Different Genres of Metal
For this blog I will be going over multiple genres of metal and what distinguishes them. Many different genres are classified through distinctive instruments or vocals. A perfect example is any country song compared to any Metallica song. The difference is clearly heard through guitar, drums, bass, percussion, and vocals. Though, metal genres are sometimes hard to tell apart due to the relatively similar sound they portray. Instrument tunings, different vocal pitch and fry, and BPM are the main factors of separating metal into genres.
Black Metal
Black metal consists of light screaming vocals, quick distorted Tremelo picking, and fast percussions. In the song 'Enemy of Satan' released on July 15, 2017, by a band called Demoniciduth (formed in 1998 originating from Switzerland) is a great example of black metal. Range and pitch go hand in hand for this song. The high-noted tremolo picking provides a constant high range of sound that perfectly matches with the high pitch screaming sang by the vocalist. The instruments and screams create the black metal to sound heavy yet organized. The percussion for 'Enemy of Satan' is a double kick drum that provides fast and intense beat to the song. The percussion takes small intervals but plays quick enough to match the guitar. All the instruments play in perfect rhythm with each other to make a perfect black metal song.
I personally love black metal. The artists somehow seem to bring the perfect high pitch to heavy metal. I enjoy the fast Tremelo picking because it provides a nasty tone that plays perfect to the vocalist's long screams. Black metal personally has to be some of my favorite types of metal simply because of the intense riffs.
Deathcore
Deathcore metal is another version of death metal that uses gutturals, pig squeal vocals, fast BPM/tempo, and double kick drums. Deathcore combines metal core and punk give itself fast and intense sounding music. The band Impending Doom, originating from California in 2005, created the song 'Silence The Oppressors' (written on 2007) which conveys a good example of deathcore. The songs vocal guttural range provides an extremely deep and dark tone to the song. Not only does it create it to be intense and amplify adrenaline but also urges listeners to head band to their song. Their deep range mixes perfectly with the fast tempo. The songs tempo is extremely quick with little intervals and a lot of double kick drums and heavy riffs. The tempo truly gives the song that brutal metal affect setting itself apart from other songs. Fast tempo with deep vocal range makes an amazing dark and gruesome metal song.
Deathcore metal is amazing to listen to before any activities like working out. I love the deep voice of the vocalist that perfectly matches the drop tuned guitars. The guitarists chugging on the heavy e string just amplifies the song to make it more brutal. Deathcore will always be one of my favorite types of metal genres.
Metalcore
WAR OF AGES - COLLAPSE [Official] (Christian Metal) - YouTube
Metalcore is a heavy mix between metal and hardcore punk. Much of metalcore artists use a mix of clean singing and scream for vocals. The guitars are usually playing technical riffs drop tuned and of course the drums are double kick to provide the fast tempo. An amazing metalcore band called War of Ages, formed in Pennsylvania 2002, created a good depiction of metalcore through their song 'Collapse', composed in 2010. 'Collapse' uses technical riffs mainly instead of chords and also switches between clean and scream vocals. The guitar slides create a perfect range for the intensity of the song. A high-pitched guitar range matching the vocals, but dark percussion creates a spectacular contrast in this song. The range is perfect for people who love metal with high range but aren't really into deathcore. Though, the range works perfectly with the songs more inconsistent melody. 'Collapse' doesn't stick to one melody but constantly plays different bridges and even uses an outstanding solo. The melody creates the song to be unpredictable yet exciting. They used both musical elements to compose an awesome metalcore song.
Metalcore is a heavy mix between metal and hardcore punk. Much of metalcore artists use a mix of clean singing and scream for vocals. The guitars are usually playing technical riffs drop tuned and of course the drums are double kick to provide the fast tempo. An amazing metalcore band called War of Ages, formed in Pennsylvania 2002, created a good depiction of metalcore through their song 'Collapse', composed in 2010. 'Collapse' uses technical riffs mainly instead of chords and also switches between clean and scream vocals. The guitar slides create a perfect range for the intensity of the song. A high-pitched guitar range matching the vocals, but dark percussion creates a spectacular contrast in this song. The range is perfect for people who love metal with high range but aren't really into deathcore. Though, the range works perfectly with the songs more inconsistent melody. 'Collapse' doesn't stick to one melody but constantly plays different bridges and even uses an outstanding solo. The melody creates the song to be unpredictable yet exciting. They used both musical elements to compose an awesome metalcore song.
In my opinion, I love everything about metalcore. Metalcore seems to have a little bit of music for everyone including clean/scream vocals, fast riffs, and double kick drums. 'Collapse' is an outright amazing metalcore song that always leaves me amped up after listening. Their inconsistent melody has to be my favorite part out of the entire song.
Sources:
History of Black Metal - MetalheadCommunity.com 'History of Black Metal' written by Cameron Trichardt August 13th, 2019
Deathcore Music: The History and Sound of Deathcore - 2023 - MasterClass 'Deathcore Music: The history and sound of Deathcore' Written by Masterclass September 23rd, 2021
What Is Metalcore? - (guitaroutrun.com) 'What is Metalcore?' Written by di Gerardo September 9th, 2022
These are all really good metalcore examples because they include a breakdown section and more extreme metal elements like blast beats and double bass kick drumming. This is a more recent metal form originating in the 1990s. Personally, I am more of a fan of the older progressive rock influenced metal sound, evident in bands like Royal Thunder and Stryper (also Christian metal). Their structure follows a more typical pop or classic rock form with a chorus and bridge (often a guitar solo) and verses. This is a song by Stryper. https://youtu.be/54JVuMtLVHE
ReplyDeleteAwesome analysis about different genres of metal! There are definitely many musical elements that makes these genres hard to differentiate, but you did a great job of explaining all of them. I agree that this music is very "intense" and "brutal". Additionally, I liked the guitar riffs and drum parts in these songs. They seem incredibly hard to play!
ReplyDeleteI found this great article explaining 21 genres of metal that is really interesting:
https://producerhive.com/ask-the-hive/types-of-metal-music/