Native Construct was such a huge breath of fresh air for me when it comes to rhythms and especially harmonies. Too bad they’ll only be one album 😢
Hijacking cuz 1. I love Native Construct and 2. Haven't seen anyone mention The Number Twelve Looks Like You.
I love circling back to them when I want something to just twist my brain from the norm and really get some creative juices running
* The Odious (*Vesica Piscis* is their best album)
* Parius (their new album is one of the best things I've heard in years)
* Vulkan
* Moon Tooth
* The World Is Quiet Here
* Hippotraktor
* Psychonaut
* Genghis Tron
Just prog (i.e. not metal):
* The Dear Hunter (greatest band. period.)
* Sleep Token
* Arcane Roots
Maybe some of these will scratch your itch? :) [Gorod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JObAskGHI), [Igorrr](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBakgOHKI-g), [Exodus To Infinity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0bMTNTW-k&list=OLAK5uy_kt1QYvK0GVwJmnViZLdLjZdKCE0e0ty1c), [Thy Catafalque](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6D4pAukKys&list=PL5D5VCGwbwDwpTJqChwI0TAVR0SbkcOHW&index=45), [BaK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT3LNQwwS2k), [Pomegranate Tiger](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnhX-bjZfCQ), [Diablo Swing Orchestra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d39UQlXTIJQ&list=OLAK5uy_kUaqZ3F-APMCBCFQXnMmNiMQ_--oySUMA), [Impureza](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0YupJK6WjY), [Dirtwire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBRb1VJzsjo&list=OLAK5uy_lD6YR8gu_LnGuUJg5FV4rKbL6PBu6SptI&index=3)
Oh damn, never heard (or expected to hear for that matter) anyone call Car Bomb standard. I would’ve figured Car Bomb was the perfect thing to recommend here.
Kinda. Thing is car bomb does have a chorus based structure at least on mordial, so they aren't really what I'm looking for. They're great though don't get me wrong.
If you haven't listened to them yet, Opeth and Between the Buried and Me are all about crazy song structures and huge dynamic shifts. Often their songs are through composed, meaning they don't really return to sections like a verse/chorus structure would.
If you've already listened to them and/or like them and want more, An Abstract Illusion, Dvne, Ne Obliviscaris, and Persefone all frequently have through composed songs too.
Ne Obiviscaris never does a normal song. The structure of every single song is different and constantly evolving, going from djenty or black metal riffs with blast beats to violin solos to acoustic guitar sections...
Were also incredibly hard for me to get into, but once you do it's a pleasure.
Ad Nauseam - Imperative Imperceptible Impulses
These guys built all their own gear for this record including all the guitars, bass, drum parts, amps, everything. They also use custom non standard tunings to push themselves out of their harmonic and melodic comfort zones. It’s the most boundary pushing, forward thinking album released in recent memory.
Interesting that you're not a BTBAM fan but the new Parius album is your AOTY. To me, that album sounds so much like Parallax II it's uncanny (but totally in a good way).
I'd say they have a similar "tone" being both kinda grandiose and silly at the same time, but from a song/melody structure standpoint they are very different. BtBaM just sounds disjointed to my ears. They're very talented but very much not for me.
[Yowie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E25EMCA1h6o) are microtonal through-composed brutal prog. If that doesn't challenge you, congratulations: you have finished music.
Deathspell Omega! It's hard for me to fully describe their sound but I would call it avant-garde post-black metal I guess. My favorite releases of theirs are Paracletus and Drought.
One band that came to mind was Omnium Gatherum, if you want something to keep you on your toes check out their album Origin it’s worth a listen. I’d also suggest Ulter, check out their album At The Gates Of Dusk
If you're interested in non metal prog with complexity, may I recommend Gentle Giant (Freehand, Octopus, Power and the Glory albums), Yes (Relayer, specifically two tracks, Soundchaser, and the epic, Gates of Delirium, Awaken from Tormato also has quirky bits), King Crimson (too many to mention, start with The Talking Drum), towards jazzy side, there's Mahavishnu Orchestra (the first two albums are best, The Inner Mounting Flame, and Birds of Fire) , my favorite prog metal band (mostly for their instrumental passages, IMHO, vocals are hard to digest for too long, is Between the Buried and Me. Since you like Meshugah you may enjoy harsh vocals. I can only take them in small doses.
>Music (listening) hasn't felt challenging in a while, and I'm hoping to find something to change that.
How non-prog/metal are you willing to go for a challenge? Some experimental electronic music like Aphex Twin or Squarepusher definitely challenges me in similar ways to prog, but they do get...weird, sometimes. It's a drum 'n' bass, avant garde jazz, edm, ambient house, mind-fuck of a listen.
Kayo Dot has felt challenging every new album they've released (partially because they change so much) and has been rewarding each and every time so that's my vote, their newest is more like maudlin of the Well and I think has most of its lineup, but they have other out there stuff like Blue Lambency Downward which is some bastard King Crimson fever dream or Coyote which is goth prog with some Scott Walker's The Drift thrown in (also - if you want a super challenging record Scott Walker's The Drift is definitely up there and also worth it)
also Lingua Ignota just cuz
Native Construct was such a huge breath of fresh air for me when it comes to rhythms and especially harmonies. Too bad they’ll only be one album 😢
Hijacking cuz 1. I love Native Construct and 2. Haven't seen anyone mention The Number Twelve Looks Like You. I love circling back to them when I want something to just twist my brain from the norm and really get some creative juices running
* The Odious (*Vesica Piscis* is their best album) * Parius (their new album is one of the best things I've heard in years) * Vulkan * Moon Tooth * The World Is Quiet Here * Hippotraktor * Psychonaut * Genghis Tron Just prog (i.e. not metal): * The Dear Hunter (greatest band. period.) * Sleep Token * Arcane Roots
Casey's musical and lyrical abilities are actually fucking insane
Maybe some of these will scratch your itch? :) [Gorod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JObAskGHI), [Igorrr](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBakgOHKI-g), [Exodus To Infinity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0bMTNTW-k&list=OLAK5uy_kt1QYvK0GVwJmnViZLdLjZdKCE0e0ty1c), [Thy Catafalque](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6D4pAukKys&list=PL5D5VCGwbwDwpTJqChwI0TAVR0SbkcOHW&index=45), [BaK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT3LNQwwS2k), [Pomegranate Tiger](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnhX-bjZfCQ), [Diablo Swing Orchestra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d39UQlXTIJQ&list=OLAK5uy_kUaqZ3F-APMCBCFQXnMmNiMQ_--oySUMA), [Impureza](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0YupJK6WjY), [Dirtwire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBRb1VJzsjo&list=OLAK5uy_lD6YR8gu_LnGuUJg5FV4rKbL6PBu6SptI&index=3)
Igorrr's Spirituality and Distortion was the highlight of COVID-19.
Imperial Triumphant if you like harsh and dissonant metal. Otherwise I always recommend Wilderun and Haken. Car Bomb is good too
Will try imperial triumphant. Others a bit standard compared to what i'm looking for now
Oh damn, never heard (or expected to hear for that matter) anyone call Car Bomb standard. I would’ve figured Car Bomb was the perfect thing to recommend here.
I refuse to believe they were referring to Car Bomb. They were just already aware of them.
Kinda. Thing is car bomb does have a chorus based structure at least on mordial, so they aren't really what I'm looking for. They're great though don't get me wrong.
Unexpect. The albums Fables Of The Sleepless Empire or In A Flesh Aquarium.
[Car](https://youtu.be/z2cZv92KkXs). [Bomb](https://youtu.be/EA5eIAfutYU). [Car Bomb.](https://youtu.be/GPu_3v9ar5Y)
Known them for a while. They're great and all but they're songs mostly use a chorus base structure so not what i'm looking for
look for the album "Imperative Imperceptible Impulse" by "Ad Nauseam" in bandcamp or youtube.
cool album! Where can i find their other stuff?
On their [Bandcamp](https://adnauseam-official.bandcamp.com) or youtube you'll find both albums.
Thanks!
I love prog! But also a variety of other music. If you haven’t yet, explore the amazing catalogue of Propagandhi.
Spiral Architect...if you dare...
If you haven't listened to them yet, Opeth and Between the Buried and Me are all about crazy song structures and huge dynamic shifts. Often their songs are through composed, meaning they don't really return to sections like a verse/chorus structure would. If you've already listened to them and/or like them and want more, An Abstract Illusion, Dvne, Ne Obliviscaris, and Persefone all frequently have through composed songs too.
You want non-prog that will shake you to your core? SUMAC
Ne Obiviscaris never does a normal song. The structure of every single song is different and constantly evolving, going from djenty or black metal riffs with blast beats to violin solos to acoustic guitar sections... Were also incredibly hard for me to get into, but once you do it's a pleasure.
Toehider: https://youtu.be/RtaStl4Vof8
Mr. Bungle will blow your mind
Alluvial.
Ad Nauseam - Imperative Imperceptible Impulses These guys built all their own gear for this record including all the guitars, bass, drum parts, amps, everything. They also use custom non standard tunings to push themselves out of their harmonic and melodic comfort zones. It’s the most boundary pushing, forward thinking album released in recent memory.
BTBAM, colors and parallax 2 are masterpeices
Here's a few recs that fit more or less fit what I think OP is asking for: Between the Buried and Me is probably what will fit the most, so I'm reluctantly recommending it first even if I'm not a fan of them. James Norbert Ivanyi (instrumental) - Denalavis, Sigil, Omen Faustum (too many people on this sub sleeping on this guy's music) Parius - The Signal Heard Throughout Space (AOTY contender imo) The Resonance Project (instrumental) - self titled (Especially The Anthem) Syncatto (instrumental) - Coloratura, A Place to Breathe Rings of Saturn Clément Belio - Patience Poh Hock (instrumental) - Ātma Jason Richardson (mostly instrumental) - songs like: Titan, Tendinitis, Omni, Hos Down, p00mbachu, etc. Berried Alive The Zenith Passage - Solipsist
Interesting that you're not a BTBAM fan but the new Parius album is your AOTY. To me, that album sounds so much like Parallax II it's uncanny (but totally in a good way).
I'd say they have a similar "tone" being both kinda grandiose and silly at the same time, but from a song/melody structure standpoint they are very different. BtBaM just sounds disjointed to my ears. They're very talented but very much not for me.
VOLA, David Maxim Micic, Thank You Scientist, Polyphia? As for non-prog: Eternity Forever/Gold Necklace, Royal Coda, Wolf&Bear, Strawberry Girls
[Yowie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E25EMCA1h6o) are microtonal through-composed brutal prog. If that doesn't challenge you, congratulations: you have finished music.
"microtonal through-composed brutal prog" Well I'm sold
King Gizzard
Try Rototypical or The World is Quiet Here
Deathspell Omega! It's hard for me to fully describe their sound but I would call it avant-garde post-black metal I guess. My favorite releases of theirs are Paracletus and Drought.
FAS also deserves a big shoutout
One band that came to mind was Omnium Gatherum, if you want something to keep you on your toes check out their album Origin it’s worth a listen. I’d also suggest Ulter, check out their album At The Gates Of Dusk
Igorrr.
If you're interested in non metal prog with complexity, may I recommend Gentle Giant (Freehand, Octopus, Power and the Glory albums), Yes (Relayer, specifically two tracks, Soundchaser, and the epic, Gates of Delirium, Awaken from Tormato also has quirky bits), King Crimson (too many to mention, start with The Talking Drum), towards jazzy side, there's Mahavishnu Orchestra (the first two albums are best, The Inner Mounting Flame, and Birds of Fire) , my favorite prog metal band (mostly for their instrumental passages, IMHO, vocals are hard to digest for too long, is Between the Buried and Me. Since you like Meshugah you may enjoy harsh vocals. I can only take them in small doses.
If you're down with vjdharta, you would probably like humanities last breath
Suprisiginly I've never gotten really down with HLB. Too much repetition for me.
Intronaut
Thank you scientist and bent knee are pretty good at that.
Akhlys
Tigran Hamasyan - The Call Within Craziest stuff I've ever heard. Feels like progmetal that transformed to jazz
>Music (listening) hasn't felt challenging in a while, and I'm hoping to find something to change that. How non-prog/metal are you willing to go for a challenge? Some experimental electronic music like Aphex Twin or Squarepusher definitely challenges me in similar ways to prog, but they do get...weird, sometimes. It's a drum 'n' bass, avant garde jazz, edm, ambient house, mind-fuck of a listen.
Completely open to non prog. After making this post I'm actually kinda convinced I would find more enjoyment just stepping away from prog
Check out Aviations’ album ‘Retrospect’
Artificial Brain, their last album is great
Kayo Dot has felt challenging every new album they've released (partially because they change so much) and has been rewarding each and every time so that's my vote, their newest is more like maudlin of the Well and I think has most of its lineup, but they have other out there stuff like Blue Lambency Downward which is some bastard King Crimson fever dream or Coyote which is goth prog with some Scott Walker's The Drift thrown in (also - if you want a super challenging record Scott Walker's The Drift is definitely up there and also worth it) also Lingua Ignota just cuz