5 'eclectic' prog-metal gems for Christmas
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44548
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Topic: 5 'eclectic' prog-metal gems for Christmas
Posted By: aapatsos
Subject: 5 'eclectic' prog-metal gems for Christmas
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 08:39
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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  |
Replies:
Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 09:45
| Very interesting list...I thought Ark's debut was pretty cool. I agree 'Burn the Sun' was better but the debut has a lot more going on in it. |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 09:51
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^ Thanks, I also thought that the Ark debut had some more 'strange' innovative ideas, but 'Burn the Sun' was more solid. Some acoustic guitars and Jorn Lande's vocals where the highlights I believe. |
Posted By: magnus
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 10:54
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Nice to see Tore Østby and his friends getting some love! I love both Parallel minds and Ark(and the other albums by those bands). ------------- The scattered jigsaw of my redemption laid out before my eyes Each piece as amorphous as the other - Each piece in its lack of shape a lie 
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 11:28
| I don't know the other albums, but Rage for Order is a great offering from one of my favourite prog-metal bands. I'll gladly explore the other suggestion too! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 11:41
| Thanks for reminding me, that Ark debut is definitely something I'd like to grab. |
Posted By: 1800iareyay
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 11:48
| I absolutely love Rage For Order and Transcendence |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: December 18 2007 at 14:28
Transcendence and Parallel Minds are also close to the Queensryche sound, but both of them are more guitar-oriented, so I would recommend them only if you like powerful riffs. P. Minds is almost pure power metal, and Crimson Glory have some epic elements that may not attract every listener. Your choice... |
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