September 2025 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

Normally these playlists consist of one legacy band per month so as to make sure that some of the smaller bands get their fare share, but with the tragic passing of Brent Hinds, Between the Buried and Me will have to share this month. I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=73b30befd3934153

1. Anacrusis – Release (1993)

2. The Anchoret – Forsaken (2023)

3. Baroness – Magnolia (2023)

4. Between the Buried and Me - Obfuscation (2009)

5. Caligula’s Horse – Song for No One (2017)

6. Destiny Potato – Lost Dream (2014)

7. Dissocia – Samsara (2025)

8. Fallujah – Kaleidoscopic Waves (2025)

9. Leprous – Painful Detour (2012)

10. Mastodon – Naked Burn (2004)

11. Mastodon - The Beast (2021)

12. The Ocean Collective – The Grand Inquisitor II: Roots & Locusts (2010)

13. Omnerod – Nothing Was Vain (2023)

14. The Reticent – Stage 2: The Captive (2020)

15. Slugdge – The Spectral Burrows (2018)

16. The Third and the Mortal – Silently I Surrender (2004)

17. Threshold – The Man Who Saw Through Time (2017)

18. Voivod – Meteor (1995)

19. Wheel – Movement (2021)

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Anacrusis – Release (1993)

5/5. Let's start with a highlight that tackles a style similar to earlier progressive rock/metal. A remix would later appear as a bonus track for its original album.

Between the Buried and Me - Obfuscation (2009)

4.5/5. This one can fit well as a single that should've been recorded and released between Alaska and Colors. It also shows the soft-hard blend they've used since The Silent Circus. All in all, an excellent piece of progressive action!

Fallujah – Kaleidoscopic Waves (2025)

5/5. One of the best tracks from the new Fallujah album! I love the bass work by Evan Brewer (formerly of Animosity and The Faceless).

Leprous – Painful Detour (2012)

4.5/5. Somehow you can consider this the Aerosmith "Dream On" of modern progressive metal. There are also some early prog-rock vibes here, plus some nice lyrics like "Building a castle, foundation on the sound". For the next couple minutes after that lyrics, some Opeth/Pain of Salvation-isms come in, leading to an amazing rhythm right around the middle. One minute later, it gets heavier and more epic. Then another minute later, a one-minute funky solo rising up to that "Dream On"-like chorus once more.

Mastodon – Naked Burn (2004)

4/5. RIP Brent Hinds... G****mn it, I wish I hadn't lost interest in this band a few years ago. I really need to appreciate a lot of the work the band has put in their music, including Brent's riffing and vocals. Lots of classic hits I still remember in Leviathan.

Mastodon - The Beast (2021)

3.5/5. This one's a heavier beast than the other Mastodon track, but having a little too much of a country vibe. Still I can accept this tribute to Brent Hinds. Again, RIP

The Ocean Collective – The Grand Inquisitor II: Roots & Locusts (2010)

4/5. The Ocean is still going strong, despite much of the lineup having left in the year of this comment.

The Third and the Mortal – Silently I Surrender (2004)

4.5/5. A more progressive while still doomy 8-minute epic.

Threshold – The Man Who Saw Through Time (2017)

5/5. Oh my f***ing word, what a masterpiece! Since I'm really getting back into the more melodic zone of 10 years ago, I might just give this band a second chance after my "touch and let go" moment 5 years ago. It's one of the most beautiful melodic progressive metal epics, and it could practically make the soundtrack of a short film. The guitar and keyboard soloing near the 7 and a half minute mark is so perfectly unique, as are Glynn Morgan's vocals. He should really guest appear in the next Ayreon album!

Voivod – Meteor (1995)

4.5/5. Another killer track, throwing back to the Killing Technology era.

Wheel – Movement (2021)

4/5. The more rock-ish progressive metal sound might remind some of Soen. This month's playlist may be over, but the progressive metal wheel shall keep moving!