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Basic metal
- Extreme metal : Extreme metal is a popular genre that started in the 80's, it is known for its aggressive and intense sound.It's usually a
very fast rythm with rapid drumming with electric guitars, mixed with harsh singing and/or screams! The lyrics usually talk about death,
mythology and violence. It is a very complex genre as the songs structures are difficult to play and it has a cultur that needs a "rebellious"
spirit against norms. It now has a big fanbase and has influenced the metal genre and its evolution significantly. Ex: Black Sabbath and Venom
play extreme metal.
- Trash metal : Thrash metal is a subgenre of metal music that started in the early 80's, characterized by its fast tempo, aggressive
guitar riffs, and energetic drumming. It began in the United States with bands like Metallica and Megadeth. Thrash
metal mixes the intensity of hardcore punk with traditional heavy metal' precision. The music features guitar riffs,
rapid double bass drumming, and often includes complex guitar solos. Lyric wise, thrash metal addresses a wide range of topics, including social
issues, political criticism, war, and/or personal struggles, often delivered with a rebellious attitude. Over the years, this subgenre kept a
strong, dedicated fanbase.
- Power metal : Power metal is a subgenre of metal that emerged in the mid-1980s, known for its insistence on melodic elements, fast tempos,
and anthemic choruses. It started mainly in Europe, with bands like Blind Guardian, and Stratovarius. Power metal has the same technical
prowess of traditional heavy metal with the symphonic elements of progressive rock. The genre features operatic vocals, often
joined by harmonized guitar riffs and rapid double bass drumming. Lyrically, power metal usually explores fantastical themes, including
mythology, epic battles, and heroic quests, giving a sense of grandeur. This subgenre still has a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase over the decades.
- Progressive metal : Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that mixes aggressive and powerful elements of metal with its
complex structure, and can sometimes be mistaken as progressive rock. Known for its use of unusual signatures, extended compositions and skilled
instrumentals. It often features elaborate themes and storytelling. Bands like Opeth and Symphony X were known in the genre because they created
a dynamic listening experience after blending both metal and progressive music..
- Gothic metal : Gothic metal is also a metal subgenre. It has the dark atmosphere known in gothic rock, and is mixed with the disorted and
powerful sound of metal. It often exposes melancholic melodies and dramatic lyrics, with usually either romance, sorrow and/or mythicism. This genre
is mostly defined by the conrasting voices : an operatic girl mixed with a male growls for exemple, sometimes compared as "Beauty and the Beast".
Bands like Within Temptation or Paradise Lost are popular for their contribution the Gothic metal.
Mix and Match metal
- Folk metal : Folk metal is a subgenre of heavy metal but it is much easier to distinct because of its traditional folk music elements,
although mixied with the powerful riffs and metal’s intensity. It includes instruments like fiddles, flutes and sometimes bagpipes. Its lyrics are
mostly about nature, history and/or mythology. This creats a dynamic and original sound that go from festive to melancholic! The bands Finntroll and
Korpiklaani are known for their talent and their ability to "transport people back to ancient, folklorick worlds" trought their music.
- Symphonic Metal : Symphonic metal blends the aggressive elements of metal with the melodic elements of symphonic music. It commonly uses
orchestral instruments like strings, brass and/or woodwinds and can be use in orchestras or synthesizers. It often includes operatic vocals, complex
compositions and the lyrics are usually about mythology, fantasy and classical litterature. This genre is known for its dramatic contrasts,
attractive to both classical music and metal fans. Some bands are Nightwish and Epica.
- Industrial metal : Industrial metal is a genre that started in the late 1980’s. It keeps the intensity and heavy sound of metal with the
electronic elements of industrial music. Symbolized by its synthesizers, drum machines and distorted guitars, it creates kind of a futuristic or
mechanical sound. Its themes are mostly technology, dystopia and societal decay. Some of the bands that started it were Ministry and Godflesh,
since then, it has influenced some artists and grew with it. Its electronic aggression gives a unique experience.
- Nu metal : Nu metal was created in the late 1990’s, it is one of the most liked genre because of its mix with other genres like hip-hop,
grunge and alternative rock. It uses down-tuned guitars, aggressive riffs and mostly rap-like styles. It also uses electronic effects and DJ sounds.
Lyrically, it talks about emotional and/or personal issues that a part of the audience might relate to. Bands like Korn (mentioned on the first
website) or Limp Bizkit were the ones that brought nu metal its success. Because of its energetic sound, it had a huge impact on both rock
and metal.
- Alternative metal : Alternative metal, also called alt-metal, emerged in the late 80’s and became popular by 1990. It blends a little of
heavy metal, a little alternative rock and other genres (hip-hop, funk etc.). This genre is different because of its diverse sound and experimental
approach, with a mix of heavy guitar riffs and some melodic elements. The most famous bands are Tools, Deftones and System of a Down (SOAD): their
songs are dynamic which makes it seems like it is still an evolving genre.
Subgenres metal
- Sludge metal : Sludge metal is a genre of heavy metal that came out in the early 1990s, mixing elements of doom metal and hardcore
punk. Known for its heavy sound, it often plays slow tempos, thick, distorted guitar riffs, and a raw vocal style. The lyrics often digs into themes
of distress, substance abuse, and/or personal disagreements, reflecting the genre's dark and intense atmosphere. Bands such as Melvins and Crowbar
are considered the best of sludge metal, participating to create its distinctive sound and influence within the bigger metal community.
- Metalcore : Metalcore is a genre that combines extreme metal and hardcore punk, and began back in the late 90’s but gained popularity in
2000’s. Known for its aggressive guitar riffs and its hard screaming (but still clean singing), it often features complex guitar work, melodic solos,
and has a an intense drumming. A few Metalcore bands are Killswitch Engage and Bullet for My Valentine, they popularized this genre that is still
evolving in heavy music. Lyrically, it often talks about personal struggles, social issues and/or emotional pain which most fans relate to.
- Viking metal : Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that got its inspiration from Norse mythology, Viking history, and
Scandinavian folklore. Came out in the early 1990s, it combines elements of black metal and folk metal, recognizable by its epic, atmospheric
soundscapes, powerful melodies, and themes of ancient battle. Bands like Bathory and Enslaved are pretty popuar, blending aggressive guitar riffs,
harsh but clean vocals, and traditional folk instruments to create a majestic and often haunting musical experience. Lyric wise, it talks about
imagery frequently the mysticism and grandeur of the Viking Age, making it a distinctive and evocative genre within the metal community.
- Groove metal : Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that emerged in the early 1990s, known by its mid-tempo, rhythm-focused
riffs, and a strong importance on the groove or swing of the music. Influenced by thrash metal, groove metal bands often include elements of
hardcore punk and southern rock, giving it a heavier, more percussive sound. Some famous bands in the genre are Lamb of God, and
Sepultura, they are known for their powerful, guitar riffs and aggressive vocal styles. The genre's precise sound helped shape the metal
landscape of the 1990s and continues to change contemporary metal acts.
- Technical death metal : Technical death metal, often shorten as tech-death, is a subgenre of death metal that amplfies complex
rhythms, guitar work, and advanced musicianship. Coming out in the early 1990s, this genre pushes the boundaries of
traditional death metal by adding progressive elements, strange time signatures, and rapid tempo changes. Bands like Death,
and Obscura are popular for their instrumental skills and advanced compositions. Technical death metal often features solos, precise drumming,
and a high level of technical skill, making it a challenging yet rewarding genre for both musicians and listeners.