10 Best Progressive Metal Albums of 2015

Okay so it's been over a year since I've posted, but I promise I've been thinking about you.  And as a token of apology for my neglect, I'm making this offering of the 10 best progressive metal albums of 2015.  These bands may not fit the conventional (and increasingly old-fashioned) boundaries around the genre, in that they don't all feature stratospheric vocals, heavy keyboards or 20 minute epics (although there is some of all of that here).  Rather, they're all bands who play progressive music in that they challenge conventions, themselves and their listeners with either compositional inventiveness, virtuosic performance, a unique approach, complexity or some or all of the above with music that impresses, surprises and delights.

In preparation for this post, I listened to several hundred albums released in 2015 and narrowed down first to about 80 that I really liked and finally to the 10 best which, without further ado, I now present to you.

10. Between the Buried and Me - Coma Ecliptic

I've written about this Raleigh, North Carolina band before.  Their latest album tones it down a bit, but it's still quite heavy, quirky and loaded with tight playing.  They do a great job of balancing twists and turns with catchy hooks on this album and it may be a bit more accessible than its predecessors but that's not to say that it's not a blast to listen to.

9. Khariot - Esoteric
This band from Perth, Australia is a new one to me.  I'm sure glad to have been introduced.  They clearly take a cue from brilliant Canadian metallers Gorguts with the brutal heaviness, atonal riffing and soloing, and the blazing drumming, but it does somehow sound fresh and a bit more modern.  And it's only two people!

8. Leprous - The Congregation
These guys have been favorites of mine for a while now, and this, their fourth full-length studio offering, doesn't disappoint.  It's a step back toward the heavy after 2013's Coal, which was a bit more somber and prog-rock than previous albums.  This polished work sits somewhere in the middle of that and their earlier, more buoyant rockers.

7. Piah Mater - Memories of Inexistence
Another new band, this time from Rio de Janeiro, this progressive death metal band plays an eclectic blend of heavy riffing and acoustic interludes, clean and growling vocals, reminiscent of Still Life era Opeth with perhaps a bit of more avant-tinged moments that remind me of Forgotten Silence.

6. Symphony X - Underworld

Another pristine effort from neo-classical prog-power stalwarts Symphony X, Underworld is similar in style and quality to their last couple of albums.  With the usual orchestral and choral sections, super tight ensemble work, odd and mixed meters, precise technical execution and blistering chops on all instruments, it's just one more in a long catalog of impressive albums.

5. Intronaut - The Direction of Last Things
Unbelievably, this Los Angeles based quartet just keeps getting better and better.  I've seen their unique sound described as post-prog metal, and I think that's about as good a box as any you could put around them.  It's loaded with twisty ensemble playing, unusual vocal harmonies and stunning rhythm section work.  As good as this album is, they're even better live and a highly recommended concert outing.

4. Orakle - Eclats
Orakle, from Paris, has apparently been around for at least 12 years, but this is the first I've ever heard of them, and am I glad I finally did!  Eclats is a pretty zany, but polished release, featuring a wide variety of vocal and compositional styles.  It's all very well put together and, while there are plenty of surprises, nothing seems out of place... a mature and enjoyable listen.

3. Alkaloid - The Malkuth Grimoire

The top three this (last) year are all incredibly impressive bands, starting with German supergoup Alkaloid, featuring members with impressive credits in Obscura, Necrophagist, Aborted, Noneuclid and Blotted Science (among others).  This album borrows some from the afore-mentioned bands, but is perhaps less solidly in the death metal camp than its predecessors.  Really great playing and interesting and enjoyable songs!

2. Gorod - A Maze of Recycled Creeds
Another French band, this time from Bordeaux in the southwest, Gorod's grown over the past 15 or so years into one of the most impressive and inventive technical death metal bands around.  Generally up-tempo and super-tight, this album walks the line between prog and death metal nimbly.

1. Panzerballett - Breaking Brain

This fantastic album by Bavarian jazz/metal hybrid instrumental band is a treat to listen to, but be prepared for twisty metal-infused jazz as opposed to the other way around.  Leads are handled alternately or together by guitar and tenor sax, soloing abounds as does humor, and the rhythmic complexity is never understated.  Make sure you make it to the cheeky "Mahna Mahna" (track 4) for a fun and unique cover, but the whole album is equally amazing.

10 Best Progressive Metal Albums of 2014

For the past couple of months, I've been catching up on albums released last year, and I'm finally ready to give you a list of the best 10.

2014 was a good year for metal, with album releases by a number of long-time heavyweights and some of progressive favorites as well.  In the former category, Arch Enemy, At the Gates, Behemoth, Black Label Society, Blut Aus Nord, Body Count, Crowbar, Down, Exodus, Eyehategod, Godflesh, Judas Priest, Lacuna Coil, Machine Head, Overkill, Slipknot, Triptykon and Vader all had releases last year.  There was even a Grammy favorite tribute album to the late great Ronnie James Dio.  And some fantastic and well-established progressive metal bands also had 2014 releases: Agalloch, Animals as Leaders, Cynic, Mastodon, Opeth, Threshold, Devin Townsend and Vanden Plas.

Despite the albums put out by all of those excellent bands, my list of the 10 best come from relatively new, varied and underexposed acts.  I'm putting them in alphabetical order because they're too difficult to rank, but these 10 definitely stood out to me as the top of a great class.

Beyond Creation - Earthborn Evolution

This Canadian quartet achieves great balance between melodic and technical, brutal and progressive on this fantastic tech-death album.

Conquering Dystopia - Conquering Dystopia

Okay, so maybe it's not completely fair to call this a new or unknown act. I mean it is but guitarist Jeff Loomis has had a pretty full career playing with Nevermore among others. And bassist Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse is no hidden talent either. This album of instrumental metal features blistering neo-classical shredding atop tight, heavy and fast riff-oriented death metal. If instrumental music is your thing, check this out.  It's one of the best of that type I've ever heard.

Dimesland - Psychogenic Atrophy

This is zany, left-handed death metal a la Canadian greats Gorguts and Martyr, but originating from California's bay area.  There's plenty of jazz and thrash thrown in there too.  In fact the only thing you won't find is the kitchen sink... and the melody can be hard to find too.  Highly recommended for anyone who likes twisty, experimental music.


Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails

Another San Francisco band.  And another great technical death metal album, this one and Beyond Creation's (above) are the two most similar on this list.  This one is perhaps a bit more polished and not as overtly jazzy.

Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

Interesting and enjoyable mix of metal styles from Down Under with unusual prominence of the violin reminds me of a modernized and more varied Tristania.

Soen - Tellurian

Another "supergroup" like Conquering Dystopia, this excellent release features a rhythm section of drummer Martin Lopez (of Opeth) and bassist Steve DiGiorgio (of Death, Testament and Sadus) and sits solidly between legendary proggers Tool and Opeth.

Spires - The Whisperer

Grandiose extreme progressive metal from England features long compositions, strong playing, choral and string orchestrations and varied tone.  I'm not a fan of the clean vocals, which populate much of the album, but it's such a strong effort otherwise that they're more than made up for.

Troldhaugen - Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal Massez

Another Australian band, these guys are obviously having a bit of a laugh.  But besides being quirky and irreverent, it's interesting and well-played folk metal with some old-school video game influence thrown in.

Verse Vica - Endeavor

Unfortunately, this awesome band from North Carolina is probably the least-discovered here (along with the equally amazing Dimesland).  Their very proggy release is reminiscent of newer and highly successful bands, fellow NC'ers Between the Buried and Me and instrumental act Animals as Leaders.  I hope these guys can break out in terms of exposure.

Xerath - III

Another English band, this expansive, symphonic metal reminds me of a more interesting Devin Townsend, both compositionally and vocally.  As popular as Devin is, if you like him, check this out.  I think it's better.