Symphony X!
https://youtu.be/TgbEU6-jujY
As far as this song goes I agree with their criticisms - that's why I don't like early Symphony X. It's just too much, George nails it, it's not a cohesive structure. I think they would really enjoy some stuff like Seven, Set the World on Fire, etc.
I'm gonna second this. To me at least, Symphony X started getting really good when they backed off on the prog a bit and became more conservative. A lot of their early stuff just doesn't flow very well or have really great, cohesive structures. Take DWoT for example. That song's a fan favorite epic, but it's probably one of my least favorite prog epics out there. It just...does not work as a whole. There's a lot of cool moments in it (the choral intro, for example), but the song overall is very patchwork.
It works for The Odyssey (the song), with its narrative-driven structure, but not for most of their earlier songs.
Symphony X!
https://youtu.be/TgbEU6-jujY
~1:00 - Both of them: "Hmm...I wonder what genre of metal this is in?"
...
Crazy drum fill that highlights the 13 time signature.
~1:30 - Both of them: "Prog!"
That me rolling too
I'd be interested in seeing how they react to Diablo Swing Orchestra! I wonder if they'd be put off by the...
unconventional arrangements and operatic singing or if they'd just straight up dig it because of how catchy and groovy it is. Something like A Tap Dancer's Dillema, Voodoo Mon Amour, Guerrilla Laments (esp that), Balrog Boogie, Karma Bonfire, or Superhero Jagganath.