| Musical Style: Progressive Metal | Produced By: Luke Nealeigh |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 65:15 |
Complex song structuring, extended instrumental jams and multifarious time signatures make AfterWinter a tempting choice among progressive metal aficionados, but it’s less vocally proficient than many progressive contemporaries. The group is renowned for including members of the talented Nealeigh family - Luke (lead guitar & vocals), Dan (bass), Majennica (vocals) & Sam (bass) - who with vocalist Chaz Bond formed the core of Biogenesis at the time of its highly regarded 2017 third album A Decadence Divine (95% Angelic Warlord review) and 2018 follow up EP Black Widow (75% review). The Nealeigh’s proceeded to strike out on their own and in 2019 joined former Biogenesis cohorts James Riggs (rhythm guitar) and Eli Closson (drums) to form AfterWinter and records its ambitious Roxx Records 2023 double CD debut concept album Paramnesia (80% review).
Sadly, tragedy struck along the way in that lead vocalist Jerry Grazios lost his battle to brain cancer in 2024, which led to Luke and Majennica (now going under the last name Neudecker) contributing vocals to the AfterWinter May of 2026 sophomore album Boundless (also Roxx). While a single CD release and not conceptual, Boundless lyrically shifts towards what currently is on the bands heart and mind- loss. As noted in the Roxx press material:
“There are a lot of things we hear Christian people say when it comes to the loss of loved ones. Many of those things, while we believe them to be true, can be found only vaguely helpful in figuring out how to continue living our lives without the people who passed away. When thinking of what could make me feel better, one thing kept occurring to me over and over - peace. It comforted me to think of Jerry being at peace. I wanted my mind and my feelings to be at peace too”.
Musically, Boundless sees AfterWinter staying true to its signature progressive metal sound I see appealing to fans of Dream Theater and Affector and all things in between. Where Boundless separates from Paramnesia is manner in which the group truncates its songwriting (even if slightly)- no ten minute epics and presence of several songs in the four to six minute ranges as opposed to predominantly in seven to nine minute territory. Boundless further separates with a greater emphasis on catchier and more accessible hooks and melodies and corrects in the process one of my main critiques to Paramnesia- a lack of engaging qualities.
I do not intend in any way to be unfair or insensitive to the group’s circumstances, but I find vocals the lone area in need of improvement. No, they are far from bad and by no means flawed, but in my opinion - and I say this in the kindest sense - are adequate at best or at the very least lack the distinct range distinctive to music of such powerful and momentous capacity. A professional vocalist along lines of Matt Smith (Theocracy), Lance King (Balance Of Power) or Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery) would prove invaluable if AfterWinter is to take it to the next level and compete with the Dream Theaters, Affectors and Teramazes of the world.
Regardless, Boundless is not without its share of choice material beginning with incredible eight-minute opener “Poison In The Well”. The exacting riffs carrying the song its breadth launch at once, seasoned with periodic aggressive drumming and enriching keyboards as a lissome melody takes hold. When further factoring the two-minute instrumental passage running the gamut from brazen soloing to orchestration, musicianship is off the charts. Lyric snippet:
Guardians of His Word
We are called to strengthen our purpose
The world looks to us, but what they see is indifference
Temptations of power have blinded many,
Within His house they dwell
Our message hated, the waters tainted
There’s poison in the well
“Boundless” is one of albums shortest at four minutes. Despite not being quite intricate as some here, albums title track is no less able with hard charging momentum buttressing front to back as unmistakable hooks and darker overtures hold sway. I detect a borderline Jacobs Dream like power metal bent.
Predominantly instrumental “The Forgotten Wanderer” represents one of this reviewer’s choice tracks. It masterfully blends orchestration, classical keyboards and piano with moving guitars and instigative harmonies to speak of the supremely creative. Lone brief verse at the end reinforces the progressive articulating.
“Distance” separates as another top cut, distinctive to a catchy Theocracy like riff that boldly impels its distance. Aggression launches in the process, reinforcing Closson’s periodic double kick drum, albeit trading off with calmer harmony driven passages to see the James Riggs and Luke Nealeigh guitar team in perfect step. Instrumental moments are delicately but purposefully done. Lyric snippet:
I know that you feel lost and alone
You don’t have to stay
There is a day you will come home
And we won’t have to wait
Here by the water
I’ll meet you where you are
And though you think you’re too far gone
Never will the distance be too far for m e
Five minute “Time’s Embrace” proves you do not have to extend into epic territory to be progressive. Graceful opening seconds with acoustic guitar give way to haunting overtures, a portent ballad like flair superseding surging ahead as symphonic overtures and Dan Nealeigh’s staggering bass trade with jazzy guitar leads. Creativity is off the charts.
“Sunrise” resonates of hard rock as opposed to metal. With rhythm guitar on the subdued side and intermingling with gentle piano, song gives prominence to an ethereal trending akin to Images Of Eden. It also makes priority the group’s instrumental sound, referencing the extended opening instrumental run and aggressive escalation to that mid-point. Lyric snippet:
Until the darkness passes, we have to forge ahead
No easy way to do this, but easy to be misled
By shadows who get inside your head
The sunrise will lift us up instead
Sunrise arrives this day
It chases the night away
Shadows will not remain
The sunrise will rise again
Second epic ensues in the seven and half minute “Find Me”. What we have is an exquisite ballad, wafting its first five minutes to piano and dreamy vocal melodies until guitar steps in to lead the way through the atmospheric instrumental interlude and distinguished final minute. Shadow Gallery could not do it better.
In my opinion, “The Silver Lining” is the Boundless finest. On one hand, song churns with a darker Symphony X power/progressive vibe; on the other, it embodies a Kansas influenced elegance found in exquisite melody and virtuoso refinement. Above all, I take to the jazz fusion instrumental moments. The AfterWinter future is exceedingly bright if this is what it is capable! Lyric snippet:
We pray, there’s a silver lining here
(the meaning will be clear)
Though we struggle to find it now,
We’ll make it through somehow
We may, never learn the reasons why
(question with no reply)
There’s a purpose within this fight, deny the wrong and
Find the light
“Glass House” takes the progression to the next level. It literally is a maze of twists and turns, beginning with the cinematic opening to start ahead of shooting forward in speed life fashion only to accelerate to a darker Gothic like ambience ahead of a neo-classical instrumental passage. Periodically, open air layered vocals make appearance. This one is Neal Morse like in brilliance.
Two and half minute instrumental “Penance” gives way to closing cut “Absolution”. The nine minute Theocracy inspired magnum opus settles on a metal grounding but with in both a symphonic - noting the forthwith bass of Sam Nealeigh – and instrumental context, referencing how keyboards, orchestration and guitar solos lead the way through multiple instrumental runs. Yet, another alluring conviction exists to prevent the song from turning repetitious despite the length. Lyric snippet:
How do I move on from this pain?
Am I allowed to stumble on, though it remains?
(Here it stays)
I am changed by this sorrow, and I don’t want to pretend
I will leave this grief behind and start again
(Hurt will end)
Moving on doesn’t mean you have to forget
Boundless is a wonderfully composed and executed progressive metal album. Musicianship is off the charts, production superlative and songwriting a delectable combining of technically complex and memorable subtleties. Musically, I cannot speak strongly enough of what AfterWinter accomplished- as a life long fan of progressive music I could not be more impressed. With all due respect to the group, lone area of improvement - and I say this in the most constructive and encouraging sense - revolves around vocals. Again, far from bad, but I would like to see an upgrade to a front man bringing more range to complement the groups sophisticated sound. Overall, if a fan of progressive music in its varying forms you can do no wrong with AfterWinter sophomore album Boundless.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Poison In The Well” (8:12), “Boundless” (3:47), “The Forgotten Wanderer” (6:16), “Distance” (5:32), “Time’s Embrace” (5:27), “Sunrise” (6:01), “Find Me” (7:24), “The Silver Lining” (6:02), “Glass House” (5:09), “Penance” (2:24), “Absolution” (8:59)
Musicians
Luke Nealeigh - Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar
Majennica Neudecker - Lead Vocals
James Riggs - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Dan Nealeigh - Bass
Sam Nealeigh - Keyboards & Vocals
Eli Closson - Drums
