The difference, by ear
Prog metal's virtuosity serves a composition; neoclassical virtuosity is the composition, and the forms underneath are frequently very simple.
Both are sung cleanly, but progressive metal is a little slower: 90 to 180 bpm against 140 to 200. Songs run longer in progressive metal: usually 6 to 12 minutes, against 4 to 7 minutes in neoclassical metal. To hear the difference, play Yngwie Malmsteen next to Dream Theater. Both grew out of heavy metal, neoclassical metal first and progressive metal four years after. United States appears in the origins of both.
In figures
Neoclassical metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Neoclassical metal
In short
Bach and Paganini transposed onto a distorted guitar: harmonic minor scales, sweep arpeggios and three-minute solos.
How it sounds
- Harmonic minor and Phrygian dominant scales with diminished arpeggios.
- Sweep picking and legato technique at extreme speed.
- Structures borrowed from the baroque concerto: theme, variation, cadenza.
Key acts
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Racer X
- Cacophony
Start here
The pickYngwie Malmsteen - Far Beyond the Sun. Instrumental, six minutes, unplayable.
Full page →Progressive metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Progressive metal
In short
Prog rock ambition with metal weight: odd meters, concept albums and instrumental virtuosity.
How it sounds
- Odd meters and frequent metric shifts, with pieces running eight to twenty minutes.
- Keyboards in a lead role, equal to the guitar, and highly technical bass.
- Concept albums with recurring themes and narrative structures.
Key acts
- Dream Theater
- Queensrÿche
- Opeth
- Tool
Start here
The pickOpeth - Blackwater Park. Growls and acoustic guitar in one song, and nothing forced about it.
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