5 'eclectic' prog-metal gems for Christmas

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Well, with Christmas approaching, I thought I would recommend a number of relatively 'not acknowledged' prog-metal gems for some 'eclectic' (generally speaking) taste. Here we go, and may you all have a delightful time spent with these 'goodies', and a happy time during Christmas and New Year.

Conception - Parallel Minds (1993)

The second release from the Norwegian band, finds them more 'mature' in their songwriting. A generally power-metal based album, with some of the most innovative riffs of the genre. The progressiveness does not lay in keyboards or jamming, but heavily depends on the way that Tore Ostby is 'manipulating' his excellent guitar ideas. Possibly, not the best Conception record, but the one with the most exciting ideas.
Highlights: Water Confines, The Promiser, Soliloquy

Crimson Glory - Transcendence (1988)

The highly expected second album from the US epic/power/prog metal band found them in superior form ,releasing the best album of their career. The powerful melodic riffs are dominant, so is Midnight's excellent voice. Highly recommended to friends of the American power metal sound.
Highlights: Lady of Winter, Burning Bridges, Painted Skies

Queensryche - Rage for Order (1986)

The third release from the 'former' power-metal band, is without a doubt, the most progressive one. Again, no highly complex rhythms and jamming, but a unique sound that no other band has achieved at the mid 80's. A release that really shook the metal audience. One of their masterpieces along with O:M and The Promised Land, this one has not received the praise it deserved.
Highlights: Walk in the Shadows, The Whisper, I Will Remember

Ark - Ark (1999)

The project that Tore Ostby formed after Conception 'dismantled'. Jorn Lande adds his excellent vocals, to give a hard-rocking a la Coverdale touch to this experimental album, with an avant-garde atmosphere. The influences from Conception are present, so are the flamenco moments. Probably, Burn the Sun is a more solid recording, but this one contains more 'raw' energy.
Highlights: Burning Down, Singers at the World's Dawn, Center Avenue

Psychotic Waltz - Bleeding (1996)

The 'swan song' of the band, finds them in a more 'Sabbath-oriented' approach, with no crazy tech moments, but with a maturity in the songwriting. A generally mid-tempo album, lacks the progressiveness of their first two releases, but builds on a solid rhythm section and the heaviest riffs they have composed. Weird tunes are still present. This is one of my favourite prog-metal albums of all times.
Highlights: Faded, Morbid, Northern Lights

ENJOY 

Edited by aapatsos - December 18 2007 at 08:40