What's with all them different metal genres?

[Queen Michael]

I used to believe that metal was one genre, but apparently there's several subgenres and whathaveyou like heavy metal, death metal, and lots of others. SO could some metal fan here tell me what's the difference between the different subgenres? I'd check Wikipedia except I want it from a real fan talking like a normal person. So anyone who knows anything about this, feel free to tell me.

 

[Spitfire]

Why not listen to them yourself, and find out?

 

[JochemDude]

It's mostly because of underdog bands all trying original and making unique stuff then claiming it under some kind of abstract genre. Really it's quite hard to be original in Metal these days.

 

[Chogg Van Helsing]

Well, metal is like you Iron Maiden etc
Death metal is like really heavy stuff etc, death growling and what not
Black metal has really dark undertones, but is normally similar to death metal
Orchestral metal is metal with... you guessed it! an orchestra! haha
Melodic death metal is like just death metal, but has techno and stuff to make it more of a tune
nu metal is just like slipknot etc. Not sure what's so different. has faster verses and slower chorus' in comparison
Rap metal is what it says on the tin haha

Help?

 

[TheAbominableDan]

Death metal features a guttural grunting vocal style usually, and black metal's vocals are closer to shrieking or howling.

 

[darkmushroomm]

Pirate Metal and Ninja Metal are the best

 

[Deludedfool]

There are so many different metal genres its a bit ridiculous really, most of the time different artists can be fit into a few of the different subgenres so short of the obvious I personally think it comes down to opinion,

I don't see any reason for there to be subgenres of subgenres they should just be abolished and we should be left with genres that people can easily relate to certain types of metal

 

[razing32]

There's a documentary called "Metal : A headbanger's journey" It's really good to get a feel for how the styles evolved over the years and how bands influenced one another.

Here's the diagram from the film :

 

[Colour Scientist]

There're so many it's ridiculous. A friend of mine is really into technical metal and death metal.
I've sat through various lectures but I can't keep track of all the genres.

Like, there's this band called Nile who write about Ancient Egyptian stuff (or was it The Book of the Dead? I don't remember) so I guess they're Egyptian Mythology Metal or something.

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

Yeah, sure.

Heavy Metal is a much debated genre by itself. One reviewer of a Led Zeppelin album coined that term. It's been downhill ever since.

See, there are many subgenres, as well as sub-sub-genres... There are a ridiculous amount of sub-genres of Metal. Luckily for you, this is not Punk (which is even more intense in terms of quantity).

Heavy Metal = Iron Maiden, Motorhead, early Running Wild, early Black Sabbath. Traditional metal; blues riffs done with the key of a "satan's" Or "devil's" chord. One of the most early forms of offensive rock. Because people are stupid.

Heavy metal eventually decided to be faster.

Speed Metal = early Metallica, early-mid era Judas Priest, mid-era Running Wild, mid-era Tankard, Anthrax. Really just "faster" heavy metal.

Speed + Punk = eventually metal and punk decided to make some sexy little babies = Thrash.

Mid-Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Tankard, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Razor, and last but definitely least; Slayer.

Thrash created the whole concept of "extreme metal". Which eventually turned into Death and Black. Power Metal is divided into two sides; Blue collar USHM and Heavy Metal++. Basically continuing the normal aspects of "heavy metal".

Death is generally considered a direct evolution of Thrash. Black was a revolution against death, or metal in general. Death is Thrash++, whilst Black is Thrash+European stylings+Crust Punk.

Black Sabbath actually created four styles at once without notice. Heavy Metal, Stoner rock, Doom Metal and Sludge. Stoner-rock is blues-heavy metal. Doom Metal is similar, yet much slower and with more distortion. Sludge is stoner+doom+Orange amps. Fuck you, other metalheads, you know it's true.

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

There's a documentary called "Metal : A headbanger's journey" It's really good to get a feel for how the styles evolved over the years and how bands influenced one another.

Here's the diagram from the film :

A Headbanger's Journey is mostly known for its decent interviews, but lousy labeling. Sam Dunham is also a tool. Just sayin.

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

Death metal features a guttural grunting vocal style usually, and black metal's vocals are closer to shrieking or howling.

Vocals do not make an entire genre.

 

[Abedeus]

POWER/SPEED METAL RUUUUUUULESSS

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

Viking metal? Sure, it's a theme.

Folk metal, like Kopriiklaani (sp?) actually uses FOLK INSTRUMENTS in their music. You don't hear Scottish music in most metal bands, do you...

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

POWER/SPEED METAL RUUUUUUULESSS

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

Viking metal? Sure, it's a theme.

Folk metal, like Kopriiklaani (sp?) actually uses FOLK INSTRUMENTS in their music. You don't hear Scottish music in most metal bands, do you...

Folk instruments doesn't equal a whole new genre. Look at Ensiferum. At Wintersun. At Drudkh. It's not a whole new genre just because of different instruments. Folk Metal can't exist by itself.

 

[brunothepig]

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

Exactly what I say every time someone brings up Pirate Metal. However, I would argue that there is a difference between Folk Metal and Battle Metal or Power Metal.
OT: There is no way I'm listing the characteristics of each sub-genre. Some people have already defined it for you, although you'll notice a few different opinions cropping up. It's not quite as tangled as some people are saying, but there are a lot, and the lines between sub-genres can be hazy. Mostly Metalheads learn the sub-genres through experience. It's at the point where just hearing a band I'll be able to categorise them because I've heard such a wide array of Metal bands, of all kinds. But my criteria might be a little different to others, an example is just there at the top of my post.

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

Exactly what I say every time someone brings up Pirate Metal. However, I would argue that there is a difference between Folk Metal and Battle Metal or Power Metal.
OT: There is no way I'm listing the characteristics of each sub-genre. Some people have already defined it for you, although you'll notice a few different opinions cropping up. It's not quite as tangled as some people are saying, but there are a lot, and the lines between sub-genres can be hazy. Mostly Metalheads learn the sub-genres through experience. It's at the point where just hearing a band I'll be able to categorise them because I've heard such a wide array of Metal bands, of all kinds. But my criteria might be a little different to others, an example is just there at the top of my post.

I enjoy your opinion very much. It's actually sensible

But I completely disagree, in my own way. Of course there are differences between your "folk" and "battle" metal. Because they don't exist. IMO, of course. No insults here, but if you would like to explain your opinion, that would make me incredibly happy. All I've been talking about on here is Skyrim.

I kinda need some "methulz" talk.

 

[Freaky Lou]

Yeah, sure.

Heavy Metal is a much debated genre by itself. One reviewer of a Led Zeppelin album coined that term. It's been downhill ever since.

See, there are many subgenres, as well as sub-sub-genres... There are a ridiculous amount of sub-genres of Metal. Luckily for you, this is not Punk (which is even more intense in terms of quantity).

Heavy Metal = Iron Maiden, Motorhead, early Running Wild, early Black Sabbath. Traditional metal; blues riffs done with the key of a "satan's" Or "devil's" chord. One of the most early forms of offensive rock. Because people are stupid.

Heavy metal eventually decided to be faster.

Speed Metal = early Metallica, early-mid era Judas Priest, mid-era Running Wild, mid-era Tankard, Anthrax. Really just "faster" heavy metal.

Speed + Punk = eventually metal and punk decided to make some sexy little babies = Thrash.

Mid-Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Tankard, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Razor, and last but definitely least; Slayer.

Thrash created the whole concept of "extreme metal". Which eventually turned into Death and Black. Power Metal is divided into two sides; Blue collar USHM and Heavy Metal++. Basically continuing the normal aspects of "heavy metal".

Death is generally considered a direct evolution of Thrash. Black was a revolution against death, or metal in general. Death is Thrash++, whilst Black is Thrash+European stylings+Crust Punk.

Black Sabbath actually created four styles at once without notice. Heavy Metal, Stoner rock, Doom Metal and Sludge. Stoner-rock is blues-heavy metal. Doom Metal is similar, yet much slower and with more distortion. Sludge is stoner+doom+Orange amps. Fuck you, other metalheads, you know it's true.

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

First I'd like to mention that while it's true that lyrical themes don't define a genre, a lot of "viking metal" does have a distinctly different melodic style as well. See: Finntroll, Ensiferum.

Other than that, your explanation was very solid.

 

[Jamie McLaughlin]

Yeah, sure.

Heavy Metal is a much debated genre by itself. One reviewer of a Led Zeppelin album coined that term. It's been downhill ever since.

See, there are many subgenres, as well as sub-sub-genres... There are a ridiculous amount of sub-genres of Metal. Luckily for you, this is not Punk (which is even more intense in terms of quantity).

Heavy Metal = Iron Maiden, Motorhead, early Running Wild, early Black Sabbath. Traditional metal; blues riffs done with the key of a "satan's" Or "devil's" chord. One of the most early forms of offensive rock. Because people are stupid.

Heavy metal eventually decided to be faster.

Speed Metal = early Metallica, early-mid era Judas Priest, mid-era Running Wild, mid-era Tankard, Anthrax. Really just "faster" heavy metal.

Speed + Punk = eventually metal and punk decided to make some sexy little babies = Thrash.

Mid-Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Tankard, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Razor, and last but definitely least; Slayer.

Thrash created the whole concept of "extreme metal". Which eventually turned into Death and Black. Power Metal is divided into two sides; Blue collar USHM and Heavy Metal++. Basically continuing the normal aspects of "heavy metal".

Death is generally considered a direct evolution of Thrash. Black was a revolution against death, or metal in general. Death is Thrash++, whilst Black is Thrash+European stylings+Crust Punk.

Black Sabbath actually created four styles at once without notice. Heavy Metal, Stoner rock, Doom Metal and Sludge. Stoner-rock is blues-heavy metal. Doom Metal is similar, yet much slower and with more distortion. Sludge is stoner+doom+Orange amps. Fuck you, other metalheads, you know it's true.

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

First I'd like to mention that while it's true that lyrical themes don't define a genre, a lot of "viking metal" does have a distinctly different melodic style as well. See: Finntroll, Ensiferum.

Other than that, your explanation was very solid.

Thank you.

However, many similar groups have a different "melodic style". How is Ensiferum not a power metal band with harsh vocals? I love them, oh so much, but they're still a part of a power metal front. Well, when Jari was with them. Now that Petri is around, they've morphed into a melo-death act.

Finntroll is just another blue-collar PM act. Not in a bad way, of course. But they're just ManOwar with folk interludes and background instruments. That, in no way, changes a band's genre.

I'm having great fun, though, by the way. Waxing metal is only something I can really do on metal-archives. Apparently Escapist also houses metal heads. Who woulda thought? Hah.

 

[Fishyash]

I don't think metal is the only genre that does this to be honest (although I do think metal fans are a lot more specific with this). I think it kinda applies to electronica too.

But I don't think they would be mentioned near as much, and to be honest, I haven't really taken much attention to more than just hearing about the subgenres.

It seems, on this forum at least, that not as much people are specific on the subgenres of electronica.

 

[Freaky Lou]

Yeah, sure.

Heavy Metal is a much debated genre by itself. One reviewer of a Led Zeppelin album coined that term. It's been downhill ever since.

See, there are many subgenres, as well as sub-sub-genres... There are a ridiculous amount of sub-genres of Metal. Luckily for you, this is not Punk (which is even more intense in terms of quantity).

Heavy Metal = Iron Maiden, Motorhead, early Running Wild, early Black Sabbath. Traditional metal; blues riffs done with the key of a "satan's" Or "devil's" chord. One of the most early forms of offensive rock. Because people are stupid.

Heavy metal eventually decided to be faster.

Speed Metal = early Metallica, early-mid era Judas Priest, mid-era Running Wild, mid-era Tankard, Anthrax. Really just "faster" heavy metal.

Speed + Punk = eventually metal and punk decided to make some sexy little babies = Thrash.

Mid-Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Tankard, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Razor, and last but definitely least; Slayer.

Thrash created the whole concept of "extreme metal". Which eventually turned into Death and Black. Power Metal is divided into two sides; Blue collar USHM and Heavy Metal++. Basically continuing the normal aspects of "heavy metal".

Death is generally considered a direct evolution of Thrash. Black was a revolution against death, or metal in general. Death is Thrash++, whilst Black is Thrash+European stylings+Crust Punk.

Black Sabbath actually created four styles at once without notice. Heavy Metal, Stoner rock, Doom Metal and Sludge. Stoner-rock is blues-heavy metal. Doom Metal is similar, yet much slower and with more distortion. Sludge is stoner+doom+Orange amps. Fuck you, other metalheads, you know it's true.

Shit like Viking Metal and Folk Metal doesn't actually exist. They're just themes. Lyrical content does not equal musical qualities.

If I forgot anything, you guys should tell me. Jameson is not healthy.

First I'd like to mention that while it's true that lyrical themes don't define a genre, a lot of "viking metal" does have a distinctly different melodic style as well. See: Finntroll, Ensiferum.

Other than that, your explanation was very solid.

Thank you.

However, many similar groups have a different "melodic style". How is Ensiferum not a power metal band with harsh vocals? I love them, oh so much, but they're still a part of a power metal front. Well, when Jari was with them. Now that Petri is around, they've morphed into a melo-death act.

Finntroll is just another blue-collar PM act. Not in a bad way, of course. But they're just ManOwar with folk interludes and background instruments. That, in no way, changes a band's genre.

I'm having great fun, though, by the way. Waxing metal is only something I can really do on metal-archives. Apparently Escapist also houses metal heads. Who woulda thought? Hah.

Well, it is a fairly nebulous difference. Has to do with the scales they use, the backing instruments, and overall feel of the song. It's a slight enough difference that the same band can have songs that are and are not "viking" (Ensiferum, once again, is an example).

Maybe it's not a big enough difference to warrant its own genre, but describing a band as "folk" or "viking" metal does significantly increase the chances that I will listen to them.

I don't think metal is the only genre that does this to be honest (although I do think metal fans are a lot more specific with this). I think it kinda applies to electronica too.

But I don't think they would be mentioned near as much, and to be honest, I haven't really taken much attention to more than just hearing about the subgenres.

It seems, on this forum at least, that not as much people are specific on the subgenres of electronica.

Hip-hop, either. =[