Discipline is a progressive rock band from Detroit, Michigan, USA. They will release their latest album, “Breadcrumbs,” on August 1, 2025, on ProgRock.com’s Essentials label.
This band is made up of members: Chris Herin, on lead electric guitar; Mathew Kennedy, on bass guitar; Henry Parmenter, on drums; and Matthew Parmenter, on lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, and violin.
They already have a sizable discography, including: “Chaos Out of Order,” (1988); Push and Profit, (1993); “Unfolded Like Staircase”, (1997); “To Shatter All Accord”, (2011); and “This One’s for England”, from, (2012).
The band has also appeared at several progressive rock festivals, including: Nearfest, RoSfest, ProgScape, The Orion Studios Progressive Rock Showcase, Summers End, Terra incognita, the Veruno Prog Festival and six appearances at ProgDay. The band also played October 22, 2017, at Chicago’s 3-day Progtoberfest. Discipline headlined the FestivAlterNativo music festival in Querétaro, Mexico August 25, 2018, and Italy’s 2Days Prog+1 festival on September 2, 2017. In addition, the band did a 1993 tour of Norway to support their first studio recording “Push and Profit”.
So, this band is well established as a progressive rock innovator and leader. You don’t get invited to that many major festivals and headline progressive rock shows, unless you have a wide-open performance schedule, or, as I can now bear witnessed to; after listening to “Breadcrumbs,” you have a talented and innovative band, making some impressive modern progressive rock. I’m sure now, that it is the later, of course.
Formed in Detroit in 1987, Discipline has earned a reputation as one of America’s most creative and enduring progressive rock bands. Known for their complex arrangements, theatrical performances, and independent spirit, Discipline continues to inspire audiences around the world
And so, they have returned after over 13 years to release their latest work “Breadcrumbs.” Was the wait worth it?
Absolutely! Imagine King Crimson noodling around with jazzy, Hammond – like keyboards and violin; and add to that wonderful musical sound, a singer with a voice like a young Peter Nicholls, of IQ, to sing the band’s lyrics. That is what their music sounded like to me on first listen. Yes, Matthew Parmenter’s vocals do take you back to a younger Peter Nicholls. And by the way, he paints his face during shows like Nicholls and another Peter you may remember…Gabriel.
The band opens the album with the title song. When you have been doing this for as long as they have, why waste time. Get right to the point, follow the “Breadcrumbs.” Matthew opens with keyboards and soft bass; before soft drums, then lead electric guitar enters the soundscape. Mathew sings, “Overhead someone is watching you. Someone or something foreign. Witnessing all we do. Memory echoes of childhood. Then it was God in judgement. Filming the bad and the good. Isn’t it strange. How we let go our sovereignty. Give to the strong our weak lives.” One of the best vocal commentaries about today’s invasive social media, the Internet and government surveillance, since …well…since, IQ. But this is simply played much more clearly and directly. We have given up freely our independence and anonymity, to everyone under the sun. Those treasures are turned into gold by the ones who pay us sparingly, for what we believe, as Matthew says, is a path to “paradise.” He also connects the fact that we also, “like to believe in stories we like to be told.” We all do, on both sides of the fence, don’t we? The longest song on the record at almost 17 minutes. A song to be appreciated for the truth it delivers, without preaching, and with well-played musicianship.
“Keep the Change,” opens with classic acoustic guitar, reminiscent of early ELP. Maybe its “Lucky Man,” or “From the Beginning,” but it does sounds familiar. Matthew sings, “Once a man who died for his country. Held a child in his hands. What we do we must do. We must do for the many. And hope that one understands. When the daylight discovers the hidden. And the wind feels the throne. Those in charge may call it forbidden. But you can call it your own. You can tell them you won’t do their bidding.” Then he sings a powerful anti-war lyric, “Now it’s time to make your break. Leave the heroes in your wake. Tell the one whom you forsake. To keep the change.” Stay away from war and violence of any kind. You will only hold regret, like a child, after the war plays out its vicious cycles. And remember, as the wise once said, “And to the winner go the spoils.”
“When the Night Calls to Day,” is also set to a slow and deliberate pace. Matthew sings to soft piano and drums, “And when the night calls to day. And echoes come the only answer. Make of the castaway. A home in you. To listen to. And guide you through. Everyday.” A deep lyrical meaning to the meandering of life, amidst despair or loneliness. All set to peaceful, King Crimson like music, augmented with violin, adding to the character of the song.
“Aloft,” is a slow piano, lead electric guitar, and drums instrumental piece. Very King Crismon sounding and full of moments that will take you back decades. Matthew adds violin to the brilliant soundscape.
“Aria,” is the second longest song on the album. Bold piano sets the course and the beat for this song. The lyrics reflect a calling out for someone, once loved. A tortured love song. But in the end Matthew sings, “Should I turn to you. Anchoring the blue. Leave me by the fire Aria. Take another’s hand.”
Yes, Discipline’s “Breadcrumbs,” is a highly anticipated album and I would suggest it for anyone who loves King Crimson-like progressive rock from the 1970’s. However, this is modern prog, brought to you, with a new voice that does sound familiar, but he has a new message. Discipline, asks, are we indeed lost, like the children in the Grimm’s fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel? “When the Moon had risen, the children looked for the breadcrumbs, but found none. The forest birds had eaten every crumb, and the children could not find their way.” Have we all lost our way since the 1970s, when many of us believed we knew the path to travel homeward and towards “paradise”. Is there no path, and maybe there never was, for which to follow, to get back “home?” These are questions I had after listening to the words, music and pondering the album artwork of “Breadcrumbs.” These are questions which have always been with us over the centuries. Why are we here, and where are we going? Life questions we will all ask, at one time or another during our lives. These are difficult questions to ponder. Use Discipline’s “Breadcrumbs,” music to help you unlock the answers to those questions as you consider them.
Album Track List:
1. Breadcrumbs – (16:56)
2. Keep the Change – (7:06)
3. When the Night Calls to Day – (5:28)
4. Aloft – (7:46)
5. Aria – (10:40)
Total Time: 47:59
Discipline’s “Breadcrumbs,” was produced by Matthew Parmenter. It was mixed by Terry Brown @ Moron Heights, Canada. Mastered by Ray Montford at Anchor Sound Recorded. And engineered by Matthew Parmenter at Swindlehurst, Michigan. Additional recording by Ben Ridley at Windfall Recording, New York. Art Direction, Illustrations and Design by Hugh Syme. Discipline logo by Rich Patterson. Words and music by Matthew Parmenter. All songs published by Mimus (ASCAP).
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://disciplineband.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/DisciplineBand
https://app.chartmetric.com/artist/579409
https://music.apple.com/nz/artist/discipline/843368230
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/DisciplineBand
Buy this album and received will be listened.
I bought it blindly because I know this band with all great albums don’t have too worst as Tim Morse in another artice of best prog rock music.