latest prog innovator?

Didn't see this earlier, figured I might chime in now.
Regarding the above post, indeed it is in fact widely acknowledged that Death, lead by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner, were the prime originators of Progressive death metal and indeed probably the first death metal (history says they weren't the first one the scene with a death metal recording, but they apparently doing death metal before Possessed, but don't take what I'm saying for gospel, I could be wrong.
Human was released in 1991, and the Spiritual Healing released the year before contained a strong progressive vibe, although not quite progressive death metal yet.
Opeth originally formed as a straight death metal band in 1990, and weren't doing prog death until '93, so Death certainly beat them to the progressive death table, but I don't deny the originality of Opeth either, as they have been one of the most important metal bands in the last 15 years.

Petrucci, his lead work is not innovative as such, I see Petrucci's innovation and originality lying in the way he changed the way many heavy metal guitarists looked at technical rhythm outside a death metal and related genre context.
That said, I still love his lead playing, especially his guitar work on Train Of Thought.

I will say Steve Wilson also. Not only is Porcupine Tree one of my favorites of newer bands but they are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands ever.

sleeper wrote: I would have said Toby Driver as well, but then I realised that maudlin of the Well's My Fruit Psychobells is nearly 10 years old. So I'm going to say Oma Rodriugez Lopez..

Just out of curiosity; If you think he is, how can that album disqualify Toby Driver from being the biggest innovator of the last five years?

The Red Masque sounds pretty cool, a little too metal for me but it's still pushing things forward in the world of music.

nice

The Red Masque, hands down. they brought new life to a genre that was already dead except for some of the old heroes who still continue to produce interesting stuff

Of the ones I listen to, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, IMO. Thom Yorke was a big innovator in the early 2000's, but he kind of stopped since then.

Ghost Rider wrote: Yay for Omar!

omar??? 

im sticking with fripp. in these days of extreme tech metal krimson still blow away all wannabees with their harda**ed riffing and theyre in their 60s!

Yorkie X wrote: Laplace wrote: good question. I am going to say Toby Driver because I think Kayo Dot have been the most exciting and relevant "progressive" thing in these last years. I hope people aren't going to be saying Steven Wilson too often, since he just makes progout of alt.rock by making it longer and professional. ;P Laplace I was listening to Porcupine Tree just last night and while I'm not the biggest PT fan in the world when I listened carefully to how careful Steven Wilson's mind operates through his musical arrangements and production planing the word Genius did enter my mind, the guys a Genius in his field.   I`m not sure what that field is exactly kinda alternate cross over prog  but it sure is a pleasure to sit back and let Steven Wilson's visions paint such atmospheric alternative/ prog ambiance. . he's great !  but hes not qualified for the question which states latest innovator  in five years

That's a good point... I'm agree, Wilson is one of the most focused and dedicated Prog minds today.

But if I have to choose... I'd say Devin Townsend. I think this guy is jsut one of the most original, brave and innovative musicians in music today. His works in prog metal, extreme metal, ambient music, punk and other genres demonstrate that this guy is just brilliant and really talented.

You can love him, or hate him, or ignore him... But if you hear "Terria", for example, you'll realise that you've heard anything like that in your life!