Considered the most brutal section of a metal/metalcore/hardcore song. The breakdown is characterized by a beat much slower than the main verses and chorus of a song, the primary ingredients being a steady beat from the drums (with lots of cymbal and sometimes double-bass) and a chugging rhythm from the guitar.
Originally developed by Atilla the Hun, the breakdown had it's place in warfare for many years. That was, until people began to notice that the Earth's human and animal population had begun to decrease exponentially from direct exposure to breakdowns. Other health complications also arose from indirect exposure such as 4th degree burns, the introduction of the Ebola virus, and terminal bleeding of the ears. For many centuries, the breakdown was outlawed in civilized nations, at least until war broke out in Europe in the late 1930's.
It was used primarily by the axis powers during WWII to rip the faces off of the allies during an approach. When Hitler got word that Nazi forces were using "the breakdown" against the enemy, he called it off saying "No way man, that's too fucking brutal."
It's also a proven historical fact that the atomic bomb explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were staged by the U.S. government. Instead, the government had agreed to blast two very metal breakdowns over the Japanese cities. Knowing that the American public would not condone their actions, there was a big cover up involving the use of atomic weapons.
The breakdown we know today has been manipulated to the point that, under strict government regulations, it can be used in sanctioned locations. With the rise of heavy metal, evolving into what we call "metalcore" music, rock artists have learned the proper ways to display this once deadly technique to the public in a fashion that will kill as few people as possible.
Originally developed by Atilla the Hun, the breakdown had it's place in warfare for many years. That was, until people began to notice that the Earth's human and animal population had begun to decrease exponentially from direct exposure to breakdowns. Other health complications also arose from indirect exposure such as 4th degree burns, the introduction of the Ebola virus, and terminal bleeding of the ears. For many centuries, the breakdown was outlawed in civilized nations, at least until war broke out in Europe in the late 1930's.
It was used primarily by the axis powers during WWII to rip the faces off of the allies during an approach. When Hitler got word that Nazi forces were using "the breakdown" against the enemy, he called it off saying "No way man, that's too fucking brutal."
It's also a proven historical fact that the atomic bomb explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were staged by the U.S. government. Instead, the government had agreed to blast two very metal breakdowns over the Japanese cities. Knowing that the American public would not condone their actions, there was a big cover up involving the use of atomic weapons.
The breakdown we know today has been manipulated to the point that, under strict government regulations, it can be used in sanctioned locations. With the rise of heavy metal, evolving into what we call "metalcore" music, rock artists have learned the proper ways to display this once deadly technique to the public in a fashion that will kill as few people as possible.
Steven: "We learned about the Big Bang today in science."
Nancy: "The Big Bang? Pish posh. The universe was formed by a fucking xXbrutalcoreXx breakdown.
Stan: I'm sick of all these damn Chuck Norris jokes.
Pablo: Haha! Yeah?! Chuck Norris is so strong, even a breakdown can't kill him! Haha! Haha! Ha--
*Stan plays breakdown*
*Pablo's head explodes*
Nancy: "The Big Bang? Pish posh. The universe was formed by a fucking xXbrutalcoreXx breakdown.
Stan: I'm sick of all these damn Chuck Norris jokes.
Pablo: Haha! Yeah?! Chuck Norris is so strong, even a breakdown can't kill him! Haha! Haha! Ha--
*Stan plays breakdown*
*Pablo's head explodes*
by x_Joe_x April 24, 2007
by aksjdlaksdjayoyo August 25, 2008
Sections of hardcore / metalcore / deathcore songs which are rhythmically appropriate for most forms of hardcore dancing (mosh), but not appropriate for two-stepping. In order to be rhythmically appropriate, the music must conform to the following requirements:
1. Tempo: Breakdowns are characterized by tempos in the 65 bpm - 70 bpm range, but also spanning from 50 bpm (double breakdown), to 90 bpm (fast breakdown / stomp breakdown).
2. Content: Breakdowns are further characterized by strong emphasis on rhythm, snares on the 2nd & 4th quarter notes, cymbals on either eighth notes or quarter notes, and kick drum patterns which accent the often staccato guitar playing. Many modifications to this formula can be made (displaced snares, melody), but these modifications tend to detract from the maximum impact of the breakdown.
Because these two requirements must be satisfied, entire songs can be breakdowns, and do not need to contain any fast parts. As well, many slow sections of songs of these genres are not breakdowns, because they do not meet the content requirements.
1. Tempo: Breakdowns are characterized by tempos in the 65 bpm - 70 bpm range, but also spanning from 50 bpm (double breakdown), to 90 bpm (fast breakdown / stomp breakdown).
2. Content: Breakdowns are further characterized by strong emphasis on rhythm, snares on the 2nd & 4th quarter notes, cymbals on either eighth notes or quarter notes, and kick drum patterns which accent the often staccato guitar playing. Many modifications to this formula can be made (displaced snares, melody), but these modifications tend to detract from the maximum impact of the breakdown.
Because these two requirements must be satisfied, entire songs can be breakdowns, and do not need to contain any fast parts. As well, many slow sections of songs of these genres are not breakdowns, because they do not meet the content requirements.
Pantera is generally recognized as the originator of the breakdown, as featured at approximately 3:52 of "Domination" off Cowboys from Hell. Today, this part of Domination would be recognized as an "old school" breakdown, and only the old timers would hardcore dance to it.
by malarky2020 October 14, 2009
The part in a song (usually associated with Hardcore, Metal, and Metalcore music genres) where the music becomes heavy and rythmic. Usually has a brutal sound to it and is the perfect music to open a pit or dance to. Breakdowns are what makes hardcore. The singer also usually sings a line or two of memorable lyrics, and then repeats them until the breakdown is over.
by From The Distance(reno, nv) May 23, 2006
(n.) - a section in a piece of music where rhythmic emphasis is shifted causing the note value of the previously determined meter to be (typically) halved. used for contrast.
by bananax182 May 13, 2007
the point in a song at which time (not tempo) slows down. it is usually associated with metal, hardcore, metalcore, and other sub-genres of metal and hardcore music. often the guitar during a breakdown is palm-muted and is played using breaks or rests to create a choppy, brutal sound. the guitar can also be played strummed or rung out and still be considered a breakdown. what makes the part of a song a breakdown is mostly determined by the speed of the drums and also somewhat the style in which the drummer plays in that speed.
(band name) - (song title): sparing no lives - painting the murder, lamb of god - pariah, terror - overcome, the red chord - antman, unearth - endless, animosity - 24 more, iniquity - desiderated profligacy. all of the songs above have good examples of breakdowns in my opinion. i strongly suggest the first song on the list.
by metalcorelover June 29, 2006
The most amazing
part in
a hardcoremetalcoregrindcore
song.
At shows the breakdown is the part where everyone hardcore dances.
some have double bass in them it goes like duh duhh duh duh duh double bass duh duhdhuduh duh duh.
=
part in
a hardcoremetalcoregrindcore
song.
At shows the breakdown is the part where everyone hardcore dances.
some have double bass in them it goes like duh duhh duh duh duh double bass duh duhdhuduh duh duh.
=
by jesseisStraightEdge May 31, 2007