Written by [user id=4365] on 17.02.2016 at 21:21

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 21:17

I would argue the opposite. Almost every definition of metal on the web has Extended Guitar solos, its not like im pulling this out of my ass. Link some some songs/bands that you consider metal that do not have guitar solos.

For what purpose? I could sift through dozens and dozens of bands that don't feature solos, and you could post dozens and dozens and bands that do. The fact remains though that a heavy, thrash, power, death etc. song with the solos removed would still be, inalienably, of that genre, and would still be metal through and through. A solo is a flourish, and rarely of any real or substantial value.

That's a good point and I can't disagree with that argument. It is a flourish that is heavily used in Metal, so much so that it becomes a defining aspect of the genre, which was my point. Much of metal blends the solos into the music better than, say, a jimi hendrix guitar solo would be by harmonizing it or displaying it at varying points in the song.

The more I think about it the more ridiculous his first statement gets.

This is not metal guys.

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 21:30

That's a good point and I can't disagree with that argument. It is a flourish that is heavily used in Metal, so much so that it becomes a defining aspect of the genre, which was my point. Much of metal blends the solos into the music better than, say, a jimi hendrix guitar solo would be by harmonizing it or displaying it at varying points in the song.

I think defining characteristics are traits, techniques, sounds etc. that if they were not present would directly disrupt the definition of the genre, change it into something else, etc. or cause people to question what it is. I think solos are too commonplace amongst other genres, and contribute too little to the structures and foundations to really count.

The 'two guitars and solo needed for a band to be metal' part was surely... unexpected.
For an extreme and experimental metal fan like me, that would almost make me a non-metalhead :3
But then again, definitions are definitions. I wholeheartedly disagree, but I couldn't define metal myself if I was asked to.

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 18:39

Personally, I believe having at least 2 guitars - Rhythm and a Lead - is also a requirement.

That would rule out Black Sabbath, then.

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 21:11

All of metal has Guitar Solos. I can't think of a single metal band who doesn't use them regularly. Its one of the defining aspects of this genre.

Solos are very rare in black metal.

Written by M C Vice on 18.02.2016 at 05:26

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 18:39

Personally, I believe having at least 2 guitars - Rhythm and a Lead - is also a requirement.

That would rule out Black Sabbath, then.

Iommi counts twice.

Written by Zap on 17.02.2016 at 21:34

The more I think about it the more ridiculous his first statement gets.

This is not metal guys.

First statement was Amplified Distortion and thats pretty much entirely distortion. Not sure what you're trying to get at? Solos are everywhere. Definitely an overall loudness. Metal.

Written by M C Vice on 18.02.2016 at 05:26

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 18:39

Personally, I believe having at least 2 guitars - Rhythm and a Lead - is also a requirement.

That would rule out Black Sabbath, then.

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 21:11

All of metal has Guitar Solos. I can't think of a single metal band who doesn't use them regularly. Its one of the defining aspects of this genre.

Solos are very rare in black metal.

Lemme see, lets look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgs9l_U98vo

Amplified Guitar - Check
Extended guitar solo - Check
Overall Loudness - Check
2 Guitars - Sounds like 2 guitars to me, especially during the solo. Bass Guitar picks up the Rhythm too.

Would be metal by definition of metal. At least that song anyway. But a lot of Sabbath is borderline metal.

While I will admit I dont listen to Black Metal unless people still consider Dimmu Borgir black metal (who uses guitar solos frequently ill add) someone posted an immortal song in this very thread with multiple guitar solos. Soooo idk man. Small sample size but it can't be that rare.

Written by Paz on 17.02.2016 at 21:29

I wonder how would you classify Bell Witch, which is just drum'n'bass project... Post-rock maybe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeRtykwEY4

I have no idea what I just listened to right there! I dunno man, you got me on that. Doesn't really sound like Metal but it doesn't really sound like anything else. I think they need a new genre.

Written by WorpeX on 19.02.2016 at 00:25

I have no idea what I just listened to right there! I dunno man, you got me on that. Doesn't really sound like Metal but it doesn't really sound like anything else. I think they need a new genre.

You are really trying too hard tbh. Having solos has nothing to do whatsoever with being metal or not, as most of BM and doom metal and plenetry of death metal these days do not feature solos at all. I wonder what you think really about drone doom metal, which not only lacks solo, but also lacks riffs in the traditional way.

Also, employing e-guitar is not necessary to be metal, as in case with botanist (experimental black metal), gnaw their tongues (black metal/ drone/ dark ambient) and geryon (technical death metal). I am also sure that I have heard sludge metal without e-guitar, too, and people are calling Author And Punisher also doom metal these days.

Written by WorpeX on 19.02.2016 at 00:25

I have no idea what I just listened to right there! I dunno man, you got me on that. Doesn't really sound like Metal but it doesn't really sound like anything else. I think they need a new genre.

The genre exists. It's called doom metal. Been existing for a long time, really.

Written by WorpeX on 19.02.2016 at 00:17

All of metal has Guitar Solos. I can't think of a single metal band who doesn't use them regularly. Its one of the defining aspects of this genre.

(About black metal): Small sample size but it can't be that rare.

In fact, it's really really easy to name black metal bands without solos and why not say, with at most one guitar as well.
Most 3rd wave atmospheric black sound like this. No solo at all.
In fact picking bm bands at random it's easier to find bands without solo than bands with. But I can drop some links if you ever don't feel like searching: this, this, this, this, this, ...

Also, black metal bands like Botanist or Profanum don't even have guitars at all.

And not only not having solos is common in black metal, but in other genres as well.
Death metal (non-oldschool), Industrial metal, Post metal, Stoner metal...

The examples are all there. Just need to leave the heavy/power/thrash/melodeath a bit :p

Written by WorpeX on 19.02.2016 at 00:17


Sounds like 2 guitars to me, especially during the solo.

So by 2 guitars, you mean 2 guitar tracks, not 2 guitar players?

Written by WorpeX on 17.02.2016 at 21:17



I would argue the opposite. Almost every definition of metal on the web has Extended Guitar solos, its not like im pulling this out of my ass. Link some some bands that you consider metal that do not have guitar solos.

Post metal, most kinds of doom metal, most kinds of black metal, sludge metal, drone metal, older-styled metalcore and caveman deathcore tend not to use solos at all, are they not metal then?

Written by Karlabos on 19.02.2016 at 03:24

Thanks for paraphrasing me

Written by mz on 19.02.2016 at 17:28

Thanks for paraphrasing me