Ayreon [Netherlands]

Posted: 11th February 2012 by guzz69 in A, Ayreon, Netherlands
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Ayreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon’s musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica. The majority of Ayreon’s albums are dubbed “rock operas” because the albums contain complex storylines featuring a host of characters, usually with each one being represented by a unique vocalist. Ayreon’s music is characterized by the use of traditional instruments in rock music (guitars, bass guitar, drums, analogue synthesizers, electric organs) mixed with instruments more native to folk and classical music (e.g. mandolins, violins, violas, celli, flutes, sitars and didgeridoo). Lucassen writes the music and the lyrics, sings and plays instruments on all of the Ayreon albums, alongside many guest musicians. His regular drummer is Ed Warby.


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Deadsoul Tribe [Austria]

Posted: 24th January 2012 by guzz69 in Austria, D, Deadsoul Tribe
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Deadsoul Tribe was formed by Devon Graves in 2000. Graves was originally the vocalist for another progressive metal band, Psychotic Waltz, where he was credited as Buddy Lackey, but departed from the group in 1997, claiming that he felt himself to be the band’s “weakest link”. In Deadsoul Tribe Graves serves as the principal songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist as well as the producer on all of its releases. The remainder of the band consists of Adel Moustafa on drums and Roland Ivenz on bass, with Roland “Rollz” Kerschbaumer, who joined the band in 2002, providing additional guitarwork. The band’s sound is characterized by heavy usage of tribal rhythms, dark atmospherics and unusual time signatures. Several Deadsoul Tribe tracks, such as “Black Smoke and Mirrors” on A Murder of Crows and “Toy Rockets” on The January Tree feature Devon Graves on flute, an instrument he picked up largely due to his admiration for Jethro Tull mainman Ian Anderson.


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Riverside [Poland]

Posted: 20th January 2012 by guzz69 in Poland, R, Riverside
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Riverside is a progressive rock band from Warsaw, Poland. It was founded in 2001 by friends Mariusz Duda, Piotr Grudziński, Piotr Kozieradzki and Jacek Melnicki, who shared a love for progressive rock and heavy metal. Riverside can be described as a stylistic blend of atmospheric rock and metal elements, resulting in a sound similar to that of Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, The Mars Volta, Opeth, Dream Theater, and Tool, while still maintaining an identity of their own.


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Danko Jones [Canada]

Posted: 16th December 2011 by guzz69 in Canada, D, Danko Jones
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Danko Jones is a Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 1996 the band consists of Danko Jones (vocals/guitar) and JC (also known as John Calabrese) (bass guitar). Atom Willard has replaced drummer Dan Cornelius in the band, though his status is unclear as of September 2011.

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Freak Kitchen [Sweden]

Posted: 6th December 2011 by guzz69 in F, Freak Kitchen, Sweden
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Freak Kitchen is a heavy metal/hard rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1992. Because of the high technical level of their compositions people sometimes refer to their style as progressive metal or progressive rock. Freak Kitchen’s style of music is influenced by many genres besides the traditional heavy metal, ranging from jazz to pop.

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DevilDriver [USA]

Posted: 2nd December 2011 by guzz69 in D, DevilDriver, USA
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DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to drive evil forces away. The band was formed by high school friends Jon Miller, John Boecklin and Jeff Kendrick who later invited lead singer Dez Fafara (ex-Coal Chamber) to join the group. DevilDriver’s music has been widely described an amalgamation of groove metal and melodic death metal.

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Dio [USA]

Posted: 26th November 2011 by guzz69 in D, Dio, USA
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Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial standpoint, as the name was already well-known at that time. Dio in Italian means “God”. The band released ten studio albums and had numerous line-up changes over the years with Ronnie James Dio having been the only constant member. Guitarists have included Craig Goldy (most recent guitarist), Doug Aldrich, Vivian Campbell, Tracy G, Jake E. Lee and Rowan Robertson.

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Cynic [USA]

Posted: 24th November 2011 by guzz69 in C, Cynic, USA
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Cynic is an American progressive rock band, incorporating experimental music, alternative, metal and jazz fusion elements, founded in Miami, Florida and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Their first album, Focus, released on September 14, 1993, is widely regarded as a landmark release of the progressive metal genre. The band released their second album on November 17, 2008. Traced in Air was released through French label Season of Mist, followed up by an EP titled Re-Traced on May 18, 2010.

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Symphony X [USA]

Posted: 19th November 2011 by guzz69 in S, Symphony X, USA
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Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community. They also have achieved more commercial success with the 2007 album Paradise Lost; the band’s 2011 album Iconoclast is the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band’s history.

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Paatos [Sweden]

Posted: 14th November 2011 by guzz69 in P, Paatos, Sweden
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Paatos is a Swedish rock band that was formed in 1999 by Reine Fiske and Stefan Dimle (both previous members of Landberk), Petronella Nettermalm, Ricard Nettermalm and Johan Wallen. Paatos is usually classified as progressive rock, albeit influenced by bands such as Portishead and Massive Attack.


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