[Updated 01/27/2015]
San Dunn wrote and directed a series for VH1 called “Metal Evolution.” In the series, he traces various subgenres of metal, e.g., Nu, Black, and Progressive. So Mr. Nunn starts his exploration into prog metal by tracing roots to Yes, Genesis and King Crimson. He then tracks to Rush; specifically, Caress of Steel and 2112. After Rush went AOR, Nunn directed his attention toward Dream Theater and Queensryche, which are bands I never followed. Then came grunge. Once grunge ran its course, prog metal took off.
Prog metal, like prog rock, has odd time changes, complex melodies, and classic instrumentation and musicianship, but adds heaviness. Prog metal has exploded in recent years, and I have definitely enjoyed the fruit. Nunn identifies Sweden’s Mesuggah, New Jersey’s Dillinger Escape Plan, Tool, and Atlanta’s Mastodon as leaders in the field while he wears an Opeth t-shirt. (Opeth is also from Sweden)
When I first saw the episode, I couldn’t believe how much it resonated with me. I had seen Mastodon twice, and long ago bequeathed the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business” title from James Brown to Mastodon’s drummer, Brann Dailor. Meshuggah, which means crazy in Yiddish (go figure), has twice blown me away. Tool has some awesome material. I’ve never seen DEP (plan to) and have had the pleasure of seeing Opeth thrice. Opeth has been around for 25 years.
Opeth is particularly special as a prog metal band because their leader, Mikael Åkerfeldt, has perfect pitch ala Paul McCartney, yet can also bring the Cookie Monster vocals. Opeth newbies need to check out “The Lotus Eater,” “The Baying of the Hounds,” “The Grand Conjuration,” and “Eternal Rains Will Come.”
Dom Lawson of The Guardian described Opeth’s latest release, Pale Communion, as an “admirably coherent collection of songs that are as uncompromisingly intricate and strange as they are incisively melodic.”
In terms of Meshuggah, turn your speakers to 11 when clicking here:
Then go to the BEST MASHUP EVER with Meshuggah and Lady Gaga:
Rawk On.
