Altered States: Architects of Modern Progressive Rock
Altered States is a British progressive rock band known for its complex compositions and atmospheric soundscapes. Formed in Manchester in 2008, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2015 album Chronos, which charted in the UK Top 40 and received critical acclaim across Europe.
Early career
The band's founding members, vocalist/guitarist Leo Vance and keyboardist Sasha Petrov, met while studying music technology in 2006. They began crafting intricate instrumentals in a home studio, blending rock with electronic textures. Their self-released 2012 EP, Echoes in the Static, caught the attention of the independent label Axiom Records, which signed them later that year.
Breakthrough
The 2015 release of their debut full-length album, Chronos, on Axiom Records marked a turning point. The lead single, Neon Pulse, gained traction on alternative radio, helping propel the album to number 32 on the UK Albums Chart. This success was followed by extensive touring across the continent, solidifying their fanbase.
Key tracks
Neon Pulse — This breakthrough single introduced their signature blend of synth-driven hooks and intricate guitar work to a wider audience.
Meridian — A fan-favorite epic from Chronos, known for its dynamic shifts and complex time signatures that define their progressive rock core.
Fault Lines — Featuring a guest guitar solo by veteran prog musician David Maxim Micic, this track showcased their collaborative spirit and technical prowess.
Aurora — The lead single from their 2018 sophomore album Resonance, which expanded their sound with more ambient and cinematic elements.
The Catalyst — A later-career track that became a streaming hit, demonstrating their evolution towards more concise, yet still layered, song structures.
Their follow-up, 2018's Resonance, debuted at number 28 in the UK and spawned a successful European headline tour. In 2021, Altered States collaborated with renowned producer Sylvia Massy on their third studio album, Vertigo, further refining their expansive sonic palette. The band continues to be a staple on the modern progressive rock circuit, known for their immersive and technically demanding live performances.
Fans of Altered States often appreciate the work of similar artists in the modern progressive sphere. Explore Haken for similarly complex compositions and virtuosic musicianship. Listen to Leprous for another European act that masterfully blends heavy riffs with atmospheric depth. Discover The Contortionist for a shared focus on texture and dynamic songwriting. Check out TesseracT for a comparable integration of melodic sensibility with rhythmic complexity.
The music of Altered States maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on dedicated progressive rock and modern alternative rock radio stations. Their tracks are frequently featured in specialty programs focusing on new rock and are in regular rotation on several online rock radio streams that champion intricate and forward-thinking music.
Listeners can discover the dynamic catalog of Altered States through the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their pioneering progressive rock sound broadcast on independent music radio stations available on our platform.
