Rock music is currently very popular, the modern variety of rock bands allows you to find a fan in every listener. Despite the fact that the term "rock" itself appeared less than a century ago, several directions of this style of music already exist. In this article, we will consider perhaps the most difficult area - the metal genre.
History of occurrence
The metal itself arose in the mid-70s in the United States of America under the influence of relatively "not heavy" rock and roll teams. Many fans of this kind of music in the long term observed an increase in the weight of guitar riffs and the breakdown of restrictions in the lyrics, because the scope of blues, jazz and country did not suit everyone. And this happened - soon the groups began to acquire a heavier color in the performance of their songs: overloaded guitars, marching rhythm section, aggressive vocals. The fashion for heavy progressive sound grew, and today we can already see representatives of the metal genre in all its manifestations practically anywhere in the world. Metal festivals and concerts of metal bands are held annually in many countries, and the number of fans of such music is growing incredibly fast.
Genre features
As mentioned earlier, for this genre, distorted aggressive parts are needed, creating pressure and intimidation, as well as unique and hard vocals (scream, growl, for example). The stage has become popular forcing an informal atmosphere through various kinds of costumes, props, posters and dark tones in the interior. The genre of metal developed by expanent, and with it became more and more subgenres.
Subgenres of metal
- Heavy metal. Actually, the founder of heavy music. The metal genre is built from heavy metal in all its manifestations. The most famous representatives are Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.
- Progressive metal. Technically, the most difficult genre of rock music due to complex guitar parts. Most often, under the concept of "progressive" they also mistakenly perceive some alternative heavy music that does not fit into the framework of other styles of metal. Opeth and Dream Theater are the most popular among progressive groups.
- Speed metal. A very interesting genre that characterizes itself as a high-speed and rhythm-crushing technique. Representatives are Metallica and Haloween, for example.
- Thrash metal. It reminds me of speed metal, but it has a more dissonant and vivid sound, the lyrics are still often protest, reminiscent of punk rock. Havok and Slayer are what you should start listening to thrash metal with.
- Groove metal. A more melodic and shaped branch of trash, nevertheless an independent metal genre with its own atmosphere and glow. Machine Head or Pantera show this great.
- Power Metal Fast, complex and popular metal music genre. A characteristic feature is very high (often male) vocals and medieval lyrics. Quite frequent complex guitar solos are also common. Among the popular representatives, we recommend Dragonforce and Strotovarius.
- Death metal. Very rough lyrics and parts, the closest to the heavy metal genre, but having such a cruel atmosphere that many death metal concerts are canceled in a number of countries. Obituary, Deicide and Death are the ancestors of the genre.
- Doom metal. Perhaps the slowest of the presented heavy genres. So slow and monotonous that the musical pattern and rhythm in general may never change for the whole song. Representatives are many groups, including Candlemass and Anathema.
- Black metal The most scandalous and ideological genre. Songs of the metal genre have little to do with religion, if it is not about black metal. Monotony, speed and inverted crosses on the scenes provide growing popularity every day. Mayhem or Burzum knows every fan of this trend.
- Viking metal. The name speaks for itself, it is easy to guess what the lyrics of most songs of this genre are written about. This direction can often be recognized precisely by the live performances of groups, because in Viking metal the main thing is the Scandinavian show, through which the call of the ancestors is transmitted. Prominent representatives - Bathory and Amon Amarth
Hybrid styles
There are also many “hybrid” metal styles that include the use of several ambiguous subgenres at once. For example, melodic death metal is not a separate genre - it is a hybrid style that combines classic death metal with an admixture of keyboards or other instruments. Symphonic black metal, by analogy, includes parts of symphonic instruments (sometimes even entire orchestras), but it will also be incorrect to name it as a separate genre.
Conclusion
Heavy metal genres have innumerable variety: in terms of pace and speed of the game, lyrics of the songs, stage image, ideology or degree of significance in a particular subculture. Like any other genre, metal develops and opens up new horizons for a variety of musicians who want to experiment. Individual groups often change the genre of writing their music from one album to another so that you can enjoy the variety and innovations of new compositions. Love music and develop your creativity!