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Progressive rock

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Entropia said:
Check out The Flower Kings for a similar sounding band!
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I love both bands, but I've never understood comparisons between the two. Sure, they both use Moog and 'tron, but TFK are several magnitudes more sophisticated.

Manu said:
I liked maybe two songs from their latest record.

We're Here Because We're Here was perfect and after that they've been unsuccesfully trying to replicate what made it so special since.

Weather Systems was good though.
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A Fine Day To Exit is still my favorite Anathema record :3
 
Can anyone suggests albums or artists like Karnivool's Themata album? Its such a fantastic progressive rock album but I'm not too familiar in the genre as I usually listen to progressive metal.
 
Erin S Kittens said:
A Fine Day To Exit is still my favorite Anathema record :3
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It's a great album. Mine is probably A Natural Disaster.

Thing is, this new, positive, sunshine-and-rainbows Anathema isn't doing it for me.

It worked on WHBWH because it felt sincere. The latest two albums have felt formulaic and cheesy.
 
Which albuns did you like most in 2014?

TBH, I haven't heard much progressive stuff this year, except for Skyharbor, Pink Floyd (very good album, IMO), Opeth and iamthemorning.

However, one of my biggest discoveries in Progressive music was Big Big Train. English Eletric albums are some of the best stuff I've heard.
 
My favorite prog album this year was probably Tellurian, by Soen.

They still sound a bit too much like Tool but they added some Opeth in the mix. Great stuff.
 
I will take a look on Soen's album D:

Truant said:
Hey guys,

Some of you may have heard this, but I'm posting it here for the last time since I quit the band two weeks ago. I hope you'll support the guys even though there's no GAF member left.

It's pretty proggy. A mix between Meshuggah and Michael Jackson :)

https://soundcloud.com/maratonband/change-of-skin
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Pretty good stuff, thought I wouldn't say that it is progressive haha (not that this matters anyway)
 
Tomasoares said:
I will take a look on Soen's album D:



Pretty good stuff, thought I wouldn't say that it is progressive haha (not that this matters anyway)
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Progressive in that it tries to do something different, not in that it sounds like all the other bands in the "genre", but yeah. It's mostly pop.
 
Yeah, I agree, it depends on what definition of progressive you are using, but anyway, this doesn't matters much, the music there is pretty good (and with a unique texture) anyway.
 
Manu said:
I liked maybe two songs from their latest record.

We're Here Because We're Here was perfect and after that they've been unsuccesfully trying to replicate what made it so special since.

Weather Systems was good though.
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I prefer Weather Systems to We're Here Because We're Here. I don't agree that it felt formulaic or that it wanted to replicate previous album's success. It just continued the path marked up by WHBWH but at the same time sounded different. And songs like The Gathering of the Clouds or The Storm Before the Calm really made the album great.

However, I haven't heard their latest album. The songs that were released to promote it just didn't do it for me and they really felt like been there, done that. But that was my first reaction to them; I will probably buy it anyway.


Anyway, anyone heard of Phideaux? Searching for the band's name on GAF gave me only three results (two from 2009 and one from 2013) and I think it's a shame because I find them fantastic:

Waiting for the Axe to Fall (from Number Seven, 2010):
https://soundcloud.com/phideaux/waitingfortheaxetofall

And Microdeath Softstar (Doomsday Afternoon, 2007):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czY2-526Ous

are my favorite pieces.
 
Mr_Zombie said:
Anyway, anyone heard of Phideaux? Searching for the band's name on GAF gave me only three results (two from 2009 and one from 2013) and I think it's a shame because I find them fantastic:

Waiting for the Axe to Fall (from Number Seven, 2010):
https://soundcloud.com/phideaux/waitingfortheaxetofall

And Microdeath Softstar (Doomsday Afternoon, 2007):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czY2-526Ous

are my favorite pieces.
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I only know him from his work with Ayreon. Haven't checked his band. Will do.
 
Mr_Zombie said:
I prefer Weather Systems to We're Here Because We're Here. I don't agree that it felt formulaic or that it wanted to replicate previous album's success. It just continued the path marked up by WHBWH but at the same time sounded different. And songs like The Gathering of the Clouds or The Storm Before the Calm really made the album great.

However, I haven't heard their latest album. The songs that were released to promote it just didn't do it for me and they really felt like been there, done that. But that was my first reaction to them; I will probably buy it anyway.


Anyway, anyone heard of Phideaux? Searching for the band's name on GAF gave me only three results (two from 2009 and one from 2013) and I think it's a shame because I find them fantastic:

Waiting for the Axe to Fall (from Number Seven, 2010):
https://soundcloud.com/phideaux/waitingfortheaxetofall

And Microdeath Softstar (Doomsday Afternoon, 2007):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czY2-526Ous

are my favorite pieces.
Click to expand...

Manu said:
I only know him from his work with Ayreon. Haven't checked his band. Will do.
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Doomsday Afternoon (something I always stick on at work from time to time for some reason), Number 7 and Snowtorch are good places to start. Unfortunately, rather like Ayreon diminishing returns start kicking in, but it's great stuff.
 
Doomsday Afternoon was my first Phideaux Album I bought back in 2009 or so. As a Tullfan it's naturally to like their music.
 
Manu said:
I liked maybe two songs from their latest record.

We're Here Because We're Here was perfect and after that they've been unsuccesfully trying to replicate what made it so special since.

Weather Systems was good though.
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I tend to think Weather Systems was their best record ever. Something about it blew me the fuck away. WHBWH is pretty damned awesome, too. On the whole, I love Anathema. I think they've got 2 of the better songwriters out there.

Manu said:
My favorite prog album this year was probably Tellurian, by Soen.

They still sound a bit too much like Tool but they added some Opeth in the mix. Great stuff.
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Thanks for reminding me of them! Completely forgot to check this out. Rectifying that now.

Tomasoares said:
Which albuns did you like most in 2014?
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Well, my top 25 looks something like this:

Cynic - Kindly Bent to Free Us
Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel
Opeth - Pale Communion
Alcest - Shelter
Devil Townsend Project - Sky Blue
Devin Townsend Project - Dark Matters
Casualties of Cool - Casualties of Cool
Serdce - Timelessness
Anathema - Distant Satellites
Agalloch - The Serpent and the Sphere
Tides of Man - Young and Courageous
Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun
In Flames - Siren Charms
Periphery - Clear
Thomas Giles - Modern Noise
Pink Floyd - The Endless River
Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails
The Algorithm - Octopus4
Animals as Leaders - The Joy of Motion
Tim Bowness - Abandoned Dancehall Dreams
Exivious - Liminal
Sky harbor - Guiding Lights
The Contortionist - Language
Gazpacho - Demon
Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestite

Plenty of prog in there. Cynic for one blew me away. Well, kind of. I guess at first I was disappointed that it wasn't quite like their last EP, which was just beyond amazing. Kindly Bent grew on me a ton, though. It barely edges out the phenomenal release by Ne Obliviscaris for my album of the year. If you like a little black metal with your prog, check out Citadel.
 
Every time people discuss Genesis it's about whether you prefer Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins. But for me it was Steve Hackett who encapsulated everything I like about them. A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering are my favorite Genesis albums and they were made right after Gabriel left. I suspect this gave Hackett a lot more room for songwriting contributions. What really hammered down the point for me was listening to his solo material which is like 100% of the aspects I enjoyed the most from Genesis.

Spectral Mornings

Twice Around The Sun
 
Hey guys, this is a gaming cult classic, and it has been driving me nuts, can anyone explain to me what is going on with the timing at the 55 second mark of Plok-Akrillic?

I've tried counting the measures, it seems like it starts with 6/4 at the beginning, simple enough, but it starts doing some weird things around 55 seconds in that I can't seem to figure out.
 
I'm new be nice said:
Hey guys, this is a gaming cult classic, and it has been driving me nuts, can anyone explain to me what is going on with the timing at the 55 second mark of Plok-Akrillic?

I've tried counting the measures, it seems like it starts with 6/4 at the beginning, simple enough, but it starts doing some weird things around 55 seconds in that I can't seem to figure out.
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Oh my god. I can't believe someone posted a link to Plok! music in the prog rock thread.

:D

Listening to it now, it seems to be something like:

0:55 - 1:03 is 3/4
1:04 - 1:09 seems to be two beats of 7/4
then it goes to 4/4 until about 1:19 or so and eventually back to 6/4

Something tells me it's probably simpler than it sounds. I love it when composers do that. Like "Bonnie the Cat" on the second disc of Porcupine Tree's The Incident. I couldn't figure that one out until I realised it was just
3/4 for most of the song
.

Speaking of which, has anyone managed to get an early (legal) listen of Hand. Cannot. Erase. yet?
 
Rahul said:
Oh my god. I can't believe someone posted a link to Plok! music in the prog rock thread.

:D

Listening to it now, it seems to be something like:

0:55 - 1:03 is 3/4
1:04 - 1:09 seems to be two beats of 7/4
then it goes to 4/4 until about 1:19 or so and eventually back to 6/4

Something tells me it's probably simpler than it sounds. I love it when composers do that. Like "Bonnie the Cat" on the second disc of Porcupine Tree's The Incident. I couldn't figure that one out until I realised it was just
3/4 for most of the song
.
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Yeah it's so natural you barely even notice it! Just the way it should be! Just counting it now you must be right, and I can finally sleep! Thanks man!

The progression is so good and has so much potential within a real framework, even quick covers like this show how powerful it is. Definitely inspired!
 
Hand. Cannot. Erase. is brilliant. I don't know if I like it more than Raven as the first pair of tracks (sans the opener) linger on for a bit but its all uphill after that. Regret #9 has to have one of the best solos Wilson's had in any song of his (seriously Govan completely outdid himself in this album) and Ancestral might just be the best prog track Wilson has ever done.

I was skeptical for a long time but he's done it again. Ever since his new line-up it's been nothing but good tidings for his solo work. He's coming to play live in Malmö again in April and last I saw him was when he toured for Grace. I have to see the new album, as well as Raven, translated live.
 
Oh that's great news.

I haven't heard this new material from Wilson, yet. But besides Steve Vai and Opeth, he is pretty much the only one that I know for sure can't disappoint me with every new release.
 
Subbed. I did not know about this thread!

Though I'm not a "genre" guy, I'd put Yes (Brufford years), King Crimson (Brufford years), and Mars Volta on my short list of favorite bands.

I just can't get into Rush or Dream Theater, and I've tried so many times.

Lots of names in here I haven't listened to. In for a very fun weekend!
 
Nice I do enjoy some prog rock now and then, subbed. Here are a few bands I didn't already see mentioned

Indukti - Freder A polish band that I think some Tool fans would enjoy.

Inverta - Acht Los Angeles band INVERTA. Their sound can be described as melodically-charged, and multi-layered; a fusion of hard rock and progressive/alternative metal.

Hidria Spacefolk - Kaneh Bosm is a Finnish folk-influenced progressive / psychedelic rock / space rock band. They kinda remind me of ozric tentacles, but I do enjoy their faster "theme" changes more
 
I think I must be the only one disappointed with Soen's follow-up. It's just nowhere near as memorable for me, albeit a quality slice of music nonetheless.

I feel as if they opted for a more atmospheric, "vibe-y" sound and consequently forwent a lot of the hooks that pulled me in for repeated listens with the Cognitive. I mean, the ending to 'Canvas' on their debut is Soen at their best, in my opinion: a huge climax of in-your-face, classy catchiness that just isn't heard all that often on Tellurian. I've only found myself returning to 'Kuraman' every now and then, as it has that structure and writing style reminiscent of their debut.

Anyway! Moving on, I've gotta give a huge shout-out to Beardfish. Their latest is simply fantastic and has dominated my rotation for the last couple of months. Such interesting and memorable writing. There's this pervading sense of "fun" whilst listening that I've not encountered with an album for quite some time. That's not to say that the music is happy or anything; they're really quite great at shifting between moods, intensities and styles. Take the title track, for example - filled with old-school prog rock stylings - and then contrast it with 'Daughter/Whore', which is borderline thrash in comparison, but no less amazing.

It's seriously one of those albums that you can safely recommend to people who like MUSIC and THINGS THAT ARE GOOD.
 
"Hand. Cannot. Erase." is really fucking good. I'm glad Steven changed the "let's bring 70s prog rock to the present" formula from the previous albums. Change is good.

now get back with Porcupine Tree, goddammit
 
One of the less known but really great bands is Seventh Wonder. Their 3rd album Mercy Falls (2008) received many 10/10 reviews and is my favorite prog album of all time.
It's a concept album which tells a story about a man in coma caused by a car accident, the story progresses in real world and inside the man's head.

The band's vocalist is one of the greatest metal singers, Tommy Karevik (the man who replaced Roy in Kamelot) and their bassist, Andreas Blomqvist is just insane (videos 1 & 2), rest of the band is also top notch.

"Paradise" from Mercy Falls
"Hide and Seek" from Mercy Falls
"The Great Escape" from The Great Escape
 
I too am digging Hand. Cannot. Erase. I think I'm not quite as blown away as I have been in the past by some of the songs on his albums. I'm not sure this reaches the highs as songs like Drive Home, The Raven, Deform to form a Star, etc. At the same time, it is varied and consistent. There are a lot of different influences, and it all comes together really well.

I am glad he's gone a bit away from the very classic prog influence. Don't get me wrong, I really loved that on The Raven and Grace for Drowning. Just glad to hear more influences from him. It's going to be interesting to see where his solo output goes now that he's definitely not doing Porcupine Tree or Blackfield or No-Man really anymore. This album I can kind of notice a few of those songs. I think the title track feels like it may have partially been a Blackfield song at one point. I know Perfect Life was definitely a No-Man idea at some point. So, that's kind of cool.

Overall it's a pretty solid record.
 
Who has a photo with the mighty Arjen Lucassen? I have! :D

Last evening Anneke (from the Gathering) and Arjen performed their last concert of their The Gentle Storm tour in a small club in Poznań, Poland. It was an acoustic concert so there were just Anneke, Arjen and two acoustic guitars they were playing on, but it was still amazing. They performed three songs from The Diary (their newest album), several songs from Ayreon's older albums (mainly Into The Electric Castle, The Human Equation and 01011001) and few covers. Anneke (who was the lead singer during the concert, Arjen was only joining her during few songs that were written for two singers) really pulled it off. She has a lovely voice and it was great to hear her interpretations of some songs. The audience helped her too. When she started singing "Day 6: Childhood" the whole club started to sing along; at one point both Anneke and Arjen suddenly stopped playing/singing, but the audience continued. :D

Anneke is really sweet - they whole time she was on scene she was a joy to watch and listen to - and Arjen is a cool guy. At the beginning of the show he warned us that there might be few fuck ups here and there since it's his first tour in eight years. And indeed there were fuck ups, but they managed to laugh it off and just continued with the show. After the concert they stayed for almost two hours to talk with fans, sign posters and CDs and take photos.Unfortunately, I only managed to take a photo with Arjen since there was a long line to Anneke and I had to catch my bus back home. :(
 
RDreamer said:
This album I can kind of notice a few of those songs. I think the title track feels like it may have partially been a Blackfield song at one point.
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LOL, I thought exactly the same thing. It reminded me of the first 2 Blackfield albums (and that's a good thing).

EDIT:

I love Anneke. And her voice.
 
Congratulations to Magnum for getting their latest album 'Escape From The Shadow Garden' voted number 1 album on planet rock this week, considering it was up against the likes of Pink Floyd amongst others that's quite an achievement. If your not familiar with them or not heard them in awhile, do your ears a favour and have a listen. It's criminal that this hard working band aren't better known.
 
Has there been anything noteworthy in Prog Rock for the past 6 months? I can only wait so long for The Dear Hunter's next album before I need my next fix! D:
 
I'm very excited to go home and listen to Hand. Cannot. Erase. My wife told me it's arrived at my house so I know what I'm doing tonight. I might listen on the surround sound downstairs with a couple of beers.

I'm also looking forward to the end of the month for The Gentle Storm album. I love the first single they released and pretty much everything Arjen does is great. Anneke has such a fantastic voice.

On a side note, I just wanted to bring some attention to an album that I really liked from last year that had some really nice guitar work. The name of the band is Cosmograf and the name of the album is Capactior. This kind of came out of nowhere for me last year much as Synaesthesia did as well. Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBnRZ3cVebA
 
Manu said:
Hand. Cannot. Erase. is really good. In my opinion it's the album The Incident wanted to be but fell short.
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I might or might not get killed (?) by this but The Incident is, by far, my least-favorite "modern" (as in starting from Signify) Porcupine Tree album - and I'm a fucking PT fanboy. It sounds like a tired formula streched out over two discs with few high points, among them: the title track, I Drive the Hearse and *especially* Remember Me Lover.
Actually, RML is what I thought the band would sound like after In Absentia: a bit heavier but not losing the floydian touch. What we actually got was a different beast, one I still like (but not as much as the one between Stupid Dream and In Absentia).
 
Oh I agree. When The Incident came out I got a lot of shit for saying I thought it was an unfocused, incoherent mess. I always felt like Wilson had a ton of different ideas and decided to just record all of them without caring about cohesiveness. Even the "incident" theme was half-baked.
 
Manu said:
Oh I agree. When The Incident came out I got a lot of shit for saying I thought it was an unfocused, incoherent mess. I always felt like Wilson had a ton of different ideas and decided to just record all of them without caring about cohesiveness. Even the "incident" theme was half-baked.
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oh yeah, it was like "everything is an incident if you want to get precise" or stuff like that, lmao
 
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