I've been a music fan for 16 years now, since I was 14. It started with Def Leppard and has continued to evolve my tastes ever since. I've been into prog-metal bands for a long time, but generally more of the prog-metal bands that lean towards the power metal side of the spectrum: Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Pagan's Mind, etc. It wasn't until a few years ago that I discovered Zero Hour by way of Travis Smith's badass artwork. I saw Metamorphosis in the used bin and immediately knew the artwork and scoffed the CD up! The same thing happened with the first Redemption CD around the same time.
Since then I've been really digging this heavier, groovier form of prog-metal and have been trying to find as many bands as possible that play in this similar style. There doesn't seem to be many, though. But I've found some! On the metalreviews.com messageboard I usually make a post when I discover a new band or feel that a band is worthy of being heard. Here are those posts, in case anyone is like me and is interested in similar bands. And by all means, if you know more please pass it along!!
WASTEFALL
DEGREE ABSOLUTE
REDEMPTION
Since then I've been really digging this heavier, groovier form of prog-metal and have been trying to find as many bands as possible that play in this similar style. There doesn't seem to be many, though. But I've found some! On the metalreviews.com messageboard I usually make a post when I discover a new band or feel that a band is worthy of being heard. Here are those posts, in case anyone is like me and is interested in similar bands. And by all means, if you know more please pass it along!!
WASTEFALL
Man, Sensory/Laser's Edge is quickly becoming a label that I totally believe in. If they say it's prog-metal, but also heavy, I'm a fucking believer. Zero Hour, of course, being the band that first introduced me to the label. Then came Redemption, Spiral Architect, Circus Maximus and most recently Degree Absolute. Each band is killer. Each band exactly as Sensory described. No bullshit trickery.
So earlier today I'm perusing the music store next to where I'm taking a real estate course and I see this random band called Wastefall in the Misc W section. The sticker says they're a heavy prog-metal band from Greece. Interesting. The cover looks cool. I flip it over...BAM!...Sensory! SOLD!
Once again this label delivers the goods! This is for fans of those bands I mentioned above. This shit is heavy and proggy, but not self-indulgent where you get lost trying to follow the song. The songs are definitely proggy with that seemingly discordant instrumentation that somehow contradicts itself and mixes seemlessly, and it's also damn catchy. No instrumentals either except for maybe the short Dead Can Dance-like intro, but that's chanting. I've listened once and was very impressed [I've listened to it countless times since, of course]. They have three albums total, this album I bought, Self Exile, is their latest. Check them out:
From Self Exile (2006):
THE MUZZLE AFFECTION (Full Song)
From Soulrain 21 (2004):
EMPTY HAVEN
STUNNED TO THE WORLD
LESSER
SELF-EXTINCTION PROJECT
From Falling Stars And Rising Scars (2003):
KILLING OF WOLVES
APRIL'S RUIN (add the apostrophe in the word "april's" in the link, apostrophes fuck up the BB code)
Website: http://www.wastefall.com
DEGREE ABSOLUTE
I stumbled across this CD the other day in a local music shop. I thought the artwork was cool—generall it's what catches my eye first if I don't know the band. I read the little blurb on the CD case and it sounded like something I'd be into, especially considering it was a prog-metal album on Sensory, a label who seems to be quite consistent. Anyway, Degree Absolute be their name and if you like Zero Hour, Spiral Architect and/or Redemption you should give 'em a listen.
Apparently this album has been a long time in the making, but since I never knew it was coming, it was worth the wait! Hehe. One thing I found odd is their instrumentals. Is it odd that a prog-metal band has an instrumental or two on their CD? Not at all, but three in a frickin' row? Yeah, that's odd.
LAUGHING ALONE (Full Song)
PI
DISTANCE
HALFMANHALFBISCUIT
ERGO SUM
http://www.degreeabsolute.com
REDEMPTION
I'm sure most of you have heard these bands, but if not definitely give them a listen. They're all great!Redemption was another discovery courtesy of Travis Smith and his artwork. I learned long ago that Travis generally works with bands that I'd like. He's branching out more now so I've been more cautious in buying CDs that he's worked on, but in general I think most of his work is featured on some great CDs. Redemption is no different. Their debut CD had some of the coolest album art I'd ever seen. It was very simple in nature, but it just grabbed me, there was a lot to be derived from the art. So when I saw it in the local used bin for $8 I grabbed it.
Immediately I loved the album! Moreover, Ray fucking Alder was doing some guest spots on the CD. Always a plus! Since then he's joined as full time singer and they've released a second CD, which is even better than the debut...and that CD was awesome! They're a heavy prog-metal band with some slight power metal leanings, crushing riffs, lots of atmosphere, great solos, but never self-indulgent. Definitely worth picking up after you fall in love with these clips! =)
From The Fullness Of Time (2005):
THREADS (Full Song)
From Redemption (2002):
DESPERATION PART I
DESPERATION PART II
DESPERATION PART III
DESPERATION PART IV
NOCTURNAL
WINDOW TO SPACE
AS I LAY DYING
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (24 minutes long on the CD! Whooo!)
Website: http://ivorygate.com/redemption