Did you know there’s a holiday dedicated to this form of metal? If you didn’t, then allow us to introduce you to Symphonic Metal Day. This day is observed every 13th of November and is the perfect day for people to discover, or rediscover, this subgenre of metal. This is a day set aside to celebrate the combination of classical orchestral arrangements and heavy metal music that has grown in popularity over the last few decades. Symphonic metal, also known as opera metal or operatic metal originated in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. This genre of music is one of the many subsets of heavy metal music. Symphonic metal bands frequently feature classically trained musicians, because of the heavy influence of classical music on the genre.
HISTORY OF SYMPHONIC METAL DAY
Symphonic Metal Day is demarcated to celebrate the genre-crossing and innovative nature of symphonic metal music, a subgenre of heavy metal music.
From it’s earliest days Symphonic Metal has felt the influence of power metal, gothic music, and a style known as the new wave of British heavy metal. The characteristics associated with this style of music include keyboards and guitars, strings and choirs, pipe organs and drums all mixed together. In many cases, the style will be emulated through a keyboard synth rather than a live orchestra when such is not available. The guitar styles present in almost all examples of this work call on all backgrounds of metal, from death metal to gothic, power metal to progressive, all blended together in a beautiful orchestration. The sound is usually very atmospheric and the performances are just as theatrical.
This music originated in Finnish and Scandinavian culture. The earliest known example of this style of music is by Celtic Frost in 1987, and who were important influences on many who would come to pioneer this style. Some of the most influential bands in this genre include Nightwish, Haggard, Edenbridge, Therion, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica, Apocalyptica and many more.
Heavy metal is itself a genre of rock music that has its roots in blues rock, acid rock, and psychedelic rock. The characteristics of heavy metal include loudness, emphatic sounds, distortions, heavy beats, and extended guitar solos. The most famous pioneers of heavy metal are Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple.
Heavy metal continued to evolve over the decades as it picked up and discarded influences from different kinds of music depending on where the sub-genre originated. Among these sub-genres was glam metal which originated with Bon Jovi in New Jersey, and thrash metal with Los Angeles bands like Metallica and Megadeth.
How To Celebrate Symphonic Metal Day
Symphonic Metal Day is best celebrated by filling your day with your favorite symphonic bands, and then expanding beyond that to bands you have not yet heard. Then you can share your favourite bands with friends and co-workers, introducing them to this wonderful experience and all the power and meaning it entails.
Heres a list of top 10 quintessential symphonic metal songs in no particular order:
- Ghost Love Score – Nightwish
- Unleashed – Epica
- Kingdom of Heaven – Epica
- Dark Chest of Wonders – Nightwish
- The Poet and the Pendulum – Nightwish
- Monolith of Doubt – After Forever
- Universal Death Squad – Epica
- Panic Attack – Dream Theater
- The Promise – Within Temptation
- Ghost Opera – Kamelot
