Sigz's Top 20 Musicians/Artists (excluding Opeth/PT/Steven Wilson)

[Arcaeus]

I'm wondering if Arjen Lucassen has a place in your Top 5.

  this is Sigz. I doubt DT will be on here either.

5. Kaki King
4. Giant Squid
3. Thrice
2. Ellen Allien
1. Gregor Samsa

This is accurate, I believe -- however I'm guessing he counted Gregor Sansa under his Toby Driver pick, like he counted Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, etc. in his Mike Patton pick and all of Devin Townsend's projects under him. Also, I think he already listed Ellen Allien.

I do expect to see Kaki King, Giant Squid and Thrice... throw Eisley into that list as well, and then one more I'm unable to guess.

[zxlkho]

Agalloch should be in this list somewhere.

[Birch Boy]

I suspect Thrice and that Bjork thing too

[Arcaeus]

Nah, Bjork won't be on here. Agalloch will, zxlkho is right. Top 5 are Thrice, Giant Squid, Agalloch, Kaki King and Eisley -- not sure of the order, but otherwise, there, I just ruined the list for you.

[Sigz]

For the record, Gregor Samsa is not actually counted under Toby Driver, because AFAIK he was not involved in the creative side of things at all, or at least in any major way. He just performed with them live and did some studio work for Rest. That's not to say they'll be on the list of course, but don't view them as being at #6 just because Toby Driver's there.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

I've never liked Kayo Dot, but even I admit that Choirs of the Eye is just plain awesome.

[glaurung]

When you're done with this list post the whole list again (in one post) with Opeth/PT/Steven Wilson edited in. I'm interested in seeing how much it changes the list.

[ZBomber]

I'm wondering if Arjen Lucassen has a place in your Top 5.

  this is Sigz. I doubt DT will be on here either.

I think it will. This is a DT forum, so even though it might not be everyone's favorite band, I'd say a majority would have it somewhere in their top 5.

Actually, I dunno if they'd make my top 5 either.... I'm high.

[Sigz]

I'm high.

Oh you.

When you're done with this list post the whole list again (in one post) with Opeth/PT/Steven Wilson edited in. I'm interested in seeing how much it changes the list.

Sure, though it really won't change it too much.

[Arcaeus]

I'm wondering if Arjen Lucassen has a place in your Top 5.

  this is Sigz. I doubt DT will be on here either.

I think it will. This is a DT forum, so even though it might not be everyone's favorite band, I'd say a majority would have it somewhere in their top 5.

Actually, I dunno if they'd make my top 5 either.... I'm high.

Yeah. Really, there's a lot of people here who hardly listen to Dream Theater anymore and just stay for the community, respecting DT as a "gateway" band that got them into more experimental and progressive forms of music. I'm one of those people; while I love the band, still listen to their music and respect them entirely, I wouldn't put them on my top 25.

Anyway, I second glaurung.

And I know very little of Gregor Samsa (and Toby Driver, actually, though I have a maudlin album and Kayo Dot album and enjoy both very much), so pardon the ignorance there

[Sigz]

Which maudlin album do you have?

[Arcaeus]

Bath. Looking through my library, turns out I have Part the Second as well, but I haven't listened to it yet.

[Sigz]

LISTEN TO FUCKING PART THE SECOND AND GET LEAVING YOUR BODY MAP AND MY FRUIT PSYCHOBELLS NOW GODDAMMIT

[orcus116]

Are you trying to seduce him?

[Sigz]

I'm trying to seduce him to the wonderful music of maudlin of the Well.

Or something.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

So I think I might be able to get into Isis. I just checked out some Oceanic and I think I could manage to appreciate. I liked The Other and Carry.

[Portrucci]

Can't go wrong with any of their albums really; Oceanic is my personal favourite, but Pancopation and In The Abscence of Truth are definitely worth checking out as well. Not a huge fan of their latest release, but it's still decent.

[Marvellous G]

I listened to some of Bath when you listed The Ferryman on your top 25 songs, and I remember enjoying it a lot but being overwhelmed. Time for another listen methinks.

[Sigz]

Can't go wrong with any of their albums really; Oceanic is my personal favourite, but Pancopation and In The Abscence of Truth are definitely worth checking out as well. Not a huge fan of their latest release, but it's still decent.

GTFO Wavering Radiant is awesome. Pretty much all their albums are great though.

[cthrubuoy]

Can't go wrong with any of their albums really; Oceanic is my personal favourite, but Pancopation and In The Abscence of Truth are definitely worth checking out as well. Not a huge fan of their latest release, but it's still decent.

GTFO Wavering Radiant is awesome. Pretty much all their albums are great though.

But which is the best them? I have Wavering Radiant and I'm going to check it out now.

[True Death of Life]

A little late, I know, but I just read the thread and I think I'm gonna check some of this stuff out. 

[Sigz]

Can't go wrong with any of their albums really; Oceanic is my personal favourite, but Pancopation and In The Abscence of Truth are definitely worth checking out as well. Not a huge fan of their latest release, but it's still decent.

GTFO Wavering Radiant is awesome. Pretty much all their albums are great though.

But which is the best them? I have Wavering Radiant and I'm going to check it out now.

In the Absence of Truth is my favorite, followed either by Oceanic or Celestial, I'm not sure. I would probably say that Wavering Radiant is the best starting point though.

[orcus116]

"Celestial (The Tower)" is such a bitchin' song.

[Sigz]

Well, Daedalus got two right at least.

5. Agalloch – Probably my favorite Opeth album is Blackwater Park. Now while there’s a variety of reasons for that, but the biggest reason is the feel and atmosphere of the album, and a major part of that is the subtle use of acoustic guitars in the background, even during some of the album’s heaviest moments. It’s something I loved when I first heard it, and never really heard something like it again until I heard Agalloch, who’s basically explored, fleshed out, and made their own that evil/pagan/woodsy feel that Opeth had with Blackwater Park.* All of their albums are fantastic, with The Mantle probably being my favorite due to the brilliant use of acoustic guitars throughout. All in all Agalloch is a band that I had been looking for for a very long time, and I’m so, so glad I finally found them.

4. Giant Squid – I have no idea how I was first introduced to Giant Squid, but who or whatever is responsible deserves a medal and a blowjob. Their rough around the edges style of seafaring post rock and metal is an instant win in my book.  They manage to keep things very interesting throughout, with hard-hitting songs such as Neonate and Throwing a Donner Party at Sea being instant favorites (both being about cannibalism incidentally), and softer, more ‘buildup’ songs like Sevengill (featuring Anneke van Giersbergen) marking the bookends of a broad spectrum of music. Aaron Gregory’s rough voice works very well for the style and versatile enough to never feel stretched, while Jackie’s backup vocals provide a wonderful backup (thankfully they avoid the ‘beauty and the beast’ cliché like many metal bands with male/female singers).  Also, a special shoutout needs to be made for Jackie’s excellent cello work.

All in all Giant Squid is everything I want from a contemporary metal band. They’re innovative,  heavy, and a really nice and humble group of guys and girls to boot.

You too will eat your young
When there's only enough for one
In times of need this must be done
From womb to gut it has begun

[Portrucci]

woot Agalloch. I left it out of my guess incase it jinxed it 

I found them the same way. Loved the atmosphere of Opeth. Heard Falling Snow and Not Unlike The Waves on youtube and creamed everywhere. Like you said, always been looking for a band like that. They are pretty special indeed.

[cthrubuoy]

I heard one Agalloch album but wasn't too impressed. What should I try (bearing in mind Opeth are my favourite band)?

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

I only have The Mantle and it's pretty good. Very depressing, actually.

[Sigz]

I'd recommend Ashes Against the Grain, just because I had an easier time getting into it than I did The Mantle, even though I like the Mantle more.

[Gadough]

EISLEY AT #1

FUCK YEAH

....I hope

[limnides]

Giant Squid and Agalloch.
This makes me happy.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

At this rate...

Merzbow incoming.

[Portrucci]

I just realised Sigz hasn't listened to Ulver ... 

Perdition City. late night, noweigan trip-hop with weird noises, sound effects and a noir crime film feel. if you don't like that, you are not the man I think you are.

[orcus116]

That description just made me go have to find them.

[Sigz]

I've been meaning to listen to them for forever.

[Portrucci]

I've been meaning to listen to them for forever.

Oh my lad, you are in for a treat. Their discography is probably the most interesting of any band I have come across and truly a joy to discover. The best start is probably Perdition City. my first time listening to it late at night, was one of the best experiences of my life.

Arcaeus and limnides will also agree with me