Progressive Rock/Metal

So, progressive music is a relatively uncommon music in America. I know a few people who like it, but I don't know many. We Americans tend to listen to stupid crap like Minaj, Perry, and LMFAO. But, thanks to my Dad, I was introduced to progressive music... probably six or seven years ago now. I've never once since then -not- liked the music. I can always go back and listen to old artists and new artists, and never get tired of it.

But I'm curious as to how popular this type of music is in other countries. I'm relatively certain that progressive is popular in Britain, because I've talked to a good few people that enjoy it. But Asian countries (if there's even an Asian 'population' on this site...) and most other European countries - I have no idea how popular this music may be. So, that's what I'm asking.

Have you heard of it? Do you listen to it? Do you like it?


« Last edited by Jay_Dee on Apr 15th 2012 »

In Finland, prog metal is somewhat popular, not so much rock. And the boundary between progressive and tech-metal is so faint nowadays so it's hard to really determine how popular it really is, even in a metal country like Finland.

'Progressive' is a slightly overused term, sometimes. I've seen some bands labelled as 'Progressive Metal/Rock' when they aren't really, they just do soemthing a bit different that people can't seem to put under a genre, or they are a bit more technical than your average rock/metal band. Muse are a very good example of the former.

I listen to a few bands that have progressive influences, such as Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, but wouldn't be considered Progressive Metal (although some of Sonata's more recent material possibly could), but don't listen to any Progressive Rock/Metal bands as I just find them to be boring and unecessarily complicated, such as Dream Theater, a band I used to be really into but went off completely (although I do still quite like their Train Of Thought album).

I usually never use genres to label music. Every song in my music library has been tagged as 'music' under the genre. I don't even have a full grasp on what makes what fit under a genre. I just know that I've heard 'progressive' describe say, Porcupine Tree, in the past. So I just assumed that it's an at least semi-accurate label. Then the rest of this list is bands that kind of remind me of PT in some way or another.

I've listened to Nightwish a bit. I have a few albums. But I've never even heard of Sonata Arctica. I'll have to give them a listen.

« Last edited by Jay_Dee on Apr 15th 2012 »

As a general rule of thumb, I love Prog.
Of your list, I've heard of PT, Floyd, Opeth, Tool & Dream Theatre and absolutely love the first 3.

Have you heard of Storm Corrosion? It's Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) & Steve Wilson (PT). Not sure if it's prog, but they're pretty damned good.

Other good bands/acts:
Ihsahn
Gojira (I dunno if these guys are actually prog, but they're often classed as it, possibly for reasons Volke gave)
Devin Townsend

« Last edited by CRAZY CHEATS on May 2nd 2012 »

Unfortunately the average Aussie listens to the same mainstream stuff as the average American.

I listen to a bit of everything, so yeah Prog Metal/Rock is certainly something I listen to, mainly Dream Theater and Between the Buried and Me.

I've never heard of Between The Buried And Me. I'll have to check them out.

I've only ever heard that the first 'progressive' rock band in the US was Kansas — but all they're known for now are 'Dust in the Wind' and 'Carry On Wayward Son'. Never sure what it meant, though.

I feel as if I'm one of the small percentage of the American population who loves progressive metal. My iPod suffers from Not Enough Storage Capacity Syndrome.

I think Chimp Spanner can also be classified as 'prog,' but...

« Last edited by drybones81397 on May 23rd 2012 »

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Periphery yet.

Siesta Fiesta is an awesome local prog-rock band in my area.