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• Prog Meteors

The PROG METEORS are Unique Works or albums produced in very limited numbers over short periods of time, by Artists, Bands, or isolated Projects that in many cases produced even just one album, involving artists who then disappeared from the music scene or who, even with prolific careers, never again worked with the same lineup or only released rare solo works. 

Some stories are particularly fascinating and mysterious, great albums that never had a follow-up, sometimes for known reasons, in some cases without any apparent explanation, often due to the lack of success at the time of release, but these works have since been rightly re-evaluated and in many cases are now unanimously considered true masterpieces. 

What remains is an immense musical legacy and the hope, sometimes unrealistic, of new appearances. In these cases, the records are historical documents.

In this section I have started to gather the PROG METEORS  and their albums that define their careers up to their conclusion and that deserve to be mentioned in the fantastic world of progressive rock as fleeting appearances that have left an indelible mark …

Albums by Bands or Artists Who Released Only One Album, in Chronological Order

The Wilde Flowers self-titled album, recordings from the fifties, Canterbury Scene
The album you see in the photo is not from the fifties but from 2018. This is because this band did not release any albums while it existed, but only in 2014 and 2018 were two compilations released, first on CD and then on vinyl, with their tracks. Despite their brief existence and although they did not release any records, they were the cradle of musicians who later became key figures; the band was fertile ground for the development of future leaders of the Canterbury scene, creating a core of musicians who would later join other fundamental projects. We are talking about Daevid Allen, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Hugh Hopper, Brian Hopper, Richard Coughlan, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings, Mike Ratledge and bands like Gong, Soft Machine, Matching Mole, Caravan, Hatfield and the North, Camel…

Ikarus self-titled album from 1971, Eclectic Prog, Krautrock

Ikarus, a German group from the '70s that released only one album, was formed in Hamburg, Germany, in the mid-'60s. They started as a cover band called Beatique In Corporation (BIC), playing hits by artists like Elvis Presley and Tom Jones. After winning a contest and appearing on a compilation, the band changed its name to Ikarus and moved towards a more progressive rock sound. The band broke up due to the different goals of its members and the commercial decline of progressive rock, which led to internal disagreements and a lack of future direction. Beautiful album.

Edge of Time by  DOM, 1972 Album, Krautrock

DOM is a quartet formed in Düsseldorf in 1969 and disbanded in 1972. Edge of Time, their only album, is known for its psychedelic, spacey sound, featuring electric organs and acoustic guitars. A multinational collective with members from Germany and Hungary, their sound is characterized by a psychedelic, spacey acoustic trip, dominated by guitars and percussion. It also incorporates electric organs, buzzing bass, and electronic effects. The band disbanded because the members chose to pursue different academic and personal interests after the album's release.

Frutti per Kagua dei Capitolo 6, 1972 album, Italian Progressive Rock

Capitolo 6 was an Italian progressive rock band formed in 1969 by the merger of members of two Tuscan bands, Gli Eremiti and I Rangers. After moving to Rome and undergoing lineup changes, they released their only album, Frutti per Kagua, in 1972. Their sound is often compared to that of Jethro Tull, with prominent use of flute and saxophone in a symphonic-rock style.

The band disbanded in 1972 due to limited commercial success; the band struggled to gain popularity, which led to the decision to disband. They also participated in several RCA compilations released worldwide for the 1972 Sanremo Music Festival. Some members participated in other short-lived musical projects. The album is a gem of Italian Prog.

Cargo self-titled album from 1972, Heavy Prog

Cargo was a short-lived Dutch hard rock and progressive rock band from the early 1970s, releasing a single album in 1972. Formed under the name September and released a few singles, they then changed their name to Cargo and self-produced their only album, which was released in a run of only 1,500 copies. Due to limited commercial success and limited distribution outside the Netherlands, the group disbanded shortly after its release. The album was later rediscovered by progressive rock fans and is now considered a cult classic with its fusion of hard rock, progressive rock, and psychedelic elements.

Space Shanty by Khan, 1972 album, Canterbury Scene, Space rock
British progressive rock group formed in London in 1971, released one album, Space Shanty, in 1972. The band broke up because Steve Hillage, discouraged by their record label's lack of interest in a second album, wanted to join other bands. Another important factor was the departure of bassist Nick Greenwood, which frustrated him and led him to think he was becoming musically more ambitious than the band could accommodate. Hillage later joined Gong, while Stewart became part of Egg and National Health. Much of the material intended for Khan's second album was later used in Steve Hillage's first solo album, Fish Rising. Space Shanty is an absolute masterpiece.

Swaddling Songs by Mellow Candle from 1972, Folk Rock
Mellow Candle were an Irish progressive folk-rock group active from 1968 to 1973, known for their 1972 album, Swaddling Songs. The band was formed by students Clodagh Simonds and Alison Bools (later O'Donnell/Williams) in Dublin, and evolved from early pop projects to a more complex folk-rock sound. Despite critical acclaim for Swaddling Songs, lack of promotion and commercial issues led to the band's breakup shortly after the album's release. A unique gem.

Diario Di Viaggio Della Festa Mobile by Festa Mobile, 1973 album, Italian Progressive Rock
Festa Mobile were an Italian symphonic progressive rock group formed in Rome in the early '70s, known for their 1973 concept album "Diario di viaggio della Festa Mobile." The album was a fantasy concept album that showcased the keyboard work of the Boccuzzi brothers and blended symphonic, jazz-rock, and pure progressive rock styles. The band broke up shortly after the album's release. The Boccuzzi brothers formed the jazz-fusion group Il Baricentro, which released two albums in the late '70s.
Other members continued their musical careers; for example, Alessio Alba became an expert in Indian music and released a solo album. Great Album

Zarathustra by Museo Rosenbach 1973 album, Italian Progressive Rock
Museo Rosenbach are an Italian progressive rock band famous for their 1973 album, Zarathustra. The band was formed in 1971 from the merger of two groups, La Quinta Strada and Il Sistema. 

The original group disbanded in 1974 following the album's lack of commercial success despite critical acclaim, mainly due to a real boycott perpetrated by the mass media because of the images in the cover collage, which sparked false prejudices about the band's political orientation. However, the album was reissued and became highly sought after by collectors. A masterpiece

Still by Peter Sinfield, 1973 album, Prog Related
Peter Sinfield was an English poet, lyricist, musician, and producer, known for co-founding the progressive rock band King Crimson and for writing lyrics for artists such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Celine Dion, and Cher. Peter Sinfield released only one solo album, Still, mainly because his main career was as a lyricist and poet, not as a solo artist. Still was released at a time when Sinfield was still active in the music scene, but he did not pursue a solo career that would have involved releasing other albums. Still therefore remains a rare, unrepeatable gem.

Fish Out of Water by Chris Squire, 1975 album, Symphonic Rock
This is one of those cases where the artist is certainly not a flash in the pan, Chris Squire's career with Yes was outstanding, but this is his only solo album and it struck me because its story makes it special. (except for a Christmas album and a work with SQUACKETT, which is also a flash in the pan) The album was born from the decision by Yes, after the release of the album Relayer, to each make a solo album to promote during the band's next tour. The title is a combination of Squire's nickname (Fish) and the fact that for the first time it is his work without YES (out of water), which well represents this great bassist's attachment to the band. 

Mainstream by Quiet Sun, 1975 album, Canterbury Scene
Quiet Sun were an English band from the Canterbury scene in the early 1970s, and Mainstream is their only album. The original lineup, consisting of Phil Manzanera, Bill MacCormick, Charles Hayward, and Dave Jarrett, formed in 1970 and disbanded in 1972 when its members joined other groups (Roxy Music and Matching Mole). The band reformed in 1975 to record Mainstream during sessions for Manzanera's solo album, with contributions from Brian Eno. The name "Quiet Sun" was inspired by an article on sunspots. Their music combined progressive rock and jazz, similar to that of contemporary groups like Soft Machine. The band disbanded in 1972, when its members moved on to other projects. Mainstream is a unique gem of the Canterbury scene.

Blå Vardag by Atlas, 1979 album, Symphonic Rock
Swedish progressive rock band Atlas released only one album, "Blå Vardag," in 1979, before disbanding in 1980. The lineup included Björn Ekborn and Erik Björn Nielsen on keyboards, Micke Pinotti on drums, Uffe Hedlund on bass, and Janne Persson on guitar. After disbanding, the band (minus Ekborn) continued as a project called Mosaik, releasing a self-titled album in 1982. The various members pursued other musical activities with different groups. The band's sound was based on the use of dual keyboards and a fusion of symphonic rock with fusion influences and complex instrumental compositions that at times contain reminiscences of the Canterbury sound.

Emerson, Lake & Powell, self-titled album from 1986, Symphonic Rock
In 1984, keyboardist Keith Emerson and singer-bassist-guitarist Greg Lake decided to collaborate again, initially as a duo, then to form a band with which to perform live. The most obvious choice would have been to call back Carl Palmer, but the drummer was tied up with Asia. Emerson and Lake thus joined forces with Cozy Powell, declaring that it was pure coincidence that his initials were the same as Carl Palmer's. The first breakup occurred in 1979 due to the different careers each member wanted to pursue. They reunited for a live concert in 1998. The album Emerson, Lake & Powell never had a follow-up.. 

Anderson - Bruford - Wakeman - Howe self-titled album from 1989, Symphonic Rock
This is a sort of spin-off of Yes, a project developed in 1987, when Yes, with guitarist Trevor Rabin in the lineup, experienced a stylistic dispute initiated by Anderson, dissatisfied with the band's pop turn. Anderson then recruited three historic Yes members who had left at different times: guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and drummer Bill Bruford. The band remained active from 1988 to 1990. Two live albums followed: An Evening of Yes Music Plus in 1993 and Live at the NEC in 2010. Anderson's attempt to "re-found" his own version of Yes is something he has repeated several times, and he has done so by influencing, as in this case, all the projects he has collaborated on, as recently seen with the Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks project, but that's another story. 

Determinazione dei Divae, 1995 album, Italian Progressive Rock
Divae were a six-piece Italian progressive rock band formed in Rome in the 1990s. Determinazione is their only album. Their sound is characterized by symphonic Italian rock with 1970s references, featuring a strong keyboard presence and influences from bands such as Banco, PFM, and Gentle Giant. Although the band was a one-off, their album featured prog legends Gianni Leone and Lino Vairetti. The group disbanded shortly after the album's release due to internal conflicts, and the members moved on to other projects, such as the addition of bassist Amici and drummer Ugo Vantini in a reincarnation of Balletto di Bronzo, and Vantini's entry into Vu Meters. The album is beautiful.

A Life Within a Day degli SQUACKETT, 2012 album, Crossover Prog
Squackett was a 2012 musical project formed by Chris Squire (Yes) and Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis), whose name was a combination of their surnames. The project released only one album, A Life Within a Day, but it was short-lived. The project disbanded after the album's release, and unfortunately, there was no follow-up, partly due to Squire's passing in 2015. A beautiful album, designed to be accessible and incorporate moments of prog, but it's not a purely prog album; we can define it as dreamy, relaxing, and very accessible pop-prog. The meeting of two giants of prog.

Storm Corrosion 2012 self-titled album, Eclectic Prog
Storm Corrosion is a 2012 project by Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree). The duo released a solo album that combines elements of progressive rock, avant-garde music, and psychedelia, with an experimental and minimalist sound. The collaboration was born from the two artists' desire to create something new and different from their respective projects. Storm Corrosion never officially disbanded, but the project is inactive because the members have returned to their main projects. They deliberately kept Storm Corrosion as an experimental and unique album, without planning a second, preferring to focus on their other bands and their individual work. I continue to hope that this Meteora will return to the Progressive Rock world.

Invention of Knowledge di Jon Anderson & Roine Stolt, 2016 album, Symphonic Rock
A collaborative album by Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt, released in 2016, a collaboration guided and facilitated by their record label, Inside Out. This album seemed to establish a new Yes lineup in both sound and intent. It's an excellent album, one that I think all prog fans should listen to. It would have been nice to see the experiment continue, but it was a one-off. Andersson, however, tried again, with excellent results, just last year, in 2024 with True by Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks. We'll see if there's ever a follow-up.

A Drop Of Light degli All Traps On Earth, 2018 album, Symphonic Rock
An essential progressive rock album, created by a Swedish quartet led by Johan Brand of Anglagard, which also includes two other members of the same band, Thomas Johnson and Erik Hammarström, and the collaboration of five other musicians playing saxophone, flute, and trumpet. The album's release was preceded by five years of intense work. It's a magnificent album of symphonic rock influenced by Anglagard, but also by the Canterbury scene and a touch of jazz. The band never officially broke up, but this is their only outstanding album to date. A new release would be wonderful; we'll see.

Albums by bands or artists who have released two albums, in chronological order

Syd Barrett (Prog Related) was a founding member of Pink Floyd, a singer-songwriter, and a central figure in the 1960s psychedelic rock movement, known today for his genius and subsequent decline in mental health. His life was marked by creative ups and downs, including an influential role in early Pink Floyd and only two solo albums, followed by a withdrawal from public life due to his deteriorating mental health, exacerbated by heavy LSD use. Barrett died in 2006, but his legacy as a visionary artist continues to influence musicians today. Simply a genius.

Matching Mole (Canterbury Scene) was an English band founded by Robert Wyatt in 1971 after leaving Soft Machine, which inspired their name. The band comprised Wyatt on drums and vocals, Phil Miller on guitar, Bill MacCormick on bass, and a rotating keyboardist, first Dave Sinclair and then Dave MacRae. They released two albums, but due to poor commercial success, they disbanded, and Wyatt devoted himself to songwriting. He later decided to reform the band with a new lineup. While recording the new album in 1973, he fell from a third-story window at a party, becoming paralyzed. He survived, but found himself confined to a wheelchair and subsequently abandoned the Matching Mole project.

Flora Fauna e Cemento were an Italian pop-rock band formed in 1970 by Mario Lavezzi and Damiano Dattoli, affiliated with the Numero Uno record label founded by Lucio Battisti and Mogol. The lineup changed frequently, including temporary members, including Gianna Nannini. They released two albums, Rock (1973) and Disamore (1975), before disbanding in 1977. Their second album, Disamore, was an ineffective follow-up to the band's career, with weaker lyrics and music compared to their debut. The band disbanded due to lack of commercial success. Their debut album is a cult classic within the Italian progressive rock movement.

Hatfield and the North were a Canterbury scene band formed in 1972 by guitarist Phil Miller, drummer Pip Pyle, bassist/vocalist Richard Sinclair, and keyboardist Dave Stewart. The band released two studio albums, Hatfield And The North (1974) and The Rotters' Club (1975). The band's name was inspired by the motorway signs pointing north from London. The rise of punk and changing trends in the music industry caused progressive rock bands like Hatfield and the North to become less popular. Some members continued to perform and release music, such as Phil Miller and Alex Maguire in the band National Health.

Pierrot Lunaire was an Italian progressive rock band formed in 1974 and active until 1977. Their sound was a unique fusion of progressive rock, avant-garde, and folk, with influences from Italian prog, composers like Debussy and groups like  Faust. The lineup consisted of Gaio Chiocchio, Vincenzo Caporaletti, and Arturo Stalteri, all classically trained. The band released Pierrot Lunaire (1974) and Gudrun (1977), and while they were not very successful in Italy, but prized among international collectors. The band broke up due to different creative directions, guitarist Arturo Stàlteri  left the group in 1978 to devote himself to classical music. Their works are excellent albums, must-have in your collection.

Il Volo was an Italian progressive rock supergroup formed in 1974 and composed of extraordinary musicians from other bands, including the great Alberto Radius. They released two albums before breaking up, the eponymous Il Volo (1974) and Essere o non essere? Essere! Essere! Essere! (1975). Their sound was a beautiful symphonic rock, with a style characterized by rock instrumentation with classical influences, and their albums are a must-have for lovers of Italian progressive rock. Il Volo broke up because their second album was not commercially successful. After breaking up, the members pursued solo careers or became successful session musicians.

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