Was Cirith Ungol progressive metal?

[metalized]

for me yes!

What they were playing was and still is so fresh, so unique and so amazing, that I think they deserve to be called progressive. That is what progress is all about I assume: Creating something that nobody has created before, something that will always be a point of reference.

So yes, Cirith Ungol were progressive metal for me.
Even now now has been able to capture this unique atmosphere they created.

Sorry if I offend the true metallers who despise the the world progressive, but I wouldn't expect to find one in this forum.

[Sgt. Kuntz]

Na, not really. I'd say they were even pretty backwards with their 70s vibes, especially on "Frost And Fire", but also throughout their whole discography. Okay, if you call them progressive, fair enough, but strictly speaken they just played classic, old-fashioned heavy metal, with an epic touch here and there.

[Prof]

Na, not really. I'd say they were even pretty backwards with their 70s vibes, especially on "Frost And Fire", but also throughout their whole discography. Okay, if you call them progressive, fair enough, but strictly speaking they just played classic, old-fashioned heavy metal, with an epic touch here and there.

True. But there's something to Metalized's reasoning as well. 'Technical' does not per se equal 'progressive' in the strict sense of the term (listen to most post-Dream Theater 'prog'metalbands and draw your own conclusions). Progressive would be something innovative. But since everything in rock music has been done to death by now, creating something truly progressive seems to be a long shot really. Every artist in one way or another emulates artists that have gone before. Nothing wrong with that, on the contrary even. If you're a good songwriter, quality will shine through.

[Loomis]

If I remember correctly I once read the description that Cirith Ungol were "a mix of Black Sabbath and Rush with a Demon at the microphone". I guess this description is not too wrong.

[Prof]

If I remember correctly I once read the description that Cirith Ungol were "a mix of Black Sabbath and Rush with a Demon at the microphone". I guess this description is not too wrong.

Sounds about right.

[metalized]

True. But there's something to Metalized's reasoning as well. 'Technical' does not per se equal 'progressive' in the strict sense of the term (listen to most post-Dream Theater 'prog'metalbands and draw your own conclusions). Progressive would be something innovative. But since everything in rock music has been done to death by now, creating something truly progressive seems to be a long shot really. Every artist in one way or another emulates artists that have gone before. Nothing wrong with that, on the contrary even. If you're a good songwriter, quality will shine through.

there is so much truth in this statement.