What is Progressive Music?
In each and everyday musical conversational
exchanges, the mention of the term “progressive rock” or “progressive metal” will
result in blank stares that generally lead to the question, “What is
progressive music?”.
For clarity, I will use the commonly used shortcut term of “prog” to
represent the progressive rock and progressive metal genre here. Newcomers to the genre seem to frequently ask
this question in prog discussions. More
so, each person seems to either add more or less to the definition. I’m not going to write a book here because
there is a plethora of prog definitions out there on the internet. I just want to emphasize the basic properties
of prog music as my foundation for my hobby here on PRM.
As Matthew Rink suggests, way
too much emphasis is placed on the idea that the “progressive” adjective
suggests, or even requires, that the genre’s music be some sort of
ever-evolving entity. “Progressive” is
merely a descriptive term by which to classify music with certain qualities,
not an instruction that obligates the music to a strict sense of development. All genres of music can have progressive
characteristics, but I focus primarily on rock/metal.
Progressive Properties
1)
Longer songs (or “epics”)
2)
Time changes
(e.g., odd time signatures)
3)
More complex, sophisticated instrumentation and
compositions
4)
Superior vocals
5)
More complex conceptual ideas / Heightened, lyrical
content
NOTE: I personally want
to strongly emphasize number 4 (superior vocals) which I use to make my first
assessment of a band (or song). It’s not
necessarily my number one criteria for a “passing grade” or “seal of approval”,
but it sure helps!
1)
Longer
songs. Prog bands have a tendency to create long
songs (i.e., “epic”) characterized by a combination of greater lyrical content
and some very lengthy instrumental passages.
These songs will break away from the traditional verse/chorus song
structure and will be broken up into different parts or movements. This creates something along the lines of an
orchestral suite or an album within an album.
2)
Time
Changes. One element that can dub a band as
“progressive” is the time change or odd-beat characteristic. There is a noticeable difference between the
structure of songs with really common beats (e.g., 4/4) and those that use
diverse and complicated rhythms and/or switch between beats like 7/4, 11/8,
9/4, free-time, etc. Some people may
find certain prog bands hard to “get into”. This usually stems from songs containing less
than conventional song structures that require the listener to work a little to
follow along. Within a few listens, it
usually clicks.
3)
More
complex instrumentation. The
instrumentation is another element that will separate ordinary rock/metal from progressive
rock/metal. You will find some type of
piano, keyboard, synthesizer, strings (violins, cellos, etc.), flute, tympani, and other more peculiar instruments mixed in with
the guitar and drums in a prog band’s repertoire in order to setup the
“progressive” sound. Progressive music
will tend to have a more classical influence than would be your typical,
blues-based rock music. There is a
certain higher standard of talent set by many progressive artists. Many prog musicians could be considered
virtuosos at their respective positions, usually with both passion and
technical ability. I personally coined a
descriptive term of “modern classical”
to best describe my view of prog rock/metal (and NOT to be confused with
“classic rock”)
4)
Superior
vocals. Another emblematic aspect of prog music (and DEAR TO THIS BROADCASTER’S HEART) is the
incredible range and singing ability of many of the genre’s vocalists. Yes, there is a lot of emphasis on the music,
but in most cases, you’ll see wonderful
vocals in front of the music. Emotional
Broadway-style displays, multi-part counterpart vocal melodies, and other
layered vocal arrangements and choirs not only deliver a message, but also
enhance the music, and become a part of it
5)
More
complex conceptual ideas / Heightened, lyrical content. Prog artists
sometimes undertake massive projects in developing ideas in their songs and
albums. As a rule, lyrics in progressive
music tend to be of a more sophisticated and intellectual nature – sometimes
fantasy-based, sometimes pure original fiction, and sometimes dealing with heartfelt
human emotion. Many albums tend to be
“concept albums” which is a storyline or theme-based work in which the
individual songs on an album all relate to one another to either directly
recount a story or to immerse the listener into a more abstract experience.
Several Common Sub-Genres of PROG:
Ask 100 people what their
definition of progressive music is and you’ll probably get 100 different
definitions along with multiple sub-genres to confuse you even more! I list the following as the most commonly
known sub-genres recognized in prog rock and metal.
1). Progressive rock & progressive metal. These are two major divisions of prog music
from which many other categories can be sub-classified. Basically, prog metal will combine elements
of heavy metal (such as heavily distorted guitars and fast rhythms) with some
or all of those prog traits outlined in the above section, while prog rock
combines a less "edgy" (rock / hard rock) sound with those
aforementioned characteristics.
2). Symphonic rock - A relatively easy one, symphonic
rock lumps together those bands that seem to draw heavily from incorporating
orchestral and classical influences into their music. This term is generally
seen attached to 70s progressive bands, though it would not be out of the
question to label some of today's bands as such. Still, many of the less
progressive metal bands that incorporate symphonic elements will less arguably
fall into the category of "power metal" (see below).
3). Neo-prog
- Generally, neo-prog acts have a very identifiable, keyboard driven sound that
seems to have originated with old Genesis. Bands like IQ, Saga, and Arena are the biggest
names in neo-prog currently.
4). Art-rock – “Art" is just used primarily
as a substitute for "progressive" in most contexts. That said, this term also seems to carry a bit of a tone-downed
connotation. That is, many times when a band is being described in this manner,
the writer seems to have reservations about classifying the band as a full
fledged prog band. This could be more related to the term: "prog-lite".
5). Technical Metal - A term used to describe certain
bands that play an especially complex and skilled style of heavy metal music.
These bands usually write songs solely for the sake of showcasing the musicians'
abilities and expressing creatively and experimentally with music. Often this
goes so far as to mean completely abandoning the idea of memorable or emotional
song-writing in pursuit of creating stunningly complex material.
6). Neo-classical & Power Metal - For the
most part, these two go hand in hand. Neo-classical is actually a sub-genre
under power metal, and, as its name suggests, describes bands whose sound is a
modern-classical sound. Speedy guitar riffs and solos that may sound more like
Mozart or Paganini set the stage, while violins, harpsichords, and choirs give
a very convincingly classical edge to the music. Among the most "popular " bands of this nature are Symphony X and Stratovarius. Power
metal refers to the genre that speed metal evolved into as bands like Helloween introduced more of a melodic flair and greater
variety into the genre. The sound is not necessarily more "powerful"
or "louder" in any way, but power metal bands usually have catchier,
more anthem-like songs with more fantasy-based subject matter and really strong
choruses. Song structure is sometimes is a crescendo around these choruses thus
creating a more theatrical, dramatic, and/or emotionally "powerful"
sound. This can be quite distinct from progressive metal -- many power metal
bands are not really progressive at all, though when they employ symphonic
instrumentation or operatic choral effects -- even odd time signatures -- lines
between power and progressive metal can become blurred. The bands Symphony X
and Angra, for instance, are examples of this type.
7). Fusion, Experimental,
Broadway metal & Opera metal, Houston-scene rock, Prog-pop, Doom, AOR,
Gothic, Melodic, etc - The list goes on and on and on. As
you can see, progressive music can be a very broad term.
For ProgRockandMetal, it is my focus to
concentrate on those artists I feel meet the criteria of my overall definition
for progressive rock/metal and I will refer to this definition often when I
decide whether I broadcast a band’s accomplishments. Not all artists will have each property
characterized in their music, but I believe you will see at least three of the
above list that will make the music progressive. I truly believe what I stream is suitable to
all prog fans. Once in a while, I may go
outside the boundaries of the definitions either by accident or for some reason
I found the music enlightening and artful.
I make the final decision on whether a band’s music is streamed over my
station or not. I will always assume my
listeners enjoy what I stream – nothing more, nothing less, and I base this off
the many positive comments/feedback I’ve received over the years. Negative opinions are not solicited nor
warranted. If bands do not support my
philosophy, feel I’m misrepresenting them, then please notify me and will
gladly refrain from streaming your material.
BROADCASTER’S SIDE NOTE: I personally
do not acknowledge the death metal, growling singing, euphemistically termed as
“cookie monster” singing as a part of
the definition of “
(The majority of the contents
of this definition must be credited to Matthew A. Rink’s definition found on www.progpages.com)
Great definition/samples of
Prog Rock: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock
Great definition/samples of
Prog Metal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_metal
