Instrumental Rock, Metal, Funk, beats; what do you know about it?

[Sdashiki]

I have found myself to be a bit of a snob lately when it comes to music.

mostly because I rarely buy anything anymore that has lyrics to it. probably because its all crap they talk about.

Or like with Dream Theatre (http://www.dreamtheater.net/), Supertramp (http://www.supertramp.com/) and Rush (http://www.rush.com/) I love their music, but cmon the singers sounds all the same and like a dork. But nonetheless, there are still classic tracks from those artists.

Anyway, its extremely difficult to find instrumental artists or even progressive type artists, because neither radio nor mtv would play something without words for the kiddies to learn by.

So I am always searching for similar artists when I find someone I like, its like a big ol tree, each branch leads to another artist and so on and so forth.

So Id like to see if there is anyone in the same boat as I and always looking for new instrumental artists. Following is a list of links and slight description of the best I have come to find. if you have any of these artists in your collection, and know of others similar not listed, let us know. None of these artists listed have a singer, unless they mix a track with one.

DareDiablo (http://www.darediablo.com/) - NY rock with an organ, pretty hard and jazzy

Turing Machine (http://www.jadetree.com/bands/artist/turing_machine) - hard noisy "math-rock"

Mercury Program (http://www.mercuryprogram.com/) - Gainesville, Fl based eclectic rock with xylophones

Buckethead (http://www.bucketheadland.com/) - the new guitarist for Guns n' Roses, like I care, but he has ALOT of solo stuff ranging from eclectic dream guitars to trash metal, all instrumental

Continental (http://www.mp3.com/continental/artists/516915/biography.html) - eclectic slow rock

Don Caballero (http://www.southern.com/southern/band/DONCA/) - hard rock with a splash of progressive tendencies

Euphone (http://www.jadetree.com/bands/artist/euphone) - slow melodic

Four Tet (http://www.fourtet.net/) - sometimes slow, sometimes dreamy, sometimes its like a hip hop beat

Jet Black Crayon (http://www.function8.com/jbc/bio.html) - slower, but hard hittin a bit

Manitoba (http://www.mp3.com/manitoba/artists/444141/summary.html?q=manitoba) - strange eclectic and neat

Pelican (http://www.hydrahead.com/pelican/) - metal, rock, slow, fast, long and orchestrated

Red Sparowes (http://www.redsparowes.com/) - epic without huge riffs

Redneck Manifesto (http://www.theredneckmanifesto.com/) - Irish band, eclectic and smooth

Tommy Guerrero (http://www.tommyguerrero.com/) - an 80s skater gone all guitar and eclectic, every album is similar in sound, but its a good sound

Tortoise (http://www.trts.com/) - hard to pin down, but damn good, mostly slower

thats the best I got so far, anyone wishing to add, please do so in this thread, if not just for my satisfaction, but for anyone who likes these kinds of bands, or possibly something new and different

[rockthecasbah]

Thanks for that list Sdashiki, i'm going to check out all of those guys when i get a chance!

[calculus]

Another vote for the wonderful Tortoise!

[21stcenturykid]

Have you tried the Ozric Tentacles?? there is some great musicianship on those records. also try most jazz records they are nearly all instrumental. try herbie hancock for one he's awesome. Nightmares on Wax are also good.

You may like some of the worlds greatest guitarists too so try Jeff Beck and Steve Vai

[Sdashiki]

True, of course I got jazz, and alot of Jazz Breaks:

Metal Fingers (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Metal+Fingers) - MF Doom, all his beats are sweet


Nightmares on Wax (http://www.nightmaresonwax.co.uk/) - excellent "group" but I consider them electronic, lots of good chill stuff

Mouse on Mars (http://www.mouseonmars.de/) - electronic sounding you wouldnt believe its people on instruments!

Herbie Hancock (http://www.herbiehancock.com/) - cmon, everyone needs ONE HH album!

Ozric Tentacles (http://ozrics.hopto.org/ozrics/index.html) - mp3.com = "A band from another time, Ozric Tentacles served as the bridge from '70s cosmic rock to the organic dance and festival culture"

[63dot]

Joe Satriani's Surfing with an Alien changed my whole perspective on what could be done on a six string electric guitar. He took Eddie Van Halen and raised it double.

Some seven string guitar work from various artists even further opened up the field...ie) Steve Vai (Joe Satriani's student) on his Ibanez Evo/Universe guitars and Korn with their modified Ibanez 7-string superstrats...great, intense stuff!

John Mayer could do some really wicked things on a regular Fender Stratocaster that has not been seen since Jimi Hendrix...and don't let that cutie-faced/media friendly, "I dated Jennifer Love Hewitt" persona fool you...John Mayer is the real thing when it comes to new, cutting edge licks and sounds from the legendary Fender Stratocaster.

BTW...Fender has released a John Mayer signature Stratocaster model.

...and there's always the vintage Windam Hill George Winston instrumental piano which has influenced a ton of artists all the way down to Coldplay.

[Sdashiki]

how could I have forgotten:

Godspeed You Black Emperor (http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/) - very drawn out LOOOONG dreamy, strings and electronics, great for cleaning the house, somewhat an acquired taste...

[Kernow]

how could I have forgotten:

Godspeed You Black Emperor (http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/) - very drawn out LOOOONG dreamy, strings and electronics, great for cleaning the house, somewhat an acquired taste...

I only have one of their albums, but it is fantastic - like you say long drawn out passages which are punctuated by the occasional rock out.

[Sdashiki]

All their albums are similar, but not the same.

If that makes sense.

Each is like an opera, with a beginning middle and end.

Eventhough, with 20 minute plus songs, the end comes slowly.

:rolleyes:

[nnick]

Black Flag's The Process of Weeding Out is an excellent instrumental EP.

[camomac]

True, of course I got jazz, and alot of Jazz Breaks:

Metal Fingers (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Metal+Fingers) - MF Doom, all his beats are sweet


Nightmares on Wax (http://www.nightmaresonwax.co.uk/) - excellent "group" but I consider them electronic, lots of good chill stuff

Mouse on Mars (http://www.mouseonmars.de/) - electronic sounding you wouldnt believe its people on instruments!

Herbie Hancock (http://www.herbiehancock.com/) - cmon, everyone needs ONE HH album!

Ozric Tentacles (http://ozrics.hopto.org/ozrics/index.html) - mp3.com = "A band from another time, Ozric Tentacles served as the bridge from '70s cosmic rock to the organic dance and festival culture"

MMMMM MF DOOM. Supervillian Supreme!
Nightmares on wax, sampled so many times you'll swear you've heard them before, most excellent!
Herbie, seen him twice, once with the original headhunters. Very Very NiCE!

Also check out RJD2 (http://www.rjd2site.com/), he produces some seriously dope beats.

[Sdashiki]

RJD2 of course....

and lots of other DJs and the ilk...

but I wanted to sorta keep this less DJs, more traditional bands. but hey, music is music keep it coming.

I just found:

poseidotica (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56143264) - nice, experimental, hard

[Sdashiki]

I have a CD of the last post's band, POSEIDOTICA, on the way....

so I have to suggest the website I found their album on StonerRock.com (http://www.stonerrock.com/). Its amazing what some googling will find you.

in the mean time I have found:

Oxes (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=39542657) - hard, math rock, rythmic sorta? good for you

Volta do Mar (http://www.voltadomar.com/) - sweet rythmic instrumental hard rock, though I think they broke up

[Counterfit]

If you like Dream Theater, but don't like James LaBrie's voice (he's the weak link of the chain, especially on Live at Budokan), check out Liquid Tension Experiment. Tony Levin, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess.

[McGiord]

Satriani is the best!!

Here is one venezuelan guitar player
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=123865

And what about Apocalyptica?
http://www.apocalyptica.com/home/

Thanks for the links all have posted

:)

[McGiord]

By Bashako (Venezuelan Band also)...

http://download.yousendit.com/235E48B60CCA2B47

[Sdashiki]

If you like Dream Theater, but don't like James LaBrie's voice (he's the weak link of the chain, especially on Live at Budokan), check out Liquid Tension Experiment. Tony Levin, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess.


I bought Liquid Tension both Volumes the day my friend played me a Mike Portnoy video.

Awesome stuff, but sometimes a little TOO proggy for me.

[HecubusPro]

If you haven't heard Isis, I think you'd really dig them. They're very much like Pelican and sort of a less lyrically/vocally driven version of slower Tool stuff.

Also, Zombi is one of the coolest instrumental bands I've heard in years. They're sort of a mix of the synth-style music from 70's Italian horror films, and John Carpenter music. They're a two-piece--a drummer and a bass player/keyboardist. I have both of their albums, and I've seen them live several times. Amazingly cool stuff.

[Sdashiki]

Got some Isis, though, not all of it is instrumental, and the singer, he is pathetic vocally. not in terms of not being able to sing, but his long drawn out words in a throaty voice, not cool.

Zombi - pretty nice, kinda spacey

[Sdashiki]

Got a new one:

Ativin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ativin) - sweet, hard, drummin and groovin

http://www.southern.com/southern/band/ATIVI/ has a song to DL for free

[Jovian9]

I listen to Four Tet, Manitoba, and Tortoise quite often.

Everyone here should give Isotope 217 a try. Great music!

I'll keep adding to this.....just woke up so I can't think very well :)

[MIDI_EVIL]

Mogwai

I cannot believe Mogwai (http://www.mogwai.co.uk/) have not been mentioned.

Incredible band from the cold, wet lands of Scotland. Firm favourites of the late John Peel.

Rich.

[Sdashiki]

Mogwai, pretty good stuff, a tad soft sometimes for my tastest, but still on my playlists.

also, if you list an artist on this thread, try to link to a site about them or better still, with free music to listen to.

isotope 217 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=92590103)

[gladiator]

Explosions in the Sky (http://www.explosionsinthesky.com) is a pretty good instrumental rock band. They are almost Pink Floyd-esque. (They have extended areas of chord progressions in most, if not all of their songs)

[interlaced]

Explosions in the Sky (http://www.explosionsinthesky.com) is a pretty good instrumental rock band. They are almost Pink Floyd-esque. (They have extended areas of chord progressions in most, if not all of their songs)

yessss. i love explosions in the sky. mogwai's right up there too.

[Sdashiki]

Explosions is a very slow band, I wouldnt really compare them to Pink Floyd. Maybe in musical structure of some songs, but not in sound.

They are a more palatable and listenable version of "Godspeed you black emperor".

[pulsewidth947]

No Sigur Ros? Look up epic in the dictionary and it'll simply state Sigur Ros.

[Kernow]

Good calls on both Mogwai and Sigur Ros, although I would say that Sigur Ros do tend to use vocals more than the OP probably intended (even if it they are in a made up language).

[Sdashiki]

Me?

Well, yeah, Mogwai and Sigur Ros are both a little too dreamy for my tastes sometimes.

I am looking more for hard rock, metal bands without a singer...which leads to hard jazz breaks....and then to soul and funk....onto guitars and acid.....xylophones and snares....


so anything is of course appreciated, the more music the better. :rolleyes:

[kgarchar]

EITS and Sigur Ros are two of my favorites, I seriously am obsessed with EITS. First Breath After Coma and the entire Friday Night Lights OST is amazing.

Ever heard of Daniel Lanois? He does a song in the FNL OST, Sonho Dourado. It's amazing, also.

[Warbrain]

Good calls on both Mogwai and Sigur Ros, although I would say that Sigur Ros do tend to use vocals more than the OP probably intended (even if it they are in a made up language).

Mogawi all the way.

[kgarchar]

i've heard many good things about them

[decksnap]

Buckethead (http://www.bucketheadland.com/) - the new guitarist for Guns n' Roses, like I care, but he has ALOT of solo stuff ranging from eclectic dream guitars to trash metal, all instrumental


Buckethead is an extremely wide-ranging modern-day virtuoso, who has played under many names and bands, and with a ton of people. He can, at times, make guys like Satriani look like they don't know how to play. BTW, he is not in GNR anymore. He quit and hsa since been replaced by another modern-day virtuoso, Bumblefoot.

Here are some of my Buckethead favorites, spanning his range:

Praxis - Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) This is an oldy but a complete classic. Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Brain, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell.

Best described as a 'funkrock magnum opus'.

Thanatopsis - Axiology This is Buckethead with crazy pianist Travis Dickerson and Remy Antoun on drums. Very cool jams here.. And some insane piano work.

Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie's Brains - The Great Eyeball in the Sky Buckethead, Les Claypool, Brain, Bernie Worrell. You get the idea.

Buckethead-Population Override All Buckethead, some Dickerson. Some peaceful jams.

[decksnap]

Or if you are into the hard stuff:

Cuckoo Clocks of Hell - extreme 'math metal'
Kaleidoscalp - just crazy
Funnel Weaver - 49 metally riffs
Bermuda Triangle - spooky djs & metal

[Kernow]

Cuckoo Clocks of Hell - extreme 'math metal'

That just intrigues me. I'm going to have to check these out.

[decksnap]

It's not necessarily my cup of tea...

Here's a song off Cuckoo Clocks...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbDD5YL31Y

[Sdashiki]

It's not necessarily my cup of tea...

Here's a song off Cuckoo Clocks...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbDD5YL31Y

this is exactly what I am looking for

got this album tho

[Sdashiki]

Time to resurrect an old thread, that just shouldn't die. Ive found a good amount of what many are now calling, generically, "Post-Rock". IMO this means anything that is not typical pop-rock. A wide open category that just happens to include alot of instrumental rock bands. the descriptions mostly dont fit the entire catalog of the bands but give you a general idea.

here is a new list, dont forget the original list in the OP:


God is an Astronaut (http://www.myspace.com/godisanastronaut) - slow, sometimes harsh, groovin, soundscape

65daysofstatic (http://www.myspace.com/sixtyfivedaysofstatic) - distorted, noise, hard beats and awesome riffs

Bright Red Paper (http://www.myspace.com/brightredpaper) - slow, melodic, with a cello

Russian Circles (http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles) - sometimes fast, progressive, intense, other times slow and sweet

Caribou (http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba) - this is also known as Manitoba, odd sounding grooves, catchy with a flair for the dramatic

Maserati (http://www.myspace.com/maseratirocks) - eclectic, slow with a good beat, complimented by evolving sound

Monkey3 (http://www.myspace.com/monkeythreecom) - sometimes it builds, other times it smashes, slightly electric



as much as I hate MySpace, the free instant music is a nice touch to a thread like this, gives you a chance to hear them. so if you want to learn more about the bands, a quick google will bring up their actual homepages vs their myspace page.

also, the iTunes music store has been a great help when I find bands, and I need a quick listen. 30s can tell you alot about some bands, and nothing of others.

[FullCollapse]

a band called ...of sinking ships is another post rock band i really like. it's simple mellow stuff, but it's great.

explosions in the sky has quickly become one of my all time favorite bands. mogwai and sigur ros are also great. even though all of these bands have been mentioned previously, check this stuff out it's great.

as far as harder stuff goes... if you can stomach metal, a band called sleep terror is pretty sweet and they are instrumental.

[furcalchick]

i'm really into instrumental music, but it gets next to nil time on any radio station for some reason. i guess a song without lyrics isn't a song in their eyes. i feel different. instrumentals evoke multiple meanings in a song and are less restrictive in form than their lyrical counterparts. like in shows such as american idol, it's all about the lyrics, and to me, it just reduces the song somewhat to poetry (not all songs, but this is mostly a bubblegum ill) and doesn't make it about the music. the things i look for in music is mostly the composition of the music, melody, tone, beat. the lyrics seem to be extra and weigh it down in some cases.

this is why i hate the soundtracks of movies that are full of cheesy pop songs instead of the music you hear in the movie.

so yes, i'm looking for instrumental music as well. give me some mellow recommendations.

[beatzfreak]

This may sound crazy, but the first three Journey albums have some great prog rock instrumental tracks on them. Pre-Steve Perry.

Here's a live version of one my favorite tracks from Journey first album:

It starts out a little slow, but gets pretty crazy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIXax2YJvyA