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Metal Genres

When I first started listening to Metal there was only one genre, Heavy Metal. Every metal band that came on the scene like the Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Razor, Slayer Twisted Sister, Venom etc., was just called Heavy Metal. Then came Speed Metal, Black Metal, Christian Metal to name a small few. The 80's in my opinion was the beginning for hardcore Metalheads.

Now there are several genres of metal it's beginning to be hard to keep track of. So I am going to list a few and give you my opinion of them. You may not agree with me on a few but we all have our preferences and our likes and dislikes, I will also explain to you why I like and dislike some of those styles of metal.


Heavy Metal (70's and 80's)


In my opinion, the beginning of it all, was the likes of KISS, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Motley Crue just to name a few. New sounds and intense feelings. I loved the scene back then, it was a way to let loose from the normality of the day and the lyrics were cutting edge, toeing the lines of what kids were allowed to say and feel (and alot of the time stepping over the line.) People were shocked when the word fuck was used in lyrics and even more shocked when Satan's name popped out of the speakers. The dress code of studded leather and chains became the calling card of most Metalheads. Headbanging was a must when the intensity of the drum beat and the bass hit our souls. This was the glorious era of metal because this was where the Monsters and Gods of metal entered the scene.



Black Metal


Venom, Behemoth, Rotting Christ and Gorgoroth are examples of the Black Metal genre. I took a liking to Venom when they came on the scene but then slowly grew tired of their music as every song was beginning to sound the same but I still enjoyed listening to them every now and again. Mercyful Fate, Hellhammer and Celtic Frost changed my mind about Black Metal. Their sounds were more crisp, a little more edgy and not so distorted. Each song had a different feel to it.

Then in the 90's Black metal became hard to listen to. Don't get me wrong the music itself was good for the most part but the vocals started to become atrocious. Off key and low, as well as hard to understand because the music itself over powered them. Sure we had a small few that stood out and I thought were amazing, like Slayer, Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth, but I sure wasn't fond of most.




Christian Metal


Stryper was big on the metal scene and was the first Christian Metal band to hit the secular radio and T.V. scene. They were all decked out in yellow and black stripes and was somewhat of a joke among most Metalheads. But they had a good sound and you still wanted to head bang to their music. They opened the door for Christians to listen to metal music and people who wanted to convert to Christianity, without losing the sound they love. Other bands stepped into the Christian scene from their garages no longer afraid of their churches persecuting their choice of being metal bands. Soon Christians were enjoying metal bands like Messiah Prophet, Bloodgood, The Resurection Band and Barren Cross. Christian Metal became huge among the Christian faith and the sounds were amazing, clean vocals and tight instruments were the norm. There were a few Christian bands that mirrored other genres like Mortification, Saint and the band Trust, that way all converted to the faith could still thrash out and worship the christian god at the same time.






Symphonic Metal


One band almost every Metalhead thinks of when Symphonic Metal is mentioned is, let's say it all together, Nightwish. Symphonic Metal was huge stadium sounds with Keyboards and in Nightwish's case Operatic vocals that sent shivers up and down my spine. I was hooked. This genre was and still is my go-to for relaxing and when I am down. Angelic sounds bring me out of slumps and sadness where I can walk among the clouds once again. Other bands that are synonymous to Symhponic Metal are Epica, Xandria, Within Temptation, Kamelot and Therion. Dimmu Borgir also lands within this category. I am tempted to just keep going and going and tell you what I think of each band. But I will do that in another blog.




Alternative Metal


There are a few sub genres in this category like Nu Metal and Rap Metal. I don't know much about this category as I have just begun to listen to Rap Metal and have steered away from Nu Metal because I don't really like Korn, Limp Bizkit and others that have a similar sound and style. I don't mind Slipknot, but you can have the rest. Korn going from his talking points and sounding like he is taking a big shit, all the way to his inane, distorted hollering (sorry Korn fans) I'm just not a fan. Nu Metal just isn't my style. Rap Metal is fairly new to me but I think I can get a handle on it because they don't sound like your typical rappers that sound bored and monotone. Rap Metal artists still gives us the angry power in their vocal range and throw in harmonisation when they sing straight like Hatebreed, Body Count and Project Wyze .





Grindcore


When I first heard Grindcore I was intently listening, the music was heavy and deep and pulse pounding. Then BOOM the vocals came on and I was like "What the Fuck is this shit". I couldn't understand a word they were saying and it just sounded like severe throat rumblings. Remember folks this is just my opinion and I know there are quite a few Grindcore fans out there. I am into Vocals and understanding what they are singing. There is no doubt I do like the instrumental part of the song, but to be honest the vocals are horrendous to me.

There are a few bands that I have listened to in the Grindcore category but I myself don't normally listen to this genre.






 
 
 

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