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Stephen F. Austin State University

MODES IN HEAVY METAL MUSIC

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Modality is quite commonplace in heavy metal music, including some of the less common modes such as Phrygian and Locrian. This thesis provides musical examples and analyses of heavy metal music based on theories of scholars such as Brett Clement and Nicole Biamonte and demonstrates how modes are used in conjunction with other musical elements such as meter, tempo, instrumentation, and timbre to paint the text and color the sound. The primary focus of repertoire is selected works from the 1970s and early ’80s by early metal pioneers Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and Scorpions. Other brief examples from Metallica, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Iron Maiden demonstrate the influence of these groundbreaking works on later generations and the resulting widespread use of modality throughout the metal genres. The study also explores how the harmonic functions of modes differ from harmonic functions found throughout the Common Practice Period and argues how uncommon modes such as Locrian have legitimate functionality within a heavy metal setting.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Music
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
School of Music
Year dc:date.available
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Young, Richard W, Jr.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Samantha Inman
  • Dr. Stephen Lias
  • Dr. Alexander Amato

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/539
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1586

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Stephen F. Austin State University
Base URL
scholarworks.sfasu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Young, Richard W, Jr.. MODES IN HEAVY METAL MUSIC. Thesis thesis, 2024. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/539