This is basically a thread on what you find good and bad in each metal subgenres. This is merely a subject of opinion.
1. Heavy metal
Pro: Probably my favorite one of all. It just sounds so pure and basic; not overdone. You can't beat the classics.
Con: Sometimes it's hard to classify which band is truly "heavy metal" or actually just hard rock.
2. Thrash metal
Pro: Some of the most badass riffs and songs are in this genre, also some of the most meaningful and truthful song lyrics, the perfect balance of being very heavy, but not too heavy
Con: I feel like unless if you're trying to do something unique, you'd sound like a typical metal band (eg. playing Slayer in E tuning sounds like most other typical 80s thrash metal band), also the majority of well-known thrash metal bands are the classics, not so many new well-known bands.
3. Death metal
Pro: Awesome blast beats, very versatile as a genre, I especially love the Gothenburg instrumentals
Con: Sometimes the death growls can be cringy and even unnecessary, some bands have lyrics that may be too much for people
4. Power metal
Pro: Nice fantastic/mythological lyrical themes and aesthetics, light and epic, great concepts
Con: Choruses can be repetitive, can be a bit too cheesy, usually doesn't has that dark feel most metalheads are into
5. Black metal
Pro: Very gnarly and sinister; no music is as evil as this
Con: Aside from the controversial Norwegian scene in the 90s, this is probably not so appealing to most people, way too gnarly for my liking
6. Doom metal
Pro: Has that pretty nice and dark, depressing sound
Con: I feel like most bands are being a bit too much like Black Sabbath, hence why it's not very common in the heavy metal community
7. Symphonic and folk metal
Pro: Heavy metal with symphonies or folk instrumentals, what a great combo (although I also like the inclusion of edm with metal)
Con: Sometimes it can be overkill; I prefer one of the elements to be a bit lighter than the other
8. Progressive/technical metal
Pro: Musically complex, very philosophical or surreal concepts
Con: Sometimes I feel like they're being complex for the sake of complexity
9. Metalcore
Pro: A few great bands, such as As I Lay Dying and Killswitch Engage, I also love that death metal verse/clean chorus cliche
Con: A lot of other not-so-good bands overshadow the great ones, usually generic, and borrows too much from melodic death metal
10. Glam metal
Pro: If you're not serious about metal, yet you want some heavy party music, this is fun
Con: Is this even a real music genre, or just a term for rock bands in the 80s with hairspray and flashy outfits? Some "glam metal" bands are legit heavy metal (eg. early Motley Crue and Twisted Sister), while others are just pop arena rock (eg. Bon Jovi, Poison).
11. Alternative/Nu metal
Pro: Very versatile, and I especially like Disturbed
Con: Many cringy acts
12. Groove metal
Pro: The best to headbang to
Con: It's practically not much of a metal subgenre; more of a thrash metal subgenre
So what are your thoughts? What do you like and dislike about each metal subgenres?
1. Heavy metal
Pro: Probably my favorite one of all. It just sounds so pure and basic; not overdone. You can't beat the classics.
Con: Sometimes it's hard to classify which band is truly "heavy metal" or actually just hard rock.
2. Thrash metal
Pro: Some of the most badass riffs and songs are in this genre, also some of the most meaningful and truthful song lyrics, the perfect balance of being very heavy, but not too heavy
Con: I feel like unless if you're trying to do something unique, you'd sound like a typical metal band (eg. playing Slayer in E tuning sounds like most other typical 80s thrash metal band), also the majority of well-known thrash metal bands are the classics, not so many new well-known bands.
3. Death metal
Pro: Awesome blast beats, very versatile as a genre, I especially love the Gothenburg instrumentals
Con: Sometimes the death growls can be cringy and even unnecessary, some bands have lyrics that may be too much for people
4. Power metal
Pro: Nice fantastic/mythological lyrical themes and aesthetics, light and epic, great concepts
Con: Choruses can be repetitive, can be a bit too cheesy, usually doesn't has that dark feel most metalheads are into
5. Black metal
Pro: Very gnarly and sinister; no music is as evil as this
Con: Aside from the controversial Norwegian scene in the 90s, this is probably not so appealing to most people, way too gnarly for my liking
6. Doom metal
Pro: Has that pretty nice and dark, depressing sound
Con: I feel like most bands are being a bit too much like Black Sabbath, hence why it's not very common in the heavy metal community
7. Symphonic and folk metal
Pro: Heavy metal with symphonies or folk instrumentals, what a great combo (although I also like the inclusion of edm with metal)
Con: Sometimes it can be overkill; I prefer one of the elements to be a bit lighter than the other
8. Progressive/technical metal
Pro: Musically complex, very philosophical or surreal concepts
Con: Sometimes I feel like they're being complex for the sake of complexity
9. Metalcore
Pro: A few great bands, such as As I Lay Dying and Killswitch Engage, I also love that death metal verse/clean chorus cliche
Con: A lot of other not-so-good bands overshadow the great ones, usually generic, and borrows too much from melodic death metal
10. Glam metal
Pro: If you're not serious about metal, yet you want some heavy party music, this is fun
Con: Is this even a real music genre, or just a term for rock bands in the 80s with hairspray and flashy outfits? Some "glam metal" bands are legit heavy metal (eg. early Motley Crue and Twisted Sister), while others are just pop arena rock (eg. Bon Jovi, Poison).
11. Alternative/Nu metal
Pro: Very versatile, and I especially like Disturbed
Con: Many cringy acts
12. Groove metal
Pro: The best to headbang to
Con: It's practically not much of a metal subgenre; more of a thrash metal subgenre
So what are your thoughts? What do you like and dislike about each metal subgenres?
