Glasstopped

Glasstopped is a term that originated from the metal music subgenre of melodic death metal, also known as death melodic or melodic death metal. Glasstopped is often used to describe the sound or style of bands that blended the brutality and aggression of death metal with the catchiness and melodies of melodic death metal.

Glasstopped music typically features aggressive vocals, fast tempo, and melodic guitar work. The term is often used to describe bands that emerged from the early 2000s, but its roots date back to the 1990s. Bands such as At the Gates, In Flames, and Dark Tranquillity are considered pioneers of the melodic death metal genre, and glasstopped style is a key aspect of their sound.

The term "glasstopped" is a colloquialism and not a formal term. It is believed to have originated from the black glass dullness of the vocalist's voice, but also may refer to the annealed glass sheen of a record that sounds both brutal and gorgeous at the same time. The glasstopped sound has been characterized as combining the best aspects of both worlds, creating a genre-bending music that appeals to a wide range of fans.

Glasstopped music has influenced various subgenres and bands, from the music of the American and European metal scenes to the newer generations of deathcore and metalcore bands. Despite its roots and its strong influence on modern metal music, glasstopped remains a somewhat abstract and subjective term that embodies the morbidity and the attraction present in most melodic death metal music.