| Heavy metal has always appealed to me. It was just | | | | fusion of death metal with melodic elements, |
| something about the way the electric guitar sounds | | | | originating from Gothenburg, Sweden. The result is |
| which always gave me goosebumps. Even if I didn't | | | | crunching guitars with catchy rhythm. At its best, it is |
| like most of the song, if there was one part where | | | | high distortion axework arranged in beautiful |
| the guitar just ripped, then it got a thumbs up from | | | | succession. The vocals are usually rough growls and |
| me. | | | | can be difficult to pull off convincingly but make for a |
| Over many years I've listened to countless heavy | | | | nice effect when it does. Hard to describe. But you |
| metal songs from countless genres, from hard rock | | | | really have to listen to it to know what I mean. |
| to death metal, and most everything in between. | | | | There is a fine line I'm going to tell you about and it is |
| Most got swept under the rug due to my ridiculously | | | | this: repeatability. I have found that simple catchiness |
| high standards, but of the ones that stuck a few | | | | is not enough to make a great heavy metal song. |
| commonalities became apparent: 1) The bands are | | | | This is why the radio friendly nu-metal pop-ish |
| usually from Europe, 2) The songs are a combination | | | | sounding songs quickly wear on me. Beyond their |
| of heavy-ness and melody. The latter can be | | | | initial cool rhythm they lack substance and |
| assumed to be an absolute requirement to make a | | | | degenerate into that annoying song which gets on |
| song both hard hitting and catchy. The former just | | | | your nerve like a child's whine. It's not a pure sound, |
| happens to be this particular realization as it is | | | | but superficial, which is why it doesn't have staying |
| overseas. When it comes to music, North America is | | | | power. What I ultimately like is decided by |
| the home of the mainstream which translates into | | | | repeatability - I can listen to the song over and over |
| "average". And the average is always less than the | | | | and over and it sounds just as great every time. And |
| best. | | | | the only two genres of music which consistently |
| When it comes to melodic sounding heavy metal | | | | have songs which do that for me, are: Gothenburg |
| there are two countries that really stand out. They | | | | Sound and Power Metal. |
| are, Germany and Sweden. Germany is very strong | | | | It comes down to this. The type of songs I am |
| in Power Metal. It's a very rock and roll sounding style | | | | referring to are equivalent to the Mozart and |
| but with that metal edge. Songs are often based on | | | | Beethoven of heavy metal. Where classical music will |
| historical or fantasy themes and can be very epic. | | | | appeal to the cerebral side of you, heavy metal can |
| There is often a clear mood in them presented by | | | | appeal to our primitive reptilian side. Think of it as |
| numerous tempo changes and a clean uplifting sound | | | | triggering a flight or fight response by using music. |
| in general. The solos can really get you going. | | | | If you want to know what are my favorite songs of |
| Sweden excels in Melodic Death Metal, or as | | | | all time and listen to them, check out my blog. |
| commonly known: The Gothenburg Sound - the | | | | |