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Crazy complex prog. The most demanding listens

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Topic: Crazy complex prog. The most demanding listens
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Subject: Crazy complex prog. The most demanding listens
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 08:47
Hey. I've made a list on RateYourMusic called 
  • Crazy complex prog rock

and i'm trying to find the absolutely most complex and demanding prog albums there are to be heard. Here is my list. Any suggestions for addition would be greatly appreciated since i'm always seeking out the most bizarre, experimental and demanding music that exists. Thanks!

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/siLLy_puPPy/crazy-complex-prog-rock/" rel="nofollow - Crazy complex prog rock - Rate Your Music


The most unapologetic complex progressive rock music there is to be heard. This is music so dense, so convoluted and so uncompromising that it takes a fair number of listens to comprehend what's going on with some of these having taken me well over a decade to crack the secrets within. Some of my absolute favorite music exists in this realm where every musical idea swirls in creative concoctions of complex yumminess. Please let me know what i'm missing! This stuff tends to be underappreciated and obscure but for those with the patience and need for such stuff - an essential element for life happiness :) This list is pretty much limited to the rock genre which includes metal. I'll add more as i think of some i've missed. None of these are ranked in any particular order but all are heading for a 10 on the progometer scale of complexity
https%3A%2F%2Frateyourmusic.com%2Flist%2FsiLLy_puPPy%2Fcrazy-complex-prog-rock%2F&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&send=false&show_faces=true&width=250" rel="nofollow -
1 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/island/pictures/" rel="nofollow">Pictures

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/island" rel="nofollow - Island

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/island/pictures/" rel="nofollow - Pictures  (1977)

This crazy Swiss band created one of the weirdest prog workouts mostly based in the symphonic side of the genre. They released this one little gem of complexity "Pictures" that even after several decades rarely gets the respect it deserves simply because it is literally as alienating as the album cover suggests but well worth the effort if unrelenting prog rock workouts is what you crave. Yes, that is indeed an H.R. Giger painting on ISLAND's sole release
2 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jethro-tull/a-passion-play/" rel="nofollow">A Passion Play

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/jethro-tull" rel="nofollow - Jethro Tull

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jethro-tull/a-passion-play/" rel="nofollow - A Passion Play  (1973)

Hot on the heels of the much more accessible "Thick As A Brick,"JETHRO TULL released their own prog folk rock answer to Yes' excesses heard in "Tales From Topographic Oceans." Upon first listen a seemingly random and chaotic rotisserie of gibberish and overweening pomp, but after well over a decade of letting this sink in has revealed itself to be a top dog of concept albums with so many elements stuffed into that it needs a period table of elements just to help the listener navigate. Like Rodney Dangerfield, still waiting to get the respect it deserves but history will surely prove it to be JT's most ambitious effort ever
3 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/tales_from_topographic_oceans/" rel="nofollow">Tales From Topographic Oceans

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yes" rel="nofollow - Yes

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/tales_from_topographic_oceans/" rel="nofollow - Tales From Topographic Oceans  (1973)

The oft loved and more ofter loathed double album extravaganza showing YES take their unique sound to the ultimate heights of prog pomp and grandiosity. While not as impenetrable as other albums on this list because it actually has quite accessilbe segments that basically take their already established sound and sew them together in a long drawn out fashion, it nonetheless qualifies as one of the most multifarious prog behemoths of music history with each of the four tracks swallowing up an entire side of the original vinyl LP. Castigated for having long drawn out segments that meander eternally, it equally provides passages so elaborate and tangled that leave the first time listeners scratching their heads in dismay
4 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/relayer/" rel="nofollow">Relayer

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yes" rel="nofollow - Yes

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/relayer/" rel="nofollow - Relayer  (1974)

Although Relayer was much more accepted by fans after the divisive "Tales From Topographic Oceans" doesn't mean it was any less complex, dense and layered. In fact i would argue it's even more so but somehow managed to channel and refine all the elements that take the limits of progressive rock and creatively invent newly founded hooks that yielded perfect compositions. The peak of YES' creative prowess can be heard on this album and then they would slowly slip into more commercial endeavors
5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gnidrolog/in_spite_of_harrys_toe_nail/" rel="nofollow">In Spite of Harrys Toe-Nail

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gnidrolog" rel="nofollow - Gnidrolog

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gnidrolog/in_spite_of_harrys_toe_nail/" rel="nofollow - In Spite of Harry's Toe-Nail  (1972)

The Goldring brothers were always adventure seekers and when they finally released their debut album "In Spite Of Harry's Toe-Nail" even aficianados of the then burgeoning prog rock scene were thrown off by the sheer audacity and musical mangling heard on this album. While clearly steeped in the folk music that initiated their musical endeavors, GNIDROLOG took hitherto unheard liberties in aggregating some of the most labyrinthine and circuitous polyrhythmic melodies that have never truly been matched. This one requires a great many spins to sink in but has emerged as one of my all time favorites albums that even makes my desert isle list
6 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/poil/brossaklitt/" rel="nofollow">Brossaklitt

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/poil" rel="nofollow - PoiL

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/poil/brossaklitt/" rel="nofollow - Brossaklitt  (2014)

A sonic celebration of spastic punk energy infused with psychedelic lysergic freakouts and childish Zappesque avant-prog that engulfs a near hour long of absolutely unrelenting craziness. Harsh and insulting to the ears like a Ruins album on steroids, France's PoiL delivers for the adventurous music lover who relishes in doing somersaults on roller coasters
7 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yugen/death-by-water/" rel="nofollow">Death by Water

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yugen" rel="nofollow - Yūgen

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yugen/death-by-water/" rel="nofollow - Death by Water  (2016)

YUGEN's whole mission as a band was to create the most complex music possible and on "Death By Water" they succeed in creating a blissful sonic compound of tortured polyrhythms that play together like swirling electrons around an atom. While their other albums were steeped in complexity, this one takes it to new heights and also achieves an avant-prog yumminess that even manages to create a melodic underpinning to the mondo bizarro maelstrom of sounds
8 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/marsupilami/" rel="nofollow">Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/marsupilami" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/marsupilami/" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami  (1970)

Nipping on the heals of King Crimson, MARSUPILAMI, also from the fertile British scene of the late 60s unleashed the most complex album of 1970 with an album filled with jaw-dropping complexiites such as incessant time signature and dynamic orgies of sound that change from rock to folk and beyond at a drop of the hat. While melodic passages are abound, they are steeped in dissonance, off-kilter jazz infused chord changes and sudden abrupt surprises that create most unorthodox compositional liberties that make this one of the most creative albums of all time
9 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/arena/" rel="nofollow">Arena

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/marsupilami" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/arena/" rel="nofollow - Arena  (1971)

While some bands release one album of craziness and then calm down in hopes of more commerical exposure, MARSUPALAMI went the opposite direction by taking all of their bizarre and unique progressive rock complexity on "Arena" and added a concept story involving ancient Rome to the mix thus releasing the second and last album of their career. I'm still trying to figure out which one i love more
10 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unexpect/in_a_flesh_aquarium/" rel="nofollow">In a Flesh Aquarium

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/unexpect" rel="nofollow - Unexpect

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unexpect/in_a_flesh_aquarium/" rel="nofollow - In a Flesh Aquarium  (2006)

While starting out as a rather avant-garde death metal meets classical music band, the dam of creativity burst wide open for their third release "In A Flesh Aquarium" which adopted the Mr Bungle approach and took it to disturbing new levels of craziness. While many bands have mastered the fine art of alternating musical genres in their compositions, UNEXPECT took disparate genres such as Western classical, dark cabaret, opera, jazz, funk, electronica, ambient, noise rock, circus music and gypsy swing and threw them all into a blender which when augmented by the beauty and beast vocal approach yielded THE most bizarre album in all of the metal universe. This one requires a ridiculous amount of listens to sink in but has a high pay off and has also become a candidate for the desert isle list
11 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gorguts/obscura/" rel="nofollow">Obscura

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gorguts" rel="nofollow - Gorguts

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gorguts/obscura/" rel="nofollow - Obscura  (1998)

This little gem is fairly popular these days for its unique tortuous and twisted take on death metal. Emerging on the tail end of the 90s after the golden age of extreme metal, GORGUTS departed from their fairly generic take on the death metal world after two albums and took the world by storm with their mangled technical wizardry on "Obscura" which has become the cornerstone of tech death metal influence for the 21st century. Despite having heard this for a while now, i still have no idea how it sounds until i put it on as the compositions are as atypical and non-traditional as is possible but somehow has hidden elements that create some sort of patterns of recognition that keep the listening experience a constant guessing game
12 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/deathspell_omega/fas_%E2%80%93_ite__maledicti__in_ignem_aeternum/" rel="nofollow">Fas – Ite, maledicti, in ignem aeternum

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/deathspell_omega" rel="nofollow - Deathspell Omega

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/deathspell_omega/fas_%E2%80%93_ite__maledicti__in_ignem_aeternum/" rel="nofollow - Fas – Ite, maledicti, in ignem aeternum  (2007)

DEATHSPELL OMEGA from France single handedly gave a much needed injection of creativity to the stagnating black metal scene in 2007 with their classic "Fas - Ite, Malecticti, In Ignem Aeternum." While firmly planted in the the black metal world thematically and instrumentally speaking, this mysterious band catapulted itself above the pack by creating one of the most bizarre and experimental black metal albums ever. The compositional structures are far beyond the simplicity of the previous decade as is the metaphysical nature of the lyrical content. Truly a major leap in complexity in this metal arena where not only black metal is given a much needed boost of energy but DEATHSPELL OMEGA proves they can traverse throughout the entire extreme metal universe and stitch it together without effort
13 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kayo_dot/dowsing_anemone_with_copper_tongue/" rel="nofollow">Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/kayo_dot" rel="nofollow - Kayo Dot

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kayo_dot/dowsing_anemone_with_copper_tongue/" rel="nofollow - Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue  (2006)

While most cite "Choirs Of The Eye" as their favorite KAYO DOT album, i'm quite partial to the second release "Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue" which musically is as convulated and impenetrable as the title and cover art suggest. Based on a tortuous assault of jangly guitar distortions with unthinkably complex jazz based chords and time signature assaults, this album also has lush chamber rock meets post-rock passages that flow like ethers in the eye of the hurricane that emerge around it. I honestly don't know why i love this one but once i put it on i'm mesmerized as it suspends every expectation of what music should be
14 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yezda_urfa/boris/" rel="nofollow">Boris

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yezda_urfa" rel="nofollow - Yezda Urfa

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yezda_urfa/boris/" rel="nofollow - Boris  (1975)

One of the more accessible acts on this list is YEZDA URFA that takes hummable melodies and twists them and infuses them with virtuosic workouts on "Boris" that are so intense that some of the instruments must have surely melted during the recording of this album which was actually only supposed to be a demo to begin with. While somewhat easy to grasp upon first listen, subsequent listens to the details will awe with dizzying and daring sonic assaults that display a juggling of many facets of music simultaneously
15 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/il_balletto_di_bronzo/ys/" rel="nofollow">Ys

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/il_balletto_di_bronzo" rel="nofollow - Il Balletto di Bronzo

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/il_balletto_di_bronzo/ys/" rel="nofollow - Ys  (1972)

One of Italy's most eccentric bands in the boom of RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano). While most bands were going down a similar symphonic path laid out by PFM and Banco, some bands like the Naples natives IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO were much more daring and creative in how they approached their craft. Their triumphant album "Ys" is chock full of progressive workouts with huge swaths of purely experimental and alienating passages along the way with some of the most energetic and frenetic musical displays of any album of the early 70s
16 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/moving_gelatine_plates/the_world_of_genius_hans/" rel="nofollow">The World of Genius Hans

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/moving_gelatine_plates" rel="nofollow - Moving Gelatine Plates

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/moving_gelatine_plates/the_world_of_genius_hans/" rel="nofollow - The World of Genius Hans  (1972)

One of the scant non-English followers of the UK's Canterbury Scene came from France's MOVING GELATINE PLATES that took all the zany whimsy and jazz-rock fusion workouts found from the likes of Soft Machine and Caravan and infused it all with a healthy dose of extreme musical acrobatics and insanity which resulted in the OMG offering "The World Of Genius Hans". The musicianship is off the chart as the band navigates some of the bizarro mondo musical terrain that results in ridiculously complex but satisfying compositions that took the experimental rock scene to some of the most ambitious offerings that have ever been recorded
17 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/buckethead/teeter-slaughter/" rel="nofollow">Teeter Slaughter

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/buckethead" rel="nofollow - Buckethead

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/buckethead/teeter-slaughter/" rel="nofollow - Teeter Slaughter  (2014)

One of many totally "out there" examples in the BUCKETHEAD Pike series. "Teeter Slaughter" is one of my absolute favorites as the chicken lover meanders through his own musical universe and in the process offers the energy of thrash metal, the compositional complexity of avant-garde jazz all decorated with the most bizarre sprinklings that experimental rock has to offer. This all instrumental album is guaranteed to take you somewhere you never knew existed and is the perfect album to prove to anyone that Buckethead is more than funk rock and cheesy lullaby music. This is his most adventuous stuff he has to offer
18 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/area/caution_radiation_area/" rel="nofollow">Caution Radiation Area

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/area" rel="nofollow - Area

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/area/caution_radiation_area/" rel="nofollow - Caution Radiation Area  (1974)

Italy's most left-leaning and unapologetic avant-jazz-fusionists AREA managed to add catchy melodies to the majority of their albums with lots of influences from the Balkans in the way of gypsy music, but on "Caution Radiation Area" the band created a bizarre concept album which begins much like their other albums but incrementally becomes more disjointed and breaks down altogether as chaos at the end which i have always taken as representing the effects of radition on the human body or other biological systems
19 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dimesland/psychogenic_atrophy/" rel="nofollow">Psychogenic Atrophy

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/dimesland" rel="nofollow - Dimesland

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dimesland/psychogenic_atrophy/" rel="nofollow - Psychogenic Atrophy  (2014)

DIMESLAND takes the extreme metal thing to new worlds. With a title like "Psychogenic Atrophy" which sort of means the failing and weakening of mental and emotional processes, it is apparent that this music is meant to assault the senses and slay any expectations of preordained compositions and take the listener on a startling and often frightening audio journey. While this isn't one that i've gravitated towards often, there is no doubt that it delivers some of the most complex prog metal there is to be heard with everything from extreme time signature and tempo changes to complete breakdown in any structure. Although i HATE the album cover i have to admit this is a good candidate for some of the most extreme and proggy metal since Gorguts' Obscura (that i've heard)
20 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mr__bungle/disco_volante/" rel="nofollow">Disco Volante

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/mr__bungle" rel="nofollow - Mr. Bungle

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mr__bungle/disco_volante/" rel="nofollow - Disco Volante  (1995)

MR BUNGLE proved on their first album they could be as eclectic as any 70s prog rock artist but it wasn't until their second album "Disco Volante" that they really let their freak flag fly. This album is the perfect concocted infusion of everything from blues, jazz, death metal, ambient, funk to ample amounts of prog and ethnic influences combining to create an album like no other. Despite the everything but the kitchen sink approach MR BUNGLE manage to create the perfect balance of accessible catchy melodic segments with jarring and psychologically damaging assaults. One of my favorite albums of all time
21 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kracq/circumvision/" rel="nofollow">Circumvision

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/kracq" rel="nofollow - Kracq

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kracq/circumvision/" rel="nofollow - Circumvision  (1978)

KRACQ is a bit of an obscurity of crazy prog from the Netherlands and released their sole album "Circumvision" in 1978. The albums comes off more as two EPs rather than a cohesive whole but is quite the adventuous album in both regards. The first side is an array of complex symphonically based rock craziness taking extreme liberties with both time signature changes and tempo. The second half is somewhat more mainstream with synthesized vocal parts but as a whole this is one weird album that may not reach the heights of complexity as other albums on this list but is just bizarre enough and relentless at times for me to include it
22 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pentwater/out_of_the_abyss/" rel="nofollow">Out of the Abyss

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/pentwater" rel="nofollow - Pentwater

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pentwater/out_of_the_abyss/" rel="nofollow - Out of the Abyss  (1992)

What was supposed to be their second release in the 70s didn't actually find a release date until 1992. Pentwater was one of the most creative bands to come out of the less fertile prog scene of the USA. With an energetic symphonic approach of Keith Emerson along with crazy roller coaster prog workouts and strange off-kilter melodies, this is the stuff brutal prog dreams are made of. This unapologetically maelstrom of sound meanders all over the musical map with outstanding musical cohesion and pleasant high resister vocals that always have just enough hook to keep the listener engaged in familiarity but then once hooked takes a completely different journey altogether
23 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/satanique-samba-trio/sangrou/" rel="nofollow">Sangrou

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/satanique_samba_trio" rel="nofollow - Satanique Samba Trio

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/satanique-samba-trio/sangrou/" rel="nofollow - Sangrou  (2007)

This Brazilian band sounds like no other and takes the bizarre world of avant-jazz and marries it with samba and rock. The result is some of the strangest music i've ever heard with all the attributes of both jazz and prog rock happily dancing side by side with the cheerful edge of samba keeping it from teetering into darkness. Really must be experienced to be comprehended. SATANIQUE SAMBA TRIO definately hit on something with their debut "Sangrou"
24 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/univers_zero/heresie_f1/" rel="nofollow">Hérésie

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/univers_zero" rel="nofollow - Univers zéro

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/univers_zero/heresie_f1/" rel="nofollow - Hérésie  (1979)

No one has ever made a chamber rock album more haunting and freaky than UNIVERS ZÉRO did with their second album "Hérésie". This bizarre album ratchets up the emotional dread and creepiness completely over the top for its near one hour run. With an instrumental 13 minute plus track dedicated to Jack The Ripper, you know this isn't suitable for a Disney film. This is pure horror flick soundtrack music which is made even more so by the complexities involved in the compositions
25 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/art_zoyd_3/symphonie_pour_le_jour_ou_bruleront_les_cites/" rel="nofollow">Symphonie pour le jour où brûleront les cités

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/art_zoyd" rel="nofollow - Art Zoyd 3

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/art_zoyd_3/symphonie_pour_le_jour_ou_bruleront_les_cites/" rel="nofollow - Symphonie pour le jour où brûleront les cités  (1976)

ART ZOYD was one of the first to take chamber rock and marry it with complex progressive rock to create some of the most bizarre music ever laid down to tape. While very much steeped in free jazz and classical music, "Symphonie Pour Le Jour Où Brûleront Les Cités" also has healthy doses of Zappa inspired avant-prog rock but mostly resides in some parallel experimental plane that mere mortals don't often experience
26 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mirthrandir/for_you_the_old_women/" rel="nofollow">For You the Old Women

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/mirthrandir" rel="nofollow - Mirthrandir

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mirthrandir/for_you_the_old_women/" rel="nofollow - For You the Old Women  (1976)

This was an American (United Statesian that is) band that delivered complexity for complexity's sake, MIRTHRANDIR released their sole album "For You The Old Women" in 1976 and disappeared from the music scene but this one album has a whole career's worth of ideas stuffed into every nook and cranny. Much like Pentwater and Yezda Urfa, MIRTHRANDIR was ruthless with complex time signature changes, tempo upheavals and unpredicatable style changes that keep the listener engaged throughout its all too brief run
27 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/king-crimson/lizard-1/" rel="nofollow">Lizard

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/king-crimson-1" rel="nofollow - King Crimson

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/king-crimson/lizard-1/" rel="nofollow - Lizard  (1970)

After KING CRIMSON helped launch the progressive rock explosion in 1969, they didn't just stop there and only a year later created one of the most complex albums of 1970 with "Lizard". The album cover artwork alone should be on a museum wall for its intricate depiction of the subject matter that is presented in the music itself. While progressive rock itself was still very much a newbie on the music scene, KC was already experimenting with avant-jazz and classical elements while adding ample amounts of art rock and experimental elements. This is one of the KC albums that has taken me the longest to appreciate but once it finally clicked it was as good as gold and probably one i could spend a whole life time trying to figure out and still not figure it all out
28 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/in_praise_of_learning/" rel="nofollow">In Praise of Learning

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/henry_cow" rel="nofollow - Henry Cow

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/in_praise_of_learning/" rel="nofollow - In Praise of Learning  (1975)

After a couple albums that sounded more like avant-jazz with a few rock elements behind them, HENRY COW toured with the progressive pop outfit Slapp Happy and hit it off so well that they basically merged into one act under the HC moniker. While one would think that anything involving Slapp Happy would steer the creative juice more towards the accessible side, on "In Praise Of Learning" it steers in the opposite direction. This is some strange otherworldly music here that takes the principles of extreme free jazz and tames it into certain avant-prog patterns of musical creation but are totally unique. In most cases it sounds like all the instruments are playing in different time signatures and augmented by Dagmar's bizarre vocalizations. HENRY COW was truly revolutionary with this kind of stuff and was the obvious influence for all kinds of bands like Thinking Plague and a gazillion others to follow
29 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/western_culture/" rel="nofollow">Western Culture

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/henry_cow" rel="nofollow - Henry Cow

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/western_culture/" rel="nofollow - Western Culture  (1979)

After Slapp Happy dissolved from the brief fusion of bands, HENRY COW released their final magnus opus "Western Culture" which took all the otherworldly aspects of In Praise Of Learning even further minus the vocals which meant more time to explore the strangest and more complex ways of instrument interactions. Fred Frith particularly stands out with his alternative tuning system on his guitar as well as the bombastic in-yer-faith time signature leaps into other dimensions. An extremely demanding album that is almost like a photographic negative in sound of anything else that was going on at the time
30 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band/trout-mask-replica/" rel="nofollow">Trout Mask Replica

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band/trout-mask-replica/" rel="nofollow - Trout Mask Replica  (1969)

Who says there is no such thing as progressive blues rock? Well one listen to CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND's bizarre "Trout Mask Replica" will tell you otherwise. While long associated within the Frank Zappa universe, Don Glen Vliet AKA the CAPTAIN was just plain nuts. This album was one of the many surprises of 1969 but has become a cult hit over the years but still remains a challenging and off-the-wall listen. Definately not one that earns an instant ticket to your heart but does cast its spell once experienced enough :)
31 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/cornucopia/full_horn/" rel="nofollow">Full Horn

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/cornucopia" rel="nofollow - Cornucopia

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/cornucopia/full_horn/" rel="nofollow - Full Horn  (1973)

The Hamburg based CORNUCOPIA took Krautrock to new heights with their one and only release "Full Horn" that bascially combined all the disparate strains of Kraut into one lysergic experience. One can hear aspects of Can, Amon Duul II, Popol Vuh and pretty much the rest of the related pack shapeshifting into a bizarre musical experience at the prog peak of 1973
32 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/amon-duul-ii/tanz-der-lemminge/" rel="nofollow">Tanz der Lemminge

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/amon-duul-ii" rel="nofollow - Amon Düül II

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/amon-duul-ii/tanz-der-lemminge/" rel="nofollow - Tanz der Lemminge  (1971)

AMON DÜÜL II went for broke with their third album "Tanz Der Lemminge" where the band reemerged after a series of tragedies and created one of the most bizarre and creative albums of their career. Far beyond the two previous albums, this one takes the listener through a whole spectrum of contemplative and psychedelic experiences which allows the listener to suspend all preconceived notions and fall into a deep hypnotic trance of the band's making. Originally a double vinyl LP, "Tanz" is the perfect gateway to a primieval trance that sums up the Krautrock movement in perfect form
https%3A%2F%2Frateyourmusic.com%2Flist%2FsiLLy_puPPy%2Fcrazy-complex-prog-rock%2F&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&send=false&show_faces=true&width=250" rel="nofollow -

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Replies:
Posted By: ALotOfBottle
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 09:17
Shub-Niggurath's Les Morts Vont Vite could fit, in my opinion. Egg's Polite Force? "A Visit to Newport Hospital" is pleasant, but the rest might be found hard to chew on by newcommers. Maybe something by Les Rallizes Denudes?
EDIT: Definitely John Greaves' Kew. Rhone. That's a very complex album, especially if one wishes to dig deeper into the lyrics.


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Posted By: DDPascalDD
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 09:23
Absolutely love this kind of albums, seems like a list full of recommendations, but to my ears some of Gentle Giant is very complex and demanding for the listener, thinking of Octopus, The Power And The Glory and Interview mainly.
Can't compare them to most of your list though.


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Posted By: Replayer
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 09:46
I think Mile Oldfield's Amarok would also qualify for inclusion on your list. A purposefully uncommerical 60-minute piece of predominantly instrumental music that constantly changes themes and styles (often using dissonant stabs) as soon as the listener gets too comfortable.
 
Having spent the past few years relying more and more on synthesizers such as the Fairlight CMI, Mike reverts to the spirit of his first four instrumental albums and focusing on hand-played instruments. Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Oldfield plays more instruments than on any album in his career, along with unusual sound effects such as firecrackers, a faucet running, broken glass, and a vacuum cleaner.
 
Tubular Net has a http://tubular.net/analysis/amarok/" rel="nofollow - Amarok Analysis page that shows how often themes change and reappear.


Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 10:15
Demanding listens?

Try out Geinoh Yamashirugumi's Osorezan, Igor Wakhevitch's Docteur Faust, Dedalus' second album (also absurdly complex!) and Ron Geesin's As He Stands.

Complex? ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition (not that good though), Bubu's Anabelas, Esperanto's Danse Macabre and just about anything Claudio Milano sings on (could just as easily have been listed above).

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- Douglas Adams


Posted By: Watchmaker
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 10:29
Thank You Scientist maybe?
There is also this new band called Brain Tentacles. Pretty crazy. Here is their debut album (2016)
https://braintentacles.bandcamp.com/
And I just saw you have already reviewed it!! You are everywhere man LOL


Posted By: DeadSouls
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 10:45
Unrest is the most demanding album of Henry Cow, IMO.
Kew. Rhone. +1
The Residents? Electric Masada, Naked City?



Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:21
Originally posted by ALotOfBottle ALotOfBottle wrote:

Shub-Niggurath's Les Morts Vont Vite could fit, in my opinion. Egg's Polite Force? "A Visit to Newport Hospital" is pleasant, but the rest might be found hard to chew on by newcommers. Maybe something by Les Rallizes Denudes?
EDIT: Definitely John Greaves' Kew. Rhone. That's a very complex album, especially if one wishes to dig deeper into the lyrics.

Nice suggestions. Les Morts is certainly dark and gloomy with an interesting midpoint between zeuhl and chamber rock but not sure if it's what i'm looking for. It has a rather straight froward delivery and not all over the place like the albums listed. I own Polite Force but need to revisit it. Les Rallizes isn't really progressive rock. More noise / folk / punk oriented. Greaves is a contender. I'll give it another listen. Thanks


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:23
Originally posted by DDPascalDD DDPascalDD wrote:

Absolutely love this kind of albums, seems like a list full of recommendations, but to my ears some of Gentle Giant is very complex and demanding for the listener, thinking of Octopus, The Power And The Glory and Interview mainly.
Can't compare them to most of your list though.

I was considering Gentle Giant but i'm looking for impenetrable on first listens and although GG is quite complex music, they were so masterful that they made it somewhat accessible for newbies. Same with Van Der Graaf 


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:25
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

Demanding listens?

Try out Geinoh Yamashirugumi's Osorezan, Igor Wakhevitch's Docteur Faust, Dedalus' second album (also absurdly complex!) and Ron Geesin's As He Stands.

Complex? ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition (not that good though), Bubu's Anabelas, Esperanto's Danse Macabre and just about anything Claudio Milano sings on (could just as easily have been listed above).

I knew i could count on you, David! You're as out there as i am LOL I completely forgot about Dedalus' 2nd which i actually reviewed however i'm not sure that's progressive rock any more. It is more of an experimental sound collage. I'll revisit it. Definately one of the hardest listens! Claudio Milano for sure. Forgot about him as well. Bubu is a contender as well. Have missed out on most of the others you mentioned so will check em out. Mange tak!


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:26
Not sold on the complexity of TFTO. Its mostly just long.

Short list

Gentle Giant - The Power and the Glory, Octopus
Dün - Arrakis
Zappa - Roxy and Elsewhere, One Size Fits All
Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior (I know its JRF, but it's themes and presentations are undeniably Prog )
UK - UK

And this is avoiding metal. Though you did kind of open the door with Unexpect.


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https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:27
Originally posted by Watchmaker Watchmaker wrote:

Thank You Scientist maybe?
There is also this new band called Brain Tentacles. Pretty crazy. Here is their debut album (2016)
https://braintentacles.bandcamp.com/
And I just saw you have already reviewed it!! You are everywhere man LOL

Haven't heard Thank You Scientist. Brain Tentacles isn't really what i'm looking for either. It's daring but not "OMG i'm taking your soul to another dimension" type out there LOL



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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 11:29
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Not sold on the complexity of TFTO. Its mostly just long.

Short list

Gentle Giant - The Power and the Glory, Octopus
Dün - Arrakis
Zappa - Roxy and Elsewhere, One Size Fits All
Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior (I know its JRF, but it's themes and presentations are undeniably Prog )
UK - UK




You know, i've been having second thoughts about TFTO as well but thought i'd leave it in just to be controversial LOL  Dün might work. I've thought of Zappa but don't find his stuff out there enough. It's certainly original and proggy as hell. Will reconsider some of his stuff. It's been a while since i've spun One Size. UK is definately a contender. It took me a long time to get into that one. In fact i think that's a WEENER :P


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Posted By: ALotOfBottle
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 12:32
One more, do you think Jan Dukes De Grey's Mice and Rats in the Loft could qualify? The delivery is very twisted, disturbing, and difficult to digest at the first few listens.


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Categories strain, crack and sometimes break, under their burden - step out of the space provided.


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 12:45
Originally posted by ALotOfBottle ALotOfBottle wrote:

One more, do you think Jan Dukes De Grey's Mice and Rats in the Loft could qualify? The delivery is very twisted, disturbing, and difficult to digest at the first few listens. 

I've still never heard that one actually. It's been on my list for years but never seem to get to it. I'll definately check it out. 


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Posted By: twseel
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 13:43
Picchio dal Pozzo - s/t
Hatfield & the North - s/t
Osanna - Palepoli
anything by Art Bears
miRthkon - Vehicle


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 22:04
^yes! Mirthkon is way out there.

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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 22:25
If you dig the hev - -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNotnzziVmg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNotnzziVmg




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"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy


Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: February 07 2017 at 23:08
Awesome list, though Tales seems a little out of place to me. I've never really found it to be that complex, just expansive. An album that demands patience more than attention, if you will. Aside from that, fantastic selections, and number one is right on the money. Clap

I second Anabelas and Palepoli, and might also throw some Birds and Buildings into the mix. Komara, too, maybe?


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when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 07:19
^ thanks for all the suggestions! there are many i didn't consider. first of all i'm in agreement on Yes TFTO but it still sort of qualifies with what i'm going for. That means that it is an album that requires lots of dedication to understand and not an easy nut to crack on the first listen

Palepoli? Not sure. Yes it's complex but it's also damn catchy even on first listen. One of my favorite albums as well :)  Bubu might work. Been a while since i've listened.

Blotted Science? Borderline. I'm still on the fence about Meshuggah and other tech metal however i just thought of Psyopus. That is some out there metal. 

Mirthkon great idea as well. I have a couple albums and can't remember a thing about them which is a good sign LOL

Will be checking these out! Keep em coming Pig


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 10:20
Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target.

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff



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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 12:25


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 18:22
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target. 

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff


Yeah, i love that Island album. I had to wait a while until i could find a copy at a decent price. By all means get the CD with the bonus track. It is as good as the rest of the album.

Yes, accessibtility is definately subjective and i'm looking for THE most adventurous prog albums for this list. The ones that even seasoned proggers have to slowly digest to understand so that would mean that i want albums that take ALL the features of prog and inject them with steroids including time signatures, dissonance, fusion aspects, elements of choas and total surprise.

Yes, Behold...the Arctopus definately qualifies as does Psyopus who i just added. Dysrhythmia is a contender. I'll have to listen to them again. It's been a while. Never heard Electro Quarterstaff. Colin Marsten has a totally whacked out album under the name Glyptoglossia you should check out as well. Beyond bizarre!


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 18:23
Originally posted by Barbu Barbu wrote:


Yeah! 5UUs is definately what i'm after. Ironically i just got the U Totem albums and 5UUs was very much on my radar to check out because i never have. Great choice.

Whoever mentioned Birds And Buildings was right on the money too. That is some whacked out complexity as well


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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 19:10
Yeah, thought you'd like it. Pretty , effectivement.

Some clappies for both Marsupilami in the top ten.

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 19:36
For Dysrhythmia, Barriers and Passages and later.

And I will definitely check it Glyptoglossia. He seems to be a pretty eclectic artist. I have Byla which is kind of ambient/trance and Infidel!/Castro which is ....I can't even describe. Not complex, but not accessible either.

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https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 19:44
Originally posted by Barbu Barbu wrote:

Yeah, thought you'd like it. Pretty , effectivement.

Some clappies for both Marsupilami in the top ten.

Thanks but they're actually not in any particular order. Having said that Tales by Yes should probably be down further


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 08 2017 at 19:54
Just added videos to the list as to make experiencing easier :)

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/siLLy_puPPy/crazy-complex-prog-rock/" rel="nofollow - Crazy complex prog rock - Rate Your Music


https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/island/pictures/" rel="nofollow">Pictures

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/island" rel="nofollow - Island

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/island/pictures/" rel="nofollow - Pictures  (1977)

This crazy Swiss band created one of the weirdest prog workouts mostly based in the symphonic side of the genre. They released this one little gem of complexity "Pictures" that even after several decades rarely gets the respect it deserves simply because it is literally as alienating as the album cover suggests but well worth the effort if unrelenting prog rock workouts is what you crave. Yes, that is indeed an H.R. Giger painting on ISLAND's sole release 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS5XP4-gmuQ" rel="nofollow -
2 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jethro-tull/a-passion-play/" rel="nofollow">A Passion Play

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/jethro-tull" rel="nofollow - Jethro Tull

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jethro-tull/a-passion-play/" rel="nofollow - A Passion Play  (1973)

Hot on the heels of the much more accessible "Thick As A Brick,"JETHRO TULL released their own prog folk rock answer to Yes' excesses heard in "Tales From Topographic Oceans." Upon first listen a seemingly random and chaotic rotisserie of gibberish and overweening pomp, but after well over a decade of letting this sink in has revealed itself to be a top dog of concept albums with so many elements stuffed into that it needs a period table of elements just to help the listener navigate. Like Rodney Dangerfield, still waiting to get the respect it deserves but history will surely prove it to be JT's most ambitious effort ever 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdcPTB5srig" rel="nofollow -
3 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/relayer/" rel="nofollow">Relayer

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yes" rel="nofollow - Yes

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/relayer/" rel="nofollow - Relayer  (1974)

Although Relayer was much more accepted by fans after the divisive "Tales From Topographic Oceans" doesn't mean it was any less complex, dense and layered. In fact i would argue it's even more so but somehow managed to channel and refine all the elements that take the limits of progressive rock and creatively invent newly founded hooks that yielded perfect compositions. The peak of YES' creative prowess can be heard on this album and then they would slowly slip into more commercial endeavors 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4v1WkzY3gA" rel="nofollow -
4 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gnidrolog/in_spite_of_harrys_toe_nail/" rel="nofollow">In Spite of Harrys Toe-Nail

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gnidrolog" rel="nofollow - Gnidrolog

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gnidrolog/in_spite_of_harrys_toe_nail/" rel="nofollow - In Spite of Harry's Toe-Nail  (1972)

The Goldring brothers were always adventure seekers and when they finally released their debut album "In Spite Of Harry's Toe-Nail" even aficianados of the then burgeoning prog rock scene were thrown off by the sheer audacity and musical mangling heard on this album. While clearly steeped in the folk music that initiated their musical endeavors, GNIDROLOG took hitherto unheard liberties in aggregating some of the most labyrinthine and circuitous polyrhythmic melodies that have never truly been matched. This one requires a great many spins to sink in but has emerged as one of my all time favorites albums that even makes my desert isle list 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ywV6JGmop8" rel="nofollow -
5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/poil/brossaklitt/" rel="nofollow">Brossaklitt

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/poil" rel="nofollow - PoiL

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/poil/brossaklitt/" rel="nofollow - Brossaklitt  (2014)

A sonic celebration of spastic punk energy infused with psychedelic lysergic freakouts and childish Zappesque avant-prog that engulfs a near hour long of absolutely unrelenting craziness. Harsh and insulting to the ears like a Ruins album on steroids, France's PoiL delivers for the adventurous music lover who relishes in doing somersaults on roller coasters 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAs-zHHRgJI" rel="nofollow -
6 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yugen/death-by-water/" rel="nofollow">Death by Water

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yugen" rel="nofollow - Yūgen

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yugen/death-by-water/" rel="nofollow - Death by Water  (2016)

YUGEN's whole mission as a band was to create the most complex music possible and on "Death By Water" they succeed in creating a blissful sonic compound of tortured polyrhythms that play together like swirling electrons around an atom. While their other albums were steeped in complexity, this one takes it to new heights and also achieves an avant-prog yumminess that even manages to create a melodic underpinning to the mondo bizarro maelstrom of sounds 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce-gWYI5NIQ" rel="nofollow -
7 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/marsupilami/" rel="nofollow">Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/marsupilami" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/marsupilami/" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami  (1970)

Nipping on the heals of King Crimson, MARSUPILAMI, also from the fertile British scene of the late 60s unleashed the most complex album of 1970 with an album filled with jaw-dropping complexiites such as incessant time signature and dynamic orgies of sound that change from rock to folk and beyond at a drop of the hat. While melodic passages are abound, they are steeped in dissonance, off-kilter jazz infused chord changes and sudden abrupt surprises that create most unorthodox compositional liberties that make this one of the most creative albums of all time 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-zMrtFB-Xg" rel="nofollow -
8 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/arena/" rel="nofollow">Arena

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/marsupilami" rel="nofollow - Marsupilami

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marsupilami/arena/" rel="nofollow - Arena  (1971)

While some bands release one album of craziness and then calm down in hopes of more commerical exposure, MARSUPALAMI went the opposite direction by taking all of their bizarre and unique progressive rock complexity on "Arena" and added a concept story involving ancient Rome to the mix thus releasing the second and last album of their career. I'm still trying to figure out which one i love more 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYWOd1-rLuM" rel="nofollow -
9 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unexpect/in_a_flesh_aquarium/" rel="nofollow">In a Flesh Aquarium

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/unexpect" rel="nofollow - Unexpect

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unexpect/in_a_flesh_aquarium/" rel="nofollow - In a Flesh Aquarium  (2006)

While starting out as a rather avant-garde death metal meets classical music band, the dam of creativity burst wide open for their third release "In A Flesh Aquarium" which adopted the Mr Bungle approach and took it to disturbing new levels of craziness. While many bands have mastered the fine art of alternating musical genres in their compositions, UNEXPECT took disparate genres such as Western classical, dark cabaret, opera, jazz, funk, electronica, ambient, noise rock, circus music and gypsy swing and threw them all into a blender which when augmented by the beauty and beast vocal approach yielded THE most bizarre album in all of the metal universe. This one requires a ridiculous amount of listens to sink in but has a high pay off and has also become a candidate for the desert isle list 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMJlyFbS-kY" rel="nofollow -
10 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gorguts/obscura/" rel="nofollow">Obscura

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gorguts" rel="nofollow - Gorguts

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gorguts/obscura/" rel="nofollow - Obscura  (1998)

This little gem is fairly popular these days for its unique tortuous and twisted take on death metal. Emerging on the tail end of the 90s after the golden age of extreme metal, GORGUTS departed from their fairly generic take on the death metal world after two albums and took the world by storm with their mangled technical wizardry on "Obscura" which has become the cornerstone of tech death metal influence for the 21st century. Despite having heard this for a while now, i still have no idea how it sounds until i put it on as the compositions are as atypical and non-traditional as is possible but somehow has hidden elements that create some sort of patterns of recognition that keep the listening experience a constant guessing game 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1X0Bejwnko" rel="nofollow -
11 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/deathspell_omega/fas_%E2%80%93_ite__maledicti__in_ignem_aeternum/" rel="nofollow">Fas – Ite, maledicti, in ignem aeternum

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/deathspell_omega" rel="nofollow - Deathspell Omega

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/deathspell_omega/fas_%E2%80%93_ite__maledicti__in_ignem_aeternum/" rel="nofollow - Fas – Ite, maledicti, in ignem aeternum  (2007)

DEATHSPELL OMEGA from France single handedly gave a much needed injection of creativity to the stagnating black metal scene in 2007 with their classic "Fas - Ite, Malecticti, In Ignem Aeternum." While firmly planted in the the black metal world thematically and instrumentally speaking, this mysterious band catapulted itself above the pack by creating one of the most bizarre and experimental black metal albums ever. The compositional structures are far beyond the simplicity of the previous decade as is the metaphysical nature of the lyrical content. Truly a major leap in complexity in this metal arena where not only black metal is given a much needed boost of energy but DEATHSPELL OMEGA proves they can traverse throughout the entire extreme metal universe and stitch it together without effort 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcSz3tu03Nw" rel="nofollow -
12 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kayo_dot/dowsing_anemone_with_copper_tongue/" rel="nofollow">Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/kayo_dot" rel="nofollow - Kayo Dot

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kayo_dot/dowsing_anemone_with_copper_tongue/" rel="nofollow - Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue  (2006)

While most cite "Choirs Of The Eye" as their favorite KAYO DOT album, i'm quite partial to the second release "Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue" which musically is as convulated and impenetrable as the title and cover art suggest. Based on a tortuous assault of jangly guitar distortions with unthinkably complex jazz based chords and time signature assaults, this album also has lush chamber rock meets post-rock passages that flow like ethers in the eye of the hurricane that emerge around it. I honestly don't know why i love this one but once i put it on i'm mesmerized as it suspends every expectation of what music should be 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JU5_6GE77E" rel="nofollow -
13 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yezda_urfa/boris/" rel="nofollow">Boris

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yezda_urfa" rel="nofollow - Yezda Urfa

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yezda_urfa/boris/" rel="nofollow - Boris  (1975)

One of the more accessible acts on this list is YEZDA URFA that takes hummable melodies and twists them and infuses them with virtuosic workouts on "Boris" that are so intense that some of the instruments must have surely melted during the recording of this album which was actually only supposed to be a demo to begin with. While somewhat easy to grasp upon first listen, subsequent listens to the details will awe with dizzying and daring sonic assaults that display a juggling of many facets of music simultaneously 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51L2fMDv6YE" rel="nofollow -
14 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/il_balletto_di_bronzo/ys/" rel="nofollow">Ys

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/il_balletto_di_bronzo" rel="nofollow - Il Balletto di Bronzo

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/il_balletto_di_bronzo/ys/" rel="nofollow - Ys  (1972)

One of Italy's most eccentric bands in the boom of RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano). While most bands were going down a similar symphonic path laid out by PFM and Banco, some bands like the Naples natives IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO were much more daring and creative in how they approached their craft. Their triumphant album "Ys" is chock full of progressive workouts with huge swaths of purely experimental and alienating passages along the way with some of the most energetic and frenetic musical displays of any album of the early 70s 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPRlXwR9zo" rel="nofollow -
15 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/moving_gelatine_plates/the_world_of_genius_hans/" rel="nofollow">The World of Genius Hans

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/moving_gelatine_plates" rel="nofollow - Moving Gelatine Plates

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/moving_gelatine_plates/the_world_of_genius_hans/" rel="nofollow - The World of Genius Hans  (1972)

One of the scant non-English followers of the UK's Canterbury Scene came from France's MOVING GELATINE PLATES that took all the zany whimsy and jazz-rock fusion workouts found from the likes of Soft Machine and Caravan and infused it all with a healthy dose of extreme musical acrobatics and insanity which resulted in the OMG offering "The World Of Genius Hans". The musicianship is off the chart as the band navigates some of the bizarro mondo musical terrain that results in ridiculously complex but satisfying compositions that took the experimental rock scene to some of the most ambitious offerings that have ever been recorded 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQXUSw3nOI" rel="nofollow -
16 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/buckethead/teeter-slaughter/" rel="nofollow">Teeter Slaughter

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/buckethead" rel="nofollow - Buckethead

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/buckethead/teeter-slaughter/" rel="nofollow - Teeter Slaughter  (2014)

One of many totally "out there" examples in the BUCKETHEAD Pike series. "Teeter Slaughter" is one of my absolute favorites as the chicken lover meanders through his own musical universe and in the process offers the energy of thrash metal, the compositional complexity of avant-garde jazz all decorated with the most bizarre sprinklings that experimental rock has to offer. This all instrumental album is guaranteed to take you somewhere you never knew existed and is the perfect album to prove to anyone that Buckethead is more than funk rock and cheesy lullaby music. This is his most adventuous stuff he has to offer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7iv9YiZEqM" rel="nofollow -
17 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/area/caution_radiation_area/" rel="nofollow">Caution Radiation Area

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/area" rel="nofollow - Area

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/area/caution_radiation_area/" rel="nofollow - Caution Radiation Area  (1974)

Italy's most left-leaning and unapologetic avant-jazz-fusionists AREA managed to add catchy melodies to the majority of their albums with lots of influences from the Balkans in the way of gypsy music, but on "Caution Radiation Area" the band created a bizarre concept album which begins much like their other albums but incrementally becomes more disjointed and breaks down altogether as chaos at the end which i have always taken as representing the effects of radition on the human body or other biological systems 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viPQYi9LMa4" rel="nofollow -
18 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dimesland/psychogenic_atrophy/" rel="nofollow">Psychogenic Atrophy

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/dimesland" rel="nofollow - Dimesland

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dimesland/psychogenic_atrophy/" rel="nofollow - Psychogenic Atrophy  (2014)

DIMESLAND takes the extreme metal thing to new worlds. With a title like "Psychogenic Atrophy" which sort of means the failing and weakening of mental and emotional processes, it is apparent that this music is meant to assault the senses and slay any expectations of preordained compositions and take the listener on a startling and often frightening audio journey. While this isn't one that i've gravitated towards often, there is no doubt that it delivers some of the most complex prog metal there is to be heard with everything from extreme time signature and tempo changes to complete breakdown in any structure. Although i HATE the album cover i have to admit this is a good candidate for some of the most extreme and proggy metal since Gorguts' Obscura (that i've heard) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB63DMLqbJQ" rel="nofollow -
19 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mr__bungle/disco_volante/" rel="nofollow">Disco Volante

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/mr__bungle" rel="nofollow - Mr. Bungle

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mr__bungle/disco_volante/" rel="nofollow - Disco Volante  (1995)

MR BUNGLE proved on their first album they could be as eclectic as any 70s prog rock artist but it wasn't until their second album "Disco Volante" that they really let their freak flag fly. This album is the perfect concocted infusion of everything from blues, jazz, death metal, ambient, funk to ample amounts of prog and ethnic influences combining to create an album like no other. Despite the everything but the kitchen sink approach MR BUNGLE manage to create the perfect balance of accessible catchy melodic segments with jarring and psychologically damaging assaults. One of my favorite albums of all time 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ3WuOag218" rel="nofollow -
20 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kracq/circumvision/" rel="nofollow">Circumvision

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/kracq" rel="nofollow - Kracq

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kracq/circumvision/" rel="nofollow - Circumvision  (1978)

KRACQ is a bit of an obscurity of crazy prog from the Netherlands and released their sole album "Circumvision" in 1978. The albums comes off more as two EPs rather than a cohesive whole but is quite the adventuous album in both regards. The first side is an array of complex symphonically based rock craziness taking extreme liberties with both time signature changes and tempo. The second half is somewhat more mainstream with synthesized vocal parts but as a whole this is one weird album that may not reach the heights of complexity as other albums on this list but is just bizarre enough and relentless at times for me to include it 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5lk_2IQXZc" rel="nofollow -
21 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pentwater/out_of_the_abyss/" rel="nofollow">Out of the Abyss

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/pentwater" rel="nofollow - Pentwater

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pentwater/out_of_the_abyss/" rel="nofollow - Out of the Abyss  (1992)

What was supposed to be their second release in the 70s didn't actually find a release date until 1992. Pentwater was one of the most creative bands to come out of the less fertile prog scene of the USA. With an energetic symphonic approach of Keith Emerson along with crazy roller coaster prog workouts and strange off-kilter melodies, this is the stuff brutal prog dreams are made of. This unapologetically maelstrom of sound meanders all over the musical map with outstanding musical cohesion and pleasant high resister vocals that always have just enough hook to keep the listener engaged in familiarity but then once hooked takes a completely different journey altogether 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox03qlS_vRI" rel="nofollow -
22 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/satanique-samba-trio/sangrou/" rel="nofollow">Sangrou

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/satanique_samba_trio" rel="nofollow - Satanique Samba Trio

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/satanique-samba-trio/sangrou/" rel="nofollow - Sangrou  (2007)

This Brazilian band sounds like no other and takes the bizarre world of avant-jazz and marries it with samba and rock. The result is some of the strangest music i've ever heard with all the attributes of both jazz and prog rock happily dancing side by side with the cheerful edge of samba keeping it from teetering into darkness. Really must be experienced to be comprehended. SATANIQUE SAMBA TRIO definately hit on something with their debut "Sangrou" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuourGDeqqo" rel="nofollow -
23 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/univers_zero/heresie_f1/" rel="nofollow">Hérésie

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/univers_zero" rel="nofollow - Univers zéro

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/univers_zero/heresie_f1/" rel="nofollow - Hérésie  (1979)

No one has ever made a chamber rock album more haunting and freaky than UNIVERS ZÉRO did with their second album "Hérésie". This bizarre album ratchets up the emotional dread and creepiness completely over the top for its near one hour run. With an instrumental 13 minute plus track dedicated to Jack The Ripper, you know this isn't suitable for a Disney film. This is pure horror flick soundtrack music which is made even more so by the complexities involved in the compositions 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3vJd2YfZ5A" rel="nofollow -
24 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/art-zoyd-3/symphonie-pour-le-jour-ou-bruleront-les-cites/" rel="nofollow">Symphonie pour le jour où brûleront les cités

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/art_zoyd" rel="nofollow - Art Zoyd 3

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/art-zoyd-3/symphonie-pour-le-jour-ou-bruleront-les-cites/" rel="nofollow - Symphonie pour le jour où brûleront les cités  (1976)

ART ZOYD was one of the first to take chamber rock and marry it with complex progressive rock to create some of the most bizarre music ever laid down to tape. While very much steeped in free jazz and classical music, "Symphonie Pour Le Jour Où Brûleront Les Cités" also has healthy doses of Zappa inspired avant-prog rock but mostly resides in some parallel experimental plane that mere mortals don't often experience 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX55jUoDHNI" rel="nofollow -
25 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mirthrandir/for_you_the_old_women/" rel="nofollow">For You the Old Women

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/mirthrandir" rel="nofollow - Mirthrandir

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/mirthrandir/for_you_the_old_women/" rel="nofollow - For You the Old Women  (1976)

This was an American (United Statesian that is) band that delivered complexity for complexity's sake, MIRTHRANDIR released their sole album "For You The Old Women" in 1976 and disappeared from the music scene but this one album has a whole career's worth of ideas stuffed into every nook and cranny. Much like Pentwater and Yezda Urfa, MIRTHRANDIR was ruthless with complex time signature changes, tempo upheavals and unpredicatable style changes that keep the listener engaged throughout its all too brief run 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYueL68Jok" rel="nofollow -
26 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/tales_from_topographic_oceans/" rel="nofollow">Tales From Topographic Oceans

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/yes" rel="nofollow - Yes

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/tales_from_topographic_oceans/" rel="nofollow - Tales From Topographic Oceans  (1973)

The oft loved and more ofter loathed double album extravaganza showing YES take their unique sound to the ultimate heights of prog pomp and grandiosity. While not as impenetrable as other albums on this list because it actually has quite accessilbe segments that basically take their already established sound and sew them together in a long drawn out fashion, it nonetheless qualifies as one of the most multifarious prog behemoths of music history with each of the four tracks swallowing up an entire side of the original vinyl LP. Castigated for having long drawn out segments that meander eternally, it equally provides passages so elaborate and tangled that leave the first time listeners scratching their heads in dismay 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdFIQm7jiLg" rel="nofollow -
27 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/king-crimson/lizard-1/" rel="nofollow">Lizard

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/king-crimson-1" rel="nofollow - King Crimson

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/king-crimson/lizard-1/" rel="nofollow - Lizard  (1970)

After KING CRIMSON helped launch the progressive rock explosion in 1969, they didn't just stop there and only a year later created one of the most complex albums of 1970 with "Lizard". The album cover artwork alone should be on a museum wall for its intricate depiction of the subject matter that is presented in the music itself. While progressive rock itself was still very much a newbie on the music scene, KC was already experimenting with avant-jazz and classical elements while adding ample amounts of art rock and experimental elements. This is one of the KC albums that has taken me the longest to appreciate but once it finally clicked it was as good as gold and probably one i could spend a whole life time trying to figure out and still not figure it all out 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Typxim9mY8" rel="nofollow -
28 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/in_praise_of_learning/" rel="nofollow">In Praise of Learning

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/henry_cow" rel="nofollow - Henry Cow

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry_cow/in_praise_of_learning/" rel="nofollow - In Praise of Learning  (1975)

After a couple albums that sounded more like avant-jazz with a few rock elements behind them, HENRY COW toured with the progressive pop outfit Slapp Happy and hit it off so well that they basically merged into one act under the HC moniker. While one would think that anything involving Slapp Happy would steer the creative juice more towards the accessible side, on "In Praise Of Learning" it steers in the opposite direction. This is some strange otherworldly music here that takes the principles of extreme free jazz and tames it into certain avant-prog patterns of musical creation but are totally unique. In most cases it sounds like all the instruments are playing in different time signatures and augmented by Dagmar's bizarre vocalizations. HENRY COW was truly revolutionary with this kind of stuff and was the obvious influence for all kinds of bands like Thinking Plague and a gazillion others to follow 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iVbYmx9UVU" rel="nofollow -
29 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry-cow/western-culture-1/" rel="nofollow">Western Culture

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/henry_cow" rel="nofollow - Henry Cow

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/henry-cow/western-culture-1/" rel="nofollow - Western Culture  (1979)

After Slapp Happy dissolved from the brief fusion of bands, HENRY COW released their final magnus opus "Western Culture" which took all the otherworldly aspects of In Praise Of Learning even further minus the vocals which meant more time to explore the strangest and more complex ways of instrument interactions. Fred Frith particularly stands out with his alternative tuning system on his guitar as well as the bombastic in-yer-faith time signature leaps into other dimensions. An extremely demanding album that is almost like a photographic negative in sound of anything else that was going on at the time 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tNW3nx2yD4" rel="nofollow -
30 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band/trout-mask-replica/" rel="nofollow">Trout Mask Replica

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band/trout-mask-replica/" rel="nofollow - Trout Mask Replica  (1969)

Who says there is no such thing as progressive blues rock? Well one listen to CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND's bizarre "Trout Mask Replica" will tell you otherwise. While long associated within the Frank Zappa universe, Don Glen Vliet AKA the CAPTAIN was just plain nuts. This album was one of the many surprises of 1969 but has become a cult hit over the years but still remains a challenging and off-the-wall listen. Definately not one that earns an instant ticket to your heart but does cast its spell once experienced enough :) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0g-2SeoMM" rel="nofollow -
31 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/cornucopia/full_horn/" rel="nofollow">Full Horn

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/cornucopia" rel="nofollow - Cornucopia

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/cornucopia/full_horn/" rel="nofollow - Full Horn  (1973)

The Hamburg based CORNUCOPIA took Krautrock to new heights with their one and only release "Full Horn" that bascially combined all the disparate strains of Kraut into one lysergic experience. One can hear aspects of Can, Amon Duul II, Popol Vuh and pretty much the rest of the related pack shapeshifting into a bizarre musical experience at the prog peak of 1973 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVbZzeilNxM" rel="nofollow -
32 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/amon-duul-ii/tanz-der-lemminge/" rel="nofollow">Tanz der Lemminge

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/amon-duul-ii" rel="nofollow - Amon Düül II

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/amon-duul-ii/tanz-der-lemminge/" rel="nofollow - Tanz der Lemminge  (1971)

AMON DÜÜL II went for broke with their third album "Tanz Der Lemminge" where the band reemerged after a series of tragedies and created one of the most bizarre and creative albums of their career. Far beyond the two previous albums, this one takes the listener through a whole spectrum of contemplative and psychedelic experiences which allows the listener to suspend all preconceived notions and fall into a deep hypnotic trance of the band's making. Originally a double vinyl LP, "Tanz" is the perfect gateway to a primieval trance that sums up the Krautrock movement in perfect form 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzkzlrS-ks4" rel="nofollow -
33 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/u_k_/u_k_/" rel="nofollow">U.K.

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/u_k_" rel="nofollow - U.K.

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/u_k_/u_k_/" rel="nofollow - U.K.  (1978)

One of the few examples where a so-called super group of seasoned musicians put out something totally wild and outlandish without totally abandoning their retrospective sounds that they had accrued throughout their tenure in the various bands they performed with. UK only put out a couple albums in the late 70s but it was their debut that took the rock complexities of King Crimson and married them with Yes like melodies and Genesis inspired symphonics and then added layers of odd time signatures and Roxy Music type giddiness. While in some ways it sounds rather accessible, it is just off in so many ways that it took me the longest time to appreciate and only reveals its secrets after many spins 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHJrOg79kQU" rel="nofollow -
34 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/behold____the_arctopus/skullgrid/" rel="nofollow">Skullgrid

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/behold____the_arctopus" rel="nofollow - Behold... the Arctopus

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/behold____the_arctopus/skullgrid/" rel="nofollow - Skullgrid  (2007)

A power trio who creates a progressive metal version of avant-prog with dazzling musical antics that defy any expectations of what music is. Daring and bold, it is complex to BEHOLD.... THE ARCTOPUS 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXi-sydxtVQ" rel="nofollow -
35 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/psyopus/ideas_of_reference/" rel="nofollow">Ideas of Reference

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/psyopus" rel="nofollow - Psyopus

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/psyopus/ideas_of_reference/" rel="nofollow - Ideas of Reference  (2004)

Dizzying mathcore metal guaranteed to give headaches. With little or no song structures whizzing around at the speed of light with frenetic guitar tones and insane asylum electrocution vocals, PSYOPUS unleashes these musical torturous antics on their debut "Ideas Of Reference." This is the epitome of extreme chaotic metal that is the perfect prescription for bugging your parents or anyone else you want to send fleeing from your house. Except me! I love this kinda stuff 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDDId6BMdGo" rel="nofollow -
36 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/5uus/crisis_in_clay/" rel="nofollow">Crisis in Clay

https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/5uus" rel="nofollow - 5uu's

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/5uus/crisis_in_clay/" rel="nofollow - Crisis in Clay  (1997)

5UU'S delivers some densely frantic avant-prog with unexpected time signatues, rhythmic changes and off-kilter pseudo-melodies. This is the only album i've heard so there may be wilder ones than "Crisis In Clay" but this is a challenging listen for sure! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM5pn9npBec" rel="nofollow -

https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 09 2017 at 01:25
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target.

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff


I have a soft spot for BtA, which I originally found by googling the word "unlistenable". When you find a bunch of reviews by "extreme" metal fans p*ssing and moaning about how something is completely impossible to sit through, you know you're onto something

Electro Quarterstaff is just fun

In terms of complex and technical metal my actual pick would probably be Spiral Architect. Their album is often described chaotic, but I actually think it's the opposite - the music is completely and rigorously composed, it's just that one of the compositional principles at play is "everything changes every 10 seconds". Excellent stuff IMO.


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 09 2017 at 01:36
A great band that deserves mention here is a Japan's Tipographica, a post-Zappa avant fusion group who clearly felt Frank's compositional approach was all too simplistic. Particularly in terms of their rhythmic complexity there is head-spinning stuff going on with these guys - one of their albums is called 'God Says I Can't Dance' for good reasons. Yet somehow they do actually groove. Ex-members of the band went on to form Unbeltipo and Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden, who also aren't known for their nursery tunes.


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 09 2017 at 01:41
Also in the RIO/avant bag, Zs deserve a mention. Most demanding listening of any currently operating group that I know of.


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 03:34
Endured my wife's ipad and an itunes load on the laptop to save $25 on that Island album. The deeper I get into it I'm not so certain were it lies on the complexity scale. What is certain is its become a little bit of an obsession. I do however wish I had the lyrics. Gastric Juices.





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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 03:39
Originally posted by Mascodagama Mascodagama wrote:

Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target.

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff


I have a soft spot for BtA, which I originally found by googling the word "unlistenable". When you find a bunch of reviews by "extreme" metal fans p*ssing and moaning about how something is completely impossible to sit through, you know you're onto something

Electro Quarterstaff is just fun

In terms of complex and technical metal my actual pick would probably be Spiral Architect. Their album is often described chaotic, but I actually think it's the opposite - the music is completely and rigorously composed, it's just that one of the compositional principles at play is "everything changes every 10 seconds". Excellent stuff IMO.

I recall finding BtA on MySpace when they went by the name "We need a drummer". Still have the original demo. 

If we consider Spiral Architect (an album I truly love) then Spastic Ink must be considered as well.  


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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 06:29
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Endured my wife's ipad and an itunes load on the laptop to save $25 on that Island album. The deeper I get into it I'm not so certain were it lies on the complexity scale. What is certain is its become a little bit of an obsession. I do however wish I had the lyrics. Gastric Juices.






I agree it's not really hugely complex - but it is deep, completely unique and a little mad, which means it takes a bit of assimilating. And I also had the obsession thing, when I first got the CD it stayed in the machine and I think I listened to it about fifteen times straight.


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 06:33
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Originally posted by Mascodagama Mascodagama wrote:

Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target.

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff


I have a soft spot for BtA, which I originally found by googling the word "unlistenable". When you find a bunch of reviews by "extreme" metal fans p*ssing and moaning about how something is completely impossible to sit through, you know you're onto something

Electro Quarterstaff is just fun

In terms of complex and technical metal my actual pick would probably be Spiral Architect. Their album is often described chaotic, but I actually think it's the opposite - the music is completely and rigorously composed, it's just that one of the compositional principles at play is "everything changes every 10 seconds". Excellent stuff IMO.


I recall finding BtA on MySpace when they went by the name "We need a drummer". Still have the original demo. 

If we consider Spiral Architect (an album I truly love) then Spastic Ink must be considered as well.  


Were they using a drum machine on the demo then?

I have never got around to giving Spastic Ink a proper listen. I probably should remedy that.


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 07:28
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Endured my wife's ipad and an itunes load on the laptop to save $25 on that Island album. The deeper I get into it I'm not so certain were it lies on the complexity scale. What is certain is its become a little bit of an obsession. I do however wish I had the lyrics. Gastric Juices.





Admit it. You're a hardened progger. Pictures has all kinds of prog weirdness dripping in every corner. It's similar to the UK album. It has enough of a groove to be accessible but is shrouded in strange compositional liberties which make it a hugely challenging album at first. I just listened to it last night. It gets less weird every time i listen to it but when you compare it to bands like Genesis or Porcupine Tree, it is quite complex


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https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 07:30
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Originally posted by Mascodagama Mascodagama wrote:

Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to that Island album for the first time on y'alltube. Fantastic music. It's complex, but carries way more groove than I expected. The drums are so insanely subtle in their complexity. But damned if it no longer is in domestic print. Have to spring big to get a copy.

Re: Metal complexity. I understand why you would be on the fence. But I think similar issues exist when including RIO/Avant bands in terms of technical play vs structural complexity vs performer interplay. Really, it speaks to the point that "accessibility" is a highly subjective...check that....abstract concept. It is, I suppose, by definition a constantly moving target. 

That being said.
1. Behold...the Arctopus. Holds a special place amongst PA's wallofsoundophobes.
2. Dysrhythmia. Became decidedly less accessible when the above's Colin Marsten joined the band.
3. Electro Quarterstaff
 

I have a soft spot for BtA, which I originally found by googling the word "unlistenable". When you find a bunch of reviews by "extreme" metal fans p*ssing and moaning about how something is completely impossible to sit through, you know you're onto something  

Electro Quarterstaff is just fun  

In terms of complex and technical metal my actual pick would probably be Spiral Architect. Their album is often described chaotic, but I actually think it's the opposite - the music is completely and rigorously composed, it's just that one of the compositional principles at play is "everything changes every 10 seconds". Excellent stuff IMO.

I recall finding BtA on MySpace when they went by the name "We need a drummer". Still have the original demo. 

If we consider Spiral Architect (an album I truly love) then Spastic Ink must be considered as well.  

I have that Spiral Architect but have only listened to it a couple times. Will check it out again. Spastic Ink is a possibilitiy but same that i haven't heard them in a while so can't remember how complex they are


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 11:08



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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 11:26
Originally posted by Mascodagama Mascodagama wrote:



...Were they using a drum machine on the demo then?



Yes, which did not sound that bad. They were the songs that ultimately became "Alcoholocaust" and "You Will Be Reincarnated As An Imperial Attack Spaceturtle,part 1". But at that time the songs were titled "We need a drummer" and "we still need a drummer". When they finally found a drummer it was it was Charlie Zeleny, who would go on to team up with Ron Jarzombek, of the aforementioned Spastic Ink, on another project worthy of SP's list, Blotted Science.


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Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 13:13
After checking out Silly Puppies list, I realized I have 50% of the albums listed.  And I like them all.  So, I must take the other half for a spin.  

I avoided  Behold...the Arctopus because several bad reviews.   Now, I'll have to check that out too.   Which Behold...the Arctopus album should I audition first?


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 13:48
^Hmmmm... tough call. I think his selection of Skullgrid surely meets the standard of the discussion best. Really, you can probably just jump in anywhere. The earlier you go, the rougher the recording. 

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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 15:40
Some extreme stuff here.....

For me Can can be, on first listen, a complete mess of WTF Confused. But after several listens Damo starts to make sense, I must be nuts! Wacko


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 16:10
Don't know how I forgot to mention Thinking Plague.



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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 21:33
^ I've been considering Thinking Plague but RIO and avant-prog is plentiful in this complex category therefore i've been limiting to samples i guess. BTW great description of Kaleidoscalp. That is one of my faves from non-Pike days :)  I'll get to all those reviews one of these days but aliens have been sucking my life forces away and making me a slave 2 da mon. b*****ds

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 15 2017 at 23:52
^I wanted to get at least one of those first reviews. You've been knocking them out of the park. 

Thinking Plague stands out to me, especially on In This Life, because of the vocalist. She hits those dissonant notes with amazing precision. Dissonant precision. Yup, that's the ticket.


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Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: February 16 2017 at 00:39
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

especially on In This Life, because of the vocalist. She hits those dissonant notes with amazing precision. Dissonant precision. Yup, that's the ticket.

Her voice is beautiful, so is the chromaticism Heart


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 19:53
Alright siLLy puPPy! I am going to again lobby for The Power and the Glory to make your list. Especially after seeing your review of it. Certainly, as you say, much of their material is accessible, but the rather routine bashing it gets even in prog circles for being exactly the opposite tells me its a worthy pick. I mean So Sincere? Not thick with notes maybe, but the syncopation, atonal falsetto, and absurd instrumental talk backs? Good gravy! Love it so much I have gone so far as to do something I have managed to avoid all but twice... buy another copy just to get the 5.1 remaster. 

So, while my collection was well represented already, your list has cost me close to $200 so far. Censored


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 20:59
^ LOL! If only i could promote myself so well Pinch

I'm sure a GG or two will make the list but i've been too distracted to update it. While i agree that individual tracks like "So Sincere" more than qualify, not every track on the album is like that one. I'm thinking "Octopus", "Power and Glory" and "In A Glass House" are their most complex and should probably be included. I've listened to them so much that they aren't weird for me anymore!!

And your $200 bought you which ones?


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 21:57
Gnidorlog (Harry and Lake)
Island
Amon Duul (Lemmings and Yeti)
Poil
5uu's
Art Zoyd (The other AZ I have did not match that posting of "Symphonie...")

Ok, closer to 150. But I want that Moving Gelatine Plates album and I only see it for $90. Haven't checked at synphonic yet though.

Been on a binge since xmas. 


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 22:03
Yezda Urfa and Yugen are also on my shortlist

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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 06:34
^ that's ridiculous for the MOVING GELATINE PLATES

you should get BOTH of their first two albums. 2nd is slightly better but but mandatory prog listenings IMHO
here they are for normal prices

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates-world-of-genius-hans/3426300041012" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates World of Genius Hans [Import] on ImportCDs

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates/3426300040626" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates Moving Gelatine Plates [Import] on ImportCDs


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Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 07:23

Ha-ha! siLLy puPPy cost Mr. Toad some bucks.   I guess siLLy puPPy cost me some dough too.    I just ordered Behold...The Arctopus  Skullgrid.  Island and Yezda Urfa are in the batting circle. Wink


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 07:29
^ damn. I should have set up some sort of sales commision for this list LOL

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 10:29
I also checked Greg Walker and he had it Genius Hans for $16. My usual sources only had the debut and the $90 option was some 3rd party nozzle on Amazon.

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Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 13:11
^ These days Amazon is full of 3rd party vendors who seem to think that if a CD is OOP, or just a bit difficult to track down new, it must be worth 75 to 200 smackers to someone. I sincerely hope nobody is giving these schmucks any business.

Thankfully Discogs remains as a kind of wildlife preserve for non-a****le sellers.


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 14:57
yes, one thing I am learning through this is there are a vast number more CD importers than I was previously aware.

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Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 15:04
7 Skies H3

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https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 23 2017 at 12:28
Just listened to Poil - Brossakilt all the way through. WOW!!!! Definitely my favorite from the list. Made me think of a new term...Zeuhlroids. They totally sound like a more complex Ruins.

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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 19:20
^ OK, Tapfret. I succombed to your demand. Gentle Giant is now on the list with 3 albums!

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/siLLy_puPPy/crazy-complex-prog-rock/" rel="nofollow - Crazy complex prog rock - Rate Your Music


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 19:21
Originally posted by Thatfabulousalien Thatfabulousalien wrote:

7 Skies H3

The Flaming Lips album?


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 19:22
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Just listened to Poil - Brossakilt all the way through. WOW!!!! Definitely my favorite from the list. Made me think of a new term...Zeuhlroids. They totally sound like a more complex Ruins.


Have been loving Poil. Some of the most whacked out music there is to be heard. Way more crazy than Ruins who i like a lot but never really, really, really love!


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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 19:40
Genesis!!!!   Now that a crazy demanding prog. It takes all I have just to stay awake!!!  And if one puts on the Battle of Epping Forest... game over man.. game over... you could have have a redhead standing in front of me with a couple of joints and bottle of Jose Cuervo and I'd still fall asleep. So yeah.. Genesis gets my vote.


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 20:08
^ LOL. I'm not the world's hugest Genesis fan but i do love a few of their albums. Harsh, man!

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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 20:10
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

^ LOL. I'm not the world's hugest Genesis fan but i do love a few of their albums. Harsh, man!


well there is always Duke... Heart LOL


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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 21:01
Lots of really good suggestions so far and many of my favorites appear, stunned that this one hasn't been posted yet

Electric Masada - At The Mountains Of Madness


Plus

Upsilon Acrux


Plus

Koenjihyakkei



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Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 24 2017 at 21:35
^ excellent choices. As much Zorn as i've heard i still haven't delved into all the Masada albums and neither of the Electric Masada but that is freaking long! Just sampled these and great suggestions. Never heard Upsilon Acrux either and falls into the brutal prog territory for sure. I do know Koenjihyakkei but for some reason zeuhl doesn't seem so inaccessible but these guys certainly take it to newly complex heights. Will have to add! Unfortunately the playing goat video isn't playing so i assume they ate the audio as a snack

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 25 2017 at 03:09
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

^ OK, Tapfret. I succombed to your demand. Gentle Giant is now on the list with 3 albums!

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/siLLy_puPPy/crazy-complex-prog-rock/" rel="nofollow - Crazy complex prog rock - Rate Your Music


Whoooooaa! 3?

When you change your mind you go all in. Lol

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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 25 2017 at 06:16
^ i was considering GG from the start. just wasn't sure since i've heard them so much and they're so popular. but wtf

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 13:27
^Do you have the other 2 Poil albums? I downloaded the first from bandcamp (which is waaaaayy more mellow) but want hard copies.

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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 13:43
Has french band NIL (or any of it's sisterbands Thork or Syrinx) been mentioned yet?

I think they're one of the most interesting and insanely complex modern(ish) bands. Check out Nil Novo Sub Sole and Quarante Jours Sur Le Sinaï.
Syrinx' Reification and Qualia are equally complex and challenging whilst still sporting that unique NIL trademark much thanks to the Maurin brothers who run both ships. The same can be said about Thork's Weila (another Maurin project).
I am using my phone so you guys will have to do with a poor man's link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5f3lSCy05A
Be sure to check out Frank Niebel - THE finest drummer north of Uganda.


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- Douglas Adams


Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 14:06
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

Has french band NIL (or any of it's sisterbands Thork or Syrinx) been mentioned yet?

I think they're one of the most interesting and insanely complex modern(ish) bands. Check out Nil Novo Sub Sole and Quarante Jours Sur Le Sinaï.
Syrinx' Reification and Qualia are equally complex and challenging whilst still sporting that unique NIL trademark much thanks to the Maurin brothers who run both ships. The same can be said about Thork's Weila (another Maurin project).
I am using my phone so you guys will have to do with a poor man's link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5f3lSCy05A
Be sure to check out Frank Niebel - THE finest drummer north of Uganda.


I share your high opinion of these, but I think the first Thork album, Urdoxa, is the best one. Such a unique flavour!

Edit: I mean the best Thork album, not best Maurin album overall.


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 14:13
Will check these out too. Although collection growth is at critical expansion and my sugar mama may be on the verge of cutting me off. 

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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 15:30
YETI - Things To Come. A totally blinding listen - though they do groove a lot.


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 15:49
^ doing a mass response here

Tapfret: no, don't have other Poil releases. I believe they have only been released digitally but free listenings on bandcamp. I know what you mean about critical. I have a serious music addiction at the detriment of other things. Maybe i need to start a MA - Musicaholics Anonymous for those addicted to musicahol LOL

Guldbumsen: I have that Nil. It's complex but for me not crazy complex enough! It's fairly accessible avant-prog (gawd did i just write that?). Just doesn't make me want to vomit nails i guess. I'll check out Thork and Syrinx since i've never heard those

Tom Ozric. I LOOOOOVE that Yeti album. In fact i just played it last week. Complex yes. Dark and forboding yes but like you said a little too groovy and accessible for the crazy complex list. Very possible one of my favorite heavy space rock albums though. I had to pay too much for my copy but now i have it!



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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 16:42
I must've got the last vinyl copy of the Yeti album that Greg W at Syn Phonic had in stock, only 20 bucks !!
Maybe sample some Tarantula Hawk, I got their 2nd LP, it's a tough listen.


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 17:20
^ that Tarantula Hawk is pretty demanding indeed. Listening to the first one

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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: February 27 2017 at 21:16
^ Hope you're having fun with that
Ah, I love me a challenging listen !!


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 13:19
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

^ that's ridiculous for the MOVING GELATINE PLATES

you should get BOTH of their first two albums. 2nd is slightly better but but mandatory prog listenings IMHO
here they are for normal prices

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates-world-of-genius-hans/3426300041012" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates World of Genius Hans [Import] on ImportCDs

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates/3426300040626" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates Moving Gelatine Plates [Import] on ImportCDs

Thanks again for turning me onto this site. I have primarily used Amazon, wayside, Lasers edge, Synphonic ..and thrift stores(not a great source for obscurity) in the past. They have far better prices, especially on stuff from Italy and Norway that I previously paid dearly for. Ironically, Genius Hans was not in the box and ended up on backorder. LOL  I didn't order the MGP debut yet, I need to prioritize my recent binge.

At the risk of annoying redundancy...f'ing POIL man! Brossaklit is is so in yer face, but I am loving the contrast of the piano heavy debut. Going to wait awhile to get the 2nd album. Need to digest a little.   


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 19:14
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

^ that's ridiculous for the MOVING GELATINE PLATES

you should get BOTH of their first two albums. 2nd is slightly better but but mandatory prog listenings IMHO
here they are for normal prices

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates-world-of-genius-hans/3426300041012" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates World of Genius Hans [Import] on ImportCDs

http://www.importcds.com/moving-gelatine-plates/3426300040626" rel="nofollow - The Moving Gelatine Plates Moving Gelatine Plates [Import] on ImportCDs

Thanks again for turning me onto this site. I have primarily used Amazon, wayside, Lasers edge, Synphonic ..and thrift stores(not a great source for obscurity) in the past. They have far better prices, especially on stuff from Italy and Norway that I previously paid dearly for. Ironically, Genius Hans was not in the box and ended up on backorder. LOL  I didn't order the MGP debut yet, I need to prioritize my recent binge.

At the risk of annoying redundancy...f'ing POIL man! Brossaklit is is so in yer face, but I am loving the contrast of the piano heavy debut. Going to wait awhile to get the 2nd album. Need to digest a little.   

I forgot to warn you. ImportCDs is a great site with things in stock. I have had very few problems when things ARE in stock. However, i have never been able to get on a waiting listing for a pre-order or receive a back order without complications. Also the two times i have had a defective product has been a headache to get replaced. Overall i'd give a 99% positive rating but be warned to ONLY order merchandise that is CLEARLY in stock.

Also check out DiscCogs. Have bought many through them. MusicStack is not bad as well. Amazon is evil and the absolute LAST resort.

Poil is one of my favorite newer bands. Zappaesque in the 21st century for sure



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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 19:33
^I'm a Prime member for a number of different reasons, so they have me by the progsack. There are a number of cool features to it. Plus my wife lets me use the reward points for prog.

I scoped discogs but I was leery. Have you purchased from them?

BTW, I was preaching the virtues of Island to a buddy of mine in San Diego and he apparently walked into some second hand music store and found it. Absurd luck.


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 20:20
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

^I'm a Prime member for a number of different reasons, so they have me by the progsack. There are a number of cool features to it. Plus my wife lets me use the reward points for prog.

YOU WORSHIP SATAN!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!


I scoped discogs but I was leery. Have you purchased from them?


BTW, I was preaching the virtues of Island to a buddy of mine in San Diego and he apparently walked into some second hand music store and found it. Absurd luck.





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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 21:19
What can I say?



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Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 21:24
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

BTW, I was preaching the virtues of Island to a buddy of mine in San Diego and he apparently walked into some second hand music store and found it. Absurd luck.

Hahaha too funny. Exact same thing happened to me and a friend a few months ago (albeit with a different crazy complex prog album) after I got him hooked on Bubu's Anabelas.


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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: March 03 2017 at 21:38


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 04 2017 at 13:18
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:


I forgot to warn you. ImportCDs is a great site with things in stock. I have had very few problems when things ARE in stock. However.....

Whelp, as you say...

Genius Hans is no longer even an item that shows up on search. Ouch 


But Amazon has it now for $24!!!! loollollo




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Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: March 04 2017 at 13:23
^ Discogs is your friend here.  Several sellers in the US with copies for $15.


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 13 2017 at 13:20
Finally got the MGP debut. Pretty twisted stuff, fun stuff. Still no Genius Hans. 

importcds failed to send listed 'in stock' item this time. Angry Still going to use them since so many things are a fraction of price at other distributors. Just requires vigilance I guess.


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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 13 2017 at 16:33
Another suggestion for the complexolista, Panzerballett (don't think I suggested them yet) known for their wacky Jazzmetal covers. Like:


and 


and


Their most recent "Breaking Brain", possibly the most complex yet. Highly recommended. And its available on importcd's. Evil Smile 


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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: March 13 2017 at 23:03
^ I only have their Tank Goodness LP, and it's a superb 'djenty' (for want of a better word) jazz-fusion masterpiece. Love, love, love it !! Jazz-Metal. Who'd have thought ??


Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: March 13 2017 at 23:32
This is as complex and heavy as it gets: 




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Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV.

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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 14 2017 at 01:19
Originally posted by Tom Ozric Tom Ozric wrote:

^ I only have their Tank Goodness LP, and it's a superb 'djenty' (for want of a better word) jazz-fusion masterpiece. Love, love, love it !! Jazz-Metal. Who'd have thought ??

I actually thought Tank Goodness was a bit of a step down from their previous 2 so I delayed picking up Breaking Brain. Just picked it up. Its pretty insane. But if you can get Star Stucke and Hart Gennossen, pick them up. 


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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: March 14 2017 at 02:53
^ Dude, all I can say to that is 'WOW'..........
I thought that here I'm listening to Animals As Leaders meets Meshuggah. I am really blown away at these incredible musicians. I will never think that 'Growl' vocals are awesome. I accept them within the incredible music I listen to, and then, they fit as another instrument as such. At least that is my approach and mentality............


Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: March 15 2017 at 05:03
Originally posted by Thatfabulousalien Thatfabulousalien wrote:

This is as complex and heavy as it gets: 




Maybe you should check out Roger McGuinn's comment here http://www.topix.com/forum/who/the-beatles/TR7Q7E2FCV5BVAHE4" rel="nofollow - http://www.topix.com/forum/who/the-beatles/TR7Q7E2FCV5BVAHE4
when he first heard "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"........not as simple as you ironically imply.
 



Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: March 15 2017 at 14:19
The World of Genius Hans has arrived! I am complete....for the next coupe hours.

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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: raom
Date Posted: August 31 2017 at 20:02
This is the kind of thread I've been looking for. I knew about half of the albums in the OP, but the rest are new to me.

Silly puppy, you should really look into avant-garde 20th century classical music. The likes of Xenakis, Messiaen, Stockhausen, Webern, made some of the most mind-bending music to a point not even prog can achieve.


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: December 12 2017 at 07:49
For anyone interested, this has been updated and added onto many times since i first started it. Have had quite a few interesting suggestions. More crazy complex prog than i knew existed. Yay!

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/siLLy_puPPy/crazy-complex-prog-rock/" rel="nofollow - Crazy complex prog rock - Rate Your Music

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https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy


Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 17:23
Originally posted by raom raom wrote:

This is the kind of thread I've been looking for. I knew about half of the albums in the OP, but the rest are new to me.

Silly puppy, you should really look into avant-garde 20th century classical music. The likes of Xenakis, Messiaen, Stockhausen, Webern, made some of the most mind-bending music to a point not even prog can achieve.

Hey, sorry i missed this way back. I do love classical music. I have some Xenakis and Stockhausen. Messiaen and Webern not so much but they are certainly on my radar. I'm just too overwhelmed by all the stuff i've got so far! I'll get to them eventually. It's really difficult to navigate the classical world as well since most of it isn't performed by the composers. Thanks for the suggestion nonetheless


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https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy



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