10 Essential 1990s Progressive Rock Music Albums

When it comes to sparking the '90s new wave of progressive rock, the match can be found right here.

'Hybris' first hit the stands in 1992 after a two-month recording process. The debut LP for the Swedish rockers highlights their long-running fandom of groups such as King Crimson and Gentle Giant. While the then-budding progressive innovators took great inspiration from the forefathers of prog, they also provided their own twist on the iconic genre.

Diving head-on into the large scale orchestral beats of symphonic rock, Änglagård forge a sweeping, dramatic sound. Kicking off with the instrumental 'Jordrök', the band takes listeners on an adventurous journey through several long-running, slow-building tracks. Thanks to band member Anna Holmgren's flute, the songs enjoy a surprisingly folk-heavy feel to bounce off the harder rock backbone of the music on offer.

Quickly catching on with prog fans, the rock sky appeared to be the limit for Änglagård as the '90s rolled on. Instead, after a complementary, instrumental release two years after 'Hybris', the group disbanded and did not release another studio album until 2012.

Considering their debut reignited interest in the prog genre as a whole at a time when movements such as grunge were dominating, Änglagård could've dominated the scene throughout the '90s. As it stands, they did at least give us this neatly executed and influential gem.