Melodic metal is a branch of thrash metal, which is distinguished by the harmony of rough vocals with the expressive melody of a new wave of British hard rock. Compositions of the described subgenre can be heard performed by many popular groups, among which are Dismember, Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy.
Definition
Melodic metal, as already indicated, in some way continues the development of thrash metal. Melodic metal itself combines the features of several musical genres. It:
- guitar riffs used in thrash metal;
- virtuoso solo present in power metal;
- magic vocals used in death metal.
So, his "relatives" are also heavy metal and speed metal.
Unlike traditional death metal, melodic metal is characterized by low tuning of electric guitars and acoustics, intensive use of keyboards and a wide variety of reefs.
The ancestor of the genre is considered the English team from Liverpool Carcass, and their fourth record called Heartwork. The album was distinguished by its originality, fast guitar riffs, extensive solo and lyrics without an emphasis on necrophilia. That is why many fans took the work critically and accused the group of commercialization.
Swedish and Finnish schools
The first to start working in the genre were the melodic metal of the rock band Eucharist, Excretion and Unanimated. Their wave was caught by the legendary team At the Gates. Their album Slaughter of the Soul presented the listeners with all the characteristic features of Swedish melodic death: this is a peculiar manner of riffing, heavy metal solo and screaming. By the way, this same record is considered the most influential in the world of melodic metal.
Two other Swedish kings (Gothenburg) are Ceremonial Oath and Dark Tranquility. The latter were the first to use electronic tools and background keys, making them easily recognizable and unique. The group claims to create a unique and special sound of Gothenburg.
As for the Finnish school, here we should distinguish two groups of melodic metal - Swallow the Sun (with two singles) and Children of Bodom. These two projects skillfully combined Swedish classics with neoclassical power metal and black elements. They are characterized by high melody and intensity of using keyboards as a solo component.
Modern stage
With the advent of the nineties, many groups began to add more choruses and reefs. Cleaner vocals appeared, and frequent use of electronics came first. So, "conservatives" repeatedly accuse musicians of their commercial performance.
Many modern groups have moved away from the texts of violence, the devil and death, which is inherent in the traditional death metal bands. This direction even got its own name - modern melodic metal, and gained popularity in the western and southern countries (United States of America, Spain, France, Austria, Germany). Even Japanese artists make a special contribution to the development of the described genre.
Typical representatives of the musical subgenre are Blood Stain Child, In Flames, Mercenary, Scar Symmetry, Sonic Syndicate, etc.
You can also note the unconditional influence of folk. So, the sound of traditional folk instruments or other folk motifs is noticeable.