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Trap metal is difficult to define, because aggressive hip-hop often doesn’t often cross into metal territory.\u00a0 The trap metal genre, which grew from the Soundcloud hip-hop underground of the mid-2010s, can be best characterized by the use of heavily distorted 808 drum machine beats, tuned-down guitars, screaming vocals, industrial or n\u00fc-metal soundscapes, hip-hop flows, and lyricism which blends together modern trap with gothic themes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trap metal grates on the ears like early black metal and distorts traditional hip-hop beats to create uncomfortable levels of over-modulation. It’s as anti-social as modern hardcore and delves into depraved lyrical hellscapes akin to grindcore or drug-fueled industrial music.<\/p>\n
The acts which influenced trap metal are too numerous to count. City Morgue<\/strong>‘s ZillaKami<\/strong> has cited Slipknot<\/a><\/strong>, DMX<\/strong>, Radiohead<\/strong> and Title Fight<\/strong> as major influences, while artists like Ghostemane<\/a><\/strong> drew from acts like Bathory<\/a><\/strong>, Outcast, Carcass<\/a><\/strong> and Three 6 Mafia. Like n\u00fc-metal or emo rap, trap metal is a bizarre Frankenstein of contrary art forms, and its result is both subversive and polarizing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most trap metal fans will agree that the genre’s golden era was a short one \u2014 roughly from 2016-2019. And as the genre became more publicized and copy-pasted, its raw power began to diminish. However, the genre’s originators continue to release phenomenal cuts and lead cult-like fan bases, with a new tour featuring $uicideboy$<\/strong>, Ghostemane<\/strong> and City Morgue<\/strong> hitting arenas.<\/p>\n Here’s a look through some of trap metal’s greatest and most essential songs.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the earliest and most influential innovators of trap metal, American rapper Bones<\/strong> helped send the sub-genre in motion with his 2016 mixtape Useless<\/em>. “RestInPeace” starts out with no hint of where its second half will take the listener. Out of nowhere, Bones<\/strong> goes harsh with his vocals, shredding his throat as an 808 beat drops. Bones continues his aggressive streak with the dreamlike “GladWeHaveAnUnderstanding,” which is highly recommended if you dig “RestInPeace.”<\/p>\n \n