June 2024 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=15bb0ad183a0470a

1. Amorphis – Course of Fate (2009)

2. Animarum – Vikalpa (2024)

3. Becoming the Archetype – The Balance of Eternity (The Physics of Fire Pt. 4) (2007)

4. Boneweaver – White Knuckles (2020)

5. David Maxim Micic – Itch (2022)

6. Dream Theater – About to Crash (2002)

7. The Fucking Champs – A Column of Heads (2007)

8. Hadean – Saudade (2015)

9. Kardashev – Between Sea and Sky (2017)

10. Keyan – Arrhythmia (2024)

11. Last Chance to Reason – False Walls (2024)

12. Pain of Salvation – Reasons (2017)

13. Rendezvous Point – Utopia (2024)

14. Rivers of Nihil – Criminals (2024)

15. Scar Symmetry – Reichsfall (2023)

16. Teramaze – Step Right Up (2024)

17. Textures – Awake (2008)

18. Wheel – Saboteur (2024)

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Amorphis – Course of Fate (2009)

4/5. A nice song to start with from this Finnish melodic prog-metal band.

Animarum – Vikalpa (2024)

4.5/5. New bands have quite the magic touch when they make sick songs like this. There's some killer fire in the lyrics. A f***ing cool discovery! Those vocals can be performed well without choking, including the clean harmonies. Excellent!

Becoming the Archetype – The Balance of Eternity (The Physics of Fire Pt. 4) (2007)

5/5. The 4th and final part of this suite perfectly summarizes the lyrical theme of faith vs. fire, connecting well with this progressive epic to bring its original album, a glorious offering, to a fantastic close.

Dream Theater – About to Crash (2002)

4.5/5. Anyone listening to this after the return original drummer Mike Portnoy? His drumming talent goes well with the emotion of this part of the "Six Degrees" suite.

Pain of Salvation – Reasons (2017)

4/5. If you're wondering why I haven't listened to these melodic prog-metal bands now as much as in the last decade, I have my reasons. Still this Pain of Salvation album was a standout album for me back in early 2017.

Rendezvous Point – Utopia (2024)

4.5/5. Some well-done beautiful progressive metal/rock there! A bit of a Muse vibe, even being as short as their songs in a length of 4 minutes. Impressive!

Rivers of Nihil – Criminals (2024)

4/5. It's insane how well drum solos can turn out like this brief one that starts the last minute. The song is another total banger overall with a fine line between their earlier tech-death albums and The Work. I look forward to more!

Scar Symmetry – Reichsfall (2023)

4.5/5. There's dynamic elegance in the intro before the usual heavy fight and melodic flight. The pace often slows down right before the chorus, losing a bit of dynamic while still sounding cool. The vocals are amazing, but I can't tell the higher notes are real or done with a vocoder similar to Cynic. Either way, that along with the guitar melodies spawn a pleasant Blind Guardian vibe. What a progressive adventure within an adventure!

Teramaze – Step Right Up (2024)

4.5/5. Step right up for some more mesmerizing progressive metal!

Textures – Awake (2008)

5/5. For a few years, I've been enjoying this band. And how can I not?! They made a lot of songs that are both hard-hitting and melodic. There are also seems to be some influence from the heavier side of Devin Townsend. I love this!

Wheel – Saboteur (2024)

4.5/5. Let's wrap up this playlist with another brooding heavy crusher. The chorus and its vocals are so mind-blowing! The Wheel shall keep turning....