Trace music is synthesizer-based and focused on short, catchy melodies, making it accessible. It usually has a tempo between 130 and 155 BPM (beats per minute). The energy in trance music builds up, climaxes, and breaks down throughout a song, giving it an anthemic and epic feel.
Progressive, short for progressive trance, is a subgenre of trance music. It is more mellow and focused on atmosphere. Tracks are usually 125 to 135 BPM and can be as long as 12 to 13 minutes.
By the mid-1990s, trance had become one of the most popular forms of dance music. It has been embraced by the masses and has emulated structures found in mainstream pop.
Progressive trance is a reaction to the anthemic nature of trance music. It is more abstract and there is less focus on pop-like melodies.
Like trance before it, progressive trance grew popular worldwide. As a result, many progressive trance artists have broken away or sought a more underground sound.