Top 10 Best Instrumental Metal Bands
Instrumental metal bands have carved out a unique niche in the music world, delivering powerful performances that rely solely on the prowess of their instruments. By forgoing vocals, these groups place the spotlight squarely on their musical abilities, crafting intricate compositions that speak volumes without uttering a single word.
The absence of lyrics allows you to immerse yourself fully in the music, interpreting the emotions and themes in a personal way. This approach showcases the technical skills of the musicians, highlighting complex guitar riffs, dynamic drumming, and innovative bass lines that might otherwise be overshadowed by vocals.
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Animals as Leaders
Animals as Leaders is an American progressive metal band from Washington, D.C. It was formed in 2007 by guitarist Tosin Abasi and currently includes Abasi, guitarist Javier Reyes, and drummer Matt Garstka. The band is known for its instrumental compositions and complex musical style, often described... read more
Abasi should get the Nobel Peace Prize.
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Russian Circles
Russian Circles is an American three-piece instrumental rock and metal band from Chicago. They have primarily headlined their own tours in recent years, but earlier in their career they toured with acts such as Boris, Isis, Red Sparowes, Minus the Bear, Daughters, Coheed and Cambria, Mono, and Pelican... read more
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Sunn O)))
They don't work with riffs, they work with textures. The ultimate Drone Metal band.
At first, I thought, "Why am I listening to this? This is just a bunch of chords being played over and over again." For some reason, I didn't want to turn it off, and now I love Sunn!
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Pelican
Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Des Plaines, Illinois. Formed in 2000, the band is a key part of the Chicago post-metal scene and is known for its heavy, atmospheric, and primarily instrumental compositions. They have released several critically acclaimed albums and are associated with the Hydra... read more
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Blotted Science
Blotted Science is an instrumental technical metal supergroup formed in 2004. It is led by guitarist Ron Jarzombek, with bassist Alex Webster and drummer Hannes Grossmann. The group is known for its complex compositions and technical proficiency.
They play like a technical death metal band without vocals.
Ron Jarzombek is a genius. This is the best band ever!
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Earth
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Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica is a Finnish metal band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso, along with drummer Mikko Sirén. Known for blending classical music with metal, they first gained recognition with their... read more
They do lots of classical-metal, I guess you'd say. Their music has even been dubbed "cello metal". It isn't my preference, but they are pretty popular.
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Scale the Summit
This band is so good, very technical but soulful and creative all at once. It made me want to learn to play the 7 string guitar so I could learn their songs and play with the record.
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Polyphia
Polyphia is an American instrumental progressive metal band based in Dallas, Texas, formed in 2010. The band is known for blending elements of progressive rock, metal, hip hop, and R&B into their music. They have released several albums and have gained a significant following for their technical musicianship... read more
Insane technical parts and some of the best guitar melodies I've ever heard. Tim Henson is a theory genius.
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7 for 4
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Demetori
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Bongripper
Bongripper is an American doom metal band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 2005 and is known for its heavy, instrumental-focused sound. Notable releases include Satan Worshipping Doom and Hate Ashbury.
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If These Trees Could Talk
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Liquid Tension Experiment
Liquid Tension Experiment is an instrumental progressive metal band founded in 1997 by Mike Portnoy, who was then the drummer for Dream Theater. The band has released two studio albums through Magna Carta Records. It is known for its complex compositions and features musicians John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess... read more
Also in the band was John Petrucci. The two albums are definitely worth listening to, although it's important to note that the band doesn't exist anymore.
Just listen to "When the Water Breaks". Simply one of the best progressive metal songs ever.
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Intervals
Hands down one of the best instrumental bands I know, especially since they are not only good at making awesome individual tracks but also excel at making each album a consistent experience and journey, making it a "Gesamtkunstwerk" in itself.
I just found these guys. I'm loving their stuff!
The best instrumental out there, guitar has soul and is not as technical as the others.
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Karma to Burn
Karma to Burn was formed in Hicksville, WV, by guitarist William. Karma to Burn is a highly original heavy rock band who insisted on remaining an instrumental combo. The band doesn't even name their songs, simply assigning them numbers as they are written.
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Mastery
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Sick Shark
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Cloudkicker
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For Giants
This is a phenomenal band. It should be more well-known.
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Vitalism
Um, these guys are the cream of the crop. How can you be this complex yet groove harder than anyone else?
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Flametal
Flametal is a progressive metal band known for combining heavy metal with flamenco music. The group was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area by guitarist Benjamin Woods. Their style blends traditional acoustic Spanish guitar techniques with electric distortion and aggressive drumming.
They combine real flamenco guitar and rhythms with thrash, prog, and neo-classical metal. Their first album (2005) had some songs with vocals, but later they started doing what they do best - instrumental metal. I totally dig their 2014 album, with pieces like: Cosmosis (Bulerias), Magnetic Propulsion (Tientos), Cuatro Cervezas (Sevillanas), and Alien Ghost Maneuvers. By the way, not long ago I made a Top 10 list about them - there's lots of info in it.
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Pomegranate Tiger
This is a very underrated band. These guys are awesome!
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Wake of Shame
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Tiluland
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Wide Eyes
One of my favorite bands. So many sick songs. Volume and Terraforming are two of my personal favorite albums.