Why is progressive rock/metal more popular in Europe than in the States?

Question

I love progressive metal bands like Symphony X, Firewind, Gamma ray, and Rhapsody, but rarely come in contact with anyone who knows anything about it in the states. These bands are huge in Europe...why is that?

I have an idea, but was wondering what the rest of you thought about it.

Answer 1

great question. Here are my thoughts.

As one answer mentioned, the more experimental (at the time) progressive rock was born in Europe in the late 60's early 70's.Tons of influential and not so influential bands sprouted up all over Europe during this time. England: Genesis, Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Renaissance, Jethro Tull, Camel, Caravan, VDGG, and even Pink Floyd, etc. Germany: Nektar, Kraan, Can, Amon Duul, Novalis, Grobschnitt, etc. France: Ange, Pulsar, Gong, Magma, Clearlight, Atoll, etc. Italy: PFM, Museo Rosenbach, Banco, Osanna, etc.Netherlands: Focus, Finch, etc. So, in many ways, Europeans were weaned on this kind of more challenging style of music. Even today, neo progressive music still gets some airplay. Marillion, for example, has a huge following in Europe (especially the Netherlands) but few people are even aware of who they are here in the US.

Now try to think of US bands that formed in the late 60's and early 70's that were "progressive." Let's see, Kansas, Gentle Giant (?), etc....I'm struggling. There was Rush but they were Canadian.

Prog rock/metal is naturally a heavier extension of this style of music. I also suspect that prog metal gets more airplay in Europe than in the US which is controlled more by the record companies desire to push bands that appeal to teenie boppers who are more likely to purchase alot of cds.

So, that's my take.

Answer 2

This my opinion :
States, a country with so many cool bands, many bands are being wellknown by world through this country, for many years this country doing such an amazing marketing and distribution for music product for all around the world. But for "produce" very nice bands maybe this country is not number one, especially in the genre that we called progressive rock / metal or metal music in general. I think this country too much pay attention in music like rap or hip hop, pop, rock music etc, but not for metal. Many years States have produce and released so many cool bands in many genre of metal music, glam metal, melodic metal, hard rock etc. But nowaday many of these bands are leaving the major label from States, they change their contract with many record label in Europe. Why ?? because european countries can accept their music better and do respect them so much. Let say germany, this country are the biggest cd producer beside japan, so they really serious doing their work for music especially metal music. They release some old school bands in cd for the first time or new bands also.

Answer 3

I don't really know ...
I do think that the U.S.A is one of those huge countries and therefore Americans will listen to much more American music then European. I also think it's because in Europe there's already a market for progressive rock/metal, whilst in the U.S.A there isn't really.

Answer 4

American prog rock lover here!

I'd guess that *generally* Americans want their instant gratification. So the masses (aka sheep) are perfectly happy with whatever the radio puts in front of them. Prog is too challenging.

Meanwhile, prog rock was *invented* over in Europe (or the UK, more specifically), so I'd think they have a "built-in" tolerance or taste for it.

Answer 5

in my opinion, European rock/metal is a whole different type then what we have here in the states...it can be compared but not in the same way