Felt like starting a discussion, so here it is:

I prefer Metal for progressive music, even at age 38. Some may think of metal as basic music, others may well see it as a viable platform for being progressive. I think it is the perfect palate for being progressive.

We all know that one of the basic sounds of Metal is the power chord, or diad. These are two note chords, made up from the root and its fifth. Why a two note chord? Well because of the high gain sounds used in Metal requires the two note chord. Add many more notes than two under high gain, and you get mush. Why? Well, because all that distortion/gain creates overtones to the notes within the chord. Going beyond two notes, and the overtones don't compliment each other any longer and it generally starts to sound bad. I know there are exceptions.....bare with me

How do you get creative and progressive if you are limited to two note chords? First, you can use expanded diads by adding octaves to the root or fifth and get some interesting power chords, that still sound good under high gain. In addition, a two note chord cannot be defined as minor or major, you need to at least add the third or more to do that. By not defining the chords, you are free to interpret that chord and key as you see fit, or at least with less restriction.

In Jazz, you have very defined chords, that limits the scale and/or key that the soloist or improvisor can use. So while the Jazz musician/improvisor has to have greater understanding of music theory to be able to sound like he knows what he is doing, he is also more limited by the chords being played. These very restrictions are what, imho. hold back Jazz from ever being as creative of a platform to try different and unique things.

To sum it up, since metal is Rock and Roll in an extreme form, I think the no rules open architecture allows you to be more creative and progressive at the same time. I think this is why you have more sub-catagories of Rock music than any other form

Please discuss

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

In my opinion (and this is just my opinion) rules/structure make art more artful.
An example would be poetry. If you create “poetry” without any structure (being either rhyme or syllable pattern) it just sounds like a muddled speech.
When you give it some structure and convey your idea within that structure it has more impact.
You can create your own rules too, but you have to be consistent (within the context of a song) for the listener to perceive the structure (usually unconsciously).

Ahh good point, you do need some kind of structure, or at least have knowledge of the rules before you break the rules. But if the rules restrict you, how do you grow from there?

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

I think jazz has more subgeneres than metal, everything from rap to burlesque and swing/jive forms. Has always been more experimental, particularly in latter years with its decline in popularity.

That said metal will never die. I remember reading the Charles Shaar Murray column some months (maybe a year ago) and thinking, my dad told me this when i was 11. Rock will never die, metal is an offshoot of that. Thats largely the reason why metal keeps evolving, because the base form (rock) keeps evolving.

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No no and no