Recommend Zook New Music! Please?

[Zook]

Hi guys, It's your favoritest poster evar, Zook!

OK, bottom line, I like Dream Theater style Prog Metal like Circus Maximus, Redemption and shit. Keyword: Shit. Ha ha you so funny. What draws me in are the singable melodies, instrumentation, shreddy goodness, and catchy singable melodies. Circus Maximus is awesome for this. I don't want anything with growls, Into Eternity is enough for me in that regard. The singer must not sound like ass, but I don't think anyone wants that anyway. I just want some new metal that's not going to get boring after a week or a day.

For non Prog Metal Crap That Everyone Hates, I enjoy some stuff by Dido, Sarah McLachlan, Missy Higgins, and if you've heard of her, Bethany Joy Galeotti. She really doesn't have much of a music career, but the stuff she's released under her name or as Everly is pretty good. Folky, soft rock kinda ish.

I also instantly loved the new band The Magnificent with Circus Maximus vocalist, Michael Eriksen that came out last year, so if there are any more awesome bands like that, I'd love to hear them. I know there's the Melodic rock thread, but I would like something a little newer, possibly with guys like Michael Eriksen singing. Ehs a pretty cool guy.

Some might recommend Threshold, but from the stuff I heard by them, it didn't really do much for me. If there are any good Power Metal or Heavy Metal bands like Iced Earth that aren't crap like Hammerfall or Rhapsody, do tell. I also like female fronted Metal and Rock like Alyson Avenue and Within Temptation, and of course, Nightwish. I do not like "Beauty And The Beast" bands. I think that's the worst combination of vocal styles ever.

I'm always looking for new bands, but most of the stuff I find ends up being crap, boring, actual DT clones (Circus Maximus aren't DT clones, you wankers) or stuff that lacks melodies or anything catchy at all.

Help me, DTF, you're my only hope. I need some new masterpeices! I'd tell you some of my favorite albums, but that would ruin it for Wolfking and maybe Adami when I do my top 50 albums list.



Thanks a bunch.





inb4 Protest The Hero and Mike Patton stuff.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

tl;dr

Just kidding Zoo Tycoon.

Chevelle.

[Ravenheart]

Evergrey:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Masterplan/2vbzz7?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Great+Deceiver/3Dcv9D?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/More+Than+Ever/3S5EjK?src=5

[RuRoRul]

 Usually prog metal in that vein I find the vocalists aren't strong enough and the music, while usually good, doesn't stand out enough for me to want to listen, so I don't really know many good bands if that type. I suppose Seventh Wonder are well known enough that you'll surely know of their existence and either like them or not, but they're the band I would recommend. They fit what you're looking fir exactly (incredibly melodic) and to me are easily the best and most unique in that style.

[adace]

Amberian Dawn (female-fronted symphonic metal)
Blind Guardian (power metal)
Candlemass (doom metal with a power metal twist)
Dark Moor (power/symphonic metal)
Firewind (power metal)
Gamma Ray (power metal)
Haken (prog metal)
Helloween (power metal)
Kamelot (power metal)
Myrath (prog metal)
Riverside (prog metal)
Sabaton (power metal)
Serenity (power metal)
Sirenia (female-fronted symphonic metal)
Sonata Arctica (power metal)
Stratovarius (power metal)
Symphony X (prog metal)
Therion (power/symphonic metal)
Voyager (prog metal)
Xandria (female-fronted symphonic metal)

[Progmetty]

You already know Fair to Midland, right?

[carl320]

Angra

[Zook]

Chevelle.

Meh. I liked them for a short while when they first came out.

Evergrey:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Masterplan/2vbzz7?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Great+Deceiver/3Dcv9D?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/More+Than+Ever/3S5EjK?src=5

I haven't listened to these songs yet, but I like Evergrey sometimes. They came on Pandora today and the songs were alright.

Usually prog metal in that vein I find the vocalists aren't strong enough and the music, while usually good, doesn't stand out enough for me to want to listen, so I don't really know many good bands if that type. I suppose Seventh Wonder are well known enough that you'll surely know of their existence and either like them or not, but they're the band I would recommend. They fit what you're looking fir exactly (incredibly melodic) and to me are easily the best and most unique in that style.

These guys are OK. I can't make it past the second track on Mercy Falls though cause the voice acting is so bad, and I've made a few attempts. I liked the instrumental though, and the song Mercy Falls was pretty good. Still need to look further in their discography.

Amberian Dawn (female-fronted symphonic metal) Never heard of 'em, will check out.
Blind Guardian (power metal) Love them
Candlemass (doom metal with a power metal twist) Heard of them, but haven't listened to them yet.
Dark Moor (power/symphonic metal) Will check out
Firewind (power metal) heard a few albums of their older stuff and newer stuff, but both got older rather quickly.
Gamma Ray (power metal) MEH. They like to rip off Judas Priest a lot.
Haken (prog metal) Have their first album, a bit quirky, but the song Celestial Elixir (with or without the circus music) is a masterpiece
Helloween (power metal) MEH
Kamelot (power metal) Love 'em from The Fourth Legacy to The Black Halo
Myrath (prog metal) Pretty good. Have several of their songs on my iPod
Riverside (prog metal) They were decent from what I heard, but I still need to listen further
Sabaton (power metal) Never heard of em, will check out
Serenity (power metal) These guys were pretty good, but don't have lasting power. Will give another shot.
Sirenia (female-fronted symphonic metal) Heard of 'em, will look into
Sonata Arctica (power metal) I have a greatest hits type album called The Collection, and that's all I can stands.
Stratovarius (power metal) Never really listened to them much, but I remember not liking the vocals. Will look into again
Symphony X (prog metal) Come on now. I was going to mention my love for them in the OP, but I though everyone new I liked 'em.
Therion (power/symphonic metal) Heard a song on Pandora today, but I didn't really care for it.
Voyager (prog metal) Will check out
Xandria (female-fronted symphonic metal) I "have" like all their albums... kinda haven't listened to them yet 

You already know Fair to Midland, right?

Heard of them of course, haven't heard anything by them.

Angra

Tried listening to the fan favorite Temple Of Shadows, but I didn't really care for it. It was a tad generic to my ears.





Thanks

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Psychotic Waltz.

[Sigz]

I'll second Fair to Midland (not like my opinion is very useful to you).

[Zook]

I'll second Fair to Midland (not like my opinion is very useful to you).

Depends. Are recommending a band you know I wont like, or are you saying that because you think I hate you?

[Sigz]

Oh no, I think you'll like them. We just have wildly different tastes, and I know you're aware of that.

And you probably hate me.

[Zook]

Oh no, I think you'll like them. We just have wildly different tastes, and I know you're aware of that.

And you probably hate me.

Honestly, I used to. You're alright now. Just don't go all Jamesman on me.

[Progmetty]

You already know Fair to Midland, right?

Heard of them of course, haven't heard anything by them.

You gotta give them a try man, I'm an extremely picky whiny bitch when it comes to accepting new music entering my regular rotation of favorites and my ears look for negatives in a way that I cannot help, so trust me when I tell you this band is really worth a strong chance.
Brief idea of how I see them; in terms of your music it will be Redemption meeting Dido, the singer is very talented and has a very wide range, they do soft and they do harsh but in both cases very melodic and creative. There's no wankery but the instrumental arrangements are incredible through out the singing parts and the vocals here is a wacky instrument on it's own, the vocal melodies are splendid.
Listen to these:
Whiskey and Ritalin: As millahh would put it, a song that makes you "want to run through a brick wall".
Coppertank Island
Rikki Tikki Tavi: A bipolar song, exactly where Dido meets Redemption
If you like these songs then get Arrows & Anchors, a 10/10 record imo.

[Sigz]

I'll also recommend Dance of the Manatee, because it's a great song and a good representation of their sound.

Oh no, I think you'll like them. We just have wildly different tastes, and I know you're aware of that.

And you probably hate me.

Honestly, I used to. You're alright now. Just don't go all Jamesman on me.

[carl320]

I have to agree with Fair to midland... Tales from a Mayfly is a very good album 

[skydivingninja]

I'd listen to Dance of the Manatee by Fair to Midland first.  Its what got me hooked on the band, and like Sigz said its very representative of their sound.

[Zook]

Well, sounds like Fair To Midland isn't my thing.

Whiskey and Ritalin - This song was OK. Honestly, I forgot how it went already.
Coppertank Island - Same as above.
Rikki Tikki Tavi - Pretty awful. Like Mike Patton singing System of a Down
Dance of the Manatee - This song was pretty good, but didn't care for the SOAD section. I'm just not into that particular sound.

I'm not into the power metal sound of Dark Moor anymore.

Voyager was alright. The vocals were the weak link though.

here are a few songs that rape my ears with love:

The Magnificent - Memories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNg5M40xly8

Redemption - Let It Rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6QpKf0Kluc

Redemption - Love Kills Us All/Life In One Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyQs8lEkZ-c

Everly - Quicksand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U60B3t3JsM4

Sarah McLachlan - Stupid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPxVbbdll8A

Anything exciting, musically, but not too crazy vocally. the goofy singing just doesn't cut it for me... Unless it's Psychostick's first album.

[Ravenheart]

Also, try out Nightingale:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Fields+Of+Life/2g0h4C?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Glory+Days/3foEf4?src=5

[Dr. DTVT]

I'm going to second Ravenheart's suggestion of Evergrey.

You might definately want to check out Eumeria.  Right up your alley.  Here's a song (official link, so it's kosher): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dDga7gDcw

[WebRaider]

Kind of surprised this band isn't more known or at least talked about here but I think they are swell and you may enjoy them too.


Sun Caged - "Pareidolized"
https://youtu.be/b1msR5-oBLs?hd=1

Sun Caged - "Tip-Toe The Fault Line"
https://youtu.be/PyBDlKvz1EQ?hd=1


My fav from them at the moment is "Seam Ripper" but it's not up on youtube currently..

[Progmetty]

You heard SOAD in FTM? Weeeiiiird

[Zook]

You heard SOAD in FTM? Weeeiiiird

Yeah, Riki Tiki Tavi was the Mike Patton version of Chop Suey.

[Elite]

You might definitely want to check out Eumeria.  Right up your alley.  Here's a song (official link, so it's kosher): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dDga7gDcw

Yeah, I second this. Rebel Mind is an awesome album.

Also, Mr. Bungle

[RuRoRul]

These guys are OK. I can't make it past the second track on Mercy Falls though cause the voice acting is so bad, and I've made a few attempts. I liked the instrumental though, and the song Mercy Falls was pretty good. Still need to look further in their discography.

Honestly I'd recommend listening to the voice acting once to know the story then not bothering with it where possible (e.g. last half of track 1, beginning of track 7, etc.). I do the same thing with Scenes From A Memory to be honest. Or just listen to The Great Escape instead - no voice acting at all and just as good.

Hide And Seek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BotnJZ4EFfQ
Unbreakable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDKiemSbFhs
King Of Whitewater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea3MmSvavDI

If you don't know these guys as much then they are definitely my first recommendation of prog metal. If you can lsiten to Scenes From A Memory you can listen to Mercy Falls 

And for a bit more variety... for Power Metal I see you already like Kamelot - Epica and The Black Halo (the ones I would recommend). Riverside - Second Life Syndrome isn't really in the style of Circus Maximus but I'd second the recommendation of the band (with that album their best imo). Darkwater - Calling The Earth To Witness was a pretty cool album, I didn't really listen to their newer one (prog metal).

[Big Hath]

You might definitely want to check out Eumeria.  Right up your alley.  Here's a song (official link, so it's kosher): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dDga7gDcw

Yeah, I second this. Rebel Mind is an awesome album.

I'll go ahead and triple this.  Got Rebel Mind about 3 weeks ago and absolutely love it.

[Heretic]

Seconding RuRo's recommendation of Seventh Wonder, one of the best in the genre.

[Zook]

Also, try out Nightingale:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Fields+Of+Life/2g0h4C?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Glory+Days/3foEf4?src=5

These songs were really good. As were the Evergrey songs, but Evergrey as a whole doesn't have a lot of playback value.

What album by Nightingale would you recommend?

Also, some of the other suggestions were OK, but i'm just really picky when it comes to music. A lot of stuff lately just has no staying power. It'll sound good as I'm listening, but then I just don't care about it anymore. POOGAS.

[Ravenheart]

Also, try out Nightingale:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Fields+Of+Life/2g0h4C?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Glory+Days/3foEf4?src=5

These songs were really good. As were the Evergrey songs, but Evergrey as a whole doesn't have a lot of playback value.

What album by Nightingale would you recommend?

Invisible and/or White Darkness are good starting points.

There's also Nightfall Overture, which consists renditions of songs from past albums to give them a different feel and better production. Not sure how you feel about compilations, but it's a great collection of songs. That version of The Glory Days is taken from it, in fact.

[The King in Crimson]

All the regulars have been mentioned, so here are a few curveballs:

Leprous (Cool progressive metal, mostly clean singing)
Amorphis (Progressive/folk/melodeath metal, nice balance between clean and harsh vocals)
Grayceon (Progressive metal with a cello and female vocals, not Nightwish styled vocals, very crazy and pretty cool)
Pendragon (More Progressive Rock than metal, but they have some heavier songs)

Also, since you like Redemption, have you ever checked out Fate's Warning?

[Zook]

Also, try out Nightingale:

https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Fields+Of+Life/2g0h4C?src=5
https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Glory+Days/3foEf4?src=5

These songs were really good. As were the Evergrey songs, but Evergrey as a whole doesn't have a lot of playback value.

What album by Nightingale would you recommend?

Invisible and/or White Darkness are good starting points.

There's also Nightfall Overture, which consists renditions of songs from past albums to give them a different feel and better production. Not sure how you feel about compilations, but it's a great collection of songs. That version of The Glory Days is taken from it, in fact.

I have no problem with compilations. In fact, I think a couple might wind up on my Top 50 Albums list.

I guess I just really like bands that emulate the style of Dream Theater and Symphony X, but don't completely rip them off or are just clones. Say what you will about Circus Maximus and Redemption, but they take the DT/SX sound and still make it their own without coming off as second rate wannabes. Of course, there are plenty of people here that would disagree.

Another band you can tell are definite SX fanboys are Anthriel. Their first album, The Pathway is pretty awesome though.

https://grooveshark.com/s/Devil+s+Lullaby/3i5Prq?src=5

[Zook]

Also, since you like Redemption, have you ever checked out Fate's Warning?

I have and I just can't get into them. A lot of their songs sound the same to me, and a lot scream QUEENSRYCHE WANNABES. Aside from that, they just don't have the hooks. I like Point Of View, but even that is heavy on the Queensryche.

I know, I make no sense.

[RuRoRul]

i'm just really picky when it comes to music. A lot of stuff lately just has no staying power. It'll sound good as I'm listening, but then I just don't care about it anymore.

guess I just really like bands that emulate the style of Dream Theater and Symphony X, but don't completely rip them off or are just clones. Say what you will about Circus Maximus Seventh Wonder and Redemption, but they take the DT/SX sound and still make it their own without coming off as second rate wannabes.

I feel very similarly. SW and Redemption are about the only bands in that style that I've found unique, memorable and overall just good enough for them to stand out and for me to keep listening to them, rather than just to hear it and think "Sounds OK" but never want to come back to it. Give Seventh Wonder another chance   

Also for Fates Warning, I'd recommend Disconnected and FWX (especially since they're probably the albums you'll never hear get a mention). Those are the ones Ray Alder sounds closest to what he does in Redemption, and I think it's less likely you'll find them like Queensryche rip offs. I wouldn't really say it's exactly in the same vein as the prog metal stuff you were talking about (hence why I didn't mention it) but since FW have been brought up I thought I'd put in a good word for their later stuff even if you don't like the older albums too much.

Disconnected Part 1 (Intro) / One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GElSW8uuYIU
Left Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr9x9th1qkA&feature=related
Simple Human: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fS53AGgdb0

Incidentally what would you suggest to someone to try Circus Maximus? (Not album as I know there are only two, I just mean a good song to get me interested enough in them to listen to the albums a few times before the new one comes out).

[Zook]

Sin
Alive
Why Am I Here
The Prophecy
A Darkened Mind
Abyss
Wither

...

Oh, one song you said... Go with Abyss. Or maybe Sin. It's the first song on The 1st Chapter, and it kicks you in the face right off the bat. Then again, their first album is heavily criticized for being to similar in sound to Dream Theater or Images And Words in particular, but that criticism is an over exaggeration. The 1st Chapter blends styles of DT, SX, and Queensryche and does it very well.

But really, just listen to both albums.

[WindMaster]

Recommending Dead Letter Circus. Sort of alt prog metal, with catchy melodies.

Their new single, Wake Up : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPuEiXOkf64
Here We Divide, from This Is The Warning : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Fu9gt3_OY

I also second Eumeria.