Heavy metal music

From ArticleWorld

Heavy Metal Music (sometimes named just metal) is a musical genre that can be characterized by aggressive rhythms and high distorted electric guitars. Hard rock is considered to be the style from which it derived thanks to influences by simple rock and blues. The result was a sound that was centered on the electric guitar and the drums. Influences were visible along many other fields of activity like fashion, design and human relationships. Heavy metal music became a movement rather than only music.

Characteristics

The most important characteristics of heavy metal music can be found in the instrumentation that is used. An electric guitar is absolutely necessary and presents dark themes and lyrics around it. The rhythms need to be aggressive and up-tempo. The genre has several subgenres that have their own styles and characteristics. The common line up for a heavy metal band can be considered to be formed of a drummer, a rhythm guitarist, a bassist, a lead guitarist, a singer and in some cases a keyboard player. The most important part in heavy metal music relies on the guitar playing. Several techniques to enhance the thickness of the instrument were used. Examples can be given in distortion and effects. The vocals used in songs will vary from clean vocals to high pitched wails or deep growls. Black metal and death metal are introducing the deep growls making it difficult to understand what the singer is actually saying. The reason behind this is thought to be the violence in the lyrics (see Cannibal Corpse), which is considered to be too much and should be harder to understand.

Impact

The impact that heavy metal had on the audience was very strong. A break between people that loved the genre and those that hated it was clearly visible. The genre became more than music influencing beliefs and fashion among many other aspects of day to day activities. Because of the visual dark pictures exposed many Islamic groups thought against metal. In these cultures wearing black is considered anti-religious and it is plain to see why heavy metal was considered “The Devil’s Music”. In 2001 a major decision was taken in Jordon. All Metallica albums were banned and are still so today. The musical genre attracted fans because of the anti-social and rebellious aspects of it. Many youngsters rallied behind it and sustained it. Many influences and cultural trends have been created by the heavy metal movement with signs and symbols that are still around today. For example, the “devil horns” used as a sign by Gene Simmons and Ronnie James Dio are visible at any rock concert today, not necessarily having to be a rock concert.