heavy metal
what it is
Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. Today, the original genre is often referred to as classic metal or traditional heavy metal. With roots in blues-rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness.
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level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is heavy metal?
Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. Today, the original genre is often referred to as classic metal or traditional heavy metal. With roots in blues-rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness.
What are good heavy metal albums to start with?
Try Hail To The King by Avenged Sevenfold, Painkiller by Judas Priest, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath, and The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden.
Who are some women making heavy metal?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/heavy-metal/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making heavy metal, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20