STILL LIFE

How much more can be said about Still Life that hasn't already been said? Here in Still Life, we get 7 tracks, 5 of which are 9 minutes or longer, and every single one of them is essential for a prog fan who has any tolerance of metal. In this case, the metal is probably best categorized as melodic death metal, but it's really far beyond and more progressive than any other band in the genre. By that I mean they combine the brutality and aggression of death metal with the emotion and beauty of melody with the complexity and originality of prog, in the perfect balance too. I don't think you will ever hear another album like this, even the also essential Blackwater Park. Even Blackwater Park though is not quite as good because it lacks some of the intensity, atmosphere, and variance of Still Life.

Seriously, if you claim to be a prog fan who has any bit of an open mind, just get this album. Even if it just sits in your collection, its just as deserving of a place for collection's sake as most of the classics of the 70s. And yes it does have mostly harsh vocals, but surely open minded prog fans can tolerate different vocal styles, right?