Veteran of Prog/Power Metal and need some help

I am a 25+ yr veteran of the Progressive/Power metal scene and I'm searching for "newer" bands that fall into this category from the past 4-5 yrs or so. I've been heavily involved with the music scene since the mid 80s and I've been fortunate enough to have worked with many of the most talented bands and musicians on the planet in one capacity or another(promotion, writing, mgmt, etc...). Some of my favs include early Dream Theater, Symphony X, Dreamscape, Pagan's Mind, early Quuensryche, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath w/Dio and some of the upcoming bands in Myrath, Pathosray, Anubis Gate, etc....Any suggestions on bands that fall in this genre would be much appreciated. I love and appreciate genuine Progressive Metal with great vocals!!!

Haken Haken Haken Haken!

I am sure you are familiar with Blind Guardian, and you mention Symphony X so I assume that you are familiar with the 3 Russell Allen/Jorn Lande collaborations and Russell Allen's Atomic Soul.   Also, Avantasia and Ayreon are good if you like rock operas with power metal leanings.

Edited by rushfan4 - November 02 2011 at 13:30

Yes...I'm familiar with all of the Russell Allen material and I've been jamming to Blind Guardian amd all of the European Metal from the 80s and 90s for many yrs. I'm actually checking out a very cool band in Caravellus now. I love the heavy rhythm guitar sound, bombastic/heavy keys with killer vocals!!!!

I thought that this album from the band Hourglass was really good.  http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=21915  You can stream the song Skeletons at the link and see if it sounds like something you might like.  And then I will probably not be bothering you with anymore suggestions.

Thanks...Going over to check out the music now. I've heard Hourglass but I'm going to give it another listen.

Another one that I was thinking of was the album Bilateral from Leprous.  I couldn't help but be reminded of Dio as I was listening to that one.

Mastodon and Cynic.

I have them all bro but Spiritual Beggars...thanks. I actually helped promote Shadow Gallery yrs ago and Michael Harris from Thought Chamber is a good friend. I liked Lance King(who is also a friend) on the Pyramaze material and Seventh Wonder is very good Melodic Metal. Pathosray is a very good band as well as I'm looking forward to their third release soon. I prefer the early Sieges Even sound(ala Watchtower) as to the more jazzy/prog rockish sound on their later albums. I'm also helping out with a German band called Destination's Calling...they just finished their second album....check them out!!!

You mentioned JOP, but not Savatage? Hall of the Mountain King and up are essential (well maybe not "handful of rain") . I'd also say Circle2Circle, Labyrinth, Star One (and Ayreon too if you like the proggier tracks on "Victims"), Epica, Nightwish, Apocalyptica ("World's Collide" only, really), and Arcturus debut album (remastered version)