Modern Prog Bands That Are Not Metal

[Charlzm]

Bands that haven't been mentioned yet:

Pineapple Thief (sort of electronic-y, singer-songwriter but with some prog elements)
Lobate Scarp ("classic" style prog)
Link Removed (jam band/psychedelic with prog elements)
Heliopolis ("classic" prog)
Big Big Train
Invalid Link Removed (crossover-ish prog)

 

[Charlzm]

I've got 4 recommendations that sound like they would satisfy all of the above requirements - lack of cliche shredding and unique modern tastes that are not derivative of the 70's.

The Tea Club
Ampledeed
Farmhouse Odyssey
Karnivool

I don't get Karnivool at all. And they are a bit noisy and abrasive and thisclose to metal at times...

 

[RandomBass90]

I don't get Karnivool at all. And they are a bit noisy and abrasive and thisclose to metal at times...

Hmm, yeah they're definitely on the metallic side of prog rock, in a Tool kind of way. Try listening to the songs Umbra and Change pt2, both very melodic and beautiful, imo. There's also an incredibly cool delayed slap bass melody in their song All I Know. If those don't do it for you, then there's probably no hope lol.

 

[RandomBass90]

Btw OP, if you're not aware of progarchives.com I'd highly recommend surfing around in there, it's been an awesome resource for finding new music, for me at least.

 

[PaulJSmith]

Check out Glass Hammer, too. Two guys from Chattanooga who always put together killer bands and write fantastic Yes-inspired music. In fact, one of their recent singers Jon Davison has been touring with Yes.

The Laser's Edge can be a great resource for prog noobs, as can Morow.com.

 

[mapleglo]

Bands that haven't been mentioned yet:

Pineapple Thief (sort of electronic-y, singer-songwriter but with some prog elements)
Lobate Scarp ("classic" style prog)
Link Removed (jam band/psychedelic with prog elements)
Heliopolis ("classic" prog)
Big Big Train
Invalid Link Removed (crossover-ish prog)

Wow, thanks for those links. I'm listening to Lobate Scarp right now - so far, excellent!

 

[spanndrew]

Steven Wilson/ porcupine tree

 

[spanndrew]

Haken

 

[spanndrew]

Scale the summit

 

[Versatek6]

Bruford Levin Upper Extremities



Stick Men

 

[spanndrew]

The guys in the Mars Volta have other projects you could look into. Antimasque (also proggy) and at the drive-in (not prog but the same song writers so maybe you'll like).

 

[Slaymus]

Wobbler : Classic prog rock with obvious influences from the 70's.

 

[Lobster11]

Bruford Levin Upper Extremities

Stick Men

+1 to both of these. Which reminds to add: Pat Mastelotto's new album/band KoMaRa.

 

[PaulJSmith]

Enchant has long been a personal favorite, too.

 

[dompt]

Found them on youtube, might be what you're looking for.

 

[jwilson67]

Big Big Train is a great band which has Dave Gregory (XTC) in it. They are very influenced by early Genesis. Also check out stuff by Billy Sherwood.

 

[stringthrough]

I also like some progressive fusion. My Favorite being Mahavishnu Orchestra and Frank Zappa. Looking for someone who I can get in to

Prog fusion you say? I highly recommend the earlier Tribal Tech albums. Here are some samples:

 

[avvie]

Interesting that when prog gets mentioned it rarely includes Muse or Kansas, both of whom are prog but happen to have FM-friendly cuts.

 

[PaulJSmith]

Interesting that when prog gets mentioned it rarely includes Muse or Kansas, both of whom are prog but happen to have FM-friendly cuts.

OP was looking for newer, post-2000 stuff. But yeah, Kansas is unquestionably one of the greats.

 

[Charlzm]

Hmm, yeah they're definitely on the metallic side of prog rock, in a Tool kind of way. Try listening to the songs Umbra and Change pt2, both very melodic and beautiful, imo. There's also an incredibly cool delayed slap bass melody in their song All I Know. If those don't do it for you, then there's probably no hope lol.

There's no hope for me. I have all their albums and have listened to them multiple times. Just can't shrug the feeling of a noisy Radiohead/Smashing Pumpkins mashup with Tool elements.