Heavy metal
Heavy 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. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock, and acid rock, heavy metal bands developed a thick, massive sound characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. The lyrics and performances are often associated with aggression and machismo.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Heavy metal is known for its powerful, loud sound and its use of electric guitars, bass guitars, and drum kits. The genre often employs a high level of technical skill, particularly in the guitar solos. The vocals can range from clean to growling or screaming, depending on the subgenre.
Instrumentation[edit | edit source]
The typical heavy metal band lineup includes:
- One or two electric guitarists
- A bass guitarist
- A drummer
- A vocalist
Lyrics and Themes[edit | edit source]
Heavy metal lyrics often deal with themes such as:
History[edit | edit source]
Heavy metal's roots can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple are often credited with pioneering the genre.
1970s[edit | edit source]
The 1970s saw the rise of heavy metal with bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden pushing the genre forward. The sound became more defined and the themes more pronounced.
1980s[edit | edit source]
The 1980s were a significant decade for heavy metal, with the emergence of subgenres such as thrash metal, glam metal, and death metal. Bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth became prominent during this time.
1990s and Beyond[edit | edit source]
The 1990s saw the diversification of heavy metal into numerous subgenres, including nu metal, black metal, and power metal. Bands like Pantera, Slipknot, and Nightwish gained popularity.
Subgenres[edit | edit source]
Heavy metal has spawned a variety of subgenres, each with its own distinct characteristics:
Influence and Legacy[edit | edit source]
Heavy metal has had a significant impact on popular culture and has influenced many other genres of music. It has a dedicated fan base and continues to be a major force in the music industry.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Rock music
- Electric guitar
- Bass guitar
- Drum kit
- Led Zeppelin
- Black Sabbath
- Iron Maiden
- Metallica
- Thrash metal
- Death metal
- Black metal
- Power metal
- Doom metal
- Glam metal
- Nu metal
Categories[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
