October 2025 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=4d52089501de47df
1. Andromeda – In the Deepest of Waters (2001)
2. Between the Buried and Me – Psychomanteum (2025)
3. Conception – Parallel Minds (1993)
4. The Contortionist – Casualty (2012)
5. Feather Mountain – Sigil (2025)
6. Fellsilent – Drowned In My Enemy (2009)
7. In Vain – Watch for Me on the Mountain (2024)
8. Mendel – Be Gentle (2025)
9. Novembre – Everasia (2001)
10. Richard Henshall – Mu (2024)
11. Sithu Aye – The Andromedan, Pt. V: Rebirth (2016)
12. Snooze – A Mysterious Voice (2025)
13. Symphony X – The Odyssey (2002)
14. TesseracT – Juno (2018)
15. Threshold – Complex (2022)
16. Wheel – Hyperion (2021)
Here are my thoughts on some tracks:
Andromeda – In the Deepest of Waters (2001)
5/5. Let's start with what sounds a more aggressive while still melodic Dream Theater-like band that I would certainly be up for! I love the synths at over the one and a half minute mark along with the vocals originally by Lawrence Mackrory that don't appear until less than a minute later. And a couple more minutes later, one of the best guitar solos in progressive metal! I'm really having a blast here.
Between the Buried and Me – Psychomanteum (2025)
4.5/5. I really need to get back in touch with the music of BTBAM. They still have the fun energy of their more popular releases like The Parallax series. When Tommy Rogers bellows the song title "PSYCHOMANTEUM" at the two-minute mark, that really hit me hard, along with the h*lla heavy riffing less than a minute later. A minute after that, the extremeness is lowered down for some soft beauty. That goes on for a couple minutes, rising up to a brief wacky moment of drums, piano, and vocals. Some of that heavy riffing hits less than a minute later, heavier than the earlier riffing. Nearly a couple minutes after that, the soft beauty comes back in the form of Opeth-like ambience and guitar fiddling by Paul Waggoner, followed by more of that beautiful mood. Everything is so haunting and heavy throughout those 11 minutes! I would probably love to check out more of their new album The Blue Nowhere someday.
Conception – Parallel Minds (1993)
5/5. Tore Ostby and Roy Khan are both legends as they perform this brilliant highlight with all their talent, alongside the other members. In fact, I can hear some of the influences for Roy Khan's later band Kamelot, particularly in his first few albums with the band.
The Contortionist – Casualty (2012)
4.5/5. After kicking things off with a screaming verse, a more atmospheric while still heavy section comes in. But the best part is the guitar soloing that starts two minutes after. Jazzy djenty prog-metal of beauty and bliss!
In Vain – Watch for Me on the Mountain (2024)
4.5/5. A strong clean swansong for the blissful harmonies of Sindre Nedland. RIP
Symphony X – The Odyssey (2002)
5/5. The title epic of Symphony X's 6th album is the longest track the band has ever done, at over 24 minutes. You know how much I love long epics, especially when there's lots of fresh variation. I love those kinds of tracks as much as the less progressive listeners love tracks that are up to 6 minutes long. A true epic should never be so draggy throughout its length (looking at you, funeral doom "epics"!). In these 7 parts of this epic, things can switch from orchestral to acoustic to metal, often going from slow to fast back and forth. And the lyrics do the journey of Odysseus justice! All I have more to say is, it's one of the greatest epics in the metal part of my existence!
TesseracT – Juno (2018)
5/5. We still have one more track left, and... What's that? More progressive djent?!? You've come to the right place. Enjoy the ride!