What an incredible 2025 it’s been in the world of prog. This year, we’ve taken a different approach to our Critics’ Choice and instead of printing our writers’ Top 20 lists, we’ve pooled them to create a definitive Top 50 with profile pieces on some of the key players. Did your favourite make the cut? We look forward to reading your thoughts on the results.

The great and good of progressive music give us a glimpse into their prog worlds. As told to Grant Moon. Outside of music

Buckle up because 2026 is shaping up to be one helluva ride. We take a look into the prog crystal ball and find out what live releases, reissues and shows are expected in the next 12 months.

A 12-year gap between albums would see most bands lose fans and momentum. But progmetallers Karnivool tell us they’re back to reclaim their crown – if they don’t die on stage first.

With solo projects, other bands and a massive Creed reunion between them, there were whispers that Alter Bridge might be on the way out. Instead they regrouped, faced the dark side of our times, put their foot on the gas and recorded a brilliant new album.

BY THE SUMMER of 1974, King Crimson had reached critical mass. Albums like In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (1973) and Starless and Bible Black (early 1974) had seen th