Liquid Tension Experiment

I just wanted to argue the listing of Liquid Tension Experiment under Prog Metal.  Now, granted the genre of Prog Metal is pretty damn diverse as it is but I sincerely feel that this band is more Jazz/Rock Fusion.  Just about the only thing that makes me feel that this awesome power band of Tony Levin, John Petrucci and, of course, Mike Portnoy is the guitar work of Petrucci.  Obviously the guitar is metal as sh*t at some points but not all, and Levin's bass playing really isn't either.  Also, take into the account that there aren't any lyrics, another thing very typical of Prog Metal bands.  All and all I just really feel that this group has more Jazz/Rock sounds than Metal sounds.

Anyone agree?

Honestly...no.While there is some jazz fusion-ish moments on their 2 albums I think LTE are progressive metal.

I also think LTE are rather modern fusion than metal.

I would say that a modern fusion band is Planet X, but LTE is more Metal than Fusion moments IMO, but still has a lot of Jazz moments so i see why you think of LTE as a fusion band.

Legoman wrote: Thanks, axebearer eugene.  I still would like some more factual evidence.  Where I see how it COULD be Prog Metal I just don't see how it is MAINLY Prog Metal.  Portnoy and Levin both come from extreme Jazz based backgrounds.  Surely that is enought to outweight even someone of Petrucci's standing. Again, Prog Metal is broad... just... maybe too broad.  Maybe we should suggest a Jazz METAL genre!

I've always considered the incredible Cynic album "Focus" to be jazz-metal, or "death jazz" as I think one reviewer put it.  I just don't know if you could compile enough bands that could be considered as such to merit a separate sub-genre.  Therefore, prog-metal will have to do, but in my mind that's what reviews are for.  Write reviews for the LTE discs describing how jazzy they can be, and then visitors who check out those pages can be made aware.


Edited by NaturalScience - May 11 2006 at 20:59

Legoman wrote: Thanks, axebearer eugene.  I still would like some more factual evidence.  Where I see how it COULD be Prog Metal I just don't see how it is MAINLY Prog Metal.  Portnoy and Levin both come from extreme Jazz based backgrounds.  Surely that is enought to outweight even someone of Petrucci's standing. Again, Prog Metal is broad... just... maybe too broad.  Maybe we should suggest a Jazz METAL genre!

Overweight Petrucci's standing..?

Edited by Suki - May 12 2006 at 03:19

Majestic_Mayhem wrote: I pondered upon this long ago, when I saw them listed as prog metal here on the archives. I think both albums (LTE I and II) has lots of jazzy moments. Not as metalic as Tool, POS etc etc. but still progmetal. IMO, the presence of almost all of the members of DT placed it into prog metal category ( ignoring the music, and basing my thoughts on the members ). Hard to figure out actually and I get your point my friend, but for me, strictly speaking LTE is still a progmetal album

I would have to agree with you on that one, very well covered.

^ it's been a nice discussion so far and you said it all - no need for me to state the obvious.

Edited by MikeEnRegalia - May 12 2006 at 04:45

Syzygy wrote: While there is a hint of jazz in LTE, I really don't think that there's any reason to move them from the progressive metal genre.   Jazz/metal fusion does exist; check out the excellent Counter World Experience - Fractal for proof (though I don't think it's listed in the archives yet).

I think that they were referring to the metal subcategory (Technical/Experimental -> Metal Fusion) on my prog metal categories chart.

BTW: I added Counter-World Experience to the prog metal voting chart - have a look and feel free to suggest other bands that are not already listed:

http://www.ratingfreak.com/home/progarchives/progmetalchart.xhtml

Who was the first band that came out with the idea of making Metal-Fusion?