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“We were all over radio and MTV with an eight-minute song. That hadn’t happened since the days of Yes and ELP”: Dream Theater, Voivod, Watchtower and the explosion of prog metal
A 2018 Prog magazine feature, republished by Louder, traces the rise of progressive metal in the 1980s and 90s through bands such as Dream Theater, Voivod and Watchtower, arguing that far from being a fallow period for progressive music, the decade saw a distinct new scene take shape across the US and Canada that endures today. The piece uses first-hand recollections from musicians involved, including Voivod drummer Michel "Away" Langevin, to chart how the genre emerged and eventually broke into the mainstream.
The article opens with Langevin recalling Voivod's first support slot for Rush on 20 March 1990 in Edmonton, Alberta, during Rush's tour for their album Presto. It contrasts the two bands' trajectories: Rush were paring back the synth-heavy sound of their previous decade, while Voivod, who began as a raw thrash metal act, were moving towards more complex, progressive song structures. The feature goes on to describe how bands in this scene achieved unlikely mainstream success, including radio and MTV exposure for an eight-minute song, a feat not seen since the era of Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
In short
- Prog metal emerged as a distinct scene in the US and Canada during the 1980s.
- Voivod evolved from thrash metal into more progressive territory, supporting Rush in 1990.
- Bands like Dream Theater later achieved rare mainstream radio and MTV success.
Explained simply
Progressive metal combines the force of heavy metal with longer songs and more complex structures. In the 1980s and 90s, bands in the US and Canada developed their own version of progressive music while mainstream attention often focused elsewhere.
Voivod began as a thrash metal band in Canada, then moved towards more elaborate arrangements; Dream Theater and Watchtower were among the US bands shaping the scene. Rush, already established for blending rock with complex songwriting, toured with Voivod in 1990, bringing together bands at different points in their musical paths.
The scene matters because some of its bands reached audiences beyond metal fans, including through radio and MTV. Their success showed that lengthy, intricate songs could find a place in mainstream music, and helped the style endure.