Metal Genre Style & Production

Metal music. I would argue it's one of the most vast, expansive tree of subgenres that any musical genre has to offer. Why you might ask? Well, metal isn't defined by it's style; it's defined by it's sound. That makes a difference.

Think of having an acoustic guitar. That acoustic guitar could play jazz, country, blues, indie, Christian worship, or even just relaxing music. It's nearly endless because all those genres aren't based off the sound, it's based off the style you're playing. Where does a double bass drum fit into other genres without it becoming metal? Where does fast electric and distorted guitars sit without it being hard rock or metal?

With that being said, I've had many travels down the different genres of metal since I've been into it... which would be 20+ years at this point. I am getting old. Anyway, here's a few things that I've noticed about the production and styles over the years...

Think of bands like: High on Fire, Down, Sword, Elder, Crowbar

Stoner/sludge metal is an interesting style. It often sounds heavier than other... traditionally considered "heavy" genres because this just has weight to it. Often sprawling and repetitive riffs, chugging along with harsher vocals. Some bands just make songs, while others turn it into a fantasy ride almost. It never crosses a threshold of being progressive nor does it fall in line with what would be considered a commercially successful genre.

Now, just looking at this above, you may make the argument that Down and Crowbar... not "commercially" successful? That's ridiculous. Well, considering both of those groups were headed by folks that really put themselves out in the 90's, yeah they were that, but the genre as a whole isn't. It's got a very strong cultural following (not "cult" because it's a bit bigger than that). Part of that I personally believe is because the actual riffing and structure, compositions of the "riff" on these records is all too familiar. What makes stoner/sludge metal different from just like... psychedelic or old school rock is the production style and sound choices.

This is where that "heaviness" I talked about before comes in. The guitars are beefy, wide, and aggressively distorted, usually with a heavy amount of fuzz and reverb. It not only makes it heavy, but it makes it almost nasty. The bass guitar takes up so much of the low end, that it often pops forward. The drums come down like hammers on your ears. The other part of the heaviness as well... just comes from the natural recording of these records. They are not highly edited, no fancy tricks, no crazy tones and weird effects. It's very raw, very real, and a lot of folks really appreciate that. It is also that same raw and real tone that also gives the songs this almost loose feel to them. They aren't pitch perfect or tempo corrected, so there's a natural human feel to them.

Think of bands like: Bad Omens, Motionless in White, Architects, Currents... the list could go on. It's a massive genre.

I actually have to state "modern" in this because I am already sure you've noticed the missing bands, like Killswitch Engage, Converge, Trivium, BFMV, and those originators of that late 90's early 2000's sound. I would argue that while you can still consider these bands metalcore (yes, they fit that bill), I wouldn't necessarily categorize them as "modern." They still have a particular charm to them that's different from modern metalcore. And yes, this is big enough to be considered a style, not a genre.

The style of modern metalcore blends the idea of hard rock based choruses and the hardcore choppy style. Much like hard rock, their sounds when they hit type of bounce has to be massive and open, creating room for the vocalist to dump their heart out into. For all the other parts (verses, bridge, breakdown, intro, outro, etc.), they often rely on the extreme and choppy sounds of hardcore. This particular writing style is very popular - you get the ladies men as vocalists who can swoon the crowd, attracting a much more younger audience, while also producing a rhythmic bounce that makes people of all ages move their body.

Production wise they tend to build upon what the other genres did differently. Hardcore is often a very raw. It's whole intent is to smash you in the face with aggressive sounds, extreme movement, and a message to go along with it. I would almost call it tribal. Hard rock tends to be heavier than traditional music, but doesn't quite get heavy enough to ward off your average music listener, relying on very clear sounds, recognizable melodies, and "sing-a-long" lyrics to hook in your ear. Modern metalcore takes raw to mechanical precision and hard rock into meaty one liners, or sometimes flowing choruses. The blend of the two creates this low barrier to entry for most listeners, which is why it's so popular.

Think of bands like: Kreator, Overkill, Metallica, Slayer, Lost Society (specifically their first two records)

Yes, the genre who does not need "metal" attached to it, because it's kind of it's own thing. There's several people that would argue "speed metal" is different, and I am not here to make any stance, because the style is still relatively the same.

Thrash combines two very specific elements to create their sound - fast and groove. Sometimes the bands lean into one more heavily, but the sound is pretty recognizable from the get-go because it's been around forever. Most songs are written in a traditional format as far as that goes (verse/chorus/sweeping bridge/chorus type stuff), which makes it a slightly more appealing genre, yet it's the speed and often groove that makes a difference. We often think speed makes things mush, or we lose the original idea in a slathering of notes. We aren't wrong. That's why the genre inevitably developed groove. Your riff my be super fast, super technical, or just insane in general. It might even contain a good melody. However it's all just notes unless you find a pocket to sit in that makes people move - aka groove.

Production wise, you've got another genre that often prefers completely raw over perfection. Thrash would much rather hear the groove sway back and forth than for it to be snapped to a grid. The speed has a requirement for clarity as well, so often these bands will back off the gain a bit on the guitars, opting for a multiple guitar yet wide sound, often not huge, but filling a specific space. While thrash is still on the "extreme" side compared to average pop songs, it's typically less heavy than it's other metal counterparts. The heaviness often lies in the lyrics, which most thrash bands choose either a political or worldview stance they drive home in their music.

Think of bands like: Cannibal Corpse, Harm, Morbid Angel, Immolation, Abysmal Dawn

This is where the average listener says "Oh like Linkin Park or Metallica?" and you inevitably sigh and come up with a term that will make them leave the conversation immediately. Death metal, despite what anyone says, is not a "listener friendly" style of music by any means. You wouldn't put a death metal band on the radio in Walmart, or consider them the largest bands in the world. There's a reason for that.

It's also good to note that death metal is the foundation of several other styles that are much heavier than what we've discussed so far. It's one of the roots of the tree of metal. We'll get to some of that.

Death metal was and is still (despite metalheads being desensitized nowadays) a very extreme style. What we've talked about so far, there's still some familiarity of traditional songwriting, melody crafting, and structure in there... but by and far, it's in a different ballpark everywhere else. It relies almost entirely on pockets and rhythms, changing rapidly, and intense riffs that aren't exactly "listener friendly." Yes, yes... and the vocals. No clean singing. It's all distorted growling, screaming, and various forms of that. When you listen to documentaries on it, that was kind of the whole intent from the beginning; to be the opposite of what music was at the time, and still is.

Buzzsaw nearly unlistenable guitars, distorted and unrecognizable bass, blast beats and drills, and someone sounding like a monster are all trademarks of the style here. It sounds more like a toolshed than it does music. Okay, maybe not, there's still a lot of music to appreciate in there, but it takes a heavy dose of "I don't care what it sounds like" to make good death metal. Again here, I will mention that this is a style that definitely is raw and real. However... this style requires it rather than simply choosing it. You can't play this stuff to a grid and sound as heavy as it is. The guitars are wide and heavy across the whole spectrum, the drums kick you in the face, specifically the kick and snare, and the bass and vocals tend to bleed through the mix in whatever space is left.

Think of bands like: Lorna Shore, Infant Annihilator, early BMTH, Slaughter to Prevail

We talked about modern metalcore, but we haven't talked about it's crazy cousin deathcore. Metalcore takes the heaviness of metal, blends it with hardcore, and delivers rock choruses to top it off. Deathcore... does not. This is why it is "death" core, because it takes the foundations of both hardcore and death metal, and pumps it up to the extreme. Out of all the genres out there, this is oddly one of the more popular ones, and I think it's because of the shock value. It definitely isn't a "listener friendly" style, and you'll find plenty of turn offs if what you're looking for is anything beyond "crazy hellscapes."

This genre is definitely one where the songwriting cannot be bucketed or summarized... because it really depends on the band. Lorna is one who does typically have a basic structure to their music, but amps up every other quality to the extreme - the tempo, drums, complexity, atmosphere, vocals, and more. Then you have Slaughter to Prevail that doesn't but relies very heavily on timing and impact of each instrument. Deathcore takes things to the extreme. It pushes musicians very hard. It's really hard to start a deathcore band without being really good at what you do. It is not slow, it's not groovy, it's not death metal... it's all of the above, crammed into an extreme.

I feel like I would hate to be the producer on any of these records. If it isn't exactly perfect, it turns to mush. If it isn't on time, it's muddy. If the tone isn't right, the whole song gets eaten away. If there's too much noise or one bad take, the whole impact of the song is ruined. Production is one of the main reason this genre even exists.

Think of bands like: Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Arch Enemy, Insomnium, Amon Amarth

Now you might ask yourself - "Isn't this just death metal with melody?" - and sure, as an oversimplified version of it sure. Also, no. Basically the way I look at this genre is that it goes to death metal, and then undoes some of the ideology of it by giving it flavors of other genres, and turns it into something completely different. Think of it like the best of all worlds when it comes to metal.

You get the crazy cool guitars, the interesting yet powerful bass, along with the blasts and drills we all love in our heavy music. Tune that usually with a singer that can both sing and growl (sometimes you can scratch the clean), usually in unique ways. It's death metal, warped and completely mixed in with melody and atmosphere.

Production wise, it ranges, but it tends keep raw power with clean feelings. Often melody is the forefront, with the backing of death metal. Sometimes it's death metal blended with melody. Sometimes it's less death, but still extreme enough to ward off the metalcore kids. It is definitely more of the cleaner of the genres without feeling like a machine.

Think of bands like: Dream Theatre, Opeth, Rivers of Nihil, Thank You Scientists, Ne Obliviscaris

These types of bands range wildly in their tones and sound. Turn on one song from each of those bands above, and you'll probably wonder why they're all categorized together. Mainly, it's songwriting. Most of these bands could easily fall into sub-genres and niches around the world, yet I would argue the progressive sound simply comes from complex songwriting structures and intentional technicality when it comes to melody, phrasing, and storytelling.

There is not a one size fits all approach to production here. It all really depends on what the band needs. If they have 14 instruments, they're going to need something different than a 5 piece writing an 11 song story. They might just be really heavy or wild in nature, which needs a different vibe as well.

My ultimate suggestion with progressive is if you are tired of hearing the same old structured music with a different coat of paint, or music that just always seems like it goes nowhere with no payoff, then you're probably going to scratch that itch with a progressive band. You just have to find which band makes the style you enjoy.

I know, there's a ton I missed. I totally get it. I am not here to fight anyone, just trying to spread my analysis and what not. So for that reason, here's a few more little niches that have decent followings.

Power Metal

Bands: Release the Archers, Dragonforce, Rhapsody of Fire

It's just fantasy stories put to metal. Usually comes with very familiar, yet interesting speed and thrill filled storytelling. Production tends to be crisp and clean, though extremities may differ. Usually though, it's very guitar focused music and insane amount of talent.

Classic Metal

Bands: just think of anything from the 80's or 90's

Because metal became so split, we had to categorize our elders so we don't confuse the younger folks. Usually this is raw, aggressive, and often cheesy at times. Production sits very raw with a massive sound.

Groove Metal

Bands: Machine Head, Pantera, Sepultura

I mean... it's death metal without the death. Death has to groove in some way, and so if you take away the buzzsaw guitars and blasts, then you just get the groove. Production here is often VERY tight, very clean, and sticks with the sound over the performance a lot. It's really hard to groove to a machine.

Noise/Grind

Bands: Cattle Decap, Locusts... yeah I don't know much more here honestly.

Think of if you turned your favorite death metal to unlistenable levels, and all you heard was painful mush. That's basically what these genres are. Nothing wrong with it, some people dig it a lot. Production is usually almost non-existent here. It doesn't really matter anyway.

Black Metal

Bands: Dark Throne, Mayhem, Bathory, Dimmu Borgir

Just pretend death metal is actually a "vibe" and that's what black metal is. Maybe also with a touch of religious beliefs, mostly for shock value. This genre can get interesting, but most of it is more of "I heard one band, they all pretty much sound like this" type of sound. It's raw, it's ugly, and it takes whatever cultural adaptations that death metal had, and goes directly against it. Production is purposefully low quality. I really don't know... for the vibes maybe?

Christian Metal

Bands: Living Sacrifice, Stryper, Skillet, Demon Hunter, HolyName

So I guess as soon as you put Jesus and Christian beliefs in music, you get isolated out of the general pool immediately. Christian metal is literally just a slab of all the other genres here, just with a specific set of messaging. I don't know why we have to separate it (well, I know why, but for argument's sake). I can't say much more, because that's exactly what it is; a pool of every genre of metal that makes music for Jesus rather than anything else.

Shoegaze/Psychedelic

Bands: Kardeshev, Tool, Cynic, Boris

Think of if you took the rock band Deftones and made it metal. It's another style where it's more about vibes than anything else. They make music that almost entirely revolves around atmosphere, lots of production tricks to make it sound airy and consistent. It's really something you have to listen to a bunch to really get the vibes.

Doom

Bands: Sleep, Candlemass, Pallbearer, Sun O))))

Imagine taking stoner/sludge and just turning the tempo down. Sometimes way down. Then taking the slowed down riffs, and creating an atmosphere around it. Not much happens in these songs, yet a lot happens in these songs. Production is very raw, very under-produced intentionally to fill the space that is created in between. Sometimes they get a little groovy too.

Honestly, I love metal because it makes a place for everyone. It welcomes you in and overwhelms you with options, and gives you whatever bed you want to lay in. It's actually something no other genre really does.

Keep on head banging!