Today we will tell you what are the features of the style of symphonic metal. The groups that create music in this direction will be listed below. This musical style combines symphony orchestral music and metal. When creating compositions in this genre, the choir and female vocals are often used. Symphonic instruments or imitation of their sound, created using a synthesizer, are also used. Often during the recording, groups attract a full-fledged orchestra. This genre is characterized by choirs, duets of several vocalists and concept albums.
History
Symphonic metal takes its roots in the work of groups such as Theater of Tragedy and The Gathering. They used female vocals and keyboards in their performances. Symphony X, Rage and Savatage performed experiments in combining heavy contemporary and symphonic music. Symphonic metal as a separate genre, according to experts, was formed after the release of Theli album by Therion. This event happened in 1996. Therion in previous works combined symphonic arrangements and metal, however, it was on Theli's record that this genre finally took shape. He became a new phenomenon on the stage of heavy music. 1997 is one of the most important periods in the development of the described direction. At this time, the debut albums of three groups appeared, which later had a huge impact on this genre. Rhapsody and Nightwish created symphonic arrangements based on power metal. In turn, Within Temptation's debut album was of a different nature. It is close to gothic metal. The popularity of the young genre grew rapidly. The groups Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth, distinguished by their special melody, began to bring keyboard instruments to the forefront. Almost at the same time, the Summoning and Bal-Sagoth teams formed. They used the orchestra and
keyboards as actively as guitars. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a number of groups appeared that took up the development of the “opera metal” direction. Among them, After Forever should be noted, as well as the Epica team that has left their composition. Also noteworthy is the Leaves' Eyes project created by Liv Christine. By the middle of 2000, the genre became one of the most common in northern and central Europe.
Theme
Symphonic metal has no central theme in the lyrics.
Mythological, mystical and historical motifs prevail in the
genre . Also often found lyric texts describing personal experiences. Sometimes the themes of nature and religion are raised. Groups often create concept albums that are stylized as operas or epic poems. For example, the disc Therion Secret of the Runes is dedicated to nine worlds from the Scandinavian epic. This work, like all the rest of the work of the collective, is based on mysticism and mythology.
Russia
Russian symphonic metal is represented by several groups. First of all, it is Cathársis. A team from St. Petersburg called Dominia also plays in this direction. Symphonic metal chose ESSE - a team from Rostov-on-Don. This group was created in 2006. One cannot also ignore the Luna Aeterna team, which was organized in Moscow in 2001. The genre of interest to us was also chosen by the Rossomahaar group. She comes from the city of Moscow. The team was founded in 1995.