THE SOFTER SIDE OF HEAVY METAL

Pop quiz hot shot. You love your Heavy Metal any way you can get it, but your significant other is more mainstream and cannot enjoy it the same way you can and it has caused some unwanted tension in an otherwise unblemished relationship. What do you do? What do you do?

First, you excuse me for that obscure mid-90's movie reference. Next, you have to find a way to compromise, you want to spend time with the important person in your life but you don't want to have to sacrifice things that interest you, namely your metal. The first thing you have to do is drop your macho guard down a little and start to expand your repertoire outside your usual Metallica, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC palette.

Metal is so diverse that it almost has a hand in any other musical form and has influences from just about every other genre of music as well. Remember its roots came from Blues, Jazz, Rock and Classical (for more info on metals origins, check out the documentary Metal: A Headbangers Journey in the ForgeTube section of the site).

So, if you found yourself in this predicament or perhaps just want to listen to something new and expand your Metal library try these bands and artists on for size. There are many more groups or individual artists that could fit the bill as being on the lighter side, for now here's a taste. More artists will be added and reviewed on here as time goes by...


In the meantime, keep those horns up


METAL BANDS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT ON THE SOFTER SIDE:

1.APOCALYPTICA:
These Finnish musicians got their first bit of exposure playing Metallica covers (among others) on their four cellos. Completely instrumental, sometimes they team up with other artists to add drums, guitar or even vocals to their songs.
Cover of "One" by Metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JjQGt7WjK0
S.O.S. featuring Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WHEqpoADTY

2.HAGGARD:
These Germans originally started out as a Death Metal band, but then radically changed their style to include Progressive, Folk, and Doom Metal elements. They still incorporate guttural vocals, however, they do balance well with the operatic vocalist and orchestra.
Per Aspera Ad Astra "Through the hardships to the Stars" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ2Y9_MwiE8
All'inizio E La Morte
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKDrtq0dyZw

3. Lacuna Coil:
Italian gothic metal group, with harmonious balance of male and female lead singers, they've received some notoriety in part from the Guitar Hero series of games. The female lead singer, Cristina Scabbia has had many pair ups with various different groups and/or artists, a prime example being Apocalyptica, the first entry on this list.
Swamped
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly9E30Hc5pg
Closer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gFJogLJ_g
Megadeth:A Tout La Monde ft. Cristina Scabbia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn01nSG4cvU