Progressive Metal's Five Most Important Bands/Albums
After the thumping success of Progressive Rock's Absolute Must-Have Albums (hey, I know of at least one person who read it...so there!) I'm back with my list of the five most important bands/albums in progressive metal.
Progressive Metal fuses the technical complexity of prog rock with the speed and aggression of metal. The result is a heady, heavy blend of music which can be soulful and brutal at the same time. One of the first bands to try out this blend was Rush whose neo-classical guitaring and galloping bass and drum combo often crossed over from being prog to pure heavy rock. A lot of prog bands of yesteryears often experimented with the heavy sound and aggressive imagery which formed the basis of modern day prog metal - King Crimson (Thrak), Jethro Tull (Steel Monkey), and Uriah Heep (Easy Living) are some of the examples. Similarly a lot of heavy metal bands often show some progressive characteristics in their compositions though their feet are firmly rooted in metal. E.g. Black Sabbath (War Pigs), Iron Maiden (Hallowed Be Thy Name) and Metallica (Orion).
The following list is completely based on my taste and opinions, so if you don't see your fave band/album mentioned here, it does not mean that they are not good...but do let me know what you think should have been on the list.
Symphony X - V - The New Mythology Suite (2000)
This is one band that has convincingly entwined neo-classical metal with progressive textures. The hallmark of this band has been searing guitar solos laid on top of complex symphonic keyboards sections. Though Michael Romeo sometimes sounds exactly like his idol Malmsteen, he is a guitar god in his own rights. V is a concept album based on the mythology surrounding the lost city of Atlantis. Haunting classical-style instrumental sections form the foundation of the album lending to the mythological backdrop. The album often crosses completely over to the metal country, 'Evolution' is an out and out power metal song, but songs like 'Communion And The Oracle' and 'Egypt' put to rest any argument that they are not prog enough. Although their 1997 release The Divine Wings Of Tragedy had garnered widespread critical acclaim, V placed them firmly as the prog metal frontrunners.
Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry (1989)
The grand-daddies of prog metal, they've been in the business for over 20 years, much longer than most of the prog metal bands around. Their first two albums were straightforward heavy metal but with their third release Awaken the Guardian they displayed their progressive inclinations. Perfect Symmetry is heralded as a milestone album in progressive metal with the band experimenting with varied time signatures and rythm patterns. At the metal end of the spectrum you have 'Through Different Eyes' which is a catchy song and 'Static Acts' which is a heavy crunchy number. 'At Fates Hands' with Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater) as a guest musician and 'Nothing Left To Say' are classic prog metal compositions. Matheos' distorted guitars and Zonder's odd-timed drum patterns are a perfect foil to Adler's wailing vocals. I cannot think of a single weak point in this album though I have heard people say that it gets a bit monotonous after a while, but that's their opinion. My opinion - It is one of the most important albums in the history of Progressive Metal.
Shadow Gallery - Tyranny (1998)
Formed in '91, this band has garnered critical acclaim and adulation from fans in just a short span of time. From their self titled debut in '92, Shadow Gallery showed incredible musicianship and progressive bent with intricate lyrics and complex layers of music. By the time Tyranny was released, they had established themselves as the torchbearers of prog metal. The main characteristics of the band are incredible vocal harmonies, symphonic keyboard arrangements and virtuoso guitar work, in short, everything that a prog metal band aspires to be. Tyranny was an ambitious concept album much in the lines of Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime. It tells the story of a military worker, disillusioned by war and politics, sets out to expose the rot within the organization only to discover a labyrinth of deceit. This album also features guest appearances by James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and D.C. Cooper (Royal Hunt). Tyranny is a concept album that flows smoothly from one song to another and needs to be listened to from front to back as a whole but the songs that stand out are 'War For Sale', 'Mystery', 'I Believe' and 'New World Order'. 'New World Order', IMHO, is as close as you can get to prog metal perfection - intricate layers of orchestral music, theatrical imagery, stunning vocal harmonies and awesome solos. If you have to pick just one song from this great band, listen to this one and if you have to pick one album, choose Tyranny. Shadow Gallery have just released, to rave reviews, Room V, the follow up to the Tyranny story.
Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
You cannot have a discussion on prog metal without mentioning this great band. Queensrÿche is undoubtedly the most important and influential band in the history of the genre. Along with Fates Warning, they pretty much shaped the prog metal style as we know now. Queensrÿche is single-handedly responsible for bringing progressive metal closer to the more mainstream rock loving audience. They hit the scene with their self-titled album in '83. Their first two albums, like most prog metal bands, were pretty raw metal. Their third album, Rage For Order ('86) was a more sophisticated production which fused the band's progressive tendencies with the more accessible mainstream rock. Their next release, Operation: Mindcrime was a breakthrough album and certainly one of the most important albums in prog metal. A concept album with an ambitious story line, it was something unheard of in rock. The album tells the story of a man who is disillusioned by American society and politics and decides to join an underground vigilante group that plans to clean up the government by assassinating corrupt politicians. Fortunately, here was one band that could create music to wholly support this grand concept. This album has several songs that have since become classics. 'Revolution Calling', 'Needle Lies', 'I Don't Believe In Love' and 'Eyes Of A Stranger' are prog metal anthems. Queensrÿche always went for short complex songs rather than long magnum opuses but this album has 'Suite Sister Mary' a 10-minute+ number with orchestration by Michael Kamen. The mainstay of the band is the soaring vocals of Geoff Tate, one of the greatest voices in rock. Tate is right up there with gods like Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson. I had the good fortune of seeing them live a couple of years ago and it was amazing to see how his voice has held on through all these years. 'Revolution Calling' sounded just as powerful as it does in the album. Mindcrime is beyond a shadow of doubt one of the greatest prog metal albums from one of the greatest bands in the genre.
Dream Theater - Metropolis II: Scenes From A Memory (1999)
The undisputed kings of progressive metal! Dream Theater has taken the genre to altogether a different dimension. This band is an improbable confluence of the best in the business, each band member is a god in his field. I could go on extolling the greatness of this band but it would take a 1000-page book to contain it all. Formed as Majesty in the mid-eighties, Dream Theater has constantly stretched the envelop and redefined the genre with each release. Metropolis II came right after Falling Into Infinity, their attempt at more commercial, mainstream music which was not taken very well by the fans. Thus there was immense pressure on the band to redeem themselves, which they did and how! Metropolis II is a concept album that tells a complex story of a man haunted by visions of a girl murdered in 1928 and his attempt at seeking the truth. An elaborate tale intricately woven around some of the most astoundingly brilliant pieces of music ever created. This album is a single entity from the start to end with lengthy compositions that seamlessly move on to the next one. Picking a single song out of it would be gross injustice. Built on a solid foundation set by Myung's galloping six-stringed bassline and Portnoy's innovative drumming, this album is theatrical in its presentation with Rudess' atmospheric keyboards and Petrucci's scorching guitar pyrotechnics matched with the screaming vocals of LaBrie. This album is prog metal heaven. Definitely not for the occasional listener, this album demands dedicated listening. And if you are not impressed enough with the album, go get the Scenes From New York DVD where the band performs the album in its entirety! Metropolis II is the beacon for the lesser bands to follow. It is arguably the most important album of the genre but don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself!
If you have tasted blood with these albums and are thirsting for more, here are a few more bands/albums you may want to check out:
Progressive Metal fuses the technical complexity of prog rock with the speed and aggression of metal. The result is a heady, heavy blend of music which can be soulful and brutal at the same time. One of the first bands to try out this blend was Rush whose neo-classical guitaring and galloping bass and drum combo often crossed over from being prog to pure heavy rock. A lot of prog bands of yesteryears often experimented with the heavy sound and aggressive imagery which formed the basis of modern day prog metal - King Crimson (Thrak), Jethro Tull (Steel Monkey), and Uriah Heep (Easy Living) are some of the examples. Similarly a lot of heavy metal bands often show some progressive characteristics in their compositions though their feet are firmly rooted in metal. E.g. Black Sabbath (War Pigs), Iron Maiden (Hallowed Be Thy Name) and Metallica (Orion).
The following list is completely based on my taste and opinions, so if you don't see your fave band/album mentioned here, it does not mean that they are not good...but do let me know what you think should have been on the list.
Symphony X - V - The New Mythology Suite (2000)
This is one band that has convincingly entwined neo-classical metal with progressive textures. The hallmark of this band has been searing guitar solos laid on top of complex symphonic keyboards sections. Though Michael Romeo sometimes sounds exactly like his idol Malmsteen, he is a guitar god in his own rights. V is a concept album based on the mythology surrounding the lost city of Atlantis. Haunting classical-style instrumental sections form the foundation of the album lending to the mythological backdrop. The album often crosses completely over to the metal country, 'Evolution' is an out and out power metal song, but songs like 'Communion And The Oracle' and 'Egypt' put to rest any argument that they are not prog enough. Although their 1997 release The Divine Wings Of Tragedy had garnered widespread critical acclaim, V placed them firmly as the prog metal frontrunners.
Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry (1989)
The grand-daddies of prog metal, they've been in the business for over 20 years, much longer than most of the prog metal bands around. Their first two albums were straightforward heavy metal but with their third release Awaken the Guardian they displayed their progressive inclinations. Perfect Symmetry is heralded as a milestone album in progressive metal with the band experimenting with varied time signatures and rythm patterns. At the metal end of the spectrum you have 'Through Different Eyes' which is a catchy song and 'Static Acts' which is a heavy crunchy number. 'At Fates Hands' with Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater) as a guest musician and 'Nothing Left To Say' are classic prog metal compositions. Matheos' distorted guitars and Zonder's odd-timed drum patterns are a perfect foil to Adler's wailing vocals. I cannot think of a single weak point in this album though I have heard people say that it gets a bit monotonous after a while, but that's their opinion. My opinion - It is one of the most important albums in the history of Progressive Metal.
Shadow Gallery - Tyranny (1998)
Formed in '91, this band has garnered critical acclaim and adulation from fans in just a short span of time. From their self titled debut in '92, Shadow Gallery showed incredible musicianship and progressive bent with intricate lyrics and complex layers of music. By the time Tyranny was released, they had established themselves as the torchbearers of prog metal. The main characteristics of the band are incredible vocal harmonies, symphonic keyboard arrangements and virtuoso guitar work, in short, everything that a prog metal band aspires to be. Tyranny was an ambitious concept album much in the lines of Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime. It tells the story of a military worker, disillusioned by war and politics, sets out to expose the rot within the organization only to discover a labyrinth of deceit. This album also features guest appearances by James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and D.C. Cooper (Royal Hunt). Tyranny is a concept album that flows smoothly from one song to another and needs to be listened to from front to back as a whole but the songs that stand out are 'War For Sale', 'Mystery', 'I Believe' and 'New World Order'. 'New World Order', IMHO, is as close as you can get to prog metal perfection - intricate layers of orchestral music, theatrical imagery, stunning vocal harmonies and awesome solos. If you have to pick just one song from this great band, listen to this one and if you have to pick one album, choose Tyranny. Shadow Gallery have just released, to rave reviews, Room V, the follow up to the Tyranny story.
Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
You cannot have a discussion on prog metal without mentioning this great band. Queensrÿche is undoubtedly the most important and influential band in the history of the genre. Along with Fates Warning, they pretty much shaped the prog metal style as we know now. Queensrÿche is single-handedly responsible for bringing progressive metal closer to the more mainstream rock loving audience. They hit the scene with their self-titled album in '83. Their first two albums, like most prog metal bands, were pretty raw metal. Their third album, Rage For Order ('86) was a more sophisticated production which fused the band's progressive tendencies with the more accessible mainstream rock. Their next release, Operation: Mindcrime was a breakthrough album and certainly one of the most important albums in prog metal. A concept album with an ambitious story line, it was something unheard of in rock. The album tells the story of a man who is disillusioned by American society and politics and decides to join an underground vigilante group that plans to clean up the government by assassinating corrupt politicians. Fortunately, here was one band that could create music to wholly support this grand concept. This album has several songs that have since become classics. 'Revolution Calling', 'Needle Lies', 'I Don't Believe In Love' and 'Eyes Of A Stranger' are prog metal anthems. Queensrÿche always went for short complex songs rather than long magnum opuses but this album has 'Suite Sister Mary' a 10-minute+ number with orchestration by Michael Kamen. The mainstay of the band is the soaring vocals of Geoff Tate, one of the greatest voices in rock. Tate is right up there with gods like Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson. I had the good fortune of seeing them live a couple of years ago and it was amazing to see how his voice has held on through all these years. 'Revolution Calling' sounded just as powerful as it does in the album. Mindcrime is beyond a shadow of doubt one of the greatest prog metal albums from one of the greatest bands in the genre.
Dream Theater - Metropolis II: Scenes From A Memory (1999)
The undisputed kings of progressive metal! Dream Theater has taken the genre to altogether a different dimension. This band is an improbable confluence of the best in the business, each band member is a god in his field. I could go on extolling the greatness of this band but it would take a 1000-page book to contain it all. Formed as Majesty in the mid-eighties, Dream Theater has constantly stretched the envelop and redefined the genre with each release. Metropolis II came right after Falling Into Infinity, their attempt at more commercial, mainstream music which was not taken very well by the fans. Thus there was immense pressure on the band to redeem themselves, which they did and how! Metropolis II is a concept album that tells a complex story of a man haunted by visions of a girl murdered in 1928 and his attempt at seeking the truth. An elaborate tale intricately woven around some of the most astoundingly brilliant pieces of music ever created. This album is a single entity from the start to end with lengthy compositions that seamlessly move on to the next one. Picking a single song out of it would be gross injustice. Built on a solid foundation set by Myung's galloping six-stringed bassline and Portnoy's innovative drumming, this album is theatrical in its presentation with Rudess' atmospheric keyboards and Petrucci's scorching guitar pyrotechnics matched with the screaming vocals of LaBrie. This album is prog metal heaven. Definitely not for the occasional listener, this album demands dedicated listening. And if you are not impressed enough with the album, go get the Scenes From New York DVD where the band performs the album in its entirety! Metropolis II is the beacon for the lesser bands to follow. It is arguably the most important album of the genre but don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself!
If you have tasted blood with these albums and are thirsting for more, here are a few more bands/albums you may want to check out:
Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
Fates Warning - Disconnected
Shadow Gallery - Room V, Legacy
Dream Theater - Images And Words
Queensrÿche - Empire
Pain Of Salvation - Remedy Lane
Tool - Latelus
OSI - OSI
Liquid Tension Experiment - Liquid Tension Experiment 2
King's X - Faith Hope Love
Magellan - Impossible Figures
Therion - Lemuria/Sirius B
Opeth - Blackwater Park
posted by The Soulforged @ 6/22/2005
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