Prog albums in the same vein as Damnation

[Episode 666]

I never liked Prog Rock, but can someone point me towards an album that is in the same vein as Damnation? Depressive and dark.

 

[illbeleavinnow]

About none... Most prog rock is happy. But then again I'm only familiar with the prog greats, like Rush, Yes, ELP, Tull, King Crimson, etc, so I wouldn't know for sure.

 

[LuminousAether]

Yes, someone point out these albums so I can avoid them heartily.

But hey, I'm here for the long haul, so I'll recommend you some prog rock albums that are really, really good, and not necessarily "depressive and dark."
Older prog
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson - Larks' Tongue in Aspic
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black
Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother
Pink Floyd - Animals

Newer prog
Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways
Porcupine Tree - Signify
Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
Porcupine Tree - Recordings
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Grand Openings and Closings
Alamaailman Vasarat - Vasaarasia
Azigza - s/t

 

[Heliologue]

some, but not all, porcupine tree
tenhi
antimatter
camel
coldplay
paatos

 

[LuminousAether]

Antimatter and Coldplay... prog rock???

 

[illbeleavinnow]

The best prog album of all time, IMO, is Brain Salad Surgery by ELP. And Tarkus, by ELP. And Pictures at an Exhibition (fucking amazing), by ELP. But then again, I'm an ELP whore.

Top 10 Prog Albums, not really dark or depressive though, and in NO ORDER

Yes - Fragile
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
ELP - Tarkus
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Camel - Nod & A Wink
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Genesis - Genesis

and how could anyone forget Frank Zappa - Freak Out!

I'm not a big fan of current prog. =/

 

[The Evil Toucan]

King Crimson - In the Court..., Red, Larks Tongue...
Camel - Moonmadness

 

[Monsterxman]

I agree, King Crimson is a great band to get into.
Although, their music is a lot more complex and layered than Opeth's Damnation. Red is a great and pretty dark album, the place to start I think...

A few more suggestions:

Camel - 1st three albums. All great. Mike's favorite band. This is more similiar to Damnation than King Crimson actually.
Van Der Graff Generator - Pawn Hearts - this is pretty dark stuff. Some say this is the first metal album.

Newer stuff:
God Speed for you Black Emperor - great stuff. 9 piece band with extreme peaks and valleys... darker than Damnation... no vocals.

Flower Kings - Alive on Planet Earth - live recording... this is a great live album... if you like Damnation, I think you will like this one, it's dark and yet uplifting... some of the coolest guitar playing I've ever heard on a live recording.

See link for samples:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00003TFUG/qid=1053797048/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-3590917-6242438?v=glance&s=music

 

[The Master]

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

 

[thebleakaffinity]

nine inch nails - Still. Not really prog rock or rock at all, but incredibly depressing piano and keyboard driven music. Absolutely beautiful.

 

[DE]

The best prog album of all time, IMO, is Brain Salad Surgery by ELP. And Tarkus, by ELP. And Pictures at an Exhibition (fucking amazing), by ELP. But then again, I'm an ELP whore.

Top 10 Prog Albums, not really dark or depressive though, and in NO ORDER

Yes - Fragile
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
ELP - Tarkus
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Camel - Nod & A Wink
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Genesis - Genesis

and how could anyone forget Frank Zappa - Freak Out!

I'm not a big fan of current prog. =/

Jethro Tull? I haven't heard them for ages, my Dad listens to them "A Crest For A Knave" is good too.

 

[Beast In Flames]

Most of the albums I'd recommend have been suggested, so I think there's no need for me to add any

 

[Analog_Kid]

Well, if you want to try leaning more into the Prog Metal vein, I'd suggest Pain Of Salvation and deffinately Digital Ruin.

As for older Prog, you can't go wrong with Animals by Pink Floyd if you're looking for something with darker overtones. If you can tolerate the schizophenic nature of it, The Pros and Cons Of Hitch-hiking by Roger Waters is pretty grim... in more ways than one.

But, yeah, not much in the Prog world is too terribly down-trodden. Mostly very hopeful of fantasy-based lyrics and loads of musical/compostional showmanship.

 

[illbeleavinnow]

Pink Floyd is not prog people... =/ I don't know why you think they are, they're psychedelic rock.

Here's a tip, btw, NEVER GET ANY COLLAGE OR SATELLITE, they are complete wack. Awful, awful prog band! Btw, Collage disbanded, some of the remaning members formed Satellite, so they're practically the same.

 

[LuminousAether]

Before The Wall and after Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Pink Floyd were VERY much a prog band. Psychedelic rock my ass, that's a description, not a genre tag.

 

[illbeleavinnow]

You can't possibly categorize Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here as prog rock. THe rest are, in a way, especially The Wall and Animals, but that's about it.

 

[The Master]

nine inch nails - Still. Not really prog rock or rock at all, but incredibly depressing piano and keyboard driven music. Absolutely beautiful.

Yes. Check out the CRC Sessions bootleg as well.

And Pink Floyd may or may not be "prog", but whenever I hear Damntion, I hear a LOT of Pink Floyd in it.

 

[LuminousAether]

Actually, Dark Side of the Moon is a lot more prog than The Wall, and Meddle is 100% prog. Wish You Were Here... that's the one with Shine On You Crazy Diamond, right? Absolutely prog.

 

[Hopkins-WitchfinderGeneral]

Rain dances by camel, their most beautiful and underrated album i believe. Not quite on a par with moonmadness but still immensely good.

Also, I'd hardly label Rush as a happy band tho they have their moments of bliss. There are plenty of darker moments that go with them.

Sam

 

[Jeremy]

Yeah I think Pink Floyd was pretty much prog in the 70's... go with Wish you were here... beautiful album.