Wagner, Jeff

***Revered former Metal Maniacs editor JEFF WAGNER analyzes the heady side of metal in this exhaustive narrative history of a relentlessly ambitious musical subculture. Beginning with the hugely influential mid-1970s efforts of progressive rock acts RUSH and KING CRIMSON, Wagner unfurls a vast colorful tapestry of sounds and styles, from the “Big 3” of 1980s progressive metal—QUEENSRYCHE, FATES WARNING and DREAM THEATER—to the extreme prog pioneers VOIVOD, WATCHTOWER, CELTIC FROST, and others. While heavy metal and progressive rock make awkward dance partners at first, the flirtation grows with each decade and each bold creative leap forward, spawning countless valiant stabs at infinity. Meanwhile, the progressive metal spark of inspiration thrives, smouldering in obscure outposts in Scandinavia, Florida, and Japan, and bursting into full flame with the recent successes of progressive metal overlords OPETH. MESHUGGAH, and their ambitious peers. 400 densely illustrated trade paperback with 16-page color insert. (STREET DATE - 11/30/2010)