I've never been a big fan of the prog metal sub-genre, but I do have a few exceptions. I'll never like growling vocals, or guitars that are just too crunchy-loud. But when I hear a symphonic element to prog-metal, that can grab my ear, especially if the beloved mellotron is used. That is what really turned me on to Opeth and Katatonia. Can anyone please tell me of more bands in a similar vein? Thanks!
Day dawns dark...it now numbers infinity.
Perihelion Ship A Rare Thunderstorm in Spring
Bandcamp link
Personnel:
Andreas Hammer - Guitar, Vocals
Jani Konttinen - Hammond Organ, Mellotron
Jouko Lehtonen - Bass Guitar
Jari-Markus Kohijoki - Drums
released January 20, 2016
A friend just turned me onto Swedish prog metal band Ghost's newest "Meliora". I hear some 'tron and other symph elements that keep me coming back for more. And clean vox. And harmonies and massed vocals. Me likey.
I hear a bit of 'Tron in some current indie rock but rarely in metal. I never understood why prog metal bands used cheesy sounding digital synths instead of more meaty sounding Hammonds or mini-Moogs. Imagine putting an organ or monophonic synth through distortion pedals? Some of the heaviest stuff I've heard had no guitars at all, it was all distorted bass and bass-y synths.
The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off
This is exactly what I don't like, no thanks!Originally Posted by Svetonio
Day dawns dark...it now numbers infinity.
Weight? Expense? Reliability? That the musicians aren't even familiar with those old-school instruments, or consider them dated? Many possible reasons.
Or perhaps that current-day metal is almost entirely guitar-oriented - and even in prog-metal, the keyboardist is usually an afterthought and may not even be a live player. Note that even in Dream Theater, Jordan entirely plays second fiddle to John P. (as does everyone in the band). He uses mostly (sampled) piano, (modeled) lead synth, various digital synth pads, and synth parts that double the guitar. Very rarely does he use the kind of Jon Lord Hammond sound that can meet the lead guitar as an equal.
It's interesting how the "trend" decides what is dated and what is not. A Hammond Organ is dated, but an electric guitar is not dated? An electric bass is not dated but a Moog synth is dated. Drum machines are on tour now with indie rock bands while real drummers playing acoustic kits are dated.
Electronica music is "modern" even though it has changed little in the last 30 years within popular culture.
When will rap and hip hop be "dated"? When will electronica or music made with computers be archaic and dated?
When do the instruments used in the symphony get tossed in the garbage for being outdated and archaic?
Why does an instrument need to have 3000 sounds in a bank to sound good and be relevant?
Code Mut
Bandcamp link
Released February 27, 2015
Tungsten The Reservoir
Bandcamp link
Released January 14, 2014
it's a bit of a stretch to call these bands prog metal but...
Tilion - 680819DP
Tilion - Nocturnal (II. Part Two)
Osada Vida - Three Seats Behind A Triangle
Presto Ballet - Peace Among The Ruins
i.ain't.dead.irock
Morte Macabre Symphonic Holocaust
Released on the label Mellotronen, 1998
Thanks for sharing this they are great!!
Enjoy the moment... It's the only way to fly!
Not sure that Morte Macabre is metal. It's dark and it's heavy, and the thing is absolutely drowning in mellotrons (gotta have the aquatic reference), but not metal.
Here are two more for you not to like...
http://vicisolumrecords.com/album/skein-syndrome
https://lasersedge.bandcamp.com/albu...dream-gone-mad
Enjoy the moment... It's the only way to fly!
Well, the conundrum is this:
OP: I don't really like metal, but I DO love symphonic prog...so, find me metal that isn't actually metal (i.e. sans metal guitars and vocals) but does have symphonic prog elements.
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Well then:
Alamaailman Vasarat or their "sister band" Hoyry-Kone
Distorted Cellos that sound like heavy metal guitars, classically trained musicians, Iron Maiden covers and "hair" solos by the trombone player:
Last edited by jeffo621; 07-25-2016 at 09:48 AM.
LOVE those guys
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Indeed. Great to see in concert too. ISTR that they would introduce songs as a "very happy piece" and then proceed to play a dirge.
My mistake with the Morte Macabre reference was misreading the initial post and thinking it had to be metal bands that used mellotrons.
This thread (IMHO) will be going off the rails pretty quickly, between the OP's not really being interested in prog metal as much as just dark symphonic prog with lots of 70's love, and Svetonio's knack for inundating threads with tons of YT videos, regardless of their relevance.
So, fark it all...post whatever we want, I guess
For example, I love these guys (and they have a connection to Wobbler, just to confound the sympho-purists!):
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
I think the vocalist for In Lingua Mortua will have people racing for the exits, John!
I also think that the Presto Ballet posted above (#10) could be a contender for what the OP might be looking forward, but the guitars are pretty modern 'crunchy'.
Morte Macabre (post #11) might not be metal, but they have that melancholic feel that much of Opeth and Katatonia have.
As if a bad thing!
The thing I like about In Lingua Mortua is all the little textures and nuances that become more apparent on each listen, especially with the keyboards.
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Stand tall and face the harsh vocals!
Viking-statue.jpg
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
After The Sea by Ančma
Bandcamp link
Released February 17, 2017
Personnel:
Dario Giannė - 5 strings Bass Guitars , Keyboards&Synth, Mellotron, Rhodes, Hammond, Moog
Lorenzo Giannė - Lead&Rhythm Electric Guitars, 8 stringe Electric Guitar, 12 stringe Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Mellotron (Track 6, Track 9) , Backing Vocals (Track 4)
Baco Dė Silenzio - Lead&Backing Vocals
Salvo Crucitti - Drums
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