Heavy Metal

[Elspode]

In my day, Blue Oyster Cult was metal. The godfathers of Metal were alleged to be Steppenwolf.

So...what, exactly constitutes "Metal"? And don't say elemental properties such as Iron, Zinc, Lead or any of the actinides.

[Stress Puppy]

Originally Posted by Elspode

In my day, Blue Oyster Cult was metal. The godfathers of Metal were alleged to be Steppenwolf.

So...what, exactly constitutes "Metal"? And don't say elemental properties such as Iron, Zinc, Lead or any of the actinides.

It's hard to generalize with a genre that's been so diversified, but .. in general ... usually it's fast-ish music, heavy drums, drop-D tuning in the bass guitar, screamed lyrics though some can actually sing.

Mind, those are ranged. For instance .. Dimu Borgir. Literally screams their lyrics. Nightwish has two singers, female and male. The old female singer sang in opera style, the male just .. sang. Kind of growly voice, but definite singing, not screaming.

I'm no expert, though. You can often identify thrasher or speed metal by this simple test: Start playing the song, randomly change the position of the song. If someone else listening can't tell when you switch places, it's probably thrasher or speed or the like.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Stress Puppy

It's hard to generalize with a genre that's been so diversified, but .. in general ... usually it's fast-ish music, heavy drums, drop-D tuning in the bass guitar, screamed lyrics though some can actually sing.

~snip~ 2 or 4 really loud guitar chords and someone banging on the drums as fast as they can.

Start playing the song, randomly change the position of the song. If someone else listening can't tell when you switch places, it's probably thrasher or speed or the like.

I find metal to be ok, but I have to be in a certain mood. You identified a couple of the reasons I don't prefer metal in your post.

Screaming instead of singing typically depicts a lack of musical talent.
"2 or 4 really loud guitar chords" (usually borrowed from something else)

"banging on the drums as fast as they can." I prefer an innovative beat that leads or compliments the music.