| Melodic death metal |
| Stylistic origins |
|
| Cultural origins |
|
| Typical instruments |
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| Mainstream popularity |
Underground in early–mid 1990s
Increased popularity in early–mid 2000s |
| Regional scenes |
| Scandinavia |
| Other topics |
| Death growl − Clean vocals |
Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a subgenre of death metal which combines the melody of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with the intensity of death metal. The genre is also known as, Gothenburg metal,[1] a reference to the city in Sweden where it originated. Originally the genre combined the harmony style and groove melodies of heavy metal with the harsh thrashing sound and vocals of death metal. Later the genre evolved due to many different influences, a notable evolution in the genre being the addition of keyboards[2]. Melodic death metal contains more melodic guitar riffs, melodic solos, and acoustic guitar work than death metal. It also contains more comprehensible lyrics with traditional death growl and screaming vocals.
Background
Melodic Death Metal was formed in Gothenburg Sweden in the late 1980s to early 1990s. The genre was created by three bands who at the time all knew each other: In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At the Gates. Some melodic death metal bands from the Scandinavian region combine the genre with other metal genres such as viking metal (e.g. Ensiferum), progressive metal (e.g. Into Eternity), power metal (e.g. Children of Bodom), symphonic metal (e.g. Eternal Tears of Sorrow), thrash metal (e.g. Arch Enemy & The Haunted), doom metal (e.g. Swallow the Sun) and folk metal (e.g.Eluveitie).
In the late 1990s, many melodic death metal bands changed their style of playing by adding more melodic elements; more melodic choruses and riffs and making more prominent use of keyboards. Also many melodic death metal bands moved away from the lyrical themes of death, gore, and murder common in other death metal groups.[3]
Gothenburg sound
One notable contribution to melodic death metal is the Gothenburg style, named after the city from which it originated. It is not certain what band originally started the Gothenburg sound, however, it is widely accepted that Dark Tranquillity, At the Gates, and In Flames (The Three Kings) are three major pioneers of the style. They are also some of the only widely known bands to practice it, with newer bands such as Arch Enemy and The Haunted being offshoots of Carcass and At the Gates respectively. Some other notable bands in the Gothenburg sound are Soilwork, Gardenian, and Dissection (last album).
Regional scenes
Most melodic death metal bands are from the Scandinavian and Northern European regions, especially from Sweden and Finland. Coming out of Finland in the past decade have been three uprising bands in the melodic death metal genre, Mors Principium Est, Norther, and Children of Bodom. In recent years, the genre has gained somewhat of a popularity boost, acquiring an increasing following in North America, especially among North American fans of the Scandinavian bands which still pioneer the genre to this day. Melodic death metal has also spread to Australia with notable bands from the scene including Closed Casket, Switchblade, Daysend, Infernal Method, Red Descending and Pathogen. There are other minor scenes elsewhere including bands; Nightrage (Greece), Disarmonia Mundi (Italy), Blood Stain Child (Japan) and Holymarsh (South Korea).
See also
References
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