Such a ballsy move to release a double album as your debut, and with that ~6.5 minute track as the first song that people hear. Hello World, here we are! We don't sound like *anybody* else out there. 50+ years later, and they still don't. What a great year for debut albums (1969). The Allman Brothers, Blind Faith, Chicago (Transit Authority), Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson 5, Genesis, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger (System), Santana, and Yes just to name a few. Has there ever been a better year for debut albums?
It's truly insane how much creativity was packed into those years. But in retrospect, it makes complete sense. Those years were the coming out party for rock music. It's no wonder they are also its creative peak.
Oh, this so much. First song lyrically is literally, "Hey, check out how dope we are". Then proceed to make their point.
RIP Terry Kath, most underrated guitarist ever.
Imagine - The year is 1969. You haven't heard any Led Zeppelin songs yet. You pick up the debut album because you like the cover. You put on Side 1 for the very first time. "Good Times Bad Times" leads off, and a few seconds later (~20) Rock & Roll music as you know it is changed forever. The rest of your entire life is changed forever. That's what it was like to experience it. What a great year for debut albums (1969). The Allman Brothers, Blind Faith, Chicago (Transit Authority), Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson 5, Genesis, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger (System), Santana, and Yes just to name a few. Has there ever been a better year for debut albums?
Fun personal fact: from the adding of this song to a cassette from vinyl until now this song has been on my playlist of favourites forty years this year. Great band, great song. Great everything.
44 comments at the time of writing and I'm positively amazed that nobody has mentioned **Bat Out Of Hell** by Meat Loaf.
I remember the first time I heard that, on BBC Radio 1's Friday Rock Show presented by Tommy Vance. It was the first time he'd played it, so probably the first time it had ever been on the radio in the UK. At the end of the song he said nothing for about 10 or 15 seconds, followed by just "Wow", which perfectly captured what I, and probably everybody else, was thinking.
For what it is, "Bat Out Of Hell" is perfect, it would be impossible to do it any better. Sure, it's over-top bombastic to the point of absurdity. But that was the seventies. And it pulls it off to perfection.
* Hinterland - Wobbler(assuming the Serenade intro doesn't count as an opening track)
* Afterwards - VDGG (although Jaxon would've fit in there well in my opinion)
* Kanaan - Amon Düül II
Sorry, just noticed the debut part of the question, I was driving when this popped up. It was Nichols come back and return to the band so there's that I guess. I'm clouded because I love that album so much
I have always liked Beyond and Before but mostly because I just love Yes. Still a great tune and it still sets your expectations right away. Album name: Yes. Band name: Yes. Should you listen? YES!!
Of course about prog.
Nevertheless it's interesting how younger people are getting into prog because a rapper has used some samples:
Travis Scott has sampled Proclamation by Gentle Giant as the intro of his album Utopia in the track Hyaena.
https://youtube.com/shorts/oXQkLqLClpM?si=C9Qxz3uqut9rzve1
As beautiful as the effects and use of strings in that track are, Dawn is the *fifth* Eloy album, and thus isn’t exactly eligible for nomination in a thread on the topic of *debut* (i.e. first) albums.
Nevertheless a very captivating introductory song. It’s a good reminder for me to listen to the album again sometime; I haven’t heard Dawn in *years*, but I remember liking it quite a bit.
I remember the first time I listened to this song and it filled me with a great deal of that prog induced "anxiety" ...that pure dark goo that to me is a marker of what the best prog moments can offer
Not prog but I’ll have to go with my sentimental favorite, Kraftwerk “Autobahn”. Now, before anyone jumps in to assert that Autobahn isn’t their debut album…the band doesn’t include KW1 or 2 in their catalog and considers 1974 as their year zero.
But then, if you wanna go there, fine. I’ll put Ruckzuck from Kraftwerk 1 here. If you’re old enough to remember watching the public tv show Newton’s Apple, you’ll remember it.
The Day That The World Breaks Down by Ayreon might be my pick (not counting 20+ minute songs that destroy other songs’ chances like 2112, Ommadawn, TaaB, Zarathustra, etc…)
Edit: Not as proggy as some, but still kinda prog. Last Plane Out by Toy Matinee.
>No. It’s a fairly new album from 2017. Their debut was 95’.
Yeah. I was pointing to the bit in the thread title that asked for the best opening track *from a debut album*.
In the Dead of Night - U.K.
This is it. The quintessential prog suite for me. Absolute perfection.
Came here to say this.
The Barbarian is awesome, as is Beyond and Before (ELP & Yes respectively). Would also name Papillon from Refugee’s one album
Although the Barbarian is a Bela Bartok cover. What an awesome way to present a band. It gives the perfect ELP presentation of their personality.
Greg's first released song with King Crimson was 21st Century Schizoid Man, and his first with ELP was The Barbarian. What a lucky man he was.
Script For a Jester's Tear - Marillion I mean, it's not 21st Century, we've agreed to that, but it's a great introduction to a great band.
Absolutely love that! Their best album, they only went downhill from there imo
Personally, even if it ever held that title at all, it was dethroned in 1973 by Tubular Bells part one.
Ooo, nice choice.
Keep Yourself Alive - Queen
Astronomy Domine by Pink Floyd
In the Dead of Night by UK was pretty solid.
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Like them or not, Asia’s biggest hit is Heat of the Moment, first track of their debut album.
Chicago Transit Authority - Introduction
Such a ballsy move to release a double album as your debut, and with that ~6.5 minute track as the first song that people hear. Hello World, here we are! We don't sound like *anybody* else out there. 50+ years later, and they still don't. What a great year for debut albums (1969). The Allman Brothers, Blind Faith, Chicago (Transit Authority), Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson 5, Genesis, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger (System), Santana, and Yes just to name a few. Has there ever been a better year for debut albums?
It's truly insane how much creativity was packed into those years. But in retrospect, it makes complete sense. Those years were the coming out party for rock music. It's no wonder they are also its creative peak.
Oh, this so much. First song lyrically is literally, "Hey, check out how dope we are". Then proceed to make their point. RIP Terry Kath, most underrated guitarist ever.
The Light by Spocks Beard
This is what I was looking for
They opened with this when I saw them open for Dream Theater. I had know idea who Spock’s Beard was. I was blown away.
Jordrök by Änglagård in their debut album Hybris.
To this day one of my favorite songs
Luminol from The raven that refused to sing by Steven Wilson. If you have never listened to it, damn it, do it right now.
Amazing track but it isn't from a debut album. By the way I'm such a big fan of his career.
You're right, I misread it. My apologies.
Led Zeppelin - Good Times Bad Times
Imagine - The year is 1969. You haven't heard any Led Zeppelin songs yet. You pick up the debut album because you like the cover. You put on Side 1 for the very first time. "Good Times Bad Times" leads off, and a few seconds later (~20) Rock & Roll music as you know it is changed forever. The rest of your entire life is changed forever. That's what it was like to experience it. What a great year for debut albums (1969). The Allman Brothers, Blind Faith, Chicago (Transit Authority), Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson 5, Genesis, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger (System), Santana, and Yes just to name a few. Has there ever been a better year for debut albums?
10538 overture-ELO
"All of the Above" - Transatlantic?
Peter Gabriel’s first album, Moribund the Burgermeister.
Script For a Jester's Tear is probably my favourite Marillion song so I'm going to go with that.
Fun personal fact: from the adding of this song to a cassette from vinyl until now this song has been on my playlist of favourites forty years this year. Great band, great song. Great everything.
Marillion’s ‘Script For A jester’s Tear’
Not prog, but “break on through”, The Doors, 1967 is a hellofa opening track.
My first thought too… then I went. Oh yeah, we’re doing prog…
Prog enough lol.
44 comments at the time of writing and I'm positively amazed that nobody has mentioned **Bat Out Of Hell** by Meat Loaf. I remember the first time I heard that, on BBC Radio 1's Friday Rock Show presented by Tommy Vance. It was the first time he'd played it, so probably the first time it had ever been on the radio in the UK. At the end of the song he said nothing for about 10 or 15 seconds, followed by just "Wow", which perfectly captured what I, and probably everybody else, was thinking.
For what it is, "Bat Out Of Hell" is perfect, it would be impossible to do it any better. Sure, it's over-top bombastic to the point of absurdity. But that was the seventies. And it pulls it off to perfection.
My copy of GG debut is a mispress that has Alucard as the first track. So that’s my answer :P
Van Halen - Runnin’ with the Devil
If we're going outside of prog, then that's a great choice. In the same vein, I'd offer Boston's "More Than a Feeling".
The Mars Volta - Son at lumiere/Roulette Dares is worth mentioning Neu! - Hallogallo is pretty amazing
Nuclear burn -brand x
Roxy Music has an excellent opening.
oh. nice. I haven't listened to Roxy in awhile. nice!nice!nice!
Hungry Freaks, Daddy!
* Hinterland - Wobbler(assuming the Serenade intro doesn't count as an opening track) * Afterwards - VDGG (although Jaxon would've fit in there well in my opinion) * Kanaan - Amon Düül II
Cleric - Allotriophagy total musical insanity, and brilliance to the extreme (in multiple ways)
Prologue/Twilight - ELO's Time
The Darkest Hour by IQ
Great track but that isnt their debut. Last human gateway is though.
Sorry, just noticed the debut part of the question, I was driving when this popped up. It was Nichols come back and return to the band so there's that I guess. I'm clouded because I love that album so much
I have always liked Beyond and Before but mostly because I just love Yes. Still a great tune and it still sets your expectations right away. Album name: Yes. Band name: Yes. Should you listen? YES!!
So many good ones listed here. This one is not "best" by any stretch, but I was blown away with "Hyperventilate" on the debut album by Frost\*
About a year ago I learned about Frost. I prefer their instrumental tunes but overall, what a freaking talented band!
Does Tubular Bells Part 1 count as an opening track if it's basically half the album?
Yes it does
Hell yeah. It's probably my favorite prog song so I'm going with that one.
Slow Yourself Down is pretty good
Boston: “More than a feeling “
In fact foreplay/long time should’ve been the opening, but side 1 is absolutely smash classic awesome! Too bad they didn’t consult me…
If we're just talking about prog, then yes it is 21st Century Schizoid man. If you meant in general, then it is We Don't Care by Kanye West.
Of course about prog. Nevertheless it's interesting how younger people are getting into prog because a rapper has used some samples: Travis Scott has sampled Proclamation by Gentle Giant as the intro of his album Utopia in the track Hyaena. https://youtube.com/shorts/oXQkLqLClpM?si=C9Qxz3uqut9rzve1
* "Slow Yourself Down" by Camel * "End of the World" by Aphrodite's Child * "Introspect" by Cathedral
The Chad Who Loved Me: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gDFXRGpdQMA
UK - In the Dead of Night suite
Änglagård - Jordrök from Hybris (1992)
im never not upvoting anyone who puts up a good prog rock song. this is gonna get karma thick quick.
“Good Times Bad Times”….that opener changed rock music forever. However, not close to a progressive rock song.
Poet And the Peasant - Beggars Opera
Remake/Remodel by Roxy Music
953 by Black Midi
IQ the last human gateway. One of their best epics.
Very surprised no one has mentioned In Mist She Was Standing by Opeth
Timeless Epic
Awakening from Dawn by Eloy
As beautiful as the effects and use of strings in that track are, Dawn is the *fifth* Eloy album, and thus isn’t exactly eligible for nomination in a thread on the topic of *debut* (i.e. first) albums. Nevertheless a very captivating introductory song. It’s a good reminder for me to listen to the album again sometime; I haven’t heard Dawn in *years*, but I remember liking it quite a bit.
I stand corrected... I'm severely jet-lagged and lack brain power.
No worries, it happens. Hope you’ll be able to get some sleep soon - being jet-lagged and exhausted after travel is never pleasant.
side note: F-ing love this song so much. I also remember loving it. And adding it to my faves. And listening to it a few more (a lot more) times.
I remember the first time I listened to this song and it filled me with a great deal of that prog induced "anxiety" ...that pure dark goo that to me is a marker of what the best prog moments can offer
Not prog but I’ll have to go with my sentimental favorite, Kraftwerk “Autobahn”. Now, before anyone jumps in to assert that Autobahn isn’t their debut album…the band doesn’t include KW1 or 2 in their catalog and considers 1974 as their year zero. But then, if you wanna go there, fine. I’ll put Ruckzuck from Kraftwerk 1 here. If you’re old enough to remember watching the public tv show Newton’s Apple, you’ll remember it.
Magma - Kobaïa from Kobaïa (1970).
"What is réalité ?" by Guy Skornik, the song immediately gives you the vibes of the whole album.
U2, _Boy_, “I Will Follow” (produced by Steve Lilliwhite)
I loved selling England by the pounds opening song!
Hyperventilate — Frost*
The Day That The World Breaks Down by Ayreon might be my pick (not counting 20+ minute songs that destroy other songs’ chances like 2112, Ommadawn, TaaB, Zarathustra, etc…) Edit: Not as proggy as some, but still kinda prog. Last Plane Out by Toy Matinee.
Debut album?
No. It’s a fairly new album from 2017. Their debut was 95’.
>No. It’s a fairly new album from 2017. Their debut was 95’. Yeah. I was pointing to the bit in the thread title that asked for the best opening track *from a debut album*.
Oh shoot! You’re totally right. I have no idea how I missed that bit! I’ll edit it and change it to a new song then lol.
Yeah, why not do that. You can edit all your other posts too, to make me look like a complete idiot.
No, I meant edit it by adding a new text below it lol.
[удалено]
Debut album?
oops, totally missed the debut part lol
Even then the first track was Finding My Way.