Metal Reviews

Although I'm much more of a reader than a poster, I've come to realize that while there are a few threads strewn about, most threads in this section of the forum are covering power metal. However, tonight I will not be just closing the browser, but rather, listing a handful of prog bands/albums that I feel deserve some thread-time.

So, in no particular order:

Beyond Twilight - For the Love of Art and the Making

Well, the bad news is that Carpenter left the band. The good news is, well, almost everything else. They've released a killer album with a very nice vocal performance from the Tears of Anger vocalist (forget his name) along with the Circus Maximus vocalist. The album is just one long song, although it's apparently broken into 43 different sections. This epic covers many varieties of metal, all the while keeping that creepy BT sound that's so prevalent on their previous album, Section X.

Andromeda - Chimera

My pick for album of the year so far. I haven't given the rest of their catalogue a fair listen but I'm pretty sure this is the best they have to offer. I'm not capable of accurately describing the way this music sounds, but they definitely have their own sound, and from the sound of it, they've perfected it.

Chain - Chain.exe

Now this album was released in 2004, but I have just come across it recently and can't recall ever hearing about it on this site. Another prog rock/metal masterpiece. Vocals could use a bit of work, but they have a strong bit of personality in them, and accent the awesome music rather well. The guy who writes all this also did some work with James LaBrie and Sebastian Bach under the name Frameshift. Wasn't as impressed with Frameshift as I was with Chain.

Malpractice - Deviation from the Flow

The least bit prog out of the albums I've listed here, but this band's debut certainly had me headbanging for a good part of the disc's duration. Now they really need to find a new vocalist as the current one just brings this otherwise great music down a notch. The closest comparison I can think of would be a simplified Circus Maximus. Heavy guitars and powerful drumming are the forefront of this album, with a few sprinkles of keyboard (when they're used they're used very well, wish they would've done more).

Even though I keep my eye on the prog scene diligently I'm fairly certain I've missed out on a few albums so c'mon prog fans, let me know what you think.

You should be more of a poster. Your taste is impeccable!

Zero Hour ---> best prog metal band

Canvas Solaris---> awesome instrumental prog

yay!

I recently bought an album by German proggers "Atmosfear" (inside the atmosphere). Great progmetal!! Anyone who knows if they will release a new album soon??

I bought Linear Sphere - Reality Dysfunction the other day. It sounds a bit like Spiral Architect one could argue, or if you've heard the song "The Great Debate" by Dream Theater. Thats basically how it sounds, like that song. Soundsamples of political discussions in the background. A talented bunch of musicians, and an original concept, which they executed well. The singer is...odd, but fits totally. Sings harshly at times, clean at times. Im one of the persons who hate black and death metal vocals but this feels very different, but still harsh. I dig it totally. Some nice poetry in the lyrics aswell, sometimes I got goosebumps from only listening to the lyrics. Samples at www.myspace.com/linearsphere

Recommended, I think there was a thread about them here some weeks ago.

Another cool band ive gotten into is Outworld. Progressive metal that is aggressive. Imagine JP - Painkiller meets DT or Symphony X. Original and awesome. Theres a newly started thread about it here.

Yeah, Linear Sphere are good.

So how does Prog/Power compare to Prog metal to you guys? Do you enjoy one more than the other?

There has to be a clear and definite balance between dragons and wanking for me to enjoy progpower.

Symphony X are my favorite prog band and I enjoy them a lot more than other prog much because it's faster and more powerful. But if we talk about prog/power like Angra, Pagan's Mind or Heavenly(if you think it's prog) I must say I enjoy regular prog metal a lot more.

Symphony X is definitely prog/power. Prog is more like Fates Warning, Spiral Architect, Zero Hour, Xystus, Wuthering Heights (borderline prog/power)...

Yeah I know, I just thought it was a bit too obvious to clarify.

I love that band though. I saw them live with The Devin Townsend Band a while back. I can't wait until their next (looong awaited) album.

While I find myself obsessing over Prog/Power releases quite frequently (Persuader, Angra, Heavenly, Lanfear, insert rest of laundry list), I have come to realize that the albums that stay with me the longest and have a direct and lasting effect on me are the pure prog rock/metal albums.

And with that statement comes one exception, due to the fact that Lost Horizon would have to be listed as my number 1 source of enjoyment. That includes all other possible genres of entertainment.

Thanks for the heads up on this band, I'll be sure to check em out. As for Outworld, I just recently listened to some of their material. I've been a huge fan of Kelly Carpenter since I heard him steal the show in Beyond Twilight, and the music, despite its moodier atmosphere and heavier sound, is quite a fresh breath of air, and one hell of a debut.

what does prog mean anyway?

Progressive.

and what does THAT mean? musically speaking?

Music that pushes boundaries and creates new and innovative ideas.

Tr00 progsters will (probably correctly) tell you that modern bands labeled progressive (stuff like Dream Theater that has intricate strucutres and very technical playing) shouldn't be, because they are not actually playing anything innovative, but rather immitating music that was progressive in the 70s (Rush, Yes, etc). Stuff like this is often called neo-prog.

the backstreet boys are prog! they are pushing the boundaries of music! they're trying to get as gay as possible without turning into a Queen cover band! if that isn't progressive....

You're welcome! :(