progressive metal

Prog metal for short. A sub genre of music that combines the almost jazz-like progression of progressive rock and the agression, volume, speed, and heaviness of metal. Usually features band members who are incredibly skilled at their instruments. Features rapid key changes, odd time signatures, and bombastic instrumental sections. It could be defined as "intelligent metal".

A subgenre of metal incorporating elements from progressive rock. The earliest bands to fuse these two genres together were Dream Theater, Watchtower, Psychotic Waltz, and Fates Warning. (Although some argue King Crimson were ahead of their time doing this with 21st Century Schizoid Man.)

Keyboards/synths, and other instruments not seen as often in the metal genre are more commonly used in progressive metal.

It's common for progressive metal acts to have very long song lengths with plenty of complex instrumental sections which give the musicians a lot of room to show off. Odd-time signatures are also are commonly implemented.

Progressive metal lyrics tend to be very cerebral, with elements of fantasy, psychology, and science fiction thrown into the mix. (The sort of lyrics you'd expect from Stephen Hawking or Sigmund Freud if they ever formed a heavy metal band.)

Intelligent music for intelligent people.

A long hand way of writing "good metal"

Progressive metal is a sub genre of rock that usually has guitars with distortion, wah, compression and other effects that help people feel the music. Lyrics are usually about things that are abnormal or abstract like space. Multiple time signatures long songs, elaborate solos, and softly spoken or yelled lyrics (not like death grunts )

Metal music for people have a taste

Metal that despite how good it can be, is often listened too and defended by pretentious people. Often "prog metal" as its known, is said to me metal for "intelligent people who have good taste". This is not to say that prog metal can not be good, it often is. However it is not always as heavy as other forms of metal, such as Thrash Metal or Heavy Metal.