Prog-metal & prog-rock recommendations?

[SoundMaster]

Hi all,

being that many here have stated their love for prog-metal, can you make some recommendations for me? This year has seen me dive in, as I've bought CDs from Arena (amazing band), Ayreon (amazing), Threshold (awesome), Symphony X (over-rated), Shadow Gallery (amazing band), Spock's Beard (awesome, if cheesy, band), Presto Ballet (Vanderhoof's new band....awesome record).

I am now, of course, looking for more great stuff. What are you're recommendations? (no Genesis please....tried it, but don't like it)

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Can you handle female vocals, Soundmaster? If so, I'd suggest trying out Magenta - Seven. Some low quality sound samples (the production on the cd is stellar though) can be heard here:

http://www.progrock.co.uk/samples/magenta/seven/

Here's some awesome prog I've been hooked on lately, catered to your tastes:

Beyond Twilight - Section X, Devil's Hall of Fame

Dreamscape - End of Silence

Everon - Venus, Fantasma

If you want to dig back into the 70s, I'd suggest checking into Camel and Eloy. Both are awesome prog rock bands.

 

[TheWhisper]

Fates Warning
Porcupine Tree
Flower Kings
Redemption
Marillion(Fish era is my favorite)

 

[No-Mercy]

Hi all,

Symphony X (over-rated),

NNNAAAAAOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Break Zero]

Fates Warning. This is an absolute must if you plan on listening to any Prog Metal

Redemption is a good new contender too.

 

[kittybeast]

heard Circus Maximus http://www.circusmaximussite.com/ debut at ProgPower, I really enjoyed them! Their first release " The 1st Chapter" is very like DT, but they have a lot of potential for future releases.

communic http://www.communic.org/ described as aggressive progressive

 

[TheWhisper]

heard Circus Maximus http://www.circusmaximussite.com/ debut at ProgPower, I really enjoyed them! Their first release " The 1st Chapter" is very like DT, but they have a lot of potential for future releases.

I was never really able to get into the CM album because of the strong 'influences' on the disc, but live they came across much better. The influences weren't as heavy, or pronounced live. I really enjoyed their set at PP. I'm really looking forward to their next album, and really hoping they bring more of themselves to the party.

 

[Wyvern]

Prog-metal:
Ayreon
Shadow Gallery
Dream Theater
Dali's Dilemma
Liquid Tension Experiment
Explorers Club
Bozzio/Levin/Stevens
Spock's Beard
The Flower Kings (borderline between metal and rock)
Dunwich
Gordian Knot (borderline between metal and rock)
Platypus
The Jelly Jam (borderline between metal and rock)
Derek Sherinian
Kurgan's Bane
Sonus Umbra
Mundanus Imperium
O.S.I.
Planet X



Prog-power:
Manigance
Adramelch
Moon Of Steel
Angel Dust
Angra (old)
Conception
Helreid
Impaler (more toward thrash)
Radakka
Jordan Rudess
Ten Jinn (borderline between metal and rock)



Prog-rock (that I know)

Rush (borderline between metal and rock)
Pink Floyd
Camel
Rick Wakeman
Yes
King Crimson
Genesis
Jethro Tull
Focus
ELP
Goblin
Gentile Giant

Prog-rock (barely checked by me)

Curved Air
Renassaince
Magma
Van der Graff Generator
Tangerine Dream
Can
Gong
Amon Düül II
Anekdoten
L'Orme
PFM
Hakwind
Roxy Music (old)
Royal Hunt
Threshold
Arena
Magellan

For more info check http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm and http://lasercd.com/Merchant/lasercd/

NP: Attentat Rock - 'Sunset Boulevard'

 

[SoundMaster]

Can you handle female vocals, Soundmaster? If so, I'd suggest trying out Magenta - Seven. Some low quality sound samples (the production on the cd is stellar though) can be heard here:

http://www.progrock.co.uk/samples/magenta/seven/

Thanks....these sound GREAT! And I'm only on track one! I love the solo in "Sample #2" of Gluttony. I shall check them ALL out!!

 

[SoundMaster]

communic http://www.communic.org/ described as aggressive progressive

Sounds great! The vocalist reminds me, at times, of Biff from Saxon....just a bit.
Hard to believe this band is a trio....sounds much more like a 5-piece. I shall seek this CD out! thanks!!!

 

[SoundMaster]

heard Circus Maximus http://www.circusmaximussite.com/ debut at ProgPower, I really enjoyed them! Their first release " The 1st Chapter" is very like DT, but they have a lot of potential for future releases.

Holy sh*t! The track 'Biosphere" just kicked my ass! This stuff is amazing....exactly what I've been looking for! The heavy sections are SO HEAVY...and there's tons of melody!! Another disc I shall have to seek out!

 

[SoundMaster]

Prog-metal:
Ayreon
Shadow Gallery
Dream Theater
Dali's Dilemma
Liquid Tension Experiment
Explorers Club
Bozzio/Levin/Stevens
Spock's Beard
The Flower Kings (borderline between metal and rock)
Dunwich
Gordian Knot (borderline between metal and rock)
Platypus
The Jelly Jam (borderline between metal and rock)
Derek Sherinian
Kurgan's Bane
Sonus Umbra
Mundanus Imperium
O.S.I.
Planet X



Prog-power:
Manigance
Adramelch
Moon Of Steel
Angel Dust
Angra (old)
Conception
Helreid
Impaler (more toward thrash)
Radakka
Jordan Rudess
Ten Jinn (borderline between metal and rock)



Prog-rock (that I know)

Rush (borderline between metal and rock)
Pink Floyd
Camel
Rick Wakeman
Yes
King Crimson
Genesis
Jethro Tull
Focus
ELP
Goblin
Gentile Giant

Prog-rock (barely checked by me)

Curved Air
Renassaince
Magma
Van der Graff Generator
Tangerine Dream
Can
Gong
Amon Düül II
Anekdoten
L'Orme
PFM
Hakwind
Roxy Music (old)
Royal Hunt
Threshold
Arena
Magellan

For more info check http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm and http://lasercd.com/Merchant/lasercd/

NP: Attentat Rock - 'Sunset Boulevard'

thanks for the info. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do!! :Spin:

 

[kittybeast]

thanks for the info. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do!! :Spin:

Wyvern is good at giving very informative lists, he's not a one two recommend kinda guy...he gives lots of info which is good!! *pats wyvern on back...not too low though hehehehehhe

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

heard Circus Maximus http://www.circusmaximussite.com/ debut at ProgPower, I really enjoyed them! Their first release " The 1st Chapter" is very like DT, but they have a lot of potential for future releases.

communic http://www.communic.org/ described as aggressive progressive

I just got these two cds in the mail on Saturday. Listened to each twice...sounds fantastic so far. And probably right up Soundmaster's alley. Highly prog, highly melodic, highly metal. Both are great nominees for rookie-of-the-year honors.

 

[Wyvern]

Wyvern is good at giving very informative lists, he's not a one two recommend kinda guy...he gives lots of info which is good!! *pats wyvern on back...not too low though hehehehehhe

Thanks for the vote of confidence . It's not any kind of show off, my view is that a lot of music I dig may not be of interest to the rest, a lot of music I don't dig may be of interest to the rest. The more choices you have, the more you can find something you like.

Also it's a matter of time, I started with metal/rock around '83. But I didn't got into thrash until 92, and besides the basic ones I didn't got interested in NWOBHM until recently, and of course I'm still discovering bands.

Another advantage is today information plataform, back in the day if we didn't have a friend with a huge collection it was almost impossible to get an impression of what the band sounds like. Nowdays is pretty easy in most cases to find samples, songs, albums to hear or download and make an appreciation before doing any purchase.

NP: Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't fear) The Reaper

 

[Fangface]

If you don't know them yet I'd say Fates Warning and Conception may be a priority.

As for newer bands, my pick is Lanfear. Best power/prog band I've discovered these last few years! Lots of influences, killer riffs, impressive vocals, atmosphere, etc. Check The Art Effect.

Also Communic, Anubis Gate, Beyond Twilight, Pagan's Mind and Redemption.

I'm not into Circus Maximus though, they're just another DT/SX clone band to me, very generic... IMO.
Still I like Dreamscape, another band lacking personality, but I think they have a much better sense of melody and emotion.

As for prog rock : A.C.T., a side-project of Andromeda drummer. A very fresh band focusing on melody, humor and weirdness! Influenced by Queen, Zappa, ELO...

 

[tsorl]

Be sure to check out Ark - Burn The Sun. Probably my favorite prog metal album, it even has some sort of an AOR twist thanks to Jorn Lande's awesome vocals. Technically flawless but still emotional and "warm" stuff. Some samples here.

 

[TheWhisper]

Be sure to check out Ark - Burn The Sun. Probably my favorite prog metal album, it even has some sort of an AOR twist thanks to Jorn Lande's awesome vocals. Technically flawless but still emotional and "warm" stuff. Some samples here.

Excellent album...top notch!

 

[kittybeast]

and Conception may be a priority.

..

 

[ElectricWiz]

You may have heard them and hated them, but The Mars Volta is about as prog (to me) as it gets, and is amazing. One of my favorite bands right now. A cross between Zeppelin, Santana, and psychedelia. I'm not a Santana fan, so take that part lightly. Just that there's a latin vibe in the rhythm section. Hard to describe, but pretty much balls out heavy. I hope you'll give it a shot if you haven't already. A simply fantastic band. Both records (plus the new live one) are worth owning, but I'd start with De-Loused in the Comatorium if you've never heard them, as it's more accessible. As a little sales pitch, I know Mikael from Opeth digs them, and I can ever hear a bit of an influence on Ghost Reveries to that end.

I'm surprised that I NEVER see anybody mention them here, as they are about as old-school, and heavy as it gets. Trust me man....

You'll have to listen to samples at Amazon, as their website is focused on the new live album just now, and so only has some clips of that, and that doesn't really sell the studio stuff.