Rock music classification

Categorizing the profound rock music is actually very stupid, one-sided and subjective. However, the purpose of categorizing here is to facilitate everyone to have a general understanding of rock music.

Common classifications of rock styles include;

Hard Rock

A rock style developed from blues in the early 1960s, with The guitar has stronger distortion, the guitar is more complex, the lead guitar has more elements, and the blues flavor is stronger. The earliest rock bands such as ROLLING STONES, The WHO, BLOOD SWEAT & TEAR, etc., and later LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC, CHEAP TRICK, etc. can be said to be hard rock bands. Hard rock and heavy metal are often not easy to distinguish, and different people have different ways of distinguishing. Some people think that the music before the 1970s is called hard rock, and the music after the 1970s is called heavy metal; some people think that guitars with smaller distortion are hard rock, and guitars with stronger distortion are heavy metal; some people think that the hair is half-long but not short, and long hair is hard rock. is heavy metal; some people think that American bands are hard rock (Americans call METALLICA a hard rock band), while bands from other countries are heavy metal; my opinion is that rhythm guitar is less expressive than hard rock, while rhythm guitar is less expressive than riff. The strong and dominant force in the song is heavy metal. But there is no need to make such a clear distinction. Hard and heavy are both the musical qualities we like.

Metal

Due to the proliferation of popular metal and even pop rock in the 1980s, the word "heavy metal" has been overused. When it comes to heavy metal, the first thing people think of is Bands like BON JOVI and GUNS 'N ROSES seem to represent heavy metal music. As a result, many bands and music fans began to dislike "heavy metal". They began to refer to the more core and tougher heavy metal music as "metal" music. In other words, "metal" is heavier and more sophisticated than "heavy metal". Tough. However, later the word gradually became a symbol of temperament, and thus became more abstract and difficult to explain. It is a comprehensive feature of thought, image, timbre, and arrangement. For example, we can say that METALLICA had a strong metal flavor in the early days, but it almost disappeared later; we can also say that among the popular metal in the 1980s, WASP was more metal; we can also call BLACK SABBATH a metal band, while LED ZEPPELIN At most we can say it is a heavy metal band; JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, OVERKILL, etc. all have a strong metal temperament, while AC/DC, DEF LEPPARD, and SLAYER have a weaker metal temperament (because they have stronger metal temperaments respectively) (meaning of blues, pop and punk); death metal is the most metal among extreme metals, because grindcore has a strong punk flavor and the sound of black metal is too dirty - in short, this is indeed an indescribable word.

Heavy Metal

"Heavy Metal" must have a roaring or high-pitched voice, a heavily distorted tone of the electric guitar, dense and fast drum beats and a low and powerful bass It fills the entire auditory background space and forms an improved rock music containing elements such as high explosive power, fast speed, weight and destructiveness. Usually refers to traditional mainstream heavy metal or heavy metal music that cannot be classified into other heavy metal genres.

Representative bands: Metallica, Accept, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, W.A.S.P.

Funk

Has a huge impact on post-70s R&B Influence. Its emphasis is on rhythm, emphasizing the rhythm section of drums and bass.

Usually its heavy beat falls on the first and third beats of each measure (songs in 4/4 time), while the guitar is rhythm-based and supplemented by melody. In addition, the horn used as solo and chorus in traditional soul music also plays a more prominent rhythmic role in funky music.

Garage Rock

The earliest embodiment of the rebellious side of rock music. It expresses the impetus of young people and the loud and smooth rhythm.

Doom

The rhythm and speed are very slow, very slow. It's less intense and less aggressive, but it's still music that has a lot of weight to it. Usually has very clean music and singing, but sometimes rough and brutal sounds appear.

Representative bands: Solitude Aeturnus, Cathedral, Candlemass

Grunge

A synonym for alternative rock. Grunge is a metal-like alternative rock that originated in Seattle. Basically, Grunge belongs to alternative rock and should not be classified under heavy metal.

Representative bands: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains

Glam Metal

Usually refers to the stage performance or appearance of a heavy metal band Most of these bands are idol groups that use exaggerated makeup or handsome appearance to attract music fans. The music style of "glam metal" is not too heavy, and the lyrics do not have too deep meaning. It belongs to the more popular heavy metal music and is a branch of mainstream metal.

Representative bands: Marilyn Manson, Kiss, Poison, Warrant, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue

Grindcore

Heavy music, the lead singer croones Deep roars, the super spicy tone of the electric guitar, coupled with extremely fast repetitive beats and dense drum beats, form a heavy metal style with almost no melody. The length of the music is very short, ranging from two seconds to three minutes. . "Grindcore" is an extremely obscure heavy metal style that is used by most "new death metal" bands.

Representative band: Napalm Death

Hardcore

Derived from "punk", the lyrics are blunt and vulgar, and the music is noise-like and aggressive. sex.

Hard Rock

Music that is "lighter" than heavy metal.

Representative bands: Foreigner, Blue Oyster Cult, Heart, Cinderella

Industrial Metal

Using a large number of cold computer sampling sound effects, interspersed with mechanical or The impact of metal instruments replaces traditional percussion instruments, and coupled with electronic beats, it is heavy metal music that is very similar to techno dance music, but it still retains a lot of the distortion effects of heavy metal.

Representative bands: Rammstein, Fear Factory, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails

Neo-Classical metal

He is deeply influenced by classical music and plays a leading role in heavy metal music. Adding a lot of classical music elements.

Representative band: Angra

Pop Metal

Adding elements of pop music to heavy metal rock can be said to be a compromise between heavy metal rock and pop music. The compromise product is heavy metal rock music that is easily accepted by music consumers in the mainstream market.

Representative bands: Def Leppard, Mr Big, White Lion

Power Metal

Has speed similar to "speed metal" and "thrash metal" " has a sense of weight and oppression, but its melody is not as good as "speed metal", and its explosive power is not as good as "thrash metal".

Representative bands: Pantera, Armored Saint, Wild Dogs

Progressive Metal

The style is different from traditional heavy metal, using a lot of complexity and gorgeousness in the songs The arrangement of the song, or conveying some forward thoughts in the lyrics, gives the listener a space to imagine and think.

Representative bands: Queensryche, Fate Warning, Dream Theater

Punk

The lyrics convey certain rebellious thoughts and concerns about the living environment, culture, society, Political dissatisfaction, etc., while the music lacks coordination and has no specific style. It is a very noisy music. Usually a group of people who can make the sound out of the instruments can form a punk band.

Representative bands: Clash, Sex Pistols

Speed ??Metal Speed ??Metal

Speed ??is its main characteristic. It is often confused with "thrash metal". Generally, the music of "speed metal" is more melodic, the lead singer's lyrics are clearer, and the guitar interludes are melodic, fast and smooth; while "thrash metal" is less melodic. Sex, complete with equal emphasis on speed, weight, pressure and destructive power. Usually the musicians in "thrash metal" bands and "speed metal" bands have proficient and superb instrument playing skills.

Representative bands: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Riot, Rage

Thrash Metal

It is also extremely fast, with a very fast repetitive beat ( riff), the rough tone of the electric guitar produces fierce chords, the double bass drum is extremely destructive and oppressive, and the lead singer's rough and roaring singing voice matches the fast rhythm of the electric guitar to quickly sing an almost melody-less tune. . "Thrash metal" is most represented by heavy metal bands from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Representative bands: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Death Angel, Testament, Exodus, Destruction, Kreator, Coroner, Overkill

European version

※ Black Metal:

1. Enlightenment Black Metal: In the early 1980s, the British underground heavy metal band Venom clearly promoted the worship of Satan and the worship of Satan in their music. War Desire, and they were the first to bring the term "Black Metal" into the metal circle, pointing out the musical direction for future black metal bands; Sweden also had two enlightening black metal bands, Bathory ( Named after the Vampire Countess) and Celtic Frost, their music basically has the characteristics of original black metal: rough, violent, and evil! Bathory's first album is also known as the first black metal album. One must mention Denmark’s Mercyful Fate (Mercyful Fate). Although they did not have much influence on the original black metal in the future, they played a role model for gothic black metal, symphonic black metal, and gothic metal.

2. Primitive black metal: The hometown of primitive black metal is Norway. The first Norwegian primitive black metal bands were Mayhem (Intentional Harm) formed in 1983 and Burzum formed in 1991.

Mayhem's 1993 album "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" is regarded as a model for many new black metal bands in the future. "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" is a milestone album in the history of Black Metal and one of the greatest albums of Black Metal. One, here is the purest Black Metal.

Between 1992 and 1994, the second batch of primitive black metal began to emerge. Norway had: Darkthrone. Although Darkthrone had been formed in 1996, their true primitive black metal work was in 1992. Published only in 2000), Satryicon (Forest God), Gehenna (Hell), Immortal (Immortal), etc.; Sweden has: Marduk, Dark Funeral (Dark Funeral), etc.; other European countries include: Poland's Graveland (cemetery) , Abigor of Austria, Impaled Nazarene of Finland (impaled Christian), Baltak of Macedonia, etc.

3. Symphonic black metal: When the second batch of original black metal bands were active, another new type of black metal was also constantly developing, which used a large number of keyboard performances to set off the darkness. The atmosphere is extremely majestic symphonic black metal. Representative bands include: Norway's Emperor, Old Man's Child, and Dimmu Borgir; other European bands include: Austria's Summoning, Italy's Stormlord, and Ukraine's Nokturnal Mortum et al.

4. Gothic black metal: This type of black metal mainly adds gothic keyboards and gothic female vocals to the original black metal music, and pays attention to visual effects. Representative bands include Norway's Dismal Euphony, Graveworm in Italy and Cradle Of Filth in the UK.

5. Viking metal: This is a kind of folk-style black metal based on Nordic Viking culture. Representative bands include Norway’s Ulver (Wolf), Enslaved, Einherjer, Borknagar, etc., and the Swedish band Bathory Middle and late works.

6. Melodic black metal: This is an emerging black metal style. It has the same meaning as melodic death metal, which is to make extreme music melodious. The representative bands are Swedish Vintersorg and Witchered Beauty. wait.

7. Black metal: This is a branch of black metal. It uses black metal playing techniques and singing to express one's emotions. It generally does not contain devil worship. Representative bands include Norway's Aeternus (Sleep) and Thy Serpent in Finland; Crematory in Germany; Samael in Switzerland.

※Death Metal※(Death Metal):

1. Brutal Death Metal: The center of death metal in Europe is undoubtedly Stockholm in Sweden, so whether it is brutal death metal or melodic death metal , Swedish bands are all very good. Representative bands of brutal death metal in Europe include: Dismember, Defleshed, Hypocrisy and Gardenian from Sweden; Krabathor from Germany; and Carcass from the UK.

Representative bands of American brutal death metal: Cannibal corpse (Cannibal Corpse)

2. Melodic death metal: Representative bands include Sweden’s Childrem of Bodom, Tranquillity, At The Gates, Edge of Sanity, Sacrilege and Finnish Amorphis.

3. Progressive death metal: The representative band is Sentenced from Finland.

4. Gothic death metal: The representative band is Sweden’s Opeth.

5. Industrial death metal: The representative band is SLipknot from the United States.

※Black Death Metal※(Black Death Metal):

This music style combines black metal and death metal. The representative bands are Dissection from Sweden and Children of Bodom from Finland.

※Doom Metal※ (Doom Metal)

1. Traditional destruction: Representative bands are Cathedral from the UK, Candlemass from Sweden, and Skepticism.

2. Gothic Destruction: Representative bands are My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Anathema from the UK; Forest of Shadows, Cemetary, and Tiamat from Sweden; Ashes You Leave from Croatia; and Butterfly Temple from Russia.

3. Death and Destruction: The representative bands are Godgory from Sweden and Saturnus from Denmark.

※Gothic Metal※ (Gothic Metal)

It can only be further divided into traditional Gothic metal and symphonic Gothic metal.

Only representative bands are listed: Lacrimosa in Switzerland; Therion, Katatonia, Lake Of Tears in Sweden; Nightwish, Yearning, Eternal Tears of Sorrow in Finland; Tristania, The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Theater Of Tragedy in Norway; Lacrimas Profundere, Evereve, Darkseed in Germany; Netherlands The Gathering, Within Temptation; Italy's Lacuna Coil, Macbeth; Austria's In Grey; Portugal's Moonspell.

The bands listed above are relatively common bands, which may be dismissed by experts, but the author’s purpose of writing this article is mainly to promote European extreme music, because most of the domestic rock music now After all, fans are still relatively unfamiliar with European extreme metal. I love extreme European music, and I feel that I have an obligation to spread articles like this to truly understand European music culture. We must not let European extreme metal become a "cosplay" for some young people in China. "Cool" tools, some nouns on the lips! We need to truly understand the extreme music culture of Europe.