As I become more and more entranced by the metal music scene, I learn about all the different types of sub-genres that come along with it. Even fictitious-sounding sub-genres are real and have an active fan base.
The complicated ins and outs of metal music as a whole include a wide array of styles. Metal isn’t just about loud screaming, it is a beautifully complex web of different sounds that can attract even the most obscure music tastes.
There may be some genres and subgenres of metal that I missed but there is still much to be enjoyed with about 76 different subgenres of metal as a whole.
Metal as a genre is an encompassing title for all sorts of music, deriving from the creation of Heavy Metal. It is probably the genre that most people think about when they hear “metal”. Yet, that is only one genre within metal music. Metal is an experimental genre that goes above and beyond the music that can be created, with bands trying new production styles and sounds every day. They aren’t defined by one set of sounds or tones, which is why there are so many genres to choose from.
Some of those genres sound fictional, as many people wouldn’t think that there is something called “Kawaii Metal”. Those two concepts could not be further apart from each other. Being inspired by Japanese Pop (J-Pop) and heavy metal, they come together to create something interesting and powerful. One well-known group is BABYMETAL. Consisting of three members, the group has powerful vocals that can captivate an audience and leave them wanting more.
Another sub-genre that sounds imaginative is “Pirate Metal”. Though it sounds like something that would come straight out of a movie, it is a real sub-genre of metal. It is a mixture of sea shanties, pirate lore, and power metal. To put it simply, this genre is hard-core sea shanties. A band by the name of Running Wild is especially popular in this scene. Along with that, many of the album covers feature something pirate-related.
Along with the vast amount of sub-genres metal has, different genres can overlap with each other. Metal music is a complicated map where one street can lead to somewhere new and undiscovered. Within the map of metal genres, there are blue dots next to sub-genres that repeat in another genre. Whichever sub-genre one starts their metal music journey in, it opens the door to many other possibilities.
There are tons of different sounds that anyone can find themselves enjoying. An introduction to Metal could be anything from loud, screaming metal, to softer progressive metal. Metal music is about experimentation, both for the bands and fans alike. Finding that one genre that speaks to the listener can open a wide range of metal music possibilities, and even other genres.
