Music is such an important and influential part of everyday life and brings people together. There are 41 primary genres and 337 subgenres, every single type is unique and different from the others.
For those of you who are trying to listen to any type of metal music, there are a few bands that can help you with getting into this genre. “Korn” is always the first band that pops into my mind when I think of metal. They originated in Bakersfield, California in 1993 and introduced the nu-metal genre and created it into what it is today. Their popular songs “Freak On a Leash” and “Here To Stay” have received awards. The band has also been nominated for The Grammy Awards 8 times. The main lead vocalist, Johnathan Davis, is known for his “Adidas” tracksuit fashion on stage, “was about breaking the mold, man … it was about going against everything that metal was supposed to be.” was his explanation for not wearing the stereotypical attire for a metal band.
Another amazing nu-metal band is “Slipknot,” they have a similar music feel as Korn with their loud instruments and fry screams. They were formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995 by Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, and Paul Gray. Slipknot is well known for helping pioneer the nu-metal genre, their eye-catching image (their masks), loud and intense music, energy while performing, and their popular self-titled album. One of their most-known songs is “Psychosocial.”
There are plenty of bands that are in the metal genre that are mellowed down and not as intense. If you’re looking for something a bit toned down on yelling but still a bit loud, “System of a Down” would be a good option. Their music is a mix of nu and progressive metal. They formed in Glendale, California, in 1994 and are well known for their songs “Toxicity,” ”Chop Suey!” and “Lonely Day.” They were awarded a Grammy in 2006 for one of their other popular songs “B.Y.O.B.”
Entering the Reggae wave of music, this genre was born and made popular in Jamaica during the 1960s. Reggae preaches about love and peace, Bob Marley was the biggest reggae musician of all time. He sold over 20 million records before he passed away in 1981 from melanoma. He was awarded many accomplishments in his life, his biggest accomplishment being the first superstar from the “Third World.” Bob Marley no doubt paved the road for the famous reggae band “Sublime.”
Sublime is another famous reggae band from Long Beach California in 1988, most known for their popular songs “Santeria” and ”What I Got.” Some of their biggest accomplishments include winning “MTV Music Video” and “Award for Best Alternative Video.” The band separated in 1996 after the death of their lead singer, Bradley Nowell. In 2009, they decided they still wanted to play music, in memory of Bradly, this is when Rome Ramirez filled the role of the lead singer. The band still performs and tours today, with the new band name “Sublime with Rome.”
There are other bands that have multiple genres. “Twenty One Pilots” is a good example of this. I suggest that you take a listen, especially their “Vessel” album. When you search them up, you will find that they are categorized as hip hop, electropop, rap rock, indie pop, pop rock, and emo (early). If you dig deeper into this band, you’ll find that they perform and create music that is more than what is listed when you research them. Each one of their albums also has a mix of feelings and genres. They can go from the most upbeat tone to more sorrowful music. Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih first created the band in 2009, by 2011 Nick and Chris had both left the band. Since the split up, Josh Dun has filled the role of the drummer. It has been just the two of them since. Twenty One Pilots’ most famous songs are “Stressed Out,” “Ride,” “Chlorine,” “Heathens,” and “Tear In My Heart.” They have had many great accomplishments, most known for being awarded in the Grammy’s, while in their underwear.
