These two Lebanese-American brothers present progressive dreamlike rock — the comforting vocals and guitar work really stand out.

We are being presented with rich and spacey layers of keyboard, goosebump inducing guitar and synthesizer solos, catchy melodies, calm and solemn vocals and crisp bass lines.

As younger performers, I am sure they will develop even further over the years, but this debut album is not only one of the best albums I have heard this year, it is one of the best I have heard in years. Nothing is missing.

Compared to many releases in neo or retro-prog, this album is well played, produced and above all, offers intelligent compositions that don't get boring after listening twice.

Once in a while, reviewing, you are handed something completely unknown, which turns out to be a real progressive rock gem. I guess Ashes of a Diary by Dreaming Madmen belongs to this category!

This album has no weak points, there is no unnecessary song — there is no unnecessary sound on it. It contains dignified, wonderfully developing music from minute to minute and is full of numerous climaxes. Actually, each of the 7 songs filling this album is a great musical surprise and a true audiophile joy. I bow to the Aboujaoude brothers. Their talent, ideas, technique and, generally speaking, the musical tribute paid to this album to the greatest prog rock music fans must arouse sincere admiration. This album is absolutely astounding, I recommend with all my heart.

The Aboujaoude brothers fill the painfully beautiful gap left by Pink Floyd & Porcupine Tree; in which one longs to be as a self-confessed nostalgic. We do not know what the local pharmacist recommends for heartache — we recommend Ashes of a Diary.

These two brothers are quite melodic. The vocal arrangements are consistently successful. There are elegiac guitar solos and nice keyboard work — which present a very convincing debut album that has no sag.

Dreaming Madmen has been taking care of your prog rock and art rock in the usual dosage of Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree.

This song has a strong Steven Wilson vibe. A non-hurried buildup into a lush mold verse, a dreamy interlude which breaks into an emotive and squealy solo. Well done, Dreaming Madmen.

The vocals have an earnest, longing quality which tell of the old man's journey through his life, with all its emotional highs and lows. The guitars and keyboards are well structured and the drumming is excellent. This is an excellent album, and quite outstanding as a debut. In hindsight, I wish I'd poured myself a big glass of red wine before listening to this release.

Dreaming Madmen immediately presents us with a beautiful concept album where the classic and contemporary aspects of progressive rock combine with other elements such as cinematic sound and orchestral expansion, ultimately offering music that is sometimes melancholic and reminiscent of great bands like Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, and King Crimson. Clearly, the brothers' inspiration was highly effective, offering all lovers of ethereal, progressive music an album that effectively combines meticulously crafted orchestration and vocals with beautiful cinematic moments and symphonic flourishes. Remarkable!