Yea, in the 90's (where I am now in my musicology trip) I was a bit down on prog as being done and over, but lately I've discovered some bands like Ozric Tentacles and Spock's Beard that I never knew about, but who were around then. Clearly the prog has continued into the current generation with your excellent suggestions. I'll look into those bands when I get to the 2000's in a month or so. I'm excited.
Top 10 Progressive Metal Albums Since 2010
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 On 08/01/2015 at 01:13 AM by Blake Turner See More From This User » |
You know what I hate? Nostalgia hounds. Nostalgia can be great, don't get me wrong. When it clouds your ability to enjoy modern things that kick ass, something is wrong. Now, prog fans tend to share this mindset often. “Oh, nothing will ever top King Crimson, Rush, Yes, or Peter Gabriel era Genesis. “Doesn't have mellotron? It's not prog,” they say.
Well, in the wise words of everyone you've ever met: “Go fuck yourself.” There are tons of modern prog excellence, and to prove it I'm going to list 10 that have been released since 2010. Yeah. Awesome prog has been released in the past 5 years. And I'm limiting myself to metal because I'd have far too many entries. I had to cut like crazy just to make this list!
10. Anciients - Heart of Oak
Kicking us off is a fantastic album that a ton of people seem to have forgotten about. A brilliant mix of Opeth style riffs with mastodon inspired melodies. Utterly captivating.
9. Unexpect – Fables of a Sleepless Empire
Unexpects basic music formula is "let's try and put all the musical genres in one song." Weirdly enough it works. It's utterly insane, but it works.
8. Ne Obliviscaris - Portals of I
Proof that metal can be beautiful. It's the Opeth album I've been waiting for since watershed, but with one of the most amazing string section in metal. Sure, they're pretentious, and sure there's some pacing issues, but this is still a captivating album.
7. Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandora's Pinata
Yeah, my favourite album by these guys was released in 2009 and would probably be in the top 3 if I could include it. Still, this album is utterly fantastic if not quite as bizarre and heavy as the amazing Sing Along Songs for the Damned and Delirious. Mixing Jazz, Metal, and Opera. What's not to love?
6. Devin Townsend Project - Epicloud
You know it's a fantastic decade for prog when Devin Fucking Townsend isn't in the top 5. To be fair, if I could include 2009's Addicted, it would be a bit higher. Still, this is an utterly fantastic album, that - unlike most metal out there - is super uplifting and pretty. Devin Townsend is a fucking God who is still going incredibly strong in this decade.
5. The Ocean - Pelagial
Holy shit this album. Starting out as an instrumental album (the instrumental disk comes with the album :D) before adding vocals, this album is utterly masterful. It starts soft and gradually gets darker and heavier as it's modelled after the layers of the ocean. A mix of Sludge Metal, Post Metal, Prog, and a touch of queen sprinkled in for good measure.
4. Shining - Blackjazz
This is the weirdest entry on the list by far, and that's saying something. A brilliant mix of metal, electronica, and jazz, this album is unsettling, creepy, and catchy as fuck when it wants to be. There's also a fantastically discordant cover of King Crimson's 21st Century Schitzoid Man for all you old farts to be terrified by.
3. Soen - Tellurian
When listening to the above song, make sure you listen past the 3 minute mark. That's when the song goes from "pretty good" to "fucking transcendant."
The best way to describe this band is a mix of Opeth and Tool, but with an absolutely outstanding vocalist who almost gives Maynard and Akerfeldt a run for their money. Do not miss this album.
And the album art? Look it up. It has an upperclass Rhino eating people. It's fantastic.
2. Haken - The Mountain
If you don't instantly fall in love with the above song, I'm afraid for your soul. Haken are awesome and deserve your money. With one foot planted firmly in the 70's and one middle finger raised firmly at the tropes that hinder most progressive bands from, well, progressing, Haken are that glorious band that reminds you of all your favourites while simultaneously sounding nothing like them.
1. Leprous – Bilateral
Just like Soen's entry: LOOK UP THE ALBUM ART! It's insane and awesome and insane. Just like the album. Really, any of Leprous' discography could make this spot, they're utterly fantastic. This album is the most fun and offbeat by a lot, so it wins out against the more atmospherically focused successors.
What I love about Leprous is their ability to merge their progressive tendencies with beautiful, soaring melodies that are super catchy. And fun. And awesome.
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Yep. There's 10. And after writing this I've realised there are quite a number of albums I've forgotten/didn't quite make it. So if you want me to do another one of these let me know. I have like, 20-30 more!
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