Looking for Prog bands with very little extreme influence, but still riff oriented - meaning no long drawn out mellow parts a la Dream theater and most other Prog bands (what i would refer to as boring parts).

Something akin to Suspyre. Thanks

Try Leprous, later Riverside, Protest The Hero, Vanden Plas, To-Mera...

Written by Unhealer on 05.12.2012 at 21:09

Try Leprous, later Riverside, Protest The Hero, Vanden Plas, To-Mera...

Will do! thanks!

Alchemist for sure, short concise songwriting jam-packed full of sweet riffs. It's not really similar to Suspyre though..
Andromeda would be a good one too I think, like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_DQHz-r898
Also check out Dan Swanö's "Moontower", Conception, Myrath, Pagan's Mind.

And I'm not sure about this as it can be a bit drawn at times out I suppose but it never bores me: Kingcrow (their latest one)
The new one by Soen is also pretty tight.

This is also really riff happy:

Written by R'Vannith on 06.12.2012 at 03:46

stuff...

Hell yes thanks! I especially like Andromeda

Circus Maximus's Isolate (not the other two albums)
Threshold's Dead Reckoning
Oceans Of Sadness - The Arrogance Of Ignorance

I would have recommended the most recent 4 or so Symphony X albums as the most obvious riff-oriented prog metal band. they have songs with more guitar riffs that I can count, Odyssey being the best example.

I see you already have SX in your list of favorite bands though so that's covered. I'm still posting this so that other people of the same mind know of them if for some reason they don't already

Written by Valentin B on 07.12.2012 at 17:21

I would have recommended the most recent 4 or so Symphony X albums as the most obvious riff-oriented prog metal band. they have songs with more guitar riffs that I can count, Odyssey being the best example.

I see you already have SX in your list of favorite bands though so that's covered. I'm still posting this so that other people of the same mind know of them if for some reason they don't already

Yeah SX is def. in my top 3 favorite bands

Everyone mentioned good stuff already. I'll throw in Shadow Gallery, Beyond Twilight, Anubis Gate, and Adagio (stong neoclassical and power metal influence but it fits the bill).

Can't go wrong with Fates Warning's No Exit

Try Outworld - Outworld . that's what I call riff-oriented . ( and also great vocals )

Some great suggestions so far guys! I like Threshold's Day of Reckoning the best thus far

Written by Unhealer on 05.12.2012 at 21:09

Try Leprous, later Riverside, Protest The Hero, Vanden Plas, To-Mera...

to-mera is amazing

Try Oddland! Their debut (2012) is mind-blowing! Also, from the bands mentioned I would recommend To-Mera debut. That's some heavy prog. Also specifically Tall Poppy Syndrome by Leprous. And then Adagio, especially the first two albums (which are more proggy). I see that you already know Symphony X and Protest the Hero, so those 5 albums should keep you busy and exploring...

Yeah! Dead Reckoning is amazing, anyone who likes Threshold is awesome

I think I'll have to check out Oddland and To-Mera due to rave reviews from people who clearly have good taste.

Written by Stabby on 17.12.2012 at 02:19

Yeah! Dead Reckoning is amazing, anyone who likes Threshold is awesome

then it means I am awesome, too since Threshold is one of my favourite bands

I don't know if people mentioned Arch/Matheos or Shadow Gallery, if not, I warmly recommend them.

Written by Guest on 17.12.2012 at 11:08

Written by Stabby on 17.12.2012 at 02:19

Yeah! Dead Reckoning is amazing, anyone who likes Threshold is awesome

then it means I am awesome, too since Threshold is one of my favourite bands

I don't know if people mentioned Arch/Matheos or Shadow Gallery, if not, I warmly recommend them.

I mentioned Shadow Gallery! But not the other one, I will add them to my list.

Particularly Digital Ghosts and Tyranny from SG are very riffy, Room V and Carved In Stone are perhaps less riffy but still good.

Written by tea[m]ster on 08.12.2012 at 15:11

Can't go wrong with Fates Warning's No Exit

Why not "FWX" too? That is actually my favourite Fates Warning album. I also recommend "Disconnected".

And since we are talking about riffs, I have to include Into Eternity, you could start with "Buried In Oblivion" of course. Both Darkwater albums are a good choice too.

Written by BloodTears on 17.12.2012 at 21:29

Written by tea[m]ster on 08.12.2012 at 15:11

Can't go wrong with Fates Warning's No Exit

Why not "FWX" too? That is actually my favourite Fates Warning album. I also recommend "Disconnected".

Disconnected is one of my favourites from Fates Warning!

Written by Guest on 17.12.2012 at 22:06

Disconnected is one of my favourites from Fates Warning!

You have good taste!

Written by tea[m]ster on 08.12.2012 at 15:11

Can't go wrong with Fates Warning's No Exit

Wow, No Exit is awesome... I had only ever listened to their early USPM stuff. Thanks!

Written by BloodTears on 18.12.2012 at 10:41

Written by Guest on 17.12.2012 at 22:06

Disconnected is one of my favourites from Fates Warning!

You have good taste!

The last two songs on Disconnected are monumental progressive metal masterpieces. Two of the best compositions I have ever heard.

Written by tea[m]ster on 21.12.2012 at 04:26

The last two songs on Disconnected are monumental progressive metal masterpieces. Two of the best compositions I have ever heard.

Still Remains \m/

...Really diggin Shadow Gallery's Digital Ghosts

Written by JÄY on 23.12.2012 at 21:52

...Really diggin Shadow Gallery's Digital Ghosts

Hell yeah you are!

I'm also enjoying Fates Warning's more recent stuff. And if you haven't checked out Arch-Matheos, I second that suggestion. Always room for more Matheos riff madness.

Written by Stabby on 30.12.2012 at 05:49

And if you haven't checked out Arch-Matheos, I second that suggestion. Always room for more Matheos riff madness.

Yeah Matheos is a god.... too bad I dont think Arch is

Written by JÄY on 30.12.2012 at 18:24

Written by Stabby on 30.12.2012 at 05:49

And if you haven't checked out Arch-Matheos, I second that suggestion. Always room for more Matheos riff madness.

Yeah Matheos is a god.... too bad I dont think Arch is

Heh, I like his wonky singing. To each their own I guess

Seventh Wonder is worth mentioning, too... They can be a little soft sounding sometimes, but other times are pretty riffy