Jump to content

Are [insert band name here] metal?

satan 59

By satan 59
in General Chat

 Share

Recommended Posts

satan 59 Newbie

satan 59

Posted
Posted

I'm not sure how a band/song is defined as metal. There seems to be stuff on here I would not call metal but then again not sure what I would call it. So how does the music industry decide "this is metal"? What about these guys? -

From what I've listened to on here I would say Goth or Doom but not sure if metal at all. :D
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 months later...
  • Replies 150
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

The Strategos Newbie

The Strategos

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? Hi Satan59, I know this is about three months late, but what the hell. To me metal is a relatively loose term which encompases all which includes heavy power chords and deep feeling, whether personal, mythological or polemic. But that's just how I define it, and I find it difficult to do at that! :lol: As to that band, yeah, I think that they are metal, but as to genre I have nothing like enough knowledge to pass judgement - possibly black?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RelentlessOblivion Grand Master

RelentlessOblivion

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? no way that was black metal mate I'm sorry to say, it was most certainly metal though, I know enough to say what genre it isn't but I don't quite know where I would put this band. as for what makes metal? for me metal is made by a combination of things, it's made by generally operatic vocals in the older styles (there are exceptions of course like Motorhead and Ozzy era Black Sabbath) more aggresive if not necessarily well performed vocals in thrash, shrieking vocals in more recent black metal, the "death growl" of course in death and doom/death, and well performed clean vocals in straight up doom bands, progressive and power metal (I don't have a great deal of knowledge in doom so this could be wrong). combined with lyrical content and structure. this is added to generally up tempo, and usually thick or heavy sounding riffs though again there are exceptions to the rule for example doom features much slower riffs. most importantly though is that, for me at least, the music has an atmosphere about it, it seems to have a physical presence or energy about it which is very hard to describe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Strategos Newbie

The Strategos

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? Hi Murph1990, As to Black Metal, I deffer whole-heartedly to your judgement, and your description of metal is also much better than mine, pretty much spot on I think :D . Funny you should mention the operatic vocals - I was just listening to some Uriah Heep off a complitation album I got (I think I like four songs) and thinking, where has all the hysterical male (melodic) shrieking gone? All the Led Zeplin Immigrant's Song Ah-ah-ah---AH! etc. I suppose Bruce Dickinson was pretty much the last exponent, since Dio has sadly died, but now I hear that his voice is, to all intents and purpose, broken. I wonder if death growling just took over. Still David Draiman of Disturbed gets quite high so perhaps all hope is not yet lost!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
rapidfire Newbie

rapidfire

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? It's hard to say, but ultimately it doesn't matter all that much. If it's good, crank it up! That's my take on the subject. Of course there are limits to the definition of metal, but if a band can't be pidgeonholed into a certain subgenre I don't overthink it, I just enjoy it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RelentlessOblivion Grand Master

RelentlessOblivion

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? agreed, and of course what makes metal such a unique music is that there is a huge variety of forms contained within it, it's been a little stangant for a while now with no new styles being created recently but that will inevitably change as some new band willing to experiment bursts onto the scene (by the way I don't consider battle metal or djent to be true sub-genres of metal)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rapidfire Newbie

rapidfire

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal?

agreed' date=' and of course what makes metal such a unique music is that there is a huge variety of forms contained within it, it's been a little stangant for a while now with no new styles being created recently but that will inevitably change as some new band willing to experiment bursts onto the scene (by the way I don't consider battle metal or djent to be true sub-genres of metal)[/quote'] Lol, I don't even know what those are.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RelentlessOblivion Grand Master

RelentlessOblivion

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? battle metal is nothing more then a collection of bands whose material depicts nothing but battle all the time, of course there is no real need for such a genre since battle is merely the over-riding theme of their lyrics and subsequently any band in the "genre" could easily be reclassified into any other proper genre. Djent as I understand it is just a particular style of playing guitar used frequently by Meshuggah (think that's how they spell their name) oh I forgot about NWOBHM, yeah all NWOBHM bands can be shifted into Trad./Heavy Metal, the NWOBHM was just a metal movement not a stand alone genre

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rapidfire Newbie

rapidfire

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal?

battle metal is nothing more then a collection of bands whose material depicts nothing but battle all the time, of course there is no real need for such a genre since battle is merely the over-riding theme of their lyrics and subsequently any band in the "genre" could easily be reclassified into any other proper genre. Djent as I understand it is just a particular style of playing guitar used frequently by Meshuggah (think that's how they spell their name) oh I forgot about NWOBHM, yeah all NWOBHM bands can be shifted into Trad./Heavy Metal, the NWOBHM was just a metal movement not a stand alone genre
By that definition Bolt Thrower would be "Battle Metal" I guess. Yeah, lyrical content doesn't really qualify as a genre. Otherwise Ghost would be black metal.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dilatedmind Newbie

dilatedmind

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? Metal is a mindstate. If a band has the right mindstate then surely they'll produce good Metal. As to the definition of the sub genres, well thats just it. They are sub genres. How many other genres of music maintain they're following whilst the new fads and trends grow underneath. In metal it seems the sub genres and cultures only help out Metal as a whole. When you look at hip hop, some argue that original hip hop is dead already through some sort of musical freudian father complex.... So yeah, thats my opinion of what constitutes Metal. Sent from my SK17i using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlutAusNerd Newbie

BlutAusNerd

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal?

Metal is a mindstate. If a band has the right mindstate then surely they'll produce good Metal. As to the definition of the sub genres, well thats just it. They are sub genres. How many other genres of music maintain they're following whilst the new fads and trends grow underneath. In metal it seems the sub genres and cultures only help out Metal as a whole. When you look at hip hop, some argue that original hip hop is dead already through some sort of musical freudian father complex.... So yeah, thats my opinion of what constitutes Metal. Sent from my SK17i using Tapatalk
I also feel that metals diversity has helped it thrive creatively, musicians are adhering to basic instrumental/musical concepts and basic ideas of what metal is about, but have been taking it in all different directions over the years, which just adds to what metal has to offer. Not too many genres can feature acts as sonically diverse as Thergothon, Helloween, Gorguts, and Hellhammer under it's wide umbrella. As much as I love certain subgenres, I love getting the whole picture, even if sometimes I only want to look at some sides of that picture.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
The Strategos Newbie

The Strategos

Posted
Posted

Re: Metal? All right Murph, enough :evil: ! I know he annoys you but he is trying and is probably just a bit shy in this land of metal monsters. @ HuntikFan1017, that's really great, but don't let anybody stop you listening to the bands you already like! Who are you liking at the moment, what kind of stuff are you into? I'd love to know. I've just heard some Overkill lately, what do you think of them? Anyway, great to hear from you again - I was afraid that we had driven you from the forum - as Murph still seems set on doing! Also, what do you feel makes metal metal, or indeed, how the sub-genres help keep our music alive :D ! Good luck and nice to hear from you again anyway, HuntikFan1017!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Sacred Reich "Awakening"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • 5

        Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Immortal Bird "Thrive on Neglect"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      I
      • 1

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Vltimas 'Something Wicked Marches In'

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 3 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Candlemass "The Door to Doom"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,


      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Overkill "The Wings of War"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • 0

        Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,
    View All
×
×
  • Create New...