Gordian Knot

[Azathoth]

I know this is an Atheist forum, but there's none for GK. And I thought since many Atheist fans are into progressive stuff, this might be relevant. Anyone know of any other bands that sort of sound like GK? I finally got around to listening to this band recently and they're amazing.

[zyquix]

I love this band too. Code/Anticode is amazing. but I'd like to know how to play that ending riff in "a Fischer's Gambit", but it goes too fast and I'm terrible at tabbing. I don't know any other bands like this though, I;d like to know some too.

[wEEman33]

I know this is an Atheist forum, but there's none for GK. And I thought since many Atheist fans are into progressive stuff, this might be relevant. Anyone know of any other bands that sort of sound like GK? I finally got around to listening to this band recently and they're amazing.

Check out Aghora and At War With Self.

The former features Cynic's famous two-Sean combo on bass/drums and the latter is quite similar to Gordian Knot sound-wise despite sharing only one band member (guitarist Glenn Snelwar).

[zyquix]

Oh yeah Aghora's cool, but I just found out their first album's out of print until the next cd comes out. :(.

[wEEman33]

Oh yeah Aghora's cool, but I just found out their first album's out of print until the next cd comes out. :(.

It's been OOP for a while actually. I've been trying to track down reasonably-priced copies of that and Sean Malone's S/T--which is also OOP--for over a year now with no success thus far.

Also, one more little-known recommendation I just remembered:

Syrinx

[epitaph]

A bit funny.

I got my Aghora's digipack (the year 2000 Immortal Bliss tour version) for like 8€, and the same seller still has another one for sale for about that.
I'm not sure should I buy another copy.
Ebay has them seldom, and they dont usually go for too much.

[Thuathail]

Check out some Spiral Architect and Spastic Ink. They're not exactly like GK, but they're kinda along the same progressive/über-technical line... Watchtower's another potential one. Either way, they're all excellent bands and well worth listening to.

I haven't heard much Aghora. Only "Satya" but I loved that song... Hope I can get a hold of their album sometime.

[zyquix]

Does OOP stand for something or were you just saying that because its the singular form of 'OOPS'?

Though Spiral A. and Spastic are great bands, I wouldn't recommend them as something 'like GK'. I think he meant something a little more laid back than those guys. (check them out anyways, but don't expect any 'Reflections's or "Redemption's Way"s from them.) Jarzombek (spastic) did play on the S/T, but he didn't actually write any of the material besides his solos like he was hoping to. :(. Poor Ron was getting fucked over quite a bit in this time period. :(.

I actually haven't heard any Watchtower yet and I'm a bit ashamed. I also want to hear some off Cortlandt.

Oh and i meant "A Shaman's Whisper" not "Fischers Gambit". silly me.

[wEEman33]

Does OOP stand for something or were you just saying that because its the singular form of 'OOPS'?

OOP = Out of print

I actually haven't heard any Watchtower yet and I'm a bit ashamed. I also want to hear some off Cortlandt.

Watchtower is probably the most influential pre-1990s prog-metal/rock band besides Rush. Check them out ASAP.

"Cortlandt" doesn't qualify as a metal album, but is still quite cool, even if its influences are incredibly obvious (see: Jaco Pastorius).

[Corpseworm]

Theory in Practice pretty sweet stuff. www.theoryinpractice.cjb.net

[Corpseworm]

Well, now Im happy I bought the Aghora digipack back when it was available. Definitely a must! And Corpseworm is right, TiP are great. Ive yet have to check out Spastic Ink (some online dudes who I respect sing odes about them, so I guess I really should) - do you know whether Ink Compatible and Ink Complete are still on sale?

Spatic Ink is a definite pocket stuffer.
Btw, I just got an e-mail back from Peter Lake from Theory in Practice. He said he is with Mekong Delta now. Has anyone heard Mekong Delta??

[WhoCares]

http://www.nightmarepatrol.net/mekongdelta

I've liked most of TIP's stuff in the past...

[Corpseworm]

I didnt realize how old the stuff was, impressive. How does Mekong compare? I'm at work so I cant play anything on my pc. Peter sent me the same link.

[WhoCares]

No idea, I hadn't heard of them myself until now... I'll have to check out their downloads... it's getting harder and harder to follow all the bands...

We have about 1300 albums in our playout library, and at least double that in our real library of CDs... Plus following about 5 main genres of metal... I try to give everything at least a few spins, and if something grabs me, it definitely gets more (Gnostic for example :D) My wife has a bit different taste from mine, and sometimes there are things she loves that don't grab me at first. We're pretty lucky tho, it's rare that a couple shares such a similar taste in music...

[Corpseworm]

Your right, I have over 1000 cd's of great stuff but I couldnt give you one album title. The only bands that I remember lyrics is from Slayer's Reign in Blood and SOD.

Well thanks again my friend! We're trying to record another demo soon with new tunes. You'll be the first to get one.

[WhoCares]

sweet :D

I'm in the middle of writing something about the current demo...

I'm terrible with names and lyrics... we have lots of conversations that go something like: "you know, the guy that played guitar in that band we like..." lol if/when we meet, I'll probably ask you your name like 5 times, and keep repeating it so I don't forget...

[Germ Cell]

Oh yeah Aghora's cool, but I just found out their first album's out of print until the next cd comes out. :(.

I could upload it if you'd like.

[Germ Cell]

Spatic Ink is a definite pocket stuffer.
Btw, I just got an e-mail back from Peter Lake from Theory in Practice. He said he is with Mekong Delta now. Has anyone heard Mekong Delta??

I didn't even know they were still a band... In any case, The music of Eric Zaun is a great album.

[Corpseworm]

I dont want to be the odd man out but I just purchased GK's second album. I'm not that excited about it. Granted they are excellent musicians but its not my cup O' tea. A little weak IMO maybe I'm missing the point?

[Martinator]

If so, than I am too... I had that feeling with their first one already, and this one wasn't any improvement IMO. It could just be that their point is that there shouldn't be a point. I get the impression Sean Malone bit off a little too much here, and doesn't even come close to getting the best out of all the great musicians who contributed. It might appeal more to the doodling-loving prog-rockers out there. I like my music a bit more aggressive and swinging. In this sort of instrumental genre, I'd rather opt for Dysrythmia.

[Alpha~Omega]

GK is amazing, haven't heard anything comparable so far. Anyone here who knows how Cortland sound?

[pitchfork_man]

Spatic Ink is a definite pocket stuffer.
Btw, I just got an e-mail back from Peter Lake from Theory in Practice. He said he is with Mekong Delta now. Has anyone heard Mekong Delta??

Yeah I was talking about MEKONG DELTA last week on the prog/tech thread. I wanted to tell all the MEMBERS OF ATHEIST that in an interview with Peter Lake, that he said the reason he started playing music in the first place was when he heard Atheist -it inspired him so much.....
and now look! He went on to do TIP and MD!
Kudos, boys!!! What a tribute to your inspiration!

MEKONG DELTA is probably the fucking cream of the crop, tech/prog metal.
They're one of my faves, I like them better than SpasInc, Watchtower, Spiral, Dillinger, all the others. because they have better songs. just great songwriting wins my vote every time. They're widely unkown, I always feel like they deserve more recognition for their accomplishments. And if you read the history of the band, it becomes even more impressive.

The new material was supposedly so challenging, Peter had to go get some kind of assistance with it when Ralf Hubert sent him the stuff. I can't imagine what it would sound like but it's been so long in the making because Ralf didnt want to make another album until he found a way to take techmetal to another level. Supposedly, he has now done that.

I CANNOT FUCKING WAIT TO HEAR THIS NEXT STEP IN THE EVOLUTION!!!!!

[zyquix]

I dont think i saw any clips on their site... could you post a song?

[CogWheel5]

Yeah I was talking about MEKONG DELTA last week on the prog/tech thread. I wanted to tell all the MEMBERS OF ATHEIST that in an interview with Peter Lake, that he said the reason he started playing music in the first place was when he heard Atheist -it inspired him so much.....
and now look! He went on to do TIP and MD!
Kudos, boys!!! What a tribute to your inspiration!

MEKONG DELTA is probably the fucking cream of the crop, tech/prog metal.
They're one of my faves, I like them better than SpasInc, Watchtower, Spiral, Dillinger, all the others. because they have better songs. just great songwriting wins my vote every time. They're widely unkown, I always feel like they deserve more recognition for their accomplishments. And if you read the history of the band, it becomes even more impressive.

The new material was supposedly so challenging, Peter had to go get some kind of assistance with it when Ralf Hubert sent him the stuff. I can't imagine what it would sound like but it's been so long in the making because Ralf didnt want to make another album until he found a way to take techmetal to another level. Supposedly, he has now done that.

I CANNOT FUCKING WAIT TO HEAR THIS NEXT STEP IN THE EVOLUTION!!!!!


Hey! I think you've misunderstand the interview.
The reason Peter decided to compose technical metal was Mekong Delta.
And He didn't need any assistance with the new stuff, he needed to rehearse the new stuff..
Read the interview again and get your facts straight!
http://www.nightmarepatrol.net/mekongdelta/readarticle.php?article_id=10

[pitchfork_man]

Yes thank you for the link - that's much more accurate!
I also read someplace where he said it was 'more advanced', so I wonder what Ralf did- just faster stuff? More unpredictable note selection, or crazy timings and rhythms? If Peter Lake considers it extremely technical, I can't hardly imagine what more might be involved...They always had good melodies and a unique sound. I hope they don't toss the cool stuff for sheer technicality.

Anybody know of any links / demos / mp3s ?? I'm dying to hear this stuff.

[ScottAlarum]

GK is amazing, haven't heard anything comparable so far. Anyone here who knows how Cortland sound?

Yeah, Cortlandt sounds way more fusion. I've only ever heard it a couple of times though. A band to check out might be Circle's End, it has vocals and is more straight up but it has a bit of the kick back vibe of Gordian Knot.

[Shredi]

Good band, I really enjoy the stuff with Ron Jarzombek.

[ScottAlarum]

Good band, I really enjoy the stuff with Ron Jarzombek.

Jarzombek is awesome. Watchtower are fuckin sensational. Saw some live footage once and they we're all goin crazy onstage :grenade: as well as playing like demons!
What about O.S.I? Anybody heard or dig that stuff?
Or how about On the Virg? If your more of a fusion head?