For some this may be an oxymoron, but I'd like to share some metal bands which do interesting things but wouldn't fit under a "progressive" tag , or even a "metal" tag in some cases, but still allied to the metal scene. I'm focusing more on obscure  (and mid 80s - present) bands here:

Empyrium  - these German chaps started off as a slow, folky melodic doom group before developing into straight up neo folk, albeit punctuated with the odd growl - over folky violins and acoustic guitars it sounds a bit disconcerting. They've done one of my absolute favourite songs - "Lover's Grief" (from their more metallish days) which starts off with a mournful flute "riff" repeated before crashing into what seems like almost unparalled beauty

Cause for Effect - http://www.kolumbus.fi/ari.tenhola/ - http://www.kolumbus.fi/ari.tenhola/  are a "fusion grindcore" duo (I think from Sweden) who mix up their grindcore drumming and growls with weird techy bass parts. Not just a novelty!

Devil Doll - on the archives, although nothing like normal progressive metal. Modern opera with a gothic touch, absolutely fabulous. Twisted genius was never a more appropriate cliché.

Angizia - An Australian scaled down equivalent of Devil Doll. Probably their equal in terms of tortured singing, although I can't understand the libretto (yup, they're pretentious enough to call it a libretto, and so am I ) although with only a six piece band the sense of atmosphere and "epicness" is obviously nothing on Devil Doll, and their style isn't really similar enough to bear a close comparison. Still good, though.

Peccatum/Arcturus - both "offshoots" from the real guy out of Emperor - Peccatum more noisy and avant-garde, Arturus more operatic. Either one well worthy checking out.

Stijn Van Cauter - man of a thousand projects, ranging from minimalist drone to symphonic doom to funeral, but all slooooooooooooooww. A few projects: Dreams of Dying Stars, Organium (black metal on just an organ... whatever ), Until Death Overtakes Me.

That's not an exhaustive list, I'd just like to see if anyone's interested before posting anything more.

Good thread- instantly avoiding the 'prog' and 'anti-metal' debate.

Neither truly metal nor prog, but the "Children of God" album by the Swans really does it for me. Usually the Swans don't get this heavy, but there's plenty of distorted grind under at least half the tracks, and all of the songs have a disturbing gothic vibe (but quite different from the usual 'vampires and gloom' mood of typical goth music). M. Gira has the perfect voice for doom, and Jarboe provides a sweetly ethereal counterpoint. Highly recommended for anyone who isn't afraid of the dark!

I don't think it's an oxymoron at all - metal bands have always fascinated me.

Judas Priest and Blue Oyster Cult are probably the most interesting of the earliest wave, Raven and Diamond Head from the NWOBHM, Skid Row from the "hair bands", Napalm Death and Kreator from the early wave of thrash/speed metal and more recently System of a Down.

Specific albums that any progger/prog metaller should check out (if they don't already own them!) are;

Sad Wings of Destiny - Judas Priest

Cultosaurus Erectus - Blue Oyster Cult

Living on Borrowed Time - Diamond Head

Wiped Out and Rock 'Til You Drop - Raven

Slave to the Grind - Skid Row

Scum - Napalm Death (don't buy anything else by them - they only had the one idea!)

Extreme Aggression - Kreator

Toxicity - System of a Down

Also HIGHLY recommended:

Narita - Riot

Strikes / Marauder - Blackfoot

Head On - Samson

Winter Kill - Slauter Xstroyes

Spooky Two - Spooky Tooth (from 1968, this will knock you sideways if you don't know it - with elements of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and early Yes, but before those bands were even formed!).

Split - Groundhogs (more grunge than metal, but superb!)

Kings of Oblivion - Pink Fairies

On Parole - Motorhead (This is one album NOT to be overlooked in metal's history - as UA did...).

...I'll think of some more later

Certif1ed wrote: Scum - Napalm Death (don't buy anything else by them - they only had the one idea!)

I made an MP3 disc of every ND album (except the newest, this was about a year ago), and it's totally ridiculous to listen to all the way through. Brutal Truth are a bit more varied though, and Soilent Green a sort of "southern grindcore" .

Spooky Two sounds interesting, I'll try and give them a listen.

Other thrilling metal bands :

coroner -'no more color', 'mental vortex' and 'grin' are very good technical thrash (or metal-prog if you prefer) albums

overkill - 'horrorscope' is their best

annihilator - 'alice in hell'

Good call on Coroner, Lucas!

Damn, so many to mention...

I will take this one piece by piece

Todays choice

Death all their albums apart from the first two that is apart from Scream Bloody Gore and Leprosy

sorry for the screwed up punctuation and ortography, the keyboard is freaking out on me today

Eemu Ranta wrote: Cryptopsy // I've recently discovered this totally insane tech-death band. Probably the most brutal band out there, and oh-so tight live.

CRYPTOPSY!!!!!!!!

 If you liked Cryptopsy you might also like the following bands:

Nile

Beneath the Massacre

Goratory

Lykathea Aflame

Immolation

Behold... the Arctopus

Eemu Ranta wrote: Good to find a brutal friend Among those, I've only heard Nile (which I definitely enjoy). I'll keep an eye on the rest when browsing cd stores!

Brother in death metal;

I will be back with more suggestions for you; for now add Gorguts (especially the album "Obscura") to the list above.

http://www.obscene.cz/ENG/index_e.html - http://www.obscene.cz/ENG/index_e.html

this is where you can find a Lykathea Aflame mp3

http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/ - http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/

and two mp3s for Immolation

sorry, couldn't get the link to a Beneath the Massacre mp3 to work,so go to the 'music' section at http://cryptopsyforum.info/ - http://cryptopsyforum.info/  and find the thread on them, there is a functional link there

the other bands, apart from Gorguts, have samples on their websites

Hooray! Fellow metal fans

While we're on the topic of 'brutal' and/or technical death metal, i'd like to suggest the following: Origin and Psycroptic. Psycroptic more technical, original more brutal (at least as brutal as Nile).

I'd also like to recommend Alarum. They're an Aussie band who have a jazz-like texture to their music. Quite the musicians really. People often compare them to Cynic, but they really don't sound like Cynic to me at all. Sure they draw inspiration from Cynic and Atheist, epsecially lyrically (which death metal needs more of), but musically they still have their own sound.

While not as heavy as these previous bands, Spastic Ink are still a great band. Quite (very) technical and fusion influenced. This is the brainchild of Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower are another great tech metal band to check out).

Here's some other cool metal bands to check out: Spiral Architect, Ulver (the early stuff is black metal, the later stuff is electronica), Absu (phenomenal drumming on the Tara album), Ephel Duath, Strapping Young Lad, Zyklon, and Meshuggah as mentioned on another thread.

I forgot to mention Maudlin of the Well and Kayo Dot - the latter being a continuation of the first. Maudlin of the well are probably the most eclectic band i've ever heard. Sometimes extremely heavy, sometimes soft, usually dark and i can only really listen to them when i'm in a certain mood. They use all kinds of instruments, from the stndard metal setup to woodwind and the like. Not easy to get a hold of though. I haven't really heard that much Kayo Dot, but from what i have heard, they sound slightly (!) less hectic than Maudlin, and probably darker still.

To me, Maudlin of the Well is the definition of progressive metal, or perhaps progressive music in general.

Ahh, I'm glad to see some metal fans on here.

My favorites:

Emperor: In my opinion, the most moving and emotionally fervent band to come out of the Norwiegan Black Metal scene.  (With possibly the exception of Burzum.)

Opeth: Simply brilliant.  My all time favorite death band.

Bloodbath: Basically a Death/Black Metal supergroup.  Very original and headbangable, and about as brutal as you can get.

Nile: I enjoy Nile not so much for its musical innovation, although there is more than enough musicianship involved, but for their originality with themes and atmosphere.  And the drum work is mind blowing.

Death: Original, heartfelt, listenable, unique, and technical while still retaining emotional qualities. What more can I say.  Chuck Shuldiner is (or should I say was )  one amazing human being.

Anyways, on the topic of Death, what are you fellows' opinions on Chuck's conversion to Christianity before his death?

Benighted wrote: Anyways, on the topic of Death, what are you fellows' opinions on Chuck's conversion to Christianity before his death?

I wasn't aware he had converted to it from something else (or nothing).

Was this before or after he found out about his illness? If after, perhaps he needed something to believe in, or something to reach out to and comfort him. Perhaps it was for other reasons. Whatever it was, i respect his beliefs and it doesn't change my opinion of his music in the slightest.

Anyone here like Into Eternity? They are my last discovery in the metal scene, and I find them amazing.

They should be listed in the Archives, no doubt about that for me.

Eemu Ranta wrote: Thanks a lot for the recommendations & links, Manunkind! Behold... the Arctopus and Beneath the Massacre were my favourites, hysterically insane! Lykathea Aflame had its superb moments, as had Immolation (which was the most Cryptopsy-like). Goratory was a bit too grindcoreish for my narrow tastes

Hey, don't mention it! Actually I was mistaken, there are some Gorguts soundclips available, but they're only 30 seconds or so. They're available either at Amazon or here   http://www.anus.com/metal/gorguts.html - http://www.anus.com/metal/gorguts.html

"Obscura" =  and though the other albums are more generic, they're good, too

(R.I.P. Patrick Robert, Gorguts' drummer) 

Okay, since the first batch was such a success, time for the next one:

Martyr - http://www.welcome.to/martyr - http://www.welcome.to/martyr  

Necrophagist - http://www.necrophagist.de/Seiten/necrophagist_main.html - http://www.necrophagist.de/Seiten/necrophagist_main.html  (maybe you know these guys)

Capharnaum - http://www.capharnaum.org/music.html - http://www.capharnaum.org/music.html

Nefas - http://come.to/nefas - http://come.to/nefas  (if you don't like Morbid Angel, don't be put off by the MA-style website)

Someone here already mentioned Psycroptic - http://www.psycroptic.com/sitetest/ - http://www.psycroptic.com/sitetest/

 have fun!

Reverie wrote: Hooray! Fellow metal fans While we're on the topic of 'brutal' and/or technical death metal, i'd like to suggest the following: Origin and Psycroptic. Psycroptic more technical, original more brutal (at least as brutal as Nile). I'd also like to recommend Alarum. They're an Aussie band who have a jazz-like texture to their music. Quite the musicians really. People often compare them to Cynic, but they really don't sound like Cynic to me at all. Sure they draw inspiration from Cynic and Atheist, epsecially lyrically (which death metal needs more of), but musically they still have their own sound. While not as heavy as these previous bands, Spastic Ink are still a great band. Quite (very) technical and fusion influenced. This is the brainchild of Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower are another great tech metal band to check out). Here's some other cool metal bands to check out: Spiral Architect, Ulver (the early stuff is black metal, the later stuff is electronica), Absu (phenomenal drumming on the Tara album), Ephel Duath, Strapping Young Lad, Zyklon, and Meshuggah as mentioned on another thread. I forgot to mention Maudlin of the Well and Kayo Dot - the latter being a continuation of the first. Maudlin of the well are probably the most eclectic band i've ever heard. Sometimes extremely heavy, sometimes soft, usually dark and i can only really listen to them when i'm in a certain mood. They use all kinds of instruments, from the stndard metal setup to woodwind and the like. Not easy to get a hold of though. I haven't really heard that much Kayo Dot, but from what i have heard, they sound slightly (!) less hectic than Maudlin, and probably darker still. To me, Maudlin of the Well is the definition of progressive metal, or perhaps progressive music in general.

 top-notch recommendations! 

Although the trouble with Origin is that they NEVER slow down. They're INSANELY fast, but it gets kinda repetitive after a while.

nacho wrote: Anyone here like Into Eternity? They are my last discovery in the metal scene, and I find them amazing. They should be listed in the Archives, no doubt about that for me.

I heard the two mp3s available and while they're good, I think that Mastodon are similar and better:

http://www.mastodonrocks.com/downloads.html - http://www.mastodonrocks.com/downloads.html

http://shop.relapse.com/content/downloads.aspx - http://shop.relapse.com/content/downloads.aspx

 Meshuggah,simply brilliant.I just picked up I and the new cd Catch 33 and am stunned by how good they are,I didn't think they could top Nothing.

Have you guys heard of a band called Mnemic?They are pretty good too,I highly recommend their 2 cd's The Audio Injected Soul and Mechanical Spin Phenomena

And Into Eternity is awesome,I love their Buried in Oblivion cd

Manunkind wrote: Eemu Ranta wrote: Cryptopsy // I've recently discovered this totally insane tech-death band. Probably the most brutal band out there, and oh-so tight live. CRYPTOPSY!!!!!!!!    If you liked Cryptopsy you might also like the following bands:

Origin,

Sadus (maybe not, I just thought I'd throw 'em in, nothing like Cryptopsy to be honest!)

Wormed (I've yet to hear anything approaching this brutal while being even slightly techy. It's the mating bullfrog on vocals instead of the usual cookie monster, though )

Necrophagist, although you've probably heard 'em already.

Reverie wrote: Hooray! Fellow metal fans While we're on the topic of 'brutal' and/or technical death metal, i'd like to suggest the following: Origin and Psycroptic. Psycroptic more technical, original more brutal (at least as brutal as Nile). I'd also like to recommend Alarum. They're an Aussie band who have a jazz-like texture to their music. Quite the musicians really. People often compare them to Cynic, but they really don't sound like Cynic to me at all. Sure they draw inspiration from Cynic and Atheist, epsecially lyrically (which death metal needs more of), but musically they still have their own sound. While not as heavy as these previous bands, Spastic Ink are still a great band. Quite (very) technical and fusion influenced. This is the brainchild of Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower are another great tech metal band to check out). Here's some other cool metal bands to check out: Spiral Architect, Ulver (the early stuff is black metal, the later stuff is electronica), Absu (phenomenal drumming on the Tara album), Ephel Duath, Strapping Young Lad, Zyklon, and Meshuggah as mentioned on another thread. I forgot to mention Maudlin of the Well and Kayo Dot - the latter being a continuation of the first. Maudlin of the well are probably the most eclectic band i've ever heard. Sometimes extremely heavy, sometimes soft, usually dark and i can only really listen to them when i'm in a certain mood. They use all kinds of instruments, from the stndard metal setup to woodwind and the like. Not easy to get a hold of though. I haven't really heard that much Kayo Dot, but from what i have heard, they sound slightly (!) less hectic than Maudlin, and probably darker still. To me, Maudlin of the Well is the definition of progressive metal, or perhaps progressive music in general.

Abso-bloodly-lutely brilliant  - I don't care for Zyklon or Mastodon at all (they seemed a bit generic), or SYL or Meshuggah very much, and I really need to get hold of some more Ulver but the rest of those bands are some of my favourites in the realms of metal!

I just realized i called Origin "Original"  And yeah, you're right Manunkind, they don't really slow down, but since my love for death metal has diminished, i find that i'm liking them more, if that makes any sense. There are still a handful of death metal bands i love (mostly the ones i mentioned), and Origin seem to have made it in there. I guess it's because they are such a stark contrast to the other kind of music i listen to that i find it refreshing and fun to listen to them. I've got to say Nile are on top of the death metal throne for me though.

I'm not a fan of Mastadon either, goose, and i haven't listened to any Zyklon in a while. Strapping Young Lad i've only just learned to accept as music, but i'm still intrigued by them. Meshuggah is awesome with an after taste of slight disappointment for me.

It's cool to see people interested in the more 'interesting' metal bands around here.

I've been in love with metal lately.  I'm generally not too crazy about cheezy "symphonic" bands like Symphony X, Rhapsody, etc (although Stratovarius is decent), and I have yet to understand the appeal of Dream Theater, but there have been some discoveries I've made lately which have really inspired me to look further into this style.  Here are most of them, with some songs I would recommend alongside them.

Tool.  I'm pretty sure we all know them, but there are few metal bands out there today with such a distinctive sound.  Aenima and Lateralus are both fantastic.  Songs to sample: Lateralus, The Patient, Third Eye.

Opeth.  Again, most of us probably know them, but Blackwater Park is what progressive metal is all about for me.  My Arms Your Hearse, Still Life and Morningrise are also greatly enjoyed though.  Songs to sample: The Drapery Falls, Black Rose Immortal, Hope Leaves.

Meshuggah.  I've been raving about them for quite awhile now, and I have not ceased to be amazed.  Unlike a band like Dream Theater who insist on flamboyantly showing off how great they are every song, Meshuggah's members (all of whom are incredible musicians) work as one brutal, flawless machine, producing some of the most complex metal ever made.  Songs to sample: I, Closed Eye Visuals, Future Breed Machine

Cynic.  Paul Masvidal and Jason Gobel may very well be the two most underrated guitarists ever to live.  The band is a stunning combination of death metal and jazz, playing unfathomably complex guitar riffs and lead parts.  Sean Malone and Sean Reinert are an incredible rhythm section as well.  Songs to sample: I'm But a Wave To..., Celestial Voyage, Textures

Death.  Don't let the name scare you off, they made some great technical metal after starting off with two albums along the exact lines of what the name would indicate.  Chuck Schuldiner was an amazing guitar player, and he worked with some outstanding musicians over the course of this band's lifespan.  If death metal vocals aren't your thing, he did one album with the band name Control Denied which features clear vocals (sadly, Control Denied only made one album before his death).  Songs to sample: Flesh and the Power It Holds, Scavenger of Human Sorrow, Zero Tolerance.

In Flames.  Okay, so I've only heard The Jester Race (and one of their EPs) so far, but it has confirmed to me that they were a great band (though supposedly their newer stuff has gone in the direction of nu-metal, sigh).  Kind of like Opeth with shorter songs and a lot more "soaring" lead guitar parts.  Songs to sample: Moonshield, The Jester Race, Acoustic Meddley.

Dimmu Borgir.  Don't dismiss them as just another black metal band, they've actually made some great (almost progressive at times) metal on albums like Purtanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Enthrone Darkness Triumphant.  The lyrics may be standard black metal anti-christian fare, but the music (which as a strong symphonic element) is absolutely stunning.  Songs to sample: Mourning Palace, Hybrid Stigmata, Kings of the Carnival Creation.

Strapping Young Lad.  Pure insanity, certainly not for the faint of heart.  Their frontman Devin Townsend's solo work would probably be more to the liking of most progheads, but those who want to hear probably the angriest music ever composed will love SYL.  Plus their drummer Gene Holgan is an absolute monster.  Songs to sample: All Hail the New Flesh, Detox, Love.

Devin Townsend.  Hey, I mentioned him above.  Surprisingly atmospheric yet clearly agressive metal, Townsend's work is really all over the place.  However, it remains undeniably progressive, and quite simply great music.  Songs to sample: Earth Day, Seventh Wave, Life.

Fantomas.  REALLY weird, but also completely psychotic and certainly appealing to those who don't mind a little bit of RIO or noise in their heavy metal.  Songs to sample: Their albums tend to be large scale conceptual works, so just get those.

I'll probably come back with more later on.  Or maybe not.

^ good list, (though greatly flawed by your liking Stratovarius and disliking DT)

I'd just like to stress the importance of this album here:

Now this is . Just listen to the links I provided above. Death metal meets KC meets the kitchen sink.

death metal makes me sick.

I can't get to grips with the motivation behind the music - it completely eludes me.

spectral wrote: death metal makes me sick. I can't get to grips with the motivation behind the music - it completely eludes me.

The motivation is simply to have some fun riding the musical equivalent of a prominence (a flame storm on the sun - bottom left hand corner). AND if you listen to it attentively enough, there's plenty of zen to it, believe it or not.

Anyway, death metal isn't that brutal. Ornette Coleman, Peter Brotzmann and John Coltrane's late stuff tear every death metal band to shreds.

spectral wrote: thanks for your insight manunkind.  I think I am a little scared to approach the music!

Don't mention it. It's an acquired taste and unfortunately a little too conservative and generic (although not as much as one might think). Just don't read the lyrics! And don't look at the covers! Really, I like the music, but that satanic/gore stuff is funny for a while but then it simply gets stupid and disgusting.

goose wrote:   Empyrium

when i first read the subject, this is the first band i thought of, Songs of Moors and Misty Fields is just so beautiful, Weiland is also quite good, although it is just very dark and sounds nothing like Songsof Moors...  There are three tracks in a row on Weiland that just blow me away 6,7,8 or 7,8,9 i cant remember which three exactly

edit: oh yeah, and the only album of theirs I dont have is "at night where the wood grouse plays" (that title is probably way, way off) How is that album?

Aaron

I don't have that either - Weiland's the only one I managed to get back when I had money and didn't order from other countries - but if I remember correctly it's most like Weiland but even less metally and with no drums.

Re death metal there is a lot of complete rubbish, probably more so than anything except grindcore or black metal, but there's some stuff that's well done. Definitely not for everyone but the best way to start is first Cynic (not really death metal at all, and very jazzy), then Atheist (more towards death metal, but lots of instrumental bits and still a jazz influence) then Death's last four albums (not very jazzy, but very techincal and without very brutal vocals)...

Manunkind wrote: spectral wrote: thanks for your insight manunkind.  I think I am a little scared to approach the music! Don't mention it. It's an acquired taste and unfortunately a little too conservative and generic (although not as much as one might think). Just don't read the lyrics! And don't look at the covers! Really, I like the music, but that satanic/gore stuff is funny for a while but then it simply gets stupid and disgusting.

Too true.  It took me quite awhile to appreciate death metal of any kind, and the bands I do enjoy tend to be the more... sane ones, I suppose.

James Lee wrote: ^ funny, I have the opposite reaction...the stranger and wilder bands appeal more to me. I don't suppose there's any fellow fans of Combatwoundedveteran out there?

What do they play?

Manunkind wrote: James Lee wrote: ^ funny, I have the opposite reaction...the stranger and wilder bands appeal more to me. I don't suppose there's any fellow fans of Combatwoundedveteran out there? What do they play?

It's grindcore, I googled them. I haven't really listened though.

goose wrote: Manunkind wrote: James Lee wrote: ^ funny, I have the opposite reaction...the stranger and wilder bands appeal more to me. I don't suppose there's any fellow fans of Combatwoundedveteran out there? What do they play? It's grindcore, I googled them. I haven't really listened though.

Goose, I was trying to develop some interpersonal communication here, and you just had to ruin it with your Internet, didn't you?

I listened and it is grindcore. Nothing out of the ordinary. Circle of Dead Children (now how's that for a band name ) is a better grindcore band, IMO.

Speaking of grind, Brutal Truth are a sort of grindcore/death metal hybrid - I don't think there's anything special they do but for some reason I like them. Either they're just really good at it or I got swayed by them being in the Guiness World Records book .