Music Sound

Symphonic rock is a subgenre of rock music. The term is almost literally interchangeable with "progressive" rock. Early in progressive rock's history the term most certainly was synonymous with it.

In more recent years, symphonic rock has been recognized as more of a subgenre of progressive rock itself, although the lines within that particular genre are very thin and the term "progressive rock" is used to encompass a very large and varied amount of rock music.

Symphonic rock can be said to be prog rock with a much more strict adherence to classical music influences than other forms of prog. These influences vary in their manifestation as well. For instance, they can include:

• use of classical instruments
• musical themes from classical music
• classical composition schemes
• higher complexity than other types of rock and popular music
• elaborate compositions, resulting in long songs and concept albums
• prominent use of the synthesizer

The first wave of progressive rock bands that most people recognise as being "prog" rock bands can be considered to be symphonic rock bands. They include bands such as,

The Moody Blues
King Crimson
Yes
Genesis
Camel
Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Gentle Giant

Also, neo-prog bands that play progressive rock with a very traditionalist approach, such as Glass Hammer and The Flower Kings, can be considered symphonic prog.

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