MADE Magazine Summer 2023

MUSIC On a surface level, these two genres seemingly couldn ’ t be further apart: one known for its elegance and class, while the other is infamous for its harsh timbres, and often violent vocals. Despite this, these two styles may be more closely linked than originally thought, through both their complex musical arrangements, emotional depth, and technical innovation. Heavy metal is often considered to be simple in comparison to the intricacies of classical music. However, both are equally complex, both in their instrumental playing and overall structures. Orchestral classical works often have challenging parts for each instrument, requiring every player in the orchestra to be highly skilled at their respective instruments. Similarly, heavy metal musicians are some of the most technically proficient, with the guitarists able to play scales and arpeggios at extremely high tempos in the technically demanding solos, while the drummers need incredible stamina, to utilise the double kick mechanic, and maintain the trademark aggressive playing style throughout the duration of some rather lengthy songs. These songs also frequently break away from the traditional verse-chorus and 12-bar blues structures found in most popular music. Instead, heavy metal song structures often contain long instrumental solos and bridge sections and some songs are even through- composed. This structure is particularly popular with more progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater or Avenged Sevenfold. Classical and heavy metal music are able to evoke intense emotions within the listener, in a way many other genres can ’ t. Classical music is able to convey a range of emotions, often in the same piece, such as Beethoven ’ s 5 th Symphony, which transports the listener from a dark, eerie opening to a grand, joyful finale. On a similar note, many heavy metal bands, such as Iron Maiden, are able to create a triumphant anthem with their soaring guitar leads and vocals, while others, like Slipknot, are able to channel pure energy and rage through their thundering drums and aggressive vocals. As a result, these genres have the power to provoke different emotional responses, allowing listeners to better connect their own feelings to the music. Classical music has pushed musical boundaries throughout its long history. From its humble beginnings as chamber or folk music, played on only a handful of instruments to a small audience in the Renaissance to the epic scale of symphonies in the Romantic era often containing over a hundred different musicians, playing in large concert halls to audiences in their thousands, classical music has changed the way people listen to music. There have also been many innovations in the textures of classical music, changing from just strings, to adding more woodwind and brass instruments in order to expand the sonic palette, and create a broader and more powerful sound. In the modern music world, some of the biggest innovations in sound have come from heavy metal, and their use of different sounds. The development of distorted guitar tones have been able to create a gritty sound, unmatched by any acoustic instrument. And while it may not be for everyone, heavy metal has also innovated in the use of different vocal techniques, particularly screams, in order to produce different tones. This shared approach to innovation, along with their musical complexity and display of emotion, make heavy metal and classical music more closely related than at first thought. The Striking Similarities Between Classical and Heavy Metal Music - Kahlil Meer