The Prog-Metal controversy

Ghost Rider wrote: I am sorry you misunderstood my post which quoted yours. I just took that sentence out of context to say that my intent had not been fully grasped - not by you, but by other people. I know very well you're not opposed to any genre in its entirety - the people I was referring to were others, who have been on PA longer than you, and who have always been vocal in their opposition to PM. Unfortunately, the medium we are using to communicate is very much prone to being misinterpreted.

Thanks, I have to watch that tendency to throw out a quick flippant remark. It works fine in conversation but can be a disaester on the internet where you never know how somebody is going to take something.

Somehow I manage to do this every couple of weeks or so.
Oh well, no big deal.

Another band that springs to mind, although more retro heavy metal than prog metal is Iced Earth.  This is a band that I think would definitely appeal to a fan of Iron Maiden or Blue Oyster Cult.  If you haven't heard them I would recommend starting out with their most recent releases.  Also, they do a covers album called Tribute to the Gods, where they perform covers of Iron Maiden, Blue Oyster Cult, and Judas Priest songs among others.  I very highly recommend this covers album.  The Glorious Burden is an absolutely awesome epic album covering the American revolution and early American history.  The bonus disc includes the awesome epic Gettysburg regarding the American civil war.  Many PA people have probably already heard of Iced Earth, but if you haven't I highly recommend them if you are a fan of Iron Maiden-type heavy metal.

rushfan4 wrote: Another band that springs to mind, although more retro heavy metal than prog metal is Iced Earth.  This is a band that I think would definitely appeal to a fan of Iron Maiden or Blue Oyster Cult.  If you haven't heard them I would recommend starting out with their most recent releases.  Also, they do a covers album called Tribute to the Gods, where they perform covers of Iron Maiden, Blue Oyster Cult, and Judas Priest songs among others.  I very highly recommend this covers album.  The Glorious Burden is an absolutely awesome epic album covering the American revolution and early American history.  The bonus disc includes the awesome epic Gettysburg regarding the American civil war.  Many PA people have probably already heard of Iced Earth, but if you haven't I highly recommend them if you are a fan of Iron Maiden-type heavy metal.

I know the band by name, and of course I know of the historical content of that album. As a matter of fact, I have to get it for Micky, who is an expert of the American Civil War. Then, as you mentioned three of my favourite bands ever, I am quite sure Iced Earth would appeal to me quite a lot.

rushfan4 wrote: toolis wrote: rushfan4 wrote: Another band that springs to mind, although more retro heavy metal than prog metal is Iced Earth.  This is a band that I think would definitely appeal to a fan of Iron Maiden or Blue Oyster Cult.  If you haven't heard them I would recommend starting out with their most recent releases.  Also, they do a covers album called Tribute to the Gods, where they perform covers of Iron Maiden, Blue Oyster Cult, and Judas Priest songs among others.  I very highly recommend this covers album.  The Glorious Burden is an absolutely awesome epic album covering the American revolution and early American history.  The bonus disc includes the awesome epic Gettysburg regarding the American civil war.  Many PA people have probably already heard of Iced Earth, but if you haven't I highly recommend them if you are a fan of Iron Maiden-type heavy metal. really? i prefer Burnt Offerings, Dark Saga and the Days Of Purgatory compilation...   Those albums that you mention are good but a bit heavier for my tastes.  I tend to like their sound more on the albums I mentioned.  I see from your Avatar fhat you're from Greece.  I recently picked up their Alive in Athens CD.  Did you happen to be at that show?

I dunno about the Maiden comparison. I find most power metal bands, prog or not, to be overstuffed with guitar virtuosos, semi-operatic multi-octave singers, with the bass player plugging away madly and a drummer mad about blast beats. Add to that the overly "serious" attitude present & you end up with a genre I should like but cannot get past the lack of originality or god help us - actual good songs.
Ooph. I feel like Vibration Baby.

rushfan4 wrote: Didn't you just describe Iron Maiden?     On the Tribute to the Gods they perform 2 Iron Maiden cover songs.  To me their follow-up album The Glorious Burden, which I recommended, has a Maiden-type vibe to it.  I think that the older stuff that Toolis mentioned is probably more in the power metal vein that you were describing.  For what it is worth, AllMusic describes them as "combining 80's thrash influences with the classic metal approach of Iron Maiden".