Progressive metal

Progressive metal (shortened to prog, or prog metal when differentiating from progressive rock) is a heavy brand of progressive rock which is characterized by the use of complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate and virtuosic instrumental playing. The high level of musical proficiency is often combined with a lyrical counterpart in the form of epic textual concepts, resulting in lengthy songs and concept albums. As a result of these factors, progressive metal is rarely heard on mainstream radio and video programs.

History

The origins of progressive metal can be traced back to progressive rock acts of the 1960s and '70s such as Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis and Rush. However, progressive metal did not develop into a genre of its own until the mid-1980s. Acts such as Queensrÿche, Dream Theater and Fates Warning took elements of these progressive rock groups – primarily the instrumentation and compositional structure of songs – and merged them with heavy metal characteristics attributed to bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. The result could be described as a progressive rock mentality with heavy metal sounds.

The genre received mainstream exposure in the early '90s when Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity" (from 1990's Empire) became a massive radio and MTV hit. It was not a typical progressive metal song (it is more accurately described as a heavy metal power ballad), but nonetheless it opened Queensrÿche's music to a whole new legion of fans, which in turn had an effect on the popularity of other progressive metal bands of the time. In 1993, Dream Theater's "Pull Me Under" (from 1992's Images and Words) became popular on radio and MTV. It is a more typical progressive metal song than "Silent Lucidity", but still more accurately described as straight heavy metal. Dream Theater would remain a popular progressive metal band from the early 1990s to today.

In 2003, the Black Mages released progressive metal-influenced covers of popular songs from the video game series Final Fantasy, proving that this genre is expanding. As a matter of fact, the progressive metal-oriented band Rush released a live album that went platnum in 2003, and other popular prog-metal groups continued to draw crowds and produce quality music.

Diversity

Progressive metal can be broken down into countless sub-genres corresponding to certain other styles of music that have influenced progressive metal groups. For example, two bands that are commonly identified as progressive metal, King's X and Opeth, are at opposite ends of the sonic spectrum to one another. King's X are greatly influenced by softer mainstream rock and grunge, whereas Opeth's growling vocals and heavy guitars often see them cited as death metal.

Classical and symphonic music have also had a significant impact on sections of the progressive metal genre, with bands such as Symphony X and Spock's Beard fusing traditional progressive metal with a complexity and grandeur usually found in classical compositions. Similarly, bands such as Liquid Tension Experiment and Planet X have a jazz influence, with extended solo sections that often feature "trading solos". Furthermore, Liquid Tension Experiment exhibits an improvisational element that is rare in heavy metal, usually a very structured genre. Another important band, Cynic, fused progressive metal, death metal, and jazz/fusion in a very diverse and unique work known as Focus.

If fringe progressive metal acts are to be included, Tool would be the most popular group in the genre. Tool exploded to prominence in the mid '90s with the release of their third album, Ænima, and have since gone on to become one of the most popular rock acts in the world. Their eclectic mix of heavy metal, rhythmic drumming, complex structures and deep lyrics has prompted many people to classify them as a progressive metal band although their music differs substantially from traditional progressive acts. However, Tool's next release, 2001's Lateralus solidified the band's standing in the progressive metal scene with its complex structure and highly conceptual nature, although some purists contend that Tool is more akin to industrial music rather than traditional progressive metal.

In Japan, a fusion of video game music and progressive metal became popular in 2003 with the rise of The Black Mages, a band that produced remakes of famous Final Fantasy tunes. Although still new, this trend could increase in the future.

Influential and important artists