Keyboards in R&M: Like or Dislike?

[Leper]

I just wanted to get some others' opinions of Keyboards in Rock and Metal. I guess it works for some bands (the Doors, Yes, Pink Floyd..) and not for others (pretty much every metal band). Tell me what you think.

[Illmatic]

Nothing is manlier than a mean set of keyboards.

[Steerpike]

and not for others (pretty much every metal band)

... Wow. I'm trying really hard not to flame you for such an ignorant statement, but it's not easy.

[ArcLite]

You said it yourself, some bands it works in, others it doesn't(or wouldn't). Personally I love it in bands where it works.

[Slaytanic777]

It is a very welcome addition to bands such as Slipknot and Mushroomhead... I think it works great for 'em.

[Leper]

... Wow. I'm trying really hard not to flame you for such an ignorant statement, but it's not easy.

Ya i guess it was a little ignorant now that i think about it..no bands came to mind at the time, that's all.

[Hammerheart]

Ya i guess it was a little ignorant now that i think about it..no bands came to mind at the time, that's all.

Then it's apparent you don't listen to metal, other than maybe thrash..

[Berner]

Ya i guess it was a little ignorant now that i think about it..no bands came to mind at the time, that's all.Kalmah
Norther
Children of Bodom
Dimmu
Emperor
Dream Theater
Unexpect
In Flames
Finntroll
Dark Tranquility

The list goes on and on.

[Steerpike]

I'm siding with Trym. It seems you really need to broaden your horizons.

[Zmev]

Whats not to like?

[Steerpike]

Kalmah
Norther
Children of Bodom
Dimmu
Emperor
Dream Theater
Unexpect
In Flames
Finntroll

The list goes on and on.

More names for the list.

Helloween
Rhapsody
Nightwish
Edguy
Lost Horizon
Stratovarius

I know there's more I'm forgetting...

[Leper]

Then it's apparent you don't listen to metal, other than maybe thrash..

That's pretty much the case actually. :lol:

[Leper]

Ok, lets start over, what do you guys think of the use of Keyboards in rock and metal, because it has recently come to my attention that it works in both. :lol:

[Riva]

DragonForce
Black Metal has a whole (mostly)

[unComfortablyNumb]

I think it's more dependent on the songs rather than the bands. There are times when keyboards can enhance a song, but other times bands use them too haphazardly and it doesn't work.

[Brrhn]

Symphony X

[Leper]

I think it's more dependent on the songs rather than the bands. There are times when keyboards can enhance a song, but other times bands use them too haphazardly and it doesn't work.

I agree. I've noticed at times that some in some songs the keyboard just tends to get on my nerves.

[Devil Inferno]

Dream Theater, Sonata Arctica, Straovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen.

Most Power metal and black metal bands.
Some Melo Death.

[SilenceNOmorE]

Yes, we have all read the grand list, and i'm sure there's many more bands (did anybody mention Rush? what about NIN?), now can we have some opinions?

IMO, I think the use of keyboards in rock and metal by a skilled keyboardist can be very tasty.

[Leper]

Van Halen :thumb: ..the intro to Jump has got to be one of the most famous Keyboard riffs ever.

[Grey Incision]

/is listening to stream of consciousness by dream theater

yep, it works

[DekWannaBFlea]

Yes has one of the best keyboardists i have ever heard. Wakeman is amazing.

[Riva]

Richard Wright and Jon Lord are my favourite Rock keyboardists ever.

[RunAmokRampant]

Flake from rammstein. they always have good keyboard/sample parts.

[StreetlightRock]

Love.... most of the time anyway.

DVG.

[clown_phobia]

The Doors and even moreso Pink Floyd used keyboards excellently. Other than that, I'm not sure.

[I'mhungryForASandwich]

I just wanted to get some others' opinions of Keyboards in Rock and Metal. I guess it works for some bands (the Doors, Yes, Pink Floyd..) and not for others (pretty much every metal band). Tell me what you think.
I think you nailed it.

(I agree with you)

[Wo@lcan]

Like it most of the time... some times not...

[sakic73]

I'm a big fan of the keyboards, bands that I like that have good keyboards include: Faith No More, Rammstein, Dragonforce and Van Halen.

[Josh]

depends what you like, IMO keyboards work really well in:
Children of Bodom
Dragonforce
Dream Theater
Black Sabbath www.black-sabbath.com and look at lineups if you dont agree
Pink Floyd

[Sep]

I like it in most bands, especially HORSE The Band. :)

[Sgt._Joker]

only when its harmonising the guitars, and bass, not when the guitars and bass are hamonising the keyboard,

[RideTheSpiral]

Most bands I listen to use keyboards.

[the2stranger]

I love keyboard in R&M
keyboards are just the finshing touch.
keyoboards make a band's sound unique

[metal_sandwich]

For me it really depends on how bad-*** you want your music to be. I mean imagine Slayer with keyboards, it wont really work right. I guess keyboard kind of tone down the music.

[ArcLite]

For me it really depends on how bad-*** you want your music to be. I mean imagine Slayer with keyboards, it wont really work right. I guess keyboard kind of tone down the music.

Rubish, you can still have brutal songs with keys in them. Children of Bodom? For some reason I don't find them "toned down" the the keys.

[LarsAgi007]

I know that song, Fountains of Wayne - Stacys Mom, has a very annoying keyboard in it lol

[Hitroshimite]

Like.

Very much like.

[shamed-angel]

Rubish, you can still have brutal songs with keys in them. Children of Bodom? For some reason I don't find them "toned down" the the keys.
But you can't deny that the keyboards make parts of their songs upbeat and quirky. eg. Black Widow, Hate me, Children of Decadence.

[Deth]

As long as it's used with taste and the keyboardist can actually play well, then yes, I love it.

[Steerpike]

But you can't deny that the keyboards make parts of their songs upbeat and quirky. eg. Black Widow, Hate me, Children of Decadence.

Quirky is good. Makes it stand out.

[Separate]

Keyboard is cool.

[Dancin' Man]

I hate power metal keys for the most part. I really dislike what sounds like guitar solos played on keys. I do on the other hand very much like what is more like a real piano part. Then there are bands like HORSE the Band who just make me laugh.

[thickasabrick]

I like most of the use of keyboards in rock. Emerson Lake and Palmer was the first that came to my mind. Very progressive keyboard playings, and the guys were a bunch of musical genius's. Listen to The Endless Enigma to understand what I mean.

Boston has really good keyboards as well, so does Steve Miller band in some of their songs. And The Beatles.

Other than that...most of the more obvious ones have been named.

[metal-militia]

I think some bands wouldn't sound as good without keyboards, so i guess i like it in some bands, but not all.

[Daywalker]

I dig it:thumb:

[3rdplanet]

They can work wonders when used well.

[LeperAffinity]

I love it, especially when it's used to complement a song. Be it black metal, prog metal, or what have you, for the most part it always works amazingly. It can add a whole new level to a song.

[theramed toothpaste]

what exactly do they play when theyre not playing on there own e.g. when the guitar riffs playing??

(sorry for not knowing anything)

[shamed-angel]

Quirky is good. Makes it stand out.
Quirky is not brutal! That's what I was saying!

[B0nz0]

my favorite keyboardists in rock
Ray Manzareck - The Doors
Rick Wakeman - Yes
Keith Emerson - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
John Lord - Deep Purple
Billy Preston - The Beatles (not an official member, he did all their studio keyboard work)

[PepsiMetal]

If keyboardist is good and uses the keyboard good, then it adds purity to music. Although some newer bands are using keyboard just to look better and to look like they can play more instruments. That's pretty bad imo... But usually the most instruments, the better and more diverse/unique the music will be.

[kmarcher87]

Anyone know Tony Banks of Genesis? One of the most brilliant keyboardists ever.

[Cain]

Anyone know Tony Banks of Genesis? One of the most brilliant keyboardists ever.'

Too bad his ego made that brilliance completely muddy and mask the even more brilliant and innovative guitarwork of Steve Hackett.

[Flynn]

Children Of Bodom have some cool keyboards, I like that a lot, it fits their music perfectly.

[tehbuttesecks]

lol no one mentioned opeth.

[Steerpike]

Question: why was this thread bumped? It's nearly a year old.

[Xspeeder]

I just wanted to get some others' opinions of Keyboards in Rock and Metal. I guess it works for some bands (the Doors, Yes, Pink Floyd..) and not for others (pretty much every metal band). Tell me what you think.

Most good metal comes from keyboards nowadays. All the original or highly exciting music includes keyboard atompsheric music. Lets take black metal, alot of bands use keyboards. Lets take gothic metal, symphonic metal, most uses keyboards (less gothic but for symphonic you need th orchestration). For power metal, most bands nowadays use keyboards, melodic death bands use keyboards in a lot of their music too. and frankly the bands that use keyboards are some of my favorites such as kalmah, (the new album totally owns, yet I liked thier older styles better) skyfire, every power metal band :D. ah too much to name. you must be a 80's metalhead or something.

[Cain]

Question: why was this thread bumped? It's nearly a year old.

Bumping isn't a big deal if the user has something constructive to add.

EDIT: Lepermessiah was a brand-new user at the time of this thread, hence the silly remarks in the opening. I wouldn't take it as his opinion anymore.

[Steerpike]

Bumping isn't a big deal if the user has something constructive to add.

It just seemed kind of weird to me.

[TheDMV]

Nothing is manlier than a mean set of keyboards.

Except for a Keytar.

[Against Miik!]

I like, especially when its the Hammond b3 variety.

[Seed Awakening]

Except for a Keytar.

Yeah. Keytars are straight up gangsta!

Porcupine Tree use keyboards well.

[Flynn]

lol no one mentioned opeth.


I didn't care for the Keyboards on Ghost Reveries that much. They seemed out of place to me.

[TojesDolan]

Yeah, I suppose they give a certain layer of depth to the music or something like that. All the bands mentioned are OK.

[Seed Awakening]

I didn't care for the Keyboards on Ghost Reveries that much. They seemed out of place to me.

I liked some of the keyboards on Ghost Reveries. But the first riff of Beneath the Mire always seems cheesy to me, like it would be played in an evil circus or something. I think by the next album they'll be better and more developed though.

Like any instrument, keyboards can be used well or badly.

[Flynn]

I liked some of the keyboards on Ghost Reveries. But the first riff of Beneath the Mire always seems cheesy to me, like it would be played in an evil circus or something. I think by the next album they'll be better and more developed though.

Like any instrument, keyboards can be used well or badly.


Excactly. I think after touring and once they get settled, the keyboards will be more thought out in their songs.

[Lunch]

Keith Emerson is amazing.

[^Dream~Theater^]

I dont know if I could handle half the bands I listen to without their keyboards...Definately a MUST!

[Moses]

I love keyboards/piano in metal. Right now I have a band that I play keyboards in actually. I whore it alot but I think it's appropriate here.

http://www.myspace.com/spindrift000

[PepsiMetal]

Most power metal bands have keyboards. Except hammerfall. :)

But yea, if it works, it's good, if it doesn't, then no.

[deathscreamingsheep]

Keyboards rock. I love adding keyboard effects in both rock and metal. It really adds to the music and also can provide an incredible range of sound effects. Add a sampler and for me I'm in creative heaven as I play with all the sound settings and stuff.

[gillygan]

... Wow. I'm trying really hard not to flame you for such an ignorant statement, but it's not easy.


123

The keyboards in skyfire are incredibley awsome :thumb:

Edit: O yes Dark Tranquility and In Flames have awsomeley awsome keys too.

[temporary]

I like, especially when its the Hammond b3 variety.

Yeah, Jon Lord on the Hammond makes for some of the best music to come out of any keyboard instrument.

[i am the robots]

Odin's Forest (http://www.myspace.com/odinsforest1)
They would be nothing without keys.

[Shadows]

Without keyboards in metal, I wouldn't have the avatar that I do now.

[Ladyshredder126]

my favorite 'keyboard bands' are stratovarius and kansas.
keyboards can add a lot to a song as long as theyre not overdone.

[King B]

Flake from rammstein. they always have good keyboard/sample parts.

Plus he's a real good dancer.

[pohl_56]

Van Halen :thumb: ..the intro to Jump has got to be one of the most famous Keyboard riffs ever.

Dont forget RIGHT NOW. I love that song.

[G_Mac07]

How have Arcturus managed to not be mentioned in this thread?!

Sverd has created some beautiful pieces, and they blend perfectly with what the rest of the band is doing. Listen to the intro to Star Crossed (or the whole Sham Mirrors album) for an example of his greatness.

[Riva]

Yeah, Jon Lord on the Hammond makes for some of the best music to come out of any keyboard instrument.

Jon Lord is why I started playing keyboard.

[penelope weird hands]

I like keys in both rock and metal, of course (as said before), only if used wisely.

I think whats great about it in metal is how it can add so much more to the old Em key.
Even if the guitars are just chugging and repetitive it can add a whole new dimension to that part in a song.
Then when the guitars are doing something fantastic it can just sit back and add haunting tones.

Kalmah, I think, would be a good example.

And to add, noone can go past a kickass keys solo. ;}

[Leukeh]

I like keyboards... they sound cool, if they're not overused.

[Werny]

How have Arcturus managed to not be mentioned in this thread?!

Sverd has created some beautiful pieces, and they blend perfectly with what the rest of the band is doing. Listen to the intro to Star Crossed (or the whole Sham Mirrors album) for an example of his greatness.

Collapse Generation and Nightmare Heaven are my favourite tracks for awesome Sverd keys! Oh and La Masquerade Infernale, Ad Astra, Fall of Man, Thou Who Dwellest In The Night... I could go on.

One of my favourite songs for keyboard is Like Gods of the Sun by My Dying Bride. And also Ye Entrancemperium by Emperor, of course.

[Lupus]

Never really liked the tone of any keyboard or keyboard-like instrument, apart from the occasional organ.

[G_Mac07]

Collapse Generation and Nightmare Heaven are my favourite tracks for awesome Sverd keys! Oh and La Masquerade Infernale, Ad Astra, Fall of Man, Thou Who Dwellest In The Night... I could go on.

Nightmare Heaven is my favourite Arcturus track, hence the user title. I definately prefer Sverd's work on La Masquerade Infernale and The Sham Mirrors to what he did on Aspera Hiems Symfonia though.

[JausmetalJ]

Jon Lord is just amazing.

AMAZING

I cant believe the solo he put together for Burn. About 4 mins 24 seconds.

But I love keyboards in metal and rock.

[Josh]

omg i posted in this thread nearly a year ago. anyhow, i still love keyboards in metal, at the moment i'm on a bit of a Symphony X binge, i've been listening to them all day because they're so awesome. the keyboard / guitar solo trade-offs are just amazing, IMO no other band really does it as well.