Top 10 Best Modern Progressive Metal Bands

1. Leprous

   

   Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band formed in 2001 in Notodden, Norway. The band gained prominence as the live backing band for former Emperor frontman Ihsahn. They have released several acclaimed albums, including Bilateral and Malina.

2. Haken

   

   Haken are an English progressive metal band formed in 2007 by multi-instrumentalist Richard Henshall, guitarist Matthew Marshall, and vocalist Ross Jennings. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums, including The Mountain and Vector. Haken is known for blending complex compositions... read more

   Absolutely hands down the best prog metal band ever, both in terms of emotional expression and musical originality.

   Intelligent, emotional, and brilliant.

3. Between the Buried and Me

   

   Between the Buried and Me is an American progressive metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 2000, the band originally featured vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Giles Rogers Jr.

   The group is known for blending progressive, technical, and metalcore elements, and their conceptual albums... read more

   Best, most interesting metal music of the last 20 years, not even close.

4. Ne Obliviscaris

   

   Ne Obliviscaris, which means "forget not" in Latin, is an extreme progressive metal band from Melbourne, Australia. The band was formed in April 2003 by vocalist Marc "Xenoyr" Campbell and violinist Adam Cooper. They have released four studio albums, with the most recent being Exul, which came out on... read more

   A band that is actually doing something different. Ear-ensnaring melodies, violins, blast beats. Check these out now!

   Magnificent stuff. The entire Portal Of I. Easily one of my favorite bands. Absolutely love the violin.

5. Pain of Salvation

   

   Pain of Salvation is a Swedish progressive rock band led by Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the band's main songwriter, lyricist, guitarist, and vocalist. The band is known for its complex compositions and concept albums that explore philosophical and personal themes. Since its formation in the early 1990s,... read more

6. Disillusion

   

   Disillusion is a German progressive metal band formed in 1994 in Leipzig, Germany. The band started with thrash and death metal demos and later developed a more complex and progressive sound. Their 2004 album Back to Times of Splendor is considered a milestone in modern progressive metal.

   This band is amazing! The most underrated band on the planet.

   My favorite band of all times! Incredible!

7. Agalloch

   

   Agalloch was an American black and folk metal band based in Portland, Oregon. The band was formed in 1995 by frontman John Haughm. Before disbanding in May 2016, Agalloch released five studio albums, four EPs, two singles, one split single, two demos, four compilation albums, and one live video.

8. Periphery

   

   Periphery is an American progressive metal band based in Washington, D.C., formed in 2005. They are known for their heavy, progressive sound that incorporates polyrhythmic patterns and melodic vocals. The band played a key role in popularizing the modern djent movement.... read more

   Not my favorite thing, but really good overall. A lot of people would classify them as djent, but I see them more as progressive. Nice band, worth checking out.

9. Dream Theater

   

   Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name "Majesty," later changing it to Dream Theater. The original lineup consisted of John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), and Mike Portnoy (drums).... read more

10. Caligula's Horse

    

    The best band in the subgenre. Clean guitar, amazing vocals, and technically masterful. Not as rhythmically or harmonically complex or as lyrically beautiful as some others on the list, but made up for with immense melodic mastery, guitar solos, and beautiful progressions.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    VOLA

    

    These guys are criminally unknown. They have some of the freshest sounding music I have ever heard, and the vocals have a unique bassy clean tone to them.

12. ?

    Maestrick

    
The Contenders

13. Voivod

    

    Voivod is a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Québec. Their musical style has evolved over time, incorporating elements of thrash, progressive, and industrial metal since their formation in the early 1980s. The band's current lineup includes Denis "Snake" Bélanger (vocals), Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain... read more

14. Opeth

    

    Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Åkerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which led to Åkerfeldt becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force.... read more

    Couldn't be better, I love this band! Haven't heard anything close to this since Metallica before their mainstream era (i.e., the albums before the Black Album) which were as important for metal bands to come as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin were for the development of the metal genre. Opeth are progressive and heavy and have a bandleader/songwriter with an awesome sense for melody and arrangements.

    Some bands in this genre are virtuosos with their instruments and/or have made the songs a bit more complicated than the mainstream, which can be impressive and gain a following. However, to me, it still comes down to the feel for the melody and not many bands are "up there" with these guys, regardless of genre. Opeth are the Beatles, the Led Zeppelins, the Bob Marleys, the Frank Sinatras of progressive metal bands and belong at the very top of this list. Anything else is just silly. 14th... sigh.

15. Distorted Harmony

16. TesseracT

    

    Tesseract is a British progressive metal band that originated in Milton Keynes, England. The band was formed in 2003 and features members Daniel Tompkins, Alec "Acle" Kahney, James Monteith, Amos Williams, and Jay Postones. They are currently signed to the independent label Kscope.

    Groovy, atmospheric, intense, lucid, clean, melancholic sometimes but powerful. These are the main feelings I get from these guys. They have impressive vocals, but I still prefer the instrumental albums as I find them more intense. 100% recommended.

17. Mastodon

    

    Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in early 2000 and includes Troy Sanders on bass, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher on guitars, and Brann Dailor on drums. They are known for their complex song structures and blending of multiple metal subgenres.

    Progressive, yet accessible. Complex, yet stripped down. As original as they come, featuring the power duo of Hinds and Dailor, this is the pinnacle of modern progressive metal.

    This band is a masterpiece and I will set the wolf loose on anyone who says otherwise.

18. Coheed and Cambria

    

    Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York, formed in 1995. The band consists of Claudio Sanchez, Travis Stever, Josh Eppard, and Zach Cooper. Their music often features concept albums based on a science fiction storyline called The Amory Wars, created by Sanchez.

19. Ayreon

    

    Ayreon is a musical project by Dutch songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. The project's music blends progressive rock, progressive metal, and power metal with influences from folk, electronica, experimental, and classical music. Many of Ayreon's albums... read more

20. The Ocean

    

    The Ocean is a progressive metal band started in 2000 by German guitarist Robin Staps. The band is also known as The Ocean Collective due to its rotating lineup of musicians. Their music combines elements of metal, progressive rock, and post-metal.

21. Cynic

    

    Cynic is an American band that incorporates elements of progressive, experimental, alternative, and heavy metal. The band was founded in Miami, Florida, in 1987. Founding members Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert publicly came out as gay in May 2014, a move that was broadly supported by the heavy metal... read more

    So sad to hear they're quitting. Such a great band. Check out their album "Focus".

22. The Contortionist

    

    The Contortionist is an American progressive metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in 2007, the band consists of guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, drummer Joey Baca, vocalist Mike Lessard, bassist Jordan Eberhardt, and keyboardist Eric Guenther. They are known for their technical musicianship... read more

    These guys came out of nowhere for me, and they are really amazing! Language is one of the best prog albums I have ever heard.

23. Animals as Leaders

    

    Animals as Leaders is an American progressive metal band from Washington, D.C. It was formed in 2007 by guitarist Tosin Abasi and currently includes Abasi, guitarist Javier Reyes, and drummer Matt Garstka. The band is known for its instrumental compositions and complex musical style, often described... read more

24. Plini

    I mean, just how is this guy not in at least the top ten? The dude is absolutely amazing.

25. Devin Townsend Project

    

    The Devin Townsend Project is a musical endeavor by Canadian musician Devin Townsend that began in 2008. It features a series of albums and live performances that are distinct from his solo work released under the name Devin Townsend. The project allowed Townsend to explore a variety of musical styles... read more

26. Gojira

    

    Gojira is a progressive and death metal band from Bayonne, France. The band was originally known as Godzilla until 2001. Its members include Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on lead guitar, and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass.

27. Polyphia

    

    Polyphia is an American instrumental progressive metal band based in Dallas, Texas, formed in 2010. The band is known for blending elements of progressive rock, metal, hip hop, and R&B into their music. They have released several albums and have gained a significant following for their technical musicianship... read more

    Not only the biggest but the best metal band in the world.