Metal is More Than Speed and Satan

Metal has long been stereotyped as musically monochromatic. Tropes such as overzealous bass pedals, speed-obsessed guitarists, and shrieking vocalists with a strong penchant for Satan have not made the genre approachable to outsiders. What I wish more people knew is it’s a genre as rich in diversity as any of its ‘friendly’ contemporaries. 

This list is a brief foray into several artists that have strong metal spirits without getting bogged down in the aspects that keep people away. Instead, dense murky baselines, tight percussion, and surprisingly bright-sounding guitars are put on display in tracks unafraid to take eight minutes to develop a theme. 

1. Celestial Crown - The Sword

Like any opening track should, Celestial Crown embodies the core themes of this article and the album it came from. It starts with layered guitars that sound like their amps are full of gravel, and carries you along a full 30 seconds before giving way to crashing symbols and a flood of bass so strong, even EDM fans would take notice. Subtle inclusions of synth place this mountainous sonic landscape into a fantasy world and give a brief taste of what’s to come before the song comes to an abrupt end. 

2. Echo and Abyss - Caspian

This song, from atmospheric-instrumentalist group Caspian, maintains the heft and darkness that qualifies any metal band while presenting a surprisingly gentle mood. The guitars and vocals are played in such low registers, they often come from underneath the drumline rather than in front, giving the sound much more depth and fullness without blowing out your eardrums.

3. Satanic Rites of Drugula - Electric Wizard

True to form, this song from Electric Wizard involves our good ol’ friend Satan. Outside of the thrumming distortion, characteristic of the genre, the liquid guitar effects and lyrics are more indicative of psychedelic rock. I mention this song last because lyrics about a drug-loving vampire are a reminder that metal enthusiasts are not without the self-awareness to poke fun at  their own genre.