Articles by Gary Mackenzie

Gary has contributed reviews and news features for Prog Magazine for over a decade now. A fan of prog and heavy rock since childhood, his main areas of interest are classic and symphonic prog, prog-metal and modern acts bringing in fresh influences to the genre. He has a professional background in youth and community work, he teaches drum kit in schools and is a working musician. Gary was the drummer in semi-legendary NWOBHM band Praying Mantis for a couple of years and has been a member of indie-prog-pop-art-rock combo The Mighty Handful for more than twenty years. He loves cats and skiing, and has a Blue Peter badge.

Articles by: Gary Mackenzie

“Tchaikovsky was a sort of mentor; if it was good, ABBA or whatever, we didn’t shut anything out”: When Gentle Giant revisited seventh album Free Hand

By Gary Mackenzie published 22 August 24

The reissue, complete with Steven Wilson remixes, was the band’s chance to look back on what the band had liked about 1975 release, and what they hadn’t

Returned To The Earth - Stalagmite Steeple

“Personal and sometimes uncomfortable … an elegant exploration of the abyss for those willing to be drawn in”: Returned To The Earth’s Stalagmite Steeple

By Gary Mackenzie published 5 August 24

Unhurried, dark and dreamy, their fifth album features smooth instrumentation and warm, yearning vocals

"We make musical journeys. We’re the Alan Whicker of prog!” The Tangent and how they made Songs From The Hard Shoulder

By Gary Mackenzie published 10 June 24

Twenty years into a career as one of British prog’s most prolific underground bands, The Tangent are focusing on long-form songs on their 12th album, Songs From The Hard Shoulder.

“Possibly the nearest Tillison has ever come to prog metal, with a punchy bass riff that could be a Drama-era Chris Squire outtake”: The Tangent’s To Follow Polaris

By Gary Mackenzie published 16 May 24

A completely solo work from beginning to end, 13th outing is an experiment that’s resulted in astounding triumph

The peter Gabriel-era lineup of Genesis standing amongst trees

The Genesis albums you should definitely own

By Gary Mackenzie published 24 April 24

Prog? Art-rock? AOR? Pop? We don our capes and peer through the dry ice to guide you through the best Genesis albums

“I listen to pop music with headphones so intensely, like I’m studying the Torah… I love the ear-candy stuff!” You might find a hint of Olivia Rodrigo on the new Pattern-Seeking Animals album (and a mildly controversial sax solo too)

By Gary Mackenzie published 19 March 24

Spock’s Beard offshoot’s John Boegehold hates bonus CDs, which is one reason you’ll also find hints of older music on Spooky Action At A Distance

“A triumph of melodic prog which wears its influences on its sleeve, yet still sounds bold and entirely contemporary”: Cyan’s reinvention of Pictures From The Other Side

By Gary Mackenzie published 12 January 24

Not yet rated

Classic and neo-prog meets classy pop-rock in lavish upgrade of 1994 original

“A plan to work with guest contributors has resulted in a fairly tortuous journey… but the struggle has been worth it”: Earthside’s Let The Truth Speak

By Gary Mackenzie published 20 November 23

American cinematic band’s second album is even more ambitious than their debut, and took years to bring together

“We categorise it as ‘bleaktastic’… how and what I sing often stem from my frustrations with my bloody back!” New monster stories from Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate

By Gary Mackenzie published 15 November 23

The Light Of Ancient Mistakes continues into the abyss of human nature, with dark humour and an offer of hope, driven by singer Malcolm Galloway’s debilitating illness

Downes Braide Association - Celestial Songs

“It isn’t the edgiest, most dramatic or experimental album released this year, but that’s really not the point”: Downes Braide Association’s Celestial Songs

By Gary Mackenzie published 11 September 23

Geoff Downes and Chris Braide return to their classic sound with fifth LP, which still carries the occasional nod to prog

Five cool new prog acts you need to hear this March

By Jerry Ewing, Jeremy Allen, Gary Mackenzie, Matt Mills, Dom Lawson published 30 March 23

Check out Moundrag, EBB, Cabiria, Wizrd and Shell Beach – five great new up and coming prog artists

On reflection: Gentle Giant and the making of Free Hand

By Gary Mackenzie published 22 August 22

Free Hand was Gentle Giant's seventh studio album and first for new label Chrysalis Records. It was also their highest charting album in the States...