Here are the six best progressive metal songs over 20 minutes long (ranked)!
Many metal styles – such as grindcore, metalcore, thrash metal, and death metal – are known for having short song lengths. In contrast, and similar to the older genre from which it derives (progressive rock), progressive metal often features intricate tracks that exceed the 10/20/30-minute or even hour-long mark.
Since we recently ranked the five best prog rock songs over 20 minutes long, we thought it was time to do the same for its newer and fiercer offshoot!
READ MORE: The Most Collected Albums By 11 Big Prog Rock Bands (on Discogs)
Now, you might think that because prog metal is about 15 years younger than prog rock (and there are fewer pieces to choose from), selecting which tunes to feature and how they compare to each other would have been easier. However, you’d be mistaken, as there are even more compositions that immediately came to our minds before we had to make some tough decisions to limit and properly structure our final verdicts.
Therefore, as usual, you’ll see a mix of expected and unexpected choices, and we’d love to know which ones would make your list. Are there any selections you’d place above or below where we ranked them? How about ones that you think don’t deserve to be here at all (or ones that we’re foolish for not including)? Let us know!
As far as we’re concerned, though, we’ve properly ranked and are proud to present the six best progressive metal songs over 20 minutes long!
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The 6 Best Prog Metal Songs Over 20 Minutes Long (Ranked)
YouTube: Bloodstockfestivals / Inside Out / Sensory
YouTube: Bloodstockfestivals / Inside Out / Sensory -
6. Opeth, “Black Rose Immortal”
Morningrise is a significant improvement over its predecessor Orchid, showcasing the Swedish band fine-tuning their black metal/melodeath/progressive death metal chemistry. “To Bid You Farewell” is its most popular track, but its penultimate epic – “Black Rose Immortal” – is equally remarkable for its variety, flow, and foreshadowing of Opeth’s subsequent genre supremacy.
Mikael Åkerfeldt‘s scratchy vocals and the relatively jazzy and bouncy bass lines (courtesy of Johan De Farfalla) certainly date “Black Rose Immortal.” Plus, it’s forgivably rough around the edges.
Nevertheless, its masterful transitions between devilish brutality and melodic catharsis remain breathtakingly Shakespearean and affective, with gorgeous acoustic guitar work and tender verses that hold up as well as almost anything else the group has done since the late 1990s.
Interestingly enough, it’s the only 20-plus minute track Opeth ever produced, so we can only imagine how amazing it would be if they revisited this blueprint with their modern sensibilities and evolutions.
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5. Haken, “Visions”
Haken hit the ground running with 2010’s Aquarius, promptly establishing themselves as one of the greatest new prog bands of the 21st century. They had quite the task ahead of them in trying to match – or even surpass – that excellence a year later with follow-up Visions. Fortunately, they succeeded by diving deeper into their prog rock roots with a more diverse and confident approach that culminates in the gargantuan and relentlessly gratifying title track.
It’s a characteristic ride from start to finish, with moody ambience and gradual orchestral tension erupting into panicked keyboard and guitar patterns alongside rambunctious rhythms and ominous narration. Eventually, frontman Ross Jennings’ trademark silky desperation shines through via compelling hooks and detailed storytelling while the rest of the piece oscillates brilliantly between zany aggression and bittersweet reflections.
Sure, shades of their predecessors can be felt (such as Dream Theater’s chaos, Yes’ symphonic relief, and Gentle Giant’s tricky arrangements and vocal counterpoints); however, “Visions” does more than enough to solidify Haken’s unique appeal and become an instant progressive metal classic.
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4. Green Carnation, “Light of Day, Day of Darkness”
Ever since Jethro Tull popularized and perfected the album-long prog song with 1972’s Thick as a Brick and 1973’s A Passion Play, numerous successors have tried their hand at the same structure. Most results have been very impressive and enjoyable; however, few have done as much with the form as Green Carnation did with their 60-minute ode to sorrow and survival: “Light of Day, Day of Darkness.”
Inspired by real-life circumstances (the passing of guitarist Tchort’s daughter and the birth of his son), this profound account is filled with cleverly cohesive segues, powerful revelations, and fascinatingly decorative instrumentation.
Selecting specific moments as highlights would do a disservice to what Green Carnation has achieved since the whole piece should be heard in one sitting. Indeed, its interwoven slices of classical, folk, gothic metal, and progressive death metal – along with a few poignant voiceovers – require multiple playthroughs to fully etch themselves into your soul (which they’re guaranteed to do).
Even if you’ve never experienced such polarizing emotions, “Light of Day, Day of Darkness” remains a stunning experience.
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3. Devin Townsend, “Singularity”
As any fan of Devin Townsend knows, the Canadian virtuoso is among the most versatile and unpredictable musical artists ever (so choosing a “best” album is nearly impossible due to his many phases and personas).
That said, 2019’s Empath is probably his most representative statement yet; grand finale “Singularity” stands out as both the record’s superlative section and arguably Townsend’s finest composition ever unleashed unto the world.
The six-part journey kicks off with one of his most soothingly introspective passages (“Adrift”), a collage of delicate vocals, acoustic guitar strums, and radiant orchestration sure to make you smile as you ponder your place in life.
Afterward, “Singularity” bounces between idiosyncratically strange transitions (“Silicon Scientists”), expertly crafted chaos (“There Be Monsters”), and additional angelic mediations (“Curious Gods”). Throughout it all, Townsend’s existential confessions are boundlessly inventive while being spiritually enriching.
Far more than just an entertaining tune, “Singularity” is a therapeutic masterpiece.
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2. Symphony X, “The Odyssey”
When it comes to the neoclassical/power metal side of progressive metal, few can rival legendary Symphony X. Although 2002’s The Odyssey isn’t their best album overall; its namesake voyage – inspired by Homer’s renowned poem – easily ranks as the group’s top track due to its immaculate blend of exceptional songwriting and theatrical splendor.
Following its magnificent orchestral overture, “The Odyssey” immediately showcases some of vocalist Russell Allen’s most appealing melodies. He adeptly tells his tale with both fragility and fury; either way it’s hard not to sing along with every line.
The bandleader/guitarist Michael Romeo supports Allen with ideal amounts of flashiness while dashing between gentle wistfulness and vigorous intensity as needed. Of course, its reprise at the end is an invigorating icing on the cake.
The song exemplifies how much heart Symphony X can infuse within their mind-meltingly technical flights of fancy.
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1. Dream Theater, “A Change of Seasons”
This was the hardest song to choose since Dream Theater has produced several outstanding side-long suites. As amazing as “Octavarium,” “In the Presence of Enemies,” and “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” are; however, nothing matches the unmatched creativity and emotional power found in their initial one – “A Change of Seasons.”
Taken from their 1995 EP of the same name; “A Change of Seasons” explores life’s circle; was predominantly influenced by drummer Mike Portnoy’s mother passing; and marked keyboardist Derek Sherinian’s debut (whose reserved yet vibrant style significantly contributes to this track’s impeccable flow).
The quintet ensures that this chronicle remains moving with acoustic guitar arpeggios alongside calming rhythms exemplifying Dream Theater’s adventurousness.
“A Change of Seasons” wouldn’t be half as wonderful without Portnoy’s poetic lyricism alongside frontman James LaBrie’s operatic passion; he nails everything, giving lines such as “Tripping through / The life fantastic / Lose a step / And never get up / Left alone / With a cold blank stare / I feel like giving up”, maximum impact.
Three decades later; “A Change of Seasons” remains king among 20-plus minute progressive metal epics.
