Progressive Metal is a combination of classic heavy metal, classic progressive rock, and the melodic finesse of hard rock. The resulting style is one that is dynamic, technical, usually guitar and keyboard-heavy, and melodic with a focus on intelligent lyrical content. While there exist many styles and variations of Progressive Metal, the style pioneered by Dream Theater is considered by many to be definitive of the genre.
Atmospheric Metal is "progressive" in the sense that Pink Floyd is. The music is very spatial and the tempo is usually slow and on the calmer side--not as "busy" and complex as the progressive label would usually suggest. The songs musically and thematically build to create a specific atmosphere.
Heavy Progressive Metal retains all the elements of Progressive Metal (dynamic, technical, usually guitar and keyboard-heavy, and melodic with a focus on intelligent lyrical content), but with a harder edge. Occasionally, the vocals take on a more aggressive quality.
Neoclassical Progressive Metal is generally similar to (though not as heavy as) Power Progressive Metal, with the addition of classical melodies and scale patterns. Still dynamic and complex, the music generally contains more solo passages, and keyboards are given as much space as guitar.
Power Progressive Metal incorporates melodic, technical, and dynamic elements with a more straightforward Power Metal feel. The progressive contrast between heavy and mellow passages still exists, though the vocals have a smooth, powerful feel, and there is occassionally more double bass drumming.
Progressive Doom Metal incorporates Black Sabbath-esque guitar playing and the mid-tempo groove of the Doom genre with more technical and complex rhythm changes. Keyboards are used sparingly and usually only to highlight.
Progressive Gothic Metal takes the dark, slow-tempo elements of the Gothic genre and adds a heavier, more complex song structure. While female vocals are often prominent, male/female vocal combinations are common. Individual instrument solos are not as common as the focus of the songs is on groove and melody.
Progressive Metal is a combination of classic heavy metal, classic progressive rock, and the melodic finesse of hard rock. The resulting style is one that is dynamic, technical, usually guitar and keyboard-heavy, and melodic with a focus on intelligent lyrical content. While there exist many styles and variations of Progressive Metal, the style pioneered by Dream Theater is considered by many to be definitive of the genre.
Progressive Rock/Metal falls on the less-heavy side of Progressive Metal. While still technical and guitar-driven, the Progressive Rock element is more prominent.
Progressive Technical Metal/i> takes the technical elements of Progressive Metal and carries them a step further by adding even more complex tempo changes and odd time signatures. Less focused on melody (although there are exceptions), the music generally is heavier and tends to have more instrumental sections.
Symphonic Progressive Metal incorporates the technical and dynamic elements of classic Progressive Metal, and adds an orchestral element. While keyboards are sometimes used to achieve this sound, live orchestras are more common.
