From Gladiator to Imaginaerum: the influence of Hans Zimmer on the symphonic metal scene De Gladiator à Imaginaerum : l'influence de Hans Zimmer dans le metal symphonique En Fr

Résumé En

Born in the ’90s, symphonic metal has been defined as heavy metal music integrating a symphonic orchestra. For musicologists and sociologists, this genre reflects a burning passion for classical music and opera. However, a proper study of the influences of symphonic metal musicians disprove this definition: whilst having a superficial knowledge of the classical repertory, all these musicians seem to be brought together by an immoderate love for the film score of the “New Hollywood”, and especially the music of Hans Zimmer and of the Media Ventures. Much more than easy citations, it corresponds to true integration of the musical parameters that constitute the language of the original soundtracks. We will show the importance of Hans Zimmer in heavy metal, based on the results of a survey of more than 200 bands. The composer represents a major figure in popular cinema, even for the “metalheads”. The contemporary Hollywood productions flood the symphonic metal scene: at the opening and the ending of each show, but also whenever the orchestra comes into a narrative function (epic, creepy, or melancholic music…). Lastly, analyzing songs and movies from the symphonic metal world, we will show how important is this influence, to such an extent that major bands like Nightwish or Epica often collaborate with the world of cinema.