Biv's Prog-Metal Journey Pt. 3

IRON MAIDEN - THE FINAL FRONTIER (2010)

This CD is progressive through and through. Sure, it still has all the things power-metal fans have come to love and expect from Maiden, including Steve Harris' killer bass-lines and Bruce Dickenson's soaring vocals, but the song structures of almost all 10 tracks borders on progressive. This was a problem for some fans, and as a result I find this album to be grossly underrated by most Maiden-heads. Tracks such as "El Dorado", "Starblind" and "The Talisman" harken back to another killer CD (also bordering on progressive), Somewhere in Time.

CRIMSON GLORY - STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL (1991)

Hey, I told you upfront that I dig albums that others don't. I know most prefer Transcendence, but for my money, this was their peak. The title track, followed by "Starchamber" and the slinky and seductive "In the Mood" start of the CD, letting you know right away it was to be more progressive. Midnight's (R.I.P.) scorching range on vocals rival that of Sebastian Bach in his prime. Unfortunately, this CD landed about the same time as Nirvana...the rest is history.


 DREAM THEATER - AWAKE (1994)

I was really impressed with both Images and Words and Live at the Marquee and was a little concerned what this album might bring. Needless to say it didn't disappoint, with almost every track being a prog-metal favorite with fans around the world. And, its probably a CD that every musician of this genre would cite as a strong influence. It's hard for any CD to stay relevant for almost a quarter of a century, but that is exactly what it has accomplished.



DOMINICI - O3 A TRILOGY PT 2 & 3 (2007 / 2008)

Yes, that Dominici. The same Charlie Dominici from Dream Theater's 1989 debut, made two of the most magnificent prog-metal concept albums ever. The trilogy is a unified concept and great story of humanity's downfall. Well-crafted, esquisitly played by his assembled musicians and thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, these two CDs combined rival any Dream Theater release since 2000's Metropolis Pt. II: Scenes from a Memory. No joke, check them out.

DANTE - SATURNINE (2010)

The 2 founders of the band, Markus Maichel (keyboards) and Markus Berger (guitar) met at a Dream Theater concert (let me see your 'shocked' face) and quickly started jamming and writing together. This, their 2nd release, was an absolute prog-rock / metal masterpiece.  Every human emotion seems to be represented here while taking you on a musical journey that will stick in your head, Sadly, Berger passed in 2013, but Maichel and company rebounded nicely. Be sure to check out 2017's When We Were Beautiful, which I could have just as easily put here.

SUPERIOR - BEHIND (1996)

During the mid-to-late 90's, when the metal scene was chaotic and muddled, a few artists (especially from central Europe) managed to leave their mark. Right at the same time that Vanden Plas was experiencing its metoric rise, Superior came along with this epic CD that would give me a glimpse of the future of progressive-metal...although I didn't know it at the time. This band, of amazing talent, would produce only 3 LPs from 1996-2002, before finally disbanding in 2007.




BIV'S PROG-METAL JOURNEY PT. 2

BIV'S PROG-METAL JOURNEY PT. 1




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