On the surface, classical and metal music seem vastly dissimilar; one often connotes leather jackets, tattoos and distortion; while classical music conjures images of bow ties, formality and pomp.
Though many may perceive a connection between Classical music and Metal music as being unlikely, many Metal artists have openly acknowledged drawing inspiration from this genre.
Romantic era
Although classical and headbanging may appear to have little in common at first glance, research suggests otherwise. Metal fans share many qualities with classical listeners – both are attracted to grandiosity, drama, and want unique experiences.
The Romantic period in Europe saw intense romanticism, and composers during this time often wrote about myth and legend, the battle between light and dark, as well as other timeless subjects. Metal bands have taken up these themes too – many artists draw inspiration from European folklore while some also explore occult or religious concepts.
Romanticism was also known for its emphasis on immediacy; metal music has since adopted this approach with their loudness and theatrics reminiscent of Romantic performance art. Faith No More famously opened one of their shows with a cover of Lionel Ritchie’s “From Out of Nowhere.”
Metal music’s theatricality is essential, requiring singers to commit with power to performativity – whether this means shouts and growls or more subdued performances using actorly control, timing and irony. Furthermore, registers may be mixed to produce expressive results. Metal bands frequently acknowledge cruder roots while remaining relevant through covers on certain albums – something this genre celebrates wholeheartedly.
Metal music bands use costumes and staging during concerts to add drama, drawing large audiences in with dramatic effects. Furthermore, amplifying instruments has made these concerts even more intense and exciting for their audiences; creating strong fan bases.
Blues
While classical and metal may seem disparate, they share many characteristics in common. Both genres require elaborate stagecraft with costumes and staging required, featuring enormous dynamics designed to be heard at high volumes, both draw inspiration from ancient cultures and supernatural forces while both celebrating themes such as power and immortality – therefore metal bands often draw their influence from classical music.
Neoclassical metal is one of the most popular subgenres of heavy metal music. Originating in the 1980s, this style can be identified by flashy electric guitar solos. As more advanced guitarists emerged with advanced technical knowledge, its popularity rose. Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen is often considered the pioneer of this subgenre; today Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Van Halen have also become prominent practitioners.
Neoclassical metal has spurred widespread interest in classical music. Many musicians have even used classical instruments such as orchestras in their compositions; bands like Therion, Nightwish and Epica for instance incorporate this form into their songs while others simply play melodies with classical influences via amplified guitars.
Neoclassical metal isn’t the only form of metal music inspired by classical music; other genres have as well, including Symphonic metal (which blends orchestral music with rock and metal) and Black metal, which draws its subject matter from Paganism. Symphonic metal has also become an effective form of relaxation music that helps listeners escape everyday life’s stresses and strains.
Blues music has long been an influence on heaviness metal. Both genres share many aesthetic and thematic similarities, such as blues-influenced chord progressions and emotional intensity, both shared by Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath classics. Additionally, its influence can be found in numerous metal riffs and songs written using its influence as evidenced by Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath classics.
Blues and metal have both been heavily influenced by classical music, proving its interconnection. Both genres provide something valuable to contemporary listeners despite appearing radically different culturally; both genres share historical roots that go back centuries!
Baroque
Baroque music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries has had an enormous impact on heavy metal. Neoclassical metal bands like Yngwie Malmsteen and Dream Theater draw heavily upon Baroque techniques like diminished seventh chords, phrygian modes and harmonic minor scales to express emotions through intricate musical structures. These techniques enable musicians to evoke feelings like sadness or excitement while still remaining accessible musically.
Heavy metal music resembles classical in its emphasis on technical skill and virtuosity, with guitarists typically employing complex chord progressions for improvisation, as well as employing different playing styles such as sweep picking and vibrato influenced by Baroque composers such as Bach and Vivaldi; similarly, Romantic composers provide inspiration via dramatic and epic themes and melodies that inspire it all.
Metal musicians tend to write lyrics with an abundance of drama. The subject matter in metal music often touches upon dark themes such as war, death and the end times; its foundation as a counter culture against hippie peace and love music in the 1960s accounts for this. Metal music also emphasizes power; subject matter, length of songs and grand sound effects all serve to convey this idea; this may explain its popularity among symphonic metal bands with theatrical elements.
Escapism and power are integral elements of metal music, along with historical or literary themes. Latin has always held an appeal for many metal musicians due to its mysterious and otherworldly nature; for instance, Helloween released their song entitled “Lavdate Dominvm,” written entirely in Latin.
Although these genres might appear dissimilar at first glance, their similarities are surprising. Although both music forms differ significantly in style and content, both share an affinity for grandiosity and mysticism that has long been misunderstood by mainstream culture – something which is unfortunate as both can provide much-needed complementary services to one another.
Modern
Heavy metal music may seem far removed from classical pieces heard at an orchestra hall or royal court; yet upon closer examination there are numerous similarities between the two genres. Both share epic lengths, grand sounds and themes that invoke power – plus they both draw from many sources such as fantasy and ancient world history for inspiration.
Both genres often share common elements such as fantasy, chivalrous novels, mythology, epic poems and sagas that serve as sources of inspiration for both musicians and fans. Furthermore, such themes allow aspiring metal artists to explore their sense of adventure and power while drawing from past traditions for future inspiration.
Metal’s use of powerful chords reveals an uncanny connection to classical music. From Devil’s Interval Diminished Fifth Motief or Black Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath,” metal music has adopted chord progressions, figuration, and ideals of virtuosity from Baroque and Classical periods for use on its instruments; especially significant are guitarists such as Ritchie Blackmore and Randy Rhoads who draw heavily upon classical musical traditions in their playing styles.
Though some musicians have struggled to bridge both styles of music, others have successfully combined classical and metal sounds. Artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen have managed to blend these genres and his guitar techniques are deeply rooted in classical tradition.
Metal and classical influences extend well beyond music, manifested on album covers and t-shirts alike. Many metal bands have adopted aspects from ancient world cultures through use of swastikas or other symbols associated with ancient world, or adapting visual elements of classical art such as paintings and sculptures into their music videos and imagery.
Classical music’s impact on metal is undeniable and remains one of the cornerstones of its unique sound and style. From lyrics to visual aesthetic, classical influences have left an indelible mark on culture that continues to inspire musicians and fans today.