Will Prog Rock ever make a comeback?

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Riffin'
On a whim today, I pulled up Genesis' Wind and Wuthering. It got me thinking about the progressive rock genre.

Way back in my youth, in the 70s, my older brother had both Aqualung and Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull. I thought the latter was the coolest album ever...one long song with different movements and themes that changed and recurred throughout. It was such a departure from the 45 rpm single format, and was much more interesting to me. I then discovered Yes, EL&P, Genesis, King Crimson, etc., and became a fan of the style. Of course, FM radio was quite a different beast back in those days and a lot of that music actually got air play.

As the years went by, the genre faded. I'm guessing it's still out there, and there are bands still doing interesting music, but I've lost the thread. And honestly, I don't know that I'd be into it again like I was when it was new. I guess it's that way with a lot of things.

So, what do you think? Are there still bands out there experimenting and keeping things interesting? If so, who are they? Will today's youth embrace it and make it more mainstream? I'm not sure folks have the attention span for songs over 5 minutes anymore. :shrug:

Edit: Yes, I am aware of Angine de Poirtine. While it is interesting what they're doing, it doesn't do much for me long term.
 
There was a boom in the '90s w/ Dream Theater having the most success. Nothing since had as much impact. It's arguably a a thriving niche genre. A certain amount of it has gone instrumental. Echolyn is one of my favorite prog bands. Damn the Machine was a great prog-metal band. I haven't followed the scene for decades, so I can't point you to much in the way of truly new prog artists. Big Big Train is also really good, but that's a new band of older prog focused musicians.
 
Dogsinplastic said:
There was a boom in the '90s w/ Dream Theater having the most success. Nothing since had as much impact. It's arguably a a thriving niche genre. A certain amount of it has gone instrumental. Echolyn is one of my favorite prog bands. Damn the Machine was a great prog-metal band. I haven't followed the scene for decades, so I can't point you to much in the way of truly new prog artists. Big Big Train is also really good, but that's a new band of older prog focused musicians.
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Tool and Mars Volta found some mainstream success back in the day. I think they probably had more impact than Dream Theatre did. Coheed and Cambria was around that time too for guys who like nuts-in-a-vice Geddy Lee style vocals.

Relatively recent (2010s) groups like Black Midi and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard get some attention as indie bands.
 
Prog is not dead, it just smells funny (Haters will say it always stank). Will it ever reach peak popularity again? I have my doubts.

Crown Lands is a Canadian prog rock duo. It's obvious they are heavily influenced by RUSH. They've developed a following, mainly in Canada. They're working on touring outside of Canada, but it's expensive to tour these days.





 
Bones McHorror said:
Tool and Mars Volta found some mainstream success back in the day. I think they probably had more impact than Dream Theatre did. Coheed and Cambria was around that time too for guys who like nuts-in-a-vice Geddy Lee style vocals.

Relatively recent (2010s) groups like Black Midi and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard get some attention as indie bands.
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I actually looked up C&C's album sales and they haven't sold nearly as much as DT, neither has Mars Volta. Tool has been far more successful, but they aren't the same kind of prog as DT. Tool have always hit my ears as being more about the songs (music and lyrics) and the mood they create rather than elaborate arrangements and big solo features.
 
Prog rock is never going to have the sort of numbers it did in the 70s. But the genre as a whole is very much alive, especially in Europe.
Even bands like SAGA who never quite caught on in the US can still fill quite big venues over here.
Recent years I've become a big fan of Big Big Train (their latest album "Woodcut" is incredible btw), Beardfish, AVKRVST, Leprous and a few others.

One recommendation I have for keeping up with what's happening is following the InsideOut label on facebook or other socials. Most of the prog bands are signed to that label and they're really good at showcasing new stuff. Especially if you're like me more into the non-metal side of prog.
 
Dogsinplastic said:
I actually looked up C&C's album sales and they haven't sold nearly as much as DT, neither has Mars Volta. Tool has been far more successful, but they aren't the same kind of prog as DT. Tool have always hit my ears as being more about the songs (music and lyrics) and the mood they create rather than elaborate arrangements and big solo features.
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Coheed and Cambria was in one of the Madden games lol

That's what everyone aspires to in the end isn't it?
 
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