As we enter the final months of 2016, SFTW founder Andy Read recommends ten more albums for those who enjoy progressive music with a heavier disposition.
As usual we have a mini review, plus a link to where you can listen to each album in full. If that is too much for you, then this time we've also added a video track from every disc. And as ever, please support these artists by buying any albums that you enjoy.
*You may also like to read our previous special edition from April with 11 other heavy progressive albums you may have missed and another from July with 10 great discs to sample. Go discover some great new music!
WATCHTOWER - Concepts of Math: Book One
Country: USASub-genre: Technical metal
It has been more than 15 years in the making, but this third (mini) album from the legendary founders of technical metal, has well and truly exceeded my every expectation. Okay, four of the tracks have been released over recent years as digital-only singles, but having them in one place, in proper CD quality and with the addition of the excellent 10-minute opus Mathematica Calculis, is priceless. (If you can get the vinyl version, it is even more priceless!). The songwriting is faultless, and over a quarter-of-a-century after they first got together, the performances of Alan Tecchio (vocals) and Ron Jarzombek (guitars) are quite simply astounding. Every (prog) metal fan needs to hear this album.
Listen to it now: Full album on Spotify
More Information: Artist website
LUCID FLY – Building Castles In Air
Country: USASub-genre: Crossover alt-prog rock
Three EPs and a handful of live shows around Florida and California in over a decade: it is little surprise that Lucid Fly are only a household name in their own homes. That will definitely change, with the release of this immaculately-created debut album. Building Castles In Air is an alluring collection of ten compositions, which straddle that wiggly line between progressive rock and metal. The guitar work is inventive and varied, the rhythm section lays down more grooves than a vinyl factory, and the voice of Nikki Layne is simply world class. The moods vary from the ambient tones and pop of Autumn, the crossover styling of Karnivool and Cog, the prog of a simplified District 97 and the melodic melanchony of early Lacuna Coil. An intoxicatingly-enjoyable listen, from start to finish. Top Track: Next To Strange
Listen to it now: Full album on Band website
More Information: Artist website
EDEN SHADOW – Melodies For Maladies
Sub-genre: Heavy Prog
Grand, fresh and ambitious were the three adjectives springing to mind when I listened to the 10-minute opener on this second album from young Welsh Prog trio Eden Shadow. Featuring vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Elliot, the music takes the lofty aspirations of the 70s greats such as Crimson, Floyd and Genesis (note the cover artist!), adds the more rock and metal journeys of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, and completes the jigsaw with the modern developments of heavy prog and progressive metal. Throw in jazz, psychedelia, blues and some acoustic passages, and you have an eclectically-endearing musical journey, that should cure any maladies you may have collected along with the weekly chores. A crazily good album. Top track: Burden Of Power.
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
HEMINA - Venus
Sub-genre: Heavy prog
Venus is the third album from this prog metal four-piece out of Sydney. I enthused about their last offering, Nebulae, way back in 2014 (edition 38), for its huge and varied soundscapes. This is of a very similar nature, being heavy and energetic, without ignoring their tender and delicate soul. A perfectly balanced 80-minute concept album detailing and examining domestic violence, relationships, and individuality in the 21st century. With songs lasting between three and twelve minutes, Hemina can do concise and expansive, perfectly straddling that line between melodic djent and melodic prog-metal. With all four members singing, this is definitely an album for those, like me, who demand that music has great vocals. Top Track: Moonlight Bride
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
THE SURREALIST - Naked Awareness
Sub-genre: Ambient djent instrumental
I'm not a great fan of instrumental music, nor of djent, but this is just so fresh and beautiful that it simply pulls me into the web that it spins every time. And with just four tracks and a playing time of under 20 minutes, it never outstays its welcome. Beautifully played guitar, with occasional drums, this is an hypnotisingly-meditative take on a crowded genre. Great cover too! Top Track: Canvas Sky.
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
CHIASMA – Human Element
Sub-genre: Modern avant progressive art metal
Sheez! If you define "progressive" as music that blends and pushes new boundaries, then this is way off the charts when it comes to unclassifiable. I have Synthesis, the very impressive 2014 debut album from this Indianapolis-based prog five-piece, but this is a major step-up in class. Soaring female vocals and cleverly-syncopated riffing, amidst a playfully complex, often funky, and ever-changing musical fun ground. This took a few listens to sink in - but will be on my playlist for quite some time. A very fresh updating of the prog-metal genre. (I still find female death vox a little too weird though (only rarely used here)! Top Track: Narcissus and Echo
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
NONHUMAN ERA - NonHuman Era
Sub-genre: Modern progressive metal
The debut EP from this Montreal band a little while back, showed enough promise for me to place a marker for the arrival of their full debut (this came out at the end of the year but I have been waiting for a full stream to become available for SFTW). Mixing the arrangement styles of Dream Theater, with the riffage, aggression and vocals of Meshuggah and Pantera, and an occasional nod to the groove of djent, this will appeal equally to fans of prog-metal and its more mainstream cousin. Despite the occasional lighter moment, this is definitely the heaviest disc in this edition. Top Track: A New Breed
Listen to it now: Full album on Spotify
More Information: Artist website
ORISSA - Resurrection
Sub-genre: Crossover prog
On a first listen, I casually scribbled Orissa down as another Tool-inspired band. However on further spins it became clear there is so much more to this wonderful album, led by New York-based singer/guitarist David Dodini, that includes sax and flute and a goblet drum (dumbek) player! The constant movement between heavy crossover prog and more reflective moments, reminds me of recent favourites such as Fen, Rishloo, Karnivool and Tempul. An album to spend some more time with, but a Top 10 of the year contender. Another great album cover too. Top Track: The 15-minute Blue Communion.
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
ECLIPSE – Prithibir Prohor
Sub-genre: ProgPower metal
Now, we do pride ourselves at SFTW on being able to uncover bands and artists that you will never have heard of before. Well, if a Google search is any barometer, then this is the very first European (mini) review for this seriously good slab of keyboard-heavy, riff-heavy, vocal-heavy progressive power metal from a new band out of Bangladesh. That's certainly a country first for me (and probably most metal fans!). The vocals are in the singer's native tongue but his power, range and variety just blow me away every time. This is for those who like your metal complex, with great vocals and melodies, stellar shredding and the intensity turned up to 11. And remember: You read it here first!Top Track: Udito.
Listen to it now: Full album on Spotify
More Information: Artist on Facebook
FRACTAL CYPHER - The Human Paradox
Sub-genre: Melodic progressive metal
Back in edition 17 you may have caught my recommendation for Reminisence, the promising debut album from the now-defunct Canadian band Far From Reality. Alternatively you may be a fan of traditional prog metal bands such as Dream Theater, Circus Maximus and Darkwater. If either (or both) apply to you, then you'll have an interest in this, another debut from another Canadian prog metal band, which features three former members of Far From Reality. It's not bursting through any musical boundaries but for those who enjoy complex metal with keyboards/piano to the fore (and can cope with death vox in parts of three tracks) then this is well worth investigating. Top Track: Prison Planet.
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website