Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that sound similar to a classical symphony. Symphonic rock is a subgenre of rock music, and more specifically Progressive rock. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within Progressive metal (often referred to simply as prog metal) is a sub-genre of Heavy metal music which blends the powerful guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex Avant-garde metal or experimental metal is a subgenre of Heavy metal music characterised by the use of innovative Avant-garde elements large-scale Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music A film score is a broad term referring to the music in a film which is generally categorically separated from songs used within a film Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the Continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Extreme metal is an Umbrella term, somewhat loosely defined for a number of related heavy metal subgenres that have developed since the 1980s Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well An electric guitar is a type of Guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into an electrical current which is made louder The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a Musical keyboard. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member For the musical composition see Chorale. A choir, chorale, or chorus is a Musical ensemble of Singers The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Nightwish is a symphonic Power metal band formed in 1996 in the town of Kitee, Finland. Symphonic black metal is a style of Black metal that uses symphonic and Orchestral elements A symphony is a Musical composition, often extended and usually for Orchestra. Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music Symphonic metal is both a genre of metal and a name given to several subgenres of other metal genres, and as such, both forms of usage have slightly varying definitions. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other The genre refers to bands that combine aspects of varying metal genres, with signature female-led vocals and operatic/classical themes to give the music a feeling of being a symphony. Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto A symphony is a Musical composition, often extended and usually for Orchestra.

When referring to bands from other genres, it refers to bands who use minor classical and operatic themes in the bands music similar as to what is found in the symphonic metal genre, to show they are more "symphonic" than normal bands of their genre. "Symphonic" can also describe metal with elements resembling non-symphonic classical music, although this definition is not frequently used.

Musical characteristics

Symphonic metal as a genre takes much of its musical basis from early gothic metal, power metal, and orchestral music. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within

The guitar and bassline work in the genre often follows the pattern of its originator, gothic metal, by synthesizing other metal styles of guitar. Genres commonly synthesized in this fashion include black metal, death metal, power metal, and progressive metal sometimes with the addition of elements from rock music. Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It often employs fast tempos shrieked vocals highly distorted guitars played with Tremolo picking, Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs fast tempos heavily distorted guitars deep growling vocals morbid lyrics Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within Progressive metal (often referred to simply as prog metal) is a sub-genre of Heavy metal music which blends the powerful guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. The genre typically combines elements of these genres with those of classical music, creating songs with a strong "symphonic" feel. Bands that use elements of rock music typically take a simpler approach to the genre, using simplified and catchy melodies, leading to a more easily accessible and widely accepted version of the music. Another key ingredient to the mixture is the lighter feel of the sounds, typically created by higher, more melodic guitar lines; this characteristic is usually attributed to power metal as well.

Keyboards in symphonic metal play the most important role in the music, and are the focal point of the genre that the rest of the music centers around. A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a Musical keyboard. While most of the instruments play relatively simple parts, the keyboards tend to have the most complex and technically difficult parts. The keyboards alone are used to play the "classical" parts of the music which the genre is renowned for, and covers all forms of classical music. Bands sometimes use orchestras when playing live to play the parts that the keyboardist would play, and at times feature real instruments in recording instead of using digital samples with a keyboard. An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string brass woodwind sections and possibly a percussion section as well

Atmosphere is commonly tailored to fit the song, although even songs with morbid themes tend to keep an upbeat sense. The atmosphere is particularly denoted by the keyboards and the instruments that they mimic, with the other instruments supporting the landscape evoked by the keyboards.

The lyrics of symphonic metal are highly expansive and cover a broad range of topics. Lyrics often borrow heavily from power metal, encompassing various forms of fantasy themes, or use themes typical of opera. Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto Lyrics in symphonic metal, like those of gothic metal, often are arranged into concept albums, styled after epics. In Popular music, a concept album is an Album which is "unified by a theme which can be instrumental compositional narrative or lyrical" An epic is a lengthy Narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation

Bands in the symphonic metal genre are mainly female led in both their images and vocals. The vocalists of symphonic metal bands have consistently been female, and tend to sing mezzo-soprano melodies in the operatic style. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. Sometimes symphonic metal artists use a male vocalist for backing vocals, similar to gothic metal's dual vocalists. Other forms of vocals are also sometimes found in songs, but are normally only used as an effect within the song. Symphonic metal bands with male lead singers usually fall into the symphonic power metal category. Symphonic metal or opera metal is a term used to describe Heavy metal music that has symphonic elements that is elements that sound similar to a

Origins and evolution

The first origins of symphonic metal as a genre begins with early bands in the death metal and gothic metal genres, which made some use of symphonic elements in their music. Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs fast tempos heavily distorted guitars deep growling vocals morbid lyrics Of such bands, Therion was the first to feature a fully live orchestra and write their music with the symphonic elements of classical music as an essential inclusion into their musical style. Therion is a Swedish Symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987 Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music Over time Therion grew further away from their death metal roots, and utilized more symphonic elements and based their music around their symphonic aspects that they became known for.

In 1997, Nightwish and Within Temptation released their first albums, and both bands followed heavily in the trend of Therion's symphonic nature. Nightwish is a symphonic Power metal band formed in 1996 in the town of Kitee, Finland. Within Temptation is a Dutch rock band The band was founded Therion is a Swedish Symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987 Within Temptation, using influence from gothic metal's synthesizing of other genres, used simpler aspects of the genres in their synthesis. Within Temptation is a Dutch rock band The band was founded Centering their music around the abilities of their female singer, Sharon den Adel, and the symphonic nature of their use of keyboards, the band reduced the use of male vocals to sparse backing vocals. Sharon Janny den Adel (born July 12, 1974 in Waddinxveen, South Holland) is a Dutch rock soprano and composer best known as the lead singer Nightwish followed a similar trend, employing a style evocative of power metal and using a female vocalist with heavy use of classically influenced keyboarding. Nightwish is a symphonic Power metal band formed in 1996 in the town of Kitee, Finland. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within

In the early 2000s a surge of symphonic metal occurred, with many bands releasing albums. Rain Fell Within, After Forever, Epica, and Edenbridge all released albums around this time, displaying prominently the characteristic keyboards and female vocals. Rain Fell Within was a Symphonic / gothic / Gothic metal band from Virginia, United States. After Forever is a Dutch symphonic metal band relies on the use of both Soprano vocals and Death grunts Their music is also influenced Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. Edenbridge is a symphonic- and Neo-classical metal band from Austria. These bands also emphazised the upbeat nature of the music. This boom of symphonic metal bands also began to take more influence from power metal, borrowing from the lyrical theme of fantasy and the stylized, epic-like keyboards of that genre. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within

Bands that are primarily death metal, doom metal, gothic metal, power metal, or even black metal have also been classified as symphonic metal. Doom metal is a form of Heavy metal music that typically employs very slow Tempos low-tuned guitars and a much 'thicker' or 'heavier' sound than other metal Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It often employs fast tempos shrieked vocals highly distorted guitars played with Tremolo picking, While symphonic metal is regarded by many as a separate sub-genre of heavy metal, some argue that it is a style that can be of any heavy metal sub-genre. Regardless, symphonic metal tends to be more popular in areas where the above-mentioned sub-genres are better entrenched, such as Europe. Also, the first symphonic metal bands were from Europe and used European orchestras in their music.

Symphonic metal subgenres

Overview

Symphonic metal, in regard to other genres of metal, encompasses any band that makes use of keyboarding akin to symphonic, classical, or gothic themed music. The use of symphonic aspects in varying forms of metal has been around for many years, however, symphonic metal is centered around extensive usage of symphonic elements, whereas bands that use them as backing themes are usually listed under other genres.

Symphonic black metal

Symphonic black metal has similar components as melodic black metal, but uses keyboarding or instruments normally found in symphonic or classical music. Symphonic black metal is a style of Black metal that uses symphonic and Orchestral elements Melodic black metal is a style of Black metal. Much of the characteristics of "traditional" black metal are retained (shrieked vocals fast tempos high pitched It can also include black metal bands that make heavy usage of atmospheric keyboarding in the music, akin to symphonic metal or gothic metal. The symphonic aspects of this genre are normally integral parts of a band, and as such are commonly used throughout the whole duration of a song.

Many black metal purists discount this genre as having nothing to do with 'black metal,' due to the heavy similarities some of its bigger bands hold with gothic metal. Claims that keyboards, female vocals and other gothic metal characteristics are inconsistent with the essence of "true" black metal have often resulted in confusion between symphonic black metal and gothic metal bands. Thy Serpent, Cradle of Filth, and Dimmu Borgir have all been subjects of this claim. Thy Serpent is an blackened doom metal / Symphonic black metal band from Espoo, Finland. Dimmu Borgir (ˌdɪmuːˈbɔːrɡɪr is a Symphonic black metal band from Norway.

Symphonic power metal

Symphonic power metal refers to power metal bands that make extensive usage of keyboards, or instruments normally found in classical music similar to symphonic metal. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within These additional elements are often used as key elements of the music when compared to normal power metal, contributing not only an extra layer to the music, but a greater variety of sound.

Sometimes symphonic power metal is considered to be both symphonic metal and power metal, due to some debate about the usage of the term "symphonic power metal" by fans. For example, Nightwish features more symphonic metal elements, while Sonata Arctica features more power metal elements. Nightwish is a symphonic Power metal band formed in 1996 in the town of Kitee, Finland. Sonata Arctica is a Finnish Power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1996

See also

• List of symphonic metal bands
• Symphonic rock
• Melodic death metal
• Neo-classical metal
• Avant-garde metal
• Progressive metal