Tag: prog metal

720. Meshuggah

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2026) Episode 720 is MESHUGGAH, an extreme metal band from Sweden. They’re known for a highly technical approach, full of complex polyrhythms and structures. Their skill and virtuosity becomes a focus of the listening experience, without coming off as pretentious or detracting from the fundamental metal aura. Each album has its own personality: for example, Catch Thirtythree is presented as a continuous song, like a concept album. It defies sub-categorization – described as “intellectual death metal” as well as prog, math, groove and “djent.” No matter the label it appeals to me.

Favorite album: Destroy Erase Improve

Favorite song: Elastic

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: It’s an interesting listen, not just for metal fans I think. The first couple albums are more thrash. The middle albums slow the tempo and add some groove bits.

514. Cathedral

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2023) Episode 514 is CATHEDRAL, a heavy metal band from England who made their mark with a debut album (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991) of classic doom metal with low, slow plodding riffs amid dark themes.  They modulated their style to more normal metal and prog metal, with a return to the delicious doom sound on their sixth album (Endtyme, 2001).

Favourite album: Endtyme

Favourite song: Melancholy Emperor

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Try the 1st, 2nd or 6th albums for doomy goodness, but pass on the rest.

504. Kadavar

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

Episode 504 is KADAVAR. On first listen, you would think this is some overlooked 1970s heavy metal outfit. Nope; they’re a contemporary trio out of Germany who has been touring and recording over the last decade. They do an expert job of recreating not just the sound of 70s thunder rock but the look too (check out the album cover below). On the two most recent albums (one a collaboration) they venture into prog metal, with some of the best Pink Floyd mimicry I’ve heard (and it’s good).

Favorite album: Abra Kadavar

Favorite song: Come Back Life

Most interesting album: The Isolation Tapes

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Yes. I enjoyed discovering them and look forward to their next output.

392. Tang Dynasty

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(March 2022) Episode 392 is TANG DYNASTY, considered China’s first heavy metal band. While it’s generally not my kind of metal, it is better than I expected, especially the guitarists’ shredding and grooving. I also like how they incorporate Chinese ideas and myths, akin to the traditions of Nordic metal. Each album has its own distinct sound.

Favorite album: Epic

Favorite song: Zebra Crossing

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: try it, because you’ve probably never heard Chinese metal before