The Different Types of Heavy Metal Music

Heavy metal music has been around for decades, and it shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re a fan of this genre, then you know there are many different subgenres to choose from. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of heavy metal music so you can find the perfect sound for you.

Introduction

Heavy metal is a genre of rock that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. With roots in blues rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. The genre’s lyrics and performance styles are sometimes associated with aggression and machismo.

In 1970, three new heavy metal bands debuted that would shape the genre for decades to come: Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Deep Purple. Sabbath’s sound was rooted in blues rock while adding an ominous feeling via minor-key tonality and fictional horror lyrics. Judas Priest’s sound was heavier than Sabbath’s yet retained the same bluesy undertones; in addition, they added twin lead guitars for an even fuller sound. Deep Purple also moved away from Sabbath’s blues rock sound by transitioning to a more progressive style that would be influential to many future metal bands.

The 1970s would see the genre continue to develop with new bands such as Kiss, Queen, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Scorpions, Rainbow, AC/DC, UFO, Saxon, Motorhead, thin Lizzy achieving mainstream success . In the 1980s highly influential thrash metal subgenre developed with bands such as Metallica Megadeth . In the 1990s popular nu metal subgenre emerged with bands such as Korn Linkin Park . Since the 2000s there has been a continued increase in popularity of heavy metal music..

Death Metal

Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, blast beat drumming, deep growling vocals, and sometimes incorporates requestedrandom melody and harmony.[1][2] These traits are commonly utilized to give the genre a dark, sinister, and predatory tone.

Death metal tends to be based around riff-oriented song structures with blast beats being used mostly as transitions between riffs rather than during them.[3] Songs often make extensive use of guitar solos, while some bands make use of drums solos in their music. Death metal frequently employs bass guitarFootnote 3 rhythms that provide an undercurrent of unease.

The lyrical themes of death metal may encompass topics such as murder, Benigno homicide, suicide, disease, torture, war, pestilence, and religious apocalypse.el Horror fiction and science fiction are common influences on death metal lyrics.

Death metal has been described as sounding like a ” tornado “.

Doom Metal

Doom metal is a genre of heavy metal music that uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a heavier sound than other metal genres. Doom metal is influenced by the original heavy metal bands of the 1960s and 1970s, such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.

Doom metal is characterized by its slow tempos, dark atmosphere and myriads of distortion. Electric guitars are usually downtuned to give the music a heavier sound. Many doom metal bands use keyboards to create an atmospheric sound.

Most doom metal bands are from England and the United States. Doom Metal has spawned many subgenres, including death-doom, funeral doom, sludge metal and stoner metal.

Black Metal

Black metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that often features fast and aggressive guitar work, blast beat drumming, and harsh, sometimes screeching vocals. Lyrics often center on themes of darkness, misery, and death.

One of the defining characteristics of black metal is its DIY (do it yourself) ethic. Black metal bands often self-produce their albums and distribute them through independent record labels. This DIY approach has led to a wide range of different sounds within the black metal genre.

Some notable black metal bands include Venom, Bathory, Burzum, Darkthrone, Immortal, Emperor, Necrophobic, and Watain.

Power Metal

Power Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the powerful, fast-paced guitar riffs and double bass drumming of traditional heavy metal with the soaring, high-pitched vocals of opera. Power metal bands often use fantasy or science fiction themes in their lyrics and music videos, and some power metal bands have even been known to dress up in elaborate stage costumes. Power metal is very popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, where many power metal bands originate. Some of the most famous power metal bands include Dragonforce, Sabaton, and Rhapsody of Fire.

Progressive Metal

Progressive metal is a genre of heavy metal that incorporates elements of other genres, such as jazz, classical, and experimental music. It is characterized by complex song structures, odd time signatures, and extended instrumental jams.

Progressive metal bands are often influenced by philosophy and literature, and Some lyrics are based on concepts from these sources. The lyrics often deal with personal struggles and universal themes.

The genre began in the 1980s with bands such as Queensrÿche, Metallica, and Dream Theater. In the 1990s, it was further developed by bands such as Tool, meshuggah, and Opeth. Progressive metal is currently one of the most popular subgenres of heavy metal music.

Nu Metal

Nu metal (also known as nü-metal[1] and aggression metal[2]) is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines elements of traditional heavy metal with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu metal bands have drawn elements and influences from a variety of musical styles, including multiple genres of heavy metal. Nu metal rarely features guitar solos; the genre is heavily syncopated and based on guitar riffs. Many nu metal guitarists use seven-string guitars that are down-tuned to increase the heavy sound.

Numetal is often associated with bands such as Korn, Slipknot, Coal Chamber, Deftones, Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, P.O.D., Mudvayne, Mushroomhead, Orgy, Spineshank

Nu metal became popular in the late 1990s with bands and artists such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot all releasing commercially successful albums. Nu metal’s popularity continued during the early 2000s with bands such as Papa Roach, Staind, and Disturbed all releasing albums that peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. A fourth wave of nu metal bands emerged in the 2010s featuring groups like Pop Evil, Motionless in White In May 2014 however it was revealed by Spin that “nu-metal is dead”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different types of heavy metal music, each with its own unique sound and style. Whether you prefer the hard-hitting sounds of thrash metal or the more melodic sounds of power metal, there is a subgenre of heavy metal that is sure to suit your taste. So get out there and start exploring the different types of heavy metal music today!