A lot of people find BHAR to be their worst album, so the rest of their stuff should be a treat. My personal fav is Showbiz, but you should probably just work backwards through their catalogue.

As for my vote, I voted Muse, obviously. Though C&C were contenders.

Kayo Dot/Maudlin the Well over everything else, but I have been known to enjoy Porcupine Tree from time to time.

Tool. Are a crapload of a lot better than the rest of those bands. Tool in some ways are genuine virtuosi. Danny Carey is the best drummer in prog, period.

Ozric Tentacles win it for me, followed very closely by Porcupine Tree and Kayo Dot.

Hmn; well, with the exception of Muse, I love all the bands on this particular poll (voted for the Ozrics).

And yes, Pain of Salvation and others deserve mentions, but too bad my favorite modern day prog group, The Gourishankar (from Russia), didn't make it here. :(

Here's a few tracks to raise some interest in them for you guys' enjoyment:

Endless Drama (from 2nd Hands)



The Inexpressible Chagrin (also from 2nd Hands)

I really don't understand what's so prog about the stadium rock of Muse. The Mars Volta for me, no question.

Maybe half of each of their albums are stadium rock, the rest is prog. Space Dementia, Citizen Erased, and The Gallery are the best examples I can think of right now.

The Mars Volta are one of my favourite modern bands, so they'll probably get my vote. But first I think I'll go listen to some of the other bands you've listed, I want to get into more prog.

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum sound interesting, I think I'm going to download Grand Opening and Closing.

Battles, because I get a strong robot vibe, and I like it.

Where are Riverside or Fates Warning? Fates Warning have been going for 25 years now. This is difficult for me. Requires some thought. Tomorrow's Eve are damn good too.