Indie label Snapper Music has launched a new imprint called Kscope Records, which aims to become the modern home of that genre they call progressive rock.
In a statement, the new label says: "In recent years, a growing movement of bands has started to strip the progressive rock genre of its excess and cliches and to re-establish the movement's original desire to experiment with eclectic musical sources and sonic possibilities in order to produce something meaningful in the here and now. The scene has over the years divided into a variety of sub-genres, with acts including Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Amplifier and Oceansize being deemed 'nu-prog', Muse, Opeth and Mars Volta spearheading the hugely popular 'prog-metal' movement, Rain Tree Crow, No-Man and Air developing 'ambient prog' plus Neon Neon and Dalek establishing the 'prog-hop' genre. Added to the cinematic post-rock of Sigur Ros, Godspeed You Black Emperor plus Tortoise and the soul prog of Lewis Taylor, strands of progressive influence have been instrumental in creating some of the most vital and exciting new music of the last two decades".
The new label will launch next month with albums from its first signings, The Pineapple Thief and No-Man, and a reissue from the aforementioned Grammy nominated prog rockers Porcupine Tree.
Snapper Sales & Marketing chief Johnny Wilks told CMU: "Kscope will introduce a focused and creative home for the continually growing and diverse post-progressive scene. We are delighted with the initial reaction to our first releases and we have some very exciting projects planned for later this year. We are really looking forward to positioning Kscope as the definitive home for this internationally respected genre".