Theatritical Songs

Anything by Gentle Giant. I guess Jim Steinman and his work with meat
Loaf could to an extent be considered prog (Steinman is great as far as
complete over-the-top theatrics!!!), "Magnum Opus" by Kansas, Close To
The Edge by Yes (along with the entire "Tales From Topographic Oceans"
double album).
If you want a darker vibe, check out "Mekanik Destructiw Kommandoh" by
Magma. Incredible.
IQ's Widows Peak, Grobschnitt's Magic Train and Eloy's "Apocolypse" (all
available on this site for download) are essential if you like the theatric
side of prog.

Good luck,
E

Some more theatrical stuff (some not technically prog)

Blue Oyster Cult - Tyranny And Mutation ("wings Wetted Down" and "7
Screaming Diz-Busters" are absolutely incredible and chill-inducing on
first listen. 'Agents of Fortune" and "Fire Of Unknown Origin" are also
worth checking out. BOC are the best kept secret as far as live shows go,
Buck Dharma is an incredible guitarist!)

Curved air - Vivaldi {from Air Conditioning} (Some of the best violin work
in prog, excepting David Cross's work with King Crimson.)

Gong - Camembert Electrique (IMHO a prog masterpiece, this was the
album that got me to fully appreciate the genre after my horrible
experience with ELP's "Love Beach!")

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennaes To
Heaven (Definately the best modern prog band. All of their stuff is
instrumental and builds. It's hard to tell if they're a rock band with a
string section or a string section with a rock band!!! Yanqui U.X.O. and
Slow Riot For New Zero Canada are also worth checking out.)

Sonic Youth - Sister, Daydream Nation, Goo (Sister is the most intense of
these albums, goo is the most commercial, Daydream nation is the most
prog. Anyway you slice it, these three albums are brilliant, intense and
have been among my favorites since the early 90's. A great band at their
creative and artistic peak.)

If you like magma, Guapo's FIVE SUNS is more great zeuhl.

Another excellent, VERY theatric band is Legendary Pink Dots. I am a
rabid fan of this excellent band (hence the LPD in my screename!!) They
have over 40 albums, but most are terribly hard to find. If you see any of
these, don't hesitate to give them a try...

Curse
The Tower (good concept lp)
A Perfect Mystery
Crushed Velvet apocolpse
Farewell Milky Way (Incredible live album which perfectly captures Edward
Ka-spel's captivating stage presence)
The Maria Dimension
hallway of the Gods


Until Later,
E