The difference, by ear
The long forms and compositional ambition are shared, and several of these bands are as much progressive as folk.
Progressive metal is sung cleanly where Oriental metal is part sung, part screamed, and swings further either way: 90 to 180 bpm against 110 to 170. To hear the difference, play Orphaned Land next to Dream Theater. They share a root in heavy metal, and progressive metal came first, by six years.
In figures
Oriental metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Folk metal › Oriental metal
In short
Middle Eastern modes, oud and traditional percussion built into progressive or death metal.
How it sounds
- Middle Eastern modes - hijaz, kurd - used as the basis for riffs.
- Oud, saz, darbuka and other traditional instruments built into the arrangements.
- Vocals alternating between Western technique and Eastern melisma.
Key acts
- Orphaned Land
- Melechesh
- Myrath
Start here
The pickOrphaned Land - Mabool. A concept album about the flood, told through three faiths.
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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