The Forgotten Heroes of Prog Metal Thread

[introclaus]

NOTHINGFAITH - SIGIRIYA
1996

Austrian band Nothingfaith only released one album, "Sigiríya", which, truth be told, is more of a long EP (only ~32 minutes), and as far as I can see searching the internet there really are no trace to be found of the musicians later on. Such a shame, as this is an incredible debut that showed so much promise for the guys. Musically this is progressive metal, somewhere between Psychotic Waltz, Sieges Even, Payne's Gray, Behind the Curtain and perhaps a tiny bit of Mekong Delta. So quite technical in foundation, lots of great guitar playing and a heck of an awesome bass player, and a bit "off kilter" or "psychedelic" in sound. The keyboards brings in a different element, and for some reason reminds me of their contemporaries in The Quiet Room. I remember receiving the album while working at a music magazine back in the day and I loved the album back then. Re-listening now (it has probably been 5 years since I last played it), I can see why they weren't going to be picked up by any of the labels back then, as they are just too "weird" and too "self-indulgent", but that's just the exact reasons why I love it.

Stream of the song "Killing Ground" (the album's opener):
https://youtu.be/N3hDPtTHhXU

Stream of titletrack "Sigiriya" (probably the most melodic song):
https://youtu.be/Bn7B7RoIeTg

Stream of the song "Coba" (this one is very bass heavy):
https://youtu.be/GIpcW2qSohU

Stream of the song "Alone" (this one crosses over to prog-rock a bit):
https://youtu.be/Q8HSVLu1B5U

[introclaus]

ADAGIO - SANCTUS IGNIS
2001

There are few albums that makes me as "happy" as this one does. I don't know why, but I can't listen to this one without smiling - it's just impossible! I must have listened to this album hundreds of times over the years, and I'm still far from tired by it. In fact, this week I've listened to it three times already, which is kind of crazy considering how much other music (new and old) I also listen to each week. What is so special about "Sanctus Ignis" is obviously the fact that (besides Symphony X, Kenziner and Majestic) this was one of the first real bands in the "progressive symphonic metal" genre that caught people's attention, and also the fact that it's a true super-group of the very best musicians one could imagine at the time; Dirk Bruinenberg on drums (ex-Elegy), Richard Anderson on keyboards (Majestic, Time Requiem), David Readman on vocals (Pink Cream 69) and then two phenomenal French musicians in bassist Franck Hermanny and guitar virtuoso Stephan Forte. The album is absolutely incredible, and every single song is a masterpiece of technically well-rounded progressive metal with infused symphonic orchestrations and neo-classical metal all over. This is not necessarily a "forgotten" album as such, but it's an album that I find myself drawn back to again and again, and rarely a month goes by without me picking this one down from the shelves and taking it for a spin.

Stream of entire album:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5 ... U4h2-VfFM4

[LarryD]

ADAGIO - SANCTUS IGNIS
2001

There are few albums that makes me as "happy" as this one does. I don't know why, but I can't listen to this one without smiling - it's just impossible! I must have listened to this album hundreds of times over the years, and I'm still far from tired by it. In fact, this week I've listened to it three times already, which is kind of crazy considering how much other music (new and old) I also listen to each week. What is so special about "Sanctus Ignis" is obviously the fact that (besides Symphony X, Kenziner and Majestic) this was one of the first real bands in the "progressive symphonic metal" genre that caught people's attention, and also the fact that it's a true super-group of the very best musicians one could imagine at the time; Dirk Bruinenberg on drums (ex-Elegy), Richard Anderson on keyboards (Majestic, Time Requiem), David Readman on vocals (Pink Cream 69) and then two phenomenal French musicians in bassist Franck Hermanny and guitar virtuoso Stephan Forte. The album is absolutely incredible, and every single song is a masterpiece of technically well-rounded progressive metal with infused symphonic orchestrations and neo-classical metal all over. This is not necessarily a "forgotten" album as such, but it's an album that I find myself drawn back to again and again, and rarely a month goes by without me picking this one down from the shelves and taking it for a spin.

Stream of entire album:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5 ... U4h2-VfFM4

****I'll agree with all of that and then go on to say that Underworld gives me the feeling you describe above .........I think a huge part of all of this is the fact that David Readman is the singer - he just absolutely smokes in this band .........

[introclaus]

****I'll agree with all of that and then go on to say that Underworld gives me the feeling you describe above .........I think a huge part of all of this is the fact that David Readman is the singer - he just absolutely smokes in this band .........

"Underworld" was great as well, but for me the debut is the best of those two. "Sanctus Ignis" is the one I keep finding myself going back to, but yes, "Underworld" is sweet!

That said, I didn't care for any of their next albums, until the final album, "Life" from 2017, which was a true masterpiece within the progressive metal genre if you ask me. One of the very best albums in the genre ever. Because I didn't care about Adagio after "Underworld" I had completely dismissed it until right after new year 2017/2018 when I saw it on a bunch of "best of the year '17" lists, and then it ended up blowing me away big-time.

[T'ski]

Clockwork "Surface Tension"



someone posted their EP in this thread but I don't think their full length was talked about. Musically I love this album but the vocalist is a bit to all over the place for me to really enjoy it fully. I think this was on Ken's label if I'm not mistaken.

[LASERCD]

Clockwork "Surface Tension"



someone posted their EP in this thread but I don't think their full length was talked about. Musically I love this album but the vocalist is a bit to all over the place for me to really enjoy it fully. I think this was on Ken's label if I'm not mistaken.

Yup. It was an early Sensory release. Nice guys.

[GaetanL]

NOTHINGFAITH - SIGIRIYA
1996

Austrian band Nothingfaith only released one album, "Sigiríya", which, truth be told, is more of a long EP (only ~32 minutes), and as far as I can see searching the internet there really are no trace to be found of the musicians later on. Such a shame, as this is an incredible debut that showed so much promise for the guys. Musically this is progressive metal, somewhere between Psychotic Waltz, Sieges Even, Payne's Gray, Behind the Curtain and perhaps a tiny bit of Mekong Delta. So quite technical in foundation, lots of great guitar playing and a heck of an awesome bass player, and a bit "off kilter" or "psychedelic" in sound. The keyboards brings in a different element, and for some reason reminds me of their contemporaries in The Quiet Room. I remember receiving the album while working at a music magazine back in the day and I loved the album back then. Re-listening now (it has probably been 5 years since I last played it), I can see why they weren't going to be picked up by any of the labels back then, as they are just too "weird" and too "self-indulgent", but that's just the exact reasons why I love it.

Stream of the song "Killing Ground" (the album's opener):
https://youtu.be/N3hDPtTHhXU

Stream of titletrack "Sigiriya" (probably the most melodic song):
https://youtu.be/Bn7B7RoIeTg

Stream of the song "Coba" (this one is very bass heavy):
https://youtu.be/GIpcW2qSohU

Stream of the song "Alone" (this one crosses over to prog-rock a bit):
https://youtu.be/Q8HSVLu1B5U

This one came from nowhere! Really obscure and really good! Thanks! They remind me the prog metal band Mystica from Bulgaria who came after. So I guess we have to say that Mystica reminds Nothingfaith instead.

[johnhead]

I am really surprised that no one has mentioned Divine Regale



http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp? ... e%20press.

the keyboardist toured with Fates Warning for the Pleasant Shade of Grey tour. I liked the album as it had that Enchant feel.

DIVINE REGALE - Ocean Mind
1997

Yes, "Ocean Minds" is a wonderful album. I loved it back then and I still do - thanks for reminding me, been a while though since I listened to it, time to change that. Their demo "Horizons" a few years earlier was even better in my opinion. If you can find it, check it out. Two of the songs made it onto the album though.

The drummer, Mike Anderson, visits this board once in a while, and two years or so ago he posted a new song, which was really awesome as well:
https://youtu.be/pwdYQ1Pqyg4

For some reason the album never came out ...

where can I find the EP?

[introclaus]

I am really surprised that no one has mentioned Divine Regale



http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp? ... e%20press.

the keyboardist toured with Fates Warning for the Pleasant Shade of Grey tour. I liked the album as it had that Enchant feel.

DIVINE REGALE - Ocean Mind
1997

Yes, "Ocean Minds" is a wonderful album. I loved it back then and I still do - thanks for reminding me, been a while though since I listened to it, time to change that. Their demo "Horizons" a few years earlier was even better in my opinion. If you can find it, check it out. Two of the songs made it onto the album though.

The drummer, Mike Anderson, visits this board once in a while, and two years or so ago he posted a new song, which was really awesome as well:
https://youtu.be/pwdYQ1Pqyg4

For some reason the album never came out ...

where can I find the EP?

I’m seeing it on Discogs for $6.99

[giedrius]

WOW, I have just recently re-found this board and was very happy seeing the content and familiar names! I don't recall if I posted often on Perpetual Motion 20 years ago, or if I have just read it a lot. It is great that many of you keep the interest in progressive metal! And I can say the same for myself - I still have the need to listen to every progressive metal (or related) band that exists, as well as continue my quest to find all hidden bands from the 90s that I somehow missed.

To add to this thread:


Brothers Grimm - Helm's Deep
US Progressive technical metal with thrash elements, reminds of early Psychotic Waltz, WatchTower, Fates Warning (No Exit), Sieges Even
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKP3ENzzmik



Seers Tear - Precious
UK Progressive metal with a little bit of doom and progressive rock, and early Psychotic Waltz influences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlp3muu3WiI

[introclaus]

WOW, I have just recently re-found this board and was very happy seeing the content and familiar names! I don't recall if I posted often on Perpetual Motion 20 years ago, or if I have just read it a lot. It is great that many of you keep the interest in progressive metal! And I can say the same for myself - I still have the need to listen to every progressive metal (or related) band that exists, as well as continue my quest to find all hidden bands from the 90s that I somehow missed.

Welcome "back" Giedrius. Glad to have you join us here.

Brothers Grimm - Helm's Deep
US Progressive technical metal with thrash elements, reminds of early Psychotic Waltz, WatchTower, Fates Warning (No Exit), Sieges Even
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKP3ENzzmik

Wow, this is awesome. I don't think I ever heard about these guys. There's definitely some PW and FW to it as you mention, I also hear some Inner Strength, Jester's March and Toxik to it. Great guitars. The vocalist is one of those "love him or hate him" kind of singers - sometimes he hits those stratospheric notes where it's almost painful, but there's a great charm to it. It's like Geddy Lee mixed with Buddy Lackey lol

Seers Tear - Precious
UK Progressive metal with a little bit of doom and progressive rock, and early Psychotic Waltz influences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlp3muu3WiI

Yeah i always liked this album. You're right about the doom sound (seeing members ended up in Godthrymm, Solstice and My Dying Bride, no wonder).

[giedrius]

Divebomb Records have Brothers Grim "Helm's Deep (Deluxe Edition)" planned for 2022, I plan to get it

[introclaus]

Divebomb Records have Brothers Grim "Helm's Deep (Deluxe Edition)" planned for 2022, I plan to get it

Nice, that is definitely something I'm gonna have to pick up when that happens. Divebomb once in a while picks some really obscure gems that truly deserve to be proper released.

[Sir Exar Kun]

Another one-and-done bands that flew well under most radars..... Nation Beyond "The Aftermath Odyssey" from 2007. Straddling the classic power/prog metal line, mixing elements of Labyrinth / Angel Dust / Queensryche together in a blender.... I think I picked this up in a bargain bin at ProgPower for like $3 or so, no less!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocn9sXc8pfo[/youtube]

[introclaus]

Another one-and-done bands that flew well under most radars..... Nation Beyond "The Aftermath Odyssey" from 2007. Straddling the classic power/prog metal line, mixing elements of Labyrinth / Angel Dust / Queensryche together in a blender.... I think I picked this up in a bargain bin at ProgPower for like $3 or so, no less!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocn9sXc8pfo[/youtube]

Yeah - Ken released this on Sensory. Solid album with some Savatage inspirations as well…

[Mardoch]

I don't think they count as heroes really, but I've been listening to the Above Symmetry album, Ripples, again lately and it's still quite good. It's a shame they broke up, but at least they put out one great album on the way.

[Sir Exar Kun]

I don't think they count as heroes really, but I've been listening to the Above Symmetry album, Ripples, again lately and it's still quite good. It's a shame they broke up, but at least they put out one great album on the way.

Great disc, and agree it's a shame they never put out another..... Can't remember the exact title, but there was a song on there (something about "black and white") that just blew me away the first time I heard it....

[Mardoch]

I don't think they count as heroes really, but I've been listening to the Above Symmetry album, Ripples, again lately and it's still quite good. It's a shame they broke up, but at least they put out one great album on the way.

Great disc, and agree it's a shame they never put out another..... Can't remember the exact title, but there was a song on there (something about "black and white") that just blew me away the first time I heard it....

Between Black & White, yep. This is one of those albums where no single tune really pulls ahead of the others but they all just work super well together. Probably gonna keep it in rotation for a bit.

[introclaus]

IN THE NAME
1995

Canadian band that only did one self-titled release on Rising Sun Records. Been forever since I listened, but once going back to it this morning I immediately remembered it. It's kind of a mixture between the "Perfect Symmetry"/"Parallels"/"Inside Out" era of Fates Warning, early Dream Theater (the debut and the Majesty demo), hints of what Psychotic Waltz did on "Mosquito", perhaps a bit of "Promised Land" Qryche, and then, as all Canadian prog bands from that time, a huge helping of Rush. A bit "introvert" musically, and it never really goes beyond it's own little comfort zone. But what it does, it does really well. Funny thing is, that some of the songs (the final three actually) are re-recordings from their 1991 demo when they were called KINGSBANE, and those might actually be the best ones on the album, as they are a bit more "pure". Either way - been a while since I listened to this disc, and (surprisingly) I actually still like it.
https://youtu.be/BGnYLv1TYXg (full stream of "In the Name")
https://youtu.be/y1j5hvSfZcA (full stream of "'91 Demo Tape" as Kingsbane)

[T'ski]

Stride - Imagine (2005)

Went scrolling through my collection and spotted this one. I believe they were an instrumental band prior to this release but found a vocalist for this. Catchy melodic prog with some AOR thrown in at times. Very good listen.

[Mardoch]

Stride - Imagine (2005)

Went scrolling through my collection and spotted this one. I believe they were an instrumental band prior to this release but found a vocalist for this. Catchy melodic prog with some AOR thrown in at times. Very good listen.

I lament that A) I didn't get to see these folks at PPUSA (poor college student at the time) and B) they broke up. Imagine is still such a fantastic piece of melodic Prog.