JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum METAL {n lyrics too}

Well, a writer who's willing to take on a genre that has suffered more negativity from the moral majority than any other, including hip hop.
That, my friend, must be admired.

However, to answer your question, no....there is no standard formula to write lyrics that appeal to and/or even suggest a particular genre.
If anyone ever tries to tell you any different, then they just don't have a grasp on the concept of versatility and independent creativity.

If you really want your lyrics to sound like Dio, Ozzy, Judas Priest or whoever, then you are free to follow what has already been done, but if you are solely intent on presenting your own orginal work to a band, then by all means WRITE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL WORK.

Case in point, look at Evanescence.

I have been writing lyrics for 30 years, and in my own opinion, some of my work could and should be recorded by a metal band, but that's not how I will present my work to the wide open world of music. I offer my own work as is, and the musician who sees it and contacts me about a project is the one who thought that what I have written fits whatever kind of music that he plays.
I have submitted pieces that are structured as a lyric, some that are free flowing verse, and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
To be labeled, categorized, typecast and otherwise boxed in is to cheat yourself out of the rewards that may be awaiting the writer who is not set upon one singular genre, and is equally available to all comers who might show interest.

I do indeed wish all the best of luck and everything good to you in all of your efforts, but I just feel that, for whatever it's worth, limiting yourself to any one genre or type of music is not what creative writing is all about......it's about freedom, right?