Symphonic strings, operatic vocals and classical virtuosity. Examining the classical in progressive metal – music, discourse, and diversity

What comes to mind when the genre ‘progressive metal’ is mentioned? Extended tracks, complex meters or virtuoso solos? What about operatic choruses, symphonic arrangements or theatrical deliveries? Despite tracing some of its origins to two traditions known for drawing from Western art music (progressive rock and heavy metal), progressive metal’s engagement with such classical aspects has been left largely unexplored by the academic community.
This book aims to address this oversight by arguing for the importance of the classical to genre’s aesthetic and surrounding culture, through a showcase of the network of visual, auditive and textual classical components as ascribed to the genre by its audience. The innovative approach combining discourse analysis and interpretative close readings both reconstructs and ‘translates’ audience discourses to academic contexts, yet also highlights their relevance as an equally valid source of meaning for the genre to the accompanying journalistic or academic contexts.
Additionally, recognizing the overlooked significance of female participants in the genre, the author presents an extended examination of The Great Kat, a virtuoso performer whose work both showcases the intersecting point between classical, gender and questions of cultural power, as well as highlights the strong potential for gender phenomena in the genre.