This subgenre of heavy metal music has been known as "prog" metal or in other words progressive metal. This metal genre of music has both elements from progressive rock and jazz. This music has elements from metal like complex structures and guitar distortions which you can see in heavy metal music videos. Most progressive metal bands were from a jazz or classical background. These two types of genres have been known to start the revolution of progressive metal. Progressive metal less popular than the others in the metal community. But with more bands creating more progressive style of music, this could push it into mainstream.

The Start of Progressive Metal

This metal genre traces back to the 60's and 70's. A band named High Tide started to uses some elements from these other genres of music in their metal music. Other bands started to follow the trend. Rush and King Crimson was another band to take some of the features of other music genres and mix them. With these bands scratching the surface, there was really only three bands that took progressive metal to the next level. Fates Warning, Queensryche and Dream Theater all had their own ideas and inspiration for progressive metal These three bands really had some progressive rock influences that gave them a more edgy and extreme metal sound.

One Hit Solved it All

Progressive metal started to breakout in the community in the early 1990s. When there was a release from Queensryche called Silent Lucidity that became very popular on MTV and on the radio. This song really helped other progressive metal bands get noticed and out to the public. With the road paved now bands like Ayreon, Symphony X, Opeth, Threshold, Pain of Salvation and Tool now were getting more publicity. Each had their own distinct sounds and elements to keep progressive metal evolving.

New Bands Merge Up

With time moving forward so did the style and techniques of progressive metal. The new bands in progressive metal Dark Suns, Conscience and Disillusion were became the new leaders of this metal genre. Most progressive metal bands have always looked up to Green Carnation, Anathema, Opeth, Tool and Pain of Salvation.

Classical, Rock, Jazz and Metal Needs some Progressive

With some heavy metal, elements of rock, jazz and classical music will give you the building block of progressive metal. There are even more metal genres within this metal genre. The most popular bands in progressive metal are Opeth and King's X. These two bands could even be considered to be progressive death metal bands. There is also traditional progressive metal, like Symphony X, Devin Townsend and Shadown Gallery. There is a genre called jazz / fusion death metal where bands like Between the Buried and Me, Pestilence and Meshuggah have made it famous.

What's Next for Progressive Metal?

Progressive metal will continue to grow and become more advanced. New bands will continue to be featured, bring something new to the table for progressive metal. Most of this genre has been influenced by classical, thrash, jazz and its own music, but it will continue to emerge and change as time goes on. The metal community will also have progressive metal, giving the community some type of new and exciting genre of music.

Additional Reference
Thrash Metal Genre