I’ve been thinking about this a lot while finishing up the production for my band, Elephant Zero.

Back in the 90s and early 2000s (Dream Theater, Symphony X), key players were front-and-center ripping lead lines alongside the guitar. Today, in modern prog and djent, synthesizers are used almost entirely for subtle sound design, sub-bass drops, glitch edits, or lush ambient pads underneath heavy polyrhythms.

Furthermore most of the synth sounds come from the same 4 VSTIs, not to be a analog hardware gatekeeper or something but there's just something about getting your hands on the knobs and being creative

When tracking our album, we tried blending classic analog hardware keys and Hammonds all over, trying get something fresh, and it ended up changing how we approached composition completely, layering multiples of them and making it a center piece of the album.

So, Do you prefer synths taking traditional lead roles in prog, or do you like them acting as soft layers behind the guitars to make guitars just sound bigger??

This combination of prog metal (or melodic death/black metal) with saxophone really stole my heart and I want more recommendations!

I only know two bands that beautifully execute this:

1. Rivers of Nihil

2. White ward

Any other suggestions?

Bands or songs

production on this one's definitely a little iffy, but Greg and Neema's vocals are just magic imo, so much better than the album version 😭

HOLY SH*T

Been listening to this album on repeat today. A solid 10/10. In my opinion this is the best mastodon album ever. Also surprisingly i didn't know nick Johnston joined the band until a few days before the album release lol ( i am a huge NJ fine by the way he's such a virtuoso) and he added his touch perfectly.

This album is the perfect combination of Cynic, opeth and mastodon haha. Let me know what you guys think about the album. Rest in peace brent, you would've loved the album 🕊️

My favourite song of theirs is probably Aquarian because I loooove a good build up and release, but Hunter keeps getting stuck in my head so *shrug*

Hypno5e is like if Fair to Midland, Gojira, Dillinger Escape Plan, and BTBAM had a baby.

Love the post-metal, atmospheric vibes. Can't wait for the new album.

Over 6 years since this was posted. Ihsahn is so slept on in this sub. Not sure if I like this song or On The Shores better. Both 10/10

"No ships have sailed!" 🗣🗣

FFO Confessor, Psychotic Waltz, Memento Mori, ecc...

Great underground band i discovered recently.

I have been blown away by this record. Especially, E2 and Seventh Seal are some of the best tracks i have heard this year. Plus I absolutely adore the production as everything sounds amazing.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Russian_Circles/3540512085

Drew Goddard posted on Karnivool’s page encouraging fans to support the campaign to save The Black Wreath, a music collective in remote Australia that provides opportunities for remote bands to play with Karnivool and across Australia.

The Black Wreath are also responsible for bringing prof death giants Revocation into Australia for a stand alone show in the desert.

follow the Pozible link to support!

https://www.pozible.com/project/save-the-black-wreath?srsltid=AfmBOoptSQ4OVkPvKlaq3p-I6oNLCW4anBDe5MiD8anEZSUzs6gpWvi4