Is Melodic Death Metal the Ultimate Metal Subgenre?
Metal is a huge genre of music. Old as the world and popular as hell. So it’s no wonder countless subgenres have spawned from it over the years. To name a few: Deathcore, Metalcore, Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Symphonic Metal, Thrash Metal, and many, many others. Each subgenre coming with its own twists and distinctive sound.
Yet, among all these different subgenres, there is one, as the great J.R.R. Tolkien would put it – To Rule Them All. I’m talking about Melodic Death Metal.
If you’re into heavy music, Melodic Death Metal may very well be the ultimate evolution of metal. It’s the punchiest, the most creative, and the most replayable subgenre.
Before you start cursing me, my opinion, and the audacity I have to make such a bold claim – just hear me out. And also take a listen to the songs I post here. Even if you’re not convinced I’m right by the end of this post, you might still discover some awesome new music.
Why Melodic Death Metal Might Be the Best Subgenre
Melodic Death Metal is a perfect blend of the raw power, ferocity and aggression of traditional death metal with beautiful melodies and creative vocals. It’s the most versatile and, most importantly, the most satisfying — subgenre in all of metal. It combines all the best parts of other subgenres and literally has no downsides.
When you want to feel true power and energy blasting through your whole body – Melodic Death Metal hits harder than anything else out there. When you want clean vocals and melodic hooks that make you want to sing along – Melodic Death Metal’s got that too. When you want complex guitar solos and hard riffs – it has it all.
It’s so easy to get into, unlike the more extreme subgenres. Plus it has insane replayability. Like, when you find a song you particularly like, it’s gonna stay on your favorite playlist pretty much forever, because you just won’t get tired of it.
And in the hands of talented bands, this metal subgenre shines the brightest.
Top Melodic Death Metal Bands of All Time
Speaking of which – while there are plenty of incredible artists and bands in Melodic Death Metal, some are just on another level. I’ve listened to most groups that have made music in this subgenre. Some of these artists stuck with the same brand of sound throughout their careers, while others changed and evolved over time.
But if we’re talking about the greatest Melodic Death Metal bands of all time, I can narrow the list down to these three for you.
In Flames
The first one has to be In Flames. They are the band many metal fans think of when the conversation starts about this style of music. In Flames is without a doubt one of the most popular and recognized groups in the world that play in this genre. Their albums are just legendary – especially the older ones.
Dark Tranquillity
The second band I’m gonna include in the category of top MDM groups is Dark Tranquillity. These guys stood at the very foundation of the subgenre. They helped define its sound – and that’s not an exaggeration. They’re still active, and they’ve got a seriously impressive discography.
Before the Dawn
And the last spot on this tier list goes to a relatively unknown band that even some hardcore fans might’ve missed – Before the Dawn. Their music deserves way more recognition and attention. They’ve got absolutely gorgeous songs in their repertoire – melodic but heavy as hell. And just like In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, they’ve mastered that signature combination of harsh and clean vocals that’s so iconic for the genre.
Best Melodic Death Metal Songs Of All Time
One of the main strengths of Melodic Death Metal is that it’s incredibly versatile. There’s a songs for any mood. From super hard fast epic power hits, to calm and introspective ballads. That’s the beauty of the genre, really. But when it comes to the greatest MDM track, here are my TOP 5 picks (in no particular order):
- In Flames – Ordinary Story
- In Flames – Jester Script Transfigured
- Before the Dawn – Hiding
- Dark Tranquillity – The Wonders at Your Feet
- In Flames – Dialogue with the Stars
You can listen to them right here. Enjoy! 
In Flames – Ordinary Story
In Flames – Jester Script Transfigured
Before the Dawn – Hiding
Dark Tranquillity – The Wonders at Your Feet
In Flames – Dialogue with the Stars
Where to Start If You’re New to MDM
It’s alright if you’ve actually never listened to Melodic Death Metal (MDM). I get it – the name itself is kinda scary and might make you think of some extreme sub-genres. But trust me, it’s not like that.
Personally, I discovered it by chance. I got my hands on an In Flames CD (yeah, back in the day CDs were super popular), and I really loved the raw power and the epic melodic sound of those guys. And only after I’d been enjoying their music for quite some time did I find out that this genre of music is called Melodic Death Metal.
I understood the “Melodic Metal” part of the name right away. But I wasn’t actually sure about the “Death” part. There weren’t really many of those themes in their lyrics. And the sound overall was far from depressive, on the contrary – it felt energizing.
So if you’re just starting your journey into the MDM, I recommend checking the three bands I mentioned. I have included the playlists featuring each band’s best songs:
Conclusion
Whether you prefer lighter-sounding metal or a more harsh, harder-hitting sound, Melodic Death Metal can deliver both. It’s a perfect blend of traditional heavy metal with the powerful, heavy elements of death metal.
And of course, this is just my take on the topic. If you disagree – that’s totally fine. Everyone has their own tastes and opinions. And everyone has the right to be wrong. 
