Unacquainted with heavy metal music, it may be easy to think that its lyrics are incomprehensible. Yet there are many deep and meaningful themes which explore personal struggles and hurdles.
As with any writing process, the first step in metal song writing involves selecting an interesting topic for exploration. Ideal topics tend to focus on more controversial issues that challenge listeners’ beliefs while simultaneously appealing to listeners themselves.
Roots Bloody Roots by Sepultura
Roots Bloody Roots was released by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura in February 1996 and marked their transition towards more indigenous styles of music; previous releases featured melodic death metal while now they had moved toward rhythmic tribal beats.
The result of their effort is an unstoppable stream of aggression and violence, amplified by the exotic sounds of Brazilian one-stringed instrument called berimbau. Adventureful flourishes contrasted against an emotional eruption rooted in both Brazilian culture and their thrash-metal roots.
Sepultura made history when they released an entire record based on indigenous music as its foundation – it remains one of their best records ever made! Additionally, this groundbreaking work opened the way for metal bands outside Western European and American origin to combine their music with musical and cultural elements from their home regions; for instance Taiwanese metalers Chthonic combine symphonic metal with traditional Taiwanese music and mythology; Melechesh combine black metal with ancient Assyrian/Babylonian/Middle Eastern culture symbology; Mongolian throat singer Tengger Cavalry use classical Chinese instrumentation when performing metal music; New Zealand band Alien Weaponry combine thrash and groove metal with Maori cultural themes and history themes;
As the album reaches its climax with tracks such as ‘Dictatorshit’ and ‘Straighthate,’ you can hear how much fun the band was having exploring their roots. Gone was any sense of insecurity which plagued their work on previous albums such as Chaos A.D where ‘brutality’ seemed confused with cleanly executed rifferama.
Although not a perfect example of extreme metal from the 1990s, this record remains one of the finest examples of extreme music released that decade. Featuring powerful, intense performances that continue to draw listeners in even today.
Roots Bloody Roots was Max Cavalera’s final album with Bakersfield before leaving to form Soulfly and form his solo project, Soulfly. Roots Bloody Roots featured an inventive mixture of thrash, tribal music and the type of nu metal pioneered by Bakersfield just a few years prior. Since its release, this album has sold over two million copies and regularly makes metal “best of” lists; even as members continue writing new material and touring.
Preteen Deathfuck by Nattefrost
Black metal music is one of the most extreme musical genres out there, known for its depressing themes and profane lyrics that may shock some listeners while satisfying others – no matter what your opinion may be, black metal should definitely be experienced!
Preteen Deathfuck by Nattefrost will make your stomach turn with its disturbingly violent lyrics, guaranteed to keep you coming back for more. Nattefrost, an award-winning Norwegian black metal band since 2005, released their first album Nekronaut in 2008.
This black metal band is notorious for pushing boundaries with their music. Their lyrics frequently reference sexual violence, sex abuse and other irreverent topics; their songs reflect this reckless disregard for morality; they make for highly entertaining yet disturbing listening! Their latest album offers up tracks such as Sexy Dark Disturbing to add another element.
Angela Dee is the voice and lyrics behind this band. With her distinctive, haunting vocals and heartfelt lyrics, her songs serve as an outlet for her social concerns and injustices; additionally she’s passionate about women’s rights and environmental protection.
She stands out in the black metal scene with her powerful and striking voice, making her an integral part of this genre’s music. Fans should make time for one or more of her albums as true black metal artists.
Metalheads often celebrate metal’s lack of subtly, while others gleefully cross the line with their music. Death and black metal scenes tend to be particularly prolific offenders when it comes to crossing this boundary; these bands also often have side projects featuring offensive lyrics.
Exhumed’s “Ziploc Bodybag” is an example of such an offending song; many metalheads consider it an early contender for goregrind classic of the year; however, some listeners find its content too graphic and violent for their taste. Not to mention all its lyrics dealing with gut juices, offal, scabs and product placement!
God Is a Lie by Megadeth
Metal music has long been associated with strength and resilience, from fighting off darkness to finding community among like-minded outcasts. At its heart lies fearlessness; an ideal metal tune might express this with deafening drums and growling vocals, while better tracks also explore more complex topics, showing more than mere destruction and anger.
This dark and heavy metal classic from one of the genre’s iconic bands begins slowly before quickly increasing in speed. The lyrics explore God as being an illusion while exploring all the ways humans lie to one another or themselves – not just directly but also subconsciously.
The song is also notable for its controversial content. Dave Mustaine is an ardent Christian; yet its lyrics criticize religious hypocrisy – specifically that of Christians – and this criticism can often be found within heavy metal music and particularly within its subgenre of thrash metal; which commonly features anti-Christian themes as a central theme.
Although this song is about one specific person, its lyrics could easily apply to any number of situations or people. It demonstrates the power and depth of country music genre; therefore it has become so influential over time.
Megadeth seemed to have toned down their thrashing tendencies as their career neared completion, yet “Breadline” stands as proof that even during more sedate periods they could produce fantastic tracks like this one with its golden-plated riffs, blinding speed, and lyrics discussing Satan and orgies – an all-round great metal tune!
Vic Rattlehead, the band’s skeleton mascot, can be seen stalking around an abandoned graveyard looking for those responsible for abducting and kidnapping young boy. Additionally, this clip provides a winking nod to their past with Rattlehead unsheathing a katana with “Rust in Peace” written across it as an allusion to their 1990 album of that name.
Rest in Faeces by Impaled
Impaled’s song titled “Rest in Faeces” is anything but restful. Beginning with a slow guitar introduction intertwined with ethereal vocals, the track builds to an intense tri-vocal assault featuring McGrath, del Muerte and Sewage before ending on a harsh crescendo featuring both McGrath, del Muerte and Sewage as soloists; its lyrics depict cadavers exposed to nature as well as bodies covered with night soil soaked into night soil-reprise.
Impaled are an authentic death metal band and serve as an accessible gateway for newcomers into the genre, while still being revered in more elitist realms of true death metal due to their accessible riffs and catchy hooks as well as uncompromising brutality – not forgetting one of metal music’s best harsh tri-vocal assaults!
Heavy metal has long been seen as a vehicle for political expression. From Black Sabbath’s law-breaking epics to punk bands such as Xentrix and Damageplan’s hardhitting political messages, heavy metal music has long served as an avenue of protest.
Similar to many metal songs, metal songs often contain messages criticizing religion. Such songs might use generalized or specific antireligious language – for instance Machine Head’s “Death Church” and Iron Maiden’s “Number of the Beast” both directly challenge Christianity through apocalyptic imagery.
While other metal bands may have specific political messages, thrash metal is known for its more general anti-authoritarian message. Thrash musicians viewed themselves as an alternative form of “hardcore punk” who sought to criticize authority using direct and denunciatory language.
Songs in this genre often celebrate heavy metal itself and feature self-referential lyrics like Sammy Hagar’s “Heavy Metal Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Judas Priest’s “Metal Meltdown,” Metallica’s “Metallic Militia” as well as Carcass’ “Choke on It,” Carcass “We Belong Dead” and Operation Theatre by Impaled are examples. All feature great riffs, drumming, guitar solos and unique styles with easily recognizable sounds which makes listening easy!