Progressive Metal

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Progressive metal, more commonly know as prog metal, is characterized by genre transgression and instrumental virtuosity. Its signature features are guitar driven songs that have complex time signatures and very intricate playing.

Progressive metal as a genre is associated with acts such as Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensrÿche, who had their heyday in the early 1990s, but progressive elements have been fused into metal virtually since the inception of metal. For instance, on their early releases, Black Sabbath would incorporate jazzy passages into their compositions, while also drawing on other genres, and many proto-metal acts also had backgrounds in progressive rock and heavy psychedelic rock. In the early to mid 1980s, some NWoBHM groups, such as Iron Maiden would find direct inspiration in progressive rock acts like Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson and incorporate progressive elements, such as complex song structures, twin guitars and changes in time and tempo into their style, while the cult band Mercyful Fate were known for blatantly disregarding the conventions of composition in popular music, opting for complex and unusual song structures.

So, progressiveness was a part of metal since the inception of the genre, but it was not until the late 1980s and mid 1990s as bands like Watchtower, Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, Psychotic Waltz, and Dream Theater that progressive metal became established as an independent subgenre. These bands would draw both on previously established metal genres, like NWOBHM, and progressive rock acts of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Especially Dream Theater would become iconic of the genre, and their instrumentation, which includes prominent keyboards, became the blueprint for many progressive metal bands to follow. The music that came out was very diverse and even symphonic at times. Not all of it was overly technical, though some bands such as Dream Theater were very technical, while others, like Fates Warning and Watchtower emphasized odd time signature. Psychotic Waltz incorporated psychedelia into their sound, and Queensrÿche began to operate with complex lyrical themes.

After progressive metal had been somewhat popular for some time, it began to take on more extreme forms such as progressive death metal, and so on. Bands such as Edge of Sanity and Atheist took prog metal to greater heights with their infusion of prog and death metal. Atheist also added a jazz/fusion sound to their music to make it true progressive death metal, as did Pestilence on their jazz-influenced Spheres. Also during this time, bands such as Opeth and Voivod changed their style to a more progressive sound. While Voivod changed in the early 1990’s, Opeth became a more progressive metal band in the late 1990’s which was probably an effect of the progressive metal movement that was going on at the time. Some already established metal acts in other genres would similarly cross over into progressive metal territory, such as Savatage, who - although having a background in traditional metal and power metal - released several progressive metal albums. In parallel with the development of progressive extreme metal genres, many power metal acts would take their music in a more progressive direction, resulting in the subgenre of progressive power metal (which is included under power metal here at the MMA) some of which, like Kamelot and Savatage, would eventually become fully fledged progressive metal acts.

Most bands in the progressive metal genre have their own unique style; whether it is more spacey, more symphonic, or more technical while others follow the Dream Theater configuration to a smaller or greater extent (these are sometimes referred to as 'traditional progressive metal' bands), but they all have an equal balance between the influences. Over the years progressive metal has gained the title of having longer songs then regular metal, and while this is mostly true, it isn’t always.

These bands are here because they are different, in a sense, than regular metal bands because they not only include metal but different genres as well, such as jazz/fusion, prog rock, and classical music, and put them all together to make an enjoyable sound. Bands and releases who include progressive elements in their music, but whose central sound is more firmly anchored in another genre are placed in that genre - for instance, Enslaved, whose style is progressive and experimental but still quite firmly based in their black metal roots, are placed in the black metal category, while mathcore and progressive metalcore bands are placed in metalcore.

Sub-genre collaborators (shared with Avant-Garde Metal):
  • siLLy puPPy
  • DippoMagoo
  • Sisslith
  • adg211288

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progressive metal Music Reviews

CORELIA Nostalgia

EP · 2011 · Progressive Metal
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SalamiDickDeath
The story of Corelia is an absolute tragedy.

After an unbelievable start with this extraordinary EP. Replete with gorgeous Prog Metal….yes, in the vein of Protest the Hero, Periphery, The Human Abstract etc. but absolutely with their own unique voice. They promise a double album for their 1st official LP. Get something like 2/3rds of the way and then tragedy strikes in the form of mental illness.

After a gofundme debacle where money was not returned to its investors it’s all over.

This EP however cannot be taken back and it is incredible. An outstanding addition to the Modern Prog Metal genre. Quit versatile vocals at times reaching incredible heights, tight and heavy playing on guitar that weaves riffing and arpeggios until the shimmering cleans are picked through. Same goes for the drums consistently matching the energy of the guitars.

The thing that makes the story so sad is the fact that this EP is practically an immaculate display of musical artistry in its chosen genre.

MAYFAIR Fastest Trip to Cybertown

Album · 1998 · Progressive Metal
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UMUR
"Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is the third full-length studio album by Austrian progressive rock/metal act Mayfair. The album was released through the King Pest label in 1998. As "Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is the only release registered as being released through King Pest, I suspect that it´s the band´s own label. "Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is the successor to "Die Flucht" from 1995 and it was the last album released during Mayfair´s original run from 1989 to 2000, when they disbanded the first time.

Although Mario Prünster´s Geddy Lee (Rush) sounding voice and delivery immediately gives away that "Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is a Mayfair release, all metal elements (which were already sparse) from the two predecing album releases have been stripped from the band´s sound, and "Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is instead a sort of experimental/semi-progressive rock album with strong alternative/indie rock leanings. It´s generally pretty odd sounding music and the emphasis is on groove, atmosphere, and weird/abstract songwriting ideas.

"Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is almost as thin sounding as the last two releases, and it would be a lie if i told you that it´s a particularly well produced release. But that´s nothing new when it comes to Mayfair. Upon conclusion "Fastest Trip to Cybertown" is an odd sounding rock album, and I´m not sure who would be the audience for this type of music. It´s occasionally interesting, but never really a great listening experience and a 2.5 star (50%) rating is warranted.

MAYFAIR Die Flucht

Album · 1995 · Progressive Metal
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UMUR
"Die Flucht" is the second full-length studio album by Austrian progressive rock/metal act Mayfair. The album was released through the German Music Is Intelligence label in 1995. It´s the successor the the 1993 debut full-length studio album "Behind...".

Stylistically "Die Flucht" is a continuation of the odd/atmospheric/theatrical progressive metal of the debut album, although the band have scaled slightly back on the technical playing, and have put even more emphasis on atmosphere and occasionally play a more alternative/indie rock oriented sound. Mayfair are almost impossible to describe correctly, because their music style is pretty unique but an atmospheric, floating, and sometimes theatrical progressive rock/metal style isn´t all wrong. It´s slow- to mid-paced music which often sounds almost linear in structure. The tracks feature a decent amount of sections and different musical ideas and moments, but they often feel a little directionless, unfocused, and lacking melodic hooks.

The sound production is as thin and powerless as the sound production on the debut album, so no development or positive changes in that department. "Die Flucht" is not a bad release, but it´s not really great either and just as my feeling was when listening to the debut album, I also feel that "Die Flucht" is more interesting than great. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

MAYFAIR Behind...

Album · 1993 · Progressive Metal
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UMUR
"Behind..." is the debut full-length studio album by Austrian progressive metal act Mayfair. The album was released through General Inquisitor Torquemado in 1993. Mayfair formed in 1989 and released the 1989 "Live for the King" and the 1991 "Find My Screams Behind This Gate" demos before being signed for the release of "Behind..." by the small and shortlived independent General Inquisitor Torquemado label.

"Behind..." features 6 tracks and a total playing time of 29:16, which really isn´t much considering that this is a progressive metal release. One of the regular features of the genre is excessive song- and album lengths, but Mayfair are generally a very different sounding and quite creative progressive metal act, and you should by no means expect this to sound like the Dream Theater school of progressive metal, which started to flood the market around this time. The music features no keyboards, and it´s often strangely atmosperic and almost abstract theatrical in nature. The most odd moments of Psychotic Waltz may be a valid reference, but the music on "Behind..." is quite hard to describe correctly.

It´s certainly unique and quite the interesting listen, although not everything works equally well. The sound production is a bit on the powerless and thin side, and although lead vocalist Mario Prünster is arguably a skilled vocalist his distinct sounding voice and theatrical delivery are sometimes a bit much on the ears (picture how Geddy Lee from Rush would sound like if he was crazy). So upon conclusion I´d put "Behind..." in the catagory of being more interesting than great, but I´d still recommend giving the album a listen if you´re curious to find and hear progressive metal from the 90s, which is on the weirder and more unique side of the spectrum. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

TWISTED INTO FORM Then Comes Affliction To Awaken The Dreamer

Album · 2006 · Progressive Metal
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SalamiDickDeath
If you’ve ever wanted more Spiral Architect (as all us Prog Metal addicts crave) then look no further than Terra Odium & Twisted Into Form. Both containing members of said band and incredible Prog works of sophistication. This beautiful underground gem still blows my brain right outta my skull.

Incredibly intricate and yet passionate all at once. This is what they call gold standard material. Bands today are still hardly in the same ballpark as this masterwork from nearly 20 years ago. It very much carves its own path even in comparison to its peer bands with shared members.

Odd time signatures, intriguing scales and full blown shred are just the beginning.

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DREAM THEATER Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra

Movie · 2006 · Progressive Metal
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martindavey87
Following on very closely to the format of 2004’s ‘Live At Budokan’, ‘Score: 20th Anniversary Tour’ is a fantastic DVD for fans of progressive metal icons, Dream Theater.

The first disc features an almost three-hour concert. Beautifully shot, with excellent sound and clear visuals, the band are on top form as always. The set is interesting in that, while touring in support of their ‘Octavarium’ album, (represented here five times), the band also go through various tracks throughout their discography in chronological order. Ending with an orchestra and treating us to ‘Octavarium’, ‘Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence’ and ‘Metropolis Pt. 1’, the set list is fantastic, and certainly differs to other live releases.

Amidst a number of bonus tracks and animated visuals, the true gem on the second disc is an hour-long documentary on the history of the band. While it’s a lot to cram into 60-minutes, this is still an interesting and enjoyable watch, and includes plenty of live footage, interviews and photos.

Rounding up the perfect trilogy of live albums/DVD’s, along with ‘Metropolis 2000…’, and ‘Budokan…’, ‘Score’ is an exceptional release, sure to please fans, and is an absolutely essential addition to every prog collection.

DREAM THEATER Images and Words Live in Tokyo / 5 Years in a LIVEtime

Movie · 2004 · Progressive Metal
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martindavey87
Compiling two previously released Dream Theater VHS’s (they were the days!), this DVD is around three and a half hours of various music videos, live footage and tour diaries. ‘Images and Words…’ focuses on the bands first visit to Japan way back in the early 90’s, while ‘Five Years…’ follows the bands career from around 1994 to 1998, covering the making of the ‘Awake’ and ‘Falling Into Infinity’ albums, as well as the subsequent tours.

There’s plenty of highlights on both discs, besides the abundance of live concert footage, seeing the band members loitering the streets of Japan, in the studio writing, recording, and dilly-dallying, as well as playing covers with guest appearances, there’s a lot here for fans to enjoy.

An added bonus for the dedicated fans are the commentaries for both discs, where the guys are absolutely hilarious in their ability to poke fun at themselves (and each other), and not take anything too seriously. Overall, two fantastic discs in fantastic package, definitely worth owning for any Dream Theater fans.

DREAM THEATER When Dream And Day Reunite

Movie · 2005 · Progressive Metal
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martindavey87
Filmed and released in 2004, ‘When Dream and Day Reunite’ was the first DVD to come out from Dream Theater’s Official Bootlegs series. Paying tribute to the band’s debut album, ‘When Dream and Day Unite’, on its 15th anniversary, this is an interesting look back at the bands first official album. An album which they no longer own the rights to, therefore meaning this is as good as a remix, remaster or re-release that we’ll ever get.

The concert footage is fantastic! Playing their debut album in its entirety, and featuring guest appearances by Derek Sherinian and Charlie Dominici, this is excellent stuff, and well worth watching. The sound and picture are great, and as expected, the performers are all on top form. As well as rehearsal footage and behind-the-scenes commentary, this is all great material for Dream Theater fans.

Then the icing on the cake, a 70-minute “home video” documentary compiled by Mike Portnoy, featuring concert footage and the band discussing their album, all in their early days. This is super interesting to watch, especially seeing them at such a young age. For an “official bootleg”, this DVD has an absolute wealth of material, and is truly a must-have for Dream Theater fans.

DREAM THEATER Live at Budokan

Movie · 2004 · Progressive Metal
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martindavey87
In my opinion, this is without a doubt one of the best live DVD’s ever!

The concert is spot on. The picture and sound are fantastic, the camera angles capture everything perfectly, and the set list, while no doubt being somewhat “dated” now, is still incredible. As you’d expect with Dream Theater, the performances are all breath-taking, not only in the songs themselves, but all the extra jams, solos and whatever else they might throw in during the near-three hour set.

On top of that, there’s a whole wealth of incredible extras that should please anyone who’s ever considered themselves a fan of the progressive metal pioneers. A look at John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess’ gear, a Mike Portnoy drum solo that goes beyond mindless bashing, but fully entertains the audience, a highlights video, a multi-angle version of arguably the most insane instrumental song you’ll ever hear, and the true highlight, a 30-minute documentary of the Japanese tour.

I got this when it first came out, and it totally blew me away back then, as much as it does now. Without any doubt in my mind, this release is absolutely perfect, and definitely one of the all-time greatest live concert DVD’s.

DREAM THEATER Metropolis 2000: Scenes from New York

Movie · 2001 · Progressive Metal
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martindavey87
Promoting their 1999 concept album, ‘Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory’, ‘Metropolis 2000: Scenes From New York’ sees progressive metal giants Dream Theater perform the album in its entirety on stage, coincidentally, in New York! The video and audio are a little dated, but still sounds good regardless, and the visuals are pretty cheesy by today’s standards. But overall, the performances are fantastic and fans of the band will definitely enjoy this!

Included is a 25-minute documentary, an hour of “deleted scenes” (basically, more songs!), as well as a photo gallery and a hidden video, this is an excellent release brimming with material. And while the band would go on to perfect this formula with later DVD’s such as ‘Live At Budokan’ and ‘Score’, ‘Metropolis 2000…’ is still an essential addition to the collection of any prog fan.

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