I like Slow Deep and Hard and World Coming Down from Type O Negative and probably a handful of other shit I don't remember but generally the forced "act" of a lot of metal usually turns me off (I guess like Type O for some reason regardless idk), like I've barely listened to Deafheaven but even Sunbather's vocals turned me off. Like I can be behind screaming for sure but when it's forcefully done in a metal style (in excess, it being done in a more reserved and masterfully utilized way is something I could be behind) that's when I begin to be turned off.
Ghost is the pinnacle metal for people who don't like metal bands. It successfully removes everything mildly offensive (and thus, interesting) from the music. Most songs have clean riffs and solos at least for part of them to attract as many casuals as possible, and the vocals are so wimpy and sterile that it could pass for pop. It even thematically manages to completely neuter metal by turning the anti-christian themes of many metal bands into a fucking joke. They live off a gimmick and a worse version of The Devil's Blood. If you're a complete pleb, spin them.
I got you senpai. Type O is kinda metal-not-metal because being heavy sometimes took a backseat to rich production, and songwriting by kids who grew up on the Beatles. So here's some stuff that's dark and on the periphery of metal, but focuses a lot on lush songwriting.
SubRosa - a doom/sludge inspired band that makes heavy use of violin (2 players) and centers around the singer/songwriter, who is proving herself to be really solid on composition. Female vocals so your mileage may vary. youtube.com/watch?v=MP20Lvxm5ks
Electric Wizard - the band that does the most to the keep fire of 70's style doom alive. There's a fair amount of variation in their albums over time, but it's all got the same heavy fuzz and instruments that fuckin' bury the vocals. youtube.com/watch?v=0xA_Qfj8ErY
Russian Circles - Instrumental. Flexible in that sometimes the bass carries the melody rather than the guitar. I kinda feel like these have stagnated in recent efforts. But when they're good, they're so fucking good. youtube.com/watch?v=Ma27diEPqB0
If any of this shit feels like it's hitting the mark for you, I can go a little further.
Evan James
Not criticizing the band at all, I've seen them live twice for heaven's sake, but they're definitely metal for people who don't like metal.
Obviously Filosofem. It's a great album regardless of taste.
I think Arch Enemy's Anthem's of Rebellion and Children of Bodom's Hatebreeder are pretty normalfag friendly, although a bit pleb. Sludge is a good genre for someone with educated taste.
periphery. usually a perfect blend of agressive metal with screaming and amazing singing with plenty of jaw dropping melodic sections. heres a few examples. the second half of this song has some of the best melodies ive ever heard. youtube.com/watch?v=G8nM0LTxTOo
I'm not huge into metal myself but I do like the early 90s gothic metal stuff that was basically glorified death/doom like Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Katatonia. If you like TON then maybe check some of those guys out, especially since all of them have more accessible efforts - even MDB, who have stuck to their guns over the years, released Like Gods Of The Sun and 37.488%... Complete. The other 3 bands mentioned straight up softened their sound to a point where even the staunchest non-metal fans could get into some of their stuff - Paradise Lost had a synthrock phase while Katatonia and Anathema transitioned into prog territory.
Slow, Deep, and Hard is the epitome of everything you just said. And it's one of the greatest.
Isaiah Taylor
>but generally the forced "act" of a lot of metal usually turns me off just get used to the cheesy stuff, there's lot of good music that hides behind all that cheese
