Battle metal is the name of two similar, but distinct forms of heavy metal music.
By one definition, battle metal is a fusion of melodic death metal and Power Metal. The guitar parts are reminiscent of Iron Maiden's harmonizing, rhythmically complex duets, which took on a new meaning with bands like Carcass, In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates, and Dark Tranquillity. The vocals and song arrangements, on the other hand, are more akin to Stradivarius and Sonata Arctica.
By the other definition, battle metal is a subgenre of black metal, closely related to epic metal and drawing on themes of medieval or fantasy battle and fighting, and in the opinion of some would be suitable for the soundtrack for a Role Playing Game. Battle metal bands like Summoning were (falsely) rumored to be possible contributors to the soundtrack of the Lord of the Rings movies, but this was mainly because of the Tolkien-related content of their music, but they did not appear on the soundtrack.
The band Bolt Thrower is considered to be a pioneer in this genre, as their name comes directly from a gigantic crossbow-type weapon used in the popular tabletop strategy game Warhammer Fantasy Battles. The lyrics and artwork of their second and third albums were based on the Warhammer game, as well as its futuristic companion Warhammer 40,000, with much of the art even being provided by the game's publisher, Games Workshop. The general theme of their lyrics is war and its consequences.
Most bands who play battle metal also contribute to other sub-genres of black metal: for instance, Bathory are prominent in the Viking metal sub-genre, and Waylander are pioneers of three sub-genres of black metal: battle metal, folk metal and Celtic Metal. Other metal bands have produced individual songs that fit the battle metal genre - the power metal band Thy Majestie is an example.
The band Turisas is considered to be the band who gave the genre its name by mixing all the previously mentioned styles and much more into one on their album "Battle Metal" (2004), even though Bolt Thrower has been together and performing since the mid-1980s.
Not to be confused with Australian War Metal.
By one definition, battle metal is a fusion of melodic death metal and Power Metal. The guitar parts are reminiscent of Iron Maiden's harmonizing, rhythmically complex duets, which took on a new meaning with bands like Carcass, In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates, and Dark Tranquillity. The vocals and song arrangements, on the other hand, are more akin to Stradivarius and Sonata Arctica.
By the other definition, battle metal is a subgenre of black metal, closely related to epic metal and drawing on themes of medieval or fantasy battle and fighting, and in the opinion of some would be suitable for the soundtrack for a Role Playing Game. Battle metal bands like Summoning were (falsely) rumored to be possible contributors to the soundtrack of the Lord of the Rings movies, but this was mainly because of the Tolkien-related content of their music, but they did not appear on the soundtrack.
The band Bolt Thrower is considered to be a pioneer in this genre, as their name comes directly from a gigantic crossbow-type weapon used in the popular tabletop strategy game Warhammer Fantasy Battles. The lyrics and artwork of their second and third albums were based on the Warhammer game, as well as its futuristic companion Warhammer 40,000, with much of the art even being provided by the game's publisher, Games Workshop. The general theme of their lyrics is war and its consequences.
Most bands who play battle metal also contribute to other sub-genres of black metal: for instance, Bathory are prominent in the Viking metal sub-genre, and Waylander are pioneers of three sub-genres of black metal: battle metal, folk metal and Celtic Metal. Other metal bands have produced individual songs that fit the battle metal genre - the power metal band Thy Majestie is an example.
The band Turisas is considered to be the band who gave the genre its name by mixing all the previously mentioned styles and much more into one on their album "Battle Metal" (2004), even though Bolt Thrower has been together and performing since the mid-1980s.
Not to be confused with Australian War Metal.
I love jamming some epic Battle Metal while we're pulling a Warhammer allnighter! Makes the game come alive!
by poindexter pencilpecker December 22, 2008
Get the Battle Metalmug. by sergence May 8, 2009
Get the death metalmug. by AliceInChains98 July 3, 2014
Get the aggro metalmug. A form of hard rock, that started in the early 1990s, with such bands as Korn. Contrary to popular belief, Nu Metal is not actuualy a Metal style, because it evolved from hardcore, which in turn evolved from punk, and not metal.
Nu Metal is closely related to rapcore.
Nu Metal is closely related to rapcore.
by Velvokai May 24, 2005
Get the nu metalmug. A somewhat slang term to describe a genre of heavy metal. Quest Metal generally refers to power metal, especially bands who have a very large amount of fantasy-inspired lyrics, or focus on concept albums.
Quest Metal is actually just power metal, but examples of both include Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, HammerFall, DragonForce, and to a somewhat lesser extent, Helloween.
by ConradoThe Pirate January 3, 2008
Get the Quest Metalmug. Dust metal is a genrè of music often used to describe metal music with ethnic roots. Bands such as Soulfly who bring their Brazilian roots and mix it with 'usual' metal.
The term is used more in the U.K than most other places but it is slowly becoming a more widely used genrè.
The term is used more in the U.K than most other places but it is slowly becoming a more widely used genrè.
Person 1: "What are you favourite genrès of music?"
Person 2: "I like metal, glam rock, and dust metal"
Person 1: "Which dust metal bands?"
Person 2: "Skindred, Soulfly, SOAD....etc."
Person 2: "I like metal, glam rock, and dust metal"
Person 1: "Which dust metal bands?"
Person 2: "Skindred, Soulfly, SOAD....etc."
by ReservoirDog October 11, 2005
Get the Dust metalmug. Some one who listens to metal. Period. Whether it be thrash, death, grind, or even black metal, thats all there is to it. Listening to it. Metal isn't some cult. Metal isn't about wearing band t-shirts or doc martens or wearing black constantly. Metal is a type of music that lets you vent your frustration, not the way you dress.
Mallcore kid: Look at my wicked slipknot t-shirt. I'm total kvlt black metal because I wear black and listen to ICP.
Metal head: *smacks face with palm in disgust*
Metal head: *smacks face with palm in disgust*
by atomskharuka June 15, 2007
Get the metal headmug.