Industrial Metal

Industrial metal is one of the “metal” kinds that arose in the late 1980s. Industrial metal emphasizes the distorted sound of electric guitars processed in an “industrial” manner, while ordinary industrial is centered on a blend of experimental music, punk, and dance electronics (primarily thanks to electronics, digital sound design, etc.).

Some bands use electric guitars to make heavy metal riffs, while others physically abuse the instrument to make the harshest, roughest sounds possible.

In any case, industrial metal is much more aggressive than traditional industrial, which makes it appealing to metal and alternative artists who are used to the harsh guitar sound.

Industrial metal is always harsh and focused on fear. It shows a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world through thick walls of noise, whether the anger is directed at the individual or at society as a whole.

Incorporating death, doom, and black metal into industrial music, the artists do not reject melodic riffs — “hooks”, melodized vocal parts (even if they are unrecognizably dissected by distortion), basic chorus and couplet patterns, hypnotic rhythms, etc.

Industrial metal bands are still the most uncompromising type of “alternative” music because they make industrial ideas popular.

Other artists with an industrial focus are more concerned with the aesthetic aspects of the activity (Marilyn Manson and others). The Ministry were the first band to popularize industrial metal in the late 1980s, pioneering its signature sound of relentlessly repeated pounding guitar riffs, electronics, samples, and distorted vocals.

However, only NIN, because of Trent Reznor’s knack for catchy melodies and the variety of his work, broke into the public with their songs in the early 1990s.