Giving prog metal a fair hearing..

Gamemako wrote: LinusW wrote: Added to list of interesting albums. Growls/death is not my cup of tea . 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. Definitely, definitely, definitely try Riverside.

Can't say that I'm a fan of either, as stated earlier . 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 .

for Fates Warning, I'd say try Disconnected, it's pretty accessible

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.

'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!

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.

BTW, Drew. Love the avatar. 'Curb your Enthusiam' is a fantastic show



Edited by Blacksword - March 29 2008 at 08:06

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.

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.

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!