so far, from what ive listened to only marrilion and kc are kind of similar to that kind of feeling. but as far as individual albums go, the lamb, crime of the century, and signals are also pretty good. 

From the top of my head:

Peter Hammill really is one of a kind, but somewhat similar in it's dark, gloomy feel and intensity (the whole album I think)

drumsolo-warning! (but I like it). Great, legendary one off album:

Shockingly before Kansas became Kansas, they called themselves Proto-Kaw - and probably accidently sounded a little like VdGG. Maybe the lyrics are stupid, I wouldn't know as I rarely notice these things.

Gnidrolog are the first band that comes to mind, but that's mainly because they have saxes. 

A band that had outstanding lyrics and was never really appreciated as much, would have been THE EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND ... and some of that material was very strong and I would even venture to say that it was quite educated, instead of just a street song. One might have argued that they looked like something other than that, but it was a very thoughtful and important band.

To see a "best of" (kinda) their Rockpalast DVD is very good and it kinda goes through a lot of their stuff, but the original albums, are even better in my book. For that matter, Edgar Broughton is working on a new album and one song has already been played on Space Pirate Radio, courtesy of Edgar himself.

Probably too "intelligent" of a band, to be considered "progressive" here, since folks only want a bunch of solos and some kinda of bombastic nothing. EBB was bombastic in its lyrics and attacks. They, probably gave "punk" a really bad name!

Agree with this. Also Matthew Parmenter's solo albums are similar.

I did not know there were good recordings of Kansas prior to, well, Kansas, let alone some incredible completely different bands with Livgren. VDGG vibes is right, that was super cool, much darker than anything in Kansas' catalogue proper, and perfect for Halloween with that scream at the end!

Yes, I'd absolutely agree on both, and they're also excellent!!

The Swiss band Circus was often compared to VdGG, partly because of their unusual line-up (no electric guitars & KBs), but even the way they sing in the first album (which is sonically close to Gnidrolog's two  excellent albums as well) and on the sidelong epic Movin' On.

Charisma-label mates Audience was also compared to VdGG for the harsh vocals and the wild sax: try FFF or House on the Hil 

Of course, Anekdoten and Anglagard from Sweden

damn. thanks so very much for this. i dont care if its progressive or not, these guys are great

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46789" rel="nofollow - The Edgar Broughton Band - Progressive Rock Music Forum (progarchives.com)

I remember his appearing at a festival in Kent about 4-5 years ago. It was quite early in the afternoon , a beautiful day in a lovely country house setting. He was singing songs about death and suicide (it was just him on stage) . Didn't quite catch the general mood! Certainly a considerable talent and perhaps more on the Captain Beefheart side of prog?!

Hi,

Seeing the Rockpalast DVD, helps some. It's a sort of softer version of things, or at least, one that is easier to understand and work on.

In general, though, their lyrics are valuable and not just some slimy bs, and you could say that Edgar is an activist, and still at it, from what I can see. But, but it is really hard for folks at PA to get their ears around  because this is not kid stuff talking about nothing, or a song about ... (excuse me!) "love", or a sentimental song of some kind. 

One day, we might appreciate something that is very thoughtful and intelligent as progressive works.

Rocococooler - from the OORA album! 

First thing I thought when I saw it!

-Discipline and Matthew Parmenter (USA).

-Eyestrings and Ryan Parmenter (USA).

-Gargamel (Norway).