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).
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.
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
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Sing me a song, you're a singer
Do me a wrong, you're a bringer of evil.
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
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).
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...
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Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow
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.
The last two songs on Disconnected are monumental progressive metal masterpieces. Two of the best compositions I have ever heard.
Still Remains \m/
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"There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors."
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.
That is actually my favourite Fates Warning album. I also recommend "Disconnected".
Disconnected is one of my favourites from Fates Warning!
