Greek mythology and oversized egos: The Genesis album that ended progressive rock

genre. Conceptually dense and inspired by mythology, the double album tells the surreal story of Rael, a Puerto Rican youth navigating bizarre trials in a dreamlike New York City. The project was spearheaded by Peter Gabriel, whose elaborate storytelling and on-stage theatrics added complexity to the music but also highlighted tensions within the band.

While celebrated for its ambition, *The Lamb* marked a turning point for Genesis. Gabriel left the band soon after its release, signaling the end of their most theatrically progressive era. Critics and fans alike have debated whether this album represented the peak or the beginning of the end for progressive rock as a mainstream genre. Its sprawling narrative and Gabriel’s dominant creative role arguably pushed the limits of what audiences expected, aligning with the decline of progressive rock’s commercial dominance [oai_citation:5,Greek mythology and oversized egos: The Genesis album that ended progressive rock | Culture | EL PAÍS English](https://english.elpais.com/culture/2024-09-24/greek-mythology-and-oversized-egos-the-genesis-album-that-ended-progressive-rock.html) [oai_citation:4,Genesis: The Journey of a Progressive Rock Icon – Prog Louder](https://proglouder.com/en/genesis/) [oai_citation:3,Genesis: 1970-1975 album review @ All About Jazz](https://www.allaboutjazz.com/1970-1975-by-john-kelman).

In subsequent years, Genesis shifted toward a more pop-oriented sound under Phil Collins’ leadership, achieving broader commercial success but moving away from their progressive roots. Meanwhile, *The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway* remains a touchstone for prog-rock enthusiasts, embodying both the grandeur and the challenges of the genre [oai_citation:2,Genesis: The Journey of a Progressive Rock Icon – Prog Louder](https://proglouder.com/en/genesis/) [oai_citation:1,Genesis: 1970-1975 album review @ All About Jazz](https://www.allaboutjazz.com/1970-1975-by-john-kelman).