70's Heaviest Psych/Prog Rock Bands?

I'm not sure if some understand the "heavy" aspect as being somehow related to the drugs you need to enjoy the music. IF it is really down to the music, why no mention of Rush. Gentle Giant had a few LPs that were far from the pastoral themes they did from time to time. Crimson, while heavy at times, also displayed a jazzy side. Uriah Heep's Look at Yourself is certainly in the running. While not too well known in the admin / collab group, Night Sun is great heavy 70s prog. Imagine a slightly psychedelic Deep Purple , with some almost but not quite Yes arrangements. Just to confuse you more, maybe Night Sun could be said to sound like the 70s band that was the blueprint for the Mars Volta's heavy songs.
Atomic Rooster were heavy for one album - Death Walks Behind/Beside You. And even at that it didn't quite match Purple's In Rock album released around the same time. Heck, even some Genesis & Yes classic albums could be described as heavy for the bass/guitar/organ maelstrom displayed on many songs (Musical Box, Starship Trooper)

Pugh's Place? Rag I Ryggen? Jethro Tull?

An album that is like a cross between a heavier E.L.P. and Atomic Rooster is Dr.Z. I have never been able to get on with it though.

Another recommendation is the Fields only album. There is some great guitar and mellotron on there.

Edited by Man Erg - March 13 2008 at 03:36

Is that all?  Anyone like BANG? 

What about Lucifer`s Friend`s first album. Check out Ride In The Sky. The video is here on PA in their section.

Edited by Vibrationbaby - March 26 2008 at 10:59

I agree with Cacho. KC in the mid-70s were almost scary, they were so tight and heavy. Good call on Mahavishnu's early stuff, but it was more mind-heavy that sound-heavy if you know what I mean. Camel could also play up a storm live, much heavier than any of their albums.

Angel, the first 2 albums...S/T, &.'Helluva Band" No other group straddled the "Trad" Heavy/Hard Rock & Progressive gendres, in a theatrical Glam setting with more aplomb!! Cheers!!

Mahavishnu's first two albums of course.

If you're looking for heavy and psychedelic, I suggest you check out some Electric Wizard, although they're not of the 70's, their music is really influenced by 70's psychedelia.

Cosmic Messenger wrote: Solved: http://youtube.com/watch?v=MyRiNZDb5EY  I defy anyone to find something heavier from the 70's.

haha! thats actually a really good song, ...I love his little horsey dance,

sean wrote: I think Van der Graaf Generator could be pretty heavy, even without guitars. I think the music was so dark and Hammill's voice so intense that they really outdid most metal bands in terms of heavy. King Crimson as well, along similar lines as my reasoning for VdGG. and Just because they're here, albeit in prog related, Black Sabbath.

I dunno really, i think "intense" would be a better choice of words. Still, as far as keyboards go, VDGG are about as heavy as they get, and i think hamill's voice would suit some kind of strange, sophisticated metal. I dunno where to put VDGG really, despite being my favourite band... i guess that's the beauty of them.