Nu Symphonic

Nu Symphonic is a stylistic subgenre, of Heavy metal (and specifically the darker and extreme variants) that utilizes actual, as opposed to keyboard/synthesizer replicated, symphonic elements in the creation, playing of the music. It is often categorized by the inclusion of either a full woodwind or string section, but may expand to utilize full local symphonies.

History

Nu Symphonic metal can trace its roots directly to specific bands and styles of the latter 70s and 80s progressive and experimental stages of the harder musical genres. Bands such as the Beatles who's latter psychedelic experimentation showed a number of ways to include non-rock instruments in the whole of a work. Whereas Pink Floyd set the path for Operatic (opera) rock and OperaMetal bands with works such as The Wall which was one of the first rock-opera pieces. Nu Symphonic has grown from simple experimentation in the musical realms of Black metal and Doom metal to its own subgenre in the later 1990s in the United States and United Kingdom; and more recently has expanded to other large metal populations across Europe and Asia.

ub Genres and Branches

Opera Metal

OperaMetal is an extension of both Doom and Black metal that goes beyond just the story-telling element of a "rock opera' in actually becoming a full modernized version of classical opera. With recognizable bands of the style being trained in the style and setting of classical opera, the music is closer to the opera style than the rock style of predecessor bands. Though it differs slightly from other branches of Nu Symphonic in that it often does not fully utilize symphonic elements completely, they do incorporate symphonic elements in all of their respective works. Often OperaMetal will focuses on woodwinds; specifically, flutes and piccolos, in their work and may exclude others. Thereion has used electric violins and violas in many of their works as well. Bands such as Therion (mid- and later works), and NightWish are two notable examples.

tring Doom

String Doom is s sub-grouping of Nu Symphonic metal that utilizes almost exclusively stringed instruments and occasionally a drum set. Stringed Rage is a full ensemble encompassing an entire string section and a single doubled-drum set. Apocalyptica and the Angry String Orchestra both use only string instruments in their work, with the former also using guest vocalists and the later occasionally playing with other Nu Symphonic bands to add to their respective works. Notable bands of the genre are Angry String Orchestra, Apocalyptica, and Arctic Silence (early work).

Folk Doom

Folk Doom takes a classical turn on folk metal by using the actual classical and folk instruments of that region. The music commonly takes the regional folk music, often actual older songs from folk tales, and weaves in heavy guitar solos and accents, often in a Thrash or Black metal heavy-technical style. Themes are commonly layered out in classical opera formats, starting with an introduction, building to the crescendo (both the music’s and story's high point) and concluding with an aftermath or post-note. The style is most commonly situated locally and is found primarily in Central and Western Asia, focusing most heavily in the Middle East. 'Though the target audience is the same as other metal genres, it is not uncommon to find that the crowds are more "docile" at such shows, with more formal behaviour and reaction being encouraged in comparison to standard metal shows.

Metal Symphony

The metal symphony is commonly termed in reference to single works, songs, or series of songs; or a specific concert or tour. A metal symphony is characterized by the use of any rock or heavy metal band who changes little or nothing of their own act, and then sets up to play along-side a full symphony. It is more often a one-off recording style as opposed to a general bands makeup for various reasons. Some more notable examples are Metallica's S&M album, Therion's California, US and Chicago, US shows playing with local symphonies, and the later work of Arctic Silence. The Boston Pops has also produced shows with other Musical groups for their on-again-off-again Symphonic metal series playing with bands ranging from Poison and Guns N Roses in the 90s to Dimmu Borgir and Therion, and Zombi Corpse Rising in later years.

Uncategorical Symphonic

Uncategorical Symphonic metal is a generic term used to define a band or work that is so progressive or experimental that it simply defies any dominant placement. Though many bands have over time released specific works in this category, groups that themselves are defined as UnSy for an extended period of various works are few. Symphonic Blood is a twenty-five person group that produces electronic/amplified symphonic albums including a distortion-amped brass section, woodwinds, distortion guitars, violins, pan-flutes, wind chimes and other New Age Music sounds such as the under-water calls of sea creatures and wolfs. The Japanese Band Sigh has throughout their existence defied any specific style, being called both “genus” and “noise” at various times. Amazon.com’s early definition of the band, as well as that in the forum definition of FeeDB have both called the band “To (sic) experimental to be classified”. The Hong Kong site JoYo lists the band, loosely translated, “a convergence of GWAR, Kenny G, Black Sabbath, and the noise of a broken engine.” The band themselves consider themselves “an experiment in sound”, not an actual band. The inner jacket of the Hong Kong version and the US 2nd release of Scenario IV states that the band “will use anything that sounds interesting at the time” regardless of what it comes across as later.

Arctic Silence has also recently started to cross into a fusion of Doom metal with Jazz and New Age for a unique sound that defies a single category.

Some of Lacrimosa’s work has also found its way into the genre playing entire concerts of their stylistic Gothic doom sound on two pianos or a piano and harpsichord duet; thus making the band one of the first to cross from a metal genre into true greater-classical music.