Nine Skies, the acclaimed French progressive rock band, returns with their fourth album, "The Lightmaker." At Prog Radio, we've celebrated their past releases, but with "The Lightmaker," it's evident the ensemble has pushed their boundaries even further. The dedication and detail infused into "The Lightmaker" are palpable, making it less a mere musical recording and more a beautiful work of art.

The album serves as a concept narrative revolving around Rudy, a character embarking on his 1001st and final life. As listeners traverse the album, they're privy to Rudy's past lives through various personas — the explorer, dreamer, architect, and more. These introspective journeys invoke profound reflections on the human experience.

What makes "The Lightmaker" even more intriguing is the ensemble of A-list guest performers, including Marco Minnemann, Adam Holzman, John Mitchell, Kristoffer Gildenlöw, Riccardo Romano, Martin Wilson, Charlie Bramald, Arnaud Quevedo, and Laura Piazzai. Instead of overcrowding the album, these guest appearances enrich it, lending each track a distinctive tone fitting for the overarching concept.