Question about Symphonic Rock and Symphonic Metal

Dean and Ivan expressed it best in their posts. Symphonic Metal is the term givin to bands that combine pop/power/goth metal with orchestration, either MIDI or on occaision a real orchestra. Most of these bands arent remotely prog but there are a few exceptions (most notably Epica). As Ivan said, Symphonic Rock is the same deal but Symphonic Prog tends to be based around classical structures and techniques in the music rather than adding orchestration.

 

 

I think that this might make things more confusing than they are worth.

 

There are times when the description of a style of music ... ie Romantic period of music is where Beethoven belongs ... and there are times when I think the description is a bit off key.

 

The real definition of "metal" for all intents and purposes is the same notes as any other music ... what is the difference? One or two effects on the guitar ... absolutely nothing else ... so it is progressive because of one sound? Or it is metal, because of one Boss special effect?

 

In the end, it's like we're defining music by what/how it sounds, and basically if it has a couple of distortion, compression and a couple of other effects, it makes it "metal"?

 

Symphonic is another story. I think that a lot of groups want to color their music with a sound that you and I might consider a bit more orchestral, or symphonic sounding. Now, the same thing as above comes up ... a guitar has a raspy compressor and a couple of other effects box and because it has a couple of violins or strings from the IK Multimedia software in the background, now it is called "symphonic metal" ...

 

In the end, the best way not to confuse yourself, is to remember that the only difference, sometimes, between one and the other is an effect. If that is the case, it is my opinion that calling it a "style" because they use a compressor, flange and chorus, is really bad ... it's the same notes, but it doesn't sound heavy without those effects.

 

Now you have a problem, and one of the main reasons why a lot of musical schools do not credit a lot of rock music ... there is nothing innovative in it except an effect? ... and I would tend to agree that it does not music make, and is one of the reasons why "fads" or a lot of terminology is not a good thing.

 

I don't consider Dream Theater metal, any more than I do symphonic, or anything else ... Dream Theater is Dream Theater. Fates Warning is Fates Warning. Queensryche is Queensryche. It's not about a style or type of music simply because the guitar is "heavy" and a singer screams his heart out ... and I really think that we need to get past that ... or we might as well give up these discussions!

 

Calling something metal because the guitar has an effect. How about unplugging metal ... guess what ... it just died? At least I can tell you that the majority of prog music will NOT die, if it gets unplugged.

 

Please understand that ... it makes a great difference when it comes to music ... there should not be a musical style simply because of an effect or two, and we should get smarter than that. In the end, it's nothing but a commercial thing, trying to sell more ... and more ... and more ... and you don't know any better!