Melodic Death Metal

Hello, metalheads! During the past few weeks we have been talking about mainstream heavy metal subgenres. This week, we are going to dig back into underground heavy metal territory and talk about a variation of death metal known as melodic death metal. There are plenty of variations of death metal, but melodic death metal is more fleshed out and distinguished than most other types of death metal. 

Musically speaking, melodic death metal has the melodic qualities of bands that were a part of the NWOBHM, but the aggression of traditional death metal acts. The harmonic guitar lines and fast riffing of melodic death metal came specifically from the NWOBHM. Death metal influences are apparent through the intense drumming and heavily distorted guitars that are signature qualities of melodic death metal. The vocals of melodic death metal consist of death growls, clean vocals and harsh screaming. Some bands have been known to mix all of these styles together, but most melodic death metal groups only choose one or two of these vocal styles to incorporate into their music.  

Melodic death metal was pioneered in England and Scandinavia during the 1990s. The most notable band in this genre to come from England was, without a doubt, Carcass. Carcass started off as a grindcore group, but its legendary 1993 album Heartwork saw the group musically evolve into a melodic death metal band. Carcass only released one more album after Heartwork before breaking up. One of Carcass’s guitarists, Michael Amott, formed the band Arch Enemy after Carcass’s demise and has continued to evolve Carcass’s melodic death metal style through Arch Enemy’s records. 

In Scandinavia, the most famous melodic death metal bands came from Gothenburg, Sweden. Gothenburg was the area of the world where melodic death metal really thrived and gained popularity. At the Gates’ Slaughter of the Soul, In Flames’ The Jester Race and Dark Tranquillity’s The Gallery were the three most important albums associated with this scene, and are the foundation from which Scandinavian melodic death metal developed.

In Flames is arguably the most successful melodic death metal band to come from Gothenburg. The group changed its style in the early 2000s to incorporate strong alternative metal influences, and has reached an international mainstream audience. Many longtime fans have accused the band of selling out  due to this stylistic change. 

At the Gates broke up after the release of Slaughter of the Soul. Since then, the group’s members have gone on to perform with other metal groups, most notably The Haunted, Nightrage, Cradle of Filth and Paradise Lost. At the Gates recently reformed and has been playing reunion shows for the past couple of years.

Dark Tranquillity continued its underground success after The Gallery was released and is still around today. Dark Tranquillity has always been considered the least popular of the three major Gothenburg bands. However, the group has a very loyal fanbase that keeps it going. Stylistically, Dark Traunqillity’s music has changed, but this change is viewed by melodic death metal fans as more of an evolution, unlike In Flames’ recent musical endeavors.  

Today, melodic death metal has become more internationally practiced and the US now has a thriving melodic death metal scene. Nevertheless, the most iconic melodic death metal bands are still the ones who pioneered the subgenre.