Top Prog Metal

Which are the bands you consider to be the most important from Prog Metal. I don't yet know so many bands, but the impression I have got from the ones that I have heard, and what I have been reading on the forum would include something like this:
- Dream Theater.
- Ayreon.
- Pain of Salvation.
- Opeth.
- Riverside.
- Symphony X.

Then, I'm not sure if they are still among the favourite bands, but I understand that the first important prog metal bands, along with Dream Theater, were Queensryche and Fates Warning.

Other bands that I have read that have some love, but I'm not sure if they would fit among the most important Prog Metal bands would be perhaps The Mars Volta and Devin Townsend.

Plus some of the newer bands, the one I've heard more about and perhaps should make the list is Haken, plus Distorted Harmony, and perhaps Animals as Leaders.

Most important? I dunno 

I rarely listen to those bands like Dream Theater that gather most attention and bring new fans into prog community, and I can't say that I quite like them at all.

I am more interested in obscure and underground prog metal bands, such as Alcest or Diabolical Masquerade. The only widely known prog metal band which I really feel an aficionado to is Opeth.

Are you asking for influence or just our personal preference?

Most important from an influential standpoint? I'd say Dream Theater & Opeth have to be included in there, probably Queensryche as well. The others are a bit more subjective, depending on what genre you are going towards.

Horizons wrote: Are you asking for influence or just our personal preference?

Ummm... something in between I guess.

Somthing like which ones do you think are more important or influential on the way Prog Metal has developed, and then add your point of view and what you actually like or don't, that would be great. Thanks a lot.

Fates Warning is right up there as far as importance goes. If you like it heavy then check out Zero Hour.

Edited by Mellotron Storm - July 08 2013 at 19:23

Not really a fan of Prog Metal, I got into Opeth and Enslaved from the death/doom side before they showed any prog tendencies.  The only other band I like that PA classifies as Prog Metal is Thought Industry, I love their 1st 2 albums...I don't know if that makes them "important" or not 

Edited by The.Crimson.King - July 09 2013 at 00:01

AlexDOM wrote: Cynic

RedNightmareKing wrote: Opeth Dream Theater Symphony X Maudlin of the Well Devin Townsend Later period Porcupine Tree Tool Mastodon Pain of Salvation Riverside doesn't really click with me, but then again I haven't delved too far into their territory yet.

Well let's be clear on who's at the top and who is important for the whole birthing on the genre itself.

Important.

Queensrÿche. Everything they did before 1991's promise land.
Fates Warning. Incrediblely one of America's best prog metal acts that really fully emerged in 1989.
Dream Theater. Still to this day they are the quintessential prog gods and re-formed early 1990's metal. Best in the business I think. They are the Wayne Gretzky of Prog Metal.
Symphony X--went their own way and created some pretty incredible prog that is largely iron maiden and dream Theater influenced.
Iron Maiden--of course these guys gave rise to a more technical/heavy metal sound in the early 80's. One of thee most important bands. They are the UK's stamp on the genre.
Metallica--Once again. Thrash metal that actually had some grace and finesse to it. And Justice For all is a very important album. The song 'ONE' became a hallmark or even a bench mark for proggy thrash metal style creations.
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ---need I say more. ;)

Now. As for who is on a major rampage for creating great, innovative prog metal today. Here are my votes.

Symphony X. They are still very relevent and are at the height or high point Of their career right now with the last 2 album releases 1) Paradise Lost and 2) Iconoclasts. Truly one of the best still to this day. I've got a ton of respect for them.

AGALLOCH. Although they are considered to be more experimental in the prog metal world where by they do not fit into prog metal's typical molds, none the less their sound is very important in the metal world of things. It's the difference they create that is outstanding and hugely innovative. The Mantle and Ashes Against the grain are important listens.

RIVERSIDE. Poland's best prog metal band by far. Have an emerging following ever since Second Life Syndrome.
Hugely consistent band that releases quality music like the air tight ANNO DOMINI.

DREAM THEATER.-- music may not be overly innovative or exciting for the past 4 albums except for ADTOE, but none the less they still create quality music and are still exciting fans with a new album coming out this September! Believe it or not, a ton of proggers like myself, still give a sh*t about what Dream Theater will do next.

Arch/MATHEOS-- only one album to their credit but I expect big things to come with this project, especially since it carries 3 of the orginal Fates Warning members. ;)

Lastly. SOULFLY. although this band is not on PA (they should be!) SOULFLY are South America's very best thrash/prog metal bands that carry the south Amercian culture with in their music with use of Latin instrumentments and percussion tools as well. They have released 8 albums to their credit and they are all good. My most relevent prog metal band for me. Their last Album (2012) ENSLAVED did very well in the metal market.

Ok. I' has yammered enough. Anyway. Great thread!