Looking for some prog metal...

I'm trying to find a prog metal band comparable to Opeth.  I've tried Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation out and not been terribly impressed, as well as Therion, with who I was mildly impressed.  I'm mainly looking for that same kind of powerful, crushing guitar sound.  Ideally without the death metal vocals, but that's not terribly important, and it doesn't have to contain mellow sections. 

GUIDE ME!

Not only do I know about Tool, but they're one of my all-time favorite bands.  In fact, I've written in depth reviews for 3 of their albums on here.

try symphony x (v-the new mythology suite), office of strategic influence (o.s.i.)

some of the prog metal classics are also fates warning - still life I, queensryche - operation mindcrime, spiral architect - a sceptic's universe (metal/fusion) but i'm not sure if this is what you're interested in

some other interesting albums in the metal genre that a prog rock/metal fan could enjoy

isis - oceanic. a great and original band, often compared to neurosis and cult of luna, they aren't prog really but i think the guitar sound is similar to that you're looking for
maudlin of the well - bath/leaving your body map
arcturus - the sham mirrors

Useful_Idiot wrote: I'm trying to find a prog metal band comparable to Opeth.  I've tried Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation out and not been terribly impressed, as well as Therion, with who I was mildly impressed.  I'm mainly looking for that same kind of powerful, crushing guitar sound.  Ideally without the death metal vocals, but that's not terribly important, and it doesn't have to contain mellow sections.  GUIDE ME!

I think Tool, Opeth and Pain Of Salvation are all in a class of their own and bands that I can’t get enough of!  Maybe try some Rhapsody...or if you like power metal with a hint of prog then I’d recommend Iced Earth or Blind Guardian although they aren’t considered progressive enough to be in the archives here but both bands have released some excellent prog style concept albums.

 

Oh I love your name! It would have been more interesting to name yourself after track 7!  What do you think of Maynards side project A Perfect Circle? Not as dark and intense as Tool but excellent all the same IMO

Planet X...

Although I like most of the names mentioned here, and obviously Dream Theter, I recommend a metal band completely different, who does not retain the power of the guitars to reveal the complexity of the music. This band is probably the best metal ever made in the 80's. Their theatral satanic prog style is outstanding! The rythm changes, the athospheres, the lead & backing vocals.

I name:

Mercyful Fate - Melissa

Mercyful fate - Don't break the oath

Probably nobody here know this, but I'm sure more than one would absolutely like it!

How about Nightwish and The Gathering?

Dick Heath wrote: Others have suggested Fates Warning to me - but the nearest I've got is their John Arch's solo ep-album A Twist Of Fate - not bad at all. A colleague and a mature student here, keep going on about Queenscriek (sorry spelling) but still waiting to hear them

 Presumably you mean Queensryche, I can heartily recommend Operation Mindcrime and Empire. Silent Lucidity from Empire is one of the best Prog Metal "Ballad" singles ever and took the US charts by storm. There is a Best Of album available which is ok. I think their latest effort "Tribe"is best avoided but some reviewers have rated quite highly.

perhaps not strictly prog but there's a lot of the more experimental or original doomers like Agalloch (I should be able to reel off a string of names but sadly I haven't been listening much to the metal side of things recently). Then there's the aforementioned Green Carnation, and a related band to them Emperor, whose Prometheus album is more towards black metal but not stereotypical ultra distorted sort of stuff. Iced Earth may be your sort of thing, perhaps?

Then delving into doom, there's My Dying Bride, who while being rarely progressive often have epic songs and at least an element of what Opeth are doing, whether or not Opeth were actually influenced by them.

If your looking for a band with a similar sound to Opeth i'd say your best chance is EVERGREY. I have three of their albums myself and consider them to be superior to Opeth. They are metioned on this site and if you go to their offical site you can download a copuple of songs.

I can recoomend several other bands aswell but these are NOT along the same lines as Opeth. Ark, Enchant, Kamelot. Happy listening.

Edited by will