The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

The Heart of the Prog/Power Movement

Moderators: Mardoch, Digital Man

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:51 am

MJ Brady wrote:So what the OP is hoping to see is not necessarily every possible obscurity, but the GEMS of the past, and in some sort of easy couple or a few at a time, rather than the ambitious monster list?

My first offering:
Italy - Mind Key - Journey Of A Rough Diamond 2004
Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoVz9CAwbk
Reviewed by MJBrady on 15 Aug 2004
Yet another upstart progressive metal band from Italy, this band aims to blend the better side of most of the genres best artists into one product. Italy has been producing a lot of prog music for years, and in the case of progressive metal, they have had more than a few really impressive releases, though few bands are able to have the staying power to exist as a band long enough to really release that one cd that will solidify their status with the fickle progressive metal community.

In the case for Mind Key, I can hear the huge influences of Dream Theater, something that really cannot be easily side stepped when playing this kind of music, for some that is an instant turn off, for others it is somewhat of a essential ingredient to why they like this style of music. Count me in the latter, providing the music has it's own identity and is played and written well. Mind Key sound very polished for a debut cd. The singer is even good, not great, but very complimentary to the bands' direction. They are also a very skilled bunch of musicians, drums and guitar stand out, with the bass and keys providing solid performances, that don't get lost in the mix.

As writers, this group can improve, a few of the songs have the kind of hooks that stay fresh in your mind well after getting aquainted with them. Yet on the high side, they are great at putting together ideas for instrumentation, with the chops to add to the effect. They are a band that stays the way of progressive music, with quite a few long songs, I do have to compliment the band for their instrumental prowess, when they are playing outside the singing parts, they have a very cohesive sound, with great drumming and guitar.
========================================================================

Mind Key - 2009 - Pulse for a Graveheart
Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLFa5D8d_SA
Reviewed by MJBrady on 22 Jan 2010
There appears to be some very impressive competition for the progressive metal crown in the musical boot shaped country we know as Italy. For quite some time now, many bands have come and gone, many showed great potential, recorded one release and went into obscurity. Others have taken on many new formations and have seen releases that are varied and diverse, having the sound of entirely different bands one cd to the next. Mind Key came onto the scene with their 2000 demo - Welcome to another Reality, and after that in 2004, they released their first full length cd - Journey of a Rough Diamond, which made some great impressions around certain progressive metal circles with their creation of Dream Theater styled progmetal.

A band with all the tools to be a force in the genre, they seemingly had all the necessary ingredients to push towards the upper echelons of the competitive genre. Like so many of these bands, the weakness always seemed to be a solid front singer. And just when it appeared that the band was no more, they release this solid cd here in 2009 with a new vocalist - Aurelio Fierro Jr , who has a voice from the Jorn, Coverdale style, very smooth and powerful. Most everything else on this release is of the highest quality, whether it be the guitars of Emanuele Colella the frenetic drumming of Andrea Stipa and the lush keyboards of Dario De Cicco this band shows great improvement over what was an already solid product.

In a year that progmetal was showing some signs of lag for newcomers and the lesser known bands, it was a pleasure to hear this band not only continue from where they had left off in 2004, but far surpass their previous efforts with such an altogether impressive recording. The songs have a lasting impact, with smart melodic accompaniment to cleverly assembled classic progmetal riffs. I like how the band was able to create a trademark sound by having a fine tuned blend of progressive moves, and melodic metal catchiness. No question that the band has created the cd that will define them as a band for the future, let's hope that they have not peaked, as this is a very positive step in the right direction for them.
YES!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for - in-depth reviews of albums that had an impact on your life as a power/progressive metal fan. Very well thought out reviews.

As for Mind Key I do like both albums but never fell completely in love with them.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Sep 22, 2018 8:25 am

Depressive Age

Anyone remember them? For me this was one of the most “genre-pushing” bands of their time (early 90s). While only putting out 4 albums in a 5 year span this band managed to do a complete shift from technical thrash (think Coroner, Deathrow) outfit through a dark/gothic tinged prog metal (Type O meets Psychotic Waltz?) band to an industrial influenced prog act (Rammstein gone prog?), yet managed to always have a common sound that really only these guys had. I’ve never found a band sounding like them neither before nor after. Perhaps the fact that the band came from such a secluded part of Europe as east Berlin and grew up in the old communism-ruled east Germany might be why they didn’t take hints (or were constrained by the sounds of) from other contemporary bands?!

While the first two discs are many a fans absolute favorites, I actually am partial to the two final albums...

Image

1994 - DEPRESSIVE AGE - symbols for the blue times
What an incredible disc - coming across as something super unique nestled in between the prog sounds of Psychotic Waltz or Thought Industry mixed with the darkness and goth sound of Type O Negative and still with a hint of their thrash past mostly in the form of some Voivod style weirdness. Songs like Garbage Canyons, The Hut, Port Graveyard or Friend Within are out of this world.

https://youtu.be/XeObndj6ycE
https://youtu.be/X-vNRkIG2pk

Image

1996 - DEPRESSIVE AGE - electric scum
The band take another huge step forward in creating their own sound and the fact that this is to be their swan song is just ridiculous... this band could have / should have made it huge! Here they come up with an industrial sound (not too far away from that of contemporaries like Treponem Pal and early Fear Factory) but blends it with huge melodies and a very progressive mindset. As I mentioned earlier I don’t see any bands that has mimicked the sound of Depressive Age but I do think that on the new (2018) Lord of the Lost album “thornstar” there are several links back to “Electric Scum” ... either way, I can’t think of one single prog release that’s ever been as polarizing as this disc was when it came out. I remember the reviews all across Europe either stating that this was the future of prog or that this was the worst crap ever released hahahahaha- some of my friends loved DA (and in particular the two first albums) and they hated this one! For me tracks like Remember, Cairo Crabat, Toyland Hills or their incredible cover version of Bronski Beats “small town boy” still strikes something special in me.

https://youtu.be/N-TJAvBqrJs
https://youtu.be/vKqSnBcvvDc
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
EmptyThoughts
Posts: 112
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 2:29 pm

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by EmptyThoughts » Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:09 am

Here are 2 bands/albums that no one has mentioned.

1) Trival Act: Mindscape
An awesome album that came out in 1997 (I believe). They were from Norway. This band was on the technical side of Prog, but very melodic as well. A Dream Theater meets Fates Warning as they had no keyboards in their sound. It was a shame as it was the only album they released...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgd6ZTmplo

2) Dead Air Radio: Signal to Noise Ratio
Another excellent album released in 2007. They are from the US. A very melodic, but Progressive band with a modern sound to them. Definitely worth checking out. I believe they are still active supposedly working on new music.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLA ... itHltBNYXw

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:08 am

EmptyThoughts wrote:Here are 2 bands/albums that no one has mentioned.

1) Trival Act: Mindscape
An awesome album that came out in 1997 (I believe). They were from Norway. This band was on the technical side of Prog, but very melodic as well. A Dream Theater meets Fates Warning as they had no keyboards in their sound. It was a shame as it was the only album they released...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgd6ZTmplo
Image

TRIVIAL ACT - Mindscape

This was a great album - there was something cool going on in Norway at that time ... several of the bands found on the "A Gathering" compilation were amazing (Trivial Act, Manitou, Tritonus, Sagittarius and of course Spiral Architect). I agree with you about the DT meets FW sound.
EmptyThoughts wrote:2) Dead Air Radio: Signal to Noise Ratio
Another excellent album released in 2007. They are from the US. A very melodic, but Progressive band with a modern sound to them. Definitely worth checking out. I believe they are still active supposedly working on new music.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLA ... itHltBNYXw
Image

DEAD AIR RADIO - Signal to Noise Ratio

Interesting - I don't recall ever hearing them until now. I checked them out and I like it - will listen more. First impressions are along the lines of a lot of the "Magna Carta" bands from the early 90's (Magellan, Tiles, Cairo, Enchant...).
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
Chris R
Posts: 577
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:25 pm
Location: Tampa Bay

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Chris R » Wed Sep 26, 2018 12:48 pm

introclaus wrote:Depressive Age

Anyone remember them? For me this was one of the most “genre-pushing” bands of their time (early 90s). While only putting out 4 albums in a 5 year span this band managed to do a complete shift from technical thrash (think Coroner, Deathrow) outfit through a dark/gothic tinged prog metal (Type O meets Psychotic Waltz?) band to an industrial influenced prog act (Rammstein gone prog?), yet managed to always have a common sound that really only these guys had. I’ve never found a band sounding like them neither before nor after. Perhaps the fact that the band came from such a secluded part of Europe as east Berlin and grew up in the old communism-ruled east Germany might be why they didn’t take hints (or were constrained by the sounds of) from other contemporary bands?!

While the first two discs are many a fans absolute favorites, I actually am partial to the two final albums...

1994 - symbols for the blue times
What an incredible disc - coming across as something super unique nestled in between the prog sounds of Psychotic Waltz or Thought Industry mixed with the darkness and goth sound of Type O Negative and still with a hint of their thrash past mostly in the form of some Voivod style weirdness. Songs like Garbage Canyons, The Hut, Port Graveyard or Friend Within are out of this world.

https://youtu.be/XeObndj6ycE
https://youtu.be/X-vNRkIG2pk

1996 - electric scum
The band take another huge step forward in creating their own sound and the fact that this is to be their swan song is just ridiculous... this band could have / should have made it huge! Here they come up with an industrial sound (not too far away from that of contemporaries like Treponem Pal and early Fear Factory) but blends it with huge melodies and a very progressive mindset. As I mentioned earlier I don’t see any bands that has mimicked the sound of Depressive Age but I do think that on the new (2018) Lord of the Lost album “thornstar” there are several links back to “Electric Scum” ... either way, I can’t think of one single prog release that’s ever been as polarizing as this disc was when it came out. I remember the reviews all across Europe either stating that this was the future of prog or that this was the worst crap ever released hahahahaha- some of my friends loved DA (and in particular the two first albums) and they hated this one! For me tracks like Remember, Cairo Crabat, Toyland Hills or their incredible cover version of Bronski Beats “small town boy” still strikes something special in me.

https://youtu.be/N-TJAvBqrJs
https://youtu.be/vKqSnBcvvDc
I'm hooked just on the cover of Smalltown Boy...a song I always wanted to cover

Great sound they had
Tarja is a female woman
Image

User avatar
LarryD
Site Admin
Posts: 7383
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:57 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by LarryD » Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:38 am

I remember Trivial Act being too technical for me at the time ........ Dead Air Radio I remember owning - but I got rid of it but can't remember why. Something about the singer maybe ? During those days - everything was about the singer to me ......... :wink:

MJ Brady
Posts: 352
Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 6:51 am
Location: Bloomington, Minnesota
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by MJ Brady » Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:28 pm

Image
One could spend a lot of time sifting through all the obscure Italian prog out there. Here is one:
Heart Of Sun - s/t
Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Res Amissa (3:04)
2. The Last Experiment (6:49)
3. Not Through our Eyes (7:28)
4. Evil Tree (8:35)
5. 2016 AD.NET (3:57)
6. Into the Black Hole (6:00)
7. Proxima Centauri (8:04 )
8. The Invention of God (4:51)
9. Solar Wind (8:28)
10. Sea of Tranquillity (2:39)

Total Time: 59:55
Line-up / Musicians

- Pino Tozzi / vocals
- Gianluca Ferro / guitars, programming
- Mark Vikar / synthesizer, keyboards, programming
- Davide Betelli / bass
- Sigfrido Percich / drums
Releases information

CD Galileo/Nightmare Records (2007)
singer is the same guy as Arkhe, guitarist is Gianluca Ferro, music is excellent, singing is ok, but this was a band that could have made some good music. But sadly another One and Done.
MJ

User avatar
Sir Exar Kun
Posts: 2780
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 3:25 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Sir Exar Kun » Fri Sep 28, 2018 8:13 am

CD Galileo/Nightmare Records (2007)
singer is the same guy as Arkhe, guitarist is Gianluca Ferro, music is excellent, singing is ok, but this was a band that could have made some good music. But sadly another One and Done.
Funny that you pull this one out! It was just about 1-2 years ago that I stumbled on this one, as I am a big fan of the Arhke album so had to check this out for Pino. I didn't enjoy it as much as Arkhe, but maybe I would have dug it more 15 years ago or so..... Solid stuff, very old school for sure..... Good callout!
Capitalism: God's way of separating the smart from the poor. -Ron Swanson

User avatar
elendil
Posts: 227
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm
Location: Free State of New Hampshire

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by elendil » Sat Sep 29, 2018 4:10 pm

Not as obscure as some of the mentions here, but I am curious what the general opinion is on TOC, _Loss Angeles_ (Spinefarm, 2003). Apparently they were a melodic death metal band before this, but this album is pure prog metal. It has a strong balance between melodic hooks and complexity, emotional depth, and solid if somewhat accented (Finnish) vocals. Production values are A+. The facemelting version of "Smoke on the Water" that concludes the album (bonus track?) is alone worth the price of admission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNvPe-GP-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCd52i5hAw

User avatar
elendil
Posts: 227
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm
Location: Free State of New Hampshire

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by elendil » Tue Oct 30, 2018 10:00 pm

elendil wrote:Not as obscure as some of the mentions here, but I am curious what the general opinion is on TOC, _Loss Angeles_ (Spinefarm, 2003). Apparently they were a melodic death metal band before this, but this album is pure prog metal. It has a strong balance between melodic hooks and complexity, emotional depth, and solid if somewhat accented (Finnish) vocals. Production values are A+. The facemelting version of "Smoke on the Water" that concludes the album (bonus track?) is alone worth the price of admission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNvPe-GP-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCd52i5hAw
Apparently no thoughts on TOC...

Well, here's another band I somehow missed at the time but discovered very recently... Japan's KOREKYOJINN. They play an electrified, instrumental music that crosses neoclassical and jazz with rock and can sound at times like a mix of shred and fusion. There are also some eclectic influences in there like surf rock and RIO. Loads of unpredictable polyrhythms and the drumming and bass playing are absolutely jaw-dropping, but some fine solos too. Several albums, but I quite like 2011's _Tundra_, which is their last "real" release of wholly original music. Check out tracks "Upstream" and "Watershed." https://korekyojinn.bandcamp.com/album/tundra

User avatar
GaetanL
Posts: 1043
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 9:34 pm
Location: Quebec City, QC, Canada
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by GaetanL » Tue Oct 30, 2018 10:27 pm

I like the TOC song you posted...
Maybe Melodic metal with a progressive touch?

The cover of Deep Purple - "Smoke on the water" is special...

Another cover from them:
Judas Priest - Nightcrawler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6PnRpMVoec
Gaétan
Musique Progressive Dynamique
Site consacré au métal progressif, au néo-prog et au hard rock
http://www.musiqueprog.net

User avatar
elendil
Posts: 227
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm
Location: Free State of New Hampshire

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by elendil » Tue Oct 30, 2018 10:34 pm

GaetanL wrote:I like the TOC song you posted...
Maybe Melodic metal with a progressive touch?

The cover of Deep Purple - "Smoke on the water" is special...

Another cover from them:
Judas Priest - Nightcrawler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6PnRpMVoec
Fair. Not super-proggy by any means but definitely touches here and there.

User avatar
gazinwales
Posts: 305
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:52 am
Location: Sydney
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by gazinwales » Wed Oct 31, 2018 4:35 am

elendil wrote:Not as obscure as some of the mentions here, but I am curious what the general opinion is on TOC, _Loss Angeles_ (Spinefarm, 2003). Apparently they were a melodic death metal band before this, but this album is pure prog metal. It has a strong balance between melodic hooks and complexity, emotional depth, and solid if somewhat accented (Finnish) vocals. Production values are A+. The facemelting version of "Smoke on the Water" that concludes the album (bonus track?) is alone worth the price of admission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNvPe-GP-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCd52i5hAw
I have three Throne Of Chaos albums, they are nothing special IMO, they each had their moments though.

John Frank
Posts: 284
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:45 pm
Location: Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by John Frank » Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:09 am

Cool thread. I checked out multiple releases and added the Kidd Robin disc and both Ebony Ark albums to my collection.

I will add the following suggestions to the mix:

All That I Bleed - Dying to Remember
Catharsis - Pathways to Wholeness
Caveat - Red
Complex 7 – Process
GracePoint - Science of Discontent
Mythologic - Standing in Stillness
Pyramid - The Immaculate Lie
Talamasca - Ascension
Talamasca - Projection
Taramis - Stretch of the Imagination
Tears for the Dead Gods - s/t
ThanatoSchizO - Zoom Code
"I never smile if I can help it. Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life." - Dwight Schrute

User avatar
LarryD
Site Admin
Posts: 7383
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:57 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by LarryD » Thu Nov 01, 2018 12:24 pm

John Frank wrote:Cool thread. I checked out multiple releases and added the Kidd Robin disc and both Ebony Ark albums to my collection.

I will add the following suggestions to the mix:

All That I Bleed - Dying to Remember
Catharsis - Pathways to Wholeness
Caveat - Red
Complex 7 – Process
GracePoint - Science of Discontent
Mythologic - Standing in Stillness
Pyramid - The Immaculate Lie
Talamasca - Ascension
Talamasca - Projection
Taramis - Stretch of the Imagination
Tears for the Dead Gods - s/t
ThanatoSchizO - Zoom Code

**** He lives !!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

Random Axe
Posts: 1697
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 11:01 pm
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Random Axe » Mon Nov 05, 2018 9:46 pm

I humbly add to this thread Magnitude 9 - Chaos to Control

This was the first album I ordered online from hearing awful wav. files. I then got Zero Hour. I think this was 1997? I bought from Impulse if memory serves.

I've gone back and repurchased a few albums from this thread today so thank you for the reminders! Great top on Trivial Act, I'd never heard them before. Lord Bane sounds interesting but its pricy!

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Tue Nov 06, 2018 6:47 am

John Frank wrote:Cool thread. I checked out multiple releases and added the Kidd Robin disc and both Ebony Ark albums to my collection.

I will add the following suggestions to the mix:

All That I Bleed - Dying to Remember
Catharsis - Pathways to Wholeness
Caveat - Red
Complex 7 – Process
GracePoint - Science of Discontent
Mythologic - Standing in Stillness
Pyramid - The Immaculate Lie
Talamasca - Ascension
Talamasca - Projection
Taramis - Stretch of the Imagination
Tears for the Dead Gods - s/t
ThanatoSchizO - Zoom Code
Image

KIDD ROBIN - The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster

John, glad to see you picked up the KIDD ROBIN disc. To me that’s one of the very best of the early Qryche/Sacred Warrior style bands ... super melodic and at times going completely into hard rock territory just like bands such as Gemini, Hittman and Radakka did.

Ohhh the Catharsis album is killer too. Very much a long lost Psychotic Waltz disc :)
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
Sir Exar Kun
Posts: 2780
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 3:25 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Sir Exar Kun » Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:28 am

I humbly add to this thread Magnitude 9 - Chaos to Control
Good call on Mag9! I think they put out three discs total, and all were very solid. Corey Brown seemed to be fairly prolific for awhile, but in recent years has kind of fallen off the map. This band definitely had great chops, and Rob Johnson put out a number of solid discs in the Shrapnel / shredfest vein.
Capitalism: God's way of separating the smart from the poor. -Ron Swanson

User avatar
AllMediaReviews
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 11:34 am
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by AllMediaReviews » Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:26 am

bump.

Spiral Architect fans may enjoy the latest Radical Research podcast about Skeptic's Universe

http://radicalresearch.org/episode-27-f ... -mastwork/

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:05 am

AllMediaReviews wrote:bump.

Spiral Architect fans may enjoy the latest Radical Research podcast about Skeptic's Universe

http://radicalresearch.org/episode-27-f ... -mastwork/
Image

SPIRAL ARCHITECT - A Sceptics Universe

That was awesome - can’t argue with the brilliance of that album at all.

One point where I don’t completely agree with Hunter and Jeff is whether or not Oyvind’s vocal performance is “original” or not ... they kept talking about how unique he was but I always felt that he was a brilliant copy cat lol ... when he did ray alder he sounded just like him, when he did buddy lackey he was completely sounding like that and when he went for John arch it was uncanny how close he sounded like that. On this album he hits on all those aspects (mostly the Buddy Lackey stuff) but never really comes up with something that’s just him. Anyway, it’s not anything that takes away from the album in any way whatsoever - it’s a true masterpiece and an album that deserves all the accolades it can get.

Also, super cool to see there are other fans of Hunter and Jeff’s little podcast on here!
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
LarryD
Site Admin
Posts: 7383
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:57 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by LarryD » Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:52 am

One of my most missed Heroes of Prog band has to be Dreamscape........ I this miss band so much, they embellished everything I loved about Prog when they were around, and to this date ........ such a shame they called it quits at an early age........

User avatar
GaetanL
Posts: 1043
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 9:34 pm
Location: Quebec City, QC, Canada
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by GaetanL » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:04 am

LarryD wrote:One of my most missed Heroes of Prog band has to be Dreamscape........ I this miss band so much, they embellished everything I loved about Prog when they were around, and to this date ........ such a shame they called it quits at an early age........
Are you sure they called it quits?

Their 2012 release "Everlight" worth it...
Gaétan
Musique Progressive Dynamique
Site consacré au métal progressif, au néo-prog et au hard rock
http://www.musiqueprog.net

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:05 pm

GaetanL wrote:
LarryD wrote:One of my most missed Heroes of Prog band has to be Dreamscape........ I this miss band so much, they embellished everything I loved about Prog when they were around, and to this date ........ such a shame they called it quits at an early age........
Are you sure they called it quits?

Their 2012 release "Everlight" worth it...
Looks like their Facebook page hasn't been updated in over a year, so perhaps they are a done deal?

Image

KAISERS BART - Meisterstuck

Any Dreamscape-fan should give KAISER's BART a shot ... yes, it's in German, but it's very much in that Dreamscape/VandenPlas/Ivanhoe style (and it's a bunch of the same musicians).
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
Psychotic Symphony
Posts: 213
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:38 pm
Location: Edinburgh, UK

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Psychotic Symphony » Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:09 pm

I'll contribute, what the hell.

Wicked Maraya, but they released a new disc last year or something and it was good stuff!
Heaven's Cry
Ark (RIP Mats)
Sanvoisen
Seventhsign (RIP Gregg)
House of Spirits
Fifth Angel
World of Silence
Factory of Art
Sea of Dreams (some seriously piss-poor production there)
Zen
Black Jester
Memento Mori
Treasure Land
Avalon
Angel Dust
Pavlov's Dogs/Conditioned Response

ah yes, the good ol days.
So -that's- where the humidifier went.

User avatar
Chris R
Posts: 577
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:25 pm
Location: Tampa Bay

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Chris R » Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:30 pm

Speaking of Inner Strength
New album of new songs being released and all their demos as well this year

Trying to get them to play down here in Tampa as we have a guy down here that books all the major tribute bands and a few origional national acts that lived on Long Island
Heard one of the songs
Other than Scott not going nuts with the high notes it's a legit flashback to 1992
Tarja is a female woman
Image

User avatar
BumZen
Posts: 289
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 10:04 am
Location: Denmark

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by BumZen » Thu Mar 28, 2019 4:56 am

Fun thread I'll play.

Image
Archetype - Dawning (2002)

Archetype was one of the first truly underground power/prog metal bands I fell in love with - thanks to Claus. The creative intricate details, the melodies and the grooves all meshed together so seemlessly, that it appeared so simple. This whole concept was not just bound to the fantastic guitarwriting of Matyus but also the excellent vocal melodies of Wagner. Wagner moved on to other projects where Shatter Messiah is probably most interesting, but it never really could measure to the high standards of Archetype. Dawning, their only album, still manages to surprise me whenever I pull it out today. Some talk about another one (with Tony Webster instead of Wagner on vocals), floated around some years ago, but apparently never really materialised.

This album had a big impact on my affection for progressive music.

Full album on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nObu-oPxM90
Skambamse

Scott B
Posts: 410
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 12:39 pm

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Scott B » Thu Mar 28, 2019 7:34 am

You know what would be cool and handy? A sticky post at the top of this thread listing all the bands that have been named.

User avatar
LarryD
Site Admin
Posts: 7383
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:57 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by LarryD » Thu Mar 28, 2019 8:13 am

Your wish has been partially granted - I made the thread a sticky to keep it at the top ......... making a list, well, that will take some typing time, and I'll try to get to that soon...... in the meantime, we will keep the thread at the top for quick access ........ :D

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Thu Mar 28, 2019 8:07 pm

BumZen wrote:Fun thread I'll play.

Image
Archetype - Dawning (2002)

Archetype was one of the first truly underground power/prog metal bands I fell in love with - thanks to Claus. The creative intricate details, the melodies and the grooves all meshed together so seemlessly, that it appeared so simple. This whole concept was not just bound to the fantastic guitarwriting of Matyus but also the excellent vocal melodies of Wagner. Wagner moved on to other projects where Shatter Messiah is probably most interesting, but it never really could measure to the high standards of Archetype. Dawning, their only album, still manages to surprise me whenever I pull it out today. Some talk about another one (with Tony Webster instead of Wagner on vocals), floated around some years ago, but apparently never really materialised.

This album had a big impact on my affection for progressive music.

Full album on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nObu-oPxM90
Man, that album is still freaking amazing! Truly unique ... it’s almost as if Iced Earth were a prog metal band instead of a power metal band :)
Claus Jensen

Scott B
Posts: 410
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 12:39 pm

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by Scott B » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:42 am

LarryD wrote:Your wish has been partially granted - I made the thread a sticky to keep it at the top ......... making a list, well, that will take some typing time, and I'll try to get to that soon...... in the meantime, we will keep the thread at the top for quick access ........ :D
Thanks, although I know this is going to cause me to buy more CDs!

User avatar
elendil
Posts: 227
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm
Location: Free State of New Hampshire

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by elendil » Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:06 am

BumZen wrote: Archetype was one of the first truly underground power/prog metal bands I fell in love with - thanks to Claus. The creative intricate details, the melodies and the grooves all meshed together so seemlessly, that it appeared so simple. This whole concept was not just bound to the fantastic guitarwriting of Matyus but also the excellent vocal melodies of Wagner. Wagner moved on to other projects where Shatter Messiah is probably most interesting, but it never really could measure to the high standards of Archetype. Dawning, their only album, still manages to surprise me whenever I pull it out today. Some talk about another one (with Tony Webster instead of Wagner on vocals), floated around some years ago, but apparently never really materialised.
Solid album. IIRC this one of the bands I discovered on mp3.com back in the day when it was the go-to place for hearing demos from up-and-comers.

User avatar
venidominefan
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:59 am
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by venidominefan » Fri Mar 29, 2019 4:00 pm

Damn The Machine - 1993

I distinctly remember riding in the car with my good friend...when he popped a cassette tape in (remember those? damn I’m old)...and he made me guess who it was playing. I didn’t have a clue though at first I thought it was a new Fates Warning and they had recruited a new vocalist. I think it was those clean guitars at the beginning of the first track, “The Mission” that reminded me of the more recent Fates Warning stuff. A classic album to this day and every track is great but here are a few favorites.

I Will
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQONEyAO1bE

The Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFUZgJ5W1D0
This is your brain on guitar...
Bandcamp >
CDBaby >
Soundcloud >
Spotify >

User avatar
GaetanL
Posts: 1043
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 9:34 pm
Location: Quebec City, QC, Canada
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by GaetanL » Sat Mar 30, 2019 2:11 am

This one is 10 years old this year so I can add it now to my list (My rating is 4 out of 5).

Dreamlost - Psychomedia (2009)

Image

Careless Politics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etaXO4QrrKU

Listen to the keyboard...

This album have a special place in my heart. It was a gift from the band. I love it so much. Would have maybe never heard of this band without my website...

I'm playing the whole album tonight as I write this...
Gaétan
Musique Progressive Dynamique
Site consacré au métal progressif, au néo-prog et au hard rock
http://www.musiqueprog.net

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:30 am

GaetanL wrote:This one is 10 years old this year so I can add it now to my list (My rating is 4 out of 5).

Dreamlost - Psychomedia (2009)

Image

Careless Politics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etaXO4QrrKU

Listen to the keyboard...

This album have a special place in my heart. It was a gift from the band. I love it so much. Would have maybe never heard of this band without my website...

I'm playing the whole album tonight as I write this...
I remember their debut (Mattias did the artwork for it) and it didn't impress me much - just listened to the song you put up from this second album and it's a bit better than what I remember from the debut but still doesn't really do it for me. I'll give it another spin.
Claus Jensen

User avatar
introclaus
Posts: 2348
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:40 am
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact:

Re: The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

Post by introclaus » Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:37 am

venidominefan wrote:Damn The Machine - 1993

I distinctly remember riding in the car with my good friend...when he popped a cassette tape in (remember those? damn I’m old)...and he made me guess who it was playing. I didn’t have a clue though at first I thought it was a new Fates Warning and they had recruited a new vocalist. I think it was those clean guitars at the beginning of the first track, “The Mission” that reminded me of the more recent Fates Warning stuff. A classic album to this day and every track is great but here are a few favorites.

I Will
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQONEyAO1bE

The Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFUZgJ5W1D0
Image

DAMN THE MACHINE - Damn the Machine

This is such an interesting album, and one that I can listen to on day A and think it's an utter piece of garbage and then on day B think it's a masterpiece. I think the album has so much quality to it that most times I love it, but there really are times when I just can't deal with it ... lol

Yeah, cassette tapes, lol. I had "The Mission" as a cassette single actually (might have been a promo single?!) ...
Last edited by introclaus on Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Claus Jensen

Post Reply