I do have one negative. The fidelity of the recording. I first experienced the album via Spotify and found it overdriven and muddy, so I listened on Apple Music, same thing. I then even paid to download the high-resolution WAV files from Bandcamp. These were better, but even with the high-quality download, I noticed that the album still sounded slightly overdriven, particularly at its most intense moments. I appreciate the challenges faced by mixing engineers when dealing with such complex and dynamic music. The album's mixing seemed to struggle with the sheer volume of sound being produced, especially during the climactic sections where the music reaches its zenith. This isn't to say the music isn't phenomenal—it is—but it serves as a testament to the challenges of capturing the full spectrum of Monkey3's sound. The music, teeming with emotion and energy, often feels like it's bursting at the seams, a quality that both defines and, at times, detracts from the listening experience.

That being said..."Welcome To The Machine" is an odyssey that reflects Monkey3's deep-seated influences from cinematic masterpieces like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "The Matrix." It challenges listeners to explore the realms of space, time, and human consciousness against a backdrop of mankind's tumultuous relationship with technology. Released under Napalm Records, the album is heralded as their most epic work to date; we concur. It’s an essential listen for those who seek to push the boundaries of what instrumental music can convey.

Tune in to Prog Radio, where you’ll hear select tracks from this exceptional album in our new music rotation, and featured in this week’s 'What’s New Proggy Cats?' show, airing both Monday and Tuesday.

4.5 Stars