Heavy prog

Heavy Prog was a form of Progressive Rock during the tail end of the 1960s, and the very head beginnings of the 1970s. The first bands of Heavy Prog were High Tide, Lucifer's Friend, Black Widow, and Necromandus. Unfortunately, not much bands were to last for much a long time (except Rush), although some were to stick around for a few years. But nevertheless, bands like Uriah Hepp, Rush, Porcupine Tree, Anekdoten, John Paul Jones (original bassist from Led Zepplin), and Automatic Fine Tuning has salitisfied the genre as very different and unique to the progressive rock world. It's known as the backbone of Progressive metal.
History
The genre started when the band High Tide released their first album, Sea Shanties. It is considered by Allmusic to be the first ever Progressive Metal album. Other bands such as Lucifer's Friend came to the picture, and released in 1970, and Black Widow releasing their album, Sacrifice the same year. Rush would also soon be moving into Progressive rock territory with their album Caress Of Steel. Sadly though, most bands would not last (such as High Tide and Necromandus) and disband before they can realize their music path. Black Widow, High Tide, and Necromandus would rejgroup for a few years, but would disband again and never return to the public-eye.
Nevertheless, other bands called Uriah Heep, Rush and Porcupine Tree has also been around for a long time, in which all three of these bands have become very successful in their own rite. Although not considered a label in the mainstream world, these bands are sometimes known as the Second Wave Of Heavy Prog.
Music
The music is reminiscent to Black Sabbath, but adds in Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, and Jazz Fusion. And like prog rock, Heavy Prog contains uncommon time signatures, and sings about death, love, and fantasy other than the usual sex, drugs & rock and roll path of usual rock music. It also goes beyond the verse-chorus-verse songwritting type.
Influence on Progressive Metal
Heavy Prog may have not gained a successful following, but it is to be considered as the influence of Progressive Metal. Although none of the prog metal bands know the heavy prog bands (except Rush, it is the unsung hero of the genre, along with other bands ensuring Heavy Prog's name.

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