MORE THAN MOSHING: Structure, Convention, and Innovation in Extreme Metal Breakdowns

John Muniz

doi:10.4324/9781003354451-10

MORE THAN MOSHING: Structure, Convention, and Innovation in Extreme Metal Breakdowns

John Muniz

Music, School of

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Highly valued by metal fans, breakdowns are passages of exceptional “heaviness” that invite headbanging, moshing, and peak experiences. While there exists a sophisticated and growing literature on genre and signification in breakdowns, theoretical work on their structure lacks detail and depth. The present chapter attempts to provide a more precise structural description of breakdown norms, as well as showing how these norms serve a common function of contrasting with the rest of the song. Analyses of selected breakdowns demonstrate the dialogic relationship between breakdown conventions and exceptionally creative examples of the genre.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	The Routledge Handbook to Metal Music Composition
Subtitle of host publication	Evolution of Structure, Expression, and Production
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	136-151
Number of pages	16
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040354513
ISBN (Print)	9781032407203
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003354451-10
State	Published - Jan 1 2025

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Arts and Humanities

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10.4324/9781003354451-10

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MORE THAN MOSHING: Structure, Convention, and Innovation in Extreme Metal Breakdowns

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