Sky Architect is a young Rotterdam-based band. You might be inclined to say they play progressive rock music, but they’d prefer you to just listen to their music free of such limitations. As certified architects, they have the technical proficiency to pull off everything they want to perfection, to draw out a flawless design and lay down a firm foundation. Then, instead of filling it in, they keep to the skeletal set-up and let the weather – be it rain, wind or sunshine – rush through it. However hefty the subject tackled, however heavy the sound, the ‘sky’ always maintains a feel of playfulness, an airy breeze keeping things fresh and unexpected. The band is on a mission to prove that progressive rock is not only beautiful, but can also be exciting.

Sky Architect evolved from a three-piece called Seraphine, consisting of Wabe, Christiaan and Rik, formed in 2008 at the Rotterdam Conservatory. A year later, Guus and Tom joined and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, two albums (Excavations of the Mind, A Dying Man’s Hymn) were released to critical acclaim, and a third is on the way. Inspiration for their music runs far and wide. From the usual suspects of our time (Flower Kings, Pain of Salvation, Opeth) and the ones from the genre’s heyday ( Pink Floyd, Genesis, King Crimson) towards wildly different acts from the realms of classical music, modern jazz, alternative rock – the energy and commitment of a band like Rage Against the Machine would be a prime example – and many more. This versatility is confirmed by tracing the other projects of the band members, which run the gambit from jazz to folk and from pop to metal. Christiaan is also well-known and highly acclaimed in the scene under his solo moniker Chris. In their short history, they have already played on such esteemed festivals as Night of the Prog, ProgPower and Terra Incognita, sharing the stage with luminaries such as Dream Theater, Riverside and The Tangent.

For the new record, tentatively titled A Billion Years of Solitude, the band was inspired by, and wanted to evoke the feel of, sci-fi movies from the 50s and 60s. Listening to it, you will be transported to a universe and era in which black holes and supernovas are an essential part of everyday life, intergalactic wars are waged and multidimensional beings are waiting past every corner to lunge at you.

Through this material, Sky Architect have created an opportunity to craft and twist their sound to fit the subject, and in doing so, grow further as a band. You could call the result space rock, though once again they’d prefer for you to have an open mind and to just go and listen to it.