100 Greatest Symphonic Metal Bands

Symphonic Metal is a heavy metal subgenre that is characterized with elements of complex time signatures of guitar, drums, bass and keyboards. Varied elements of orchestral classical music are incorporated in song structure.

The Symphonic Metal Sound and Classically Trained Female Singers

Vocalists in symphonic metal are known for their wide vocal range. A number of symphonic metal bands feature operatic vocals that have become an integral part of symphonic musical structure. The complex musical structure of symphonic metal is rooted in classical music. Over the years a number of symphonic bands have emerged with classically trained female singers. With the trend

of classically trained vocalists emerging, symphonic metal has also branched forms such as operatic metal or opera metal. Female singers associated with Symphonic metal and operatic metal are listed below.

Tarja Turunen
Floor Jansen
Simone Simmons
Lori Lewis
Sharon den Adel
Vibeke Stene
Liv Kristine
Dianne van Giersbergen
Ailyn
Melissa Ferlaak
Heidi Parviainen
Manuela Kraller
Anette Olzon
Lisa Middelhauve
Alissa White- Gluz
Charlotte Wessels
Elisa Martin
Amanda Somerville

How Symphonic Metal Came into Being

The roots of symphonic metal are traced in the 80s, when few bands in the gothic metal genre and early death metal genre started experimenting with sectional changes in metal compositions. This breakdown of a long song structure in small parts to develop into a concept or theme paved the way for symphonic metal to come into its own.

The band Therion is credited to having laid the foundation for symphonic metal by incorporating classical compositional techniques and live orchestral elements in their music. Believer a thrash metal band from the United States came up with a song called ‘Dies Irae’. This song which appeared on the Sanity Obscure album is considered one of the earliest symphonic metal songs. A number of symphonic metal bands influenced by power metal and progressive metal came to light by the mid 90s. Post 2000, operatic vocals of classically trained female singers has become a staple in symphonic metal bands.

Symphonic Metal Influences and Themes

Symphonic metal is influenced greatly by early gothic metal and power metal. The song structure of songs in symphonic metal is often built around orchestral composition. Intricate keyboard passages, double bass drum parts, complex guitar solos, solid bass and wide range vocals form the identity of symphonic metal bands.

Furthermore, it’s the lyrical themes in symphonic metal that take the listener on a journey of mythical fantasies and mythological dreamscapes. A lot of progressive elements form the focal point of symphonic metal songs. Like in progressive metal, symphonic metal too brings conceptual imagery in musical parts. The musical structure of certain symphonic metal bands has been often described as ‘epic’

Operatic Voices in Symphonic Metal

A number of symphonic metal bands fronted by female vocalists showcase operatic vocals in songs. Bands that feature operatic voices or perform metal operas are associated with ‘operatic symphonic metal’. While high pitched voices are a common feature in symphonic metal, it is not surprising to come across vocalists that perform signature death growls. Symphonic metal bands are known for being musically diverse without divulging from melodic structure of songs. The element of dirge and romanticism is aesthetically encompassed in ballads that feature operatic vocals accompanied with acoustic instruments. Symphonic metal songs are known for their theatrical buildup in accordance with musical structure forming thematic lyrical interpretations.

Crossover Symphonic Metal

Over the years the term ‘symphonic metal’ is used as an umbrella term to describe any metal band doing songs with orchestral or symphonic elements. A number of progressive metal bands and power metal bands that have symphonic or orchestral elements in their music are associated with symphonic metal.

Generically the term is used with a number of crossover metal bands that have incorporated

diverse orchestral soundscapes in their music. In the late 90s, several Avant-garde metal bands were associated with symphonic metal because of their classical musical structure in compositions. Symphonic metal has evolved a great deal, and the days ahead will see this metal subgenre emerge in new light, perhaps in mainstream

The space below showcases a list of the best symphonic metal bands. The list includes symphonic black metal, symphonic power metal and symphonic progressive metal bands.

If you are a symphonic metal buff, you will have something to say. Feel free to have your say in the comments section.

100 Greatest Symphonic Metal Bands