Metal makes Matt very merry

By Matt Juliano
Collegian Staff
March 22, 2006

When most people hear the words “heavy metal,” their facial expression instantly becomes one of disgust. Their preconceived notions of heavy metal being nothing more than “devil worshiping on CD” is far from the truth. The heavy metal genre itself is broken down into smaller genres, each with their own unique musical styles. Below are a few of the popular metal genres that might teach you that not all metal is evil.

First, thrash metal is commonly characterized by a fast-paced, disjointed, chunky guitar-riffing style and forceful vocals. Metallica’s 1983 debut album, Kill ‘Em All, is arguably the first true thrash album, with many thrash bands sprouting up after its release. The genre became too crowded in the early ‘90. Every band was playing the same style, the genre went sour and became much less popular a few years later. Thrash metal bands include Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Annihilator and Testament.

The infamous black metal is often characterized by an innately evil tone and a harsh vocal style. Earlier bands focused on minimal instrumentation while newer groups explored a more symphonic, keyboard-driven style, such as Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth. Most black metal bands hail from Norway, though other countries have added some quality bands as well. Black metal bands include Darkthrone, Venom, Enthroned and Graveworm.

The most extreme sub-genre, the one people usually mistakenly associate with the whole genre, is death metal. This form is an offshoot of thrash, with less melodic riffs and a low, growly, often indecipherable vocal style that is often described as “Cookie Monster vocals.” The early ‘90s saw the initial rise of death metal, thanks to many college radio stations that supported such bands, with most coming from Florida and Sweden. Death metal bands include Cannibal Corpse, Death, Morbid Angel, Deicide and Obituary.

The second form of death metal is the Gothenburg style, or melodic death metal, which is named after the Swedish city where the innovators of the genre worked. The difference here is in the vocal style, which follows a particular pattern of harsh verses and melodic choruses. The musical style is much more fluid, occasionally bringing Iron Maiden to mind. This particular incarnation of metal includes In Flames, Soilwork and Dark Tranquility.

The term “power metal” was interchangeable with heavy metal, with an emphasis on heavier riffing. In recent years, the genre has become heavily influenced by European styles that contain double-bass drumming, anthemic choruses and speedy riffing. Power metal bands include Judas Priest, Iced Earth, Nevermore, Primal Fear and Kamelot.

Metal has continued to evolve into the forms of more radio-friendly genres known as nu-metal and industrial. Most hardcore fans dismiss nu-metal, claiming it is nothing more than sell-out bands with cry-baby lyrics. The genre was popularized in the mid-’90s by groups like Korn, Linkin Park, and Papa Roach. It is characterized by down-tuned guitars, vocals borrowed from hip-hop or hardcore genres and song structures that originated from alternative hard rock rather than traditional metal. The genre’s bands include Avenged Sevenfold, Coal Chamber, System of a Down and P.O.D.

Lastly, industrial metal takes the basics of industrial music, which produces music without musical instruments, and adds complementing metal guitars with samples, external sound effects and often processed vocals. Industrial metal bands include Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Rammstein.

Many people do not know what true metal really is because radio stations don’t play true metal. They give people a watered down version of it with bands like Disturbed, System of a Down and Marilyn Manson, while true metal bands remain undiscovered by many Americans. Europe contains the majority of true metal fans; metal in Europe is on par with what rap and pop are in America. Don’t be fooled by the idea that if it “isn’t on the air, nobody will care.” Pick up a metal CD and explore the genre that many have uninformed preconceived notions about. You might surprise yourself by actually liking it. I know I did.

julianm1@lasalle.edu