8 Bit Music: Why Heavy Metal Bands are Using It

8 bit music has made a comeback in recent years with heavy metal bands using it in their songs. Find out why this type of music has become popular again and the bands that are using it.

Introduction

Since the early days of video gaming, 8-bit music has been one of the most distinctive and iconic aspects of the medium. From the bleeps and bloops of early arcade games to the era-defining soundtracks of classics like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, 8-bit music has left a lasting impression on popular culture.

In recent years, a growing number of heavy metal bands have begun to incorporate 8-bit sounds and aesthetics into their music. While some have used 8-bit elements sparingly, others have embraced them fully, incorporating them into both their musical arrangements and their overall visual presentation.

So why have heavy metal bands been drawn to 8-bit music? There are a few possible explanations. For one, the use of 8-bit sounds can help give a band’s music a retro or nostalgic feel. Additionally, the limited palette of sounds available in 8-bit formats can help to create a sense of cohesion and unity within a band’s songs. Finally, the incorporation of 8-bit sounds can simply add an additional layer of interest and complexity to a band’s music.

Whatever the reasons may be, it’s clear that 8-bit music is here to stay in the world of heavy metal. And for fans of both genres, that can only be a good thing.

What is 8-bit Music?

8-bit music is a style of synthesized electronic music used in video games and other electronic media. It is composed of simple repetitive instrumental sounds that give it a “grainy” or “fuzzy” sound, similar to the sound of early video game consoles and computers.

The first use of 8-bit music in video games was in Space Invaders (1978), which used a simple repeating melodic bass line for its soundtrack. The style gained popularity in the early 1980s with the advent of 8-bit home computers such as the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit family, which had built-in sound chips that allowed them to produce complex sounds.

8-bit music became popular outside of video games with the release of Commodore 64 Music Machine in 1985, which contained a collection of pre-recorded 8-bit songs. In the 1990s, tracker format modules featuring 8-bit samples became popular among hobbyist musicians, and some dedicated hardware sound chips began to appear which were specifically designed for use in tracking music. Today, there is a vibrant online community of chiptune and 8-bit music creators, who often remix or cover existing songs in the style.

While 8-bit music has largely fallen out of popularity in mainstream video games, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years among independent game developers, as well as heavy metal bands who have begun to use it for its “retro” appeal.

The Appeal of 8-bit Music

8-bit music has a unique, retro sound that has been utilized by a number of heavy metal bands in recent years. This type of music is created using the same synthesizers and sound chips that were used in early video games, which gives it a characteristic 8-bit sound. While 8-bit music was once considered to be nothing more than chiptune or video game music, it has grown in popularity in recent years and is now appreciated for its own distinctive sound.

Many heavy metal bands have begun to experiment with 8-bit music, and the results have been surprisingly effective. The use of 8-bit sounds gives metal songs a more aggressive and industrial feel, which can be extremely powerful when used correctly. In addition, the use of 8-bit sounds can help to create a more dark and foreboding atmosphere, which is perfect for many metal songs.

If you are a fan of heavy metal music, then you should definitely check out some of the bands that are using 8-bit sounds in their songs. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy the unique sound of this type of music.

How to Create 8-bit Music

8-bit music is a style of digital music that is created using software that emulates the sound chips found in early video game consoles and computers. The term “8-bit” refers to the width of the data path used by the sound chip, which is 8 bits wide. This style of music often has a retro, nostalgic feel to it, and can be used to create a variety of different genres of music.

Heavy metal bands have been using 8-bit music to create their own unique sound for several years now. One of the first bands to do this was Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, who released an album of 8-bit versions of popular metal songs. This album helped to popularize the use of 8-bit music in metal, and many other bands have followed suit since then.

If you’re interested in creating your own 8-bit music, there are a few things you’ll need to get started. First, you’ll need a software program that can create 8-bit sounds. There are a few different programs available that can do this, but one of the most popular is FamiTracker. Once you have a program like FamiTracker installed, you’ll also need some kind of keyboard or MIDI controller so you can input the notes you want to play.

Once you have everything set up, you can start creating your own 8-bit metal songs! If you need some inspiration, check out some of the tracks created by Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters or other metal bands that have used 8-bit sounds in their music.

8-bit Music in the Mainstream

Since the early days of video games, 8-bit music has been a staple of the gaming world. In recent years, however, the chiptune sound has begun to make its way into the mainstream, thanks in part to heavy metal bands adopting the style.

Founded in 2010, Powerglove is a heavy metal band that specializes in 8-bit covers of popular songs. In 2012, they released an album of 8-bit renditions of songs by Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, among others.

Other metal bands have followed suit, with some even incorporating 8-bit sounds into their original songs. For example, British metal band Venomous Maximus released an album in 2013 that featured an 8-bit intro track.

So why have heavy metal bands taken to using 8-bit music? There are a few possible explanations.

For one, the use of 8-bit sounds can help to give a song a retro feel. This can be especially appealing to older fans who grew up playing video games in the 1980s and ’90s.

In addition, the use of 8-bit sounds can help to create a sense of nostalgia for younger fans who may not have experienced the golden age of gaming firsthand.

Finally, there’s simply no denying that 8-bit music can be incredibly catchy and easy to headbang along to. So if you’re looking for some new heavy metal tunes to add to your playlist, keep an ear out for those with a chiptune influence!

Conclusion

As the popularity of 8 bit music continues to grow, it’s no surprise that more and more heavy metal bands are beginning to experiment with the sound. After all, heavy metal is all about creating an intense and powerful sound, and 8 bit music does that perfectly.

So if you’re a fan of heavy metal, keep your eyes peeled for more bands using 8 bit sounds in their music. It’s sure to be a unique and exciting new direction for the genre.