the perfect home for them as the label seeks out only unique and artistic progressive music outfits such as Cea Serin and believes in artistry above all. „I couldn’t be happier to be working with The Reticent,“ says Generation Prog Records owner Michael Schetter. „Their new album leaves a profound impression both on an emotional and musical level, a rare feat in this genre. It shares an essential trait with the best of progressive metal: Fearlessness.“ Once again produced by longtime Reticent producer Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist), „please“ will be released in late 2025 on limited edition CD only from Generation Prog Records.

Generation Prog Records continue their association with progressive metal pioneers Cea Serin and will be releasing the band’s long-awaited album The World Outside on September 12.

This collection of six songs with a total playing time of 70 minutes delivers the full progressive metal package, with every song breaking the 10-minute barrier and showcasing a considerable range of styles with elaborate build-ups and dramatic shifts. Aggressive verses with harsh vocals give way to majestic choruses, carried by Jay Lamm’s powerful and versatile voice. Lamm has composed the music and lyrics for the entire album and also recorded all the rhythm guitars, fretted and fretless basses, and keyboards, with longtime bandmate Rory Faciane contributing drums and percussion.

Joining the core band are many talented musical guests: Andy Gillion (solo and ex-Mors Principium Est), Dann Hoyos (Rise to Fall), Vick LeCar (solo artist), Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe), Steffi Cannelli (Cirque du Soleil), João Miguel (solo artist, Enblood, Adamantine), Manuel Acevedo (SAUDA), Cecillia Cuccolini, and Coen Strouken (Circus of Fools, Eluveitie).

The album was mixed and mastered by Tom MacLean (Haken, To-Mera) at Twelve Tone Studio. It will be available via all common digital and streaming platforms and on CD. The physical release and Bandcamp download package both come with a 16-page booklet containing striking artwork and the lyrics to all songs, all from the creative mind of Jay Lamm.

„We’re proud to announce that we have re-signed with Generation Prog Records for the release of our third album, The World Outside,“ says band leader Jay Lamm. „This record has been a long time coming, and we’re beyond excited to finally share it with everyone.“

„I am proud to continue our working relationship with Cea Serin for this stunning new album,“ says Generation Prog Records founder Michael Schetter. „Jay has outdone himself with these songs and he has assembled an impressive group of musicians to bring them to life. The two brand-new pieces on the band’s previous album promised something great for the future and I’m happy to say that The World Outside delivers on that promise – and then some!“

The World Outside (2025, Generation Prog Records)

1. Where None Shall Follow (12:09)
2. The Rose on the Ruin (10:22)
3. Until the Dark Responds (12:39)
4. All the Light That Shines (13:31)
5. When the Wretched and the Brave Align (11:13)
6. Wisdom of the Aging Fathers: Three Regards to Reason (10:08)

Pre-order now and hear the album a month early (advance download)!

All will be revealed soon…

For Immediate Release

Prog Ensemble THEO Featuring Renowned Keyboardist Jim Alfredson to Release Sophomore CD ‚Figureheads‘

“… nostalgic and every bit contemporary, harkening back to prog’s glory days, all the while delivering new and exciting music… Brilliant. ” – The Progressive Rock Files

“THEO is a band to be reckoned with.” Simon Barrett

Lansing, MI – In 2015, THEO appeared out of nowhere with a highly acclaimed debut album of progressive rock, The Game of Ouroboros, garnering positive reviews in over 40 publications both print and web-based. At once wistful, reminding fans of the epic bands of the 1970s, and yet modern both musically and thematically, THEO bridges the distance between past and present. 

Founder, keyboardist, and vocalist Jim Alfredson is probably best known for his work with the acclaimed jazz trio organissimo, which releases original funky souljazz and performs all over the world since their formation in 2000. He is considered among the best jazz and blues Hammond organists working today. But many of his fans inside those genres might be unaware of his childhood love of progressive rock. Inspired by classic bands like Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and Genesis, THEO brings epic songwriting, sweeping narratives, and a keyboard centered focus back to the forefront of the contemporary prog scene. The album is scheduled for release on September 29, 2020 via Big O Records (USA) and Generation Prog Records (Europe). It is available as a download and an audio CD.

Production on Figureheads began just after the release of The Game Of Ouroboros back in 2015. Alfredon explains the long gestation; “The first album dealt with the ideas of an imbalance of power in a rather direct way. The general theme was reminiscent of post-World War II dystopian science fiction by the likes of Orwell. It outlined a resurgence of authoritarianism both secularly and religiously aided by technology, including Selfie Chips. The original concept for the new album was more personal, exploring the psyche of those in power and those they seek to exert power over. And the artwork, designed by the brilliant minds at Blacklake, reflects that. The original working titles are crossed out but they give a glimpse into the meaning behind each song. Obviously a lot has changed during the time I began writing these songs in 2015 and today. It could be argued that many countries have either skirted with authoritarians or actually elected them into office. Nowhere is that more true unfortunately than in my country, the United States.”

Only four songs are contained within Figureheads, but each one is a sonic journey in itself. “Each song represents a facet of our personalities. I believe we all have the potential for good and evil and sometimes the line between holding things together and falling off the proverbial cliff is very thin,” Alfredon says.

“The song Pathology explores the sickness that can arise in our psyches and was inspired by the idea of trepanning, releasing evil thoughts by drilling a hole in one’s head. How much of our decision making is informed by our genetics and how much is our environment?”

“Man of Action is obviously inspired by the leadership in the USA, as is the cover art. The song speaks for itself. A cult of personality is the only way to explain what’s happening here. It’s dumbfounding.”

“The Garden is the ode of the lover, the empath, the guide that leads to a way out of the desert of sickness and into a verdant space of healing.”

“Portents & Providence explores the nature of self-deception and belief.”  

Those familiar with the debut album will recognize the musicians on Firgureheads. Alfredson wrote all the songs and plays all keyboards as well as handling lead vocal duties.  Gary Davenport, a former bandmate of Jim’s during his tenure with blues singer Janiva Magness, is on Chapman stick and fretless bass as before. Kevin DePree returns in the drum chair bringing his trademark chops and taste. And guitarist Jake Reichbart is featured on two of the four songs. The other two songs feature former HAKEN member Tom MacLean on guitar. Jim says, “I met Tom virtually through Generation Prog’s owner Michael Schetter. I was looking for a bit of a heavier sound on two of the songs and Tom really brought a welcome modernity to those tracks. He also had some fantastic ideas concerning the arrangements.” Background vocals are handled by Greg Nagy, a successful blues singer / songwriter and vocalist himself, and Donny Brown, former drummer of the rock band The Verve Pipe. 

“Beautiful chordal songs… witty, refreshingly rich choruses and instrumental complexity..” – Ragazzi Music (Germany)

From the beginning, Alfredson’s goal with THEO was to return some of the keyboard wizardry of the 1970s progressive bands to the forefront. Although mostly known for his superb Hammond playing, Alfredon indulges his love of synthesizers on ‘Figureheads’, both analog and digital, hardware and software. “Most of the synth parts are the Alesis Andromeda, which I suppose is old enough now to be considered vintage!” Alfredson says. Other keys include the Sequential Prophet 12, Moog Voyager, the classic Yamaha DX7, acoustic piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, and of course Hammond organ, both vintage and digital.

For 10 years, Jim served as organist and musical director of the highly successful, award-winning rhythm & blues band Root Doctor (1999 – 2009) producing three CDs for the band. Jim formed the jazz trio organissimo in 2000. organissimo has released seven critically acclaimed CDs and a DVD in the intervening years. In 2009 Jim released a very limited edition solo CD dedicated to the memory of his father and mother called ‚In Memorandom‘. Also in 2009, Jim engineered and produced Greg Nagy’s debut solo record ‚Walk That Fine Thin Line‘ followed by Nagy’s ‚Fell Towards None‘ in 2011 and ‚Stranded‘ in 2015. From 2010 to 2014, Jim served as the keyboardist and primary background vocalist in the touring band for blues singer Janiva Magness. He toured nationally and internationally with the band and is featured on Ms. Magness‘ Alligator Records release ‚Stronger For It‘ from 2012 as well as her self-released album ‚Original‘ from 2014. In October 2013, Jim released another solo project entitled ‚Jim Alfredson’s Dirty Fingers‘, a tribute to jazz organ great Big John Patton. 2015 saw the release of THEO’s debut, ‘The Game Of Ouroboros’. In 2017 organissimo released two albums, ‘B3tles – A Soulful Tribue to the Fab Four’ and ‘Live At The SpeakEZ’. In 2018 he began touring with international blues star Thornetta Davis, performing at festivals all over Canada and Europe, as well as touring with blues guitarist and singer James Armstrong. When not touring or writing 15 minute long progressive rock opuses, Jim engineers, mixes, and masters recordings for various artists.

“…sonically stunning progressive rock… with excellent musicianship, great melodies, and dreamy atmospheres… ” – Sea of Tranquility (USA)

Pre-order THEO ‚Figureheads‘ CD from Generation Prog Records:
https://generation-prog.com/?page_id=1172

Further press inquiries: Michael Schetter (Generation Prog Records)  –  info@generation-prog.com