Dan Johansen is a progressive metal solo artist from Lokken Verk in central Norway, active since 2010 and crafting intricate compositions from one of the country's most remote inland communities. His work demonstrates that progressive metal's complexity can emerge from the quietest, most isolated settings.

Dan Swano is a legendary figure in Swedish progressive death metal, based in Orebro and known for his work with Edge of Sanity, Nightingale, and countless production credits. His solo output channels decades of extreme and progressive metal expertise into compositions that demonstrate why he remains one of Sweden's most influential metal musicians.

Dancing Sun is a progressive metal solo project by Graz-based guitarist Bert Dittrich, who describes the concept as what might happen if Carcass and Dead Can Dance shared a bottle of raki in Crete. The project spans albums Heart Tales and Firefable, blending extreme metal aggression with atmospheric, world-influenced melodicism.

Daniel Bautista is a progressive and neoclassical metal guitarist from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, crafting technically accomplished instrumental compositions that blend shred guitar virtuosity with classical influences. Active since 2013, his solo work channels the neoclassical metal tradition of Yngwie Malmsteen through a distinctly Canarian artistic vision.

Daniverse is a progressive metal project from Braga in northern Portugal, formed in 2023 and exploring expansive, cerebral compositions. Their name suggests a personal sonic universe built by its creator — a fitting description for a project-driven vision of progressive metal.

Dante is a progressive metal band from the Augsburg/Munich area, active since 2010 and building a substantial catalog of technically accomplished, emotionally nuanced compositions. Named after the Italian poet, their music shares The Divine Comedy's ambition to traverse vast emotional and structural landscapes.

Dargoron plays power/progressive metal from Smederevo, the medieval Serbian fortress city, active since 2010. Their music combines power metal's melodic drive with progressive complexity, drawing thematic inspiration from the rich history of the Danube region.

Dark Aevum plays power/progressive metal from Deva in Transylvania, active since 2006 and whose Latin-inspired name — evoking a dark age — sets the stage for ambitious, narrative-driven compositions. Their two decades of work from the Transylvanian highlands have produced a substantial catalog of technically accomplished metal.

Dark Desire is a symphonic progressive metal band from the Odenwald region of Hesse, active since 2020 and layering orchestral elements over complex, dynamic compositions. Their sound bridges the grandeur of symphonic metal with the structural intricacy of progressive songwriting.