4 styles
Music family
Symphonic, Gothic & Folk
Metal meets opera, gothic romance and folk instruments.
Symphonic metal adds orchestra and choir, gothic metal velvet romance and melancholy, folk metal fiddles, bagpipes and other folk instruments. This group suits fantasy, epics and worldbuilding best.
What they share
- Lots of non-metal instruments
- Female voices or choirs are common
- Strongly visual and narrative
How to choose
- Opera and orchestraSymphonic Metal
- Gothic romanceGothic Metal
- Taverns and folk instrumentsFolk Metal
- Morin khuur and throat singingMongolian Folk Metal
Starter prompt
Symphonic metal, 140 BPM, heavy guitars with full orchestra and epic choir, operatic female soprano, timpani, cinematic gothic fantasyA general starting point for this family; swap in a specific style’s keywords for sharper results.
Side by side
| Style | Era | BPM | Mood | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symphonic Metal | Late 1990s–present | 90–170 | Epic & vastDark & heavyMystic & ritual | Fantasy adventure · Battle & action |
| Gothic Metal | 1990s–present | 70–120 | Dark & heavyMelancholy & lonelyMystic & ritual | Horror & thriller · Romance |
| Folk Metal | 1990s–present | 120–180 | Epic & vastGroove & energyBright & sweetHype & thrill | Fantasy adventure · Party & dance floor |
| Mongolian Folk Metal | 2000s–present | 100–150 | Epic & vastMystic & ritualGroove & energy | Fantasy adventure · Battle & action |
All styles
- Symphonic Metal
Orchestra, choir and metal band together, turning heaviness into opera.
- Gothic Metal
Slow heavy metal draped in velvet, beautiful, romantic and touched by death.
- Folk Metal
Fiddles, bagpipes and folk melodies plus distorted guitars, an epic feast that turns into a tavern brawl.
- Mongolian Folk Metal
Horsehead fiddle, throat singing and distorted guitars gallop across the steppe; metal can carry wind and hoofbeats.