Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Music Lounge
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - What constitutes a prog epic?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

What constitutes a prog epic?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 456
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 15764 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 06:54

Another suggestion I've found of "epic" in relatation to music says:

""Epic" as a term in music was popularized by someone who aimed to convey a complete story through their music, depicting the highs and lows, battles, and love."

( https://www.demfirecreation.com/articles/meaning-of-epic-music-or-epic-orchestral-music )
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 15764 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 07:17

So I think "The Battle of Epping Forest" can definitely be said to be "an epic". Big smile
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
Stressed Cheese View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 16 2022
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 540 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stressed Cheese Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 07:40
To me, length is the main thing, and the amount of ground covered, so to speak. So, a long song that mostly consists of solos I would usually not really count as an 'epic', unless the music is still evolving a lot. So, Lizard (KC) is an epic despite a lot of solos, Pharaoh's Dance (Miles Davis) isn't. And the shorter the length, the more ground it has to cover to still qualify as an epic. But it's kind of a "I know it when I see it" thing, I can't really list criteria in a way that will be 100% foolproof for me.
Back to Top
siLLy puPPy View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

Joined: October 05 2013
Location: SFcaUsA
Status: Offline
Points: 15418 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote siLLy puPPy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 08:10
Epic is a very subjective and relative term. To me it simply means something that is much grander in scope compared to an artist's or a genres normal attributes. In prog i would guess that it means a classic side long track on a traditional vinyl LP as the basis for definition but can be applied to a modern equivalency such as a 20-minute track on an album of shorter tracks. I don't think the traditional dictionary definition really applies any longer. Epic prog tracks no longer showcase an obligatory lyrical concept and soloing is only one option. The track must be dynamic and varied and capture a multitude of moods and movements. It's a nebulous little bugger that escapes pigeonholing but we all know an epic when we hear it.


Edited by siLLy puPPy - August 04 2023 at 08:10

https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 15764 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 08:35
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

Epic is a very subjective and relative term.

No, it has certainly some specific historic traditions even they've been various.



Edited by David_D - August 04 2023 at 10:06
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 15764 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 09:12
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

To me it simply means something that is much grander in scope compared to an artist's or a genres normal attributes. In prog i would guess that it means a classic side long track on a traditional vinyl LP as the basis for definition but can be applied to a modern equivalency such as a 20-minute track on an album of shorter tracks. 
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

So I think "The Battle of Epping Forest" can definitely be said to be "an epic". Big smile

Okay, it may be too short.
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
Progishness View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 10 2020
Location: Planet Rhubarb
Status: Offline
Points: 2565 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Progishness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 10:12
To me for a piece to be considered an epic it should take you on a journey lyrically and/or musically and will probably be considerably longer than an average* track... similar to how an epic poem tends to be quite long and take you on a journey.

*whatever that is.
"We're going to need a bigger swear jar."

Chloë Grace Moretz as Mindy McCready aka 'Hit Girl' in Kick-Ass 2
Back to Top
I prophesy disaster View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 31 2017
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 4999 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote I prophesy disaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 10:43
Originally posted by Progishness Progishness wrote:

To me for a piece to be considered an epic it should take you on a journey lyrically and/or musically
 
I think the way an epic ends is quite important such that it should make you feel like you've been on an epic journey. For example, the mellotron choir that closes "A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers" certainly evokes in me a feeling of grandeur that tells me I've just experienced an amazing journey.
 
No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man.
Back to Top
UnderGround View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 20 2022
Location: Hellas
Status: Offline
Points: 356 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote UnderGround Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 13:58
Originally posted by Progishness Progishness wrote:

To me for a piece to be considered an epic it should take you on a journey lyrically and/or musically and will probably be considerably longer than an average* track... similar to how an epic poem tends to be quite long and take you on a journey.

*whatever that is.

And if is not a song but an entire epic prog rock album?

*check the link in my signature below...😉
↓
https://antonisadelfidis.bandcamp.com/album/zantea-chronicles-the-nightmare-awakens
Back to Top
cstack3 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 7508 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 14:11
Originally posted by ExittheLemming ExittheLemming wrote:

At least one costume change being required when performed live Tongue

And Mellotrons.  Lots and lots of Mellotrons. 
I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Back to Top
UnderGround View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 20 2022
Location: Hellas
Status: Offline
Points: 356 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote UnderGround Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 14:13
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by ExittheLemming ExittheLemming wrote:

At least one costume change being required when performed live Tongue

And Mellotrons.  Lots and lots of Mellotrons. 

Full of Mellotrons...😀
https://antonisadelfidis.bandcamp.com/album/zantea-chronicles-the-nightmare-awakens
Back to Top
siLLy puPPy View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

Joined: October 05 2013
Location: SFcaUsA
Status: Offline
Points: 15418 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote siLLy puPPy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2023 at 15:42
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

Epic is a very subjective and relative term.

No, it has certainly some specific historic traditions even they've been various.



In terms of interpreting those "historic traditions" it is very much open to personal reasons

https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy
Back to Top
Progishness View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 10 2020
Location: Planet Rhubarb
Status: Offline
Points: 2565 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Progishness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 05 2023 at 01:36
Originally posted by I prophesy disaster I prophesy disaster wrote:

I think the way an epic ends is quite important such that it should make you feel like you've been on an epic journey. For example, the mellotron choir that closes "A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers" certainly evokes in me a feeling of grandeur that tells me I've just experienced an amazing journey.


Indeed and there should be some sense of contentment that you've reached the end of the journey (for now).
"We're going to need a bigger swear jar."

Chloë Grace Moretz as Mindy McCready aka 'Hit Girl' in Kick-Ass 2
Back to Top
Progishness View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 10 2020
Location: Planet Rhubarb
Status: Offline
Points: 2565 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Progishness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 05 2023 at 01:39
Originally posted by UnderGround UnderGround wrote:

And if is not a song but an entire epic prog rock album?



Well yes that is possible (see TAAB) but then we crossover onto the territory of concept albums which is a different conversation.
"We're going to need a bigger swear jar."

Chloë Grace Moretz as Mindy McCready aka 'Hit Girl' in Kick-Ass 2
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 456

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.133 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.