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Progressive metal (often shortened to prog metal or prog) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" [1] and amplified guitar-driven sound of the former with the more experimental, cerebral or quasi-classical compositions of the latter.
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- Gojira. When brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier co-founded a bedroom band called Godzilla, they just wanted to imitate their heroes Machine Head and Morbid Angel.
- Symphony X. Led by virtuoso guitarist Michael Romeo, Symphony X are never knowingly under-the-top. Exploding into view with their self-titled debut in 1994, the Americans took the template laid down by Dream Theater, Queensryche and the rest, and cranked the intensity up to boiling point.
- Iron Maiden. No one would dispute Iron Maiden’s credentials as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, but their status as authentic prog metallers is somewhat less celebrated.
- Enslaved. Enslaved are hailed as leaders of Viking metal, but their palate ventures far beyond that. Mayhem guitarist Euronymous turned the band on to Tangerine Dream in his record shop, Helvete, and it ignited a passion for esoteric sounds that made them second-wave black metal’s most genre-smashing band.
- Opeth, 'Blackwater Park' (2001) With ‘Blackwater Park’, Opeth mastered what could be capable with progressive metal. It’s an album filled with personality and careful attention to detail, easily blending together moments of dissonance and harmony.
- Dream Theater, 'Images and Words' (1992) It’s almost hard to imagine the thought and care that went into crafting Dream Theater’s opus, ‘Images and Words.’
- Queensryche, 'Operation Mindcrime' (1988) ‘Operation Mindcrime’ helped bring progressive metal to the masses, showing how appealing the guitar work and sound could be to anybody.
- Fates Warning, 'Awaken the Guardian' (1986) Fates Warning would become godfathers of progressive metal, constantly evolving their work from one song to the next.
- Dream Theater. 1,806 votes. Dream Theater is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of progressive metal, with a discography spanning over three decades filled with technically brilliant musicianship and complex arrangements.
- Opeth. 1,532 votes. Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band that has been captivating audiences since the early 1990s with their unique blend of death metal, folk, and progressive rock elements.
- Tool. 1,875 votes. Tool is an awe-inspiring progressive metal band known for their intricate, often haunting soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics. Their music merges heavy riffs with polyrhythmic drumming and atmospheric arrangements, creating a unique and captivating style.
- Rush. 1,236 votes. Canadian legends Rush are often cited as one of the most influential bands in progressive metal history, with their signature blend of hard rock, progressive elements, and thought-provoking lyrics inspiring countless musicians to follow in their footsteps.
Jul 20, 2024 · This is why the bands who actually have new shit to say deserve to get their voices heard. Below, Metal Hammer has collected seven albums from 2024 that truly sound peerless and progressive. Whether it’s by immersive psychedelia or cinematic black metal, prepare to have your mind expanded.
Oct 30, 2023 · Progressive metal’s restless evolution also opens up the neverending question of, where can it go next? Fortunately, we think we have the answer. Metal Hammer’s compiled 10 up-and-coming extreme and experimental bands who could well dictate the future of heavy music for the next generation.
The following is a list of notable progressive metal artists, bands and groups. This list contains some bands that at least at some point during their career played progressive metal. Rooted in the early 1980s, the genre fused mellow progressive rock with a heavy metal aesthetic. [1]