Jump to content

Symphonic black metal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by FireCrystal (talk | contribs) at 00:16, 31 January 2009 (Reverted to revision 265816501 by SuperDamian; read hiddent comment. (TW)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Symphonic black metal
Stylistic originsBlack metal, symphonic metal, classical music
Cultural originsEarly 1990s, Norway
Typical instrumentsElectric guitar - Bass guitar - Drums - Keyboard - Violin - other acoustic and electronic instruments

Symphonic black metal is a style of black metal that uses symphonic and orchestral elements. This may include the usage of melodic instruments found in the sections of a symphony orchestra (string instruments, brass instruments, woodwinds and keys), "clean" or operatic vocals, guitars with less distortion, and song structures that are more defined or are inspired by symphonies. However, much of the characteristics of "traditional" black metal are retained, such as shrieked vocals, fast tempos and high pitched electric guitars often played with tremolo picking.

Symphonic black metal is often confused with melodic black metal and gothic metal, as there are similarities and often overlapping between the styles.

Comparison with melodic black metal

Often, there is confusion between symphonic black metal and melodic black metal, as both are black metal subgenres, both have slower tempos, and both have a more defined song structure. That sometimes leads symphonic black metal bands to be erroneously classified as melodic black metal, and vice-versa. However, symphonic black metal makes extensive usage of instruments found in symphonies, while melodic black metal focuses more on guitar melodies and solos. Most bands combine traits from both genres, though.

Comparison with gothic metal

There is also confusion between symphonic black metal and gothic metal. Traits such as female vocals and "clean" guitar riffs are used in both. The guitar work on gothic metal is less distorted than in symphonic black metal. Apart from this, the symphonic elements synthesized in gothic metal are more influenced by classical music, while in symphonic black metal, they are usually used to provide the music with a darker and more haunting background.

Nevertheless symphonic black metal, melodic black metal and gothic metal are often mixed together.

List of symphonic black metal bands

Bands of this subgenre include:

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Symphonic_black_metal&oldid=267509606"