The Tech/Extreme Prog metal appreciation

Yeah, I really want it too! I preordered it and it said it was to be released on October 28th, next thing I know, it's November 25th! WTF???

Grr, I was hoping to get to a mall with a decent music store sometime this week so I could get the album. It's to no avail. I guess I'll have to wait until I go to Albuquerque after Christmas or order it. And since I've gotta spend my money on people for gifts, looks like I've got yet another month to go.

HughesJB4 wrote: ^I feel for ya man. I can barely afford new albums these days (no job), so it's only now and then I get new stuff. But certainly, if you buy one new album, you can do a lot worse than Traced in Air,

I actually think as far as 2008 goes, you can't get much better.

Yes. We've seen and heard fabulous releases from metal and extreme progressive  metal this year, and probably better compared to last year. There are so many albums in my mind right now that really ranked high for me this 2008, and Cynics Traced in Air is definitely one of them, along with Opeth's Watershed and the new one from Revocation, and judging from the album release announcements of other bands in this genre, I'm saying 2009 is very promising.

Hmmmnnn.... Well growls are almost always used in Tech/Extreme metal, and it's kind of  hard (at least for me) to recommend a band within that genre to someone who can't tolerate growls (or harsh vocals at least). Like what's been always said, it's an acquired taste. I for one once hated growls, but then they grew on me and started to appreciate it specially when used to express emotions( Anger, hate, fear, sorrow etc.). I tend to like a mix of clean and harsh/growls on my metal, that's why like bands like Opeth, Into Eternity, Winds etc.

It's a good thing that you liked DSO, that's a start, and I think you should dwell from those kind of bands before moving on to a much "adventurous" ones. I say listen to bands like To-Mera (not a Tech / Extreme Metal band, but pretty loud and heavy), Winds (Reflections of The I, The Imaginary Direction of Time, and Prominence and Demise) and Cynic (specially Traced in Air).

Hope you find the beauty in those bands Henry.


Edited by JayDee - December 02 2008 at 18:34

Some how trying to figure out how to respond to both of these posts in one post.

Henry Plainview wrote: I am a bit unfamiliar with this genre, but all tech-metal I've heard is soulless and boring, what I've heard of Opeth is kind of boring (and I cannot take growls seriously), and Meshuggah is honestly just too loud (which I admit is an accomplishment considering I am an ardent free jazz fan). I really like Diablo Swing Orchestra, but I'm not sure why they're even in Tech--they are Experimental IMO. Oh, and Natten's Madrigal is cool too.   Anything to change my mind? I hate to break up the party, but I could use a little loud metal. ;-)

Ehh, growls is a pretty big part of the genre dude.
The other 'extreme' vocal style is the hardcore screaming, which you may or may not like.
Considering you said you were listening to At The Drive In recently, I doubt that vocal style bothers you much.
If I must be honest, it was only in recent years I got into death growls.
I never really used to listen to much death metal orientated stuff until, well, last year really.
Meshuggah, I used to completely, utterly hate.
For a few years as well.
About 2 months ago, that changed.
Obviously, as you might have heard, you don't put on Meshuggah to hear 'oh wow the beautiful melody that brings ze tear to ze eyes'.
You put on Meshuggah because you want to feel like your posterior is being crushed by the weight of a thousand titanium hammers.
Once you really get into that feeling, then it's much easier to enjoy Meshuggah.
I'm just a naturally angry person, so me and Meshuggah go well together:P

JayDee wrote: Hmmmnnn.... Well growls are almost always used in Tech/Extreme metal, and it's kind of  hard (at least for me) to recommend a band within that genre to someone who can't tolerate growls (or harsh vocals at least). Like what's been always said, it's an acquired taste. I for one once hated growls, but then they grew on me and started to appreciate it specially when used to express emotions( Anger, hate, fear, sorrow etc.). I tend to like a mix of clean and harsh/growls on my metal, that's why like bands like Opeth, Into Eternity, Winds etc. It's a good thing that you liked DSO, that's a start, and I think you should dwell from those kind of bands before moving on to a much "adventurous" ones. I say listen to bands like To-Mera (not a Tech / Extreme Metal band, but pretty loud and heavy), Winds (Reflections of The I, The Imaginary Direction of Time, and Prominence and Demise) and Cynic (specially Traced in Air). Hope you find the beauty in those bands Henry.

Like my good man Jay said, there a few bands that offer clean vocals in between death growls/hardcore screams too.
But for the most part extreme metal is well... extreme metal and with it, the vocal style.
Not every band is as 'extreme' as the next one.
Some bands are full force, 8 string guitar, smash your face into the wall bands non stop (like Meshuggah) while others are a more balanced, melodius affair really.
Give it time to grow on you Henry my boy, but don't force it though.
If you don't like it, ehh, that's how it is, these bands aren't around because they want the whole world to love 'em.

Speaking of being pounded and assaulted, saw Gojira live last night in Orlando... My god they are heavy and choppy as hell..  Great live show, we caught an extra live set last night because All That Remains couldn't make it! 

Funny to see all these complains about growls in extreme metal. Is shrieking, yelling, screaming like a rabid hyaena more acceptable?

Any love for Protest the Hero? I just bought both of their albums a couple of days ago, and I haven't stopped listening to it. Shame they don't get more of a mention round here.

CPicard wrote: Funny to see all these complains about growls in extreme metal. Is shrieking, yelling, screaming like a rabid hyaena more acceptable?

Edited by Henry Plainview - December 03 2008 at 21:05