variations of the underground metal scene
Created | Updated Jul 7, 2003
UNDERGROUND METAL GENRES
In the past 30 years Metal has split into a wide variety of forms, including death, black, thrash, speed, progressive and melodic death metal. These six genres stand out from the rest, and thus require explanation. Generally bands within these genre's have remained under the confines of the term underground. Underground bands are rarely, if ever, heard on radio or seen on television. Album sales are also considerably lower than mainstream acts. It should also be known that many of these bands will never break into the mainstream due to the very nature of the music itself: loud, fast, and hate-filled.
Death Metal:
Death metal can be summed up as heavy and thick guitar sounds with low, guttural vocals mixed in with blasting drums1. The vocals range from low-end growls to “demonic screaming.” Cookie monster2 vocals is a nice way of putting it. The lyrics tend to be hate-filled, and some are fairly grotesque. Many death metal bands seem to be competing for the most repulsive lyrics and album covers(cannibal corpse is an example). One of the most important, and attributed originators of this genre is the band Death, whose front man, tragically past away a few years ago.
Black Metal:
Black metal tends to be dominated by high, screaming, ear piercing vocals. An example of this can be seen in Cradle of Filth. The lyrics are largely anti-Christian, though not always. Many Black Metal musicians take their music seriously, and thus live the lifestyle so to speak. Blastbeating drums and synthesizers are commonly used, though the latter isn’t exclusive to all bands in the genre. There is a lot less string-muting3 in black metal compared to death metal, as well as a lot rawer production4 though it's not always the case; bands like Dimmu Borgir are prime examples of black metal with good production. Alongside Black metal there is a sub-genre called blackened-thrash metal. It’s as the name says, a combination of the black and thrash metal styles. The use of keyboards are virtually removed, and the drums are slightly slower, though still retain speed. Examples of this style are Immortal and Susperia as well.
Thrash Metal:
Heavy distortion with insanely fast solos, many very intricate, make up the basis of Thrash metal. The guitars tend to be standard tuned, as it is usually not as “heavy,” for lack of a better term, than death metal5. Riff styles use a bit of everything really; melodic at times, yet brutal and fast as well, and even blues based solos thrown in from time to time. Thrash music tends to revolve around the darker side of life, but there is less anti-Christian messages. Old Metallica, and Slayer are prime examples.
Speed Metal:
Speed metal is simply just that, fast. The guitars are fast, the bass is fast, and the drums are fast, the vocals are, well fast. The song writing is well structured and technical, and generally requires supreme musicianship. Speed metal has been around for quite awhile, since the early 80's; which, in terms of metals existence, is quite awhile. Testament, which has been on scene for most of that time, is a prime example of speed metal in action.
Progressive Metal:
Prog metal takes influence from several different genre’s of music. Classical, death metal, thrash, blues, and folk are intertwined to form a technical and challenging musical form. You might call it the thinking mans metal as there is an abundance of strange timings and much experimentation with sounds that takes place. A prime example of progressive metal is Opeth.
Melodic Death Metal:
The final style is what is called melodic death metal. MDM utilizes many styles, much like that of prog metal. Guitar harmonies and melodic interludes are a staple of the genre, which makes it very similar to classical composers. Many bands have used actual parts of classical works in their songs, including bands such as Children of Bodom, who used parts from pieces by mozart in their songs. Vocals can be like that of black metal, but they can also be clean, and even whispers at times; many times interchanging between the two. Another name for this genre is Gothenburg Metal, named after the city in which it is supposed to have spawned. Examples are In flames and Dark tranquility.
thanks to death8699 for much of the info.
In the past 30 years Metal has split into a wide variety of forms, including death, black, thrash, speed, progressive and melodic death metal. These six genres stand out from the rest, and thus require explanation. Generally bands within these genre's have remained under the confines of the term underground. Underground bands are rarely, if ever, heard on radio or seen on television. Album sales are also considerably lower than mainstream acts. It should also be known that many of these bands will never break into the mainstream due to the very nature of the music itself: loud, fast, and hate-filled.
Death Metal:
Death metal can be summed up as heavy and thick guitar sounds with low, guttural vocals mixed in with blasting drums1. The vocals range from low-end growls to “demonic screaming.” Cookie monster2 vocals is a nice way of putting it. The lyrics tend to be hate-filled, and some are fairly grotesque. Many death metal bands seem to be competing for the most repulsive lyrics and album covers(cannibal corpse is an example). One of the most important, and attributed originators of this genre is the band Death, whose front man, tragically past away a few years ago.
Black Metal:
Black metal tends to be dominated by high, screaming, ear piercing vocals. An example of this can be seen in Cradle of Filth. The lyrics are largely anti-Christian, though not always. Many Black Metal musicians take their music seriously, and thus live the lifestyle so to speak. Blastbeating drums and synthesizers are commonly used, though the latter isn’t exclusive to all bands in the genre. There is a lot less string-muting3 in black metal compared to death metal, as well as a lot rawer production4 though it's not always the case; bands like Dimmu Borgir are prime examples of black metal with good production. Alongside Black metal there is a sub-genre called blackened-thrash metal. It’s as the name says, a combination of the black and thrash metal styles. The use of keyboards are virtually removed, and the drums are slightly slower, though still retain speed. Examples of this style are Immortal and Susperia as well.
Thrash Metal:
Heavy distortion with insanely fast solos, many very intricate, make up the basis of Thrash metal. The guitars tend to be standard tuned, as it is usually not as “heavy,” for lack of a better term, than death metal5. Riff styles use a bit of everything really; melodic at times, yet brutal and fast as well, and even blues based solos thrown in from time to time. Thrash music tends to revolve around the darker side of life, but there is less anti-Christian messages. Old Metallica, and Slayer are prime examples.
Speed Metal:
Speed metal is simply just that, fast. The guitars are fast, the bass is fast, and the drums are fast, the vocals are, well fast. The song writing is well structured and technical, and generally requires supreme musicianship. Speed metal has been around for quite awhile, since the early 80's; which, in terms of metals existence, is quite awhile. Testament, which has been on scene for most of that time, is a prime example of speed metal in action.
Progressive Metal:
Prog metal takes influence from several different genre’s of music. Classical, death metal, thrash, blues, and folk are intertwined to form a technical and challenging musical form. You might call it the thinking mans metal as there is an abundance of strange timings and much experimentation with sounds that takes place. A prime example of progressive metal is Opeth.
Melodic Death Metal:
The final style is what is called melodic death metal. MDM utilizes many styles, much like that of prog metal. Guitar harmonies and melodic interludes are a staple of the genre, which makes it very similar to classical composers. Many bands have used actual parts of classical works in their songs, including bands such as Children of Bodom, who used parts from pieces by mozart in their songs. Vocals can be like that of black metal, but they can also be clean, and even whispers at times; many times interchanging between the two. Another name for this genre is Gothenburg Metal, named after the city in which it is supposed to have spawned. Examples are In flames and Dark tranquility.
thanks to death8699 for much of the info.
1the use of a double kick pedal on the bass drum, this allows the musician to perform at times incredibly fast beats, or blasts if you will2singer sounds like the cookie monster after hes been possesed by a deamon3laying the side of the picking hand over the strings to cause a muted sound4not as many overdubs, sounds akin to a live show5death metal bands tend to use a lower tuning. The band Nile is a good example
