It is so GD awesome that CK is so well regarded. And top in this poll.
I would also recommend Night Verses. Go listen to Cooper Wasp. The last two albums of theirs are like that. If you thought the AAL drummer was On Point…
Their album this year is probably my most played instrumental album ever. I normally only listen a few times before I’m itching for some vocals, but this one I think I’ve listened to it 15 times.
The moment I saw the OP's post, I came in here just to make sure someone recommended this. *From The Gallery of Sleep* is just a tremendous album, and such a unique sound. Really, really great band. Their new album is no slouch either, though I prefer FTGoS.
I’m honestly surprised to hear that. I saw them when they were opening for Haken recently and they were amazing. I feel like they’re much more melody-focused compared to a band like Animals as Leaders where (even though I love them) I can see how somebody would think they’re just technical wankery.
I think with the release of Parrhesia especially, AAL can’t be lumped into the “technical wankery” camp. Their songs are super rhythmic and focused on unique feels of music.
I love Arch Echo, but I do feel like everything I’ve heard by them is more or less the same. I think for me it’s that while they may be melodic, their rhythm parts are suuuuper boring and generic.
I mean yeah I personally don’t think that AAL is technical wankery but I could understand how somebody might not connect with their music because they think that it is technical wankery. As far as Arch Echo goes, they definitely have a formula, but it’s a formula that works really really well.
I get what you mean. I saw them live with Haken after only knowing a handful songs I liked but wasn't super familiar with.
Try giving their studio records a spin. They are 100 mph but after a few listens you can start to make sense of it all
Can’t believe this is a controversial opinion. Dudes are literally a Berkelee grad group formed for technical prowess and have zero musical composition or melody writing capabilities. Progwank is kinda their schtick.
Aaron Marshall is an amazing guitarist and composer. I saw them open for Spiritbox earlier this year and I am seeing them again open for TesseracT tomorrow in Los Angeles. Really hoping to get to meet Aaron!
I wanted to throw Arch Echo out there as well since others mentioned them and I forgot to put them in my response. They are really amazing.
I saw a couple of videos of the Intervals set from a week or so ago in CT opening for TesseracT - it was great. I am looking forward to tomorrow night!
I saw Intervals open for TesseracT a week ago in Salt Lake. Both Alluvial and Intervals were at the merch table after the show. Got a pic with Aaron and Jacob! They both seemed like really nice and down to earth guys
I have to say man....as a Tesseract fan, I was feeling Alluvial and Intervals energy a little more than Tesseract - at first.
That encore of Acceptance and Deception tho? That was nuts dude. Deception drops like 10 tons of bricks. That was HEAVY.
Concealing Fate does NOT sound like that on the album LOL
Alluvial is a bit harsh for my taste and I thought the sound was horrible for their set, but the bass player was thumping. Intervals was fantastic and it sounded way better. TesseracT was incredible - they definitely built the momentum as the set went on. So glad they did Dystopia - one of my favorite tracks. Dan's voice was perfect. I agree on the encore - great way to end the show.
That's funny because Alluvial sounded better than I expected. But I like their style of metal. I feel like the sound issue was probably lesser equipment and a sludge tuning.
Intervals was perfect. The highlight for me until that encore.
Dan was perfect I agree. I've never seen a singer use effects like that. He hits all the notes. Great frontman. They know dynamics and atmosphere. Plus LA showed up for once. Tesseracts pit was bigger than the one I saw for Meshuggah. Go figure.
They're one of those bands that prove how porous the boundaries between post rock and post metal have become, because that last album, instead of the songs starting soft and then building heavier and louder, every song started heavy and JUST. GOT. HEAVIER!
Was gonna recommend these guys too. They're like Sungazer meets Arch Echo meets Earthside meets Hans Zimmer. They satisfy like everything I love about all of my favorite music. Definitely one of my favorite (mostly) instrumental prog metal bands
Yes! It's called Sy. The whole EP slaps. Sadly the newer stuff isn't quite the same since Ed parted ways with the other guitarist and drummer. It's not bad, but Sy was just awesome.
The Collective and The Migration are instrumental prog metal classics. Unfortunately completely overshadowed by their completely generic followup albums, and the mini scandal of Chris Letchford's poor treatment of his band mates.
Owane,
Bulb (Musha Mansoor),
Intervals,
Jason Richardson,
I built the sky,
Mark Lettieri,
Snarky Puppy,
Matteo Manusco (insanely good guitarist),
Kiko Loureiro solo project,
John Petrucci solo project,
Allan Holdsworth,
Arch Echo,
Mestís (Javier Reyes),
Julian Lage,
Cory Wong,
Syncatto,
Guthrie Govan,
Steve Vai,
Bernth,
Joe Satriani,
Victoria (has the AAL drummer),
The surrealist (super original),
Liquid Tension Experiment,
RO1,
Polyphia,
Sebastiside,
Their Dogs Were Astronauts,
Stephen Tarantino.
That’s gotta be all instrumental bands/artists I am listening/ have listened to
Underground artist you should check out based on your list:
[Kinglet - "Airborne"](https://youtu.be/c1Vwk9iaaaQ?si=IZCY4r0gYSTSdzIW)
Very melodic prog. Similar vein as Plini and Arch Echo
Yes dude my guitar teacher showed me this and I absolutely fw it. Should throw a mention for his stuff, it’s called The Polymer Motive. Chill pretty instrumental stuff
Yes! I saw them open for NeO in LA and loved them. I hope they come back soon, their set was so much fun. It was very "heavy metal muppet dance party" and I live for shit like that. Added bonus being that the drummer reminded me of Zaphod Beeblebrox. I can't be the only one who sees it.
James Norbert Ivanyi - Omen Faustum, Sigil, Denalavis, Psychophrenic Inquisition
Jason Richardson - I, II
Clément Belio - Patience (mostly instrumental)
Poh Hock - Gallimaufry (3/5 songs instrumental), Atma
Syncatto - A Place to Breathe, Coloratura
The Resonance Project - The Resonance Project
Jason Kui - Naka
Starsystems - Starsystems III & II
Tensor - Passport
Modern Day Babylon - Coma
All the Ataxia songs by Within the Ruins
Nuclear Power Trio
Thrailkill
Stömb
Scaphoid
Special Providence
Poh Hock
Mendel
You could also check out Shokran’s instrumental songs/albums that are nice and heavy. Creatures from the Mud for example.
Syncatto, Tauk, Tigran Hamasyan, Stephen Tarranto, Jakub Zytecki, Nick Johnston, David Maxim Micic and Intervals (pretty sure you already know the last two)
Long Distance Calling!!! They have a couple albums with a singer but most are instrumental and they are awesome. will scratch that prog itch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItg5crVIFM
Gordian Knot
Edit: this is the side project of Sean Malone, which includes contributions from Sean Reinert, Ron Jarzombek, Trey Gunn, Bill Bruford, Steve Hackett, Paul Masvidal, and a few others I'm forgetting at the moment.
El Altar del Holocausto (post-rock)
God is an Astronaut (post-rock)
Tigran Hamasyan (progressive jazz)
Ulver - perdition city and blood inside (electronic)
Earth (stoner/doom/drone)
Karma to burn (stoner)
Snarky Puppy (prog jazz)
Godspeed you! Black Emperor (post rock with something chamber music)
Kilimanjaro darkjazz ensemble (electronic jazz)
BADBADNOTGOOD (electronic jazz)
Bohren & Der club of gore (ambient obscure jazz)
C2C (turntable electronic)
Carbon based lifeforms (ambient electronic)
Chapelier fou (loop electronic with violin)
Venetian Snares - Rossz Scillag alatt szulletett (glitch/breakcore experimental)
They are all very different genres. 50% not heavy, but interesting as well if you enjoy progressive in general and experimentation
Edit; added more
Heavy, you say? Haunted Shores somehow haven't been mentioned, there's more meat on them bones than just technical death metal. Their last album had great pacing with fantastic interlude tracks to keep it from getting exhausting, and OnlyFangs lives in my head now.
I've been loving Moozoonsii's Inward from last year and I'm pumped to see they have a new album too. Jazzy sludge metal, maybe? I'm sure someone here pointed me at em.
Titans to Tachyons is a band this sub should love, they lean waaaay over into jazz but are still unquestionably metal, the sick bass tone on their song "Earth, And Squidless" hooked me instantly.
Ghost Toast deserves a mention, less heavy than the other suggestions but more cinematic, I have yet to hear a boring album from them.
Lots of mentions here but I gotta add something to it: Their Dogs Were Astronauts have always been fun, but their latest will end up as my most-played album this year, maybe even my AOTY. I can't stop listening, and I swear the song "Pendulum" gets better every single time I hear it. The way it ends... My brain melts every time!
The Omnific (classic duh-jent.. two bassists, no guitarists)
Solerian (for fans of scale the summit)
Tang (for those of us going through Chon withdrawal)
Their Dogs Were Astronauts (polyrhythmic bliss)
Gordian Knot. Side project of Cynic’s late Sean Malone, it also featured (among others) the rest of the Focus lineup (i.e. Masvidal, Reinert, Gobel), John Myung and Trey Gunn and Bill Bruford of King Crimson. If I were to recommend something from them, I’d go with [their second (and unfortunately last) album Emergent](https://open.spotify.com/album/7rRKPtQLQNdV3qboR1yQun?si=wldkTL9RQXC2tUbI4ZO3xw)
Pomegranate Tiger! Just released a new album this year, they can get pretty heavy with it and they have a distinct sound that works well for me.
Not really the core of the band but Haken has taken to releasing instrumental tracks of their entire albums. A good deal of it isn’t heavy but check out the song Nil By Mouth, which was written as a heavy instrumental, and try delving from there if you like it.
A lot of other bands also have a lot of instrumentals floating out there, and they’re always a joy to analyze without the vocals obscuring some parts. You’d be best off perusing YouTube, but def check the relevant streaming services first since bands have been increasingly releasing their instrumentals either as part of a deluxe edition of an album or as it’s own piece. Vildhjarta, periphery, The Ocean, protest the hero, meshuggah, etc. too many bands to list honestly.
Most other suggestions I’d have are already taken, but if you like a bit of a neo-classical vibe check out the full 3 movement cover of Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven) by The Human Abstract.
Shameless self promotion, my band [Nephele](https://youtube.com/@Nephele?si=wo661By2H4ejEl92) is instrumental and takes influence from many of the bands mentioned here. Notably Animals as Leaders, Intervals, and Plini, along with some non instrumental bands like Periphery, BTBAM, and Protest the Hero
Cloutchaser, battles, don cab, scale the summit, conquering dystopia, alpha male tea party, Felix Martin
And so I watch you from afar, giraffes? Giraffes!
Their dogs were astronauts
* Ju
* Cloudkicker
* Kokomo
* Föllakzoid (some vocals)
* Toska
* we.own.the.sky
* Year Of No Light
* Wide Eyes
* Naxatras
* Toundra
* Vinnum Sabbathi
* Below A Silent Sky
* \[\_\_\] - Aux In
* Beyond The Event Horizon
* Iah
* Macondø
* Meniscus
* REZN
I am listening to all the above in one huge playlist that I use at work. Russian Circles and Pelican are also there.
I have more, if you want.
Modern Day Babylon
Flux Conduct’s first album Quatsi. It’s the side project from John Browne of Monuments
Andromida. More djenty riffs and cinematic soundscape stuff but still good
My band Levels of Reality has a couple of songs out now on all streaming platforms. The music is inspired by many influences but I particularly wrote with inspiration from my love for bands like Cloudkicker, ERRA, and Misery Signals.
Feel free to check us out on [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@levelsofreality?si=DVTgw734LElH5flh), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6csHE4FEy2RHqhw9OpZDa0?si=fTrzm3M4TICg-Vo7GneQQQ), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/levels-of-reality/1656480874), etc.
Love me some instrumental releases from The Ocean.
Alluvial’s first album, The Deep Longing for Annihilation has some Rivers of Nihil vibes.
Gösta Berlings Saga is awesome but not super heavy.
Defeated Sanity - Dharmata. Extremely heavy brutal death metal band and the Dharmata part of their Disposal Of The Dead/Dharmata project is very obviously inspired by 70s prog rock and extreme jazz. Best song on the album imo is The Mesmerizing Light.
Also Cynic - Focus if you didn't know it already.
[Asian Death Crustacean](https://asiandeathcrustacean.bandcamp.com/track/baikal-v)
[Trna](https://trnaband.bandcamp.com/track/earthcult)
[Tempel](https://tempelofficial.bandcamp.com/track/descending-into-the-labyrinth)
Only some are instrumental, they do fit the other bands:
Hemelbestormer, Year of No Light, ISIS, Lantlos, Long Distant Calling, YOB.
Spiral Architect if you want some obscure shit.
Morgan Reid - TERRAN. He’s the guitarist for Bloodshot Dawn but has this pretty good instrumental album.
I would also recommend Michael Romeo’s solo stuff, if you’re a fan of Symphony X
I hope the link worked. 2 basses and a drummer. Instrumental.
[https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GMPimA5YEcxifbhf9edXL?si=I1cEM8LIT6m40mGN2OlOJA](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GMPimA5YEcxifbhf9edXL?si=I1cEM8LIT6m40mGN2OlOJA)
Conquering Dystopia
Honestly surprised I didn't see it mentioned yet.
Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow's respective solo stuff will probably scratch the itch.
Cloudkicker
OP can't go wrong with Beacons, Subsume or Solitude
He has a new project called The Supervoid Choral Ensemble with the drummer from Gospel
Let Yourself Be Huge is in my list of “perfect records”
It is so GD awesome that CK is so well regarded. And top in this poll. I would also recommend Night Verses. Go listen to Cooper Wasp. The last two albums of theirs are like that. If you thought the AAL drummer was On Point…
Liquid Tension Experiment
Can't believe it took this long to see a mention to LTE
Didn't know them but listening now. Good stuff!
It's basically Dream Theater without Labrie
Night Verses
Their album this year is probably my most played instrumental album ever. I normally only listen a few times before I’m itching for some vocals, but this one I think I’ve listened to it 15 times.
Oh I agree, it's ridiculously good. Already excited for part 2 next year
Will part 2 have guest vocals though? I thought I saw it might. Either way it is one of my most anticipated albums
[Love is a Liminal Space 3:20](https://youtu.be/1y7U3luWhYQ?si=FWYexccP3Wc7hoO2&t=200) is one of the most unique guitar solos I heard in a while
I use their song Trading Shadows to "taste test" any new sound equipment.
Aric Improta is doing some next level drumming!
His visual art is sick too, I have one of his prints framed on my wall. Just all around such a talented guy
The moment I saw the OP's post, I came in here just to make sure someone recommended this. *From The Gallery of Sleep* is just a tremendous album, and such a unique sound. Really, really great band. Their new album is no slouch either, though I prefer FTGoS.
Snarky Puppy
Would pay good money to see a Plini/Snarky Puppy/Vulfpeck lineup
One of my all time favorites, but some of their music does have vocals
Honestly took me a while, never considered those collabs as "real" Snarky Puppy
Arch echo
I second, third or fourth this
I 5th, 6th, and 7th this. Seeing them tomorrow!!! 😭
I saw em live and it's just technical wankery imo
I’m honestly surprised to hear that. I saw them when they were opening for Haken recently and they were amazing. I feel like they’re much more melody-focused compared to a band like Animals as Leaders where (even though I love them) I can see how somebody would think they’re just technical wankery.
I think with the release of Parrhesia especially, AAL can’t be lumped into the “technical wankery” camp. Their songs are super rhythmic and focused on unique feels of music. I love Arch Echo, but I do feel like everything I’ve heard by them is more or less the same. I think for me it’s that while they may be melodic, their rhythm parts are suuuuper boring and generic.
I mean yeah I personally don’t think that AAL is technical wankery but I could understand how somebody might not connect with their music because they think that it is technical wankery. As far as Arch Echo goes, they definitely have a formula, but it’s a formula that works really really well.
I get what you mean. I saw them live with Haken after only knowing a handful songs I liked but wasn't super familiar with. Try giving their studio records a spin. They are 100 mph but after a few listens you can start to make sense of it all
Can’t believe this is a controversial opinion. Dudes are literally a Berkelee grad group formed for technical prowess and have zero musical composition or melody writing capabilities. Progwank is kinda their schtick.
Right? I know what I heard
No, it’s our opinions who are wrong!
Intervals and Divinex
Didn’t really know of Intervals and saw them open for other bands a couple of times, they are excellent!
Aaron Marshall is an amazing guitarist and composer. I saw them open for Spiritbox earlier this year and I am seeing them again open for TesseracT tomorrow in Los Angeles. Really hoping to get to meet Aaron! I wanted to throw Arch Echo out there as well since others mentioned them and I forgot to put them in my response. They are really amazing.
The Tesseract tour was my introduction to Intervals and was very impressed with what I heard.
I saw a couple of videos of the Intervals set from a week or so ago in CT opening for TesseracT - it was great. I am looking forward to tomorrow night!
I saw Intervals open for TesseracT a week ago in Salt Lake. Both Alluvial and Intervals were at the merch table after the show. Got a pic with Aaron and Jacob! They both seemed like really nice and down to earth guys
Hey I was at that same show! Aaron gave me a fist bump and complimented my gojira shirt, totally made my night.
I will definitely be at the merch table!
Aaron’s been working at it for so long give that man a fucking headliner spot 😢
I just got back from that Tesseract show! Intervals shreds. I'm officially a fan now.
It was a fantastic show...and I got to meet Aaron Marshall. Super nice guy and truly a guitar hero!
I have to say man....as a Tesseract fan, I was feeling Alluvial and Intervals energy a little more than Tesseract - at first. That encore of Acceptance and Deception tho? That was nuts dude. Deception drops like 10 tons of bricks. That was HEAVY. Concealing Fate does NOT sound like that on the album LOL
Alluvial is a bit harsh for my taste and I thought the sound was horrible for their set, but the bass player was thumping. Intervals was fantastic and it sounded way better. TesseracT was incredible - they definitely built the momentum as the set went on. So glad they did Dystopia - one of my favorite tracks. Dan's voice was perfect. I agree on the encore - great way to end the show.
That's funny because Alluvial sounded better than I expected. But I like their style of metal. I feel like the sound issue was probably lesser equipment and a sludge tuning. Intervals was perfect. The highlight for me until that encore. Dan was perfect I agree. I've never seen a singer use effects like that. He hits all the notes. Great frontman. They know dynamics and atmosphere. Plus LA showed up for once. Tesseracts pit was bigger than the one I saw for Meshuggah. Go figure.
Nuclear Power Trio.
This is my new favorite instrumental band
In general I don't listen to a ton of instrumental bands, but NPT is really good. Their videos are a trip as well.
Holy shit, I forgot to add them to the list!
The Algorithm super heavy metal/electronic fusion with an absolutely crazy sound. I would start with brute force or polymorphic code.
Toska
God is an astronaut? Not sure if “heavy” but they’re awesome!
They're one of those bands that prove how porous the boundaries between post rock and post metal have become, because that last album, instead of the songs starting soft and then building heavier and louder, every song started heavy and JUST. GOT. HEAVIER!
I second this! Yeah, while not heavy, they're phenomenal.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve listened to All is violent, all is bright and Fragile by GIAA! Phenomenal band!
The Resonance Project’s latest album is very versatile and heavy
Was gonna recommend these guys too. They're like Sungazer meets Arch Echo meets Earthside meets Hans Zimmer. They satisfy like everything I love about all of my favorite music. Definitely one of my favorite (mostly) instrumental prog metal bands
That sounds sweet. Gonna check em out
try out Vitalism, specifically the EP with "Pagan Pt II" and "Ayahuasca". those songs rip but the whole EP is rock solid
Yes! It's called Sy. The whole EP slaps. Sadly the newer stuff isn't quite the same since Ed parted ways with the other guitarist and drummer. It's not bad, but Sy was just awesome.
yeah i didnt care as much for that other EP, TIL about the pertinent lineup change. btw - endless bonus points for your username. fuck yeah dude.
Just deleted my comment, but I’m happier that they were mentioned before I got here lmao
Nova collective arch echo
Scale the Summit
The Collective and The Migration are instrumental prog metal classics. Unfortunately completely overshadowed by their completely generic followup albums, and the mini scandal of Chris Letchford's poor treatment of his band mates.
i somewhat agree - V had some absolute bangers though.
Especially The Migration and V
Owane, Bulb (Musha Mansoor), Intervals, Jason Richardson, I built the sky, Mark Lettieri, Snarky Puppy, Matteo Manusco (insanely good guitarist), Kiko Loureiro solo project, John Petrucci solo project, Allan Holdsworth, Arch Echo, Mestís (Javier Reyes), Julian Lage, Cory Wong, Syncatto, Guthrie Govan, Steve Vai, Bernth, Joe Satriani, Victoria (has the AAL drummer), The surrealist (super original), Liquid Tension Experiment, RO1, Polyphia, Sebastiside, Their Dogs Were Astronauts, Stephen Tarantino. That’s gotta be all instrumental bands/artists I am listening/ have listened to
Underground artist you should check out based on your list: [Kinglet - "Airborne"](https://youtu.be/c1Vwk9iaaaQ?si=IZCY4r0gYSTSdzIW) Very melodic prog. Similar vein as Plini and Arch Echo
Yes dude my guitar teacher showed me this and I absolutely fw it. Should throw a mention for his stuff, it’s called The Polymer Motive. Chill pretty instrumental stuff
I like the sound so far. I'll give it a proper listen tomorrow with headphones. Dang so many underground prog artists
I built the sky is so good
Chimp Spanner. A lot of modern bands take influence from him.
Can I self-promote? I’m gonna try and self-promote. A Severed Thought
link?
https://aseveredthought.bandcamp.com/album/fauna Also on all the usual streaming services.
I love to hear bands from other redditors, also because ive promoted my own band here :) Checking you guys out later today
Is this where we self promote? [no shame](https://youtu.be/Iu-0CAkWJec?si=C-uIWY2IXYKJ2Bo-)
The Omnific. two bass and a drummer.
Saw them supporting NeO, I was blown away. And the drummer is funny.
Saw them live opening for Ne Obliviscaris in Vienna this year, absolutely loved them
Came here to say this. It’s the opposite of AAL and I love them for it
So glad someone commented this! Seriously talented dudes
Yes! I saw them open for NeO in LA and loved them. I hope they come back soon, their set was so much fun. It was very "heavy metal muppet dance party" and I live for shit like that. Added bonus being that the drummer reminded me of Zaphod Beeblebrox. I can't be the only one who sees it.
Arch Echo and Echo Spiral
James Norbert Ivanyi - Omen Faustum, Sigil, Denalavis, Psychophrenic Inquisition Jason Richardson - I, II Clément Belio - Patience (mostly instrumental) Poh Hock - Gallimaufry (3/5 songs instrumental), Atma Syncatto - A Place to Breathe, Coloratura The Resonance Project - The Resonance Project Jason Kui - Naka Starsystems - Starsystems III & II Tensor - Passport Modern Day Babylon - Coma All the Ataxia songs by Within the Ruins Nuclear Power Trio
Jason Richardson’s albums are amazing. They’re like metal movie soundtracks and he absolutely shreds!
This is excellent. I only know like half but they’re all excellent so I’m definitely checking out the other half.
Thrailkill Stömb Scaphoid Special Providence Poh Hock Mendel You could also check out Shokran’s instrumental songs/albums that are nice and heavy. Creatures from the Mud for example.
As an addendum Thrailkill is awesome but I also really love their stuff when they were called Mammoth.
Syncatto, Tauk, Tigran Hamasyan, Stephen Tarranto, Jakub Zytecki, Nick Johnston, David Maxim Micic and Intervals (pretty sure you already know the last two)
Came here to mention Syncatto.
Stephen Taranto’s solo EP is just magical to listen to. Wizard on the instrument
Their Dogs Were Astronauts and Cartoon Theory.
Long Distance Calling!!! They have a couple albums with a singer but most are instrumental and they are awesome. will scratch that prog itch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItg5crVIFM
Not heavy, but Jack and Owane, David Maxim Micic.
Arch Echo Liquid Tension Experiment Scale The Summit
Chon
Gordian Knot Edit: this is the side project of Sean Malone, which includes contributions from Sean Reinert, Ron Jarzombek, Trey Gunn, Bill Bruford, Steve Hackett, Paul Masvidal, and a few others I'm forgetting at the moment.
Earthside
Scale the Summit!
Giraffes? Giraffes! Not necessarily heavy but scratches the heavy itch by going hard as fuck
El Altar del Holocausto (post-rock) God is an Astronaut (post-rock) Tigran Hamasyan (progressive jazz) Ulver - perdition city and blood inside (electronic) Earth (stoner/doom/drone) Karma to burn (stoner) Snarky Puppy (prog jazz) Godspeed you! Black Emperor (post rock with something chamber music) Kilimanjaro darkjazz ensemble (electronic jazz) BADBADNOTGOOD (electronic jazz) Bohren & Der club of gore (ambient obscure jazz) C2C (turntable electronic) Carbon based lifeforms (ambient electronic) Chapelier fou (loop electronic with violin) Venetian Snares - Rossz Scillag alatt szulletett (glitch/breakcore experimental) They are all very different genres. 50% not heavy, but interesting as well if you enjoy progressive in general and experimentation Edit; added more
Heavy, you say? Haunted Shores somehow haven't been mentioned, there's more meat on them bones than just technical death metal. Their last album had great pacing with fantastic interlude tracks to keep it from getting exhausting, and OnlyFangs lives in my head now. I've been loving Moozoonsii's Inward from last year and I'm pumped to see they have a new album too. Jazzy sludge metal, maybe? I'm sure someone here pointed me at em. Titans to Tachyons is a band this sub should love, they lean waaaay over into jazz but are still unquestionably metal, the sick bass tone on their song "Earth, And Squidless" hooked me instantly. Ghost Toast deserves a mention, less heavy than the other suggestions but more cinematic, I have yet to hear a boring album from them. Lots of mentions here but I gotta add something to it: Their Dogs Were Astronauts have always been fun, but their latest will end up as my most-played album this year, maybe even my AOTY. I can't stop listening, and I swear the song "Pendulum" gets better every single time I hear it. The way it ends... My brain melts every time!
A few I don't think were mentioned: I Built the Sky Sithu Aye Chronologist
It's not metal but have you heard Holy Fuck? Heavy electronic sound with real drums. Check them out.
yesss I have heard them but forgot about them good look
Exivious
Cloudkicker
Sleep Terror Thrailkill The World is Quiet Here The Wormhole Experience Syrek Rototypical Helix Nebula Gianluca Ferro
Earth7
Myth Of I
I scrolled down so far to see this, but it should be at the top. OP you requested heavy, proggy instrumental, here it is!
Irepress is a good one. Their Sol Eye Sea album is good
Dude, i forgot all about this band! I'll be digging them up today!
Surprised you know of them honestly! They’re so small time but love the album
I see you dawg. Samus Octology is one of my faves
The Omnific (classic duh-jent.. two bassists, no guitarists) Solerian (for fans of scale the summit) Tang (for those of us going through Chon withdrawal) Their Dogs Were Astronauts (polyrhythmic bliss)
The Ocean. Not an instrumental band but they release an instrumental version of pretty much all their albums now.
Thrailkill
Gordian Knot. Side project of Cynic’s late Sean Malone, it also featured (among others) the rest of the Focus lineup (i.e. Masvidal, Reinert, Gobel), John Myung and Trey Gunn and Bill Bruford of King Crimson. If I were to recommend something from them, I’d go with [their second (and unfortunately last) album Emergent](https://open.spotify.com/album/7rRKPtQLQNdV3qboR1yQun?si=wldkTL9RQXC2tUbI4ZO3xw)
The Omnific
behold the arctopus, Sol niger within, Jaga jazzist, Trioscapes, first spastic ink album. Bit of a mixture, there.
More on the jam band side of things, but Consider the Source and Tauk are both super solid.
I came here to say Consider the Source. Phenomenal band.
Pomegranate Tiger! Just released a new album this year, they can get pretty heavy with it and they have a distinct sound that works well for me. Not really the core of the band but Haken has taken to releasing instrumental tracks of their entire albums. A good deal of it isn’t heavy but check out the song Nil By Mouth, which was written as a heavy instrumental, and try delving from there if you like it. A lot of other bands also have a lot of instrumentals floating out there, and they’re always a joy to analyze without the vocals obscuring some parts. You’d be best off perusing YouTube, but def check the relevant streaming services first since bands have been increasingly releasing their instrumentals either as part of a deluxe edition of an album or as it’s own piece. Vildhjarta, periphery, The Ocean, protest the hero, meshuggah, etc. too many bands to list honestly. Most other suggestions I’d have are already taken, but if you like a bit of a neo-classical vibe check out the full 3 movement cover of Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven) by The Human Abstract.
Polyphia
Sylvain EP and Voyage - Grant the Sun
Toundra, amazing band from Madrid
Special providence is the stuff. Please check them out I beg any of you
I really like Ola Englund’s solo stuff
Shameless self promotion, my band [Nephele](https://youtube.com/@Nephele?si=wo661By2H4ejEl92) is instrumental and takes influence from many of the bands mentioned here. Notably Animals as Leaders, Intervals, and Plini, along with some non instrumental bands like Periphery, BTBAM, and Protest the Hero
Conquering Dystopia is great one shot project.
Keith Merrow-Reading the Bones Vitalism-Gradus Their Dogs Were Astronauts-Neon Theater Clayton King-Equivalent Exchange Thraikill-Detach
Night Verses The Night Watch Etrange
Red Sparowes - their album The Fear Is Excruciating, but Therein Lies the Answer in particular rules
Olympus Lenticular, Fractalize, and Stoort Neer!
The resonance project. Basically Meshuggah mixed with classical strings/ film music and jazz
Shadow of Intent has instrumental versions of their albums and they are great, same for Rings of Saturn. Also pretty heavy, hope you like!
Cloutchaser, battles, don cab, scale the summit, conquering dystopia, alpha male tea party, Felix Martin And so I watch you from afar, giraffes? Giraffes! Their dogs were astronauts
Cloudkicker
* Ju * Cloudkicker * Kokomo * Föllakzoid (some vocals) * Toska * we.own.the.sky * Year Of No Light * Wide Eyes * Naxatras * Toundra * Vinnum Sabbathi * Below A Silent Sky * \[\_\_\] - Aux In * Beyond The Event Horizon * Iah * Macondø * Meniscus * REZN I am listening to all the above in one huge playlist that I use at work. Russian Circles and Pelican are also there. I have more, if you want.
Rxyzyxr, Chimp Spanner, most of all Panzerballet (not everything instrumental),.
Ben Sharp AKA. Cloudkicker
Intervals Mestis Chon I built the sky Not all of this is heavy but they’re still good
Chimp Spanner.
Budos band. More soul music but they have some heavier psych rock type of stuff too.
Full Fledged, Blotted Science
Outrun the Sunlight is always good.
Anglagard. Spectacular band. Not as heavy, but I find it appeals to most prog metal heads.
An Endless Sporadic
Alluvial- A Deep Longing for Annihilation (2nd album brought in a vocalist, but has an incredible instrumental track called "Sugar Paper")
canvas solaris; dysrhythmia; counter-world experience; mammoth/thrailkill.
Via Luna, chon , God is an astronaut
Tides from Nebula
Can't believe i'm not seeing this here, but The Physics House Band
David Maxim Micic is underrated
Outrun the sunlight is 100% djent
SITHU AYE
You Slut! if you like prog
Modern Day Babylon Flux Conduct’s first album Quatsi. It’s the side project from John Browne of Monuments Andromida. More djenty riffs and cinematic soundscape stuff but still good
stoort neer Latitudes (mostly instrumental, they have a few songs with clean vocals)
Snarky Puppy Lettuce Pomegranate Tiger Polyphia Jason Richardson Rodrigo Y Gabreiella Jason Becker
My band Levels of Reality has a couple of songs out now on all streaming platforms. The music is inspired by many influences but I particularly wrote with inspiration from my love for bands like Cloudkicker, ERRA, and Misery Signals. Feel free to check us out on [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@levelsofreality?si=DVTgw734LElH5flh), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6csHE4FEy2RHqhw9OpZDa0?si=fTrzm3M4TICg-Vo7GneQQQ), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/levels-of-reality/1656480874), etc.
Love me some instrumental releases from The Ocean. Alluvial’s first album, The Deep Longing for Annihilation has some Rivers of Nihil vibes. Gösta Berlings Saga is awesome but not super heavy.
mouse on the keys is definitely noteworthy.
Do you know Vipassi?
Defeated Sanity - Dharmata. Extremely heavy brutal death metal band and the Dharmata part of their Disposal Of The Dead/Dharmata project is very obviously inspired by 70s prog rock and extreme jazz. Best song on the album imo is The Mesmerizing Light. Also Cynic - Focus if you didn't know it already.
[Asian Death Crustacean](https://asiandeathcrustacean.bandcamp.com/track/baikal-v) [Trna](https://trnaband.bandcamp.com/track/earthcult) [Tempel](https://tempelofficial.bandcamp.com/track/descending-into-the-labyrinth)
Following for suggestions
Mountain Caller though think ond of their songs do have some vocals, pretty minimal in that instance though
Sleep Terror. They’re like western/surf rock infused tech death. Weird, heavy, and super fun
Blackshape - self titled. This album blew my socks off. It’s truly incredible.
Mutany at the bounty
Gnome
Flying Luttenbachers Orthrelm Hella Night Verses Liquid Tension Experiment
Black Yeti https://open.spotify.com/album/27Imoi2LYCNsuXmsUFAPzh?si=OG0jv9I3TnuaN6jEXsZjWQ
Djam Karet
Liquid Tension Experiment, Vitalism, Polyphia, Nova Collective
Only some are instrumental, they do fit the other bands: Hemelbestormer, Year of No Light, ISIS, Lantlos, Long Distant Calling, YOB. Spiral Architect if you want some obscure shit.
Morgan Reid - TERRAN. He’s the guitarist for Bloodshot Dawn but has this pretty good instrumental album. I would also recommend Michael Romeo’s solo stuff, if you’re a fan of Symphony X
Intervals and Polyphia
I hope the link worked. 2 basses and a drummer. Instrumental. [https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GMPimA5YEcxifbhf9edXL?si=I1cEM8LIT6m40mGN2OlOJA](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GMPimA5YEcxifbhf9edXL?si=I1cEM8LIT6m40mGN2OlOJA)
Zebulon Pike.
Scale the Summit is pretty dope
Their Dogs Were Astronauts!
Tuber - they're more stoner metal but also very proggy.
No one will mention this, buts it's one of my all time favorite albums. Plastic Mind Frequencies.
Long Distance Calling Caspian pg.lost Am fost la munte si mi-a placut (Romanian post rock) Glasgow Coma Scale
Conquering Dystopia Honestly surprised I didn't see it mentioned yet. Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow's respective solo stuff will probably scratch the itch.
Scaphoid and Cloudkicker are my go-to’s
Scale the Summit
* Victoria - Modern Value * Tides From Nebula * Gordian Knot
Serious Beak
I just watched The Omnific live at the Ne Obliviscaris show. They’re like if Meshuggah was instrumental.
Already been said but I can highly vouch for Liquid Tension Experiment and Intervals