Welsh proggers Godsticks are back with their darkest, heaviest and most uncompromising material to date. Bandleader Darran Charles tells Prog all about VOiD , their upcoming live shows and why he’s keeping an open mind when it comes to audience reactions.

ASIA VENUE ROSS CORN EXCHANGE, ROSS-ON-WYE, HEREFORDSHIRE DATE ...

Musical chameleons Ulver have reinvented themselves yet again. With their 14th album, they’ve turned away from the progressive synthpop of their recent releases and delivered something more atmospheric. Mainman Kristoffer Rygg looks back on the personal strife and decades of deviation that have paved the way for Neverland.

The prolific Bill Nelson ’s taken a brief pause from his solo work to turn his attention towards a project of a different kind. Orchestra Futura was a live improv trio that also included Theo Travis and Dave Sturt. Although they never released any studio recordings, a selection of material has just been collated and issued as Live At Nelsonica & Clothworkers Hall . Prog caught up with its members to find out more and uncover Nelson’s plans for the future.

Following Richey Edwards’ disappearance and the “commercial disaster” of The Holy Bible , the MANIC STREET PREACHERS were told that this is the end. Instead, they roared back with an unassailable anthem heralding one of the biggest British albums of the ’90s. Sam Richards celebrates 30 years of Everything Must Go : “It was the most spectacular feeling,” says Nicky Wire. “That period when you go over the top...”

Prog polymath is heading back to the Royal Albert Hall and announces a hi-res platform for his digital albums.