July 2025 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=9ed09de143f84704

1. An Abstract Illusion – Abode of a God (2016)

2. Aghora – Atmas Heave (2006)

3. Altesia – A Liar’s Oath (2021)

4. The Anchoret – Buried (2023)

5. Arch/Matheos – Wrath of the Universe (2019)

6. Byzantine – Harbinger (2025)

7. David Maxim Micic – Daydreamers (2013)

8. Delta – The Humanest (2024)

9. Ephel Duath – The Passage (Pearl Grey) (2003)

10. Opeth – The Baying of the Hounds (2005)

11. Rivers of Nihil – Terrestria IV: Work (2021)

12. Source – Mandala (2023)

13. The 3rd and the Moral – Oceana (1994)

14. Votum – Spiral (2016)

15. Xerath – Machine Insurgency (2011)

As much as I appreciate your work on these playlists, Saxy, I'm actually losing a bit of mood for listening to a whole of progressive metal, so I'm reviewing a shorter amount of tracks in this playlist than the previous ones. Sorry about that. But don't worry, even though I've only chosen the final 6 tracks, most of those are long epics lasting more than 10 minutes, and altogether, those 6 tracks cover the entire second half of the playlist. So I don't feel too bad. And I still have some good ideas for the next playlist. Anyway, here are my thoughts on those tracks:

Opeth – The Baying of the Hounds (2005)

4/5. I still enjoy this great epic from these deathly progressive masters.

Rivers of Nihil – Terrestria IV: Work (2021)

4.5/5. Holy f***, now this is an epic!! It's the longest track by Rivers of Nihil at 11 and a half minutes (as much as the title track of Trivium's Shogun) and not only concludes its original album but also keeps up the "Terrestria" song suite from all their albums. Probably almost as epic than Cult of Luna's "Cygnus"! This is too astonishing for words. Hope you have a rewarded listen!

Source – Mandala (2023)

4/5. Another great epic, though taking on the more melodic bluesy side.

The 3rd and the Moral – Oceana (1994)

4.5/5. This one still reigns as the longest and greatest T3ATM song. Not even the closing track of Sorrow can surpass it. The band created a monstrous complex 19-minute epic can put Fates Warning's epics to shame. You can rarely find vocals and clean guitars as haunting as in the beginning. And as it goes on, you can find yourself swimming in an oceanic realm, with the guitar effects singing a unworldly whale-song. And the rest is excellent history!

Votum – Spiral (2016)

4/5. This is one of only two under 10-minute tracks in this second half, and it has great hypnotic heaviness. Underground songs like this need to be unearthed! The final minute of this track of the greatest part.

Xerath – Machine Insurgency (2011)

3.5/5. There's some slight inconsistency in this one, yet it's still great.