What albums would say are "essential progressive metal albums"

Above · 06-08-2012, 08:36 AM

I'd say Octavarium by Dream Theatre for the sheer technicality and intricate song structure, although I do find it a little cheesy now, myself.

Lateralus by Tool is one of my favourites for its lyrics and pummeling, yet intricate riffs and time signatures.

Salami · 06-08-2012, 09:09 AM

I think from my experience, Mattias Eklundh's album "Freak Guitar" is the most virtuosic album in this genre, he's certainly one of the best metal guitarists around today.

14232949 · 06-08-2012, 09:32 AM

Not really a fan of metal in general, but a great prog/post metal record you may enjoy is

Russian Circles - Empros

Released last year, it features some of the best instrumental music I've ever heard.

**Frownland** · 06-08-2012, 10:09 AM

Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, most any album by Tool, but I'd say that Aenima is their definitive piece, and Opeth's Deliverance seem to be prime staples of the progressive metal genre. Porcupine Tree gets a lot of props for what they're doing, but they rarely bring in metal influence in their songs, and seem more like a somewhat heavier Pink Floyd most of the time.

LoathsomePete · 06-08-2012, 11:13 AM

The Norwegian band Green Carnation has put out some pretty impressive material like Journey to the End of the Night (2000) and Light of Day, Day of Darkness (2001), the latter of which was an hour long ode.

Devin Townsend's debut solo album Ocean Machine - Biomech (1997) is also one of the best things he's ever produced which is a pretty impressive feat given the man's discography.

Nevermore's 1999 album Dreaming Neon Black is probably their most underrated and continuous their ability to combine elements of power and thrash to a more progressive rock edge.

Then of course you've got bands like Sigh who are just all over the map with their genres but their 2001 album Imaginary Sonicscape felt like something that would have existed in the 1970's in Bizzaro World. Their heavy use of old Moog snyths (I think they actually credited Moog as a member of the band in the liner notes) really help make it feel like an old Canterbury scene album from the '70's, which really helps move the genre away from its usual pigeonholing of just being heavy metal songs that don't feature growled vocals, but go on for longer than most heavy metal songs.

Mrd00d · 06-08-2012, 06:19 PM

I'd agree with everyone's suggestions so far. Very well said everyone. Salami, don't forget Freak Guitar: The Road Less Traveled [there's two albums].

Dream Theater have great albums, but what introduced me to the genre as a whole was their instrumental project without James LaBrie, Liquid Tension Experiment.

To me, the self-titled Liquid Tension Experiment and the follow-up album are two of the most important prog-metal albums.

Salami · 06-08-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrd00d

I'd agree with everyone's suggestions so far. Very well said everyone. Salami, don't forget Freak Guitar: The Road Less Traveled [there's two albums]. .

Actually, it was you who introduced me to his music, I've only listened to the first one but I think I definitely ought to give The Road Less Travelled a proper listen.

Mrd00d · 06-08-2012, 06:27 PM

I can't really say that Mattias fits in in this particular instance. He's amongst the Satrianis, Bucketheads, Anastassakis', Gilbert's, etc. He puts on a damn good show, though.

He has a full band with vocals as well, but it's cheesy metal. Just for fun stuff. Makes you laugh. They're called Freak Kitchen. Have a great handful of above average tunes and amazing guitar solos, but no real solid album.

jawbreaker · 06-16-2012, 05:12 AM

Some that RUSH immediately to my mind :
Meshuggah - Destroy Erase Improve
Fates Warning - Awaken the guardian
Queensrÿche - Rage for order
Dream Theater - Images and words
Watchtower - Control and resistance
Voivod - Nothingface
Crimson Glory - Transcendance
Pain Of Salvation - The perfect element, pt I
Psychotic Waltz - Into the everflow

James Ihash · 06-16-2012, 04:55 PM

These are the ones I recall right now:

Cynic - Focus
Atheist - Elements
Tool - Lateralus/10,00 Days
System of a Down - Mesmerize/Hypnotize
Extol - Synergy/Undeceived
Believer - Dimensions
Galactic Cowboys - Space in Your Face/At the End of the Day
Tourniquet - Microscopic View of a Telescopic Realm/Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance

06-08-2012, 08:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Above Oh my golly! Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: England Posts: 339	What albums would say are "essential progressive metal albums" I'd say Octavarium by Dream Theatre for the sheer technicality and intricate song structure, although I do find it a little cheesy now, myself. Lateralus by Tool is one of my favourites for its lyrics and pummeling, yet intricate riffs and time signatures. __________________ Be pure, Be vigilant, Behave

06-08-2012, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, most any album by Tool, but I'd say that Aenima is their definitive piece, and Opeth's Deliverance seem to be prime staples of the progressive metal genre. Porcupine Tree gets a lot of props for what they're doing, but they rarely bring in metal influence in their songs, and seem more like a somewhat heavier Pink Floyd most of the time. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

06-08-2012, 11:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	The Norwegian band Green Carnation has put out some pretty impressive material like Journey to the End of the Night (2000) and Light of Day, Day of Darkness (2001), the latter of which was an hour long ode. Devin Townsend's debut solo album Ocean Machine - Biomech (1997) is also one of the best things he's ever produced which is a pretty impressive feat given the man's discography. Nevermore's 1999 album Dreaming Neon Black is probably their most underrated and continuous their ability to combine elements of power and thrash to a more progressive rock edge. Then of course you've got bands like Sigh who are just all over the map with their genres but their 2001 album Imaginary Sonicscape felt like something that would have existed in the 1970's in Bizzaro World. Their heavy use of old Moog snyths (I think they actually credited Moog as a member of the band in the liner notes) really help make it feel like an old Canterbury scene album from the '70's, which really helps move the genre away from its usual pigeonholing of just being heavy metal songs that don't feature growled vocals, but go on for longer than most heavy metal songs. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

06-08-2012, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I'd agree with everyone's suggestions so far. Very well said everyone. Salami, don't forget Freak Guitar: The Road Less Traveled [there's two albums]. Dream Theater have great albums, but what introduced me to the genre as a whole was their instrumental project without James LaBrie, Liquid Tension Experiment. To me, the self-titled Liquid Tension Experiment and the follow-up album are two of the most important prog-metal albums. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

06-08-2012, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I can't really say that Mattias fits in in this particular instance. He's amongst the Satrianis, Bucketheads, Anastassakis', Gilbert's, etc. He puts on a damn good show, though. He has a full band with vocals as well, but it's cheesy metal. Just for fun stuff. Makes you laugh. They're called Freak Kitchen. Have a great handful of above average tunes and amazing guitar solos, but no real solid album. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

06-08-2012, 09:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	I think from my experience, Mattias Eklundh's album "Freak Guitar" is the most virtuosic album in this genre, he's certainly one of the best metal guitarists around today.

06-08-2012, 09:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Not really a fan of metal in general, but a great prog/post metal record you may enjoy is Russian Circles - Empros Released last year, it features some of the best instrumental music I've ever heard.

06-16-2012, 05:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
jawbreaker Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Paris area Posts: 65	Some that RUSH immediately to my mind : Meshuggah - Destroy Erase Improve Fates Warning - Awaken the guardian Queensrÿche - Rage for order Dream Theater - Images and words Watchtower - Control and resistance Voivod - Nothingface Crimson Glory - Transcendance Pain Of Salvation - The perfect element, pt I Psychotic Waltz - Into the everflow __________________ "the secret of a long life is to try not to shorten it". My name is nobody, Sergio Leone, 1973

06-16-2012, 04:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
James Ihash Groupie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Land of Drizzle Posts: 47	No particular order These are the ones I recall right now: Cynic - Focus Atheist - Elements Tool - Lateralus/10,00 Days System of a Down - Mesmerize/Hypnotize Extol - Synergy/Undeceived Believer - Dimensions Galactic Cowboys - Space in Your Face/At the End of the Day Tourniquet - Microscopic View of a Telescopic Realm/Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance