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10. Kévin Codfert – Myrath

Kévin’s keys are always a huge Myrath highlight, and on their latest he really brings the sweeping vistas. At times, his sparkling sound almost sounds New Wave, and so feels like a huge highlight for Karma.

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9. Oskar Holldorff – Big Big Train

On BBT’s The Likes of Us, Oskar offers some truly bright and beautiful keys. I should note that both Rikard Sjöblom and Greg Spawton both play keys on the album, too. The effect is serenity with a progressive rock twist, perhaps more progressive than BBT has ever been.

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8. Emanuele Casali – DGM

DGM’s Endless is the album it is partially because of how insane Emanuele’s keys are. I love the synth and cinematic atmospheres he creates. He honestly reminds me of Kevin Moore at times.

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7. Tanpawat Suttipong – Triton Project

Speaking of “insane” keys, Tanpawat’s performance on the Triton Project debut is absolutely astonishing. The level of virtuoso you’d have to be in order to play the constant, incredibly technical, yet still deeply beautiful keyboard passages he does just boggles my mind. I was unable to find a photo of him.

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6. Pascal Pannen – Elvellon

I absolutely adore Pascal’s keys on the Elvellon sophomore effort Ascending in Synergy, and how he interacts with the orchestral side of the record. His work makes for an album that is pure melody from start to finish, and I honestly find myself listening to it more and more as time goes on, not less.

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5. Chris Kritikos and Dobber Beverly

– Oceans of Slumber

Even with Ocean’s of Slumbers Where Gods Fear to Speak being their heaviest album to date, I was particularly taken with the keys and synth they used to slice through that hovering darkness. Both Chris and Dobber provided some incredible moments that truly make the album memorable, and more so as time passes.

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4. Aythis

Aythis released two albums last year, Celestial Exile and Lost Lighthouse, which are basically sister records. Especially on Lost Lighthouse, her keys were a huge highlight for me; they were spunky and otherworldly. It was easy to get lost in them.

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3. Carl Westholm

– Bakleit/Hollingshead

Carl is a master keyboardist, and his quirky, shadowy style is immediately recognizable for me. On releases with both Bakelit and Hollingshead (but especially the former), his haunting performance grabbed me by the shirt once again.

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2. Moray Macdonald – Cephid

Moray is a genius of both melody and surging technique. His work on Sparks in the Darkness will leave you breathless at times, and hovering in ambient hope in others.

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** 1. Carina Taurer – Oddleaf **

Carina’s keys are deeply nostalgic for me. I have no idea if she’s ever heard Anima Mundi and their keyboardist Virginia Peraza, but her style is extremely similar (and Virginia is one of my all-time favorite keyboardists). With lively color and quirky attitude, Carina’s keys on the Oddleaf debut were simply outstanding.

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