A genre of music that evolved from rock in the late 70s and early 80s.
Is characterized by heavily distorted guitars, giving them a deep, rough sound, which is where the "heavy" part came from; powerful drums, and thick bass. Usually includes very complex guitar work and amazing solos.
Black Sabbath is often considered the original heavy metal band. Bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden are considered the perfectors of the genre, and pioneers of the overall 80s metal scene.
Over the years, it has evolved into several subgenres. The most popular one with metalheads is thrash metal, but there are several others such as power metal, doom metal, black metal, death metal, etc.
The most recent subgenre that's spawned in today's modern scene is nu metal. This subgenre has basically the same characteristics of traditional metal, except for the fact that guitar solos are very rare, if not included at all. This has caused many metalheads to look down upon it as "shit", "poser metal", or "mallcore" (many people also link it to "emo", as sometimes they may have similar lyrics).
Contrary to popular belief, heavy metal is NOT Satanic. Only black metal (and sometimes death metal) bands portray that kind of imagery. However, it's not because they actually worship Satan, but because they're against Christianity as a whole. Some other metal bands of other genres may occasionally use Satanic imagery in their songs, but once again, it's not because they worship Satan. It's just to add deeper meaning and emotion to their songs.
Also contrary to popular belief, it is NOT all mindless incomprehensible screaming. There is another subgenre of metal called "metalcore". These bands usually scream all the lyrics in their songs, and at the moment, metalcore is the most popular subgenre of metal. However, screaming metal bands only account for less than 25% of the entire genre. Metal bands like Iron Maiden, Stratovarius, Symphony X, and Kamelot incorporate very melodic vocals in their music, hardly ever screaming, if at all. If they do scream, it's only for a moment, to add emotion to a section of the song.
Is characterized by heavily distorted guitars, giving them a deep, rough sound, which is where the "heavy" part came from; powerful drums, and thick bass. Usually includes very complex guitar work and amazing solos.
Black Sabbath is often considered the original heavy metal band. Bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden are considered the perfectors of the genre, and pioneers of the overall 80s metal scene.
Over the years, it has evolved into several subgenres. The most popular one with metalheads is thrash metal, but there are several others such as power metal, doom metal, black metal, death metal, etc.
The most recent subgenre that's spawned in today's modern scene is nu metal. This subgenre has basically the same characteristics of traditional metal, except for the fact that guitar solos are very rare, if not included at all. This has caused many metalheads to look down upon it as "shit", "poser metal", or "mallcore" (many people also link it to "emo", as sometimes they may have similar lyrics).
Contrary to popular belief, heavy metal is NOT Satanic. Only black metal (and sometimes death metal) bands portray that kind of imagery. However, it's not because they actually worship Satan, but because they're against Christianity as a whole. Some other metal bands of other genres may occasionally use Satanic imagery in their songs, but once again, it's not because they worship Satan. It's just to add deeper meaning and emotion to their songs.
Also contrary to popular belief, it is NOT all mindless incomprehensible screaming. There is another subgenre of metal called "metalcore". These bands usually scream all the lyrics in their songs, and at the moment, metalcore is the most popular subgenre of metal. However, screaming metal bands only account for less than 25% of the entire genre. Metal bands like Iron Maiden, Stratovarius, Symphony X, and Kamelot incorporate very melodic vocals in their music, hardly ever screaming, if at all. If they do scream, it's only for a moment, to add emotion to a section of the song.
*Traditional Metal - Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest
*Thrash Metal - Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Exodus
*Power Metal - Blind Guardian, Manowar, Stratovarius, Helloween, Edguy, Rhapsody of Fire
*Progressive Metal - Dream Theater, Symphony X, King's X, Opeth
*Grindcore - Napalm Death, Anal Cunt, Carcass
*Death Metal - Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Necrophagist, Children of Bodom
*Black Metal - Venom, Emperor, Bathory, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Burzum
*Nu Metal - Korn Slipknot, Deftones, Disturbed, System of a Down
*Metalcore - Unearth, Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Trivium (early albums), Hatebreed
In my opinion, all heavy metal is good. I know there are many "true metalheads" that will say all nu metal sucks, or all metalcore sucks, and that only old metal is good, but then they're not appreciating the metal genre as a whole. I say, why take your anger out on subgenres of your own favorite music, when you could take it out on those that are obscuring it further, like rap and pop?
If it's metal, it's metal. There shouldn't be any arguments about "true and false metal". It's just music. A guitarist doesn't have to be fucking Kirk Hammet or Kerry King to be talented. A song doesn't have to include a blazing fast solo like in Iron Maiden's Hallowed Be Thy Name to be good. Bands don't have to sound like the big names from the 80s to be great.
And speaking of big names.. Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, etc. are NOT the only good metal bands around. Granted, most of today's mainstream metal is unpopular with diehard metalheads, if you keep looking, you'll find many modern metal bands that are surprisingly good, like Edguy and Children of Bodom. Metal did NOT die in the 80s as many think, and this is why it will remain to please us all with its wonderful sound, unlike rap and pop that have no variety or talent whatsoever.
*Thrash Metal - Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Exodus
*Power Metal - Blind Guardian, Manowar, Stratovarius, Helloween, Edguy, Rhapsody of Fire
*Progressive Metal - Dream Theater, Symphony X, King's X, Opeth
*Grindcore - Napalm Death, Anal Cunt, Carcass
*Death Metal - Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Necrophagist, Children of Bodom
*Black Metal - Venom, Emperor, Bathory, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Burzum
*Nu Metal - Korn Slipknot, Deftones, Disturbed, System of a Down
*Metalcore - Unearth, Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Trivium (early albums), Hatebreed
In my opinion, all heavy metal is good. I know there are many "true metalheads" that will say all nu metal sucks, or all metalcore sucks, and that only old metal is good, but then they're not appreciating the metal genre as a whole. I say, why take your anger out on subgenres of your own favorite music, when you could take it out on those that are obscuring it further, like rap and pop?
If it's metal, it's metal. There shouldn't be any arguments about "true and false metal". It's just music. A guitarist doesn't have to be fucking Kirk Hammet or Kerry King to be talented. A song doesn't have to include a blazing fast solo like in Iron Maiden's Hallowed Be Thy Name to be good. Bands don't have to sound like the big names from the 80s to be great.
And speaking of big names.. Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, etc. are NOT the only good metal bands around. Granted, most of today's mainstream metal is unpopular with diehard metalheads, if you keep looking, you'll find many modern metal bands that are surprisingly good, like Edguy and Children of Bodom. Metal did NOT die in the 80s as many think, and this is why it will remain to please us all with its wonderful sound, unlike rap and pop that have no variety or talent whatsoever.
by SomeBadJOKE February 06, 2007
Get the Heavy Metalmug. Yet another one of the overrated terrible rappers that plague the music industry these days. Does nothing but rap about sex, drugs, how great he thinks he is, and a bunch of other meaningless shit. Do you want some examples? Here:
Sex: Grown and Sexy - though it's self explanatory
Drugs: Ridin' - it's basically about smuggling drugs and hiding them from the police
Self-promotion: In the Trunk - Look up the lyrics.. it's ridiculous
The rest of the songs are basically just "shoutouts to his niggas" or something like that, and then he says a bunch of meaningless crap just for the purpose of showing how "gangsta" he is because he can speak in ebonics. Bad idea, you big fake.
If he actually rapped about things that made sense, and not simply some made-up stories of his "ghetto life", then maybe this guy would get a little more respect from me.
Sex: Grown and Sexy - though it's self explanatory
Drugs: Ridin' - it's basically about smuggling drugs and hiding them from the police
Self-promotion: In the Trunk - Look up the lyrics.. it's ridiculous
The rest of the songs are basically just "shoutouts to his niggas" or something like that, and then he says a bunch of meaningless crap just for the purpose of showing how "gangsta" he is because he can speak in ebonics. Bad idea, you big fake.
If he actually rapped about things that made sense, and not simply some made-up stories of his "ghetto life", then maybe this guy would get a little more respect from me.
Chamillionaire: "Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty" *then repeat this like 8 times in 30 seconds - how great, huh?*
by SomeBadJoke August 11, 2006
Get the Chamillionairemug. When you can no longer play guitar slowly because you're so used to playing fast (I.E. shredding) that if you were to start playing slow, you'd automatically lose your touch
"You want me to play THAT simple piece?? Hah!"
*tries to, but finds himself going unreasonably fast*
"What the hell?? I can't!! I must have Skwisgaar Skwigelf Syndrome.."
*tries to, but finds himself going unreasonably fast*
"What the hell?? I can't!! I must have Skwisgaar Skwigelf Syndrome.."
by SomeBadJOKE April 21, 2007
Get the Skwisgaar Skwigelf Syndromemug. A band that tries way too hard to be emo (even more than From First to Last), and just turn out looking and sounding retarded in every way imaginable, with their corny-as-hell lyrics and very strange image.
Most of their fans are teenage girls who listen to Fall Out Boy just because they think Pete Wentz is hot, or suddenly got into Panic as well because the idea of teenage guys playing in a band (even though they're POP - just as much pop as Hillary Duff as a matter of fact) is irresistible.
Even so, some of their songs ARE quite catchy and can sound good, But.. if you really want to save yourself some embarrassment (and maybe even some of your brain..), then lay off this band.
Most of their fans are teenage girls who listen to Fall Out Boy just because they think Pete Wentz is hot, or suddenly got into Panic as well because the idea of teenage guys playing in a band (even though they're POP - just as much pop as Hillary Duff as a matter of fact) is irresistible.
Even so, some of their songs ARE quite catchy and can sound good, But.. if you really want to save yourself some embarrassment (and maybe even some of your brain..), then lay off this band.
Typical Panic! At the Disco fan: I LOVE PANIC AT THE DISCO!! BRENDON URIE IS SOOO HAWT!!1!
Person: Ok.. and is that the only reason you like the band?
Typical P!atD fan: NOO! They're soo EMO!! That's why I'm SOOOO EMO right now and wear black and cut myself every day!!!!
Person: Yea... I'm sure the band members do that too.. they just try way too hard to be emo ya know?
Typical P!atD fan: OH YES! They're definitely emo!! I'm such a punk rocker!1!
Person: .. Nevermind. *walks away*
Person: Ok.. and is that the only reason you like the band?
Typical P!atD fan: NOO! They're soo EMO!! That's why I'm SOOOO EMO right now and wear black and cut myself every day!!!!
Person: Yea... I'm sure the band members do that too.. they just try way too hard to be emo ya know?
Typical P!atD fan: OH YES! They're definitely emo!! I'm such a punk rocker!1!
Person: .. Nevermind. *walks away*
by SomeBadJoke December 15, 2006
Get the Panic! At the Discomug. Simple Plan: *cries* HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO ME??? *sob* I'ev made my mistakes!1! *whine whine* Got nowhere to *sniff* RUN!! The night goes on as I'm *sob* fading awayyy!! I'm SICK OF THIS LIFE!! *whine* I just wanna SCREEEAMMMM!!! How could this.. happen to me??? *cry again*
Normal person: Ugh!!! Turn that emo kids' anthem off!! *throws rock at the radio*
Normal person: Ugh!!! Turn that emo kids' anthem off!! *throws rock at the radio*
by SomeBadJOKE May 27, 2007
Get the emo kids' anthemmug. While the music itself is not too terrible, the songs are always about how much their life sucks or how much they hate themselves and wish they could die.
Quit trying to be emo and make some meaningful music for once, idiots.
Quit trying to be emo and make some meaningful music for once, idiots.
Simple Plan: My life sucks!! WAAHH!! But I got tons of money!! WAAHH!! I can't sing!! And my girlfriend dumped me!! It's all my fault!! WAAHH!! I WISH I COULD DIE!!! WAAAAAAHHH!!
by SomeBadJoke September 06, 2006
Get the Simple Planmug. A good but extremely overrated movie about the Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, trying to bring along a new holiday in Halloween Town - Christmas.
However, things go very wrong when Santa Claus gets kidnapped by Oogie Boogie, nearly ruining Christmas in both Halloween Town and the real world. Jack saves him in the end and Santa goes back to his world. Halloween Town... just simply stays Halloween Town.
Like I said, while the movie is good, people should stop calling it "the best movie ever", because yes - it IS very creative, but come on, you have to admit there were some pretty bad parts in it too (like the part before the end, where Jack saves Santa. It was just too.. lacking).
It's also generally loved by the goth/emo subculture.. maybe because of the whole Halloween thing.. and the overall gothic appearance? I dunno.. let them love it as they will.
However, things go very wrong when Santa Claus gets kidnapped by Oogie Boogie, nearly ruining Christmas in both Halloween Town and the real world. Jack saves him in the end and Santa goes back to his world. Halloween Town... just simply stays Halloween Town.
Like I said, while the movie is good, people should stop calling it "the best movie ever", because yes - it IS very creative, but come on, you have to admit there were some pretty bad parts in it too (like the part before the end, where Jack saves Santa. It was just too.. lacking).
It's also generally loved by the goth/emo subculture.. maybe because of the whole Halloween thing.. and the overall gothic appearance? I dunno.. let them love it as they will.
by SomeBadJOKE January 17, 2007
Get the nightmare before christmasmug.