Rolling Stone asked their readers to name their favorite prog rock bands of all time.
The results were collected in a top ten list, and we've rounded them up below. There's plenty of amazing groups in there, and every artist has pressed music forward in their own way - just as prog rock should.
But we know UG readers are more knowledgable than other music fans, and think you could do better.
Have Rolling Stone readers got their priorities wrong? Have they missed an obvious contented? Or maybe you love the ranking presented here. If you do, defend it!
Let’s see if UG readers think they’ve pulled it off. Ladies and gentlemen, the top 10 prog rock bands of all time.
10. Dream Theater
2011 for Dream Theater might be an endless drama of "Oh I wish I still drummed for them," and "Oh you did drum for us but you left but we wanted you back," and "Oh I'll join again then," and "Oh sorry we're found someone who isn't such a showoff." Yes, founding member Mike Portnoy might have left the band that made his name, but the legacy he shares with Dream Theater does not go underrated. Their new album is about to land, and once again guitarists will fawn over guitar hero John Petrucci - and rightly so.
9. Mars Volta
Punk-rock had a jolt to the heart when At The Drive-In released their swansong 'Relationship Of Command'. But the post-hardcore group collapsed under their own success in 2001. It could have been a tragic end to a stunning discography, but guitarist Omar Rodriquez-Lopez and singer Cedric Bixler moved on to indulge in their second teenage music affair: prog rock. The result was 'De-Loused In The Comatorium', an impressivly timeless display of prog for a new generation.
8. Tool
Perhaps more prog-metal than rock, and great believers in 'less-is-more' having released only four albums across their two-decade career together. Lead singer Maynard James Keenan keeps busy fronting A Perfect Circle and Puscifer while the band devote time and mathematics to their next album, as established in this fan video which deconstructs the lyrics to 'Lateralus' and its relationship to the Fibonacci sequence. When Maynard sings about how we can contemplate divinity, even as a mere human, you can't help but be warmed.
7. Emerson, Lake and Palmer
This is where the list starts feeling its traditional roots. The title 'Emerson, Lake and Palmer' might sound more like a law firm than a rock band, but don't be fooled. They emerged as a 1970s supergroup, pulling members from Nice, King Crimson and Atomic Rooster, blending classical music with prog in a way that hadn't quite been previously conceived.
6. Yes
Yes have been many bands, when you consider their ever-evolving lineup. The only consistent member has been bassist Chris Squire, but every musician entering the gates to their rehearsal room has been of a remarkable standard, as their discography shows. Then again, you might dispute that point. Some say the group have never been the same since 1983's 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart', and that itself was a comeback of sorts from the 70s heyday. Regardless, Yes were pivotal in not only prog rock, but metal too.
5. King Crimson
Another example of an ever-changing line-up held together by one consistent member - in this case, Robert Fripp. Their 1969 debut 'In the Court Of The Crimson King' was a key moment in prog rock, in some ways planting a boot firmly in the next decade while summers of love wrapped up for the 60s.
Sadly, Fripp seems to have lost interest in maintaining King Crimson in recent years. "Today, there are greater necessities for me than pulling new KC music from the air & touring the world to present it to ears that would rather hear an older repertoire," he wrote in a 2010 online diary. "A younger Fripp would have dealt with it, and suffered. An older Fripp chooses his suffering more carefully."
See if you can spot the sample used in a recent pop hit from this track.
4. Jethro Tull
Who beat Metallica and '..And Justice For All' to the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental in 1987? Why, Jethro Tull and their album 'Crest of a Knave'. The band constantly pump out albums and tours, bringing flute music and a bed of prog-rock to the fore. Again and again.
3. Genesis
Let's get the timeline straight: Genesis were fronted by Peter Gabriel while they built a solid prog rock credibility, then the drummer Phil Collins took over singing duties in the 1980s and brought them a whole new era of classic music. Then Phil left after their 1992 tour, and the band lost their way with new singer Ray Wilson. Sorted then.
2. Pink Floyd
They were going to rank highly, weren't they? There's no point reiterating the impact of this band, but the video below almost never existed. It is their classic line-up reunion for the 2008 Live 8 performance in London, arranged by Bob Geldof. The 'best of Pink Floyd' line up hadn't played together for 24 years, but after some hard work, Geldof brought them to the stage for a glorious four-song set. Keyboardist Richard Wright has since died, so it's a good thing they reformed before it was too late.
1. Rush
Rolling Stone say Rush won their poll by a landslide. The Canadian group will have won thanks to their enthusiastic fan community, one of whom asked for a Rush song to be broadcast into space while he was working as an astronaut on the space shuttle Endeavour. Respect is due because, unlike most of the top 10, the same line-up have stuck together throughout their career. And who could forget the stunning drummer Neal Peart, who also ranked on our Top 10 Drummers Of All Time.
It's a great list from Rolling Stone, but as ever, UG readers can do better. Share your comments below.
They at least got #1 correct. I don't think Mars Volta should be above DT. I have to agree with CJMusics regarding Pink Floyd. It's nice to see Tool on the list.
Not a bad list. I agree that DT are probs better than the Volta, as much as I love them. I could have guessed Rush would be at the top, but it's not like they don't deserve it.
I'm gonna sum up half of the comments soon to come:
My favourite band aren't number one therefore something must be profoundly wrong with the list because my opinion is the only one that matters.
Close. It's more like...
"Let me google the most obscure prog band that hardly anybody knows about and then complain about them not making the list so I can look like I know music."
Good list, nothing wildly off the mark here. I think most would agree with these being the top bands, if not in this particular order. Definitely glad to see Tool represented here, that would have been a glaring omission.
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
But really, Rush and Jethro Tull above King Crimson?
King Crimson helped create the genre and have diversified their sound alot, especially everything pre-80's.
Still, it's only opinion. King Crimson are still one of the best bands ever. Period.
Hah, Radiohead, I should have thought of that too.
To me they're one of the most recent bands that have really pushed the boundaries of modern pop music, they don't get as much recognition, unfortunately.
HAHAHA really? Ive personally seen all those bands you just mentioned, and none of them hold a candle to dream theater, technically, musically, or live. To say that Dream Theater is not Progressive would be like saying that Mayonaise isnt Mayonaise. Its not just time signature changes, I agree with that, its the over all versatility, and depth of vocabulary each of the musicians have and display in their writing, What other way would you describe a song like disappear or blind faith, being on the same CD as Glass prison, and Six degrees, a 42 minute epic? You are just too funny.
i_am_metalhead wrote:
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
HAHAHA really? Ive personally seen all those bands you just mentioned, and none of them hold a candle to dream theater, technically, musically, or live. To say that Dream Theater is not Progressive would be like saying that Mayonaise isnt Mayonaise. Its not just time signature changes, I agree with that, its the over all versatility, and depth of vocabulary each of the musicians have and display in their writing, What other way would you describe a song like disappear or blind faith, being on the same CD as Glass prison, and Six degrees, a 42 minute epic? You are just too funny. i_am_metalhead wrote:
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Well BTBAM is damn close, but lack the same versatility.
In addition: Dream Theater actually isn't really that progressive...they just switch time signatures in the most annoying way but dont do much to move the genre forward. If you wanna talk prog hard rock/metal, Porcupine Tree is definitely up there along with Opeth and Mastodon.
Yeah, maybe early "Barrett era" songs likeAstronomy Dominee or See Emily Play would be Psychedelic Rock, but albums like Animals and Wish You Were Here are DEFINITELY PROG ROCK!
Personally, Pink Floyd is a number 1 for me, but Rush easily deserves a spot on this list!
Thanks to UG for including some of the more niche Prog Rock bands (ELP, King Crimson, Yes) on their list too, because they are commonly snubbed on lists like these!
I'm gonna sum up half of the comments soon to come:
My favourite band aren't number one therefore something must be profoundly wrong with the list because my opinion is the only one that matters.
Close. It's more like...
"Let me google the most obscure prog band that hardly anybody knows about and then complain about them not making the list so I can look like I know music."
Not a bad list when you consider the source... surprised Mastodon didn't get a spot and The Mars Volta did. NOT surprised at the omission of Opeth and Porcupine Tree. Rolling Stone doesn't really cater to the Swedish jazz/death metal fanbase. And PT is sadly obscure for such an incredibly fresh band. They really deserve to be much more widely known.
Missing Camel and Porcupine Tree, but still a great list, I like all of those bands and they all deserve to be up there.
And about those mentioning Opeth, Mastodon, BTBAM, Protest the Hero... they're all awesome (and many of my favourite) bands, but they can't be considered just prog rock, so it's normal they don't appear here.
I alwayus threw Tool in with the Post-Metal lot, albeit the most accessible of them; they always seemed more about the texture and ambience than the 'look-at-me' musicianship.
+1 for the inclusion of Opeth. They may be pretty challenging for many, but they're also some of the most forward-thinking guys in metal.
DT are just a boring prog metal band. Opeth and Unexpected are very better. And don't forget italian prog rock, Balletto di Bronzo, Museo Rosenbach, PFM, they were so much better than DT.
Radiohead.
Some might not label them prog rock (I'd say they're hard to label, period), but if we're going with "pushing music forward" as the definition, then Radiohead fits that, 100%.
Never a fan of "prog rock" lists, it's such a broad term. Personally I'd have Tool and Pink Floyd at the top, but you can argue whether either of those are even prog rock.
Dream Theater is Prog Metal, not Prog Rock. So yes...they will not rank high on the prog rock list as they are not prog rock
Don't think I'd agree here. Sure, they've done plenty of heavy stuff, particularly in recent years, but they've also done a truckload that is not "metal" by any stretch. If you've only heard Train of Thought, I understand.
in the top 3 should've been muse...but that's my opnion
Give muse about 5 more albums consistant with thier existing work, then they will have a place on the list, I think. Quality music, just not a huge catalog like the others. Saw them with U2 - great band. The ORDER of the list isnt important to me. All these bands are great and on any given song or album, are interchangeable with the others.
Solid list. I was actually shocked to see Rush at #1, but I don't disagree. I wish there was room for a few others, like Transatlantic and Porcupine Tree.
but cool, my two other favorite bands made the list. floyd and mars! and its nice to see king crimson, rush, and yes on there as well! nice list in my opinion. My order would be different, but ya know, every man to his own.
Hmm, a pretty good list. I like tool, but I think there are plenty I'd rather seen on the top 10 of prog rock bands e.g. where is camel, gentle giant, deep purple, van de graff generator,.....
I lol'ed at Yes being on here when they only have like 3 albums worth listening to.
Except it's 4 really, fragile, close to the edge, tales and relayer, and they are amazing albums.
I wouldn't mind a band being on there if they only had one mind blowing album (actually, anglagard come to mind, with one pretty good one, and one mind blowing), but here we have a band that made four amazing albums (particularly relayer and close to the edge- I can't imagine not having these albums). There is no question that yes should be on there- many people, when you say prog, will think "yes".
Rolling Stone has always largely dismissed progressive rock and heavy metal. Do you think its readers would even be aware of any other bands not on this list? Lists like this need to be "most influential" not "the best." These bands obviously had a profound effect on the genre, but there are a multitude of bands that deserve to be on this list.
Where's the Camel love? Oh well, I'm used to them not getting near the recognition they deserve for their talent. But it's pretty insulting to the genre to have King Crimson that low, at least switch places with ****en Genesis.
Camel? Gentle Giant? Van De Graff Generator? Fail!
+1 and what's up with Pink Floyd and Rush in first and second place. pink floyd are great but next to bands like King Crimson, Genesis, Yes, ELP, VDGG, Gentle Giant,and many others they are just not as intresting
But we know UG readers are more knowledgable than other music fans, and think you could do better.
I think the slime in my gutter could come up with a better list than Rolling Stone but some of the comments already posted prove the ignorance of some UG readers.
I wouldn't have ELP on there for a start. They are the most over-rated prog band of all time.
Secondly, Porcupine Tree needs to be on the list. They are the true champions of modern day prog. There are a lot of other bands I would put on my list of favorite prog bands (Opeth, BTBAM, Ozric Tentacles, Derek Sherinian etc.) but PT are a band every prog fan should know.
Thirdly, for those of you whinging about Pink Floyd being psychadelic rock and Dream Theater being Prog-Metal, not Prog-Rock, just shut up. Just because something is one thing doesn't mean it can't be something else. Prog is probably the most diverse genre of music and encompasses many, many different styles.
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
"Progressive rock bands pushed "rock's technical and compositional boundaries" by going beyond the standard rock or popular verse-chorus-based song structures. The Oxford Companion to Music states that progressive rock bands "...explored extended musical structures which involved intricate instrumental patterns and textures and often esoteric subject matter." Additionally, the arrangements often incorporated elements drawn from classical, jazz, and later world music. Instrumentals were common, while songs with lyrics were sometimes conceptual, abstract, or based in fantasy. Progressive rock bands sometimes used "concept albums that made unified statements, usually telling an epic story or tackling a grand overarching theme."
That's a general definition of progressive rock. I think DT does most of this(if not they do more than this). Granted they might not be that great anymore but I do definitely define them as "progressive" rock/metal.
nice list, but prog rock bands are ALWAYS awesome, so I wouldn't take any band out of the list, but a lot of other bands could be in there; porcupine tree, animals as leaders, opeth, etc
Dream Theater should be a little higher. Didn't expect to see Opeth or BTBAM or Animals as Leaders because it's Rolling Stone. Porcupine Tree should get a spot and so should Angra.
Pain of Salvation absolutely deserves to be here. Im a huge fan of DT and everyone else, but PoS is the embodiment of Prog. They actually "Progress" instead of repeating the same sound album after album. And Daniel Gildenlow destroys everyone on this list when it comes to singing. Not even a question.
As much as I love the Mars Volta, I really think that Dream Theater should be above them as far as prog goes. I'm not a huge Dream Theater fan, but I do have enough sense to know they are one of the biggest driving forces in prog rock today.
But where is Coheed and Cambria? Also not being a fanboy, but I was really expecting to them to be somewhere on this list.
Their first three albums were prog rock. The past two have just been half-hearted attempts at making pop records sound profound and meaningful, coming from a fellow fan with a keywork tattoo.
Yeah, maybe early "Barrett era" songs likeAstronomy Domineeor See Emily Play would be Psychedelic Rock, but albums like Animals and Wish You Were Here are DEFINITELY PROG ROCK!
Personally, Pink Floyd is a number 1 for me, but Rush easily deserves a spot on this list!
Thanks to UG for including some of the more niche Prog Rock bands (ELP, King Crimson, Yes) on their list too, because they are commonly snubbed on lists like these!
THANKS FOR THE LIST!
Plus, I'm surprised Rolling Stone would give groups like Rush, Yes, ELP, and King Crimson the time of day consider Jan Wenner (who fronts both rolling stone mag and the rock hall of fame) has yet to pull his head out his ass and induct all four into the hall... at least before Madonna and Run DMC, but at least Neal Peart has it right when he said he really didn't give a damn about being inducted... Also ELO is another underrated prog-rock band.
Im glad to see all the love to Coheed and JohnnyApplecore i also agree on what you said about the last two records they seemed to have made one that was straight up rock and the newest one was ... crazy sound effects and slower tempos . Still a Child of the Fence i have the Keywork tat as well
JohnnyApplecore wrote:
BigSpence wrote:
But where is Coheed and Cambria? Also not being a fanboy, but I was really expecting to them to be somewhere on this list.
Their first three albums were prog rock. The past two have just been half-hearted attempts at making pop records sound profound and meaningful, coming from a fellow fan with a keywork tattoo.
Prog magazine lists 1971 as the major prog year that changed everything. On that list is Floyd, Genesis, ELP, Caravan, Crimson, and a few others. Yes, Floyd is Prog.
My top ten list: Tool. Quatermass. Genesis. Rush. Yes. Pink Floyd. Wishbone Ash . Camel. Camel (again). King Crimson.
Unfortunately no-one seems to know them at all nowadays, which is such a shame! I can very happily say I have their autographs, and that they're amazing, even now with all the line-up changes, but their old stuff really is a cut above the rest.
UG; CHECK OUT WISHBONE ASH.
Anyway, I think there can't be too much debate about this list really - when it comes to genres like prog rock the big bands are big because they're the best, and not due to having catchy melodies or whatever that you get in other genres.
Love the list, tho I think I'd put Floyd #1. Rush is amazing and I'm not surprised that they're 1, but they just don't have enough songs that really do it for me. Amazing musicians tho, but that goes for all the bands as well. Would like to see Tool around #3 also, as they are IMO the best band around today.
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Indeed. Even if they any of those bands don't have as much clout as DT, they all have been much more consistent in quality releases than said band.
I don't get why this has such a bad rating, I'm pretty content with this list. But Porcupine Tree and The Mothers of Invention should have been there too and Rush isn't the best progressive band of all time.
Cmon there's a clear difference between Prog Metal and Prog Rock. I was actually surprised to see Dream Theater on the list. I like DT and Opeth better than pretty much all these bands, but they're metal.
I'm not gunna sit here and over-genre-ize, and I'm actually a huge fan, and of At the Drive In too, but what in god's name is the Mars Volta doing on a list with all of those other bands?
Sad to say, but fans of Mars Volta, Tool, Rush and Dream Theater ruined it for me. The music's pretty solid, but all I hear is some pizza faced jerkdick talking about "complex time signatures" and how listening to those bands make them some sort of magical wielder of intelligence.
Prog's still the goddamn law, though. Gentle Giant and Spock's Beard deserve an honourable mention, if not a spot on the list.
I know right? =\ well of course they would be more under the prog metal, but of course they have to stick with the big names and all...but King Crimson, hell yeah!
I love Coheed, but they don't belong on this list. Not because the other bands are better, but because Coheed is not progressive. They aren't anything. Impossible to classify. They've basically invented a whole new genre.
Not too bad. You are never gonna be able to satisfy everyone though. Each person has their own taste unique to them. So everybody please just STOP BITCHING AND MOANING that your PERSONAL favorite(s) didn't make it on the list.
In my opinion, all of the bands on this list are great, thugh I don't listen to all of them. My personal favorites would have to be (in no particular order) Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, Tool, Protest the Hero, Mastodon, Yes, Genesis, The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Mudvayne, August Burns Red, etc...
And what is the recent pop song that sample the King Crimson track?
There are so many bands to join...it's a hard one. I like all of these bands exept for Mars Volta, and I havn't heard enough of Emerson, Lake and Palmer to say. Perhaps Genesis is a bit high up for my taste, and Dream Theater a bit far down in the list. Ohwell...not any bad bands though, that's for sure.
nice list, but prog rock bands are ALWAYS awesome, so I wouldn't take any band out of the list, but a lot of other bands could be in there; porcupine tree, animals as leaders, opeth, etc
Yeah I was just thinking about Animals as Leaders, they're awesome
Cea Serin is my favourite band of all time, so why not? And another great one is Vanden Plas are also great. As are Cloudscape, Adagio, Symphony X, Tesseract, Meshuggah and Periphery.
It's not like this list isn't off point at all.Every band here is great.I don't like Rush at all,mainly because the vocals just sound like a whining 11 year old to me,but that's my opinion.
I think Dream Theater should've been a bit higher on the list but that's,once again,just me.The Mars Volta and Tool are good where they are.And the rest I don't really know a whole lot of.I've always kind of made Yes synonymous with classic rock.Which I'm not really into anymore.But that's just me.
I should also mention The Fall of Troy and Periphery...and how could I forget Queensryche! I can't believe nobody else has mentioned them yet, atlest not that I see.
Rolling Stone say Rush won their poll by a landslide. The Canadian group will have won thanks to their enthusiastic fan community, one of whom asked for a Rush song to be broadcast into space while he was working as an astronaut on the space shuttle Endeavour. Respect is due because, unlike most of the top 10, the same line-up have stuck together throughout their career. And who could forget the stunning drummer Neal Peart, who also ranked on our Top 10 Drummers Of All Time.
John Rutsey begs to differ.
Rutsey was the drummer on Rush's big league debut, which includes one of their most notable radio hits in "Working Man". Peart came in just before their first American tour to replace Rutsey, and it's been the same since then.
Wow. Considering it's a Rolling Stone list, it's pretty damn good. I understand that the line between prog rock and prog metal can be a little blurred, but I don't see why we can't have prog metal on here as well; it's still prog, and metal IS a sub-genre of rock.
This would be my list:
1:Rush
2ink Floyd (I originally wanted them to be #1, but then I saw who was #1 and I thought, "OK, you got me".)
3:King Crimson
4:Tool (Yes, I do think they should be this high.)
5:Yes (They should be here for Fragile alone.)
6:Jethro Tull
7orcupine Tree (Specifically In Absentia onwards.)
8:Opeth
9:Genesis (Although I could never really get into them personally.)
10:ELP (They had some good stuff, but they had a lot of crap as well).
Would expect Dream Theater to be higher even if I've never been a big fan of theirs. (I know, right? Death to the traitor)
My question is where Coheed and Cambria are, I expected them to make the list, even if at #10
It's just list, for gods sake. For those into prog, try out; Minds Eye, Beardfish, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Karmakanic, Childrenof Nova, Riverside, Spock's Beard, Soft Machine, Voivod, Van Der Graaf Generator, Andromeda, Fates Warning, and Scale The Summit.
Djent is not Prog what-so-ever. Some of that stuff is really cool and really interesting and different, but different doesn't equal prog.
I dunno if anyone else will agree with this but, I mean, the Beatles?
There is a solid argument you could make in favor of this, and I'm not just acting as a biased die-hard Beatles fan. I mean if you think about they definitely progressed the elements of rock, a lot of their songs are a lot more complex to play than they sound. They came up with music and recording techniques (much due in part to the genius of George Martin as producer) that was groundbreaking and out of their entire catalog no two albums of theirs sound alike.
I've tried so hard to get into Dream Theater, but I can't do it. I like some stuff on an album like, say, Awake, but they try way too hard. And I just plain don't find them convincing when they're trying to sound aggressive. As far as I'm concerned, Portnoy leaving was a good thing.
I can't really argue with the list, as it it's Rolling Stone. What else can you expect? Tool haven't progressed all that much since Aenima, and some of their fans are way too overzealous with cries of genius. But you get that with lots of more popular prog, like Dream Theater, Opeth, Tool, etc. These are the bands the readers are going to identify with.
Prog fanbases can be annoying in general. At least they're passionate though, and when it's a band you're also into, it's easy to relate to people on that level and analyze the shit out of a band.
Wow. Considering it's a Rolling Stone list, it's pretty damn good. I understand that the line between prog rock and prog metal can be a little blurred, but I don't see why we can't have prog metal on here as well; it's still prog, and metal IS a sub-genre of rock.
This would be my list:
1:Rush
2ink Floyd (I originally wanted them to be #1, but then I saw who was #1 and I thought, "OK, you got me".)
3:King Crimson
4:Tool (Yes, I do think they should be this high.)
5:Yes (They should be here for Fragile alone.)
6:Jethro Tull
7orcupine Tree (Specifically In Absentia onwards.)
8:Opeth
9:Genesis (Although I could never really get into them personally.)
10:Dream Theater .
Fixed; I decided DT deserved to be there more than ELP.
HAHAHA really? Ive personally seen all those bands you just mentioned, and none of them hold a candle to dream theater, technically, musically, or live. To say that Dream Theater is not Progressive would be like saying that Mayonaise isnt Mayonaise. Its not just time signature changes, I agree with that, its the over all versatility, and depth of vocabulary each of the musicians have and display in their writing, What other way would you describe a song like disappear or blind faith, being on the same CD as Glass prison, and Six degrees, a 42 minute epic? You are just too funny. i_am_metalhead wrote:
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Well BTBAM is damn close, but lack the same versatility.
To use your analogy, saying BTBAM isn't versatile is like saying mayonaise isn't mayonaise. On that note, this is a pretty good list, and though I would like some of my more loved prog bands (BTBAM, Mastodon, Opeth, Scale the Summit, The Ocean, Coheed, ...AYWKUBTOD, etc.) make the list, most of these classic bands do deserve it more since they paved the way. Oh, and anyone who thinks Pink Floyd and Genesis (especially Gabriel Genesis) aren't prog is more than a bit nutty.
I dunno if anyone else will agree with this but, I mean, the Beatles?
Depends. Is this the accepted definition of prog (playing technically difficult music, which doesn't actually make progress) or the real definition (stuff that moves music forward)? If it's the real definition, The Beatles, for sure. But also the Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath and Nirvana, as they popularized entire genres.
i definitely think this is actually a good list, and while dt is my favourite, I understand that lots of these (esp rush) deserve to be higher than them. but not mars volta.
Im glad to see all the love to Coheed and JohnnyApplecore i also agree on what you said about the last two records they seemed to have made one that was straight up rock and the newest one was ... crazy sound effects and slower tempos . Still a Child of the Fence i have the Keywork tat as well JohnnyApplecore wrote:
BigSpence wrote:
But where is Coheed and Cambria? Also not being a fanboy, but I was really expecting to them to be somewhere on this list.
Their first three albums were prog rock. The past two have just been half-hearted attempts at making pop records sound profound and meaningful, coming from a fellow fan with a keywork tattoo.
Yeah, I know what you mean about the last two being not so progressive, but I still see them as a progressive rock band. Some of my favorite songs are on YOTBR. The title track is an amazing song, I never get tired of it, even if it is somewhat mellow and really melancholy. But, I digress. I was just expecting them to be on this list. Shocking.
List needs more Camel, Coheed, and Porcupine Tree. Mars Volta and ELP should switch and then the three I already mentioned should take the 10, 9 and 8 spots. That'd be my list.
surprised camel wasn't on there, and it would've been pretty cool to see Gentle Giant up there, but number 1 is dead on. Rush is the only band I've actually bought their whole discography
Isn't Queen considered prog rock? at least their earlier releases?
if they are, then they for sure should have made the list, Freddie being a genius and all
surprised camel wasn't on there, and it would've been pretty cool to see Gentle Giant up there, but number 1 is dead on. Rush is the only band I've actually bought their whole discography
LIVEtoROCK86 wrote:
In addition: Dream Theater actually isn't really that progressive...they just switch time signatures in the most annoying way but dont do much to move the genre forward. If you wanna talk prog hard rock/metal, Porcupine Tree is definitely up there along with Opeth and Mastodon.
I love Mastodon, one of my favourite bands. But the reasons you listed for Dream Theater not being prog apply to Mastodon just as well. You're going to tell me an album like Blood Mountain doesn't have a million time changes? Hell, they'll have as many time changes in a particular riff as Dream Theater might in an entire section.
Be real man, that's one of the main criticisms I see against Mastodon in the first place, and that's coming from a fan since Lifesblood, which happened to feature some of Brann Dailor's most excessive playing.
i agree with a lot of these, like maybe half, but dream theater should definitely be top 5 at a minimum. i agree with rush being #1 though, they got that one spot on
"But we know UG readers are more knowledgable than other music fans, and think you could do better. "
I love how they always say this.
Honestly, I think this is a damn good list for once. these are some of the biggest bands that have influenced and carried prog to what it is today. For the people saying BTBAM should be on here I disagree, but I am a big fan of theirs. BTBAM has made two exceptional prog metal albums, but they started out as a death metal band, and transitioned over with Colors. They haven't quite gained the stature they need to one of the greatest prog bands. Same goes for Protest the Hero, and I love that band fyi.
Opeth on the other hand is a good competitor and could have made this list.
Oh dear oh dear oh dear, they're not prog rock in any way.
Agree with camel, from 73 to 76, camel created some of the best prog albums ever.
Also:
Caravan
Soft Machine
Gong
Opeth
Spock's Beard
Anathema
Hawkwind
Kansas
Barclay James Harvest
Zappa
There should just be a longer list because there are so many great prog bands.
I like this list, i definitely expected Rush to either be #1 or #2. Obviously there's tons of over great prog bands that people would have put on the list but you can't expect the list to cater to your personal taste. I would assume this list was done by poll anyway so it's collective.
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
I think that some distinction has to be made between being progressive and having long songs. I don't really see how Opeth are that progressive, and I am a fan. Also can't quite believe there are so many Tool fans, and I'm utterly mortified that people are even MENTIONING Between The Buried And Me. But w/e, opinions are opinions.
Im actually surprised readers of rolling stone know what prog is. Pretty good list, but tool is definitely #1 and I would take out genesis and jethro tull. If this was metal, Id say Between the Buried and Me, Mastodon, and Opeth
No porcupine tree? Pain of Salvation are quite unknown, but definitely in my top 10 as well. I would have gone with yes or genesis for #1 though. For me, the progarchives has the only true greatest prog list.
No porcupine tree? Pain of Salvation are quite unknown, but definitely in my top 10 as well. I would have gone with yes or genesis for #1 though. For me, the progarchives has the only true greatest prog list.
Prog rock technically died in the 70's after great bands like Focus, but remarkably Rush have carried through and even managed to keep the same line up
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Indeed. Even if they any of those bands don't have as much clout as DT, they all have been much more consistent in quality releases than said band.
I think this is a great list. I do believe DT should be a bit higher, but this top 10 list actually got a lot of these if not all of them correct. I payed less attention to the ranking and more on who was on the list.
No Porcupine Tree, no Opeth, and to a lesser extent No Coheed and Cambria.
Rolling Drone is a magazine best used for wiping your arse than reading.
I will say though, this is one of the few lists that I don't completely hate. I'd say they got the top pick right, and there are quite a few good choices, but what's left out is just absurd.
Korgull wrote:
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
King Crimson and Porcupine Tree, and if one considers them prog, Coheed and Cambria(simply because they are my favorite band) are my favorite prog bands.
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
this guy is right how dare you people have differing opinions
But where is Coheed and Cambria? Also not being a fanboy, but I was really expecting to them to be somewhere on this list.
I love Coheed and Cambria to death but they honestly don't deserve to be on this list. Not trying to be mean but these bands were much more influential.
I think King Crimson should have been higher on the list though.
In an interesting turn of events, my favorite band IS number one. So I'm fine with this list. I don't even give a **** who else is on the list, as long as Rush is at the top.
This list ought to be called "The ten most popular prog bands of all time." Anyway, at least these are all bands I like and they didn't put some random junk in here. These are the notable absences imo though: The Moody Blues, (if not for them I doubt "In the Court of the Crimson King" would have sounded anything like it did), the Alan Parsons Project, Camel, Opeth, Ayreon, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, and Uriah Heep. Having said all that though, the only thing I'd change about the list is the order.
I believe it should be Rush, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Genesis. IMO that is because my top three are some of my favorite bands. Then again I would like to see Mastodon, but it's a PROG ROCK list people lol not PROG METAL
For the first time, I nearly completely agree with a list. To anyone who feels Rush should not be number 1... it goes by popular demand, and i can assure you, Rush has got a stronger fan base than nearly any other band out there, especially for Progressive Rock. I also think many of you are leaning too much towards metal. Remember, its a Progressive Rock list, not Progressive Metal, although closely related. The Beatles kinda could be in there, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a major step in Progressive Rock, but I do suppose that was more of an influence than actual example of Progressive Rock. Either way, its a random list from random people that chose to do it. Im tired of this rating bands bullshit, I think lists should be based on most influential and most succesful groups, not "best" or "top", too opinionated and hardly the entire population's complilated opinion.
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
this guy is right how dare you people have differing opinions
How dare people still think "opinions" exist in something objective like music. Music is about as subjective as Twilight is good.
Bands can suck, liking them doesn't change that. And Dream Theater is HORRIBLE. If you want Prog Metal, listen to Psychotic Waltz. Not uninspired "FILL IT ALL WITH TECHNICALITY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING TECHINCAAAAL!" crap 'Prog Metal'
And to Hell with people saying Rush is number one because of a big fanbase. Rush is number one because they're Rush.
Its all ****ing opinion you idiots!!! Just coz it doesnt quite represent your top list for ****s sake its not quite to my order of faves either but im not complaining!!! Cmon now I thought prog fans would have atleast had respect for each others tastes unlike everyone else dissapointing man still some awesome bands here tho
And the dream theater haters can **** off too like any of you lot could play better!! Jesus christ this might as well be a group of metalcore fans with all your attitudes!!
Not too bad. You are never gonna be able to satisfy everyone though. Each person has their own taste unique to them. So everybody please just STOP BITCHING AND MOANING that your PERSONAL favorite(s) didn't make it on the list.
In my opinion, all of the bands on this list are great, thugh I don't listen to all of them. My personal favorites would have to be (in no particular order) Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, Tool, Protest the Hero, Mastodon, Yes, Genesis, The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Mudvayne, August Burns Red, etc...
And what is the recent pop song that sample the King Crimson track?
Power by Kanye West was what sampled King Crimson.
Dream Theater is Prog Metal, not Prog Rock. So yes...they will not rank high on the prog rock list as they are not prog rock
Dream Theater are not prog metal, a lot of their recent songs and some early songs have metal attributes but Images and Words is VERY Rock, same era as Hardline and a lot of other good hard rock bands.
I think early Metallica was progressive until Bob Rock came in.
Metallica is Thrash and Heavy Metal...
Who beat Metallica and '..And Justice For All' to the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental in 1987?
...And Justice For All came out in 1988.
Metallica can be linked to prog just as easily as some of these random suggestions in here. Maybe not Black album or anything, but definetely songs like ...And justice for all, To Live is To Die, and Frayed Ends of Sanity. Sure, progressive thrash. why not?
from the usual quality of these top 10 lists on UG i was expecting Rush to not even feature, and for somehow Bob Marley to come #1, such is the bullshit they put on here. I was happy i was wrong.
Definetly Rush is #1 even though I like Pink Floyd very much, I think Rush is the most representative band of prog rock ever, Dream Theater, ELP, King Crimson deserve higher places there's just 1 band I don't like at all in here but my favorite's at first place so who cares
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Well even if that's true, on top of time signiture changes their songs are very lengthy. and on top of that most albums follow a concept. do the math.
When I saw the title, "Top 10 prog rock bands of all time," I instantly knew what the comment section would look like...
Also, no Dredg, Dear Hunter, or Porcupine Tree? OK
And if you want to hit metal; no Cynic, BTBAM, The Human Abstract, AAL, Scale The Summit, or Meshuggah? Meh.
They at least got #1 correct. I don't think Mars Volta should be above DT. I have to agree with CJMusics regarding Pink Floyd. It's nice to see Tool on the list.
benonbass1 wrote:
Not a bad list. I agree that DT are probs better than the Volta, as much as I love them. I could have guessed Rush would be at the top, but it's not like they don't deserve it.
ScottAN wrote:
Mars Volta above DREAM THEATER? The HELL?!
And etc. on those kind of comments.
Whoa whoa whoa. I'll give it to you that Dream Theater has been along for much longer and has probably had a lot more influence with that headstart on time, but listen to The Mars Volta. When I compare Metropolis to Day of the Baphomets, there's no competition. Day of the Baphomets all the way. Dream Theater has their talent, but they're lucky to be on the list, in my opinion.
Inevitably I had to offer a few choices I felt should be on the list:
Porcupine Tree
Radiohead
Sigur Ros (at least, Agaetis Byrjun Sigur Ros)
Dream Theater is better than Mars Volta, probably, but only about half of DT's songs could even be classified as prog rock. And with them in there, I'd have to put Opeth in as well. I think Tool should have been higher, probably 3 or 4...They pretty much created their own genre, and spawned an entire era of hard rock bands. All in all it was one of the better lists I've ever seen. Yes you could argue, but everyone there is definitely top 15-20.
I had to stop reading these comments because they are just so...so terrible. I love people throwing out random bands that aren't even prog and other people throwing out bands that no one outside of the prog circle has ever heard of.
If Progressive rock developed from Psychedelic Rock, the WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BEATLES!!! Especially if on the Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All Time Sgt. Peppers was number one with a few other Beatle albums in the top 10, but it was said the Sgt. Peppers was one of the earliest rumblings of progressive and art rock... WTF!!!
My only complaint with this list is that Porcupine Tree isn't on it. Having DT, Pink Floyd and Rush on there (in any positions really) sounds good to me.
If Progressive rock developed from Psychedelic Rock, the WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BEATLES !!! Especially if on the Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All Time Sgt. Peppers was number one with a few other Beatle albums in the top 10, but it was said the Sgt. Peppers was one of the earliest rumblings of progressive and art rock... WTF!!!
If Progressive rock developed from Psychedelic Rock, the WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BEATLES!!! Especially if on the Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All Time Sgt. Peppers was number one with a few other Beatle albums in the top 10, but it was said the Sgt. Peppers was one of the earliest rumblings of progressive and art rock... WTF!!! THE BEATLES SHOULD BE NUMBER 1
i dont know HOW THE FUCK Dream Theater got number 10... im not saying ohhh number one!! i just dont know how Gensis beat dream theater... ot MARS VOLTA?!?! UG, your heads are up the asses of the bands that are "most popular" atm, just so u gets a good pat on the back by the record companies. That's what it seems, or else y would u give so much credit to lesser bands who have only been out hald the time as others...
If Progressive rock developed from Psychedelic Rock, the WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BEATLES!!! Especially if on the Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All Time Sgt. Peppers was number one with 4 other Beatle albums in the top 10 and 3 in the top 5, but it was said the Sgt. Peppers was one of the earliest rumblings of progressive and art rock... WTF!!! THE BEATLES SHOULD BE NUMBER 1!!! Quote if u agree with me
Dream Theater is pretty damn progressive, but so are the other bands listed here. Pretty good list, although they need to include The Alan Parsons Project.
I was suprised (not pleasantly) to see the Mars Volta on this list. As for the rest, we all saw them coming. It was just gonna be a matter of what order. It's like ranking "classic rock". It's gonna be the same damn stuff it always is, just in a slightly different order.
Forget genesis(come on they "lost their way when phil took the reigns for PHILesis) tool and mars volta, I'm not saying they suck,(except phil collins) but they don't belong(its prog ROCK, not prog alternative/pop metal shit(tool or mars) or, they seriously just enjoy weekly handjobs from rolling stone. Really I wouldn't include the great DT either, their a bit metal oriented
Change em out for Triumvirat, UK... somebody help me think of one more good one... also if theyr gonna include newer metal oriented stuff I nominate DT again, planet x, FUCKIN AYREON!(and most other A.A. Lucassen stuff, Opeth... (and if you want to really stretch the inclusion parameters, Death's later proggy awesome tech stuff.)
I don't really like prog, I can't even maintain enough interst to get through a whole pink floyd album (Animals and Dark Side of the Moon excepted). But Jethro Tull is one legit prog band and they deserve their spot. Listen to Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, Minstrel in the Gallery. Righteous music my friends...
First of all, good music, when it comes down to it, IS relative to taste, whether you like it or not. You may THINK your opinion is supreme, but in the end it all comes down to the individual.
Second, more obscure bands like Camel, Gentle Giant, and Spock's Beard are not here BECAUSE they are obscure; the average reader is not going to put them on a list of their top 3 favorites or whatever. And honestly, I don't think they should be here anyway because this list is largely based on influence.
Third, bands like Radiohead, Primus, and The Beatles may have prog-like qualities, but they are NOT prog bands. This is a list for PROG BANDS. Not "Prog-like" or "Prog-influenced" bands.
That's all I can think of right now. Just... be smarter... I mean, we're prog fans, for God's sake...
First of all, good music, when it comes down to it, IS relative to taste, whether you like it or not. You may THINK your opinion is supreme, but in the end it all comes down to the individual.
Second, more obscure bands like Camel, Gentle Giant, and Spock's Beard are not here BECAUSE they are obscure; the average reader is not going to put them on a list of their top 3 favorites or whatever. And honestly, I don't think they should be here anyway because this list is largely based on influence.
Third, bands like Radiohead, Primus, and The Beatles may have prog-like qualities, but they are NOT prog bands. This is a list for PROG BANDS. Not "Prog-like" or "Prog-influenced" bands.
That's all I can think of right now. Just... be smarter... I mean, we're prog fans, for God's sake...
THANK YOU, at least someone put into words all the shit that I was thinking about pissin me off, people's shallow and/or iniformed opinions and whatnot
readymade98 wrote:
I'd say protest the hero and between the buried and me belong on this list.... But idk... Porcupine tree def deserved a spot....
For god sakes guys, its a list... it's not like some scientific fact proven by math. It's subjective as all hell... Honestly, whether or not you like the listed bands, they are all amazing and influential bands that changed the course of prog-rock. Every band is great, and anyone who says any of them is not prog, obviously hasn't taken a listen. Maybe instead of complaining about the list, maybe there should be some positive comments?
MRoby, obviously nobody agrees with the list, and think its just been made up by a bunch of radio loving morons instead of real music lovers. yes the bands listed may have influenced prog rock/metal of today but they are NOT prog rock/metal so why are they on the list?
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
this guy is right how dare you people have differing opinions
How dare people still think "opinions" exist in something objective like music. Music is about as subjective as Twilight is good.
Bands can suck, liking them doesn't change that. And Dream Theater is HORRIBLE. If you want Prog Metal, listen to Psychotic Waltz. Not uninspired "FILL IT ALL WITH TECHNICALITY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING TECHINCAAAAL!" crap 'Prog Metal'
And to Hell with people saying Rush is number one because of a big fanbase. Rush is number one because they're Rush.
Well, um...it was a reader vote, so the band with the biggest fan base won. You can't actually argue that. It's a fact that that's the reason they won.
And if you want my two cents worth on Opeth vs. Tool, Opeth wins by miles...
King crimson should be at least 2nd!!. pink floyd and genesis should'nt be on the prog list
If you're claiming they shouldn't be on the list because they're not prog then you clearly haven't listened to either bands catalog. Good luck finding albums that define the prog rock genre as much as Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Obscured by Clouds, Wish You Were Here and Atom Heart Mother to name a few.
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
this guy is right how dare you people have differing opinions
How dare people still think "opinions" exist in something objective like music. Music is about as subjective as Twilight is good.
Bands can suck, liking them doesn't change that. And Dream Theater is HORRIBLE. If you want Prog Metal, listen to Psychotic Waltz. Not uninspired "FILL IT ALL WITH TECHNICALITY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING TECHINCAAAAL!" crap 'Prog Metal'
And to Hell with people saying Rush is number one because of a big fanbase. Rush is number one because they're Rush.
Saying that music objective is really very ignorant. It's art; it CAN'T be entirely objective. Everyone has different tastes.
Here's a lesson is objective vs subjective for you:
Ex. A: "Which is better, Justin Bieber or Rush?" Obviously objective. Neil Peart has more talent in his left pinky than Bieber has in his whole body.
Ex. B: "Which is better, Pink Floyd or Rush?" Subjective. Both very talented bands who had huge impacts on music in their own way. You can't definitively say which one is "better".
You can thank me for the lesson whenever you manage to pull your head out of your ass.
the thing about the genre "prog" is that it's very subjective to a person; everyone usually has a different definition of "prog"; some think technicality defines prog where others may disagree.
What about the band called "Can"?! they are really good and is actually Radioheads biggest influence. they were just 20 years ahead of their time. a really contributing band in my opinion...
I don't entirely know what prog is sometimes. I know that Porcupine Tree should be on this list by ANY definition. I am a huge Frank Zappa fan as well, he is certainly 'Progressive' in the highest of ways.. not sure if he's considered 'prog' though. But for sure, PT.
"HNNGGG WHY ISN'T OPETH OR BTBAM OR SOME OTHER PROGRESSIVE BAND THAT ISN'T PROGRESSIVE -ROCK- ON THERE"
That being said, if they include something as horridly boring as Tool, they might as well put in Metal's equivalent to Tool; Opeth. Overhyped and overrated bands, those two. Then again. They DID include Dream Theater, so I guess they filled their quota of "Horrible Progressive Metal that is utterly boring and shouldn't even be mentioned when you want to talk about good progressive music".
As many have stated, King Crimson deserves a higher rank. But Rush is pretty good at the top, as they are pretty much the best prog rock band in the first place. Yadda yadda yadda, I'm off to go listen to Wishbone Ash er something. ARGUUUUUS
this guy is right how dare you people have differing opinions
How dare people still think "opinions" exist in something objective like music. Music is about as subjective as Twilight is good.
Bands can suck, liking them doesn't change that. And Dream Theater is HORRIBLE. If you want Prog Metal, listen to Psychotic Waltz. Not uninspired "FILL IT ALL WITH TECHNICALITY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING TECHINCAAAAL!" crap 'Prog Metal'
And to Hell with people saying Rush is number one because of a big fanbase. Rush is number one because they're Rush.
Saying that music objective is really very ignorant. It's art; it CAN'T be entirely objective. Everyone has different tastes.
Here's a lesson is objective vs subjective for you:
Ex. A: "Which is better, Justin Bieber or Rush?" Obviously objective. Neil Peart has more talent in his left pinky than Bieber has in his whole body.
Ex. B: "Which is better, Pink Floyd or Rush?" Subjective. Both very talented bands who had huge impacts on music in their own way. You can't definitively say which one is "better".
You can thank me for the lesson whenever you manage to pull your head out of your ass.
Actually, both statements are subjective, since people judge music based on different criteria. If you wanted to hear teen pop music, Justin Bieber would be the go-to guy for many people. Music can't actually be judged objectively. Usually, anyway...
I think part of the reason a lot of bands mentioned here aren't on the list is because they're either prog METAL or just too new to have build the same legendary status as others on this list. It would be awesome to see bands like Porcupine Tree, The Dear Hunter, and Coheed and Cambria on this list, but they're just too... New I guess. Maybe in a few years.
Also, Coheed and Cambria is a great band, but in my experience, if you like them you probably also like Rush and cite them as one of Coheed's main influences. Therefore you would probably put them on the list before Coheed for being so influential.
Dream Theater are hardly progressive. Just because you can switch time signatures in the middle of a song doesn't make you a progressive band.
Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Porcupine Tree, Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan, etc. would have all been much better choices than DT.
Indeed. Even if they any of those bands don't have as much clout as DT, they all have been much more consistent in quality releases than said band.
Yeah... and you two obviously have no knowledge of what real music is. the only band i agree with is Porcupine Tree, but they don't even COMPARE with Dream Theater.
(talking about rush) "Respect is due because, unlike most of the top 10, the same line-up have stuck together throughout their career"
Neil Peart replaced John Rutsey after they released their self titled debut album.
Root Beer wrote:
Ex. A: "Which is better, Justin Bieber or Rush?" Obviously objective. Neil Peart has more talent in his left pinky than Bieber has in his whole body.
What if I think that Bieber's songs are better than Rush's?
no Coheed and Cambria, no fun protest the hero is also absent, and even sun caged could have got a #10 here....dream theater only #10, below pink floyd and rush? do NOT drink and make top lists....very very bad list...
LynchMobster wrote:
(talking about rush) "Respect is due because, unlike most of the top 10, the same line-up have stuck together throughout their career"
Neil Peart replaced John Rutsey after they released their self titled debut album.
I don't really agree with this. The Mars Volta is officially Cedric and Omar, but the band usually consists of many more because Omar changes the line up to suit upcoming albums etc...
I think this is only really true, where a line up change has a significant negative effect on the band.
No list is perfect, but I don't really see any big problems with this one. Actually, it's actually pretty freakin good. I need to check out some of these.
Pink Floyd's first album and a half is psychedelic. Ummagumma through Atom Heart is experimental, folk, and transitional. Meddle onwards is progressive rock, though Meddle has a lot of folk music in it
Also Dream Theatre belongs in the top 10 techno bands of all time. I still haven't heard any prog from them, and their singer sounds like Neal Morse (terrible).
Here's my top 10 list of underrated Progressive rock, followed by a song of each
10. The Mars Volta - Cicatriz Esp (As comments on this board clearly show their under appreciation, go listen to more)
9. Liquid Tension Experiment - Three Minute Warning (now here is the progressive part of Dream Theatre for you)
8. Ayreon - Isis and Osiris
7. Porcupine Tree - The Start of Something Beautiful (and Trains. This is a VERY dynamic group)
6. Presto Ballet - One Tragedy at a Time (Kansas meets ELP)
5. Gentle Giant - Proclamation (Easily the MOST underrated progressive rock group. Absolutely brilliant musicianship if you can put up with the eclecticness)
4. Opeth - Windowpane (There's a lot to delve into here, but Windowpane is the most user-friendly; other stuff gets into creaming metal at times)
3. Symphony X - The Odyssey (Paradise Lost if you hate metal and scale rip-rappping)
2. Karmakanic - Entering the Spectra
1. The Flower Kings - The Truth Will Set You Free (The penultimate progressive rock epic. Yes + Genesis + Pink Floyd in one neat little 30 minutes package)
I strongly encourage any progressive rock fan, anywhere, ever, to listen to the number one song on my list. You will not be disappoint.
thank you for at least having my 2 all-time favorite bands, Dream Theater and Genesis. however, i dont like their stuff after Peter Gabriel left. they were so amazing before he left, and after that their style became a little too pop-y for my liking.
Also Dream Theatre belongs in the top 10 techno bands of all time. I still haven't heard any prog from them, and their singer sounds like Neal Morse (terrible).
Here's my top 10 list of underrated Progressive rock, followed by a song of each
10. The Mars Volta - Cicatriz Esp (As comments on this board clearly show their under appreciation, go listen to more)
9. Liquid Tension Experiment - Three Minute Warning (now here is the progressive part of Dream Theatre for you)
8. Ayreon - Isis and Osiris
7. Porcupine Tree - The Start of Something Beautiful (and Trains. This is a VERY dynamic group)
6. Presto Ballet - One Tragedy at a Time (Kansas meets ELP)
5. Gentle Giant - Proclamation (Easily the MOST underrated progressive rock group. Absolutely brilliant musicianship if you can put up with the eclecticness)
4. Opeth - Windowpane (There's a lot to delve into here, but Windowpane is the most user-friendly; other stuff gets into creaming metal at times)
3. Symphony X - The Odyssey (Paradise Lost if you hate metal and scale rip-rappping)
2. Karmakanic - Entering the Spectra
1. The Flower Kings - The Truth Will Set You Free (The penultimate progressive rock epic. Yes + Genesis + Pink Floyd in one neat little 30 minutes package)
I strongly encourage any progressive rock fan, anywhere, ever, to listen to the number one song on my list. You will not be disappoint.
Awesome list, but dude come on, It's prog, there aren't any good singers! The only good singers are Steven Wilson, Derek Shulman, and Mikael Akerfeldt. Other than that, they pretty much all suck Haha.
Train of Thought, Black Clouds, Scenes from a Memory, Octivarium, and Systematic Chaos are all prog metal. I'm not trying to argue genres here, because I really don't care that much. My point is that in a list of bands that actually play prog metal, Dream Theater is number one. Bands like King Crimson, though they write amazing music, cannot be classified as prog metal.
trivium_4_eva wrote:
Xomar wrote:
Dream Theater is Prog Metal, not Prog Rock. So yes...they will not rank high on the prog rock list as they are not prog rock
Don't think I'd agree here. Sure, they've done plenty of heavy stuff, particularly in recent years, but they've also done a truckload that is not "metal" by any stretch. If you've only heard Train of Thought, I understand.
Half-good list. Not bad by any means, but you can never actually make a list of the best. Music doesn't exactly work that way. Still glad tool made it up there too
Awful list. Where are Camel? Caravan? Ozric Tentacles?
stndrdprcdre wrote:
Sladey wrote:
I'm gonna sum up half of the comments soon to come:
My favourite band aren't number one therefore something must be profoundly wrong with the list because my opinion is the only one that matters.
Close. It's more like...
"Let me google the most obscure prog band that hardly anybody knows about and then complain about them not making the list so I can look like I know music."
Rush should definitely be at the top, DT should be higher, Zappa should be there somewhere, mars volta shouldnt, tool... eh.
i LOVE Porcupine Tree but idk if they should necessarily be on an "all time" list. maybe a modern list, along with other contemporaries like Opeth, Transatlantic, BEARDFISH(one of the most underrated/undermentioned bands EVER imo), Frost*, etc.
and Ozric Tentacles is pretty much a hidden gem too.
also, imo Devin Townsend should earn a pretty high spot on a modern list as well.
Wow. Considering it's a Rolling Stone list, it's pretty damn good. I understand that the line between prog rock and prog metal can be a little blurred, but I don't see why we can't have prog metal on here as well; it's still prog, and metal IS a sub-genre of rock.
This would be my list:
1:Rush
2ink Floyd (I originally wanted them to be #1, but then I saw who was #1 and I thought, "OK, you got me".)
3:King Crimson
4:Tool (Yes, I do think they should be this high.)
5:Yes (They should be here for Fragile alone.)
6:Jethro Tull
7orcupine Tree (Specifically In Absentia onwards.)
8:Opeth
9:Genesis (Although I could never really get into them personally.)
10ream Theater.
Fixed; I decided DT deserved to be there more than ELP.
not to be the guy to make a load of comments name-checking one band at a time but Jethro Tull are in fact very progressive... judge them from the sheer range of music they've created not the guy on one leg with a flute, rightfully placed IMHO.
Just to put this out there, but no Supertramp? I can't bemoan the lack of Opeth, much as I love them, and it's good to see Yes and King Crimson up there. Personally, I hate Genesis, but oh well.
I gotta say, a surpisingly good, and well-balanced list from Rolling Stone. Sure you can insert various other bans, (e.g. Camel, Opeth etc.) in place of Dream Theatre and The Mars Volta, based on your personal tastes, but on the whole it is quite comprehensive.
I have actually kinda enjoyed reading the discussion (there were quite a few chuckle-worthy comments).
I was glad to see a comment mention a list of less-known prog bands, particuarly Riverside. Discovered them a few years back, and was blown away. Although there are many other prog bands discussed haven't earned a place on this list due to lack of poularity and reknown, it is refreshing seeing them discussed and debated here.
Pretty good list. Mine would have been (starting at No 1) - King Crimson, Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, ELP, Kansas and Dream Theatre - with Tool and Porcupine Tree as 11 and 12
"That thing you do" 