I think more than a year is long enough to leave this (rather) successful thread by the wayside.
I've been wracking my brain for a unique genre to portray. So far, i've hit some of the more obscure brands, such as the technical death, progressive, doom... and so on. It dawned upon me that, while i've done black metal, I have NOT done SYMPHONIC black metal, which is something else entirely.
See, the things that exemplify black metal are a basic musical structure, a very... angry... tone, typically a song theme that would give even the most liberal religious person a heart attack... you know, the norm.
Symphonic, however, is musically complex (or, sometimes tedious?). It is a very difficult job indeed, combining punk elements with a full orchestra. Sometimes, it's ONLY similarity with it's father genre is the lyrical theme, which remain anti-theist, at it's very base.
Dimmu Borgir, formerly the quintessential Black Metal band, on par with Emperor and Venom (or at least in the same field) is now the figure-head for Symphonic Black Metal. This point is no more expounded than in their 2010 album "Abrahadabra", which is laden with the orchestral sounds of the Kringkastingsorkestret (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra). Somehow, this sound is a light and dark, heavy and light, the chaos within the peace. Somehow, it works.
Here's the 2nd and 3rd tracks from their album, respectively.
Definitely a unique sound imo. If you are interested, look up their "In Sorte Diaboli" album. Their recently fired clean vocalist adds another element to this fray.
-Kruciff
(This post was last modified: 08-02-2013 12:44 AM by Kruciff.)
(11-22-2011 12:30 AM)knighthead1 Wrote: You know if all metal was instrumental, I would be one happy guy.
There's quite a bit out there. And I am the same way. However, I'll give you some pointers as to how to enjoy any kind of metal (granted it's good metal that is) regardless of the vocals.
I've always thrown lyrics and singing to the wayside when it comes to music, it's mostly why I get bored of the radio, because it's obvious the entirety of the music centers around the lead singer, which is not the case in metal, where I feel it is a mix of all instruments involved, depending on the players (i.e. Tony Iommi, Lars Ulrich, Eddie Van Halen, etc etc). This tendency of mine came about because I find it difficult to think of the meaning behind the words and listen to them at the same time. Instruments are much easier to listen to.
To this effect, I assume all lead vocals to be instrumental sound, almost subconsciously. The lead singer tends to perform in harmony with the rhythm guitar in most good bands. If you assume all vocalists to be just another instrument it should help you out significantly.
(This post was last modified: 11-22-2011 06:46 PM by Kruciff.)
I see your dream theater, and raise you my favorite porcupine tree song. It's only the first of two (AND IT'S LIVE HOLY CRAP) so check out the follow up
[edit] listening to the dream theater now btw, naturally it's going to take a bit.
(This post was last modified: 03-01-2012 06:47 PM by Kruciff.)
*bump* Oh, and Kruciff, I just thought I'd let you know that I'm currently listening to "The Crusade" by Trivium, a prog-metal band from central Florida. Cheers, my friend.
(04-08-2012 03:36 PM)GeminiShamrock Wrote: *bump* Oh, and Kruciff, I just thought I'd let you know that I'm currently listening to "The Crusade" by Trivium, a prog-metal band from central Florida. Cheers, my friend.
Ah yes, I know that song. Ironically, that's the only song I like from that band, mostly because I find the lead singer obnoxious =/
An instrumental song is always fun haha
I actually rowed for the Men's club team here at UCF on the lake outside of the High school they attended. It was an interesting coincidence.
Here's what I'm listening to right now
(This post was last modified: 10-15-2012 05:10 PM by Kruciff.)
Let's see if I can dilute this pool of growling singers a little. (most the band that have been posted, I liked up to the moment that the singer started. I just don't like the growl that has gotten so big in many metal acts).
(10-15-2012 01:29 PM)Delin Wrote: Let's see if I can dilute this pool of growling singers a little. (most the band that have been posted, I liked up to the moment that the singer started. I just don't like the growl that has gotten so big in many metal acts).
How about Sabaton?
Or Blind Guardian?
Or Classics like Gamma Ray or Helloween?
I'm sure I'll add more later.
I really really liked that sabaton video. Very powerful song.
i'm not really a fan of Blind Guardian or Power Metal in general (the typical drum styles annoy me), but if I were to choose a favorite it would certainly be "Battlefield".
Have you checked out Rhapsody? They are known to sport guest vocals from none other than Christopher Lee.
As to the vocals part, I touched in a previous post, it's really just a perspective issue. If you can train yourself to listen to vocals as an instrument rather than a purveyor of lyrics, you should have an easier time.
(This post was last modified: 10-16-2012 02:00 PM by Kruciff.)
(10-15-2012 01:29 PM)Delin Wrote: Let's see if I can dilute this pool of growling singers a little. (most the band that have been posted, I liked up to the moment that the singer started. I just don't like the growl that has gotten so big in many metal acts).
How about Sabaton?
Or Blind Guardian?
Or Classics like Gamma Ray or Helloween?
I'm sure I'll add more later.
I really really liked that sabaton video. Very powerful song.
i'm not really a fan of Blind Guardian or Power Metal in general (the typical drum styles annoy me), but if I were to choose a favorite it would certainly be "Battlefield".
Have you checked out Rhapsody? They are known to sport guest vocals from none other than Christopher Lee.
As to the vocals part, I touched in a previous post, it's really just a perspective issue. If you can train yourself to listen to vocals as an instrument rather than a purveyor of lyrics, you should have an easier time.
I rather enjoy Rhapsody, just haven't listened to them too much recently. I just got Sabaton's most recent album, which is, in my opinion, their best, and one of my favorite albums. So I've mostly been listening to that.
(10-22-2012 07:27 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote: not exactly Heavy, heavy metal... But this has a nice rift, w/ some Pittsburgh Hip Hop flavor mixed in between.
Not gonna lie, that is the oddest assortment of music I have ever really come across. It definitely has a good vibe, and I love the bass work (my favorite bassist is Martin Mendez, from Opeth). The keyboardist kinda got annoying, but aside from that A+
/
Kruciff's Half Hour Heavy Metal Brutal Hour!
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Kruciff!
