Definition of metal

[Viremic]

What is the definition of metal?

Say if someone says X alternative metal/-core/hard rock band is metal how would you show that they actually weren't?

Also, what would the definitions be for all of metals sub-genres be? (I can generally tell, but a lot of the more mainstream bands, and early extreme metal bands throw me off)

Maybe there is no definition, but just say what you think.


+yeah, I'm new

 

[Son of Evil]

Eh, I'd play them Iron Maiden or Blind Guardian. But there are actually some good Alternative & Metalcore bands, so don't brush it off lightly.

As for the different sub-genres, try Wikipedia. The info. there is not accurate, but close enough.

 

[NinjaGeek]

I already posted a similar topic like this in the non-metal forum on what the exact definition is that separates metal and rock. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an exact definition that can prove what a song is.

 

[Triton]

Well it's hard to post a worded definition of what metal is...it's usually just instinct and knowledge that let's you know when you listen to it.

 

[Never78]

it's usually just instinct and knowledge that let's you know when you listen to it.

Bingo. Aside from the obvious guidelines, it is a taste and an attitude.

 

[Vitor]

This article is about metallic materials. For other uses, see Metal (disambiguation).
Hot metal work from a blacksmith.
Hot metal work from a blacksmith.

In chemistry, a metal (Greek: Metallon) is an element that readily loses electrons to form positive ions (cations) and has metallic bonds between metal atoms. Metals form ionic bonds with non-metals. They are sometimes described as a lattice of positive ions surrounded by a cloud of delocalized electrons. The metals are one of the three groups of elements as distinguished by their ionization and bonding properties, along with the metalloids and nonmetals. On the periodic table, a diagonal line drawn from boron (B) to polonium (Po) separates the metals from the nonmetals. Most elements on this line are metalloids, sometimes called semi-metals; elements to the lower left are metals; elements to the upper right are nonmetals.

A modern definition of metals is that they have overlapping conduction bands and valence bands in their electronic structure. This definition opens up the category for metallic polymers and other organic metals, which have been made by researchers and employed in high-tech devices. These synthetic materials often have the characteristic silvery-grey reflectiveness (luster) of elemental metals.

The traditional definition focuses on the bulk properties of metals. They tend to be lustrous, ductile, malleable, and good conductors of electricity, while nonmetals are generally brittle (if solid), lack luster, and are insulators.

wikipedia

 

[Astrum]

FAIL

 

[AchrisK]

metal is not rap

 

[Vitor]

FAIL

not to me

 

[Belligerent]

Amon Amarth.
Definition of Me-Tal
Metal w/ a capital M \m/

 

[~Derek~]

^I feel the same about Nile and a few other bands.

 

[AchrisK]

aMON aMARMATH is the definition of SUCK!

 

[Rabid Headbanger]

aMON aMARMATH is the definition of SUCK!

And my middle finger is the definition of "Fuck you".

Fuck you.

 

[AchrisK]

And my middle finger is the definition of "Fuck you".

Fuck you.

Did I hurt your favorite band?

 

[hibernal_dream]

FAIL

Actually it's probably the best definition so far. Metals are malleable, dense, conductive.

Malleable: Metal music can be seen as sheer sound crafted and shaped to a certain form, in contrast to other music in which sound is used as a gap-filler.
Dense: Very few spaces are allowed
Conductive: ? transmission of energy/spirit ?

 

[thisisaformicatable]

Music where a majority of the dominant influences can be traced stylistically back to Black Sabbath is metal.

 

[The Ozzman]

Did I hurt your favorite band?

No, you'd only do that if you said Finntroll is full of faggots...erm...shit.

 

[Matt]

Amon Amarth is pretty mediocre. I used to like them a lot and still spin them occasionally, but they are not really that good.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I'm pretty sure all metal has a heavily distorted guitar in it. That's the only necessary element I can think of. Besides that, the next most important thing is probly that the guitar plays a bit part in the rhythm of the music - "chugga chugga chugga", etc.

 

[Vitor]

Amon Amarth is just OK