March 2026 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=9a925cfebe144ec6

1. Datura – Obsidian (2024)

2. Erra – i. The Many Names of God (2026)

3. Genghis Tron – Dream Weapon (2021)

4. Green Carnation – Under Eternal Stars (2000)

5. Hath – All That Was Promised (2022)

6. The Hirsch Effekt – Der Faden (2026)

7. Isis – So Did We (Remaster) (2004)

8. Jinjer – As I Boil Ice (2021)

9. Moon Tooth – Love at All Angels (2019)

10. Ne Obliviscaris – Xenoflux (2012)

11. Playgrounded – Our Fire (2022)

12. Peximents – Hidden Instigator (2024)

13. Slice the Cake – The Holy Mountain (2023 Remaster)

14. Star One – Lost Children of the Universe (2022)

15. Symphony X – Rediscovery (Part II) (2000)

16. Urne – Be Not Dismayed (2026)

Once again, another Infinite playlist I felt up to breezing through entirely. Great work, Saxy! Here are all my track thoughts:

Datura – Obsidian (2024)

4/5. Solid start, but I feel like it could've been less draggy.

Erra – i. The Many Names of God (2026)

4.5/5. ERRA is getting more djenty with every release they make. Now they're at Meshuggah levels of djent! They first started hinting at that direction as early their 2021 self-titled album. Plus a bit of Volumes vibes here too! And apparently this is part 1 of a 3-part suite. Can't wait for the rest of that and this album!

Genghis Tron – Dream Weapon (2021)

5/5. The last time I've experienced Genghis Tron, it was one of their earlier cybergrind releases. Now they're cloudy progressive metal. And I enjoy it! No Napalm Death grind, no Dillinger mathcore, just pure progressive bliss. I think they've gone the Contortionist route of eliminating all heaviness and screaming, which I still like but in other genres. The album was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. I hear some Voivod and BTBAM here. Well done!

Green Carnation – Under Eternal Stars (2000)

4.5/5. There's more of that female singing and clean guitarwork, the latter quickly becoming distorted again for slow riffing. Once again, all this might remind you of a less symphonic Therion. Oh I almost forgot, that female vocalist is Vibeke Stene (ex-Tristania), and her high soprano singing makes me up for more of her former main band. The song is so dark and gothic, yet it becomes more melodic and progressive. Oh, and there's more of the male singing too. All in all, a fun highlight!

Hath – All That Was Promised (2022)

4/5. For those wanting some progressive death metal, this track has all that's promised, though I feel like there could've been a little more.

The Hirsch Effekt – Der Faden (2026)

4.5/5. Excellent song sounding almost as sludgy as Mastodon and Baroness.

Isis – So Did We (Remaster) (2004)

5/5. I was one to two decades later for progressive/post-metal's mid-2000s heyday. I think I discovered this band 16 years after this album Panopticon first came out. The best part for me is the atmospheric bridge that starts the second half.

Jinjer – As I Boil Ice (2021)

4.5/5. Tatiana Shmayluk can unleash some kick-A roars while singing inspiring lyrics. This could be something my brother would listen to besides Breaking Benjamin and formerly Disturbed. My favorite is the ending throughout the final minute. Truly one of my favorite songs in that album!

Moon Tooth – Love at All Angels (2019)

4.5/5. The title is actually "Awe at All Angles", though "Love" would've also been interesting there. I wonder if this band is related to Beartooth. Not really... Again, right at the middle is the most joy-inducing part for me, with those sick guitar harmonies. Nicely done!

Ne Obliviscaris – Xenoflux (2012)

5/5. This one has a perfect blend of loud and emotional, especially in its climax that comes to a sudden stop.

Playgrounded – Our Fire (2022)

4.5/5. Top-notch quality for this progressive sound! Now, does being "Playgrounded" sound like fun or a punishment? Or maybe a "Funishment"? lol

Peximents – Hidden Instigator (2024)

4.5/5. Progressive metal hadn't sounded this wacky in the experimentation since Unexpect. It's pretty amazing, man!

Slice the Cake – The Holy Mountain (2023 Remaster)

5/5. You know what, after listening to this track for the first time in a few years, I really need to check out more of this band. I didn't really take it seriously the first time I listened to this album. And whether or not Jack Richardson wanted it released, I feel the appreciation towards it could've been what he really needed in his memory, after passing away from lung cancer recently. RIP... Anyway, this fits well as the closing single track epic to its original album, mixing all and additional elements to end this theatrical journey. Nothing is simple! The melody and rhythm fades, and you might just feel up to repeating this journey again.

Star One – Lost Children of the Universe (2022)

4.5/5. Long live two vocalists; Roy Khan, known for being the vocalist of progressive power metal bands Conception and Kamelot, and Tony Martin (in the alternate version), one of Black Sabbath's former vocalists. They have both kept their talents up for several decades. Bravo!

Symphony X – Rediscovery (Part II) (2000)

5/5. An awesome 12-minute grand finale that puts them in the progressive metal club of Opeth and Dream Theater, and it reminds me that the glory is left unbroken.

Urne – Be Not Dismayed (2026)

4.5/5. If you're put off by the addition of one more track after that epic, be not dismayed! The riffing sounds both heavy and emotional. This banger sounds like Mastodon gone Dark Tranquillity, a bit like early Chaos Divine. It just sounds so raw yet clean, especially in the guitars. Such a monstrous way out!