Quirky or freaky metal. Compact, tight, and very agressive guitars when heavy. Vocals range from a brutal roar to quirky almost whiney singing. Hammond-esque jolly circus/merry-go-round melodies in the background, often played by one, some or all of the following: bass, organ/keyboard, accordian, brass section, and kazoo. The music often cuts from brutal death metal to the delightful carnival music. Often also tends to incorporate elements of jazz, ska, Egyption and Turkish influences, 50's rock 'n roll, surf music, noise art, bossa nova, and techno.
Mr. Bungle, Dog Fashion Disco, Vicious Hairy Mary, Headkase, Darth Vegas, Fantomas, Secret Cheifs 3, Chin.
by Brett Hansen December 22, 2003
A quirky style of heavy metal which blends other genres like jazz, techno, funk, world music and circus music. Also known as avant garde metal or experimetal.
Mr. Bungle, Carnival In Coal, Dog Fashion Disco, Vicious Hairy Mary, Fantomas, Secret Chiefs 3, Headkase, Estradasphere, Tub Ring, Deep Fry, Chin and Darth Vegas are all examples of circus metal bands.
by Scod Brennan March 23, 2007
A name often given to a style of music which combines heavy metal with circus/carnival music, jazz, techno, Turkish music, Egyption music, Surf music, bossa nova, 50's rock n roll, etc. Highly experimental, very strange, yet very different and fresh.
Mr. Bungle, Darth Vegas, Dog Fashion Disco, Headkase, Vicious Hairy Mary, Fantomas, Secret Cheifs 3, Chin.
by Stumpy January 5, 2004
Quirky or freaky metal. Agressive guitars when heavy, with vocals ranging from brutal roars to whiney or bizarre singing. Merry-go-round/Carnival melodies, jazz and swing, disco, cartoon sound effects, and death metal rolled into one. Some bands of the genre wear costumes, masks, face paint, etc.
by Grazzl March 3, 2004