[2026] A Collection of Masterpieces of Japanese Progressive/Prog Rock

Progressive rock, which saw a major surge in popularity in Europe and the United States in the 1970s, is a rock genre that pursues experimental and ambitious musicality in terms of song structure and performance technique.

In Japan as well, it has influenced many musicians since the ’70s and has developed in its own unique way.

In recent years, a new generation of bands has continued to emerge, creating fresh appeal through contemporary interpretations.

This article will guide you through the world of Japanese progressive rock—from classic masterpieces to the latest buzzworthy releases—for those who want to explore the allure of prog.

Playlist

[2026] A Collection of Masterpieces of Japanese Progressive/Prog Rock
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	on the brink of explosionyoninbayashi		A monumental masterpiece of progressive rock
2	oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)shingetsu		A progressive rock masterpiece, music that resonates with the heart
3	Look Up The Sky (Featuring Keiji Haino)Majikaru Pawā Mako		Meditation Music by Magical Power Mako
4	IllusionNOVELA		A masterpiece by NOVELA, depicting the boundary between fantasy and reality.
5	mythKosumosu Fakutorī		Ethereal Japanese prog with resonant Moog
6	Satori Part IFLOWER TRAVELLIN’ BAND		A soul-stirring masterpiece etched into the history of Japanese rock
7	ADELHEIDXOXO EXTREME		An intense song by a progressive rock idol
8	Rabbit TearsKumorigahara		Intelligent and emotionally rich music from Kumorigahara
9	NivraymKōenji Hyakkei		Tatsuya Yoshida’s Koenji Hyakkei, music from another dimension
10	Aggressive national musichachijuu hakkasho junrei		Mysterious and aggressive music and vocals
11	Forest of FairiesAIN SOPH		A masterpiece that paints a story with enchanting music
12	MeridianGERARD		The Appeal of the Progressive Rock Band GERARD
13	Moonlight into the interiorKenso		Music fusing ensemble and lyricism
14	The Burning MissionSpark7		The advanced musicality of a prog band
15	WE ARE HEREFLOWER TRAVELLIN’ BAND		The progressive rock band's inventive musicianship and appeal
16	A city not on the mapMarmalade butcher		The appeal of a large band with eight members
17	Suite “Ran”Bikyōran		The masterpiece Parallax by Bi Kyo Ran is an overwhelming suite.
18	SaethiEVRAAK		Prog music with saxophone and an unusual twist, theatrical
19	Highway as a Period DramaTipographica		A fusion of Japanese and Western styles played with polyrhythms
20	Demon Girl Akinzoku ebisu		The original musical world of Kinzoku Ebisu
21	Shield For Your Eyes…MELT-BANANA		The power of Yako, a progressive band from Japan
22	backlightPeople In The Box		A unique band from Fukuoka led by Mr. Hatano
23	Melodic LabyrinthBIGMAMA		Melody of the labyrinth: a sense of speed and sounds of imagination
24	Goodbye, kindnessFresh!		A rhythmically intense, complex, and captivating song
25	Monster ~3/4 no good job night one show~BULL ZEICHEN 88		The chorus that opens with the riff is captivating.
26	WeekendZAZEN BOYS		Focus on the fun contrast in the prog band
27	Imagineditabout tess		The gap between the difficult phrases and the music is captivating.
28	Super JorkerMisutā Shiriusu		A captivating, never-boring song with irregular time signatures
29	Summer rainUehara Hiromi		Hiromi Uehara, a world-renowned pianist
30	El Ron Zacapabohemianvoodoo		A captivating masterpiece of fusion music
31	Night, night of the assassinHadaka no Rarīzu		The frenzied guitar expressions of a prog band
32	DrasticaLAGITAGIDA		The ultra-aggressive music of a prog band
33	EclipseNeo-Zonk		The incredible performance by the two keyboardists is captivating.
34	R.o.NROVO		Grand composition and pleasant drumming
35	SparkThree Primary Colors		A stylish track that goes from sultry piano to danceable vibes
36	CyclingPRISM		Legendary debut album track by Prism
37	The Last Suppermouse on the keys		A captivating track where the skeleton performance’s intricate riffs harmonize beautifully.
38	fate -destine-ADA		Grand and profound music that captivates with three instruments
39	CORINTOPARA		A cute and quirky song by a prog band
40	Blue MistPRIMITIVE ART ORCHESTRA		Iori Kimura's piano technique is amazing.
41	Severed DahliaSutoroberī Songu Ōkesutora		A punk band that fuses music and theater
42	make my dayCube-Ray		A captivating piece with ultra-fast irregular time signatures
43	Asian Dancerfox capture plan		A fresh, new-sensation jazz instrumental band
44	MIRROR BALLSDATE COURSE PENTAGON ROYAL GARDEN		A captivating song with an innovative musical style
45	A Girl SupernovaPANICSMILE		A song by PANICSMILE with diverse musicality
46	gestaltegoistic 4 leaves		A lavish song finely performed by the rhythm section