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Petrovsk Mizinski 
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
Status: Offline
Points: 25210
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 Topic: Giving prog metal a fair hearing..
Posted: March 30 2008 at 00:31 |
 Blacksword wrote:
^ I was advised that the growls are virtually non existent on 'Damnation' by Opeth. I've not heard it yet, have you? It's on my shopping list. I think Opeth without growls sounds right up my street. Fingers crossed! |
Yes, clean vocals, and very much a prog rock album, as opposed to prog/death metal.
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Petrovsk Mizinski
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
Status: Offline
Points: 25210
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Posted: March 30 2008 at 00:27 |
Slartibartfast wrote:
Buckethead anyone?  (Pardon if anyone's mentioned him but I'm too lazy to look through six pages.) |
I love Buckethead, but I'm not quite sure what he has to do with prog-metal though 
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Gamemako
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 31 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1184
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 18:11 |
Blacksword wrote:
^ I was advised that the growls are virtually non existent on 'Damnation' by Opeth. I've not heard it yet, have you? It's on my shopping list. I think Opeth without growls sounds right up my street. Fingers crossed! |
Damnation is not metal, per se.
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Hail Eris!
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Blacksword
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 08:28 |
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^ I was advised that the growls are virtually non existent on 'Damnation' by Opeth. I've not heard it yet, have you? It's on my shopping list. I think Opeth without growls sounds right up my street. Fingers crossed!
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cuncuna
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 29 2005
Location: Chile
Status: Offline
Points: 4318
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 08:11 |
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I see much valuable things in Opeth. but the growling is still a problem. As I said mey mny times, any given artistic resource, if used with tru imagination, is ok with me. so I don't mind Residents vocalist growling in that Mole show live lbum, bcause I do think indeed it is a great growling wich adds a tremendous amount of surprise to the overall show (an excelent lbum by the way), but in Opeth, it is no surprise at all. I enjoy the mellow vocals, not because they ae mellow, but because I don't xpect them to be there. The contradiction suits remarcably to their music. The same happened to me before with Anekdoten.
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ĦBeware of the Bee!
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 08:07 |
Buckethead anyone? (Pardon if anyone's mentioned him but I'm too lazy to look through six pages.)
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Blacksword
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 08:06 |
BTW, Drew. Love the avatar. 'Curb your Enthusiam' is a fantastic show
Edited by Blacksword - March 29 2008 at 08:06
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Blacksword
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
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Posted: March 29 2008 at 08:05 |
Gamemako wrote:
So how is the experiment going for Blacksword and LinusW (and anyone else who sought recommendations here)?
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Ok, but slow. See my shopping list in the 'Top 10's and lists' page. As you can see, I've a lot to get, but in prog metal terms I'll be getting Riverside next as well as the first Heavens Cry album, and Vanden Plas. I'm also going to try 'Damnation' by Opeth. I like the sound of the reviews, and I'm lured in by the Steve Wilson connection, as I love PT.
I actually quite like 'Ghost Reveries' now, despite my comments in my opening post. I still dont like the growls, but the music is pretty good.
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Drew
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 20 2005
Location: California
Status: Offline
Points: 12600
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Posted: March 28 2008 at 20:16 |
HughesJB4 wrote:
gray wrote:
I would add Nevermore to the recommendations. Also, Fates Warning's either of the last two albums (Pleasant Shade of Gray is not very representative of their sound). Also, Green Carnation. And if you can stomach Opeth, then Agalloch is also a great choice. None of these are really your generic prog metal DT formula bands, but I wouldn't recommend those anyway. |
I wouldn't say Nevermore are a prog metal band, although This Godless Endeavour (the album) was pointing in a very prog related direction IMO, with the title track itself prog IMO. But nonetheless, I too would recommend it anyway, an incredible band that I'm sure prog-metal and metal fans in general can love. I would say since I first heard them about 9 months ago, they quickly catapulted to near the top of the heap of my favorite bands. And for the guitar fans like me, the main lead guitarist Jeff Loomis is simply awe inspiring  Agalloch is fantastic too IMO, I've got nearly all their discography, and I am lucky enough to be getting my hands on one of 2000 copies in the world of their White EP.
Not a strictly prog metal band, more so experimental prog metal, with some of their material being somewhat post rock/ post metal in nature. |
I really enjoy Nevermore but there is no way I see them on PA.
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Gamemako
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 31 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1184
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Posted: March 28 2008 at 20:12 |
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So how is the experiment going for Blacksword and LinusW (and anyone else who sought recommendations here)?
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Hail Eris!
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Blacksword
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
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Posted: March 21 2008 at 06:37 |
'Primal power Addiction' by Heavens Cry turned up in the post the other day.
My first impression is that this is an excellent album! Thanks for the recommendation, Mike..
It sounds really fresh, and avoids 'cliches' Heavens Cry dont use those bone grinding guitar and drum sounds I associate with many modern metal bands. There is plenty of variety in the sounds and the songs. It's not just a relentless exhausting onslaught. It's far closer to what I would like to hear in prog metal, for my taste.
Riverside and Threshold next!
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sleeper
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: Entropia
Status: Offline
Points: 16449
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Posted: March 12 2008 at 18:38 |
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I can I suggest the latest albums from Dark Suns and To-Mera, Grave Human Genuine and Delusions.
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Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Petrovsk Mizinski
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
Status: Offline
Points: 25210
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 23:37 |
gray wrote:
I would add Nevermore to the recommendations. Also, Fates Warning's either of the last two albums (Pleasant Shade of Gray is not very representative of their sound). Also, Green Carnation. And if you can stomach Opeth, then Agalloch is also a great choice. None of these are really your generic prog metal DT formula bands, but I wouldn't recommend those anyway. |
I wouldn't say Nevermore are a prog metal band, although This Godless Endeavour (the album) was pointing in a very prog related direction IMO, with the title track itself prog IMO. But nonetheless, I too would recommend it anyway, an incredible band that I'm sure prog-metal and metal fans in general can love. I would say since I first heard them about 9 months ago, they quickly catapulted to near the top of the heap of my favorite bands. And for the guitar fans like me, the main lead guitarist Jeff Loomis is simply awe inspiring Agalloch is fantastic too IMO, I've got nearly all their discography, and I am lucky enough to be getting my hands on one of 2000 copies in the world of their White EP.
Not a strictly prog metal band, more so experimental prog metal, with some of their material being somewhat post rock/ post metal in nature.
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moreitsythanyou
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: April 23 2006
Location: NYC
Status: Offline
Points: 11682
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 22:58 |
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If you are looking for prog metal with melody, harmony, and NO DEATH VOCALS, it seriously does not get better than Sieges Even. They are really fantastic at what they do which is making prog metal that relies greatly on harmony both vocal and instrumental. The Art of Navigating by the Stars and Paramount are both highly recommended.
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 <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR]
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heyitsthatguy
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 17 2006
Location: Washington Hgts
Status: Offline
Points: 10094
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 22:43 |
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for Fates Warning, I'd say try Disconnected, it's pretty accessible
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gray
Forum Newbie
Joined: March 05 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 29
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 20:52 |
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I would add Nevermore to the recommendations. Also, Fates Warning's either of the last two albums (Pleasant Shade of Gray is not very representative of their sound). Also, Green Carnation. And if you can stomach Opeth, then Agalloch is also a great choice. None of these are really your generic prog metal DT formula bands, but I wouldn't recommend those anyway.
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LinusW
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 27 2007
Location: Sweden
Status: Offline
Points: 10665
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 18:28 |
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Gamemako
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 31 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1184
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 17:17 |
LinusW wrote:
Added to list of interesting albums. Growls/death is not my cup of tea  .
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Did you listen to the sample for Orphaned Land here at PA? You may be able to tolerate the growls, and they are used sparingly. But then again, if you really want to avoid death growls, I can't hold that against you. Still, your two conditions (no power-prog and no growls/screams) preclude 90% of prog metal.  Blacksword: I recommend being careful with Ayreon. Many people here really like them, but here's the lowdown: he's really, really cheesy. The older stuff (e.g. Into the Electric Castle) is more substantive metal with prog influences, and the recent stuff suffers from filler syndrome (especially the latest, 01011001). Different periods have similar sounds but very, very different substance. I personally enjoy Into the Electric Castle, and I despise The Human Equation, while many feel the opposite way. Definitely, definitely, definitely try Riverside.
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Hail Eris!
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LinusW
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 27 2007
Location: Sweden
Status: Offline
Points: 10665
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 13:40 |
Gamemako wrote:
LinusW wrote:
My musical journey has been kinda strange. I started out with a lot of speed/power metal before ending up in what was prog metal. Blind Guardian, Kamelot, Angra, Alkemyst, Manigance etc. etc.
Finally I found myself so horribly fed up with the double bass onslaught that I couldn't stand music for a long time. I then turned to the roots. Purple, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Sabbath, Uriah Heep and the like. I then moved on to proto-prog bands and ended up in prog again via prog-related and proto-prog bands.
So here I am. Still having massive problems with prog metal. Can only stand it for shorter periods (half an album or so), but I'd really like to get back in again. Ayreon's The Human Equation is great from time to time and Images and Words remains a favourite of the genre. Later era DT just seems dead to me.
What to do? 
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Get away from power-prog. Try:
Dark Suns -- Existence
Riverside -- Second Life Syndrome
Pain of Salvation -- The Perfect Element pt. 1
If you're feeling more technical,
Shadow Gallery -- Room V
Dreamscape -- 5th Season
If you want to really experiment,
Orphaned Land -- Mabool (Middle-eastern influenced metal, contains death growls)
uneXpect -- In a Flesh Aquarium (avant-garde death metal -- only if you're feeling really, really brave)
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Added to list of interesting albums. Growls/death is not my cup of tea .
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Blacksword
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
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Posted: March 11 2008 at 09:06 |
Thanks guys! 
kenmartree, no I've not heard Ayreon yet, but no fear, I'll get round to it.
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Giving prog metal a fair hearing..
. And yes, I've given them both fair amount of listening. On the positive side...I'm not prepared to give up the genre at all. Will click my way to that sample, and as I said earlier: I've BEEN a fan...should include Threshold in liked bands as well...so there's SOMETHING out there