Heavy metal is an incredibly eclectic genre, and home to an immense variety of musical styles. If you want to amplify your fun factor, whether you’re a headbanger or a sax-lover, a poker enthusiast or an MGM table games fan; a good heavy metal track might be just what you need for a little extra pep in your step.
Heavy metal can be a powerful tool. It makes the good times roll, and motivates our need to move forward. It’s a part of what makes us human; from the rituals of fireside drums to the rousing anthems of stadium celebrations, we’re all drawn to music in a way that’s hard to explain. You feel a good beat in your body, and the right notes can give you goosebumps and send shivers down your spine.
The spice of life
There are many genres of music available today, and all of them influence us in some way or another. They can become an outlet for a range of emotions, or simply give us a break from mundane monotony. Arguably one of the most expressive, emotive genres out there, heavy metal is a great example of this phenomenon.
If you’re thinking heavy metal isn’t the style for you, you might be surprised by how broad the genre actually is. From the pop-infused energy of Nu Metal bands, to the jazz experiments of Avant-garde metal, the heavy metal genre is as wide as an ocean, and just as deep. Below you’ll find a few examples of the many subgenres within heavy metal, as well as a few renowned bands to consider .
Alternative metal
A blend of heavy metal and alternative rock, alternative metal is perfect for fans of melodic vocals and unconventional song structure. An extremely popular genre, famous international bands such as Alice in Chains, Tool, Chevelle, and System of a Down all boast fan bases numbering in the millions. System of a Down had a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Top 100 with Aerials, and Tool’s The Pot has a riff-heavy second half that will make any music lover feel its powerful rhythm.
Nu metal
Grunge, industrial, funk, and hip hop; those are just a few of the genres in the subgenre we call Nu metal. You might be familiar with bands like Linkin park or Disturbed. From the Transformers franchise to South Park’s TV series, Disturbed’s music has been featured in many blockbuster movies. The ing of Linkin Park’s frontman, Chester Bennington, sent a wave of sadness and mourning across the world.
Funk metal
Said to be influenced by the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, funk metal features conventional riffs influenced by 80’s thrash metal. Funk metal began in San Francisco, with bands like Rage against the Machine and Mordred reaching global recognition for their unique sounds.
Rap metal
Rap metal, unlike nu metal, typically features bands who have rappers as lead singers. It’s also defined by its lack of turntables, and is not to be confused with rapcore, which is hardcore punk fused with hip hop. Groups like Crazy Town, Stuck Mojo, Within Temptation, and Evanescence all have great examples of rap metal in their chart history.
Avant-garde metal
Loosely defined as an experimental genre, avant-garde metal avoids standard riffs and typical bars. More emotive than rhythmic, it’s a great genre to explore if you’re tired of chart-toppers and copy-paste melodies. Bands like Celtic Frost, Boris, Neurosis, and Explosions in the Sky aim to make audiences feel something by challenging them, and fans seem to be happy to accept the challenge.
Pick up ‘n play
As you can see, there are many styles of heavy metal available to listen to. The subgenres above are in no way exhaustive, and there are many more that we haven’t listed. If you need some more fun in your gaming sessions, heavy metal has sounds to suit every taste. No matter how you look at it, the fact is that music is a powerful tool. It’s been used in a variety of industries for a plethora of reasons.
From setting an ambient mood to making you chew your food faster, you’d be surprised how effective music can be. There are plenty of real world examples of the power of music. A soundtrack can make or break a movie. When restaurants get busy, upbeat music gets customers in and out quicker, whereas slower music makes people take their time. Workout music helps with your heart rate and can provide motivation to exercise.
Soothe your psyche
Music can foster a sense of community, offer a shared experience of something new or exciting. Maybe you’ve seen a movie where heavy metal adds an extra layer to the screen, for example Jet Li’s The One, where the action hero wipes out a room full of bad guys, all while Drowning Pool’s Let the Bodies Hit the Floor plays in the background.
There are many physical and psychological benefits to music. The more varied your taste in music, the more you’ll find that music can suit many situations, as well as a variety of emotional states. Studies have shown that heavy metal can regulate negative emotions, and enhance positive ones. It can be a cathartic outlet to help us deal with anger or sadness. Listening to your favorite genres can reduce stress levels, even calm you down when you’re angry.
Music is a ubiquitous form of media that can influence entire attitudes. Listeners are drawn to music that reflects or improves their emotional state. Without exaggeration, music can move us to incredible highs, and there’s nothing quite like the phenomenon of a beat that resonates with your soul.
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