Lesser Known Metal ^-^

[SentinalBlade]

Alright this topic was inspired by the Techno Jams, Bastard Poetry's intelligence, and my need to teach people things.

Basically, i wanted to get a few points across about metal.

1. Metal is actually intelligent
2. you dont normally listen to metal for the screaming >.>
3. not all Metal is screamo
4. Alot of metal has inspriing lyrics

Ill start with qouting Bastard Poetry.

I'm a severe metalhead as well (Opeth, Emperor, Nile, etc), and I think the reason I love good metal and good techno so much is the fact they both combine the complexities and forms of classical music (melody, harmony, intricate tempo shifts and such) and rhythm (the one thing classical sort of lacked). Though metal is certainly done in such a dissonant way, and techno often lacks some elements of classical, such as instrumentation (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, though, on either count). As far as metal goes, though, it's definitely an acquired taste and I don't expect others to agree. (If you're curious, look up "Deliverance" by Opeth, and really try to focus on the jazz-influenced drum work. As for the guitar work, I often compare good guitar work to Bach, always with a few quotes along the lines of how Bach was "metal as fuck," for his time; look up his harpsichord concerto in D, first movement).

I do know that, when my brother became a House/Trance DJ, I learned to appreciate techno on a much deeper level the day I first watched him spin. It is an art form that really must be experienced up close and personal (like in a club, by the speakers, or up with the DJ) to feel the genius behind it. Too many people have this impression that techno is just mindless beat after beat, when there's so much more to it.

Excellent Summary BP. i truly appreaciate the way you articulate your sentences. I wish more people would model their posts after yours.

now that the falttery is finished.

Metal is a serious music. You need to have rythmetic chords, a decent drum groove, and a serious yearning for hardcore.

I dont understand why most people say "i cant stand how you listen to that shit, its all screaming". I normally say back "i cant stand how you listen to that shit. its all womanizing lyrics about gangbanging a ho with STDs, shooting your friend ina gangwar, and it has awful beats and snythisizers.".

You dont listen to music to appreaciate ALL of it. Im sure most people listen to rap without thinking about why they like it. if i do come across a rap song i like, and though thats not often, i like it because of the flow of it. the smoothness of the words and the Bass beats can really drag you into it.

Metal is the same way. You dont listen to metal so you can have some guy screaming obscenities into your ear. Just like you dont listen to rap for the awful synthizers and more often than not, sharpness of the words.
You listen to metal for the beat. the rythym. the rush of the music, the speed of the sound. Metal is letting the frustration out in an offbeat chord or strange patterns. Metal is about the soul of the music. NOT the screaming or even the non-screaming lyrics.

Metal should not be confused with a way of life. though it does a good job of letting people live the way people should. not worring about everything, wether im going to die tommorow, and letting out rage by listening to a serious power chord or solo.


And Despite how i focused on the saying "dont listen to metal for the screamo", not all metal is screaming. There are TONS of inspirational bands, such as Dream Evil, Dragon Force, and even some older ones, Skid Row comes to mind, and so does Iron Maiden.

These all have differing styles. Dream Evil Has excellent vocals, even if he were to sing...well anything. You dont have to like his voice, but admit that he controls his voice very well, from the vibrato to his whispers. there is no sharp sounds or peircing "targes"

Dragon force has a vocal style similar to dream evil. but is by far more untraditional. it hardly follows a rythym and i think the drummer is constantly having a siezure while playing the drums, to be able to play the drums that far apart and constantly switching like a madman.

The point is that in ALL music there is something ot look for. Techno is the dance beat, metal is the rythym and emotion, Rap is supposed to be the smoothness and sychronization of words.

With all that said and done, lets post some Metal MOST PEOPLE have not heard of. this means nothing commonplace, such as dragonforce, otep or such.

Iced Earth

Nightwish(youd be surprised how few have heard of this band)

Sum 41

Cyronic Temple

At Vance (think the old Band RUSH but hardcore. they also do an excellent rendition of flight of the bumblebee)

Curse Your name (screams, but this is my favorite metal band)

I set my friends on Fire

Hammer Fall

Primevil

And my internet is going wacky so ill post now and edit later.

[CidIII]

TECHNO JAMS!

^ Sorry, had to squeeze that in before I read the bulk of your post.

I like what you're saying, basically no music is bad in my opinion (well some shit is bad).

I'll give a listen to the tracks once you post them...  

[SentinalBlade]

TECHNO JAMS!

Troll elsewhere, troll

lol, seriously though, thanks for giving me the idea for this topic :3

[CidIII]

No problem.

[Bastard Poetry]

I'll start with a nice handful for each of the different "genres" of metal, as I see them. (Everyone disputes the genre thing; this is how I see them).

Melodic/Progressive Metal

Opeth - The Moor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-r7kQRrBE

Agalloch - Not Unlike the Waves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuPz7cMD3qs

Insomnium - The Elder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9_02hsKfag

Dark Tranquillity - Am I 1?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyPJh6_ZdNA


Symphonic/Operatic Metal

Therion - Kali Yuga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gG9KPsf8a0

Nightwish - The Pharaoh Sails to Orion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TINKxRiblWY

Tristania - The Modern End
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBoAMQKRMs

Theater of Tragedy - Seraphic Deviltry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVQg1tVOPTI


Death Metal

Nile - Lashed to the Slave Stick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2d44qWuOl0

Martriden - The Art of Death Infernal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcPm1ptWrEs

Bloodbath - Bathe in Blood (feat. Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth on vocals)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-RW2PkEJOQ

Divine Empire - Storm of Hatred
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHQcdmDxckY


Black Metal

Dimmu Borgir - Kings of the Carnival Creation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS-Bk4hfFEE

Emperor - Nonus Aequilibrium
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1i4jOYlkZk

Cradle of Filth - Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO4XAh6dRBQ

Wintersun - Beautiful Death
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDcPt-hvkPo


Dark Metal (in other words, not quite Black or Death)

Moonspell - Finisterra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF85-dIllPU

Samael - Infra Galaxia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09GKa7vWnDI

Rotting Christ - The World Made End
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1T2YS03JrI


Folk Metal

Finntroll - Trollhammeren
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGywo81G6lk

Eluveitie - Andro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnW87XRr_MA

Ensiferum - Ahti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8giIGt1jE


I think this is a good start.

POST SOME METAL!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJEyGYV ... =1&index=5

[Kuraudo Sutoraifu]

I dig metal, but why is Sum 41 on the list.  I like Sum 41, but I don't think they are Metal.

[SentinalBlade]

Look through some of their earlier works, they were pretty metal for the age it was in...a little mainstream, but still metal.

Like avenged sevenfold. if you look at their early stuff...holy shit, non stop screamo-powerful songs, but if you look at them now, to their more known stuff...they are more mainstream, and less metal, but still metal.

[Archael]

Cynic!!!

also, Bastardpoetry has very refined taste when it comes to this genre of music



listen to him he knows ok thnx

[Bastard Poetry]

SentinalBlade, those were all really good thoughts you had for the appreciation of metal or, even in a general viewpoint, music overall.

About a decade ago, when I was in high school, a friend of mine introduced me to Cradle of Filth's third album, "Cruelty and the Beast." I loathed it. I thought it was the worst thing I had ever heard in my life. But, for whatever reason, I ended up recording it onto a cassette tape before giving the cd back to him. I guess I figured that I'd be able to find some use for it someday, such as to make my subtle points to an elderly evangelical bigot in some religious diatribe about my sins via blasted speakers to the fucking FACE. Sure enough, one day, I ended up parked at a stoplight next to some hick blasting gospel, and I just so happened to have said cassette tape on hand and ready to roll.

After the general mirth and copious merriment was sufficiently had, I left the tape playing as I cruised along the main drag of some stupid small town that I often found myself forced to wake up to on a daily basis, and I began to notice how great the music itself was--it took a lot of effort to ignore the screaming; moreso than with bands like Samael and Moonspell, which I listened to regularly at that point; I mean, Dani Filth screams like a harpy with some sort of menstrual revelation. Once I figured out how to ignore him, the drum work and guitar leads and, yes, even the trademark synthy black metal keyboards and vox began to really impress me.

Nowadays, Cradle's a fucking joke. They had a handful of good albums back in the day. Anyways, one thing that I will admit is that, as the years went by, I slowly found myself becoming more and more endeared to Dani Filth's screaming. After a certain point, it was cute.

I love a good scream. That high pitched, filthy style of screaming is still only "cute" to me, though. What I really love is a good, deep, throaty death metal growl. I think Nile embodies everything that is perfect in a metal vocalist: deep, powerful, not too loud, sounds like motherfucking Anubis going to motherfucking WAR..

Ideal, really.

My personal favorite, as always, is Opeth. NOTHING comes close, in my mind, and the only bad thing I can say about Opeth is that they make it harder to enjoy other bands sometimes.

Also, SentinalBlade, I see we're both Nightwish fans. You might find it interesting to know, then, that the absolute HIGHLIGHT of Part II of the CoK is set to a Nightwish song: The instrumental version of "The Poet and the Pendulum." Damned good times.

[SentinalBlade]

I will thoroughly enjoy CoK about 9x more. which currently makes my appreacition for it, OVER 9000!!!!!

lol, jokes aside, thats an awesome story, BP. Do you remember this hicks reaction? i can only the imagine the pure look of "fucking hell, i think that car is possessed"

Also, a good mention on CoF. It seems as time goes by all bands seem to lose their luster. wether they just go mainstream or get tired of writing good songs, run out of material, or decide that their current fan base will carry them into immortality, its beyond me.

As you said that last bit on teh screaming, BP, Deathklok (god i cant remember how its pronounced/spelled) went running through my head. Best metal show ever, and it does so in a dark way that almost seems to make light of how far somepeople delve into "metal life styles". At most points i laugh at such morbid thoughts that my mom currently thinks i am mentally diseased.

Not a half bad band either. i cant believe the whole band really only consists of one man playing lead,rythym,solo,keyboard,bass and another one man on drums. that is insane skill.

Ive actually got my 13 year old sister into songs like "amaranth(i cnat spell today)" and "bye bye beautiful" which, in essense are more a 13 year old girls style, rather than master passion greed

ALSO

HOLY
FUCK

I guess I figured that I'd be able to find some use for it someday, such as to make my subtle points to an elderly evangelical bigot in some religious diatribe about my sins via blasted speakers to the fucking FACE

it is 2:38 A.M. and i do believe i laughed so hard my dad yelled something akin to "shut the fuck up you god damn whore of the devils 3 third thumb"

[DarthPaul]

I completely agree with you Sentinal. When you get angry for whatever reason some good metal goes from listening music to a driving beat that permeate your soul and calms you down.

[Bastard Poetry]

I'm sure that hick's trousers were thoroughly soiled--either that or he relished the opportunity to pray for me in his next session with god, since I'm sure, looking as he did to be the sort that can only carry on conversations about the weather, they probably struggle to find things to talk about. I don't know. Perhaps I'm making too many assumptions. For all I know, he may not have been a hick, actually. Memory's weird like that. He could have been a nun.

Religious slams aside, I will say that I wholeheartedly agree with the statement you made about metal not being a lifestyle. At least, it never has been for me. I had long hair for several years, up until the day I realized my hairline started receding, and I cut it to avoid becoming one of.. those guys.. and I still to this day wear a black leather trenchcoat that, as far as I'm concerned, was and still is worth the money I put into it. But aside from those things, I never really adapted my look to the cliches; I never did the goth thing, other than that time I wore an English riding coat with a top hat, inspired as I was by Lestat in Rice's novels, to some sort of theatrical shin-dig. For the most part, my look in high school consisted of tying my hair back, covering it with a green bandana, wearing normal glasses, a plain t-shirt (with color, even) and dark wash blue jeans. More of a rogue look than a goth look. I guess, in that sense, I did fit the metalhead stereotype, but my demeanor was never one of angst or rage or depression; I've spent the majority of my life expressing myself through comedy and, all things considered, all's been pleasant and happy.

When I get pissed off, "Lashed to the Slave Stick" by Nile is certainly a great way to soothe my soul with fast, violent, crushing riffs, with just a spritely dash of headbanging or, in my case, that feeling like I wish I could headbang, if only my neck could handle the strain. (I inherited my great grandfather's spine when he passed away). Although, for the most part, "Lashed to the Slave Stick" is just a great companion to my morning coffee, as a way to jolt myself into feeling alive and jubilant for the day. Coincidentally, and straying a bit from metal, Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E, first movement, is also a fucking great slab of morning music, as is "Smahutta" by Infected Mushroom. All genres of music have the capacity to be, as I call it, "metal as fuck." That feeling that makes the hairs on your arm stand up and salute your eyebrows.

Although, one thing I have to point out is that I don't listen to music for lyrics. I can appreciate good lyrics, but good lyrics can be read just as easily. That's one of the things about screaming in metal that a lot of people don't understand; it's not necessary to know what they're saying. The vocals are just another dissonant instrument. In a lot of cases, especially in Death Metal, you're better off not knowing the lyrics. However, as SentinalBlade put it, there are metal bands that can really move you with their lyrics. Especially when they use their voice with the same array of tonal variety as an instrument.

Take this for example. It's not metal, but it helps make my point (plus, this artist and this video, especially, are fucking sick):

Nick Cave - Red Right Hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHeoNK5Hs-s

Softer music, but pay particular attention to the way he delivers his lyrics at:

1:35 - 1:45
"They're whispering his name through this disappearing land, but hidden in his coat is a red right hand."

4:20 - 4:30
"You're one microscopic cog in his catastrophic plan, designed and directed by his red right hand."

That, like good metal, chills the soul and a chilled soul, like midnight snowfall, can be static and silent and soothing.

[Bastard Poetry]

Oh, and that's great that you're getting your sister interested in Nightwish!

I'm not fond of their new singer. At all. I absolutely adore the instrumental second disc of the re-release of Dark Passion Play. I don't think anyone should be surprised to know that I intend to use more of that disc for the Chronicles, because it's just too perfect without vocals.

I am, however, a huge fan of their work when Tarja was the front woman. Operatic vocals are definitely a weakness of mine.

[SentinalBlade]

Definatly BP, plus, its something about a dark metal chick that is actually incredibly hot that is just attractive...rofl

I inherited my great grandfather's spine when he passed away

that couldve been better worded. It must be rough removing a spine and having it inserted. want not, waste not i guess.

Kidding aside, im surprised someone your age is out there i can so easily relate to. Its not that i dont have things in common with adults, but its that they either tend to ignore me or, when they actually are talking to me, they are boring and repetitive. During a conversation i want to have it active, or with its awkward silences. i hate talking for the sense of talking...alot of the time when i spoeak to my mom she says the same thing over and over again, pauses for a second, and then continues to reitterate herself. Its like she is trying to buy time for more thought and coming up short handed.

Pardon my speech about my mom plus i have my really nerdy side that doesnt show either....i dont even know what clique i belong to cause i dont look like any clique ive seen before :3

Sorry to get off topic in my own topic here.

Back on track;

I wish more instrumental metal would appear. it is far to uncommon to find a really good band. it seems that most songs by most bands depend their tempo on the rate or speed of the singers voice...this is appearent in almost all music. its just strange how ive always been told that everyone else has to speed up or slow down to level off with the drummer, or bassist. Appearntly drums/bass is supposed to carry the beat at a consistant speed, even though if you ask most professional musicians, they conform to the vocalist.

Music shouldnt be a real degree because of this. everyone has different tastes, but there are some things you are always going to disagree about, such as proper methods to do things or go about playing a chord. i play Bass, and i fluxuate bewteen a pick and my fingers. i hurt myself with slap bass so im done with that. I took 2 lessons and i was done. The lady was constantly telling me that if i did not do it her way, it was exceptionally wrong, and she would hit me with a metal ruller. She also yelled at me my second time there because i liked using both mehtods of play, not pick over fingers, or vice versa...they each give a specific quality of sound and feel...and my teacher, with all her degrees and school taught know how, banned me from her store when i told her

"Do not tell me hwo to play. telling me how ot play is like telling Ray Charles how to imitate the exact sound of 3 back up singers harmonized. You cant do it. No one but Ray can tell him how to do what he does best."

Last time i trust anyones "Professionaly Researched and Acredited Opinion"....-.-

[VincentCraven]

I love pretty much all things symphonic metal, so I can't guarantee these are the better bands, but here are some I didn't see:

After Forever

Epica

Leaves' Eyes

Steam of Passion

And my personal favorite Folk Metal Band: Moonsorrow

I'd write more about it, but I'm a little busy today.

[SentinalBlade]

Viking metal takes a weird twist. it sounds like a real viking, in the fact taht if your ship got sunk, this is what you would sound like while you tried to gasp for air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFq2YJKYa-k

[spoonman]

This is the best topic ever.

But, Avenged Sevenfold and Sum41 can't be metal. They just can't.



As for instrumental metal, dive on into the virtuoso stuff. Or if you want I can compile a list of random instrumentals.

[SentinalBlade]

Dont justify yourself with "they just cant" rofl. what can they be called?

They are mostly screamo in early stages. but that is a subgenre of metal in most respects.

They are not a sub genre of emo or punk, thats for damn sure. so what exactly does their older stuff qualify? (the newest CDs, city of evil and the newest one, do not count as "the older stuff")

[spoonman]

Avenged Sevenfold is not exactly (scr)e(a)mo, and Sum 41 is not exactly punk. You're right about that. My only problem is that too much music passes off as metal these days. Metal this, metal that. It's a bastardized genre, even if it is just a super-category.

What the hell is "hard rock"? Today it's considered to be anything from Ronnie James Dio to Boston. This shouldn't make sense to anybody. Clearly Boston is Rock (today Classic Rock) and Dio is Heavy Metal. What's the big deal? To me, it's that "metal" is becoming another "hard rock." It's happening because hybrid genres are coming out faster than they can be labeled, bands keep changing their shit, and the result is an over-saturation of the current labels via generalization.

Sum 41's vocals, lyrical content, and image all point toward modern punk. Their guitar riffs say (modern) rock. Finally, they have an overall alternative sound. And although I dislike wordy descriptions, I'd call them Alternative Punk Rock. I'm basing this according to their first album, which is the only one I've listened to all the way through. Yes, it's a bit heavier than other modern rock, but it doesn't by any means have a metal "feel" to it.

Now, Avenged Sevenfold at one point (meaning pre-City of Evil) fell into a metal subgenre of some sort. Call it screamo, call it metalcore... I guess I'm fine with that. The problem now deals with the tendency for bands like this to evolve and change their styles. Would you consider Metallica to be thrash now? Classical metal? Symphonic metal? Damn, it's happened again - Metallica is now just metal. The same thing is happening to bands like In Flames, System of a Down, and Avenged Sevenfold alike. The push towards a mainstream sound is tainting the once easily distinguishable labels. SoaD is a bad example because they always sounded like loud, annoying assholes.

Forgive my ranting. I know you just wanted me to clarify my last post. In the process I changed the subject, created more confusion, and even proved myself wrong in some aspects (such is the condition of my brain at 3:30 AM). But for the sake of accomplishment, I'm going to post anyway.

[SentinalBlade]

There is absolutly no need to apologize Spoonman, that is what this thread is for, the rant and discussion of metal. i actually enjoyed your post.

I agree, after rethinking it, that sum 41 is defined more as punk.

I also agree that with all the bands trying to fit into the mainstream to make more money is simply taking away the soul of their music. there is possibly...1 song in metallicas new album that represents thrash metal as it was and still should be.

you cna only twist a subgenre's ass so far before it becomes a completly different sub genre.

SoD used to be one of the coolest bands, and then when quickly downhill after mesmerize. possibly before that. im not saying their band is totally suck now. but its not at its former glory, so to speak.

After awhile bands get greedy or bored with the style they are on. it is the only explination. Avenged sevenfold managed to go mainstream right though. they may have changed tone and lowered the screaming, but the lyrics are like what they started with.

With over 22 subgenres of metal, its just really stupid calling something that is clearly rock, hard rock, and something that is clearly metal, alternative.

The difference is black and white.

Alot of subgenres make no sense though..

how many of you heard of "Sludge"?

It is a god awful form of music were the vocals are distoreted through a filter on am achine, and everything is blended horribly by a low quality machine. This music is more likely to make your ears bleed than anything black metal could throw at you.

Point is, it isnt metal. if you stripped away all the fancy effects, which make it sound like shit, it would be rock. its not a metal, but it is genred as a sub genre for metal.

A genre's subgenre should be a list of different types of metal, or even some twists on metal. but they should all have the same basis, and that is hardcore rifts and erratic drum beats but still carry a rythm. alot of real metal genres do that. things like sludge...they are not metal, and belong in a different genre, or their own altogether.