Progressive Metal probably found it's roots out of Progressive Rock of the 1970's (although an argument could be made for the late 1960's). These groups included, but not limited to, Rush, ELO, Yes, and I would even argue Styx, Queen, Boston and Kansas. These groups are considered "progressive" because they explored new areas of rock, and they often included instruments that were usually left out of mainstream rock including the piano, saxaphone and even orchastraic string instruments on occasion. In addition, progressive rock tended to be much more technical with clean guitar work, intelligent lyrics and vocal harmonies.
The 1980's was a period of incubation for the progressive vein of music. While almost all of the above mentioned groups made some advances with new music in the 80's, very few new groups broke through in this vein. There were exceptions, to be sure, such as Asia.
"Progressive metal" was born in the mid 80's with the band Queensryche. Without really knowing it, they had started a new musical genre.
However, Queensryche merely opened the door for the new genre to be defined. In 1992, a landmark year for progressive metal, Dream Theater released "Images and Words". This CD has been the standard to which all progressive metal CD's have been held to ever since.
Many other progressive metal groups have made their mark, including Savatage (of the 90's) and Fates Warning. While these two bands and Queensryche probably still have a few good years left in them, the future of this vein lies within the younger, yet to be discovered bands.
This website is devoted to those young, talented, undiscovered progressive metal bands. Dream Theater and others will continue to lead this genre for many years to come, to be sure, but the future leaders of metal are those bands playing in the night clubs for little or no pay, those bands who buy their own studio time and finance their own production and distribution of CD's and tapes. It is these bands that I "tip my hat to" and thank for keeping progressive metal alive.
So now I've told you "who" is considered to be a progressive metal artist, but have yet to define "what" it is. I heard one fan define progressive metal as "Queen with teeth" or "Rush with balls", which neither are bad, but certainly neither is all-inclusive.
Progressive metal is a combination of classic heavy-metal with melodic values, technical instrumentation and intelligent lyrics. Typically progressive metal isn't concerned with sing-along choruses that you expect to hear on the radio, but rather with the song, or album concept as it may be, as a whole. With progressive metal, ideas and concepts become important. Progressive metal can be brutally hard at times and soft and sweet at others. My point: progressive metal has few restrictions and allows musicians to be free and it encourages vocalist and lyricists to explore real issues.
Unfortunately, progressive metal will never be popular in the mainstream. Why? A couple of reasons come to mind. First, you can't dance to it (sorry, I couldn't refuse). Second, the mainstream isn't ready to handle lyrics that deal with real issues. Therefore, you must do everything you can to keep progressive metal alive. Support your local progressive metal bands (believe me they are there, you may just have to hunt a little). In addition, thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to find progressive metal bands. In addition to Scott's Progressive Metal Network, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of progressive metal pages. Most bands have their own pages too. Use Scott's Network and other E-Zines to find a few bands you like and buy their CD's and go see them when they put on a show near you. Tell them Scott sent you!
What do you think of my explanation of Progressive Metal? Let me know what you think by dropping me an email.
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