Navigating You Through the Progressive Underground

Tier 3: The Great

So here is where the list actually starts. These are the albums we thought did not quite have that special something, but were still great enough to distinguish themselves from the rest of the year. Numerically, these would be the albums you’d rate around an 8/10. I don’t know about the others, but I listened to my picks in this tier a ton, so definitely worth listening. Blablablablablablablabla I don’t wanna write anymore byeeeee. Enjoy the first part of the list now.


Dawn of Ouroboros – The Art of Morphology (US-CA)
Style: melodic post-black/death (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Dylan

An album that’s misleading in its first track is The Art of Morphology. It is not bad at all, projecting themselves as a blackened melodeath band, with tones akin to Dan Swano’s, but after it comes the same ideas with *that* layer of post/shoegaze that just elevates the entire thing from its various clones. Never has an album with a guitar tone so menacing been so pleasing to listen to thanks to it’s amazing conceptualization of chaos and calmness, with passages that destroy you with harsh male vocals, and angelic interludes with the softest female vocalist you can think of. If you’re a fan of Insomnium but also appreciate the beauty in Deafheaven or even Alcest’s music, this may be your new obsession. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Pinnacle Induced Vertigo, Gateway to Tenebrosity, Lunar Cathexis
Recommended for fans of: Insomnium, Deafheaven, Dan Swano


Empress – Premonition (Canada)
Style: Post-Doom Metal (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Evan

So you take standard, but solid post-metal song-writing and dynamics, and you replace the sludge with classic doom, and then you get somewhere approximating Empress’ sound. It would not work if the riffs were not so catchy or the atmosphere not so pervasive. Sure, Premonition is still a somber album, but it has quite a bit more energy than many of its contemporaries. 

There is also a good deal of track variety on this album. There are both lengthy, dynamic tracks, and shorter, more riff-centric tracks. Thus, I would strongly recommend this album to either fans of more classic doom or fans of modern proggy post. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: A Pale Wanderer, Sepulchre, Lion’s Blood
Recommended for fans of: Elder, Isis, Mastodon


Omnivortex – Diagrams of Consciousness (Finland)
Style: Technical Death Metal (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Chris

This is one of those albums that is not for the faint of heart. Omnivortex spends essentially every second of this debut album attempting to bludgeon or rip you apart with riffs. There are a lot of riffs on this record and literally all of them rip, and none of them are boring. Varied vocal presentations keep you on your toes, ranging from Gojira style pitched screams to shades of Åkerfeldt The guitars are incredibly crisp and cutting, while the other instruments perform their jobs with just as much precision. This one stands out from the tech-death mud with its great sense of narrative on the album instead of just feeling like a collection of riffs. The solos on this album also are incredibly interesting, which means a lot coming from me because I’m not a solo lover. Do you like the bands in the FFO? This is the perfect blend of those with a voice of its own as well.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Barren, Apotheosis, Diagrams of Consciousness – Parallel Universe
Recommended for fans of: Revocation, Gojira, The Black Dahlia Murder


Future Indefinite – Oculus (Israel)
Style: Symphonic Death (mixed vocals)
Related links: Spotify
Pick by: Andrew

When I initially reviewed Oculus, there was nearly no info available online about Future Indefinite. I haven’t looked recently to see if they’ve acquired more of an online presence at all, but if you’re seeing this, great work! Oculus is a concept album about… something? It was honestly really hard to follow the plot despite being given frequent exposition in the form of interludes and spoke word bits. The most I can deduce from the album art and the song titles, at least without reading the lyrics, is a sci-fi tale of war and escape. Common sci-fi themes? Sure. Nobody ever expected metal to not play off tropes. Musically, Oculus is a hell of a solid symphonic death metal album. Brutal vocals mixed with some cleans for variety, chunky riffs, and no shortage of orchestration make for a fun listen for any fan of symphonic metal.  

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Fall of the Valkyrie, Virres’val, Symbiosis
Recommended for fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Scar Symmetry, Children of Bodom


Antipope – Apostle of Infinite Joy (Finland)
Style: Prog/Meloblack (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Sam

It’s weird. There were many albums this year that were better than this from an objective standpoint (as far as such a thing exists), yet this is easily the album I listened to the most last year. Apostle of Infinite Joy is a great black metal album with tons of hooks, tasty harmonies, actual guitar solos that are GOOD (which is rarer than you’d expect in black metal), and very intriguing progressive drumming. It may not be the most visceral or nasty thing you’ve come across to, but the ease at which these songs run from start to finish is a sight to behold. They don’t need to hide behind ten layers of complexity before you get them. Everything in this record is instantaneously good, and remains good upon repeated listens. Apostle of Infinite Joy is a prime example of immediate songwriting, and should get lauded for it. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Harbinger of Dawn, Red Goddess, Venereal Ritual for Dispersion and Reintegration of the Soul, 0=2
Recommended for fans of: Rotting Christ, Immortal, any form of melodic black metal really


Wake – Devouring Ruin (Canada)
Style: Prog Death/Black (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Dylan

To fit into this limited selection of albums given the insane amount of high quality releases I’ve had the privilege to review over the entirety of the year is nothing short of an accomplishment. If I could’ve written about as many albums as I wanted, it probably would’ve been >10 albums (including Mathias Ohlsson Project, Luna’s Call, Acatonia, Behold the Void, Fughu, etc). So the fact that Wake barely edged out so many albums is certainly worth discussing.

But what is it that made me regard this album as highly as I am? The fact that they’ve gone and done an all-round, very extreme album that’s extremely memorable on the melodic side. While hard to properly explain, it’s usage of just about every extreme genre out there done adequately is something that few bands have ever done without making their release a mess. Yet Devouring Ruin manages to fit in about everything that’s great within extreme progressive music and deliver a fun, rich, and overall entertaining 45 minute album. Its production value is pristine, the vocals are great, the riffs are plentiful, really, there’s very little to NOT enjoy about it. Give it a go.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Kana Tevoro, Torchbearer
Recommended for fans of: extreme music in general


Zmey Gorynich – Чёртовы пляски (Russia)
Style: Symphonic Polka/Deathcore (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Josh

This is probably the stupidest album I’ve heard all year, and thank God, because if it was smarter, it’d be way less entertaining. For the most part, Zmey Gorynich’s sound is a mix of polka, symphonic metal, and deathcore. Against all odds, this works. It’s a deathcore album you can dance to. There’s screaming over raw polka. There’s a Pitbull cover, for God’s sake. Despite the absurdity, though, the members of Zmey Gorynich are all clearly skilled musicians. The instrumentation may have no right to work, but the quality of playing makes it work regardless. The fact that it’s unironically good then proceeds to make this an even more ridiculous release. There is a well-done polka/deathcore cover of a Pitbull song in this world. What a time we live in.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Матрёшкинъ Попъ, Кузькина Мать, Капель
Recommended for fans of: Russkaja, Mr. Bungle, Pensees Nocturnes, Diablo Swing Orchestra


Ba’al – Ellipsism (United Kingdom)
Style: Blackened Post-Metal (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Callum

2020 was the year that black metal clicked for me. This is mostly thanks to progressive takes on the traditional genre that bands like Ba’al capture. In this way, Ellipsism has meant a lot to me in terms of opening me up to music I would have avoided otherwise. Perhaps if it wasn’t for this review, I wouldn’t have given the time of day to AkhlysMelinoë, my non-underground AOTY.

With onslaughts of black metal broken up by huge doom passages and post-metal climaxes, Ellipsism has a lot of different moods. However, it manages to convey these with oodles of emotion and transitions between them beautifully. For anyone, like me, where some of the extreme ends of the black metal spectrum are off-putting but you dig big Alcest climaxes and Ahab lows, these boys from Sheffield may have something for you.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Long Live, An Orchestra of Flies, Rosalia
Recommended for fans of: Sumac, Inter Arma, Alcest


Pyramid Theorem – Beyond the Exosphere (Canada)
Style: Traditional Prog Metal (clean vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Sam

Do you like solos? Because if you do like solos, you will like this album. I happen to be a big fan of solos, so I definitely like this album. When an album opens with a 17 minute song, and it doesn’t even take 20 seconds for the first solo to take off, you know you’re in for a good time. This is such an album. Pyramid Theorem is a band clearly inspired by Dream Theater and Rush that also has the technical ability to match said bands. As such, Beyond the Exosphere is a thrilling ride full of technical wizardry and unpredictable, yet remarkably catchy songs. I don’t know what else to say. This band is good, and you should listen to them. DO EEETTTT….   

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Beyond the Exosphere, Freedom
Recommended for fans of: Dream Theater, Rush


Obsidian Mantra – Minds Led Astray (Poland)
Style: Progressive Death/Groove Metal (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Mike

This album is sneaky-great. On the surface it’s just another album in a sea of harsh vocals, heavy riffs, and double bass. But given time, the subtle progginess becomes apparent in little rhythmic shifts and dynamic changes. Groovy riffs are spread throughout the album and they are consistently excellent. Nothing about the playing is technically impressive but catchy guitar/drum interplay is the name of the game here.  The production and mix is well balanced, and never gets in the way of the crushing riffs. Minds Led Astray should appeal to a wide variety of metal listeners and I highly recommend giving it a spin.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Shield of Disbelief, False Spirituality, The First Disbeliever
Recommended for fans of: Gojira, Novembers Doom, Hath


Varus – A New Dawn (Germany)
Style: Symphonic Melodeath/Folk (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Andrew

German melodic death metal band Varus came out of nowhere and surprised me with their unique take on symphonic folk metal, blending several genres and instruments not typically associated with the style into a cohesive and musically whole record. While a melodic death metal album at its core, Varus goes all out with the German folk influence. Chock full of flute, interesting rhythm, and the symphonics we all know and love, A New Dawn kept me on my toes the entire time. Melodeath is very hit-or-miss for me, frequently blending together due to lack of variety among songs. Varus avoid this pitfall with the sheer amount of musical creativity present on A New Dawn

Any fans of folk metal or symphonic metal in general should absolutely not miss this one. As I said in my initial review, A New Dawn took me on a journey to the Alps then beat me over the head with lederhosen. In the best possible way. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: The Awakening, Wandel Der Zeit, The Minstrel’s Chant
Recommended for fans of: Ensiferum, Wintersun, Vinsta


Psalmtanic – Psalmtanic Verses (Norway)
Style: Black Metal (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Josh

Prog tends to be a go big or go home genre, and I love it for that, but every once in a while it’s nice to see an act go for a less ambitious idea and pull it off. Here Psalmtanic have picked a neat concept, black metal renditions of psalms, and pulled it off well without straying too drastically far from the originals. That closeness to the originals lies mainly in mood, though; the arrangements sprawl across a great deal of black metal territory as well as adjacent scenes such as post-rock. Somehow they maintain the psalm vibe despite delving deep into sonic elements of black metal, and this on that front is commendable. The instrumentals, too, are several cuts above your standard black metal album. While the songwriting may not be truly original, this is most definitely an original release.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: In the Bleak Midwinter, can’t go wrong with any one though
Recommended for fans of: Ihsahn, Enslaved, Rolo Tomassi


Gargoyl – Gargoyl (US-MA)
Style: Grunge/Avant-garde (clean vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Callum

For the sheer creativity alone, Gargoyl deserves a spot on this list. Beyond that, it’s a phenomenally well put together record full of groovy jazz-tinged riffs. The totally unique sound is mostly attributed to the combination of a grunge-y vocal style with wild chord progressions surrounding a gothic-dystopian theme. The dark and twisted mood is consistent throughout without ever really relying on any distortion on the guitars. A notable genre-departure for guitarists from Ayahuasca and Revocation, the music is still mind-bendingly technical and progressive in every sense.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Electrical Sickness, Nightmare Conspiracy, Waltz Dystopia
Recommended for fans of: Voivod, Opeth, Alice in Chains


Arcing Wires – Prime (Australia)
Style: Fusion, Math Rock (instrumental)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Mike

One of the few instrumental albums that really made an impact on me this year. The combo of saxophone-based jazz fusion and math rock really creates a unique experience. My initial assessment was a little nitpicky in regards to the production but given some time, I feel that it gives the album a lot of character. The album feels alive and pulses with energy through it’s eight tracks. This album may be outside the normal comfort zone for the average metalhead, but Prime is a great album for those that are willing to explore the jazzier side of rock. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: The Lizard, Catacaustic, Arc9
Recommended for fans of: Kneebody, Jaga Jazzist, Nova Collective, Panzerballett


Dawnwalker – Ages (United Kingdom)
Style: Post-Metal (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Evan

Another post-metal album, you may groan. And this is as post as it gets, with long track after long track and only a few interludes in between. But cease your groaning because this is certainly worth your time. 

What differentiates Dawnwalker? Firstly, their dynamics have an exceptionally natural feel, and therefore the lengths do not feel forced. Moreover, there is a pleasant tad of folk influence that heightens the variety of the album. So good song-writing, interesting folk elements and instrumentation, as well as indie style clean vocals that are not usually associated with the genre mean this album is certainly not just more of the same. Oh, and there are good riffs here too, especially some of the guitar work at the start of “Ancient Sands.”

Ultimately, if you like post-metal (you know who you are) give this a chance. It will not disappoint.  

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: The Wheel, Ancient Sands, Colony/A Gathering
Recommended for fans of: Mastodon, Isis, The Ocean


Empire Bathtub – Looney Moons (US-TX, US-FL)
Style: Comedy Rock/Prog (mixed vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Josh

This is an album about a robot who tricks his ship’s captain into landing on a dangerous planet in search of a Tool album. The villain is called the Fuh King, pronounced exactly as one might expect. One of the featured lyrics is “Double sixty nine, TARS smacks that ass.” Looney Moons is fucking stupid… in the absolute best possible way. It’s got that same style of zany humor that fans of Devin Townsend dig, and it’s serious enough to still tell a coherent native, despite how wacky it gets at times. The jokes all land, and the characters are surprisingly dynamic for how little dialog they get. In a sea of overly serious prog concept albums, this is a breath of fresh air. This means little, of course, unless backed by quality instrumentation, but by God, Empire Bathtub can play. Their sound is rooted in Tool-esque alt-prog, and while it’s nothing insane, the highs are high. Run? Run! RUNS?! Ends in magnificent fashion, featuring heavy prog riffs, slap bass, and a horn crescendo. While the concept may be out of left field, the execution more than elevates this album to a level of good quality. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to have a good laugh and headbang in the process.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Tension Builds, Switch Pills; Trippin’ Balls; Run? Run! RUNS?!
Recommended for fans of: Devin Townsend, Tool, Primus


Entropy Created Consciousness – Antica Memoria di Dis (Canada)
Style: Black Metal (harsh vocals)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Stephen

As I mentioned in my previous review of Antica Memoria di Dis, I’m not the biggest fan of black metal. With that said, this album restored my faith a bit in the entire genre. Antica Memoria di Dis is atmospheric and builds a hellish landscape through awesome compositions, timbres, and instrumentation. 

One of the things that bothers me with black metal most is the (to put it bluntly) awful production on a large amount of the albums within the genre. That is one of the best aspects of Entropy Created Consciousness’ work overall, and work on this album. It has the perfect combination of aesthetic and clarity in terms of production on the album. In summary, if you are a fan of black metal or not, give Antica Memoria di Dis a spin. Chances are you’ll enjoy it. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Judecca, The Sun is Silent, Minos / Cerberus
Recommended for fans of: Agalloch, Beherit, Blut Aus Nord


Sutrah – Aletheia (Canada)
Style: Tech Death (harsh vocals, some chants)
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify
Pick by: Chris

An exceedingly fresh tech-death release that actually managed to deliver on a promise to get across feelings outside the norm for the genre. Aletheia is a truly unique sounding offering in a crowded, somewhat tired genre. The production choices give this album such an organic feel, while the actual performances are chefs kiss sublime and as tight as possible without feeling robotic. The voicings and riff stylings here are definitely a breath of fresh air in comparison to the normal fare, the drumming is absurd, and the vocals are wonderful and even have the chanting sections to really change things up. Calling the songs Variations really made sense here, as Aletheia is incredibly tied together and tight, and doesn’t overstay its welcome or leave you wondering why it wasn’t longer. 

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: It’s so connected just listen to the whole thing
Recommended for fans of: The Faceless, Gorguts, Fallujah (for the atmosphere)


Royal Hunt – Dystopia (Denmark)
Style: Progressive Symphonic/Power Metal (clean vocals)
Related links: Spotify
Pick by: Sebastian

It is fairly difficult to gauge the public perception of Royal Hunt as they have sold over 1.7 million records worldwide, yet they have consistently less than 10k monthly listeners on Spotify. Wrapping my head around this fact just boggles my mind. However, I think one large contributor to this discrepancy is in a generational gap of prog metal fans.

This is why I only want to further emphasize how good their material is, especially on their 2020 album Dystopia. What one should expect to get on this album are grandiose power-metal vocal hooks, technical and energetic guitar solos, as well as an enveloping symphony orchestra that brings the musicianship to the next level. These musical elements all combine masterfully to deliver a concept album about Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, burning books and destroying all knowledge. This album is almost perfect for someone who is looking for a campy, but epic power metal album with the high-brow nature of a classical symphony.

You can read the original review here.

Recommended tracks: Burn, The Eye of Oblivion, Black Butterflies
Recommended for fans of: Symphony X, Vanden Plas, Shadow Gallery



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