Recommend me some Progressive metal

[swizzlenuts]

10 buy or die/essential/if you don't have them you suck, progressive metal albums for me:

Queensryche - Rage For Order
What is probably the actual beginning of the genre, still sounds more progressive and metal than the vast majority of prog metal albums out there.

Watchtower - Energetic Disassembly
THE FIRST album that could be called "progressive metal". It is thrash above everything else, but it marked the first time that the music of Rush was incorporated in metal so obviously. Cartoonish melodies and bizarre song structures, overall the definition of "ahead of its time". Of course all metal other bands that tried to be so much technical were always compared with this one. And lose the game.

Psychotic Waltz - Into The Everflow
Simply one of the most original, innovative and unique metal albums of all time. Trippy and psychedelic in some parts, still 100% metal. Lots of Pink Floyd influences in the most atmospheric moments.

Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
The absolute, not my favourite, F.W. album, the title says it all. Still unreachable by almost all other bands of the genre.

Sieges Even - A Sense Of Change
For some period of time i just called this "perfect music". And it is. This one is one of the most emotional pieces of prog ever written. Not as much "metal" as the other albums on this list, but it doesn't matter, if you catch it's feeling, you'll be in love with it forever.

Shadow Gallery - Tyranny
Since you wanted something similar with Symphony X, these guys will totally make you fart your tears. Seemingly complex, but very direct on what it wants to transcend to the listener.

Vauxdvhil - To Dimension Logic
Another prog metal album that just doesn't sound like ANYTHING else, again the focus is given in the atmosphere that is dark and kinda space-y sometimes.

Heir Apparent - One Small Voice
Completely ahead of its time, using keyboards with traditional metal riffing like no other band has done before. Also Steve Benito (the singer) has one of the most incredible voices ever in metal, his high pitched vocals will make you piss your pants.

Eternity X - The Edge
One of the most perfect concept albums about a sane man slowly falling into madness + one of the most intense singing in the genre, especially when the singer does the voice of the character's lunacy, love it or hate it sometimes. Highly exceptional melodies.

Soul Cages - Moments
The best band influenced by mid period Fates Warning, 2 singers, one male, one female, usually singing with their voices combined creating a fantastic result. Tons of inspiration and emotion in this one too.

For obvious reasons Dream Theater's "Images And Words" was excluded.

Only pay attention to this man.

 

[Einherjar86]

What's the general consensus on Vanden Plas? I never hear them mentioned.

 

[The Ozzman]

I think Rage for Order is the weakest full length of Queensryche's first three. The Warning is the best of that trio

 

[Dem0n0id]

No one has mentioned riverside yet.
Out of myself & Second life syndrome are both awesome albums and Rapid Eye Movement is quite good too.

Redemption's The Fullness of Time is also worth checking out.

Other than them, most of the known one's have already been mentioned.
Try King's X for something different. They aren't all that progressive over the years, but their early albums are definitely worth listening to.

 

[Vegard Pompey]

What's the general consensus on Vanden Plas? I never hear them mentioned.

I dunno about the general consensus, but I find them to be a great band.

 

[muzmaze]

PAGANS MIND
OUTWORLD
VISION DIVINE

 

[Vimana]

OUTWORLD

This.

 

[Matt]

What's the general consensus on Vanden Plas? I never hear them mentioned.

I thought they were horrible when I heard an album of theirs a while ago

 

[The Antihero]

I really like Vanden Plas' album Christ O.

They kinda remind me of Dream Theater circa Awake.

 

[Chicken pox]

Mastodon!!!!

 

[Chicken pox]

and tokio hotel alsoo rules... the female singer is nice.

 

[~Neurotica]

Beyond Twilight.
Manticora

 

[ShredHeadJHJ]

10 buy or die/essential/if you don't have them you suck, progressive metal albums for me:

Queensryche - Rage For Order
What is probably the actual beginning of the genre, still sounds more progressive and metal than the vast majority of prog metal albums out there.

Watchtower - Energetic Disassembly
THE FIRST album that could be called "progressive metal". It is thrash above everything else, but it marked the first time that the music of Rush was incorporated in metal so obviously. Cartoonish melodies and bizarre song structures, overall the definition of "ahead of its time". Of course all metal other bands that tried to be so much technical were always compared with this one. And lose the game.

Psychotic Waltz - Into The Everflow
Simply one of the most original, innovative and unique metal albums of all time. Trippy and psychedelic in some parts, still 100% metal. Lots of Pink Floyd influences in the most atmospheric moments.

Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
The absolute, not my favourite, F.W. album, the title says it all. Still unreachable by almost all other bands of the genre.

Sieges Even - A Sense Of Change
For some period of time i just called this "perfect music". And it is. This one is one of the most emotional pieces of prog ever written. Not as much "metal" as the other albums on this list, but it doesn't matter, if you catch it's feeling, you'll be in love with it forever.

Shadow Gallery - Tyranny
Since you wanted something similar with Symphony X, these guys will totally make you fart your tears. Seemingly complex, but very direct on what it wants to transcend to the listener.

Vauxdvhil - To Dimension Logic
Another prog metal album that just doesn't sound like ANYTHING else, again the focus is given in the atmosphere that is dark and kinda space-y sometimes.

Heir Apparent - One Small Voice
Completely ahead of its time, using keyboards with traditional metal riffing like no other band has done before. Also Steve Benito (the singer) has one of the most incredible voices ever in metal, his high pitched vocals will make you piss your pants.

Eternity X - The Edge
One of the most perfect concept albums about a sane man slowly falling into madness + one of the most intense singing in the genre, especially when the singer does the voice of the character's lunacy, love it or hate it sometimes. Highly exceptional melodies.

Soul Cages - Moments
The best band influenced by mid period Fates Warning, 2 singers, one male, one female, usually singing with their voices combined creating a fantastic result. Tons of inspiration and emotion in this one too.

For obvious reasons Dream Theater's "Images And Words" was excluded.

Woah, a lot of that stuff is totally unheard of. I searched for some of those bands & couldn't even find a review. & why was Dream Theater excluded? Because they were too obvious? I prefer Awake, but I don't know what you meant exactly.

Ayreon's "Into the Electric Castle" is one of the greatest albums of all time. I also like "The Human Equation". Check out Spiral Arctitect & Spastic Ink. Also look into Circus Maximus.

 

[The Ozzman]

The Warning > Rage For Order

Rage For Order is shit

 

[supseudonymous]

The Warning > Rage For Order

Rage For Order is shit

I wouldn't go so far as to call it shit, but The Warning unquestionably much, much better.

 

[The Ozzman]

It's shit compared to The Warning

 

[supseudonymous]

Most prog metal is.

 

[Mr. Bungle]

Zero Hour, start with The Towers Of Avarice (my av).

 

[darrkon]

Division By Zero
To-Mera
Aghora
Circus Maximus
RainTime

And if you like Opeth, check out Farmakon, a good half opeth clone but add their unique touch to it.

 

[Einherjar86]

The Warning > Rage For Order

Rage For Order is shit

Warning is the most epic album Queensryche ever made.