My Five in Progressive Metal

Progressive Metal is the most complex form of Metal with odd time signatures, greater song lengths and complicated song constructions. It is not a part of popular music. It's very difficult to name just five Prog Metal tracks when there is so much quality to choose from. But here are my favourite five:



1. Norra El Norra (Entering The Ark) by Orphaned Land
This track is from the album "Mabool" by the Israeli band Orphaned Land. Mabool took a staggering six years to make and the end result was one of the greatest progressive albums in music history. Mabool tells the story of three sons who try to warn humanity of a coming flood as punishment for their sins. Eventually they fail since the people refuse to listen to them and the flood comes to be. Kobi Farhi's melodic vocals accompanied by complex instrumentation along with very good production takes you to another world.



2. The Funeral Portrait by Opeth
This track is another gem from the album "Blackwater Park" by the Swedish Progressive Death Metal Band, Opeth. This track has two riffs that's a headbanger's dream. The riff after the thirty second acoustic intro and the riff at 1.08 minutes. Blackwater Park, considered by fans and critics alike as Opeth's manum opus was the first Opeth album to be produced by the British producer Steven Wilson known for his work as the leader of Porcupine Tree.








3. Endless Sacrifice by Dream Theater
This 11 minute masterpiece is off the album "Train of Thought" by the US Progressive Metal band, Dream Theater. Dream Theater, considered a more mature and technical progressive group showed their thrashy and in-your-face metal side in this album. The heavy instrumental sections with the trade offs between John Petrucci's guitar and Jordan Rudess' keyboard is pure brilliance. James Labrie's vocals is reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson's of Iron
Maiden.

4. Blood and Thunder by Mastodon
This track is off the concept album "Leviathan" by the US Sludge Metal band Mastodon, that is based on Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick. The lyrics takes you to captain Ahab's mind while he attempts to capture his big fish.
"Split your lungs with blood and thunder
When you see the white whale
Break your backs and crack your oars men
If you wish to prevail
This ivory leg is what propels me
Harpoons thrust in the sky
Aim directly for his crooked brow
And look him straight in the eye"

With excellent drumming, praiseworthy guitarwork, thoughtful lyrics and a vocal style that is somewhere between a growl and a scream, Mastodon is definitely one of the bands to watch
out for in the future.

5. My Starving Bambina by Novembre
This is off the album "Classica" by Italian Progressive Death Metal band, Novembre. After listening to their albums, "Classica", "Novembrine Waltz" and "Materia", it beats me why they aren't more popular. This track gives you a feeling of heaviness and softness at the same time that is beyond words. Special mention goes to Giuseppe Orlando for his brilliant drumming.