May 2025 "The Infinite" Playlist - Progressive Metal Constellations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=638ecc697123486e

1. A-Z – Nothing Is Over (2025)

2. Baroness – Rays On Pinion (2007)

3. Becoming the Archetype – Construct and Collapse (2007)

4. Cormorant – Unearthly Dreamings (2011)

5. Empyrean Sanctum – Heart of Gold (2025)

6. Fallujah – Artifacts (2022)

7. Gojira – The Link (2003)

8. Illusion Suite – The Iron Cemetery (2013)

9. In Vain – Where the Winds Meet (2024)

10. Into Eternity – Selling God (2002)

11. Oddland – Freefall (2025)

12. The Odious – Repugnant (2019)

13. Omnerod – Satellites (2023)

14. Others by No One – Where Stories Comes From (2021)

15. Panzerballet – Ode to Joy (feat. Andromeda Anarchia, Conny Kreitmeier & Marco Minnemann) (2025)

16. Rivers of Nihil – Water & Time (2025)

17. Teramaze – The Harmony Machine (2025)

18. Vildhjarta - + ? regnet, the ? + (2025)

19. Voivod – Into My Hypercube (1989)

20. Voyager – Seen Better Days (2025)

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Becoming the Archetype – Construct and Collapse (2007)

4.5/5. As I prepare for when I review Becoming the Archetype's debut Terminate Damnation that is this month's Revolution feature release, here's an amazing track with more prominent keyboard usage, particularly in the intro.

Fallujah – Artifacts (2022)

5/5. The riffing in this fantastic highlight can go from as brutal as Whitechapel to just straight-up melodic progressiveness. The opening riffing is so beautiful. Then two minutes later, we have some lovely searing soloing. And less than two more minutes later, at around the midway point, the soloing becomes even more face-melting. The ambient outro is like the cherry on top.

Gojira – The Link (2003)

4.5/5. The beginning riffing sounds so brutal in the riffing and vocals before the rest of the song becomes beautiful, hinting at their more progressive less deathly later material. The heavier dynamics kick in at over the 3 and a half minute mark. Quite an interesting banger! I also hear a bit of the band Obscura in the vibes, probably might also remind some of Nile.

Illusion Suite – The Iron Cemetery (2013)

4.5/5. Another brilliant track! Probably would've been perfect without that intro audio sample.

In Vain – Where the Winds Meet (2024)

5/5. This epic standout is where the two sides greatly battle it all out. The wall between the two sides is penetrated by the aggression from one side and the melody from the other, before the wall breaks down in a towering chorus.

Into Eternity – Selling God (2002)

4.5/5. God, those vocals and drums are amazing. Tim Roth can scream his lungs out while pulling off impressive guitarwork.

Rivers of Nihil – Water & Time (2025)

4.5/5. The Rivers of Nihil are filled with Water and Time. The band does an excellent emphasizing the prog in prog death, never having to go all-out brutal.

Voivod – Into My Hypercube (1989)

5/5. There's a more memorable approach in the catchy chorus ("Transient illusion, clairvoyant suspension, translucid condition, principal connection").

Voyager – Seen Better Days (2025)

4.5/5. An excellent way to end this playlist, but I've heard better ones.