Does Heavy Metal have much theory into it?

To try and sum up the answer in short...

ALL music has theory if you analylize it.

Personally I think metal is tedious and bitter. I know it requires some skill to play like that, but can you honestly tell me these bands are really coming up with beautiful novelties of chord progressions. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most metal songs written using power chords which technically aren't chords. If so, power chords don't even distinguish between major and minor because the 3rd is left out. So slap a solo using the tapping technique we've seen a million times onto those stale chords and you got yourself a hit!

Just my take, up for criticism :P

Well you don't have to play a strait root fifth, you can play a root flat 3 instead so yes you can have major / minor tonality using power chords.

sorry I'm not sure what you mean? what's root flat 3?

would that be like if you played a (say) A minor chord A+C as opposed to A+E or A+C+E?

Also, you can't tell me that you have the option of adding a 7th

Admit it, you guys just like the sound of the cranked up chaotic gained up overdrive :P

yep thats the one.

Originally Posted by: ScottMoneywould that be like if you played a (say) A minor chord A+C as opposed to A+E or A+C+E?

Also, you can't tell me that you have the option of adding a 7th

Admit it, you guys just like the sound of the cranked up chaotic gained up overdrive :P

you guys? only Metal uses overdrive?

Im pretty sure that alot of metal is based off of classical theory, but even if im wrong about that, its just a theory regardless. Its not called Music Law. So the rules are subject to change. If metal bands are not following conventional theory then they must be developing their own. Which would require a great deal of talent?

Originally Posted by: ScottMoneywould that be like if you played a (say) A minor chord A+C as opposed to A+E or A+C+E?

Also, you can't tell me that you have the option of adding a 7th

Admit it, you guys just like the sound of the cranked up chaotic gained up overdrive :P

Well, as we were talking about power-chords and as a 7th is an extended chord it is a bit like complaining that your guitar doesn't sound like a trumpet!!!

However if you apply a little imagination it becomes apparent that people have been using flattened seventh intervals in power chords for about a billion years. Use a sixth or flattened seventh interval in conjunction with the root note and BANG there you go ???

Try it, it is normally one of the first thing people learn on the guitar often referred to as a "little finger wagger" !! Referee to the works of such luminaries as Status Quo a la "Sweet Caroline" !!

And yes, Im not a big fan of HM however I do like the sound of a balls out Marshall and what wrong with that ?

If you want to check out some good metal players check out the late great Chuck S. from the band Death, Marty Freidman, ex Megadeath, and Andy Larouche (sp) from King Diamond. All very talented players who definetly have a great knowledge of theory. Im an old shredder so excuse this post if it sounds dated but, trust me these are some good players.