Every now and then there is a rising trend in music. Currently in pop music it is the inclusion of a guest rapper in every song in an album, electronic sonic manipulation and recently the recurrence of a saxophone riff.
However, I’d like to look at the progressive styles as they have developed over the last decade. Since 2005 there has been an exponential rise in progressive metal artists and the use of djent. The trend lately in this area of metal music has shown it having become increasingly more technical, using more strings (7 and 8 string guitars mostly) and including a more theoretical musical basis.
The area of progressive metal ranges quite broadly to this day. It includes areas where there are incredibly jazz-theoretical components, odd and rapidly changing time signatures, and varying atmospheric vibes.
In this post I will be looking into specific prog artists; CHON, Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Angel Vivaldi, and TesseracT.
CHON are a progressive instrumental rock group founded in San Diego, California. Currently fronted by members Mario Camarena (guitar), Nathan Camarena (drums), Erick Hansel (guitar), and Drew Pelisek (bass, vocals).
They’re syncopated melodies and countermelodies create a cascade of notes over the choppiest drum rhythms I’ve ever heard. Almost as if the whole rhythm section is a melody in itself. Also described in the category of ‘math rock’ their compositions are very exact in the placing of notes and rhythm hits.
Just check out the title track from their 2013 EP Newborn Sun. Those motif chop/melodies of ‘1 - 1, 2 - 1, 2, 3’ are just some of the incredible psycho syncopations that I’ve come to love from these guys.
Next we look at one of the most groundbreaking progressive metal bands; Animals As Leaders. Formed by Tosin Abasi of Reflux fame, Abasi was asked to do a solo project to which he formed Animals As Leaders with fellow eight-string guitarist, Javier Reyes, and drummer, Matt Gartska.
With songs of sheer, jaw-dropping technique and theory we have a solid blend of metal with jazz chords/scales, extensive modes, and rapidly changing odd time signatures.
All from this trio of two eight-string guitarists (no need for bass here my friends) and a godly drummer.
Just check out this song On Impulse from their self-titled debut from 2009.
Next we have another groundbreaker. Noted as one of the pioneers of the progressive metal movement, Periphery are a force to be reckoned with. With influences vastly ranging from Devin Townsend and Meshuggah to Dream Theater and Guthrie Govan, they have created a range of songs with elements of jazzy prog metal, djent and more. To clarify for those unfamiliar, Dent is a chugging technique used on multi-string guitars (7+ string). It is often an odd rhythm matching the kick drum and usually stays on one note. Recently it has become a style category like ‘Indie’ when really it is just a technique. It is useful sparingly but some artists base their whole style upon. Periphery on the other hand utilise it to its true potential with incredible chords and melodies.
Fronted by Misha Mansoor (guitar) of Bulb fame, Mark Holcomb (guitar), Jake Bowen (guitar), Adam “Nolly” Getgood (bass), Matt Halpern (drums), and Spencer Sotelo (vocals).
Check this personal favourite of All New Materials from Periphery’s self-titled 2010 album.
Next we have one of the most original modern day guitarists I’ve heard in a while; the incredible Angel Vivaldi. Not the most progressive metal guitarist I’ve heard since listening to Abasi and Mansoor but certainly one of the most original. With fast paced riffs and melodies that make you wish you were running like a superhero with his songs as your action themes Vivaldi reaches out and attains the Speed of Dark and takes you Away With Words on a Revelation of seven-string discovery through his Universal Language. Just check out this amazing track from his 2013 Universal Language EP; A Mercurian Summer.
Check out the song Nocturne from Altered State.
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