Metal Genre's (Part 5)

Cross-genre terms within heavy metal. This section concerns terms that are generally used to:
group heavy metal genres that share similar traits and origins (for example the umbrella term extreme metal) refer to a style, rather than a strictly-defined genre, that can exist within many heavy metal genres (for example avant-garde black metal, symphonic black metal, or Viking black metal)

Alternative metal

Alternative metal is a cross-genre term used to describe heavy metal bands with a pronounced experimental edge. Bands often use typical heavy metal instruments, but include unconventional lyrics, odd time signatures and unusual technique. In many instances it is described as a fusion of metal and alternative rock, and distinguished from nu metal by its lack of hip-hop influence. Examples include Deftones, System of a Down and Tool.

Avant-garde metal

Avant-garde metal (sometimes called experimental metal) is a cross-genre term used to describe metal bands that exhibit experimentation through non-standard sounds, instruments, and song structures akin to the genre of metal they are rooted in.Examples include Fantômas, Mr. Bungle and Meshuggah.

Christian metal

Christian metal is a cross-genre term used to describe metal bands that introduce Christian themes into their lyrics. This sub-genre has a long tradition within metal, starting with "white metal" bands springing up alongside the NWOBHM phenomenon to the Christian metalcore bands today. Often the Christian themes are melded with the subjects of the genre the band is rooted in, often providing a Christian take on the subject matter. Examples include Stryper, Tourniquet, Impending Doom and As I Lay Dying.

Extreme metal

Extreme metal is a cross-genre term used to describe heavy metal that is considerably heavier, faster, ore aggressive and more abrasive. For example; vocalists may often use death growls or high-pitched shrieks and more obscene lyrics, drummers may often use blast beats, and the band's appearance may be intended to shock. Bands of this grouping are typically of the black metal, death metal, doom metal and thrash metal genres.

Rap metal

Rap metal is a cross-genre term used to describe bands that institute the vocal and lyrical form of rap. It is normally used in association with the term 'alternative metal' to differentiate between nu metal bands that contain hip-hop influence, and those that do not. It is also used occasionally to refer to bands that have worked alongside hip-hop artists on tracks before. Examples of rap metal include Body Count, Hed PE and Rage Against the Machine.

Symphonic metal

Symphonic metal varies in form. It most commonly refers to heavy metal bands that use orchestral elements in their music. These elements include full orchestras, opera themes, vocals or keyboarding akin to that of opera or symphony music, and a softer and more upbeat nature than other metal genres. An example would be Nightwish, a prominent symphonic metal band.

Viking metal

Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterised by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age. The genre of Viking metal was pioneered by the Swedish band Bathory, who took some of their inspiration and musical style from American heavy metal band Manowar. An epic sound is "a prerequisite for inclusion under the Viking metal banner" and bands in the genre typically adopt a "bombastic, keyboard laden" approach. Viking metal acts are known to be "very different in their music" with influences from death metal, black metal and some power metal. Both clean vocals and death growls can be found in Viking metal and the "speed varies from mid-pace to a fast pace."[29] Like folk metal bands, Viking metal acts "generally utilize some acoustic and other unusual instruments in addition to the traditional metal instruments." Examples of Viking metal include Bathory, Enslaved and Ensiferum.