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Hisotry of Prog Rock

Origin of the Term "Progressive Rock"

The term "progressive rock" began to be used in the late 1960s to describe music that aimed to "progress" beyond the standard tropes of rock and pop music. This included incorporating elements from classical, jazz, and other genres, as well as experimenting with song structures and recording techniques. The label was applied to bands that sought to elevate rock music to new artistic heights.

In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50

This comprehensive documentary explores the history and enduring legacy of King Crimson, focusing on their groundbreaking debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King. It features interviews, archival footage, and insights into the band's influence on progressive rock.

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The 1978 film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is a vibrant, musical extravaganza inspired by the iconic Beatles album of the same name. Directed by Michael Schultz, the movie follows the fictional band’s journey as they attempt to safeguard their hometown’s magical musical instruments from a greedy villain. Packed with star-studded cameos, reimagined Beatles classics, and colorful visuals, the film offers a whimsical, offbeat interpretation of the legendary record’s themes and characters. Though it took creative liberties that divided fans and critics alike, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band remains a fascinating cultural artifact of its time, blending the spirit of the Beatles’ music with the larger-than-life spectacle of 1970s cinema.  ​

A comprehensive overview of the making of 2112 and Moving Pictures albums. Interviews with band members and studio engineer Terry Brown. Studio performances of several songs on the albums. Watch on Youtube

Script for a Jester's Tear was Marillion's debut album, the beginning of a musical journey that has now spanned four decades. But it was also the end of a journey, a journey where the band had already experienced multiple line up changes and had paid its dues in venues the length and breadth of the country. Watch the full documentary on Marillion Official website

Dream Theater's second studio album "Images and Words" was recorded at BearTracks from September through December in 1991.The album's production was marred with tensions, as the band clashed with producer David Prater, including incidents where Prater would lock the band out of the studio, and infamously forcing drummer Mike Portnoy to use triggered snare and bass drum samples, with the snare sample being the exact one used on FireHouse's 1992 album "Hold Your Fire", another album Prater produced around the same time.This video is basically an in-studio documentary style video, with clips of each band member recording on different songs. There is plenty of humor along with the frustrations of getting each song down to the band's satisfaction. Watch it on youtube.

How Haken made The Mountain.

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Jacob Umansky officially joined Intervals in 2018, after previously touring with the band as a session bassist (Jake, 2018). He became a full-time member in time for the release of the band’s album The Way Forward in late 2017 (Metal Injection, 2017). Umansky’s technical proficiency and creative input further enhanced the group’s already intricate sound, contributing to Intervals’ evolution as a premier instrumental progressive metal act. His distinctive bass lines and advanced techniques added depth and complexity to the band’s compositions, solidifying Intervals’ reputation for cutting-edge musicianship and innovative songwriting (Guitar World, 2019). 

Polyphia’s redefinition of modern guitar playing is widely recognized for its departure from traditional techniques and its innovative blending of genres. Rather than focusing solely on heavy riffs and standard shredding, Polyphia draws heavily from hip-hop, trap, and electronic music, resulting in a hybrid style that has captivated listeners across multiple genres (Bridges, 2023).A major hallmark of Polyphia’s approach is their emphasis on rhythm and melody. Their guitar parts frequently mimic the flow and syncopation of programmed electronic loops, producing intricate, groove-oriented compositions. By doing so, they move beyond the usual guitar hero tropes, placing more value on textural interplay and sonic depth. In this way, they’ve introduced a new philosophy that prioritizes musicality and atmosphere over sheer technical prowess (Smith, 2022).In addition to their compositional methods, Polyphia’s use of modern production techniques plays a crucial role in their innovation. Guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage utilize unconventional tunings, experimental effects pedals, and post-production treatments that make their guitar tones resemble synthesizers or vocal samples. This creates a futuristic sound palette that challenges traditional expectations of what guitar music should be (Jones, 2022).Furthermore, their approach to self-promotion, particularly through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, has set a new standard for engaging younger audiences. By blending stunning visual presentations with their unique sound, Polyphia has broadened the appeal of instrumental guitar music, inspiring a new generation of players to experiment beyond conventional genre boundaries and redefine what it means to be a guitarist in the 21st century (Johnson, 2023).

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