Porcupine Tree vs Dream Theater

Grumpyprogfan wrote: DT no question. They started a whole new genre, prog-metal. They were innovaters. Bands today try and sound like them. PT, while great, didn't create anything new.

Dont agree Fischman

Queensryche sold a lost of albums and people forget that, Rage For Order was progresive metal, and Operation Mindcrime  sold a lot too and made the genre viable, not DT.

If you read the zines of that time, the term prog metal or intelligent metal started with Queensryche in 1988, they were very popular in that time

Fischman wrote: Yep. They sold a lot of albums, including a few to me. Great group! But regarding the current discussion, as you say, they were very popular at the time. They've been irrelevant since Empire. Meanwhile, DT has continued to be the standard bearer for the genre for over a quarter century now. And again, I've never heard a band trying to be Queensryche, but I've heard dozens trying to be DT

Ah we have a typical DT fan here. I agree you with 100% that they master the instrument's very well. Unfortunately that does not help when there is a lack of skill when it comes making compositions. On the other hand, Steven Wilson is a well crafting composer, mixer and a musician. Yes, John Petrucci can do some "epic" things with his guitar and Wilson can't. But is that really cool honestly? And oh, they did not create a genre.

Btw, how many PT/Wilson albums have you listened with a focus?

My sincere regards.

This seems to have sparked off a debate about Dream Theater. Other than ELP and Marillion , the band that prog fans most love to beat up on.

I think they have done some worthy albums and the early albums such as Awake seem to be more loved in general. Personally I love the track A Change Of Seasons although this was apparently a fan club release because it included a bunch of tribute songs on Side Two. However I do love this album and the studio track alone is better than anything PT ever did. Perhaps later on DT lost their way a bit. Jordan Rudess seems to lead them on a more technical direction although I still like Six Degrees and will give that a spin. However the spin off group Liquid Tension Experiment  that features Tony Levin was more my taste. I wish there had been more of that. DT have made some truly horrible albums in recent years so that doesn't help their case much either.

Porcupine Tree yep. Not exactly innovative and Steven Wilson can be a giant bell end when he wants to be but they have crafted some special albums. Fear Of A Blank Planet was mentioned in the TV show Loudermilk so they seem to have even managed to infiltrate popular culture. If I had to listen to either bands discography from start to finish its obvious which I would choose so PT gets my vote.