Metal music is a diverse genre with numerous subgenres, each characterized by its unique sound, themes, and performance styles. Among these subgenres, one that stands out due to its aggressive vocal techniques and intense instrumentation is often referred to as “screaming metal” music. This term generally encompasses styles such as death metal, black metal, metalcore, and screamo, each of which features prominent screaming or growling vocals. In this article, we will explore the origins, characteristics, key bands, and cultural impact of screaming metal music, shedding light on why it has become such a significant part of the metal genre.
1. Origins of Screaming Metal Music
The origins of screaming in metal music can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath began incorporating heavier and darker elements into their music, setting the stage for the development of heavier subgenres. However, it wasn’t until the early 1980s that screaming vocals became a defining feature of certain metal styles.
Death Metal
Death metal emerged in the mid-1980s as a subgenre of thrash metal, characterized by its fast tempos, heavily distorted guitars, and complex song structures. The vocal style, known as “death growl,” involves deep, guttural growling or screaming. Bands such as Death, Possessed, and Morbid Angel pioneered this vocal technique, which became a staple in the genre.
Black Metal
Black metal, which also developed in the 1980s, is known for its high-pitched, shrieking vocal style. This vocal technique, often referred to as “black metal screams,” is used to convey themes of darkness, evil, and anti-religion. Early black metal bands like Bathory, Venom, and Mayhem played a crucial role in shaping the vocal style that would become synonymous with the genre.
Metalcore and Screamo
Metalcore and screamo emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, blending elements of hardcore punk and metal. These genres feature a combination of clean singing and screaming vocals. Metalcore bands like Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying, and screamo bands such as Underoath and Thursday, helped popularize this vocal style in the mainstream.
2. Characteristics of Screaming Metal Music
Screaming metal music is defined by several key characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of metal. These characteristics include vocal techniques, instrumentation, lyrical themes, and performance styles.
Vocal Techniques
The most defining feature of screaming metal music is its vocal style. There are several types of screaming and growling used in different subgenres:
Death Growl: A deep, guttural vocal style used primarily in death metal. It involves using the diaphragm to produce low-pitched growls.
Black Metal Screams: High-pitched, shrieking vocals that are often used in black metal. These screams convey a sense of evil and otherworldliness.
Fry Screams: A vocal technique used in metalcore and screamo that involves creating a distorted sound by using the false vocal cords. It allows for both high-pitched screams and low growls.
Pig Squeals: A vocal technique used in some deathcore and grindcore bands. It involves creating a high-pitched squealing sound that resembles a pig’s squeal.
Instrumentation
Screaming metal music often features heavily distorted guitars, fast and complex drumming, and aggressive bass lines. The instrumentation is designed to complement the intensity of the vocals, creating a powerful and chaotic sound. Some common techniques used in the instrumentation include:
Blast Beats: A drumming technique characterized by rapid alternating hits on the snare and bass drum, often used in death metal and black metal.
Palm Muting: A guitar technique where the player lightly rests the palm of the picking hand on the strings near the bridge, creating a muted, percussive sound.
Tremolo Picking: A rapid picking technique used to play a single note or chord repeatedly, commonly found in black metal.
Lyrical Themes
The lyrical themes of screaming metal music vary depending on the subgenre but often include dark, violent, and controversial topics. Common themes include:
Death and Destruction: Many death metal bands focus on themes of mortality, violence, and apocalyptic events.
Satanism and Anti-Religion: Black metal lyrics often explore themes of Satanism, anti-Christianity, and other anti-religious sentiments.
Personal Struggles: Metalcore and screamo lyrics frequently deal with personal issues such as depression, anger, and betrayal.
Performance Styles
Live performances of screaming metal music are known for their intensity and energy. Bands often engage in stage antics such as headbanging, moshing, and crowd surfing. The visual aesthetic is also important, with many bands adopting dark, gothic, or macabre imagery in their stage setups and costumes.
3. Key Bands and Albums
Several bands have been instrumental in shaping the sound and style of screaming metal music. Here are some of the most influential bands and albums in the genre:
Death Metal
Death: “Scream Bloody Gore” (1987)
Morbid Angel: “Altars of Madness” (1989)
Cannibal Corpse: “Tomb of the Mutilated” (1992)
Black Metal
Bathory: “Under the Sign of the Black Mark” (1987)
Mayhem: “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” (1994)
Emperor: “In the Nightside Eclipse” (1994)
Metalcore
Killswitch Engage: “Alive or Just Breathing” (2002)
As I Lay Dying: “Shadows Are Security” (2005)
Bullet for My Valentine: “The Poison” (2005)
Screamo
Underoath: “They’re Only Chasing Safety” (2004)
Thursday: “Full Collapse” (2001)
Alexisonfire: “Watch Out!” (2004)
4. Cultural Impact of Screaming Metal Music
Screaming metal music has had a significant impact on both the metal genre and popular culture. Its influence can be seen in various aspects, from fashion and visual arts to social movements and subcultures.
Influence on Fashion and Visual Arts
The aesthetic of screaming metal music has influenced fashion trends and visual arts. The dark and aggressive imagery associated with the genre has inspired clothing lines, album artwork, and tattoo designs. Many fans of the genre adopt a distinctive style that includes black clothing, band merchandise, and body modifications.
Social Movements and Subcultures
Screaming metal music has also played a role in various social movements and subcultures. The genre’s themes of rebellion, anti-establishment, and individualism resonate with many fans, leading to the formation of tight-knit communities and subcultures. These communities often emphasize values such as authenticity, self-expression, and resistance to mainstream norms.
Influence on Other Music Genres
The vocal techniques and aggressive sound of screaming metal music have influenced other genres, including hardcore punk, grindcore, and even some mainstream rock and pop acts. The blending of screaming vocals with other musical styles has led to the creation of new subgenres and the expansion of the metal genre as a whole.
See Also: 100 Best Metal Ballads You’ll Absolutely Love
Conclusion
Screaming metal music, encompassing subgenres like death metal, black metal, metalcore, and screamo, is a dynamic and influential part of the metal genre. Its defining characteristics—aggressive vocal techniques, intense instrumentation, and dark lyrical themes—set it apart from other forms of music. Over the decades, screaming metal has evolved and expanded, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture, fashion, and other music genres. Understanding the origins, characteristics, and cultural significance of screaming metal music provides a deeper appreciation for this powerful and emotive form of artistic expression.
