Symphonic Metal

The internet often says that metal is the closest current genre to classical music. While I don't fully support that statement, symphonic metal definitely makes it easier to see where it comes from.

Lured in with promises of pretty women and symphonic metal.

Having roots in power and gothic metal, symphonic metal is metal that incorporates symphonic elements (obviously). These include everything from a strong keyboardist to an entire orchestra playing the backing of tracks. Operatic and female vocals are also a staple. It has become a hugely successful genre, even reaching mainstream success in some parts of Europe.

The Swedish band Therion is credited with creating, popularizing and influencing the symphonic metal genre. They started out as a death metal band, but since the mid 90s they've incorporated choirs and other classical elements into their music. Nightwish is another symphonic band you might have heard of that's been around since the origins of the genre.



Symphonic metal as itself isn't really the biggest genre though. As opposed to bands adopting the symphonic style, they've brought elements into their own genres. Symphonic power metal and symphonic black metal are two huge subgenres with arguably just as many bands as plain old symphonic metal. Symphonic!

Symphonic power metal includes bands like Rhapsody and Pathfinder. They play their instruments fast and create an atmosphere with keyboards and backing vocals. But you can read more about that in yesterday's post.

Symphonic black metal includes bands like Dimmu Borgir, Emperor and Carach Angren. They play a slightly slower melodic black metal and add in the typical keyboards and orchestras. Personally, I particularly enjoy this subgenre due to the clash of harsh black metal and beautiful symphonic.



Also be sure to check out Epica, the band in the picture atop this post. They are sort of like Nightwish but have a bit more of an edge to them. Plus the bassist uses growls instead of clean vocals.

-Zombie Viking