August 2024 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=5ed016706b72474f

1. Anciients – In The Absence of Wisdom (2024) 

2. Angra – Gods of the World (2023)

3. Ætheria Conscientia – Haesperadh (2024)

4. Entheos – All for Nothing (2024) 

5. Ever Forthright – Kickfun (2024) 

6. Gojira – Esoteric Surgery (2008) 

7. Haken – Cockroach King (2013)

8. In Mourning – Hierophant (2019)

9. Last Chance to Reason – The Divide (2024) 

10. Mandroid Echostar – Haunted Vows (2013) 

11. Nospun – The Death of Simpson (2023) 

12. The Ocean – Hadopelagic II: Let Them Believe (2013) 

13. OK Goodnight – The Falcon (2023) 

14. Opeth – Ghost of Perdition (2005)

15. PainKiller – Morning of Baladchaturdasi (1994)

16. Sieges Even – The Weight (2005) 

17. Umpfel – Peddler of Words (2019) 

18. Zeal & Ardor – Hide in Shade (2024) 

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Anciients – In The Absence of Wisdom (2024) 

4/5. Another Infinite playlist ride begins, and this is when you're starting up the engine. It has some Opeth-like ambience that then climbs up into a banger. Actually it's more Opeth in Chains, considering the more grunge-infused direction.

Angra – Gods of the World (2023)

4.5/5. Angra have made a wonderful throwback to their more classic roots in the music and lyrics while keeping up their later progressiveness. So cool! The amazing vocals of Fabio Lione take on the highs of Dio. The soloing definitely has Rebirth all over it.

Gojira – Esoteric Surgery (2008) 

4/5. The drumming by Mario Duplantier is so fast and diverse, he's practically superhuman! This song certainly needs more attention.

Haken – Cockroach King (2013)

4.5/5. The Muppet-themed music video for this Haken song is good way to introduce your children to a more modern/metalized Gentle Giant/Pink Floyd. You can hear some dirty metal soloing and silly fun jazz in the bridge. And this is before the band's more pop-ish side took over in later albums...

In Mourning – Hierophant (2019)

4/5. It's astonishing how much this band can sound like Threshold while maintaining their deathly sound.

The Ocean – Hadopelagic II: Let Them Believe (2013) 

4.5/5. The Ocean have made beautiful epics like the 3 multi-track suites covering most of this album. At the 4-minute mark, there's a TOOL-like bass riff in a more mystical soundscape. And 3 minutes later, the soundscape turns destructive, leaving behind an underwater wreckage. This is practically Cult of Luna and Katatonia mixed together, and I mean that as a compliment.

OK Goodnight – The Falcon (2023) 

4/5. This one's more chill while having fresh creativity. Nice lyrics too, "Today we own the sky". The instrumentation, especially the guitars, can remind some of Shadow Gallery. This beautiful song can be the soundtrack to a Hearthstone forest adventure. The progressiveness reaches his high power close to 4 minutes in.

Opeth – Ghost of Perdition (2005)

4.5/5. We have experienced Gojira and The Ocean in this playlist, but not yet Opeth?! Well, thank greatness for my submission! This deathly prog-metal epic with acoustic guitars is still a complete one for me.

PainKiller – Morning of Baladchaturdasi (1994)

5/5. My favorite track of the final PainKiller album, and the only track from the band I would consider perfect, for when you wanna chill out in a world of noise (not something I thought anyone would say in a way that makes sense). It's a shame that track didn't get the same ambient treatment as the other two.