The Best Progressive Metal Bands

The beauty of progressive metal is that it combines the genres of progressive rock and heavy metal to crate a musical style that's as innovative as it is exciting. Prog. metal started in the 1970s in the UK and US before shooting to prominence in the 1980s. While there are elements of hard rock intertwined as well, progressive metal bands also incorporate other avant garde structures and genres that usually wouldn't be associated with heavy metal. The best progressive metal bands have some of the strongest followings in all of metal music, and they continue to sell out arenas and stadiums across the globe. While progressive metal artists don't move the needle like they use to, they're still among the most original and exciting musicians in heavy metal.

So, what are the best progressive metal bands? Many consider the names Dream Theater, Opeth, Mastodon and Meshuggah as the greatest and most well known progressive metal groups with epic live performances and countless bangers. 

That said, it's up to you to determine which progressive metal bands are the best. All of the top prog metal bands are known for their skill and charisma, but it's time to differentiate the best musicians from the okay ones. This list answers the questions "what are the best progressive metal bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest progressive metal musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the bands' music (i.e. albums and songs) instead of just voting for the most popular or famous progressive metal groups/singers whom you might've heard of.