Metal music has always been a special force within the music industry, with its own culture, intense energy, and themes of rebellion and empowerment. While video games may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of metal, the music has had a huge impact on the industry. Metal’s intensity, complexity, and thematic focus on power and emotion has fit well with many gaming titles.
We’re all familiar with the genre’s aggressive riffs, rapid tempos, and often dark themes. If you reflect on some of the video games you’ve played, you can probably see how that type of music would work well with the narratives in many games, helping to increase a player’s immersion and engagement with a title. Keep reading to learn about how the synergy between metal and gaming has made for some of the most memorable gaming experiences.
Thematic Synergy Between Metal Music and Video Games
While it may not be apparent at first glance, metal and video games often explore similar themes, including heroism, battles, and dark fantasy realms. Having these themes in common has made it easy for metal and video games to find common ground with metal soundtracks enhancing gameplay. You’ll find metal music in all types of games, even when you least expect it. Casino games are one of the best examples of this phenomenon.
In an online casino, you’ll often find games, like slots accompanied by metal music or even dedicated to a group. While table games like blackjack online typically don’t have a soundtrack, some players may listen to this musical genre as motivation before a game or even as they play. As they do the mental calculations and focus on getting a value as close to 21 as possible without going over so they can beat the dealer, metal music can help some stay focused on the task.
Outside of the casino game arena, you can see it in AAA games like the Doom series, which uses metal music in its intense combat settings, helping to create a visceral experience for players. It’s the same in Brütal Legend, a game that is all about heavy metal culture and features a world with metal album art and lore. In these games, the metal music helps communicate the tension and urgency of the game to players.
The Impact of Metal’s Musical Characteristics
One reason metal works so well with video games is that it complements a lot of the scenarios found in video games. Metal music is known for its heavy guitar riffs, fast tempos, complex rhythms, and dynamic shifts, things that match up really well with combat sequences and boss battles. If you’ve ever played a game like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, you’ve experienced how this works, with the soundtrack’s aggressive metal tracks amplifying the game’s high-speed action. Doom Eternal does an impressive job of using metal compositions to match its gameplay. What makes it especially unique is how the tracks adapt to in-game events.
Iconic Composers and Metal Soundtracks
Several well-known composers have helped bring metal influences to video games. If you’ve played the Doom series, you’ve listened to Mick Gordon’s work. The Doom series is known for bringing together metal elements to create a soundscape that complements the game’s intensity. Andrew Hulshult is another composer who’s contributed to titles like Dusk and Quake Champions, crafting metal-inspired tracks that fit into the game. Live metal bands have also collaborated with game studios to make soundtracks that bring authenticity and depth to games.
Cultural Crossover Between Metal Fans and Gamers
There tends to be a lot of overlap between metal music lovers and gamers. As we mentioned earlier, these genres share several themes, and collaborations like metal-themed tours and in-game merchandise have brought the two cultures even closer. Games like Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast feature famous metal bands, giving gamers a chance to interact with their favorite music in video game format. Rhythm games that are centered on metal tracks give players an opportunity to celebrate both genres.
