A genre that has been discredited, disillusioned and just plain dissed by critics since it rose from the ashes of the blues, incorporating passion and aggression like no genre before or since it. A genre that has been tossed in and out of mainstream culture, despised by some and revered by others, like the music itself the reactions it draws are always extreme. However a genre that keeps coming back irrespective of the criticism it is dealt, it is the beast that can never be killed.
The origins of metal lie in the blues which initially influenced rock n’ roll itself. Songs like ‘Helter Skelter’ by the Beatles and ‘You really got me going’ by the Kinks are considered prototypes for metal songs. Early British acts like The Who, Cream and Jimi Hendrix, are often regarded as monumental in metals development by creating a uniform sound on which most metal bands built upon.
Iron Butterfly’s ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ is often considered to be the first metal song attracting the attention of the media and inspiring legions of bands to play this style of rock.
Heavy metal
In the late 60’s and early 70’s bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin gave birth to a loud, aggressive genre of rock known as heavy metal. Featuring a unified bass and drum sound and distorted guitars, this style of music soon gained a monumental fan base.
New wave of British heavy metal
After decline in popularity of the metal originators, a secondary group of British bands collectively known as NWOBHM were responsible for re-popularizing metal by toning down its blues influences and introducing metal to America. These include metal legends Iron Maiden, Saxon, Diamond Head and Tigers of Pan Tang which influenced a new breed of American bands.
Glam metal
Described by critics as ‘hair metal’ due to the flamboyant nature of the bands playing this style of hard rock popularized by Mtv, glam metal originated in the early 80’s influenced by Twisted Sister, Aerosmith and Van Halen along with the make up and stage dynamics of bands like Kiss. Popularized by bands like Motley Crue, Poison and W.A.S.P, this radio friendly genre was soon overtaken by the more abrasive thrash metal.
Thrash metal
The most popular form of heavy metal, thrash metal was pioneered by the ‘big four’ Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer by combining fast shredding guitars and fast tempos with aggressive and blunt vocals indebted to hardcore punk.
Death metal
A subgenre of metal with perhaps the most devoted cult following and lowest mainstream acceptance, death metal is characterized by complex song structures, fast tempos; blast beat drumming and growled ‘cookie monster’ vocals. Spawning off of thrash metal bands like Slayer and Kreator in the 80’s, death metal bands Death, Possessed and Morbid Angel pioneered this genre.
Black metal
The most sinister of all metals subgenres, black metal is often associated with church burnings and Satanism. Prominent Norwegian bands like Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone and Emperor influenced by Venom and Celtic Frost display tremolo picked distorted guitars along with high shrieked vocals creating a dark and menacing sound.
Nu metal
Beginning in the late 90’s nu metal was a genre that emerged by combining alternative metal and groove metal with hip hop influences. Bands often had dj’s in addition to the usual line up and featured rapping in most of the songs. In this style, power chords are often played in syncopated patterns and drop d tuning to put the emphasis on the mood and texture instead of the melody. This genre had widespread popularity in the early 2000’s featuring bands like Deftones, Korn and Slipknot.
Funk metal
Influenced by Jimi Hendrix who popularly incorporated funk rhythms into his brand of metal, modern day bands like Primus, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Faith No More have had widespread popularity playing this style of metal.
Metalcore
The most popular form of metal in the 2000’s, metalcore is a punk-metal hybrid owing its origins to crossover thrash bands such as Cro-Mags and Stormtroopers of Death. The first wave of metalcore bands began with Cave In, Converge, Hatebreed, and led to a new group of bands collectively known as the New wave of American heavy metal. It included bands such as Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage and Trivium, all of which played characteristic metalcore with emphasis on breakdowns conducive to moshing.
Alternative metal
A genre which achieved fame in the 90’s comprised bands that played traditional heavy metal with an experimental edge using odd time signatures, unconventional technique and lyrics. Jane’s Addiction and Tool are the most well known bands in the genre which influenced further nu metal bands.
Sludge metal
Sludge is the infusion of slow, heavy doom metal with the aggressive hardcore punk along with hints of southern rock influence. Contrasting tempos with heavily distorted instruments and vocals sets this subgenre apart. Crowbar and Eyehategod play this style of metal to great acclaim.
Doom metal
This style of heavy metal has a characteristic dark, paranoid and apocalyptic feel to it. Taking inspiration from the slow, low tuned guitars of Black Sabbath, early 80’s bands like Saint Vitus, Candlemass and Cathedral played dense riffs with an atmosphere of despair. With a minimal but devoted following, this type of metal still is popular in most European countries.
Stoner metal
A subgenre indebted to the use of recreational drugs, stoner metal is bass heavy metal centered on repetitive riffs. Influenced by psychedelic and blues rock, Kyuss was the definitive stoner band playing a style of heavier and slower metal.
Post metal
Post metal is basically atmospheric sludge metal producing less aggressive atmospheric metal with a more experimental style consisting bands Isis and Pelican.
Gothic metal
Melancholy of Goth combined with the aggression of heavy metal pioneered by bands such as Type O Negative and popularized by bands such as Lacuna Coil and Evanescence.
Groove metal/Post thrash
This brand of metal relies on some innovative drum work along with the use of chunky, distorted guitars that provides a ‘groove’. Though an extension of thrash metal, it is not as riff oriented and considerably minimalist, characterized by mid tempo riffs in drop d tuning, dissonant bridges or breakdowns and heavy use of palm muting. Bass riffs are more prominent than in other metal genres often filling in the gaps. Highly influential on the nu metal genre, it didn’t achieve the same popularity and was phased out in the late 90’s. Sepultura, Machine Head, White Zombie, Fear Factory, and Pantera are some bands that exemplified this genre.
Speed metal
A genre influenced by NWOBHM and hardcore punk, it eventually gave rise to thrash metal. Origins of the genre lie in bands like Motorhead and Judas Priest.
Power metal
An attempt by bands such as Blind Guardian, Iced Earth and Gamma Ray to return back to metals original sound, power metals popularity has been on a rise in most countries. Putting the emphasis back on the riffs and vocals, this subgenre is a straightforward attempt to recapture metals original appeal.
Progressive metal
With an array of bands as famous as Pink Floyd, Rush, King Crimson and Dream Theatre, progressive rock is an indulgent subgenre of metal consisting of concept albums, highly trained instrumental skills and complex song structures.
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre that aims to create an epic sound centered on Norse mythology with a bombastic, anthemic sound and keyboard effects demonstrated by Swedish band Bathory.
Drone metal
Also known as art metal, this underground phenomenon blends drone with doom metal to create a soundscape of reverb and feedback. Sunn o))) and Earth are the most acclaimed bands in the genre.
Industrial metal
Blending of industrial music with metal by artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Godflesh became common practice in the 90’s as they mixed guitar riffs with distorted synthesizers and vocals leading to formation of a subgenre valued especially in Europe.
Neo classical metal
Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitar virtuoso borrowed techniques from classical music and incorporated them in to metal to create neo classical metal which hit its peak in the mid 80’s.
Rap metal
The basis for the nu metal explosion of the 90’s, rap metal infused hip hop elements and rapped lyrics into metal which was the basis for bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.
Pop metal
Bon Jovi and Def Leppard popularized this style of metal along with glam metal by employing radio friendly pop melodies in a heavy metal context.
Avant-garde metal/Experimental metal
Favoring experimentation and non standard ideas, avant-garde metal which includes bands as diverse as Naked City, Oxbow and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum uses unusual sounds and instruments to break down musical conventions.
Folk metal
This little known style of eclectic metal prevalent in Europe integrates folk music into metal territory by making use of traditional folk instruments like accordions and harmonicas and folk’s melodic style as made famous by the band Skyclad and further built upon by Fintroll and Moonsorrow.
Grindcore
A genre which draws influence from death metal, industrial metal and hardcore punk and features down tuned guitars with blast beat drumming creating the grind which gives the genre its name. Known to have some of the shortest songs – less than 2 minutes, this style includes bands Napalm Death and Carcass.
Christian metal
Metal artists who identify themselves as Christians often play metal laced with Christian themes and lyrics giving rise to Christian metal. In contrast to the anti-Christian themed black metal, this subgenre has also been come to known as white metal including bands like Saint and Stryper.
Technical death metal/Jazz metal
The most complex of all metal subgenres, technical death metal combines the brutal nature of death metal with complex jazz drumming and irregular time signatures as demonstrated by bands such as Cynic, Atheist and Meshuggah.
Melodic death metal
A more accepted form of death metal, it combines harmonies and melodies of NWOBHM with death metal vocals and drumming. At The Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility are the most recognized bands in this style.
Symphonic black metal
Integrating keyboards and orchestral element into traditional black metal and adding operatic vocals give rise to this symphonic style popularized by bands such as Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir.
Mathcore
The dynamically complex math rock genre united with metal gives rise to mathcore, a subtype of metalcore. Not high on popularity, this style is played especially by Dillinger Escape Plan and Protest the Hero.
Deathcore
Metalcore bands like Job for a Cowboy and Through the Eyes of the Dead crossed metalcore with death metal to give birth to this form of underground metal featuring palm muted riffing and dissonance.
Crossover thrash
The first genre to experiment with combining metal and punk, this genre featured bands such as D.R.I and Murphy’s Law and was also known as thrashcore.
Similar to several forms of art, music must be evaluated objectively with all preconceived notions set aside. Metal though divided into numerous styles, still retains the underlying passion and drive behind the music in all its forms. Reminiscent of a painting which appears a mess at first glance but begins to show the preciseness and difficulty of its creation on further inspection, metal draws listeners in, to explore itself beneath the loudness, beneath the chaos to the creativity which must be judged on its own merits.
The origins of metal lie in the blues which initially influenced rock n’ roll itself. Songs like ‘Helter Skelter’ by the Beatles and ‘You really got me going’ by the Kinks are considered prototypes for metal songs. Early British acts like The Who, Cream and Jimi Hendrix, are often regarded as monumental in metals development by creating a uniform sound on which most metal bands built upon.
Iron Butterfly’s ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ is often considered to be the first metal song attracting the attention of the media and inspiring legions of bands to play this style of rock.
Heavy metal
In the late 60’s and early 70’s bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin gave birth to a loud, aggressive genre of rock known as heavy metal. Featuring a unified bass and drum sound and distorted guitars, this style of music soon gained a monumental fan base.
New wave of British heavy metal
After decline in popularity of the metal originators, a secondary group of British bands collectively known as NWOBHM were responsible for re-popularizing metal by toning down its blues influences and introducing metal to America. These include metal legends Iron Maiden, Saxon, Diamond Head and Tigers of Pan Tang which influenced a new breed of American bands.
Glam metal
Described by critics as ‘hair metal’ due to the flamboyant nature of the bands playing this style of hard rock popularized by Mtv, glam metal originated in the early 80’s influenced by Twisted Sister, Aerosmith and Van Halen along with the make up and stage dynamics of bands like Kiss. Popularized by bands like Motley Crue, Poison and W.A.S.P, this radio friendly genre was soon overtaken by the more abrasive thrash metal.
Thrash metal
The most popular form of heavy metal, thrash metal was pioneered by the ‘big four’ Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer by combining fast shredding guitars and fast tempos with aggressive and blunt vocals indebted to hardcore punk.
Death metal
A subgenre of metal with perhaps the most devoted cult following and lowest mainstream acceptance, death metal is characterized by complex song structures, fast tempos; blast beat drumming and growled ‘cookie monster’ vocals. Spawning off of thrash metal bands like Slayer and Kreator in the 80’s, death metal bands Death, Possessed and Morbid Angel pioneered this genre.
Black metal
The most sinister of all metals subgenres, black metal is often associated with church burnings and Satanism. Prominent Norwegian bands like Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone and Emperor influenced by Venom and Celtic Frost display tremolo picked distorted guitars along with high shrieked vocals creating a dark and menacing sound.
Nu metal
Beginning in the late 90’s nu metal was a genre that emerged by combining alternative metal and groove metal with hip hop influences. Bands often had dj’s in addition to the usual line up and featured rapping in most of the songs. In this style, power chords are often played in syncopated patterns and drop d tuning to put the emphasis on the mood and texture instead of the melody. This genre had widespread popularity in the early 2000’s featuring bands like Deftones, Korn and Slipknot.
Funk metal
Influenced by Jimi Hendrix who popularly incorporated funk rhythms into his brand of metal, modern day bands like Primus, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Faith No More have had widespread popularity playing this style of metal.
Metalcore
The most popular form of metal in the 2000’s, metalcore is a punk-metal hybrid owing its origins to crossover thrash bands such as Cro-Mags and Stormtroopers of Death. The first wave of metalcore bands began with Cave In, Converge, Hatebreed, and led to a new group of bands collectively known as the New wave of American heavy metal. It included bands such as Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage and Trivium, all of which played characteristic metalcore with emphasis on breakdowns conducive to moshing.
Alternative metal
A genre which achieved fame in the 90’s comprised bands that played traditional heavy metal with an experimental edge using odd time signatures, unconventional technique and lyrics. Jane’s Addiction and Tool are the most well known bands in the genre which influenced further nu metal bands.
Sludge metal
Sludge is the infusion of slow, heavy doom metal with the aggressive hardcore punk along with hints of southern rock influence. Contrasting tempos with heavily distorted instruments and vocals sets this subgenre apart. Crowbar and Eyehategod play this style of metal to great acclaim.
Doom metal
This style of heavy metal has a characteristic dark, paranoid and apocalyptic feel to it. Taking inspiration from the slow, low tuned guitars of Black Sabbath, early 80’s bands like Saint Vitus, Candlemass and Cathedral played dense riffs with an atmosphere of despair. With a minimal but devoted following, this type of metal still is popular in most European countries.
Stoner metal
A subgenre indebted to the use of recreational drugs, stoner metal is bass heavy metal centered on repetitive riffs. Influenced by psychedelic and blues rock, Kyuss was the definitive stoner band playing a style of heavier and slower metal.
Post metal
Post metal is basically atmospheric sludge metal producing less aggressive atmospheric metal with a more experimental style consisting bands Isis and Pelican.
Gothic metal
Melancholy of Goth combined with the aggression of heavy metal pioneered by bands such as Type O Negative and popularized by bands such as Lacuna Coil and Evanescence.
Groove metal/Post thrash
This brand of metal relies on some innovative drum work along with the use of chunky, distorted guitars that provides a ‘groove’. Though an extension of thrash metal, it is not as riff oriented and considerably minimalist, characterized by mid tempo riffs in drop d tuning, dissonant bridges or breakdowns and heavy use of palm muting. Bass riffs are more prominent than in other metal genres often filling in the gaps. Highly influential on the nu metal genre, it didn’t achieve the same popularity and was phased out in the late 90’s. Sepultura, Machine Head, White Zombie, Fear Factory, and Pantera are some bands that exemplified this genre.
Speed metal
A genre influenced by NWOBHM and hardcore punk, it eventually gave rise to thrash metal. Origins of the genre lie in bands like Motorhead and Judas Priest.
Power metal
An attempt by bands such as Blind Guardian, Iced Earth and Gamma Ray to return back to metals original sound, power metals popularity has been on a rise in most countries. Putting the emphasis back on the riffs and vocals, this subgenre is a straightforward attempt to recapture metals original appeal.
Progressive metal
With an array of bands as famous as Pink Floyd, Rush, King Crimson and Dream Theatre, progressive rock is an indulgent subgenre of metal consisting of concept albums, highly trained instrumental skills and complex song structures.
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre that aims to create an epic sound centered on Norse mythology with a bombastic, anthemic sound and keyboard effects demonstrated by Swedish band Bathory.
Drone metal
Also known as art metal, this underground phenomenon blends drone with doom metal to create a soundscape of reverb and feedback. Sunn o))) and Earth are the most acclaimed bands in the genre.
Industrial metal
Blending of industrial music with metal by artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Godflesh became common practice in the 90’s as they mixed guitar riffs with distorted synthesizers and vocals leading to formation of a subgenre valued especially in Europe.
Neo classical metal
Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitar virtuoso borrowed techniques from classical music and incorporated them in to metal to create neo classical metal which hit its peak in the mid 80’s.
Rap metal
The basis for the nu metal explosion of the 90’s, rap metal infused hip hop elements and rapped lyrics into metal which was the basis for bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.
Pop metal
Bon Jovi and Def Leppard popularized this style of metal along with glam metal by employing radio friendly pop melodies in a heavy metal context.
Avant-garde metal/Experimental metal
Favoring experimentation and non standard ideas, avant-garde metal which includes bands as diverse as Naked City, Oxbow and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum uses unusual sounds and instruments to break down musical conventions.
Folk metal
This little known style of eclectic metal prevalent in Europe integrates folk music into metal territory by making use of traditional folk instruments like accordions and harmonicas and folk’s melodic style as made famous by the band Skyclad and further built upon by Fintroll and Moonsorrow.
Grindcore
A genre which draws influence from death metal, industrial metal and hardcore punk and features down tuned guitars with blast beat drumming creating the grind which gives the genre its name. Known to have some of the shortest songs – less than 2 minutes, this style includes bands Napalm Death and Carcass.
Christian metal
Metal artists who identify themselves as Christians often play metal laced with Christian themes and lyrics giving rise to Christian metal. In contrast to the anti-Christian themed black metal, this subgenre has also been come to known as white metal including bands like Saint and Stryper.
Technical death metal/Jazz metal
The most complex of all metal subgenres, technical death metal combines the brutal nature of death metal with complex jazz drumming and irregular time signatures as demonstrated by bands such as Cynic, Atheist and Meshuggah.
Melodic death metal
A more accepted form of death metal, it combines harmonies and melodies of NWOBHM with death metal vocals and drumming. At The Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility are the most recognized bands in this style.
Symphonic black metal
Integrating keyboards and orchestral element into traditional black metal and adding operatic vocals give rise to this symphonic style popularized by bands such as Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir.
Mathcore
The dynamically complex math rock genre united with metal gives rise to mathcore, a subtype of metalcore. Not high on popularity, this style is played especially by Dillinger Escape Plan and Protest the Hero.
Deathcore
Metalcore bands like Job for a Cowboy and Through the Eyes of the Dead crossed metalcore with death metal to give birth to this form of underground metal featuring palm muted riffing and dissonance.
Crossover thrash
The first genre to experiment with combining metal and punk, this genre featured bands such as D.R.I and Murphy’s Law and was also known as thrashcore.
Similar to several forms of art, music must be evaluated objectively with all preconceived notions set aside. Metal though divided into numerous styles, still retains the underlying passion and drive behind the music in all its forms. Reminiscent of a painting which appears a mess at first glance but begins to show the preciseness and difficulty of its creation on further inspection, metal draws listeners in, to explore itself beneath the loudness, beneath the chaos to the creativity which must be judged on its own merits.
