-
Blues
The blues, created by African-Americans, plays a huge part in influencing early Heavy Metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. -
British Invasion
The British Invasion is not specifically a genre but is a blanket term for all music from English groups that gained popularity all over America in the mid 1960's. Many bands apart of the British Invasion have been cited as major influencers of heavy metal. -
Psychedelic Rock
A genre of rock that emerged in the mid-60's as a direct result of the psychedelic culture centered around hallucinogenic drugs. Bands such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, and Pink Floyd were influential bands of this genre and aspects of this genre are even used in a newer sub-genre of Metal, Stoner Metal. -
Heavy Metal
Finally, we reach the pinnacle of what led to what Metal is and has been for years---Heavy Metal. A common misconception most people have that heavy metal describes all metal, which it isn't. Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that arose in the late 60's and early 70's, expanding from the U.S. to the UK. Key people and bands of the heavy metal movement include Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. -
Glam Metal/Hair Metal
Glam metal is a sub-genre of metal that claimed mainstream popularity in the early 80's and eventually lost all of it in the same decade. Glam metal ties in pop-influenced beats and high intensity vocals. Glam metal is one of those sub-genres some people love, and some hate. -
Alternative Metal
Alternative Metal is a subgenre of metal and sister-genre of Alternative Rock that was founded in the late 80's and gained popularity in the early 90's. Alternative metal combines a heavy metal sound with influences from alternative rock and other genres that aren't normally associated with metal. -
Nu Metal
Nu Metal is a subgenre of Metal that emerged in the late 90's and early 2000's that combine hip hop, funk, industrial, grunge, along with elements of heavy metal. This subgenre didn't make it long after the 2000's, however, because of how quickly it went mainstream. -
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of metal that uses aspects of traditional heavy metal and hardcore punk. I don't like this genre. -
The Revival Of Nu-Metal
We've finally reached 2024. There has not been a new genre of metal recognized this year, and instead, we can see a trend of people recycling old aesthetics. A subgenre that has regained popularity has been nu-metal. Not just its music, it's style too. Gen Z's fashion seems heavily influenced by the baggy, y2k clothes Fred Durst loved to wear in his prime. Bands like Deftones, Linkin Park, and Korn have all seemed to have the limelight lately.