Progressive metal visionaries Between the Buried and Me return with their most immersive and eclectic record yet—The Blue Nowhere, their first on InsideOutMusic. Mixing uncharted musical detours with their distinctive aggressive identity, the band create a conceptual world unlike anything in their incredible catalog, inviting the listener to experience the journey on their own terms. Though the story takes place in a hotel—The Blue Nowhere—don’t expect haunted corridors or shadowy figures behind every door. “It’s more of a feeling—those moments when you feel alone in the world and use that solitude to reflect on the human experience,” Rogers clarifies. “It exists in a space where no one can find you, hidden from all forms of reality—that’s The Blue Nowhere.” Trying something new is not unusual for the group, who once again find ways to expand their musical palette while maintaining the band’s core sound. No more surprising is the album opener, “Things We Tell Ourselves in the Dark,” which sets the tone with INXS and Duran Duran-inspired textures, even incorporating 90125-era Yes, filtered through BTBAM’s signature chaos. Meanwhile, “Absent Thereafter” is a quintessential BTBAM track—layered, intense, and unrelentingly dynamic, this 10+ minute opus delivers everything a BTBAM fan could want and more. Between the Buried and Me remain allergic to stagnation, and The Blue Nowhere proves their creative drive is stronger than ever. “It feels like a natural evolution for the band,” says Rogers. “We’re not repeating ourselves. We’re lucky to have a fanbase that’s along for the ride.

Chicago-based metalcore outfit Born of Osiris (formerly known as Rosecrance) formed around the talents of Lee McKinney (guitar), Ronnie Canizaro (vocals), Joe Buras (keyboards/backing vocals), David Darocha (bass), Cameron Losch (drums), and Matt Pantelis (guitar) while still in high school.The band's signature blend of thrash and highly melodic progressive death metal caught the ear of Sumerian Records, which signed the band (all of whose members were only 18 at the time) and released its debut, New Reign, in 2007 and sophomore effort, Higher Place, in 2009, the latter of which found its way into the Billboard Top 100. ~ James Christopher Monger