is a fusion genre combining the technical complexity and experimental spirit of progressive rock with the power and aggression of heavy metal. Emerging in the late 1980s with bands like Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, and Fates Warning, it often features odd time signatures, intricate guitar work, extended compositions, and conceptual themes. The genre spans styles from symphonic and melodic to extreme and avant-garde, pushing metal’s boundaries into ambitious, innovative territory.