The History Of Prog Metal In 21 Albums

[dr wu]

Another useless list. lol

How you can make such a list without Rush's Hemispheres or Yes' Close To the Edge is crazy.

@Dr. Wu...I think Queensryche really has only one album that I would consider progressive, and that's Rage For Order. I think they pushed some traditional metal boundaries on The Warning, but I don't know of that one's for you. And personally, I don't consider O:M a progressive record at all, but it is an amazing album nonetheless.

I've always considered Rush prog metal ( a more tame version) after their first 2 lps...and Iron Maiden is certainly metal/prog metal to my ears. I also think a few of the earlier Porcupine Tree lps qualify but they are more prog than metal. I dont always agree with how PA website lists these bands.
I dont think Yes belong in prog metal at all....even though there are a few 'heavy' moments on CTTE, they are one of the big 6 of prog rock according to most prog fans.
This is Prog Archives official page on prog metal (though others might disagree with some choices)

Progressive Metal, a progressive rock music sub-genre

 

[dr wu]

@dr wu
I am thinking that some of the older bands may be more to your liking. Those tend to ride the fence between progressive metal—progressive rock—hard rock.

Try Royal Hunt. Start with Land of Broken Hearts or Moving Target

ROYAL HUNT discography and reviews

I listened to cuts from 3 lps.. Land, Moving Targets, Paradox ..decent prog metal but they were sort of bland for me. Nothing about the band captured my attention.
So far the ones that have interested me are Threshold, Fates Warning , and Symphony X....they all have something that grabs my attention
I like the newest Treshold lp...this track resonated with me...but I didnt listen to the whole lp yet.
Let it Burn from Dividing Lines

 

[TACdtf]

Nightwish got a mention!

No idea why.

 

[dr wu]

No idea why.

Well,,,,they are listed as prog metal at PA, but not sure about any other consideration.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

There seem to be some very liberal definitions of both "prog" and "metal". King Crimson, Yes and Rush are not metal (Rush is hard rock). Nightwish is symphonic metal, but I never thought of them as prog, though they do have "more complex arrangements" in their music.

 

[dr wu]

There seem to be some very liberal definitions of both "prog" and "metal". King Crimson, Yes and Rush are not metal (Rush is hard rock). Nightwish is symphonic metal, but I never thought of them as prog, though they do have "more complex arrangements" in their music.

Well...not everyone agees on the definitions...that's the problem.
Most of the prog heads I know use Prog Archives definitions but I don't agree with all of their placements either.
They have Crimson as eclectic prog (but they have elements of symph and even prog metal), Yes as symphonic prog (but they have eclectic elements also), Rush as 'heavy prog' (I think some of their middle period lps are prog metal but not others), Nightwish as prog metal (but they also have some symph going on).....the members at PA are always arguing these band genres and even argue what is 'prog rock' itself as a term. The people who run PA like categories but many bands straddle several genres....that's what keeps things interesting ....I guess.

 

[Saiyan Rocker]

I've always seen Nightwish classified, as Symphonic Metal. Within Temptation has also been classified as Symphonic Metal.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I've always seen Nightwish classified, as Symphonic Metal. Within Temptation has also been classified as Symphonic Metal.

WT has varied their style more than, say, Epica, who have always done pure symphonic metal. WT has been classified as gothic & symphonic metal, but the symphonic aspect was never as strong as Epica or early NW.

 

[Saiyan Rocker]

I can agree to that, @Ar-Pharazon. Like you said, WT has a wide range. I too have also seen them classified as gothic metal, but I still see them as symphonic metal. I think their live albums is why, I would classify them as symphonic.

However, I would classify them as great music and call it a day.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I can agree to that, @Ar-Pharazon. Like you said, WT has a wide range. I too have also seen them classified as gothic metal, but I still see them as symphonic metal. I think their live albums is why, I would classify them as symphonic.

However, I would classify them as great music and call it a day.

Amen to that. One of my favorite bands.