Panorama

Panorama is a 1970s inspired prog rock album by Hällas. As a critic wrote "if this album was released in 1972 or 1975". That is the problem. This album fits all the requirements for a very good prog rock album from the 1970s, but it's not the 1970s anymore. It's like a copy of a classical painting from centuries ago. At least The Darkness (doing something similar) does not take itself serious while this band seems to do with incredible cheesy lyrics. This is a fast food product, not a good meal.

Favourite songs: Face of an Angel, At the Summit, The Emissary, Above the Continuum Least favourite songs: Bestiaus 5/5

That first song was fucking epic. Can’t complain about a length like that when it feels completely justified. The rest of the album was equally solid. Not to much not to like, but it could have used a little more range. That’s my only gripe and it’s a small one. Great pick. 4/5

Epic

Una sorpresa musical en forma de música de fantasía, épica, con temas melodiosos, instrumentalmente destacado y recomendable para escuchar algo más épico y distinto. Se merece más escuchas.

This was fun, a throwback to 70's progressive rock. One of the more authentic-sounding throwbacks to that era that I've heard. The music reminded me of Alan Parsons Project, while the vocals were more like Peter Gabriel from his Genesis era. Good stuff. 4 stars.

Another album I wasn’t expecting to appear here! Saw these guys live in February, so I’ve actually listened to this one more than most of the user submissions (and book albums for that matter). Hällas switch up their formula by going for a side-long epic as the first track. Functionally it’s a conventional Hällas song, just extended fourfold. It took me a few listens to warm up to, it’s a fun journey. They also opened their set with it which is a ballsy move, they’re not shying away from the progginess. The other tracks are more usual fare, though ”Face of an Angel” is poppier than previously ventured for the band. I like this album, though if I were to choose a Hällas album to submit I would have gone with 2020’s ”Isle of Wisdom” or even the Hällas EP (although some users here don’t like EPs being submitted). Good to see some adventure rock representation either way ;^)

A neat modern take on 70s prog rock. I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. And for the commentator who heard Horse With No Name. Yeah I hear it too. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No

Well this felt retro and apparently that was part of the goal. Those Swedes do a good job!

Throwback to 70s arena rock

For me, *Panorama* is not a perfect album, and neither are Hällas a perfect band, but I have an inkling the "adventure rock" genre this Swedish act are so intent to launch might be to the liking of my acquaintance Émile -- someone I have started an online correspondence with, only through this generator. So it's pretty fitting to have this album pop up today when Alexander has just set up a Discord group so that contributors can interact more (nice idea) -- although I predict Émile and I will continue to write to each other through the review section first and foremost... Hällas also want to bridge the gaps between different personalities / music styles with their very "vintage", committed artistry. And as they do so, they are reviving the corpse of seventies Prog-Rock, once ruthlessly murdered by the likes of Rush (maybe some of you remember my old review...). The endeavor is objectively quite admirable, and I am especially impressed with how utterly devoid of digital gloss and contemporary production values the whole thing sounds. This thing indeed comes off as something that could have been recorded during the seventies -- including the little endearing flaws for the vocal parts, so "authentic" it's simply impossible to imagine pro tools or pitch correction digital tools have been used for them. It's very refreshing to have that sort of sound surge out of 2026. "Face Of An Angel" is a certified bop for my ears -- one I could swear I have heard before on a classic rock radio station, somewhere between mid-career Yes, Blue Öyster Cult and The Alan Parsons Project. Hällas sure know their way around a good tune in that prog-rock genre when they want to. The rest of the songs, mixing the same reference points with a strong Peter Gabriel-era Genesis influence, are not so immediately striking -- as many other reviewers already noticed -- but they generally explore good ideas, where technical proficiency and virtuoso prowess can serve nice compositional intents. Case in point, the first side of the record comprising one long single track, "Above The Continuum". The italo-disco introduction of that song is terrific and sets up a distinct mood from the onset. It's quite a shame Hällas never really return to that style during *Panorama*, but that doesn't prevent great moments from following that interesting start. Maybe the band goes a little too fast from one idea to the next at times, instead of staying longer in a lane and digging a more hypnotic groove in it. But it's also the sort of predictable shortcoming that goes with that whole prog-rock territory, I imagine. One that you would rarely find in the greatest *krautrock* records of all time for instance... About the shortest songs following "Face Of An Angel" on the second side, "The Emissary" unfortunately fades out when it gets truly interesting. The rest of the composition sounds like leftover ideas originally aimed for the first long track, here lacking a clear sense of direction. "Bestiaus" feels more like a long interlude than a proper song with its barebones piano instrumentation (still nicely detuned). You would need a real chorus to make it a real song for me. And closer "At The Summit" is pretty decent without ever changing the formula, I guess. Thumbs up for its short synth soloing at the end. I only wish the latter had developed into something more consistent. It would be unfair or even nonsensical to wish a prog-rock record should apply the "less is more" philosophy. That said, I still think a reasonable amount of simpler hooks could have made *Panorama* more digestible. This, or some more recognizable choruses. Think of the ones found in Yes' "Starship Trooper", "I've Seen All Good People", "Heart Of The Sunrise" or "Close To The Edge". Or "Firth Of Fifth" in Genesis' *Selling England By The Pound*. Or "Here Comes The Flood" in Peter Gabriel's solo debut... That pointed criticism doesn't mean that *Panorama* is a "bad" album in the grand scheme of things. It's just that as objectively good as its assets are, it can't fully get rid of the "derivative" tag a lot of listeners will probably apply to it. Quite ironic that a band wants to freshen up an old style thanks to a new genre tag ("adventure rock") only to dive headlong into the clichés routinely associated with the actual genre they drew most of their inspiration from ("prog-rock"), rarely finding ways to transcend them. Creating a "panorama" is often not enough. You also need to make some of your panels shine bright. 2.5/5 for the purposes of this list dedicated to essential albums, rounded up to 3. 7.5/10 for more general purposes (5 for the musicianship and production values + 2.5 for the artistry) ---- Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 465 Albums from the original list I *might* include in mine later on: 288 Albums from the original list I won't include in mine: 336 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 118 Albums from the users list I *might* select for mine later on: 126 Albums from the users list I won't select for mine: 282 (including this one) ---- Émile, *quatre* nouveaux messages pour toi au dessus, du *Solid State Survivor* de Yellow Magic Orchestra au *Atrocity Exhibition* de Danny Brown.

I like prog a lot so this was fun. I’m not sure I needed to listen to it. But sod it im giving it an extra star because compared to a lot of the crap in this part of the project it stands up.

An album from this year, but clearly inspired by 70s prog rock and metal. Judging by this album, and the album covers of Hällas' other work, fantasy-adventure driven themes is kind of their bread and butter. True to prog rock tendencies, the band opts for fewer tracks and longer track runtimes, and they make good use of that time with epic playing and storytelling. Well, as a fan of 70s hard rock and metal, including the ones with fantastical elements, it suffices to say that I fuck with this. They're not reinventing the wheel or adding anything new, but it's fun to hear a modern band's take on this sound.

Modern prog is mostly cringe

July 13, 2026 HL: "Above the Continuum", "Bestiaus" Hmmm... this is objectively good prog/AOR putting the 80s drums at the beginning kinda gave away the only genuine surprise on this album, not including the surprise that this only came out a few months ago otherwise- idk- I enjoyed myself 3.5/5

This one was fine, but nothing too special

A fun romp through the prog rock days of old but then like also like Imagine Dragons or something

Modern prog rock that sounds straight out of the 70s. They're vamping on America/Kansas territory.

For better or for worse, this sounds exactly like a prog rock album from the late 1970s. It's a fine tribute but I do kinda wish there was more to it than that. Also is it just me or does "Face of an Angel" sounds almost suspiciously like "Horse With No Name".

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Face of an angel

Progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal. Ni fu ni fa.

Progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal. Ni fu ni fa.

Severe stylistic whiplash within the first five minutes. I don't know quite what to make of this. All kinds of metal, operatic rock, baroque pop angles stuck together. Didn't quite cohere for me but it wasn't dull anyway.

Seeing that 2026 release date after listening hit me like a slap in the balls.

So I listened to it, assumed it was a 1970s prog rock album I never heard of. Prog rock isn't my genre so there are plenty of bands I don't know. I was ready to give it an average 3/5 and move on.... THEN I see the album was released in 2026... 2/5

Some nice bits on this album, but I’m not sure what category to put it in.

Hmm

This album was released less than 6 months ago and is on this list already. As always, Euro Metal Dudes need to chill. This was fine.

Automatic -1 star for an album released in the past year – no way to know the impact or staying power of an LP when it’s still this fresh. That being said, I don’t see tired, uninspired King Crimson re-runs doing much for this project’s memorability. The album is produced and executed well, and it’s not a bad listen per se, but it’s ultimately music that’s been done before without much to say.

Panorama isn't for me though it's not without its moments. It just touches too many of prog's negative traits for me to like it and it's terribly cheesy, but The Emissary has some great moments in particularly, there are some really good melodic bits, but overall it drags and I don't enjoy it as much. Pretty skilled overall, just a high 2/5.

A pretty good facsimile and enjoyable listen, but an album less than 6 months old goes so far against the intention of this list that I can’t give it more than 2.