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Violin missing from modern prog?

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Grumpyprogfan View Drop Down
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    Posted: March 22 2022 at 14:48
In the 70's, bands such as Kansas, Dixie Dregs, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Mahavishnu Orchestra prominently featured violin in their music. Are there any modern bands (last twenty years) that feature the violin?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote nick_h_nz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:02
Quite a few, I think, and in surprising genres, too. A lot of prog metal bands often have prominent violin.

One band I reviewed last year even included violin as much for political reasons as musical, I suspect - but it worked beautifully.

Originally posted by I I wrote:

One of the tags for this debut album from Massen is “violin of protest”. Anyone who has followed the Belarusian protests can’t fail to be moved by this. There are many symbols that have been adopted during the protests, from wearing white (for peace, and also for the white red white flag), to flowers (again, often white and red), to music. Simply Google ‘violin protest Belarus’ and you will find a multitude of stories, images and videos. If the band is going to give themselves this tag, then I am going to mention the need for protest. But now, onto the music… 

As you will no doubt have guessed, ContrAesthetic features violin, and it’s beautifully played by Karalina Nasko (Kara), who is surely one of the greatest additions to the band – who were formerly known as Massenhinrichtung (initially as a solo project from multi-instrumentalist Aliaksandr Yermak) but have reinvented themselves, in music as much as in name. No longer straightforward pagan folk black metal, the music of Massen is more expansive and experimental, and this has resulted in an addictively engaging aural experience. The beauty is supplied by Kara’s violin and the clean vocals of Elvira Stselmashuk.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:04
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (4) Thanks(4)   Quote The Dark Elf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:07
I think prog bands just don't want to fiddle with it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote nick_h_nz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:22
A lot of post rock and math rock bands use violin. Just looking back at those I’ve reviewed in the last two years, a large proportion of them have violin.

RIO/Avant bands also often use violin, and again just looking at those I’ve reviewed in the last couple of years, a large portion have violin.

And, as I already stated, prog metal bands often use violin.

So it’s always a possibility if you feel you’ve not heard it much in recent prog, that’s because of the genres of prog you listen to? 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:52
The Swedish band Zello from the 90s. Ok, maybe not really modern these days but post seventies at least. 

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - March 22 2022 at 15:52
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (3) Thanks(3)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 15:53
Originally posted by The Dark Elf The Dark Elf wrote:

I think prog bands just don't want to fiddle with it.




As said, a lot of RIO/Avant and Post-Rock bands use it. I would explore "chamber prog".

Aranis is one of my favourites:



North Sea Radio Orchestra is a favourite of mine that uses violin.



Not your traditional Prog there.

I prefer "chamber prog rock" to "symphonic prog rock" generally.





Edited by Logan - March 22 2022 at 15:55
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote xhouse Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 16:38
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote siLLy puPPy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 17:32
What do you consider modern? Sleepytime Gorilla Museum had some excellent violin parts.

My Dying Bride if you consider that prog. It's here on PA.

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That's all i can think of at the moment


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Nogbad_The_Bad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 17:41
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 22 2022 at 17:56
Originally posted by siLLy puPPy siLLy puPPy wrote:

What do you consider modern?
Bands with debut release after 2000. By prominent violin, I mean it's on most songs, not just parts or an occasional solo. Kansas and Ponty's music are the best examples of what I'm looking for.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote malsader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 01:22
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Guldbamsen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 07:57
What you need - baby I’ve got it!
In Love With coming up with one of the most fiery performances I’ve seen in a while.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sk6r1NVhXeY
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 08:42
^Well the violinist is animated. Musically not for me, but thanks for posting.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote wiz_d_kidd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 09:47
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Tapfret Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 10:10
This came up not that long ago. I honestly think it's more prevalent now than it was back then.

Bondage Fruit
Fantasmogoria
Pochakaite Malko
Salle Gauveau
Armonite
Deluge Grander
Edensong
Emmett Elvin
Estradasphere
Far Corner
Ghost Rhythms
Infinien
Jack O the Clock
Lady With
Phlox
Pitom
Promenade
Rational Diet
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Duddick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 10:10
Both these are excellent - thank you!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nick_h_nz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 10:13
Originally posted by Tapfret Tapfret wrote:

I honestly think it's more prevalent now than it was back then.
That is my feeling too. Or, at least, I know of far more recent and contemporary bands/artists that use violin, than I do from the classic era…

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Zeph Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 11:16
I was randomly humming on songs by Meer today, and realized it was a violin line.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2022 at 11:44
Thanks again. I've listened to some recommendations, like the North Sea Radio Orchestra. The others aren't my cup o' tea, so far. I will keep listening.

I'm familiar with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Thank You Scientist, BBT, and Bent Knee, and while they have a violinist, it's not a prominent instrument. So they are disqualified.
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