Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

^I don't think I'll ever make a definition that even I can agree with. And if I could it wouldn't align with this website, because there are a lot of bands that this site accepts that I would outright reject. 

harmonium.ro wrote: "Concrete music" is already taken

Point well taken. Though it doesn't use riffs

My first rule of thumb is simply a general "Does it sound more like metal or rock?" - that's a good place to start, and it's usually guitar tone that gives the game away, or riff styling - rock will tend towards 12-bar, with a kind of "swagger" or swing. Metal tends to avoid swing, going for sharper, more angular riffs.

My general definition for metal is such as this:

1. There needs to be at least one distorted instrument (generally stringed instrument, this can be anything from an electric guitar to a synth patch to a distorted cello)
2. It has to be based on riffs. This separates it from punk, which is more based on fast drums and several bars of abrasive chords.
3. It is not based on elements found in pop music such as catchyness or ability to sing along. It can have pop elements, just not a ton.

This generally works for me, even though I'm more of a know-it-when-I-hear-it person.

The definition isn't perfect though. For example, Within Temptation's "The Heart of Everything" and "Addicted" by Devin Townsend wouldn't qualify by rule 3.

The mixture of rock and steel is called Concrete. Maybe, we should call it concrete music. Just kidding.

Hmmm,

I see Deep Purple in all forms that have been mentioned, Prog, Blues, Funk, Jazz/Fusion, hard Rock
and Metal.  Think of some of the "Riffage" Blackmore and Lord would Harmonize with, and that the
songs would turn into alot of different catagories, thats why I always classify them as a Prog or
Post-Prog Metal Band, seeing that they "progressed" the idea of Hard Rock at that time.
I wonder, as I dont have that specific memory as a Kid then, was the moniker "Heavy Metal" even
used, I remember some of this music termed as "Acid Rock" as well, but that may be ignorance on
part with Critics that didnt know what to properly call it.
As far as early Metal or "seeds"  go, lets not forget MC5, Blue Cheer and Iggy Pop and the Stooges,
not only Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, but the Punk Movement (Remember, Punk is not percise, its meant
to be "No holds bared" and raw, and its structure is built around Rock and Roll Blues, that why
"Nazi Punk" makes no sense to me ).  But Sabbath are definately an early form of Metal (there is
debate that "Pentagram" was the 1st though with the brand of Doom Metal- the U.S. Band).
And its wild that Iron Maiden when they started were very influenced by Punk, and you can here it
on their debut.  Just like from Punk and Hard Rock/Heavy Metal to "Crossover" to Thrash.
Its gotta' come from somewhere kids .

Just my opinion on it all .

By the way, I have a REALLY hard time with the term "Hair Metal", God I hate that, that means "Anyone"
with long hair is considered that? Grunge had long-hairs too, it doesnt seem like a catagory, just a
mocking of us with long hair and a fashion statement . . . blaaaAAAAaHHH!
but I degress (or deflate).


Edited by MAVIIIVAM - 17 Jul 2010 at 5:48am

Grunge has some heavy metal influence even if it is stretchy from a metal point of view?

I don't think Sabbath, Deep Purple or Zeppelin are Heavy Metal at all... too many bluesy and proggy moments in all of them. As far as I can see, Heavy Metal begins with Judas Priest and Motorhead.

bonnek wrote: BNR Metal Pages! Man I have spent internet time there. On the issue, metal starts with Black Sabbath, followed by Priest and everything after. Zeppelin, Heep, Purple and the bands they inspired in the 70's weren't evil enough.

I have a similar question regarding the term Alternative Metal.  Is this the same as Nu Metal, or is it an overlapping or entirely different category?