Recommend obscure prog bands

Kronikle66

Kronikle66

Everybody dies alone
Oct 10, 2003
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Tallahassee, Florida
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Sometimes, among other prog fans, if I need to describe a band I think they would like, I do a little math equation. Basically take 2 or more relatively well-known bands, add them together, and churn out an obscure band that you know a person would like if they liked the other bands in the equation. Make sure the final sum is an obscure band. We've all heard of Dream Theater and Symphony X, so don't bother recommending them. Some people may know the band you want to recommend like the back of their hand, others may not have ever heard of them. Use your own judgement.

If at all possible, please try to provide sound clips so we can get a sample of said band. Almost every band has a website with music clips. www.progarchives.com also commonly has free streaming mp3s of a song or two. Don't be lazy please. This is a thread for learning about new bands, so please don't just post without putting any thought into it.


Ayreon + Star One + Emerson Lake and Palmer = Erik Norlander
2 60 SECOND SAMPLES:
http://www.thetank.com/mp3/eriknorlander_musicmachine/musicmachine_enmm.mp3
http://www.thetank.com/mp3/eriknorlander_musicmachine/projblueprincerep_enmm.mp3


Dream Theater + Andromeda + Fates Warning = Madsword
FULL SAMPLE:
http://www.hoffmanshome.com/mp3/Madsword - Time In the Ice.mp3

(These next two, I realize a lot of people here might know of, but I've only recently starting listening to their stuff)

Nevermore + Symphony X = Evergrey
2 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=433


Symphony X + Adagio = Time Requiem
2 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1789


Fates Warning + Queensryche = Power of Omens
2 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=716


Shadow Gallery + Dream Theater = Threshold
3 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES (second 2 songs are good):
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=333


Yes + The Flower Kings = Spock's Beard
5 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=320


Emerson Lake and Palmer + Genesis + Yes = The Flower Kings
4 STREAMING FULL SAMPLES:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=110


Dream Theater + Spock's Beard + The Flower Kings = Transatlantic (literally)
or
Dream Theater + Yes + Emerson Lake and Palmer + Deep Purple = Transatlantic
2 SAMPLES:
http://www.transatlanticweb.com/audio/stranger1.mp3
http://www.transatlanticweb.com/audio/stranger2.mp3


Liquid Tension Experiment + Star One + Ayreon = Jordan Rudess
SAMPLES (I had trouble here):
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6766520/a/Rhythm+Of+Time.htm


Your turn!
 
What i don't understand is, how can you do math on bands and come up with a name as if they created some kind of Voltran or something. Of course it is ok to let people know some underground bands which they always deserve to be known in my book, but is this the right way to do it. It has no difference than referring them as "clone", which i think the most rude insult that can be made to a band.
 
The way I see it, they aren't clones or anything... They're just bands with similar styles or whatever. This is a great way to introduce new bands to people, for example: I never would have heard of Adagio if my friend would have said "Hey listen to Adagio, they rule" instead of saying "Hey listen to Adagio, it's very similar to Sym X but they have their own distinct style". But I agree with you that being called a (insert band name here) clone would be a grave insult to any band or band member, so I can see where you're coming from with this.
 
turke said:
What i don't understand is, how can you do math on bands and come up with a name as if they created some kind of Voltran or something. Of course it is ok to let people know some underground bands which they always deserve to be known in my book, but is this the right way to do it. It has no difference than referring them as "clone", which i think the most rude insult that can be made to a band.
Click to expand...

... you've got to be freaking kidding me...

EDIT: No band in the world is 100% unique and original. In recommending bands this way, you're showing what type of style a band has. "Nevermore + Symphony X = Evergrey". From this I can deduct that Nevermore's really dark and heavy riffs mixed with a fusion of heavy metal orchestration comes a dark and heavy progressive metal band. That describes Evergrey. Saying "well they have a guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, and vocalist, and they all play music together" doesn't help at all. You need something to base a style off of, or even to combine it with another to really try to capture the uniqueness of the music.

Basically, the point of the thread was to say "IF YOU LIKE BAND X OR BAND Y, YOU'LL PROBABLY LIKE BAND Z THAT YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF. HERE'S SOME SAMPLES! DECIDE FOR YOURSELF" This is probably the most thorough way of introducing someone to a new band they'll probably like. Why am I still even debating this?
 
Hm, i don't really like this equation thingie, i prefer "to the point descriptions". And what if a band doesn't really remind anything (which is the case with many prog bands of old)
Anywyaz some recommendations:

Vauxdvihl - To Dimension Logic
Dark, atmospheric, very melodic and diverse, absolutely not wanky, with unbelievable ideas on guitars and keyboards, with a style that doesn't really remind anything and a vocalist that sounds like noone other. Fans of Psychotic Waltz will totally dig this (even though Vauxdvihl don't really sound like Psychotic Waltz, they have a similar atmosphere).

Mayfair - Behind
There is a slightly obvious Watchtower influence here, but Mayfair put lots of emotion in their prog metal and are not based on technique and fast rhythms. The riffs are kinda technical, but the songs are not complex, their structures are quite simple the songwritting is mainly built on the guitar melodies and the lunatic and emotive vocals (that sometimes remind of Brian Molko of Placebo - a lot lot better though). Some of the most incredible vocal melodies and inspired guitar melodies of prog metal are in this ep.

Secrecy - Art In Motion
Prog atmosphere and melodies, mixed with thrashy riffs (not really rough as the majority of thrash out there) from 3 guitars and some kinda "Feminine" vocals = Secrecy. Another band that is too unique to compare it with others, they have really demanding compositions that are appreciated after lots of listening sessions.
 
For a band to be 100% unique and original, every member would have had to learn their instruments themselves without seeing or hearing anyone else play them. They would have had to gone their entire lives without listening to music. Nothing could have any influence on them whatsoever, which is just about impossible. Every harmony has to have it's roots somewhere. Even if the band sounds nothing like what it was influenced from, the music still can never be 100% original. The person can only think it's original because his conscious mind cannot immediately find anything it sounds like.

Everyone's art works off everyone elses' in one form or another.
 
I applaud Kronikle66's thread. I've been waiting for something like this for a long time, because y'all always talking about bands I've never listened and wanted to get an idea before I become interested.

For example: Shadow Gallery + Dream Theater = Threshold
It's a good way to introduce somebody to this great band. And after years of listening to them, I still never think of DT or SG while listening. They're their own style.

If you don't like this thread, I say Don't Post Here. For you're only flooding and not helping.
 
L. Knight said:
If you don't like this thread, I say Don't Post Here. For you're only flooding and not helping.
Click to expand...

One can only obey such a thread if it comes directly from "Jax", i think. This kind of words doesn't help you to gain friends here i.m.o.
 
Not gonna do the equation...just listing some bands and a release you can look up.

Akashic - Timeless Realm
Axiom - A Moment of Insanity
Carisma - 1825
Comma - Free As God
Elegacy - Impressions
Fragile Vastness - Excerpts
House Of Spirits - Psychosphere
Ivory Tower - Beyond The Stars
Nordream - Memories Progression
Pantommind - Shade Of Fate
SceneS - Call Us At The Number You Provide
Trivial Act - Mindscape

Have fun :D
 
Carisma - 1825 is a great album. But the band is no more around unfortunately. And "Comma" is from Turkey :) There is one more turkish progressive band i think you might like. It is named "Disenchant". Here is the link:http://www.disenchant-band.net/eng/news.htm[/B]

I would also include to the list with links (not turkish):

Crises (http://www.crises.de)
Stramonio (awesome italian prog. band http://www.stramonio.com)
Chrome Shift (http://www.chromeshift.dk)
Everon (http://www.everon.de)
7 Months (http://www.7months.com)
Lord of Mushrooms (http://loloprog.free.fr)
Darkwater (still not released any album http://www.darkwater.se/)
 
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