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The Infinite Three have been making strange sounds for nearly 10 years, but Innocence – the first of two new EPs – showcases a more experimental and ambitious edge compared to the post punk/noise rock vibes of their 2016 album Lucky Beast. Born from an improvised recording session, this four- track sees the trio dabble in twisted rhythms, off-kilter beats and meandering melodies with bursts of distortion. They may be prog scene outsiders – they formed from the ashes of gothic art rockers Leisur Hive – but this recording would sit comfortably alongside Godsticks and The Pineapple Thief. The opening title track bursts to life with Swans-esque distortion before mutating into a Godsticks-like anthem. Elsewhere, the creeping Hot Strings brings a modern spin on their dark roots with a Bauhausian creep and haunt, and occasional The Cure’s proggier whispers of moments. Like A Dog is evocative of Nick Cave at his most experimental, with a burst of harmonica, a pinch of dub and a tinkling piano, while These Animal Eyes combines elements of drone with nuances of Massive Attack and early Björk. A short but bold introduction.

Contributing to Prog since the very first issue, writer and broadcaster Natasha Scharf was the magazine’s News Editor before she took up her current role of Deputy Editor, and has interviewed some of the best-known acts in the progressive music world from ELP, Yes and Marillion to Nightwish, Dream Theater and TesseracT. Starting young, she set up her first music fanzine in the late 80s and became a regular contributor to local newspapers and magazines over the next decade. The 00s would see her running the dark music magazine, Meltdown, as well as contributing to Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Terrorizer and Artrocker. Author of music subculture books The Art Of Gothic and Worldwide Gothic, she’s since written album sleeve notes for Cherry Red, and also co-wrote Tarja Turunen’s memoirs, Singing In My Blood. Beyond the written word, Natasha has spent several decades as a club DJ, spinning tunes at aftershow parties for Metallica, Motörhead and Nine Inch Nails. She’s currently the only member of the Prog team to have appeared on the magazine’s cover.

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