Heavy metal subgenres

A number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal (often shortened to "metal") during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be identified by a number of traits. They may differ in terms of: instrumentation, tempo, song structure, vocal style, lyrics, guitar playing style, drumming style, and so on.

Primary heavy metal subgenres

Black metal

Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It often employs fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, and unconventional song structure.

During the first half of the 1980s, certain thrash metal bands established a prototype for black metal. This First Wave includes bands such as Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer and Celtic Frost.cite video | people = Dunn, Sam (Director) | year = 2005 | date = August 5 | url = http://imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ | title = Metal: A Headbanger's Journey | medium = motion picture | location = Canada | publisher = Dunn, Sam] A Second Wave emerged in the early 1990s, which consisted primarily of Norwegian bands such as Burzum, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Immortal and Emperor.

Death metal

Death metal is an extreme heavy metal subgenre. The genre is typically characterized by the use of heavily distorted guitars, harsh vocals that are low-pitched and/or growled, morbid lyrics, exceptionally fast-paced rhythms and melodies, frequent blast beats on drums, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes.

Building off the speed and complexity of thrash metal, death metal came to true prominence by the mid 1980s.cite video | people = Dunn, Sam (Director) | year = 2005 | date = August 5 | url = http://imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ | title = Metal: A Headbanger's Journey | medium = motion picture | location = Canada | publisher = Dunn, Sam] Bands like Possessed [ [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=3690 Possessed - Seven Churches review @ Metal Observer] ] and pioneer death metal bands such as Death and Morbid Angel are considered prime influences in the genre. [ [http://wm03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:giftxqe5ldte~T1 Morbid Angel page @ Allmusic] "Formed in 1984 in Florida, Morbid Angel (along with Death) would also help spearhead an eventual death metal movement in their home state"] In the late 1980s and early 1990s, death metal gained more media attention as popular record labels like Earache Records and Roadrunner Records began to sign death metal bands at a rapid rate. [ [http://www.emptywords.org/Watt4-93ismetalstillalive.htm Is Metal Still Alive?] WATT Magazine, Written by: Robert Heeg, Published: April 1993] Since then, death metal has diversified, spawning a rich variety of subgenres. [ [http://www.silver-dragon-records.com/death_metal.htm Silver Dragon Records] "During the 1990s death metal diversified influencing many subgenres"] [ [http://www.deathmetal.org/death_metal/music/ Deathmetal.org] "The golden years of death metal were from 1988 to 1994, during which time the classics of the genre and all of its variations formed"]

Doom metal

Doom metal emerged as a recognized heavy metal sub-genre during the first half of the 1980s.cite web|url=http://wm04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:11956| title=Doom metal | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] Generally, doom metal features very slow tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "denser" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres. Both the music and the lyrics intend to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom.

It is strongly influenced by the early work of Black Sabbath, particularly songs such as "Black Sabbath" and "Into the Void", which are considered embryonic or prototypical doom metal songs. However, the style was defined as a genre in the early-mid 1980s by bands such as Pentagram, Saint Vitus and Candlemass. Doom metal is generally regarded as the basis of the gothic metal, stoner metal, sludge metal and drone metal genres.

Drone metal

Drone metal began as a derivative of doom metal and it is largely defined by drones; notes or chords that are sustained and repeated throughout a piece of music. Typically, the electric guitar is performed with large amounts of reverb and feedbackJohn Wray, "Heady Metal", "New York Times", May 28, 2006. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/magazine/28artmetal.html?pagewanted=all] Access date: August 18, 2008.] while vocals, if present, are usually growled or screamed. Songs are often very long and lack beat or rhythm in the traditional sense. Drone doom is generally influenced by drone music, noise music and minimalist music. The style emerged in the early 1990s and was pioneered by Earth, [Jason Jackowiak, "Splendid", September 14, 2005. [http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1125311580560974] Access date: August 23, 2008.] Boris, Sunn O))) and Corrupted.

Folk metal

Folk metal developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with folk music. This includes the widespread use of folk instruments and, to a lesser extent, traditional singing styles. Examples of the genre include Skyclad, Finntroll and Korpiklaani while the bands Cruachan, Orphaned Land and Subway to Sally are representative of the three subgenres Celtic metal, Oriental metal and Mittelalter rock respectively.

Glam metal

Glam metal (also known as hair metal) arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States. It was a dominant genre in popular rock music throughout the 1980s. Musically, glam metal songs use distorted guitar riffs based around power chords and catchy hooks over hard-hitting drumming. Most songs feature flashy virtuoso shred guitar solos with heavily effect-processed lead guitar sound. The overall sound is much more commercial and studio-engineered than earlier styles of metal. The vocals have a catchy melody with an anthemic "sing-along" chorus. In addition, they were usually sung with a clean tone like in hard rock. Many of the bands donned make-up to achieve an androgynous look, similar to that of some 1970s glam rock bands. Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, and W.A.S.P. are examples of glam metal.

Gothic metal

Gothic metal is characterised as a combination of the dark melancholy of gothic rock with the aggression of heavy metal music. The genre originated during the mid 1990s in Europe as an outgrowth of doom-death, a fusion genre of doom metal and death metal. Examples of gothic metal bands include Paradise Lost, Lacuna Coil and Tristania.

Groove metal

Also known as neo-thrash, post-thrash, or power groove, 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 Pantera, Machine Head and White Zombie.

Industrial metal

Industrial metal combines elements of industrial music and heavy metal. It is usually centered around repetitive metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. [cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:2919|title= Industrial Metal|publisher= [http://www.allmusic.com allmusic] |accessdate= 2008-02-11] Founding industrial metal groups include Godflesh,cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3ifexqu5ldke|title= ((( Godflesh > Overview )))|author= Walters, Martin|publisher= [http://www.allmusic.com allmusic] |accessdate= 2008-07-03] KMFDM,Di Perna 1995a, page 69.] and Ministry.

=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. Many metalcore bands are now also incorporating synthesiezers into their music.Fact|date=December 2007 Prominent metalcore bands include Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Caliban, and Shadows Fall. Most recent metalcore bands have an origin in Springfield, Massachusetts and the Bay Area in California.

Neo-classical metal

Neo-classical metal (also known as shred metal) is a subgenre that is heavily influenced by classical music in its style of composition. It implies a very technical performance and the use of elements borrowed from classical music; including instrument usage, scales and melodies. Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Tony MacAlpine are prominent performers in this genre.

=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, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit.

Post-metal

This heavy metal movement takes influences from post-rock. While it is in many ways similar to post-rock, post-metal tends to include lower-tuned guitars, darker themes and tones, and heavier drums. 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, drum and bass-driven.

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. Examples of power metal bands include Helloween, Blind Guardian, and HammerFall.

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. However, the latest age of Progressive Metal has favoured rougher lyrics and lower-pitched riff sequences with high amounts of strumming. Vocals, if present, are melodic and lyrics are often philosophical, spiritual, and/or political. Examples of the genre include Queensrÿche, Dream Theater and Opeth.

ludge metal

Sludge metal began as a derivative of doom metal, incorporating hardcore punk and elements of southern rock. Many sludge bands compose slow and heavy songs that contain brief hardcore passages.cite web|url=http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fzfixqu5ldse~T1| title=Eyehategod
author=Huey, Steve | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:j9fexqq5ldse~T1| title=Crowbar
author=Huey, Steve | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] However, some bands emphasise fast tempos throughout their music.cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kzfoxqy5ldse~T1| title=Buzzov*en
author=York, William | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] The string instruments are heavily distorted and are often played with large amounts of feedback to produce an abrasive, sludgy sound. Drumming is often performed in typical doom metal fashion, but drummers may employ hardcore d-beat or double-kick drumming during faster passages. Vocals are usually shouted or screamed, and lyrics are generally pessimistic in nature. Suffering, drug abuse, politics and anger towards society are common lyrical themes. New Orleans with its metal scene is often considered as its birthplace.cite web|url=http://wm04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:11956| title=Doom metal | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] The style was pioneered in the early 1990s by bands such as Eyehategod, Crowbar, Buzzov*en,cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kzfoxqy5ldse~T1| title=Buzzov*en
author=York, William | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] Acid Bathcite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gxfyxqe5ldfe~T1| title=Acid Bath
author=York, William | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21] and Grief.cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wifexqrhldhe~T1| title=Grief
author=Henderson, Alex | work=Allmusic| accessdate=2008-07-21]

peed metal

Speed metal originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was the direct musical progenitor of thrash metal. [cite web | title=Speed metal rock history | work=www.silver-dragon-records.com | url=http://www.silver-dragon-records.com/speed_metal.htm | accessdate=December 14 | accessyear=2006] When speed metal first emerged as a genre, it increased the tempos that had been used by early heavy metal bands, while retaining their melodic approaches. Examples of speed metal include Motörhead, Annihilator and Accept.

toner metal

Stoner metal is typically slow-to-mid tempo, low-tuned, and bass-heavy. [cite web
url = http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,5049.sm
title = Rockdetector – Kyuss biography
accessdate = 2007-12-10
author = Garry Sharpe-Young
last = Sharpe-Young
first = Garry
publisher = Rockdetector
quote = [Kyuss] almost single handed invented the phrase ‘Stoner Rock’. They achieved this by tuning way down and summoning up a subterranean, organic sound...] It combines elements of psychedelic rock, blues-rock and doom metal, often with melodic vocals and 'retro' production.cite web
url = http://wc10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:11953
title = Stoner Metal
accessdate = 2007-12-10
author =
publisher = Allmusic
quote = Stoner metal could be campy and self-aware, messily evocative, or unabashedly retro.] The genre emerged during the early 1990s and was pioneered foremost by the Californian bands Kyuss [cite web
url = http://wc10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dzfqxq85ldte~T1
title = Kyuss biography
accessdate = 2007-12-10
author = Eduardo Rivadavia
publisher = Allmusic
quote = ...they are widely acknowledged as pioneers of the booming stoner rock scene of the 1990s...] and Sleep.cite web
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kiftxqr5ld0e~T1
title = Sleep biography
accessdate = 2008-07-21
author = Eduardo Rivadavia
publisher = Allmusic] Other prominent stoner metal bands include Acid King, Electric Wizard and Sons of Otis.

Thrash metal

Thrash metal is often regarded as the first form of extreme metal. It is generally characterised by its fast 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-kick and double-bass drumming. 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, and "Stone Cold Crazy" by Queen is an even earlier example. Bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth spearheaded thrash metal and are referred to as the genre's "big four".

Cross-genre terms within heavy metal

This section concerns terms that are generally used to:
*group heavy metal genres that share similar traits and origins (for example the umbrella term "extreme metal")
*refer to a style, rather than a strictly-defined genre, that can exist within many heavy metal genres (for example "avant-garde" black metal, "symphonic" black metal, or "Viking" black metal)

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 Deftones, System of a Down and Tool.

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 Fantômas, Mr. Bungle and Meshuggah.

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 Stryper, Tourniquet, Impending Doom and As I Lay Dying.

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 growls 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 and thrash metal genres.

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, Run DMC and Rage Against the Machine.

ymphonic 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. An example would be Nightwish, a prominent symphonic metal band.

Viking metal

Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterised by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age. The genre of Viking metal was pioneered by the Swedish band Bathory, who took some of their inspiration and musical style from American heavy metal band Manowar. [http://www.anus.com/metal/about/interviews/quorthon/] An epic sound is "a prerequisite for inclusion under the Viking metal banner" [cite web |author=Kalis, Quentin |title="Voimasta ja Kunniast" review |publisher=Chronicles of Chaos |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-2407_moonsorrow_voimasta_ja_kunniasta.aspx |accessdate=2008-06-16] and bands in the genre typically adopt a "bombastic, keyboard laden" approach. [cite web |author=Azevedo, Pedro |title="Daudingekvider" review |publisher=Chronicles of Chaos |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3905_eljudner_daudingekvider.aspx |accessdate=2008-06-16] Viking metal acts are known to be "very different in their music"cite web |author=Melzer, Alexander |title=Thyrfing - With primordial force! |url=http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=4&id=4685 |publisher=The Metal Observer |accessdate=2008-06-16] with influences from death metal, black metal and some power metal.cite web |title=Do You Speak Metal? |url=http://www.metal-observer.com/speakmetal.php?lid=1 |publisher=The Metal Observer |accessdate=2008-06-16] Both clean vocals and death growls can be found in Viking metal and the "speed varies from mid-pace to a fast pace." Like folk metal bands, Viking metal acts "generally utilize some acoustic and other unusual instruments in addition to the traditional metal instruments." [cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=Folk Metal Artists |publisher=About.com |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetalartists/u/heavymetalartistsandstyles.htm#s6 |accessdate=2008-06-16] Examples of Viking metal include Bathory, Enslaved and Ensiferum.

References