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Metal is a major genre in global music that is capable of captivating a large number of music enthusiasts around the world. However, it is not just about the high-octane compositions that make metal famous but also its adaptability to fuse with other genres. Celebrating its diversity and uniqueness, Symphonic Metal Day takes place on November 13 every year to appreciate the blended essence of the symphony in metal.
Origin – 13th November is the day which is celebrated as Symphonic Metal Day every year to appreciate the combination of heavy metal music with classical orchestral arrangements which has received much attention in the last few decades. It is also known as Opera metal which mainly originated from the region of Scandinavia and the Netherlands. It is one of the subsets of metal music that has pushed the creative barriers of music and influenced music artists to embark on an experimental journey.
It is said that the sound of this genre was sown back in the 80s and received much popularity in the ’90s with the help of trailblazer bands and artists who wanted to offer something new. The music genre is mainly inspired by the Finnish and Scandinavian culture and the earliest example can be found in the music by Celtic Frost, back in 1987.
Characteristics – As mentioned before, Symphonic Metal is a subset of metal music and it has a handful of characteristics that make it unique and highly enveloping for music lovers. The cross-generic style makes it sound richer and more balanced where the high-octane elements and organic inputs complement each other. When metal music blends with orchestral elements, you can find the hefty drum rolls and blistering guitar along with violin, trumpet, trumpet, clarinet, tambourine, etc many other classical instruments which make the musical arrangement more enjoyable and engaging. Listeners can also find similarities between gothic metal and death metal elements.
Memorable Artists / Bands– There are mainly bands that pioneered and paved the way for Symphonic Metal music. Some of the most impactful symphonic metal bands in the industry are,
- Therion ( Sweden)
- Nightwish ( Finland)
- Xandria (Germany)
- Rhapsody of Fire (Italy)
- Lorna Shore (America)
- Within Temptation (Netherlands)
- Epica (Netherlands)
Some of the other powerful acts are Vision of Atlantis, Eluveitie, Apocalyptica, Lacuna Coil, Kamelot, Sirenia, Edenbridge, Lunatica, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Delain and many others ReVamp, After Forever. Other than just music, the vocals played a vital role in Symphonic Metal which sometimes can even feel quite poetic and juxtaposed to the musical arrangement. Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayeron) and Tobias Sammet (Avantasia) are two of the most powerful vocalists from this genre who offer a powerful punch of music, singing, and lyricism. If you are looking forward to listening to such amazing symphonic metal tracks, here are the top 10 tracks that you can start with.
Top 10 Symphonic Metal Tracks
- Unleashed – Epica
- Ghost Love Score – Nightwish
- Rose of Epona – Eluveitie
- Panic Attack – Dream Theater
- The Poet and the Pendulum – Nightwish
- The Promise – Within Temptation
- Universal Death Squad – Epica
- Dark Chest of Wonders – Nightwish
- Ghost Opera – Kamelot
- Monolith of Doubt – After Forever
Conclusion –
The influence of symphonic metal can be found in every corner of the industry as many artists have tried to imitate the blended essence of classic and modern which feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time. Celebrate Symphonic Metal Day on November 13 every year with the music that has inspired many artists and listeners to go beyond what they were told to. These artists do not fear uncertainty and are capable of following their hearts when it comes to musical creations and creativity.
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