Hello and welcome to the first edition of Progscars!

Fifteen imaginary awards to give out to the most interesting progressive rock and metal music to come out in 2017. I decided to do this for fun but also to build awareness of bands and artists.

Today we explore the best outros of songs I have come across from bands exploring the genre. A rich outro can make a song extra memorable and increase the relisten-ability of it. The song can also serve as a staple concert-closer – Case in point, “Deliverance” from Opeth.

Disclaimer:

  1. Everyone has different definitions about which band, album and song is progressive and which isn’t. For simplicity, I have stuck to bands classified as progressive rock or metal either on rateyourmusic.com or sputnikmusic.com and occasionally based on what I think.
  2. When it is says Song in the title, it specifically means a song belonging to an album by a band classified as progressive based on point 1. I’m also sure there are a few songs on this list (and the ones to come) that are 4/4 and hardly classify as a ‘Prog Song’ but I’ve included them nevertheless.
  3. Albums in December 2017 haven’t been considered! So no Diablo Swing Orchestra. Mainly because I was too busy exploring earlier albums that I might have missed out. I’ll include them in the next edition.
  4. If you spot errors anywhere (mostly in the technical side of things), let me know. I’m always open to criticism – constructive or destructive.
  5. EPs or Live Albums not considered for any of these lists.

 

Criteria for Judgement:

For this award (and the intro one), the criteria is a little specific – I have chosen songs that have more elaborate outros and sections that build up for them. Generally this means outros that last more two minutes – and as a consequence are from longer songs. Just check the list out, you’d know what I’m talking about!

Now that that’s over with let’s get down to business! There are one Just Missed, four nominations and, of course, one winner. The number of noms would change depending on category.

 

Just Missed

“Battlefied” from Fractured (Lunatic Soul)

Outro from – 8:08

Why? Cinematic end to the lyrics “And the broken hearts will not break through my mind”. The right way to use electronica in prog.

 

#5

“Blind” from Reflections of a Floating World (Elder)

Outro from – 10:42

Why? The buildup to the insane riff at 12:26 is beautiful. Sublime guitar and bass lines.

 

 

#4

“Eyrie” from Urn (Ne Obliviscaris)

Outro from – 8:50

Why? Like listening to an opera with blast beats.

 

#3

“Sacred Horse” from E (Enslaved)

Outro from – 4:22

Why? Sit back and let the echoing drums and guitar twinge hit you. And the final callback to the original riff is perfect.

 

#2

“Hymn of the Vagabond” from Vagabond (Subterranean Masquerade)

Outro from – 4:59

Why? Hits home hard. The best use of sitar with Western instruments I’ve ever seen.

(The song isn’t on YouTube at all unfortunately)

 

#1

“Preserved in Ash” from Diaspora (Cormorant)

Outro from – 7:19

Why? 3 words – Meditative, piercing and hellish.

“Circular passage of time
Augury bestowed upon the blind
Monument to avarice, memorial in stone
Witness to the callowness, alone”

Goosebumps every single time.

 

So what are your favourite outros from 2017?

Would love to hear from you! Let me know either in the comments here, on Facebook (Preferably) or on Instagram. You can follow me on Spotify (You might get a sneak peak of the awards a day in advance!)

Here’s the Spotify playlist of all the above tracks:

 

The first two awards are already out!

Best Bass Performance in a Song here.

Best Debut Album here.