The Prog-Metal controversy

I don't listen to much prog-metal it's too harsh for an old man like me, but I am very impressed with the often high level of musicality and dicipline these bands have. Some of it is very creative and metal lyrics have improved a lot over the years.

Prog metal is just like any other genre. There's some good and even more crap (cynical I know.) I think the thing that puts people off is  the fanb0ism that some prog metal enthusiasts seem to display. It's not so much a thing I've seen on this site, but mainly in just in general, across the net.

I think a good portion of that prejudice comes from the fact that many people, willfully or not, regard all metal, as GhostRider said, as lound, unintelligent and w**kerous, if you will.

Trickster F. wrote: Thanks, Raffaella, great post!   I've always been surprised why you and Micky like Mastodon so much, as they don't seem to be a particularly pleasant band. Perhaps you should try Isis and Neurosis.

We saw them live in Rome in June, and were quite positively impressed. When in the US, we bought Blood Mountain, and listened to it often. As to Isis and Neurosis, I've seen their CDs in Rome, and I think I'll give them a try, as I've heard very positive things about them.

Hopefully this thread of mine won't go the same way of the 'progressive vs prog' one...

Thanks, Raffaella, great post!

Many people will probably be surprised seeing me start a thread by this title. Indeed, it is well known here than I am no big fan of Prog-Metal, and that I have a reputation for making fun of Dream Theater. However, I think that very often the best arguments in favour of something are put forward by people who have an impartial attitude, as it is my case.

Reading through many posts in the forums, I've been able to notice a very hostile attitude towards Prog-Metal on the part of many members. As it happens with Prog-Related, many seem to ignore the 'prog'  part and only see the 'metal' one - and this sparks off a very prejudiced attitude. In fact, anything to do with 'metal' is often seen as the preserve of rough, uneducated, overall unpleasant people who are only interested in loud noises and unintelligible vocals. Alternatively, some seem to think Prog-Metal only means DT clones noodling away for hours on their instruments and sporting very cheesy album titles and covers. In neither case is the view of the phenomenon a positive, constructive one.

I am a novice to the world of PM. However, being curious by nature, I've often listened to the MP3s provided on this site, and have been surprised by the variety and depth of the music on offer. While symphonic power metal in the Nightwish or Blind Guardian mould doesn't interest me too much, I've found myself attracted by bands such as Mastodon or Opeth (though I'd be lying if I said I'm too keen on growling vocals), or even by some of the more obscure acts I've happened to listen to.

Therefore, even if I will probably never be a devotee, I see the validity of the whole genre, as well as its undeniably progressive nature. Though I understand the doom'n'gloom that too often characterises the lyrical content of these bands can be offputting to many, I also think PM doesn't deserve the constant attacks it receives on this forum and elsewhere, or the fear that it is in some ways 'taking over' the site. The members of the PM team deserve kudos for the work they've been doing so far, swimming against the tide and unearthing bands that, while they may not be to everyone's taste, give new meaning to the word 'prog'.