Bands Like Polyphia (With Music Videos)

Polyphia are a unique band.

You’re probably thinking there really isn’t anyone else like them out there.

And you’re right.

But there are bands that make similar music.

Some of it is harder or veers into various other genres. But all of the bands like Polyphia listed below have something in common, be it the sound, the style, or something else.

Keep reading to find some more great music to listen to while you wait for new songs from Polyphia.

 

Bands Like Polyphia

Animals As Leaders

It’s safe to say that Animals as Leaders set the standard for modern progressive rock and metal artists. It was started by guitarist Tosin Abasi back in 2007, and it changed lineups a few times.

Abasi remains the band’s creative leader and principal songwriter. At this point, Animals as Leaders is one of the most prominent names of the so-called “djent” movement.

While they’re heavier than most of the stuff released by Polyphia, Animals as Leaders are highly respected among all groups of guitar fans.

In fact, Tosin Abasi is considered a modern-day guitar hero, pushing the boundaries of the instrument. One thing’s certain – you’ve never heard a guitarist like Tosin.

 

Intervals

Coming from Toronto, Intervals is another instrumental progressive rock band, with a fairly similar style to Polyphia.

The group started as a quartet back in 2011, releasing two EPs not long after their formation. Their first full-length record called A Voice Within also featured vocals by Mike Semesky. It is their only release with a singer.

Since 2015, the only official member is guitarist Aaron Marshall, making it his personal project. The rest is just a revolving lineup of various session and touring musicians.

Either way, if you’re into Polyphia, you’ll definitely love Intervals. They even did some live shows together back in 2017.

 

Chon

If you want a band that’s pretty similar to Polyphia, Chon are probably as close as it gets. What’s more, they even toured together with Polyphia in 2015.

The group was formed back in 2008. There were some minor personnel changes along the way, but they went back to the original formation in 2016.

So far, they’ve released one self-titled demo recording, two EPs, and three full-length records. Each of these releases is unique in its own way, but you always get that math rock goodness, combined with various different influences.

 

Periphery

Very similar to Animals as Leaders, Periphery is a band that changed the game in metal music during the 21st century.

Just when everyone thought that nothing new could be done in the genre, guitarist and composer Misha Mansoor pushed the boundaries of metal with his solo project Bulb.

One thing led to another, and he started Periphery with a few other musicians. Under his leadership, the lineup changed, and they’re now operating as a 5-piece, with three guitars, vocals, and drums.

Their stuff is pretty complex, although it fits perfectly with Spencer Sotelo’s amazing vocals. They have six studio albums so far, each delivering an awesome combination of heaviness and progressiveness.

 

The Contortionist

The Contortionist are easily one of the most underrated bands in modern metal music. Their style is not that easy to describe, so they usually fall into the progressive metal and avant-garde metal categories.

Three members have been the same throughout the band’s existence: guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, as well as drummer Joey Baca.

If you look into the band’s influences, you’ll find anything from jazz fusion masters like Pat Metheny, up to extreme metal titans like Meshuggah. You can notice all of these elements in the band’s music, but they’ve managed to blend them perfectly and make it all work.

 

TTNG

Originally known for their ironic name, This Town Needs Guns is a combination of prog, indie, and math rock.

Currently operating as a trio, the band is led by guitarist Tim Collis who is now the only original member in the fold. In fact, his guitar work is the center point of the band, although they also implement vocals in their music, sung by bassist Henry Tremain.

Their music is pretty versatile and Polyphia fans are usually also fond of TTNG. There are certainly some obvious similarities. You can get started on TTNG with pretty much any of their four full-length studio albums.

 

Divine Realm

While they’re not as big as Polyphia or Periphery, Divine Realm are worthy of everyone’s praise. Just like Polyphia and most of the names on this list, the focal point of their work is guitars.

But they’re not that stereotypical type of a guitar-centric progressive band. There’s more to it than just fast guitar parts and highly technical skills.

Although they are not so famous, they certainly know their way around creating new and unique musical landscapes. That said, they are a bit heavier.

Divine Realm are more in the vein of Animals as Leaders or Between the Buried and Me. You’ll most certainly love what they’re doing.

 

Wide Eyes

Another band that’s not as commercially big and successful as most of the other names here, Wide Eyes shouldn’t be underestimated. They have several official releases so far, each featuring a pretty lengthy tracklist.

They’re a 3-piece group from Ohio, and they’re known in some prog-loving circles as a band that enjoys writing a lot of music. You can find all of their stuff on Bandcamp and YouTube. If you want to get into them, you can start with pretty much anything they’ve done.

 

Scale The Summit

Formed in the mid-2000s, Scale the Summit is a band led by guitarist Chris Letchford. Although the group mostly worked as a four-piece over the past years, with Travis Levrier taking secondary guitar duties, they’re now operating as a trio.

Back in their formative days, Levrier and Letchford realized that they have more potential writing instrumental instead of vocal-centric music. And that’s how things have been with the band since their very first release.

If you’re into guitar-oriented stuff in progressive metal settings, then Scale the Summit is a band that you should definitely check out.

 

Liquid Tension Experiment

Up next, we’d like to mention Liquid Tension Experiment, the legendary side project of current and former Dream Theater members John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess. Rounding up the lineup is the Chapman stick and bass master Tony Levin, best known for his work with King Crimson.

Their music is most certainly not as dreamy and soft as Polyphia and Chon. Nonetheless, you’ll enjoy their polyrhythmic progressive chaos, which somehow comes together perfectly in great-sounding and coherent musical pieces.

As you’d expect with such a lineup of virtuosos, the music showcases both their technical abilities and extremely creative writing skills. They have three albums so far, and each of them is worth checking out. If you still haven’t we’d advise you to do so as soon as possible. You won’t regret it.

 

I Built The Sky

Coming from Melbourne, Australia, guitarist Rohan “Ro Han” Stevenson has been releasing original music since 2012 under the “I Built The Sky” moniker.

Aside from a bit of an unusual name choice for this project, Rohan has some pretty exciting musical ideas. He might not be as big as some names on this list, but his stuff is pretty great.

There are a lot of complex riffs, all interpolated with innovative lead sections and an unusual choice of chord extensions.

Although not super famous, Rohan’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. He even got the chance to hold a masterclass on songwriting over at Cal Poly Pomona University in Los Angeles. That on its own is reason enough to check him out.

 

Jason Richardson

Of course, Jason Richardson has collaborated with Polyphia. But he’s a very talented and prolific artist on his own, releasing four solo albums, and several other releases as a band member or a collaborator. As far as Polyphia goes, he’s present on Aviator from their 2014 debut full-length record Muse.

But Jason’s music heavier. And he’s pretty much the ultimate shredder, delivering some of the most aggressive yet very clever metal solos and riffs. Just take a listen to Titan and you’ll get the drift.

 

Plini

Australian guitarist Plini Roessler-Holgate, on the other hand, takes things easier and softer. Professionally known as just Plini, he’s a true shredder, and one of the best guitarists of today.

Looking at this list, he’s one of the safe bets if you want to try out new music that is close to what Polyphia is doing.

Since 2011 he has released six EPs and two full-length albums. Although generally softer, Plini does have some “djenty” stuff here and there. Either way, there’s a high chance you’ll like his music.

 

Covet

Yvette Young was about 18 years old or so when she started making her own material. One thing led to another and she started working on her own solo releases.

However, she’s best known for her work with her trio Covet. There are three EPs and two full albums worth of material in their catalog. You can start with pretty much anything and it will definitely have some Polyphia vibes.

 

Artists Like Polyphia: Final Thoughts

Polyphia is an amazing band, so you can’t expect anyone else to sound exactly the same. But all of the bands like Polyphia mentioned here are amazing in their own right and they are similar to them in some way. If you’re a fan of Polyphia, there is a high chance you’ll enjoy at least some of the artists listed above.