The only album that seems out of place is Thy Catafalque's Rengeteg. It's a great album, but I don't think it's THAT original and head-spinning.

Written by Diverge on 03.05.2013 at 22:15

The only album that seems out of place is Thy Catafalque's Rengeteg. It's a great album, but I don't think it's THAT original and head-spinning.

That album was a bit of a risk, I agree. I might look at their other releases before I change or delete it.

Excellent list. I planned on doing this list some time ago but I got lazy, probably would have included most of these records.

This list is full of my favorite albums

I recommend these :

Lye By Mistake - Arrangements for Fulminating Vective
Oceans of Sadness - Arrogance of Ignorance
Igorrr - Hallelujah
Maudlin of the Well - Bath

EDIT : I forgot Transcending Bizarre , probably their latest album is the best . tell me if you wanted more

Written by PocketMetal on 04.05.2013 at 16:52

This list is full of my favorite albums

I recommend these :

Lye By Mistake - Arrangements for Fulminating Vective
Oceans of Sadness - Arrogance of Ignorance
Igorrr - Hallelujah
Maudlin of the Well - Bath

EDIT : I forgot Transcending Bizarre , probably their latest album is the best . tell me if you wanted more

Yes, I agree with Igorrr most definitely, adding soon. I've heard of Maudlin... and Oceans... but not Lyre by mistake. Looking into these as well. Thanks

Written by Unhealer on 04.05.2013 at 16:50

Excellent list. I planned on doing this list some time ago but I got lazy, probably would have included most of these records.

I was planning on making this list earlier too, I also wanted to make some fun quotes alongside the albums too.

I've only heard 2 albums out of these... seems I have some "work" to do!

Any recommendations? Since you know my musical tastes and all...

Written by Erik M. on 04.05.2013 at 17:42

I've only heard 2 albums out of these... seems I have some "work" to do!

Any recommendations? Since you know my musical tastes and all...

Quite difficult to say, as you like mostly doom and gloom. There are lots of bands mixing black metal and avant-garde. Arcturus would be the most obvious one, Japanese band Sigh, mix alot of jazz and symphonic metal (mostly in later albums), their earlier ones are more black metal. Mondstille is a band I recently discovered from last year, mixing folk and black metal, you could try them.

EDIT: Also check out In The Woods..., the album featured on my list.

Good stuff buddy, especially with throwing Igorr in, that by far is some of the craziest stuff I've ever heard. You seem to have the same taste that I do for really original and off-the-wall metal, give my "Unconventional Black Metal" list a peek if you'd like. I might be saying this just because I'm a BM fanboy, but I really do think that black metal is the one subgenre of metal that you see the most outlandish experimentation and originality in these days. Probably because since it's so underground, bands have little to no interest whatsoever in pleasing a more mainstream fanbase, which promotes individuality and just doing your own thing with your composition.

Great list! A lot of awesome albums here.

my recommendations:
Blutmond - Thirteen Urban Ways 4 Groovy Bohemian Days (2010) - I discovered them recently, and was blown away, awesome album - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3bco9mLVl0
also if you like Thy Catafalque, check out Gire, another one of my favourites in the genre - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvGRXRW7OtA

Written by Auntie Sahar on 04.05.2013 at 18:44

Good stuff buddy, especially with throwing Igorr in, that by far is some of the craziest stuff I've ever heard. You seem to have the same taste that I do for really original and off-the-wall metal, give my "Unconventional Black Metal" list a peek if you'd like. I might be saying this just because I'm a BM fanboy, but I really do think that black metal is the one subgenre of metal that you see the most outlandish experimentation and originality in these days. Probably because since it's so underground, bands have little to no interest whatsoever in pleasing a more mainstream fanbase, which promotes individuality and just doing your own thing with your composition.

Thanks for suggesting your list to me, I have heard/listened of half of the albums, the other half look really interesting to check out. A couple of them would fit here on my list too.

Try this: Maudlin of the Well-part the second

Also, Dog Fashion Disco is a cool band, I remember enjoying their "adultery". You may want to check "Shaolin Death Squad", original and fun band, especially since you seem to like leprous and arcturus.
If you are not familiar with "devil doll", give them a chance, extremely original mix of operatic rock/ progressive rock/ Gothic and some metal element. They have one of the most talented vocalists I've ever known.
For crazy death metal , I suggest "Gorguts - Obscura", might seem mostly like some random noises in few first spins, I like it.
Also, Terra tenebrosa is an excellent band which some describe them as dark ambient avant metal, I have nothing against this classification. try their first album.
There are tones of experimental black meta bands. Unfortunately I am not deep into this genre but I think Mayhem's "ordor ad chao" can fit here easily.

Usual suspects on the list and some of my thunder has been stolen already (MOTW and Oceans of Sadness) but I can recommend some shit maybe you've never heard of but may like...

Todtgelichter - Angst
Look To Windward - Fortunes Haze
Anekdoten - A Time Of Day
Kalisia - Cybion

Written by tea[m]ster on 05.05.2013 at 01:22

Anekdoten - A Time Of Day

Love this band, my favourite is Nucleus Though I'd say they're a bit more on the prog rock side of things than avantgarde.

Have to agree with R'Vannith-- Anekdoten and Kalisia would not fit the list at all. This is the Ultimate Avant-Garde Metal Albums list, and those two are both primarily prog.

Written by CyberSymphony on 04.05.2013 at 17:51

Quite difficult to say, as you like mostly doom and gloom. There are lots of bands mixing black metal and avant-garde. Arcturus would be the most obvious one, Japanese band Sigh, mix alot of jazz and symphonic metal (mostly in later albums), their earlier ones are more black metal. Mondstille is a band I recently discovered from last year, mixing folk and black metal, you could try them.

EDIT: Also check out In The Woods..., the album featured on my list.

Hehe, I like most styles of metal, except for Heavy, Power, Nu, Alternative and anything that has "-core" in it. And the two that I've heard are the debut of Diablo Swing Orchestra and The Sham Mirrors, so I need to check out the other Arcturus album(s) still. At this moment, after 3 listens of The Sham Mirrors, I don't think it's all that amazing... still great, but not as great as their debut. I know I'm probably in the minority here though. But thanks anyway for the suggestions. And blackened folk is a subgenre I pretty much always enjoy a lot by the way, so I might check them out first.

Written by Diverge on 05.05.2013 at 07:32

Have to agree with R'Vannith-- Anekdoten and Kalisia would not fit the list at all. This is the Ultimate Avant-Garde Metal Albums list, and those two are both primarily prog.

I did not say "put these on your list" I merely suggested some stuff by definition of avantgarde on freedictionary.com he might like.

n 1. those artists, writers, musicians, etc., whose techniques and ideas are markedly experimental or in advance of those generally accepted
2. the advance group in a field, esp. in the arts, whose works are unorthodox and experimental
3. any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

We can argue all day what metal music is considered avantgarde and what's not (heck, even Voivod has the avantgarde tag on this site), that's the beauty of it. I respect everyone's opinion and would never tell someone "you are wrong".

Written by R'Vannith on 05.05.2013 at 07:10

Love this band, my favourite is Nucleus Though I'd say they're a bit more on the prog rock side of things than avantgarde.

Classifying a band/album avantgarde is a touchy matter. All concepts start with some kind of base or foundation no matter what direction the music takes. I would even say most of the stuff labeled avantgarde has a progressive root in it to begin with.

Written by tea[m]ster on 05.05.2013 at 17:00

Written by Diverge on 05.05.2013 at 07:32

Have to agree with R'Vannith-- Anekdoten and Kalisia would not fit the list at all. This is the Ultimate Avant-Garde Metal Albums list, and those two are both primarily prog.

I did not say "put these on your list" I merely suggested some stuff by definition of avantgarde on freedictionary.com he might like.

n 1. those artists, writers, musicians, etc., whose techniques and ideas are markedly experimental or in advance of those generally accepted
2. the advance group in a field, esp. in the arts, whose works are unorthodox and experimental
3. any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

We can argue all day what metal music is considered avantgarde and what's not (heck, even Voivod has the avantgarde tag on this site), that's the beauty of it. I respect everyone's opinion and would never tell someone "you are wrong".

Let me just clarify. I'm not saying that you're objectively wrong about the classification of those bands; I don't want to attack your subjective tastes. In fact, I would never intentionally hurt someone's feelings if I knew they listened to the powerhouse that is Kalisia.
What I am trying to say is that this list represents all the avant-garde metal albums, and this list would attract anyone who wants to get into the particular genre, as well as people who want to reflect on all the great albums released over the last few years in that genre. Hell, you might even find a few albums you never saw before. There is a general consensus in the metal community about the classification of each band (ie. as a prog band, as an avant-garde metal band, etc.), and the two bands you mentioned at the end are generally conceived as progressive metal. That's not to say that there isn't anything avant-garde about them; I'm just saying that their presence in this list might make it become bloated or lose its focus, since they are generally not recognized as a primarily avant-garde band. That is the sole difference between the groups on the list and the two you are recommending. If the author of the list finds them to be particularly avant-garde, he can put them into the list (he controls the list, of course); I'm just pointing out that, in my view, these aren't very good recommendations for a list like this.

As a side-note, the way you classify music is very odd (in a good way, though), and I think it won't match up to the conventional views of Metal Storm some times. For example, you said you heard Enochian Theory in Anciients...a view precisely 99% of the people here wouldn't have.

Written by Diverge on 05.05.2013 at 17:30

I would never intentionally hurt someone's feelings

Hehe. I was thinking "how dare he question my musical knowledge/prowess". I kind of took it personal. Not saying you are wrong because I do agree my choices are mainly rooted in prog. However, if you think about it the avantgarde musical tag is very loose and can be interpreted in many ways.

Would Waltari be considered avantgarde? If so, I'd recommend them to ya. It's generally a cominbation of Morbid Angel's finest writing combined with orchestral pieces, among other tricks!

Cool list! I haven't yet developed a grand collection of experimental material, so this is greatly apreciated.
I am a bit surprised though that out of all of Devin's work, ''Deconstruction'' is the only one present.

Written by tea[m]ster on 05.05.2013 at 17:15

Written by R'Vannith on 05.05.2013 at 07:10

Love this band, my favourite is Nucleus Though I'd say they're a bit more on the prog rock side of things than avantgarde.

Classifying a band/album avantgarde is a touchy matter. All concepts start with some kind of base or foundation no matter what direction the music takes. I would even say most of the stuff labeled avantgarde has a progressive root in it to begin with.

Oh boy what have I gotten myself into Well to nitpick first of all its questionable when we're talking about Anekdoten whether they are metal. I wouldn't consider them metal, nor would I say they're avantgarde. Some good old King Crimson style prog rock.

I think prog rock would have been considered "avantgarde" in its heyday. Pushing the boundaries of music and whatnot. These days we all have some idea as to what prog sounds like, which is why it's not generally referred to as avantgarde, though there is certainly overlap. Avantgarde music as I understand it is typically sounds that are characterised by unusual and unprecedented song structures, weird instrumentation/elements etc. With some prog there is still that sense of the "unexpected."

Having said that there is a general consensus music lovers/genre nerds have when it comes to avantgarde within metal, a type of sound we come to expect when something is tagged as "avantgarde."
Prog usually applies to rock and metal genres, whereas avantgarde extends further I think. So in my mind I struggle to use the two interchangeably, though I can see where they might overlap and cause a ruckus among listeners.

Written by TrollandDie on 06.05.2013 at 00:49

Would Waltari be considered avantgarde? If so, I'd recommend them to ya. It's generally a cominbation of Morbid Angel's finest writing combined with orchestral pieces, among other tricks!

Cool list! I haven't yet developed a grand collection of experimental material, so this is greatly apreciated.
I am a bit surprised though that out of all of Devin's work, ''Deconstruction'' is the only one present.

The only Waltari album I've listened to is the Death Metal Symphony In Deep C. Devin's Ziltoid the Omniscient might make this list, though I haven't listened to his previous stuff. Looking into both bands.

It seems to me you forgot about a few very important avant bands of this planet. It's Atrox (Nor), Madder Mortem (Nor) , the 3rd and the Mortal (Nor), Forgotten Silence (Cze). I think Contentum by Atrox is one of the most awesome metal albums of all times. And All Flesh is Grass by Madders. Second full lenght by 3rd & the Mortals was really avant garde. And of course all albums of Forgotten Silence - I just find it difficult to choose among them the best

Written by R'Vannith on 06.05.2013 at 15:48

Oh boy what have I gotten myself into

No, no don't take it that way. I myself isn't really sure how the avantgarde label started or what band is or isn't. I am saying that most of the artists in my collection labeled avantagarde have dipped their hands into progressive waters. Arcturus, MOTW, Voivod, Vaura, Look To Windward, Oceans Of Sadness, The Unexpect. Their probably are other avantgarde acts/albums that aren't associated with prog at all, Todtgelichter's Angst as an example but I have yet to hear many of them.

Written by tea[m]ster on 07.05.2013 at 15:33

Written by R'Vannith on 06.05.2013 at 15:48

Oh boy what have I gotten myself into

No, no don't take it that way. I myself isn't really sure how the avantgarde label started or what band is or isn't. I am saying that most of the artists in my collection labeled avantagarde have dipped their hands into progressive waters. Arcturus, MOTW, Voivod, Vaura, Look To Windward, Oceans Of Sadness, The Unexpect. Their probably are other avantgarde acts/albums that aren't associated with prog at all, Todtgelichter's Angst as an example but I have yet to hear many of them.

I was just kidding there, knew you weren't having a go at me or anything. About the whole avantgarde/prog distinction.. I guess we can look for and spot various elements that fall under prog when we're listening to avantgarde. I like to think of prog as a genre and a sound which is easier to identify than avantgarde, or at least I happen to find it easier.

Though prog and avantgarde are two different things in my mind they both have a similar spirit, and sound wise they can be similar at times or blend together even.

Written by ns on 07.05.2013 at 15:17

It seems to me you forgot about a few very important avant bands of this planet. It's Atrox (Nor), Madder Mortem (Nor) , the 3rd and the Mortal (Nor), Forgotten Silence (Cze). I think Contentum by Atrox is one of the most awesome metal albums of all times. And All Flesh is Grass by Madders. Second full lenght by 3rd & the Mortals was really avant garde. And of course all albums of Forgotten Silence - I just find it difficult to choose among them the best

Atrox I will look into, thanks
Madder Morten, as much as I've listened, I cannot get into their music or vocals. Its original, but doesn't work for me.
3rd and the Mortal, I will say no, even the one I suggested. Its a good album, but more atmospheric/ambient than avant-garde. Hmm, not sure about it, saying no for now.
Forgotten Silence, I will also look into.

Great list!

I will have to check out several of these that I have not heard yet.

For your future avant-garde adventures:

Chrome Hoof - Pre-Emptive False Rapture
Dødheimsgard - 666 International
Ephel Duath - The Painter's Palette
Estradasphere - Palace Of Mirrors
Infernus - Именем Вельзевула
Kayo Dot - Choirs Of The Eye
Kekal - The Habit Of Fire
Metallic Taste Of Blood - Metallic Taste Of Blood
miRthkon - Vehicle
Nekropsi - Mi Kubbesi
Obsidian Kingdom - Mantiis
Pan.thy.monium - Khaooohs & Kon-Fus-ion
Panzerballett - Hart Genossen Von Abba Bis Zappa
Quadrivium - Methocha
Secret Chiefs 3 - Book of Horizons
StarGazer - A Great Work Of Ages
Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun
Virus - Carheart
Yakuza - Samsara
Zu - Carboniferous

Written by Introspekrieg on 15.05.2013 at 16:45

Great list!

I will have to check out several of these that I have not heard yet.

For your future avant-garde adventures:

Chrome Hoof - Pre-Emptive False Rapture
Dødheimsgard - 666 International
Ephel Duath - The Painter's Palette
Estradasphere - Palace Of Mirrors
Infernus - Именем Вельзевула
Kayo Dot - Choirs Of The Eye
Kekal - The Habit Of Fire
Metallic Taste Of Blood - Metallic Taste Of Blood
miRthkon - Vehicle
Nekropsi - Mi Kubbesi
Obsidian Kingdom - Mantiis
Pan.thy.monium - Khaooohs & Kon-Fus-ion
Panzerballett - Hart Genossen Von Abba Bis Zappa
Quadrivium - Methocha
Secret Chiefs 3 - Book of Horizons
StarGazer - A Great Work Of Ages
Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun
Virus - Carheart
Yakuza - Samsara
Zu - Carboniferous

Nice, I have heard of a few of these bands, I'll give these bands/albums a listen sometime. Thanks for the many recommendations