Symphonic Metal

Heavy metal music that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitars of metal with elements of orchestral classical music, such as symphonic instruments, choirs, and sometimes a full orchestra, or just keyboard orchestration.

Workstation keyboards and orchestras are often a key feature of the style, distinguishing symphonic from non-symphonic bands within the same metal subgenre. Other instruments including guitars, bass, and drums may at times play relatively simple parts in contrast to the complex and nuanced keyboard or orchestral parts. Bands that do not use live orchestral instruments typically utilize factory presets on workstation keyboards (strings, choirs, pianos, pipe organs) to conjure up a pseudo-orchestral sound.

Songs are often highly atmospheric and even upbeat; those with morbid themes routinely feature prominent major-key fanfares. Symphonic metal bands with classically trained vocalists are sometimes called opera metal and often feature a female soprano. There is sometimes a second, male vocalist, as is also common in gothic metal. Growling, death-metal-style vocals are not unknown, but are used less frequently. 1985–    .