Metal (otherwise known as heavy metal) is a heavier genre in rock music that originated from hard rock in the late 60s and early 70s in England and the United States.
Heavy metal is considered to be a classic of metal (heavy means heavy). It is the first genre in heavy metal.
Unlike other languages, English does not distinguish between heavy metal and metal. In our language, this style is called “metal”.
This heavy genre is characterized by a more aggressive rhythm, virtuoso guitar solos, energetic vocals, and distortion effects.
Distortion is a guitar effect that is the main part of heavy music due to the strong distortion of the guitar sound. Without this effect, this style of music could not exist at all.
We can say that this is the main power of metal. No wonder metal music is an element of theatricality, courage, the highest volume and a cult of power.
Metal, like rock, has many directions. From lighter (for example, power metal) to very heavy (black metal). All this gives it a large number of listeners.
Someone likes less aggressive music, and someone likes to listen to heavy music. It’s all up to the individual. Die-hard metal fans are called metalheads.
The main members of a metal band are: bass guitarist, lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, drummer and vocalistThe main members of a metal band are: bass guitarist, lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, drummer and vocalist.
Keyboard instruments are used as arrangements. But lately, flutes, violins, cellos, and other musical instruments have been increasingly used.
The most basic instrument is the electric guitar. It creates the greatest power of sound with the distortion effect.
After Black Sabbath, the touch of evil in music became a defining element of the heavy metal sound. But where does it come from?
In the blues scale, there is a lowered fifth (tritone) – this is the devil’s note. In the Middle Ages, the tritone was considered the devil’s music. It was believed that it was used to summon the beast. Therefore, in the old days it was forbidden to use it.
In the Middle Ages, uneducated and intimidated people heard it and felt the reaction of their bodies and thought it was the devil.
It’s worth saying that there is a constant battle in heavy metal. All bands try to be more evil than their predecessors. This is what attracted many metalheads.
Without an electric guitar with very good amplifiers and distortion, you can’t recreate the essence of metal. In this case, you need a powerful bass, created by a bass player and a drummer. You also need a vocalist (usually with a high voice) who will sound over all this.
Vocals in heavy metal
Depending on the direction of heavy metal, vocals in bands can be performed in different ways:
- high tenor
- low voice
- growling – for a very heavy performance
- screaming – screaming vocals for heavy genres
- high female operatic soprano
- falsetto (male high pitch)