by blake | Apr 16, 2017 | Prog Report
After much deliberating, arranging, revising, arguing, adding and subtracting, and more revising, we finally present our list of the Top 50 Modern Prog Songs comprised of songs from 1990-2015. The list looks at the modern Prog landscape from a larger scale point of view, recognizing those bands that have had the largest influence on the genre over the last few decades, and the most celebrated songs from those bands. There are some tracks from a few of the classic Prog bands who had a worthy release in the 90s, but mostly, this list is made up of the newer bands who often get overlooked in favor of the hugely successful classic artists on broader Prog lists. Here you will find bands like Spock’s Beard, Riverside, Anathema, The Dear Hunter, and many of the now well-known bands like Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, and Opeth, with high profile icons like Mike Portnoy, Steven Wilson, and Neal Morse leading the charge with their enormous output of music over the last 25 years.
While this list is certain to generate some disagreements and discussion, it was meant more as a chance to recognize the great songs that have kept Prog relevant and exciting in a new era. There are thousands more that are certainly worthy, but these are the ones that percolated to the top as contenders for the best of the best.
The list is based on a few parameters:
1-The band and song had to be noteworthy, not someone’s favorite song from an unknown band that had one album in 1997
2-The songs had to be released between 1990-2015 (2016-present was too new)
3-Lastly, only one song per album and no entire album songs.
And that’s it. Enjoy, and let the debate begin! We have no doubt it will be heated!
Spotify playlist with most of the songs available here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/progreport/playlist/6dkBTR6Wovn86LEDAmIKdV
50. “Cicatriz ESP” (12:29)
The Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
The long, diverse, and experimental track from the eclectic group’s debut album. The band incorporate elements of Santana, Led Zeppelin and early era Pink Floyd for something unique.
Listen on Spotify
49. “Kingdom” (5:29)
Devin Townsend Project – Epicloud (2012)
After more than 20 years and more than a dozen albums, Devin Townsend made perhaps his best album with 2012’s Epicloud. “Kingdom” is as representative of Devin’s massive wall of sound as there is and is his closing number for every show.
Listen on Spotify
48. “Simple Boy” (5:47)
Karnivool – Sound Awake (2009)
The second album by the Australian Proggers would build on their successful debut album with stellar tracks like the rhythmic opener “Simple Boy” which, although not being a single from the album, remains one of their most popular and memorable songs.
Listen on Spotify
47. “Selkies: the Endless Obsession” (7:23)
Between the Buried and Me – Alaska (2005)
The breakthrough track from the progressive metal outfit remains the perfect showcase for their ability to blend pure, aggressive metal with sophisticated, melodic moments. It was surely a sign for the direction the band would take years later.
Listen on Spotify
46. “Below Zero” (6:07)
Enchant – Wounded (1996)
Back when Prog was struggling for relevance, Enchant were releasing brilliant tracks like “Below Zero”. The guitar riff alone is tremendous but mixed with Ted Leonard’s soaring vocals and the time change towards the end, the song elevates to another level.
Listen on Spotify
45. “Anybody Listening?” (7:58)
Queensryche – Empire (1990)
The last great Prog album and song from one of the pioneering groups from the 80s. Geoff Tate never sounded better than on this track from their multiplatinum selling album. The band would fail to reach the same heights of commercial success but have since regrouped with their new lineup.
Listen on Spotify
44. “A Simple Mistake” (8:18)
Anathema – We’re Here Because We’re Here (2010)
Anathema have the ability to turn the simplest of songs into massive powerful statements. This track builds from ballad to heavy Prog epic in only the way this band can, making for one of their best tracks.
Listen on Spotify
43. “Beyond the Pale” (10:02)
Pain of Salvation – Remedy Lane (2002)
From their celebrated album Remedy Lane, this album closing epic finds the Swedish band presenting everything that is inspiring about their music; the power, the emotion, the intensity, plus outstanding writing.
Listen on Spotify
42. “Escalator Shrine” (12:41)
Riverside – Shrine of New Generation Slaves (2013)
Riverside keep reinventing themselves with each album. SoNGS was another step in the maturation process of Mariusz Duda and this slow, brooding epic is another example of this band’s brilliance.
Listen on Spotify
41. “Monument” (6:35)
Fates Warning – InsideOut (1994)
Few bands paved the way for progressive metal like Fates Warning. This track from the 1994 album remains one of their signature songs and is a lesson in how to write a technically impressive, yet melodic Prog hit.
Listen on Spotify
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by blake | Apr 16, 2017 | Prog Report
The music world lost another great today when it was announced that Allan Holdsworth, the guitar legend, had passed away unexpectedly at age 70. He was now known to have been ill.
Holdsworth, best known as a jazz fusion guitarist, was strongly regarded as one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, known for his flawless technique and groundbreaking experimentation revered by the likes of Eddie Van Halen Joe Satriani and John Mclaughlin, among many others. He was an original member of the prog band U.K. the late John Wetton, Bill and Eddie Jobson, but left following their 1978 debut album, and released a number of solo albums.
His daughters posted this message online earlier today:
“It is with heavy hearts that we notify everyone of the passing of our beloved father. We would appreciate privacy and time while we grieve the loss of our dad, grandad, friend and musical genius. We will update close friends and family when service arrangements have been made and will notify the public of an open memorial service, which all would be welcome. We are undeniably still in shock with his unexpected death and cannot begin to put into words the overwhelming sadness we are experiencing. He is missed tremendously.” Louise, Sam, Emily & Rori
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by blake | Apr 16, 2017 | Prog Report
British band Anathema released their 9th album, ‘Weather Systems’ 5 years ago on April 16th, 2012. It was the follow up to the band’s successful reinvention of itself with the 2010 album ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’. ‘Weather Systems’ features one of the band’s most popular and successful songs “Untouchable, Parts 1 & 2”. The album entered the UK album charts at No. 50 and the German album charts at No. 19.
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by blake | Apr 14, 2017 | Prog Report
John Mitchell, guitarist, songwriter, producer and the man behind Lonely Robot and member of It Bites and Frost*, talks about his latest album ‘The Big Dream’, working with Frost*, the Cruise to the Edge, and tells stories about the great John Wetton.
For the full audio interview click the link below or download the podcast on iTunes.
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by blake | Apr 13, 2017 | Prog Report
Jim Matheos, founding guitarist of legendary US progressive metallers Fates Warning, has announced the release of the debut album from his new Ambient Instrumental Rock project Tuesday The Sky. The first full-length album ‘Drift’ is set for release on June 30th, 2017, and sees Matheos expanding the boundaries of his sound ever further.
Drift came together in the downtime between Fates Warning finishing Theories of Flight and the beginning of the touring cycle, enabling Matheos to explore a type of atmospheric and instrumental music you might not expect of him. He comments: “With this kind of music, it’s a lot about creating a mood and letting that sink in and develop over long periods of time, as opposed to the more frenetic format of most prog music.” Taking cues from artists like Brian Eno, Boards Of Canada, Sigur Ros and Explosions In The Sky, he explores expansive textures and ambient electronica, as well as some of the most colossal riffs he has ever produced.
The album also features the talents of God Is An Astronaut’s drummer Lloyd Hanney, who provides a rhythmic backbone that is at once punchy, precise and restrained when necessary. Other guests include long-time OSI collaborator and former Dream Theater member Kevin Moore who plays keys on two songs as well as Anna-Lynne Williams (Trespassers William, Lotte Kestner), who provides ethereal vocals (of the non-verbal kind) on two other songs.
What the future of this project holds and whether it will be taken out on the road is yet to be seen. Matheos comments: “It would be a challenge to bring this project but it is an interesting idea and one I would at least consider if there seems to be enough interest.” What is sure though, is that Tuesday The Sky’s debut is a bold, brave, creative and ultimately successful album from one of rock’s most underrated of musicians.
The album will be released as special edition CD, black LP + CD & digital download.
Further details will be revealed soon.
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by blake | Apr 13, 2017 | Prog Report
Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by producer, guitarist and singer/songwriter John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Arena), are set to release their much-anticipated second studio album ‘The Big Dream’ on April 28th, 2017. Now check out the second single taken from the album, ‘Sigma’, which you can listen to below.
John had this to say about the track: ‘Sigma is the very last track I recorded for The Big Dream, the nature of which can be summed up with a sadly age old proverb which resonates now more than ever; “History will teach us nothing”.’
The track-listing is as follows:
1. Prologue (Deep Sleep)
2. Awakenings
3. Sigma
4. In Floral Green
5. Everglow
6. False Lights
7. Symbolic
8. The Divine Art Of Being
9. The Big Dream
10. Hello World Goodbye
11. Epilogue (Sea Beams)
Bonus Tracks:
12. In Floral Green (Acoustic Version)
13. The Divine Art Of Being (Acoustic Version)
14. Why Do We Stay? (feat. Kim Seviour)
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