Ten Underrated Music Genres (That Other Music Critics Ignore)
Hello, I'm Pat, and I read and watch YouTube videos from many different music critics, and I respect them a fair bit. Most of these critics cover a wide variety of genres, subgenres, subgenres of subgenres, microgenres, and subgenres of microgenres (if that's even possible), but as I was looking through top albums lists, I noticed that they have a tendency to ignore certain genres. This could be because they don't know about them, don't have much to say about them, or they just aren't to their taste, but whatever the reason is, these genres get swept under the rug a lot. Now, my tiny blog probably won't do much to fix that, but it never hurts to try.
Before I start the list, let me get some rules out of the way. One, these genres are in no particular order. Two, please don't comment anything along the lines of "why isn't x here? It's way more underrated than y!" This isn't a complete list of all the underrated genres. I'm not a music god (or a blogging god), I don't have time to go through each of the thousands of music genres and list off all of the underrated ones.
Got all that? If not, go back and read the first two paragraphs again. If so, keep reading, because you may just discover some new music. Let's start things off with...
Neoclassical Metal
If you listen to metal at all, you've probably heard of symphonic metal. However, a lot of people don't know that there's another metal/classical hybrid genre. That genre is neoclassical metal. One would think this would be more common knowledge considering Yngwie Malmsteen himself pioneered neoclassical metal, but alas, symphonic metal gets all the attention (it deserves a lot of it, but neoclassical metal still deserves better).
Anyway, neoclassical metal is a mix of heavy metal and classical (usually from the baroque period). It combines fast, heavy guitars with sweeping keyboard melodies. It borrows the decorative style of baroque-era classical music. Generally speaking, it's extremely uplifting and uses clean vocals - a bit like power metal with flashier guitar and keyboard playing.
Some notable acts in the scene include Yngwie Malmsteen, Dark Moor, Magic Kingdom, and Iron Mask (Note: Most of these are pretty obscure. Neoclassical metal isn't exactly a popular genre). The next genre is...
Dungeon Synth
This genre isn't as obscure. There's a YouTube channel with tens of thousands of subscribers dedicated solely to uploading dungeon synth albums. However, I still don't hear a lot of critics talking about it. That's a shame because this genre is a critical darling waiting to happen.
Basically, imagine a genre that combines the dark, cold feel of black metal with the peacefulness of ambient, all the while feeling like a film score without the film. If you can imagine that, you just imagined dungeon synth. This genre also has a million microgenres, including forest synth (Apoxupon), dino synth (Diplodaucus), and old-school dungeon synth (Casket of Dreams). The most notable of these is comfy synth (Grandma's Cottage), a happier version of dungeon synth.
Notable acts in the genre include Old Tower, Old Sorcery, Depressive Silence, and Secret Stairways. If you're a fan of dark ambient or cinematic classical, this genre is for you. Next up is...
Gothic Country
Gothic country is basically alternative country's evil twin. It has a darker, creepier sound than most country, and usually has violent, scary, or Halloween-themed lyrics. This entire genre is a list of Halloween classics waiting to be canonized. Seriously, people, can we make this genre popular and get some Halloween songs that aren't Thriller and The Monster Mash?
Anyway, some notable artists in this genre include The Coffinshakers, Angry Johnny and the Kilbillies, The Handsome Family, and 16 Horsepower. If you're as sick of country artists talking about the same topics over and over again as I am, check these artists out.
Cowpunk
Speaking of country-related genres that don't get enough credit, cowpunk. Cowpunk is a combination of country and punk. I fail to see why this genre doesn't get more attention, especially considering folk punk and Celtic punk have been huge in the punk scene for years. Also, punk icons Social Distortion are a part of it, so one would think that would get it some attention.
Cowpunk is one of the more melodic subgenres of punk. I know it sounds like a weird combination, but if you really think about it, it starts to make sense. Around the time that punk became a thing, the subgenre of country that was big was outlaw country. Outlaw country was all about rebelling against the status quo, much like punk.
It's a combination that works way better than most would expect. Notable acts in the genre include Social Distortion, The Gun Club, Nine Pound Hammer, and Meat Puppets. The next genre is...
Gothabilly
Gothabilly is a combination of post-punk and rockabilly. It's another genre full of Halloween songs that should be classics. It's kind of dark and creepy, but not to the point of sacrificing its sense of fun. It's the kind of music I would want to play at my Halloween party due to its horror-themed lyrics and dark yet danceable feel.
By the way, gothabilly is a subgenre of another amazing genre I'll be talking about later on this list. Those of you who are familiar with this genre probably know what I'm talking about, but for the rest, stick around to see what I'm talking about. Notable acts in the genre include Zombina and the Skeletones, Ghoultown, Zombie Ghost Train, and Devilish Presley. Now for the next genre...
Dark Folk
Dark folk is a subgenre of neofolk that is, well, dark. It's extremely relaxing due to it being folk, but it's also a bit gloomy and creepy-sounding. A lot of dark folk deals with dark topics such as depression. However, a lot of it also has pagan and nature themes.
Most of this genre is absolutely gorgeous. Notable acts in the genre include Woven Hand, The Moon and the Nightspirit, Ulver, and :Of the Wand and the Moon:. If you're a fan of folk music, check this out. Now onto...
Uplifting Trance
Uplifting trance is my favorite subgenre of trance. It just makes me happy. Every time it plays, I want to dance. To me, uplifting trance is the power metal of electronic music.
Basically, uplifting trance is a more melodic version of progressive trance. It has an extremely fast tempo and lots of melody. It's designed to make the listener happy and it does its job well. Notable acts in the genre include System F, Rank 1, Hiroyuki Oda, and Blank and Jones. If you need something to pick you up when you're feeling down, this is the genre for you. Now for...
Gypsy Jazz
Romani folk music as a whole is underrated, but I think combining it with jazz makes it even more underrated. Mainly because it sounds so much better. It's extremely catchy and upbeat, not to mention extremely creative. This is another genre that never fails to make me happy.
It makes me happy even when the lyrics creep me out. The band Caravan of Thieves, for example, spent their first two albums telling horror stories over bright, happy instrumentation. Most of the instrumentation consists of string instruments. The string instruments all sound great, too.
Notable acts in the genre include Django Reinhardt, Caravan of Thieves, The Rosenberg Trio, and Gabor Szabo. This is another genre for people who like happier music. If that's you, check this genre out. The next genre is...
Symphonic Death Metal
Symphonic death metal is easily the most underrated death metal subgenre. It's death metal with elements of opera. Basically, death metal meets symphonic metal. Anyone who tells you that music with harsh vocals can't be beautiful needs to get their head out of their ass and listen to this genre.
Musically, symphonic death metal is both brutal and melodic. The symphonic elements create so much swell that they actually add to the brutality. The vocals are usually growled and the lyrics are about the usual death metal topics of violence, anti-Christianity, and Satanism. It's just as dark and beautiful as dark folk, just in a less relaxing way.
Notable artists in the genre include Fleshgod Apocalypse, Septicflesh, Spawn of Possession, and Eternal Tears of Sorrow. This is yet another classical-influenced genre to check out if you're a metalhead, but it's on the opposite end of the metal spectrum than neoclassical metal. If you like the more extreme side of metal, this is for you. And finally, my favorite genre of all time.
Psychobilly
Yes, this is the genre that gave birth to the aforementioned gothabilly. Like dungeon synth and symphonic death metal, this genre is a bit more popular, but I still don't see a lot of critics talking about it. It's yet another genre to throw on at a Halloween party. It has spooky lyrics and extremely catchy instrumentation and melodies.
Basically, psychobilly is a mix of punk and rockabilly. It combines the aggression of the former with the catchiness of the latter. Its lyrics are inspired by another underrated genre called horror punk. The first psychobilly bands started in the 1980s, so this genre is a classic.
Notable acts in the genre include The Cramps, The Meteors, The Creepshow, Horrorpops, and Koffin Kats. Next time you throw a Halloween party, put some of these bands on your playlist.
And that's my list. I hope you enjoyed this list of genres and that you found something you like. I'm Pat, and I'm out.
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