What Is Your Favorite Progressive Epic Song

[Fizzeler]

Like the title says list your favorite progressive epic song including the group I'll start:
Close To The Edge - YES

[Hungryfreak]

Thick As A Brick for me, though the others you've mentioned are among my top 5, haha.

[Fizzeler]

favorite?

Tarkus - ELP


most epic-

Karn Evil 9 - ELP (due to being more memorable)

This is favorite not best for best I would have to go with Hemispheres :D

[Slashboi]

Baba O'Riley - The Who

[Hungryfreak]

really? Thick As A Brick over A Passion Play?

eh, I guess it is favorites...

Actually, I haven't listened to A Passion Play, yet.

[harbingerofdoom]

huh... just one song... probably jacobs ladder... but im sure im in a very small minority on that one....

[Metal_Gear_Sunny]

Carry On My Wayward Son- Kansas

[franticfish]

Echoes - Pink Floyd

[MdrnDayWarrior]

Natural Science - Rush

[Gowienczyk]

The Odyssey - Symphony X

[TheCrimsonSaint]

Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden

[Ambellina]

King Crimson - The Court of the Crimson King
Coheed and Cambria - The Crowing / 2113 / In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
Rush - Jacob's Ladder
3 - Amaze Disgrace
The Mars Volta - Ilyena, L'Via Viaquez (certainly not the radio edit)
Pink Floyd - Sheep, Echoes, Set Controls For the Heart of the Sun
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize
Portugal. The Man - It's Complicated Being a Wizard

[Insane3]

I have to agree that the organs in Close to the Edge are the definition of epic.

I think I'll plagiate A21schizoidman, though. Tarkus.

[Fizzeler]

Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden

How is maiden Prog.??????

[Runesmith]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMxK1pkktYQ
Roxy Music - Virginia Plain

RM is, IMO, the most criminally unnoticed prog band ever.

[TheCrimsonSaint]

How is maiden Prog.??????

Maiden has always had some prog. elements. They aren't strictly prog. metal, but it's in there.

On topic: Memento Mori - Kamelot

[SteelersFreak1]

Rush - Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres

[timmay9]

ELP-Karn Evil 9

[Fizzeler]

Maiden has always had some prog. elements. They aren't strictly prog. metal, but it's in there.

On topic: Memento Mori - Kamelot

Still would say they are more metal than Prog, but I see your point

[TheCrimsonSaint]

Still would say they are more metal than Prog, but I see your point

Up until the reunion, you are correct, they were more strictly metal than prog. But it is hard to deny the prog. elements in Rime.

More epic prog. Maiden: The Legacy - Iron Maiden

[Fizzeler]

Up until the reunion, you are correct, they were more strictly metal than prog. But it is hard to deny the prog. elements in Rime.

More epic prog. Maiden: The Legacy - Iron Maiden

I never really thought of Maiden as Prog maybe if they are Prog then I need to let them in my Community Prog Thread :D

[TheCrimsonSaint]

I never really thought of Maiden as Prog maybe if they are Prog then I need to let them in my Community Prog Thread :D

They've been pretty deeply prog. since Brave New World, and it's also pretty apparent on The X Factor.

[2stroke]

Utopia Theme by Todd Rundgren's Utopia

[Lolicat]

The prog influence in Maiden is very pronounced. When the band choose their favourite artists, they always happen to be prog too.

[rustinator5]

Divine Wings of Tragedy by Symphony X.

[Soror_YZBL]

Milliontown - The Frost. Most epic 28 minute long song about zombies.

[WhiffleBallTony]

"Octavarium" by Dream Theater.

[WarLord]

They need Octavarium for Rock band 2 by Dream Theater

[Blackened66]

Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden

[hippiepunkblues]

I'm not good at picking favorites but for progressive rock maybe willie the pimp

[hippiepunkblues]

sorry forgot to say by frank zappa

[OMGJoel]

For Rush I would probably say The Fountain of Lamneth, just because it is more of an actual epic in the traditional sence, though Hemispheres is probably more epic.

For Dream Theater I would probably say Octavarium, because it pretty much sends shivers down my spine every time, the intro especially. Though Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is pretty epic due to its length.

[Hungryfreak]

I'm not good at picking favorites but for progressive rock maybe willie the pimp

As much as I love that song, I don't really consider it an epic. If it was an epic, believe me, it would be the first thing I listed, haha. Its also more along the lines of jazz/jazz rock, but you could argue that jazz rock and prog rock overlap a bit.

[Gowienczyk]

Jazz Fusion (/jazz rock) is a form of progressive music. There is no argument. It is fact.

[a21schizoidman]

As much as I love that song, I don't really consider it an epic. If it was an epic, believe me, it would be the first thing I listed, haha. Its also more along the lines of jazz/jazz rock, but you could argue that jazz rock and prog rock overlap a bit.

jazz rock/jazz fusion/progressive rock/progressive metal all go hand in hand IMO

I could even include most symphonic metal as well

[Gowienczyk]

jazz rock/jazz fusion/progressive rock/progressive metal all go hand in hand IMO

I could even include most symphonic metal as well

Half of symphonic metal is progressive metal with a symphonic section. The other half is power metal or gothic metal with symphonic sections. Symphonic Metal isn't really a standalone genre.

[a21schizoidman]

Half of symphonic metal is progressive metal with a symphonic section. The other half is power metal or gothic metal with symphonic sections. Symphonic Metal isn't really a standalone genre.

eh, it can help more clearly define a few bands that tend to teeder on the line between power and prog metal

[Gowienczyk]

eh, it can help more clearly define a few bands that tend to teeder on the line between power and prog metal

Hahaha. :D

[JukeBoxHero]

It's hard for me to pick, but Yes' Tales from Topographic Ocean.

[MdrnDayWarrior]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMxK1pkktYQ
Roxy Music - Virginia Plain

RM is, IMO, the most criminally unnoticed prog band ever.

Virginia Plain isn't an epic, I'd say The Bogus Man is much closer to being an epic.

[Eaglediveofsex]

Baba O'Riley - The Who

Nobody wants to correct this man? C'mon folks.

[a21schizoidman]

Nobody wants to correct this man? C'mon folks.

i did but sa_nick deleted it

[Hungryfreak]

jazz rock/jazz fusion/progressive rock/progressive metal all go hand in hand IMO

I could even include most symphonic metal as well

Yeah, I know. Thats why I put that argument off to the side, haha.

[KingProgdor]

I'd say 'Light of Day, Day of Darkness' by Green Carnation is pretty damn epic.

It's also an absolutely beautiful slab of Progressive Metal. Totally worth spending an hour to listen to.

Then we get into some Fates Warning. 'A Pleasant Shade of Gray' and 'Still Remains' send chills down my spine.

[Onslaught_fei]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhav8RogqAc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98SaFvW-JyQ

I just love all the instrumentation. It strikes a chord with my very being.

[KingProgdor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdEOPZb4ilg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr2VPK399FQ&feature=related

More beautiful.

[CommanderDuff]

Shadow Gallery - Floydian Memories

----------------
Now playing: Rush - Malignant Narcissism (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/rush/track/malignant+narcissism)
via FoxyTunes (http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/)

[zeldazeppelin]

The best prog epic song is thick as a brick-jethro tull

[a21schizoidman]

The best prog epic song is thick as a brick-jethro tull

no, its not even the best jethro tull epic

A Passion Play (http://www.last.fm/music/Jethro+Tull/A+Passion+Play)

[Hungryfreak]

I still need to take your word up on that album. I honestly haven't looked as much into Jethro Tull as I want to.

[a21schizoidman]

I still need to take your word up on that album. I honestly haven't looked as much into Jethro Tull as I want to.

try that link there (my computer is acting super slow so i have not fully checked that link out myself, but it should be alright)

[Hungryfreak]

Thank you! Definitely giving it a listen after I finish "L'Auberge Du Sanglier..." by Caravan.

I love the orchestral section that dominates the second half of that song. It was one of my favorites to play while traveling in Israel because of how that sound went with the beautiful passing landscapes.

Edit: Listening to A Passion Play now. more than halfway through the first part and you were right, I'm loving it! Thick As A Brick is still strong, but this is just amazing so far. I think TaaB was mixed better, but the music is definitely better in APP

[a21schizoidman]

Thank you! Definitely giving it a listen after I finish "L'Auberge Du Sanglier..." by Caravan.

I love the orchestral section that dominates the second half of that song. It was one of my favorites to play while traveling in Israel because of how that sound went with the beautiful passing landscapes.

Edit: Listening to A Passion Play now. more than halfway through the first part and you were right, I'm loving it! Thick As A Brick is still strong, but this is just amazing so far.

lol, told ya, and it can drag at times, but, its longer than Thick as a Brick too, and they are trying to be serious this time, where TAAB was making fun of concept albums

[Hungryfreak]

True, though I know a lot of stuff made to make fun of things like TaaB was that turned out great. Its rather ironic how that happens, haha.

[Zofo15]

The Glass Prison - Dream Theater, probably one of my favorite songs of all time :)

[Clyde]

Reflections on the Future by Twenty Sixty Six And Then
2112 by Rush and Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull come to mind first, but those have already been said.

[theantkid12]

Echoes by Pink Floyd is one of my favorite Prog epics of all time, but A Change of Seasons is amazing.

[SputnikDX]

It's hard, really hard. If I absolutely had to pick one it'd be - forgive me for sounding mainstream - 2112. Never have I found a more perfect combination of outstanding instrumentality (Overture), catchy musical framework (Temples of Syrinx), beautifully crafted acoustic/vocal harmonies (Discovery), outrageous guitar solos (Presentation and Grand Finale), and inspiring and truthful lyricism. Other amazing choices:

The Voyage - Rush; Highly underrated, yet seemingly the most "epic" of their songs in my opinion. Oh, it's the first part of Cygnus X-1, if you didn't know some reason.

Close to the Edge - Yes; No other song could come close to the "Most Improved" trophy in my musical collection. What started off to me as a poorly devised song with both the cacophony in the beginning and the seemingly off-tune chorus turned into one of the most cherished songs in my library.

Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull; ****ing loooooooooooong, with amazing musical framework. Much better than Passion Play in my opinion.

[maidener]

phantom of the opera - iron maiden

[classicrockdude]

Starship Trooper: YES

[Zenweaponry]

In the Presence of Enemies parts 1 and 2. (I consider them to be one song)

[theantkid12]

In the Presence of Enemies parts 1 and 2. (I consider them to be one song)
Definitely an amazing song off of Systematic Chaos there. It's a pretty unappreciated epic too. One of my favorites as well.

[zeldazeppelin]

no, its not even the best jethro tull epic

A Passion Play (http://www.last.fm/music/Jethro+Tull/A+Passion+Play)

I know that its not It is just one of my favorite Tull songs sorry.

[ZosoBaron]

Roundabout -- Yes

[Sonando]

"The End Complete III: The End Complete" by Coheed and Cambria, or maybe "Day of the Baphomets" by The Mars Volta. They're both pretty epic.

[Fizzeler]

My favorite has changed

Stardust We Are - The Flower Kings

[CyanideMartini]

In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 by Coheed and Cambria. Especially the last 2 minutes of it.

[MrFruitLord]

Thick As a Brick, or Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[KingProgdor]

'A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers'-Van der Graaf Generator
'The Gates of Delirium'-Yes
And a little shorter, but 'The Last Man on Earth'-Pendragon

[franticfish]

A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers - Van der Graaf Generator
Dogs, Echoes - Pink Floyd
Untitled 1 - Pan.thy.monium (I take prog death metal counts too)
Change of Seasons - Dream Theater
Canto Nomade Per Un Prigioniero Politico - Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso

[KingProgdor]

Change of Seasons - Dream Theater

I second this one.

[franticfish]

I second this one.
Easily their best song.

[KingProgdor]

Easily their best song.

I could name a few more that are on par. But yes, a phenomenal song in its own right.

[yaniv297]

King Crimson - 21th Century Schizoid Man, Epitaph
Genesis - Firth of Fifth
Deep Purple - April

But the best one is...

Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (Part 1)
BEST EPIC EVER

[franticfish]

I forgot one, Genesis - Suppers Ready.

[ArmsAreLoud]

Change of Seasons - Dream Theater

I don't listen to many epics, though. You'll usually lose my attention after nine minutes.

[a21schizoidman]

I forgot one, Genesis - Suppers Ready.

how do you forget that one!

[KingProgdor]

I've really been wanting to listen to Foxtrot but haven't yet. :o

[franticfish]

I've really been wanting to listen to Foxtrot but haven't yet. :o
:eek: tusk tusk, its an excellent album. Really suprised you haven't heard it.

[KingProgdor]

The only Genesis I've heard is Trick of the Tail, admittedly.

[a21schizoidman]

The only Genesis I've heard is Trick of the Tail, admittedly.

you're dead to me then (turns away)

[franticfish]

The only Genesis I've heard is Trick of the Tail, admittedly.Now I'm really suprised, I think your the first fan of prog I've met who has never heard Selling England By The Pound.

[KingProgdor]

you're dead to me then (turns away)

:(

@franticfish: I ALMOST bought that one once, but I passed it up. I haven't seen a used copy of it since.

[40FootWolf]

Supper's Ready-Genesis

22 minute long epic tracking all of human history through to the book of Revelations.

It kind of sort of scrapes every other "epic" out there in terms of sheer scale. At least for groups at the time.

[KampfVerein]

It's hard, really hard. If I absolutely had to pick one it'd be - forgive me for sounding mainstream - 2112. Never have I found a more perfect combination of outstanding instrumentality (Overture), catchy musical framework (Temples of Syrinx), beautifully crafted acoustic/vocal harmonies (Discovery), outrageous guitar solos (Presentation and Grand Finale), and inspiring and truthful lyricism.

This. For epic prog suites, it doesn't get much better than this one.

I still can't believe it wasn't mentioned on the first page.

[DrewLee865]

Death- Scavenger of Human Sorrow
Between the Buried and Me- Prequel to the Sequel
Atheist- What the Psychic Saw
King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King.

[ImHotterThanYou]

Led Zeppelin - No Quarter

or

Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song

[franticfish]

Death- Scavenger of Human Sorrow
Between the Buried and Me- Prequel to the Sequel
Atheist- What the Psychic Saw
King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King.


Led Zeppelin - No Quarter

or

Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
What part of Favourite Progressive Epic is so hard to understand. Also DrewLee865 its called And The Psychic Saw...

[classicrockdude]

Thick As A Brick is my favorite

[sonicnerd23]

Close to the Edge or Awaken by Yes.

[MythicAXL]

In The Presence of Enemies - Dream Theater

[KingProgdor]

I have a new one.

'The Sacrilege of Fatal Arms'-Devil Doll

1 hour, 19 minutes and 1 second of absolute brilliance.

[franticfish]

I have a new one.

'The Sacrilege of Fatal Arms'-Devil Doll

1 hour, 19 minutes and 1 second of absolute brilliance.
That's an excellent song, second longest on my iPod.

[KingProgdor]

That's an excellent song, second longest on my iPod.

What's the longest? 'The Great Barrier Reefer?' :p

[franticfish]

What's the longest? 'The Great Barrier Reefer?' :pInterludium III - Inritus - Fall of the Grey-Winged One

One Hour, 17 Minutes and 47 Seconds. I think I've only listened to it once of twice. I have The Great Barroer Reefer on cd somewhere but not on my iPod I haven't listened to it for a good few years might play it tonight.

[KingProgdor]

Interludium III - Inritus - Fall of the Grey-Winged One

One Hour, 17 Minutes and 47 Seconds. I think I've only listened to it once of twice. I have The Great Barroer Reefer on cd somewhere but not on my iPod I haven't listened to it for a good few years might play it tonight.

Wait, the Devil Doll track is about a minute and 14 seconds longer than Interludium, though.

Unless you don't count the silence after about 72 minutes as part of the actual song, of course.

[franticfish]

:confused: On my itunes its listed as One Hour, Fifteen Minutes and Fifty-Seven Seconds.

[Fizzeler]

I have a new list of favorites :D

Stardust We Are - The Flower Kings
Duel With The Devil - Transatlantic
Still Remains - Fates Warning (unless you count A Pleasant Shade Of Gray as one song)
Mei - echolyn
Lizard - King Crimson
The Odyssey - Symphony X
Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh - Magma

[KingProgdor]

:confused: On my itunes its listed as One Hour, Fifteen Minutes and Fifty-Seven Seconds.

Mine's One hour, nineteen minutes and one second.


(unless you count A Pleasant Shade Of Gray as one song)

It wouldn't make sense not to, it's just split into separate parts!

[Fizzeler]

It wouldn't make sense not to, it's just split into separate parts!

True :D

[KingProgdor]

Discipline's 'Into the Dream' is one of the best 20+ minute Prog songs I've heard in a while.

[AKALink]

Heart of the Sunrise-Yes on of my favorite Yes songs.

[Fizzeler]

Heart of the Sunrise-Yes on of my favorite Yes songs.

Not a Prog. epic though

Magma's MDK has to be one of my new favorites :D

[killer_roach]

IQ - The Narrow Margin
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize
ELP - Karn Evil 9
Dream Theater - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence

[Fizzeler]

Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize


I think this might change due to their new album being released this year :D

[killer_roach]

I think this might change due to their new album being released this year :D

If they're able to pull that off, I won't be complaining at all. Here's to hoping, then :)

[hiimSMAP]

Limelight by Rush. It feels so epic each time I hear it.

[KingProgdor]

Limelight by Rush. It feels so epic each time I hear it.

It's a little short to constitute being called an 'Epic.' An Epic is a song in excess of 15 minutes, or at least one with multiple parts and a 'big' sound.

I suppose by the second part of that definition, 'The Eye of Ra' and 'Starchild' by Star One could be good candidates.

[killer_roach]

KingProgdor: Age Of Shadows / We Are Forever by Ayreon would also fit by the second definition... only twelve minutes long, but definitely some grandiose stuff within its classic overture form.

[sonicnerd23]

How many minutes is a proper prog epic?

[killer_roach]

How many minutes is a proper prog epic?

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule, although typically multi-part song structure and considerable length are keys to it.

I would probably start classifying prog songs into the "epic" category around 10-12 minutes (stuff like Xanadu or The Glass Prison, for instance), although it's possible for an "epic", in my opinion, to be shorter (Rush's "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", at just under nine minutes, might qualify).

[liaminh]

The Ikon - Todd Rundgren's Utopia

it is awesome, it is epic, and it is long (25 minutes or so)

[killer_roach]

Holy thread necromancy, Batman...

[Rocket2Russia]

Dunno if these count as prog/epic...

"A Saucerful of Secrets" - Pink Floyd
"Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" - Frank Zappa
"21st Century Schizoid Man" - King Crimson
"Halleluwah" - CAN
"Hallogallo" - Neu!

[Lameboy19]

2112, is by far my favorite prog "epic"

but then again I'm not much of a prog fan

[acdcrock]

What exactly is Progressive? I've heard bands used under the term like Rush and Dream Theater but I don't really know what it is.

[swet07]

I know no one is gonna agree but probably

Cassandra Gemini- The Mars Volta
Awaken- Yes (Close to The Edge comes at a close second)
2112- Rush
Larks in Tongues Aspic Parts I and II-King Crimson(Although some would disagree at their joining)
Anesthetize- Porcupine Tree

[killer_roach]

What exactly is Progressive? I've heard bands used under the term like Rush and Dream Theater but I don't really know what it is.

Although not a perfect outline, the Wikipedia page on Progressive Rock should give you a good starting point.

[sozozoso]

Not my fav. but high on my list and not yet seen listed is :
Renaissance - Mother Russia

[a21schizoidman]

Although not a perfect outline, the Wikipedia page on Progressive Rock should give you a good starting point.

ew, no, that's one of the worst places to find out what prog is

[Malacandra]

Not my fav. but high on my list and not yet seen listed is :
Renaissance - Mother Russia

Great piece.

I'd have to go with Genesis' "Supper's Ready"

[GreatJedi7]

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence - Dream Theater
A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater
Octavarium - Dream Theater

[GreatJedi7]

What exactly is Progressive? I've heard bands used under the term like Rush and Dream Theater but I don't really know what it is.

Progressive is a genre of music which frequently changes tempos and time signatures.

[Goldenfox]

Progressive is a genre of music which frequently changes tempos and time signatures.

Well, yeah, that's descriptive of much progressive music, but not exactly definitive. Basically, the mentality behind prog is to get back to musicmanship and away from the little box into which common thought, common practice, radio, and far too many labels want to put the definition of "popular song." Odd time signatures and tempo changes are just a couple of the many, many tricks these guys use to get there. Odd note subdivisions, common-era influences, getting away from the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-solo-chorus(2x) formula, not putting time restrictions on the writing, etc, are others.

Anyway, my favorite prog epic without a doubt is Dream Theater's "Octavarium," followed closely by Savatage's "Morphine Child" (unless by "epic" you mean a song over a certain time limit, in which case the latter may not qualify). Queensryche's "Road to Madness" is another favorite.

[j1mmyp]

my fav is Reverie/Harlequin Forest by Opeth. Not sure if it counts but w/e, Opeth is pretty much the only band I listen to that has songs over 10 min. that don't bore me to death.

[Wiiman95]

Well for me this changes daily. But currently it's All of the Above - Transatlantic.

[killer_roach]

Well for me this changes daily. But currently it's All of the Above - Transatlantic.

That is an excellent one, though.

Other recent favorites of mine:

Motorpsycho - Gullible's Travails
Beardfish - Sleeping In Traffic
Neal Morse - ?
Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
Art Zoyd - Le Chat de Schrodinger
The Tangent - A Place In The Queue
Porcupine Tree - The Incident
Transatlantic - The Whirlwind

Granted, these are all to the extreme side of the epic spectrum (all > 20 minutes, with some > 30, > 50, and even > 75 in the case of The Whirlwind)...

[acdcrock]

Would Won't Get Fooled Again be progressive then?

[Goldenfox]

Would Won't Get Fooled Again be progressive then?

Some people consider the Who progressive; at least Keith Moon influenced a lot of progressive drummers. And I have a recording of Queensryche and Dream Theater performing the song together, and they're definately progressive...lol. So yeah, I'd say so. :cool:

[acdcrock]

It's just it seemed not to follow the typical "verse verse chorus verse bridge/solo chorus verse" pattern and as you said Moon's drumming is sort of random and I didn't notice any very commonly repeated riff or anything.

[a21schizoidman]

Would Won't Get Fooled Again be progressive then?

no, not even close

[killer_roach]

I wouldn't call the song or the band as prog, but they do take a nonstandard approach. Not entirely sure it's even a progressive approach (after all, their main "progressive" element was their percussion, and a lot of that was simply due to Keith Moon not being in a right state of mind most of the time), but Moon's drumming has been an influence that is cited by other progressive musicians.

(Personally, I'd consider The Who as proto-prog, along with some of their other contemporaries; that being said, I take a more inclusionary approach to classifying prog than schiz does)

[acdcrock]

Jethro Tull?

[franticfish]

Jethro Tull?Thick as a Brick is one truly epic progressive epics.

[Goldenfox]

(Personally, I'd consider The Who as proto-prog, along with some of their other contemporaries; that being said, I take a more inclusionary approach to classifying prog than schiz does)

This may be a good way of putting it. I don't particuarly think you have to have all the Rush-esque elements in order to be prog or to do progressive things. Metallica, for example, is not what I'd call a progressive band, but ...And Justice For All has all the hallmarks of a progressive album (come to think of it, so did Master of Puppets). The Who may not be a prog band in the same sense as Rush, Yes, King Crimson, or Dream Theater, but they certainly had that experimental side to them.

[nobunagaspectre]

Prog is a very confusing term. Sometimes there are just bands that are definitely prog and those that incorporate elements of it. It should rather be said that prog is a further description of a core genre. Yes and Genesis are prog, but more generally they are rock. They are progressive rock. Rush is progressive hard rock and Dream Theater and Symphony X are progressive metal and Blind Guardian are Progressive Power Metal (just to go and get confusing).

But on subject:

Close to the Edge - Yes

[a21schizoidman]

Thick as a Brick is one truly epic progressive epics.

A Passion Play >> Thick as a Brick

[jawillroy]

I haven't been a prog fan for many years - too much attention to instrumental gymnastics, too much wandering in the songwriting - but I've always had a soft spot for early Genesis. Surprised I haven't seen a shout for Supper's Ready. I think I still know most of the words.

[Goldenfox]

I haven't been a prog fan for many years - too much attention to instrumental gymnastics, too much wandering in the songwriting - but I've always had a soft spot for early Genesis. Surprised I haven't seen a shout for Supper's Ready. I think I still know most of the words.

I agree that prog can wander, and that with much prog it can detract from the simple passion and soul of a song. But if you're saying that it has to be that way, like prog definitively cannot be anything more than a show of prowess, I seriously disagree with you there.

[jawillroy]

I'd never say that ALL prog is like that; just enough so that I don't often explore the genre.

There's a fair bit of post-rock, which I do like, that veers towards progginess. (Proggitude? Progism?) I'm thinking Don Cab, just off the top of my head. (They'd have me at hello, just on the strength of the song titles. "Sure There Were Knives Around"... "You Drink A Lot Of Coffee For A Teenager.")

[Gowienczyk]

There's a fair bit of post-rock, which I do like, that veers towards progginess. (Proggitude? Progism?) I'm thinking Don Cab, j

Don Caballero is math rock, not post-rock-- although both are related. Though they do have some post-rock songs so I'll give you that one... XP

[ArchangelZero]

Either Porcupine Tree's "Anesthetize" or, if you can really count it as one whole song, Porcupine Tree's "The Incident" (minus the second disc)

[Piscasis]

"A Change of Seasons" - Dream Theater
"Cassandra Gemini" - The Mars Volta
"Light of Day, Day of Darkness" - Green Carnations
"Anesthetize" - Porcupine Tree
"Song of Scheherezade" - Renaissance
"Ultimate Trip" - Riverside
"Harvest Aorta" - Ephemeral Sun
"The Underfall Yard" - Big Big Train

My favorites off the top of my head.

[killer_roach]

Harvest Aorta was one I had to listen to a few times to really have it sink in... something about a 42-minute instrumental epic that is really hard to digest at first.

That being said, it's an awesome song.

[Piscasis]

Harvest Aorta was one I had to listen to a few times to really have it sink in... something about a 42-minute instrumental epic that is really hard to digest at first.

That being said, it's an awesome song.

Yeah it'd be hard to write 42 minutes of music with nothing appealing at all in it.

[Goldenfox]

A lot of prog is like that, actually. Dream Theater didn't appeal at all to me when I first heard them. Now they're one of my favorite bands. Some of my favorite tracks are the ones that were my least favorite songs on an album, but grew on me over time.

[Piscasis]

Happens all the time. Listening to an new song/album is a lot to process, so naturally it may sometimes take your mind a bit to adjust to it and process it. Anyways, I thought of a few more prog epics that I love.

"Face Thief" - The Arkitecht
"Spring Knocks On the Door of Men" - Anima Muni
"The Dark Water" - Erik Norlander
"Akai Kioku" - Gonin-Ish
"Into Thin Air" - Glass Hammer
"Declaration (The Marble Halls V.)" - Forgotten Silence
"A Draconian Tale" - Seti
"Celestial Elixir" - Haken
"Blade In the Snow" - Whispered
"Imperial White Winter" - Wobbler
"I Could Be God" - Galahad
"Babydoctor" - Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
"The Last Baron" - Mastodon

[darnocpdx]

Personally I find this thread a little funny. Not so much on the selections, but I'd have to argue that some of the most bands mentioned aren't what I'd call prog rock even though I like them. Personally I don't see Tull or Rush as prog rock at all. Prog rock is more than being a virtuoso at you instruments (in the case of Rush) or adding an unusual or classical instrument to a ban line up (Tull).

It seems to me that Prog rock has basically taken over what use to be called back in the good ol' days...Art rock. I honestly don't know if there is much of a difference. Or if one title has over taken the other title to sound less snoody.

The term Progressive rock suggests that the music is pushing the boundries of music. And though bands like Tull and Rush are excellent, (don't think I don't like these bands- I do) they don't push the envelope of what music is like say the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" did (not a prog rock band by the way). To simply say long songs with tempo changes really kills much of the "art rock" movement, and prog rock movement as well. Under this definition one would have to include bands like the Moody Blues, the Grateful Dead, really nearly any of the Psychadellic bands that survived into the 70's and beyond but would also have to include bands like Steely Dan.

Most the main art rockers were also hosting unbelievable stage shows. And the live components can't be ignored. Peter Gabriels on stage antics were more famous than anything he song he sang while in Genesis (notice this band isn't considered Prog after he left). Zappa, ELP, King Crimson, David Bowie, Brian Eno, the Residents were all know for not only pushing the boundaries of their stage presentation as they were for their music. Having attended both Tull and Rush shows neither was really that exciting to look at. In fact Phil Collins Genesis was more of a stage show than the other two put together.

And that I think is the biggest problem here, you've got some of us old timers that think of Prog rock as being the old "Art rock" label, while the you youngins' have a different view of it.





Oh and my vote would be "Help Im a Rock/ Suzy Creamcheese" by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Only because of the time limit placed on "epic". Otherwise I woulda voted for "Dead Finks Dont Talk" by Brian Eno.

[Goldenfox]

*stuff*
With all due respect, I’m not sure there’s that big of a distinguishable difference between prog and art rock—at least not these days. Honestly, I try to steer away from bickering about labels in this sense… what things can you say about art rock that you can’t say about prog, and if there ever was a difference, the legacy carried on by bands like Dream Theater or Queensryche have blurred the lines considerably.
But I can definitely say that while some of Rush’s material may not sound that far out there in 2010, I can totally see how some of their material was on the edge for 1978. That, and I don’t really know any band that refers to themselves as an art rock band, but many of the current prog bands cite Rush as an influence on their sound. Even if you can argue that they weren’t prog, they certainly inspired prog.

[Piscasis]

*Cool Story Bro*

First of all, it isn't called "Your Favorite Prog Rock Epics" it is prog in general. This means any song that falls under the category of progressive; whether the band is traditionally a prog band is irrelevant if the song is progressive. Pushing the boundaries isn't the definition of prog because any band of any genre can push the boundaries of music while staying within their genre. Progressive means exactly what it says, progressive; the songs progress throughout and don't follow a standard structure or moves between structures. It is true that progressive bands often take on many similar elements, but in the end, any band or genre can be progressive. Example: Progressive Metal; the music is based in metal but follows a progressing structure. Same works with any genre from Progressive Hardcore to Progressive Folk to Progressive House. Progressive is as much an umbrella genre as any other.

[Gowienczyk]

Besides-- art rock is a progressive subgenre.

[berkthgar]

I don't really know any band that refers to themselves as an art rock band.

I don't know for sure if the band themselves refer to their music as art rock, but as soon as I see that term I instantly think Talk Talk. And I think a few other bands nowadays would agree with their bands being called art rock.

[darnocpdx]

The problem is with the definition of prog rock -it's too broad. and really doesn't exist at all. Not like say Rap or country does. There is no definite formula for the title "prog". Under every definition of "prog rock" you'd have to include bands such as Dio, Iron Maiden, Laurie Anderson, the Allen Parsons Project, Tori Amos, Ozzy, Led Zepplin, Steely Dan, Naked City, the Who, Talking Heads, George Clinton, Stevie Wonder, the Cure, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Phish, ....the list goes on and on and on.

And that's what I think is most funny about this is that the term "prog rock" doesn't really mean anything. But it sure sounds cool. (But personally I only hear two kinds of music, interesting music and dull music).

[Onslaught_fei]

There is a difference between the genre "progressive rock" (which has a unique sound) and the genre modifier progressive. It's like any other diluted and over used musical term thats become confusing over the years. Whether its alternative rock, indie rock, heavy metal, punk rock, etc...

It's not that the definition of progressive rock is too broad, its that your confusing general application of the term. Progressive rock bands would include Caravan, King Crimson, Camel, ELP, Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant, Van der Graaf Generator, etc... and other similiar bands. Progressive rock is not necessarily technical, either. Where it gets confusing is you have bands who do progressive things in songs but they do not exhibit the main musical traits nor album crafting ethics that progressive rock bands exhibit. These bands may have progressive qualities and even get the progressive modifier applied to them but they are not progressive rock, which is a unique genre of music.

Think indie rock, a genre named after being heralded by independent record labels. Because you are on an independent record label doesnt mean you are indie rock. There is an indie rock sound. There is a progressive rock sound.

It is much like heavy metal. Many bands will downtune their guitars, like Nickelback, but that does not make Nickelback a heavy metal band.

[Teh_Toasterer]

Octivarium- Dream Theater
Swim To The Moon- Between the Buried and Me
or
Enigmatic Ocean- Jean-Luc Ponty (if that counts, but i love it none the less)

[Piscasis]

Octivarium- Dream Theater
Swim To The Moon- Between the Buried and Me
or
Enigmatic Ocean- Jean-Luc Ponty (if that counts, but i love it none the less)
I'd say Enigmatic Ocean is Jazz Fusion.

[CEEDZ13]

Yeah it'd be hard to write 42 minutes of music with nothing appealing at all in it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Up_Front/Party_in_the_Back

[swet07]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Up_Front/Party_in_the_Back

Victory goes to CEEDZ

[Piscasis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Up_Front/Party_in_the_Back

haha, well I was referring to a 42 minute song rather than 42 minutes of an album.

[CEEDZ13]

haha, well I was referring to a 42 minute song rather than 42 minutes of an album.

Haha I figured, but it was there. xD