Metal - Can be loud, harsh, melodic, or any combo of those three. the electric guitars get there sound from distortion and are placed out front with the singer, in the mix, and given equal importance as the singer. The guitars don't hide in the background and there are often solos in each song. Usually the vocalist can and will reach high notes at times and often sings with a more gritty voice.
Glam-Metal - Or sometimes referred to as Hair Metal or Pop Metal, is a subgenre of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock that is known for its catchy hooks and memorable guitar riffs. The music is produced to be catchy and "air friendly"(playable on the radio) In a lot of cases, band members dress in over-the-top costumes in order to stand out from other bands.
Hardcore Punk - Or simply 'Hardcore', or 'Spirit-Filled Hardcore'. Spirit Filled - is a term meaning that the band is openly christian through their actions and their lyrics- Hardcore originated in the late 1970's and is known for its openness on issues of beliefs and politics. The Vocals are shouted out and often this includes talked out Vocals as well. The background Vocals are normally shouted out too. Songwriting focuses more on rhythm rather than melody. Songs can be as short as 1-2 min long with lyrics that are often in your face being very bold. The guitar work is always distorted and amplified and is known for having a 'Buzzsaw' sound. The overall idea behind the genre is to play louder, harder, and faster with the music being generally heavier than Punk Rock and harsher therefore getting its name Hardcore Punk.
Crossover Thrash - Crossover Thrash(often abbreviated as Crossover) is a fusion genre of Thrash Metal and Hardcore Punk. The genre lies on a continuum between Heavy Metal and hardcore punk. Crossover takes the fun elements of Punk music and "crosses over" into the Thrash genre to combine some heavier elements in order to create the Crossover Thrash genre.
Grunge - Is a sub-genre of Alternative music that has its roots back in the mid 1980's. Grunge draws inspiration from Hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal. The guitars are heavily distorted with a sludgy , fuzzy/buzz saw sound that often includes feedback effects. The vocals can include growling that helps add to contrasting song dynamics within the songs. The music is stripped down having a more raw sound to it. Many of the artist were noted for their unrefined, unkempt appearances.
Thrash - Has high speed riffing, is overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work, and often breaks off into a crunchy repetitive riff style. You will also find moments of speed metal thrown in for good measure. As in Metal and Power Metal, the guitars are placed out front and are given equal importance as the vocalist in the mix. Guitar Solos are a norm in the Thrash genre happening at any time and often performed by a duo guitar approach. The drums are very distinct in that they are often played in a repetitive , hammer/pounding method. Vocals are often delivered in a "talk/sing method and sometimes are accompanied by backing vocals that are "barked" at the listener kind of like a drill Sergeant.
Groove-Thrash - Relies more on groovy rhythms rather than on harsh Thrash riffs or fast paced riffage. There might be some speed metal moments but they are few and far between. In a lot of cases, Groove Thrash makes up for the lack of harshness in the guitar department by adding harsher Vocals. We also find that the drum work is different in that the hammer/pounding method is replaced with a more normal sound that we find in Metal or Rock.
Power Metal - When you mix Traditional metal with speed metal you get Power Metal. This genre can be distinguished by a more uplifting sound. The guitars are played using fast riffs during moments in the song or throughout the whole song. like Metal, the guitars are placed out front with the vocals in the mix. There are often solos in each song. Power Metal from Europe usually has a lighter more airy sound to it incorporating keyboards making it immediately accessible on the first listen. Power Metal in the West tends to leave the keyboard out of the mix and can be a bit more heavier in sound.
Symphonic Metal - Symphonic Metal is Metal music that incorporates sounds or instruments common with 'Classical Symphony Orchestras' for example, incorporating Cellos, Violins, Flutes, Trumpets, etc. it may also include touches of Operatic Vocals. In most cases these extra "Symphonic" touches give the band's music more of an 'Epic' overall sound.
Doom Metal - A form of Heavy Metal with low-tuned and highly distorted guitars with a heavy or thick sound played at slower tempos producing a doom sound that is used to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom.
Death Metal - Is an extreme subgenre of Metal and refers mostly to a vocal style consisting of deep growling vocals where the vocalist has a delivery that sounds as if you asked a zombie to sing just after digging his way out of a casket buried six feet deep. As one can only imagine, it would be hard to understand what he was singing!
UnBlack Metal - UnBlack Metal sometimes is called Extreme Metal and is a genre of music that is basically a Christianized version of Black Metal, whose artists promote Christianity in their lyrics and imagery. UnBlack metal artists are controversial, mainly because Black Metal's pioneers, especially those of the Second Wave, were anti-Christian. It is also suggested that Christianity contradicts Black Metal's dark nature by spreading the light of Jesus Christ therefore "unblackening" the Black Metal genre.
Viking Metal - Viking Metal is a subgenre of Metal Music with its origins in Black Metal and Nordic Folk Music. Some characteristics are slow paced and heavy riffing styles with anthemic choruses, and the use of both clean and harsh vocals. Songs also usually include instruments common to folk music along with keyboards for atmospheric effects which are often played at a swift galloping pace. Vocals go from clean to shrieked and growled. The elements that help define this genre are the band's name, album titles, album artwork, and most of all-the lyrics that include viking themes.
Folk Metal - When you mix Heavy Metal Music with traditional Folk Music you get Folk Metal. A large variety of common folk instruments are used in this genre and are usually backed by keyboards to give the folk instruments sound a stronger edge. Most often, we find bands of this genre from the European areas.
Neo-classical Metal - Is a sub-genre of Heavy Metal that is heavily influenced by classical music and usually features very technical playing, consisting of elements borrowed from both classical and heavy metal music.
Nu Metal - Is a Sub genre of Alternative Metal music that Incorporates elements of other genres like Electronic, Funk, Hip Hop, Industrial, Hardcore, and Grunge. Another element that helps define this genre can be the vocal work which can be raspy and heavier sounding or they can be clean similar to what we find in Rock music. Often these clean vocals, without the Pop Music, but with Heavy Metal sounding guitar riffs placed out front in the mix, is what defines this genre as well. Often the over all sound has more of a groovy sound to it. Nu Metal drummers and bassists often have Hip Hop and Funk influences.
Rock - Can be anywhere from light to hard and usually the guitars are used more as an accompaniment to the vocalist and are placed behind the singer in the mix and are not given equal value to the singer. Usually the vocals are more melodic and not as harsh.
Glam-Metal - Or sometimes referred to as Hair Metal or Pop Metal, is a subgenre of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock that is known for its catchy hooks and memorable guitar riffs. The music is produced to be catchy and "air friendly"(playable on the radio) In a lot of cases, band members dress in over-the-top costumes in order to stand out from other bands.
Hardcore Punk - Or simply 'Hardcore', or 'Spirit-Filled Hardcore'. Spirit Filled - is a term meaning that the band is openly christian through their actions and their lyrics- Hardcore originated in the late 1970's and is known for its openness on issues of beliefs and politics. The Vocals are shouted out and often this includes talked out Vocals as well. The background Vocals are normally shouted out too. Songwriting focuses more on rhythm rather than melody. Songs can be as short as 1-2 min long with lyrics that are often in your face being very bold. The guitar work is always distorted and amplified and is known for having a 'Buzzsaw' sound. The overall idea behind the genre is to play louder, harder, and faster with the music being generally heavier than Punk Rock and harsher therefore getting its name Hardcore Punk.
Crossover Thrash - Crossover Thrash(often abbreviated as Crossover) is a fusion genre of Thrash Metal and Hardcore Punk. The genre lies on a continuum between Heavy Metal and hardcore punk. Crossover takes the fun elements of Punk music and "crosses over" into the Thrash genre to combine some heavier elements in order to create the Crossover Thrash genre.
Grunge - Is a sub-genre of Alternative music that has its roots back in the mid 1980's. Grunge draws inspiration from Hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal. The guitars are heavily distorted with a sludgy , fuzzy/buzz saw sound that often includes feedback effects. The vocals can include growling that helps add to contrasting song dynamics within the songs. The music is stripped down having a more raw sound to it. Many of the artist were noted for their unrefined, unkempt appearances.
Thrash - Has high speed riffing, is overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work, and often breaks off into a crunchy repetitive riff style. You will also find moments of speed metal thrown in for good measure. As in Metal and Power Metal, the guitars are placed out front and are given equal importance as the vocalist in the mix. Guitar Solos are a norm in the Thrash genre happening at any time and often performed by a duo guitar approach. The drums are very distinct in that they are often played in a repetitive , hammer/pounding method. Vocals are often delivered in a "talk/sing method and sometimes are accompanied by backing vocals that are "barked" at the listener kind of like a drill Sergeant.
Groove-Thrash - Relies more on groovy rhythms rather than on harsh Thrash riffs or fast paced riffage. There might be some speed metal moments but they are few and far between. In a lot of cases, Groove Thrash makes up for the lack of harshness in the guitar department by adding harsher Vocals. We also find that the drum work is different in that the hammer/pounding method is replaced with a more normal sound that we find in Metal or Rock.
Power Metal - When you mix Traditional metal with speed metal you get Power Metal. This genre can be distinguished by a more uplifting sound. The guitars are played using fast riffs during moments in the song or throughout the whole song. like Metal, the guitars are placed out front with the vocals in the mix. There are often solos in each song. Power Metal from Europe usually has a lighter more airy sound to it incorporating keyboards making it immediately accessible on the first listen. Power Metal in the West tends to leave the keyboard out of the mix and can be a bit more heavier in sound.
Symphonic Metal - Symphonic Metal is Metal music that incorporates sounds or instruments common with 'Classical Symphony Orchestras' for example, incorporating Cellos, Violins, Flutes, Trumpets, etc. it may also include touches of Operatic Vocals. In most cases these extra "Symphonic" touches give the band's music more of an 'Epic' overall sound.
Doom Metal - A form of Heavy Metal with low-tuned and highly distorted guitars with a heavy or thick sound played at slower tempos producing a doom sound that is used to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom.
Death Metal - Is an extreme subgenre of Metal and refers mostly to a vocal style consisting of deep growling vocals where the vocalist has a delivery that sounds as if you asked a zombie to sing just after digging his way out of a casket buried six feet deep. As one can only imagine, it would be hard to understand what he was singing!
UnBlack Metal - UnBlack Metal sometimes is called Extreme Metal and is a genre of music that is basically a Christianized version of Black Metal, whose artists promote Christianity in their lyrics and imagery. UnBlack metal artists are controversial, mainly because Black Metal's pioneers, especially those of the Second Wave, were anti-Christian. It is also suggested that Christianity contradicts Black Metal's dark nature by spreading the light of Jesus Christ therefore "unblackening" the Black Metal genre.
Viking Metal - Viking Metal is a subgenre of Metal Music with its origins in Black Metal and Nordic Folk Music. Some characteristics are slow paced and heavy riffing styles with anthemic choruses, and the use of both clean and harsh vocals. Songs also usually include instruments common to folk music along with keyboards for atmospheric effects which are often played at a swift galloping pace. Vocals go from clean to shrieked and growled. The elements that help define this genre are the band's name, album titles, album artwork, and most of all-the lyrics that include viking themes.
Folk Metal - When you mix Heavy Metal Music with traditional Folk Music you get Folk Metal. A large variety of common folk instruments are used in this genre and are usually backed by keyboards to give the folk instruments sound a stronger edge. Most often, we find bands of this genre from the European areas.
Neo-classical Metal - Is a sub-genre of Heavy Metal that is heavily influenced by classical music and usually features very technical playing, consisting of elements borrowed from both classical and heavy metal music.
Nu Metal - Is a Sub genre of Alternative Metal music that Incorporates elements of other genres like Electronic, Funk, Hip Hop, Industrial, Hardcore, and Grunge. Another element that helps define this genre can be the vocal work which can be raspy and heavier sounding or they can be clean similar to what we find in Rock music. Often these clean vocals, without the Pop Music, but with Heavy Metal sounding guitar riffs placed out front in the mix, is what defines this genre as well. Often the over all sound has more of a groovy sound to it. Nu Metal drummers and bassists often have Hip Hop and Funk influences.
Rock - Can be anywhere from light to hard and usually the guitars are used more as an accompaniment to the vocalist and are placed behind the singer in the mix and are not given equal value to the singer. Usually the vocals are more melodic and not as harsh.
