Brutal+Death+Metal

toc Brutal Death Metal is a genre of music evolved from the popular genre of Heavy Metal. Brutal Death Metal is an evolving genre with many bands touching on its core elements. Though a more underground genre, it still exists and continues to grow everyday.

=**History**=

= = To be blunt, //Black Sabbath// began Heavy Metal. //Venom// laid the fundamental blueprints for Death Metal vocals and lyrics while //Slayer//'s //Reign In Blood// contributed in the instrumental aspects. Thus Death Metal was spawned. Brutal Death Metal infuses a number of core elements surrounding Death Metal and pushes them to the extreme. The musicianship is key where as each instrument must be pushed to its limit in terms of the skill possessed by each artist. Death Metal requires a great deal of skill, where as Brutal Death Metal demands even more. Many consider //Suffocation// with their 1991 release of //Effigy of the Forgotten// to be the first example of Brutal Death Metal.

=**What Makes Death Metal Brutal?**=

= = Lyrics in either genre can range from somewhat dark and void to all full out repulsively inappropriate. Many center on an anti-religion theme. And there are even religious Brutal Death Metal bands. That is not to say there is are derrogatory or discriminatory points being made. That is not the case at all. Lyrics only put emphasis on the positivity involved with the lack of religion. Though there are some artists that compare the benefits of Satanism in relation to Christianity, they are not as common as many might think. Vocals range from yells and grunts to pig-squeals. They are commonly referred to as "guttural" since they do eminate from the lower regions of the lungs and stomach, not the throat.

Guitars in this genre range in styles and tunings. Some bands incorporate the use of 7-string guitars. All Brutal Death Metal has a great deal of distortion. However, these slight variations can be tweaked more so using specific equipment and production techniques. Because a live performance is essential for any Death Metal band, equalizers, pedals, amplifiers, cabinets and rack-mounted equiptment can be used to further transform sound in to an exhaustive sonic assault. Bass guitars are quite similiar but rarely have distortion. This would eliminate the "punch" from the bottom end and replace it with a more "fuzzy" sound. They range from 4-6 strings and are typically played in standard tuning. Bass lines can range from simplistic repeitive notes to a scatterred fury of fingerwork comparable to a professional symphony.

The drum techniques used in this genre resemble a punishing exercise and require a tremendous amount speed, endurance, skill, rhythm and flow. Drums are usually the second most prominent force in a song next to guitars, followed by bass and then vocals. Drums usually have their bass turned up as it is an important element in all things Metal. They are played with double-bass drums or pedals for maximum speed. These are what many would call, "floods". Similiarily, "blastbeats" also occur a great deal depending on the band and range in speed: from fast to ultra-fast. A "blastbeat" is a continious hit of the snare while also hitting a cymbol and bass drum. Though the timings of each may change, the continious snare hit at a fast rate of speed signifies that it is a "blastbeat". A pattern, also common in many punk genres. Drums in Brutal Death Metal may also use what are known as "triggers". These are electronic devices attached to specific parts of the kit that, when hit or "triggered" send an eletrical impulse to a module or "brain" which then in turn sends out an audio signal to the PA system or where ever the kit's microphones are connected to. A trigger basically allows the drummer to hit the drum at any force while still having the same exact sound come out. This is mainly meant for snare, and bass drums as they are hit the fastest, resulting in a loss of force.

=**Analysis**=

= = It is a genre of music similiar to other extreme music genres. It is over the top and cliche but that just makes it harder to get in to - which may be the point of it. Underground status is a good thing to fans of genre. That way outside forces are less likely to taint talent because to most people, it is not viewed as talent. The gore and inappropriate content, keep the genre from mainstream radio and commercial play. Cannibal Corpse may be one exception as they have appeared in the major hollywood blockbuster - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iv3HqRJP3w with their hit song, "Hammer Smashed Face". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNgv6qaw7Kc But songs with titles such as Gorgasm's, "Stabwound Intercourse" as just a typical example, it is title that restricts the songs from mainstream appeal. =**Brutal Death Metal Bands & Artists**=

Mainstream
= =
 * [| Cannibal Corpse]
 * [| Cryptopsy]
 * [| Decapitated]
 * [| Decrepit Birth]
 * [| Deeds of Flesh]
 * [| Deicide]
 * [| Disgorge (U.S.)]
 * [| Dying Fetus]
 * [| Gorgasm]
 * [| Gorguts]
 * [| Hate Eternal]
 * [| Nile]
 * [| Origin]
 * [| Severed Savior]
 * [| Skinless]
 * [| Suffocation]
 * [| Unmerciful]
 * [| Vile]
 * [| Vital Remains]
 * [| Vomit Remnants]
 * [| Zyklon]

Independant
>
 * [|Extremis Invictus] (Ottawa-based Technical Death Metal)

=**Brutal Death Metal Record Labels**=

Mainstream
= =

Independant

 * [| Relapse Records]
 * [| Unique Leader Records]
 * [| Century Media]
 * [| Earache Records]
 * [|Metal Blade Records]