Favorite Prog Metal band, why

Favorite Metal Bands/Albums:

Opeth - Ghost Reveries.  This album is a wonderful mix of heavy riffs and folk/classically inspired acoustic parts.  It may take some time to get over the death grunts, but it's worth it.

Symphony X - V The New Mythology Suite.  This is my favorite concept album, with amazing songwriting and musicianship.  A wonderful Cd to own.

Opeth - Blackwater Park.  I would say that Ghost Reveries has a slight edge over this one because of keyboards, more singing, and more acoustic parts, but Blackwater Park is still amazing.

Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element.  Such a wonderful and emotional Cd, amazing lyrics and some extremely complex parts, even though they don't seem it.


So that sums up my top four Progressive Metal albums.  Other favorites include Fear of a Blank Planet and In Absentia by Porcupine Tree, but they aren't considered Progressive Metal here unfortunately.  Still go listen to FoaBP and In Absentia, and Deadwing too because there is a large metal influence there.

EDIT:  Oops I just saw that you asked for bands, not albums, but I guess what I did is ok.  It's the bands and my favorite albums of theirs.


Edited by asimplemistake - May 14 2007 at 23:14

definitely Krimson as well, though I'm a bit of a Queensryche fan (don't seem to get much respect around here).

also an Iron Maiden fan, but they aren't really prog-metal

Dream Theater happened to be my first and remained my favorite, until comparatively recently their position in my book was seriously challenged by Pain of Salvation, Be and Perfect Element are higher than any DT album in my book, (Be one of my all time favorites). Why? Because they're brilliant composers and I don't see any "wankery" in either band, it's sounds 100% coherent and entertaining to me. I also love that neither is cheesy like most prog-power metal(Sympony X, Rhapsody...). Gildenlow is one of the greatest musical geniuses I know, just an incredible composer, and a beautiful voice.

Other favorites: Agalloch, Meshuggah, Tool, Opeth, Gojira, Indukti, Ayreon, etc.

It's all great except prog-power which I don;t care much for.


Edited by The Miracle - May 14 2007 at 23:23

lightbulb_son wrote: Proletariat wrote:   Bands: Isis Neurosis Cynic Opeth Meshuggah Orphaned Land Agalloch Death Atheist Kamelot Symphony X Alarum    Great list.   I'll add   Arcturus Enslaved Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Emperor (not prog but I don't care) Pelican Jesu Gojira Green Carnation Ayreon Kayo Dot PoS Mastodon Devin Townsend Intronaut

Prog Metal sure has come a long way and expanded great, so i'll give you a few albums from each end of the spectrum and you could just branch out from there

Ayreon - The Human Equation - This is a brilliant album that is like a metal opera. It is written by one person, Arjen Lucassen and features many singers and players. It is a concept album which is also pretty cool.

Opeth - Blackwater Park - Not there best in my opinion, but a great place to start in their library. I wasn't into death metal growls by anyone including Opeth until I heard this, now i can listen to any death metal band (that is good) . Anyway, great album

Redemption - In the Fullness of Time - This is a straightforward prog metal record. Excellent musicianship and vocals by Ray Alder (Fates Warning)

Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime - An excellent album, although i'm not fond of there other stuff. Another well written concept album with great songs.

Dream Theater - Images and Words, Scenes through Train of Thought - Probably my favorite band behind Yes because it was one of the first prog bands I ever heard, but behind them are a lot of 60-70's bands. Any one of these albums are accessible, Images and Words being my favorite.

Devin Townsend Band - Terria - This will explore on end of the Spectrum for you. Devin is a genious and this album is one of his best works. Hard to describe...listen!

Meshuggah - Nothing (REISSUE!!!) - This is another side to explore of prog metal. These guys are very advanced players notably Fredrik Thordendal the guitarist. This album is extremely heavy and has harsh vocals.

Symphony X - V - The above poster said it all. A nice album.

Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane - I like this album the most. So emotional and great songwriting by Daniel. But why not get all the pain of salvation albums recommended!. You won't regret it!

Note: Some of these bands aren't my favorites, some are, i'm just giving you some ideas or where to start. Everybody has there niches and preferences. These albums will give you an idea.

Beyond Twilight: Kind of chaotic and disjointed, but a really unique band. Their latest CD For The Love of The Art and The Making is a masterpiece.

Circus Maximus: They only got one CD but they are excellent musicians. It's like Symphony X and Dream Theater decided to join forces to create an album.

They are many more but they already been mentioned so that's my two cents.

DT; why?.....well, they are the best in that genre,IMO. 

Edited by gong - May 15 2007 at 01:14

Favorite Prog Metal Band: Anathema

Why: Because i think they combine everything that i like in prog music (& yes they have a bit of virtuosity plus an incredible emotional & lyrical substance)

Some of the prog metal bands I listen to are:

Dream Theater
Pain of Salvation
Opeth
Porcupine Tree
Dead Soul Tribe
Riverside
Tool

And I also listen to Thought Chamber and the Danish prog-power metal band Pyramaze.