New wave of traditional heavy metal
| New wave of traditional heavy metal | |
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| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Mid-2000s |
| Typical instruments |
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The new wave of traditional heavy metal (N.W.O.T.H.M.) is a musical movement that started in the mid-2000s as a revival of classic metal sound from the 1970s and 1980s.[1] The term is used to describe bands that make heavy use of the elements and style of that era of metal music.
Origin[]
The N.W.O.T.H.M. initially started in the mid-2000s with a number of bands who began to write and record music that reflected the style and sound of classic heavy metal. These bands combine elements of the metal genres from the '70s and '80s, especially those of the N.W.O.B.H.M., although some bands are also influenced from genres such as speed metal, power metal and hard rock, doom metal and thrash metal.[1] The movement's revival of this style helped to redefine the term "heavy metal", drawing its meaning back to the origins of the genre and its original sound after years of heavy influence from other genres and evolution of the style away from its roots.
With the genre so far removed, and the classic metal sound having mostly vanished from the main-stream, newly formed bands began to make music that would become the N.W.O.T.H.M. The movement continues to grow, although it has not achieved the same commercial success as the genres it seeks to revive.
Characteristics[]
Identity and style[]
The N.W.O.T.H.M. takes on a lot of the culture surrounding traditional metal music, as it does with its sound.[1] Attire and appearance typically associated with heavy metal music, such as long hair, leather jackets/vests, and tattoos, are present in the N.W.O.T.H.M. movement.[2] Gestures, movements, and behaviors such as headbanging[3] are also common at concerts and live performances.
Lyrical themes[]
The lyrical themes found in the music of N.W.O.T.H.M. bands can vary greatly, but often include themes of fantasy, war, the supernatural, and the occult. These elements take on dark and sometimes aggressive undertones,[4] and are not typically lighthearted in nature;[2] the music often puts emphasis on lyrics that deal with "dark and depressing subject matter to an extent hitherto unprecedented".[5]
Musical elements[]
In line with its identity as a revival of traditional metal, the N.W.O.T.H.M. combines and incorporates elements of speed metal, power metal, and the N.W.O.B.H.M. It makes use of distorted guitars[6] with music largely built around melodies and guitar riffs. Power chords see heavy use, and songs usually have instrumental bridges and guitar solos. Drumming is typically loud and dense, with fast and steady beats.[7] The vocals are essential to the heavy metal sound; in the case of the N.W.O.T.H.M., vocals are almost exclusively clean, and like in most traditional heavy metal, are loud, intense and powerful. Open display of emotion through the tone of the vocals is considered to be an essential piece of the musical quality, sometimes said to be more important to the music than the lyrics themselves.[2]
References[]
- ^ a b c "A Beginners Guide to The New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal". The Great Northern Blogkill. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
- ^ a b c Weinstein, Deena (2000). Heavy Metal: The Music And Its Culture, Revised Edition. Da Capo Press. pp. 294, 35, 26. ISBN 978-0-306-80970-5.
- ^ "headbang definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta". 2010-04-23. Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
- ^ Cope, Andrew L. (2010). Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. p. 139.
- ^ Hatch and Millward (1989), p. 167
- ^ Walser, Robert (1993). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. p. 10. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
- ^ "Lamb of God's Chris Adler: More Than Meets The Eye". Modern Drummer Magazine. 2006-08-17. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
- Heavy metal genres