4 Sub Genres of Music We Bet You Don’t Even Realise You’re Listening to

Genres

Thanks to the rise in digital technologies such as YouTube and Spotify, we’re now living in a day and age where we’re being exposed to more new music and sub genres than ever before! 

Whether we’re sat in the car with the radio, listening to your favourite playlist at work, or even singing in the shower (or screaming depending on your taste of music!) to your favourite artist; you wouldn’t believe how much music we’re listening to on a daily basis, with the average Brit listening to 3,500 songs a year! Saying this, it’s unfortunate that some genres get little to no air time on various media outlets. Here’s a small showcase of sub genres that commonly get overshadowed but are definitely worth a listen!

Horrorcore

The world of Hip-Hop has become bigger than ever with artists such as Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne and Childish Gambino all making hit albums and the iconic influencers of yesteryear, such as NWA, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G still being felt by a new generation. Whilst the rap game is living the highlife, the sub genre that is Horrorcore has been festering in the darkest depths. Made famous by acts such as Flatlinnerz and Gravediggaz, Horrorcore mixes the aggression of Hardcore Rap with unsettling themes you would find in a horror film whether they be supernatural or slasher like in nature. If your fan of metal but could never get into Hip-hop this will very likely appeal to you as usually it they feature lyrics very similar to what you find in extreme metal genres such as Death Metal hence the nickname ‘Deathrap’. if you ever wondered what Freddy Kruger would sound like as an MC look no further!

Check out ‘The Pre-Fix Of Death’ by Necro!

Artists that perform the genre: Necro, Gravediggaz, Ho9909, Flatlinerz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Tech N9ne.

Power Metal

Ahh the world of metal is a vast and growing entity found on all continents and is arguably the most diverse of any musical genre (have I pointed out I’m a big metal fan by the way?). Whether that be ferocious speed of Thrash Metal, The bleak darkness that is Black Metal or various regional variants of folk metal from around the globe. However, if you want songs about flying on dragons with swords and epic story’s then Power metal is the one for you! Usually having singers that can sing extremely high notes with a composition of instruments that could be argued as on par with a full blown orchestra. Arguably influenced by the first wave of British heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, the genre has since flourished and evolved to create chronicles for many lucky fans to see!

Check out ‘Twilight Of The Gods’ by Blind Guardian!

Riot Grrrl

One theme that often rears its head in music is that of rebellion which often includes pointing a big middle finger to the man! A particularly catchall term for the genre came down in the form of Riot Grrrl, which took to a whole new level proving to all the boys that if they can do it… girls can too! Forming in Washington from fanzine writers around the same time that bands such as Nirvana were making it big on radio and TV; the Riot Grrrl movement was making leaps of its own. Tackling issues that weren’t discussed with their raw sound and strong message saying they weren’t gonna take any **** anymore!

Check out ‘Rebel Girl’ by Bikini Kill

Artists that also play this genre: Bratmobile, Heavens To Betsy, Lucid Nation, Excuse 17, Skinned Teen.

Two-Tone

Question… what do you get when you mix the fast past of Punk and the beat that you would find in Ska? Well back in the 1980s it would be none other then Two-Tone! Named after the record company of the same name which is run by Jerry Darmers who also founded The Specials (one of the lead bands in the genre). The genre would inevitably influence the third wave of Ska in America which includes bands such as The Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Reel Big Fish even though the genre itself never left the UK with Mods and Rude Boys being its fan base. Who knows though..maybe the man in the black suit will come back to skank again.

Check out ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials.

Artists that perform the genre: The Specials, Bad Manners, Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers.

Obviously this is an extremely small snippet of the world of music at large and i for one would love to do more of these so if you think there is a genre i missed please let me know what genre you wish would have more of mainstream appeal!

This is only a tiny snippet of the broad world of music! Are there any sub genres that you think should be included on this list, or even added to a new list? Let me know what you think by reaching out to me on Facebook!

Written by Dan Manley

Love for all things heavy, Dan is a big fan of the metal scene! Keep an eye out at your local festival, you see a man in a Vocalzone Tee, chances are it's Dan Manley! Endorsements Co-Ordinator at VZ