The Best Psychedelic Prog Rock Fusion Bands of 2018

From classic prog rock to modern psychedelic fusion, these are the best bands pushing the boundaries of rock music in 2018.

Intro to Psychedelic Prog Rock

Psychedelic Prog Rock is a subgenre of progressive rock that emerged in the late 1960s. It is characterized by the use of electronic instruments, complex arrangements, and extended improvisation.

What is Psychedelic Prog Rock?

Psychedelic Prog Rock is a subgenre of music that originated in the late 1960s. It is characterized by its use of distorted guitars, extended chord progressions, and complex time signatures. The genre was pioneered by bands such as Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett, and later gained mainstream popularity in the 1970s with bands such as Yes, Genesis, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

In the 1990s, a new wave of Psychedelic Prog Rock bands emerged, including Porcupine Tree, Ozric Tentacles, and Tool. These bands combined elements of metal, jazz, and classical music to create a unique sound that was both heavier and more progressive than the original Psychedelic Prog Rockers.

The following is a list of the best Psychedelic Prog Rock fusion bands of 2018:
-Spock’s Beard
-The Flower Kings
-Yes
-Pink Floyd

Origins of Psychedelic Prog Rock

Psychedelic prog rock is a genre that was born in the late 1960s, as bands experimented with combining the crushing power of progressive rock with the mind-expanding possibilities of psychedelia. The results were often incredible, as the two styles seemingly combined perfectly to create something that was both heavy and trippy, cerebral and emotional.

The leading lights of psychedelic prog rock were undoubtedly Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, who between them released some of the most iconic albums of the genre. However, there were many other great bands who contributed to its development, and in recent years there has been a renewed interest in this fascinating style of music.

Here are just a few of the best psychedelic prog rock bands that you need to check out…

Best Psychedelic Prog Rock Bands of 2018

Psychedelic Prog Rock is a subgenre of progressive rock that is influenced by psychedelic rock. It is characterized by extended compositions, complex instrumentation, and an emphasis on atmosphere and abstraction. Some of the best psychedelic prog rock bands of 2018 are listed below.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

From Australia, these self-proclaimed “trash wizards” play a chaotic and unique brand of psychedelic rock that is sure to boggle the mind. They are masters of the concept album, with each one tells a different story, and they have an impressive discography with over 10 albums released in just 6 years. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are definitely a band to watch out for in 2018.

Haken

Haken is a progressive metal band from London, England, formed in 2007. The band’s sound is a mix of prog rock, metal and classic rock, with occasional forays into other genres such as electronic music and latin music. Haken is known for their complex song structures, virtuoso musicianship and use of esoteric lyrics.

The band has released five studio albums, the most recent being Vector (2018). Their debut album Aquarius (2010) was voted “Album of the Year” by Prog magazine readers and was nominated for a number of awards. The follow-up album Visions (2011) was also very well received by critics and fans alike, and cemented Haken’s place as one of the leading lights of the progressive metal scene.

Haken are one of the few bands to successfully fuse progressive rock and metal without sounding contrived or self-indulgent. Their music is inventive and fresh, yet still accessible to a wide audience. If you’re a fan of either genre, or just looking for something new and exciting to listen to, Haken are definitely worth checking out.

Leprous

Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band formed in 2001 in Notodden, Norway. The band consists of Einar Solberg (vocals, keyboards), Tor Oddgeir Bøe (guitars), Baard Kolstad (drums),simen Daniel sibråten (bass) and Hugh Mingay (keyboards, programming).

Their music is often referred to as “djent” or “progressive djent”, but they have also been described as “progressive metal”, “avant-garde metal” and “experimental metal”.

Leprous began as a studio project of Einar Solberg, who had previously worked with bands such as Emperor and Winds. The band’s debut album, Tall Poppy Syndrome, was released in May 2010 to critical acclaim. Their second album, Coal, was released in May 2013 to even greater acclaim, and was included on several year-end lists. The Congregation, their third album, was released in October 2015. It was once again included on several year-end lists and received a Norwegian Grammy nomination for Best Metal Album.

In March 2018, Leprous announced that they had signed with InsideOut Music and would be releasing their fifth studio album later in the year. Malina was released on August 24th to positive reviews.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many great psychedelic prog rock fusion bands out there worth exploring. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a great starting point for anyone interested in this ever-evolving musical genre. So get out there and start listening!