Just logged on, and just joined up. This is a very cool thing you guys have going on here. Wished badly that I had found it sooner!! Oh well at least I have found it now.
Got my start in the eighties with dare I say it? Hair bands. You know... Ratt, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, etc. Problem was in small town Oklahoma, you don't have much choice in the way of friends, and I was lucky enough to have one who played drums too. Also lucky for me he was really into Rush, Yes, Genesis and ELP. Also lucky for me I saw the error of my ways! & nbsp;(Yes I know... Big collective sigh... AAHHHH....)
My main band is still Rush after all of these years, Istill listen to a huge variety of stuff, but I seem to go back and forth between two phases.
1st phase: Heavy, Heavier, and Heaviest. I want to hear loud distorted guitars played on the edge of insanity--- Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery, Megadeth (preferably with Marty Friedman) even some crazy Kieth Emerson stuff will suffice. I guess it's the intensity factor that counts here.
2nd phase: Good song craftsmanship/ moods evoked. This phase I wish to hear somebady who knows what the heck they are doing. Good time changes with a lot of dynamics thrown in. ---Usually Yes, Genesis, ELP, Kings X, etc.
Many bands I listen to I would even put in both categories. Fates Warning for example.
Anyway Hopefully that will clue you guys in on what I dig most. I do listen to tons of other styles, but always and forever will be a progressive rocker. :)