The Sub-Genres of Progressive Rock.

LOve them all except Tech/Extreme Prog Metal and just a mild fan of some Progressive Metal.

Top five I picked

Canterbury Scene: Caravan, Gong, Soft Machine,Gigamesh, Hatfield & The North, National Health
Jazz Rock/Fusion: Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X, Weather Report, John McLaughlin, Shakti, Passport
Psychedelic/Space Rock: Pink Floyd, Eloy, Hawkwind, Steve Hillage, Ozric Tentacles, Hydria Spacefolk, Spaced Out
Symphonic Prog: Yes, Genesis, ELP, Camel, The Flower Kings, Spock's Beard
Eclectic Prog: King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, Beardfish


after that its
Prog Folk: Jethro Tull, Strawbs, The Decemberists
Progressive Electronic: Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno
Post Rock/Math Rock: Godspeed You!Black Emperor, Mogwai, Sigur Ros
Rock in Opposition: Henry Cow, Univers Zero
Rock Progressivo Italiano: Premiata Forneria Marconi, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Le Orme, Area
Zeuhl: Magma, Koenjihyakkei
Crossover Prog: The Moody Blues, Supertramp, Alan Parsons Project, Phideaux
Heavy Prog: Porcupine Tree, The Mars Volta
Krautrock: Can, Amon Duul II, Faust
Neo-Prog: Marillion, IQ, Arena, Pendragon, Magenta
Experimental/Post Metal: Tool, Kayo Dot, Maudlin On The Wall
Progressive Metal: Ayreon, Riverside

I could write a book on why I like one over the other but in the end almost all of it is amazing. While you could argue a bit about categories I think these are laid out better than most things I've read on the subject. If you don't know the basics of these genres and sub genres you may want to check out a few of those bands to see if that sub genre interests you.

In regards to Miles Davis its not his whole catalog but only his late 60's and some of his 70's that I would consider in the prog realm. His 50's and early 60's is straight jazz. When I think of Fusion bands its Brand X, all the John McLaughlin bands, Weather Report etc.

Some of the new bands post 90's are a bit harder to define because they have mixed a few sub-genres together or have changed over time. Porcupine Tree is a good example of that. Early stuff could fit post rock, symponic or space rock. Later on they took a harder edge. In my eyes Mars Volva doesn't really fix into any of the genres although they are prog.

Great post Aktivator

It's obvious to me that you're a man that has a deep appreciation for prog and a vast knowledge on the sub-genres.

Fantastic summary. My sentiments exactly.

@ Aktivator

Excellent add of Hydria Spacefolk to your Psychedelic/Space Rock example list.
One my favorites in a sub-genre I have explored fairly deeply.

Lord Grendel said:

I am most surprised by the fact "Italian Prog" has a sub genre of it's own...I have read a little about them in Joe's Prog thread but otherwise didn't realize they had enough material out to even qualify for a sub-genre.

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I was introduced to Italian Prog by some great guys at PA. Like Premiata Forneria Marconi or just short PFM. Try Storia Di Un Minuto and Per Un Amico.

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Darwin!, Io Sono Nato Libero and Banco from 1974 are their best.

Le Orme - Felona E Sorona. And a fav of me Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz.
And there are loads more LG.

There seems to be a decent amount of interest in space rock here judging by the poll results. A really cool place I discovered years ago :
www.Aural-Innovations.com

I first heard Hydria Spacefolk,
Presence, Siena Root , Wicked Minds, Areknamés and many others on the radio programs there and then bought the CDs from Jerry,the guy who runs the place. He is a really cool guy. He used to have a store that sold all kinds of different modern psychedelic/ space rock / progressive rock / stoner CDs as well a his radio station programs and review zine. Cool place that many of you may enjoy.

Unfortunately, the store was discontinued due to lack of customers. I was one of his few loyal buyers it seems .....

electric funeral said:

I was introduced to Italian Prog by some great guys at PA. Like Premiata Forneria Marconi or just short PFM. Try Storia Di Un Minuto and Per Un Amico.

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Darwin!, Io Sono Nato Libero and Banco from 1974 are their best.

Le Orme - Felona E Sorona. And a fav of me Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz.
And there are loads more LG.

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Yes there is tons of Italian prog something like 250 bands I believe. I run into this guy at nearfest that buys tons every year.
here is a list
Artists - Italian Progressive Rock

DaKillerWolf said:

@ Aktivator

Excellent add of Hydria Spacefolk to your Psychedelic/Space Rock example list.
One my favorites in a sub-genre I have explored fairly deeply.

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Love Hydia. They did a killer set at NEARfest several years ago and been a big fan since. Present are great too.

Joe said:

Great post Aktivator

It's obvious to me that you're a man that has a deep appreciation for prog and a vast knowledge on the sub-genres.

Fantastic summary. My sentiments exactly.

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thanks
great job starting it joe.

Been looking and collecting prog since the 70's so I've done several rounds in each sub-genre. So much prog but I can't listen to it all the time. Too much other great stuff.

The list at the introduction of this thread isn't necessarily my favourites of each sub-genre, but was more of an overview of each.

Here's my favourites:

Canterbury Scene: Soft Machine, Caravan, Gong, Matching Mole, Robert Wyatt, Khan
Crossover: Procul Harem, The Moody Blues, Rare Bird, Barclay James Harvest
Eclectic: King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Beardfish, Family, East of Eden, Curved Air, Birds and Buildings
Experimental/Post Metal: O.S.I., Gordian Knot, Isis, Indukti, Devin Townsend, Tool, Green Carnation
Heavy Prog: Rush, Porcupine Tree, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, Anekdoten
Jazz/Rock Fusion: Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X, Passport, 7 For 4, Return To Forever, Maniege, Weather Report, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Karcius
Krautrock: Can, Amon Duul II, Hairy Chapter, Brainticket, NEU!, Krokodil, Faust
Neo-Prog: IQ, Frost*, Ad Infinitum, (not a big fan of this sub-genre; some/most of it's unlistenable for me)
Post Rock/Math Rock: Red Sparrows, Mogwai, Russian Circles; (again not a big fan of this sub-genre)
Prog Folk: The Pentangle, Gryphon, Jethro Tull, Strawbs, Comus, The Decemberists
Progressive Electronic: Tangerine Dream('74-'77), Kraftwerk, Fripp and Eno, Brian Eno
Progressive Metal: Riverside, Dream Thaeter, Fates Warning, Shadow Gallery, Therion, Ephemeral Sun
Psychedelic/Space Rock: Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Eloy, Nektar, Jade Warrior, 35007, Hawkwind, Farflung, Mr. Quimby's Beard, Oceansize
RIO/Avant-Prog: Henry Cow, Kayo Dot, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefhart
Rock Progressivo Italiano: Maxophone, PFM, Area, Banco.....
Symphonic Prog: Yes, ELP, Camel, Focus, Harmonium, Echolyn, Transatlantic, The Flower Kings, Spocks Beard
Tech/Extreme Prog Metal: Blotted Science, Mastodon, Exivious, Spastic Ink, Opeth
Zeuhl: haven't been there yet. Maybe one day.

electric funeral said:

I was introduced to Italian Prog by some great guys at PA. Like Premiata Forneria Marconi or just short PFM. Try Storia Di Un Minuto and Per Un Amico.

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Darwin!, Io Sono Nato Libero and Banco from 1974 are their best.

Le Orme - Felona E Sorona. And a fav of me Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz.
And there are loads more LG.

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Thanks for the recommends EF, I'll put them on my list.

I voted for everyone because its prog thus its awesome