Heavy metal subgenres
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A number of overlapping heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal (often shortened to metal) in the late 1960s. Even though metal genres at times are difficult to segregate, they usually show differing characteristics in overall structures, instrumental and vocal styles, and tempo. However, sometimes a particular trait is common in several genres, and thus metal genres are normally grouped by a combination of traits.
[edit] Primary heavy metal subgenres
[edit] Black metal
Black metal is a form of extreme metal that became famous for its anti-Christian ideology and association with church burnings in the early 1990s. It is generally distinguished by high-pitched guitars, high-pitched "shrieking" vocals and frequent use of tritone, producing an uneasy atmosphere. Lyrics typically involve Satanic, Pagan or occult themes. Black metal band members often wear corpse paint to identify themselves with the genre.
In the early 1980s, a few thrash metal bands such as Venom and Bathory formed the prototype for black metal. However the genre itself is believed to have emerged in Norway and Finland in the late 1980s, spearheaded by bands such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Beherit, Burzum and Emperor.
[edit] Death metal
Death metal is a form of extreme metal that is generally distinguished by low-tuned guitar, low-pitched death grunt vocals, blast beats and erratic tempo and time signature changes. Lyrics typically revolve around themes of death, gore and violence, although some bands also address non-violent themes.
Death metal is an offshoot of thrash metal and the style was pioneered by the band Possessed in the mid-1980s. Other American bands such as Death, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse subsequently adopted the format and developed it into a distinct genre. Since then death metal diversified spawning a rich variety of subgenres.
[edit] Doom metal
Doom metal is highly atmospheric and typically features low-tempo, low-tuned and heavy guitar riffing, often exclusively. The music and lyrics often aim to convey a sense of darkness, despair and misery. It is strongly influenced by the early work of Black Sabbath, particularly songs such as "Black Sabbath", which are considered embryonic or prototypical doom metal songs. However, the style was defined as a genre in the early 1980s by bands such as Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Trouble and Candlemass. Doom metal is generally regarded as the basis of the gothic metal, stoner metal and sludge metal genres.
[edit] Folk metal
Folk metal bands are influenced by folklore from various cultures and origins. Originally started as a mixture of folk rock, power metal and black metal, the term has progressed to encompass many folk-themed metal bands, that use folk based lyrical themes and composition, including instrumentation. Some prominent bands of this genre are Finntroll, Skyclad and Moonsorrow. This genre sometimes blankets to include purely ambient bands not employing traditional metal instrumentation.[citation needed]
[edit] Glam metal
Glam metal (also called hair metal) was one of the most popular styles of metal during the 1980s. The sound, as the name suggests, lies somewhere between the heavy metal sound of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and the glam rock sound of Sweet and KISS. The bands were famous for their use of guitar solos, energetic frontmen and drummers that did not only have technical ability, but the ability to put on an entertaining show; as per Tommy Lee. Many of the bands donned make-up to achieve an androgynous look, similar to that of some 1970s glam rock bands. Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P., Quiet Riot and more recent bands like Blacksmith Bondage and Crashdiet are examples of glam metal.
[edit] Gothic metal
Gothic metal is a genre of heavy metal that originated during the early 1990s in Europe as an outgrowth of death/doom, a subgenre of doom metal. Musically it combines the guitar style of doom metal, black metal and death metal with its own unique use of heavy keyboard atmospherics, distorted guitars, romantic story like lyrics and dual vocalists. Examples of gothic metal include Sirenia , Lacuna Coil and Silentium.
[edit] Groove metal
Also known as neo-thrash or post-thrash, groove metal consists of slow or mid-tempo and down tuned thrash riffs, bluesy guitar solos, greatly emphasized drum work and harsh vocals. Examples of groove metal include Lamb of God, Machine Head and White Zombie.
[edit] Industrial metal
Industrial metal fuses elements of heavy metal and industrial music or other electronic genres such as house music by using electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines alongside more purely heavy metal instruments such as electric guitars and bass guitars, and a vocal style combining elements of both genres. Examples of industrial metal include Ministry, Static-X, Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails, and Fear Factory.
[edit] Metalcore
Metalcore combines elements of hardcore punk with heavy metal, thrash metal or extreme metal. Generally, metalcore guitarists use harmonized guitar riffs and solos, drummers use hardcore d-beats and double bass drums, and vocalists use a sing-along style. A distinguishing characteristic is the "breakdown", whereby the song is slowed to half-time and the guitarists play open strings to achieve the lowest-pitched sound. Metalcore generally differs from thrash metal in that it avoids the "chugging" guitar sound and focuses more on melody than aggression.[citation needed] Prominent metalcore bands include Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Caliban and Trivium.
[edit] Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal incorporates elements of classical music with the heavy metal sound; including instrument usage, scales (especially harmonic minor), and melodies. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is a known proponent of neo-classical metal, as is Tony MacAlpine.
[edit] Nu metal
Nu metal is a style that combines heavy metal with elements of alternative rock and funk, often with hip hop influence. Examples of nu-metal include Korn, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Linkin park, and P.O.D..
[edit] Post-metal
This heavy metal movement takes influences from post-rock. Post-metal stresses emotion, contrasting the ambiance of post-rock with the weight and bombast of metal. Vocals are deemphasized or non-existent, and lyrics tend to be equally abstract: often thematic or philosophical in nature. It is a largely American phenomenon, but also includes some Japanese bands. Instrumental bands like Cult of Luna, Isis, and Pelican write lengthy songs (typically five or six per album) that can range from light and guitar driven to extremely heavy.
[edit] Power metal
Power metal is more upbeat than most metal genres, taking heavy influence from heavy metal and speed metal. Power metal often emphasizes clean, melodic, high-pitched vocals, fast pacing that is mostly driven by double bass drumming and melodic lead guitar. The rhythm guitar is defined by straight power chord progressions. Power metal leans toward the positive, happy side of life, seeking to empower the listener and inspire joy and courage. Power metal lyrics usually involve fantasy or science fiction themes. Most power metal bands (e.g. Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius) are from Europe, though a small number (e.g., Symphony X, Kamelot, and Iced Earth) hail from North America.
[edit] Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a fusion between progressive rock and heavy metal. It is one of heavy metal's more complex genres, due to its use of unusual and dynamic time signatures, long compositions, complex compositional structures, and virtuosic instrumental playing, where instrumental solos are detailed and extended. Vocals, if present, are melodic and lyrics are often philosophical, spiritual, and/or political. Forerunners in this genre include Dream Theater, Symphony X, Opeth, Pain of Salvation, Fates Warning, and Queensrÿche.
[edit] Sludge metal
Sludge metal combines the low-tempos, heavy rhythms and dark atmosphere of doom metal with the shouted vocal delivery and high-tempos of hardcore punk. The string instruments are heavily distorted and often use a high level of audio feedback to produce a sludgy sound. Lyrics are typically blue-collar in nature; reflecting on society, generally in a cynical or downtrodden manner. Sludge metal may also incorporate elements of southern rock and blues-rock. Acid Bath and Eyehategod are good examples of this genre.
[edit] Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that uses traditional heavy metal song structures and riffing but with faster tempos and driving rhythms. It is usually as melodic as traditional heavy metal. Speed metal emerged when traditional heavy metal bands started writing an occasional fast song. It began as an established genre when bands wrote the majority of their songs in this style. Examples of speed metal include Motörhead, Annihilator and Accept.
[edit] Stoner metal
Stoner metal is typically slow-to-mid tempo, low-tuned and bass-heavy. The music combines elements of psychedelic blues-rock with doom metal, often drawing influence from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Blue Cheer, Cream and Black Sabbath (especially due to their song "Sweet Leaf").[citation needed] The terms stoner metal and stoner rock have been used interchangeably but generally stoner metal is used to refer to heavier and slower bands. The genre as it is known today was pioneered by the band Kyuss in the early 1990s. While not all musicians and fans are marijuana users, the tag "stoner" has stuck.
[edit] Thrash metal
Thrash metal is often regarded as the first form of extreme metal. It is generally characterised by its high tempos, complexity and aggression. Thrash metal guitar playing is most notable for the "chugging" sound it creates through low-pitched palm muted riffs, and high-pitched shred guitar solos. Drummers often use double-bass drums and hardcore punk-influenced d-beats. Vocals are most often shouted or sung in an aggressive manner.
Thrash metal evolved from speed metal and NWOBHM at the beginning of the 1980s, although Black Sabbath's 1975 song "Symptom of the Universe" is often regarded as the earliest example of a thrash metal riff. Bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth spearheaded thrash metal and are referred to as the genre's "big four".
[edit] Cross-genre terms within heavy metal
[edit] Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a cross-genre term used to describe heavy metal bands with a pronounced experimental edge. Bands often use typical heavy metal instruments, but include unconventional lyrics, odd time signatures and unusual technique. In many instances it is described as a fusion of metal and alternative rock, and distinguished from nu metal by its lack of hip-hop influence. Examples include System of a Down and Tool.
[edit] Avant-garde metal
Avant-garde metal (sometimes called experimental metal) is a cross-genre term used to describe metal bands that exhibit experimentation through non-standard sounds, instruments, and song structures akin to the genre of metal they are rooted in. Examples include Arcturus, Maudlin of the Well, UneXpect, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and Sigh.
[edit] Christian metal
Christian metal is a cross-genre term used to describe metal bands that introduce Christian themes into their lyrics. This sub-genre has a long tradition within metal, starting with "white metal" bands springing up alongside the NWOBHM phenomenon to the Christian metalcore bands today. Often the Christian themes are melded with the subjects of the genre the band is rooted in, often providing a Christian take on the subject matter. Examples include August Burns Red, Tourniquet, Underoath, Living Sacrifice, Mortification, As I Lay Dying, Demon Hunter, Impending Doom, The Showdown, Disciple, and The Devil Wears Prada (band).
[edit] Classic metal
Classic metal (also called heavy metal) is a term given to the original form of heavy metal; characterized by thumping fast bass lines, fast, crisp and somewhat heavy and more melodic riffs, extended lead guitar solos, high pitched vocals and anthemic choruses. This era of metal bands boomed in the mid- to late 1970s, declining with the rise of glam and thrash metal in the early 80s.
[edit] Dark metal
Dark metal is a cross-genre term used to describe metal bands that evoke what is considered to be a darker atmosphere than is normal for the genre they are in. Bands of this grouping are typically of the doom metal, gothic metal, black metal and symphonic metal genres. Agalloch is an example of a dark metal band.
[edit] Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a cross-genre term used to describe heavy metal that is considerably heavier, faster, more aggressive and more abrasive. For example; vocalists may often use death grunts or high-pitched shrieks and more obscene lyrics, drummers may often use blast beats, and the band's appearance may be intended to shock. Bands of this grouping are typically of the black metal, death metal, doom metal or thrash metal genres. A example band is called Ed Gein. It has been named after the killer Ed Gein.
[edit] NWOBHM
The 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' (often abbreviated as NWOBHM) is a term used to describe British heavy metal artists that emerged in the late 1970s/early 1980s in the wake of the 'original wave' of British heavy metal artists, and as a reaction against pop and punk. NWOBHM was hugely popular and has been influential to many metal genres since. The key bands of this genre are Iron Maiden, Saxon, Motörhead and Def Leppard.
[edit] Punk metal
Punk metal is an umbrella term, or cross-genre term used to describe music that fuses elements of heavy metal with punk rock. Often the fusion involves extreme metal and hardcore punk genres. Styles of punk metal include crossover thrash, crust punk, grindcore, grunge, metalcore, and subgenres or fusions thereof.
[edit] Rap metal
Rap rock (sometimes called rap metal or rapcore) is a cross-genre term used to describe bands that institute the vocal and lyrical form of rap. It is normally used in association with the term 'alternative metal' to differentiate between nu metal bands that contain hip-hop influence, and those that do not. It is also used occasionally to refer to bands that have worked alongside hip-hop artists on tracks before. Examples of rap rock include Body Count, Rage Against the Machine, and Hed Pe.
[edit] Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal varies in form. It most commonly refers to heavy metal bands that use orchestral elements in their music. These elements include full orchestras, opera themes, vocals or keyboarding akin to that of opera or symphony music, and a softer and more upbeat nature than other metal genres. One of first bands to successfully incorporate operatic and orchestral theme was Therion, whose seminal album Theli (1996) is considered to be first major attempt at symphonic metal. The bands Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Epica also fall under this sub-genre. Often, symphonic metal can be a combination of other sub-genres of metal, such as Rhapsody Of Fire and Blind Guardian, who both are symphonic power metal bands or Emperor, a black metal band.
[edit] Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of various metal genres. Mainly though, it crosses folk with either black metal, power metal,[citation needed] and in some cases death metal. Having songs with lyrics about vikings or the various histories and legends of the Nordic countries has nothing to do with classifying a band as Viking metal.[citation needed] It is a complex subgenre with subtle cross-over elements, such as native folk music styles or melodic death metal. Examples of Viking metal include: Týr, Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Thyrfing, Folkearth and Bathory.
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