Heavy metal music: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:46, 28 May 2006

Revision as of 19:02, 28 May 2006

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==Characteristics==

Heavy metal is typically characterized by a distorted guitar-led sound, morbid themes and lyrics, straightfowardstraightforward rhythms and classical or symphonic styles. However, heavy metal subgenres have their own stylistic variations on the original form that often omit many of these characteristics.

According to Allmusic.com, "Of all rock & roll's myriad forms, heavy metal is the most extreme in terms of volume, machismo, and theatricality. There are numerous stylistic variations on heavy metal's core sound, but they're all tied together by a reliance on loud, distorted guitars (usually playing repeated riffs) and simple, pounding rhythms."

===Instrumentation===

The most commonly used line-up for metal is a [[drummer]], a [[bass guitar|bassist]], a [[rhythm guitar|rhythm guitarist]], a [[lead guitar|lead guitarist]], and a singer (who may or may not be an instrumentalist). Keyboards are used in some styles of heavy metal and shunned by others, although as the styles of sub-genre develop they're becoming increasingly popular. [[Van Halen]], despite having one of the best known guitarists in heavy metal, is possibly the most prominent act to incorporate heavy use of keyboards in its music. Guitar playing is central to heavy metal. Distorted amplification of the guitars is used to create a powerful or 'heavy' sound. The result is simple, although some of the original heavy metallers joked that their simplified sound was more the result of limited ability than of innovation. Later, more intricate solos and [[riff]]s became a big part of heavy metal music. Guitarists use [[sweep-picking]], [[tapping]] and similar techniques for rapid playing, and many sub-genres are now praising [[virtuoso|virtuosity]] over simplicity. Also, as technology has developed, new ways of altering the guitar's sound have been adopted.

Metal vocals vary widely in style. Vocalists' abilities and styles range from the multi-octave operatic vocals of [[Judas Priest]]'s [[Rob Halford]] and the classically trained singing of [[Iron Maiden]]'s [[Bruce Dickinson]], to the intentionally gruff sounding vocals of [[Lemmy Kilmister]] from the band [[Motörhead]].