Metal Guitar Scale for Dark and Heavy Playing

Many times when playing heavy I play a metal guitar scale which calls for many flat notes relative to the major scale. One scale I like to use in particular flats the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7ths relative to the major. This leaves the root chord in minor, likewise the 2nd, 5th and 7th chords relative to the scale. The 6th chord is diminished.

This obviously has the impact of moving around the tones of the chords quite a bit resulting in a very different, much darker sound when playing traditional progressions which would normally sound bright. I like to use the example of the simple I-IV-V in the major scale (all major chords) which sounds quite dreary in this minor scale (i-IV-v - the first and fifth chords are minor), using this example really demonstrates the differences between the two - and sets the stage for more advanced study. Hearing the difference when playing scales and leads over your own progressions is the best way to advance your music knowledge and develop your own unique playing style, whether you ultimately decide to use a metal guitar scale or not.