The difference, by ear
Progressive metal without a singer, which changes the arrangement more than it sounds like it should - every structural cue has to come from the playing.
Progressive metal is sung cleanly where instrumental prog metal is mostly instrumental, at much the same pace, around 90 to 180 bpm. To hear the difference, play Liquid Tension Experiment next to Dream Theater. Instrumental prog metal grew out of progressive metal, seven years later.
In figures
Instrumental prog metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Progressive metal › Instrumental prog metal
In short
No vocals: the melody is carried by guitar or keyboard, and the structure can be as complex as it likes.
How it sounds
- The melody is carried by guitar or keyboards, with no vocals.
- Long technical structures with many sectional changes.
- Clean production with every instrument separately audible.
Key acts
- Liquid Tension Experiment
- Animals as Leaders
- Scale the Summit
Start here
The pickAnimals as Leaders - the debut. Tosin Abasi plays eight strings as if it were normal.
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.
Full page →