How to Write a Death Metal Song
Death metal is a darker and more extreme sub genre of heavy metal music. Death metal, drawing influences from thrash metal, employs an atypical song structure. Growling vocals, heavy distortion, de-tuned guitars, and machine gun drumbeats are all characteristic of this genre. Moreover, death metal is a major contrast to mainstream music, and the songwriting process of this genre is highly unique.
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Instructions
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Compose a drumbeat. Create a tempo that is between 180 and 240 beats per minute. Utilize a double bass pedal and crash cymbal as much as possible. Use uncommon time signatures such as 10/4, 3/4, 7/4, 6/8, 9/8 and 10/8 as well as odd-numbered bar groupings for a more progressive sound. Go to the Drum Tracks website (See References) and listen to drum samples for ideas.
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Compose a bass riff over the drumbeat. De-tune the bass to give it a darker and heavier sound. Tune the low E string down two whole steps so that it is a C. Continue to de-tune the rest of the strings down one whole step. This is called drop C. Tremolo or rapidly pick the strings in a minor scale and use chromatic notes. Play to the time signature set by the drums. Use a pick and a distortion pedal for a clunky, heavier sound.
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Compose lead and rhythm guitar riffs over the drums and bass. De-tune the guitars to drop C as well. Utilize the highest distortion settings on your amplifier. Play in the same scale set by the bass and alternate between the root note and modes. Use power chords, octaves, and chord inversions. Go to the Guitar Master Class website (See References) for videos on death metal riffs.
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Compose lyrics to the music. Think of a theme such as mythology, anger, angst, darkness or politics. Write a structure that includes an introduction, verse, chorus and outro. Include at least one section that repeats so that the riffs are memorable. Employ deep growl sounds and high-pitched screams when singing the lyrics.
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Tips & Warnings
Record the drums with software and loop over sections while playing over it with bass, guitars and vocals.
Use a metronome if you do not have access to drums.
Listen to death metal songs for ideas and inspiration.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit guitar image by Bosko Martinovic from Fotolia.com
