System of a Down

Ok! I just want to bring this into the forum and see what do you think...

I was reading at some material that defines the history of progressive rock and found a quote that mentioned the band System of a Down. The passage says:

"Other heavy metal bands not generally considered prog-metal, such as System of a Down, have nevertheless incorporated prog-influenced elements like bizarre shifts in time signatures and tempo in their music." (taken from the website www.wikipedia.org)

On the other hand, I found something that tells more about the influences of the band, as well as the range of instruments they use in their albums:

System of a Down uses a wide range of instruments, including baritone electric guitars, electric mandolins, sitars, 12-string classical guitars and many other East Asian instruments. Their main influences are most noticeably from earlier alternative rock bands, but they also draw influence from the punk rock, jazz, fusion, Armenian folk music, classic rock, blues, and industrial genres. (taken from the website www.wikipedia.org)

I know System of a Down is not a progressive band. They are an Alternative Metal, Nu Metal or Power Metal band with influences from progressive rock. To get an idea, listen to their song Question! from their latest album Mezmerize and you'll see all those multi time signatures, scales and tunings with very quiet and very loud passages ocurring in the same piece. These same characteristics can be found in all their works.

I definitively think they should be included as Prog Related since the term is also defined as artists unrelated to prog with common things to prog music in that it is very structured and adventurous, sometimes hard or heavy, sometimes mellow, with strong melodies and good hooks as an integral part of most of the material. Though most of these artists aren't considered progressive themselves, their relation to progressive music is not to be underestimated. Besides, they are mentioned as part of the progressive rock definition/history.

What do you think about this????

Man Overboard wrote: horza wrote: i like them but NO sorry Give me 3 SOLID reasons why they should not be in prog-related.

1. Lead
2. Steel
3. Perspex

Man Overboard wrote: Two types of metal and a synthetic plastic?  I expected better from you, Snowie.

I couldn't think of any better reasons! With Prog related category,just about anything could be added I reckon.

And Perspex is a real plastic!

Man Overboard wrote: I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with the prog-related catagory's existance.  After all, that is true, just about ANYTHING can be added.  With that said, I really *do* think System Of A Down qualify; they've got a lot of proggy elements without being prog.  Their guitarist has said before that they try to pack all of the variation of a prog song into their music, but keep the songs short. Either way.

I have no objections, and if I did it wouldn't make any difference!

Yes! I agree with you all. Now that we have that category on the archives, anything is possible. Besides, the are good.

On the other hand, The Mars Volta did make it to the archives and I never imagine they could be progressive. I always related them to alternative rock.

System of a Down is not plastic and they have enough elements to qualify as prog related. Think about that...