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.

First off we start with the best bass performance in a prog song. The bass is one of my favourite instruments to listen to. Before I start with the list:

Disclaimer:

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. 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. 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. If you spot errors anywhere (mostly in the technical side of things), let me know. I’m always open to criticism – constructive or destructive. EPs or Live Albums not considered for any of these lists. Only one track per album.

Criteria for Judgement:

The bass audibly contributes to the song while complementing other instruments well. Technicality and fast riffs are not the only criteria. Preference given to songs from albums where the bass is consistently amazing.

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

Just Missed

Dustin Davidson on ‘The Frost’ (August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem)

Favourite bass moment – The very audible section from 2:30.

#10

Dan Briggs on ‘State of Flux’ (Nova Collective – The Further Side)

Favourite bass moment – The bee buzzing kinda sound at 3:49

(Unfortunately the individual song is not available on YouTube, even though the full album is here)

#9

Jack Donovan on ‘Staving Off Truth’ (Elder – Reflections of a Floating World)

Favourite bass moment – The two riffs during the calmer portion from 4:30

#8

Graham Noel on ‘Dusk’ (Lör – In Forgotten Sleep)

Favourite bass moment – The fat bass tone at 6:12.

#7

Jordan Eberhardt on ‘The Center’ (The Contortionist – Clairvoyant)

Favourite bass moment – The bass lines during “Do you see what I see?” from 4:12.

#6

Simen Børven on ‘Mirage’ (Leprous – Malina)

Favourite bass moment – The whole song but that bass revv at 1:20 is pure filth.

#5

Kristian Hultgren on ‘Fermented Hours’ (Wobbler – From Silence to Somewhere)

Favourite bass moment – That bass-laden intro from 0:25 is total eargasm.

#4

Stefan Stenberg on ‘Sister’ (Soen – Lykaia)

Favourite bass moment – Entire track, really. If I have to pick – the lines during the chorus.

#3

Mariusz Duda on ‘Red Light Escape’ (Lunatic Soul – Fractured)

Favourite bass moment – The primary bass riff (starting from 1:23 for example) is hypnotizing

#2

Jared Smith on ‘Human Murmuration’ (Archspire – Relentless Mutation)

Favourite bass moment – 1:54 nuff’ said.

WINNER!

Robin Zielhorst on ‘Intra Venus’ (Ne Obliviscaris – Urn)

Favourite bass moment – Easy , solo from 4:50.

So what are your favourite bass moments and / or tracks 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: