Simple Music Dictionary

metal

genres

MET-ul

A genre of rock music characterised by heavy distortion, powerful vocals, and aggressive intensity.‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌

Heavy metal emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s from the heavier end of blues-based rock, pioneered by bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple.‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌ The genre is defined by heavily distorted electric guitar, powerful bass guitar, aggressive drumming, and vocals ranging from melodic singing to screaming. Guitar solos, often technically demanding, are a central feature. Metal has diversified into numerous subgenres: thrash metal, death metal, black metal, power metal, doom metal, progressive metal, and symphonic metal, each with distinct characteristics. Drop D tuning and other alternate tunings create the heavy, low-pitched guitar tones that define the genre. Metal culture includes a devoted global fanbase, distinctive visual aesthetics, and a strong live music tradition. Despite mainstream dismissal, metal has proven to be one of the most enduring and technically demanding forms of rock music.

Did you know?

Black Sabbath's self-titled 1970 debut album is widely considered the first true heavy metal record, built around the ominous tritone interval known as the "devil's interval."

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