CRB 21ST CENTURY MIXTAPE - VOL. 2 (PROG EDITION)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Let me be the first to say, I don't know much about prog.  It's practically a brand new genre for me.  But it's been discussed in several threads of late, so I thought I'd scout the internet and see what I could come up with.  My main goal here is to introduce you to new music.  The oldest song that I have included is from 2000.  I may do a future volume that features more established artists such as Rush, King Crimson and Genesis.  But for now, let's see if I have come up with some tracks and bands that you aren't familiar with.

 

Once again, I have split the playlist up into two sides (similar to an actual mixtape).  Side A will be bands that are labled Prog Metal (with the possible exception of Benedictum, who are a metal band but they are covering a prog song, so there you go).  Side B are bands that are labled simply as Prog or Heavy Prog.  I found several of these on the website www.progarchives.com, which seems to be an excellent reference to all things prog. 

 

I'll try to include the band name, genre and band's nationality, song title, album title, year of release, running time and a brief description of where I found the stream.  I may also include a link to either the band's website or some description/bio of the band.  I have cut the playlist to 10 songs total, 5 on each side because of the length of the material.  I hope you enjoy it and maybe discover a new band that you like.

 

To listen to the mixtape, click HERE.

 

 

Side A (Running Time 30:32)

 

1. Benedictum (Heavy Metal, American) - Overture/The Temples Of Syrinx (Dominion - 2011) - 8:17

    I found this on www.bravewords.com.  Like I said, Benedictum are not a Prog Metal band, but since it's a Rush

    cover, I thought I'd include it.

 

2. Clandestine (Prog Metal, American) - Disappear In You (The Invalid - 2011) - 4:26

    This song was streaming on the site www.reverbnation.com.  Don't let the little growl at the beginning fool you. 

    All of the lyrics are clean and I have this album on my wish list.

 

3. Redemption (Prog Metal, American) - Bleed Me Dry (The Origins Of Ruin - 2007) - 4:57

    I found the video for this song on the website www.insideoutmusic.com.  It has a lot of stuff that I haven't

    explored yet.  Another band I'd like to pick up some material from.

 

4. Fates Warning (Prog Metal, American) - Heal Me (FWX - 2004) - 7:34

    This song is streaming on progarchives.com. 

 

5. Vanden Plas (Prog Metal, Germany) - Holes In The Sky (The Seraphic Clockwork - 2010) - 5:18

    Progarchives.com has several songs by Vanden Plas streaming.  The site's bio says they started out as a hair

    metal band, but are now more like Dream Theater.

 

Side B (Running Time 38:24)

 

1. Riverside (Prog Metal, Poland) - I Turned You Down (Second Life Syndrome - 2005) - 4:32

    Okay, I know I said side A is the Prog Metal side, but this doesn't sound all that metal to me, so it's over on side

    B.  But I still like it and I have already bought this album.  It's in the mail as I write this.

 

2. Big Big Train (Crossover Prog, United Kingdom) - Kingmaker (Far Skies Deep Time - 2011) - 10:36

    Okay, an exception to my rule that the song has to be streaming.  This actually comes off of one of those "free"

    CD's that comes with Classic Rock Presents Prog magazines.  Sounds kinda like Phil Collins singing.

 

3. Comedy Of Errors (Neo Prog, United Kingdom) - The Student Prince Pt. 1: When Will I See You Again

    (Disobey - 2011) - 9:13 - Again, a rule exception.  This comes off of the same CD that the previous song comes

    from.

 

4. Transatlantic (Symphonic Prog, Multi-National) - Rose Colored Glasses (The Whirlwind - 2009) - 7:50

    Streaming on progarchive.com.  This is a prog supergroup, featuring Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Mike Portnoy

    (ex- Dream Theater), Ronnie Stolt (Flower Kings) and  Pete Trewavas (Marillion). 

 

5. Bigelf (Heavy Prog, United States) - Money Machine (Money Machine - 2000) - 7:13

    We close it out with an American band.  Bigelf has been feature on CRB before, I think by Jon, maybe in NMC.

    I'm about to search that and re-listen, 'cause I kinda like this.  I can't remember what I thought of them the first

    time.  This song is streaming on progarchives.com.

[Jon]

Fates Warning, Transatlantic, Bigelf....all three of those bands are fantastic.

[Jon]

Take out the first two songs and this was fantastic. Just couldn't get into the Rush remake and the second song just sorta stunk. Everything else was really good. We need some Fates Warning posted here, just sayin'......