Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music Around the World PDF

If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, then you’ll want to check out this new PDF from Metal Rules the Globe. It’s a collection of articles about heavy metal music around the world, and it’s packed with information about the scene in each country.

Introduction

Metal music has been popular around the world for decades, with fans of all ages and from all walks of life. While the genre may have originated in the United States and the United Kingdom, it has since taken on a life of its own in countries as far-flung as Brazil, Japan, and Russia.

This book explores metal music in twelve different countries, taking a close look at the scene in each place and the bands that call it home. From the up-and-coming metal scenes in China and India to the established scenes in Germany and Scandinavia, Metal Rules the Globe offers a unique window into the international world of heavy metal.

History of heavy metal

Originating in the late 1960s and early 1970s, heavy metal music has gone through a number of changes in its short history. Today, there are a number of different subgenres of heavy metal, each with its own unique sound and style. Despite its popularity, heavy metal music is often misunderstood by the general public. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of heavy metal music and how it has evolved over the years.

Early heavy metal (late 1960s – early 1970s)

Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom. With roots in blues rock and psychedelic/acid 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 heavy metal bands drew heavily from earlier hard rock influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Led Zeppelin for their sound.

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From late 1967 to early 1968, groups such as Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge,[27] and the Beatles[28] influenced heavier proto-metal songs such as Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” (1966),[29][30] Grateful Dead’s “Dark Star” (1968),[31][32] Cream’s “Crossroads” (1968),[33][34] and Blue Cheer’s cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” (1968).[35][36] In 1968 Creepy John Thomas released his self-titled debut album featuring a heavy version of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?”[37][38][39] Iron Butterfly followed with their 1968 hit “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, which featured 17 minutes of feedback after bassist Phil Taylor quit mid-song,[40][41][42] giving birth to the stoner metal genre.

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) (mid-late 1970s – early 1980s)

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was a musical movement that started in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and quickly gained popularity throughout the world. The NWOBHM is considered to be a major influence on the development of later heavy metal subgenres such as power metal and thrash metal.

The NWOBHM began with a small number of bands who were influenced by the hard rock and heavy metal sounds of the late 1960s and early 1970s. These bands began to experiment with new sounds and song structures, incorporating elements of punk rock and other genres. As the movement gained momentum, more and more bands began to join the ranks, creating a vibrant and exciting scene.

The NWOBHM reached its peak in the early 1980s with bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Saxon achieving commercial success both in the UK and overseas. However, by the mid-1980s, the scene had begun to decline due to a number of factors including changing musical tastes, changes in the industry, and internal band conflicts.

Despite this, the NWOBHM remains an important part of heavy metal history and its legacy can still be heard in the music of today.

American thrash metal (mid-1980s)

In the mid-1980s, American bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax began to pioneer the speed and aggression of thrash metal. Called simply “heavy metal” at first, this new style incorporated elements of punk rock to create music that was even faster and more aggressive than before. The new sound quickly caught on with metal fans around the world, and soon bands in countries as far-flung as Brazil, Sweden, and Japan were playing their own versions of thrash.

Death metal and black metal (mid-1980s – early 1990s)

The music of death metal and black metal is typically very fast, with blast beats and tremolo picking. The lyrics are usually dark and nihilistic, sometimes dealing with Satanism or the macabre. Death metal vocals are typically low growls or high-pitched screams. Many earlydeath metal bands were influenced by thrash metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Exodus. Black metal is often associated with Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone and Emperor.

Nu metal (mid-1990s – early 2000s)

Nu metal, also known as nü-metal and aggro-metal, is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines elements of traditional metal with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, and grunge. Nu metal bands have drawn elements and influences from a variety of musical styles, including multiple subgenres 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 enhance the low end range of the guitar.

DJs are sometimes featured in nu metal to provide instrumentation such as sampling, turntable scratching and electronic backgrounds. Vocal styles in nu metal include singing, rapping, screaming and growling. Nu metal is one of the key genres of the new wave of American heavy metal.

Origins (mid-1990s)
Nu metal emerged as a commercialized fusion genre in the mid-1990s with bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Staind, Coal Chamber and Blink-182. It is principally derived from funk rock with elements of hip hop blended in (thus occasionally being referred to as “rapcore”), emo,[2][3] doom Metal[4][5] thrash Metal[citation needed], post-hardcore,[6] post grunge[7] industrial[8] rock,[9] prestonmash death core.[10][11]

Characteristics
Nu metal is characterized by a generally modernistic sound production featuring heavily distorted guitars (often dropped tuning), rap vocals, tunable bass guitars often played through effects pedals with occasional screamed or shouted vocals and sometimes incorporating keyboards for atmospheric purposes. Drums may be performed on drum kits augmented with electronic pads (“triggers”) or sequencers or entirely replaced by drum machines (“triggers”).

Thus characteristic sound combinations include distorted Down tuned rhythm guitars with programmed drums playing simple rock beats often doubled by simple bass lines also often played through effects pedals giving the music a thicker overall sound . These ingredients are sometimes augmented by breakdowns which are emphasized by reversed guitars played over screamed or growled vocals reminiscent of hardcore punk breakdowns.[12][13][14]

Metalcore and post-hardcore (2000s – 2010s)

The rise of metalcore and post-hardcore bands in the early 2000s created a new wave of heavy metal that was more aggressive and hardcore than the metal of the 1980s and 1990s. These bands combined elements of hardcore punk and heavy metal, and their music was heavier and more abrasive than either genre.

Some of the most popular metalcore and post-hardcore bands include Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Bring Me the Horizon, Architects UK, Converge, Between the Buried and Me, Every Time I Die, Cancer Bats and Parkway Drive.

Heavy metal scenes around the world

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a long and storied history with metal, dating back to the genre’s early days. Bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden helped put British metal on the map, and the country has continued to be a breeding ground for heavy music ever since. The UK metal scene is as strong as ever in the 21st century, with a new generation of bands carrying on the legacy of their predecessors.

One of the most notable things about UK metal is its diversity. While the early days of the scene were dominated by Sabbath-worshipping Sabbath-worshippers, there’s now room for all sorts of different sounds and styles within the British metal umbrella. Whether you’re into black metal, death metal, doom metal, thrash metal, or anything in between, you’ll find a home in the UK metal scene.

So if you’re looking for some heavy music from across the pond, check out our list of 10 essential UK metal bands. From old-school legends to new-school upstarts, these are the bands that are keeping British metal alive and well in the 21st century.

United States

The United States is often thought of as the birthplace of heavy metal, and there is no doubt that some of the earliest and most influential bands came from America. But metal has always been a global phenomenon, with passionate fans and talented musicians all over the world.

Heavy metal scenes can be found in every corner of the globe, from South America to Asia to Africa. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of metal in countries that have long been associated with the genre, like Brazil and China. And in other parts of the world, metal is experiencing a renaissance, with new bands and fans discovering the music for the first time.

Here are just a few of the many places you can find heavy metal around the world:

Brazil: One of the most vibrant and active metal scenes in the world can be found in Brazil. The country has produced some of the genre’s most successful bands, like Sepultura and Soulfly. In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity for death metal and black metal, with bands like KRISIUN and NERVOSA leading the charge.

United States: America may not be as dominant on the global metal scene as it once was, but there are still plenty of great bands coming out of the country. Some notable American metal acts include LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, and GHOST. There is also a thriving underground scene, with hardcore and punk-influenced bands like CODE ORANGE making waves.

China: Metal has been popular in China for many years, but it was only recently that the government started to take notice. In 2015, state media outlets ran stories about “ PLA Metal” bands like HONG KONG EXPRESSIONS and TANGO DOWNLOADS 51335 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS 9 FORCESps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chinese-metalheads-headbang-in-the-face-of-government-crackdown-639517/. These days, there are more than 30 active metal scenes across China, from Beijing to Chengdu to Xi’an.

Sweden: Sweden is home to some of the biggest names in heavy metal, including Metallica världens största hårdrocksband och entusiasterna för musiken är lika stora igenom hela landet (“Metallica Is The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Band And The Enthusiasm For The Music Is As Big Throughout The Country”). Bands like IN FLAMES and SOILWORK are continuing to carry the torch for Swedish metal today.

Europe

The first wave of black metal emerged from Norway in the early 1990s, with bands such as Venom, Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, and Emperor. Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that often features fast tempos, bleating vocals, and heavily distorted guitars. Norwegian black metal bands were particularly influenced by pioneers Venom, as well as acts such as Bathory, Slayer, and Metallica. The early Norwegian black metal scene developed the style known as “symphonic black metal”, which incorporated Both classical and rock elements.

In the mid-1990s, a second wave of Norwegian black metal emerged, led by bands such as Darkthrone, Burzum, Mayhem, Gorgoroth, and Immortal. This second wave was more explicitly influenced by paganism and Norse mythology than the first wave. By the late 1990s, Norwegian black metal had spread throughout Europe, particularly to Sweden (where bands such as Dissection and Warhammer began to emerge) and Finland (with bands such as Beherit and Impaled Nazarene).

The 1990s also saw the rise of other extrememetal subgenres in Europe. In Germany and Austria , a style known as power metal developed, with bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian incorporating classic heavy metal influences into a speed metal framework. In Poland , a form of death metal known as ” Polish death metal” emerged; this style was pioneered by Vader , who were later joined by other notable Polish death metal acts such as Behemoth , Decapitated , Hate , Angelcorpse . And in Greece , a style known as “true” heavy metal developed; similar to powermetal in its incorporation of classic heavymetal influences (particularly from Iron Maiden ), this style was pioneeredby the band Rotting Christ .

Asia

Though often thought of Europe and North America when it comes to metal, Asia has a surprisingly deep and varied metal scene. Countries like Japan, Indonesia, India, and China all have robust metal scenes that often go unnoticed by the Western world.

Japan has one of the most vibrant metal scenes in Asia. The country has been home to some of the biggest names in metal, including X Japan, Babymetal, and Dir En Grey. Japanese metal is often characterized by its use of traditional instrumentation, like the koto and taiko drums, as well as its focus on melody and atmosphere.

Indonesia is another Asian country with a booming metal scene. The country has a long history of heavy metal, dating back to the 1980s when bands like deduction began playing a blend of local folk music and hard rock. Today, the Indonesian metal scene continues to grow, with bands like Battered expanding the sound of the genre.

India is another Asian country with a rich heavy metal history. Though the scene has been largely underground, there are a number of Indian bands that have gained international attention in recent years. bands like Kryptos and Albatross are leading the charge in bringing Indian metal to new audiences.

China is a relative newcomer to the world of heavy metal, but the country’s scene has been rapidly growing in recent years. Bands like Tortuga are helping to pioneer a new sound for Chinese metal, blending traditional instrumentation with modern sensibilities.

South America

When it comes to heavy metal music, Europe and North America often get all the attention. But there are some amazing metal scenes around the world, including in South America.

Brazil is home to some of the heaviest, most extreme metal bands in the world, as well as more traditional metal acts. Chile has a thriving scene that has produced some great bands, including Pentagram and Mephisto. Argentina also has a strong metal tradition, with bands like Rata Blanca and Hermética being particularly popular.

So if you’re looking for something a little different, check out some South American metal!

Oceania

Oceania is a collective term for the numerous islands of the Pacific Ocean. It is generally split into two parts:
-Melanesia: Comprising the countries of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
-Micronesia: Comprising the countries of Guam and Micronesia, as well as the U.S. states of Hawaii and Alaska.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Metal Rules the Globe shows that heavy metal music is truly a global phenomenon. The book provides an overview of the history and evolution of the genre, as well as its current state, and includes interviews with some of the biggest names in metal from around the world. If you’re a fan of heavy metal, or simply interested in learning more about this popular form of music, Metal Rules the Globe is a must-read.