We meet today to talk about a genre that marked a turning point in the world of metal when it first appeared. I named it: The Speed Metal!

Let’s discover together what is behind this one!

WHAT IS SPEED METAL ?

Speed metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. Its existence as such is relatively short because the genre will quickly merge with others.

SPEED METAL ORIGINS

It appeared in the 80s relatively at the same time as thrash metal. Moreover, in the early days some Thrash bands were considered part of the genre. This has led to the use of both names interchangeably. However, the two can be differentiated by differences in their characteristics.
Now, some people think that speed metal is actually the precursor of thrash (and power metal). Which may have a truth because if you place both on a timeline, speed appeared a little earlier. After that, was this time lapse enough to influence each other, I do not know.

As for the influences of speed metal, a large place is given to the NWOBHM.

SPEED METAL CHARACTERISTICS

MUSIC AND INSTRUMENTALITY

One of the most obvious features is the speed of the music. We play as fast as possible. Some tempos can exceed 200 BPM.

As for the practice of instruments, a certain virtuosity is required.

For the guitars, we find elaborate solos, instrumental passages of great intensity, the use of techniques such as palm mute, tremolo picking, and syncopated riffs.

The bass, too, is played with precision and generally quickly and incisively.

The drum is particularly sharp. It uses a combination of double pedal, blast beats and syncopated rhythms.

BAND FORMATION

Most of the time, we find a basic formation composed of one or two guitars, a bass, drums, and a singer. Now, the bands can vary according to their influences and add a synth.

SINGING

Compared to singing techniques, one can hear both clear voices and saturated voices. Although the use of clear singing will be preferred for some bands.

LYRICS

The themes addressed in the genre are fantasy, mythology, or existential conflicts. These are usually lyrics to empower, to “reclaim its power”.

SPEED METAL BANDS AND ARTISTS

Among the groups that can be classified as speed metal, we can mention:
Helloween, DragonForce, Venom, Motörhead, Children of Bodom, Darkthrone, Annihilator, Wintersun, Angra, Accept, Avantasia, ADX, Rage, Blind Guardian, Running Wild, Atomkraft, Agent Steel, Angel Dust, Savage, Ranger, Demonaz, Evil Invaders, Speedwolf

However, it is rare to have artists who only play speed. Many are related to Power Metal as well because a lot of Power bands started as speed bands.

EVOLUTION

Over time, speed metal has been integrated into various other genres and sub-genres. The genre with which we find the most similarity is Power metal. But, we can also find it in Black metal or neo-classical.

It will especially mark a turning point as to the speed and virtuosity of metal music that will follow later.

Conclusion

So, although the genre lived only a certain period as such, its influence is still present today in various metal genres.

If you want to listen to this kind of music, I invite you to check out the playlist below!

Feel free to like and share this post if you appreciated it !

I also remind you that if you want to discover all the caricatures/ drawings of artists on the blog you can access them right here!

See you soon !

Uncategorized

Speed Metal : the beginning of speed

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We meet today to talk about a genre that marked a turning point in the world of metal when it …

Various theme

What makes a good rock / metal song ?

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! Today, we meet to discuss a topic that I find very interesting: What makes a good rock/metal s…

Uncategorized

Blues rock : Back to the roots

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey there ! Today we meet for a recognizable and inevitable genre! I’ll get you in the mood. Imagine…

Metal music

Power metal : when power is the ultimate goal!

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We’re back today to talk about a genre that can be complicated to grasp in its nuances: …

Metal music

Black Metal : When the danger became real…

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey you! I’m coming back for a new post! I had to stop things for a while because of a hand in…

Metal music

Today’s Rock and Metal

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! It’s been two years now (as I write this post) that I talk to you about the different genres o…

Sources :

Melody Mind – La Révolution Speed Metal | Comment Riffs Électriques a Fait l’Histoire – 10 avril 2025 : https://melody-mind.de/fr/knowledge/speed-metal/

Metal Music Archives : https://www.metalmusicarchives.com/subgenre/speed-metal

Dead End Follies – A Subjective History of Speed Metal – Jul 20 : https://www.deadendfollies.com/blog/metal-outsiders-journey-speed-metal

Claire Abe

The post Speed Metal : the beginning of speed appeared first on Rock N' Roll World.

Today we meet for a recognizable and inevitable genre!

I’ll get you in the mood.

Imagine: you go into a club, the lights are dimmed, there’s a pool table in one corner, people are sitting at tables drinking their whiskies, we’re going to avoid the cigarette smoke because it’s disgusting and smells so bad 😂 and in another corner of the room, there is this little scene with a guitarist/singer who plays this beautiful and plaintive melody.

Got it ? We’re obviously going to talk about Blues Rock !

Let’s go !

WHAT IS BLUES ROCK ?

Blues rock, if you don’t already know what it is (let’s be honest, you don’t have to be Sherlock), it’s a very marked mix between rock and blues.

Although these two are intrinsically linked (yes, sometimes I manage to put more complex words in my posts 😁), it became a genre only at the end of the 60s!

BLUES ROCK ORIGINS

Blues Rock, as explained above, is the mix of blues and rock n’ roll (which itself is already influenced by the blues. If you want to know more about it, you can find the history of rock n’ roll creation and origins right here and there!)

So, you could say that the basis of Blues Rock was already present at the beginning of the appearance of Rock n’ Roll with Elvis or Chuck Berry.

Then the British Invasion took place, and with it the development of this genre. It must be said that the majority of these groups were influenced by the blues:

• Many artists have been involved with Alexis Korner and his band the Blues Incorporated. We can name in future members of bands such as Pentangle, Free, Cream, Led Zeppelin, or The Rolling Stones

• With the success of the Rolling Stones, a whole stream of such bands will be brought to light. Among others:
  • the Bluesbreakers (created by John Mayall and where you can find Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie – Fleetwood Mac if ever for the last two),
  • the Yardbirds (or you can find Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck or Jimmy Page)
  • the Animals (House of The Rising Sun it means something to you? Well, the most famous version is them!)

It’s with all those beautiful people that will «really» start the genre.

BLUES ROCK CHARACTERISTICS

Music and instrumentation

We keep the 12-bar base and the three-chord grid of the blues, the guitars play riffs and we leave a strong place for improvisation (for example: solos). We also turn the sound up (mainly using electric guitar) and use distortion.

Singing

We use clean vocals with the growling of the blues (which is not the same as that of metal at all – which, in the theory, is not called growl but nevermind, I digress). It is a kind of rolling part of the throat that produces a rolled sound (as if one were in pain). This is also called epiglottic distortion in the singing jargon.

If you want to know more about singing in rock and metal, it’s here!

Lyrics

The themes covered are the same as blues: society’s problems, love and its problems, spirituality also at times. Everything that can be found in a blues song, is found in a blues rock song.

BLUES ROCK BANDS / ARTISTS

We can mention : The Rolling Stones, The Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Free, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers Band, Bad Company, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gov’t Mule, Santana, The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Joe Bonamassa, Canned Heat, Rival Sons, Beth Hart, Robin Trower, John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., 4 Non Blondes, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, between so many others.

EVOLUTION

Blues Rock has had a colossal impact on ALL genres. Whether it’s the current pop, rock, hard rock or heavy metal (yes, because without hard rock and all that stuff, metal would not exist as it is today). Each style has borrowed something from the latter.

Conclusion

Blues Rock is undeniably a key rock genre! It’s rooted in the very place where it found its inspiration.

It has also been important in the evolution of so many other genres. It’s a must !

So, without further ado, I invite you to listen to the dedicated playlist below.

Feel free to share and like the article if you liked it!

I also remind you that if you want to discover all the caricatures/ drawings of artists on the blog you can access them right here!

See you soon !

Uncategorized

Speed Metal : the beginning of speed

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We meet today to talk about a genre that marked a turning point in the world of metal when it …

Various theme

What makes a good rock / metal song ?

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! Today, we meet to discuss a topic that I find very interesting: What makes a good rock/metal s…

Uncategorized

Blues rock : Back to the roots

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey there ! Today we meet for a recognizable and inevitable genre! I’ll get you in the mood. Imagine…

Metal music

Power metal : when power is the ultimate goal!

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We’re back today to talk about a genre that can be complicated to grasp in its nuances: …

Metal music

Black Metal : When the danger became real…

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey you! I’m coming back for a new post! I had to stop things for a while because of a hand in…

Metal music

Today’s Rock and Metal

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! It’s been two years now (as I write this post) that I talk to you about the different genres o…

Sources :

Une Histoire musicale du Rock – Christophe Pirenne

Histoire du Rock – Denis Legault – 21/11/21 : https://histoiredurock.com/2021/11/21/le-blues-rock/

Chronique Rock – L’histoire fascinante du blues rock et son influence sur la musique moderne- 5/10/24 : https://chroniquesrock.fr/histoire-du-rock/lhistoire-fascinante-du-blues-rock-et-son-influence-sur-la-musique-moderne/

Medium.com – Exploring The History of Blues Rock: A Journey Through the Genre’s Roots (Part 2) – Ana Speaks – 23/01/23 : https://medium.com/@anaspeaks/exploring-the-history-of-blues-rock-a-journey-through-the-genres-roots-part-2-4797ed177cd1

Claire Abe

The post Blues rock : Back to the roots appeared first on Rock N' Roll World.

We’re back today to talk about a genre that can be complicated to grasp in its nuances: Power Metal!

So let’s find out this universe when fantasy meets heavy music !

WHAT IS POWER METAL ?

Power Metal (which I’ll shorten to PM) is a subgenre that appeared in the 80s. This one has two different but very similar styles:

• US Power metal (ou USPM)
• European Power Metal (ou Melodic PM)

The gender can be summarized in a mixt between Traditional Heavy Metal and Speed Metal.

US VS EUROPEAN POWER METAL

Before continuing this article, to avoid confusing you along the way, I will give you a brief overview of the similarities and differences between these two styles.

For this, let’s take a look at the table below!

In the outer columns, you can find the distinct elements of each style. In the middle, which brings them together.

However, today the two are extremely close and artists come from all over the world.

ORIGINS OF POWER METAL

The genre (whatever its origin) begins with the new wave of English Heavy Metal more commonly called NWOBHM.

Then, speed, thrash, and neo-classical metal brought other elements that the PM roughly took (hence the difference explained above).

Through all this info, we can name as inspiration : Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Marcyful Fate, Rainbow, Dio, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Yngwie Malmsteen among others !

As to who highlighted the PM, one that stands out in America as one of the key bands is Manowar. In Europe, it’s Helloween who is credited.

As for the origin of the name, it’s like many other genres uncertain. What we can say is that one of the first uses was made by none other than Metallica for one of their demos in 1982.

POWER METAL CHARACTERISTICS

Music and instrumentation

We want it to be powerful, so speed is a key element! Not necessarily in chord changes, but in arpeggio, solos, or «scratching of strings».

We also use palm mute technique.

This applies to both guitar and bass.

For the drum, we use double bass patterns !

And we add a melodic aspect with either :

• a keyboard
• or an orchestra

Everything must be epic. An anthem where everyone gathers.

Singing

Most often songs are sung with clean vocals (even classical). We sing in the high register. We can hear lots of tenor voices (one can give the example of a band that influenced the genre: Iron Maiden)

But we can find lower voices. And in the more recent bands, we can hear some screams and growls here and there.

Lyrics

Here we talk about fantasy, science fiction, mythology, personal problems, hope, strong emotions, war, history, science, or spirituality.

Appearances

This is where EVERYTHING can happen !

Have you always dreamed of seeing guys dressed only in beast skin? Or are you more into medieval times with dungeons and dragons? Or do you secretly adore men dressed in leather, who wear the codpiece like no other and with pride?

All the craziest outfits can be found in this genre! (Not only, but mostly)

From medieval/ pirate/ viking look, to the futuristic space warrior, through half-man/ half-robots, animated and other fantasies.

The crazier, the better right?

Well, then, some dress normally also…

POWER METAL BANDS/ARTISTS

Power metal artists include :

Manowar, Brocas, Helm, Cirith Ungol, Fates Warning, Metal Curch, Iced Earth, Sanctuary, Crimson Glory, Manilla Road, Savatage, Omen, Hammers of Misfortune for the USPM

Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Lost Horizon, Running Wild, Pagan’s Mind for the European Power Metal

A well as : Children of Bodom, Angra, Sonata Arctica, Alestorm, Beast In Black, Kamelot, DragonForce, Powerwolf, Galneryus, Hammerfall, Avantasia, Unleash The Archers, Sabaton, Chinchilla or Epica and Nightwish among others.

EVOLUTION

The genre evolved into many different categories such as :

• Symphonic power metal,
• Heavy power metal,
• Folk power metal,
• Power-thrash,
• Progressive power metal,
• Neo-classical power metal,
• or Extreme power metal

Conclusion

Whether you are ashamed or not to listen to this genre, it is undeniably an integral part of metal!

With its Anthem songs, optimism, and crazy looks, Power metal has established itself over the years and will continue to exist for a very long time.

If you want to discover more, you can listen to the playlist below dedicated to the genre.

Feel free to like and share this post if you find it interesting !

I also remind you that if you want to discover all the caricatures/ drawings of artists on the blog you can access them right here!

See you soon !

Uncategorized

Speed Metal : the beginning of speed

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We meet today to talk about a genre that marked a turning point in the world of metal when it …

Various theme

What makes a good rock / metal song ?

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey ! Today, we meet to discuss a topic that I find very interesting: What makes a good rock/metal s…

Uncategorized

Blues rock : Back to the roots

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Claire Abe

Hey there ! Today we meet for a recognizable and inevitable genre! I’ll get you in the mood. Imagine…

Metal music

Power metal : when power is the ultimate goal!

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! We’re back today to talk about a genre that can be complicated to grasp in its nuances: …

Metal music

Black Metal : When the danger became real…

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey you! I’m coming back for a new post! I had to stop things for a while because of a hand in…

Metal music

Today’s Rock and Metal

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Claire Abe

Hey ! It’s been two years now (as I write this post) that I talk to you about the different genres o…

Sources :

Loudwire – Who really invented Power Metal – Joe DiVita – juillet 2020 : https://loudwire.com/who-invented-power-metal/

Death Metal Undeground:

Introduction to Power Metal, Part 1 ; origins and influences – Johan Pettersson, March 23 20218 : https://www.deathmetal.org/article/introduction-to-power-metal-part-i-origins-and-influences/

https://www.deathmetal.org/article/of-power-metal-and-other-tales/#european

Metal Music Archives :

Power Metal : https://www.metalmusicarchives.com/subgenre/power-metal

US Power Metal : https://www.metalmusicarchives.com/subgenre/us-power-metal

Claire Abe

The post Power metal : when power is the ultimate goal! appeared first on Rock N' Roll World.