Metalheads often mistake Ronnie James Dio for having invented the “devil horns or corna” gesture he first started flashing when he took over as singer of Black Sabbath in 1979, though this tradition goes back further; used in Italy to protect against malocchio, or “evil eye.”
Band Members
At first, it may seem odd that heavy metal includes horns; however, their inclusion has an extensive history dating all the way back to avant-death pioneers Napalm Death and grindcore progenitor Siege, both featuring saxophone players. Today many bands use horns in their music; technical death metal bands Rivers of Nihil and Kayo Dot both include brass and saxophone in their pieces to add texture and tension in their songs.
Henley Douglas Jr and Garret Savluk formed the Boston Horns in 1992 after hearing Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at a local club. Their sound combines R&B, funk and rock influences while they include four-piece horn sections in addition to traditional rock instruments in order to create their unique brand of R&B and rock music. After touring with Extreme, they performed at numerous venues throughout northeast.
Jason Decay and Brandon Wars of Pembroke, Ontario formed Goat Horn in 1999 after being heavily inspired by groundbreaking metal bands Cathedral, Raven and Eudoxis. Goat Horn released its first album in 2001 before disbanding in 2002 – however Brandon Wars stayed active locally playing drums with Kill Cheerleader and Thor.
Marco Severini has been playing music since he was seven. Beginning by participating in school jazz bands and later attending Berklee College of Music for further study. Additionally he regularly performs in several local bands in Chicago’s southwest suburbs.
Although some might find the name of this horns band offensive, they actually offer much to offer their audiences. From cultivating fans in the funk and R&B genres to touring with Extreme and playing popular clubs nationwide.
Bass
Bass guitar players provide the foundation and balance to a band’s sound with their rock solid bottom end, serving as its backbone and helping create its signature bass sound. Utilizing their amplifier’s preamp, gain, and overdrive controls for this purpose, they may add distortion or reverb effects for added flair or create their own signature tone using these controls.
Metal bass lines can range from simple to complex depending on the genre and style of music as well as on the bassist themselves. Some bassists use their instrument as a lead instrument by adding harmonics or riffs while other just provide steady rhythmic accompaniment for their bandmates.
Metal bands frequently incorporate horns into their music to add a dramatic element and provide contrast. Horns may be played live or used to accompany electric guitars for added authenticity. Some bands even employ imitation electric guitars with faked sounds to replicate its authentic tone.
Jethro Tull are often seen as pioneers of adding woodwinds and horns into metal, yet brass instruments were already part of music well before this. Punk bands like The Clash and Damned utilized brass instruments while hard rockers Led Zeppelin and Hawkwind used them.
Nightwish, a symphonic metal band, incorporates both live and synthesized horns and woodwinds in their albums, while more recently grindcore pioneers Siege and Napalm Death have included horn sections in their bands.
Yakuza, a hardcore band known for blending progressive arrangements with raw noise-rock rhythms, features a saxophonist on their albums. Their 2012 record Beyul is an expansive mix of melody and dissonance that proves how horns can be used effectively without sounding too punk or turning the band into an pretentious jazz project.
Drums
Hand gestures that have long been associated with heavy metal music include the devil horns. This gesture, consisting of raising little and index fingers to form a V shape, have long been used by rock fans worldwide and has become one of the most commonly recognized hand symbols associated with metal music.
Ronnie James Dio has long been associated with horns due to his work with Black Sabbath and Rainbow. Beginning to use them himself in 1979, Dio claims he invented it so as to separate himself from Ozzy Osbourne, who held up double peace signs at concerts; also, according to Dio’s Italian grandmother who used the symbol against any possible “evil eye”.
This band’s horn section is hard-driving and energetic. They perform rock hits from the 70’s through 90’s as well as some contemporary tunes. Their drummer Jeff Buckridge has been with them from its inception. Additionally he is part of Boston Horns alongside KD Bell, Erinn Brown, Jesse Ciamataro, Ken Clark, Headshaft and many other acts.
Rivers of Nihil has recently expanded their musical horizons by incorporating horns into their latest album, 2018’s Where Owls Know My Name. While this may sound dissonant at times, as blasting guitars collide with braying horns and atmospheric keys – but this experimentation shows off Rivers of Nihil’s creativity; not afraid to push boundaries or take risks which have paid off with their latest effort!
Saxophone
The saxophone is a wind instrument played with one beat of a single reed, belonging to the woodwind family and often found in classical, rock or metal music genres. A versatile instrument capable of producing various sounds; ideal for use with bands or orchestras due to its ability to blend with the other woodwind instruments in terms of range and tone timbre; producing deep rich tones as well as providing modernized flare to bands or orchestras.
Saxophones, known for their deep and soulful sound, have long been a part of many bands from heavy metal and rock to pop and beyond. You’ve probably heard some of your favourite hits featuring it from Led Zeppelin to Van Halen; sometimes providing the frequency bridge between brass instruments and woodwinds such as flute. Saxophones can also play melodies and solos creating unique sounds unreplicated by any other instrument.
Saxophones are highly expressive instruments, capable of conveying emotion to audiences through their unique sound. Furthermore, their techniques allow players to produce various sounds to suit any style of music being performed; players need an in-depth knowledge of this instrument for maximum expression.
Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath famously introduced the saxophone into heavy metal music in 1979 when he used it at concerts, becoming its signature symbol in this way. Although Dio did not invent it himself, since Ozzy Osbourne used peace signs at his concerts, Dio decided to employ an analogous hand symbol, often known as the “devil horns,” from his grandmother – this quickly caught on and has come to represent heavy metal ever since.
Vocals
Vocalists are among the most critical members of any heavy metal horns band. From playing trumpet, clarinet, bass trombone or piano, vocalists provide emotional depth while adding melodies and harmonies – not to mention creating their own sound! Vocalists can sing, scream or shout the lyrics which add an edge to each song – while they can even be female or male vocalists!
While many bands incorporate horns into their music, the best way to experience them is at a live concert. Most metal bands utilize synthesized or woodwind horns while there are others who feature live horns; the Diablo Swing Orchestra uses live horns which include saxophones, flutes, trumpets and other wind instruments as part of its unique performance style influenced by carnivalesque rock, big band jazz musical theater Latin pop genres – making for an enjoyable and campy musical experience for all metalheads!
Determining who first used the devil horns sign can be tricky; both Ronnie James Dio and Geezer Butler have been credited as creating it at concerts. A photo from Black Sabbath performing in 1969 shows Butler making this gesture with his index finger and thumb; today this sign is often seen among heavy metal musicians.
Jex Thoth and Rivers of Nihil are two other bands which utilize horns, both technical death metal bands using them for added texture and dramatic flair. Flutes or other woodwinds often join them alongside guitar riffs, blasting drums, screaming vocals, unconventional tempos, and atmospherics; for example the opening track “Parish of Tama (Ossuary Dub)” begins as an array of drum and saxophone chaos before Laswell brings order into it with some unconventional tempo changes; then Zorn unleashes his trademark screeches while unleashing melodic runs to add depth and enhance its occult-inspired atmosphere.