In a scene where it’s rare to stand out and make something truly unique, sometimes a diamond shines. The latest diamond to shine on the international prog scene is the Norwegian band Leprous. The title of the album marvelously emphasizes the daunting maturity the band has gained in recent years, partly thanks to relentless touring activity across several continents. The Congregation is expressive, dark, and catchy in a way that crawls under skin and overcomes the senses. Leprous never cared to imitate other artists, and more importantly, their latest release shows the courageous act mastering the careful art of not copying themselves.