Melodic heavy metal, also known as melodic metal, is a subgenre of heavy metal that emphasizes melody alongside the typical heavy metal elements such as distorted guitars, powerful vocals, and aggressive drumming. The genre emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest incorporating melodic elements into their music. The 1990s saw a rise in popularity of melodic metal with the emergence of bands such as In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and Soilwork, who pioneered the subgenre known as melodic death metal.
Some of the most popular bands in the melodic heavy metal genre include Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Avenged Sevenfold, and Children of Bodom. Iron Maiden, formed in 1975 in London, England, is often considered one of the pioneers of the genre with their use of harmonized guitars and operatic vocals. Judas Priest, formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England, is another influential band in the genre, known for their use of twin lead guitars and powerful vocals.
Avenged Sevenfold, formed in 1999 in California, United States, is a more recent band that has gained a large following with their use of both clean and harsh vocals, intricate guitar work, and diverse musical influences. Children of Bodom, formed in 1993 in Finland, is another notable band in the genre, known for their blend of melodic death metal and power metal elements.
There are several radio stations that specialize in playing melodic heavy metal, including Metal Devastation Radio, Metal Express Radio, and Metal Only. These stations feature a mix of classic and contemporary bands in the genre, along with news, interviews, and other programming related to the heavy metal scene. Melodic heavy metal continues to evolve and attract new fans, with many bands pushing the boundaries of the genre and incorporating new elements into their music.
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