How Classical Music Inspires Heavy Metal

How can something as aggressive and intense as heavy metal music be inspired by something as calm and classical?

Introducing the two genres

Though at first glance the two genres of classical music and heavy metal may seem to have little in common, a closer look reveals that they actually share a lot of similarities. Both genres are based on complex harmonies and rhythmic patterns, and both place a strong emphasis on emotion and expression. In fact, many of the pioneering composers of heavy metal were inspired by classical music, and early metal bands often incorporated classical elements into their music.

What is classical music?

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), this article is about the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present day, which includes the Classical period and various other periods. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common-practice period.

What is heavy metal?

Heavy metal is a genre of rock music 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 veins are often traced back to acts such as Cream, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin (formed 1968), and Jimi Hendrix (1966). Though the genre is often associated with aggression and machismo, many heavy metal songs deal with love, loss, peace, and other more positive themes.

The influence of classical music on heavy metal

It is no secret that classical music has inspired many great heavy metal songs. Many metal bands have cited classical composers as one of their main influences. In this article, we will explore how classical music has inspired heavy metal and some of the best examples of this influence.

The early days of metal

Heavy metal music is often seen as a rebellious, loud and aggressive genre, but it has its roots in classical music. Many of the early metal bands were influenced by classical composers such as Beethoven, Wagner and Bach. In fact, some of the most famous heavy metal songs of all time are based on classical pieces.

Classical music is known for its dramatic and emotional qualities, which are often reflected in metal songs. Heavy metal songs often have complex arrangements and progressive structures, similar to classical compositions. Moreover, many metal musicians cite classical music as a major influence on their playing style.

Some of the most famous examples of metal songs inspired by classical music include Metallica’s “The Call of Ktulu” (based on Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried’s Death and Funeral March”), Judas Priest’s “Electric Eye” (based on Joseph Haydn’s “String Quartet No. 64 in D Major”) and Iron Maiden’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem of the same name).

While heavy metal may seem like a completely different world from classical music, the two genres share a common ancestry. So next time you’re headbanging to your favorite metal song, remember that it might just be based on a classical composition!

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new wave of British heavy metal was spawned by bands such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard. These bands took inspiration from the classic heavy metal of Black Sabbath, but they also blended in elements of punk rock and hard rock. This new sound invigorated the heavy metal genre and influenced countless bands that would follow.

Power metal

Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emphasizes guitars and dramatic, grandiose lyrics. Often, power metal is described as ” symphonic metal” because it often incorporates classical music influences and elements. Power metal bands often use double bass drums, answered guitar harmonies, and soaring vocal melodies to create a sound that is both aggressive and melodic.

The influence of heavy metal on classical music

It is often said that classical music is the foundation of all music. This may be true to some extent, but it is also true that classical music has been heavily influenced by heavy metal. In fact, many of the most popular and influential classical composers of the last few centuries have been inspired by heavy metal.

Metallica’s S&M

In 1999, Metallica released their live album S&M, which featured them playing classical music with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. The album was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and going platinum in just over a month. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number four on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.

So how did a heavy metal band come to collaborate with a symphony orchestra? In many ways, it makes perfect sense. After all, both classical music and heavy metal share a common ancestor in early 20th-century blues-based rock ‘n’ roll. And both genres have always been about pushing boundaries and challenging expectations.

For Metallica, working with the San Francisco Symphony was a way to take their music to new heights and explore new territory. It also allowed them to pay tribute to one of their biggest influences: classical composer Dmitri Shostakovich. In fact, one of the tracks on S&M, “The Call of Ktulu,” is based on Shostakovich’s Symphony No.

Apocalyptica

Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica is one of the most successful crossover acts in classical music, with a career that spans over two decades. Formed in 1993, the band initially rose to fame with their unique covers of popular songs by Metallica, Pantera, and Sepultura. In recent years, they have increasingly focused on original material, and their last two albums (2007’s Worlds Collide and 2010’s 7th Symphony) have both topped the Finnish charts.

Despite their heavy metal roots, Apocalyptica’s music is heavily influenced by classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. In particular, their use of cello as the lead instrument gives their music a distinctly classical flavor. This has earned them a loyal following among fans of both classical and metal music.

Two Steps from Hell

Two Steps from Hell is an American production music company based in Los Angeles, founded by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix in May 2010. The company focuses mainly on movie and trailer music, and has supplied tracks to films such as Interstellar, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Ghosts of the Abyss, On Stranger Tides and Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Two Steps from Hell’s music has been featured in trailers for movies such as 300: Rise of an Empire, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Godzilla, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jupiter Ascending, San Andreas and Terminator Genisys.