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Groove metal, sometimes also called neo-thrash or post-thrash, [1] is a subgenre of heavy metal music that began in the early 1990s. Heavily influenced by thrash metal , groove metal features raspy singing and screaming , down-tuned guitars , heavy guitar riffs , and syncopated rhythms.
- Characteristics of Groove Metal
- Origins and Influential Bands in Groove Metal
- Subgenres and Fusion Genres of Groove Metal
- Contemporary Groove Metal Bands
- Impact of Groove Metal
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Rhythmic and Funky Grooves
The most defining characteristic of Groove Metal is its rhythmic and funky grooves. Unlike other subgenres of Metal that focus on speed and aggression, Groove Metal emphasizes the groove, making the listener want to move and dance. The grooves are often simple but infectious, creating a sense of momentum and energy that drives the music forward.
Heavy and Distorted Guitar Riffs
While the emphasis on groove sets Groove Metal apart, it is still very much a Heavy Metal genre. The guitar riffs are heavy, distorted, and often down-tuned, giving the music a powerful and aggressive sound.
Powerful and Aggressive Vocals
Groove Metal vocals are often harsh and aggressive, with a lot of screaming and growling. The lyrics are typically about anger, frustration, and other negative emotions, reflecting the aggressive and heavy nature of the music.
Pantera
Pantera is widely regarded as the pioneer of Groove Metal.They formed in Texas in the early 1980s and released their first album, “Metal Magic,” in 1983. However, it wasn’t until the release of their fifth album, “Cowboys from Hell,” in 1990 that they fully embraced the Groove Metal sound. The album was a huge success and paved the way for the Groove Metal subgenre. Pantera’s influence can be heard in many contemporary Groove Metal bands. Key songs and albums by Pantera include “Cowboys from...
Exhorder
Exhorder formed in New Orleans in the late 1980s and released their debut album, “Slaughter in the Vatican,” in 1990. Like Pantera, they combined the heavy sound of Metal with the grooves of Funk, creating a style that would become known as Groove Metal.
Machine Head
Machine Head formed in California in the early 1990s and released their debut album, “Burn My Eyes,” in 1994. They were heavily influenced by Pantera and became one of the most successful Groove Metal bands of the 90s.Their sound was characterized by heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs and aggressive vocals.
Nu-Metal
Nu-Metal emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a fusion of Groove Metal, Hip-Hop, and Alternative Rock. Bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot became hugely popular, and Nu-Metalbecame one of the most commercially successful subgenres of Metal.
Metalcore
Metalcore emerged in the early 2000s as a fusion of Hardcore Punk and Metal. It incorporated elements of Groove Metal, particularly in the use of heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs.
Groove/Death Metal
Groove/Death Metal is a subgenre of Death Metal that incorporates Groove Metal elements. Bands like Lamb of God and Gojira are often classified as Groove/Death Metal.
Lamb of God
Lamb of God formed in Virginia in the mid-1990s and released their debut album, “Burn the Priest,” in 1999. They became one of the most successful Groove/Death Metal bands of the 2000s, with albums like “Ashes of the Wake” and “Sacrament” becoming critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
Gojira
Gojira formed in France in the mid-1990s and released their debut album, “Terra Incognita,” in 2001. They became known for their use of complex rhythms and polyrhythms, as well as their environmentally conscious lyrics. Their album “L’Enfant Sauvage” is considered a classic in the Groove/Death Metal genre.
Trivium
Trivium formed in Florida in the early 2000s and released their debut album, “Ember to Inferno,” in 2003. They became known for their use of melodic guitar riffs and complex song structures, as well as their incorporation of Groove Metal elements.
Influence on Other Genres and Bands
Groove Metal has had a significant influence on other genres of Metal, particularly on Nu Metal and Metalcore. Many Nu Metal bands incorporated Groove Metal elements into their music, including heavy guitar riffs and funky grooves. Metalcore also incorporated Groove Metal elements, particularly in the use of heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs. Groove Metal has also had an influence on other subgenres of Metal, including Death Metal and Thrash Metal.
Legacy of Groove Metal
Groove Metal has had a lasting impact on Heavy Metal, particularly in its emphasis on the groove. Many contemporary Metal bands incorporate Groove Metal elements into their music, and the genre continues to evolve and expand.
Future of Groove Metal
The future of Groove Metal is bright, with many contemporary bands continuing to push the boundaries of the genre. As the genre continues to evolve and expand, it will continue to influence and inspire new generations of Metal musicians.
Groove Metal is a subgenre of Heavy Metal that emphasizes the groove, combining the heavy sound of Metal with the rhythmic and funky grooves of Funk. It emerged in the early 1990s as a reaction to the increasing complexity and technicality of other subgenres of Metal. Groove Metal is a unique and exciting subgenre of Heavy Metal that continues to e...
What is considered groove metal? Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that emphasizes mid-tempo, syncopated rhythms and a strong, heavy groove. The genre emerged in the 1990s and was influenced by thrash metal, hardcore punk, and traditional heavy metal. Groove metal bands often incorporate elements of blues and funk into their sound, and the ...
Dec 14, 2016 · In fact, I would contend that most of that wave of metal bands from the 2000-2010 era wouldn’t exist without Groove Metal (specifically Pantera, but all those Groove pioneers played a part in paving the way for the NWOAHM).
Groove metal, sometimes also called neo-thrash or post-thrash, is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal derived primarily from thrash metal and within the NWOAHM movement that began in the early 1990s.
In their exploration of groove metal on "Chaos A.D." and "Roots", Sepultura gave rise to the sub-subgenre of tribal metal, whose central feature is primitive and groovy riffage.
Groove metal first appeared in the late 80s and early 90s with bands like Pantera and Exhorder leading the way. Since then, it has become a popular sub-genre in the metal scene. So, if you're a fan of heavy, rhythmic music that you can really get into, groove metal might be just what you're looking for. Give it a listen and get ready to groove!
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May 31, 2023 · Metal is built on The Riff, but nowhere is it more important than in groove metal. Taking thrash ’s propulsive energy as its foundation, the scene emerged in the early 1990s and, thanks to the likes of Pantera, swiftly became one of the dominant sounds of the pre-nu metal era.
