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.

Related Topics:
Progressive rock - 1960s - '70s - Yes - Pink Floyd - King Crimson - Genesis - Rush - 1980s - Queensrÿche - Dream Theater - Fates Warning - Heavy metal - Metallica - Megadeth - Deep Purple - Black Sabbath - Iron Maiden

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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 throuhgout the 1990s and into the early 21st century.

Related Topics:
'90s - 1990 - Empire - Radio - MTV - Power ballad - 1993 - 1992 - Images and Words

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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.

Related Topics:
2003 - Black Mages - Video game - Final Fantasy - Rush

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