The Prog-Metal controversy

Last night here in Glasgow Dream Theater and Symphony X ended any doubts I, or anyone else at the gig could have  had about Prog Metal being a valid genre worthy of the attention of all lovers of Progressive Music. There was something for every taste, with pounding guitars and also the more melodic keyboard dominated songs. I saw people with T shirts as varied as Rush, Genesis all the way through to Mayhem and Satyricon, proving that those bands appeal crosses all genres of Rock/Metal. While i'm at it, I have to plug the new Amorphis album "Silent Waters". You can hear a couple of tracks on their Myspace site. "Shamen" is particularly good.

In retrospect, I suppose recommending Ayreon's The Human Equation to someone who doesn't like Dream Theater because of James Labrie's voice probably wasn't the best of recommendations given he is the main character.  It is just an album that I absolutely love.  I just find the story, the music, and the mixing of the various male and female vocals to be absolutely amazing.  But I guess it helps that for the most part I like Dream Theater and James LaBrie's voice.

Atavachron wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: [ I totally forgot I went on a Buckethead binge in 2005. Not entirely sure why he hasn't been added to the sub genre yet.   it may be because he's appeared on many different kinds of albums.. hard to pigeonhole

Slartibartfast wrote: Well eclectic would be a good place, too.  But his solo material is mostly metalic.

that's my point

Well, he's a worthy addition in my humble opinion. If Y'all need any help content wise.  I'd be happy to help.

Considering that Ron Thal, Marty Friedman and Mattias Eklundh have been accepted in Prog Metal he would probably go along nicely. I agree that his eclecticism is a problem though ... usually when a group of people are discussing Buckethead each of them has a totally different type of music in mind, since few people know his entire discography. I don't ... but I know that he released several albums which could be added as Prog Metal (preferably in the new Extreme/Tech category).

Eh, some of the best prog artists aren't easily pigeonholed into one sub-genre category, what the hell are you going to do?

prog METAL? what will they think of next these days!?

heyitsthatguy wrote: prog METAL? what will they think of next these days!?

The T wrote: heyitsthatguy wrote: prog METAL? what will they think of next these days!?   mmmm.... maybe they will come up with something ORIGINAL...

Well, about the only big musical genres that have yet to sire a "progressive" child are Country, Blues & Rap. I have seen & read a few reviews lately on the so-called alt country scene, and there a few acts that have some extended compositions. GIllian Welch, on her album Time ( the Revelator) closes the record with a 14 minute song - I Dream A Highway. I'm checking the local second shop's CDs to see if I can pick it up cheap, or at least give it a listen. I mean, if we can have prog folk, how much of a stretch is it for prog country ? And I'm not talking about radio stuff, but the more earthy & rootsy music.
As for Rap, there are a few groups that have been mentioned in these pages by others. My view is that outside of acts like the Roots & Outkast, there isn't really any one with the imagination AND mainstream weight to be able to carry it off. But it could happen.
And last, but not least - the blues. This one will likely be the hardest as it is a very restrictive genre, 12 bars & set chord progressions & all. But who knows.